| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| LaLa |
Posted - Jul 01 2015 : 5:58:07 PM
Okay,
We've had a couple of exciting / annoying days (check the GoFundMe), but it's all finally happening!!
We had a tough time getting everything together at first, but we're (mostly) legal / roadworthy now, and all packed up to go. We've a '96 Ford Windstar.
Please pray for traveling mercies. We have a few things to pick up / trash in Aiken, SC before we head North.
We'll be traveling straight (as straightly as possible) starting in Norfolk, VA. If you live nearby any large cities, please let us know. If you know of a farm / ranch in need of a day worker for an afternoon, DH would love to help out while I watch the pets. We could definitely use the cash for our trip and food expenses. Anything left-over will go toward our living expenses in Missoula.
Thank y'all!
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com
Follow me on Twitter: @lalauland
Follow me on Instagram: @lalau427
DH & I are fundraising to move cross-country: http://gofundme.com/RouteWeiller |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| LaLa |
Posted - Feb 29 2016 : 1:19:01 PM
I've spent the last couple weeks reading a great deal. Most of the books I've found at the library are about job searches and the sort of work I want to do. I even found one on getting started in consulting! Self-education feels more doable now that I've gotten started on it. I still hate that I may be disappointing my parents in the process -- I know they really wanted me to attend classes. I still will at times, but I cannot risk wasting more time should I be disenrolled again -- mistakenly or otherwise. I hope they'll understand that eventually.
We're doing really well. Twitter and Gingy are getting along better than ever, though Twitty recently punished Gingy for attempting to get into his cardboard box... apparently, the box is for cats ONLY!!
I'll be taking down our GoFundMe site today and wanted to pop on here once more and say a huge thanks to all those who read along with our updates and helped wherever they could. Most of those who helped were here at MJF. We're not out of the woods, but nothing is permanent, and I need to present my best face (and Google resume) to potential employers.
In addition to my self-education efforts, I've begun gathering the contact information necessary to reach out to some of the homeless shelters and city council. I could really use some prayers over this project I'm attempting to launch. I'm going to ask the shelters point blank why ourselves and others have been denied beds despite some inclement and freezing weather. I want to give them an opportunity to express to an individual who poses no threat to them what their needs are as well as any challenges they face with sheltering those in need. I already have a contact within the mayor's office (his assistant). I want to see if I could chat with her a little as well and ask if it would be possible to speak with the city council on an interesting proposition I have for them.
Local homeless often have nowhere to go overnight unless overflow shelters are open -- and they only open in winter. Drew and I were told on multiple occasions beds were available at the most popular shelter, only to arrive BEFORE intake. We were the first in line... the only ones in line... and we were told they had NO beds available. And we've heard similar reports from other displaced individuals. Something seems fishy.
Some of the most important things to the displaced are: sleep, washroom facilities, and somewhere to keep food and other belongings. If these things are lacking, so is their morale. The lower the morale, the lower the chances of rehoming or re-employing them quickly and efficiently. My suggestion to the council will be to find ways to create funding to bring in contractors and either convert older, abandoned buildings throughout the city into hovel-hotels for the homeless OR build hovel-shacks where they are safe and live temporarily.
I want to ask contractors if any of them would be willing to donate their time, work, and resources to building / converting free of charge. With any luck we could find several locally who are willing to help. I also want to ask some of the storage facilities if they would be willing to donate some of their smallest facilities to individuals on the streets -- a safe place to store anything they do still own.
Hey -- I may get turned down at every turn. But I need and want the experience of having tried to put on my resume.
