Well, well, well, looks like another Monday is upon us. As I type this it is 11p.m. and I am so sleepy but I logged on here only to find..... Holy crap, my blog hit 10,000 views! Yikesssss.
So, if you guys are awesome enough to read these posts every week, I will continue to write them on Sunday nights even though I will probably fall asleep in my latte tomorrow morning. That's what friends are for.
Last week, every important individual from my company showed up in my store at some point. For the first time in years and years, I was actually nervous about something; strange. Let this be proof to everyone that doesn't think that important people will ever show up at their store. It really does happen. Luckily for 333, we did a great job and everything worked out just the way it should have. This is living proof that hard work goes a long way! Shout out to every single one of you for being the best little worker bees in the whole world. You make my life so happy every single day. I couldn't have made it through this week without you angels. Also, you're all so cute, I can't even stand it. Now that all of that excitement is over. Hang on to your santa hats, its about to get real very shortly. Let's spread holiday cheer for the next couple of months! Love love love you!
Earlier last week, Ryan and I went to the pumpkin patch. We have been friends for life and we just so happened to have the same day off of work. If you have ever been to Soergel's before, you know that in order to get to the actual patch portion of the orchard, you have to walk up a ccolossal hill. Obviously, I was very excited to get there, so I was on the move and Ryan's little legs were struggling to keep up with me. Needless to say, we get to the top of the hill only to find a sign saying "Pumpkin Patch Closed. Do Not Enter." I'm sorry, what? Don't worry, I didn't let that ruin my day. We went on to take advantage of other opportunities that the patch had to offer. Here is a photo for your entertainment. PS, who is this little bitch behind me and why does she look like she's hardcore judging me? After this photo op, I was forced to select a pumpkin out of a giant bin. My pumpkin was covered in dirt and had a big dent in it. However, a shitty pumpkin beats no pumpkin at all. So, whatever, not ruining my week. To be honest, I'm not good with knives anyways, it's all about the seeds.
This week, I didn't catch too many people stealing. On Monday, we caught two girls stealing a pair of jeans but they gave them back when they came to the realization that we were a lot smarter and sassier than they were. Thank you Lexi Miller for the assist on this recovery. Additionally, a security guard stopped in my store on Sunday to return a pair of 00 jeans that he found laying on the ground in the food court with the sensor still attached. Apparently, the thief from Saturday night must have realized just how small a 00 was, and ditched in by the China Max. PS. for the love of God do not eat there. Don't ask me why, just trust me on this one.
In an earlier blog post, I mentioned people that buy clothes in bulk to resell them online. Last week, we were graced with the presence of one such man. In the blog, I mentioned how silly these people look when they are carrying a ridiculous amount of items around the store. For those of you that have never seen something like this before. I give you this photo. There you have it, one man buying 20 items. I actually felt bad for this guy, because hit little wife just kept piling more and more things onto his body. Ultimately, he couldn't even buy these things because his credit card has been flagged by the company for purchasing too many items recently. I didn't even know that could happen. Learn something new every day I guess. But seriously, how funny is this photo?
Moving right along, here comes winter. My poor bones are frozen already and it's not even November. Someone keep my little body warm for the winter, please. Popcorn is a must and being the strongest man in the world is a total turn on, FYI. I've come to the realization that I really love the fall season, I just wish that it would last longer. This weekend, I am headed to New York City just in time for the late season hurricane. Last year when I went to New York in the fall, my flight was delayed because of snow. Perhaps I should consider what time of year I make this journey. Nevertheless, I will have lots and lots of photos from my getaway. Last year, Sara and Joel made me drink a Four Loko and I had flu-like symptoms for three days. Never again.
Speaking of the storm, everyone needs to calm down. I understand that some portions of the country are in deep shit, but I'm pretty sure that Pittsburgh is only on the outskirts of this storm. If you are going to the store to stock up on toilet paper, you need to re-evaluate your life. It looks like the storm will produce heavy rain in Pittsburgh for a few days. If you don't have enough toilet paper to last you days, you are a bad grocery shopper. Also, if you can't drive to the store in a rainstorm then you have bigger problems than a toilet paper shortage.
