Hello, today I finally got enough courage to start getting the house into sale mode. I started in our gross kitchen. I was inspired after I realized that my blinds could actually be washed after about 7 years. I went through all the cupboards and organized our stuff (I want to give the impression that the house has good storage). I also washed the walls, took the stuff of the counter and removed all pictures from the refrigerator. I was impressed in the end of the day that the kitchen actually looked decent. That is if you are not into stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops or a walk in pantry.
Tomorrow we are going to tackle the lawn, flowers and ultimate curb appeal. We have a lot of work to do. I figured if I pick rooms each day, I will just make it before I leave for Harrisburg. It is a good process to come to terms with vacating the house.
We have been receiving a nice reaction about leaving. People generally seem sad that we are moving out of Michigan. We are also excited as the reception coming into PA has been so warm. It is a weird time as we are still half into Michigan and half in PA.
STAGING THE HOUSE
I want to see if the hundreds of hours of watching HGTV will pay off in my knowledge about staging. My husband thinks I am nuts but I am convinced that I am a designer brought in to get this house sold. I have visions of how to lay out the furniture, cover up little issues and find creative ways to use non personal artwork that was not worthy of making the walls before. It's kind of like a Design on a Time and Sell Your House episode.
UPDATE ON MY JOB STATUS
My references and drug screen came back fine and all the company is waiting for is my background check. I don't know why I am nervous. I just think what happens if someone stole my identity and did bad things. Maybe I was off on a date or two. I mean I can't actually remember the exact year I graduated from my Masters Program or the exact amount I was paid at a position 12 years ago. Let's just hope everything works out. I mean as far as I know, I am not a criminal, I did work where I said I did and I did attend and graduate college. I guess I am ok...
REALIZATION
My house is super cute - we fell in love with it when we saw it so there is no reason to believe that someone else will not have the same feelings - at least we hope. Realization 2 - HGTV makes everything seem easy and fast. It took me 7 hours doing unglamorous work and I still have 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1 office, 1 dinning room and 1 living room and 1 family room and 1 laundry room, 1 garage and a basement to go... oooh that is alot of days. Realization 3 - I am sure my background check is fine ---
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
DAY 88 - WHY AM I SO SORE?
I have moved into transition phase where I am thinking of household projects and how to stage the house nicely for sale. I don't want to do anything too drastic until I know that my background check is complete. I am weird about things like this. I also came to the realization that I will be starting work, if all goes alright in a week from Monday. I think I better try to push it back cause I am not sure I am going to get everything done. I was thinking that May 10 was in two weeks when it really is about 10 days.
MASSAGE
I went to get a massage because I joined Massage Envy, which is a monthly plan that offer inexpensive massages. I love it but some how have not kept up and have three massages to take. Listen I am not complaining because I love them. Any opportunity for someone to rub my back and feet - I am taking - no questions asked. I was especially looking forward to it today since I have been running alot and I think I hurt my ankle a little. I usually go to this great gal, but she broke her foot and will be off for another month. I went to a different masseuse thinking everything was fine since I like a ight touch and relaxing opposed to deep muscle. Well, she went to town on me. She was intrigued with my stress balls in my neck and some how leaving I feel very sore. Is that right? I wanted therapeutic and relaxing not car crash and paralysis.
THE KITCHEN
I am picking off one room at a time to get prepared for the sale. I am going to clean it up and stage it. I decided to start with the kitchen. The challenge is that this kitchen has 1967 cabinets and appliances. I thought I would capture the retro charm that is so in style now - or at least I tell myself that. Years ago, I bought window cell shades to allow the light to peek in and provides an airy feeling. I didn't realize how scummy they get from years of food splatter. For years, I have stared at these gross levelers. It occurred to me today, maybe I can clean them? I looked it up on the Internet and there were the directions to remove spots and grime. I went to my local K-Mart (hate this store) and picked up the cleaning products which was generally a white sponge and upholstery cleaner. I was so excited about my find that I tested it on one of the shades. It cleaned up beautifully. So basically I have settled for dirty blinds because I was too stupid to figure out how to clean them. I am gross and my house will look better as we move then when we lived in it = pretty pathetic.
