-Kayla-
I have a new job . . .kind of. As you will see, it is more like changing lanes than turning onto a different street.
First of all, why I needed a different job: the person who moved away in May, allowing me to take up her full-time job when the mother's day out school year ended, moved back in September. Since she has more experience and is really good with the 12-24 mo. age group, she got her position back. I worked three weeks in a class that had no assistant teacher until they could hire an assistant teacher with an education degree. (At least one teacher in every classroom from 3 1/2 yrs. up must have their degree; since the head teacher in the class I worked in didn't, the assistant was required to.) When they hired a new assistant teacher, I kind of became "the extra", working on days they needed me and not working days they didn't (today included).
On MONDAY, I went into work and was told that the lead teacher position at a different Primrose campus (under the same owner and area director) had opened in the 2 1/2 yr. old class and that my name "came up" for the position. It is further away from my apartment, and the hours are early (7am-4pm), but the pay is better, not to mention the reliable hours. I start my new position on Monday. It ought to be an interesting ride . . .
~~~~~
The situation with Abilene is this: our lease runs out in July 2010. Trevor's contract with McDonalds (saying he will work in management six months or pay back the money that McDonalds paid for the management training classes) ends in December. We would like to get back to Abilene, but we're trying to do the best in Georgetown until that time.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Rain, Rain
We may still be paying off debts, but we have no car payments. In addition to Claire's Saturn that Trev has been using since his freshman year of college, we now have a little green Kia Rio that gets Trevor to work and back. We paid $3000 in cash, and then we got a deal from a local insurance company that insures both cars and adds in renter's insurance for about what just the national-brand insurance was charging for just the Saturn.
Trevor's job has gotten a bit more hectic. His store got a new store manager who does her shift managers' schedules a bit differently, so Trev is now working most Sundays. However, unlike before, once every three weeks or so he gets both Saturday and Sunday off. I asked off of the worship team on the weeks he'll be at church so that I can sit with him.
My job is a bit crazy, too. I've spent the last two and a half weeks working with the four-year-old class (I'm normally with the one-year-olds) while they found someone with a teacher's certificate to fill in the position. I really enjoyed working with kids who speak in full sentences, although there are new issues with that stage (such as tattling).
We are, in fact, thinking about moving back to Abilene, the main issues being finding jobs and our current lease. (We are scheduled to live there through next July.) We're kind of waiting to see what happens.
-Kayla
Trevor's job has gotten a bit more hectic. His store got a new store manager who does her shift managers' schedules a bit differently, so Trev is now working most Sundays. However, unlike before, once every three weeks or so he gets both Saturday and Sunday off. I asked off of the worship team on the weeks he'll be at church so that I can sit with him.
My job is a bit crazy, too. I've spent the last two and a half weeks working with the four-year-old class (I'm normally with the one-year-olds) while they found someone with a teacher's certificate to fill in the position. I really enjoyed working with kids who speak in full sentences, although there are new issues with that stage (such as tattling).
We are, in fact, thinking about moving back to Abilene, the main issues being finding jobs and our current lease. (We are scheduled to live there through next July.) We're kind of waiting to see what happens.
-Kayla
Saturday, August 1, 2009
For now, Trevor and I are working . . .and working . . .and working! We are also helping out with the upcoming Praise Team launch at church (me singing and Trev on sound system), hanging out with our Warwick family, and spending what time we have together more carefully than we use to. Our new one-year lease started today, so whatever we do for the next year will be based in Georgetown.
For what might be the last time we take time off of work for awhile, Trevor and I went to Abilene this past week to witness the "formal exchange of vows" of our friend Johanna and her husband Luke who eloped in January. Because they eloped, all three of my bridesmaids were married within a year and a half of our wedding. It was strange being the old married couple after being having the youngest marriage we know of at church. This may also have been the last time all of our friends are in Abilene at the same time . . .
For what might be the last time we take time off of work for awhile, Trevor and I went to Abilene this past week to witness the "formal exchange of vows" of our friend Johanna and her husband Luke who eloped in January. Because they eloped, all three of my bridesmaids were married within a year and a half of our wedding. It was strange being the old married couple after being having the youngest marriage we know of at church. This may also have been the last time all of our friends are in Abilene at the same time . . .
. . . at least we have each other!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Recent happenings
So, Kayla started full-time at Primrose a while back and has enjoyed having one work schedule, rather than two. This week, she's even been the only teacher in her class (which has been an interesting experience for her). She's also been doing VBS this week. She's been working with two teens, and has found it amusing to be the experienced person in the room. But she's really enjoyed VBS.
