When Life Doesn't Go Your Way!

YEAH!!! 2 posts in 1 DAY!!
Shortly after I posted my previous post I received a phone call.
I answer and the lady on the other end is from the company I interviewed with.  My heart sank. I was still not ready to feel the rejection.  I am just no good at taking rejection.

We talked for a minuet or two, as I tried to keep back the tears I could feel in my heart and on the tips of my eyes.  I put my head down, so no one would see.  She talked, and I had a hard time listening.  She stated "the managers thought I had done a great job.  They could see my passion and devotion for the position"  In my head, I keep saying over and over and over the BUT.    However it didn't come.  She finally said "They would like to offer you the position, and they were so impressed they would like you to start ASAP, our training starts March 3"

 

---WHAT??????

Wait a second.  you want to what?

That was my mind.  She kept talking, and she asked me a question.  I apologized, because I had no idea what she had just said.  I was still in shock, and WHAT.  She told me I would receive a phone call the following day with the full offer details, but for now to just relax and know, I've got the job.

WHAT!!!!!????

I im'ed my hub and and mother in law while I was still on the phone.
The first call I made was to my husband.  I was now holding back tears of joy.  HOW DID this happen.
He was so supportive  I got to spend the rest of the day, telling friends and family, that in a few short weeks, my degree had paid off and I would finally have a REAL CAREER!!!!

It was also nice that almost every one of my employees was sad to hear the news.  They were happy for me, but sad for them.

Hopefully now I will have even more financial knowledge to stare!!!!!!!!!

When preparation still isn't enough!

I think you would have to be a little out of the loop to not get, that I REALLY WANT this job i'm going for.  Well my interview was yesterday.  I returned home, feeling completely and totally deflated.
It made me think of the office episode when Michael talks about his weaknesses and he is "TOO MOTIVATED"  well, that was me.  I want this job so much that I think I even scared myself.  I was so driven that I drove off the cliff.  After a 1.5 hr orientation we went to the interview.  I interviewed with 2 managers, one male and one female.  It was way cool.  I got started talking.... and it was like BLAH.... I just kept talking and talking and I swear all they could do was not stick a sock in my mouth.  I feel like the "perfect" candiate, however... I think I was portrayed as fake.  However that was my true emotion, it wasn't fake, it was the real me.  After the 1 hr + interview, it was time for the test.

After the interview, the thought in my head was... whats the point.  I KNOW that after the interview, they wont want me.. However I prepped this much, i might as well try.  It wasn't a difficult test, however it was an annoying one.. which made my head hurt.  If you know what im talking about.  I was so happy when I was done, and was so ready to go home.
I get to my car, ready to call my hubby, cry and lament about my heartbreak.. HOWEVER my phone is dead.  REALLY how, I had like 40% batt when I went in..  I then had to spend the WHOLE drive home thinking over it... over and over and over again.  Trying to figure out what I had even said.  Honestly, I couldn't even put that hour interview back into my head to break it down.

All of my employees at work, knew I had the interview, I was trying to figure out how I was gonna tell EVERYONE that I SUCK.. That is how I felt.  I didn't want to have to explain myself, but I told everyone I was going in, so I was stuck.  I didn't know what to do.

On the drive home, I did one of those things you NEVER should do.  I asked My Liam (6yr old) "Mommy went for a job interview do you think I got the job? Yes or No"  Response.  "YES"  I wasn't sure how to process that, more then anything it just made my heart hurt more.

After picking up my boys i FINALLY got home.  First thing I did was plug in my phone and used the house phone to call my honey... NO ANSWER.... ARG.  I was feeling so crummy I just wanted to hear my sweeties voice.  I had to sit and think through it even more. I started to think of other firms I should prepare to apply for.  I was not sure I would be willing to go back to the same place again, and even show my face.
I finally got to talk to my sweetheart.  He was so sweet and supportive. I told him about the process and he kept saying "you totally have the job" "don't doubt yourself, you have this"  It was sweet, however I knew that he was just trying to be the wonderful and supportive husband he is.

Not sure how, but I did get some sleep.  Walking into work the next day was rough.  It felt like the walk of shame.  I told many that I felt I did really bad.  I had a few that were quite happy, because they don't want me to leave.  So that was nice knowing that people still wanted me around.
what else could I do?

