It has been a mixed blessing being off work since October 1. I have good days, such as when I spend the day with my kids or have breakfast with other SAHMs. The bad days are when I come home, look around the house, and think, "Everybody in the family has a "life" except me." Frederor is off making amazing decisions for his employer, being praised for saving $250k here, $500k there, Ruby and Gorby are at school -- in small class sizes where teachers pray for them and get praise from their teachers and classmates -- and I'm looking at the hard wood floor thinking, "You know, that cleaner just leaves the most awful streaks." Gosh...it's no wonder I'm a volunteer-a-holic and lead this project and that fundraiser and this field trip and that PTA goal.
Anyway, the big elephant in the room needs to get out of the way:
No, my former company has STILL not paid me for commissions due and for severance due.
Yes, I've filed with the California Labor Commissioner.
Yes, I'm waiting to see what the Labor Commissioner says.
Former company, "ExecsAreDufuses," actually came back to me and said they'd like to settle the matter, in its entirety, for $25,000. Hmmm...I wonder if they've heard from the Labor Commissioner!?!?
Yeah, that sounds great and all, except they owe me $32,000 plus another five grand in waiting time penalties! So, after taxes, I'm looking at MAYBE seeing $20k.
What possible incentive do I have to settle? TO TRY AND SAVE MY HOUSE? BAH! That's not gonna happen. I'm already resigned to losing it.
WHAT DOES IT MATTER if I wait around and fight for every last cent? And, by the way, because of the way they've treated me, I want every red cent that is owed, plus waiting time penalties, attorney's fees and punitive damages if the court will allow.
Actually, I'd rather schedule a court date, and have the ExecsAreDufuses legal staff have to spend all this time and money flying to California to defend their horrible behaviour in front of an already employee-biased California legal system. I have an hour drive to the courthouse through the beautiful Sonoma County -- they have at least a 6 hour travel day getting out of LA. HA!
And, the crazy part of this whole thing is that I am perfectly OK with not receiving the full amount if that's what the judge orders. If the judge says, "I'm sorry for your circumstances Mrs. Proudneck (or whatever the hell my Hobbit last name is), the law says that commissions are only payable at 80% of the contract amount because of blah blah blah and you are not entitled to 100% of contract commissions." I would be totally fine with that because I have followed the rules and have been forthright and have operated in good faith. I'm not in some legal office trying to screw me over and "minimize exposure to the company."
One would think that laws are black and white. But they are SO not black and white. You would think that if the law states, "Final wages are due to employee upon separation" would be an easily understood statement as its in plain English. But all the shenanigans and maneuvering is just killin' me.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Book Review: Twilight
I am our school's Read-a-Thon chair this year and in the next few weeks we will begin reviewing the book selections sent from Scholastic. I find myself really struggling with the amount of the "world" to allow into our home and to what degree to expose our kids. They are certainly at an age where I can (and do) pretty much control what books come into the house, what shows they watch, how much computer time they get, etc. But, there will soon come a day when the kids will want to make their own choices.
I got a glimpse of that this morning when I was making the kids' breakfasts. I said, "How about you guys do a build-your-own-breakfast sandwich?" and Ruby was ALL OVER THAT IDEA. "Yay!" she replied, "We get to choose whatever WE want!!!"
Granted, I gave them an English Muffin, a fried egg, two slices of bacon and cheese all on separate plates. Ruby chose not to have cheese and had her bacon on the side. Gorby added everything and devoured it. But the glimpse into Ruby's decision making and control of her own choices really made her day.
But, I'm finding out that as the good book says, "we are IN the world, not OF the world." So, I think it's important to allow books like this one, Twilight, to be read and discussed. I haven't read it personally, but I'm wondering if it'll be on our Book Fair shelves this year. At a Christian school, I'm not sure we should be stocking books about vampires...
Enjoy the book review!
------------------------
This fantasy/romance book by Stephenie Meyer is readable for kids ages 9 and up and is at a high school curriculum level. (Age range refers to readability, and curriculum level refers to when a book is studied; neither are a reflection on content appropriateness.)
Plot Summary
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When Bella Swan moves to dismal Forks, Wash., to live with her dad, she never dreams of meeting someone as attractive and mysterious as Edward Cullen. Edward warns Bella to stay away from him, but the electricity between them intensifies. Edward finally reveals his secrets: He loves Bella — but he's a vampire, who desperately lusts for her blood. When an enemy vampire hunts Bella, Edward and his family take extreme measures to protect her.
Christian Beliefs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward notes that all the intricate things in the world couldn't have come into being on their own.
Authority Roles
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bella's father has never parented before. He asks casual questions about Bella's activities, but he's easily satisfied by her frequent lies and half-truths concerning her whereabouts. He clearly cares for her but doesn't provide much "authority" (although he does set a few more boundaries toward the end of the story). Bella's real protector is Edward. He sets the tone for their relationship, and Bella follows him fearlessly, despite knowing that he literally wants to devour her. Edward excuses Bella's repeated lying to others because it allows them to be together.
