Yeah, I know...
It's been awhile since I posted...but I've been B-U-S-Y!

The job is still interesting. I'm starting to get a feel for things and procedures are starting to flow easier...but there is still so much for me to learn and digest. I know that eventually I'll get the hang of it, but I'm not a person who is used to having to work this hard to learn something new. But it is a challenge, and there is nothing I enjoy more than that.

Let's see...what else -- Oh! Lou is about to quit his job. I can feel it in my bones. He's taken about as much crap as he is going to take from his boss, and as much as his timing STINKS... I don't fault him for wanting out. I just hope he at least has a lead on a new job before he quits this one. Actually, I'm hoping he gets fired. At least then he can collect unemployment. Oh, no doubt his ..... of a boss will fight it, but she has taken what should have been a dream job for him and turned it into a personal lacky position...and Lou is a lot of things, some good, some bad...but he's no one's lacky. Honestly, it's a wonder he's lasted this long. If it had been me, she would have had to fire me several weeks ago, cuz I would have told her off. But that's me.

Um..in other news...we're still trying to get pre-approved for a mortgage. The lender we were working with has completely flaked out on us. I have faxed the same forms to this guy THREE times, and he still can't keep track of them. So, we are working with an additional lender...just in case.

The dream house that I talked about before, is still first on our list, but we have added two more houses that we really like. You would think that I would be panicked, desperately trying to make things work out so that I can have my house..but I'm not. If we are meant to buy a house, then we will buy one, and no amount of worry or manipulation on our part will change that. In a way, I really see Lou's looking for another job as the solution to the "yeah, we can afford the house, but it's going to be really tight" delimma. If he could get a job making what he SHOULD, then buying any of the houses on our list wouldn't be a problem. So, I'm convinced that there is a higher power at work here....the same one that cleared the way for us to move here seven months ago.

Hard to believe we've only been here since June. Seems so much longer to me now. But our lives have changed so much since we've been here. We're still broke, but we are a better class of broke. LOL Hubby doesn't see it that way, but personally, I think that if I'm going to be broke, then I should at least have something to show for it. Back in WV, we were broke and had nothing. Here at least, I'm broke with cable tv, a telephone and a car that I can drive around without worry. I know that probably makes no sense to anyone but me, but that's okay, I'm used to it. LOL

That's about it. There really isn't much new to report...did I mention that Lou is going to try and make it onto the pro pool circuit? Got a new pool cue on layaway to prove it. We'll pick it up Thursday after work, and Lou will officially begin practicing this weekend. There's a tournament he wants to enter at the end of February, so he needs to get some serious practice time in between now and then.

Okay, that's it for real. I'm off to do some crocheting or beading..or something.

You may all go about your lives now...
- posted by Kim @ 11:39 PM

 
It's been a LONG week...
I started the new job on Tuesday..and it's been an eyeopening experience.

In my old position, I called Doctor's offices and tried to get them to switch their patients from no-preferred medications to preferred meds. Read: name brand to generics. Nurses and MA's would sigh when they heard me start my pitch and a doctor seldom took a "meanlingless fluff" call from us.

Just a sidnote: My company isn't the one who decided that you should take generics -- your benefit plan did..confused about who is who? There's US and then there is ..I won't mention a real company name...so let's use "Horizon". "Horizon" hires US to manage their drug benefit program. "Horizon" decides if you can take generics or name-brand meds, we just enforce their plan. Or try to.

Anyway, that was my OLD job. My NEW job is the complete opposite of what I had been doing. Instead of calling doctors and getting them to switch to generics, I GET calls from doctors who are requesting that their patients be allowed to take name-brand meds instead of the generic.

That's all the explanation that I can give right now -- since I'm still trying to figure it all out myself. But so far, it has been an interesting experience. Intersting and exhausting. There is SO much to remember...so many rules that need to be followed and just as many exceptions to the rules...it just makes your head spin. Tonight is the latest I've been up all week...normally by midnight, I'm asleep.

In other news...we are looking for a contractor who can come look at the house I mentioned in my last post. There are some structural changes that we would like to make and we need to know how much they're going to run. We're also trying to figure out a way to come up with a downpayment. But we'll worry about that later.

Speaking of later...that's when I'll post more. I'm wiped. You may go about your lives now.


- posted by Kim @ 2:18 AM

 
I'm almost afraid to post this, but...
I gotta! I think we've found our dream house.

Check this out: dream house

Isn't it awesome? The pictures don't do it justice. From the moment I walked into the foyer, Wayne Campbell's words flowed through my head:

"You will be mine. Oh, yes, you will be mine!"

Now to get a loan to cover the mortgage.

I have to call a lender that seemed interested in maybe working up a loan for us. Keep your fingers crossed and send some good juju this way. I would love to have this house.

Speaking of juju, I need some work tomorrow too. Today was my last day of training, and tomorrow I head out onto the floor to start taking calls. Good thoughts that I don't run screaming from the call center in frustration...please? I really think I'm going to like this job...but it is so different from anything I've done in the past...so I guess it makes me nervous.

Oh well...wish me luck...on all counts.

That's it..you may go about your lives now.


- posted by Kim @ 1:34 AM

 
So we go to the Home Show
...after pit stops at Quick Lube and Bob Evans.

The car needed an oil change, and since it's new I really don't want to risk screwing something up that won't completely go awry until after our warranty is up. Of course, that's going to happen no matter what I do now, but at least when it does happen I'll know that it didn't get any help from me.

Anyway.

We got our oil changed by a "kid" (and I say that cuz he couldn't have been more than 18), that didn't really seem to know what he was doing. I suppose he got the oil in the car, but he really struggled with the air filter, and he asked me how much air should be in my tires. I had NO idea...all my other cars had 15 inch tires and this one has 17 inch tires..we settled on 35...they seem okay...I guess.

Then we were off to the home and condo show. We got a lot of good material, house layouts and talked to a few mortgage lenders, one of which we might actually use to get a preapproval for a mortgage. It's still a bit soon to get a preapproval since we still have 6 months left on our lease and breaking it would be expensive...but it never hurts to know who you want to go through before it's time to move.

After the home show, we went to make a payment on the furniture we bought last June, and wonders of wonders, we found out that todays payment paid off half of it. Yay!!! That will drop out payment a bunch, which means more money that can be used to pay off some old bills. It ain't romantic, but it's all part of the master plan.

At this point, everything I do is aimed at getting a house this summer. You could call me obsessed with the idea. I hate paying rent. The thought that someone is getting rich off my hard-earned money galls me to no end. If I'm going to spend hundreds of dollars on 4 walls, a floor and a ceiling, then it's going to be MY 4 walls and MY ceiling and MY floor.

Anyway, after the home show, we went to WalMart. We needed to replace our phones. So we bought three, two of which work as walkie talkies. They will come in handy when we get the new house and I'm in my den and Lou is practicing pool on the other side of the house.

Told you everything is aimed toward a house. Believe me now? LOL

Anyway, that was my day. It was nice to spend time with Lou and not fight. Not that we've been fighting any more than usual...but it just seemed like an especially nice day. Go figure.

Okay, that's it. You may go about living your lives now...
- posted by Kim @ 1:58 AM

 
Thank God It's Friday...
Cuz if I had to go to work one more day this week I was going to lose it. More than I normally do.

Don't get me wrong -- I like my job. I almost LOVE my job, and I'm pretty sure I will really enjoy it once the transition is over and I'm not in training for my new job while working my old job at the same time. But 13 of us left my old department at the same time (the PTB's decided that, not us), so the old department in woefully short on employees, while my new department is chomping at the bit to get up out on the floor.