We will end on that note. I hope that everyone has a fantastic week, I know I will!
Here's to keeping calm and staying warm,
Xoxo
Happy Monday, you beautiful souls.
This blog will be a semi-random conglomeration of recent events and thoughts. While this weeks literature will not have one solid theme, I assure you that it will be just as entertaining as every other week.
First and foremost, this week brings the big 2-5 for a very great friend of mine. Happy birthday, Andrea. You're so pretty and silly and I'm so proud of your recent epiphany of avoiding men like the plague. Better late than never, right? I hope this is your best year yet, I love you (even though you told me you hope I gain weight in my midsection).
Happy first day of being a store manager, Jess Maloney. You will be so amazing at your new store and I hope that you put your binder to fantastic use and enjoy being able to wear your chucks again. Don't forget your mom though, I'm going to miss the crap out of you!
Congratulations to my managers and all of my part timers for lowing our units stolen per week by more that 50%. Every single one of you guys (all 74 of you), have done an amazing job at fighting crime. A little kindness goes a longgg way and now, we can see the truth in that statement. I adore 100% of you. Especially because you're the only kids I'll ever have.
To everyone that was in the Gibsonia Starbucks on 10/17 I am sorry for yelling at everyone. It's just that, whenever the barista offered up the free venti frappucino, I felt like it was in my moral code to let everyone know how many calories were in the drink. I know I said "Don't do it, think of all the calories, I will slap anyone's hand that reaches for that free beverage," and I still stand by those words. Sorry if I startled you.
Shout out to Anytime Fitness and trainer Erin for kicking my butt the last couple of weeks. Erin, I swear I don't actually hate you, even though I tell you five or more times an hour while you make me lift heavy weights, do endless lunges, and insist that I can do push ups even though you and I both know I have 0 upper body strength. My abs are looking better than ever and I can actually lift things without crying out in pain.
Speaking of lifting heavy things, I'd like for someone to take me to the pumpkin patch please. I am off on Tuesday and Saturday this week, so let me know who is down. Please note that a trip to the pumpkin patch was the demise of a relationship that I had last year, so don't expect anything other than pumpkin picking and hilarity. This venue hasn't exactly been a relationship builder for me.
Recently, a lot of people have been asking about my dad. I cannot put into words how much I appreciate everyone's concern and interest in dad's health. He is doing just great! It has almost been THREE WHOLE YEARS since my mom gave him one of her kidneys! After endless years of hospital living and bad news, we have almost had three consecutive healthy years. Dad says that every day that he is alive is a bonus. I wish more people in the world had an outlook like that. Think of what a difference it would make if people valued every breath. I know I do!
And now, a couple of things that have been grinding my gears for the last week or so:
1. What is the point of the political front yard sign? All joking aside, what is the point? Are you supposed to use it as an icebreaker with the neighbors? "Honey look, the Smith's are voting for Obama, let's go talk politics with them!" No, no one does that. Is it so that local traffic can create their own political polls? That can't be it either. Yet, with all of the "guess who I'm voting for" front yard signs, I can't help but wonder what the damn point is. Regardless, get out and vote next week!
2. Why why why why why am I now notified on Facebook when one of my friends gets engaged? I get that everyone's birthdays show up under "events" on my home page. To be honest, I don't even like that. More often than not I a)don't even know who the people are or b)haven't talked to the person in years. So, as if the birthdays aren't bad enough, I now have to see engagements. I think we can all agree that engagements happen just about as frequently as birthdays these days. Before I know it, my entire side bar will be filled with things I just don't care about. Thank the Lord for twitter.
And, for everyone posting about the Steelers and blowing up all of my social networking news feeds... I know. Everyone else in Pittsburgh is watching the game too. And because of you guys, the blog is getting posted 8 hours early, just to add some variety to everyone's lives.
With that, here's to another week of happiness,
Xoxo
Goooood Monday morning! :)
Before I get this party started, allow me to catch everyone up on my life. I love it, obviously. Work is fantastic, I love everyone and every thing about it. This week, I recovered some stolen fragrances from a 30-year-old crackhead whom ALSO wrote me a fake check, was asked out by a 12-year-old, and spent roughly 10 minutes of my life trying to help out an Indian woman whose only spoken English word was "ladies." Additionally, this week was floorset week one and it went just wonderfully. Thank you to all of you for your hard work, let's do it again this week!
