Ahh, that's better

Meltdown averted with me, but not for Michigan. Rain, ice, and thunderstorms are in the forecast for this evening. People, IT IS MARCH NOW. This had better count as March coming in like a lion, cause I have had it with winter.

I received an official counseling last week about my job termination. I will be receiving a letter making it official soon. That will give me something to walk down to the Unenjoyment Office. It will also indicate that I will be brought back in the fall for only 30 hours a week. No more denial is possible. I have started analyzing my spending, establishing budgets, and prioritizing expenses. TV will go, internet will go. I have started networking and telling everyone I am available in July. My main focus will be studying and renewing my skills for web design and databases.

My other focus will be spending time with out of state family. EVERYONE will be here in July! I will be broke, but I will have free time and I will put gas in my car and get out to see everyone while they are in the "hood". :)

If the economy continues this way in Rosco, I may have slimmer job pickings; especially part-time. Bad news for all of you that cherish the tradition of going to the DQ at least once while you are here. Yeah, they closed down a couple weeks ago after 20 years. Buildings are boarding up all over town. TNT Pizza closed a few months ago. I have heard rumors of two more restaurants closing soon also.

Did some laundry and chores. I spent some time revising my Ugly Kitchen Contest letter today. I hope to finish it next weekend. The deadline is March 15. That is the day my sister and her family are coming to visit for a week. I have the vacation time (no OBX trip this year) so I am going to take most of the week off while they are here. They are coming for our parent's 50th wedding anniversery. We are under strict orders not to plan anything! :)

I am packing for a conference this week. I love this conference. MACUL Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning. So many interesting sessions, lots of networking, and I love staying in hotels. I will be at the AmWay Grand in Grand Rapids. I have made some good friends there as well and I look forward to seeing them again. Most of them are members of TWICE, and I see them via videoconference each month. We are getting together the night before for dinner at someone's house. I promise to blog about it while I am there. I am taking my little camera though. In fact I am taking a wheeled cart this year. Last time I went my laptop case was bulging at the seams with everything I thought I needed. That includes my creamer for my coffee, which several people commented on as a great idea. What wasn't good is that my shoulder was sore and I had to go to the chiropractor afterwards to fix it. This year I vow they will say the cart is a good idea! LOL I will blog lots of conference pictures.

Sadie will be staying with Stella and her mom. I am taking her over there tomorrow to teacher her about doggie doors and leave her there while I go to knitting class.

This is getting long...I am trying to catch up after being offline all week!