Friday Fill-Ins

And...here we go!


1. Wait! Wait, don't forget to dig out the birth certificate to bring to the first day of work on Monday!


2. A hot, buttered biscuit followed at once by a cold gulp of milk reminds me of home.


3. The trouble is I need to go buy some new clothes for the new job.


4. One of my best friends lives many miles away.


5. With a faint pop that champagne bottle will be opening soon.


6. At night, the side yard is shadowy and ominous.


7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to catching up on some shows on the dvr, tomorrow my plans include going to the gym and shopping and Sunday, I want to get ready to start my new job on Monday!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful.... It's the Big One....

Today is Thanksgiving Day.

I could take this "Thankful" post and go on and on and on about all the things in my life that I am celebrating today and thanking my lucky stars about.  But I'll try to be brief and just mention a few:

• Of course, first and foremost, I'm thankful for the job offer this week.  That goes without saying.
• I'm thankful for my friends, Marie and Hank, who each year for the last 20 years have saved a place for me at their family Thanksgiving table.
• I'm thankful for my family - even though they're far away, I know they love me unconditionally and support me no matter what crazy idea I may have.
• I'm thankful for my friends here in CA.  Without them, I would have gone insane between May and now.

Okay, that's it for now.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

Today I'm thankful for the FedEx driver that came to my door bearing the envelope with the offer letter!!!  I think he's my new best friend!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

Today is an easy one!!!!!

Today I'm thankful for the job offer that came my way this morning!!!!

Happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance happy dance

Until Next Time,

Kel

Day 194: Finally! A Job Offer!!!!

It's been exactly 194 days since I was laid off.  I lost track of how many jobs I've applied for in that time, but I think it's been more than 30.  I've mostly applied online, and have only heard no's from 4 of them.  Talk about getting lost in cyberspace!

Back in August, I enlisted the help of a technical recruiter who specializes in law firms.  While I didn't want to go back to the law firm world, I figured it's the devil I know and what I'm good at, so off my resume went.  Since that time, I've heard from 2 other legal recruiters (who both got my resume from either Monster or CareerBuilder), but they were only offering shift work on help desks.  Not exactly what I was looking for.

Finally, at the beginning of October, an IT support job opened up for a law firm in San Francisco.  The description fit me perfectly:  small office of a multi-office internation firm, network support, user support and training.  That was the beginning of a nearly 6 week journey.

There was an initial phone interview, followed by a face-to-face interview the next day with the Office Manager and West Coast IT Manager; then, a face-to-face interview with the managing partner; then, a videoconference interview with the top two IT guys; and finally, a second videoconference interview with the top two HR people.  That was on Friday.

This morning, around 10:30, the phone rang. It was Stephanie, the HR Manager from Washington, D.C. (the firm's home office).  Turns out the recruiter I'm working with ended up going home with food poisoning and Stephanie didn't want to wait for her to return, so SHE OFFERED ME A JOB!!!!!

Yippee!!  Yahoo!!!  I'm doing the happy dance today!!! 

Not only did I get the offer, she said that after reviewing my skill, my years of experience and all that good stuff, they were going to offer me $4,000 more a year than they had originally said!  I couldn't say YES fast enough!

So, I'm waiting for the offer letter to arrive by FedEx tomorrow and will be heading off to work on Monday morning!!

Only 194 days of unemployment and I only have to file for 1 more check (covering the last 2 weeks).  Soon, I'll have a real paycheck in my hot little hands!!!!

Join me in doing the happy dance!!!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful....

I'm thankful that today, 25 years later, I'm a stronger, wiser woman than that 22 year-old girl that walked down the aisle...

I'm also thankful that the marriage didn't work out because that's what made me the stronger wiser woman I am today.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

You know what's coming because it's Sunday....

I'M THANKFUL FOR ANOTHER SAINTS WIN TODAY!!!!!

WOO-HOO!!!!!  10 AND 0!!!!!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

"Oh, the weather outside is frightful...."  Yep.  Today it's rainy and dreary and kinda cold.  In my opinion, the perfect day to cuddle up on the couch with my four-legged furry friend.

So today, I'm thankful for the "frightful" weather.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Friday Fill-Ins

And...here we go!


1. We need some popcorn for dinner tonight.


2. I saw an old man walking a chihuahua, carrying a large green lawn & leaf bag to pick up the poop and it made me smile.