Realization
I guess I should be happy that I can get massages - even a bad one is better than not having one at all. I think I will try someone else next time. I am finding myself doing a lot of head circles and hearing that crunchy noise. Realization two - I need to take better care of my next house but next time you can rest assure that I buy the proper window coverings.
MASSAGE
I went to get a massage because I joined Massage Envy, which is a monthly plan that offer inexpensive massages. I love it but some how have not kept up and have three massages to take. Listen I am not complaining because I love them. Any opportunity for someone to rub my back and feet - I am taking - no questions asked. I was especially looking forward to it today since I have been running alot and I think I hurt my ankle a little. I usually go to this great gal, but she broke her foot and will be off for another month. I went to a different masseuse thinking everything was fine since I like a ight touch and relaxing opposed to deep muscle. Well, she went to town on me. She was intrigued with my stress balls in my neck and some how leaving I feel very sore. Is that right? I wanted therapeutic and relaxing not car crash and paralysis.
THE KITCHEN
I am picking off one room at a time to get prepared for the sale. I am going to clean it up and stage it. I decided to start with the kitchen. The challenge is that this kitchen has 1967 cabinets and appliances. I thought I would capture the retro charm that is so in style now - or at least I tell myself that. Years ago, I bought window cell shades to allow the light to peek in and provides an airy feeling. I didn't realize how scummy they get from years of food splatter. For years, I have stared at these gross levelers. It occurred to me today, maybe I can clean them? I looked it up on the Internet and there were the directions to remove spots and grime. I went to my local K-Mart (hate this store) and picked up the cleaning products which was generally a white sponge and upholstery cleaner. I was so excited about my find that I tested it on one of the shades. It cleaned up beautifully. So basically I have settled for dirty blinds because I was too stupid to figure out how to clean them. I am gross and my house will look better as we move then when we lived in it = pretty pathetic.
Realization
I guess I should be happy that I can get massages - even a bad one is better than not having one at all. I think I will try someone else next time. I am finding myself doing a lot of head circles and hearing that crunchy noise. Realization two - I need to take better care of my next house but next time you can rest assure that I buy the proper window coverings.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
DAY 87 - PEE IN THE CUP AND SHUT UP
As part of the background check process, I had to fill out a medical questionnaire and then go to a clinic for a drug test. The medical checklist felt weird because I have a sedentary job and knowing if I have hemorrhoids or constipation did not seem relevant. I felt strange wondering who was going to see this information. The company claims it goes to the medical department but you never know if your peers and subordinates will see this information. Nothing like losing immediate credibility if they know that you are incontinent. There was a space to fill out your height and weight. If I put down a model's weight, would they question me on it??? I guess you do what needs to be done to get the position.
The second part of the screen is to go for a drug test. There was a lab conveniently located near the house. I drove up to the building and thought, wow this is in a nice building. I went inside and the office was located in the basement. There were glass doors with normal businesses and then there was an ugly white door. It had the name of the lab but did not look like a door you were supposed to enter. It looked like it was to the broom closet. I tried to open the door and it felt locked. I then walked down the hall to see if I got the location wrong --- I did not. I went back to the maintenance door and opened it. It was in fact a waiting room - very uninviting.
I went up to the desk to be curtly greeted by a lab assistant who acted annoyed to be disturbed. She asked me if I had a form and I replied that I had a confirmation number. Before I could read it to her, she pulled the paper out of my hand and began to key it in the computer --- ok...
She then barked out an order for me to wash my hands - I did it. Then she told me to take the cup into the bathroom, fill it up 1/2 way with pee and not to flush the toilet. Yes maam.... I did not want to make her mad because she could mess with the results - if you know what I mean... As I was sitting on the toilet and filling up the cup, I wondered if people poop in there too? How embarrassing would that be since she did not want us to flush. She sort of deserved to flush a crap.
