Where did the Holidays go???

Here are some fun pictures Ryan and I did. We always take pictures once a year, and I have wanted to do pictures like this since Ryan got his bike. These were so much fun!








I really cannot fathom that the Holidays are gone! Ryan was busy finishing up his Fall Semester at the U, and we were in the process of finding a new home, we completely lost track of the holiday season. It makes me a little sad to think we didn't get to celebrate like we usually do, but we found a home and we are so excited to be living in something that we can call "Our Home!"

NOVEMBER:
Thanksgiving was here and then it was gone. My family got together at my parent's house for Thanksgiving dinner. My mom had to work Thanksgiving morning, so it was up to my dad, Ryan and I to make the dinner. It was a blast!

It was nice having everyone there, including the newest addition to the family, my brother's wife Rachel who I love and adore. She is amazing in every way, and I could not have asked for a better sister-in-law. I love spending quality time with my family. We always have a a great time together!

As for Black Friday...well I love to go shopping on Black Friday. I have been going since I was 16-years-old. I love the rush, watching all the crazy people and trying to get the best deals. This year I did not buy one thing on Black Friday... not one. It was rather depressing, but there was no need to buy much because Ryan and I were in the process of buying a house, so we already agreed not to buy stuff for one another, and the nieces and nephews were already taken care of. Although, Ryan and I did wake up at 3:30am to try our luck at getting to brand new front loader washer and dryers at Sears for $550 for the pair, but we were in the wrong line and we didn't get them...RATS! So we were upset, Ryan went home and I went to see what the line was like at Best Buy. I drove by as saw the line wrapping around the store nearly a half mile. I turned around, went back home to my hubby and my warm bed.

DECEMBER:
December was a blur for us. After nearly 2 months of looking at who knows how many homes we finally found one that suited our needs. I really don't remember much about December because it was... finals for Ryan, preparations before buying a house, telling our landlords we were moving, my niece's dance recitals, a little Christmas shopping for the families, Christmas cards, packing, closing on our home, re-painting, re-doing the floors and the list goes on. Now you know why I ask...Where did the Holidays go? I can't wait for the Holidays to come back again because we will be relaxed and enjoying them from our new home!

Another exciting thing to add...this is Ryan's last semester in Pharmacy School!!!! YAY!!! Then Ryan has one year of rotations, and he is done! He will be a Doctor of Pharmacy come May 2011. I am so proud of him!

I will have pictures of our new home soon. I am waiting to get our before pictures so I can show before and after shots. It is amazing how different our home looks.

Halloween 2009

This Halloween I was not prepared. Every year I think I am going to have the coolest costume, then I realize Halloween is the next day and I am frantically thinking and searching for costume to wear. This year Ryan was Wolverine and I was a witch Friday October 30th and a gangsta Saturday October 31st. Two different parties, two different costumes. Ryan remained Wolverine and he looked the part perfectly. Yep that's right ladies...the sexiest man alive! Ryan grew his hair and beard out for over two months. I can't believe how long and out of control it got, but he looked the part during Halloween weekend. See for yourself! I also put some adorable pictures of my nieces and nephew. So cute!

Please forgive me for some of the pictures were taken with my iphone.

House Hunting

You will understand why I posted these pictures after you read my story. My dog is the small black dog with the blue collar. Coco is the black Great Dane with the red collar, and Buster is the fawn colored Great Dane.






I never thought I would be looking for a house right now. I was thinking maybe in 2-3 years after Ryan was done with school and we had student loans paid off, wrong! We are looking for a house now and here is why...
the last week of September my parents went down to Vegas to watch a truck race. They asked Ryan and I to watch the house and animals for the. They have two Great Danes, two cats and my 10-year-old dog Comet. He has lived with them the entire time because Ryan and I have always lived in apartments that did not allow animals. So my parents have been so helpful letting me keep him there. I have had Comet since I was 17. He is a wonderful dog and I love him to pieces. I see him at least once a week, and we go to the dog park. Ok, I am getting side tracked...so Thursday, September 24th Ryan and I stayed over night with the animals. Everything went great. The next day, I headed out the door to go to work and Ryan said he would lock everything up. As I am pulling into work I get a phone call from Ryan saying there was a huge dog fight between my dog and my parents dog. Keep in mind they are both males, not neutered. My parent's male Great Dane is 15 months old and weights 150+ pounds. My dog is older, lab mix and 55-60 pounds. I asked him if Comet was ok, and he said "I think so, he just has a lot of slobber around his neck." He said they were walking down the hall and Buster (the male Great Dane) was hovering over my dog, dominating him. Comet gave a little growl to warn Buster and that's when Buster pounced my dog and tried to kill him. Ryan said Buster put all of his weight on Comet and had Comet's neck in his mouth shaking him like a rag doll. I know Comet and Buster haven't really liked each other from the beginning. On occasion they would growl and the fur on their back would stand up, but that was about all. So I was really scared after hearing Buster attacked my dog.

