Smoking

Two jokes, one terrible and the other sort of funny:

Social Worker vs. Pitt Bull
What's the difference between a social worker and a pitt bull terrier?

At least you can get part of your baby back from the pitt bull

(Sorry to PQ--I know Pitt Bulls are really a great dog...)


Bald Eagle
How do you identify a bald eagle?

All his feathers are combed over to one side.

Well, it's been. Been what? Well, hard to go into it all. Imagine standing on the road with a stalled car at -20F (actual temp, the windchill was even worse), imagine it again, and one more time. The car kept stalling as I was trying to get back home and then to the garage. Then imagine standing alongside of a car that's billowing black smoke. Fun. And I thought I'd dressed warm for the weather. Certainly not. After 45-minutes out there I couldn't feel my hands or feet.

Although I already had an appointment at the garage for the following afternoon, I had thought I could avoid a tow, but it was not to be. The tow truck driver was nice and dropped SLA at her apt and me at home. By the time we were done fooling around with all of that, it had been several hours.

I had an interview scheduled for the following day too. I was going to bring the car in right after it, and now--no car. Taking the bus isn't really such a big deal, many people take it every day. But I hadn't ridden the bus for close to two years, had to get all dressed up in the suit and carry a satchel and I'm still using a cane and limping. Plus it was still -20F and cold for waiting for the bus and walking around out there. But I'm proud to say that I made it to the interview (and back--had a WC person waiting for me at home, in fact) and am waiting to hear back from them.

Have another interview this week and had one (diff one) last week. At least I have the car for this upcoming one and had it for the last interview. I've been netting lots of interviews lately but the employers are interviewing HORDES of people for each position, so I haven't gotten one yet. But have not given up hope. It helps that I really love my present job.

I'm getting ready for work and won't be able to make bloggy rounds yet but hope all of you are having a great year so far!

A bit of bragging

Yet another action-filled day, as most days have been. Two hours in the morning of Tori Tori Tori, the Workers Comp job finding person. She was rather pleased with me, for once, because of all the pending interviews.

Then on to the City County Complex for the three-part test for Economic Specialist. As already mentioned, I had previously passed the first test, mostly math--calculating housing and food stamp allowances--given early one Saturday morning. The second batch of tests started off with a data entry test. It was a timed test and yet accuracy was also of utmost importance. It was awkward, as some of the fields needed a tab between and others did not. One could not go back to a field once you tabbed. So there were issues and I was just starting to get the hang of it when the timer sounded to end the test. I did pass the test, although I'm sure it wasn't an outstanding score.

Then a typing test, "keyboarding" was next. The passing score for this test had to be a typing speed above 55 WPM, which is quite fast. There was a two-minute warm-up and then the three-minute test. I could whip along pretty quickly once warmed up, although at one point I lost my place in reading the copy during the test and nearly panicked. But the result was gratifying, 72 WPM and a passing score!

The last of the tests I took this afternoon was the math test. It, too was timed, no calculator allowed, just a piece of scratch paper. I was surprised to complete both sides of the test and was re-checking my work (and good thing I did, as I had accidentally skipped one) when the timer went off. The test-giver disappeared with the test for a brief time and then returned with a "Congratulations!" and that they would be calling me for an interview. I had scored 100% correct in the math test! If you know me at all, you will know that math is certainly not a friend of mine. In fact I received a "D" in high school math during one semester. So a bit of bragging is in order: that score today was a total miracle!

After that morning and afternoon, it was time for a counseling appointment. And after it was done then out with my best friend SLA. So it was a good, productive, but very long day. Maybe something job-wise will come out of it--or not.