Once I was done, I came up with the sample and placed it on the wrong counter. Silly me for not wanting to parade pee in front of the reception of drug users on a specimen weekly check. She then, told me to wash my hands again - not sure why I had to do it again but I did. She made me initial the pee and be on my way. What a delightful experience? She was scary but I did not want to piss her off --no pun intended or was it.
Realization - I am sure the medical review is just a careful scan to ensure that everyone is physically and legally able to do their job. I am sure oompa loompas have a lifting restriction. Realization 2 - the lab assistant probably hates her job because all she does all day is to direct people to pee in a cup and gets sick of the stupid jokes we try to make to mask our embarrassment.
The second part of the screen is to go for a drug test. There was a lab conveniently located near the house. I drove up to the building and thought, wow this is in a nice building. I went inside and the office was located in the basement. There were glass doors with normal businesses and then there was an ugly white door. It had the name of the lab but did not look like a door you were supposed to enter. It looked like it was to the broom closet. I tried to open the door and it felt locked. I then walked down the hall to see if I got the location wrong --- I did not. I went back to the maintenance door and opened it. It was in fact a waiting room - very uninviting.
I went up to the desk to be curtly greeted by a lab assistant who acted annoyed to be disturbed. She asked me if I had a form and I replied that I had a confirmation number. Before I could read it to her, she pulled the paper out of my hand and began to key it in the computer --- ok...
She then barked out an order for me to wash my hands - I did it. Then she told me to take the cup into the bathroom, fill it up 1/2 way with pee and not to flush the toilet. Yes maam.... I did not want to make her mad because she could mess with the results - if you know what I mean... As I was sitting on the toilet and filling up the cup, I wondered if people poop in there too? How embarrassing would that be since she did not want us to flush. She sort of deserved to flush a crap.
Once I was done, I came up with the sample and placed it on the wrong counter. Silly me for not wanting to parade pee in front of the reception of drug users on a specimen weekly check. She then, told me to wash my hands again - not sure why I had to do it again but I did. She made me initial the pee and be on my way. What a delightful experience? She was scary but I did not want to piss her off --no pun intended or was it.
Realization - I am sure the medical review is just a careful scan to ensure that everyone is physically and legally able to do their job. I am sure oompa loompas have a lifting restriction. Realization 2 - the lab assistant probably hates her job because all she does all day is to direct people to pee in a cup and gets sick of the stupid jokes we try to make to mask our embarrassment.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
DAY 86 - REALITY SINKING IN
I got my offer packet today and reviewed all the information. I have to admit that I am excited. Now reality is sinking in... they want me to start on May 10th. I have been given a temporary living allowance and I am trying to perform miracles with this money. At least in my mind I thought this plan would work. I would stay in a dumpy efficiency and save my pennies. I would seek out the cheapest airfare and see the family every 2 weeks or so over the course of a month in a half. Now as I think about the reality of this plan - it already does not work -- chaching (that is the sound of money leaving my bank account). The first dilemma is that my daughter has her recital on Sunday, May 16 at 3:30 p.m. I just went out the week before. I approached the subject with her and then she got all weepy. Ok, the plan to skip the recital is down the drain. Then it is my birthday on May 21 - it seems kind of depressing to be alone on your birthday - alright - I can deal with this and stay in PA. Maybe I will get the forced mercy birthday celebration from new colleagues - awkward. Then I think the following week is labor or memorial day (that will be a long weekend - should be with the family). Then it is my brother in laws and soon to be sister in laws wedding - don't and can't miss that in mid June. I guess the story is that I have a lot of events coming up - yikes - too busy to work apparently.
