... the work gods listened

So I was just re-reading my last post, & by the end I was smiling from ear to ear.   A few days after posting it, one of my husband's closest friends tells my husband about a position at his work that just became available that might be perfect for me.   It's in their marketing department as a marketing assistant.  After hearing about the job, it's just exactly what I have been wanting to do for years! It would involve working on their website, helping with blogs, and social media content. I love being on social media and have dreamt of a job with elements of that involved.  In fact it's kind of funny cause I used to throw it out there to my friends and family that I would handle their social media accounts for them ie: blogs, podcast, businesses, etc.   Anything that they were trying to draw in more traffic to I was all about doing it for them, I offered to do it for free! NO one ever took me up on it, but the idea of it was exciting to me! I loved the idea of helping them grow their followers, etc.   I enjoy connecting with people on my own social media, especially twitter! It's my favorite! Also, because Emily was born premature and we were involved in the March of Dimes for years, "Walk America" & after that "March for Babies" charitable walks, I would use my own social media pages to try and get more donations for our March of Dime's family team's fundraising page!  Over the years, we did a lot of fundraising for March of Dimes!  We often would be in the TOP 5 Family teams for our county. That's where it started, where I realized I enjoyed doing things involved with social media.   Anyway, I never really thought I'd find a job that would pay me, I assumed that one would have to have a degree in something like that to actually find a job.  I knew I would really enjoy a job like that, though! I guess you could say it was my secret dream job.  The thing is that I never even considered looking for something like that for a long time, even if I put aside my fear that I was un-hirable due to my lack of  "traditional" education! I didn't drive and I always was kind of stuck working within walking distance of our home, because I didn't want to be a burden but now that Brian is working remote 100%, it has freed me up to think about other positions.  In fact a job that has a set schedule is ideal, like 9 to 5 is better for us right now.   Brian can lock out the times he has to take or pick me up.  He encouraged me to look outside retail and do something I ABSOLUTELY wanted to do, and this opportunity came at the exact moment I was feeling ready to get back to work.  I needed a break after doing something I was unhappy at for a long time,  I needed to get my head on right, to take the mental & physical break I so needed.  I was blessed to have a supportive husband & the chance to recovery from the exhaustion I have been feeling for some time over working without happiness for so long.  Retail is a tough job, during Covid- it was made worse.  I was very scared & nervous to put myself out there on a job I wasn't sure they would feel I was qualified for, BUT I DID IT! I decided to send them a resume, and a honest heartfelt cover letter about why I knew I could do the job, I explained that most of my career has been in retail, but I was so ready for a new challenge and how I knew the skills one gains from being a manager in retail, could be very helpful to them too and then I wrote about my personal experiences with social media, the fact I've had a blog for 16 years with more than 500 post & have tweeted over 18,000 tweets, amassing nearly 2800 followers on twitter alone, & my love for all things social media! They called me the next day! I was so excited but so so nervous.  I'm not going to lie I doubted myself at times, I knew everything I said in my resume was the truth, and I knew if given the chance I could do the job, but I also was letting the fear win a bit, but... in the end it didn't win.  I went, I did well... & I walked out thinking well... I tried, and I was proud of that.  The decision was in their hands now, but I was proud of myself for putting myself out there, trying out for something that was completely new!  Grateful they interviewed me, took a chance and worse thing that could come out of it, was gaining experience.  Brian was a big help with that!  He really encouraged me! Emily did too! She was being positive and telling me, "I could do it!" and "Good Luck!".  I'm not the bravest person but in that moment I did the brave thing and put myself out there!  It made me feel good to show my daughter that its important to go for something you really want, Emily has shown me that all her life and I'm glad for once I got to show her it too.  I think of my brave freshman daughter who on her own decided to go out for the school musical.. or to live on her own at a college that is almost 2 hours away, as a person on the spectrum and an only child that isn't the easiest choice, and if she could do it, well...  I could do this! I hope she is a bit proud of her mom, like I am of her all the time! Anyway, the next day, I got the call that I GOT THE JOB! I felt really happy and allowed myself a day of happy before the nerves kicked in again... could I really do it? They didn't stay too long... "just keep swimming, right?!" I've been there a month exactly TODAY, and every day I'm learning lots of new things.  One of my greatest strengths is, wanting to do a good job! I think they see that in me. I AM SO HAPPY! Everyone is so nice, our office space is BIG & beautiful, the lobby area has a water fall & there is even a lake you can stroll around on your hour long lunch break. I even had off on PRESIDENT'S day, I joked that working retail, I've had to work Thanksgiving & Christmas before.... & I was paid to be off on President's day! WOW! That's huge! 😃😍  I haven't been even a minute late to work, I am enjoying it so much, I'm sure I probably ask too many questions... just eager to learn! They have said they love my positivity! It's easy to be positive when you honestly are enjoying the work you are doing! I am happy to go to work, & that's such a great feeling! I know I am blessed with a wonderful daughter, a great husband, a great new job where not only am I happy but I'm making a bit more money, believe me I'll try to help people a bit more too because of it. So while the world continues to make me sad at time, and especially with what is happening to the people of Ukraine and all the fears that brings to every one.... I will keep trying to focus on the positive & to do what I can to help this crazy world when & where I can. 

