It started in July. Zach moved in with me at Mom and Dad's due to unforeseen circumstances he could not control. So we decided that we could find a place to live together closer to work instead of driving 35-40 miles one way apiece. So we started looking around Baraboo.
First place we looked at, was way too small. One bedroom tiny, I don't even think our bed would have fit in the bedroom. Awesome location though, with the Baraboo River right out the back door. We passed on that one.
Next one we looked at over by the hospital. It was upstairs, decent size. I loved the built in shelves in the kitchen. We filled out the application, returned it, never heard back.
We looked at another place on the edge of town. We really liked this one. We filled out the application and I returned it.... but discovered I had dropped it in the wrong mailbox! I put it in the outgoing mail box instead of the rent drop box! Then we freaked out quickly, thinking someone would pick it up and we were the next victims of identity theft, but the landlord assured me it was probably shredded at the post office.
We looked at another place that he fell in love with, but I didn't really. I liked that it was not an apartment building; it was the upstairs of a house. 2 bedroom, huge kitchen, nice sun room and huge deck.... disadvantage was it was two blocks away from the circus and the circus music was soooo annoying! The bedrooms were tiny and there were alot of walls.... I didn't like how closed off it felt. Unfortunately, they were the ones who accepted us... with a co signer. My parents agreed to co sign for us for one year and the company agreed.... said if we could keep up on rent payments for one year then they would remove my parents as co signers. I don't really have a bad rental history, just not a steady one in between living with family and friends. So we made an appointment to sign the papers on Monday afternoon before Zach went to work. Friday afternoon, he got fired from his job. So we had a little bit of a setback. But knowing my active guy like I do, I knew he would not go without a job for long. In the entire time I have known him, he has not gone more then 3 weeks without work. He did find another job about a week and a half later. Because there was no way we could have afforded that place on just my part time job income.
The first week of August I got my dream job in security at the casino. Full time. Benefits. Awesome. So we made the next quest to find a place to live by the beginning of October.
We looked at another place over in the same area where I dropped the application in the wrong box. The guy there was kind of weird... it was set up the same as the other building. But he made us give him a $99 utility deposit with our rental application, and a non refundable $20 background check fee. We gave it and he said we would hear something back in 3-5 days. Didn't. I called the guy and left messages..... he contacted me about two weeks later. Said he had to decline us due to the amount of money I am indebted to collections. I asked if it mattered that it was all medical bills, and he said it did not matter. He was a major jerk. He also said he could not rent to us because I work at Ho-Chunk and he knows for a fact that they do not help their employees with past debts. I was like WTF?
So we were shot down again. Not even 20 minutes after I got off the phone with him, I checked my email. I had received an email from the landlord of the place where I had put the app in the wrong box, and she was asking if we were still looking for a place because she just had one come available. I said yes and called her right away. We made plans to look at it on Saturday. We came down and looked at it.... filled out the app right in the apartment and handed it to her to make sure she got it this time (LOL) and she said she would be in touch. Monday morning I checked my email and she asked me to call Alliant Energy and ask if I could get the utilities in my name or if they would have to go in Zach's or would we need a deposit, etc. I thought this sounded like a good sign.... so I called the electric company and they said we were ok. I emailed her this info and the landlord replied "we're good to go for Oct. 1st, maybe sooner." I was so excited! We got the keys the Saturday prior to the first and moved in on the first.
It's a pretty decent size apartment. Nice deck, upstairs, it's warm, small kitchen, dining room, nice size bedrooms, tons of closet space with shelves... have a pantry AND a linen closet, I can have my kitty, and our first electric bill was only $37! It is soooo nice to have a 5 minute 3 mile drive to work instead of an hour and 35 mile drive one way! It's quiet, for the most part, except for the demon child downstairs I have dubbed Bam Bam because I swear he throws furniture (or himself) against the wall every night. It's on the edge of town, barely can tell we live in town.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Mall of America... FINALLY!
We finally made it to MOA! The day after my 29th birthday!
And what's the very first thing we did upon going inside? Yup! We rode the upside down rolly coaster! It was my first time on an actual roller coaster that took riders upside down... and the whole thing lasted only about 30 seconds!
And here I am riding the Pepsi Orange Streak roller coaster... this one went around the entire inside of the theme park... much longer but not as exciting...
Ahhh....enjoyin the good life. And a beer in this bar slash arcade slash bowling alley. Didn't really enjoy the price of the drinks though.....
