I haven't written for a while because I've been busy learning to become a salesperson. That's right... you are looking at the newest Avon representative. To some selling Avon might be a "old lady job" but I disagree... I am hoping it's the next step in me finding a full time job.
I chose Avon because... well I could use the cash... but also because many of the jobs I'm applying for are entitled "Marketing & Communications Manager"... I have the communications part down, but I didn't go to school for marketing, in fact I ran from it like the plague! But with Avon... if you don't market yourself, you don't make any money.... end of story.
When I was younger the last thing I ever wanted to be was a salesperson of any sort... partly because I refused to be like my dad (I was rebellious)... but also because I didn't want to be the person who had to wear the suit everyday and... it's just not me, I'm not a "stiff" person. The problem is... those who make money... wear suits. So I'll get a little more used to the idea, but until then I also have to work on my skills.
See, I don't like just going up to people, trying to convince them to use moisturizer or change lipstick... so I guess we will see just how successful I can be! But I can be honest with people, telling them I am selling... hope that sweet and innocent can also sell. The thing is I know I need to be more aggressive, more confident in myself... and I'm hoping this new endeavor will do just that!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
So Sore... BUT... It's Beautiful!!!
I'm pretty sure for the next 24 hours all I will be able to do is type... as I can not move my arms, and my legs feel like rubber. Why may you ask am I so sore... it's flowerbeds. The past 2 days I have gone into overdrive in getting the weeds gone, flowers in, and mulch on.
First, removing weeds... these are not your "normal" weeds... we are talking monster, I haven't tended to my weeds in 5 years, weeds. These are the kind that require shovels, roundup and muscle. So not all of them are terrible, in one bed a lot of it was just grass, which was easy to pull up... but most of it... took A LOT of energy. The only part that's left is about a 2'x3' section, which I plan to tackle tomorrow evening.
Second, plant... including color. Now I have 2 VERY black thumbs. A plant it lucky to survive 3 months in my care... so needless to say the only plants that are still in the flowerbeds are the kind it takes a stampede of elephants to kill. But this is where my parents come to the rescue. Not only are they AMAZING landscapers, they are amazing enough to dig up some flowers and lug them down to my house. I did stop at Lowe's to get a few shade plants (a lot of their yard is sun) But still... they saved me a ton, which is very helpful when you are on a limited budget.
Last... Mulch. This was the part I was dreading... not for work, but for the pocket book. I will admit, the thought crossed my mind to just start pulling handfuls of mulch from restaurants and apartment buildings landscape and put them in my purse until I had enough to cover the whole area... but I could be stealing handfuls until NEXT July. This year... I scored the deal of a lifetime! Given I am later than a lot of garden enthusiasts.... I decided to call around (with the advice of my wonderful boyfriend). Now, I called Giant Eagle and they told me 74 cents... I thought... YEAH RIGHT! But I decided to give it a go... and sure enough... less than a dollar a bag. So I got more than I thought (with a second run to the store that is...my trunk does not hold that much) and now I'm right on track to put the house back on the market... looking better than ever!!!! Seriously... take a look!
First, removing weeds... these are not your "normal" weeds... we are talking monster, I haven't tended to my weeds in 5 years, weeds. These are the kind that require shovels, roundup and muscle. So not all of them are terrible, in one bed a lot of it was just grass, which was easy to pull up... but most of it... took A LOT of energy. The only part that's left is about a 2'x3' section, which I plan to tackle tomorrow evening.
Second, plant... including color. Now I have 2 VERY black thumbs. A plant it lucky to survive 3 months in my care... so needless to say the only plants that are still in the flowerbeds are the kind it takes a stampede of elephants to kill. But this is where my parents come to the rescue. Not only are they AMAZING landscapers, they are amazing enough to dig up some flowers and lug them down to my house. I did stop at Lowe's to get a few shade plants (a lot of their yard is sun) But still... they saved me a ton, which is very helpful when you are on a limited budget.
