At the end of May I hurt my back and my neck. Nothing major thank goodness, but enough to send me to the doctor a few times, to physical therapy and to the massage therapist. Cost to me, about $1000. One of the pets decided it would be fun to break it's leg. Seriously, the pet broke his leg. Cost to the vet for X rays, casting, meds, $500. I'm lucky that the dog did not need orthopedic surgery. My primary vet (that I am slowly losing confidence in) sent me to a specialist muttering something about pins and screws. I was having night sweats, surgery would have been a around $1,000. The specialist told me the dog could get by on a cast and lots of crate rest. Where did this money come from. My now depleted E fund.
What happens next, my boss holds a meeting to tell the staff that the business will be changing, one partner leaving, and everyone's hours cut, mine included. Actually, as I posted earlier, the office is on the brink of shutting down unless plans, B, C, D somehow come to fruition.
I knew there was a reason I never put that application in for the FHA loan.
The good news of the past month.
I have pretty much recovered from my neck and back issue, the dogs leg has healed, and while I have no
E-fund anymore, I am at least current on all my financial obligations.
I still want to spend most of my free time huddled under the pillows watching Grey's Anatomy re-runs.
More on what's happening later
Showing posts with label hey it's a job. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hey it's a job. Show all posts
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
A Mini Rant for Monday
I was going to have today's post be about me needing to get a spine and a new job, but instead it's about a mini rant on my weekend job. In my last post, I stated that my schedule was going to change in a few weeks. I was fine with that, we had the new schedule to go into effect the weekend that starts on April 30th. Imagine my surprise when I walked into the "staff room" on Friday after turning out a few horses,only to find my co-worker there. Unexpectedly there at work according to my weekend boss.
I gave him a WTF look and he gave me the same look back. Later in the AM, we had a little chat. According to my weekend boss, my co-worker came back early. My response was "you had a conversation with me, did you not make it clear to her when you had your conversation with her that expected the new schedule to start in two weeks?" I honestly don't know if he just forgot and told her to come in this weekend or WHATEVER. He claims she just decided to "show up". It does wildly annoy me since I will be losing two days of pay that I was planning on having. I made sure I told him that the early change to my schedule did not make me very happy. I was polite about it, but made sure I got my point across. Yeah it's whiny, I know, but the MO of my co-worker has been to pretty much do what she wants in terms of her schedule-leave and come back when it suits her and walk all over my weekend boss and dammed the other staff who are covering her hours. GRRR
My co-worker stayed on Friday and was mildly annoying. She's been gone for almost 5 months and we have had some changes in the facility. Had I known she was going to be coming back, I would have followed up with my weekend boss to make sure he spent some time with her to go over the new changes. None of these changes are earth shattering, but they are changes that she needs to know about. I know she would need to be brought up to speed on them. She spent most of the day going, oh this is new about every fifteen minutes. We also have a feed chart on the wall, it's missing a few animals since horses come in and horses come out or feed needs change. For almost an hour she followed me around the facility harping on the feed chart. I told her I'd make sure a new and current one would be posted by Monday (when she was going to work again). I finally gave in to the annoying chatter, sat down and started re-writing the chart just to SHUT HER UP.
That and the fact it was a damp chilly weekend did not make Betty a happy camper. I am so glad it's Monday!
I gave him a WTF look and he gave me the same look back. Later in the AM, we had a little chat. According to my weekend boss, my co-worker came back early. My response was "you had a conversation with me, did you not make it clear to her when you had your conversation with her that expected the new schedule to start in two weeks?" I honestly don't know if he just forgot and told her to come in this weekend or WHATEVER. He claims she just decided to "show up". It does wildly annoy me since I will be losing two days of pay that I was planning on having. I made sure I told him that the early change to my schedule did not make me very happy. I was polite about it, but made sure I got my point across. Yeah it's whiny, I know, but the MO of my co-worker has been to pretty much do what she wants in terms of her schedule-leave and come back when it suits her and walk all over my weekend boss and dammed the other staff who are covering her hours. GRRR
My co-worker stayed on Friday and was mildly annoying. She's been gone for almost 5 months and we have had some changes in the facility. Had I known she was going to be coming back, I would have followed up with my weekend boss to make sure he spent some time with her to go over the new changes. None of these changes are earth shattering, but they are changes that she needs to know about. I know she would need to be brought up to speed on them. She spent most of the day going, oh this is new about every fifteen minutes. We also have a feed chart on the wall, it's missing a few animals since horses come in and horses come out or feed needs change. For almost an hour she followed me around the facility harping on the feed chart. I told her I'd make sure a new and current one would be posted by Monday (when she was going to work again). I finally gave in to the annoying chatter, sat down and started re-writing the chart just to SHUT HER UP.
That and the fact it was a damp chilly weekend did not make Betty a happy camper. I am so glad it's Monday!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Weekend Work Updates
My weekend job is dependant on the return of my injured co-worker. I was hired to be a temporary replacement. She had major surgery on her foot and was to be non weight bearing for a minimum of 4 months, if not 5 months, she is coming to the end of that time period.
I got a call from my weekend boss who stated that said co-worker wants to come back a couple days a week, which means I'm out some weekend work. I was expecting to go back to my summer schedule of two days every two weeks, which barely cut the mustard money wise, especially since I had some work obligations and family obligations that seemed to occur on my scheduled weekends. Instead, I'm only losing 4 days a month, which is not so bad! It means I can have a full day off at home and my weekend boss gave me first crack at what days I wanted. I set up a schedule with him that is a win win for both of us (maybe not for my co-worker, but TFB right now). I still work Fridays and Saturdays, get Sundays off and he gets Monday facility coverage. Since he tries to take off Mondays and one afternoon a week, this works out well for him. With the departure of said co-worker, he was having to work on Mondays. Given the fact said co-worker is probably returning to work earlier than she is supposed to and probably won't be that mobile, I don't think he is really willing to drop me back down as he did last year. I found out after the fact there were some issues with her limited mobility,the animals and facility, not wanting to yell I TOLD YOU SO, I merely nodded and said, "oh sorry to hear that."
This new schedule will start in a couple weeks. I have more notice this year than I did last year (which was all of 4 days) and I'm keeping a majority of my days. Having Sundays off works well for me. I like the concept of "sleeping in" on Sunday and it gives me a respectable amount of time off before I start my weekday job. It also gives me much needed time to work on my list of home DIY projects that are long overdue. My yard has turned into a dust bowl and needs serious work, which I have put on the top of my list for this year. No slacking!
Said co-worker and I have also swapped days when one of us has needed a weekend day off or had a project or two to do. That makes it a win win for both of us and less of a worry for the boss man.
I'm happy with the fact I'll be keeping a majority of my hours. It is allowing me to delay getting a spine and getting a full time position again-which is the subject for another post.
