Starting the countdown....

Let me tell you that I have been completely spoiled by my years of "Banker's" hours....I am quite happy to be doing something else, but the hours are going to take some serious getting used to.

I am starting my countdown until next Tuesday when I officially exit my training - which, I kid you not, has gone on for 4 weeks....I guess I shouldn't complain, it is retail and I have still had weekends off......until now..=(....

This coming Friday I do what they call my "Skill Certification"...It's an online assessment, followed by what they call a guided conversation where they ask me questions and grade my answers, and THAT is followed by a 2 hour or little less role play....Did I mention I absolutely detest role plays?? I have no problem getting in front of a real live customer, but these fake scenarios are uncomfortable to say the least. All of this is to take place via web/conference call so there won't be anyone right in my face for this....kind of weird but what can ya do?? I am praying I get through it with a passing score, if I don't I will once again be unemployed...not a very good option right now.

I have no doubt that I will be fine, however with passing comes the realization that I am now subject to random hours.....

EWWWW........not liking it one bit.....

I will be off Saturday, Sunday, and the were gracious enough to give me Monday as well......yeah....maybe that's because I am scheduled to work the next SEVEN days in a row!!! A little relief before the craziness hits, perhaps?? Then I am welcomed into the "I now work weekends" life.....I guess the hours could be worse...We are open 10-7 on Saturday and 12-5 on Sunday. Not so bad, but for someone who has been spoiled rotten on a cush schedule, these seem like the end of the world =(......

My only saving grace is that I will be going out for maternity leave in less than 3 months.....less than 90 days....less than 12 weeks.....I guess I can hack it. Then the plan is to check into part-time.....cross your fingers for me =)...

I really do like the job and it's nice to be interested in the stuff you sell....

Banking??? - B-O-R-I-N-G

Cell Phones??? DUH - I live for mine =)

It's so cool to work for a place that ENCOURAGES you to play on your phone all day long!! The more you play, the more you know and the better sales person you become!! Internet?? They say please play there....again....KNOWLEDGE is power..did I also mention I get cell service FREE??? Not just for me but a substantial discount for anyone else I put on my account???

EXAMPLE:

Me & Joe : Unlimited Minutes, Unlimited Texts, Internet, and insurance on both phones..........

READY????

Don't be jealous........

We pay a whopping.......

$35.00 a month!!!!

between the two of us we weren't getting near all that stuff and paying about $130.00 together.....

That in itself is pretty freakin' awesome!!! I guess I shouldn't complain =) The hours aren't wonderful but they could be a whole lot worse!!!!

8 days and counting................................

What they don't tell you........

Now that I am 6 months into my life changing journey, I have to tell you about a few things that NO ONE ever told me about being pregnant. In the movies - pregnancy is some blissful event. You see them walking around in a happy fog rejoicing every minute of every day. Even a few of my friends led me to believe that this is how it was going to be..........

IT'S A LIE>>

Don't believe it, don't base your idea of pregnancy around it!!!

TRUST ME!!! =)

But before I go any further, let me say this - I wouldn't change it for the world! I would go through this a million times over if I had too!! I would walk through fire for this little girl doing somersaults in my belly morning and night!!

THAT being said, I want to share a few things that I was not prepared for!! The biggest shocker for me was the fact that my ever expanding belly has a hard time keeping up with my ever expanding butt!!! Seems it expands at what feels like TWICE the rate!!! Funny....I thought the baby grew in FRONT, but maybe????? For the first couple months, I looked like someone that went on a serious food binge and just kept going!! I know that any time anyone saw me eat, they were thinking -

GOD SHE REALLY DOESN'T NEED THAT!!! Put down the cheeseburger lady!!!

A few times I broke down in tears because if you know me well - you would know that a couple years ago I weighed like 180 lbs and worked my butt off (literally) to drop 40 lbs!! Now all those size 14 & 16 jeans I swore I would never wear........

well........

you should never swear........

When I finally started to "show".....I felt a slight sense of relief.....even though my butt cheeks were now bouncing twice for every one step that I took, people could now understand there WAS a reason!!! But now....all they try to do is feed me!!! NO!!! I promise little miss is getting lots of nutrition!!!

