Unemployemnt: SEAP Program

I got the Self Employment Eligibility letter today - the letter I had not received when I went to the class to learn about SEAP (Self Employment Assistance Program).  At that time I was told if I didn't receive the letter I would not qualify for the program.

I also recieved the notice for a MANDATORY "Orientation to Reemployment Services".

I guess I was just too far ahead of the program.

So, now I can sign up for the orientation for the CASH program and once I take that (not offered until late December or January) I can "apply" for the program.  If accepted for the CASH program, I can then apply for the SEAP (Self Employment Assistance Program).  This will allow me to concentrate on starting a business instead of looking for employment.

Meanwhile, for the next few months I need to continue my job search and report three contacts each week.  This remains the most frustrating part - finding and applying for three jobs each week that I would be willing to take if offered the job.  There just aren't that many out there and I am moving toward self employment.  But - I'll do it.

Abby and Alley; Summer Fun

When our summer neighbors came up this summer with a new puppy we were all wondering how our dogs would get along.  I posted a few pictures earlier showing how well both were adjusting.

Now as it is almost time for them to leave I wonder how they are going to get along without each other.  Neither dog has any concept of a boundry between our properties.  Abby was raised playing in their woods and Alley makes us one of her early stops in the morning to say hello.

These pictures were on Abby's deck bed were the two played non stop for over an hour just loving each other, growing, and wrestling.  They are amazing together; just too cute!

We're going to miss Alley!

Not My Idea

This is a picture Jim suggested and I didn't quite see it but took it anyhow.  Truth is I don't really take suggestions well - I need to "see" it myself for it to make sense to me.

Not sure this is how he saw it framed but I like it.

Evening walk at Point No Point

We went to Point No Point to walk the beach as the sun set.  I stopped to get a picture of both the lighthouse and the lighthousekeeper's house.  Abby stood in the middle of the picture waiting for me to hurry up and continue the walk.  Jim was already down the beach.

This picture so perfectly shows what the right light can do for a picture.  A pile of sticks becomes magical as it points to the moon.  Today was such a beautiful day without a cloud to be seen and evening was wonderful - perfect for a beach walk.

Abby howling at us to "throw the stick".

Unemployment - Three weeks

Thoughts after three weeks of being unemployed:

I am still getting my full pay with accrued vacation so the financial realities of unemployment haven't kicked in although I am fully aware that they will and I have scaled back on what is not necessary.

When we moved to Kitsap I continued working on "the Eastside" and made the insane communte for 3 1/2 years.  I was able to get a very sweet "retirement" deal so when it was time to leave I had a a very comfortable cushion and there was no rush to find new employment.  When I did I took a 75% pay cut so I have cut back on expenses before but this will be much harder.

Next to the financial cut, the weekly reporting is a bit frustrating.  You must make three contacts a week.  Basically apply for three jobs that you would be willing to take if they were offered to you.  Finding three jobs is almost impossible and the search for these takes away from real job preparation; resume update, networking, considering and researching self-employment opportunities.  But, these are the rules and the unemployment is needed so I will follow the rules.

I was dissapointed, when I took the class on job training opportunities, to find out that IF I am deemed by some computer to most likely NOT find a job before my benefits run out, then I will receive a letter qualifying me to take the Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP).  I was told I could apply without the letter but my chances are null.  I'll probably apply - why not?

On the positive side I am loving the free time.  Not wasted time but time to take care of things and take care of myself.  I am walking more, eating less.  Working in the yard is a joy and not a job.  I am starting to go through drawers and closets and planning to put some things on Ebay, or at least get them to Goodwill.  I want to declutter my house and my mind.  I gave myself a facial this morning.

Perhaps if I could have kept my job to something near regular hours time to take care of myself wouldn't come as such a surprise.  I used to get on the computer at 7AM and pretty much work, or have work on my mind all day and into the evening.  I read the paper for work.  I surfed the internet for work.  I did social networking for work.  I loved it, but I am enjoying the opportunity to be selfish and do these things for myself.  I thought I kept things in balance but I didn't.  I didn't totally let go of work at any time - I lived it and I am still somewhat engaged, but recovering.

