10.23.2008 Happy Day!

I am happy to report that I got offered a job today. Not just any job but THE job. THE job that I coveted. The job that was worth the wait. I officially report to my new job with the Federal government in El Paso, Texas, on 11.23.2008. Well I don't actually report on Sunday but Monday... Sunday is just the start of the new pay period. I am truly excited. While it is sad to leave my family but it is a nice new beginning!

Thanks to everyone that took this job journey with me offering me great support!

Now off to find a place to live...

10.17.2008 No news is good news....

Well no news on the job front. I do feel good regarding my interview. Now it is just a matter of playing the waiting game. Keep your fingers crossed!

10.14.2008 Changes ahead?

Want to know what I did this evening? Yes took a nap. Yes ate PB&J for dinner. Yes watched TV. But I also started cleaning out some boxes in my storage room... well not so much a storage room as it is a sun room used for storage. I also worked on my craft room a smidge too! I am so proud of myself and I probably only spent about 30-45 minutes total on these two rooms and I could actually see some accomplishment. Some. I got really inspired after a phone call at work. No news yet but I am hoping to get a call tomorrow to schedule an interview. This is the job. This is the job that I have been waiting for... the one that I have stressed over and cried because I didn't get all those other jobs. I can feel it. This is it!

09.30.2008 Job Update

A little update on the job front. Nothing, nada, zip, zilch, zero. Nothing to report, period. I have several applications still alive out there but no calls for interviews. Kind of disappointing. Kind of disheartening. I do still have hope. I told myself that I would give it a 100 applications or a year before I would get a job. It is getting close to a year from my first application submission. I have four months left. I don't know how close to 100 applications I am. I have been meaning to make a list and report here of all the locations I have submitted. That has yet to be done. I haven't submitted 100 but probably 50 or 60. Maybe.

09.26.2008 Vacay!

Guess who is on a little day of vacation today? Me! Yay! A mental health day is so needed right now. Due to our business, we don't take any days of leave in October, Novembe, and December. So this was really my last chance to take a day for myself. And it is just as hard to take a day of leave as it would be a week. A week? Impossible. Nothing planned today. Well I would like to get a few things done. Right now I am contemplating a shower then to town for lunch and groceries. If that is accomplished then I am a success. If I get the bathroom cleaned, living room picked up, and the floors swept and mopped... OMG! I would be like Oprah... a serious overachiever. We'll shall see what this day holds for me...

08.15.2008 BFFF

Loserville continues. Let me update you on my life lately.

1. My car dies. Cannot start for the life of me. Battery dead. Battery charged. Battery lives a short while. Run errands. See movie. Battery dead again. Call AAA. Charge battery long enough to get home. Ask stepdad to change new battery that I bought earlier in day but stepdad said to see if the old battery would charge itself up again. Not.
2. Run errands and stop for groceries. See one tire it separated and almost gone. Drive to Discount Tire for a new set of tires.
3. Discover a leak in the main water line that goes into the house. E spends all afternoon of the one day he came to visit trying to fix water line. Could not fix. No water overnight. Shower at work. Water leak fixed next day.

So you would think that all of this would get me down. And you know what... it didn't really. Granted I didn't have the money for any of this but I guess I will survive.

On a positive note. I did see Pineapple Express. Over-the-top hilarity that you can expect from Rogen/Apatow, etc. I love their phrase, BFFF. Best fuckin' friends forever!

I had a job interview on Wednesday for a local position. I think the interview went great. This same agency also posted another position that is more of my expertise that I will also be applying for.

I went to see Tropic Thunder on Wednesday. Another over-the-top hilarity movie that I truly enjoyed. It was really funny in a cheesy jokey way.

Right now I am doing pretty good. Just ate a delicious lunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup. The standard combo. What made it even better was that my mom made it. Yes you can never be too old to have your mom cook you lunch and as a 40-year old I can testify to that.

I appreciate my car even more now that she is almost new again with a new battery and tires as well as a car wash and detailing. My house was clean last weekend which also made me feel pretty good... not so clean this weekend however. My outfit was cute for my interview especially the new shoes that are a little too big and my new purse.

