I have been crazy busy lately. School is almost out and that means finals! I have been cramming for them already since i have 5. I think I'll do just fine on them. I can't wait for summer to be here. I have so much to get done before summer and I don't think it will all happen. I can't wait to feel relief. I have been working a lot more lately because a group and I are planning a trip to the MOA to get new clothes for summer. I feel like I haven't had any rest time. I'm really looking forward to getting away for a day of shopping and a weekend of fun with my girls. I actually just got another job, well sort of. One of my best friends has two guys who are trying to start up a photography business and they needed some help so we got to do an amateur photo shoot, but it was a lot of fun and the pictures are really cute. We were asked to help model and promote them and help them get started. Its always fun when you just help people out and get cute photos out of it. What else is new in my life... I feel like so much has happened but I can't think of anything to say. I guess the other thing would be I'm looking for an apartment to live in, but I'm not sure if its going to happen so writing about it seems a bit silly. I just want to move out and be on my own for awhile and try it out. My parents don't mind me living at home, but I've been wanting to for awhile now so its a possibility. The other thing is I don't know if I want to have a roommate or be on my own. Either way I think it would work out, but I have heard so many stories about living with your friends; and I know I don't want to move in with someone I hardly know. As you can tell I'm still very undecided with this moving out on my own thing, although I want to so bad. All my friends are coming home within the next few weeks and I can't wait for our annual get together and annual bowling nights and volleyball games. Summer is my all time favorite. There is so much to do and its always a good time. Camping, grill outs, late nights are all things I'm looking forward to and just new memories! I'm counting down the days till the fun begins and oh will the fun began. Its going to be hard saying goodbye to the friends I've made in classes who are going back to their hometowns, but we have plans on going back and forth to each others home towns; which reminds me I forgot road trips! Now who doesn't love those. well that's all for now. Until next time:)

It's finally the weekend! I have had a really busy week this week with work and school so I'm ready to just relax. I' really looking forward to this weekend for many reasons. First of I got my car fixed last weekend only to find out I should get new breaks which wasn't that big of a surprise just more money out of my pocket, but I think its the last bit of money I'm spending on this car, because I found a new one I'll be looking at this weekend. I also have a date tonight which I'm very excited about and a bit nervous because its a blind date and the last blind date I went on didn't turn out so well in the end. I hoping this one goes well! I also have a wedding to go to on Saturday, which I have been looking forward to for sometime now. I actually met the bride through a close friend on New Years and she invited me right of the back which was nice. I love weddings and wedding receptions. I actually use to work at wedding receptions and I got so many ideas for my own wedding, but when you work them all you can think about is wedding days, and ideas for yours. I'm glad I don't work them anymore and am just going its so much better to be waited on then being the waiter. Other then that my weekend is going to be relaxing since I don't have to work; which means getting a lot of things out of the way and one step closer to the summer sun. I can't wait for summer to be here. Its been so nice out lately that I just want to spend every second outside. Until next week :]

So another week has come to a close. Not to much happened for me this week its just another week closer to summer break! Easter is this Sunday and we are having a big family get together which is nice and means lots of delicious food and of course family time. Its finally starting to feel like Spring outside which is a major plus. I have been doing a lot more running and hiking so i hope it continues to be beautiful out. I've been hiking the last two weekends out in Hixon, and it is absolutely gorgeous. Its nice to have the scenic looks in LaCrosse as a get away. If you haven't hiked the trail I highly suggest you do it; or if you have been not for awhile go back out. The second trip I took I thought my car was going to break down on me but it made it. I questioned it though because its been ex termly loud now for just about a little over a year and my father told me not to worry about it. Well that sound is so loud I have to balance my radio, windows and fan to black it out. I did however find out its my wheel baring and I need to get it fixed ASAP or my tire is going to come off and I don't need that. SO my friend is going to fix it for me on Saturday so I'm very excited, but at the same time sad because my friends and I joked about how much it sounds like an airplane when getting off and on the ramps to the interstate, but I'll survive and feel much safer driving my car. I guess that's pretty much all I have to look forward to this weekend other then thew fact all my friends are home for break, so I know there wont be a dual moment. Until next time. :]

