Carol's Countdown to the DVC Member Cruise!

[geetey]

Carol, you got snow?!?!?!? How did the snow miss St Louis and hit you?? I can well remember how everything closes even with the prediction of snow. Having no snow removal equipment really does make things difficult. I hope you have a warming trend soon because we are heading your way this weekend. I want to escape the cold temps - not head towards more!

Have a great week!!

 

[CarolA]

Well the snow is all gone. LOL!

There was more salt on the road then snow!

Did pretty well yesterday. However, I waited so long to post I am clueless about what I ate. I did grill a steak in the George Foreman grill and set off the smoke alarm. Only I forgot the alarm is tied to the monitioring company. They called the fire department. (They were able to recall the fire department) So tonight I will just do a salad, less risk.

I just got back from a 35 minute walk. It has warmend up some here and since I was working from home it was easy to sneak out.

Thanks for dropping by!

 

[Princess Michelle]

Carol, congratulations on the weight loss and staying on plan! Send some of that snow down here!

 

[CarolA]

Hello!

Not much to report today. I am on track with food and water. (I am cheating and having a second Diet Coke, but I figure it keeps me from falling asleep during the class I am suppose to be listenng to)

I don't know what I will do for excerise, but my Brownie Troop is doing the Good Sports Try It tonight so I should get some work in there!

I am currently wrestling with some "life changes" I had decided that I was going to pack up and move to Atlanta with my current job. I like the work, like my boss etc...Today I got a job interview with a company here in town. I am highly qualified for the job I am being interviewed for. It is basically what I did for years at my last company. SO... do I want to stay here, do I want to go back to what I used to do? I hate these type of decisions.

 

[geetey]

That's a very difficult decision, Carol.

We moved this July from Nashville to St Louis. I love being back in a Baseball town but there are lots of things I miss about Nashville too.

Some things to consider...
Where are you from originally?
Do you have family you would be leaving?
Have you considered the traffic? (I hear Atlanta is horrid! )
Do the bennies and pay work out?
What are the cost of living differences?
Have you discussed this possibility with your SO/family members?
IF the new job didn't work out, would you have other placement available in Nashville or would you need to move?
How's your relo package? Will they buyout your home? Help with expenses?

Just some things we went through trying to make the best decision we could. We moved closer to family (which is both good and bad), left behind a wonderful community of school and friends. The weather isn't better. The cost of living is higher. The schools are better. No other job possibilities in the Nashville area for DH, so we would end up moving regardless. We had a 60 day buyout on our home, so no worries there. It's a list of pros and cons. I know it isn't an answer but I hope it helps a little.

 

[CarolA]

Terry,
Thanks!

A lot of these were considered with the decision to move. I have been here a LONG time, but I do have family and a boyfriend in Atlanta. My relocation package is not great, but there is also no timeline. They are paying me a flat fee. (NOTE: This is not a standard relocation so the terms are different, it was basically my choice to move.)

Atlanta traffic and cost of living went on the negative side of the move LOL!
I am in healthcare consulting so there are usually at least some jobs in Nashville.

I think money may be the deciding factor. I don't think I will take the new job unless it is a sizeable raise. I just don't know if I am excited about doing Patient Accounting installs all over again! LOL!

 

[geetey]

Ah, if you are in Healthcare, there should be plenty of opportunities in Nashville. DH is in retail. Not too many big retailers with headquarters in TN. That's a world that is becoming smaller and smaller.

I hope they come through with the big bucks for you! Have you found the cost of living comparison sites? You can see how much your Nashville $$ would be worth in Atlanta.

Good luck with your decision! It certainly isn't an easy one.

 

[CarolA]

Today's updated.

I did well on food yesterday, but didn't get my excerise in. I went to the Brownie meeting (I have not made once since Thanksgiving due to my travel. ) The girls were so cute and we did move around the entire meeting. It was all games last night so maybe that helped some. However, we had a problem locking the school so I volunteered to hang around until the person with the key showed up so it was fairly late when I got home.

Had my job interview today. They have "moved" me to another job that I am also qualified for, but is not as interesting to me. So... unless hey show up with lots of money off to Atlanta I go.

Terry I think in reality I am taking a pay cut when yo look at the cost of living, but since I am downsizing my house I don't think I will feel the cut as much.

Today has been good so far. My salad did have some strawberries in it, but I ate them anyway (Aren't they allowed on Phase II of SBD?) I plan to work out when I get home tonight.