I am happy to say that the weight gain has slowed a bit and I have come to the realization - thanks to Joe's non-stop reminding =) (I knew I loved him for a reason!!)- that I am NOT fat...I am pregnant....it's SUPPOSED to make me feel better but.......

not so much =).....

Along with the weight gain comes another little side effect......it's a fabulous little thing called......SWELLING!!! Yep, you seem to blow up like a balloon by the end of the day. it's most prevalent in your feet and ankles.....I cried one night because the swelling was so bad I thought I had CANKLES!!!! I found that there were a few things you could do to help...no salt and feet up....helps some =)

There are some neat bonuses to being preggo - you get bigger boobs =).....I keep getting told by a certain somebody (JOE) that he hopes they stay when we are all done.....something tells me he probably shouldn't bank on that =) ......you can dream though!!! We all need to hope for something I guess!!! One other benefit, well half a benefit, is that your hair grows much faster!!! My hair is already past my shoulders!! I can put it in a ponytail now!! It's shiny and soft!!

There is an evil flip side to this however.......

I now feel the need to buy stock in Gillette or it's parent company....

I would swear that I can shave my legs and underarms in the morning and by night they both have TOMORROW'S five O'clock shadow!! It's UNREAL!! I almost can't keep up, never mind how hard it's becoming to even see what I'm doing because of the expanding belly!! No one ever told me that was going to be an issue...it's hard to feel attractive when you can rub your legs together and make sandpaper sounds......or maybe call crickets.....

I guess I can thank god that I did not, for the most part, get the dreaded morning sickness that everyone talks about. My version was a lot less painful and only really applied when riding in a motor vehicle. Car sick was basically what I got. If I ate it was much less of a problem.......

How about feeling like you have run a marathon when in fact you have only walked from the kitchen to the bedroom??? Yeah, and that's only like 10 feet??? You constantly sound like that person that is extremely bored or feeling ignored when you**SIGH** sooo loud all the time =)!! I had to make sure I told Joe that I wasn't doing it because of him....I literally could NOT stop =)

I really don't want you all to think I'm complaining....I'm not, this has been the most rewarding experience. Every time I feel her kick or roll, or any time I get Joe to feel her - my heart just swells up and I want to cry =)....I never thought I would be doing this. And I really never thought I would be doing this with someone as wonderful as Joe. He's my rock =)....he keeps me sane and balanced. Didn't think that was possible, did ya???

I am still terrified. I walk into her room and look at her crib and try to imagine what she will look like sleeping there. I know Joe is going to be a good Dad, but I am soo scared that in some way I will screw up and this poor little girl is not going to have the Mom she deserves. I will love her with all my heart, I just hope I make good choices for her. It's so scary to think that someone else's life is going to be dependant on me. I haven't always done the right things or made really wise choices on everything, but I hope I can for her.......I'm almost making myself cry!!!

I have 3 more months to go.....it seems like forever but these past 6 have gone by soooo fast.....

I promise tonight I will post some ultrasound pics....

Holy Cow.......I hope you didn't hold your breath!!

I know...I know.....

I know that when I said I would resume my writing...none of you thought it would be 3 or 4 months from then.....all I can say is OOPSIE!!! After all of this is sort of explained(since we really don't have hours upon hours to read my life story) maybe....just MAYBE....some of this will all make sense!!

First.....I hope everyone had a fabulous 4th of July....even though it was wet =)!! I have to tell you about the little fireworks stand I saw a couple of days before....Now we all know that these stands come in all shapes and sizes..from the gigantic super Wal-Mart of fireworks stands with every kind of blow up, make loud noise, sparking masterpieces-right down to the lean-to on the side of some backwood's road that has maybe some things that pop and only has one of each item.....we have seen them all. Some have gas stations connected...hmmm...gas and fireworks??? Who's brilliant idea was that??? ANYWAY....some have little snack bars and air conditioning......If I have seen it, I'm sure you have.

We have even seen some of their awesome marketing campaigns and deals meant to entice you in.....example..the old BUY 1 GET 4 FREE.....uh yeah...not really a deal since the one you actually pay for is priced 6 TIMES what any other stand is charging...but you know there are people out there that think -

HOLY COW!!! I GET 4 FREE!!! WHOOOO HOOOOO!!!

Silly rabbit......