I got a call from my weekend boss who stated that said co-worker wants to come back a couple days a week, which means I'm out some weekend work. I was expecting to go back to my summer schedule of two days every two weeks, which barely cut the mustard money wise, especially since I had some work obligations and family obligations that seemed to occur on my scheduled weekends. Instead, I'm only losing 4 days a month, which is not so bad! It means I can have a full day off at home and my weekend boss gave me first crack at what days I wanted. I set up a schedule with him that is a win win for both of us (maybe not for my co-worker, but TFB right now). I still work Fridays and Saturdays, get Sundays off and he gets Monday facility coverage. Since he tries to take off Mondays and one afternoon a week, this works out well for him. With the departure of said co-worker, he was having to work on Mondays. Given the fact said co-worker is probably returning to work earlier than she is supposed to and probably won't be that mobile, I don't think he is really willing to drop me back down as he did last year. I found out after the fact there were some issues with her limited mobility,the animals and facility, not wanting to yell I TOLD YOU SO, I merely nodded and said, "oh sorry to hear that."
This new schedule will start in a couple weeks. I have more notice this year than I did last year (which was all of 4 days) and I'm keeping a majority of my days. Having Sundays off works well for me. I like the concept of "sleeping in" on Sunday and it gives me a respectable amount of time off before I start my weekday job. It also gives me much needed time to work on my list of home DIY projects that are long overdue. My yard has turned into a dust bowl and needs serious work, which I have put on the top of my list for this year. No slacking!
Said co-worker and I have also swapped days when one of us has needed a weekend day off or had a project or two to do. That makes it a win win for both of us and less of a worry for the boss man.
I'm happy with the fact I'll be keeping a majority of my hours. It is allowing me to delay getting a spine and getting a full time position again-which is the subject for another post.
Monday, April 5, 2010
My Fault and My Ruined Monday.
So my Monday went from nice and wonderful to crappy and stressful in about 5 seconds. And it was my fault. I made an error with a client that I did not catch, but they did and needless to say, they are not happy, nor is my boss, nor am I.
CRUD. I hate it when mistakes happen and I hate it even more when I should have caught this. No freaking excuse on my part. This particular client is a bit picky and yes, my boss is justifiably mad at me. All I can do is admit my error and admit to the client it was my error and hope they don't rip me a new one.
Let's hope this is not the start to my week.....I do think Mercury goes retrograde later this week...
CRUD. I hate it when mistakes happen and I hate it even more when I should have caught this. No freaking excuse on my part. This particular client is a bit picky and yes, my boss is justifiably mad at me. All I can do is admit my error and admit to the client it was my error and hope they don't rip me a new one.
Let's hope this is not the start to my week.....I do think Mercury goes retrograde later this week...
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sometimes You Just Have to Put It On The Table.
If you have been reading my blog, you know that I have two jobs. My weekday job that was at one time, full time and now three quarter time and my weekend job that "picks up the slack" so to speak. I got this job just a few weeks after my hours were reduced at my full time job. I was hired to fill in for someone who got injured and could not work. I knew then and still know now that my days are contingent upon this persons return to her old schedule. My boss also would like to keep me on at his facility since I can contribute more to his operation than turning out horses and mucking out stalls. For the most part, I don't care who does what when I'm not at the facility, I don't oversee the other workers, I have no managerial duties so to speak. If I did, I'd of fired a couple people like last year. I like to get to my weekend job, get settled, do my work for three days and then go home. I have to travel to my weekend job, I like to use Thursday evenings as "me time", other than checking the schedule, I like to crash, maybe eat a pizza and drink a beer and watch cable TV for a few hours. Such is the exciting life I lead.
Except for last weekend. I got to the facility and it was a mess. I mean a real mess. Like a mess that should have been dealt with by the staff that was on duty that day. Of course, the boss was away, so the mice played. I walked into the facilities office to check messages, looked at the weekend schedule, and do a quick check of the facility. I also noticed that a lot of the daily house keeping chores were not done and not done for umm, two to three days, the exact amount of time the boss was out of town. Most of those chores are not difficult or time consuming and considering there was not a lot of "extra" work to be done at the facility I was wondering why the daily chores were not done. Most of these chores revolved around the guest lounge and common areas that need to be kept clean neat and tidy all the time. These are the "public faces" of the facility and all of us are required to make sure they look presentable. The people who pay money to use our facility don't make a huge mess, in fact, they are pretty tidy and if the staff on duty keeps up with the chores, the public areas look more than presentable. We had a program scheduled for the weekend and the public areas of the facility needed to be extra spiffy.
Needless to say I was not happy to find out Thursday evening that I had to spend a good two hours cleaning up these areas since I knew that I would not have the time on Friday to do so. My weekend boss was away and despite leaving him a couple phone messages, two texts and a hand written note, he did not get back to me until the middle of the week.
I point blank told him I did not appreciate the fact that he had all this staff on duty who seemed incapable of doing the basic chores, yet somehow I managed to do all the chores and then some without the benefit of extra staff (which I knew a head of time we would be short help) and oh yes, did I mention that the public face of his facility looked like crap? Yes, my words, looked like crap. I gave him a blow by blow description of what was NOT done that should have been done. What triggered my unusual outburst was the phone call I got (actually three phone calls) from the weekday person wanting to "touch base" about the facility. Which in her speak means "here-are-my-excuses-for-not-doing-the-work". The weekday person was trying to shift the blame to the other staffer. In my opinion, both of them need a sharp prod with a very sharp stick on a regular basis. When prodded, they do more than acceptable work, when not prodded, they slack off.
My weekend boss and I have a good working relationship. I don't bother him with the BS stuff, not my style, but this really irritated me. Busy weekend, no extra help and a lot of unexpected work, two staffers who probably sat in the lounge watching cable or playing on the computer and got paid for it. I was not very happy to roll in to the office and then have to do someones work and not get paid for it. I told my boss that consider Thursday evenings "me time" even when I get to the facility early. It did not make me a happy camper to have to do the chores, and it made me an even unhappier camper to find out that there was extra staff on both Wednesday and Thursday.
He did apologize and say he would talk to those people, but I really wonder if he will. He's a non confrontational type of guy and may just gloss it over. Oh well, at least I told him my feelings on this matter and I will wait and see what happens next week. At least, he should put a little extra in the pay packet.!
Except for last weekend. I got to the facility and it was a mess. I mean a real mess. Like a mess that should have been dealt with by the staff that was on duty that day. Of course, the boss was away, so the mice played. I walked into the facilities office to check messages, looked at the weekend schedule, and do a quick check of the facility. I also noticed that a lot of the daily house keeping chores were not done and not done for umm, two to three days, the exact amount of time the boss was out of town. Most of those chores are not difficult or time consuming and considering there was not a lot of "extra" work to be done at the facility I was wondering why the daily chores were not done. Most of these chores revolved around the guest lounge and common areas that need to be kept clean neat and tidy all the time. These are the "public faces" of the facility and all of us are required to make sure they look presentable. The people who pay money to use our facility don't make a huge mess, in fact, they are pretty tidy and if the staff on duty keeps up with the chores, the public areas look more than presentable. We had a program scheduled for the weekend and the public areas of the facility needed to be extra spiffy.
Needless to say I was not happy to find out Thursday evening that I had to spend a good two hours cleaning up these areas since I knew that I would not have the time on Friday to do so. My weekend boss was away and despite leaving him a couple phone messages, two texts and a hand written note, he did not get back to me until the middle of the week.
