The beginning of the week was business as usual for me. Calling old colleagues and applying for whatever I job I could find in my field. I made contact with one of my long time vendors and was given an introduction to a division manager for one of the local contractors. I spoke with him briefly and sent him my resume. He, like many of the others, told me that things are real slow for them and that he would review my credentials and get back with me when things pick back up. It's understandable, but just as discouraging.
I keep leaning more toward a change in careers, again. I'm not overly concerned about making a change. I have made several changes throughout my working life. This Tuesday I will take another test at the One Stop Career Center. It is supposed to help determine my strengths and weaknesses and what career paths I might want to explore. I'm willing to try almost anything to get me back as a wage-earning member of society.
Gin watched Nolan a few days last week. He just keeps getting smarter every day. I probably said this before, but he helps take the blues out of being unemployed. To be around all that happiness and love just melts my heart.
As I mentioned earlier, Caris and Thomas arrived Friday night. They managed to make it here without much problem from the weather. They travel from the east side of Charlotte along I-85. It just so happens that I-85 is usually the dividing line between snow/sleet and rain. We had a lot of the snow and sleet. I-85 has a lot of rain and sleet.
Caris and Thomas were in town for a friends wedding. Thomas was the bagpiper for the ceremony. Caris played in the high school band with the bride. Patrick, Jessica and Nolan joined all of us for dinner, which was prepared by Caris, Thomas and Gin. We enjoyed sharing stories and playing with Nolan. We let Nolan open an early Christmas present from Gin and I. It was a remote control car for toddlers. He had fun making it spin in a circle.
These last few months leading up to Christmas have been tough on me. Being jobless and watching Christmas arrive takes a lot out of me. Gin and I gathered up some of our cookware we hardly use and delivered it to the Pendleton Place children’s shelter. Our friend, Lauren, works there and has shown us the good things the shelter does for abused and neglected children. I wanted to do something for someone less fortunate than me. After I toured the shelter a week ago, I knew they were the people I wanted to help. The cookware we delivered will be used in the Smith House for teenage girls. The smith House has adult counselors who teach the girls how to cook, clean and prepare themselves as adults before entering society on their own when the turn 18.
I am lucky to have the love and support from my family and circle of friends. I'm not sure what roads are over the horizon and I'm not worried about where the lead. I've always landed on my feet and I will again. For now all I can do is keep my attitude positive and turn over every stone. I'll find my place again.
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