But then we swam under the sharks in the aquarium.
I think these little guys were my favorite. -->
SHARKS! DUN DUN... DUN DUN.... dun dundundundundun.....
This lil guy was just bobbling in the water... he was so still it was creepy.
Of course LegoLand was next.... here I am with Lego Woody.
I can't believe you could just buy an assorted cup of Legos that you pick out! So many to choose from!
We went to Mystic Lakes and this band was playing live on the gaming floor! Zach had them wish me a Happy Birthday then he danced with me to the song they played for me.
Our hotel room was up there? Over there? Somewhere.... we had an amazing 5th floor view of the roof. But the most comfortable bed either one of us had ever slept in. Plus when we were checking in, the guy noticed I had a guide book, and told us there was a 20% off coupon for their hotel in there, and he even cut it out! Heck of a steal and the best nights sleep ever!
Moose Mountain Mini Golf. He looks so enthused....
Here is a better view of the upside down rolly coaster we first rode. We actually went back and rode it again before we left that night.
Rainforest Cafe for lunch on Sunday!
We got the best seats in the house. Table for two.... right next to this table-to-ceiling aquarium.
Cool flashy cup that I got to keep! Tropical drink melting in my hand.....
Zach's enjoying his ribs... and his "Corona-rita"
Best pic we could get with all the people around. I wanted one with both of us but he didn't want to pose for another picture lol
Cannot for the life of me figure out how this fits into the salon it is in.... but it is a cool bike anyway. Vintage.
So yeah, so happy I FINALLY got to go to MOA. I swear we didn't even see everything in that entire place and we were there two days. We are more the type who would rather spend money and time with each other doing something fun, rather then buying stuff. I did bring home some cool little items for Mom and Dad, and got some magnets and postcards as souvenirs. Can't believe it took 21 years for me to get there! Tons o fun!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
On the Job Hunt....
...and hopefully not for much longer cuz... I GOT A JOB! Yeah!
Although I would have loved to have gotten the dispatch job at the local sheriff's department, I didn't realize (but probably should have known) that the process would take over 3 months. I probably should have been looking much sooner and completely during that time... but yeah, I'm lazy.
The application was due Dec 13th, the exam was Jan 21st, and my interview was Feb. 29th. I thought things were looking good.... I even filled out the wrong application and the contact person emailed me informing me of this, giving me three days to turn in the right one!
Then came test day.... she said 55 applied, and 44 were taking the test.
Never found out my score, just got an email that I passed with a 77 or higher. 70 was qualifying. And to sign up for an interview time.... there were 19 time slots. So it was me vs. 18.
The day before the interview, we got kind of a wild winter weather storm, and I got an email saying the person in line before my time slot had cancelled, so could I come in a half hour sooner? Absolutely! Me vs. 17!
Within about 5 days of the interview I got an e-mail saying I wasn't selected, which I knew once the interview was over that I didn't get the job and knew exactly why. Even though the Sheriff in the panel interview asked me about my background, I told him completely, and he said "thanks for being honest" but I knew that's what killed it. Oh well. 40 hours a week, at 14 something an hour with full benefits... yeah I can find that elsewhere... just not in this county....
So what's the next best bet? Get a summer job in the Dells then get the hell outta here. Cause ya gotta be crazy to wanna live around here without a decent job, unless you like traveling at least an hour one way...
I took a Wednesday and went to the Dells on the job search. Took a friend with me who has also been looking for work. We went to Chula Vista (dispatcher, lifeguard, housekeeping), Holiday Wholesale (warehouse), Ho Chunk (security and Guest Services... was told the security position closed a week prior but they would keep ap on file for 45 days), Kalahari (security, housekeeping, lifeguard) and Wilderness (security, housekeeping, lifeguard). Also picked up applications at Christmas Mountain and Atlantis. We filled out the same apps, gave them to the same people, for pretty much the same positions... and three days later, she calls to tell me SHE got a job at the Wilderness for housekeeping.
Sigh.
Got a letter from Kalahari saying they don't have time to review all applications, it will stay on file for 30 days, if I'm selected they'll call, feel free to re-apply after 30 days, blah blah blah.
Few days later get a phone call from Chula for an interview for the dispatch position, for maintenance and housekeeping. Had the interview on a Monday, she said her last interview is on Thursday and I will hear from her by Friday. Didn't. Call her the following Monday, she tells me her last interview is Tuesday and to call her Wednesday.... stringing me along, I didn't call her back. Still haven't heard from her.
