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Current Mood: 
mischievous
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that'll be the day
19 November 2009 @ 08:39 am
For the first time in a long time, things are going well. Really well.
I apologize that I still haven't posted pictures of the house. My excuse (if it is one) is that I can't find my camera. It's either in a box somewhere, or it's still at the apartment waiting to be brought to the house - either way, it's MIA. I'll get some good ones at Thanksgiving next week.
I just feel...happy. Work is going well (finally). I'm starting to feel as though I "get it" and feel engaged with what I'm doing because I can see that it matters. My MK business is once again taking off - I had some good sales at my holiday open house last weekend, and a few events scheduled in the near future.
I've struggled with losing weight these past few months, paying lip service to weight watchers on weekdays while overeating on the weekends and repeating the cycle week after week. I guess one benefit to the cycle is that I've maintained the exact same number for months, no gain and no loss. I'm ready for a change now, though. My new year's resolution (that I'm starting early) is to run a 10K in January or February. If I start training now, I should be able to make that goal. I have 15lbs to go. Ready or not, here I come.
GameStop provides tuition reimbursement of up to $5,000 a year for graduate courses, so my plan is to start taking classes as a non-degree seeking student next summer or fall, after I've been there a year (in April.) I'm thinking if I take graduate psych classes that could ultimately transfer into a program, I'll have an "in" when I have enough money saved to quit my job and dedicate myself to a PhD program full-time. We'll see how that goes, it's just an inkling of a plan right now.
...In the midst of feeling positive and hopeful about the future, I think of Nathan and feel guilty. And then I feel torn, because I know first of all that he wouldn't want me to feel that way, but also because life cannot remain on pause forever (otherwise, what's the point?) I think a part of me just feels bad that I am here, living, and he does not get to do the same.
I don't know...in the interim, I should get to work.
I apologize that I still haven't posted pictures of the house. My excuse (if it is one) is that I can't find my camera. It's either in a box somewhere, or it's still at the apartment waiting to be brought to the house - either way, it's MIA. I'll get some good ones at Thanksgiving next week.
I just feel...happy. Work is going well (finally). I'm starting to feel as though I "get it" and feel engaged with what I'm doing because I can see that it matters. My MK business is once again taking off - I had some good sales at my holiday open house last weekend, and a few events scheduled in the near future.
I've struggled with losing weight these past few months, paying lip service to weight watchers on weekdays while overeating on the weekends and repeating the cycle week after week. I guess one benefit to the cycle is that I've maintained the exact same number for months, no gain and no loss. I'm ready for a change now, though. My new year's resolution (that I'm starting early) is to run a 10K in January or February. If I start training now, I should be able to make that goal. I have 15lbs to go. Ready or not, here I come.
GameStop provides tuition reimbursement of up to $5,000 a year for graduate courses, so my plan is to start taking classes as a non-degree seeking student next summer or fall, after I've been there a year (in April.) I'm thinking if I take graduate psych classes that could ultimately transfer into a program, I'll have an "in" when I have enough money saved to quit my job and dedicate myself to a PhD program full-time. We'll see how that goes, it's just an inkling of a plan right now.
...In the midst of feeling positive and hopeful about the future, I think of Nathan and feel guilty. And then I feel torn, because I know first of all that he wouldn't want me to feel that way, but also because life cannot remain on pause forever (otherwise, what's the point?) I think a part of me just feels bad that I am here, living, and he does not get to do the same.
I don't know...in the interim, I should get to work.
Current Location: the cube
Current Mood: 
calm
calm10 November 2009 @ 12:48 pm
I've sat at my desk most of today with a phone by my ear and the computer screen going. Some of it is actually relevant to what I do, but most of it is not. Like right now.
*le sigh*
We're in the house, slowly but surely getting rooms together. We painted two rooms, bought some new furniture, have unpacked most things, etc...I still haven't taken pictures, because I really want for everything to be together before I show it off - but my MK unit is having a holiday open house on Saturday (AKA - my deadline) so I'll have lots of pretty pictures then!
I apologize for the lack of posting and commenting. Life has been really busy - it seems as though most days I am working working working and then get home and work some more. Not having consistent internet at home doesn't help much, we have yet to set up cable and internet and are currently bumming off someone else's unsecured network. I have missed my House, Lie To Me, and Biggest Loser for the past three weeks - so no spoilers, please! :)
Anyway.
Big news today - my brother Danny (in the Navy) is getting married this afternoon. He and his girlfriend have not been together long, but he has been saying for the past 6 months that she is the one he wants to marry and since he is about to receive orders, he wants to make sure (timing wise) that wherever he ends up, she can go too. We're sad that it's a simple justice of the peace service, I wish I could be there for him - but I understand his decision. I have spoken with her on the phone a few times, and will meet her at Christmas when he brings her to Texas. She was previously married and has a little girl named Gracie who is only about 10 days older than Lex. Instant family. I'm not really looking forward to Christmas this year, but it'll be good to have something to celebrate.
Oh crap - they actually want us to participate in this stupid webinar, so I should go...
*le sigh*
We're in the house, slowly but surely getting rooms together. We painted two rooms, bought some new furniture, have unpacked most things, etc...I still haven't taken pictures, because I really want for everything to be together before I show it off - but my MK unit is having a holiday open house on Saturday (AKA - my deadline) so I'll have lots of pretty pictures then!
I apologize for the lack of posting and commenting. Life has been really busy - it seems as though most days I am working working working and then get home and work some more. Not having consistent internet at home doesn't help much, we have yet to set up cable and internet and are currently bumming off someone else's unsecured network. I have missed my House, Lie To Me, and Biggest Loser for the past three weeks - so no spoilers, please! :)
Anyway.
