Dash away, dash away, dash away all...

Warning: This comment contains subject of a depressing and sour nature. Read with caution.

So, here I am (this is Jeff by the way). Yesterday, April 12th was the 3rd month that I have been out of work. Time goes really quickly when you're doing nothing. It's been a rough ride so far but Cherie and I have managed as well as can be expected - thanks to friends and some family. It's not fun nor easy being out of work. I used to think that when people were on long sick leaves or out of work that it must be nice to not have to work. I was wrong. It's depressing, boring, sad and just plain frustrating. At first it was nice to have a few days off but after that it has been nothing but worry. Worry about money, food, electricity, etc. The list could go on. We've been down to very little food and have had challenges with other things as well. We haven't been out to eat or done anything fun that requires money for months now. We were never really that much into going out but the option was there, now it isn't. That's hard. I will occasionally go to a drive-thru and get a soda but my mind will inevitably go to the fact that even this teenager waiting on me has a job and I don't. Being over-qualified for some jobs is also an oxymoron. I mean if you're qualified, you're qualified, right? Having a degree helps but it's no guarantee of anything unless you happen to be a nurse or doctor. There are jobs by the dozens for those people. I would even venture to say that being a nurse is more advantageous then being a doctor at this point. Life just sucks right now. Sorry to all of you PMA-er's out there - that's "positive mental attitude-ers" for those not sure what those initials stood for. It's hard to keep a "positive attitude" when you don't even hear from anyone. I apply on-line constantly, I email and even call those that will allow it and yet nothing. NOTHING! No one responds at all. I mean it's like I have the plague or I'm giving out the wrong email address or phone number. I'm tired of this impersonal way of doing business. It does save on gas and having to run here and there but it also allows the companies to just ignore you, too. We're ignored so much anymore. I warned you that this was going to be depressing. I wasn't kidding. I am so frustrated and tired of being without employment that I'm even willing to consider jobs that start me at what I was making 10 or more years ago!!!!! Can you believe that? It's like I never worked at all. On a positive note, I will say that I am glad to be out of church employment. I hated that job. I did it for ten years but now it's like I was never even there. Honestly, for being the "church" it really sucks how they treat you. I would warn anyone to have anything to do with LDS church employment or LDS Social Services for that matter, but don't get me started on that either. I will have to paste another warning label for that topic! I went to BYU, worked on campus most of the time and should have known better about working for the "church", but it was a better paying job then the one I had before, so I took it with the hopes of moving up. That lated approximately three years and then that whole idea went down the drain. What is wrong with me? Why do these things keep happening to me? I know I sound like I'm having a pity-party and maybe I am, but what do I keep on doing wrong? Please don't say it has anything to do with the Lord testing me and refining me because I will scratch your eyes out. Believe me, I have been refined more than most people I know and I'm sick of it. I realize I have made a lot of mistakes in my life, but I have tried to be a good person and yet everywhere I turn for the last 10 to 20 years it has been nothing but heartache and loss. I am sick of being happy for everyone else. When is it my turn? When do I get to have my rewards or my share of good luck or fortune or whatever you want to call it? HUH? WHEN? OH well. I'm venting and I'm sure most of you don't care. Everyone I know keeps on telling me a good job will come my way. I appreciate the support - I really do, but I just think, how do you know this? So, I'm a nice guy - big deal. Haven't you all heard the saying...'nice guys finish last'? Thats me - last place all the time. Well, this is the end of the rant. I'm tired and tired of it, too. Thanks for listening or being brave enough to read this. It could have been much worse actually but I'm sparing the most sordid thoughts and details. Unfortunately Cherie has to put up with those.

Movies!

Oops, I forgot...I was going to write about a couple movies I have seen. Jeff and I received movie tickets for Christmas...we still have some left. We have seen The Blindside. Have you seen it?? RENT IT!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh it was SOOOOOOOOO good. I loved it. The acting was great and to think it was true. It is based on the true story of the life of a football player from Old Miss who is playing pro for the Ravens. Anywho...it was great. I loved it. And of course, I cried...not a lot...which is great for me.

