Can't wait for Wednesday!

We get internet on Wednesday.  I'll be better able to update this blog at that time.

Moving day...

What a cluster F this is.  I hate moving.  I use to ENJOY moving literally each year from apartment to apartment.  I have no idea what I liked about it, but I did.  Anyway, I think I'm so stressed this time because I have one car with a broke transmission and both cars with expired tags.  Yay.  No, the $$'s not come in yet.  I'm hoping for Thursday, payday.  I'm just impatient though and want the move done asap so I can get the apartment cleaned to turn in the keys.  It's all 100% me.

I'm stressed...

I REALLY need that last check (sold leave) to come in. I have a feeling it's gonna happen with the 15th payday. Not cool. Heck, what am I talking about, I'll probably be lucky it comes in on the 15th. *sigh*

First day at Talbots was ok.  Just filled out all of my paperwork mainly.

Crystal and I are turning in the signed lease today and should get the keys.  Then I can work on getting my stuffed moved in.  I'll have to check with Crystal to see when she's going to move her stuff so I can make sure I can help out.  McKesson's helping me move the heavy stuff Wednesday.  I may see if Cormier can help me move the boxes so I don't have to make a million and one trips.  I completely forgot he had a truck.  I hate not having a vehicle.  Reason #1 I need that AF check to come in.

Happy for LSU, sad for myself

I think the title of this post says it all.

LSU Baby / Working Girl

Tomorrow is THE game between LSU and the Florida Gators.  Pretty interesting to see how that will turn out. I'm super excited to watch it!

Oh yeah, Talbots called me back yesterday evening and I'll be making $10.05/hour.  That's $1.05 more than Chichos was willing to pay me.  Not too bad for a PT job.

I worked out this morning.  It was the first workout in a month.  I thought I was going to die. haha  I did 25 minutes on the elliptical, did an ab workout, and walked for a mile and a half with Lil G.  There's an ab twist machine thing in the yoga room.  I won't lie, I tried it out. ;)  It wasn't too bad.  I guess I'll find out tomorrow if my abs are sore.

**Update**

Charles Schwab just called and offered me the job!  :)   I'll be reconciling and balancing their mutual fund dividends.  I'm taking this until I hear something about Lockheed Martin.  Although, both of those jobs are at a stand-still right now.  Both for the same reasons too: background checks.  Blah.  I called the hiring manager I know at LM to see if he's heard anything yet.  He's either sleeping from working last night or he's working today because he didn't answer his cellphone.  With CS, they called and offered me the job today but I have to print out and fax them background check paperwork.  That check could take 5-7 business days.  Once it comes back is when they can tell me when I start and how much I'll be making.  In the meantime, I have Talbots. haha

Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls

This morning I made cream cheese crescent rolls.  I mostly used this recipe:

2pkg.- 8 Crescent Rolls
2 - 8 oz cream cheese
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup butter

Spray 8 1/2 x 11 cake pan with Pam.

Put one can of crescent rolls in the bottom of pan. Be sure and seal the seams.

Mix 1 cup sugar, cream cheese and vanilla until creamy.

Put other can of crescent rolls on top. Make sure and seal seams.
Brush on melted butter.

Mix 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon- spread on top.

Bake at 375 - Normally, I would suggest baking it for however long the crescent roll package states, but I baked mine for 17 minutes total.  If you want to eat them cold (they are yummy either way), be sure to refrigerate them.  Although, you definitely want to wait for them to cool down after you remove them from the oven.


I did tweak it though.  I didn't use the butter or vanilla at all.  Honestly, I didn't read the part about the vanilla but it tastes good without it anyway.  Plus, another recipe I have from a co-worker doesn't call for vanilla so I KNOW it's good without it.  ;)  I added an egg yolk to the cream cheese mixture and used the egg white to brush on top the crescent roll instead of butter.  Everything else was the same though.  ;) Boy, oh boy, is this stuff delicious.  I mean, cream cheese and sugar, in any form, is absolutely amazing.

Interview

So, I think the interview went ok.  I was really nervous by the time I got there.  They doubled up on me.  It was the manager and lead of the section I was applying for.  They had 2 sheets of questions to ask and took turns asking questions.  I won't lie, that made me pretty nervous at first but at the 3rd question I felt better and not quite as nervous.  We shall see.  After that was over, they had the manager over the department come in and talk to me.  Nervous.  I kept stumbling over my words.  Blah.  I was told, if they were to pursue hiring me, then I would be contacted for a background check and after 5-7 days, when it came back, is when they could make an offer.  Here's to praying for that background check.  I'm going to have to call John later today also to see if he's heard anything about the LM job.  I have another interview today with Chico's at 2:30.  I'll take a few PT jobs just to get some $$ rolling in.  I've got one more paycheck coming in from the AF and THAT needs to come in soon also.