Last... Mulch. This was the part I was dreading... not for work, but for the pocket book. I will admit, the thought crossed my mind to just start pulling handfuls of mulch from restaurants and apartment buildings landscape and put them in my purse until I had enough to cover the whole area... but I could be stealing handfuls until NEXT July. This year... I scored the deal of a lifetime! Given I am later than a lot of garden enthusiasts.... I decided to call around (with the advice of my wonderful boyfriend). Now, I called Giant Eagle and they told me 74 cents... I thought... YEAH RIGHT! But I decided to give it a go... and sure enough... less than a dollar a bag. So I got more than I thought (with a second run to the store that is...my trunk does not hold that much) and now I'm right on track to put the house back on the market... looking better than ever!!!! Seriously... take a look!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
It's Times Like These....
There are times in your life when you are going through your own struggle... but then something happens and you realize that God must be busy with other people... and it's for the best. So yes, I have been praying that I sell my house, find a job, etc. etc. But recently my prayers have changed direction... to others, who need them a lot more than me.
A dear family friend is about to have surgery. Growing up they were like another Aunt and Uncle, and were people I was always happy to see. But this week, a prayer request came out, asking to keep him in mind as he undergoes a serious surgery... and my heart breaks a little... it makes me feel a bit selfish for wanting my life to improve, when at least my small family (and extended family) is for the most part healthy.
Another family friend also recently went through A LOT. Hospitalized for something... the doctors still can't diagnose, and my not until it's too late... and while the miracle of prayer did help him recover some what, he now is burying his father-in-law.
It really makes you think... I've always been a firm believer that God never gives you more than you can handle... and when I look at other situations, I think... maybe he knows I can't handle that much! I mean, I would be a wreck if something happened to Shaun... heck even with my cat, Jack, was sick I was a nervous mom! I know I may not be the most religious person in the world... or even in my family... but I do believe in prayers and miracles... and hope... HOPE that those who have been so good to my family for so many years will have the strength to get through these times... and maybe a little hope that when their lives get back to "normal" that God may have a second or two to help Shaun and I sell our home :)
A dear family friend is about to have surgery. Growing up they were like another Aunt and Uncle, and were people I was always happy to see. But this week, a prayer request came out, asking to keep him in mind as he undergoes a serious surgery... and my heart breaks a little... it makes me feel a bit selfish for wanting my life to improve, when at least my small family (and extended family) is for the most part healthy.
Another family friend also recently went through A LOT. Hospitalized for something... the doctors still can't diagnose, and my not until it's too late... and while the miracle of prayer did help him recover some what, he now is burying his father-in-law.
It really makes you think... I've always been a firm believer that God never gives you more than you can handle... and when I look at other situations, I think... maybe he knows I can't handle that much! I mean, I would be a wreck if something happened to Shaun... heck even with my cat, Jack, was sick I was a nervous mom! I know I may not be the most religious person in the world... or even in my family... but I do believe in prayers and miracles... and hope... HOPE that those who have been so good to my family for so many years will have the strength to get through these times... and maybe a little hope that when their lives get back to "normal" that God may have a second or two to help Shaun and I sell our home :)
Friday, June 25, 2010
Needing Inspiration
I'm sure a few of you have noticed that I haven't posted in a while... for this I blame my mom who told me I seem to never gets writers block... but here I am... with nothing to write about. It's not that nothing is going on in my life... just nothing noteworthy. I guess my life is just lacking inspiration. I do have a small thing... a little going green action. Today I was at a garage sale and we got a steal of a deal on some nice planters. But, now I'm taking a crash course in gardening 101. I have two black thumbs... which is weird since my parents both seem to be able to keep plants alive for years! I guess thumb colors are genetic. But at least I have them for advice... and hopefully I'll soon be able to have a lovely landscaped home that people want to pay more than asking price for!!!!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Off The Market.... For Now
Today I took my house off the market... the house isn't sold, but something had to happen. See, it's been 6 weeks since we had a showing, and no one seems interested. My realtor said we have had a few drive-bys, but they can't get past the weeds out front. So I decided to strategize. Here's my brilliant plan (with thanks from advice from my older brother):
We are taking the house off the market for 30 days. In that time I am going to ROCK the outside of the house by pulling all the weeds, adding some color... in essence do my own little "Curb Appeal" special (with a much smaller budget). When I'm done... before day 30... we will take some new pictures off the amazing outside and relist the home... and since it's more than 30 days, it will be considered a new listing.
NOW... phase 2 of my plan... with the new listing it will sell in NO TIME, and Shaun and I will be on our way to continue our life in Seattle.... hopefully sooner than later.