Big news today - my brother Danny (in the Navy) is getting married this afternoon. He and his girlfriend have not been together long, but he has been saying for the past 6 months that she is the one he wants to marry and since he is about to receive orders, he wants to make sure (timing wise) that wherever he ends up, she can go too. We're sad that it's a simple justice of the peace service, I wish I could be there for him - but I understand his decision. I have spoken with her on the phone a few times, and will meet her at Christmas when he brings her to Texas. She was previously married and has a little girl named Gracie who is only about 10 days older than Lex. Instant family. I'm not really looking forward to Christmas this year, but it'll be good to have something to celebrate.
Oh crap - they actually want us to participate in this stupid webinar, so I should go...
19 October 2009 @ 08:58 am
Sorry I haven't been updating, life has been insane.
Kyle and I closed on our house last Tuesday, 10/13/09. For all of the stress and duress of the past month, the closing process took only 45 minutes and had no hiccups. The sellers had left over the weekend, so we were able to see the house right away. My Dad came over and gave his blessing, and we went out to dinner at Macaroni Grill.
Now...we pack. It's rough trying to pack and move with this schedule. I wish October wasn't so damn busy.
I will post more later and will get pictures when we have more furniture and etc in the house.
Kyle and I closed on our house last Tuesday, 10/13/09. For all of the stress and duress of the past month, the closing process took only 45 minutes and had no hiccups. The sellers had left over the weekend, so we were able to see the house right away. My Dad came over and gave his blessing, and we went out to dinner at Macaroni Grill.
Now...we pack. It's rough trying to pack and move with this schedule. I wish October wasn't so damn busy.
I will post more later and will get pictures when we have more furniture and etc in the house.
Current Mood: content
content01 October 2009 @ 09:49 am
My sweet husband and I are buying our first home next week, and I want to be able to pack up and move as little of my inventory as possible! Therefore, for the next week (until our closing day, Oct. 9) I am offering 25% off your total purchase on everything I have in stock! This includes the following:
Our fabulous Miracle Set (3in1 Cleanser, Day/Night Solution, Age-fighting Moisturizer)
Microdermabrasion Set
Replenishing Serum + C
Satin Hands
Satin Lips
All lipsticks, lip balms and lip glosses
All eye shadows and eye liners
All liquid and mineral powder foundations (and if you get the mineral powder foundation, I'll take 50% off the brush!)
All bath and body products
All Eau de Toillettes and Colognes
All skin care items tailored to your individual needs
...and MORE!
If you're looking for a gift for someone else, I will also include complimentary gift wrap and free shipping.
If you would like to set up an appointment to try product, I will give you an additional 10% off of your order (35%!!)
Please feel free to shop on my website (www.marykay.com/ksummerville) - I will manually apply the discount. You can also call me (469-226-2665) or send me a message through facebook.
Take advantage of some great savings and give yourself some much-needed pampering! You'll also be doing me a favor in making our load a little lighter!
Our fabulous Miracle Set (3in1 Cleanser, Day/Night Solution, Age-fighting Moisturizer)
Microdermabrasion Set
Replenishing Serum + C
Satin Hands
Satin Lips
All lipsticks, lip balms and lip glosses
All eye shadows and eye liners
All liquid and mineral powder foundations (and if you get the mineral powder foundation, I'll take 50% off the brush!)
All bath and body products
All Eau de Toillettes and Colognes
All skin care items tailored to your individual needs
...and MORE!
If you're looking for a gift for someone else, I will also include complimentary gift wrap and free shipping.
If you would like to set up an appointment to try product, I will give you an additional 10% off of your order (35%!!)
Please feel free to shop on my website (www.marykay.com/ksummerville) - I will manually apply the discount. You can also call me (469-226-2665) or send me a message through facebook.
Take advantage of some great savings and give yourself some much-needed pampering! You'll also be doing me a favor in making our load a little lighter!
Current Location: the cube
Current Mood: 
chipper
chipper25 September 2009 @ 09:58 am
Ugh.
This has been a very long week, and though I'm sure much of it is made melodramatic by an increased presence of hormones (gotta love being a girl), I have had a very difficult time keeping it together these past two days. Yesterday marked one month since Nathan's death. Not a significant anniversary, but a very cold and sober awareness that time continues to march onward, whether I choose to stand on the sidelines or participate.
Today was such a lovely morning. Clear, sunny, a nice little bite to the air - and while all of these lifted my spirits, I immediately started mourning the loss of my job at Starbucks. I used to LOVE getting everything together and heading to a store bright and early on mornings like these, getting to the stores and sitting with a cup of coffee and preparing for whatever the plan happened to be that day; a meeting, presentation, audit, interview, etc. I loved that job. I didn't want to lose it. GameStop is great, don't get me wrong - and I'm getting rather situated and comfortable in my little cube as well as my routine - but it's just not the same.
I'm trying not to just sit here and feel sorry for myself. I'm trying to discern the reason that God would take so much from me this year, when I was perfectly happy the way things were. Well - maybe not perfectly - and maybe not always happy - but definitely comfortable. And I'm trying to be thankful for what He's also given me this year - a strong marriage, a new work opportunity, a plan B (with Mary Kay), potentially a house, the gift of so many wonderful, supportive friends. The gains outnumber the losses - so why do the losses overshadow the gains?
Ugh.
Tonight is a party for a friend who is moving to Germany. Tomorrow I am going to the re-opening of the Gap at Northpark Mall - if you get there really early and are one of the first 69 people, you get a free pair of jeans. SCORE. Tomorrow night I have Mass, and Sunday I'm spending with the family - which I'm not really looking forward to, because my sister in law has not been coping well and has been making bad decisions and we're talking to her about them at that time - but I'll get to see my sweet little nephew.
Today the house is being appraised, think high value thoughts. If all goes well, we will close in two weeks.
