Otherwise known as DSW.  I resisted.  Barely.  Only because my mission today was to find clothes, not shoes.  And I did.  I now have three new suits for work.  First day is tomorrow, so I definitely put it off to the last minute. 

So first, I turned in notice at my job of the last five years.  Then I taught my last class, at least for a year.  I dropped out of the MBA program, because I'm just not sure that's the direction I want to take.  And this week, I chopped off all of my hair. 

              

Last Week                                                                          This week

Think anyone will notice?

Today, I turned in my 30 day notice at my current job.  I am taking the new job, and moving on.  Part of me is sad, and nervous.  My current company is small, and I like most of the people that I work with.  Several have become good friends.  I even go to the CFO's house twice a year to re-pot all of her houseplants.  It's also the job I had when I first got my divorce.  It was the place that helped me to move through that mess, so it's kind of a safety zone.  But we can't stay in the safety zone, and still grow so here I go.  The nice thing is, I have an 'informant'.  One of my former students works there.  In fact, she is the one who told the company about me.  I was actually interviewed originally for a position that isn't created yet, and they decided to bring me in anyway, into another department, until the other position is approved.  So I interviewed with the head of that department.  Well, now the two department heads are fighting over me.  I will be the rope in their tug of war.  It's so nice to be wanted!  But, the position I want is the one that hasn't been created, so hopefully that's who will win.  That would be payroll, and I've worked hard on my credentials & reputation in that area.  Oh, well.  Either way, the money is much better.  The exhusband debt will be paid off before Christmas (that's a huge WOOHOO!!!!!), and I will be looking really good in 2009.  So that's it in a nutshell!  Hope everyone else's week is going well!

That's how the HR rep described me today.  My interview went well Friday, other than being cut short by the threat of an inch or two of snow.  (Hey, it's Nashville.  They see a flake, they run for milk & bread.)  I spoke with her again today, because I had a few more questions and asked what the next step would be.  So the next step is that the two I interviewed with are speaking with the CFO about how I am a sound investment in the future of a growing company.  Talk about responsibility!  I feel like if I am hired, I'm going to be expected to raise revenues & slash expenses in a single bound!  LOL!  Did I mention I'm in payroll?  I spend money, not bring it in!

All in all, if the offer is made and it's a good offer, I would really like to work with this company.  They are in the cancer treatment field.  Let's face it, healthcare is a good field to be in.  But I've been saying to friends that I would really like to do something that means something.  That's exactly what this company is doing.  Yeah, they are making money with it, but it's still a service that is needed to help people.  I think I could feel really good about what the company does.  And fiscally, they have doubled their revenues in the last 16 months.  They are projected to double in size in the next two years. That's pretty exciting, not to mention offers a lot of opportunity to someone who wants to grow with the company.  So hopefully we will be able to come to an agreement.

Anyway, enough about my possibility of future career changes.  I leave Friday for Orlando.  My brother is getting married Saturday evening, and I'm driving 11 hours to get there, probably Saturday morning.  I'll sleep all day, go to the wedding Saturday night, and come back on Sunday.  Needless to say, I won't be at work on Monday.  Other than that, not much going on. 

I have a job interview this Friday.  Wish me luck!

It was absolutely gorgeous, sunny & even warm!  It's still quite pretty today, but rain is forecast for later.  And back down to 36 by Friday.  Welcome to Tennessee.

I started out Saturday, doing my typical errands but it was just TOO pretty to spend time in WalMart!  So I called a friend, and she brought the little one to town.  We ate lunch at this italian restaurant, Maggianos.  The absolute best italian food EVER.  I'm fairly certain it was not on the Weight Watchers menu, but we all must take breaks now & then.  Afterwards we took her toddler (1 1/2 yr old) to Centennial Park to run off some energy.  Whew!  Who needs an elliptical when you have one of those to chase?!  I actually broke a sweat!  We had a good time though. 

Sunday was even more beautiful, and 70+ degrees.  I went to the Farmers Market, and the Bi Centennial Mall.  Which is actually a state park.  Weird, I know.  But it's really neat, especially if you are a history buff (not me).  Here are a few pics:

There is a walking path around the park, with the history of Tennessee on the wall, with geographical changes, wars, settlements, quotes and song lyrics.  There is a WW2 memorial, a circle which lists many of the famous music artists from Tennessee, and a pathway of all of the Tennessee counties that contains facts and time capsules for each county.  It's pretty neat.  I walked around it, then grabbed a book from the car, lay on a bench and read for hours.  It was a great day!

I may have a job interview next Friday.  The only thing is, they want me to interview for a job that isn't the one I applied for.  Then if all goes well, and I get that job, I can just "wait" for the position I was originally interviewed for to be created.  The money would be good, but I'm not sure if this is the direction I want to take.  What if the possible position is never created?  I've worked hard to establish myself in a certain field, and moving completely out of it could compromise that.  Well, at least I have a week to really think about it.

