Life IS Survivable

In November (2011) I was hired part time at a wholesale floral distributor.  It is a small family company that has been in business for 3 generations.  I have recently completed my 90 trial period and I'm still there.  The hardest part of the job is getting there by 6 AM Monday through Saturday and no benefits.

I remember being 7 year old when Grandpa built his "new offices".  He took me with him to this company to get Gardenia corsages for all of the women who came to his open house.  It made an impression on me for a few reasons but mostly because it was the first time I got to go with Grandpa alone (without my older brother) on an errand.

About the same time I began teaching on an independent contractor basis at JoAnn's.  I feel more apreciated that when I was employed as a "scissor drone".  There are still problems with communications and getting paid in a timely manner.  This may not last if the problems continue. 

I still have to "plan" all expenses.  Just when you think you are getting ahead a tiny bit that is the week that both the computer died and the engine light came on in the car.  The car took all but 50 cents of the paycheck and the computer took the whole savings.  These expenses were NOT in the "plan".  However, both were essential to replace/repair immediately to keep me in business.

As of February, I am no longer in arrears with my property taxes.  Even so, I signed up for the monthly payment plan so it is a little easier to take.

Mom turned 80 last month.  Her best gift was that we were able to have all of her kids together to take her to dinner.  I got to the restaurant first.  I told them of the occasion.  They sprinkled red rose petals all over the table and gave her a free dessert.  The present she didn't get (yet if at all) was her desire to go skydiving.  We want her doctor to approve it first.  Even so, I will NOT join her in jumping out of a perfectly good plane.  IF I ever skydive it will be because I have no other choice to survive.

My sister is getting married next month.  We are happy for her because he treats her so well.  I can tell you she dated a string of "peter pans" that didn't treat her with respect.  I'm glad she waited for her prince.

My quilt guild's biannual quilt show was March 23 & 24.  I was vendor/door prize chairperson.  We had fewer vendors than preferred but we had so many more paid attendees than anticipated.  As door prize chairperson, we make a "giveaway thingy" that they can open to find out if they won or not.  This show I made 340 needle books.  This is also how we count paid attendance.  The previous show we had just under 200 so I thought we had enough needle books... we ran out with about 2-1/2 hours to go.  It was a great show but exhausting.  I went into a 12 hour "sleep coma" that night (after take down).

Close Enough?

In making my Quilt Patis for the last 15 years (oh my, it’s been that long?) I have always maintained a quality product.   I am very specific about accuracy.  I tell my die cutter “if the die is accurate, I will pay you for it” and he has been great about complying.  He understands the concept of Good Job = $$$. I have kept him because he does a good job. 

On the other hand, I have had to change the distributors who supply my raw plastic sheets.  I would find one that I try to explain the product, its usage and the importance of the accuracy. I am now working with the 5^th distributor over the years.  It has been my past experience that the women sales reps understand and as long as they handle my account I get the accuracy I want and need.  The men who have stepped in on when there is a staffing change have not. 

On my most recent order, my sales rep (female) was on vacation. The gentleman who took care of me was quite genial and assured me I would get exactly what I have been ordering (specs in the file) for the last couple years.  He got it to me in record time (2 weeks instead of the usual 6-7 weeks).  Yeah!

I have to further cut the 8’ x 4’ sheets down a near notebook paper size before I can take it to my die cutter.  While I was cutting the first third of this plastic I’m thinking, “is the cold really changing how easy this should be to cut with the rotary cutter?”  I noticed that a couple of the sheets were thicker and I set those to the side.  I went out and got a digital micrometer and started measuring.  Ha! It wasn’t my imagination.  Not one sheet was the .030” in my specifications even though it was the right type of plastic.  Oddly enough the sheets I could visually tell was too thick were marked in Sharpie pen .030 but were actually .069” when measured.

I started 3 weeks ago with an e-mail of my complaint to both sales reps.  Well, HE is the one who is in charge of correcting the mistake… As of our conversation this morning there is still no resolve.  He does not seem to understand that close enough is not good enough.

I started out trying to equate it with “If you go in for a knee replacement on your right knee and come out of it with the left knee replaced its close enough?”  He would laugh but still there has been no action.  Not sure what I will say the next time he asks if I can’t uses what I have got till he can get more to me.  Perhaps I will equate the close enough to the difference between a vasectomy and neutering… Right organ and great birth control but is it what he thinks is “close enough”? 

Dilemmas…

As I stated in Monday’s posting, I went for testing at IMPACT.  I arrived early so they put me on a computer early.  I passed and was offered one of the spots in the program.  Remember, this class runs 7 weeks to prepare 15-24 participants to be gainfully employed while providing a small stipend.
During the testing I received a message on my voice mail from one of the temp agencies.  D (my temp coordinator) had submitted my resume for a temp to permanent position.  They want to interview me Friday with the possibility of starting Monday.

