As I am sure my diligent readers noticed there was no post last week. Between the job search and mental state there just wasn't enough time or energy to create one.
On the job search I am again employed! I went back to my roots and the field of work I was in for nearly 25 years before pressing pause on my career to raise Buttercup--who turns 11 in less than a month! 😬--and before learning a lot of other things in my life were built on foundations of lies, and omissions. I am returning to long term care. Maintenance Supervisor at a local facility. I had a short order request for an interview with the facility director and we meshed like old friends. It felt in some ways like being at home again, and as chaotic as long term care can be I felt at piece. The initial interview was just over an hour and included being shown around the building, and being introduced to the other department heads. The interview with the Regional Maintenance Director was a couple of days later and again was over an hour but again like talking to an old friend. In both cases I was answering their questions with confidence and at times before they actually got to ask them. Hours are about the same, but fewer afterhours calls, and pay more in line with what I should be making. The biggest increase in pay will be from lower cost health insurance.
Beyond the job I have been in a deep dive with a short story. That egg of a story I mentioned last time has hatched, and now I am cleaning up the shells--but not the punctuation 😁
For those following my son's outcome, he is doing really well. We had a bit of a startle but was easy to get past. He is allowed to drive again and he too is looking for a new job so he can get his own life back on track.
The new job makes just enough more that once I have rebuilt some savings I should be able to concentrate more on the shop again. I know how much money should be left over each paycheck and I have been working on the material list for the next phase of the shop...it is not cheap and I'm doing all of the labor 😬 I have been looking at a metal lathe and have a new one bookmarked for now as I need the shop before I order something that is 1,500 pounds! I like the cost of previously owned or even used and when the time comes I may still yet go that route if the right lathe presents it's self, but I have to be practical as well and consider potential repair costs. I have less issue with building or refurbishing some equipment, but a lathe is the only tool in a machine shop that all the other tools can be made on including itself--there is a lot of fancy fixturing involved but it can be done.
I am looking at my shop as being a potential second income stream--let's face it books don't pay bills--like many people young and not so young that second income stream is important and the last couple of months have really driven that home to me. Plus as some of you know as I rebuild/remodel my house I need the shop to make the fixtures, cabinets, and so on.
Solitary Non-confinement is still with the editor, they moved last week so the editorial process has been on hold for a few weeks. Due to it being written as a first person account the editor has to be careful not to alter the narrative or how the character sounds as it is also in a nonstandard format and is making them go a little slower to be more careful.
Buttercup is back in school, I should see her again around Yule to the first of the year.
For now that will do, maybe next week I'll have the short story done.
Maura Out