I haven't written for a while because my life's been a whirl wind! I told myself last fall I was getting a new better job, so I wouldn't have to spend all summer staying home and taking care of the community pool again for what would be 4 summers now. I was determined, spent every waking minute looking at job boards, updating and tweaking my resume. Luckily our pool had a serious algae infestation and we had to shut her down a month early this year THANK GOD! Because of that I was able to grab a job opportunity a friend referred me to. No sooner had she posted on FB that her work was hiring, I was on it. More pay, bonuses, way cheaper health insurance, and no stupid customers to deal with on the phones... no selling either HORRAY! BYE BYE work at home, hello working downtown. My neigh-sayer friends tried to convince me not to accept it, because they wanted me to stay and be miserable with them, but I'd had it. I was outta there!
I got the job despite not knowing one iota about insurance, the interviewers dug me, and offered me the job. It's been almost 3 months and I just love it. My checks are more, insurance is better, and I get treated as an adult. No one gave me a wrath of shit for getting the flu, and having to call out sick 2 days in a row. No micromanaging nazi's watching and listening to your every move, and digging into your personal life either! No more working every Saturday, no more sleepless nights worrying about how to reach my ridiculously impossible sky high sales goals, no more getting ripped off on bonus money.... the list goes on and on. No more calling a 22 year old my boss! Or knowing way more than all the bosses at that place combined. No more being one of the oldest workers there! YAY!
I'm so happy and thankful this opportunity came up, and I'm working hard and doing well. Had my first performance review and I'm doing great my boss told me. Yup, things are looking up for me and 2015 is shaping up to be a really great year!
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Money
I must write tonight about a lesson life has been trying to teach me for decades about money. I grew up with a stay-at-home mom, and a dad who worked hard, but not smart, therefore not making a lot of income. We had a modest upbringing, and mom can stretch a dollar like nobody else can, as she was a good steward over dad's paychecks, unfortunately Dad barely made enough to feed his six children. We had food, shelter, toys, and enough, but it was always a struggle. I must have picked that up early on in my childhood. Mom was very frugal, and never shopped, or purchased anything that wasn't necessary. Food, a few clothes, and cheap toiletries was about it. She kept the heat down low to save on utilities, we didn't waste anything. Lights were shut off, things were re-used and so forth, you get the picture.
Fast forward to me today, I've always been a hard worker like my Dad, and always worried about finances. Yes I make enough to survive but not enough to truly go out and splurge on my self or my family. Always bargain shopping, or looking for coupons yeah, that's me. I rarely pay full price for anything, and money, budgeting, and bills take up most of my brain space.
My kids are grown up and adults now, and one still lives here with me. He struggles with self esteem issues, and has difficulty keeping a job. Like his father who had the same issues, I noticed a pattern of repeat. Today I had an ah-ha moment when my son drove home from a new job he was supposed to be at. Like so many times before, I'm at home working away, and the front door opens just two hours after he left for work. It's my son home for the day, didn't want to go to work and just drove home on his break. Luckily I was working and busy at the time but my heart was pounding and I could barely focus on my work wondering what this ding a ling kid is thinking!
After the day had became evening, and after I confided in a good friend as to what happened she gave me some words of wisdom that resonated with me. I decided to to the exact opposite of what I did in the past when one of the kids or ex hubby quit a job out of the blue. My ex hubby pulled this crap all through out our 13 years together, and now my son does it too! That's why I decided my usually reaction is isn't working, so why not do the opposite. Normally I'd scream, and shout, and tell them how stupid they are for quitting, basically making them feel like shit! This time my approach was different. I was calm, cool. collected, and used logic and reasoning instead. After understand and patience, and some coaching, he's going back tomorrow to work! YEAH!
I had an epiphany today! I put money over people! Stems from childhood. I'm not blaming my parents, but I learned at an early age ...that money and having a job was the MOST important thing in life! If anyone is stupid enough to waste a good paying job, they deserved to be yelled at! NOT SO!
