Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Everyday is an adventure

Home Sales

It's not supposed to be this stressful and under "normal" circumstances it's not. The BIG question is WHY DO THESE THINGS HAPPEN TO ME?? Ok, I normally don't play the "WHY ME?" card, but when you expect to close on a house, have the cashier's check drawn out of the bank and have even made arrangements for someone to go in my sted. So, the closing is a week overdue and it's tentatively scheduled for next Wed, so as long as EVERYTHING goes as planned. It will be two weeks late. Let's hope it ends soon.

And to be honest, it will all come together in the RIGHT time. God's time, not mine. So, I will be patient and wait.

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Moving and Shaking.....

Heavenly Thoughts

and packing and planning........yep, that's what's happening right now. We're being really smart and getting ready to move much sooner than I thought we really would. We've got just about everything packed except kitchen, clothing and important papers. I've left out a few things, like stuff we use everyday, but we've packed so much and there are boxes stacked all over the place!!

I'm so excited, I know I'll be challenged by having to get a job. But I will look everyday until I find something. I will send out resumes and hit the pavement until I get something. I've rewritten my short resume, I have to rewrite the long version. I'll get it posted online and show you.

I hope we get this pulled off with no issues...........I can't wait until my life calms down again...........boredom would be good!!

Saturday, January 28, 2006

not quite a "minute" snag

Heavenly Thoughts

the buyer is really in a mess. they screwed things up for themselves, that's for sure. they are supposed to move out by the 1st and are having to start all over on the financing. they are young and are learning a tough lesson about credit and lenders.

In the meantime, I'm still the "proud owner" of my house, which I do love. So, maybe sometime next week. We'll see.

Friday, January 27, 2006

It's Friday and still no relief

Heavenly Thoughts

The house is still mine. The buyer ran into a last minute snag that has turned into a couple days delay. Let's hope today they overcome the issue and we move on with this. PRAY PRAY PRAY!!!

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Today's the day.....

I hope nothing goes wrong:

The closing is this evening on the house. I'll be at work while my representative is handling everything - thanks! I will just be on pins and needles until it's over. Hoping and praying that nothing goes wrong. Thank you God for taking care of everything today and seeing that it all goes well.

Until then, my stomach will be in a know and 3pm will take forever to get here............it's 6am now........the countdown is on.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

homeless.......

Heavenly Thoughts

in one more day, I'll be homeless. Sounds more tragic than it is. I don't want to count my chickens, as it were, so I'll write more about it tomorrow.

my youngest daughter is learning tough life lessons about money and responsibility. She's doing great in school, she's really smart and has alot of common sense. But unfortunately right now, she just doesn't have a job. She needs something part time that will get her a regular paycheck so she can have the essentials - like a phone, gas in her car and food in her tummy.

Got an entry level job in cincinnati for her????? Let me know if you do...............she's really smart, like her MOM!

Saturday, January 21, 2006

VERY eventful week!

Heavenly Thoughts:

Catch my breath!! What a week it's been. I thought that I would just go to work, work and go home and deal with the "mundane" and under pay. And it's true, that's how part of my week was. I did go to work, I worked steadily, not overly crazy as I have in the past, but just slow and steady. I read alot, organized, cleaned and everything.

At the end of the week, I created a status report to give to my boss. I did get a nice response back, I think he appreciated it. And when I saw a compilation of everything that I got done, you'd be surprised to see it after only one week and with NO training and very little help!! I even got an assistant this week to help me on the trial work. Pretty cool.

But in the middle of our week, we got a bombshell dropped on us. We are being transferred to North Island, San Diego, CA and have to move in a month!! (actually at first I thought it was the end of Feb, I'd have 6 weeks to work and get everything ready for the next "real" assistant to take over, but then I found out 2 days later that it's really only a month) Now look at the impact this is going to have on everything!! I panicked for a minute, but then after I got over the initial shock - which honestly took a couple of hours, I started to think straight and not worry too much.

