Reflections of the Unemployed - Week 15

It has been a busy week, beginning with meeting my future daughter-in-law's family at her Graduation party. All went well and I was informed I passed the "mother-in-law" test by her parents. I went as myself with peace sign earrings, tattoo in plain sight, and my camera around my neck with the idea that they would get a true impression of who I am right off the bat. I believe its important to "just be yourself" in all situations. If people like me, great, if they don't, its their loss because I'm a very kind and compassionate person. Which may have something to do with why, on Wednesday, I was informed that I got the job that I interviewed for last week.

On Monday, I found a gold mine of old friends on Facebook and spent Monday and Tuesday catching up with old acquaintances and some very close friends. One being my best bud from the time I was about four or five until girls started becoming gross. We talked about how I gave him a black eye with a baseball and beat him up in his drive way (I really am a nice person). I recalled camping out in our back yards and sneaking across the street to share popcorn in his tent and I'm meeting up with one my long lost friends on Monday for coffee that just lives up the street.

The highlight of my week came Wednesday when I got the call offering me the job. I calculate that the odds by how many interviews it took to land one job, is much better than the odds of actually getting an interview. 41 applications+ 2 interviews = 1 job. The key for me was to get the interview but with the internet being so impersonal, I didn't meet anyone filling out an application. There was no one to hand the application to; no one to get that "first impression".

Thursday I met with an online group I met on "Twitter". Quadsville.com is similar to other online communities like Facebook and Myspace but its our very own local, online community. Now that I am employed there won't be much time for that because I'll be on the road during the week. I hope that more of those opportunities will take place on weekends.

I started my orientation today and as I suspected, my trip to Des Moines was as liberating and my free spirit flew high. My radio station carried me 100 of the 168 miles (thanks F106.5). Although at one point, I swear I hear a "Twitter" chirp during one of the tunes. I must have been experiencing "Twitter" withdraw. I was astounded to find "Wi Fi" at the rest stops and if I didn't have a mission I may have been tempted to stop at each one to squeeze in a "tweet" or two. However I only stopped at one, to grab a snack out the vending machine and while there, I updated my status on Facebook, checked the radar and I only tweeted twice (I swear).

Another change but disappointing was the disappearance of "Stucky's"; an interstate Icon for road warriors back in the day. They have now been replaced by BP gas stations and "Adult Superstores" ( I wonder how they compare to "Walmart Superstores" are they a "one stop shop too"? can I get a gallon of milk there?)

I made pretty good time, despite taking the wrong exit (even if it was in familiar territory as I was leaving town). I discovered "rear view mirror" photography, without looking through the view finder and snapping random pictures (I was driving after all). It was amusing to see how they turned out and a few good ones.

Leaving Des Moines I was headed into a storm so I took my time, trying to stay behind it because I had a wiper blow out. Had I not been cleaning the windshield so much because I was taking pictures out them, I may have been able to avoid that.

I manged to stay behind the storm and arrived home without incidence. Next week I will leave Tuesday for Cedar Rapids, Iowa and return home on Saturday. And there in lies the transition from an "unemployed" genre to "Week 1 - A Travelog".

Peace
Liz

Reflections of the Unemployed - Week 14

Wow, Week 14! This week went by in a flash. I had my second interview in 14 weeks on Thursday; the highlight of my week. I heard from the company on Monday and it was a grueling wait. The job is very appealing, like nothing I've ever done before and "I want it bad". The job description would have me traveling throughout Illinois, Iowa and Missouri selling photos to church patrons who have recently had their photo taken for their church directory (photos are already taken, no cold calling involved...Phew!). The directories are free with an 8x10 thrown in (good deal). I would offer them additional photo packages.

I've never done this type of sales before but I believe if the product is good, it will sell itself. Fortunately I would have a base salary in addition to commission, otherwise I probably wouldn't consider it. Having worked in a call center, I had the opportunity to talk to many people from all walks of life across the country and enjoyed the uniqueness of each person and found them all interesting in their own way (oh the stories I could tell and just might some day).

In addition to meeting fascinating people, the job would take me out of the office and onto the open road and you can bet, I will take full advantage of the travel opportunity. The places I would visit, the people I would meet, the photos I would take and the stories I will tell. It feels liberating just thinking about it. The interviewer said it tends to get lonely staying in a motel, night after night and can be quite boring. That's if you aren't creative and enjoy spending your alone time writing poetry, blogging, reading, thinking and twittering. I responded as such but in not so many words.