People and their self esteem is very important as well, jobs come and go but family is family. Instead of fueling the fire, I gently extinguished it with kindness, love, and support, and I got what I wanted, and he didn't get a verbal assault and feels better about himself to go face the world, and pick himself up off the floor. That's the real skill, learning how to pick yourself back up after facing terrible embarrassment! Fingers crossed for tomorrow, I'll be there cheering him on with support and kindness.
My advise is, if the same reoccurring issues keep popping up in your life, you are not learning anything. As soon as you learn the lesson life is trying ot teach you, the issue will go away. I hope this is the last time I have to deal with unemployment issues with my kids! I think I've learned my lesson!
NEXT!
Fast forward to me today, I've always been a hard worker like my Dad, and always worried about finances. Yes I make enough to survive but not enough to truly go out and splurge on my self or my family. Always bargain shopping, or looking for coupons yeah, that's me. I rarely pay full price for anything, and money, budgeting, and bills take up most of my brain space.
My kids are grown up and adults now, and one still lives here with me. He struggles with self esteem issues, and has difficulty keeping a job. Like his father who had the same issues, I noticed a pattern of repeat. Today I had an ah-ha moment when my son drove home from a new job he was supposed to be at. Like so many times before, I'm at home working away, and the front door opens just two hours after he left for work. It's my son home for the day, didn't want to go to work and just drove home on his break. Luckily I was working and busy at the time but my heart was pounding and I could barely focus on my work wondering what this ding a ling kid is thinking!
After the day had became evening, and after I confided in a good friend as to what happened she gave me some words of wisdom that resonated with me. I decided to to the exact opposite of what I did in the past when one of the kids or ex hubby quit a job out of the blue. My ex hubby pulled this crap all through out our 13 years together, and now my son does it too! That's why I decided my usually reaction is isn't working, so why not do the opposite. Normally I'd scream, and shout, and tell them how stupid they are for quitting, basically making them feel like shit! This time my approach was different. I was calm, cool. collected, and used logic and reasoning instead. After understand and patience, and some coaching, he's going back tomorrow to work! YEAH!
I had an epiphany today! I put money over people! Stems from childhood. I'm not blaming my parents, but I learned at an early age ...that money and having a job was the MOST important thing in life! If anyone is stupid enough to waste a good paying job, they deserved to be yelled at! NOT SO!
People and their self esteem is very important as well, jobs come and go but family is family. Instead of fueling the fire, I gently extinguished it with kindness, love, and support, and I got what I wanted, and he didn't get a verbal assault and feels better about himself to go face the world, and pick himself up off the floor. That's the real skill, learning how to pick yourself back up after facing terrible embarrassment! Fingers crossed for tomorrow, I'll be there cheering him on with support and kindness.
My advise is, if the same reoccurring issues keep popping up in your life, you are not learning anything. As soon as you learn the lesson life is trying ot teach you, the issue will go away. I hope this is the last time I have to deal with unemployment issues with my kids! I think I've learned my lesson!
NEXT!
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Clarifying ?'s
I'm going to dog on men here for a minute. I know women are guilty of this as well, but for the moment I'm calling out men because I've had a rash of men customers who are guilty of this.
I work in customer service, and we get calls from all types of customers, some are super easy to communicate with and some are not. Lately the most difficult type of customer for me has been the old, hard of hearing man, and here is why!
Several times this week, I have had middle aged, or older men land on my phone line, and due to their poor communication skills, it resulted in a frustrating experience.
EXAMPLE 1
ME: ESS I'm Natalie, how may I help you today
HIM: Yeah, I've got a 20 foot trailer I'd like to store
ME: Okay, sir I'd be happy to assist you with that today, is it a utility trailer, toy hauler ...???????? what type of trailer is it?
HIM: IT'S A TRAILER!!!!! (Using that you're a stupid woman tone with me)
ME: Is it a camping trailer by chance?
