yet again, it's been a while since i've updated so...here goes.

Over the holidays i was able to travel to San Francisco, Melbourne/Tampa, FL, Washington D.C and had a great time. That kept me busy over a couple months along w/ holiday hours at work.

a couple weeks ago, i met a friend  in atlanta for a couple days. we had a great time. we went to the aquarium, walked around the city, and just enjoyed a couple days. then, my mom came to atlanta for business so i stayed a few extra days w/ her and continued to enjoy the city, went shopping, watched a movie at the hotel and just relaxed. on my way back to knoxville from atlanta, I stopped at a coach outlet store and got two pairs of leather gloves (retail price 180.00) each for 9.99. I also got a camel colored leather wallet to match an aldo purse that i have. (retail price 218.00 and i paid 40) some great deals and i was super excited!

i'm still working at the good ole 567 (Express in West Town Mall). I am enjoying my job but recently was bummed b/c my store manager resigned. It is a complicated situation and she didn't really want to leave and none of us really wanted her to go but it had to happen :( One of the co-managers is transferring to cincinnati, ohio so she will be leaving soon. I actually thought that was a good move for her but wasn't expecting to lose two managers at once. The Express at Knoxville Center (the other mall in town) closed a few weeks ago and the store mgr there was unemployed and so she is now at our store. Honestly, I'm trying to stay positive, but I already don't agree w/ some of her methods and she just doesn't "fit" at our store. Apparently there is also another mgr from Kentucky coming down to check out our store and possibly transfer. We'll see what happens w/ all that. The good thing is that Vicki is still at our store (she's another co-manager) and i really like her. she's a hard worker and makes being there, fun. Lauren, my old store mgr will still be in the knoxville area (as far as i know) so it'll be good to have her here as a friend. She too is a great person that i'm blessed to have in my life.

we are planning a farewell/good luck party for Lauren (the old store mgr). I'm excited for that b/c it's a way for us to show her how much we really did/do appreciate her and all the hard-work she put in at the store. Also, I'm going to the upcoming Britney Spears Concert in Atlanta w/ 3 friends from here on March 5. I'm excited for the concert but more excited to have a get-a-way time w/ these people. We're going to have a blast and we all love britney!

the only other "plans" coming up is a trip to Panama City. I was hoping to go at the end of april but i may push it back to mid-May. I have a wedding to go to on 4/25 and 5/16 and i just don't think i can do both (financially). but the good thing about April is that it would also be a birthday celebration time and i have a friend that i sometimes combo our birthdays because they are so close. We'll see what happens.

I'm looking for another job. I'm not leaving EXP but I just don't get enough hours there at all so I'm looking for another part time retail job or a full time job that i can maybe use my degree in ( i know, a crazy thought to actually  use my college degree. lol.) THe job market is just plain awful right now.

Treatment. The plan is to be finished w/ treatment at the end of march. The only reason that I would have to continue beyond that is if a specialist from Vanderbilt in Nashville thinks I need to continue treatment any longer ( but i'm praying that isn't the case). I'm still taking my three injections of intron a week and one injection of neupogen. I'll be making an appt for a skin exam and a PET scan in the near future. I was doing physical therapy for my lymphedema in my left arm but honestly wasn't seeing enough change to keep going. It gets so expensive and I just can't afford it. ugh! so, i'm looking into getting a new compression glove (if insurance will pay for it) and just hoping I can keep the swelling down myself.

on a lighter note. . . i have been working out pretty regularly and I feel like i have hit a wall and am not able to lose anymore weight. so, i am trying to step up my cardio/weight routine and am doing a little fast from starbucks. yes, i know, i was just as shocked in my decision but i seriously do get starbucks or drink coffee at home pretty often and am just curious to see if i replace those cravings w/ water or a smoothie if it will help me drop some pounds or inches. we will see! so, feel free to help keep me accountable to the NO STARBUCKS thing.

alright, well that was a super long update. let me hear back from YOU!

in the spirit of christmas, i would love for you all to share w/ me what it is that you are wanting (presents) this year. I always find it interesting what people want.