I finished up my training for shift manager today. It's been about a two or three month process, but I finally finished the last class. It's been a fun experience overall. I've gotten to know other people from other stores, and met some I wish I could work with. But we've got to spread around the talent, rather than keep it all at one store, right? So, today I graduated from McDonald's BSM (Basic Shift Management) course. We had a little ceremony that friends/family could come to and everything. I was on the Dean's List (which means I made 90 or above on my final test) and earned the Archie Award (which means I scored better on all tests than anyone else). Yay! And it's in my permanent employee file, which is also a plus. So, I've just got to finish up my action report (which proves that I went back to the store and took steps to improve operations based on what I learned through BSM) and then I'm completely and totally finished. Next month I officially start on the managers' rotation.
In other news, Kayla and I decided to sign a one-year lease renewal. So, we're staying here in Georgetown for a while longer. We're still not sure what we'll do this time next year, but that's not for another year. Right now we're just trying to save up for a second vehicle (since my schedule is going to be variable now that I'm a shift manager). But since Kayla's gone full-time at Primrose and I'm getting a promotion at McDonalds, that shouldn't be far away now.
We had an interesting realization the other day. By the end of our lease next year, we'll have accomplished almost all our goals that we set after deciding to not go immediately on an internship. We wanted to get our finances in order, which we have. We know how much we owe, and we know what our cost of living is. We wanted to become financially stable, and we've been paying for the bulk of our expenses (with some help from parents), and our financial situation is only going to get better. We wanted some more time to mature in "the real world," and that has been coming along well. Pretty much the only goal we haven't achieved is to pay off our loans. But we're ahead of schedule, and (what's more important) we know that our payments are reasonable amounts.
So, what this all means is that by next year, we could be in a good position for going on that missionary apprenticeship that we have been hoping to do. We don't know what's ahead, but our dreams may not be as far off as we thought they were. We'll see what the future holds when we get there.
Take care, everybody,
-Trevor
I finished up my training for shift manager today. It's been about a two or three month process, but I finally finished the last class. It's been a fun experience overall. I've gotten to know other people from other stores, and met some I wish I could work with. But we've got to spread around the talent, rather than keep it all at one store, right? So, today I graduated from McDonald's BSM (Basic Shift Management) course. We had a little ceremony that friends/family could come to and everything. I was on the Dean's List (which means I made 90 or above on my final test) and earned the Archie Award (which means I scored better on all tests than anyone else). Yay! And it's in my permanent employee file, which is also a plus. So, I've just got to finish up my action report (which proves that I went back to the store and took steps to improve operations based on what I learned through BSM) and then I'm completely and totally finished. Next month I officially start on the managers' rotation.
In other news, Kayla and I decided to sign a one-year lease renewal. So, we're staying here in Georgetown for a while longer. We're still not sure what we'll do this time next year, but that's not for another year. Right now we're just trying to save up for a second vehicle (since my schedule is going to be variable now that I'm a shift manager). But since Kayla's gone full-time at Primrose and I'm getting a promotion at McDonalds, that shouldn't be far away now.
We had an interesting realization the other day. By the end of our lease next year, we'll have accomplished almost all our goals that we set after deciding to not go immediately on an internship. We wanted to get our finances in order, which we have. We know how much we owe, and we know what our cost of living is. We wanted to become financially stable, and we've been paying for the bulk of our expenses (with some help from parents), and our financial situation is only going to get better. We wanted some more time to mature in "the real world," and that has been coming along well. Pretty much the only goal we haven't achieved is to pay off our loans. But we're ahead of schedule, and (what's more important) we know that our payments are reasonable amounts.
So, what this all means is that by next year, we could be in a good position for going on that missionary apprenticeship that we have been hoping to do. We don't know what's ahead, but our dreams may not be as far off as we thought they were. We'll see what the future holds when we get there.
Take care, everybody,
-Trevor
Friday, April 17, 2009
Job Updates
Well, both of our jobs are changing - in a good way!
I will be starting full time hours on May 4 at Primrose (child care) while continuning with Bright Beginnings (mom's day out) through May 21st. This means both more money coming in and more hassle going out, but it should be worth it. I am sad that this opportunity had to come through my coworker leaving - she's taught me everything I know as far as actually being in the classroom - but I'm glad to have a shot at full-time work.
Trevor has finally gotten approved to train for management, which means he will have to attend classes in North Austin on Wednesdays for a while. Still, this is a great opportunity as we're trying to earn extra money.
Our next financial goal is to buy a car by the end of the summer so we can stop stealing Curtis's truck when we need a second vehicle. We want to be able to pay in cash. If anyone wants to contribute to this effort, by the way, any help will be welcome!
-Kayla-
I will be starting full time hours on May 4 at Primrose (child care) while continuning with Bright Beginnings (mom's day out) through May 21st. This means both more money coming in and more hassle going out, but it should be worth it. I am sad that this opportunity had to come through my coworker leaving - she's taught me everything I know as far as actually being in the classroom - but I'm glad to have a shot at full-time work.
