I’ve been telling you guys about my awesome amateur Illustrator Skillz and how I’d love to show off what I’ve been doing so far.
I admit, now that I’ve figured out how to get it to .jpg format and uploaded them, I’m feeling a bit modest in showing them off. Believe me when I say they are completely amateur and I’m by no means an artist, but I’m learning and I’ve got to start somewhere.
This first lesson was basic text editing and shape placement. I’m not fond of these colors but these are the colors instructed for the lesson. It’s amazing the fun stuff you learn in just 1 chapter.
This was the first tracing from a sketch, arranging objects and filling in color and shadows. It’s easier said than done. I’m already seeing parts that are bugging me but dang it I do not want to go over it again.
This bad boy is what I have to submit for my test along with a “logo” design that I haven’t done yet. You don’t even want to know how many weeks Ive played with this thing to get it just right, and it still pales in comparison to what it’s supposed to look like. At this point it’s good enough for me as I’m ready to move on. I’ve spent way to long on something that should have only taken a couple of hours. No he’s not supposed to look evil. The eyebrows for some reason will just not do what I want them to do. I’ll just pretend its the good dogs alter ego.
Outside My Window: I’m still enjoying the marvelous sun and the weather in general. I actually put the kids in long sleeves this morning thinking that there could be no way it’s still going to be nice this week. Looks like I was wrong. Such a pessimist I am.
I Am Hearing: Food Network
I Am Thinking: That I want to get a lot of things done today and this week before my big day; which at this point who knows when that could be, tomorrow, the end of the week, next week. I have to get the boys rooms organized in a way that they and their dad can navigate the method to my madness that is their dresser drawers. Because I can totally see him calling me on my way to work asking where the socks are.
I Am Thankful For: Not having to scour the job ads and not mentally preparing for job interviews anymore. It actually felt so weird Sunday night not having to do that. Sunday was normal search for a job night in these here parts.
I Am Hoping: To just get a lot done before hand. I want to start back on doing more make ahead meals, and getting the house in tip top shape as they may be the last for awhile. Of course I say this even though the hubs will be around. This Freaky Friday role switch is going to be weird for both of us. I like to be in “control” of the house and letting that go to the hubs will be interesting.
From The Kitchen: I mentioned my menu yesterday. I’ll spare you a rehash.
I Am Reading: I’m still just trying to really focus on school so I don’t get to behind. So boring I know!
I Am Creating: A big old pile of not much. I think I’ve got the creative juices out of my system for awhile.
Around The House: The plan is to reorganize dresser drawers once I get done with this post. I also want a heaping helping of laundry done. I’m not asking for much really.
One of My Favorite Things: Happy Hour at Sonic and a Route 44 Dr. Pepper. I realize I got on this big bandwagon of quitting and obviously I didn’t quite see my little plan through. I promise I only indulge in Dr. P one maybe two times a week. I haven’t actually bought a 12 pack of D.P’s since my detox. -I needed to have a bit of a blog confessional.
A Few Plans For The Rest of the Week: Pretty much to lay low until I get the phone call telling me when to come to work. I am so going to try and have the house clean and ready today, so the rest of the week/days I can revel in all good things of staying home like Ellen, blogging, and homework.
A Picture Thought:
This is what happens when the hubs takes the camera for the school play and thinks that by sitting on the side of the auditorium he will get a better shot of his kid. I on the other hand decided to sit in the middle of the auditorium even though it was in the back. I had a perfect view of my son making his Broadway debut, where the hubs did not. The pic does crack me up in a weird way though.
Where’s Game Boy?
You should thank me for sparing you the pics my hubs took of the youngest pretending to throw up, the things he does to entertain his children before Broadway productions.
One of my most favorite sites to get inspiration for dinner planning is at Org Junkie’s MPM. Obviously it’s slated for Monday’s, but that doesn’t mean anything, as she normally posts late Sunday night and besides who said we had to stick to the rules?
Since I have been drooling over P.W.’s beautiful cookbook, it was high time I started making some of her recipes. Quite a few recipes of hers I’ve already done, but I love them just the same in the book.