On Sunday, I drank the most delicious instant latte of my life. Shout out to Red for the freebee and how-to on the new Starbucks Kcup machine. Red is also a photographer, and does some great work. If you're interested, check out his photos here!
Also this week, Happy birthday Rachel! Can't wait for our dinner date!
Today, I am headed to court for Casey's hearing. For those of you that may not remember, Casey is the wonderful individual that stole 16 items from my store and then roughed me up on her escape to her shitty car and back to her section 8 housing residence. I can't wait to be reunited with her today. I can't help but wonder if she will bring her child to court, much like she brought her to her shoplifting endeavor. I'll keep you posted.
Last weekend, some family members from North Carolina came to visit! It was wonderful and we went to the winery, which I think we all know how I feel about that. Please, allow me to suggest the riesling at Narcisi; it is delicious and comes in a fabulous blue bottle. While at dinner, my aunt asked me if I had a boyfriend and when I told her that I did not, she asked, "what are you waiting for?"
What am I waiting for? Please, allow me to tell you.
I've spent the better part of my 24 years on earth working to surround myself with people that make me happy. People that love me for the person that I am. They accept my tall skinny body, my sass, my overly excited disposition, my love for over-priced coffee, and even my trash mouth.
To be honest, I've done a damn good job at plucking the shitty people of the world out from my happy life. I am so pleased with the people that are involved in my every day life. You see, to me, life is too short. Why exhaust your time and energy on people that only bring negativity into your life? So it's very simple; I don't bother with those people. If you are a bad friend, if you only receive and never give, if you are materialistic, a perpetual complainer, have outlandish priorities, or dishonest, you can plague someone else's life, because I have time for none of those things.
Maybe, just maybe, this is the secret of life.
A very good friend of mine just broke up with her boyfriend. He's ignored her for three days in a row and made it very clear that hunting deer is more important than acknowledging her. He's also 30 years old. I guess he's not in a hurry to get married either. My friend has come to the realization that I was right alllllll of these years when I insisted that I could control my own happiness. "All I need is my pug," she said. For me, it's popcorn, wine, and the gym. To each her own.
To the people that have found "the one" good for you! I can't imagine what it's like to meet someone whom is everything that I want. There is nothing wrong with being married. But, let's also address that there is nothing wrong with NOT being married, either. Perhaps, if I found someone who was an all around good person, I would consider sharing my happy life with them eternally.
I once dated a man that loved me for all that I was, truly. If soul mates did exist, hey may have been it. However, we cannot help what we feel. As the years progress, we cannot force ourselves to feel things that we don't.
For everyone that is 20 something and single, good for you, too! If you're going to stand for anything, stand for yourself. Take some time looking out for number one. Address the things that you need and the things that you want, and don't settle for anything less. Single doesn't mean there is something wrong with you, it means that you have standards. If you haven't found anyone that does it for you yet, don't give up. In the grand scheme of life, 20 something is juvenile.
What am I waiting for?
Every single morning I wake up happy. Every. Single. Morning. It's really a gift. I'm looking for the person that can only bring me up from there. Until then, I wouldn't say that being in full control of my own happiness is a bad thing. I'm looking for someone that values everyday life, realizes that making a lot of money is nothing in comparison to loving what you do, and someone that believes that making a difference in the world is possible. I also would like for them to enjoy working out and being tall is also a perk, since I'm a giraffe and all.
That's what I'm waiting for, and there is nothing wrong with that.
If you're focusing on finding someone else to complete your life, maybe you should actually be focusing on what you could be doing differently to complete yourself, first.
Until next week,
Here's to accepting the beauty of life with or without a significant other,
Xoxo
Good morning, and as always, happy Monday. By the time you have begun to read this blog, I am already happily at work filling out piles of paperwork while listening to pandora and sipping on my yummy latte. Recently, the barista at my new Starbucks learned my name and BOC (beverage of choice). However, April at the Gibsonia Starbucks still holds a strong place in my heart as she always draws lovely designs and calls me pretty every single time that I see her. Who doesn't like to be called pretty? Anyways...
