So, do you like how I say "I'm back!" and then just leave for a week? Super sweet of me, huh?

The truth is: I hit publish and then I instantly regretted it. I'm not happy with this blog now. I'm sure you're probably wondering: "can this girl be happy and/or satisfied with anything?!?" The answer remains to be seen.

HOWEVER, I will be moving this blog again. The question is: will y'all follow me one more time?

If so:

(a) go here: http://www.whitneystateofmind.blogspot.com/

(b) thank you

(c) i promise to not change the blog again*

Thanks so much and see y'all over there!

*For at least 5 minutes

Tap Tap....Anyone There?

Hello?!? Is anyone there?

I know it's been like forever since I've posted and y'all have all forgotten about me, but I'm back now! Forgive the absence? It's what real{blog} friends do! Truthfully, it's been a long time since I've worked this much and fitting in time to blog and check blogs went on the back burner. I think I've got my routine down now, though and I'm back to blogging. I think. Ha!

Where to start? Life has been insane!

*I'm still with Anonymous National Retailer and loooving it! Every single day I look forward to going to work. I still miss the kids for which I was a Nanny, but I see them and enjoy keeping up with their lives.

*I started going to a new church and I'm so happy. It's the funniest story about how I got to this church; I'll tell you later!

*I'm in the beginning stages so I won't go into much detail right this minute, but I'm starting a non-profit company. It's something I've been passionate about for a long time and I'm really excited to see where this is going to be headed.

*I've lost 14 more pounds since I last posted. That was two months ago, so it doesn't seem like a lot but the truth is that I fell off the wagon for a minute. I didn't gain anything back, but I'm fully on track now.

*I'm in the process of looking for an apartment with one of my closest friends. I'm super excited to move in with her. We know it's going to work because we are so similar, we love the same things and we are on the same page about everything important. 

So, I think you're all recapped over here. 

What is up with y'all?

Weekend Roundup, 4th Edition

4th edition = work edition.

Seriously though, the new job has been going amazingly well! I'm loving it and everyone I've met so far! It really is nice to have coworkers and socialize with people over the age of 7! Ha!


The book and I had a talk and decided that I'm in charge.
I've already started making flash cards and using colored highlighters to separate different things. I also might have already been made fun of by several of my coworkers. Hey - it's best that they see this side of me early on, right?


Friday
I worked until 6{even though I'm supposed to work til 8, they have been letting me out early my first week} and came home, changed and headed to the mall. I had some "city cash" to spend at New York & Co. so I wanted to take advantage of it before it expired. I know you've been hearing me talk about this store a lot recently, but honestly I'm on a kick. What can I say?

I got everything you see pictured, plus a pair of dark brown linen pants and a ring neither of which I could find pictured online.

Saturday

Saturday I got off early as well, about 5:30. I had so much to do at home that I decided head straight there and work on everything I haven't done since Wednesday. I got laundry done, cleared my desk off and finally bagged up all the stuff for Goodwill. Afterwards I got in bed, put on a movie and fell asleep. Bed is where Ida Claire stayed most of the night - she has always been like a 95 year old. She wakes up early, eats dinner about 4:30 and retires for the evening about 7. If she ever takes her teeth out we're in trouble!

Sunday

Sunday I didn't have to be at work until 12, so I got up early to get my grocery shopping done. I headed to Walmart and it wasn't crowded at all - thank you Lord! Usually the Walmart trip on a Sunday has me questioning my sanity. After work we had a barbecue at my DM's house, so I got to meet everyone that I hadn't had a chance to meet yet and get to know everyone better! It was a lot of fun and I am grateful to have such an amazing boss! I really like working for Anonymous National Retailer because the atmosphere is so different from anywhere I've worked - especially other retail establishments. I'm used to people being uptight and stressed on a constant basis and it's exactly the opposite here. I think I've found my fit - knock on wood! Ha!

One more day of work{Monday} and then I'm off for 2 days! 

Tell me about your weekend!

The Book

It's getting a little scary around here.

I've officially been given "The Book" that all the managers receive at Anonymous National Retailer. And it's scary big. 

However, being someone of the mindset that all mountains should be conquered{and the mindset that I should be a good manager so I can get promotions and raises and all manners of accolades from the higher ups} I will be reading and remembering every single word from this book.

I know, I know. Holy crap.

In other more fun news, I got my hair done!

It was a total "Praise the Lord" moment when she got done!

In conclusion, thank you for all the sweet comments on yesterday's post! I had such a good day yesterday and I'm excited to have such an opportunity with such an amazing company!

Here We Go.....

Opportunity is a parade.  Even as one chance passes, the next is a fife and drum echoing in the distance.  ~Robert Brault

Yesterday was my last day as a Nanny.

Today is my first day as a Sales Manager for Anonymous National Retailer.

I was more than anxious all day yesterday - partly dreading the impending goodbyes from a 2, 5 and 7 year old and partly excited for the new opportunity that awaits me!

If I'm a little scarce around the blog world for the next couple of days, just know it's because I'm settling into my new routine.

Wish me luck!

