This past Wednesday (01/27/10) I drove up to NC again, this time to spend about a week with my Dad as he recovers from a double hernia operation. As always, being out of work places a great deal of stress on the situation, because I was supposed to ride up with my brother in law and only stay a couple of days.
We Chuck, my brother in law, decided to rent a car for me and let me stay the week. This saved him coming back up to pick me up, but it meant he'd pay for the car. I sure don't like being this kind of a bind, where everything I need to help family has to come from other family. I wouldn't mind giving to my family, I don't like being on the receiving end. Thank God for my family.
While up here my wife told me our small dog, now about 10 years old had a bulging eye. This meant a visit to the Vet and another bill that will just strain us even more. It places some other bill on the back burner. Like I said before, it is always something and I get tired of the feeling of being on the edge.
I am staying with my Dad, who resides in a retirement home in NC. It is a small place and nothing to do but read and watch old TV movies.
Dad is doing well. He is walking now with the cane and eating. We'll see how he does after going to the bathroom. ( I know not a pleasant thought about a 90 year old man, but this is what the focus of life is at that age)
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
New posibilities on work...Keeping my fingers crossed.
Every time I think it can't get worse, I find it does. Today I received information on bills that are needed to be paid and one is a bill for my son's school. Now I know you may not feel any sympathy for me in having a bill due for a private school, but let me explain.
He was accepted on an education and needs scholarship with the agreement that I could pay part of it. Before the school year started, we received a letter telling us his public school had not met minimum standards and we could move him to another middle school in the county, but there was no other school that was not in the same shape. The other thing we learned was that, he acquired a staff infection at the school. They had had several cases over several weeks and never alerted parents to the problem. That was it, we had to find an alternative to public school.
He has been doing well and we can see he is challenged. He has a B to B+ average over all and I believe with his new enthusiasm, he'll make the A list.
Anyway today we got a notice that they want to full bill paid by next week or he'll be dropped. Now that wasn't our agreement, but it is a private school and they make the rules. I hope they will listen to our new plight and work with us longer. Tax time is upon us and we should get some money returned.
I also placed the car, a 2001 Taurus, on Craigslist. The transmission went out last month, so I can't move it and I borrowed on it from Title Max. I am paying now interest on a car I can't drive. I ran a truthful ad and someone may by it, fix it and resell it and make some money.
I also found a new contact that is the senior recruiter at a local "large" employer. I have an introduction and I am in hopes that I'll impress him enough that I'll get a second interview and ultimately a job offer!
I don't know if you're rooting for me/us, but I could sure use your prayers on selling the car, keeping my son in his school by making the money to catch up and the big one...please pray that I find a job that gets us back to our pay grade. God bless you if you are...and even if you aren't.
He was accepted on an education and needs scholarship with the agreement that I could pay part of it. Before the school year started, we received a letter telling us his public school had not met minimum standards and we could move him to another middle school in the county, but there was no other school that was not in the same shape. The other thing we learned was that, he acquired a staff infection at the school. They had had several cases over several weeks and never alerted parents to the problem. That was it, we had to find an alternative to public school.
He has been doing well and we can see he is challenged. He has a B to B+ average over all and I believe with his new enthusiasm, he'll make the A list.
Anyway today we got a notice that they want to full bill paid by next week or he'll be dropped. Now that wasn't our agreement, but it is a private school and they make the rules. I hope they will listen to our new plight and work with us longer. Tax time is upon us and we should get some money returned.
I also placed the car, a 2001 Taurus, on Craigslist. The transmission went out last month, so I can't move it and I borrowed on it from Title Max. I am paying now interest on a car I can't drive. I ran a truthful ad and someone may by it, fix it and resell it and make some money.
I also found a new contact that is the senior recruiter at a local "large" employer. I have an introduction and I am in hopes that I'll impress him enough that I'll get a second interview and ultimately a job offer!
