The girl who never gets sick...got sick.

Yep...my 5 year track record of "never getting sick" has been broken.  And by "never getting sick," I mean never getting sick enough to need more than a good day or two in bed to recharge. 

Today, after fighting a bad cough and cold for over 2 weeks (which includes a 4 day holiday weekend, mostly in bed), I made a visit to the doctor.  I am SICK.

Seriously, its not a big deal to have to go to the doctor, but I'm an "Apple a Day" kind of gal. I typically beat a cold in 2-3 days tops with a lot of rest.  Not having to go to the doctor is just my way of measuring my general "healthiness."  But even I know, when you have to go, you have to go.

Admittedly, I pushed myself to work, because when you are a Temp, there is no such thing as paid sick days, and I already had a very light pay week last week with the Thanksgiving Holiday. But that really had nothing to do with the decision to go to the doctor. I really thought I could beat this thing on my own.

For over a week, I took everyone's advice. I drank tea with honey and lemon, I tried a Nettie Pot, I ate vitamin C, I drank a gallon of OJ, I gargled with warm water and salt.  At work, I ate Ricola cough drops and Cold Tylenol.  At bedtime I'd take NyQuil. 
I'd wake up feeling a little better than the day before, but at the end of each day I felt worse.

After 9 days of trying to get healthy on my own, I realized this was more than I could handle with home remedies.  The earliest I could get was a Friday morning appointment with my doctor (3 days later).  I went ahead and made the appointment, figuring I could cancel if I was feeling better by then.  

Well, there was no cancelling this appointment. In fact, I showed up to my doctor's  office 40 minutes early, hoping the doctor would see me sooner, so I could get quick relief from this cough (which the doctor diagnosed was from a sinus infection)!  All I can say is that it has been 12 hours and 2 doses of prescription drugs... I feel better ALREADY!

The point of my story is not to bore you with my sick saga.  It just goes to prove that  a person who never gets sick, can get sick.  Its DANGEROUS to go without medical insurance, because you never know. 

Today, I was thankful for my coverage from The Freelancers Union.  You have to jump through a few small hoops and it takes about a month to get qualified, but when you are in, you are in. I hope I don't have to use it often, but at least I have it when I need it.  The way I look at it, its just one less stress or factor in the decision making process about dealing with your heath. 

I am also thankful to my steady gig at Elastic, which helps me pay the monthly premium (which is just under $500 a month).  

That's my story...I'm looking forward to a restful weekend and bouncing back to my old self on Monday. 

Thankful for the Holidays

As most people coming off unemployment, I am in the "rebuilding my finances mode."  Every day I go to work, I'm earning money to get back on track. 

Right now, I am still a temp at Elastic, so I only get paid for the hours and days I work.  At this point in the game, taking a day off  is an expensive decision.  

But sometimes, the decision to take a day off is made for you.  This week, thanks to Thanksgiving, I had 2 days off.  AND BOY did I need them!

Monday I had a cough and persistant headache that had no intention of going away Tuesday or Wednesday.  My body was telling me to stay home, but my mind was telling me to stick it out...I couldn't afford to lose the pay. 

This is technically not true...I could afford the days, I'm not living hand to mouth, but that's the mindset I am in these days.  It must be related to the invoices that I submit each week and watching my checks fluctuate based on whether or not I take lunch each day.

So, this Thanksgiving, I am counting my blessings and I am enjoying the holidays more than anyone this year.  Every  minute of them.  They were just what I needed, to recuperate, recharge and refresh guilt free. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Happy New Year....Ten New Years Resolution Ideas for the Unemployed

Well, Happy New Year friends. Where does the time go? It feels like just yesterday  I was ringing in 2009.

I've been doing quite a bit of reflecting this year. I think this is a blessing that comes out of unemployment. When you are working, you are on track, and you don't have time to really sit and think about things like, "Where am I going? What are my flaws? Where can I improve? What do I really want to do with my life? But when your unemployed, not only do you have the time, I think you have to do this "work" to get yourself back on track.

In keeping with the theme of New Years resolutions, I decided to make some employment resolutions for 2010.  They may seem obvious, but I like the idea of having things to check off as accomplishments.

Here our my 10 New Years Resolutions for 2010.
1) Leave no stone unturned.
Networking is key to finding your next job.  I am going to do a better job of networking this year. I plan to attend 1-2 networking events a month.

