The week in review

I know some of you think I have been in hiding all week because my beloved Patrick passed away. Not entirely true. I was, and still am, sadden by another life lost to the horrible cancer but I've actually had a very busy-exciting week. For those of you that do not follow me on facebook, I'll try and bring you up to speed.

Monday I had an interview with a staffing agency. I'd never heard of it before but was told they were the hiring agency for a company I wanted to apply to. I had a 10 am appointment and ended up being there until almost 1pm. I filled out tons of paperwork, took MANY on-line aptitude tests and then took their drug test. (they asked if I wanted to do it while there and I said that since I'd needed to pee for several hours-it was as good a time as any). After we were all done they scheduled an interview at the company I was interested in for the next morning.

I treated myself to lunch at Sweet Tomatoes near by (Greek month-had to go before to late though I wasn't really impressed with their idea of "Greek"...no Baklava? What the heck???). Ran some errands and then finally went to IKEA since I was near by and STILL hadn't been there since they opened. I sped through but it still took an hour. I know where I am heading when I have some spare money and a truck with me!

Tuesday morning I had the job interview. Seemed to go well even though it was with a different person than I had been expecting. He asked a bunch of those "Mental" questions about how you handled things in a past job. YIKES. He even said he was looking for specific answers. Well....why don't you tell me what you want to hear and save us both time and stress? LOL. At the end of the hour interview, I asked when I might hear something and he said by the end of the week or even later that day. I called the recruiter and told her what he'd said and she said she'd call me as soon as she heard anything.

I decided since I had an appointment on the same side of town as the interview later in the afternoon, I'd stay on that side of town and "play". I had an eye doctors appointment and then I went to several of my favorite thrifts in South Tampa. I found something at one of the stores and ended up going to the "fancy" mall to see if it could be real (it's not) I quickly remembered why I do not go to MALLS and especially the fancy one. $700 for sandals and $400 for a tank top.

Seriously? Why? Even if I could afford those prices, I'd rather shop like I do now and take nice trips, help out other people, save for retirement....

After I calmed down from the sticker shock I headed to my Tastefully Simple hostess appreciation dinner/taste new stuff party. It was fun and the stuff was yummy. I finally got home 12 hours after I'd left that morning.

Wed I kept waiting to hear from the recruiter and was getting nervous. I sent her an email and didn't hear from her. FINALLY at 2pm she called. At first she sounded like she was going to give me bad news but then I realized she was saying they offered me the job. I start MONDAY.

WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I'm a bit nervous and trying to wrap my head around having a job again after three months of looking. The location is a bit further from home than my last job but that will be OK. It's near some of my former co-workers homes so I'll be able to meet them after work sometimes so we can keep in touch. The job is in a call center so that will take getting used to as I haven't done that kind of work in 8 years. I used to be really good at it so I'm sure it will be Ok.

Thursday I took the day and went looking for some new work clothes at my favorite thrift and then at Kmart. I was very pleased to find 4 blouses at the thrift for a total of $10. At Kmart, they were having clearance and 40% off the clearance price. Sweet. I got four more blouses, a swim suit for next year, and a night gown for $16. I was also able to get my DH three pairs of his favorite kind of shorts for FREE. They were on clearance w/ the additional 40% off and I had a $10 rebate credit card from his Swiffer deal last month. I ended up paying .17 which included a drink for the boy.

I almost forgot my "exciting" event on Thursday...I finally went to a Storage Unit Auction. I've seen them advertised but have never been since they are usually during the week at Midday. I saw one advertised at my local place and went. I didn't buy anything but it was interesting.

Friday, I decided to treat myself alittle and use a bit of savings to get ready for the new job. I went to my hairdresser and got my hair cut...looks cute. Need to get the roots done but didn't want to spend three hours in the chair that day. After the hair cut, I splurged and got a pedicure. Haven't had one in years so my DH was very excited to see the little toes all painted again.

Next I went and got the oil changed, hit a local estate sale where I spent 1.25 and then I headed back to my old work place to have lunch with some of my peeps. I got to see several other people and they were all happy to hear I'd finally gotten a job. There were a couple people that had been trying to find me a job back at USF but it wasn't to be. I thanked them for their efforts and promised to keep in touch. While we were having lunch my DD dropped by the restaurant to say hello. Always so great to see her, especially with her busy schedule these days.

After lunch I filled up my car with gas, picked up a RX for DH and then took the car to the shop to get a Squeal checked. It had been making really scary noises for a few days so was afraid of what it might do. Turns out it was a loose belt from when they replaced them all many months ago. A few minutes and the car is back to it's quiet self.

Ran home to see the boy before he left for the weekend. Next up....back to Kmart for more shorts for the DH and then to Beall's to check out the Clearance and 40% off clearance and $10 off a $50 purchase. SEVERAL hours later, I had a new pair of pants, 4 pairs of earrings to match neclaces I got FREE from Premier, three new bras and a new pair of shoes for $40---out the door.

Funny (though not at the time) story about checking out at Beall's. After several hours in the store, a problem with the $10 coupon because ONE article was NOT included in the coupon and going back in the store to get different pants and another pair of earrings to make the needed total......my Debit card was declined.

Really? I've used it all day and I know there is still money in the account.....The manager suggested that it was declined because of the number of transactions in one day.

Could be. I know the bank probably said.."hey, this chick hasn't spent any money in three months and now she's had 5 transactions in one day, someone must have stolen it." Thankfully I had some money in my SLAH account and used that card.

Today I have been doing a little cleaning of the boys room and as soon as I finish this will head back to work on the rest and then the scraproom. Only one more day of free time. Sure wish I could have sat back and done projects the last three months instead of spending 12 hours a day, 7 days a week applying for work.

So, that is my week. What have you done? EMMYS tomorrow night. New shows have started. Football is in full swing and Nascar is down to the CHASE. Hope everyone is well. I'll try and post Monday night to tell you about my first day.

Til later.....................

BTW, just in case you remembered my new closet and the fancy hangers...yes, I know I've never shown you....patience.....anyway, my new rule is-when a new item of clothing comes in, an old article has to leave to make room (I only have so many special hangers and NO OTHERS can go in the closet). Thankfully I had items that should not be worn by a woman trying to impress her new boss and look like she is serious about her career. They were fine before when I really had no care about my appearance, but not now. I have $700 worth of FREE jewelry that I try and wear everyday (not all of it at the same time), I've been wearing makeup almost everyday (you can't go on an interview with my face and no makeup). I am trying to dress better. Really, you should see my new closet. Don't hate me because I have an entire new wardrobe for approximately $150 (including shoes).

See why I can't stand the thought of people spending $400 on a tank top. Foolishness I say!