Need a bit of advice from contract tech. writers, please...

[The Baumans]

Hello!

I'm ending my first contract job that ran for four months in two weeks.  Before this job, I'd worked a permanent one for over 10 years when the downsizing hammer flattened me. Because I'm new to contract work, I have a question about a letter of recommendation and reference from the person I report to (for at least two more weeks).  

Is it best to simply ask the supervisor if I can use her as a reference if needed when interviewing for another contract job or should I ask for that plus a letter of recommendation?  Should it be one or the other, and is asking for both, asking for too much?  

Any advice from those who've been in similar situations would be greatly appreciated.  

Have a good week!....
Jim Bauman
jbauman at covad.net