Holiday Update...busy, busy, busy

I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving and I pray for a nice Christmas season and Happy New Year to follow... for all of us.

My apologies for not adding a new post in such a long time, but I never imagined how much time dedication would be required for my classes. [Or I've just plain forgotten what it is like to be a student!]

For those new to my readership, I'm taking an online course through a company/vocational school based out of Provo, UT. It's called Career Step, LLC. Although they have instruction available for several fields, I'm studying to become a Medical Transcription Editor. [This course includes training for both fields: transcriptionist and editor.]

The course itself is broken down into modules that are themselves a progressive learning track. Each module is a building block to the next modules; so you can't skip around. For the MTE course, there are 23 modules to work through ending in a final exam. Each module is made up of units and each unit is broken into subunits. As it happens, each subunit ends with a quiz, each unit has a unit test, and each module has a final module exam. I have taken over 900 quizzes/tests so far!

[Note: quizzes are generally short 5-20 questions. Unit tests and module exams can be longer, but they're not 'horrible' by any means. As far as grading, anything below 85% is considered failing. However, the testing is all 'open book' and you can take them as many times as you feel necessary. So, there is no reason you can't have an excellent grade-book! The kicker is that, even though they keep a grade-book of unit tests and module exams (not the subunit quizzes)... the only grade that "counts" is the Final Exam at the end of the course. However, if you take the time to learn and really soak up the information, there is no reason you can't sail through that as well; or so they say. But so far, I tend to believe them.]

I'm currently in the remaining units of Module #13. Upon completion of the module exam, I will be taking the class Midterm Exam that will cover everything up to this point of the course. The midterm marks completion of the background education (or the objective part of the information). This includes everything from keyboard use and transcription technology through anatomy, pathophysiology and disease to pharmacology and healthcare documentation (not to mention learning the basics of medical language that ties the whole thing together). After the midterm I will be going directly into the practical part of the course, starting with the transcription training.

Truthfully, I'm not sure if the transcription/editing modules will still have the same testing formats because the work will be "practical application." There must be elements of personal style that would make computer checking... awkward to say the least. [I guess I'll find out when I get there.] I do know that after I begin the transcription work, I'm required to take part in a phone-conference "consultation" that will last from 60-90 minutes. This should be where those 'missing details' will come into the light.

I must admit that I have times when I just "don't want to do it anymore." Not because I'm not enjoying the learning. No. It's because it has absorbed and obsessed my entire life since enrollment. It is a necessary thing though, as I want to complete the course in the least amount of time. I "attend" school 6 days a week with variable hours. I tend to work 2 to 8 hours per day as 'life' allows, and I take Sundays off (at least I try to). The pace is exhausting (for me) and I have no doubts about the honesty of the fellow students who have taken several years to finish the program. [The course is self-paced so working people can still work, and parents can still be parents.]

The job-displacement retraining program that I'm in is giving me one year to complete the course - in exchange for paying my school fees. I believe that I can do it, and I'm actually pushing to complete the course in 10-11 months (leaving the extra time for "just in case"). I've also recently been encouraged by other students and graduates who say that my timeline is a reachable goal.

And so, now you know what I've been doing for the last 20-21 weeks. And by default... you know what I'll be doing for the next several months, too!

So, until the next post...
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God Bless & Godspeed

With humble thanks...

Time to take a moment from school and business (or busy-ness) to refect and to remember that "freedom isn't free."

In addition to other family members who have served this great nation, my Dad served as a Master Sergeant in the US Army and fought in the Korean War. He is gone now, but he is remembered fondly. I also have friends and friends or family of friends who currently serve in Iraq, Afghanistan, and South Korea.

For all those who have served or are currently serving: Thank you!
May God watch over and protect you all.

Photo by Crosscards.com
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God bless & Godspeed

Election Day

It's worth the time to research the candidates, what they are for/against, what they have done in the past and their goals for the future.


May the Good Lord watch over us.
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God Bless & Godspeed

Another praise...humbling moments...

I'm the type of person who loves to be on the "giving" side. To extend that helping hand freely without expectation of anything in return is a wonderful feeling.

It's an altogether different feeling to be on the receiving end of such a gift.

So, to new friends, who have unexpectedly extended their helping hand to us...

Thank you.

May God bless you and your family in some special way.
Hugs to you all.
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God bless & Godspeed

Praise for an early Christmas...

Yesterday was Christmas!

First a little bit of background. We live in a 16X80 modular home. It's beautiful and well constructed and has plenty of space for the two of us. [Although some "inventory reduction" would not go amiss.]

One of the things that we've "learned to work around" is the small refrigerator/freezer. Looking at the specs, the freezer is about 3 1/2 cubic feet. That sounds like a lot, but it's really not. We've never had ice trays and it's always been necessary to pass up getting any extra meat or frozen veggies should we find them on sale. There is just no place to store them. [This includes the idea of having the occasional frozen luxuries like ice cream. But a few Otter-Pops are a wonderful substitution!] "Essentials only," so we learned a long time ago to maintain a watchful eye and replace things as we use them. For over a decade, this actually worked out pretty well because we were both commuting and we didn't actually spend a lot of time at home. There was no need to keep a lot of food around because it wouldn't be used in a reasonable amount of time.

However, if you've been following this blog, you know that our situation has changed. With Mr. Squirrel and I both being home pretty much every day, now, we are also preparing meals every day. Management of freezer space has become an art-form in mental gymnastics. We have to shop via the mental picture of our available space. "No, we can't get two of those; there isn't room in the freezer." "Nope. We can have chicken or beef... no room for both until we use up some of the veggies."

With all that in mind...back to our story:

As things happen, one of my sisters recently needed a little bit of financial help. Nothing huge, nothing life-threatening. Just one of those rare slightly ill-timed situations that sometimes requires a bit of padding to prevent anything unpleasant from happening. Our family has always been there for each other and for situations like this, sometimes "Christmas comes early" so nothing needs to be repaid.

When Christmas comes to a sibling... typically Christmas has a way of finding itself sneaking up on the other siblings, too. And yesterday, it was Christmas for us! My older sister (playing Santa Claus for my Mom) delivered our very first-ever chest freezer! It's cute! 7.2 cubic feet and it should fit snugly in the corner of our dining room.

For months now, we have actually been looking at purchasing a 5 cubic foot freezer when we could afford one (attainable price and just enough storage room to get those extra roasts, etc.). It was also the size that would fit comfortably in the corner of our dining room and it would be attractive and good for temporary 'side-board' duties should we have visitors.

