Happy Happy Joy Joy!

Sorry I've been away folks!  Lots going on with DH's recovery and interviews and a bunch of other random things in life!   This post might be a bit random, so bear with me.

The happy news is some I've been waiting to tell but didn't want to jinx it!  I GOT A JOB!  Finally! 

Can I take a minute and vent about the ridiculous process of drug testing?  Not the testing itself because I could care less about that.  The stupid process of it.  I take a prescription that often shows up in tests.  The logical thing would be to allow said tester to let the testing company know up front that you take XYZ and bring the script info with you.  Well of course they are not logical.  I had a test done on July 20th and only got full results back TODAY.   Basically, they do the test.  If it comes up as positive for certain items (doesn't tell you what it is), they have to re-test it another way which takes longer.  Which is what happened to me.  I spoke with the Medical Officer and he simply took my script info and verified it.  Simple right?  So why can't they do that when you take the test so you don't have to keep re-testing?  Um, okay whatever.   I was told it is to prevent addicts from getting scripts to pass tests.  I did let my new boss know up front about my script so she wasn't taken aback by the wait but still annoying.   *rant over*

Beer tasting at Dublin Irish Festival

So anyway---we have a targeted start date of this Wednesday!  I will be there for 2.5 days since DH and I have a weekend trip to the Dublin Irish Festival!   We have been looking forward to this for months.  I will be sure to get lots of pics of all the fun bands, events and displays.  I've even called ahead for DH so we can get him a wheelchair for the day if he gets to be sore from the crutches.  I'll be wearing my green and even have a great shamrock mug to drink from all day! :)

I also ordered my Annie Sloan Chalk Paint from Classic Wall Finishes.  Hopefully it comes soon so I can start painting next weekend.  I just have to find some new drawer pulls.  Anywhere good to check out online that isn't too expensive?

On a fun note, DH and I saw Cowboys and Aliens on Sunday.  I enjoyed it a lot.  I'm a bit biased though since I love Daniel Craig.  But the movie itself was well done and entertaining and all of the actors were very good.

Jars from Thrifting

Also on Friday I went thrifting with a friend of mine to the Salvation Army store.  We haven't done that in a LONG time.  I came home with some great books (50% off), 3 skirts, a great fitting pair of jeans (for $1.50!) and mason jars to decorate with! 

I still plan on blogging once I start working so hopefully you'll keep reading!

Have a great Monday night!

Making up for lost time.....

 

Happy Tuesday Friends! 

I hope you guys out there in blogland are keeping cool!  It's going to be 90 here with a heat index of 94.  I am not leaving the house unless I have to.  Yesterday DH and I saw Horrible Bosses and it was pretty funny!  I hope I never have a boss that terrible to work for.  Life is hard enough!  

Since I received my unemployment money, I 'repaid' myself back my birthday money that I used to pay bills.   Most of it is going to be saved, but I did to a little damage over the weekend.  My brother and I went to see Harry Potter (Did you see it? What did you think?) and then did a bit of shopping afterwards.  Here's what I got:

Express Dress

After the movie, we stopped at Express to check out their sale and I also had a coupon.  I had seen this dress in a magazine ( I think People Stylewatch) and instantly coveted it.  I love navy and stripes and as my brother pointed out--I can't get enough of them.  I was a bit unsure about how it would look on me though as I normally don't run towards horizontal stripes.  I figured I would at least try it on.  The dress doesn't have stretch and is very comfortable!  I called brother over for his opinion.  If anyone will tell you if something looks like crap on you, it's your family.  He said it looked good and not too short.  SOLD!  I used my coupon and saved $15.   I will probably wear it with a brown belt and sandals. 

MIA Maderiann

I also checked out what Piperlime had on sale.  I have a very old pair of MIA sandals that I've had a few years and have worn them to bits.  These sandals jumped out at me instantly as a replacement.  They showed up this morning and they fit perfectly!  Will be great to wear with everything from jeans to dresses!  And you gotta love the free shipping.  AND they were under $30!  *pats self on back*

Clean Eating magazine

Most of you who know me in real life know that I'm a magazine freak.  I subscribe to at least 6 magazines and I love finding new ones to read.  I had been buying Clean Eating in stores for a while and finally bit the bullet and just subscribed.  Most of their recipes have turned out delicious for me and I save them and always refer back to them.  Even DH likes most of what I've made from there, which is saying something.  It offers many recipes, different foods to try, nutrition info, recipe makeovers, and restaurant reviews.  I try to eat 90% healthy most of the time and if I have some tasty recipes it will make it MUCH easier for me to do it.    I found a wonderful deal for this on BestDealMagazines.com, and I highly recommend them.  Very good prices and services!

