Ready for the Weekend!

For a couple of reasons!

1. It’s the weekend.  Two full days without having to work.  And it’s summer, so that just makes it even better! =.)

2. It’s my birthday (on Sunday)!  I will be celebrating this weekend, and I can’t wait! =.)

3. I have a new toy to play with! =.) My boss bought me a Barnes & Noble nook.  I’ve only had a day to play with it, but I’m already in love!! =.) Yay! =.)

4. Spending time with the family – celebrating my birthday this weekend, and I love it.  My family makes me happy!

5. Next weekend is a 3-day weekend!  I’m ecstatic to take a little mini-vacay down to Beaufort for the weekend.  Sun, fun, and friends, with another birthday celebration for me! =.) Doesn’t get much better!! =.)

Yay!  I hope that your weekend is as wonderful as I’m sure mine will be! =.)

Craziness!

I work at a franchised real estate company.  So, while each office is independently owned and operated, we have use certain programs as a part of the company.  I’ve never had any problems before, but my real estate program has been giving me problems all week!

As part of my 'Daily Tasks’ Checklist, I’m supposed to do certain things.  One of those things would be to ‘verify’ the program.  This is an item that’s only been added in the past year, and while I do verify frequently, I don’t do it daily.  It takes about 20 minutes to process, and I don’t always have 20 minutes to just sit around while it does what it does.

So, on Tuesday, I decided I would run my verification to make sure my program was okay.  I’ve NEVER had any of my programs come back with an error, so it really shocked (and kind of scared me) when a message pops up and says that my listings file was corrupt.

Luckily, I have an offsite back up that backs up my important programs every night, as well as backing them up to the company server.  So, I go about the process of restoring my data.

None of my week’s worth of data that was backed up was ‘good.’  All of them were corrupt.  And while I was restoring my data, I apparently did something wrong, because then, the whole program was throwing an error at me.

Completely drove me crazy, as I spent ALL of Tuesday trying to fix the problem.

I finally had someone from our International office contact me on Wednesday morning.  She spent ALL of Wednesday morning working on my computer from Texas.  She got it fixed around 12:30 p.m.  I was excited!  That meant I wouldn’t have to enter all of the month’s data in, as I thought that was going to end up happening.  Yay!

So, I ran the verification before I backed up my system last night.  I got this HUGE error message – took up the whole screen, and then some – right before I left for the day.  I decided that I didn’t want to try to figure out what was wrong, so I just left for the day.  It was almost 6 p.m., and I just didn’t have the right mindset to work through it, again.

So, this morning, I come in, open the program, and run the verification, again, just to see if it would work this time.  God really does love me, because it came back with: “All systems and data files are OK!” Yay!

I actually get to do some work today!

However, I did finish reading Nicholas Sparks’ The Last Song yesterday while the lady was working on my computer.  It was WONDERFUL!!!  I’m probably partial, though, as I’m from NC and all of his books are set on the coast.  And I’ve loved him since he first started writing – I’m talking The Notebook, only about 6 years before the movie ever came out.  And most of his books are much better than the movies! =.)  I DEFINITELY recommend you read his latest book, The Last Song, if you like his other books.  It’s better than the last 3-4 books.  I cried through maybe the last quarter of the book?  You should go read it.  Now. =.)

Weekend Recap

This weekend was absolutely wonderful!

I was in Charleston, SC last week, from Wednesday through Friday for work.  It’s my favorite training event of the whole year.  It’s just people who share my position in different offices across North and South Carolina.  It’s laid-back and relaxed.  We send in our questions/discussion topics, then a lady from Austin, TX flies out to spend two days with us, answering any and all questions we may have about a myriad of things.  They can range from processes and procedures, to programming and preferred vendors, to time blocking and best practices.  While not everything that will be addressed is applicable to everyone, it’s so much better than the international training that seems to be geared towards all the newbies with really just the most basic of topics.

Anyways…I got there on Wednesday evening, and met up with some others for dinner.  We went to R.B.’s, and it was delicious!  I had a GREAT salad, and a spectacular dessert of key lime pie.  Yum! =.)

Thursday, we had class until around 4:30 p.m., then some time to relax a little before dinner.  I enjoyed 27 Dresses on HBO while I waited for dinner.

Dinner was at a great restaurant called Crave.  Delicious!  I had a salad with lemon vinaigrette (delish!), ravioli, and tempura cheese bites.  It was all wonderful! =.)

Friday, we spent in ‘class’ until around 2:30 p.m., then I headed up to Charlotte to meet Marc and Katie at Grant’s house outside of Monroe.  Friday night, we went to Dave and Buster’s at Concord Mills, and had an absolute blast! =.)  Marc and I were awesome in Air Hockey.  They have a table where 4 people play at a time.  We played couples and opposite sex.  We played some shooting games, some skee ball, some racing games.  Then Katie and I gave all of our tickets to this little girl who really wanted a stuffed animal.  Too cute!

