The first couple of weeks in our new home were very frustrating. The electricity didn't work at all and the electrician was dumbfounded as to the problem. We couldn't run two electronic things at the same time, if we turned one thing on, like the dryer or the computer, it would suck all the juice out of whatever was already turned on. If we started the washing machine or the dish washer ever light in the house would turn into a strobe light. My daughter and even my neighbor made jokes about the house being haunted, and I was starting to believe. We finally found out that is wasn't in the house at all, but the wiring coming in from the city. Once they came out and fixed it everything works wonderful now!
We didn't have any furniture at first and we were piggy backing off of someone else's Internet, until they didn't pay their bill I'm guessing because the Internet was down for a few days right when we were getting information on job interviews. So I broke down and turned on cable; with Internet and phone. It was actually cheaper in the long run if I got all three (under $100 for the first 6 months, then I can cancel if I'm not working yet). I got a great deal on some furniture. I wasn't able to do the "Made in America" plan I had hoped to do, I got 2 recliners and a sectional for less than $100 (with and that includes the truck rental to get the furniture home!). Now we can sit down in the living room. It was almost strange at first, sitting in my own living room. I sat on the couch and just looked around for awhile, to just enjoy that small victory.
I have an appointment tomorrow for a grant with Vocational Rehabilitation, I have signed up for school and took (and passed) my placement tests, and next week I have an orientation at school for the Health Information Tech classes I will be taking. I will have to be approved for these classes ahead of time and I have some pre-recs I have to take before they will allow me in but I have no doubt I will be approved. Classes begin June 4 and I plan on having all my ducks in a row long before that.
I have been sending my resume out to everyone and going to many interviews. My daughter has a job now, so we have to share the car. Which means we are putting a lot of gas in the car. The two of us have filled the tank (at about 50 bucks a pop) about 4 or 5 times since we moved into this house. I would get a bus pass but we are both broke right now, I am considering getting a scooter for myself. Or two....
I signed up to sell Avon. I am really not expecting to make millions, but if I can make a little extra on the side I would be happy. At any rate, I will get a big discount on my own make up!! I spend about an hour a day on that, the rest of my time is spent on job sites. I'm actually getting sick of my computer. Every job I apply to I have to go through the questionnaires, and that takes about an hour (or two, sometimes). It's frustrating because I am answering the same questions over and over again. There really should be one site where I could go to and just fill out the information once and then send that to each employer. But I am getting a lot of calls back and going to a lot of interviews and I am bound to get a job somewhere.
I'm afraid that my past job being a manager is what is holding me back. I really need to sit down with a job counselor, and I will be able to once I have put in all that fun paperwork for Voc Rehab. At this point, I'm almost ready to hold a sign for a tax company. But I'm not going to give up just yet. I just got here and I knew before I ever left WA the jobs wouldn't be dropping in my lap, that it would take some work. At least I have a bit of an income right now, which is more than a lot of Americans in my position can say!! So I am thankful for what I have and I am thankful for this opportunity to make the most of my situation!!
