Job Hunting

Hello Friends! How are you all doing on this Friday the 13th?? It's kind of chilly and dreary here in Nebraska. A bit afraid this is a sign of weather to come -- it is fall after all. We did have some lovely fall days and hoping for more.

My Jenny Craig job ended mid-August. In case you didn't know, Jenny Craig was in the middle of a big re-do and sale that ultimately failed and the company filed for bankruptcy in June! The Jenny C I worked at was a franchise and was able to continue seeing clients and selling food until the end of August. Nutrisystem bought Jenny C and then bought up all the food so there was none to sell. If you never tried it, let me tell you, that it was very good frozen food. In fact, I gave Maddie her favorites so she had a lot in her dorm. That way, she didn't have to cook or run out to get lunch or dinner. Anyway, that was the end of my job. I hated to say goodbye to my clients, who were so kind and sweet. I've been working since I was about 15 years old, so long that it just doesn't feel normal to not work somewhere!

Sooooo, I started a job hunt! I really only wanted a part-time job, so applied for clerical jobs at our local community college, some retail jobs and so on. I had lots of interviews and even second interviews, but ultimately did not receive offers. I guess I have an inflated sense of how well I did as I thought I'd be offered every single one! Nope - didn't happen. I'm guessing that once they saw how old I am, they put a big black X through my application. :( Yes, I am having a bit of a crisis of confidence. I was definitely hoping for one of the openings at Nothing Bundt Cake, a fancy chocolate shop and cookie stores, no such luck.

But, I am working as a substitute para at one of the local Catholic elementary schools. When one of the paras needs a day off, they text me to see if I can sub for them. It's a fine job, but I have not been called on much and I really wanted something with more set weekly hours. I think I worked all of 8 hours in September. However, next week, I am subbing 3 days in a row for 4 hours each time. My responsibilities include taking the first graders out for recess, walking them to the lunchroom and grading papers for the middle school grades. Happily, there is an Answer Key, as it has been a LONG time since I've been in school.

Also looking forward to my and Maddie's seasonal jobs at Von Maur doing gift wrap. It generally starts after Thanksgiving and we both love that job and our coworkers! The 20% discount is pretty nice too! So, that's the story on my job hunt. I need to think of decluttering my house as a job so I will do more of that! Enjoy your weekend!

Happy End of February Update!

Hello Friends!! It's been awhile, hasn't it! Oh my word, I got soooooo far behind. I had been trying to post once in a while, but as we know, that hasn't happened. (I am including some random photos from fall/December to break up the paragraphs as I still haven't figured out this newish blog system!)

I have a few excuses for my absence --- in December, I was working two jobs -- my regular job at Jenny Craig and then also as a gift wrapper at Von Maur. Crazy I know, I set my own schedule for Von Maur and worked way too much - some days working 5 hours at Jenny C and then another 5 or 6 at Von Maur. I was totally confused sometimes as to which day it was and where I was supposed to be working! But, I do love doing the gift wrapping, so even though tiring, it was fun. Miss Maddie also worked there over her break and that's always super to be working with her. We have so many gift wrap friends that it is a treat to go to work.

We went to Zoo Lights at our local zoo - so beautiful and amazing! And COLD!

And then, that darn January came around and it was cold and ugly out and I seemed to hibernate! I do not like the month of January at all. Also, Maddie moved into a new apartment in Omaha. The apartment at her university was fine and in a good location, but the roomie!!! Roomie seemed to believe there was space in the apartment for 3 of them, Maddie, Roomie and Roomie's boyfriend! UGH!!! Not a good situation and so stressful and unfair that M was basically stuck in her bedroom a lot of the time as Roomie and BF were hanging out in the living room. And he was staying over and using their tiny little bathroom and shower! Ewwww -- not good! The whole situation got my blood boiling! Maddie checked and found that the Newman Center (Catholic organization with a dorm in Omaha) had a space open up in January. It is a 4-person suite with 4 private bedrooms, kitchen, living room and 2 bathrooms. One girl moved out over the Christmas break. Maddie nabbed that opening fast! My sister Judy and I moved her over there and we all felt a big sign of relief with some stress floating away with the change. The new girls are super nice and the location is great. Maddie often went to the Newman Center to study and it's perfect that she can be in the study rooms whenever she wants. It's in a very convenient location and only about 10-15 minutes from Maddie's classes. Bonus - Starbucks is around the corner! We are keeping this advice with us into 2023!

Trying to remember this and think positively every day!

Well, I better save some blog material for future posts! Stay tuned friends! I've missed you!!

December Update!

Well, I've had quite a little bloggy break, haven't I!

I had planned (in my  head) to post a lot during 

December, but obviously that did not happen.

So, before the new year starts,

here's a quick update for December!

Maddie turned 18!

She is seriously the sweetest girl ever!

We love her so!

She's working very hard at school this year and

very hard at training Frannie to 

be a good little Doodle-dog.

Maddie and her uke! Look at that big bug on her top!

Maddie and I worked again this year at a lovely store 

(Von Maur) as seasonal gift wrappers!
I also work in the Rickster's office, but can
leave early to get to this other job! :)

It's a fun little job and gets very busy as you might

guess since gift wrap is free - totally free -- and they have very

nice wrapping paper, ribbon and tags.

We really enjoy working with the other gift wrappers!

Plus, working 3-4 hours at a time is generally manageable.

Of course, standing for that long on my poor

old feet got a little tiring.

But it was fun, even though it did put us behind in

our own gift wrapping.

I was slapping post-its on our gifts before our celebrations!

Rickster had surgery.  Yes, again he had a holiday surgery!  

This time, it was due to arthritis in his

hands.  I can't recall the technical procedure name,

but it involved scraping out all the bad arthritis around his thumb 

and putting in a piece of tendon.

He said the doc told him it would be a piece of cake

and not painful.

He LIED!

It's been extremely painful and since it was his

right hand (he's right-handed), it has impacted

everything as he has a large cast/split on

that he finally has removed tomorrow.

He had planned to have the other hand done in a month or two,

but is now re-thinking that plan.

Growing fast (November 2019)

Miss Frannie Doodle continues to grow and be a delight . . . 

most of the time!

Really, she's a great pup and we are enjoying  having her 

in the family.

If you have Instagram and want to 

follow her page, it's @little.frannie.doodle

New Red Sweater for December!

We had a fun Christmas celebration with the family on

Christmas Eve and Christmas.

(Is it bad I have a million photos of Frannie, but none of the family???)

Looking forward to 2020 -- yay for an even-numbered year!

Hey 2020 -- we're looking for good stuff from you!

Happy New Year!!