Sunday: P.W’s Chicken Spaghetti -one can never go wrong with that
Monday: Homemade Pizza using P.W.’s pizza dough from the book.
Tuesday: Pork Chops
Wednesday: Baked Fried Chicken
Thursday: Stroganauff
Friday: Leftovers or taco salad
Your darn tootin it’s going to be random. Just thought I’d warn ya.
-I just kinda want to rehash the work plans, more for me than for you, so you know.
The hubs will be Mr. Mom for awhile, which I guess is only fair, I had my share so why not let him have a go. The plan (we all know how those go) is for him to beef up his web site managing business kind of thing and of course still collect unemployment. The thing is at this point in time, he makes more getting unemployment than what he could get actually getting a job-there’s not anything in this area for the kind of thing he does. He is trying though! It really works out best this way due to the whole child care thing.
The hubs is also doing his online school. I figure he’ll hit the books hard and heavy, once he gets finished, then we’ll tag team and he find a job in his new field (if not sooner) than I either create my web design business, or go to work for my degree..or something. Who knows the bank job could be my dream job and I stick with it forever. Let’s not mention the fact that I will be working full time and doing my school and all that stuff in between. Good thing the hubs “thinks” he’s going to take over the household duties, because homegirl has to find time to blog and facebook too. Priorities ya know. It’s certainly going to be interesting. I’m also fully aware that what plans I have are totally different than what life has planned for me. I still need some kind of guideline no matter who’s plan it is.
-I admit I’m really nervous about this new frontier of work. I’m getting these questions in my head like what if I suck at this or screw up? I’m sure it’s just normal new job never done this kind of stuff before nerves. It’s not like their going to expect me to know what I’m doing right off the bat.
-I’m also planning to relish the last few days of homeness. I plan to take a few naps or two, spend lots of time with my kiddos, watch lots of day time T.V. I so wish we’d get on board the DVR train, but we just haven’t and we really just don’t watch that much T.V. to begin with. I also plan to take lots of ordinary day pics just to rehash the golden days of SAHM hood. I’m also planning to cram a lot of school in so I can get this course of basic computers over (gag) so I don’t get to behind once I get started to work.
On that note, I’ve got some football to watch, some coursework to read, and a nap to take.
If you’ve read my facebook status than you probably already know where this is going.
Here’s a run down of the job situation. I’ll try to spare you on to many details, but uhm yeah… no guarantees. Good thing I provide a free service around here.
I applied for this customer service type job at “the bank” not exactly sure what I’d be doing, but knew it didn’t have anything to do with the actual banking part, but does have to, if that makes sense. I figured my math skills could always use improvement but surely I won’t have to actually handle people’s bank account doing what I maybe doing.
I filled out the app. online Sunday and got a call back Monday (last week) to come and test for the job and bring a calculator. I admit I was a smidge freaked out because tests that require calculators can’t be too easy. I was right sorta.
The first part was timed and it had to do with grammar, filing systems, and vocabulary/spelling. I seriously felt like the ACT was a tiny bit easier, of course that probably had to do with the fact that I haven’t taken a test quite like this literally since high school. The math part actually wasn’t too bad considering it wasn’t timed and thank God, for my handy dandy calculator I’ve had since my college Algebra days.
I was a bit perplexed about the first part of the test because I was afraid I screwed up the filing/alphabetizing part up due to the funky directions. I expected to take the test and they call you back for the next step, nope she told me instantly that I passed and scheduled me for the first interview. Whew!
The first interview with the recruiter went great. She stated that the initial customer service rep job was already filled but it appeared I would be qualified for a follow up type customer service job in the department that helps prevent people from foreclosure and it pays a little more too. Interesting….I’m all for that. It actually sounds like it could be a very rewarding job, if you can help someone not lose their house. Obviously this department has grown exponentially in the past year according to the recruiter.
I was sent on to my 2nd interview with the manager Monday. I seemed shockingly at ease to talk with him, in fact I feel like I just kept talking and talking and he didn’t have to do much asking. I’m not sure if that was a good thing or bad thing. If you know me well enough, a big talker I am not.