So, in my normal "positive outlook - look on the bright side of life thing" and project management style I started making my list and getting my attitude right so I could work on this. Let's see, need to give 30-day notice on our apartment and the lease is up 2/19, so we gotta find a place to live and know the exact date to move in. He has to work up to 2/17 and is supposed to report 2/20 in North Island, but has leave so he can take a few days to work on the move as long as we know the dates. He decided that we will live in Oceanside, it's about 40 mi or so from his base and about 85 mi to LA in case I have to work that far. (hope not, hope I can find something in Irvine)

After we find a place and give our notice then we have to know how we're getting everything to Oceanside. Gotta price a truck and get help moving - do we hire a company to move us? Do we hire guys to help load everything? Do we just try to do it ourselves - NO - we can't carry the big screen TV, furniture and everything out by ourselves. So, we have to have help of some kind.

Then there's the actual packing, we need to get that started. We'll start packing up stuff we don't need - like summer stuff, books, cd's, movies, files, etc. Just keep out the stuff that we are actually going to be using. So, we need boxes, tape, markers, packing, and so on.

Then there's the job hunt AGAIN! In order to be considered, I need to have an address down there. They always say they only want LOCAL CANDIDATES. So I have to be local to apply. Not too bad.

So once I did that, it seemed that everything stemmed off the initial FIND AN APARTMENT. Thank God for the Internet - we use it for so much these days and moving to Oceanside will be no exception. Started our apartment search, found a couple of places. Narrowed it down and finally ended up making a decision by Friday afternoon - Shadow Way Apartments, http://www.isyourhome.com/apartment/community/shadow-way.aspx, they are owned by the same company that owns the complex where we live. And the old complex manager from here that he knows, works in Oceanside at this property now! So she remembered him and he remembered her and it worked out great! We're already accepted, we trust that the property is really nice and well maintained just like here and we're moving in the right weekend!! 2/17 or 2/18!!

So, I know the address and everything and I can start getting phone numbers and utilities, cable everything turned on so it's ready when we move in. That will be great!! I might be out of touch for internet usage for a couple of days, but it won't be long. I'll be really busy anyway.

And as luck would have it, I happened to get to speak to a really excited and positive recruiter yesterday on the phone. She was searching for someone to do a 6 month gig for Yahoo in the Bay Area. I'm your girl!! I hope. If not, then she's going to keep looking for things for me. And that can never hurt to have a recruiter looking out for you. Plus I have 2 other recruiters that I know, so I should be in good shape. I HOPE!! I might need help, but I'll find something right away. I already know that San Diego doesn't pay as much as Irvine. Both are about an hr from home, so I pick Irvine!!

So, now about the current job - I really like it, I am learning alot about the law, but it's not for me for the long-term. I got stuff dumped on me yesterday without my knowing it. I've got a difficult situation there that I am having to be the "worker" and not the "manager" and I'm handling it, but probably not too good. It's been too long for me of being a manager to be just the worker. So, it probably wasn't going to last long-term anyway.

Well, we're getting ready to go pick up boxes and start the "organization and packing of stuff". I am kind of excited. Oceanside is beautiful, the ocean is right there - we'll be 10-15 min from the beach, depending on traffic. The weather is wonderful, it's very green there, lots of restaurants and shopping, it's a real city with real things to do. But, there's traffic and higher costs, so I am sure I'll be bitching about that before too long!! hehe! (at least I can laugh at myself!!)

Have a good day! We're also going to see Underworld 2 this afternoon - can't wait for that. See ya!

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Don't Blink....

I ran across this quote today in one of my email newsletters that I get regularly:
"It is a funny thing about life -- if you refuse to accept anything but the best you very often get it."
-- Somerset Maugham
I just kind of looked at it this morning and glazed over it, but by the end of the day, it had a meaning to me that was actually much deeper than I expected.

