Little Guy: Oh, I didn’t know you were taking a trip, Daddy.  Where are you going?

Daddy: England

Little Guy: Can I go with you, Daddy?

Daddy:  Why do you want to go with me?

Little Guy: I want to go back to England so I can practice my football (soccer).  When are you coming back?

Daddy: I’ll be back on Thursday night.

Little Guy: That’s great. I won’t miss any basketball.  (Obviously, school wasn’t an issue)

Daddy: (chuckling)  I think that’s great that you want to go to England to practice your football.  But I’m not going to that part of England where we have friends (where we used to live). I’ll be in London this trip.

Little Guy:  (in a very soft voice) If we have no plans to go to England any time, how can I become a great football player?

Daddy: But I’ll be going to England again soon, and this time I’ll be staying where we have friends.

Little Guy:  Can I go with you on that trip??

I have received many texts, emails, and FB posts from friends offering CONGRATS and Well Wishes, as well as questions of “How was your 1st (or 2nd) day?”

It’s a little too soon to tell, but for the most part….all is good.

The commute is great for me–it’s between 20-25 minutes in each directions–all “reverse” commute.

The two ladies I work for are very, very nice. Both mornings, the HR Director, once she settles herself in her own office, comes out and sits down across from me at my desk and asks me how things are going, asks about my boys, etc. She is being friendly and trying to establish a relationship. I very much appreciate it.

The Benefits Manager is very nice as well.  She is usually on “high” speed because she has so much to do, but she doesn’t mind if I interrupt her with questions or ideas. She stops and listens. I appreciate that too.

So far all I’ve really done is filing–all sorts.  Apparently, I’m very good at filing, as I finish my tasks within an hour and a half.  Each day I have provided suggestions or ideas that the HR Director and Benefits Manager hadn’t thought of, and they each wanted me to implement the change. Nothing monumental, but just something that was so intuitive to me, and it works!

Although my hours are 9am-3pm, I have been “done” with all my tasks by 1:30 each day.  I know it’s still the early stages of my employment and I am hoping that more “meatier” stuff will come my way in the coming days. Or maybe they just over-estimated how long it would take someone to do the tasks.  Hubby keeps telling me I have to pace myself better!

I think there was an expectation of sorts (by me? by Hubby?) that I would be tired from working 6 hours a day, PLUS coming home and helping with the Homework, making Dinner, doing Laundry, and everything else that falls under my umbrella. Surprisingly, I have had MORE energy!  I haven’t fallen asleep on the couch yet! When I come home and the boys finish their homework, I am *looking* for stuff to do.

So far the VP is happy, the boys are happy for me, and Thomas Inc. is running smoothly. All after 2 days.

I’ll keep you posted if anything changes!  ;>)

It has been approximately 15 years since I’ve had a “real” psychic reading. Back then, Vi came to my house and did an outstanding….spot-on….reading of things going on in my life and predicted things that did actually come true. Since Vi’s reading, I have been to a psychic once–probably about 11 years ago–but it was a very “generic” reading, i.e “you will be traveling soon, you have a great relationship, but past conflicts.” Because of all the STUFF going on at home and in my head, I found this MOT Night Out to be a MUST DO.

I was the fourth one to go upstairs. I went into the room where Gloria was sitting and introduced myself.  She asked me for my date of birth (month, day, year), and asked me to shuffle a deck of cards while she looked up my birthday in the Astrology book she had.  While I continued to shuffle, she declared that I am a true Gemini….all my moons/stars/planets are Gemini.  I found this a little odd, because although I am aware I was born when the moons were changing, I have always considered to carry Cancer traits.  Whatever…..I was still listening.  apparently, in the last 4 years Gemini has been in turmoil.  In the last 4-6 months, Gemini has been trying to correct itself and find balance again.

Gloria then asked me to return the deck of cards to her, and then take one card from a turquoise deck and four cards from a purple deck. Then my reading began.

Except that it didn’t.  She looked at the cards. She looked at me.  She told me that in order for her to have a successful reading, I needed to let my aura free.  At the time, I was sitting at the edge of my seat, sitting straight up, and holding my breath. TENSE. Upon her prompting, I moved to the back of the chair, closed my eyes, took deep breath, and tried to relax.

It helped.