Lot of prayers. Thanks!
http://route427.wordpress.com
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com
Follow me on Twitter: @lalauland
Follow me on Instagram: @lalau427
DH & I are fundraising to move cross-country: http://gofundme.com/RouteWeiller |
| LaLa |
Posted - Feb 15 2016 : 4:19:23 PM
Thank you ladies ;)
http://route427.wordpress.com
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com
Follow me on Twitter: @lalauland
Follow me on Instagram: @lalau427
DH & I are fundraising to move cross-country: http://gofundme.com/RouteWeiller |
| churunga |
Posted - Feb 13 2016 : 9:22:51 PM
Catholics do not "worship" The Virgin Mary. For Catholics, God has three aspects: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Jesus and Mary are given special status in the religion. They are prayed to and asked to intervene with God on our behalf but can never replace god. Many human beings have been said to have been instruments of miracles. These persons are made into saints and have become patrons of certain causes. One can pray to them to ask God to intercede on our behalf. At some point in Catholic history, there was a cult of Mary the Mother who was often pictured with her lover, Jesus. This cult was demolished.
Marie, Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
| darlenelovesart |
Posted - Feb 13 2016 : 8:54:09 PM
Sounds like it going to be interesting Laura, I think you will do well.
Anyway I signed up for your blog.
Have a good evening.
darlene
I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God's gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment.
by Frances Farmer
Just follow God unquestioningly.
Because you love Him so, for if you trust His judgment there is nothing you need to know.
I trust in you Jesus... |
| LaLa |
Posted - Feb 13 2016 : 8:32:21 PM
Good evening, and yes, it's American Sign Language. I'm looking forward to learning more of it. So far, I'm working on alphabet, numbers and handshapes. I love how expressive the language is! :)
Other news: My bestie sent me some winter things she found on sale at her local store! Hilariously, my favorite item at the moment (aside from my Columbia lounge-around half-zip) is the sports bra she included. Why? Well... some days after the package arrived, we were hanging out in town, and I noted a stabbing pain. A visit to the restroom confirmed that my underwire is in fact fashioned from what may have once been a very dull sword or scythe. I'm now wearing the sports bra everrywhere. I fear any further use of my normal bra will result in it's disintegration while attatched to my person in public. I've set it aside for interviews only. And that's what happens when you wear a Wal*Mart bra daily for nearly 6 months, plus wash it regularly.
In other news, I've started back to writing regularly as well, but I've hit a bit of a roadblock some of you ladies might could help me with. I've a new blog ready to go (route427, link below). I've started on it already. But... one of the most difficult things for me as a writer is that I've been through a lot of emotional things -- military spouse, spouse of a veteran who was kicked out, cycle of homelessness in varying degrees, pet loss, passing of a family member in the midst of an eviction... the list goes on.
It's tough to know how best to discuss this sort of thing on a blog without oversharing (especially considering I'd like to write a sort of memoir containing these stories). I think a part of my confusion is that I've never seen a blog quite like the one I'd like to build Route427 into.
A few notes on Route427:
- I'm not overly religious, but was brought up in church. I believe in, love and worship God. My faith is threaded through a portion of my writing. It's an important piece of the puzzle of my smiles.
- I'm a minimalist. But the blog isn't about minimalism specifically. Minimalism has played an important role in our morale throughout the homelessness. There was never a moment of weeping over all the things we'd lost as we understood (through our experiences as minimalists) that these are 'things'. They can be replaced but don't always need to be. It's important to share some of that journey on the blog.
- I've been learning to advocate for myself. But I also want to advocate for others. I'd love to build to creating a class of sorts. Something where I could teach others how to get through some of the things I've bene through. But first things first -- I have to show that I can provide that value to others. And there we go back to "I don't know how to share all this..."
So... it would be of a great help to me if you ladies could make some suggestions etc. -- I may not be able to use everything but at the very least, it'll get my gears twisting in the right direction. Ultimately the question I'm asking here is: What would you like to see from such a blog?
Thank you in advance!
http://route427.wordpress.com
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com
Follow me on Twitter: @lalauland
Follow me on Instagram: @lalau427
DH & I are fundraising to move cross-country: http://gofundme.com/RouteWeiller |
| darlenelovesart |
Posted - Feb 10 2016 : 09:35:08 AM
I knew that sounded familiar, it has been a long time, I took it in college a long time ago. I enjoyed the class but never went further with it.
I know I try doing the letters when I see them posted and some are awkward for me.