Another Typical Day

Well, it's turning into another typical day so far, which includes:

--An early morning call from my mother which lasted 45 minutes--before I'd had my coffee or made a "pit stop"

--Three calls to potential employers, including asking about an interview that I had on December 16th. One call-back about setting up an interview

--Called to set up the next batch of tests for the County Economic Specialist position

--Wrote a cover letter, printed off a resume, packaged and addressed to a new potential employer

--Waiting to hear whether I work or not today, and when

And it's just noon so far. The first Economic Specialist test was really difficult. There were 100 questions and 10 were spelling (easy) 10 were grammar (not too bad) but the other 80 questions were MATH questions--with no calculator allowed! Yikes.

When the test-giver asked who needed scratch paper, every hand in the room was raised and waving. I used up 3 sheets of scratch paper, had to turn in a used one to get another. Most people taking the test used pretty much the same, except for the couple of people who threw down the test in disgust and left the room.

I wish I could have kept the test just to look it over. There were formulas for figuring housing allowances, food stamps, etc. and boy, were they ever complex, I'd had no idea! And not just a one-stop calculation for each, but a long series of multiplying, figuring percentages and looking up on a chart (on a different page)to get ONE answer. It was so grueling that I began to wonder if I even wanted the job but it pays so well. And I passed, so on to the next batch of tests. I'm scheduled to take them tomorrow afternoon, between the worker's comp consultation and 2 visitations for work.

Yesterday we had 7 inches of snow. Today it's 15 degrees below zero and the windchill is supposed to be 20-40 below. It looks nice and sunny outside but sunny days are the coldest in the wintertime. The house was cracking and creaking all night long and the furnace also ran all night. Thank goodness the furnace has been working great!

Speaking of great: My wonderful neighbors used their snow-blower to clean my side and driveway! The sidewalk is half a block on one side and a good portion in the front. I've mentioned before how I always seem to buy the corner house which gets stuck with all that shoveling in the winter.

Cute joke from the Urban Chickens group:

Why do chicken coops have 2 doors?
If they had 4 they would be a sedan

So how's your new year going so far?

A Flunk-ee on Probation

Yesterday I didn't post about all the tests I took. I'd applied for three county jobs in the neighboring state. They sent me three letters, all packed into one envelope (encouraging that they are saving on postage!) Each of the three letters said the same thing in a slightly different manner: I needed to pass some tests to be considered for the job.

The County Courthouse is downtown. Parking, except on meters is difficult to come by and now I'm not able to walk for blocks and blocks. When my old job's old office was downtown, I became adept at finding free parking and fitting into the tightest of spots. If the parking spot was even a tiny bit larger than the Jeep, I could somehow get into it. Now, faced with tests that would take up most of the day, I really didn't want to have to keep plugging a parking meter. To my joy and amazement, I found a FREE parking space less than a block from the Courthouse! That was truly a miracle to find a free parking spot right downtown, at 10:00 AM. I wish the tests had turned out to be miracles too, but that was not to be.

I took the first test, Information Specialist I. It was long and rather difficult with two hours allowed for it. I think I did OK, good enough to pass, I hope. There was an addendum to it called the "Bookkeeping Test" that passing would qualify one to be listed for County Auditor jobs. I took the Bookkeeping Test even though I really haven't done much bookkeeping for years. It seemed to go OK. After taking those two tests I took the Information Specialist II test, two hours allowed. That actually seemed easier than the I test, not as much math on it--and no calculators were allowed for the tests--not even for the Bookkeeping Test which had calculating interest and adding up columns of figures.

Then it was on to the performance tests but the computer room was filled up. The attendant asked if I wanted a break while waiting for an opening. I took a break in the Courthouse coffee shop and had a tiny little coffee and a half tuna sandwich. Both were little but very good. Thus fortified I returned to the testing office for the performance tests.

Took the typing test and passed at 58 WPM. I always put that I can do 60 WPM but I guess not, anymore. The last test was a MS Word 2002 test. I used that program all of the time at my former job and know it well. The attendant sat with me through the sample test, in which I got one wrong that she said, "That wasn't wrong!" That didn't bode well for the test.

