Dealing with the public over the last 10 years I’ve come to learn a few things. Most importantly, you can’t change how people are, so you might as well learn the best way to handle them to make your life as easy as possible. Some people let mean/rude people get to them, and all they are doing is letting them ruin their day. I’d rather be glad I’m not that person and move on than dwell on it and waste valuable time and energy on that person.

Some people you just can’t please. The sooner you accept this, the better off you are. If you offer them the moon, it’s not going to be enough. So all you can do is tell them what you can do for them and let them be unhappy.

People would rather hear what you CAN do for them, not what you CAN’T do. Instead of saying “No, I can’t make your premium cheaper” say “ What we can do is look at your auto insurance so you can get the 20% multi policy discount, how does that sound?” Even if you can’t do it cheaper, at least they know you tried.

I’ve learned that sometimes its easier to empathize with people. I have mortgage companies call all the time and they need everything now! Since I used to be in their shoes, sometimes it takes the edge off the conversation if I tell them I understand what they are going through, I’ve been there and I hope they have a better day. (Even though I’m still a firm believer in bad planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part)

Some people are just always in a bad mood. They want everyone around them to be in a bad mood too. To these people, I feel sorry. Instead of letting them get me down, I thank my lucky stars I’m not in their situation that makes them live their life like that. I want people to be happy when they are around me, not grimace when they see my number on their caller id.

I’ve also learned you have to stick up for yourself. This was a hard one for me, because I don’t like confrontation and I want everyone to be happy. But sometimes people start out talking to you like you are an idiot and sometimes you have to politely remind them otherwise.  I know the “customer’s always right” (Even though they aren’t) but you can’t just sit there and take a beating. There comes a point where you have to tell the person to calm down and/or tell them to call back when they can act human (not in so many words of course)

I hope this helps someone out there deal with that unpleasant coworker or that client that knows how to push your buttons. I’ve learned that life’s too short. It’s best to pick your battles and know how to handle people.  I’m still a work in progress but it’s getting better as the years go by.

A friend of mine turned me on to E-mealz and now I’m hooked! I just signed up for the Lowfat Publix Plan (They have lots of different lists depending on what you are looking for. They take the current sale paper and send you a weeks worth of recipes and a shopping list already categorized based on what’s on sale. Also, it takes about 15 minutes to shop now.  Josh and I spent $80 this week ($20 less than we normally do) and that’s with me buying breakfast and snacks! Definitely check it out. If you decide to try it out, let me know what you think.

Here’s the link E-MEALZ Easy Meals for Busy and Frugal Families

For those of you who don’t know, Josh  and I are expecting our first child at the end of August.  You always hear people say how children change their lives. I didn’t realize how much that was true, and the kid’s not even here yet!

My new bed time is 8:30. By 8, I’m yawning, by 8:30 I’m out. This has vastly put a dent in my free time. By the time I come home, cook dinner, clean up, take a shower (another new habit, I have to take showers at night now, can’t handle it in the morning) and dry my hair, it’s bed time. No more watching movies after dinner. We tried that and 30 minutes in, I’m asleep. Not only that, our to-do list has grown tremendously. We have decided we need tile/hardwood floors before the baby gets here. Mainly for sanitary purposes. We also  have to paint the nursery, register for baby stuff (to which I have no idea what we need), house needs a new roof, pressure wash the siding… we’ve got family coming in 6 months to see “Megatron” (this is what we’ve decided to call the baby until we find out what it is)

Where I shop has changed. I used to go to NY and Co, and Ann Taylor Loft for all my clothing/retail therapy needs. Now it’s Motherhood and Old Navy Maternity. I must say my first realization came when my best friend and I went shopping last weekend. We went into Motherhood and the girl had to explain to me how this works (that felt odd in itself) Then I go into the dressing room to try on these not so cute clothes, and there’s a flippin’  pillow in there to show you how you’ll look down the road! I tried it on and about died! At first it was funny. The pillow was all lumpy, then I freaked.  Is that REALLY what I’m going to look like 4 months from now!? 

HOW I shop has changed. I used to be able to go on a power shopping trip and go for 5 hours straight. Now, after trying on maternity clothes, I need something to drink (and a nap, but don’t want to be a wuss) So we go on a search for bottled water. Then, we strategically plan out how to maximum shopping and minimize energy usage. “If we go this way, we can go to Store A, B and C… If we go this way, we can only go to Store D… Is Store D REALLY worth walking ALL the way over there? Not really..Okay, this way it is then” After 2 hours, I REALLY need a nap. And a snack. {sigh} I can only imagine doing this with a stroller.

Conversations are different. I used to talk about the weather, NASCAR, how my week went.. Now its “How are you feeling? Sick and tired, thanks for asking.” “Aww, how cute!!! No, not really… I’m tired all the time, and my clothes don’t fit anymore” “ It’ll get better soon… You’ve said that for 3 weeks now, WHEN is it going to get better?!”  

Alas after all my trials and tribulations we will have a bundle of joy. Despite the fears and doubts, I can’t wait to meet the little booger.