Feb 22, 2013 |
I can’t begin to express how I feel writing this post. It always feels good when I write. But this one… Because I’ve been fairly absent in the Blogosphere since January… it feels good to Blog.
TGIF says it all. February has gone by so fast for me. Although my Kickstarter Campaign wrapped up on February 1st, I can’t believe how very busy I’ve been with the post-campaign work.
Ordering product, final editing, and, this weekend, sending the Cookbook to the printer.
I feel as though I’ve three jobs. My day job, which helps pay the bills. My writing, which helps feed my soul. And taking care of my house, which means bills and budgets and meal plans and family time and everything else.
I’ve so much on my plate that right now my thoughts won’t settle down enough to be productive. How I miss the days of the writing and the typing and the photography and the planning… now I need to remember to catch my breath every few hours.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m not complaining. I really do have a wonderful job. And I am working on the writing. And my home life is great. But my days are running together so often, that I have the hardest time keeping track of what day it is.
So I’m glad I know it’s Friday. For a slew of reasons, this one is going to be great. It’s payday. Always a great start. And through winter storms and a bout of sinusitis, I managed to work without taking time off.
Joshua Tree
I even drove to work over black ice and through storming snow! Bonus on the Confidence Scale!
Today is my co-worker’s birthday so the Boss is treating us to lunch. Can you say, delicioso?!
After work is Bible Study followed by our much needed Game Night with the Second Family. Have you ever played Hand-and-Foot? It’s a crazy card game that for some reason, my daughter tends to score very well on even when it looks like she’s losing. I, on the other hand, give the impression of being the Big Winner only to be, well, not.
Earlier this week I treated myself. The planets aligned with sales and discounts and after ordering supplies that I thought would cost much more, I had enough savings to allow me to finally purchase my own Kindle Fire.
I. Am. In. Love.
There are so many wonderful books on sale. My reading list holds Sherlock Holmes, the Oz collection, Louisa May Alcott, Jane Austin, and others. I’m currently reading Silver Linings Playbook. Have you seen the movie yet? I highly recommend it. Highly.
And then of course there’s my newfound love of Kiefer Sutherland in 24. Netflix has opened up an entire new world for me, and I wonder how I ever could have resisted such glory.
My weekend is going to be full of family, fun, writing, and dreaming.
I’m waiting for my brain to settle down enough to write more than just a paragraph or two. But since that’s not happening any time soon, I guess I’ll just watch Jack Bauer save the day… again.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Nov 20, 2012 |
So, wow. Say it with me: Wow!
Was it only a few days ago I posted how good things are even though on paper they look miserable? Well, guess what. I get a paycheck this week. A full paycheck. And you know what I’m going to do with it? I’m going to pay my mortgage! I’m so stinking excited.
My Personal Retreat
I’ve paid my mortgage every month, but this month is special. This month, it’s being paid from my paycheck: from money I earned at my new job.
It’s a great Thanksgiving!
You know what else is new? Take a guess. Okay, re-read the title of this post and then take a guess. Nothing? Re-read the title of this post and look at this picture and then take a guess.
Dot’s New Car
That’s right: Through some change in the cosmos and aligning of the planets, Dot has a new (used) car. Which means I have my car back. Which means whoever’s car I was borrowing has their car back. I don’t know who’s most excited in this scenario.
Yeah. Still trying to wrap our heads around it. There was no winning lottery ticket. No suddenly deceased Great Uncle. No winning lottery ticket. Just a lot of prayer and finagling and here we are.
If this can happen for us, then I know we’ll be okay. More than okay. We’re gonna be Good.
I’m filled with emotion as my little girl turns into a responsible adult. How wonderful to see her stand tall and make decisions. How frightful that she’s going out on her own. Is she ready? Am I ready?
I knew this day would come. I was hoping it’d be much later.
Much. Much. Later.
She’s my little girl. And she’s all grown up.
You know what my favorite part of the day is?
She still hugs me goodnight and greets me every morning.
“I Love You, Momma.”
I love you, too, Dot.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Nov 5, 2012 |
It’s been a long time coming. I haven’t been able to tell one day from the next. But now… Now, I’m (almost) ready. Now, I’m less anxious and more amped.
My Bento Lunch is packed. My purse is gathered. My clothes are hanging neatly. Did I miss anything? After my emotional vomit on TGIF as well as the outpouring of encouragement and support that followed, I can say I’m faced with a renewed emotion today: Excitement.