LOCAL CONTACT
When we went down to check out PA as I told you, we hooked up with the head of the Jewish Community Center. He is a great guy that knows everyone. I wrote and told him that I would be coming down alone soon. I had been given two properties from the company to consider for temporary living in the area. He wrote back and gave me a name of a guy from the community that will rent me property for this purpose. I am supposed to call him. It feels really awkward -- I feel obligated to call and intrigued. What happens if this is just a vacant space that he has not been able to rent - or it sucks. I hope I did not get into something I can't get out of. I am sure it is fine - no I am not actually. It is weird how much trust I am putting in a man I barely know. Our only connection is that we are both Jewish....
REALIZATION - Plans in theory and plans in reality are two different things. Who am I kidding? I hate living in a dump and I have to see my family frequently. I don't want to miss Mother's Day, Recitals, Long Weekends and Weddings. I am going to make it work. So I don't eat.. I just bought a fancy dress for the wedding and a little less of me would probably work better. Realization 2 - I need to trust people as I am going to a new place. How bad can a fellow Jew steer another Jew? We will see... I am sure it is fine!! I mean he is taking a risk too - I could be a total psycho and he is laying his reputation on the line. The things we do for religion!!
LOCAL CONTACT
When we went down to check out PA as I told you, we hooked up with the head of the Jewish Community Center. He is a great guy that knows everyone. I wrote and told him that I would be coming down alone soon. I had been given two properties from the company to consider for temporary living in the area. He wrote back and gave me a name of a guy from the community that will rent me property for this purpose. I am supposed to call him. It feels really awkward -- I feel obligated to call and intrigued. What happens if this is just a vacant space that he has not been able to rent - or it sucks. I hope I did not get into something I can't get out of. I am sure it is fine - no I am not actually. It is weird how much trust I am putting in a man I barely know. Our only connection is that we are both Jewish....
REALIZATION - Plans in theory and plans in reality are two different things. Who am I kidding? I hate living in a dump and I have to see my family frequently. I don't want to miss Mother's Day, Recitals, Long Weekends and Weddings. I am going to make it work. So I don't eat.. I just bought a fancy dress for the wedding and a little less of me would probably work better. Realization 2 - I need to trust people as I am going to a new place. How bad can a fellow Jew steer another Jew? We will see... I am sure it is fine!! I mean he is taking a risk too - I could be a total psycho and he is laying his reputation on the line. The things we do for religion!!
Monday, April 26, 2010
DAY 85 - POST OFFER PROCESS
I have officially begun the post offer pre hire phase. This is the time where you have an offer contingent on background check, references and drug screen. I know I really don't have anything to worry about ... but I do... What happens that the one person they know who knows me doesn't like me? What happens if they change their mind .. cold feet? What happens if I was too much of a pain in the butt during negotiations? What happens if I ask too many questions? I am trying to balance my need to know and control everything with letting the process just move forward. I think I may just be crazy.. but I am only sharing it with my loyal followers.
Everyone has been coming up to me and congratulating me. It is hard to get too excited until all these checks are completed. I am cautiously happy but not moving forward on other activities that would in fact jinx the offer. I mean I should really be getting the house in order, buying some work clothing and saying my adieus... and I do nothing but the usual. I have always been superstitious and probably a little OCD too!!
My family has been super supportive and happy and yet sad that I am leaving. It is really nice that they are so proud of me. I find it funny that I am actually going to a smaller company doing the same role than my previous one. This company has a stronger name recognition so I guess it means something more to them. I sure hope I get a huge discount on chocolate cause everyone is hitting me up for some.
DOING HOMEWORK
I am writing this blog right now because my daughter has taken me over the edge. I have realized that I have no patience for homework and all the lame excuses she comes up with not to do it or drag it out. IT was a beautiful day today and she made an agreement with her dad that she would do her homework after her playdate and dance class... big mistake. Now she is whining that she is hot and tired and wants to do it in morning. Yet she does not want to wake up early to do it. After an episode with math homework which could totally be done in 5 minutes yet she managed to screw it up and it took over 20 minutes with a lot of mistakes... I lost it.. completely came unglued. I can't stand wasting time and shotty homework... I go nuts..... Thank goodness for some therapeutic blogging. Have I told all of you how much I appreciate teachers.. what an impossible job.
