Getting used to it

As of next Monday, I will have been here exactly 6 weeks...so, I figure that I can say that it's close enough to call it 6 weeks now.

I have finally started to relax.

The down side is that I have also started to relax into being unemployed...and to not feel as frantic about not having a paycheck.

This is probably NOT a good thing.

I've never been off of work for this long. My last day of gainful employment was 9/11!

Even when I lost my job in 1987, I was working again within 2 weeks (AND I also had 2 other, part time jobs at that time as well, so I was never really NOT working).

If I get TOO used to it, I will never want to go back to an office job!

(which, some may remember, I struggled very hard to escape from in the first place, and did NOT want to return to when the economy, and my status as a single person, made it needful!!)

I've gotten used to being home alone all day, and have fallen into a new kind of pattern now. I sleep as long as I can in the morning, then I get up, and go on line to look for a job, then, eventually, I take a shower and dress.

I try to spend at least 3 or 4 hours a day doing job search. I have submitted so many resumes now that I have completely lost track of how many, or of where I have sent them.

Fortunately, one of my job search sites flags the jobs I have applied for through them.

Anyway, then, I have lunch, and, if the weather is nice, I take a walk.
If the weather isn't nice, I try to at least stretch my muscles and do a little bit of exercise of some kind, whether it be dance or just crunches and push ups.

Then, I watch jeopardy, and after that, I start on dinner.

I also keep this place vacuumed, clean, and all of the laundry done. I plan the menus and the shopping lists, and I do all of the meal preparation.

So, being a house wife really IS my job at the moment.

I hated it at first.

Railed against it.

But now, I am starting to settle into it, and that worries me!!

Ideally, I would ADORE being able to be a massage therapist in my own home office, and not have to work a job. Or at least, not a full time office job.

I did that for a number of years, GAINFULLY, during the Clinton administration. It was my dream come true!

But the subsequent changes in the economy, and then my divorce, made it necessary for me to change that up, and get a job with benefits.

Then, my ex fiance made me get a "real job," when he decided that my full time job at the health store, with benefits, was not paying me enough. Little did I know that he did that so that he could dump me.

At least he cared that I wouldn't be able to MAKE it living alone on my health store, and part time massage business, wages.

Anyway, my conscious escape from the corporate world lasted about 10 years. I got to live my dream, and work as a massage therapist full time, for a lot longer than some people ever get to live their dreams.

And now, here I am, struggling every day to go back into a world I do not wish to enter, and finding the world I am IN ever more inviting.

Necessity SUCKS.

Who would have thought... part 2

So, I'm out in the parking lot, on my cell, and, of course, I get put on hold without even speaking to a person.

Dave came out and joined me, and handed me the fax number for the tag agency. We stood around for a while. Then we got in the car so we could sit down.

I think I was on hold for about 15 minutes before an actual person even answered the line!

(aside: my insurance is handled by a brokerage, not an individual insurance agent.)

I explained that I was sitting in the parking lot of a license plate issuing agency, and that they were refusing to take my insurance card because it was not printed with the word "Oklahoma" on it.

The rep on the line laughed, and said she could help me, but that she needed to review the notes in the account first.

I waited. And waited.

Finally, she said something about quotes. "Did you get the quotes from other companies that we found for you?"

I said: "Yes, I got the quotes, I changed out my home owner's policy, and already have all of the documentation from THAT completed transaction, but I chose to keep my auto policy as it was. The rep I spoke to then said she'd take care of it. I've never gotten my new card, and I need you to fax it to this license plate agency. NOW, if you can."

More waiting as the rep on the line reviewed the notes again. Then she said "Would you mind holding for a moment please?"

*sigh*

She finally came back, and admitted that no one had transferred my auto insurance information from Illinois to Oklahoma. She said that it was she to whom I had spoken before, but that it was another rep who had handled the follow up call.

She assured me that I WAS still covered, but not in the way that would make it possible to prove coverage in Oklahoma, and also, that my policy would be non-renewable at expiration.

I said something like "So, someone dropped the ball? You're kidding, right?"

I had called originally 9/14, a week before moving, and instructed them to update my information because I was relocating to a different state.

The rep I spoke to then, (the SAME rep I had on the phone now), had said that they would call me back with what needed to be done for both my home owners and my auto policy.

I made sure to give them my cell number, which was already my only Oklahoma number, even before I moved.

They did not call me back. For weeks.

