Life has been, interesting to say the least. I’m not even sure where to begin. I guess I’ll start with the least interesting.

Work. I’m now working a grand total of 3 nights a week, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Don’t get me wrong, I am so grateful for it, but I feel like I get the crap hours, with too much to do, not enough experience to do it. I thought I was *GREAT* at mulit-tasking, but when I’m there, I really SUCK at it.

Take last night for example. BUSY Saturday night. The 2 “kids” that worked the front did great! There was pretty much a constant line, and they never once asked me to come help. I stayed in the back and tried to get stuff accomplished. Up and down ladders, making ice cream, trying to wash dishes, and yet, I was still behind all night. I couldn’t seem to catch up.

It didn’t help that there was a cake to be decorated, and so the other asst. manager came in to do it on her day off. I don’t do decorating, and it really really intimidates me. Anyway, instead of showing me the techniques and letting me try, she kept showing me, then saying, “you know how to do it, you’ll remember”. I need to do and do and do, and then maybe I’ll get it. So, she was leaving me to do the border, which, yeah, I can do, but for some reason I got really really intimidated and started crying about it. Yup, Gwen had a breakdown at work. BAD NIGHT! Got the border done, added a few sprinkles, and it looks ok, but maybe Cakewrecks worthy. UGGG. So, I asked the kids to let me work in the back, and I started to work on ice cream. I froze up 2 batches of ice cream last night. NOT GOOD. I was able to salvage most of it, but the night just really sucked. But, it didn’t kill me, and now I know that I can handle some crisis at work.

Allie… what can I say? She is growing like a weed. I think I’m the luckiest grandma in the world. Perhaps I’m biased? She’s just amazing! I get to wake up to her squeals daily, watch her wiggle and giggle and squirm all the time, and see her grow. Yup, I’m lucky! Danielle sent me a text while I was at work last night and said she rolled over from her back to her tummy. Yay, Allie!

Isn't she the cute-ist??

Men? Let’s see. I’ve met a very interestingly nice man. His name is Robert, he grew up in Pittsburg, is Italian, works in the restaurant industry. We keep saying we’ll take it slow and not see each other for a day or something, and what do you know, we end up seeing each other. We made it “Facebook official” the other day. Cause you know it's not "official until it's Facebook Official".

He has met Danielle and Allie, and thinks they are pretty awesome. And, I think he’s got their seal of approval. We (me & Robert, Danielle and Allie) took a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the leaves one day this past week, and he handled Allie not liking her carseat at the end of the day rather well. That’s a good thing. He actually had his first picnic that day…. Can you imagine? That blows my mind, actually!

The sun was shining and the wind was blowing... it was chilly. But we had a good time!

Allie

This was taken after church a few weeks ago. Great Granma Fe got the dress for little Allie. She looks so adorable, doesn't she?


We took Allie to the county fair about 2 weeks ago. It was HOT and sunny, and it pretty much tuckered her out....


Allie's outfit for the fair.... Great-great Tata Yvette sent this little outfit to her.. She's rockin' it Puma style.


She looks like a Gerber Baby, doesn't she? LOVE her in hats!
















Isn't she so cute asleep? ahhhhhh, Allie Love!

An Update?

I guess an update is in order. Last we talked, I didn't have a job prospect and the possibility of being homeless was real. Well...

I have a job! I'm working for Coldstone Creamery, yes, the very same one that all 3 of the kids have worked at at one time or another. Tifany took pity on me and hired me on. YAY! I've only worked a couple of days, and am feeling VERY intimidated. I'm being forced to push my boundaries and be more outgoing. However, if I get the hang of it, there is management potential for me. But I'm not too sure that it's what I want to do. *sigh* But it's a job and that's nothing to sneeze at!

We signed a lease agreement for a 3 bedroom trailer. YAY! George has agreed to help Danielle out, and pay $500 a month for rent. That means I just have to come up with another $75 for rent and then money for the extras. I *think* I can do it. So far so good.

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I started this a few days ago, and I guess I'll attempt to finish it now.

I was hit by a stomach bug on Wednesday, and lo and behold, we were supposed to move on Thursday. I rented a 17' Uhaul, and drove it myself! (I have to admit that Jeremy did do the backing up for me!) Jeremy's dad came out to help us move, THANK GOODNESS! There is no way we would have been able to do it ourselves.

Allie is getting big. She is such a joy to have around. She does do the heart good. My life is getting more and more interesting by the day. I'm enjoying nearly every minute of it! =)

And they are happening again....

