Monday night I stopped at Ross and bought a suit, a business casual outfit, and a new pair of dressy shoes. Total: $60

I needed the suit because none of mine fit right now. It was only $15. The outfit I'll need if I get the job - if I don't get it, I'll take it back. The shoes - my only pair of dress heels have part of the sole coming off -so not a good thing to wear to an interview.

---
I finally heard back from the no-kill shelter I applied to volunteer at. I'll be going to an orientation meeting on Tuesday night. I'm looking forward to that!

---
I also heard back from the receptionist job I sent a resume in for on Monday night. The contact asked me to fill out an attached application - only there was no attachment! So I replied to her, and she sent me the attachment yesterday.

I printed it out today and typed it out at the library. They didn't have a fax or a scanner. I attempted to find a Kinko's, but after fruitlessly driving around for 30 minutes, decided to wait till tomorrow and fax it from work.

Tonight I got an email asking me for an interview tomorrow at 1:30. I had to say I couldn't do it - I work from 9 to 6:30 tomorrow, and 1:30 is potentially a busy time period at the gym.

Hopefully she'll take the 1:30 slot on Friday I said I could do (would have to get K to come in early, but she usually has no problem doing that.)

---
Today was my brother's 29th birthday! I called him and sang Happy Birthday. Then he told me that he'd just been showing a friend of his my video text I'd sent him a couple weeks ago, when the phone rang. Spooky.

I told him about dad buying the Wii for Grandma. He was pretty impressed too.

---
I made macaroni and cheese for supper tonight. I'd thought about it before, but hadn't wanted to open up a Rice Dream (milk sub). Tonight though I really wanted some, so I opened up a box. I'd never tried it without real milk - it was yummy. (For added protein I nuked a Bocca Veggie Chicken Patty and tore it up.)

--

The gym I work at is closing one of our three locations. E asked me on Monday if I had plans this weekend. When I told him I didn't, he said he might need some help with moving. I thought that he meant *he* would be moving. But I found out later that it was moving their stuff out of the closing gym location.

I'm not sure how much help I'll be - but I'll be on the clock, so the extra bit will be nice.

(in March they're supposed to be opening a brand new facility -- should be interesting)

---
paychecks were late this week because E and his parents (check signers) were out of town. To make up for it, they've added $20. I'll have to see my check tomorrow to see if the money actually was added.

---

I was accused of being rich on Monday - by the lady who takes the 3 - 7 shift. I had said something about the paychecks being late being more of an annoyance than a hardship. I had a real good laugh about being accused of being rich.

(It was kind of one of those under the breath things - not really directed towards her - just commenting out loud {I think I spend too much time alone sometimes} - she's not really someone I like all that much, though I suspect the feelings mutual -- K on the other hand who comes in on Tuesdays and Fridays, is a sweetheart {frugal} and we get along really well)

---
This was my first Halloween since I've been out on my own that I've had a chance to see a lot of kids/costumes. Usually where I've lived there were very few trick or treaters that came by.

Here, we probably had close to 70!! My landlady had to go out and buy more candy because she'd made candy packs for 35 kids.

I'm not sure why, but she pretty much let me be the one to answer the door and hand out the candy. I didn't mind, because it was cool seeing the variety of costumes (and ages!), but I thought it was kind of weird.

--
I'm really trying to get back into the mindset of making my food and not just nuking it. It's just so easy to nuke the burrito or the Lean Cuisine - little cleanup and little fuss. But that mindset isn't helping my food budget much. So, the past couple nights I've been actually *cooking* supper! I made quinoa M and T, and then of course tonight, mac and cheese.

I'm going to try to keep the frozen meals just for lunches, and do actual cooking for suppers. Maybe eventually I'll cut out the frozens for lunch as well ... I got back into some bad habits....

This weekend I went to my mom's place. I'd been planning on going next weekend, but when I found out she was going to have gall bladder surgery on Wednesday, I figured it'd be better to go this weekend.

Anyway... mom came with me today to an international food festival fundraiser being held at my local church. Then after that, we took the dogs for a walk. During the walk, we came across a $5 and a $1 bill!!!

I hardly ever find money on the ground, so this was pretty darn awesome!!

---
I also stopped by Walmart and picked up a 50 ft Ethernet cord. Thankfully that seemed to do the trick. I may even be able to view Netflix (streaming) on it (watched a couple youtube vids and they worked really well.)

Today after work I headed over to Micheal's to check out their cross stitch supplies. Since I wasn't sure how to get there, I put in the address into my iPhone map function.

Here are part of the instructions:

Take 121 S 11.5 miles
Take the exit
Go on the road for .8 miles
Turn right on McCrumber Street
....

Yes, it actually said "Take the exit" and nothing more. Luckily I could see that I had to pass 35, and as I was about to pass 35, I saw a sign for the McCrumber Street exit, and was able to find it easily.

Gave me a good laugh though.

----

I was hunting for those cross stitch kits that included the pattern, thread, needle and a frame. They were ones I could almost always finish in 4 or 5 hours, and usually cost around $3 or $4.

Micheal's did not have any. All they had were kits starting around $10 and up that take 50 hours+ to make - ones I have the tendency (if I even open the package, that is) to start, put in maybe 10 hours worth of work, miss a row and/or add a row, get frustrated and give up on. I have finished maybe one or two of that size.

So I decided to try and find the other store which my landlady had mentioned to me. She wasn't sure if it was still in business or not.

I found it, and it was still in business. However, they do not sell ANY kits. The ladies also told me that they think that the little oval all in one frame kits that I was looking for aren't even made anymore!!

They showed me a large bin of cross stitch pattern magazines and books in the back that were all on sale for $1 each. I looked through them, and realized that I was going to have to change my plan of action. I hadn't wanted to do anything Christmas themed, but to find seperate patterns that fit into four or five different themes, would mean buying four or five different pattern books - plus of course all the ensuing thread.

So, I picked out a Christmas Mini Pattern book which had a pattern for a Bible with candles. Sort of Christmassy, but not too much. Then one of the ladies helped me pick out a good cloth for it, and she serged it for me. Then I picked up the thread. What I'm going to do is make 4 of them and put each of them into a coaster.

I have a project I'm already working on that I can give my mom and stepdad. When all is said and done, all of these items will end up costing right around $25.

Now it's just a matter of actually getting them all done in time!!

If they turn out good, maybe I'll post pictures on here of them.

So this morning I got up earlier than usual for a Wednesday (day off) and drove over to the Brakes Plus shop. There was one car who had arrived ahead of me. The person I talked to said they only had one technician on staff today, so it might be a bit before they could give me an estimate.

I told him that was fine, because I could walk home and get stuff done.

So, I walked back home. The past week we've had wet and cold weather. Today, we had clear skies, but *muggy* weather. I was soaked by the time I got back. (about 8:20 a.m.)

So, I piddle around doing various things until finally I get the call about 10:30. I'm told my rotors are shot and need to be replaced. To have the front brakes done + the rotors would be $310. They also suggested a brake flush and some toolkit thingy which would have added another $90.

I went ahead and did the $310 work.

Was told it'd be a few hours. So, I decided to walk over to the library so I could get a card, and use a computer to print out the journal articles for my research paper. (The question was released last night for our mid-semester paper - due one week from today.)

The walk to the library wasn't bad at all - except for the mugginess, and crossing two pretty busy roads. (with stoplights thankfully.)

After getting my library card, I managed to find a free computer and sat down to get to work. Unfortunately, the computer wouldn't let me set cookies, so I couldn't access the articles I needed to print.

Luckily the person working the information desk was very accommodating and let me work off one of her computers - she even went and fetched my papers for me!! Turned out that she also is a library science student at my uni, but is almost finished. She didn't know about RefWorks, so I told her about it. (great site where you can export document citation info to, and then it will format your references for your research papers.)

The 9 documents I printed out cost me $14.55, but I think it was worth it to have hardcopies to work off of.

