Pushed off a 20 foot cliff.

I started a new job. I had been there as an intern. I was hesitant to start. First week, okay. Second week, yesterday not too great, today horrible. Now, I know you're like, "it's the second week, I'm sure it will get better." See, here is the thing. I love what I do. I don't mind the "extras" that come with what I do (the drug tests, the paperwork, the DSS and probation phone calls). No, see all of that is fine. I'm having no problems with that. I love my supervisor for licensing. I love the other childrens clinicians. I love the groups and I like my clients!

So, what's the problem? One lady - a boss. The same lady that made 3 people quit in October. The same lady who made several clinician lives miserable after they reported her to HR. (Side not: Lovely no retaliation policy there). The boss who has made it her mission to demean me, call me out, and yell at me whenever I stepped into the hall today. The lady who last week said, "we don't want you overwhelmed, we're here to support you." And if you think, everyone has problems with a boss every now and then, here is an idea of why it might be different.

Here is what happened: I was in training until 4 today. I HAVE to complete 10 hours in order to run this particular group. Because of pulling me out yesterday for something & today for something, I needed to stay the whole time. When I mentioned this I got told (in front of two other staff), "I needed you at 3 so (another clinician) could take her lunch. She's not going to get to eat now because of you."

Really? Because I have to be at a MANDATORY training that you knew about? Because I am the ONLY person in the entire building that can give this other clinician a break? Because she couldn't get up from her chair where she was gabbing (about non work stuff) to give the person a break? Nope, of course not. I was the sole reason someone else couldn't eat.

Great day at work huh? Sorry for venting but I really needed too. But mainly, I need prayers because if I'm going to stay here, something with this situation must change. So, please, I desperately ask that you pray for me & for this situation because right now, I'm flabbergasted.

Yay!

As I get ready for starting my new job, I'm trying to get a ton done, which includes grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry, etc. Since Tim and I will be on some insane schedules, I'm trying to stock up now for some quick/easy meals that are still somewhat healthy! Thankfully, HT has Super Doubles this week. So this morning, I got up and I went on my first grocery store run!

The results:
Spent $21 before tax and saved $107!! That's almost 84%!
Savings from HT Sales: $54.56
Savings from Coupons: $26.60
Savings from Doubled: $17.09
Savings from E-coupons: $4.49 
Savings from Meat Rewards: $5.00

Another reason why couponing is the way to go! I got a lot of really good foods (not junk) with coupons!

Monthly Musings!

Monthly Musings

I've decided to do this post every month of 5 things currently going on in my life. You should too!

1. Alphabet soup: MA, LPCA, NCC! I finally have my credentials and licensing after feeling forever had passed. And, I finally have the diplomas and certificates! I am aiming for another one and should have another in about two or four years, but we shall see. And because of this, in one week from today, I start my job!

2. I am currently trying to plan out my hour long presentation at a National Conference in New Orleans! Eeek! I love the topic but am fearing giving the presentation. I was supposed to have two co-presenters, but one has already backed out and the other one is close to backing out. I hope he doesn't or I have to make it on my own. However, it's at 7:30 in the morning, so there might not be many people there to scare me! But, I do get to see my sister on the way home, and on her birthday, so that is a nice feeling!

3. My wonderful husband suprised me Saturday afternoon with an orchid! He decided to go for a plant that should last a long time for Valentines this year! We also then went out to celebrate (think graduation, licensed, job, and Valentines) at 131 Main, which I must say is fabulous and a definate place to go back to! The restraunt prides itself on freshness and they do not even have a freezer!  It was by far one of the best meals I have had in a long time. The ribs and crab cakes were both phenomenal!

 

4. Since I have had very weird schedules since graduating and waiting to begin work again, I have found myself with a lot of free time. I have done or started a number of projects. Then someone mentioned how people don't read enough and last year they tried a challenge to read 75 books and failed after only completing 26. So my mind formulated a goal. First off, I Love to read. Second, I'm incredibly fast at reading. So needless to say, my crazy goal got started. I didn't set a number but wanted to see how many books I could read. Well, I got ahead in January and got behind in February, but as of today, I have read an average of 1 book per day for the whole year = 45 books so far!

5. After over seven and a half years, I gave my two weeks notice to the grocery store. I have three more days there and will be finished. I have women there who have known me since high school and have "watched me grow up." The past few days have been overwhelming with the amount of encouragement that some co-workers and vendors have given me and the pride they have shared with me.  It's definately an interesting feeling to say goodbye to a place after that long.

Anxious.

I know, I know, we're not supposed to be anxious.
But it's sometimes really hard.
On Friday, the board meets and determines whether or not I start at my job this month.
Otherwise, I have to wait for April.

Someone once told me that worrying goes away with age and maturity.
She made me very mad.
Worrying and anxiety are personality issues.
Also, worrying goes away with trust, trust doesn't come with maturity.
Trust comes with a relationship.

