The Job Council

I wish I had known about this option a while ago.......the Unemployment office mentioned I might want to contact them, but they never really told me what it was all about!
A couple of weeks ago I needed to attach a typing test to a job application for the City of Medford (no interview on that one) and overheard the receptionist talking on the phone to someone about classes.  I asked them if they offered any classes and they do, but they said I had to attend an orientation.  I attended the following week and signed up for classes (still haven't heard from anyone on that yet). I received a call from one of the counselors to verify I had a typing test (I had to type 30 WPM, I tested at 61 WPM) she also wanted me to come in and chat for a couple of minutes and sign some paperwork.  I went in and she wanted me to attend the "Foundation Skills" workshops, so I was signed up and started this past Monday. It runs M-F, M-T (almost 2 weeks), 9-12. After Foundation Skills and another certification called "NCRC" is completed then I get my own headhunter and they find me a job!  I was a little skeptical, but she assured me it would happen.  Well, what did I have to lose?  I have had absolutely no luck!  I recently had 2 interviews and didn't make it.  I am leaving my fate in their hands, hoping that something comes out of this.
I forgot to mention this is all free!  The Job Council is funded by grants.  The workshops are being held at Rogue Community College, the labs at being held at the Job Council's offices. So off I go to Medford every morning.  It's like having a job!

Please cross you fingers for me that this works out..............

Sasha Update - 2 weeks later

After a bout of kennel cough, a wound that I had to care for, and a terrible reaction to the steriod medication they put her on - all is now well.

She is adjusting quite nicely to her routine and ours.

We're still working out boundaries, mainly the cat's room (laundry room). I had to put Lizzie's food up higher, so that has helped, but I still monitor her because I'm not sure about the litter, she hasn't gone for it yet, but...........

As of this date we have not left her totally alone, but that is about to happen soon.

She loves playing with Annie and Annie is having a great time.  The two tire themselves out - good for mom and dad!

Sasha is fearless (she keeps trying to play with Lizzie, that makes her fearless and things don't bother her like they bother Annie)

confident

smart (quick learner)

has good manners

very curious (had a little bout with a dead baby bird - geez)

very loving (with us and Annie)

knows how to have "down" time

loves to eat!!!! (no food hanging around after meals)

loves the pantry (lol-will pass the door and sniff under the door to see if anything is hanging around)

a protector (when Pete came home after a day of golf she barked cause someone was coming in the back door. She barks when necessary, not a barker)

a chewer (she is still a puppy so I have to keep lots of chewie toys around, if she grabs something we do an exchange)

has the longest eyelashes!

She's fitting quite nicely into the family and all is well.

Post Birthday

My birthday dinner at Omar's and my "Coupe Denmark," an Omar's tradition for birthdays and anniversaries.

I pretty much spent the day at home sewing until Pete got home. Pete was volunteering for a huge event at the Centennial Golf course. 

Mom was supposed to go to dinner with us, but she was not feeling too well.

Dinner was very yummy and!

Grateful for another year, happy to be healthy and alive!

Job Update

No job...........

I apply for 2, sometimes 3-4 jobs a week.  There are jobs out there, that's the good news. 

The bad news, I never even make it to the interview process.

On July 13, it will officially be 9 months I have been out work.  Yes, I didn't officially start looking until January 1st and had I know, I would have started looking October 13th.  The reality is I had to let everything set in and I never thought it would take this long. I had decided it's was my age, but I was talking to a 38 year old young man who has been out of work for a long time too. So there goes that theory! So reality (in my mind) is, there are many people out there also looking for work, it's the state of the economy and there's nothing I can do about it except be diligent about applying like crazy!

I have good days and sometimes bad days, the bad days usually when I get the "reject" email for a job that I would have loved to have and know I was qualified for.  If only they would have given me a chance for an interview........

Sooooo,

here I am happily driving to help out at the Shelter.

Quilt

Finished piecing this small lap quilt which I've decided to send to my aunt in Florida.  I can't believe I still had so much fabric leftover from this line!  The blocks were left overs.  I dug through my "stash" and found a great backing for this quilt. I'm planning on doing a simple quilting (myself) next week so I can get it out to her.  