When I was done at the library, of course I walked back home. I managed to read through all my documents, and even write an introduction to my paper, when I got the call that my car was ready.

So, I walked over to the brake place and picked up my car. When I got home, I started a load of laundry.

Then I took the dogs for a walk. Because it was so muggy, both dog walks were shortened. (I take both for a walk together, then go out again with Nikki for a longer/faster walk.) In my second walk with Nikki, we came across a lady with her dog who somehow didn't understand about picking up after your dog's #2's. Ick! The lady herself was pretty nice, and I didn't say anything to her about it ... Maybe I should've.

Well, by the time I got back from the 2nd dog walk, I was completely soaked and parched. Finished up my laundry .. and since then have been procrastinating about doing any more work on my paper!!

Tomorrow is a long day at the gym, so I'll take my netbook and all the documents tomorrow. I'm sure I'll be bored enough to actually get some more work done on it.

---
I'm thinking I really need to get a copy of MS Word. For me to have the full functionality of RefWorks, I have to have Word. So far I've gotten by just using Open Office. Maybe if I could find a copy of MS Office that predates the 2007 version? I *detest* the 2007 version! (I'll have to have MS Access for a class I'll be taking this summer .. so one way or the other I'm going to have to get it.)

I don't know about any of you, but over the years I have tried many different things to lose weight. I've tried Weight Watcher's several times - both doing actual meetings and doing online only. I've tried ediets, WeighDown, and just simply counting calories through Sparkpeople or Fitday. A few times I tried taking some of those "miracle pills" that just left me jittery and sleep deprived.

All those diets and plans have several things in common: 1. They are complicated with lots of rules to remember or time spent entering information. 2. You develop the mentality of "Well I slipped up today, may as well totally fall off and start again Monday." 3. Most of them cost a lot of money. 4. They're not truly sustainable.

And .... although I lost weight on all of the various plans ... I eventually have always regained it.

So, what does all this have to do with anything?

This past July I was reading a blog on Sparkpeople of a person who has attempted more diet plans and styles than I have. In the post I was reading, she had just discovered the No-S Diet. I was completely intrigued, and so went looking to find out more about it.

It is simple. Not complicated. And completely free. And ... it saves me money on my groceries!!!

Here is the No-S Diet plan: No snacks, no sweets and no seconds, except for (sometimes) on days that begin with S.

So, that means that Monday through Friday I have three meals. Each meal fits on a plate. If a Special event comes up, such as my birthday or a family member's birthday, I can choose to make that day an S day.

S days can also occur when you are sick.

But usually, S days are only Saturdays and Sundays. No rules apply on S days except ... You can't mess up!

Do you see why I love the weekend now?

This is NOT a plan that will help you lose 20 pounds in 8 weeks. You're more likely to lose 4 or 5 pounds in those 8 weeks. But ..... you also are more likely to KEEP those 4 or 5 pounds OFF Forever!

This is truly a plan which can be easily followed for life. It is essentially learning how to maintain an appropriate weight, while working on losing weight.

How does this save me money on my groceries? Well, that's pretty easy. I'm eating less! When it is a weekday (or what we call N days) I can drive home from work without stopping to get a snack.

Before, I would fight and fight with myself about stopping to get something, and would lose the fight more often than not. Now, it's not a question. If it's an N day, I just don't stop!

Believe me, I didn't think I would be able to manage 5 days in a row without chocolate. But so far, I have managed 6 sets of 5 days with NO Chocolate!!! The awesome part is, is that after making it through the 5 days, I can treat myself to a cookie or even a small Dairy Queen Blizzard with No Guilt!

I will have to warn you though -- you may find your tolerance level for sweets diminishing. A few weeks ago I bought a Peanut Buster Parfait and only managed to get 3/4 of the way through it. The chocolate was making me feel sick!!

I haven't followed it perfectly. There have been days where I backed my car into the wall (and a few times even drove over the cliff.) But when that happens, I am learning to say "Mark it* and move on."

*Mark It -- Reinhardt, an engineer and librarian, who developed this system, also developed something called "Habitcal." This is a simple way of marking your S days and your N days to show Success, Failure, or Exempt.

So, if you're looking for a simple (free) way to lose weight and keep it off for life, and probably save on your grocery bill too, check out No-S!

http://www.nosdiet.com

Let me know if you have any questions, I'd be more than happy to answer them.

Yesterday I took the bike I'd gotten for free off of freecycle about six-years ago to a bike shop to get tuned up. For the past 3 1/2 years it had been locked up on the balcony outside my apartment, and exposed to all the elements. The bike guy took a look at it, and told me that it needed a lot more than just a tune up, and that he'd suggest starting over with a different bike. (rusted chain, rotted/dried out tires/tubes, etc.)

So, this morning while I was at Wal-mart getting a new tire on my car, I checked out the bikes. I ended up getting an 18-speed trail bike for about the same cost as revamping my old bike (10 speed cruiser.) (I also purchased a helmet and a little carry all bag that attaches to the handlebars.)

I took it out for a short spin this morning, and started to get my bike balance back, but not quite all the way yet.

I will definitely need to get a better bike seat soon, if I want to do anything more than a short bike ride.

*I am planning on looking for a place/someone to teach me basic bike care and maintenance. Now that I have a new/nice bike, I'd like to know how to keep it nice for as long as possible.

----

This move is benefiting me financially, emotionally (related to not having to worry so much about stretching min wage dollars + going to school), and also physically since I have two good excuses to be active every single day.

At my new home I have been taking the landlady's two dogs out for a walk everyday. One of the dogs is quite overweight, and only goes for a short bit. The other one though, I can't seem to tire her out!

So, once I get a bit more steady/confident on my bike, I'll take her out on a short bike ride and see if I can manage to finally tire her out.

In fact, the dogs have come to expect it. Tonight I got caught up watching a television program on TLC that my landlady was watching. Both of the dogs kept paying attention to me - wagging tails, etc. Finally, when the program was over, I stood there talking with* (not really with, more like nodding head and being polite) the landlady.

The larger dog kept staring up at me with her big Beagle eyes, and the hyper one started jumping up on me while wagging her tail. Finally, I managed to get away to the restroom. When I came out, both dogs were laying in front of the door waiting for me. LOL!

--
*In case I don't have a chance to read and comment on others blogs until this weekend - I'm working two long days in a row, so may not be able to catch up on blog reading till Saturday afternoon.

During the time I was doing my packing on Friday, I made sure to put a change of work clothes and a pair of workout clothes in my gym bag. That way I would be ready and raring to go Monday morning no matter how much had or hadn't been unpacked.

Unfortunately, that bag has not shown up anywhere yet. It may be in the garage - but I just haven't come across it.

In it, is the only pair of non-jeans pants that fit me right now. It is getting cooler here in Texas, and so I am probably going to be wanting long pants sooner rather than later.

Also, the pair of jean capris that I wear to work a lot are starting to wear out. I've had them 3 or 4 years I think.

So, probably this weekend, I ought to look for a new pair of pants - but I don't think I'll replace the capris just yet.

I hate shopping for pants. It is SO hard to find ones that fit me. I might just start off at Lane Bryant (where my lost pair came from) and hope they have some great sale going on right now. Ugh!

Of course, as soon as I buy the new pair, the bag is going to show up. That's how it works. :roll eyes:

The person who was supposed to come pick up my bed this morning never showed - and never responded to my email asking exactly when they'd be here.

So, at 2 pm today I posted an ad on Craigslist stating I had a free King size bed, etc. The first person to respond to my ad who told me their name, a phone number AND an exact time they could come pick it up - would get the bed. Any responses without all that info would be deleted.

I ended up getting about 20 responses. Of them, I deleted 10 due to not including all the information. The first person who responded actually hadn't included all the info in their first email, then I guess they must have reread the ad.

They just now left with it.

My place is really, really empty now.

