First Day

Today was my first day at S1. I felt much better today than I did after my first day at Pike. Everyone is really laid back, but it sounds like they have their stuff together. I haven't really started working on my job yet, but I did start some training. I like everyone. We have free fountain drinks, two of the single-server coffee maker things with oodles of flavors of hot chocolate, coffee, and tea, there is a pool table and a foozeball table (I have no idea how to spell it) in the kitchen, and a tv! The office is really nice and in a good area, so I am happy so far. Yay!

Unemployed

So, I am unemployed for a week. I actually did go to work yesterday and I think that they are paying the few accounting staff that are left for the next two weeks if they work, but I am done at Pike. Please note that this is not their decision, the creditors have to make these decisions, and it is difficult to get permission to spend any money from them. But, I am going to enjoy the next 4 days that I am unemployed. Then, I'll start at my new place on Monday, the 17th. The company is called S1 and they make software for banks and other similar software applications. It sounds very interesting. It is a place I feel that I can grow and learn a lot. Thanks to all of you for your comments and your prayers.

Quick Update

I was given a job offer to make what I said I needed to make in order to accept the job. It is still a small pay cut, but it is worth it to have the good location! I have accepted pending a review of the benefits they will offer me. It feels good to be wanted! There seems to be a lot of room for growth here too!

Update

I just wanted to do a quick update on my job situation. I had an interview on Tuesday and they called my recruiter immediately in order to set up a 2nd interview with the Controller. So, they seemed to really like me. I had an interesting 2nd interview with the Controller this afternoon. My understanding is that they are making me an offer, but it was kind of late when I realized I had the message, so I'll call back to tomorrow to see what's up. Pros: great location (like 2 seconds from church), nice people, seems like a stable company, I think it will be challenging. Cons: I don't know if they'll offer me what I'm worth. I have other recruiters that I am dealing with as well and they are sending my resume around. The drawback to most of the jobs is that they keep sending me leads for places that I really don't want to drive to every day. So, we'll see. I have a phone "screening" with a company that's in Suwanee tomorrow morning (more on the John's Creek end).

As for what's up at my current job (if you can call it that at this point): I think that tomorrow is my last day. This has been a big question mark for me all week. No one had said anything to me as of Tuesday afternoon (irritating). Basically, no one in accounting had been talked to beyond our initial "get-to-know-you-meeting" that we had (nice way of saying that they were interviewing us for jobs we already had, CA people are so PC). I knew that on Monday some people were offered jobs, but everyone's pay was being cut significantly (like 4-20%!). On Tuesday, I spoke with a lady I work with who said that her understanding was that we were all being terminated that day. So, I just made the assumption that my job would end Tuesday since no one had talked to us about anything. SO, I started packing up my stuff. My supervisor, Michelle, came in and was all upset that I had packed up some of my stuff and said that she had to wind things down and wanted me to stay on and wind things down for at least 2 weeks, maybe 3. Then, the head HR lady came in (also upset that I had taken down my personal stuff) and said that the reason no one had talked to us is because they were going to keep 1-2 positions and they were going to offer it to Michelle first but that if they did offer me a job it would be much less than I was currently making (like 20K less, whatever!). So, I told her that they needn't bother. I would stay on with Michelle as long as they would pay me or I could find a job. This was all yesterday. They had already told the A/P people at this point that they would not be needed unless they would consider moving to CA (again, possibly at a pay cut - to move to CA, again, whatever!). Okay, so after all this - you should just prepare yourself because you will be surprised - we had a "wind-down team meeting" with the current President of Pike (who was also let go, no big surprise, don't they always do that?). In this meeting we were told that we would only be paid through this Friday. They didn't know that until right before the meeting. So, we should "work as hard as we can and as long as we can to get it all done." HA! I mean, the hourly people can and are so that they can get paid overtime. But, what incentive is there for me? I don't mean to have a bad attitude, but I have been working overtime for a company that hired me 1.5 months before they declared bankruptcy after they told me that they worked very little overtime. HA! HA! HA!

