Hi all:

Just wanted to let you guys know that Alan got a part time job. He just left for work and I took two photos of him in his security uniform. And he said “take a picture of my muscles”. I think he believes if you all see him doing well, you’ll feel like there is hope for everyone.

I still can’t believe that, at almost 60, he’s not giving up and does all he can to get his health as best it can be. Gotta give him props, that’s all I can say.

Good on him, gotta give him " A " for effort, there seems to be a lot of part time work around over here is it the same in the US too, Mel? were's all the full time jobs gone ? maybe China, after what i seen on tele the other night.

You got a pretty hunky husband there, girlfriend

Barb

You are so right about it not being easy to find a full time job. All I know is whenever I have to call Verizon DSL tech support, I never reach anyone in the United States. They are either in India or the Phillipines.

I have to start looking for a job myself when the weather stays a bit warmer. I'm too stiff right now. I was an administrative assistant from the age of 18 till I had to quit work because of all the problems with my son. I was about 40 when I stayed home and began a home typing business and bought myself the first IBM personal computes. Cost $3000 and that was almost 20 years ago. jeeez $3000 today would buy you SOME COMPUTER!!!
Mine came with a 20 megabyte hard drive. Can you imagine that?? $3000 for a 20 megabyte hard drive. And the word processing software was multi-mate advantage.

It's amazing that I can remember all this stuff. I typed 145 words a minute. I used to win typing contests. I can still type that fast but why on earth would I want to. It gives you carpal tunnel syndrome.

I'd like to look around my neighborhood and maybe see of one of the local law offices can use someone to do light typing and be a receptionist.

I don't think I'll have any luck, because I'm almost 60 years old. Now who is going to hire a 60 year old disabled woman.

I should have never quit my job all those years ago. I'd be in a totally different situation now. But I did what I had to do at the time.

Who knew!!!!

Oh well, At least Alan works two days a week (I'm so proud of him). Every little bit helps.

Melody

P.S. Barb, I just saw what you said about Alan being a hunk. I smiled. So will he!!! Don't think anyone has ever called him a hunk. He'll LOVE IT!!!

"Multi-Mate" -- boy that was a walk back in time I started out my career as a statistical typist then onto statistical word processor then onto senior helpdesk analyst.

Don't forget to check Craigslist http://boston.craigslist.org/about/cities.html to see if there's one in your area.

You can find all sorts of part-time jobs there: students looking for term paper typists. I've seen writers looking for someone to type their book. I've seen executives that want someone to organize their home and office lives.

Don't just think inside the "typist/word processing box", you have a whole lifetime of valuable skills that people now need but just don't have the time to learn.

Hugs.

Barb

With your 145 word a minute ability, crikey, you should aim for a job in nothing less than The White House itself , go for it Mel

Tell Alan that I am truly inspired! I wish him and you the best of luck with the new job. It's not easy Mel getting back on the horse, but if anyone can do it Alan... AKA "Rocky Balboa" can!!

Cheers

Actually, good for both of you, still kicking it up a notch at 60.

You know what I thought, Mel, as you speak more than one language--there mgiht be a need for translators at social service agencies or other non-profits. (My wife works for Child Center of NY, and they're just one agency that always seems to need people who are mutli-lingual at court hearings, helath clinics, etc.)

Honestly, If I were going to be translator, I should have done this years and years ago. I can speak 5 languages (let me clarify that). I can get by in 5 languages. Like if I had to go to the store, or if I meet someone, no problem, I can have a short conversation in spanish, I can have a longer conversation in italian, with a smattering of german and other languages thrown in.

But to actually be a translator, you have to be a lot better than my abilities.
Now if I was 25 again, (and my brain functioned perfectly with a perfectly good memory and the ability to learn), well, THAT'S WHAT I SHOULD HAVE DONE YEARS AGO!!! I was very lazy back then and just stood where I was.

I was an excellent employee but I didn't have the motivation to better myself. I was also morbidly obese.

But now at my age, I reversed the obesity, and of course I can still type, but my brain, well, forget about my brain. I don't remember anything. It's disgusting. I CAN remember anything from over 35 years ago. All dialogue from movies, tv shows, conversations I had. It's like I can close my eyes and I can reproduce any conversation or thing I saw or heard from when I was younger. All that changed when I hit 50.

Now, I'm lucky if I remember where I put the milk in the morning.
A lot of this has to do with stress and what we went through with my son.

I know this. But... I'll get there.

Now this morning, I woke up completely stiff. I just rubbed blue stuff all over me. I'm going to Dunkin Donuts to meet up with Alan as he comes home from work. Then we'll go home, he'll go to bed for 7 hours, and I'll clean the house.

I really have to get a life. I've been taking care of him for 5 years.

Got to start making money again.

Thank God, Alan can feed himself and make simple stuff in the kitchen.

He refused to learn even that for a long time.

How did he learn? I refused to make him breakfast and lunch.

So he learned to pour cereal and make himself tea.

Hey, it's a start!!!

Thanks guys.

Will let you know if I get that super job I always wanted.

take care,
Melody

Hi Melody:

Was happy to see the pictures of Alan in his uniform - and good for him, landing a part time job. That is wonderful for the spirits of both of you, and the money helps a lot. I hope you can find something, too. You have a good brain, wonderful personality - and would be a real addition to any work force. Keep us posted on how things are going.

Shirley H.