I have my couch/futon, my stereo, my elliptical, my freezer, my computer desk/computer, a stand up pantry, two dressers, two nightstands, 4 bookshelves, treadle sewing machine and of course my clothes and kitchen stuff. I could easily fit in a 500 sq ft or smaller apartment now.

Wow, when I list it that way, it still sounds like a lot of stuff doesn't?

So now I guess I can really start packing my stuff up in earnest. Although, I think I may try to pare down my kitchen stuff a good bit (maybe give a couple boxes of it to Family Place). Any kitchen stuff I keep will be in boxes for the next two years or so - so I need to decide how much is really worth keeping for two years in boxes.

One week from today I will be living with two cats and two dogs. YAY! No vet bills or food bills for them - just all the loving and scritches they'll put up with from me.

I'll also have cable - I wonder if I'm going to get rehooked on Army Wives. (****whistling***) That reminds me, I need to call and cancel my dsl service.

*So far, so good with the car. My iPhone came in real handy on the way home Friday. I had to get off the highway to get gas, and ended up missing my connection. So, instead of turning around and hoping I'd get back going the right way, I used the Maps function. It gave me a new route from my then current location. It took me through some areas I normally would have tried to avoid, but it was mid-afternoon, so not too bad.

My brother recently purchased an Iphone. Last week he spent some time at our Aunts house in San Jose, while our grandma also happened to be there. He espoused the wonders of it (iphone) to our aunt and grandma, and even got our uncle majorly intrigued.

Our Aunt was considering switching everybody from Sprint to AT&T and getting iphones (1 for her and uncle, and 1 for my dad and grandma.) In the end she decided not to because the company she works for gives an 18% discount for using Sprint.

But ... my grandma really thought the iphone was really neat. Especially the gps function and the internet browser function.

She knows how I am majorly directionally challenged, as well as how I am without internet at work.

So ... she and my dad have made me the following offer:

1. They'd buy me an iphone
2. They'd pay for any charges over the $50/month ($39.99 + taxes/fees) I currently pay for my plan.

At first I told them I really appreciated the offer, but I'm really okay with my cheapy phone that just makes and takes calls. They kept pushing for me to think it about it more.

I *am* really, really interested in the GPS turn by turn directions capability, because I do have a great tendency to get royally lost quite easily.

Also, the internet capability at work - even if it was just enough to be able to find the articles I have to read for my classes, would be a huge time saver.

Looking at At&T's site, it looks like these are the basic costs (above the voice plan):
$30/mo - data plan
$10/mo - GPS service
$5/mo - 200 text/picture messages

With a bit of trepidation, I mentioned this to my mom. She thinks I should take advantage of their offer.

Oh, I don't think I've mentioned this before, but they also have offered to pay up to $300/mo towards a new to me car payment. (Which so far I have politely declined.)

I guess I'm feeling really torn about this - making roughly $850/month, and then going around carrying a phone that costs %12+ of monthly gross income?

Am I looking a gift horse in the mouth? Being ungrateful?

It would be really hard to give up the iphone once I got used to it -- I know how much I love technology and gadgets. And I do think it would be a really beneficial tool for me. I just have a hard time wrapping my mind around a $200+ phone with a $100/mo price tag.

If you were single, looking at two years of school, probably continuing to make under $900/mo for those two years, and had an offer like this, what would you do? Oh yeah, also think of this as though you are someone who has gotten majorly lost, more than once, coming home from the mom's house - a route you've done a million times.

ETA - Oh yeah. I'm also really interested in some of the apps you can use with it -- like the Kindle app -- and it looks like there is an app that you can use to track your distance walked/ran ...

After checking my credit card statement online, I realized that I had prepaid for my hotel stay - no cancellations allowed. When I made the reservation, I saw that clause, but somehow it didn't stick in my mind. So ... hotel it is. (for my on campus days)

-------

Today I went and checked out the home of the single mother with two teens, dogs, and cats. (For a total of $290/mo including utilities.)

The room was small. BA, maybe twice the size of your closet.

There is room in it for a twin bed (in room already) a dresser, and *maybe* my computer desk.

If the room was all there was to it, I probably would have to pass. But, it wasn't.

Included in the rent is an amount of storage space in her garage, which is nearly equal to the size of the bedroom. Plus, there is a large living room which her family rarely uses right next to the bedroom - which I've been told I can use if I need to for my furniture/items.

The two dogs and cats are adorable and so sweet and lovable. If I end up renting there, I'll be sure to post pictures.

There isn't much of a closet for hanging clothes. But, since I'll have easy access to a washer/dryer, I would reduce my clothing amount quite a bit. (I could possibly get one of those portable closet things and put it in the living room if I really needed to...)

The only problem is that she is really needing someone right away. The earliest I could move in would be mid-September. (I put in my notice to vacate yesterday - my complex requires 60-day notice.)

However, she really liked me, (especially liked how her animals took to me), so is going to see if she can find someone to just rent for a month or so.

Seriously, I hope this works out.

It is maybe an extra 5 or 6 minutes driving time to the gym, and if I took the toll road, would only have ONE toll (instead of two.)

So, my budget would look something like this:

~$870 Income

$290 - Rent/Utilities
$50 - Cell Phone
$22 - Renter's Insurance (pd yearly)
$55 - Car Insurance (pd 2x yrly)
$100 - Food
$80 - Gas/Tolls
$87 - TITHE!!!!
$100 - SAVINGS!!!!!!!!!!
$86 -- Miscellaneous (meds, treats, clothing, etc.)

I cannot even begin to tell you how much it would do for my morale to actually be able to put money into savings again.

Granted, most of it will be going straight out again whenever I pay tuition, but it will at least help to slow the drainage a good bit.

----
I got an email back from the pastor of the church where the University is - he said he'd check with his members about possibilities. So, if the above doesn't work out, hopefully he'll find something.

This weekend I went to my mom and stepdad's place. Saturday night we drove to another town to go to a church concert that one of my moms friends was singing in.

When we got back to their place, it was nearly 10:30 p.m. and it was 95 degrees out. But I needed to do my 4 mile run - all three of us went out together, but I ended up just walk/running the two loops with my mom and stepdad, which put me at a bit over 3 miles.

This morning mom and I got started early (for a Sunday) and made Special K Roast; Cottage Cheese Patties; Banana Quinoa Oatmeal Pancakes; and Crustless Quiche. All of these items are now sitting in my freezer being flash frozen. I put the Special K Roast in muffin pans so it'd be easier to freeze individual portions.

---

When I got back home and had put away my laundry and the food, I went to check my mail. I usually only check it maybe 2 or 3 times a week.

I had a very nice surprise today! A very thoughtful and sweet person sent me a bit of money, with the stipulation that it was to be used for something I want.

Hmmm... could that person be reading my blog? No, the money was sent the day before I posted about my salivating over the Garmin.

Well, from some of the comments on my Garmin 305 post, I decided that wasn't the way to go, even if I had the money. But, I have been doing some more looking, and I think that maybe the Garmin 50 with the footpod would work -- I've found it in several places for less than $90.

Although I already have a sportswatch/heart rate monitor, the three big things the Garmin 50 has that I really really would like:

1. Track my distance without having to calibrate step stride or mess with GPS

2. Track my pace/speed

3. Able to upload info to Garmin tracking software - see trends on heart rate, distance, pacing, etc.

I really could have used the Garmin 50 last night. I was supposed to do 4 miles, but my mom and dad only had a 1.5 mile route set up. My stepdad tried to explain the route to me, but there were too many turns, and with my err... directional talents ... I decided to just stick with them. If I'd had the G50 I could have struck out on my own till I hit the 2 mile mark, then just turned right around.

Though the 3 + a bit miles pretty thoroughly wore me out. How am I going to do 5 miles this coming weekend!!!!???

So ... anyone have any experience with the Garmin 50?

Some of you may remember when I first started running last year how I was salivating over a Garmin Forerunner GPS enabled watch. I never did get it.