Little Red Wagon

There was an email sent out looking to borrow a red wagon for the 4th of July parade in Ashland. FOTAS (Friends of the Animal Shelter) participates in the parade, they will be walking dogs and will have a booth set up in Lithia Park.  I still had Rocky's wagon; I use it outside for landscaping, sometimes I'll put it on the porch with plants inside.

I left it at the Shelter last week for one of the volunteers to spiff up!

Look at it now!

I will also be helping out at the booth, 7 am - 11:30 am. I opted not to be in the parade. 

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Happy birthday to friends Lisa and Audrey!

Meet Sasha!

She had the name and we kept, it's cute!

Yes, I did it! I'd been wanting a small dog for 2 years now!  I saw her come into the shelter with a couple that had found her and tried to find her owners via Craiglist, etc.  They couldn't keep her, I didn't ask why, but that's okay, she's ours now.

They wanted to check out the shelter first and after taking a tour and talking to a few of us volunteers they felt comfortable that she would find the right home.

She came home with me on Saturday after my shift.  She was very shy, very depressed.  

She's a terrier mix, god knows what really, her coloring is all over the place!  She weighs 27 lbs and I can feel her ribs a little, but I think she'll be fine.

Annie has been okay with her, of course we're making sure Annie gets all the attention she normally gets.  I

give them both treats at the same time and Sasha has to follow the same rules as Annie does.  The only difference is she is permitted to get on the couch and bed, but then again so did Lizzie, so Annie should be used to the smaller kids doing it.

It's an adjustment for everyone, but with me still out of work I had the time to settle her in.

#1 - She's a "pillow" dog.

#2 - She's a "lotion" dog (she and Annie)

#3 - I think she had a cat, she really likes Lizzie and wants to spend time with her.  Lizzie seems to like her too, although Lizzie will still try to swat her.

Right after their treats

She was bathed before her spay, but she still needs a good bath. 

She was licking a "tape" spot really bad, so I cut up this stretchy mesh (from my surgery) to hold gauze after I applied some Neosporin - this has all cleared up now

All in all I probably should have waited until I had a job to get a dog, but then I wouldn't have been around to settle her in and I had money from my birthday :). Plus, she wouldn't have been there.  There was a ton of interest in her, including my friend, Kristi Lambert!

Today is the first day I have seen her with sooo much pep!  Hard to believe since she has kennel cough! I called the vet to change her "well visit" (came with adoption fee). Very common for shelter dogs, especially when they are so stressed.

She'll need antibiotics and should be fine, just hoping Annie doesn't get it!

Back in the sewing room!

I had to put the sewing aside for gardening, now that that has slowed down I can get back to some projects.

Still working on my kaleidoscope quilt.  I'm  just about done with putting the blocks together.  While I was in my room, I thought I would do a little organizing.

I had a few tee shirts put aside to see if  Rocky would like them put into his tee shirt quilt.  When he was home in March I got the "okay."

I cut them up today and added them to the bunch of others I have put aside.  My goal is to get this quilt done by graduation 2015. 

I have so many strips of fabric I thought I would gather some red, white and blue fabric from previous Americana projects and make some table runners.  Nothing fancy; something simple.

Thought I'd make myself one and a couple for gifts.

Look for future photos.  

I still have 2 quilts on the quilt wall, leftover blocks from previous quilts.  I decided to make a lap quilt for my aunt in Florida and the other, hmmmmm haven't decided yet.

After the table runners, I'll be putting together my aunt's quilt.

So Much!

Hard to believe this beautiful girl can shed so much!!!!!

Shadow was a shredder too, after all they are golden retrievers, but not as much as Annie.

It seems I can go on forever and never run out of hair to brush out!!!

Here is one small brushing, well really, about 10 minutes of brushing.

It seems I could have used this for something????

Oh well, no matter what we love her sooo much, hair and all!

Volunteering

One of the best things about staying home (wish I would have started sooner) is my "job" at the Shelter.  After a couple of months of being at home I needed something to "go" to and I needed to get out!

