Pyzam!

I'm bored today, and still recovering from the sickies, so I thought I'd look through pyzam's layouts for blogs, and I found this new spiffy one.

I'd like to thank Natalie for warning me about backing up EVERYTHING prior to using a new layout. Otherwise I too would have lost all my content (widgets, htmls, links etc). It's lovely advice. Follow it. Natalie is smart.

Also, I think this layout is cute, and it works well with my spiffy banner! I likey.

I was looking through layouts, and found a perfect one for Miss Hayley, but its not working. :( I'm hoping to be able to go through the code and figure out if I can fix it for her, because seriously, its perfect. So stay tuned for that!

Other than that, we're going to the Relief Society Broadcast tonight, we have a dinner at 7pm before it starts. That's where I met Shara for the first time last year, and I can't believe how close of friends we've become in just one year. I'm so thankful for her and her family for letting me basically live here. She jokes that I'm her "Domestic Associate" or "Valerie's Nanny"... I just feel so guilty for eating their food, and not paying rent :| Maybe that'll change once I get paid. :) I'm not sure.

Anyway, I've gotta figure out that pyzam template for Hayley! She needs it. :)

Paperwork

I just got back from filling in all my paperwork for my new job. Yay! There was a lot, but none of it was what I was really hoping for... A direct deposit form.

Can you believe, they don't have direct deposit?

They don't even have time cards that I can send in online. I have to go to their office at the end of each week and physically drop them off. ugh.

Sucks.

Hopefully I'm really REALLY not with this temp agency for very long. I'd like to be hired on full-time... I'm sure the company that hired me is more up-to-date than that! I really really don't want to have to get ANOTHER bank account in this area just so I can cash my checks. I haven't had to physically cash a check for like 13 years for a job... When I worked at the PCC when I was 15! *sigh*

Also, I'm feeling a little sickly today. My nose is runny, and my throat hurts. My hubby makes a killer "potion" for colds, I wish I had some... He puts cayenne pepper, ginger, honey, ACV (apple cider vinegar), mint extract (for taste), and some other things... mixes it up, makes me drink it, and it really helps! Man I miss him. Instead though, I've been drinking Echinacea Tea, but its not strong enough... (nothing is compared to hubby's medications). So I just went to Wal-Mart (its cheapest there) and got some Nyquill/Dayquill liqui-gels and some Vitamin C. I hope it helps. ASAP.

Mom says that when my Grandma starts feeling sick, she takes a Vitamin C (with rose hips) every hour. My Grandma will be 93 in 2 days, so she's got to be doing something right... right? :) You gotta love her. I'm glad I got to see her at Dave's wedding 2 months ago. :)

Speaking of David, Today is his birthday, so Happy Birthday to the Dave. Love ya lil' brothah!

And Happy birthday Google. too. lol They're 9. Amazing how they've almost accomplished world-domination in only 9 short years. wow. Dave, you better get crackin'!

Fantastic News!

This morning, I woke up a little sad and depressed about not getting that other job, and around 11 or so this morning, I get a call from one of the temp agencies I had signed up with, asking me if I was interested in a position that starts Monday. "HECK YES I am!"

So, she called me back a few minutes later asking me if I could go interview with them today. My interview was at 2pm, and it went fabulously!

I called my recruiter when I got home and she said that she had just gotten off the phone with them and THEY WANT ME! :-D

I'm so excited! And I just can't hide it!

I've just got to do a drug test in the morning and I'm IN. I'll pass unless it involves a number 2 pencil... ;)

The company is sort of a global IT solutions company that basically becomes THE IT support for their client company. It's an ingenious idea, really. I think I'm really REALLY going to like working there. AND the best part is, It's Monday through Friday ONLY. I can be a weekend wife! (assuming I'm actually allowed into Canada any time soon...) WOOHOO!

AND AND AND! They said that there is opportunity for certifications that THEY pay for. If you're a computer geek, these are pretty much as good as a masters' degree... (not that a PHD wouldn't also be helpful... but you get the point... I hope...)

I start on Monday! WOOHOO!

Road Trippin.

Life is a LOT like a road trip. Sorry for this post, but it's going to be a "Deep Thoughts" moment.

Like I said previously, I had a LOT of time to sit and think...

All. By. Myself.

So I did.

On the way home, I got to Schenectady, NY and I was caught in a HORRIBLE down-pour. It started raining like you wouldn't believe. I was going about 72mph (in a 65 zone, that's not too bad...) and it started raining. Hard. I had to slow down to about 25mph, put on my emergency blinkers, and stare at the white line. After that I said a prayer (I felt bad that I couldn't close both my eyes for it) and the debilitating rain stopped. It couldn't have lasted more than 3-5 minutes. tops. The only other time I was *that* scared driving, was on my way to Vegas from San Diego, the fog was SOOOO thick, nothing helped it, except me looking down at that white line.

