Whoosh

Lets list the crisis in the last year. My Dad, Tom's Dad, Riley getting sick, Tory's Loss, Evelyn's house. I wont even mention Trevor's final grades this year. A tree does fall in the woods when a butterfly flaps its wings in this household.

I just had a call from a company I interviewed with last December, before major crisis mode. They just called back. They want to interview me again. Big sigh, I don't know what I should do. I have been wanting to go back to work for ages now. I needed something to fill my days while the boys were at school. It is part time work in that it is not all week. Just two to three days a week to start, but full days. It is a specialty shoe store for medical shoes and people that are really into comfortable and expensive shoes. I would need to be trained, as proper fit is all important for this particular store.

In my first interview I was told my job would be to convince the customer that their views on looks and fashion need to change. They come to this store because they have foot or leg pain issues. They are looking for solutions not stilettos. The shoes on display cross the spectrum of tastes from wholesome to attractive flats, and walking shoes, and boots. No pointy toed dress shoes allowed.

I thought it might be something not quite ordinary and potentially interesting when I interviewed back in December. A friend works there part time and said there might be an opening. I wanted something not too demanding of my time and energies, but still hold my interest. I look forward to finding out what they are looking for in an employee.

I went into my closet to find an appropriate pair of shoes first for this interview. Something conservative and comfortable, no sexy summer sling backs. I'll match the clothes to the shoes for this interview.

My mother in law may be coming to visit for a while and this could be a nice foil. I could work and she would be home with the kids. I raise my brow in thought. This could work well. Last time she came the house was kept cleaner than it has since I had the high school student next door coming to clean, when the boys were small.

Back then our expenses were less. The club hadn't taken such a huge bite out of our income. I liked the company in the country, and so did the girl who came over. Her parents often weren't home from work when she cleaned. We did great projects. She helped me move furniture and paint walls. She vacuumed and picked up. What ever I wanted done she was game, and as bored as I, without a social life. I could afford her because she didn't ask for much money, since I was about the only business in the neighborhood, and she liked to hang out with me and the boys. Often she would just drop by to see what I was doing, what project I had going, and stay to help. I would pay her after the fact because I was so grateful for her help. Sometimes we would just sit on the stools in the kitchen and talk. She would tell me her thoughts and I would give her my opinions.

Her mother was a dear friend of mine. We had become acquainted when they moved next door. She had become pregnant shortly after I did. She had ended up on bed rest towards the end of her pregnancy so we would hang out together and just talk to keep her occupied. Her daughter loved being included in such an adult environment, hanging with the "women".

I am looking at my mother in law now from that perspective. Her bad knees prevent her from being too active, but she is easy company. She can also fill that supervisory void with the boys if I am working. Trevor may even become organized and a good student. Anyway, I will put a positive spin on it all regardless. Tom and I had been thinking she would be a great asset if Riley has to go to the hospital. Trevor would not be neglected. There would be someone here for him 24/7. After December Riley should be well and Evelyn could find her own place close by.

December to December, what a strange year for us. It truly has been one disaster after another. But we are resilient and bounce right back at every challenge. I like the thought of extra income. Mother in Law moving in for a while is perfect timing for me to take a part time job. Now I just have to give a good impression at the interview and get the job.

For all those job hunters out there, Tom says just walk in to the store. That is what I did. I did not call first, I just dressed up and took my resume with me. I also did my resume Real Estate style with my picture in the upper corner so they could put a face to the name, like they have on some business cards. That wont work for some jobs. Photos aren't allowed on government applications or the school district. But for a small store it is appreciated. My sister told me she had 1300 applications for a receptionist position she advertised. I am thrilled that after six months, the owner of the store called. I probably need to thank my girlfriend that already works there for keeping my name alive.

Life is not dull.