Here I am, even though things didn't work out on the job front EXACTLY how I expected, I did arrive here in California, expecting to be treated better than I ever have been. I did expect to be loved in such a deep and awesome way. I did expect that some things would be tough, but it would be worthwhile. I did expect the very best and I GOT EXACTLY WHAT I EXPECTED!!

And today was no different than any other day. He got his orders to move to southern California!! Can you believe it? I haven't told anyone at work because I'm not quite ready to give up the position or the pay. Besides, I'm already doing so great and I am loving all of the NEW things I'm learning.

So, now our new life will be preparing to move to so. CA. So, that means a new job, a new place to live and money to do all of this. YIKES! I expect to get a GREAT job - good benefits, great company culture and excellent pay - the best job ever!! I also expect to find a fantastic place to live, on the first floor, view of the ocean, priced fairly and the best place to live!!

I expect to have an excellent life, the best ever, even better than I can imagine. All of this would be great!! And if this quote is correct and I believe it is, it's time to have HIGH expecctations of the VERY BEST of everything!!

I will trust in God as we walk this road. It's full of unknowns to us, but not to God. He knows what is in store for me and what is in store for us. He knows what is going to happen and I will continue to say "hang on and keep on trucking, because God has a plan and I can't wait to see what's going to happen next!" He's never let me down yet!!


Tuesday, January 17, 2006

24

Season 5

If you don't watch 24, you should! I've been watching now for 5 years and it's an amazing show. I love the concept, I love the suspense, it's unbelievable. I actually didn't get to watch it at night, I TIVO'd it and it's on now, while I'm getting ready for work - having breakfast. I'm only a few minutes into it.

I'm going to have to watch it in parts, but I'll get it all watched by next week! I love TIVO, I won't miss a single episode. OH MY so much has already happened!! President Palmer, Michelle, Tony!! Oh no! What an action packed 15 min!! Gotta go! Can't miss a minute!

Have a great day!

Monday, January 16, 2006

First Full Day

Heavenly Thoughts

Today I was on my own at work. I spent half of my first day just cleaning my office. It was ok to get in there and scrub the whole place down. Everyone has a kind of small office and mine is no different. Mine has a window, which not everyone has that! It has nice office furniture, a good computer, and a comfortable chair. So, I've got a comfortable place to work. Now, I just have to learn what they want me to do. Hoping for NON-BOREDOM!!

Today was Martin Luther King Day. I didn't have the day off, but I do remember Martin Luther King and the racial struggles of my childhood. I feel like it's a better place to live overall and that more people get along better than before. There are more equal opportunities and things have progresses. I think that Cincinnati is still struggling with their racial identity and that's the only part of living there that I don't miss. I wish that Cincinnati would be able to get it together. I hope that one day they will. I would love to work and live there again.



Sunday, January 15, 2006

Visited the SNOW!!!

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

We had a great time! SNOW SNOW SNOW!! Over a foot of snow, at lower elevations it was wetter, the better to make snowballs out of, but nevertheless, it was fun, the snowballs would pack and I got him a few times! I was so much fun. I wanted to make snow angels, but where the snow was dryer it was too deep and where it was the right depth, it was too wet. I would have been soaked! (not worth getting sick over!)

We had to rent chains for the tires in order to enter the park. About 10 miles in, we had to put them on the car. The roads are windy and narrow. They did get pretty slick in some places and of course, it freaked me out a little, but not him. He loved driving in it, he loved being in it, God, he misses the cold and snow so much.

He was "dreaming" about living in the absolute snowiest place he could think of - places like Buffalo, NY or anywhere around the Lakes. I suggested Green Bay or Fargo or even somewhere in Montana. God, can you believe it! I can just see us, old and gray and snowed in for months!! Hope he gets a kidney transplant and doesn't have to go to the doctor that often. We won't be out and about too much.

Anyway, we drove up the mountains as far as they would allow - went to a lodge, ate a wonderful lunch and gazed outside at the winter wonderland. The trees looked so happy! I don't know if that will make sense or not, but I could just feel it. The aura in the snow or something. I don't know.

