Living In America ..You say Goodbye, I say Hello, ...

[kickassangel]

New Thread.

It was a waste of my time. It was for a Pharmacy Tech position. The pharmacy manager had one of the other techs call me to set up a time, and she told me to come in whenever I could as close to 9 because they had plenty of help. So I got there, and he had enough time to tell me that he wanted me to come later, because he was the only pharmacist there at the time and couldn't really talk, because he can't legally leave the pharmacy without another pharmacist there, and I can't legally go back there if I don't work there, and if we stood at the counter, we'd be blocking everyone who was trying to pick up and drop off things.

And then the district manager came in right behind me and wanted to talk to him, so all he did was give me an application which I had already filled out and told me to fill it out and shrugged his shoulders and went to talk with the DM. So I filled it out again and left a note on there that maybe he could call me and set up a time, since the time that was set up by someone else wasn't a good one. And he hasn't called back.

I was a bit mad, too, because I was told a Tech job, and it was only a cashier job, which means that I'd be making $7 an hour less than I was making 10 years ago, but the hours were perfect, and I want such odd hours that nobody really has a schedule that works for me. I have other people that would hire me as a tech that I've worked with before, and Derick's boss said that his company would hire me, but I need something that is fairly close with odd hours, because DH works a lot and isn't able to get out early.

Oh Dooney, what a shame. I'd be quite miffed about the whole thing. How are your lovely DC? And what about Mr Dooney.

That's too bad, dooney. What about something that utilizes your cooking skills? Would you be interested in volunteer work?

Speaking of cooking, dh and my therapy assistant made huge pots of chili today for a fundraiser this weekend. It's all nicely labeled in freezer bags now. I contributed by shopping for the ingredients and laying things out next to the recipes (we made 3 kinds). I figured this would be the best way all the way around considering my ineptness in the kitchen

The kids are great. They're in a perpetual state of happiness from a few weeks before Halloween to Christmas every year. DH is crabby. This is his busiest time of year, and he has to work 6-7 days a week.

I've been keeping an eye on businesses like personal chefs and such, and there's been quite a few of them going out of business lately. Not sure about that, but it would be something I could do at home, at least.

I actually have thought about volunteer work. I'm finding it hard to figure out where to go to find volunteer opportunities. I've seen a lot that want you to drive, which would be great, because I could take the kids, but kind of expensive when you consider gas and all, or they want you when the kids are home, but don't want the kids. I'm kind of thinking of putting everything on hold until after the holidays, since things get so busy around here this time of year.

lol @ Jabber's help. Actually, if I were cooking, that's exactly the kind of help that I'd appreciate. I love chili.

Dooney, do you have a Ronald MacDonald house near you? They use volunteers all the time and you can do more or less what you want, when you want. And, they always appreciate food. They even let DS 'help' and if I went without him, they'd want to know why. Of the few things I miss from the US, my Ronald MacDonald house is the one I miss most.

And canned pumpkin.

It is about 30 minutes away. I thought long and hard about it this afternoon, and have decided on maybe the Food Bank if they have anything. I'd really like to do something for Hospice, considering all they did when DH's mom died, but I really don't know if that is something I'd be strong enough to do. I think I'd spend a lot of time crying.

Hi!!

Just catching up.

My mum went back home today, so just the 3 of us & we're kind of enjoying the quiet.

For those of you wondering about halloween miseries, H is a new thing in the UK (relatively) & seen by some as yet another invasion by US culture, a lot of churches don't approve, and there have been some media highlighted examples of 'tricks' that are pretty nasty by kids in some areas - like dog through the letterbox etc.

So some people aren't in favour of it.

The last place I lived in theUK was pretty good, but it was just a small village & people only went to houses where they knew the people there. When we lived in a city, we either went out or kept all lights off for the night!

HERE though, it's great fun, and dd recovered just in time for the school parade & party, then the real thing on sat night. She lasted for a couple fo streets, but was then v tired & wanted to come home (hurrah).

Sorry about the job, Dooney. It still amazes me that some people bother to advertise for a job, then son't seem to actually want to fill the post! Keep trying!

Good to see you kickass and glad you enjoyed Halloween. It's my favorite holiday so I guess living in the UK is out for me then

dooney, the Food Bank sounds like a good idea. I wondered if that might be something you would like.

The fundraiser I'm hosting is this afternoon. I always get nervous that no one is going to show up at things like this.

Hi all - sounds as if there are good weekend plans afoot.

DD and I are in charge of the church nursery this morning, so that will be an adventure. Luckily it is a beautiful day (and quite warm) so we will be able to take the kids to the playground, which always makes the time pass faster.

After that, I may indulge and take dd out for a nice 'country' Sunday lunch of the most delicious fried chicken and vegetables I've ever had. Then, it is over to a friend's house for a HipHop dance class for the kids (don't know where she's found 'Shamazz' the teacher....), and finally to a parenting seminar tonight given by an author who is supposed to have some wonderful insight and perspective. So.....quite a busy and nice day.

What are the rest of you doing?