HIM; YES!!!!! (in a pissy I'm tired of talking tone of voice)
I proceeded to find a spot for a "camping trailer" which is an important distinction, since they're all different heights, and there are different requirements on those... but my hell to get pissed off because he calls me with a vague question and when I ask a clarifying question, he gets pissy with me as if I'm the stupid one! JERK!
EXAMPLE 2 The worst offender:
Me: ESS My name is Natalie, how can I assist you?
HIM: I've been storing with you for 12 years, and I'm looking in the yellow pages and I can't find your number, what is the number for Springfield?
Now...bear in mind he called up my Philadelphia Wayne Junction location's number, so I see that he's a customer, but I wanted (like I always do) to clarify and make sure it's the Wayne Junction number, because I heard him mention Springfield, and since I'm a nation wide number and Springfield is a brand new property, I wanted to make sure he wasn't someone calling the wrong company (which happens a lot with old people) They call up their storage business thinking we're directly assistance or something! Very common occurrence!
ME: Okay, I see you're calling the Wayne Junction number, is that the location you're looking for?
HIM: SPRINGFIELD!!! Can I get the number or not!!!
Bear in mind he's hard of hearing, so I literally had to shout this phrase to him about nine times already!
ME: OKAY, sorry sir, I'm just trying to clarify the location, since I'm a national number and you're calling our Philadelphia location's number, which location are you trying to reach... Springfield what?
Of course despite my yelling into my headset, and speaking very slowly, and trying to figure out what the hell he wants as I'm not directory assistance..... and I've never heard of a Springfield site, I'm making sure of the number he wanted! I mean why would you call Wayne Junction, if you really wanted Springfield? Hasn't he heard of directory assistance?
At this point he's getting pissy with me, and acting like I'm the stupid person ( I'm quite sure this happens to him a lot) Finally I tell him "Sir I'm just trying to figure out which location you're asking about, since we have several in the area, let me pull up your account info, and I'll check to see which location you're storing at.... of course he didn't hear me and he went off on a tangent, because he only heard a fraction of what I said and assumed I can't help him... he completely went off on me in a wrong communication direction if you get my metaphor!
To keep a long story short, I pulled up his account my his full name ( getting his name was like pulling teeth) where he was storing at and got him the number, after much push and pull, and lack of cooperation on his part, plus he needed a hearing aide (that would have helped a ton) I got him the number, had to repeat it to him several times and remind him multiple times his location is now closed as it's after six pm now.
He asked for my name, I said "Natalie" very slowly and clearly
HIM: Madelyn???
Me: no, N-a-t-a-l-i-e Natalie!
HIM: Natmalee??
ME: No, it's..... N-A-T-A-L-I-E! NATALIE!
Geeze finally he got it, and hung up...
Ironically my very next caller was a woman here is how it went:
ME: ESS my name is Natalie, how may I assist you today?
HER: Hello, I'm looking for the phone number to your Orem, Utah location just off of Center Street, could you give me that number?
ME: I'd be happy to... (breathing a sigh of relief) finally someone who can ask a clear, concise, question and has ears that work too! ..............it's bla, bla, bla, bla bla.....
Now why the hell can't men do that? Luckily my shift was over, and I can pour myself a stiff drink!
I work in customer service, and we get calls from all types of customers, some are super easy to communicate with and some are not. Lately the most difficult type of customer for me has been the old, hard of hearing man, and here is why!
Several times this week, I have had middle aged, or older men land on my phone line, and due to their poor communication skills, it resulted in a frustrating experience.
EXAMPLE 1
ME: ESS I'm Natalie, how may I help you today
HIM: Yeah, I've got a 20 foot trailer I'd like to store
ME: Okay, sir I'd be happy to assist you with that today, is it a utility trailer, toy hauler ...???????? what type of trailer is it?