For example, next week I have to go back to my old job to finish up my monitors. (You know when you call Customer Service and you hear the automated phrase "this call may be monitored for quality assurance purposes"? The customer service rep that you get on the phone has a few of their calls listened to by a supervisor to make sure they are doing their job correctly. That's called "monitoring" or "getting monitored". Apparently, my supervisor still needs three more monitors on me for the month.

So, my head is filled with all this new knowledge that I REALLY need to use before I forget it, and before I have a chance to use it, I have to go back to a department that I all but ran screaming from. Great.

I also found out today that after January, I could very well be working in my new department, my old one, and the originial department that I started out in...as needed. UGH.

It's really hard to be in demand. I should be flattered that they would consider me such a strong employee...but all it does is cause me stress since I never know where I will be working from one day to the next. It kinda sucks...especially since if I'm not working in my new dpeartment, then I can't qualify for bonuses...and those can add up to a VERY tidy sum..up to almost half my monthly wages.

So...I left a department that I didn't like to go to one that I'm pretty sure I'll love, just to find out that I could very well be back in my old department more than I am in my new one. UGH..again!

Anyway, that's what is new with me, and why I am glad I don't have to work for the next two days. But there are other reasons I am glad the weekend is here.

We are going to a new home and condo show tomorrow. We want to meet with builders and see if building a house wouldn't make more sense for us, since of all the houses we've looked at...and we are talking at least 15 houses...just don't suit our needs. We are working with a GREAT real estate agent who is bending over backwards trying to find a home for us, but so far, nothing has panned out. We have't given up by any means...but it gets frustrating after awhile.

So, a home show and I get to sleep in. Yeah, that's a good weekend in the making.

Anyway, I'll post more tomorrow when I get home from the show and all the errands I have to run tomorrow. For now, I'm going to sit here, drink my vodka and cranberry juice, and enjoy my Friday night. I suggest you do the same (alchoholic drink is optional).

You may go about your lives now...
- posted by Kim @ 10:57 PM

 
Told you I'd post...
today. It's later than I planned, but better late than never, right?

Right.

I just looked at my goals for 2004...I'll post them again here, and I've made comments in CAPS:



1. Find an agent or traditional publisher for Moments of Clarity - since my publisher doesn't see the need to convert my ebook into a print book, I have to find one who will. Those of you who would like to complain, her email is synergebooks@aol.com

I DIDN'T EVEN TRY TO FIND A TRADITIONAL PUBLISHER FOR THIS BOOK. I'M THINKING OF MAYBE EXPANDING IT AND THEN FINDING A PUBLISHER...NOT REALLY SURE WHAT TO DO WITH IT, REALLY.

2. Get a minimum of 15 personal essays published in paying print and
online markets
I PUBLISHED 6 PERSONAL ESSAYS THIS YEAR. NOT TOO BAD I SUPPOSE.

3. Get a minimum of 10 business-related articles published in print or
online magazines.

NOPE..DIDN'T HAPPEN

4. Get a minimum of 10 writing-related articles published in paying
markets.

DITTO MY LAST RESPONSE.

5. Keep TheClassicQuill.com, KAFrancis.com, and my blog updated
DIDN'T DO TOO BAD WITH THIS ONE TIL THE END OF THE YEAR.

6. Finish the outline for a novel I'm working on and complete the first
draft.

THIS, I AM PROUD TO SAY I ACCOMPLISHED. IT'S STILL SITTING ON MY HARD DRIVE NEEDING EDITS, BUT THE FIRST DRAFT IS DONE.

7. Find an agent or traditional publisher for "Three Wishes".

I CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT WHERE THIS BOOK NEEDS TO GO, AND SO IT UNDERWENT SOME SERIOUS REWRITES. SEE MY GOALS FOR 2005 FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT THIS.

8. Get my byline in Business 2.0 and Entrepreneur magazines
NOPE. NADA. DIDN'T HAPPEN.

9. Write the sequel to "Three Wishes"

WELL...THIS ONE I ACCOMPLISHED X2! NOT ONLY DID I WRITE THE SEQUEL, I WROTE THE SEQUEL'S SEQUEL PLUS DID A MAJOR OVERHAUL ON THE FIRST BOOK.

