I have a job!
I am the new Assistant Manager for a local women's clothing store. I am viewing my position as temporary but expect to be at the store throughout the winter at the very least.
I have a sneaking suspicion this job will either make me love or hate humanity. What I really hope is that it will teach me to find the good in everyone.
On a more practical note, this job will be a good place for me to work on my conversation skills, practice the theoretical management stuff I have in my head courtesy of my graduate work, and overall be a good place for me to get my feet wet without an insane amount of pressure.
So yeah. That's about all that has happened in my life since my last post.
Wait, that's not true. My laptop died. It's totally dead. No more. Gone from me forever. Sadness.
But hold on there just one minute! I have a new job and an upcoming steady income. I should be able to replace my laptop in a few months. Until then, I can use Justin and Carrie's computer to access the internet. Funny how that all worked out.
Now I think that's all. I am a thoroughly unexciting person.
Love!
~g
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Creative impulses
Lately I have been feeling the need to be creative and expressive. I think it's the lack of a job and therefore lack of outlet for these impulses.
While I was in Hobby Lobby dropping off an application earlier this week I picked up an inexpensive drawing pad with heavy-weight paper and some colored pencils. My method of outlet has been to turn to a random page in my new sketch book and do whatever I feel like doing on it. Some of the stuff is kind of silly and/or strange and at first I felt embarrassed, but then I decided it's my darn sketch book and I can do whatever I want with it.
Pretty much anything that involves color looks like a 5-year-old drew it. Some of my pencil sketches are actually alright. I'm much better at abstract or geometrical things than I am at trying to portray an actual item or creature. Marshall and Justin most definitely got the artistic talent in the family. Still, it's fun for me and a way to channel some energy.
This week I applied for jobs at Bed Bath & Beyond, Hobby Lobby, Walden Books, Christopher & Banks, and Pet Smart. All are obviously not super long-term options for me, but it would a paycheck and something to do. BB&B and Christopher & Banks are the most promising. We'll see if anything comes of it.
Everything went well with my car. Along with the radiator flush and fill they adjusted the headlights (per my request. Apparently it was a good request as the headlights were horribly positioned.) and did an overall inspection of the car since it's new to both them and me. The only thing that came up with the inspection was the need for a transmission flush and fill, but that will come in about 1000 miles when the oil is done.
The high school football team is still doing well. They lost for the first time last week to a team that is ranked better in the state. I guess it was an absolutely brutal game that included one player getting his leg broken, and although Denver lost they did manage to score on the other team several times. Up until that point in the season the other team had not been scored on at all. Next week is the last regular season game, after which playoffs will start. Denver has already secured a place in the playoffs, so the town is guaranteed to get even more excited about and behind the team. Ahh, small towns and what's considered important.
One of my favorite seasonal websites is back online. There's a guy in Colorado that decorates his house for both Halloween and Christmas and broadcasts his display around the world via several webcams. He has all of the lights and inflatables hooked up to X10 controls so visitors to his website can turn his decorations on and off with a click of the mouse. The website is admittedly gaudy, but that's part of what makes it so good. Make sure to check it out and have some fun!
Marcus, can we look forward to another Christmas album this year?
That's about it for new stuff from me. Love!
~g
While I was in Hobby Lobby dropping off an application earlier this week I picked up an inexpensive drawing pad with heavy-weight paper and some colored pencils. My method of outlet has been to turn to a random page in my new sketch book and do whatever I feel like doing on it. Some of the stuff is kind of silly and/or strange and at first I felt embarrassed, but then I decided it's my darn sketch book and I can do whatever I want with it.
Pretty much anything that involves color looks like a 5-year-old drew it. Some of my pencil sketches are actually alright. I'm much better at abstract or geometrical things than I am at trying to portray an actual item or creature. Marshall and Justin most definitely got the artistic talent in the family. Still, it's fun for me and a way to channel some energy.
This week I applied for jobs at Bed Bath & Beyond, Hobby Lobby, Walden Books, Christopher & Banks, and Pet Smart. All are obviously not super long-term options for me, but it would a paycheck and something to do. BB&B and Christopher & Banks are the most promising. We'll see if anything comes of it.
Everything went well with my car. Along with the radiator flush and fill they adjusted the headlights (per my request. Apparently it was a good request as the headlights were horribly positioned.) and did an overall inspection of the car since it's new to both them and me. The only thing that came up with the inspection was the need for a transmission flush and fill, but that will come in about 1000 miles when the oil is done.
