I know it's December 28th, but today is Christmas Eve at my house. We postponed Christmas until Dear Daughter, the Younger and her husband arrive to be with us for the holidays. Their flight arrives at Ten O'Something tonight.
Last night, Hubby and I made a mad dash to Athens--90 mile round trip--to get a much sought after Play Station game that SIL has been wanting. DD asked us pretty please if we would go pick it up as the game store was holding it for her.
While we were driving, my cell rang. It was AM, the sales rep for "New Lab". Her meeting went well with Dr. D. He's very anxious to get a Patient Service Center up and running in the empty suite next to where I was working. All that remains is to get the paperwork done--both theirs and mine. So, today I have to call the guy who would be my immediate supervisor and arrange for an interview, my drug test, etc...
One nice thing that Dr. K from "Old Lab" did, was send me a glowing letter of reference. He called me an exemplary employee and said that I would be missed. Said I was completely professional and dedicated in all my endeavors, etc... I about fell off my chair when I read it, as he'd NEVER praised me like that before. In fact, in order to get a raise, I had to threaten to quit!
So, enough blather about labs....
I've had a lot of thinking time on my hands and Eric, the hero of my next novel, has been a little more vocal of late. (You really can't miss that County Donegal brogue)
He told me he plays the pennywhistle. Don't ask me why this is important because he's not saying. Oh, and his last name is Shanahan. His parents ran a pub and he went to college on a rugby scholarship.
For a very short time he was an alterboy in his parish church, but that came to an abrupt end when he set fire to the priest's robe with a votive candle. (Thank God it was made of wool and was slow to burn or the parishoners might have seen Father Flambe at the alter at Matins that winter day!)
Sla'n a fha'ga'il ag duine (goodbye)
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Friday, December 23, 2005
At Loose Ends
Spent the morning packing up my stuff and waiting for an opportunity to speak to Dr. D about this other lab. His last appointment was supposed to be at 11:00, but he had a slew of walk-ins. I finally couldn't stand it another minute and walked over there about 12:30.
Apparently my ex-boss is telling him one thing and me another. Dr. K assured him we would only be inoperable for "a couple of months at most". So he was a little confused when I presented him with the option of going with this other lab. But he said he'd be happy to speak with the rep.
It's just a matter of space. He has none in his office. The lab space is already leased to Dr. K and unless he agrees to sublet it, that's out...so....???
All I know is if I don't get my final paycheck...he'll be hearing from an attorney. I've saved up a huge amount of timecards and he's never once paid me time and a half OT like the law requires. I and several other disgruntled employees can make his life very uncomfortable for him if need be.
Update: Spoke with the Sales Rep for the other lab. She's calling Dr. D on Tuesday, then calling me to meet her for coffee after so she can give me the skinny. She did say that even if things don't work out with Dr. D there's a very good possibility that her company can find a position for me.
Tomorrow I'll be heading over to the lab to filch the lab logs for Sept. & Oct. so her boss can see what kind of volume I've been doing.
Apparently my ex-boss is telling him one thing and me another. Dr. K assured him we would only be inoperable for "a couple of months at most". So he was a little confused when I presented him with the option of going with this other lab. But he said he'd be happy to speak with the rep.
It's just a matter of space. He has none in his office. The lab space is already leased to Dr. K and unless he agrees to sublet it, that's out...so....???
All I know is if I don't get my final paycheck...he'll be hearing from an attorney. I've saved up a huge amount of timecards and he's never once paid me time and a half OT like the law requires. I and several other disgruntled employees can make his life very uncomfortable for him if need be.
Update: Spoke with the Sales Rep for the other lab. She's calling Dr. D on Tuesday, then calling me to meet her for coffee after so she can give me the skinny. She did say that even if things don't work out with Dr. D there's a very good possibility that her company can find a position for me.
Tomorrow I'll be heading over to the lab to filch the lab logs for Sept. & Oct. so her boss can see what kind of volume I've been doing.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Merry Effing Christmas
I'm out of a job.
My boss called me this afternoon and told me that due to some "legal problems" that have come up with Medicare/Medicaid billing he had to let me go. (Nothing that involved me) He said he was really sorry, tried to get an extension but the gov't said no way, he had to close down immediately. No severence, just paid through tomorrow. Probably won't even get the vacation time I'm owed.
So, tomorrow, I'm cleaning out my office.
On the bright side (and I always try to look for the bright side), a friend who also got laid off called and said that it really didn't matter to her because she had another job and was going to turn in her notice anyway.
A new lab is in town and they're full service (as opposed to my former employer). They came into the office where she was working, offered the doctors a better deal, they took it. The lab then turned around and offered my friend her same job with a huge raise!
