I had five goals for January. Some I hit dead on, some not so much. All in all, I am pleased with my progress.

A little recap if you will

1. Send out resumes. I started my new job on January 13th!

2. Drink more water, at least 4 glasses a day. I now carry a water bottle with me everywhere I go. I drink at least 3 glasses of water a day. No soda except for the weekends. One cup of coffee and maybe an iced tea, but mostly it’s just water.

3. Go to the gym 3 days a week, minimum. I made it on average twice a week. Not bad, but I can do better.

4. Work on book, 3 hours per week. Didn’t even come close to this one.

5. Organize my coupons. I did a little organizing, but this still needs work.

On to February

Continuing on with what I started here are my goals for February.

1. Workout 3 times a week, minimum. I am not giving up on this one. I have a school trip with Amanda in April and shorts will be my friend. Nuff said!

2. Spice up my veggie life. I love vegetables, but I pretty much eat the same ones over and over and over again. I want to incorporate more variety in this area.

3. Continue with the water consumption, limiting the soda. I love not having those extra empty calories and see no reason to go backwards when I can keep towards my ultimate goal of healthier, sustainable habits by the time I am forty. Only 8 more months to go.

4. Work/Home Life Balance. This can be tricky for a number of reasons. One, I am very all or nothing when it comes to work. Second, I just started a new job and I really don’t want to be that person who beats feet out of the office every day just because I’ve put in my 8+ hours. BUT… I have to find balance and not let one overpower the other.

What about you?

How did you do on your January goals? Do you have any goals for February?

February Goals: A Look Back & Going Forward is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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Just when I got comfortable watching old reruns of Quincy and spending massive amounts with Dwayne and Ivy dog life changes and it’s time to get used to a new reality.

After more than 2 years of searching, applying, and waiting I was offered a job. I started the very next day. I’m excited and nervous, but know I can handle whatever comes my way.

I will still be around posing reviews and giveaways as well as my thoughts on life, what’s going on with me, and anything else that may come to pass. I have no intention of giving up on this little thing we call blogging, not today at least.

Life Everchanging… Back to Ye Olde Grindstone is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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A few weeks ago I started writing a post about the true cost of my decision to go back to college. When I started it was supposed to be one post. Well, one post turned into four and I still was not done. Part five will be posted later this week.

As with many great series, this one has a post that is not quite a part of the series, but fits with the theme overall. A nice filler until the next part comes out, if you will.

First, why not catch up, I’ll wait…

• Reflection: The Price of Educating Oneself, part 1
• Reflection: The Price of Educating Oneself, part 2
• Reflection: The Price of Educating Oneself, part 3
• Reflection: The Price of Educating Oneself, part 4

Goooooo You!

I don’t know about you, but I have a problem seeing myself the way others seem to view me. When my parents tell me how proud of me they are or how far I’ve come, well, I have trouble believing it.

So, when Dwayne told me, yet again, how much I have to offer. I, yet again, thought he just doesn’t see the real me. Or does he?

Sometimes it takes outside influences to make the reality of the situation really sink in.

Yesterday I was watching a movie where the 29 year old woman quit her dead end job, lost her apartment, dumped her pretty great boyfriend, and moved from NYC to Colorado to find herself. What she found was a list of things she wanted to do before she turned 30.

Of all the items on her list the one about forgiving her mother is what resonated with me. See, she felt her mother didn’t think she was good enough. What she learned was her mother thought she capable of anything. Here she had moved across the country to do what she wanted, on her own. She made friends easily, was kind and caring, pretty, and the only thing really holding her back, was a lack of confidence in herself.

Ah, confidence

Dwayne said when he met me I had it. Now I don’t. Something changed and only I have the power to fix it. But how?

Since I’ve been unemployed I don’t really leave the house. Why would I? I go to the grocery store, the drug store, sometimes the mall. I have no friends here. My children have their own lives and are not responsible for keeping me company anyway. I joined a gym in January, but then is snowed so much that I just stopped going. And of course, I’m cheap.

