Coming Up for Air

It feels so good to have a little breathing room at work right now.  Not a lot but hopefully the rest of the year will be easier and I can catch up.  My desk looks like a paper tornado went through so I'm trying to organize one thing a day in that area because I may disappear soon and I'd like them to know I'm there and still pay me.   We actually have a half day tomorrow before leaving for a volunteer event at the Atlanta Food Bank and then a happy hour so I'm pretty excited about that. This week was so calm I actually made it to the gym instead of working out at home.  Snaps for me. 

Ok...updates...

• Because you care so much so far I have changed my name with the Social Security Office, the DMV, sent off my Passport, gone to the bank to change my accounts, the gym, and put in the request at work (thank goodness they handle my licenses!). I still have my bills, the library, and any other cards I hold let alone all my shopping accounts.  It may never end. 
• Since I love bandwagons and being late to parties I finally ordered this face mask to try when I had my last Amazon Prime haul. I read where a girl that lives in Chicago was getting facials prepping for her wedding and her girl swore by this. She looks fancy people.  Her facial routine probably cost as much as my wedding. I was extra excited about this because I usually don't do masks and they remind me of my childhood and having beauty night with Mom. Clearly I will wake up and not need wrinkle cream anymore...or maybe still...

• It was Arnie's Gotcha Day anniversary yesterday.  Matt bought him a gigantic bone and to say thank you he threw up everywhere in the middle of the night.  I was against the bone so that meant I got out of carpet cleaning.
• Read this and this last week while it rained. 

Happy Wednesday! I'll work on some more interesting musings. 

the married gal

How is it Wednesday Already?

I'm sorry to be so woefully behind on blogging! There has been a lot of stuff going on that I have wanted to share.  It's safe to say that the last month has certainly been a lot more high stress than the vacation/unemployment stage but it's a mixed bag of stress. New job stress I like.  It's mainly just going through the stages of change. I like to think that at 30 I am getting better at this and tend to be more accepting of the whole concept.  Some is not so good stress.  

3 Putt and I have been a bit busy. Between work and a big tournament at the club last weekend we haven't had much time together. Since he is off for a boys weekend Thursday we had a lovely long date night at The Union in Alpharetta. It's super tucked away but the food is amazing and the pre-rain breeze really enticed us to the patio. I ate more than I should have. But the wine was good and the company even better so I'll have to make up the calories some other time. 

Can I also take a nerd moment to let you guys know (again) that I finally got my library card and seriously I am OBSESSED! I currently have a really decent commute time and I have been loving audio books. Seriously makes the commute a million times better. I even thought about sitting in the parking deck on lunch to get more time in with my current selection today. Again, sorry for the nerdiness. 

I'm seriously freaking out about this state exam I have to take Friday morning. I've been studying SO much but it's hard to make my brain work correctly after work. I've passes this test before but again -- freaked out. I just want to take it, pass it, and be done with it. Then I can enjoy life again. And read all my library books! But I feel like Friday will be here super soon and I need to leave you and study more!!! 

How is your week going? 

The Single Gal

Recap: The Single Gal Goes Back to Work

Well, I did it.  Monday marked my day of rejoining the working world.  Like most first days go it was very painless.  I was prepared for my decent commute with my audio book and a cup of coffee that I carefully sipped without spilling on my new office dress.  Obviously I was already off to a successful start and I hadn't even walked through the doors yet.  

Ended up in my gray office dress -- here was the pic once I got home (hence all the wrinkles). 

These people must think I am legit.  They are letting me order business cards and I have a laptop! And my boss already came up to let me know he wants me to go in and meet a client that will be in town this week on an account I will be working on with the team.  I work on the 23rd floor in a big building in Buckhead now which is such a different environment than where I was my last few claims jobs.  I think getting into the new routine is going to tire me out this week but I feel so happy and excited and blessed to have this opportunity.  Sad news -- I sat through a week long licensing class when I first started working claims and then took my adjuster's exam.  I now have to sit through the same class all next week and sit for an agent exam.  Sigh.  But very cool they are paying and letting me go during the work week -- some offices don't do that for you.  Everyone at the office was incredibly nice to me, especially my new boss.  I legit think we are going to really get along and that he will be a great mentor for me.  

Hey look it's my cube! Needs some decor. 

I am sure I will have some rough days ahead because I will be learning a lot and I am bound to make mistakes but for this week I am determined to hold on to my rosy and hopeful outlook for the future.  Thanks for all the sweet calls and emails and texts and tweets wishing me luck on my first day! Y'all really know how to make a girl smile.

I think the funniest part of the day was that the pay period ends on the 15th at my new company so I came home after one day of work and had a tiny paycheck in the mailbox already! 

~the single gal~

Guess I'll Go Eat Worms.

