If you read my previous post, you will know that the job I had and loved, was incorporated into another position. Thus, I was a product of *cough* Corporate restructuring.
Yes. You are all at work and I’ve been restructured. Someone didn’t want me!
My tear ducts are just about dried up, although I am having little episodes of misty-eyed moments. I continue to feel, in my gut, that I’ve been wronged but it is time to move on.
I’m done crying hysterically. Now I’m merely misty-eyed.
I applied for Unemployment Benefits.
I’ll tell you what a$$hole. Tell Corporate America to A. Give employees a living wage and B. Start hiring Seniors at a living wage. Then we’ll talk.
Allow me to tell you how it went:
Last Monday was Labor Day and all government offices were closed. I called unemployment on Tuesday morning at 8:00 AM. The reason I called was I had questions and to be honest, I would feel better speaking to a person.
After four hours of trying to get anything less than a fast-paced busy signal, I figured it was time to apply online. After all, during Covid lockdown, someone tried to get unemployment using my information and a fraud case was reported. I successfully corrected that with the help of one of the unemployment workers so all was good.
I went onto the now familiar website!
And, this time around, I wrote usernames and passwords.
Luckily, none of these have ever been used for a password. Unluckily, I cannot remember half of my passwords. Luckily, I have started to write them down in a safe place!
I went onto the unemployment site and all seemed very easy and clear until it was time to load my resume. In order to receive unemployment, one must upload their resume and apply to two jobs a week. That is an excellent request and it motivates to push that job search.
Uploading the resume was a cinch. I went into my documents, opened my latest document, and attached it. What followed was frustration –and this frustration runs rampant when you upload your resume to any corporate site.
In addition to the resume doc, you then must enter manually, every single bit of information from that resume. Dates and all. Now, understand something. I had a professional resume coach tell me to leave dates off my resume because it will give my age away. Even though, I opted to leave the dates on.
Regardless I needed specific dates.
In addition, I attended Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School back in the 1970’s. The school is no longer around. I attended in the PanAm building in NYC. The PanAm building is no longer the PanAm building because PanAm is no longer around.
So, every “error” had to be corrected. And all other information was lost and had to be re-entered. After an hour-and-a-half plus, all information had been corrected.
Also, I had to enter information on all jobs from April 2022 to the present. I did this and was asked why I left. I was under the impression it was my present job that was being questioned. (More about that later)
I still had questions so at 3:30 PM I finally got in touch and the questions I had were answered. I will say that the unemployment offices have very nice people working. The person I spoke with was very helpful.
Then I went to the CareerLink site. Seven years ago, when I was unemployed, I used CareerLink services and it was the best thing I ever did. I even wrote a blog post about it. In fact, I enjoyed CareerLink so much that I am excited to go back. Maybe I can get hired by them!
https://atypical60.com/2015/02/21/putting-the-fun-in-unemployment-fun-employment-friday/
To be honest, I can’t wait to get back to Career Link. It’s a welcoming venue for those who have lost jobs and the assistance is stellar!
In being the compliant person that I am, I uploaded my resume yet again and started to search jobs. So far, I have applied to six jobs but have heard nothing. I am not expecting to hear anything until I’ve applied to at least 500 jobs.
Wednesday I was supposed to have lunch with three of my ex-coworkers and was looking forward to it. However, I received an email that we had to cancel. I was bummed about it but the lunch has been rescheduled for a dinner next week after working hours. Again, I am very excited about this.
Instead, I opted to take a million selfies of a wig I received for review.
Do you like my hair? I’ll be reviewing. It’s Claire by Henry Margu wigs. Short and Sassy. Perfect for the heatwave we are experiencing.
As I am a rather obsessive individual, on Thursday, I decided to check my dashboard on the unemployment site. Thank God I did because something was not right. There was an issue with my review because of a difference in the reason as to why I left the job.
I called unemployment. Rosary in hand I prayed to Mary that I would not be on hold all afternoon. Twenty minutes later I was speaking with an employee who, again, was incredibly nice and helpful. I misunderstood the question as to why I left that job and inadvertently, used the excuse of being laid off. This time, I was mildly freaking out because I had and continue to have a great relationship with my ex-boss and coworkers and now, I am thinking that they must be thinking I’m truthfully challenged.
I’m selfish. I don’t hand out “thoughts and prayers” to anyone but myself.
I explained that I left on my own accord and I entered the incorrect information. He corrected it, my review was finalized and all is well. Now I am eagerly awaiting my debit card and will freak out if it is not in the mail by next week. You know I’m obsessed!
The remainder of Thursday was spent cleaning out—or rather purging the fridge, freezer, and pantry. Our home is very clean and tidy, but, I’m a closet slob. I am not ashamed to admit it. We do not have a ton of pantry space so everything gets thrown in willy-nilly. It doesn’t matter how many times I try, in vain, to organize it. So far, it has been two full days that it has remained tidy. We will see how long that lasts.