HIM: IT'S A TRAILER!!!!! (Using that you're a stupid woman tone with me)
ME: Is it a camping trailer by chance?
HIM; YES!!!!! (in a pissy I'm tired of talking tone of voice)
I proceeded to find a spot for a "camping trailer" which is an important distinction, since they're all different heights, and there are different requirements on those... but my hell to get pissed off because he calls me with a vague question and when I ask a clarifying question, he gets pissy with me as if I'm the stupid one! JERK!
EXAMPLE 2 The worst offender:
Me: ESS My name is Natalie, how can I assist you?
HIM: I've been storing with you for 12 years, and I'm looking in the yellow pages and I can't find your number, what is the number for Springfield?
Now...bear in mind he called up my Philadelphia Wayne Junction location's number, so I see that he's a customer, but I wanted (like I always do) to clarify and make sure it's the Wayne Junction number, because I heard him mention Springfield, and since I'm a nation wide number and Springfield is a brand new property, I wanted to make sure he wasn't someone calling the wrong company (which happens a lot with old people) They call up their storage business thinking we're directly assistance or something! Very common occurrence!
ME: Okay, I see you're calling the Wayne Junction number, is that the location you're looking for?
HIM: SPRINGFIELD!!! Can I get the number or not!!!
Bear in mind he's hard of hearing, so I literally had to shout this phrase to him about nine times already!
ME: OKAY, sorry sir, I'm just trying to clarify the location, since I'm a national number and you're calling our Philadelphia location's number, which location are you trying to reach... Springfield what?
Of course despite my yelling into my headset, and speaking very slowly, and trying to figure out what the hell he wants as I'm not directory assistance..... and I've never heard of a Springfield site, I'm making sure of the number he wanted! I mean why would you call Wayne Junction, if you really wanted Springfield? Hasn't he heard of directory assistance?
At this point he's getting pissy with me, and acting like I'm the stupid person ( I'm quite sure this happens to him a lot) Finally I tell him "Sir I'm just trying to figure out which location you're asking about, since we have several in the area, let me pull up your account info, and I'll check to see which location you're storing at.... of course he didn't hear me and he went off on a tangent, because he only heard a fraction of what I said and assumed I can't help him... he completely went off on me in a wrong communication direction if you get my metaphor!
To keep a long story short, I pulled up his account my his full name ( getting his name was like pulling teeth) where he was storing at and got him the number, after much push and pull, and lack of cooperation on his part, plus he needed a hearing aide (that would have helped a ton) I got him the number, had to repeat it to him several times and remind him multiple times his location is now closed as it's after six pm now.
He asked for my name, I said "Natalie" very slowly and clearly
HIM: Madelyn???
Me: no, N-a-t-a-l-i-e Natalie!
HIM: Natmalee??
ME: No, it's..... N-A-T-A-L-I-E! NATALIE!
Geeze finally he got it, and hung up...
Ironically my very next caller was a woman here is how it went:
ME: ESS my name is Natalie, how may I assist you today?
HER: Hello, I'm looking for the phone number to your Orem, Utah location just off of Center Street, could you give me that number?
ME: I'd be happy to... (breathing a sigh of relief) finally someone who can ask a clear, concise, question and has ears that work too! ..............it's bla, bla, bla, bla bla.....
Now why the hell can't men do that? Luckily my shift was over, and I can pour myself a stiff drink!
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
The Real "Meet the Mormons" of Utah
There has been a lot of buzz about this newly released move Meet The Mormons around town by all my Mormon friends of course. One friend told me yesterday that "YOU MUST TAKE YOUR FAMILY TO SEE THIS!" she exclaimed. WOW! What for? I have already read the reviews in all the local and national papers.