Having discussed this with family on a number of occasions, it became a group effort to look for good prices. This task was now in concert with several events like a "pending Christmas present", the opening of hunting season, and the stores presuming those hunters would want freezers for their prizes... Yup. Suddenly there are abundant freezers... and all on sale! After some quick phone calls to re-measure spaces, we were upgraded to a 7.2 cubic foot freezer... and "Santa" wouldn't tell us the cost.

For now, the huge box (slightly larger than a really big recliner) sits in our living room and I smile every time I see it.

We have to wait for about a week to get beyond a full schedule before we can get it set up and tested. Then some quick evictions of the stuff that has since filled the formerly cleared space (a couple of folding tables that are holding two computers and our printer). So, maybe next Thursday (or that following weekend) we'll be able to get it set up and plugged in.

After the test... we can transfer the stuff we have stored in my Mom's freezer (2009 Christmas gifts of some Omaha meats) to our own. Then maybe... just maybe... a small container of ice cream might find its way to our home. :D

Thanks for sharing this happy moment with me!
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God bless & Godspeed

Praise: Moving forward again...

[deep breath]

Whew! It appears that the unemployment extension has been accepted, and it only took a few days to get past the Workman's Comp "issue" this time. [A nice change.] So, if God is willing to keep us from any financial emergencies, we will have manna (i.e. just enough).

Many thanks for your prayers!

More potentially good news: Although I'm not at liberty to share the details until something "official" happens (perhaps in a few weeks), it looks as if Mr. Squirrel may be in a position to accept a job appointment that is associated with ministry and Bible teaching. This is where his heart longs to be.

So, if any of you are inclined, please add some prayers that this opportunity would gel into a reality, and that it might grow in its ability to teach God's Word.
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God Bless & Godspeed

Time will tell...

There is a lot of stuff happening right now as the seasons change. The school busses are running again and the signs are saying that it could be an early winter. Just this week we've started trying to catch up on those odd-jobs that need to be done before snow flies, like scrubbing the front porch and steps in preparation for some water seal among other things. We also had to update the church calendar as the Head-Start program has resumed and the community concert schedule is filling up. [They rent our church.]

In addition to these pop-up tasks, this is my reporting week. Every two weeks, I have to submit a report of my school progress to the Job Service training committee. I also have to submit my unemployment claim.

The first is easy with a committee-provided form added to my own copy of a completion report from the school. Typically that is all I send, but today I added some information about the hours I've been dedicating to the course work. I've just reached that point where I have to justify 'out loud' that I'm not messing around, but the hours they 'predict' it takes to get module work done... isn't enough for me to get it done. I'm old-school and I've always been one of those students who had to work hard to get it all done.

[Note: I do get good grades from the efforts, so it is a fair trade-off. But I was a bit shocked when I figured from my notes that I was averaging around 25 to 32 hours per week. Especially when the school was predicting that 15 to 16 hours per week would be sufficient to complete the course in the time bracket that I have set for myself. But, I have to remind myself. They aren't including time for working in the companion work books... or creating computer flash cards to help study all those names, terms & processes, or doing "ear training" (i.e. listening to dictated reports and getting a feel for the language), etc.]

All that being said, it is the second that is of greater concern to me. My unemployment benefits are at an end... or are very, very close to it. A few weeks ago, I contacted them to nail down the steps towards applying for an extension. The only reply I got was that "you can't apply for an extension until the awarded funds are exhausted."

So, two things can happen with this claim. If they return my typical funds, there will be about $6 left over in my award. I may have to submit yet another claim to use up that $6 BEFORE I will be eligible to apply for an extension. Or, they can tack that $6 onto this last claim. I won't have any way of knowing until the payment is received in a couple of days. I wonder which way it will go? The gaps could be unpleasant to deal with if the bill-timing hits in that interim between exhaustion and application... and accepance (I HOPE) of that application.

In any case, this will be launching me into yet another "voyage of discovery" in order to figure out how to go about getting things done. Hopefully, they will keep their word and send me the information I need... in a timely manner.

Many thanks for continued prayers, and I continue to pray for my readers.

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God bless & Godspeed

Why is it...

... that the brain insists on churning on all the bad stuff in the middle of the night? I was sleeping so well, too. At least until the 2am wrong phone number went off next to the bed.

God does that sometimes, though.

I spent the next hour and a half listening to Bible mp3 files... hoping for comfort and distraction from my thoughts. The first hitch came when I discovered that my Old Testament files were incomplete. [Gotta restore the originals to get the complete set back together.] Then, what I ended up choosing (1, 2, 3 John), only brought up more questions.

Am I doing what God wants me to do? What is it that I'm supposed to be doing differently? I've tried to work hard on my studies. I've tried to get more work done at the church. I've tried to help my family... Yet, we are failing.

Does God want us to fail in order to teach us something (or teach someone else something)? Will He choose to rescue us at the last second that His glory might be praised? [It should be praised under any circumstance.] Is this yet another faith-stretching exercise... for me. God showing me that my faith in Him is weak and needs to be strengthened? [Probably.]

There are some unpleasant challenges & decisions ahead as my unemployment benefits run out with this next claim, and our savings is... dwindling. ...and we seem to be heading into an early winter. I've been told that once the funds are exhausted, I will be given the opportunity to apply for an extension, but who knows the gap-time... if it is authorized.

So far, God has not shown us much concerning Mr. Squirrel's job options. That alone is frightening and disheartening and discouraging. It makes me want to cry.

Mr. Squirrel's only job opportunity (with possible income attached) that has appeared in the last 7 months is on the schedule for October 10th. He has been invited to preach at a church in another small town. If they like him, he may be invited to preach again. It could lead to steady work. Maybe.

So many questions. So much doubt. What to do?

I've heard that if you haven't heard from God in a while, you go back and keep doing the last thing He told you to do. So, I guess I'd better get back to my studies. [Keep on keeping on.] The sooner I complete the course, the sooner maybe I can get a paying job again... Lord willing.

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God bless & Godspeed.

Hello! I'm not dead... honest!

I've been much busier than I had anticipated with my studies. It's been a very long time since I was a student and it has taken some time to get the old brain to function in that mode again.

So, until I get some time to let the creative part of my brain function again, it might be a while before I can get a good post put up. In the meantime, I still pray for my readers and I'm grateful for the prayers I have received.

Peace to one and all.

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God Bless & Godspeed

...First step into a new world...