I spent alot of the evening before praying and trying to cope.  The Lord is always there, and has a plan for us, even if we REALLY hate the consequences!

Interview Preperation!

I spent most of the day yesterday planning and researching for my pending interview.  Tomorrow will decide my next few months and ON TO YEARS.  I'm hoping God will provide and that what I think is right for me is, however only God knows what I am ready for.  However, that doesn't mean I don't have to prepare.

We all want it to be simple and easy, however God is not capable of giving us blessings, gifts, or guidance if we are not ready to receive them.

I still feel that there is still so much more I need to learn, however, I'm willing to do all that I need to, to be ready.

Thanks to the wonderful world of Pintrest I found some great helpful topics.  I read though a bunch of tips and wrote down alot of the common questions asked.  I filled about half a notebook with notes to prepare me, and I feel like I am about ready for this challenge.  I also wrote answers to each one of the questions. 
1: I feel that my resume and cover letter were perfected a few weeks ago. (about 2 days after I received the notification of interview #2) then
2: I spent about a week or two preparing for the Critical Thinking assessment.  I was silly and Googled "critical thinking assessment" I received MANY brain teaser questions like...

"You have only an 8-liter jug and a 3-liter jug. Both containers are unmarked. You need exactly 4 liters of water. 

How can you get it, if a water faucet is handy?"
  
Really, you have GOT TO ME KIDDING ME!!
These types of questions are NOT good for me.  My mind doesn't think that way, however I worked and worked and practiced and practiced.  Then I downloaded an app on my phone.  That way no matter were I am, I can prepare.   The app was WAY better then the silly brain teasers.  They were thought out real questions.  TOUGH non the less, they really make you think, but I loved it!
3: I spent the weekend and yesterday preparing for the interview. I have my clothes laid out, I have my answers ready, and I spent a few years researching the company.  On almost every site I read I needed to know about the company.  I knew alot, however I didnt realize how LITTLE I really did know.  Actually made me sad to realize I know so little about my current job. However, im looking forward and working foward!!
I want to end with a quote.

 

I swear one day I will go back to budgeting... However, I think all enjoy a good real life from time to time. 

Buzy Buzy BEE!

I have been so busy over the past few days, and well... needless to say I have watched ZERO TV since I made my goal.  :) well I guess I like it!  lol

My big sister made me an aunt x2 yesterday!  That is my excuse for the lack of posting.  :)  on a personal note.  I love my kids. SO MUCH however I am proud to say I LOVE being a parent of 2 kids.  Amazing wonderful, sweet, loving boys.. and im DONE! :) Sigh so nice!

We spent the first 2 nights of this week (Monday and Tuesday) working on house stuff. 
-the plan right now is to build and we are looking at options and prices!
It is VERY exciting, and it feels like things are working out.


Well--- I like to do lots of things ALL AT ONCE!

Yesterday, I ALSO received a phone call from the company that I had my phone interview with!  I have a IN PERSON interview in a few weeks and I am PRAYING and studying hoping that I will be the PERFECT match for the job!


I have been trying to work on the budget even more, because we are ready to get our money down on our house and we will be ready SOON!  :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

As always our new year resolutions are here again.  It is now almost considered a cliche having resolutions!
According to WCTV:These are the top 10 for 2014!

1. lose weight 
2. get organized 
3. spend less, save more. 
4. enjoy life to the fullest 
5. stay fit and healthy 
6. learn something exciting 
7. quit smoking 
8. help others in their dreams 
9. fall in love 
10. spend more time with family.


I know that for myself as I look over this list, I woulds love to do the majority of these, and I m guessing that many of you feel the same way!

My amazing cousin always has the best new years resolutions

2010

2011

2012


For the life of me I couldn't find my favorite resolution of hers... i'm thinking it must be linked to her birthday or something.  However... It was something along these lines.  "A year from now I will be a year older, I can NOT control the time that passes, however I can change what I do with that time."

I feel that is the best explanation of  where we all are and where we want to be.
I have never been big on resolutions, never really made them or kept them... none the less, I LOVE lists!!

I made a fun Google doc, and refer to it constantly (YES I LOVE GOOGLE DOCS)
I made a list for each of the following categories,
Education/Work
Physical
Family
Financial
Home
Travel
Self

Under each of these I made 3-5 goals.  I have looked at it maybe 3 times over the last year however out of my total of 33 goals.
Here is how I did.
16--Done
8--Nope
9: Changed or working on.