I couldn't go check on my dog until lunch because I had meeting all morning, and Ryan said he didn't see anything, but I had a feeling something was wrong. So I went to my parent's house around 12:30 to check on Comet. When I walked in Buster was in his cage, and I could not see Comet. Then I looked down stairs to see Comet slowly and painfully walking up the stairs. Usually he is up the stairs in seconds. I met him half way and started looking around his neck immediately. All of a sudden I felt a warm moist area. When I pulled my hand away all I could see was blood all over my hand. I then looked and saw a 2 inch by 2 inch gash in Comet's neck. I could see muscle. I then got worried because he had been like this for over 5 hours, bleeding to death and I feared he may have a bacterial infection with having an open wound for that long. I called Brickyard Animal Hospital and told them the situation. They said they could see me at 3:45. WHAT!!! My dog is bleeding to death. So I hung up and called Cotton Wood Animal Hospital. They said bring him in immediately. So I wrapped Comets neck and we were out the door.

Once we got to the Hospital they took Comet back and told me they were going to do surgery. So I left him there for four hours while I went back to work. I was so upset. I had so many thing going through my mind...is he going to survive, how do I tell my parents what happened, am I going to put him down, do we need to move and take him out of my parent's house, should I put him up for adoption???? I was so sick to my stomach. When I went to get Comet, the doctor told me they had to staple another wound on the other side of his neck/shoulder blade. I didn't catch that wound. It was a terrible day!

Well to make an already long story short...my dog is doing great, he is still at my parent's house, but they keep Buster and Comet separated. I have been taking Comet to the dog park a lot lately. He loves it! Everyone asks how old he is, and when I say he is 10 and people don't believe me and people say he looks and acts like a 4-year-old dog. Although I haven't taken him for about one week because he caught a cold from another dog. Now his is on medication. So we are looking for a house so we can take him with us. I could not give him up or put him down because of this. Comet doesn't deserve any of those choices. He deserves to be with Ryan and I for the remaining time he is alive.

New Jobs for Ryan and Tanelle

I have now been with channel 4 for nearly three months. I am enjoying my job, but some of the account executives are immature, rude and not to mention they are in their late 30's early 40's. I remember my first week went great, then my second week was a nightmare. Once I got out and started informing new businesses about advertise on channel 4 I stepped on a few toes...meaning I walked into some businesses that other account executives already had. When I got back to the station one of the male account executives (42-years-old) started singing the jingle "Jody Wilkinson, Acura." Well I found that strange because I had just returned back to the station after visiting with that dealer. He then came up to me and started talking to me about walking into the dealership and that was his account. I remember apologizing and feeling terrible. Later that day I learned about a master list from my sales manager indicating who had certain accounts.

The next week I went into Cactus and Tropicals because they were not on the master list, and I thought they would be perfect for television advertising. So I made several attempts to speak with the owners, but they were always in and out of meetings. I remember one day I was sitting at my desk sending an email to Cactus and Tropicals when a women who has worked at channel 4 for 8+ years, also 39-years-old, comes behind me and says in a rude and demanding voice..."Um, what made you think you could go into Cactus and Tropicals and ask them to advetise? Don't you know they are already on the air through me?" She had attitude like a 16-year-old. I told her the company was not on the master list and she just rolled her eyes at me and congratulated my courage. At this point I was confused, I felt crying and I was beyond upset, but I kept my cool and tried to shrug it off. I went into my boss and talked to him about the situations that had been occurring the past few weeks. He reassured me not to worry. He said they were only acting like that because they are scared and intimidated by me, but still, there is no need to be rude. He also said he was glad that I was stepping on toes because that shows I am not intimidated by going into bi businesses, which is true. So anyway, I like my job, like my managers, I like about 2 or 3 other account executives out of 18. I don't feel like I can be myself around them because they are rude. For the most part I keep to myself, and I go out and get businesses to advertise with channel 4. Thank heavens I don't have to work side-by-side with some of these people. I would pull my hair out!

Ryan is also having similar problems at his work...Jolley's Corner Pharmacy. People there are rude, sarcastic and not willing to help him learn as much as he would like to. Ironically Ryan and I started our new jobs the same day, August 10, 2009. Maybe we just got into new jobs at the wrong time? Ryan only has to deal with it for several more months because come May, he is done with in class Pharmacy School and onto one year of rotations and then walk May 2011! I am hoping I will make enough money so he can quite sooner and not have to work with those punks.

I am so proud of my hubby for working so hard and trucking through school. Ryan has only taken a six month break from working while being in college. Who works full time and goes through a graduate school? Not many! He would probably be embarrassed about what I am about to write, but I am writing it anyway because he doesn't read the blogs closely. He looks at the pictures. Ryan is so smart and self driven. He works hard for his grades and still has time to go on dates with me. I am amazed with the self discipline he has. He has to work ten times harder than all the other pharmacy students because the other students have had pharmacy experience before being accepted into pharmacy school, but not Ryan. He worked in Infectious Disease at ARUP for nearly 6 years. What can I say, my hubby is a smarty and works hard for his amazing grades! I couldn't be more proud! Although, we both can't wait for his schooling to be over with.