So now that I'm training to run a half-marathon, the bug has come back in full force. I found a Garmin 305 Forerunner for $179 on Amazon. It tells your heartrate, how fast you're going, and your distance. (plus a lot more.)

I *really* *really* wanted this.

But, financially speaking, I *really* *really* am NOT in a place where I should be spending nearly $200 on a watch.

So last week I was cleaning out a drawer as part of my decluttering effort (and moving prep.) Lo and behold, I found a Timex Sportswatch and chest heart rate monitor!

The only problem with the watch was that the battery was dead.

So today after work I stopped by Walmart's jewelery department and had them put a new battery in the watch. I also thought the chest heart rate monitor would need a new battery - but the guy told me it was good to go.

The new battery? It cost $4.33 including tax.

This setup won't tell me how fast I'm going, nor will it tell me how far I've gone, but it will help me by letting me see how hard I'm working (heart rate) and how long it takes me to run a course. (Which would have been nice for my race this past weekend, so I could have had my actual race time.)

Maybe, if I keep up with my running past the half-marathon this December, then it would be worth it to invest in a Garmin, but for right now, my Timex will do the job!

I checked my unemployment account last night, and was VERY happy. It shows that I've been sent a payment for each of the weeks that I made a claim, and that I should receive my debit card by April 23.

Woo Hoo!

I'll be even happier once I have the debit card and transfer the funds to my checking account - because then NO MoRE dealings with UI!
---

I'm torn. The company where I have my two blogs at has demoted a majority of the bloggers from pay per post to just pay per unique visit (me included.) A lot of people posted on the forum expressing their disappointment. A good number expressed that they may not post as often on their blog. From what I have gathered so far, everyone who expressed even a hint of taking a bit of a break from posting, or cutting back on how often they'll post, has been locked out from their accounts.

This means that they no longer are able to use their blogs nor earn money from visitors.

I feel strongly that this was very very very wrong, and don't know that I wish to continue with my blogs there. But ... I've put a lot of time and energy into both the frugal and storytime blogs and really don't relish the idea of starting over somewhere else.

The other thing is, is that I have two referrals - people who clicked on a 'paid to blog' ad from my site. If I leave before they become qualified referrals (30 posts) then I lose the one-time referral fees.

I'm just not sure what to do.

Leave and start over somewhere else - which means losing at least $10 plus having to figure out a new system.

or

Stay and keep my mouth shut about what I think about how they treated their loyal bloggers, and maybe get the $5-10 eventually, and not have to learn a new system.

Well, it seems as though the lady I spoke with on Friday actually did send an expedite email. Today I got a call from a different lady, who I assume is an investigator, and she asked me some questions to verify information. From what she said, it sounds as though she's going to be approving my claim. Now I just have to wait 7 - 10 business days to get my debit card, and I'll finally have my money!!

Just in time for me to stop making any claims. (Technically, as long as I'm working less than 40 hours at min wage, I can still make claims - but it really isn't worth the hassle IMO.)

---
I think one of the perks of working at the gym may have gone away -- having internet available. On Monday when I got back from my interview, I couldn't log on, then again yesterday, and yet again today. There are a good number of the locked networks, but the unlocked ones are having a really small signal strength or none at all.

E mentioned that there is some kind of singal booster thing I can buy for around $30. If this keeps up, I may have to look into that, because as much as I love to read, I do like to keep informed of what's going on in the world during the day. (i.e. check email and surf net.)

---
Had a real funny today when I was driving home from the gym. I passed through two different "tea party" groups. As I was passing through the first one, I had to do a double take --- one of the participants was my old manager! (He is pretty um... distinctive/hard to miss even in a crowd.) I guess I shouldn't be too surprised, because his income is well above the level where the taxes are supposed to increase.

It was just really weird to actually recognize someone in a protest. I wonder if he participated in the protest marches of the 60's too? Too bad I can't ask him, that could've been a fun conversation.

--
I cut out a few coupons that are useful - mostly for convenience items, but with the coupons they should be cheap enough to get. I was planning on planning out my Tom Thumb shopping trip today ($30 gift card; $5/$50 coupon) but didn't have the updated sales flier, and of course didn't have access to the internet.

I did get a flier today though -- it said "get a $10 coupon off your next order for every $30 you spend on participating products." Hmm.... So, if I finagle it right, I'll be able to pay $15 for $50+ of groceries, plus get a $10 coupon for my next visit. Now I just need to get a list of the participating products to see if it is worthwhile for me to try.

I've been keeping pretty busy the past couple days doing various things. Nothing really exciting really.

Today I did my last pet-sitting visit before my friends get back (actually, I stayed there last night and watched some more cable!) Their cat Megan was hiding from me this morning, but as I was just about to leave, she came out and hissed at me. So I sat down and took my shoes off -- and she let me give her foot rubsies.

My dad sent me $100 for my hotel when taking my GRE. (Isn't my dad sweet?) That's enough for 2 nights - taxes. I'm thinking about maybe making this a little mini-vacation. Yeah, like my life isn't a vacation right now, right?

But really, Abilene does have some interesting things to see, and it's one town in TX I've not been before. If I stay one or two nights will depend on how my job search is going. If I've got an interview lined up for Wednesday -- it'll be one night!

---
I've kind of been disappointed with the traffic my children's book blog is getting. It went for nearly three days with NO visitors. I was beginning to wonder if it was worth it to keep going with it. Then . . . the visitors started coming back (mainly google searches) and then *yesterday* I had 8 unique views - but one of them had to have been one of those indexing robots, because I had a total of nearly 600 page views!!!!!

---
I am beginning to think that sending responses to job postings on Craigslist is good for one thing, and one thing only. Job search credits for UI. Every week I've sent at least 6 or more responses (sometimes closer to 12) and I've gotten 4 interviews out of it, plus two other responses - one of which was that spam site trying to get me to sign up for online degree programs.

Yech.

There has to be a better way.

When I get back from my GRE test on the 1st, I am going to seriously start trying to figure something else out. Also seriously work on revamping my resume. I've kind of been doing *just enough* in trying to prepare for the GRE. So once that's out of the way, I can get focused again. Even if I could just find a part time job to add to my gym job - that would be great.

----
A few days ago I wrote a post about the Montana Plane Crash and how there were people on it who hit close to home for my family.

---
Ok, I'm going to catch up with some blogs here, then get back to prepping for the GRE.

Toot a loo!

Friday afternoon I went over to my friends house to check on their rabbits and their cat. If you remember, when I went there on Wednesday, the rabbits were completely out of water. That is why I decided to go back on Friday instead of waiting till Saturday.

Well, I guess the weather had been cooler, or the rabbits hadn't been as thirsty, because their water bottle was half full. Still, I had bought a second water bottle (Walmart $3.xx) for them, so I went ahead and attached it to their cage.

I had decided to go ahead and spend the night there (which my friends had told me I was welcome to do) to both keep Megan (cat) company, and wait a few hours to change out everything (plus they have a big cable package, so I did a bit of cable surfing too.)

About 9:30p.m. someone knocked on the front door. I debated about acknowledging the person, but in the end decided to at least turn the porch light on and see who was out there. After seeing it was a man, I called out "um, yes?" He asked me if I was a family member. I told him that no, I was a friend of the family. He said, Oh, ok. and then went on his way.

That was a little unnerving, but it also made me feel good to know that my friends have neighbors who are keeping an eye out for them.

---
I kind of wish I had Lifetime for the next 4 weekends at least. They're showing 4 new Nora Roberts movies. If I could pay for just one channel, it would be Lifetime.

---
One week from Tuesday is my GRE test. I'm really getting nervous about it. I almost wish I'd scheduled it out further. But, even if I had, I probably still wouldn't feel ready for it.

---
I talked to my brother today. Once he has his acceptance letter for nursing school, he is thinking of signing up for the Air Force - have them pay for his schooling, and then serve however many years are required in exchange.

