Hey Stranger.

It has been 5 months exactly, today, since I blogged last. 

 
This is kind of stressful, I don't really know where to start. I haven't wanted to get back to blogging simply because I haven't gotten internet at my new apartment yet and I'm probably going to be extremely bothered by wanting to blog daily and not being able to do so. Don't get me wrong, I have thought about blogging almost everyday since my last blog. Kind of extreme? I think not. 


Hmm to recap or not to recap? I said to my mom yesterday that I wanted to blog again but I felt stressed that I would have to catch the blog world up with all the changes in my life. Her thoughts were that I didn't necessarily have to. But I do. Some of the changes are going to have their own blog entirely because I've written novel length blogs before and I understand for some people, it's kind of a lot to conquer.  


We'll start with the biggest, and most exciting change: My move to Stillwater and living all by my lonesome. Joel and I made the move in a day and a half, motivated by my extreme excitement. This time around, I have to say, I did not love moving like I have in previous years. Joel, thank you for standing my crabbiness and I'm so over this spurts. You are the best. My place is very small, but it's all I ever need and it's perfect for me. It fits my two cats and I perfectly. I have been meaning to get pictures up but of course, it doesn't quite look the way I want it to yet. All in good time :) The location is amazing. If you are familiar with downtown Stillwater at all, my house is pretty much at the top of those stone steps that go up right next to Luna Rosa. Ahh, summer in downtown Stillwater, you rock my socks off. Can't say, I've walked down those stairs since it's been cold. I actually ran up them once while it was still warm and had shin splints for a week. Never again. I tell you, walking up and down those steps in heels, is something else. squeeze the butt, squeeze the butt. I definitely can't wait until I get to live there through an entire summer! I'm just thinking Lumber Jack Days-- yard games, beer and a lovely stroll downtown. And, no drunk driving! ;) Ah, does it sound superb. Here I am, fantasizing about summer and it's Christmas eve day. Time is all screwed up when I try and recap about the summer, when it's winter. A very sorry winter, I must say. I have never been a snow person, but come on mother nature, get your shit together and give us a white Christmas. 


Ugh, I have so much more to talk about. I'll stop... with this blog at least. I could potentially be back in 15 minutes ready as ever to fill you in on other aspects of my changed life. But if not, I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas! I will hopefully be blogging again before New Years! 

:)

Falling in love and fast.

So, I survived my first weekend at the liquor store. And I have realized that it isn't as bad as I was told it was going to be and how I anticipated. I suppose I was only there from 9-1 on this lovely Sunday but those few hours were quite enjoyable. All the "Minnesotans" were very friendly, none rude whatsoever. I think people are just as nice and considerate as you are to them. I had a few comments on how my greeting was quite lovely to hear early in the morning and it's much better than the automatic "Welcome!" you get as you walk in our door. At Spirit Sellers, you get both! I have to say I loved smelling the tanning lotion on a lot of the ladies that came in. Makes me feel like summer :) ..even if I'm working. 

Working at the liquor store is a confidence boost. I can hear my mom say, "like you need one." Last night a guy came in, didn't really look at me as he made his way to the counter, eventually looked up from his money and yelled "Oh my god, I LOVE your hair!" Then he put his hands up to give me ten and I did of course, laughing. "your bangs are awesome! You goin to LumberJack Days tonight?"  I could not get enough of the fact that he was so jacked about life and partly my hair. As I left my shift this morning, I told my boss thanks so much for hiring me. Cheesy, I know. But I think I've done a great job at expressing to people how much I appreciate things they do for me these days. They appreciate it too, I'm sure. Working at the liquor store is so different, but in a good way, because at Kindercare I'm working with people, yes, but the same people year after year. Here, I am seeing and meeting new people constantly as well as seeing people I haven't seen in forever. Ah, I am falling in love and fast. This makes me actually think I could have a serving job someday. Maybe! I left work today with a bottle of wine? booze? I'm not even sure what it is. Cocoa Vino Mint. A marriage of milk chocolate, red wine, mint and cream. 

 Does that make your mouth water? I have a feeling that I'm going to be going home with lots of drinks/booze/beers I haven't tried. Thank you 10% discount ;) 

After my short morning shift today, I went to my girlfriend's baby shower. I love showers! Bridal showers, baby showers, Bachelorette parties- he he. Life is so great. Not going to lie, and I didn't admit it to anyone there, but I cannot wait for my turn. I mean, I can, but I can't, you know what I mean. I promise not to get baby crazy for a couple more years, or at least I'll try my best. I was definitely touching Jamie's belly way too much. Jamie eventually told me that that means I would become pregnant soon. I think she was just trying to weird me out and it worked, but I still rubbed her belly some more. I loved being around girls I'm not around all the time, or enough I should say. I love girlfriends. I need to try harder and see them more! Goal #1 for the rest of the summer! I've noticed in the last few nights, because I've been busy with my new job and just running around in general, that once I have makeup on, and am out, I have so much motivation. I have motivation inside yes, but that's to work out, read, clean. ha. Different kind of motivation. It's funny to me how introvert and extrovert I am. Can one be both? 