Which brings me back to how life is lots like a road trip. We have those moments of utter horror. Be it depression, stress, anguish, grief, or another debilitating moment. We're not alone in them though. In our Gospel Doctrine class today (Dan is the teacher, and he is great!) We read a verse in 2nd Corinthians. It was Chapter 1 verse 4, and it hit me like a TON of bricks. "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

It doesn't say some of our tribulations. Only 3 tribulations per day. No. It says ALL of them. It's not human nature to ask for help in every tribulation, (or even one tiny tribulation), but it's such a relief to know that we can. He is there, He will help us. All we have to do is ask. I don't know about you, but that is such a comfort to me. Especially now, being away from my husband, its been so hard. It would have been a lot easier if I'd ask for His comfort earlier.


I guess that's why we have rain storms, and rainbows. So we can see that it does get better. It does. (The above was taken right after that horrid rain had passed.)

Look how pretty the sunset was after the rain.




Just like the sunset, and the sun's reflection shimmering off the road, we'll not only look better, but we'll be stronger after the afflictions have passed. I'm not saying I'm a pro... far from it... 12 hours on the road to ponder such things does not a guru make. I guess its just an epiphany, and I knew I had to share.

Life throws things in our path. Sometimes sending us on paths we've never been on before. It can be scary, but He has been there before. If we follow His council, and promptings, we'll always be lead to safety.



See... life is a LOT like a road trip. Only longer, and we don't always have to be alone.

Fall... Almost.

On my little road trip, one thing I kept thinking, was that I was almost a little sad I didn't get the later test date. That way I would have been in New England at the peak of fall. If you haven't witnessed that before, for sure, you should make sure that some time in your life, you do. I can't even quite say that I've witnessed it, last year I left Connecticut at about this same time, and its not quite cold enough yet for the leaves to change... But I've seen pictures.

I tried to take a few photos of the one or two trees that had already changed... but all of these pictures were taken from the driver's seat of my car. Don't try this at home. I don't recommend it for just anyone. It takes a nifty kind of idiot like me to take pictures while driving. (Sorry mom... I know you're cringing reading this part)...

Anyway, I'll post a few pics I took along my Boston Journey for you. Or for me. I dunno, I think I've just become a lot more grateful for what God has done for me in this life since being on this trip.


Love the sunset in this picture, and the trees were trying to be orange for me! I loved their enthusiasm!




I'd love go back in a month and see them in their full swing! How I just LOVE fall! :)

Number 2 pencils make me nervous!

I'm back, all safe and sound.

The test was mostly a breeze. I ran out of time on the writing test, but I think I did the 250 word minimum. I had to write it in pencil, which is something I hate doing. I hate pencils! I wanted to write in pen. I have prettier handwriting when I use pen. Especially if its a good pen that I'm comfortable with. *sigh*

I think I got 99% of the listening and reading sections correct, there was one or two things I had questions with, but I think they went ok.

The speaking portion was stressful. I think I may have talked too fast, and I think I said "um" too much as filler. That's just what comes out of my head when my brain is thinking up an answer. I hope they were satisfied with my answers. It was recorded... so who knows who will listen to it. They'll think I'm 8 years old. I just have a super young voice. I can't help it!

I'll find out the scores in 13 days though.

Being on a road trip for 6+ hours each way really makes you think. I took pictures too, so you'll hear more about my deep thoughts, and my road trip pictures later. :)

Grrr!

We interrupt packing and stressing about Boston to bring you the latest international financial news...

The Canadian Dollar has officially passed up the US Dollar.

1.00 USD = 1.00053 CAD
1.00 CAD = 0.999474 USD

This is hideous. :( No wonder we're so much poorer now than we were 4 years ago!

I had earlier posted about the currency exchange rates, and how I was annoyed at how its changed... Take a minute to read that post will ya? What the heck has happened?

So very frustrating for those of us doing business and spending money in two currencies.

Boston...

So... I'll be leaving for Boston in the morning. Not driving my car anymore. The hubby talked me into renting a car, so I just reserved one. It'll cost around $70.00 for the rental, but the gas money it'll save me should be at least $60.00 round trip PLUS the maintenance on my old '97 Jeep would probably be a LOT on a trip like this. Shara said she saw (wow, say that 10 times fast...) anti-freeze dripping from my car the other day. So its probably best that I rent a car, and stay in a hotel.