3. If you want anything in life you have to work hard for it.


4. I'm excited because I'm one of the last two candidates for a job.


5. Massachusetts has a proposed 5% sales tax on elective cosmetic surgery; I think it beats any "fat" tax on junk food.


6. Getting together with friends makes for a happy holiday.


7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing with my four-legged furry friend, tomorrow my plans include going to the gym and continuing the work in my workshop and Sunday, I want to go somewhere and watch the Saints game!
 
Until Next Time,
 
Kel

Thankful...

I'm thankful that today is Friday.  It's been an interesting week with lots of interviews, and now it's just a matter of waiting.  Waiting to hear if I get the job or not.

I think I can relax a little over the weekend.  At least I know that the interviews are over for this job for now.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

You might find this strange, but today I'm thankful for my dentist, Dr. Austria.

Yes, I said dentist.

As a kid and teen, I spent lots of time at the dentist, orthodontist and oral surgeon's offices, trying to get my teeth straight.  I guess because of that, I was never afraid of going to have any kind of work done on my mouth.

But Dr. Austria is truly one of a kind.  He (and his wife, who's the office manager), treat everyone with a kindness that goes beyond customer service.  He remembers things about me that I might have said a year ago and always remembers that my friends, the Galindos (who are also patients of his) and I are very close, and we chat about things that I do with them.

So, yeah, I'm thankful for my dentist.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

Today, I find myself being thankful for the wonderful women who own the gym I go to, Stephanie and Anne.

During the long summer, they offered me a chance to volunteer at the front desk of the club and earn credit toward services or products there.  But more than that, they got me out of the house at a time when I didn't want to leave, they got me back in the gym working out and they've been cheering me on all these months, keeping the faith that a job was just around the corner for me.

They're more than people who own a business I patronize.  They've become my friends.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

Today, I'm thankful that I've been called in for another interview with the law firm in San Francisco that I've applied to.  This will be the third interview (4th if you count the initial phone screen) with them.  I guess that means that my chances of getting a job offer are good!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

Well, it's another Sunday and today, I'm thankful for my 'partner in crime' Joyce.

We've been friends for nearly 20 years now and all I have to do is pick up the phone and say "hey, you wanna go on an adventure" and she's ready to go!  Over the years we've done lots of fun things together and have supported each other through some tough times.

Today we're heading out to do one of our favorite things:  shop the crafts and handmade goodies at the annual Harvest Festival.  We're both really good at helping each other spend money!!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

Today, I'm thankful that my Saints are 9-0!!!!!!

9 and 0!?!?!?!  Are you kidding me?  This is their best season in their history!

Come on - you know you want to chant along with me:

WHO DAT SAY DEY GONNA BEAT DEM SAINTS?!!  WHO DAT!!  WHO DAT!!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

Today, I'm thankful for my friend Evans.

We met back in 1990 or '91 - I can't remember which year it was.  I was working at a law firm in San Francisco and she came on board as the assistant to the executive director.  Over the next 10 or so years, we became very good work friends, and I was sad to say goodbye to her when I moved to another firm in 2000.

Over the years we've kept in touch and have had dinner and lunch on occasion.  Today, she's having a dinner party and has invited 7 guests.  Around the table, 7 of the 8 friends have worked or are still working at that firm, and we've all been friends through the years.

Besides the friendship, Evans is a fantastic cook and an excellent hostess!!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

Today, I'm thankful that I had the chance to do some temp work for a law firm nearby that was doing a computer rollout.  I got to have my hands on computers that needed software put on them, data transferred to them and then be installed, which included my favorite pasttime, crawling around under desks.  :-)

It's a little bittersweet, though, because tonight was my last night on the project.  But, it was a great opportunity that made me feel smart again.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Friday Fill-ins

And...here we go!


1. The last band I saw live was Bon Jovi - last year, not back in the day.


2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is spending the day with my California family, the Galindos. (if you don't celebrate thanksgiving, insert your favorite holiday)


3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is going to be very limited this year.


4. Thoughts of a new job fill my head.


5. I wish I could wear sleeveless tops.


6. Bagpipes have a time and a place.


7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to working at the temp gig, tomorrow my plans include a fun dinner party with some old friends and Sunday, I want to go to the Harvest Festival with my partner in crime, Joyce!
 
Until Next Time,
 
Kel 

Thankful...

Today, I'm thankful for my hairdresser, Eileen.

She was able to squeeze me in to her busy schedule this morning and give me a much-needed hair cut. I think the last time I saw her was back in July, so I was looking kinda like the shaggy dog's mother.

