On My Mind This Week

These last couple weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions and craziness.  It feels like every time I get a handle on one thing...another things needs attention.  I suppose that’s just life though.   So here are a few things that have been rolling around in my head the last week or so:

• Work is still hit or miss.  I think I had a pretty decent October; however, somedays my phone barely rings.


• My love affair with Fusion Fitness has taken a little bruising since the remodel (which produced monumental amounts of dust.) I'm super excited for the remodel to be complete and we can get back to taking our shoes off.


• Which brings me to my next topic.  I cheated on Fusion with Crossroads Bootcamp and loved it.  Bootcamp is a closer drive as it’s on the way to/from work so I’m going to use the 12 session Groupon I bought and then make an informed decision as to stick with Fusion or switch to Bootcamp for a while....I can’t (aka refuse) to pay for both.


• Hubs and I had a conversation (well really I talked and Hubs listened) that might have been better had under different circumstances (someone, I'm not pointing fingers here, might have had a little too much wine before said conversation) but the jest of it went like this:  be an active part of our little family (me and our puppies), do some chores once in a while or I’m keeping my townhouse to ensure I will have a place to live when I get tired of cleaning up after him---Sooooo.  Dramatic.  Well, now he’s being super helpful and present and while I love it; I also feel like I might have been a little hard on him...after all, he is my husband and I really didn’t mean to scare him into thinking if he didn’t get over his aversion to loading the dishwasher I was going to leave him.


• (For any boys that read these posts, I apologize in advance)  Earlier this week I was on the receiving end of a Hysterosalpingogram and we found out that all my lady parts are working fine.  (You know, in the baby making department.)  The doctor assured us everything was good and that this particular test had a tendency to raise the likelihood of baby making 10-15 and in some cases 20%....so, with no blockages and a higher likelihood of the baby making stars aligning we have definitely been thinking about what life would be like with a little Bambino in our house.


• Oh, and speaking of babies, I have been hoping for Baby Heide’s delivery this week but the little guy seems to be holding strong inside momma.  So we definitely have something exciting coming up in the next few days!  I cannot wait to meet this little guy!

Only one more day til the weekend. We have a pretty fun few days planned: bday party tomorrow night, game night Saturday, and a quiet Sunday home with Hubs watching football and eating pizza which I’m really looking forward to (the spending the day with Hubs part, not the eating pizza part although pizza is pretty darn yummy and a staple in our household.)

Dear Heat

Dear Heat,

                 I'm gonna need you to cool your jets.  Seriously, I’m being forced out into your uncomfortable temps dozens of times each day and it’s getting kind of old.  I get it--it’s summer and you haven’t had a chance to really rear your head the last couple years---August has been full of 80 degree temps and cool breezes but seriously, you gotta chill…and quick.  I’m about to die of heat exhaustion and tomorrow I have someone riding with me so it would be nice if he wasn’t forced to ride in my car with me smelling like a landscaper (not that I don’t like landscapers; I do, they just smell like they’ve been working in the yard all day and that isn’t exactly an scent you want to bottle…I’m just saying.)

Dying for a break,

Jillian

Sales Reps Are People Too

The last couple days (or day and half considering it’s only Wednesday afternoon and everyone in the world was off on Monday) have been brutal out there cold calling.  Yes, it’s the first of the month following a long weekend.  And yes, I’ve been calling on a list of previous or in-capturable accounts given to me from my boss…but still—I take it personally.  I understand managers hate being bombarded with reps.  I get it.  But seriously, do they have to make it so apparently obvious that they don’t want to be bothered with us? 

True story: 

I walk into a property and the manager is standing in the middle of the club house bullshitting with her leasing agents about what a baby her husband is….Hello!  Husband dramatics?  I can relate.  So, when she finally stops talking I say, “OMG!  My husband…(blah, blah, blah!)”   And she laughs—loud.  Then I say, “I’m Jillian from MC Flooring” her eyes get big and she beelines it for her office picking up the phone before anyone had a change to say hi back.  The leasing agent closest me says, “Manager is busy.  Do you have a card?”

I think property managers and leasing agents forget that as reps visiting your property we walk away with a personal assessment about properties, managers, and staff.   And when friends/family or even OURSELVES start thinking about where to live, those moments run through our (or at very least my) mind—good and bad.*

So (insert property here), thanks for helping Hubs and I narrow down our list.  We are in the process of selling both our homes and depending on how things work out we might end up renting until we make a final decision on where, what, and how we want to precede.  But thanks to this morning’s warm welcome--I know one place we will NOT be living.

*Keep in mind, I completely understand a legitimately busy manger---I've walked into properties where the manager has two phones on their ear with 5 people standing around in their office--that is not who this post is about--those managers need a raise :)

The Unemployment Experiement

It’s over and I did it!  I got my paper turned in, attended the AAKC meeting, spoke in public without peeing my pants and managed to make it through my oral interview in Espanol with only two major sweat attacks, yes, I said sweat attacks!  So, that was awesome!

