Where have I been? And, the things we'll do for money...again!

Aside from your own busy lives, you must have been worried sick about where I've been.

Let me tell you, it's been a long road!

It all started back on February 13th when I flew to Ohio to housesit/pet sit/teenaged boy sit for my brother and his girlfriend. It all seemed innocuous and relatively simple in theory.

My mornings began between 7 and 8:30 am. The dogs, Coonie and Cesar, would wake up and need to be put outside for a few minutes. Cesar had to be on a leash, but Coonie was allowed to run without one. However, Coonie was not allowed to run freely! She had to be watched so she wouldn't escape.

Once the dogs were rounded back up they would come in for breakfast, a mixture of dry kibble and homemade meatloaf. Cesar would eat his breakfast in two gulps by himself in the kitchen. Coonie ate by the fireplace, with someone watching. She needed to be coaxed to enjoy her food so Cesar wouldn't eat it for her. Then, within minutes of eating, Coonie needed to be let outside again, which meant Cesar would need to go also.

Once they got settled I could get the fireplace back up to speed. Stoking coals and adding wood Paul Bunyon style was another part of the daily ritual.

My notes indicated I could leave the dogs and the fire for about 3 hours. That kept me on a pretty short leash during the week! Garrett, the teenager, didn't cause me nearly as much grief! In fact, he was effortless.

A friend from Canada joined me for the first 6 days of my journey. So, between the dogs, the fire, the boy, and the friend...I was knackered. I had no time to myself and was physically and mentally exhausted.

My brother and girlfriend came home. The dogs were thrilled to see them. The fire was stoked. The boy was content. The friend was gone....and I was off to my parents house to help my mother who was having eye surgery.

A simple surgery turned out to be not so simple, which in fact is normal - for my mother. If there is a complication, it can find her.

I spent the next 10 days putting eye drops in her eyes 4 times a day. Two kinds twice a day and 3 kinds 4 times a day. I made breakfast, helped with lunch, and did dinners. I did laundry, dishes, vacuumed and dusted.I ran errands and took her to Drs. appointments.

At one point I lifted my pantleg to see if I was wearing the official bracelet of the house arrested. I was sure that somewhere, most likely in a post office, my face was plastered on a Most Wanted poster!

My crime? I am unemployed.

When you are unemployed you are at the mercy of others. There is very little wiggle room when a family member wants/needs/desires your time of you.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to help out my family. But to be honest, they ran me ragged. I was worn out.

I am actively seeking employment! I swear!