my owl.

i asked neil to draw me an owl.
so he did.

it looks really great...
don't ya think?

drumroll please...

I GOT THE JOB.

the one i wanted most, at delia's.
i'm the new assistant manager.
and i couldn't be happier!!!

((side note: piss on those bitches at my old job that gave me a bad reference for something that
was not my fault or problem!! i got the job anyway!!! so there!!!!!!!!))

i know that was immature, but i had to say it.
cheers!

~dana.

the job hunt is on-going...

well, i am still looking for a new job. today i have my final interview with one company, and i had the first interview with another company yesterday. i am really serious and both positions, although they are totally opposite. one is for a retail store that i have been following for years through their popular catalog service. the other is working for a well-known company called the zenith. an office job, the position is titled senior underwriting clerk. so.............i am nervous and wanting to find out sooner than later!! i have not been told what the pay is for either of these jobs, although i do know that delia's is more than what i consider acceptable pay for retail management. the zenith will not discuss pay until they pick their person...but they know what i expect, at least. so yeah. i am just ready to get some news because the constant anxiety of trying to sell myself to people is really exhausting. and i wanna get to work! i am bored! wish me luck!!!

xoxo,
dana.

don't mess with boudreaux.

this was too amazing to pass up...i am going to miss my coonass name once i become mrs. king.

lessons in life.

until last week, neil and i had a friend living with us. and not just any friend, but someone who had a child, was going through a divorse, and was about to go bankrupt. this person was on the last frays of life, and we cared for her. she had no family here in town, and because of the minor child, was not allowed to move up north where her family was. she was here for about 3 months, although for most of that time she was on vacation. she had her own room to do with what she wanted, her own area to store food, and although we do not have much, we opened our hearts and our home to this person unconditionally. it was no easy adjustment living with a 2 year old who likes to wake up early every day and is making noise as soon as his eyes are open. but we enjoyed having the little guy around just the same. we treated them like family. and then a bump in the road...this person repeated a private conversation that she had with another close friend to me. a very incriminating conversation that involved her making many accusations of this person whom is verrrrry close to myself as well as neil. this breaks out into many fights...
and rather than trying to make it better, owning up to the mistake...she just moves out. tells me that i treat friendship as though it is disposable. me?? what?? i feel so confused and used and just plain sad. we went out of our way for her on so many occasions, and the first time there is a problem--one that she caused no less--she's out the door. and not just out the door, but out of our lives entirely. it confuses me to no end. i am a magnet for people who are in need, and after they have recieved what they need, they disappear one way or another. it's so sad to become bitter and angry over someone else's mistakes and poor choices. perhaps her life could have worked out in more positive way if her choices were better, including choosing to cut me out of her life. all i can do is move on. these lyrics are perfect, so here it is:

When I, thought I knew you
Thinking, that you were true I guess I, I couldn't trust '
Cause your bluff time is up 'Cause I've had enough
You were, there by my side Always,
down for the ride But your, joy ride just came down in flames '
Cause your greed sold me out of shame, mmhmm
After all of the stealing and cheating You probably think that I hold resentment for you
But, uh uh, oh no, you're wrong
'Cause if it wasn't for all that you tried to do
I wouldn't know just how capable I am to pull through
So I wanna say thank you
'Cause it makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
It makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter

Oh, ohh Never, saw it coming
All of, your backstabbing
Just so, you could cash in On a good thing before I realized your game
I heard, you're going around
Playing, the victim now
But don't, even begin Feeling I'm the one to blame 'Cause you dug your own grave,
uh huh After all of the fights and the lies
Yes you wanted to harm me but that won't work anymore
Uh, no more, oh no, it's over
'Cause if it wasn't for all of your torture I wouldn't know how to be this way now,
and never back down
So I wanna say thank you
'Cause it makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
It makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter

update!!!!

pictures from my photo folders...

neil and i outside red lobster a while ago.
still love barbies...
funny thing i found while looking for things online.
gwen stefani.
me, from a long while ago.

tribute: to the best friend a girl could have.

me and my best girl olivia at my birthday slumber party.
olivia is a boxer...when she wears my quilt and neil's gloves.
olivia and i wear hoodies.

nic and dana.

here's a picture of me and our friend nic. we were at livingstone's last weekend. the boys were playing pool and i played video games until my need for prize tickets and my wallet were both satisfied.

the wedding we were in at disney...

me in the froo-froo dress and neil being silly in his suit.

here is where we want to get married...

marie selby botanical gardens, sarasota florida. banyan trees.

a small update before work today.

here is me and my new hair...

here are my hands with my ring and my nails done.

soooooooooooooooooo excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

here is how my hand looks with my huge rock.
my face is going to get stuck because i CANNOT stop smiling.

update!

well, i have quit that constuction job that was driving me insane. and i got a new job running the front desk at one of the most premier salons in town, so i am pretty excited about it. they are known for keeping people around, so after i complete my cosmetology licensing, i can become and assistant there and work up to being a full-fledged stylist. wheeeeeeeeee. working toward a real career here, doing something creative. so i am pleased. the part that is not-so-great is the current pay...but as soon as they get my schedule all panned out at the yellow strawberry, i am going to be looking for a second job at some resturant where i can make up all the money that i am missing out on and then some to save for school, too! i am going to be a very busy bee!! but i am not planning on getting into school for 6 months or so because i have a vacation coming to me, plus several other days that i have requsted off....so yeah.

what else??? neil and i celebrated our 2nd year anniversary on april 17th, so that was fun. we had a popeye's picnic out by the ocean, which was nice, but a little windy. and we had ice cream at coldstone (my fave!) also.

my tattoo has healed up great, and i am waiting to get the next appointment time that will mesh with my new work schedule to get the white added on the petals and to have some additional shading done on the twig and leaves as well. it looks great! i love it, but i will not ever get another that rivals this one in size or detail because 5 hours is a long time to be in pain. you can only do the "mind-over-matter" thing for about 3 hours, and then it starts to feel like someone is stabbing you over and over in the same spot. ironically, that is exactly what they are doing, but you know what i mean...

i guess i have nothing else to report at this time, so i will go watch some more law and order now.

word to your mom,
~dana.

happy birthday to me....

here is what it looks like after the first 5 hours...

one of my favorite things...

i love hello kitty!

neil and i.

st. patty's day!!! we look angry! :-)

heather's birthday...my hair is bonde again...

heather, aileen, and me pole dancing
trich and neil
heather and me getting down!!

the castle is a goth club...

neil and i dancing
neil, kevin, dana, mike, and olivia
dance!
olivia and i have a connection...(ha!)

more from the party.

mom, dana, robyn, madison, and sara
rah and maddie
maddie, dana, robyn, and sara
uh, this one twice.....
eric and mike

mom and wendy
mike wearing THE SHIRT
grandma next to neil's painting of kris k.
kerry is a tiger

maddie, mikey, and mommie
eric
ian
dana and maddie
the super cousins!!!!

housewarming pictures.

neil's dad, jerry, and his dog daisy
neil and maddie with roo-pert
dana and sara
faffy (geoff)
mom, blinking...

neil and jesse
kerry
daisy
wendy, jerry, and tracy(neil's sisters and dad)
wendy, dana, and tracy

neil and i open a gift
mikey
dana and kerry
dana, mike, kerry, and robyn
mario and polly (neil's stepdad and mom)