I live in Utah, and quite frankly Mormons don't impress me, and I'll tell you why. I live near 2 churches, and every Sunday when I'm out walking, or in my car I must pass by their church to get out of my neighborhood. If it happens to be at the time church is getting started, you're taking your life in your hands! I've been cut off by large SUV's racing across the street in their Sunday best late for church no doubt. One time I was walking, and was nearly taken out by a white shirted, tied, and dark suited male in a Toyota who damn near killed me when he tried to beat me into the parking lot, I was walking on the sidewalk in front of the parking lot entrance. Good thing I have fast reflexes, and jumped back! He didn't even see me! If this happened once or twice it wouldn't be a big deal. I've lived here nine years, and this has happened each and every time I leave my neighborhood during church beginning time, and ending time. They're rude drivers, and hyper focused on making it to church on time, to hell with the rest of the neighborhood!
The company I work for was founded my a Mormon, BYU graduate, and the CEO is also Mormon as well. Yes they are very nice but don't practice what they preach, because we work every Sunday, and there are no exceptions. Mormon or not if business needs dictate a Sunday schedule, too bad, you work it!
One of my siblings is also a very good card carrying Mormon, and his wife is so darn rude to me it's not funny. She is snarky, ignores me, treats me like I'm invisible because I don't go to church. Yet expects me to attend all her kids baptisms, and blessings, and other events, which I graciously do despite the fact she never acknowledges my existence. I walk into her home (invited mind you) and she never says a word to me! Not a "hello, how are you?"... nothing! It's kind of a game to me at this point, let's play the: Let's see how rude Julie treats me game! It's just expected and I get a chuckle out of it after all these years. She never replies to any of my family emails yet everyone else does. I was recently invited to her daughter's baptism and was saddened that I couldn't attend due to my work schedule, so I replied via email telling her so, and nothing back! I sent a card, and a small piece of jewelry I purchased at a local Mormon store to commemorate the happy occasion. She must have received it, yet, no thank-you email, or call to let me know it arrived, no acknowledgment what-so-ever. I've never seen anything like it!! Treating a FAMILY MEMBER no doubt, who has been nothing but kind and polite to her like a piece of crap! Really?? When I complain to my Mother who is also staunch Mormon, she brushes it off by saying "oh if you knew her father you'd understand"... um... okay!
It's people like these every day Utahans who go about their lives only caring about themselves, and getting into heaven, for time and all eternity (sounds tedious to me) living with family member's who ignore you for time & all eternity! I'd rather be partying with my cool friends than with some stick-up-her-ass Molly Mo as we call them here!
These are just a few examples of why the "Meet the Mormon's" is a necessary PR campaign for the LDS church. Maybe they can go after the low hanging fruit, and leave us people who know better alone!
I have nothing against this religion, just the dip shit people who act as if they're better than everyone else that's who I have an issue with! No, I won't be paying $9.00 for a movie ticket to see this movie anytime soon, I'd watch it if it were free, but that's it.
My impression of Mormons would be something like this: " Hide the truth! "... "gloss over everything" ... "If we ignore it... it doesn't exist... and for Hell Sakes... don't let all the ward members find out!"
I live in Utah, and quite frankly Mormons don't impress me, and I'll tell you why. I live near 2 churches, and every Sunday when I'm out walking, or in my car I must pass by their church to get out of my neighborhood. If it happens to be at the time church is getting started, you're taking your life in your hands! I've been cut off by large SUV's racing across the street in their Sunday best late for church no doubt. One time I was walking, and was nearly taken out by a white shirted, tied, and dark suited male in a Toyota who damn near killed me when he tried to beat me into the parking lot, I was walking on the sidewalk in front of the parking lot entrance. Good thing I have fast reflexes, and jumped back! He didn't even see me! If this happened once or twice it wouldn't be a big deal. I've lived here nine years, and this has happened each and every time I leave my neighborhood during church beginning time, and ending time. They're rude drivers, and hyper focused on making it to church on time, to hell with the rest of the neighborhood!
