On the Home Front

After six weeks of showing my house, I have felt a little discouraged with the prospects of ever actually selling it. I have had many people come through it and a few have been quite interested, but in the end they always go with something else. They say that they don’t like my roof or the fact that my kitchen has not been updated. Other people have not liked my yard. Some say that my house smells like cats. As time goes on, it becomes more difficult to keep getting the house ready to show, because now I automatically think that no one will ever want it.

Then yesterday, I met with my all my brothers and sisters for our annual reunion and family meeting. The fact that I need a new roof came up and Ross offered to lend me the money to "get ‘er done." I just need to get some bids and let him know how much I need. I can’t even tell you how much that meant to me. I have also requested my 401(k) savings, and when that money finally comes, it may be enough to get all my carpets cleaned – maybe even some replaced, since there is an overabundance of blue carpet in my house. Anyway, I am feeling more positive about it all today.

I had also been feeling quite discouraged about my job prospects. I have applied for at least one job every day that I have been out of work, but the response has been very poor. Only two companies bothered to send an acknowledgement at all and there had been no requests for an interview. Then Sonja called me and told me about a job on her floor at the hospital where she works. There was an office position open and she had put in a good word for me. I filled out the application and last Thursday, they called me for an interview, which I went to Friday morning. I think there is at least a chance that I may get this job. I would be showing patients to their rooms for outpatient surgery, making up charts for them and making sure that their paperwork is complete. I would be working from 5:30 am to noon every weekday, so I wouldn’t have to worry about rush hour traffic. Anyway, I will find out about it during the week that I will be in Kodiak, Alaska, for Wesley’s wedding. The person I interviewed with told me to make sure I left him a number where I could be reached, which was a good sign, I thought. So, we’ll see what happens.

Being out of work has had its advantages. I enjoy getting up when I want and having time to read or watch movies. I have been able to go through and get rid of stuff that I won’t have room for in a new place, wherever I end up living. I have even done some sewing.

I went on line and ordered a couple of dresses that I thought would look good as “mother of the groom” attire. One has already come and SHOCK! – it actually fits and looks quite pretty on me. I am looking forward to flying to Kodiak to see Wesley get married and to meet Elisabeth’s family. I am excited to finally get to see the place where Wesley has made his home for the last four years or so. I think Elisabeth is awesome and she has the whole world at her feet. She will be successful, no matter which direction she goes. She is very talented, intelligent and skilled and she isn’t afraid to take on things that would make many females hesitate, to say the least. Yet she remains sweet, thoughtful and feminine at the same time. I think Wesley has chosen well. Since none of Wesley’s sisters or brother will be able to go to the wedding, I will try to be a good representative of our family.