Start Where You Are

I've had another hard week this week. The longer I go without finding full time work, the harder it is to remain positive. I haven't heard back about the SOCOM RCC job at all. After my interview and discussion about the security clearance, I have emailed the recruiter twice (once each week) and have received no response. I did receive a text from the current RCC (whose last day was Friday) and she said all she had heard was that they were still interviewing. Meanwhile, the person who took over my position at Vandenberg quit. What I wouldn't give to have my old job back.

I did spend a few days in Orange Beach, AL this week to train with the Military Child Education Coalition. I've accepted a position with them as a Training Specialist. This is a less than part time position, but I'm happy to do it. My first training presentation will be November 30 in Panama City, FL. I made some great new friends there and I'm looking forward to the opportunity. I also had a phone call with Serving Talent, which is a military spouse job placement program. They will try to help match me with an employer that wants to hire a military spouse. I don't have high hopes.

During the training, we got a book called Start Where You Are. It's a journal of sorts, with various inspirational quotes and exercises for reflection. I've committed myself to doing one exercise a day to try and keep my spirits up. The hotel in AL was very nice, and I drove home on Thursday to pick up Hoss from the vet. Of course his bed was soaked in pee. Who knows how long he was sleeping in it. Oh the joys of single pet parenting.

All the stress of job searching is definitely adding up. I'm starting to have trouble sleeping. Actually, right after Bryan left I downloaded a sleep sound app for my phone. It has guided meditations, which I loved, and helped me fall right asleep. However, I used the guided meditations for dreams and have been having crazy dreams ever since. They've been extremely realistic and lucid, so I'm able to consciously control my actions in most of them. I end up waking up exhausted from all the thinking in my dreams. We've started a new book in book club, House of Leaves, and it comes with warnings about nightmares. I haven't had any related to the book though. However, two nights ago, I was scared awake by what I thought was someone trying to break into my back door, which is right outside of my bedroom. It turned out to be a pretty good rain storm with tons of wind, which flipped my doormat up against the door, which is what in was hearing. However, the adrenaline kept me up from 3-6am. Needless to say, I've decided to get my concealed carry license and gun license. Living alone and feeling like someone was breaking in was terrifying without any way to protect myself. Here's an example of my sleep patterns lately, and the break-in culprit:

So, Bryan is still doing well. Lots of you have reached out and asked for his address to send him care packages. He really appreciated them! He's been on an alternate schedule lately so talking has been difficult. He's mostly off work when I'm asleep. He believes he'll be working 1030-830pm for a while. We're still trying to get everything sorted out from our move, and the money they owe us for broken and damaged items, oh joy!

Saturday I had the pleasure of attending a friend's wedding, with another friend as my date (Rachel). The setting was beautiful! Afterwards, we went out for a few drinks and it felt good to be carefree for a few hours.

I was especially looking forward to Sunday! It was our second Geek Girl Brunch at McGuires. The theme was Game of Thrones, the food was great, and the company was fantastic. I really do love hanging with these ladies. I stayed until after 2pm (it started at 10!). I won an awesome piece during the raffle and found a perfect place for it at home. Next month is Star Wars theme for obvious reasons.

This week, I'll head to Daytona for Thanksgiving with my mom. I also started Christmas shopping and have gotten a decent amount done. After adding up all my gift cards and survey earnings, I might not have to come out of pocket at all. I earned $225 in Amazon gift cards, $100 from on site, $76 from another, $50 Express gift card, $25 Macy's gift card, $25 iTunes gift card, $25 Red Lobster gift card, and still have $627 in Disney gift cards to use. Now, I plan on using some of that while I'm at Disney, but I'll definitely be buying some gifts as well! By the way, Disney is in 12 DAYS!!!

Meanwhile, I'll keep applying for jobs and hoping for the best. I've got 12 busy days ahead until I'm at the happiest place on earth. By the way, this is what Bryan's side of the couch looks like when he's not here: