Well I continue to look for work and to date have yet to have an interview. It's been seven months. I am on the Federal extension and thank President Obama for his truthful understanding of the current economy and not forgetting that there are many of us out here unemployed.
And with all this my life continues and the dark cloud hovers! I can't understand why I am not having interviews! I feel like everything in my life...life in general...should stop until I am able to get back on track. But unfortunately that isn't the way things work.
I am still spending my Wednesdays with sweet Gigi and I continue to feel blessed by this small reprieve where I get to hang out with a wonderful four year old who makes me laugh. The pay still goes toward groceries and incidentals and boy am I thankful. Twice now, Gigi's mom has hired me to do some filing in her home office. That was a nice surprise and that allowed me to afford prescriptions. And yet, that blasted cloud.
2 weeks ago my back door suddenly stopped locking -- it was as if the dead bolt was not meeting its mark. One day I bent the key to get it unlocked. So I called my friend and handy man who shaved this and tightened that and determined that the door was swollen with moisture from the dampness in the air. We should be good to go. No charge (what a guy!). 2 days later I was at Gigi's house and getting ready to leave...much like the battery incident...? I put my key in the door and it broke. In the lock. Just snapped in half. I tell you it was all I could do to not crumble onto the drive way and cry. I mean, what do you do? I didn't have a spare as this was an old beater that didn't come with one. Plus there was a piece IN THE LOCK. I'm going to have to have this towed, or hire a locksmith to rebuild the lock so I can have a new key....Oy gevalt!
David came home and in all his calmness got a thing that poked this and pushed that and pulled the piece out -- easy peasy. I recall being very aware of his calm. I think he knew that I was standing on the edge of the abyss. Well, we took the pieces to the hardware store and they taped them together and made a new key that didn't fit. Now we have to call the locksmith. But hey, David's neighbor down the street is a locksmith, and he ran down there. I really believe because this guy knew David he gave him all the right answers without making a call and starting a bill. Call Toyota, give them your VIN and they can digitally make you a key. So David and I went for a little ride.
We talked about God. In my case I was grappling with: Why? Why is this necessary? What am I to gain from all of this and why does this always happen at David's house? I've come to the decision that while I am not yet to know all the answers, one thing is sure, I will never be left high and dry: I will have car failure, but it will be at David's house who will help me. I will have trouble with my locks at home, but Jim is a phone call away. Bumps in the road.
Once again at the cash register at Toyota, David paid. I am touched and honored by his generosity of money and time. He's a good man, whom I consider a dear friend.
Ok, then. 2 days later, I am leaving the house and go to lock the door and it won't. Worse yet, the key is stuck in the lock. COME! ON! Ultimately I had to leave the key in the door and the house unlocked. I called Jim. I told him it was time for a new door knob and lock. Would he please do that while I was gone? Later Jim called. Oh I just sprayed WD40 in the lock. Everything is OK. You don't need a lock. No charge.
Friday the IRS felt the need to write. Seems they think that huge amount of money I paid in on taxes for 2008 (after my FORMER tax accountant made a huge error on my taxes!) was not enough. They want $1400.00 more. This in addition to the fact that while on Unemployment I OWE taxes for 2009. Seems that Unemployment threw me into the OWE-category. Nice. So now I need to battle taxes. I simply can't afford that. So, in a very painful decision, I took money out of retirement to pay for these bills. Money is an issue. I am learning that I can live on far less than I ever imagined, and as such am looking at lower paying jobs, in addition to work comp, but I still am in the negative. I know they say you should never touch the 4o1k, but what else do I do?
And when I was slipping into the dark place, I got my mail. Once again, Anonymous sent me a gift card. This time to Target. Anonymous? Between you and David and his family, not to mention the everyday kindnesses that Chris offers, my heart swells. I want this to be over so that I can pay this forward. I want to know who you are so I can hug you, I want nothing but goodness to follow you. But, since that can't be, I wish you a bounty of God's goodness and blessings, I wish you peace and comfort, I pray you will never have to experience financial difficulty, but God forbid you do, I hope I am the one who is there to help you though it. Amen.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
A Bounty of Friends
This past week has me connecting with two of my good girlfriends.
