There has been a development in my employment in the past few days. November 7th will be my final day with Sunstate Equipment Company. I begin at United Rentals on November 10th. I'm making the move to United Rentals because they made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I'll be making $1.25 more an hour and in my honest opinion, the medical benefits package at United is better than Sunstate's high deductable HSA plan. I've always had a love for United since I worked there back in Iowa, and I am looking forward to working there again. I will be working at the Round Rock, TX branch, which is actually closer to home than the original Sunstate location I was working at before I got transferred to the new store in Buda. I'm sad to leave that new location down in Buda, I've taken a lot of pride in setting up the new shop and yard, and almost see that new store as my little baby. Its a great location (other than the fact that it is 60 miles from home), the layout of the property is ideal, and Sunstate should do well in that location expecially once things are finally all set up and the economy comes back around. I'm leaving Sunstate on a good note, the manager understands why I am leaving, and he was not able to come back with a counter offer that would keep me there. The manager also understood my abilities, capabilities, experience, and desire move up, and agreed that Sunstate, given the current state of affairs with the economy, wouldn't be able to promote me to something more profitable for a while. I have enjoyed my time at Sunstate, and enjoyed the friends I have made working there, but I look at them as a stepping stone, they gave me the income I needed after I got laid off from Austin Engineering, and allowed me to be way overpaid for the position I held, but they have assured me that I was the best yard man they ever had.
Looking forward, I am going to work for an "Aerial" branch at United which is the same type of branch I worked for in Iowa. I'm going to be a Class A CDL driver for them and will driving one of their Tractor Trailer haul trucks delivering and picking up equipment. The branch I will be working at is currently a "satellite" store to the main branch in San Antonio, but they are growing the location into a full stand alone branch, hence the reason they called me and offered me the job. They are growing and need people to fill the positions. I look forward to opportunities that may present themselves as the branch grows in the future. I have no doubt that my previous experience, talents and work ethic will help me succeed in the future.
No other real news...Bentley is growing like a stinking weed! She's truely a blessing to us...one of the best mannered dogs I've ever seen, let alone had as my own. She's extremely obedient, smart and is tons of fun to play with.
The truck trade deal for the Jeep Liberty seems to have fallen through....the lending market is in the toilet even for people like us with good credit, and it just wasn't worth trading a 7% interest rate for one WAY above that, and having to bring $7,000 to the table as a down payment to cover negative equity didn't really appeal to us either. Sometimes you just gotta run with what you got, and if anything is a positive about keeping the diesel truck, we have seen $2.99 deisel down here the past day or two, so that helps that fuel prices are coming down. I still hope to sometime soon find some time to get my WVO blending setup completed and start driving for next to nothing, but that takes time to get the WVO for free....time is hard to come by these days as you all probably know.
Until next time! God bless and take care...
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Welcome to the blogging world, right???
...so here it goes...I am officially blogging. I always read Teri's blog and then click on other peoples blogs and wonder why I haven't started my own. I love reading about life in Vegas with my sweet niece and nephew and now, I guess it's my turn to keep everyone up to date on Brian & I.
First, I'll start with the newest addition to our family. We have a new puppy. Her name is Bentley and she was born July 7, 2008. We picked her up September 27th and have enjoyed getting to know her and watching her grow.
She is full blood chocolate lab and just as sweet as can be. I've always had female dogs but Brian has always had male dogs. He is used to hyper non-stop dogs and he is amazed at her temperment. She is laid back and easy going all the time. She loves to sleep. She loves to chew on her bones and chew toys. So far, she's learned to sit and shake. We hung a "Christmas bell" next to the door and she nudges it with her nose everytime she needs to go outside to go potty. She's only had a few accidents in the house. She gets to go to work with me at least 3 times a week and she LOVES when Brian gets home. She likes to snuggle with him and play fetch with him and go for walks with him. We are now dog people and she will be attending every family event with us from now on. Welcome to the family, Bentley girl.
Now to Brian's job...he works for Sunstate Equipment Rental. He started at the new store in Buda last Monday (10.20.2008). He is one of about four guys down there and he really is enjoying the freedom of the new store. He is no longer just the "yard-guy." He works the counter, runs the yard, answers the phone, and does just about everything else he wants around the shop. Last week, he got to weld almost every day...according to Brian, that is a GREAT day. Right now, he is working down in Buda on a "temporary" basis. This temp basis means they'll pay for his diesel for his commute and they'll pay him for his drive time. It's a great deal for right now but we don't know what it holds for when he is no longer temporary. We're just riding this out for now. Along with Brian's job, comes Brian's transportation. We have had Brian's truck (2006 Dodge Ram 3500) since August of 2007. It has been a huge money pit and has caused us a lot of financial stress. It was for sale from March '08 until now and we've finally decided to trade it in for something more economical and something that will lower our financial commitment each month. We have found a diesel 2006 Jeep Liberty. We test drove it ALL weekend and found absolutely nothing wrong with it. We took Bentley with us and she seemed to really like it...she slept ALL day in the back. We are in the process of getting the truck traded in and getting that load off our shoulders. We'll be happy when that payment is gone...well, lots lower.