It is like anything else movement and of course practice helps. do you have arthritis? If you can it is better to keep them moving isn't it. Depending what the movement is though.
Well thank you for reminding me what it was. Have a good day!
hugs
I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God's gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment.
by Frances Farmer
Just follow God unquestioningly.
Because you love Him so, for if you trust His judgment there is nothing you need to know.
I trust in you Jesus... |
| churunga |
Posted - Feb 10 2016 : 07:44:08 AM
ASL is American Sign Language. I took a course in it and enjoyed the grammar and syntax structure. Unfortunately, my hands are now very painful most of the time and some letters such as R are difficult for me to sign. I originally learned it so that I could have more intelligent conversations with my hearing impaired neighbor.
Marie, Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
| darlenelovesart |
Posted - Feb 09 2016 : 7:47:32 PM
I probably know what ASL is but can't remember what it means.
You will enjoy the library. Have a good evening.
hugs
I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God's gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment.
by Frances Farmer
Just follow God unquestioningly.
Because you love Him so, for if you trust His judgment there is nothing you need to know.
I trust in you Jesus... |
| LaLa |
Posted - Feb 09 2016 : 3:54:43 PM
Thank you Darlene, and I will take a photo of it. I also have a cat toy I made for Twitty. Even incorporated the bell from one of his old toys.
I misplaced my 30-day bus pass amid juggling Gingy (he was antsy after a run-in with some character who yelled his entire conversation at me) and some groceries yesterday. I have 2 passes which had 10 rides between them when I left home this morning and Drew is getting me another 10-ride pass from our casemanager tomorrow. In the meantime, we're waiting for him to get enough from donating plasma to acquire new 30-day passes for each of us. Please pray I do not run out of rides -- I shouldn't, but I've still places to go, things to do... so on.
The webinar on Sunday was WONDERFUL! I'm so excited to dig back into writing. It's always been such a relief and outlet for me. If I go too long without writing, I literally can't sleep.
Today, we're at the library and I've signed up for my library card. I'll be checking out a book on ASL. Eccentric, perhaps, but I've always been interested in learning it and this'll be a good start to get my feet wet in it and "beginner ASL" just adds to my resume.
http://route427.wordpress.com
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com
Follow me on Twitter: @lalauland
Follow me on Instagram: @lalau427
DH & I are fundraising to move cross-country: http://gofundme.com/RouteWeiller |
| darlenelovesart |
Posted - Feb 04 2016 : 9:08:07 PM
You are really going in the right direction Laura, Keep it up!
Take care and have a good night, I would like to see Gingy's floor cushion when your done if you can post it.
hugs
I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God's gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment.
by Frances Farmer
Just follow God unquestioningly.
Because you love Him so, for if you trust His judgment there is nothing you need to know.
I trust in you Jesus... |
| LaLa |
Posted - Feb 04 2016 : 9:03:23 PM
Well, the job has apparently been filled -- I think it was filled before my caseworker found the advertisement. I was at the library recently and noted some new pages. But there are other opportunities out there, as well and I'm signed up for any updates to the library opportunities which may come available.
Marie -- I have been doing a lot of crafty work for the house. I would LOVE to switch to jewelry for a bit of a change. I've been crocheting and finger-crocheting mostly. Twitty brought a kitty bed home with him and Gingy's jealous of it, so I'm crocheting a floor cushion for him and stuffing it with Wal*Mart sacks I'm making an additional cushion which Twitter can use on our bed when it's not doubling as a decorative item. And I've finished a bath mat I started on a couple weeks ago. I'll email you :) Thank you so much for all your generosity.
Darlene -- Pretty awesome, isn't it? And today, I attended the Linked In class and there I met a job-search coach who works with Goodwill. His secretary informed me that this portion of Goodwill, known as the REACT Center, takes a longer-term approach to the job search. I spoke with her at length while awaiting a moment to schedule a meeting with the coach. I explained that I've had some pretty gnarly (bad) experiences in the past with job searching and particularly with family opinions becoming overly-involved in my search. I told her I'm now in a transitional phase where a job is a necessary priority, but I've a specific goal in mind and prefer not to waste more time in career fields which will neither benefit nor further my cause. She agreed with me saying it takes time to not only define a title but also to understand the culture of the job which I'm seeking.
