Oh, and

the PC lives again. So we have resumed marital bliss with two computers and no competing for online time.

Bang

When you are looking for work and float out to the Internet job sites a vague title like "writer," you get very interesting results. Especially if you include the D.C. area in your searches:

Ammunition Handling Doctrine Writer

I've heard of snake handling, but this is a new one. Bet that's an interesting religion.

Searching for public affairs also brings up fun new careers: Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Specialist and Social Norms Marketing Coordinator.

Editor is generally not as interesting, but here's one I'm sure my sister would tell me to go for: Assistant Editor, AMERICAN HUNTER (the NRA).

Virginia is the place to be.

Offline

Our home computer died this weekend. We might be able to revive it, but it is six years old and had been complaining for a while. We're only missing a few files -- namely my resume and address book and a few pieces of Brad's portfolio -- but it hasn't been as bad as it could have been. Luckly, I still have my Mac, so we're sharing like good children and taking turns going to the public library (I have 12 minutes remaining ...).

So I won't be spending much time blogging for a bit. I just wanted to update before I disappeared. I will let you know when: I've got a job, Brad's got a job, we move, we get a new computer, or any combination of the above. We have prospects, we are pursuing them, and we are trying our damnedest to be patient.

Mom, I don't have your addresses anymore, so here's the Pumpkin Apple Streussel Muffin recipe. I substituted whole wheat flour for white and applesauce for the oil, reduced the sugar by 1/2 cup, and used a whole can of pumpkin rather than one cup. If anyone else wants to try these, they're FABULOUS.

I am still breathing. Really.

The plug has been pulled on my beautiful magazine. There's a chance the publisher may relaunch in the spring, but I'm not going to wait around for that. It hurts. Not so much about the money -- it was just part time and would have only bought us a couple more months -- but my pride is going to suffer greatly telling people the magazine is gone. Especially if former coworkers find out, even though I'll never know what they say.

We of course fell victim to the economy. The editorial content was great. I heard so many glowing compliments, so many people telling me it was the best publication they'd seen in this area. I was really proud of it. But the ads just weren't there. A dumb choice was made for an ad sales rep initially, then we didn't have time to recover before the bottom fell out on Wall Street.

So now I'm stressed out. I shouldn't really be, this now gives us geographic flexibility and perhaps greater odds with both of us looking for full-time work. But I'm still stressed. We're both unemployed, and that's scary.

Would you retake this?

Ah, school pictures. Especially with glasses. Should I even bother having this retaken?


Hmmm, now that I see it on here, it doesn't look quite as smirky. I don't know ...

He resurfaces

My dear husband has re-entered the blogosphere and has a lovely initial post. Enjoy.

To cope with the news

I lead a Sunday school class (I know, I still can't believe it!), and the chapter we were supposed to read just didn't speak to me this week. So I went trolling online for passages about dealing with financial anxiety -- I know that's what my mind was occupied with most of this past week! I came upon this lovely prayer that the Church of England put on its Web site:

Lord God, we live in disturbing days,
across the world,
prices rise,
debts increase,
banks collapse,
jobs are taken away,
and fragile security is under threat.
Loving God, meet us in our fear and hear our prayer:
be a tower of strength amidst the shifting sands,
and a light in the darkness;
help us receive your gift of peace,
and fix our hearts where true joys are to be found,
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thank you, Rowan Williams (though I question some of your comma usage).