See you!

 

[geetey]

No problem taking a pay cut, especially when you know you are. DH took a significant paycut to come to Nashville and it worked out great for us. We were shocked at how much housing had gone up here in STL and I, personally, still don't think he really realized how much higher the cost of living was here in STL. We are okay, just not as good as before. (Electricity is expensive in other cities!!)

It sounds like you had fun with the Brownies last night. That was very sweet of you to offer to wait at the gym. You are doing great on your SB! Keep it up!!

 

[CarolA]

Hello!

Still plodding along. Yesterday for excersie I did the Kathy Smith weight video. I must be getting better, the leg things didn't kill me this time.

Have done good on food and water and today I went for a 30 minute walk around the subdivision.

Got a call from the HR person on the job I interviewed for yesterday. That makes me nervous. I am afraid they are going to offer it to me and I don't know.... maybe the $ will make the final decision. I called him back and while waiting for him to call I could feel the "nervous eating" coming on so I decided to go walk. I am calmer now. I convinced myself it would be like the Disney job a few months ago and be such a huge paycut the decision would be made. (I sent them a resume for a job on thier website. The screener called and it was a 50% pay cut. For that much money I can go to Disney a LOT!)


now on light note. My SIL made a deal with the kids. When they turned 8 they could pick the color of your bedroom. Just be careful when making deals with kids. (Hopefully there will be a photo below)

 

[Princess Michelle]

Holy Cow, Carol! I take it someone is a Volunteers fan? LOL

Sounds like you have a tough decision to make about your career path. I hope that it does become an easy choice for you to make. Best of luck to you whatever you decide.

 

[CarolA]

The moving saga is resolved! I am moving (someday!)

I am just delighted to have the decision made. The new job turned me down. I think this is what was meant to happen. I was never "in love" with the job so onward!

Thanks for listening.

 

[Strings]

Hi Carol,

If it wasn't a perfect fit, then it is for the best that they turned you down. It is their loss. You can always keep looking right?

I think they did a good job on the bedroom. Not the colors I'd choose, but at least it was done well. When we bought our house, the masterbedroom was painted light green with 1 wall being green and lavender stripes. Again, not my colors of choice, but the worst part about it was that the stripes were painted freehand and were all crooked. It drove me crazy.

You did an awesome job going for a walk and not munching. Keep up the great work.
Beth

 

[CarolA]

Yeah, I need to get SIL to tell me how they did that.

Michelle, my whole family bleeds UT Vol Orange. However, I am worried that the child will be a social outcast. He lives in Georgia!!!!!

 

[lizdotcom99]

Carol, congrats on making some great choices. I think it is fabulous that you went walking instead of eating!! You have inspired me!!! Big decisions and food seem to go hand in hand with me!!! So yeah for you!!!! Good luck with the move as well!! Keep up the good work!!

 

[CarolA]

Very early post today since I have a packed day.

I weighed this morning since I will be out of town visiting my mom tomorrow. Down 1.5 pounds to 174.5. That makes a total of 9.5 in January.

The next few weeks are the real challange, back on the road. I am determined to do better though. Hopefully coming over here to confess every day will keep me on the straight and narrow!

Everyone have a great weekend!

 

[Strings]

CONGRATULATIONS CAROL!!!!!!!!!

1.5 pounds this week, and 9.5 this month is AMZING! Keep up the great work.

Have a great weekend,
Beth

 

[CarolA]

Well for an accountant I can't do math. It should be 7.5 for the month LOL! I still think I did pretty well
Visited family this weekend and for the MOST part I stayed on track. Had a slip or two, but... I did make a point of walking at least 10,000 steps every day.

On a NSV note. I am wearing a pair of jeans that I had to SQUEZZE into a few weeks ago. They fit and zipped up easily! YEAH!!

Off to CT this week. (I bet it is really cold) I am in the airport now so I probably won't have time to read all the updates since my last vist!
Hope everyone had a great weekend.

 

[lizdotcom99]

Carol,
Dontcha just love when those used to be to tight jeans fit...and fit quite nicely! Whoo hoo!! Had a bit of that myself just last week!!

Safe travels to you this week!!! Hope you are able to stay on track. I think that must be difficult with all the traveling you do! Don't know if I could do it!!

Keep up the great work!!

 

[wilderness01]

Congrats on the loss. Have a good week.