I've been busy - again! This time I'm decorating, with help from A of course. A new lounge carpet is being fitted next week and the current decor just wasn't suitable for the new colour scheme. So I've been sanding, washing, dusting, hoovering, painting, and swearing a little.
Swearing? Why? Well, you'd swear if you kept catching your flesh on carpet gripper-rods. The gripper-rods were exposed because I wanted to get as far down the skirting board with the gloss as possible. So now my hands have a few new scars. Fortunately the blood didn't get on the woodwork.
The walls? They're a rather nice shade of dry sand. The woodwork is glossy white, except for the doors - they'll be taken outside during the summer (we WILL get one, I have decided) and painted then.
And you can tell the difference! It's amazing how the sun fades white gloss, especially as we haven't painted it in the nearly 12 years we've lived here. (Sorry, MIL).
My next project is the kitchen. The cupboard doors are dark wood and, as the kitchen gets very little direct sunlight, they need lightening. A is unsure as to whether this would look nice or not. One day he'll come home and find out the hard way.
The job-hunting is still slow and labourious. I am applying for apprenticeships - there's no maximum age - even though the wages aren't great. At least I'll get paid to get current qualifications.
Tomorrow A & I are off to Nottingham to visit the family. The kids are staying here to show how they can be responsible and trustworthy. (I've already had to tell them NO SLEEPOVERS!).
Thursday 19 March 2009
Thursday 12 March 2009
The boy done good
Today D got the results from the AS modules in January - both Grade Bs (Chemistry and Geology). Then he told me that if he'd actually done any revision he might well have got As.
Sigh!!!!!
Sigh!!!!!
Am unloved!
At least in the working world. That's right, I didn't get the Trainee Accountant job. However I now have another half-dozen or so irons in the job-hunting fire.
Apparently these Modern Apprenticeships have no upper age limit so I'm applying for 3 of them. Why not! It's getting paid (seriously low money) to get bits of paper that say I'm competent at certain administrative procedures. These are instantly marketable and should stop me being ignored for people with more current experience.
Then there's a Science Technician required at a school in Southsea, 15 hours per week. Again the pays not fantastic but no experience necessary so what the heck. It's right next to Fratton station so I don't even have to drive in.
There's a Dispensary Assistant required in Wickham's doctors surgery, again no experience necessary but must be prepared to study for Dispensary qualifications. Must make sure I don't confuse eye drops with ear drops, as happened to poor D once.
Also there's an opening to work for my local MP as a full-time caseworker, sorting out constituents issues by liaising with the necessary government branches and hopefully finding a mutually satisfactory solution. All I'd need to do then is work out how to secure a £200K handshake when I make a complete horlicks of it. LOL!!!!!!
I am also considering taking up something I've always thought about but never had the nerve to try for - midwifery! I have experience on my side. Apparently the NHS pays your course fees, assuming you can bag one of the few well-sort-after positions. Southampton University has 25 places and 25 applicants per place. Probably no worse odds than I usually battle when job-hunting. I have to make enquiries as I am a mature student and the entry requirements are sometimes different to the straight from A-levels brigade. Plus I think it might be a bit late for this year.
This leads back to the beginning of this post in a way. If I have to take courses to get bits of paper to get a job, do I go for courses that bolster what I can already do or do I go for something new and very different (but no less interesting)? Because the way it's looking I am going to be very lucky to get a job as most require recent experience or relevant qualifications. Hence the reason I feel unloved and unwanted by the wider business world. To be fair to them it's a hirer's market at the moment and why should they take a punt on someone whose skills are rusty at best when there are so many people around who are up to speed.
Apparently these Modern Apprenticeships have no upper age limit so I'm applying for 3 of them. Why not! It's getting paid (seriously low money) to get bits of paper that say I'm competent at certain administrative procedures. These are instantly marketable and should stop me being ignored for people with more current experience.
Then there's a Science Technician required at a school in Southsea, 15 hours per week. Again the pays not fantastic but no experience necessary so what the heck. It's right next to Fratton station so I don't even have to drive in.
There's a Dispensary Assistant required in Wickham's doctors surgery, again no experience necessary but must be prepared to study for Dispensary qualifications. Must make sure I don't confuse eye drops with ear drops, as happened to poor D once.
Also there's an opening to work for my local MP as a full-time caseworker, sorting out constituents issues by liaising with the necessary government branches and hopefully finding a mutually satisfactory solution. All I'd need to do then is work out how to secure a £200K handshake when I make a complete horlicks of it. LOL!!!!!!
I am also considering taking up something I've always thought about but never had the nerve to try for - midwifery! I have experience on my side. Apparently the NHS pays your course fees, assuming you can bag one of the few well-sort-after positions. Southampton University has 25 places and 25 applicants per place. Probably no worse odds than I usually battle when job-hunting. I have to make enquiries as I am a mature student and the entry requirements are sometimes different to the straight from A-levels brigade. Plus I think it might be a bit late for this year.