We also saw...Brothers... Jeff thought the acting was superb in this movie, however, he said he didn't really love the movie. It was so well done. I hate hate...I hate war...I just felt so bad for the father/husband in this movie. He was captured by the Taliban and forced to put up with horrible horrible things. He was forced to do horrible things. Yea Rah, he was rescued...well, those things don't go away just because you are rescued!!! I HATE WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was horrible and so well done. I didn't like the story...because it could have been true...things like that happen...however, it was so well done...I would recommend it to those adults out there...it was NOT a kid friendly movie!

Of course, I have seen Twilight: New Moon...I have actually watched it about 8 or so times. I know, I know...I am old and acting like a teenager. I LOVE THE STORYLINE!!!!!!!!!! I am hooked. I have seen Twilight at least 15 times...I will, I am sure see New Moon that many times and I have read the books 6 times... and I plan on reading them more and more. I LOVE THIS SET OF BOOKS AND MOVIES. The movies, I believe follow the books pretty well. Of course, as in any book becoming a movie, all of it can't be put in the movie. I do think they have done a fine job of getting the main ideas and feelings into the movies. I have heard some say the New Moon movie was so depressing...and to that I say...HAVE YOU READ THE BOOK????? It is depressing, it is sad, it is scary...The movie portrayed the people pretty much the way the books did...New Moon had a completely different feel to it than Twilight did. I LOVE THEM....I guess I already said that. Go see it...own it and love it!!! It is awesome!!!! I did feel like the acting and directing was better in New Moon than in Twilight. These movies have made a TON of money!!!

There are a few other movies we want to see...we have missed them at the movie theatres...sometimes they need to be seen the first time at the theatre...we wanted to see Sherlock Holmes...we missed it...I guess we will see it when it comes on the free movies on cable...

I would also love to see Something about the Morgans? It is a goofy movie and I love to laugh. I haven't talked to anyone who has seen it and haven't read anything about it except the movie critic in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette gave it a one and 1/2 stars...but I don't always listen to their scores...I don't watch a movie to critique it, necessarily...and this one sounds like a load of fun...I could just eat some popcorn and laugh.

Another one I wanted to see at the movies was Inglorious Bastards. It got all kinds of GREAT reviews and nominations for awards. I have a hard time sometimes with the Nazi jazz...but I really wanted to see this one on the big screen...maybe we will see it on cable...we wait for them to come on free!!!

Oh there are so many out there...I guess I need to stop for now. I do want to see Twilight: Eclipse coming in June. I don't want to wait until it is too late for me to see it on the big screen. We will save some of our movie coupons for that one!!!!! Jeff is so good to me about the Twilight things. He sees it helps me cope with life to lose myself in these movies and books. I love him for it!!!

Well, share the movies you have seen or want to see with us. We are always wanting to know how the regular joes we know and love feel about movies and books out there.

Have a great one!

Cherie and Jeff

Stressed? Me???

Hello everyone!! Don't fall over! I have actually gotten on here and am going to write something. I know I don't write on here much, however, you don't want to know everything, believe me...hahahaha.

Well, Jeff is not working...yet. He is applying to anything and everything. He has thought a few times he would have a job...but no calls back!!! It is soooo frustrating.

We are hanging in there. Stress is nothing new to us now. We have had so many wonderful people come forward for us. Heavenly Father is REALLY blessing us. I know it may be horrible to say this...but I AM surprised. I oftentimes don't feel worthwhile...to have these blessings. I am grateful tho!

My mom is doing the same as anyone does who has moderate to severe Alzheimer's. She is sad...I am so sorry she has to go through this. It is frustrating. Sometimes I just have to smile at the things she does. It beats crying about it all the time. I just can't believe some of the things the mind can come up with...it is just weird.

Timi came over and fixed our computer enough we can use it. She is a sweetie!!! I hate not having a computer to work on...ancestry.com...is my life saver...it is where I go to get away...just in the room on the computer. I can still hear everything but feel like I can get away enough to not have all the stress of life right next to me. Mom is like a little child most of the time...she follows me around...I feel like I have a siamese twin....:) Oh well, I will be the one to miss her the most when she is gone... I am a weirdo! :)

I miss hearing from friends. Since we have been taking care of mom and dad it seems we never get to go anywhere or see anyone. I want all to know, who are reading this, you are NOT forgotten. We miss seeing you and hearing from you. Life has gotten away from us...I am not sure where it went...I feel like the kitty above...stressed so stressed!

Hugs to all...have a great life...we will be back in it one day.