Fledgling Farmer: My latest passion

If you've been following my blog - it has basically been a diary of my thoughts, passions and paths I've traveled.

I'm open to doing new things. I do them with passion and I decide if it's something I like or a lesson learned. Some things I like part of the benefits or challenge and some things I keep and commit to because it has enhanced my life and brings me joy. If I don't like it, I ain't gonna do it.

Pretty simple concept.

In saying that, welcome to the next chapter in Terri-Town.

My latest path has been my attempt at growing a garden.

I definitely don't mention it enough but I truly appreciate Aboy and his acceptance and support when it comes to my schemes and dreams. I am so lucky to have someone that doesn't look down on my creativity or my need to stay busy and even now, with the gardening attempt - has really helped me in getting it off in the ground.

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So, in line with the "healthier lifestyle" concept, we thought it would be good to grow our own vegetables (and in a few years, hopefully some of the fruit trees and plants we planted will give us some fresh fruit). 

Since we've only lived here for a few months - there wasn't much time to prep the soil and till the ground, but we didn't let that stop us. Our garden is not as big as it will potentially get - but, it was a start and it's manageable - which was probably the better way to get our feet wet. 

We planted herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers (many kinds), yellow squash, watermelon, pumpkin, zucchini, green beans, beets, onions and lettuce. 

Potentially I would like to have all of the above PLUS, corn, potatoes, more kinds of onions, garlic, broccoli, kale, more herbs, collards, romaine, cabbage, carrots, eggplant and whatever else I find that will grow in our climate. 

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Since we didn't have a rototiller or a donkey (we will get both!), I started some of the vegetables in planters and hanging pots. We repurposed some salvage wood when our neighbor knocked down his deck and Aboy made some garden boxes. There was also a pole randomly cemented into the ground in the backyard- so we used it to hang some Topsy Turveys on. We also removed all the bushes from the front of the house and used those flower beds to plant vegetables, too. 

Every week I build up a list of things I want Aboy to build or move for me and every weekend, he knocks my requests off the list. 

It has been so much fun for us, we put off furnishing the inside of the house (we still don't have a living room set) because we have been outside so much - there really isn't a need for it. We figure once it cools down and we start staying inside more, we'll address it then. 

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The internet has been a fabulous tool to help us get ideas and get started with this latest passion. I always say... if Google was around when I was a kid... just the endless possibilities to do research and learn - oh man - it really stimulates my inner geek!

So, anyways - through Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube, Google and magazines - we found ideas and instructions on how to do things. Many of the projects we've accomplished (as far as gardening and general outside enhancement) have been done with little or no cost - but have yielded some great results, not to mention the sense of satisfaction and achievement. 

And this is what we've accomplished so far:

Pretty cool, right?

I kinda wanted to blog about this too - so next year, I can look back and see what worked, what didn't and how we can improve what we started.

The Resume Question

To resume or not to resume, that is the question.

It seems like just recently I've gotten an influx of questions regarding resume submissions. 

Here are some questions you can ask yourself and identify if you require a resume.

1. Will you wear business casual or professional clothes to work every day?
2. Will employees report to you?
3. Is it an entry level hourly type position - like warehouse, retail, or service industry?
4. How long have you been in the workforce?

Based on the responses that you provide above will help identify if you need a resume or if you can fill out an online application. 

1. Office environment dictates a resume. If you are going to work in a position that you are required to sit at a desk and have intangible personal assets like organizing skills, customer interaction, coordination between departments - you need a resume. A resume allows you to elaborate on "wins" that you've had in previous employment that fall outside of the normal "I created and maintained spreadsheets", "Worked with customers daily", etc... You want to highlight what responsibilities the position covered, but you should elaborate in a short paragraph how your contributions in your position furthered the mission of the company (saved money, 100% customer satisfaction, "Attaboy's", etc).

2. Middle management and above dictates a resume. If you're seeking any type of position that "manage or supervise" is in the job description - you need a resume. Similar to #1 - you'll want to include how many employees you've supervised in the past, but you'll have to add in information that supports what made you a good manager (low turnover, high production, management style, etc). 