What I have never seen in my life what was what Joe and I ran across on Friday night......

It was about 9 pm or so and we decided it would be a good evening for a nice drive and to go get our fire power for the following evening.....We had been running our behinds off for the week, and the preceeding month prior. We got in the trusty Jeep and headed south down highway 55...The windows were open..you could hear the crickets start to sing the further south we went....We kept our eyes peeled for those cool circus tents full of fun........we saw none for about 15 miles or so....we reached Herculaneum and the first one I saw was Phantom Fireworks....if you are familiar with this place, you know it's like a giant warehouse full neat sparkly things =).....what I discovered from my view on the highway , was that hundreds of others had the same idea as Joe and I...there was a line OUTSIDE the building..it wrapped AROUND the parking lot, and they were waiting to get INSIDE!!!

NO THANK YOU>>>

We drove on........

Finally, we took the Farmington exit off the main highway and decided at the next light to turn around and head toward 61/67.....

That's when I saw it......

A small "lean-to" type stand connected to .......yep....a gas station/snack bar. It was small. There was room for one person to walk back and forth in front of the small selection they had....sort of resembled a carnival game stand......that wasn't what made me start cracking up....nope....not it at all.

In all my days, I have NEVER seen this and why they thought it was an awesome idea to bring in crowds, well....was WAY beyond me.....Set up in the right corner of the parking lot right next to the stand was........are you ready???.....I wasn't......

It was a.......

KARAOKE STAND .....

Yep, some dude out in the parking lot signing and inviting others to sing....I want to know WHO thought...

Fireworks and Karaoke = Good business!!!

Then again, I did say it was the Farmington exit......anything to make a buck?? Sad part was, the poor DJ dude was the only one participating...in fact, he was the only soul there.....sad, very sad.....I just had to share.

Now for some catch up for some of you......

I have been a very busy girl and Joe has been a very a busy boy.....most of you know already but for those that don't.....

WE ARE GOING TO BE PARENTS IN OCTOBER!!!

Yep. We are having a little girl. Joe was a little disappointed, as all guys probably are when they find out it's not a little boy that will be trailing behind them, but a sweet little girl instead =)

I am a little scared but Joe seems to be ready for her.

I have to say that he has been wonderful and I couldn't have a better man in my life. He's been patient, giving and all without complaint. He's the love of my life =)....

I will try better to stay on top of this and post some preggo pics and keep you updated!!! I missed writing here!!

LOVE YA!!

Taking a Break!!

I know you all tired of looking at the Valentine's Day post......I hear ya loud and clear!!! Fact is I am working on something spectacular and you'll just have to wait a little while longer!!! I did not forget about you, nor would I even dare!!! I'm just merely taking a break!! I hope to be back soon!!! Don't miss me too much =)

Valentine's Day......

I am your average everyday female.......well, maybe not.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day.....if you're female - you know this. If you're male and in a relationship of ANY kind - you better know this!!! UNLESS......you are my boyfriend, because if you are MY boyfriend then you already know that I think....

Valentine's Day is a Hallmark holiday!!!

YES!

You read that right!!! H-A-L-L-M-A-R-K Holiday!!!!

I actually feel badly for the masses of the male sex that run out like chickens with their heads cut off.....trying desperately to find that perfect gift for their mate. The whole hour between the time they get off work and the time they get home...is a mad dash through whatever mall or store is on their way home........I especially feel bad when I see them en masse at Walgreens pouring over the already scoured greeting cards, just looking for that one card left that doesn't say - "I love you Mom". They're usually standing 3 deep, reaching over each other, snatching card after card until they hit gold. THEN...comes the mad dash through the candy aisle where they dig like mad for a heart shaped box that is not crushed, torn, or smashed......and so on and so on....This same scene is played at the grocery stores where they do the previous but added to it is the florist department dig, petals every where.

I feel badly but I have to tell you, it's very comical!!

They do all of this in a sad attempt to please their female counter parts. Knowing that if they arrive empty handed, the wrath of all time will come crashing down around them. The crying will ensue, doors will be slammed, and things will be broken. It is their inevitable fate.

The interesting flip side to this is the female.....