So over the next few days I will build myself some goals.  There are many things in our year to come, and I hope to share them with you all along the way!

Budget...????

We started our $2,000 budget a few weeks back, but I am the FIRST to admit, we did NOT follow our bduget like I wanted to for christmas.

Thank You to ALL who sent me money for my Graduation, Because of that we were able to NOT go into ANY DEBT! however, that doesn't mean we did what we should.  So we are working on that now.

I already know how much we spend when it comes to monthly expenses

Groceries	400
Dining Out	400
Gas	350
Shady	50
Medical	50
Gifts	100
Clothes	50
House	50
Dates	50
Spending	300

However when I look at this total of $1800 it is ALOT!!!!!!!!

I am now onto baby steps, so that is my current GOAL!

Some of these we KNOW we cant fix them, (because of necessary expenditures) ie GAS
But otherwise we are on a mission to drop this.

I have been looking at ideas online, however I cant figure out what exactly will work best for us.

Now it is time to face the fire and GET IN CONTROL and lower that amount!

How to pick what for who?

Trying to decide who to buy for and who not to buy for is a CHALLENGE!! I don't care who you are but it is DIFFICULT!!
Over the past few years we have been able to get together with our siblings to agree to buy for the kids and NOT for the adults.  We have also worked to lower the amount of things we buy for friends and neighbors.  We will get a few small gifts for close friends. 
There are many blogs out there that work on how to limit the gifts for your children.  I have to say, that is something I really SHOULD look into.  I feel it will be alot less stressful,... HOWEVER I don't know if I could really do it.

We normally don't get our kids much for their birthdays, and other then christmas we try not to buy them much of anything.  Mom and dad get the kids clothes for christmas so that Santa can focus on the FUN stuff! but here is an idea.
My sweet sister texted me this link this morning and I SWEAR this is TRULY how a baby/toddler feels about christmas! READ THIS!!!(it will make you SMILE!) http://theuglyvolvo.com/2013/12/10/a-ten-month-olds-letter-to-santa/

One idea that worked well for me this year is, I normally try to get something fun and thoughtful for my employees at work. However I have 20 of them, and Chris has 40.  That makes for ALOT of little presents.  So I decided at my work christmas party (only 13 total people were there).  However they were the ones that took time out to be there.  I picked up the tab.  I hadn't really planed on doing it, however it was MUCH less stressful and difficult then trying to find a Simple in expensive meaningful gift.  (I asked hubby before I did, that is ALWAYS a good idea.) but it was less expensive then what I would have spent for the whole office, and I was happy I did it. It was low key, and I loved the feeling I had after.  It was the true feeling of christmas to me. Giving to those who you care about.  Chris is working with his supervisory staff to make soemthing fun for his employees and I look forward to seeing what they decide.


I love this idea that I took from Yahoo Voices

Gifts to People Other Than Family

Limit the gifts you give to people other than immediate family. You might suggest that you and your friends meet for a nice holiday luncheon rather than exchange gifts this year.

An evening of Caroling with your friends is another great idea. Spending time together over the holidays may mean more to all of you than a gift would mean.

There are always people on our shopping list that we feel obligated to give a gift to, such as teachers, the postman, and other people who provide a service for us through out the year. Instead of buying a gift for each of these people considering doing one of the following:

Make a big batch of cookies, muffins, or candy, and divide that up as gifts to these kind of people on your list. Many times you can give a food gift for a dollar or two per person thus saving a good deal of money for these kinds of gifts.

Other homemade gifts such as jams, jellies, and homemade ornaments are often appreciated when they come from the heart and are cheaper than buying something that the receiver may not even use.

Instead of buying separate gifts for coworkers why not bring in a big plate of cookies and present them to everyone. This will not only save money but will brighten a normal work day for everyone and help all to get in the holiday spirit.

I think that is a great way to lower the expectations of things people really don't want. 

 

Also I want to close with the idea of Rather then spending MONEY spend TIME.  Make time for those who are important to you, and that Will make a difference. 

Interviews!

I swear when anyone hears that word they start to break out in a sweat....hands get clammy.

Today was one of those days!!

I had my very first phone interview... at the place I REALLY WANT TO WORK!!!!