About a month ago, I got a phone call from George asking me if I would consider moving up to NC and having Danielle and Jeremy and Baby Allie live with me in our old home because there was a possibility of getting the mortgage payment reduced. In that same week, my relationship with Jody ended, so I put in my 2 weeks notice and started the process of moving to NC.

I didn't have much luck finding a job... Still haven't a month later. And we just found out the other afternoon that the mortgage company is not going to work with George on the lowering of payments. So, I'm airbed surfing at Kelly's until George moves to the Philippines, I'm w/out a J.O.B. and will be homeless again once the bank decides to forclose on the mortgage. Ya, I think I'm a little STRESSED.
The good news is, I get to spend time with Allie. Tansy came down last weekend and hung out, we had a blast, and I miss her already. (I take horrible self portraits!)

I LOVE Kelly's porch. It stays shaded most of the day, we've eaten a meal or two out there, and have hung out in the evening talking. I am so lucky to have such a good friend!

Jeremy, Danielle's husband, is graduating from school today... I'll post pictures later. =)

So, that's it for an update. Sorry it was a downer, but well.. that's my life right now.

The Weekend

My good friend, Amy, got married this weekend. Jody and I loaded up the car and made the 4 hour drive to Fernandina Beach, FL to see the happy couple start their life together. They had a beach wedding, the first one I've ever attended. It was beautiful!

Here's a picture of the beautiful bride and me! Amy is getting ready to hit the road with her cross-country driver husband. I'm not sure how I'll manage until she settles down in August!

Amy and Gwen May 8, 2010

Since we were "in the area", we were able to meet Lani and Beebe in Jacksonville. I didn't realize that they were driving 2 hours to see us! We ate at PF Chang's, (YUM!) had amazing conversation, and hated to see each other go! We will have to do it again, sometime soon, I hope!

Lani and Gwen May 8, 2010

Other than that, there's not much to report!

New Addition

The phone call came at 315 am on May 4th. "Mom, I think I'm in labor"... She wasn't sure how close together the contractions were, but it was pretty apparent that she couldn't talk through them. That was usually my sign to get the mamma to the hospital to be checked. I tell my sweet girl that she and Jeremy needed to load up and head on over, and I'd be there as soon as possible.
I quickly change out of my bedclothes and am in my car and headed down the road. Unfortunately, I have a 2.5 hour drive ahead of me. But, hey, this is her first baby, no need to speed, right? I get a phone call as I'm about an hour away.... It's Jeremy and he informs me that they've admitted her to the maternity ward, and that she's at a 6... Still, no reason to panic, right? First baby and all.
I arrive at the hospital and make my way to maternity. I'm trying to find my way through the maze when I see Jeremy walking down the hall. He looks at me in a way I could tell he's asking what took me so long? And then he drops the bomb.... Little Allie has made her grand appearance. I walk into the room, and Danielle is on the bed holding sweet little Allie.
Allie arrived at 6:13 am (grandma arrived at 6:30am!) weighing in at 5lbs 2 oz, and a whopping 18" long. Mom and baby are doing well. Grandma Gwen can't wait to see her girls again! For now, pictures will have to do.....

Changes!

Before (December 2009)

About mid-January, I decided that it was time to make a change. I was embarrassed last year out on our boat, I hated being seen in my swimsuit. Jody had already taken the plunge and joined a gym, so I enlisted the help/support of my friend Amy in my endeavor. I've been watching what I eat, trying to be mindful of my calorie count, and exercising several times a week. I must be honest, I've been slack these past few weeks... Amy is getting ready to move and then to get married, so we've been focusing on that instead of working out.

Halfway point (April 2010)

I've lost a grand total of 30 pounds so far. Yup, 30 pounds! I'm putting on clothes I haven't worn in years, and they fit/are too big. I need a new wardrobe! I am hoping (now) for another 20 pounds to go away, and then, I *think* I'll be happy.


Danielle is having a baby! She's due May 26, 2010. Let me just say, right now, I am soooo not ready to be a grandma. But it looks like I don't have any choice, so I'm going to be happy about it! This is a picture from her babyshower back in March. This is one of the rare photo's of me and my two girls.

Not only am I going to be a grandma, Danielle and Jeremy also made me a Mother-in-law. Egads! I know that they are hoping to have a "real" ceremony later, probably in about a year or so, when the family can get together and celebrate. Too many things happening at once, I tell ya!

Also, I have enrolled in school. Still need to take the placement tests, but that will be next weekend. The time is right, and I really need to start preparing for my future.

So, that's all the fun and exciting news happening down here. Hope y'all enjoyed the update. =)