He Passed!

HE PASSED! It took three years of experience and two years of management level HR experience to convince the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) that Philip was qualified to take the Professional Human Resource exam.

We are excited to announce that he took his test Friday and PASSED!
He is officially, Philip Schreibman, PHR!

He emailed me right after he passed his test to tell me, "We Won!" (??!?! whatever that means is still unknown to me, but I know my husband well enough to know that meant he passed!?). I quickly typed up this sign that was waiting for him on the front door when he arrived home!

What a great way to kick of the weekend....we are off to celebrate this big accomplishment in his career!

His wife on the other hand can't spell....(DYSLEXIC) - Find the typo above!

Bella was so proud of her daddy! Philip proudly showing off his certificate of achievement.

$125,000+ gross profit!

Last week marked my one week anniversary with Surety Systems as a Recruiter. My boss sent me a $125 gift certificate to eat at Del Frisco's here in Charlotte as a thank you and we are very excited about treating ourselves to a nice dinner! Thank you Dave!

Who would've thought that I would be a recruiter? That was definitely NOT on my top ten list when I planning out my future! BUT, aside from that I have had quite a successful year.

One year ago, when I left Global Knowlede I panicked. How was I going to not only be as happy as I was there but make that same kind of money!?!? I can not tell you how much extra stress this created in our lives at that time. I now look back and laugh.

When I was hired at Surety Systems I was told that first year AE's are expected to perform as such. The numbers sounded average but defintely not in line with my personal financial goals for 2008-2009, the year we were going to be moving into our very own first house.

I am proud to say that I surpassed ALL of my companies expectations for my first year as an Account Executive. I met the 125k gross profit goal to go on our Annual Awards trip after 6 months and I was promoted to Sr. Account Executive. I am very proud of my personal and professional accomplishments this year and I am looking forawrd to seeing where next year will take me.

To date, based on what I have closed for the company I will have brought in almost $500,000 in gross profit. HALF A MILLION DOLLARS. Too bad that isn't all going into my pocket ;).

As the reward to those that meet the gross profit goals our company has set, we will take a trip to Atlantia in the Bahamas. We'll be staying beachfront for some R&R on the beach, enjoying their two waterparks, heading out for some snorkeling in the clear blue water, getting some good eats in the evening and maybe do some gambling in their casino/sportsbook. We'll depart early Friday, September 5th and return Monday, September 8th. Goals for next year: Convince the boss that we need to bring spouses....!

Goal for next year: Convince the boss man that we need to bring spouses!

ps... hopefully big news to report later in the week about Philip :)

Singing in the Rain

Sunday June nights in Charlotte = Pop's in the Park.

Last night was not any different.

We gathered our chairs, cooler and some sandwiches from Fresh Market and headed to SouthPark for some Charlotte Symphony music - Broadway style.

This week we met up with Jewish Federation Young Adult Division. We had a great spot that was nice and flat :) and there were lots of great friends that came out. All day the weather was calling for rain and we just had a feeling it was going to drop out of the sky right when the symphony was setting to begin. and BOY were we right! We only got to hear two songs and the rain started coming down. After a very hot day 90+ we were very happy to be greeted by cold rain. After 20 minutes of cold rain we were soaked and ready to go head home.

We had a great time for the 2 hours we were there! Thanks to Federation for the fantastic wine/cheese and snack boxes that they provided. Everyone seemed to really enjoy them and we even got to meet another new couple that lives only a few miles from us!

Cheesin at Pop's in the Park before the rain...

Pamela and I got to meet a new couple - Melissa and Adam

Pam, my new co-chair for Temple Beth El's 20s/30s!

My Laundry Lover

Clean or Dirty ... she still loves it.

If it's warm it's even better.

Yup, folks we have a Laundry LOVER for a dog. Too bad some of that didnt rub off on her mom!

Bella is a Laundry magnet. SHE LOVES to lay on top of the laundry and does not like to be pushed off of during folding sessions. Do not attempt to pull the laundry out from under her because she will do everything in her power to stay put and make it as difficult as possible to fold. I think she knows how much her mom hate's folding laundry!

One her favorite things to do is to lay on top of the laundry on the bed right after we take it out of the dryer. Philip's favorite thing to do during laundry time is to pile the laundry on top of Bella so that you can only see her face and her tushy/wagging tail. She will stay under the laundry for as long as we let her.

Cute or what? We love her to death....