This has been a very long week, and though I'm sure much of it is made melodramatic by an increased presence of hormones (gotta love being a girl), I have had a very difficult time keeping it together these past two days. Yesterday marked one month since Nathan's death. Not a significant anniversary, but a very cold and sober awareness that time continues to march onward, whether I choose to stand on the sidelines or participate.
Today was such a lovely morning. Clear, sunny, a nice little bite to the air - and while all of these lifted my spirits, I immediately started mourning the loss of my job at Starbucks. I used to LOVE getting everything together and heading to a store bright and early on mornings like these, getting to the stores and sitting with a cup of coffee and preparing for whatever the plan happened to be that day; a meeting, presentation, audit, interview, etc. I loved that job. I didn't want to lose it. GameStop is great, don't get me wrong - and I'm getting rather situated and comfortable in my little cube as well as my routine - but it's just not the same.
I'm trying not to just sit here and feel sorry for myself. I'm trying to discern the reason that God would take so much from me this year, when I was perfectly happy the way things were. Well - maybe not perfectly - and maybe not always happy - but definitely comfortable. And I'm trying to be thankful for what He's also given me this year - a strong marriage, a new work opportunity, a plan B (with Mary Kay), potentially a house, the gift of so many wonderful, supportive friends. The gains outnumber the losses - so why do the losses overshadow the gains?
Ugh.
Tonight is a party for a friend who is moving to Germany. Tomorrow I am going to the re-opening of the Gap at Northpark Mall - if you get there really early and are one of the first 69 people, you get a free pair of jeans. SCORE. Tomorrow night I have Mass, and Sunday I'm spending with the family - which I'm not really looking forward to, because my sister in law has not been coping well and has been making bad decisions and we're talking to her about them at that time - but I'll get to see my sweet little nephew.
Today the house is being appraised, think high value thoughts. If all goes well, we will close in two weeks.
18 September 2009 @ 03:37 am
I have been uncharacteristically anti-social for the past few weeks. Although I can honestly say that I feel my head is back on straight after Nathan's death, just being in the world seems to take a lot more energy than it used to. Something tells me that exercising would be a good idea - but it's the desire I lack. I was going to do something this morning, but as you can see it's nearly 4am - my first bout of insomnia in a long time - so, we shall see if that happens. I could live on sugar-free Redbull today if needed.
This week has been a whirlwind of house updates. Kyle and I found a house we love on Saturday, placed an offer on Sunday, received a reasonable counter offer on Monday and executed a contract, and today we had the home inspection. The fact that we were both unemployed this year has not been a detriment, but it has required a lot of paperwork. I sent a 32 page fax containing 30 days of paystubs, our W2s from 07 and 08, statements from my checking and savings accounts, explanations for credit inquiries, etc... And thankfully, it went through. Our inspection indicated few urgent repairs and no foundation/structural damage. Also, if anyone is looking for a home in DFW, I highly recommend our realtor and inspector. They have been FANTASTIC.
So...if the house appraises for what we believe it should, we will close on October 9. I am so, so excited. There is lots of work to do, but homes are such a great investment. We are moving to Lewisville, in case anyone is curious.
Other than that...I've been catching up on a lot of TV and sleep.
I'm also ecstatic that we are coming up on fall (my favorite season) and creeping closer to the end of 2009. I hope God has great things in store for 2010.
This week has been a whirlwind of house updates. Kyle and I found a house we love on Saturday, placed an offer on Sunday, received a reasonable counter offer on Monday and executed a contract, and today we had the home inspection. The fact that we were both unemployed this year has not been a detriment, but it has required a lot of paperwork. I sent a 32 page fax containing 30 days of paystubs, our W2s from 07 and 08, statements from my checking and savings accounts, explanations for credit inquiries, etc... And thankfully, it went through. Our inspection indicated few urgent repairs and no foundation/structural damage. Also, if anyone is looking for a home in DFW, I highly recommend our realtor and inspector. They have been FANTASTIC.
So...if the house appraises for what we believe it should, we will close on October 9. I am so, so excited. There is lots of work to do, but homes are such a great investment. We are moving to Lewisville, in case anyone is curious.
Other than that...I've been catching up on a lot of TV and sleep.
I'm also ecstatic that we are coming up on fall (my favorite season) and creeping closer to the end of 2009. I hope God has great things in store for 2010.
Current Location: Home
Current Mood: 
anxious
anxious19 August 2009 @ 06:03 am
This is one of those times when it has been so long since I've posted that every time I go to write anything, I just shudder and log out. I can't remember everything, but I will do my best to at least write a little about most things.
Seminar for Mary Kay was three weeks ago. Amazing, have never seen anything like it - and that includes the leadership conference at starbucks where they featured 10,000 managers and Bono made an appearance. I decided that while my sweet husband works in the evenings, I will keep myself busy by working toward being a director. I'm done with treating this like a hobby, and I need something that will be flexible enough for me to make good money when I go back to school. Which leads into Toronto, the following week.
I had never been to Canada before, and that made my presentation that much more exciting. I met up with one of the women on my panel the night I got in, and we hung out the rest of the time I was there. The presentation went fairly well (I was really nervous). We wandered around the city, ate good food, saw a Surrealist exhibit at the Ontario Art Gallery, and spent some time in the expo hall. My iPhone was stolen, and so were my Marc Jacobs sunglasses -bur after a momentary freakout, I came to the conclusion that these were just items that could be replaced. And so I did. Friday night, I met the president of division 32, Humanistic Psychology - a counseling psych professor from the University of Memphis. She was awesome. We talked for a long time, and by the end she was trying to convince me to enter school in the fall and come study with her. Although Memphis is probably the last place I want to be, I can keep in touch with her, work with the division, and hopefully have her as a reference to enter UNT in a few years.
