Christmas Break

I made it through my first semester as a teacher. This 2 week break is exactly what I need. Who would have thought teaching 6 hours a day would be more exhausting than a 10 hour day at the office..... The last 2 days were the worst. The children were soooo excited about the break it was impossible to keep them quiet and teach them anything. My main goal for those two days was to just make it through the day without a computer being broke or a child hurting themselves on the damn office chairs the children sit in. I have asked the principal if I may change out the office chairs for regular chairs becuase at least 3 time a day every day for the past 18 weeks, I have a child that can not sit properly in the chair and fall right out of them and then of course once they fall the chair goes flying across the room (because it is on wheels) and hits another child. I hate those chairs... I tried giving my first graders a sticker at the end of class if they sat properly in their chair and not fall out! It didn't work....... I have given up. I now just make sure the fallen child is okay, make sure the child hit by the flying chair is okay and put the fallen child back in the chair and cross my fingers.

I am also responsible for the yearbook and what a task. There are about 250 children ages
3-17 at the school and with this being my first year there, matching faces to names to class has become agravating... I have about 1/3 of this book done and it is due no later than the first week of February. So, over the next two weeks I am going to attempt to get it complete and then spend January fixing faces with names. I have decided to print each teachers page and have them sign off that the names are spelled correctly and the face goes with the name. I can't wait to see how many repairs will need to be done!!!

Once I do return in January, the second semester of this school year, I teach Journalism. I will also spend these two weeks trying to come up with my plans for the class. I have never taught Journalism so I am having difficulty thinking of what to do with this class to make it educational for the students. I have 15 upper school student 5 days a week for 18 weeks...... I am completely open for any suggestions. HHHEEELLLPPP!

As for Doug. There is only one word that can describe him right now. STRESSED. Actually 2 words, COMPLETELY STRESSED. Money is going out and slowly coming back in. He has been spending a lot of time and money on advertising and stocking the store for the holiday season. I keep telling him that for only being open 6 months he is doing a hell of a job. Our bills are paid and most of the stores bill are being paid. Can't ask for much more than that. This Monday, he has decided to go to the bank and see about a business loan to help with the bills. Being in business for such a short time I do not know if they will give him the loan.

Well, I am having all of my family over at 1pm today (in 5 1/2 hours) and my house is in shambles and I haven't started Christmas shopping yet..... I guess I should get started.

I hope everyone has a happy Holiday Season and a Merry Christmas.

Love to all,
Kris

It Has Been Too Long!

I know it has been a while since I have updated my blog. This year has been "difficult". With Doug and I both being laid off in February, opening a new retail store, and me not finding employment until August, life has been crazy.

Well, the store is doing great. The economy is not the greatest right now, but Doug is holding his own. Bills are being paid. We are anxious because of the holiday season. We hope the sales will be enough so we can start paying back ourselves all the start up money and begin to get back to where we were in February. It will take a few long years to completely recover, but it will be worth it in the end.

I am now teaching at a private school. I teach computers to 1st - 5th grade, and Yearbook and Journalism to middle and upper school. I also tutor Algebra twice a week after school. So far it has been awesome! I absolutely love what I am doing. Sarah attends this school as well. This makes our schedules so much easier. I do not have to worry about how I am going to get her to school and pick her up at the end of the day. It is nice to be able to take her with me and her be at school with me when I need to stay late. I do have her in one of my classes on Mondays for an hour. At first it was difficult for her to adjust to me being her teacher but she has done very well. With Doug's new schedule of pretty much 24/7 and me teaching, Sarah doesn't have to live in daycare and camps during vacations times. I am looking forward to the two weeks off at Christmas. I am ready for a break.....

Daymond is doing well. He is attending Valencia Community College earning his AA degree and also working for Doug's parents with the roofing business. I have to say when he first started working for them I was mad and jealous. I loved my sales position with the roofing co. and to this day I still miss it... But I have grown to love teaching and would not change it for the world.

