Real Time Update

Real time update.....
I am interrupting the regularly scheduled super-intriguing series to bring you an update that is happening right now.
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I was laid off in March after almost 9 years with my company. The recession has taken it's toll and, unfortunate though it may be, I ended up on the job hunting trail.

I accepted a position in April and began working there the first week in May. I was a little torn about it, but thought it the most fair position to accept because I knew we were trying fertility treatments and I felt that I could accomplish my purpose there in the time I felt I had.

From time to time Tim has appointments that I need to attend. Not every treatment, not every meeting with the Doctors, but some of the big ones. Ones where decisions are being made, where a lot of information is being relayed. It helps for me to be there taking notes so we remember everything and can research at home later.

I had attended 3 such appointments with Tim when I was reprimanded at work for my excessive absences. Thinking that honestly is the best policy, I leveled with my boss man and explained that my husband is battling stage 4 cancer. That did not go well. I was told that I needed to "deal with cancer outside work hours" and was placed on an action plan. It was explained to me that with me dealing with "all of this" that the company and I were just "not on the same path". I never imagined people so cold.

There are more lovely antidotes I could share, but there is really no point. I was miserable doing work that was not what I was hired to do. My personal, stamped mail was opened and read by someone in the office and details of my personal life best kept private were disclosed. I was working for someone other than who I was I hired to work for and was being treated like a second class citizen when all I needed was a little compassion. I had my personal things in a bag in a desk drawer for the last month, so Friday when I was told it just "wasn't working out" it took me about 2 minutes to be walking out the door and climbing into my car.

No, it's not a great loss. Part of me is relieved not to be there come Monday. But the other part of me, the "equal contributor" side can't stand the thought of not having a job, not financially contributing. Especially right now when Tim is fighting so hard and so nauseated he can barely function, let alone work enough to make up for my lost income.

I need a job, people. This "Fantastic Administrative Assistant" needs to contribute, like stat. Any leads you have in the east valley would be much appreciated.

The Learning Curve

Here I am, surviving the learning curve and out of my usual routine.

I have learned that job hunting really is a full-time job in itself. I have been on several interviews the last couple weeks. Applying for jobs is so different than it was last time I was in the market. I've even drawn a few comparisons between the modern interview process and online dating. I can only imagine that being out of the dating scene for many years is even more intimidating than being out of the interviewing scene!

In the meantime, Kaiser has become a very spoiled boy. He is so used to being "free" all day to wander the house and the yard that when we do have to put him in his crate, he has taken to chewing up his bed. He is on the 3rd bed in 2 weeks. Unusual since he is usually so respectful of his things.

I've been able to run errands during the day for Tim so we have more free time together in the evening. I've gotten back in the habit of making a good, healthy dinner for us each night. All in all, this "unemployment" thing hasn't been so bad, but I am anxious to get back into a routine and feel like I am contributing again.

If any of you out there know of any Executive Assistant positions or Administrative Assistant to General Counsel positions in the East Valley, keep me in mind - I have a pretty lovable resume and the letters of recommendation to go with it!

Tomorrow Will Be A Very Good Day

Tomorrow is going to be really special. I get to wake up and go for a walk with Kaiser and stop to sniff every bush he wants to sniff. We won't rush.

When he wants to play ball, I won't shoo him away so I can put on make-up and blow dry my hair.

I think I'll finally get all the laundry done so the only dirty clothes in the house are what is on our backs.

I'm going to make a stir-fry and I'm not going to use a recipe because every time I use one I don't like how it comes out. Instead I'm just going to put in things that sound good. I bet it's delicious.

Tomorrow is my first unexpected day off in almost 9 years.

Tomorrow is the beginning of the next chapter in my life.

I am officially unemployed in the worst job market my generation has ever seen, but at least I have Cake Bites, I have the most wonderful husband I could ever ask for, I have family, friends, a dog and 2 cats who love me and will be happy to see more of me.

All things happen for a reason. Tomorrow, I start reason-hunting.

Tasty Little Venture....

It's a new year, and with it comes renewed hope, new drive and new adventures.

I've been working on a little side project for a couple of months now. I know some of you have tasted it, er, heard about it....

This is a venture that grew very organically when Tim made a request for "those little cake balls" to take to work and share on his birthday. When he came home that night he was saying, "Babe, you should sell these things. Seriously." And that planted the seed.

We thought about calling it Baby Bites, because every dollar helps toward reaching our "Big Goal", but Cake Bites just sounded right, and there's no explanation necessary to strangers. Cake Bites by Autumn was born in October, a birthday present to myself, and I started working on a logo and playing with recipes.

Tim has been the best taste tester I could ever ask for - always willing to help. (It's a tough job but somebody's got to do it!)

Now we have a facebook and you can "Like" us on facebook by clicking HERE.

You can also check out our fancy new website by clicking HERE.

I hope you get a chance to try these little delights soon!

Bling!

It's official! I have a seasonal job through Christmas! I will be peddling jewelry in the east valley, so if you know somebody in the market for something lovely & sparkly this holiday season, send them my way! It looks like I will be working Saturdays and Sundays.

Tim has been working a lot of overtime recently, and I was frustrated and trying to come up with a way that I could also be contributing to our Special Project Account.  (Yes, yes, we have an actual account for our "special project". I'm a little overly organized that way.) Lo and behold, I got a call from a good friend asking if I would be interested in a seasonal position with her jewelry store. Yes!! Talk about having friends in the right places. I am THRILLED.

Looking forward to hanging out with Tim on the weeknights and working like crazy - staying busy and inching toward our goal. That's what teamwork is all about :-)