It's Been Six Months....

[felinefan]

....since mom's passing. I thought I'd give you an update.

I'm still looking for work, but most of the jobs here are in retail, which as we know hasn't really picked up lately. It's discouraging when you go to one job board after another, & see all the jobs you know you don't have the skills, experience, or education to do. I went to the Santa Ana WORK Center, they told me that since I was out of work so long & was fired from my last job, the only thing I qualified for was ROP. After waiting for the fall class schedule, I found out that the ROP is reducing the adult admissions, focusing on high schoolers. I wanted the office training course, but needed bus passes. I asked my sister who's in control of my inheritance; she rudely stated that she wasn't going to pay for a course that didn't guarantee me a job at the end. She also said I didn't have the clothes for it (I guess she's never heard of clothes closets for women who need business clothes); basically she kept me disenfranchised.
I've tried most of my life to do something; whenever I tried to do so, I was told you can't do this or that, or otherwise kept from doing what I could to improve myself. Oh, well, it would've meant rescheduling a clinic appointment, which they had a hard time doing because the Dr. had to be in for them to dispense my B. P. medicine. Last time I was there, the supplier didn't show up; they had to write me a prescription which I filled at Target for $10.
My sister announced she's cutting my food money from $200 to $150, to make the money last longer. I shop at 5 or 6 differant places to stretch my money. Last month I didn't get my money until the 29th; she usually sends it around the 25th, so I had to use my pennies to get food for Tripod.
I finally got hooked up with a church, & was discussing the possibility of working for the church as a janitor. We'll see.
Tripod is adored by my landlady & her husband; my roommates seem to like her too. One of my roomies has a cat who tries to make friends with Tripod, but Tripod's a grouchy old lady & won't let him near her. The other cat's name is Gator, he's a total gentleman, though shy. Tripod actually started "aiming" outside the litterbox because Gator kept coming upstairs to see her, so Gator's owner gave me a squirt bottle to use in case Gator comes up again. Haven't had to use it on him, but I've used it on Tripod whenever she'd freak over my grooming her.

In the past week, a new development came up: Suddenly, realtors were coming over with people, showing them the house. That's when I found out that my landlord & landlady don't own this house, they're subletting the rooms. We hadn't been informed that the house was on the market, so my landlady called the owner. Since the conversation was in Vietnamese, I don't know what was said. She says don't worry about it. But everyday between 5 & 7 p.m., I'm playing hostess to one realtor & clients after another.

I hate moving; in 53 years, I've moved 18 times, an average of once every 3 years. The longest I've lived in one place was 12 years. I keep hoping that before I get too much older, I'll have a place of my own, & my expenses will only be utilities, food, & taxes. No having to share facilities, esp. when you have roomies who don't put the seat down, or when I'm the only person who cleans the hair out of the trap in the shower. No more having to tolerate my roomies' smoking, esp. when one of them uses medical marijuana. No more going to the fridge to discover a certain pair of roomies have taken some of my food without my permission, & play innocent whenever I confront them about it. No more being limited to doing dishes by hand, or cooking on a cooktop and microwave; & being able to wash my clothes whenever I want, without other people bogarting the washer and dryer, leaving their clothes in it all day. It took me 6 weeks to find this place; they were the only ones who didn't worry about my credit rating, age, having a cat, or being unemployed & living off an inheritance. Where am I going to find another?

The good news is that since the beginning of this year, I've lost 23 lbs., with 71 1/2 to go. I just cleaned out my closet, removing every top that was larger than a size Large & my 3 pairs of shorts I'll never wear again, as well as 3 pairs of size 22W jeans, which fit me like clown pants. Now I'm down to 6 Large shirts, 6 pairs of size 20W jeans (already loose), & the only thing I have that's smaller is a pair of slacks, size 18W, that I bought along with a blazer & blouse for an interview suit. I'm hoping to be able to get some size 16M pants, then I can get Medium size shirts. I can hardly wait until I'm down to a Small size.

So, if you're of the praying persuasion, I'd appreciate some prayers, esp. regarding the house. At least it's not a short sale--I found the ad online the other day.

[darph nader]

Geez,other than that everything sounds 'honky dory'. :(
Not the praying sort,but will keep my fingers crossed for you.
Unemployment really does suck. Found out a the beginning of the month that I was locked-out, and can't find out why. "We're sorry,all lines are busy. Please try your call again". Then 'they' hang-up on you. :mad:

[DisneyMom]

Who did you talk with at the ROP office? Explain your situation and be willing to train for something if it will get you a job, even if it is not your preference,as situation sounds desperate.
Do not understand why they want to bank on high schoolers exclusively. Guess I'm lucky that my adult son got into ROP this year.
As for clothes, lots of them available at Goodwill,etc. If you are in program and sis gives you usual amt of money, that would buy some outfits. Retail occupations could mean Wal-mart, so wouldn't need anything fancy...
Good Luck, Don't give up! :)

[Main Streeter]

I'm still looking for work, but most of the jobs here are in retail, which as we know hasn't really picked up lately. It's discouraging when you go to one job board after another, & see all the jobs you know you don't have the skills, experience, or education to do. I went to the Santa Ana WORK Center

Return to Santa Ana Work Center & ask to speak with a counselor one on one. If you can somehow work in a disability (you've stated your Mom always told you you had one, & I don't mean to hurt your fellings in my post) there are 2 counselors who work with Santa Ana Work Center finding jobs for those with all types of challenges. They aren't at Santa Ana Work Center. Office is off 57 near MacFadden in a high rise near the Santa Ana Auto Mall. Will try & find address from a friend. They seem to have great contacts. Dale MacIntosh Center claims to help with jobs & housing. Call & make contact. Worth a try. Kohl's is always hiring. New Kohl's opening in fall on Valley View & Ball. Bus passes are much lower if one has challenges I've heard. Never take OCTA. Prices are on www. You problably know all abt them. You have to try everything in this economy.