We talked everything from the kind of procedures and policies I had at my old job from “occurrences” to incentives for teams and individuals to how my old job was like a big ol’ family. Then he almost made me cry. It didn’t help that I was already hormonal and a bag full of nerves. He asked “What would C have to say about you, if I were to give him a call?” GULP! Hold down the waterworks! I explained that C (my previous boss) would probably say something along the lines of “We really hated for her to leave, and if I could hire her back right now I would” At least of course I’m “assuming” he’d want me back if possible. 
I mentioned the e-mail that was sent to most of the office and to the big wigs in WI on my last day from both my former bosses; it basically said I was awesome and they will miss me. Because of all of the craziness of my last day..what with Mexican food to be ordered and paperwork to fill out and a “desk” to be cleaned out, I didn’t get a chance to print it out. I guarantee you, if every employee had a letter like that from their former boss, they’d get a job anywhere. I’m just sayin, they were the best!
So I felt really confident that the interview went great or so I thought. He said he had a couple more to go but his people would call my people.These guys don’t play around on getting back to you unlike the hubs 5th interview debacle and still hearing nothing back(btw he obviously didn’t get ithe job which is ok). They called the next day and said they were really interested in me and just needed to go through a few more hoops of background check and reference check. She called back later stating the number to the old office no longer worked…duh to me… the office moved right after I left so I had to look up the new number for her. I was also afraid that C wouldn’t respond to a call from “a bank”, you’d just have to understand “C”. Thank goodness for facebook as I let my homeboy T know to let them know. He had my back! Thanks T! (waves).
From that point I didn’t hear anything Thursday which I kinda thought I would since they were so diligent about getting back to me so quickly. I was actually feeling nervous sick again and thought surely my alter ego didn’t appear on my background check or something..because seriously even though I know for a fact I have no criminal history, it’s one of those crazy paranoia things that maybe I do and didn’t know. I HAS ISSUES!
The recruiter called today right after my mom and I had just gotten in from making a Sonic run. She stated that C had nothing but good things to say about me and she’d like to offer me up a job proposal. Yay! (The congratulations balloons and confetti come down and everyone sings “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow! That Nobody Can Deny!) All I had to do was jump through one more hoop of paperwork for drug testing and get tested. So, my mom and I took a little jont up to my “new office” to grab my paperwork and find where to test. As long as my rocket fuel Dr. Pepper doesn’t show something crazy I should be good (you know me I am kind of paranoid about it for absolutely no reason). Of course she asked if there was a certain time I wanted to get started once the testing came back. I simply stated I can’t start soon enough! It’s supposed to be 1-3 days before the tests come back and since it’s Friday, I’m guessing it will be Wednesday before I hear anything and possibly I will start the following Monday.
All of this could not have happened at a better time, as the hubs car battery/starter died on him in Dallas last night, while actually doing a small side job for a guy. Needless to say, he had to spend the night in Dallas and wait for this morning to get it fixed (which was not cheap) and the point was to make some money, not actually spend it. Sigh!
Still we are so happy and thanks everyone for their good vibes sent my way. It is so appreciated! Now my blog title really does mean what it says..again.
I kind of slacked off on giving you the nickel tour of the house. That was primarily because the house was not up to standard for taking pics and plastering them on the internet. Of course I took these pictures several weeks ago when the house was actually clean. I admit it does give one a bit of inspiration to get off my duff and clean it …again.
We left off at the outside of the house, so it’s time to come on in and make yourself at home. I must mention that A Better Homes and Garden home, it is not. Though I guess it could be just for the kind of home it is. If they want to come by and redecorate, I’m all for it.
This is the front entrance now known as the dungeon for the hubs. He just has to have his own “work” space and he made it clear that he needed a gigantic dungeon. Sigh! My parents used to have a hot tub in here many moons ago but the only people who used it was the friends and I and that’s when we were little and made it more like a swimming pool. You also might notice at the top of the book shelf (yes I realize my book collection is pretty slim- one makes that kind of sacrifice when moving half a dozen times) is a picture of you guessed it, the house. My parents had an aerial picture taken many years ago.
Bella says Hi come on in!
