Unemployment is a new and interesting world

Newly unemployed I am working my way through the world of unemployment and at the same time hoping I don't stay unemployed for long.  I have never claimed unemployment - or rather not since I was 25 when my employer laid me off after having a baby and then tried to deny the claim because "mothers shouldn't work".  I won that one but had a job shortly after and only collected checks for a short time - it was fun the day I opened the mailbox and got a pile of weekly checks all at once.

Realtiy check: Age 59, overweight, no longer own a corporate/business wardrobe and really can't imagine buying one.

My first week unemployment claim sent up flags and took a long wait on hold to figure out that they now need to send me a form to figure out how to handle the three days I got paid, but didn't work, that were not vacation.  Once past that week things should settle into the "normal" range and everything can be done online, which, by the way, is the way I filed the initial claim - very efficient and easy.

Good news; accrued vacation doesn't count against unemployment so as I use up my vacation I will also collect unemployment which makes it a little easier to ease in to full unemployment.  Keep in mind that my most recent full employment was a 3/4 cut from my last corporate year of employment.  Ouch, this is going to be hard.  Thank goodness for the great government retirement Jim gets.

My challenge is to seriously look for work while at the same time make good use of the time off; refresh, catch up on routine doctor and dentist appointments; get more excercise, loose weight, take care of me, do some fun things and get the house and garden in shape.

This morning Abby and I walked into Suquamish, got a cup of coffee and walked out to the end of the pier to welcome the day.  I am determined to enjoy this new freedom; work to find new employment but not let myself worry to the point of not enjoying this time. 

I'll post updates on this journey in between my regular photo and family entries.  Stay tuned.