Okay, cheers to the most pointless blog ever !! 

Dear, 

 I love you. 

Move in countdown: 8 Days !!! 

I am proud of myself.

- for two reasons, mainly. This week I a) paid off my car payment b) worked out 3 times! This is definitely a milestone for me. Now, if I could just get myself to a yoga class once a week. I intended on going to yoga this morning but I am blaming my nonattendance on having to drive Joel to his brother's at 4 this morning to then catch a plane at 6 for his cousin's wedding in Texas today. Also, on the fact that I returned home and then slept until 10:20 8:20 this morning. Clearly, I had lots of sleep to catch up on from this past week. For some reason I have had a terrible time getting out of bed not once, but everyday this week. I need to eat more green food. And drink more coffee? So now it's noon. Instead of going to yoga, getting coffee with a girlfriend who's in town, and doing some laundry; I have laid in bed until 11:30 reading my book I can't put down. Crazy, books continue to take over my life. But, I did just shower and now am drinking my second cup of coffee. Think I'll accomplish any of the things I had wanted to? Probably not. 

I have my second day of work today at the liquor store. My first day was Tuesday night from 5-9. Luckily, the computer system is up to date, unlike Mr. Movies, so this transition should be a bit easier. I'm just so used to working with kids, not money and adults. Some things I need to remember: ask if they want a bag, ask to see their ID. Quite simple you'd think. Eh, I'm a scatter brain and remember hardly anything. I made myself a cheat sheet just like I did at Mr. Movies. The people I work with probably think I'm such a dork. Or a slow learner, both legit. The girl who trained me asked me to put tequila into the search on our computer system. This is what I typed in, "hose." I then laughed as she told me it's spelt with a "j" and then I proceeded to ask her if she could tell I never drink tequila. Whatever! I'm not embarrassed that I don't party! :) Another lady came in and asked for a kind of alcohol I've never heard of. Ah learning experiences. And this experience will be interesting. I'm a little intimidated by working on weekends and especially this weekend since it's my first. I'm not looking forward to tomorrow. When all the "Minnesotans" come over to buy their alcohol that they had all week to buy just because all liquor stores are closed over there on Sundays. I'm told they are, a lot of the time, demanding and rude. I don't do well with demanding and rude people. So tomorrow, should once again, be interesting. I should have gotten a job at an uptown liquor store ;)

Tomorrow I work from 9-1, small morning shift for my first Sunday, I'll take it :) Then I'm off to a girlfriend's baby shower. I have to say, the other night as I entered Babies R us, I felt weird, opposite emotions all at the same time. I felt super excited for my girlfriends who are having babies and looking forward to buying them cute things and also I was entirely freaked out. I, by no means, want to be in that store buying anything for myself for a long time.

Move in count down: 9 days !!!

Hey new job!

 I promise this won't be the name of a blog post for awhile now ;)

A couple weeks ago, after I had quit my stupid second job selling knives (puke) I began the job search again. I went around town, took some applications, and talked to some managers/owners about what exactly I am looking for. Spirit Sellers Liquor Store down town Hudson was one of the places I stopped in at. The owner told me they weren't hiring at the moment, but to come back in August because he would know where all his college workers where at and whatnot. I told him my name and that I worked full time at Kindercare so I was looking for nights and weekends. I took his card and didn't see that opportunity going anywhere. Until. Last Friday he called me at Kindercare and informed me that one of his employees had put in her two weeks, he had an opening and he wanted me to come down and fill out an application after work. Now, he's a good memory. I couldn't believe that he called Kindercare and asked for Kelsey Parr. Awesome. I went down, filled out an app and basically had an interview as I was filling it out. I got to the point on the application (that I hate) that asks if you've been charged with a felony or misdemeanor in the last five years. ugh. Because I would be selling liquor, I felt the need to address my situation to him. After I told him I had gotten a DUI two years ago, I felt like that kind of killed it. I told him, I obviously would love it if that wasn't on my record, but I'm glad and thankful for how getting in trouble like that had changed me. I've done a lot of growing and changing in the last couple years. He asked me a few more questions and then told me he would get back to me within a week. I'm thinking great, there goes that job opportunity. The begining of this week rolls around and I'm thinking "ugh, I just want another job now I don't even want to go turn in all my applications. Basically, I'm asking for a job to just fall into my lap. AND surprisingly, he called me Tuesday afternoon while I was working and said if I was still interested, he would be willing to move forward with me. I worked past his office hours that night and looked so forward to calling him Wednesday on my break. I called him and thanked him for looking past my incident and giving me this opportunity. He said "You seem very genuine and I think it just feels right. :):) And I asked my son and another employee (both who I graduated high school with) and they said you would be a good one to add to the team." 