I don't even know where to start. It's been a helluva week and I am so seriously glad that it's Saturday and that means the week is almost over.  I feel like I have been pushed to my limits. I'll spare you all the dramatic/boring details and highlight some areas of interest: 

1. I've been counting calories again this week for the first time in a while.  It's not that I am really trying to lose weight, but I feel like it's been too long since I have been truly mindful of what I am putting in my body.  Nonetheless, I am pretty sure it's making me cranky.

2. This week, out of all weeks, is a terrible time to discover that your own family doesn't care about your time, nor do they think it's nearly as important as their time and what they need to get done.  

3. We spent this week with yet another trip to the vet. Poor Hogan Muffin cut his back footpad up outside while we were walking.  Like, serious gross road rash.  I was afraid of two things - a) that he was in some pain and b) that since it was open wound it would get infected. So, off to see Dr. Kraft we went.  On the bright side, we made it out for $100.  On the other side, I have to clean it twice a day, administer antibiotics twice a day, and put some sort of powder on it 2-3 times a day.  It's getting a lot better though.  And for the other stuff, well, there is always a snuggle with Baby Moose. 

4. I had 35 files transferred to me at work this week. Ugh. It is terrible to get these in bulk because you just can't get caught up in less than a week and your shit looks just plain disorganized.  The reason I got these files is so they could take someone else off rotation to assist people that are behind. Let me take a minute and vent on the "team" environment.  Working claims is hard. You have to be on top of your shit all day every day and manage your time well. The problem -- you are not rewarded for this in any office. You just keep taking punishment for those that can't keep up and in some instances, just don't care. I'm over it.  

On a positive note, I am trying to work really hard to resolve my "angry" feelings this week that won't seem to go away. But, at the same time, I don't have to feel guilty about these feelings. As my coworker said, "Feelings are not fatal."  So, if I want to walk around singing,  "Nobody likes me, everybody hates me, guess I'll go eat worms," all week I can. 

I grabbed these pretties at the store to cheer me up at home. And to make the house seem cleaner and more organized {which it is not}.  The color pink makes everything better. Most of the time.  Also, stay tuned for my review of The Optimist which is chef Ford Fry's newest venture in Atlanta.  Going tonight to shake this week off {even if 3 Putt totally forgot about these plans...}.  Le sigh. 

And I do love all you readers. Totally mean it. 

~the single gal~

'Cause You Know, Things Will Change, If Ya Hold On For One More Day

 I'm not going to lie, things are not super in my world right now.  First -- work has been incredibly stressful.  We had a RIF (Reduction In Force, I think? Maybe?) about two weeks ago and the girl that sits across from me was let go among other people I knew.  I still have the sadz about it all.  And, let's face it. As a person riddled with general anxiety throw in the fact that I really don't have much job security right now because I am pretty sure my lovely, small insurance company that I work for (and love!) is going under has really, really, increased my anxiety. Work didn't get any better last week when we had a rep out sick on my team on the two busiest days of the week.  I am still trying to get my head above water. I have been getting to work at 7 a.m. and either working through my lunch break (not that my customers appreciate any of this) and staying late, too. 

So, networking is basically in full force a) because of my New Year's Resolution and b) because at the end of the day, I have to feed Hogan Muffin and pay his rent.  This uses a lot of energy and brain power I don't always have after I come home from work which is causing me a lot of frustration.   I don't want to have to rent my house and move back in with my parents if I fall on super hard times. Even though they are awesome and would let me. (See, I am already at a worst-case-scenario in my mind!)

You want more stress? I got it.  I am working super hard with The Housewife and other bridesmaids to host a bridal shower for Little A and plan her Bachelorette (Because these events Must. Be. Perfect. for my dear friend).  And, surely the world and Little Baby Jesus know I should be devoting all my time to this and not worrying about work.  Lucky for me, The Housewife must have been a party planner in another life.  She routinely talks me off the ledge just about every day about something I am freaking out about.   I am sure I am annoying her because everything is probably really in order and I just make it stressful on myself by worrying too much.  Like having anxiety about the postage I put on the shower invites because the envelope was a weird shape.  No seriously, this stuff keeps me awake at night. 

I've also gained 5 lbs since Christmas. FIVE. WTH.  

I've also seen 3 Putt a bit. Again.  Ok, a lot. Since before Christmas. WTH. 

Y'all -- I can't even get any sleep lately.  I had an awful time sleeping this past weekend and last night I think I barely slept at all.  I am a scary, mean, nasty person when I don't get enough sleep.  

Not on purpose.  It's just that I am So. Damn. Tired. 

I promise to check back in soon.  If you follow on Twitter you know I have a dinner date I've been semi-waiting on for almost 2 years now. More on this after I get some real sleep. Or buy some Tylenol PM to medically induce the sleep I can't have. 

Love you. Mean it. 

~psycho, sleepless, Single Gal~