Lunalovegoddess:

My husband and I both are writing for the Examiner.com website. He is the New England Patriots Examiner; clicking on his articles provides us with money for sausages and toboggans... (^_^) http://www.examiner.com/user-sixbryane 

As for me, my first article has been published: Love Is Adoptable at the Providence Animal Rescue League. It posted before I was finished editing it, but I think it's decent for a first run. My goal is to post a daily article about local rescues and adoptable pets, with weekly upcoming events.

Cats: Visited my friends and my kitties today. Had a great time. Missed them terribly but they are doing well. Verified that she can have cats there. Cats like the baby and youngsters, don't scratch them, just wander off if the kids are being too loud or rough. But will still cuddle up with them. Best I could hope for. New food working out better. My friends' baby is a crack-up. She grabbed the mic from the karaoke machine and was babbling into it, had me doubled over with laughter. Our kids definitely needed this today.

Health New meds started today, Too early to tell how effective but I did wake up feeling rested and feeling optimistic. If I start to become manic, I'm supposed to let my therapist know. Symptoms include: excessive, high-speed talking, lots of energy, etc. Which, I ask you, how is that any different from how I usually am? LOL

Work Might try writing for the Examiner. (They need a Pembroke Welsh Corgi Examiner, LOL as well as pet rescue.) My husband started covering Patriots news this week, pay based on how much website traffic generated but it's something interesting and related to broadcasting training. (click on link to view his page, as more page views = more money for sausages and toboggans) Also sent application for RI Community Spay/Neuter Clinic today. Two possible jobs in Providence area. One for groomer's assistant position, the other for kennel worker at SolidK9 Training. If anyone has heard about the trainer, opinions are welcome.

Home Still on waiting lists for housing. Sending in more applications for low-income apartments. Saw a few houses for rent on craigslist in our range, mainly in Pawtucket area. Doesn't bother me, so long as we can get into a new place soon. Mostly just impatient to move forward.

 This is what he did last night: Patriots Place

Lucky boy... and he picked out a beautiful Chinese pendant necklace for his sister.

Boat - is no longer our responsibility. Officially traded last week for a motorcycle (not original terms of agreement, it's complicated). Husband went up to NH to clear the title issue and now it's up to the buyer to move it. Thankfully was able to recharge the batteries enough to start engine, and the guy was willing to buy it despite issues. Bike will be sold ASAP as neither one of us rides, the proceeds of which to go towards used car or apartment savings.

Cats - are doing well at friends' place. Picked them up Sunday and they seem to have settled in nicely. Put on some weight so their harnesses no longer buckle. Good news is that they are extremely friendly with the little kids. The foster care person was awesome and treated them so well. It was a tearful reunion. Missed them so much and really hoping that we can move into affordable housing before holidays so that my friend is not stuck with them for too long.

Career - more rejections letters from veterinary hospitals, but not too depressed yet. Wasn't very likely anyway, but it doesn't hurt to try. The first position was filled rather quickly, but I made it through the first few rounds of consideration for the second position with the same company. Interview had gone well; they pretty much stated that they would prefer more hands-on experience but were encouraged by my drive and dedication to helping animals. Recommended a veterinary apprenticeship (same one I'd seen on employRI's website) and encouraged me to reapply, as there is always a demand for trained professionals in animal health care.

Sunday was my daughter's and my third day at the cat sanctuary. We did have to leave half an hour early so that we could pick up the cats, but things went more smoothly. As for the internship, last week I was supposed to have an interview and bang out a work schedule, but the woman I was supposed to meet with was out sick, so it was rescheduled. Met with her yesterday. The good news is that it would be mornings; the not-so-good is that it may only be one shift per week, which means finding more hours elsewhere to supplement and meet my course requirements. Not phased, though. Ironic, though, that I had been complaining about not finding a job and now it looks like I may have three. LOL

Health - started physical therapy for hip and ankle injuries. I'll meet twice per week. Tomorrow I go for aqua therapy. Still need to schedule with otolaryngologist regarding the vestibular disorder and related hearing loss. Perhaps I can get a hearing aid? Also, have started seeing a therapist and was approved by doctor for Lexapro- only problem is that my health insurance will not cover it. I figured maybe Walmart would be an option, but they do not have a generic.Yet again, not phased. I'll see if the insurance will cover a similar medication.

Home - Husband still looking for job, and working with staffing agencies. Still living in the shelter. Getting along better with roommates (knock on wood) but I don't spend much time there. Would much prefer having own apartment but it could be (and was) much worse. Now that we have our stuff from the boat and our cats are taken care of, I feel much more at ease and physically, I am more comfortable.

Much love and thanks for well wishes, everyone.

 In other news, someone has agreed to take our cats in for us until we get set up in an apartment. The foster arrangement ends mid-November, but we can come get them any time that we want, once the foster person is notified.

Class is going well. We are going to help out at the Scituate Animal Shelter in RI tomorrow for our field trip. This is the pivotal moment, when our class decides whether this is the career for us. I am more jazzed than ever, to be honest. I know that working with animals is an emotionally and physically demanding job, but it's something I can be proud of. And I've already started my rescue work this week- I've been helping to place pets that have been dropped off during class.