TJ Maxx finds

I dragged poor brother all over the place shopping but he was a good sport since he needed a few things as well.  We stopped at TJ Maxx and I found a cute Steve Madden leather belt (to wear with my new dress!) and these cute Ralph Lauren shoes.  I love blue and I love plaid so these were perfect for me and they were on clearance!  

Now my appetite for shopping has been satisfied for the time being.  DH and I agreed that we'll order the Annie Sloan paint after our trip early next month so I can paint our bedroom furniture finally!  I think it will pull the room together so much better! 

Also want to thank everyone for best wishes for DH.  I didn't really post on here on the blog but he had knee surgery on July 8th and has been home with me for the last 2 weeks.  It's been hard for him since he can't drive and can't do anything for himself really.  Probably a blessing in disguise that I have been around to take him to appointments and errands.  We will go back on Friday for the followup and he will hopefully get the okay to drive and go back to work (light duty only).  He is so bored at home.  

Will be posting shortly with one more good news update.  Stay tuned! 

Dance of Joy!

I GOT MY UNEMPLOYMENT MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!    We must do the Dance of Joy!  :)

 

Updates aka Sorry I've been missing!

Wow---did not realize it has been over 2 weeks since I last posted.  Sorry!!! 


I promise I have good reasons.   Here's the gist:

• I'm still looking hard for a job.  Lots of good opportunities out there, just hoping I get the right one.  Lots of interviews, which is good right?

• DH had knee surgery last week and I've been his handmaiden until he is clear to bend his knee and go back to work again.   Also doing a lot of running around to appointments and such for him since he is not allowed to drive.

• I'm not doing a lot any of shopping since I STILL have not received any of my unemployment checks yet.  It has been 7 weeks.  State of PA---do you hear that?????   Get your act together please!

• I've been super lazy with working out because of my erratic schedule (no routine) and lack of motivation.  I know these are excuses.  I have to get my butt back in gear. 

•  I've put home projects (the bedroom furniture painting project for one) on hold due to lack of funds because state of PA can't get their act together.  (Yes I am whining a bit but come on!  I paid into this! Give me mah money!)

So that's it in a nutshell.   Not a super exciting post but I want to keep my little group of readers and followers updated.   I'll have some upcoming posts this weekend and I hope to share some good news with you all! 


Have a great Thursday!  :)

Friday Favorites and updates.....

Happy Friday to everyone!!!   An extra day off to celebrate America's birthday!  Woot!

Sorry that I've been on a little hiatus.  I've been strong on the job hunt and there are some really wonderful opportunities out there.  Just hope one of them is the right one for me! 

Today was an 'off' day for in terms of interviews since many of the prospects I have are on vacation due to the 4th of July.  I sometimes feel that trying to find a job is a job in itself.  And it's not a steady routine for me, which tends to throw me off a bit.  I forget to eat and get wrapped up in my time searching online for positions and emailing and updated resumes.  Poor DH is happy I remember to make dinner!   So anyway--I took this Friday off from job hunting.  I met my BFF and her little boy at South Park for a nice long walk. We went before it go too hot and enjoyed it.  I'm trying to be active during this job hunt and it's so nice to have a friend is free to go with me.   For those of you who are familiar with South Park, I really miss living right by it!   There are so many nice areas to explore and walk and see animals!

South Park

After our walk my BFF took me to a belated birthday lunch. Thank you Sheg!!!   After that it was a trip to the store for some baking items and then back home to get some cleaning done.  Now I have some garlic chicken in the oven and will be baking my Chocolate Chip Toffee Bars for a party tomorrow.   Do you have big plans for this weekend?    DH and I are going to a Christian Klay winery tomorrow for a crab boil.  Then off to a party at friends'.   Hopefully the weather will cooperate! 

Friday Favorites!!! 