Here is what Gloria said:

• I am a private person who will listen to people tell their life stories, but I only reveal certain things to certain people. I must find the person to be trustworthy first before I give up any personal details/stories about myself.  I prefer to write down my thoughts/feelings/fears/ideas rather than talk to someone. I like to write all these things down, and go back to read and re-read and think about what I wrote.  (Hmmmm, blogger that I am……)
• I am smarter than I give myself credit or let people know.  I am very intelligent.  I need to do something with that intelligence because what I am doing now is not cutting it.
• I am in a state of antsy frustration. I need more than what I have, but I am not looking for financial gain or advancement. More of a mental stimulation and sense of purpose.
• Gloria sees me going back to school.  Not necessarily to get another degree, but to learn something that would be directly  job related, to help advance the path I end up on.
• She kept seeing me in an “institution”  (HAHAH!…..Ok, not that kind of institution!) There wouldn’t be any small kids, just adults. Maybe a college, a hospital. Somewhere were I would be helping people.
• My spouse/partner is not being supportive, and it’s been a cause for additional frustration. He isn’t understanding what I need.  But regardless of what he thinks, I will forge ahead with my plans and all will work out.  This frustration is a rough patch in our relationship, but it will not last. I need to hang in there because he will learn that what I am doing is the right thing. She told me that the children will be OK and are old enough to take care of themselves.

At this point, I was in shock and awe.  The only information she had about me was that I was a mom of twins (she was told all the guests were MOTs), my first name, and my date of birth.

In addition, she stated she sees me writing/publishing a book. Not necessarily in the near future, but sometime in my lifetime.  She concluded that I need to go ahead with my plans to find happiness and fulfillment. It will calm me down and help me be “whole.”

After all that, I went back downstairs for a glass of wine……

Guess what happened to me on Tuesday?

I received a phone call from an attorney in a nearby town after I responded to her “Part-time Legal Assistant” position she posted on Craigslist. She is a “working mom” and said “she gets it”…..a working mother’s need to balance the mom and a job.  She found my experiences to be a good fit for the position she is hiring for.  She told me practices Landlord/Tenant disputes. And she told me that what she’s really looking for is for someone to handle her accounts. She invited me down for an interview.

HOLY COW!  A REAL INTERVIEW!!!! And on the drive down, I felt all sorts of good vibes—Poison’s “Nothing But a Good Time,” Aerosmith’s “Sweet Emotion,” and Motley Crue’s “Girls, Girls, Girls” were all on the radio!!! My type of Happy Tunes.

Ms. Attorney was very nice. As a matter of fact, we graduated from the same law school (which she didn’t realize). She graduated a year before me, because I was in the night program.  Her office is very small.  Very small. As in…..one room.  (I once worked for a solo-practitioner, but at least he had his own “office.”) The hours are 9am to 12pm.  She explained that since she went out on her own 4 years ago, she has done all her own billing/accounting, so she knows how long it takes; hence the 3 hour/day position. She also would like someone to “clean up her office.” As for legal research or document drafting, there would be little or none of that.

I left the interview very conflicted.  I can honestly say that despite my initial excitement about being called in for an interview…….the job didn’t excite me. On any level.  The hours sound perfect, no? The kids wouldn’t be effected. The husband wouldn’t be effected. The dog wouldn’t be effected. But I would basically be doing data entry of her billable hours and sending out invoices to clients and recording payments of said invoices. There would be little or no “adult” interaction…except for Ms. Attorney when she would be in the office. She told me that any legal work would be entering names /addresses into pre-formatted documents. She hadn’t even noticed I had a law degree until I mentioned it. So maybe she had not considered having an actual legal assistant.  And to be totally truthful, even if the position had more law practice involved, IT DOESN’T EXCITE ME. I think I can completely put the “I want to be a lawyer” thing totally behind me. Over. Finis. Kaput. BURIED.

This position is not a stepping stone to a career. It would just get me out of the house for 3 hours today.

I have spent the last few days trying to figure out what is more important to me. Getting out of the house. Or finding something that interests me and challenges me.

Sigh.

My children who make me smile and remind me to remain young at heart. (yes they also test my patience and give me gray hairs, but I am thankful for that as well).

My mother….although  I can’t explain or understand why she does things, deep down I know she acts out of love.  And I’m lucky to have a mom.

My extended family and friends.  No matter what the problem, you are there for me.

Especially my BF-M and my quasi-cousin/sister A……who are *always* there for me….to share the tears and the joys. I am thankful we can just “be” ourselves and be there for each other.

For my SIL B–who *always* offers thoughtful advice….because she has “already been there.” She lets me know that I am not alone.

I am also thankful for FB—-being able to find so many “lost” but not forgotten friends.  I am thankful you are back in my life.

Our beautfiul house, our many travels, our fun toys, our loving pets.

