Yesterday was my first week back to work after having been laid off and out of work for one week. One week is a blessing, some folks are out of work for months or even years; so, I’m definitely not complaining.
I was actually a little nervous/excited about going back. I’m working in the dame building, but with a completely different group of people so in reality it’s not much different than going to a completely new place except in this case I know where all the toilets are located. I got in at 8:00 and called a friend (Brenda) to help me carry in all of my junk. As you may recall from my cubicle posts (one and two), I like to have a lot of personal items around. I didn’t bring back everything; in fact, I threw some things out and just kept the items I liked the best or that meant the most.
After getting a new badge with the same terrible photo as before (I was really hoping for a new photo), my new boss was called to come collect me and show me where I would be sitting. I was most nervous about my new office location because in all my years of working, I’ve never had to share a spot with anyone. Well, now that I think about it, when I was a GA and intern I did, but since then I have not and I really prefer it that way. However, in the new division for which I’m working, I know a lot of people share cubicles and that had me worried. Thankfully, luckily, however you want to look at it, I was blessed to be placed in an empty cubicle and do not have to share with anyone. I sure hope it stays that way for a long, long time.
I spent the first hour or so cleaning up the cubicle which apparently has been empty for a while because it was quite dusty. Brenda brought my box ‘o things over and I set it all up and it looks quite like a home away from home. The rest of the morning was spent meeting people, asking a few questions, and having IT come and set me up with a temporary computer, which wouldn’t accept my password late in the day, let’s hope it works when I get in this morning. The rest of my time I spent reading through less than interesting procedures and processes and trying to stay awake. A lot of what I read I was familiar with, but this division does things a lot differently than what I am used to so there will be a bit of a learning curve.
Overall, it was a good day and I feel truly blessed to have been given this opportunity when so many people are still without work. Keep those folks in your prayers. Hope everyone has a really great Tuesday!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Alabama Homecoming 2011
Me and Justin on the porch of the Theta house,
where we have spent many hours of our life.
This past Saturday my brother Justin and I went to the Alabama vs. Vanderbilt game and we had a really good time if I do say so myself.
We left Huntsville at noon and headed south to Tuscaloosa, arriving about 2:45. We parked in a free parking spot which is at least one mile, maybe two from the stadium and started walking. On our walk, we stopped off at a convenient store so I could get some Tylenol for a headache that I felt coming on, and with the heat, I knew it wouldn’t subside any time soon. In fact, I still have a remnant of it now as I type (on Sunday night).
We then made a beeline for the Kappa Alpha Theta house and a lunch. On the way down, I told Justin how much I hoped they would be serving what we know as the Theta Meal, fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes and rolls. Since it was homecoming weekend, I had a pretty good feeling that the Theta Meal would indeed me the menu for the day and when we walked in the door and smelled the fried chicken, I could have burst in to tears from excitement. It was my favorite meal in college and no doubt the reason I gained some weight. I loaded up my plate and took in all the deliciousness that Terry and the rest of the kitchen staff had prepared and ate way too much, but it was so darn good.
The Theta Meal - So Good!
Justin enjoying a glass of sweet tea!
Speaking of Terry, he has worked at the Theta house since I was in school and is such a nice guy! He always remembers my name and has gone from being a skinny young boy to a grown man. His house was destroyed in the Tuscaloosa tornado back in April but all of his family is safe and I am so thankful for that. As he told Justin and I on Saturday, they build houses everyday but you can’t rebuild a life.
After stuffing our faces, we lingered on the front porch until the band came by on their way to the stadium, after which, we made our way inside. I took a bathroom break (imagine that) before the game got started and made it to my seat in time for the teams to come out on the field.
The band coming by the Theta house
The game was good, of course, as Alabama won and we had a nice time together. In the third quarter I got a stadium dog and Justin tracked down a guy to get me a bottled Diet Coke, which after taking the first sip I realized was expired. I have really got to start looking at the date first.
After the game was over, we made the trek back to the car which took us about 30 minutes to walk. We got back to Huntsville around 12:30 a.m. or so and I made it home by 1:00 a.m. A big thanks to my granddad, Bill, for giving us the tickets and for letting The Tide out for a bathroom break while we were gone, and a big thank you to my baby brother for letting me join him on a fun day.