Thanks for sticking to the post if you've read this far. I'm STILL waiting for my unemployment funds to come through (next week will start week 6 GRRR), so I'm trying really hard not to shop. I can't imagine being a single parent with NO income, waiting for unemployment for this long! Get your act together PA! *rant over*

As I was saying, I'm trying not to shop. But it's really really really hard for me. However, most of the presents I received from friends and family this year were in the form of cash since they knew I was searching for a job. And I appreciate it. I did buy a few things--but I promise everything was on MAJOR sale and I used said cash for purchase. Here's one of the things I got:

Skirt from Calypso at Target

I had been checking out the Calypso line at Target for a while now but I wanted to wait for a sale. I hardly ever buy anything at full price. I'm a sale hunter. I was actually at Target for a few other things but of course I had to check out the sale racks. I found this skirt and it was the one I had my eye on since I saw it on the website. The only size they had left was a Large, which I figure might be too big but I wanted to try it on anyway. It was a little bit big, but that also made it a bit longer which I did like. I will probably wear it tomorrow to the winery with a bright green tank and sandals. Anything to keep cool as it's supposed to hit 90!

So since I haven't bought much I will share some of my old favorites with you.

Most of you who know me in real life know I change my haircolor frequently. It's been red, blonde, black, brown, blue and pink! But now I alternate between blonde and red. Most people assume I'm a natural redhead if they don't know me. I have the coloring and the ancestry (my dad was a redhead) to pull it off. But everyone knows if you have red haircolor that it's hard to keep it red. Red fades the fastest! So how do you keep it fresh. Use color depositing shampoo.

Conditioner from Sally's

 
This Quantum Riveting Reds Color Refreshing Conditioner is my all time fave color conditioner.  I've tried others, including Artec and Aveda but this one is the best!  I actually use a teeny bit every day and mix with a bit of my reg conditioner.  Once a week I use only this and let it sit on my hair for a while and then rinse out.  It's not heavy at all and really helps keep the red in. Even my stylist commented on it!  And it's a great price too! 

I will make a point to save as much as I can while I'm not working but DH knows not to mess with 2 essentials for me---hair appointments and skincare.  I would not show up to an interview with ratty hair and I've got really annoying problem skin so I won't stop using products that work for me. Everything else is negotiable.

Smoothing Gel from Sage

That being said, I have to give a shout out to my skincare, Sage Skincare.  She's been in business a long time and has worked in the paramedical industry before starting Sage.  I've been using her products since 2000, when I read about her on an online beauty review site.  I started out with a Try Me Pack, which gives you 8 weeks of products for your specific skin type.  Barbara (the owner) will also have you fill out a questionnaire which she will then suggest changes if you have a specific issue.  I started out with the oily/acne prone one and have tweaked my routine in the past few years since I was diagnosed with rosacea.  I emailed Barbara about changing my routine and she replied back within a day with her suggestions.  Even if you don't feel like ordering, her site is filled with great skincare tips, especially for those of us with problem skin. 

I can tell you honestly that these products are the only thing that has kept my skin reasonably clear for the past 10 years.  I strayed one to try a 'natural' oil skincare and it was zit city.  My skin NEEDS the strong stuff. 

This weekend (until July 4th) she is having a 20% off Birthday sale (use the code BIRTHDAY and check website for restrictions).  I am not in any way affiliated with Sage, other than being a loyal customer.  If you do decide to try anything, let me know what you think!!!

Cleanse Your Soul Sugar Scrubs

Last fave for this week:  Cleanse Your Soul.  I'm an e-tailer lover.  Mainly because you can get superior products at prices and scents you really love.  There are so many out there and I feel there are only a few who deliver consistent quality with order after order. Cleanse Your Soul is one of them.  I started ordering from them about 8 years ago after reading about them on Makeup Alley.  Judy was the owner then and she quickly gained a reputation for blending the most wonderful scents!!  I quickly ordered up some of them and have been in love ever since!   Judy recently sold her business to Lisa as her kids were growing older and didn't need her to be at home so much.  Lisa is continuing the tradition of good service and wonderful scents.  And there are a ton of scents to choose from!  From foody to more traditional and then some!

