Friday, May 14, 2010

Back To The Grind

Just when we get the hang of this unemployment thing, he gets the call. Back to work on Monday driving 2 hours each way. Same crappy pay, worse benefits, cut in vacation time and still just 32 hours a week. It's not perfect but it is employment, and as easy as it would be to say screw it until something better comes along, the Gardener and I decided that it was best for him to return to the land of the working. Unemployment compensation is a great thing but it is meant to be temporary. Binny and I will miss lunch with him...

I think of all of the things we were able to accomplish in the 2 months while the Gardener was laid off and I kind of wish that this sort of momentum could continue. I do have a garden to plant after all...

Even still, getting a real paycheck (that deposits itself directly into the bank. Seriously, I have made so many trips to the bank, that I'm completely out of deposit slips.) will be sigh of relief. I always hear that the construction industry is one of the last to feel a recession and the last to recover so if this is any indication of how the job market is doing, I would have to say that it's progress. Not perfect, but progress...

The rain finally quit and today the sun has been shining bright. The pesky wind is out too but after all of the rain we've had, the wind is more welcome than usual. I'm still hoping to get out in the garden this weekend to till it up one more time and add some amendments to the new section. More on that Monday...

This morning I cleaned my camera (I was noticing dust spots when I used my wide angle lens) in preparation for a kiddie photo shoot tomorrow morning. Funny how the word gets around that there is a photographer in the family. I'm just glad I'm the photographer and they all offer to pay me! Besides the camera cleaning, I decided to go ahead and purchase Adobe Lightroom. Blogger Kelly heard my bitching complaints about the price of Lightroom a while back and sent me a link to a website that offers Lightroom at a student price. Thanks Kelly! For the bargain price of $70 I now have the whole program (that doesn't run out in 30 days) to edit as I please with the few clicks of the mouse. I can't wait to use it after tomorrow's shoot!

So far I have heard back from 8 parents of kids in Binny's class that will be attending her birthday party next weekend. I have also been kicking around a few ideas for activities and goodie bag alternatives. I'm thinking that if the weather is nice, we'll do a seed planting craft outside that the kids could take home. I also have an idea for a unique twist on pin the tail on the donkey...

We'll see how much I can get done next week without having the Gardener around...

Have a great weekend all!

11 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm glad the Gardener is back to work, but that's a hell of a commute!

Can't wait to see the results of your photo shoot.

Out in Them Sticks said...

That's such great news! That makes the 4th person I know to find a job that was looking. Hopefully, things will recover quickly and the gardener will be able to switch to something a little closer with better benefits. YAY!!!

Funnyrunner said...

that's good news, indeed. Glad he's back in the land of the employed. At least you can always grow your own food, huh? :)

Jenni said...

Glad the Gardner is back to work. Can't wait to hear more on the party planning front.

Riot Kitty said...

Glad he's back, even though it sort of sucks. He will get something better, but he's smart to do this for now.

Mr. RK just got Photoshop Elements (early) for our anniversary :)

Shady Lady said...

Congrats on the Gardener's new job, but jeez!!! 2 hours?!

Way cool about the Lightroom deal! That rocks!

Anonymous said...

For a goodie bag you should buy those tiny little clay pots and either plant for the kids or have them plant them at the party. They could take away a little something for them to grow themselves. Just a thought since you and your family enjoy gardening.

Or do you have a theme for your party? I'm sure I could come up with a million other useful goodie bag ideas if you need any. Can you tell I'm an event planner and do this stuff all the time?! HAHA!

Courtney said...

I'm sorry to hear about the job but it is good he has employment right now. I hope things start to look up!

Juli said...

Have I told you that my husband, who is also a talented gardener, works in construction? So I know of these things. Gardener's new commute is twice as long as my husband's, and we have not gone on the dole during my husband's layoffs. But still. Chin up.

sheila said...

Wow, that' is a long commute. And we've got a window cleaning business. We knew there was a recession before it was 'announced' lol. Windows and that type of maintenance are the first to get cut. It's been a sucky 2 yrs I tell ya.

I'm glad your hubs is going back, maybe that is a good sign. We're getting lots of calls too. I'm hoping it's not just a 'spring thang' and stays good for while.

Much luck 2 ya! Hope your party is a huge success, sounds like a ton of fun!

Secret Mom Thoughts said...

Glad the Gardner is back to work.