On the home front...Kyle and I have been looking for a house, and we have settled on Lewisville as where we would like to end up. It's close to work, good schools, great pricing on houses, in between his parents and my dad, etc. We have looked at several homes and placed an offer on one, but it was not accepted - and so the hunt continues. Our realtor sent over another list last night, so I'm sure we will be back at it this weekend.
I need to get going with my day...will probably post more later.
Seminar for Mary Kay was three weeks ago. Amazing, have never seen anything like it - and that includes the leadership conference at starbucks where they featured 10,000 managers and Bono made an appearance. I decided that while my sweet husband works in the evenings, I will keep myself busy by working toward being a director. I'm done with treating this like a hobby, and I need something that will be flexible enough for me to make good money when I go back to school. Which leads into Toronto, the following week.
I had never been to Canada before, and that made my presentation that much more exciting. I met up with one of the women on my panel the night I got in, and we hung out the rest of the time I was there. The presentation went fairly well (I was really nervous). We wandered around the city, ate good food, saw a Surrealist exhibit at the Ontario Art Gallery, and spent some time in the expo hall. My iPhone was stolen, and so were my Marc Jacobs sunglasses -bur after a momentary freakout, I came to the conclusion that these were just items that could be replaced. And so I did. Friday night, I met the president of division 32, Humanistic Psychology - a counseling psych professor from the University of Memphis. She was awesome. We talked for a long time, and by the end she was trying to convince me to enter school in the fall and come study with her. Although Memphis is probably the last place I want to be, I can keep in touch with her, work with the division, and hopefully have her as a reference to enter UNT in a few years.
On the home front...Kyle and I have been looking for a house, and we have settled on Lewisville as where we would like to end up. It's close to work, good schools, great pricing on houses, in between his parents and my dad, etc. We have looked at several homes and placed an offer on one, but it was not accepted - and so the hunt continues. Our realtor sent over another list last night, so I'm sure we will be back at it this weekend.
I need to get going with my day...will probably post more later.
21 July 2009 @ 01:50 pm
Good Lord, it's been a while.
Okay, so...since I last posted, I was able to get out of the office and spend some time in the field (Atlanta) training with a Regional Loss Prevention Manager. It came at a very good time; I had felt so disconnected from what I used to do at Starbucks that I was really not very happy at work - and this reinvigorated me, made me feel like I was back in my element. I came back home and immediately felt as though I was able to process and understand the work I do here better, and how I can better support the field. And so...things are good at GameStop.
Not so good at Starbucks, from what I understand. I've seen a lot of career transitioning in people's Facebook profiles. It's really sad.
My birthday was great. Kyle woke up early and made me breakfast before we went to work, and gave me my present - a cute little purple Nikon digital camera. I had been wanting a new camera for a long time - one not reliant on AA batteries - and I was super excited to get this one! The day was great - I came into work to find a glitter explosion all over my desk (it took a while to clean up on Monday and I'm still finding pieces everywhere), I was taken out to lunch, and after work I went with my family and Kat Cook to a club in Dallas that features dinner and drag queens. We saw a Cher impersonator who was incredibly entertaining. The birthday celebrations continue, I have dinner tonight and dinner tomorrow with friends - so far, being 28 is alright!
On Tuesday of last week, we received notice from DHL that Kyle has been recalled from his layoff and will start work effective July 29!!!! His schedule is the sucky 4pm-12am shift, Monday through Friday, but at least we will have weekends together and I live close enough that I can come home for lunch with him each day. I am incredibly, incredibly thankful that he has his job back, he has been patient with them and it finally paid off - and now we can afford our house. Stay tuned!
I'm also thankful that I have Mary Kay to keep me busy in the evenings. Not having anything to do before was not a good thing. We learned the new requirements for becoming a director in the company, and I'm going to go for it. Why not? Stay tuned on that, as well...
And finally...MY PAPER IS FINISHED. I knocked it out on Sunday night. I am not sure that it's any good, but with any luck it will be considered for a press release and people will come see my presentation in a few weeks.
And on that note...should probably get back to work.
Okay, so...since I last posted, I was able to get out of the office and spend some time in the field (Atlanta) training with a Regional Loss Prevention Manager. It came at a very good time; I had felt so disconnected from what I used to do at Starbucks that I was really not very happy at work - and this reinvigorated me, made me feel like I was back in my element. I came back home and immediately felt as though I was able to process and understand the work I do here better, and how I can better support the field. And so...things are good at GameStop.
Not so good at Starbucks, from what I understand. I've seen a lot of career transitioning in people's Facebook profiles. It's really sad.
My birthday was great. Kyle woke up early and made me breakfast before we went to work, and gave me my present - a cute little purple Nikon digital camera. I had been wanting a new camera for a long time - one not reliant on AA batteries - and I was super excited to get this one! The day was great - I came into work to find a glitter explosion all over my desk (it took a while to clean up on Monday and I'm still finding pieces everywhere), I was taken out to lunch, and after work I went with my family and Kat Cook to a club in Dallas that features dinner and drag queens. We saw a Cher impersonator who was incredibly entertaining. The birthday celebrations continue, I have dinner tonight and dinner tomorrow with friends - so far, being 28 is alright!
On Tuesday of last week, we received notice from DHL that Kyle has been recalled from his layoff and will start work effective July 29!!!! His schedule is the sucky 4pm-12am shift, Monday through Friday, but at least we will have weekends together and I live close enough that I can come home for lunch with him each day. I am incredibly, incredibly thankful that he has his job back, he has been patient with them and it finally paid off - and now we can afford our house. Stay tuned!
I'm also thankful that I have Mary Kay to keep me busy in the evenings. Not having anything to do before was not a good thing. We learned the new requirements for becoming a director in the company, and I'm going to go for it. Why not? Stay tuned on that, as well...
And finally...MY PAPER IS FINISHED. I knocked it out on Sunday night. I am not sure that it's any good, but with any luck it will be considered for a press release and people will come see my presentation in a few weeks.
