Deer in my headlights

Traveling home from my second job on Sunday night around midnight, I saw a pretty good size buck out of my left side window. He was just standing there looking right at me.

As I realized I should be slowing down my speed, you know... *just in case*... he decided to bolt! If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was just standing there waiting for his next 'victim' to get oh so close before he made his move! He came right across the road in front of me and was only slightly in a hurry to do so. WTHeck, deer!!!??? I applied the maximum amount of brakes while trying to control the direction of my car. I had to turn a bit towards the end just to get that much more stopping distance out of it. It was close, guys. I was so very close to taking his legs out. At that point, I wouldn't even have killed the poor thing, I would have just hurt it and that would have been worse! No need for extra colon cleanser after an experience like this, let me tell ya. I'm just glad all is well that ends well. He continued across the road and into the grassy knoll next to the road, looking back at me as if he were mad cause I almost hit him! How dare I, after all? Sheeshk!!

Well, turn it up!

There's one nice thing about having the office all to myself while I work, I can jam to whatever music I want! W00t! Guess I'm in the mood for some Abba tonight, found this fun montage of pics put to a mix of 2 or 3 of their songs. Not the best quality on audio. Guess I should stick to my media player, I have the Abba Gold album on there.



"Don't go wasting your emotion! Lay all your love on me." Hmpf, back to the grindstone of Accounts Payables for me. What are you up to this fine Friday evening, nightly acne treatments or just chillaxing with your homies?

Wow what a beautiful day!

It is an absolutely beautiful day here in St. Louis! The sun is shining through a clear blue sky, warming your skin with excitement while the cool breeze tickles your senses. The only thing you need is a decent pair of sunglasses and you're set!

Driving to work today, I had to fight the urge to just keep going when I arrived at the office parking lot. It's a great day for a drive, that's for sure! Get out and enjoy it if you can. I for one will be stuck admiring the nice day from inside my office, plopped on my butt behind a desk. ***SIGH***

Getting caught up

It feels so good to get caught up on paperwork! I just started a new business (more on that later) and it was surprising to me to see how quickly the receipts piled up! I have worked in accounting for the past 12 years and so I have a clue or two about how to manage the money and keep good track of the expenses & income.

I just created a wonderful spreadsheet that will do all those things for me! All I have to do now, is keep up with the data entry as it happens. Sounds easy enough but for me "Queen Procrastinator" I have a tendency to let things go because I can't do it 100% the way I think in my head it HAS to be done so things go undone largely around me.

Now I have time to do other things! Like shop for allergy bedding or go for a walk along the beach. Wait, I live in Mid America, there are no good beaches here! :)

Back to school?

I've spoken recently about my need to find a new career. I was never one for school much, had a hard time transitioning from private school back into public school which ultimately contributed to the demise of my scholastic career in my Junior year of high school. Sigh...

I do regret not finishing high school even though I did get my G.E.D. about 2 months before I would have graduated. Still, that G.E.D. never offers me an invitation to a class reunion :(

Speaking of higher education, I have dabbled around it a few times. I took a Certified Nurses Assistant course at the local community college and worked in that field for a few short years. Later, I took Accounting 101 at a different branch of the local area community college and finished at the top of my class! Of course, my prior on the job experience in the field added to my success.

Thinking about changing or adding to my current career in the Accounting and Payroll field, I'm not sure how I feel about online business administration degrees. I think I need to do a bit more research. Obvious questions keep popping up in my mind. Having no face to face contact with your instructor seems a bit odd. If you have to ask questions, do you just email? Now we are relying on our skills to communicate our needs or questions via written word as well as interpret a response accordingly. Still, when I have ventured out into the job pool at various times over the past few years, a lack of a degree of some kind was a thorn on my resume. I have known several people who have had great success with online classes! Perhaps I should consider and reconsider my options and take a class or two from an accredited online college. I'll keep you updated!

Blog neglect

This blog is suffering from some SERIOUS neglect. I'm surprised the blog-police haven't been around to arrest me yet!

Sometimes, life gets in the way and before you know it, it's been a week since you've done something you normally do everyday! Many things have gone by the wayside the past few weeks, not just my blog. Things around the house like dishes and straightening up...which all comes before the actual cleaning of anything. It's that busy time of year at my main job right now, tax season!

Soon though, things will begin to move back to a normal pace and I may even be looking for a new place to live. So I won't be as concerned with straightening up as I will with boxing things up! :) Hopefully that will mean I am moving on up. I have a few ideas in mind but for now, I am praying about the situation and waiting on the Lord. It's a big decision to move and it hits me about every 5 or so years. So hopefully wherever I end up this next time, I will be able to stay for a while. Then I will need to start considering some new careers because I won't want to keep working 2 jobs just to keep my head above water, like I do now. If I'm working 2 jobs, it will be to get ahead!! So we'll see. In the meantime, I have several blog posts stewing in my mind so stay tuned!!

