Cats have amazing ears

The cat hears too much. I guess I need to do a little explaining. After my mortgage company increased my mortgage payment and forgot to tell me about it, my November and December payments were short. After receiving, finally, a notice that I was past due on my account, I called the number on the notice and got everything worked out with a very nice young lady. She advised me to go down the next day and pay the $49 I was short to the local bank holding my mortgage. Which I did. To make a really long story somewhat shorter, somehow a debt collector became involved which included several letters through the mail, and finally, one taped to my front door by someone who had stopped by to "help me save my house". Upon calling the bank again (6th phone call!) they agreed with me - I was current. What was scary though was when they told me they had never heard of the company who was bombarding me with letters, and apparently, home visits. I was asked to fax the letter I received, which I did. I called them back to verify they received it. They did. It has been passed on to the appropriate department, and I should not hear anymore about it. Do you believe that? Neither do I. I still have the number handy and am seriously thinking about contacting a columnist at the local paper who handles stuff like this; he calls himself 'The Watchdog'. One more letter and he's my next contact.

I have now applied for 136 jobs since September 1. No job interviews have resulted. The good news is there are at least jobs to apply for now - a year ago there was nothing out there. The bad news is there are 400 people (or more) applying for every single job. Frustrating? You bet. I'm determined this will be a better year than 2009. I'm trying to stay positive. The jobs are there. I just have to snag one. After all, I have a cat to feed.