Paperwork and more

Shannon's boss called yesterday and gave him additional hours this week.  He had to work for about an hour this morning, just long enough to train for that particular work site. 

This morning, I went to Human Resources to fill out a few forms and they gave me the benefits package to read through and fill out the forms to bring back later.  They also sent me to get my drug screening done.  Thankfully, I only waited about 15 minutes to take the test. 

Pending my background check and drug screening, I should hear from Human Resources or my new boss on a start date. 

I got the job!

I got the job at the County as an Office Assistant.  The pay is lower than the salary range they list on their website.  However, on their pay plan, it lists that that is the starting pay for all "Office Assistants." 

I am going in to Human Resources to do the background check and drug screen. 

Job Interview with the County

I had my interview with the County today.  I applied for 3 different "office assistant" positions in mid-March so when she called me in for the interview, she didn't specify which position. 

The interview process was two hours.  The first hour was for testing.  The first test was a written test: alphabetize, put numbers in order, grammar.  There was also an exercise to prioritize your work day after returning from vacation.  They had a list of job duties and they wanted you to number them in the order you would accomplish them and explain why.  The second part of testing was a computer test on Excel.  Create a spreadsheet and then a typing test.  I didn't like the typing test because it was on Excel with numbers and typing and I had to use the TAB key and then go to the next line below.  It was difficult using the keyboard and the mouse.

During the interview, there were 4 people.  I later found out that one of the ladies is the immediate supervisor/manager and the person next to her was her manager.  She told me about the position and she pointed out my experience in PBX and my background with HIPAA.  When they asked me if I had any questions, I asked when will they hire for the position.  He said that the position has been open for awhile now and they hope to have a decision within a week! 

At the end, I kindly thanked them for their time!

Job Interview with County

This afternoon, I received an unexpected call for a job interview.  She actually called last Friday but I decided not to call her back because the voicemail she left wasn't specific.  She just said she was calling for Social Services. 

Today, she called a minute before I had to leave to wait for Kyle at the bus stop, so I couldn't pick up the phone and risk getting stuck on a call for too long. 

I have a job interview next Tuesday for a County position.  Over a month ago (March 13th) I applied for 3 "office assistant" positions, so it could be for any of those three.  I did not expect to ever get called for an interview with the County because I have been applying for over a year with no luck. 

When I was applying for jobs last month, I was hoping my new certification as a medical administrative assistant would give me an edge with the County. 

I am excited but nervous about the interview.  She said to expect two hours.  The first hour is testing I think.  The second hour is interviews with at least 4 people. 

Changes at work

There are a lot of changes going on at Shannon's contract security job.  It looks like there will be more supervisor positions opening up.  Shannon mentioned that he's going to polish up his resume and send it in and let them know that he's looking for a full time position. 

Shannon also shared with me his future plans.  He said he was looking at several jobs ads and he noticed a pattern, they all wanted knowledge of OSHA, Safety, etc.  He decided he would look into getting OSHA certified and any other "certifications" he can find.  He wants to build his resume based on what he already has -- a Bachelor's Degree.  Instead of going for another degree (he was considering going for a paralegal degree), he's going for certifications.  He knows that we don't have the money for another degree program, so he'd rather build on his resume so that he can go for management positions to make himself more marketable. 

Uncertainty and Other opportunities

Shannon found out that Best Buy is hiring for his department.  They posted the job opening at the beginning of December.  He's not sure if they are looking to get rid of him or not.  There are a few instances that makes him think so...but then again, he's not sure.  Not only that, lately they were told that their are cutting back hours.  Why would they be hiring for their department but cut hours on current employees?

Shannon also told me his other employer is hiring for an Account Manager position.  That person is in charge of one client and they are in charge of their own set of employees, making sure shifts are covered, etc.  I told him he should apply for it since he has managerial experience and a Bachelor's Degree!

He also saw a position he wants to apply for with Goodwill.  So we'll see. 

New blog opportunities and waiting

I am axiously waiting for my casserole dish to get here!  I don't know when it was or will be shipped but I hope to get it soon.  I am looking forward to using it. 

I am also waiting for my Jillian Michaels' DVDs to get here.  I can't wait to try her workouts!  I love my current workout program but to add something new will be a treat! 

I have not heard anything more from the credit union, so I don't know if I was approved or will be approved.  I just want to start out with a savings account and then apply for a credit card or even a secured credit card to rebuild my credit.

