This Momma... Got a Promotion!!

This partial stay-at-home mommy is going back to work full time!

I know, it sounds awful.  The only reason why is because a new door has opened for me and I'm going to see where it takes me.  

For a little over a year, I've known about a possible promotion.  Then, lots of drama happened; unhappy country club members, people getting laid off, fired, etc.  It got to a point where I got my hopes up, nothing was happening and so I started looking for other jobs.  The office jobs I found come to find out, would have paid me less than what I was making by the hour at Mount Vernon.

Source: tumblr.com via Kensie on Pinterest

So, I stuck around... and I'm glad I did.

Long story short...  my new Assistant General Manager came in in February.  He helped find a new head Chef, promoted me to Dining Manager and has found and hired an Assistant Clubhouse Manager.

My new job starts next week!  

I'm a little nervous of the unknown, but so excited at the same time.

I'm finally feeling appreciated and it's finally clear that my bosses see my potential.

The members that have found out as well, are excited for me to get on board with the management team.

I will surely miss being home four days a week but am looking forward to the new road ahead!

Thankfully, I have a very supportive Husband that I know will miss me being home all the time but knows that this is good for me and our little family.

                                                          Source: Uploaded by user via Aqilah on Pinterest

I'm so so excited and can't wait to start next week.  Of course I will keep my blogging world updated ☺

Monday Mingle: Pregnancy

It's my first time linking up with MHO Monday Mingle!

This week's theme: Pregnancy

1.  Have you ever been pregnant? If so, do enjoy being pregnant?

Why, yes.  I have an almost four year old (that thinks she's Miss Independent) to prove it.  I didn't really enjoy it as much as I should have.  The first couple months of being pregnant were stressful since the Hubs and I (that weren't married at the time) had to tell our parent's, save money, look at places for us to live, etc!  I've been promising to myself that the next pregnancy will be fun and I will make it memorable.

2.  Do you wish to be pregnant?

Yes and no.  Since I'm starting a new position at my current job, I'm starting to tell myself it's not the right time.  But when is it ever?  I really do want another baby!

3. What do you think is the worst part of pregnancy?

I didn't have any sickness when I was pregnant so I would probably have to say... weight gain.  It probably didn't help that I ate terribly!  I ate whatever I wanted.  Next time, I will eat healthier and exercise.  Swollen ankles and feet kind of sucked.  Oh and the labor pains!

4. What is the best part of pregnancy?

○Well I certainly got tons of sleep in the first trimester... I was sleepy, all the time!

○Steve took care of me so well!  He was always wanting to be with me to help and take care of me.  So sweet. ☺

○The baby showers of course!

○All the attention I got from family and friends.

5. What advice would you give those who have never been pregnant? If you haven't been pregnant what question would you ask for those who have been pregnant?

It's not going to be all easy and perfect all the time.  There will be days when you wake up and don't want to get out of bed (please, I have those now from time to time.)  Try not to complain too much.  ENJOY IT because you will have fun times!  When someone told me that one day I would forget how it all felt, I didn't believe them whatsoever after delivery.  Well look at me now... I WANT ANOTHER BABY!!

Mommy & Me Monday

Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?


Happy Monday! This past week I worked about sixty hours (I totally whined a bit, not going to lie)  This back to full time work is going to be hard to get used to that's for sure.  So I declare this day... my day off: I'm vegging out. I haven't taken any recent pictures of Briana and I together so I decided to look through her baby pictures. Here we are at two months old:

Thankfully, she still has her chubby cheeks!

Each year just get's faster and faster... her fourth birthday is in July.

Sometimes it's crazy to think all that time has passed so quickly!

WW: Weekend Recap

(I work weekends so when I get a weekend day off I do... it... up.)
On Friday, I finally got what I've been waiting for for the last year (it's been a long year.)  But I will share in a different post.
Saturday was the day I took off of work.  I had a lunch date with my mom, aunt, cousin and baby girl.  I feel like I never see my family so it's always a good time when we do get together.

After lunch, B and I went to my girlfriend's parents house for her son's 4th birthday.

The weather was perfect and so relaxing.

After all the birthday fun, I had a childless-free night out.

The Hubs and I went to go visit our friend in Fredericksburg to see his new home.  

We had dinner at Steak n Shake! OMG we need one in Fairfax... the burgers and milkshakes are Heaven!

I might have gotten a little drunky... but it sure was nice to let loose. ☺

What Are You Reading?

Happy almost Tuesday!

A little late, what else is new?

I worked today (which isn't my norm) and I'm exhausted... but I wanted to share what I've started reading.  I haven't linked up in awhile due to not being able to get through The Maze Runner.  It was good but for some reason it took me way too long to finish it!  