While the males are doing their Valentine's Day freak out, the females are lying in wait like lionesses waiting to pounce. While they have been, what they think, as subtly dropping hints for two weeks about this love and romance filled day, they are POSITIVE their mate has forgotten. Secretly in their minds they are already forming the tirade that will no doubt happen when the men come home empty handed. The females are going over, in detail, EVERYTHING they have done for their mates....from home cooked meals to the lovingly red foil wrapped gift adorning the entertainment center......Then suddenly they start to imagine that the men actually put forth effort this year!!! It won't be like last and maybe they all got those diamond necklaces or earrings they hinted at.....just maybe!!!

Then the time comes.........

He walks in the door......

She excitingly runs to greet him......

He hugs her and hands her his hard fought for gifts - a rumpled card, box of no name chocolate, and roses that will die tomorrow......

She fakes a smile and says "oh...you remembered"........

It's the same scene played year after year. After many years, I came to a conclusion.......

I don't need a single day of the year for someone to prove to me that they love me.

Nope. I prefer to look at the little things that happen everyday. Such as:

Doing the dishes when I'm tired.

Washing my car because it's nice outside.

Throwing in a load of laundry cause you saw it needed to be done.

The hug and kiss for no particular reason.

These are the things you should be happy about, things you should be grateful for......not over priced flowers or candy that people feel forced to buy on this holiday that makes us all crazy!!!

If you're a guy and reading this....I know what you're thinking.....

THIS IS A TRICK!! If I listen to you...I'm a dead man!!!

If you're a gal and reading this....I know what you're thinking....

SHUT UP!!! I might get those diamonds this year!!!!

Don't bet on it.......

What happened to customer service????

I'm pretty sure you have a good idea on what I am going to write about today....uh huh....in fact, you're all probably bowing your heads in agony as I prepare to tell you the next chapter in my little on going saga with.............TA DA:

SOUTHTOWN DODGE!!!!

You knew it didn't you????

I'm sure you did, and if you didn't.......well then you haven't been paying attention.......

It all started with a single little sunroof.....it is now spiraling out of control....Let me refresh your memory......NO, wait.....if you need a memory refresher.....please go back and read a few of my older posts.....I'm all out of patience for rewriting the things I already wrote......I'm feeling a bit lazy these days...

I will start with Friday.....I wrote that my lovely sunroof is indeed, NOT fixed. Nope....not even close. SO.....I made the dreaded appointment for Tuesday( this past Tuesday, in fact) to take it in and YET AGAIN have it "looked at" by the incompetent staff at Southtown Dodge......at that same time, I also left a some what "pleasant" voicemail for one of the owners, asking her to return my call. THAT has not happened.......I am very annoyed by this on Monday.....but THAT was just the beginning, I was soon to learn....

My Monday evening came crashing down as I was driving home.....Imagine, if you will, a calm serene me(yes, it is possible) relaxing on my drive home.......SUDDENLY, my cell phone rings.......have any idea where this is going??? I answer the little beckoning device....

Me: Hello?

Voice: Hi! This is Eric from Enterprise Leasing.

Me: Yes?

Eric: I see here that you are bringing your vehicle in for service tomorrow and are in need of a rental?

Me: Yes, that is correct.

Eric: Well, there's been a little problem with tomorrow. It seems that we are short 5 or 6 cars for tomorrow.........

WAIT!! STOP RIGHT THERE!!! - Someone, PLEASE tell me how the biggest rental car company here in St. Louis can be OUT of cars??? Are you trying to tell me that every car in your inventory just happens to be rented on that one particular day?!?!?!?!? Really?!?!? COME ON!!!

Me: Are you serious?

Eric: Yes Ma'am, I was hoping that you could work with us..

Me: Work with you? I have to work that day, this is the 3rd time I am bringing my vehicle back there, and I have to have a car.

Eric: I understand Ma'am, but maybe we can give you a ride to work and hope that we get a car in that afternoon.....

WHAT?!?! So they wanted to drive me to work with NO guarantee that I would even get a car?!?!? Really?!?!? Are you kidding?!?!?

Me: I can't be stuck at work with no guarantee on how I'll get home or if I'll have a car.

Eric: Well, we could always play it by ear. You can drive up here in the morning and we can cross our fingers that someone drops one off early?