We're going back to Daytona again this year.  I've probably mentioned that.  But now I can't get the beach off the brain.  It's constantly there, waves crashing, sun shining and sand between my toes.  Makes it hard to concentrate, you know?

Still going strong on the smoking.  Tomorrow will be 28 days, I think.  Might be 35, can't remember when I first quit.  So certain things have come to light...if you smoke and decide to quit, be prepared for a few unexpected side effects.  Along with the permanent munchies and the initial grouchiness, there is the smell.  Once your sense of smell comes back, you can smell EVERYTHING!  And contrary to popular belief, that is not always a good thing. :)  Right now, in winter, everything smells musty, closed up and stale.  My air freshener is too strong, cologne of any kind gives me a headache.  But they say it will pass.  Yep, I'm complaining.  Give me a break.  I want a cigarette but I'm blogging instead.  :)

Well, must get back to work.  Makes it easier to daydream about the beach!

87 Days and 6 Hours (I'm not counting. Seriously!)

Whoever said that working out gives you energy LIED!  I went to bed early last night, about 10:30.  That's seriously early for me.  I did this so I could get up early & hit the gym.  I had lost my gym membership when I moved, & just signed up again.  Now I'm sitting at my desk and can barely keep my eyes open.  That's with strong coffee, and a nicotine patch.  This is not good.  The nicotine patch alone usually has me jazzed and focused.  Ugh!

Speaking of the patch, yes, I'm trying to quit smoking AGAIN!  I used to be able to just quit cold turkey, usually with the aid of nothing but cough drops & suckers.  Hasn't worked the last few times I've tried, so I decided to try the patch.  The side effects?  Well, until today, there has been one great side effect.  I have been more energetic and focused during the day than ever before.  I never smoked much during the work day, but I put the patch on each morning.  Apparently I should have been smoking all day long.  Weird.  The only other side effect happens right after I put it on.  For the first hour, my arm aches with that cold burn feeling.  Drove me nuts the first few times.  But I've been smoke free for about three weeks now.  Wish me luck!

My brother is getting married again, March 15th!  She seems like a great girl, with a 4 yr old son.  Seems weird to think of my brother as a step-father.  He was never really into kids much.  But Dad said he is great with him.  Don't they make a lovely family?  The only thing is, they decided on the date less than two weeks ago.  And the wedding is in Orlando!  Airfare is running sky high so it is looking like I will be driving down on Friday, and coming back on Sunday or Monday.  Talk about a LONG weekend.

Back to work.  <sigh>  It was a beautiful weekend.  Warm, sunny.  I opened all of my windows at home, to bring in the fresh air.  This, of course, was after snow flurries, sleet and freezing temperatures last week up until Thursday, and today is a whopping 49 degrees.  Okay, I realize that's still warmer than my Ohio hometown, but jeez!  Talk about extremes!

88 hours, and 46 minutes until I drive to Florida on vacation.  Woohoo!  Going for 11 days this year, and cannot wait!  I'll be hitting both coasts again, a few days at Daytona Beach, then to my mother's house in central Florida.  The Gulf Coast is only a two hour drive from her house.  Sea World and Cypress Gardens are on the hit list, too.  My friend, Marie, is going with me and she has a beautiful eye for photography so she should get some spectacular photos out of the trip!

I have a phone interview this Wednesday.  I did some consulting for one of my former students last weekend and she told me the company was possibly creating a new position, which would actually be her supervisor.  Anyway, she talked to her HR director, and I had an email on Monday.  Wish me luck!  This company is rapidly expanding, pays very well, and is about two miles from my home.  Can't ask for much better than that!

Okay, finally all computers are running and I should be back in gear.  Here's hoping anyway!

Did everyone have wonderful holidays, up to yesterday, the dreaded Valentine's Day?  Hope so!  I say dreaded because apparently, I'm supposed to.  After all, I'm single.  So Valentine's Day should be one of those horrible days where I bemoan my single state.  Right?  Whatever.  Here's the thing...I don't bemoan my single state.  Yes, it would be nice to be in a steady relationship.  But I don't need it to make me happy.  And by golly, if I want flowers & candy, I'll buy them!  It's a silly thing, hating a day just because it celebrates love.  But I see it everywhere.  Too much energy spent on hating an ideal.  :)

I've taken the semester off again.  I had the great epiphany (those are always dangerous).  Someone asked what I was going to school for.  I answered, to get my MBA, so I can teach.  They ask, Oh, what are you going to teach? Um, good question.  An MBA would qualify me to teach management, basic accounting and what?  Do I WANT to teach those things?  Not really.  I teach payroll now, without an MBA, and I like it because 1) these are adults striving for certification in order to better their lives, 2) Payroll encompasses SO many areas..human resources, tax law, credit law, accounting, service, etc... 3) It's definitely not one of those freshman requirements where nobody wants to be there.  So I took a step back, and decided to re-direct my tuition funds to my primary goal of being debt-free until I figure out what I want to be when I grow up.

On the personal side, eh, not much happening.  :)  Planning my annual vacation, re-arranging my furniture, and what-not. 

