What Have I Been Up To?

Thank you for all the birthday wishes from many of you by e-mail and facebook.

Two weeks ago was my last day at the temporary assignment that was promising to go permanent. This was a job I loved doing. It just wasn't to be after the governmental budget cuts reduced their grant funding by 35%. At that time they called me and the other temp into the office and told us how much they wanted to keep us both on permanently but... However, I understand they just hired a new temp from a different agency (maybe lower rate) and combined both the jobs as one. I would have liked them to call me back (I'm already half trained) even if it were a lower rate. I was still available. Oh well. I sometimes wonder what God has planned that I don't know about yet.

During the two weeks off I celebrated my birthday, helped my friend finish a quilt top (& took it to her favorite machine quilter), and a 2 days temp job wrapping 500 "For Sale By Owner" signs for mailing. I went out to eat most days last week using a different birthday coupon for free meals or as a birthday treat with a family member or friend.

Today I got a new temp assignment for 1 week of data entry that I start tomorrow 8 am. I will try to keep you posted. Not sure what to expect. It is "near the airport" but from looking at the map nothing else.

M is Coming Home Today

This time has been a long 5 weeks.  M is finally coming home today. They think they got his meds in balance.  I pray M takes them all as prescribed and doesn't add anything else.  His cat will be so happy to see him.

I left him a freezer full of home cooked food in individual portions.  He likes my lasagna so I made a batch but layered it into 3 disposable meatloaf pans.  an average person should get 3 servings out of each loaf.  He also has 5 Chicken w/ bow tie pasta, a couple bags of vegetable soup, Marinara sauce, and Alfredo sauce. The soup and sauces came from leftovers throughout the 5 weeks.

Well off to work. 

Long Haul…

Since Easter I have not posted as I promised myself when beginning this blog.  I think my ideal was a bit lofty and yet the goal was there to blog about life… my life. 

M is still in the hospital being cared for and meds tweaked.  We are not sure at this time when he will be able to come home.  Some of the extracurricular things he smoked, drank… etc. may have done more damage to a fast recovery than dreamed of.  It is part of the illness.  When he feels good he wants to “party” and that doesn’t mix with meds.

Mom started out by leaving an upper window open just enough for the cat to be able to get “in & out”  via the roof of the house.  This stopped quite abruptly when I went over to take in the mail on a dark rainy evening when Mom couldn’t.  I noticed something amiss but couldn’t quite put a name to it.  So I grabbed the cat while I double checked all of the doors.  (Don’t know if I was planning to throw the cat at anyone.)  When I got back to the kitchen to refill the food bowl we came face to face with the intruder.  Through his masked he glared at us and then it was a brief second before the last of his ringed tail was outside the window.  Yes, Rocky Raccoon had gained entry from the roof through the open window and was scavenging cat food.  I slammed that window shut and locked it then called Mom to let her know we have to go over daily.

Now Mom goes during the day, lets the cat out and brings in the mail if it is there.  I go after work to let in the cat (mail if necessary).   I’ve been spending extra time playing and being company for him. 

Yesterday was a particularly bad day for M.  His ex-wife and kids live in the NE corner of Oklahoma and she works in a hospital in Joplin.  We are fortunate that when we finally got a return call from her (6 pm Monday), she reported all of the family was alright and the power was back on at home.  She works in “the other” hospital in Joplin but they were busy tending to transferring a large number of patients from the hospital that was hit by the tornado plus any other ER & Trauma patients. 

Please add the people affected by the tornado to your prayers.  The Red Cross, as well as other organizations can really use donations of blood, manpower and funds.  Please do what you can.

Taking Care

When I started this blog I promised that I would not use my family member’s names and specific situations.  Yet there are some areas where I am directly affected by their situations.  So today I will bend that promise.

In my family we have battled Heart Disease/Stroke/HBP, AIDS, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Diabetes, and severe Bi-Polar diseases.  Heart Disease/Stroke/HBP and Cancer are the top two killers.  Families tend to think of it as something everyone gets if they live long enough. During our family’s struggle with AIDS was where I learned that to take care of your loved one you MUST take care of yourself first.  That was nearly 20 years ago when he died and I still struggle with the concept of me first.   The Hodgkin’s sufferer has now been in remission 10 years and considered a survivor.