I came out of the interview feeling very positive, despite the question on the application: "Have you ever been discharged from a job and why". I could not avoid being honest. The interviewer commented on my "likable personality" which is a plus in any interview. At the conclusion of the interview, she asked "what do you think"? I had to say "It sounds like a great adventure", as it does.

On another note, my son made it to the Army recruiter this week, only to find out that the day prior to his appointment, they received a letter advising them to no longer accept recruits with a GED. Fortunately my son was in the process of signing up for college and grants. He is now required to have 15 credit hours before they will take him, so I'll have him around a bit longer. He intends to fulfill those requirements and then enlist.

Also this week, I received a call from my friend, to whom I took photos for, of her new Granddaughter. It seems she had taken the disk I made for her to Walgreen's to have some of the photos developed. Walgreen's did not believe the photos were not taken by a professional photographer and she was made to sign a statement indicating as such. That is the second time I've taken photos for someone and they had difficulty. What a compliment that is for me.

My poetic muse returned to me in a quite obscure manner but none the less it returned. All in all making me quite a happy camper this week. And hopefully, soon I will be writing on the road, traveling with Classic Rock blaring on the radio with the wind in my hair and a smile on my face.

(Photographic Theme: "The Sky's The Limit")

Peace
Liz

Reflections of the Unemployed - Week 13

I can't decide if week 13 is lucky or unlucky. I had my first interview and later the same evening, my son declared he was joining the Army. But that's another blog. I've had one interview out of 41 job applications. The odds don't look good and it turned out to be a part-time position at a wage of $8.00 an hour, ouch! I'm making more on unemployment.

I chalked it up to a learning experience. My face probably went white when I was asked about my attendance and how often I called off. I danced around the answer, explaining I really couldn't give them an accurate number because I had health issues, leading up to a hysterectomy and after. I had to ask myself after, if I should have been completely honest with them. After all, it looks like it was just a practice interview as there is no way I can take the job at that wage.

Should I have told them that I was "let go" because of attendance but had Doctors excuses for almost all of my absences with the exception of a few half days? And that it was illegal to fire someone for an excused absence but they did and that the man at Unemployment who made the decision that I receive benefits was appalled at their attendance policy? How can I be honest and tactful at the same time and not look bad?

I was present for the birth of my friends first Grandchild on Monday. Her daughter was in labor from 6:00 am to 6:10pm, they ended up doing a c-section because little Madison, wasn't so little. She weighed in at 8lbs and 13oz. and 21 inches long. I visited them when they came home from the hospital and took some beautiful photos for them. When I finished editing them, that itch to go back to school came over me once again. I can be content for hours just editing photos I've taken and wish I were doing it for a living.

On Tuesday my son informed me he was joining the Army and on Wednesday he announced he's getting married. Emotionally overwhelmed, I took a trip to the bank and my safe deposit box to withdraw my wedding set from his Father and my own Father's wedding band for my son. I've been on the verge of tears all week. Yesterday my son took us to lunch and I gave them their wedding gift, both myself and my future daughter-in-law became choked up. We had a great lunch and the ring looked like it was made for her dainty fingers.

Now I'm recovering, house sitting for my cousin, nestled in the woods. I've been keeping preoccupied with writing. I have a list of "To Do's", to accomplish this weekend online. I still have a lot of photos to go through. My 401k was issued to me, without my permission, they just sent it and charged me $50 just for withdrawing it. It wasn't much to speak of but it was enough to purchase a portable hard drive. I left my computer sit all week, backing up the entire computer. My impatience became unbearable and 3/4's of the way through and five days later I unplugged it so I could use my computer. Maybe this weekend I'll figure out why it is taking so long.

I'm thankful at this point in my life that I am unemployed, I would not be able to enjoy these special moments, being able to drop everything and celebrate them as they arise. Taking in the opportunities that I may have missed otherwise. I'm sure I've said it before but I believe everything happens for a reason and these significant milestones in my childrens lives are much more important and I'm thankful I'm there to share in them now.