Sooo... Here's a few pics of the Air Force me and the "new" me.  :)

                                                         

                       I have to say, it's definitely nice wearing my hair down.  :)
  

**Update**

So, right before I had to leave for the Chico's interview, I called Talbots to see if they had any news.  She said she was interested, that they may still be waiting for a reference but would go for it and offer me the job, to start Monday.  She said she would call me back later today to verify pay.  I'll have to remember then to ask what TIME I should come in on Monday.  That's kinda important. ;)

At Chico's, it wasn't an interview.  I was told it was going to be an interview with both managers but I just sat with one and she offered me the job.  Pay is $9.00.  I had to tell her then about the Talbots job and she said it would be a conflict of interest and wouldn't be able to do that.  So, I had to turn the job down since Talbots did offer first.  

Now, the hunt for an additional PT job continues.  I've got about 20 jobs I'm going to apply for tomorrow.  I would still keep one of the PT jobs with a FT job if LM or CS offered me one.  Especially with CS, I'd have to supplement the income.  All this is at least until next year when I'll be able to attend school FT and get BAH.  My schooling will have to be online as much as possible.

Soooo much to think about and do.  Oh yeah, Crystal and I got approved for that Tollgate Townhome today also.  Not sure when the move in date is but I'm hoping soon.  I'm also hoping I can either sell this daybed OR get the leave check in ASAP so I can have some money for the move.  As it is right now, I have exactly my share of the deposit and that's about it.  I'll be taking the lightrail to the Talbot job as much as possible to save on gas money.

Facebook

So, I thought I might re-activate my Facebook account.  I logged in, canceled the deactivation, deleted "friends" I NEVER talk to - either on FB or real life.  I changed the settings so no one could search for me also.  I got to looking around and realized I don't REALLY want my Facebook account back.  I just feel like I'm missing out on everything.  Turns out I'm not though.

Job hunting blows

Really, it does.  I'm still waiting to hear from LM and stressing that my credit will be too bad for them to offer the job.  Job hunting for an "in the meantime" job completely sucks.  I've applied at almost every job available at the mall and I've had several interviews.  I had 4 interviews within a 2 day time-frame and that's so awesome.  One of the jobs even called references and said they want to bring me on, they are just waiting for feedback from the references.  I have a third interview with another company on Thursday.  I even applied for jobs at Charles Schwab, to see about getting back into that industry if the LM job doesn't work out.  I have a phone interview today, in about an hour, with CS for one of those jobs.  I'm REALLY hoping it works out.  Being jobless stinks.  I have a little money right now, waiting on a girl to buy my daybed which will give me a little bit more, & I have another paycheck with the Air Force that will be from selling my leave.  I'm praying that comes in real quick.  I'm also looking at apartments to move-in with my friend and be roomies with her.  We found a townhome we both really like.  Hopefully, that works out as well but will also use some of my funds I have now.

I be so stressed.  haha

I have to say, buying that damned Volvo was possibly the worst mistake of my entire life.  Who knew the transmission would have went out.  I SHOULD have tried to get it fixed at the time and tried to get it financed buy whomever would have fixed it.  The primary shop I was speaking with didn't offer financing though.  :(  My credit's been ruined by several mistakes surrounding that stupid car.  I hate it.  I hate myself for buying it.

****UPDATE****
So, the phone interview with SC went excellent!  She's recommending to the hiring manager here in Denver that they interview me face-to-face and I should hear something about that within 5-7 days.  Hopefully, it doesn't take that long!  Ugh, the waiting game is what really blows, not necessarily the job hunt itself.  Although, interviews are stressful.
(**UPDATE to the UPDATE haha**  SC Denver called TODAY and the appointment with them is 10am tomorrow.  Woot!**)  :)

I turned in mine and Crystal's rental application for the town-home we both really like.  It's $1200 a month and 1365sqft.  It's huge! And super nice.  Here's a lil info and some pictures (I REALLY like the kitchen btw):

Two Bed rms
2 1/2 Bath rms
Gas Fireplace
Side by side washer/dryer
Glass top self-cleaning stove
Refrigerator
Two car garage
Private fenced patio

The Awakening

My friend Casey sent this to me as my divorce was finalizing.  I came across it again the other day and realized it's not just for relationships and the end of them but for life in general.  Things change, jobs change, friends change.  You just have to pull yourself together, "awaken", and learn to move on the best you can.
The Awakening
By Virginia Marie Swift

A time comes in your life when you finally get it... When in the midst of all your fears and insanity you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere, the voice inside your head cries out - ENOUGH!