Before Kick Off
Justin, enjoying the game
Justin on the porch of the Theta house
Sister and Brother at the game
Friday, October 7, 2011
Last Day of Leisure
Happy Friday, folks! Today is my last day of living in the lap of luxury. I will be starting my new job on Monday and I am really looking forward to it as I am about to go stir crazy here at home. I’ve been out to lunch with my Aunt Linda and Jackie and today am going to lunch with my friend Pat but other than that and going to the gym, I haven’t gotten out much and there’s only so much laying around a girl can do. So, I’m looking forward to Monday and getting back into a daily routine. Thanks once again for your prayers, I feel truly blessed to have been awarded a new job so quickly.
I wish I had something really exciting to tell you about, but as I said, there hasn’t been much going on this week in the form of excitement. I’ve spent the week reading the third book in the Stieg Larssen series and still have quite a way to go (it’s the longest one), watching TV, and that’s really about it.
Tonight I head out to Randolph for their game against Plainview which will most likely be a massacre. I’m praying that it will be a running game so the game will go by somewhat quickly. I thought their concession stand wasn't the greatest, you may remember from last year, but I did remember that I changed my mind a bit on the second trip there because they have Five Guys burgers and so I’ll be munching on one of those for dinner.
Tomorrow Justin and I are headed to Tuscaloosa for Alabama’s game against Vanderbilt. It’s homecoming so undoubtedly I will run into someone I have no desire to speak with but will grin and bear it. The temperature for Saturday is predicted to be 86, which means closer to 100 with a heat index of 127. I swear, Tuscaloosa is the hottest city on earth. I hope to not get as hot and close to passing out as I did at the Penn State game last year, but I’m not making any promises. Thankfully, the game starts at 6:00 so once the sun goes down the heat index will probably break to a cool 97. I’m not even joking here people, Tuscaloosa is always so stinkin’ hot. I don’t get it. I’m sure we will have a good time and my mouth is already watering just thinking about one of those Bryant Denny dogs! Love ‘em.
Well, that’s about it for today I guess. Sorry it wasn’t more interesting. I’m about to head out for morning spin class and then I’m going to hose down my car which has so much sap on it right now that one of my windshield wipers won’t work. I will be so glad when that Hackberry tree in my front yard sheds its leaves and stops sapping everywhere. A word to the wise, do not ever plant a Hackberry tree. I hope everyone has a great weekend, and I’ll be back on Monday.
I wish I had something really exciting to tell you about, but as I said, there hasn’t been much going on this week in the form of excitement. I’ve spent the week reading the third book in the Stieg Larssen series and still have quite a way to go (it’s the longest one), watching TV, and that’s really about it.
Tonight I head out to Randolph for their game against Plainview which will most likely be a massacre. I’m praying that it will be a running game so the game will go by somewhat quickly. I thought their concession stand wasn't the greatest, you may remember from last year, but I did remember that I changed my mind a bit on the second trip there because they have Five Guys burgers and so I’ll be munching on one of those for dinner.
Tomorrow Justin and I are headed to Tuscaloosa for Alabama’s game against Vanderbilt. It’s homecoming so undoubtedly I will run into someone I have no desire to speak with but will grin and bear it. The temperature for Saturday is predicted to be 86, which means closer to 100 with a heat index of 127. I swear, Tuscaloosa is the hottest city on earth. I hope to not get as hot and close to passing out as I did at the Penn State game last year, but I’m not making any promises. Thankfully, the game starts at 6:00 so once the sun goes down the heat index will probably break to a cool 97. I’m not even joking here people, Tuscaloosa is always so stinkin’ hot. I don’t get it. I’m sure we will have a good time and my mouth is already watering just thinking about one of those Bryant Denny dogs! Love ‘em.