When searching for a picture to set a tone for my post, I first tried those relating to "new paths", "new directions" or "fresh starts". Although many were beautiful and scenic, the more I looked, the more they just didn't represent what I am feeling inside: Excitement, fear and everything in between. However, when I pulled back and thought of the "absolute basics" of what I'm doing and where I am in my life... the above photo fit perfectly: "First Step."

That "first step" on the moon was an event leading to a future that did not exist prior to that moment. I would imagine that it was filled with "excitement, fear and everything in between." Like those men who set foot on the moon, I am also taking my first step. Perhaps not so grand or such a dramatic mark in the pages of history, but for me, this is my first step into a dramatically different new life and towards an unknown future, but one with bright hope and possibilities.

Today I am officially enrolled in Career Step, LLC's vocational training program to become a Medical Transcription Editor. And, the Training Proposal Committee has graciously seen fit to fund all of my training expenses. [The trade-off is a biweekly update to them for accountability. No worries there.]

Hindsight has pointed out how God has taken careful steps to put this all into motion. Abundant delays and challenges after a traumatic removal from a life and job that I had grown to love. Looking back (wow - 5 months to the day was the lay-off), I know that that job was destructive to me... or at least the fragrant environment. It was damaging my health no matter how much I loved the work. After nearly 14 years in the same job, God knew I wasn't going to leave under my own volition, so it seems that He chose to give me a hard shove. It wasn't a pretty transition, but in time I saw the blessings. Especially the blessings pouring out to me over this past week as everything is finally coming together. Hmmm... That seems to be God's way sometimes though, doesn't it?

I have an enthusiasm waking up inside me and I am looking forward to this new experience. New things to learn, new skills to develop (or old ones used in new more meaningful ways). I don't know what the future holds, but God does. I wonder about the new path He has set before me. I wonder how He will use this in my life and the life of others? Truthfully, I may never know.

However, looking at the uncertainty of my future, I have to look back at that first step on the moon. What if that step had not been taken? We can only wonder what the space program would look like today.

P.S. Now that God has shown me the direction He wants me to go... I wonder what He has lined up for Mr. Squirrel.

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God Bless & Godspeed

...Great news, SPECTACULAR news...

Where to begin... except to say that God is so good! And in ALL THINGS... no matter what my weak faith might have me believing during the process (especially during the holding-patterns)... His timing is perfect!

And more of my heartfelt thanks for your prayers!

The meeting on Tuesday went great. It was basically to fill out the official paperwork for the Training Program because the deal was considered to be "done" when my original proposal was accepted by the committee. During the paper-shuffle, I found out that when my proposal was accepted, the committed authorized 100% cost coverage. So at that point, there was no question that the lion's share of the fees would be paid by the Training Program - for which I was profoundly grateful and felt almost shy about asking if they might cover the upgrade, too.

My representative gave the extra cost figures to the committee this morning, and I found out this afternoon that the additional cost for the upgrade ($500) has also been authorized!

I talked to the enrollment advisor and he will contact me when the financing has been finalized so we can complete the enrollment process. That should happen by the end of this week. So, very soon, I'll be enrolled as a student of Career Step, LLC and beginning the journey towards becoming a Medical Transcription Editor!

I won't have to continue looking for work but I will still have to continue reporting every two weeks to both the Unemployment people and to the Training Program Committee. Everyone wants to make sure that they are spending their money (i.e. tax payer's money) wisely and that I'm not goofing off. [Fortunately, I love accountability and I have no problems with their watchful 'eyes'.]

Wow! I'm so excited that I almost feel nervous!

I do have some preparations to keep me busy, though. With the "hurry up and wait" suddenly changing to "hurry up and hurry", I'm focusing on finalizing the set-up of my at-home work area so that it will be ready when the materials arrive. Oddly enough (not really), I've decided to change my birthday present request from some select DVDs to a large bookcase. ;)

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God Bless & Godspeed

...Good news, GREAT news...

Is today Christmas? THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS! Today has been a gift!

Not only did we get DSL in our home (for the first time – ever!), but I received a very important phone call. My training proposal has been reviewed and has been accepted! I will be meeting with them next Tuesday to officially “enroll” in the government program that will allow me to get enrolled in Vocational School.

Also, and with equal excitement, they may allow me to ‘upgrade’ my proposal to a more valuable package. When I submitted my training proposal, I was only shooting for a degree in Medical Transcription. However, during the down-time (i.e. the month of June), I sifted through the training documentation that I’d gathered and had several conversations with my enrollment advisor. It was my idea, but he agreed that with the job market opportunities as well as the continuing advancements in voice recognition technology, it would be a smart move to upgrade my choice to the field of Medical Transcription Editor. [This is actually training for two fields at the same time: Transcription and Editing.]

When I talked to the Job Service representative today, I mentioned to her my ‘upgrade’ decision (and why) and that I expected to pay for the upgrade by my own means. [After all, the proposal was already submitted and accepted ‘as is’.] She then asked me about the differences in cost (about $500) and commented on the enhancement of employment potential. Without promises, she told me that she would submit the new cost at an evaluation meeting being held next Wednesday (with documentation that I will put together). They very well might pad the assistance to cover the extra cost (or part of it)!

I promise to let you know what happens next!

P.S. The day was also gifted in that I was able to quickly find my diplomas, birth certificate and some other documentation that is required for the meeting on Tuesday. Whew! That was almost a panic to be sure!

Thanks for listening :)
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God Bless & Godspeed

This is reposting a photo from last year, but it still represents a soul and a spirit that I admire. America the Beautiful. The Land of the Free. The Home of the Brave. The Land of Opportunity.

There is so much to celebrate, appreciate and give thanks for... every day of the year.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
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God Bless & Godspeed

...humbling moments...

There are times when we are confronted with something that can cause a trememdous emotional surge of pride or humility.

I thought I would react with pride... but instead I was tremendously humbled.

I have in-hand a treasure of great value: A sterling letter of recommendation that reads more like an Award of Merit. It will be a welcomed addition to my resume.

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God Bless & Godspeed

...Good news, bad news...

Well, Sunday was a day to get more information on some of the other topics that I did not mention in my last post. As follows:

1.) Good news: My job contact who was overseas is now back in the United States! [Happy Dance] This is a wonderful blessing to his family and it is an answer to prayer that he has returned. Unfortunately, this word has also come back with a warning that because he was away for so long, there is unrest and reorganization going on in his office. I have no idea what this will mean towards my employment opportunities. [Although, I should have my letter of recommendation in hand soon, and I can forward it to him as an attachment to my resume... It might still help.]

