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!
Monday, May 11, 2009
New Computer is Home and I'm Loving It!
My new computer arrived on Thursday to work after I left for the weekend. I ran to the office Sunday morning and picked it up. I've been slowly playing with it. I dismantled the old ancient desk top I'd been borrowing, dusted off my desk and set up the new lap top. It looks very spiffy! I am pleased. I just have to set up my two e-mail accounts so that they can both download to one e-mail program. I have my old earthlink e-mail address that my family still uses, despite me giving them my new e-mail address tied to my personal web site. The really cool part is it has picked up the neighbors wifi and I shamelessly surfed the internet last night on the wifi.
As I get motivated and organized, I'll boot up the old lap top, tranfer over the files I need and I have just ordered an external hard drive that I'll use to back up all my old photos and files. I want to keep this laptop "clean and organized". Heck, I probably will toss half the photos and the files.
The other exciting part (or at least to me), is I may be getting a really good all in one fax/scanner/printer, either for free or at least at a deeply discounted price. An aquaintance had ordered an all in one for an employee who was working from home and they no longer are employed by that company. The unit is about a year old, in really good shape and the offer was made to see if I wanted it. If the price is right, I'll take it. I just have to do some research on what the units cost and what the toner costs. If it fits into my limited budget, I'm going to bring that puppy home this weekend.
As I get motivated and organized, I'll boot up the old lap top, tranfer over the files I need and I have just ordered an external hard drive that I'll use to back up all my old photos and files. I want to keep this laptop "clean and organized". Heck, I probably will toss half the photos and the files.
The other exciting part (or at least to me), is I may be getting a really good all in one fax/scanner/printer, either for free or at least at a deeply discounted price. An aquaintance had ordered an all in one for an employee who was working from home and they no longer are employed by that company. The unit is about a year old, in really good shape and the offer was made to see if I wanted it. If the price is right, I'll take it. I just have to do some research on what the units cost and what the toner costs. If it fits into my limited budget, I'm going to bring that puppy home this weekend.
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!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
I Love On Line Tracking
I just love Fed Ex and UPS on line tracking! I've been tracking my new laptop's trek across the country like some kids track Santa and his sleigh on Christmas Eve. It's taken a week since I purchased the laptop for it to arrive on this coast. It originated in California and when I logged on to UPS this morning, it said the package was out for delivery! Yes, a whole day early! It was scheduled to arrive tomorrow to my office and I won't be here, I'll be at the weekend job.
In fact, I hear a truck outside the office right now, could it be my trusty UPS man? Or the charming Fed Ex lady? Or non of the above? No, right now it's just one of our vendors pulling up in a large noisy truck.
Ah well, I have an exciting weekend planned of doing laundry and settting up the new laptop. Any suggestions for an e-mail program that is not Outlook or Outlook express? I did not purchase the wildy over priced MS program pacakges that were offered (since I know from past experience I only use two out of the 5 or 6). I'll just purchase Word and Excel after my trial period ends. I get a 60 day free trial period of the various MS programs.
In fact, I hear a truck outside the office right now, could it be my trusty UPS man? Or the charming Fed Ex lady? Or non of the above? No, right now it's just one of our vendors pulling up in a large noisy truck.
Ah well, I have an exciting weekend planned of doing laundry and settting up the new laptop. Any suggestions for an e-mail program that is not Outlook or Outlook express? I did not purchase the wildy over priced MS program pacakges that were offered (since I know from past experience I only use two out of the 5 or 6). I'll just purchase Word and Excel after my trial period ends. I get a 60 day free trial period of the various MS programs.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
What's In Your Wallet?
Actually several gift cards and one to a place called Macaroni Grill. Where did I eat this past weekend for one meal? Macaroni Grill. How did I pay for my meal? With cash. Why? Because I forgot I had said card in my wallet until I stopped for coffee and pulled out my Dunkin Donuts card. Wa La! A card for Macaroni Grill that I could have used.
Oh well, the moral of the story is to check the wallet more carefully the next time!
Oh well, the moral of the story is to check the wallet more carefully the next time!
Hey It's A Job! Part ?
I spoke to my weekend boss last night. He called and I'll be working two days this weekend. He told me (again), he wants to keep me on staff, blah blah, the whole conversation we had before.