I don't know if you're rooting for me/us, but I could sure use your prayers on selling the car, keeping my son in his school by making the money to catch up and the big one...please pray that I find a job that gets us back to our pay grade. God bless you if you are...and even if you aren't.
$$
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Taking time to see my Dad
I took some time to visit my Dad in NC. He is 90 years old next week and lives in a retirement center. He looks good but continues to have an issue with a hernia. Not being a doctor, I don't know what the issue is. He says its a hernia, but before it was a blockage and I talked him into a colonoskopy. There was nothing to show from that procedure. So he said it was a hernia, he is also using a carther which can be changed every couple of weeks.
My Dad has been a frustrated writer for most of his life. He is an Amateur Radio operator or HAM and was a pilot, flying Piper Cubs from the factory to the buyers. This he did prior to WWII. He met my mother at Piper.
Each time I visit the conversation is the same. The people living there are all Baptists, Southerners and therefore don't like him. He's from the North. He thinks they are all Zionists or at least sympathizers with them and doesn't get much traction with the other men regarding his beliefs about the Jews. He believes they are destroying the country. I try to stay off the subject as he really like to preach it.
The facility where he is has a nice work out area, Dad doesn't use it. Pretty grounds, he won't walk. The food is good, the rooms are cleaned weekly and they have bus service to the local stores. When he meets with doctors, they don't want to treat him because he is 90 and they don't want to take on any more Medicare patients. That part is true and I believe a direct response by the medical field to the Obama health care initiatives. I don't make suggestions on how he can handle the problems as he can argue against any of them. So he continues to lie in bed most days dealing with a blockage or hernia, which ever comes first.
I love my Dad and think he is one of the few honest men I have met in the world. He is a smart man. A teacher and self taught in many areas, including piano. He has always had his opinions and likes to share them, expecting the world to follow them. He has no solutions to problems but can point them out and believes his ideas are the best and anyone who can't see that is just ignorant. Se la vie!
Do you have a parent still living? Are they in their 80's and 90's? What are they like?
Back home today and looking again for jobs. I started a post to see if other are interested in a Job Network.
My Dad has been a frustrated writer for most of his life. He is an Amateur Radio operator or HAM and was a pilot, flying Piper Cubs from the factory to the buyers. This he did prior to WWII. He met my mother at Piper.
Each time I visit the conversation is the same. The people living there are all Baptists, Southerners and therefore don't like him. He's from the North. He thinks they are all Zionists or at least sympathizers with them and doesn't get much traction with the other men regarding his beliefs about the Jews. He believes they are destroying the country. I try to stay off the subject as he really like to preach it.
The facility where he is has a nice work out area, Dad doesn't use it. Pretty grounds, he won't walk. The food is good, the rooms are cleaned weekly and they have bus service to the local stores. When he meets with doctors, they don't want to treat him because he is 90 and they don't want to take on any more Medicare patients. That part is true and I believe a direct response by the medical field to the Obama health care initiatives. I don't make suggestions on how he can handle the problems as he can argue against any of them. So he continues to lie in bed most days dealing with a blockage or hernia, which ever comes first.
I love my Dad and think he is one of the few honest men I have met in the world. He is a smart man. A teacher and self taught in many areas, including piano. He has always had his opinions and likes to share them, expecting the world to follow them. He has no solutions to problems but can point them out and believes his ideas are the best and anyone who can't see that is just ignorant. Se la vie!
Do you have a parent still living? Are they in their 80's and 90's? What are they like?
Back home today and looking again for jobs. I started a post to see if other are interested in a Job Network.
$$
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Making Applications a Focus of the Day
Today is Sunday and I slept in again. We did not make it to church. I listen to the sermon on the radio however, as I always get something from it.
I started looking at the listing of jobs on the DOL list and filled out the application for one and another job I found on the internet, I think it was Yahoo. The first was for a position in management with the university (UGA) and the second was for a position with a convenience store corporation. I know I can do both jobs, it will be great if I get a call for an interview.