I don't know what is ahead.  If I had it to do over would I have made the same decision?  Yes, without question - I had to.  Ask me again in a few months.

Your Park, Your Beach Chair

Pull up your lounge chairs and enjoy this upcoming beautiful weekend. 

Several sets of these chairs can be found along the shore of Puget Sound at Fay Bainbridge State Park on Bainbridge Island.

The views are spectacular!

The state parks are yours; there are no entrance fees so pull up your chair and enjoy!

Wayne and Judy Nakata at the beach

I took this picture for my mother.  We ran into friends Wayne and Judy Nakata (standing and on the right) with friends and dogs enjoying the beautiful first day of Fall at Point No Point.

The Bloedel Reserve - a peaceful place to walk and think . . . but not on Tuesdays

Following yesterday's post I headed to the Bloedel Reserve, excited to take advantage of my membership and walk quiety along the trails without a writer or tour operator or photographer in tow.  I loved giving the tours when working for the visitors bureau but going alone and not trying to keep a schedule sounded peaceful and the time to exercise and think was highly appealing.

I drove up to the gate, the gatekeeper came out and the gate opened.  They are used to just allowing me in and of course didn't know that I was no longer with the visitors bureau.  For some reason I suddenly realized that it was Tuesday.  Tuesday!  Bloedels is closed to the public on Monday and Tuesdays.

I did get my walk and it was amazingly peaceful despite the "off" day maintenance activities.  It lead to my current suggestion to Bloedel's as they reevaluate their policies:

Why not open to "members only - no guests" on Monday and Tuesday?  That would give members the added benefit of 7 day access and members would understand the need for "maintenance noise" on those days.  The gatekeeper is already there.  The visitor center could remain closed on those days.  No extra cost but it could be a selling point to get more members.

Just a thought.

Suquamish Now dot com

Have you been to the new Suquamish website yet?  It's new and it needs input but it is ready for public comment and input.

I created the page with Google Sites - my first Google site.  This is FREE, no advertising and easy to use with many, many gagets you can add.  Submit announcements and calendar items to SuquamishNow@gmail.com.

Check it out: http://www.suquamishnow.com/

House of Awakened Culture; Suquamish Community House

A view of the new Suquamish longhouse from the new Suquamish pier.  The longhouse is the new community center and Thursday evening will be the site of the annual Suquamish Community Open House.  Hope to see many of you there!

The Suquamish Citizen Advisory Committee invites you to attend its 3rd annual Suquamish Community Open House

Thursday, September 24th, 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Suquamish Community House (House of Awakened Culture)

7235 NE Parkway, Suquamish

Join us for an opportunity to talk with our County Commissioner and representatives from the Suquamish Tribe, county departments, schools, fire department, law enforcement, and local community organizations to learn about existing resources and services and future plans for our community.

We invite you to bring an item of nonperishable food to aid the Suquamish Community Food Bank

For information contact Larry Goodwin at (360) 598-4000 (8 am to 5 pm) or email, Larry@suquamishauto.com

Unemployed: First Dissapointment

I thought I knew my next step but I was dissapointed to find out that the CASH program, the training program for the Self Employment Assistance Program, has already started for this Fall and is full.  This program would have allowed me to concentrate on being self employed and not have to do the weekly job hunt reporting to receive unemployment.  I could, of course, keep looking but the reportiing part wouldn't be necessary.

Good part:  I'm signed up for the program starting in January . . . hummm, makes me wonder how long this journey will be . . . but I have always believed that LIFE is a journey, not a destination and this is just another part of the life long journey.

My routine is the same as always; getting up early, going to the street to get the paper and giving Abby a short run, reading the paper/watching the news/checking e-mail and such (yes, all at once).  Now, instead of heading to work I am trying to eat a healthy breakfast (which I often skipped) and taking a real walk with Abby.  I may also try to get to the Bloedel Reserve more often; love that place and I have usually been there with writers and tour operators; always trying to get through the tour quickly without rushing.  Yes, I will take advantage of my Bloedel membership and talk slowly and take LOTs of photos! 