So on 10/1, I called them again, and was given the aforementioned quotes. Again, I spoke to the same rep. She gave me quotes for both policies, and the prices for the auto policies were exorbitant. I knew that I could eventually just jump on to Dave's auto policy, so I had the luxury of being able to think about it.

I was allowed a couple of hours to think things over, and to talk to Dave.
When a different rep called me back to follow up on 10/1, I moved forward with changing my home owner's policy, and TOLD HER AT THAT TIME that I did not wish to change my auto policy, because none of the quotes were acceptable.

I explained that what I currently had for auto coverage would be fine, so I said please just transfer, or re write it, so that it shows my new state and new address.

She said "Okay."
We ended the conversation.

Funny, that.....I guess I just assumed that her saying "Okay" indicated that she was going to follow my directions!

Anyway....flash back to being on the phone from the parking lot at the tag agency.

The rep said no, she was not kidding, but that she would happily transfer me to the correct department to have my current policy switched to Oklahoma.
I reiterated that this process was supposed to have begun on Sept. 14th. She apologized and said "please hold."

Again, I was on hold for several minutes.

Then, a different rep, in a different department (and, I am pretty sure, on a different continent!) came on the line.
I was beginning to worry about my phone battery at this point.

I asked if anything had been explained to her when my call was transferred to her, and, of course, it had not been.
SO, I told the whole story, start to finish, and she said, in her Indian accent, "I can help you with that!"

She then proceeded to give me quotes to change insurance.

"No no no no no. I don't WANT to change insurance, I just want to update my current policy to my new home state!"

THIS was when she said "Oh, we can't do that."

Wait. What?

She explained that my present insurance company was unwilling to re write my policy for a different state. That "they don't DO that."

Uh.....why in GOD'S NAME had no one TOLD ME THIS PREVIOUSLY??? She said she was sure she did not know why.

She put me on hold again, to get the quotes.

When she finally came back on the line, I listened to the quotes. The prices were still ridiculous.
The best one they could offer me was $648 for 6 months.

Wait. What?

$648 for 6 months.
How could auto insurance in Oklahoma be twice the cost of auto insurance in the suburbs of Chicago, with my existing policy....and this is the "best offer" you can find???

I started to move forward with changing, just to get it the hell over with (and knowing that the only money I have is earmarked to pay my condo dues back home--but preparing myself, mentally to part with most of it to get this done), when Dave piped up and said :

"wait...WHAT? HOW MUCH??? NO...no no no...just tell her to forget it. We're going to my insurance agent right now, and we'll get you put on my policy."

So, I said to the rep..."Just a moment...can we cancel this transaction?" She said yes.

I continued, "Okay...I am not going to complete this transaction. Since my current policy is still in effect, I just won't get a damned driver's license!" and I hung up on her.

I didn't mean to hang up on her....I was just so pissed off at this point that it was a reflex.

I know she was only doing her job...over there in India somewhere.

We went back inside, and told the tag agent what we were going to have to do, and to please hold things off to the side, we'd try to get back as soon as possible.

The older woman, who had been coaching the young agent, looked at me compassionately, and said that it was ridiculous that they told me that.
She said "MET LIFE is a huge company, and there's no reason they would NOT transfer your policy!" I agreed, but what could I do!!

We headed to the office of Dave's agent. We had now been involved in this process for about 90 minutes. It wasn't supposed to have taken this long!
We got about a third of the way there, and realized we had left my car's current registration card at the tag agency...so, if we got pulled over, we would be ticketed for driving without a registration.

We turned around, and went back to the tag agency. I ran inside and got the registration, and asked them what time they close. 6 pm on weekdays. Okay.

Back to the freeway.

Buying me new insurance was NOT in our budget for this month, I can tell you that!

I have no job, and I THOUGHT my insurance would just transfer over, and probably COST LESS in Oklahoma than it did in Chicago....but here we were, being forced to buy new insurance now anyway.
Dave went ahead and paid to get my coverage. We will just have to live very leanly until the 15th of next month now.

Oh, and by the way....THIS insurance was less than half as much as what they quoted me over the phone.
THAT makes a lot more sense!! STATE FARM gave a VERY reasonable rate, and insured me without any problem.

Anyway....got the insurance card, and the letter of proof of insurance, and sped back to the tag agency.

There was much rejoicing.....I finally got my damned license plate! (then, Dave couldn't get my old Illinois plates off, because they were rusted on...but that's another story of frustration and much swearing....)