Peace
Liz

Reflections of the Unemployed Week - 12

Week twelve has come and gone so quickly. I have been busy blogging politics, sifting through my enormous database of photos and spending time with my family. It was announced today that I have won a photo contest on Quadsville.com, small but notable as it was my first contest, the photo will appear in our local "Quad City Times" this Sunday. I was so excited to look for that next photo for the next contest but learned that I can only win once in four weeks. Although I am still allowed to participate. The perfect photo op presented itself while watching my Grandsons. The theme of the contest is "Strawberry Fields" and my precious Grandsons were doing strawberries in each others faces, how convenient.

My last blog "Illinois Senate Ok's Medical Marijuana" has introduced me to new friends with the same medical condition as myself, Fibromyalgia isn't something I normally discuss. I don't want to appear to be a whiner, its just something I "deal with" but felt under the circumstances, that I must put in my two cents for the sake of others. It also allowed me to meet others with different conditions, fighting the fight to legalize Marijuana. I've found myself writing many letters to my public servants regarding many other issues as well and it feels good to be doing something productive while unemployed. You can write yours at Congress.org

I was surprised this week to find more jobs in the newspaper than online and dutifully updated my resume' and composed cover letters. My writing skills seem to have improved and I wrote some awesome cover letters but wonder if they could be too good. I do have to admit, my strongest asset is my business writing skills and combining that skill with my creative writing skills has made a big difference in the final product. The advantage of "mailing" a cover letter and resume' vs. filling out an online application is quite evident now. Sometimes I surprise myself.

I'm still contemplating the school option and my new friends have given me some good ideas for freelancing and ideas for books. A week from today I will be taking a little jaunt to house sit for my cousin for the weekend, not that I don't have a lot of "self" time here but I am looking forward to being surrounded with wildlife and the beautiful view at their home overlooking the Mississippi River. I hope it will be inspiring as well as meditative. Camera and laptop will be in tow.

Peace
Liz

Reflections of the Unemployed Week - 11

It is now week 11 of being unemployed. Nothing new really to report. I want to thank everyone who has commented on my writing. At least I feel like I'm being productive and I'm making a few bucks in the process (and I do mean, only a "few" bucks) I could easily spend an eight hour day writing about whats going on in the news and I have a few odd ideas just for giggles but I, for some reason, feel guilty spending so much time at the computer because its not a "real job". I've made more money from just one poem than I have over a dozen blog posts. It was enough to purchase two pair of much needed glasses at the time but my poetic muse seems to have left me and who has the entrance fees anyway to enter contests? But I sure could use a pair of bifocals.

My newest endeavor is entering some of my photos in contests being hosted by a couple of big nature magazines and I've been sorting through hundreds of my photos. I don't carry my camera with me at all times, which I'm learning I should. I was leaving the grocery store on Friday and sitting at the red light, it began raining feathers. My first thought was that a bird was hit by a car but the feathers continued to fall in front of my van. I glanced up to see where they were falling from and on the top of a telephone poll, on one of our cities busiest streets was a Redtail Hawk, defeathering his dinner, one feather at a time. Now that was a shot for a Nature Photo contest (kicking self in rear for not having camera).

In the news from the workforce, more businesses are closing and more layoffs are coming on June 1st from Alcoa. One of the businesses closing is a car dealership and its not a GM dealership and a tanning salon closed its doors unexpectedly last week. I'm a bit discouraged on the job hunting, there's not much out there and our community is saturated with people looking. Every so often, the thought of relocating comes to mind but who has the money to relocate and where would one go? Its the same story nearly everywhere.

I've been spending a lot of time with the Grandsons and now that the weather is nicer we can spend more time outside. Last week I drug their toys outside and let them play until dark. Joseph learned how to climb "down" stairs, only one stair off the deck so he's in no danger, however he found the cellar doors and climbed to the top, I heard him whimpering around the corner only to find him stuck. I was running around the yard with the camera and asked Joseph what he was doing "way up there", he stopped whimpering and threw his hands in the air, indicating he really didn't know. Geffory learned how to fly helicopters and I had to teach him how not to crunch them all up in his hands before he tossed them in the air, otherwise they wouldn't fly. They have provided many great photo ops. Geffory is quite the ham and when he's doing something he deems interesting enough I hear "Grandma, take a picture". If only I knew where to send those photos?

Peace
Liz

Reflections of the Unemployed Week 10

What a dreary day! Its actually been a dreary week. Its the 10th week of being unemployed and there have been absolutely no leads. There are two more companies in the news laying off or closing their doors. I was excited about going back to school but rationally, journalism doesn't seem to be a realistic decision.

