Excuse me - have you READ my resume?

I am looking for a job.

After I was RIFed from Pier 1, I took a few days to regroup and breathe. I was thinking about that old saying - you know - when God closes a door, He opens a window. I don't know if I believe it or not. Things haven't been good for a while - money has been tight, one thing or another is always broken or missing or needs to be replaced, it's a never-ending circle of something.

You know what I mean?

Today I had a job interview with a company who shall remain nameless. They were so excited to bring me in. Said they saw my resume, my online portfolio, my funny words, etc. They reached out to me to come on in.

So I go on in there to interview for a copywriting position. First interview goes great. The second interview goes well too - until the hiring manager says something like "you seem so overqualified for this entry level position."

What?

This is the deal - THEY contacted ME. THEY saw my online portfolio, my book, my resume and me. How in the world could they even THINK I would be interested in an entry level position?

The hiring manager said that she was seeing a lot more people accepting lower paying positions because of the economy. I totally understand that, but there is no way that I would drive THAT far for that little money. I said I would wind up OWING them for working there!

Maybe I went out there for a reason. Maybe a well-paying writing position will open up.

I'll just keep looking for that window.

Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain

It's finally raining. After what seems like months since the last time water fell from the sky, we are being sprinkled with a steady, moderately light rain that just tap-tap-taps on the deck. It makes me happy. It makes me sleepy.

There is something comforting about this rain. There hasn't been any thunder (yet) or lightning. Just two hours of gentle, soothing, caressing rain. My yard looks greener already. My dogs smell wet-doggier already (probably since they were out cavorting in this stuff - the puppies ADORE the rain). I don't even care that the hardwoods are wet and a little muddy and that's it's more work for me later. They were so happy outside, catching the rain with open mouths, like kids do when it snows. I can't remember when the last time was that the pups saw rain.

Now it's quiet. Everyone is resting. All the dogs are snoozing, the littler ones are piled on top of one another in a puppy pile. The box fan is humming. The ceiling fan has a little squeak. The rain quietly falls on the deck.

There's a blanket here on the loveseat but the sofa is calling my name... I believe that I am being lured by the siren of sleep... I must give in... I must...

Things that make me go... what the???

You know, there is not a day that goes by when I see something that makes me wonder about people. Here are a few of those things.

• The Bluetooth: First of all, it's a goofy-butt name. Second of all, it makes people look like they are talking to themselves. A couple of days ago, I was in an an elevator and I totally thought the woman was talking to ME, but she was calling her daughter. I thought it was weird that she called me "honey bun", but hey, I'm cute and I DO have buns. My husband has one, and it drives me crazy because he looks like he's talking to himself like a nut. Plus he uses his hands. That's funny.
  
  
• iPods: I understand their appeal- I mean you can keep all your meaningful music at your fingertips, there's no fumbling around for CDs or farting around with the radio. But honestly, it seems like people walk around with those little plugs in their ears all the time. Do they hear the wind? The rain? People calling their names from the cube next door?
  
  
• Mindless Twitter following: There are a number of people following me on Twitter that I don't know and that don't know me and aren't friends of friends or acquaintances. I've looked at some of them and I am added by some sort of a bot that just adds me to their following list. Why? I mean, I'm sure my life is interesting to SOME people, but to follow me just to follow somebody is just weird. Following friends of friends is great, but following me just so you can say you are following 250,000 people is, well, nutz.
  
  
• Painting your car neon pink: There is a Honda Civic being driven around town that is neon pink. And it's driven by a dude. A DUDE! He is obviously VERY secure in his manhood. OR he painted it for his girlfriend.
  
  
• Time Warner Cable: OK, how about hiring techs and supervisors who ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING!?!?!? TWC has been out to my house SIX times in the past two weeks because my phone and internet keep going out. I have to reset my EMTA box two and three times a day. And they keep sending techs, who keep going onto my very hot attic, who say everything is OK. Do they test my line with meters? NO! Because these techs don't HAVE meters! My hubby did it FOR them and they still don't listen. Yesterday they came out WITH A SUPERVISOR, changed out my box and left. I STILL had no phone, no internet for over eight hours. AND they let my dogs out! But they said it was "fixed." Hey Time Warner Cable - how about hiring people who really know what the heck they are doing?

That's all for this posting, which was actually supposed to be YESTERDAY'S posting, but because I didn't have INTERNET has to be posted today. So depending on how I feel later, there may be an ACTUAL today's post, but for now we will just say that yesterday's is today's and today's might wind up being tomorrow's and on down the line.