Regarding volunteering: I am thinking of taking dd to one of the local malls and choosing an envelope or two off of the Angel Tree. It would be lovely to help provide some Christmas 'extras' to a family who can't afford it, and also would be a good lesson for dd to realise that many in the world will be having a far more basic Christmas than the one she and her friends aspire to.

In the spring I began delivering Meals On Wheels once a month with a friend. It is something that doesn't take alot of time, and reminds me just how lucky I am to have the life I lead.

Jabberwocky - what are you raising funds for? And what are the 3 kinds of chili (am i correct in guessing regular, vegetarian and ___)?

That does sound nice.

We are fundraising for Autism Speaks. I've never hosted anything quite like this before so have small moments of panic that no one will show up.

The 3rd chili is Cinncinnati Chili. It's very interesting. You add cinnamon and unsweetened baker's chocolate and serve over noodles. I thought it would be that little something different iykwim. We also had a local establishment donate italian gelato for dessert! mmmmm

Thanks for vouching for me earlier, btw. I don't generally start threads like that but lately the weirdness on those threads has seemed so very OTT.

Sounds v good, Jabber. And the organisation sounds interesting. I haven't heard of them but perhaps I should have.

How'd it go, jabber?

We went to one of DH's friends' house Saturday night for a wine tasting party. There were 4 families there, all where the husbands were Walgreens managers. We left at a little after 8, because of our kids, but everyone else stayed until after 2 am doing karaoke to You Tube videos. Nice people, but I can't say I was sorry that we missed out on hours upon hours of that.

hi again you guys. Sorry for the sporadic posting...

Turnout was less than I had hoped but we did raise a little over $500 so I guess that's something.

DS2 has strep so was up most of the night with him and now my throat feels odd I've been exchanging "I wish" emails with a friend where we've been discussing running away to a spa Maybe after the recession's over....

dooney, wine tasting sounds good, hours of karaoke not so good. Your children saved you!

anorak, hi! how are you?

Still living in Bermuda but not great I'm afraid. My husband has buggered off with another woman

Oh, no I had no idea. I'm so very, very sorry. Do you have any family who can come stay? How is your little boy handling it?

Oh Anorak, I'm so sorry I've been in a similar situation (living 1000s of miles away from home with husband buggering off with someone else)... you know where I am if you need me. Am always happy to chat. Is a shitty shit shit situation. So sorry

Anorak - that is just awful, and I'm so sorry.

I think about you sometimes (have wondered why you haven't been here), and have hoped that you have been busy with life, and recovering fully from your medical issues.

Do you have anyone you can confide in/lean on? I hope so - I remember how wise, kind and unselfishly supportive you were to several M'netters who experienced something similar to what you are going through at the moment.

Are you considering returning to the UK?

Hello...here I am flitting into this thread again randomly.

Anorak, so sorry to hear you are going through a tough time at the moment, sending happy thoughts your way....

I feel crappy bringing up such a trivial, frivolous matter in the wake of Anorak's news, but have popped on here to see if any of you guys can help with my thread...

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/860418-Please-come-and-help-me-with-39-quirky-British -39?reverse=1&ts=1258064743940

Will be so grateful for any suggestions. Most interested to hear if you agree that Americans don't know the word 'fortnight'...?

anorak, so sorry for you.
al - NO, they don't use fortnight.

we're fine. i'd like to claim to be busy with rl. unfortunately, i have to confess to an obsession with sorority life on fb

Much sympathies anorak. dh had an affair a few years back and it was pretty devastating, but things (for us) did get better. I hope you have lots of lovely friends to lean on.

Fortnight means little in Canada either I found to m surprise. It's such a useful word too. Bi-monthly seems so clunky in comparison.

I have news of a happier nature. We have just adopted a puppy I've been looking for about six months, and was starting to feel a bit despondent about it all and then my twice daily tracking of the SPCA website paid off, and we are now the proud owner of Amos, a nine week old American Water Spaniel cross (we have no idea what the cross was with though!)

He is very sweet, and has settled very nicely, but I am slightly dreading the night ahead! He's had five siblings to snuggle up to, so may feel very lonely!

Nope, fortnight definitely not in use. "couple of weeks" seems to do the job.

Anorak, dh and I went through an incredibly bad time last year and I truly didn't think we would recover. But only 6 sessions with a counselor made a HUGE difference and we are better than ever now. I hope whichever way it goes that you are OK. We are here for cyber-support but do you have someone to lean on there in RL?

How are you, anoraak?

Lovely puppy news, nooka

Oh, I'm so sorry anorak. How are you doing?

Hello girls. I'm not doing too well, I adore my husband and have been blissfully happy being married to him, this is a nightmare for me. I don't want to go home to England. My children are blossoming here, my daughter is in love, I love it here, and I don't want my children to have to sacrifice one of their parents. So I have obtained permission to seek employment, and once I get a job I will have my own immigration status independently of DH.

I am sorry to rejoin you with a crucial self-obsession, and not paying attention to your own troubles

I'm very very sad but I have good friends here and I am trying to do the best I can.