I've a meeting with my personal job coach next Wednesday at a different Goodwill location (the bus line for the REACT Center has crazy long wait times). I'm looking forward to seeing what he has to say once he's seen my resume(s) and how I update my LinkedIn page. I learned a lot at the class today and felt the teacher (also my job coach) and I clicked, which is a huge relief in any trainer-trainee relationship. Looking so forward to meeting with him next week.
http://route427.wordpress.com
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com
Follow me on Twitter: @lalauland
Follow me on Instagram: @lalau427
DH & I are fundraising to move cross-country: http://gofundme.com/RouteWeiller |
| darlenelovesart |
Posted - Feb 01 2016 : 9:35:14 PM
Good Work Laurie, Keep it up!
You are really a great help Marie,
Hugs
I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God's gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment.
by Frances Farmer
Just follow God unquestioningly.
Because you love Him so, for if you trust His judgment there is nothing you need to know.
I trust in you Jesus... |
| churunga |
Posted - Feb 01 2016 : 9:20:13 PM
This is wonderful. Are you going to celebrate by making some jewelry? Do you have any jewelry supplies with you? If not, send me an email with a list of what you would need to start and your current address. I have quite a few beads in my stash I could send to you.
Marie, Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
| LaLa |
Posted - Feb 01 2016 : 5:26:29 PM
Marie, I really loved your ideas and suggestions, though, unless it pays at least a few bucks an hour, volunteering isn't much of an option right now.
That being said, I think I've come up with a decent plan to bypass all the current drama, outsource myself a bit further and appease (at least for the moment) those in need of -- ahem -- dainty coddling...
- Some weeks ago, I was told of a single-day class (free of charge) which teaches how to portray one's resume on Linked-In. I've the information necessary to sign up to attend. It's through Goodwill and the gentleman who teaches informed me that I may return for additional instruction as each class is not a total repeat. He has folks that attend it weekly. I'm going to try signing up for Thursday's lecture as I've the day free.
- One of my favorite authors offers a $300+ How To Write Better course... I've wanted so terribly to attend online to better my writing all round, but obviously haven't the money. Last week, he and his adjunct professor decided to offer a 2 hour version of the course via WebinarOnAir for $20, BUT he later told prospective students that if they were unable to afford the $20, email the adjunct who would get them a one day scholarship to the program for the webinar. I emailed. I'll be attending free of charge on Sunday, the 7th. I'm SO EXCITED!
- I spoke with Forsyth Tech today -- they co-op with Goodwill for the classes Goodwill offers. Teachers of these classes work directly for Forsyth Tech. I learned where to go to sign up for a class (Intro to Clerical Assistance). I would attend at Goodwill Inc. but I'll be signed up via Forsyth Tech which should keep Goodwill casemanagers from disenrolling me from class. It should be out of their hands.
- While on the phone with Forsyth Tech, I learned about Career Readiness Certification. Apparently many employers in the area are requiring them. I can attend Keytrain classes to prep for the CRC testing free of charge. The test is $30 (not bad at all).
- One of the jobs casemanager found for me is for a library page at my favorite library in the area. I worked for a library once with similar duties. While that opportunity ended up being a minorly bad experience, I'm willing to give it another go this time around.
- I'm also looking into my options for taking other classes later on toward self-employment. But that will take a more gradual focus as I continue.
- Checked the NAMI site, no peer-to-peers available yet, but when they come available, I plan to take them and then train to become a mentor so I can then teach those classes myself.