Realization - Therapy would be a good option for me. I have gotten so paranoid that the shoe is going to drop and spoil this opportunity - I even realize my mental illness. Realization 2 - I am not going to win mother of the year award tonight. I need to learn patience instead of freaking out on my daughter. Who is in control mommy or an eight year old? By the way as I am writing this, I was called into my bedroom because my daughter put two disks in the CD player and it sounded like the machine would blow up... this is my night... yikes.
Everyone has been coming up to me and congratulating me. It is hard to get too excited until all these checks are completed. I am cautiously happy but not moving forward on other activities that would in fact jinx the offer. I mean I should really be getting the house in order, buying some work clothing and saying my adieus... and I do nothing but the usual. I have always been superstitious and probably a little OCD too!!
My family has been super supportive and happy and yet sad that I am leaving. It is really nice that they are so proud of me. I find it funny that I am actually going to a smaller company doing the same role than my previous one. This company has a stronger name recognition so I guess it means something more to them. I sure hope I get a huge discount on chocolate cause everyone is hitting me up for some.
DOING HOMEWORK
I am writing this blog right now because my daughter has taken me over the edge. I have realized that I have no patience for homework and all the lame excuses she comes up with not to do it or drag it out. IT was a beautiful day today and she made an agreement with her dad that she would do her homework after her playdate and dance class... big mistake. Now she is whining that she is hot and tired and wants to do it in morning. Yet she does not want to wake up early to do it. After an episode with math homework which could totally be done in 5 minutes yet she managed to screw it up and it took over 20 minutes with a lot of mistakes... I lost it.. completely came unglued. I can't stand wasting time and shotty homework... I go nuts..... Thank goodness for some therapeutic blogging. Have I told all of you how much I appreciate teachers.. what an impossible job.
Realization - Therapy would be a good option for me. I have gotten so paranoid that the shoe is going to drop and spoil this opportunity - I even realize my mental illness. Realization 2 - I am not going to win mother of the year award tonight. I need to learn patience instead of freaking out on my daughter. Who is in control mommy or an eight year old? By the way as I am writing this, I was called into my bedroom because my daughter put two disks in the CD player and it sounded like the machine would blow up... this is my night... yikes.
Friday, April 23, 2010
DAY 84 - CANDYLAND IN GRASP
OFFER PROCESS
It is hard to believe but I got a verbal offer today - Day 84 (not counting weekends). I am really excited because it was a good one too!!! However, I have to stay cool cause I am not there yet. I still need to go through the background check and drug screen process. For some reason, I am nervous... why -- I don't do drugs (except I may have eaten a poppy seed bagel - isn't that always the excuse) and I have been very solid with my work history. But you never know... So I am happy but I am trying to stay calm until it is all complete, signed sealed and delivered.
I AM MOVING
The family is nervously excited about this opportunity but now we totally love our house. At least I do. I feel bad and am thinking will the next buyer be kind to the house? Will it be taken care of and appreciated? I am so weird... but there has been a lot of history in this home... It was our first place, we brought our puppies to this house, we brought our newborn daughter to this house, we bought real furniture for the house... wow ... sounds kind of pathetic as I write about it.
REALIZATION
I am close to the end of this journey and this blog (thank g-d - totally running out of material). It seems so strange how this is working out -- I would have never guessed this outcome but I am strangely happy and content. Realization 2 - My house will be fine and there will be a new house with new memories...
It is hard to believe but I got a verbal offer today - Day 84 (not counting weekends). I am really excited because it was a good one too!!! However, I have to stay cool cause I am not there yet. I still need to go through the background check and drug screen process. For some reason, I am nervous... why -- I don't do drugs (except I may have eaten a poppy seed bagel - isn't that always the excuse) and I have been very solid with my work history. But you never know... So I am happy but I am trying to stay calm until it is all complete, signed sealed and delivered.
