Since this is my very first mail count experience (and might I add, it was a SCARY one), I'm filled with even more questions about my future (or possible lack of it) in the postal service.  Unfortunately from what I'm hearing in my office, many of the routes were downgraded and at least one that I know of was disqualified as a route.  Now I'm hearing rumors of some 24,000 supervisors losing their jobs??  (I do not know if this is valid or not)

Over the past month or so I've only been scheduled to work every Saturday.  My regular route has been changed to an H route now, so I have no idea where that leaves me.  Is it possible that I could be layed off as well, or perhaps just not hardly ever scheduled after the end of April?

I'm considering going and getting a part time job just so I can ensure some semblance of survival until all this is figured out.  I'm not sure what the ground rules are on getting a second job at the post office.  Do I have to answer the phone if they call me in?  Do they frown upon second jobs for RCA's? 

It sounds like most offices were hit hard on the mail count, so going to another office, seems like it wouldn't be an option either. 

If any regulars or experienced RCA's have any advice for realistic survival at this time, I sure would appreciate it.  Thanks!

Hey all!  Everyone's been asking where I've been and what's been going on.  Thought I would answer everyone all at once. 

Wish I could say I've been doing something VERY exciting!  The truth is, I've been taking advantage of my 6 days a week OFF and doing a little spring cleaning.  When I say spring cleaning though, I don't just mean cleaning up "stuff".  I've been re-evaluating my life and my situation.  (Some of you know what I'm talking about)  I've also been reading that book that Oprah's been talking about, A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle.  It really seems to apply to me and my life and the current situation.  For those of you who think you might be interested in a deeply spiritual and almost profound way of looking at things, I highly recommend the book.  Spring is a GREAT time to read it too.  It really gives you a fresh perspective of yourself and everything around you.   I've decided that I've been letting too many negative presences in my life have too much control over me.  By letting them consume my thinking and my emotions I have no doubt given them MUCH more power than they deserved. 

As far as a transfer, I am only exploring my options right now.  I REALLY would like to move to the coast of South Carolina, Georgia or Florida.  Perhaps even back to N.C....I don't know.  I'm a girl raised in the south (or G.R.I.T.S. for short) and I just won't be happy until I'm back where I belong.  I'm guessing it's just not the right time for a move as of yet.  My son, has Asperger's Syndrome and ADHD and we're very blessed to have him in an EXCELLENT school district.  He's made great strides and he's with teachers that really care about him.   I'm going to let a high power dictate when the right time to move is....not only for me but for my family.

Anyway...I appreciate everyone's comments and good wishes!

Mail count went pretty badly at our office and I think a lot of routes were downgraded from what I hear.  I'm not altogether sure what that might mean for me as of yet.  I still have only about 12 more days of probation left....wish me luck!  I'm kind of nervous that they would nix me at the last second because they don't have any work for me anymore....who knows.

I hope everyone is doing well!  :)

I wish I was making this stuff up....really.

This morning I gathered up my two boys and ventured out into the sleet and ice (like a moron) to get my beloved BIG diet coke from the McDonald's down the street.  When I get to the first window to pay, the very young girl who was working the window asks me how old my boys are.  I said, "4 and 8".  She then looks at me and asks, "Are they twins?"

First I thought she was kidding...then I saw the serious look on her face.  Then I scan my brain quickly to try to figure out what the hell made her ask that question.  I then realize that my boys have the same kind of coats on.  (????) 

You don't know how close I came to responding, "No, they're triplets, I'm expecting any day now!"

HA

I'm doing a little research for potential places to move.  I'm seriously considering somewhere in Florida.  The place would have to be EXTREMELY family friendly.  I need absolute TOP NOTCH schools.  My oldest sons has special needs and I desperately need a good school system for him.  I would like a friendly place that's not over-crowded.  Any news on either Navarre, Sarasota or any other place would be most helpful.  I'd like to learn about the post offices around those areas too, but don't know where to start.  Thanks.

"As The Stomach Turns", that's what I'll call my auto-biography.  I think it will be an interesting read because I'm quite sure that I'm destined for greatness.  A cameo on the show, COPS, seems inevitable at this point.  I have to blog this stuff only so that I can see it "on paper"...LOL.  I'm living it and I STILL don't believe it. 

Ok, so the birthday came and went.  The all-time SADDEST birthday for me EVER!  My grandmother did not call or send a birthday card, my parents didn't even bother to call me until very late that day.  My in-laws didn't speak to me (which was the ONLY present that I received).  There was no cake, no cards, no nothing.  SAD and quite unbelievable. 

So I go in to work today, and had kind of an easy day.  I come home and my mother-in-law, I'll call her SATAN for short, had been up to her old tricks again.  She enjoys cleaning out drawers or areas of the house where I keep MY things while I'm at work.  She does this while I'm at work so that she can throw away anything that SHE deems unimportant.  So I come home and find that one of the drawers to a desk has been CLEANED.   (This happens just about EVERY saturday by the way)  I immediately take inventory.  Of course I can tell right away that LOTS of things have disappeared.  Important papers for my son and his school, etc....address books, calenders, GONE.  I ask my husband to find out where my things have been put which causes a huge scene for some reason.  SATAN claims that she hasn't done anything with my stuff that it's "all there"...which is quite obviously not true. 

I wish I was making this stuff up.  My husband and I get into a big argument because he thinks I'm over-reacting so he goes and gets the trash bag and I have to go through the TRASH!  I show him all of these papers, new batteries, pens, etc. that she's thrown out.  He is in disbelief and I'm PISSED OFF.  I slam a bedroom door because I can't believe after working all day I have to come home to this craziness. My father-in-law, I'll call him BEELZEBUB for short, yells out, "I'm not going to have slamming doors in my house!"  Without thinking I yell, "Kiss my BUTT!" LOL  They've turned me into an 8 year old! 

After this chaos, I realize I have to feed the kids something in the midst of all of this insanity.  I head to Mickey D's and get the kids a couple of happy meals.  When I return my oldest says to me, "My chicken nuggets are all pickles". Sure enough the box of what should have been chicken nuggets is nothing but a box of pickles.  Unbelievable. 

I have GOT to get out of this house before these people KILL ME.  I'm even thinking of a 3rd shift job since darling hubby seems to be too good to get a job.