What'cha doin' today?

[fflurcadwgawn]

On pins and needles about job security.

HR from current job talked with me yesterday about renewing my contract. Trouble is, it's a semi-monthly paycheck and it's through AmeriCorps. That means that funding is definitely on the chopping block, and I qualify for public assistance. Current contract is up in one business day (today is Friday.....it's up Monday, and have yet to talk with anyone here about signing paperwork to continue).

Within half an hour of talking to HR, I got an interview invite from the employment agency I'm using. Same field as my AmeriCorps job, but it's 3,000 USD *less* per year, even though it's more per hour and I would get a biweekly paycheck, and eventually there might be benefits and permanency. Clientele would be way crankier, though.......*sigh*

On the other hand, I have my application out for quite a few places but many I won't hear back from until after Halloween.

Bleh.

[JD]

Keeping fingers crossed that something great occurs on the job front for you, Fflur!

[fflurcadwgawn]

I got the job at the other law firm! It's also a pay raise--$21,000 a year as opposed to $17,000, plus there's free off street parking that means I will have an "extra" $1200 per year that won't be tied up in parking--and he kept emphasising the longevity there. I got the call from my recruiter when I was on reception yesterday afternoon--the one time I was NOT letting a personal call go to voicemail. They wanted to offer me it right then and there during the interview, but had to jump through hoops and do red tape with the employment agency.

I'll be a receptionist/legal assistant again, but at least this time I'll have more authority than a lowly high school intern, and will be able to help draft documents like petitions, orders, wills, etc. He kept describing opportunities to grow and I got the distinct feeling from him that eventually the position may even not be through an employment agency. He also said the clientele are generally pretty polite, and they would pay for me to become a notary and do software training.

Best part is that it's in the same city where my mum and brother work, so travel logistics for car repairs, moving to my grandparents' place, etc aren't going to be an issue. I start the day after my contract ends next week!

[Ritu]

That is great! Congrats, Fflur!

[JD]

Yay!!!

[Robina]

Congratulations Fflur!

[PaulinaAnn]

Congrats Fflur!

As for me, we just bought a used minivan. Great condition and traded in one of our old vehicles. Glad we have it, but not looking forward to having car payments again.

[JD]

There's always that, isn't there?

[Rokia]

That's awesome news Fflur! You go girl!

And enjoy your new (used) minivan Paulina. The car payments can be a pain but sometimes it's nice to have something more reliable, isn't it?

[cheryl]

Paulina, once you go minivan, you never go back.
I mean, you possibly, maybe, perhaps might revert to an SUV, but a minivan (AKA Swagger Wagon) is the way to go! LOL. Congrats!

[Rokia]

Today - and yesterday - I varnished a cabinet.

Yay me!

[skyhappysal]

78 degrees in late October! I have spent as much time as I could outside today. Did a little yard clean-up, chilled on the deck with Soph, and headed out to the lake for a walk and decadent ice cream cone to enjoy the last warm weekend before the snow flies. ☺

[skyhappysal]

Oct 11, 2017 3:45:22 GMT Rokia said:

Today - and yesterday - I varnished a cabinet.

Yay me!

I read that quickly and thought you said you had vanished in a cabinet! I thought you were doing your own version of  the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. 

[fflurcadwgawn]

Massage therapy appointment yesterday per my chiropractor. Managed to spend today knitting and in general mostly quiet. My back has been at a constant dull level 1 pain lately. The therapist got that addressed, but it didn't kick in until today. Now the only thing hurting is my neck. I have another appointment next week since it's been way too long and I think that's half the problem.

Also, off to the chiropractor again it is. On the plus side.......zero headaches since my last chiropractor appointment two weeks ago! And it stormed something fierce in the middle! And I managed to slash open my tire and gouge my tire rim on a manhole in said rainstorm! And only had two over the top crankies at work since October 4.

*grumbles*

My body is apparently starting to think that 31 years old is a WHOLE LOT older than 16 years old. Maybe it's starting to get revenge for being on the competition dance team in high school.

On the other hand, a giant pot roast yesterday for dinner means I have proper nutrition this week at work for lunch.

[Rokia]

Awwww... ::hugs fflur:: (and, btw, YUM!)