The high school football team is still doing well. They lost for the first time last week to a team that is ranked better in the state. I guess it was an absolutely brutal game that included one player getting his leg broken, and although Denver lost they did manage to score on the other team several times. Up until that point in the season the other team had not been scored on at all. Next week is the last regular season game, after which playoffs will start. Denver has already secured a place in the playoffs, so the town is guaranteed to get even more excited about and behind the team. Ahh, small towns and what's considered important.
One of my favorite seasonal websites is back online. There's a guy in Colorado that decorates his house for both Halloween and Christmas and broadcasts his display around the world via several webcams. He has all of the lights and inflatables hooked up to X10 controls so visitors to his website can turn his decorations on and off with a click of the mouse. The website is admittedly gaudy, but that's part of what makes it so good. Make sure to check it out and have some fun!
Marcus, can we look forward to another Christmas album this year?
That's about it for new stuff from me. Love!
~g
Sunday, October 11, 2009
So ready
We winterized today and are now totally ready should snow decide to fall and stay.
Yesterday my brother's father-in-law woke to a solid layer of snow. Somehow that snow missed us here in Northern Iowa, but made it to Southern Iowa and created a perfect blanket. Weather patterns are odd things. Not to be outdone, today I awoke to a perfect layer of leaves in our front yard area. It seems overnight the main tree that borders our driveway decided to drop well over half of its leaves. The front yard, half of the driveway, and half of the street were coated. It was actually rather impressive... see:
That's a lot of foliage. I mean, a lot. Notice how all of the yards around us are devoid of leaves. That is not because those homeowners are all on the ball, it's just that we happen to have a tree with tons of foliage that decided to strip overnight.
I have never been a fan of yard work. I don't really care for gardening (although getting vegetables out of my own garden this year was a lot of fun), I can't stand weeding, and I'm more than happy to let the grass grow tall and pretend I live on the prairie just like Laura Ingalls. I do, however, thoroughly enjoy raking up leaves and cleaning up the yard for winter. I also enjoy shoveling snow. I'm a strange one.
My life of late has been fairly inactive and sedentary, so when I saw all the leaves this morning I was rather excited to get out and take care of them. I waited until about 1 p.m. so it would be a tad warmer, then dressed myself in layers and went out to get my rake on. It took me about 45 minutes to make several giant piles out of everything. When no more piles could be created I headed into the house to break open a can of tuna for a stray kitten that I had scared away from its hiding place in our front yard and to yell for mom to come out and help me take care of the leaves. I figured we would be putting the leaves in bags or into our small trailer to take to the landfill. Either way, the job would be easier with two people.
When Mom came out she informed me that the leaves are her winter mulch for all of the flower beds that line the house and the garage. While I went about the task of scattering the piles of leaves six inches thick over the beds, Mom cut back and generally cleaned up everything and then began mowing, with the grass clippings going down on top of the leaves in the beds. That is some well-mulched dirt!
About the time I finished getting the leaf piles taken care of (I even got the stuff off the street since it would blow back at our house and yard anyway) Justin came out to help. He and I worked together to clean out the gutters, check the heat tape on the roof (some is still working great, some it not working...boo!), and cut back the honeysuckle and other trees and vine plants around the perimeters of our yard. We filled our trailer to brimming three separate times. Grandpa Mabon was kind enough to come up with his truck and be our runner with the trailer. He took everything to the local landfill and disposed of it for us, then came back for more. When he dropped the trailer off for the last time we were able to fit all remaining branches in the bed of his truck, which he dropped off at the landfill on his way home. He was a great help in making sure everything got taken care of today!
The last step was to cover the air conditioner for the winter and move the snow shovels to the front of the garage. The weather is calling for snow showers tonight and tomorrow, but we'll see how much of that actually happens. We'll probably have to clean out the gutters one more time and we may replace the heat tape that is not working, but that's for the next clear, somewhat decent day!
When everything was finished it amounted to exactly 5 hours of work for me. It was really nice to be outside and active and productive and I am the happy type of tired tonight. I feel good that something that needed to get done did get done and that we were able to take care of so much. And I am also incredibly happy we were on the ball this year with outdoor winterizing! A lot of times it's early November before we take care of the gutters and leaves and then it's a miserably cold job. Today was not the warmest day (we worked in high 30s) but while we were out the weather didn't seem too bad. I only started to feel cold after we came in and I realized how red my legs and arms and hands were, despite having had everything covered properly. A warm shower, hot supper, and several blankets have taken away the chill. I would cite a snugly cat as well, but he's been banned from my room for having the audacity to throw up on my ivory carpet only 6 inches from the open door and easy-to-clean hardwood floor.