We are doing better financially with Shannon working two jobs.  He has a separate bank account and his own credit card with another bank.  He has his security job paychecks going straight to that account.  He uses that account for his own spending money, such as gas, food, etc.  He just switched his Best Buy direct deposit to our joint account.  I will be using that to pay our bills!

I ended up pitching a PR firm that represents Soda Stream and I will be receiving the "genesis system" to review!  I am excited!  We don't drink a lot of soda, but this sounds like a healthier alternative since it uses water to make the soda! 

I am still on schedule with my new workout program: Les Mills Combat!  It's a little difficult but very motivating and fun!  Once I receive my Jillian Michaels' DVDs, I may add them here and there.

Backpack Program

Happy Halloween!  Last week, Kyle's teachers sent home a note asking parents to send two bags of candy and little toys.  They were going to make treat bags on Halloween to take home.  Kyle came home with a huge bag of candy! 

The school also sent a note home letting us know that he qualifies for the Backpack Program.  Once a month, they will send him home with a backpack full of non-perishable food for him to eat on the weekends.  The backpack is to be returned to school the following Tuesday.  I filled out the form and will send it back to school with him tomorrow.  I am glad we will be receiving free food from the school!

Shannon will be working the rest of the week.  He has to work both jobs on Saturday.  He will be working Friday night from 11pm until 7am and then he has to work the college football game [on Saturday] from 10am until the end of the game.  He is going to see if he can get off early that day.  Then he has to work Saturday night from 11pm until 7am!  Wow!  What a schedule!  He will get only a few hours of sleep on Saturday morning before he has to go to work at the football game. He will be getting full time hours this week which will really help us.  Hopefully by next month, we won't have to use my EE Bonds to pay the rent and bills! 

He also starts at Best Buy next week and they are going to work around his security supervisor job.  

Since Shannon has to work the rest of the week, we went to Walmart tonight for a small trip.  We bought enough food to last us a week or two. 

Next Thursday!

It turns out that his Best Buy orientation is next Thursday! 

We are still waiting for him to start his security supervisor job!  They called earlier this week to confirm some information and said the orientation should be in about a week!  I can't believe that job is taking almost 3 weeks to start!

When can he start?!

Well, he was hired at Best Buy last week.  Now we're just waiting for them to call about a start date.  It's just frustrating because we need him to start earning a regular paycheck!  His other job is only 3 or 4 days a month, sometimes less. 

We are being charged $3 every so often from our bank because we don't have enough in our savings.  It's called a "overdraft protection" charge or something like that.  It's just annoying that we are being charged, even though we don't have enough money in the first place.  I told Shannon that when he got hired at his first job that we should go open an account with a credit union, but that never happened.  If we are members of a credit union, they won't charge us because we don't have enough in the bank. 

2nd interview at Best Buy

Shannon had a second interview today at Best Buy.  They called him yesterday, right after the first interview to ask him to come in today for another interview!  This is a part time position, and it sounds like it would work around his security supervisor job. 

He still hasn't heard back from his current employer regarding the job that they offered him.  It's been a week and a half. 

Interview at Best Buy

Shannon still hasn't heard back from his currently employer about his supervisor job that he was hired for.  Last Monday, he went in for the drug test and TB test.  He was told by the doctor that he passed the TB test and he doesn't do drugs, so he passed that. 

Last night, Best Buy called to schedule an interview.  He had applied for the job about 2 or 3 weeks ago!  He called them back this afternoon and has an interview tomorrow! 

Job Interview

Shannon is still sick.  He has it the worst.  I haven't been feeling well.  It's only my throat that bothers me and it makes me cough here and there, but that's about it. 

Shannon has a job interview this Thursday afternoon.  It's with the same company he is working for now.  The HR lady recommended him for this position he is interviewing for.  It's part time for a supervisor position, however, most of the supervisors that are part time are working full time hours! 

It's fixed and carpet is dry!

Our water heater/wet carpet issues are fixed!  It first started last Saturday.  We didn't report it until Tuesday (because Monday was Labor Day).  They came by on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to fix it.  Each day, we thought it was fixed until it came time for showers.  After 3 hours of the plumber taking a look at it and finishing up putting the water heater back in, our problems are fixed!  They carpet guy came by to soak up all the excess water in the carpet and a few hours later, the carpet was DRY! 

The other day, I used my beloved Shark vacuum to clean and it soaked up some of the water.  Well, when I went to use it on Friday, it wouldn't work.  I cleaned every part of it that I could and realized that I needed to let it dry out.  I was finally able to vacuum today! 

Shannon is working all day today, so I am catching up on laundry and cleaning.  I am all caught up on my blog stuff too.

