Day 125 no work. I was just reading my hometown paper the "New London Day", and there was and article in there about the "Whistle Stop" restaurant closing due to the economy. This was such a wonderful place, the people were great, the food wonderful and the price amazing for what you got.

My BFF and I went there for breakfast when I visited her, she lives right up the street. The whole economy is depressing, yesterday we tried to get Food Stamps just to help us out from the whole of neither of us working, and were basically told we are not poor enough. Since, family is helping us out and not charging us rent, we are not hard up enough for food stamps.

It took me along time to agree to actually try for them, I have never been on government assistance, my BFF told me that is what they are there for, so my question to the government, how poor do you need to be? My unemployment barely covers all our bills. I am feeling sorry for myself today, sorry about that. I do have some leads on jobs so next week, should be decision making time.

Day 124- Watching the news, and Montclair, NJ business going under and store fronts for rent. Chicago, IL the car industry lay offs, when big business was doing well and people were buying economy was up, but now people are very careful on what they will spend their money on or invest in, due to how many people are laid off everyday.

Unemployment up to 8%, over millions of people are unemployment and that number jumps every week. The husband has just applied for unemployment benefits now, and we went to Maine Human Services today, and since family is helping us out with not charging rent and letting us stay at mom's house for free, we are not hard off enough to get food stamps. I do understand, part of me wonders if we said, we lived in our cars and gave the car payments as our rent would that of made a difference?

I saw the people waiting and my heart went out to the people with children, no work is so hard for me, but if you are the one supporting your family as my brother what does that do to your psyche? He was laid off 2 weeks ago, and had to apply for food stamps and his unemployment will not kick in for another 3 weeks because about 5 years ago, that state overpaid him his unemployment and now are taking it out of this time around. Again, I know the state needs the money, but he has 2 little girls an a wife who can not work.

I worry so much about my family and friends and this economy is so very scary right now. My husband and I are luckier than most people our families are helping us out, and in my line of work is any hotel actually hiring?

We are leaving to go to Lynchburg, VA on Sunday, for a job interview on Tuesday morning. Doing my research on Lynchburg it is definately affordable, but when you go on the blogs on what people think of the area it is not good. I have never been there, so we have make our own decision and drive around after the interview to make sure it is what we want just in case they do offer the position.

What if both offer the position? Then I have to make a pro/con list which is best for me and the husband.

During this time of the dispute between Suzette Kelo and NLDC everyday in the paper you waited to see what would happen, and I truly believed Suzette was getting the wrong end of the deal. I think this movie would be wonderful, for people to see what Eminent Domain does to people, and how they feel about the government after their house is taken away.


From the New London Day today:

It's only a matter of time before Hollywood picks up an option on Jeff Benedict's new book on New London's eminent domain saga, “Little Pink House,” right? The question is, when Hollywood does, what kind of “treatment” will they give it? And who will play whom? As to treatments, it's easy to imagine a few scenarios:

”Pinkheart,” starring Mel Gibson as William Von Winkle. Signature scene: Von Winkle, Suzette Kelo, Byron Athenian, Matthew Dery and the Pasqualini sisters hike their kilts and bare their bums to the oncoming NLDC bulldozers.


”Liens,” starring Sigourney Weaver as Suzette Kelo. Signature scene: Kelo straps on a mechanical suit and hydraulically pummels Claire Gaudiani (played by the slobbering monster from the “Alien” series), shouting, “Get away from here, you b---h!”

”PINK!” a musical starring John Travolta in drag, playing Claire Gaudiani. Signature scene: To the music of “The New Girl in Town,” Gaudiani performs an “interpretative dance” symbolizing the leveling of New London and its phoenixlike resurrection as an ecstatic sock-hop.

”Greed,” starring Dennis Hopper as Claire Gaudiani, a mad bomber bent on reducing New London to rubble unless people compliment her on her red sausage-casing dress. Signature scene: William Von Winkle (Keanu Reeves) finds himself trapped on a SEAT bus that - if it moves - will explode.

But what about the casts? Well, here are our choices...