I also filed for the weeks DOL report. I am on the extended version of the UI benefits and I therefore lose the additional $25 a week, which equates to a tank full of gas for the week. It hurts.
Kristy and I went grocery shopping and again lowered the amount of what we could buy. I still had to write a check that would clear when I received the DOL direct deposit amount. I have faith that this will always work, I have faith that someone will see the application I filed and I'll get a call and get the position.
When I miss church, I feel like I have short changed God for all he is doing in my life, but I also take several moments to say thanks. I pray he hears me.
This week will be a great week!
I started looking at the listing of jobs on the DOL list and filled out the application for one and another job I found on the internet, I think it was Yahoo. The first was for a position in management with the university (UGA) and the second was for a position with a convenience store corporation. I know I can do both jobs, it will be great if I get a call for an interview.
I also filed for the weeks DOL report. I am on the extended version of the UI benefits and I therefore lose the additional $25 a week, which equates to a tank full of gas for the week. It hurts.
Kristy and I went grocery shopping and again lowered the amount of what we could buy. I still had to write a check that would clear when I received the DOL direct deposit amount. I have faith that this will always work, I have faith that someone will see the application I filed and I'll get a call and get the position.
When I miss church, I feel like I have short changed God for all he is doing in my life, but I also take several moments to say thanks. I pray he hears me.
This week will be a great week!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Staying in touch with Friends
During a time of unemployment it's a great idea to let friends and family know that you are looking for a new position. Have the "elevator" speech ready for everyone you meet as one never knows who may have the next lead.
With that in mind, I got a call from John T who is a friend of mine from high school days and college. He lives in New Jersey, which is where we went to high school, Somerville to be exact. He was one of the main reasons I went to Clemson. He was already there one year and I worked with him over the summer of his freshman year at a landscape shop. There are many stories from that summer working there, but I'll leave that to another day.
John called me in response to a you tube video I sent him. You may enjoy this, it will at least get you thinking. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtjfMjjce2Y So John called and we talked about college, his work in the building industry there in New Jersey and what I was doing to find new work.
We both went to Clemson. From where I lived, it was a college some 17 hours away by car, over night by train and many hours to fly to Greenville and then drive to Clemson. It was a college I knew I couldn't get home from on a weekend, it would be a new beginning fro me. As a Freshman, we were all treated to being a RAT, which meant that our hair was trimmed to a burr cut and we wore an orange beanie. Every upper classman could order you around and we had to do ridiculous stuff, especially in the cafeteria.
For example, when you set down to eat a meal someone would tell you to get on the table and start a specific football cheer. This meant you first needed to know the cheer and second you had to humiliate yourself in from of those eating. The other Rats had to cheer with you, but you were usually alone on the table if you were the first to be seen. Imagine every day going to eat and being harassed while you ate. One of the worst for me and I think the last was when I was told to ask a fellow female Rat to marry me. I had to go to her table, get on one knee and loudly ask her to marry me. " Will you marry me?" She just looks embarrassed and won't respond. Louder Rat some upper class man would yell!" "WILL YOU MARRY ME?" Again she is laughing and just looking, I said, "Look this isn't real, just say yes so I can eat and leave," she said "yes." There were cheers and then some other Rat had to lead a cheer.
I said it was my last as I learned to eat in the line as I got food off the display line. That way I had eaten by the time I was at the end of the line and paid. I walked to the return tray line, placed the try there and left. I did that for about five weeks. Of course this didn't get you out of walking along the edge of the side walk to class, having to lead a cheer somewhere in the dorms, etc. Needless to say it was about six weeks of hell, unless you knew an upper class man who took care of you.
This brings me back to John T, my friend from summer work and I should mention the older brother of my best friend in high school.