Being in a bit of a less than forgiving mood, but trying to be nice. I said coming over for the two days was NOT a problem, I was happy to do it. BUT (and there is always a but), I fully understood that he hired me as a replacement for someone who had been injured and that this was a temporary position. I also told him that I fully understood that the person I replaced is the primary worker, AND his primary responsibility should be towards his facility and how to best staff it to cover the needs of the animals and clients. I also told him that I'd be happy to work a rotation of weekends, BUT I needed notice or a schedule or something better than what happened last week as that was uncool in my book, more so given the fact I had asked about the general health and well being of the person I replaced several times. I also shot out the comment I knew the person I replaced was not as functioning as they should be. Lack of mobility means lack of work getting done in a timely fashion and what if there is an animal issue out in the field? His response was I know, I know. Does he know that the way he told me my schedule was changing was uncool or that the person I replaced was not functioning as well as they should. Honestly, he is just covering his own arse just in case this person can't work again, he wants to have someone in the pipeline that does not need the "training" so to speak. He's not a bad person, just trying to juggle a staff, a schedule and keep his business running as smoothly as possible.
Sigh, non the less, it is what it is. He will be around in the evenings, so I'm sure we will talk again. The good side to all this is I'll be able to get ALL my laundry done. Two weeks of my clothes, a bunch of sheets and towels and I'm going to wash my winter blankets before I pack them away for the spring and summer. I'm planning on arriving a little early on Thursday night so I can start on the laundry. It's the little things that really make me happy!
Being in a bit of a less than forgiving mood, but trying to be nice. I said coming over for the two days was NOT a problem, I was happy to do it. BUT (and there is always a but), I fully understood that he hired me as a replacement for someone who had been injured and that this was a temporary position. I also told him that I fully understood that the person I replaced is the primary worker, AND his primary responsibility should be towards his facility and how to best staff it to cover the needs of the animals and clients. I also told him that I'd be happy to work a rotation of weekends, BUT I needed notice or a schedule or something better than what happened last week as that was uncool in my book, more so given the fact I had asked about the general health and well being of the person I replaced several times. I also shot out the comment I knew the person I replaced was not as functioning as they should be. Lack of mobility means lack of work getting done in a timely fashion and what if there is an animal issue out in the field? His response was I know, I know. Does he know that the way he told me my schedule was changing was uncool or that the person I replaced was not functioning as well as they should. Honestly, he is just covering his own arse just in case this person can't work again, he wants to have someone in the pipeline that does not need the "training" so to speak. He's not a bad person, just trying to juggle a staff, a schedule and keep his business running as smoothly as possible.
Sigh, non the less, it is what it is. He will be around in the evenings, so I'm sure we will talk again. The good side to all this is I'll be able to get ALL my laundry done. Two weeks of my clothes, a bunch of sheets and towels and I'm going to wash my winter blankets before I pack them away for the spring and summer. I'm planning on arriving a little early on Thursday night so I can start on the laundry. It's the little things that really make me happy!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Weekend Work, What Weekend Work?
I got home a little early from my weekend away (it was raining cows and pigs where we were and all outside activities cancelled on Sunday, early drive home!). I ran into my weekend boss at the local coffee shop and we are supposed to touch base on a schedule this week. He was in my area of the state for an event and both of us surprised to see each other. Neither of us felt like talking yesterday. BUT what did not bode well with me, was the look on his face when I said, lets catch up this week about the schedule. I think he was not planning on a schedule for me.
My friend Jill rang me up over the weekend to give me an update on the person I was replacing. Jill was in a gossipy mood and I was very careful about what I said and what I asked, you know, the high school gossip thing is very unattractive in your 40's! This staffing change also affects her as well. I found out she had been happily doing one to two days of work during the week in exchange for a reduction on her bill since January. It seems the person I replaced was back and finding the work difficult on the supposedly healed injury. Ummmm, No surprise there! When you shatter a few bones and tear some ligaments, you'd better be dammed sure you are healthy, able to be upright and using all your appendages. Which from what I gather they are not. It's my understanding that the barn was not that busy, it was very quiet, and the person I replaced still had to take multiple breaks. Jill also told me that the person I replaced needs to go back for additional surgery, rendering them unable to work for a period of time unknown, at least two to three weeks and complained to Jill that she really needs the money this job pays her. Don't we all?
