Quick little update.

I'm employed! I now work for the same company as Paul. It is great - we drive to work together, take lunch together, drive home together, get paid on the same day, have the same vacation days...it could not be better.

We still don't have internet, but that is okay since we're very rarely home. We bike almost every day, and we're probably going to get a gym membership at the YMCA this week. Paul geeked it out and made an Excel spreadsheet of our Biggest Loser competition. So far, I'm losing - by percentages, and by pounds. But the best part of having a Biggest Loser competition with your spouse is that if you lose you still win - your spouse is hot! Either way, I'm getting in shape and spending more time with my husband.

We got a second dog - just don't tell the landlord. How horrible is this? Our neighbors moved out and left their dog with no food or water! Just left her. We figured it out after she hadn't eaten in a few days and was wandering the neighborhood. She wouldn't come near us for the first few days. We just kept putting out food and speaking in kind voices. We coaxed her into the backyard with Beef a few times, and then one day, while she and Beef were playing, she ran straight up to Paul and jumped on him! Since then, she has snuck away a few times, but she always comes back. She is the most loving dog EVER, and (most importantly) Beef loves her. We're pretty pleased.

Okay, I'm at the library and I still have tons to do before we have to leave - we have to be home before the sun goes down!

Springfield and Starting Over

We are all moved in. I would add some pictures of the new place, but I still don't have internet at home (I'm online at the library right now). Heck, I didn't have a job until this week. A full month of unemployment...if that doesn't test a marriage, I don't know what will. It was hard, but we pulled through. More of an update later.

oh, and as a p.s. ... The previous boss ended up hiring the Christian. Don't think I mentioned that. What a world...

Unfair Hiring Practices.

I got back from my lunch break on Wednesday to hear my District Sales Manager convincing my boss not to hire the perfect replacement for my position...because the woman was a Christian with integrity. I am not kidding you - he said those words.

This woman works for a life insurance company that sells HORRIBLE products. They are called Variable Life Insurance policies, and the ones they sell are especially horrendous. This company will tell you (in writing) that you will see a ___% return on your investment within a year, but you never will. You will lose money, and quickly. The whole thing is a scam. Anyhow, this woman has integrity and she wants out of the business. My DSM went on and on about how horrible this company is before the woman came in for her interview - I learned most of what I know about the company from overhearing his 20 minute rant about how unethical they are.

I was on my lunch break when she actually came in for the interview, but when I came back, Mr. DSM was reviewing her interview. He said, "I don't understand why she would leave a company where she can make as much money as she wants. If she would leave that company to come here for $10.00/hour, that means she isn't greedy - and greed is a good thing. Clearly, money isn't important enough to her. It isn't logical for her to want to leave that company."

Seriously.

But what came out of his mouth next was even more ridiculous.

"You really shouldn't hire a Christian. They aren't good at sales. They won't push people to buy products unless they really believe in the product, and that just isn't good for any company. Christians are pushovers."

Say what?

He didn't just say it once. He went on and on about those things until my boss agreed with him.

Other highlights:

"She has two kids. Every time it is her turn to pick up the kids from school, or watch them when they're home sick, you will lose out. Every time." (My boss was a single mother of two. Her employer lost out WAY more than a married mother of two. I couldn't believe she didn't throw the DSM out right then. Nope. She agreed with him.)

"You know who I steer clear of? Single young men. No one is going to buy a policy from them. Ever."

"She is too young. She is just as mature as all the other candidates, but no one over 40 will listen to her at all." (In reference to another woman - who is probably a year younger than me.)

Tally: Religious Discrimination. Age Discrimination. Discrimination based on Marital Status. Refusing to hire someone based on the fact that she has integrity (?!).

I will be calling HR as soon as I have another job.

What would you do?

We are moving!

I am so excited I can hardly stand it! Paul got the job, and for some odd reason he is looking forward to working in a cubicle! : ) I don't have a job yet (one job offer, we'll see how that pans out), but I'm not too worried about it. Something will happen.

We found a house, too. Did you read that correctly? A HOUSE. 3 bed, 1/5 bath, huge fenced yard, covered front porch, laundry room, garage...it really couldn't be more perfect for us! Plenty of room for music and...are you ready for this? BABIES! No, we aren't expecting yet...but this move sure is getting us ready for it! Soon, friends. Soon, I will be a mommy. Never thought I would be excited about that!

Life is looking up. God is good. All the time.