Other Belief Systems
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward and his family are vampires, so the book includes vampire lore. A local Indian tribe fears the Cullen family because of tribal legends about vampires.
Profanity/Graphic Violence
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Main characters use variations of "d--n" twice. Bella is beaten up and bloodied by an evil vampire who wants to kill her.
Kissing/Sex/Homosexuality
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward and Bella engage in a number of fairly innocuous kisses. Although Bella and Edward don't have sex, their relationship is extremely intense and sensual. It seems the only thing preventing intercourse is the fact that Edward desires to suck her blood, not to deflower her. He abstains from acting on his thirst because he loves her.
Awards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editor's choice in The New York Times book section in 2006, 2006 Top Ten Books for Young Adults by the Young Adult Library Services Association
Discussion Topics
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If your children have read this book or someone has read it to them, consider these discussion topics:
1) Real teens who act in some of the ways Bella and Edward did probably find themselves in real trouble. Parents may want to discuss how Bella blindly follows a boy she knows is dangerous.
2) What might be some of the consequences of becoming involved with a "bad boy," or a possessive person with anger or jealousy issues?
3) Also, real teens emulating Edward and Bella would find themselves in sexually compromising situations. Edward stays in Bella's room at night to watch her sleep. They caress each other in a secluded clearing, without anyone knowing where they are. How can we keep from placing ourselves in circumstances where temptation is too strong? Can touching in nonsexual ways be dangerous?
As published: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/book_reports/twilight.aspx
I got a glimpse of that this morning when I was making the kids' breakfasts. I said, "How about you guys do a build-your-own-breakfast sandwich?" and Ruby was ALL OVER THAT IDEA. "Yay!" she replied, "We get to choose whatever WE want!!!"
Granted, I gave them an English Muffin, a fried egg, two slices of bacon and cheese all on separate plates. Ruby chose not to have cheese and had her bacon on the side. Gorby added everything and devoured it. But the glimpse into Ruby's decision making and control of her own choices really made her day.
But, I'm finding out that as the good book says, "we are IN the world, not OF the world." So, I think it's important to allow books like this one, Twilight, to be read and discussed. I haven't read it personally, but I'm wondering if it'll be on our Book Fair shelves this year. At a Christian school, I'm not sure we should be stocking books about vampires...
Enjoy the book review!
------------------------
This fantasy/romance book by Stephenie Meyer is readable for kids ages 9 and up and is at a high school curriculum level. (Age range refers to readability, and curriculum level refers to when a book is studied; neither are a reflection on content appropriateness.)
Plot Summary
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When Bella Swan moves to dismal Forks, Wash., to live with her dad, she never dreams of meeting someone as attractive and mysterious as Edward Cullen. Edward warns Bella to stay away from him, but the electricity between them intensifies. Edward finally reveals his secrets: He loves Bella — but he's a vampire, who desperately lusts for her blood. When an enemy vampire hunts Bella, Edward and his family take extreme measures to protect her.
Christian Beliefs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward notes that all the intricate things in the world couldn't have come into being on their own.
Authority Roles
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bella's father has never parented before. He asks casual questions about Bella's activities, but he's easily satisfied by her frequent lies and half-truths concerning her whereabouts. He clearly cares for her but doesn't provide much "authority" (although he does set a few more boundaries toward the end of the story). Bella's real protector is Edward. He sets the tone for their relationship, and Bella follows him fearlessly, despite knowing that he literally wants to devour her. Edward excuses Bella's repeated lying to others because it allows them to be together.
Other Belief Systems
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward and his family are vampires, so the book includes vampire lore. A local Indian tribe fears the Cullen family because of tribal legends about vampires.
Profanity/Graphic Violence
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Main characters use variations of "d--n" twice. Bella is beaten up and bloodied by an evil vampire who wants to kill her.
Kissing/Sex/Homosexuality
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward and Bella engage in a number of fairly innocuous kisses. Although Bella and Edward don't have sex, their relationship is extremely intense and sensual. It seems the only thing preventing intercourse is the fact that Edward desires to suck her blood, not to deflower her. He abstains from acting on his thirst because he loves her.
Awards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editor's choice in The New York Times book section in 2006, 2006 Top Ten Books for Young Adults by the Young Adult Library Services Association
Discussion Topics
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If your children have read this book or someone has read it to them, consider these discussion topics:
1) Real teens who act in some of the ways Bella and Edward did probably find themselves in real trouble. Parents may want to discuss how Bella blindly follows a boy she knows is dangerous.
2) What might be some of the consequences of becoming involved with a "bad boy," or a possessive person with anger or jealousy issues?
3) Also, real teens emulating Edward and Bella would find themselves in sexually compromising situations. Edward stays in Bella's room at night to watch her sleep. They caress each other in a secluded clearing, without anyone knowing where they are. How can we keep from placing ourselves in circumstances where temptation is too strong? Can touching in nonsexual ways be dangerous?
As published: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/book_reports/twilight.aspx
Sunday, March 22, 2009
If you like science...
I love science.
And, I love it when science proves God.
Listen to it in its entirety!
And, I love it when science proves God.
Listen to it in its entirety!
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