We had alot of fun and boy was I ever glad to have my UGGs! My feet stayed nice and dry and warm and with no socks on, they are amazing boots.

I forgot my camera, so I bought a cheapie on the way. I'll drop it at Rite Aid or Walgreens for developing and get them posted. I hope they turned out.

The best part to me was that we drove up into it, played for a few hours, drove around in it, and then drove back down to the valley, where it was nice and sunny and warm. :) I love the mountains and I love the weather, but I'll embrace the valley's weather while I'm here. It's a much needed break from bitter cold and nasty weather back in Ohio.

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Got hired

Got hired

It’s great; I start a new job tomorrow. It’s a pretty laid back position, working in a new industry – Agriculture. I’ve never been involved in agriculture before plus there is a processing plant and shipping that happens on site as well. So I will learn the end-to-end process of growing grapes, drying them out and processing them into raisins, packaging and shipping in addition to working in the Sales and Marketing department. It should prove to be very interesting.

In the meantime, all is well on the homefront and I couldn’t be happier. He and I get along wonderfully and I have had plenty of time to meet my initial goal – come to California, put together a nice home for us, spend as much time with him as I could so we could totally reacquaint ourselves, prepare for our marriage, be a happy homemaker. So, here I am, very happy. I have accomplished those goals and now I’m ready to get back to work.

I’ll be able to cover my bills and even get ahead. That will be good. Maybe I can get all my credit card debt gone. Wouldn’t it be great to be out of debt except a car payment?? Wow!! I would love it. So, thanks for letting me whine and worry. Now I guess I’ll be fine.

applications

Since I'm exploring new industries in the central valley, it's kind of interesting. I've talked to people about becoming a financial advisor, insurance sales, college recruiter, even waiting tables again. I don't think that I want to do those things, I really like the idea of working in an office where I can make a difference. I hope to be challenged and use my corporate experience.

I guess this quote from Churchill means more to me today than it has in a long time.
"Now this is not the end.
It is not even the beginning of the end.
But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."

--- Sir Winston Churchill, November 1942

It's a waiting game

I had my follow-up phone call this morning about the job. I hope that it has a positive outcome. I'm a little nervous, waiting to hear. I'm hoping for an offer today and realizing I need to negotiate.....

I would just like to get working and move on.

Fresno Career Fair

if the health of the employment market of Fresno was represented by the career fair then its very sad my friends. Construction, financial advisors, insurance sales, banking - well, tellers - you get the picture. I did talk to someone from Kelly Svcs who promised to pass my resume on to the IT division, apparently they have a need in this area. Then there were the financial companies, banks, new home real estate, agriculture, and Mary Kay. Needless to say, it was a nice drive. And that's it!

Went to my 2nd interview. Seemed to go well. I was interviewed by the controller and attorney. We clicked. The company sounds like it has a good team environment. No office politics. Sounds like everyone works together and is helping the company to grow. I could do well in that type of environment. It's not that far from my house and everyone is nice so far.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Sent wirelessly via BlackBerry from T-Mobile.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

my interview

Lion Raisins
My interview went well yesterday. Thank God!! I took a test and missed one question. And the big thing about the question I missed, it was probably one of the easiest ones. But I was proud that I got almost everything right and especially the ones that they considered to be hard. I had the opportunity to talk with the HR Manager. He was great! He explained so much about the company, agriculture industry, the raisin processes in the plant and their market share.

Lion Raisins are one of the industry leaders providing product to major cereal companies and other food manufacturers. They are in a growth mode, as all companies are, I think.

The position is a direct report to the VP of Sales and Marketing. This could be right up my alley. I've got plenty of experience in sales and marketing without actually being a Sales Exec or Marketing Manager. I'm sure if I get the position, I will learn alot about both manufacturing (which is my secret desire) and Sales/Marketing that can benefit me no matter what. There are some projects that would be assigned which require research, which I am good at research. Perhaps this job will bring me back into the detail and help me hone my skills.

