I spent a lot of time this afternoon trying to get in touch with Massachusetts' Unemployment Office. Let me tell you...there is nothing more difficult than getting them on the phone. It takes a few minutes to get through the automated system and then right after you put in your social security number, 99 times out of 100 it will tell you there's no one available to talk and will then hang up on you...you cannot hold nor can you go back to the automated system. You need to dial again and go through the whole process. When you FINALLY are allowed to wait for a rep, it's a 15-20 minute wait. Why I couldn't just wait on hold for 30 mins, I don't know. But either way, a few hours after I started my first dial, I finally talked to someone.
This person was MUCH nicer than the person I spoke with last week and actually wanted to help me, not get me off the phone as soon as humanly possible (thereby necessitating another call to the hell that is the unemployment office). Anyway, this person told me that my previous employer reported that I quit. OMG... No.Flipping.Way. He gave me the name and number of an unemployment advocate and said I could give her a call tomorrow. (I'm thinking "heck no...I'm calling her now")
So I called. And I think I actually made a phone call to heaven because the unemployment advocate was a genuine angel. Like a real one with wings and all. She was empathetic, supportive and helpful. She took a full statement from me and couldn't understand why my previous employer did what they did. I also gave her a copy of the MMLA (Massachusetts Maternity Leave Act) section about returning to work, which helped my case immensely. My previous employer has 48 hours to get back to her, and if they don't then she decides the case and that's that.
Thank G-d for genuine, nice, amazing, etc. people in this world...especially this angel at the unemployment office. She seriously deserves the Nobel Prize or something.
P.S. My son is giggling in the other room, and I have no clue why. He's just in there with his sister, and I can't imagine what is making him laugh. Right...now he's crying. I'd better go check on them...
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
*Sigh*
I'm going to be grumpy, so bear with me for a few.
My hubby's car died, and we were thinking about getting a new one, but we just don't think it's a wise financial decision. I *was* collecting unemployment for about 2 weeks until the unemployment office decided to stop paying me. I called them up and asked what gives...they said they didn't know if my claim was valid and I'd have to wait 6 to 8 weeks for them to call me to take a statement. Why I couldn't just give one to the lady I was on the phone with, I don't know. And she was exceptionally rude. "There are thousands of people who are unemployed right now, so you'll just have to wait." I mean really, how does she know that without my unemployment check that I can still feed my family and pay my mortgage? For all she knew it might mean that the babies don't get formula or diapers! Nope, no heart. (Thank G-d everyone will still eat, but it will not be a happy place until I get money coming in.)
With no second car, it means my husband has to take public transportation to and from work. Sometimes he's working until 10pm, so I will actually have to go and pick him up on those days. I just can't have him walking to the subway that late in the city. And it takes him longer to get to work in the morning, so he has to leave earlier...sometimes that means he has to get up hours earlier so he can feed the twins, pray and get to work on time. And a lot of the time he's already late for something because the babies don't have the best eating schedule. I'm going to check with him in the morning and see if maybe using a ZipCar might work better than the subway sometimes.
My weight loss is driving me crazy. I do great during the week and then on Thursday, Friday and Saturday I gain back all I've lost in the past week. So then I have to pray like mad that I lose it all again on Sunday and Monday. Seriously I want to scream! I just wish I didn't get so ravenously hungry on the weekends. :-(
My hubby's car died, and we were thinking about getting a new one, but we just don't think it's a wise financial decision. I *was* collecting unemployment for about 2 weeks until the unemployment office decided to stop paying me. I called them up and asked what gives...they said they didn't know if my claim was valid and I'd have to wait 6 to 8 weeks for them to call me to take a statement. Why I couldn't just give one to the lady I was on the phone with, I don't know. And she was exceptionally rude. "There are thousands of people who are unemployed right now, so you'll just have to wait." I mean really, how does she know that without my unemployment check that I can still feed my family and pay my mortgage? For all she knew it might mean that the babies don't get formula or diapers! Nope, no heart. (Thank G-d everyone will still eat, but it will not be a happy place until I get money coming in.)
With no second car, it means my husband has to take public transportation to and from work. Sometimes he's working until 10pm, so I will actually have to go and pick him up on those days. I just can't have him walking to the subway that late in the city. And it takes him longer to get to work in the morning, so he has to leave earlier...sometimes that means he has to get up hours earlier so he can feed the twins, pray and get to work on time. And a lot of the time he's already late for something because the babies don't have the best eating schedule. I'm going to check with him in the morning and see if maybe using a ZipCar might work better than the subway sometimes.
My weight loss is driving me crazy. I do great during the week and then on Thursday, Friday and Saturday I gain back all I've lost in the past week. So then I have to pray like mad that I lose it all again on Sunday and Monday. Seriously I want to scream! I just wish I didn't get so ravenously hungry on the weekends. :-(
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Craft-O-Rama
I got this from The Captain's Wife
Here's how it works....The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me, especially for you.
I promise I'll make it worth your while!
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1) I make no guarantees that you will like what I make but I hope you will.
2) What I create will be just for you.
3)They say I have a year to get it to you. But I hope it will NOT take that long! I'm shooting for 30 days.
4) You have no clue what it's going to be. It’s a surprise to both of us at this point.
The catch? You must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog!
Here's how it works....The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me, especially for you.
I promise I'll make it worth your while!
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1) I make no guarantees that you will like what I make but I hope you will.
2) What I create will be just for you.
3)They say I have a year to get it to you. But I hope it will NOT take that long! I'm shooting for 30 days.