Happy New Year 2022

 SO decided to write a post this being the first day of 2022.  I woke up trying to be positive after a somewhat un-even New Year's Eve.  I was devastated to hear of Betty White's passing, anyone who follows me on twitter can attest that it's pretty much all I have tweeted about since learning of it, which took place for me in the grocery store mid shopping. I was surprised by my reaction... I literally started to cry. My husband, in a very sweet response, told me to go to the car & he and Emily would finish the shopping. Bless him for putting up with my sensitive self!  I had just posted earlier in the day about her 100th birthday via a retweet of hers from Dec 28th, about her People cover & her 100th birthday celebration.  SO as strange as it sounds to be shocked by a 99 year old dying. I was. I think many of us were.  I grew up in the 70's and 80's so Betty was a fixture on day time game shows.  I remember watching Betty, along with her husband the HOST Allen, on Password with my Grandma & mom growing up.  "The Password is... " (in Allen's whispered voice)  It was always the best episodes when Betty White was on.   I loved her!   Of course she was famous for "The Golden Girls" and "Mary Tyler Moore show" & so many others as well.  BUT, my favorite acting performance of hers was in the movie, "The Proposal" with Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock.  She was so damn feisty and scene stealing it that.  She has been in a way in my life, my entire life.  I was sure she was going to make it to see her 100th birthday.  Had she turned 100, I think it may not have affected me so much, but to lose her so suddenly without any known illness and after all the press about her 100th birthday, as foolish as it sounds I was shocked and so incredibly sad.  I didn't really know her but I felt like I had.  From the responses on twitter... it really seems like all the world did.  She was really good at being a great human.  RIP Betty White, and my sincere condolences to her family and her friends  You accomplished the greatest feat in a life in my opinion... being well loved.  Anyway... I just had to touch on that first, because well it did have a major impact on my NYE.  I had a really hard time shaking the sadness BUT... I was determined to have a nice night with the family.  It was just the 3 of us.  It was as perfect as it could be. We ate crap and played old board games and just enjoyed each others company.  It was so nice.  Emily is home from college.  Her winter break is over a month long, AND I've been enjoying every minute i have with her.  She doesn't go back til mid January.  I wish it was longer but have been told it is longer then some colleges give.  She did SOOOOOO well at college this semester- I really need to stop worrying as much, she constantly proves me wrong! Her grades came in about a week ago.  She got 3 A's, 1 A-, and a B+! To say we are proud is an understatement! I know there were a few hiccups for her, mostly being the fact she is an only child & never had to live with siblings or roommates, so it's been a big adjustment in that way.  Some left items in the bathroom & the likes... living with a roommate & a bunch of suitemates is very new.  She admitted that she got called out a few times for things like that, but she is learning. I think things were getting better in that regard by the end of the semester.  🤞  BUT as far as grades & getting around campus it certainly seems like she did AMAZING! She isn't much of a join-er (clubs and social events)and I'm hoping that aspect of college improves for her.  But while she is a sophomore, last year was 100% remote, so this was her first time  living in the dorms, and she amazed me with learning all she had to, and still doing so well academically. Like I said, I'm very proud of her and I know Brian is as well.  It's been so long, since I have written on here.   I have a lot to share.  First off, I don't have a job currently. I've been at retail too long & am really looking for a different thing to do.  It's been hard on me, and it's hard to admit but I'm a bit burnt out... especially during these Covid times. I know I'm good at it but I'm looking for something where I can use my skills, like customer service, etc but do something different.  Confession... ever since the 6th grade, nearly 40 years ago I've wanted to work in a library, after a much successful library aid volunteer experience I had, not to brag, but I won "Best Library Aid 1983-84" & $10 award. It might sound quite silly but it's true I've always wanted to work at one.   So maybe I can find a library job or at least work somewhere that respects me and I honestly enjoy doing.   Working at the last two retail jobs has been a bit waring on my body & my mind.  Busy, busy, busy and I just needed a physical and mental break.  We've talked it over, and I plan on making it a job to look for a job after Emily goes back to college soon.  Until then I am taking it a bit easy & getting a handle on some things at home that I've neglected from working and exhaustion.  I'm feeling much better because of the break, and beyond blessed to have such a loving and supportive husband.  Who basically said, "This isn't worth it" after a particularly rough night at work for me, and one massive panic attack, and encouraged me to give my notice.  I wasn't quite sure I should but he assured me it was what was best.   I love him for it, and so much more.  Speaking of Brian,  he got a new job at a start up.  He LOVES it so much, it is challenging & exciting.  I have never seen him happier!  He puts a lot of time in, even for him, a self proclaimed "workaholic"   but things are starting to slow down a bit, for a while he was working early in the morning til way late at night.  I'm sure at times it will still be like that especially during times of releases. However it has been a very big blessing in our lives, and of course as I previous mentioned Brian loves it! I'm very proud of him.  When I think of how difficult this year has been for so many, I know we have been incredibly blessed and this makes me grateful that we have been spared much of the hard aches so many are feeling.  ie: Brian is 100% remote so the high gas prices haven't been as hard on our household.  Please don't hate me for saying this, but I have no real complaints at the moment, (well aside of course from Covid. In that way we are all in the same boat)  Knock on wood.  Believe me, we've had enough years of hard times, and we were due.  lol.  It scares the crap out of me, since I'm always waiting for the next shoe to drop.  So far so good. We have been blessed to be able to get some things done to the house.  I've posted before about how much a weight it has been on my shoulders that we had just a long list of necessary repairs to get done on our older house. We continue to pay down some debts, and we got new gutters, & just two days ago got our heater (which had been barely hanging on... & completely died this year) replaced along with a new central air unit. We've been using window units for probably the last at least 10 years.  We still have much to do, and while no-one's life is easy we know we are very blessed at the current moment.  We are trying to stay positive and pay things forward in small ways as  we can.  There is a lot of ground to make up, but it's a start in the right directions.  Now if the job Gods will be good to me and help me find something I actually will love doing that would be great (Oh & since I'm asking here... can you please let it be part time-lol). I honestly hope that you all have a very Happy New Year and I wish you much love and blessings in 2022.  💓