The rest of the day is job hunting, gardening, enjoying Sunrise Acre, working on photos and thinking . . . what next.

Tomorrow: Networking in Gig Harbor - another great photo opportunity.  Loving this weather.

Question:  (First a statement) Long, long ago I found that I needed help with house cleaning.  I spent years feeling guilty about paying someone else to clean my house.  I also knew that if I worked full time and then cleaned on the weekend and Jim didn't, I would resent it and probably be less than fun to be around. (Jim would help if directed - he just doesn't see dirt - just a fact).  I used to have weekly cleaning and since working locally, and thus having more time, and less money, it has been bi-weekly.  Over the last 25 yeas we have only had a handful of individuals who helped me maintain the house and all have become friends.  Kelly has been helping me out for over 10 years and tomorrow is her day.  So, back to the question.  I'm unemployed and should be cutting costs, right?  But . . . I don't want to give up Kelly's help AND if I do it will cut into Kelly's income which has already been cut because of other clients being laid off.  What to do?

If it is "out" it is SPECTACULAR!

I never get tired of views of Mount Rainier; from any angle and in any weather, if it is "out" it is spectacular.  Today the mountain was looking quite beautiful from my deck so Abby and I decided to take a drive and see if we could find some other good angles.  This picture taken from Lynwood on Bainbridge Island.

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.

Refound Relatives

On our backroads trip to the Midwest and back in May Jim reconnected with his first cousin Mimi.  At that time we found out that Mimi's sister Lydia, also Jim's cousin, lives in California and has a daughter and family living on Bainbridge Island. (Small world again)  Lydia is up here visiting her daughter Susan and her family and today we all got together for the first time.  Jim and Lydia's mothers were sisters and when they were children they grew up about 30 miles a part and visited back and forth often.

Lydia's husband Stu, daughter Susan, her children and husband Andre in the back.  Lydia and Jim in the front.

What a joy - Jim loves having some of "his" relatives around.  Not that he doesn't like mine, he does, but have family with shared memories is a wonderful thing.

No visit to Sunrise Acre is complete without a trip to the beach although we weren't able to talk Lydia into taking the ride.

Abby's new BFF Alley, heard the party and escaped to join us.  She was instantly the center of attention, as always.

Although Jim served in Air Force, he wore a hat given to him when he worked a case while in Secret Service and stood tall with neighbor Tom (who came to retrieve the wayward Alley) and Lydia's husband Stu.

Tom's shoes.

Turnabout is fair play!

I got this comment on my last post and I guess it is true - darn, I really prefer to avoid photos and especially when I find myself terribly unphotogenic.  The following is from Tracy Zhu, and her blogs are two worth following if you enjoy this area.

"Turnabout is fair play! Your pic is on both my blogs.

http://kitsapgarden.blogspot.com/
http://blog.seattlepi.com/thenorthkitsapper"

More important than my vanity,  Abby is now a star on two more blogs and her fan base will grow! 

Native Plants Sale at Stillwaters - Today and Tomorrow

Read the list below, you must need at least some of these plants for your yard and NOW is a great time to plant.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 19 - 20, 2009
This is a listing of plants usually available at the Stillwaters Native Plant Nursery. It includes some friendly non-natives, too. 26059 Barber Cut Off Road Kingston WA. Plants range in price from $2.50 - $20.