As it stands, I've 3 fairly immediate classes, 1 test and a host of options to review as well as a decent job prospect I hope may pan out.
http://route427.wordpress.com
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com
Follow me on Twitter: @lalauland
Follow me on Instagram: @lalau427
DH & I are fundraising to move cross-country: http://gofundme.com/RouteWeiller |
| churunga |
Posted - Jan 30 2016 : 09:46:35 AM
My twenty-five cents worth of advice:
* Workplaces are more likely to accommodate a disability when it is diagnosed. This doesn't mean they will so one has to be assertive. I was in a temporary job in which I was asked to use the bathroom when I needed to take my insulin. In there I would stand at a sink and use a counter to how my equipment. Someone complained that they were creeped out by this and I was told about it. After that I would go into a stall or the supply room to take my medication. In this case, I couldn't complain because I would lose my job.
* Companies love directives in writing. Get Gingy fully trained and certified so people are more comfortable with her around. Remember: just because all the paperwork is in order doesn't mean the company will want to hire you and may select someone who doesn't need a dog to help them. Everyone understands why a blind person needs a dog but no one understands the needs of a mentally ill person. That is slowly changing.
* Apply for the jobs the caseworker gives to you and do some research. First, call the company HR department and ask them if the position is still open and accepting resumes. Second, fill out the application. Third, document the results. Make copies of all the communications you get from the company and keep an actions log of every step taken to get the job. Fourth, look for jobs on your own and do the same documentation. Fifth, have all of this documentation ready when you meet with the case manager again. At this meeting, ask for 2 minutes of her time to summarize your thoughts. Sixth, if after the next meeting, progress on your requests is not happening, speak with a supervisor about it. As always, be polite but firm.
* Continue to work with NAMI and take advantage of any and all their services.
* Try volunteering at a social services non-profit in the area. They will be so happy to have you and will not mind Gingy. I will soon be volunteering at The Aliveness Project, an AIDS awareness and community center for people living with AIDS. A place such as this would be a good place to learn about the new office technology and it can be put on a resume.
I hope I have offered some ideas which you haven't thought of. Keep advocating for yourself and keep a positive attitude. Others notice when someone takes the bumps in their lives and turns them into opportunities.
Marie, Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
| LaLa |
Posted - Jan 29 2016 : 9:37:34 PM
Well, I went in for a meeting today... first off let me just say that I'm not good at working my way in edgewise when someone is steamrolling me... and in this case I'm using the term 'steamrolling' loosely as a descriptive for an individual who barely draws breath from the moment they greet another, leaving precious little time, room, or encouragement for others to speak.
I walked into the meeting expecting to say my piece, share my complementary gratitude for her services and state a desire to switch to another casemanager. No. This meeting, despite no real plans or directives having been set for it beyond a date and time, was entirely about my resume and the job search to follow... She was armed with about 6 pages worth of potential jobs printed from Indeed, plus multiple others she recommended I apply for online. She further attempted assisting me with my resume -- which despite my having attended a class (Employability Skills) which taught me how to write a resume, I've apparently got it all wrong, still.
She informed me the reason for my disenrollment from my class is that Gingy would not be allowed into job interviews or specific job sites (such as a call center) with me. Furthermore, as Gingy is technically in training for his full certification as a service dog, they no longer wish to allow him in classes with me. She also seemed bothered by the fact that I have no official diagnoses or anything saying I have a disability -- something she seems to believe is required for me to use a service dog at all. However, I've been researching all this myself. From what I've read of the ADA and other helpful websites on the subjects of service animals and anxiety:
- Anxiety is self-diagnosable (according to WebMD, and other random sites I've visited)
- One may train their own service dog if desired
- One need not have a direct diagnoses in order to aquire or otherwise make use of such an animal
I did manage to:
- Let her know I was sincere and interested in taking the course; also correcting her in her understanding of my prior statements. She thought I was saying the call center would be too stressful for me -- what I said was every job has it's stressors, call center is no different, and I wish to put forth the effort to try it if that's the class I'm in.
- State the aforementioned research and that I'm in contact with NAMI who are also instructing me as to my rights.
- Inform that NAMI and I are in agreement that while a job is high priority, I'm in no state to manage both a job and classes ppresently and I need a refresher on some of my office tech.
I left with:
- Job prospects I'm honestly sick over. Not to keen on anyone looking for me when they're being a bit controlling about it. Jobs are things that come to me or they don't... no amount of resume polish or pavement pounded can force anyone's hire.