In the back of my mind, when I retired, I wanted to volunteer at the Shelter.  Well, here I am with nothing but time so I went to orientation in March.

My regular schedule walking dogs is on Fridays and Saturdays, 2 hour shifts. 

I also help out with setting up for the monthly book sale, the last Thursday of the month.  The book sale is the last Saturday and Sunday of the month.

I have been cleaning out my books and taking them with me on those set up days!

They have a lot of special events coming up.  I've signed up for a shift at the booth on July 4th in Lithia Park in Ashland. So, if you're at the parade stop by and see me!

When I do find my forever job, I will continue to walk dogs on Sunday and hopefully I'll be able to sign up for those special events that occur mostly on Saturdays.  Since they desperately need dog walkers on Saturdays, I won't give that up at this time.  I do know when I get back to work, and if it's full time, I can realistically only give them 1 weekend day.

I do have to say the Shelter has such a wonderful volunteer force.  There is so much that is done to make dogs and cats very comfortable while they stay there.  A lot of training is done so they are adoptable.

They get massages. They get kongs or some other challenging item filled with peanut butter every afternoon  They have an agility park and a wonderful little shade-filled park named "Slim Jim" after a beloved dog that passed away there. They have a "cuddle" room that is set up like a living room. 

The cats have a free roaming room that has all sorts of fun cubbies for them to explore and play in.

They get a lot of attention, in particular the pits and pit mixers.  They can be a little excitable so they do a lot of training with the "Pit Crew," a special group of volunteers.

I am enjoying this part of staying home. If I lived closer I would volunteer more.

This is one of my favorites, Benny.  He is a one year old, pit mix.  I think he has the body of  an American Bulldog. He reminds me of "Chance" from the "Homeward Bound" movie, his head and face are different, but his body and they way he moves is exactly like the breed used for the movie.

He's been at the shelter for a couple of months and has gone through a lot of training and has become a wonderful boy.  If I didn't have a big dog, I would adopt him, he's that lovable.  I'm crossing my fingers that his wait is long because he'll go to a wonderful family.  

Work..................

Still waiting for my "forever" job, really 6 years more.

It's officially 6 months that I've been looking for a job.  I apply for at least 2 jobs a week, sometimes up to 4. I have applied for some great jobs that fit me perfectly, but alas not even an interview. I have learned not to get excited about anything I apply for because it most likely won't go anywhere.  

Sometimes I don't even get an acknowledgement; gotta love those!

I've only had 3 interviews; 2 I knew would not work once they described what they really needed, one job I had 2 interviews.  After these interviews I had to go into the unemployment office and the counselor actually congratulated me on having interviews so quickly; it had been 3 months or a little longer!

This is the first time in my life I've really been between jobs.  I do know, and it's been confirmed by my unemployment counselor, that it's my age.  I guess employers rather hire a young person with no experience so they can mold them, they believe they're more adaptable, an older person is not. 

I guess that might be true for some older people, but not for me.  I love to learn new things and I love to keep up with technology as much as I can.

I have to believe that some younger people have no business or work ethics, it can be taught, but a lot of our younger society is so used to having things done for them, I wonder.

I thought for sure I would have a job by this Summer, but here I am!

I am getting those large projects done at home, but I still feel like I'm lost with no direction.  I don't really have a "purpose." I guess with time that will go away.

Keep your fingers crossed for me............ 

I'm Done!

At least until Fall..........After planting 45 plants "Project St. John Wort"
 is done!  I am sooo tired.  Now I'm crossing my fingers that most of those plants make it!

In the interim I was having a "squirrel" issue with my Shasta Daisy, it was never going to make it despite all my efforts to save the tender new growth.  Instead I have planted another peony and I've covered it with chicken wire until it's established.  I DID buy another daisy and planted it in another spot and it is also covered until established.  

I have to say after spending time in Nan's garden and seeing all her peony plants I just knew I needed another one.  

I still have to get down to her place and dig up some more iris'.  

I'm also buying a climbing hydrangea for a corner where I have to move the plant that is there.  I will keep the hydrangea in a pot until I can plant it this Fall, it's just too warm to plant more right now.