I was honest with D about IMPACT.  He was familiar with their program and said he admired me for my initiative.  I asked him, “Did they give a timeline of temping before deciding to offer the permanent position?” and “Knowing me, my past evaluations and the prospective employer, how would you assess my chances at the permanency of the position?”  D didn’t have an answer for the timeline but he thought my chances might be a 9 on a 1-10 scale.

I am keeping an opened mind until I interview.  Then, if I get the offer, I will have the dilemma of following a commitment to IMPACT, or taking a position that right now is still a temp assignment with an unknown duration.

After I got off the phone with D I got another call from a friend (J) who commissioned me to help her with a quilt.  We had picked out the pattern and fabrics before her life got really out of control before Christmas.  This in mind, I felt that we could knock this quilt top out in a couple days.  I had her pick me up and we started this afternoon.  We have a long arm quilter we used for quilting the last quilt top she hired me to do. 

Today I re-sized the design in Electric Quilt 6 to dimensions to fit the wall she intends to hang it.  We coupled the fabrics into the light/medium/dark selections for the blocks.  I made a test block after tweaking the tension on her sewing machine.  Meanwhile she had beef stew cooking in the Crockpot all day.  We ended the day with dinner before she drove me home.

Today I kept thinking of Morton Salt.  They were the ones with the slogan “When it Rains, It Pours.” 

The prayers and networking are working.  Thanks.


Today's Tally:
Wednesday, February 16, 2011                       
Location:  IMPACT Employment Plus offices
Temp:  N/A
Newspapers sold:   0
Viable job postings:   1
Filled or baiting job posted:   2
Resumes/Job Applications sent:   1 & Attended Testing Session & Worked on a Commissioned Quilt

Treat Yourself Daily…

"We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated."

—Maya Angelou

We are still the same person we were prior to our “defeats”.  Therefore, the person we are will determine how we refuse to be “defeated”.  For me it is to treat yourself daily.  I know this is a difficult concept to fulfill when you are “financially challenged”.  I am a creative person so I must respect myself enough to continue nurturing that person.  If you don’t, you kill the soul that gives you the spirit to fight your way back.  

You don’t have to abandon the job search, working, and/or education.  You don’t even need to spend money.  I enjoy quilting, art, theatre, cooking and traveling.  All of this does not change.  Ok, I may not be able to travel in person due to costs involved, BUT I can still explore the world via the internet and watching PBS travel shows.  Cooking poses creative challenges but you can go to any of my Friday postings to see how I conquer those.  I am fortunate live in Columbus close to Schiller Park.  During the summer months they have (free) “Shakespeare in the Park”. 

Tonight (after I sell Street Speech) I will go to my monthly quilt guild meeting.  I was voted in as 2^nd Vice President for 2011.  My primary responsibility is to plan the meeting programs and speakers under the help of the 1^st Vice President for meetings up through 2012.  Many speakers have their schedules booked 2 years in advance.  Then in 2012 I move to 1^st VP with a new 2^nd VP.  It is a team position so no one is thrown into the job cold.  It is a good fit since I have tons of friends and contacts in the quilting community.

I am still making quilts and my butterfly pincushion pins (I always have “bug parts” in my purse for these).  I don’t have to purchase much if I use my fabric stash, trade with guild members, good parts of cotton clothing I no longer fit, or go to the Waste Not Center to search their fabric scrap donations.  This is why quitters say, “When life gives you straps, make quilts.”


Today's Tally:
Tuesday, February 15, 2011                      Time:  11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Location:  3^rd and State Sts. (across from the state house
Temp:  31°
Newspapers sold:   1
Viable job postings:   1?
Filled or baiting job posted:   0
Resumes/Job Applications sent:  0  

Fs for Surviving Life

Quilters look for the 3Fs when traveling, attending quilt shows or quilt shop hops.  In that life the 3Fs stand for Fabric, Food and Facilities (Loo, WC, Potty).  In my efforts to survive life they have taken on a new meaning.  I have decided to make Friday’s on this blog a day for Fabulous Free Food Feast Fridays (or nearly free).  I guess that is 5Fs.

I know Giant Eagle changes sales on Thursdays.  Usually that means meat has the “Manager’s Special” stickers by Wednesday.  It was chicken.  10 thighs were marked just under $6 add the $1 AND $2 off stickers.  Lucky me!  I grab 3 plump mushrooms from the bulk by weight which ended up costing 23¢. I paid just under $3 for both.

