So, I didn't write last night because, well..... I didn't get to bed until after 2am this morning! My cousin, whom I don't get to see very often, but lives just down the road, came by around eight and we just sat up and talked about everything you can imagine until two in the morning. It was loads of fun though. I was going to go to the gym this morning before the vow renewal we have at 2pm, but I literally didn't wake up until nine, and then I went back to sleep until eleven. :) Oh, well.

 

I did have an amazing idea while I was sleeping. We were talking about weddings last night with my cousin, because she is also a photographer and will be doing my wedding. We started to talk about photo booths, and how I want one, but am probably going to do a homemade one. Anyway, we are having the teens from our church over tomorrow afternoon for a pizza party, and I thought, what better way to practice my photo booth ideas, than to have a photo booth tomorrow. So I have been searching the house for funny props, and I made some mustaches; we are going to pick up some stuff from the dollar store too. I am so excited!!!! I love stuff like this!

 

Well, I better finished getting ready to go.

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

I feel like a lazy bum. We were supposed to have some good friends come over this afternoon, so I cleaned up my room, which is a BIG deal, and they got sick and decided to not come over. This, of course, is a total bummer because they live like three hours away and we rarely get to see them.I just hope they feel better soon!

 

So anyways, my sister, mom and I went out shopping. We went to the bank, and then went to Five Below, which is one of my all time favorite stores. I was looking for a case for my Fire, but I didn't find one that I really liked. I did find a stylus though. After that, we went to Meijer, and I didn't find a case there either. Walmart was the next stop, and I had found a charger set online from them that I wanted. Of course, they didn't have it in the store, so I need to go online again and order it. No case there either :( So the shopping wasn't all that fruitful, but I will keep searching for the perfect accessories for my new toy, which I am loving by the way!

 

Have a great rest of the weekend!

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

* i would love something like this, i just have to find it...

I really love my new house, and I really love snow; but i really don't like shoveling my new ENORMOUS driveway. The snow was so heavy to, we had at least six inches. So after my escapades with the snow, my mom and I went to see my aunt's new house. Well, it's not actually new, she has lived there for like a year, but we hadn't seen it yet, so it was new to us. It is an amazing Victorian period house, I don't know much about Victorian, but it was old. (I guess that qualifies...) Her and her husband go to antique stores all the time to find new things for the house. All the pictures are old, and in ornate frames, every room has wallpaper, and she has one of those really old ovens you picture in the 1800's. It is totally not my style, but she pulls it off very well, and I guess since she is living there as long as she likes it, it's good.

 

I did have to work tonight, but it was like a ghost town because everyone seems to be out of town. Hopefully tomorrow morning won't be as bad.....

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

Well, just another lazy day for me. We got at least five inches of snow today, and the roads are pretty terrible. Hopefully they are okay by tomorrow afternoon so I don't have issues getting to work. Wow, I'm trying to think of something I actually did today, and I am coming up with nothing..... My kindle is having issues with the wifi again, and I may have to call and see what the Internet company can do about it. I did get it to work tonight finally, and got lots more books, so I am set for at least a little while. I really didn't text anyone; I didn't have anything to say :) oh, well.

 

BTW look up the recipe for fabulous frosting fudge; it is amazing and my grandma made peppermint flavor for Christmas that I could eat every day of my life, it is so good.

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

Merry Christmas from my kindle fire hd! I had an amazing Christmas with my family, and am enjoying all of the wonderful gifts I received. I'm still trying to get used to this thing ,but I'm liking it a lot.  The only thing I'm not liking right now is typing long sentences on this thing:) Hope you all had a Merry Christmas, and are to much good like me.

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life
 April B.

here's a picture of the new sweater I got from my parents:)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!! My family stayed up and opened presents at midnight, so here I am! I am the proud new owner of a Kindle Fire HD, and many other amazing things.

 

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, and that you truly realized the real meaning of the season. While you are opening your presents, and having fun with your family and friends, take a minute to thank God for sending His son to be born in a manger. Thank Him for creating you and allowing you to celebrate with your loved ones. Thank your parents for all of the things they have done and sacrificed for you. Thank a soldier for fighting for you, and laying his life on the line for you. Just be thankful this Christmas season.

 

Be safe, and enjoy this time together with friends.

 

Merry Christmas!

April B.