- A great prospect for class funding which I'll be looking into Monday. Good opportunity to get a decent course not offered at Goodwill.
- A link to a free online learning center. Valuable. But I don't see it teaching me to use an office copy machine or untangling the confusing mass of buttons some donkey-hat added to office telephones. Can we please go back to party-lines and wooden box phones?
http://route427.wordpress.com
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com
Follow me on Twitter: @lalauland
Follow me on Instagram: @lalau427
DH & I are fundraising to move cross-country: http://gofundme.com/RouteWeiller |
| churunga |
Posted - Jan 28 2016 : 1:09:53 PM
The case manager you have at Goodwill sounds as if she is good for Drew but not for you. When you meet with her, request a case manager who would work better for you. Be very polite and complementary and say that you are just looking out for all concerned. Do not make the complaint yet because Drew is getting good service from her. Stress that you need help of your own from someone who can better handle your situation.
Yes, do the peer-to-peer classes with NAMI. See if you can get a case manager with them. Definitely check out all their services.
I just googled "inexpensive healthy meals" and got a whole list of sites to look at. I won't list them here. Many of the recipes include pasta and chicken. If Drew doesn't like kidney or navy beans, try garbanzo beans or black eyed peas. Buy your ingredients in bulk and make a large pot or casserole which can be frozen and lasts several days. I like to make a hearty stew in a slow cooker and freeze it in 2 cup reusable containers I get when I buy soup at the oriental place. These is so much you can do when you cook from scratch.
Marie, Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
| LaLa |
Posted - Jan 28 2016 : 09:31:23 AM
It's been a crazy week. We had snow (yay!!) and Gingy loved playing in that.
I finally reached NAMI. I now have the number of a specific volunteer whom I can call and talk to anytime. I also know a bit more about what to do in regards to the class situation, though it doesn't appear I'll be able to sign up for a new class until March :(. All such classes are filled up and have already begun. Everything remaining is industrial work... There are classes I'm interested in through Forsyth Tech which I don't think are available to us for free, but I'm going to ask if I cannot be put into a class schedule right away. I'm meeting with the casemanager on Friday. Lately she's been too "slammed" to meet with us (understandable in her line of work), but the last several times I've spoken with her she's basically steamrolled me rather than really listening to what I had to say. In this case, what I've to say is important to my greater success following these events. She's been a wonderful casemanager for our immediate needs involving Goodwill, but I'm really beginning to feel I'm done with her. Zero hard feelings and I think she'll continue being an asset to Drew as she's the Veteran Coordinator there, but I think I may need someone different who is more familiar with my needs and better educated as to the rights of folks with anxiety -- with or without an official diagnoses. One individual with NAMI who told me she has worked with Goodwill before (as a casemanager or something similar) gave me a number to call with Vocational Rehab where I can make a complaint against the casemanager I have currently. I feel the call should be made... but Drew wants me to wait until I meet with her on Friday. Thoughts?
I was also told of peer-to-peer classes with NAMI where I could potentially become an advocate and make a little cash on the side there. I'll be checking their website for more info on that.
We're hoping to get our furniture in this week or next... so excited to have a real bed for the first time in several months. Well... I'm chill with sleeping on the floor, but prefer a bed -- I'm really looking forward to a sofa.
In the meantime, I'm working on coming up with more cheap, easy, healthy meals that can be made ahead for lunches to be carried to school or work. Any suggestions are welcome -- Drew isn't fond of beans at all, which somewhat limits our cheap choices. I got him to agree to one recipe in which I use refried beans to stretch or replace beef. I'm cutting out most breads as I'm trying to keep our grains a bit healthier and I'm just plain sick of the usual sandwich bread. We go with wraps or find special deals on deli breads or use crackers. Lunches are purposefully kept light.
