Another Day 36: Life Goes On

 

Holidays and weekends don't count, so I'm holding at 24 days unemployed. Considering I'm getting paid, am I really unemployed ? I guess so. It's going to continue to be a scary place until I have a job and after losing out on the Accenture job (maybe!), I don't know when that's going to happen. For now, I consider this time off to be an extended vacation. Yesterday marked 5 weeks without a job. I haven't been unemployed since 1985, so this is a hard adjustment.

It was gray and gloomy when I got up and by 9 am we had some light rain falling. My mood has lifted a bit since finding out Kurt is trying to get around the proximity issue to get me that Accenture job. In a roundabout way, he asked me to wait ! His email said "I can't ask you to hang on, that would be very unfair of me" and he wished me the best finding something. I replied that I wouldn't wait if a great opportunity came along, but so far that seems pretty unlikely ! Getting that job would be amazing, especially if they agree to the $110k salary I floated ! I promised the stray cats that if I get the job they will get canned food twice a day ! They really love the canned food but I can't justify the extra expense until I have a job. I honestly don't "need" $110k a year to live, so I am happy to spend more on them to improve their quality of life. I have a core group of 3 females and a male who show up for food every day. There's an older male around too but I think he's been pushed out of the group as I don't see him often and he keeps his distance now. He used to let me pet him. I've also seen 2 or 3 kittens this year, who are likely all male since they are orange cats. If I do get the Accenture job, I can also add more money to retirement savings. They have a 401k program so I can start one of those to get the employer match. However, my first order of business will be dental work and then establishing myself with a medical practice. I've ignored my health for too long. If they're covered, I'm seriously considering trying one of the new weight loss drugs to kick start my weight loss.

I spent the morning sitting on the couch watching YouTube and drinking coffee. Seemed like a good way to spend a rainy Saturday. There was a lot to get done around the house and I was determined not to waste the entire day doing nothing. I need to get myself moving and get back into a routine that includes showering every day, getting dressed every day, keeping the house neat and clean and exercising ! I pushed myself off the couch just before 10 and took a shower and washed my hair. After that I finished off my second cup of coffee and watched more YouTube. I found a new channel "letsdig18" and I enjoy the content.

Today was the open house next door, in advance of the auction on 7-6. There were 3 or 4 cars waiting just before 10 and I saw an Amish man leave the house. He may have been there to view the contents of the house that are for sale. From the photos it appears to be a collection of dishes and old wooden furniture. Most of the furniture is dark wood and nothing I'd be interested in, considering I need absolutely nothing. I really hope Doug is able to buy the house as it would be nice to have a neighbor like him. Even if it becomes a rental I think the renters would have to be decent people as the rent would not be cheap for a house that is over 1800 square feet. I feel like the house needs a lot of work and it would be great to see someone restore it to its former glory. I don't know if Doug is up to that task, but I'd still love to see him buy it.

I've decided to take weekends off when it comes to the job search. It can't be a seven day a week task, because it's frustrating enough Monday through Friday. My weekends need to be "me time" 100% for now. If I get the Accenture job I may find myself working on weekends to learn and make a name for myself. I don't mind putting in extra hours, even though doing that for AT&T didn't make a difference when it came to who stays and who goes. Though I am grateful for the 39 years I had, I am bitter to see my career end the way it did. I look forward to being a star at Accenture and I will work as many hours as it takes in order to shine !

I do still feel the last 5 years in my job were a gift and I'm glad I used that time to get in better financial shape. It always feels so good to have the bills paid in full and still have money in the bank. I lived from paycheck to paycheck for so many years. I also relied on credit cards to make ends meet for many years. I also took loans from my 401k several times to get by or indulge Alex's whims. I'm glad those days are behind me and I know just how lucky I am to be where I am. I received my retirement certificate from AT&T but my 65" tv is "backordered". I guess a lot of people they dumped ordered one ! We'll see how long it takes for that to show up.

I threw in a load of laundry around noon after fixing the curtain that had fallen down. One of the stray cats came in the house one day and then freaked out trying to get out, damaging the curtain rod holder on the curtain by the dryer. I had fixed it but it fell down again. I was able to rig up another temporary fix but I'm either going to buy a tension rod to make a permanent fix or move the dryer and see if I can reattach the bracket. I have a spare tension rod but it is too long.