Hello, Friday!

What a great day to enjoy a nice tall hot cup of joe! I like mine sweet and creamy, how about you?

This weekend's plans are a mixed bag for me. Saturday I have off work from both jobs but have alot to do at home. Cleaning and much needed laundry and I *need* to work on my yard sale stuff! So there goes Saturday!

Then on Sunday, I have to be up and at my second job at 7 am! Now for those of you who know me, this is going to be a real trick for me, Queen of late nights and late mornings! Then I need to get some rest because Monday and Tuesday I am working from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm at #1 and then 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm at #2! Two days in a row! It's all good though, I need the cash. I really need to start looking for another full time job again, though.

My boss is hounding my mom about her getting a part time job because he can't afford payroll. Well we have more than enough work here to keep us busy beyond full time so...I don't know what to tell him. Our clients just aren't paying us even though we're doing the work! But I digress, that is for another post entirely!

So, working on Sunday morning means, yep you guessed it, NO CHURCH AGAIN! It has been like 2 months or more since I've been to church on Sunday morning. I just can't seem to get there! That's another reason why it sucks that our church only has Sunday morning service. If you have to miss, too bad for you! You'll have to wait a week and hope for the best....don't get me started!

So that's it! My weekend is already spent and it's still Friday! LOL How about you, any plans for fun this weekend?? It's supposed to rain for the next 7 days here in St. Louis, perhaps your part of the world will have better weather for fun!

Time for a new career?

In these harsh economic times, a growing number of people are considering going back to school to learn a new trade. I have considered this option. I have always been interested in forensic science and crime scene investigation. I also have a love of photography so I'm thinking......perhaps a mix of the two?

I really enjoy tv shows such as The First 48, Crime 360 or Forensic Files. I feel like I've learned alot from watching real shows like these over the years but of course there's always more I could learn. We have a client at my work who is a forensic anthropologist and she was telling me about a class that St. Louis University has that I am considering. You don't have to be employed in the field to take the class, which is nice. Not 100% sure I can afford the class, it's $850 but I can make payments on it until it's paid for.

The class is called 'Medicolegal Death Investigators Training Course'. It's a 1 week course offered only 3 times a year that covers 29 topics of study ranging from 'Are you sure it's a natural death?' to 'Identification techniques' to 'SIDS' and more! I am really considering taking this class...I mean, it's not like I'm capable of creating a new wonder acne treatment that will make millions! I certainly don't like hearing my boss say it's time to close the office because he's out of money...again! I need a little better stability and there will always be crime! How about you, considering education for a new career?

Vacation time dreaming

Every time the weather goes from dreary and drab wintery overcast clouds to bright and warm springy blue skies...I want to get out of Dodge! I always want to take a vacation and go see the world and get out of this office! Ugh...

This has been one drawback of working for a business that prepares tax returns, as soon as the weather is getting nicer, that is when we have to work the most hours! Although I am not directly involved in the tax preparations much around here these past few years, I still can't take any time off until after the April 15th tax deadline because I need to be here to do my job since my boss doesn't have enough time to get done what he has to do, much less having time for my work, too.

So, until then, there will be no flight plans, no road trips, no days in the sun at all!! Ok, I'll stop crying in my soup for now...I'm just satisfied to still have a job in this economy!!

Blow me away!

What is the deal with the wind in St. Louis today? We've had clients coming in all day and the wind just about rips the glass door to our office right out of their hands! According to the weather.com website, the gusts have gone up to 34 mph, but it seems like more than that. If it keeps on, it will blow all the mulberries off of the Mulberry trees!!! Even the street signs are wobbling back and forth.

Great news!!!

No, I didn't discover a new acne treatment, I got hired!!!!

I applied for a concierge position at a high end retirement community center in a high end part of town and the manager called me just now to let me know I'm hired! I love the older generation, they rock!

The first thing I need to do is get trained and then I'll be all set to fill in as the other employees may need me to on the weekends. I'm excited, it pays better than I expected/hoped and if I pick up even 1 shift a week, I'm looking at almost $300 a month! Woot!

Now I just need everyone to pray I can pick up atleast 1 shift a week. If so, I'm gonna be able to quickly pay off my debt. Bye bye credit cards!!! Praise the Lord!

It's that time of year again

The past couple of days here in St. Louis have been fantastic! It's that wonderful time of year when it's not hot and it's not cold in any way. The sun is shining bright and the sky is a fantastic azure blue with only the slightest hindrance of clouds to block the sun's bountiful rays! The breeze that is neutral in temperature moves life along it's course. It's perfect!

