Wow...it's been a LONG time

November of 2006 appears to have been my last post. At that time, I was looking for a new job, hoping to relocate closer to the love of my life, Paul. We've been dating almost two years now and living 47 miles apart. The distance is difficult to say the least. No, we can't get a place together. Divorced parents, we each have two children still living at home. Three out of those four kids are 19-22 years of age and will be leaving the nest within the next few years. In the meantime, it doesn't make sense for us to buy a place large enough to accommodate six people. So we won't be living TOGETHER...not yet. But it would be nice to live CLOSER.

In late February, I thought my job search had finally paid off. After three interviews with a large financial firm, the staffing specialist relayed an offer over the phone. She said that the "official" offer would follow via email. A little voice told me that I should consider this verbal offer to be something less than official. However, two days later, when my supervisor emailed me a meeting request in order to discuss ways to streamline some processes, I decided a meeting would be silly. After all, I was leaving! I replied by sending my letter of resignation and giving my two weeks' notice.

Can you see what's coming? I wish I'd had such insight. As I read recently on Career Builder's website, you have NOTHING until you have it in writing. Two days before I was set to leave my job, I discovered I had no new job to go to. I tried to buy some more time at my old job, saying that the start date for my new employment had been delayed. (I left out the indefinitely part.) They told me that it was too late. In big companies, where employees are mere numbers, my number had been expunged from the corporate system. I was history.

On my last day, I didn't want to even get out of bed. One of my coworkers had arranged a going-away party for me after work. He had invited lots of people, instructing them to forward the invitation to others who might be interested in attending. There was no way for me to cancel the event since I didn't even know who had been invited. I didn't tell them what happened. They all thought I was going to a better, higher-paying job. They didn't realize they were celebrating my unemployment.

As it turned out, the party was great. I couldn't believe how many people showed up. It was more heartwarming than I can describe. How could I feel sad when so many people cared about me?

I've been out of work for two months now. Fortunately, I'm conservative with money, but I won't hold out much longer without an income. I'm watching my savings account balance dwindle while my credit card balance grows.

I had three interviews the week before last. Last week I went on a third interview with a company that seemed very enthusiastic about hiring me. I was sent to meet with their marketing staff in their NYC office. That was Wednesday. I've heard nothing. This company that was supremely responsive and communicated with me frequently has gone silent. I suspect they are ducking me. Clearly I misspoke at some point during my grueling five hour/five person interview, which followed a four hour commute to the city by car, train and subway. That afternoon, I was getting slap-happy; I could have easily said something stupid. Whatever it was, it seems to have cost me the best job possibility I had going.

I have a few other irons in the fire, but none were as positive. And there seems to be nothing else out there I'm qualified to apply for. I'm feeling lower than low and very desperate.

At this rate, by the time I get a job, I will not be able to afford to move. Moving was the entire reason for the job search. (Okay, I was fed up with my previous job too - but moving was the major factor.) I'd found a GREAT house, priced way below value. It was in an upscale neighborhood, far better than I should be able to afford and across the street from a lake. Water view property with lake rights, a covered porch, a big yard and the three-season room I've always wanted. I'd have had a garage and TWO bathrooms! When the job fell through, the too-good-to-be-true dream went up in smoke.

On the plus side, my 19-year-old daughter is dating a really great guy now. After a string of guys I couldn't comprehend her interest in, I'm so glad she's finally met a nice guy from a nice family who treats her really well. I went to see my 13-year-old son's track meet today - something I never could have done had I been working. My 21-year-old son in the army bought...and wrecked...his first automobile. At least the injuries were only minor...except those to his bank account and driving record! Paul will celebrate his 50th birthday this month. I planned a long weekend in Boston before realizing I'd be unemployed, but I'm going ahead with it anyway. We'll take a horse-drawn carriage ride and dine at our favorite Boston restaurant. We'll take in some jazz and a performance by the Blue Man Group. You only turn a half-century old once in life! I'm hoping the trip will give him more to look forward to than to dread. Those decade years are never easy.

So that's it...for anyone who still stops by here. I'm broke, unemployed and depressed...but I'm still in love, and I guess that's a big enough blessing to make up for the bad stuff.