The two that are left are current and chronic. These types of situations are what Mom used to refer to as “the crazy makers” because you feel so helpless to help.  When you are always waiting for the other shoe to drop you are always under stress.

Right now I’m in a good place recovering from the financial woes of the last three/four years but at the cost of fatigue.  I have my “permanent job” at the retail store (averaging 10 hours a week at beginning hourly rate) and I have my “temp assignment” (full time at double the hourly rate of the retail).  All of that to be self-employed at my passionate job… quilting. 

Two of my three remaining siblings are employed full time.  The third (M) is severely with Bi-Polar and truly unable to work steadily.  We all have our responsibilities no matter how M is maintaining… or not.  

M’s psychiatrist once told us all “to maintain is like balancing a bowling ball on the tip of a pool cue stick.”  What he was trying to get across to M is that diet (NO ALCOHOL! and attention to the sugar levels for Diabetes), meds, sleep, and stressors need to be in balance for wellbeing despite the disease.

This time taxes, Easter, being refused for SSI disability (again) and losing sleep due to the other elements are all pushing the bowling ball into the gutter.  On top of that M has been washing the troubles down with beer.  I can’t seem to get through to him.  But Mom always calls on me first for help in these crises and I hate refusing her requests. 

I think caretakers are given their own bowling ball and cue stick.  It is up to us to keep ours in balance while we’re retrieving the toppled bowling ball for our loved one.  This may also mean seeking help for ourselves.  The Wellness Community in our area was very helpful with support groups, education, etc. for the “participants” and “caregivers” related to cancers.  I was in the caregiver’s group and my sibling went to the participant’s group.  It helped us focus, talk out the stressors, and exchange information on new treatments.  There are groups out there for whatever you are battling.  The trick is to find the group that helps YOU.  That way you are better able to pass your cue stick to the group while you help the participant get back in balance.

I have to make sure I sleep and eat right when drafted into the caregiver battalion.

Joke’s over

Dental appointment set for a week from Monday.  Unfortunately it is during the work day instead of an evening appointment. Their first evening appointment was mid May. 

First thing this morning I took Kip to the vet to recheck his ear infections.  He still has to get the ear drops and take the antibiotics but he is so much better. Then off to take care of the phone.

Initially the fact my contract was not yet eligible for renewal I had four options. 

1. Purchase a new phone outright for over $500 without renewing the contract.
2. Renew the contract now with the usual phone activation fees plus a fine.
3. Add a new line to the contract for the $9.99/mo more, phone activation fee but no fine for the early renewal.
4. Pay a $350 early termination fee to take my business elsewhere.

I went prepared with print outs from my online search of all other options.  Long story short, I took the renewal option and with logic, print outs, and telling him about my April Fool’s Day.  “So find all the discounts you can,” I told him and he got the fine waived and was able to place it on my next billing.

Life’s April Fool’s Joke

Just as you think everything is looking up and you can breathe fate steps in and throws you a curve ball.  Yesterday I was thinking this paycheck from the temp job put me just enough ahead to pay an extra month on my property taxes.  My hope was that it would all go toward the arrears thereby lowering the monthly amount when they refigure my payments in June. 

This morning (April 1^st) just laughed in my face.   I grabbed a slab of cashew butter on cheap soft white bread (a CB&J since allergies to PB) as I went out the door to work.  As I rounded the corner before entering the freeway I savored my first bite and wondered “what’s that hard thing in the bread?”  I separated it from the rests of the bite with my tongue and spit a pea size piece of tooth into my fingers.  At the stop light I located the back molar from which it came and assessed the damage.  I’m ok to last a few days until I can see a dentist. 

I got to the parking lot of the temp job and pulled out my cell phone to call the dentist.  Well there is a portion of the touch screen that is now dead… I cannot call any numbers with a 5, 8 or 0…“Ok! joke’s over!” I yelled toward the heavens.  I get to the parking lot 20 minutes early each day so I think, “They are only a few blocks away maybe they open at 8 and I can just run in to make the appointment so I can still be to work on time.  Got to the dentist office in 4 minutes… they must open at 9 because no one there.