Some of my fave scents:

• Carina (CYS Exclusive) - Rich buttercream blended with vanillas, whipped cream and marshmallow 
• Coconut Cake (CYS Exclusive) - Fresh from the oven coconut cake (I get a lot of compliments on this one!)
• Pink Brulee (CYS Exclusive)- Amazing blend of Pink Sugar and Creme Brulee (A nurse at my doctor's office made me write down the scent and site she liked this so much!)
• Fluffy Pom Pom (CYS Exclusive) - Pomegranates blended with marshmallow cream 
• Coral Sugar - (CYS Exclusive) - Blend of Blood Orange and Pink Sugar. This smells amazing! (This is a best seller)

Some of my fave products (scroll down after clicking on links):

• Perfume--very long last scents and wonderful price
• Goats Milk and Honey Cream:  Very moisturizing but not greasy.  I love matching the scents to the perfumes I order.
• Foaming Sugar Scrub:  I LOVE this product.  It's not greasy or oily and gets you clean and exfoliates gently.  Plus you can get it layered in more than one scent.
• Tarts:  I'm also a home fragrance junkie and I love tarts for making our home smell yummy. These are some of the strongest I've tried!

Lisa also has a sale for the month of July and gives new customers 20% off.  Please click here for more info.   (Again--not affliated with Cleanse Your Soul in any way, just a happy customer!)

Have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend!  And a huge thank you to all of those serving our country right now and the veterans (DH and my grandfather are both veterans) out there who served as well!

M

Sad cat is sad

 I debated about posting this because I want this blog to be positive and not focus on negatives.  However, in life there are disappointments and let downs so I might as well post about that as well.

The job offer I accepted was withdrawn last week, 3 days before I was to start.  WITHDRAWN.  I have no idea what kind of company does such a thing after sending a written offer, benefits package, drug test, background check and everything else.  But it happened to me.  I guess that is the climate we are living in these days.  Everything is about money and the bottom line.  The reason I was given was that they needed to add a position with revenue.   While I understand that, it would have been nice to nice know that right away instead of letting me think I actually had a job.  I turned down interviews and stopped my search.  Now I just have to start all over again.

To say I was devastated is a good way to describe it.  When I got the phone call I feel like I was punched in the gut.   As I said, I turned down interviews because this is the position I wanted.   Even though it was not my fault, I feel like I can't win.  I'm sure in this economy I'm not the only one who feels this way or has been in this situation.  BUT IT SUCKS.  It sucks that you can offer someone a job and then turn around 2 weeks later and take it away.  It sucks that I got my hopes up and was looking forward to a working environment that I thought would be a great fit for me.  It sucks that I am still stuck at home all day, watching boring TV because I don't want to spend money unnecessarily.  It sucks that I can't go to Zumba because I don't want to spend the money to go.  

The thing I am dreading is just the job search.  As anyone out of work knows, looking for a job and going to interviews is mentally draining.  While I know I am a good interviewer, I'd rather be a good employee. The waiting game is something I have never been good at. 

I guess the saving grace for me was that I handled it professionally.  I told the caller that I was shocked and disappointed but I understood and wish I was told sooner.  I emailed caller later and thanked them for their honesty.  Caller said that they still needed someone and they would contact me when the position opened up again.   That being said--would you want to work there?   I'm torn.  The position was a wonderful fit and I really liked the people I spoke with. However, this treatment left a very bad taste in my mouth.  VERY.  I just don't know if I could ever trust them again.

I'm normally a very positive person.  Even when I've been laid off, I've never gotten this negative or felt this bad before.   I'm trying to find a sliver of positive light in this dark cloud but right now I can't.  Perhaps it will reveal itself to me later on.  My horoscope claims that I should be having good luck at work soon.  Haha, very funny.

DH has been very tolerant of me as of late.  I've been extremely anti-social due to the shame of it I guess.  I don't think he quite knows what to make of my behavior either since this is  just not like me.  I guess I just can't stand people pitying me and telling me it's going to be alright. 

For me, I am just going to go with saying that my grandmother always said.  "Put your head down and keep going!"   Which is true.  I come from a family of strong women on both sides of my family.  They've dealt with way worse than this and there's no reason that I can't either.   I just have to get on with it.

To end on a positive note, I do have 2 interviews this week and a possible third later in the week.  So please send your best wishes, vibes, prayers etc., that something turns out for me.  My husband will thank you! ;)