[Stormwatcher]

I feel it with ya, fflur- I'm having frozen shoulder in my right arm and it's not a lot of fun. It was tendonitis type pain since about spring (with the occasional violently painful spasm) and then rather suddenly it locked up and wouldn't lift past that one particular point. Seems to be something genetically inclined; my sister, mother, maternal grandmother and father have ALL had frozen shoulder prior to me.

On the plus side, I had some massage therapy lessons when I was younger, and those have been very helpful with the pain. Those and hot soaks in the tub. I'm also making myself use it within the limited range I have- it's a fine line between exercising it out and pushing too far- but it seems to be helping. Haven't had one of those 'spazzes' for over a week. Here's hoping.

Good luck with the chiropractor! (And that pot roast does sound yum. I suddenly have a craving for the husband's delicious beef stew...)

[Robina]

Relaxing and recovering.

We spent a fabulous five days visiting the city of Victoria last week. Once we got home I spent two days frantically finishing the hand sewing on my dress for the Pride and Prejudice Ball that was held Saturday night. It was very successful and the organizer is hoping to have more events here.

The local comic con was also held this past weekend, and I volunteered there to support our local SCA group and the Highland Gathering.

[Austin]

Hello all! It's been a few months since I've had time to catch my breath and check in here! What's happened since May...

1) moved to Seattle
2) started a new job
3) hated new job, found another job and quit the old one

Whew! Layered on top of that, I moved in with Brennon. We had had a long distance relationship for over a year while I lived in Alaska. So, life has been pretty busy!

My old job was working in local government. I've been a front facing government employee for almost five years, and I was DONE!! 😜 I'm moving into the commercial real estate industry, which I'm pretty excited about - it combines an interest of mine with a lot of skills I already have! I gave myself six weeks between jobs to unwind, relax, and have some fun. I just got back from a weeklong road trip through Idaho, Utah, Arizona, and Southern California! I'll be back here in Seattle for a few more days, before heading down to visit my folks in Tennessee for a week, then back to Seattle for a week, then off to Mexico City! 😮 I'll be going there with my two best friends, so we're pretty excited. We get to see each other maybe once a year, if that, so this is a long time coming!!

I'm playing catch up on all the threads here. Sounds like everyone is having a great time and most importantly, living life!! Love to you all!! - A.

[Robina]

Congratulations on finding a new job that you like, Austin. Safe travels and have a great time.

[Scott]

Austin, I'm impressed---freely moving from one job to another! Have fun on your trip! Drive carefully!


Me? Well, it's Halloween. I wanted my pumpkin to look like it was carved by a madman, a madman who's not very good at carving things, so that didn't take long.

Tomorrow is garbage day. It seems like putting trash cans out on Halloween is an invitation to disaster so I'll wait until later.

[Rokia]

Congrats on the new job Austin! Sounds like things are going swimmingly for you! Good to see you around again.

[fflurcadwgawn]

Quiet evening at home tonight. Poked on some research for work. Need to take a break from one full time job and one full and a half time job, even if it's turning my brain off cemeteries for a month (hah). I am sure the work stress is causing half the issues lately.....

[JD]

Good to hear from you again, Austin; glad you like your NEW new job!

All I'm doing this week is church bazaar prep, which includes many different sorts of things.  Last night I made a batch of almond roca and a batch of caramels [the last I'm going to try to make for it; I'd done some last weekend already], and every day when I get home it's with a list of what sorts of labels/signs people need.  Or like yesterday, a list that said "Dollar Tree -- smallest LED candles you can find" on it.  Another person said her list for this morning read "CD player, extension cords, 2 regular light bulbs, envelope".  Don't ask.  

[Stormwatcher]

JD, that sounds like a scavenger hunt list.

:Waves at Austin: My in-laws lately moved back here from Seattle- Port Orchard area, right across the Sound from the city. Lovely out there, when it isn't raining! Good luck with the new-new job! Good luck with the lad, too, the change from long distance to directly underfoot can be a tad surprising at times.

[Robina]

I'm at home waiting for a tow truck.

I got into a hit and run accident in a shopping mall parking lot last night. I was on the main thoroughfare and the guy drove out from an aisle of parked cars and into my front tire. I pulled forward to get my SUV out of the way of traffic and got of the car; while I was doing that, he drove off. Initially we didn't think there was any serious damage and it could still be driven but we were wrong.

I'm fine and I don't think I can blame my sore shoulder on the accident.