The company I work for was founded my a Mormon, BYU graduate, and the CEO is also Mormon as well. Yes they are very nice but don't practice what they preach, because we work every Sunday, and there are no exceptions. Mormon or not if business needs dictate a Sunday schedule, too bad, you work it!
One of my siblings is also a very good card carrying Mormon, and his wife is so darn rude to me it's not funny. She is snarky, ignores me, treats me like I'm invisible because I don't go to church. Yet expects me to attend all her kids baptisms, and blessings, and other events, which I graciously do despite the fact she never acknowledges my existence. I walk into her home (invited mind you) and she never says a word to me! Not a "hello, how are you?"... nothing! It's kind of a game to me at this point, let's play the: Let's see how rude Julie treats me game! It's just expected and I get a chuckle out of it after all these years. She never replies to any of my family emails yet everyone else does. I was recently invited to her daughter's baptism and was saddened that I couldn't attend due to my work schedule, so I replied via email telling her so, and nothing back! I sent a card, and a small piece of jewelry I purchased at a local Mormon store to commemorate the happy occasion. She must have received it, yet, no thank-you email, or call to let me know it arrived, no acknowledgment what-so-ever. I've never seen anything like it!! Treating a FAMILY MEMBER no doubt, who has been nothing but kind and polite to her like a piece of crap! Really?? When I complain to my Mother who is also staunch Mormon, she brushes it off by saying "oh if you knew her father you'd understand"... um... okay!
It's people like these every day Utahans who go about their lives only caring about themselves, and getting into heaven, for time and all eternity (sounds tedious to me) living with family member's who ignore you for time & all eternity! I'd rather be partying with my cool friends than with some stick-up-her-ass Molly Mo as we call them here!
These are just a few examples of why the "Meet the Mormon's" is a necessary PR campaign for the LDS church. Maybe they can go after the low hanging fruit, and leave us people who know better alone!
I have nothing against this religion, just the dip shit people who act as if they're better than everyone else that's who I have an issue with! No, I won't be paying $9.00 for a movie ticket to see this movie anytime soon, I'd watch it if it were free, but that's it.
My impression of Mormons would be something like this: " Hide the truth! "... "gloss over everything" ... "If we ignore it... it doesn't exist... and for Hell Sakes... don't let all the ward members find out!"
Monday, October 6, 2014
Recycle, Re-purpose, Re-use
Here are two exquisite
pieces I found, fixed, and hung on the wall.
The print in the picture was a thrift store find I ended up with. The frame was ugly, so I tried painting it, and when I put it all back together, the glass broke! So the new frame is a heavier one I scored at a tag sale for just $5. It is wood, and didn't have a print inside, just matting and an ugly stain color that matches nothing in my house! With a little Annie Sloan chalk paint and sand paper, I painted, distressed, and sealed it with a wax sealer. I just love how it turned out! The roman numeral clock was a bargain find at ROSS. Only $1.99 on clearance! What a deal! Both look great on my wall above the TV table.
I'm all for re-purposing discarded stuff whether it be on clearance, or at a tag sale, or in the garbage can! So when guests comment on my decor, there is a story to tell....."Oh this is what I found at a tag sale"..... or "I found this chair on the side of the road.. now look at it!" Yup, I love it. Anyone can purchase furniture and home decor and pay the 300% store mark up for it, and watch their money disappear before their eyes, for me I like the thrill of the hunt, the creative process, seeing how I can transform something into a one-of-a-kind piece!
Pinterest is a huge part of this, it's opened up many creative ideas inside my head, and is a fabulous source of inspiration. I just love the way my home is turning out, and it's beauty on a budget!
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Highs & Lows
Life is just a long roller coaster ride! Omg highs and lows. One minute you're sitting on the couch depressed because it's a weekend and you have no plans, dates, or anything fun going on, just work, laundry, and a long list of to-do's! Then the next weekend you're so busy you're head is spinning!
One second you're arguing with your grown kids, then a few minutes later you're hiking to a wonderful waterfall and have forgotten what the fighting was all about.