For some reason, even with the car issues, my life is going a little too good right now. I would really hate to look a gift horse in the mouth. Things are perfect by any means but I am feeling pretty good about life. Period.

08.01.2008 Loserville

It is official. I am a loser. I can't get a new job to save my life. Yes, I am extremely grateful that I have my current job. I am extremely grateful that I can pay my bills. I am extremely grateful that I am in relatively good health... relatively. But it doesn't mean that I don't feel like a loser. It doesn't mean that I feel like my life is in the crapper. It doesn't mean that I can't get depressed. You guessed it. I didn't get the job in Winston-Salem. I know it really doesn't say anything about me or about the employee that I know I am. It still doesn't make me feel any better. I do have another job interview scheduled for mid-month. And get this. It is for a position right here in town. I wouldn't even have to move. And it is with a very interesting agency. So we'll see. If I don't get this, I need to get my ass working on more applications. Because I think this is probably the last one that I am a contender for. All others I haven't even made the best qualified list or wasn't even considered besides the ones that I have interviewed for. So I have another pity party scheduled for me this weekend... which really doesn't help the pigsty I am residing in. I so haven't felt like doing any housework for several weeks now. I seriously need to quit feeling sorry for myself and get my ass cleaning some house. That is a hard task to accept let alone accomplish. But I am thinking this is the weekend. Maybe.

I saw Swing Vote this evening. It was a cute movie with a great message. Kind of moving. And it doesn't help with Kevin Costner smeared all over the screen looking a little rough. He looks like he stinks... and I am sure he does. I would totally recommend seeing this movie. Cute.

And for those that have asked about the turkey/brie/nectarine sandwich. Let me say that it was okay. I really thought it was going to be something... but in the end is was just okay. Not to say I wouldn't make it again but I would have to add something. Maybe bigger slices of nectarine to get more of the sweetness. Maybe a different dressing. Maybe different bread. It definately needed something else to give it a wow factor but I can't really say what that something is.

Tomorrow my mom and I are off early to a couple of monthly trade days in the area. We have never been to either of them and it is going to be one helluva hot day. That is why we are getting an early start.

For now, goodnight.

07.26.2008 Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's 58th birthday. Happy Birthday Mom! I got her these cute handmade ATC cards with cats on them. Then I framed them with a bright background. I thought it turned out pretty nice. My mom is a hard person to buy gifts for. She doesn't have a need or want for anything. I know if it something related to a cat I am safe.

I just got back from the grocery store. I cannot believe how much I spent and how little I came home with. What can you say, the price of gas effects everything related to retail prices. Of course it didn't help that I had to buy some cleaning supplies... and you know how much that can add on to the final bill. I did pick up some great chicken sausage that HEB sells with poblanos and cheese in the sausage. This sausage is the shit!

I also got some turkey lunchmeat, brie, and nectarines to make a sandwich from a recipe in Real Simple. The recipe sounds delish as well as fresh and new. So I thought I would give it a try. Here is the recipe in case you are interested:


Open-Face Turkey, Brie, and Nectarine Sandwiches with Arugula Salad

2 tablespoons honey mustard
4 thick slices crusty bread
3/4 pound thinly sliced roasted turkey breast
2 nectarines, pitted and thinly sliced
6 ounces Brie, sliced
Kosher salt and pepper
2 bunches arugula or one 5-ounce package
1/2 small sweet onion (such as Vidalia), thinly sliced
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Spread the honey mustard evenly over the bread. Top with the turkey, nectarine slices, and Brie. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

In a large bowl, toss the arugula, onion, oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Serve with the sandwiches.

Upgrade: Adding fruit is a delicious and easy way to spruce up almost any sandwich with cheese. Some more great pairings: plums and Parmesan, apples and Cheddar, pears and blue cheese, and figs and goat cheese.

