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