The estimates I am thinking for tooth if they can just replace the filling and avoid a crown… $200-$250. The estimate for a new phone IF they allow me to renew the contract before it is really time to renew is about the same… The two combined is about $50 - $100 more than I was planning to pay on the property taxes.  The phone estimate could double if they make me purchase a replacement phone at full price and not allow an early renewal.  

Like “nature abhors a vacuum” then “the finance fates abhors extra money”.

HONOR

Since the first day of spring we have had a plummet in temperature and even a couple of snow dustings.  What happened to spring?

Yesterday, I had news of an old family friend’s passing.  Tomorrow I will take Mom with me to the funeral home to pay our respects (I cannot make it to the funeral mass on Monday).  Please pray for JMac’s family, that they may find peace in their grieving process.

I called the retail chain where I work on the weekends to see what my schedule was for Sunday.  I was told “You are not scheduled next week.” “All next week?!???  Not even Saturday?”I asked.  This worries me since this IS the permanent job.  Am I getting a vacation I did not ask for or am I getting laid off since they were just bought out.  We recently got a new store manager.  Is he testing how “his store” would run without a different person in each area for a whole week?  Are we getting fired by just not being scheduled?  There are rumors of games, tests & traps being set by this person.  Did I flunk?  If/when I leave any job; I want it to be MY decision.  It would be because I bettered my position at a job… or won the lottery (LOL).

My grandfather was a self made business man as a real estate broker, whose motto was “Doing business by the golden rule.” He did NOT want to get a reputation for doing anything for the greed of lining his pockets.  He wanted the reputation for a fair deal.  By this he got the respect of his workers, customers and the whole community.  Years after his death people were calling Grandma when they were ready to sell or buy again only to be disappointed that he couldn’t represent them.  They always ended the call with a compliment like “L always treated everyone honestly” and/or “with respect”.  This treatment brings customers back every time and garners referrals.  When are the big muckity~muck corporations ever going to learn this?????  It's called honor.  I fear this “golden rule” customer service died with Grandpa and JMac (who was one of Grandpa’s partners).

I honor JMac this weekend for he truly honored my grandfather's ideals and teachings by his continued "Doing business by the golden rule" after Grandpa's death.  I know Grandpa greeted JMac soon after he arrived in heaven... they are probably making plans to play poker or gin rummy soon.

Super Full Moon & 1st Day of Spring …

Today was the 1^st day of spring and it was following last night’s “super full moon.” We often joke about getting very crazy during a full moon and spring break often has the same reputation.  We had an “interesting” day cutting fabric.  We had a lot of odd requests.

I have a couple of prayer requests…

• First, one of our managers lost her fiancé’s father last night after being in a coma about a week from a massive heart attack at 60 years old.  Please pray for comfort during their grief.
• The other is for a regular customer who had a diabetic crisis while I waited on her.  I also noticed a scar from a previous heart surgery.  This one we called the Emergency Squad.  Please pray for her quick and continued recovery.

On the way home from work today, I picked up some seeds for herbs and vegetables.  I have a small sunny area where the herbs grow great in a window box on my stoop’s wrought iron fencing.  Last year I got a few tomatoes, sweet green peppers, and couple of zucchini before the squirrels got them.  In the German Village (historical area of town) the buildings date back to the mid-late 1800’s.  They have small patios or yards so I started planting in window box or patio planters for my vegetable/herb gardening.  

The rest of my space is mostly shady where I have flowers.  Yesterday, I saw the first crocus.  This really signals spring to me more so than a date on the calendar (Oh, and the orange barrels on the highway is another sign).

This is another way to survive… planning ahead & planting edibles if you have the space (no matter how small).  If you don’t have your own space, check into some community gardens or coops in your area.

     The Beatles sang “I get by with a little help from my friends…”  Well, thanks to all my friends’ prayers and help, thanks to the temp agency, and thanks to the shop orders, all of the utilities are current. D in UK: the vultures are shot down for this month. Their young hatchlings have not flown to the mailbox… yet. 