At least now I'll have really good hair if I get a job offer this week!!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

Today, I'm thankful for all the men and women who serve our great country by volunteering to join some branch of the military. Without them, we wouldn't enjoy the freedom we've all grown up with.

Thank you for your bravery and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

Hmmmm....

Today I'm kinda crabby and am having a hard time thinking of what I'm thankful for.

Well, I'm always thankful for my little furry companion, Aero, so we'll go with that.

I'm thankful for my dog Aero. He's always happy to see me when I come home or when I wake up in the morning or when I take him for a ride. He's pretty much happy all the time, which makes me feel happy.

And who can be that cute when they're having a bad hair day? Certainly not me!

Guess I should spend some quality time with him right about now so I can be less crabby and more happy, eh?

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

Today I'm thankful for my friend Garrin.

He works with a woman who used to work with a woman who has a job opening at her law firm. That woman forwarded the info on the job to her friend at Garrin's firm, who forwarded it to Garrin, who then forwarded it to me. Got all that?

Well, I sat here tonight and sent an e-mail with my resume attached to the woman with the job opening. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Hey, these days, it's not what you know but who you know and who they know. And law firm people are a tight-knit bunch - everybody knows somebody at some firm.

And I'm thankful I know Garrin! Luv ya G!!!!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

Today, I'm thankful that my Saints won their game and are still undefeated!!

That's right, they're 8-0 today, and are tied with the Colts for the best record in the NFL. And let's not forget that Peyton Manning is a New Orleans native, so it makes this tie all the more interesting.

I only have one thing to say: WHO DAT! WHO DAT! WHAT SAY DEY GONNA BEAT 'DEM SAINTS! WHO DAT!!!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful....

Cupcakes.

Today, I'm thankful for cupcakes.

After a long day working on the temp job, I called my friend Joyce and asked if she felt like eating a cupcake from one of our favorite cupcake bakeries that is near the office I'm working in. She naturally said yes, so at the end of the day, I headed over and bought us some cupcakes.

Heck, I'm better than Domino's - I delivered the little sweet cakes right to Joyce's doorstep. Then, I headed home and after dinner, I shared some of my Meyer Lemon cupcake with Aero. He certainly enjoyed it!

So, today I'm grateful for cupcakes that are professionally made. They're just enough of a treat to make you happy!!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

Today, I'm thankful for the volunteer hours I've been working at the gym. Not only have they helped me to get out of the house more and work on my "being nice to people" skills, but they provide me with a chance to take advantage of the spa services offered there.

In the last couple of months, I've had massages and eye brow waxings using my credit. But today, I treated myself to a facial. Oh My! It was truly wonderful and I'm still relaxed several hours later.

I'm especially thankful for Ina, the esthetician (and Vanessa, brow waxer extraordinaire!) who offer their services and make us feel pampered!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Friday Fill-ins

And. . . here we go!

1. Plans and schedules are what I need to keep me focused.

2. I'm happy when things work out like I expect.

3. The last thing I drank was a cold Diet Coke.

4. One of the most valuable things in my life is my wonderful group of friends.

5. I like just about anything - except for ham and pineapple - on my pizza.

6. Dear November, Please send a job my way!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to working the temp gig (well, not really, but it's what I'm doing), tomorrow my plans include working again at the temp gig and Sunday, I want to relax with the little dog!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

Today, I'm very thankful that I had a second interview!!

WOO-HOO for me!!

Now it's just a matter of waiting to see if they make me an offer I can't refuse...

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

Today, I went to the new Trader Joe's store that opened 3 blocks from my house. I love TJ's The only problem I ever had is that the 2 in my area don't have a lot of parking and the stores are always crowded.

Now this new one has opened and there's plenty of parking and plenty of space inside the shiny new space! It was a pleasure to shop there (if you don't count the bratty kids and their even brattier mother in the store).

I'm thankful that the new Trader Joe's opened so close to my house!!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

Today, I THINK I'm thankful for the temporary job I landed.

I'm helping with a new computer rollout at a law firm in Palo Alto. It's great experience and it makes me feel smart again.

But the hours suck and my knees are not happy that I'm having to get on the floor and crawl around under some desks.

The good part is that it's a little more money than unemployment, so I'll have a little extra pocket change for a few weeks. And it's short term - only a month.

Hmmm. Yeah, I am thankful for this temp job.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful...

Today would have been my Granny's 98th birthday, God rest her soul.

I miss her terribly, but am so thankful that I was fortunate enough to enjoy a strong relationship with her until my mid-40's. Not many people have the good fortune to have a grandparent around that long in their life, but I did and am a better person today because of the lessons Granny taught me.

