Getting a Driver's License in Ohio - How hard could it be?

I am no longer a California resident. I waited until the last day to get my California driver's license changed to Ohio. I probably should have started about a week ago. I woke up this morning and went on my usual thrift shop run and had plans to meet the guys at Wendy's for lunch. While I was waiting for them, it dawned on me that it was the 31 of August and I only had 30 days from my retirement date to get a new driver's license without having to take the driving test. So, after lunch I headed over to the Xenia BMV ready to take the test. I handed my license and my little card that says it is good for 30 days and my retired military ID card to the man behind the desk. He looked at it and said I needed my DD214 paperwork. I said no, it has my retirement date on the back of the card. He said he couldn't accept that he needed my actual retirement paperwork. So, I grabbed my cards from him and said "oh my god"! and I left. Now you have to understand that I have never had a good encounter with this guy in getting Jack's driver's license so I was dreading going there in the first place and this just pushed me over the edge! So, I drive home, which is some ways by the way, and get my DD214 and decide to go to the BMV in Huber Heights because the guys at lunch told me it was a good place to go. So, I walk in there and hand the ID card and driver's license over to the lady, she asks me a few questions and I am then sitting at the computer taking the test, I get my 30 right and 4 wrong (only need 30 out of 40 to pass). Walk back up to the counter and the gentleman gets my cards looks me up on the computer and lets out an amazed "you passed" comment which I wasn't sure how to take, was he surprised someone like me could pass the test??? He said and I quote "Do you have proof of residency?" I said, "Yes", he said, "go next door and you can get your license". I walk next door and go to get a number when the "help desk" lady stops me and asks me what I want. I say I want to get a driver's license, she says is my old one from out of state, I say yes, she says, "you need your birth certificate, social security card and proof of residency". I say "the man next door said I just need proof of residency" she says "well, we give out the license, he don't and you need your birth certificate" I turn and say Oh My God again and stomp out the door! I again drive all the way back home which did I mention is quite a ways away?? I get my birth certificate and my marriage certificate and any other piece of paper that looks important and go back to the first office I was at because it is a little closer than the other one. I walk in and wait in line...wait no first I get money from the ATM because did I tell you that the BMV only takes cash or checks but mostly they like CASH$$$. I get to the front of the line and lay out all the papers I have and ask the lady if she thinks I have everything I could possibly have to get my driver's license and she takes the papers she needs and processes me and I get an Ohio driver's license.

And that is how you get a driver's license in Ohio.

No Job Yet

Well, I had the two interviews. The first one wasn't so great and the second one was pretty good. Both said they would let me know in a couple weeks. I liked the second place better. He also wanted David's resume so maybe he can get back into weapons maintenance.

I am busy with knitting but I have not got far because I don't like some of the things I do and take them apart. Oh well, I will get there!

Happy Saturday!!

Getting Ready

I am getting ready for the interview tomorrow. I am really excited. My first job interview post military...it has been so long since Montgomery Wards! I bought some mineral makeup Monday and I put it on today to try it out. I think it looks pretty good and I don't feel weighed down by the usual liquid makeup. David is bring my suits home from the cleaners. I am going to wear my brown suit with a white shirt. I like the brown one best. I was going to be a little more casual but my friend Mike said I should wear a suit, he also sent me some cost/pricing training so I can read through it tonight. I feel really rusty in my contracting skills since it has been a long time since I actually worked on a contract. I am sure all will go well.

