Hard Day's Work = Good Night's Sleep

Well, I'm employed....sort of!

Tuesday, I decided to apply to Labor Ready. Wednesday, I had an interview.  Thursday, I started working!

Labor Ready is a temp agency for day labor.  Basically, You show up in the morning and see if they have a job for you, based on your skills.  Labor Ready mainly deals with construction job contracts, so they want people with construction-type skills.  They do the best they can to match you up with jobs that can use your skill set.  They only pay minimum wage, but it's a paycheck if you're desperate for work and don't mind working hard to earn it.

That being said, I have no skills in construction.  I watched my dad repair/replace things around the house.  He's done roofing, drywall, etc, but I have not.  I have been applying to lots of jobs since before I've moved to Florida and no one wants to hire me.  One of the reasons is for fear that I will decide to move back to Maryland (which apparently is something that happens often down here).  Right now, is considered the slow season, so places aren't as busy with customers or clients.  Places aren't hiring too much right now.  On top of that, they don't pay as well as what I'm used to seeing in Maryland.

Why would I sign up for day labor?  Well, I applied on Tuesday and started working on Thursday.  I got paid at the end of the day.  That's money that I can immediately put into savings or my gas tank or toward a bill.  I've been trying for over two months to make an income...'nuff said?!  I don't see this as something that I would do or recommend full-time and long-term.  You don't know what kind of job you will end up doing and it will be seriously hard work.

My first day, I showed up to the office around 5:45am (they open at 5:30) and signed in.  There are a lot of people also standing/sitting around waiting for work.  One of the receptionists called me over and asked me if I had any skills or experience with construction.  I told her no.  All my skills are in office work. She asked if I had any experience in a warehouse.  I said in the office part of the warehouse.  She asked if I understood that they mainly deal with construction companies.  I said yes, I knew.  After almost two hours, I was feeling discouraged, thinking that there would be no work for me that day, but I was called to go to a warehouse with two other people.  Yes!  I was sent to work with a company that makes kitchenware.  My job was to help with building boxes and stuffing them.  They needed help at their other warehouse to sweep the concrete dust from newly drilled holes for their shelving.  I was sent that way.  I swept all day for two days straight!  The level of pain from sweeping was unimaginable!  I think I would be in better shape if I had gotten to stay with the boxes!

Needless to say, at the end of the day, it was good to receive pay.  I felt accomplished, useful, and that I was doing something to take care of my family. Except, I have not cooked for the last couple of days!  Hubby Boo and I have have been walking funny around the house together and massaging each others legs.  Oh boy!  He said to me last night, "I don't like you doing manual labor."  Love him so much! I don't like it either, but at the end of the day money was made and a bill was paid.

This weekend, I get to rest up (have a Mary Kay party to go to this afternoon) and see about what they'll find for me next week (if I can last that long!).  I want to stick this out until I start driving school buses (if they'll have me) and perhaps I will find something that I can do on the side from home (like Arbonne and/or making and selling my own crafts).

Come What May, or June, or July...

In the fantastical world of Mo, we experience a myriad of situations and emotions.  These situations range from low-stress to "please, get me out of here!"  Thankfully, I haven't reached the point of wanting to get away.  These last couple of months have been busy. I spent a good portion of May unpacking and getting the house set up.

During the end of May and beginning of June I experienced a series of "noes" as I searched for employment.  I was so certain that I would be able to find a job (even working in retail or fast food).  Well, Florida goes by a different book.  Office administration jobs in Maryland are more difficult to secure in Florida.  There are more people competing for these jobs and the wages are not at all comparable. What one would make in an office setting down here, one would make in fast food up there.  One retail job I came across that paid more than what I was making in Maryland was Hobby Lobby.  According to their website, their full-time hourly positions start around $15 (I believe that is nationwide).

I gave up looking for employment (for a little while) and drove up to Maryland with the kiddos for the wedding (which happened on my birthday) in the middle of June.  We had a lovely wedding.  Was a great display of love.  The church had every detail sorted out.  Everyone was so eager to contribute.  I had no expectations (other than get married, hear the Word, eat food). I also didn't realize exactly how many details needed attention for planning a wedding. I don't think I could ever thank everyone enough (let alone repay) for what they have done for me over the years and for our wedding celebration.  I'm so glad we had a ceremony.  It was well worth it.  I'll blog about that one another time, though...

Fast forward to now.  We are in the middle of July.  When Lu came down after the wedding, he already had a job waiting for him.  He got to start working a week and a half after the wedding.  Now, I just need a job! I applied to many more places.  I finally got some positive responses!  Tomorrow is an interview for a temp agency of day laborers, and on August 5 I have a meeting for a school bus driving position.  Yay!

I have to say, I've been pretty stressed out about our financial situation.  I know...I should know better than to stress over that kind of thing.  God has always provided and I have never been without physical and spiritual needs.  I still get nervous when bills are past due and there is not enough income.  But on the bright side, I have been able to enjoy being at home (one place I don't ever really want to leave).  For the most part, I've kept it clean.  I've also gotten a chance to finish up some anime and Korean dramas...Soon, I'll be able to fill up my gas tank and fridge in confidence (I hope)!