Renee Zellweger as Suzette Kelo, owner of the little pink house

Fran Drescher as Claire Gaudiani, Connecticut College president

John Malkovich as Murray Renshaw, gadfly

Sam Waterston as Tom Londregan, city attorney

William Macy as David Goebel, NLDC head

Kathy Bates as Kathleen Mitchell, gadfly

Phillip Seymour Hoffman as John Rowland, governor

James Gandolfini as Tony Basilica, Democratic town committee chairman

Jack Black as William Von Winkle, homeowner

Ben Stiller as Jay Levin, lobbyist

Christopher Walken as George Milne, Pfizer Research head

Ben Affleck as Byron Athenian, homeowner

Day 122- Yesterday, so much snow here in Maine, I have no idea when it stopped snowing, went to bed at 11pm and still snowing. Today, it is sunny and the snow looks pretty, shoveling out is no fun, but it has to be done. We are not going anywhere but you don't want to be stuck just in case something does come up.

Still no word on the job, but figure I will know something either by the end of the week or the beginning of next week. I can not believe it has been so long without a job. My best friend called me yesterday, talked to her for about and hour, she seemed kind of down, I wish I lived closer to her, when it is winter and you feel alone it sucks.

I did apply for 2 new positions today, one in Maryland the other in Illinois, no idea if they will call either way, but at lest it is fun to see what could happen, and daydream a bit on different places to live. In my heart I want Wolfeboro, but I have to be realistic what I want may not happen.

Day 121 without a job. The Portland Press Herald, Portland, ME has reported that in Maine the jobless rate has spiked to 7%,myself being one of those, just makes me feel as if is never going to get better. It is amazing how many positions I have applied for in these 121 days, and not alot of call backs for interviews, because Employers can now just wait for the best of the best to do some hiring.

I did have another interview with the property in Wolfeboro, NH last night, I still have no idea these people are hard to read, or they just want it that way, or I am so out of practice. He did give me alot to think about, and wants me to contact him today letting me know if I still want to pursue the position or not. Nothing he said scared me away, actually it made me even more determined.

I have finally realized why I want this position so bad, and the main reason is I want to salvage my reputation, I don't believe the people in Maine bad mouthed me but since I had never lost a job before it shook me to my core, and made me see if I just wasn't performing as I should have for them. I should've lowered the packages again to make it more affordable in this economy, I should of fought more for the lowering of the room requirements, I am not sure if these would of made a difference but you never do know now do you?

This property is a gem, and would be fun to sell and work at, luckily he did not say like a "family" which is what the Maine people said and then I was thrown out of the nest and never heard from any of them again. My husband has wiped them from his head, while I still think and rethink what could of been different? It is a worthless exercise and I know it but that does not make it any easier.

I did see a few good positions today on hcareers, one in MD and another in VA, I will apply and follow up and go from there, you never know where I will end up this year for work. In this economy, you have to know you still have options and I want to make the right decision for my family.

I will keep you posted....

Day 120: Going down to Exeter, NH for a 2nd face to face interview with the Owners of another property in NH. I will admit, being a bit nervous, but confidant I can do this job and do it well, the property is beautiful.

I was supppose to go to Lynchburg, VA contacted them and rescheduled to next week, which is perfect. It is suppose to snow tomorrow and I do not want to drive in the snow. Putting it off a week, will help us out financially too. Being back in Maine is not hard, but all this snow is driving me nutso!!!

It is so damn hard being out of work, and then you read in the paper of all the other people who are out of work, and how in this down economy how people are cutting their bills, including the food budget. For over 2 years, my husband and I have been very careful when shopping:

We have a list
Next to each item is coloumn for price,
A line at the end of each catergories
EXAMPLE: Produce, Meat, etc.
We also get the flyers of each grocery store and compare before shopping
Store brand products
Only by what is necessay

My husband is an amazing cook, so he does all the cooking, and we use the crock pot.
Chili, pot roast, turkey things we can keep eating for the next week, so instead of having to buy 6 entrees we can buy 3 and make them last. Ground Beef is the most versitile, burgers, tacos, chili, pasta surprise etc.

It is amazing how much one money you spend on trivial things and when it comes down to it, what do you need to survive in this world? This experience has made me reevaluate how I act and how we will survive.

I was reading the Portland Register from Portland, ME today, it was very upsetting talking about all the evictions and how high they have become. I do realize it is not the landlords fault it is the banks, mortgage companies etc, and they have to do what they have to survive. Then I read an article in the New London Day, and how Pfizer is acquiring Wyeth for $60 something million and how many jobs they will have to lay off.