Don't let her pitiful face fool you, SHE LOVES THIS.

She however does not like getting her picture taken...sorry little Boo Boo...

Can you find me admist all of this laundry!?

The cute tushy/tail shot, that her daddy loves! Can you find it?

Dear Clients and Candidates....

Do you want me to commit myself for losing my mind?

THE END.

THIS WEEK BLOWS. LAST WEEK STUNK and the WEEK BEFORE WAS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING...

too many deals down the tubes in a row.....

please almighty god give me a break....

SOMEONE SAY YES RENEE, WE WANT YOUR CANDIDATE!

ps... I am a recruiter.

Summer nights

Great weekend, great friends....

The best friends are the ones that always ask, always lend an ear and always make me laugh.

This week was a rough week for me so I ready to close the office doors at 5 PM and leave it in the past.

We started off the weekend with a phone call from Jason and Wes that they were in town for Jason's girlfriend's graduation party and wanted to meet up for dinner. We met them at 131 Main, one of our favorite restaurants here in Charlotte. After dinner we met up with Lisa and Ben who were in visiting from Atlanta at Village Bistro in Ballantyne. We sat outside and listened to the live music with everyone and at Kilwin's ice cream. What a treat! I LOVE Ben's girlfriend Lisa. She and I just click. Ben is one of Philip's best friends from growing up and I am so thrilled that he has found Lisa! We love spending time with them when they come to visit from Atlanta and can't wait to go visit them in August at their place! I already miss her :)

Saturday we made a much needed visit to the gym, ran errands, got ready for father's day brunch and relaxed. We met up with Lisa & Ben and Emma & Dave at Cantina 1511, my favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner and drinks. Emma is 22 weeks pregnant with a boy and looks so cute! Ironically I saw an ex-boyfriend, Marcus from right out of college who used to live in Raleigh and worked with me at Misys atCantina with his girlfriend... we never made eye contact but it was quite random! After dinner we went to Angry Ale's to sit on the patio and we ran into Sarah Kaplan, Jason Trumpeter and Bo Mechanic good freiends of ours. It was quite a random place so we were very excited to see them. Lisa and I were a pool team against Ben and Emma and we definltey lost when we downed the eight ball in the hole! Gotta love the CHEESE photo we took. We played pool, shuffle board, enjoyed drinks and the roaches that were crawling around on the patio. It was disgusting. It was great to spend time with everyone but it was time to call it a night after the roaches were rampant!

Sunday was FATHER'S DAY!!!

We all had brunch at Philip's parents. It was so yummy. Each of us brought something to add to the brunch. We had way too much food, which is always a good thing because Philip and I get to take home the left overs. Bagels and Lox, Egg Casserole, Blintz Souffle, Fresh Fruit, Blueberry Bread, and coffee! This year's Father's Day presents were some of the best yet! We got Dad Schreibman a new golf putter that he had been eyeing for quite some time and we got Dad Bass a newly embroidered polo shirt with his company logo on it, that I designed! They both LOVED their presents and we were so excited to be able to be there to celebrate with them. This week was a tough week for Mike (my father in-law) so we were so glad to see that he was in such great spirits for Father's Day. His Parkinson's is doing some crazy things with his mind right now and we are hoping that this is just a blip on the radar! We sure hope he is feeling better and back on the golf course in no time!

Sunday night we went to Pops in the Park with Kim, Payam, Soraya (their daughter) , Josh and Pamela. The Charlotte Symphony puts on Pops in the Park during the month of June on Sunday evenings. If you have never been and you live in Charlotte you must go! Everyone you could possibly imagine comes out...and if you like to watch people like we do you would have a blast. We sat on the hill which was quite challenging for a 1 year old who wanted to run around in the grass but Soraya was a tropper. She loved eating all of the food we brought. She was definitely the star of the night as she ate all of her food and got it all over her face! We brought lots of dips, salads, wine and great friends and enjoyed a night of Latin-Spanish music.(That was the theme for this week!) We are looking forward to Pops in the Park next week with Broadway music and the company of Federation's Young Adult Division for a great night!

You can see that Pops in the Park attracts quite a large crowd. This is by far one of my most favorite Charlotte summer time events. Note to self: bring bug spray next week!

Black and White

I am in a strange mood
I started brainstorming what I like and what I don't.

I am very frustarted with myself right now.... so here goes.

