Got That Holiday Feelin'?

The last few years have been difficult holiday wise. 

We used to get together with my aunts, uncles, cousins, cousin's kids, siblings, grandparents, and so on. It's kind of come to an end sort of. Some of my family is careful, while some is not. When you have one relative that has 2 kids that have compromised immune systems, non careful families do not sit well with them. I now have a job that works with individuals that have compromised immune systems, so we talk daily in my team about restrictions. Yes, my sister chose to have five kids when she knew she had the chance of having Trisomy 18 individuals; I care about them so I'm more of an advocate for them than not. 

Plans:

We used to have Christmas Eve at my parent's house. Packed in like sardines to eat a nice meal of soups, cheeses, crackers, dips, and shrimp, open gifts, and eat cookies. Now we're having a quiet evening to ourselves, where we're making New Orlean's meal and eating junk. The boys have never had jambalaya and that kind of food.

We used to have Christmas Day with the cousins, aunts... But now we're having a get together at my sisters, where we play games with masks on and eat snacks (with distancing). 

We haven't decided when we're opening our own presents. I suggested 1/2 on Christmas Eve and the other 1/2 Christmas Day. 

Mica didn't tell me what he wanted, and Isaak pretty much picked out all his gifts. Teenagers sure do change things. 

Gone are these days, where Mica rattles stuff off that he wants:

I got Mica a foot spa. He always gets ingrown toenails, and has to do food soaks. Why not enjoy those soaks a bit more? LOL I got him a book about deep thinking about life and another one on world religions. he also got clothes. 

Isaak picked out some things he wanted at World Market. A mini tool kit. I snagged that when he wasn't looking, so something would be a surprise. He's big into pineapples, last year it was lemons and limes. I got a pop fidget pineapple and pineapple shirt. He got mostly things for his room: Pillow, a lamp...

Jobs:

Mica got a job at Freddy's. It's walking distance. I am sort of bummed because when we went their food area was closed because of covid. They were one of the last places to open up. I was hoping it was still closed. Oh well. He gets paid a lot for just starting out. $11.50! Travis said, "WOW I need a raise!" 

Mosaic is still going well for me. Only two struggles: 

1. They throw vacay, sick and time-off all in one pot. So I only have 6 hours of PTO. I feel like I have to work on these holidays. It amounts to 3 weeks off, but is annoying right now. Especially when I started. If I started in August I'd have some PTO built up. Nope! I started right before Thanksgiving. It will get better. They are so willing to work with me on picking up Isaak from school...stuff like that. 

2. The other struggle is I got a project no one wanted. I thought I had a great idea, but nope it's sitting on neutral and not in drive. It's for a medical supplier. Their stuff is really dated. 

What they had Yuck!:

They want a fresh look. I did a lady in a wheel chair by the trees. Headline, "Go Places Do Things". My supervisor doesn't think it fits our market enough. They sell stuff to people that work for Mosaic Homes. DSP help their clients buy the stuff like wheel chairs, lifts, hospital beds, adult diapers and so on. I thought the catcher image could go on the front, and the noise (type) could go on the back. I'm not married to the type. I thought each background could fit with the location they serve. This is Colorado. They deliver right to the home, so that's something. I thought about maybe having an older person at the door with their product. But I want it to look pleasing, and have a story to it. Help! LOL

I don't disagree with my supervisor, but I also don't know what to do. I spent all day cutting out medical supplies in Photoshop knowing I'd use some. But now what...I'm stuck!  

Job to Job

I know it's been forever, since I posted. Sorry! I've been stressed, tired, and busy. 

I started yet another job, and stopped that job. I'd laugh if it wasn't sad. 

It went like this: I was let go of my job as a design instructor for nearly 20 years because the school was going to close their doors, when Covid started up - May 2020. 

I got a job at Fresh Thyme as a front end supervisor because unemployment thought I'd go back to teaching in the fall, so they weren't going to cover me, and I had to get something fast! Right as I was getting good at what I did there I found out they were closing their doors in October of 2020. 

Marketing and design jobs still were not opening up, so I got a job at Williams Sonoma as a key manager and merchandiser.

I started one class, one night a week at Midland College. 