I read another article from Portland about how hard it is for the 20somethings who are out looking for work, right out of college and how high unemployment is, give me a break, some of us ( me) who has been in the job market since I was 16 and am now 44 have been looking for 119 days, everyone is suffering.

We are lucky, we have family that is willing to let us live with them until we are back on our feet, not easy, and amazing how fast you can run through your savings when barely nothing is coming in, we were smart and gave up our rental when it happened so for us, that eliminated the oil heat, cable, phone, electricity, plowing and obviously rent. What I do wonder is with unemployment so high, why are rents still going up not down? Wouldn't it be best to at least have someone paying something then to have the apartment empty? I realize they have to pay their taxes but if nothing is coming it at all, then the taxes are right from their pockets with nothing else. Just a thought...

Still waiting to find out after my big job interview on Friday, I do have another one tomorrow with the owners about 5pm, but not putting any hope in the fact I most likely will still not know for awhile. I am just trying to make myself feel better by venting but I am really just trying to stay calm and not put all my hopes in one position.

Day 118- Going crazy in my head without a job.

Last night, I had a dream about a sequel to the 1986 movie "About last night", if you never saw the movie it was about Dan ( played by Rob Lowe) and Debbie ( played by Demi Moore) and how they had a one night stand and then they decide to try to make it into a relationship.

It has its ups/downs with their best friends trying to get in the way of the relationship. Bernie ( played by James Belushi) who did not want to lose his best friend and playmate, especially since Dan was good looking and Bernie was a slob and had no idea how to talk to women. Then you have Joan ( Played by Elizabeth Perkins) who has the worse luck with men, and was so jealous when Debbie's one night stand ended up being a relationship. Bernie and Joan pretty much worked behind their "best friends" backs to break them up.

They do eventually break up, at the end of the movie you get the impression that they got back together at the ballpark. So do they?

I would do a sequel called, "...Happily Ever After?" Are Dan and Debbie Married? Divorced? Never married and now find each other again? Did Bernie and Joan have their own 1 night stand and a baby came of it? Did Debbie lose her job or soar to the top of the company. Did Dan's diner take off or does he now have many diners?

I have no idea why I was thinking about this, but for some reason I really wanted to know what happened to Dan and Debbie. All the actors are still alive, still working and the chemistry between Rob Lowe and Demi Moore was incredible so why not?

Just a thought..

The interview was 2.5 hours, I could not get a feel on how I was doing or anything. I do have another interview with the owners on Tuesday, which makes me very nervous.

It is always frustrating when you can not get a feel for how people feel about you, or if you answered the questions correctly, or if you were what they wanted, expected or you say one wrong thing you could be off the list. Job hunting is tough enough, and the interviewing part is scary beyond belief. You never really know who they want, or what they are looking for in the person.

I do research before I do anything, when I was going for this interview, I went through my interview book, on what too ask, what they may ask and worked out my answers so I do not sound stupid or ill informed. I also go on to the computer and research the company and if I can find information on whom I am interviewing with, how long in business, if a newer company their background. It is amazing what is on the internet, so you can be informed when interviewing.

You have to realize the other applicants are doing the same thing so you must make the best impression and then hopefully you will stick out when it comes time for the decision. What upset me most was no questions and no notes, so how can they tell the difference between all of us?

Yes, I am second guessing myself and hate it beyond belief, the husband is telling me not to think about it and stop second guessing yourself.

Day 116- All ready for my interview, and now just waiting for the husband to finish up so while I am doing the interview he is going to drive around the area and see if he can find places for us to look at to live. We are being very optimistic, but due to the hotel under renovations, we want to be able to be ready if it is the right offer.

After such a long time it is weird having to be up for a certain time and put on a suit, do not get me wrong I want to go back to work, but it will be a whole new routine, where for the last 116 days, I have gotten up whenever and then took my time and would hit the job seeking around 11am or later, and do that for a few hours and then try to get people on the phone to set up interviews, usually not working, or getting, " We are reviewing all the resumes and will get back to you when we are ready to set up interviews." Basically don't call us, we will call you.