I was walking down his dorm hall way on the way to my room and he saw me. "Hey Rat," he said with a laugh. "What are you up to,? he asked. " I headed to my room, why? Whacha need?" "Run to the canteen and get me something to eat," he said with a big smile. "Are you kidding me,...okay, what do you want," I added with a friendly voice knowing I would have to run anyway or the other guys sitting around would start in on me. "Get me some fries, a coke and a fur burger, with no ketchup," he added. "What the heck is a fur burger?" I asked. "It's their specialty at the Canteen, get on for yourself if you want, here's some money," he said handing me a ten dollar bill. Looking at him to see if he was Sh*ting me, I took the money and was off.
I went to the Canteen which was always busy. It was a small restaurant on the lower floor of the quadrangle and usually packed with students getting something late to eat. I work my way to the front of the line, standing there in a loud mass of freshman and upper class man ordering. I scan the wall menu quickly, but the guy asks me what do I want to order. Slowly I say, "Fries, a coke," and still scanning I don't see it but I say loudly, "and a fur burger."
The guy taking the order started to laugh, "I have waited two weeks for someone to come in and order this," the crowd go a little quiet and then started to laugh too, "The Rat wants a fur burger," some unknown voice repeated. What was a cackle of ordering sounds became a burst of laughter and I was the reason. "I didn't think there was really one, but I was told to order it, give me a regular burger then," I asked. "What is a fur burger?" I added. Still laughing, the attendant said it a burger with pubic hair on it. "Well that's disgusting." I said with a red face I am sure.
Needless to say I was embarrased and I couldn't believe John had betrayed my trust. When I say him, he was standing in the hall talking with someone. He saw me and started to laugh, "Did you get the fur burger?" I wasn't laughing, I was embarrassed and tossed him the food and kept walking.
When John and talked on the phone this time we laugh about it. He said in retrospect he felt like he had betrayed my trust, but he was still OK with it since it was Rat season. I agreed, with him. It was funny and I think I could have taken the joke better. It was all part of the experience of starting college and the whole process of being a Rat, made you part of the brotherhood of being a Clemson man.
Staying in touch with your friends during a difficult time is a great way to keep your spirits up. I try to call a friend every week or two. We always end up laughing about the good old days.
With that in mind, I got a call from John T who is a friend of mine from high school days and college. He lives in New Jersey, which is where we went to high school, Somerville to be exact. He was one of the main reasons I went to Clemson. He was already there one year and I worked with him over the summer of his freshman year at a landscape shop. There are many stories from that summer working there, but I'll leave that to another day.
John called me in response to a you tube video I sent him. You may enjoy this, it will at least get you thinking. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtjfMjjce2Y So John called and we talked about college, his work in the building industry there in New Jersey and what I was doing to find new work.
For example, when you set down to eat a meal someone would tell you to get on the table and start a specific football cheer. This meant you first needed to know the cheer and second you had to humiliate yourself in from of those eating. The other Rats had to cheer with you, but you were usually alone on the table if you were the first to be seen. Imagine every day going to eat and being harassed while you ate. One of the worst for me and I think the last was when I was told to ask a fellow female Rat to marry me. I had to go to her table, get on one knee and loudly ask her to marry me. " Will you marry me?" She just looks embarrassed and won't respond. Louder Rat some upper class man would yell!" "WILL YOU MARRY ME?" Again she is laughing and just looking, I said, "Look this isn't real, just say yes so I can eat and leave," she said "yes." There were cheers and then some other Rat had to lead a cheer.
I said it was my last as I learned to eat in the line as I got food off the display line. That way I had eaten by the time I was at the end of the line and paid. I walked to the return tray line, placed the try there and left. I did that for about five weeks. Of course this didn't get you out of walking along the edge of the side walk to class, having to lead a cheer somewhere in the dorms, etc. Needless to say it was about six weeks of hell, unless you knew an upper class man who took care of you.
This brings me back to John T, my friend from summer work and I should mention the older brother of my best friend in high school.
