In the Immortal Words of Alice Cooper....

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!!!!! I really think my girls really needed the 3 month break. The last few weeks of school they were impossible to get out of bed. They wouldn't do homework or anything. All they wanted to do was hang out with friends. The last day was Thursday. Tori had to be up at 7 am on Friday for graduation rehearsal (she is in the choir, not graduating until next year).

One of the things I am looking forward to is getting to work earlier. I know, that sounds weird, but it makes me feel good to get to work on time. Plus, I really want to be kept on when my 90 day probationary period is up in July. I know I was whining about driving to American Falls, working so far away from the girls, it wasn't an IT job, yada, yada, yada. But, I really enjoy it there. I fit in personality wise, I am catching on quickly, I am making small changes that are being accepted, and some of my computer skills are being utilized. I am even learning a lot about agriculture. That is a much slower process.

So all in all I am feeling pretty good. I will get used to the drive, the girls will get used to the schedule, and my bosses are more flexible than I thought they would be. Plus, I am finally getting my finances in order. That is the biggest thing. I am finally able to pay my bills by myself. I haven't been able to do that for 3 years!

I will check back in as the summer progresses to update on the "boredom" the girls will experience this summer. That's just the standard word I hear all summer long.

Where is my free time?

I just realized that it's been almost a whole month since my last post. I guess that's what I get for landing a full time job finally. If I thought life was busy with 3 kids and all of their stuff, I forgot just how busy it was when I worked full time. I am basically going full tilt boogie from about 5 am until 10 pm or later every single day. Now I am only counting the time I spend working, driving to work, and driving kids around. Well, I guess we could include housework, laundry, church, and a little down time in that span. However there was no accounting for extras like concerts at school (choir or band), out of town bowling tournaments, plays, or other performances. I can easily say that I am plumb wore out!!!

So Kat and I had fun at the two bowling tournaments. In Filer, her team of 4 placed first in her division. We have no idea how she did at Pepsi, but she bowls more for the fun of it. She considers tourneys just more practice time, and a chance to meet new kids from around the state.

Oh, more good news! After 3 1/2 months of unemployment, my ex husband got another job. And on the same week that I started my new job full time. I found that to be a little creepy. So, if all goes smoothly, I should start receiving child support payments again in June. When God blesses with money, He really lets it pour!!!

I think I have run out of things to say for now. If I think of any more fun news I will share. Happy Monday!!

Quite the Fun Month

I know I put the work "month" in the title, but this is really about last weekend, this week, and the weekends to come.

I finished my assignment at the tax prep place on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday, I took vacation. Yes, vacation. I stayed home, puttered around the house, and prepared myself for starting the job in American Falls full time this week. It was a productive time off from life. I haven't had a vacation in a long time. And, no, I don't consider the 2 months between graduation and getting a job a vacation.

On Saturday Kat and I left for Twin Falls. She had a bowling tournament in Filer. Or so we thought. All of the paperwork we got from the Bowling Association said she bowled on the 18th and 19th. When we got to the bowling alley, we were told that her dates were the 25th and 26th. Yes, it's true. We drove to Twin Falls and back in 6 hours time. So, we stopped by the hotel, changed our reservations to next weekend, went to dinner, and drove home. Sort of a wasted day, but Kat and I had fun, scoped out stuff we would like to do next weekend (I have to find the falls), and had some good conversations.

Since I was supposed to be out of town this weekend, I skipped church yesterday. I know, bad girl. But it felt good. Not that I dread church each week. I love it!!! I am pumped each week to see what God is going to do! What felt good was having a day where I didn't have to leave the house, or even get out of my jammies all day long. And, I wore my jammy pants all day!!!

So, I will work full time at the new job all week. On Saturday, Kat and I will once again forray into the Magic Valley to bowl. I will once again skip church (but this time I will actually be out of town). Then the weekend after that, Kat and I will go to Boise for another tourney.

LIfe is good!

New Month, New Job

The month of April has brought several new beginnings. My birthday was on Friday, I had a family party on Sunday, and started my new job yesterday. And, it is finally acting like spring outside.