Last weekend was just boring, tv watching, cleaning, and Fashion Police Friday, whoop whoop! This weekend Joan Rivers passed away, no more Fashion Police (my favorite show) but I went hiking, then to a work BBQ/dunk tank at the park event, then to a local pub with some gal friends, everything was just dandy until I went to the parking lot to start my car, and it won't turn over! We tried jump starting it, not a battery issue, it's new, and reliable and first time I've ever had a problem with it, just out of the clear blue! I had to leave it in a parking lot out on the west side, far from home!
Highs and lows! One second you're laughing with your work buddy, the next, worried about the car repair bill, and how the hell you'll get around town!
When I got home, I'm watching the late show and all the living room lights suddenly flick of! WTF! I'm down stairs fiddling with the breaker box, and no go..... after 3 tries it works, but the entire time I'm thinking what's next! If one more thing breaks I'll go BONKERS!
One second, I'm all excited about this new "fiber" mascara I got in the mail today, it's supposed to increase the length of one's lashes by 300% and only $36.00 with shipping! (WHAT THE HELL) It's soooo unlike me to spend $36 dollars on anything especially makeup since I get most of mine free or under a dollar! Okay....so it's worth it for long lashes right? Not to mention peer pressure, with these new Facebook "parties" people are doing now-a-days! I'm high, and happy because my new mascara came in the mail box today, and I'm thrilled with my expensive new purchase, until I apply the stuff and realize I can get the same results from L'Oreal... their tube mascara does the same thing for only $8.00 less with a coupon! Buyers remorse! YES!
My son's all high driving his pre-owned Kia around town he purchased all on his own, till 3 days later when it has a mysterious leak coming from the radiator! As we speak he's running around in and out of the house trying to see what the deal is with a car he's only been driving for a week! Highs and Lows! Yup, life's full of disappointments, surprises, and dilemmas! One second you're on top of the world, the next you're broke and no car!
One second you're arguing with your grown kids, then a few minutes later you're hiking to a wonderful waterfall and have forgotten what the fighting was all about.
Last weekend was just boring, tv watching, cleaning, and Fashion Police Friday, whoop whoop! This weekend Joan Rivers passed away, no more Fashion Police (my favorite show) but I went hiking, then to a work BBQ/dunk tank at the park event, then to a local pub with some gal friends, everything was just dandy until I went to the parking lot to start my car, and it won't turn over! We tried jump starting it, not a battery issue, it's new, and reliable and first time I've ever had a problem with it, just out of the clear blue! I had to leave it in a parking lot out on the west side, far from home!
Highs and lows! One second you're laughing with your work buddy, the next, worried about the car repair bill, and how the hell you'll get around town!
When I got home, I'm watching the late show and all the living room lights suddenly flick of! WTF! I'm down stairs fiddling with the breaker box, and no go..... after 3 tries it works, but the entire time I'm thinking what's next! If one more thing breaks I'll go BONKERS!
One second, I'm all excited about this new "fiber" mascara I got in the mail today, it's supposed to increase the length of one's lashes by 300% and only $36.00 with shipping! (WHAT THE HELL) It's soooo unlike me to spend $36 dollars on anything especially makeup since I get most of mine free or under a dollar! Okay....so it's worth it for long lashes right? Not to mention peer pressure, with these new Facebook "parties" people are doing now-a-days! I'm high, and happy because my new mascara came in the mail box today, and I'm thrilled with my expensive new purchase, until I apply the stuff and realize I can get the same results from L'Oreal... their tube mascara does the same thing for only $8.00 less with a coupon! Buyers remorse! YES!
My son's all high driving his pre-owned Kia around town he purchased all on his own, till 3 days later when it has a mysterious leak coming from the radiator! As we speak he's running around in and out of the house trying to see what the deal is with a car he's only been driving for a week! Highs and Lows! Yup, life's full of disappointments, surprises, and dilemmas! One second you're on top of the world, the next you're broke and no car!