Happy Birthday Granny - and thank you for being the wonderful woman that helped me be who I am.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thankful....

Last November, my friend Sherry issued a blog challenge: find something that you're thankful for each day in November and blog about your gratitude. It was a simple challenge, but one that I found very fulfilling as I found things that I took for granted each day and acknowledged them.


So, it's November again, and after all the craziness since May, I think it's time to look for some positives in my life and be thankful for them every day this month.


Here we go.


Today, I'm thankful for my friend Sherry and for her inspiration. She is a very kind and talented woman who spreads love and happiness to all she meets. Her gratitude challenge last year prompted me to try to be more positive on a daily basis, even if it was only for a few minutes while I found something to be thanful for.

So Sherry, the posts this month are dedicated to you. Thanks for making me a better person through your friendship.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Friday Fill-Ins

And here we go...

1. It was a dark and stormy night, and Aero insisted on standing in the yard, looking into the sky wondering where the rain was coming from....

2. No one seemed interested in the scrapbooking mysteries so I offered to take the books myself.

3. Rushing out, I didn't realize that I had left the envelopes I needed to mail on the coffee table - I was headed to the Post Office for just that reason!

4. Aero's whining ...I think I heard a howl!

5. Shhhh... If you listen, you can hear the crickets chirping.

6. I want a treat so give me something good to eat!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to catching up on the shows on my dvr, tomorrow my plans include working for a couple of hours at the gym and then handing out candy to the trick-or-treaters and Sunday I want to relax and prepare for my temp gig that starts Monday afternoon.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Do You Believe What Your Horoscope Says?

I'm not a real believer in following my horoscope or what the stars are saying when they align a certain way with the planets. But, on my home page, I do have the daily horoscope come up. I enjoy reading it, usually at the end of the day just for the fun of it.

Today, I might just become a staunch follower of my sign and what the universe is saying to me.

Let me start the story with a quick time line: Tuesday I got a call from the recruiter and a law firm in San Francisco who has had my resume since the beginning of October is finally moving forward with the position and the liked my resume. They wanted to do a phone interview with me, so we set it up for Wednesday morning. Unfortunately, the HR person that I was supposed to talk to got tied up in a meeting and the call was postponed to Thursday at 1:30.

So, yesterday at 1:30 the phone promptly rang and I had a nice conversation with a woman named Stephanie (who was in Washington D.C.) and became my charming, southern belle alter-ego rattling on about how wonderful I am and why this firm should hire me. At the end of the conversation, she invited me to go to a face-to-face interview with the San Francisco office's IT Manager and Office Manager at 10:00 this morning. Woo-hoo!! I gladly accepted that invitation and planned me day around the meeting.

This morning I arrived a the office at 9:45 sharp after completing the rigorous grooming routine required to make myself business-like and presentable (remember - I've pretty much been living in sweats with my hair pulled up every day for the last 5 months) and driving and navigating through downtown SF. The office manager was bubbly and very easy to chat with. When she invited the IT Manager to join us in the meeting, he was just a down-to-earth guy who wasn't too nerdy and was quite pleasant for a computer geek. I answered all their questions, asked a few of them; they both seemed interested in me and my skill set and I left there with a feeling that I had aced the interview and this was going to be my job soon.

This afternoon when I logged on, there was my horoscope and I nearly fell off my chair:

Gemini (5/21-6/21): Talking will get you anything you want today -- your way with words is especially captivating right now, and you will have the perfect terms right on the tip of your tongue. Verbal communication has long been one of your strengths, adn today even more so. So this is a wonderful time to meet new people, especially people you want to impress. Job interviews, first dates, or any other type of potentially monumental appointments are going to go well.

O.M.G.!! Are you kidding me? Holy job interviews, Batman. That kinda freaked me out!

So, do you believe your horoscope? I do now....

Until Next Time,

Kel

Close Encounters of the Rodent Kind

This morning, I took my cousin Ryan to the airport. He was heading for a close encounter with a rodent. A very pleasant, charming, happy six-foot tall rodent that wears red pants and yellow shoes. And is named Mickey.


I wish I would have jumped out of the car, grabbed his ticket and headed to Anaheim myself.


Early this afternoon, I was headed to the gym for a dance class (more on that in another post!) and when I rounded the back of my car, there it was, staring right back at my on the the driveway. A rat. A very nervy, ugly, nasty, small rat.


I let out a blood curdling scream, worthy of an Oscar for best sound effect in a quiet neighborhood before Halloween.