 

I had a great day today! Well, besides the part where I thought I was going to throw up, it was good. I am finally, actually, truly finished Christmas shopping. I almost had a heart attack though, I though Meijer messed up my photo order and I was ready to take some people out back. I was checking the status of my order this morning and it said that it was already picked up. WHOA! I sooo did not pick it up yet. I was worried that someone else picked it up since they already had my card info from my online order. Thankfully, after waiting forever, and being ignored  while I waited, I finally got my order and I am so happy with it. :)Thank you Meijer for not messing up my order like that other store I will not mention.......

 

I just have to wrap my mom's present since she has finally gone to bed. Then I am done!!!! Oh, I even got these adorable "Santa bags" so I can take all of the gifts over to the BF's house Christmas Eve. You know, kind of like the bag Santa caries all of the gifts in. They were on sale at Michael's for $1.99 so I got two!!!! Magically, all of the presents fit too.

 

I better get wrapping so I can get some sleep. Have a good rest of the weekend!

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

*this is kind of what it looks like, but much cooler. I can't seem to find a pic of it.......

I am finally home and all snug and warm in my bed, which is one of my favorite places to be. I woke up  to snow this morning!!!! I was so excited that we will have snow for Christmas. The only problem with snow is the cold; if snow was warm, it would be perfect. Anyways, I went out with the BF and his family to get their Christmas tree this afternoon. The last brother has finally made it home, and everyone is happy to have the family together for Christmas. After that, I went to the Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village with my church. It was soooooooooooooooooooo cold!!!!!!!!!!! It was also kind of boring; it is dark so you can't see much of the houses and such, and they barely light the buildings. Some places you can only walk in a few feet, and that's all there is to see. It is so much better in the summer during the day........

 

Whatever, I'm home now, and that's all that matters. Ooh, my BF also got me a new Adidas jacket today that matches his!!! I would steal his all the time, so he got me my own. Though, he did say that I can still steal his........

 

Hope you are having a wonderful Christmas season with your family and friends!

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

I had an amazing "lazy day" today. I literally got nothing done until I had to get ready for work around 2pm. I did get laundry and the dishes done though, so I did something. Work went well also, it was kind of slow because of a horrible downpour of rain. I hate rain........

 

I got my first peppermint hot chocolate of the season!!!!! I love them things!!!! To make it even better, I got home, and one of my piano students had sent me a Christmas card with a  $10 arch card in it. Now I can get even more peppermint hot chocolates!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Now I am watching the CMA Christmas special. I love Christmas songs so much, I record all of the Christmas specials!! They are so good:)

 

I still haven't finished my hat for tomorrow; I think I need to get on that.....

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

Well, it's past midnight, and I am just finishing up with some present wrapping. I got all of mine done, and some for my mom. I still have to figure out what to do about those ornaments Walmart messed up. I took them back today and got a full refund, and they gave me a number to call and complain. Hopefully, I can get them to send me the right ones overnight or something because they messed my order up. We'll see...

 

Dentist appointment went well, no issues, and my teeth look great! Now I don't have to be tortured again until June.

 

I just found out that we are supposed to get snow this weekend, and I am soooooo excited. I hate having Christmas without snow. One year, we had no snow at Christmas, and lots of it at Easter. Totally messed up right? Anyways, I better get to bed so I will actually want to get up tomorrow, or today really.

 

Sweet Dreams :)

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

Well, I had a great day today, until I got home...... So I got up this morning, earlier than I would have liked, and went in to the school. We had fun laughing at things on Pintrest, and grading the kids' book reports. I even started re-doing my hat. Then I had to leave for work, and I picked up my dinner, Subway, on the way. Work was great, our organ teacher, who gave me a poinsettia last week, gave me a $10 Panera gift card; one of the counter ladies gave me an adorable cuff bracelet, and another gave me some homemade jam. Then I got a chocolate cake from one of the piano teachers, and a cute mug someone had given to the front counter. I was having a really good day......

 

When I got home, I was actually excited because there was a package for me. It was the ornaments I ordered from Walmart for Christmas gifts. Then, I opened the package. Looked at my order summary, so far so good. I opened the first box, and it was a snowflake, not a wreath. Okay, I can probably deal with that. I open the second box, and it was a random picture of someone I don't know. SERIOUSLY!!!!!!! There was even pictures on the order sheet, along with which ornament was a snowflake, and which was a wreath. How hard can it be to match a picture to a picture.

 

Needless to say, tomorrow I am going into Walmart to "talk" to somebody about this. I am very upset, and worried that I won't have gifts before Christmas.

 

Anyways, hope you had a better day than mine :)

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

Happy Monday!!! This is the first happy Monday I have had in a long time. So, I did get up at a decent hour this morning, because the piano tuner was coming, and I actually got some stuff done. I put away all my clean clothes, organized my closet clothes, and cleaned and organized the bottom of my closet. I still have tons of school stuff to organize and put away, but I am making progress.