     I am now going to ask for prayers to be sent toward the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit out in the Pacific. 

     Yesterday (at the temp job) I feasted on leftovers from a meeting.  They catered international food to fit the topic of the training. Each course was a different country’s traditional dish. The dessert tray was full of Greek delicacies. This was the best meal they’ve had so far. It is company policy that we can only consume the leftovers at the office. 

      I have to throw away so much food that doesn’t get eaten before it goes bad. That is so difficult for me. Last week they had a soup, salad, & baked potato bar… there are 2 – one gallon zippered bags of soup in the freezer along with another bag of the blanched broccoli. I’ve been telling my co-workers, “break off a chunk of soup and zap it in the microwave.” On Monday, I will mix the few strips of fajita meat with a chunk of the vegetable soup and dollop some sour cream.

Treat Yourself Daily…

"We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated."

—Maya Angelou

We are still the same person we were prior to our “defeats”.  Therefore, the person we are will determine how we refuse to be “defeated”.  For me it is to treat yourself daily.  I know this is a difficult concept to fulfill when you are “financially challenged”.  I am a creative person so I must respect myself enough to continue nurturing that person.  If you don’t, you kill the soul that gives you the spirit to fight your way back.  

You don’t have to abandon the job search, working, and/or education.  You don’t even need to spend money.  I enjoy quilting, art, theatre, cooking and traveling.  All of this does not change.  Ok, I may not be able to travel in person due to costs involved, BUT I can still explore the world via the internet and watching PBS travel shows.  Cooking poses creative challenges but you can go to any of my Friday postings to see how I conquer those.  I am fortunate live in Columbus close to Schiller Park.  During the summer months they have (free) “Shakespeare in the Park”. 

Tonight (after I sell Street Speech) I will go to my monthly quilt guild meeting.  I was voted in as 2^nd Vice President for 2011.  My primary responsibility is to plan the meeting programs and speakers under the help of the 1^st Vice President for meetings up through 2012.  Many speakers have their schedules booked 2 years in advance.  Then in 2012 I move to 1^st VP with a new 2^nd VP.  It is a team position so no one is thrown into the job cold.  It is a good fit since I have tons of friends and contacts in the quilting community.

I am still making quilts and my butterfly pincushion pins (I always have “bug parts” in my purse for these).  I don’t have to purchase much if I use my fabric stash, trade with guild members, good parts of cotton clothing I no longer fit, or go to the Waste Not Center to search their fabric scrap donations.  This is why quitters say, “When life gives you straps, make quilts.”


Today's Tally:
Tuesday, February 15, 2011                      Time:  11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Location:  3^rd and State Sts. (across from the state house
Temp:  31°
Newspapers sold:   1
Viable job postings:   1?
Filled or baiting job posted:   0
Resumes/Job Applications sent:  0  

Exploring One Avenue…

It was a beautiful day at 40° today. You missed my singing on the corner today but I was not playing hooky.  I was taking steps toward becoming employed.  
In this article, I need to discuss IMPACT Community Action.  I met their representatives at a job fair a couple weeks ago.  I put on my “think positive hat”, grabbed my resumes, and went booth to booth.  Like most people I started toward the right side of the room (perhaps instilled by driving on the right side of the road in the USA). After scanning the booth directory I stopped at every booth with job listing for which I have qualifications (and a few I thought I could learn what I lacked).  IMPACT was in the last booth on the left side of the room.  By that time I did start to feel discouraged but I shoved out my hand and shook that of a tall, inviting, beautiful woman saying, “Hello I’m Pati Shambaugh.” She told me about their program “Employment Plus”.

I placed an application at their office a couple days later.  “They’ll call you in a few days,” replied the building security officer who took the applications.  Honestly, my thoughts were, “I’ve heard that line before.”   I ended up calling the number on the sheet to check on my application after the usual 5 business days.  I was one of 82 invited to the class orientation (only 64 showed up).

You may think I got into the program… not so fast.  The orientation today was informational for both the applicants and the counselors.  We were given options at a few different times to leave or continue.  Those who continued were given a drug test, an interview and a time to return for computer testing on Wednesday.  So, I am not in the program yet, but I am going back.

