Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Summer?

This summer Grant and I sold pest control in Dallas, TX. Let me tell ya about it...
It was hands down the most demanding experience of my life. I also learned so so much along the way about myself and about life. From the outside this job looks really hard, don't be fooled, it is crazy, ridiculously hard. You walk around, barge in on peoples daily lives, annoy people all day, listen to people tell you no all day, while sweating your brains out because it's over 100 degrees outside. Below are a few of my top favorite responses from people on the doors...

My #1 favorite was this older man...
Me: "Hi, I'm with Romney Pest Control!"
Him: "OH REALLY!?..... WELL GOOD FOR YOU!"
*SLAM!!!*

The most common response
Them: "I'm not interested."
Me: "Oh are you already with a company?" (said very innocently and doe eyed I'd might add)
Them: "I'm not interested." (As if I hadn't heard them the first time!)
Me: "Oh are you taking care of it yourself right now?"
Them: "I'm Not Interested!"
*SLAM!*

It always seems to end with a door slamming on my face.

Lastly was the most irritating, the dreaded teenagers.
Me: "Hey can I talk to your parents?"
Them: "What can I help you with?"
Me: "Oh I just need to talk with your parents thanks."
Them: "Well they're not interested."

So what would be your reaction? If I knocked on your door in the middle of your busy day how would you treat me?
This summer has really made me evaluate the way I treat others, especially those people who initially don't seem to matter, like the door-to-door salesman. It's also made me realize that everyone in life is trying to sell you something, and you do not have to buy it! Also, you never have to pay full price... if you haggle with someone long enough you'll get a GREAT deal. Lastly, I had to overcome my deathly fear of talking to people I don't know. The first month or so of the summer I would literally shake at every door. I dreaded ringing the doorbell. By the end I was still nervous, but I knew it wasn't the end of the world and all I had to do was talk to another person and people can't be THAT scary.
Overall I learned one heck of a lot and did something I NEVER EVER thought I could POSSIBLY do in my LIFE! I can't help but smile when I look back and think how tough I was. Granted I shed a LOT of tears, but Grant was great... even though the crying made no sense to him (boys don't really care what other people think do they)? I admire Grant SO SO much after this summer. Six summers really? He's a stud.

So what do ya think? Does that sound like summer? Isn't summer supposed to be filled with swimming, popsicles, friends, lakes, rivers, camping, and so much more? Ya well in this family we say no to summer, but yes to 8 glorious months of no work and you better believe I'm basking in EVERY minute of it! What I can actually have time to fold laundry now and not just leave it in the dryer until I wear it? I can cook a meal that doesn't consist of corndogs or frozen pizza? I actually have energy to talk to my husband at night and not just pass out? Sounds like Bliss, pure bliss.

4 comments:

G and G Nut said...

Zaundra,
Hands down, you are AMAZING!! Hope your sweet husband knows that you are one in a million. Oops, I forgot that both Christy and Meridith have done this, so I guess you're one of 3 in a million. You can do ANYTHING now, and I'm sure you will do just that.
I'll bet school work seems way sweeter than it ever did before.
xoxoxo

Bridger and Jordan Booras said...

Yay! You're back to the blog world haha. Welcome back. Love you!

Matthews Family said...

Zaundra,

Bart and I loved the post! And yes, you are amazing at sticking to such an incredibly difficult job. I am very impressed at how you stuck it out.

We miss you and Grant and can't wait until the next time we get to hang out with you guys. Love ya'll.

Brooke said...

Zaundra,
Way to go!! You are the WOMAN!! And you even look great in the Romney pest control atire. Enjoy the good meals and cleaner home. love you guys!