This was the first week back after break and it was so hard to get back into school mode. I'm still not sure if I'm there. I guess it was an alright week since two of my classes got canceled. Break wasn't to fun for me considering I worked everyday and got hours added on to what I had already been scheduled to work. On the bright side I got to hang out with all of my friends and there is never a dull moment with them. I also did the dumbest thing over break and of course I was with my best friend, but it made it all the better. We went out for a hike before going out for St. Patrick's day, but had to pick up a few things for later. I was driving my car and it seemed that every placed i pulled into park there was a cute dog in one of the cars next to mine. I'm a sucker for dogs therefore I get distracted. We decided to run to Hobby Lobby where I got distracted and locked my keys in my car. Not only were they locked in the car I left them in the ignition. Jen and I got a rally good laugh until I was like I don't have a spare. I had to call my dad who told me it would be awhile. we decided we didn't want to wait around so we started walking to Wal-Mart, which we both thought was closer than it really was. WE never made it out to the place we were going to hike so the hike to Wal-Mart would have to do. It was an adventure in itself. Over all it was a good day and we made the best of it. Although I thought your were suppose to have the luck of the Irish on your side on St. Patrick's day; we sure didn't because it went downhill some more but I wont get into that. Overall break was a good one. I wish I could have went somewhere warm and away from work, but my friends and I are planning a trip next year so I can't wait. I guess I don't have much else to say for last weeks break or much more of this week so until next time. :]

Spring

Spring is finally here!! Thank God. I have been waiting for warm weather and spring break. Although I truly don't have any big plans other then working everyday, its going to be nice to sleep in! I'm also looking forward to seeing all my friends again. Its always fun getting back together and hanging out like the good ol' days. WE catch up on all the drama that has happened since X-mas break and surprisingly there's a lot more then what you would probably think. However I did just get some very good new from my friend Michael. I got heard from him and he told me that he wants to fly myself and my other friend down to see him off at the end of April. WE would be flying down to Texas, which is very exciting because I have never been there and I would get to see him one last time before he leaves for the year. He told me everything will be arranged and all I have to do is get on and off the plane. I'm very much a worrier, so him doing everything is amazing! I really hope that I'll be able to go. Not only will I see him but I'll be doing something big on my own which is scary. I have never been out of the state without my immediate family so if I'm allowed to go, which I'm praying and hoping for, I think it will be a big step for me. I have however have been out on trips with my friends families, but this would truly be the first big alone trip for myself. I'm completely excited. Well enough with that news, this past friday I found out some strange news while at work. I apparently made a good impression on one customer because he went out and bought me a car! yeah a car, I was so thrown off when he told me it was mine. I was speechless and then said I couldn't take it let afford it. He looked at me and said no worries its all taken care of. I find something about the situation weird. I mean I know this guy, hes not a complete stranger to me; but a car is a huge gift. I guess I'll have to talk to my dad about this one. Well until next time. :)

This week my grandpa passed away and it was extremely hard on everyone. We got a call early Saturday morning and spent the next few days grieving together. We also made poster that displayed everything that my grandpa was. Everything from him cooking, his camping trips, family portraits, and so much more. All the grandchildren were involved in his service which was really special. My three older cousins were the pallbearers, my sister and I shared our greatest memories of him and my two younger cousins sang two beautiful songs. I can't express how much I love him and how much I miss him but in honor of him we all wrote the following poem. When it was read at the service, there wasn't a dry eye in the church. So now I leave you with the poem from all of us to him.


For you are my Angel always & forever

Thinking of your strength over the past two years
Shows me you were one of the strongest men I knew
Now I shed these tears for you, for you were fearless
For I know one day I will see you again that much I know is true

Now your looking down from heaven above
For you are now the keeper of the sparkling stars
You now fly high in the skies, you're a beautiful dove
Though apart, you're far but not far from my heart

For I will not say the words goodbye, for I will see you again some day
You are now my lovely angel with glowing white wings watching over me
Your spirit will shine through the suns glorious rays and I will pray
For I will not forget you that is my final plea as you and the Lord watch over me