And on that note...should probably get back to work.
Current Mood: 
busy
busy29 June 2009 @ 03:47 pm
I think most of you have seen this on my facebook page. I'm pretty excited to have the weight (literally) off my shoulders. There is something seriously psychological about getting ones hair cut in a radically different style from what one had before, so much so that the women in the salon couldn't understand why I was not bawling my eyes out after cutting off 8 inches. I really, really needed to do this. And it's a challenge to style now, because apparently my hair is a lot wavier than I thought, but it's nice to actually want to style my hair, as opposed to groaning in disgust and finally throwing it up in a bun, wet.
Now that I've overcome one obstacle, this is about the time when I start to freak out about my APA paper and finalize my plans to travel to Toronto. I can't believe that it's only a month away!
*back to work.* Only one hour to go in the day!
Current Mood: 
excited
excited22 June 2009 @ 03:04 pm
I spent the weekend running around like a mad woman, so I feel like I didn't get much of one. It's all good though.
Saturday I did a customer appreciation event at Terry Costa, which sells casual dresses, formals and bridal gowns. We raffled off a Satin Hands set and got quite a few names. I then did a skin care class for a group of four Nigerian girls, who giggled and screamed and took pictures through the whole thing. It was a great time, and I feel like I can finish my month strong - if I don't reach my goal, I will definitely come close.
*Also, for those of you who volunteered to assist with remote facials, you should receive your packets this week.*
Sunday we went to my Dad's house to celebrate Father's day. We ate a turducken. This would be a chicken, stuffed inside a duck, stuffed inside a turkey, with layers of rice stuffing in between. It was definitely an experience, I don't know that we will repeat it anytime soon, but definitely worth trying at least once. I think my Dad was more impressed that between the 8 of us, we ate five lbs of mashed potatoes.
Today I am dragging a little bit. I've gotten a few things accomplished at work (most important - shopping for and eating a red velvet cake). I have a bajillion phone calls to make (tomorrow, tomorrow, there's always tomorrow) and a meeting to go to right after work, lots to do before this one sleeps.
*and now, for something completely different*
I am CUTTING my hair. OFF. I met a girl at Terry Costa with super-cute hair (looks quite a bit like your hair, Dr. Profeta, except she is blonde like me) and took a picture of it so that I could show it to BJ. I have an appointment for Saturday - unfortunately I couldn't do it any sooner. I have had long hair for the past four years, and I am beyond tired of it. I am tired of washing so much of it, I'm tired of fighting to comb through it after washing it (despite conditioner), I'm tired of having to style it, and I'm tired of being tired of styling it and putting it back in a ponytail, wet. I want something that fits my new life - wife, full-time cyberspace investigator and part-time business owner, closer to 30 than to 20 (and feeling okay with that). It's really weird, but I almost feel like holding onto this hair is holding me back from moving forward with my life - which sounds CRAZY - but I honestly feel like it's the kick in the pants I need right now.
I know that I'm ready, because where I was afraid before of the loss when I would see girls with long, long hair, now I think 'been there, done that.' Moving on!
I'm also contemplating a tattoo. This is the Chinese character for 'family' -
It's the most important thing to me, why not?
I'm thinking I might be a little crazy for wanting one, thoughts?
Back to work...just over an hour left!
Saturday I did a customer appreciation event at Terry Costa, which sells casual dresses, formals and bridal gowns. We raffled off a Satin Hands set and got quite a few names. I then did a skin care class for a group of four Nigerian girls, who giggled and screamed and took pictures through the whole thing. It was a great time, and I feel like I can finish my month strong - if I don't reach my goal, I will definitely come close.
*Also, for those of you who volunteered to assist with remote facials, you should receive your packets this week.*
Sunday we went to my Dad's house to celebrate Father's day. We ate a turducken. This would be a chicken, stuffed inside a duck, stuffed inside a turkey, with layers of rice stuffing in between. It was definitely an experience, I don't know that we will repeat it anytime soon, but definitely worth trying at least once. I think my Dad was more impressed that between the 8 of us, we ate five lbs of mashed potatoes.
Today I am dragging a little bit. I've gotten a few things accomplished at work (most important - shopping for and eating a red velvet cake). I have a bajillion phone calls to make (tomorrow, tomorrow, there's always tomorrow) and a meeting to go to right after work, lots to do before this one sleeps.
*and now, for something completely different*
I am CUTTING my hair. OFF. I met a girl at Terry Costa with super-cute hair (looks quite a bit like your hair, Dr. Profeta, except she is blonde like me) and took a picture of it so that I could show it to BJ. I have an appointment for Saturday - unfortunately I couldn't do it any sooner. I have had long hair for the past four years, and I am beyond tired of it. I am tired of washing so much of it, I'm tired of fighting to comb through it after washing it (despite conditioner), I'm tired of having to style it, and I'm tired of being tired of styling it and putting it back in a ponytail, wet. I want something that fits my new life - wife, full-time cyberspace investigator and part-time business owner, closer to 30 than to 20 (and feeling okay with that). It's really weird, but I almost feel like holding onto this hair is holding me back from moving forward with my life - which sounds CRAZY - but I honestly feel like it's the kick in the pants I need right now.
I know that I'm ready, because where I was afraid before of the loss when I would see girls with long, long hair, now I think 'been there, done that.' Moving on!
I'm also contemplating a tattoo. This is the Chinese character for 'family' -
It's the most important thing to me, why not?
I'm thinking I might be a little crazy for wanting one, thoughts?
Back to work...just over an hour left!
Current Location: the cube
Current Mood: 
blah
blah15 June 2009 @ 09:31 am
I have a to-do list staring at me this morning, and absolutely no desire to do it.
