Here at Colehaus, we’re still hanging on.
Outside, the winter rains we’re used to haven’t put in much of a performance and the temperatures are higher than usual. A few things are blooming, as expected, and everything else seems to be in a holding pattern, waiting, like us, for something good to happen.
The lack of heavy rain hasn’t stopped the moss or ferns from taking hold. Good thing Mom loves both.
Scruffy, the neighbor cat is still visiting, usually early in the morning when wandering raccoons have gone home and we’re most likely to put food out in one of the feeding stations. We weaned the raccoons completely off cat food a couple of months ago and have noticed they look just as roly-poly as ever. No one’s skinny or looks hungry (knowing full well raccoons seem to always be hungry).
Scruffy has to be a good fifteen or sixteen years old by now and still getting around. He’s looking a bit older but is just as independent as ever, and a good visitor. He lives up the street and has a warm home and family to go to each night. And his slowly thinning fur feels soft and very silky as if someone is brushing him daily.
Inside, Quint insists on sleeping the winter away, and who could blame him? A comfy hammick to snooze on in front of a winter sunlit window, water fountain softly splashing nearby and food bowl mere steps away.
Certainly, not Olivia who has all but taken over Angel Ruby’s Tower of Love heated compartment.
That is, if Viola hasn’t taken that compartment over first! (And insisting on the gray heated mat cover over the fleecy creamy white cover Olivia prefers.)
Elsewhere, Dad’s still looking for a job.
How does a small family with a mortgage and bills survive five months on one minimum wage income when the head of the household is laid off? Very lean. Very, very, very lean. Good thing we never bought or became addicted to a cell/smart phone or gaming devices or Netflix or this, that or the next thing, huh?
That said, when not working her long 12-hour, 3-day straight shifts, Mom’s out of her head with worry. We’re hoping the software tech industry opens up hiring again very soon and someone is willing to give Dad a chance to use his 20+years of software quality assurance and business/customer analytical skills to use.
He’s not limiting himself to just that field however. He can’t afford to. Since last August, his applications have included various financial roles, government jobs, test technician level/management level and support positions. The one thing he isn’t is a salesman or cold call marketer, nor can he stand for hours per day at a counter at a hotel or Taco Bell or McDonald’s. He’s a desk jockey, and a darn good one.
Thus far, 132 applications and resumes sent has brought him just 5 interviews, and nothing, not even a phone call, since early November. His LinkedIn page attracts recruiters whose first language isn’t English and all seem to confuse our city and neighboring Portland with cities located two-to-four hundred miles away. How Portland can be confused with Olympia or Bellingham is beyond comprehension.
Dad’s unemployment runs out in about five weeks and then… *insert worried looks and a shaky sigh* …we’re doing everything we know how to do. Something has to give sooner or later. That’s all we can hope for. We’re sorry we don’t have better news.
Thank you for your words of kindness and hope over the past few months. We’re living off these right now, using them to brush away all thoughts of despair. We’ll survive this, or rather, we’re pretty sure we will, somehow, and we wanted to acknowledge all your good thoughts and prayers. Thank you.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A Colehaus Cats flashback:
2018 – No post
2017 – A Niblet Update!
2016 – No post
2015 – Pia’s Slippers
2014 – No post
2013 – Quint’s 2012 paints are going, going…
2012 – Zooming Zooot
bak two morrow. pleez chex yur e mailz ❤️😺
Quint, at least you aren’t in Michigan, where even the humans are hibernating! Continuing our warm fuzzies and hugs to you and yours.
We had so hoped this was the post that carried the good news of a job for your dad. This must be so frustrating and frightening. We asked Mom if she could help out a little even though Sawyer’s vet expenses have been substantial, and she said, “yes!” So please check your PayPal account. Prayers and POTP will continue. Love and hugs to all, angel Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer
So happy to hear from you, was so hoping for better news. We still have all paws crossed and send lots of purrs and pawhugs.
We sure hope things turn around soon for you. We know how difficult this must be for you.
The Florida Furkids and Mom Sharon
We are glad to hear from you, good news or bad. Aside from a house full of cats and their needs I also kept my life pretty lean to last longer if and when hard times hit. We do hope that very soon someone realizes that a person with decades of experience is an asset and not just too expensive to hire. Thanks for taking care of the critters.
It was so good to hear from you. We have been wondering how you are doing. We were so hoping your news would be better. Sure hope Dad finds work soon. We know how unsettling this must be for you and the kitties.
Purrs and prayers this all turns around for all of you.
Love and hugs,
Sasha, Grady Lewis and Mommy Joan
I have thought about all of you many many times. SO glad to her from you and sad that nothing has turned up as yet. POTP over and over to you. XX
We’re so happy to hear from you. We are sending lots of purrs and prayers that easier days and happy news will come your way soon. You’re in our thoughts.