Now that I have my diploma holder :) I'll get my diploma in about 2-3 MONTHS.  lol

The interview In My Opinion went OK.   I feel like I rambled on and on, and it was not very eloquent.  I however did record it so I will listen it on my way home from work tonight.

I however feel that the woman that interviewed me likes me!  She told me that she would send on my name and I should hear about the next interview after the first of the year!!!

OMH OMG how did that happen. 
God is BLESSING ME!!

This will cause havoc on our budget and our home building/buying process!!

EAK Life is FUN!!!

COLLEGE GRADUATE!!!

TODAY I GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE

I am still alittle in SHOCK, but im SO GLAD I FINALLY DID IT!!!

I graduated from high school in 2005 so it has been 8+ years!!! BUT I DID IT!!!! 

BLACK FRIDAY HYPE!

If you have been shopping on black Friday, or for that matter, Watched the NEWS just after thanksgiving, you know the *WAHOO* that comes with it.  I will admit, I have shopped on black Friday MANY times, however this year is NOT one of them.

You can look at my post from yesterday, and it is easy to see that I have NOT be in support of our local stores this year.   Don't get me wrong, I love to support the local economy, however at christmas, I feel it is better to be smart and buy online, rather then "boosting" the economy with debt that I will have to take care of later.
Chris and I have gotten our fair share of "deals" on black Friday.  The year we had Liam, we got a big 50 in TV and a PS3 both for great prices, however, I feel that if we would have just watched what we wanted we could have gotten the exact same items for the same price, without having to wait in line and "FIGHTING" for our items.

Beyond that... When you are shopping the SALE can suck you in.

I honestly hate to admit it, but I have been this lady.So excited for sale, that I have more items then I can carry.  And I don't feel that I am aline, but I get BUYERS REMORSE Big time!! Even worse after a black Friday sale.  Last year we went out shopping, and since the line at our wonderful WAL MART was massive I had time to look at what I had planned to buy and ended up with a few movies and a $10 coffee pot (that was the only thing I wanted last year). I was proud of myself, however thie year, I did the (in my opinion) right thing

.

I however didnt shy away COMPLETELY.  I had almost all of my gifts sitting in my amazon shopping cart, and I pulled up the site a few times between thanksgiving and cyber Monday, and made a few purchases FROM what I already had in my cart.  I did NOT add any items over those days, I just tried to get a deal if I could.  And honestly most of the "deals" at the stores were still more then the cost online. 

This is how I keep to my budget what tools do you use.  


For the record, I try to support local companies when I can, even more when it comes to items that you cant find in stores.  However I don't however really shop at big box stores for items I can get on amazon.  You don't have to like me because of it :( sorry guys! I am just Honest! 

Laundry room plan part 2

I'm gonna back peddle just a BIT.  You saw my beautiful lavender color I wanted to do the walls, well...I showed hubby, and he nixed that idea.  Needless to say, I was alittle sad :'( however, we have to work as a team right!
So I have NOT gotten the ok yet from hubby, but I think this is my new plan for the walls!
I love this TALL boards, so that is plan #1.  Add boarding and white to full wall, just like this.













However the top color, is NOT going to be my beautiful lavender.
So THIS is my How to from Young House Love (cause I know I will need alittle assistance) 

So I searched the wonderful internet, looking for a good paint color.  As I looked, I thought about my current house, and how I love the color of our current washer and dryer.  Needless to say, I have found a PERFECT color scheme!!

Blackstrap

Crucible

High-Speed Steel 

Porcelain Shale

Academy Gray

Iron Frost

Hopefully, it will look kinda like this (the walls) , when all is said and done. Now i just have to pick which ONE of those colors! :) lol

  OR

I really like the dark color, but im willing to compromise if chris doesn't like the dark.

I haven't asked the hubby  about the light, and since that is way down on the list.  I have even started thinking about some possible track lighting like we had in our family room, however they are not available anymore, i like this one 

However not necessary at this stage of planning (donesn't mean I cant Dream) :)

Also there is one last thing I would like to add

I think this will happen about the same time as the lighting, but I think that if I can find the right colors, it should look PRETTY!!  Here is how I plan to make it.
https://docs.google.com/a/utah.gov/forms/d/1AQYZ7BmnJKLB5oj0KVo2FK8gz8AokRa4CmdLSeIDysY/viewform
I am thinking of doing a gray or black with just a hint of color. But we will see how it looks!