I point blank told him I did not appreciate the fact that he had all this staff on duty who seemed incapable of doing the basic chores, yet somehow I managed to do all the chores and then some without the benefit of extra staff (which I knew a head of time we would be short help) and oh yes, did I mention that the public face of his facility looked like crap? Yes, my words, looked like crap. I gave him a blow by blow description of what was NOT done that should have been done. What triggered my unusual outburst was the phone call I got (actually three phone calls) from the weekday person wanting to "touch base" about the facility. Which in her speak means "here-are-my-excuses-for-not-doing-the-work". The weekday person was trying to shift the blame to the other staffer. In my opinion, both of them need a sharp prod with a very sharp stick on a regular basis. When prodded, they do more than acceptable work, when not prodded, they slack off.
My weekend boss and I have a good working relationship. I don't bother him with the BS stuff, not my style, but this really irritated me. Busy weekend, no extra help and a lot of unexpected work, two staffers who probably sat in the lounge watching cable or playing on the computer and got paid for it. I was not very happy to roll in to the office and then have to do someones work and not get paid for it. I told my boss that consider Thursday evenings "me time" even when I get to the facility early. It did not make me a happy camper to have to do the chores, and it made me an even unhappier camper to find out that there was extra staff on both Wednesday and Thursday.
He did apologize and say he would talk to those people, but I really wonder if he will. He's a non confrontational type of guy and may just gloss it over. Oh well, at least I told him my feelings on this matter and I will wait and see what happens next week. At least, he should put a little extra in the pay packet.!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Putting the Squeeze on The Weekend Boss
I got my current part-time weekend job just after I lost my full time hours at work. When the Gods close a window, they open a door. I knew that my job was to "temporary" until the person I replaced could come back to work. I never expected almost 18 months later, to still have this insane schedule, but I do. My weekend boss and I get along and like I keep telling him, if it works for you, it works for me.
My co-worker is out again this winter for extensive surgery and unable to do her work. Good for me, not good for her. She is supposed to be out of commission until at least May, if not later. Not wanting a repeat of last year where I was given like no notice that my co-worker was coming back, I've started to ask my weekend boss if he has spoken to said co-worker. He probably was in contact with her last year and did not want me to know when she was coming back. Even though I knew my job was "at will", I was still caught a bit flat footed, especially when I asked for some notice, which I thought was only fair.
I will keep asking him until I get an answer. He has asked if I still want to work at the facility, which I do want to do. As I've told him before, I really just need to know what the schedule is so I can make plans to cover my needs. So lets see what he comes up with.
My co-worker is out again this winter for extensive surgery and unable to do her work. Good for me, not good for her. She is supposed to be out of commission until at least May, if not later. Not wanting a repeat of last year where I was given like no notice that my co-worker was coming back, I've started to ask my weekend boss if he has spoken to said co-worker. He probably was in contact with her last year and did not want me to know when she was coming back. Even though I knew my job was "at will", I was still caught a bit flat footed, especially when I asked for some notice, which I thought was only fair.
I will keep asking him until I get an answer. He has asked if I still want to work at the facility, which I do want to do. As I've told him before, I really just need to know what the schedule is so I can make plans to cover my needs. So lets see what he comes up with.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Second Job Update
I'm going back to working every weekend at my second job. I am grateful that I have this second job, I am grateful that it works for me and works for them, but I really wish I did not need the second job.
The biggest problem with the second job is that I now work 6.5 days a week, 3 days not at "home" and it gets tough to schedule those things I need to do, doctors appointments, car maintenance, relaxing grocery shops, you get the picture. My Me Time gets put aside. Oh well, you do what you have to do.
I was not very happy to have the conversation with my co-worker about her leaving for her surgery. I know she was not happy to come back last spring and have to share her hours with me. I was hired to replace her on a temporary basis, but since I brought to the job more skills than a horse groom, I got to stay on and help out. That decision was that of my boss. Heck, with my full time job still at 3/4 time, I needed the work and the hours. I did my best to not get drawn into the work BS, I know my friend Gill does not like my weekend co-worker. Gill also works at the barn, but her work is sporadic and she usually swaps work for a reduction in her board bill. My co-worker stayed on a few extra weeks so she could build up her bank account. Good for her, not good for me. I had to push back my plans to accommodate her ever changing schedule. My weekend boss does not do really well with confrontation and as far as he was concerned, as long as his barn had proper coverage, he was happy. I guess my conversations about the weekend schedule fell on deaf ears, or he just did not want to deal with the situation. I felt like I had to negotiate her medical leave of absence. I know my boss feels sorry for her and her personal situation. I just wish he would have been the one to be a little more forceful about her setting a departure date.
I will admit too, that what I used to was to not only be a barn groom,but a show groom as well, I used to go to a bunch of the shows. It was hard work, but it was fun. Part of me feels like I've been demoted to the babe at the barn. I don't get asked to go to the shows anymore, actually, I've only been to two shows as a show groom in the past year. I used to go at least 2x or more a month.
The good part to all of this is I am hoping that I will have the discipline to take the 'extra' money from the second job and put it safely in my emergency fund. I'll let you know what happens with all of this.
The biggest problem with the second job is that I now work 6.5 days a week, 3 days not at "home" and it gets tough to schedule those things I need to do, doctors appointments, car maintenance, relaxing grocery shops, you get the picture. My Me Time gets put aside. Oh well, you do what you have to do.
I was not very happy to have the conversation with my co-worker about her leaving for her surgery. I know she was not happy to come back last spring and have to share her hours with me. I was hired to replace her on a temporary basis, but since I brought to the job more skills than a horse groom, I got to stay on and help out. That decision was that of my boss. Heck, with my full time job still at 3/4 time, I needed the work and the hours. I did my best to not get drawn into the work BS, I know my friend Gill does not like my weekend co-worker. Gill also works at the barn, but her work is sporadic and she usually swaps work for a reduction in her board bill. My co-worker stayed on a few extra weeks so she could build up her bank account. Good for her, not good for me. I had to push back my plans to accommodate her ever changing schedule. My weekend boss does not do really well with confrontation and as far as he was concerned, as long as his barn had proper coverage, he was happy. I guess my conversations about the weekend schedule fell on deaf ears, or he just did not want to deal with the situation. I felt like I had to negotiate her medical leave of absence. I know my boss feels sorry for her and her personal situation. I just wish he would have been the one to be a little more forceful about her setting a departure date.
I will admit too, that what I used to was to not only be a barn groom,but a show groom as well, I used to go to a bunch of the shows. It was hard work, but it was fun. Part of me feels like I've been demoted to the babe at the barn. I don't get asked to go to the shows anymore, actually, I've only been to two shows as a show groom in the past year. I used to go at least 2x or more a month.
The good part to all of this is I am hoping that I will have the discipline to take the 'extra' money from the second job and put it safely in my emergency fund. I'll let you know what happens with all of this.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Work Updates
I need to talk to you about committment.....This was the message left on my answering machine by my weekend boss. I know EXACTLY what he is talking about. The person who I replaced who came back to work in the Spring is going to be unable to work for about 4-5 months because of impending surgery. She mentioned this to a couple people but never really spoke to the boss about her upcoming surgery that her doctor wanted her to have 3 months ago.
