Roller Coaster moments!

I am going to steal a little bit of the thumbs up/down moments from Waisting Time to get you all up to speed as to what has been happening with me these last few weeks. I don't want to use the Thumb action, but will refer to my life as being on a roller coaster - going up that large hill and then traveling down at what I would feel a too fast speed or maybe just taking some of the loop DE-loops around the roller coaster of life at the moment.

UP - had a most wonderful Christmas holiday with my family. We all "made" our gifts - we coined the phrase "crafty Christmas" this year. There were the baked goods from one, the homemade ornament to add to the tree, had a good laugh over the "Reservations that were made" and a restaurant gift certificate to go with it. Or how about the candle holders made out of birch wood that brought back fond memories of the birch wood my parents used to have as decorations at the fireplace, but we were never allowed to burn them. The best gift was the calendar that my little sister made that has pictures of the whole family, with monthly quotes and then activity ideas we should do during the year to get together as family. Pictures for birthdays, even pictures of my parents and as we were growing up. It was a wonderful idea of having a "crafty" Christmas this year.

DOWN - Still NOT working. This has been an ongoing aspect of my life for the last 11 months. I can't seem to find full time work, or even work for that matter. I am busting my butt to make it happen. I think I am on about 10 different websites with my resume. I look at 20-30 websites each day to see if there is a new posting for work. I apply to about 10 jobs a week, not to mention that lately I have added applying to supermarkets, fast food, and chain stores just to get a job. Heck, I even started looking on Craig's list - go figure, I didn't think there would be anything except for shady kind of I don't want to go apply there kind of work, but I have found some pretty good prospects. Just wish that my request for work was not going out into Cyper Space and the fact that I am not getting replies is driving me crazy. I can say that I am UP with interviews - just yesterday, which is more than some can say. We will see what happens with that.

UP - got a random email last week. They were looking for someone to fill a work position, but not with my background. Thought I would just reply and include my resume. Luck was on my side - got a phone call the next morning. They wanted to interview me. However, this was all weird - the lady on the other end could not say my name - even after the 5th time I told her and that she confirmed with me what my email was. So - no matter what I really did want to be interviewed, she agreed - always good to meet and see what might happen.

DOWN - the interview was only 5 minutes long - they didn't even ask me to sit down, or take off my jacket.

UP - got a call back for a second interview. I meet the owner, things go well, I am even going to come in the very next day to start working. I am in a shock moment, it was just all so weird, glad that I am going back to work.

DEATH DROP - 7:32 am last Friday - yep - the phone rings and they say "we actually hired someone else, but the boss didn't know it" - YEAH, right - whatever, if you can't pronounce my name then maybe I just don't want to work for you.

DOWN - Unemployment ran out - I knew it was coming, but for the sure fact that I was hoping I would have been working by now. I have even signed up with several employment agencies (even tested on my typing with 66 WPM and only 1 error), but the phone is still not ringing. I never thought I would be in this situation.

UP - went for a walk the other day with my neighbor. So glad that I did. This was the first time in over a month I have been outside walking the neighborhood and getting in a good work out. (Is that more of a DOWN moment, that I have not been working out).

UP - to come home that day and open my mailbox and see that my unemployment is continuing. Or sort of, they have allowed me to collect the last of the payment - we will see what happens next, will it be renewed, but I figure not. However, I really really really want to be working. I don't want to keep collecting a paycheck from EDD.

LOOPS, LOOPS AND MORE LOOPS (or should I call it hoops) - not sure how to look at this. In the process of looking for work I have come to the realization that I really need to renew my teaching credential. I am not sure I want to go back to teaching, dealing with all that comes being back in a classroom. However, renewing my credential will allow me to be a substitute and there can be good money in doing that, just no benefits and well, sometimes you never know where you will be teaching from day to day. With the renewal comes the fact that you have to pay for the aspect of going to work. I have already put out $130.00 and there will be more costs to come as I fill out paperwork and go to 1 or 2 school districts - there is more fingerprinting and TB tests and well, more of a DOWN moment since I am not making any money. I am hoping that the UP will come soon.

UP - still having a positive attitude about this whole being unemployed thing. I have cleaned out my cupboards, the cabinets and closets. Still working on the spare bedroom, and I can see the floor, closets to finish...and a bit more organizing in that room. Tired of staying home, but I do keep busy with volunteering - hoping to get work that way, but have been doing that for over 4 months with no luck. Many say I am doing really well (mentally) with this being unemployed position I am in, but I for one would like to be working - the vacation ended so long ago.

UP - I am being very good with my money, so I was able to treat myself to a play the other night and saw a long time friend of mine perform. I have not laughed so hard in so long - so glad that I took the time to do that.

UP - my sister and brother-in-law treated me the next night with a trip to the local casino. Yes, an unemployed person should not be going to a place where they take your money, but I got lucky. First, my brother-in-law did give me some cash, which was really nice of him to do, but I got even more lucky when I only played on $20.00 the whole night. Came home with an extra $23.00 (on top of the $20) in my pocket and we played for over 6 hours. I love the penny slots and we found a cool fishing machine that actually gives you the chance to "reel" in your winnings. Again, a great night.

DOWN - it has been extremely COLD in my neck of the woods. Yes, very cold even if it is California. The temperatures at night are in the high 20's (and has been for several days) - cold for us. I woke up last Sunday morning and my pipes were frozen. I had a small meltdown, and was praying to the house gods that my pipes would not burst. Within 5 minutes of wrapping the pipes nice and warm with many towels the water started to run again. Phew!!

DOWN - Not being motivated to lose weight. I am finding myself eating more and more for comfort. I know what needs to be done, but most times I will just forget the fact that I should be exercising.

UP - in the midst of it being Soooooooooooooooooo cold outside I realized last night that since I am not able to warm myself up by just sitting on the couch or at the computer, the best bet is to exercise. Hands and feet freezing I took the time to finally pull out my exercise equipment again. Within a few minutes or more I did 200 stomach crunches on my exercise ball. Like I said - I know what needs to be done, I just need to do it. and I was able to warm my body up without complaining!!!

This roller coaster of life is going to get better. There might be some loops here and there, but I will be successful in riding that coaster!!!!!!!!!!!!

More to come - love to all my blogging buddies!!!!!

MO