A coincidence or a small miracle........

Well, I went for a second interview with a retirement community that is only two years old. They own several in our city, but this one is new. The Administrator is young enough to be one own son, ( those are his words, when he found out how old my daughter was). Funny thing, I interviewed with him two years ago, almost to the day. He was willing to hire me then but the company wouldn't be ready for opening for 10 weeks and I couldn't wait that long. Having this same job available at the same time I am once again looking, I think it is a sign from God.

The first interview went well. Having interviewed with him before, there were no butterflies or anything like that. I was relaxed and it made the interview go quickly and smoothly. As it happens, the ad had just been running one day when I sent my resume in. After the interview he said he had several interviews scheduled and would get back to me 4 days later. Early on the 4th day he called and scheduled me in the very next working day.

With being called in for the second interview, I knew the job was mine if I wanted it. We toured the facility, again. Not knowing I was being tested as we moved through the four units. He ask me to observe and provide feedback when we got back to the office. As we toured, he excused himself several times various reasons, staying gone as much a five minutes each. While he was away, I joined in the activity on two separate occasions.

When we returned to his office he said I pasted his test. I told him I didn't know I was being tested. He ask if I knew what the test was. Of course I knew but I didn't tell him I knew. The test he was referring to was becoming involved with the resident and not staying on the side line while waiting for him to return to the room he left me in.

When he offered me the job, I didn't take it right away. I told him I had another second interview scheduled the following day (which wasn't the complete truth, I had a first interview scheduled). After finding out the interview was scheduled at 2:00, he ask me to call him at 3:30, after the interview.

I ended up not going on the interview and just waited until 3:30 to return his call. I accepted the job. I go for orientation in seven hours. ( I better get my bones in bed). I start on July 7th.

Soooo, I guess I can say, I am not unemployed anymore. I have a week and a half to get my ducks in a row then it's back to work. I can't wait!

Quote for the day: A coincidence is a small miracle where God prefers to remain anonymous.

Rescue me.....or not!

Someone better rescue me soon. I have been working myself to death around here. I was up at 6:30 this morning. I did my regular stuff but I didn't stop there. I cleaned the pantry, sorted out a closet in my bedroom that had way too much junk in it, compiled a nice big of clothes for the goodwill and did several loads of laundry and mopped and waxed the kitchen floor.



Yesterday I installed a new sink in the bathroom. Well, truth be told, Tim down the block and I installed it. I found that the pipe was leaking and the sink was long overdue in replacing. One thing I did realize in putting the sink in, there is a job for everyone and plumbing isn't it for me, no matter how much I need a job.



Tomorrow if the weather holds and it's not too hot, I have a lot of bushes and grass outside that need some grooming. I used to frown on the old couple that lived next door. They were retired and kept the yard so beautiful and well groomed. Heck, he sometimes mowed the yard twice a week. I sure wish they were back over there. The new young couple that have lived there for the past three years make the little work I do in my yard look good, and trust me, I could do so much more.



I continue to be unemployed and the interviewing process continues, and life is good. I got a call today. I thought it was a call to come again for a second interview. What it was, was a call for a job reference for my friend, who is also looking for a job. We talked several minutes, the lady shooting multiple questions what kind of person she was and the work habits of my friend. Who would ever give someone a bad reference when you know it may change the outcome of weather or not that person got or didn't get the job? They would have to be really bad.



When I thought the conversation / reference call was about finish, this lady then told me she had been told I was out of a job too and that she had several more openings and to submit a resume if I was interested. It would be working with children rather than seniors and it's not really what I was looking for but sounds interesting and worth at least an interview.



I got two more calls about employment. One to schedule a first interview, one to come back for a second interview. The one that is a second interview if working only with health care residents. Assisted living and Independent residents are my favorite but the need is greater for good activity people working with the more frail resident. I almost got a job with this company a couple years ago but couldn't wait 10 weeks to start. Him calling me back, he must see something in me that he likes. I have the weekend to think about it. I have several offers in the wings but he is the first to call for a second interview. I just want to make sure not to jump to quickly just because I need a job.

Quote for the day: You can accomplish more in one hour with God than one lifetime without him.

What's important and what's not.......

Interesting how important paper work is when your up to your eyeball in it. I just spent several hours sorting through papers that used to be a big part the job I had. I used to bring home several hours of paper work each night, and. now it lays in a heap on the floor, ready for the garbage.

When I quit my job 4 weeks ago, I brought home my work bag and the few items from my office. Before today I haven’t touched that bag. Funny thing is, that paperwork was of such an urgency to be completed, then you let the job go and are immediately freed from it. Does that mean the job was of no value? No I don’t think so. I believe the company thought it was asking for what they thought was of the best service for their residents. The only problems with that is that the management teams are often so far removed from the true aspects of the job that they don’t really know what is needed. We often get so wrapped up in paper work, we don’t get enough quality time with the residents.

I thought I would feel lost and worthless when I left my job, and maybe that was true for the first couple days, not any more. I thought about the residents and miss them at times but that is only because I cared.

In the first week, after posting about 10-1 2 resumes, I went on vacation to see my friend Pam in South Carolina. If anyone could build me up, she could. I spent five days with her and her husband. Both knowing my situation and knowing I would talk about it if I wanted to neither mentioned it, not once. She has a true way of making you feel the worth and value of just being yourself. She kept me busy enough to stay engaged and gave me enough space and alone time to work out what my next plan of action would be.