Passionate?

Church yesterday was talking about being passionate. Afterwards, my dad said, "Are you passionate about couponing?" I would have to answer yes.

I LOVE saving money. I LOVE being able to get things for free. I LOVE buying more fresh produce because I was able to already save on everything else. I LOVE being able to donate MORE because of the fact I've saved so much! I get excited when I tell other people about couponing and get them into it. Teaching people to coupon is exciting for me.

My dad & sister have both called me just to tell me their savings on their grocery trips! I get just as excited for them as I get when I save! My Dad was so proud to tell me he saved over 50% and my sister, so excited to stockpile her baby food and get 60 jars of baby food, saving about 67% (I think)!

So, in honor of my passion of couponing, I thought I would share a great link with you all:
http://thecouponproject.com/2010/01/free-downloadable-2010-savings-tracker.html

This is a savings tracker that really helps you keep track of how much you are spending and what you are saving! It's really great, helps you stay organized, and makes you feel proud of how much you save!

Calling.

As I was sitting in church on Sunday, hearing a sermon about what you are being called to now, I began to think a lot about how I have no idea. Everything seems to be going against what I am trying to do to no fault of my own. I told Tim that something in the universe does not want me to get licensed with all of the difficulties I have had. I hope and  let go and then it crashes around me. I think I'm clear and get hit again.

Does it mean anything, who knows? Am I to do something else, who knows? But I know I need to quit thinking about my own world. My problems aren't the end of my world, though at times, I won't lie, it feels as if they are - because it feels as if I'm being defeated. Some days, I just wonder why I keep trying to reach this goal with so many things working against me. I know this is my calling. I know it's what I am supposed to do. Who knew that something I'm called to do would be so hard to obtain.

I know things will work out. I know things will be fine. Because sooner or later it has to come out of this rut. I know HE has a plan. I know that. It's my doubts sneaking up on me saying, are you sure you can trust? It's my fear that something out of my control will not get done. But people just don't talk about these doubts. They don't talk about these fears. I figure if Thomas can doubt Jesus is in front of him, I can have my doubts too.

This song really stood out to me. I love the artist, Matthew West -- My Own Little World & The Motions & When I Say I Do are three I really love. But this one I heard today. No, I'm not at rock bottom. But I can agree that sometimes I feel not strong enough.

Strong Enough

 

You must

You must think I'm strong

To give me what I'm going through

Well, forgive me

Forgive me if I'm wrong

But this looks like more than I can do

On my own

I know I'm not strong enough to be

everything that I'm supposed to be

I give up

I'm not stong enough

Hands of mercy won't you cover me

Lord right now I'm asking you to be

Strong enough

Strong enough

For the both of us

Well, maybe

Maybe that's the point

To reach the point of giving up

Cause when I'm finally

Finally at rock bottom

Well, that's when I start looking up

And reaching out

I know I'm not strong enough to be

Everything that I'm supposed to be

I give up

I'm not stong enough

Hands of mercy won't you cover me

Lord right now I'm asking you to be

Strong enough

Strong enough

Cause I'm broken

Down to nothing

But I'm still holding on to the one thing

You are God

and you are strong

When I am weak

I can do all things

Through Christ who gives me strength

And I don't have to be

Strong enough

Strong enough

I can do all things

Through Christ who gives me strength

And I don't have to be

Strong enough

Strong enough

Oh, yeah

I know I'm not strong enough to be

Everything that I'm supposed to be

I give up

I'm not stong enough

Hands of mercy won't you cover me

Lord right now I'm asking you to be

Strong enough

Strong enough

Strong enough

The past month!

A lot has happened! Gayle came, My Family came, Botanical Gardens, I graduated, Family Christmas, I had a White Christmas, I worked a LOT of hours at the grocery store, New Years, Tim's last day at Macaroni Grill.

All jumping too: This past week!

My deadline for the LPC board was due on the 7th. That resulted in NUMEROUS calls made to the various organizations begging and pleading for them to get my forms in. It also resulted in numerous times where I thought to myself, "how does this happen?" People would tell me they couldn't do anything without my forms, and after I continued to tell them my forms were in and I had proof of delivery, magically someone would have just walked in the door with my form in hand ready to process it! I am 98% certain all the forms got in! So, I could be licensed in February! However, I am offically a National Certified Counselor.  Still can't get a job but I have national certification, whoo hoo.

Then Tim got sick. Then Mom went to the hospital. I went back and forth between the two and getting the Piper for the day or to go out in order to help out Mom/Dad. I did get my Dad somewhat into couponing since he had to do the grocery shopping! Haha, it was hilarious. Mom is coming home today. Tim is finally a little coherent, but still sick.

I am looking forward to this week. I'm not working much, so it's a mini vacation for me! I need it! : ) Hope you all have had a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year! Here is to hoping 2011 is great!