All along I had been applying for design and marketing jobs, so AIM a tech non profit fell into my lap. I loved the work I did there, but the turn over is high, and there are a lot of bosses that can't form final decisions. I wanted their look to be as powerful as their mission. They loved my work, but didn't want to jump outside that box. I quit knowing that the HR lady that had been there for years was leaving, and they weren't getting a replacement. I was worried I wouldn't get a pay check. 

I kept doing some freelance with AIM, but the person that gave it to me gave me too much along with my full time job, and my one class. Bosses kept changing things, so I stopped doing freelance for them. 

I started working for Schemmer an engineering and architecture firm. My boss knew my lack of experience in that field. He kind of just went over folders, but didn't go over proposals, which I would have to work on. I found out what I don't like doing there. 

I got a job at RD Industries as a marketing coordinator | designer. They didn't know my password to my computer, wanted me to have a phone, but didn't know how to get into that, didn't know usernames or passwords to social media accounts, and had two Adobe Creative accounts, but only one me. My training existed of: Files you need are on SharePoint. I had never used SharePoint, but figured that out. All the files were flattened, so I couldn't use any of them. My supervisor kept signing off on projects. Then a few days later I'd have to redo the same project. It was nerve racking. He had me do 40 sales sheets, and found out the patent numbers were wrong that he gave me on nearly all of them. They had the role as needing someone that's highly creative, but the job wasn't all that creative. I enjoyed some of it. I really think as much as the owner is picky about their branding (as she should be), she should have had a few meetings with me to talk about it. 

I handed in my notice because I got a job at Mosaic as a graphic designer. My supervisor at RD Industries said I could stay on as a consultant. Once the owner found out I was leaving she told me to leave. No going back to my desk, no goodbyes, and no backing up my files. I think they thought I'd mess with the files. I for certain didn't want to make who comes in after me - their life difficult. I'm not that kind of person. 

Mosaic is a non profit that helps individuals that have special needs transition into group homes. The position is new. I applied there three times over the pandemic. Third time is a charm. The role is much more me. I like design over marketing. 

Medical anything must have been on my radar because I also applied to Children's Hospital as a designer, and Clarkson College as a brand | graphic designer. I would have been excited with those places as well. My family has 10 people in the medical field. I'd like to merge design with that. 

Here I am, 2 1/2 weeks without pay. I would have called Mosaic to see if I could have started early, but the computer they ordered for me hadn't come in yet, and I made a dentist appointment for the boys in between jobs. 

I still am teaching one class for Midland. That's almost up. I'm not going back. They just have very little organization. I taught a Design and Illustration course, yet they've had no design, illustration, typography... at all. I have students that didn't even have Adobe. Midland is not a design college, and the students take those classes because they think they will be easy. I'm just more than done with extras in my life. 

Isaak happened to bring me a gift of a head cold between Schemmer and RD Industries, and now again between RD Industries and Mosaic. 

Hey each job has been a step up in pay, I'm here, not sick with covid, so I have a lot to be thankful for. 

Absent - I Know

I know I've been absent. This year is crazy. Besides job stuff there's the stress of COVID, of politics, of school and more. 

We found out Isaak had not a few, but nearly 40 assignments missing. He went from crying about school last year, to just not doing his work at all. Conferences were all done via Teams. Try signing up for all those conferences, while closing a store with funky hours! Travis tried signing up, and he kept getting "This Spot is Full" messages. For the first time, conferences didn't happen. We got Isaak's report card, flipped, and he's been making up work day and night. He had 2 days off last week, but not really because he was doing homework. He gets out of house tasks because he has homework. No other devices because of homework. We all have to be quiet because Isaak is doing homework. I'm ready to pull my hair out! He's not the stress ball he was. He's just slow moving, and not getting his work done. I found out he was drawing in Math class instead of doing his math work. The kid is driving me batty! He's down to missing 5 assignments now. Grades are due tomorrow. 

I got a job at Williams Sonoma. I'm in charge of opening some days, closing other nights, being a cashier when needed, and setting up pretty displays. My job titles are: Key Manager and Visual Merchandiser. 

Yesterday I spent most of the day redoing their electronic section. What did I learn? The job isn't as creative as I thought it would be. 