The important part of this program is that it too is in danger of being discontinued with the Obama Administration’s proposed 50% reduction to the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG).  Please follow my link to IMPACT to see more specific statistics on their services and how to help keep the funding. 

What does that mean to me personally?  This class runs 7 weeks to prepare 15-24 participants to be gainfully employed, providing a small stipend and help in their other temporary needs during training.  The vote in Washington DC will determine whether this will be their last class and will it be completed with all 7 weeks.

Since this is federal funding it is not limited to the Community Services in Ohio… It will affect services nationwide.  The lack of these services will only increase homelessness and desperateness.  So write, call, email, fax AND text your representatives in Washington DC, asking them to support continued funding for Community Services.  You might ask, “Would you rather support programs proven to turn the downtrodden into income tax paying professionals or supporting prisons to house the ones turning to crime out of pure desperateness?”

Thank you for any help.


Today's Tally:
Monday, February 14, 2011                      Time:  9AM – 3PM
Location:  IMPACT Employment Plus offices
Temp:  N/A
Newspapers sold:   0
Viable job postings:   0 (1 in Cincinnati)
Filled or baiting job posted:   8
Resumes/Job Applications sent:   Attended Orientation, Interview & Drug Testing

On Family and Faith

One of my rules posted yesterday was:  My family will never be referred to by name and only spoken about in direct reference to me.  Today I will outline my family and faith because these are the major elements that make us who we are today.    

Husband – never was one. Not that I don’t believe in them, just never found the right person at the right time.  (Had an offer in the 80’s for a “Sugar Daddy” but didn’t take it.) I will marry for love.

Children – 2 a boy and a girl but both have wet noses, long floppy ears and docked tails. Yes, my mother has “grandpuppies” from me.  Many of you will understand that giving them away is a last option.

Father – deceased (1990)

Step-father – deceased (1989)

Mother – living on only social security & food stamps at 78 on her next birthday in a couple weeks.

Mother’s current husband – several years older than Mom and dealing with “memory issues”.

Brother #1 – (older) unemployed and looking.

Brother #2 – deceased (1992)

Brother #3 – (younger) disabled and fighting to get SSI but keeps getting turned down (too many assets – So he has to lose his house before they will qualify him (a house paid off – just owes taxes).

Sister – (20 years younger) Cancer survivor, working, tremendous help to the family and I feel she has a right to enjoy her life with her significant other.  That means starting a family if they want or not.

Step-Sister (Father’s side) – Married with 2 sons. We have seen each other maybe 3 times since Daddy died.

My faith is Christian based.  I believe in God.  I also believe that Man is arrogant enough to impose individual beliefs upon their God as His traits and teachings when interpreting the Bible.  With so many doctrines and formal religions out there I sometimes wonder if one is the ONE religion to believe in.  Having grown up in a predominantly Jewish community and then taken the class “Non Western Religions” at Otterbein also helped shape this view.  My father was Lutheran; my grandparents took us to a Presbyterian church; and my step-father was Catholic.  This morning I have the opportunity to go to church (not working those hours) and I will go to Trinity Episcopal (downtown Columbus).  This is the church where I feel the spirit.

Many religions teach love, being good towards others, and the teachings of the Christians’ 10 Commandments and The Golden Rule.  So this is how I try to live MY life and not really by a name tag saying “Hello I’m _____________”.  Just as there are many roads (with different names) to get to Cleveland, I believe the name tag is moot.  I believe Christ when he taught “Believe in me and ye shall surely see the Kingdom of Heaven.” Period! 

Like Job in the Old Testament, my current troubles will not sway my beliefs.  So many times when I have truly needed something it has come to me.  This blog is what I believe was meant to come from my experiences.  Without the hardships I would not have been able to attempt to make understand homelessness.  I might have bought into the myths I am trying now to dispel.