Anywho, I've started reading Hopeless by Colleen Hoover.  My sister had texted me awhile back (while reading that damn Maze Runner book) and told me that I need to read this book ASAP.  

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

What are you reading??

I'm keeping it short and sweet today.

Though, I do have some wonderful things to share later this week... super pumped!

Southwest Chicken Tortilla Soup

Yum yum yum.

I keep meaning to post about this wonderful recipe Pin that I found.

I actually made this Chicken Tortilla soup a couple of months ago when the Hubs and I were sick.

We both liked it a lot and ate it for lunch and dinner that day. ☺

You can find the original at A Night Owl blog.

When it comes to soup, Steve doesn't really eat it unless it's thick 'n creamy.  But, I believe the tomato puree helped thicken this one up a little and it turned out fantastic.

And pretty easy to make too!

The recipe calls for a rotisserie chicken.  Instead I used shredded chicken breasts and added Rotisserie Chicken seasoning.

Ingredients

○ 1 28oz can Classico Crushed Tomatoes (I used Hunts)

○ ¼ cup Classico Heavy Tomato Puree (I used Hunts for this as well)

○ 1 can whole black beans, drained

○ 1 can corn, drained

○ 1 can green chilies

○ 1 can Chicken broth

○ 1 package taco seasoning

○ 1 shredded rotisserie chicken

○ Optional: shredded cheese (yes please!)

○ Optional: sour cream (I used Greek Yogurt)

○ Optional: tostado shells or fried corn tortillas

What To Do?

○ In a large pot mix together tomatoes, heavy tomato puree, black beans, corn, green chilies, chicken broth, taco seasoning and shredded chicken.

○ Bring to a boil then lower heat to simmer for 30 minutes.  Stir every now and then.

○ That's it!  Spoon into bowls.  Add shredded cheese, sour cream (or Greek Yogurt) and whatever else your heart desires.

I'm pretty sure you could eat this any time of the year.  Enjoy!

Oh, How Pinteresting!

My favorite recent pins.

Happy Wednesday!

                                                     Source: fabuloushomeblog.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Website to watch Disney movies FREE online. YESSS!

                                                            Source: cornel1801.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

                                                      Source: luulla.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

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                                                                    Source: luulla.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

                                                                     Source: luulla.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Source: ogorgeous.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

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                                                              Source: facebook.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

                                                       Source: Uploaded by user via Stephanie on Pinterest

                                                                Source: lowcalgals.blogspot.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

                                                             Source: linleyhouse.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

It's OK...

It's ok...

... to still be eating jelly beans even if it's not Easter anymore!
... to HATE Spring time allergies.  HATE!
... to be excited that I don't have to work on Sunday.  Well, I have to technically work at an expo but it'll be nice to be *out of the office.*
... to be excited for my future job! Just wish it would fricken' happen already.  Mo money mo money.
... that I will be home less in the near future.  Change is for the better... I hope?!
... to add more to my workout routine.
... to be raging inside that my hard earned tip money had to go to bills instead of a present to myself for quitting smoking. *SIGH* This too shall pass.
... to tell myself that wine calories don't count.  It makes me feel good dammit!
... to look forward to having next Saturday off YAHOO!
... to be different.
... to want my blog redesigned but don't have the $$$ for it.  Someday soon hopefully!
... to want another baby but it might not be a good time for one.  
... that I need clothes for summer badly.
... that I need to work on showing more appreciation for my Husband.
... that I need a new hairstyle... and to get my gray's covered!
... that Briana is in need of Spring & Summer clothes.  Yay for upcoming consignment sales!
... that it went from snowing in the late Winter, to just yucky cold, to HOT in a couple weeks time. Crazyness.
... to LOVE Duck Dynasty, The Following, Grey's, The Americans +++

WW: DC Cherry Blossom Fun Day!

Briana, the Hubs & I went to DC on Tuesday.

We live about 30-45 minutes outside of the Nation's Capital but rarely ever go to visit.  Why do you wonder?  The Hubs hates driving into it (I don't blame him, crazy stupid drivers!) and I just don't know my way around it... even though I've lived in Northern VA most of my life.

The last time we went to see the Cherry Blossoms was in Spring of 2010.  B was nine months old so we figured it would be a good time to go again.

Haha! She was sucha chubalub.  ☺

We walked around, went pedal boating & had a picnic.  The weather was gorgeous, it actually got pretty hot towards the end.  Finally getting into Spring!  

Thankfully the peak bloom is during the week.  Even during the week it's packed with people!

We ended our adventure at the Fish Market (where we parked at... not too far from the Tidal Basin.)  I had the BEST Maryland Crab soup!  Walking away from it we took a couple pounds of shrimp, tilapia and more soup.  Great day!