Hi ya'll. I just wanted to update everyone on my job prospects. I had the best interview ever at Pueblo Bone & Joint office. They have called me in for a "working interview" which means they will have me check out the medical software and see how I do. I am going in Tues. Dec. 2, and Thur. Dec. 4 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Wish me luck. Fortunately the other candidates are not experienced in the medical field, either, so it should be a pretty level playing field. I am really keeping my fingers crossed - say a prayer for me.
I get to babysit Owen tomorrow morning. Josh and Bree have a Dr. appt, and Owen is not feeling well, so I am going to their house. We went to the Library on Sunday and Owen was so sad, he had a slight fever and was not his rambunctious self. He has a sinus infection, so he got some meds and should be fine for Thanksgiving. After that, it will be Turkey shopping. I am really excited to have Ben, Brenda and Amelia come and Shep will be here too. I have two spare bedrooms and a family room with a futon, so everyone can sleep! Josh and Bree are moving rooms around for the new one. Josh has the whole week off for Thanksgiving.
We will miss Becky, Devin, Logan and Laila, but they will be here for Christmas! They will fly to DIA on the 20th and we will head to Bailey on the 23 & 24 for Christmas, then they will drive to Greeley on Christmas Day and return to SLC on the 30th.
Sunday I went to the Methodist Church near the house. I sat by Pat and George and they were the nicest people. They invited me to go to Sunday school after church so I joined the older folks - 70 and up. They were quite a treat. The couple was so friendly. Today my doorbell rang, which is rare and a couple from the church brought me a strawberry rhubarb pie as a welcome! I was really impressed. Needless to say, I will return to the church again. Maybe next time I will go to the younger Sunday School. I have a hard time relating to the fact that I am "older". I think we need a new term for people in their 60's - TWEENOS - It is sometimes hard to figure out if I am part of the over 50 club, or a senior citizen, or something in between.
School district 70 had rejected me as a secretarial sub, and said that they did not need the help, but they sent a letter congratulating me and want me to go to an orientation on December 3, so I guess I will go. Can't hurt, but I hope I never have to find the school locations cuz the district office was out in the sticks (near Blende) if you look on a map east of Pueblo.
Unemployment has not notified me of my status yet. The orientation I went to on Thursday last week was very informative. What a new experience! They sent me a visa card and if I qualify it will have money put on it to spend. Pretty sophisticated, I must say. News today is that although Bush extended unemployment benefits until after the holidays, they will be much tougher on qualifying - that would be me. It is kind of like giving to one who needs, but taking it from another one. Maybe they could have used mortgage bail out money to help people who can't get jobs now partly because of the mortgage crisis we didn't create in the first place. I doubt if a lot of unemployed people own huge homes they can't afford, nor do they spend excessively on their credit cards. Oh, listen to me rant and rave!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving - I know I have a lot to be thankful for even if things are not going exactly like I had planned. Mostly I am thankful for the wonderful family and my super friends - I miss you all more than you know!
Nov 24, 2008
Nov 17, 2008
SLC Visit was Great!!
Wow! I went to Salt Lake on Wednesday November 12, and returned Sunday. It was the most incredible trip. It occurred to me on the trip home that I have a really educated family! The three girls, Becky, Bree and Brenda have Masters Degrees, Josh has his Administrative License, comparable to a Masters and Ben has the equivalent of a Masters + in Microsoft Certifications and now Devin has his PHd. At least I have a Bachelors, but it seems so unreal that the kids have achieved so very much, and they are still so young.
I am still having camera problems so photos will follow, but I will give you a low down on the trip.
Devin's defense was absolutely mind boggling. I am sorry to say that I only understood the buts, ifs, ands, and protein. It was so technical it was like a one hour speech in a foreign language. He was so poised and professional it made me proud to have him married to my daughter and to be part of our family. He deserves huge kudos for the five years' work he put into it. The dissertation was an inch thick, and as understandable to me as the defense. It was a privilege to be part of the process!!!!
