Hi there everyone - I'm sorry I've been MIA so much these days! I feel just awful for not responding to blog comments, honestly. I promise I'll make a real effort to go read some blogs! A heck of a lot has been going on (which is interesting, because life here is usually pretty quiet & dull
).
The main thing going on for me at the moment has to do with animal rescue.
SPOILERS! (Click to view)I had applied to become a foster home with one of our city's main animal rescues, but only very rarely heard from them up until now. Anyhow, they had two members of the board step down and needed help with administrative stuff ASAP. Since I'm not working, I was like, "Heck yeah!"
I am now answering all the incoming emails for the rescue and directing them to the appropriate people - whew. Lots of emails. I'm still working out who to forward certain things to - one person deals with dog stuff, one person deals with cat stuff, another person deals with vet vouchers, etc. etc. Lots to learn and so many incoming emails. I feel like I always need to be checking the email account because "what if there is an emergency?!" I guess I feel a little overwhelmed and stressed, but in a good way, I think. Helping out a rescue gives me a sense of purpose, I feel more alive when I'm actually doing something.
The downside to all of this is, of course, the heartbreak. My dog has this happening... My cat got attacked... Will you help us pay for $______ of my pet's surgery.... There are so many people and animals in need, and we just don't have the funds to help people out as much as we'd like, you know?
Just today I have talked to two people who each have over 18 cats of their own, and they care for many more ferals. One fella said there are something like 84 that he feeds. All in our small town... it's pretty amazing. And just... my creyes. I should remember never to discuss rescue
anything in front of my mother... she was shaking her head and muttering things about "crazy cat people." I think these people are amazing. I don't think I would ever want to have that many cats, or be responsible for that many (we have three, all former fosters and I don't think we need any more permanent kitteh friends)... but what these people do is going above and beyond what most would even consider doing to help these poor homeless creatures.
Another (almost) downside is that I am ridiculously soft-hearted when it comes to animals in need. By the end of the weekend, I kind of think my bathroom will be full of fluffy little feral kittens. I'm not even joking. They are pretty young, so they *should* be tameable. Either way, I'm suggesting
Heckler wear thick jeans when he's using said bathroom. I've had a fair few foster kittens in the past, but these will be my first ferals... wish me luck!
So yeah, time consuming stuff right there.
I lost my job a month or so ago. I was working at a market research firm and the office closed down due to lack of contracts. Business should pick up again in the Fall, but in the meantime, I'm s.o.l. I also found out that I waited too long to apply for Employment Insurance... see, my plan was to keep working until I couldn't anymore (up until my surgery, if possible), and then apply for EI, so I would have enough to carry me through my recovery period. Well, no. EI says that I had to apply within four weeks of my last day of work. Arg. Anyway. I hope something works out, because I am hurting for money, for serious.
My ex husband is moving back to town within the next couple of weeks. He's coming to stay with us until he finds a place of his own. He said maybe up to a month... yowza. I get along well with my ex, don't get me wrong, but I worry about how Heckler feels about it all. That's got to be weird for him.
I'm really hoping that my ex can help me get into one of the places he has contacts at in the funeral industry. I know a lot of the ins and outs of it (having been married to a mortician for 8 years), so I have something over other people who might apply in those kinds of places. *fingers crossed*
I never thought I'd say this, but I can't wait for school to start. I think I finally get that "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" commercial that Staples does I love kids, don't get me wrong, but they can go back to school now, really.
Summer has been pretty awesome 
my daughter
Heckler & I after a long day of being tourists up island
You have my HAT!!! Almost done?
Sorry about the job. Crud. It's a sign o' the times, eh.