I'll still be able to go to the bank, and do all my little errands before my test Saturday... I just really hope the test doesn't take ALL DAY. AND I really hope it doesn't completely drain my head out... I just always get so nervous taking tests. Even though, this is probably the easiest test I'll ever have to take. Here's the test day schedule:

"8:15 am: Registration.

9:00 - 12:15 pm: Listening (30 min), Reading (60 min), and Writing (60 min) Modules.

There will not be any breaks during the morning session. Candidates will remain in their seats until the end of the Writing Module.

12:20 - 5:00 pm: Speaking (11-14 minutes) Module: Interview at a pre-assigned time slot.

Saturday speaking appointments will be randomly allocated after the morning session has started. A candidate can be scheduled anytime between 12:20 and 5:00 pm. It is not possible to re-order or change these appointments."

So who knows when I'll have time to eat or be a human on Saturday. I better not have a large breakfast. An apple should probably do it. I just hope I don't have a 4:50pm appointment for the speaking part. If its alphabetical by last name I'll scream. That's one thing I always hated about being a Smith. We were always called last, or pretty darn close to it. I hope its random at least.

Anyway... I'll be taking off around 9am at the latest tomorrow morning. I got a good night's sleep tonight, so I'll be ok waking up early tomorrow AND Saturday. Since I'm renting a car, now the only worry is what cd's I should bring... I have an mp3 player in my Jeep, so usually I just burn like 5 albums on a cd... I doubt the rental will be that cool. We shall see. I don't know why I get so nervous... I'm a born worrier like my mother I guess. :) I'm off to pack my lunches :) Have a beautiful weekend! See ya on Sunday (I guess).

I must be dreaming...

So. I have a phone interview with Geico in 45 minutes. They have a big call center here, and I applied 2-3 weeks ago... I don't even remember when.

Anyway, you'd figure I'd have dreams about that last night. Or my English test on Saturday... Not so. What do I end up dreaming about? Blogging. Yup. I'm officially either addicted, crazy, need a life, or D, All of the above. (Seriously, I think it's D.)

I saw these adorable wallets yesterday (made by db clay), from the Treehugger website. Seriously, I want one. They're made from a material called Tope, which is an eco-friendly replacement for leather and vinyl etc. I meant to post about them yesterday, because they are oh, so adorable, but I didn't get around to it. Just look at them! (Click it, it'll go bigger, or just click that dbclay link to visit their site.)


So... Now you're asking... why did Shelley dream about wallets?

Well. It wasn't just about the wallets, and forgetting to blog them. I dreamed that Natalie had beat me to it. I dreamed that not only did she blog about it, but she got one! And I was so super jealous in my dream! You would not believe how real it seemed. I think my subconscious picked Natalie because she always looks so put together, and that circle necklace is totally fabulous and trendy. I subconsciously figured she needs this wallet I guess. I'd like one... but I am still a bit happy with my Sugar Daddy wallet. ;) Besides, I'd rather pay a dollar for my wallet and get some bonus candy with it anyway... The dbclay wallets start at $48 bucks, and I just can't fathom that. BUT they are environmentally friendly... and for that reason, I guess its a plus.

Anyway... 3 days till Boston! 30 minutes till my Geico phone interview! I'll post an update later. As if anything could keep me away! ;)

10:10am Update: The phone interview went ok. My heart just isn't quite into being an Insurance representative though. I really REALLY want that IT Position. :( I do love Geico as a company though. (HATE the cavemen, but I love the gecko). We shall see. *sigh*

10:44am Update: I just called my recruiter for that Luvata job, and they pretty much said I'm not a good fit for the job, because eventually (ages down the road from now) I'll be wanting to live with my husband again in Canada... a whole whopping hour away. And since this position is an on call position 24x7, I'd maybe (maybe once a month they said) have to come in on the weekend, and do some support. Not that I couldn't come in from Canada... Heck, I'm not even allowed into Canada right now, I don't know why that's such a big deal. :( Man this sucks. I really really wanted that job! Back to the drawing board I guess. :(

4 days till Boston?

Yikes!

Just reading that countdown thingy I added is making me nervous a little. I mean, I know English. That's not the real issue. I feel like I should study SOMETHING... you know? Just anything.

Hubby had done some searching and found a few free English tests I can take online though, and I must say, these are very interesting. I'll link you to a few I've been playing with. For the most part, I've been getting relatively high scores. It might be fun for YOU to take them too. :) Post your scores on the comments if you want. It'll be fun.