Who knows if it will work. Some buyers say it had worked for them, and I know the biggest thing holding people back is the landscaping, so let's go ahead and take that off the list. My brother did give me some good advice. He said to pull up to the house and take a look around... objectively (easier said then done I know).... then go up to the door that the key is at... stop and look around. See, while the realtor is messing with the key, first time home buyers are going to be looking around... looking for reasons to buy or pass on your house. Good advice.
Well, I gotta go pull the sign out of the front yard... and all the weeds. Anyone want to help???
We are taking the house off the market for 30 days. In that time I am going to ROCK the outside of the house by pulling all the weeds, adding some color... in essence do my own little "Curb Appeal" special (with a much smaller budget). When I'm done... before day 30... we will take some new pictures off the amazing outside and relist the home... and since it's more than 30 days, it will be considered a new listing.
NOW... phase 2 of my plan... with the new listing it will sell in NO TIME, and Shaun and I will be on our way to continue our life in Seattle.... hopefully sooner than later.
Who knows if it will work. Some buyers say it had worked for them, and I know the biggest thing holding people back is the landscaping, so let's go ahead and take that off the list. My brother did give me some good advice. He said to pull up to the house and take a look around... objectively (easier said then done I know).... then go up to the door that the key is at... stop and look around. See, while the realtor is messing with the key, first time home buyers are going to be looking around... looking for reasons to buy or pass on your house. Good advice.
Well, I gotta go pull the sign out of the front yard... and all the weeds. Anyone want to help???
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Happy Father's Day
Today I decided to share something I wrote earlier. My dad, a hero to many, including me, has accomplished so much in his life, especially when you consider all he had to overcome. This year I nominated him for the Ohio Veteran's Hall of Fame... which I'm still waiting to hear what they said... so below was what I wrote in hopes of getting him in the Hall:
Nicholas is always available to tell others what his time in the military did for him; helped him realize his full potential, helped him get through college, and helped him create a life he is proud to share with his family.
I have never met a Veteran more proud of his past, and more dedicated to those who fought alongside him. He has visited the Vietnam Memorial more times than I can remember, each time taking moments to remember and honor those who had the same fight in them, but were not able to come home and live their dreams.
I know this nomination packet only shows a small part of my father, but I hope it is enough to show the committee just how amazing of a soldier, husband, father, grandfather, and American Nicholas has become.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Has My House Always Been This Dirty?
Having more time on my hands means I'm noticing a lot more than I used to. And while cleaning the bathroom today I thought to myself... has it always been this dirty? I swear I feel like I'm cleaning more often then I ever did before. I figure one or some of the following things factored into this:
1. I'm bored, therefore being more picky than normal on how dirty things are.
2. Since the house is on the market we have to keep it nicer than normal, therefore I feel the need to keep up with things more.
3. Since buying the house I have added a man, rabbit and a second cat... obviously making more of a mess... however our family has been complete for more than a year now, and I don't remember cleaning this much a year ago.
4. The house has always been really messy but with my work schedule I just didn't notice. I know I'm not the only one to ever work overnights, or 50 hours a week. I know other people do it, with kids, etc.... and maybe their houses are also messy. But I thought maybe I was just too tired to notice the soap scum in the back corner of the shower, or the tiny pieces of litter that make their way down the hall.
So who knows what the reasoning is... I do know that I am enjoying a cleaner home.... but my least favorite chore is still cleaning the toilet!!!!!
1. I'm bored, therefore being more picky than normal on how dirty things are.
2. Since the house is on the market we have to keep it nicer than normal, therefore I feel the need to keep up with things more.
3. Since buying the house I have added a man, rabbit and a second cat... obviously making more of a mess... however our family has been complete for more than a year now, and I don't remember cleaning this much a year ago.
4. The house has always been really messy but with my work schedule I just didn't notice. I know I'm not the only one to ever work overnights, or 50 hours a week. I know other people do it, with kids, etc.... and maybe their houses are also messy. But I thought maybe I was just too tired to notice the soap scum in the back corner of the shower, or the tiny pieces of litter that make their way down the hall.
So who knows what the reasoning is... I do know that I am enjoying a cleaner home.... but my least favorite chore is still cleaning the toilet!!!!!
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