I will post a photo of Project St. John Wort when it finally establishes, right now it looks so sad :(

Project: St.John Wort

This project has been on the back burner for a few years.

Still no work, so I'm working on getting my projects done!

When my neighbor said I could dig up her St. John's Wort, I knew this was the year to get it done!!!!

I let the weather rule when I do things.  Cooler days I'm hitting it!  As soon as it cooled down again, I finished pulling the weeds in the back planter "walls."

Yesterday I went down to my neighbor's place and started pulling some of the St.John Wort.  I'm sure when she gets back she'll wonder if I ever did it! There's so much of it,  it's taken over many of her plants.  I personally would have kept it under control, you could barely see one of her peonies.  

The caretaker of the property across the road is taking care of their place until they get back in July.

He saw me there and he told me he had a bunch of siberian iris' that he was getting rid of at his place. They are burgundy and yellow - beautiful, I have the perfect spot!

I called Pete down and he went with me and we got the plants he was getting rid of.  

I still have to go down to Nan's and dig up some of her iris', but that will have to wait until this project is done. I also have the perfect spot for those. She has a ton of things that need to be split and dug up. I'm hoping they still own their house next winter, I would love to take some of her day lilies.

I am always glad to take free plants off of anyone's hands!

This is the first box of plants.

First day of planting.

I enlisted Pete to help.  I had him dig holes and finish cleaning up the other side, I still had a little bit of weeding to do and there were a few rocks on that side. I let Pete take care of it.  It he helps I can get his project done a little faster!

We had to go down and dig up more plants (Wednesday).  

I finished planting (27 plants) just past the weeping cedar atlas tree on the left.

I dug a few more holes before I gave up. The wall above the lavender is next.  Hopefully, I can get a majority of it done today.  

The weather will still be in the 70's through Saturday, so I still have time.  In between I have to go walk dogs and set up for the monthly book sale at the Animal Shelter, but I'll get it done.

I'll post photos once I'm done.

Pete is researching discounted sprinklers on the internet; sprinklers are his job!

Annie

It's been a while since I posted photos of Annie.

She is such a sweetie, we love her soooo much.

She can be very laid back, but other times very playful.  

She loves to be outside! 

She knows when I'm going to garden or work outside.  She gets excited because she knows she'll be able to hang out outside for a long while.

This past year she something new - when we're watching TV, she'll stare at us and then start talking to us! She must be saying "hey, how about me," who knows!  This is something new.  She is always surprising us!

She is the only dog I know that gets excited when we leave the house! She knows that we'll get her a chew, so no big deal when we leave the house.

She has never been big on going somewhere.  She's a great rider in the car, sometimes you forget she's there.  In the past year she has gotten better about getting in the car.  In the past we had to leash her to get her into the car. 

She's such a love, we're so lucky to have her.

Granola Bars

I've been wanting to make my own granola bars for a while.  I was waiting until mine ran out and they finally did.

I'd pinned many on my "Snack" board, and it looks like the first one I tried hit it out of the ball park!

Simple to make, quick and I had all of the ingredients on hand.

It says it makes 6 bars, but I got 10 out of a 9x9 pan. I put 5 in the pantry and froze 5 since I don't eat them all the time (maybe I will now).  

Here's the recipe:

3 cups old fashioned oats

2 tablespoons oil (I used Canola)

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1/4 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 nutmeg

1 - 1/2 cups add-ins: raisins, cranberries, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, chocolate chips*

5  oz. dark chocolate (for drizzling)

Spread oats in a 9x13 pan and toast slightly for 15 min., stir at least once. Put cooled toasted oats in large bowl.

Line a 9x9 pan with parchment paper so it hangs over sides.

Heat oil on stove top, add brown sugar, syrup, honey, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. 

Simmer over medium heat, stir until sugar dissolves, turn off heat. Pour over oats and stir until oats are coated evenly.

Stir in add-ins.

Scrap into 9x9 pan.  Fold parchment paper over oat mixture and flatten until it's all even.

Let it sit for 1 hour or you can put into the freezer (faster option).

Melt chocolate (I did this in the microwave) and drizzle over oats.  