Follow up: My wonderful hubby and I have now discussed the paint color, AND he approves.  Looks like right now my fave is Crucible and hubby's is High Speed Steel.  They seriously look almost the same, so we will have to look in person:)

     Lily's                        

Chris'

Laundry Room

It is already a WELL known fact that I LOVE LAUNDRY ROOMS!!!

This is our current laundry room with the current owners stuff.

Here are a few of my inspiration pictures, thanks to PINTREST :D

 

This is one of my FAVORITES

I love the cabinet in the middle.

I have found this beauty that I would love to put there

 

Im not sure how it would fit in the space, but I think it would look nice.

However with the $89 price tag it is alittle steep, considering I think I would need at least 2 or so. 

I have also been looking at our local Craig list (KSL classifieds) to see if I can find something for about $40. 

  

I love these sheelfs, I think they would look really nice above my sink.  I would prob make them alittle less tall, but still pretty cool.

 

I have found some good similarities at Ikea YES i LOVE IKEA! :) 

 

These average at about $10 each.  I have also found some at our hardware stores, so im not totally sure what my plan is, but im slowly thinking it though.

I really want to do THIS 

 

I have already told my wonderful hubby that I would like to add this style.  He is not really big into bold colors, he prefers neutrals, but Im thinking of doing a color like this for the upper half of the wall.  I love the clean lines of the white board bottom.   

OK ENTER MY GIRLY THING

I stole this idea from House of Smiths blog.  However, with 3 boys in the house, I need alittle girly BLING.  This also REALLY makes me want to make the walls this COLOR along with the white.  

Im not sure if I will be able to convince the boys, however the laundry room IS mine, so I will see what I can do! :)

There is currently a big sink and counter, along with a big cabnet however, I would like to get rid of all of that.  Well not the sink.  I really would love to have  mud room

OR  

I love how these cubby's look, and I think they would give a good use to our space.  I know that our space is smaller.  I would like to have a place for each of the 4 of us to have a drop zone.  IE shoes, purse, coat, backpacks, etc.

We currently have a 2 door system, from the garage into the house, so I would like to move the door from where it currently is, to enter a break between the laundry room and future mud room.

 

From this pic, i wold like to get rid of the counter next to the sink.  And add the door there.  I am not sure how that would go, so it is till very much in the air, but i would like the rest of that space for a mud room.

I have yet to figure out my estimated budget, but I know that this whole process will go SLOW, and I will be using alot of things I have around home to build my dream!

However I have put together a list of things to make it work for us.

• Paint
• New Washer and Dryer (our current ones are staying with the house)
• Iron Station
• New Light
• Panels on wall 
• Cabnets above Wash/Dryer
• Shelf's above sink
• Window treatment
• Move door
• Mud room plan
• Place for coats, shoes, keys, etc
•  sorting system?

Well as you can see there is LOTS of planning at this point.  I know that this is one of the rooms I would like to get working on just after we move in.  However we are not going to be buying our washer and dryer for a few days after we move in, so I would like to start with,
-taking down the current system on the wall, and Paint behind where the washer and dryer will go, and on the window wall.  We will see what happens!!!

Happy MONDAY everyone.

Excitement!

As a society we are very NOW people.  We all want things NOW!!! And even more then that we want control over all of this as well. 
I will tell you this right now I AM GUILTY OF THIS!

This is currently how I feel!

As we are putting our home on the market and hoping and dreaming of getting our DREAM HOUSE, that we currently have under contract. However we all know that it isn't done until name is signed on the BLACK line.

I am very anxious about our new home, and I want it all to work out perfect, BECAUSE of this, we can break the budget!!
Over the past few days we have gone CRAZY getting our house on the market! So far we have purchased quite a few items, however these alone are not breaking the budget, but it can add up quickly!

 

We bought a gallon of paint and my sweetie painted one HUGE wall in our house. $28
beacuse we were painting we needed a few extra supplies adding up to another $10
The flys here are out of control so we bought a few fly traps $5

Then we needed some cleaning products (CLR, Outdoor Windex, Stainless cleaner, Bar keepers friend, Clorax wipes, scrubbing bubbles, new filter, vent covers, carpet cleaner, etc)  $110

So may seem simple but before we knew it we had spent $153