Okay, time to make David dinner. :)

Jobs

I've been putting in for a lot of jobs online and hadn't heard too much. This morning I got up and found two that I had not put in for and when I did I got two immediate responses which was kind of nice for a change. The first one was for a job out at the base in the C-5 program office. She forwarded my information to the hiring authority but came back and said they wanted 15 years experience. I only have 12. She thought I had a great resume so she was keeping it for other opportunities. The second job I was contacted by email and asked if I was available for an interview this week which of course I am :). I will go on Thursday at 1. It is a local company. High-tech, research and development firm. They need a subcontract person which is a pretty good job. They are located about 10 minutes away, just down the street. They have a nice building and outdoor area. I went and bought some new pants that fit to wear. I will dress in a semi-formal business attire, not a suit but close. As I drove around the building the dress seemed pretty casual so I will go one step above. We will see if anything else comes up this week! Here is the link to the company I will be interviewing at. http://www.ues.com/

I worked on a doll last night, I have it knitted, I just need to stuff it. I am not sure it is going to come out the way I really wanted. I didn't use a pattern but I knew what I wanted. It may look better once I stuff it. I also started winding some wool that I bought at a garage sale. It was in a big hank and I always get it tangled up when I try to wind it. I plan to finish winding that tonight and give my hand a break from knitting. I will get started on the second mitten tomorrow and probably start the pom-pom scarfs because they knit up really fast. I really, really, need to get my craft room cleaned up. I keep opening the door to look in there but that is about as far as it goes. LOL

I am off to do my winding!

Mitten and Dog Park

Well, I finally made a mitten! I struggled with knitting in the round so I defaulted to straight knitting and a seam. I don't mind seams all that much and I think this turned out well. I have to do the other one now but I am too tired tonight.

We took Puppy and Marley to the dog park today. I got a picture of them by the fence but only Marley would pose for a close-up. We were in the small dog park and there was a larger dog in the other park that kept coming up to "talk" to Puppy. It was sprinkling some so we didn't stay very long. We will try again for longer time soon.

I bought some clear bins to put my projects in so I can keep better track of them. I also went through my patterns last night and made copies of the ones I want to do. I think I am set until the end of the year! LOL

Here are some pictures of the mitten and the puppies.

Pictures

Here are the pictures of the projects I mentioned in my last post. I still need to sew the poodle on but here it is pinned on. The little hat turned out really cute too. I can't wait to see the whole outfit on her. I bought some more of the pom-pom yarn today so I could make longer scarfs, They are really soft and fluffy. I have so many other projects I want to do, I am going to try to get organized tomorrow and prioritize them all.

Cleaning House

Well, Beryl and Mark left yesterday afternoon and made it home safe and sound. I have been busy today going through all of the clothes that I have been collecting from the thrift shops. I have a couple outfits picked out for interviews and a few suits that will work once I start somewhere. I of course need to lose some weigh to fit into some of the things I bought but all in all not too bad.

I need to take pictures but I have several craft things to share with you. I have the little Pink Poodle dress, hat and scarf completely knitted. I found a cute little poodle applique to add to the dress and I will do that tonight. I found some cute pom pom yarn the other day and knitted up a scarf. It is small with one skein so I am going to give it to Melissa's daughter. I will get two skeins next time to make a longer adult scarf. I have also started knitting some fingerless gloves. I started by using double pointed needles but I don't really like them and I am getting confused with the pattern. I bought a pair of circular needles today to transfer the stitches to in order to knit the gloves. I hope it will work better. Beryl made the little sailor coat that I wanted which was nice but she made it in a light blue which looks a little feminine. I may go ahead and knit it in the dark blue but I will see if Melissa likes this one for Jack. I am starting to work on my Christmas gifts so there may not be as many pictures posted since I will be knitting for those who regularly look at this site :)

All right, I have to get David's dinner finished up. I am so domestic! Still no job, two job offers in other parts of the country but we ain't moving. I'll get something soon I am sure.

More Amish Pictures

Here are a few more pictures. See if you can find the Weasel!

Amish Country Visit

Mark and Beryl arrived on time and we didn't go to bed until 2 am! The next day everyone slept in and we had to get the boys up to go out to the base to get new ID cards. I finally got my retired AF ID! We then went down to Cincy to IHOP and Jungle Jim's. JJ's is a huge grocery store that has food from all around the world. I picked up quite a few of the natural foods that I like.

