Keep On Truckin'

This is just a quick post, primarily because I don't want to get out of the habit of posting every day. Haven't heard back from Cloud10 about rescheduling training. Choosing not to worry about it.

Boring details:

1. I finished up laundry for my backbreaking cleaning job tomorrow.
2. Ran to Pensacola with my dad to look at the possibility of getting a new computer. We did not because it's hard to get them new with Windows XP - a Cloud10 requirement. A requirement I'm starting to disagree with. (Chuckle - the visual of my dad and me actually running to P'cola - by the bay, on 98, over the bridge, etc -Silly).
3. Suffered most of the day with cramps (I'll leave it at that).
4. Ended up talking again to Computer Masters Tech guy extraordinaire, Steve. He gave me some good advice about wiping my computer again and a better way to reload Windows. He also ruled out the possible problem with the headset, which I had pretty much already ruled out with some other tests.
5. Spent eve in recliner with adorable wee min pin, Coco, snoozing at my feet on recliner while I loaded every possible necessity and driver onto thumb drive. So's I kin git to crackin' on the reloadin' of the Operatin' Seestom tomorrah eve. Oh, all occurred while Les Miserables played on the DVD and Cheryl commented often to my "uh huh". (You KNOW Les Miz viewing was inspired by the lovely Miss Susan Boyle. )

Yahoo Cap'n Phillips (Sp?) has made it home safely!

Funny pic of a sleepy Coco taken by me.

Choctawhatchee River

New Interest: boating and birding on the Choctawhatchee River and Holmes Creek - outside of New Hope, FL.

I'm fortunate to have outstanding parents. I didn't always think so, but now in my 40's I have enough real world knowledge to KNOW that I do.

My dad called this morning to inform the 4 of us kids that he bought each of us a lot close to one of the aforementioned rivers. It is a financial move, but all can be used for camping, boating, fishing, birding and the like. Mine has running water and a septic tank.

Picture is from photobucket of a Hooded Merganser. I've seen these during the spring of the year often in my parent's pond outside of Chipley, FL. They're diving ducks. I love water birds!

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart

Wow, I loved the Palm Sunday mass at the cathedral in Pensacola at the 5:30 pm service. I was kind of bummed that we didn't process in, though. The building is old and cool, with its Spanish flavor. Not one for the more modern influences at a mass, I enjoyed the electric guitar, drums, etc., and I wasn't even put off by the big screen at the front with the words to the hymns projected on it. In fact, I thought it would be a great place for protestant family and friends to attend with me because so much is on the big screen - readings, Nicene Creed, etc. When I first started going to Catholic churches, I remember being sort of flummoxed as to what was going on. Any time family or friends go with me they always ask something along the lines of "what if I don't know what to do?".

Anyway, I'm rambling. I'm such a night owl. It's 1:20am, and I still have some stuff to do to my computer to get ready for my "getting operational" with my new job tomorrow. I better get crackin'. I'm feeling better about my lentin(sp?) journey, I guess. It's not that it's been particularly bothering me, really. It's just that I wanted to include more prayer in my day and wanted to start volunteering at a local homeless shelter. Maybe I can get more of that set up this week. Well, to all a good night. Let's go out with a prayer. Hmmm. Here's the Anima Christi from the EWTN website:

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ's side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints
and with Thy angels
Forever and ever
Amen

Pic is another my Dad took in Alpine, WY

A Recap of the Week

Wow, a lot has happened this week. Wait, Coco the Min Pin is whining big time to get in my lap. I will post pics of this sweet girlie at a later date.

Let's see, back to what has happened. I'm so ADD. Last Sunday, I believe, I got an email from Cloud10 sayingto schedule a project interview. For this particular work at home (WAH) job I had already taken all of the preliminary steps to be hired and was just waiting for a suitable project. It took about a month before I heard back from them about a project.

I scheduled my interview for Monday. The interview was brief, and I was asked about my work history, and was told about the project. This company has a bit of a harsh, by-the-book tone saying things like once you say "yes" at this interview and if you decline later, you can never work for Cloud10, and you will not be considered for any other projects. It seems from all the forums out there on WAH jobs that many folks who do this type of work need super flexible work because of families and whatnot. Cloud10 is more like working at an actual company, with little time off, and an offering of more hours. It sounds to me like that is the upside. I will be able to work 32.5 hours per week, not hoping to get 10-15, of which I may only be paid for calls and may get few calls.

Speaking of which, my sister works for LiveOps and for 6 months or so, maybe for even a year, she really made very little money and had to devote quite a bit of time. Now she is averaging $18/hr and has plenty of hours. It has been great for her because she has fibromyalgia. The hours are fairly flexible, so if she is not feeling particularly well one day she can work in spurts.

But, I digress. My sister (Joy), her new husband (Mike), and their sons, Matt (Joy's) and David (Mike's) got here on Sunday also. No, wait, Mike rolled in on Monday. Anyway, it was really stellar fun. I posted on that earlier. Basically, the boys both 17, skateboarded in a couple of different spots, and hung out at the beach. Mike and Joy spent some time at the beach. One day we all went to Pensacola. Unfortunately, there has been tons of rain, and the day we went to Pensacola, there was some flooding in the streets, Tornado watch, etc. -- typical Florida Springtime. Mike and Joy were able to check out some spots they would like to live in a couple of years, after the boys are done with school. They currently live outside of Jackson Hole, WY in Alpine, WY. I think definite highlights of the trip were being around the boys, going to Juana's and buying Mahi Mahi and Shrimp at Joe Pattie's in Pensacola. I love hitting that place, walking around outside, checking out the specialty foods and getting some crazily fresh seafood. Joy and Mike fixed up some good vittals. You better believe Old Bay played a central role. Nice!

The posted pic is when Joy and Mike got married under the arches in Jackson, WY with the boys looking on, all in view of the webcam. We all got to look on from all corners of the globe. They were married in March, and I am very happy to welcome the Cranfords into the family. Thanks to my cousin-in-law, Mandy Johnson, for the pic. (Hope it was ok to lift, Mandy).

I took them to the airport in Fort Walton today (sob). This evening I got back and went to my orientation for Cloud10 via computer. It's been a busy and wet week! At some point I started this weblog. Thanks for viewing and God bless.

Let's end up the night with a prayer for those folks who don't have employment. Maybe a person's name can be inserted as sort of an intercessory prayer. Let the Lord guide. This is from catholic.org:

PRAYER FOR EMPLOYMENT

God, our Father, I turn to you seeking your divine help and guidance as I look for suitable employment. I need your wisdom to guide my footsteps along the right path, and to lead me to find the proper things to say and do in this quest. I wish to use the gifts and talents you have given me, but I need the opportunity to do so with gainful employment. Do not abandon me, dear Father, in this search, but rather grant me this favor I seek so that I may return to you with praise and thanksgiving for your gracious assistance. Grant this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.