*GASP* Has It Really Been That Long?

I really didn't mean for a year and a half to go by before I posted again!  *Gasp*  Seriously, how did that happen?  

I guess when things are going fairly well, I don't feel the need to vent.  And they are going fairly well, right now.  Things are not perfect, mind you, but they are okay.  My spouse has been working, now for more than 9 months, in a job he loves at a place he doesn't.  Co-workers, you know.  The workplace sounds like what I've read is a "toxic" work environment. We are beginning to rebuild our somewhat decimated savings, so that is a positive thing.  

My job is awesome and amazing.  I have been off since December 21 for my annual leave.  Definitely needed the downtime and my daughter is home until the middle of January, 

Life is good!  

I could tell you that my New Year's resolution is to post more frequently, but we all know that probably won't happen, so I will settle for telling you all "Happy New Year"!  

Arrivederci! 

Good Morning!

Good morning! Up early, not sure why. I think it's that old paradox: When you have to be somewhere (work, etc.) your body rebels and refuses to cooperate. On your day off, your eyes will FLY open, even before your alarm usually sounds, and your body screams, "You're wasting your day off!" And instantly, I am fully awake and alert, with no hope of dozing off again.

Mine does that anyway. So, I've learned not to fight it...I just get up and start doing whatever pleases me, in my couple of hours before my spouse wakes up to join me. Which on this day was to play some rounds of my newest game addiction "Words with Friends"--a Scrabble-like game you play with one other person on an iPod or iPhone. Then to check in with my blog (I'm really going to try to do better at updating it) and then I will probably take my walk before it gets too stiflingly steamy outside!

This was a stressful week, but not miserably so. One of my co-workers was on vacation (the receptionist), so the rest of us that make up the clerical staff tag-teamed the front desk. Since school starts again on August 12, in about three weeks, I expect the pressure-cooker atmosphere to reappear. Right now, the stove is on simmer...work is busy, but not "hectic". That will change.

Hubby didn't get any of the jobs he interviewed for this week, so he is kinda down. I am doing my very best to keep him encouraged, though. Something's gotta give soon, in this economy, right??

And, this really made my week! My daughter is flying home for a long weekend! She will get here on August 11, so I have taken the day off on August 12. Her husband had to work, but he didn't mind her making the trip solo. Yay! We haven't seen her since April, although we talk on the phone nearly every day and keep up with each other on Facebook.

Hope this day is awesome for everyone....

Arrivederci!

The Abandoned Blog

My poor blog has been abandoned. I can't even begin to describe how overwhelming it would be to try to recap every event from the past 18 months! My husband (clean and sober for many months, now) has been unemployed for around a year, now. So much for the achievement of going back to college to finish his Associate degree, right? He had a short stint in a temporary position, and was eligible for some unemployment as a result, but that ran out after just a couple of months.

My salary, however, is *almost* enough. We dip into savings just enough to get from paycheck to paycheck, but the student loans are seriously delinquent. *Sigh*

Still there is some joy...our daughter got married in October 2010, and moved with her husband to Daytona Beach, FL. She is so very happy, and when she's happy, the parents are happy, too!

The political scene is infuriating and the unemployment situation/economy is way beyond depressing; but I love my job, my husband and I are relatively healthy, my daughter is happy, and we have food to eat, cars to drive and a roof over our heads.

Couldn't ask for much more, could I?

Ciao!

Just FYI

Just FYI: I got the promotion I had been hoping for, quit my part-time job, we moved out of my in-laws' home, rented one of our own, and my husband turned in his notice and moved back from Houston! (He now has six months' experience with which to begin job-hunting here in Louisiana.)

He isn't sure how he feels about being back just yet. He loved his job, but truly hated living in Houston. His daily commute was one hour in each direction. Because of the cost of gasoline, meals, and helping my dad with expenses, we weren't really saving any money. The experience will prove to be invaluable, however, so it wasn't for nothing.