2.) Bad news: Yet another job opportunity for Mr. Squirrel has fallen through. This one would have been a good one as it would have allowed him to work in the same town as the church he pastors. It would also allow him to stay home every night (i.e. live & work in the same county as his own house).

Alas, times like these, I truly get confused when I try to figure out what it is that God wants us to do.

Also on Sunday, I found out that the local hospital is disgruntled with the accuracy of the medical transcriptions that they get back from the person or company that they are contracted with... After training, this could be a job opportunity for me.

So confusing... So confusing.
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God bless & Godspeed

Hold the Press...

I just recieved news in the mail today that I VERY MUCH want to share with you. It's not about possible job prospects, or school prospects, but it is from my neurologist.

I'm not comfortable giving details until after I have read the documentation through, because I want to be very sure of the facts before sharing it with you...

but...

after 11 months...

THE FRAGRANCE TESTING RESULTS FROM 2009 ARE FINALLY IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By what my husband relayed to me over the phone... even though I no longer work there (so it won't help me)... once I submit the results back to the Company (with a copy to the fellow who is deathly allergic to perfumes & fragrances & who is mentioned by name within the documentation)... there may be some new policy changes in their future.

I will add new details on this subject as comments, so please feel free to check back.

Oh... I will add a few notes:
1.) I have submitted a continuation request for my training proposal. So when the new fiscal year starts (7/1), and after they do their budgeting (after the 4th would be my guess), my proposal will be resubmitted for evaluation.

2.) Although my former supervisor has (by inaction) refused to write me a letter of recommendation, a long-time coworker and senior project manager offered to write me one! [And I didn't ask her if she would!] She has a unique perspective in that she has been in the same department with me during my entire career... where as my supervisor had only been there for 5-6 years. This could actually be a better recommendation in the long run.

[NOTE: SEE WRAP-UP OF THIS ISSUE IN THE COMMENTS SECTION]

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God Bless & Godspeed

Floating in limbo for a while...

I think that it is safe to say that I've been thrown into limbo for a little while.

I checked my email this morning to find two messages:

First from the Job Service telling me that my training proposal has been tabled by the committee until after July 5th (i.e. next fiscal year) and I'm requested not to contact them until after July 5th if I am still interested in pursuing their program.

Second from my enrollment advisor letting me know that some significant enrollment discounts will no longer be available after today. There will be other ones available for next month, but not as nice. [I appreciated his note, but with less than 12-hours to sort through the pros, cons and consequenses... WHY BOTHER?]

As such, I confess for the next several days, I'm planning on ignoring it all, being domestic and playing games. I've worked very hard and I'm tired. I need a rest. So, I'm going to get some house-work done and then get cozy with the Wii games. I want to do some target shooting (Link's Crossbow Training) and then go for a long bike tour across a beautiful island (Wii Fit Plus).

[LOL - my aim is not so good if I do it the other way around.]

Next week I will begin research on finding options to "do this on my own". ...unless I can get a full-time job between here and there. [Wouldn't that be nice!]

Thank you all for your prayers. I'm guessing that God has something in store, but His timing is not yet fulfilled. So, we wait...
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God Bless & Godspeed

...And, on this Memorial Day Weekend, a special "Thank You" to all who have served and are serving. You are in my prayers.

...minor update...

Just stopping by to say that had only one more company's information to gather and add to my proposal. [Wouldn't you know that the largest company in the U.S. didn't want to give general information over the phone and requested that I send them an email? Maybe they are tracking statistics or something?]

That infomation did come in, and the proposal is complete. It is all packaged up and I will be turning it into the Job Service on Wednesday. They meet to review current submissions Thursday morning at 9am.

[P.S. Still no news on the fellow overseas... Looks like God may want me enrolled in school before he comes back. I'll keep you posted on that, too.]
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God Bless & Godspeed

Prayers... for the first steps forward.

[deep breath]

First: I have the letter from my former employer that was required and I have submitted inquiry back to the Job Service: How do we proceed?

Second: I have new intentionally vague information on my work-from-home job contact that prompts me to ask for a specific prayer. His work (overseas) is nearly done. He has successfully helped in the capture of a group of individuals, but the mastermind is still at large. When that mastermind is apprehended, THEN my contact's contract is fulfilled and he can return to the U.S. Please add your prayers to mine that the mastermind is apprehended... and that my contact and his coworkers (and all of their families) are kept safe from harm.

Thank you.
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God bless & Godspeed

...Not a dream, a prayer answered...

Yesterday was like Christmas! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

I finally received my unemployment check (with all 10-weeks back-pay included). YIPPEE! [It's going to be such a good feeling to put some of that back into savings to replace the money we've had to take out!]

Furthermore, I have also received word from my former employer that they will grant me a letter that states that my end of employement was due to lack of work. This will allow for the next set of hoops to be opened for the training option. Admittedly, there are more hoops to jump through before I can pursue the training, but at least the WorkComp "blockage" delaying the unemployment has been removed.

Somewhat of a pitfall: It was my original understanding that going through the Job Service "program" would qualify me to get training while still drawing unemployment... and NOT have to look for full-time work at the same time. Now that I understand that the "program" is a financial aid opportunity and not actual enrollment into a training program, I am wondering what happens if I don't get the financial aid.

Big Question: Is the successful award of financial aid required before the "student" is relieved from having to continue to look for full-time work while still drawing unemployment?

Another Question: If I don't get the financial aid, and I still pursue the training (on my own), will I still have to look for full-time work in order to continue drawing unemployment?

So many questions... so many hoops. But forward progress has finally happened. That in itself is a huge victory! And, who knows, maybe God will allow that work-from-home job to come through...

...and then all these questions and hoops could be set aside as 'no longer relevent'.
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God bless & Godspeed

...Well, an update - sort of...

Well... There might be a few changes.

When we went to pick up the mail, there was no letter from unemployment. This could be a good thing. It might mean that the automatic-computer-generated form letter has been taken off-line. In my dreams, this means that "something is happening" to my claim. [Of course, it could also mean that it is going to arrive in the mail tomorrow... being just delayed.]

The other change is primarily in my understanding, which came from the meeting at the Job Service.

The meeting went OK, but it has been revealed to be yet another gambit of hoops. At least I did learn that this "eligibility" is not for determining whether or not I can get into training programs. This was for eligibility to get FINANCIAL AID for the training programs. [And the 6-month review starts today and not when I got laid-off.]