1. I have to follow a map to the {T}, for product placement. I get it. Not everyone out there knows how to make something look good.  
   
   
2. The only times I can veer from the map is when items are out of stock. Apparently because COVID is a thing... a lot of items are out of stock. KitchenAid is out of stock nearly everywhere. That company must of been hit with COVID bad, or something went down! 
   
   
3. Being late is not ok apparently to the workers manual. They have a 5 minute rule of some kind. I'm always on time, or slightly early. Somehow it's ok for the person that opens the store to be 10 minutes late, which makes all others late. 
   
   
4. Tutorials are extra happy go lucky. We're talking to the extreme. Travis would describe their voices much like elementary or preschool teacher voices. You know, all high pitched, and animated. 
   
   
5. They love trash cans. They have a ton, and not all of them are used. I'm the type that doesn't like to take our own out unless it's filled to the brim. I suggested they do with 1/2 the ones they have. Nope! It will just get busier with the holidays popping up. BUT they don't have near the sample foods they had before COVID happened. I'll have to get over that. I'm the queen of recycling, reusing, and composting. Not everyone is as green as I am. Some people are more so. They do use earth friendly wrapping. 
   
   
6. I need to use my cell phone A LOT! To take photos of what we have on the floor, and go get whatever it is that we need in the back. That's if we have it. 

Along with getting/starting this job I had to still file for unemployment. With unemployment, one has to apply to 5 jobs a week at least to receive it. I applied to more than 5. 

All the sudden I have a college 45 minutes away interested in me teaching a class, or two in the spring. 

I also have a non profit that is really interested in me. I am really VERY interested in them. I'd be doing many creative tasks. They have a designer, marketing person, writer, and I would fill all those shoes to help all of them out. Their goal is to full fill low income schools with having technology. Seems up my ally. I know non profits don't typically have a lot to pay you, but some do. Some are thriving. It would feel good, to do good. 

All these things are happening at once. It makes it hard to know what to do. 

Williams Sonoma is close to home, has 401 K, I can at times take and/or pick up Isaak from school. Everything is so pretty there. I get 40% off their store, and Pottery Barn. The people seem nice. I get paid more than Fresh Thyme, but not as good as my teaching job that I had. The communication is lacking. I had to apply in person, then online, they told me how much I would make, then I was told something else. Maybe they need me to help with that. I totally believe in yin and yang. Where there's a positive, there then is a negative. 

I really hate being the new kid on the block, yet again. I like being in the role of training others because I know the process. I helped so many staff members at the Creative Center. It was a good feeling to be helpful, and not needy. I know that comes with having a new job, but it's how I feel. 

So...all over I am. Do you ever find yourself in limbo? 

Random Tid Bits

1. Mica had his routine check-up with the doctor yesterday. The boy is almost 6 foot. Because he grew so fast, he has some stretch marks. He's never been fat; in fact he's slimmed down his tummy. He just grew oh so quickly. Doctor Harrison doesn't think there's anything that really works for stretch marks. Have you found anything that does?


2. Mica failed his Scoliosis test. I was and still am a little worried about it. It helped when my sister told me in regards to Evan (my nephew Mica's age), "Evan failed his too. I think he just grew so fast. His body was catching up somehow." Today Mica got his scan. Oh joy - more expense. I do want to make sure he's ok.


3. Isaak and I have been watching the old show Lost. Isaak and I seem to have the same taste in shows. We both liked Medium. Travis and Mica could have cared less, for both of them. Travis and Mica like documentaries. Isaak and I are like, "Really? Documentaries! They are boring. I feel like I'm in school!" I like some documentaries, but not a lot of them. 


4. We're in the process of redoing Mica's room. Because I work some of the weekend, it's taking for-ever! I spackled, sanded, and primed. Then Travis taped, and painted. We still have painting to do though. Mica's bedroom is infringing on our living room, so I'm ready for it to be done!


5. I'm tired like 90% of the time. Waking up at 4:30 AM to go to work by 5:30 is rough. I have successfully opened up. My trainer said she has faith that I'll get down closing as well. It seems intimidating. I don't mind the job. I just don't like when asked - "What do you like about this job the most?" She answered, "Going home." Most designer/marketing jobs around here have about 50 applicants on the low side, so that's a challenge. I keep trying. Each time I get shot down, something else pops up that I'm excited about. Something, sometime will happen.
   
