Real Life Newlyweds

Since my last post it's been same old, same old (or work, work, work).

We're busy with Wish 100 and just had our second committee meeting. The site is live and we're now moving to brochure, poster, billboards, ads, etc. Fernando got a two week freelance job that has kept him very busy. I've been splitting time between the yoga studio and Pottery Barn. I also met with my first bride and observed Margaret taking down all the information. It's interesting to now be on the other side of it. I am very much looking forward to being involved in more plans and coordinating my own weddings!

One fun thing we did was go to a pool party at Paul and Maureen Mouer's (although I missed the beginning because of work). And Fernando saw the new Harry Potter movie with John (I was not interested). Then there's the occasional happy hour with the working folks.

Two of our favorite shows start back this fall - Heroes and Mad Men, so we're excited to actually have something good on TV - only so many re-runs of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations I can take and only so many What Not to Wear and Say Yes to the Dress Fernando can take. We did also finally rent Slumdog Millionaire and really enjoyed it.

We're looking forward to a very busy and fun August. Erika comes home from Spain tomorrow and the parents will be in Dallas on Friday to greet her. They will also be house-hunting. That's right, the in-laws are going to be in Dallas soon (probably a year). My interview at Todd Events is finally about to be here - on the 4th at 2pm. I am anxious to see what they have to offer and hopeful for good news. Fernando will go to Boise for a bachelor party (the less I know the better, I think). We're going to New Braunfels to go tubing with a bunch of friends. We've already planned to stop at the Pottery Barn Outlet in San Marcos and Torchy's Tacos in Austin - Can't Wait!!! Then we're in Boise together for a week for Justin and Michelle's wedding and visiting parents and friends. For the few Saturdays we are in town, Addison does Salsa lessons and a show in the park by our apartment.

In family news, 0ur nephew, Henry, turned 2 on the 23rd and my mother turned a year older yesterday. Her neighbors threw her a party complete with a pinata and tamales - Guatemala is good to her.

Troubles with Wells Fargo

I am so completely un-happy with Wells Fargo.

We only took one credit card on our honey moon to be safe - Fernando's Wells Fargo card. We usually do not like to use credit cards, but did not have access to Internet for checking balances and things so we were careful with our Bank of America debit card, cash and travelers cheques and put the rest on the credit card, including our balance at Le Petit Hotel in St. Martin.

About a month after we returned home, Fernando got a call from the hotel saying that the charge of our balance had bounced back. They wanted their money. We logged into the account to see what happened and sure enough, Wells Fargo had credited us back for the amount. This happened without any communication to us whatsoever. We called the bank and they explained by saying they thought it was fraud. We told them it was a valid charge and asked for the charge to be put back on the card.

Well, as I said, we don't like using credit cards. We had since closed the account so we could just pay it off and stay debt-free. Since the account was closed, Wells Fargo claimed there was nothing they could do. We had to pay the hotel out of our checking account.

Two weeks later we get a letter from Wells Fargo saying the credit they gave us was a mistake and they had corrected it. We've now paid the hotel twice. We called Wells Fargo and threw a fit. They said they could only re-credit us if we prove we had paid with another card. So, we faxed a copy of our Bank of America statement. When we called to follow-up, we got the run-around. After speaking with a manager we MIGHT have our money back in 30-days. More hassle and phone calls to come...

Happy Birthday America (and Tracy and Rachel)!

For the Fourth of July, the city of Addison celebrates on the 3rd with Kaboom Town and a firework show. Tracy shares a birthday with Independence Day and turned 3o plus 1. We had the whole group over on the 3rd for a pot-luck pool party and then went up to the roof of our garage to see the fireworks. Robby made us some African "buguz", we played pool volleyball, had cake, played late night X-box AND Wii... - it was a lot of fun. Rachel turned 26 on the fifth of July and we had our usual phone call. I also sent her a special package. Happy Birthday to all!

