Friday

Well, the week is ended. I'm still not happy at the temp job and F says I should call the agency and quit. The other position I was hoping for went to someone else. I have the agencies still looking for a "better fitting" job for me. I don't know if I should quit or not. I'm not enjoying what I'm doing, but hate the thought of quitting. And the money is better than unemployment ... I'm so confused!

On a better note, Survivor was pretty good last night. Fei Long won the reward challenge, and kidnapped James back for the night. Todd found the immunity idol, which he gave to James. The plan was that when James goes back to Zhan Hu, he would help them lose immunity. He would then get the other immunity idol (since Todd told him where to look). When Zhan Hu votes James off, he will use the first idol to "save" himself. Since everyone is figuring on the merge to happen next, that would bring James back with his buddies with an immunity idol in hand.

Weren't they all surprised, however, when Zhan Hu won immunity, and Fei Long had to vote someone out? They chose Sherea so this means S will have to chose someone new. Probably James ...

The score is now:
S = $3.00 Me = $1.00
and according to the preview, the merge is next week ...

Another Opportunity

Well, the second day of work was about as boring as the first. I really don't mind the work, but it would be nice if there was some background noise and conversation in the office. I emailed the agency that sent me to this position, and let them know that I'd like them to continue looking for something else for me.

So, I have an email from one of the other agencies asking me to call. I sent a response stating that it isn't easy to call during the day because I'm working, but for them to please feel free to email me or leave a message on my cell. She emailed back and said that the company I interviewed with on Monday is very interested in having me work there (temp to hire); am I still interested and, if so, when can I start? I told her that yes, I'd be interested and I could probably start on Monday, since I'd like to give notice where I am now.

Gee, I'm POP-u-lar all of a sudden!

First Day

Well, the first day at the job seemed to go all right. The company started a new computer system back in April, and things haven't been the same since. The AR accounts are all a mess. I spent the day printing invoices and bills of lading, comparing the quantities and prices, and then verifying the price in the computer. Haven't finished the first stack yet; it is one day of invoicing for one customer. Just the ones with payment discrepancies. Seems like pricing errors on all of them; there are 3 products in particular (that I've come across) where the pricing is way off between what was billed and what should have been billed. Should keep me busy for a while.

I'm not sure I'd want to keep the job as a permanent one, though. It is a very quiet office. Quite a few people working in the department where I am, but there is no chit-chat, no radio, nothing but the ticking sound of computer keys. I don't like that kind of atmosphere; I work better with a bit of noise around.

Oh, well; it gets me out of the house and pays better than unemployment ...

Temporary End of Freedom

Well, I have a temp job -- starting tomorrow morning! Not even one that I've interviewed for. Stacey from one of the agencies had called on Friday to see if she could send my resume to the prospective employer (they always call for permission, to make sure you aren't already working somewhere else). Said she'd get back to me by Tuesday if they want to interview me. Well, they liked my resume and want me to start tomorrow! Stacey says the placement could last through the end of the year, and possibly even become permanent.

So - I finished Duh's birthday present today. I'll bring a book and my knitting, although I'll only have 1/2 an hour for lunch. I know I'll at least read while I eat and will bring the socks to work on "just in case". I'm excited, and a bit nervous. I think this is the company that originally wanted applicants to be familiar with MAS90 software, which I'm not. They are aware of that, and will train -- just hope I can figure it out quickly enough!

Good Weekend

Spent part of Saturday at the Quilt and Craft show with P. Met A and her mom and mother-in-law there. Haven't seen them in a while, so it was nice to get together again. Wandered around looking at all the goodies. Bought a new craft project, which is "stupid easy", as Amy says.

Yesterday was the chili cook-off in Chino. (dancedancedance) We had a whole big group of us ... S&R, C&P, Duh and I. F didn't want to go; he drove up to Big Bear for the afternoon instead. AFTER selling one of the Suburbans! Yeah! One vehicle gone .... The cook-off was smaller than it has been in past years, only 10 chili entries instead of the usual 18 or so. There weren't as many booth displays, either. But we have a good time wandering around, and then went to Starbucks afterwards. S&R left from there, C,P and I went to Duh's for a few hours. Did some knitting and talking.

Had an interview this morning that seemed to go pretty well. The lady in the accounting department is going to be moving out of state in a couple weeks, so they are interviewing to replace her. Sounds a lot like what I was doing at Boyd (a lot of different hats to wear - not literally, of course!)

Survivor Update

Well, the show started with each tribe receiving a letter (delivered by fishermen) telling them to chose 2 members from the opposing tribe to be exchanged. Of course, the Survivor-savvy Zhan Hu tribe didn't realize it was a trade; they thought they were getting to increase their number from 5 to 7, and have the advantage over Fei Long. Were they surprised when another boat showed up, not with James and Aaron (their choices) but to pick up Sherea and Frosti!

