Why I have been MIA from Blogging and what has been going on

Hello Blogging world! Did you notice that my blog has been "deleted" for almost 2 weeks? Well, shame on you if you didn't. Kidding.

Have you ever heard of the saying by Marilyn Monroe; sometimes GOOD things fall apart so better things come together? Or if you are of Christian faith like I am, "God has perfect timing". "It's all apart of God's plan"?

Perhaps you have heard the most famous saying:

Everything happens for a reason.

Can I please tell you that I am cold, hard, living proof that ALL of the above quotes are TRUE.

Let me explain what has been happening...

As a lot of my friends know, my current job was downsizing. This was the third "downsize" in nearly 2 1/2 years. I have been there since day one and I just felt that the time had come for me to move on and venture into a new career. However, the best way to do that is to have a new job lined up before I leave my current one. So, that's what I did. I obtained an Executive Assistant position for a blooming Real Estate company. My last day at my job was Friday, October 18th and my new job as the Executive Assistant was starting on Tuesday, October 22nd. I talked about that on a lot of my blog entries. The job was Uptown Charlotte and I found a brand new apartment ONE block from my new job. I could walk to work, walk to restaurants, bars, etc. Everything sounds great, right?

That Saturday, the 19th, to celebrate my new job, I went to Greensboro to stay with my grandma and grandpa, and my mom even came up to stay as well. We grilled steaks, looked through old pictures, drank wine, and it was just the best night. Sunday, my grandmother was going to take me shopping for gorgeous new office clothes. We wake up bright and early Sunday morning, get dressed and dolled up, then take off for a day of shopping. 

Once my grandmother and I set out for our fun day off shopping, my cell phone rings. It was the CEO of the real estate company. She told me my job offer was rescinded. And to be honest, I have no idea what happened. "Upon further review, we are not going to be a good fit". NC is an "at will" employment state, which means you can be hired, fired, and anything in between without reason at any time. When she told me that via telephone, my entire world fell apart. The apartment I was so damn excited about? Gone. My new career? Gone. I was going to have to file for unemployment which I probably would not even be approved for since I resigned from my last job, barely be able to pay my bills, and maybe lose everything. When you have no source of income and are not sure when you can obtain a new job - what can you do? 

I am the type of person who measures a lot of my confidence, self actualization, and self worth by my career. My grandmother is the same way, so is my dad. It runs in my family. Sure, it may not be politically correct, but it is what it is.

I felt humiliated. I was so excited and I had told everyone. I was making huge plans. And with a 3 minute phone call, everything was taken. I can't tell you the pain, anxiety attacks, and tears that followed that call. I could not drive home that Sunday because I was so distraught. So, last Monday the drive of shame back to Charlotte commenced. I called my prior boss, sister, Kelly, and the closest people of my life to let them know what happened.

Marquis took me out for pizza when I got back and I hit the ground. It was time to start over. The worst thing I could do was keep harping on what happened and beating myself up. Last week I worked out, did some deep cleaning, and researched company after company applying for jobs and sending my resume for them to keep on file for future openings. I probably contacted over 300 companies.

Sunday night when I was Googling different companies in the Ballantyne Corporate Park (aka the land of opportunity) I saw an investment firm that seemed VERY interesting. Since I previously worked for an investment firm, I thought I would email them. They did not have any job postings on their website, but I did not let that stop me.

The very next morning the President of the company emailed me and told me that he had been interviewing for an Executive Assistant/Office Manager, and he was close to making a decision, but if I could come in that day at 3 PM, he would interview me. So, I got my crap together and I was in his office at 3 PM sharp. The office was in the heart of the corporate park on the fourth floor, overlooking the lake, and was very modern and chic. It felt like "home" being there. I had a great interview. He told he liked my drive and my spunk. (LOL... spunk, huh?) Today, I got the call that he wants me to join his company. I graciously accepted, and I start FRIDAY! This has been some process; interview on Monday, offered the job on Wednesday, and I start Friday.