   This old song from Sesame Street keeps popping into my head:

Random Tid Bits

It's been a few weeks, since I've done one of these. I haven't forgotten. Just busy filling out job applications. They take so long to do.

1. Mica's been a cheerleader for me lately. He said, "Mom you'll find a job. You're a hard worker and smart." Then he said, "Mom I know you're having a frustrating day, but for every bad day two good days are to follow."
   
2. I hardly get photos of the kids now a days. When I do, they are like this:
   
   
   
   
   

   That's why I take more photos of our gecko Sunny, than the kids.
3. On Monday I start working at Fresh Thyme as a front end supervisor. I'm still open for where life takes me. I have tons of applications floating around out there. They offered me the position the same day as I interviewed with them. The schedule is so different from what I'm used to. The pay is less, but they have benefits that I didn't have before. I had two other interviews I'm super excited about, so I hope one of those comes through. In the middle of a pandemic I felt the need to take what I can, within reason. Fresh Thyme is super clean, and the people are nice. Retail it is, for now. I don't know how much I'll post about jobs. One never knows who reads what.
   
4. One application I took the longest on, I knew I'd be a great fit for. Deep questions, with equally deep answers. They sent my references long forms to fill out about me. They said to keep checking my spam folder for updates, which I have. I've been looking, since 6/11. Growing tired of checking, I called. It seems like so many places don't want you to call now a days. I left 2 messages, only to find out the decision person was on vacation. I looked her up on LinkedIn, and she looked 12. I got the denial email yesterday. It sucks that they didn't even call me in for an interview. Oh well. I guess I should be happy I got the automated rejection email. That's more than other companies deliver.
   
5. Travis and I talked about rules. The boys at school, and at their leadership camp had silly rules put in place. One, or a few children would get in trouble, they would discipline them all. Isaak had a really rough year in 5th grade! They never got recess because a few select kids. The boys grew tired of that. Sure sometimes Isaak's chatty, but overall our boys are good. My last place of employment said we couldn't listen to music, while we worked. It was all because the owner's brother listened to Rush Limbaugh really loud. Later a rule was made that no family member(s) could come in the office. Why? Because the same brother was letting his family in to use the school's equipment on Saturdays, and would have them there to socialize all day on work days. Instead of talking to the one that's the problem, they made rules. It put employee against employee. I liked my job overall. I think jobs are very similar to family members, you can't like them 100% of the time. What's a rule you dislike?

Job Searching

I swear I've been working over full time looking for jobs.

I had two interviews that were not my thing. When one says they are interested in marketing with the job posting sites, they don't always send you marketing as in design related jobs. Some of the time it is marketing as in selling insurance. Companies are really sneaky about it too. They call them "Marketing Managers", and use their company initials instead of their name.

I showed up to a "marketing interview" that was to sell life insurance. They had no social distancing, no masks, and one interview went right into another. I was stuck in an hour meeting on something I didn't want to do. They wanted me to use my car, my laptop and my phone to make sales. In the middle of a pandemic no one should be going into people's homes, period. I got a call wanting to move on to the next step. I said I wasn't interested.

I also had a job interview with a place that only used PCs, had tons of math questions, and lots of questions on how to fix PCs. Well I've used MACs for I don't know how long. I haven't had a math class for a long, long time. For each how to fix a PC question I wanted to say, "The answer is use a MAC."

If I were to critique the job posting sites:

Be transparent about what the job is and what the employee would be doing there. They'd have more legit matches.

There's a lot of this:

I can 100% guarantee that I'm not an excellent match, for all those places. That's ok that I'm not. Find someone that is.

There are some positive opportunities that I am excited about. 

If you picked another career path, and a degree didn't matter what would you be?

Random Tid Bits

1. My work computer kept having the fan go off yesterday. I would shut it down, threw a bunch of stuff away, wouldn't have programs open, and it would still fan up. My co-worker helped me to figure out that I had a virus. Google was taking up 100% of my CPU. It took a bit, but is fixed now. I'm so glad I've procrastinated with transferring this computer to my new computer. 