2) Make getting out of the house a priority.
I always say that keeping moving is the most important key to keeping sane when unemployed.   I did a great job with this last year, but I have been slacking the last 2 months. I plan to get back to my list making ways and keep moving no matter what.

3) Stay on top of  health.
This year I plan to work harder on my fitness and diet. Starting the beginning of the year, I will do the Joy's Life Diet, go to the gym 3-5 days a week and get down to 180lbs.

4) Get to bed at a decent hour.
I've been going to bed at 3 and 4 am. This has got to stop. Its counterproductive and bad for my health. My resolution is to be sleeping by 1am.

5) Start beefing up the resume.
I have a great resume, but my experience is going to get real stale.  I will sign up for a class at NYU this spring.

6)  Get ready with my plan B
Unemployment is going to run out in April.  I plan to be working full time by then, but I need to start working on a plan B.  I think this will be consulting.  I have to get myself ready to do that. Networking will be part of this plan.

7) Volunteer and Give Back.
I may not have money, but I have time.  New York Cares is a great charity that I have worked with in the past. I think it is time that I use some of my time volunteering.  I will sign up at least 1 event a month.

8) Give myself a Break.
I love travel.  I know money is tight, but I can't keep denying myself.  I would like to go to California this year.  If things don't start heating up in the next few weeks, I am going to do it using my Frequent Flyer miles. 

9) Keep in Touch
This goes back to my networking resolution, but I need to reconnect with friends and former co-workers.  I have to start making coffee dates and making connections.  I will do 1-2 a month.

10)  STAY POSITIVE
This is my number one priority.  I will not let unemployment get me down!


Happy New Year Peeps.  We can do it.  We can do it!  Yes we CAN!

Merry Christmas. Love, Cobra....

What a Christmas gift I was given by the federal government...The 65% COBRA subsidy was extended from 9 months, to 15 months.  What a load off my shoulders!

In the past 8 months, I have been to the doctor more times than most of my 15 years working.  I even had a hospital visit. Anyone that knows me knows that going to the doctor is always a last resort for me.  But the body isn't what it used to be...and now health care is more important than ever.   I can't imagine the stress of knowing I need care, but skipping it based on the cost.

Thank you for the gift Mr. Obama.  This is what I need to keep my head above water.

 http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-yourmoney28-2009dec28,0,1437369.story

As far as the job hunt, it is going much longer than I expected, but I keep on trucking, with my head up. I know I am in good company and the new year is right around the corner.

Have you checked your Flashlight Batteries?

Winter's here and I am having a hard time with the change in season.  My daily "schedule", which I created to keep me up and running  over the summer and fall,  has seemed to disappear with the sunlight. 

The biggest impact has been on my sleep. Last week I had 2 all-nighters.  I kept telling myself I had to go to sleep, but then I thought, "What for, its not like I have to go to work tomorrow." As a result, I look like the walking dead no matter how much make up I put on.  And overall, I feel like crap.

The lack of sleep has also affected my eating and gym habits, which I was so good about over the summer.  I'm eating junk and fast food instead of preparing meals, and I either nap though the gym classes or just decide to skip them.  A part of me says, let it go, you can snap back after the holidays.  But I think I'll work on fixing things this week.  I can't afford the slippery slope.

So far the job market is about the same as it has been the last 7 months.  I hear reports of things getting better, but so far haven't seen any changes. A few calls here and there, but nothing substancial.  I have to control what I can...and right now it is my health.  The rest will come when it comes.

I can't let the weather get me down.  I have to keep moving. 

Hang in there people...there is sunlight at the end of the tunnel.  In the meantime, I guess I'll use a flashlight.

Gardening in the Rain

Well, some days of unemployment are longer and quieter than others. But the key for me is to keep busy. So today, I was planning to pull some weeds at the condo.

Just so you know, gardening is not my thing. But my condo is suffering from the economy just like everyone else these days. We can't afford a good landscaper, or any for that matter. I'm a member of the board (the President by default actually) and we all decided to let things go a bit in order to save money.

Well, I drive up the driveway every day, and see the weeds growing like trees. I'm sure I'm not the only one who hates to see them. But nobody really does anything about them, except for this one woman who can be seen outside at least once a week, sweeping and cleaning up the property. Its too big a job for one person to do, but people rarely go out to help her. I'm as guilty as the rest of them. Well yesterday evening, I decided that tomorrow (today) was the day I was going to do something about those weeds. After all, I have the time. What's my excuse?