It started out as anxiety as I prattled off a list of “What If’s” to my brother, who immediately assured me those thoughts are natural… But I’m not so sure how natural it is to contemplate being the sole survivor of a catastrophic event the first week I start work and having to run the office alone amidst a deficit of knowledge and working skills… Just sayin’…
Faced with the ridiculousness of my writer’s brain, I already informed my new boss that I think a little differently than most. I promise (or so I told her) that it won’t affect my professionalism. I mean, really. I’m back in the Insurance industry. My creativity won’t affect that. [I do hope I get to use the word, defenestration, at some point… but I highly doubt it.]
As I filled out documents last week, I broached the subject of Identity Fraud. My new boss questioned me, “Why would someone do that?” To which I promptly responded, “I have no idea. But I watch a lot of crime drama so I know it happens.” Yeah. Cuz my reality really should be a TV movie.
What started as trepidation as I perused the 300 page “Office Bible” quickly turned to confidence. I’ve done this job before. I can do it again. I loved it once. I’ll love it forever.
I am now, again, officially a Nine-to-Fiver.
My boss asked me a great question during our initial interview: “Where do you see yourself in five years?” I responded, “The same. Only… better.”
That which I have prayed for has arrived. And whatever comes of it, I’ve been here before.
So I know it’s going to be alright.
I’m turning a new page. And pretty excited to write a new chapter.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Aug 9, 2012 |
Yup. I had an interview. A real, in-person, we-think-you-could-benefit-our-business job interview today. [I also had a call to join an insurance team about an hour’s drive from home and work for commission only… had to turn that one down. Darn.]
I had been referred to today’s Real Interviewer through mutual contacts. A year ago, I wouldn’t have considered it: part-time. Small office.
And today, it felt like a perfect fit. Because it’s a nice atmosphere. Because they’ve been in business for over a decade and are still growing. Because any job is better than no job. Because a pay check is still a paycheck. And because every little bit helps.
Whether or not I get the job, I’m glad I went to the interview, which was more of an informal get-to-know-you meeting. Mostly because I don’t get out much these days. Also because it was nice to see new faces. I love meeting people!
The office manager was encouraging. She was excited about the marketing/advertising background I naturally come by on my resume, through my blog and just because I’m a naturally chatty person (go figure!).
But the absolute best moment of this meeting was when she said, “I heard you’re a great writer and want to make sure this job wouldn’t get in the way of those goals.”
Uhm…. NO. I will gladly work for you part time until it turns into full time, and in the meantime I will continue to write and blog and write and cook and write and review and write. You’ll just be helping to pay the bills until the write check comes along.
But thanks for asking.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Mar 8, 2012
I went job hunting last Thursday and Friday. Usually I only manage to go out once a week, if at that, but I always check online everywhere: Craigslist, classified ads/Monster, county, court, company website… that list goes on and on.
I was taken aback last week when I found not one, not two, but three advertised job openings. Around here, nobody advertises because there’s so many people looking for work that their office would get inundated. Our unemployment level is one of the highest in the nation. So seeing three jobs advertised for applications, that says a lot. That tells me that the economy is getting better. That people aren’t afraid of putting money into ads or time into interviews.
The really exciting turn of events came when I applied for an office position at one of the local hospitals. Turns out I’m qualified for three, possibly four, positions that are currently open! How exciting is that?! And when I asked for other leads, they referred me to the employment service they sometimes use.
So I went to the staffing agency and dropped a resume there as well. Guess what: they loved my resume and will contact me this coming week. Looks like they might have an opportunity or two for me.
That makes me happy. I rediscovered that I actually having a day-work routine. I like getting up, in the shower, and dressed up before I drive Dot to school, instead of just tumbling into jeans and a sweatshirt. I like wearing nice clothes and meeting people and just getting out.
Don’t get me wrong, I have plenty at home to keep me busy. But I also have distractions. I’m looking forward to a paycheck while waiting for New Inklings Press to start paying off.
In the meantime, I’m still doing menu planning which is really turning into a fun thing. I’m working on freelance projects as well as the next book for my company. I’m taking care of those once-a-year cleaning matters. And I love having extra time with Dot.
I know there’s been a reason for me to be unemployed this long; and I really believe it was so I could get all my ducks in a row with regards to my writing career: what to write, how to write, how to schedule, set up my tiny office-in-a-box, and start my company.
But now that those are done, I’ve no doubt that God will now provide the income we so desperately need. And how amazing is it that after eight months of no offers whatsoever, there are six or more opportunities in the last three days. That says it all.
In the words of my favorite Pastor, “It’s time to work.” And I wholeheartedly agree.
Colossians 3:23, 24 [NIV] “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
