Life is good, even if I am unemployed

Well, I am actively working on job prospects, and have no idea how it is going, except that after a while I believe I must be invisible.
Strangely, I have posted a multitude of cover letters and resumes on line, and emailed a bunch of them, all with no results. I was thrilled, though, to get one rejection letter for a federal job. At least someone looked at my stuff! I will find out the results of the Colorado State Testing I did two weeks ago - the job I had applied for was not available, but I still tested. I will get a number of correct out of possible answers. The test is good for one year, and can be used for other state jobs I will apply for in the future. I have a contact from Larry & Joanna Feather for Loaf 'n Jug stores, but have not had returned calls yet. I am going to do cold calls this next week, and take my unsolicited resumes to anyone who will take them. I am getting brave in my old age - in fact, my age is probably a factor. After 3 or 4 revisions of my resume, I think it looks less like I am 61!

I tried to go to church this morning, but the yellow pages were wrong. Instead of the 9:00 service, the next one doesn't start til 10:30, so I have time to work on this blog. Maybe I can meet someone at church. I feel like the "lone ranger".

Sherry visited this week, and we had fun with her dog Hank and I enjoyed showing her around Pueblo. She was impressed, like everyone, with the community resources we have here. We did the riverwalk, the zoo, and Pueblo Reservoir (the lake). We had a great time. She drove over with plants I had left in GJ at school. I think she looked like a traveling greenhouse. I love having the plants-although they are more like bushes in the house.

This coming weekend I am going to see Brenda and Amelia while the guys go hunting. I am looking forward to a trip to Bailey just to get out of town. Amelia is walking - so it should be tons of fun playing with her. Ben's business is taking hits from the economic downturn, but Brenda's non profit employer just hired a new director, so she won't be in a crunch like she has been. They are busy working on things at the house, and enjoying that baby. She is showing the more stubborn side of her personality now that she can walk. The stories are pretty funny - I hope to get a video to post soon.

Becky, Devin, Laila and Logan moved to a different house and will stay there until Devin gets a post-doc job. They are happy to be out of the dark canyon for the winter. Logan is a typical two year old, so he is giving his parents a run for their money. He sings me songs on the phone. The other day it was the ABC song until he got to P and then it was Ps Porridge Hot from then on - pretty cute. Laila is just as happy as ever. Devin's dissertation is coming along well, and I can't even imagine the stress. November 14 is the big day - his birthday is the 15th, so it will be a sweet celebration! Becky is updating me daily on all the activities in their family. I enjoy our phone visits, because it feels like I am in touch, and closer in distance. Being so far aways is not the best of situations.

Josh, Bree, Owen, and the one in the cooker are doing great. Bree is looking very pregnant, it is so cute! She keeps really busy with all of Owen's activities, her yoga and on-line tutoring. Owen has grown into a little boy - even the way he walks is not like a toddler anymore. When he comes over, he knows where all the toys are. It is so nice to have him so comfortable here. He is such a joy. Josh's job requires quite a few late days, but it is worth it. Their lives are pretty busy and they really cherish a weekend with nothing to do.

The house is pretty much finished now, except for little stuff and eventually the kitchen when I win the lottery or get a great paying job. The last room I did was the convereted garage. I used carpet tiles and did my own peel and stick tiles, too. The paint made a huge difference. I used 3 tubes of caulk before I painted just filling cracks and holes. I had to repair a drop down attic access door - that was fun! The previous owners even had a dart board up-and weren't very good dart players considering the numerous holes in the wall. It took plenty of spackle to fill that. I also covered 3 holes in walls created by plumber, and just left by the previous homeowners. The patches turned out okay, but I am not hiring myself out for drywall repair any day soon. At least that messy job is done. I have much left to do, but the big projects are done.

Before and after shots of the yard and the family room