Our health. I cannot say how fortunate we have been with our health. Thank You God.

This wonderful country that we live.  We have freedom. We have a say. Although the government is falling apart, when things hit the fan, the people of America know how to come together for a common cause.

Our military. Thank you for risking your lives to protect ours.

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And the other members of Thomas Inc……

T-Man is thankful for the food we get to eat.

M-Man is thankful for our home and family.

Litte Guy is thankful for Lily and soccer.

Hubby is thankful that we are all healthy, and for his loving, caring family.

Miss Lily is thankful for her tennis balls and that her family bought her a sweater for the cold weather.

========================================================

Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving!

Folks, it hasn’t been easy.

I’m a smart girl.  I recognize and realize the realities of the job market.

But the lack of response really affects my self-esteem.

When I started back in August, I contacted a few friends and co-workers for “informational interviews” and some networking.  Each person gave me some great comments/tips for my resume. Each person also recommended doing some temping or contract work.  The deeper I got into the process, the more appealing contract work became.  I can “try out” working for a 2-6 month commitment (depending on the position and/or employer) and see if I really DO want to return to the workforce.

I have contacted several staffing and temping agencies.  I have run into 2 camps—those that are really nice (or pretend to be) and those that are somewhat…..snooty…..and don’t want to give me the time of day.  After responding to an on-line job posting, recruiters from 3 different staffing/temp agencies called me to speak about my experiences and my situation, what I”m looking for, etc.  In each of these 3 cases, I was asked to come in and meet the recruiter in-person.  I found this to be an excellent opportunity to dress up and practice my interviewing skills.  At the conclusion of each meeting, the recruiter…kindly….stated that the majority of their clients are looking for Full Time employees, but if a Part Time position in my area of interest pops up, they would definitely refer me….because (in their words) despite being “out of work” for 10 years, I do have a strong resume with varied skills.  They insist I keep in contact with them about my job search, and to feel free to contact them with any questions.  I ask them if I see a job posting for a FT position, but based on the job description I feel it’s a “perfect fit,” would they contact the employer on my behalf to see if the employer would consider a 30/hr per week person? The recruiter smiles nicely, and replies that it is possible.(nice, professional, esteem-boosting……but I know they won’t/don’t).  I know that they have a job to do, and that job is to make sure their clients are 100% satisfied.  There must be enough candidates out there, that to waste time on my query is not worth it to them.

However, I am thankful to these nice, professional people who took time out of their day to speak with me.

Then, there’s the opposite experience. There is one company in particular, who call themselves the “HR Staffing Experts” (or something like that).  I have submitted my resume for several positions. Not a phone call.  I asked a friend who is an HR professional if she has a contact at this HR Staffing company. She enthusiastically gave me her contact, whom I called. The lady flat out said that none of her clients would look at a resume from a candidate who hasn’t worked in 10 years.  As if everything I have done in the last 10 years has no value whatsoever.

I’m NOT applying for HR Manager, Director, or VP positions. Not even the HR Generalist or Specialist positions. I’m applying for the HR Administrative Assistant—the data entry/interview scheduler/envelope stuffer!!!!!

As much as this ticked me off, it also gave me resolve to pester these people until they speak to me.  I cold-called the Staffing Company and was connected to a different recruiter. I got the same response. (My HR professional friend is HORRIFIED by the  attitude of this staffing company) But I keep calling and emailing…….Why? Because I feel that I am the caliber candidate they are looking for, despite my “lack of work.”

Last week, while I was in Boston to meet with one of the nice Staffing Company, I came across another staffing company that I had been meaning to contact.  This office was set up for people to just walk in off the streets. So I did. I handed my resume, and a Staffing Consultant–who looked young enough that I could be his mother (YIKES!!!)–guided me to a small conference room. He let me give my schpeel about my life, work experiences, and holes in the resume.  At the end, he said “Well, I’ll pass this along to the HR group  letting them know that you are looking for something in the burbs during “mothers hours” and if something fits, they’ll call you.”   I’m pretty good at reading people. That was a blatant “We can’t help you, but thanks for stopping by.”

Again, interview experience.

I also decided to start a log of all the jobs I sent my resume to.  Since mid-August, I have sent my resume to at least 45 job postings.  I know it’s a little more than that, but 45 is the number I have on record (either saved Word docs or emails in my sent or in box). I had a goal to send a minimum of 3 resumes a week. I think I’ve come close to that goal.  Some weeks are better than others (for example, this week…..0). I have also been responding to FT positions—in the hopes that maybe someone will say “Hey, this girl has lots to offer” and call me….talk to me….decide YES I possess many of the qualities they are looking for….and then amend the position to 30-35hrs.