The rat didn't move. He just stood there, staring me down. And of course, he was right in the path to the door of my car, so it's not like I could just hop in and drive away, leaving him there. No-ooooooo! He was defending what he thought was his territory.


So my next move? I started stomping my feet and yelling at the rat. Yes, that's right. Yelling at the rat. Yelling obscenities at the rat, no less. He finally moved, backing away from my car and moving ever so slowly toward Ryan's truck, which was parked next to my car. I saw my chance to jump in the car and drive away.


When I returned, the stupid rat was gone. I ran from the car to the house, hoping the stupid little thing hadn't headed in the direction of my half of the duplex. And of course, Aero had to go out for his afternoon constitutional, so I was a nervous wreck as we headed outside. I wouldn't put him down until I had thoroughly checked the yard to make sure the critter wasn't there.

I did spot him - over in the neighbor's yard. Ha! Stay over there you stupid little thing. He wasn't moving at that point, so I was hoping he had gone to rat heaven (or hell!). Aero and I happily returned to the couch.

A couple of hours later, it was time for another doggy outing. Mr. rat wasn't dead - he was back on the driveway, moving very slowly. I'm guessing he must have gotten into something that didn't agree with him and he was dying (there were flies circling his slow-moving carcass).

Each time we went out tonight, I carried Aero into the yard and did a full inspection which included a flashlight after dark. I was just afraid that it would end up in my grassy knoll and Aero would get nosey and then we'd be heading to the vet emergency room. And there's no money in the budget for that!!

So far, so good. I'm guessing Mr. rat is finding a nice place to draw his final breath - in the neighbor's yard. When the gardner comes tomorrow morning, I plan on telling him about the critter and instructing him to look for it and dispose of it where I don't have to see or smell it.

I'd really rather see Mickey.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Friday Fill-Ins

And...here we go!

1. The crickets sing, and I stop to listen.

2. I hope you're having fun wherever you are.

3. I want to get far away from the swine flu.

4. I won the big lottery jackpot; this was a dream.

5. But as for me I'm hopeful.

6. I love the place I come from

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to finishing a scrapbook, tomorrow my plans include watching the LSU game and Sunday, I want to enjoy the Thriller dance class I'm taking at the gym!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Channeling Her Inner Jillian....

I haven't talked much lately about working out or going to the gym or being tortured by Denise, queen of the personal trainers. So let's talk about it today!

Back in September, the gym offered a personal training special - 10% off the price of 10 sessions. Well, being in full 'I can't spend any money' mode, I took this as a great opportunity to buy 10 sessions with Denise. After all, it's for my health, so I can justify spending that money while I don't have a job, right?

So, since there was a session of boot camp during September, I deferred using those sessions with her until October. I let Denise talk me into meeting her on Thursday mornings at 8:00 a.m. Holy Moly!! Not being a morning person, exercising at 8 is a real challenge. But I keep telling myself that if I can survive 3 weeks of boot camp at 6:00 a.m., 8 is a piece of cake.

Sure.

I think Denise has found a new mission in life: pushing Kel to her limit and ability, and then pushing a little harder. O.M.G.!!!!! These workouts have been tough! From heavier weights to new exercises to more cardio, it's been rough. My elliptical workout is now on incline 10, resistance 4, over 100 strides per minute for at least 3 minutes. Man, was I huffing and puffing! But, it got my heart rate up to where it needs to be to get the burn going.

Oh, and while I'm huffing and puffing on the elliptical, Denise was happily changing the settings on the machine, smiling and laughing... I told her she was channeling her inner Jillian. And she needed to stop it.

But she didn't. She just cracked the whip, pushed me a little harder and gave me 'homework' to do before our meeting next Thursday.

As I left the gym dripping with sweat and breathing heavily, I only had one thought:

Thank goodness for Denise!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Friday Fill-Ins

Before I forget and Linda has to remind me... :-)

And...here we go!

1. So are we going to get fall weather soon?

2. Happiness is what's up ahead.

3. I love to listen to the rain as it falls on the skylights.

4. I need a job of some sort. (Notice a pattern here lately?)

5. I walk a tiny dog who gets tired quickly and lays down on the sidewalk when he's had enough.

6. Laughter is the true elixir of life!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching the season premiere of "Ugly Betty", tomorrow my plans include cleaning house and going to the gym and Sunday, I want to spend some time with my goddaughter Adrienne!

