Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Starting Work.

I start work in just under an hour today. I have mixed emotions. One one hand I'm excited that I get to work with this company, on the other hand I'm nervous about what the future holds. It's hard to think that you hit the top of your game at 27 and now at 28 you're back at post-graduate status.

Due to tuition reimbursement by my new employer, I am looking at going to school for my masters degree. I figure it will not only defer my current loan situation, easing up bills in the next years, but perhaps it will give me the additional edge I need to be successful.

Friday, March 20, 2009

God only gives us what we can handle ... right?

I'm on the verge of breaking down. The dealership wants $1200 worth of repairs on my extended warranty piece of shit car, for yet another item not covered in the "95%" of what the warranty covers. So I planned on using another source to get it fixed before I start the new job on Tuesday. I let them fix the ONE thing the warranty did covered. I called today at 3:00 to see when it would be done (they close at 4) and found out that the part didn't come ... I can't get my car until after 5 on Monday, meaning no fix on the catalytic convertor by an outside source. I feel screwed and used.

Then the BF called, he got side swiped on the way to a job at work. He ended up in the hospital with a f*cked up shoulder.

When does the bad stuff stop happening and the good stuff kick in?

Thursday, March 19, 2009

The low grumble in the morning.

Three dogs can be kind of a stresser. My dog is having jealousy issues on day three. Don't go by her people or a fight will ensue - but I kind of think she wants it that way, an excuse to rumble and tumble with two dogs that would prefer to just relax. That was the first low grumble.

The second was my 22 year old brother coming downstairs, turns out that the dog fighting at 6:30 this morning didn't wake him up to catch the city bus. Being that he was late, I offered to drive him to school for a second to get away from the internal grumbles in my house.

The third was my car. I love that the car I bought a year and a half ago has cost my $4,500 in repairs as of last year - I can only imagine what the roadster grumble will bring. If I didn't owe more than what the car was worth, I'd get rid of it at the first chance I had. A couple more car payments and I'll be up to par.

The fourth grumble is the fact that I'm trying to figure out what lifestyle changes need to take place when I'm making nearly 1/2 of what I did last year. I keep trying to find a way to figure out the bills so there's something leftover in the month.

The next challenge in figuring out the bills is to figure out if I should use what's left in my savings to pay off one of my credit cards, or to reserve it since there won't be excess income for emergencies. Technically, the minimum payment is $20 a month, which is what I would be saving - making the equivelant savings account be around 2 years to rebuild at only $20/month. I am looking at a credit change being that I've been living on it for the last month of unemployment. So paying off one would help my status.

Decisions, decisions.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Pee on you, pee on me.

I'm dog sitting a lab and a retriever, plus I have my shepherd/husky - which means going out is basically causing a water park in my back yard. The retriever squats to pee, but you're never really sure due to his feathering and his slighly overweight size. Well, turns out my pup didn't know what he was doing and went to sniff right under his leg ... mid stream. The look was priceless and she got peed on! The BF immediately grabbed her and brought her to the hose, washed her down - which she enjoyed even less being that she wants nothing to do with water.

At the same time of giggling, I didn't realize that she was peeing and I walked right underneath her stream ... all over my shoe. Lovely!

In other - non pee - news. I am no longer unemployed! I accepted a position for $14K less than I made last year, but a position I could see myself in and something of very little effort. I opted for the desk-monkey over sales job and figure that I'll work my butt off and come raise time, I'll see if they can switch my title to specialist instead of coordinator - at least posing me for a position with a little more umph behind it.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Dude, a picture is just a picture.

At my grandpa's birthday today our family got together to celebrate. In normal family tradition - a family picture was to be taken. And a fight insued.

My cousin "surprised" the family by showing up with her husband and two kids at the very last minute. My cousin is the most prized person in our family because of her two kids. Although my sister is raising my neice, she is not blood - therefore unlegitimizing her in the eyes of some of our family. That being said, she also HATES pictures unless they are professionally done. Not sure why, she just doesn't like them.

Now some additional background ... my great aunt is dying and my other great aunt (we'll call her Hollywood since that's where she works) is here to say goodbye. Both of my aunts are the greatest ladies on the planet - fun loving and fun, period. They like to keep family memories on film. Do you see where this is going?

Well cousin drops in with her kids and doesn't even bother asking about my auntie who is not well. Just show off their kids. This doesn't go over well but Hollywood keeps it bottled up.

We finished eating and chatting and I got out the cakes. Well, the kids are getting cranky so Hollywood decides its time for a family picture. Not only for Grandpa's birthday, but also for auntie in the hospital.

My cousin immediately grabs her family's jackets and proceeds to throw a fit when asked to please pose for the photo. Hollywood had enough and just went off! It was priceless because my cousin's fits are generally just taken - and someone finally called her out on it.

Cousin dear stormed out of the family reunion, followed promptly by her parents because they were uncomfortable. Hollywood cried. It was heart breaking - but seriously - DUDE, IT'S JUST A PICTURE!!

Friday, March 13, 2009

That was a bust.

