Feeling a bit renewed

The trip to my old stomping grounds was good for my head. It was not without some drama - going over, although the weather was picture perfect, there was a snow slide just past Snoqualmie Pass, which delayed traffic for two hours. So I had to hustle to get to Rathdrum, Idaho, to meet with my financial advisor about Cobra and what not, and he waited for me, bless his heart. I didn't get there until 6 p.m., but we had a good meeting. I decided it would be wiser for me to pay the Cobra than go on any kind of state assistance and risk the government coming after my assets.

I got to Erica's at 8 p.m., totally exhausted, only to realize I left my green bag at home, with all my MEDS in it. I freaked. I could not believe I was that spacey. I called my pharmacy (QFC), which is a Kroger store like Fred Meyer, so I was able to get some pills I absolutely needed at the Coeur d'Alene Fred's, but it cost me $47. Meantime, darling Alex, who works in the office here at West Ridge Park, went into my apartment with my blessing, and sure as hell, the bag was on the floor in the bathroom. He shipped it off to me UPS, and it was to arrive the next day before noon. Well, some dipshit Saturday part-timer said there was no such address, so I didn't get it until Monday, the day before I came home. Poor Alex, he paid to send it to me out of his own pocket, $88. So, I went to the office yesterday, to pay him back, and he said, oh let's just wait, because he already had started battle with UPS, so hopefully they will refund the whole thing. Erica does live at a rural address, but she's not off the grid for heaven's sake!

After the first night fiasco however, it turned out to be a lovely time. I got to snuggle with Quinn a lot, Erica and Matt's adorable 2-year-old cutie pie. She's so sweet, and she was fascinated with Abbey and I. She loved all my sparkly jewelry and what not. Babies are so special.

And my baby, all of 21 now, is doing well. We had a lovely lunch the first day with Kody, his best friend from middle and high school, who is like a second son to me, and gossiped about their old high school gang. It was so much fun. That evening, Taryn, Erica and I had a girls night at the Oval Office, a yummy restaurant in Post Falls, and talked for hours. They gave me a little tough love, but I needed it. I love them both with all my heart. Working with them and the old gang at the Spokesman Review was one of the best job times of my life.

Then, the big party was Saturday night at Erica's. Neither of us slept well Friday night - Quinn had nightmares or something, and Abbey was driving me nuts snorting at me half the night. But we managed to pull it together and had a nice spread for folks to make paninis. I was so tickled - all the old Spokesman crew I worked with came, and one former colleague from the CdA Mess, who is now at the Spokesman. Jesse even brought his ukulele (he's very good) and we played some songs together and it was so nice. He was patient and encouraging for me, and everyone seemed to enjoy our efforts. Thanks Jesse - I really appreciate it! The party started at 4 p.m. and wound down about 11 p.m. And little Quinn, in her cute pink skirt and matching cowboy boots, partied like a rock star the whole time. She doesn't want to miss a lick!

Sunday, Taylor and skied half day at beautiful Schweitzer Mountain, just north of Sandpoint, Idaho. Oh my God, it was so gorgeous and hot! I had borrowed some long underwear from him - big mistake. I thought I was roasting to death. Fabulous! Great snow, good time - except he always kills me on the first run. He forgets I'm 34 years older than him, and recovering still from cancer torture. But we got in four good runs, and my legs were getting rubbery, so I figured it was best to quit before I hurt myself.

After skiing, we stopped in Sandpoint - I forgot how totally groovy that town is. Taylor wanted to show me a rock store he loved, and holy crap, it was fantastic! Every imaginable rock you can think of including a huge natural crystal brought from Brazil with rose quartz in the center. Seriously, you can't even get your arms around it.

Monday was divided into visiting three different friends; first, lunch with an old high school pal, Claire, who moved to Coeur d'Alene after I left. So that was wonderful. Then, coffee with my friend Penny, and more coffee with another old pal from the CdA mess (who no longer works there) who also has a new baby I got to hold. It's like babies energize me. They have their whole lives ahead of them. I just hope it's a better world for them.

Meantime, of all the ironic things that can happen, I have a job "interview" tomorrow with - my old employer, Sound Publishing; yep, the same ones who laid me off. A gal quit, but I have to go through the formalities again. The bummer is I'd be in the Bellevue office, and I really don't like Bellevue. It's too stiff. Seattle is hip, where Bellevue seems plastic. But I'd be the assistant editor of "Scene," their A&E mag, which is right up my alley, amongst other things. So, we'll see.

Meantime, Taylor had his big interview with the Department of Lands in Idaho today, to fight wildfires this summer, and he said it went well. God I hope he gets it.

I went to a lecture tonight at Gilda's Club about our toxic environment and how it could be affecting our health and lives. It was pretty good. Stay the hell away from all pesticides, tobacco, and watch labels. If a product has the words "danger," or "poison," do not buy it! Also, get this, PVC, like in many home pipes, is a killer too. It was funny, because the speaker had a bag of props, and he pulled out one of those long plastic guitar shaped vessels they serve crappy margaritas in at the Gorge, and said they are entirely made from PVC. As soon as he took it out of his bag, I was like, oh my God, the Gorge margarita vessels! Everyone laughed because I immediately recognized it. I told them the margaritas taste like shit, too! So, there it is. The margarita in the PVC guitar shaped container is why I got cancer. Maybe!

