I have some good news - I have been tentatively offered a job - it's with a friend who's starting up a new business. Well, he's been in the computer business before as an employee, then got his own company, but working out of his house. Now he has a 3,000 sq ft store that he's opening Oct 1st. He wants only me as his assistant, and now he needs to talk to his partner (he told him that I'm the only one he wants for the job) and discuss $$ that they can afford to pay me. If they're not ready financially, they may have to ask me to wait 1-3 months, and would have to hope I'm still available. They do need someone, and he wants to meet with me on Wed to discuss it further.

Hooray Susan! Sounds very promising.

Thank you - I may propose he hire me partime until they can afford to do so full-time....

Hi Susan, sure hope it turns out to be just what you want and need.

Hello everyone, it's me, echoes. From etc. (north of the border)

Hey Echoes!! Good to see you posting! I'm calling you, but your line is busy!!

Hi echoes

Okay i came over to squirrel around over here.shall we chatter or hunt acorns to bury winter will be here soon enough.
tell that squirrel to quit cussing.S-N-O-W.

Hi Kimbar! glad you came! This is your climate!

Hello Echo! Winnipeg....burrr... You didn't happen to know Marge Trach in your years there did you?

Hi Echo!! Glad you are here!

Kimbar -- it's about time girlfriend!!

Hi all our new folks! Nice to meet some of you that I haven't before!

Susan, wishing you all the best in your new job! When life changed dramatically for DH and I, we both had to 'get humble'. He had owned and operated a multi-million dollar company for over 15 years, and I had been a real estate broker, manager, and educator for about 18 years. Now, he drives school bus and tour busses, and I work in a brewery. We are both very, very happy... so much less take-home stress, and a lovely lifestyle. Be open, my friends... you never know what blessings wait for you.

Jamie, your job hunting advice was spot on. Smarty pants, LOL!

Boy! I'm with YOU Brenda. By the time I resigned it was because I had so much commitment and responsibility that I could not cover everything and do anything justice, especially taking care of mom properly. I didn't really intend to 'retire' I just decided that if/when I worked again, it would be a simpler life. It has been, I do consulting when it comes to me but can't even figure how I kept that schedule and managed the politics when I did. I still have a closet full of suits, heels, matching bags, a drawer of scarves, good jewerly that I wouldn't even consider for the garden, my nails are not manicured and I am happy. I never want to juggle like that again.

Happiness is not even owning a single pair of nylons!

huuummm...'cept fer when a colleague takes you out. Funny though. I had a theatre event recently and pulled out some heels; my shins ached so, I could hardly clomp along. There were years I thought I'd never wear flat comfortable shoes. (They were ugly...now they're pretty.)

nylons? What are they? I haven't worn them for years!
I won't know for sure about the job until Wed, when I talk to Brent. I know, I know - people will say to me "you've got the job, he said he didn't want anyone else" but that doesn't mean he and his partner will agree that they can afford to hire someone. There's no guarantee in life, and I've been disappointed enough in life to have taken my rose-coloured glasses and ground them under my heel

If that's so, just volunteer. The least is good experience but more likely you can prove value and they will find a way to compensate you.

I was thinking of working part time, and getting into the job and making it mine, earlier. If I had to wait 2-3 months, that would be ok, as I'd get alot of personal things done (quilts, baking, cooking, and starting new plants!!
I'd be concerned about volunteering for too long, as it might make it harder for them to get past that, and to get to paid work...... I think I would have a hard time switching gears too!

btw - I found out there's an easy way to start a new rose bush - just plant the rose in the ground, water well, and then cover it with a glass jar - don't remove until you see new growth at the base of it, and that's your new bush! Who'd a'thought!?!

Susan, I agree wholeheartedly with you about the volunteering. For the reasons you stated. And here's another..... if you volunteer then your worth, in their eyes, diminishes greatly. Friend or no friend, when it comes time to put you on the payroll consider money is your friends blood relative. "If she'll work for free then we can pay her $X less than we intended". Blood is thicker than water.
Just IMHO. Hang tough girl! Don't fuse those rose colored glasses back together.

Be strong.

You guys are soo smart! I love you all sooo much!!

And I like the jar idea -- it's like it has it's own personal greenhouse! Very cool idea (or another tip you can send to Trish!! )