Monday, March 23, 2009

I Learned My Lesson

Last fall, a coworker of mine approached me and asked if I would be willing to paint her house for her. She has a very open floorplan, much like my house. I'd been to her house once, about 8 years ago. So I had an idea of how much of a job this would be. She casually said something along the lines of "we'll pay you a couple hundred or so". And we left it at that, because she told me to think about it and get back to her. I responded within a few days and told her I would be willing to help her out.

More and more time went by that she didn't come back and mention anything about it, and I think I was secretly hoping they had changed their minds. I wondered if perhaps the poor economy had helped changed their minds...I dunno. No such luck though -- she came back to me about 6 weeks ago and asked if I was still interested. I wasn't really, but I was conflicted. The money would be helpful, especially since I was losing my job at Z Gallerie. So I told her I was still interested, but over the next few days that "a couple hundred or so" stuck in my head. I just knew the job was going to be huge, and I was not going to settle for a mere $200. I went back and said that yes I was still willing to do the job, but I couldn't do it for a mere $200. I gave her a price I was content with, she checked with her husband, and they gave me a thumbs up.

D-day arrived 2 days ago. I got to her house at 9:30 and started in her kitchen area. That took me 7 hours to complete. I still had some energy left, and it was only 4:30, so I figured I'd take advantage of the time and start doing the trim work in the living room. Stayed until 7pm and then headed home. Went back the following morning (yesterday) at 9:30. The living room took much longer than anticipated -- I didn't finish that until about 1:30. Then it was time to start on the hardest part -- her entryway with the 15 ft ceilings. They have a Little Giant Ladder, and I had it set perfectly where it had a good slant and reached ALL the way up to the ceiling, but as soon as I got about 1/2 way up the ladder I started shaking and my heart started racing and I had to get down. I tried to psych myself up for it a good 3 or 4 more times and gave it a couple more tries, but I just couldn't do it. I don't mind heights one bit, but if I am on a shaky foundation you can forget it! I painted all the trim and reached up as high as I could get but it was already 6pm and I was FRIED. My back hurt, my legs hurt and her kids were driving me insane -- running all around me, touching the walls repeatedly....after being told repeatedly "don't touch the walls!" I'd had enough so I got outta there before I strangled one of them (and I'm only 1/2 joking when I say that!)

So I have to go back next weekend and finish. I really really REALLY wanted to have it completed in one weekend, but those darn ceilings threw me off. My dear, sweet husband was so good to me. I called him to ask advice about getting up to the ceiling and he was patient and gave me his recommendations. And now that I have to go back, he's offered to go WITH ME and help me get set up. So for all the reasons why he may drive me nuts, it's times like these were I have to give credit where credit is due....so thanks, Jake for helping me out on this one!

Anyway, I've learned a few things from this recent experience:
1) I would never EVER desire to be a professional painter
2) Next time (if there is one) I will definitely go see the space in person to give an adequate estimate, because....
3) I really wish I would have asked for more money!
4) Someone always has a messier house than you do
5) Hirschfields has really nice paint
6) I want to paint my living room even more than I did before. Bu-bye yellow walls!


PS: Congrats to my hubby for winning the poker game on Saturday night. Sorry I missed it.

Monday, March 9, 2009

A Marriage Milestone

Lastnight we celebrated John & Kelley's 25th Wedding Anniversary. We met for dinner at Obb's and had a great time reminiscing while we looked at their wedding album. I of course was not around for their wedding because it was like, SO long ago! I will say however that I was around when their youngest daughter Bailey was just a baby, and that WAS a long time ago.

Congratulations John & Kelley!

The happy couple with Kelley's parents, Barb & Rick:



Julia, Shelby, Rick, Janey (hiding), Whitney, and Bailey:



Scott, Kelley, Amy (with her new cute haircut), and John:




Again, the happy couple:



One thing I was not aware of until lastnight, is that these 2 lovebirds have been dating since they were in 9th grade! I thought that was pretty amazing...

Friday, March 6, 2009

The End Is Near


My 2+ years of service at Z Gallerie will soon be coming to an end, and I'm a little sad about it. Just over 2 weeks ago we got an announcement that 25 stores, including ours, would be closing within a month. Eeek!


The past 2 weeks have been quite a whirlwind. The store is CRAZY busy. I can't believe the attitudes of some customers. They have no respect for the product or the staff -- they bark at us and are very demanding, and then they just throw stuff down wherever they want. Before, people used to be respectful -- they would try to put things back where they found them, they talked to us politely. It's interesting how people's attitudes can change so drastically just because we are going out of business.


Coincidentally, us girls from the store had a dinner and night out planned for a few weeks, and it was set for last week (March 1st). Melanie and Erika weren't able to join us, but we had dinner and drinks and were able to sit together and talk about things and have a few laughs at the same time. I will miss these girls. I started working there for what I thought was a 5 or 6 month gig, but it turned out to be a job I enjoyed. I had such lousy sales month after month, but they kept me around, and I am glad for it.


Not sure what lies ahead. I will possibly look for something else, but jobs are hard to come by these days. Might just take a break and see if Jason can pick up the slack for a while! I would love to devote some time to my photograpy...take some classes, sit down and force myself to learn PhotoShop. We shall see...


In the meantime I've got 6 shifts left. I'm working a TON of shifts this week and next, and while it stresses me out to be working so much, I am enjoying being around on a more regular basis. We are all angry and sad and stressed, and it's nice to be around everyone since they are feeling the same things I am. Well actually, probably not...I'm the only one who has another job to fall back on. They are all having to file for unemployment while they look for another job. Poor things. I am counting my blessings, and saying a prayer that each of them can find a new job.