It's been 2 months.....

I have been job searching now for two months and I have not gotten any calls for an interview. I do however keep getting emails letting me know that I have not been selected for an interview or that the position was filled. Now I am starting to stress because my unemployment will basically only cover the mortgage and car payment. So now I am going to have to use my savings. I am hoping I get a job soon. I was so excited to have recently paid off my credit card, but now I am using it again to make sure I have money in the account to cover the bills. Life was not suppose to turn out like this......

It's the little things......

Well I am officially a statistic, one that I never wanted to be. Not only have I officially filed for unemployment, I no longer know what to tell people it is that I do. To me, unemployed sounds like I have become such a failure. When I take surveys, I no longer can say I am a full-time worker. It's a place I never expected to be. I went to school to support myself and it has been my main focus for the last 12 years. Without having a job, I feel like I have failed. Everyone is encouraging and telling me something better is out there and though I truly appreciate these words it doesn't make the phone ring to give me an interview.

Still looking, but no calls. Just getting the emails to let me know again, again that I wasn't even selected for an interview. I just want the chance to meet with an employer to know who I am and how I can benefit them as an employee.

***SIGH***

Well, I have been searching for a new job for the last month. I've filled out the numerous online applications, found dream jobs, applied for several jobs I am qualified for and yet no phone calls. I have though began receiving e-mails informing me that the jobs I have been applying for have been filled. It's disheartening because I didn't get an interview. With hundreds applying for the same jobs I am, how do I get the interview? How can I stand out in this technological world?

Day One

So today was work day one of my lay-off and I spent the day driving to Kansas with my friend to help her move. However, I just spent the last 30 minutes searching school district websites to find job postings and only found one. 17 districts looking at all positions I am qualified in and I only found one that I could apply for. It's discouraging but I am trying to remain positive. Tomorrow is another day, with a new job search! Hopefully more posting will be up tomorrow.

If the fall doesn't kill you......

Well, even though it's been six months since my last post, a lot has changed. Well, one thing has changed, I am now unemployed. I got my pink slip (which sadly isn't pink) about a month ago and since yesterday was the last day of the school year, today is the first day of no job! What am I going to do is the main question I have been asking myself all day. I no longer have the security of a paycheck and health insurance. However, I can start collecting unemployment July 1st. The job search is on and the only plan I have right now besides the job search is getting my house back in order since it is in shambles due to me never being home during track season.

So I was trying to take a break from making mini albums I am giving as gifts this Christmas. So I thought I make a rosary, but not really paying attention, I had too many beads looped together. So instead of simply removing a section I made a simple bracelet.

Easy Christmas Gifts

I don't know about everyone, but my grandma and parents are difficult to shop for. I mean, my dad's present usually consists of a 3 Musketeer Bar and a Diet Coke. Since my grandma and parents have pretty much everything they want, family means to most to them. This year, I decided to make them 6x6 mini albums of my nephew. My sister took a picture of him each month (he is 13 months old) so I just printed those pictures out then added a few pictures at the back of the album of my nephew with them. These 6x6 albums are a hit! So if you want to give a present that won't be returned or re-gifted, may I suggest a 6x6 album!

Simple Gift

Cross Country season has ended and it's banquet time. Wanting to give all the seniors a simple gift I made key chains for them. I got graduation cap and turtle charms. These are reflective of their senior year, plus the honorary mascot "squirt," the turtle the team found on the track one practice. Put them together and added name tags, made with two circle punches. They are cute and simple and I hope my runners like them.

It's Party Time

Well my nephew is turning 1 in a few weeks and of course I agreed to make his invitations!
The theme is going to be 'mod' monkey because he is a little, silly, adorable monkey to all of us!
To make the invitations I used my cricut. The cartridge I used was new arrival!
I stamped the envelope with a mini stampendous pants call 'Bananas for you'

The invitation is simple but cute. Perfect for a small 1st birthday party!

The Door Wall Is In!!!!

