Small Success Thursday (a day late) March 26

Wow, Fresh new logo. I like it.

I am a day late with my Small success.

My vocation of wife and Mom has always had an income-earning component. The first decade and a half of our marriage, I earned the bigger portion of the income. Then Hubby went back to school and since has been a rising star.  Since Fall of 2011, I have been playing the contractor game. (I work in IT).

All this to say that I started a new contract at the beginning of the month and it is kicking my rear-end. It is a hard push project and I am not liking it much. But I trudge on. Maybe next week i will have different news.

One morning I was deeply frustrated and lashed out at my husband when we were talking about dinner options. He called me on it and I was able to vocalize the things that were causing my stress. Besides an undesirable environment on the job, I am driving far and not able to pick my son up from school like I had been. I actually enjoyed being able to do those Mom-duties on my last assignment.

 My son got his driving learner's permit. We've been out driving almost every day. It is coll watching his confidence grow. But as I said with my older son, I never imagined I'd be the more patient parent in teaching my boys to drive.

Linking up with Catholic Mom. 

Small Success Thursday - Spring?

Hello everyone,
How's your week been? We have sping eather here in SW Ohio. The snow has melted. It sure does lift my spirits.

So last night Hubby an I went for a walk. Without Jackets. LOL It felt good.

I started my new contract. While the manager started out with firm, high expectations, almost scaring us, it is going well. My desk is not much of a desk at all, but I will manage. I like the two guys I am working closely with.

I am surviving my commute to work. I go south about 13 miles to drop my 15YO off at school and then North for 35 miles to the office. It takes about an hour. Hubby has been picking him up after band practice.

Linking up with Catholic Mom.

Small Success Thursday -

Happy Thursday.
Good news, I start on a new contract/project on Monday. I am going back to the company I was with until last June. Drawbacks is that the pay rate is lower and it is in the opposite direction of DS's school. But it is work at a place where I have some friends. The nature of the work will be a combination of Project management and technical (upgrading servers). I will be driving 50 miles each morning as I take DS to school and then turn around and go to work. But it will only be for about 2 months.

Meanwhile, my grandson was under the weather and his babysitter's daughter has been sick, so Grandma is taking him for the week. At 15 months and very agile, he was a whirling dervish. He needs constant supervision. I had such plans to clean, organize and sew. Ha! forget that, unless re-organizing means putting the plastic wear or cans he pulled out of the cabinets he has access to. LOL! But I remember having young children who were unable to go to daycare or sitters and yet Hubby and I both needed to go to work. I have the opportunity to help out, so I am pushing the frustration out of my mind. He was certainly feeling much better yesterday than Mon or Tues.

I did remember to go to the BMV and get the booklet for my 15 YO to study to take his written exam in a few weeks. Hopefully this job will give us the $$ to buy an appropriate vehicle for him to drive himself to and from school when he turns 16 in September.

Linking up with Catholic Mom.

Small success Thursday - post vacation edition

Hello everyone,
Had a lovely 3 day stay in the Bahamas. Had some flight challenges and we arrived home just before 2 AM so I am feeling a vacation hangover. I need to be working today and tomorrow as they are my last days on this contract. I got a message yesterday from my current consulting/contracting agency that there is an opportunity for 5-months with a company I worked with before. The work is my technical than I really like to do but the pay rate is 83% of what I am currently at. 83% pay is better than 0% pay and they said it would be temporary until something else came along more in my skill set. But I have checked in with another recruiter who seems to be no longer at that company. I have left messages with the people her phone and email are forwarded to.

We have almost 2 weeks of laundry piled up. Our new washer is scheduled to be delivered this afternoon. It is lovely to have to buy a new washing machine when the second income is in question.

So for my successes:

• hubby and I actually took time for a vacation. Something we both desperately needed.  We went with another couple. Hubby has dealt with him in business matters and his wife and I got along very well. Hubby becomes a lump when it is just he and I.
• My Daughter in law, who took on the task for driving the 15 year-old everywhere said she knows why I cannot wait until he gets his license. She also said he was a great help and on his very best behavior. 
• I am working my job contacts, trying really hard not to panic.Financially, we will survive. All hope is not lost and if I do not have work for a week or so, I have plenty of projects to work on around the house.   

Linking up with Catholic Mom. 