Yesterday, David took the boys to King's Island for a day of rides and waterparking.
Beryl and I set off for Amish country. It was a 3 hour drive. We got to tour an Amish home and farm, ride on a buggy, and visit one of the schools. It was very interesting. We were going to go to Longaberger but we didn't have enough time. We didn't get home until 8pm and we were both tired.

Today, David is taking Mark around to some of his favorite gaming stores and we are going to go see a movie. A much slower day planned today.

I am posting pictures of our Amish visit.

Waiting for Mark and Beryl

Mark and Beryl will be in tonight around midnight. I don't think Beryl is going to like the humidity. It is so bad right now. I've been cleaning the main areas and I think we are ready for visitors. The dogs are going to go crazy having new people around again.

Hit the thrift shop again today and found another plate to match the single plate and some figurines to go with it. I also found a pair of Feragamo shoes, and some yarn & material. Did pretty good.

All right I am going to get knitting in the round again.

Base Thrift Shop is Open Again!!!

Yes! After a month long hiatus the Base Thrift Shop reopened today!! There were lines to consign items and lines to purchase so it was a very busy first day back. I headed straight to the furniture section because I am looking for a small loveseat for the dogs to sleep on at night in the dining room. They are currently sleeping on the chair I bought at a garage sale for $30 that is meant for the sewing room (no not the yellow chair). Any way, they didn't have much in furniture so I moved on to pictures because I need a large picture to fill an empty spot in the living room. I did not find one. I did find this cute little purse note holder thing and another mirror. I did not look at clothes as I am getting too many and I am not sure what I really have in the closet at the moment. I looked at the knicknacks but nothing interesting there either. So, I waited in line to pay for my two new finds and was on my way. I will go again tomorrow because all of the things people brought in for consignment today will be on the floor. Here are pictures of the new purchases.

Learning to Knit in the Round

I am beginning to learn how to knit in the round on circular needles. I have avoided it for a long time but I figured if I want to make some new things I would have to learn. I think I started about 6 times. I had to watch a video on You Tube to figure out what I was doing wrong.

I am knitting a hat to go with the Pink Poodle dress. I may make a scarf to go with it too and it will have the fun fur mixed in with it. It will be a cute fun outfit.

Here is a picture of the hat from the magazine and pictures of me knitting in the round and also a picture of the finished dress. I added the fun fur at the collar so it wouldn't look so plain.

Little Pictures

I had these little frames that I got from the thrift shop and I had material with these figures on them so I just put them together. I am not sure if I like them in this spot but we'll see. I didn't like the plate hanging all by itself.

Here are updated decoration photos

I've added more items to the walls and I think I am getting it where I want it. Next few days will be cleaning for our guests coming Wednesday night. There seems to be a lot of dusting that needs to be done. I have to get the bedroom fixed up for Mark so he will have room to spread out and also to watch TV. I am not sure what all we will do while they are here. It will probably be too hot for Beryl. It will be nice to just sit and visit.

I have the pink poodle dress all knitted, I just need to sew it all together.

Okay here are some pictures.

Garage Update

Dave has made major headway in the garage. Here are some updated pictures.

Decorating

Today I started hanging some pictures including my plates that I got in Oregon. Here are some pictures of what I have done so far. I am not sure if I totally like all of this so we will see after I live with it for awhile.

Latest Project

Here is my latest knitting project. It is another little dress for my friends daughter. The pink is called Poodle Pink and the Fun Fur is called Soft Pink. It is really cute. I will take a better picture when I have it all done.

I've been busy doing some consulting work. Writing scenarios for training exercises. I had to drop one of my classes because I couldn't take two it was just too much work and I didn't like the instructor. I had one job phone interview but they decided that they were rescoping the requirement so my qualifications wouldn't work. I am now waiting for a job announcement to close on Aug 15th for a teaching position at Defense Acquisition University here in Dayton. I am really hoping to get that position. I have been asking my friends with connections to put in a good word for me :)

Good night!