I was walking down his dorm hall way on the way to my room and he saw me. "Hey Rat," he said with a laugh. "What are you up to,? he asked. " I headed to my room, why? Whacha need?" "Run to the canteen and get me something to eat," he said with a big smile. "Are you kidding me,...okay, what do you want," I added with a friendly voice knowing I would have to run anyway or the other guys sitting around would start in on me. "Get me some fries, a coke and a fur burger, with no ketchup," he added. "What the heck is a fur burger?" I asked. "It's their specialty at the Canteen, get on for yourself if you want, here's some money," he said handing me a ten dollar bill. Looking at him to see if he was Sh*ting me, I took the money and was off.
I went to the Canteen which was always busy. It was a small restaurant on the lower floor of the quadrangle and usually packed with students getting something late to eat. I work my way to the front of the line, standing there in a loud mass of freshman and upper class man ordering. I scan the wall menu quickly, but the guy asks me what do I want to order. Slowly I say, "Fries, a coke," and still scanning I don't see it but I say loudly, "and a fur burger."
The guy taking the order started to laugh, "I have waited two weeks for someone to come in and order this," the crowd go a little quiet and then started to laugh too, "The Rat wants a fur burger," some unknown voice repeated. What was a cackle of ordering sounds became a burst of laughter and I was the reason. "I didn't think there was really one, but I was told to order it, give me a regular burger then," I asked. "What is a fur burger?" I added. Still laughing, the attendant said it a burger with pubic hair on it. "Well that's disgusting." I said with a red face I am sure.
Needless to say I was embarrased and I couldn't believe John had betrayed my trust. When I say him, he was standing in the hall talking with someone. He saw me and started to laugh, "Did you get the fur burger?" I wasn't laughing, I was embarrassed and tossed him the food and kept walking.
When John and talked on the phone this time we laugh about it. He said in retrospect he felt like he had betrayed my trust, but he was still OK with it since it was Rat season. I agreed, with him. It was funny and I think I could have taken the joke better. It was all part of the experience of starting college and the whole process of being a Rat, made you part of the brotherhood of being a Clemson man.
Staying in touch with your friends during a difficult time is a great way to keep your spirits up. I try to call a friend every week or two. We always end up laughing about the good old days.
$$
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Back from the Mall walk
I went mall walking with my wife Kristy. It isn't really the mall walking you'd think, as in really keeping up a pace. First we didn't go until after noon. Real mall walkers are there in the morning and maintain a brisk pace. I'll be getting back to that as its good for the heart.
Mall walking with my wife consists of walking around the mall once and then into Macy's to see what the sales are. She wanted a specific white coat and some gloves and sweaters. We could't get them this time, because we focused on her son's and her families presents. So when we go to the mall she likes to check on them and see if they are still there and at what price. She is like a little girl as she reviews the posibilities. I enjoy watching her.
We then trekked over to Starbucks for a coffee. We got two cards for Christmas. Kristy like to get a decaf, tall, soy seasonal coffee with whip and I always get a tall, mild blend with heavy whipping cream. Her is about $3.50 and mine is about $1.60. My theory is to enjoy the time out more often then enjoying the treat a few amount of times. She says I'm cheap, I am actually.
While out this time I thought I should focus on setting up a job network meeting that will meet weekly here in Athens. It may bring me some contacts that would fit my background. In checking on the possible structures, I have found two concepts, one in a church environment and the in a local restaurant, but with a faith based focused too. I like that as I have found my faith in God has been challenged during tough times and both Kristy and I see that is not good. How do we bring the positive into our lives if we keep thinking we only get the worst that life has to offer.
Mall walking with my wife consists of walking around the mall once and then into Macy's to see what the sales are. She wanted a specific white coat and some gloves and sweaters. We could't get them this time, because we focused on her son's and her families presents. So when we go to the mall she likes to check on them and see if they are still there and at what price. She is like a little girl as she reviews the posibilities. I enjoy watching her.
