I could not make this shit up.

OK, so even though I don't like the idea of sucking on the tit of the government, I also don't like how I haven't found a job in Austin yet, and being a one-income family sucks. So back in October I read on the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) web site that you may be eligible for benefits if you relocated to be w/a spouse. I filed that in my head. November rolled around, still no job, and so at the encouragement of a friend, I decided to file.

I filed a week or so before Thanksgiving, and this is still not resolved.

Because the last place I worked was in Illinois, I had to file through IL. TWC could not take my claim, so I had to call the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). I filed and waited for my info in the mail.

Info came in the mail right after Thanksgiving. I had to do a phone interview with somebody to further explain my situation. I had to get a letter from my husband's employer, on their letterhead, saying when he started his job. I had to write up a little something and they were to contact my employer.

Fast-forward to about two weeks later, I guess. More mail. This time it told me that I was eligible to collect as long as I met the eligibility requirements.

Um, OK.

They also sent me another letter at the same time (in a different envelope, of course) requesting another phone interview, which was scheduled for Dec. 21st. In this letter it was apparent that they decided my husband is in the military. But I had to give them a letter from his employer, and that clearly was NOT on letterhead of any branch of the US Military.

So that interview on the 21st never happened-they were supposed to call me and never did. And because I was in Galveston at a cookie-making sweatshop, I didn't call until now.

And have been on hold almost 30 minutes. I just pray that my cell doesn't drop this call.

All I want is a yes or a no.

It pains me...

Let me start this off by saying I am not intending to offend anybody here.

But it pains me that my nephew isn't going to grow up in TX.

That no matter how hard our side of the family tries, he's going to know my BIL's side of the family better. Because they are there, and from there. And my family is not nor will ever be.

And there's probably no chance he'll be a fourth-generation Aggie. :(

I haven't even met him yet, but this all makes me sad.

Hugs and kisses from Aunt Sissy to Baby Jack.

I was out of pocket.

And now I am back in pocket. :)

I spent almost a week in Chicagoland visiting friends and attending some industry networking events. Fun was had by all! My friend Julia and her husband Troy are just awesome, and so are their kids and dog. I enjoyed my time with them and with my adorable friend Trisha, as well has her husband Chris and their dog Austin. I love you, friends.

I got back to Austin late Wednesday night, and have felt like I was run over by a truck since I've gotten back. Probably this house needs groceries. Perhaps I need to go shop at Ulta and use my 20% off entire purchase coupon. But I don't see these things happening again today.

News on the job search: I must have something on my forehead that says "Please interview me and don't follow up with me even though it's been almost two weeks." Ugh. I am awaiting results for three interviews I had in the past couple of weeks, but am not getting my knickers too bunched up yet because I've had a couple EVEN BETTER opportunities come across my desk and of course I am all into those. Because who wouldn't want a director-level job or to work with a Fortune 500 company? ;)

Anyway...still trying to catch up from being in Chicago, and will be heading to Galveston next week. Then probably on to Boston at the beginning of 2011. I need to meet my sweet nephew!

One rejection and two interviews this week.

Well, the one place with short cubicle walls didn't hire me.

I had interviews with two different organizations this week. Of the two, I think I really prefer one over the other. But who knows, maybe neither will prefer me. At least I've found some other positions to apply for this week and then just got a lead from a contact of mine (God bless LinkedIn).

Here's a depressing scenario for you. Me in an interview, earlier today.

Interviewer: this position is lower-level than your past positions. Are you OK with that?

Me (in my head): No, not really. I want the same type of job that I had in Chicago. However, the job market here is NOT GOOD for meetings & events like it is here.

But, I didn't say that. I did say something about it being a different market, blah blah, which it is.

I just wonder if I will ever be OK with that?