So last night, I had the alarm clock set and an outfit picked out for the project. This morning I woke up to the sound of rain pouring down. So much for my plan. I was ready to turn over and go back to sleep, but then, I decided to search "Gardening in the Rain" and lo and behold, I found a wonderful blog that covered this very subject. And I learned that the BEST time to garden is in the rain. So I did.

Some days I wonder why I am blogging about unemployment. I know my good friends are reading my posts, but is it really worth my time? Well, thanks to North Country Maturing Gardener I do believe it is. She wrote that post 4 years ago and it helped me. Who knows, maybe someday someone will search about unemployment, and my posting will help them deal with their rainy day.

Quote of the day:
“God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.”

Top 10 Ways to Keep in Shape While Unemployed

One of my biggest concerns about losing my job is the fact that my daily routine is now out of wack. When I was working, breakfast, lunch, dinner, exercise and sleep were scheduled around the eight-hour "work day." Now, until I find my next job, my "work day" is whatever I want it to be. That is way too much freedom for me.

Any time "life interruptions" (like this one) happen to me, diet and exercise are the first things go out the window. So I developed a list of guidelines to keep me on track.

Here are my top 10 ways to keep in shape while unemployed:

1)Wake up and get dressed at a decent hour.
For me, a decent hour is 8:30. I have found that if I don't get dressed early in the day, I will stay in my PJ's ALL day. And 9 times out of 10, that means a full day of watching TV, back and forth to the fridge and little to no exercise. Don't fall into this habit. Getting dressed leads to going outside and moving.

2)Plan your day around the gym class schedule.
I made a daily schedule of classes I like at the gym. Some are in the morning, and some are in the evening. It doesn't matter. I know I have to get out of the house sometime during the day. I have to drive to the gym, so while I am out, I try to get as many errands done as possible. If you can't afford the gym, excercise DVDs are the next best thing. Create your own "gym schedule." Work out at home with Jillian Michaels, and Denise Austin. Its something to do when you don't have anything else going on.

3)Keep your car parked. Walk (or bike ride) whenever you can.
A walk or bike ride keeps your body moving, keeps you out of the house, and best of all saves gas money. I get my best ideas (including this blog) on my outings. You have more time to spare now. Take advantage of that.

4)Make lists of things you have to do for tomorrow.
This is another way to make sure you don't end up in front of the TV all day. I love the sense of accomplishment of crossing things off my list. You can put ANYTHING on this list, from making the bed, to doing a job search, to going to the gym. The more things outside of the house the better. But no matter what the task, the list keeps you moving.

5)Keep the junk food out of the house.
No matter how much you plan, a good portion of your day is going to be in your house, and that is way too much access to the fridge and the pantry. I personally don't have the self control to not eat the bad foods. Keeping them out of the house is the best way to keeping them out of your mouth.

6)Stop eating out.
First of all, making your own meals saves money. Second of all, you maintain control of your eating habits. Eating out was one of my favorite "out-of-the-house activities," but this makes staying healthy very difficult. Making your meals at home will keep your eating on track.

7)Get creative with your cooking.
You can't say you don't have the time. I enjoy good food. And now I have the time to make it. I invite over my friends, or freeze the leftovers for another day. Healthy food can taste good...it tastes even better when YOU make it with love!

8)Become a tourist in your own city.
Every city has free activities...take advantage! My friend and I decided to go visit parks and museums around the city. Its (virtually) a free activity and it gets us out of the house. We've been thinking of some business ideas based on our outings. Get yourself outside, get some exercise and open your eyes...opportunities are out there, you just have to find them.

9)Get a new (active) hobby.
Get creative. Find something you like to do that keeps you active. Right now, my new hobby is biking. I mostly do it on the weekends, but I can see it creeping into my week days. You get where you are going faster, and you get to go farther than you can walking. Consider Racquetball, Tennis, Bird Watching...all good. Just do it.

10)Go to bed at a decent hour.
This goes hand in hand with tip number one. I find it easy to get in the habit of going to bed late, because I don't have to get up early. But that's not healthy. You can't get up at a decent hour, if you are going to bed late. And on top of that, sleep is a key factor in weight loss. Get to bed and start your days off FRESH.


Well that's my Top 10 tips for Unemployment Health. Probably the golden rule of all of them is "Practice what you preach." I'm going to bed. I have a big list for tomorrow.