Small Success Thursday - Snow edition

Hello everyone,

Here in SW Ohio we started winter with some snow in Late November, then it had been pretty mild until this week. School has been called off and I don't expect him to go tomorrow due to dangerous wind chills.

1. I got our taxes complete and sent off. In spite of this being the first year without my oldest as my deduction, we still got a bit of a refund. Hubby asked if we put it towards new windows on our second floor. Unfortunately, We paid to fix our oldest son's car and signed the younger up for summer PE and Health to help squeeze band into his schedule and the youngest needed some new items of clothing. God gives us just enough. 
2. So in the last week I have been talking to people here at the office - I should say "Networking". This office has mostly contractors and so my resume has been sent off to most. I talked to a recruiter yesterday and then my current company contact me with a possible opportunity.
3.  Gearing up for a mini-vacation with Hubby. We have both been under a lot of stress around our jobs. We need this. 
4. Linking up with Catholic Mom

Small Success Thursday - Not feeling very successful...

Hi Folks,
I feel rather unaccomplished, so I need this reminder.

1. I got my son to school, home from school, to Bass lesson and to his training sessions this week all on time and intact.

2. The family has had plenty of food to eat and clean clothes to wear.

3. I have had quite a few people ask for my resume or give me some leads to follow.  And while things will be tight without my income, our needs will be met with the roof over our heads, food on the table and gas in the cars with Hubby's income.

And in spite of wanting to, I have not resorted to shoving chocolate cake in my face. But my 13 Month old grandson did when Dad was not looking:

  It makes me laugh. His Mamma is not so sure about his habits of climbing and making messes.

Linking up with Catholic Mom

Small Success Thursday - Feb 2

Hey, it is Thursday, the day I blog...
I have a husband and son whoa e disappointed that the big snows have missed our area. We had less than an inch last night. I think that brings the Cincinnati area up to 3 inches for the season. But for my successes:

1. Went for my annual physical/Doctor's visit last Friday. I even told her about my recent back pain so she sent me for an x-ray. Result - Arthritis in my back. So now I go for Physical Therapy. (at a $60 a pop co-pay).

2. Went and picked up my 1 year old Grandson Friday evening as he was awake most of the night and then napped most of the afternoon. LOL! First stop, Famous footwear for a new pair of shoes. He outgrew his old ones and Mom was inclined to keep him in footie pajamas. He even kept them on.

3. And no small success, but I have an interview scheduled for Monday with a new local hospital. So if you would say a prayer for inspirational answers to my interview questions, I'd appreciate it.

Linking up with Catholic Mom.

Small Success Thursday - Jan 29

Happy Thursday.
I keep hoping that because I am venting my job frustrations to my online friends that I am able to keep my real life focus on my family. But one day last week Hubby said "You seems to be having outbursts of anger? Is something bothering you?" While I maintained a calm voice, I did say 'Well Duh, my job..." He said "oh Yeah. But you have time..."

Countdown to unemployment is now at 4 weeks. Possibilities are coming into my inbox, but the ones that arrive seem to end up in a black hole of nothingness. What an exercise in patience and relying upon God this is for me. My Resume has been submitted for three jobs this week.

This weekend I did embellish some burp cloths for my cousin's baby shower coming up soon. Sitting at my sewing machine can be rather calming.

I decided to spend some free time reading up on a new technology. Since this is on my resume, a deeper dive into the parts I have less experience with would be good. I am also thinking about taking the certification test.

Linking up with Catholic Mom

Small Success Thursday - Jan 22

Hello, It is Thursday again, the day to remember the small things we accomplished in the business of life as a Mom.

- I accomplished a lot on my to-do list starting with a long weekend. I completed a Christmas runner. I promised my cousin I'd give her one when she saw that I made one for the family gift exchange but gave her something different. She is my son's Godmother. Last year I gave her and the exchange a mug rug. I also whipped up a Valentines one.
- I baked cookies to send to my twin nephews at College. I was too late in the Fall. I even go them mailed on Tuesday.
-I colored my hair.
-I decided to submit my application online for a position where supposedly, my resume had already bee given to the decision makers. A few hours after I submitted the application I got a call. So I think I am on the right track.