:-/

Blooming Like a Flower

One of my very first posts on this blog was about Nick, a dog Carl and I had the opportunity to rescue from Longview, TX on Christmas Eve. You can read about his story here.

Well, the good news is that Nick was adopted a couple of months ago. I totally neglected to update this blog with a photo and story, but hey - better late than never, right?

Take a look at the initial post, when Nick was nothing but a bag of bones, covered in mange and stinking to high heaven, practically toothless, scabby, hairless. He was in such sad shape, I cried (and I don't cry a lot).

This is a photo of Nick today. Wowza, ya think???

It is totally amazing what good food, a little vet care, and lots and lots of love can do for an injured, mistreated and abused animal. This is the reason we work in rescue. Nick has a good home now, with a couple of squiddos to play with. He is totally loved, totally adored, and will never again be that scab-covered mongrel he once was.

We are so fortunate to have played even a small part in his rescue, recovery and re-homing. Nick is a true sweetheart - one Carl and I will never forget.

Fifteen Things For Today

Here's one of those totally random posts. I really like doing these things - just typing the first things that pop into my head.

1. I think Kirkland brand toilet paper is the best there is on the market. Not too soft, and it's pretty strong. Check out the Poop Report (yes, it's real - click the link). Carl is a Charmin kinda guy - my least favorite kind. So I buy two brands to keep the peace.


2. Looking for a job gives me a headache. I hope this headache ends soon.


3. I got a really sweet call from my friend Lorrie today. Carl and I have been helping her get her life and house together. She told me she was looking in every room of her house and saw something from us and how greatful she was. I appreciate that - it's better than winning the lottery. We love Lorrie and are happy to help her. Plus we have so much, it's hard NOT to share it.


4. Millie is trying her darndest to become the alpha female. I gotta whip this girlie girl into shape.


5. The Furminator - the best product on the market for getting off your dog's undercoat. Expensive and worth every penny.


6. We finally got some rain today. This afternoon, I stood outside on the deck and let it rain, rain, rain on me. It felt SO good!


7. You know those potatoes you can find at the supermarket that are washed, wrapped and ready for microwaving? Those potatoes are pretty darn good - and dinner can be had for less than a dollar!


8. Tomorrow I am making Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti for dinner. It's pretty much the only casserole Carl will eat too.


9. I made the prettiest centerpiece with an $8 vase and some faux mondo grass I got at Big Lots for $2. I have gotten SO many compliments on it, it's weird that the whole thing cost me less than $10!


10. I am freaking out about making the mortgage payment this month. Pray that something comes through for us!


11. I am taking Genie to an adoption day this Saturday. I keep telling her that we are going to find her a new family, but Carl says she is staying here. She is awfully darn loveable and a real cutie - I think it's her eyes. One has black lashes, the other white. She is a beautiful Pyr.


12. Dara Torres is a world record swimmer at age 41. She totally rocks!


13. I really, really, REALLY need to mow the grass. I wish I could get motivated to do it, but it's too darn hot.


14. My passport is expired.


15. Scarlett O'Hara said, "Tomorrow is another day." I hope tomorrow brings something new, fresh and exciting for me. Maybe even a job!

Getting my act together - finally

I've been meaning (and needing) to get my poop in a group and get a website together that showcased my work at Pier 1 and Bombay Company. You would think this would be pretty easy straightforward and not too gosh-darned complicated. And it really isn't, I just haven't been able to really take the time and get it done.

Well, get this Internet - I got it STARTED! HA! I bet you thought I was going to say that it was done. But I ran into problems. Plan A turned into Plan B (lunch) and Plan B finally became Plan C, which is sorta working. It's not yet 100%, and it needs a lot of tweaking, but it's a start. And I'm not too horribly ashamed to put it out there in the Universe for potential employers to see.

Anyhoo, I hope that you all will check out my little online portfolio here and let me know what you think. Is there anything I should add? Delete? Give me some feedback!

Fireworks and the passing of a good man...

The Fourth is almost over, thank goodness. The neighbors are shooting off fireworks and firecrackers and the dogs are going bananas. I tried to take Jude for a walk tonight and he heard one go off pretty close to us. I never saw him run home so fast - ever!

The fireworks are the hardest part about having dogs. I don't live in the world's best neighborhood, and there were a couple thrown right into my yard already - freaking out both ME and the little monkeys.

Oh well. Just a couple more hours and it will all be over...