Yield: Makes 4 servings

CALORIES 467 (41% from fat); FAT 22g (sat 8g); CHOLESTEROL 81mg; CARBOHYDRATE 40g; SODIUM 1672mg; PROTEIN 32g; FIBER 4g; SUGAR 14g

Real Simple, JULY 2008

Not much new going on. Still haven't really cleaned house like I should and still haven't started to purge stuff from my household like I should. I keep trying to trick myself into doing both. I consider that I am going to get this job and that means I would have to report in a minimum of four weeks. But then it starts to scare my that there is no way I could get my house packed and ready to move in a month. In reality that is exactly what will have to happen if I get this job and if I were to start today. If I wait until I actually get the job and they want me to report with a two week notice at my current job... then I am shit out of luck!

And on that note, obviously I haven't heard anything on the job in Winston-Salem yet. I did have to tell E that his New Orleans Saints will be playing the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte in October. Charlotte is about an hour and a half from Winston-Salem. And E has never been to a Saints game ever, period. It would be so cool for him to be able to see his beloved Saints in person. I would love to give him that opportunity. Well there are plenty more reasons I would love this Winston-Salem job... that is just one.

All the dogs are doing well... except Pearl is driving me crazy! Crazy!

I have been in a serious nesting mode lately. It really isn't that strange... because all I really want to do is laze around in bed and read but I have really been doing nothing but napping and reading lately. I need to get some energy and will power and fast. My stinky, dirty house can't take it anymore.

07.19.2008 No News Is Good News?

I really don't have anything new to report. But I thought I needed to update my blog since it has been forever...

No news on the job front, still. Interviewed for the position in El Paso. The interview went great. However, there were two gentlemen up for the job that were currently doing the job that were being considered over me. While I am greatly disappointed, I completely understand. However, there looks to be another vacancy coming in El Paso that is really in my line of expertise... so it is a waiting game for it to be announced so I can apply.

Right after I interviewed for the El Paso position, I received another invitation to interview for a position in Winston-Salem, NC. I did a telephone interview for this position this past Thursday. Again, I think the interview went great. The two people interviewing me were really easy to talk to and hopefully I didn't sound too stupid on their end. They said a final decision would be made in the next 2-3 weeks. Definately got my fingers crossed for this one. I have been doing some internet research on Winston-Salem and it really seems like a great place. I don't think I have ever visited that state before so it would be a new adventure to discover. While they do have a state income tax (which I am not used to in Texas) it seems like the rents are extremely reasonable for something I would be interested in.

Sugar, my white Boxer, has been having some issues. She apparently is leaking juice from her vagina. It doesn't appear to be urine but... So I have already taken her to the vet twice with this issue. And believe me it is a lot of juice, not just a few drops. Both times they have prescribed antibiotics thinking it is an infection of some kind. While the antibiotics did help, it didn't totally cure this issue. So I took Sugar to the vet for a third diagnosis. This time they actually took a urine sample and sent it to Texas A & M for further study. Well it comes back that she indeed has incontinence. Now she has been prescribed a pill that she has to take twice a day for the rest of her life. Sugar is a young dog too... approximately 3 years old. Approximately because as you know she is a found dog... or rather she found us. Anyways, I gave her the first pill last night. Within two hours she had barfed all over the house and I DO MEAN ALL OVER. She completely emptied her stomach. It took a whole roll of paper towels to clean up the mess. I really felt bad for her. I had to give her another pill this morning after calling the vet to see if these two events are related. The vet confirmed it could be with a new medicine. I knew Sugar was sick when she was asleep on the couch with two bones resting by her head. Sugar has a serious dog bone problem. Meaning she is truly addicted. She jones' for them on a regular basis. Luckily she didn't get sick with the second pill. Hopefully it gets better.