The 'assessment' is to determine basic eligibility via three separate programs. One is job loss due to something related to an entire company, but the company has to be registered on their list as a candidate. [My former employer was not on the list.] Another is 'displaced worker' where a job is lost because of 'lack of work'. [This is the current direction.] The third is eligibility through family income. [My last paychecks were too large to qualify, even with zero income for three months. But... musing aloud... we would probably qualify once we were six months into zero income.]

So, here are the new hoops looming in front of me:
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1. Get letter from former employer stating that job lay-off was due to lack of work. Submit letter to Job Service.
2. If no letter is forthcoming, then they will track the information through my unemployment sheets (once they start sending them).
3. Once they determine I lost my job because there was no work, they will send me paperwork to fill out: Page one - the training I want to pursue at what school with specific notes on financial requirements, etc. Page two - why I am asking them to help me pay for it. Page Three - personal contacts with three companies associated with that field of work showing numbers of employees hired per year and starting wages. [i.e. proving that the training is in an active market with a high rate of employment success.]
4. That paperwork will be reviewed by a committee to determine eligibility.
5. If it is approved, then I immediately have to apply for Federal Financial Aid... any approval in Federal aid will decrease the original amounts awarded.
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I was relieved to find out that none of this precludes the possibility of just getting the training on my own. So, if this all goes gunny-bag, there is still a possibility. Personally, I'm hoping (even more) that the work-from-home-job comes through. Then I can simply exit this "game" and pursue any further training on my own.

However, at first opportunity, I sent an email to my former employer requesting a letter... Now we wait...
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God bless & Godspeed

Why can nothing be EASY, just for once?

Just when I start having hope that something good is going to happen, I get yet another curve-ball thrown at me.

AARRGGHH!!!!! I really don't like this game!

Boiled to the tar: Nothing has changed.

Stirred up in the tar, however, is the new information that entices me to hope... [As I cringe waiting for that other shoe to drop.]

Where to begin?

Unemployment Update: The phone-meeting (on Monday the 3rd) with the State Unemployment Office brought to my attention that it was the "four months of back-logged claims" that has delayed the processing of my claim. The guy I talked with said that the rotation of claims should be bringing mine to the front "pretty soon". The guy also said that my claim should be at the adjudication level by now and all they need to do is call WorkComp and verify the documentation I sent to them... THEN they can release all the back checks (supposedly on the same day). Until then, my eligibility will remain as "pending".

Schooling: It seems that there are some schooling opportunities that will allow for the drawing of unemployment without having to look for full time work. I did some deep-digging (why do they make it so hard?), and found one of my researched schools and one of their on-line courses within the parameters of the qualifiers lists. However, I just learned that getting into those programs is not only based on your eligibility for unemployment (which is still pending)... it is also based on how much money you made "for the last 6-months". [I'm still waiting to find out if that is 6-months from 'today', or 6-months from when I got laid off.] AND... I was told when I got the appointment (next Wednesday the 12th at 11am) that the appointment is to assess whether or not I qualify for the program and "does not guarantee program assistance".

Work-from-home job opportunity: Currently, my hiring contact is still overseas. My last check-in with them told me that there are things in the works that might have him back in the states sometime this month... if all goes well.

Clear as mud and my head wants to explode with all the "go here & do this" hullabaloo. [And did anyone see any actuall "answers" in all of that? I sure didn't.]

If God would allow it, securing the work-at-home job from the get-go would solve so MANY problems. Once that fellow gets back into the U.S., my application can be processed and I can get into the system. Then I can stop jumping through all the hoops. If I have a job, then I can pursue the schooling on my own, independent of government hoops, once we get stabilized financially (unless the job turns out to be the better option all by itself).

I very much want to be done with this game of cat and mouse. [Where I am the mouse and Cat says: You must put your tail into this trap and if it goes off... we might help you... if it doesn't go off... we might help you, but you have to put your tail into this other trap and start the process all over again.]

My thanks for any continued prayers in this convoluted and frustrating situation.

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Godspeed & God bless

...Job update...

Well, I'm sorry to say that nothing has really changed. Literally.

**I don't have a job.
**My work-at-home job contact is still sequestered overseas.
**Mr. Squirrel doesn't have a job.
**I've still not seen a penny of my unemployment benefits.

As glum as that sounds, there are a few foundational things that have not changed, but I am hoping WILL change...

I have made an appointment to get into another "unemployment workshop" through the local Job Service. [The workshop should be next Wednesday if the schedules haven't changed.] This "workshop" isn't really a workshop. It is a scheduled "phone appointment". Because of the overwhelming number of unemployed people clamoring to talk to these people, the phone lines are always busy and it takes forever to get responses to emails or snail-mail. This is the ONLY guaranteed way to talk to a human being. So, I'll play their game.

Basically, I have to get the ball rolling again because it seems to have come to a complete stop. I need to find out what more needs to be done to release my unemployment checks. I've already sent them the WorkComp documentation that I have (they signed as received on April 7th) and I still don't understand why or where things are hanging up.

The answer to this question will directly affect my second question: School. Because of Unemployment Handbook regulations, some schooling will disqualify me from benefits. Not only that, some schooling will require you to continue to look for full-time work WHILE you are going to school. I have to learn from them what schooling is or isn't qualifying before I can proceed with any confidence.

Side note: Earlier this week, I contacted Mr. & Mrs. Neighbor's daughter to talk about the fields of Medical Transcription /Billing /Coding. It was an excellent contact and I she gave me A LOT to think about - thus the new research on schooling. [She also very graciously offered to be available for any other questions I might have... as well as encouraging me to keep her informed on the choices I eventually make. Such a very compassionate lady!]

So, the second question will automatically swing around to the first question: If my eligibility is still "pending" am I pretty much out-of-luck as far as making any forward progress? Will I have to get a full time job BEFORE I can get the schooling FOR the full time job? In which case, I would be disqualified for the unemployment benefits in the first place because I would have a full time job.

The hoops you have to jump through are CRAZY.

Many thanks for continued prayers in this situation. Hopefully, someday soon, this blog will show some happy news and revert back to the purpose for which I had hoped: To be a fun place to chat about fun stuff.

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God bless & Godspeed.

...completely from left field...

You know? I really hate it when God allows my friends to show me just how lost they are.

It makes me angry to see them not only advocating but demanding the legislation of evil and all things that are against God's teachings.