 

So, I finished the scarf I was working on, and started on the hat to match. Well, I just finished the hat, but have decided that it needs to be re-done. :) I am volunteering at my church's school tomorrow so I do have to get up again :( Though, I really do have fun when I am there. Hopefully, I can finish my hat, and maybe start another scarf while I'm there.

 

Bowling was okay tonight. About halfway through something threw me off, and I pretty much had an emotional meltdown. I don't really know what triggered it, but I guess it wasn't that bad, I just cried for a minute or two...... And gutter balls didn't help either.  We did go to Arby's when we were done and that definitely cheered me up. I finally got my peppermint swirl shake!!!!!! And now I am on a sugar high!!!!!! I am going to attempt to sleep though, since it is kind of important to my lively hood.

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

So the weekend has come to a close, and for once, in a long time, I don't have to go to school tomorrow!!!! YEAH!!!!! I do have to get up though because our piano is getting tuned tomorrow at 11am. I guess I get to sleep in a little bit, but I do have to get up, and dressed, and make sure the house looks okay.

So, my day was good, but I am still exhausted from yesterday. I feel so tired, and yet, I don't want to go to bed. I even started a new project that I am very excited about. I am crocheting a zigzag chevron like scarf, and so far it looks fabulous! I may even try to figure out how to do a hat as well.

 

On a more serious note, my heart goes out to all the families in Connecticut who were involved in this horrible tragedy. Things like this should not happen in America, much less to a group of elementary kids. It reminds us that we need to cherish every moment we get with our loved ones; no matter how much they annoy you or make you mad, you would rather have them alive than anything. Make sure you are prepared yourself, that if this, God forbid, ever happened to you or your loved ones, you would know where you will spend eternity, and that your family and friends would be there with you.

 

Love and Prayers to Connecticut,

April B.

 

My computer is slowly dying and so am I. OK, I am not really dying, just crashing. My concert went sooooooo well tonight!!!!!! I am so happy and proud of all of the people involved that put in so much hard work and effort. Of course my conductor, was fabulous as well. We all love her so much!!!!

I even got flowers from the students. Somebody really does love me! (Besides the BF of course, who has no choice but to love me:)

 

So the BF's brother is home for the holidays from the army. So good to have him back, he brings a lot of life and joy to the party!!! He has a hilarious imagination, and I'm sure one the last brother gets home, some crazy things are going to be going on.

 

Well, I better hit the sack before I fall asleep on the keyboard.......

Have a great rest of the weekend! Only 10 more days till Christmas!!!

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

I just got back from my dress rehearsal and after party and I am exhausted. Seriously exhausted. The day did go well; rehearsal was relatively smooth for once. Party was great, we ate lots of good food and played some awesome pool games. All of course, while listening to Christmas music.

 

The only bummer about my day was that the hair place by my house won't do my hair tomorrow because it is so long. REALLY! Discrimination I swear. So, I look up another place close by, and their price was more than ten dollars more than the first place. Needless to say, I am doing my own hair tomorrow. Take that you crazy hair people! Oh, well, such is life.

 

I am really excited about tomorrow, but before I get there I need some serious shut-eye.....

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

FINALLY!!!!! My finals are O-V-E-R!!! I am sooooo excited, and relieved to be done with school for the year. I just have my concert this weekend and then I am done for a whole month. I even celebrated with a candy cane chill blizzard!!!! Now I am exhausted, and ready for some sleep. Maybe 24 hours would be enough, maybe not..... Oh well, I will have to wait until after the weekend to get any sleep anyways.

 

Soooooo excited for Christmas!!!! I still have a few things left to get, but I am almost done. I just need to figure out what to get my parents; they are so hard to buy for.

 

Have a good weekend!!!

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

I just finished my paper and it is not even midnight!!!! I am on a roll :) My eyes kind of hurt from staring at the computer so long though. Now all I have to do is finish going over my study sheet for my exam tomorrow, and I can go to bed!!!!! Thank God, I don't have to stay up alllllll night.

 

My English exam went well today. At least I think it did..... It wasn't horrible, but there were a few confusing things on the final. Tomorrow's test is the one I am most worried about, but I have been studying the material he told us to, so hopefully that will help.

 

AHHHH! My eyes are killing me!!!! Wish me luck on my final final. (HA!)

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

*insert Loganberry in the coffee slot, and you are right on!