Over Mother's Day we discussed other options. Healthcare workers are in high demand but I think they always are. At one point I had considered becoming a Hospice Nurse, I enjoyed working with the elderly long ago and death doesn't bother me. I believe we all go to a better place, another dimension perhaps. But after taking care of both my dying parents, I changed my mind. It was a lot of wear and tear on me physically and emotionally.

Yesterday there was only 1 job on my job search engine and today only 4 and I wasn't qualified for any of them. Ironically, there haven't been any jobs that I qualify for on the Unemployment website since I've been unemployed. What does one write on their unemployment job search form, when there aren't any jobs to apply for? Apply for them anyway? Yup! that's what I did. I've applied for every government job that I'm "almost" qualified for as well. I've been trying to get work on the Rock Island Arsenal, there are always jobs available there. The last one I applied for was a "cage attendant". How difficult can it be to hand out tools and such from behind a cage? Maybe I'm "overqualified" for that one.

Should I "blog" my resume'? I'm considering it. Although I have 20 years experience with Accounts payable/receivables/purchasing and payroll I don't want to do that anymore..grrr! I don't want anything remotely associated with Accounting. I'm not quite sure how I ended up doing it for 20 years. Has anyone else blogged their Resume and if so, did it produce any results? Inquiring minds want to know.

Peace
Liz

Reflections of the Unemployed Week 8-9

Obviously I'm busy these days, I've discovered "Blogging", about other things besides myself; Serious matters of Swine Flu and other issues in the news. I think I've applied for every possible job that I'm qualified for and then some. The ads are becoming sparse and I applied for one last week and one this week. In an article in "Carrealism" our skills are "outdated, our experience doesn’t apply and we don’t fit the company culture…welcome to the current state-of-affairs in job search". On the flip side of the coin, "employers standards are too high".

In light of the current state of affairs, rather than becoming discouraged, I've thought of it as a time of discovery. I accompanied my Son to his appointment at our local community college to assist him with filling out Scholarship paperwork and testing. I joined him in taking the "CDM" or Career Decision Making survey. As a Poet, I know I'm not going to make a living but I realized there are other careers out there that I could be considering, one of them being Journalism, or Photo Journalism. As long as I'm being creative, I'm content. Unfortunately, there isn't much demand for writers when I search the local job databases but I have confidence that with the internet available, the possibilities are there.

Neil has been wonderfully supportive in my current endeavors and I am considering going back to school. Not only is there Scholarship funds out there for my son, thanks to President Obama, but he is also eligible for extra funds because I haven't completed a college degree program. The concept behind that is for children to be the first of families to obtain a college education. In addition to the new funds that are being offered for students and funds already available for single moms but add a new catagory to that; Parents that have been displaced from their jobs. So in light of that news, college is more attainable and a very distinct possiblity for me.

The last two weeks of unemployment I have been stretching my wings and expanding my writing to include more than just Poetry and what began as something resembling "public journalism". I've been receiving a lot of traffic on this blog and it is exciting, however I've not had much feedback. I encourage those who are reading my blogs to comment, even constructive criticism is welcome.

Peace
Liz

Web sites of interest for this blog:

College Zone
http://il.gov/learning/
CAREEREALISM

Reflections of the Unemployed Week 7

Wow, its been 7 weeks already. There hasn't been much in the way of jobs to apply for this week. I'm thinking it may be time to call in a temp service and I have made an appointment with one next week. In the meantime, I've spent some time on Twitter and have found a wealth of information from other unemployed people as well as sites that are in the market to help with some great advice and tips on job hunting and resume' building. I'm working on composing a list of sites to include on my blogspot side bar.

I seem to have entered a new phase of being unemployed (besides finding more gray hair appearing at an astonishing rate..lol) I feel guilty that I'm not working and worry "am I doing enough around the house"? "Am I pulling my weight"? I don't feel like I am. I know there are things I "should" be doing, like taking care of unpacking what is stored in the basement in bags so I can clean out the storage unit and then have a yard sale. My "Umph" is just not there right now and I know I need to get these things accomplished before I go back to work.

I've gone off my antidepressant for a couple of reasons, I think it was making me even more tired than I already am and I've heard nothing back on my COBRA. I seem to be doing fine without it now that all the drama from moving and being fired is over. However it may come back to haunt me as I've heard there have been further inquiries about my having called in sick that led to my firing. The questions began after the company lost their attempt at denying my unemployment. Its really quite simple, I have my Dr. excuse for the two days I missed. Not my fault they didn't make a copy of it, In fact, they didn't even want to see it.