I have to hang my head and tell you--I didn't pass that last test. I thought I knew how to do everything but one question, but obviously I missed far more than one question to flunk the test! You were asked to click on the first thing you would do to perform the given task. They seemed to allow only one way to do things and apparently that wasn't the way I was used to doing those things. Very discouraging and I don't know how to even study up to take it again.

The good news is that I CAN take that test again, but who knows if I'll do any better at it. At least I will look up the one thing I didn't know how to do, so there will be one more correct answer, maybe.

The Worker's Comp person called me today between visitations to ask about all the testing too, so I had to tell her about needing to re-take the test. She wasn't impressed and told me I needed to get some training. During our last meeting she told me that I couldn't go out of town to visit my son, his girlfriend and grandson, not even during the holidays. Worker's Comp wants me to either be working or applying for jobs. Reminding her that I've been working 7 days a week didn't change her mind about that, either. That's why I was so thrilled and happy to hear that son and grandson would be coming here to visit--since I'm not allowed to go there to see them. Now THAT is a miracle, thank goodness!

Am I doomed, in yellow suspenders?

Well, got through the interview yesterday. I was nervous before the interview and kind of a basket case afterward in the car but basically it seemed to go well. I arrived early because like most universities, there's a parking hassle and I wanted to be as close to the building where the interview was being held, as possible. I offered to come back later but the receptionist contacted the two interviewers who were raring to go. Actually the raring to go thing turned out to be not so good as the interview lasted a half hour, at the most. It had easy good communication and they were friendly, which is a good sign since they are the two bosses of the position.

They had a series of questions to ask. Now these were just some normal questions but THREE out of the five questions asked had to do with things I'd rather not talk about, yikes! I've not ever been in a position to have employment skeletons in my closet!

A couple of the five questions I was asked: Why was I let go? What would my former supervisor say my best points are? What would she say my weaknesses are? Loaded questions for me now, all three of them.

I did some evasive action, using what they ONCE would have said of me. And I said that my "termination" was due to budgetary constraints (partially true) and some other reasons. Thank God they did not ask, and what are the "other reasons?" It was really stressful and back in the car I was shaking and upset. What if they call my former supervisor, Bossilla!? Even the HR person there would not give me a favorable account, she would say I was fired because of performance issues.

But I did stay calm during the interview (maybe fortunate that it was so short!) and when they had another woman take me around and introduce me to everyone in the office. I used to think the introductions thing was a good sign but now (having worked in HR in two different companies) I know that companies often do that to get the rest of the office workers' opinion about each of the candidates. They are interviewing ten candidates.

Am I doomed to only be able to get entry level jobs--and be LUCKY to get hired, just because my old cruel boss and her two cohorts have blackballed me? I didn't do anything wrong!

Still haven't heard from the part-time job for which I DID get hired. It's a position that college students often take but sounded fun. The money was kind of low but not as bad as some entry-level jobs. They had to do a background check and check my driver's license and had told me it would be a few days before all of that goes through.

Last night I dreamt of yellow suspenders(!?) Have NO idea what that dream was all about. What kind of dreams have you been having lately?

Answering the call

Well, I've received the call. The Call--as in receiving a job offer! It's a part-time job but I lobbied heavily to the Worker's Comp agent on Wednesday to let me accept it. It would fill in the blank time (interviewers always were asking me, "so, what have you been doing since June?) plus it would be better to ease into FT employment again, if possible. The WC agent spent two hours at my house that day, giving me more job leads and asking questions about my latest job logs.

After much phone-calling to the main offices and waiting to hear back, I was allowed to accept the job. It was 5:00 PM by the time I returned to call to the new employer and so I had to leave them a message. By mid-Thursday they called me back and I was to call their HR office and set up an employment intake appointment. Which I did, it's for next Monday.

I was (a bit) worried whether I could locate my Social Security Card after six years and two moves but it was right where I remembered storing it, thank goodness! I used to carry the SS card with me but about 12 or so years ago we were cautioned not to do that anymore because of possible identity theft. So I found an alternate good place for it and actually remembered after six years where that was. Too bad I can't remember all those "good places" where I've stored various important documents!