Pull out of 9x9 pan and cut!

*I used cranberries, almonds and chocolate chips because this is what I always have in my pantry.  

The creator drizzled chocolate on the bottom before she added the oats into the 9x9, so this is also an option.

If you're on Pinterest you can find the link and recipe on my "Snacks" board.

Retreat!

Yeh!  Retreat time is here!

Made enough money at my garage sale for my 2 day scrapbooking retreat!

Unfortunately, there not every one will attend.  I'll be missing some of the girls, especially my partner that always stays up late with me!

Kristi will be my meal partner and we're cooking up a nice Mac n Cheese!  

I have a Poblano Chili Mac n Cheese that I've made before and is yummy.  Although, it didn't work that well when we camped last Summer.  We cooked it up in a dutch oven and it just didn't cook up well.  

Kristi is making a Caesar salad and her wonderful appetizer; salami rolled up with cream cheese and peppercini.  I can eat these all night long!

Also, ending up with a nice dessert.

I made some new cookies I found in Pinterest; a raspberry thumbprint cream cheese cookie, I'll let you know if they're a "keeper."

A great time of the year!

The vetch is out!

This is the field in front of our house.  Pete only mowed up to the vetch and left it for now since it's so pretty.

I am in the midst of cleaning out the weeds along the back wall in the back yard.  My neighbor told me I could "steal" some of their St. John's Wort!  I planted some a while ago, but not enough and I would definitely like it to take over the slope. The cool down starts Friday and  hopefully I can finish cleaning soon!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

A little late, but heartfelt......

I had a quick errand to run in Medford (more on that later), but I knew mom would love to take a ride somewhere.

Since we were in Medford, I thought maybe out to Shady Cover and further. So we drove out to the fish hatchery and Lost Creek Lake. 

It was a beautiful day and perfect for a stroll. 

We decided on an early dinner and I picked Kaleidoscope because I thought mom had never been there.

Much to my surprise after a while she said "I think I've been here."  Honestly, I didn't remember, but with good reason, she'd been there with Pete.

In the past she and Pete would run errands, etc. and then they would go eat somewhere. 

No matter, it was still great and we got there early enough not to wait too long.

She loved her trip!  

It was a nice relaxing Mother's Day.

My File Folder "Album"

A couple of photos from the album I made.

I made file folder albums to give the girls when I went to Las Vegas, but hadn't made myself one. I bought the file folders at Staples.  They sell some really pretty file folders in variety packs. I really wanted to make something different for this great trip.

I found Heidi Swapp file folders and ephemera at Michaels.

I really love the way it came out.

Future Projects!

Of course when you're cleaning out closets you re-visit things.

I have a bin with UFO's (un-finished objects) and found these leftover blocks from previous quilts I had made.  

If you know me, you know I love the "Yellow Brick Road" pattern and both of these are Yellow Brick Road blocks.  The reason I love it so much is that it's an easy fat quarter quilt and looks different depending on the fabrics.  I always try to do the borders differently

I'm thinking there's enough to make nice lap quilts. Of course I was hoping I had some leftover fabric to make some nice borders.

Yay, I found a lot of leftover fabric for the one on the right. I really didn't find any for the one on the left, but I did find a couple of nice fabrics for the borders!

I'm still working on my colorful "Buggy Barn" quilt, but it's a challenge and taking a while.

I might put one of these together in between working on the Buggy Barn.

After all my gardening I'll have more time to sew, so I'm setting up my projects ahead of time. 

Not sure if I'll have a job by this Summer, so I'm looking to keep busy.

I will also be donating 2 days to walking dogs, Fridays and most Saturdays.

Love this!

Best Christmas gift, Pete's not mine.

I tried to use it a few times, but gave up!

Well, I wasn't using it correctly!  Pete showed me how to use it and now it's my new best friend.

Still don't know what it is?

An electric wine opener!

Mom was looking for a gift for Pete, we came across this at TJ Maxx and I made her buy it not knowing how great it really was.

After using this I can never go back to a traditional or a rabbit.

Love it!!!

Love These!

In my quest to organize, I decided to give these a chance.