This is the co-worker who is not adapt at communicating about shift coverage, but boy did she talk my ear off the last weekend I worked. Like talked to me for a couple hours. She had a lot to get off her chest and into my ear. Most of it I had already heard through the grapevine and some of it was just chatting. But she did tell me that come the middle of October, she was going to have to go in for surgery and then not be able to work for at least 4 months, depending on her recovery time. She had not spoken to our boss about this, but I know he "knew" about it. She just had not told him face to face. I told her that she really had to speak to our boss and let him know. He travels out of area for most of October and November and the last thing he needs to worry about is finding and training new help.
The message I got from my boss was that he needed to talk to me about "committment" which I am translating as "I need to know if you can go back and work your old shift of every weekend until your co-worker can come back".
He knows that I've been using my non working weekends to do "things", work around the house, socialization, volunteer work, etc. He probably thinks that I may not be willing or able to work every weekend again. He's partially correct. I will come back and work since my weekday job is still not going back to full time hours, I most definatly can use the money (gutters, redo the bathroom, life expenses). I will tell him that I will have to schedule some time off so I can stay "fresh" and get done some of the chores around the house that take longer than 30 minutes of my time. I think he will go for it. Now to just actually catch up with him and have this conversation!
This is the co-worker who is not adapt at communicating about shift coverage, but boy did she talk my ear off the last weekend I worked. Like talked to me for a couple hours. She had a lot to get off her chest and into my ear. Most of it I had already heard through the grapevine and some of it was just chatting. But she did tell me that come the middle of October, she was going to have to go in for surgery and then not be able to work for at least 4 months, depending on her recovery time. She had not spoken to our boss about this, but I know he "knew" about it. She just had not told him face to face. I told her that she really had to speak to our boss and let him know. He travels out of area for most of October and November and the last thing he needs to worry about is finding and training new help.
The message I got from my boss was that he needed to talk to me about "committment" which I am translating as "I need to know if you can go back and work your old shift of every weekend until your co-worker can come back".
He knows that I've been using my non working weekends to do "things", work around the house, socialization, volunteer work, etc. He probably thinks that I may not be willing or able to work every weekend again. He's partially correct. I will come back and work since my weekday job is still not going back to full time hours, I most definatly can use the money (gutters, redo the bathroom, life expenses). I will tell him that I will have to schedule some time off so I can stay "fresh" and get done some of the chores around the house that take longer than 30 minutes of my time. I think he will go for it. Now to just actually catch up with him and have this conversation!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Social Media Frustrations
I'm frustrated today. My office is working on a Social Media campaign and my boss STILL does not get the difference between Facebook, Twitter, a blog and Linked In. He keeps claiming he knows all about Twitter, but does not. He still does not realize he has to contribute to this effort, he is the one with the contacts in our industry, not me. I can only access a small number of contact and clients. He has been in the business for 35 years with the Rolodex to prove it.
I've arranged three meetings with individuals who help companies and businesses with Social Media and they all pretty much present the same information and the same business plan and they are all within the same price range. My boss is under the impression that these folks will do it all and he just has to sit back and get the leads, etc. He just does not realized he has to be proactive in this venture as well. The last meeting we had with a consultant he pretty much kept telling the consultant how great he was in his field and not answering the consutlants questions about the business. Annoying, embarrassing and frustrating.
Today he sent me yet another link to an article that states he should be on Facebook, Twitter and Linked In. My response was go set up your Linked In profile and I'll steal information from that for the Company Facebook page.
I've arranged three meetings with individuals who help companies and businesses with Social Media and they all pretty much present the same information and the same business plan and they are all within the same price range. My boss is under the impression that these folks will do it all and he just has to sit back and get the leads, etc. He just does not realized he has to be proactive in this venture as well. The last meeting we had with a consultant he pretty much kept telling the consultant how great he was in his field and not answering the consutlants questions about the business. Annoying, embarrassing and frustrating.
Today he sent me yet another link to an article that states he should be on Facebook, Twitter and Linked In. My response was go set up your Linked In profile and I'll steal information from that for the Company Facebook page.
I know alot of the issues my boss is having with Social Media is because he does not fully grasp what it is and how it works. He still does not understand that Twitter limits you to 140 characters and he needs to us it to link to his web site or the company blog. That is where he can wax poetic. I know he is not as comfortable as he claims to be with these new technologies. Ugh, I just feel lik we have the same discussion over and over and I write the same response over and over to the same questions.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Two Secret Shopping Assignments!
Funds are low this month and options for additional income sparse. I did log into both Mystery Shopping company sites and signed up for two shops. One is for a vet visit. The Poochie that needs a home (like last month) needs a check up. This shop will pay for her check up and my gas. Since I’m not getting any funds for her care from her elderly co-owner, a free check up is just my cup of tea! The other shop is to a retail store with a low spending limit. The store is on my way to my weekend job, stopping by to do the shop will not be a challenge at all!
I also e-mailed both companies and told them that due to weekend work, I was available to shop in the areas other than my immediate area. I'm hoping SOMETHING crops up. Being fairly rural, there are just not a lot of mystery shopping opportunities in my area. I’ll take what I can get. Money is money!
I also e-mailed both companies and told them that due to weekend work, I was available to shop in the areas other than my immediate area. I'm hoping SOMETHING crops up. Being fairly rural, there are just not a lot of mystery shopping opportunities in my area. I’ll take what I can get. Money is money!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
What Comes Around....
A couple weeks ago I blogged about my frustrations trying to get a co-worker to cover a shift for me at the barn. We finally got it sorted out, but I was annoyed by the extra-ordinary (to me) time it took to get back to me with yes I can work or no I could not. Oh well.
I got home last night to a message on my home phone. Said co-worker needs to have a shift covered-like this Friday, she has a not-to-be missed MD's appointment for her old injury and wanted to know if I could work for her. BUT what I found funny was her offer-I could work her entire day or I could just work the half day. Just the half day-I don't think so.
Co-worker knows I don't live close by, she only lives 30 minutes away and to make it fiscally worth my while, I'd have to work one day. I'd prefer two, but one on the odd occasion I'll do one day (like when I went to my conference, I worked just one day that weekend).
I think she was taken aback and or surprised when I returned the call about 10 minutes after I got home and stated I could work for her, but would have to take the full day, a half day is not good for me and I'd sent our boss a reminder e-mail. Her reply was "Oh, you don't have to e-mail him" and my reply was "yup I do, just to let him know it's covered." I can use the extra funds given the fact that I'm giving up a weekend to do a volunteer project. Ah well. I hope co-worker appreciates the prompt response. And I can get my laundry done for free!
I got home last night to a message on my home phone. Said co-worker needs to have a shift covered-like this Friday, she has a not-to-be missed MD's appointment for her old injury and wanted to know if I could work for her. BUT what I found funny was her offer-I could work her entire day or I could just work the half day. Just the half day-I don't think so.