To be continued...

Better at blogging!

I must apologize to myself and everyone who still believes that I am going to blog more than once a quarter. Here I am done with college and yet, I am not blogging near as often as I should. Starting now, I need to keep up on this blog for myself, my friends and family and more importantly...for my children to read. So with out further delay, let's begin the process of what I like to call "catch-up blogging!"

My last blog was about my brother's wedding that took place three months ago tomorrow, wow time flies. The Summer came and went faster than I could blink an eye. I focused a lot of my time on getting my photography business going. I am passionate about photography, and I love when people get their pictures back and have that speechless reaction. I really hope this goes somewhere for me because so I can continue to create exciting, priceless and memorable moments for many families to come. I finally have my website up and running and I will be adding my logo shortly.

The biggest thing that happened to me over the summer was looking for a new job. I had been a nanny for the Atkinson Family for nearly two years, but I realized I just graduated from college with my bachelors degree in Mass Communication with an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism and I needed to start thinking about moving forward. So I began the job hunt. I found a job posting on ABC 4's website. They had an entry level position open for Advertising and Sales. I had been doing some thinking about sales, especially pharmaceutical sales, so I needed to get sale experience some how. I applied...thinking I would not be called because I didn't have any sales experience. The next day I got a phone call from channel 4 asking me to come down the next day for an interview. I could not believe it. So I went to the interview, it went great! Then I went home with a pit in my stomach, knowing I would have to tell the Atkinson Family I got a new job. I was not scared to tell them, I was sad to tell them because I knew they were going to be so sad. This was not some ordinary family...they were like my second family. I have never been treated with so much love and respect, not to mention I adored their two boys and they adored me. I told myself I would not say anything to the family unless I knew I had the job, but the family already new I was putting my resume out, so I know they were expecting phone calls. Anyway, the next day channel 4 calls and left me a message saying I did not get the job. I was bumbed, but I wasn't going to let one no get me down. I called channel 4 and thanked them for taking time to interview me. I also told them to keep me in mind for the future. The next day I got a phone call from channel 4. Tthey wanted me to come in for a second interview! What!!! I could not believe it. I went in the next day for the second interview and was offered the job the next day. I was so excited, but so sad too. Now I had to tell the Atkinson Family. I started to cry just thinking about having to tell them. I got on the phone and told Amy (the mom) the news. She was so excited for me but began to cry and then I started crying. It was a sad day. Then, when I went to work the week I told them, Destry (the dad) tried to bribe me with a check in my name for $10,000, plus a 20% raise, plus they would pay for my health insurance and I would have to sign a one year contract. WOW...what was I to do. I had the entire weekend to make a decision. I felt sick. I had to choose between a family I love and adore or an opportunity to grow in the business world. Well I took the job at ABC 4 because I knew I needed to start using my college degree. It wasn't easy turning down that amazing offer the Atkinson Family offered me.

The first week of August was my last week and it was a difficult week for me. The kids were extra sweet and loving, as if they knew what was going on. The boys were 3 and 1. My last day I cried a ton, and Jack the 3-year-old came up to me, put his two little hands on my cheeks and said, "don't be sad Tanelle, it's ok." Then he gave me a big hug. I love that boy!!! I have watched Jack grow up right before my eyes. I started watching Jack when he was 15-months. I remember he could say my name perfectly from the day I met him. He is my Bud for life!!!
One thing I was able to give the Atkinson Family was scrapbooks of the boys. I had started making Jack's scrapbook from day one. Adding pictures of our daily activities and adventures. Then when Charlie was born, I started making his too. The family loved the scrapbooks and so did Jack and Charlie. I still see my boys about once a month. They are still as sweet and loving as ever! Not to mention, Jack and my niece Sydnie are boyfriend and girlfriend, and they are in the same preschool class. They are so cute together!
As for the Atkinson Family today...I forgot to mention that before I left I help them find an amazing nanny to take my place. It happens to be Jack's teacher from the two's class. So it all worked out! I had to find someone that would treat this family like gold, just like they treated me. They are all doing great! I can't wait to visit them soon.

More blogging to come tomorrow night, I promise! For those of you who are still interested in my blog. ;)

Jared and Rachel's Wedding Day

~ 7/22/2009~
I cannot believe my little brother is a married man. It seems like yesterday we were fighting about toys, driving our mom and dad crazy and having fun being kids. Seriously... where does the time go? My brother Jared could not have found a better, prettier down to earth woman, nice job bro! Rachel is the sweetest woman and I love her to pieces. She is the sister I never had. I am so happy for Jared and Rachel to start their life together. I know they will make each other happy and have many laughs together. I will have more pictures sometime this weekend.