I have never felt so gross about an interview. I just got back from my second interview with a local sub company, very well branded in Wisconsin. There just wasn't the connection, and I felt that upon a follow up paper and prior to the interview this morning. Strange how your gut can be so right. I won't lie the position is 100% beneath me - something aimed more for a college graduate than someone with almost 9 years experience. To me this was the final stage in why the answer would be no if offered - and no longer just because it's 18K-12K less than I'm used to making.

That's the thing about this economy, we feel like we need to accept something that isn't right because money plays such a large role in our lives. It's sad, but necessary unfortunately.

All the positions I've interviewed for our below my qualifications and for incredibly less money - but people simply don't want middle management positions right now. You need the Director and the support.

Not that I'm not happy that I'm interviewing - it's exciting and thrilling. I am finding that the process is reigniting in knowing that the position I'm excited about is the right puzzle piece.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Unemployment=Uneventful

My days now consist of (1) Apply for jobs, (2) answer all calls, (3) help sister at her business, (4) let dog out, (5) rearrange house, (6) apply for more jobs.

Life is very uneventful - but I have enjoyed the last 12 days off. I can't believe it's only been 12 days.

My highlight? I made a new meatloaf. Who am I?

Oh and I rearranged the kitchen and the livingroom. Tomorrow, after my interview in Chicago, I plan on conqueoring the second bedroom and making it into either the BF's kids room and taking over the loft as my space - or moving very little and making the second room really "my space"/guest room.

The good news? I should have a job offer by the end of next week. Hopefully.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Trying to hold back ...

I have butterflies in my stomach in the anticipation of two job interviews today. I've done my background research, I've taken my shower, I have an idea of what I'm wearing and my interview is 2.5 hours away.

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Relief at $300 a week

The good news is that I got unemployment! I wasn't sure I would qualify due to my temporary status at my old job for the last 11 months, but it turns out I do. That's a bit of a relief - I mean, it's not going to pay all the bills or anything at $300 a week, but it does pay rent, electricity and my car payment.

I can't help but think what America has come to these days. Are we really this close to a collapse of the economy? HOW did this happen? I going into more of a deficit really the answer? Obama must feel like he is Roosevelt - either the savior or the slayer of America.

In other notes, my puppy is humungus. Okay, the peeps at the Humane Society really know nothing about puppies. 35lbs my ass - she surpassed that at 5 months old. I can't believe she'll already be a year next month, screw that - I can't believe I've been with the BF almost 2!

Relief at $300 a week

The good news is that I got unemployment! I wasn't sure I would qualify due to my temporary status at my old job for the last 11 months, but it turns out I do. That's a bit of a relief - I mean, it's not going to pay all the bills or anything at $300 a week, but it does pay rent, electricity and my car payment.

I can't help but think what America has come to these days. Are we really this close to a collapse of the economy? HOW did this happen? I going into more of a deficit really the answer? Obama must feel like he is Roosevelt - either the savior or the slayer of America.

In other notes, my puppy is humungus. Okay, the peeps at the Humane Society really know nothing about puppies. 35lbs my ass - she surpassed that at 5 months old. I can't believe she'll already be a year next month, screw that - I can't believe I've been with the BF almost 2!

Quitting.

God damn it. All I want is a freaking cigarette. It's raining outside, I can't just go for a run to get my mind off of things. I've actaully reorganized our pantry - it has a snack shelf for goodness sake. I'm just getting irritated.

To add to irritation levels I have to make two cheesecakes for next week and it turns out I've only bought enough for one which means I have to go back and get the ingredients, but I suppose I should wait to see what other little things need to be picked up this week.

So I got a netbook, hence re-picking up the blog. I love it. Originally I bought an Asus but it only ran Linux - so I went back ang picked up a Saphirre Aspire One for $40 more. The keyboard is bigger and it's more comfortable. Not to mention the blue matches my Kate Spade purse I got from the BF for Christmas.

On the topic of the job front, I'm just kind of irritated with the search. I hate this economy, but I guess I have to take what I can get - oh crap, that reminds me I have to apply for unemployment today ...

Saturday, March 07, 2009

One Year Later and It's Back in the Same Boat

The economy, the economy, the economy. God Bless Mr. Bush's wake of disaster and the omnimous pieces that Mr. Obama is trying to pick up, yet scaring all of those who voted for him into a wake of what have we done. I was let go from my job again. The good news is that I have interviews which not many can say in these economic times, the bad news is that I will have to settle for a job at least 12,000 less than I make now.

I'm still with the BF, also known at TW and he's the same old same old. Just when I think he's different - I lost my job and he became EXTRA supportive, he turns the same key. Rent was late because he needed to go to a Bucks game with his kid, he's keeping tabs on anything having to do with "us" expecting to tab up my half and when I went to the grocery store he told me he wouldn't be paying for his half and he'd "take it off my tab." I get lectures every day about being unemployed and what I need to do during my time off, etc. etc. Of course this asshole streak really seems to come out when in fact he's, well, been in mine.

What is it with that? I finally give in every couple of weeks and give him anal. I deal with the cramping and all the after effects of him getting off in my ass and he becomes a dominant jack ass. We got in a huge fight last time as he kept referring to my haircut as the "unemployment cut" at poker and kept bringing up the fact that I could do dirty work for friends since I "had nothing better to do." I told him we were not ever having anal again since he becomes a giant dick and if he had ever wanted it again he better start treating me like a queen after.