Work Related

Ever since discovering Facebook, I'm horrible about blogging. Most of my family is NOT on Facebook, so they're left out in the cold wondering if I'm dead or alive (well, not really... I'm just being dramatic.)

BJ's decided to hang up his self-employed hat and go back to working for 'da man. On the plus side, we won't have to go hunting for health insurance that isn't a million dollars a month. On the down side, he won't be able to go golfing in the middle of the week with the rest of the retirees. One of the companies he was contracting to wasn't doing as well as he had hoped. The other company he was contracted to was doing GREAT- so he decided to just go to work full time for them. He's known these guys for eons, so he's going to have a great time there.

My contract with "Big Fish" has again been extended. Now I'm contracted through the end of the year. They're starting to talk about next year as well, so I think this might end up being a permanent gig as long as I keep doing good work. The other big fish absolutely loved the first draft of the training I created for them and said that there will be more contracts coming my way (squee!) I'm turning in the edited version on Monday and hopefully HR and Legal will sign off on it so I can move on to the French version (yippee! I'm international!)

I'm still debating putting more effort into marketing myself. I'm really enjoying the schedule of having one 'permanent' contract and then one supplemental every once in a while. I've made a name for myself, so people are coming to me with repeat projects. It's ended up that I have had a constant project between the other three customers I work with, in addition to constant stream of projects from "Big Fish". One ends, and another seems to magically appear. I know I could grow my business as large as I want, and the only reason I'd do that is to provide a good paying job for the boys. I really wrestle with that. It just doesn't feel comfortable to me to do that right now. I think if I lived closer to the boys (which could happen if BJ's job goes in the direction he thinks it will), I'd do it in a heartbeat.

I think that catches us up on the job-front. Not much going on personally except that I'm FINALLY feeling better after an almost two week run of the flu. Unfortunately, having a fever for so long has caused a nasty case of fever blisters and there's NO way I'm going out in public like this. Seriously, I look like a leper and no amount of cabin fever is going to force me out in public. Poor Einstein will have to wait a few more days before he gets to go to the puppy park. Meh.

My main source of business (aka Big Fish) asked me if I'd be willing to extend their contract again (for the fourth time this year), and hinted around to next year. She was thrilled when I said that I work ALL of my other business around my business with her company to ensure I'll always have the ability to extend my contract with them. (hint hint)

I love it that they love what I do for them. It's a great fit both ways. In the beginning, there were some growing pains but now it's a nice easy flow. I especially love the fact that my hours are set to 20 hours a week and I work for them only on Wednesday, Thursday and half-day Friday. That gives me the rest of the time to work on other clients and build out more business. Oh- and to do fun things during the work week, if I so choose! (squee!)

I'm so thankful that the peeps from my last job were kind enough to recommend me to Big Fish. I'm also thankful that Big Fish really likes me and appreciates the work I do for them. Having a 3-month contract at a time as my main source of income could be very nerve-wracking and sometimes I do worry about "what happens if this ends?". I just need to remember that what I do for them matters and continue to do the best I can do and let the rest go.

Plus? I really like my official company uniform which includes Sock Monkey slippers, which I’ve modified to fit orthotics and an ankle/heel stabilizer.

Well, I made it. Yesterday was by far the most emotional part of training. Today was more going over what is required of us as volunteers, paperwork, and listening to other volunteers tell their experiences.

I have to go get two TB tests in a matter of two weeks and once again get a Antibody titer since my vaccination records are not in order. Remember the last time I did that? I had ZERO immunity to all of the things I'd been vaccinated for or even had as a child (mumps, chicken pox). I started the series of vaccinations, but didn't finish- so I have to go thru that again. Bleh. Hopefully the one set will be enough to make it so I don't have to get the rest of the series.

If I do, then I will. It's irresponsible to walk around unvaccinated, especially if I travel. It puts me and other people at risk to not be vaccinated. If I didn't know I had zero immunities to childhood disorders and the ability to make that right, unvaccinated people would be putting me at risk. Best to know, right?

Tuesday is my first assignment. Tomorrow I'm going to lay REALLY low. I'm zonked out from going from Vegas straight into a series of days of Hospice training.

I give my Hospice patient a call tomorrow night to make sure he's up for our adventure of storycatching. I'm the first volunteer they're rolling this out with, so it's up to me to make it a good example. They'll be sharing my work in a future inservice meeting.

We'll be asking for permission to share the stories, so if I'm able, I'll share them with you here. Let me tell you- this guy has had QUITE a life and his story is going to be fascinating.