It's like God saying: Don't touch the hot stove. I love you and I don't want you to get hurt. And my friends are turning it into: Everyone must touch the hot stove in order to be unified in their pain and entitled to get free health care. Then turning around and blaming someone else for their burns and the need for care because they don't believe in responsibility or accountability.

I just cannot wrap my head around how they think.

... however Scripture tells me that this shouldn't surprise me. The Fallen Nature is what it is and it is in constant antagonism with God. [heavy sigh] ...and it makes it VERY difficult to pray for them... when all I want to do is let them have exactly what they are asking for.

God forgive me... and may God protect His children from themselves as well as others.

A divine appointment?

Yesterday was an interesting day that may have potentially opened up future job opportunities for both of us.

A neighbor and his wife who live up the road from us are trying to sell thier home. They kindly asked if they could use the edge of our property to display a professional sign with their phone number on it. Our property adjoins the highway and thiers is closer to the river - far from the highway or regular traffic. We had no problem with it and yesterday helped them put up their banner between two of our trees. [Going to church this morning, we drove by it. It looks great!]

While the two wives and two husbands were coordinating to get the sign up, discussions happened that have that "divine appointment" stamp all over them.

Because of the discovery of a shared 'history' with the Air Force, Mr. Squirrel now has another place to go to look for work (associated with airplanes). Mr. Neighbor (who is now a pilot for a small, private company) said that Mr. Squirrel could use him for a job reference at the company who services his plane. There were no promises as to what work might be available at this time, but it would be a tag on the wall should something there open up. [Because of Mr. Squirrel's trucking experience and certifications, he could easily drive the tanker trucks... among other jobs.]

Mine was even more exiting! Just last week, I started researching the possibility of perhaps getting training for work in the medical billing or transcription type fields as these are also 'work from home' jobs in many cases (depending on who you are working for, of course). A couple of weeks ago, I was given a page out of a magazine with an ad for medical billing jobs.

The daughter of Mr. & Mrs Neighbor had just a year ago opened her own business in... guess what... medical transcription.

Because of my research, I have a number for an accredited correspondence school that has classes in certification for such jobs (as well as many others). Mrs. Neighbor gladly exchanged phone & cell numbers with me (and she also graciously took a copy of my resume) to give to their daughter.

Not only is this a potential for future employment, but there was an offer of equal or greater value - Mrs. Neighbor's daughter is a person who can answer questions about everything from qualifications, training, etc. to job market pluses and pitfalls and companies who hire.

Although this isn't the direction I was originally heading, it could be a very good direction for me to continue researching. Especially since the other work from home job still has my contact in another country with no scope on a return date. [Even HIS boss is getting a little angry that he has not been allowed to return, yet.] Time will tell, I guess.

Happily enough, the two jobs could be compatible. I've never held down two paying jobs at the same time before, but working out of the same office (i.e. home)... Well, it could be an interesting new career.

I'll have to keep you posted.
Many thanks for continued prayers!
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God bless & Godspeed

Prayers for endurance & peace...

Where to begin? These are the times when I'm reminded of scriptures that describe the Holy Spirit praying for us when we are unable to even form the words. Pity I can't remember enough to reference any. [I'll add the scripture(s) in this bracket later if I can find it.]

I confess we are in the same boat we've been in, but with less money as those bills just keep on coming and they must be paid. I know that God is in control and that all of this is somehow part of His plan, but it is really wearing on me. This particular faith-stretching exercise is a grueling one. I find myself dipping into lows of spirit that are getting harder and harder to come out of, and I know "this isn't me". I don't act this way... yet I find myself here. [I've even begun digging into my Cognitive Behavioral Therapy notes and books in hopes of sorting out my brain... but that could be a post all its own... and may be before all is said and done.]

It would be easier to endure if my unemployment checks were not still being held up by the WorkComp thing. I finally got fed up with it so that last week I sent a signed-certified-return-receipt letter to them with a copy of the letter I received from WorkComp stating that the claim was denied. I sent it on the 6th. They received it on the 7th. I received the return receipt by the 9th. They have the documentation now, but as of this week they have apparently not processed it. It's my plan to wait for my next bi-weekly claim before making an appointment to talk to someone in person. Perhaps before then, I'll see a check... or 6... as that is how many they've held.

Work/income continues to be elusive for both Mr. Squirrel and me.

For my part, the job opportunity with the sister-company where I used to work at finally fell completely apart. It seems they worked very hard to get another application in (including increasing the wage offer) so they didn't have to hire me. And it is amazingly difficult to prove discrimination in the hiring process, as they don't have to tell you why they "didn't" hire you. I just know from the friends who encouraged me to apply... they know the atmosphere of their workplace and the changes (or not) that they can see.

[An amusing addition to this story is that another position came open in the neighboring department that was forcing me to move my work area around so much last year. I almost laughed out loud. Yeah, right. Why would I want to work in the same air-space as the person who gave me so many migraines in 2009? Wouldn't that be sadistic... or suicidal? No, thank you!]

My other job opportunity, for working at home, is still in limbo somewhere. At this point I don't know if anything has been done with my resume at all. I doubt that any security check has happened (i.e. tack on 2-weeks of additional delay whenever something DOES happen) and I'm more doubtful that the "other agencies" for whom I was requested permission for submission ever happened either. It's getting very frustrating trying to get any information... and then just waiting... and waiting.

The only good news that I got back this past week was akin to "he's still alive." Yes, good news indeed, and an answer to prayer. However, the bugaboo lies in that I still have to keep looking for work in order to get the unemployment (that I'm not getting). By the rules, I can only use a repeat job contact once every two weeks. That means that every other week I have to introduce a new job opportunity to the mix. I have so much fear and paranoia about the types of places I can work and the perfumes that might abound in them. Would I be confined to exposure? Would I be able to escape?

I'm trying very hard to recognize that since I got laid-off, my migraine symptoms have decreased dramatically (unless I get into situations I can't avoid like family gatherings where the people who "know better"... don't care). As such, my layoff really has been a blessing, and the events above help me to believe that God didn't want me to go back. It is my hope that in reducing my exposure, I perhaps might be able to build back some measure of resistance. It's not there yet, but I'm hoping it will come back.

Did that all sound like mud? It sure did to me. Venting on paper (or blog) I guess this must be, although it's much nicer than the wording I have in my personal journal. I guess the CBT that I've been working through has helped somewhat. Some of that energy I was investing in anger and frustration has been decreased, though it is still something to be dealt with.

Yeah... perhaps a blog post about some CBT techniques might be useful to a reader somewhere... including me.

