Hey Top 10ers! Come update us! :)

[audball]

YAY!!! Interview dust for you MF!!!

 

[Magpie09]

Sorry to hear about the house

woot!! good luck re: the interview!

 

[audball]

Oh yeah I forgot to apologize for the house getting sold! It's a bummer But you WILL find an even better house! I firmly believe that!!

 

[madelise]

I'm sorry about the house getting away, MayFlowers! You'll find another that's better

Maebelle, any updates from our ListKeeper? Has the extra LK dust helped you out?

 

[audball]

Maebelle, any updates from our ListKeeper? Has the extra LK dust helped you out?

Oooh! Yeah, good question! I know her beautiful sapphire is off to be set!!

 

[Glitz]

OMG I feel like that first paragraph could have been written by me. SO opened his own company last fall, as well. So I've been sitting still, listening to him talk about how all his $ that he earns is just being put straight back into the company into advertisements and hiring of new staff and etc. I'm like you could have bought a ring already!!

You're lucky to have a friend that is a photographer! I wanted to take annual photoshoots of us, to keep as memories as we grow older, but they're so pricey! I finally found a deal on Living Social and will be having our first photoshoot this summer. Mind sharing what you're planning on wearing/location/theme?

Have fun on your upcoming trip, and congrats on 7 years!! You beat Kim Kardashian's wedding by 3500% already :X

That's pretty cool that your SO opened his business this fall as well, I'm sending some dust your way for his business. I don't know anyone IRL who can relate to the frustrations and long hours that come along with it, especially being a LIW and seeing all the money it takes. The other week my SO came home with cash from that day, actually seeing the money was pretty eye opening! I jokingly took the stack and put it on top of my left hand and said "This is basically my ring", it's crazy to think about how something so small can cost so much

As for the engagement photos, we were talking about how we would have them taken in the city where we live, and maybe some creative ones at the drive-in where we had our first date. There's a beautiful waterfront with some beaches, gazebos, fountains and award winning gardens. He basically doesn't like the photos where the couple are sitting in a field starring off into space together. We're going to do a candid style photo shoot where we do things that we actually do in real life with the waterfront being our backdrop. He's always looking for my opinion on clothes so I'm sure I'll have free rein over our outfits. I would love to have some casual shots wearing jeans with semi-dress shirts. I would also like some a bit fancier where I wear a dress and he wears dress pants and a button down shirt, but leaving some of the buttons undone and maybe we would be walking barefoot in the sand so it still has that fun, casual "us" feeling.

MayFlowers - Sorry to hear about your dream house being sold. I know you might not think this now, but when the time is right your dream house will be available for you, everything happens for some reason or another. You're in my thoughts regarding the job... best of luck

Maebelle - Any updates?! My fingers are crossed that you don't have to wait to long for your SO to purpose with the beautiful sapphire! I'm dying to see glamour shots of your ring, it sounds gorgeous.

 

[maebelle]

The sapphire is with Brian Gavin's, Lesley said they were pulling the 15 pointers yesterday, and she said 10-15 business days. So. the latest I should have it in my hands is June 7th. I'm hoping I don't have to wait that long though! I actually got a rose gold spacer (.75 mm thick) that I'll wear with my set that I've been wearing on my right hand because I'm SO EXCITED, and want a bit of new jewelry to tide me over

Mayflowers: Buying houses is frustrating at best. You'll find something awesome!

Glitz: I'm loving the story of just stacking the money on your hand. It's also weird to think of rings in terms of furniture. We have a couch that cost EXACTLY what my sapphire cost, and it is a huge couch, so looking from it to the sapphire and back...

 

[audball]

Glitz: I'm loving the story of just stacking the money on your hand. It's also weird to think of rings in terms of furniture. We have a couch that cost EXACTLY what my sapphire cost, and it is a huge couch, so looking from it to the sapphire and back...

This rang true with me too! Our stone was less since it was an ebay steal, but 1,200 for something that in reality is SOOOO tiny is crazy. I remember when we opened the unset recut from BGD and Andrew thought it was sooooo little. It looks much bigger when set (even though it is in a simple semi bezel!). And it's not even THAT small at over 3/4 ct.

 

[MayFlowers]

maebelle, I'm so excited for your ring to be ready!

Glitz, love the money on your hand. It is pretty crazy when you think about it!

As for me, I just got back from vacation with BF's stepmom, sister and nieces. It was so much fun! We went to Disney World (the first time for me and his nieces). It wasn't exactly relaxing, more like exhausting and ridiculously jam packed. But, it was absolutely awesome! I wish we could have stayed longer.

BF and his dad went on a houseboat on a lake nearby during the time we were at Disney. His vacation was much more relaxing than mine. He definitely deserved it and enjoyed every minute.

My interview before I left went great. The man I talked with basically told me that I will have a job once one becomes available. He said this interview was more like a screening, but he was very nice and was very impressed with me. He kept saying how I was such a strong and excellent candidate. He also said once a vacancy is actually posted, that I will be interviewed by another group of people and then I will be able to sign my contract. I have a really good feeling about it. He said that they don't send people to the second interview unless they will be hired. So, now I just have to wait until a job is posted. Which I hope happens really soon.

Also, the school where I worked this year has 3 open positions. The assistant principal never called to inform me of them. I just saw them posted and I was going to call her anyways to let her know about the other interview. She didn't sound very confident about me getting a job there. So, I'm not really sure what's going on with that. I hope she is just being cautious because of what happened last year. It's all really just a waiting game now...