The President of this company is amazing. He has a stellar sense of humor and we got along great. I am also getting a significant pay raise. Plus, full benefits. Everything makes sense now. I am SO happy. The absolute happiest I have ever been. Now that I have come through the dark, I want to be back at my blog documenting this crazy, ever changing life.

Grandma and I finally had our shopping day today, and man was it successful.

Well guys that is it for now. I have missed you all so much. I can't wait to catch up and see what everyone has been up too!

Fall, Fireball, and Gidget the Cougar Pumpkin!

How was everyone's weekend? Mine has pretty fun! Friday I worked then hit the gym for cardio. Afterwards, it was time to get ready. One of my friends Jeana, her husband TJ, and I went to Comedy Zone. I LOVE live raunchy comedy, and the show did not disappoint. The opening man reminded me of Kevin Hart. He was too freaking funny. I sipped on my go-to drink for comedy show's; "Blue Motorcycle".

Blue Motorycle is a STRONG drink:

1 1/2 oz tequila
fill with sweet and sour mix
1 1/2 oz rum
1 splash 7-Up® soda
1 1/2 oz vodka
1 1/2 oz gin
1 1/2 oz Blue Curacao liqueur

Saturday I slept in and it was glorious. I have not been drinking much lately so after my two Blue Motorcycles I was feeling good. Sleeping in was essential. I woke up around 10, did my Saturday morning routine of getting meals planned for the week, then Marquis and I went to the dog park, a pumpkin patch, and ran a lot of errands. It was a busy, busy afternoon.

Marquis went to the gym around 4 but I stayed home I was exhausted. I thought Marquis would be to when he got home from the gym, after over 3 hours of training, but I was wrong. He brought me a "Sex On The Beach" and told me to get ready and that we were going out. You don't have to tell me twice!

I got ready in record time: shower, hair, and makeup - 20 minutes!

We went downtown Waxhaw to our favorite bar/public house; "Southsiders". There is a train track that goes through downtown and the town built a bridge over it. It's so beautiful, especially at night. 

We were so close to the train!

We had a blast listening to the band "Lipstick On A Pig" and drinking the official drink of fall: Fireball whiskey and apple ale. It was delicious! When you go your local bar tell them they must make it for you!

Today has been wonderful, fun, and relaxing. We slept in, made breakfast, laid around, and watched "After Earth". It was surprisingly a really good movie. I loved it - great story, acting, and action. The critics were way too hard on this movie!

After the movie, we watched my favorite show "Undercover Boss". It was the "Moe's Southwest Grill" episode and I could not get over how delicious the food looked. There is also one literally a mile from our house. So after the episode Marquis took me there for a late lunch. It was my first time eating there and it did not disappoint! Fast, friendly, and delicious. You can't beat that!

After a yummy lunch we finally had some energy and decided to run errands. Once we finished, we came back to the house for some fall fun! I painted and carved a pumpkin and Marquis carved one. 

Meet "Gidget the Cougar". She is my pumpkin creation. She enjoys copious amounts of wine, anything with glitter, and men in their early 20's.

Here are Gidget's lovers; Damien and BoBo.

They look adorable from the road, too!

Now it's time to eat dinner, settle in, and watch "The Walking Dead". The season premiere is at 9 PM. Then Bar Rescue. Sunday TV is the best! I hope you guys had a great weekend. Be sure to check out my "Link Up" page to check out all of the awesome link up's and blog hop's going on, on Monday's!

Wish me luck, this upcoming week is the last week at my current job. Bring it on...

America's Got Talent - The Live Show! + The Week!

Since I am a rebel, I feel like celebrating two of my favorite Friday link up's early. You know the ones where we write 5 things about our week - 5 on Friday and H54F. It has been a great week!

Monday, I worked until noon. When I got off of work, I rushed home to get glam then Marquis and I took the three hour drive to Raleigh, NC for "America's Got Talent". That is Marq's and I's favorite show. We have tons of shows that we always watch together but "America's Got Talent" is our number 1!

