Best (weekday) morning ever. 

I had the toughest time getting out of bed and when I finally did, I had a text from my boss saying she didn't need me for another hour. Well, I was already up, so I started some laundry, filled the sink with water to do the dishes, folded existing laundry, did the litter boxes, made myself some coffee, this was the first thing I did, of course; and in a timly matter, got all those things done. As I was about to leave my house, I recieved another text saying that I only had 4 babies and my boss wanted to know if I wanted to come in later when my co-teacher is off at 2:15. Oh my gosh YES! I love holiday weeks. I also love that I will be getting paid to put myself into a food coma tomorrow and then whatever I choose to do on Friday as well. Cheers to paid holidays! Aside from the fact that Joel and I won't be with our families this year, I am really looking forward to spending our first holiday together, just the two of us. I am bumming hard that I won't be with all my best friends tonight in down town Hudson, but I also know that tomorrow, I will feel the best I've ever felt on Thanksgiving morning. Last night I actually asked my girl friend here what she had planned for tonight. I thought to myself, "Maybe I do want to go out and drink too much for old times sake." Just to make myself feel like I'm back home. Then when I really think about it, I am going to take full advantage of feeling amazing tomorrow. My mom has been sick with the flu and my dad has been feeling under the weather too, but of course, he's been out in his woods. Priorities, you know! So, I don't even think mi madre' is partaking in the Thanksgiving festivities at my aunt's house. Although, I hope to take some time out of the afternoon and Skype with all my relatives there. Gosh, what did we do without Skype? That is another thing I am so thankful for these days. 

Last Saturday when Joel and I went out, we met some great people. As Joel was on stage, a lady came up to me and introduced herself. She told me that her and her husband (who is the cook at the bar we were at) would be happy to have Joel and I over for Thanksgiving and that if we ever needed anything at all, her and her husband would be there for us. Gosh, we already have adopted families. We are so grateful for kind people. Joel's friend, who let him play with him on Saturday, also told us about a Thanksgiving party that has been put on for the last how ever many years. A lady started throwing a party for everyone who lives here and doesn't have close family. What an awesome idea to do in a place like Colorado. I've come to learn that it's quite the melting pot. So, excited to start our own traditions in this life we are starting together, we'll be having a dinner on our own, and then making our way over to Maureen and Jeff's and then on to that other party. Although, we won't be with our families, we will definitely be with great, new friends. 

Last week, I told you that I was going to start job searching. Well, I actually got around to it. Kind of. I only went to one place, and it sounds sort of promising. I think and I hope. There is a liquor store across the street from the Kindercare that I am working at and I figured why not try and do exactly what I was doing back in Wisconsin. Liquors stores have very convenient hours when it comes to having it as a second job, especially when your first job is a childcare center. I stopped in Saturday and was told to come back Tuesday (last night) and meet with the owner. Right away, I was told they aren't hiring. So I proceeded to fill out an application and chat it up with the owner. He said he thought it was awesome that I just up and moved here, having no family and that it really says something about me. I then came to the part on the application that told me to list my special skills. So, do you want to me write down everything that's awesome about me or just a couple things? After some serious laughter, he took my application and said, "I know I said we weren't hiring, but I think we might be able to work something out." 

I also stopped in at Barnes & Noble to grab an application, but of course I got side tracked by books and magazines and by the time I made it to the check-out, there was one lady and a line of six people behind me so I didn't want to make her feel even more stressed and ask for the manager and application to fill out. So, perhaps I'll be back, if the liquor store falls through, of course. The guy working at the liquor store seemed about my age and moved here from Minneapolis 3 years ago. I want to work there, also because it would be fun to bond over that similarity. He seems super fun, and also lives in Loveland. I'm feeling another new friend coming on. ;) 

As for now, I'm going to finish exploring Pinterest for some more Thanksgiving ideas and most likely turn on the holiday CD Joel bought for me yesterday. I'm feeling so thankful today. 
  

Read this everyday.

Good morning loves. Or I should say afternoon, now.

I told myself last night, that today, I was going to get up early. I was not going to shower just yet, because, lucky me, I am greasy and dirty looking a couple hours after I shower, and I have sheet to do tonight and things to look cute for. It's my bangs that get me. In turn, I was going to get cute, without being clean (hard to do sometimes) and go find myself a job. I have a few ideas-- I'm going to try liquor stores, since I'm already familiar with selling spirits, kind of; coffee shops, which would take me back to my time there in high school, which is a happy feeling; and Barnes & Noble, dun dun dunnn. My entire paycheck would probably go back to that place. Then again, the library has been spoiling me lately so I think I could have some self control there. But of course, it's already 11:15 and Joel and I have just recently gotten up, have put some coffee on and I stepped outside to take the trash out. Woooahhh, it is far too nice out to go find a job today. So, now I'm torn. I know the responsible route, but that's not fun when you have mountain land to explore, bike routes that you've only explored half way and more DIY projects that entail being outside instead of inside, inhaling fumes. My life is so complicated. Kidding. 

