My first day on the job at Capital One...

I never thought that my first day at my new job would be so much work, yet so rewarding. As you know, I have been without employment since October of 2008. Well, I ended up applying for a job with Capital One in early December. They called me in the middle of December and did a phone interview with me. Well, I did not hear from them for over a month till one evening in January of this year, I came home from a temp job that I was working for when my mother told me that there was a message for me on the phone and that I needed to listen to it. Well, I did and it was from Capital One informing me that they had good news about the position that I interviewed for back in December. The next day, I called the number that was on the message and talked with the person and they informed me that the position was still opened if I still wanted it. I told them "oh heck yes!" and was given the position. Well, today was my first day of training. So far, I like the job, especially the dress code. Basically, the dress code is Sunday casual. Which means that you can wear casual clothes. I am gonna love wearing jeans and flip flops to work everyday.

Great Grandma Easter's house beng turned into a "Haven" for women....

Last night, my mother was reading the Richmond Times Dispatch (our paper here in Richmond, VA). As she was reading in the Metro section of the paper, she came across this article about a pre-civil war farm house that is being turned into a haven for women that are victims of abuse, drug and alcohol addiction and divorce. As she read more into the article, she found out that the house use to be my great grandmother Easter's. After my great grandmother passed away at the rightfull age of 94, the family donated the house and the land to a christian-based group. The group is now remodeling the house and will be taking families this coming summer. I have such great memories from that house. When I was younger and we would come out to visit, whenever we visited with her and my great grandfather Monroe, she always wanted to bake us something just to have some company. I know that grandma Easter would be grateful that her house will be used to help others. That is how she treated others. To love and serve others with what you had or could lend a hand with. I am blessed to have had such a wonderful example like my great grandmother Edna Easter.

Shanna's Surprise 30th Birthday Party...

Last evening, some friends and myself held a suprise birthday party for my friend Shanna. I met Shanna last year at singles activity in Richmond. What brought us together was the fact that she owns a BMW and I work at one of the dealerships here in Richmond. I told her that I worked at the dealership that she takes her car to, and after that, we became friends. Well, some of Shanna's friends and I decided to suprise her on her 30th birthday by throwing a party. She never knew. She thought that we were gonna take her out to dinner that night. Shanna was suprised and grateful. I am grateful for friends like Shanna in my life. What a wonderful friend she has been to me. I am a blessed person because of Shanna. Love ya girl!!!

Sheri, in the pink on the left, is Shanna's younger sister. Shanna is on the right wearing the white coat.

Shanna blowing out the candles on her birthday cake.

Shanna and her sister Sheri.

Shanna and our friend Emily.

Richmond's First Snowfall for 2009....

Today was Richmond's first snowfall. Richmond usually rarely gets any snow. And, if we do get precipitation during the winter months, it's mostly rain or ice. So, this was a treat. The snow did not last but for only a couple of hours, but luckily I was able to get a snapshot of it to have as a memory.