Wishful thinking.  Yes.

But at least I’m sending out my resume. If I was only sending out to PT jobs, I would really be depressed. At least this way I have a little bit of hope to hold on to.

I have also tweeked my cover letter this week.  Added a little bit of SASS to it—I felt like I needed to explain (1) Stay at home moms are WORKING MOMS (thanks Snooty Staffing Company), and (2) why hiring me for 30-35 hours is a smart move. We’ll see if it gets me noticed.

As for “real” interviews….I have had one. It was through a temp agency for a part-time position at a medical staffing company.  It was a contract position to last 4 months, with the potential for a long-term permanent hire.  Granted, I don’t have experience in the medical field, but I do have recruiting assistant experience which could transfer to any industry.  I thought the interview was going well. But then I blew it.  I was asked a question that I wasn’t expecting, nor did I know how to answer.  “Where do you see yourself in a year?” I became flustered.  Well, the position is a temp position…..no guarantee that I’ll be here a year from now.   My husband isn’t on-board with me returning to work. What if I decide that I can’t juggle work and home?  I just didn’t have an answer. And I think that’s what blew the opportunity for that job.  Needless to say, I won’t make that mistake again.

And lastly…….I have been asked  by friends, colleagues, staffing consultants, my mother……. and by me……”What about your law degree?” Yeah, that one is hard to answer.  I feel like if it’s on my resume, employers would find me over-educated (over-qualified?).  If it’s off my resume, I feel like I’m being dishonest.  Those in favor of keeping it on my resume bring up good points–that if it comes up on a background check, it shows I lied.  And another “PRO” for leaving it on, is that it shows that I AM educated, can research, write, and set me apart from other candidates.

As for working in the law field.  Not really interested. It was something I wanted OH SO LONG AGO. I don’t have any desire to take the Mass Bar. But that’s not to say I haven’t applied for a couple of Paralegal jobs…..because I have. Not my first choice. But if it’s local, with “mother’s hours”, and in a field of law I am interested in, then YES I will apply. But definitely NOT my first choice.

Enough time on this…..off to check the job boards…..again.

One thing that Wujek was absolutely nuts about (and I don’t know why) was Kentucky Fried Chicken.  As he entered his 60′s and his health began to deteriorate, I’m sure his doctor(s) frowned upon food like KFC being part of Wujek’s diet. But as a Birthday treat, we’d always grab a bucket of chicken on the way to his house to celebrate.  It was just a funny, quirky thing we really liked about him.

Wujek passed away in 2004.

On Friday evening, the VP and her family decided to have KFC.  We hadn’t had KFC in a very long while, and we had been talking about it for weeks. Since Friday was a school holiday, no more soccer practices, and hubby was working from home, a trek to our “local” (and by local, I mean a minimum 15 minute ride) KFC was in order.

My mom happened to stop by shortly before I returned with my bucket of chicken.  Her eyes popped out.  I invited her to stay for dinner with us. She said “Well, maybe I’ll have one piece of chicken. I haven’t had any since Wujek……..”

She paused.  It was  November 11th.  His Birthday.

Happy Birthday Wujek.

Fortunately, at Casa de Thomas, we have been blessed by having very few….very very few…..incidents of any type of stomach ailments….by any of our kids.  As a matter of fact, up until a week ago, Little Guy had never thrown up. Can you believe that? Six years and not a single puke.  Not even as a baby…no baby spit up.  Nothing. What went down, stayed down.  (Last week’s incident was situational rather than “sick”…..He had 2 tacos for dinner, ran around a  soccer field for an hour, drank an entire bottle of very tart lemonade…..ran around for another hour playing soccer…and then up it all came. Just a bad combination all around).

This morning at 4:15am, Little Guy came into our room and asked for Daddy.  “My tummy hurts. I feel like I need to puke.  Where is it better to do it? In the sink, in a barrel, or the toilet?”

You have to admit……at 4:15 in the morning that is a very lucid, mature, intelligent question to ask.  At any age. But very much so for a 6 year old.

And while he and Daddy were in the bathroom, waiting for Round 2 to make its appearance, I could hear Little Guy going over everything he ate on Sunday.  Again, very impressive at 4:30am.  And then he asked Daddy, “Were any of those a bad combination?”

Luckily, we were able to get him back to sleep shortly after 5am. And he’s still sleeping at 7:45am. No school for him today.