Well, I must say my life doesn't seem to ever be dull. So far it seems ever since I got back from College I have made pretty drastic changes year after year. These changes are always a pretty big deal. I will fully admit having to make such decisions every year is getting exhausting. I would love to finally be able to plant my roots somewhere and just stay there for awhile and be able to relax and make more simple changes instead. Well, I am not quite there yet but I know eventually I will be. This year can mark another year where I am faced with making another decision that could potentially change the direction of my original thought out plan since moving back here to Colorado.My original plan since coming back was to work with this current company for a year or two, gain the experience and then take an adventure somewhere. Colorado is not a place I can or will consider my forever home. Frankly, I do not like this state. I grew up here, I should love it! I am far from loving it I'm afraid...
So, here I am a few weeks ago doing what I do best and trying to make a living at what I enjoy... I received an e-mail. This e-mail was a job opportunity, a company I worked for prior who came to me directly asking me to come back. Now before I get into detail let me give you the low down...
I am currently working on 100% commission however, I am designing kitchen and bathrooms and creating these great relationships that I LOVE! These projects are what makes everything worth while. I will say I am extremely proud of myself for taking a leap of faith and having the confidence to jump into this job like I did. This type of work I do is almost always a commission sales type of industry so It is hard to get away from that and I will fully admit when $ is good, its good....but when nothing is coming in, its bad. Even if you span your commissions out to compensate, sometimes still.....you run into a little trouble when you get into what they call a "Dry Spell". So, in case anyone was wondering...I have hit this Dry Spell in the last couple months. Even going through this, I continued to tell myself that things are going to get better because I truly felt that this year is going to be busy in this industry and with this company and I was not going to let this get me down. This type of up and down finance struggle is typical in the first 2 years of starting out on pure commission with a dealer so I knew it was not going to be easy. Knowing this, I was going to push through it like a champ!
Now, you can imagine....I was not looking for any other opportunity, but that e-mail fell into my lap just at this impeccable timing. This opportunity would still allow me to design, however not be as creative as I am now in my current job. I would not have the 1 on 1 with clients, contractors, custom home builders as I do now. I would not have the freedom to leave the office to go on measures, job sites, or shopping for finishes with my clients. I would not be managing my own projects but more or less managing Spec home plans and designing kitchen and bath layouts for a large home builder and picking out color schemes for model homes. I would have a cubicle, I would work under a corporate environment, I would have health insurance, a 401K, vacation, and sick time. M-F 8-5 job with a really good salary. Keeping in mind, I have worked for this company before, this company did lay me off at one point which lead me to move to Indiana. I did love my boss, she was great and I did enjoy working for them. The question is...do I want to go back? It is a great opportunity and the timing is unbelievable. This is why I feel like I should not ignore this offer. This offer financially gives me the ability to not stress on what my paycheck is going to be every week or month or if I am even going to get one! I also will have health insurance that I currently am paying out of pocket for that covers absolutely nothing.The problem...I cannot suppress my creative urge that my current job provides and I know if I leave this job, I am going to miss it in a way. All this time I have worked my ass off, building relationships I would just be walking away from....these are MY projects and I am emotionally attached to them. I don't want to walk away from my current projects or these clients whom have put there trust in me.
Logically, I know what the "right" choice is and that is to take the other job opportunity and if I don't take it most will probably think of me as an idiot. I do not want anyone to think I am complaining either. I feel so blessed that both companies take pride in my work and want me to work for them. I have worked 8 years in this industry and I am so glad that my work is being recognized and appreciated. I know hard work and determination does pay off. I picked a very specific industry, a hard industry but you know what? I love this industry and I cannot see myself doing anything else.
In the end, I have to do whats best for me...right now. Do I follow my heart? or do I follow my head? It may come down to flipping a coin! Is another job change in store?
Stay tuned for the final decision!!
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
28 IS GONNA BE GRrr8T!
February 1, 2013... my 28th Birthday!