So that's this week. I'm looking forward to the weekend.
http://route427.wordpress.com
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com
Follow me on Twitter: @lalauland
Follow me on Instagram: @lalau427
DH & I are fundraising to move cross-country: http://gofundme.com/RouteWeiller |
| LaLa |
Posted - Jan 23 2016 : 3:10:01 PM
Thank you Darlene. Much appreciated :)
We're loving our new place. I still haven't had opportunity to speak with our case manager about my classes (she's been slammed with other appointments) but I have a plan, so I'll get something figured out soon. Right now I'm enjoying having a roof over my head. We'll be getting together with another case worker in the coming week to look at getting furniture for us.
Twitter has settled into our new place, though he got upset with us once last night -- his caretaker was free-feeding him, so he weighs a ton and I'm putting him on a diet. So we're adjusting to a new feeding routine where he yells at me if the bowl is empty. He's also back to spanking the dog every so often. Their current argument is who Twitty's pet bed belongs to. Hint: Not Gingy.
So, that's us for right now... Please continue praying as we adjust more and get back on track from here. We are still planning to leave NC and go to Montana in the coming months. This is just one lengthy pit stop on the way. We definitely need wisdom going forward.
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com
Follow me on Twitter: @lalauland
Follow me on Instagram: @lalau427
DH & I are fundraising to move cross-country: http://gofundme.com/RouteWeiller |
| darlenelovesart |
Posted - Jan 18 2016 : 4:24:21 PM
If your in contact with him still it probably wouldn't be a problem for you to get the reference letter. You might just ask if it is still possible to get a letter from him and then see if you can call him or email him by regular email in case your message gets lost on Facebook.
Good luck Laurie. Your going to do well.
Blessings
I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God's gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment.
by Frances Farmer
Just follow God unquestioningly.
Because you love Him so, for if you trust His judgment there is nothing you need to know.
I trust in you Jesus... |
| LaLa |
Posted - Jan 18 2016 : 3:42:12 PM
Hi all, sorry for being AWOL a few days. Processing... settling into our new home. Etc.
I was disenrolled from the class due to my casemanager's concern my anxiety will compromise my ability to work in a call center. While I understand what you've suggested, Marie, I don't see how that will work out in the long-run as she's convinced she's right. Furthermore, I was disenrolled without my prior knowledge or consent. Due to the MLK holiday, I haven't yet been able to reach out to others within Goodwill to insure that I am in fact disenrolled... I want to doublecheck that she didn't get conversations with myself and another individual mixed up when discussing with me the other day before I don't show up for class.
My current plan of action is:
-- call NAMI tomorrow first thing. See what they have to say about all this.
-- go visit the lady who originally put me in the call center class and who has advocated for myself and Gingy before in a Goodwill class setting. My goal in going to her first is that I've tried discussing this with my casemanager directly during her surprise-anxiety-interview she sprung on me a few weeks ago. I left this interview thinking I'd clearly expressed a desire to stay in call center classes despite the fact I'm certain it has it's stresses (point being: what job DOESN'T stress it's workers). She apparently heard that as "this job does look too stressful for my anxiety to handle". She disenrolled me from that point without any further input from me, or my knowledge. I feel having someone like this advocate I'd like to speak with who works alongside my casemanager and knows her well, would help. This individual has researched the rights surrounding anxiety sufferers and therefore can speak to the circumstances from that angle in support of me.
-- speak to casemanager again with the support of NAMI and the advocate in her department backing me.
-- sign up for the next available call center or office technologies class and attend.
-- begin a more serious job search... though, honestly, I'm not feeling great about jobs at the moment... having a certificate in hand to say, "this lady knows her stuff" would go a long way to helping me there. I've been rejected from most jobs I've applied to. My goal is to at least be considered and at least get into the first interview. In my experience most places won't even bother giving me an interview...
Also, I have a job-search related question:
In 2007, I left my favorite job ever. I was a work-study receptionist for the school of Christian Ministries at my college. When I left, my supervisor offered to write me a letter of recommendation for my next job. I was young, naivette, overly modest and shy about it -- I felt like that would be asking him to say nice things about me and that might be a bit inappropriate. So,I politely declined and he said if I changed my mind, please let him know.