Co-worker knows I don't live close by, she only lives 30 minutes away and to make it fiscally worth my while, I'd have to work one day. I'd prefer two, but one on the odd occasion I'll do one day (like when I went to my conference, I worked just one day that weekend).
I think she was taken aback and or surprised when I returned the call about 10 minutes after I got home and stated I could work for her, but would have to take the full day, a half day is not good for me and I'd sent our boss a reminder e-mail. Her reply was "Oh, you don't have to e-mail him" and my reply was "yup I do, just to let him know it's covered." I can use the extra funds given the fact that I'm giving up a weekend to do a volunteer project. Ah well. I hope co-worker appreciates the prompt response. And I can get my laundry done for free!
Easy Weekend.
My weekend work was drama free this past weekend. Good I needed a drama free weekend! The barn schedule is hopping with shows, clinics, summer camps, all sorts of things. It is oddly quiet on Saturdays. Most of the borders at this barn show horses, so they have been away the past few weekends.
The only down side is I have one weekend this month that I won't be working, I forgot I agreed to do a volunteer thing, which falls on a Saturday. I think when I agreed to the volunteer thing I thougth it was on a Sunday so I could have the best of both worlds. No such luck. Oh well. Jill said she can cover the barn for me and my boss said he may be home that weekend and is not worried. I'm just missing out on the weekend of pay.
I've cut way back on my volunteer activites and I do want to do this function, so I'm out a little cash. I'm not thrilled about it, but it is what it is and I'll manage somehow!
The only down side is I have one weekend this month that I won't be working, I forgot I agreed to do a volunteer thing, which falls on a Saturday. I think when I agreed to the volunteer thing I thougth it was on a Sunday so I could have the best of both worlds. No such luck. Oh well. Jill said she can cover the barn for me and my boss said he may be home that weekend and is not worried. I'm just missing out on the weekend of pay.
I've cut way back on my volunteer activites and I do want to do this function, so I'm out a little cash. I'm not thrilled about it, but it is what it is and I'll manage somehow!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Plan B For Me
I did NOT actively look for secondary work in May. Part of me was being a prissy little child and sulking about the cut in hours, part of me was enjoying the time off to get some of the small projects done around the house. I'm working on the to do list and it's slowly getting smaller. I'm resisting putting any new projects on the list as I want to feel this sense of satisfaction and accomplishment once the list is done (less the few projects that will cost some serious $$$). Then I'll add in the new projects. EXCEPT, that having 3.5 days off per week gives me a lot of free time on my hands and I've recently become really bored by Sunday.
Last year my goal was to work enough each month to cover my car payment. I was able to achieve that goal less one month when I did not. I would really like to earn enough money again to cover my car payment. My regular job salary will cover my mortgage and basic expenses. Time to take a new attitude and get re-invigorated about the job search and what I need to do from here on out
A while back I posted my new grand scheme/budget, which was based on me working each weekend at my weekend job. Ah yes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. As you know, a few weeks later and the plan was shot to shite. So it's on to plan B. What is Plan B? Your guess is as good as mine. I had hoped that something would crop up like my current weekend stint did, but it has not, Yet.
I'll do what I did last time, which is tell everyone that I have select weekends free and am available for odd jobs, virtual assistant work, paying work. I did that last fall and I ended up with a call from my now weekend boss. It's time to try and get my feet out of the goo that seems to be holding me back.........
Last year my goal was to work enough each month to cover my car payment. I was able to achieve that goal less one month when I did not. I would really like to earn enough money again to cover my car payment. My regular job salary will cover my mortgage and basic expenses. Time to take a new attitude and get re-invigorated about the job search and what I need to do from here on out
A while back I posted my new grand scheme/budget, which was based on me working each weekend at my weekend job. Ah yes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. As you know, a few weeks later and the plan was shot to shite. So it's on to plan B. What is Plan B? Your guess is as good as mine. I had hoped that something would crop up like my current weekend stint did, but it has not, Yet.
I'll do what I did last time, which is tell everyone that I have select weekends free and am available for odd jobs, virtual assistant work, paying work. I did that last fall and I ended up with a call from my now weekend boss. It's time to try and get my feet out of the goo that seems to be holding me back.........
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Second Job Plan B
It's Wednesday AM and I never heard back from my weekend job co-worker. I also never connected with my weekend boss to get her phone number, nor did I try very hard. I went with plan B, which is my friend Jill will cover the day for me and I'll make the trek to the job for the second day. I need the money, I have some admin work to do and I'll take advantage of the free laundry facilities as well!
I did find out the note I left was not moved and posted on the employee message board. So I'm guessing my weekend co-worker has decided to ignore it. Does she think I'll not make other arrangements? I just don't get it. I sent an e-mail to my weekend boss and left a message on his home phone alerting him to the change. True to form, I've not heard back from him, but in his case, that is not a bad thing. The day is covered and that's all he cares about!
I'm grateful for Jill being able to cover that day so I can attend my conference (finding "professional clothes to wear-a whole nuther story...).
I did find out the note I left was not moved and posted on the employee message board. So I'm guessing my weekend co-worker has decided to ignore it. Does she think I'll not make other arrangements? I just don't get it. I sent an e-mail to my weekend boss and left a message on his home phone alerting him to the change. True to form, I've not heard back from him, but in his case, that is not a bad thing. The day is covered and that's all he cares about!
I'm grateful for Jill being able to cover that day so I can attend my conference (finding "professional clothes to wear-a whole nuther story...).
Monday, June 8, 2009
Just Not Feeling The Love
I'm not feeling much love from my sort of co-worker at my part-time job. She is the person I temporarily replaced while she was out on medical leave. After I made up the June work schedule, I realized I needed to swap a day of work because of another obligation on my next scheduled weekend.
I left a note,(since I realized I don't have this co-workers contact information, her phone is unlisted for "privacy reasons",it was not on the barn phone list and I never connected with my weekend boss to get the number from him, he was away) at the barn this past weekend asking if she could work for me, actually, I gave her a number of choices, work the one day, work both my days, swap a weekend so she can have a long weekend other upcoming weekend (like Labor day, I think the way the schedule plays out I'm working both Labor Day and July 4th weekends and can work the entire weekend if she wants one of them off), or not work at all. I left my cell phone number and my e-mail address and asked that she please call me yesterday, Sunday and let me know which choice.
As of this AM, no contact, no voicemail, no nothing. Now I realize calling me may be a long distance call, but use the barn office phone, I know the boss won't mind for a work related call. She may not have e-mail, so no e-mail and I understand that. Plus since I was there on Friday and Saturday, I know how few animals are in the facility this weekend, plus with the weather as nice as it is, the animals are spending lots of time outside. It was an 'easy' work weekend so to speak.
I know she is not overly happy with me still having hours at the barn and "having control" of the workers schedule. I know she expressed a statement to that effect to my friend Jill who works sometimes during the week. All I did with the schedule was write it out on paper so people would not forget and the trainer could keep track of days off, changes, etc. I really have no control over the schedule.