I told Jill the following things:
1) I was hired as a temporary replacement for the injured worker. I knew that from the get go. The timing to get this job was good for me, the opportunity was there when my primary job cut my hours.
2) My weekend boss in not responsible for my fiscal well being, I am.
3) I'm most upset with what I perceive to be a lack of notification about the schedule change, especially since it directly affects my bottom line. I would have liked more than a week's notice, given the fact I had asked for a weekend off for some much needed mental R&R.
4) I am grateful that I was given this opportunity to have a steady weekend job for the length of time I did.
5) I'd be happy to continue on in the position-provided I get definitive start and stop dates if my help is needed while said person is out of action for this supposed surgery.
6) And I reminded Jill that while both of us might not like the change to our schedules, we really did not have a big say in it and the trainer has to do what is best for his budget and facility. We need to swallow our big girl pills and get on with it (easier said than done while I’m feeling a bit torqued about it all.)
Ah well, I don't even think I'm supposed to be at the barn this weekend. Which does stink more than a bit and really craps out the budget for May. I am supposed to get a paycheck this week and am owed some reimbursement money for some supplies I purchased. I'm using part of that paychecl to cover the new laptop, will take $100 for some new work clothes and drop the rest into my E Fund account.
Like I said before, I'm not having a total freak out just yet. I'm going to wait until after we have our conversation and take it from there. When my hours got cut at my primary job, I took a deep breath, drank a bottle of wine and gave myself some space to think about what else I could do. I ended up with this weekend position. I'm going to adopt the same approach this week. Relax, breathe, drink some wine and maybe do some long overdue spring cleaning of the house.
I think I will miss the use of the washer and dryer most of all. I'm planning on spending my Friday AM at the Laundromat getting my piles of laundry done :).
My friend Jill rang me up over the weekend to give me an update on the person I was replacing. Jill was in a gossipy mood and I was very careful about what I said and what I asked, you know, the high school gossip thing is very unattractive in your 40's! This staffing change also affects her as well. I found out she had been happily doing one to two days of work during the week in exchange for a reduction on her bill since January. It seems the person I replaced was back and finding the work difficult on the supposedly healed injury. Ummmm, No surprise there! When you shatter a few bones and tear some ligaments, you'd better be dammed sure you are healthy, able to be upright and using all your appendages. Which from what I gather they are not. It's my understanding that the barn was not that busy, it was very quiet, and the person I replaced still had to take multiple breaks. Jill also told me that the person I replaced needs to go back for additional surgery, rendering them unable to work for a period of time unknown, at least two to three weeks and complained to Jill that she really needs the money this job pays her. Don't we all?
I told Jill the following things:
1) I was hired as a temporary replacement for the injured worker. I knew that from the get go. The timing to get this job was good for me, the opportunity was there when my primary job cut my hours.
2) My weekend boss in not responsible for my fiscal well being, I am.
3) I'm most upset with what I perceive to be a lack of notification about the schedule change, especially since it directly affects my bottom line. I would have liked more than a week's notice, given the fact I had asked for a weekend off for some much needed mental R&R.
4) I am grateful that I was given this opportunity to have a steady weekend job for the length of time I did.
5) I'd be happy to continue on in the position-provided I get definitive start and stop dates if my help is needed while said person is out of action for this supposed surgery.
6) And I reminded Jill that while both of us might not like the change to our schedules, we really did not have a big say in it and the trainer has to do what is best for his budget and facility. We need to swallow our big girl pills and get on with it (easier said than done while I’m feeling a bit torqued about it all.)
Ah well, I don't even think I'm supposed to be at the barn this weekend. Which does stink more than a bit and really craps out the budget for May. I am supposed to get a paycheck this week and am owed some reimbursement money for some supplies I purchased. I'm using part of that paychecl to cover the new laptop, will take $100 for some new work clothes and drop the rest into my E Fund account.
Like I said before, I'm not having a total freak out just yet. I'm going to wait until after we have our conversation and take it from there. When my hours got cut at my primary job, I took a deep breath, drank a bottle of wine and gave myself some space to think about what else I could do. I ended up with this weekend position. I'm going to adopt the same approach this week. Relax, breathe, drink some wine and maybe do some long overdue spring cleaning of the house.
I think I will miss the use of the washer and dryer most of all. I'm planning on spending my Friday AM at the Laundromat getting my piles of laundry done :).
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