She called the sales rep for this lab, told them my situation and she said she'd call me tomorrow and said if they get the contract for the doctor I've been working with, they'll hire me.
So, please keep toes crossed, think good thoughts, say a prayer, light a candle...do whatever you can to help me get through this, please!
On the knitting front, my little group has decided to return to the place where we were originally meeting. A little French style place that has scrummy, but too expensive food, and horrid lighting. The chairs are hard on middle-aged rear-ends and the surrounding conversations can sometimes get so loud it's hard to hear ourselves think let alone what we're saying to one another.
Well, I think I've rattled on enough. I'm throwing together chili dogs for supper tonight and I must get cracking.
Ta~~
My boss called me this afternoon and told me that due to some "legal problems" that have come up with Medicare/Medicaid billing he had to let me go. (Nothing that involved me) He said he was really sorry, tried to get an extension but the gov't said no way, he had to close down immediately. No severence, just paid through tomorrow. Probably won't even get the vacation time I'm owed.
So, tomorrow, I'm cleaning out my office.
On the bright side (and I always try to look for the bright side), a friend who also got laid off called and said that it really didn't matter to her because she had another job and was going to turn in her notice anyway.
A new lab is in town and they're full service (as opposed to my former employer). They came into the office where she was working, offered the doctors a better deal, they took it. The lab then turned around and offered my friend her same job with a huge raise!
She called the sales rep for this lab, told them my situation and she said she'd call me tomorrow and said if they get the contract for the doctor I've been working with, they'll hire me.
So, please keep toes crossed, think good thoughts, say a prayer, light a candle...do whatever you can to help me get through this, please!
On the knitting front, my little group has decided to return to the place where we were originally meeting. A little French style place that has scrummy, but too expensive food, and horrid lighting. The chairs are hard on middle-aged rear-ends and the surrounding conversations can sometimes get so loud it's hard to hear ourselves think let alone what we're saying to one another.
Well, I think I've rattled on enough. I'm throwing together chili dogs for supper tonight and I must get cracking.
Ta~~
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Congratulations--It's a Tree!
We finally have a Christmas tree! We'd put it off for so long because of the carpet that I was afraid we'd end up with one of those Charlie Brown trees that drop needles every time you look at it, but we got a nice, fresh cut tree...paid a little more than I wanted, but hey, you can't have everything. (I keep telling myself that, but I don't really believe it.)
Yesterday was one of those days that make me wish I had a rewind button on my life. Apparently I forgot to make sure the bottom part of the gate confining "the girls" into the kitchen was latched. When Himself got home there were about a dozen pulls in the carpet. He just HAD to call me and blast me about it, even though it was a mistake...not something I'd done intentionally...it was half MY money that bought that carpet, after all.
Right after that, this doddering old couple (she's 89 and he's 90) come wobbling into the lab. They're regulars, so you'd think they'd know the drill, but I have to ASK them for their insurance even though I have a sign right there in front of them telling them I need to see it at every visit. (apparently 38 point Arial Bold font is too small for their aged eyes).
The old lady gets in the back and I have to ask her to take her coat off, ask her to roll up her sleeve. (Not the left sleeve, the RIGHT sleeve. You've been here before, remember???) Then I can't find a vein. I ask if she's had any water to drink. "No, but I've had several cups of coffee."
~~sigh~~ I move to her hand and while I'm lecturing her yet again on why she needs to drink water on the days she has doctor appointments, the vein is repeatedly collapsing on me. Only by sheer determination that I'm only going to stick this woman once was I able to collect enough for the lab.
Then she has the nerve to get pissy with me for being aggravated!!!
Today her husband comes in--alone. Not sure what she did or did not tell him, but he was nice as can be and for the first time ever -- he was adequately hydrated! Knock me over with a feather! On top of that, he was cordial (something he's never been before). The fact that he tried to give me his VISA card in place of his Medicare card, and that he drove himself--well, let's just say, he's lucky I'm honest and I'm glad I wasn't on the road at the same time he was!
Joke of the Day: What do you get when you cross Johnny Mathis with a Beagle?
Ans: The dog that lives next door. (Earplugs definitely recommended. Acoholic nightcap optional)
Nighty Nite
Yesterday was one of those days that make me wish I had a rewind button on my life. Apparently I forgot to make sure the bottom part of the gate confining "the girls" into the kitchen was latched. When Himself got home there were about a dozen pulls in the carpet. He just HAD to call me and blast me about it, even though it was a mistake...not something I'd done intentionally...it was half MY money that bought that carpet, after all.
Right after that, this doddering old couple (she's 89 and he's 90) come wobbling into the lab. They're regulars, so you'd think they'd know the drill, but I have to ASK them for their insurance even though I have a sign right there in front of them telling them I need to see it at every visit. (apparently 38 point Arial Bold font is too small for their aged eyes).