Thanks very much for listening to me blather on. Any prayers would be gratefully accepted.
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God bless & Godspeed

20-degree mornings and a little depression...

... both just make me want to find someplace warm. Cuddling up with warm towels fresh from the dryer is a guilty pleasure of mine, but it doesn't make for a nice photo. However, there are other heat sources that can bring a cozy feeling in the heart and soul. This is a picture I took with the new camera's zoom-lens of a burn pile that we cleaned up a couple of weeks ago. That morning was a frosty one and the warm of it felt soooooooooo good ;)

It just cries out for marshmallows... doesn't it?

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Maybe something new?

The advantage of having to purchase a new digital camera for photo-documentation is that you get to keep it! I took this picture last week. It was actually a double rainbow, but the second one was very faint. [I got it in a wide shot, though.]

I really don't know what God has planned for my (or our) employment situation, but yesterday He opened up my mind to the possibility of something I had not considered: Working from home.

A new job opportunity came to my attention and if it is something God wants me to do, it would allow me to work from home, set my own hours, stewardship our home (and our church)... and allow me to work in a fragrance-free environment. [And a heart-felt THANK YOU to my church family for allowing me to use the office printer so I could make a quick copy of my resume! And I'll keep copies in the car from now on!]

This could be an answer to so many prayers that I can barely keep myself from bouncing off the walls! But I've learned that I can't get my hopes up that high... the crashes at the bottom hurt too much when "it doesn't happen".

If inclined, please continute to pray that God's will would be done in our situation. He has something in mind and we must be diligent and wait on His timing.

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God Bless & Godspeed

... OK... Now I'm nervous!

I have a job interview (over the phone) tomorrow morning at 9am!

Note: This is with the sister company that exists in the same building as my last job (different people, but same "owners").

More prayer please - we've not reached the end of God's testing...

At the moment, I can't give details as we are researching the legal recourse options that we can take...


...but Mr. Squirrel brutally lost his job this morning.

We don't understand why we are having to go through so much trouble... and no clue how far this parade of trouble will go.

Our faith is strong and we know that God is in control. We know that He has something planned for us, but I confess my weaknesses - I am afraid, and I know that I shouldn't be as it shows that my belief is weak. I have to keep reminding myself that God has never forsaken us and He has always provided for our needs... in His timing... not ours. I know that we are not to worry over what we shall wear, or eat, or anything like that. God has made His promises to us in His Word and that trumps everything else.

I would ask for payer that God would shore-up my faith to withstand these new storms and to calm my fears. And above all, may His will be done in this suffocatingly murky situation.

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God Bless and Godspeed

Praise... and yet another prayer request...

Yesterday was quite a day.

Praise: Mr. Squirrel had an excellent first day back at work yesterday. Very little coughing and no mishaps!

Prayer: Without any warning, after nearly 14 years of service, I was called into a meeting and have been officially laid-off of my job. It is involuntary and I can apply for unemployment, but my whole world is reeling... [literally and figuratively.]

UPDATE 2/18 (11am):

Things are scrambling, but I need to touch base with my prayer warriors (for whom I am VERY grateful).

As much as I wanted to hide in a hole and not come out, I've been rather busy. Tuesday I got the unemployment applications completed. Interestingly enough, part of the forms required me to contact the Personnel Officer to get data on the WorkComp stuff. When we talked (which was very pleasant and helpful), I broached the subject of the fragrance testing results - SHE DIDN'T GET ANYTHING EITHER. Go figure.

Our conversation was quite amusing after that, and she decided that she would follow up by finding out where those reports were sent. Later in the afternoon, she called me to let me know that ClaimGirl had apparently sent it to my doctor - twice. Hmmmm. So I suggested we get the name of the doctor and the address to see which doctor got the data. [Such a run-around!] Anyway, during our conversation, I made arrangements to get a copy of my resume out of my file. [The last time I updated it was 14 years ago... and it was hand typed! I guess that is a good indicator that I needed to update it anyway!]

Oddly enough, late Tuesday afternoon, I found out from a friend that there was a job opening in the 'sister-company' that exists in the same building - and my job skills would be well suited for it. I was suddenly thrilled and then suddenly had very mixed feelings about aiming for a job in the same building... owned by the same people... where I'd just been axed. Would I be jumping from one fry-pan into another fry-pan... over the same fire? I spent a lot of time in thought and prayer, and I talked to my friends and family for their thoughts. We all came up to the same point: IT'S A JOB. [And in this economy... that is the bottom line. I have to try.]

So, Wednesday, I dug into the Job Service registration and returned to the office to get that copy of my resume (needed it for the Job Service stuff anyway). At that same visit, the Personnel Officer also gave me the information and application forms for the job opening.

Since then, I've been updating my resume and making a cover letter. Those are completed. Now I'll be digging into the application. Later this afternoon/evening, I'll be meeting with a friend who works in that department who offered to go over my application before submitting it. [She also invited Hubby and me to dinner in her home to take the rush off the evening. She's so nice!] So, after that, with refinements to forms and making copies...

I'll submit the application tomorrow. Whew...
I'll let you know what happens!

UPDATE 2/19 (4pm):

OK... Application packet has been turned in. We'll see what happens... (and I'll start a new post).

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God Bless & Godspeed

Prayer request... and praises!

Things are going pretty well overall - my thanks for the prayers you have lifted up for us!

This kind of a side-ways prayer request - for the ability to ride the wave of 'answered prayers' and not get swamped by them. God is so good, and His timing is perfect... but my brain is made of fallen stuff, and I need encouragement.

The bundle of prayer answers that seem to be coming in at the same time: 1.) Mr. Squirrel is feeling MUCH better and he's absolutely antsy to get back to work. 2.) Yesterday, Mr. Squirrel's boss called him to alert him to changes in the existing shifts that would give Mr. Squirrel a day-shift between Monday and Friday. [A huge answer to prayer that would allow us to have weekends together!] The shifts would also be 8-hour and not the 10-12 it was before. [Also an answer in the sense that his days would not be so long and draining on his energies.]

The 'hitch' in the works: 1.) Mr. Squirrel's cough, though better, is not gone and he is still "not quite there" in his health or stamina. His voice is also not much more than a whisper which may not be good enough for using radio communication. 2.) The boss wants to know TOMORROW if Mr. Squirrel is going to be able to come back to work. [And last week, the boss wanted that cough "completely gone" before he would let him come back. ...and I don't know if this is a deal-breaker for his continued employment or not.]

