Nothing, Nothing, Nothing

That's what I have to write about. Nothing. As you can see, it's been almost two weeks since my last post. I feel like I'm at confession right now. And I'm not even Catholic.

I suppose the biggest news in my life right now is that I'm looking for a job. It's not as easy as I thought it was going to be. Apparently, there are a lot of other people looking for jobs right now. Who knew? Well, I knew...but I guess I didn't really think I'd have any trouble finding something. It now occurs to me that the last three jobs I've had, which span the past 10 years, all three of them I knew someone.

My last job with the medical software company, I got through a friend of mine who already worked there. They desperately needed someone, and I wanted an evening shift. They wanted to offer me days and I said no thank you. They moved someone else to nights so I could have the 3-11. And I only had a phone conversation with my supervisor, no actual interview. Cha-ching.

The job I had before that? I was a teacher's aide at the charter school where my older two went to elementary school. I had known the principal since she opened the school...Danielle had been attending since she was three years old. All I had to do was ask...and I had that job. I left there to take the above job.

The job before that was office manager at a woodworking store. Guess who also worked part time at that store? My retired father. He was just there because he loves woodworking and he wanted to make a few extra bucks. He told me they needed someone in the office. I said ok. I left there after two years to work at the school, so I could have the same hours as the kids.

Now, I don't know anyone. No one to just hand me a job. That sucks. I've been applying, have even heard back from a few, but the emails I get back say "Congratulations, you meet our minimum eligibility requirements. Now we're sending your application on to the next level." And that's where about three things are sitting. I'm kind of stuck, and I'm not sure what to do. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Or if anyone knows anyone hiring in the Denver area...I'm all ears.

I'm collecting unemployment, but that's going to run out in a couple of months, and I'm a bit nervous. I'm sure something will turn up before then, even if it's working at Target or something (which I'd rather not, but I guess you do what you have to do, right?) However, at some point, hopefully sooner rather than later, I do need a job with health benefits. Because right now? We got nothin'. It's the "cross your fingers and hope and pray that no one gets sick or injured" method of healthcare.

What sadistic asshole came up with the idea for COBRA anyway? I mean really, what was the thought process? Let's see...person loses their job, and one would assume, either all or part of their income. Either way, they now have less income than they had when they were working. So let's come up with a plan with which these people can keep their health insurance from their job. But, instead of $200 a month or so out of their paychecks...since they're now unemployed, let's make them pay the whole thing! Which is about $1300 for the family. So, since you now have less money, I think we should make you pay 6 1/2 times what you were paying when you had a job. Yeah!

Oh, can I tell you about my postalphobia? Yes, that would be fear of the mail. This fear keeps me from picking up my mail from the community box. There's probably a week and a half's worth of mail sitting in there right now. I'm afraid of it because I'm afraid of bad news. So I let it sit. I know the mailman hates us. Maybe I can talk husband into picking it up today. Every day I drive by the mailbox several times, and it just sits there, taunting me. "I could be holding bad news. Someone could want money." I swear, it really says that. The mailbox says that to me. What do you mean, the mailbox doesn't talk to you? Ok, never mind then.

Just so you know, my phobia isn't confined to the mail. I get the same heart-pounding, fight or flight panic feeling whenever my doorbell or my phone rings too. Not my cellphone, that's ok because that's someone I know. My home phone. I nearly go through the roof when it rings.

You know what the advantage is to having your garage being 40 degrees or so? You can keep a case of soda out there and it stays cold. It doesn't take up room in the refrigerator.

Kylie wants to be a ninja...no, a pirate...no, Tinkerbell...no, a ninja...for Halloween. I'm even scared to commit to a costume, because I know she'll change her mind.

Yes, I'm nuts. Over and out.