1) The l o o k

Since we were going downtown for dinner before the live show, I wanted to have a sexy look. I played in my new Urban Decay Vice 2 eye shadow kit and gave myself a grey/black smokey eye with hot pink lips and big blonde curls. It was a little on the 1980's nightclub look but I loved it!

2) A vegetarian/s p i n a c h burger

Before the show we had dinner at those most delicious place. It was called "The Hive". Oh my, it was too freaking good. They had the best salads and they made all of their vinaigrette dressings in house. I ordered a spinach and feta "burger" and had a spinach and berry salad on the side. The dressing was a honey champagne vinaigrette dressing - I want to learn how to create my own!

3) America's Got Talent - L I V E

The show was so much fun! The performers were all so good. We had the best seats in the house as well. We were in the center, in the second row. What makes it even better is that the two seats in front of us in the front row were empty the entire time. We lucked out!

After the show, we were able to meet everyone since we were VIP.

The first two acts we met were: the winner, Kenechi Ebina and second place, Taylor Williamson. They both were not were personable. Marquis tried to joke with Taylor and he was just awkward.

Next we met Jimmy Rose and Tone Tha Chiefrocka. They were both awesome. I love Jimmy. He waved to me in the crowd. And now I know why; Google his girlfriend. We have the exact same features, ha. I think meeting Jimmy was my favorite. You can tell he is so thankful and down to earth. He will go far in country music. I have no doubt.

After those two, it was time to meet my girl, my favorite, and wannabe BFF, Cami Bradley and the sexy underage; Collins Key. I cannot believe that kid is 16. He is so hot. I feel like a total molester saying that. I immediately ran up to Cami and told her how much I love her and how we should be BFF. 

Lastly we met the super talented, amazing, and super duper sexy KriStef brothers. OMG they are so freaking h o t. Stefan, the blonde one, makes me drool. I am not even kidding. They were fun.

4) F l o w e r s

Marquis surprised me with some gorgeous flowers and a card congratulating me on my new position in Real Estate and telling how I need and should believe in myself. I thought that was really nice. But I also deserved it because he has been in a completely rotten mood lately and is getting on my last nerve. I will be so damn glad when his bodybuilding competition is done so we can go back to normal.

5.) The official job o f f e r
I received my "official" job offer from the Real Estate company on Tuesday. Basically, I am the Director of Operations; I am over Human Resources, Office Management, and the Executive Assistant to my CEO. I am over the entire office ensuring attendance and accountability, hiring and finding new talent, continuing my education consistently by attending workshops and a lot of social events, being the "wing man" to my CEO - man this position is going to be the absolute biggest challenge of my life, but I could not be more excited and more ready for this!

The Hump Day Blog Hop! (4)

Hey guys! I am so excited you have come over. We are halfway through the week and the hump day camel is too freaking cool, so I decided to start a weekly blog hop to celebrate.

This is a little different than a link up. To participate, simply add your blog link. There is no required entry or anything like that. This is about networking, making new friends, and finding new blogs.

All I ask:

1) "The Hump Day" blog hop button button be displayed anywhere on your blog page or a specific entry with a link back to me or the weekly co-host.

2) You don't have to follow me, but in the words of Blake Shelton: it'd sure be cool if ya did.

3) But please follow the co-host. I love helping and promoting these amazing women in the blog world!

4) Mingle with your fellow Bloggers.

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.fitnessblondie.blogspot.com" title="The Hump Day Blog Hop"><img src="http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a593/fitnessblondiel/humpday_zps418f63f6.jpg" alt="The Hump Day Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Please help me welcome this weeks amazing co-host Rachael @ Pretty in Pink! I am so thankful to have a friend like her in Blog land. She is truly one of a kind. Rachael loves "Sex in the City", Disney, anything with cheese, and is studying to be a teacher. Make sure you pop over to her and say hi!