Now that everything is calming down, Doug and I are happier with our new lives. How one day in February can go from the worst day in your life and turn in into the same day that changed your life for the better is amazing. We are thankful that we survived and can begin to relax and move forward. Well, I can begin to relax. As for Doug, I can only say one word..... RETAIL! :)

I will post a new blog weekly. I have time to myself on Sunday mornings so check back then. I hope everyone is doing well.

Love to all,
Krista

Play N Trade "Coming Soon"

Doug is at the final stages of getting the new store ready to open!!! YEAH! Our first employee, our store manager, started yesterday and it seems that we will open the doors mid next week. We are planning our grand opening either late July or the beginning of August. What a relief. I am not sure how much more stress this family can take. Yes, this has been an exciting adventure but also an extremely stressful one. I must say we are out of money and this family is living on credit! I am still looking for a job and about to "loose it" staying home all day. Unemployment stinks......

I have been receiving a lot of "flack" not keeping my blog updated. Frankly, I do not have an excuse since I am home everyday. Except to say, " I have nothing to say!" That will soon change. Especially over the next month or two...

I will update picture as the store is stocked and cleaned up!!

To Whom needs to know how to add an image: click on the picture next to ABC above and simply bowse for the file and double click on the file and it will add the image to your blog!!

Our New Store

Doug's new endeavor is well on its way. He purchased a franchise with Play N Trade and we are finally through the legal and corporate steps and are now waiting for our build out truck to be loaded and shipped. This truck has all the shelving, counters and wall signs for the interior. In the mean time he needs to build a few interior walls, paint the entire store black and install dark gray carpet. He is planning his "soft" opening June 27th and then his grand opening mid July! We have been told by other Play N Trade franchisees that a few franchisees are not happy that Doug was given this location because they wanted it. The demographics are perfect for this type of business. We sell new and used video games, game consoles and movies. The difference between us and the competition is you can play the game before you buy it and we also hold tournaments for groups. As the build out progresses I will post pictures.

With the gas prices only going up I was forced to sell my convertible Mustang GT and buy a 05 Camry. I must admit the ride is awesome and it has more pickup than I would have ever expected. I put 45.00 in the tank on Monday and I am only at a half a tank. With the Mustang I would be on my 3rd 45.00 so far.....

I hope everyone is doing well and it is time for the morning rush in this house so I must go!

OLD COINS

Does anyone know anything about old coins??? Where would I take old coins to have them apprasied and how do I know they are not screwing me? ANYONE!!!!

NO MORE KNOCKING ON DOORS

Well, my day???
Where do I start? The first place I went to was a local laundry mat and boy was that woman RUDE!! Not a good start. I went to 28 different places and they day ended up with 10 appointments with the business owner and 2 group meetings for next week!! Not bad, however, it was raining soooooo hard that I stopped at a shopping center to go into a Ross to see if I could find some dress shirts, and I did, but you will never believe what happened to me on my way back to my car.......

I fell! I was on the phone and carrying what I had purchased and down I went. Right in the middle of the parking lot... Now I have a story when people say what was the most embarrassing moment in your life! And I have pictures!!! I did not want to get up nor tell the business owner that I was on the phone with why I kind of disappeared for a minute. When I got home I must have had the look of pain in my eye because immediately Doug asked me "did your day go as bad as your face says it did?" I told him YES, showed him my knees which the picture does no justice it actually looks much much worse and went to bed!! The family senses is I need to be in the air on roofs and not on the ground!!!

Don't miss tomorrow nights blog!!!

Tomorrow will be my first day in the field as an AFLAC agent with "not much knowledge of product, alot of training on how to approach businesses and a lot of ego". Hell, all I ask of everyone is, "PRAY FOR ME" I have 2 pages of scripts on "how to overcome objections" from both the gate keeper (receptionist) and the business owner. All my homework for tomorrow is to walk into 25 small businesses, approach the "gate keeper" and attempt to have the business owner come out "to greet me" then, if I even make it that far then I am to attempt to set a time on Friday to meet with that business owner to go over how these products will benefit her/him and her/his employees. Like how I put her before his? Just my way of saying ladies first!! My ultimate goal during my Friday meeting is to schedule an enrollment meeting for the employees. Obviously, my district manager will be with me Friday to help me through THAT faze!!!