3. Entry level hourly type positions. If you are going to wait tables or load trucks, the trend has been you don't need a resume. Most companies recognize that entry level candidates or hourly types don't always have a resume. They address this issue by having a "long" application on their website that allows you to do a traditional type application - online. A lot of times they are asking you questions in the application process that are qualifying / disqualifying you to assist them in identifying the most qualified candidates before they even look at the application. Companies that cater to retail, warehouse & distribution, and entry level service industry jobs (like restaurants and hotels) are utilizing this trend more often because of the need to ramp up quickly due to high turnover. 

4. How long have you been in the workforce determines your need for a resume. This one is kind of a gray area. Based on the scenarios I've laid out above determines your answer. If you're trying to get a job as a file clerk in an office, you'll definitely need a resume. Your resume will not have a lot in terms of work history - but it can be a brag sheet of software or technology you are familiar with, volunteer positions you've held and intangible personal assets you possess (time management, people skills). If you're just getting started and you're trying to work at a restaurant - no resume needed. 

There are companies that have not made the technology commitment of an online application system yet - so, if you are in a situation like #3 and don't have a resume, but the job is saying "submit your resume for consideration"... write a cover letter expressing your interest for the job and just type out the name of your employer(s), your job title(s), dates worked and any certifications you acquired. It doesn't have to be fancy.

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Which ever way you are applying - above all be consistent. If you are saying in your resume "strong attention to detail" yet you have multiple formatting red flags and spelling errors - you're going in the bottom drawer archive. If you are submitting an online application, make sure you are using proper capitalization and grammar. You are representing yourself and things like that are HUGE when you are being evaluated. 

Right now the job market is considered an "employer's market". That means companies can cherry pick candidates. For every 1 job, there are at least 30 candidates. For every entry level job, there are at least 100 candidates. If you are seriously looking for work - be smart, be unique, but most of all, use common sense.

Working in HR has been a lot of fun for me. I kind of equate it with driving a cab. There are all types of people in the world, which is a beautiful thing... but the stupid ones - they make the hiring process quite humorous!

And one other thing - DO NOT EVER use texting abbreviations like BTW, IMO, LOL. I mean NEVER EVER, EVER. Kapish? 

An offer you can't refuse: Unintended Savings

Last night I had to run to Food Lion to pick up some cat food. One of the great things I love about shopping at Food Lion – they have a magic coupon machine when you walk in the store. You just swipe your MVP card and BAM! – it prints out a sheet of coupons.

For an extreme couponer, not only is it a welcomed surprise when all the coupons print out – it’s also a challenge to fit those coupons into that shopping trip. The store coupons expire the day they are printed.

Most of the coupons that print out are store coupons, meaning they are cents off on a product, but only for Food Lion. There are Manufacturer’s coupons too – which combined with the store coupon makes for some great savings (that’s called “stacking” in coupon lingo).

I didn’t bring my coupon binders in because I was only running in for cat food and I had $10 in my pocket. I didn’t want to swipe my bank card and the temptation of pacing each aisle is too much to resist if I have my binders with me. BUT, I did stop at the magic coupon machine!

Yup, you guessed it… BINGO! I hit the jackpot!

There were a couple coupons on there that I didn’t have a need for. I did take advantage of the $1.50 off fresh chicken (I picked up a whole roaster), $1 off fresh bagged garden salad (a 1lb bag), $1 off iced tea bags (a box of 40); plus I picked up some cucumbers, peppers and gizzards that were on markdown (the dogs have to have snacks too!). Oh yeah, and I got the cat food, on sale!

Now mind you – I only had $10 in my pocket and was determined not to swipe my bank card.

The cashier rang up my order and before swiping my MVP card and handing over the coupons my order was $25.14. After my MVP savings and coupons – I paid $8.20 out of pocket!

Not bad for an unintended coupon adventure!