Thursday, April 28, 2011

It's a beautiful day!

Wow! Mother nature kicked up a ruckus across the South last night but my sweet little haven barely even got any rain although it was quite windy. I read that 250 people had died in the storms and my heart is heavy for all of those affected by the storms. I have been praying for my friends in Birmingham today because I haven't learned if they are safe yet, or not. I am hoping!

So, for the good news...it was a beautiful, balmy day today and I had all of the windows open and the cross breeze was divine. I love this time of year when we can have the windows open to enjoy the fresh air.

I am excited to see my son and my grandchildren who are visiting from Denver tomorrow. Well, I am visiting them tomorrow although they arrived Wednesday night. I am especially looking forward to seeing the kids because I haven't seen them for 16 months! It's another of the downsides of being unemployed. Travel has stopped completely and I sure miss it!

I love sending cards to my friends and to my family. Texts, e-mails, and Facebook are wonderful ways to communicate but I am a firm believer that it is still very exciting to get something in the mail besides a bill or an advertisement! Letter writing is becoming a lost art and it's too bad. I have letters I received over 40 years ago and they are incorporated into a part of my life's history. I'd hate not to have that, wouldn't you? So when you have a moment and you are walking by the greeting card section in any store, take a moment to look at the cards (some are quite amusing) and grab one and send it to someone you care about. I guarantee you that it will make their day and come back to you tenfold!

Prince William and Kate Middleton get married tomorrow. I wonder how they are feeling tonight!!!! Probably like anyone about to be married except intensified by a million percent! I'll bet it is going to be so beautiful and I have my DVR set to record so I can enjoy it at my leisure. I am excited to see her dress and how she will wear her hair and ALL OF IT!!! It's a fairy tale! The Prince has found his Princess and hopefully they will live happily ever after! That's the way it should be anyhow, or so I read many years ago.

Hope you are having a terrific day (or night!). Expect a miracle and remember, the best is yet to come!

Namaste!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Hump Day...! - Wednesday, April 27, 2011

I should be up cleaning the kitchen floor since I took everything except the table out of the kitchen yesterday yet here I sit! This is much more fun and I'm all about fun today.

Monday I went to an interview at a staffing agency and when she called (yes, this one called me) I thought she had an "imminent" position and I completed all the paperwork, including tax information, and sat and chatted with the "Recruiting Specialist" and went over my resume. She thanked me for my time and told me that she may need me to come back and take some tests and I said "Bring them on!" and here it is Wednesday and I've not heard another word from her.

Same day around 5:30pm I got a call from another recruiting specialist who is in Tampa who also saw my resume online. He told me about a position he thought I would be a good candidate for and I felt a little excited. So he sent me the information via e-mail and then asked for something so sacred I couldn't believe he was asking me to tell him over the telephone or by e-mail and I wondered if he was a scammer. He asked for my social security number.

Now what is the one thing you always hear about your social security number? Do NOT give it to anyone over the telephone or by e-mail. But, guess what?! After "Googling" the job position and the agency I decided what the heck and I called him back and gave him my ssn. He said AT&T has their own way of doing things and they will not accept any candidate without the SSN. Now I may be crazy to have done this or so desperate for a job that I am throwing caution to the wind, but if anyone tries to use my SSN to get credit, well they will get what they deserve which is NOTHING!

I read an article last night about a young woman, 23, who lost her $50,000 a year job and ultimately ended up homeless and then blogged and wrote a book about it. It was an interesting article and really a bit frightening because it's as if we are in a mini-depression but it is not so well-covered by the media so there is the "illusion" that everything is okay and we all love our illusions, don't we. She finally found a job that she likes and is back "in business" so I am happy for her. I guess the premise was, "see, it worked out for me and it can work out for you, too." Apparently there are many, many people, especially in California where she lives (and in Georgia, where I live) that are looking for a job. I never thought in my lifetime that I would find myself in a position where I am ready to work and can't find a job.

That may all change tomorrow though and I am going to enjoy my day. I am hopeful and optimistic and what's the worse that could happen? Well, let's change that thought...what's the BEST that could happen and I'll hold that energy today! For now, it's all good.

My children are healthy, happy (and employed) and my health is still good and I am definitely "employable." I am certain something will open up for me by the end of...well, better change that because I was going to say by the end of the month but since we're almost there, I'll say by the middle of May. Yep, I'm sure.

So, back to living in the moment and whew! It is really ALL good! I have the entire day to do whatever I want to do. I made a pot of espresso and steamed some milk with thick foam, just the way I like it and since I had one little, tiny bottle (the kind you buy in the liquor store that are called "mini's," I think) of Grand Marnier left, I decided to go ahead and add it to the mix and yum! yum! What a treat and it feels so decadent to be having alcohol before noon. Almost like being on vacation and having a Bloody Mary (or two) to start the day! For today, I consider myself on vacation!

I am going to play some music that I love (perhaps some Uriah Heep, "Demons and Wizards") so that I can sing along at the top of my lungs because there's no one to hear but me and now that Wizzie is deaf, it won't bother him either. I am going to go in and give my kitchen floor a deep steam cleaning and change some things around, reorganize a cabinet and clean the refrigerator. Oh, what did you say? Am I boring you?

Well, it helps me to feel happy when things are clean and organized so I try to stay on top of it!