I found them at BiMart for $12.99.  This is the second box I've bought.

I pack them and Pete uses the shop vac to seal them.

So, so loving them right now!!!!!

Busy doing..............

(Photo - our Siberian iris' are ready to pop, peonies in the background)

Weather warmed up again and with warm weather this early (and no work) this girl is outside working!

I'm very close to being done, but of course I am constantly changing and creating more work for myself so will I ever be done????

This has been the year for bonus plants!  A few of my plants that I really love have been spreading, so I have been planting them in small pots. Once they grow a little I'll re-plant them.

It's been wait and see with one of our conifers and I already have a plan to move a plant into that spot and plant something great in the other spot. 

I have to move something that has not done well in it's original spot and replace it.  On Friday I'll be hitting the nursery since the weather is changing this weekend (cooling down). 

I have been researching what to put in the spot and can't make up my mind!  It's gets a lot of shade so of course I'm limited with my selection. 

I so want a hydrangea, but am scared to put it out there.  

The deer stay clear until Fall, but if I put a hydrangea it just might draw them to our place earlier.

Thinking about planting it and caging it for a while until it grows up good!

I've had to put cages around quite a few new plants that are deer proof because our wonderful ground squirrels love to nibble on EVERYTHING, especially new plants!

Garage Sale!

After moving mom in July, I thought about how much "stuff" we have!

In the back of my mind I'd been wanting to clean out the garage, but I had to get Pete on board. You see Pete's response usually is "we might need that."

I had a long talk with him.

First - if we haven't used it since we moved 10 years ago, (!) then we don't need it.

Second - do you plan on using it in the next 5-10 years?

Third - if we plan on moving in the next 5 years, how much do we really need to pack?

With this in mind, Pete was pretty receptive.

Pete spent an afternoon putting lots of stuff  (I never would have done on my own) in a corner for our future garage sale.

Yesterday, I spent all morning and part of the afternoon going through cupboards and the garage.  I now have a huge pile;  I need more tables!

I started pricing yesterday and will continue through Friday.

It's amazing how much stuff I found!  

The funniest thing...............I found 2 great, new camp chairs I didn't know we had!  I thought for sure my sis in law had left them at our house.  I vaguely remember buying them.

So out go the old chairs.  Actually we have some great camping stuff that Rocky used for boy scouts, that he won't ever use.  He doesn't care for outdoor stuff, at all!

Another thing to take into consideration was where we live, would we have enough "traffic" for one garage sale?  

My neighbor down the road has been fixing up her farm to sell so I sent her an email and she jumped on board.

Then I found out my neighbor across from her just sold her house (we knew it was up for sale, they had emailed us), so she jumped on board.

So we now have our 3 family yard/barn sale set up for this Saturday.

Posting will be going into Craigslist today.
Hope it's successful!!!!

Whoooo do you love?

FINALLY!

Caught one of these guys up close and personal!

Throughout the years I've always caught their backs flying away.

I always look out the exercise room window on my way to the bathroom.

Yesterday morning I actually spotted something!  My eyes were still a little foggy so I ran for my glasses and lo and behold, lookie here!

I got my step stool so I could take the photo through a window without a screen.

This was the closest shot.  

I checked on the owl throughout the day.  He kept turning so I had to wait for the moment he was  almost  looking straight at me.  

By late in the afternoon he had taken off.

I must say our squirrel population was NONE (until he/she left).

Love it!

Thank Goodness!!!

I've never been unemployed for such a long period and according to the Unemployment department, it could possibly be much longer.  If course the age factor is a huge contributor!

I've also never received unemployment!

Every month you get "the letter," we see you have not yet found a job, please come in to your WorkSource Center and meet with a counselor by ____________.

There's a deadline and you have to go or lose your unemployment.

I met with a great gal on Wednesday.

She said congratulations on being interviewed already.  WHAT? already, she thought I was making great strides and of course I thought "no way!"

She said I was doing everything right.  Gave me some great information and now I have to change my resume - again!

I can't tell you how many times I have changed my resume, but everything she mentioned made sense.

Best News!