Started working

Earlier this week, Shannon received a call from his new employer [the contract security company] asking if he's available to work this weekend.  It is good to finally have some hours.  He also works next Saturday.  He is going to let them know that he can also work in Greensboro/Triad area, instead of just Winston Salem.  They said that the people in Greensboro need help because some of them are getting upwards of 60+ hours a week.  He's going to let them know that he's available full time, and hopefully that will lead to more hours.

This weekend, we found out that he did not get the job at the college.  In a way, I am glad because it is a graveyard position and I honestly didn't see him doing the hours or the job itself.  It would really limit us as a family because I prefer all of us to be on the same sleep schedule.

We've been talking about Shannon having a cell phone.  We have to wait until he gets more hours at work before we can actually buy one.  It would be good for him to have one, especially since his employer will call with shifts that are available.  He would also need a cell phone to carry at work.

Another interview

Shannon had an interview last week with the people the Contract Security company sent him to.  They provide security at the college football games.  This job would have been very part time.  The guy decided to hire him.  He then had to go back to the Contract Security company to tell them he was hired and they sent him to get a drug test. 

Shannon received a call from the Contract Security company letting him know that they have another security position for him, it's full time and they want to interview him for that job.  He has an interview tomorrow afternoon!  We are both so excited and hope he gets hired for it, because it's full time! 

Interview

Shannon has been job searching via the internet for the last few weeks.  He went in to a Security company here in our city to apply directly with them.  They gave him a number to call that are currently hiring, however, it is only part time.  It took a few days for them to finally call him back, but he has an interview tomorrow afternoon at 4 pm.  The guy told him to bring two forms of ID and a blank check.  So it sounds like he's already hired.  They provide security for the college football games.  While this is only part time (one day a week), Shannon just wants to get his foot in the door with the security company.  That way, he can eventually promote to full time and/or find other security assignments within the company.

Unexpected call

I received an unexpected call today.  I was surprised they called because they had called two Saturdays ago and didn't leave a message which left me regretting not answering the phone.  Then I reminded myself that "things happen for a reason."  Shannon and I have learned to think like that for the last few years.

I applied online at JC Penney two Fridays ago and they called me the next day (two Saturdays ago) but didn't leave a message.  I thought that maybe they would call again a few days later and when they still didn't call, I remembered that "things happen for a reason." I tried not to dwell on it, and just forgot about it until they called today.  I've been so busy and preoccupied with other things lately.

I received a call today and she said they have an opening in "Family Shoes" and asked if I was interested and of course I said, "Yes!"  We set up an interview for Thursday afternoon.

After I got off the phone with her, I went over the conversation and I realized she never mentioned the word, "interview."  She only asked if I was "interested" in the position.  Does that mean she won't really "interview" me, she'll just tell me about the position and then give me a little tour?  She also sounded like she needed to fill the position quickly, at least I hope so. 

He got the job!

Shannon was offered the job yesterday! Pending the background check, etc., they want him to start training on January 25th! They emailed him the paperwork and he filled it all out last night and faxed it over this morning! He will be going to training in another city, rather than in Kansas City, MO like they originally mentioned. At least he'll be in the same state and time zone.

I am turning in my notice at work today, my last day will be January 24th, that way I can be the one to walk Kyle to the bus stop and pick him up. Speaking of that, we are going to set Kyle up to start taking the bus to and from school from now on. His teacher is the one to set it all up for us.

Since I am off tomorrow and Kyle will be in school, we are going to drive out to the area where he will be working. We're going to drive around to look at the area and look for apartments. I am also stressing out about getting Kyle enrolled in a new school district!

Coach Handbag is here

My Coach handbag arrived today! I didn't have to work until 5 PM tonight and of course it didn't come until after we left to go to work! It was a slower today at work, I guess I got so used to the busy days from the holidays.

Just before we left for work, Shannon received a call back from the Director of Operations, he was the second person he interviewed with for the Property Manager position. It turns out, that they had two really good candidates and they want to hire both Shannon and the other candidate. There is another property that has an opening, as the current Property Manager had to go on a leave of absence and they are unsure how long he/she will be gone. So, they are going to have Shannon take that position of Property Manager! Anyway, the Director of Operations said that he will receive a call tomorrow to talk more about the position, etc. Once we get the final word that he is officially hired, I will be giving my two week notice at work!

When I got home, my package was waiting for me on the bed. I didn't open it until after I took a shower. My handbag is beautiful! It was nicely and carefully wrapped. It even came with a cloth bag to store my handbag in.