Scheduling Conflicts

I started my part-time job about four weeks ago with the understanding that I would be working a total of 10-12 hours per week and 1-2 days per week with maybe a couple of Saturdays per month. Of course, this sounded perfect for what I wanted and after talking to my husband, we agreed that we could make it work.

Then, I found out I was pregnant right before I started working. I already had a start date and wasn't sure of what to do. I wasn't sure how I would feel being pregnant and wondered if I should tell my manager since we only have a total of four people working there. After talking about it, we decided that I should start the job and tell her after the first trimester at the end of this month.

I started working and everything was going well. Working two six hour shifts worked out well and I was learning a lot. I enjoyed the job and my manager was so happy with the job I was doing. In fact, she was so happy that she started adding more hours and days to my schedule. Now, normally, that would be great, but with the pregnancy, I get exhausted easily and super sore after I work. I thought it was just because she needed some coverage, but then we sat down to talk schedules.

She was changing the schedule daily and I kept getting more days and hours. I was originally scheduled for three days last week and one day this week, but the next day it was changed to five days this week...what?! Not only was I getting a ton of hours, but I was also scheduled for three weekends in a row. Once we sat down to talk about it, she asked how many I would be willing to do and I said two Saturdays.

She told me that wasn't going to work and she needed four weekend days per month. I let her know this is not what we agreed upon and she said she didn't remember that, but she probably did say it at the time. She asked me to talk to my husband about working at least three weekend days per month and being "on call" for the fourth and to get back to her on Monday.

Once again, we talked schedules yesterday. I let her know that we were not comfortable with me working more than 2 weekend days and more than 12 hours per week, but up to 18 would be the most. She told me that she had to find someone else and I told her I understood.

As of this point, I'm working as long as she has some hours for me, but it's honestly a little awkward. On top of that, it's 40 minutes away each way so the pay isn't worth driving there more then a couple of times per week and it adds to my exhaustion.

I'm looking forward to either working super part-time with very few hours for now or being able to stay at home and sew for my craft shows coming up this spring. I'm disappointed it didn't work out better, but there's always a reason and I've earned a little extra to help with some baby expenses so we're happy about that.

Hi Ho, Hi ho, It's Off to Work I Go!

Since we moved in with my in-laws to save for a house, my days have been a little different. You see, taking care of a bedroom versus an apartment is a lot less work. I cook two days a week per what my mother-in-law suggested and we're in charge in vacuuming our bedroom weekly and doing our own laundry. So, the chores are few and far between. It's awesome, really, but I get rather bored...don't tell my mother-in-law because I'm sure she could find plenty for me to do ;)

After really thinking about it, I decided that I might want to look into getting a part-time job. Something that would give me a few hours a week that wouldn't interfere with my business since I have shows coming up and wouldn't interfere with spending time with my husband. I wanted something that I would enjoy and would get me out of the house so I could be more productive.

A month ago, my mother-in-law needed a new sewing machine so I went to the local Viking Sewing Gallery that I like and talked to the manager about what machines they have and price points. Mom-in-law wanted me to do the research then she could make a decision since the last time she got a machine was when she got married 40 years ago! After talking to the manager (wearing sweats and no make-up, mind you) she asked me if I wanted a job.

Of course, I inquired about the hours/days and realized that it would definitely work for me! After talking it over with my husband and praying about it, I decided to put in the application and was hired on the spot at my interview!

I'm really liking my job so far. I work two days a week for a total of twelve hours. Right now it's week days, but I may work one Saturday a month once I'm fully trained. I am currently working on learning all of the sales techniques and all of the machines which makes me super excited. I get to learn to embroider and will be able to teach some classes once I'm trained so that will be awesome!

The only downside is being so tired, but I know that it's better for me to keep myself occupied than not and it really helps the day to go by.

First Day

It is definitely a big day...Phil started his new job today and I couldn't be prouder of him if I tried! Luckily, I was able to talk to him on my way to work to make sure he got there ok. He had about an hour and twenty minute commute and had to be there by 8am. He called me again on his lunch break to let me know how his day is going so far and he said it was going well! They had given him a tour of the supply closet (lol) and said they would have to give him a better one later in the day. He has a cubicle and will be making changes and additions to previous maps using cartography software.

I can't even begin to tell you how excited and relieved I am. He graduated in December of 2007 with a degree in Geography and certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). His very unique degree has made it difficult for him to find a good job, but God has finally blessed him with this amazing opportunity!

In other news, we saw the youth pastor of the church we used to go to at Panera Bread yesterday. We stopped going to the church because the guy ignored my attempts to volunteer as a youth leader and eventually ignored me--all while telling Phil that he had been emailing me the whole time...ummm, I never got anything past the one or two emails that told me about the Christmas party and that was it despite my at least three more I sent even saying we could talk on the phone if it were easier for him.

Anyway, we were there and he was sitting at the table right next to us and he actually acknowledged us! This made me feel so much better and seriously less angry about the whole situation so we are going to try to go back to that church this Sunday. We left only because of the way that he was making me feel and the ignoring despite seeing us every Sunday for months. Hopefully things will go well and we have a "home church" again.

Pretty much everything is going well over here! Can't wait for the graduation ceremony in December, it should be a very interesting trip to say the least. Happy Tuesday!

He Got It!!!

I am sitting here with so much excitment right now. A couple of hours ago Phil was given a firm offer for a new job! I am incredibly proud of him and his hard work and effort in pursuing a career and it has finally paid off!!! He starts the second week in October and has to travel down towards D.C., but it's a great job and we are really looking forward to this new change.

I may or may not be super excited that he gets to wear business casual clothes to include a button up shirt and slacks every work day!!! Is it just me or do guys look so amazingly cute in dress clothes? Also, ironing seriously makes me happy and kind of relaxes me.

Thank you Jesus for this amazing man and opportunity that you have given him!

Let the Good Times Roll

Looking back from where I have been to where I am now I have come to realize how incredibly lucky I am to be at this point now. Here are things I can not seem to get over...

• Eventhough my family is far away we still manage to keep in contact and maintain a good relationship despite the distance.
• I have only one more short year left until I have my bachelor's degree!
• My new job is going really well. Going there makes me feel appreciated, accomplished, and valuable.
• I have a place to call my own (despite not actually sleeping there yet, but that's coming soon...)
• My cat has a happy home with Snuggles and I get to see her whenever I want!
• And last but not least I have an amazing boyfriend who not only loves me, but his family has shown me so much love over the past seven months too. I don't know what I would have done without them.

I can honestly say that there isn't much to complain about right now considering all of the good things that are happening. It's so great to finally feel happy and optimistic again!