So, it is day two of finals week, and I am soooo glad I didn't have a final today! I do have my English final tomorrow, but I am not to worried about that one. Unfortunately, I didn't work on my paper today, so you know what that means? ALL NIGHTER TOMORROW! UGHHHH! OK, so maybe it won't be that bad, I only have two more pages to go, right???

 

Concert prep is going well, and I am feeling good. I still need to make a hair appointment, and figure out what to do with my nails. I finally found my shirt though! Sooooo happy that is over. It is sooooo cute. :)

 

I should probably get some sleep, but I will probably be up for another half hour on Pintrest, or reading my book. :)

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

*here's a pic of my shirt!!!!

I am sooooo pumped!!!! I totally aced my final today, and I finished over half of my paper that's due Thursday!!!! Whoooooo! So, I don't have any finals tomorrow, but I am hoping to get some more of my paper done, and study for my big final on Thursday. I really am not worried about my English final, which surprises me, but from what my teacher said, it should be relatively easy.

 

So I broke down today and brought out the trustworthy college-student-studying-for-finals food....... RAMEN NOODLES!!!! Now, I know that there is a great controversy about how to say said food, but really people, say it like it's spelled. RAY-MEN noodles, not RAH-MEN. Sorry, anyways, I am on page three of five, and I did hit a mental block, but I find that when that happens, I really need to take a break, so I did. Tomorrow is a new day, and hopefully, I will break through the mental blockage.

 

Now, I need the sleep that my college friends desperately needed last night. As of this morning, some of them were running on over 36 hours without sleep. Me, I would be passed out dead on the floor, not happening. So, I am hitting the sack, and totally not stressing. :)

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

Personally, I like the beef best; it's not that I don't like the chicken, but my dad raised me on beef, beef, and venison. :)

The weekend has come to a close. :( Now, the craziness begins! I am proud of myself for studying today. I am all set for my final tomorrow, and I even got the first, and hardest, paragraph of my paper done. I always have a hard time trying to introduce my subject and make it intriguing for the reader; so some of the hard part is done. Tomorrow I will sit down and start typing, and finding some more sources. I usually piece my papers together by writing out my main points and the cold, hard facts. Then I fill in the spaces with extra information that may seem useless, but really helps to get the amount of pages I need, :) OK, I really don't put useless stuff in my papers, but it is "filler". Thankfully, next year we won't have a page requirement, but a word requirement. I work better in terms of words than pages.

 

So, I decorated my room with lights, and I probably won't use my regular lights for the rest of the year. They put off enough light when it is dark outside, and my sheer curtains let in the light during the day.

I'm going to try to take this week one day at a time, so the stress level stays down. Hopefully, that will work out! Or, I could just use it as an excuse to eat more chocolate!

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

It snowed today!!!!! Not the good kind that sticks, just the wet, yucky kind; but it was still AWESOME!!! So I had a great day with the BF, his mom and nephews. The boys got a little rowdy, and loud, and hateful, and crabby, and angry; but they are still the cutest nephews in the whole wide world.

 

My second concert is over, and now it is time to stress over the big one. I guess it doesn't help that finals are this week either. I really need to start that paper....... I have one final on Monday, one on Wednesday, and one on Thursday with the paper due the same day. Hopefully I will manage my time wisely and study hard for my tests. I really don't feel like failing.......

 

Adding to all that pressure is a horrible stomach ache that started up this evening. I have no idea why it hurts, but man, does it hurt. If I get sick before this concert, well, bad things would happen. The only problem with chocolate: It doesn't help stomach aches!

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

Tired and ready for bed. That seems to be the story of my life. Frankenmuth was great today, it was a bit nippy, but we were inside most of the time. I got some more Christmas shopping accomplished, and even got a cute bracelet for myself. Loved hanging out with my main man (and only man:) .

 

I also accomplished my front window decorations when I got home, thanks to my little sissy and a friend. It is so adorable, and I will probably add some lights to it, I just don't know how yet.

 

Tomorrow I get to hang out with my BF again, and his mom and two amazing nephews, who I could hug forever 'cause they're just soooo cute! I am hoping to take a really nice pic of them for their parents for Christmas.

 

Anyway, I need to sleep desperately, so here goes nothing.......

 

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

* I know it's kinda hard to see, but those are all of my ornaments in  the window :)

 

Time to wind down and get ready for bed. I had a great day today, and got a lot accomplished. Work and school were fine; and I wrapped a bunch of Christmas presents. :) I love wrapping Christmas presents, which is probably why everyone asks me to wrap theirs (unless it's for me of course! ).