So, that's the story. Sorry for the rambling. I am very tired. But, while it has been stressful and an emotional rollercoaster in some ways, it has been fun in others because we have kind of been silly since we didn't have to worry about impressing these new people. It is sad that I have grown close to all these people and now we won't be working together any more. It is also sad for the group that took jobs with the new company because such a big cut in pay is bad for morale. Some of the people took jobs because they have been with the company for so long the thought of trying to find something else is too scary for them. Some people took jobs because they love the industry and the Pike family name and they are loyal to it and want to see the company do well. Plus, I think they were told that when the drought clears up, they may get a pay raise. Others took the job to have a job and insurance and I feel that they will be looking and leaving soon. (Yeah, the kicker is since the old company will no longer exist (an estate will apparently be formed), there will not even be any COBRA offered!)

So, there we go. That's what's going on. On a happier note, I did buy a new workout program called the Firm, which came with DVDs, weights, and a calendar for my workout and eating tips. It came in the mail today. I am really excited. I hope to lose all the weight I have gained lately so that I can fit into my summer clothes by the time it is hot enough. So, you should all keep me accountable by commenting from time to time and asking me if have been doing my videos.

I am sorry I don't have any pictures to post. My De Oro lilies have more than tripled in height since the other day when I posted pictures of them coming up. I will take pictures soon and show you how big they are. I am really excited!

Bizarre Week

So, things have been kind of weird lately, but last week was kind of bizarre.

On Tuesday, there were torrential down pours on our way to work. It started raining just as I was leaving the house and as I was driving down Pleasant Hill getting into the turn lane to turn left onto Club, it started raining so hard I couldn't see or hear anything but rain. Rain was coming from all directions. Scott was actually going in early, so he was in it too, right next to me. It slowed down just as I pulled into the parking lot at work so that I could run in and not get too wet. Not fun.

Then, Wednesday, I was pulling out of the garage, and I realized it was snowing. How bizarre. It always seems to kind of warm up when it rains, so that's why I found it so strange. It stopped snowing just as I was about to turn from Pleasant Hill onto Club. Hmmm...

Well, Tuesday was the day that Pike got auctioned off to the highest bidder. So, we had a kind of party day. Of course those of us in accounting were still very busy, but we still had some fun with the rest of them. Everyone dressed very casually, most people watched movies. We had pizza and snacks and we played with nerf guns. Those nerf guns are still floating around the office, so you never know when you'll be pelted. Then Wednesday the news came that the company has been purchased by two different buyers: Armstrong Nurseries bought the entire retail part of the company (they are a huge nursery in California) and then three others purchased parts of the wholesale side of things. So, all the people who actually work in the retails stores will probably keep their jobs. I, however, probably will not. So, if you know anyone hiring a CPA that is in the Gwinnett area, that keeps a good work/life balance, please let me know. No public accounting please. I am just very frustrated because I left a very stable job to come here 1.5 months before they filed for bankruptcy. I know that they knew they were on the rocks. I could have kept looking and found a job with a much more stable company. But, that's all in the past and here I am...job hunting. And the worst part is, no one knows for how much longer we'll have jobs...one day...one week...one month. Erg.

Oh, and for those of you NOT in the Atlanta area, it is in the 60's today and it is beautiful outside. We have the windows open so the cats can look outside! Craziness!

Yesterday, Scott and I went to a GA Force game with some friends from church. Once again, Callie had the hook-up with some great tickets! Arena football is interesting. It was our first game. It was really weird to see a football field in the middle of the Gwinnett Arena. It was so tiny compared to a regular football field. We had fun. The GA Force lost, so I was kind of bummed.

So that's it for now. Please be praying for my job situation. I also have several other friends that are in the job market, so please be praying for them as well. It is a tough time right now.

Yes, I Still Have a Job

I just wanted to let everyone know that yes, Pike has filed Chapter 11 Bankruptcy (voluntarily), and yes, I still have a job. We were told that our pay and benefits will not be affected. Thank you all for asking. Thank you all for your prayers. This drought affects all of us and we need to be in prayer for all the people that are affected by it. And, PRAY FOR RAIN!