I got to babysit for Laila and Logan while Becky and Devin enjoyed evenings out. I must say, the kids were perfect for me. It must be the Nana touch. The parents needed some much deserved time to themselves, to say the least. Every minute with them all was a joy. The birthday/celebration party for Devin was outstanding. I think everyone had a great time. The only family members not present from both sides were Bree, Owen and Josh. Bree, of course cannot travel in her very pregnant condition. I think we all had a good time for them. Ben traveled alone with Amelia and Brenda came in Saturday from a conference in Little Rock and joined us. It seemed a supreme effort for everyone to support Devin and well worth it. Amelia and Logan had a great time together.
On the job scene, I got a rejection email from Fountain-Fort Carson School District - boo hoo - it would have meant a 40 minute commute, anyway. I applied again for another job at District 70 today. I have an interview tomorrow at 10:30 at a Doctor's office, and I go for my intro to unemployment meeting on Thursday at 10:00. I got a lot of unemployment information, now I am just waiting for the $. I don't know when I will find out about that. I didn't think I would qualify, but it doesn't hurt to try. It would mean $320 a week if I did get it. Would certainly help with Cobra insurance and house payment. I faxed a resume today for a construction company from an ad in the paper. I have about 5 craig's list jobs to apply for. It seems most of them are pretty sketchy! They want "dynamic" people wanting to work in a fun environment and they will pay $40-$50,000 a year. In Pueblo - oh yeah! I am not sure what the businesses are, but the ads are fun to read. I will apply to Starbucks this week to try and get part time work for now. We have 2 big business here in town cutting back employees from the paper today. Just what I needed. I am keeping my chin up and hoping for the best. Maybe something will happen soon. Cindy's aunt does a lot of volunteering, so I am contacting her this week to find out where I might do something fun. I am thinking the zoo would be neat! I bet I could make a bunch of great contacts with the giraffes and apes - don't you think? Since it is one of my favorite places to go, I think it might be nice to meet people and get out!
While I was gone a building exploded not too far (2 miles?) from my house. I haven't checked it out yet, but it totally destroyed the building and broke windows in neighboring stores, killed one person and injured 12 others. The pictures in the paper were pretty scary. They still don't have a cause yet. It is in the old historic district not too far from the riverwalk.
Well, bye for now - the job search is calling!
I am still having camera problems so photos will follow, but I will give you a low down on the trip.
Devin's defense was absolutely mind boggling. I am sorry to say that I only understood the buts, ifs, ands, and protein. It was so technical it was like a one hour speech in a foreign language. He was so poised and professional it made me proud to have him married to my daughter and to be part of our family. He deserves huge kudos for the five years' work he put into it. The dissertation was an inch thick, and as understandable to me as the defense. It was a privilege to be part of the process!!!!
I got to babysit for Laila and Logan while Becky and Devin enjoyed evenings out. I must say, the kids were perfect for me. It must be the Nana touch. The parents needed some much deserved time to themselves, to say the least. Every minute with them all was a joy. The birthday/celebration party for Devin was outstanding. I think everyone had a great time. The only family members not present from both sides were Bree, Owen and Josh. Bree, of course cannot travel in her very pregnant condition. I think we all had a good time for them. Ben traveled alone with Amelia and Brenda came in Saturday from a conference in Little Rock and joined us. It seemed a supreme effort for everyone to support Devin and well worth it. Amelia and Logan had a great time together.
On the job scene, I got a rejection email from Fountain-Fort Carson School District - boo hoo - it would have meant a 40 minute commute, anyway. I applied again for another job at District 70 today. I have an interview tomorrow at 10:30 at a Doctor's office, and I go for my intro to unemployment meeting on Thursday at 10:00. I got a lot of unemployment information, now I am just waiting for the $. I don't know when I will find out about that. I didn't think I would qualify, but it doesn't hurt to try. It would mean $320 a week if I did get it. Would certainly help with Cobra insurance and house payment. I faxed a resume today for a construction company from an ad in the paper. I have about 5 craig's list jobs to apply for. It seems most of them are pretty sketchy! They want "dynamic" people wanting to work in a fun environment and they will pay $40-$50,000 a year. In Pueblo - oh yeah! I am not sure what the businesses are, but the ads are fun to read. I will apply to Starbucks this week to try and get part time work for now. We have 2 big business here in town cutting back employees from the paper today. Just what I needed. I am keeping my chin up and hoping for the best. Maybe something will happen soon. Cindy's aunt does a lot of volunteering, so I am contacting her this week to find out where I might do something fun. I am thinking the zoo would be neat! I bet I could make a bunch of great contacts with the giraffes and apes - don't you think? Since it is one of my favorite places to go, I think it might be nice to meet people and get out!