I spent the afternoon and evening on Wednesday with two "former" employee, consoling one of them because she too was fired. The other was fired in 2007, he had just filed for Intermittent FMLA for Diabetes, Interestingly, the most recent had just filed for FMLA a few weeks ago, the ink wasn't even dry yet on either one of their applications when they were let go. The pattern is getting big enough to be obvious don't you think?

For the sake of posterity, I thought I would share a "fun" photo from work! That's me on Halloween last year. When it was fun, it was very fun!

Peace
Liz

Reflections of the Unemployed Week 6

I finally got my unemployment. I received the first three weeks and took care of some bills, groceries and gave some to Neil. It felt really good to be able to contribute and pull a little of my weight. Today I wanted to pay more bills so I got online to check my accounts, only to find out that they had added another two weeks and I was able to take care of even more bills. I'm sure it amazes the collection agencies when someone calls up an says "I want you to start debiting my account again".

I just found out yesterday, that, once again, President Obama has come through for me and as part of the stimulus package, I get an additional $25.00 per week on my unemployment. It may not seem like a lot, but unemployment only pays about 1/2 of what you make on the job, so that little extra helps tremendously.

The interview I had turned out to be a "title loan" company in a questionable part of town. I got anxieties just being there, running through scenarios in my head that could occur; the "bad" part of town, a bad economy; desperate people do desperate things. I may have had experience dealing with difficult customers in my previous job but that was on the phone!!! The requirement of being able to handle confrontation, face to face, with a disgruntled customer who couldn't make their payment and are losing their car IS NOT an option.

I spent the afternoon, Wednesday, with my son Christian, gathering the necessary paperwork for the scholarship and grant money that President Obama also gets credit for in his stimulus package. College bound kids from low income families are apparently eligible for almost enough to pay for the first two years of a community college. The amount of funding seems to be contingent upon how bad off I have it, which isn't that difficult to prove at this point. I've not had the opportunity to research the details and am relying on the information my son is giving me. GO OBAMA!

There were no new jobs to apply for Friday, so I spent the morning having coffee at my friends house and found new and interesting things to do on the internet, like "tweating" on Twitter. Sometimes being unemployed is boring and I'm far from being a domestic goddess but it passes the time doing dishes, laundry..etc. and my all time favorite task...cooking and then eating it! Oh! and we must not forget "Nap Time"! (is my age showing?)

Until next week
Peace
Liz

Reflections of the Unemployed Week 5

I'm finally getting responses to the resume's I've been sending out; letters and emails of rejection. A few calls from recruiters wanting me to sell insurance to the elderly, in my own opinion, I am assuming they want someone who will scam them if they are targeting the elderly. However I did manage to land me a job interview next Tuesday from an employer that was searching resume's on the internet from a consumer loan company, I'm apprehensive of that one too but I'm going to check it out anyway and practice my interviewing skills.

I received a call from AT&T about a position in their Davenport call center. I was asked a series of questions and if I would be willing to make an appointment. I told them yes and then she says "I'm sorry we don't have any appointments available at this time" (then why call?) And then I have to ask myself "do I really want to do this again?" A company that has a referring psychiatrist for the staff, and gives mental health days? A company that sells DSL to the elderly who don't even have computers? Do I really want to work for another morally inept company? According to the unemployment booklet, I don't have to take a job that is offered me if it threatens my morals, so if I choose to, I don't have to take it if I'm offered the job, but at least I'm going to check it out.

Which brings me to GO. At GO we picked up the pieces of the customers who AT&T shattered. We did nothing malicious there, our customer service did not required us to sell. However that brings me to their immoral practices aimed at the employees rather than the customers. I finally received the call, I'm getting my unemployment for the simple reason that they fired me for a medically excused absence. They didn't even photocopy my Dr. excuse the day I was fired. It is illegal to be fired for medical reasons and knowing that, I've saved copies of all my Dr.'s excuses. I even had to have a medical excuse to go to the bathroom for my IBS. My new friend, Fred, said that was the deciding factor in his determining my eligibility to receive unemployment. He was even appalled that I received a point against me for being on FMLA and Fred advised me to hang on to those excuses in case GO decided to appeal the decision and that would be silly on their part. So, my friends who are still at GO, know this; THEY CAN'T DO THAT! IT IS ILLEGAL! Make sure all your medically excused absences are not counted against you when it comes to their point system. That being said, I will be getting my unemployment in 3 to 4 days. It should have been 2 days but I never received the debit card that they are to deposit my funds to (make sure if you changed your address you inform your local DES office), I had to call and request a new one. The wait is minor in comparison to how long I've already had to wait.