On Saturday I saw HL and her baby boy Matt. We met at Caribou and gossiped. She and I connected at HIG or as I call it: THE HORROR-SHOW! She worked there for eight years and finally left for her current job. We worked together for a year before she left. In that year we became fast friends. She (at the time) was a married gal with no children and two dogs. Those were her babies. She also turned me onto Weight Watchers and was my main support through that process. We shared weight loss and dog stories. When she left I was broken-hearted but a friendship was established and this many years later and a baby to boot, we still are good friends.
It is always a delight to talk to HL but this day, it was such a treat since I go no where and see very few people as I can't afford to go out. It was such a pleasure to sit, sip coffee, and talk to HL. I realized how much I miss my friends during this time of unemployment. Before we knew it two hours had passed and her perfect child was playing well with his toys but no need to push it...so it was time to go. I was sorry to see it end.
You know HIG was a horror-show but I came away from there with a good friend.
Then on Monday TMB came from Hugo to spend the day togther. TMB has been unemployed for more than a year. This is disheartening indeed, but what gets me is she has amazing experience. 10 years here; three years there; all as an office manager. She's got skills and she had no interviews. In May she will run out of UI benefits. Her skills are applicable everywhere -- mine are very specific. If she can't find work, what's going to happen to me?
TMB and I met at Nat Car 19 years ago. We've worked for the same employer three times in our history.
TMB is married to the wonderful Charlie and has two dogs. We joke that there aren't two more surprising dog owners than TMB and me, but here we are: in love with doggy-motherhood.
T came bearing a big grocery bag full of meat products including sausages that were made by Grandpa who used to have an Italian deli in St. Paul. I have plenty of meat. Such a nice gift!
TMB and I talked at length about unemployment, money, weight, smoking (rather, not smoking) dogs, dogs, dogs, husbands, family...it was four hours of nonstop chat. What a treat!
I've known TMB almost longer than any other friends but one. We are like-minded with the same emotional balances. Morally and ethically, we are the same. Here again is a woman who is so important to me, whom I met through work. And I might add, it too was a horror-show!
I've worked at a lot of crappy places but most all have given me dear, dear friends. Interesting.
My visit with TMB was nurturing and sustaining. I really get so much from my female friends. It's invigorating. Like my Sunday-morning coffee with Chris and Miss Joyce (and sometimes Terry). I just can't start my week without a visit with the ladies. When I don't see my gal pals I am lost.
Now I am wth my friend GiGi and I feel like this week is complete and I surely will make it through another week with the help of these women.
On Saturday I saw HL and her baby boy Matt. We met at Caribou and gossiped. She and I connected at HIG or as I call it: THE HORROR-SHOW! She worked there for eight years and finally left for her current job. We worked together for a year before she left. In that year we became fast friends. She (at the time) was a married gal with no children and two dogs. Those were her babies. She also turned me onto Weight Watchers and was my main support through that process. We shared weight loss and dog stories. When she left I was broken-hearted but a friendship was established and this many years later and a baby to boot, we still are good friends.
It is always a delight to talk to HL but this day, it was such a treat since I go no where and see very few people as I can't afford to go out. It was such a pleasure to sit, sip coffee, and talk to HL. I realized how much I miss my friends during this time of unemployment. Before we knew it two hours had passed and her perfect child was playing well with his toys but no need to push it...so it was time to go. I was sorry to see it end.
You know HIG was a horror-show but I came away from there with a good friend.
Then on Monday TMB came from Hugo to spend the day togther. TMB has been unemployed for more than a year. This is disheartening indeed, but what gets me is she has amazing experience. 10 years here; three years there; all as an office manager. She's got skills and she had no interviews. In May she will run out of UI benefits. Her skills are applicable everywhere -- mine are very specific. If she can't find work, what's going to happen to me?