Today's Tally:
Sunday, February 13, 2011                      Time:  worked 5.5 hours but also got to go to church
Location:  the retail chain store
Temp:  worked inside so this is not applicable
Newspapers sold:   0
Viable job postings:   0
Filled or baiting job posted:   0
Resumes/Job Applications sent:   0

Fs for Surviving Life

Quilters look for the 3Fs when traveling, attending quilt shows or quilt shop hops.  In that life the 3Fs stand for Fabric, Food and Facilities (Loo, WC, Potty).  In my efforts to survive life they have taken on a new meaning.  I have decided to make Friday’s on this blog a day for Fabulous Free Food Feast Fridays (or nearly free).  I guess that is 5Fs.

I know Giant Eagle changes sales on Thursdays.  Usually that means meat has the “Manager’s Special” stickers by Wednesday.  It was chicken.  10 thighs were marked just under $6 add the $1 AND $2 off stickers.  Lucky me!  I grab 3 plump mushrooms from the bulk by weight which ended up costing 23¢. I paid just under $3 for both.

I got green beans, a chicken sandwich patty (with a slice of onion) and a medium size Bundt pound cake from the sandwich line.  I had garlic, EVOO, rice and herbs at home.  I knew I had some Press N Seal in my quilting supplies.  I packaged up the other thighs individually and popped 8 into the freezer.

For lunch yesterday I prepared this feast.  Total cost per serving: less than 50¢

Chop up the slice of onion from the sandwich and the mushrooms.  Sauté in EVOO and butter to equal about a tablespoon.  Add half of the green beans when the mushrooms are almost soft and caramelized. Heat through.  Meanwhile bake 2 chicken thighs with your favorite herb sprinkled on top at 325° F for 35-40 minutes or until no pink is visible in the flesh.  I used poultry seasoning but I also like fresh thyme & rosemary from my window box in the summer.

Cook ½ cup of instant brown rice according to the package with a pinch of rosemary.  For more flavor you can combine the chicken dripping with the water or use chicken stock.  Keep all liquids as one measurement to total water amount on the package.

Makes 2 meals.  Eat one and share one with another Street Speech vendor. 

 You may note that I did not add salt. Most of the prepared items sold in vending machines (original source for the green beans) have plenty. Since I never know the dietary needs of who I cook for I use herbs for flavor.  For me salt, pepper, and hot sauce are things that can be added at the table.  I will add salt to my dish after tasting whereas Mom is on a low salt diet.  This is how I've cooked for years.

On a slightly different subject, a friend sent me this link.  I found it quite inspiring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lfaSmDxVZQ

Today's Tally:

Friday, February 11, 2011               Time:  11:28 AM to 1:15 PM

Location:  Corner of State & 3^rd Sts. (across from the statehouse)

Temp:  29°F (21°F with wind chill factor)

Newspapers sold:   8 and someone gave me a candy for Valentines Day.

Viable job postings:   0 (that is online) received 4 leads from blog readers

Filled or baiting job posted:   6

Resumes/Job Applications            sent:   4

My Double Life …

There is a “double life” we lead as we plummet uncontrollably through becoming homeless/near-homeless.  We will lie to our friends who know we are heavily challenged… “It’s tight but, I’m ok.”  The acquaintances may never know.  The truth is we are worried all the time.  If we didn’t fight to keep smiling (or singing), depression will take hold, shake you like a rag doll and never let go.  Our brains and emotions are at odds.  We tell ourselves the truth, “You are doing everything you know you should,” but our emotions scream, “FAILURE!”

Yesterday, when I was parking to sell Street Speech, someone who passed me everyday recognized me.  She pointed to me, then my corner and appeared to tell her companion about me.  I could catch some of the word lip-reading.  My emotions said “fraud” then my logic kicked in:

• My car was paid for in 2003.
• It gets me the 14 mile commute to my retail job (10 hrs/wk)
• It is essential to go to interviews, temp assignments, and job fairs (most not on a bus line).
• Many of the homeless live in their cars after losing the home (I’m not there yet).
• I have never represented selling Street Speech as anything other than the legitimate business described in the paper and on their website.
• She has never spoken to me.  She walks a wider distance away as she passes, making me wonder if she is afraid I am contagious.

Yes, homelessness & near-homelessness is contagious.  It is spread by ignorance of the facts and denial but not by touching, casual conversation… or buying a newspaper.