Well, that’s about it for today I guess. Sorry it wasn’t more interesting. I’m about to head out for morning spin class and then I’m going to hose down my car which has so much sap on it right now that one of my windshield wipers won’t work. I will be so glad when that Hackberry tree in my front yard sheds its leaves and stops sapping everywhere. A word to the wise, do not ever plant a Hackberry tree. I hope everyone has a great weekend, and I’ll be back on Monday.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Happy Tummy – A Review
Have you Huntsvillians heard of Happy Tummy? It’s a restaurant/sandwich shop located inside Lowe Mill (or Lowell Mill if you are Jackie and her cousin Scott). A while back Living Social had a Happy Tummy offer and I took them up on it and grabbed some food from there one Saturday afternoon. The food was great and then Groupon had an offer for Happy Tummy a month or so ago and I bought one of those. Jackie and I ate there yesterday using my Groupon and I wanted to tell you a little bit about it in case you are interested in stopping by sometime.
Jackie came by a little before 11:30 and we headed out to Happy Tummy only to discover they don’t open until noon and considering I live about seven minutes from Lowe Mill, we had a little time on our hands and so we decided to stop by Ayers Market and check out the pumpkins and other items. We each made a purchase and then drove back on over to Happy Tummy. There were quite a few people waiting for the doors to open, which is always a good sign that a place is well liked.
Jackie opted for the Salmon Burger which she had had once before and I got the Diablito sandwich which had turkey, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeno cream cheese and was on toasted jalapeno cheddar Fred Bread. Fred Bread is made in Huntsville and sold and various places in town in case you didn’t know.
Both of our sandwiches were really great as was the one I had gotten the first time I went which was a wrap of some sort. The sandwiches come with chips as well and there are a variety of drinks available to quench your thirst. Jackie and I got a bottled water, a Diet Coke, two sandwiches and two bags of chips and our total was $13.50. My Groupon was for $12 so we had to fork over $1.50; we both thought the prices were quite reasonable and well worth the money as everything at Happy Tummy is made with fresh ingredients and very yummy – it makes for a happy tummy indeed.
The next time you are around the Lowe Mill area at lunch time, give Happy Tummy a try. They are open from 12-6 Wednesday – Thursday, 12-8 Friday, and 12-6 on Saturday. To find out more about them, click here.
Jackie came by a little before 11:30 and we headed out to Happy Tummy only to discover they don’t open until noon and considering I live about seven minutes from Lowe Mill, we had a little time on our hands and so we decided to stop by Ayers Market and check out the pumpkins and other items. We each made a purchase and then drove back on over to Happy Tummy. There were quite a few people waiting for the doors to open, which is always a good sign that a place is well liked.
Jackie opted for the Salmon Burger which she had had once before and I got the Diablito sandwich which had turkey, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeno cream cheese and was on toasted jalapeno cheddar Fred Bread. Fred Bread is made in Huntsville and sold and various places in town in case you didn’t know.
Both of our sandwiches were really great as was the one I had gotten the first time I went which was a wrap of some sort. The sandwiches come with chips as well and there are a variety of drinks available to quench your thirst. Jackie and I got a bottled water, a Diet Coke, two sandwiches and two bags of chips and our total was $13.50. My Groupon was for $12 so we had to fork over $1.50; we both thought the prices were quite reasonable and well worth the money as everything at Happy Tummy is made with fresh ingredients and very yummy – it makes for a happy tummy indeed.
The next time you are around the Lowe Mill area at lunch time, give Happy Tummy a try. They are open from 12-6 Wednesday – Thursday, 12-8 Friday, and 12-6 on Saturday. To find out more about them, click here.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Party Time at Pump It Up
This past Sunday was Troy and Ashlyn’s birthday party. He turned nine and she eight the last week of September. Jackie arranged for their birthday party to be at Pump It Up, which is a place that has large inflatables for the kids and adults to bounce around on and it was a lot of fun.
The party started at 2:30 and I got there a little bit after. I wasn’t exactly sure where it was and drove like a granny down Leeman Ferry until I found it. There were kids running around everywhere, but it wasn’t total chaos as one might expect. There was a large inflatable slide, obstacle course type thing and two bounce houses that had basketball goals in them. One of these deflated during the party. I think one of the kids unplugged it when they were running behind it. Needless to say it was kind of strange, but surprisingly didn’t cause a lot of panic as you might expect.
I climbed up and went down the slide a few times and after that someone got the great idea that we should start racing in the obstacle course (there were two sides). So, we spent most of the rest of the afternoon racing kids and adults through the obstacle course. I think we each thought we had injured ourselves at one point or another. Inflatable obstacle courses should be left to children. Those things are tough – in other words, don’t expect to see me on Survivor any time soon.