My days as an unemployed stay at home wife and mother of two (puppies) is coming to an end.  On Monday I start my new position with MC Flooring!  (After I accepted this job, a company from the Apartment Association asked me to interview.  I have good relationships with several of their employees so of course I said, “yes!”  We worked out all the final details last Friday and I start the beginning of May.  It’s basically the exact same thing I was doing before just change pest control to flooring!  I think it should be a pretty seamless transition especially since I managed to stay pretty active in the AAKC during my hiatus.  Also, I have a little break from school after finals so I’ll have a couple months to really focus on work and building a solid base before I start summer classes—sometimes I get so frustrated that I didn’t finish sooner!  (PSA:  Kids, finish school early!  If you find you have no motivation to go to class, then perhaps you should take more classes.  This assessment is based on the unemployment experiment—you know, my life the last 2 months.)

Being home for two months really made me rethink a sarcastic joke my dad always makes when I'm complaining about being busy, he says, “a busy person is a happy person,” and after this little experiment in unemployment---I think that philosophy might prove true.   I’ve already looked at the gym schedule to see when I could fit in working out between work and class—which is sort of ridiculous considering I’ve pretty much taken the last month off from any sort of physical activity that doesn’t involve my husband. (Seriously, being unemployed is a full time job that sucks pretty much every ounce of initiative out of a girl!)  I did go for a bike ride today though...

So, until life starts again on Monday, the schedule is as follows:  Friday, I take Maggie to the puppy spa for her summer spa treatments (aka bath, nail clipping and lion cut), directly following?  A pep talk convincing Maggie that the other shelties made fun of her hair because they’re jealous of her trendsetting cut!  And taking a Spanish final on Saturday.  Stressful, I know!  Oh, and tomorrow night I need to pump Hubs up for his first day at Garmin!  Not that he needs it---he’s super excited and I’m super excited for him!

Yes, this last week of unemployment has taken laziness to a whole other level, but hey, I’m not planning on being unemployed again for a VERY long time;  so I might as well take advantage of the free time while I can!

The Less Responsibility I Have--The Less I Get Done

I’ve been unemployed for a little over 2 months.  The only responsibility I have right now consists of feeding and watering the dogs (which Hubs usually does in the morning as I’m still sleeping) and finishing up this semester.  Today, I had NOTHING on my schedule except preparing for my Spanish Oral Interview and getting a Stats paper written---what did I do?  I checked Facebook, watched Ellen, blogged, ran with Tyson, played fetch with Maggie, and took a shower.  In my defense, sat down in front of my computer about 12 times, but something kept distracting me (seriously, have you seen the internet?  There are all kinds of distracters out there!) 

                In my life, it appears the less responsibility I have, the less I get done.  I noticed this syndrome back in high school when I waited tables too.  If I had 10 tables everyone had full drinks, warm food, and checks sitting in front of them at just the right moment.  If I had 1 table, I was probably slacking off in the back and that poor table had to look around for me and was usually dying of thirst.  Why is that?  When I was working I was always ready for school.  I always had my papers written and reviews completed….what happened to me?

                Tomorrow, I have a statistics paper due and need to speak in Spanish for 5 whole minutes!  Of course, none of that goes down until 5…so I still have time J

The Ultimate Fighter Recap: Wife Addition

Hubs and I have a pretty set list of shows we watch.  My show:  Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, Life Unexpected, Greys, Private Practice and Army Wives.   Hubs:  InuYasha, Monster, Archer, UFC, and House.  Shows we agree on:  Dexter, Cougar Town, Modern Family, The Big Bang Theory, and the entire Thursday night lineup on NBC.

Hubs will watch all my shows with me.  I usually curl up in the nook and fall asleep during his shows (normally because we watch his shows after my shows and I’m normally pooped.) 

One of Hubs’ favorites--The Ultimate Fighter.  It started last night and I of course fell asleep.  I got sucked into this show last season but Hubs kept fast forwarding during the good parts…you know the parts where all the tough fighters act like 15 year old girls in the house.  “He never helps out,” “He’s such a little wussy,” “Were you talking about me behind me back dude?  So, not cool!”

Anyway, since I’m still not working and there is nothing to watch in the mornings I had plenty of time to watch last night’s episode when I got up.   

My favorite moment? 

Norman Paraisy:  People say that French people are pretty soft or are an easy fight.  And I can tell you, you are wrong and after this fight I think the mindset of people about the spirit of French fighters will definitely change.  In a good way.

He was fighting James “the sledge” Hammortree.  Firefighter/EM T (and super hot---sorry Hubs)

First round James was getting it done.  Punches, kicks, takedowns, elbows.  James totally listened to Tito the entire fight and was definitely winning but it wasn’t a total domination by any stretch of the imagination. Norman barely bleeding (just a tiny bit on his nose) was holding his own. 

First round over:

Norman:  I’m done.  I quit.  I’m finished.  I can’t.  I don’t feel my legs.  I don’t want to fight anymore.

Seriously Norman?  What are you talking about?  You agreed to go on a show called the ULTIMATE FIGHTER!    I’m pretty sure you probably had to sign a waiver or something legally informing you death is a possibility in the octagon.  I’m sure of it.  I had to sign one every year before I went to cheer camp; I’m certain Dana White has that same paperwork.  He’s no dummy.    (Even you might not believe it based on his fight commenting ability…more on that next week!) 