I made it to the gym several times last week but even with my best intentions haven't made it yet this week but maybe later today? I have seen Water for Elephants twice now. I am obsessed with Robert Pattinson but only in my dreams. He makes me wish I were 21 again or perhaps it is that he makes me REMEMBER what it felt to be 21. He seems to be a genuine, good person who has done well and I wish him continued success and happiness with the love of his life who seems to be his co-star in the Twilight Saga, Kristen Stewart. They are a little wierd about their relationship but whatever makes them happy! I can't even begin to imagine what life would be under the media glare they live on a daily basis and I've seen pictures where I would love to smack down the photographer and tell him to just leave them the hell alone. It's just part of it, I guess, but not a very enjoyable part for them. Anyhow, I loved the movie and I think he acted the part well and I will probably see it again. I enjoyed his movie "Remember Me" and cried buckets at the end. It was a great movie and I don't understand why the critics tear his movies up so badly because they are as good, if not better, than a lot of the movies out there. I think if "Crazy Heart" which is one of the WORST movies I have ever seen, could win an Oscar, then Robert certainly deserves one for WFE!!!!

There's a slight breeze through my open window ruffling the curtains. I can hear my wind chime tinking and a bird is singing. I'm glad I sat down to write because I am cheered as a result.



I have been doing my "morning pages" (from "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron) but sporadically and when I do, I feel great! I self-motivate more often than not but some mornings, I just sleep in because I can and I know when I finally "retire" for good, sleeping in will be something I do several times a week. I'm not one who wants to "waste time" sleeping, normally, because there is so much to do!

Soon, I will have my studio BACK and I can't wait to get started "creating" again! Expect to see paintings, cards, paper and I don't know what else will flow but it will all be fun!!!! I'm still holding the dream of my own little motor home and doing arts/crafts shows! It will happen! I am confounded by gas prices and hope they get back DOWN (which is unlikely) before I hit the road in about 6 years! Still, it is a nice dream.

So, that's it...it is ALL ABOUT ME...right? No, it's about US! WE need to stay positive and motivated. Don't let the "news" get US down, look for the GOOD, the PURE, the POWERFUL, the POSITIVE and the OPTIMISTIC because it has been said that you WILL find what you are looking for so make sure you're looking for the right stuff!

Now...on to my kitchen and on with the day. I'm about finished with my cappucino's (hey...Jess & Arlo...I'm still using the expresso machine y'all gave me for Christmas some years (eons?) back! It's still working great and I love that you guys gave it to me! It is a gift that has been well appreciated!).

Okay, I'm done for today. I hope YOU have an awesome day...if you have a job...give it your best. If you don't and you want one (like me), keep sending out those resumes and while you're waiting for that perfect position, ENJOY the time and make the most of it. It is so easy to get depressed. I know, believe me! Perhaps tomorrow I can write about suicide thoughts but then again, maybe not because that is SO negative but I will jump out there and admit, it's a thought that has once or twice crossed my mind...but briefly. Anyhow, that's a topic for another day and I am here to help not only myself but anyone who reads my blog to stay POSITIVE and MOTIVATED and if not happy, at least to be able to see the JOY in the day. It is a great day to be alive and THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!! And so it is! Namaste!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Still transitioning...

Occurred to me that I need to get back to blogging especially since I'm in a job search once again and find the going rough! I heard it said that when the going gets tough, the tough get going and I've been trying. I've sent out hundreds of resumes and been to several interviews but I either come on too strong or not strong enough and it's hard to know what is expected anymore. There was a time when I was a one-interview person and if I could get the interview, I always got the job, if I wanted it. I am not finding that to be the case this time around.

I am not giving up though and I keep sending out my resumes every single day knowing that at some point, hopefully in the very near future, "the Universe will provide." I am doing my part, that's for sure.

It seems when there are "woes" in life, at least in my life, they seem to all lump up at the same time. I whine a bit but then I try to find a place of positivity and focus again and I'm trying hard to be there right now although it is an uphill event for me. So, I try to write my "gratitude" list in the mornings to remind myself of all the many blessings that are in my life and the many things for which I am grateful. It works for a little while.

Of course, if I don't find a job soon, I will find myself unable to make my mortgage payments and will become one of the homeless which is a scary thought to me. I can see how it happens though and that's something I never thought I would see. I've been working since I was 12 years old, non-stop except for a few years here and there when I stayed home with the kids and even then I watched other children. Now, I find myself one of the "more mature" employees and no one seems to want a "mature, professional" and it surprises me because if I were hiring, I would be thrilled to find someone with my experience, professionalism and skills especially since I am willing to accept a job making much less than what I know I am capable of earning. No one seems to want an "old bird" no matter how skilled and I am sure if I were 25 I would have had no problem getting one of the jobs I'm applying for so I am screaming "age discrimination" but I have absolutely no recourse and that's the most frustrating thing about looking for a job right now for me.

I just found out that the job I had wanted and interviewed for last week that is only one mile from my house and which I could do in probably half the time they have allotted and bring many added qualities and benefits to the position does not want to hire me and they say it's because I have only 3 years experience with Quickbooks. Well, that's a BS reason because I have been working with Quickbooks since the product was first released. I have sold it, trained others how to use it, set up different companies books on QB and so to give me a BS reason like they want someone with more QB experience makes my stomach queasy. Just say it like it is and that's that you want a YOUNGER employee. I guess that just proves they are NOT the company I'd want to work for anyhow if they are so limited and narrow in their thinking.

Well, that's my vent for this morning. I am feeling angry and aggravated so I think I'll put on some yard clothes and go dig in the dirt. That always makes me feel better. At least I can tend a flower bed and it responds lovingly.

I am still hoping for a good job in the very near future. I've been drawing unemployment for 13 weeks and I want to WORK! I WANT A JOB! I don't want to be on unemployment and I have mad skills and can't understand why some progressive company is not scarfing me up. Craziness. Pure craziness!

Going to dig in the dirt. Tomorrow is a new day and a perfect job may open up for me tomorrow. Hope your day is happy and productive! Namaste!