The Tribe Has Spoken - Or In Your Case, Will Speak

Do you watch Survivor? 

Even if you don't, I'm gonna need your opinion here so stick around.

The gist of the game is that players compete for a million dollars by outwitting, outlasting and outplaying their other contestants. Tribal council is held every 1 - 3 days and a player is voted out each time. Progressively, a jury of 9 is formed to, in the end, vote for the ultimate winner of the game - the "sole Survivor." This is a game that has no rules, no guidelines and no morals.

This brings me to my question: if you are chosen to play a game such as this - it could be Survivor, Big Brother or any other related reality show -  where a million dollars is on the line, should you play it as yourself or should you throw out everything you know because the game has no rules?

I've watched Survivor since the very beginning. I've never missed an episode and I've seen a lot of contestants play a lot of different ways. There have been winners who stayed true to their moral selves, winners who are extremely moral in real life and played the game completely opposite and winners who have never had any morals and certainly didn't bring any into the game.


It was a hot-button issue on Sunday night's finale. People called into question another contestant's character, integrity and morals and when confronted the accused - who in my opinion is the best strategic player to ever play Survivor - replied saying this to the jury, "You people look at me like I'm the devil and all I did was play the game." The game that remember, has no rules and does not require you to operate with any manner of moral compass. I understand when you're sitting on the jury because of the people you're expected to vote for your feelings can be hurt, your ego damaged. But can you really fault the person who lied, cheated and stole for doing so when there is nothing in the game that said he couldn't?


I consider myself to be a highly moral person. I am honest and I also believe that character is everything. However, if ever to play the game of Survivor I can't say that I wouldn't throw life's rulebook out the window to have a shot at a million dollars, or just the title of "Sole Survivor."


So back to the question: If chosen to play Survivor, how would you play the game?


a) I would play the game just as I live my life - be it moral and honest or not.
b)I would play it like it's meant to be played - honesty be damned.
c)This is a stupid post and I couldn't care less.


Survivors ready*? 
Go.


*Just a little Survivor humor for you! This is what Jeff says at the beginning of every challenge.

Weekend Roundup, 3rd Edition

This post should read 3rd - and most likely, last - Edition because sadly, I'm re-entering the world of retail this coming Wednesday and you know what weekends in retail means. But just in case you don't because you escaped ever working the trenches that is retail, what it means is longer hours instead of time off. Yay; so glad I picked sales management as my profession.

I kid. I really do love it, I have just always loved my weekends whenever I worked in a position that I was able to have them. Which is exactly 3 different positions. One of which was actually in retail, but we're getting away from the point of this post.

Friday

It was storming when I got off work, so I picked up sushi and came home. I'm getting a little tired of the whole tornado/hail/flood thing going on every weekend. I'm so ready for tornado season to be over. I watched "Wife Swap" and something called "What Would You Do?" on ABC. It was really interesting. Afterwards I gave myself a pedicure and went to bed at like 10pm. You know, just like every other rockstar.

Saturday

Saturday was a busy day. Evan had a game at 10am and so we left around 9. After his game I headed to my BFF's house because she just opened her pool! I lounged in/out of the pool for the rest of the day until we decided to venture out to eat and see a movie. We ate at Whole Hog Cafe and it was so good! They have won a bunch of awards and BBQ Fest and other barbecue competitions around the country and they certainly didn't disappoint! We then went to see "The Backup Plan" with Jennifer Lopez and I honestly can't remember the last time I laughed so hard. Funny story: we were a little early to the movie theatre and as we were waiting in the hall two ladies passed by us laughing their heads off. We jokingly asked them what movie they went to see and they replied that they were still watching "The Backup Plan" but they had been laughing so hard they had to use the bathroom. Too funny! I love Jennifer Lopez as an actor and I was really coveting her leather bracelet.

You can kind of see it here. It's really cool. 

Also, this dress I love. Love.

Sunday
I slept in and went grocery shopping then came home and went through my closet. I did a  major overhaul in my clothing. I've already got a bunch more stuff that doesn't fit me anymore and some stuff that I haven't worn in forever so I'm going to be making a trip to the Goodwill tomorrow to drop it all off. I determined a few key pieces I need to put in my closet to tide me over until I've lost all my weight and a couple of pairs of shoes that I need to replace and I'll be good to go! 
Last night was also the Survivor finale and my mom and I always have a Survivor party. And when I say "Survivor party", I mean the two of us and absolutely no one else. We get Cracker Barrell takeout - I know, it has a real "desert island" feel doesn't it - and some sort of dessert and veg out the entire time. I've been trying hard on the various social networking sites not to give anything away so just one more time, without revealing anything, I will say I'm NOT happy with the winner! I've been dying to play Survivor since the first time I saw the show the very first season. I know that's possibly causing some of you to laugh, snort, spill your drinks and I get it but for me it's about the game. I think I could ignore all the camping and crap just to play such a game!
After Survivor I went to bed. 


I'm headed into my last two days as a Nanny and then I start at Anonymous National Retailer on Wednesday! I'm excited for this week!


Let's hear about your weekends!