I AM MOVING
The family is nervously excited about this opportunity but now we totally love our house. At least I do. I feel bad and am thinking will the next buyer be kind to the house? Will it be taken care of and appreciated? I am so weird... but there has been a lot of history in this home... It was our first place, we brought our puppies to this house, we brought our newborn daughter to this house, we bought real furniture for the house... wow ... sounds kind of pathetic as I write about it.
REALIZATION
I am close to the end of this journey and this blog (thank g-d - totally running out of material). It seems so strange how this is working out -- I would have never guessed this outcome but I am strangely happy and content. Realization 2 - My house will be fine and there will be a new house with new memories...
Thursday, April 22, 2010
DAY 83 - STILL WAITING
Yes, I am still waiting for the offer and it seems like forever. I know that the company is working hard to get the information together and I am sure on their end - time is passing by quickly. I need to remember this time concept when I get back into recruiting - it is excruciating.
It was another day of not knowing what to do with myself. I just sort of hung out, ran, hung out, got my teeth whitened and hung out. I have lost all drive to be productive right now. I mean there is a million things I could do like read a good book, clean th house, volunteer or play with my daughter but I do none of those things. I just hang out... so lame... tick tock tick tock tick tock... oh I did do laundry and also watched my friend build me a bench in the front hall.
THIS AMERICAN LIFE
My friend Kelley told me almost a year ago about the podcast "This American Life" and how it was so good. She described it as unusual and also everyday stories told through the eyes of Ira Glass. For some reason I did nothing with this information until now. I gotta tell you that I am an American Life junky. I look forward to my run and hearing Ira Glass. Now you would say, who wants to hear from a guy named Ira - but I gotta tell you, I think I have the hots for him. He is so interesting and I love his voice. Is that wrong... a married woman who craves Ira? Anyways, I highly recommend listening to these podcasts. They last a little less than 1 hour and they are able to make interesting and uninteresting topics riveting.
REALIZATION - I just need to relax and let the offer process roll the way it is going to roll. I can't control it and therefore I just need to carry on and act normal. I mean this company wants to hire calm and cool interview me not psycho anxious waiting for an offer me. Realization 2 - My crush is harmless and helps me to stay in shape. Listening to podcasts is a lot more healthy than drugs, drinking and gambling .. I think I am ok??? Don't tell my husband.
It was another day of not knowing what to do with myself. I just sort of hung out, ran, hung out, got my teeth whitened and hung out. I have lost all drive to be productive right now. I mean there is a million things I could do like read a good book, clean th house, volunteer or play with my daughter but I do none of those things. I just hang out... so lame... tick tock tick tock tick tock... oh I did do laundry and also watched my friend build me a bench in the front hall.
THIS AMERICAN LIFE
My friend Kelley told me almost a year ago about the podcast "This American Life" and how it was so good. She described it as unusual and also everyday stories told through the eyes of Ira Glass. For some reason I did nothing with this information until now. I gotta tell you that I am an American Life junky. I look forward to my run and hearing Ira Glass. Now you would say, who wants to hear from a guy named Ira - but I gotta tell you, I think I have the hots for him. He is so interesting and I love his voice. Is that wrong... a married woman who craves Ira? Anyways, I highly recommend listening to these podcasts. They last a little less than 1 hour and they are able to make interesting and uninteresting topics riveting.
REALIZATION - I just need to relax and let the offer process roll the way it is going to roll. I can't control it and therefore I just need to carry on and act normal. I mean this company wants to hire calm and cool interview me not psycho anxious waiting for an offer me. Realization 2 - My crush is harmless and helps me to stay in shape. Listening to podcasts is a lot more healthy than drugs, drinking and gambling .. I think I am ok??? Don't tell my husband.
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