Linking up with Catholic Mom

Small Success Thursday - Jan 15

Happy Thursday everyone,

are all 3 of you that tend to read this tired of hearing about my job whining? I too am tired of it too, but no resolution yet. The can keeps being kicked down the road, so to speak with small renewals of my current contract. I am working hard on seeing this as blessings.

So what did I accomplish this week?

- I said "yes" to being Rescue Mom yesterday. My kid texts that he forgot his binder of music for practice. He stayed after school for the practice that did not start until 6 PM. I took him out for some food when I arrived. Thankfully he had a ride home.

- After their move, my parents found they had a free-standing cabinet without a home, so I got it this weekend and moved many of my small kitchen appliances to it. I am slowing cleaning out a big cabinet that my Daughter-in-law said she would like for their new place. Decluttering!

-I also set up a new bedside table. Why did I feel I needed to keep all of this stuff? Papers and such have been collecting dust. So that was cleared, moved downstairs and there is now room next to my bed.

_ I had 2 days were I managed 10,000 steps on my fitbit zip. Another day I hit 8,000. It take a lot of effort as my deskjob and the small office does not afford my a lot of movement. I was walking the circle from my Kitchen to DR to LR and down the hall back to the kitchen. I even used the time to say the rosary.

Linking up with Catholic Mom

Small Success Thursday - New Year's edition

Happy Thursday - Time again to play with Catholic Mom and to document the small successes we had in the past week. As Women/Mom's it often seems like our days are "lather, rinse, repeat." and sometimes it is hard to see the forward progression. This meme helps us call out our steps forward.

I got my Christmas tree down. We won;t talk about how the bin is still in the family room. I am a terrible packer and Hubby has been under the weather. He has re-packed the box the past several years.

I changed the bed sheets the other night. Ok, I said Hubby was under the weather. He spent Tuesday in bed when he was not dealing with intestinal distressed. I came home, made him get up stripped off the sheets and put a fresh set on. (They are probably still sitting in the washer. I guess I need to re-wash.)

I hit the gym twice this week.

On a Celebratory note, my older son and Daughter-in-law had their August marriage convalidated in the Catholic Church this past weekend. They had considered a Church wedding, but since her parents were indifferent, it was a civil wedding, but they still pursued the issue on their own. We simply said we'd be very happy to have them married in the Church, even when it got a bit tough, they persevered.

Look who is 1!

A very happy birthday to my grandson. You have become the apple of not only your parents' eyes, but Grandparents, Aunts, Uncle, Great Grandparents and many other extended family members.

Looking behind and looking ahead - A New year

So today is the second day of 2015.

2014 was certainly eventful.

It started out January 7th with the birth of my first Grandchild. He was unplanned and unexpected, but he is well loved by parents, grandparents, 7 Great Grandparents and Aunt and an Uncle who are both his godparents. Yes, he was baptized in the Catholic Church.

My 15YO was Confirmed they day after his nephew's baptism.

In spite of worries, I stayed employed all of 2014, switching jobs in mid-June to a location closer to home.

In August, my grandson's 19 YO parents were married in a beautiful civil Wedding. My son found a job he enjoys and is realizing the benefit of more education even if he is unable to follow through on classes right now. (Baby steps)

My 15 YO started High school. He is loving it while adjusting with time management. I am confident he will get there.

As for 2015:
Tomorrow my son and Daughter-in-law will participate in a Convalidation ceremony so that their Marriage is valid in the Catholic Church.

My Grandson will turn 1.

My current contract ends at the end of January. So I am seeking new opportunities and hoping another great job comes along or the current one is extended.

IN March my younger son will get his temps and I will start teaching him to drive. Since our school system does not supply busing for High schoolers, we plan to provide a car for him to drive. So discussions are underway as to the best avenue. With the older boy, while I wanted to get him a smaller, standard shift, Hubby talked me into getting a new car and letting him drive my Ford Escape. He ended up flipping it (no injuries, Thank You God!). But the younger is a different temperment and while I'd like him to learn to drive a manual transmission, I don't think he needs it to keep is focus on driving.  And where will I be working. If it is with my current position, close to home, I'd e willing to drive Hubby's 2006 Min van, the boy could drive my 2010 Prius and Hubby get a new car. So we will see.

Have a great year

Small Success Thursday - One week before Christmas...

Here I go again. Doubting, wondering.. How much should I take responsibility for finding a new job and how much do I rely on God for his blessing?