And yet, if I never leave the house I’ll never get over this, whatever it is I need to get over. So, even though I don’t want to pay for a gym membership I have to think about the bigger picture. My mental well-being as well as my physical well-being. Having one place to go may lead to more ventures out. Hanging out at the bookstore. Taking a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Maybe even making a friend or two. And, who knows, I may even find a job!

It’s about time I thought what others think about me. It’s about time I became my own cheerleader.

I am good enough. I am smart enough. And gosh darnit, people like me!

Be Your Own Cheerleader is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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[read part 1, part 2, & part 3 here]

Embracing What’s Important

Fall turned to winter, and winter to spring. Spring is a signal of rebirth and change. Big changes were on the horizon.

My mother had been ill for some time now. Not one to go to doctors, she was forever returning to the doctor’s office for answers. She could barely eat, feeling full after a few bites, yet her abdomen was expanding. A cough had developed and breathing was difficult. Months went by before the cyst was found. About the size of a football, no one could say for sure how long it had been growing. What they could say for sure, it was cancer.

Since moving to Virginia I had seen my parents at least once a year. From April 2009 to April 2010 I saw them 4 times. After mom’s hospital stay my parents made it to Virginia to see Megan graduate from high school. In November we drove to Florida for Thanksgiving. And in April my parents took a road trip to visit family in New Jersey, Georgia, and to see us in Virginia.

*******************************

Throughout everything I continued with my studies. Each month a new class would begin. Each month I was growing anxious to finish. I had a break in my classes in December 2009 and my final class in January 2010. My mom was so proud. She had been waiting for this day since I graduated high school and delayed going to college. Sure I was relieved to be graduating, yet I was having second thoughts (a little late, I know) about the whole thing.

What I was discovering was many of the job openings in my area are for people less qualified than me without having the degree. Those jobs wanting a degree either want specific experience (degree required to gain said experience) or they want a Master’s degree. What is a girl to do?

part 5

Reflection: The Price of Educating Oneself, part 4 is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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[read part 1 & part 2 here]

In with the new…

and out with the old.

After an extensive search, the powers that be hired a new boss. I was so excited. No longer would I feel the pull of so many directions. Others warned me to be careful. I had never been one to take any job for granted, but felt I had done a pretty good job holding down the fort and the “new guy” seemed genuine. Now would be the time to get him up to speed and me in a position best suited to my newly proven abilities.

[Note to self: trust those who have proven themselves before those who have not.]

It didn’t take long for the truth to emerge. Compliments in private followed by berating and name-calling in front of and with other managers led to knowing my time was limited. I thought I had about a year, enough time to implement the new accounting system. I was wrong.

By the beginning of November I was no longer among the working class. I was still attending classes and had another year to go before completing my degree. And even with our strained relationship, Dwayne was there for me, for us. It would be many months before I would stop analyzing every moment, every misstep.

*******************************

Nothing is worse than looking for a job in a rural area. Unless you are looking for a job in a rural area during a recession. People were being laid off all over the country and the housing market had finally burst. This was one of the many times I was thankful for a few positive financial choices: owning a home with a low mortgage, finally taking my mother’s advice and banking every raise received for the past 4 years, and finding & embracing the many great couponing/shopping/freebie resources on the web.

part 4

Reflection: The Price of Educating Oneself, part 3 is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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[read part 1 here]

We thought things were bad. Little did we know what lie ahead.

It could easily be said the theme for 2008 was relationship issues. All around me I found myself having trouble relating to anyone. At work I was put in charge since no one else was a) around and b) willing to take on the responsibility. This would be my first big lesson in working relationships.

The whole is more than the sum of its parts. (Metaphysica 10f-1045a) – Aristotle

Nowhere is this more clear than in the workplace when leadership is missing. As each person or group of persons was fighting for their own survival, I was busy fighting for the overall survival of organization. Money was tight. Fear was heavy on the minds of anyone who knew anything. Establishing a team to lead everyone else through this storm was priority. The one accomplishment I am most proud of in all my working life, building a team who trusted each other and trusted me.

My first lesson was that I could lead. My second was people would see this as a threat.