Sucks abt your housing. Have heard of this often. Are you still top of list in Orange with Sr. Housing? Call Wendy & ask. Think that's her name. Your paper work is all complete & in over there. http://www.craigslist.com always has for rents. Many are honest. Cats are usually accepted by many. If you want me to help you search craigslist PM me. Have some extra time. If Tripod is desperate for food PLEASE, PLEASE let me know. Don't give up. Am sure some of us can help.

[DisneyMom]

Well, I spoke too soon. I have been notified today that my son was dropped from his ROP class. Why? Because he has Autism. :mad: Seems the local hotels here-without meeting him-didn't like the "A" word. I called the local director and asked her to explain why he doesn't qualify to learn dishwashing, housekeeping or bussing tables This is a young man who can run 3 miles without stopping, has volunteered and done work training programs for YEARS successfully, has graduated from high school, taken and passed regular food safety and handling as well as nutrition classes at our local college.
She hasn't called me back yet. I just wanted him to get the opportunity to show an employer how good he is so they would hire him, but now he may not get that opportunity. It sucks, and ROP dropping him instead of trying to place him in maybe another course-not acceptable,Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.......
Again, Good Luck, Feline Fan. Hope they bank on someone who will appreciate the opportunity instead of some of the High Schoolers who dont.

[felinefan]

I had to edit my original post three times before I could get it to the 5000 character limit. So some info got left out. I had the link ROP provided that takes you to the legislation saying they are to reduce their adult admissions by 10%--if I remember right--by next year. I might've tossed it, but if you explore the ROP site (central OC),you might find it.

They THOUGHT I had a disability; I actually do not. I'm normal, it's just that if you look up the personality type ISTJ on the Myers-Briggs site, you'll find that ISTJs don't handle changes well. Plus, it's one of the less-common personality types. My family and I were victims of incredibly bad advice. I didn't have problems in school until after we came back from a six month stay in Australia, and I had problems readjusting. Back in the 60s it was like there was no such thing as a normal kid. And I don't believe in pretending to have a disability when I don't have one. It took me 35 years to figure out I was okay; please don't send me back there.

I was reading an article on a work issues site, I think it was off MSN, that peak hiring starts in September. I have my application in at CVS; let's see about that. I used to have a list of websites for all kinds of jobs, but it's vanished; I know a few are history, like America's Job Bank is now JobCentral.

As of now, Tripod is down to her last can of food, and I have 95 cents in my wallet. She also desperately needs litter; I get her the pine stuff at Trader Joe's, which I think is less than $3 a bag, but what she has is saturated.

My landlady's brother came by this morning, and I told him what's going on with the house. He said don't worry, the way the market is, it could be months, or even a year, before a house sells. He thinks the price is low, though. He also gave me his phone number, and said if I need a new place, he can help. One of my roomies knows of a great soup kitchen in Costa Mesa, he says it's like the Hilton of soup kitchens. They also have like a clothes closet, I think he said. Not only do you eat there, they give you food to take home. He says he's gonna get the address for me.

MainStreeter, I think my email addy is in my profile, or PM me for the info you need.

Yeah, saw where Kohl's is hiring, will have to check that.

[Main Streeter]

They THOUGHT I had a disability; I actually do not. I'm normal And I don't believe in pretending to have a disability when I don't have one. It took me 35 years to figure out I was okay; please don't send me back there.

With great remorse I humbly apologize feline.

[DisneyMom]

ROP Director called and now says we'll have meeting to discuss Kid's placement and make appropriate changes-whew!
Keep Trying Feline Fan! :) There will always be people who say no, just keep swimming! :dory:

[felinefan]

I am so happy to be part of a board that is so supportive, because my family is not. Today I got my money for food plus the rent check, and my sister put a note in saying that if I don't get a job by November, she's cutting my food allowance to $100/month. And if I don't do anything to support myself, she's cutting off all support, per mom's instructions. :mad:

Um, just in case, do you guys remember when I asked about a job there in Costuming? Is Disney hiring at all here on the West Coast? Preferably in a non-guest contact role?

Question: If I were to take office classes online through Microsoft, would an employer find that acceptable? I got emailed an opening on USAJOBS for Mail and File Clerk, though it requires me to have a driver's license. Dang, I swear that keeps me out of more jobs....

I was out most of today shopping, didn't get online until 8 p.m., then I have computer issues partway through reading my emmail and had to restart, it's going on 2:30 a.m., and Tripod is demanding I shut this thing off and go to bed.

It's okay, MS, I realize people skim these pages because they have a bazillion thngs to do, and likely miss a few crucial words. Keep an eye on your mailbox, I PM'ed you.

Oh, as for the house situation, nobody came today, and my landlord says they know the owner of the house, she's a very nice lady who would never have us thrown out on the street. He says if anything happens, they will help me. And the housing market is pretty soft, it could take a long time to sell a house in this market, and even then, I'm sure someone's financing could fall through. I'll bet lenders are really toughening up the requirements so they don't get screwed by a foreclosure.

[Notatourist]

Felinefan-

Have you tried Universal Studios Hollywood?