I got green beans, a chicken sandwich patty (with a slice of onion) and a medium size Bundt pound cake from the sandwich line.  I had garlic, EVOO, rice and herbs at home.  I knew I had some Press N Seal in my quilting supplies.  I packaged up the other thighs individually and popped 8 into the freezer.

For lunch yesterday I prepared this feast.  Total cost per serving: less than 50¢

Chop up the slice of onion from the sandwich and the mushrooms.  Sauté in EVOO and butter to equal about a tablespoon.  Add half of the green beans when the mushrooms are almost soft and caramelized. Heat through.  Meanwhile bake 2 chicken thighs with your favorite herb sprinkled on top at 325° F for 35-40 minutes or until no pink is visible in the flesh.  I used poultry seasoning but I also like fresh thyme & rosemary from my window box in the summer.

Cook ½ cup of instant brown rice according to the package with a pinch of rosemary.  For more flavor you can combine the chicken dripping with the water or use chicken stock.  Keep all liquids as one measurement to total water amount on the package.

Makes 2 meals.  Eat one and share one with another Street Speech vendor. 

 You may note that I did not add salt. Most of the prepared items sold in vending machines (original source for the green beans) have plenty. Since I never know the dietary needs of who I cook for I use herbs for flavor.  For me salt, pepper, and hot sauce are things that can be added at the table.  I will add salt to my dish after tasting whereas Mom is on a low salt diet.  This is how I've cooked for years.

On a slightly different subject, a friend sent me this link.  I found it quite inspiring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lfaSmDxVZQ

Today's Tally:

Friday, February 11, 2011               Time:  11:28 AM to 1:15 PM

Location:  Corner of State & 3^rd Sts. (across from the statehouse)

Temp:  29°F (21°F with wind chill factor)

Newspapers sold:   8 and someone gave me a candy for Valentines Day.

Viable job postings:   0 (that is online) received 4 leads from blog readers

Filled or baiting job posted:   6

Resumes/Job Applications            sent:   4

My daily routine…

The alarm is set for 6AM but the dogs usually rush that to be let out.  That first blast of cold air this morning is alarming.  The news says right now it is 9°F but feels like -2°F… but it IS still early.  I warm up the laptop to check e-mail (deleting unopened the ones selling me something and spam), the job websites for the new postings, and my bank balance.  Yes, then I check my Facebook.  I have the news on for two reasons: the weather and the local news has a jobs segment that sometimes has something exclusive to them.  When the offices start to open at 8AM I start calling all of the temporary staffing agencies to “touch base”.  This makes my name very prominent when something becomes available.

It is frustrating when checking website like Monster.com, Ohiomeansjobs.com & Jobs.com to find fewer than 10 jobs posted that day.  Out of those “ten” the majority of them are generic posting to bait you to sign up at a temp agency but a specific assignment either may not exist or was filled before the posting hit the web.  There may be only 1 verifiable job directly from an employer.

I bathe and dress appropriately if a temp job had been harvested.

With the job market in mind:

• What am I looking for in a job?  Pretty much anything. 
• What job am I qualified to do?  Retail, Administrative Assistant, Data Entry, Clerical, Bank Teller, Waitress, Bridal Consultant, and Quilting: Designer/Teacher/Speaker/Product Inventor/Pattern Writer/Hand Quilter.
• What can I learn?  Challenge me and let me surprise both of us.

After standing of my corner I went over to the sandwich line. We had a treat today. Usually it is one drink, 2 sandwiches, 1 from a meal category and 2 pastries (donut, muffin, cookie). These are donated by a variety of places like Kroger & Saneese. Our treat today was a box lunch that included fruit, macaroni salad, pudding and a slice of pizza. Of course, there is always a variety of bread. I only accept what I know I can eat. Like the loaves & fish in the bible we all can be fed.

Today's Tally:

Wednesday, February 9, 2011                    Time: 11:30 AM – 1:45 PM

Location:  Corner of State & 3^rd Sts.; Columbus, Ohio (across from the statehouse)

Today was active with firefighters and protesters of the “heartbeat bill”  marching on the statehouse.

Temp:  23°F (21° with the wind chill factor), cloudy but dry

Newspapers sold:   7

Viable job postings:   0 (2 in Ohio if I care to commute to Cleveland or Canton)

Filled or baiting job posted:   3

Resumes/Job Applications sent:   0

Irony of the day:   I received a resume on my fax machine from someone with a Masters in Computer Aided Engineering wanting to fulfill my company’s need for a Mechanical Engineer.  Even if the quilt shop were still open I don’t think I would have had a job for him.

It’s Not Where You Start…

The lyrics of a show tune from the 70's Broadway musical Seesaw resonates as my daily mantra.

                It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish.

                It’s not how you go, it’s how you land.