The hardest part of being out of work isn’t what you think it should be, the money, it’s the waiting until things start happening. I haven’t been as anxious as I thought I would be. Then again, it has only been four weeks. I have had some positive leads.

And so I began the interviewing process this week. I had three. Each followed by lunch out with an old friend, (one of which I had not seen in five years).

Now I know your supposed to be nervous when you interview, but I wasn’t. I could tell by the first interview that this was going to be one of many. The job sounded great. It wasn’t enough hours, (can you imagine I’m saying that), and it wasn’t enough money, Tt was also a lot farther from home that I want to travel every day. The AD read full time but by the time I got there they had hired someone from within and it was down to part time. Having lunch with a friend afterwords, it was nice to have someone to talk to about it.

The second one was better. She turned out to be an old coworker. I wasn’t sure I wanted to go there, but it turned out really good. The third one sounded interesting, but not what I wanted at all.

I attended a business meeting on Thursday for activity professionals and got several new leads to move on next week. As long as the leads keep coming I will remain positive and upbeat.

I used to not like change. I think the older I get the more I think like it. Or maybe it’s just that I needed a change so bad, I welcome it. The thought of getting back into working hands on, enriching the quality of lives for residents with activities sounds very satisfying to me.

I believe God has a plan. I pray daily that he will guide me in my search and help me find that job that will both enrich me in my delivery of service, while enhancing the quality of lives of the seniors I serve.

I was looking forward to going to my grandson’s T-ball game today but with the rainy weather it was cancelled. Instead I spent a quite day at home cleaning house and moving furniture around. We (my grandson and I) spent the evening together, as Saturday is date night for his parents. We played cars and watched the Cincinnati Reds Baseball game, then went out in the yard and played base ball. He is soooooo cute. He can hit that ball better at 5 than I could ever hit it.. Wonder why they have to grow up so fast?

Quote for the day is from a new book I found – “Sunsets with God”
Remember the things He has promised and that regardless of your performance today, as you give your whole heart to Him, He makes up the difference.

One Word

Your can cnly use one word in you answers. Thanks Stephanie.

1.Where is your mobile phone? Handy
2.Your significant other? no
3.Your hair? short
4.Your mother? uninvolved
5.Your father? Heaven
6.Your favorite thing? Family
7.Your dream last night? different
8.Your favorite drink? Pepsi
9.Your dream/goal? contentment
10.The room you’re in? Den
11.Your ex? nope
12.Your fear? Pennyless
13.Where do you want to be in 6 years? Florida?
14.Where were you last night? Target
15.What you’re not? emlpoyed
16.Muffins? Blueberry
17.One of your wish list items? computer
18.Where you grew up? Cincinnati
19.The last thing you did? dishes
20.What are you wearing? glasses
21.Your TV? big
22.Your pets? devoted
23.Your computer? old
24.Your life? calm
25.Your mood? content
26.Missing someone? John
27.Your car? Matrex
28.Something you’re not wearing? earrings
29.Favorite Store? Michael's
30.Your summer? exciting
31.Like someone? Lots
32.Your favorite color? Orange
33.When is the last time you laughed? yesterday
34.Last time you cried? last night

Work and God's plan

I believe God has a plan for all of us. I think He stirs us up sometime to allow us to focus on what’s important in life. I think working hard at a job is important however, a job that continues to suck the life out of you, pushing you to spend more and more time away from family and the things you love doing is not the right job.

I quit my job three weeks ago and. I spent the first week catching up on some long lost sleep, and feeling sorry for my self, wondering if I had done the right thing in leaving when I didn’t have another job to cover the missing income that would surely be missed.

As I sit and wonder what the next move would be in my search for a new job, I can’t help but to let my mind drift in all sorts of directions. Knowing that retirement is not an option at this point in my life and with the internet at my finger tip, the search is a lot easier than it once was. Is this the time to make a change in the direction I want to take?

No, I want to go back to being an activities director but there is a problem…..

As an Activity Director for seniors, the job field is not a big one, and what is out there fills fast. I tell myself I’m not worried because God has a plan for me. On days when I go into the computer and see several listings for my job qualification, I feel encouraged in God’s plan and am willing to wait for the direction He wants me to take. Then several days go by without a call or response and I pray that God won’t have me wait too long and become too discouraged in my search.

In that prayer for patience, I am moved to get up and make that follow-up phone call, attack that closet that has been begging for attention or take that long overdue walk in the beautiful sunshine. And if I am still discouraged, I call a friend to reconnect, go to lunch. It’s been too long and I have a lot of catching up to do. Thanks, Pauline, Linda, Carolyn. I even took a long weekend with my dear friend Pam in South Carolina. Thanks Pam.

Life is too short to be in a job that continued to take advantage of my willingness to work as many hours as it takes to get the job done. I tell myself if I don’t do it, who will? Who will be there for these wonderful seniors, who have worked so hard all their lives and deserve the loving care and quality service I can provide. We can all be replaced.

When I would come home after a long tiring day, the sun long past setting, I would wonder why I have let yet another day get away from me, without much to show for it, I would feel guilty that I have again not done what I could for my own home and family. Not fulfilling my family obligations, especially to the grandchildren, who seem to be growing up right in front of my nose. And my house. Oh my house. It calls out to that motivated, energetic person who moved in ten and a half years ago, egger to spend quality time and energy making it beautiful, inside and out, (I’ll be back!)

Keep me in your prayers. I’m not discouraged about not having a job, yet. It’s only been three weeks and I still have much to do around here. Besides, I believe the scripture that

….If God takes us to it, He will see us through it.