The lighting is one thing in the house that’s not the greatest. The recliner is where the madness of the blog happens and where my facebook updates come from. Because we clearly don’t have enough computers in this house.
Here’s the other view. The entry to the left is the master bedroom which you kind of have already seen, and the second goes to BossyBoy’s room, the other entry goes to WonderBoy and BossyBoys rooms and the bathroom.
Here’s the entry to the bathroom. More on those later.
This is the dining room, I like it a lot but I’d love to put some hardwood floors through out the dining and kitchen and modernize it a bit.
This is another work station in the dining room because again we clearly do not have enough places to compute. The kids play here and this is also where my creativity happens aka school stuff, and picture editing/blog headers are made.
I will spare you the kids rooms for now, it’s not overly exciting but I would hate to cheat you out.
We closed on the house last Friday, so it’s officially ours.
So Jen at Mommablogsalot told me I had to join this little blogger pageant courtesy of MomDot. She didn’t really tell me but she did enter and she knows I’m all about this kind of stuff. I’m pretty sure she put some kind of cryptic code in her post that simply stated JEAN GET ON IT AND ENTER!
Basically it’s a pageant for bloggers running from Nov 9 thru the 20th where we will have a bunch of hoops to jump through and we then find out who’s the prettiest best blogger in the whole wide world…which we all know is me (not really at all). Sounds like fun to me!
1) Name, BlogName, Twitter Jean, Working Momma 247 (as in my full time job is being a mom 24 hours a day 7 days a week) shockingly my twitter name is workingmomma247, original I know.
2) Have you ever entered a pageant before? Negative
3) Do you have any special talents we can look forward too? Oh I’m certainly good with the random. I’ve also been known to break a pickle jar with a hammer, just cause I wanted a pickle.
4) Name your top 5 favorite sites to visit on the net..no, you do not get brownie points for putting momdot.
My Google Reader is a constant visit at number 1. I also then must check out what’s happening on facebook. I sadly get paranoid that I’m going to miss some major happening by someone, like I must know that an old friend I went to high school with had time to floss her teeth today…not really… but the facebook is for sure a sickness.
I also must have my daily dose of Cake Wrecks I just can never get enough of the witty hilarity.
Attending my farm on Farmtown is also a priority. Sure it’s part of Facebook, but I don’t think that it counts as the same site..right?
Lastly Post Secret is my Sunday guilty pleasure.
5) What is your favorite thing to do when you are not blogging? At this point I would say it’s playing around in Adobe Illustrator which is part of my college course studies I’m doing online. I admit right now if I could be paid to go to school, I so totally would. I also love to take pics of just about anyone or anything.
6) Whats your dream vacation? I’d say a Disney vacation. I want the whole enchilada from Disney to Universal Studios, to Wild Kingdom or whatever it’s called and Discovery Cove. I figure give us a month all expenses paid and we’ll be happy.
7) What blogger do you look up the most too? I love Ree from Pioneer Woman and I love her more after meeting her at her book signing. I was just floored by her willingness to stay well into late hours of the night to make sure everyone in line got their book signed and that she was in no rush to hurry people along.
8 ) If you could be on the cover of any magazine, which would you chose and why? Ooh this is like the interview part of the pageant, I get it now. I would say Southern Living because they feature a lot of blogger stories/recipes and it would be really cool if they actually put a blogger on the cover. Of course I’d have to be a big time blogger, where my entire state hero worshiped me and therefor I would be really recognizable (at least in my home state) and then I would make a cookbook and go on tour…wait, we’re talking about me…never mind.
9) Tell the truth…you want a tiara, don’t you? Please!
10) What is your definition of blogger success? I would say if you get 3 million unique hits a day, you’re obviously doing something right. You’re doing it even more right if you literally give back almost all of your ad revenue to your readers and you’re more than happy to do it.
Here’s my head shot
I mentioned earlier this week about picking out my top photos for each month and letting you guys help me decide which you felt best to represent each month. Since we have less than 8 weeks or so until Christmas and actually less than that for me to get a calendar made and printed and give as gifts, well obviously I need to get on this STAT.