10. Be completely self-employed by the end of 2004. Now that hubby is
employed again, I can attempt this goal once more. I've achieved it
before.

OF COURSE, THEN I MADE THIS GOAL, I DIDN'T KNOW I WOULD BE MOVING 2 HOURS AWAY, GETTING A JOB I REALLY LIKE OR ENJOYING GOING TO WORK. SHOWS YOU HOW THINGS CHANGE.

11. Keep my groups hopping.
COULAD DONE BETTER WITH THIS ONE.

12. Other miscellaneous goals that are more personal in nature, but
career-related as well.
CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THEY WERE...SO NOT SURE WHETHER I ACHEIVED THEM OR NOT.

Rereading my goals for 2004 just makes me more sure of something I've been leaning towards for months now -- I do not WANT to write nonfiction. I want to write novels and personal essays, and making myself write things other than that is just torture. Another thing: I like the steady paycheck and the insurance that a full-time job gives me. Now all I need is a job in my field that offers that security and things will be fine...which leads me to...

My goals for 2005:

1. Get an agent and/or a book deal.

2. Buy a house.

3. Write more fiction and complete another novel.

4. Make some investments in my retirement account (stocks, CD's, etc).

5. Do what I need to do for me, and not worry so much about what others think.

6. Crochet more

7. Head back to school, get my Master's Degree and go back to teaching college (by 2007).

That's about it. Not a lot of goals for this year, but it's not the quantity, but the quality that counts. Right?

Right.

You may go about your lives now...


- posted by Kim @ 10:34 PM

 
Okay, so I know y'all thought
I fell off the face of the earth.

Well...almost...but I hung on...by my fingernails...barely...

Okay, so that's not really true. Things have actually beed pretty good. Had a few problems with my FORMER cable/ISP/phone company (I don't care WHAT they promise you -- if a company offers to give you all the abovementioned services under one plan..run..don't walk -- RUN from the deal. What a nightmare!)

Anyway, I went part of November and all of December without Internet and/or a telephone. What a pain that was! I really don't feel like going into major details, but I hope no one I like (or several people I dislike for that matter) has to go through the hassles I went through. But it's all behind me now..almost...I am still stuck on dialup til sometime next week I think. But at least things are working.

So, I've got a lot to tell y'all. I got a promotion at work. Well, it's not an *official* promotion, as much as a lateral move, but the job is less of a hassle for more money and better perks. With bonuses and overtime oppotunities thrown in, it's a raise of SEVERAL thousand dollars...plus there are really opportunities for advancement in this job. I'm still in training, but as soon as I have a better grasp on the job, I'll fill you in on more of the details.

Lou is still working...***breathe collective sigh of relief here*** I think his boss drives him nutty, but he still goes there everyday, so I think he enjoys it. I know I enjoy his paycheck every other week. ha ha

We are househunting. I was baffled when I found out how much we could afford for a house. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I could afford a house that cost this much money. I won't gave an amount cuz that would be wrong, but believe me when I say it is well within "dream house" reality. Now allwe have to do is fix up our credit a bit. Three years of un/under-emplyment can really screw you over, ya know?

I know there's more I should be telling y'all, but I can't think of anything else. Oh...I did make a goals for 2005 list...but I think I'll wait and post that tonorrow. Yes, I WILL be back to post tomorrow...it's a goal. :-)

You may all go about your lives now...
- posted by Kim @ 10:59 PM

 
Better Late than never....?
1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before?

Oh wow....so many things...but I guess the biggest thing would be we moved not for the PROMISE of jobs but becuse we both HAD jobs. Big difference from the last 2 times we moved.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more resolutions for next year?