• Big Leaf Maple
• Camas
• Cascara
• Cherry - bitter
• Chives
• Daisy
• Douglas Fir
• Douglas Spirea
• Dove Tree 
• Elderberry, Red 
• Faber Fir  
• Fern - Alaska 
• Fern - Deer  
• Fern - Sword  
• Foxglove 
  
  
• Fuschia 
• Grand Fir 
• Hawthorne 
• Honeysuckle - Orange  
• Huckleberry - Evergreen 
• Huckleberry - Red  
• Incense Cedar 
• Indian Plum 
• Japanese Maples  
• Kinnikinnick 
• Madrone 
• Mock Orange 
• Ninebark 
• Noble Fir 
• Ocean Spray 
• Oregon Ash 
• Oregon Grape
• Oregon White Oak 
• Osier Dogwood  
• Oxalis 
• Pacific Crabapple
• Pacific Silver Fir 
• Paper Birch 
• Pearly Everlasting 
• Ponderosa Pine 
• Pt. Orford Cedar
• Red Currant  
• Rhododendron - Pacific  
• River Birch 
• Roses - Peafruit & Baldhip 
• Salal 
• Salmonberrry 
• Sedges
• Sedum 
• Sequoia 
• Serviceberry 
• Shore Pine 
• Sitka Spruce 
• Snowberry 
• Strawberries - Coastal  
• Trillium 
• Twinberry 
• Vine Maple 
• Violets 
• Western Hemlock 
• Western Red Cedar 
• Wild Ginger 
• Yarrow
• Yellow Eyed Grass

For more information, please contact Stillwaters at 360-297-2876 or info@stillwatersenvironmentalcenter.org

Cruising Liberty Bay

Beautiful evening on the water last night crusing Liberty Bay with friends.  Everyone brought some food and wine and there was plenty of everything!

Mount Rainier was out and beautiful.

We passed two other NW Boat Rental's electric boats while we were out.  This one is in front of the family compound where Katie Ann Stimac Mendelsohn got married - one of the most wonderful weddings I've ever attended.

"The Spirit of Poulsbo"

A couple of my photos, including the one above stretching across two pages, are going to appear in the new history book "The Spirit of Poulsbo".  If you live in the north end you might want a copy of this wonderful book.  What a great Christmas present for a Poulsbo resident.

The Book Stop in downtown Poulsbo is handling pre-orders, which can be placed by phone at (360) 779-9773, on the internet at http://www.poulsbobookstop.com/, by walking into the store or mailing payment to the Book Stop, 18954 Front St., Poulsbo 98370. Cash, check, or credit card are accepted. Specially engraved gift cards are available for gifting family or friends before the publishing date.

Pre-order prices: Regular hard cover edition is $70.59; published price, $81.45. Limited leather-bound edition (available on a first come basis) is $162.90. All prices include tax.

Quiet Beaches

Yesterday I joined Jim and Abby on their daily walk at Point No Point.  We didn't go until late afternoon and except for the fishermen, we had the beach to ourselves.  With summer coming to an end and kids back in school the Kitsap beaches return to quiet sanctuaries.  Above a couple enjoy the view from the top of the lighthouse.

Every trip to the beach is different; new driftwood buildings, more or less driftwood, high tide or low tide, migrating wildlife; constant change.

Abby has two passions; sticks and water.  Put them together and she is one happy puppy dog.

We walked down the beach and then on the return cut over to the back trail lined with wild roses, currently showing their fall color.

One last good bye from a crow claiming the beach and the driftwood sculpture.

Seattle's Pioneer Square Flowers

Walking from the ferry to FX McRory's for a lunch meeting I couldn't help but admire the flower baskets.  All of our communities are doing a wonderful job these days providing us with spectacular displays of colorful flowers hanging in baskets from light poles and walls.
At each corner there were more flowers and in early September they are at their peak.


Crossing Occidental Square I found the patient employee who daily keeps the flowers watered and looking amazing, unlike my one lone hanging basket in my garden that I didn't manage to keep alive despite hanging within feet of the water hose.  I admire this guy.

Cally the Calico Cat

A member of our family who has probably not been in this blog before is Cally, our Calico cat.  Cally and Fred came to us as sibling kittens about 14 years ago.  Fred was social and Cally stayed far in the background content with Fred as her only close friend.

Several years ago Fred dissapeared and I saw a coyote hunting in one of Fred's favorite spots a day later.  I think Fred was friendly with the wrong friend.