I still have the interview set up for next week in Lynchburg, VA will admit I want to be able to cancel it if this is the position I want and the place I want to be, but on the other hand, I don't want to put everything on only 1 job, because another disappointment might get me down all over again, as if I lost the job just like in Maine.

It is nice being back and close to the family, my youngest two nieces my mom is picking up in CT tonight and bringing back to Maine for the weekend they are 3 and 4 so cute, and I have not seen them much so this will be fun..

Well off we go to Wolfeboro, it is about a 2 hour drive from here. After yesterday, getting back in a car is really not what I want, but it has to be done, the whole reason we came back up now is for this interview.

Today is Day 115 no job, but I do have and interview in Wolfeboro, NH tomorrow morning at 11am, we just drove 23 hours from Hilton Head, up to Maine. LONG DRIVE..

We are both so tired, I was trying to sleep but can not really ever catch up, so I figured I would do some work on the computer. During our long drive we only had 1 little tiff at about 4am this morning we were both a bit punchy...

It is freezing and snowy here in Maine welcome back to New England..Hilton Head was nice, but time to find a job.

Day 113 without a job, but things have been happening for me, I have had 2 phone interviews with a position up in New Hampshire, and another phone interview for a position in Lynchburg, VA and now I have 2 face to face interviews this week, so we are leaving Hilton Head, SC and heading North, luckily we do not have to travel today, but get everything together and hit the road in the morning.

Big day in History today swearing in out 44th President of the United States, the
1st Africian American and it is the day after Martin Luther King's birthday, everything is aligning for a big change.. We are all watching to see what happens, even us who did not vote for President Obama, still are going to be open minded and give him a chance to prove us wrong.

The Democrats now run our government, how will they handle all that power? Will it be for the better, worse or status quo? It is going to be an interesting 4 years, and today in Washington DC the people on the Mall are definately making history..

We will all stayed tune to see what happens.

Well, next week is the big Inaguration of President Elect Obama, I have a few questions: WHY Is it when President Bush had his in 2005 everyone was up in arms about the cost, especially the Democrats, boy how 4 years changes peoples views isn't that amazing when it is now their candidate and see below:

From the "Guardian.co.uk"

President Barack Obama's inauguration next week is set to be the most expensive ever, predicted to reach over $150m (£102m). This dwarfs the $42.3m spent on George Bush's inauguration in 2005 and the $33m spent on Bill Clinton's in 1993.

Part of the spending includes emergency funding announced by the White House on Tuesday to help with the soaring costs. Most of this new federal funding will be to deal with the huge influx of people, estimated 1.5 million to 2 million.

A White House statement said that President Bush "declared an emergency exists in the District of Columbia".

If there is snow, the costs will grow higher. The long-term forecast suggests there is a chance of snow on Sunday and again on the day of inauguration, on Tuesday.

Carole Florman, spokeswoman for the joint congressional committee on inaugural ceremonies, told the New York Daily News, which estimated the cost at $160m: "We're always very budget conscious. But we're sending a message to the entire world about our peaceful transition of power, and you don't want it to look like a schlock affair. It needs to be appropriate to the magnitude of events that it is."
Florman deals specifically with the inauguration ceremony at the Congress, which is relatively modest. The surge in spending is partly because of the Obama's decision to open the entire Mall to the public.

The federal government has budgeted $49m for the inauguration. But this does not take account of other demands, such as from Virginia and Maryland, the states surrounding the capital, that have also asked for emergency funding.

In addition, funding will come from Obama's own fund-raising efforts and from private contributors.

One of the biggest costs is transport, and the Washington DC transport authority has also put in a request to the federal government for extra funding.

Obama today issued a statement calling on people across the nation to participate by holding their own neighbourhood events, including their own balls. He acknowledged the logistical problems that will face Washington.

"Now, you've probably heard the reports that unprecedented numbers of Americans are planning to join us in Washington. That will mean long lines, a tough time getting around, and most of all, a lot of walking on what could be a very cold winter day," Obama said.

The presidential inaugural committee today published details of the inauguration and the days running up to it.

On Sunday, there will be a free concert opened by Obama at the Lincoln Memorial, with songs from Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé and others and historical readings by actors including Jamie Foxx and Denzel Washington.

On Monday night, there will be a children's inaugural event in Washington.