I don't make resolutions other than to not make resolutions, so I guess the answer would be yes, I kept my New Year's resolutions for last year and this year should be a breeze too.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My friend Gail had a baby girl. Other than that, nope.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thank heavens, no.

5. What countries did you visit?

Franklin, Mercer, Ohio, Belmont, Lake, Mahoning...oh wait...you said COUNTRIES....I thought that said COUNTIES! :-)

6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?

Other than a house, we have everything we need.

7. What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory and why?

There really isn't one, but I am rather fond of June.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Both of us working and making more than minimum wage.

9. What was your biggest failure?

My first job in Columbus. That was a COLOSSAL mistake!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing I want to go into here. It's all good now though.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My..er--I mean OUR car. First brand new car I...er--WE ever owned.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Taylor's ability to adapt to her new environment and maintain her A-average. The kid truly amazes me.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

My in-laws...I don't call them my "outlaws" for nothing.

14. Where did most of your money go?

junker car..food...junker car...rent...junker car...more food...junker car...new car...food...rent...(can ya tell I'm glad we got rid of the "junker car"?

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

The possibilities of what our lives could be like.

16. What song will always remind you of 2004?

My Immortal by Evanescence

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: happier or sadder? thinner or fatter? richer or poorer?

Happier now than then, about the same size, definitely richer and not just monetarily.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

I wish I would have written more and procrastinated less. I wish I would have posted in my blog more. I wish we would have moved to Columbus sooner (but I really believe we got here then God wanted us here). I could say I wished I would have exercised more and ate less, but I would be lying. How's THAT for honesty?

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Worrying and trying to please everyone else.

20. How will you be spending New Year's Eve?

I spent New Year's Eve with Lou and Taylor. WE made dacquiri's, watched the ball drop and wished Dick Clark would have been well enough to do his New Year's Eve show. I like Regis and all, but he was BORING!

21. How will you spend New Year's Day?

We did some shopping, but pretty much just hung out at the house.

22. Did you fall in love in 2004?

No need....I was already IN love. :-)

23. How many one-night stands?

Yeah, right...I don't have sex....I'm MARRIED, remember? :->

24. What was your favorite TV program?

Don't really have one...but if forced to choose, I would say Desperate Housewives, since it reminds me of a neighborhood I know of.

25. Do you hate anyone now who you didn't hate this time last year?

Hate is such a waste of emotion. You spend all this time feeding these negative feelings and thought about someone and you never tell them how you feel, so they blithely live their lives your feelings eat away at you. Yeah, real productive.

26. What was the best book you read?

Oh no...asking a writer about the best book she ever read is a mistake. I've read a lot of good books....I don't have a favorite.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Evanesence.

28. What did you want and get?

A car and a job that I like.

29. What did you want and not get?

To win the lottery

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Notta clue. Can't remember what came out this year that I saw.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I was 35. We went to a chinese restaurant...and hubby gave me Babylon 5--season four. Very cool.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If I would have gotten a book deal. Of course, submitting my book to agents/publishers MIGHT have helped.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?

At least I'm not naked. Seriously, comfortably chic.

34. What kept you sane?

Nothing...it was too late for that. I embraced my insanity back in 2002 and things have been great ever since. At least for me...I'm sure others around me might have a different opinion.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

None. Celebs don't impress me.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

Fahrenheit 911, Election 2004, and the War in Iraq

37. Who did you miss?

My mother-in-law (tell anyone I said that and I will deny it.) She just had a way of getting her son to do things that I still haven't mastered.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

Moi

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004:

If there is someting you really want, then you need to suck it up and just do what you need to do, no matter what anyone else thinks. Trust yourself.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

I know now who I am, if only for awhile
I recognize the changes
I feel like I did
Before the magic wore thin
And the baptism of stains began

...later in the song...
All my life they said I
was going down,
but I'm still standing,
stronger, proud.
And today I know there's
so much more I can be.

Someone Else - Queensryche
- posted by Kim @ 10:17 PM