Hi -- Here I am
Hi Janet & the rest of my OFF friends. . .
It's nice to know I am missed and thought of by others. Some have been in touch through PMs and e-mail. . . here is a synopsis of what has been going on. . .
I am still chasing down job leads, have sent out close to 100 resumes, had 4 interviews, met with personnel agencies and still no job. It's a very tough market here in the Northeast, jobs that never required anything more than experience, are now asking for degrees, many use words like "overqualified" for me, in the NY market I am told, well you live rather far away, I explain that has never kept me from work before, but it seems my salary range and where I live are hurting me and while I am willing to take less, I can only cut so much in the way of what I need to pay the bills and if I am to work in the NY market, I need to earn so much in order to make up for the cost of my commute, which runs $600 a month before tax breaks, which with what my salary was before, was not a big deal. . . The headhunters say it is a very slow market and they have never seen anything like it before, they are hopeful it will turnaround, but no one seems to think much will happen before next year, as companies are still cutting back. I know that the people I left behind at my old firm have been overwhelmed since they let go of the staff they did when I was cut. I try to keep an optimistic attitude and most days I'm ok, but in less then 3 weeks my severance is over and the reality of NY State unemployment kicks in and then will come the tougher times. I will be ok, somehow, some way I will get through all of this. . .
Thankfully, the house project was paid for before I lost my job and is nearing completion. The bedroom and sunroom's are done, with me having to do minor paint touch ups, as I took last week off from painting. The new deck is a nice place to sit and have my coffee, when it's not raining! The master bathroom is in progress, the plumbing in place, the wallboard up, shower stall and bathtub surround framed out, yesterday we picked up the vanity, top and tile and so this week the tile work will begin and I will soon have my own private bathroom and I am looking forward to one thing being done.
I've had some struggles with food, but am happy to say that the 4 lbs. in the wrong direction the scale had climbed, have now gone bye-bye and then 1 more, which puts me 7 lbs. from my personal goal and 3 away from a 100 lb. weightloss (though my ticker represents my weight from the day I had my consult).
Dillinger, my sweet boy, amazingly, is still with me, sleeps more and has become very used to my being home with him, which might be another reason he is doing so well, but whatever the reason, I am grateful to have him here. It was worth every penny of that $8,100 that it cost me (I did get 3k back from the pet insurance) and I know that it will hurt when he is gone, but having had this time with him has been a wonderful gift!
I am missing all of you, but everything in my life has been up in the air for the last 2 months, looking for work has consumed a great part of my day each day, couple that with trying to paint (when, in fact, I am no painter (lol)) and trying to maintain a positive attitude has been more challenges then I sometimes think I can bear, but knowing that you are thinking of me, well it goes a long way towards helping me get through. I hope that you are all well, it seems I am not alone in not being on here as often as I used to, but life pulls us in the direction it does and as I said before, I don't enjoy being on the computer as much as I used to right now, in time, when I get more settled, I think it will change, as I do miss hearing about your lives and I think of many of you in my daily positive thoughts list and hope that your lives are much more level than mine is right now and I pray that you have the strength to get through whatever life challenges come your way!
Well I guess I made up for not being on here in a while, please feel free to PM me, if you like, with what is happening in your life, as I just poke my head in here briefly now and again. Wishing you peace and joy. . .
Laureen
It's nice to know I am missed and thought of by others. Some have been in touch through PMs and e-mail. . . here is a synopsis of what has been going on. . .
I am still chasing down job leads, have sent out close to 100 resumes, had 4 interviews, met with personnel agencies and still no job. It's a very tough market here in the Northeast, jobs that never required anything more than experience, are now asking for degrees, many use words like "overqualified" for me, in the NY market I am told, well you live rather far away, I explain that has never kept me from work before, but it seems my salary range and where I live are hurting me and while I am willing to take less, I can only cut so much in the way of what I need to pay the bills and if I am to work in the NY market, I need to earn so much in order to make up for the cost of my commute, which runs $600 a month before tax breaks, which with what my salary was before, was not a big deal. . . The headhunters say it is a very slow market and they have never seen anything like it before, they are hopeful it will turnaround, but no one seems to think much will happen before next year, as companies are still cutting back. I know that the people I left behind at my old firm have been overwhelmed since they let go of the staff they did when I was cut. I try to keep an optimistic attitude and most days I'm ok, but in less then 3 weeks my severance is over and the reality of NY State unemployment kicks in and then will come the tougher times. I will be ok, somehow, some way I will get through all of this. . .
Thankfully, the house project was paid for before I lost my job and is nearing completion. The bedroom and sunroom's are done, with me having to do minor paint touch ups, as I took last week off from painting. The new deck is a nice place to sit and have my coffee, when it's not raining! The master bathroom is in progress, the plumbing in place, the wallboard up, shower stall and bathtub surround framed out, yesterday we picked up the vanity, top and tile and so this week the tile work will begin and I will soon have my own private bathroom and I am looking forward to one thing being done.
I've had some struggles with food, but am happy to say that the 4 lbs. in the wrong direction the scale had climbed, have now gone bye-bye and then 1 more, which puts me 7 lbs. from my personal goal and 3 away from a 100 lb. weightloss (though my ticker represents my weight from the day I had my consult).
