A Look Back

As the year comes to a close it allows us to take a look back and see how we did and just what the year was about. As I look back on 2006 it was a year of changes for me. Major life changes. In January I found out that my son and daughter both were to become parents in 2006 and in June my grandson Rylan was born, then in August my grand-daughter Alana was born. Those two events were one of the best things in my life period, right up there with the birth of my own children, coming out and meeting DJ. What those two have brought to me, my family and to their parents is nothing short of spectacular.

In July another life altering experience which I chose myself. I walked out of the best paying job that I have ever had after two years. Yes, it was the right thing to do, but looking back I would have been more prepared. I thought I would get a job in a matter of weeks, but those weeks turned into five months of no income. We lost our apartment and are once again in debt more than we need to be. I see the light at the end of the tunnel now, but if circumstances cause that to happen again in my life, I will be more of a boy scout about it and BE PREPARED!

There were other issues I dealt with in 2006; the increasing toll MS is having on my body, and the reality of my parents getting older, the celebration of 5 years between DJ and I, a new and exciting job with great opportunities, the online publication of my book and an inner peace that I haven't felt in some time.

So overall as I look back on 2006 I would say with a rating from 1 to 10, 2006 was a 7. And for 2007? I never try to make predictions or resolutions, I just wait and see what it has to offer and face it one day at a time.

Happy New Year to all of you!

Until Next Year

See you all Next Year, have a great and safe Holiday!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas. NOT!

Yes it is only five days away, but it doesn't feel like it. Why you ask? I'll give you a few reasons...

1. I have no money: Not that Christmas is all about money and giving gifts and receiving gifts (well it has become all about that) but being unemployed for five months I have no cash to spare to buy anyone, anything. Not even my kids and grandkids. I've told them all they have to wait until Spring. Thank goodness they all understand. Even DJ and I are not buying for one another. What Christmas gifts we are giving are those that DJ has created from his own hands.

2. There is no Snow: What is Christmas without snow? Hell it hasn't even been that cold around here. The forecasters are saying it is going to be around 50 on Christmas Eve. It seems more like late March or early April around here.

3. No Christmas Cards. Well that's a lie, I have received two. One from my new employer and one from Kare Bear in Savannah. But due to our move most of my friends (the few I have) either don't send out cards or do not have my new address. For family sending out cards the only ones I get, I will receive on Christmas Eve, hand delivered.

4. Not Been Shopping: Due to the lack of money (see #1) we haven't had to shop. To be honest, this is a good one, as I hate to shop at Christmas. Nothing puts me in a worse mood than fighting crazy traffic, standing in long lines and listening to annoying Christmas songs permeating out of bad loudspeakers. I'm not a Scrooge, but online shopping is great. When you have the funds that is.

5. No Christmas Programs: I am normally invited to at least one school or church Christmas program (not that I usually go, but they could at least ask) This year nada, not one. Not even from my brother, who almost always invites me to his church's annual Christmas Cantata (what DOES that word mean anyway?)

6. No Christmas Bonus: For the past ten years I have always received a Christmas bonus, either cash or the classic holiday ham or turkey. This year due to my employment (see #1, again) I did not receive a Christmas bonus. They handed them out at work today, but being only employed with this company for a week and and half I didn't expect one. (you'd think they'd pro-rate it!)

So, Alas Christmas is upon us, but to me it seems like just any old holiday. Christmas doesn't arrive here until December 25, 2007. I have 370 days left to shop!!!!!

Frosty the Snowman Gets Whacked

This incident, which made National News on the Today Show happened just down the road from where I live... One of the assailants went to school with DJ's sister.

Ten Days Later

I know it has been ten days since my last posting, but starting a new job kind of takes getting some used to. I mean my entire schedule is thrown off. Prior to getting this fantastic new job, my days and nights were reserved for...well nothing but blogging and playing SIMS. Now my days are filled with preparing legal briefs, letters, taking phone calls, preparing more legal briefs and fillings, talking to courts, judges, attorneys and clerks. Most of my day consists of being in front of a computer screen, so when I get home I really don't feel like sitting back down in front of a computer screen.

I thought I may be able to post some entries from work during my lunch hour, but that is not possible. We are allowed on the Internet during our lunch hour, but many sites (including blogger) are blocked. So forget keeping you informed from my office. Yes, you heard me right my office. Not that I am in it yet, but I will be sharing an office with another paralegal in a few weeks. That will be nice. I can concentrate on my work in an office much better than out on the floor where there are a plethora of conversations hoovering around my cubicle.

So as I can, I will continue to post and fill you in on all the happenings here in my world. Just let me get into a routine and let the "newness" of my new found employment status wear off.

Jumping the Gun

Not that we are anywhere near ready, but I was looking at apartment ads today. It's going to be spring before we can afford to get out of here, but why wait until the last minute. So I began searching the world wide web for affordable housing. There are some requirements in our search;

1. We are NOT moving back to the downtown area. Been there done that, not wanting to do it again.
2. They apartment or townhouse MUST have a washer and dryer hook-up in the unit. This is a must. I just can not stomach those apartment laundries and don't even say the word laundromat!
3. It should be closer to work but not too far, as DJ works closer to this area. With the cost of gas, we have to keep this in mind.
4. Of course it goes without saying that we have to have a place that will accept our cats. Our babies would be lost without us, and we have grown so attached to them that I could not even fathom giving them up.
5. I want the ground floor. I hate stairs. I hate living between two other floors. I do not mind having people on top of us...(get your head out of the gutter) but it seems that utility bills are much lower on the bottom floors.

That's not a large list, but it's a start I am sure the closer it gets to us actually looking for a place I will have a lot more specifications. But for now it was just nice having the feeling of knowing that there is a light at the end of this tunnel (basement)

Running on Empty

For the past few nights I've had a really hard time trying to sleep. With everything going on, and job interviews and waiting for some word it has had me pretty stressed. Last night I wasn't able to sleep at all, so I am running on empty tonight.

But all the worry and stress was not necessary as I received word tonight that I start at my new job Monday morning!!

After 5 months of being unemployed and going to interview after interview it has finally paid off. I will be working for a small law firm downtown as an administrative/attorney assistant and will possibly head up their assistant program if they see the need for more assistants.

This is what I did back about 3 years ago with a much larger firm until they did cut backs and cut me out. I loved it then, and with a smaller firm I am sure it will not be as stressful and mind boggling. Needless to say I am excited and ready to get back into the 9 to 5 and a real job, as the last job I had you really couldn't call a job.

So I am sure my postings will be a little more upbeat in the future, but of course I will not be able to discuss my work, but I can give you general updates on how it's going.

For now I just need to go to bed, get a good nights rest and refuel my tank!

Blowing in the Wind

Well December is here. It came in with a bang too. We had temps this past week in the 60's and last night our temp dropped and then the winds blew in winter. Today it's only about 30 degrees and the winds were so high overnight and this morning that Christmas decorations were blown all over the neighborhood. DJ awoke this morning and had to go hunting for the garbage can, which had blown a block away.

Today was also the day I had hoped to hear from my most recent job interview. So far I've heard nothing. I thought it was pretty promising as I knew several employees there and had hoped this would be a benefit. The interviews (2 of them) went quite well and I thought for sure I would have heard something by now. I just keep my fingers crossed and continue hoping.

It has been five months now that I have been unemployed and I've had ten interviews with even more applications that were submitted to several employers. Still nothing. It would be nice going into the holiday season knowing I have a job, but I suppose we will just have to wait and see. Sooner or later the winds should blow in my direction.