 

I am sooooo excited! Our collegiate groups are going to Frankenmuth tomorrow, and I can't wait. Mostly because I will get to spend the day with my amazing boyfriend! Love you sweetie!

 

So, someone brought cookies to work today, and I will admit, I ate more than four. I lost track after that.

 

Now I need to figure out what I am wearing tomorrow, so I don't have to get up as early. We don't even have bells tomorrow! I am SOOOOOOO happy. :)

 

Good Night!

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

 

I desperately need a new car. Really. My gas line decided to leak today, disrupting my whole afternoon. I couldn't go to my piano lessons, or give my piano lessons. The worst part is ..... I need more gas and I just filled up Monday night. YIKES!

 

So, it is officially stress time, and I have already started getting grumpy at people. Hopefully, I will be able to contain myself at work tomorrow and be extremely cheerful. :) I start to cry for no reason this time of year also. Finals and the concert are killing me!!!

 

Wish me luck, and pray I don't offend anyone in the next week or so.

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

So yeah, that test I thought I had today........... I DIDN'T!!!!!!!!!! I really think he just forgot about it, but anyways, that made my day a little happier. School has been, well, school. I am freaking out about finals, and that paper I have to do. UGH!!! Hopefully I will get some amazing inspiration or something will hit me on the head and make me a genius! Miracles do happen. I hope.

Now, I am at work, and falling asleep from stress and exhaustion. I won't go to bed when I get home though. I will probably decorate the tree some, and hopefully my boyfriend will come over (Please!). I did finish all of my English work for the semester. That really makes me happy!!! And I do have Loganberry to get me through the late nights of studying and writing. GOD IS GOOD!

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

Well, I had an awesome day hanging out with my college buds! (yes, even Mr.z) :) So I did finally get to see Brave, and I loved it. It would have been better if there was more mushy stuff, but all in all it was a great movie. You know me, the mushier the better!!!!

 

Bowling was a blast, and I actually broke one hundred on my first game. My first game was my best, and that never happens, but after that it all went down hill.

 

Now I am cramming for a test tomorrow that I pretty much am expecting to bomb. I hate tests sooooo much, even more than that paper I have to write and haven't gotten around to yet........

Wish me luck!!!!!

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

(or as everyone else has been calling me tonight: Merida)

 

 

Sometimes I like to multitask. Not all of the time just sometimes. Currently, I am typing this with a toothbrush in my mouth! There is just not enough time to do everything I want to do.

 

Well, Messiah is over, and I survived. Now I only have two concerts left!!!! This weekend's concert isn't that big of a deal, I just have to play bells, not sing or play piano.I do still have to figure out what to write my paper on that is due next week....... Yes, I am procrastinating. Well, I guess I could say that I have been extremely busy, and I have been, but I do have some free moments here and there( like right now).

 

OK, toothbrush is gone, and I can use booth hands.I have a fun day planned tomorrow amidst all of the craziness. Some of my college friends, and my amazing boyfriend are coming over for chili, and we are going to watch Brave (FINALLY!) and then go bowling. There is an awesome bowling alley by my house that has dollar games on Mondays after eight. I am so excited, that even the knowledge that I have voice lessons at eight thirty tomorrow morning, and I haven't practiced, isn't bringing me down. :)

 

So, I guess it is time to hit the sack. That or find more things that need to be done..... I think sleep sounds better, don't you?

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.

 

I'M BACK!!!!!! Thank you Jesus for the Internet man, who has filled my life with happiness and great pins from Pintrest. OK, so he has nothing to do with the pins on Pintrest, but it was a happy thought!!!!

 

So, I am also thankful for Secret Santa, because mine, is totally McAwesome! Literally, that is her nickname. :) My college Christmas party was tonight, and we had a blast. Trust me when I say that it is possible to have an amazing time with your friends with no alcohol involved. We are a CRAZY bunch of weirdos who have twisted, messed-up minds. ( Don't you just love my use of adjectives! I'm taking English this semester!) So, as you will see in the pic, my Secret Santa knows me very well.......there is lots of chocolate, and a teddy bear! The giant comb, priceless! I love to do hair, and my hair is extremely long, so it was a great laugh. Scarves, love 'em. Almost as much as chocolate, but not quite.

 

Soooooo........ I have a busy day tomorrow, and it has already been a busy weekend. Going to sing Messiah tomorrow night, and I guess for every hour you talk you are supposed to have two hours of silence to prepare you for singing. Yeah, that's NEVER going to happen! HA!

 

Lovin' Chocolate, Lovin' Life

April B.