He had been extremely worried that his blackberry jam supply(of which the whole family is addicted) was going to dry up should my mother no longer wish to make it. Now he has me to make it for him.
Last night we treated two friends to some burgers and drinks at a local pub. One of them is unemployed and was extremely grateful to have a night out. We had a lot of laughs and it was a very fun evening. We really need to make an effort to get out more often and socialize as have this tendency to hole up at home too much(*especially since we work at home).
I am looking forward to next week when the kidlet is out of school for Christmas holidays so we can sleep in and not act as taxi driver for a couple of weeks. I have been reading lots this week - on book number 23 for the year. The goal was 24 and I should be able to finish my current book and read another by the end of the year.
Next on the agenda is more Christmas cookies and to take the kidlet Christmas shopping for a present for her dad. Although she doesn't have a job yet we have employed her to do a few things so she could buy some Christmas presents. We don't pay any allowance after age 16 as feel by that time the kids need to get their own part-time jobs for spending money. Although she has applied to 46 places in the past 6 weeks there were only 2 jobs in all those businesses and both likely went to adults. One cannot give up when looking for work as it will happen eventually. This is a good skill she will need as an adult later in life when food and a roof over her head depend on employment. My friend who we took out last night is experiencing the same thing, no work and he does have kids at home to feed.
Have a good week everyone.
It's always tough being unemployed..and it's so common now that we all understand.
ReplyDeleteJane x
She is getting depressed about it as she had no problem getting a job in Alberta and does have experience but I will not let her stop looking - we will get her a job if it kills me lol
DeleteIt's a shame it's still so tough for so many people to find work. I keep reading about all the new jobs being created, but there's a lot of catching up to do. Good friends make such a difference during the hard times. (And so does blackberry jam.)
ReplyDeleteThere are jobs, but most of the adults have them and they are few and far between. We are so fortunate to have our own company that employs both of us and that it is doing well thanks to hubby. Blackberry jam does make everything better - you are so right!
DeleteOh I am so envious. That's my favorite kind of jam.
ReplyDeleteI am making this stretch of joblessness my "social unemployment" by making a point to get out of the house. And when I go out, I'm dressing well -- not schlubby. Sometimes it is just a walk at the river with the dog -- and we meet people we've come to know there, many days it's my trip to the pool and side errands, and often I make it a point to meet friends.
It is so easy to become socially disconnected. It was nice of you to give your friend in this situation a way to get out too. It really helps the mind!
We intend to try and do it at least once per month - you need a bit of a social life to feel human!
DeleteEnjoy he holidays! Sleep in, relax and eat plenty of blackberry jam! I used to make some until we had to dig around the basement to waterproof the foundation and it could not be saved. Oh well!
ReplyDeleteYou too = wishing you a very merry christmas!!
DeleteI haven't made blackberry jam since the 1980's! That was the last time I sourced cheap blackberries.
ReplyDeleteWe get them free as they grow on every block here almost - an invasive but tasty species. This past summer they seemed larger than other years - so tasty!
DeleteDid she really apply to 46 places? Oh my goodness! I've been working as a sub full time this week and it's hard work for very little pay. It's not how I thought my life would be at 56. We're still waiting for hubby's business venture to start paying off, but it's not happening fast enough. Hopefully 2015 will prove to be more fruitful. That was so nice of you to treat your friends to a night out. We're cashing in our saved change for a night out on Christmas Eve. I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteShe really has applied - now to 48. We added two senior facilities to the pile this week. We even put her in a Food safety course to try and give her an edge - $100 for a one day seminar at the local college. Still no luck but you cannot give up. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
DeleteMy Aunt Grace used to call me 'kidlet'. I love it.
ReplyDeleteThe term stepdaughter is sometimes so weird - kidlet seems more appropriate
DeleteI'm very jealous - yum!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, they grow on every block here. No one seems to pick them. Our family is addicted to Blackberry jam so we picked about 20 cups in the summer in preparation for this. So funny, I am so jealous of all your citrus!
DeleteFinding work isn't an easy thing. And if you are lucky to find something it is a horrible job. Well, that is how it seems around here.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, my friend if I don't make it back before the holiday.
You too Sonya Ann!
DeleteThanks for visiting. I did the move/downsizing and cleanup for my inlaws so I had some idea of the amount of work but closing Dad's condo, moving him and now getting the condo ready to sell is a mega huge time sponge. Lots of the work left to do, of the paper and boxes and boxes etc. to go through with all the etc's that go with that job.
ReplyDeleteGood to have the treasures of blackberry jam finished and ready to enjoy.
Joy
I hope you get some time to yourself this Christmas with all that work!
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