Saturday, Grant had to work at the Boll Weevil Festival in Marshville, which is the town he’s working in for the next year.  It was quite interesting. =.)  And that’s all I’m gonna say on that one…

We went to Razoo for dinner on Saturday, after TONS of deliberation on where to eat.  It was great!  Very tasty Cajun food. =.) And a gator bowl…=.)

Sunday, Marc and I went to Concord Mills to look around…I’m quite proud of myself, as I didn’t buy anything while we were there, other than a Mocha from Starbucks and a Sprite out of the machine that looks more like a TV with a 4 ft by 2 ft touch screen menu.  Very weird, but kinda cool.

Then, we headed home, and I was pretty much lazy for the rest of the evening.  I was a bit frustrated, as my laptop wouldn’t connect via wireless at the hotel, which offered free internet, and at home, it wouldn’t connect via Ethernet cord.  Not too happy about that.  Gotta get with the tech guy at work to see if he can get it fixed for me. =.)

And, that’s my weekend, in a very random matter.

My favorite thing about this weekend, though, is that we didn’t have anything planned.  We weren’t on a schedule.  We could decide we wanted to do something, then do it, with no time restraints.  It was glorious!  And it almost felt like a vacation! =.)

I did learn how to hit a golf ball this weekend.  We practiced with golf ball sized wiffle balls in Grant’s back yard.  I didn’t think I would enjoy golf, and now I know that I don’t.  However, I can see where if I were better at golf, I might then enjoy it.  I still don’t plan to watch it on television, as it’s just really boring to me.  Sorry for those of you who enjoy it! =.)

I hope your weekend was wonderful!  What did you do?!?

 

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself…”  Matthew 6:34

A wee bit overwhelmed

I’m really excited.  I’m heading to Charleston, SC tomorrow for two days of training.  This is my favorite training event that we have.  It’s for just the people who hold my same position in offices across North and South Carolina.  It’s just a lot of fun!

Last year, we were in Wilmington, NC.  It was fun, but it’s just not Charleston.  I’m excited to see some of my girls from Charlotte! =.)  It’s been a few months, so it’s about time. =.)

And while I’m happy to be heading down to Charleston tomorrow, that means that everything at work seems to pile up and everyone waits until the last minute to request items they’ll need while I’m away.

So, on top of the typical daily tasks I need to complete, I also have to add in a few more unexpected items to get done.  I don’t mind, but I feel like I’m forgetting something, because my ‘To Do’ list/stack just keeps growing. =.)  Oh, well…I’ll be in Charleston tomorrow! =.)

And tonight, I finally get to enjoy dinner with my girls for Tiffany’s birthday! =.)  We’ve been trying to get together for a few weeks, now.  I miss these girls when we don’t meet monthly! =.)  And it’s really only been a month since Tiffany’s birthday dinner and ballgame, but Kelli couldn’t make it that week, so it’s been longer since the three of us have spent some time together.  Can’t wait to see them! =.)

I hope you have a great day! =.)

 

“…God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear…”  1 Corinthians 10:13

So tired...

You would think that after a long, relaxing weekend at the lake, I would be well-rested and ready to take on a 4-day work week. Not the case, here. I am so tired!

I did okay on Tuesday, not too tired. I didn't get to eat dinner with Tiff and Kelli - Tiffany's sick, and Kelli has a skin thing going on - so I went to Marc's last softball game of that league. It was nice, they lost the first game, so we thought they would end up playing on Thursday. Nope. They opted to play at 9 pm, instead. Not a problem, except that I rode with Marc, so I couldn't go home and go to bed, like I wanted. =.)

Wednesday was fine, too, really. I drove in to Cary, and it wasn't that bad. I haven't been in any bad traffic, really, so that's been a blessing. I was busy yesterday, catching up on some things that needed to be done after closing out the month last week. I thoroughly enjoyed my evening last night, as Wednesday is "Man Night," according to Marc, and they all hang out at my brother's shop, and work on 4-wheelers. So, I got to enjoy watching So You Think You Can Dance, which was pretty good - it looks like they're going to have some awesome dancers on there, this year! And I love Ryan! So glad he made it to Vegas! =.) And then I watched the premiere of Glee. I have mixed feelings about the show, so far. Some of the stuff is just beyond corny. But I LOVE the songs! =.) Especially the pilot episode version of Don't Stop Believing.

This morning? Did NOT want to get up and drive an hour to work. I know there are people who drive further than that every day to go to work. I'm just not used to it, and I don't particularly like it. Typically, it takes me 25-30 minutes to get to work, so that's what I'm used to. Driving today was brutal! There wasn't any traffic, but it's overcast, and it really just makes me want to crawl back under my covers in my dark bedroom with a few blankets, and go back to sleep. And it's really quiet in the office today, so I'm still tired. I usually wake up and can talk to people, and get people who come into my office, but they're all at a meeting until after 1pm, so I think I will be battling my heavy eyelids until they return.