Yesterday, Dave faxed a letter to my insurance brokerage for me, canceling the auto policy, and asking for a refund.

You'd think that this process would now be almost at an end...but NO......now I have to go back to the tag agency with my title, and get my title changed to Oklahoma, and, HOPEFULLY, to my legal last name.

After that, I still have to go to the state trooper's office and get cleared by them. I am thinking I should take a copy of the marriage license, and my social security card, with me, so that I don't have to go THERE multiple times, too.

THEN, after all of that, I STILL HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE TAG AGENCY, to get the actual picture taken, and get the license issued....and only then, will I finally have a driver license!!

THEN, I can start the circus of trying to get a Massage Therapist's license! Oh goody! Having to prove that I am not a prostitute before I can even apply!!

This state is the most UNWELCOMING, RED TAPE CONGESTED place on the planet!!

And INSURANCE COMPANIES SUCK!!

Who would have thought....

...that the simple act of applying for license plates could be so complicated?

It's a fact that I will have to obtain my Oklahoma "driver license" (they don't call it a "driver's" license in these parts) before I can start filling out the three applications for my Massage Therapist's license.

So, D thought all we'd have to do was go to what is called a "tag agency," and get the license.

So we did.
But no.
Since I moved here from another state, I have to go to the state police first, and get cleared with them before I can get my license.

D and I decided we would do that later that week, and that he would take an afternoon off from work to go with me.

In the meantime, however, D found out that, before we can do THAT, I have to get a license plate (this is a rear plate only state), and register my vehicle in the state of Oklahoma.

So---another trip back to the tag agency BEFORE the trip to the state police. D said he would take Friday afternoon off, so we could take that step.

But first, a slight detour to some back story.

I may have posted in this blog somewhere about my experience with the Illinois Secretary of State's drivers' services facility that I visited earlier this year.

In Illinois, you can get your plates AND your license in the SAME PLACE!! It's a wonder!!

Anyway, I had gone to the drivers' facility with the intent to change to my married name on my car's registration and title, before relocating.

I arrived at the facility, and read the signs, and got into the line for name changes and other updates.

The facility I was visiting was a "satellite" office, that only does stuff like renew licenses, and make name changes, so there were only 2 lines to choose from (the other was for renewals and state i.d. cards only), and only 2 people working behind the counter.

I stood in the line for about a half hour, slowly making my way to my turn.

When I got to the window, I asked the woman who was waiting there my question ("what do I need to do in order to change my name on my registration and title"?).
She looked at me blankly for a moment, and said "Oh, you stood in the wrong line. You'll need to go through the other line."

*sigh*

So, I got into the other line, not understanding why, but assuming that the other person behind the counter was the one I needed to see.

I stood in THAT line for something like another half hour or so. Maybe it was closer to 45 minutes, I don't recall.

When I got to my turn, guess what happened!! That's right!

I was called to none other than the SAME WINDOW, with the SAME WOMAN behind the counter!

I think I said something like: "Hello, again, remember me? You said that I was in the wrong line before, and you told me you couldn't help me. Maybe you can help me now."

I asked my question again, using the same words, and she brightly said, "Oh, honey, you don't have to worry about doing all of that! Save your money! They want something like $80 to change your title, and it really doesn't matter. NEXT!!"

I begged her to wait a moment, and allow me to ask another question, so I then explained to her that I was preparing to move to another state, and that I assumed that I would need everything to all appear with the same legal name on it.

She insisted that this was not the case, and she sent me on my way with a smile.

In retrospect, I now assume that she was just looking for someone to jack with, and that day was my lucky day.

Okay...flash back to OKC, tag agency visit #2, last Friday afternoon.

Walked up to the counter, said I just moved here from another state, and need to get a tag for my car, so I can go get a driver license.
The girl standing there looked at my blankly, then said "I don't know how to do that, I'll have to get someone else."
Then, a young man, also un-experienced, approached, with an older woman in tow. She talked him through the process. In Spanish.

I handed over my registration, my license, and my insurance card.

He stood and looked at everything for what seemed like ever. Then, I remembered that my name was different on the registration than it was on the license or the insurance card, so I spoke up.

"I got married last year, the license and insurance is my correct legal name. I was told by the state of Illinois that I did not need to change the registration."

The young man was just sort of staring at me, and the woman then said "Well, you do need to change it. How is it on your title? Do you have that with you, too, because we're going to need it...?"

I explained that it was not updated on the title, either, for the same reason...the state had told me not to bother, and that I had not realized that the title would be needed for this process.

