Moving, Blog and Jobs (what else is new?)

Update on moving....
Joe and I decided to stay our current apartment for one more year. Even though we really wanted to move to a better place I think it will work out for the best and we will hopefully be back on track by next year so that we can move into a better place and get on with our lives. We do like our area and the apartment isn't the worst, so it wont be that bad to stick it out for one more year. Plus, moving right now would have been nearly impossible with our financial situation...not to mention finding a new place would be such an added stress that we don't need right now.

A note about my blog...
Obviously I know that this situation is not unique to Joe and me. I know there are SO many people/families/couples out there who are going through or have gone through the same thing that we are now. Lay-offs, hard times, and other troubles happen along the way in everyone's marriage/life....and if they don't you must be one really lucky person. I don't want anyone to think that I don't realize that. Our life together so far has been great, but I know its far from perfect. I know there will always be bumps in the road. What we are going through now is just one really large and long bump (more like mountain) that we are trying to get over. I know we can handle what comes our way, it may not be easy, but we can handle it.  So I guess what I am saying is, please know that when I write about the hard times, the frustrations, etc, I am not looking for pity, I am merely writing to get some of the thoughts out of my head and onto this 'paper'. I am not writing this to get attention or to make others feel sorry for me. To me it's the same as writing about the good times.  Right now there is an abundance of bad times, but I know eventually it will get better. Writing my feelings down has always helped me feel better, or at least get a grip on what I am feeling. And now, come to think of it, maybe several years from now I will look back and read these posts when things are better, or when they are even worse, who knows, but either way I will remember and learn from it.

Recent developments...
Until recently I was somewhat hopeful that I would be able to get back into design when things started picking up. Now, things are getting to the point where it's time to make a decision to get a job regardless of what it is. I am beginning to think that getting back into a firm anytime in the near future is pretty bleak. I need to get back to work, regardless of what it is. As much as it pains me to leave design behind and get another job, it is time.
Recently I started looking into other jobs online. I found one of interest with a Real Estate company who also has a leasing office/division. I interviewed on Monday but may have to go back for another interview. It definitely sounds like something I could do and may even be good at, but there is some negatives, like: commission only pay, lots of hours and working both Saturday and Sunday, possibly not being able to work out at my current place, which I LOVE.  As much as this sounds sort of bad I am hoping that they call me back for the second interview and I can get started working. I realize it will take time to start making any money, but the potential earnings (especially in the summer) are great (hopefully).
Also, just to preface this, I recently heard about a part-time design job that will be opening up because some women in the office are going on maternity leave. I called to inquire when I received the lead from a contact of mine and the woman explained that I would need to send in a TON of work samples along with my resume and cover letter and they would get back to me. I am going to do it, but this is the kind of thing I am talking about....due to the economy and probably hundreds of people applying for one job in design, it has become lots of jumping through hoops for only semi-decent jobs. I mean, this is a part-time job, probably paying next to nothing and they want me to send in practically my whole portfolio before they will consider me? Come on! One or two work samples is normal for a full-time job with a huge firm, but this is ridiculous. However, I am going to do it anyway, but it all just doesn't seem worth it to me anymore. Sad but true.

Anyway, I guess this is all for now. Today is a tough day because I am unsure of what will be happening with my unemployment benefits. This is why I am in a rush to get a  job now. I heard from my friend that due to working part-time during unemployment we are going to be essentially punished for it with lower unemployment checks....its a long story and I'm not sure exactly what's going to happen yet, but either way, it's time to move on.