There are so many careers in the animal care field and I want to do a little bit of everything. Which is fine, as most animal caretakers end up branching out and continuing their education. What I'm doing now will form the basis for every animal-related position out there. I plan to bone up on business, management, and office skills in addition to volunteering at the local animal rescue league. You'd be amazed at some of the skills I have which I thought were unrelated to the job which can be applied to working at the PARL.

Work/School: I start the animal care program on Tuesday and then meet with a career counselor in the afternoon. Looks like I've got funding through Crossroads RI and not netWORKri.

Home: Got approved for staying here another month. Got placed onto waiting list for housing, #31 isn't bad but means that it could take a while. So, more housing applications to fill out. Finally got benefits after being rejected, which means having an income.

Pets: still in limbo. Currently in foster care until Nov. 21st but if I cannot find an apartment by then, which seems to be the case, then I will have to relinquish custody. And it kills me inside, because the local housing authority accepts pets but I won't be able to reclaim them in time. The local cat sanctuary that I wanted to volunteer at is full-up so that's moot. I keep telling myself that at least they are being taken care of and that someone will find them homes, but I want their home to be with US. *deep breath* If the gods will it, so mote it be.

Kids: Adapting well to school and town. Making friends and much happier.

Health: Feeling better and hopeful for now that I can get through the week. Mental health appointment on Friday; physical on the following Tuesday. I cannot live in a constant state of agitation like the way the past few weeks had been. Still working out digestive issues.

And you?

Waiting in Bristol to hear from harbormaster. I don't know if I'll be able to get onboard today to see why it's riding low. Rainy, crappy day for it, but next few days are supposed to be worse. I'd left a message with his office once I got here, but they said he's busy and would call me. Bryan apparently left him an email, as well. I don't want to leave unless I know where I stand. Someone called earlier but I didn't have a pen to write down his info and he said he'd call back with his number about a mooring. Hoping that we can pull something together.

*sigh*

EDIT:
Had no battery power to run bilge pump so harbormaster had to bring portable pump on board. 4-6 inches of water in galley, half-full v-hold. Also, bilge pump hose had come loose again, big surprise. Could not have waited, as we are going to have a long stretch of heavy rain. (Should not be as bad as Irene, though.) The straight poop is that we have to move it as soon as possible, and he understands that getting down here is an issue. He said to "just keep him in the loop." Once we get the details arranged for moving the boat to the new mooring, we will be allowed to tie up at the dock for one day while we charge the batteries overnight, then we have to move it. He was kind and wanted me to stay calm, but that was not going to happen today. He's done above and beyond for us, and I apologized to him for the whole mess.

For a moment there, I was thinking about whether we need to call a salvage yard. I'm more concerned for my kids belongings. If things work out for the new mooring, at least we have somewhere to store our stuff until Oct. 31st. After that, I really don't know.

Job training:
Finishing up in about two weeks, and then onto the Animal Caretaker Training program. Hello, career working with animals! Have a lovely resume and cover letter to show for it. The last lesson: the Dreaded Interview...

Kids:
My daughter started high school today. Although enrolled as a ninth grader due to having only half the credits for ninth grade, she was still able to take some tenth grade courses. She can forgo another year of Spanish as she placed high on the proficiency exam, and enroll for two years of French, and will be allowed to take Mandarin Chinese in eleventh grade. Which floats her boat. She was worried at first, but now she is looking forward to Theater Arts and other extracurriculars. Already started making friends with cute Asian boys who offered to help her get settled in and with her homework, LOL I think she'll be just fine...

My son starts tomorrow in junior high, as the hurricane knocked out power to half the town and their computers went a bit wonky. So he couldn't officially enroll until today. It's all good.

Getting help:
A much better meeting today, as I was able to get things straightened out with social services. We'll have some sort of help until one of us gets hired, at least.

Other than that, so much to share and not enough time tonight to share it. But thank you, everyone who's been following my blog and wishing us well. We'll be on our feet soon enough, and as y'all know, what goes around comes around. Spread the good karma and the universe will reward you.

 update: spoke with the lady from 2Hand 4 Paws...
The cats settled into their new foster home well. Leia yowled the whole car ride, big surprise, but as soon as she was let out of the carrier, was very interested in exploring the guy's place. TaunWe was quiet during the ride, and didn't want to leave his carrier at first, but when he did... he sauntered over and staked his claim on his favorite chair. All in all, they are doing well.

I scrubbed the boat down inside today, and just have to finish up the bathroom after we pumpout. Tomorrow the kids will be taking the train from Providence to visit my brother and mom. As soon as the harbormaster says that the mooring is ready, we'll be moving the boat over, locking it up, and then heading over to Crossroads. Once we are settled in, we can send for the kids. I want a few days to just go over a few things before they return. It's going to be strange, but it might give us a fresh start. I don't know if we will sell the boat, but should that become necessary, I won't shed a tear. (My husband feels differently.) It hasn't been the best experience, although it taught me a lot about what I am capable of. Right now, I feel relieved to have a plan of action.