I got NO callback.
Feeling rejected and unloved.
(Probably asked for too much money.)
I hate this.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Well, THAT was fun
Last week is now a complete blur to me. Not only was I contending with the job search and interview and online evaluations (Lord Have Mercy! NOT fun!), I also took part in a multi-family garage sale the next-door neighbors were having. So in between tests (and agonized tears and frustrations and calls to my husband and tech support when the tests weren't WORKING properly) and interview wardrobe check, I was rifling through the Goodwill corner of the basement sorting the sellable from the crap and MARKING 50 cents on EVERYTHING. The kids just went on auto-pilot and fed and entertained themselves (while I screeched at them if they made a whimper of a noise while I was taking that @#$% math test).
First off, let me allay your fears. Despite the slight breakdown and technical difficulties, I apparently passed all my exams "well above level." I didn't even have to give the prepared speech about the lockdown of my computer during the last five questions of the Excel exam (I didn't call the hiring company and request a new test as tech support suggested as I figured it may make me sound like a "whiner." Not to mention that I honestly felt that even if one truncated the last five questions off the final score, I probably showed my Excel prowess quite well. Wudyaknow? I was right!). So, less said the better about my testing difficulties...now I guess everything rests on my interviewing capabilities. I should actually know by TODAY if they're calling me back to consider me for a second interview. Cross your fingers, folks! If they LOVED me and my test scores and experience and actually want to pay me what I WANT, I won't have to post for ANY MORE jobs. (*sigh* I'm sure it won't be that easy.)
...Back to the garage sale. UGH. I had been thinking of putting one on this summer, but I could never get up enough gumption to do it. Just too! much! work! But the neighbors did the advertising and so I figured that was at least ONE step I didn't have to do. BUT THE GOING THROUGH THE CRAP!!!! I mean, I knew the Goodwill corner of the basement was growing and growing, but not until I had to unbag and start labeling did I realize how much crap I hadn't gotten around to dropping off yet. Basically ALL of Izzy's clothes for the last two years, and boxes and BOXES of toys I had secreted downstairs when the wee ones weren't looking. (Every now and then the kids traverse downstairs and spot a previously-not-played-with toy and haul it back upstairs. Then the Goodwill elves quietly tip-toe into their rooms and snatch it BACK! Ha!) The garage sale was on Friday and Saturday and all told I made about $49.00. It's already been spent on part of the grocery bill the other day.
Friday I had to close my portion of the garage sale early to go to the interview. Saturday, I only had to bow out for about an hour to take the kids to their second-to-last swim lesson. It ended up being a very hot, sunny day. I was lazy and didn't use any sunscreen, figuring that I'd just stick close to the shade and inside the garage. SILLY woman. I got a LOVELY sunburn to add some color to my farmer's tan I'd been accumulating this summer (was wearing a tank top on Saturday).
The kids and I jumped in the neighbor's pool after we closed the doors on the garage sale. COLD, but lovely after being out in the heat all day. We went back inside, and I completely CRASHED the rest of the day, totally EXHAUSTED.
I woke up Sunday to find the house was a complete, FREAKING mess. Basically, I'd been so busy with job-posting, test-taking, interviews, swim lessons, the garage sale, and pool-dipping that NO housework was getting done. It was QUITE scary. The kids and I (more like MARY and I) got a bulk of it straightened out on Sunday afternoon, and I feel I can breathe again (and CPA won't be showing up on the doorstep).
...Now I guess I'll get around to seeing what new jobs may be posted online in case my ship does not come in for my first "real" interview in YEARS. GAH! I HATE job-hunting!
First off, let me allay your fears. Despite the slight breakdown and technical difficulties, I apparently passed all my exams "well above level." I didn't even have to give the prepared speech about the lockdown of my computer during the last five questions of the Excel exam (I didn't call the hiring company and request a new test as tech support suggested as I figured it may make me sound like a "whiner." Not to mention that I honestly felt that even if one truncated the last five questions off the final score, I probably showed my Excel prowess quite well. Wudyaknow? I was right!). So, less said the better about my testing difficulties...now I guess everything rests on my interviewing capabilities. I should actually know by TODAY if they're calling me back to consider me for a second interview. Cross your fingers, folks! If they LOVED me and my test scores and experience and actually want to pay me what I WANT, I won't have to post for ANY MORE jobs. (*sigh* I'm sure it won't be that easy.)