Soooooo.... off I go again. Took another friend with me. She filled out an app at Wilderness, we both filled out an app at Great Wolf, I picked up apps at Knuckleheads, Buffalo Phil's, Ponderosa. SHE gets an interview two days later at Great Wolf.
We both applied for lifeguard.... I have experience and current certification... she has no experience and not yet certified.
Sigh.
I'm going alone from now on. Or taking someone with me who has a job.
Saturday morning I get a phone call for an interview at Knuckleheads. Go in Monday morning.... the guy who interviewed me was more nervous than I was. I thought it went well... got the usual "got a few more interviews....I'll let you know by the end of the week."
Nothing.
I kind of got the impression that you have to be a knucklehead to work there and that I am overqualified to work in the Dells.
Tuesday evening around 8:15 p.m. I get a phone call from Ho Chunk. She asked me to come in and "talk to her". Set an appointment for the next afternoon.
I go in, and while I am sitting in her office waiting for her, I see the Intent to Hire paperwork sitting on her desk.... I'm sitting there thinking "is that for me?... I haven't even had an interview...."
She walks in and asks me one question: the fated "tell me about yourself."
Oy. I was myself. Don't remember what I said but she replied that she liked my application, she liked my demeanor, that I have an approachable face and this was the type of person she wanted at her front desk, someone who customers wouldn't be afraid to approach, and she was going to hire me.
So I asked her what she liked about my application (I left resumes with just about every app) and she said that she could tell I was working towards something, and she liked that, and usually when she came across someone like that she had to grab them while she could because there's usually a very short amount of time that she could.
In other words, we got along great :)
She sent me down to HR to fill out some paperwork, then I had to go downstairs for my wiz quiz and get my picture taken, and I was told the results should be back Monday or Tuesday and then I would be called to come in and fill out the rest of the paperwork.
I got the phone call today. I go in tomorrow afternoon for the rest of the paperwork and orientation is April 16-17!
It will start out as an LTP, but she said if they like me and I work out well then they may consider hiring me on full time year round. She is aware of the fact that I may not want to remain in this area beyond mid September, but I told her we would see what happens between now and then. I will be trained on all three shifts, but will mostly be on thirds, which I love anyways. When I told her I would prefer overnights, she was surprised and kind of happy I think, and said she did not gather that I like overnights from my application.
Night owl for life!
Although I would have loved to have gotten the dispatch job at the local sheriff's department, I didn't realize (but probably should have known) that the process would take over 3 months. I probably should have been looking much sooner and completely during that time... but yeah, I'm lazy.
The application was due Dec 13th, the exam was Jan 21st, and my interview was Feb. 29th. I thought things were looking good.... I even filled out the wrong application and the contact person emailed me informing me of this, giving me three days to turn in the right one!
Then came test day.... she said 55 applied, and 44 were taking the test.
Never found out my score, just got an email that I passed with a 77 or higher. 70 was qualifying. And to sign up for an interview time.... there were 19 time slots. So it was me vs. 18.
The day before the interview, we got kind of a wild winter weather storm, and I got an email saying the person in line before my time slot had cancelled, so could I come in a half hour sooner? Absolutely! Me vs. 17!
Within about 5 days of the interview I got an e-mail saying I wasn't selected, which I knew once the interview was over that I didn't get the job and knew exactly why. Even though the Sheriff in the panel interview asked me about my background, I told him completely, and he said "thanks for being honest" but I knew that's what killed it. Oh well. 40 hours a week, at 14 something an hour with full benefits... yeah I can find that elsewhere... just not in this county....
So what's the next best bet? Get a summer job in the Dells then get the hell outta here. Cause ya gotta be crazy to wanna live around here without a decent job, unless you like traveling at least an hour one way...
I took a Wednesday and went to the Dells on the job search. Took a friend with me who has also been looking for work. We went to Chula Vista (dispatcher, lifeguard, housekeeping), Holiday Wholesale (warehouse), Ho Chunk (security and Guest Services... was told the security position closed a week prior but they would keep ap on file for 45 days), Kalahari (security, housekeeping, lifeguard) and Wilderness (security, housekeeping, lifeguard). Also picked up applications at Christmas Mountain and Atlantis. We filled out the same apps, gave them to the same people, for pretty much the same positions... and three days later, she calls to tell me SHE got a job at the Wilderness for housekeeping.