My advise is
KEEP CALM, AND ENJOY THE RIDE!
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Different Strokes for Different Folks
Living in my little single bubble I forget how it is to be married (duh). Until something happens and jolts me back to some women's reality.
Recently a few of us gals (I'm being vague to protect this gal's identity) wanted to go in on a gift for someone, an expensive gift and the amount was over $100 each split 5 ways. As usual I sent out emails to all the gals ( our preferred method of communicating) for them not for me, but I sent out an email letting everyone know that so-and-so, has been there through life events, bearing gifts and support, and now it's his turn. He recently purchased a home, and was in need of some kitchen appliances. I thought it would be cool to go in on a new refrigerator as a housewarming gift. If we chipped in $100 per person we could buy him one.
So married gal had to get "permission" from hubby, not only that, she basically diverted me to said hubby in order to ask him directly, as in her words " everything that has to do with hubby's family, must be filtered through the hubby" as in her words " he doesn't like my family, so I make him deal with his" apparently a bit of a "tit for tat" going on here.
When I was married to a control freak, he hated my family as well as his, so rather than me being a "tit for tat" gal, I just did all of it. I was the go to person on both sides of the family, and I didn't mind. I was mature enough to recognize that I was the woman, and women general conduct the social business in most families so therefore took up my societal role. I don't understand some people's logic, or communication styles, but I do know when I'm being ignored and through my endless persistence well, we got her to contribute!
People keep forgetting I'm a professional sales person, and I don't give up easily, if you don't want to contribute just say " no " and I'll write you off as a cheap ass hole! But, never ignore a sales person, you won't get any rest until you come up with an answer! ha-ha!
(on a side note, they make plenty of money, so it's not a financial issue, but an I'm a stingy cheap ass religious person issue)
These petty issues, make me grateful for the way I was raised, to share, and help out my fellow man.... I'd rather donate to a worthy cause, then give 10% of all my earnings to a religious organization so they can build overpriced Temples, and fancy pants shopping malls, and buy more businesses!
Recently a few of us gals (I'm being vague to protect this gal's identity) wanted to go in on a gift for someone, an expensive gift and the amount was over $100 each split 5 ways. As usual I sent out emails to all the gals ( our preferred method of communicating) for them not for me, but I sent out an email letting everyone know that so-and-so, has been there through life events, bearing gifts and support, and now it's his turn. He recently purchased a home, and was in need of some kitchen appliances. I thought it would be cool to go in on a new refrigerator as a housewarming gift. If we chipped in $100 per person we could buy him one.
So married gal had to get "permission" from hubby, not only that, she basically diverted me to said hubby in order to ask him directly, as in her words " everything that has to do with hubby's family, must be filtered through the hubby" as in her words " he doesn't like my family, so I make him deal with his" apparently a bit of a "tit for tat" going on here.
When I was married to a control freak, he hated my family as well as his, so rather than me being a "tit for tat" gal, I just did all of it. I was the go to person on both sides of the family, and I didn't mind. I was mature enough to recognize that I was the woman, and women general conduct the social business in most families so therefore took up my societal role. I don't understand some people's logic, or communication styles, but I do know when I'm being ignored and through my endless persistence well, we got her to contribute!
People keep forgetting I'm a professional sales person, and I don't give up easily, if you don't want to contribute just say " no " and I'll write you off as a cheap ass hole! But, never ignore a sales person, you won't get any rest until you come up with an answer! ha-ha!
(on a side note, they make plenty of money, so it's not a financial issue, but an I'm a stingy cheap ass religious person issue)
These petty issues, make me grateful for the way I was raised, to share, and help out my fellow man.... I'd rather donate to a worthy cause, then give 10% of all my earnings to a religious organization so they can build overpriced Temples, and fancy pants shopping malls, and buy more businesses!
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