He'd be able to go in as an officer because he already has a degree, so wouldn't have to do boot camp (which is good, because he has two bad knees.)

I'm not sure how I feel about this. I want my brother safe, but I'm also proud that he's willing to serve his country (even though it also will benefit him financially.) Going in as a medic/nurse should keep him fairly safe -- hopefully.

Whatever happens, will happen. Hopefully it will all be for the best.

----
My recent post on Single Frugalton is about the dangers of gift shops. I'd love to hear your opinions on it.

---
Sunday plans;
() Craigslist
() Study GRE math
() update blogs
() clean kitchen
() trash run
() exercise

Yesterday at my interview, one of the questions was if I prefer working by myself or in a group setting. I thought that was a funny question, because sometimes I have thought that I'd much prefer working out of my home and not having to mess with the whole office/coworker thing.

But the last five weeks or so, where I have had very little interaction with other people comparatively to when I worked in an office, I've realized that I actually miss it.

Even working at the gym doesn't offer that much in the way of interaction. For example I was there today for four hours, and only ONE person came in.

I feel kind of bad for people who stop and say more than hi to me, because sometimes that's enough to get my mouth going - just to have someone to talk to face to face.

Another thing I've realized is that when I was first laid off, I had so many people calling me to check on me, or emailing me, etc. But now, it's back to normal - where I get maybe two calls a week.

I think next week I am going to force myself to go to at least one of those networking get together things. Even just to get out and interact with other people. Although, when in a group of strangers, my shy/quiet will hardly say a word side strikes up. Worth a try though.

----
Yep, I received my check for Jury Duty today. So, since I had to pay $6 for parking (since the attendant gave me back $2) I am now even. Yay.

I'm really having a lot of fun with my children's story time blog. I hadn't realized that so many of my favorite children's poet poems were on you tube. Some of them aren't read exactly the way I'd do it - but they're still good.

While at the gym today I skipped the last section of chapter 5 - just was not getting it - and studied through the middle of Chapter 10 of the GRE math. There were a couple sections I didn't stay with very long, but might go back to later if I have time.

---
oops - time for ER - will finish later

Well, my interview this morning was interesting. I didn't speak with the person I'd been corresponding with, and he didn't seem to have seen any of my info until it was handed to him. He reiterated the fact that there were at least 600 cannidates for the positions.

Then he mentioned that sometime they had to work a little late to ensure projects were done. I told him I didn't have a problem with that. THEN he mentioned that sometime they had to work Saturdays. (Groan. Interview over.) I told him I couldn't do Saturdays, but I'd be more than happy to come in on Sundays if needed.

They're of course not open on Sundays.

Oh well - I don't know that I'd really want to work at a place where I'd be expected to put in that much overtime anyway - esp not for what they're paying per hour.

---
Long story short - I found out today why I haven't received my unemployment benefits yet. They were on hold. For more of the story check today's post on The Single Frugalton.

----
Here is a really cute video of a cat being aggressive with another cat - that is, a *picture* of a cat! LOL

Cat attacks Picture

----
I went to take care of the Bunnies and Hissy Cat today. Hissy cat of course hissed at me as I opened the door and growled at me as I walked past her to get to where her food/toilet/water were all at. Before I left though, she let me give her a foot rub - only after I took my shoes off.

Poor bunnies! Their water bottle was completely empty! After I refilled it, they both practically attacked it.

I ended up goofing off for an hour or so, then before leaving, I refilled their water again.

I'm not supposed to go back again until Saturday - but I'm worried that they'll be dehydrated before then. The weather has been pretty warm.

I'm also thinking about getting a second water bottle for them - but I really don't want to spend very much, since well, they're not MY pets - and it won't probably even be necessary again once the family is back.

Any suggestions?

----
I called about the Lab bill today. I was told to resubmit my insurance info to them and then see what happens. For now, I'll leave it at that.

The lady I spoke with confirmed that it should have been covered.

-----
Wednesday's Accomplishments:
Wednesday Plans
(x) Interview at 10:30
(x) Cancel savings account at Chase
(x) Call Aetna and holler
(x) Go feed hissy cat and bunnies
() Study Chapter 6 in GRE
(x) Update blogs
() Finish Driver's Ed renewal course!!!!

Thursday's Plans
() Watch Lost
() Update blogs
() Finish Driver's Ed renewal course!!!!!
() Study Chapter 6 in GRE
() Send in application to place mentioned by Chase bank lady

---
ETA - When I got home today from taking care of the fur babies, I found out that my freezer door hadn't properly shut. So, I don't know how long it had been like that, but there was starting to be some drippage.

None of the food is meat - it appears that all the frozen fruits have turned to mush. Do you think my frozen burritos (bean and cheese and rice) and my frozen veggie lasganas will be okay to eat still?

I can't believe I did that!

When I got home tonight and checked my mail, I had a bill from a lab. It said that the insurance company had denied the claim because I wasn't covered on the date of service.

WHAT?!!! I was told I'd be fully covered through Feb. 28, and after that I'd have to go with Cobra. The lab work was done on Feb 19.

I will have to call Aetna tomorrow and find out what the eck is going on!

The lab bill itself isn't horrible - $104 - but if that wasn't covered, then probably the doctor's visit wasn't, nor my medication refil -- that all would add up.

---
I hadn't realized how long and involved Chapter 5 of my math book was. I worked fairly steadily on it today for about two hours, and still haven't quite finished it. The last section is on Algebraic Fractions (+,-,x,/).

---
I applied to a number of postings on Craigslist today. It was weird though, one of the listings I'd found last night and had left up to apply to in the morning, had been removed. I guess they found someone between late yesterday afternoon and early this morning? It had every appearance of a legitimate ad. Oh well.

----
Tomorrow I have an interview at a place that does loan modifications and credit repair. They sent me three websites with info on their company.

I looked over all three websites - the first one is just a list of products, but the other two are for the Loan Modifications and Credit Repair. The Credit Repair site shows they are licensed and bonded in the state of Texas, but the Loan Modification one doesn't say anything about that.

I read an article on MSN yesterday about the Loan Modification places basically not being worth anything because they take your money up front, and then have little if any results to show for it.

So . . I am wanting to ask enough questions about how they operate their business to reassure myself that it is a legitimate business that is actually helping people. I'm just not sure of the best way to phrase my questions so that I don't come across as accusing them of something in case they ARE legitimate.

For instance: How does the loan modification process work? Do you take the money upfront, or upon successfully helping someone? What is the success rate?
How long has this business been operating? Has it gone under any other names? etc. ..

Suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

----
Tuesday Accomplishments;
() Cancel Chase savings account
(x) Cash paycheck
() exercise
(x) Check Craigslist
(x) Update blogs
() Study Chp 6, 7 GRE Math
(x) Gym from 3 - 7

Wednesday Plans
() Interview at 10:30
() Cancel savings account at Chase
() Call Aetna and holler
() Go feed hissy cat and bunnies
() Study Chapter 6 in GRE
() Update blogs
() Finish Driver's Ed renewal course!!!!

Due to the shift changes prompted by one of our staff members being asked to leave, I now have the early morning shift on Mondays.

It's amazing to me how fast a body gets used to NOT having to be up at the crack of dawn and how difficult it is to force that same body to rest the night before.

I had to go by the South gym to pick up the paychecks for the other two locations, so I even got to sleep in a few minutes more than I would have otherwise.

Even so, I was totally dead off my feet at the gym. Luckily, between 7 and 11 only 1 person came to workout. The other problem was that I was *cold*!

I hope I'm not coming down with something. Ugh!

---
I stopped by my apartment management's office today and signed a 6-month lease. I also found out that I could rent the smallest two-bedroom for $750/mo including utilities. So, I think I will spend the next few months looking for a roommate that I can live with to split the rent. Even if it goes up a bit, it'll still be less than $400/mo which would save me at least $265/mo. The biggest issue I still have to wrestle with is if I can give up my privacy.