This morning I got up and did 20 minutes on EA Sports Active, my Wii personal trainer. It kicked my ass.
Last night I saw 'Death, The Musical' with my family at the Pocket Sandwich theater in Dallas. It's really close to where I used to work (at the Starbucks office) but I never knew it was there. It was SO FUNNY, made me miss going to shows.
I wish I had a pool, a personal one. Not the one at the apartment complex, swarming with children. It's been in the high 90's every day for the past week, even with the crazy storms we had last week that knocked out our cable (it's still out.)
I am 42 faces from completing my facial challenge this month. I have a few classes lined up this week, hopefully I'll get some good numbers in! Tonight I'm handing out samples and getting names from a raffle at the LA Fitness Customer Appreciation day event, then have a meeting afterward. Last week was not my week for sales, but I did talk to a girl who wants to sign up to be on my team this Friday (payday). Slowly but surely, things are happening!
On Saturday, Kyle and I went to a fundraiser for the Ft. Worth Community theater at Rahr Brewery. It was a really neat venue - in the actual 'warehouse' where they brew the beer - and they had all you can eat barbecue with all you can drink beer, as well as a raffle (Kyle and I were both winners! I won handmade jewelry, and he won a TCU baseball set. The only complaint we really had was that it was not air conditioned, and it was sweltering in the building. It was a good time, though.
And on that note...I suppose I will end my stream-of-consciousness ramblings and get to work.
This morning I got up and did 20 minutes on EA Sports Active, my Wii personal trainer. It kicked my ass.
Last night I saw 'Death, The Musical' with my family at the Pocket Sandwich theater in Dallas. It's really close to where I used to work (at the Starbucks office) but I never knew it was there. It was SO FUNNY, made me miss going to shows.
I wish I had a pool, a personal one. Not the one at the apartment complex, swarming with children. It's been in the high 90's every day for the past week, even with the crazy storms we had last week that knocked out our cable (it's still out.)
I am 42 faces from completing my facial challenge this month. I have a few classes lined up this week, hopefully I'll get some good numbers in! Tonight I'm handing out samples and getting names from a raffle at the LA Fitness Customer Appreciation day event, then have a meeting afterward. Last week was not my week for sales, but I did talk to a girl who wants to sign up to be on my team this Friday (payday). Slowly but surely, things are happening!
On Saturday, Kyle and I went to a fundraiser for the Ft. Worth Community theater at Rahr Brewery. It was a really neat venue - in the actual 'warehouse' where they brew the beer - and they had all you can eat barbecue with all you can drink beer, as well as a raffle (Kyle and I were both winners! I won handmade jewelry, and he won a TCU baseball set. The only complaint we really had was that it was not air conditioned, and it was sweltering in the building. It was a good time, though.
And on that note...I suppose I will end my stream-of-consciousness ramblings and get to work.
Current Location: the cube
Current Mood: content
content09 June 2009 @ 02:20 pm
I think it's time for a quick update, it's been long enough.
GameStop is keeping me VERY busy. My boss returns from a three-week absence tomorrow. He's been on vacation, at a meeting, and will be back for part of this week before leaving again to go to a conference in LA next week. It's been weird without him, but I feel like I've learned a lot (just by default!)
Mary Kay is also keeping me very busy. I'm in a red jacket, which means I have a team of five - maybe six, if my interview on Thursday goes well - and working toward earning a car. Which I will not take, you can take the cash compensation instead - but, I can apply it toward my current car payment. Emily Glicksman is having her debut tonight, she became a director effective last week!
I have to say, I didn't expect that MK would impact my life the way that it has. I've really had fun with it so far. Between it and Weight Watcher meetings, I have surrounded myself with positivity and motivation - sometimes overwhelmingly cheesy, but there always seems to be a message that I need to hear each week.
It's about APA time again - when I start to freak out at the prospect of writing and presenting a paper. This year is in Toronto, and Kyle is coming with me (we weren't sure if he would be able to, but have decided that he is.) I learned last week that Dr. Garza and I both had papers accepted for the same panel - this is the second time that's happened. The first time was in New Orleans three years ago. Our topics are very similar, which made me laugh.
Okay, I need to get back to work. Hope everyone is well!
GameStop is keeping me VERY busy. My boss returns from a three-week absence tomorrow. He's been on vacation, at a meeting, and will be back for part of this week before leaving again to go to a conference in LA next week. It's been weird without him, but I feel like I've learned a lot (just by default!)
Mary Kay is also keeping me very busy. I'm in a red jacket, which means I have a team of five - maybe six, if my interview on Thursday goes well - and working toward earning a car. Which I will not take, you can take the cash compensation instead - but, I can apply it toward my current car payment. Emily Glicksman is having her debut tonight, she became a director effective last week!
I have to say, I didn't expect that MK would impact my life the way that it has. I've really had fun with it so far. Between it and Weight Watcher meetings, I have surrounded myself with positivity and motivation - sometimes overwhelmingly cheesy, but there always seems to be a message that I need to hear each week.
It's about APA time again - when I start to freak out at the prospect of writing and presenting a paper. This year is in Toronto, and Kyle is coming with me (we weren't sure if he would be able to, but have decided that he is.) I learned last week that Dr. Garza and I both had papers accepted for the same panel - this is the second time that's happened. The first time was in New Orleans three years ago. Our topics are very similar, which made me laugh.
Okay, I need to get back to work. Hope everyone is well!
02 June 2009 @ 01:23 pm
Okay. Regardless of anyone's opinion on President Obama's "performance" thus far, which has gained mixed reviews...I am frustrated with those who still make comments indicating that he is not an American citizen. If you're going to criticize the man, at least base it in fact! I'm so tired of reading ignorant facebook status comments.