The old lady gets in the back and I have to ask her to take her coat off, ask her to roll up her sleeve. (Not the left sleeve, the RIGHT sleeve. You've been here before, remember???) Then I can't find a vein. I ask if she's had any water to drink. "No, but I've had several cups of coffee."
~~sigh~~ I move to her hand and while I'm lecturing her yet again on why she needs to drink water on the days she has doctor appointments, the vein is repeatedly collapsing on me. Only by sheer determination that I'm only going to stick this woman once was I able to collect enough for the lab.
Then she has the nerve to get pissy with me for being aggravated!!!
Today her husband comes in--alone. Not sure what she did or did not tell him, but he was nice as can be and for the first time ever -- he was adequately hydrated! Knock me over with a feather! On top of that, he was cordial (something he's never been before). The fact that he tried to give me his VISA card in place of his Medicare card, and that he drove himself--well, let's just say, he's lucky I'm honest and I'm glad I wasn't on the road at the same time he was!
Joke of the Day: What do you get when you cross Johnny Mathis with a Beagle?
Ans: The dog that lives next door. (Earplugs definitely recommended. Acoholic nightcap optional)
Nighty Nite
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Guild Sunday
I wound up taking a box of Walker's Shortbread to the guild party, but I could have saved myself the effort. We were very heavy (pardon the pun) on desserts and not enough "real" food this year. Just the opposite of last year.
I sold about $100 worth of my alpaca. Whoo-hoo!! I'll take it to Distaff Day on January 8th and maybe I'll sell the rest.
Distaff Day, from what I've been told, originally was the day when the women of the household resumed the chore of spinning after the Christmas/Yule holidays. But for us, it's just another excuse to get together, spin yarns (the fibery stuff as well as stories) and eat yummy foods.
We usually hold our annual stash clean out sale in November but due to a conflict, we decided to hold it at Distaff Day. It'll be quite an event. I've been working on bagging up stuff I want to delete from my stash. (Don't ask me why I had to have that Leiscester Longwool--because I don't know!!)
I sold about $100 worth of my alpaca. Whoo-hoo!! I'll take it to Distaff Day on January 8th and maybe I'll sell the rest.
Distaff Day, from what I've been told, originally was the day when the women of the household resumed the chore of spinning after the Christmas/Yule holidays. But for us, it's just another excuse to get together, spin yarns (the fibery stuff as well as stories) and eat yummy foods.
We usually hold our annual stash clean out sale in November but due to a conflict, we decided to hold it at Distaff Day. It'll be quite an event. I've been working on bagging up stuff I want to delete from my stash. (Don't ask me why I had to have that Leiscester Longwool--because I don't know!!)
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Insomnia
Let's just say I don't "do" coffee very well.
I had two cups of caramel toffee coffee this morning while I was chatting online and I'm still wide awake.
In less than 12 hours I have to be at my handspinners guild meeting and I'll be there sleep deprived. How fun.
I did get a few things accomplished today, though.
I bagged up 6 pounds of white suri alpaca to sell tomorrow. If I can sell the whole lot, it will be a nice chunk of change--which I can definitely use.
I also got a few bobbins of nice soft yarn spun up. It will be dyed black and made into fingerless mitts for DD the Younger.
Nothing going on the writing front except cogitating on the next novel. It'll be a spin-off of this last one. Couldn't help it, as the main character's best friend kept stealing the scenes. I had to promise her her own book so she'd shut up.
Ok, off to shove the dogs off the bed and see if I can get some shut-eye.
TTFN
I had two cups of caramel toffee coffee this morning while I was chatting online and I'm still wide awake.
In less than 12 hours I have to be at my handspinners guild meeting and I'll be there sleep deprived. How fun.
I did get a few things accomplished today, though.
I bagged up 6 pounds of white suri alpaca to sell tomorrow. If I can sell the whole lot, it will be a nice chunk of change--which I can definitely use.
I also got a few bobbins of nice soft yarn spun up. It will be dyed black and made into fingerless mitts for DD the Younger.
Nothing going on the writing front except cogitating on the next novel. It'll be a spin-off of this last one. Couldn't help it, as the main character's best friend kept stealing the scenes. I had to promise her her own book so she'd shut up.
Ok, off to shove the dogs off the bed and see if I can get some shut-eye.
TTFN
Introducing Myself
Hi!
Thought I'd post a brief bio for those of you who don't already know me.
I was born and raised in America's Finest City, San Diego. I'd have happily lived there 'til I went Tango-Uniform, but fate had other plans and I was dragged, kicking and screaming to Georgia 14 years ago. It's home now, but San Diego will always have a special place in my heart.