...Back to the garage sale. UGH. I had been thinking of putting one on this summer, but I could never get up enough gumption to do it. Just too! much! work! But the neighbors did the advertising and so I figured that was at least ONE step I didn't have to do. BUT THE GOING THROUGH THE CRAP!!!! I mean, I knew the Goodwill corner of the basement was growing and growing, but not until I had to unbag and start labeling did I realize how much crap I hadn't gotten around to dropping off yet. Basically ALL of Izzy's clothes for the last two years, and boxes and BOXES of toys I had secreted downstairs when the wee ones weren't looking. (Every now and then the kids traverse downstairs and spot a previously-not-played-with toy and haul it back upstairs. Then the Goodwill elves quietly tip-toe into their rooms and snatch it BACK! Ha!) The garage sale was on Friday and Saturday and all told I made about $49.00. It's already been spent on part of the grocery bill the other day.
Friday I had to close my portion of the garage sale early to go to the interview. Saturday, I only had to bow out for about an hour to take the kids to their second-to-last swim lesson. It ended up being a very hot, sunny day. I was lazy and didn't use any sunscreen, figuring that I'd just stick close to the shade and inside the garage. SILLY woman. I got a LOVELY sunburn to add some color to my farmer's tan I'd been accumulating this summer (was wearing a tank top on Saturday).
The kids and I jumped in the neighbor's pool after we closed the doors on the garage sale. COLD, but lovely after being out in the heat all day. We went back inside, and I completely CRASHED the rest of the day, totally EXHAUSTED.
I woke up Sunday to find the house was a complete, FREAKING mess. Basically, I'd been so busy with job-posting, test-taking, interviews, swim lessons, the garage sale, and pool-dipping that NO housework was getting done. It was QUITE scary. The kids and I (more like MARY and I) got a bulk of it straightened out on Sunday afternoon, and I feel I can breathe again (and CPA won't be showing up on the doorstep).
...Now I guess I'll get around to seeing what new jobs may be posted online in case my ship does not come in for my first "real" interview in YEARS. GAH! I HATE job-hunting!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Job Hunt
I'm stepping up the job hunt process now that school is just two (short!) weeks away. I tweaked the hurriedly-crafted resume I regurgitated a few weeks ago, and then I posted online for a particular job. Within TWENTY MINUTES I had a phone call on it.
Yikes!
So...I have to take a couple online evaluations (wow--welcome to job hunting in 2008!), and I have an interview next Friday.
I'm completely freaked out.
I've got several other jobs I'm about to post for, but it's difficult to get in the "quality" computer time I need while the three-year old is up and about.
I guess I forgot to mention here (er, well, more like never found the computer time to make a post about...) the fact that I had an interview a few weeks ago. It's a part-time position that will probably not even be worth my while, but I thought I'd give it a go. Of course, at the 11th hour, I decided to finally try to find the outfit I was going to wear.
Oh dear. NOTHING fit. Absolutely NOTHING.
See, I had a CASUAL job for nine years--I could (and did!) wear jeans to work every day. So all my interview-quality clothes are NINE to TEN years old! And guess what? I've had THREE KIDS since then! I may be still considered "thin" in some people's opinions, and may even "technically" weigh the same I did back then, but my body is SHAPED differently now. So after not being about to get into the two suits I still owned, and not seeing anything too desirable that I could "throw together" (keeping in mind that it had been in the '80s, and most of my nicer clothes are more fall/winter oriented) I finally faced the facts that I just HAD to go shopping. Of course, it was 7:00, and John was out of town, so I had all three kids with me! Well, ha, ha! Shopping we all go! I went to three different stores and managed to find a decent dress, a nice shirt to go with a black skirt I owned, and even a new interview-appropriate purse--and had the kids home by 8:30.
Oh God. I really HATE having to do this.
Yikes!
So...I have to take a couple online evaluations (wow--welcome to job hunting in 2008!), and I have an interview next Friday.
I'm completely freaked out.
I've got several other jobs I'm about to post for, but it's difficult to get in the "quality" computer time I need while the three-year old is up and about.
I guess I forgot to mention here (er, well, more like never found the computer time to make a post about...) the fact that I had an interview a few weeks ago. It's a part-time position that will probably not even be worth my while, but I thought I'd give it a go. Of course, at the 11th hour, I decided to finally try to find the outfit I was going to wear.
Oh dear. NOTHING fit. Absolutely NOTHING.
