Birthday Gift

Well 'happy week' sure lived up to it's name :o)

For those of you that don't know already via Facebook - I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!

The Dean's PA called me yesterday to find out if I was still interested in the position (ummm...yeah!). They had managed to get in contact with the other members of the selection panel (who were on leave) and got the ok to go ahead.

So, it's official!

I sobbed with relief for a good 15 minutes yesterday and have randomly burst into tears a few times since then but it's ALL GOOD. If I had to write a scenario for the perfect job situation for me...this would be it. It's actually a full-time position but they are letting me do it at 80% so I only have to work 6 hours a day, which is ideal for me and the kids. And it's PERMANENT. Yippeeee!!!!!

Seriously...the kids and I have been living pay cheque to pay cheque for the last 7 years and it's taken it's toll. The stress every year (and recently every 6 months) of not knowing if my contract was going to be renewed has been very difficult. Also, because I've only been working 15 hours a week (initially as the kids were still young, and more recently because I was studying) I've not got a cent in savings.

With an unreliable 13 year old car and the constant insecurity of having to rent a house, every day has felt like living on a knife edge. I still owe a friend money that he lent me last year when we moved, and I owe my mother money after she forked out on her credit card to get my car fixed when it broke down AGAIN in April. How fucking embarrassing, having to tell the mechanic that my pensioner mum was going to pay for my repairs on her credit card. I never want to be in that situation again.

First priority is to put a good chunk of money aside for car repairs and moving house..should the need arise. Then, should things go arse up, I only need to worry about the inconvenience of it all, it's no longer a catastrophic event for us.

This is like the start of a whole new life for me and the kids. I will be totally supporting myself now as my working hours have doubled to 30 hours a week which means I will no longer be eligible for any of the single parent's benefit from the government. It's totally up to me now, and I love that it is.

Relief....that's the only way to describe it just pure RELIEF.

And a big THANK YOU to whoever or whatever is out there, looking after me and the kids.

I promise...I'll pay you back tenfold.

.....45.....

So today I'm 45.

I thought this was going to be an awful birthday, one I'd want to forget. But just in the nick of time, hope has appeared. I won't know for sure until around 28th June, but I may have a permanent position as an Academic Support Officer at a School at the Uni where I am currently working.

Apparently the position had been advertised a couple of months ago and they didn't find anyone suitable. I just happened to send my resume to them last Monday, asking if they had any work, and they thought I might be suitable for the role.

I had a casual interview with the Dean of the School and his P/A and was asked to whip up a formal application letter so the other two members of the selection panel could have a look. Unfortunately they are both on leave until end of June so I won't know if the position is definitely mine until then.

But, 90% sure it's going ahead. Not going to be celebrating until it's confirmed but at least I'm sleeping again.

So...it's my birthday! Mum gave me a Myer/Kmart/Target gift voucher and so did the kids so I've going to be buying myself something nice. Might wait until I've lost 10kg though and have it as a reward to buy a new piece of clothing.

Leaving work early today to enjoy my free birthday movie ticket from Hoyts. I'm seeing The A-Team and eating ice-cream and Red Rock Deli Sea Salt and Balsamic Vinegar Chips (Oh-My-God).

So there.

And furthermore...

Venturing out of my cave - A catch-up post

So I'm back out of my cave (for good this time I hope).

Apologies for being a big sookie la la. It's been a really difficult time (and not even unemployed yet!) The work situation has been a stressful and protracted affair over the last year or so, and now that I know that I am definitely not working for my current employer after 30 June, I am finding I can actually focus a little better.

This is basically a catch up post as I've really neglected my blog lately. I've left things half finished as well as 'half-blogged', so I thought I would tie up a few loose ends (in case you were interested).

I also feel like an incredibly slack cow with regards to my online friends. You've been such a great support to me and lately I've not been reading/commenting or participating in general as I've been totally consumed with my work/financial situation. Sorry guys.

Not too much to tell really.

Well, I gave myself an ulcer and also ulcerated my esophagus from taking anti-inflammatories on an empty stomach..ONCE..what an idiot. I know they affect me and I usually only take the odd one with food but I was in a hurry to go to mum's for New Year's lunch and in lots of pain so downed two...with a cup of coffee.

I-D-I-O-T.

That's gonna take a while to heal.

Hmmm.....what else? Oh yeah..the whole unemployment thing - I've crapped on about that enough....

Argh....my FM and my back - Totally fucked but working on it. Have not had physio or chiro since January. 1 - because I am broke, and 2 - because they were doing bugger all good. There was just no point in going anymore, especially to the chiro. At one stage I was going 3 times a week and was still just as bad (and used ALL my savings). I have decided that I need to heal myself. No amount of chiro or physio is going to help if I am not doing the exercises I need to do to strengthen and stabilise my spine and other joints. I am in desperate need of treatment though but it is just a waste of money without the rehab to back it up. Once I start to feel definite improvement (and once I get a job), then I will go back.

Ahhh....Manflesh! ZILCH - not that I've been looking. I have spoken to Mr Man a couple of times on the phone recently and was considering meeting him for coffee but had a moment of clarity last week and realised that it would totally not work so will just concentrate on me-me-me for the time being.

The kids - they're fine...


that's about it!