Back at home was a horse of an entirely different color. Dwayne and I fought, if we spoke at all. He was collecting unemployment and discouraged by the lack of opportunity. I was going to work early and coming home late. Part of my team building was immersing myself into the job. I interacted with all levels of employees which included me working out 3 or 4 days a week. Physically I was in great shape, but that was about it.

part 3

Reflection: The Price of Educating Oneself, part 2 is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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Maybe it was bad timing. Maybe it’s location. Maybe it’s all a myth. Maybe, maybe, maybe…

The thought of moving back to South Florida had me in a tailspin of thoughts. Where would we live? Would we have to rent or could we afford to buy? What schools would the kids attend? How would the kids feel about moving? What about their friends? activities? future plans? Could I find work? Doing what? and where?

Then there was the question of Dwayne’s job security. Sure, he was making good money now, but what if things don’t work out as planned?

I immediately started looking into college programs. With my work experience and 2-year degree, having a 4-year degree should only open more doors, right?

In July 2007 I started the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in accounting. The logical choice given my background. So, after a full day at work I would come home, feed the kids, and work on homework. Sprinkled in the mix was mowing the yard [about 2 acres], laundry, after school activities, etc.

Meanwhile, Dwayne was living in South Florida and coming home to Virginia when he could. In the forefront was the ever-present concern he would be without a job at any moment as work was sparse. He kept up his spirits by spending time with his kids.

By December 2007 things had fallen apart with the “dream job” and Dwayne was planning his return to Virginia. It was too late to back out of the college pursuit. Debt was already accumulating. Debt and no degree was not an option.

*******************************

Dwayne returned to Virginia in the winter of 2008. He had no job and not much to show for his year away. I was working full time, but things at work were going downhill fast. Everyone higher up from me was either gone or giving their notice. And my relationship with Dwayne could best be described as one frayed string being pulled so hard that it would surely break. Yet, somehow it held.

part 2

Reflection: The Price of Educating Oneself, part 1 is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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I did it. I finally lost my mind!

Let’s start with yesterday in the shower. Now, get your mind out of the gutter. Sigh. I woke up at 10 am and thought, ‘Wonderful!’ Then I remembered I had some Walgreens RR [register rewards] expiring. Then I thought, maybe they expired later in the week. By this point I was already in the shower and the RR’s were in the Jeep. I push them out of my mind since they will have to wait.

So, there I am in the shower and I start thinking these great conversations for my story, you know, my NaNoWriMo story? And I’m like ‘STOP!’ Yeah, really, I did that ~ out loud even! Sheesh! Man, that’s a lot of exclamation points right there let me tell you. Anyway, I stop and go back to washing my hair ~ it takes forever to wash my hair, seriously.

Here I am washing, washing, washing and the thoughts start again. CRAP! My voice recorder is also in the Jeep. Not that it’s waterproof, but that is beside the point. Yeah, want to know what I do next? Well, you have to buy the book. Okay, I don’t have a book. And I will never have a book if I don’t stop having my great thoughts while in the shower where I CANNOT WRITE THEM DOWN.

I start singing

In the shower! Like that is not a cliche. It gets better. I start singing, “stop this, stop thinking right now, you cannot write here, lalala lalalalalala”. Now, put that to the tune of Hava Nagila and you have me in the shower! For those of you who do not know this lovely Hebrew folk song here is an awesome version of it thanks to judaza75:

And if that were not enough

The shower talking escalated to me [out loud] saying over and over again, ‘you will not think, you will not think’. You get the picture. It was a shame really. I was having some really great thoughts, too. At least I think I was. Since I could not remember much of anything AFTER the shower. I have thoughts while driving down the road, but I have started using my voice recorder for those. YAY!

After the shower [and getting dressed] I check the RR’s and they were expiring. Now I debate the cost of driving an hour to use them up versus letting them expire. I almost had myself convinced to just ‘screw it’ and let them expire when I remembered two of them were $7 each. I re-checked and I had $19. I could not in good conscience let them expire, so I dragged myself out of the house.