See, I had a CASUAL job for nine years--I could (and did!) wear jeans to work every day. So all my interview-quality clothes are NINE to TEN years old! And guess what? I've had THREE KIDS since then! I may be still considered "thin" in some people's opinions, and may even "technically" weigh the same I did back then, but my body is SHAPED differently now. So after not being about to get into the two suits I still owned, and not seeing anything too desirable that I could "throw together" (keeping in mind that it had been in the '80s, and most of my nicer clothes are more fall/winter oriented) I finally faced the facts that I just HAD to go shopping. Of course, it was 7:00, and John was out of town, so I had all three kids with me! Well, ha, ha! Shopping we all go! I went to three different stores and managed to find a decent dress, a nice shirt to go with a black skirt I owned, and even a new interview-appropriate purse--and had the kids home by 8:30.
Oh God. I really HATE having to do this.
Cheap Vacations
We rather enjoyed our visit from the H's. For detailed description, see Dave. It was a somewhat cheap vacation for the H's, as we cooked from home/packed our lunches as much as possible. Saved that much more money for the Cheesecake!
OUR cheap-ish vacation took place the following week. John and I spent two days after the H's left going back and forth about what to do with his week off. We wanted to do something fun, somewhat close by, and somewhat cheap. We finally decided to take the kids to Cedar Point.
So we left Tuesday afternoon (after Mary's last painting class) and got to our hotel in decent time (AMAZING how much simpler a 5 hour trip is as opposed to an 8 hour trip!). Wednesday morning we got up, hit the continental breakfast bar, and then hit the coasters. Well, John and Mary did, anyway. Mary, being 47 inches, could now go on most of the coasters. Myself and the wee folk, Keith and Izzy, stayed closed to Kiddie Korner for those first four hours (and had a sit-down lunch, too). John texted me throughout the duration.
We picked an excellent day to go to Cedar Point. The weather was only in the upper '70s, so it wasn't too hot. It was a Wednesday, so the crowds were thin, and John and Mary hardly had to wait more than 15 minutes each ride. Exception: The Millenium Force. They ended up waiting for two hours for that ride. Mary was completely bored and annoying throughout the wait, and we decided not to torment her with the wait again.
After the family reunited, and Mary and John had a bit of a snack, we all went back down the line to all the coasters. This time, Mary and I hit the ones she wanted to ride (she was adamant NO upside-down roller coasters!) while John would take the wee ones to whatever kiddie rides were close by. Still only 15 minute wait--heaven!
John and I paid an exhorbant fee and had caricatures done of the three kids. Keith's wasn't so great, but Mary and Izzy's were quite like.
Twilight came, and we decided to hit the games on the way out of the park. The kids were ALL exhausted and Mom and Dad weren't doing so well either. After a couple of breakdowns over games not won and tickets stuck in pockets and therefore not turned in for crappy prizes, we stopped for a breather (Oh! The humanity!) and then headed out the gate.
It was a great time, seriously. We just pushed it too long at the end with hungry, tired parents and kids!
Next day we drove to Cleveland and John and I finally made good on a years-long threat: we stopped at the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. The kids were completely bored, and Izzy was a complete brat (wanted to be in the stroller, DIDN'T want to be in the stroller, had to go potty, DIDN'T need to go potty, WANTED TO DRINK FROM EVERY FREAKING FOUNTAIN IN THE PLACE...). I basically spent my time attempting to read a few things here and there while mainly keeping Izzy out of John's hair so that he could take in as much as possible. We just need to go just the two of us sometime....
So we then headed home and got in around 7:30 Thursday night.
Cheap(ish), but fun.
OUR cheap-ish vacation took place the following week. John and I spent two days after the H's left going back and forth about what to do with his week off. We wanted to do something fun, somewhat close by, and somewhat cheap. We finally decided to take the kids to Cedar Point.
So we left Tuesday afternoon (after Mary's last painting class) and got to our hotel in decent time (AMAZING how much simpler a 5 hour trip is as opposed to an 8 hour trip!). Wednesday morning we got up, hit the continental breakfast bar, and then hit the coasters. Well, John and Mary did, anyway. Mary, being 47 inches, could now go on most of the coasters. Myself and the wee folk, Keith and Izzy, stayed closed to Kiddie Korner for those first four hours (and had a sit-down lunch, too). John texted me throughout the duration.
We picked an excellent day to go to Cedar Point. The weather was only in the upper '70s, so it wasn't too hot. It was a Wednesday, so the crowds were thin, and John and Mary hardly had to wait more than 15 minutes each ride. Exception: The Millenium Force. They ended up waiting for two hours for that ride. Mary was completely bored and annoying throughout the wait, and we decided not to torment her with the wait again.