It all looks great until the doors are opened!
The freezer. Oy. In the bowels, I found a package of Oona’s breast milk from last Thanksgiving. The only reason I threw it out was because I am unsure of how long breast milk lasts in the freezer. When I breastfed, there was never any extra after pumping.
I’m now second-guessing that perhaps I should have saved this for adding to our morning coffee- Just kidding! No I’m not. Yes! I am!
Also found in the bowels was a cookie I had made for Owen’s first Christmas in 2021. Covid prevented Oona, Sam, and Owen from visiting so I kept the cookie in the freezer. I meant to give it to Owen last Thanksgiving, but couldn’t find it. Now you know how bad I am to have found it this week.
The worst thing is I thought I lost this and wasn’t able to give it to Owen a year later. I found it this week. Due to my 10-pound weight loss and continuing, I didn’t eat it. I should have!
The fridge was next. I swear the moldy items were akin to penicillin. I could have swallowed some and protected my innards from an infection. There were lots of expired items. Now everything is nice and orderly. And up-to-date!
Purchased in 2019 and best used by 2020. I feel bad this almond meal went mostly unused.
This was shameful. I used quite a bit of this rice flour. But purchased 6 years ago.
MORE almond meal? At least it was updated to expire in 2021!
My favorite from the pantry. Whole nutmeg. I did use a lot of it.
This is so old that the best used by date has slightly worn off. It’s October 2017. I opened it up and it still smells good so I kept it.
The freezer is tidy now with all expired items in the trash. On the bottom is my metal rolling pin which I keep frozen –it helps when I’m rolling out dough!
I don’t have much hope for the pantry staying organized.
Yesterday, I did grocery shopping.
My ex-boss from the job I willingly left. I loved working for her and we are friendly with each other. Her nickname is DeeBee so I sent her this while grocery shopping.
I also changed out my handbag. My LV Neverfull has been put to rest for a while and my Saumur is my “new” everyday bag.
Being home is forcing me to rotate my bags. Where am I going though? The bedroom to the living room?
In addition, I stopped at Old Navy to check out new offerings.
I loved the faux-leather skirt but couldn’t buy it. As of yesterday, I’m on a no-buy. Until I get a job .
Of note, I make sure to get dressed every day. Its still hot as balls here in the Philly area so although my attire is usually a sundress, I make sure to put makeup on and add hair. Ahhhh…the life of being home. It makes me feel ready to be productive although I end up on the loveseat playing Candy Crush.
Getting dressed, putting on makeup and hair makes me feel much better..
I have no shame in telling you that I’m up to level 3168 in Candy Crush. I work hard for my achievements…hmmm. perhaps I should add this to my resume!
Earlier this week, I ordered a Hobonichi Mega Weeks journal from Amazon. My journals are incredible precious to me. I use three. A larger Lilly Pulitzer one, a Hobonichi Techo and a Hobonichi Mega Weeks. I was notified the Mega Weeks arrived last night. When my husband took Chippy out at around 9:45 it was not there. When I woke up this morning and saw the notification –and the fact there was no package, I notified Amazon. Because it is Saturday as I write this, customer service—live customer service, will not be able to assist until Monday. It was suggested I re-order then call for a refund on the first one. Which will be done.
My planners are extremely important to me. As a naturally disorganized person, these place me in the direction I need to be. From Left. Lilly Pulitzer planner, Hobonichi Techo which I need to order for 2024 and my beloved Hobonichi Weeks Mega.
If I’m asked what I did on a certain date, I check my Weeks Mega.
I shared this experience with our community Facebook page and found out that a group of teens is playing “Ding Dong Ditch” and ringing random door bells and even opening the front door and walking into the homes. I am assuming these effing vagrants stole my package.
Delivered last night. Some MF’er now has my 2024 Hobonichi Weeks Mega. I’m not finished with finding out who did this. I need a baseball bat and a camera for the front door!
Tonight, after we go to Spring Mill Café for a belated anniversary dinner, I am sitting at the end of my driveway with a baseball bat in hand. I no longer care. WTF is wrong with the parents of these kids? Ahhhh. THIS is how life is when you live in a townhouse community in the Philly burbs. I miss Manhattan more and more every day. At least the thieves are more respectful and will mug you as opposed to being little cowardly snakes and stealing Amazon packages.
Can’t wait to get to this place for dinner tonight. I might have duck!
The slipcovers on the loveseat in the sunroom were stripped this morning and are now air -drying downstairs. I’m looking at one of the sofas in the living room. That one gets stripped and washed after the present slipcovers dry!
The downstairs family room is now an airdry room!
And such is the beginning of my unemployed life. At 68, I kind of have low expectations of getting another job any time soon due to ageism. But—ya never know!
I leave you with a photograph that my stepdaughter, Claire, took down at the shore. A summer reminder to make you happy!