Blackie is another dog of ours that has been sick. I let Blackie out of the yard on Sunday for several hours. When I got his yard-mates, Cowboy and Curly Sue, back in the yard I couldn't find Blackie. I called and called with no response. He was still missing on Monday morning. When I got to work, I sent one of the warehouse guys to go look for him. He came back saying Black was in the yard. This means he was in the yard the whole time no responding to me. Monday night still no response. Tuesday I asked my mom to go look at Blackie when she got back from her day-trip. She didn't feel comfortable waiting until she got back that evening so we sent my step-dad over to look at Blackie. After two lectures, he told me that Blackie had a big wound on his side. So I called the vet and took Blackie immediately in. I left him there all day. When I went to pick him up they reported he had been in a fight or attacked by another dog. His wound was gross. Needless to say they cleaned him up and send him home with a drain in his wounds and meds. So now Blackie is a house dog. And he is loving it. I am trying to keep him kind of confined so he can heal without getting dirt and other junk in his wounds. He has a room all to himself with a pallet to lay on. His own food and water as well as a fan. The room doesn't get as much air from the A/C as the rest of the house so I put a fan in there just for him. He is getting better. I took him back for a check-up yesterday and the vet says it is getting better but they didn't take out the drain as expected. Brought home more medicine and will take him back on Tuesday. Now for the fun part... I get to start hydro-therapy. This is where you take the garden house and attempt to wash out the wound. I haven't tried this on a couple other dogs of ours and they did not like it. I definately to not feel like attempting this with Black. Hopefully it goes well.

Tomorrow Nikki is coming through town on her way to Houston. Our plan is to see Mamma Mia. At first I totally wasn't in to seeing this movie but the more (and more and more and more... I know you have seen the overkill on the trailers) I see the trailers the more I want to see the movie. I will let you know my review.

06.21.2008 Need sleep, can't sleep.

In about five hours I will be up getting ready to attend an all-day crop. It is now approximately 2:00 a.m. and I cannot sleep. I want to sleep. I need to sleep. But sleep won't come. Now let me tell you why the sleep won't come... I have a job interview on Monday. Keep in mind, I also had a job interview this past Wednesday. Man when it rains, it pours in a good way. As you may know I have been extremely frustrated that the new job search hasn't really gone anywhere. I have applied for about a gabillion positions. Monday's interview will be my third telephone interview. The first position in Vermont was filled in-house. The second position I interviewed for this past week is in Orlando. Did you hear me? I said Orlando. I have never been to Florida let alone live in Florida. I find a new place an exciting adventure. Not that I am going to rush right over and ring Mickey Mouse's doorbell but it would be great to live nearby so I could whenever I wanted to. Now the third position that I will interview for on Monday is in El Paso. You say El Paso, why would you want to live there? I have lived in El Paso before for about two years. I have to say the thought of going back to El Paso is keeping me awake. I really like El Paso. When I first moved to El Paso, I thought it was extremely ugly and depressing. Seriously who wants a cement or dirt yard at their house!?!?!?!?!?! Of course the house I bought had a beautiful grass yard that I ruined in short order because I didn't care for the watering and tending to the grass. Gee a cement or dirt yard doesn't look so bad now. But I really like the El Paso culture. It is right next door to New Mexico. Have you ever been to Mesilla? I am fascinated with the tiny town of Mesilla. I really love it there. But not only do I personally like El Paso but it would mean I would get the chance to work with my best friend again. We used to work together when I lived in El Paso. Seriously I was her supervisor and we became fast friends. I don't know how we made it work being co-workers and friends but we did. It did have a lot to do with the fact that we both are meticulous about doing to job the right way and getting it done fast and regardless of resources. So wish me luck. I definately need it! (And hopefully this is good night!)

05.15.2008 Job Search

Still nothing regarding the Vermont job. At least I haven't been not selected.... I did apply for two other Federal positions today. And I will be applying for another four tomorrow... all I need to do is upload some documents to finish. But have you guys seen this! It may not be a Federal position but who could turn down this opportunity... so I e-mailed my resume in. I tried to talk my sister into applying too... she would like another job as well but it turns out she would rather bitch and moan and be miserable than actually do something about it. (I hope you are reading this Nikki!) Lucky that I live in Texas and am in a search for a new job/career... I would still have to move if I were to be offered the job but only 3.5 hours away versus 31 hours to Vermont. I am still keeping my fingers crossed for Vermont. They said I should know something by the end of this week or early next week. I am hoping it is the end of this week because that would mean tomorrow. My experience with the Feds is that job selection announcements were usually made on Friday so that the person selected could celebrate over the weekend and those not selected could stew over the weekend. Those evil Feds!