Heck yes! I've finally found a second job that I want. After working at Mr. Movies for those two months before it shut down, I thought I wasn't going to find another job that was ideal for nights and weekends like that one was. So I'm excited and nervous (just like I was with Mr. Movies, can you believe it?) to take on something new. I don't have a lot of newness in my life so when I get it occasionally, I'm ecstatic. Lots of new beginings! 

Move in countdown: 18 days !! 
There Kris, now you're caught up ;)

Take that! Head ache.

I almost blogged from the bathtub just now. Decided not to, only because my main intention was the relax in the bath. I got home from work with a major head ache, popped some ibuprofen, lit a candle, ran a bath, and put on some Norah Jones Pandora. Ahh what those few things will do. Not going to lie, I still have a faint head ache, but I'm blaming that on the time of the month. What was also relaxing and somewhat funny, is that my cats have to be at my side even when I'm soaking in the tub. I felt the need to take a picture and post it on facebook. Olive was even at one point sticking her paw in, or just straight up drinking from the bath. I laughed until I realized that I put bath salts and oil in my bath- that cannot be good for a kittie's insides. Over the past few months, since Hanna's moved out, the cats of been very lovey and needy. I know they missed her at first. Maybe they still do, although Joel is around also and he gives and gives attention to them. He even treats them with Fancy Feast. Olive has also been enjoying my showers. She will sit between the curtain and the clear liner the entire time. Occasionally swatting at the water that trickles down, standing on her hind legs so tall I feel like she'll fall into the shower. That will teach her. I'm waiting for the day :) Up until Olive and Oscar, I've never really understood how needy and annoying (depending on the time of morning) cats are before you get out of bed each morning. Oscar isn't so bad, but Olive walks all over my body like my brother used to drive his little toy trucks all over my mom as she would nap on the couch in our living room. That was cute, this is just annoying. I can only imagine how in-my-face I will feel like they are once we move in 3 weeks !! That was definitely bold worthy. I say that because we have so much space compared to what we will have living in a studio apartment. But, my mom says they will adapt., cats always do. She's probably right. Mother's usually are. 

I'm feeling a thousand times better after my relaxing time in the bath. You know my day was frustrating when I went home and immediately got the bath necessities together at 5pm and jumped right in. I think the high point of my day was when one of my two year olds yelled, "YEAHH BUDDAY" after I did, as I was cutting the jello jigglers we made this morning. I love my job. 

 

Sunday thought.

Here's to you, lady.

I don't know what it is- Probably the Tiesto song I'm listening to- "The Power of You" that makes me feel this crazy amount of happiness for a friend of mine. This isn't just any friend. At one point in my life- she was thee friend. My best friend. Life took crazy turns, separated us and oddly, after years, and I mean years, brought us back together. We've grown up so much, done so many different things, grown in so many different ways, learned how to live without each other. After life does what it prefers to do with you at the time being, it, for lack of a better saying, is a bird that literally shits on your face when you least expect it. Well, sometime, the shit on your face awakens you. And in this case- it opened my eyes. It awakened me to an entirely different level. I realized, that you know, after all this time, that maybe our lives weren't so perfect without each other. Maybe something was missing. Or maybe our lives were okay with each other in them- ups and downs in it. I have always walked away from situations that I don't know how to deal with. I walk away, think about it, take it all in, find time to fully assess what's happened, what's going on in my mind and then I can deal with it in the best way possible. Gosh, I'm going off on a tangent. Andrea, I am so proud of you. I'm so glad you're pursuing what makes you happy, what makes you feel secure. Since that day at the bank, I haven't been scared to tell you and others that I'm so glad, although at the time I hated it, that you went through what you went through. Life would have been easier if it hadn't taken that route, but it did and you bounced back and made it all okay. You have always been such a "strong personality" and life is so fun with that around. I wish you the best of luck in Florida and I can't tell you enough that I just want to high-five you frequently for what you've been through and what's to come. From here on out, this crazy life is going to work in your favor. Do it right, baby girl ;) It's a new start and you deserve it.