Easy English (Somehow this one is my fave).
IELTS Handbook The people who make the test I'm taking have put out a Handbook. I should at least read THAT right?
English Test
Zoni

I have no clue why I get so nervous... I've been speaking this language for 27? years? Maybe more... I don't know when my first words were... But I'll be 29 in November, so I've been around English for all my life.

Maybe I just need more prayers.

I'm thinking I'll be leaving Friday morning, early... I figured I'd have a job by now, and that I could leave at 5 after work, but that's not happening (for some reason), and I figure I can go to my bank which is only in the New England area, and open another Checking account for PayPal. Plus, if both the hubby and I have access to the one account, it'll make sharing funds easier for us both. And I could quit using my WAMU accounts (which really, I don't like so much... mostly because there isn't a branch for 200 miles of here, and their international ATM fees are crap).

Anyway... 4 days till Boston, 3 days till I start driving there. And I'm pretty sure I'll be sleeping in the Jeep. I have a super dark tint, and a car alarm to keep me safe. So that's the least of my worries. :)

Fun Saturday.

This morning, Valerie and I woke up at around 8:30am, got ready, and headed out to Soccer. Shara and Dan were in Canada helping his mom pack. She's moving about an hour and a half closer to them, and 10 minutes away from Dan's brother. Good times.

The weather was like 60 degrees, a light misty rain was falling, and it was SUPER windy, so my hair was all over the place, and of course, I was wearing my pyramid slippas', as all my covered toe shoes are in Hamilton. I was freezing. I even borrowed one of Dan's jackets, and I still froze. I swear, I complain if its colder than 75 and warmer than 88. lol

Anyway, My hair was not loving the fact that I washed it after it was so perfectly cut and styled. It's giving me issues. I'm hoping it'll relax in 2 weeks or so... Not good. see?


I am so not amused in this picture. Hair everywhere. ugh.

Valerie had fun though... She was doing cartwheels while she should have been playing soccer... She's 7 though, so that's fine...



She had a blast though. Even though her team didn't win.



She's a cutie. When she wants to be anyway.

She had a rough few days, tantrums, crying, you name it. When Dan and Shara left, they put me in charge, and boy did I ever take over. I made her earn every little reward there was. Friday after school, I made her clean for 2 hours. We vacuumed the whole house. And she even went to bed without crying. I was very happy about that.

Today we had a great time at soccer, and afterwards, we went to Build a Bear to spend her gift certificate. She earned that too. She ended up getting the Purrincess Kitty, and she named her Pinky. Because, shocker, shock... the cat is pink.

She even went to bed tonight without a hassle. It was quite lovely. I just hope she can keep it up for her parents. She has quite the set of lungs on her and some nights she just cries and cries! It's awful and I have a new respect for Shara and Dan as parents. Wow.

After build a bear, we watched High School Musical. Can I just say, how utterly cute I thought this movie was? Shara had it on her DVR, so I thought we'd watch it. (Does anyone know when high school musical 2 is supposed to be on the Disney Channel next??? lol) It ended 10 min. before 8 (Valerie's bedtime), so we quickly got her in the shower, and in bed. She's such a girly girl. There was this mini spider minding its own business on her wall 10 feet away from her bed, and she called me up to "take care of it". I caught it in a water bottle (seriously, legs and all was smaller than a water bottle opening. lol) THEN she was finally able to sleep. Silly girl.

Anyway... That was my day... I also finished listening to Twilight. (You heard me... I didn't read it. :) I got other stuff done while I had it read to me. It's like I'm a princess, and my mp3 player does my bidding and reads to me... That's what was in my ear at the soccer game pic above.) Fun day indeed, but I'm a little tired now. :) Build a bear is such a fun idea. I doubt I'd go there without a gift certificate though, man those bears are pricy! Anyway, I've gotta get some sleep, lots to do tomorrow. eBay inventory and such. Gotta get rent money again... doesn't look like I'll have a paycheck by october 1st. *sigh* I wish they'd call me back and give me that job already! I can't tell you how much I want it! I guess I'd better keep praying. :)

Makeover!

I feel like I just got a makeover. I cut 10 inches off of my hair, and I'm sending my hair in tomorrow!

Here's the before:



And after cutting a whopping 10 inches off, here's the after!



These pictures are kind of crap, because I took them myself... I'll get Shara to take some more later on, and I promise I'll post more! But seriously, how fun is this hair cut? :D

As for my second interview this morning, it went really well. I really felt a click or sorts with the people. I think I'd be perfect for the job. It really encompasses everything I've already done, bud adds the twist of being on my own, and making it my own. Which is totally exciting for me. I'd get to make my own rules, documentation, everything. I'd also get a cell and a laptop because I'd have to be available 24x7. Lately, they've said they're lucky if they get one call on the weekends PER MONTH. That's really really not that bad. So I'd surely be able to keep the job long after I'm allowed back into Canada. I'm thinking it'd even pay enough to keep it for a long while. The only down side of that, is that a permanent spot isn't available. So its temp/contract to perm, maybe.