On Tuesday, there will be the inauguration, parade led by the Obamas from Congress to the White House and a series of balls in the evening.

The inauguration events will end on Wednesday with a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral.

*** I was happy to see Oprah who was one of his most vocal supporters, may use her clout on the air but not her $$ good for you Oprah...

Maybe if Obama did not have the big ball and instead used all that money to help the economy that would be an amazing statement wouldn't it? Because seriously, how does all these parties help us "regular people" who are out of work and are losing our homes and jobs so quickly? Just a thought...

Day 108 without work:

I did just have a promising phone interview for a position up in NH where is right where I want to be, still waiting to see what happens, money really has not been discussed, have to wait and see if it is going to work or not.

OK, it has been 108 days and I have been keeping a journal on what has been happening in my life, I truly believe when you lose a job you go through all these emotions you did not believe were in you toward your job. First, I went through such sadness it took about 2 days for it to sink in, and when I finally did, I thought, I will have a little time off and find a job like that. Well obviously that did not happen.

We put our stuff in storage and gave up our rental and moved in with my mom for two weeks and then hit the road. If you and your spouse thought you had no time together before try spending 6 weeks in a car together to really find out if you are compatible or totally wrong for each other. It will definitely be eye opening to see how you handle everything when you are together 24/7 for days on end.

I need to work, it really does define the person I am, I stress about not having a job, no money and really no place of our own. I will let you know, where the next step in my relationship and job hunting is going to take us, for now we are still are in Hilton Head, but we need to be out of here by March 1, so we need to go somewhere by then but where is the question.

Reality Shows Post, my take on some of the ones I have watched, some I can not believe I have watched, but is hard to turn away like a train wreck.. Not even guilty pleasure just bad..
Bret Michael's latest attempt to finding the right woman - Personally I think Heather would of been perfect for him, but that is just from TV. Now he is on a bus with these women and they are awful, not one of them has any redeemable quality. I was happy to see Nic and Weirdo in the bathing suit go home first, good choice. Megan and Stephanie were the only 2 normal and you sent them packing, most likely they were not the ones due to the fact of being normal. Bring Lacey back to put these b**** back in their place, she is at least interesting to watch..

Bad Girls Club- I admit I did watch the first season to see what is was about, but this season is all about fighting, they should put a countdown in how long before Kaley blows, my gosh in 2 days they got thrown out of 3 places, how is that possible? Amber M. and Kaley are so different and both have tempers always good to watch. Whitney with her Boston accent seems to be able to justify her temper, and Aliea is just a trouble maker. Amber B. you choose bad men, and Tiffany is the only one who seems to be working on herself, I like her..

Momma's boys- The name alone should tell women to back off, JJ is such a momma's boy, he will end up picking the one his mom wants, and then they will break up because he is 21 and has no idea who he is. Rob- I think will follow his heart but will end up marrying a Jewish girl but have fun until then. I dated a Jewish man and his mom point blank told me he will never marry you, because you are not Jewish so you are just and in between girl, I did not want to believe her but she was right. It is very important to his family that he does that, so I do not believe he will find his true love on this show. Michael only wants to be a player so why even be on the show?

Real Housewives of the OC: Gretchen is a nasty drunk and Tamara and Vicki are down right mean to get her drunk to prove a point. She has a lot on her plate with Jeff being so sick, I hated to watch her be bamboozled by these two vindictive women. Lynn you are so right your 18 year old is drinking, and not well. Jeanne needs a good man maybe Don when Vicki ends up ruining that relationship. Vicki is so insecure I can' watch her any longer.

Where is my Project Runway?

Day 105 no job, suppose to have a phone interview but no time and it has not come in as of yet.

I just listened to President Bush giving his last press conference, and I was so proud of him when one of the press corp asked about how slow the government reacted to Hurricane Katrina, he had a point, excuse me if I had landed Airforce 1 and took all those people away from the problem what would you have said? We reacted as soon as the storm passed getting people off roofs. It was mother's natures doing not his or Rove's weather machine.

President Bush deserves respect and I am mad as hell at Chris Matthews for slamming him, for saying I am not going to Congress about the stimulus unless President Elect Obama formally asked me, and he hasn't. I do not think he is putting his hands up and passing the buck, I think he is being respectful for Obama and his presidency. Today, President Elect Obama's stimuli plan was suppose to go into affect and shocker Congress is holding it up, now what?