I hope you are having a fabulous week! It's almost Friday! =.)


"The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him." Nahum 1:7

Slump

I'm not really sure why I feel this way (isn't that usually the case, though?), but I'm in a bit of a slump. Not a full-blown slump, but more like a mini-slump, I guess. I think it has a lot to do with work.

Since I work in a real estate office, and I'm sure everyone has heard how 'terrible' the housing market is doing, I am so bored at work!

Okay, let me back up a minute and clarify. The housing market is not NEARLY as bad as the media is making it out to be. I get so frustrated with them! And then people really do believe them, and it makes the market worse. So, if you want to know how your market is doing, please, talk to a real estate agent, as they'll know what your market looks like, as all markets are different! =.)

So, our market has finally slowed down in the past 3 months or so, and I'm trying to find work to do around my office. I've even volunteered to teach a class this month, and the only things that I "teach" are devotions while on camping trips with the young adult group at church. And that's not even teaching! That's more like sharing what I'm giong through in hopes that it will help someone else who might be going through something similar to what I was/am going through. Big difference in that and teaching a class in my office. It's a bit SCARY for me! I'm definitely stepping out of my comfort zone for this!

Basically, I'm bored at work. I'm not bored with work, which is different from being bored at work. I just need business to pick back up a bit so I can do something productive, and not write on my blog when I should be doing work stuff. =.)

Hope you have a wonderful day!! =.)


“He has been raised from the dead… Come, see where his body was lying.” Matthew 28:6
**I love Max Lucado, and he always just says stuff that makes sense to me, and helps me better understand some scripture. I love hearing his view on scriptures. Today's excerpt features the verse above. Go here to check it out!

Thursday is the new Friday

Yay!

There are 2 things that have gotten me through this week.
1. The office is closed on Friday! =.) Woo hoo!
2. I have a lunch date with my girls tomorrow!

It's been forever since we've had dinner - like a month and a half - and I miss my girls! I can't wait for lunch tomorrow. So excited! =.)

***

I've noticed before, but I noticed again this week when I was writing a letter - when I write/type letters/emails, I talk in exclamation points (!). Honestly, every sentence ends in one. I have to make a conscious effort to use regular punctuation. And I use smiley faces (=.)) ALL THE TIME. In all honesty, though, I'm actually smiling when I use a smiley symbol! I don't know...just a random thought. =.)

***

Tiff, my Bible verse is for you, today! =.) I love you!


"An anxious hear weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up." Proverbs 12:25

Sunshine =.)

Yay! For the first time in what feels like forever, we have SUN! I love looking outside and seeing the sun shining with a bit of a breeze (even if there are some gusts around 30 mph)!

You see, this week has been very dreary outside (and inside my office, as well). I work at a real estate office, and I do all of the processing and check writing (basic accounting duties), as well as some office managing. Each month, an invoice goes out to each agent in our office for monthly fees that are incurred, and the office pays for them in advance. There are some agents in my office that never, NEVER, NEVER pay their invoices. When I submit my monthly financials to our international office, I get 'dinged' for having an accounts receivable balance (sorry if this is too technical for some of y'all, but this is my every day jargon).

So, for as long as I've been with this office (4 years in June), there has been this particular agent, her daugter as her assistant, and her other daughter as an agent, who have consistently paid their invoices only when they've been producing, and have a closing - the office just retains their outstanding bill as payment from their commission. Well - that only works when an agent actually has a closing. Needless to say, this group hasn't had a closing or made any money off of real estate in probably 6 months or more. That means that I have to beg for a payment. And let's just be clear - I can take a credit card. I'm not a bank, you can't borrow from me/my office, which is, in essence, what they're doing.

Finally, this week, I've just been really frustrated with this situation because, honestly, it's been 3 years, they don't have the money to pay the bills, and I'm not expecting a payment. The best thing to do in this situation is to "fire" them. As an independent contractor, you can't necessarily fire them, but you can ask them to leave, and release them from the real estate commission, and the company. And, wait for it....




MY OFFICE OWNER IS FINALLY GOING TO RELEASE THEM!

This is SPECTACULAR news for me, because I no longer have to chase after them like a bill collector!!!!! So, after being in a very bad mood at work for the last week, I actually have a smile on my face! =.)

I'll be bouncing around the office in a super great mood next week as they are moving out of their office! =.) I know that sounds mean, y'all, and I'm not like that, but these are just NOT nice people! They're rude, disrespectful, messy, and mean. No one in our office likes them because they're just not nice!

Therefore, besides the fact that it's Friday, and that UNC plays basketball in the Final Four this weekend, next week is actually looking pretty stellar, as well!

Have a great weekend, everyone! =.)



“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”- Hebrews 12:2