Long absence

So the new year has finally begun and I was hoping for some better luck. On the 21st, it will be one year that I have been looking for a job, with a major gap in the middle. Nonetheless, I feel like I have been looking for a job for a year and that's hard on the morale.

I have been thinking a lot about what my options are. I have not wanted to leave Arizona because the boys' dad lives here, likes it here, and doesn't want to leave. But I am running out of money and I am running out of options. Part of me thinks that I should just suck it up and do anything. At this point I would, but I can't find "anything" probably because I am overqualified. The other part of me wants to do what I know, what I am reasonably good at, and what I am used to doing. I must be getting old because I never would have said this ten years ago.

Anyway, aside from the job search, I have to decide what I am going to do to make the money stretch. I have already eliminated as many extra expenses as I can, although I may be missing something, like canceling the cell phone. I am now thinking about the house and feeling like, if I can't figure out some alternative, I may have to put it on the market. I was hoping to hold on to it a bit longer because I am just not ready to pack all my stuff up and move to a studio apartment but that may be my best alternative.

I am so amazed to find myself in this situation and I thank God every day that I have a support network around me that won't let me and the boys end up on the streets. Nonetheless, there are people who have been out of work less time than I have who are getting their food at the community food bank. Sure glad that I have supported them all these years.

So I am once again applying for jobs in Arizona, California and Oregon. If nothing pops up soon, I will expand that search to include Washington, Nevada, Utah and Colorado. After that, the whole continental US will be up for grabs. I hate the thought of moving farther away from family and friends, but we can always come back. We just have to get back on our feet.

Please keep myself and the boys in your hearts and minds, think of us every day, and send all your positive energy (and prayers if you believe in that) our way. Thank you and peace to all.