It's that time of year when you are pretty sure your swimsuit has made it's last trip out of the drawer for a while but you're not *quite* ready to dig out your jackets yet. It's days like these I wish I had an outdoor job. To be clear, it's ONLY days like these I wish that!! I hope you have great weather where you are too and are able to venture out into it for a while before it's gone.

4 Day weekend ahead, yippee!

It's time for some of us to put away our work filled Zero Halliburton briefcases and pack a holiday bag for a 4 day weekend, yahoo!!!!

Most people only have a 3 day weekend coming up but I chose to use a vacation day on Friday giving me 4 days off in a row, nice! I have plans to visit my cousin and her baby on Friday, not sure about Sat., Sunday is our 5th Sunday dinner after church and then no plans on Monday! It sounds boring but honestly, I need some sleep, so bring it on!

Although, I do wish I could have planned a fun short trip *somewhere*. How about you? Any fun plans this holiday weekend?

"Although your qualifications are excellent...

I feel that they do not match the job position's requirements closely enough." This was part of an email I received today from the Controller of the position I interviewed for last Thursday. Needless to say, I am very disappointed. I even re-read the original job description and from what we talked about during the interview, I was a perfect fit for the position. Perhaps I didn't portray that well in the interview? Ugh...

Well, if this isn't the right position for me, I have faith that God will show me the way and lead me in the direction that is best for my life. So I can only look up from here, right! Maybe I needed this interviewing practice for the next time, or the next-next time...We'll see! Thank you everyone who prayed for me during this process...looks like I may be asking for more again later!

Today's job interview - an update!

I'm excited, I really think it went well! The lady was very nice, she would be the person I would be working directly under, so that's good. The interview lasted almost an hour with no awkward empty or quiet moments. I really hope it went as well for her as it did for me!

I didn't have any issues with her questions except for one. I never know how to answer this when I'm put on the spot, I suppose I should have given it some forethought knowing it's usually a common interview question...."Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" The first thought that pops into my head is always, "Duh, employed!" LOL I don't suppose I had a very interesting answer to that one. Perhaps I can think of a better answer and write it down and *if* I get called back for a second interview, I can address it again. Some other questions that she asked me and I believe I answered very well were:

1. Why am I leaving my current job?
2. On a scale of 1-10 (1 being the least and 10 being the highest), how organized would I say I am?
3. Do I balance my own checkbook?
4. Do I pay my own bills?
5. How has your employer benefited from hiring me?
6. How do I handle when other people make mistakes?
7. What do I think about making and/or having friends at work?
8. Which type of supervision do I prefer, hands on or at arms length?

She told me they will be interviewing 11 people and this is a brand new position they are creating. Their HR person is going on maternity leave and an outside consulting firm told them to get an assistant to lighten the load on her, especially while the HR lady is out. It is a permanent position, so don't worry about that. They are conducting the first round of interviews Thursday, Friday and on Monday. Then they will call people back on Tuesday for the 2nd interview which will be a panel of 3 or 4 people. I actually had a suggestion for her to ask the other applicants, "How do you handle someone telling you about a mistake you made?" She agreed it was a great question and I saw her writing it down :-)

I'm excited! I was really worried that I would go there and find out that the job would be too big for me, but according to what she told me about the duties, it sounds right up my alley! So be praying for me that I will get a call back, if it's the Lord's will, of course! I am going to go research 'Thank you' notes so I can put one in the mail to her today! Thanks everybody, keep me in your prayers!!!!

I have a job interview!

I'm trying not to get too excited here. I do believe the job is a little more demanding than I can commit to but I'm so excited for the opportunity to interview! I have had my resume on Monster since like January this year and this is the first interview I've gone on!

I get emails from time to time for various open positions in my field and I have applied for some of them as they came along. Typically I've found I don't qualify for one reason or another. This one is for a major leader in their industry. The name is synonymous with industrial and construction type equipment...a hint...it's a man's nickname and a domesticated animal....that's all you get!

No more lounging around this office daydreaming about buying a house and new appliances and maybe some teak outdoor furniture to relax on, it's time to get busy and make it happen! I applied for another job today, just to keep at the process. I do not expect to get the first job that comes along, not putting all of my hopes in one position. I am praying the Lord will help me along and guide me towards His plan for me. I'll keep you informed!

Thoughts of another time and place

I'm at work, like so many of you are too. I know, yucko, right? Well, I'm working at my desk but not on my computer so the screen saver starts up. The current screen saver on this computer is set to randomly display photos from a given file, which I have chosen my "European Vacation 07" file.