I'm so so excited about that position, I would just love LOVE to work there. :)

I hope they hire me! Besides, they'd be lucky to get THIS cute haired gal workin' for them! I just LOVE my new haircut! It is so awesome! :D :D ;D

They really LIKE me!

It is barely 11am, and already, my day has been MADE!

I got a call back this morning from my computer staffing people about that job I interviewed with on Monday... Luvata Buffalo Inc. wants me to come back tomorrow at 11:30am for an interview with their IT Manager! YAY! (His name is Jamie, I'll try not to laugh... OR mention that that is my sister's name...)

I'm so excited and also a little nervous! They like me! I must have said something good! They said it's temp to perm, but they have no idea when the budget will allow for that perm position to open up. I'd just be hoping for a temp to not-temp-with-the-agency-anymore position...

Shara works for a skilled tradesmen (welders and other men-jobs that require steel-toed boots) type staffing agency, and she said that most of the time, the agency gets like $30.00 an hour for having placed the worker with the job. That's $30.00 an hour ON TOP of what the worker is actually getting paid (usually a lot less... like $20 an hour or whatever). Oh the horror!

I'm wondering how much my temp agency gets paid now... Assuming, of course, they do actually place me in this job. I hope its not $30.00 an hour! Goodness!

Anyway! I'm so so so so happy! A call back for a 2nd interview! Hurrah! :D

Then, tomorrow at 4:30pm, I'm getting my hair cut, and about 10 inches donated to Locks of Love. My niece Brianna donated her hair back in February, and ever since then, I have thought I wanted to do the same thing. My hair currently, is down past my strap line, and because I'm so short waisted, it's about 3 inches above my waist... which honestly, those two measuring points are quite close together... lol

Anyway, there's a lady in my ward in Hamilton, who recently found out she has ovarian cancer, so I'm "dedicating" this donation to her. She is such an awesome lady, almost a Martha Stewart type, but she's full of more loving and kindness... It's hard to describe her. Back when she found out, she somehow announced it during Testimony meeting, and I went up to her afterward and asked her if she wanted MY hair... She looked into it, and found out it was super expensive to have one made, so she got one elsewhere (which really REALLY looks JUST like her real hair did)... So, the best I can do now, is donate it on her behalf. :)

I just kind of wish the two appointments were switched. I can not WAIT for my new hair! Tomorrow will surely be an exciting day! :D woohoo!

Free Ink Refills - Walgreens

For those of you who don't know... Today and today ONLY is a free Ink cartridge refill day (one per household) at Walgreens.

Print out the following coupon, and feel free to use it baby!

I'm thinking we can get both of Shara's ink cartridges filled, we have different addresses on our licenses... Mine is in CT still... so we should be fine! I'll be heading out to fill mine up shortly. :)

Click this link for more info: http://www.walgreens.com/freeinkrefill/?ec=hn445_getcoupon

Interview update

My interview this morning at Luvata Buffalo, Inc. went well. I feel I made a super first impression on them, and I am hoping they call me back for a second interview with their IT manger. The only down side to this position, is that they told me their hiring process can sometimes take up to 2 months from start to finish. They were interviewing a bunch of candidates today, so I may not be the exact fit they're looking for... I'm not sure.

I really hope they call me back for a 2nd interview, THIS week would be LOVELY, but I'm afraid I may have to accept another position sooner than that (should another one become available), because I need money ASAP. *sigh*

Being an adult is really not all that its cracked up to be. I wish I were a kid again somedays. Responsibility is not fun. (That's life though, eh?)

Reverently, Quietly

Some Sundays, our days are not very reverent or quiet. Our lesson in Relief Society today was to help remind us to be reverent and quiet, in all things that we do. To carry that over during the week, so we can be an example of the church we represent. And especially when we're trying to get ready for church. Living here, has made me realize how hard it can be to be reverent when you're getting ready with a 7 year old... let alone more kids. I don't know how my parents did it with 6 kids... Amazing.

When we're reverent and respectful, we carry ourselves differently than when we're not mindful of the respect we should have with us, and others around us can tell.