I’m also just trying to keep myself busily distracted while I wait for good news(crossing fingers of course). Who knows I could be the Next American Job Idol soon or America’s Next Top Contributor To The Household, or Top Worker. Once I get the final say by Friday I’ll rehash things out, cause you know I’ll have to get it out of my system.
Here’s January’s top 3 picks. Evidently I didn’t take to many pics in January that didn’t have to do with paint, and junk drawers.
1.
2.
3.
I will probably try and lighten this one up a bit or play around with it for a little bit better pic
I like to try as best as possible to give an even amount of an individual kid as well as all 3. I also like to focus on a particular kid or person on their birthday month, if that makes sense. I’m sending you a vibe right now that #1 is my top contender as it is opening the year with all three kids. No pressure though!
I’m posting this today because.. well Tuesdays are usually a day I sneak by with out a post plus I’ve got that 2nd round of American Job Idol this afternoon. I will link it up tomorrow, so I don’t think it’s technically cheating.
1. It’s early morning, about 2:00AM, and you’re driving home. You come to a red light and sit there. There is no one in sight for miles around. Do you wait it out or run the light? Wow what a great question, as I have sat at that same red light at 2AM. Never mind what I was doing out at 2AM… I have actually done both, when I say I, I mean the hubs or whoever was driving has indeed ran the light. Myself, I have a very very guilty conscience and can’t muster the cahonies to run it. Besides, we all know that cop is just sitting in the shadows waiting to pounce on his prey.
2. If you had the chance to re-do the last 24 hours, would you change anything?
Well, I had a job interview within the last 24 hours. I think it actually went fairly well…after all, I did get my “yellow ticket” to go to the next round of American Job Idol..I mean a second interview. All that to say that NO, I really don’t want to go through all that again just to change something, seeing as how I have to do it again today.
3. When you reply to someone’s comment on your blog, do you reply in your comments or go to her blog and comment? (Or email her)
This is actually something I was going to inquire to my faithful few about… I reply via e-mail. I “assume” that whoever I’m replying to gets the message, but now I’m not so sure. I thought WordPress had that neat dealy that lets you respond via e-mail to the commenter and it also shows up in the comments. I just want to be sure whoever I’m responding to, does get the message. Please tell me you do.
4. Your favorite Disney movie is: Finding Nemo
Though I admit, I’m really tired of the same story of the mother always being the one to die. What is up with that Disney?
5. Do you recycle? Yes, and it really helps that the trash people pick it for you. I take all the papers/magazines to the school, as they supposedly get money for it.
6. Games of strategy or games of chance? I like both really.
7. Do you have any recurring dreams? Not really anymore. I used to dream about tornadoes a lot. When I was little I used to have this dream at least once or twice a year that I was lost in a hotel and was looking up and down the hallway where my parents were staying. Of course I didn’t know which number room they were in and opened one of the doors; this old man was standing there and his teeth were falling out one by one right there in front of me. Needless to say, it would freak me the heck out as it seemed so real. It was the exact dream every time. (Shudders)
8. What did you learn from your first real job? (Wow Lid, it’s like your tuning into my inner psyche with these job questions.) Seeing as how I have only had one “real world” job, everything I ever needed to know I learned from that job. Sniff..good times man…good times.
9. Do you buy or borrow most books? Both, but here lately I’ve done nada on the book pursuit.
10. What fashion trend of the past did you say you’d never wear again but did? I’ve never considered myself fashion trendy and probably not trendy enough to know what in the past is new again. I will say that capri pants will never go out of style in my little fashion world.
11. When do you start Christmas shopping? When the hubs gives me permission to go. Usually my MIL and I have a traditional shop til you drop day the week before Christmas, because that’s when she comes to town to visit. We are actually kind of thinking of doing it early this year since we are back in OK and limited time and distance is not a major factor.
12. Have you ever been so happy that you literally jumped up and down for a few seconds? If so, what was the occasion? Sure have. I would say it was when I got accepted into radiology tech. school. At that time I was pretty low on the self confidence scale and zero faith that I would get in. The hubs (boyfriend) at the time had to read the letter a million times to reassure me I indeed did get in. I cried, I jumped up and down, I rolled on the floor a bit, I was ecstatic.