Watching these random photos of such vast array is very entertaining! I sit here with a child like grin, in anticipation of what photo will pop up next! My mind races from England to Italy to Wales!!! I mean, I've stayed in a Vegas hotel before, but hello, we're talkin' Ruthin Castle in Denbigshire, Wales and our airy apartment in Florence Italy here! My thoughts are definitely floating in another time and other places this afternoon!

The job search goes on

I had a meeting at 7:30 this morning with recruiter #3. This man was very nice, very informative and helpful. He had some great suggestions for my resume, which he said already looked really attractive. Yay!

He also mentioned that the market for job openings in my field here in St. Louis right now is on the small side and informed me that with the upcoming Macy's headquarters closure, there will soon be 100's more in my line of work being added to the qualified pool of applicants. This could be bad... I'd love to find something suitable before that happens.

Who knows, I may end up staying here a little longer. Hopefully not for long or I'll never be able to get out of debt. Guess who looks down on bad credit and low income.....mortgage lenders, that's who! I'll be 60 before I can get a house! Ugh...

I shall not worry. I know the Lord has a plan for me. If He wants me to stay here and fix my finances, I will. It's not impossible. And I won't complain because at least, like my brother mentioned, I still have a job! Of course, my boss is supposedly putting the word out to find someone to replace me....

No, I won't fret! I'm letting it go.....I'll keep you informed!

Give Me Five Monday Meme #13

Monday, February 11, 2008

The 'Give Me Five' Monday meme is designed to share fun information with each other in a simple short list! Here's how it works. Each week, I will put out a random topic from my list of topics and you share 5 answers of your choice on the given topic and link back here! You can add photos, links or stories or just a simple list of your own of 5 things that relate to the topic as it pertains to you and your life experiences. It doesn't have to be in any order of importance unless otherwise specified.
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Give Me Five hints, tips, tricks, advice or any other stories related to resumes or succeeding in the great job hunt!

I have decided to attempt an upgrade!! No, I won't be heading out to my local discount furniture store to upgrade my abode, a career upgrade!!! So I need all the advice I can get!


1. Monster.com-I am still new to this one. I threw on a resume there a week ago and so far have received 2 phone calls from it. They were both from local agencies who can help place me, so I'm happy about that! Give it a try, can't hurt anything!


2. Do some research online for how to build a great resume. I still need to work on that one. If it has been a while since you have tended to your resume, might I suggest getting it out, dusting it off and updating it? I can't believe how much I have forgotten about where I've worked and such from before...I wish I would have kept better records from back then.


3. It's ok to be nervous on an interview, that's just natural! Try not to let your emotions and nerves overrule the point of your interview, which is to turn on your professional ad so they can get a feel for who you are as an employee. I once had an interview that went so badly, the man actually told people at his office I "had no skills." Duh, I was so emotional and nervous, I forgot to even tell him about my qualifications for the position!!


4. Don't apply for jobs you don't want. Ok, I know what you are thinking...this sounds silly, but when I was young, I kept thinking, "Gosh, I really hate working at fast food and this and that." Well, why would I go apply there then? I am really happy to have a Monday through Friday job and working on a weekend brings extra compensation...as it should be!


5. Last but not least, pray about all of it! Give your anxiety and worries about the job hunt to Him and He will take care of you. I have faith that God will lead me to the position where I should go. He knows my wants and my needs and better than that, He knows my future and where I am going! I have every faith in Him to get me to the places I need to go and I will be blessed because I know it is right when I get there. No worries!!!

I Peter 5:7 "Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you!"Give Me Five Participants

1. Comedy Plus 2. Misty Dawn 3. Mom Knows Everything 4. The Gal Herself

5. Kwizgiver 6. Penny Lane 7. forgetfulone 8. Tamy ~ 3 Sides of Crazy ~

9. Bethany 10. Karlana

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Thinking Thursday

After receiving my W-2 for 2007, I realized that my income (box 1) has gone down for the 3rd year in a row. I haven't gotten a raise in about 4 years and I am quickly finding myself in the same position I was a few short years ago when I came to the conclusion of filing bankruptcy. All of my bills are getting paid, sorta, but there's no money left over for food and gas not to mention the extras! There will be no Jaeger watches to give on Valentine's Day from me! My mother's birthday is next week and I won't even be able to celebrate it with her. Enough is enough.

I took the suggestion of my dear darling cousin to put a resume on Monster.com just to see what's out there and if anyone seems interested. That was Sunday. On Wednesday I received 2 different calls from local agencies to inquire. The first one is an agency I am familiar with and is a commonly accepted company. The second one is an agency hired to find employees in the accounting and financial world only. I had a meeting with them today and they are waiting to hear from me but already have 2 positions I would basically qualify for...one of which doesn't sound too shabby, actually. So this is what I'm thinking on Thursday.