I bought 3- 9 roll packs of toilet paper [we were out and Dwayne really didn't like my substituting napkins], 1- 8 roll pack of paper towels, and 2- 64 oz bottle of Ocean Spray cranberry juice. There was a $1 off Walgreens coupon for the Ocean Spray, but it beeped and the cashier couldn’t figure it out and there were two very nice people behind me with only a few items each. I told her to let it go and it cost me a little over $3 instead of the $1 and change I expected to pay, but still not bad. I purposely did not roll any of the RR’s. The good news ~ Walgreens is coming to town! I may even apply for a job there.

Speaking of jobs…

I received an email from Monster jobs this morning. Kemp Group is looking to fill a bunch of accounting positions. Well, I could use a job, since savings is dwindling. I thought I would send my updated resume [which includes no dates beyond the past 10 years] and a new and improved, specially written for them cover letter. Yes, I did it. Not as poignant as the one I posted here, but not your typical cover letter either.

Dear Hiring Manager:

Monster Jobs alerted me to the opportunities you have available and I feel I meet the qualifications for a Staff Accountant position. I have over 15 years experience in bookkeeping and accounting and will complete my Bachelors in Accounting in January 2010.

I am looking for a position that will offer more than just a job, and something I can be proud of at the end of the day. I have been out of work for a year now yet that does not mean I am desperate. Life is too short to be unhappy and far too much of life is spent in the workplace. I am a hard and dedicated worker and I expect the same of any organization with which I work.

If you are interested in getting know me better, then I look forward to meeting with you to discuss how I will be an asset to your company. I appreciate your taking the time out of your busy day to give my application due consideration.

Sincerely,

Anne Bender

I will let you know if I get a call. Not that I’m holding my breath or anything.

**UPDATE**

No, no phone call or email, but I had Dwayne [DH] read the letter. He said ‘out of your busy day’ sounds sarcastic. Well, that was truly not my intent. I sincerely meant to acknowledge the busy nature of one’s working environment. I will omit that for future cover letters.

Will the real Anne please stand up is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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Isn't this the cutest? - courtesy of smurph2010

My one year anniversary will be upon me in just a few short weeks. I will never forget the day. It was dreary and cold. I started the morning by going to cast my vote for our new President. The kids were all snug in bed as school was closed for the day. Around here they use many of the schools for elections. No cake and ice cream. No presents. No cause for celebration, really. This will be the one year anniversary of me getting canned, getting the axe, told my services are no longer needed or welcome, told I am persona non grata. Yes, I was {pause for dramatic effect} fired. It happens.

One Year Later {Almost}

I still have no job. Well, one always has a job so that is a bit of an unfair statement [or would inaccurate be more to the point?]. I have no paying job. I write several blogs, this being my more comfortable home on the vast world wide web. I am a few short classes away from completing my bachelor’s degree [in a field I have no interest]. I have more food and supplies in my house than one year ago and many were free or nearly free. I am one year older. I have a daughter in college. My mom is battling ovarian cancer [so far she is winning]. We have chickens [and fresh eggs]. Life is good, considering it could be so much worse.

I look at the classifieds and find them wanting

They want you to have a bachelor’s degree and 5+ years experience and the a last name that begins with Q, but not followed by U. Okay, I made up the last name part, but it really is not all that far-fetched. Everyone wants something specific and since they cannot legally write most of this in an advertisement for employment, they ask you to send your resume and a cover letter and your salary requirements or your salary history or both!

Wait a minute. Hold the phone. Stop the presses! That is quite personal thank-you-very-much. I do not even know you and you want to know how much previous employers think I was worth? Why? What does it matter if one employer felt I was worth X amount plus benefits? Really, I want to know. This is just another way of discriminating. Sure, you call it weeding out; we all know what it really is. My salary history is of no consequence to you. You ever hear of the saying ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’? Well, don’t judge me by my salary history.

Previous Applicants Need Not Apply

What if my information has changed? What if I applied ten years ago, does that count? What if I cannot remember if I applied in the past and reapply, does this really tick you off? Honestly, will you even remember me?