I will post tomorrow night on how good or bad my "cold call" day went! I have always feared this part of any sales position and not too thrilled I am doing it!!! :( :(

On a funnier note. Since I have been in training all week and unable to go to my weight doc to get my B12 shots, Doug went to pick up my 2 shots for the week today. No big deal right? NOT! Any of you that know me know that I am ABSOLUTELY DEATHLY AFRAID of needles so when Doug mentioned to me that I needed to have my B12 shot I said it is 10:30pm, HOW As I turned around in the chair at the desk in our office I see Doug 6'4" 230lb (big) standing there with a shot in his hand. Mom, Debbie I was scared! Are you kidding me! He has NEVER given a shot to anyone not even one of our dogs. He tells me, "just keep studying, you'll never know I gave it to you" NO WAY! So he convinced me to lye down and he shot me. I will admit I felt nothing! Why in the hell have I let all these assistants and trainees in hospitals and doctors offices use me as a pin cushion and give me these painful shots? Doug is my official shot guy! I knew I have been married to him for over 13 years for something. I just wish I would have figured this out WAY sooner!

Blog tomorrow!

1st Day of Training

Well, I finished all of my 48 hours of Continuing Education (CE) classes that were in arrears and have to complete my current CE classes, 24 hours by the end of July. I went to my first day of training with AFLAC and I must say it went well. I have been skeptical in the past and still am, but I think I can make this work and do well at it. The only problem is you only get paid a commission on what you sell and paid nothing if you don't sell. Not usually a problem, but with Doug starting his franchise with Play n Trade it will be a FEW months before he starts seeing positive income so therefore there is no money coming in and with two kids and a mortgage and bills for a 2 family stable income home that will be VERY difficult. What a life change and a HUGE wake up call. I have decided to take Sarah out of private school but our charter school is full for this year and they think they will be as well next year and I do not like the elementary school we are zoned for..... I will know April 1 if she will get in for next year.
Doug is working very hard to get this franchise through the paperwork process and get moving to an actual opening date. He says that he is planing on an April 1 grand opening, I say more like May 1 or even June!!! We shall see.
I have a lot of scripts to memorize and homework due by tomorrow so I will keep you posted as to how this goes and what we end up doing!
Talk to you soon!

Employed - AFLAC Sales Agent!!!

Thank God. I am employed! I accepted a position today as an AFLAC sales rep and start immediately. I am very excited about this opportunity and ask that all of my family and friends keep me in mind when they are thinking of additional insurance either as an individual, for the company they work for or if they are self-employed. I start training Monday and am expected to have appointments set for Friday of that week. I have used AFLAC in the past as a Human Resource Manager and love their policies that they offer the employees.

Well, this must be short because I do have to set up my continuing education classes now so I will be in compliance by Monday!!!

Talk to you later!

SOOO SORRY!

My test results!!! Obviously, by reading the past few posts, you can see life around here as been "crazy" to say the least. I went to my appointment with my blood doc and the results of the second tests showed that my red blood cell count is still high. However, I do not show any signs right now of any type of blood disorder including cancer. YEAH!!!!! He does want to see me again in May to run the same tests for the third time to confirm the second results. So, I will let you know about that then.

BORED to DEATH!!!

Well, what to say about unemployment...... The first week was a vacation. Did NOTHING! It was GREAT! The second, cleaned the entire house and all the cabinets and closets. Now, the third week, LOOSING MY MIND!!!!! I will never retire! I can not do this.

Have been on a few interviews and offered two positions, however one was just too far to travel and the other the biggest sales scheme I have ever encountered selling health benefits, payroll svs and tax options to small business and the self employed, like um my husband, Doug. Although, I was offered a district position which basically means I would be recruiting people to join this sales scheme. I won't give the name of the company just yet they are back to the drawing board working on a new salary/incentive package to make me feel "differently"..... NOT POSSIBLE! But it is fun being in my seat right now.