I still have to dip my tootsies in the Pacific at least once a year or I become unbearable to live with.
Hubby Alan, and I have two grown daughters. DD the Elder still calls our nest home and works as an admin assistant to a builder, but DD the Younger fled back to her California roots and married a young man from Los Angeles ( I call him Darling Geek SIL). She's in nursing school right now.
We have a house full of fur babies, too. Sunni, the "Alpha Bitch", a corgi-cross (crossed with what, I have no idea) rules the roost. Then there's Pester Ann, a timid little Rat Terrier, and Roxy (or Rox-in-the-Head) a mutt of unknown parentage with a penchant for eating shoes, garden hoses, rugs, pinecones and cell phone car chargers.
To keep the wolf from the door, I work days as a vampire (is that an oxymoron?). Meaning, I work drawing blood for a living. But my real passion is writing.
I just completed my fifth novel and hope that by February (the Good Lord willing and I can keep focused) it will be in the hands of both an agent and an editor at a major publishing house, both of whom have expressed interest in the project.
I've been an active member of Romance Writers of America since 1991 when I joined Orange County Romance Writers. Then in 1997, I joined Georgia Romance Writers.
When I'm not busy puncturing people's veins, or tapping away on my Alphasmart, I keep my fingers flying by spinning my own knitting yarn, then turning that yarn into things like socks, scarves, hats and shawls.
How I got into this is a story into itself, but in a nutshell...
Several years ago, my sister decided I needed a hobby besides writing. So, she sent me 6 POUNDS of llama hair and a drop spindle. I went along with the game and got hooked. Soon, I bought a spinning wheel, and before I knew it, I had wool all over the freakin' place!
Hubby gave me an ultimatum..."Either do something with all this yarn or stop spinning"...so I learned to knit.
I found out there were others with my addiction near me. Only they didn't have a 12 step program to stop...they were enablers...BIG TIME.
see: www.peachtreehandspinnersguild.org
Now, every Spring, you'll find me at least one or two weekends during our annual Rennaisance Festival dressed up in 16th Century garb sitting at our booth spinning away while paying guests gawk and take pictures.
Okay, I've rambled on enough for this first post.
Gotta get my shower and at least pretend to have some interest in household chores....
Til next time!
Thought I'd post a brief bio for those of you who don't already know me.
I was born and raised in America's Finest City, San Diego. I'd have happily lived there 'til I went Tango-Uniform, but fate had other plans and I was dragged, kicking and screaming to Georgia 14 years ago. It's home now, but San Diego will always have a special place in my heart.
I still have to dip my tootsies in the Pacific at least once a year or I become unbearable to live with.
Hubby Alan, and I have two grown daughters. DD the Elder still calls our nest home and works as an admin assistant to a builder, but DD the Younger fled back to her California roots and married a young man from Los Angeles ( I call him Darling Geek SIL). She's in nursing school right now.
We have a house full of fur babies, too. Sunni, the "Alpha Bitch", a corgi-cross (crossed with what, I have no idea) rules the roost. Then there's Pester Ann, a timid little Rat Terrier, and Roxy (or Rox-in-the-Head) a mutt of unknown parentage with a penchant for eating shoes, garden hoses, rugs, pinecones and cell phone car chargers.
To keep the wolf from the door, I work days as a vampire (is that an oxymoron?). Meaning, I work drawing blood for a living. But my real passion is writing.
I just completed my fifth novel and hope that by February (the Good Lord willing and I can keep focused) it will be in the hands of both an agent and an editor at a major publishing house, both of whom have expressed interest in the project.
I've been an active member of Romance Writers of America since 1991 when I joined Orange County Romance Writers. Then in 1997, I joined Georgia Romance Writers.
When I'm not busy puncturing people's veins, or tapping away on my Alphasmart, I keep my fingers flying by spinning my own knitting yarn, then turning that yarn into things like socks, scarves, hats and shawls.
How I got into this is a story into itself, but in a nutshell...
Several years ago, my sister decided I needed a hobby besides writing. So, she sent me 6 POUNDS of llama hair and a drop spindle. I went along with the game and got hooked. Soon, I bought a spinning wheel, and before I knew it, I had wool all over the freakin' place!
Hubby gave me an ultimatum..."Either do something with all this yarn or stop spinning"...so I learned to knit.
I found out there were others with my addiction near me. Only they didn't have a 12 step program to stop...they were enablers...BIG TIME.
see: www.peachtreehandspinnersguild.org
Now, every Spring, you'll find me at least one or two weekends during our annual Rennaisance Festival dressed up in 16th Century garb sitting at our booth spinning away while paying guests gawk and take pictures.
Okay, I've rambled on enough for this first post.
Gotta get my shower and at least pretend to have some interest in household chores....
Til next time!
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