A lot of work...

...with little result and a lot of ranting.

Singing Hills took part in a career fair put on by an association we are a part of, the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado.  We signed up to help support their first endeavor at a career fair but also to hopefully hire for some needed employees.  2 to 3 laborers, 2 foreman, and an irrigation tech.  As the HR Lady, recruitment is a high priority of mine that is becoming extremely difficult and very frustrating due to our current culture.  This culture being one that shames manual labor and encourages entitlement.  I understand there are exceptions.  Praise God for farm kids ; )  My recent social media, newspapers, or craigslist job advertisements have proven to be utter failures. Such as recruiting for 8 laborer positions a month ago.  I received 20 applications, 2 candidates actually came to their scheduled interviews and 0 still work for us.  So needless to say, I was all for trying out an industry related career fair.

We went to work to make our booth eye catching, informative, and manned with competent orators/interviewers. I won't go in to all the gory details, but lets just say, there was a good amount of prep.

Our doors turned out really cool.  If anyone wants us to duplicate this look, we found this color of paint for a dollar and have pretty much the entire can left.  Jake became highly skilled at sanding to get this old beat up look and would gladly help you.  As far as helping our booth stand out besides our "Doors of Opportunity", how else better to remember us than to be given a hummingbird cookie (our mascot)!  This bright idea while well intended, was overkill.  We made and decorated 120 cookies...

We had to make our own cutter.

Our small helper, who unsurprisingly ate more than helped.

...and gave away probably 20.  Not because we were stingy with the cookies, but because:

NO ONE CAME TO THE CAREER FAIR!

I realize that I just told a half truth, but seriously, my team and I talked to ~25 people between the 4 of us in a 7 hour period.  1/3 didn't want to work for us because our office was to far away from where they lived, 1/3 were people only looking for part-time work, and the other 1/3 were not looking for a job in the areas we need employees.  This career fair was highly profiled on the news channels, The Denver Post, and every work force agency in Colorado.  Yet 80% of the companies that walked away from the career fair weren't able to hire employees.  Where were the people who make up the 6.8% unemployment rate for the state of Colorado?  If you decide to tell me that you can't find a job or no employers are hiring, be prepared to have your shoulders grasped between my ever tender hands and shaken until that little brain of yours wakes up and can smell the roses.  If you want a job, you can get a job.  You may have to make changes to your lifestyle, lower your standards, or change your industry, but you CAN find a job.  I know this, because I have 5 positions to fill.

Yes, I am disgusted.  

Yes, I will mail you cookies...

Love

Today, when all the posts on social media and the hearts of many will be focused on love, is a great time to step back and take time to blog.  Mostly because it's a Friday, not because it's Valentine's day.  So don't worry, nothing mushy here.

The beginning of the year always seems to be a socialites dream.  Travels, guests, parties, new beginnings.  Come to think of it, in our humble lives, I'm not sure that a true socialite would be very interested.  

Some of our friends got married the beginning of January so we got to spend a whole weekend with Caleb and Erin in Illinois.  This little nut below loved jumping, rolling, scrambling over our air mattress.  It was in the middle of his living room play area, so who really could blame him.  He's walking now and spent most of the time we were there running (aka straight legged hobbling) in a circle through the connecting rooms.  Becoming part of another family has been really strange.  So much of our lives are shaped by our own nurture, and it is easy to be opinionated, resistant, or down right rude about an 'alien' family structure.  But I have learned that when you open your heart to new ideas and especially new people, it can be a huge blessing.  I've really enjoyed spending "get to know each other" time with my Leman family.  Whether in MX, IL, or CO.  

While we were there, we also stumbled across some pics from Jake's early years.  What a charmer : )

We spent the last week in January in MX with Steph and Co.  It was about time!  No team or event to share focus with, los sobrinos out of school, and lots and lots of great sister time.  We couldn't have asked for a better week to go.  I'm kinda having an unexpected moment of emotion.  *pause for some wiping of tears and blowing of nose* Maybe it was because Jake and I had an off night last night, (I'm kinda sensitive to the dumbest things), or maybe it's because my parents are visiting this weekend (that's the thing with emotions, they're hard to define), or maybe it's just because a time like I had with Steph tends to be few and far between and I cherish every opportunity to share life with them again.  I love my family very much...and again...not just because it's Valentine's day :D

 Make a screeching *AAhn* and you will have the noise Eric is making.  To the right are the brothers playing cowboys.

My nails were hot pink after this beauty session.

 

 Using the gator as a jungle gym....

 ...or for good man to man talks. And obviously the railroad track is a great place to ride bikes...or...not.  I don't think the boys will do this again, it was their Tios idea.

 

Mi hermana!  And my winter whiteness GLOWING!

 The sky was beautiful on this particular day, it almost looked like a backdrop.

 I love this pic of Jake and Eric having a moment together.

And, that was Mexico.

We've had a couple other adventures since MX. Cross country skiing in a few new places and a fun weekend with the Haeflingers in Pinecliff, CO.

And last but not least, I leave with you a quote I read today.

You probably wouldn't worry about what people think of you if you could know how seldom they do. - Olin Miller

Words of truth.