This leads back to the beginning of this post in a way. If I have to take courses to get bits of paper to get a job, do I go for courses that bolster what I can already do or do I go for something new and very different (but no less interesting)? Because the way it's looking I am going to be very lucky to get a job as most require recent experience or relevant qualifications. Hence the reason I feel unloved and unwanted by the wider business world. To be fair to them it's a hirer's market at the moment and why should they take a punt on someone whose skills are rusty at best when there are so many people around who are up to speed.
Friday 6 March 2009
Bye bye, Merc. Hello Focus
After 3 years of faithful service, and right before it started to get expensive to keep going, the Merc has gone. Now I have my Ford Focus and it is much more comfortable to drive. I picked it up this afternoon and drove round the corner to Asda to fill it up. No problems there, a mere £41. Coming back through Asda's car park on the main through way and some dozy bitch decided to pull out of a side road right in front of me - she was busy seeing to her lipstick. I would like to report that the brakes, horn and seatbelt tensioners work just fine, and the silly woman doesn't have a bright blue streak on her minibus. She didn't even apologise or look sheepish, just peered at me and carried on her way. That would be close to a record wouldn't it; you pick it up, fill it up and write it off, all in 5 minutes!
The interview yesterday went well, or so I think. I had made it to a shortlist of 6 out of the many applicants. Now I have to wait to see if I'm in the last two. I really want this job - the money is fine, the perks are perky, and the prospects are eye-opening once I've got all the necessary qualifications (which they are paying for). Fingers crossed.
Oh and two of my wines are about ready for bottling. It's gonna be a great weekend ;-)
The interview yesterday went well, or so I think. I had made it to a shortlist of 6 out of the many applicants. Now I have to wait to see if I'm in the last two. I really want this job - the money is fine, the perks are perky, and the prospects are eye-opening once I've got all the necessary qualifications (which they are paying for). Fingers crossed.
Oh and two of my wines are about ready for bottling. It's gonna be a great weekend ;-)
Thursday 5 March 2009
It's snowing!
The weather forecasters were right again. It's not going to settle though, as it has rained for most of the night.
Wednesday 4 March 2009
A selfish post
This one's all about me and none of the others are going to get a mention.
Yesterday I started broadband UVB desensitisation for my P(M)LE. It was only a small patch test to find out what dose would give me a burn. I ended up going pink in two of them, and applying copious amounts of aqueous cream to soothe the stinging.
Today I had my first proper session. They started me off at 50% of the dose that caused the pinkness yesterday. This evening my whole back is slightly pink and quite warm, as is one elbow. A (the only mention, honest) has had a pleasurable few minutes slapping E45 all over.
Also yesterday I got a reply from a job I applied for last week, the Junior Accounting Clerk one in Eastleigh. I have an interview tomorrow at 2pm. Fingers crossed I do alright. They are proposing to send the lucky person to college in September to start their accountancy qualifications.
Oh, and I got a haircut today at the local college.
Yesterday I started broadband UVB desensitisation for my P(M)LE. It was only a small patch test to find out what dose would give me a burn. I ended up going pink in two of them, and applying copious amounts of aqueous cream to soothe the stinging.
Today I had my first proper session. They started me off at 50% of the dose that caused the pinkness yesterday. This evening my whole back is slightly pink and quite warm, as is one elbow. A (the only mention, honest) has had a pleasurable few minutes slapping E45 all over.
Also yesterday I got a reply from a job I applied for last week, the Junior Accounting Clerk one in Eastleigh. I have an interview tomorrow at 2pm. Fingers crossed I do alright. They are proposing to send the lucky person to college in September to start their accountancy qualifications.
Oh, and I got a haircut today at the local college.
Sunday 1 March 2009
New addition to the household
No, not a puppy. Hands up all those who thought that's what I meant.
Today A & I bought a new car. Now, by new I don't mean brand new 09 plate. It's new for us and relatively new compared to our current ones. Hopefully on Friday I will take the Merc and trade it in for a Ford Focus 05 plate in Aquarius blue with 38,000 on the clock. I took it for a spin today and it is very nice. It's been years since I have driven a manual car but this one feels good and I didn't 'kangaroo' it once - unlike when I drive A's and have a lot of clutch issues in low gears.
We went looking for either a Fiesta or a Fusion but the deal was right for this one so there we are. It is the same make as the one D has his lessons in but ours is a 1.4 LX. It is quite responsive to the accelerator, not taking much effort to hit 55mph.
Today A & I bought a new car. Now, by new I don't mean brand new 09 plate. It's new for us and relatively new compared to our current ones. Hopefully on Friday I will take the Merc and trade it in for a Ford Focus 05 plate in Aquarius blue with 38,000 on the clock. I took it for a spin today and it is very nice. It's been years since I have driven a manual car but this one feels good and I didn't 'kangaroo' it once - unlike when I drive A's and have a lot of clutch issues in low gears.
We went looking for either a Fiesta or a Fusion but the deal was right for this one so there we are. It is the same make as the one D has his lessons in but ours is a 1.4 LX. It is quite responsive to the accelerator, not taking much effort to hit 55mph.
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