My Father

I lost my dad this year. Just last month in fact. He died on 9-9-9. He was only 79, trying really hard to make it to 80. He often used to "threaten" that he was going to live to 100, just to "drive you crazy". I would love to be driven crazy right now.

Who was my father? He was a man of dignity, a man of deep knowledge and curiosity. He was always learning something new. He was a marvelous gardener - his love of nature and plants and animals was part of his gentle nature. He was generous, funny, loving in his own way. He was one of the most intelligent men I knew - but never proud, never boasting - always humble. He loved to hug. He loved old movies, Bullwinkle the Moose, and admired Abraham Lincoln. He had a dog - a Pembroke Welsh Corgi - who he'd gotten from a rescue organization. He really loved that dog. That dog really loved him.

I'll probably think of a lot of good things to say about my dad after I post this entry. Maybe I'll add them, maybe I won't. All I can say now is - I love my dad, and I really miss him.

Eighteen Weeks.....and still counting.

In theory I've got a job. I've had the interview, I've had the verbal offer, and I've gotten the offer letter (signed and sent back). But. Now they have to do a background check and a ton of other paperwork....which could take anywhere from 30 to 45 days.

sigh.

So. Even though I've got the offer, I'm still sending out resumes - in hopes to find something sooner that might be a juicier find. I know, I should be thankful for the offer I do have - and I AM. But I'd much rather start work next Monday, not sometime in December. It's not only better for me financially, I'll have a lot less time to think about whether or not this job is the "right" one for me....yeah, I think WAY too much sometimes.

Otherwise. I miss my Dad. I'm glad to be back home with hubby and puppy, but I miss hanging out with Mom too. And now it's getting cold out, which means winter is coming. Mom is coming for Christmas, so no desert visit for me this year. I just wish we had the money to fix the guest room door. Maybe we'll have her stay in our room and we'll take the guest room......Hey, maybe next year I can get Mom to go to the desert WITH us....hmmmmm.

16 weeks - 4 months - hope on the horizon!

The end of week 16 finds me with a verbal job offer! There's still some paperwork to get through, and basically - until I'm AT MY DESK - I won't stop crossing my fingers or keeping my eyes open, but YAY!!

One of my brothers also has a very good lead on a job...he may find out in the next week or two, so fingers are crossed for him too.

I got back home last Saturday to a surprised hubby and a very happy puppy. It's good to be home. I talk to Mom almost every day, making sure she's not feeling alone too much. I think she's doing well, and next week her piano teaching starts up, so that will be very good for her.

So...what do you (few) people think of this 2012 prophecy? Any thoughts or ideas?

Week 15....still waiting.

Well. It's been a decidedly yucky summer, that much I can attest to. I'm still up in Michigan, though I have my eye on flying homeward soon. I miss my hubby and my dog! But Mom's needed me here to help with her transition, and I have no regrets to the time I've been here. After all, she has to learn a whole new way of living - she hasn't been truly alone for over 53 years. But I have every faith that she'll succeed and do it with style. My mom is pretty awesome, ya know?

As for me. I FINALLY had a job nibble!! Actually, the first call came in on the day dad died. But after a bit of phone tag, I got a phone interview and it sounds promising. I should be getting a face-to-face next week if things go well. Let's hope to the goddess that they go well!!!

One nice thing about these visits to Michigan - I've been able to reconnect with some long-time friends. D., B., and R. have all come back into my life, and that is just way awesome. I hope we can maintain contact and grow our friendships into our old age.

More later!

Hugs.

Sad day

Week 13 of unemployment finds me in Michigan again.

Today - 09/09/09 - at 3:00 - my father died.

This summer really sucks.

Three months now....12 long, distressing weeks

So. Week 12 finds me the same - still unemployed, still not exercising, still worried about Dad.

He's doing better - though he's back on the breathing vent. He had his pacemaker replaced last Friday, but it hit his body rather hard, so they put him back on so he wouldn't have to fight for oxygen. But he's still on that damn teeter totter.

Maybe I'm not supposed to get a job until Dad's home from the hospital??

But....

I'm beginning to hate being a whiny jobless person. I know, I could quit whining....but I'd still be jobless. WHY won't someone call me?!?! I've put out many resumes, but I haven't gotten ONE call!!

Damn it to all the hells.

. . . Week # 11 . . .

One week shy of 3 months of unemployment...

This week finds me back home. Dad is MUCH better, though still in the hospital. We expect him home in mid- to late-September. Also, I finished up my acting class last night. Even though I had missed 2 classes, I really wanted to participate and get the chance to be critiqued by someone IN the industry. It was a lot of fun! Now I'm trying to get some headshots scheduled so I can actually audition for roles...who knows? I figure even if I only get 1 or 2 roles over the next few months or year, it'd be an experience I haven't had before. Also, I'm STILL trying to get my voice over demo done, because I think I'd be really really good at that.

But. I'm also still trying to get a "real" job in my career field...and still no interviews. Very discouraging. There was a job I would have been super great at - but unfortunately it's only for internal candidates. I did still contact the hiring manager with my resume - just in case they turn to an external candidate....it'd be a GREAT job.

So....I continue to hunt the job boards each day, doing follow-ups and sending out new resumes whenever I can. Wish me luck, ok?