TMB and I met at Nat Car 19 years ago. We've worked for the same employer three times in our history.
TMB is married to the wonderful Charlie and has two dogs. We joke that there aren't two more surprising dog owners than TMB and me, but here we are: in love with doggy-motherhood.
T came bearing a big grocery bag full of meat products including sausages that were made by Grandpa who used to have an Italian deli in St. Paul. I have plenty of meat. Such a nice gift!
TMB and I talked at length about unemployment, money, weight, smoking (rather, not smoking) dogs, dogs, dogs, husbands, family...it was four hours of nonstop chat. What a treat!
I've known TMB almost longer than any other friends but one. We are like-minded with the same emotional balances. Morally and ethically, we are the same. Here again is a woman who is so important to me, whom I met through work. And I might add, it too was a horror-show!
I've worked at a lot of crappy places but most all have given me dear, dear friends. Interesting.
My visit with TMB was nurturing and sustaining. I really get so much from my female friends. It's invigorating. Like my Sunday-morning coffee with Chris and Miss Joyce (and sometimes Terry). I just can't start my week without a visit with the ladies. When I don't see my gal pals I am lost.
Now I am wth my friend GiGi and I feel like this week is complete and I surely will make it through another week with the help of these women.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Spring is in the Air
It's 41 degrees and sunny. My roof is finally free of snow and the massive ice sickles have fallen off with well timed "booms" throughout the afternoon. Finally the dripping has stopped and the skating rink that was my patio is now just a patio again. My dogs can barely contain themselves. Neither can I, quite frankly. I have visions of wide expanses of black dirt, muddy hands and knees, and vegetable gardens as far as the eye can see. But I digress....
The dogs are crazy about this weather. They go out and run in circles around the yard and wrestle in the snow. My older dog watches the activity up in front with her face stuck through the breaks in the fence -- I've never noticed this before but I see with the snow pack so high she has a better vantage point.
They'd really prefer that I hang out with them so after 15-20 minutes they want back in and in a matter of minutes they are ready to go out again. My little girls are outside dogs at heart even though they spend their time on the back of the couch watching the world go by.
During spring, summer and fall we walk every day. But at this time of the year with all the melt and slop and with their little 3-4 inch legs -- they end up soggy, muddy and sandy. Each walk requires a head to toe bath and I admit it -- I'm too lazy to do that every day, and frankly, bath time is not their favorite time! So why put them through that? So for now -- it's the back yard until the melt really kicks in and that becomes soup. Oh joy. I need April.
But for now, they are out running and wrestling and wondering when I will come out too.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Miss GiGi and Me
So last week Miss GiGi and I were playing, Go Fish. At one point GiG asks, "Do you have any 6s?" I hand her my 6 but she doesn't put any matches down. I say, "GiG, put down your matches." She tells she has none. "GiGi! You don't ask for a card unless you already have one in your hand." She tells me she knows. Then I ask for her 1. I know she has one because she's asked for this in the past. She tells me to "Go Fish". Huh. Maybe I was mistaken. Her turn. She asks me for my 1. "GiGi! If I ask for a card, and you have it, you have to give it up!" She starts a rolling laugh that starts in her gut and rolls all the way out and she chortles! She has made a joke! She's not cheating -- I don't think she gets that concept -- she just played a joke on me! I tell her to hand over the 1 and she does, laughing the whole way!
Later, Miss Ellie, GiGi's oldest sister, comes home from school while we are still playing cards. I want to play Crazy 8s and Ellie wants to join us. GiGi wants to play Memory. But what I think is that she wants to only play with me and is a little prickly because Ellie is going to play too. This is still her time! Well we out-vote her and Crazy 8s it is. She refuses to play claiming she doesn't know how to. This isn't the case since the week before we played this game. Being the big sister, Ellie pulls her onto her lap and tells her she can share her hand and learn how to play.