Purrs and prayers for a job offer soon! Beautiful pictures – stay warm and cozy all.
We are back!
Sorry to hear that your dad still hasn’t found a job. We are sending you prayers for good jobs to come pouring in soon.
Our love to all!
Emma and Buster
We are sorry you don’t have better news too ! We will continue sending purrayers and POTP to all of you.
Thanks for letting us know how things are going. Give all the kits a hug from us.
sending tons of purrs and prayers for Dad finding work your way. I do not in any way mean this in a derogatory way, but would Dad consider substitute teaching? I know in many cities you do not need a teaching degree (I know Dad has other more important qualifications) but many cities pay $100 a day for substitute teachers. My husband does it now (he is a former teacher) and I might be doing it soon. I have been unable to find a thing in advertising (yes I have a degree and over 20 years experience) since I was let go in 2007 (downsizing)……..I wasn’t against menial work either…..I pray Dad finds something in his field but if not, substitute teaching might be an option.
Glad to hear you’re all hanging in there…though we know how difficult it must be. We continue to purr that your dad finds suitable employment soon.
I’m so sorry you’re going through such a hard time. Loads of purrs and prayers headed your way.
Thank you for checking in with us. We do think of you guys often and do keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs and love.
We loved looking at the pretty flowers. Here in the frozen tundra, nothing is moving ‘cuz it’s all frozen. This morning when Mom went to work it was -28 actual degrees and the wind chill was around -55. She told us it was way too cold for us to even think about going outside. We wondered why she had to go out!! We are so sorry to hear that the right job hasn’t appeared yet. All of you are in our prayers and thoughts. It’s hard to be patient but we just believe that there’s something really good out there. We were so excited to hear from you again and we loved all the pictures. Mom especially liked Quint’s picture! What a cute little dude, she said.
Hugs and purrs from Hemingway, Steinbeck and Pam
Nice to see you all. I am sorry your Dad hasn’t found a job yet. Not sure of his schooling, but if he has any kind of a Bachelor’s degree , he can work from home teaching Chinese students English through VIP kid or a similar place. One of my friends does it and makes a lot of money. You are all in my prayers. XO
Dear friends please let us know if there is anything at all we can do to help you through this time.
Sorry to hear the news but happy you’re surviving. I just messaged you today. Does your husband have any ex-co-worker contacts. TW remembers when Pop got laid off how much she cried but an ex-boss who switched jobs got permission to hire him, at first part time then full time. Can he do consultant work? Something good will happen. I can feel it.
Dear friends, we think of you often, and are grateful for your post. We cannot imagine how difficult this all must be. We are purring and praying for a job for Dad Col, soon. And sending you all love and gentle purrs.
Thank you for giving us some news. We keep purring, crossing our paws, and sending good vibes to you. Purrs
I SO wish the news was better for you! 🙁 I hope something good happens soon.
We’re glad to hear from you but wish the news was better. We know this is difficult and scary, and we’re sending all the hope for better news on the job hunting front. Lots of love from all of us.
We hope you’ll be posting good news soon.
Paws and fingers crossed for you!
xxoo
Thanks for updating us. We think about you all the time and constantly send good vibes your way. Hopefully something good will happen soon. Hugs and love from all of us.
Mom L and I are sending our best pawsitive thoughts for successful job search. We understand desperate times. Mom L and DadP lost our home in the recession and have never recovered financially because Dad P was fired at the same time. After 40+ successful years in higher education executive positions a new university president “cleaned house”.
It is good to hear from you. I am sorry that you don’t have good news about a job though. I really do hope things look up and your dad starts to get better luck with his job hunting. Sending love to all of you.
We hope your Dad can find something and soon. Purrs and prayers for you all.
We are sending lots of positive energy and juju and hope something comes of it. Purring lots too, for good news.
Purrs Georgia,Julie and JJ
Continuing purrs to the dad for finding a new jobbie.
We’ve truly missed you and your kitties. We hope everything works out soon … not the least of which because we miss you 🙂
We’ve been thinking of you and are sorry you don’t have better news. We hope that something turns around very soon. Purrs to you and the kitties.
We are minly hopin the pansies will bloom before TBT has to plant corn in their spot in May.
Thanks for the update on everyone as we have been thinking of you all. We send our collective purrs and prayers things turn around for Dad asap. It is so scary to be out of work and our Dad remembers some lean times he had in his life. We would think that QA would be something in big demand but wonder if these things have moved to other parts of the world with our “global economy” which we read as “leaving america.” No more soapbox and only well wishes to you all. You have brought us so much joy over the years know we support you fully.