On the actual Fourth, we just stayed home and watched Heroes season 3 all day. We now have just one episode left that we'll watch tonight when Fernando gets home from kicking the soccer ball with the boys. The Fourth was officially ruined when Fernando let the pool clean-up guy throw away our volleyball net AND weights that hold it in the water. I was and still am really upset over this. It's a $6 child's toy that has lasted over 2 years and provided fun for all. I went to CVS today looking for a new one and it was not there! He owes me big time.

My Many Jobs

In no particular order, this is my life right now. I bought new planner pages just to keep up.

1. Wedding Coordinator at Wilshire Baptist Church - That's right, I am now a Wedding Coordinator!!! I will be in charge of making sure couples adhere to Wilshire's policies and guidelines as well as coordinating their every need for the ceremony as it relates to the church. If you met Margaret at our wedding, I will have her role. My first wedding will be shadowing Margaret on September 6 and then I am free to be scheduled for my own weddings! I am so excited for this opportunity to learn and get closer to the wedding industry. The position pays a flat fee per wedding.

2. Sales Associate at Pottery Barn - My first shift is 12-6 tomorrow. This is an opportunity for extra income and a great discount. I'm conveniently at the Galleria Dallas location. I'll also have the chance to be part of the wedding registry consultation team and/or train to teach decorating classes. The position pays hourly.

3. Event Coordinator/Media Relations for Running for Awareness - I'm helping Auroa with her October 3 - November 17 run across Texas. Not too busy yet, but momentum is building as we get closer to October! I'm sending Press Releases out trying to create a media hype and answering phone calls. I've already utilized my contacts at Dallas Business Journal and D Magazine. There may be more opportunity as the event progresses. This is a volunteer position for now.

4. Advertising Account Executive/ Marketing and Event Consultant for Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas - I am continuing to manage creative changes for the Wish Upon a Par Golf Tournament materials. I am also the account lead on the Wish 100, a 100k cycling rally, identity and event campaign that Fernando is working on. We've got a great team. These projects are hopefully the beginnings of Good People, our self-started agency. This is pro-bono work.

5. First Contact/ Future Yogee Angel/ Cosmic Prefect's Help at Suze Curtis' Dynamic Power Yoga Plus - First Contact = Front desk check-in. I do this 5 times a month (Friday Noon, plus one weekend) in exchange for unlimited free yoga. Future Yogee Angel = Babysitter. I do this Thursday evenings in exchange for Fernando's unlimited free yoga. Many of the studio instructors are moms so having a babysitting room available is a big plus for all. I get a call the day before to let me know if there will be kids or not. Cosmic Prefect = Administrative/ paperwork. I enter forms into the computer, count money, update member list, etc. I am a backup to the full-time girl and get paid by the hour when she's out. Fernando and I are absolutely loving our free yoga. We average 4 times a week and have recruited friends and family to join in practice. Gotta love the 'yogee' titles!

Last and most importantly (although it's hardly a JOB), I am a loving and faithful wife to my sweet husband, Fernando. (aww!) He cooks and I clean.

Still to come?: I was contacted by a recruiter for Holt Design Inc. for an Account Executive position. I'm waiting to hear back for an interview. My cousin, Kim, referred me for a part-time salesforce.com reporting position at EquaTerra, where she currently works. I am waiting to hear for a phone interview.

My goals are to keep an open mind about everything and let God work out his plans for me. I'll continue to go for part-time jobs that stimulate my mind and pay the bills, while reaching for the dream of being my own boss as a Wedding Planner and part-owner of Good People (Creative Solutions?).

In spite of all this, I am still technically unemployed - nothing is full-time - so I can still collect unemployment. As my income increases my benefits will be affected I'm sure, but every little bit helps.

Fernando is working on his portfolio, goals and searching as well. We hope to work together on Good People and still separately find our own passions. It's hard being couped up at home all day, but as we learn to live and get out more, this unemployment thing really isn't so bad. We will survive.