The day I started this blog I came out to my online quilt guild by asking for prayers.  The responses have been phenomenal!  They have been emotionally uplifting.  My favorite one came from a member in England. After reading my article in my first blog she e-mailed back about going hunting for vultures.  Today she asked if her aim was getting better. Just knowing these online friends care helps battle the depressions and the “wide passers”.

Today's Tally:

Thursday, February 10, 2011      Time:  due to the weather I stayed home

Location: 

Temp:  4° (weather advisory - warning wind chills of -10° to -12°)

Newspapers sold:   0

Viable job postings:   0

Filled or baiting job posted:   6

Resumes/Job Applications sent:   0

My daily routine…

The alarm is set for 6AM but the dogs usually rush that to be let out.  That first blast of cold air this morning is alarming.  The news says right now it is 9°F but feels like -2°F… but it IS still early.  I warm up the laptop to check e-mail (deleting unopened the ones selling me something and spam), the job websites for the new postings, and my bank balance.  Yes, then I check my Facebook.  I have the news on for two reasons: the weather and the local news has a jobs segment that sometimes has something exclusive to them.  When the offices start to open at 8AM I start calling all of the temporary staffing agencies to “touch base”.  This makes my name very prominent when something becomes available.

It is frustrating when checking website like Monster.com, Ohiomeansjobs.com & Jobs.com to find fewer than 10 jobs posted that day.  Out of those “ten” the majority of them are generic posting to bait you to sign up at a temp agency but a specific assignment either may not exist or was filled before the posting hit the web.  There may be only 1 verifiable job directly from an employer.

I bathe and dress appropriately if a temp job had been harvested.

With the job market in mind:

• What am I looking for in a job?  Pretty much anything. 
• What job am I qualified to do?  Retail, Administrative Assistant, Data Entry, Clerical, Bank Teller, Waitress, Bridal Consultant, and Quilting: Designer/Teacher/Speaker/Product Inventor/Pattern Writer/Hand Quilter.
• What can I learn?  Challenge me and let me surprise both of us.

After standing of my corner I went over to the sandwich line. We had a treat today. Usually it is one drink, 2 sandwiches, 1 from a meal category and 2 pastries (donut, muffin, cookie). These are donated by a variety of places like Kroger & Saneese. Our treat today was a box lunch that included fruit, macaroni salad, pudding and a slice of pizza. Of course, there is always a variety of bread. I only accept what I know I can eat. Like the loaves & fish in the bible we all can be fed.

Today's Tally:

Wednesday, February 9, 2011                    Time: 11:30 AM – 1:45 PM

Location:  Corner of State & 3^rd Sts.; Columbus, Ohio (across from the statehouse)

Today was active with firefighters and protesters of the “heartbeat bill”  marching on the statehouse.

Temp:  23°F (21° with the wind chill factor), cloudy but dry

Newspapers sold:   7

Viable job postings:   0 (2 in Ohio if I care to commute to Cleveland or Canton)

Filled or baiting job posted:   3

Resumes/Job Applications sent:   0

Irony of the day:   I received a resume on my fax machine from someone with a Masters in Computer Aided Engineering wanting to fulfill my company’s need for a Mechanical Engineer.  Even if the quilt shop were still open I don’t think I would have had a job for him.

It’s Not Where You Start…

The lyrics of a show tune from the 70's Broadway musical Seesaw resonates as my daily mantra.

                It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish.

                It’s not how you go, it’s how you land.

                A hundred to one shot,

                They call you a klutz,

                Can outrun the favorites, all he needs is the guts.

                Your final return will not diminish,

                and you can be the cream of the crop.

                It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish,

                And you’re gonna finish on top!

It has been too long between jobs that can actually support a single woman (and 2 small dogs).  It's not that I am not working at all, I am just working under the poverty level. I'm in danger of losing a home that was purchased in cash in 1979 because the property taxes and utilities add up to beyond my earnings. 