I know she came back to work about six weeks before her MD said she should because she needs the money. One reason I'm at the barn for my limited time is I'm also doing a lot of admin work that is needed. The barn lost the person who was doing the admin work a few months ago and the trainers wife was filling in to help out. She has her own full time job and did not want to do this long term. Now, between she and I, we get the admin work done, she's happy, I still get some paid weekend employment, my co-worker gets almost all her hours, yada, yada, yada.
If this co-worker needs the money and I'm offering her not just the one day, but my entire weekend shift and even gave her the option of not arranging for a reciprocal weekend off, why would she not call? This is the schedule she has on the weekends I'm not there, and I think I was told she does not have another job. I just don't get it. I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt and say that maybe someone moved my nicely type note of the bulletin board and she never saw it, so that could be a reason????? My gut tells me she is ignoring the note.
I'm going to give her until tomorrow sometime and then go to plan B, which Jill said she could cover the day for me. Ugh the junior high aspect of all of this is soo um, Junior High!
I left a note,(since I realized I don't have this co-workers contact information, her phone is unlisted for "privacy reasons",it was not on the barn phone list and I never connected with my weekend boss to get the number from him, he was away) at the barn this past weekend asking if she could work for me, actually, I gave her a number of choices, work the one day, work both my days, swap a weekend so she can have a long weekend other upcoming weekend (like Labor day, I think the way the schedule plays out I'm working both Labor Day and July 4th weekends and can work the entire weekend if she wants one of them off), or not work at all. I left my cell phone number and my e-mail address and asked that she please call me yesterday, Sunday and let me know which choice.
As of this AM, no contact, no voicemail, no nothing. Now I realize calling me may be a long distance call, but use the barn office phone, I know the boss won't mind for a work related call. She may not have e-mail, so no e-mail and I understand that. Plus since I was there on Friday and Saturday, I know how few animals are in the facility this weekend, plus with the weather as nice as it is, the animals are spending lots of time outside. It was an 'easy' work weekend so to speak.
I know she is not overly happy with me still having hours at the barn and "having control" of the workers schedule. I know she expressed a statement to that effect to my friend Jill who works sometimes during the week. All I did with the schedule was write it out on paper so people would not forget and the trainer could keep track of days off, changes, etc. I really have no control over the schedule.
I know she came back to work about six weeks before her MD said she should because she needs the money. One reason I'm at the barn for my limited time is I'm also doing a lot of admin work that is needed. The barn lost the person who was doing the admin work a few months ago and the trainers wife was filling in to help out. She has her own full time job and did not want to do this long term. Now, between she and I, we get the admin work done, she's happy, I still get some paid weekend employment, my co-worker gets almost all her hours, yada, yada, yada.
If this co-worker needs the money and I'm offering her not just the one day, but my entire weekend shift and even gave her the option of not arranging for a reciprocal weekend off, why would she not call? This is the schedule she has on the weekends I'm not there, and I think I was told she does not have another job. I just don't get it. I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt and say that maybe someone moved my nicely type note of the bulletin board and she never saw it, so that could be a reason????? My gut tells me she is ignoring the note.
I'm going to give her until tomorrow sometime and then go to plan B, which Jill said she could cover the day for me. Ugh the junior high aspect of all of this is soo um, Junior High!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Taking Advantage of Free Classes
I live in what an ex-boyfriend called New England's equivalent of "Hooterville", a small town in a rural area of New England that has a lot of green grass and hayfields, but not much else. I'm still known almost 9 years later, as the lady who bought the Smith house. And like a lot of New England towns within spitting distance to more suburban and urban areas.
Two towns over from me is a more "upscale" town. It has the typical New England Town Green, overlooked by the large white Congregational Church and a very well supported public library that runs some amazing free programs. I will admit, I don't think to take advantage of programs that neighboring towns offer. I sometimes read about them in the local paper, I also get the library bulletin delivered to the office (our office places ads in the various library newsletters). I've started to actually READ the bulletins that cross my desk for the other towns.
This other local library has recently offered a bunch of programs on home based businesses. Everything from how to navigate the Secretary of States web site to set up a corporation, to a course on the fundamentals of Quick Books, to a course on the fundamentals of a small business management. Did I mention these classes were free? Actually one cost a measly $10 and that $10 benefits the library, a local bank sponsors many of the small business seminars (and it happens to be my bank as well, I'm glad my overdraft fees are going to good use!) I'm happy to spend the $10, heck each program also offers light refreshments and sometimes those light refreshments are my dinner or post dinner snack.
The timing on the small business seminars is great for me. I attended the Quick Books seminar a few weeks ago and while I don't have the budget to upgrade my Quicken to Quick Books at the moment, I think I will upgrade, it goes along with my philosophy that being prepared for an unknown opportunity can only be a good thing!
I spent some time early this morning and did a little research on free or almost free classes and seminars and was pretty amazed at what I found within a 15 mile radius of my home. The chamber of commerce occasionally offers classes and seminars (usually put on by chamber members), the various libraries have classes, two local banks are offering business, budgeting and money management classes, the local board of Realtors has offered a class open to the public on landlord tenant fair housing laws. I will admit I am very selfish about my off time in the evenings given the fact I work most weekends, but if I can take a free or almost free class to further my professional and personal goals, it is so worth the couple hours of my time!
Two towns over from me is a more "upscale" town. It has the typical New England Town Green, overlooked by the large white Congregational Church and a very well supported public library that runs some amazing free programs. I will admit, I don't think to take advantage of programs that neighboring towns offer. I sometimes read about them in the local paper, I also get the library bulletin delivered to the office (our office places ads in the various library newsletters). I've started to actually READ the bulletins that cross my desk for the other towns.
This other local library has recently offered a bunch of programs on home based businesses. Everything from how to navigate the Secretary of States web site to set up a corporation, to a course on the fundamentals of Quick Books, to a course on the fundamentals of a small business management. Did I mention these classes were free? Actually one cost a measly $10 and that $10 benefits the library, a local bank sponsors many of the small business seminars (and it happens to be my bank as well, I'm glad my overdraft fees are going to good use!) I'm happy to spend the $10, heck each program also offers light refreshments and sometimes those light refreshments are my dinner or post dinner snack.
The timing on the small business seminars is great for me. I attended the Quick Books seminar a few weeks ago and while I don't have the budget to upgrade my Quicken to Quick Books at the moment, I think I will upgrade, it goes along with my philosophy that being prepared for an unknown opportunity can only be a good thing!
I spent some time early this morning and did a little research on free or almost free classes and seminars and was pretty amazed at what I found within a 15 mile radius of my home. The chamber of commerce occasionally offers classes and seminars (usually put on by chamber members), the various libraries have classes, two local banks are offering business, budgeting and money management classes, the local board of Realtors has offered a class open to the public on landlord tenant fair housing laws. I will admit I am very selfish about my off time in the evenings given the fact I work most weekends, but if I can take a free or almost free class to further my professional and personal goals, it is so worth the couple hours of my time!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Planning Ahead-Sort Of
Is life really 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration? I think it is. One thing I think folks need to do is help themselves be ready and available for that great opportunity that can come at any moment.