                A hundred to one shot,

                They call you a klutz,

                Can outrun the favorites, all he needs is the guts.

                Your final return will not diminish,

                and you can be the cream of the crop.

                It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish,

                And you’re gonna finish on top!

It has been too long between jobs that can actually support a single woman (and 2 small dogs).  It's not that I am not working at all, I am just working under the poverty level. I'm in danger of losing a home that was purchased in cash in 1979 because the property taxes and utilities add up to beyond my earnings. 

The Columbus Coalition for the Homeless newspaper program helps those who want to help themselves earn their way back one paper at a time.  They buy their Street Speech papers for 25¢ each and we can only ask $1.00 but we can accept whatever someone wants to pay.  Many of the articles are written by the people on the street selling them and the volunteers in the office.  The Coalition also helps refer those in need to other resources to help meet their needs… sandwich lines, legal aid, shelters, HEAP… you know, pretty much the basic human needs.  It is one of the most humbling, best & worst jobs in which I’ve participated.  The following is my article that is published in the current issue of Street Speech.

   

Eating an Elephant with Vultures Looming

“You look like you don’t belong here.”  This was said to me yesterday while I stood on my corner to sell copies of Street Speech.  I wanted to say “None of us BELONG here,” but the fact is we ARE here.  Many of us never believed this would be our fate.  Our economy has widened the chasm between the traditional idea of who the homeless (and near homeless) should be and who we actually are.

Me?  I am an Otterbein College graduate.  I don’t smoke, drink or have any drug addictions (unless you count Dr. Pepper).  I have never been diagnosed with a mental illness that would preclude me from taking care of myself.  I grew up in a “good family” who value a “good work ethic”.  With my first job at the age of 12, I saved half of every paycheck for college.  I worked three part-time jobs at a time to pay my own way through college.  I subscribed to a belief in what we were all taught, “You’ll get a good job with a good education and a degree.”

After several jobs working for others, I took on the reigns of a small shop started by my mother. By 1993 I was sole proprietor, teacher, inventor, manufacturer, marketer and any other position needed for getting my quilting tool into the hands of the public.  I did this all WITHOUT credit cards or formal loans.  I have been a guest on HGTV’s Simply Quilts (1999) and taught my technique all over the USA.  I have even shared this technique with guilds while on quilting vacations in England and the south of France.

Several years ago began the downfall. Sales fell off, expenses keep going up (mostly utilities and booth fees shows), and travels were then limited to wholesale trade shows.  Finally the accumulative effects of quilt shops going out of business or not paying their invoices coupled with inferior copies of my product hitting the market. Yes, I could sue.  However, with attorneys in each of 4 states to pursue patient/copyright/trademark infringers was also financially prohibitive. 

I sold the house in Bexley (2005) and moved into what WAS “the shop”.  The money from the sale of the house put a new roof on the other building and supported me for another five years.

During the same time I have been signed up with four to five different temporary staffing agencies.  Only two of them have placed me on any assignments.  Total earnings through my temporary assignments in 2007 were under $400 for the year.  However, in 2008 it did go up to just under $500.  I only list these two agencies my resume since the others have no way of evaluating my abilities.

I also now work for a retail chain that is about 10 hours a week with the prospect of hours being cut now that the holidays are over.  So I went to the Coalition for the Homeless for help.  Their programs include information of help for which I may qualify and being a vendor for their newspaper.  We buy the papers we sell, making it a legal business venture.  This keeps my business ethics satisfied that I am earning my way back on my feet one paper at a time.

So, “How do you eat an elephant?” Answer, “ONE BITE AT A TIME!”

• Bite one:  Continue to take assignments with the temporary agencies and work the retail.
• Bite two:  Continue to job search by any means available (job fair and “boot camps”).
• Bite three:  Pay what I can on the bills most demanding while seeking legitimate help.
• Bite four:  Days I am not working or interviewing, stand on my corner selling Street Speech.
• Bite five:  Try to keep a positive outlook.

My only vultures are: property taxes (as the building was paid off 30 years ago), AEP, Columbia Gas, City of Columbus Water, AT&T, gasoline, car insurance, and (last but not least) food if there is any money left.

So here's Today's Tally:

Tuesday, February 8, 2011             Time: 11:00 AM – 12:45 PM

Location:  Corner of State & 3^rd Sts. Columbus Ohio (across from the state house)

Temp: 23°F (12° with the wind chill factor), snow falling at a 60° angle

2 newspapers sold

I believe that people who didn’t have to go out in this stayed in their offices.  My toes got “crispy cold” within the first half hour.  I don’t just stand there; I tend to sing for my supper.  In warmer weather (if I’m still there) I might bring my guitar.  I will feel like I’m doing more to earn my keep.