This blog will be calling out a few fine (just kidding) individuals for their overall dis-service to the world around them. Without any exaggeration, the mere fact that people like this actually exist in our realm is absolutely sickening.
Two weeks ago, I said I would be calling out anyone that made me mad. Don't say I didn't warn you.
It has recently been brought to my attention that an immature individual likes to talk about me as much as she breathes. I have never done anything but nice deeds for this person and rather than trying to come up with a reason that she decided that she dislikes me, I've focused on why she feels the need to talk about me or anyone else for that matter. Here is what I have come up with: her life sucks, she is boring, no one likes her, at some point perhaps someone has talked about her and she feels the need to pass the torch, her parents didn't teach her proper manners, daytime television drama got the best of her imagination or perhaps she enjoys fashioning entertaining yet fictitious stories in her stupid mind. Whatever the reason may be, sorry about your luck, but you're getting called out.
If you want to talk about me here are some things you could say: I am loud, cannot handle my liquor, can't keep a boyfriend, obsess over my job, shop too much, and cannot stand children in any way. I have plenty of faults, so I suggest you select one of those next time you feel the need to talk about me, instead of making up absurd stories that everyone you are telling a)knows are simply false and b)tells me about your accusations and we giggle.
At some point, I encourage you to look around and realize that no one else in your age group still bad mouths people, or makes up ridiculous stories about them. Habits like that are a bit outdated for people in their 20's. In fact, I feel bad for your childish ways and anyone that voluntarily chooses to associate themselves with you.
Moving right along....
Just to give everyone an idea of the messed up individuals that frequent shopping malls, I give you this story. A very great friend of mine was recently helping a customer pick out jeans at her retail job. She told the woman that she thought she would like the jeans because they were not low-rise. The woman replied, and I am not joking, "when you have a fat stomach like yours, it's nice to have something to hide it."
For the record, my friend is not fat. She is skinny, short, and one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. If I was a bystander to this conversation, I would have told this woman about herself. This is the world we live in.
For anyone that is a South Hills Village shopper, please allow me to encourage you to go ahead and NOT eat at the "I Love Yogurt" venue in the mall. Two Friday's ago when I was so hungry that I contemplated eating my own arm, I headed over to the food court at approximately 8:45p.m. When I arrived at "I Love Yogurt" and ordered a salad (yes, they have salads, I know the name can be deceiving), I was told that they could not serve me any food because they were closing. I said, "I'm actually staring at a bowl of lettuce, can I just have some of that?" I was denied.
I am the epitome of this business, I love yogurt and I also love salads. Now, I love passing their establishment to get a salad elsewhere. Just incase you needed another reason to boycott this establishment, one of their cashiers tells idiotic jokes and has the most dry sense of humor of anyone I've ever met. I once watched him deny an elderly woman of a napkin then crack up before giving it to her. Good one, you jerk, she didn't know you were kidding.
Those are the only negatives that I have for now, but if people continue to piss me off on a regular basis... I'll continue to post about them. No shame.
Shout out to my BFF in the whole wide world on her 25th birthday this week! I love you and I will see you soon to celebrate!
Also, congratulations to Jeff Jackson who is moving to Kentucky this week for a promotion with Mercedes Benz. You'll do great, love you!
I'll write next week, but in the meantime,
Keep talking about me, you're making me famous,
Xoxo
Good Monday evening, everyone. I apologize for my tardiness on this post, I was one busy girl this weekend and my Sunday routine was thrown for a loop as I spent the afternoon in a car back from a weekend voyage.
I headed to good old Altoona, PA this weekend to visit with one of my best friends in the entire world and try on bridesmaid's dresses for her wedding! While Altoona is.... different... I really enjoyed the time I spent with Jenna and her family this weekend. They are truly some of the sweetest people I have ever known.
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| College party, 2007. |
Before making the plans to rendezvous halfway across the state, Jenna and I realized that we had not seen each other for roughly three years. Yet, we remained friends through all sorts of obstacles; college, job changes, moves, crazy boyfriends, family illness and, of course, a quarter life crisis or two. Yet, early Saturday morning after 2.5 hours of driving, many wrong turns, and plenty of dead zones for my satellite radio; Jenna and I raced towards each other at the end of her parent's driveway as she yelled "this is the day the Lord has made!"