The girls of Zhan Hu decided that the merge will happen when there are a total of ten contestants left. If Fei Long loses immunity challenges, they will probably vote off Sherea and Frosti, which would leave the tribe at 7 original Fei Long members vs 3 original Zhan Hu members. So, they DELIBERATELY and obviously lost the challenge, and they voted Aaron out. They figure they can get rid of James next, and then it'll be 5 vs 5. So, what happens if they are wrong about the merge??

Since Sherea and Jean-Robert are now on the same team, and we won the challenge (kinda), the score remains at:
S = $2.50 Me = $1.00

Mexican Riviera Pics

I have finally added a few of the pictures from our cruise to my Flickr account. I hope the link works. Please click on "Cruise Pics" in the sidebar...

Goodbye, Gonzo

S & R have decided to take Gonzo to the vet for the Final Visit. She (Gonzo) is having more seizures, and her bad days are outnumbering her good. They have put this off for quite a while, but feel that she is frightened and confused too much of the time now.

We'll miss you, Gonzo-girl.

Bless His Pointy Heart

I couldn't sleep last night. There was a lot of snoring coming from the other side of the bed. So, being the nice wife that I am, instead of kicking F all night I decide to go and sleep on the couch. I grab my pillow, drag myself down the hall and get comfy on the couch. Little Thing immediately jumps onto my hip and settles in for a good sleep. Buster comes in and lies down beside the couch. Just as I'm drifting off to sleep, I see a flash of lightning. No, wait - it's F with his flashlight. He woke up and couldn't find me and got worried.

It wouldn't have been so bad if he hadn't asked me questions so I was completely awake again.

Gift From Amazon

Wow! Heard a noise at the front door about 6:30 this evening. Opened the door, and there was a package from Amazon (UPS never knocks, they just "drop and run"). I've got a couple things ordered, but didn't think they had shipped yet. So, I opened the box, and there was a book ...
"Some Like It Hot-Buttered" by Jeffrey Cohen. Now, I'm pretty sure I didn't order this one. Well, according to the paperwork enclosed, it was sent as a gift! Wasn't that a great surprise!!!

Back on Track!

Well, the Fei Long tribe is back on track -- they won both challenges last night. It was close, but they managed to pull it off. For the reward, they had to carry balls of fire on long "chopsticks" to win a visit from a fisherman & his family for the morning. The fisherman showed showed them how to catch fish, while the family prepared a huge meal. Surprisingly, Jean-Robert was able to speak to them in Mandarin! (S should have an extra forfeit for that!) After the reward challenge they kidnapped Dave, who gave the Idol clue to Todd.

Immunity challenge was breaking vases by throwing ropes with a ball attached at each end. Again, the challenge was close but Fei Long was able to win. Voted out - Dave (#2).
Score: S: $2.50 Me: $1.00

Kinda Proud of Myself

Well, we bought a new digital camera before the cruise (just before the cruise; stopped at Best Buy on the way!). Basically used it as a "point and shoot" while on the trip. So, when we got home, I installed the program on my computer, downloaded the pictures, organized them, and labeled most of them. I then copied them to CDs and sent a copy off to Barb, and sent Matt & Emma a copy of the pics we took of them. All By Myself. No help at all. It was actually quite easy, but something I usually would have had C do for me. Now I just have to figure out how to get a link to them from here ....

Happy Dog

Picked up Buster at the vet's this morning. He was very happy to be coming home ... and this was BEFORE the sausage/egg/cheese McMuffin!
We had him stay at the vet's while we were on our cruise for the week. They took very good care of him, even cleaned out his ears and gave him a bath. Such a happy dog!

Bad Week For Survivor

Well, just watched Survivor on-line and it was a bad one! My tribe lost BOTH challenges. The reward was blankets, pillows, a lantern, and a tarp. Zhan Hu won, although it was close. They kidnapped Leslie, who blabbed her mouth off about everyone at Fei Long. She gave the hidden immunity idol clue to Jamie. The immunity challenge was basically lost by Courtney. Four team members had to take turns chopping through wood to cut ropes to release puzzle pieces, which would then be assembled by 2 other team members. Courtney couldn't chop through the wood to cut the ropes. Zhan Hu was almost a third of the way putting the puzzle together before she got the first puzzle pieces. It looked like they were going to vote off Jean-Robert (he should go, he's a bit of a pig). Instead, they voted off Leslie (#5), and the score is:
Susan $1.50 Me $1.00

What A Week!

I'm going to type up notes and try to include a link, but let me just say WOW! What a wonderful, relaxing week!! Came home to an angry kitty, and have to wait until tomorrow to pick up the dog, but we are home safe and sound. Little Thing spent quite a while meowing at me, and following me around, but seems to be settled down.

Got a suitcase full of laundry to do, and nobody here to bring me coffee and pastries in the morning. Had Taco Bell tacos for dinner. Man, what a difference a day makes! :-)

Now to start planning the next cruise ...