President Bush was not the best president but he was by far not the worse, and all the analysts can keep saying we do not have a Homeland Security issue, and they are ignorant and wrong, there is one, and we as americans will never know how many attacks have been cut short due to our due deligence, I for one, believe in Homeland Security more now than ever what happens if another 9/11 happens with President Obama how will he handle it? Are his supporters going to pull away if he does not act they way they think he should?

I did see a news burb that Obama has announced that it might take a bit longer for him to fulfill his campaign promises, my oh my after that lunch with past Presidents did he finally get and idea of what is really happening in the world? Just a thought, you know Book of Secrets? Sometimes movies hit it right on don't they?

Day 102- This morning I woke up to the phone ringing and it was a job interview. It is to a place I have not even applied, he found my resume on Hcareers. I do believe in fate and the fact he is where I want to be New England, and I never applied makes me feel it might be the right fit.

I now am scared, due to I was not really prepared I may have blown it, but I will be talking to him again this afternoon after doing research on the property. It is exactly the type of place I am looking for, and we will have to live with my mom for awhile to get the downpayment on rentals up, it will be worth it.

Again, trying not to get my hopes up but it is hard. Yesterday, I applied for 10 jobs, today 3 it has been a wonderful week for jobs online, and I figure the law of averages the more you are out there, atleast 1 or 2 will respond right? It is like when guys pick up girls if you hit on 100 women at least 1 or 2 might actually believe your lines right? I friend of my brother's told me that a long time ago and it stuck with me, so why not the same principle?

I am going to contact my old boss to see if he knows anything about this hotel or company..

Wish me luck.. Back to snow?

Day 100- I am going crazy not working.. I am now applying to places I am not even sure I want to live, but am now changing my way of thinking. The position must be the right one and then I will see if the place is right for us. Instead of only looking where I think we should live.

Quality of Life is important but working and contributing is so important and if the position is right, the place could be too. The one in Virginia has gone away due to the person who was leaving has decided to stay. I realize anything can happen and it was never offered to me, but I was getting my hopes up which I know is bad, but it is so hard not to sometimes.

I almost stayed on the couch all day, but decided I need to get up and get back to the drive of finding a job. In hospitality things change so fast you never know what is going to happen.

What do you do with yourself when you are not working? Trying to find work is so much harder than actually having a job, because you are basically selling yourself with your cover letter and resume, how do they really know who you are that way? I thought just an interview would make me feel better but lets be honest, I am a person who needs to work, I need to feel needed and worthwhile, and not just a lump taking up space.

How do people do it who have not worked for so long? A friend of mine has not had a job in 2 years, what do you do with yourself? For me 100 days is too long, and the way the economy has been, when will the next job come? I know our President Elect takes office on January 20, does that mean my job will be here January 21?

Anyone else looking for work? Take heart you are not alone, according to statics it keeps going up how many people are losing jobs each day, not that it makes you feel better but you are not a lump you are just in the middle of and economic crunch.

I have no idea where we will end up for 2009, and at this point, I just want to know where we are going after Hilton Head. It looks like it might be back to the midwest and my in-laws, but you really can not tell now can you?

My mom wants me in Maine, they are both cold so we are going to enjoy the nice weather why we can today by the way is 78' and sunny..

Day 99 - Can you believe it? I have been out of work for almost 100 days? I have been keeping a journal and it is funny to look at it, and realize how optimisic I was at day 45 compared to now.

I am happy people are responding and you never know if either will be the right position for myself and if the location is right for my husband and myself. I know he will go wherever I need us to go to support me. Since his business is done from home he is fine with wherever we land. Yes, I may prefer the east coast but am looking all over, new experiences keep us happy, and exploring new cities and areas we love.

I have been in a funk for about 3 days and have not left the house, all I have done is checked email. I did get up this morning, and went for a bike ride and now am at the libary again looking for work. It is nice, even if we have to find $2.00 to use the computer the connection is so much faster.

I hope everyone is starting out 2009 well, and even though I am floating into the abyss right now, I know we will land somewhere and make a home again. I miss my own bedding, my mattress not so much, but everything else...

Tomorrow will be day 100 wonder what it will bring with it..