2. Blogger has changed a bunch of stuff. I no longer get your comments in an email to approve, so I just assumed no one loved this blog enough to comment. I was wrong. They were tucked away, waiting for my approval. 


3. I've read this over and over again, and it makes no sense to me. What do I need to do? Where's this message (Blogger People) that they are talking about? I haven't removed any message, but I don't want to get red flagged to never be able to get on here again. Anyone know?





4. I still in job land limbo. Two different companies wanted me. They are so far away in opposite directions. Both would do different things. Both interviews went great, they paid well, and I'd get benefits.
   
   One place had me in twice. That place told me that they may need someone in earlier; before classes got over. He wanted me to message him anyhow. Even if he didn't have me working there, he wanted me to freelance write for him. I emailed him, and nothing. I'd call, but I don't know that I want the full time job. Distance, chemicals, and a company dog is what's pushing me away. They work on school folders, pens, and other school things. I'd have to deal with a lot of customers, and not so much with actual designing.
   
   The other job is a Marketing Coordinator at a doctor's office. Basically I'd set up events, parties, and mingle with drunk doctors. Ha! It's just something she brought up. She seemed like she wanted me. Then she wouldn't return my emails. I found out they are looking for 3 top people for the job. When I applied, I was the only one. Again it's far away, it's a lot of tasks that would be new.
   
   I've kept looking. Part of me thought well maybe I'll get my Teacher's Certificate to teach high school art. Even those jobs are few and far between. Another part of me was thinking, forget it all I'll make over $50,000 and be a postman. It was tempting! I'd have to pay $50 for an exam book, which is odd. Could you imagine driving in the ice and snow though? If I was making good money, had good benefits I could just work on art at home - off the clock and be satisfied. Travis thinks I'm nuts! Another part of me likes what I do here, and just thinks I'll stay yet another year. Do you think I'm a flake for being all over the place?


5. So I've been filling out applications, trying to get Facebook Blueprint Certified, dealing with a computer virus, updating my website like crazy and more. What are you up too?

Random Tid Bits

1. We got our $5,000 medical bill a month ago for Mica's hernia that was fixed. That's with insurance. We called to see if we could get that bill to go down. With all my nose surgery stuff (another $5,000), the tumor on my forehead that came off it's just too much (another $1,000). In order to get medical help they had us file for medicaid. They need to see that we're denied before they can help us. What a crazy process! Fingers crossed that bill gets sliced down! 


2. Because of crappy medical bills I'm always terrified to go to the doctor. I'm due to see the ENT, due to see the Allergist, and due to see my woman doctor. 


3. I so wish we'd go back to the Little House on the Prairie days where they exchanged chicken eggs for medical care. 





Source



4. I had a testing session for a "freelance" job. They tested me over Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel. I was so nervous because I've never been a good test taker. On top of that I've used Excel before, but I didn't realize how extensive the program really is! Lots of formulas! Well I now get a little more what Excel is like.
   
   All the creative programs I was tested over were multiple choice. I just do things, and don't pay close enough attention to what palettes are called.
   
   Most of my studying went into Excel, which I hardly use.
   
   I found out I did above average on the testing. In the interview I asked how much Excel is used, and they said they never use it. Crazy! They seemed to really like me. Apparently I'm too creative for that job. Their words not mine. BUT they have an opening for something they see me doing in a month. I'm ok with waiting. That would get me closer to the end of the school year. They have great pay, and benefits, which we so need! Health insurance for independent workers, or small works that can't afford health insurance for their employees is becoming non existent.
   
   I had another interview with someone that wants to work with me. She does patterns for allergy/asthma safe bedding. She wants a freelancer that would work for her full time after some time. Hopes to a new chapter with work. 


5. I posted some design/illustration images on instagram. A curator wanted me to post to their website a piece or two. They then post it to their instagram page. I would get exposer, and get to say that happened on my resume. After I posted the images to them, they emailed me to have me submit some work to possibly entered into their magazine. YAY!  

Random Tid Bits

1. Lately every shirt Mica puts on is too short in the sleeves and the torso. I had him try on all of his shirts just when it started getting cool. 