Is there a statue of limitations on offers like that, or is it something I could politely request now? If so, any suggestions on how to go about doing that? I'm still in mild contact with this supervisor (I follow him on Facebook). We rarely communicate beyond a hello, or holiday / birthday greetings.
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com
Follow me on Twitter: @lalauland
Follow me on Instagram: @lalau427
DH & I are fundraising to move cross-country: http://gofundme.com/RouteWeiller |
| darlenelovesart |
Posted - Jan 15 2016 : 7:10:13 PM
Good advice Marie.
Good luck Laura.
hugs
I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God's gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment.
by Frances Farmer
Just follow God unquestioningly.
Because you love Him so, for if you trust His judgment there is nothing you need to know.
I trust in you Jesus... |
| churunga |
Posted - Jan 15 2016 : 2:20:00 PM
Okay, here is what you do. Take the job with Goodwill EDGE. Be all nice and compliant. Meanwhile, continue to make noises such as "I wish I could have that call center training. I see lots of jobs in that area." Be an exemplary worker and look for work at the same time. Flood her with paper proof that you have been looking and not being hired. When she asks why, have the opinion that you think they want someone with more training. As always, be sweet, be nice, be compliant, be a good employee. Be REALLY helpful and enthused at the workplace (within limits) and treat everyone well. This is a time to show how to catch your flies using the sweetest honey you have. DO NOT make this woman regret helping you. Might want to consider taping some critical conversations with her. Keep trying to reach NAMI and getting their advice.
This is NOT the time to get angry. It is time to advocate carefully. Do not jeopardize everything that has been gained.
Marie, Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
| LaLa |
Posted - Jan 15 2016 : 1:35:39 PM
Okay... I have GREAT news... and then I have angry news.
GREAT NEWS: I'm typing this from my kitchen! And Twitter is home after 6 months apart from us!! And he's all lovey and giving kisses and talking as though he never left -- I mean, he's still working out his confusion and fear of the new place and not having other cats around, but otherwise, he's totally chill. And heavy... I'm going to need kitty-diet info soon. When he left us he was 16 pounds. Now I'll be lucky if he's only 20.
Angry News: Remember the class I was saying I was signed up for? Call Center? Well... the thing is, as much as I wasn't looking forward to it, I know that it would REALLY help me out if I attended ANY class, at least to show that I'm doing something with my time in an effort to better myself for future employers. Well... I just got off the phone with my Goodwill caseworker. As far as I have known the last few weeks, I am scheduled to begin class Tuesday of next week, the 19th. My casemanager asked me when I plan to begin my job search now that we're in the apartment (which she was calling to congratulate me on). I explained I planned to begin my search more seriously once I had a class under my belt. She wanted to know what I was talking about. Apparently, to her understanding, when we had the conversation I mentioned above, I said (I do not remember ever saying this) that the call center would be too stressful on me. I remember saying I had never done it, that I was sure it had it's stresses just like any other job and that it was something I wanted to try all the same. SHE TOOK ME OUT OF THE CLASS AND IT'S FULL NOW!! She expects me to immediately start looking for work, or get into Goodwill's EDGE program to try working as a cashier or something. I'm SO MAD RIGHT NOW.
Tried calling NAMI's NC office in Raleigh. It's their open house today... I'm going to have to call an out of state NAMI to get anywhere... and pray to God they don't ask to forward me to NC.
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com
Follow me on Twitter: @lalauland
Follow me on Instagram: @lalau427
DH & I are fundraising to move cross-country: http://gofundme.com/RouteWeiller |
| churunga |
Posted - Jan 09 2016 : 10:06:59 PM
I have worked with people who have a service dog in the office. The only problem I see is that everyone wants to pet the dog and that is just not done. Whenever I see someone with a service dog, I compliment them on the dog and go about my business. Oh and the people I saw with service dogs worked in offices. So there! Next time they make a judgment about Gingy in the workplace say "I see and is this your direct experience or something you have heard." This is something you can advocate for so do the research.
Marie, Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
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