Friday, March 28, 2008

NOT

I didn't get the job. They sent me an email that the position has been filled. I went and looked at the website, and they still have 2 day positions open, but no swing or the one I wanted. Darn.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008


AJ in AZ March socks


Here are a pair I made from leftover sock yarns, carrying them around in my purse to work on at odd moments. 2 on 2 circs, and I just worked from both ends of each little ball of yarn until it was gone. Its a simple generic rib pattern, so I didn't have to carry an instruction sheet with me too.

http://luvkuku.blogspot.com/
http://luvkukukitty.etsy.com/

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Full-time work

I applied for a position in the admitting department at a local hospital, and had an interview a couple of days ago. When I filled out the online application, I somehow had the idea that I was applying for a 32-hour position, but research since then shows that the 32 hours was at a different hospital, and that one didn't call me for an interview. Anyway, I didn't think I was prepared to work a 40 hour week yet, or even ever. After all, my COBRA insurance doesn't run out for nearly a year.
But guess what, I was really impressed with the people, the place, and the job I was interviewed for. And ONE position has the most ideal hours I can imagine to ease me back into the full-time world. The hours of 11 AM to 7:30 PM would be just about ideal. You have the mornings pretty free, especially in the summer when we get up extra early, and you get off early enough to go to bed at a reasonable hour. I want that job, but the director says one of the persons already there is considering it. SHe works swing now and may want to transfer. The director asked if I would work swing full-time, and I said no, I didn't think we would love each other on that shift. So it mostly hinges on that other person, because I think the interview went extremely well. They have peer interviewing, which is SUCH a good idea. It prevents the situation of immediate hatred by one or more co-workers when you get hired, and seems like it would really ramp up everyone's interest in peaceful co-existence.
I did just start another block clerk job on Thursday, at the auto auction where DH used to work, and it was fun. 2 days at one and 1 day at another is ideal working days, but neither of them are likely to ever evolve into something with benefits. With 10 more years before I qualify for Medicare, I want something that I can count on supporting me.
ANd the money at the hospital job will be very good. 15 years experience in health care jobs, even though it ended 8 years ago, would get me a nice wage. I hope I am chosen.

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Long time no write

The same excuse applies as always, I've been busy.  So has everybody else, but it doesn't stop YOU from writing, does it.
 
The job is still lots of fun but it is beginning to look like I will have to go get a real job and make some real money soon.  Actually, people are leaving the auction in droves as it becomes increasingly clear that raises are not forthcoming, even to the people who have been there since Day 1, in December of 2006. 
  I've only been there 6 months, but am beginning to look around and fill out some applications elsewhere.  I can keep my COBRA insurance till the end of this year, so I COULD take another part-time job somewhere, but would do better to get a 32 hour job at one of the hospitals within driving distance so I can have benefits and make enough money to pay for those benefits and still pay my bills.  That is not happening at the auto auction.
  Sale day gets me $100 flat fee but the other days are a miserable, miserly $7.25 per hour.  I even put in an application at the auction where Bill used to work, as they at least get yearly raises.  I don't know how eager they will be to hire me, though.  Kellie says she has openings, but she is afraid to fill them.  With things slowing down so much, she doesn't want to have to lay off the people she last hired, but they do need people on their sale day.  I may end up working on sale day at 2 auctions, for a while anyway.
  Don't get me wrong, we are doing OK; I just want a bit more reward for my efforts.
  The weather is wonderful lately. We got enough rain early this year to green everything up, and we may even get wolfberries on the lyceum bushes this year, for the first time since 2003.  Its already getting hot, though still quite chilly at night. 
  My baby chicks are 3 weeks old today and we keep the heat lamp on at night for them.  They are healthy and happy, and the hens are all starting to increase the number of eggs they lay, so I have plenty of eggs to sell, even at $4 per dozen.  I tried to stop selling them to the gals in my dentist's office, but they wouldn't have it.  So I increased the price by $1 per dozen to make it worth my while to go up there, and we made some other arrangements for when I have to work late every time I come to town.
  Sam doesn't show any Valley Fever symptoms, and it is only one more month till we do a blood titer.  It would be wonderful if he could discontinue medication then, but we won't push it.  At least he gets treated by the local vet and the cost is reasonable.  Robin has had to go to the  canine ophthalmologist again, and sure enough, she has a staph infection in her eyes.  Poor baby also has corneal dystocia, which is calcium or cholesterol deposits on her eyes.  We have put them both on a grain-free diet, and they feel great with less poop, and Robin doesn't itch so much.  I am not giving her an antihistamine anymore, but that is because she is on prednisone for the eyes.  We'll see how it goes when she is off the pred.
  The darn assessor jacked up our Full Cash Value from $150k to over $400k for 2009.  This is in a period when 94% of people had their FCVs lowered.  I guess the assessor needed to make it up with us!!  Anyway, we have engaged a property tax professional to try and get it lowered.  We don't pay unless he succeeds, so all we can do now is wait and hope. We can't freeze the value for 3 more years, when Bill turns 65.
Love, AJ
 
"Wake Up & Smell The Rebate - Don't Buy It - www.SimpleLiving.net".