My best friend<3 Michael Andrew Bahr

The week is coming to an end and I wish in some many ways it wasn't because my best friend Michael is leaving for Iraq. This week has been hard with my Grandpas condition worsening and now on top of it I have to say good bye to one of my closet friends. I knew this day was coming, but it seemed to come so much quicker than I was expecting. Its not the first time I have had to say goodbye to someone serving, but I grew up with him and he has always been there for me when I needed him the most. I love him so much and I know he will return but a whole year is something else. I of course said goodbye to him when he went of to basics, but this is a whole new thing. He is going to be in danger and that worries me sick. The last thing I need right now is for something to go terrible wrong with his mission. Its kind of a funny story when I first met Michael we hit it off right away. There was a definite connection. We were all each other needed to have a fun time. We did everything together, he even played dress up, it was great. We grew older and drifted a bit because we started hanging around other people, although we were still each others best friends. Michael is this big guy who can make anyone laugh and to this day he makes me laugh to the point where its a silent laugh and it hurts, but its a great feeling. As you can tell we grew up together and I can honestly say I have never met and doubt I will ever meet anyone who compares to him...his my best friend. We have had our ups and downs however. WE know everything about each other and we know whats best for each other so when I started dating this guy they got along but then somethings were said by the boyfriend to Michael and he let me know, but I was so into this guy I didn't want to listen. Long story short I should have listened I ended up with a broken heart and I hurt him. The funny thing is the same situation happened to him a few months later. I tried to warn him about this girl he called his 'dream girl' little did he know she was far from it. So we called it even in a sense. So today is his last day here and its been an emotional roller coaster this whole week, but we made a pack to each other so hopefully we can both stick to it. I know we can and there will be obstacles with us being so far away but true friends always find a way and always have each others back. I guess the last thing I have to say is I love you, I'll miss you, and you are truly my best friend. Be safe. <3

This week has been full of ups and downs. I got the most horrible news, but i new it was coming soon. My grandpa has decided to stop treatment and will be slowing fading into a coma. I have been an emotional mess this whole week and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. I've gone over there every day this week because the hospice nursing are saying hes going to be going quicker than expecting. My mind has been all over the place and I have been trying to keep a smile on my face and remain strong because that's what he told me to do. It so hard to seem him in this state, but he has been doing treatment for over two years now and although it seems to be working, he hasn't been himself ion those two years. Hes become very frail and weak, but hes a fighter non the less. I love him so much and I guess this is what he feels needs to e done right now so I commend his decision, although I wish the circumstances were different. I just want to see him smile again and I got to see it the last time I visited him. He was being asked some questions by the nurse and he didn't know the answer because hes a bit confused and he has lost his hearing completely. So when she asked him if he had chest pain he replied I don't know, then turned to me and asked if I knew if he had chest pain he laughed and smiled and I loved it. Its just been hard to see a loved one go through this. However the good thing about this week is I get to go see my best friend up in the cities and hopefully take my mind of things a little bit. I mean he is going to be on my mind no matter what but getting away and being with my best friend will help take some of the pain away. We are going to be going to the Mall of America to do some shopping, which I love. I haven't been to the MOA in years, probably since i was 7 or 8. Its going to be hard though because I don't have any money to spend right now. So window shopping is going to be what I'm doing which is no big deal. Sorry to cut this one short but there's not much more to say. Until next time.

Another weeks gone by...

Another week has past and its been a bit quiet and slow fore me, but this weekend should help pick up the pace. Tomorrow morning my friend and I are getting our second tattoos together. Well I can't say that for sure a 100% it depends on the cost first. These tattoos are very much similar and are in a way a bonding experience together. Since my name is Justine a lot of my friends simply call me J. My friends name is Kayla and i always call her K, so that is why we are getting those letters tattooed on us. Its going to be a bit more then that I'm thinking of getting a heart and music note surrounding my letter because I love music. The placement of this tattoo is a lot tougher for me to choose because I need to have it in a place i can hide due to the career I'm going to be going into but I want to be able to show it off because I believe them to be art work and its something that means something to me; so I wouldn't chose to have it completely hidden. I'm think I want it behind my ear, on my neck, or on my hip bone. Not only am I getting this small and simple tattoo, I'm also getting an estimate for a larger tattoo; which is two hearts that are together yet open. Its hard to explain but the out come is beautiful. Where the two hearts open I'm getting the words love always. This tattoo unlike the others is going to have a splash of color. I'm outlining the hearts in pink, I'm not to big on color tattoos so I think this will be just enough for me. I love tattoos and piercings. I find they as a way of expression and artwork; my parents and grandparents on the other hand don't understand why i want holes and ink on body. My family is very traditional in many ways so when I first got my nose, and belly button pierced they weren't to thrilled. Then I went and got a tattoo on my foot and that was a whole story in itself. I tried to hide my tattoo from my grandma the most because she doesn't even have her ears pierced I knew she wouldn't go for my tattoo. I wore flip flops over there one day and she totally called me out on it; I was a little taken back at first but I explained to her why I had gotten what I did and she agreed it wasn't that bad. I still think she disapproves of it, but I think her saying it was okay for me to have made her feel like she didn't hurt my feelings,which she didn't. I love my grandma and I think she is the cutest lady ever and for her to approve and care so much about something she hates goes to show family is truly amazing which is why I have decided to do the two hearts with love always. One heart is mine and the other is everyone who has touched me in some way and is a party of my life. My friends and family mean the world to me as I had mentioned before. The two heart tattoo is for them but its a bit of a surprise because no one knows I'm getting that one yet, besides all of you reading this now know but that's beside the point. I'll fill you in next time with how the tattoo situation goes down. Until next time. :]