More good news regarding COBRA, thanks to President Obama, he has made it more affordable. If you are terminated involuntarily you can get your COBRA at a 65% discount. I was not intending on taking advantage of COBRA because I was already aware of the cost, what a wonderful surprise that was. Under the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act" or (ARRA), signed by Obama on February 17, 2009, its also retroactive and if you were terminated after September 1, 2008 through February 16th you still may be eligible, even if you declined COBRA at that time. So, if you think you might be eligible check out the following website:

www.dol.gov/COBRA


Know your rights!
Peace
Liz

Reflections of the Unemployed Week 4

I'm starting to fall into a routine now. There are very few jobs in the newspapers, it seems employers have all gone Internet. So for one to two hours every morning I check the jobs online (in my p.j.'s, how awesome is that?). I'm saving time and gas and feel more like a homemaker.

I attended a job workshop at the DES on how to apply for government jobs, specifically the Arsenal. I've learned that employers have gone away from the one page resume' due to the economy and the amount of people out there looking for work. They now want more details and a three page resume' is now the norm. No wonder I've not received any responses from my resume' postings. However after staying up all night working on it and re posting it I did get some emails suggesting I apply for jobs selling insurance (at least its something).

You are probably wondering where I am living now that I'm no longer at the river house. My former boyfriend, Neil, offered a place to stay when I had to evacuate from the overflowing Rock, no strings attached. While staying here, we re-kindled our relationship and things have never been better. But as fate would have it, they've begun layoffs at his plant. Today, 17 workers from the Iowa plant, just across the Mississippi, were laid off and beginning Monday his hours will be reduced. Now would be a good time for that unemployment to start rolling in.

In the meantime, between looking for work and being "Suzie homemaker", I'm sorting through bags (we didn't have time to obtain boxes for moving), unpacking and re-packing, mingling my things with Neil's things. I'm finding time now to spend with my kids and Grandsons and am enjoying it to high heavens. Geffory has attached himself, quite fondly, to Neil and began calling him "Grandpa" and they too are enjoying each others company. I think I just might be sad when it all ends and I go back to work.

Needless to say, through the many obstacles and hardships I'm experiencing right now, I'm quite content. A favorite author of mine, Viktor Frankle, who wrote "Man's Search for Meaning", taught me its how we respond and react to our hardships that is important. If we lose everything we have, we at least have control over how we respond. I hope, that in hindsight, these will be the best days of my life.

Peace
Liz

Reflections of the Unemployed Week 3

I've managed to get nearly everything moved out of the River house, all that remains is my tractor and a few other things that require a truck. Now, I've moved 5 times in the last two and a half years and NEVER have had EVERYTHING moved out of the River house so this is a BIG deal.

Everything has come full circle. I left the river in 2006 and took the job that fired me as a stepping stone, not expecting to stay there. I was there for nearly three years. The entire time my life was in limbo, not moving anywhere, moving back and forth from my apartment to the river several times. This time I think I've finally moved out of that stagnant phase of my life. I'm finally getting closure on that chapter; house, job, divorce and writing a new one. The page is fresh and clean. So I'm looking at it from a more positive perspective.

I've added a new skill to my resume' and although I said I'd never go back to working in a call center, I'm reconsidering. I was good at what I did and enjoyed it. I know there are better call centers out there that would appreciate my skills. But then again, I could go in a different direction, try something completely different, the possibilities are endless and with the economy the way it is right now I don't think I'm going to let any door remain closed.

I've made some great friends at G.O. and I know that some of them will be around for a very long time; something I never had before. Some other great things that happened while I was at G.O. was saying goodbye to that extreme shyness. I really came out of my shell and I could be myself which I hope to never lose. Taking escalation calls from very angry people desensitized me from conflict and I believe it nearly cured my P.T.S.D. I've come a long way baby!

As I always say "something good always comes from the bad" and "when one door closes another door opens".

