Another new job? WHAT?

Hey gang!

What's in the news today?  Well I got ANOTHER new job!  Yay!
I just started working with Modern in Denver Magazine.  I'm going to be helping them part-time with social media, email advertising, writing & editing, blog updates, general office help, etc.  I'm so excited!

It's a little strange to be working two part-time jobs instead of just one full-time, but I think I might actually like it.  I tend to get tired of the same thing every day, and I like the idea of having things changed up a bit.  I should have a pretty set schedule soon as well, so that's AWESOME - and I'll even have WEEKENDS OFF!!  WOOHOO!!!  That made me so friggin' happy.

I feel so lucky and blessed that this all magically lined up for me (I really do think there was some magic involved), and I can't thank you folks enough for being so helpful and supportive during this whole process!  It's going to take a little bit of adjustment over the next month or so (I'm gettin' my feet wet - bear with me), but I think it's going to be really good for me.

I'm so happy to find positions that will not only A) be flexible when I do start school again, but B) possibly open up some opportunities in the future.  All about who you know, right? :)

And did I mention that I'll have WEEKENDS OFF???
Hehe.  I'm pretty happy about that.

Pie time!

Lately I've been helping out in the bakery with some pie making!  And I've been loving it.  :)

We've been making full-sized pies, hand pies, rolling out dough, making the filling - all those goodies!  It can get repetitive sometimes (try making 65 blueberry hand pies sometime!), but I really have been having a great time.  And it helps that I have a super rad teacher guiding me along!  Leanne is awesome, and she makes the most delicious pies ever.

PLUS it's helped me get over my fear of making pie dough - definitely the most difficult part to get right when it comes to pies.  It's such a science, but I feel a lot more confident now that I've been forced to work on it myself!

I'll be going back to my regular job at the storefront starting Sunday, but I hope to be back there again soon.  I really liked the change of pace, and working with food directly.

Anyway, it has inspired me to start making my own pies at home!  Kinda funny that I'd do something all day at work - and still want to do it when I clock out.  Ha!  Weird how that happens, huh? I must like what I'm doing or something. :)

All Images via Pinterest.  

New Job Jitters

I gotta sit down and get real with you here for a sec... 

...I'm scared.

I kind of just realized it today.  I'm 1-week away from starting my new job, and I've got butterflies in my tummy - not just with excitement, but there's definitely some fear in there too. 

What if I can't make ends meet with how much I'm getting paid?

What if I absolutely hate it? 

What if I totally suck? 

What if / what if / WHAT IF!?!?

I'm going a little bit crazy... mostly about the money thing.  I have been working so hard to pay off my debt, and this will be taking a huge step back for me financially.  I'm trying to think of the big picture (happiness / future career / all that jazz), but it is certainly a bit jarring.  All of these "what if's" are swimming in my brain and making me dizzy. 

I need to stay calm and breathe. 

I need to take it one day at a time. 

I see why people stay at jobs for so long once they're comfortable there - even if they hate it!  It's easier.  It's convenient.  There's no fear of the unknown.  You've already built up the trust, and now I have to earn it all over again.  I have to learn how to do things again.  I will be out of my comfort zone. 

I think these are all pretty valid fears, and I'm sure a lot of people go through the exact same thing, and ask themselves the same questions.  But I'm going to face those fears.  It's scary, yes, but I can't keep living my life without taking that risk.  

Walk face-first into the "What If" and say I don't really know right now, but I'll figure it out!

That's what I'm going through at the moment.

I'm scared, but I'll be okay.  A life lived in fear is not a life at all.  

Wish me luck...

Spending Fast Update - 8 months down! Oh, and I GOT A NEW JOB!! :D

HEY GANG!!! 

So I'll tell you all about my new super awesome job that I'm totally excited about in just a minute (even though I know you're dying with anticipation), but as far as my Spending Fast goes, I think I did pretty darn well this month!  

I'm mostly excited about my Discover bill (the biggest one with the highest interest rate).  Check out THIS awesomeness: 

STARTING AMOUNT:  $4,423.11
CURRENT AMOUNT:  $1,017.41

SHIT. YES. 
I was so happy when I realized how close I am to getting that number under a grand.  Especially since that $4k number pretty much made me cry at the beginning of this year.  There's nothing you can't do if you just put your mind to it!  WOOT! 

Here is how I did with non-spending during the month of August: 

AUG
Date	Not buying	Approx $ not spent	Total $ Saved
8/1/2012	Derby Dues	$50.00	$50.00
8/4/2012	Waterworld (couldn't get free tix this year) :(	$40.00	$90.00
8/5/2012	Concert (Megan & I decided not to go, and save the $)	$8.00	$98.00
8/6/2012	Free burrito AND free chips & queso!!  (thanks, Qdoba!)	$13.00	$111.00
8/9/2012	Lunch at Breck Brewery (brought my own lunch, just went to say hi)	$15.00	$126.00
8/9/2012	Flavored Vodka (really wanted to get this for hot cocoa)	$20.00	$146.00
8/16/2012	Dress at Ross (I can't believe I walked out without it!  I'm growing!)	$15.00	$161.00
8/20/2012	The Clymb - big sale (would've gotten free stuff, but still $8 to ship!)	$8.00	$169.00
8/27/2012	TJ Maxx stuff (bought over weekend - returned items due to guilt)	$35.00	$204.00
8/27/2012	Comemerative beer mug (sale) for Oktoberfest (dangit!)	$10.00	$214.00
8/29/2012	Bottle of wine (really wanted one!)	$10.00	$224.00

Not too shabby!  
I started out with $13,168.04 of debt at the beginning of this year. 
I'm now left with $7,863.64 - that means I've paid off $5,304.40 in the past 8 months!  WOOHOO!  