I dislike making decisions...
I like being in control
I dislike acne...
I like getting gussied up and feeling pretty
I dislike humidity
I like wearing my hair wavy
I dislike shaving
I like wearing skirts and dresses
I dislike beetles
I like magnolia trees
I dislike sweating
I love to work out
I dislike being discriminated against
I like being a minority
I dislike driving
I like traveling and visiting places
I like the feeling of success
I like socializing
I like having a yard to tend to
I like the feeling that my husband completes me

I like....a lot.


Wow I didnt realize how liberating this would be....

Post Haircut Princess Syndrome

i love little dogs...

This week I am dog sitting for my parents while they are in Hilton Head.
Their dog Happy was quite traumatized last week from their move into their new place so she is on some hefty drugs. She acts quite funny but I can't deny how cute she is in her dupped up state. She makes these unusual squeals, walks oddly, and snores like a champ while curled up asleep in Bella's dog bed while I work.

Bella on the other hand comes to life when Happy is around. She gets fiesty, plays with her toys, tries to eat only out of Happy's food bowl, cuts Happy off and pushes her into the grass from the sidewalk during walks. I find this all quite humorous. Bella really thinks she is in charge....

I would like to introduce you to what we have termed PHPS (post haircut princess syndrome). This is something that Bella experiences regularly after getting a hair cut. You might wonder what exactly this is? Well let's just say that she acts quite prissy, walks high on her back legs and prances around the house like she owns the place. I mean she does own the place but it is still one of the funniest things to Philip and I.

I can't tell you how much I love them .... these little white dogs.

So fluffy, cuddly and boy do they love to lick.

If I am this infatuated with my 6 year Bichon Frise and my parents 2 year old Maltipoo...
I can only imagine how much I am going to love having kids....

No Air Conditioning?

I was missing Andrea so much. I had not seen her since this Fall and had not seen her husband Bud since their wedding TWO YEARS AGO. This was a much overdue visit. They came in with Jen and Chris good friends of theirs from college for a wedding of a college friend. I really like to think the wedding was just an excuse to come see us...at least that is what Bud told me.

They arrived on Friday around 4:30 PM completely soaked. They drove from D.C. to Charlotte in an SUV with NO AIR. They are NUTS. Chris' lease was over its miles, Andrea and Jen's cars were in the shop. Bud's car was their only option. I seriously thought they were going to pass out upon arrival...instead they hit up the showers!

I fixed a nice dinner for all of us. Bruchetta, Brie with Raspberry and Phillo for Appetizers. Orzo, Grilled Shrimp, Summer Vegetables, Herb and Lemon Grilled Chicken with a light pesto sauce. Ricotta Cheesecake, banana pudding and pineapple grilled with rum for dessert, YUM! We had a great time and the guys enjoyed playing croquet in the yard.

Saturday morning the guys woke up at 6 AM to get in a game of Golf. Philip headed to Raleigh around 9 AM for his first Australian Rules Football Game for the season. We have been out of town or busy for every other game and this was the first one he could actually attend. I was quite nervous about him going since he had not practiced with the team all year. In case you don't know... Footy is not the lightest sport on your body.

After Golf the guys realized it was too hot for NO AC. They decided to bring the car into a local Firestone. $160 and 4 hours later they had AC. What a relief! We enjoyed lunch/brunch and mimosa's at the flying biscuit which everyone seemed to really enjoy. The wedding started at 3, but they left too late because of the AC situation and missed the ceremony.

Philip got home and was excited to announce the NC Tigers had won their first season game and he was there to play in it. He got to see Courtney and Josh who were there watching the game and that was a great surprise.

Sunday was a catch up day. We ran errands, bought a picture/frame to go in our hallway upstairs, new sprinkler, two pots for our new bamboo plants and went to the gym. We also watched a movie and I DIDNT FALL ASLEEP!
Army Wives started again last night and I am so glad its back. I LOVE THAT SHOW.

Exciting update: Our knockout roses have begun to bloom. We love the color of the roses and can't wait to see more blooms. Everything is starting to come to life outside and we can't wait to share.

One hundred and four

For the record it reached 104 degrees this weekend here in Charlotte.
It was beyond uncomfortable starting at about 7 AM. Around 9 PM is when it finally cooled off.

We had plans to go to the pool all weekend but we never made it. I think I was more scared about how HOT it was and how tired and dehydrated it was going to make me than I was excited about dipping in the water. My Thoughts...just jump in the shower :)

I am looking forward to 80. Anything is better than 100+.