Slowly over the years Cally has become more social with Jim and with me.  She is now almost a pest at bedtime insisting on sleeping under the covers with me.  Cally is still rather shy around strangers and many friends are surprised to hear that we have a cat.

This morning as I was watching the sunrise I looked over at our little guest house deck and there was Calley enjoying the sunrise with me from her own private deck.

Good Morning Sunshine

Good morning!

Last night three sailboats came into Port Madison, rafted up and spent the night.  This morning I saw some people on the deck watching the sunrise with me.  The pricture of the boats has Mount Rainier rather faintly in the background.

This was a unique sunrise with a single strip of clouds above reflecting the sun, and the water below reflecting the clouds, before the sun is actually above the horizon.

Change is good

Change is good, right?

I think it can be which is good since I am now unemployed and just starting to look at options for the next phase of my life.

Over my working life I have tended to stay in one place a long time but I have also taken leaps of faith with almost each new job; moving to Bainbridge Island from Colorado when I was divorced, leaving a good job and moving to Washington DC to get married, leaving a great job to move back to the NW where we wanted to live, leaving a wonderful 15 year job because we bought a house on Kitsap on a whim and the commute got to be too much, leaving a very rewarding position to find a better fit and now, after 8 years, leaving the Kitsap Peninsula Visitor & Convention Bureau with no plans but faith that it is all going to work out.

I sent the following message to the KPVCB members:

I’ve jumped off cliffs all my life so here I go again as the Kitsap Peninsula Visitor & Convention Bureau and I part ways.


It has been a wonderful 8 years and I have enjoyed working with all of you. I love Kitsap and it has been both a privilege and rewarding to have the opportunity to promote such a wonderful corner of the world and get to know so many people through my work.

The KPVCB is making some changes. It will hopefully be a better, stronger organization and definitely needs its members to step up and support it during this transition. There is strength in numbers so gather ‘round and make your visitors bureau the strong organization it needs to be to do the best job for all of you.

I don’t know where I’m going to land but as I seek new employment opportunities I am available for projects, photography assignments, small business consulting, part time or short term assignments. I’d like to “try” a few things before doing anything full time and long term but let me know about any of those as well.


Please stay in touch! I am available through Jean@KitsapImages.com and my blog at www.KitsapandBeyond.com.

So, if you hear of any interesting projects where I might be a fit, let me know.  I have been asked to do some contract work for the KPVCB and that might be a win/win if it works out.  Perhaps I can put together a few different projects/jobs and stay busy, feel challenged and make a little money.

Meantime I'll be here on "Kitsap and Beyond" and with a little extra time I will get out and take a few more photos!

Views from Paradise

View from the north end of Liberty Bay towards Poulsbo in the early evening light.

Enjoying the high tide.

United States Lighthouse Society Vacation Rental - Another Off Season Kitsap Treasure

Did you know that the United States Lighthouse Society is located right here on Kitsap. It moved from San Francisco into one half of the Lighthouse Keepers House next to the Point No Point Lighthouse in Hansville to fulfill their dream of being located in a lighthouse property.

The best part of being home to the Lighthouse Society is that their staff manage the other half of the Lighthouse Keepers house as a vacation rental. (Pictures of the Lighthouse Keepers House on their website). You can now rent this piece of history and stay right on the water; walk the beaches; watch the sunrises, marine traffic and abundant wildlife.

Make your reservations now for the off season; my personal favorite time to walk the Point No Point beach. No matter what the weather is, the non summer months are beautiful and the beach is quiet, often empty and you will have the entire stretch to yourself. If a storm comes along curl up in the vacation rental and enjoy nature's show.

United States Lighthouse Society Vacation Rental Information and some great reviews!

The latest United State Lighthouse Society Bulletin. If you love lighthouses you might want to join to receive this Bulletin and perhaps take one of the great tours offered to see lighthouses around the country and the world.

Suquamish Totem Pole

The top of the totem pole at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Hotel catching the last bit of sun.

We were on the lawn below watching the Christopher Cross concert and enjoying an early September evening with a very happy crowd.