We sang Reverently, Quietly during Relief Society today for our opening hymn, and it was quite lovely, and it set the mood and spirit for the rest of the meeting. I love singing primary songs. Last fall when I was put in Primary (for the whole 2 months I was in Primary), they sometimes asked me to fill in to lead the music, and I think that was my favorite thing about being in Primary. I have SUCH lovely memories of growing up singing those songs. They're such a part of me.

On the way home from church, A Child's Prayer came on the CD in the car, and we were all singing it, and I almost cried. What is with me and the constant water works with music? I never used to be like this. Music is a definite blessing in church.

I guess, I just hold church music in a special place in my heart. Very reverently, and quietly in there.

My Purse Dump

So far, Natalie, and Jori have posted what's in their purse, I'm a little bored after my boring phone interview this morning. (They wanted me to be a glorified secretary (aka Admin Assistant), which I'm not entirely against, I'd just be bored... and it was paying $11 an hour. Not good.) So, now I'm posting my purse dump. Enjoy!

Here's my purse, I got it last fall at JCPenny for $26 bucks with my sister in law Amy. It's leather, somewhat large, and has an adjustable shoulder-strap (LOVE that feature in a purse). It's sitting on a chair, so you can tell how "not so big" it is. But its big enough for my stuff.


Its like what... 9 to 10 inches across? Only like 4 inches thick... 6-7 deep... Not that big... but its got two side pockets on the inside, AND a zippie pocket in there too. (LOVE that)!

Here's the insides of my purse... That Sugar Daddy tin case is my new wallet (thank you Target!) I had an old Lemon Drops tin with Napoleon on it, but it was getting old and scratched, so I upgraded.


Let's see if I can itemize this... From the top Left:
2 coupons, 3 receipts, my Sugar Daddy wallet, The blue "Tart" thing is my coin purse, with my Canada keys attached, Avon nail file (these are the BEST I've ever EVER found. The grain is perfect on them. Definitely a favorite.), My old Palm V (circa 2002 its old), My 512MB Microsoft USB stick (freebie for attending an MS event, love it), Creative Zen MicroPhoto 8gb mp3 player (love it), Cell, Passport, mirror compact, mini orange pen, mini green pencil, mini hairbrush, pen, keys (yes that's a stick of blue ram on my keychain), dollar store sunglasses, bandaids, aleeve (there's advil in there too), bobbi brown lip liner, wet n wild lip liner, CG lipstick, CG Lipslick (love this product), 2 MAC lipsticks, 1 MAC clear lip conditioner, 1 Rimmel lipstick (I'm kind of a lip stuff addict huh), mini mirror, simpsons movie ticket stub, mini tape, mini stapler, and a sample of some yves rocher moisturizer.

Pfew! That's a mess... a mini mess it seems though... at least there's no mini mouse in there! ;)

That was kinda fun. What's in YOUR purse?

Interview Madness!

So. People keep calling me. I guess that's a good thing if these people want to give me a job.

I'm supposed to have a phone interview tomorrow at 9am, but that's with the Apple One people, and their pay rate is like $12 an hour, and I'm not too stoked about that.

I'm meeting with yet ANOTHER Computer recruiter/temp-lady tomorrow afternoon at 2:30, its nearby so I'm ok with that.

Also, the recruiter I interviewed with this morning had a LOT to offer, and she hooked me up with an interview with an actual company for Monday, and they said that was $15 an hour, and that's more like it. :)

I just did a salary comparison with what I was making in San Diego, and they said in order to maintain the same cost of living standards (with what I was making 4 years ago) I'd only have to make like $24k a year... $15 an hour is like 31k a year, and more would always be good. I could pay off credit cards, get my credit level back up, and pay off the rest of our debts! Woohoo!

Maybe I could even go back to school of some sort and get more specialized training, or *something*. I've been thinking about it... Maybe I'll put the hubby through school first. :) It's his dream to go to film school, and I'd like to support that.

That's all the updating I have for today. No new snacks tried or anything too fun. Although I must be a big geek, the possibilities of getting a job, and a GOOD JOB like this, is seriously exciting AND fun to me!

Don't forget to comment on my Fashion Show post. I need to know if you can mix pin-stripes!

The Fashion Show!

I'm up early today. I wanted to post pictures of my new wardrobe before showering and heading out to my interview. These clothes will surely knock 'em dead. It's super exciting (well, for me anyway! I haven't had clothes this nice since I was like 4).

Natalie and Jan are so totally awesome. They sent me a HUGE box FULL of NEW clothes! NEW! I feel so so so spoiled right now! Without
further adieu I'd like to present, my NEW wardrobe!

