Series of Unfortunate Events

With out question, it has been a rough few months.  I know, I know, the winter was crappy for everyone who lives in the Northeastern United States,  the weather was treacherous.  We barely went a week without a snow or ice storm, praying the electricity wouldn't go out this time.  Pot holes are plenty as well as the flat tires that come along with the trenches on the roads that have gone for months without being addressed.  

Unfortunately, I am writing about more then the weather.  I was laid off from my full-time job in October of last year.  I worked for a title company that was "bought out", leaving almost everyone jobless.  "Don't worry", I said.  "At least I have my 2nd job", I  said.  I can  just pick up more hours at job #2, it won't be that bad...until I found out the truth about just how ridiculous the government is.  

I applied for unemployment compensation the day I was laid off, normal stuff for the unemployed.  I eventually heard back through snail mail and when I opened the envelope I realized that my 2nd job was pretty much useless, at least for the next little while.  The letter stated that I was only allowed to make just a little over $100 (before taxes) per week at job #2 while collecting unemployment??  WHAT???  How was I going to live?  How is this allowed?  I worked at least 15-20 hours at my 2nd job and those hours were cut DRAMATICALLY!!  I needed to work.  I wanted to work.  Every little bit of hope that I was trying to see was getting snuffed out by some suit & tie who actually has a job.  "Don't worry", I said.  

I was diligently searching for a job each and every day.  I would set my alarm, just as I would if I was going to work.  Hours in front of my computer sending resume after resume.  No one was hiring.  OK, well that is not entirely truth.  I did find many jobs that I was just not qualified for.  For instance, the Cocoa Bean Coordinator position; when people you tell you that you need a college degree to get a good job, LISTEN.  I didn't qualify for this lucrative job for that reason alone.  I couldn't even apply if I wanted to.

Must have a 4 year degree.

Then, there were those job descriptions that were so backwards and antiquated, that I wouldn't work for a company so belittling.  This is in fact 2014, not 1950.  

Poor English & sexism; not for me.

Everyday, I was going through so many job boards and listing, I thought I was going crazy, cross-eyed, or just plain delirious when I saw this next post.  Again, I wasn't confident in applying until my best friend and got together and I realized just how qualified I (or we) was(/were), hell, I wonder if the job is still available?!?  Tina, I'll fight you for it.

It's a bit easier to joke around about it now, but through out the last 6 months I definitely had some very low points.  I had received a call to start a 2 week temporary job (with potential for a permanent position) just a few miles away from me in the next town.  Sure!  I was in and they loved me (of course they did!!) and decided to keep me, until I reported to my first day as a full-time employee.  Don don don...I was told that over the weekend on a conference call that they had decided not to keep me on.  HELLO???  Why wouldn't you call me?  I was crushed.  My whole demeanor changed.  

I handled getting a speeding/erratic driving ticket (erratic because I was avoiding a pot hole) and having a car accident within a month of each other, putting my dog down, and now getting let go from a job I was filling paperwork out for 2 days prior.  I was done for a bit.  I was tired at this point.  Although I knew that none of these things that happened to me were terrible or life-threatening, I knew that many people had it worse than I did, and that this pity-party was indeed a party of one, I mentally shut off.  

I prayed a million times a day.  I had others praying, I was trying everything that I could do to stay positive (at least in public), I cried a lot (in private).  Everyone knew I wasn't myself.  I had been quiet, secretly trying to keep it all together when I was on the brink of falling apart every second of every day.

The next few weeks were almost unbelievable.  I think that if I didn't post to Facebook as things happened people wouldn't believe me; the string of unfortunate events has been sad.  Again, no one's health was or has been at risk and I do believe that I am blessed, but the hole in my ceiling and stream of water pouring on to my bed was just another reason why my appointment with the psychiatrist was imperative.  I rent my apartment so my landlord was quick to patch up the roof; however, the ceiling is still awaiting their inspection.  (I'll be reminding them soon, I don't really want a bat in The Attic again if I can avoid it.)  

I also got a flat tire while driving home from dropping my son off, I was able to make it to Pep Boys on the flat (no rim damage - thank goodness!) and I was only with out a car overnight; reason being, my tire is an unusual size.  Still under this gray cloud, I plowed on.   "Don't worry." I told myself.  Words and support from family (especially Pop) & friends have meant everything to me.  Encouraging words don't cost a penny, but when people remind you of the good things, your finer qualities; that it is never our plan, that it's His plan, you get lifted & it matters.

My car is back to me & that very night I received a message from an old friend; she was moving on from her job and her company was looking for a replacement and was I interested?  UMMM...HELL YEA.  I was interviewed and offered the job on the spot & I could suddenly see the light.  

Although I owe many people money and favors (get your mind out of the gutter, I meant baby-sitting, etc.), I know that this time of being unemployed has been a time of reflection, which I used to realize that I will never again take having full-time employment for granted.  I will never take the supportive people in my life for granted and I will pay-it-forward every opportunity that I have.  

I am now ready to work on putting the pieces back together, getting  my life back on track, and soldiering-on just like I was meant to.  

P.S.  Today when I picked my son up from his job, he said, "how was work?".  Those words never felt so good!