After the family reunited, and Mary and John had a bit of a snack, we all went back down the line to all the coasters. This time, Mary and I hit the ones she wanted to ride (she was adamant NO upside-down roller coasters!) while John would take the wee ones to whatever kiddie rides were close by. Still only 15 minute wait--heaven!
John and I paid an exhorbant fee and had caricatures done of the three kids. Keith's wasn't so great, but Mary and Izzy's were quite like.
Twilight came, and we decided to hit the games on the way out of the park. The kids were ALL exhausted and Mom and Dad weren't doing so well either. After a couple of breakdowns over games not won and tickets stuck in pockets and therefore not turned in for crappy prizes, we stopped for a breather (Oh! The humanity!) and then headed out the gate.
It was a great time, seriously. We just pushed it too long at the end with hungry, tired parents and kids!
Next day we drove to Cleveland and John and I finally made good on a years-long threat: we stopped at the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. The kids were completely bored, and Izzy was a complete brat (wanted to be in the stroller, DIDN'T want to be in the stroller, had to go potty, DIDN'T need to go potty, WANTED TO DRINK FROM EVERY FREAKING FOUNTAIN IN THE PLACE...). I basically spent my time attempting to read a few things here and there while mainly keeping Izzy out of John's hair so that he could take in as much as possible. We just need to go just the two of us sometime....
So we then headed home and got in around 7:30 Thursday night.
Cheap(ish), but fun.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Impending Arrival
I've been pacing myself this last week getting ready for the upcoming visit from some FTW friends. It's the third "friend" visit we've received since we moved here TEN years ago--and the second one that involves JJ. I'm thinking our other friends kind of OWE us a visit or two. *cough*
So, anyway, I've actually been keeping up with the housework quite nicely lately. I guess after almost a year, I've finally got this whole "housewife" thing down. Gee, just in time for me to go back to work, too. Greeeeeeeat. So, I'm putting some extra elbow grease into the cleaning and picking up a bit more clutter, and screaming at the kids to STOP MESSING UP THE HOUSE!!!
And since we have an infink arriving, I dragged out the pack 'n' play, the bouncy seat, and the high chair. And then cleaned them. The high chair: GROSS. I THOUGHT I had cleaned it before I put it in the basement. The year and a half's accumulation of mold and dust told me otherwise. Thankfully, since JJ and co. had done the same thing with THEIR highchair, I knew JUST how to clean it: vinegar. And I took it outside and sprayed it down with the water hose. Dang! It looks like new! (But I did have to cut off the straps. They were a LOST cause.)
I went to the ol' warehouse today to stock up on Apple Jacks and Fruit Loops for the H's. I figure we'll do the rest of the shopping after they get here (tomorrow!), and we all figure out the menu for the rest of the week that they are here.
John was supposed to clean out the spare room so that we could set up the spare bed again, but he's been too busy with work, then his weekend romp, and then work again. He promises he'll do it tonight; he'll just stay up late. We'll see. The H's may have to sleep on the pull-out after all!
So have fun going down the highway tomorrow, folks! The kids are excited to see you. I'm intrigued to see my house full of 10 people!
So, anyway, I've actually been keeping up with the housework quite nicely lately. I guess after almost a year, I've finally got this whole "housewife" thing down. Gee, just in time for me to go back to work, too. Greeeeeeeat. So, I'm putting some extra elbow grease into the cleaning and picking up a bit more clutter, and screaming at the kids to STOP MESSING UP THE HOUSE!!!
And since we have an infink arriving, I dragged out the pack 'n' play, the bouncy seat, and the high chair. And then cleaned them. The high chair: GROSS. I THOUGHT I had cleaned it before I put it in the basement. The year and a half's accumulation of mold and dust told me otherwise. Thankfully, since JJ and co. had done the same thing with THEIR highchair, I knew JUST how to clean it: vinegar. And I took it outside and sprayed it down with the water hose. Dang! It looks like new! (But I did have to cut off the straps. They were a LOST cause.)
I went to the ol' warehouse today to stock up on Apple Jacks and Fruit Loops for the H's. I figure we'll do the rest of the shopping after they get here (tomorrow!), and we all figure out the menu for the rest of the week that they are here.
John was supposed to clean out the spare room so that we could set up the spare bed again, but he's been too busy with work, then his weekend romp, and then work again. He promises he'll do it tonight; he'll just stay up late. We'll see. The H's may have to sleep on the pull-out after all!
So have fun going down the highway tomorrow, folks! The kids are excited to see you. I'm intrigued to see my house full of 10 people!
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