This past week has been a crazy one for me on many aspects. To start off January 31st was the Toby Keith concert. It was my first country concert, however not my first. I had an amazing time with the group of ladies I went with. I attended the concert with my sister and her best friend, and one of my best friends as well. My sister was the only one who had been to a country concert and told us we would have the time of our lives, and that's what we did. Not only did we see Toby Keith but Jason Aldean another one of my favorite country singers. Jason opened the show with and set the bar high, i was thinking to myself how is Toby going to beat that. I thought to soon because Toby literally opened with a bang! Toby performed all of my favorites and so many more. The concert was amazing and everyone not only my group had an amazing time. The fun thing about going to converts is knowing you have something in common with everyone there so its very easy to start conversations with them. There were cowboys and cowgirls all around. We even dressed up like cowgirls. I stood by a older lady who was a spitting image of Dolly Parton, and got a picture with her. The other awesome thing about being at this concert was it was being filmed for one of Toby's upcoming music videos and to be on CMT(Country Music Television). We Happen to have floor seats and were in the last row of the floor seats so the cameras went past us a couple times. We are all hoping we are part of the music video or just on CMT. Either way it will just add to how much fun the concert was. My favorite part of the concert was when Toby came back out for an encore, where he sang his two songs to the men and woman serving our country. It was very touching to me because I know a lot of men and a few girls who are doing their duties and I feel honored to be a part of their lives. They are doing so much for me so I wanted to do something for them. I called each one of them and just held the phone up, its hard to say if they could hear or understand it but I got a few calls later that night from my friends saying thanks and that I actually had tears from one. That made me feel good knowing that they know I care for them and so greatly appreciate what they are doing not just for me, but the country. After Toby sang his last song the concert was over and so was my night. We left the LaCrosse center feeling like we had shoved cotton in our ears. We couldn't hear a thing for a good hour, bu tit was well worth it. Not only couldn't we hear but we couldn't feel our feet after six hours of standing and being in cowgirl boots. Overall this was one weekend and one concert I will never forget. Until next time. :]

A Little About Me

To start off I should introduce myself and be honest with you that I have never written a blog before. My name is Justine Griffin, and I'm currently enrolled at Western Technical College for the Physical Therapy Assistant program. I grew up and live in West Salem, a small town outside of LaCrosse. I live way out in the 'boondocks' according to some people. I truly believe myself to be a country girl at heart. Being able to be surrounding by mother nature is breath taking. I also love high fashion as well, which people find odd since I'm from a town so small. I have made a lot of my own clothes which is rewarding and so much fun. I also make accessories to go along with my clothes. I have lived in West Salem my whole life with my family. My family means the world to me and I don't think I would be where I am today if they haven't supported me in everything I have decided to do with my life I currently work in West Salem as well. I work at I-90 Cenex of interstate 90 as a cashier. I absolutely love working here and the people I work with. You never know what to expect when you walk into work here. Since its a gas station and truck stop we get a lot of interesting characters, but what I can say is its never a dual moment. I also work at TJ Maxx in Onalaska and enjoy it as well. Last semester I received my CNA certificate to become employed as that as well. I do have a life outside of school and work though. I enjoy running and staying active. My friends and I actually created a exercise routine since we couldn't stick to any of the ones in stores. I also enjoy photography and scrap booking. I guess I consider myself artsy-crafty in a sense with the photography and fashion aspects. My friends also play a huge roll in my life. They keep me sane and always know how to cheer me up. When we are together it is always a good time. We are a very normal group people just looking for opportunities to spend time together when we have it since we have all gone our separate ways after graduating high school. This is just the preview to my life and what you can probably tell is its pretty hectic and crazy, but that's me. This is my life, and I wouldn't change a thing. Until next time. :]