I didn't try everything on, and I definitely didn't take pictures of me IN the clothes, the Desrosiers only have one full-length mirror and its in the bathroom closet door, so its very awkward to take a picture of myself and get a good one... I'll see if I can get pictures taken though of me actually wearing these spiffy clothes... Don't you worry.

First up in the Shelley's Fall Fashion Show of 2007 is the lovely pinstripe jacket. Very versatile, very chic. ;)


Ooh la la! (Question though... can you mix pin-stripes? Could I wear these with my pants? I'm entirely clueless about clothes, and I think I should be considered for What Not to Wear. Comments are welcome!)

Next up are my 3 new tops. I'm super excited about these! They look awesome! (I've so far tried two of them on, and they fit me PERFECTLY! Such a hard thing to do on the top of me! hah!)







How adorably fun are these tops? Lemme tell ya how awesome Natalie and Jan are at shopping... I don't normally pick tops like the last one, because the line that goes UNDER the chest... NEVER makes it all the way under on me... (NEVER). This one, it actually does! I'm so excited! It fits like a glove! The other two tops are totally professional, yet fun enough to wear to church. I honestly feel like I just got a makeover! Words can not express how thankful I am right now. :)

On to the skirts! :D The skirts I got are so totally fun, versatile, and SUPER comfy! I'm loving them! Take a gander at these babies!



I love how this skirt is so flowy! I'm wearing it today with the red and black top. :D



This one, I love a lot. There's an under-skirt type thing, and it just looks great!


Cute tiny polka-dotted skirt. Very versatile, and very cute.


This one looks totally fun, and very in style. I saw a girl at church with a very similar skirt last week.

Yes. I am spoiled, and so very blessed.

Edited at 11:04am to add:

My interview went fabulous! My temp-rep-lady Debbie was considering a bunch of other positions for me as well, if this one on Monday falls through. I don't know why I didn't go to a computer people staffing agency first! DUH Shelley! Anyway, I'm super cute, confident, and I think I made a really great impression in person! (Thanks to my spiffy clothes!) The skirt is so comfy, I almost don't want to change out of it! hah! That's a first! (I'm usually the first one changed back into pants after church.) I can't wait to get my hair cut. :D

OH MY GOODNESS!

This post (and the next one) is completely dedicated to Natalie and Jan. They are SUCH amazing women. I feel SO LUCKY right now!

I got a package from Texas today! It was CHOCK FULL of professional (and churchy!) clothes! I'm so happy!

They sent me 4 skirts, 3 tops, and a VERY professional pin stripe suit jacket! I'm so so so excited to try them all on!

Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I feel like its my birthday! (2 months early!) Or Christmas! It is so so exciting, and you'll see tomorrow, they have AMAZING taste! The skirts and tops are SO CUTE! I don't think I've ever owned clothes this nice! lol At my old job, we could wear jeans every day.

Anyway, I'll post pictures of it all tomorrow! These clothes, with my new hair cut next week, I'll be drop dead fabulous!

Thanks you two! I just LOVE everything! :D

I tried the kisses

I went to Target today... I got me some candy corn kisses too.

They're not just milk chocolate wrapped up in festive foil.

They're not candy, and I don't think they're chocolate? It has a white-chocolate taste to them, but its super sweet (and for ME to say that, they're WICKED sweet, all my teeth are sweet teeth, and these were a bit on the sweet side for even ME.)


I took a photo.

They're a gradual change like the other ones, but honestly, they taste like sweet white chocolate to me. If you love white chocolate you just may love these too. I do love white chocolate, and I like these alright, but you can't eat a ton of them, its just too sweet. (Like how your mouth feels coated in sweet after drinking a sprite from the bottle). That may be a good thing though. You'll end up eating less. A ton of these can't be good for you.

I don't love them. I don't hate them... but I don't know if I'll be buying them again. They're not the favorite.

I did get some sweedish fish though (I think that was at wal-mart though, I went there for my goo gone (my scissors are getting gummed up from cutting tape), and Target didn't have any. Shocking!) so my sweet teeth can enjoy that instead.

While I was at Target, I tried on a faux leather jacket and I think I love it.

It's only $29.99 (for now anyway) and I tried it on, and the XXL fits over my chest! It zips all the way up! It's somewhat fitted... But I really like it, If I keep thinking about it, and it consumes me, and keeps me up at night, I may have to submit to the jacket. ;) We shall see.

I also made an appointment to get a hair cut. It is for the 13th (next Thursday) at 4:30pm.