Another girl transferred to my center this week. She feels exactly the same way that I did when I first started. We are so short staffed right now that our cook doesn't have time to do the dishes by the end of her shift and the kitchen, is horrendous by the end of the day, it's like nothing you've ever seen. Like, if inspection were to come, we would fail. I get that it's tight, but this should never be. This has been one of the hardest adjustments for me, I think. Back at my previous center, our cook left, with snack prepared for the afternoon, and someone would come in for their afternoon shift, would eventually put snack away, clean the kitchen, get it ready for the next morning. Sometimes, this was management. Management was willing to do dishes and help out in the kitchen. My new management, I have never seen in the kitchen. And I am convinced that, last night, if Alyssa and I wouldn't have been in there cleaning, and scrambling to get the dishes done, our boss would have left the center at 6:15 when all the kids were gone, instead of working on the kitchen until 6:35. I told her that our cook is going to feel like it's Christmas morning when she walks in there on Monday. I don't think anyone, besides myself, has ever tried to get the dishes done for her at the end of the night. Which is so sad. I am just crossing my fingers that it gets better when we hire more people. 

I am kind of bumming about the holidays. Sounds silly, but it's only because we are most likely going to be without our close friends and family. We definitely will not be going home for Thanksgiving. I can't believe it is already next week! I took work off to go home, back to Wisconsin over Christmas, but after talking with Joel more about it, we feel like, financially, we probably shouldn't try and pull it off this year. Realistically, we just got here, I don't have a second job yet (and at this rate of weather, I won't have the want to go find myself one) and by the time we get back, rent would be due within 3 days of getting back and money would be tight. Maybe we should start a "Bring Joel & Kelsey home fund." Who's with us??? ;) On a good note, we are excited to start some of our own holiday traditions, as we start our life here together. Thank you, Pinterest! I'm sorry to those, who we've told that we are coming back, it's only been a few of you, we tried to keep it to a minimum in case things changed, and they have :( But we hope to make it back as soon as we can make it happen. 

After Thanksgiving next weekend, we have friends coming to visit and we could not be more excited. I have a friend from High school that lives down in Colorado Springs, who's family will be in town for Turkey Day. In the last year, I've become good friends with his brother, back home. I am excited to hang out with both of them at the same time. I am going to be one happy girl. 

..... as usual. 

 

High five to today!

Today gets an A+, whoop whoop, no head ache! My prayers to god via blog yesterday did the trick! 

I love today because my babies were less insane, I worked more on my room-- putting things together for my boards, I got done working at 4:30 instead of 6:30, and Joel and I stocked our fridge. Gosh, that all feels wonderful!

Cheers! 

Another thing, I am so glad I'm not dealing with snow right now. Looks like you all got some back home. Should have moved to Colorado with me! ;) 

 Here are some wise words because I love wise words. 

Chow, friends!  

 

It's only Monday.

Is it Friday yet? 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I came home on my break today and told Joel that I wished it was Thursday so tomorrow could be Friday. Monday, Monday... 5 more days till another fun day. 

I have been getting migraines again. E v e r y d a y y y y. 

This is me every day for the last two weeks. Almost. 

Why? Probably because I have the most needy group of babies at work, who scream constantly. They rarely have tears, they just yell. Unfortunately I have mothers that whip their boob out every time their child cries at home. A few of my moms have admitted this to us. Their children are pretty much attached to the boob at all times. Some, even sleep with mom. This gets me no where. I also had a new baby start last week, who is 6 months old and still adjusting, who cries all day long. Have you ever listened to crying/screaming every day for 8 hours straight? It's death. This is where my migraines come in. So, times have been tough. Last week was awful. I have never once in my life, not been able to soothe crying babies and I had some pissed off babies allll weeeeek looongg. Please god, let the rest of this week run smoothly.

Joel and I had an awesome weekend. Saturday we drove to the beautiful Estes Park, which is like 35 minutes from us. Aside from not dressing appropriately whatsoever, it was beautiful. We got to Rocky Mountain National Park and were informed that it was free entry all weekend due to Veterans Day. We saw a ton of elk, took way too many pictures and videos and stayed in the nice warm truck. Outside was freeezzingggg. We will eventually buy a season pass which is only $40 and once it gets warmer, we will most likely be living there on the weekends. I could not be more excited. I am craving camping. I want all my friends to come visit so badly. 

