Posts from August 2011

Wow. Whirlwind.

Just worked 7 days in a row. Thursday night, and overtime person called to say she could not come in and i got stuck working from 3pm to 11pm then mandated into an overnight from 11pm tp 7am. Back in at 3pm that day. Then, the next day, i was scheduled to work a double from 7am to 11pm.

My employer is really jerking people around. One of my bosses at the location i was pulled from is being pulled to go to another location and fix up the mess the previous supervisor left. So, they are short 1 full time (100%), myself (80%) and another part timer (60%).

Now, the rumour is that, despite my position being eliminated there, i am going back because they are too short.

And the other is that my boss is requesting that she does not have a shift supervisor and that she would just run the house herself. Funniest thing i ever heard. Talk about control freak. Don't want to go back there.... been looking for somewhere new for a while.

Would love to stay at the location i was temp assigned to; they are lovely people there and the bad reputation the house has is not deserved. But, that is not going to happen. They are slowly re-staffing it.

On the positive side, i have 4 days off!

Today, laundry, house cleaning, phone calls, maybe visit another site to check it out.

Tuesday, errands, chores....

Wednesday, a day off with @uncutsaniflush!

Thursday, a day of pampering @ the nail spa and salon! Yay!

That one little off hand remark by a co-worker really made my day.

Second day at the new location and i felt more welcomed there than i have anywhere else.

Had a great conversation with a co-worker for well over an hour about music and did not feel like an outsider freak.

They are used to new people here; a lot pass through their doors.

I am willing to work. To be (moderately and conservatively) flexible with my schedule. To learn new things. To do what needs to be done.

Seems not all that have come there feel the same way.

Of course, i have yet to really "rock and roll" or get mandated (forced to stay for another shift because someone is unable or unwilling to come in to cover it) daily.

But still. Day 2. Not bad.

I can complain here more than i can on FB, because one of my bosses is my "friend" there.

Thanks for the sympathies, @paul/e:Tinypliny about being transferred so last minute. It does suck.

The place i have been sent to is ok so far. People seem cool enough. Some residents i am familiar with when i worked "on campus" and that helps.

I found out yesterday that the meeting i interrupted on Friday to negotiate the weekend off (which i got.... YAY!) was all about them eliminating my position. Seems the "higher ups" want to get rid of my 80% part time spot, regardless of shift, because, apparently i was a "fill in" person and would rather do OVERTIME than pay a lowly part time wage. WTF? If the state is in a budget crisis, why pay more for the same thing?

So, it is time for me to kick up the search i already started to find a better place. Monthly bids are up now. I can't bid on full time positions (hiring freeze means they would rather pay ot than fill a spot with someone who makes less!), so my options are limited.

BUT, there are a couple out there worth looking into....

Wish me luck?

One of my bosses called me today to let me know that i am being transfered to another location. Effective SATURDAY. Less than 48 hours notice. I am super pissed off. I go from a month's worth of night shifts to a place that is having lots of issues. So much for my weekend off.... I WILL be calling the union in the morning!!

Some food porn in the form of a quinoa salad (in a popcorn bowl!)



Basic Recipe
quinoa (1 1/4 cup dry & double the water)
1/2 an english cucumber, chopped
1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
5 scallions, sliced
1 carrot, grated
3 radishes, chopped finely
feta cheese
2 - 3 tablespoons seasoned (basil & oregano) rice wine vinegar
1 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
salt & pepper to taste

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Thank you, Honey Hill Pet Center[link]http://www.honeyhillpets.com/][/link] for the red bottom temporary solution!

Here is what the end results of my little rats have done:

Emily close up


Amelia close up


Amelia at her food bowl


Emily being timid in the corner of the cage

@paul's post, @paul #54773 reminds me that we really need to find a good, reliable but inexpensive contractor/builder/handyman to completely rebuild our front porch.

Anyone know anyone or want the job?

@tinypliny, i just snapped a couple of quick shots of the girls back in their cage. Wish they were better, but i was in a wee hurry (i have to go to work very soon and i STILL haven't showered!).

This is Emily, in her hammock, stretching after a long tiring day of escaping and hiding


This is Amelia's squinting look -- the one that tells me, "i don't know about you weird giant furless rat things!"

This weekend my 'rents came to town for a day.

I think my mom STILL wants to see your place, @PMT, 'cause she still hasn't and i drove her by your place when you first moved in.

I digress.

The main reason for the visit was a rare weekend day off for me and to go to the zoo to feed the Lorikeets, something my mother and i adore doing.

This year, with the diminishing flock, they have been less interactive.

But i found out they love the sweat from my brow. Two landed on my head and spent many minutes licking my forehead. Very interesting indeed.


Before going to work on Thursday night, @uncutsaniflush noticed something very surprising. "The Girls" gnawed a hole in their cage bottom.

Here was our quick fix from the outside.



As soon as i could, i went out and got some things to help with the chew issue they have. They are still afraid of us and they still refuse to allow me to pick them up (will i EVER have a pet i can cuddle!??!?!). I got some anti-chew stuff to spray in places they might want to chomp and was planning on ordering a new pan for the cage.

Then, this morning, @uncutsaniflush found a new hole near the old hole and no girls. Amelia and Emily have escaped.

Here is what the inside of the cage looked like.



We have repaired it and left food and water for them. There have been sightings, but since they do not want me to hold them, i cannot imagine how i would be able to catch them. Rats are quick.