It was at that moment that I realized, this is the epitome of friendship.
After years and years of not seeing Jenna, we spent the day together laughing at old times, remembering nick names that we had for everyone we've ever met before, and reminiscing about our trip to the beach with our favorite gays in 2008. Shout out to Tyler and Tommy.
It's probable that everyone has recently been let down by someone that they believed was a great friend at some point. Ultimately, we all get confused every now and then. In high school, everyone is your "best friend." The term is used loosely. As we grow up, though, we realize that having the same 4th period AP lit class with someone doesn't make you best friends. Best friends are not made by running at the same pace as someone else in 10th grade gym class. Best friends aren't made by who your locker is next to, who your favorite teacher is, or what section of the school district you reside in.
In high school, we may think we have "best friends" but what we actually have are commonalities. You grow up, mature, and grow apart from your 18-year-old version of what a "best friend" is.
However, there are always exceptions.
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| Chicago, 2004! |
In kindergarden at All Saints, I met Sara K. Needless to say, Mrs. Ranallo may not have appreciated all of the life decisions that we made after the second grade. My earliest memory with Sara is getting stuck in a hula skirt in her living room and needing her mom to PHYSICALLY cut me out of the damn grass skirt. That's probably when I started dieting. And since then, we have been friends. Not "friends." Real friends. No bullshit, no gossip, no drama. We've laughed, we've cried, we've drank way too much, we've taken naps on curbs, shared inappropriate stories, we've spent more days laying in the sun and reading magazines than most Floridians, hands down. Friends since the age of 5? That's something. That's best friends. Some things never change. See you in a few weeks, Sara. Love you!
In this friendship blog shout out session, I must make note of my friends from college that I have managed to keep in contact with through transfers, across state boundaries and through everything that college has to offer. Andrea, Amanda, and Rachel; I love the three of you more than life. You guys have seen me at my best, and my worst. Amanda, at the very moment that I met you, someone was throwing up in my kitchen sink. Andrea, you hated me, and threw my rain boots in the street, but we bounced back. The "Celebrate life" cake really built a firm foundation for our friendship. Rachel, you watched me cry for DAYS when my boyfriend fled the country. PS, he was the first but he was NOT the last. You three are fan-fucking-tastic, and I adore all of you and I value your continuing friendship more than I could ever explain. Andrea and Amanda, come to Pittsburgh right now. Rachel, I'm ready for another wine sesh when you are. love love love love you ladies.
Let's use this week to be a great friend. To get in contact with those that mean the most to you. To check in with those that hold a special place in your heart that live across state lines. To remember what real friendship stands for. To take a trip down memory lane, and to pave the path of friendship for years and years to come.
Here's to understanding the value of true friendship,
Xoxo
Last week, every important individual from my company showed up in my store at some point. For the first time in years and years, I was actually nervous about something; strange. Let this be proof to everyone that doesn't think that important people will ever show up at their store. It really does happen. Luckily for 333, we did a great job and everything worked out just the way it should have. This is living proof that hard work goes a long way! Shout out to every single one of you for being the best little worker bees in the whole world. You make my life so happy every single day. I couldn't have made it through this week without you angels. Also, you're all so cute, I can't even stand it. Now that all of that excitement is over. Hang on to your santa hats, its about to get real very shortly. Let's spread holiday cheer for the next couple of months! Love love love you!
In an earlier blog post, I mentioned people that buy clothes in bulk to resell them online. Last week, we were graced with the presence of one such man. In the blog, I mentioned how silly these people look when they are carrying a ridiculous amount of items around the store. For those of you that have never seen something like this before. I give you this photo. There you have it, one man buying 20 items. I actually felt bad for this guy, because hit little wife just kept piling more and more things onto his body. Ultimately, he couldn't even buy these things because his credit card has been flagged by the company for purchasing too many items recently. I didn't even know that could happen. Learn something new every day I guess. But seriously, how funny is this photo? 