Until Next Time,

Kel

The Numbers Game

Do you know how many days go by in 5 months? I do. 161. Yep. 161 days. That's 3,864 hours. Or, since I've been bored lately, 231,840 minutes. I won't calculate the seconds. That would just prove how bored I am.

It's hard to believe that I was laid off 5 months ago today. It still seems like yesterday that a tenure of nearly 9 years was just tossed aside like white paper in a recycling bin. Some days, it still hurts like it was yesterday, but for the most part, I've gotten over the hurt and the anger and am just ambivalent about the whole thing. I figure their loss is the bigger one.

I went through my notes I've been taking since this started and have counted up the number of job applications I've submitted: that would be 25. Of those 25, I received exactly 1 rejection e-mail thanking me for my application. Oh, there was the 1 phone interview. That was an exciting day. 23 non-verbal "we don't want yous" is kinda hard to take.

There is the one job that the recruiter has submitted me to. It's been a week and still no word. I always say no news is good news and maybe this is the ONE. Maybe, just maybe, I'll get past the phone interview and actually get to talk to a person or two in person.

Yeah, these last 161 days have been interesting, to say the least. Oh yeah. One last number: 3. I only have 3 more unemployment checks coming my way and then that runs out.

I'm 10 times more scared than I was 5 months ago.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Friday Fill-Ins

Okay, Linda, this one's for you!! :-)

And...here we go!

1. Sweet dreams need to come true.

2. There's a job out there especially for me.

3. Silliness is best when shared with a friend.

4. I need to decorate this Halloween.

5. Outstanding or not I hope my Shaw Eagles play a great game tonight.

6. Frozen Yogurt is what I want right now!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to catching up on some shows I've recorded, tomorrow my plans include taking Aero to the groomer and possibly going to an art & wine festival and Sunday, I want to attend a Bollywood dance workshop at the gym!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Friday Fill-Ins

And...here we go!

1. I have a history of not cleaning my house.

2. Playing the piano is something I wish I knew.

3. I'm eating (or recently ate) my morning bowl of Cheerios.

4. I can't wait to get on the road.

5. So that's it, that's the end of boot camp.

6. "Volunteering" at the gym is better than nothing!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to dinner and scrapping late into the night with my Scrapshare friends, tomorrow my plans include scrapping and having fun with my Scrapshare friends, and Sunday, I want to have an easy drive home from the retreat with my Scrapshare friends!

Until Next Time,

Kel

How Many Ways Do I Have to Say NO?!

I find it hard to deal with people that ask a question, I respond "no, thank you" and they keep asking the same question over and over. My answer won't change, no matter which way you phrase the question. It's still NO.

There's a placement service that I've been in contact with for a little over a month now. They found my resume on Careerbuilder. The first time I talked to the recruiter guy, he had a help desk position with a law firm in San Francisco. Intriguing, to say the very least. Then, once he had me hooked, he told me the bad news: it was a 6:00 AM to 3:00 pm shift. Umm, no thanks. I'm not a morning person, so I can't imagine me being polite to someone with computer problems at 6:00 am. Besides, there isn't a lot of public transit options to get me to downtown San Francisco in time to make a 6:00 am start time.

About a week after that conversation, he called again. Same law firm. Same helpdesk position. Different hours. 2 pm to 11 pm. Oh, and it was a Wednesday - Sunday shift. I thought about it for about 2 seconds. No, thanks. I'm not interested in doing shift work. I really want to work "normal" days and hours. His argument? "Well, you said you're not a morning person so I thought this would be perfect for you." Dude, you thought wrong, but thank you for calling.

Another week goes by and I get another call. Same law firm. Same helpdesk position. New hours! 10 am to 7 pm. And it's Monday through Friday. "Since you're not a morning person and this is close to 'normal' hours, this should be perfect for you." Thank you for calling and thinking of me, but no, it's not close enough to normal hours for me.

This week, his colleague called me. Same law firm. Same helpdesk position. 11 am to 8 pm. Tuesday - Saturday. "My colleague said that you're not a morning person, so we're offering you this opportunity first before any of our other candidates."

If I could have reached through the phone and ripped out this guy's tonsils, I would have. Then I would have asked for his colleague and done the same.

Seems the only point they picked up on in the numerous conversations we've had about what kind job I'm looking for is the fact that I'm not a morning person. HELLO????? What about the fact that public transit to and from SF in off hours makes it difficult for me to get to and from work? And driving and parking isn't an option - not when parking is in the $30 a day range. Don't you remember that I mentioned that for nearly 30 years, I've been working 8-5, Monday through Friday and have built a life around that schedule? I have commitments in the evenings because that's what normal working people do.