After the fun with the inflatables, it was time for birthday cake and presents. Troy had a chocolate cake with Harry Potter on it and Ashlyn’s cake was a flower and was white. The chocolate cake was the better of the two this year I think. The kids opened their presents and got lots of nice gifts.
After the opening of the presents, it was time for the party to end. All the children were handed over to their parents and we all went our separate ways. It was a fun afternoon.
The party started at 2:30 and I got there a little bit after. I wasn’t exactly sure where it was and drove like a granny down Leeman Ferry until I found it. There were kids running around everywhere, but it wasn’t total chaos as one might expect. There was a large inflatable slide, obstacle course type thing and two bounce houses that had basketball goals in them. One of these deflated during the party. I think one of the kids unplugged it when they were running behind it. Needless to say it was kind of strange, but surprisingly didn’t cause a lot of panic as you might expect.
I climbed up and went down the slide a few times and after that someone got the great idea that we should start racing in the obstacle course (there were two sides). So, we spent most of the rest of the afternoon racing kids and adults through the obstacle course. I think we each thought we had injured ourselves at one point or another. Inflatable obstacle courses should be left to children. Those things are tough – in other words, don’t expect to see me on Survivor any time soon.
After the fun with the inflatables, it was time for birthday cake and presents. Troy had a chocolate cake with Harry Potter on it and Ashlyn’s cake was a flower and was white. The chocolate cake was the better of the two this year I think. The kids opened their presents and got lots of nice gifts.
After the opening of the presents, it was time for the party to end. All the children were handed over to their parents and we all went our separate ways. It was a fun afternoon.
Ashlyn's Cake
Troy's Cake
The deflating bounce house
Tim and Dalton playing air hockey
Jackie and Jan about to race the obstacle course.
The birthday girl
The birthday boy
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Back In The Saddle
I know some of you are probably wondering how things went yesterday and so today I’ll give you another update and then tomorrow we will move on to a fun topic – Troy and Ashlyn’s birthday party.
Yesterday morning I had my interview with the other division at the company from which I was laid off. The interview lasted only about 15 minutes and was basically just a brief formality as I was offered the job during the interview. HR got in touch with me later in the day to give me all the details and I formally accepted the job. HR and I are in the process of completing all the paperwork and what have you and once that is all complete, I will be able to start work. It may be as soon as Thursday or it may be next week depending on how long it takes everything to work out.
So, today and tomorrow I’m going to enjoy a few days off. I’m having lunch with my Aunt Linda today and afterwards plan to come home and decorate for Halloween. That was actually my plan for yesterday but I was lazy and didn’t get it done. Tomorrow I am having lunch with my dad. I plan to clear out the DVR and do some reading as well. Basically, I’m just going to do a lot of nothing in particular without the stress of worrying about a job.
I wanted to send a big THANK YOU to all of you who remembered me in your prayers during the past few days. It really meant a lot to me to know you were praying on my behalf. Thanks also for your kind comments. The Lord really does work in mysterious ways and I am very pleased with how things have worked out in this situation. The economy in our great country continues to decline and I feel very blessed and fortunate to have been awarded this opportunity. Thanks again for everything !
Yesterday morning I had my interview with the other division at the company from which I was laid off. The interview lasted only about 15 minutes and was basically just a brief formality as I was offered the job during the interview. HR got in touch with me later in the day to give me all the details and I formally accepted the job. HR and I are in the process of completing all the paperwork and what have you and once that is all complete, I will be able to start work. It may be as soon as Thursday or it may be next week depending on how long it takes everything to work out.
So, today and tomorrow I’m going to enjoy a few days off. I’m having lunch with my Aunt Linda today and afterwards plan to come home and decorate for Halloween. That was actually my plan for yesterday but I was lazy and didn’t get it done. Tomorrow I am having lunch with my dad. I plan to clear out the DVR and do some reading as well. Basically, I’m just going to do a lot of nothing in particular without the stress of worrying about a job.