My bud told me she had received her Oregon Health Plan packet and she had applied about 1-2 weeks  before me.

I was hoping I was accepted so I decided to give them a call.  I had called about 2 weeks ago, but couldn't get anyone on the line.  This time I had luck!

I was told it was effective April 3rd and my packet was "in the mail."

I wish I had know before I had paid for my medical insurance earlier this month!  I've sent my insurance an email to see if I can be reimbursed at least partially - you never know?

So there is a little light at the end of the tunnel....

I've been paying $525.00 a month for insurance for me and Rocky and my unemployment does not cover the full amount.  

Pete has been going to the VA for about a year now, so he's been covered by them.

I hadn't even used it yet since I did all my medical with my OSF insurance which I had until October 31st.  As soon as I was laid off I made a series of appointments so in reality I was good until October, unless there was an emergency.

Volunteering

Jackson County Animal Shelter

I'd been toying around with the idea of volunteering there  for a while.

In a way I didn't want to start when I knew eventually I would find a job and not have all the time I have now.

About a month ago I couldn't stand being home!  Yes, I had plenty to do, but was it fulfilling enough?

I put down the orientation date in my phone and still I didn't think I would attend, but by that date I was really ready to get out!

After orientation I still waited a while.  You see you have to put down days you would like to work and I did.

For the first month you are mentored, so I'm on week 3 (one week I had to cancel when I found my car dead and Pete was gone golfing).

When I didn't hear back, I just told the coordinator to let me know what days she had mentors for and I would adjust my schedule, so viola I got Wednesdays 1-3.

I have also helped out with setting up for their book sale, last Thursday of the month, book sale last Saturday of the month.

This Saturday, I get to help out with their vaccination clinic (every 3rd Saturday of the month). This is a big event., it's a very busy day there. I usually take Annie to this to get her nails clipped for $5.00.

I am actually taking Annie after, to get her vaccines since she is due and I need to save $, right now.

I've also signed up for book sale setting up this month.

I must say I am VERY impressed with this shelter.  They have a huge volunteer force!  A high adoption rate and they try everything possible to get their animals adopted. Lots of volunteer training!

Once the animal has been evaluated, they are put into adoption and stay in adoption until adopted.  If they are not having any luck they might send them to the humane society or up to Portland where they might get more exposure.

I do have to say, that it has been rare when I go back the next week and all the same dogs are there!

I follow their page on Facebook and usually find  out when the dogs are adopted. Of course  they have many outreach events where the animals get more exposure.

I'm glad I finally jumped on board and when I do get that job I'll try helping out on the weekends.

BTW, they have a 'cuddle room,' where you can take a pet just to relax in a family type setting instead of a kennel.

Anyone can go and do this even if you are not adopting!

Murphy

He got adopted a week after I walked him and played with him in their little dog park.  Talk about SMART, yikes!

I've never had interaction with a border collie, what a smartie!

Mom's Credenza

Yeh!  I found one!

For months I have been looking for a credenza for mom's place.

She still had a few things that did not have a home and were living in corners on the floor in her place.  I told her I would find something for her that would take care of that.

She's so funny.  Sometimes when talking about it she would say "oh, forget it, I don't need anything," other times she was on board.

Anyhow, I knew I wanted to get her place organized so I continued my search.

I'd been checking Craigslist weekly and I would check a couple of places in Medford that carried second hand furniture.

I found this at Larson's Second Hand Store, the store across from this one carries new furniture.

I've found a couple of things here in the past.  It was one of my favorite places to look; they have so much!

I'd previously been there, but the prices were a little more than mom wanted to spend.

I arrived in Medford early on Friday for an interview so I hopped over to see if there was anything new.

Well, this had been sitting there since 2012,  hmmm, how did I miss it?  I think  it could have been marked too high, looks like it was recently lowered.

It was the right configuration!  Mom needed more shelving, less drawers.  The door on the right has pull out drawers.

At Larson's if it has a green dot, you can negotiate and negotiate I did!  I offered $100.00 less.  The gal called the owner in Seattle and she said "yes!"

I had the gal put it on hold, took a photo and showed it to mom.

On Sunday morning we took mom there, she liked it and we took it home.