Is he completely an idiot??? Why would I get my butt out of bed EARLY, to drive up there and HOPE they have a car for me??? Knowing....that if they don't I'll have to reschedule......where's your brains, man????

Me: No, that won't work. I will call the service department and reschedule - due to your "lack" of cars.

Eric: Okay, thank you ma'am.

You would think THAT was the heart of my story......uh nope....guess again.

After I hung up with "Mr. I don't have any cars".....I called good old Southtown Dodge's service department. They are open until 7pm Monday - Friday. It was 6pm.......

The phone rang and rang for what seemed like forever. No answer. I tried this THREE times and got the EXACT same result each and every time. So I accepted the fact that I was just going to have to call back in the morning and reschedule. I was fine with that, not happy, but dealing.

Tuesday morning comes and I awake to a lovely little voicemail:

Eric: Hi, this is Eric from Enterprise. I just wanted to let you know, we still don't have any cars......

Like I would have expected anything else?!?!?

So off to work I go. We happened to be fairly busy during the day, so I did not get the opportunity to call to reschedule. Funny thing - nobody even called me to find out WHY I hadn't shown up.....Not that I'd expect them to, I guess........

I got off work at 5pm and figured I would call Southtown - YET AGAIN. First time I called it rang and rang and rang....then SUDDENLY a voice filled the other line!! It said:

Service. Please hold...........

and I did.....for 15 FREAKIN' minutes!!!! I had to listen to the most horrible muzak ever!!! Finally another voice came on the line:

Hi, how can I help you?

I explained to him my situation and he asked me to hold a second......THEN...I heard it!!! That deadly little click.........

I had been DISCONNECTED!!! UGH!!! Are you kidding me??? Really??? Now, I am angry. So I call back........rang and rang......got bounced to the receptionist TWICE!! FINALLY a different voice:

Service. Can you hold?

Do I have a choice??? No, I don't. I sit and I wait for the disconnect.......

Voice: How can I help you??

Luckily this time I got a nice service department lady who apologized - yes, I said apologized. It was a shock to me, as this has been the first one since all this started!!! She gladly rescheduled me and then placed me in the other owner's voicemail, where I left yet another message.

I just want to know - WHAT HAPPENED TO CUSTOMER SERVICE???

In this day and age, you would think that businesses need to keep the customers they have and do everything in their power to provide quality service to get customers to return. But NOT them. If I had a nother dealer close, I swear I would go there!!! I'm still waiting for my return call and I promise you this......If he doesn't return my call, I'm marching my happy butt in there to see one of them IN PERSON!!

POSTAL!!

This little post is going to be short but sweet!!!

I just wanted you all to know that if you hear a news report of some deranged customer going POSTAL at Southtown/South County Dodge.....Well.....IT'S ME!!!

I have had it.

I am SOOOOO angry I can't even see straight.

All of you know, by now, that I had to have my sunroof replaced. You also are aware of all the drama that has come along with it.......well we can add another little chapter today!

This afternoon was beyond beautiful. We finally had enough people here at work that I could actually take a lunch!! Whoo Hoo!!! So, I go out to my Jeep and I think to myself - Hey, I should open my new sunroof!!!

Wrong thing to do. I opened it and to my dismay, found out that it no longer opens all the way. NOW it only opens 2/3 of the way!! This beyond unacceptable!!! How can my sunroof go from open all the way to this and I'm just supposed to be ok with it??? I don't think so.

So I called. I got one of the service writers and I asked for the service manager. I was told he was out and could he return my call. The gentleman that answered my call was well aware who I was. I said that would be fine and then I asked who the service manager's supervisor or boss was. He tried to tell me that no one was above him?!? Really??? Do I appear to be that stupid? Come on. He tells me that corporate is the next step up........Right. So I said "ok, he can call me at......". Then I hung up. I IMMEDIATELY turned right around and called and got the receptionist. She was nice enough to give me the OWNER's name and place me in her voicemail.......corporate huh? Yeah, I got your number......I promptly left her message because she was out of the office for the day. I will be calling back on Monday. I placed my original call at 2:30 pm. It is now 5:40 pm and I have JUST gotten a return call and have made yet ANOTHER appointment to take it in.....UGH!!!!!

I'll let you know how that pans out on Monday!!!