This is the last time he wore the shirt below. It fits Isaak perfectly. I may stop by Old Navy to pick up some shirts this weekend. Mica's closet is looking bare.





2. I've been feeling down in the dumps lately.
   
   Maybe it's the lack of sunlight. I forget to take Vitamin D3.
   
   Months ago I got a cold, it went into asthma. All day I feel pretty good, but at night it kicks in. I just can't seem to kick it! I imagine I'm not doing well on sleep.
   
   Government everything has me nervous. CREATE JOBS and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. All I see is jobs going away: The National Endowment for the Arts funding and other art program funding is going bye bye. It may not effect you. It certainly effects my family and friends. I went to art openings, and it's like a cloud of sadness in the crowd. What happened to the government supporting the arts? In the Great Depression they hired artists to stimulate the economy. Artists and acting jobs are being cut. Journalism is degraded, not trusted and cut. Three main stations are slanted one way, and another station is slanted the other way. Science isn't trusted it seems. Parks funds are getting striped down, and freedom of speech taken away. Teachers are bashed, and not respected. Health insurance was a mess, now it's in major limbo. Many health care workers will loose their jobs. Don't try being a freelancer, or work in a small business like my husband and I do. If you are in the military, dig for oil, build walls, work in the food industry, or work on cars you're ok. Good for you!

I'm beginning to hate the terms, "Left Wing" and "Right Wing" because they are used so negatively. It's like a title when you want to slam someone, "That ghetto person", or "That left wing freak over there." We're people! The only time I use race is to describe a person in a good way. I said just last weekend, "I just love that really dark skin that person has. It's so neat looking." I've referred to Albinos being really interesting too.


3. My kids have a lot of Muslims that go to school with them. Guess what? Many of them are nicer than others. The ones that come from Africa have a real sense of family. They do things together. I respect them for that. Think what you want, but we've had more white so called Christians attack people than we have Muslims. It's really hard when my kids see the news and ask questions about what's going on. Quite frankly I was nice and quiet. Now I feel like shouting from the roof tops. 




4. Around Christmas a really nice guy called a fire in that was at a local plant nursery in town. He got a $1,000 gift card from them. He proceeded to donate the money to nonprofits because he was that kind of a person.
   
   Two weeks later he was working at his job at a gas station. A guy came in when he was closing. The guy wanted to buy chewing tobacco. The nice worker said, "Sorry man I already have the cash register closed for the night. You'll have to go somewhere else to buy it." The not so nice guy waited out back for the cashier to leave. He ran him over with his truck, and killed him. The nice man has a young daughter he left behind. :(
   
   The punk left the scene. He went on to sell houses - a real estate agent. Well the prick was found! His truck had specific markings on it that were caught on film. Way to go Omaha Police Department. The police have gotten such a bad wrap; understandably so. I thought I'd give them credit where credit is due.  


5. I told my kids this weekend, "I want you both to know that no matter what your views are when you are older, no matter what religion you are or aren't we'll love you regardless. You need to be able to back up what you feel. Sources certainly help. The US was and should be about freedom of speech and thought. Please feel free to share your thoughts with us." 

Business Card Holder Review

Since Travis is looking for jobs he needed a Business Card Holder. 

It's lucky for him, I got one to review.

He was happy to get it.

It holds 12 to 17 cards depending on the paper stock.

Other Things about the Business Card Holder:

• Stainless steel & leather case keeps Business Cards clean, crisp & looking brand new.

• Soft velvet material lining protects your cards while inside the case.

• Sleek & Light to fit easily into your pocket or purse.

• Unlike metal, the leather won't smudge or scratch.

• It's made with quality materials & a sleek design.

• It's light & slim yet strong & sturdy.

• It's suitable for men and women.

• It's $24.97, but on sale for $17.97. It has a lifetime guarantee.  

Take Care of Your Business Card Holder:

• Keep it out of direct sunlight, so the leather doesn't fade.

• Clean it with a damp rag.

• You can keep the leather looking fresh by adding beeswax, or something similar.

• Avoid polishes that have a lot of strong chemicals.

Colors:

• I got Dad's Business Card Holder in black.

• My choice would have been red.

Dad looks so sleek!

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.