We found someone at her place to help with taking it off the truck and luckily it had wheels and we could wheel it the rest of the way in.

I cleaned it up, put away her stuff and she still has a little room in the drawer area.

Job done!  Another thing checked off the list!!!!

(now I have to move her picture a little lower!)

Good News/Bad News

Good News!  

I'll still be home working on those home projects!

Bad News!

I had 3 interviews last week and still no job :(

1. I had 2 interviews at a local Optomologist Eye Center. I was a strong contender, #2 in fact.

I got the call yesterday that I didn't make it.

I knew if I had made it I would have been called on Friday.  You can always tell by the tone of voice if you got the job.  As soon as I heard her voice I knew I was out.

2. Interview for a Development assistant job, which was my previous job, but 85% of this job would have been writing a newsletter.  I don't have that experience.

3. Interview for a government job.  I didn't think my Spanish would be strong enough for this job and I was right.

I'm happy I had the opportunity to get out and actually get interviewed!

The last 3 months everything has been through the Internet, no live contact.

At least I got some interview experience and I must say every experience was so different.

At the eye center I felt very relaxed and comfortable. 

At the Development office, very uncomfortable, did not care for the personalities of the people interviewing (2 women).

At the government job, the people were nice, but the room was very hot, 2 page questions, felt like I was on the "hot seat!"

Staying Home - More Work or Less Work?

That is the question.........

The lay-off has definitely accelerated my "to-do" list.

What have I been doing, you ask?

Sewing Projects:

Finished the neutral quilt for my bed. It's now waiting to go the quilter when I have some extra cash.

Finished a quilt mom had hanging around; I sewed the binding on and hand sewed the binding back.

Started a quilt I cut 10 years ago!  Yes, you read correctly - 10 years ago!

I have been wanting to tackle this quilt because of the color palette (different than the norm, for me) and because of the difficulty.  It's been on hold because the weather has been so great and gardening is taking up a lot of my time, right now.

Also, new runner for my dining table.

Made Christmas ornaments.

Home Projects:

Reorganized/cleaned out Christmas Decorations - I put all the decor in the same size bins, that are easy to grab and use (I had to buy these after Christmas at Target). Next Christmas will be soooo easy!

Cleaned/oiled wood cabinets

Cleaned out closets, took things to Goodwill

Cleaned out drawers

Organized spice cabinet

Painted baseboards 

Painted front doors

Reorganized/cleaned out scrapbooking room

Shelving on bottom of pantry (Pete made, installed and I painted)

New (gathered from the home) bins  (organized) for recycling. I had a huge space between the last row of shelving and the floor.  This had always been my plan, I 'd been asking Pete to do this for a while.  Not sure how much he loves having me at home because I do put a crimp in his 'style' with projects.

Of course, after painting the shelving, I proceeded to paint the door and trim.

Started reorganizing the garage with Pete. Upon seeing how many things we needed to get rid of, we now have a garage sale planned - April 26.  

This is a project I've had in mind for a long time, I just needed to get Pete on board.  He has never  been one to get rid of too much!

Gardening - lots!  With the wonderful weather we've been experiencing it's given me a head start on a lot of  maintenance.  As of yesterday I'm almost done.

This year I've decided, on recommendation of a friend, to use 'fish fertilizer" to help out my plants.  I must say it has been a process  that is rather stinky! 

Besides the fertilizing, I fed my rhodies and azaleas yesterday.

Potting bench - in addition to pantry shelving, Pete made me a potting bench from pallets and materials leftover from other projects. Cleaned out my gardening stuff and stocked my potting bench with all my gardening goodies.

I'm now ready to do the second go-round with  a couple of drawers and one closet.

I still have to finish painting baseboards in a couple of rooms. 

I need to paint doors inside the house (this one will be on the back burner for a while - lol).

I'm thinking about painting one wall in the den the same color as the rest of the den.

I did a feature wall and it never came out the way I wanted.  I'm thinking of re-doing it.  This will wait for a not-so-great weather day.

I'm sure I forgot a couple of things.  I am kinda grateful I have the time to get some of these things done.