19 May 2009 @ 07:42 pm
I have a challenge on the table right now to do 100 facials by June 30. I have done 39, so I'm definitely on track to complete this goal - but many of those I hold near and dear to my heart are miles and miles away! And so...my question is whether or not you would like to participate in an experiment -- facials conducted remotely?
Here's how it works:
1. You email me at ksummerville@marykay.com to let me know your current address and your skin type (combination/oily or normal/dry).
2. I will mail you a packet containing a beauty guide book and product samples, customized for your skin type.
3. When you receive the packet, you will (at your convenience) take it into your bathroom, dial into a conference line and enter a code (both of which I will provide for you), and follow along with a 20-minute recording of my adopted director, Lisa Stengel, who will take you through the facial and explain each product as well as how and when to apply it.
4. When you have completed the facial, email me again to let me know a time that you would be available for me to call and follow up with you. I estimate this conversation will take around 30 minutes, unless we haven't talked in a long time - in which case, it may take longer! :-) I am specifically interested in two things - first, your opinion of the products; and second, your opinion of the format/presentation. I'm very curious to know what you think about following along with a recording, and the feedback will be good for me to bring back to the director.
There is NOTHING to purchase, and it takes about 30 minutes of your time to do the facial, with an additional 30 minutes to give me your opinion. I will also have a gift for you as thanks for helping me out - both with your time and feedback!
Hope to hear from you!
Here's how it works:
1. You email me at ksummerville@marykay.com to let me know your current address and your skin type (combination/oily or normal/dry).
2. I will mail you a packet containing a beauty guide book and product samples, customized for your skin type.
3. When you receive the packet, you will (at your convenience) take it into your bathroom, dial into a conference line and enter a code (both of which I will provide for you), and follow along with a 20-minute recording of my adopted director, Lisa Stengel, who will take you through the facial and explain each product as well as how and when to apply it.
4. When you have completed the facial, email me again to let me know a time that you would be available for me to call and follow up with you. I estimate this conversation will take around 30 minutes, unless we haven't talked in a long time - in which case, it may take longer! :-) I am specifically interested in two things - first, your opinion of the products; and second, your opinion of the format/presentation. I'm very curious to know what you think about following along with a recording, and the feedback will be good for me to bring back to the director.
There is NOTHING to purchase, and it takes about 30 minutes of your time to do the facial, with an additional 30 minutes to give me your opinion. I will also have a gift for you as thanks for helping me out - both with your time and feedback!
Hope to hear from you!
Current Location: home
Current Mood: amused
amused19 May 2009 @ 07:20 pm
...well, it is. Things are going well, nothing terribly exciting happening in my world. Lots of work and Mary Kay. Kyle is still a contract worker, and very frustrated because they seem to be taking him for granted...he has only been there a month and they have put him in charge of a HUGE account that they are on the verge of losing because their customer service has been so bad. Kyle has been told he's the 'go-to guy' to fix this situation - which would be awesome if he wasn't making such a pathetic wage and if he knew that they would keep him on for certain after the project is over.
*sigh*
( bitching just a bit )
Anyway.
Saturday night was Baccalaureatte Mass at UD...ironically, the only person I know who graduated this year was originally in our class -- Vanessa Osbaldeston finally got her psych degree! I have to say, I admire her tenacity. She failed several times, but she always came back. In any case...it still made me feel really out of the loop to not know anyone anymore -- including the presiding priest.
Funny story...they did a big show with incense and bells (seems to happen a lot more often with Fr. Rudy around)...but they left the incense burning all throughout the Mass, and it was right behind where the choir sat - so we inhaled incense the entire time. I thought it was kind of nice, but it really affected other members of the choir, who had to hold tissues over their noses to filter the fumes.
I weigh in tomorrow (week 3). I stepped on the scale this morning and was down three lbs from last week, which I found very surprising because I don't feel any different - so we'll see what happens tomorrow. Last week I maintained my original 5.4lb loss.
Hope everyone is well.
Current Location: home
Current Mood: 
cold
cold06 May 2009 @ 09:27 pm
Holy crap, time flies!
Work has picked up a lot. Tomorrow and Friday I will work in a store, which I'm excited about. So much of what I understood about Starbucks came from my experience working in a store, and that is one thing I've felt has been lacking in my training - I just don't really have a clue how GameStop (the store) works. I'm looking forward to this part.
Mary Kay has been keeping me busy as well. I've been meeting my challenges a little at a time - I completed 30 facials in 30 days (actually, a few more than that!) and I'm a third of the way to my goal of 100 by June 30. I've got three women on my team and another one signing up tomorrow, which means that I am on track to earn my first car and I get an official uniform (red jacket!) I swear, make-up is flying off my shelves faster than I can stock it. I'm feeling good!
Kyle has been temping for the last few weeks, and it does not appear to have an end date. We are still hoping he will be hired back at DHL in the near future, but he hasn't heard anything definite on that yet.
Right now, Kyle is watching the Wrestler - UGH! So violent and hard to watch!
I'm laughing at myself today. I went and weighed in at WW (week 2), and was down 5.4lbs from last week!!! I really thought I would only be down one or two lbs, because although I did for the most part stick to my points, I haven't been eating well overall...and I went to Scarborough Faire on Sunday, where I ate crap fair food and drank mead all day long. We did walk around for 8 hours, but it was not what I would consider exercise. I guess we'll see if I can keep it up when I REALLY try! I felt like I was on the Biggest Loser!
That's about it for now...I need to finish my laundry and head to bed. It's been a long week.
Current Location: home
Current Mood: busy
busy25 April 2009 @ 01:26 pm
Work has been going well. It is such a laid-back, relaxed environment - at least from my perspective. I'm usually the first one there in the morning (probably due to my FABULOUS 4-mile commute) but everyone else usually rolls in sometime between 8:15-8:45am. Lunch starts around 11:30, and my team really takes their time. Everyone jets around 5:15pm. In between, work is done - and as for me, I'm learning a LOT. I've been sitting with many different departments and learning their roles as well as building relationships. It's been good! There is a part of me that just wants to relax and enjoy these days because I know once I get up and running there will be a lot to get done, but there is also a part of me that would like to be super-busy so that the time will fly by. It'll get there.
