Quite the Scare

Here's a little story for you... Monday evening after work, the gas needle was on empty. Like any other time I fill up for gas, I choose "pay outside with debit." It tells me to see cashier so I go inside and the lady says to go ahead and pump my gas then come in an pay with my card. That is precisly what I did but when I came back to pay she told me the register says "insuficient funds." I however knew that is quite impossible. I was wrong. After I called Mom and Dad to give her their card number so I didn't have to steal the gas, I called the my bank, "Your balance is $2.34," it says. "Oh my gosh, what is going on?" I thought through tears. After a sleepless night and a long discussion with the parental units about keeping my checkbook in order and where all my money could have gone, we realize something other than my bad balancing habits must have happened. A visit to the bank the next morning revealed that about 10 debits had been made in the LA area using my debit card number. Nearly $1800 were gone. I could not stop shaking as I went though the trasaction sheet, until I found out that I can infact get my money back by disputing the charges to the bank. I don't know how long this will take but it's the little adventure I'm on right now. My lesson, set up online banking and check it as much as I check my Facebook! Keep my checkbook balanced! Shop around for a credit card so if faced with a situation remotly close to this, I can pay for my own gas. This was by far one of the most sureal things that as happened to me but I believe I have learned a little more about handling adult situations. Please keep me and my money in your prayers. Thanks!

Things to fill my apartment!

As you have previously read, I have found, "my first place" and am now seaching for things to fill it! Couches, bed, desk, coffee table etc. are included but things like spatulas, mixing bowls, wisks, dishes and so on seem to be the things I take most for granted when cooking in Mom's kitchen. Everything is there.... and probably more. My kitchen though, well boxes at this point, are slowly being filled with my first kitchen tools! Who ever thought these kinds of things would excite me! I decided it would be more economical and fun to collect brightly colored plates, bowls, and mugs from thrift stores and yard sales than to buy a big boxed set. These places have also been great for the tools I mentioned earlier! There are a few things I decided to buy new, glasses, knives, we'll see about pots and pans! I want non-stick but have found that when people are getting rid of them it's because they are all scratched up. The pictures below are just a few things I've accumulated! Mom recycled her old towels to me and did a little revamp on them! She is so creative, they turned out so well! She has been amazingly helpful during this whole process of finding apartments, shopping for apartment stuff, and giving me ideas for making the place feel like home! Thanks Mom.

University of Wyoming

These are a few pictures of the University of Wyoming campus. On the trip to Laramie to see you UW again, I was expecting to cry, Mom was actually expecting that too, as you all probably know, I can get pretty emotional about these kind of things. This trip was such a blessing though, it just got me more excited to go. With my new gardian angel, Marg (my land lady), showing us the perfect place for me to live, two blocks from campus I might add, realizing the beauty of the campus, and talking with several very helpful and cheerful people on campus, my enthuziasm for this big change doubled! I will be taking a couple very interesting courses to see if early childhood development is the path I want to take including one where the lab is actually working with pre-school aged children! An opportunity I would not have had at QU. I truly believe this choice is the best for me and my future, not only financially but on my path to find my career. I ask for all of your prayers during the next few months as I try to find my place being "the new kid" once again. Peace.

19

Today is my birthday! It is the first year however, that it's not really exciting and when people say "birthday girl" I feel embarrassed. 19 is a very insignificant birthday. So far I have spent my birthday gong to breakfast with my best friends, watching FRIENDS, and napping, wow three of my favorite things. I wish though that I had the other three things that are most important to me, my sisters. I miss you all bunches!

ZOE

I started my new job about two weeks ago and it's going great. I watch Zoe Bosch for Jerry and Nancie Bosch, a lawyer and massage therapist. They are great people, I honestly don't know how I always luck out on these jobs. The first day I was there, Nancie insisted that we go to the grocery store to pick out food that I like for lunches... I could have just brought my own, but no. She also told me that whatever is in the house I am welcome to, including use of the computer, washer and dryer, ect. I'm pretty sure that both parties are very thankful that we found each other. Plus I make bank. Which is very nice. lol. Zoe is seriously the easiest baby I've ever watched... when she's unhappy she doesn't cry just sort of shows you she's uncomfortable with a wine Nancie told me the hardest part about "life in the day of Zoe" is getting her to sleep.... well the first day, I walked around the house and patted her bottom and she was asleep in my arms within 15 min. I am now dubbed "The Baby Whisperer" by Nancie. Everyday when I leave, I am praised and thanked for my help... it's a good feeling to be needed and even better to be acknowledged.

"Hey! Nice ta Mischa!"

As I was brainstorming a title for my new blog, I remembered a converstaion that took place near the begining of school at Quincy University. I think it was during my freshman orientation, I introducted myself to someone (sadly I do not remember who... oops) and the title to my blog was the reply.... "Hey! Nice ta Mischa!" I'm not really sure what exactly will come of this but perhaps a way for my closest friends to know what I'm up to. As my best friends are the ones furthest from me... my sisters :( I hope this will bring us closer!
Peace.