Had another interview last Friday. We decided I was not right for the job at hand but discussed bringing me in to talk to the lead of the Project management team. I dutifully sent an e-mail thank you note and the days this week I would be available and once again, radio silence. Does the perfect job exist? (My current contract is close - I love hat I am doing, the location is between home and my son'd High school (no busing, i drive him everyday) I can work form home at times. Will a continuation of my contract or a permanent job offer come next month? Can I afford to ignore opportunities that are just not quite right? I have been blessed so far. I pray that I continue to be blessed and that I recognize the need to take action.

I got the trees and my Nativities up last weekend. The house is decorated for Christmas.

I also hosted a dinner for my parents, Hubby's Mom, my son, his wife and our grandson and the three of us at home after the 15YO's band concert. It was simple, done up ahead of time and in crockpots. Hubby's default answer is to go out.But I proved we could do it at home.

These days, recognizing our successes as we go about our day to day lives can be difficult, so we reflect so that we can see we are moving forward and not just treading water.  Linking up with Catholic Mom.

Small success Thursday - Dec 11

Welcome to Thursday once again. The week I thought was going to be peaceful and relaxed was not. 

Sunday night was a crisis when Hubby was unable to find the keys to his rental car. We looked everywhere, After driving from home to his office for the again, he sat down and was able ot remember the odd place he had put them. 

I attended the Holy Day Mass at 12:15. Holy day Mass attendance always takes a herculean effort between my 8-5 job and chauffeuring duties. 

Tuesday day was quite the day. I had trouble sleeping and was up early. I could hear water running in the vicinity of my refrigerator, but did not see any puddles. I hoped it was the frost-free cycle. But I came home after dropping the 15YO off at school and worked there. Sure enough, but 11 AM, the puddle showed itself. But I had given it enough time to go into the basement. I tugged at the Fridge but could not budge it. With Hubby out of town, I could not budge it. So I called my Dad who came down. Meanwhile, I was able to get it moved before he got there. There was a pinhole leak in the ice maker\dispenser waterline. I turned the valve, but the water did not stop. Dad came and fiddled with it and said the valve was backwards and I had it wide open rather than shut. ("It's not "righty-tighty" he said.) He made an attempt to fix the hose, but it still leaked. So that is on Hubby's to-do list for the weekend. 

I got a call about a job opportunity. I am not currently thrilled with it, but they understand I have a contract until Jan 30. I will put on my game face and go to an interview tomorrow. Then another opportunity came to me. My resume was hand-carried to the manager by someone I worked with before. This one is with a Catholic Hospital. another email said they would start interviews after the first of the year. My first choice would be to stay with my current assignment. But we will see. 

Have a great next week!

Linking up with Catholic Mom. 

Small success Thursday- Start of Advent

Hello everyone,

It is that time of the week again to celebrate the little things we accomplish. I know that as a Mom who works outside them home, it does feeling like I am so bogged down each day, it feels like I am treading water in the daily routine of lather, rinse, repeat.

Some of my business is coming to an end. I still will be taking my 15YO to High school every morning, then going on to my office. (Grateful to have had a contract extension until Jan 30). But this is the last week for my older son and Daughter-in-law's evening college course, during which I babysit my grandson. So I needed to be home by 4:30 T & Th.

But, for this week,
- While we did go to a family farm and cut down our live Christmas tree, it is sitting unadorned in the formal living room. My family never put the tree up until about the third week of Advent. My parents both grew up with the German tradition of the tree being put up Christmas eve...I am taking it slowly. Today I will dig out the stockings and advent wreath (a little behind..) For we also celebrate the Feast of St. Nick. I have the candy for the stockings and an iTunes gift card for the 15YO to download some Christmas music he is keen to buy.

- Last night I picked the 15YO up after band practice and went and got him a tux shirt to wear at the concert on the 14th. That has been on my list for a while.

- I made an appointment to have the oil changed in my car for tomorrow.

Linking up with Catholic Mom

Small Success Thursday - Thanksgiving edition

Hello everyone,

It is late afternoon, we've eaten or turkey, stuffing, potatoes, pie and whatever else was put on the table. It was wonderful.

I am very happy that I have a job to go to on Monday. There are no Doctors or Physical therapy appointments to go to. Just band. And this will be the last week of babysitting my Grandson wile my son and Daughter-in-law attend class. (Her classes will be all in the day next semester.) Maybe I can hit the gym, or sew some planned Christmas gifts.