 

[audball]

My interview before I left went great. The man I talked with basically told me that I will have a job once one becomes available. He said this interview was more like a screening, but he was very nice and was very impressed with me. He kept saying how I was such a strong and excellent candidate. He also said once a vacancy is actually posted, that I will be interviewed by another group of people and then I will be able to sign my contract. I have a really good feeling about it. He said that they don't send people to the second interview unless they will be hired. So, now I just have to wait until a job is posted. Which I hope happens really soon.

Also, the school where I worked this year has 3 open positions. The assistant principal never called to inform me of them. I just saw them posted and I was going to call her anyways to let her know about the other interview. She didn't sound very confident about me getting a job there. So, I'm not really sure what's going on with that. I hope she is just being cautious because of what happened last year. It's all really just a waiting game now...

This is great news!! I hope everything works out for you!!

 

[MayFlowers]

AHHHHHHH!!!!!! I GOT THE JOB FROM THE FIRST INTERVIEW!!!!

Where is a jumping up and down emotie when I really need it?!!

 

[audball]

AHHHHHHH!!!!!! I GOT THE JOB FROM THE FIRST INTERVIEW!!!!

Where is a jumping up and down emotie when I really need it?!!

SQUUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SOOOOOOO Excited for you MF!!! CONGRATS!!!! x 1,000,000!!! You deserve it!

 

[maebelle]

Hooray!! I'm so happy for you!

 

[madelise]

congratulations!!!

 

[star sparkle]

YAY, congrats!!!

 

[audball]

Tell us more! What will you be teaching? When do you start? Have you signed your contract yet? Does that mean house hunting is OFFICIALLY on?! Does that mean engagement is SOON!?

 

[MayFlowers]

Thanks everyone!! It really means a lot to me!

Ok so for more details...Basically all I know right now is that I will be teaching preschool, which is why I originally majored in education. So I know I will love it! I don't have a specific school or classroom yet. They said I will meet with principals of schools in June to find the right school within the district for me. I have not signed an "official" contract, but I have signed a conditional one. They have to wait to get my transcripts, TB test, background check, etc. until I sign the official one. She said they would like me to come mid-June to sign the official one and fill out benefits and tax forms.

I did have an interview yesterday with the other school. I got to call them and tell them I had another job offer and so I wouldn't be coming to their interview. She was very happy for me. I think everything will turn out just fine. I know I loved that school, but I feel like my experiences there over the past year just tainted it for me. It's no longer my "dream school". Plus, the district I will be working for pays about 15% more!

It DOES mean house hunting is getting ready to officially start! We want to wait a little longer, hopefully until I find out where in the district I will be teaching. Plus, I still won't get my first paycheck until around September. I'm hoping we can be moved in to a house by November at the latest. I am spending today doing some research on programs they have locally to help first time buyers and maybe to find a potential realtor. Neither of us really wants to spend the money on one, but we really have no idea what we are doing in terms of closing, drawing up offers, etc.

And it better mean engagement is soon! I think he will wait until we are really settled in to the house and everything. But, I'm hoping he doesn't make me wait too long!

I can't believe that everything is FINALLY starting to move along!!!

 

[audball]

Awesome MF!! I don't know what state you're in or how realty works where you are, but in my state (FL), buyers don't pay for realtors. Realtors here work on commission. Each house is usually 6% commission. If the selling realtor finds a buyer, they get the full 6% (paid by the sellers at closing). If a buyer realtor matches someone to a house, the selling realtor and the buying realtor split the commission at 3% each (most common).

 

[MayFlowers]

Thanks for the info audball! I will have to find out. I just assumed we would have to pay them something upfront to help us find a house!

 

[audball]

Thanks for the info audball! I will have to find out. I just assumed we would have to pay them something upfront to help us find a house!

Nope, not here at least. My ex and almost bought a house together (thank GOD that fell through...). We didn't even have to sign a contract to look with the same realtor or anything. You pick one, and they'll help you find things that match your criteria. Take you to see them, deal with the contracts, help with appraisals and inspections, do the negotiating for you, and attend your closing. You shouldn't have to pay a single cent to use a realtor on the buyer side. Commission is paid by the seller. If you never find something, they don't get paid. It's unfortunate, but that's how the job is structured (again, at least here in FL).

 

[maebelle]

Lesley said the ring would be ready to ship the 30th or 31st... which if anyone is paying attention is TOMORROW (or the next day)!

 

[audball]

Lesley said the ring would be ready to ship the 30th or 31st... which if anyone is paying attention is TOMORROW (or the next day)!

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did you ever get a hold of someone to verify the proper stone orientation?

 

[maebelle]

NO! Other than I did talk to Lesley on the phone a while ago and she said she was "adding it to the quote" but no affirmation

 

[audball]

NO! Other than I did talk to Lesley on the phone a while ago and she said she was "adding it to the quote" but no affirmation

Hmm. Well if she acknowledged it over the phone you *should* be okay. But they should email you glamour shots before it goes out in the mail so if it's not how you want it, that would be the time to let them know!!

 

[maebelle]

I'm dying here, I hope the glamor shots come tomorrow and not later. I miss my stone! I will be looking at them with hawkeyes, I tell you

 

[audball]

I'm dying here, I hope the glamor shots come tomorrow and not later. I miss my stone! I will be looking at them with hawkeyes, I tell you

Good! You should!

 

[maebelle]

So I'm apparently too obsessive... I haven't gotten an email saying it's shipped but the status of the order on the website has been changed to "shipped". Hopefully they took some pictures and will send them to me soon... otherwise it seems it'll be here FRIDAY

 

[audball]

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mico]

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

+1!!!

 

[maebelle]

I thought I was excited before... now I feel like I'm having heart palpitations!