----
I did manage to get in a few hours of studying my GRE math. I'm working on Chapter 5 of 14. So, if I concentrate on two chapters a day, I should have throughly gone through all the chapters by Sunday. Then I can take the practice exams, and review what I missed. Then on to the rest of the test.

----
I spent way too much time this afternoon working on my Storytime For Children blog. I think though that I like how it is coming along. If you'd like to check it out and let me know what you think -- especially about the header and color scheme -- check my side panel in a few minutes for a link to it.

----
Tuesday Plans:

() Cancel Chase savings account
() Cash paycheck
() exercise
() Check Craigslist
() Update blogs
() Study Chp 6, 7 GRE Math
() Gym from 3 - 7

My friend T and her husband are going on a 12 day cruise tomorrow - her husband won it as a prize for being the top salesman for quarter 4 at my former company.

Their two children are on their way to their grandparents, but they have a cat and rabbits at home. I've been asked to stop by and feed/care for them 3 times while they're gone - which I readily agreed to do.

I would have done it for free - but they insisted on paying me. So, I said, ok, let's say a tank of gas. Before I left today, they gave me enough money for at least FIVE tanks of gas! And they wouldn't hear otherwise.

I kind of feel guilty accepting that much money just for taking care of their furbabies 3 times. It is a 30 minute drive one-way with good traffic - but they've done so much for me over the years, it doesn't feel right accepting anything for it.

God has truly blessed me.

---

It looks like I have another interview this Wednesday. That outfit that had over 700 responses to their post responded to my followup response. It would be a full time position, M - F, paying 10 - 12/hr with benefits. It sounds like it is a place helping people modify their mortgages - so probably something pretty stable even in a bad economy.

I would however, have to limit myself to just one or maybe two classes per term, so that means it may take an extra year to finish. But again, if I want it badly enough, it's worth it.

----
I have 15 days until I take my GRE and I have not been focusing very well at all. I need to really hunker down for the next 9 days and focus on studying the Math, and then I'll spend 4 days on the writing, and the last few days focus on a general overview and taking practice tests.

I was talking to my dad last night, and he offered to pay for my hotel stay after the test is over. I probably need to make a reservation now rather than later. My test is at 1:00, so I may drive there in the morning, leaving around 7 a.m. in case I get lost.

So . .. I didn't sleep very well last night. (Let's just say that when you have a bottle of vegetable oil from 1997 and you're not sure if you should use it or not - no matter how much you want to make the brownies - DON"T DO IT!)

While I was tossing and turning, my mind was scheming as to what to do about my storytime blog. I'm thinking the likelihood of getting publishers to give me a carte blanche go ahead to read their books from cover to cover on videotape without having to pay royalties or something, is probably pretty slim. Especially without having anything established other than the one post.

So, I've decided to go ahead and do something similar to what I was thinking - except without the videos. I'm going to focus on different children's authors/poets and/or themes. I'll write short histories of the author's, give ideas on how to use the books or poems in a homeschool or classroom setting, and provide either links to already created activities or my own suggested ideas.

I also am going to see if my dad would be willing to record himself saying his children's stories. My dad was a pastor for 35 years, and I've never heard better children's stories. So, if he's willing, then I might put up two of those a month with a transcript.

Eventually, if it gets established enough, I might be able to add in my original idea. I still might make videos showing how to read a story to a group of children, or how to engage one child on your lap in a story. You would think most people would have those skills naturally, but from what I've seen, that's not so.

I need to get an amazon code from today for linking to the books, so it may still be a while before I get it really going.

I may be asking those of you with little ones 10 and under to give me suggestions of some of their favorite current authors. I know quite a bit myself, but there's so many out there that I may not have heard of them before.

----
Can I live on $838/month?

The answer to that question is no. But I *can* live on $1000/month.

Why am I asking myself this question? Because that is what I'm probably going to be doing for the next couple years.

I think I'm going to give up on the job search for now. (Not that it's going so great anyway.)

If I work at the gym 32 hours a week - M, T, TH and F that will give me roughly $838/month income. The monthly difference will have to be made up through my savings.

What this will allow me to do is:
1. Have 4 days a week where I will have plenty of time to study and work on my blogs while getting paid.

2. Be in a place 4 days a week where I can work out.

3. Have my Wednesday's free to volunteer at my local library branch to start getting some real world experience.

3a. By getting my foot in the door at the library as a volunteer, I *may* be able to be in line for a paid position eventually if one opens up.

So, here is my budget:

Income: 838
Rent: 665 (Utilities are paid)
Phone: 50
Internet: 20
IRA: 50
Insurance: 200 (Health, Car, Renter's)
Gas: 40
Food: 50
Other: 10
Total Output: 1085
Difference: 246.60

246.60 *12 = 2959.44

So, at least $3,000 will be used from savings. I will have to use savings also for any taxes owed, medical costs, or car repairs. So I'm thinking roughly $4200 for one-year above my income.

I will pursue other avenues of income, such as from my blogs and babysitting, but that's not consistent enough to count.

My food budget will basically be this:
loaf of bread - $4
jar of peanut butter - $3
2lb bag of pinto beans $2
quinoa or lentils - $10
RiceMilk (2 lg containers) $7
Oatmeal $4
Fruit - $5
Frz Veggies - $6
Other -- $9

A day's meals would look like this:
Breakfast: Oatmeal w/milk banana
Lunch: Beans and veggies
Supper: Quinoa w veggies
Snack: peanut butter toast

I have some of these things on hand already, as well as a good number of other food items, so any grocery money not spent will be kept back for months when the gym is closed for a holiday.

I think I can make this work. It won't be easy - especially using up my savings. But if in the end I have my Master's and have library experience for my resume, I think it will be worth it.

What do you all think?

I found out today that I might be able to get some more hours at the gym starting next week - for a total of around 20 - 22 hrs/week. It'd still be a good bit less than my unemployment allowance, so I can do that and still claim payments. (not that I've been paid anything yet.)

I think it will be good for me to have more days at the gym - force me to get out into the world at least 4 days a week. E understands that I am still actively searching for something that pays more/give more hours, and that I may not be able to give much notice.

What I'm actually thinking would be good is if I could find something part time that pays 10-12 dollars/hr for 20 hrs, and then do the 15 hrs or so at the gym for min wage. That would give me enough to pay rent, gas, and bare min food. But it would also give me two days a week where I can study and work at the same time.

---
It is so weird to wake up on a Friday morning and remember that I'm not going to have had an infusion of cash in my bank account. Today was the 4th Friday with no paycheck.

I will be getting a paycheck on Monday for the gym, but it will be 1/3 of what I was used to getting every Friday.

I am still living off of what I earned in February, so reality hasn't totally sunk in.

In a couple weeks though I will be living off much much less in order to avoid touching my savings as much as possible - unless of course I find another job. The rubber will really be hitting the road.

Monday morning I'm going to go by that place where they offered me a job several years ago. It probably is a real stretch that anyone there still remembers me, let alone would have a job open -- but it wouldn't hurt to try. Especially if it meant I could walk to work again.

----
Friday's accomplishments
() close Chase savings
() Study GRE Math
(x) Gym from 11 - 7
() exercise

Saturday's plans
() study GRE math
() make flashcards
() update blog

----
Oh I wanted to tell you all. My Single Frugalton blog came in 3rd place out of the 5 blogs. There were a total of 65 votes, and I got 12 votes. Caregivingdaughter.today.com, which is a fantastic blog about a woman taking care of her mom with alzheimers, won with 20 votes.

I was totally honored to know that 11 other people liked my blog enough to vote for it. (Hey, I had to vote for myself, right?)

Didn't really do as much as I'd planned on doing today because I stayed up way too late reading, and then slept in later than I'd planned.

I did send out a couple more responses to Craigslist job ads. Haven't gotten any response from the ones I've sent so far this week.