Still nothing on the job front yet... and the waiting is killing me. I have been searching for housing in Vermont. Not finding that much out there that I can afford. And what I can find that is attractive, I can't act on it because I don't know if I have the job or not. (In reality I don't think I will get the job offer. Just a gut feeling but it is what I am feeling. Nonetheless, I have to prepare like I am getting the job. I want to proactive versus reactive). Anyways... I want to know now whether the job is mine. Or rather, I want to know yesterday not next week. Arrrrggghh!

So now my next dilemman with Vermont while I am waiting to hear is that if I get the job, do I:

A) Find a cheaper apartment away from work so I would have a little bit of a commute but pay for gas.
B) Find a more expensive apartment closer to work so I wouldn't have the large gas bill.

In reality I guess it would be the same thing. The apartments a little further out from the job are cheaper then closer to work. So I either pay for rent or for gas. I guess I just need to worry about finding a place to live if I get the job and worry about the commute later. I think there are a lot of commuting opportunities with public transportation in the area... so that is another thought.

Thanks for listening to me ramble!

05.07.2008 Interview Update

So I survived my telephone job interview yesterday. Of course about 5 minutes into the interview, my phone was turned off by some IT people installing some equipment here at work. I had to do the interview from work because I was on the only one in the office since my mom had to take one of the dogs to the vet. And yes my mom, also my supervisor, knew I was doing an interview. Originally I was going to take a late lunch and make the call from home.

Anyways.... The phone was restored after a couple of minutes and I was able to call them back. They completely understood. I think I did reasonably well during the interview. I got a little too wordy on some explanations and didn't really know what to say on other questions. We'll see.... you never know what they are looking for. My experience is perfect for what the job entails. A decision will be made next week and I will hear either way.

I will keep you posted!

05.04.2008 Seriously Nervous

I am so nervous regarding my job interview on Tuesday. Thank goodness it is a telephone interview. So I can throw up during and the interviewer will be none-the-wiser. I don't know why I am so nervous... I guess because I really want this job. I do want it and then I don't want it. I do want it because it would be a great opportunity to get my foot in the door that would lead to bigger and better things in the future. I do want it because I really need the change. I do want it because I am a good employee and I need a place where I can showcase my skills. I do want it because it would be a great adventure working and living in New England. Now I maybe don't want it because it will be a big process to relocate (with dogs). I don't want it because I have been searching Craigslist for rental property and I really can't find anything that is reasonable that accepts dogs. I don't want it because it will be a financial hardship at first... remember it will lead to bigger and better things (and I have plans to make it financially). I don't want it because E and I will probably have to live separately for awhile. In reality my reasons for not wanting the position are just hurdles that aren't that big of a deal and I will be able to master them. It's just the unknown.

Regardless, please keep me in your thoughts and definately wish me luck. Because in the end, I would love to get the job offer and have to turn it down if I REALLY had to but I am thinking I won't.

05.01.2008 Mad/Glad Day

I know it has been forever since I posted last. Sorry. However, I have plenty of news today.

First of all, I want to thank Aimeslee for tagging me with this:The rules for the *you make my day award* are to re-present it to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blog land. Let them know through email or by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times yourself, and if you do, consider yourself really, really loved.

So if you have ever posted a comment on my blog, consider yourself tagged. My day is always made by a reader when I get a comment. (Shame on me for not leaving more comments than I do on the fab blogs I read.) Michele has tagged me again. So here it goes:

1. Link to the person that tagged you and leave a comment on their blog, so that their readers can visit yours.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share 7 Random facts about yourself on your blog.
4. Tag 7 random people at the bottom of your post, linking to their blog. Let each person know by leaving a comment on their blog.