This coming week I will, as always, be looking for and applying for jobs, but I am also going to learn about my car and proper fluid maintenance. I have popped the hood and taken a look at everything. I have referred to my owner's manual. I have asked Mom and Justin questions. And I still have a few things I don't know. I have been planning on taking the car into the shop soon since there is a chip in the windshield that I want to make sure is sealed before the frigid temperatures cause it spread, and while it is there I will be asking the mechanics some questions. I think, per Mom's suggestion, I'll also have the antifreeze flushed and refilled since it is on minimum now and I have no clue what kind of antifreeze is currently being used or how long ago it was added. I'm not due for an oil change for another 600 miles or so, but I do not want to wait on that chip in the windshield. Look at me be a responsible automobile owner. :)
As it has gotten colder (especially considering how early it is for cold weather) I have been reminded of how grateful I am for a warm home, plenty of weather-appropriate clothing, and good food. I may not have all that I want right now, but I have more than enough to make me happy.
Tucker's really happy the heat is back on as well. He loves to lay along the register in my room when the heat is running. I am always a bit concerned since I know how hot the register metal gets, but he doesn't seem to mind. I guess all of that fur is good for something. The below was taken before I banned him from my room.
Love!
~g
Yesterday my brother's father-in-law woke to a solid layer of snow. Somehow that snow missed us here in Northern Iowa, but made it to Southern Iowa and created a perfect blanket. Weather patterns are odd things. Not to be outdone, today I awoke to a perfect layer of leaves in our front yard area. It seems overnight the main tree that borders our driveway decided to drop well over half of its leaves. The front yard, half of the driveway, and half of the street were coated. It was actually rather impressive... see:
That's a lot of foliage. I mean, a lot. Notice how all of the yards around us are devoid of leaves. That is not because those homeowners are all on the ball, it's just that we happen to have a tree with tons of foliage that decided to strip overnight.
I have never been a fan of yard work. I don't really care for gardening (although getting vegetables out of my own garden this year was a lot of fun), I can't stand weeding, and I'm more than happy to let the grass grow tall and pretend I live on the prairie just like Laura Ingalls. I do, however, thoroughly enjoy raking up leaves and cleaning up the yard for winter. I also enjoy shoveling snow. I'm a strange one.
My life of late has been fairly inactive and sedentary, so when I saw all the leaves this morning I was rather excited to get out and take care of them. I waited until about 1 p.m. so it would be a tad warmer, then dressed myself in layers and went out to get my rake on. It took me about 45 minutes to make several giant piles out of everything. When no more piles could be created I headed into the house to break open a can of tuna for a stray kitten that I had scared away from its hiding place in our front yard and to yell for mom to come out and help me take care of the leaves. I figured we would be putting the leaves in bags or into our small trailer to take to the landfill. Either way, the job would be easier with two people.
When Mom came out she informed me that the leaves are her winter mulch for all of the flower beds that line the house and the garage. While I went about the task of scattering the piles of leaves six inches thick over the beds, Mom cut back and generally cleaned up everything and then began mowing, with the grass clippings going down on top of the leaves in the beds. That is some well-mulched dirt!
About the time I finished getting the leaf piles taken care of (I even got the stuff off the street since it would blow back at our house and yard anyway) Justin came out to help. He and I worked together to clean out the gutters, check the heat tape on the roof (some is still working great, some it not working...boo!), and cut back the honeysuckle and other trees and vine plants around the perimeters of our yard. We filled our trailer to brimming three separate times. Grandpa Mabon was kind enough to come up with his truck and be our runner with the trailer. He took everything to the local landfill and disposed of it for us, then came back for more. When he dropped the trailer off for the last time we were able to fit all remaining branches in the bed of his truck, which he dropped off at the landfill on his way home. He was a great help in making sure everything got taken care of today!
The last step was to cover the air conditioner for the winter and move the snow shovels to the front of the garage. The weather is calling for snow showers tonight and tomorrow, but we'll see how much of that actually happens. We'll probably have to clean out the gutters one more time and we may replace the heat tape that is not working, but that's for the next clear, somewhat decent day!
When everything was finished it amounted to exactly 5 hours of work for me. It was really nice to be outside and active and productive and I am the happy type of tired tonight. I feel good that something that needed to get done did get done and that we were able to take care of so much. And I am also incredibly happy we were on the ball this year with outdoor winterizing! A lot of times it's early November before we take care of the gutters and leaves and then it's a miserably cold job. Today was not the warmest day (we worked in high 30s) but while we were out the weather didn't seem too bad. I only started to feel cold after we came in and I realized how red my legs and arms and hands were, despite having had everything covered properly. A warm shower, hot supper, and several blankets have taken away the chill. I would cite a snugly cat as well, but he's been banned from my room for having the audacity to throw up on my ivory carpet only 6 inches from the open door and easy-to-clean hardwood floor.
