Thursday, October 29, 2015

October CRAZINESS Rundown

 So this month has been SUPER crazy for me (as well as the other looney tunes that I live with). Here's a brief rundown:


  • My family and I moved from Georgia to Texas
  • I received more product reviews than anticipated
  • My daughter started at a new school
  • My husband (who had previously worked from home) started a new position
  • I also started working outside of the home
  • I'm ending this month out with completing a Spartan Race
Now all of that just in a brief cliff note doesn't seem so bad, right?! But it's all of the little details....

  1. Moving from Georgia to Texas- Working out the $$ details with the Property we were living in so they wouldn't evict us before our actual moveout date. Having to sell off furniture because you know the new property won't be able to fit your oversized furniture nor will the moving truck you're trying to get. Finding the cheapest, yet reliable, moving truck company to haul all of our stuff....FYI- DO NOT use Budget Rental. They may be cheaper but they don't guarantee a truck size on your actual reservation day. So what's the point of even asking me what size I need?! #ugh Plus if they only have a bigger size, you still have to pay the difference even though it's not your fault. Another #ugh. Getting a call a few days before moving that the person you thought you'd be crashing with for a couple weeks until your apartment was ready is trying to hit you up for $$$$$$$$$. Needless to say last minute adjustments to that whole thing because we're pinching pennies here. The 13hour straight drive with a copilot (my 11year old daughter) who slept most of the way.
  2. More product reviews than I anticipated- They were all either delayed, sent to the wrong address or are somewhere in the abyss. I did a temporary change of address months ago to the first place we were supposed to staying ( reference#1 above:the one that wanted the whole bank), then had to change it a day before we left to the new temporary address, but it didn't take affect until a week after we arrived in Texas. Then I had to change it to our now permanent address....Needless to say, I'm sure the Postmaster is confused and highly upset with me.
  3. My daughter starting a new school- The old school originally told us that the withdrawal forms could be completed her last day of school. "Just come in; it's an easy and quick process" So we did just that. We get there on her last day to withdraw her (a Friday) and the Registrar tell us that it won't be processed until the following Monday or Tuesday and for us to come back then. (insert my mean face here) Ok, what?! We kindly explained to her that we were leaving 5am Monday so that would not be a possibility. (insert her blank stare here). Plus the new school in Texas wants a lot of new student and transfer paperwork that we just didn't have.
  4. My husband started a new position- For the past 2 years I have been blessed to have my husband work from home. I absolutely love spending time with him and I had gotten use to seeing him hard at work at our kitchen table. Unfortunately, it wasn't paying the bills as much as we would've liked or hoped. So when he got offered a promotion within the same company umbrella, we jumped at it. So we packed up and headed west. Only thing is his start date kept getting pushed back and in the mean time his paychecks were adding up to zero. So that meant eating, sitting and sleeping on the floor since we sold most of our furniture (reference#1, yea probably could've kept some of it since we ended up getting a bigger truck).
  5. I started working outside the home- Since getting married 5 years ago, I have been fortunate enough to be allowed to be a stay at home mom and wife. My husband's income previously had always been enough. He always told me that it was my choice if I wanted to work outside of the home, but I didn't have to. He would take care of me. I love him for that. I've been working since I was 15 years old. When I was a single mom, I sometimes would work 2-3 jobs just to keep my children fed and a roof over our head. The struggle to maintain was hard. So when my Prince Charming came and offered this, of course I took advantage of it. Despite my husband's promotion and pay increase, I decided to go back to work to speed up our financial savings plan and retirement agenda. (Hawaii here we come!) So now re-entering the workforce has been hard. Primarily because I was trying to make sure I'm able to get the hours that don't disrupt our family time and lifestyle. Also trying not to be self conscious about the fact that I'm a 40 year old woman competing for the same positions as the whippersnappers half my age.
  6. The Spartan Race- Enough said. 
Now before you start feeling sorry for me or think I'm over here having a pity party...stop and read on....

  1. Moving from Georgia to Texas- Our previous property was absolutely excellent in working with our situation and time crunch. We were able to sell and/giveaway what we needed to and kept the rest...which did all fit in the bigger truck we got stuck with. The actual drive itself wasn't as bad as we thought it would be. The weather was nice and since my 11 year old copilot slept most of the way, it gave me the opportunity to have a mini Beyonce and Mariah Carey karaoke contest with myself....a lot better than 13 hours of Disney show tunes. Also because we have the best extended family in the world, we were able to find a better and bigger temporary living situation for ZERO dollars. Our host was more than accommodating and was a true Godsend.
  2. More product reviews than I anticipated-   PurAthlete EndurancePurAthlete Regenerate, Urbal DermarootLemmings2Lions Pure Triple Strength Omega3 Fish OilResearch Verified Omega 3...just to name a few. Although it was a bit rough tracking everything, I am more than pleased with everything I received. Sure, there are a few things still in limbo, but I just look at it as surprise freebies that I'll be receiving soon.To see my complete review of the products I did receive follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook +fatfatgonefit . (yes, shameless plug). 
  3. My daughter starting a new school- Miraculously, it actually didn't take until the next week for the withdrawal paperwork to get processed. My daughter came home with the forms at the end of that same day. So the following week, we nervously show up to the new school with the paperwork we did have, which was only 3 out of the 6 things they requested....guess what they accepted it; no questions asked! Plus it turns out that the new school is one of the best schools in the area and feeds into a high school that is in the top 1% in the country! 
  4. My husband started a new position- Yes, I had to get use to the idea of him not being around constantly, but honestly this promotion has been such a huge blessing. This position seemed to be designed specifically for him. It marries his two areas of expertise: Professional Training/Employee Development and the Financial Industry. The pay increase and all of the other company perks more than make up for the time lost.  So although his original start date got pushed by a couple of weeks, we have no ill feelings about it now. It gave us the time we needed to acclimate ourselves to the new environment and explore the city before all of the busyness of work life. 
  5. I started working outside the home- At first when I put my resumes out there, all I heard were crickets. Not a peep or if I did get a response back it wasn't an ideal employer, location or work schedule. I finally landed to a place that I think I'll enjoy that has a mix of old geezers like myself and young bucks. The location and work schedule fits our family life perfectly. The pay is pretty decent to say the least (Hawaii here we come!). Added bonus it's right in the middle of upscale cafes and coffee shops, cheap eclectic eateries and a 24 hour gym. Let's see which I frequent more. LOL
  6. The Spartan Race- This will be the last race (thank GOD) this year to complete my Trifecta. This race a bit more special to my husband and I because our daughter will also be racing this weekend in the Kid's Spartan race. We're so excited to see her accomplish this obstacle course race and push past her limits.
So although this month has had it's challenges, it has turned out to be a true testimony of faith and patience. I'm anxious to see what next month brings....hopefully some peace and quiet.