But they've zeroed in on "I'm not a morning person." (Shaking my head furiously)

Maybe that's why they only call me in the afternoon. Wise choice, guys.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Boot Camp - Again!

Well, it's not called Boot Camp any more. It's called Jump Start. And another session started this past Monday morning.

For three weeks, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:00 a.m. sharp, myself and 4 other brave women face the challenges that Denise dishes out for 45 minutes. Just like every other time I've done this, my mind wanders over to the big question: what was I thinking?

This group seems to be the best so far. Everybody shows up on time! And everybody (with one exception) is pretty friendly this go-round. We all laugh and grunt and groan before, during and after each class.

I'm pleasantly surprised at myself, too. I'm actually keeping up pretty well and my knee has held up fairly well in the first week.

Aero doesn't like getting up before the chickens, but I'm sure he's enjoying me being out of the house in the mornings!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Friday Fill-Ins

And...here we go!

1. My car was rear-ended a week ago (luckily very little damage!).

2. A ScrapShare retreat is coming up next.

3. Lately, things seem to be looking up.

4. My scrapping/crafting workshop is one of my favorite 'hiding' places.

5. What happened to common courtesy and respect?

6. Finding a job is not impossible!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to maybe getting some scrapping done, tomorrow my plans include working at the gym and Sunday, I want to visit my friend Angela and my little boyfriend Max!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Step One: The Phone Interview

So, I didn't sleep much last night because I was slightly tense about this morning's phone interview. Okay, not slightly. Very tense. Okay, I was wound up tighter than a fat woman's fist around a donut.

Let's face it. I'm old, cranky and haven't interviewed in just over 9 years. It took every ounce of strength I had last night to close my eyes and think of of pleasant things like bunnies, and rainbows, and marshmallowy clouds, and mounds of chocolate and and and.... Ahem. You get the picture. I was trying to NOT think about having to chat with a total stranger and be totally charming and witty and not sound like a total boob. I don't remember what time it was when I finally went to sleep, but let's just say Aero was snoring.

I got up this morning and immediately jumped in the shower and got dressed, curled my hair and even put on makeup! I figured being dressed would help me feel more 'professional' even if the guy couldn't see me. That and I was having lunch with my friend and partner-in-crime Angela.

I sat here waiting and at exactly 10:00 a.m., the phone rang and it was the HR guy from the law firm in San Francisco. He was very nice, but boy, did he speak softly (and quickly). I only hope he doesn't carry a big stick! His questions were quick, direct and to the point, so I got a cue that I shouldn't get all wordy like I tend to do. He asked about why I left my last job (umm, duh, I was laid off!), how do I handle difficult people when they have computer problems, how do I work with subordinates, do I like being on a team, how do I feel about overtime, why am I interested in working there.... There were more, but those were the highlights. But, I answered thoughtfully, tried not to make too many jokes (do you realize how hard that is for me?) and thanked him politely for his time when it was over.

Whew. I was really kinda excited when it was over, not because I was done, but because I felt like I handled it much better than I thought I would. Yay for me. And yay to Julie, the career coach I worked with earlier this summer who prepared me for just such an event. I think if I hadn't worked with her, I'd have been stumbling and mumbling like a babbling idiot.

So now, we wait. We wait for the HR guy to go over his notes from the call. We wait for the HR guy to decide if he wants to pass on my resume to the west coast IT manager. We wait for them to decide if they want to "extend an invitation" for me to meet them at their offices for the next step in the process.

I hope they hurry 'cause I don't wait well.....

Until Next Time,

Kel

Another Round of Hope!

Things haven't been going so well in the job search arena. I apply. I either never hear anything back or get excited because I do hear something back and either the hours are crazy or it's not local enough or the pay is ridiculously low for the position. It's making me nuts.

Well, today there's progress and a new round of hope! There's a 5-month contract job with a law firm in San Francisco for a user support supervisor. Booo-yah!!! 3 things in it's favor: law firm, user support and a step up to a supervisory position! Luckily, the placement firm working on this job is the one that I'm currently working with.

I have a first-round phone interview tomorrow morning with the HR manager of the firm. Double booo-yah!! That's the closest thing to a real chance at a job that I've seen so far. If I make a great impression on this guy, I'll move on to round 2 with the IT manager and current support manager (she's going out on maternity leave, hence the short-term contract).