I go back this afternoon for my 2nd interview. I hope to do well during that interview and make it to the next to meet the VP. Again, there is a hope that I will click with him so that the relationship will overcome any of his apprehensions. I'll keep you posted!!

In the meantime, I am going to Fresno this morning to a Career Fair. I'm not sure the types of companies and jobs that will be presented at the Career Fair, but I'm prepared with lots of resumes and a BIG SMILE!! I'll just work the room and see if I can end up with official interviews with good companies.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

I have an interview!!

It's an interview at Lion Raisin in Selma, CA. I'm not exactly sure of everything about the job, it's an office job, and hopefully it will be enough of what I need to get by. I'll write more tomorrow after I go and learn more.

Friday, January 06, 2006

The Job Hunt Is On

The Job Hunt Is On….

I am having the experience of a lifetime. Job boards, recruiters, technology – or rather lack of, questionnaires, applications, resumes, references, salary questions. It’s very overwhelming. Some of the jobs are very low paying, but at least they are a job. It’s unreal.

I’m even considering selling CARS!!  What do you think about that???? WOW!

One thing that I am considering is starting my own home-based business: a Market America Un-Franchise. http://www.marketamerica.com They have great products and it’s a great opportunity. I’m currently interviewing for people to partner with, if you’re interested, check it out and let me know. I’d like to talk to you about either trying a product that’s customized to your personal needs or an income opportunity or BOTH!

I’ll have a link up soon to the market place. They call it the “Mall without Walls”. It’s one-to-one marketing based on internet research and customers surveys as to which types of products and services they really need in today’s fast paced world. I’ve always wanted a home-based business and I’ve tried a few other things over the years, so I might as well try this.

It comes with a proven 2-3 year business plan, processes and procedures, designed for the average person to succeed. That sounds likes me! Average and wanting to succeed!

Well, it’s always good to have a back-up plan!! And this one seems to be a good one!!

I’m off to apply at a restaurant, waiting tables, “Is everything alright??” “Can I get you another Pepsi??” “More coffee??”  BIG TIPS PLEASE!!

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

Our Alaska adventure was wonderful as you can see from the photos. Of course, they are all scenic, I don’t take too many with people in them because no one ever wants to get their picture taken. Some of the highlights of the trip include:

  1. Meeting his son and his girlfriend – this was really a treat as we have talked on the phone. He reminded me of his father when we dated years ago. His hair, facial expressions, walk, talk, kindness, sweetness, his eyes, his smile. Pretty neat! He’s a wonderful young man and such a joy. His girlfriend is very nice and they seem to get along so good. I hope things work out for them and they don’t make the same mistake his father and I did so long ago!  learn from our mistake!!

  2. The daylight hours fascinated me. They were so short – and I guess they’ll get shorter before winter is over. Sunrise around 10:30 am, but it takes until about 11 am for daybreak to be completed, then sunset actually starts around 2:30 pm and takes about an hour for the sun to fully set. The sunset is phenomenal, beautiful pinks, oranges and reds in the sky for an hour or more.

  3. It wasn’t as cold as I expected. In fact, it was colder in Cincinnati when I was visiting there, than it was in Alaska during our visit. 30s during the day, 20s at night. Not a lot of wind, so it wasn’t too cold. We went walking around quite a bit and I was very comfortable. My feet stayed very warm in my UGGs! Thanks honey!!

  4. Fantastic shopping mall downtown. It had many wonderful shops, was about 6 floors or so, beautifully decorated and very well laid out  -  very modern. I really liked it better than most malls I’ve been to in California. We went into a shop that sold artists works. Everything from paintings to jewelry to windchimes to handbags and more. Things were reasonably priced and very beautiful. He surprised me with a wonderful Butterfly choker necklace and earrings. They are gold with red and pink inlays and gems. Very nice. He has GREAT taste!!