We play our first hand and Ellie wins. GiGi says, "Good job, sista!" Ha! This is what I call GiGi. Ellie says, "Is that what Miss Jean calls you?" GiGi says it is. Ellie asks me why I call her sister? I say, all women are sisters. Ellie kinda gets it. GiGi says, "Yeah!" as if she understands the concept of a global sisterhood. I think, I just need to burst out and laugh out loud! She cracks me up so! What a treat.
Later, Miss Ellie, GiGi's oldest sister, comes home from school while we are still playing cards. I want to play Crazy 8s and Ellie wants to join us. GiGi wants to play Memory. But what I think is that she wants to only play with me and is a little prickly because Ellie is going to play too. This is still her time! Well we out-vote her and Crazy 8s it is. She refuses to play claiming she doesn't know how to. This isn't the case since the week before we played this game. Being the big sister, Ellie pulls her onto her lap and tells her she can share her hand and learn how to play.
We play our first hand and Ellie wins. GiGi says, "Good job, sista!" Ha! This is what I call GiGi. Ellie says, "Is that what Miss Jean calls you?" GiGi says it is. Ellie asks me why I call her sister? I say, all women are sisters. Ellie kinda gets it. GiGi says, "Yeah!" as if she understands the concept of a global sisterhood. I think, I just need to burst out and laugh out loud! She cracks me up so! What a treat.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Coupon Queen -- Deal Diva
I used my gift card at Rainbow. I'm pretty darn proud of the success I had with coupon collection and deals.
I saved $35.00 with coupons and deals; a 35% savings on the original bill. My best deal of the day was a pound of Caribou coffee. I had a dollar-off coupon, got it doubled, then Rainbow had it on sale for $6.99. Grand total for Mahogany blend (mmmmm!) $4.99. In the stores, this is $13.99 a pound! Score! Then add to this that I get points for money off at BP gas -- I went to the gas station and got .60 cents off a gallon. I saved $7.80! I just want to do well with this gift.
Next up: Rainbow has a big deal of buy a ham, get a turkey breast (whole), eggs, sausage for free. AND buy 5 Post cereals and get $5.00 off at the register AND a coupon for free milk. Finally, Cheerios are on sale for $1.98 -- I have a dollar-off coupon. I will get that on Wednesday, they will double it -- they will owe me .02 cents!
I keep thinking about the generous donor. Times are tough these days, but of the people I know, none of them are flush. None of them would I say, has spare money sitting around. That means that this was indeed an extraordinarily generous gift. I'm just so moved. It gives me hope in our small world, that there are good and giving people in the world, and I know many of them -- but one in particular....wow. These thoughts keep me awake at night. When can I show them that I realize the magnitude of this gift and pass it on? One day I will and I will document it -- not for the strokes of a good deed, but so the donor will know that good deeds do get passed on.
Thank you, again.
I saved $35.00 with coupons and deals; a 35% savings on the original bill. My best deal of the day was a pound of Caribou coffee. I had a dollar-off coupon, got it doubled, then Rainbow had it on sale for $6.99. Grand total for Mahogany blend (mmmmm!) $4.99. In the stores, this is $13.99 a pound! Score! Then add to this that I get points for money off at BP gas -- I went to the gas station and got .60 cents off a gallon. I saved $7.80! I just want to do well with this gift.
Next up: Rainbow has a big deal of buy a ham, get a turkey breast (whole), eggs, sausage for free. AND buy 5 Post cereals and get $5.00 off at the register AND a coupon for free milk. Finally, Cheerios are on sale for $1.98 -- I have a dollar-off coupon. I will get that on Wednesday, they will double it -- they will owe me .02 cents!
I keep thinking about the generous donor. Times are tough these days, but of the people I know, none of them are flush. None of them would I say, has spare money sitting around. That means that this was indeed an extraordinarily generous gift. I'm just so moved. It gives me hope in our small world, that there are good and giving people in the world, and I know many of them -- but one in particular....wow. These thoughts keep me awake at night. When can I show them that I realize the magnitude of this gift and pass it on? One day I will and I will document it -- not for the strokes of a good deed, but so the donor will know that good deeds do get passed on.
Thank you, again.
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