While I am trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my life, or at least the next few years, I do know that one goal I have is to work for myself. And I'd like to do that sooner rather than later. One reason I bought my new computer was so that I could scour sights like Elance for virtual assistant projects, both long term and short term. In order to be a self employed person who does anything and everything from admin work to research (which I've done before, verifying facts for a writer and this particular writer paid really well.), I know I need certain tools. In no particular order....
A decent laptop/computer
A fax
A printer
A scanner
Cable at home
plus the usual office supplies, paper, envelopes, etc
I have the decent lap top, and I will probably get a decent all in one fax/printer/scanner-the early versions of the all in ones were horrible, the more recent models seem to have better ratings and work better. With space being a premium at my house and my home office literally my small desk, a file cabinet and some shelves on my book case, I can't have tons of office equipment. I just don't have the room.
I may get an all in one from another business if the machine is in good working order. I have my eye on two units, one a color unit, one a black and white unit, both scan in color. If the slightly used unit is in good working order and the price is right, I'll probably take it. If not I just have to get off my lazy arse, prioritize the money, do my shopping research and buy a unit.
The cable I am waffling on. I know that right now my lap top picks up my neighbors WiFi, but I can't rely on that and that's just not ethical anyway. Plus if I can pick up the WiFi, it means it's not a secure connection. I have a modem on the computer so I can use my dial up, but it's slow and oh so 1990's. My local cable company is offering a one year package, cable, internet and phone for $69. I can keep my current phone number and get the basic cable. I just don't know if I want to make that jump yet. I have no idea how long the promotion will last or what the fee will be for the bundled package once the year is up, I did not look into that part of it yet and I should. I will admit the lure of my own high speed internet is tempting, but do I really need it NOW? Do I need it now for a variety of reasons? Oh the decisions one has to make!
While I am trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my life, or at least the next few years, I do know that one goal I have is to work for myself. And I'd like to do that sooner rather than later. One reason I bought my new computer was so that I could scour sights like Elance for virtual assistant projects, both long term and short term. In order to be a self employed person who does anything and everything from admin work to research (which I've done before, verifying facts for a writer and this particular writer paid really well.), I know I need certain tools. In no particular order....
A decent laptop/computer
A fax
A printer
A scanner
Cable at home
plus the usual office supplies, paper, envelopes, etc
I have the decent lap top, and I will probably get a decent all in one fax/printer/scanner-the early versions of the all in ones were horrible, the more recent models seem to have better ratings and work better. With space being a premium at my house and my home office literally my small desk, a file cabinet and some shelves on my book case, I can't have tons of office equipment. I just don't have the room.
I may get an all in one from another business if the machine is in good working order. I have my eye on two units, one a color unit, one a black and white unit, both scan in color. If the slightly used unit is in good working order and the price is right, I'll probably take it. If not I just have to get off my lazy arse, prioritize the money, do my shopping research and buy a unit.
The cable I am waffling on. I know that right now my lap top picks up my neighbors WiFi, but I can't rely on that and that's just not ethical anyway. Plus if I can pick up the WiFi, it means it's not a secure connection. I have a modem on the computer so I can use my dial up, but it's slow and oh so 1990's. My local cable company is offering a one year package, cable, internet and phone for $69. I can keep my current phone number and get the basic cable. I just don't know if I want to make that jump yet. I have no idea how long the promotion will last or what the fee will be for the bundled package once the year is up, I did not look into that part of it yet and I should. I will admit the lure of my own high speed internet is tempting, but do I really need it NOW? Do I need it now for a variety of reasons? Oh the decisions one has to make!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
A Performance Review-Sort Of
Last week I posted that I had a meeting with my boss at my "full time" job. It was a very unexpected and short notice performance review. Like I had all of 5 hours to prepare. I was dead certain I was going to get the proverbial boot from the office because of the slow down in our work. I did not.
The reveiw was to tell me that I still had a job, no return to full time hours, no increase in salary, but I still had a job. I got some feedback on my job performance, none of which was a surprise to me. I pretty much know where I "lack" and what I do well. Thankfully, there was nothing major thrown at me that was negative. My job description stays the same, my pay stays the same, he is happy with my work, our vendors like working with me, etc and for now I will have reduced vacation hours based on my working hours. I did in turn tell my boss I was not happy about the unclear notification on my vacation time and he acknowledged that he did not flat out tell me my vacation time would be cut. To be fair, I did not ask flat out if my vacation time would be cut,at the time I was more focused on my health insurance. A majority of my time off in 2008 revolved taking the odd Friday off, I did not take a "real" vacation in 2008 like I did in 2009. Since I was no longer scheduled on Fridays, neither of us really thought about it until I decided to go to the UK in March. Oh well, live and learn. When I go back to full time hours, I will get more vacation time. I don't have any thing planned until fall anyway.
I guess what I have to put some serious thought into is what I want to do with my working life. I feel like I'm in a limbo stage. Can you say Mid Life Crisis? I know that the next few years are crucial to me, personally and financially. The decisions I make in the next few months will impact my life going forward. With the reduced hours at the "full time job" and the reduced hours at the weekend job, I have to decided what I'm willing to give up or change. I have given up certain work perks because one decision I've made is to work no more than 20 miles from my home. I used to commute almost an hour by car to a job and the quality of my life suffered. It did not help that the job also did not offer enough "perks" for me to put up with the commute. Jobs and perks are a whole 'nother post.
I have almost no savings, my small Roth IRA got hit hard in the stock market downturn and my house, while retaining it's value barley, really is not going to provide me with any sort of a nest egg if I decide to sell it. In fact, one of my goals going forward is to pump up my income and qualify for a new mortgage and maybe I can move into a larger home. My current home is very small, like large studio apartment small. I do know that a person with a discharged BK can get an FHA loan, provided you have kept your credit clean, are gainfully employed and meet the other lending criteria set up by the FHA.
Ah well. Like I said, I have a lot of thinking to do in the next few months about where I want to go,what I want to do and if the BK will affect any of it.
The reveiw was to tell me that I still had a job, no return to full time hours, no increase in salary, but I still had a job. I got some feedback on my job performance, none of which was a surprise to me. I pretty much know where I "lack" and what I do well. Thankfully, there was nothing major thrown at me that was negative. My job description stays the same, my pay stays the same, he is happy with my work, our vendors like working with me, etc and for now I will have reduced vacation hours based on my working hours. I did in turn tell my boss I was not happy about the unclear notification on my vacation time and he acknowledged that he did not flat out tell me my vacation time would be cut. To be fair, I did not ask flat out if my vacation time would be cut,at the time I was more focused on my health insurance. A majority of my time off in 2008 revolved taking the odd Friday off, I did not take a "real" vacation in 2008 like I did in 2009. Since I was no longer scheduled on Fridays, neither of us really thought about it until I decided to go to the UK in March. Oh well, live and learn. When I go back to full time hours, I will get more vacation time. I don't have any thing planned until fall anyway.