  5. Fur shop – the first time I’ve ever been in a fur store. I hate to admit, but I think I touched just about everything in the store. I just couldn’t resist. I didn’t try on a coat – was too afraid I’d like it too much and the expense!! Wow! But I did try on a pair of really nice gloves, rabbit fur lined. If we lived somewhere colder, I would have bought either those or sheepskin gloves. This fur store was so cool, they even had fur under garments – bras, thongs and men’s strap!

  6. History Museum – this was very interesting. There was a special exhibit on the history of Alaska which started 10,000 years ago. They showed the different Indian tribes, the parts of the state where they lived, how they lived, fished, hunted, housing, clothing, etc. I always had the impression that Eskimos were the main tribe in Alaska, but I found out that this was not the case. They were only one among all of the tribes to inhabit this part of the earth. The history went through the Russian inhabitation and then later when the US colonized Alaska. I didn’t realize how important Alaska was to us during WW2, of course it makes sense, but I just never thought about it or didn’t pay attention during that lesson in American History. The museum as a whole was very different from most museums that I have visited. All the art was done by Alaskan artisans from all different eras. Most of the paintings were either of fisherman, hunters or Mt. McKinley, a few were of Indian men and women.

  7. Mt. Alyeska Ski Resort – Outstanding!! The view from the bar was magnificent. The place was hopping with skiers and snow boarders. It stays open 24 hours per day during the winter. There are so many quaint little cabins, bed & breakfasts, a grand hotel, and guest rooms in houses. The weather was perfect, not too cold, enough snow and everyone appeared to be having a great time. I enjoyed watching everyone on the slopes.

  8. Restaurants -  We ate at the resort at Mt. Alyeska. Halibut………YUMMY! It was so wonderful. We also ate at a barbque place, chicken and ribs (you know I ate the chicken) – it was ok, but not my favorite. The next night we ate at  Garcia’s Brewhouse. Wonderful!! Brewed beer selection like Watson Brothers in Cincinnati, menu selection like Pomadori’s and Montgomery Inn and Watson Brothers all combined. Ambiance was wonderful and prices were not bad. I was very impressed. Dinner & drinks for 5 was like $83, not bad at all.  

  9. Seward – we drove the new Seward Highway through the mountains with the goal of spending some time in Seward. Seward is a fishing harbor town. I heard tales of crabs that are as big as truck tires!!  The drive there was very scenic, so a lot of my pictures were taken on the highway. While driving through the mountains it started snowing pretty hard. The roads got slick and slushy, a road crew was out plowing, a car was overturned on the side of the road. He was loving driving in the snow, I was content just watching it! I tried to take some pictures of the snow falling, but it’s not too easy. So if they look kind of blurry, maybe there were the snow shots. Anyway, we got to Seward, it was very quaint. Reminded me of a New England town.

  10. Glacier – he tried to show me a glacier on the way back from Seward, but unfortunately it was too early in the season or the weather had not cooperated but it wasn’t in the viewing area. I don’t know much about the glacier or where it is if it wasn’t in the inlet. So, please don’t ask!

  11. Movie – we went to see Syriana while there. It was too boring for me. Sorry, Clooney, but this one was not a good movie to me.

  12. Eagle River – very nice suburban area outside of Anchorage. It reminded me of some parts of Cincinnati some years back. in a growth mode, still small but much larger than just 10 years ago. Lots of shopping, restaurants, churches, homes, apartments. I always wonder where everyone works though. hmmm.

Prices for apartments, homes, trucks, restaurants, hotels, movies and stores at the mall – all average and comparable to Cincinnati prices. Gas was as high as in California – let’s see – Alaska Pipeline…..gas prices high…..hmmm. Grocery prices were higher and produce is definitely expensive.

Overall, it was a great place to visit. I’d like to go again in the summer to experience the green. But I loved it and enjoyed our stay. The Ramada Inn downtown (east 3rd and Barrow) deserves a shameless plug! It was reasonable, newly remodeled, very nice and looked just like it did on the website. The room was beautiful, the bed was comfortable and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The continental breakfast was much more and delicious! Thanks!