The Columbus Coalition for the Homeless newspaper program helps those who want to help themselves earn their way back one paper at a time.  They buy their Street Speech papers for 25¢ each and we can only ask $1.00 but we can accept whatever someone wants to pay.  Many of the articles are written by the people on the street selling them and the volunteers in the office.  The Coalition also helps refer those in need to other resources to help meet their needs… sandwich lines, legal aid, shelters, HEAP… you know, pretty much the basic human needs.  It is one of the most humbling, best & worst jobs in which I’ve participated.  The following is my article that is published in the current issue of Street Speech.

   

Eating an Elephant with Vultures Looming

“You look like you don’t belong here.”  This was said to me yesterday while I stood on my corner to sell copies of Street Speech.  I wanted to say “None of us BELONG here,” but the fact is we ARE here.  Many of us never believed this would be our fate.  Our economy has widened the chasm between the traditional idea of who the homeless (and near homeless) should be and who we actually are.

Me?  I am an Otterbein College graduate.  I don’t smoke, drink or have any drug addictions (unless you count Dr. Pepper).  I have never been diagnosed with a mental illness that would preclude me from taking care of myself.  I grew up in a “good family” who value a “good work ethic”.  With my first job at the age of 12, I saved half of every paycheck for college.  I worked three part-time jobs at a time to pay my own way through college.  I subscribed to a belief in what we were all taught, “You’ll get a good job with a good education and a degree.”

After several jobs working for others, I took on the reigns of a small shop started by my mother. By 1993 I was sole proprietor, teacher, inventor, manufacturer, marketer and any other position needed for getting my quilting tool into the hands of the public.  I did this all WITHOUT credit cards or formal loans.  I have been a guest on HGTV’s Simply Quilts (1999) and taught my technique all over the USA.  I have even shared this technique with guilds while on quilting vacations in England and the south of France.

Several years ago began the downfall. Sales fell off, expenses keep going up (mostly utilities and booth fees shows), and travels were then limited to wholesale trade shows.  Finally the accumulative effects of quilt shops going out of business or not paying their invoices coupled with inferior copies of my product hitting the market. Yes, I could sue.  However, with attorneys in each of 4 states to pursue patient/copyright/trademark infringers was also financially prohibitive. 

I sold the house in Bexley (2005) and moved into what WAS “the shop”.  The money from the sale of the house put a new roof on the other building and supported me for another five years.

During the same time I have been signed up with four to five different temporary staffing agencies.  Only two of them have placed me on any assignments.  Total earnings through my temporary assignments in 2007 were under $400 for the year.  However, in 2008 it did go up to just under $500.  I only list these two agencies my resume since the others have no way of evaluating my abilities.

I also now work for a retail chain that is about 10 hours a week with the prospect of hours being cut now that the holidays are over.  So I went to the Coalition for the Homeless for help.  Their programs include information of help for which I may qualify and being a vendor for their newspaper.  We buy the papers we sell, making it a legal business venture.  This keeps my business ethics satisfied that I am earning my way back on my feet one paper at a time.

So, “How do you eat an elephant?” Answer, “ONE BITE AT A TIME!”

• Bite one:  Continue to take assignments with the temporary agencies and work the retail.
• Bite two:  Continue to job search by any means available (job fair and “boot camps”).
• Bite three:  Pay what I can on the bills most demanding while seeking legitimate help.
• Bite four:  Days I am not working or interviewing, stand on my corner selling Street Speech.
• Bite five:  Try to keep a positive outlook.

My only vultures are: property taxes (as the building was paid off 30 years ago), AEP, Columbia Gas, City of Columbus Water, AT&T, gasoline, car insurance, and (last but not least) food if there is any money left.

So here's Today's Tally:

Tuesday, February 8, 2011             Time: 11:00 AM – 12:45 PM

Location:  Corner of State & 3^rd Sts. Columbus Ohio (across from the state house)

Temp: 23°F (12° with the wind chill factor), snow falling at a 60° angle

2 newspapers sold

I believe that people who didn’t have to go out in this stayed in their offices.  My toes got “crispy cold” within the first half hour.  I don’t just stand there; I tend to sing for my supper.  In warmer weather (if I’m still there) I might bring my guitar.  I will feel like I’m doing more to earn my keep.