Enough fighting and crying, or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and through a mantle of wet lashes, you begin to look at the world through new eyes.

This is your awakening...

You realize that it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change, or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that he is not Prince Charming and you are not Cinderella and that in the real world, there aren't always fairy tale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you and in the process, a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are ... and that's OK. (They are entitled to their own views and opinions.) And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself and in the process, a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval.

You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected. You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and that it's not always about you. So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself and in the process, a sense of safety & security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties and in the process, a sense of peace & contentment is born of forgiveness.

You realize that much of the way you view yourself and the world around you, is a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche. You begin to sift through all the junk you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look and how much you should weigh, what you should wear and where you should shop and what you should drive, how and where you should live and what you should do for a living, who you should marry and what you should expect of a marriage, the importance of having and raising children or what you owe your parents. You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.

You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with and in the process, you learn to go with your instincts.

You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive and that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop manoeuvring through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a by gone era, but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don't know everything; it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love. Romantic love and familial love. How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away. You learn not to project your needs or your feelings onto a relationship. You learn that you will not be more beautiful, more intelligent, more lovable or important because of the man on your arm or the child that bears your name.

You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes.

You learn that just as people grow and change, so it is with love; and you learn that you don't have the right to demand love on your terms, just to make you happy.

You learn that alone does not mean lonely. You look in the mirror and come to terms with the fact that you will never be a size 5 or a perfect 10 and you stop trying to compete with the image inside your head and agonizing over how you "stack up."

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs. You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK and that it is your right, to want things and to ask for the things that you want and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.

You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity and respect and you won't settle for less. You allow only the hands of a lover who cherishes you, to glorify you with his touch and in the process, you internalize the meaning of self-respect.

And you learn that your body really is your temple. And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin eating a balanced diet, drinking more water and taking more time to exercise. You learn that fatigue diminishes the spirit and can create doubt and fear. So you take more time to rest. Just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul; so you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that for the most part in life, you get what you believe you deserve and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen, is different from working toward making it happen.

More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn that no one can do it all alone and that it's OK to risk asking for help.

You learn that the only thing you must truly fear is the great robber baron of all time; FEAR itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears, because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear, is to give away the right to live life on your terms.

You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom. You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people. On these occasions, you learn not to personalize things. You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing to answer your prayers; it's just life happening.

You learn to deal with evil in its most primal state; the ego. You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted; things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about; a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower. Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself, by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never ever settle for less than your heart's desire. You hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind, and you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.

Finally, with courage in your heart and with God by your side you take a stand, you take a deep breath and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can.

Copyright 2001 Virginia Marie Swift 

I'm a "civilian" again...

So, Friday was the day I out-processed from the Air Force.  It still feels a little weird and not quite real.  I suppose it will feel more real come Monday when I have NO JOB to wake-up to.  I'm still waiting on a hire date from LM.  I'm hoping it doesn't take too much longer.  Even if they tell me NO, at least I'll know something and can just move on.  I'm being pessimistic about it right now.  It's hard not too when it still feels up in the air.  I've been applying for other jobs still, just in case they do say no and just just in case it takes another month.  God forbid it takes that long!  I've had 4 interviews with little mall jobs these past 2 days.  Whether I get 2 PT jobs or a FT and PT job, I don't care.  Just so long as I have SOMETHING coming in to pay the rent and car note.  At this point, I'm even like who needs a car note when there's public transportation! Haha  Well, not really but seriously, I would give it up if I absolutely had to.  Anyway, I also got a call from Charles Schwaab, about a job I applied with them.  I called the girl back almost immediately on Thursday but haven't heard back from her yet.  I'll call again first thing Monday morning.

Crystal and I looked at 2 condo's today and we're going to look at an apartment tomorrow.  The two we looked at today were completely different.  The first one was pretty small feeling at only 980sqft but cost $1000.  That would only be $500 a piece! Which would be wonderful!  It did feel really tiny though and smaller than 980.  The 2nd condo was 1700sqft and was really nice.  I liked it the best out of the two but cost $1200 and only has 1 bathroom.  Also, the "spare" bedroom felt really like a large closet.  I don't even think my small bed could fit in there.  However, it did have a great loft area but really awkward ladder steps to get up there.  And, again, only ONE bathroom and it was pretty big.  I think the loft area kinda makes up for there only being 1 bathroom though.  Kinda.

Anyway, we'll see how it works out.  She's still got to find someone to move-in to her place and I've got to get a J.O.B.