4) You have no clue what it's going to be. It’s a surprise to both of us at this point.
The catch? You must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Rolling Over
She can do it!! Last night I had to change Chana's diaper very late (like 2am or so) and put her back in her crib. A few minutes later I heard her crying again, so I went to give her her pacifier....and she was on her tummy!!! I thought maybe it was a fluke, but she's done it at least 2 or 3 times today. Finally!
Now, this is for my sister-in-law because she doesn't realize I've already posted these on facebook. :-P These were all taken by my au pair, Shifra.
Awww they're holding hands!
Who are you looking at? I dunno, who are you looking at?
I like sucking my fingers...you should try it some time.
Dovid being cute in black & white
And now in technicolor
Now, this is for my sister-in-law because she doesn't realize I've already posted these on facebook. :-P These were all taken by my au pair, Shifra.
Awww they're holding hands!
Who are you looking at? I dunno, who are you looking at?
I like sucking my fingers...you should try it some time.
Dovid being cute in black & white
And now in technicolor
Web Hosting
I’m taking over a business from my mom, which I’m really excited about. The first thing I had to do, however, was get a website…something my mom never had. I went completely crazy trying to find website hosting that wouldn’t break the bank. Unfortunately the domain name I really wanted wasn’t available and I couldn’t find any way to get in contact with the person who owned it, so I had to settle on something else. Maybe in a few years I’ll be able to get my preferred domain name when it’s current term expires.
Anyway, during my numerous online searches I found an excellent place to research web hosting! They have info if you’re looking for multiple domain names, free domain names, and even ways to get free Google AdWords and Yahoo Marketing credits for your internet marketing. My personal favorite, however, is their info on “green” web hosting. I’m very big on doing things the eco-friendly way, and how neat is it to know that even your website is “green”? They also have “Web Hosting Awards” which shows you the best hosting for whatever you’re looking to do: low budget, blogging, forums, ecommerce, etc. The Geeks also have blogs where you can find hosting tips, news and other info, reviews for web hosting, articles about web hosting, and tons of resources for webmasters. Once you’ve found your perfect web hosting match, you can even submit your own review to help those who come after you. Man, I love geeks. They take the work out of everything!
Anyway, during my numerous online searches I found an excellent place to research web hosting! They have info if you’re looking for multiple domain names, free domain names, and even ways to get free Google AdWords and Yahoo Marketing credits for your internet marketing. My personal favorite, however, is their info on “green” web hosting. I’m very big on doing things the eco-friendly way, and how neat is it to know that even your website is “green”? They also have “Web Hosting Awards” which shows you the best hosting for whatever you’re looking to do: low budget, blogging, forums, ecommerce, etc. The Geeks also have blogs where you can find hosting tips, news and other info, reviews for web hosting, articles about web hosting, and tons of resources for webmasters. Once you’ve found your perfect web hosting match, you can even submit your own review to help those who come after you. Man, I love geeks. They take the work out of everything!
MckLinky Blog Hop
This week's blog hop theme is "Time to Laugh," so I'm posting one of my favorite cartoons. I posted this last summer when Michael Phelps won all of those medals during the Olympics, but it still makes me giggle when I see it. :-) Enjoy!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Getting Bigger...
The twins had a weight and length check today, so here is where we are. (Remember that they're technically 5 months old, but only 4 months corrected age.)
Chana
height: 25 in (50th percentile for 5 mo, 78%ile for 4 mo)
weight: 15 lbs 1.3 oz (57%ile for 5 mo, 80%ile for 4 mo)
Dovid
height: 24.75 in (19%ile for 5 mo, 49%ile for 4 mo)
weight: 13 lbs 15.6 oz (11%ile for 5 mo, 35%ile for 4 mo)
Chana is just so big, the doctor even said jokingly "Are you sure she was a preemie?" Dovid's just my little man, emphasis on little. hehe But, they both gained approximately a pound and a half in the last month and 3/4 of an inch. Dovid's still not gaining as much as his sister is and he is quite small, so he'll be staying on the preemie formula with extra scoops of powder. Chana is adding Zantac to her diet, because she's spitting up quite a bit. (Funny how a kid that spits up half of what she eats is gaining weight like a college student drinking beer and eating pizza.) She's also going to be on Erythromycin eye ointment to see if we can clear up her "eye goop." I noticed that it went away for almost 2 weeks after she was on IV antibiotics at the hospital, so we're giving this a try and hope that it will go away for good!
Chana
height: 25 in (50th percentile for 5 mo, 78%ile for 4 mo)
weight: 15 lbs 1.3 oz (57%ile for 5 mo, 80%ile for 4 mo)
Dovid
height: 24.75 in (19%ile for 5 mo, 49%ile for 4 mo)
weight: 13 lbs 15.6 oz (11%ile for 5 mo, 35%ile for 4 mo)
Chana is just so big, the doctor even said jokingly "Are you sure she was a preemie?" Dovid's just my little man, emphasis on little. hehe But, they both gained approximately a pound and a half in the last month and 3/4 of an inch. Dovid's still not gaining as much as his sister is and he is quite small, so he'll be staying on the preemie formula with extra scoops of powder. Chana is adding Zantac to her diet, because she's spitting up quite a bit. (Funny how a kid that spits up half of what she eats is gaining weight like a college student drinking beer and eating pizza.) She's also going to be on Erythromycin eye ointment to see if we can clear up her "eye goop." I noticed that it went away for almost 2 weeks after she was on IV antibiotics at the hospital, so we're giving this a try and hope that it will go away for good!
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