By far the Best Birthday I could have EVER asked for. It started off when I got up in the morning and my sister had left little notes around the house. One on my bathroom mirror saying Happy Birthday, the second one in the refrigerator on my breakfast shakes, and then one on my car window. I was in such a good mood I didn't even care I was running late to work, I just took my time and enjoyed dancing and singing to music in my car on my way into work! I was not going to let anything ruin this day!
Never before had I been surprised other than my 21st Birthday but this year definitely tops the cake! I remember thinking earlier in the week before bed one night that the best gift I could ever get on my birthday would be to see my bestie. Now, I had no idea that my bestie, boyfriend, and sister had been planning for a month to surprise me. Actually to be honest, I didn't even think anyone was really planning anything for my Birthday. I had been asked what I wanted to do, which was eat Italian food, drink some wine, and have desert. Nothing big and fancy and not a bar scene! I of course took matters into my own hands on my Birthday when at that point no one had said anything about dinner or having plans so I decided to make reservations for dinner at the OG (Olive Garden) on my own. Well, I pretty much got text-slapped by my sister telling me to stop planning my own dinner and not to worry about a thing!
After arriving home from a long day at work, my sister and I had to rush to get ready for dinner. I normally run into my room when I get home, but this time I was already dressed and needed to freshen up the make up and brush the teeth so I didnt bother. My sister eventually scolded me and told me to go into my room, there I found a GIANT Bear that my sister got me with a card! The card was adorable and the Bear was almost bigger than me. I named him Carl! He sits in the chair in my room now :o)
We did have dinner at the OG, while waiting on my lovely boyfriend John to arrive my sister, mom, and her husband Mike just chatted and drank wine. John had mentioned he may be late due to work, which was a bit odd because he rarely ever works late so I had a hunch he may be up to something. I happened to turn around at one point and notice John walking in with flowers, it was so sweet! but then right behind him was my Bestie....I was in total shock at that point and even had to do a double take! OMG My Bestie was HERE!! I seriously wanted to cry but couldn't because I was in shock and in disbelief more than anything else. No one has ever put that much effort and thought into my birthday before and I felt so loved and blessed at that point. Needless to say dinner was amazing and I really enjoyed all the gifts I received as well as the great dinner and conversation about how the surprise was set up and how it all went down. Words really cannot explain the extreme happiness I was feeling that night.
My Birthday festivities did not end that night either, I was told another surprise awaiting me the next morning but I had to wake up early. Waking up early on the weekends is not something I am normally thrilled about, but I went with it of course and it was a bit odd driving to this secret place the next day not really knowing where I was headed to. I did end up guessing as we got closer. CANVAS AND COCKTAILS!! I had planned to do this over Christmas when Ashley was supposed to be here to visit but her flight got canceled so they set it up for my Birthday. It was soooo much fun! My sister, Ashley, and our friend Sara enjoyed the morning painting a cute little owl. I highly recommend it to anyone who has not done this yet! I am doing it again soon I enjoyed it so much. It did last a bit longer than we had anticipated, my sister had to leave afterwards and Ashley, Sara, and I went to have lunch at the Cherry Cricket. We collected a few cupcakes while waiting for a table from the GIGI's Cupcake Mobile! We waited for about 40 minutes for a table and by then we were just starving. By the time we got done eating it was about 3:30 in the afternoon. With most of the day shot, Sara left home and Ash and I went to see her mom. It was so nice to see Jan and Marley again! I have missed them and I need to make more of an effort to see them more often. Shortly into the visit Ashley sister in law came by with her nephew Talen and we visited probably for a good 1/2 hour before we needed to leave to come back home.