My birthday on Friday was rather uneventful. I worked, took kids to rehearsal and sleepovers, then watched a movie, relaxed, and went to bed early. I had to work on Saturday, so the family birthday party had to be on Sunday. We had ribs and cheesecake, then presents. I got tickets to Jeff Dunham later this month, the entire first season of ER, and some cool bright red sneakers with Mickey Mouse on them. Good birthday!

Yesterday I started my new job. I am the payroll processor for Funk Farms in American Falls. The drive isn't bad, and the people are really nice. I have even been asked for networking advice, and called the "network administrator." Not bad for a first day. I was also told to set up my payroll processes the way I am comfortable with. I am excited for where this job will lead, and exited to do new things.

Easter this weekend, I get 2 vacation days at the end of next week, then full time at the farm (that just sounds so funny!). Yep, life is good.

Job Hunt Over!!!

So I got some good news on Thursday. I was given an offer for the job I interviewed for on Monday. I will be working for the temp agency for 90 days, then will go permanent. The pay will be enough for me to survive, and I am no longer worried about the commute. My only concern right now is how the girls will react to this new job. I will no longer be available to pop out of work and run them here, take the paper they forgot to grab, etc. And, my mom won't do that either.

So a little bit about the new job. I will be the bookkeeper for a large farm in American Falls, which is a small town about 25 miles from Pocatello. I will be in charge of payroll, including all of the reports that need to be done. I will also process financial statements and budget reports. I am not sure if I will be doing Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable, but I can do it if needed.

Now, for those of you who are wondering why I am settling for something outside of my field. First of all, I needed a job!!! Second, the people who interviewed me were very interested in my computer skills. I will be able to utilize my skills in that area on occasion. And, you never know where it will lead.

So I have done the happy dance, figured the income level, getting ready to figure out the new and improved budget, and start saving. I set up direct deposit at the temp agency. Since I will be working in American Falls, I will not have time to pick up my checks on Fridays, so I set it up to make sure my paychecks are taken care of. Now all I have to do is get teh car serviced before I start the daily commute. All this one week before my birthday. WOO HOO!!!!!

I had a job interview yesterday. It was for a bookkeeping position for a large farm in American Falls. If you aren't from Pocatello, American Falls is a small town about 25 miles from Pocatello. I think it went well, but who knows. I talked to my staffing consultant this morning, and she had good feedback from the employer. I won't know anything for a few days.

Now, let me go back to this weekend. I was in total gloom and doom mode over this job. I was convinced that it would be a sucky (is that even a word?) job, with bad pay, and extra mileage on my car. I didn't want this job, I didn't want to interview, blah, blah, blah. I was very whiny about the whole thing.

I am now okay with the whole commute, extra gas expense, etc. I realized that it's the opportunity for a permanent, full time job, with benefits! How long have I been trying to get a permanent job? Why am I being so picky? I am not "all that and a bag of chips." I am just a human being trying to be a productive member of society. I am also not waiting for the perfect IT job. I'm going for the job that is here, now, and available to me. I will not thumb my nose at a job because I think I am above it. I will do all that I can to to provide for my kids, and right now I am the only one who can do that.

So I will wait patiently for this employer to make their decision. If they make me an offer, great! If not, there is another job out there somewhere that is the perfect fit for me.

Once again, It has been a relatively uneventful week. I go to work, pick up and drop off the kids, go to church 2-3 times during the week, and try to force Kat to do her homework. I think I eat too. Most of the time. Sometimes I actually forget. But, my sister (who is pregnant) probably eats enough for both of us right now. My meal schedule has been screwed up recently anyway. I work from 10-3 by myself at the office, so I can't go grab lunch midway through the day. I have gotten down to only about 2 meals a day. I know, that's not good for me. But, that is one thing I don't have control over right now.

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned my job hunt. The listings on the internet are still very few and far between, but the temp agency is keeping me hopping. In the past week they have found 2 opportunities for me. One is in American Falls, and one in Pocatello. The AF one might fall through, but the Pocatello one looks good. I revamped my resume today and got it sent off to the temp agency. I am putting on my best office manager face in anticipation of the potential interview. I just hope this one pans out. The job is right up my alley (not IT, but, hey I'll take it!), good pay, regular hours, etc. So, prayers in that area would be nice.

I'll keep everyone posted on the job thing, and the money thing. But that's it for now.