I do have an interview tomorrow with AFLAC as a district sales agent. I am very excited about this position. I will however have to complete 48 CE (continuing education) classes before the beginning of July and 24 CE classes by the end of July for my state Health, Life and Variable Annuities insurance license. I will also need to get my "series 7" license so that I can write 401K plans and retirement policies. The lady at an insurance school I contacted said it is possible, but going to be VERY difficult! I can do that! What the hell else do I have to do right now???

Doug is still in California until Thursday with the executives at Play n Trade working on all the final paperwork and training so he can come back and begin construction and work on a grand opening date! Sarah misses him soo much. He was supposed to be home Wed but had to rearrange his flight for a meeting that was set up for Wed so now he does not come home until Thursday. So she is very upset with him! I do feel bad for him (which does take a lot for me) his flight leaves California at 12am pacific time and arrives in Orlando at 5am eastern time. YUCH!

It is late and I am bored so I am going to bed. Talk to you soon!!!! Pray for AFLAC tomorrow!

Love to all!
Kris

Unemployment

Well, it seems that Doug and I are officially unemployed!!! Master Roofing has downsized and we were let go. I never thought that the construction industry would reach this low, but it has and Doug and I are both without jobs at the same time. But, it will be okay!

Doug is opening a "Play and Trade" store about a mile down the road and is setting up all the proper documents to move forward. I mentioned that I felt a vacation to California was in the near future well this is wierd! It just so happens that the 4 day training seminar for new owners is in California, so Doug will be heading to California in a few weeks..... Not really a vacation because Doug is the only one that is going but I found that wierd that the trip was not planned when I said that!!!



As for me, a lot of opportunities have opened up. I have sent my resume to a few places for outside sales and one of them is in Fort Myers Florida. It is a position with Owens Corning for the South West area. I would have to relocate but I would be home Friday - Sunday. The pay and benifits make it very enticing... So, keep your fingers crossed and pray for us! We are getting pretty good at making it through tough times.

We Did It Again!

I am losing faith in Florida when it comes to anything related to elections. Florida still gets jokes about our recount episode and now....

I was listening to the radio this morning on my way to take Sarah to school and can you believe the topic was, "How many times can we screw up elections" Apparently, many Floridians thought that yesterday was voting day. They did not realize it was last Tuesday! I guess all the publicity, the signs, and of coarse all the people standing on every street corner with "Vote for..., or jumping out at you flailing the sign in your face and almost getting run over didn't give them a hint. Not to mention the fact that the very next day no one was on street corners and most of the signs had disappeard. With our new law about collecting all the signs quickly after voting day you would think that definitely by Friday these people that did not know they missed the election would have figured it out then. But NO, they actually showed up to their usual place to vote yesterday and were upset that they did not know they missed election day!!

Maybe if you are that "CLUELESS" you shouldn't vote anyway!!!

Stress... That mean little word!!!!

Spell check will not work so you will have to deal with it. I don't have time to go back and proof!!!!!


I am so Blessed to have many family and friends looking out for me. Uncle John, please know that Doug and I's first priority as hard as that is right now is to reduce my stress.... I am just not good with dealing with many changes very well. My red blood cell count is 16.5 to 17.5 and my blood pressure is a steady 135 over 115. ( NOT GOOD) Working on improving that... A vacation is due and a trip to California is calling!!!!!


I will not say that I am spoiled now, because many, if not all will say I was growing up; but Doug and I have worked VERY hard to get where we are today and have the things that we have, but we are learning that those things are not so important. Fighting and winning custody of his son twice over the years was a HUGE accomplishment for us and Daymond, and watching him grow in a stable and loving enviornment has been a great success in itself but now that he is 19 and our daughter Sarah is doing well both in school and socially, especially in our neighborhood, has made us sit back and really think what is important to us. We are very much a part of our kids lives, even though they are not too thrilled with that sometimes, but things are changing; we are getting older and "maturing"!!! (now I am starting to feel old)

As most of you know, especially those that live in Florida, the construction industry here is ALMOST obsolete! I love what I do! And for those that do not know what that is, I run all the re-roof estimates and sales, I run our track home roof crews and since I have a degree in Human Resources I handle all of our employee and benefit issues. Doug handles all of our commercial accounts, apartment complexes and resaurants. I am really having a hard time even thinking that this may come to an end! I LOVE WHAT I DO!!!!!!!!!! Doug is attempting to sit for his roofing license, I say attempting, because who can study for a state test with all this chaos and stress. His test is this month and neither of us have good fellings about it! It seems that in the next few near months a REALY HARD decision will have to be made. A LOT more money is going out right now than what is coming in and in business, I have been told over and over by Doug and his dad, like I don't know this; THIS IS NOT GOOD!!!! I am in denial..... Did I tell you I LOVE WHAT I DO DAMN IT! Master Roofing has to survive.