And now on to the big news... 
I'm going to be working at a BAKERY!! 
I'm so doggone excited. 
Unfortunately this means I'll be taking a pretty big pay cut (the debt will now be decreasing in much smaller baby-steps), but I'll finally, FINALLY be doing something that I'm really excited about.  

I'm just starting as a "team member" - which means helping customers, probably cleaning, helping with prep work & all that, but I'm hoping to eventually move up the ranks.  The people at this bakery seem pretty darn awesome too, and I can't wait to start with them!  

OH, and did I mention the best part?  They're going to have me decorating CUPCAKES!!!  :D  

SO. AWESOME. 

Funny story on how it all happened actually.... 
On Wednesday I was thinking about how I really wanted to do something where I wasn't sitting at a desk all day.  That it would be fun to be working with food and people - both of which I enjoy doing so much!  Then I thought "What about a bakery?"

I went on Craigslist, and lo & behold, a bakery near my house was hiring. 

I was so excited that I emailed them my resume and explained how thrilled I was for the opportunity. 

That night, I decided to take a bit more initiative. 

Firstly, I prayed.  I haven't prayed in a long time, and I was much overdue.  I realized that I needed a little extra help - I could come so far, but I needed another little push in any way I could find it.  I realized that the money wasn't important - my happiness was.  That's what I truly wanted, and I prayed for it with all my heart. 

Secondly, I got up early, and scooted my butt down to the bakery with my resume.  I decided, they needed to meet me in person.  The email wasn't gonna cut it. 

Luckily, they wanted to do an interview on the spot!  I was totally honest about what I wanted to do, and explained how excited I was to work with them.  I told them that I love baking and cooking at home, and I'd be thrilled to do anything in regards to that - and I was more than ready to get out from behind a desk again.

The hired me right then & there!! 

The girl said that they had been through a bunch of interviews, and that they were just about to call someone that they would be OK with hiring...

...then I walked in the door. 

I cried the whole way home of happiness!!  
And of course, thanked God for the help. :) 
 
So this does mean that I will be away from the computer more, and posts may be a bit more infrequent starting next month.  But you know what?  That's OK with me.  I will be away from a computer and out living my life.  Don't worry though, I'll still keep you kids updated every chance I get!  

Especially about the opportunity to come and eat some cupcakes. :) 

I'm SO ridiculously excited about this new chapter in my life!!

Busy Busy Bee...

Sorry I haven't been around lately.... I've been busy busy busy doing this:

The teddy bear is representing me in this picture.  If you didn't figure that out from the super cute glasses he's wearing!

And this:

I've been basically working my booty off at finding a new job.  It's been a long & hard journey, and I'm 7 1/2 months in - but I keep plugging away.  This week I've had more motivation than ever, and I'm hoping that by the end of next month I'll be in a new position where I can jump-start my career and do something that I truly care about! 

I want to be passionate about my job, and do something that makes me happy every day.  That's really what I want.  I don't care if I'm exhausted at the end of the day, or if I have to work long hours.  I don't care if I have to drive long distances, or get a little dirty.  I want to feel like what I do every day is not just for a paycheck - it's for a better world.  It's for a better future.  It's for a better me! 

And yes, I've been reading some pretty soul-searching books lately too (including The Alchemist for book club).  ;)

I will be back soon to give you an update!
Especially on all the camping... just like we're doing again this weekend!  Woohoo! 

All images found on Pinterest. 

Stressed...

Sigh, if only that were the case for me right now!

Sorry about the lack of posts lately - I've been going through a bit of a "life change", and I'm figuring out how to deal with all of it. Veganism is still going great, but due to an unforeseen medical issue, I also need to cut out anything with sugar in it for the next few weeks - which needless to say makes things even more difficult!

On the flip side, my work situation has been very frustrating lately, and I'm finding it more and more difficult to stay in the position I'm in at the same pay I'm receiving. I've begun the job hunt all over again, with hopes to take a step up into a more focused career - at a place that pays me what I deserve, and covers my health insurance too!

It's been a struggle to balance all of these changes, derby practice, social time (which has been very little lately, unfortunately), boyfriend time, me time, and just finding an hour to do my laundry is hard.

I'm trying to stay positive though - just knowing that a good job is out there for me somewhere and that desserts will be on my horizon again soon certainly helps to keep my head up!