Trevor has finally gotten approved to train for management, which means he will have to attend classes in North Austin on Wednesdays for a while. Still, this is a great opportunity as we're trying to earn extra money.
Our next financial goal is to buy a car by the end of the summer so we can stop stealing Curtis's truck when we need a second vehicle. We want to be able to pay in cash. If anyone wants to contribute to this effort, by the way, any help will be welcome!
-Kayla-
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Working for a Living
-Kayla-
We've been working paycheck to paycheck to paycheck to paycheck to paycheck - yes, five paychecks in one month that don't add up to a whole lot, but meet our needs. Not much has changed, but we've been kept busy with work.
The biggest change is that Trevor is now beginning the process of management training at McDonalds. He may be getting a promotion to crew trainer within the next month along with a little bit of a raise.
My plans are to finish out the school year working two jobs. I won't be returning to the mothers-day-out next year, although I may not be gone forever. (If I'm not overseas when I have small children, I may be back.) I will be ready to go fulltime at Primrose, the educational childcare, on June 1st and am looking forward to a bit more of a daily routine.
Harvest Sunday is this Sunday at church! The New Zealand missionaries, whom we've never met, will be there, and there will be an auction that Sunday night for the weekly family missions trip to Mexico. It's been a long time since we've been in a missions-charged environment, and I'm really excited to see what happens.
I suppose that's all for now. I must be getting to work.
We've been working paycheck to paycheck to paycheck to paycheck to paycheck - yes, five paychecks in one month that don't add up to a whole lot, but meet our needs. Not much has changed, but we've been kept busy with work.
The biggest change is that Trevor is now beginning the process of management training at McDonalds. He may be getting a promotion to crew trainer within the next month along with a little bit of a raise.
My plans are to finish out the school year working two jobs. I won't be returning to the mothers-day-out next year, although I may not be gone forever. (If I'm not overseas when I have small children, I may be back.) I will be ready to go fulltime at Primrose, the educational childcare, on June 1st and am looking forward to a bit more of a daily routine.
Harvest Sunday is this Sunday at church! The New Zealand missionaries, whom we've never met, will be there, and there will be an auction that Sunday night for the weekly family missions trip to Mexico. It's been a long time since we've been in a missions-charged environment, and I'm really excited to see what happens.
I suppose that's all for now. I must be getting to work.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Missions?
Trevor and I had an interesting experience the other day when we went to the bank to close our credit card account. Making friendly conversation, the bank rep. asked us if we were students. We told him no, he asked about our degrees. Trevor replied "Missions" and we said we wanted to eventually be missionaries . . .
We got down to business. He tried every argument to try and get us to keep our card (I hope we didn't cost him his bonus!), but finally did what we asked.
As we stood up to walk out the door, he said, "Now, wait? What are you wanting to do? Go to another country, hand out pamphlets, that sort of thing?" We tried as best we could to describe what we wanted, but since there was nothing of the sort in his own experience, we never quite got to an understanding.
WOW! Pamplets!? Is that what the church is known for these days!? I myself received one in high school entitled "Heaven or Hell" or something like that. I tried to tell the guy I didn't need it, but some well-meaning youth pastor probably told them to be sure to get rid of all of them. He didn't even stand around and talk when I finally did take it. (It went in the trash shortly after he left. I'm pretty sure that this is often the response.)
Where is the relationship? Where are the crowds in awe of the work of Jesus? We talk so much about "planting seeds" - but Jesus calls us to the HARVEST! (Luke 9:37-38)
So here I conclude that we could all afford to pray a little bit about
1) any work we know of in the church that is reaching out relationally to the world and
2) how we ourselves can do better (and I KNOW I could be doing better!)
. . .and step off my soap box.
We got down to business. He tried every argument to try and get us to keep our card (I hope we didn't cost him his bonus!), but finally did what we asked.
As we stood up to walk out the door, he said, "Now, wait? What are you wanting to do? Go to another country, hand out pamphlets, that sort of thing?" We tried as best we could to describe what we wanted, but since there was nothing of the sort in his own experience, we never quite got to an understanding.
WOW! Pamplets!? Is that what the church is known for these days!? I myself received one in high school entitled "Heaven or Hell" or something like that. I tried to tell the guy I didn't need it, but some well-meaning youth pastor probably told them to be sure to get rid of all of them. He didn't even stand around and talk when I finally did take it. (It went in the trash shortly after he left. I'm pretty sure that this is often the response.)
Where is the relationship? Where are the crowds in awe of the work of Jesus? We talk so much about "planting seeds" - but Jesus calls us to the HARVEST! (Luke 9:37-38)
So here I conclude that we could all afford to pray a little bit about
1) any work we know of in the church that is reaching out relationally to the world and
2) how we ourselves can do better (and I KNOW I could be doing better!)
. . .and step off my soap box.
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