Well, if it does or does not happen, here is our (the Slechta's) plan. I still want to sell roofs, I LOVE IT. Doug's mom and dad (who also work for our roofing company, Master Roofing, are looking into purchasing a mobil home park on Lake Apopka as positive cash flow. Doug's brother did this over in Melbourne, Florida and is clearing 3000.00 per mo. in positive cash flow. Good money for Doug's parents, they want to retire anyway. As for Doug and I, Doug is looking into opening a franchise; a "Game Stop" store in a nearby shoping center. The store sells new and used games and movies and also takes either on trade. ( A long way from my new passion of selling roofs) We have had our attorneys and accountants looking into this new endeavour and so far it looks promissing??? Me, I am freaking out! Not good timing for all of what is going on with me medically, but some say change is good!


A good friend of mine who owns another roofing company; one of our main competitors, said I can always come work for him. Except, he is not hiring right now because business is soooo slow! Go FIGURE!!!!


Picture this.... You have all seen before and after pictures of people that have gone on diets, most of us have them of ourselves. Well, Doug has both the before look and the after at one time. The left side of his face is after the diet and the right side, well it is the before!!!! He has an absest tooth and his face is soooo swollen! The dentist gave him an antibiotic and we are alternating tylenol and advil for pain since the BIG baby (6'4") won't take pain pills..... I am telling you, no matter how big the man when they get sick they go DOWN, they go down worse than an infant. He is letterally driving me crazy, now he has have a fever and it is hot, it is cold, it is hot, you get the picture. I have decided to just lie to him when he asks me one second if the heat is on and the next if the air is on. What ever he wants at THAT SECOND, jee what a coincidence that is what the temp is on!! HAHAHAH He won't know!


You wouldn't know this by reading, well, I have been gone for 20 min, it seems that Sarah, 6, is sick. She just got up and wouldn't you know, she is hot, she is cold, again, you get the picture. This is going to be a LOOOOONG night! Back to Walgreens I go to now get baby tylenol and advil. This will make my 3rd trip in less than 3 hours, this pharmasist is going to think I am crazy!


Talk to you soon and everyone take care. I WILL DO THE SAME.

"D" DAY

This will be quick. I am taking Sarah to see Hannah Montana tonight and I NEED A NAP!

All the tests came back negative and it looks like I am out of the woods for anything serious. However, the doctor wants to run two more platelet studies to figure out why my red blood cell count is so high! I am still not allowed to take any medicine except for percocet for headaches and back pain. I will be calling Florida Hospital to schedule these test for next week and will update on the results once they are in.

Last night was not a good night. No sleep and a lot of nerves. My head is pounding right now so I am going to lie down hopefully it will go away before tonight.

Thank you to everyone who kept me in there prayers. IT WORKS!

Love to all

The Verdict Is Close!

I must say, that I have been very positive regarding the soon to come results of the test and blood work that I had done a few weeks back. However, MANY friends and family keep asking me "did you get the results in?". I am trying not to think about it and just keep going. YES, I am very worried and I can't wait to move on the the next phaze of my life.... This is worse than when the doctors told me I had a tumor in my breast and had to wait 2 months between finding out the news, having it removed and then finding out it was benign. At least then I knew what I was dealing with. Right now, I don't know what I am dealing with or that I am even going to have to deal with anything. I know my friends and family are concerned, but the constant reminder that I am waiting for "results" is not good for my attitude or health. I had my blood pressure checked Thursday (because it has been high since all this started) and it was 165 over 130. It was really hard to talk that doctor out of calling 911 and sending me to the ER.

