A New Job

Sooo... I applied for a different position at work today. It's funny how I was just talking about how I would like a different position that allowed more family time but would also work without needing to find childcare for Henry- it was like 'POOF!'... here you go! God is good, people.

I haven't GOT the job yet, and perhaps I'm being cocky, but I'm pretty much 99% sure that it's mine regardless. While I'm excited, I'm also nervous about some small details.

Here's the deal.

While enjoying our last day of vacation on Friday, I got a phone call from one of my managers saying that another employee had quit and a part-time position had opened in flooring. I've been 'unofficially' working in flooring for almost a year now as extra help so this was PERFECT for me. However, he couldn't promise me the same amount of hours that I have now and he wouldn't even HINT as to whether or not it would be more pay, so I pretty much brushed it aside. We can't afford for me to work much fewer hours and I don't want to risk switching positions, losing hours, and making even less money. No thanks.

On a side note, perhaps I should go more into detail about my current position. The position I have now is a 'weekend team' position that has set hours. Unless it's on a corporate level, they cannot even think about touching my hours. This includes giving me MORE hours. It sucks sometimes when the store needs extra help, but it is also nice when they're cutting hours for various reasons. I work Friday 5-9 and Saturday and Sunday 9-6. Jeremy typically gets off of work early on Fridays and is home by 4:30 or 4:45 - just enough time for me to run out the door. As you can imagine, working every single weekend can be severely depressing at times. I miss any and all family events unless it's something 'big' that I've had to request off (a month ahead of time, mind you) and because Jeremy works Monday-Friday, we do not have one single day off together unless we have some event or something to go to. It's no fun. Actually, it absolutely sucks.

Back to this new job. I ran into the flooring manager while grocery shopping today. He is on 'vacation' right now because he's getting married so I hadn't had a chance to talk to him at all about the position. He totally put my mind at ease. He told me he was absolutely positive it would be a pay raise, and while he couldn't guarantee me the same amount of hours either, he told me it would most likely be 20 to 25 weekly. I almost jumped for joy. I called up the store manager who had phoned me earlier in the week and told him I was applying right away. He told me he'd get the ball rolling and I'd be getting a phone call soon for an interview. The difference in this part time position and the last is that they will have to work specifically around my schedule. I will work mostly during the week in the evening after Jeremy gets home from work and that will allow me to have weekend time off to spend with him and Henry as a family. If it's a substantial enough raise, I'm hoping I can even cut my hours down to 15-18 so I can squeeze almost all of them in during the week.

So if you wouldn't mind - say a little prayer for me! I know this is an answered prayer from God - but my faith waivers and I'm still worried about the hours. I just need a new peace of mind going into this new adventure. I will post an update as it all enfolds!

Bargain Buys - Kohler Toilet and Sink

If you know me, you know that I LOVE a good bargain. Seriously. I could live out of the clearance racks. My ultimate goal in life is to spend less and get more.

Well, one of them anyway.

So today I literally felt like I hit the lottery.

I walked into Lowe's (where I work 20 hours on the weekend), and there it was - the toilet and sink display that I fell in love with months ago but knew I would never, ever in this lifetime pay full-price for. (Let alone half-price, or even a fourth of the price.) They were marked down to $50 a piece and I wanted them. I wanted them bad.

For those of you who are new to my blog. You may not know that my husband and I bought a house from sheriff's auction earlier this year. We paid $10,000. Like I said - less for more. The entire house was finished and in great shape except for ONE room - the bathroom off of the master bedroom. It's completely unfinished and we have a TON to do! So I've been eyeing that toilet and sink combo ever since we moved in, wishing silently that ONE day, I'd be able to afford something that nice.

Here is the toilet:

It doesn't look like anything special I know. But it has this cool curve to it and it's one-piece with this sleek design that looks SOO easy to clean. Retail price? $819.45

Here is the sink:

I. Just. Adore. This. It is so cute and perfect. I am thinking of taking the vanity out of our main bathroom and putting it in instead because I just can't stand the thought of leaving it in a box until we get the rest of the bathroom done. Retail price? $706.63

WOW! I was so amazed at those $50 price tags! I grabbed them and called them mine right away. 

But the story doesn't end there!

Let me tell you something. Never, ever, ever look at a price and think that that is THE price that you have to pay for something. I don't get my discount on clearance items so I knew I was out my 10% so I tracked down the plumbing manager and put on a sweet smile, reminded him just how often I help him out and asked him if he could do any better on the two...

My total bill?  $53.42! For both!

Go ahead, do a little happy dance with me 'cause I'll tell you what - I've been doing a little happy jig all day!

( P.S. - We have an all-store employee meeting at 6 a.m. tomorrow, so if my slap-happy butt posts something weird and random tomorrow, I'm putting total blame on Lowe's for making me be at work so early. Just sayin' )