While I was gone a building exploded not too far (2 miles?) from my house. I haven't checked it out yet, but it totally destroyed the building and broke windows in neighboring stores, killed one person and injured 12 others. The pictures in the paper were pretty scary. They still don't have a cause yet. It is in the old historic district not too far from the riverwalk.
Well, bye for now - the job search is calling!
Nov 6, 2008
Update on job search and whatever from Pueblo
It seems maybe my job angel is looking out for me. It has been pretty discouraging looking for jobs with no feedback. Finally I am getting a little something - and something is better than nothing, for sure. I am testing for the Census Bureau tomorrow at 10:00, the temp service is presenting me for a Dr. office job (I need to find a doctor, anyway), I applied for a job opening today at Fountain-Fort Carson, the district where Josh works (the application took 2 hours and a trip to the Post Office, and $4.80 as well). I have had 3 rejection letters, which makes me feel great, just because someone saw something I sent out - how sad is that! I had a call from my Monster resume to interview (for 15 minutes) for a job in Colorado Springs. I turned that down, partly for the commute to work (45 min), and partly because it sounded pretty fishy. Many posted jobs are marketing companies wanting to pay Administrative Assistants $42-50 grand a year. Yeah, sure! I don't even consider those anymore. I tried to signed up to sub in both school districts for secretaries - we had such a need in Fruita. District 70 said because they have aides, they don't ususally need anyone. District 60 said to check back in January, because they have enough people to keep them busy - so much for my networking there. It took a trip to the Sheriff's office for finger prints which too quite a while, and the schools really don't need me.
I have been passing out resumes and a cover letter in the Thatcher Building - my bank and a bunch of financial and legal offices. I met some very nice people, have given out about 10 resumes, and really got to know the shoeshine guy in the lobby. He is quite a character. I am in there every other day or so, so we have become buddies. He hasn't come up with any hot leads, but he is a friendly face. I'll have to wear some shoes in there that need polishing some day. I can also get a haircut, massage, lunch and clothes in the same building.
Tried the Episcopal Church on Sunday, but found it to be kinda cold and unfriendly-it was All Saints day, so I guess they didn't have any Friend Saints available. I will go somewhere different this Sunday.
On Tuesday, Nov. 11, I am going to Cindy Jobe's in Denver to spend the night, then to the airport on Wed. for SLC to celebrate with Dr. Devin Close - both his PHd defense Friday and his birthday on Saturday. What a treat! I hope he has better luck than I have in finding a position. It is a scarey world out there. I am really excited to see how much Laila and Logan have grown and changed since Becky was here. I will return on Sunday and back to my job of hunting for a job.
Bye for now - just wanted to update everyone!
I have been passing out resumes and a cover letter in the Thatcher Building - my bank and a bunch of financial and legal offices. I met some very nice people, have given out about 10 resumes, and really got to know the shoeshine guy in the lobby. He is quite a character. I am in there every other day or so, so we have become buddies. He hasn't come up with any hot leads, but he is a friendly face. I'll have to wear some shoes in there that need polishing some day. I can also get a haircut, massage, lunch and clothes in the same building.
Tried the Episcopal Church on Sunday, but found it to be kinda cold and unfriendly-it was All Saints day, so I guess they didn't have any Friend Saints available. I will go somewhere different this Sunday.
On Tuesday, Nov. 11, I am going to Cindy Jobe's in Denver to spend the night, then to the airport on Wed. for SLC to celebrate with Dr. Devin Close - both his PHd defense Friday and his birthday on Saturday. What a treat! I hope he has better luck than I have in finding a position. It is a scarey world out there. I am really excited to see how much Laila and Logan have grown and changed since Becky was here. I will return on Sunday and back to my job of hunting for a job.
Bye for now - just wanted to update everyone!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)