And my job...is well, my dream. Unfortunately, it doesn't pay all that well...or at least, not consistent. When it does pay, it does pay well. Just last week, I installed an entire living room for a client and she was beside herself thrilled. I have recieved 2 emails from her since then praising my work. That is the #1 reason that I do this. I started doing it because I love to do it and I'm very good at it but it's even more fun when my clients think I hung the moon. If I could score one big client that wanted to spend goo-gobs of money, I'd be set and I wouldn't feel so bad for spending so much time doing this for a living. In the mean time, I'm trying to pick up odds and ends to bring in some extra cash. As soon as we get out of this monstrous hole we're in, I can focus more on decorating. Here's something I've found in this business....NO ONE thinks they can afford it. They're wrong. We do everything...flooring (wood, tile and carpet), countertops, rugs, upholstered furniture, casegood furniture, lighting, accessories, artwork, window treatments (hard & soft - drapery, blinds, shutters), wall coverings, paint colors, re-upholstery...and the list goes on. It's so much fun to help people bring it all together...taking their existing furniture and making it work with new stuff. For instance, I have a client right now that has an antique sofa and 2 antique chairs. They are family heirlooms and she really likes them but they're not really her style anymore. So, she's moving the 2 chairs to 2 different rooms and we are adding 4 bright, fun pillows to the sofa and 2 contemporary bright, loud chairs. Lamps & tables will help bring it all together and we have accessories that are in the plan but she doesn't want to splurge for them now. SO, in a few weeks or months when she wants to add something else, we'll add 1 vase, or 1 piece of artwork. I just love that I can help her bring together her home and she hasn't had to break the bank over it! Yes, I love it...just wish I could afford to focus all my time on it.
So I guess all that's left is where we live....we're living north of Austin in Leander. We live in a guest house on a ranch/farm type land and we LOVE it. We never have to worry about traffic or loud neighbors. Bentley has acres and acres to run, if she wants. And we have the greatest landlords EVER. God has seriously blessed our lives and we can't wait to see what else He has in store for us!
First, I'll start with the newest addition to our family. We have a new puppy. Her name is Bentley and she was born July 7, 2008. We picked her up September 27th and have enjoyed getting to know her and watching her grow.
She is full blood chocolate lab and just as sweet as can be. I've always had female dogs but Brian has always had male dogs. He is used to hyper non-stop dogs and he is amazed at her temperment. She is laid back and easy going all the time. She loves to sleep. She loves to chew on her bones and chew toys. So far, she's learned to sit and shake. We hung a "Christmas bell" next to the door and she nudges it with her nose everytime she needs to go outside to go potty. She's only had a few accidents in the house. She gets to go to work with me at least 3 times a week and she LOVES when Brian gets home. She likes to snuggle with him and play fetch with him and go for walks with him. We are now dog people and she will be attending every family event with us from now on. Welcome to the family, Bentley girl.Now to Brian's job...he works for Sunstate Equipment Rental. He started at the new store in Buda last Monday (10.20.2008). He is one of about four guys down there and he really is enjoying the freedom of the new store. He is no longer just the "yard-guy." He works the counter, runs the yard, answers the phone, and does just about everything else he wants around the shop. Last week, he got to weld almost every day...according to Brian, that is a GREAT day. Right now, he is working down in Buda on a "temporary" basis. This temp basis means they'll pay for his diesel for his commute and they'll pay him for his drive time. It's a great deal for right now but we don't know what it holds for when he is no longer temporary. We're just riding this out for now. Along with Brian's job, comes Brian's transportation. We have had Brian's truck (2006 Dodge Ram 3500) since August of 2007. It has been a huge money pit and has caused us a lot of financial stress. It was for sale from March '08 until now and we've finally decided to trade it in for something more economical and something that will lower our financial commitment each month. We have found a diesel 2006 Jeep Liberty. We test drove it ALL weekend and found absolutely nothing wrong with it. We took Bentley with us and she seemed to really like it...she slept ALL day in the back. We are in the process of getting the truck traded in and getting that load off our shoulders. We'll be happy when that payment is gone...well, lots lower.
And my job...is well, my dream. Unfortunately, it doesn't pay all that well...or at least, not consistent. When it does pay, it does pay well. Just last week, I installed an entire living room for a client and she was beside herself thrilled. I have recieved 2 emails from her since then praising my work. That is the #1 reason that I do this. I started doing it because I love to do it and I'm very good at it but it's even more fun when my clients think I hung the moon. If I could score one big client that wanted to spend goo-gobs of money, I'd be set and I wouldn't feel so bad for spending so much time doing this for a living. In the mean time, I'm trying to pick up odds and ends to bring in some extra cash. As soon as we get out of this monstrous hole we're in, I can focus more on decorating. Here's something I've found in this business....NO ONE thinks they can afford it. They're wrong. We do everything...flooring (wood, tile and carpet), countertops, rugs, upholstered furniture, casegood furniture, lighting, accessories, artwork, window treatments (hard & soft - drapery, blinds, shutters), wall coverings, paint colors, re-upholstery...and the list goes on. It's so much fun to help people bring it all together...taking their existing furniture and making it work with new stuff. For instance, I have a client right now that has an antique sofa and 2 antique chairs. They are family heirlooms and she really likes them but they're not really her style anymore. So, she's moving the 2 chairs to 2 different rooms and we are adding 4 bright, fun pillows to the sofa and 2 contemporary bright, loud chairs. Lamps & tables will help bring it all together and we have accessories that are in the plan but she doesn't want to splurge for them now. SO, in a few weeks or months when she wants to add something else, we'll add 1 vase, or 1 piece of artwork. I just love that I can help her bring together her home and she hasn't had to break the bank over it! Yes, I love it...just wish I could afford to focus all my time on it.
So I guess all that's left is where we live....we're living north of Austin in Leander. We live in a guest house on a ranch/farm type land and we LOVE it. We never have to worry about traffic or loud neighbors. Bentley has acres and acres to run, if she wants. And we have the greatest landlords EVER. God has seriously blessed our lives and we can't wait to see what else He has in store for us!
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