Was *very* annoyed to find out that Governor Perry of Texas refused the unemployment stimulus money.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090312/ap_on_re_us/stimulus_texas

----
I sent a couple of emails to various children's books publishers today asking them how I could obtain permission to read their books on video. I'm just not having much luck finding hard copies of public domain books to use. Plus, those in the public domain are at least 70+ years old, so may not have very much for the preschool/first grade age range.

I'll have to wait and see what the publishers say. I tried to couch it in the sense that they'd get some free advertising.

* My new blog is located here if you want to look at it. I only have one post so far since I am still trying to come up with material to use for it.

Suggestions and ideas would be welcomed.

----
I found a great deal on Glamour Magazine which is posted on my blog.

----

Thursday's Accomplishments:
(x) Updated blog
(x) Made progress in kitchen
(x) studied GRE math (some)
() math flashcards
() exercise
(x) contacted 2 children's publishers

Fridays Plans:
() Update blog
() Study GRE math
() Make math flashcards
() close Chase savings account (service fees!!!)
() Gym from 11am to 7pm

----
ER with maybe George Clooney guest starring in less than an hour! Woo Hoo!

Hey all. It's been a few days. Sunday was a LONG day. I got a good bit done at home in the morning (or should I say between 10 and 2 thanks to a late start due to missing an hour!) Then I went over to my friend's house, and he went through the whole Math book with me - all 14 chapters of it! We did take a break for supper which his wife made - yummy dinner roast and sweet potatoes. But all in all, we spent nearly 6 hours working on math.

I came away with a much better base to work from, and have been going back through it doing as many examples as I can to make sure I really get everything.

What would I do without such wunderful gut friends?

---
Monday was jury duty. I was going to take the bus so I wouldn't have to worry about getting lost. Hah! The bus was supposed to be at the bus stop at 7:12. A bus pulled up and it was the wrong bus - I checked the time and it was 7:24. So, I hustled back home and got directions. Amazingly the traffic was light, and I didn't get lost (going over there at least!)

I couldn't figure out where the underground discounted parking was, so I parked in the nearest lot I could find -- $8 for all day parking. Ugh!

Luckily for me, they only called jurors through 999 - so at 10:30, as I was #1807, I got to go home.

The parking lot attendant was so sweet - I asked him if there was any discount since I'd only been parked there two hours - not really expecting anything. He gave me back two dollars.

Then of course I got royally lost on my way back home. Have I said before how much I do not like driving in downtown Dallas??

I called E and let him know I was available - so he put me on the schedule for the gym - so the day wasn't a total wash.

---
Tuesday was a wash. Got an email letting me know I didn't get the job I'd interviewed for on Friday. Oh well. Really didn't do anything productive - I think I was wiped from Sunday's math marathon and then no sleep Sunday night.

----
Today I applied for 7 different jobs - through Craigslist, hotjobs, and careerbuilder.

One of them in particular interests me - except I'm a bit worried that it's not an actual job, but they're wanting you to purchase a franchise. It's going to preschools and other school settings and teaching their computer programs. It sounds like I could make my own hours - so I could do it T,W,TH and keep the gym job.

Oh, and I fell for another one of those scam applications where they take your info and really want to get it for online schools to call you. This time someone actually did - I told them I wasn't interested, and they said they'd take me off their list. We'll see.

I got one of my quarterly calls from the DSO (Dallas Symphony Orchestra.) Before the lady could even start in on her pitch, I told her that I'd been laid off and didn't have any money for tickets. She let me go nice and easy.

I'd love to go more often, but those tickets are pricey, so I prefer to save for when Kenny G or Jim Brickman or the Beach Boys are performing.

---
My apartment isn't in company shape yet, but I do have to say I am proud of the progress I have made.

---
I've been waylaid by a new author - Cathy Marie Hake. They are Christian Historical Romance novels. She's good. I read 'Letter Perfect' and 'Bittersweet' the past couple days. They're the kind of books you can hardly bear to put down - even when your eyes are burning from lack of sleep.

----
Thursdays Plans:
() Study GRE Math
() make flashcards for formulas
() Finish cleaning kitchen
() Update blog
() exercise

-----
Question: Does anyone know where I could find hardcopy copies of children's books that are in public domain? I am working on another blog and I need to have a good selection of children's books (actual copies) to use. I've found the online sources, but I'm needing something for a visual.

--
P.S. I have been keeping up with the blogs here, but for some reason my computer hasn't been letting me post comments since I updated my browser.

I sat with my friend T and her two children for church today. She chose to sit in the *very* first pew - not exactly my first choice (or second choice, or third choice....) Her husband was playing the piano for choir, which is why she was sitting there. (He is a very talented pianist.)

After church was over and we were getting ready to leave, a family of 3 came over. I looked up, and it was like a blast from the past! One of my students (one of my *favorites*) was standing there in front of me! She looked so grown up, but I knew her almost immediately. I hadn't seen her in almost 4 years - she'd been my student for two years - such a quiet, intelligent and polite girl.

I didn't mind so much having sat up front, otherwise they probably wouldn't have spotted me.

----

I took some pictures today with the 4 gig SD card I'd bought out in CA. Previously, I'd been using the 2 gig card borrowed from my stepdad. My computer doesn't seem to want to recognize it. I hope I can figure it out soon, because I use my camera quite a bit - and would really hate to have to buy another card. (I can't take this one back, it was on clearance sale - Circuit City - no receipt.)

-----
Accomplished so far today:
(x) Sabbath School and Church
(x) picked up books from library (including GRE book)
(x) Study GRE Math
(x) trash run

Sunday Plans:
() clean kitchen (counters/dishes/fridge)
() make oatmeal patties
() study GRE math
() go to T's house for math tutoring
() decide how to go to courthouse for jury duty (drive downtown, take DART??)

I really liked the place I interviewed at today. It seems like it would be kind of like what I was doing at my former job - only maybe with a bit more variety and keep me busier.

I think the interview went pretty well. Which was good, because I could have had my nerves totally frayed by the fact that my hose decided to run *below* my hemline AS I was getting out of my car to go inside!! And no, I hadn't noticed a run before that. They lasted all of 3 days. Nice.

Anyway, I should be hearing back from her on Monday (while I'm possibly at the courthouse getting on a jury!)

---
One of the GRE prep books came in at the library today - but it wasn't the one I was most wanting. So . . I decided to bite the bullet and go buy a couple prep books. With the test coming up on the 31st, I don't have very much time to waste at all.

I bought one book focused on Math review/test questions, and one book focused on the essay questions.

After spending about 20 minutes working in the Math book, (and yes, I know I am being hard on myself), I am feeling kind of stupid. I'm in the basics chapter. Some of it I'm remembering, some of it I'm still going "huh???" after he explains it.

Word problems are going to kill me.

Ask me to find the average - fine, can do.
Ask me the mode or the mean - great!

Now give me a problem that says Sally took 3 tests and got a 90, 92, and 94. She needs a 95 average to get an A for the course. What does she need to get on her 4th test?

Figured it out - not the way the book explained it - but still got the right answer.

Then, here comes this problem:
20 students scored a 90 on a true false test. 30 students scored 100. What is the mean, mode, and median?

ARGH~~~~~~

I hate word problems!

Luckily, my friend T's husband is going to spend a couple hours with me on Sunday on this Math stuff. I really am going to feel silly telling him I'm getting confused on the prime numbers. I used to know this stuff - really, I did.

All I can do is take my time and study it right? If it gets to be a week before the test, and I'm still faltering with the math, then I'll just have to reschedule it. It might mean that I start my program later (and cost another $50)- but this isn't a race, right?

So . . tracking my back to school spending so far:

GRE registration: $140
Prep books: $40

-----------------
Friday Plans:
(x) 9 a.m. Interview
(x) 11 - 6:30 --- gym
() Contact school librarians
() Write thank you notes
(x) Study GRE math materials
() trash run
() dish run

Saturday Plans:
() Sabbath School and church
() set clocks forward??
() study GRE math materials
() trash run
() dish run

Perusing the Craigslist ads today, it seems like I have exhausted most, if not all of the possible legitimate job listings - at least for awhile.