I wanted to send a big THANK YOU to all of you who remembered me in your prayers during the past few days. It really meant a lot to me to know you were praying on my behalf. Thanks also for your kind comments. The Lord really does work in mysterious ways and I am very pleased with how things have worked out in this situation. The economy in our great country continues to decline and I feel very blessed and fortunate to have been awarded this opportunity. Thanks again for everything !
Monday, October 3, 2011
Monday Morning Update
Hi readers! Hope everyone is doing well this Monday morning and enjoyed the weekend of cool fall weather. I thought I would give you all an update on the events from Friday and let you know how I am doing.
Layoffs had been rumored for a couple of weeks and I felt pretty confident that I would be one of the people to be let go this time. Work has been really slow for a while and while I always get paranoid that I will be let go during a layoff, this time I had an overwhelming feeling that it would be me and obviously I was right.
I got into work around 7:15 and by 7:45 I was given the news, packed up my things and was out the door by 8:15; a quick morning to say the least. I spent the rest of the day emailing people about being a reference for me, applying for jobs and talking to recruiters. For some strange reason I am not yet worried, although maybe I should be.
I have been praying for a long time that the Lord would bless me with the privilege of keeping my job for as long as I need it and the way I see, the Lord is telling me I don’t need that particular job anymore. Obviously, I need a job, just not that one. So, I feel like my faith has given me a sense of calm that I haven’t had in the past when I’ve been in this situation.
On a positive note, the company from which I was laid off has given me an opportunity to interview for another position in a different division. The position is a lower one than the position I was just in, but if I am offered the position, I will definitely take it because unfortunately my bills don’t stop just because I am without employment, and as I’m sure you may have guessed, with my trip to France, repairs on my car, dental work, and a home repair all in this calendar year, my savings account has been drained.
I’ve also been asked about doing some baking by a friend of Jackie’s mom Jan. (Thanks, Christa!) I hope to take her up on the offer and hopefully I can make a little money doing that. I’m still writing for the newspaper as well, which is not much, but still something.
So, I ask for your continued prayers as I go for my interview this morning and if that’s not what God has in mind for me, then I ask for your prayers that the Lord will bless me with new employment quickly because I think we all know there are few jobs out there and a lot of people who need them.
Matthew 6:25-34 tell us, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Very comforting verses in this time of uncertainty. I know that I am more valuable than the birds of the air and as long as I put my trust in God, everything will turn out okay.
Thanks for your continued prayers and I will keep you posted on how things are going. Have a great Monday!
Layoffs had been rumored for a couple of weeks and I felt pretty confident that I would be one of the people to be let go this time. Work has been really slow for a while and while I always get paranoid that I will be let go during a layoff, this time I had an overwhelming feeling that it would be me and obviously I was right.
I got into work around 7:15 and by 7:45 I was given the news, packed up my things and was out the door by 8:15; a quick morning to say the least. I spent the rest of the day emailing people about being a reference for me, applying for jobs and talking to recruiters. For some strange reason I am not yet worried, although maybe I should be.
I have been praying for a long time that the Lord would bless me with the privilege of keeping my job for as long as I need it and the way I see, the Lord is telling me I don’t need that particular job anymore. Obviously, I need a job, just not that one. So, I feel like my faith has given me a sense of calm that I haven’t had in the past when I’ve been in this situation.
On a positive note, the company from which I was laid off has given me an opportunity to interview for another position in a different division. The position is a lower one than the position I was just in, but if I am offered the position, I will definitely take it because unfortunately my bills don’t stop just because I am without employment, and as I’m sure you may have guessed, with my trip to France, repairs on my car, dental work, and a home repair all in this calendar year, my savings account has been drained.
I’ve also been asked about doing some baking by a friend of Jackie’s mom Jan. (Thanks, Christa!) I hope to take her up on the offer and hopefully I can make a little money doing that. I’m still writing for the newspaper as well, which is not much, but still something.
So, I ask for your continued prayers as I go for my interview this morning and if that’s not what God has in mind for me, then I ask for your prayers that the Lord will bless me with new employment quickly because I think we all know there are few jobs out there and a lot of people who need them.
Matthew 6:25-34 tell us, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Very comforting verses in this time of uncertainty. I know that I am more valuable than the birds of the air and as long as I put my trust in God, everything will turn out okay.
Thanks for your continued prayers and I will keep you posted on how things are going. Have a great Monday!
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