Oh My How Long It's Been!!

Yes, indeed! Various reasons which include being depressed about not having a job, computer problems, getting a job... I don't want to write a big update but may have to anyway.

I had an extension on my unemployment benefits that would carry me to sometime in May. I interviewed twice for a job in Yuba City that paid well but ended up not getting. Interviewed for a job in Marysville in early January and didn't get that job, either. Nothing ever came of the interview with the Sheriff's department that I thought went well. I was horrifically depressed.

To cheer up I made plans with Amy to go to Reno for two days in February. We got a great deal on a room which included breakfast. I spent about $200 of my birthday money and had a great time. A couple of days before we went I submitted my resume to a blind ad on craigslist for a legal job. Oh gee now I know better but I figured why not.

When I got back from Reno I was invited to interview for that job. Turned out it was an attorney I knew from working at the court who does probate! My interview was Wednesday. That Saturday he called and offered me the job! The pay he offered was more than unemployment (after taxes!) so no negotiation, just acceptance! He let me have that last week in February to get things ready and then I started work March 5th. I just received my second paycheck.

My new boss is the nicest boss I have ever had. He is pleasant to work for and even when I make mistakes he is kind about it. There is no health insurance and that's hard but I get a week of vacation the first year, 2 afterwards and there's 5 sick days first year with 6 afterwards. I hated to but I asked for an ergonomic keyboard since I'm a touch typist and am so used to them. Two days later I had it. I don't like to ask for anything. And he asked me if I was interested in a probate seminar on a Saturday (which I was) and he paid for it! I had to practically beg for anything at the old firm!

My computer was horrifically ill. Finally this past Monday night it just stopped altogether. I took it in to get fixed. They solved my problems, added RAM and I had it back in 2 days. Considering the mess it was it was worth the money to get it fixed instead of replacing it with a laptop (I did look at those). The 3 months of tech support has been invaluable in the 3 days it's been home. They have helped me find my way around, reinstall software, install new software and just get up and running. I will be using them a lot in the 3 months, I think. After that it wouldn't be worth paying $25/month for it. I can probably figure most things out anyway.

So... since the year began I found a job which I love and my attitude is so much better! My mom had her right knee replaced the 15th of this month and just went home yesterday and is doing well. I am hoping that I can go see her and the rest of my family for my birthday. I will only have a week but that's ok. It's been way too long since I've seen them. And my friend Tammy said she would take me to the airport which would be really good. Paying her to do that would be so much easier!

Speaking of Tammy, she and I get together just about every Sunday for coffee and chat. We get to spend an hour just talking. I love it!

I am one row shy of finishing something for me! I decided to make an afghan. I don't like big projects. Still, I really like this simple pattern. I am going to be able now to take pictures off my camera and update my crafty blog although I have made too many things to post all those pictures. I will, however, when I'm done, take a picture of this afghan and post it in both places.

God has blessed me with a job, good friends, a wonderful family and so many other things. I am hoping 2012 truly is a new beginning for me. I may not financially be as well off as I once was but I can pay my bills, have the taxes taken out already and now my computer is working!

Oh taxes... did you know that the State of California does not tax unemployment benefits? That was good. But the feds do! Because I worked 6 months last year I only owed the feds about $30 and I got a lot of my California money back which I used to pay my property taxes and some other expenses. I'm not making too much more than unemployment now but I am making more AND the taxes are taken out so hopefully I won't owe and can get a refund last year. My tax preparer gave me a $50 break on the cost but it was still a lot. But having the house helps with taxes (and I did a re-fi last year, thank heaven, while I still had the bigger paying job and now I have a 30 year loan instead of 5!).

Yes, life is better. But every day I remember to count my blessings and thank God for them. And never take any of them for granted. And always remember to be humble. I wouldn't have any of this without God's help.