Dana was totally making fun of Norman after the fight too:

Dana White:  So, Norman’s big thing was to come on this show and prove to the world the French aren’t a bunch of wussies.  (big eyes, big eyebrows) hahahahahahah.  He better look for another job. 

Sorry Norman.  I don’t think you are going to be the next Ultimate Fighter.  Or even a fighter at all considering all of America saw the almighty Dana White making fun of you….

Anyway, I’m officially looking forward to all the dramatics these boys bring this season.  And Hubs, if you are reading this, there will be no fast forwarding through the good parts—that would be the parts in between fights---the fights are my least favorite part, you know that….

They Aren't Feminist -- They're Lazy

When I got married I changed my name on Facebook that evening.  Changing my name at the Spa?  "Oh, congrats!  Let me change that for you!" Papa Johns?  "No problem."  Vet?  "How do you spell Carter?"   The Social Security office?  4 hour wait and 7 pieces of state issued paperwork. DMV?  3 states need to give approval and 4 pieces of state issued paperwork.  Bank accounts?  3 pieces of state issued paperwork and half my family. Passport?  I have no idea and I’m pretty sure I’m not going to (I like having stamps in there) I'm waiting till it expires oooooor until Hubs starts crying, either one.

Changing your name is ridiculous.  It must be love.  Love is the only reason a girl would change her name...love allows for crazy decisions and changing your name is a crazy decision.   

The Social Security office was insane.  When I checked in I was number 76.  They were serving 43.  I sat there for 45 minutes waiting for each number to tick by slower and slower.  Then I had the brilliant idea of going to the bank and coming back in time for my number.  After 45 minutes they were only on 52--5 minutes for every number, I had plenty of time... 

I arrived at the bank and was brutally rejected when I was informed I had no authority to change my name without the authorization of my mother AND husband.  Wow.  Just when I think I'm a big girl I need my mommy/hubby's signature.   

Back to S.S. office. I missed my number.  They called 79 just as I walked back in.  YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME!  Now, under normal circumstances I would have just left and tried again another day but the guard checking in cell phones and weapons (yeah, I said weapons) said to just go to the front, tell them I was reading, and didn't notice my number being called....it totally worked. I got right in!  YAY!  

Later on I went to change some other accounts and again mom needs to sign.  So, I called mom, met her at the bank and got several of my accounts switched.  I still need Hubs to update the others... 

I started this project at 12pm.  It's now 5.  I've officially changed my name to Jillian Carter on half of my accounts, my social security card, and I managed to apply for a job in the midst.  That was my day.  I totally understand why women keep their own name--they aren't feminist, they're lazy.

Wiggans to Carter ~ Today is the Day

I've officially been severed for a week.  And I have no concrete job prospects.  Yikes!  I'm also surprised how excited I am for this weekend; it's lonely hanging around the house all week with minimal human interaction and I can't wait to spend time with Hubs!  He got back yesterday, I had been sick all day so he basically came home to me looking like a hot unshowered mess.....he  took good care of me though. 

This afternoon I'm gonna go to Fight Club and then head over to the bank and social security offices to change my name from Wiggans to Jillian Carter.  It been 6 weeks since our wedding and it's time to finally change it.  I'm not sure why I haven't done it yet; it seems like everything in my life has changed since the first of the year but I'm gonna do it today!  I bet Hubs will be happy!

Reason #89765 I love being married

One night last year I invited Hubs upstairs to look at my closet.  I was trying to invoke a string of totally gratuitous praise for doing all my own laundry (not that I ever had anyone else do it.) I would just let it pile up til it covered my entire closet floor and wouldn't even entertain the idea of doing laundry until I couldn't walk in my closet any longer… 

Hubs was completely unaware of my disdain for doing laundry at the time.  Our conversation went a little something like this:

Me:  Look.

Hubs:  Hu huh?

Me:  I did all the laundry! 

Hubs:  ????Congrats????ulations??????

Me:  Yeah, I hate it and now it’s all done!  Every last bit of it!  There is not one dirty piece of clothing in this entire house!

Hubs:  Ok.   

Me:  Did you see the pile before I started?

Hubs:  I guess I didn’t notice.

He basically looked at me as though I told him I made it through an entire day without doing crack, “Big deal.  You never do crack, why should I be impressed?"

Fast forward 1 year.  Hubs heads upstairs….

Hubs:  Holy Moly!  You did all the laundry!  I love you so much!

Me:  Only  1 more load! 

Hubs:  Did I mention how much I love you?

Now that Hubs' clothes are always lost in the pile he finally appreciates the rarity that is laundry day around here!  I love being married!

Unemployment ~ Day 1

Unemployment. Wow.  It's amazing the amount of things I have to do.  So far I've: worked out, went to lunch with a friend, grocery shopped, paid bills, filed for unemployment, cleaned the carpets, went to the bank and planned a delicious dinner for Hubs and I. I think Hubs is going to LOVE having all our chores done when he gets home!  Hanging out will be the order of business!  Yay!