Thursday was a red-letter day for yet another job-related reason: I got a call to interview for a position at the local 4-year university! Now that job I would totally love to obtain! The interview is next week, so we'll see about that.

Things seem to be moving along after being stalled for so long. I also have an Open House this Sunday, so have to get the house back in shape. It wasn't too bad, as I try to keep it ready to show at any time, but could use a few touch-ups.

Also, this week has been a great one for re-connecting with friends, got together with FOUR of them separately, at various times this week and talked to several more on the phone! One of my former clients called me, too. I had been tempted to call them since being fired but figured it might be inappropriate. But how nice that one of them called ME! Have a great super wonderful weekend you all!

Some things are great

Another day of job hunting looms ahead. But usually I don't start off all that early, since I don't have to. Even if I wake up (or get up) at 6:30, I often don't get showered, dressed and ready until closer to 9:00 AM or even 10:00. (Sorry all you working people. I DO know what it's like to have to get up at 5:00 AM every freakin' weekday morning--and did so my entire adult life, until now.)

Today one of the Worker's Comp people called me shortly after 8 AM. I was awake but still in bed thinking about getting up. When I saw the number on my phone, I quick took a sip of water to avoid the "just woke up" voice. But it didn't work, I had to keep clearing my throat for the first five minutes of conversation. And the conversation went (like WC conversations always do) on and on. Soon I was talking normally but dearly wishing for a cup of coffee and a bathroom pit stop!

The lack of coffee and bathroom break was making me impatient. I actually interrupted the caller twice during our long conversation--not a good thing to do. WC people are the ones holding my fragile purse-strings, it's not wise to tick them off.

Anyway, I was denied a second doctor's opinion and will return to the first, totally uncaring, bone doctor in October. I had wanted a clearance to go to a podiatrist. In the past 3 appointments the bone doctor looked at the X-rays, pronounced the bones all healed and that I should be able to walk around now. He didn't even look at my actual foot, swollen, deformed and purple. I showed him photos of it at one appointment and at each appointment I've come in with crutches and now a cane and was sure to mention the problems I'm still having with it. But the appointments last about a nano-second and they are done. In the past someone had told me that Worker's Comp doctors can only bill a small portion of the actual services, that there is a cap on the fees and so they don't go out of their way at all. At the time I thought that couldn't be true, but now I think it may be a possibility. Oh well. I can't dwell on all of my problems.

Actually, some things are really good, like the sleeping in thing! I get to watch the "Today" show in the morning, which I never got to do. I can stay up really late, if I want to. Finished the 14th Stephanie Plum book, another book by Alexander McCall Smith, "Sex, Lies and Handwriting: A Top Expert Reveals the Secrets Hidden in Your Handwriting." That last book was really good, I've always been really interested in the handwriting = personality thing. And now am working on a basic Philosophy book. I can pretty much pick my own schedule, which is sweet. That schedule does have to include 6-8 hours of job hunting per week day, but now that my computer is repaired I can do a lot of that at home. Like I said--sweet!

YIKE--Ike

Heard on the news briefly this morning that Texas is being slammed by Ike. I had so hoped that either the storm would dwindle into nothingness before landfall or divert to an area where no damage would be done. The news said there are a lot of people who were still there when the storm hit, and it's headed up through Arkansas the last I heard.

Can't they find a way to lessen the impact of these horrible (I refuse to call them--acts of god) manifestations of nature? Some time ago I watched a show about weather modification. It was on PBS, I think, and said that weather mod attempts had been going on since the dawn of humankind but that the scientists in Nazi Germany had actually figured out some methods that worked. The show talked about how a pulse of energy could be used as a weapon to turn weather bad and make bad weather worse. This pulse could be directed to a particular area in order to "attack" that location. Well, I wonder, is THAT what's been happening? Or is that just another conspiracy theory? What do you think?