In other news, it's going to be nice to be home tomorrow. I'm calling it the calm before the storm. I have loads of clients coming up and lots of work to do (gotta pay the tax man some way!), and I'm almost to the point of hiring my small little team of peeps. Eeeep! I've been fighting it too long. I've been told by the man who has the midus touch that I'm a fool for not growing my business. He's a very successful man and I respect his opinion a great deal- so I'm going to listen to his advice. I'm only going to grow enough to help out my boys. At least that's what I say now. I think the rest will come in the form of partners.

2010 is going to be the best year of my life. It's started out that way and I see nothing but wonderful things on the horizon. I can't wait to see all of it unfold. Put on your seatbelts, it's going to be quite a ride!

Can I just say how much I love being home? I got home from my business trip yesterday afternoon and seeing my furry-faced husband pulling up to the airport to pick me up was one of the best feelings ever. I just don't like being away from him for an extended period. The cool thing is that he feels the same way. I love being missed and I love having someone that I miss terribly when we're apart.

The other furry face in my life was beside himself with joy when I walked in the door. I decided to sit on the floor and let him kiss me and crawl all over me. If he could have managed to climb up to the top of my head, he would have. He tried a couple of times! I'm pretty sure I had no makeup on my face by the time he was done greeting me.

The joy I feel from coming home from a business trip ALMOST makes going on a business trip worth it.

So, lessee.... on to the this and that.

• The "Big Fish" company told me that they've extended my contract again, so now I'm contracted until the end of June. It wouldn't surprise me if they continued extending my contract, as long as there are funds in the budget based on the things they told me. They like me! They really really like me! (said in my best Sally Field voice.)
  
  My previous manager (and friend) as well as one of our previous colleagues is also contracted to the "Big Fish" company and were both there while I was there. That made the trip so much fun for me. It reminded me of how much I liked being around them and how I kind of miss having an office to go to simply for the social aspect. But I don't miss it enough to even THINK about working for an employer. I'll just be more diligent about getting together with my buddies.
  
  I was introduced to people who are planning to add me to their approved vendor list, for work outside of my contract with "Big Fish", so once again I'm faced with the idea of expanding my business. I'd only do it to give my sons an opportunity to work for me and make the kind of money that they deserve- but the idea of managing a business or people doesn't appeal to me in the least even though it's a guarantee of more money. Money has never been a motivator for me. I love it that I love what I do and that's good enough for me.
  
  Tra-la-la.... I'll think about that next month.


• Vegas is just two weeks and a day away. Woot! The boys and their sweethearts are coming; along with our friends Caryl and John and Scott and Sonja. I also have some friends and relatives that we need to visit while we're there. I've been having nightmares about the Donny and Marie show, of all things. Every night! It's dumb stuff like walking in late and being noticed. BJ bought front row, seats one and two for us- so if we were late, it would be noticed.
  
  I need to find some shoes that are cute AND will fit with the orthotics. My foot still isn't healed and walking around so much on it over the week reminded me of that fact. I can't imagine walking around in Las Vegas without some kind of support on my foot. I also need to find a couple of cute tops. Oh shoot- I'll have to go shopping.



• BJ is out furniture shopping today to replace the black leather 'bachelor' sectional couch. It's my understanding that almost every guy brings a black leather couch with them into a marriage and they are forced to part with it when two households combine. I was hoping that would happen sooner than this, but at least it's happening. It was black at one time, but now it's a weird color of green. I'm sure that most wives would worry about letting their spouse pick out and buy couches and love seats without their input, but I don't. He wanted to go today, and I had NO INTENTION of leaving my home this weekend. I have some puppy-cuddling and TV-watching to do.
  
  Speaking of which- I think I'm going to stop rambling and get on with the TV watching. I already have a cute little puppy snuggled up against my leg. ::Bliss!::

I'm heading out on a business trip tomorrow, and am actually looking forward to it for a change. I think it's because it's not too long of a trip. I leave tomorrow afternoon and I'll be back at about noon on Friday. I have plans with friends each night (assuming I don't get another sinus infection..) and I get to wear jeans to work.

I've told the other two clients that I'm unavailable next week. It'll be nice to not have to keep my brain on 24/7.

My cousin is declining rapidly which, based on what I've learned, is not a surprise. I'm doing what I can to be a comfort to her mother (my aunt) by checking in with her often and sharing what I know. Obviously nothing can take the pain of losing someone away from another person. All we can do is listen and invite them to share their pain with you. You never have to worry about saying the right thing, if all you're doing is listening.

I've now experienced family situations in which Hospice was allowed in too late and Hospice was allowed in right away. My Aunt tells me that Hospice has been a great comfort to them. My hope is that the three (ha ha ha) people who read my blog will take away what I'm sharing about Hospice and keep it in the back of their mind if they're ever presented with a situation in which Hospice is recommended.