Just when I thought the surprises were over with, I was told something else was planned for 8pm that night. When we got back from visiting Jan, I was so tired and apparently needed a nap because I passed out upstairs in my room. I got a good 1/2 hour nap in before having to get up and get ready for the night time festivities. Little did I know I was going to have a serious closet melt down. I was told to dress up, and frankly I absolutely hate my dress up clothes and nothing was making me look/feel good or pretty so I was getting extremely frustrated and had to settle for something since we were already running late at this point. John and Ally had set up a get together for dinner at Maggiano's downtown and afterwards getting together at this bar called "The Front Porch". Day 2 of Italian food!! Whoo Hoo! Most of Johns friends were there, and the other friends of "mine" that were invited canceled which is no big surprise to me actually. I really do not have many friends here in Denver that I can actually say I am close to or whom I talk to regularly. This is a very sad fact to be honest, but Ashley and I are the only two who I can confidently say we put equal effort into being friends and always have. Anyone else I may be social with, the effort just isnt there on my end or theirs so I know I am half to blame.Its hard to form new friendships here, everyone already is set in their lives with "their" people and I am also busy with my life and when I am not busy I am usually with my babe. Anyway, overall though we were tired It was a good night out and I enjoyed visiting with everyone. I was getting much heat with not drinking more than One drink and having to drive back home. To me, it was no big deal! I don't usually drink that much and my bestie was visiting so naturally we needed to get back home and since we drove in my new car and I have a hard time handing my keys over to others I truly did not mind lol.
Sunday...I did absolutely nothing! I was exhausted and Ashley had some other visiting to do it was also the day of the Super Bowl....Ummm nope! Pretty sure my sister and I just watched random movies during this time. We did watch the half time show with Beyonce and browsed through the commercials but even then the commercials were a bit lame this year. I also hear the game was not very exciting either so I am glad I didn't miss much. John went over to spend super bowl with his buds that I was also invited to, but I decided staying home was more appealing :)
It is now Wednesday....My bestie has left on her way back to Charleston driving with her sister in law. I am glad her and I made time Tuesday night to go have dinner at the Red Lobster and get a drink at Chili's. I am really going to miss her. It was so nice being able to have my bestie here! There have been so many times I wish I could have been able to call her up and just go hang out.I don't really have that person here to do that with so there are those difficult times. Living with my sister has helped with that though and I am so Thankful for that! Sometimes a girl just needs to have girl time!
So...I really just want to thank everyone involved in my birthday this year. I feel so blessed and loved. It has been unforgettable! I just know 28 is going to be FANTASTIC and I am really looking for to it! Cheers to this year!!
By far the Best Birthday I could have EVER asked for. It started off when I got up in the morning and my sister had left little notes around the house. One on my bathroom mirror saying Happy Birthday, the second one in the refrigerator on my breakfast shakes, and then one on my car window. I was in such a good mood I didn't even care I was running late to work, I just took my time and enjoyed dancing and singing to music in my car on my way into work! I was not going to let anything ruin this day!
Never before had I been surprised other than my 21st Birthday but this year definitely tops the cake! I remember thinking earlier in the week before bed one night that the best gift I could ever get on my birthday would be to see my bestie. Now, I had no idea that my bestie, boyfriend, and sister had been planning for a month to surprise me. Actually to be honest, I didn't even think anyone was really planning anything for my Birthday. I had been asked what I wanted to do, which was eat Italian food, drink some wine, and have desert. Nothing big and fancy and not a bar scene! I of course took matters into my own hands on my Birthday when at that point no one had said anything about dinner or having plans so I decided to make reservations for dinner at the OG (Olive Garden) on my own. Well, I pretty much got text-slapped by my sister telling me to stop planning my own dinner and not to worry about a thing!
After arriving home from a long day at work, my sister and I had to rush to get ready for dinner. I normally run into my room when I get home, but this time I was already dressed and needed to freshen up the make up and brush the teeth so I didnt bother. My sister eventually scolded me and told me to go into my room, there I found a GIANT Bear that my sister got me with a card! The card was adorable and the Bear was almost bigger than me. I named him Carl! He sits in the chair in my room now :o)
We did have dinner at the OG, while waiting on my lovely boyfriend John to arrive my sister, mom, and her husband Mike just chatted and drank wine. John had mentioned he may be late due to work, which was a bit odd because he rarely ever works late so I had a hunch he may be up to something. I happened to turn around at one point and notice John walking in with flowers, it was so sweet! but then right behind him was my Bestie....I was in total shock at that point and even had to do a double take! OMG My Bestie was HERE!! I seriously wanted to cry but couldn't because I was in shock and in disbelief more than anything else. No one has ever put that much effort and thought into my birthday before and I felt so loved and blessed at that point. Needless to say dinner was amazing and I really enjoyed all the gifts I received as well as the great dinner and conversation about how the surprise was set up and how it all went down. Words really cannot explain the extreme happiness I was feeling that night.