The recruiter said that what I have in my favor is my 372 years of support experience. Well, okay, maybe not 372 years, but it sure feels like it. She said that so far, the candidates they've sent all have managerial experience but no law firm/front line support experience. I'm just the opposite and she thinks they will favor that. We'll see.

I also applied for a great position at Stanford Hospital today. That would be a permanent job (it's a training position) with great benefits. And my buddy and partner-in-crime, Angela, works there so that's an added bonus!

Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me friends. Aero needs me to go back to work soon.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thunderstorms!!

I was awakened around 5:30 this morning - not by the of thunder, but by the feeling of the little dog pouncing on me and barking at the thunder.

Yes, Aero thought the thunder was attacking us or something. I found it rather amusing that he felt the need to stand on top of me and bark into the air like he was protecting me from the oncoming nemesis. It really was very sweet of him.

After a few minutes, I got him to calm down and curl up next to me so I could enjoy the rumbling and the gentle sound of raindrops that fell on the sky lights. Before too long, we were both relaxed and snoozing again.

I love my dog.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Friday Fill-Ins

I can't believe I forgot last week...

And...here we go!

1. That's a great place to be.

2. Aero - what are you looking for; I'm over here!

3. The possibilities include: being happy and healthy.

4. A tomato sandwich is one of my favorite cool day recipes.

5. How will you know me if you don't say hello.

6. A glass of wine and a stormy sky.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to continuring to relax after my massage, tomorrow my plans include working at the gym and Sunday, I want to finish organizing my workshop so I can scrapbook!

Until Next Time,

Kel

It's Not an Indulgence!

I was so glad at the beginning of the month when my gym announced that personal training sessions would be discounted! I know that it's kind of an indulgence and when you're unemployed, you give up those indulgences for more basic things like food and rent. But, I had saved my Reno winnings and the money I made on my garage sale last month and decided that working out keeps me healthy so training with Denise again isn't an indulgence. It's a necessity.

Of course, when I made my appointment with her for today, she looked me in the eye and pronounced "Oh good. I'm going to kick your ass." Lucky me. But that's why I love her and realize how much I miss working out with her one-on-one.

So I made it through the dreaded wall sit, through triceps and biceps, cardio and dead lifts. I even survived what seemed like 1000 crunches. And the best part: I enjoyed it all!!

Sick, isn't it?

Until Next Time,

Kel

Sleepless Nights...

I always complain when Aero has his little bouts of insomnia. Seriously! A dog having trouble sleeping? What's up with that?

Right now, I'm guessing that in his own little doggy way he's complaining about me. It's a little after 3:00 a.m. and I'm still wide awake, which means I'm disturbing his highness.

After the layoff, I was having many sleepless nights. I was told that that's pretty normal in the cycle of emotions that follow a layoff. But it seemed like they happening less and less. But suddenly, it's happening again and I can't figure out what's triggering it.

I've done the usual no caffiene after 4:00 pm, no tv on in the bedroom, nothing exciting in the evening routine (not that there's ever anything exciting in my life anyway!). And tonight I even had 2 glasses of wine with dinner at my friend Marie's house - that should have put me to sleep by 7! But, here I sit in the dark, with only the glow from the computer screen illuminating the room. And yes, I did go to bed around 11:30, but I just laid there tossing and turning until I got so aggravated that I got up. And took the snoozing pup with me into the living room.

The more I'm awake, the more annoyed I get and the longer I'm up. I don't know what to do any more. I guess it's a good thing I'm not working 'cause I'm gonna be very cranky tomorrow...

Sigh.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Happy and Jealous...

Today I've got mixed emotions - happiness and jealousy.

I'm happy because I know my friends Linda and Tim are on their way to the happiest place on Earth. Yep, they took off this morning at 8:00 EST for Disneyworld!!! I think one of the reasons we're such good friends is our mutual love of the Mouse. They go to the World every year - some years, they make it down there more than once! They're adding an indoor skydiving simulation to their itinerary for some non-Disney fun on this trip. I can't wait to hear about that!

And the jealousy? Yep, you guessed it. I'm jealous that Linda and Tim are on their way to the World. I WANT TO GO!!!!!! Danged economy. Aunt Loretta and I planned 2 different trips earlier this year, and I cancelled both times because I was nervous about my job. Hmmm. Too bad that premonition came true...

But, I'm more happy than jealous. I love hearing the stories about their adventures and seeing pictures of them having fun. It's almost like I'm there.

So, all I have to say is: HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME AT THE WORLD, LINDA AND TIM! And give Mickey a hug for me!

Until Next Time,

Kel