We then trekked over to Starbucks for a coffee. We got two cards for Christmas. Kristy like to get a decaf, tall, soy seasonal coffee with whip and I always get a tall, mild blend with heavy whipping cream. Her is about $3.50 and mine is about $1.60. My theory is to enjoy the time out more often then enjoying the treat a few amount of times. She says I'm cheap, I am actually.
While out this time I thought I should focus on setting up a job network meeting that will meet weekly here in Athens. It may bring me some contacts that would fit my background. In checking on the possible structures, I have found two concepts, one in a church environment and the in a local restaurant, but with a faith based focused too. I like that as I have found my faith in God has been challenged during tough times and both Kristy and I see that is not good. How do we bring the positive into our lives if we keep thinking we only get the worst that life has to offer.
Day two of the New Year 2010
Waking up this morning, (6AM) I walked our two dogs.. Max and Molly. This morning it was 9 degrees, figuring the wind chill factor. Needless to say it was cold. I had some coffee, store brand and way too strong today. I got sick on it. Usually I use some store brand of coffee creamer, but today I thought I could save some money and start to drink it with just some honey. I'll have to rethink the amount of grounds to water ration.
This stomach problem persisted and I went back to bed. Woke up at 10. My wife also came back to bed after driving her son to school. He's 13. She was not feeling well either. Through out the Christmas and New Year's week, we were sleeping late. I didn't worry about the time as no one was talking about hiring people, and Josh her son was off from school. I still walked the dogs every morning at 6:30 though.
Now I am up, I checked email and found a response to an inquiry from a friend. He told me to use him as a reference and look at the State jobs listing. I've been doing that for about an hour and updating my resume on the site.
One trick I have learned is to update the resume or re-certify it so the system picks it up for employers as a new one. We'll see if I get any interest now. Kristy just suggested we go to the mall and walk so we keep our spirits up and "let's not think we don't deserve good things, she added. "I know, let's be positive and envision the jobs we want."
$$$
This stomach problem persisted and I went back to bed. Woke up at 10. My wife also came back to bed after driving her son to school. He's 13. She was not feeling well either. Through out the Christmas and New Year's week, we were sleeping late. I didn't worry about the time as no one was talking about hiring people, and Josh her son was off from school. I still walked the dogs every morning at 6:30 though.
Now I am up, I checked email and found a response to an inquiry from a friend. He told me to use him as a reference and look at the State jobs listing. I've been doing that for about an hour and updating my resume on the site.
One trick I have learned is to update the resume or re-certify it so the system picks it up for employers as a new one. We'll see if I get any interest now. Kristy just suggested we go to the mall and walk so we keep our spirits up and "let's not think we don't deserve good things, she added. "I know, let's be positive and envision the jobs we want."
$$$
Monday, January 4, 2010
I won the Mega Lottery!! or the dreams of an unemployed 60 year old Father
I have been unemployed now for six months and as I start the new year (2010) I thought I'd start to write this blog. One it gives me something to start my day with and two, who knows maybe some will read it.
Being unemployed at 60 is a frustrating process. I can meet requirements of many positions but I can see the employer is looking for someone younger. Of course they never say that, but having been in sales for most of my career, I can read someone's face quickly.
I like the dream of winning the Mega Lotto, so I buy two tickets a week. It gives me a few days to dream of what I'd do with the money. I enjoy seeing the TV shows of Lotto winners and what they have done with their money and many times I see how they lost it. I wouldn't lose it!!??
I have asked family members what they would do if they won a large lottery and my thoughts are that if I won, I would know what they are expecting and I wouldn't feel guilty for not meeting their expectations. Of course, this would mean I won the BIG money, because if I won a small lotto amount I have to cover my own bills first.
I think about the process of managing the money instead of just giving it away. A gift like that is one that could go on for generations if managed right.
What would you do with the money?
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