Pick Up Sticks

Busy

I seem to have quite a few posts about being busy.  Life never seems to slow down.

I did receive the promotion at work!  It was a long process as they had 52 applicants and I was luckily chosen for the position.  Now it is a matter of getting us fully staffed so I am not working 70 hour weeks. 

Amongst all this we went on vacation...planned long before all the hassles at work.  And it was greatly needed.  We camped in NH in the White Mountains and had a wonderful, relaxing time - just me and the hubby.  We biked and hiked a little - hit up several microbreweries and had wonderful fall-like weather.  Daytime temps were in the 70's and night time in the 40's.  I night the whole ride up on Traveling Woman - and ended up using it as soon as it came off the needles - unblocked and no ends woven in.  I had knit it in DK weight yarn and it was so warm and cozy to wear at night around the campfire.

This picture was of the creek 10 foot from our campsite...so peaceful! 

Then we headed to VT to stay with my aunt and uncle for a few days...they live just outside Burlington.  Again we had wonderful weather and had a great time.  We went to Stowe one day for the Taste of Stowe Festival - with great food and wonderful artisans.  I celebrated my new promotion with lots of purchases including some great pottery pieces.

We spent Friday evening on a dinner cruise on Lake Champlain.  They served a NE Lobster dinner - so good!  And then we headed out on the upper deck to watch the sunset over the Lake.

 This vacation was so relaxing...we had no set plans except for the number of days wew wanted to spend in each place.

I visited 2 lovely yarn shops - one in NH - Yarn Garden - and one on VT - Kaleidescope Yarns. Of course I bought something from each shop - I try to buy yans I can't get in my area. 

The highlight of the trip was taking the Cog Railroad to the top of Mt Washington in NH.  The views were spectacular!  Unfortunately our pictures do not do it justice.

 

Nervous

Today I have an interview...within my own company.  

Two months ago our controller was told he was being let go.  It really wasn't a surprise to manyof us including him.  Things just were not working out.  The past year has been a struggle - for all of us at our organization.  Working for a non-profit is always challenging but with the financial crisis these past two years we have seen funding decrease while expenses are always increasing.  We have received some additional stimulus money from the feds - but along with that comes increased reporting and lots more work.  The controller - my boss - didn;t handle the changes very well.  The more changes that came along the more he withdrew and the worse his position in the organization became.  At the same time a decision was made to eliminate a bookkeeper position - so our small department of three will dwindle to two.  And that coupled with the controller leaving at the end of July has made for a few interesting months.  (Yes - despite being let go they gave the two leaving the ability to stay until July 31st - not a good idea)

The controller position was opened up and after a lot of thinking and worrying I decided to apply.  The chances of getting it are slim.  But I was encouraged to apply by some of the people involved in the interview process.  Still - they are hoping to get someone with a CPA - which I do not have.  But I do have two years of experience here and know the workings of the department better than anyone.  I decided to apply because I decided it may be better to try to be the one to come in and make the changes that needed to be made rather than waiting for them to hire someone who would need to learn the job and then make some changes.  All in all - I am not very confident about getting the position.  We'll see. 

I hate to interview!  I get very nervous.  And todays interview will have a panel of 5 people - dear lord!  Granted I know 4 of the 5 very well and they know me and my work ethic so that is always helpful.  But my stomach is in knots this morning.  I am prepared for the interview - did the "homework" they sent out - analyzing another non-profit's 990 form - and feel good about that.  I know I just need to go in and talk about the work I have done here and what changes I feel need to be made.  For the most part I have had this conversatin with our executive director already this week - as my yearly evaluation was on Tuesday. 

After the interview - which is at 2:30 - I am out of here for the day!  My parents are on their way here from NC.  They will spend tonight with us then head up to our hometown in NE PA to visit.  Then on Saturday we will catch back up with them and head to our family reunion.  I look forward to this so much each year.

So off for a busy day...wish me luck!