Dillinger, my sweet boy, amazingly, is still with me, sleeps more and has become very used to my being home with him, which might be another reason he is doing so well, but whatever the reason, I am grateful to have him here. It was worth every penny of that $8,100 that it cost me (I did get 3k back from the pet insurance) and I know that it will hurt when he is gone, but having had this time with him has been a wonderful gift!
I am missing all of you, but everything in my life has been up in the air for the last 2 months, looking for work has consumed a great part of my day each day, couple that with trying to paint (when, in fact, I am no painter (lol)) and trying to maintain a positive attitude has been more challenges then I sometimes think I can bear, but knowing that you are thinking of me, well it goes a long way towards helping me get through. I hope that you are all well, it seems I am not alone in not being on here as often as I used to, but life pulls us in the direction it does and as I said before, I don't enjoy being on the computer as much as I used to right now, in time, when I get more settled, I think it will change, as I do miss hearing about your lives and I think of many of you in my daily positive thoughts list and hope that your lives are much more level than mine is right now and I pray that you have the strength to get through whatever life challenges come your way!
Well I guess I made up for not being on here in a while, please feel free to PM me, if you like, with what is happening in your life, as I just poke my head in here briefly now and again. Wishing you peace and joy. . .
Laureen
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
Laureen....you have been missed!!
Other then your lack of a job....things seem to be going well for you. I always think about Dillinger and pray he is having a peaceful life.
I hope you find a job soon. Sounds like things are really hard in your job market. The stress of that must be overwhelming.My thoughts and prayer are with you.
Thanks for dropping in....I do appreciate you taking the time to update and let us know you are doing okay.
Hugs.....connie d
Other then your lack of a job....things seem to be going well for you. I always think about Dillinger and pray he is having a peaceful life.
I hope you find a job soon. Sounds like things are really hard in your job market. The stress of that must be overwhelming.My thoughts and prayer are with you.
Thanks for dropping in....I do appreciate you taking the time to update and let us know you are doing okay.
Hugs.....connie d
Laureen, I am glad that you popped in to let us know how you and Dillinger doing. You both are on my mind a lot of the time......and always in my prayers.
Please know that the right job is out there for you and don't give up faith that you will find that one for you. Your HP will point out that direction in his time and not anyone else's. Just bear patiently, my heart and the answer will come.
Please continue to pop in and let us know how you are doing and how your baby is doing too. We love and miss you both. Don't ever forget that, dear sister!
It's not what you gather, but what you scatter
that tells what kind of life you have lived.
JeanB
Laureen, you certainly are the most diligent person in searching for a job. I don't think you could try harder. Something will happen, with all your efforts, I know it will be soon. I heard yesterday that the recession may start to wane by summer. I only hope! Keep the faith.
Elaine
Elaine
All you need is the plan, the road map, and the courage to press
on to your destination.
on to your destination.
Aloha special sister........I was so glad to see a post from you! Sorry to hear that your job search is bearing no fruit yet, but it will. This is a crazy time in our world, and so many of us are having to find ways to make ends meet that we didn't foresee.
I understand not spending as much time on the computer when you are challenged. I am the same way. Sometimes I just don't have the energy to contribute anything. But when I do, I try and come in and become part of the journey. I almost always get some tidbit of light from those who share in here.
Sending you a hug....it will be waiting for you whenever you check back in.
Aloha nui loa,
Maui Karen
I understand not spending as much time on the computer when you are challenged. I am the same way. Sometimes I just don't have the energy to contribute anything. But when I do, I try and come in and become part of the journey. I almost always get some tidbit of light from those who share in here.
Sending you a hug....it will be waiting for you whenever you check back in.
Aloha nui loa,
Maui Karen
Laureen,you have been in my thoughts and prayers. The job market sucks! The time with your baby boy is priceless.
I think of you and know you will share good news when you have it,and know that we are here,if you need us.
I have been fighting my own dragons,and my salary has dropped to 65 percent.Living alone,it is very scary,the money thing.
Stay as strong as you are.
I think of you and know you will share good news when you have it,and know that we are here,if you need us.
I have been fighting my own dragons,and my salary has dropped to 65 percent.Living alone,it is very scary,the money thing.
Stay as strong as you are.
WHAT WE FEAR,WE CREATE.
Hi Laureen,
I've not met you yet, but enjoyed your post. I will add you to my prayer list for suitable employment. Very difficult, but not impossible!! I get the feeling Dillinger is someone soft and cuddly. I won't even tell you how much I've spent at the vet. They should build a new wing dedicated to me, lol. It sounds to me as if you are very, very busy with your life, and I pray that your days are filled with happiness.
I've not met you yet, but enjoyed your post. I will add you to my prayer list for suitable employment. Very difficult, but not impossible!! I get the feeling Dillinger is someone soft and cuddly. I won't even tell you how much I've spent at the vet. They should build a new wing dedicated to me, lol. It sounds to me as if you are very, very busy with your life, and I pray that your days are filled with happiness.
Walking with you on this journey, Mary
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
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