I just need an end and pray everyday this was just a scare and I am fine. My doctor appt is Tuesday at 10:30am. I will definitely let you know what he said I soon as I get a chance.

Marcel, please tell Pat to at least have her red blood cell count tested. Mine was 18.5. According to my doctor multiple bruising and or bruises larger than your fist is not good.

I tell Doug that it is a good thing he is so calm and doesn't have a mean bone in his body, because with the amount of bruises on me people would think he beats me. I am always joking with him telling him he better do as I say and not piss me off or I will call the police. The only problem with this threat is that we live in a very small town and Doug knows all the cops, especially the chief....... I need to move!!!!

Well, the next post will be "D Day", (diagnosis day) so talk to you Tuesday! I am praying for good results.

Love all!

DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME

Sorry, they went 4 wheeling with many other friends. Who, of coarse showed up looking as good as them!

Well, ALL the laundry was done by them. Daymond helped Sarah with her project and I am relaxing.... I took the advice of a neighbor and "LOST IT"!!! Actually, it was more fun for me (because I was kidding and they did not know it) but it actually worked!! I was able to pull of a nervous breakdown and I have never seen two grown men freak out like they did!!!! Only after everything was done and even the 3 dogs washed did I stand (far away) and start laughing! I couldn't help myself, especially when these two boys asked me what was soooo funny and I told them I was put up to it by a neighbor. Thank GOD it was one of Doug's good friend's wife..... I can tell you this " DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME" I thought I was going to die. Well, I got my exercise for the week running around the block from them chasing me IN A GOLF CART that goes 30 mph...

Melody, yes I remember you! I have missed you over the past few trips! How are you?

Homework & Laundry

Is it EVER done???? Between Sarah's homework and all of the laundry in this house, I give up!! I was soooo happy that this was going to be a long weekend for me to just sit back and relax. I hosted our neighborhood bunco game Thursday night and had this bright idea to serve Mexican food. Don't get me wrong it was a HIT! The girls loved the food and of coarse the frozen margaritas, but I forgot how many ingredients are involved in Mexican and all the toppings that go with it. I didn't do much Friday except clean up and sleep. That took it out of me and then....... Doug and Daymond came home looking like this

and when Sarah got home from school she informed me that she is "star student of the week" next week and has to bring in a poster with pictures and info on it about herself! So much for that relaxing weekend. It is a good thing I have one of those extremely large washers that does twice the clothes in one load. My, oh I mean Sarah's project, is underway so no sleep for me!

OH YEAH did I mention I also have 3 birthday parties this weekend - one at some store in the mall where girls can dress up like Hannah Montana and sing karaoke, one at Chucky Cheese (on a sat afternoon, yeah) and then one at another mall at Monkey Joes. What is Monkey Joes? I don't think I want to find out either! I'd rather give more blood- and I HATE needles! At least that way I can get a nap.

Hello All!

This is new to me. I know that I will not be as good as others updating as much as some, but I will try! We are doing well. Sarah is now in first grade and Daymond graduated high school in May and is attempting to figure out what he wants to do with the rest of his life. He has a small landscape business that is doing OK but he knows that will probably not be enough to support his expensive toys!!!!

Doug and I are working with his parents at the family business, Master Roofing. Construction right now in Florida is pretty much at a stand still and a lot of our friends are unemployed, and if things don't pick up Doug and I will be also. Our family joke is that if roofing does not pick up than we can all go to work for Daymond mowing yards. And if we get really desperate than Sarah, age six, can pull weeds. Don't laugh, it could come true.... Our goal is Doug is studying for his state roofing license so that soon his parents can retire and we will take over the business. If there is anything to take over!!!!

Me personally. I have been undergoing a lot of tests last week and this week for a blood disorder. I keep getting bruises on my legs that I can not account for so I went to the doctor and the initial blood work showed that my red blood cell level is very high. Friday, I had a scan of my spleen and liver and they took 10 vials of blood so I have been extremely tired this weekend. I will know all the results on Feb 4th. So I will update on those results then!

It is time for church so gotta go!