The sad news is that my friend Luther's dad passed away on June 28th. Luther is married to Monica, and they have the squiddo, Danielito Pablo Escobar Enrique Jose. I only got to meet Max Cobbey once, but he made an impression on me even in that brief period. We were helping Luther clean and organize his li-berry at the elementary school and both his mom and dad were there. What struck me about his dad was his very cool hat and his handsome, sorta beatnik look. That and the fact that you could tell he adored his family. We chatted only a little, but he seemed wise, wonderful, sensitive, sensible and deliberate - the kind of a parent most kids wish they would have had.

He served in WW II, taught school and eventually went to the mission field. He is survived by his wife, five kids and (my count) four grandchildren.

Luther and Monica are on their way back from China as we speak for his memorial service on Wednesday. I think I will go.

Here are some very sweet posts written by Monica about her father-in-law. One is about a couple of reason's her FIL totally rocked . The other is about the loving consistency of the Cobbey men. Both are cool, insightful reads.

I know his family is devastated at his passing, but grateful that this man of faith is chatting it up with his Maker and Master right now. Godspeed, Mr. Cobbey.

Celebrating the Fourth of July

Tomorrow is the Fourth of July.

When I was a little girl, I absolutely LOVED the Fourth of July. I come from a pretty small town in Michigan, and the Fourth was one of those days when the whole place stopped down to have some fun.

The day began early with Dad getting the grill ready for some barbecued chicken. In those days, there was a rotisserie basket thing that turned the chicken all day long so it never cooked too long in one spot. I can still hear the hum of the thing as it turned for hours and hours.

Us kids practically LIVED for the big parade. Floats, bands and Miss Manistee were big parts of it. Plus they tossed candy off the floats in those days - perfect for a chunky girl with a sweet tooth!

The parade was the highlight of the day. Folks would line U.S. 31 and downtown River Street to watch. There were all the high school and middle school bands, of course, and the Scottville Clown Band - which was a bunch of guys dressed up like women playing instruments. They always scared the poop out of me, but they were a semi-famous local group.

There were lots of antique cars and fire engines, the mayor, of course, and certain city officials. But of course my sisters and I always wanted to see Miss Manistee, the Strawberry Queen. She was always so beautiful and wholesome and waved like you thought a true queen would. She was usually a teen from the local high school. The pageant itself brought girls in from all the surrounding counties for a chance to win that rhinestone tiara. Because it was affiliated with the Miss America Pageant, she not only had to be beautiful, but she had to be talented as well. No milking cows or shearing sheep - only singers, dancers, musicians and of course - BATON TWIRLERS - ever became Miss Manistee.

After the parade, we went back home to eat barbecue, chat with relatives, gorge ourselves sick on strawberries and soda pop (this was one of the few times when we were allowed a WHOLE CAN and didn't have to share it four ways) and all the goodies that came with the Fourth. We would lay down in the grass and take a nap, or the more adventurous would venture on down to the beach to watch the Lumberjack contests or AAAAA baseball. Sometimes it meant taking a drive to the cemetery to plant a flag or some red, white and blue flowers or pinwheels on the graves of our ancestors.

Also, the Fourth of July always coincided with the National Strawberry Festival. This meant that dessert was always strawberry shortcake, strawberry ice cream, strawberry cheese cake or some other variation of the strawberry. For weeks before and after, mom and grandma would be making and canning strawberry jam and freezing strawberries to use in the winter months.

When dusk came, and we had had a snack of leftovers and more strawberries, we all piled into the car and went down to the beach to watch the fireworks. There was nothing more wonderful than those beautiful, swirling, colorful, noisy lights popping off in the sky, the scent of gunpowder and cheap wine, and the sounds of people kissing as the fireworks went off, as if kissing at just the right time would bring them happiness and a good long marriage. Usually one of us would fall asleep and Dad would have to carry us back to the car. We always slept good that night.

I miss those old-fashioned, small town Fourths. I miss the freedom we had to ride our bikes and follow the parade to get more candy. I miss eating strawberries right off the vine and not worrying about pesticides. I miss Dad's rotisserie chicken and grandma's strawberry cheesecake.

Most of all I think I miss being a kid. Being a kid in a small town was a wonderful gift that I took totally for granted.

Tomorrow, I will line my drive with little American flags (that have been made in China) and Carl will make some barbecued ribs and a brisket. Our friend Lorrie will come by to share the bounty. We will eat until our stomachs are about to pop and then we will eat some more. Later on, we will sit and watch the fireworks from our deck.

And I will totally miss HOME, and my family, and being a kid and feeling so safe - back when the Fourth of July was such a wondrous, magical time.