This afternoon I went for my second interview. It was at a company dealing with waste management.

It didn't start out so good. When I arrived (30 minutes early - sat in car till it was 15 minutes early) there was *no one* in the lobby! At first I sat in a chair hoping someone would come into the lobby. It kept getting closer and closer to my interview time and I wasn't sure what to do.

I contemplated going down the hall labled 'human resources and payroll' to see if I could find someone there -- but in the end I just couldn't get up enough moxie to do so.

Finally, it was 2:58. I decided to call the phone number where my appt had been set up. They asked me to give it another 10 minutes, and if no one had shown up, to call them and they'd email the company to let them know I'd been there and they needed to reschedule with me. Just as I got off the phone, a lady came into the lobby -- and within a few minutes I was seated at a cubicle desk filling out the application.

The first thing I noticed was that everyone was wearing jeans. Oh happy day!!
Everyone seemed pretty relaxed while taking calls - they had a pretty funny one where someone wanted to rent a garbage truck for the day.

After filling out my application, I took a typing test (scored 62 WPM.) Then I had my interview.

It was a total opposite of yesterday. I wasn't completely *not* nervous, but I wasn't *too* nervous. The lady was really friendly.

She told me about the company, and gave me a chance to ask questions. I asked her a question no one had ever asked her before - about how the calls were routed to the different reps.

The position actually sounds like a fairly good fit for me (temporarily while going to school.) It's taking inbound calls helping customers be happy. The pay is about what I made at my former job -- but, and this is a BIG plus - you get graded on your performance (did you ask customers name, did you verify info, did you get account number, did you follow through on what you said you were going to do, etc) and based on your scores (10 quality checks a month) you get either a 15% bonus, 10% bonus or no bonus. They meet with you twice a month to go over your performance, so you're never left hanging wondering if you're doing okay or not.

They also offer full benefits (including tuition reimbursement - wonder if they'd reimburse for getting a masters in a totally unrelated field?? Or I probably should stay mum on that.)

She also told me that they have very little turnover - everyone has been there from one to 30 years. The reason they are looking to hire new people is because they've expanded (doubled) their territory and need at least 7 new CSR's to handle the call volume.

I won't know one way or the other for a couple weeks at least - but I really like the sound of this particular job.

----
Oh, I went to Office Depot again today to print out corrected copies of my resume. The same guy who helped me yesterday was there. I told him that I had bragged about OD's customer service.

-----

I spent some time reading through this Algebra review pdf today. A lot of it makes little sense to me - so many symbols it starts to run together. But some of it is sort of coming back.

http://www.math.uakron.edu/~dpstory/tutorial/mptii/lesson02.pdf

I have a long way to go though.

-------

Thursday Plans:
(x) Practice interview questions
(x) Print copies of updated resume
(x) Check Craigslist
() Send thank you note
(x) Interview at 3 pm
(x) Study GRE math material
() Contact school librarians
() trash run

Friday Plans:
() 9 a.m. Interview
() 11 - 6:30 --- gym
() Contact school librarians
() Write thank you notes
() Study GRE math materials
() trash run
() dish run

Off to see ER!

I used my problem solving skills this morning.

I stopped by Walgreens to pick up some hose - since I haven't worn hose in I don't know how long. Then I headed over to the library.

I planned to print out a copy of my resume there, as well as to print out my former address list/work history/reference list.

As I approached the library, I saw lots of men on the roof. I got a little nervous.

When I pulled up to the front door, I saw the horrible CLOSED sign.

To avert panic, I started trying to think if there was any kind of solution to my problem (other than getting my printer at home fixed!) The Work Force Center was way too far away to be able to go there and come back in time. Then I thought, well, maybe Circuit City would let me print something out there.

I thought it was pretty far fetched, but I was desperate. As I got to Circuit City, I noticed an Office Depot next door. Lightbulb! They have a printing service - much more possible chance they'd be willing to help me out.

So, I went into Office Depot and explained my situation to the man at the printing area. He let me use their computer to access my documents, and then I was able to print my resume on bond paper (which I purchased by single sheet.)

Office Depot made a loyal customer today.

It gets better though.

I arrived about 15 minutes early for my interview. After being shown to the waiting area, I happened to glance at my resume. In my haste, I had pulled up and printed my updated, but before lay off version! Ugh!

Needless to say, I was a bundle of nerves going into the interview.

From the time I walked into the persons office until he walked me to the door -- less than 10 minutes.

He did ask me what I knew about the company, and I'm not sure if he was impressed or something else when I rattled off the info I'd read on their about page (over 40 years; in 2006 expanded to UK; 14 locations ...)

He also asked me if I was nervous - and I told him I was a bit - that it was my first interview since getting laid off. Probably shouldn't have said that.

I didn't get a chance to ask any questions - he didn't even ask me if I had any - which is part of why I think he'd already made a decision and was trying to get me out of there fast.

Look at it as practice right?

Tomorrow is another interview, and another chance.

----------------
I registered to take the GRE on Tuesday, March 31. It's not available here where I live, so I'll have to drive to a city over 3 hours away to take it.

The test costs $140, and I'll probably have to get a hotel room for the night before - which may be another $40 or $50.

It's worth it though right? To become a librarian.

Although, after going through some of the practice math questions --- I'm more than a little worried. My math skills are WAY rusty.

-------

I attempted to get in touch with a real live human at the Unemployment Insurance office today. No matter what number I called, no humans were produced. I just kept getting told to go to the website!
---------
Wednesday Plans:
(x) Print out copies of resume (maybe finish new one)
(x) Get GRE study materials
(x) Practice for interview
(x) Research company
(x) 11:00 a.m. INTERVIEW
(x) make follow up notes
() Call Chase
() Contact Teachers about library
(x) Schedule GRE!
() Exercise!!!!!

Thursday Plans:
() Practice interview questions
() Print copies of updated resume
() Check Craigslist
() Send thank you note
() Interview at 3 pm
() Study GRE math material
() Contact school librarians
() trash run

Okay, in the today.com blogosphere they have a monthly contest where today.com bloggers can nominate their favorite blogs. As a newbie blog, even though I only had two nominations, I made the voting list. The other four blogs are awesome blogs, and I'm so jazzed that I not only got two nominations, but so far have 10 out of the 50 votes cast so far.

What was really surreal was to check my feedburner stats last night and see I had 9! subscribers, which was up from 3. Of course all of those newbies have dropped off now (not really sure why someone would subscribe one day, then unsubscribe the next . . oh well.)

---

Today I attended the resume writing seminar and then the interviewing skills seminar. Both of them were VERY worthwhile. I strongly suggest that you check at your local work force center to see if they have anything like that -- and even if you have a job currently, it probably wouldn't hurt to be current on marketplace trends.

Then, on my way home I stopped at the library and talked to the children's librarian. She was very helpful and gave me a couple names of school librarians I should talk to in the area.

Oh! I also met someone during the resume seminar who's husband is a librarian and went through the UNT program. We exchanged emails, and I'm going to send her my resume and see if her hubby has any ideas for me. Networking.

-----
I'm having trouble reserving things on the library's website. I'm going to try again later tonight - need to get the GRE materials reserved - there isn't much in the way of available materials.

----
Tuesdays Plans:
(x) Work Force Resume class
(x) Work Force Interview class
() Print out copies of resume
(x) Make detailed work history list
(x) Make detailed address history list
(x) Check Craigslist
() Get GRE study materials

Wednesday Plans:
() Print out copies of resume (maybe finish new one)
() Get GRE study materials
() Practice for interview
() Research company
() 11:00 a.m. INTERVIEW
() make follow up notes
() Call Chase
() Contact Teachers about library
() Schedule GRE!
() Exercise!!!!!