I went early this morning to take a State exam in HR Asst. At first the test seemed quit daunting but I went back over my answers and actually figured out how to work with the formula of how to come up with civil service scores! There was an entire page devoted to questions on that. There were also questions about employment laws, equal opportunity and the like. I was surprised at how much of that stuff I knew. After all, I did work in an HR Dept for a brief time, and then before that as a temp plus all of THIS stuff since I got fired from my job. But the proof will be in what score I get--can't wait to find out!

Happy Holidays to you!

Good grief, it's been a month since I posted in here! Where has that time gone? I've had many days off playing taxi to my Mom and to a friend with no car. I also had a job interview, then a call back to take a very weird and creative administrative test. Apparently I passed that too and was one of four people called for another interview, this time with the department and boss I would be working with/for if hired. I waited all Friday to hear the yea or nay news, not straying from my phone, but nothing. Saturday morning I called into my phone at work for another reason and the bad news was left there. I wasn't hired. But at least I wasn't left hanging all weekend wondering if I was the one, or not. It was a terrible disappointment because I really wanted the job and wanted to be able to give notice on my current job. That would have been so sweet. But I had to go to work on Monday and go to the office party that Friday, bringing a gift and some food.

That same Saturday while Mom and I were out eating, we ran into some cousins who gave us the sad news that their mother had just died the night before. So another day off was spent going to her funeral and then out with my Mom and older brother. It was good to see him and get some talk time. I expressed my concerns about our mother to him privately, she is not acting like herself lately.

It's a shame that I've gotten out of the habit of blogging because I really did enjoy reading all the various blogs and you my virtual friends! But I've replaced my morning (before work) blogging habit with doing the physical therapy exercises, same with in the evening. The PT and the weight loss have helped somewhat but not as much as I had hoped. Of course, with the shoveling season upon us that is racking up my back and leg too, despite the PT exercises two or three times per day. Eventually I hope to move to a warmer place (maybe NM or Florida) where there isn't all this continual snow to shovel!

My son's girlfriend finally did get some medical care and the new due date for me to become a grandma is December 28th, which was yesterday! Of course this is her first and it looks as if baby will be overdue. I'm eagerly waiting for the big event. My neighbors who were due on December 9th finally had their baby. I saw a family member holding a wrapped little bundle through my window (and their window) as I was closing my blinds a couple of nights ago. Don't know if it's a boy or a girl yet though.

It's been a wonderful Christmas to see my two brothers and their families, have seen lots of my mother, and gone to various friend and work holiday parties. I also made lots of holiday food for all those get-togethers and need to get back on my raw food diet again soon! I like the diet, it's satisfying and fruits and vegetables have always been my favorites, so it won't be a difficult thing. I just need to stop cooking (and tasting) and get back on it. My clothes are still falling off me so the weight hasn't come back on despite my indiscretions. In fact I just weighed myself again yesterday morning (first time in a month, just like posting!) and despite my holiday eating binges--it's the same, minus 52 pounds from when I started!!! I'm SO lucky about that.

This has been a wonderful holiday season except I haven't had enough money to go down to see my kids and I really miss them! I did have a couple of long phone conversations with my son, though. I still have their gifts all wrapped up and ready to go. I did manage to hire a guy to sheetrock and tape my basement as I really really need to put the house back on the real estate market and sell it. I got an estimate for carpeting the basement, too but the first one was horribly expensive so I'll keep looking around. The heat/utility bill has gone up to $300 this month and I'm barely making it. The house is kept at a temperature of 55F, which might be a great outdoor temperature but is pretty darn cold for indoors. In fact the sheetrock guy told me that I must turn up the heat to help the mudding on the sheetrock to dry. So I turned it WAY up to 62F! And also put some fans down in the basement. But the nippy indoor weather makes me want to move and to exercise more, so all is not bad!

Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones and stay warm!