RANDOM FACTS THAT ARE KIM:

1. I desperately want a tattoo but sadly do not have a tattoo.
2. I attended high school for 5 years yet graduated with honors. (Yes I was one of those badass teens that thought they knew everything so they didn't need to go to school. Thanks to my high school counselor when I moved to Texas... she worked some wonders with the transcript and with the A's and B's I earned my Junior (second time around) and Senior years I was able to graduate with honors).
3. One of my great friends from my childhood found me through an internet search and we were able to reconnect after 20 (or so) years. (Hi Minica!)
4. I make myself cry when I think about how much time I have left with my dog, Baby. She is 10.5 years old now and blind. I cross my fingers that I have a good 5 years left but no matter it isn't enough and I have to stop typing about this now because my eyes are all watery!
5. I own a gun. (And I know how to use it.)
6. I have worn glasses since the third grade.
7. I named my dog Sugar after Marion "Suge" Knight. The name fits perfectly because Sugar is a total bully.

Let me tell you why I am mad today. I am mad that the shipment date for the delicious deer paper from October Afternoon keeps getting put off. I have already placed my order with a fantastic little groups of chicks that I know. However, I want and need this paper in my hands today. Okay it really wouldn't do anything other than sit in my craft room... but that is beside the point. The point is I want this paper today. Not tomorrow. Not mid-month as promised by October Afternoon. I am sure this is a short-lived madness....

Can I have a drumroll please? Sorry don't know how to type the equivalent of a drumroll.... but on to the good news of the day...

I have a job interview. One of my applications has hit paydirt. Now I don't really want to jinx myself but I didn't want to tell my friends that know of my job journey (and that read my blog) that I finally have an interview. I am doing a telephone interview next week. I will reveal that this position is in the very Northeast of the country. A long way from Texas. However, if given the chance I think this would be a great opportunity and not one I would pass up! As this journey goes I will reveal more information about the job!

So I think I have reported a fair amount of information for today. Thanks for listening!

03.11.2008

I know it has been awhile since I blogged last.... especially since I was on a roll and posting daily. Frankly I haven't had much to say let alone report in the last couple of weeks. My dream job didn't come to fruition but that hasn't stopped me. I am still submitting applications... already submitted another four, I believe. And I am working on several more. This will consume me until I get a Federal job!

I am considering applying for another Design Team. I resigned from my DTs at the end of the year to focus of myself and get my life in order. Not much has changed... still working at getting my life in order. Baby steps. Really baby steps. But I have noticed that I miss scrapping. Without deadlines, I really don't do anything. I just haven't been motivated. But I am feeling the itch... we'll see. Of course I will keep you posted.

Haven't gone to the movies in awhile. Might try to go see something this weekend since E will be in town. As you may or may not know, every other week (payday weekend) E goes to Shreveport to visit his kids. Well basically to visit his youngest, who is now 15. I hate it because I do miss him terribly even if just for the weekend. But it is good for him and his kids. At first, I really bitched and moaned to him about it. Then I realized I only made myself miserable because E wasn't going to change. So now I just deal with it. When I need him to stay home, I ask him. Most times he does stay home when I ask but that is not very often that I ask.

I will try to post some pictures tomorrow of Pearl. I got my camera in an attempt to take a picture of Sugar because she was on the couch sleeping like the slacker she is with her tongue hanging out a good three inches. Of course by the time I got the camera ready because I had to get the battery off the charger and install it, Sugar was off the couch looking at me like I was the crazy one. Well Pearl was relaxed and sat perfect for some pictures. She didn't always look at me since Sugar was right there. But I finally got some pictures of Pearl where she wasn't running around like a kid with ADHD! Seriously!

So since I don't have any pictures of Pearl or Sugar to post right now, I will introduce you to another family member. Meet Peanut.
Peanut is another stray that we adopted. She is of the Lab family. She has a beautiful honey colored coat and the hyperness of a Lab. She has yet to settle down. Peanut showed up at the Pleasanton (TX) warehouse one day. I was in the office and all the dogs started barking. This wasn't necessarily not normal but they wouldn't settle down. So I went outside to see what the ruckus was... and there was Peanut wagging her tail on the other side of the fence. Peanut was about 6 months old with a collar. She was the only female in a world of males. So I brought her inside the fence to see how the other dogs would act. The other dogs being Convict, Blackie, Cowboy, and Buddy. They were fine with her... didn't really even bother with her. So she became another member of the family after trying to find her owners with an ad in the local paper. Nobody claimed her. Peanut is now probably 2.5 years old. She is a pretty good dog. She is definately Type-A, Alpha Dog. She races the other dogs and has to win. She is also pretty aggressive when she wants to be and is usually in the middle of a fight, if they are fighting. But all-in-all she is a good dog. I took her to the vet a couple weeks ago for a regular annual exam and shorts. The doctor told her she was a little on the heavy side even though she runs at least four miles a day with our commute - runs two miles to work and two miles home. I stopped a long time ago giving her a ride since she has to bark all the way with this loud and piercing bark. My hearing has to be affected by that somehow!