Many weeks later I got the call that the window and door-wall was ready to be installed. It took only 2 hours and it looks soooooo much better! I love the way it opens the kitchen and brings even more light! Oscar is still getting accustom to it. Here's the process!

Moving the electrical box! (I got to kick a whole in the wall)




Installers getting down to business


And the finished project......

The Reno Begins

So I have officially began the renovation of my kitchen. With the help of my dad, I will contract some of the work, and the rest will be done by me and dad. To kick things off, I am having a door wall installed and a window replaced. I am excited because the trim will be in a cherry finish on the inside and white on the outside. This will be done in the next 4 to 6 weeks. Then I will have to recoup some funds to move to the next project. But here is some pics of the current kitchen that is a nightmare to live with and many of you will understand my urgency to get started.

The Lastest Trend

Recently when shopping and going through magazines I have noticed necklaces being longer and layered with different style and textured beads. So this is my experiment with the latest trend.

Earrings for Sister

My sister e-mailed a picture of earrings, and I did my best to recreate them. However the bead connection to the hoop is not my favorite. The earrings she e-mailed me had a wire wrap around the attachment but I couldn't get it to look any good. Here's the finished project. What ya think?

Simple Cross Knot Bracelets

I LOVE bracelets and I believe a girl can never have enough. These bracelets are can be casual or elegant depending on the beads/stones used. The bracelets have easy clasps to put on with no assistance. Let me know if these are a good or bad?

Scraping for a good cause!

I love community service and doing things for those going through hard times. A friend of mine in Minnesota works for a children's' hospital and started a yearly card drive. We were asked to create cards that had simple generic messages for families, parents, or patients to show that people are supporting and praying for them around the world and country This is one event I always make cards for. This year I designed my cards (a set of six) for younger girls. I used Hero Arts Flower Medley wood stamp using aqua paint dabbers and coated in Rock Candy. Greeting Farm fairy Eva colored with Copic makers. I hope it put a smile on someones face, even if only for a minute!

Simple and Cute

When shopping for jewelry stuff, I never have an idea of what I want to make. I just buy what catches my eye, then when I get home I put things together to see what I can come up with. I found this pendant and really liked it, but didn't know how I would put a chandelier pendant with jewelry that someone would want to wear. However, a week later I found the chain and put the two together and got something that one could wear with many things. But I still wonder if I should have a plan or idea of what I want to create when going shopping. But so far my way is going alright!

Sat-a round-Day

I have an old chest of drawers hiding away in the closet of my spare room. Its beat up pretty bad and I want to do something to it, but what. Well, I started searching the Internet and came up with decoupaging. (To learn more check out this do it yourself website) I am thinking instead of using paper, I would find fabric or lament to adhere to the drawers, find modern hardware to fancy the chest of drawers the sand and refinish the skeleton. I'll have to start keeping an eye out for interesting patterns to use to decoupage my chest of drawers and quit hiding it away.

At it again

After about a five year hiatus, my friend got me hooked back into jewelery making. I'm hooked. Here are some samples of the things I made lately. The bracelet was specially made for a birthday present for a friends mother. Orange and gold beads were connected every other onto two parallel silver chains. The necklace is a simple ribbon knotted with stones. I saw this in a store and thought...I could do that.

SCHOOLS OUT!!!! ALMOST!

Well the end of the school year is approaching quickly! And as a teacher I am preparing my students and athletes who are graduating for life after high school. And have been beginning to make them graduation cards! So thanks The Greeting Farm, I have Graduate Ian to make today's creation. You can also look for Graduate Anya if you have a girl grad!

The Easel Card

If wanting to create a card with a twist, try making your design easel style. The one I created is smaller and can fit in a standard envelope.

I cut my piece of card stock to 4x12 strip. Then I scored it at 4", 6", 8". Fold the scored sections and adhere the 2" section together. Then design to your liking.
The stamp used was Edward from The Greeting Farm.