Saturday night, we went out in Fort Collins. Through Joel's open mics that he's been going to, he's been meeting a lot of other musicians. One played at the bar we were at on Saturday and he was awesome. He knew a ton of cover songs and was able to play every song that was requested. Super upbeat, fun energy. Because Joel has been going to open mics there, he introduced me to a few girls that work there that are all super friendly. Being there and seeing all the groups of girlfriends ripping it up on the dance floor and being super funny, made me terribly miss my girlfriends back home. 

Like I said, today has been a day, and I so badly wish it was the end of the week already. Joel and I are both realizing that we need to get jobs. A job for him and a second job for me. Which is fine, it being cold and almost winter, we won't be doing as much outdoor exploring on the weekends, as we would be if it were summer. But where to apply? This weekend, it's go time. Time to find a second income.

As for now, my book is calling. I have to go.

I am loving the idea of "30 Days of Thanksgiving" --Whoever started this on Facebook is a genius. Each day of this month, you are supposed to put something you are thankful for on your status. What a wonderful way to remind you just how lovely your life is. On the third day, today, I was planning to put "I am thankful for days I get to sleep in." But, as you may have noticed, it is 7:31 am. Given that this is the time I am up, starting my day, 3 days a week, I should have known I wouldn't sleep much longer. Sleeping in for me, on weekends, means no later than 8:00 am. It has been this way for awhile. So, I'm going to rephrase what I am thankful for. I am thankful for mornings that I get to wake up, without an alarm, and do whatever I please for however long I please to do those things. And on these past few weekends, that is been: drinking an insane amount of coffee, reading my book, catching up on the blogs I love, exploring Pinterest, and sometimes, blogging myself. What wonderful mornings! It's mornings like this that I want to be a stay at home mom... or no, lets rephrase that, also; a stay at home wife. Hmm, that doesn't even sound the way I want it to yet. Stay at home girlfriend? There, that's better. 

This week has been absolutely wonderful. Given that it is the first week, it is exactly how I pictured living with Joel. He got here on Monday night, a little bit before I was done working, so he took time to run some errands around town and explore a little bit. This girl came home to flowers and champagne. And kisses of course! Joel is not the most tidy or organized person, but I thought to myself and then later told him, that it's all his guitars and stuff laying around that makes our house feel more homey. It feels just the way it should with him being here. Now, I'm hoping that doesn't mean he can say that later when I've commented on how our place is a mess and that he never cleans up. I can hear it now. I have to say, I am loving the fact that dinner has been ready most nights as I have gotten home from work and I even came home for lunch yesterday with a plate made for me. I am loving my stay at home boyfriend. Even though, the roles should be reversed ;) Joel has spent his days making contacts and visiting places that he will eventually be playing shows at. I am understanding that it doesn't happen over night, and it all takes time. You have to prove to bars and restaurants just how talented you are, to get consistent gigs. I have no doubt in my mind that every place and everyone will love him. 

Work is going very well! I am thoroughly enjoying my co-worker's company and I have had some good laughs. I actually spent some time with the Twos on Thursday for the last half an hour of the day and it brought me back to when I was the lead teacher in that room back in Wisconsin. The twos are hilarious. I think I had more fun out on the playground than they did. 

As for this weekend, we had planned on going to IKEA to get a few things for the house. Jasen, our friend who lives in Denver, informed us of the Lumberjack Pub Crawl in the city today. I immediately loved this idea and thought that our IKEA trip was going to have to be postponed. Now, I am realizing that I have no flannel and would have to buy whatever it is that I'll be wearing, and that I would much rather put money into our place. So, who knows what the day will bring! Also, the last time I was in Denver, I drank wayy too much and had a terrible end of the night and next day. It has to be the altitude difference that got to me, because I felt like I didn't drink more than I usually do. Well, no, that's a lie, I was taking pulls out of a bottle of Jack, which I don't think I've ever done in my life. I was probably just going all out because I now live in Colorado. That is definitely it. So, I'm hesitant. I do not want to feel that way again. 

I also got to vote on Tuesday! I could not be more happy that I wasn't too late. I'm anxious and a little nervous to see how this one pans out. 

I have one more thing! One of my best friends is pregnant. I hate knowing something so exciting and not being about to announce it over social media. She has finally made it public and I want to scream from the mountain tops how excited I am for her! And I intend to. We have seen so many girls have babies these past few years and I am speaking for my entire group of girlfriends, how excited we are to have a baby in our group. Times are going to be fun, on a different level come April. Annother April baby! Of course, me who loves rubbing pregnant bellies, has to find about weeks before I move away, but it's okay, only because it has to be. I, at least get to watch through Facebook and texts, how her belly is growing cuter and cuter by the week. I could not be more happy for her. Look at how adorable she is: 

 

You two are going to have one cute baby.