02.25.2008

Today I am sad. Made a phone call to follow-up with my dream job application only to find out I was not being considered for the position. I qualified for the job and my application made it to the selecting official. But they were looking at a couple other people for the job to interview. If those don't work out, they will call me. I am not holding my breath. All I can do is start working on more Federal applications. Something will come my way, eventually.

This is one of my favorite shows lately. I am sad to say there are only two more episodes left. They aren't coming back after this season. I don't see how they are going to tie up all the loose ends in two episodes. If you want to stay on the edge of your seat, The Wire is the show. I will be looking to invest in all the seasons on DVD.

02.21.2008

Guess who has to be up at 5am tomorrow morning to be on the road at 5:30am to help deliver wine to Dallas/Ft. Worth? Oh you are having difficulties thinking who it could be. Let me help you out! Me. Fun.

02.20.2008

I got my car back from the dealer today. Turns out all it that was wrong was a little wire got disconnected. Turns out that little disconnected wire cost $112. Turns out $112 is a lot better than the estimated $800. Turns out that car dealers are kind of rip-offs.

Well in the interim before we took my car to the dealer for repairs, E changed the fuel filter trying to do all he could think of to fix the car to make sure we didn't have to go to the dealer for some expensive repirs. The fuel filter DID need changing but that wasn't the problem. Now we know it was just a wire the came loose. The dealer also told us that we needed the fuel lines replaced. Because E changed the fuel filter and didn't use the correct tool to remove the clips that hook the fuel lines in place, they had to be replaced per the dealer. No the clips couldn't just be replaced, the whole fuel lines had to be replaced. Do you realize that fuel lines cost $322 for a 2005 Ford Freestyle. This is without the labor. If it would take up to the estimated four hours of labor, the total cost would be $800. All they can estimate is that it would take one to four hours for labor. Seriously! Seriously! E balked at that. Because of two clips, you have to replace the fuel lines. No. So Edward is using some other type of claspy thingy to ensure the fuel lines stay secured in placed. Granted I am a little leery about this but he tells me it will work. Cross my fingers because I am paranoid of breaking down and/or getting a flat. Changing a flat tire I can do... I may not want to do it but I can do it! Breaking down, I don't like not being in control of a situation so I get real anxious. I am considering investing in a premium membership with AAA.

Today was not a very fun day at work, so needless to say I search USAJobs for some Federal positions. I can up with 8 jobs that I qualify for and am going to submit applications for. All in the job that I love and in some funky places that I would never consider except on the government's dime. One is in Washington state, another in North Carolina, another at the Grand Canyon. There are a couple more locations but places I have lived before. I am still anxiously waiting to hear on my "dream" job but in the meantime I cannot let life pass me by. I need to be proactive instead of reactive.

I also have a new attitude I am going to try at work starting tomorrow. I really need to refocus my energy and quit making myself upset over something that isn't going to change and over something that only upsets me. All I need to worry about is my job and the kind of job I am doing. Period. Quit worrying about what others are doing. Quit worrying about what is fair and what is not. Others are either doing the right thing or the wrong thing. The right way gets recognized. The wrong way gets ignored and/or put on front street.

02.19.2008

Why is it that....
when I am trying to nap
I have a 20 pound dog
that insists on sitting
on my head and
licking my face
approximately 10 min. after
she has been outside
chewing on a dead mouse.
Thanks Pearl!
Awwww, life in the country!

P.S. I called on my application to check on the status and all I could do was leave a voicemail for a person that will be out the rest of the week. Nice.