This opportunity could be such a good thing for us, especially with some newly discovered financial "black clouds" that are looming on our horizon. We need to be a 2-income family again. I'm concerned about... frankly, the unknowns and what-ifs. Moreover, I'm having trouble "giving it to God".

As a weak child, I don't want us in a position of needing to choose between sacrificing the health to keep the job, or sacrificing the job for the sake of the health. As a selfish child, I want the good parts of both - good health & the job.

However, when I pull back... and look up... above all, it is my prayer that God's will be done in our lives...

2/10 (11:30AM) - PLEASE SEE COMMENTS FOR UPDATES

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God bless & Godspeed

It's been a roller coaster...

Wednesday was really loaded with ups and downs. Those associated with Mr. Squirrel can be reviewed in the last post. But I thought I'd start a new post to deal with my own twists and turns.

In spite of the intense stress of the day, my neurologist appointment went really well. [And my blood pressure was much lower than I expected after such a stressful day! I guess chatting with the young family in the waiting room for almost 30 minutes did more good than I thought. I guess we both needed the distraction!]

The last time I saw my doctor was October, but I wrote a letter to her in December to alert her to yet another forced office move (#3). The move made me very apprehensive at the time, but over the last two months, 3 of the 6 people who were hired have left, and the area sharing my wall is currently vacant. [There were also two other strongly perfumed sources (from other departments) who decided to quit the company as well.] Truth be told, the move has ended up being a very good thing - that blessing in disguise. The better wall configuration and general positioning have done a lot to restrict air-flow and my fans keep the air in my "cave" circulating. I still keep my mask handy for 'wafts' and visitors (and any time I have to leave my shelter), but the duration of wearing it at my desk has been much less. [In the last area, I could wear the thing 4-8+ hours - every day. This new area has seen no more than 3 hours at a stretch, and I've even had a few days where it was not necessary to use at all. Hallelujah!]

One of the things I discussed with my doctor was the STILL absent reports from WorkComp about the fragrance-level testing done 7-months ago. She checked through her notes and there was documentation that her office had called the claim-girl and requested the report and test results. However, the claim-girl indicated at that time (12/15) that the reports and test results had been sent. Hmmmmm. Okaaaaaaaaay.

SENT TO WHOM? Certainly not to my doctor... as claim-girl insisted had to happen because only my doctor could interpret the results for me. My doctor suggested that they may have sent it back to my employer, and I might check with them.

I must confess that I told her that I consider the whole WorkComp thing to be a "leprous foot that simply needs to be chopped off". It is a constant source of distress that keeps erupting suddenly after months of complete silence. I am so tired of it and I want it to stop. I'm now torn about making any further inquiry at this point. I want it to end (if there is such a thing), but I still want to know the results.

Good or bad, I do have a "backdoor" pending, that might make it easier. My doctor gave me that prescription for an air purifier. When I get it ordered and it arrives, I can submit the serial numbers (medical equipment deserves some protection) and tell them why I have it... I can then mention that neither my doctor nor I have ever seen the test results... "Did you ever get them?"

But we'll have to see.

Now to share something FUN. Yes, FUN.

I also talked to my doctor about an idea I've been pondering to help me strengthen my balance. The Wii-Fit Plus system (according to what research I could muster) has an entire sub-routine that deals specifically with improving balance. If I can strengthen my sense of balance, it will be more able to 'catch me' when I experience dizziness. My doctor loved the idea! I also told her that it might be a way to get some FUN into my life. I hear the games are great exercise and are fun to play and I really need both of those things in my life... and it's even better if hubby can play, too! [We've saved up some gift cards and cash so I think we can afford it, now.]

So, that brings me up to date. I'll let you know what ultimately happens with the WorkComp thing if I actually choose to pursue it... and once we invest in the Wii-system, having something FUN to share could be a great outlet, too!

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God Bless & Godspeed

Prayer request...

Time has come for me to ask for prayer for the "illness" that I hinted at in my last post.

Mr. Squirrel has been fighting a persistent deep, nagging, dry cough that has plagued him since before Christmas... and has forced him off the work schedule for going on his fourth week. There has been no fever at any time and chest x-rays are clear (thank God) and white cell count is only a teeny-tiny-bit above normal. So, we know he's fighting something.

Returning to the 'Now Care' (in the local mall) about once per week, Mr. Squirrel has endured a couple series of different antibiotics, steroids, mega-cough suppressants and pain killers for the sore ribs and muscle strains. There does seem to be some small improvements (sleeping a little better at night and coughing less, plus the cough is more 'productive'), but when a coughing fit hits again... then I wonder and pray while keeping myself ready to help (rather than the panic I was prone to for the first few weeks).

This whole scenario would not be a prayer request if it was "just a cough". This cough comes with a rather random strike of dizziness to the point of blacking out, occurring only after the coughing spell (like low blood pressure). I'm pleased to say that he hasn't completely blacked out in a couple of days (also an improvement), but the dizziness persists in varying degrees. As a driver, this is why he cannot work. I believe he will have completed all of his prescribed medications this coming Monday or Tuesday. Monday, Mr. Squirrel will be contacting his general physician to see what more can be done, if anything. [The kind of care at a 'Now Care' is rather like a vending machine - very generic and helpful if you have "normal issues" that respond to "normal treatments".]

Here is the cross-roads that approaches us: If he is healthy enough to return to work, he needs a referral from his general physician to a neurologist before his employer will let him come back. [Note & blessing: His job is being held for him, though his shift will most likely be lost.] If he is not healthy enough to return to work, then the options seem to lead into more specialized testing and/or more drastic measures.

There is still hope that his body may rally so he get back on his feet, but there are signs that indicate that the battle may continue for quite some time. The prayer I most ask for is a solution to this issue and God's mercy that it be found quickly and inexpensively so Mr. Squirrel can regain his strength and return to productive life again... (and so I can get some sleep). Thanks much!

Starting January 26th - Please see comments for updates.

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God Bless & Godspeed

Caption this photo...

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for the first post of 2010. I didn't want to start with the medical or the fragrant, the frustration or the illnesses. I do have a couple of movie posts in the works, but they're not ready... So I went hunting for photos that might lift my spirit and perhaps give me an idea or two. In my browsing, I found several pictures that may eventually become part of posts, but this one appealed to me the more I looked at it. The ownership label on the photo is a "Roeselien-Raimond" and I'm simply fascinated by the photograph.


In many ways it encapsulates my vision of myself "looking into 2010". However, there are several other 'captions' that might come to mind...

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God Bless & Godspeed