Sigh.
Got a letter from Kalahari saying they don't have time to review all applications, it will stay on file for 30 days, if I'm selected they'll call, feel free to re-apply after 30 days, blah blah blah.
Few days later get a phone call from Chula for an interview for the dispatch position, for maintenance and housekeeping. Had the interview on a Monday, she said her last interview is on Thursday and I will hear from her by Friday. Didn't. Call her the following Monday, she tells me her last interview is Tuesday and to call her Wednesday.... stringing me along, I didn't call her back. Still haven't heard from her.
Soooooo.... off I go again. Took another friend with me. She filled out an app at Wilderness, we both filled out an app at Great Wolf, I picked up apps at Knuckleheads, Buffalo Phil's, Ponderosa. SHE gets an interview two days later at Great Wolf.
We both applied for lifeguard.... I have experience and current certification... she has no experience and not yet certified.
Sigh.
I'm going alone from now on. Or taking someone with me who has a job.
Saturday morning I get a phone call for an interview at Knuckleheads. Go in Monday morning.... the guy who interviewed me was more nervous than I was. I thought it went well... got the usual "got a few more interviews....I'll let you know by the end of the week."
Nothing.
I kind of got the impression that you have to be a knucklehead to work there and that I am overqualified to work in the Dells.
Tuesday evening around 8:15 p.m. I get a phone call from Ho Chunk. She asked me to come in and "talk to her". Set an appointment for the next afternoon.
I go in, and while I am sitting in her office waiting for her, I see the Intent to Hire paperwork sitting on her desk.... I'm sitting there thinking "is that for me?... I haven't even had an interview...."
She walks in and asks me one question: the fated "tell me about yourself."
Oy. I was myself. Don't remember what I said but she replied that she liked my application, she liked my demeanor, that I have an approachable face and this was the type of person she wanted at her front desk, someone who customers wouldn't be afraid to approach, and she was going to hire me.
So I asked her what she liked about my application (I left resumes with just about every app) and she said that she could tell I was working towards something, and she liked that, and usually when she came across someone like that she had to grab them while she could because there's usually a very short amount of time that she could.
In other words, we got along great :)
She sent me down to HR to fill out some paperwork, then I had to go downstairs for my wiz quiz and get my picture taken, and I was told the results should be back Monday or Tuesday and then I would be called to come in and fill out the rest of the paperwork.
I got the phone call today. I go in tomorrow afternoon for the rest of the paperwork and orientation is April 16-17!
It will start out as an LTP, but she said if they like me and I work out well then they may consider hiring me on full time year round. She is aware of the fact that I may not want to remain in this area beyond mid September, but I told her we would see what happens between now and then. I will be trained on all three shifts, but will mostly be on thirds, which I love anyways. When I told her I would prefer overnights, she was surprised and kind of happy I think, and said she did not gather that I like overnights from my application.
Night owl for life!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Plan A... or B... or C...
... not to worry... there's 23 more letters of the alphabet....
The crazy dog is barking again. Because Dad's toast popped up in the toaster. Oh yeah, Lassie's a weirdo. She also barks when Dad pulls a Kleenex out of the box, when he blows his nose, when you open the microwave door, and if the microwave beeper goes off and you're not paying attention to it, she'll come stare at you like Eddie does on Frasier until you get up and fetch it. If you're standing up, she'll get behind you and poke her long nose into the back of your knee and herd you towards the kitchen. Goofy pup.
I pick things up and I put them down. :)
Mom is trying to convince me to go work on a cruise ship. Looks like fun. But it's not something that can just be done temporarily. They want you like 6-8 months at a time then it depends on the job you've got on if you even get to go off the ship in port. Along with sharing a cabin with 1-3 other people in a space that's tinier than a dorm room... although seeing tons of places I have never been or could never see otherwise would be amazing... Doesn't help that she is watching Cake Boss right now and they are featuring a Disney cruise line where they had to make a huge cake decorated like a cruise ship. Thing wouldn't fit in the elevator so they had to carry it down the stairs... I thought for sure that was going to be a cake disaster.
This last summer I was looking into doing the Disney College program, but after thinking about it and talking about it, and then looking into it even more... the day I went back to fill out the application... was a day too late. I may look into that for this summer. Again, it would be going somewhere I have never been and doing something I have never done. That looked like tons of fun.