Last Saturday the Football team won their playoff game, so the play again This coming Saturday. S we will be moving band equipment. Yay! Praying for weather that is not too cold and not wet.

Sunday I was able to fix a big turkey dinner for my Husband, children, daughter-in-law, grandson along with my parents and mother-in-law. It was successful and fun for me.  

This evening hubby and I will sit down and discuss our Christmas plan and budget (yes, a little late for me).

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Linking up with Catholic Mom 

Small Success Thursday - 2 Month reprieve

Happy Thursday everyone,

I am counting my blessings today. Yesterday afternoon I got a message from my co-worker asking if I wanted to work until the end of January. One of the other guys is taking a long vacation, so I will be helping out. I have these potential opportunities pop up and then they all evaporated one by one. So I have been praying for a resolution for to my job situation that would be the best for my family. So here it is. This will give me an income over the holidays and into the beginning of the year when (hopefully) new projects will be launched and budgets allocated. I don't have to cancel Christmas.

Also no my doing, but feeling like a victory, my son is finished with formal Physical therapy. In spite of having decent health insurance, we had a hefty co-pay for each PT session. And he went twice a week, requiring Hubby or I to take off from work. This is one of the reasons I have not been able to squirrel away as much money as I wanted.

What really strikes me is how relatively calm I have been. When news came of another possibly opportunity fading away, I was able to acknowlege my disappointment and feel a moment of panic before deciding that God has my back and I need to move forward, still looking a job boards, putting in more applications but trusting that God would make something happen.

I prefer to be able to start my prayers with "Thank you for the wonderful blessings you give me."

Linking up with Catholic Mom.

Small success Thursday - Nov. 13

Happy Thursday everyone,

So I got confirmation that my current contract job is ending at the end of the month. The folks I am working for did send my resume for an open position. Nice that they have confidence in me. My co-worker has given me a rave review on LinkedIn. I've been talking with 2 recruiters, so please say a prayer or two for me. I am feeling like I'd like to pull back a little bit but Hubby is not so much in favor of that. Mostly because I am definitly NOT a homebody and my current busy-ness looks like it is going to lessen in the next month as my 15 YO finished up Physical Therapy and  my daughter-in-law has scheduled all of her college classes during the day or online for the spring semester so I won't be rushing home 2 days a week to take care of my grandson while both his parents attend class. A few years ago I experimented with a work from home job and that did not go well. Plus, we'd like to be able to pay for college for both of our sons.

I have 2 Christmas presents. I ordered a new coat for Hubby and made him try it on to ensure it will fit over a suit coat, and I made something for my Niece.

I mailed packages for my twin nephews' birthday. They are in College and struggling with the cafeteria food. They are very much into healthy eating.

We scheduled one more Physical therapy session for the 15 YO.  Then he visits the Doctor and we anticipate that they will release him to a "bridge" program between formal therapy and 100% that will be half the out of pocket cost  if therapy and will be in the evenings.

Have a great week.

Linking up with Catholic Mom

Small Success Thursday - Time Change

Hello,

Still adjusting to the time change. I like that it is a little light while driving to work. But I still want to crawl into bed about 8 PM.

Still no word on if my contract job is ending at the end of the month or not. The account manager was going to pitch me as a flexible resource who can work a few hours a week or up to 40. I figured I need about 60% of my current take home pay to cover our obligations. I have put it in God's hands to determine what is best for me and my family. But it is hard. I try to keep my eyes open for actions to take. This is pretty stressful, but I am mostly keeping my cool.

I asked for help. My parents wanted to visit some evening when I was taking care of my Grandson. The were going to drop off Hubby's birthday gift. Well, Hubby was going to be out of town Tuesday, The 15 year old needed to be picked up at school at 5:00 and the Grandson arrives at my house at 4:30. So I asked Mom and Dad to be here by 4:30. My Mom even brought dinner. They all had fun playing together.

My big success is that I finished a twin-sized quilt. While not thrilled with one of the fabrics, I like the quilt overall. It has a Comic book-theme. I work on it in fits and starts as I steal the time. I plan to give it to my cousin when she receives a multiple organ transplant. Her favorite super heroes can help her stay strong.

Linking up with Catholic Mom