She rolled her eyes.

Great.

So she and the young man discussed the situation, in Spanish, and he began filling out forms. Using my old name.

He explained that, because the registration is in the old name, he had to put my new Oklahoma registration in that name, too, AND, that I would have to sign everything using that name.

Gawd.

Whatever. I signed the form, he started tallying up the charges for the plate ($107!!! $20 more than in Illinois!), and went to start the data entry portion of the job.

By this time, we had probably been standing there about 30 minutes or so.

He got to the insurance card, and he stopped.

He called for the older woman again, and she came over and they talked in Spanish again.

"I can't take this insurance. The card says Illinois on it." (D, standing behind me, says "Oh JEZUZ H. CHRIST!")

I said "Well, of course it does, I just moved here from Illinois, and this is my insurance. I've called them, and they know I moved here, so this is still valid."

"No, I'm sorry, if the card doesn't say 'Oklahoma' on it, I can't accept it, and your application is rejected."

I turned to D, who was angrier than I was at this point

The woman stepped in again, and said, "We have a fax number. Why don't you call your insurance, and have them fax us your new card, since you haven't gotten it yet?"

I couldn't take it anymore, so I just grabbed my purse, the insurance card, turned, and walked outside.

D stayed behind and got the fax number for me, while I was in the parking lot, dialing my the number on the back of the insurance card.

Because this story is only half way told, I will save the rest for another post....it just keeps getting better!!

Interview success!

The interview went, I think, very well.

I met with two people, actually, and was interviewed for a total of one hour. About 20 minutes with the first person, and then about 40 minutes with both of them.

I felt that I answered their questions in the ways they were hoping for, and I also felt that I asked all of the right questions to lead them to believe that I am a viable candidate.

They even went so far as to tell me that they can meet my previous job's salary without any problem, and to show me where my office will be, if I am hired.

Yeah. MY OFFICE. It's a corner office, too.

With a DOOR!

Anyway, the only thing stopping them making an offer to me on the spot was the fact that my potential direct manager is on vacation through next week.

She will be calling me, and setting up an interview, when she is back in the office.

The position they are considering me for is business office manager of a skilled nursing care and rehabilitation center.
The facility is part of a nation wide corporation called Sun Health Care, and this particular location is one of several in the state of Oklahoma.
It is a facility that offers full spectrum care, from surgical rehab, to alzheimers/dementia care, to end of life/hospice.

This site has been without a business office manager for a while now, and the corner office I looked at was stacked high with unresolved files.

I would have three direct reports (as opposed to the 18 I had at my last job), and all three of them are medical billers, so that part of my job will be a breeze. 15 fewer people to keep tabs on! YEAH!

I would also be in contact with all other departments, though, and have to coordinate with other managers.....but I kinda like that idea.

The position was vacated months ago by someone who never really got any work done, so the place is in shambles.

I would admittedly be stepping into a situation that was left chaotic and in crisis, which was explained to me in the interview....but I would be part of a NEW team that's being built to FIX all of that, and start over.

Oh, and they are also in the midst of a software transition, so I will have to learn TWO systems, and will have to learn everything twice. That can also be a good thing.

I made sure to ask if I would have adequate support and training when I walk in the door, and I was assured that I would.
The women interviewing me are aware of the bad situation this facility finds itself in (they are both from corporate), and what they WANT is for someone like me to come in, learn the ropes from them, and then take over.

They understand that I can't just walk in the door and take over. *phew*

The question I have to ask myself in the time I have before the second interview is, do I WANT to put myself into a situation like that?

It would be a challenge, to be sure. But it is the good kind?

Small update

Dance class went well enough, though I discovered just how out of practice an extended period of stress can make me!

I had trouble keeping up, but that's good for me.

The teacher emailed me, thanked me for coming, and said she hopes that I will continue. I think I will!!

Before supper last night, I got a call that I landed the interview at the nursing home. It's tomorrow at noon.

Fingers crossed!

Is it Tuesday? Then it must be OKC.

I put in three applications yesterday, and one today so far.

One of yesterday's was a biller position at the University of Oklahoma health services, Oklahoma City branch, physicians' office. (got all that?!)

It might be advantageous, in many ways, to land a job with a branch of OU.

Outside of the fact that it's my late mother's alma mater.

That would just serve to make it all the cooler! *smile*

I've also put in with TWO more employment agencies now. One by mail last week, and another this morning, via the internet.