This past Saturday I took the test for a job as dispatcher in the local sheriff's department. It's a really great job for this area. Basically, unless you work for the school district or the county or city, you're driving 30+ miles to find any good job. It would be a great position to get. Better than anything I have ever had before. But there is a lot riding on it. I mean, I am pretty sure I passed the test, although it will be close to two weeks or more before I even find out my score and if I make it on to the next wave of the process. If I get it, I'm staying here. No way I am giving that up. But it's a process. And highly competitive.
On the other side of that... that's the only thing riding on me staying here. If this doesn't come through for me, I am going to Phoenix to finish school on campus. Because these online classes are just insane. Everyone was telling me when I was in college that they did online classes here and there for what wasn't offered on ground. And they all said "oh they're so easy" and "you should try them, you'll like them" and yada yada yada. Well, y'all were wrong. I HATE THEM! I am in my third one now, and my first program core class, and it's annoying as heck. I feel like I am not learning anything. Like I am in a degree mill. And I hate that. I don't feel I learn this way effectively. I would rather be in the classroom. And the more I look into going to Phoenix, the more I want to go. Especially since I just changed my major and now I am looking at another two years of school for my master's degree.
And I need to work on finishing my book. I have a new laptop now, my notes are scattered who knows where in between a zillion places, and I have nothing better to do. Might as well get moving on that and look into publishing. I think it will be best as a trilogy though. Now if I could just figure out where to end it.
I pick things up and I put them down.
The crazy dog is barking again. Because Dad's toast popped up in the toaster. Oh yeah, Lassie's a weirdo. She also barks when Dad pulls a Kleenex out of the box, when he blows his nose, when you open the microwave door, and if the microwave beeper goes off and you're not paying attention to it, she'll come stare at you like Eddie does on Frasier until you get up and fetch it. If you're standing up, she'll get behind you and poke her long nose into the back of your knee and herd you towards the kitchen. Goofy pup.
I pick things up and I put them down. :)
Mom is trying to convince me to go work on a cruise ship. Looks like fun. But it's not something that can just be done temporarily. They want you like 6-8 months at a time then it depends on the job you've got on if you even get to go off the ship in port. Along with sharing a cabin with 1-3 other people in a space that's tinier than a dorm room... although seeing tons of places I have never been or could never see otherwise would be amazing... Doesn't help that she is watching Cake Boss right now and they are featuring a Disney cruise line where they had to make a huge cake decorated like a cruise ship. Thing wouldn't fit in the elevator so they had to carry it down the stairs... I thought for sure that was going to be a cake disaster.
This last summer I was looking into doing the Disney College program, but after thinking about it and talking about it, and then looking into it even more... the day I went back to fill out the application... was a day too late. I may look into that for this summer. Again, it would be going somewhere I have never been and doing something I have never done. That looked like tons of fun.
This past Saturday I took the test for a job as dispatcher in the local sheriff's department. It's a really great job for this area. Basically, unless you work for the school district or the county or city, you're driving 30+ miles to find any good job. It would be a great position to get. Better than anything I have ever had before. But there is a lot riding on it. I mean, I am pretty sure I passed the test, although it will be close to two weeks or more before I even find out my score and if I make it on to the next wave of the process. If I get it, I'm staying here. No way I am giving that up. But it's a process. And highly competitive.
On the other side of that... that's the only thing riding on me staying here. If this doesn't come through for me, I am going to Phoenix to finish school on campus. Because these online classes are just insane. Everyone was telling me when I was in college that they did online classes here and there for what wasn't offered on ground. And they all said "oh they're so easy" and "you should try them, you'll like them" and yada yada yada. Well, y'all were wrong. I HATE THEM! I am in my third one now, and my first program core class, and it's annoying as heck. I feel like I am not learning anything. Like I am in a degree mill. And I hate that. I don't feel I learn this way effectively. I would rather be in the classroom. And the more I look into going to Phoenix, the more I want to go. Especially since I just changed my major and now I am looking at another two years of school for my master's degree.
And I need to work on finishing my book. I have a new laptop now, my notes are scattered who knows where in between a zillion places, and I have nothing better to do. Might as well get moving on that and look into publishing. I think it will be best as a trilogy though. Now if I could just figure out where to end it.
I pick things up and I put them down.
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