I don’t like writing cover letters. They make little sense to me. You have my resume and now I am supposed to write you a short note explaining to you why I am the best candidate for the job without using the word ‘I’ or regurgitating my resume and by focusing on you and your organization which you may or may not have listed in the employment advertisement. Wait, what if this is a blind ad that does not want me to reapply and I do reapply and they recognize me, will I be blacklisted? Goodness! This is too much like work and I am not paid enough anything for this!

Me and Sarah Palin {I think I vomited a little just now}

Never thought I would compare myself to Sarah Palin. Oh, don’t go all ‘she’s great and misunderstood’ on me. I am a registered Republican and I do not like her. There, get over it. Where was I before I was so rudely interrupted? Oh yeah, today I am going to be a maverick! Yesiree-bob, I am going to break all the rules and live life on the edge ~>baby. Check out this cover letter. Talk about not beating around the bush [no pun intended - Palin, Bush, get it?].

Dear Possible Future Employer Person,

I found your advertisement for a job opening and may be interested in working for your organization. First, I would like to tell you a little about me. After spending the last 15 years of my life working in the bookkeeping/accounting profession, working towards my Associates then Bachelors in Accounting, and working in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors I have come to realize a few things. One, I do not enjoy accounting enough to voluntarily spend 8 or more hours a day performing accounting functions. Two, I would rather poke a sharp object in my eye many, many, many times before working in a not-for-profit setting again. And three, I need to feel there is a greater purpose than just earning money, for you and me.

Here is a quick view of some of my more endearing qualities:

• I value honesty and know how to be discrete.
• I speak my mind. I have been known to offend, sometimes on purpose, sometimes not.
• I truly believe all persons in an organization are equally important and treat them that way.
• I make mistakes. Yes, I know we are taught to put our best foot forward, but I am imperfect.
• I do not like to double and triple check my work; this does not mean I am sloppy in my performance.
• I rarely, if ever, take notes.
• I pay attention to my surroundings.

Next, I would like to know a little more about you. Do you say what you mean and mean what you say? Do you want people to think for themselves or do you want to do all of the thinking? Do you compliment as a means to disarm or are you genuine in your praise? Are you looking for a body to fill a position or a person to find a new career? Do you enjoy what you do or is it about the money? Oh, and do you offer a high deductible health care option and how long until I am eligible? Hey, a girl needs to know these things.

If you can honestly say you believe this will be a good match then let’s schedule an interview and see if this is the real thing or a looks-good-on-paper situation. Either way, I thank you for taking time out of your schedule today for me.

Sincerely,

Possibly Interested Applicant

Previous Applicants Need Not Apply is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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I love math!

It just hits me sometimes.  No, I do not want to be a CPA, or even a general accountant, do accountant functions, work in the accounting field.  Well, maybe the field of accounting, but it has to be something I can feel good about.  No more just running numbers for employers who are only concerned about their bottom line.

I will complete my B.A. in Accounting in January and I am at a crossroads on what I am going to do.  Last year this time I was working 80+ hours a week, going to school full time, and somehow spending [albeit very little] time with my family.  DH hated it.  Given where I worked, the kids did not mind too much.  I was practically running things and I loved the connections I was making with staff and members.  I knew then I no longer wanted to just sit in an office crunching numbers.  I knew then that I could do something more, something more involved.  I never thought of myself as a people person, then all of a sudden I was.  And just as quickly, I was not.

Okay, so I do NOT miss the 80+ hour work weeks.  I love being home, spending time with my family, raising chickens, blogging.  But eventually I will need to start earning an actual paycheck again.  I miss saving money.  This brings me back to my first thought – I love math.  So, what can I do that is fulfilling, involves math, and will help me pay off my student loans.  Yep, this time next year I will have to start paying all of those lovely little loans back.  Must use degree.

Maybe I should do what my mom says.  Ask the right questions, sleep on it, and the answer will come.  Not sure if it will be a dream, an idea, or something I need to be on the lookout to happen.  If anyone has any ideas, I am taking suggestions.  =)

Image courtesy of My Story: The Road to Ithaca College

Pv = Fv/(1 + i)^n is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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