Finally heard from the employment agency I visited a few weeks ago. Not my individual rep, of course, but someone DID call. Finally.

They offered me a 4 day temp assignment, even though I filled out all of the paperwork stating that I want a direct hire, permanent job.

I COULD have said yes, and gone to work today, but I said no. I have the luxury of being able to turn down something like that at this moment.

I have been back in touch with Soraya Al Musri, and I start dance class tonight. The first class is free, so that helps me justify going.

Then, class is only $12 per week.

D used to spend more than that on cigarettes and eating out frequently, so it's not going to kill the budget.
Especially since there are no more cigarettes, and I am cooking 90% of our meals at home (made roasted chicken Sunday, made chicken broth yesterday, and am making soup with some of the broth today! That's a lot of use out of a $4 chicken!).

The weather this week has turned pretty nice again. D and I took a walk last night, and it was still 75 outside at dusk.

The wind is something one needs to adjust to, though. It just always blows.

Our apartment complex has a tribe of stray cats, who have finally discovered Jack. There was much yowling and unrest yesterday. *laugh*

I was surprised it took them this long to get his scent, but it finally happened. We had the windows open before, so it's not just because the windows have been open with the nicer weather. Not sure why they're suddenly interested in my boy.

So far, the one who was coming around yesterday seems to have gotten the hint.

I sprayed him in the face with water every time I caught him on the porch. Then, I sprinkled a mixture of essential oils outside. The aroma will keep him at bay until it's fully evaporated. I've also heard that coffee grounds sprinkled around will keep them away. They hate the smell.

I used my french press this morning, so today, there are grounds to sprinkle.

D also complained to the management.

Again.

Those poor cats are disease ridden trouble makers. Don't get me wrong, I ADORE cats....but I also recognize that wildness is not an endearing feature, when they're right up in your window.

Or when they're pooping on the grass, and your neighbors kids are outside playing. The poop has some kind of toxin in it that can cause disease....I just can't remember the name of the stuff at the moment.

I saw someone's little dog eating one of the cat turds the other day, too (I had previously stared in amazement at one of the wild cats, just crouching out in the open on the grass, taking a dump. This was how I knew that was what the dog was eating).
That also can't be good, especially if the little dog goes inside and throws up the turd, or licks the face of a child or pregnant woman.

Plus, these cats are flea ridden, and they probably carry rabies, feline leukemia, FIP, and all manner of diseases that can harm innocent indoor cats, like Jack.

Well, back to the job boards. Have a good Tuesday!

UPDATE: Had a phone call from a skilled nursing facility who found my resume on line.

Actually, I THOUGHT I had applied for this job, for office manager, but she did not say she was calling in response to an application.

Anyway, I had a brief phone interview, and now am waiting to hear back about a face to face interview, potentially for Thursday.

Wish me luck!

Weekend plans

Visited with D's brother and sister in law last night, who are in town from Houston.

They came over here, and he brought his BEAUTIFUL Gibson guitar. He serenaded us a bit while we talked.
He also examined my guitar, adjusted the action for me a bit, and changed out the strings. THAT was a pleasant surprise.

It was quite a nice visit. I'd never met his wife before, as she was not yet his wife that last time I saw him (2 years ago).

I've mapped out a meal plan for the next two weeks, so there will be lots of cooking going on. I might as well make the best of the free time I have.

There's to be roasted chicken, then stock, then soup. There are to be scallops with linguine, and baked pasta, and pork roast, and pepper steak, and all kinds of stuff over the next two weeks!

We also figured out a basic budget, given the fact that I have no income, but I DO have bills to pay, and my left over money from home is almost gone.

We should be fine, given the numbers we ran last night. I don't cost very much to support, it seems.

Got my paperwork for the ridiculous massage therapist licensing process. I will get that started as soon as I have a valid driver's license for the state of Oklahoma. Without an OK id of some kind, I can't get my OKC massage license.

Unfortunately, I have to go to a state troopers department location with my Illinois license and my birth certificate to get approved as a resident FIRST.

D's brother and sister in law are in town to visit with D's mom's sister and aunt, who are here from Virginia.

We saw the ladies last weekend, but since they'll still be here for another week or so, we will see them again.

We might even see them today, depending.

I want to go see "Where the Wild Things Are," so D's thought was to go to a matinee down near mom and dad's house, so we can stop in for a brief visit after the movie.

Other than that, nothing to report. Oh, the sun came out!