Outside My Window: It is just down right beautiful and is supposed to get up to 70 and be perfect all week. That’s what I’m talkin about!
I’m Hearing: Light snores from the hubs in the bedroom, and his rumbling whatever sound from his computer for WoW.
I’m Thinking: I feel like I’m trying out for American Idol, but it’s more like American Job. I got my “yellow ticket” today, which really means I’m off to my second interview tomorrow. Woot! The actual job I applied for is pretty much filled but they had another opening in a smaller department that handled research type stuff loans for those needing government assistance. It sounds really interesting and right at what I’d rather like to be doing, than just call center type stuff. I’m really excited and very hopeful! Send me some good vibes would ya? Please and thank ya!
I’m Hoping: This second interview works out. It’s like I was telling the hubs, I never really had to “work” at getting my previous real world job, it was pretty much handed to me on a silver platter. It helps to have connections…you know? This interview is supposed to be about 45 minutes, which I’m thinking what more can they ask you that hasn’t already been answered in the first? I admit the interview process completely wipes me out afterward. I guess it’s just conjuring up all these fantastic things about yourself, and I’m not much of a salesperson to begin with, much less one that sells themself. If anything else out of all of this it’s really helped to explore my inner self better.
I’m Thankful For: Living in a state that is not notorious for it’s major traffic issues. If I had to make the kind of drive I will (would) possibly have to make each day, I know it would be a lot more challenging. I just don’t know if I would have been able to handle that, if we still lived in Big D.
From The Kitchen: I’ll have to get back to you on that. I kind of slacked off and haven’t checked the freezer meat availibility yet.
I Am Reading: Understanding Computers (blech) it’s one of my college courses. Of course it’s a requirement. Although I have good general knowledge of computers, but it does get to a certain point where I really could care less about RAM, and ports, and Binary Code. I’m really trying to get it done and over with, which is easier said than done.
I Am Creating: Along with my Understanding Computers course is my Adobe Illustrator course. I’ve really enjoyed this one up to the actual drawing an illustration, coloring it, assembling it, it has become a small thorn in my side. I guess it’s the perfectionist in me (only on certain things mind you) that it’s driving me bonkers. A drawer I am not. Illustrator is supposed to make even the most novice drawer look like the best. This also is easier said than done. I really want to show you guys my work (because I know you care so much) but I haven’t figured out how to convert an illustrator file into .jpg format. I’m sure it’s easy, I just haven’t really tried yet.
Around The House: I’ve already got the Halloween decor down, I just need to do a good thorough cleaning all over the house. I also need to get the boys working on the leaves in the yard. We did get 3 bags full (yes sir, yes sir) of leaves just from the driveway…can you imagine?!
One Of My Favorite Things: Taking MY kids up and down my old stomping grounds for Trick or Treat, it brought back lots of memories. The funny thing was, we headed to L’s parents house (waves at L) and her mom let us just come in and take over the candy bowl on what I… I mean the kids wanted. Wonderboy aka Shaggy immediately wanted to claim L’s baby girl’s Mystery Machine. Uhm first of all son, you already have the exact same mystery machine and secondly we aren’t out begging on the streets for toys.
Since this was the first “official” year Bossyboy went out to trick or treat, he thought we were supposed to go inside everyone’s house after having just visisted L’s parent’s house. Then Wonderboy being Mr. Nosey Nose wanted to know what folks were watching on T.V. the obvious answer being the football game.
A Few Plans For The Week: To become the next American Job Idol, or at least make it to the next round. Operators are standing by, you can call or text the word JOB and vote for ME to be the next American Job Idol. Cast your votes now!
Other than that my schedule is fairly clear.
A Picture Thought:
I’m thinking about doing a monthly rehash of all my favorite pics taken for the month. I won’t overwhelm you I promise, I’ll space things out. Once we start heading into the begining of Dec. (holy guacomole it’s sooner than you think!) I will be asking your help in selecting the best pic of the month for each month of ‘09, to create the family photo calendar ‘10. It was a big hit last year, and I have already been threatened with my life if I don’t do it this year.