So, I'm getting a good deal of exercise, have dropped a few pounds and feel pretty good, just tired right now. I'm excited because my friend Christina and I are going to a special concert by the Seattle Men's Choir Saturday night, called "Come Together," where, for the first time, they will perform all Beatles songs. Can't wait.They are so fantastic. We're having dinner first at The Melting Pot, which is always fun - it's a fondue place.

I've applied for 11 jobs total now, not including tomorrows interview with my old employer. I will continue to hold out hope for an improved life. Only one doctor's appointment next week - yay!

First week of unemployment

I had the echo cardio gram Monday. The tech seemed to think my heart was working fine, but I'll know more Monday when Dr. Kaplan shares the results with me. I have Herceptin Monday, then I'm seeing my shrink. It's good timing. I go from hopeful to hopeless one day to the next.

My biggest concern right now is insurance. It expires at the end of March, so I have two weeks to figure out what I'm going to do. When I was laid off from the CdA Mess I went without insurance for a long time, but that's not an option in my current world of ongoing treatment and one more surgery coming up.

Let's just say I basically despise the woman in charge of HR at Sound Publishing. She's a cold hearted bitch. I'm still waiting for the information on Cobra, so I left her two phone messages, and finally got an e-mail that the information is "in the mail" but it looks like it's going to be $550-$600 a month. My unemployment is going to be $204 weekly. Yeah, right.

I have my investments, but I swear, if I ever end up totally broke, I'll check out.

I'm scared to go back on BHCCP, which is Medicaid, for fear of them going after my savings. The wonderful social worker I've been working with at Swedish says they can't go after assets unless I'm dead, but I've got an attorney and my financial guy looking into it.

Meantime, I'm having my will updated just in case I die in the next surgery, or get hit by a Mac truck or whatever. And there are people out there who don't think we need radical health care reform? Seriously?

I've applied for seven jobs so far, so basically one a day since I've been unemployed, and I am hopeful with regard to one in particular where I have a connection. At least I know more people this time. I'm no longer the "New Girl in Town," as this blog started out.

My ukulele playing continues to amuse me, in fact I'm going to the Fremont monthly jam again tomorrow. I am also working on a book. In addition, I came up with a rather entrepreneurial idea last night that involves music, but that's all I want to say right now.

And I took some time out Thursday for some retail therapy at the newly relocated Nordstrom Rack downtown, and got a few nice things relatively cheap! I bought a dress, thinking I'll get a job I can wear it to soon. It's pretty, and the neckline doesn't reveal all my battle scars.

This coming Thursday I'm headed to Idaho to see my son, and my old peeps over there. I am looking forward to this. I haven't been over there for a year. I was too weak to make the drive. I'll be staying at my friend Erica's, who has the cutest little two-year-old girl ever, Miss Quinn. Erica is having a little gathering for me, with some of my old compadres from the Spokesman-Review, which I'm really looking forward to. Taylor and I are going skiing on the Sunday I'm there. And I'll see lots of other people.

I'm so happy for Taylor! He's doing really well in firefighter training, and has a job interview the 29th of the month with the Idaho Dept. of Lands to fight wild fires this summer (which sort of scares the crap out of momma) but it will be good experience and good pay.

I'm just going to a movie tonight. Maybe I'll stop and have one drink for St. Patrick's Day after the show. But tomorrow night is a friend's birthday party, and I have to watch my entertainment spending now. Although I already do have tickets for two concerts and one Broadway Play which were already bought and paid for before the lay off. I've got to have some sort of a life!

Last Day

I'm pretty broken right now. Today was my last day at the Mercer Island Reporter. This was so extremely different from my layoff at the CdA Mess. That one, well it was like "don't let the door hit you in the ass." This time, my wonderful co-worker Becca gave me a card and gift that I couldn't open then she said. Well, when I did it made me cry. Then, Mary, my favorite editor ever, stood at the door and waved as I drove off. We're all having lunch next week, along with the photographer who got laid off, too. We're still loved, but the powers that be let us go.

However, I did apply for two good jobs today. Mary helped me dust off my old resume. Again, I cannot stress enough the difference in these two layoffs!

One of the jobs is with Boeing. That would be way cool, but their way of applying was screwy. It wouldn't let me upload my resume or a cover letter, rather you filled out a bunch of screens. That's a bummer, because in my cover letter, I told them I have long followed their fortunes, and in fact have 112 shares of their stock, which, has doubled since I bought it. Plus, my papa was in the aviation business, and I've known the Boeing brand since I was a kid. But they'll never know. It's because - looking for a job these days is awful. You can't meet a human being. I can't dazzle them with my personality! I really hate it.

Monday I have an eco-cardiogram to see if my heart survived radiation okay. It should have because I did the breathing method that kept my heart as far away as possible from the nuking. It was interesting; you have a tube in your mouth like if you are snorkeling, and when you breath in deep, it registers on this machine, and then they zap you.

I am having acupuncture Tuesday - my insurance, which I have until the end of March, covers acupuncture, and it helped last week, so I'm going to go again. The mobility in my left arm is improving.

And, while I still have insurance, I'm getting my teeth cleaned Wednesday. What else, Pilates, look for more jobs, spend more time with Abbey, clean house....I'll keep myself busy.