I guess what I have to put some serious thought into is what I want to do with my working life. I feel like I'm in a limbo stage. Can you say Mid Life Crisis? I know that the next few years are crucial to me, personally and financially. The decisions I make in the next few months will impact my life going forward. With the reduced hours at the "full time job" and the reduced hours at the weekend job, I have to decided what I'm willing to give up or change. I have given up certain work perks because one decision I've made is to work no more than 20 miles from my home. I used to commute almost an hour by car to a job and the quality of my life suffered. It did not help that the job also did not offer enough "perks" for me to put up with the commute. Jobs and perks are a whole 'nother post.
I have almost no savings, my small Roth IRA got hit hard in the stock market downturn and my house, while retaining it's value barley, really is not going to provide me with any sort of a nest egg if I decide to sell it. In fact, one of my goals going forward is to pump up my income and qualify for a new mortgage and maybe I can move into a larger home. My current home is very small, like large studio apartment small. I do know that a person with a discharged BK can get an FHA loan, provided you have kept your credit clean, are gainfully employed and meet the other lending criteria set up by the FHA.
Ah well. Like I said, I have a lot of thinking to do in the next few months about where I want to go,what I want to do and if the BK will affect any of it.
Monday, May 11, 2009
The Weekend Update
Having a full, sunny, sort of warm day at home was a good thing. I got to sleep in (until 7:15 AM if you call that sleeping in), I got to make myself a nice breakfast and I got a boat load of little things done around the house. I had forgotten that 'normal' folks use the weekend to do chores like this!
I picked up my new computer, dismantled the old one, dusted off my desk, put all my clean laundry away (still have some ironing to do), cleaned out my tiny garden shed, tuned up the lawn mover (thank you for starting AGAIN this year, best $89 I ever spent!), moved the lawn, organized a pile of stuff to go to the town dump, made it to the town dump and did not have a bulky waste disposal fee (my town charges for large bulky items, the dump guy did not charge me), weeded some flower beds,emptied out and consolidated three boxes of my 'stuff" I can not quite get rid of yet, swept the patio, aired out both feather duvets and made a Home Depot run for grass seed to repair the patches in my lawn. I don't look quite like the white trash neighbor, at least this week I don't!
The upside to cleaning out my garden shed was finding some concrete patching mix. My patio suffered what is known as "flaking" of the concrete and each winter, I lose a chunk of concrete, the top layer 'peels" off. I found two boxes of concrete patch I had forgotten I had. I was able to mix them up and level off the damaged concrete. Not quite a perfect match to the rest of the patio, but it is at least level. It looks fine to me!
I'm getting my last "big" paycheck from my weekend job sometime this week. Ive got some bills I want to pre-pay and I'll take $100 for some new clothes (the consignment shops have yielded nothing good) and about $100 for plants and paint. I might as well take advantage to the extra time off and become more motivated to do the items on the to do list. Some are standard spring chores, some are spring projects.
I've also been telling a few people that I have some extra availability and who knows? Maybe I can pick up an extra days work here and there. Last fall when my hours got cut, I did the same and ended up with my weekend position. I'm keeping my options open and my outlook positive. I was upset with the change in schedule, especially since I had formulated a new budget/spending/saving plan that is now shot to shite. Hey, one has to roll with the punches as they say. Who knows? Maybe my weekly lottery ticket will turn out to be a winner!
I picked up my new computer, dismantled the old one, dusted off my desk, put all my clean laundry away (still have some ironing to do), cleaned out my tiny garden shed, tuned up the lawn mover (thank you for starting AGAIN this year, best $89 I ever spent!), moved the lawn, organized a pile of stuff to go to the town dump, made it to the town dump and did not have a bulky waste disposal fee (my town charges for large bulky items, the dump guy did not charge me), weeded some flower beds,emptied out and consolidated three boxes of my 'stuff" I can not quite get rid of yet, swept the patio, aired out both feather duvets and made a Home Depot run for grass seed to repair the patches in my lawn. I don't look quite like the white trash neighbor, at least this week I don't!
The upside to cleaning out my garden shed was finding some concrete patching mix. My patio suffered what is known as "flaking" of the concrete and each winter, I lose a chunk of concrete, the top layer 'peels" off. I found two boxes of concrete patch I had forgotten I had. I was able to mix them up and level off the damaged concrete. Not quite a perfect match to the rest of the patio, but it is at least level. It looks fine to me!
I'm getting my last "big" paycheck from my weekend job sometime this week. Ive got some bills I want to pre-pay and I'll take $100 for some new clothes (the consignment shops have yielded nothing good) and about $100 for plants and paint. I might as well take advantage to the extra time off and become more motivated to do the items on the to do list. Some are standard spring chores, some are spring projects.
I've also been telling a few people that I have some extra availability and who knows? Maybe I can pick up an extra days work here and there. Last fall when my hours got cut, I did the same and ended up with my weekend position. I'm keeping my options open and my outlook positive. I was upset with the change in schedule, especially since I had formulated a new budget/spending/saving plan that is now shot to shite. Hey, one has to roll with the punches as they say. Who knows? Maybe my weekly lottery ticket will turn out to be a winner!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Job Update
It's 8:30 am on Saturday and I'm already back at the house for my second cup of tea. The barn is about half full, but for some reason, the morning chores flew by. After the animals and I get a chance to enjoy our breakfast, I'll start on the rest of the chores. The weekend staff person is busy doing what they do.
I had dinner with my weekend boss and his wife yesterday. The solution he has come up with will be for me to work every third weekend for two days. Not ideal in any sense of the matter, but honestly, I do have some personal stuff to do at home and this may be the best solution right now. Plus if the person I replaced is really as limited in their mobility as Jill says, I may be back for more hours sooner rather than later. I'll have my time to do my personal things, he still has coverage for his facility. He has also asked me to set up a schedule for the staff (paid if I do it at home on my time). His wife refuses to do it and he admits it's not his strong point.
I agreed to the above for the time being and I will see if I can find something to do local to help make up the dollar difference. One of my old jobs was photographing houses for mortgage companies and that has dried up this winter.
I'll leave here this evening after I get the animals done, do a last walk through and leave an updated note for "my replacement". The good part is ALL my laundry is washed, dried, folded, and in my car for the ride home. I'm looking forward to a Sunday at home, I've not had one since sometime in February!
I had dinner with my weekend boss and his wife yesterday. The solution he has come up with will be for me to work every third weekend for two days. Not ideal in any sense of the matter, but honestly, I do have some personal stuff to do at home and this may be the best solution right now. Plus if the person I replaced is really as limited in their mobility as Jill says, I may be back for more hours sooner rather than later. I'll have my time to do my personal things, he still has coverage for his facility. He has also asked me to set up a schedule for the staff (paid if I do it at home on my time). His wife refuses to do it and he admits it's not his strong point.
I agreed to the above for the time being and I will see if I can find something to do local to help make up the dollar difference. One of my old jobs was photographing houses for mortgage companies and that has dried up this winter.
I'll leave here this evening after I get the animals done, do a last walk through and leave an updated note for "my replacement". The good part is ALL my laundry is washed, dried, folded, and in my car for the ride home. I'm looking forward to a Sunday at home, I've not had one since sometime in February!
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