My Birthday festivities did not end that night either, I was told another surprise awaiting me the next morning but I had to wake up early. Waking up early on the weekends is not something I am normally thrilled about, but I went with it of course and it was a bit odd driving to this secret place the next day not really knowing where I was headed to. I did end up guessing as we got closer. CANVAS AND COCKTAILS!! I had planned to do this over Christmas when Ashley was supposed to be here to visit but her flight got canceled so they set it up for my Birthday. It was soooo much fun! My sister, Ashley, and our friend Sara enjoyed the morning painting a cute little owl. I highly recommend it to anyone who has not done this yet! I am doing it again soon I enjoyed it so much. It did last a bit longer than we had anticipated, my sister had to leave afterwards and Ashley, Sara, and I went to have lunch at the Cherry Cricket. We collected a few cupcakes while waiting for a table from the GIGI's Cupcake Mobile! We waited for about 40 minutes for a table and by then we were just starving. By the time we got done eating it was about 3:30 in the afternoon. With most of the day shot, Sara left home and Ash and I went to see her mom. It was so nice to see Jan and Marley again! I have missed them and I need to make more of an effort to see them more often. Shortly into the visit Ashley sister in law came by with her nephew Talen and we visited probably for a good 1/2 hour before we needed to leave to come back home.
Just when I thought the surprises were over with, I was told something else was planned for 8pm that night. When we got back from visiting Jan, I was so tired and apparently needed a nap because I passed out upstairs in my room. I got a good 1/2 hour nap in before having to get up and get ready for the night time festivities. Little did I know I was going to have a serious closet melt down. I was told to dress up, and frankly I absolutely hate my dress up clothes and nothing was making me look/feel good or pretty so I was getting extremely frustrated and had to settle for something since we were already running late at this point. John and Ally had set up a get together for dinner at Maggiano's downtown and afterwards getting together at this bar called "The Front Porch". Day 2 of Italian food!! Whoo Hoo! Most of Johns friends were there, and the other friends of "mine" that were invited canceled which is no big surprise to me actually. I really do not have many friends here in Denver that I can actually say I am close to or whom I talk to regularly. This is a very sad fact to be honest, but Ashley and I are the only two who I can confidently say we put equal effort into being friends and always have. Anyone else I may be social with, the effort just isnt there on my end or theirs so I know I am half to blame.Its hard to form new friendships here, everyone already is set in their lives with "their" people and I am also busy with my life and when I am not busy I am usually with my babe. Anyway, overall though we were tired It was a good night out and I enjoyed visiting with everyone. I was getting much heat with not drinking more than One drink and having to drive back home. To me, it was no big deal! I don't usually drink that much and my bestie was visiting so naturally we needed to get back home and since we drove in my new car and I have a hard time handing my keys over to others I truly did not mind lol.
Sunday...I did absolutely nothing! I was exhausted and Ashley had some other visiting to do it was also the day of the Super Bowl....Ummm nope! Pretty sure my sister and I just watched random movies during this time. We did watch the half time show with Beyonce and browsed through the commercials but even then the commercials were a bit lame this year. I also hear the game was not very exciting either so I am glad I didn't miss much. John went over to spend super bowl with his buds that I was also invited to, but I decided staying home was more appealing :)
It is now Wednesday....My bestie has left on her way back to Charleston driving with her sister in law. I am glad her and I made time Tuesday night to go have dinner at the Red Lobster and get a drink at Chili's. I am really going to miss her. It was so nice being able to have my bestie here! There have been so many times I wish I could have been able to call her up and just go hang out.I don't really have that person here to do that with so there are those difficult times. Living with my sister has helped with that though and I am so Thankful for that! Sometimes a girl just needs to have girl time!
So...I really just want to thank everyone involved in my birthday this year. I feel so blessed and loved. It has been unforgettable! I just know 28 is going to be FANTASTIC and I am really looking for to it! Cheers to this year!!
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