My new job as the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent will be challenging. It's proving to be especially so, these first few weeks, since they have chosen not to hire for my previous position until after the first of 2010. Several of my co-workers are helping me, by assuming some of my previous data entry and filing duties. (They are so awesome.) Still, I am struggling to make sure I meet all of the demands of my new position, while ensuring that the most critical duties of the other position are completed. I am actually working more hours, now, than I was when I had two jobs! But, I have been assured that they will fill my previous position in January. I can do this....

And, woohoo! Our office is closed all week, and I took the three days off after Christmas for a total of TWO WEEKS OFF! I may regret it when I return (read: extra workload), but I won't think about that just now. I can sure use the downtime.

Ciao!

S. 773: The Cybersecurity Act of 2009

This should scare the bejesus out of all of us. Be afraid...be very afraid.

Here is the text of a letter I sent to our Senators in Washington, D. C.: Mary Landrieu - D and David Vitter - R....

RE: S. 773, Cybersecurity Act of 2009, by Jay Rockefeller, IV, D - WV.

Excerpt from the Bill of Rights, the First Ten Amendments to the United States Constitution:

...I. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

It has come to my attention that Senator Jay Rockefeller, D - WV, has proposed a bill, S. 773, which would give the President of the United States authority to regulate internet traffic in times of national emergency. Were this to happen, it would be clear violation of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

While the founding fathers could never have foreseen the explosion of information that became available upon the development of the internet, they clearly were visionary in realizing that the ability to freely exchange information was crucial to the longevity of our fledgling nation. In addition, many of the history’s most profound humanitarian catastrophes were driven by the proliferation of government-generated propaganda. It is imperative that we, as a culture which champions personal freedom, avoid taking any action giving the government the power to regulate the free exchange of information.

This bill must not pass in any configuration. Please vote “NO” to S. 773

Ciao.

Random

I feel tired and used up. Depressed. A shell of my former self. Nothing is as it should be. I am 47 years old and have been living with my in-laws for over three years. I busted my ass, working two jobs, so husband could finish his Associate Degree--which he did--and the thanks I get is for helping him achieve his dream is for him to start job hunting in HOUSTON!

I love my primary job. I have been working this job for over 10 years! I don't want to quit my job and move. It's the first job I have ever had where I have a real opportunity for advancement! I can't tell you how utterly beat down this makes me feel. I am on the brink of tears every minute...even now.

He knows how I feel. I have told him. He says it isn't that he doesn't care, it's just that there are no jobs for him in this area. Which may be true, but it doesn't make this any less painful for me.

Sound selfish?

Random Updates and Stuff

It's been such a long time since I posted. Could be one of two reasons for this: 1) I no longer need to vent on such a regular basis, meaning that this blog has served its purpose, or 2) I am so overwhelmed that I have no idea where to start!

Actually, maybe it's a combination of both. Is that messed up or what?

Seriously, things are looking really good right now. My husband has taken a skills assessment and been on a series of interviews for a position with the City of Alexandria as an Environmental Technician. At the last interview they gave him a summary of the benefits and a job description. The mayor still has to sign off on it, but it looks like he may get the job!

My daughter will graduate in May. She is seriously beginning to freak out.

My sister-in-law "found her a place" and moved out, but she still hasn't found a job. Why would anyone rent an apartment before they have a stable, steady income with which to pay rent! Auuggghhh! She comes around some, and seems sober, but I don't spend a lot of time in that part of the house when she is around. It may seem a little anti-social, but I FEEL a little anti-social. I figure the less time we are around each other, the less chance there is that I will say something I will regret.

I am still working at both my full-time and my part-time job, but things are looking up, now. I am content, and even beginning to be excited about this job opportunity for Hubby. Living in Alexandria will mean I have to drive little over an hour each way to go to work, but I have 10 years with the school board that I am not going to give up. And, we might find a place to live that is between here and there...

Okay, that's enough for now.

Ciao!