I ran into Mike Toohey today. I had no idea he was back in Texas. I met Emily Glicksman at Starbucks to trade some product and chat about Mary Kay (which is going really well, by the way - I'm having a lot of fun with it!) and he happened to be working. I haven't seen him in three years - not since well before I got married - and I was afraid it would be kind of awkward considering everything that we've been through over the years. Not so, actually - it was great to see him. I got to meet his girlfriend, who is going to finish her MA in Theology at UD. They are going to come over and hang out with Kyle and I this week. So random, but I'm really glad it worked out that way.
That's pretty much it..life has just been a montage of work, facials, and choir. Kyle started temping at a company called Ryder this week, and they asked him to stay for another two weeks. He is hoping to either get hired on there or get a call back from DHL (which has undergone a change in management, and the new management will fight to get him back). Either way, we are both really glad that he's working.
Think it's time for a nap. Hope everyone is well!
I ran into Mike Toohey today. I had no idea he was back in Texas. I met Emily Glicksman at Starbucks to trade some product and chat about Mary Kay (which is going really well, by the way - I'm having a lot of fun with it!) and he happened to be working. I haven't seen him in three years - not since well before I got married - and I was afraid it would be kind of awkward considering everything that we've been through over the years. Not so, actually - it was great to see him. I got to meet his girlfriend, who is going to finish her MA in Theology at UD. They are going to come over and hang out with Kyle and I this week. So random, but I'm really glad it worked out that way.
That's pretty much it..life has just been a montage of work, facials, and choir. Kyle started temping at a company called Ryder this week, and they asked him to stay for another two weeks. He is hoping to either get hired on there or get a call back from DHL (which has undergone a change in management, and the new management will fight to get him back). Either way, we are both really glad that he's working.
Think it's time for a nap. Hope everyone is well!
Current Location: home
Current Mood: satisfied
satisfied21 April 2009 @ 09:06 pm
Hello, lovely ladies! (And the sparse but present gentlemen who visit this site!)
Just wanted to let you all know that I am offering a 25% off discount to all the hard-working mothers out there...now through May 10! I always offer free shipping, and all orders placed by the Wednesday prior should be there by Sunday.
If you are NOT a mother, I'm sure you definitely HAVE a mother - and I have gifts available that she would love!
Just a few suggestions:
* Indulge Soothing Eye Gel* - $15
*Satin Hands* - $30
Any of the limited edition Eau de Toilette scent/lotion combos (with beautiful gift bag!) - $40
I can also customize a gift set for your special mom - with free shipping!
Please visit my website - www.marykay.com/ksummerville - and in the checkout section, enter 'contact me' for payment. I will apply discounts and arrange shipping/delivery at that time.
Happy Mother's Day!
Just wanted to let you all know that I am offering a 25% off discount to all the hard-working mothers out there...now through May 10! I always offer free shipping, and all orders placed by the Wednesday prior should be there by Sunday.
If you are NOT a mother, I'm sure you definitely HAVE a mother - and I have gifts available that she would love!
Just a few suggestions:
* Indulge Soothing Eye Gel* - $15
*Satin Hands* - $30
Any of the limited edition Eau de Toilette scent/lotion combos (with beautiful gift bag!) - $40
I can also customize a gift set for your special mom - with free shipping!
Please visit my website - www.marykay.com/ksummerville - and in the checkout section, enter 'contact me' for payment. I will apply discounts and arrange shipping/delivery at that time.
Happy Mother's Day!
Current Location: home
Current Mood: chipper
chipper11 April 2009 @ 05:26 pm
First week: check. I love my GameStop job. The team is interesting, everyone is really nice to me (if not always to one another, which I guess is par for the course with office politics) but I'm hoping to remain Switzerland for a while. I learned that for the first month and 1/2, my team wants me to learn everything I can about different departments that we've had little to no interaction with, though we could make serious headway if we teamed up. This past week, I learned the job of a customer service agent in the call center. I did not myself answer calls, but I did learn how to use the programs they use and I shadowed a few different agents. They do not get paid enough to deal with the abuse most of the customers put them through.
I think I'm going to be in trouble if I don't get some kind of workout routine going. This team loves to eat, and they love to eat sugar. I was taken out to lunch three times last week and have three more lunches next week. The two girls in my work area (who are both thin as rails) eat candy and cookies all the time. I don't want to be the chunky girl! ACK!
All week, I was amazed at how exhausted I felt around 10am and 3pm every day. I am not used to working an 8am-5pm schedule, it's been years since I had that kind of job - but I'm surviving on sugar-free Redbull.
Friday night Kyle and I hung out with a few friends, one of whom I used to work with at Starbucks. We had a good time sitting around and talking - Kyle and my friend Brian have a lot in common (they are both very artistic souls) so they had a lot to talk about. They even humored me and let me do facials to help get my presentation down - and although they did protest a little bit, they seemed to enjoy the results.
This was a very successful Mary Kay week as well. I'm getting the hang of the presentation of product, and have booked quite a few parties and facials for this month. I even signed on my first team member today, which means I get to start making commission - it's a sign of hope for me, I can do this and be good at it!
Anyway...in a few hours I am singing at the Easter Vigil. I look forward to it every year. Tomorrow morning Kyle and I are headed to my Dad's to hang out. If it doesn't rain, we are all supposed to go to Scarborough Faire - Danny is in town until Tuesday, and he's never been, so we wanted to go while he was still in town. We shall see.
Happy Easter!!
Current Location: home
Current Mood: 
sleepy
sleepy