Overwhelming

I started working at Mimosa for lunch on Tuesday. I've been training (today is day 3) and it's a pretty good time.  The people there are very nice and helpful. It's such a fine dining restaurant though, I sometimes feel out of place. I guess I just won't joke around as much as I do at Big Daddy's.  I think that working two jobs is going to be really tough, but maybe it's just because I'm training at Mimosa and I'm having to study for all these tests after I've been working literally all day. I'll go to Mimosa at 10 (but leave the apartment at 9 because traffic from South Charlotte to Uptown is RIDICULOUS! I leave Mimosa around 2.30 and begin my trek back to South Charlotte which takes probably 25 - 30 minutes. I go home to let Stoli out and play while I change into Big Daddy's uniform. Then I usually have to be at Big Daddy's from 4.30 to around 10 or 11. Last night I didn't get home until 11.15. By that time, I'm pretty beat. Thank goodness Shugart is around to let Stoli out while I'm not home. When we move into the house, the boys will be there. Which concerns me about Christopher. I told him I didn't want him to resent me because he had to take care of my dog or anything. As much as he loves dogs, I don't want him to think I'm a neglectful mom. He said he wouldn't. I'm hoping the days of two jobs is coming to a quick end, but we shall see.

Speaking of jobs - FS Food Group (which owns Big Daddy's) is opening a BBQ place in Plaza Midwood right off Central which is the road the new house if very near. So, maybe I can make the switch over there and not have to drive all the way to Ballantyne to work. That would be ideal. I talked to my general manager last night and she said she would like to use me to be somewhat like a trainer at the BBQ place since I've been at Big Daddy's long enough to know the atmosphere and expectations of the company. I took that as a compliment.

I really hate restaurant tests...but I'm off to study for mine. ugh.

House Photos

Here are a few pictures of the house. Christopher, Joe, and I are currently painting our rooms. We hope to paint the dining room.  After that, I think that's all the painting we will do. Our kitchen is too small to paint and our living room...well, I'm not sure what we are doing there. Here's the house in it's bare bones.

Our wrap around porch!! Love at first sight.

This is our living room. The fireplace doesn't work, but I plan on putting some candles or something in there.

 Our kitchen

 This is Joe's room

 Mine and Joe's bathroom

 Our dining room. Love the built-in cabinets!

Committing

For those of you who know me, you know I do not commit. I can only think of one situation in which I followed through a long term commitment - college. For four years I stayed in one place and graduated. But, even through those four years I: changed my major 3 times, changed my minor 4 times, switched classes, and did pretty much anything you can do to change things. It's a miracle I graduated on time.

So, it should come as a surprise that I am committing to something - a two year contract on the rental house in Charlotte. Joe and Christopher had to sit me down and make sure I was in it for the long run before we signed anything (and rightfully so). I'm working on committing - just a flaw I'm trying to correct. This bird can't be caged. :)

I'm going to take photos of the house tomorrow when Christopher and I stop by again to take measurements. Super excited!!

Together

We looked at another house yesterday and fell in love with it. It is 3 bedroom and 2 bathrooms for around $1100. It has hardwood floors throughout, the washer and dryer come included, and it has a wrap around porch! I think that's a much better deal than the other house with only 1 bathroom. One problem is parking...there isn't enough for 3 cars, but I think we can make it work. The best part is that Joe approved (which apparently is quite a feat). I think Christopher and I had a great success! We still have to draw straws to see who gets what room. I care not about having the master, but I definitely have my eye on one bedroom in particular.

In other news, I got selected to have an interview with TEACH Charlotte. My interview is April 2. Please keep everything crossed for me that you can. Send positive thoughts this way. Pray pray pray.

Hunting

I'm hunting for so many things right now.

I've been sending out application after application. I enjoy the restaurant business, but I think I really need a job where I have a known stead income every month. I need that so I can set a solid budget for myself. Plus, the drama at Big Daddy's is absolutely ridiculous. I have close to 40 year old managers gossiping like a teenager. I have 30-something co-workers having temper tantrums like a toddler. It's absurd! Back stabbing and bad mouthing abound.

Christopher, Joe, and I are still house hunting. I find these great houses, but either they are out of our price range (around $1000) or in a bad part of town.  Finally, I ran across a house in a neighborhood we are crazy about. It's only $995 a month with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Plus, it's pet friendly!! The catch - it's available immediately and the realtor told me today that there are a ton of applications on the house. I guess it's up to the boys as to what we should do. I'm getting the keys on Friday and will have 24 hours to tour the home. I'll take photos and post them. Hopefully something comes of it.