This coming week I will, as always, be looking for and applying for jobs, but I am also going to learn about my car and proper fluid maintenance. I have popped the hood and taken a look at everything. I have referred to my owner's manual. I have asked Mom and Justin questions. And I still have a few things I don't know. I have been planning on taking the car into the shop soon since there is a chip in the windshield that I want to make sure is sealed before the frigid temperatures cause it spread, and while it is there I will be asking the mechanics some questions. I think, per Mom's suggestion, I'll also have the antifreeze flushed and refilled since it is on minimum now and I have no clue what kind of antifreeze is currently being used or how long ago it was added. I'm not due for an oil change for another 600 miles or so, but I do not want to wait on that chip in the windshield. Look at me be a responsible automobile owner. :)
As it has gotten colder (especially considering how early it is for cold weather) I have been reminded of how grateful I am for a warm home, plenty of weather-appropriate clothing, and good food. I may not have all that I want right now, but I have more than enough to make me happy.
Tucker's really happy the heat is back on as well. He loves to lay along the register in my room when the heat is running. I am always a bit concerned since I know how hot the register metal gets, but he doesn't seem to mind. I guess all of that fur is good for something. The below was taken before I banned him from my room.
Love!
~g
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Winter is early this year
We are having our first hard freeze tonight and tomorrow's forecast calls for snow. While we can't really mark this as the beginning of winter I am fairly certain we aren't too far off. Time for me to find my winter coat and boots again. Everything of mine got sent/brought home from Chicago this past year in waves and I am still uncertain as to where some of the items landed.
Justin and I picked the last tomatoes of the season today. The tomato plants are still loaded down with a bunch of green fruits, but the freeze tonight will most definitely kill everything off. It seems like such a waste and yet I didn't know what to do with green tomatoes, if anything. Justin recommended frying them.
I don't have much to report these days. Life is pretty quiet. I spend my days looking for and apply for jobs but as of yet have not had one nibble. It's frustrating and a bit depressing. I knew finding a job, especially in this economy, would not be a cake walk, but I was not prepared for the difficulties I've encountered thus far. I just try to keep reminding myself that the right thing will come along at the right time, and until then I just need to keep looking and applying. I cannot believe I had the chance to get an excellent education without there being some way for me to use it.
Tucker is spending his days, as always, sleeping. He has developed a favorite new nap spot on the love seat in the addition and can be found there beginning most afternoons. He's always enjoyed being covered up while sleeping but until recently only wanted to tuck himself in. I apparently have gotten better at the whole tucking in thing, as he now allows me to cover him several times a day. He's a crazy cat.
And with paragraphs like that I am concerned I am becoming a crazy cat lady. I need a job and a man, stat!
Our little town's football team is performing phenomenally well this season, much to everyone's surprise. There is a good chance Denver will make a serious run for a state title. The town is really starting to come alive and get behind the team. Driving around town you'll see cars with the team's record painted on them and signs/words of encouragement. It's a lot of fun to see a community united behind something like this and I hope the team continues to perform well.
That's about it from my little part of the world.
Love!
~g
Justin and I picked the last tomatoes of the season today. The tomato plants are still loaded down with a bunch of green fruits, but the freeze tonight will most definitely kill everything off. It seems like such a waste and yet I didn't know what to do with green tomatoes, if anything. Justin recommended frying them.
I don't have much to report these days. Life is pretty quiet. I spend my days looking for and apply for jobs but as of yet have not had one nibble. It's frustrating and a bit depressing. I knew finding a job, especially in this economy, would not be a cake walk, but I was not prepared for the difficulties I've encountered thus far. I just try to keep reminding myself that the right thing will come along at the right time, and until then I just need to keep looking and applying. I cannot believe I had the chance to get an excellent education without there being some way for me to use it.
Tucker is spending his days, as always, sleeping. He has developed a favorite new nap spot on the love seat in the addition and can be found there beginning most afternoons. He's always enjoyed being covered up while sleeping but until recently only wanted to tuck himself in. I apparently have gotten better at the whole tucking in thing, as he now allows me to cover him several times a day. He's a crazy cat.
And with paragraphs like that I am concerned I am becoming a crazy cat lady. I need a job and a man, stat!
Our little town's football team is performing phenomenally well this season, much to everyone's surprise. There is a good chance Denver will make a serious run for a state title. The town is really starting to come alive and get behind the team. Driving around town you'll see cars with the team's record painted on them and signs/words of encouragement. It's a lot of fun to see a community united behind something like this and I hope the team continues to perform well.
That's about it from my little part of the world.
Love!
~g
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