I also have an interview tomorrow with Computer People, (they're a staffing agency) at 10am. They've already asked me to see a "client" of theirs in Tonawanda (6 miles from me), about a job! It's paying $15 an hour (better than the $11 apple one is offering) and my interview with THEM is set up for Monday at 9am. :D Very exciting people! I should have thought to register with a techie-based agency earlier, but for some reason it skipped my mind. (I have a bachelor's in Information Systems and a minor in Business Management for those of you who didn't know... I'm a big BIG geek, and I love it!) :D

Wish me luck!

Candy Corn Hershey's Kisses?

What's that all about? Has anyone tried them?

I'm so intrigued. I never see cool stuff like this in Canada. It's all about Cadbury chocolates there. I LOVE candy corns, they're my ultimate favorite candy, and they're probably 90% of the reason I LOVE Halloween so much. Anyone tried them? They're 2 for $4.00 at Target this week! (I may have to splurge! I'm so intrigued!)

EDIT: 8:45pm Anyone know if they're like the neapolitan ones? Like a gradual change?


Now I think I NEED them!

This ALMOST makes me want to clean.

I said Almost. Just look at these adorable vacuums!

This week at Target (my fave) there is a sale on their Dyson upright vacuums. AND when you buy one you get a free $100 dollar gift card. If that's not enough, one of them is PINK! AND, AND, AND... When you buy the pink one Target and Dyson will donate $40.00 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. They even have an orange one, but I think I'd get the pink one because I am all about supporting Breast Cancer Research!

Granted, its $399, but you're getting $100 bux back, AND you're helping an amazing cause. If only I 1) needed a vacuum, or 2) could afford it! hah! I'd totally get a pink one!

It's almost as cool as those Roomba vacuums I once pined for.


That's more my speed of cleaning. The "do it yourself you robot vacuum" kind. :)

The Pink Roomba was around $180, and I think they donate %20 percent to breast cancer research... BUT I don't seem to see it anywhere except on a few review sites... Maybe they'll have more this October (Breast Cancer awareness month) :) *sigh* if only I was rich.

Happy cleaning! (Or if you get a pink vacuum, it'll be HappIER cleaning!)

Free Snacks!

I just saw a commercial for some Free Snacks, so I thought I'd pass it along. I never pass up a good snack, and I rarely to NEVER pass up Free. Put them together, you've gotta have a winner.

Just click this link: http://kashi.com and you'll get a free snack too. :)

You can choose an Oatmeal Dark Chocolate cookie (like I did) or their Original 7 Grain crackers, or the Chewy Trail Mix Bar. I'm no fool, I chose the cookie. ;)


Go Get Some!

$0.97 cents!

So, last night at JCPenny's we kind of had a hay day! Shara was looking around for clothes, and was getting quite discouraged, so she handed ME the $50.00 gift certificate, and I nearly got those dollar signs in my eyes like the cartoons...

Anyway, for the first while I was shopping in the way wrong section. I should have been in the petite section the whole time. I'm 5'4" and quite short-waisted, so all the tops I was trying on in the normal section were WAY too long on me. Not good.

I didn't find anything I loved in the normal section, so we wandered over to the winter coats (I hate when I see coats in the stores, it means winter is coming :( I hate that.) Shara needed a coat, and found herself wandering in that section, and apparently beyond. She walked herself right into the Swimsuit clearance section. She has a tankini that she loves and has had for like 3 years, but this past summer, the bottoms stretched out like 3 inches, the nylon/spandex swim suit material finally gave up the ghost, may it rest in peace. So Shara tried on a TON of tops and bottoms, most of which were really modest, and she ended up getting 3 tankini tops and 4 bottoms. THEY WERE $1.97 EACH! So she's set for like the next 10 years with bathing suits.

AND I got one too! There wasn't a tag on it, AND it needs a few repairs and an adjustment, but because it was damaged, I got it for $.97 cents! NINETY-SEVEN CENTS! WOOHOO! That's a good deal, even if I have to sew it!


Isn't that awesome? I got that for 97 cents! I have green bottoms at home, but no one ever sees them anyway, because I always wear my surfer shorts when I go swimming. :D

After all those suits, Shara also found a comfy orangy/pink flowered shirt which was $2.97, and some khaki shorts (her big spendy item) for $6.97. So we had like $25 bucks left over on that card, and she told me I could get one of my tops for "work" (I'm really hoping I get a job soon!) So I did. It's really cute, and I love it.


I could wear that with practically anything. It's really cute on me. THAT was the biggest spendy item, while it was on sale, it was still $17.99 but I'll definitely get my use out of it, even for church.

So I'm quite pleased with all our purchases, and I know Shara is too. Best of all, it was all made possible with a gift certificate her boss. (So its like its free!) :D WOOHOO! :)