Update on the job search:  I applied for three positions, received calls from four recruiters and have an interview with one on Tuesday.  I would like to work close to where I work now though, so I'm going to hold out for the right position.  I don't want to jump into a job just because I'm tired of the one I have.  But it's tempting.  So far, the salaries that have been thrown at me are 7 to 10 grand higher than I make now.  I knew I was underpaid, but didn't know it was that much.  Very tempting, when you are paying cash for grad school, and paying off the ex-husband debt.  I added that debt up by the way.  So far, in the three years we have been divorced, I have paid 16K in exhusband debt.  Exhusband debt is debt he incurred that I either agreed to take to get him to sign the divorce papers, and the debt I've found out about since, like credit cards and checking accts I didn't know about, but my social security number was on them.  Isn't that just peachy?  But, from my records, there is only $5000 left to pay, and it should be gone in about 8 months.  Yeah!!!! 

Okay back to the job search subject, ... I have noticed the weirdest trend.  When I look at the benefits being offered by a lot of the large companies, pet insurance has become an almost common benefit.  Isn't that odd?  Although, considering what I have paid in vet bills in the past, I can certainly understand the benefit of having insurance.  But through payroll deduction?

I read an article today that actually recommended blogging for your career.  Now, on campus, there are tons of articles saying 'be careful about your online presence' or 'what will a potential employer find if he googles you'.  But this person recommended doing a professional site, and blogging on a regular basis.  I've been thinking about that.  I already have a website for people studyng for payroll certification.  It needs to be updated, but it is used by a lot of people.  There are people from the largest payroll company in the world using my site for reference material.   I could probably add a blog to it.  Include the questions that I get asked by my payroll students, or situations I run into.  But I would have to have disclaimers everywhere.  Talking about taxes can get you in trouble. 

So I guess that's it for today.  Hopefully I will finish painting the bedroom this weekend.  But I definitely need some pool-time, too.  So maybe just another wall.  :)  At least I know to make up the sofa bed this time!

The last couple of weeks have been tough.  I started a new med that has my system completely out of whack.  I've been sick and my emotions have been all over the board.  Plus work has been bad.  Just really bad.  Actually, yesterday I came home and put some time into a job search.  I didn't really want to do that until I graduated, but yesterday was the kicker. 

On the other side, I started painting the bedroom.  It's a beautiful shade of amethyst.  Kind of dark, I know, but I like the cave effect!  Hopefully I will finish this weekend.  I never have liked half painted walls.

Have you heard of the website, Meetup.com?  I registered there the other day.  You join different social groups through the site, based on common interests.  I thought it would be a good way to meet people that didn't involve going to a bar!  Haven't made it to the outings yet, though.

Well, that's all for today.  I'm going to go take a nap!

I am now a West End resident.  The move was horrible.  But it's over.  Nearly all of the boxes are unpacked now.  Except the guest room, which I'm saving for a day when I need to be tortured.  I finally brought the toolbox in so I can start hanging pictures, shelves and what not.  I'm waiting for a friend to help me dispose of the loveseat that was broken in the move.  And I'm buying a washer / dryer next week, so I guess the heavy lifting isn't quite over yet.  Ugh!  But it's getting there.  I'll be painting soon!  The best part, I can make it to work in less than fifteen minutes.  Woohoo!

The friend has been by to visit the new place.  Still didn't say anything to him about how I feel.  I'm not sure I ever will.  But I wonder if he would help me carry a loveseat?

So everything else is going kind of the same.  Work is still boring.  I started teaching again last night.  School starts in the end of August.  Weight loss is stalled.  Again.  But I have someone to walk with, now that I've moved.  So hopefully, that will get it jumpstarted again.  Would probably help if I went to the grocery store though.  It's a second floor condo.  I've been dreading a trip to the grocery store.  I need to find a delivery service.  This is my theory about grocery delivery.  Yes, I realize it will cost more.  HOWEVER, if I have to order it, I won't impulse buy and will save serious moulah.  And believe me, I'm the world's worst impulse buyer when it comes to grocery shopping.

More like the day from hell.  But I have now spent the first night in my new place.  Got to work this morning in ten minutes.  That was great!  I slept until almost 7 am.

Of course, I have nothing unpacked.  I couldn't find the towels, so I used a clean tshirt to dry off after the shower.  :)  But I went home for lunch, hung out with Squawk (the only kitty that has come out of hiding so far), and opened a couple of boxes.  I still need to pick up some stuff at the old place.  My plants, and a few other things.  And clean, of course.  I'm not going to get my deposit back, regardless.  I painted my kitchen red, after all.  So the maintenance guy told me not to bother with cleaning, but I can't do that.  I might not clean the oven though.  Hate doing that!  Now, it's unpacking and picking up those little things like icetrays.

Well, more later.  Must get back to work now.  <Sigh...

Bracketology

The Art and Science of figuring out and filling out NCAA basketball tournament bracket during March Madness.