Now that we are "settled", let's see, we have a fridge, a range, a washing machine, a dryer (if you unplug the Hot Water Heater, you can use the dryer) cold and HOT running water in 2(!)sinks, a NEW toilet, I mean, we are living in the veritable lap-of-luxury!! As a result, I have managed to re-focus what little energy I have left into the job search. It is not going well, in case you were asking. Talk about an exercise in not only futility, but humility. I am worth less now than I was fresh out of high school. It is the pathetic truth -- not even an exaggeration. (I wish it were!)
These are the jobs I've applied for: Vet. Assistant/Receptionist (got an interview for that one, a $12./hr part-time position here on the island), Insurance Inspector (have a telephone interview coming up for that one -- no glamour, but flexible hours and also part-time) (also, I applied for it with Brian so we are a team -- their suggestion, not mine, but at this point, I am reaching for whatever it takes. . .), dog walker, tutor, instructor for the LSAT or something like that, I don't even remember by now, several architecture jobs, most of which require experience on either school or hospital projects, assistant to a realtor (does it get any lower? you betcha. . . that was one of the jobs I was hoping to get. . .) what else. . . well, for general, menial jobs, not office but "on the floor" jobs at Safeway, Whole Foods, Ikea, I know there's more, but my mind is blank, now that I am trying to think of them all.
The jobs that pay approx. $10/hr are hard to go after with too much gusto if they aren't located on the island, since by the time I make the commute and pay for the ferry, I will end up with very little money in my pocket. But I do recognize that some is better than none, and since I have reduced my expenses, I can exist on a fairly meager salary. The problem is, I won't be able to keep Brian living in the manner to which he's become accustomed. So far, it hasn't really sunk in with him, or at least the basis for his existence, shopping for junk, has not altered because now he has a bonafide reason and actual things that he needs -- replacement faucets, windows, vent-pipes, you name it. . .So while he isn't making the caliber of purchase he was making, he is getting to buy, and that's the main thing. I will say that he is not enjoying this any more than I am, other than the getting to shop for junk part. I think it is especially tough for him, because he is now getting to live the reality of his dreams -- and he's realizing that the dream is not always what it professes to be. . . one of the few life's lessons that I've learned by now, imagine, only a few of life's lessons have actually been learned by me at this middle age of 47. . .not because I haven't had them, I just think I am a slow learner in some of these areas. . .Anyway, I learned this lesson through the experience of owning my VW van. I actually like dreamers, I have been known to be one, but compared to Brian, I am a hard-core realist -- B & W, no gray what-so-ever.
So I just had a phone call returned from my home/car insurance agent, whom I called to cancel my policies. He is a good salesman, plus I kind of like the guy, but he convinced me to keep the min. liability on my car plus the ins. on the houses, with increased deductibles. These are the phone calls of my reality. We have also let the health insurance go. No health insurance for the first time in my life. At 47. Just when things start to go wrong. Not a good feeling.
Especially because right at this moment I have a bit of an injury, that I think incurred as a result of the extended, fairly intense Otter Island Row that I did not last weekend, but the weekend before. It is an annual event and this is the third time I've done it -- with never a problem before -- it is a scenic row along the Snohomish (I think) River and its tributaries in Everett, with a Salmon BBQ that follows the row. It is always a lot of fun and this year it, along with the Agility Trial I did the previous weekend, were the highlights of my summer!! Alas, I think I did something as a result of not rowing for so long, then launching into it full-on, and I have some sort of tendinitis in my left forearm muscle, the extendor I think is what I saw on the Web MD diagram, then I did some major work at home a few days later, and now it is swollen and sore if I move it certain ways and makes a funny noise too. It has been over a week since I injured it, so I am concerned. I know it isn't life-threatening or anything, but I want it to heal, because I really, really want to get back to rowing. I NEED some physical activity, and I like to row and I know that these sort of injuries can go on and on. . . So I perpetuate the misery of it all. . .
I have been taking the dogs out on the extensive system of horse trails that are on the island. Who knew?? They rival KVI beach in their appeal, esp. on high tide days -- they really are great for extended dog walks -- and do provide some exercise to the old Mama, and a lot of fun and excitement for "the guys". Brian has been joining us when he's here, but luckily, mainly for me, he has a job building a deck, which he has been procrastinating on, like only a builder can, and finally yesterday and today he is working on that, so we have peace and tranquility -- I love it!! The downside is that now it is time to think of heat, which we are lacking, and the longer we put that off, the more desperate we'll become for it. But I will defer to Brian's motto "Why do today what you can put off for tomorrow?"
One glimmer of good news -- our Henri-boy's photo was chosen to be on Martha Stewart's website's profile of Italian Dog Breeds. His photo was submitted among 50 others by the Bracco Club, so I didn't even have anything to do with it. It will be fun to see. The other glimmer of good news is no rats yet. . .but touch wood, they could start showing up any day. . . I will keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best, on the rat front and others. . .
BTW, the above shot is NOT the photo that will be on the MS Website. . . in case you were wondering. . .
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