Peace
Liz

Reflections of the Unemployed Week 2

Well, when you think things just couldn't get any worse, they do. As some of you already know, the house on the river was facing foreclosure. Several days after I was fired the news came...they re-modified the loan. Actually all they did was tack on all the past due payments for an even bigger payment. Of course my charming x-husband called to ask me what I was going to do about my 1/2 of the payment before even mentioning they re-modified. I'm thinking "what house payment?" "wtf".

Now during all this time the house has been flooded, not so bad inside, nothing damaged as I put everything on cinder blocks before leaving. The mail not having been delivered for a week, I just got word from unemployment today that due to the circumstances, I might not be eligible. So my dream of saving the house has become a pipe dream and I have to move out and now I hope it will be sold. I've been encountering one obstacle after another.

Today, I received a call from human resources from my former company, telling me that my insurance ended the day after my termination. I filled my prescriptions right away but now they are giving me a hard time over the antidepressant and I've still not gotten that and am almost out and sadly those pills are a year old but at least they are working, otherwise I might not be able to cope with it all.

I've applied for at least a dozen jobs last week and haven't even had to leave the house. I'm beginning to wonder if online job applications are really the way to go. I know I'm well qualified for all of them but they don't get to see me or get a glimpse of my personality. I know it was just last week but so far I've not received a call and under the circumstances, I'm impatient.

I can imagine all around the country and here in the Quad Cities, how many people are facing the same situation as myself. There are probably people in worse situations than me. I went to the unemployment office just today to drop off copies of pay stubs from an entire quarter of earnings my company failed to report. They made me take a number; 52, they were on 25. They've even extended their hours for being able to call in and "certify" your earnings every two weeks. When I tried calling today it was busy most of the day. How sad is that? And every time I tried, that's one minute against my phone minutes I've had to decrease. They tell me it will take 4 to 6 more weeks before I'll know if I even get unemployment and from what I learned today, they are sending files to other offices to help out because its so bad here in the QC and my file happens to be one that is going to be shipped off to another office.

It's not easy getting used to really cutting corners. I feel silly not answering my phone and waiting to listen to the messages until after 7:00pm but that's what the economy is coming to; having to track your phone minutes, worrying about how to pay for much needed prescriptions, making your grocery list consist of milk, bread and peanut butter and jelly. You wonder if coffee is even a necessity.

But I have to say I am blessed with great friends and family. I've had my daughter and two former boyfriends all offer me a roof over my head. Friends who have offered to help me if I needed anything. I am grateful, but I know there are people who are in the same situation as myself and they have nobody to turn to. I am counting my blessings and am sad for those who have no where to turn. I envision whats going to become of many of them, and the homelessness everywhere is going to increase. Its unbearable to think about it and to think; "it could be me".

Peace
Liz

Reflections of the Unemployed Week 1

I saw in the news that Deere is laying off more people now, its no wonder its going to take 6 to 8 weeks to see my first unemployment check, they are probably overloaded. I'm now a statistic of the depressed economy and depressed myself. And what I'll be bringing home won't even be half my normal salary.

I'm bored to tears, there are only so many jobs online to apply for, only so many jobs in the paper. Its too cold for a yard sale and overwhelming to think about going through my storage unit to get ready for one. I've begun selling my belongings, my telescope is now a victim of my tragedy, what next?

The house I'm living in is facing foreclosure, I live with my x-husband and his girlfriend and he too is unemployed. (I live downstairs, its like a duplex) Strange to say the least but my intentions were pure, I moved in to help save the house but by the time I moved, it seems it was too late. And now I'm in the same boat.

I truly believe I was let go because of medical issues, which I believe are unfair labor practices. There are many more people I worked with that had worse attendance than myself but personal problems don't drive up the insurance rates. I had a Dr.excuse for nearly every absence (8 points in the last 6 months, however 1 point was for medical leave because I had surgery) I guess I'm one of those people who are making health care more expensive.

A friend of mine was also let go from the same company just as he was filing for intermittent medical leave for his diabetes, he had just been in the hospital twice. After he was let go the Dr. told him he couldn't work and so I supported him for 6 months while he waited for his social security.

What gives with this Country? Where has the morality gone? Don't the big corporations understand that its the little guys that are the backbone of their business, the backbone of the Country? When we are doing good, they are doing good. I'm out there trying to work, I was working hard to keep my job. I want to support myself, its a matter of pride.

"Pride", there doesn't seem to be much of that going around at the moment.

Peace
Liz