I have made a discovery!
In my panic of the past few days as I struggle to figure out how to move a family from Kansas to Massachusetts in less than a month without having to give up my dog babies, I have tried to expand my search for both housing and work. I announced the move on Facebook. I’ve updated my LinkedIn profile. I joined an alumnae group for Smith College on LinkedIn. And I’ve written posts here.
An amazing thing has started to happen. No, I haven’t found a place to live or a house yet, but suddenly I feel less alone. First came the wonderful and supportive comments on my posts here. Then came e-mails from the alumnae group–one from the CDO at Smith offering to help me find work, and one from a Smithie who lives in the Worcester area, offering to just help me in any way she can. Then came comments from friends on Facebook offering to hook me up with job possibilities and ask around for housing.
I now have plans for coffee dates and lunch dates (and possibly a tree viewing trip to Maine in the fall). I have a tentative meeting (either on phone or in person) to help find work. I have a job possibility, and two rental possibilities that are a little out of our price range but are better than nothing. I feel like I am building a valuable support community that will make this transition smoother and more successful.
I don’t know if I have any blogging buddies in Massachusetts, but I’d love to hear from you if I do. Or anywhere in the North East for that matter, as this network is an important one too.
I always forget the power of networking and the power of admitting that you need help. I tend to think I have to figure it all out on my own, but the world doesn’t really function that way.
“It’s all about people. It’s about networking and being nice to people and not burning any bridges. ” Mike Davidson
“The way of the world is meeting people through other people.” Robert Kerrigan
Really, I shouldn’t be so surprised by this, as I have often written about the connections that make this world such an intricate and interesting web of life.
So, I’d like to say thank you to the miracle of networking, the power of social media, the connections from all of my educational programming, and the wonderful support that people have offered me.
Now if I could only find a place to live that will let me keep my dogs.
Aug 05, 2011 @ 11:13:07
Isn’t it ironic that the one blogging buddy you already know have in MA may be the least helpful of the lot.
Glad you are taking advantage of the resources available, and that you remember that you never have to go it alone!
Aug 05, 2011 @ 11:19:19
Aug 05, 2011 @ 11:13:50
We could always put the dogs up here for a bit. Mom would love that! Bwahahahahahaha
Aug 05, 2011 @ 11:19:07
Don’t laugh. That seems like a big possibility until we find a place. And we would live in a hotel or something so Sarah could start school wherever we want to move.
Aug 05, 2011 @ 11:30:38
I just broke my FB embargo (already … sure I will get heat from that) and put in a request for aid for you. Don’t know if it will help but there is bound to be someone who has a clue among my huge list of friends
Aug 05, 2011 @ 11:33:28
I’m too far away to be of any use living in the UK, but your expriened is amazing. Almost tempted to try and ask for something on my FB page and see if anything happens. Good luck with everything
Aug 05, 2011 @ 12:16:41
LOL. You can be useful when I finally get to the trip to England and Ireland that I have been dreaming of for a long time. Or, vice versa.
Aug 05, 2011 @ 11:36:47
In your case I am soooo happy to say, “told you so!” Great start, and so why do you think there would be no provision for the dog part of your family? Hang on, it’ll come and in the meantime, you’ve got this crazy wonderful sister……and the rest of us don’t have to worry about your going anywhere; you’ll be right there in my email. Good job on recentering; you’re gonna be fine!
Okay; five hours working on memoir rewrite and I’m back to it. Lunch is no excuse for stopping.
Aug 05, 2011 @ 12:18:00
I accept your “I told you so” gracefully. I am so impressed by you. I keep talking about projects and ideas, but not actually writing them. But here you are, kicking yourself in the butt in a rewrite. Go Barbarann!
Aug 05, 2011 @ 13:08:43
I’m so glad you’re getting some help with this. People are kind.
Aug 05, 2011 @ 13:41:23
Some people are kind. But how can people not let dogs have a home? I mean seriously.
Aug 05, 2011 @ 13:14:16
Hang in there! You’ll find a home for you and the dogs….hopefully very soon!
Have a great day! 
Aug 05, 2011 @ 13:40:41
Thanks Mark.
Aug 05, 2011 @ 13:30:20
There is no way things will turn out bad…or poorly.
Be yourself and take life as it comes…I have learned much from adversity(nothing dramatic…just pitfalls that have appeared) life does not stay the same…good will change to something else…and bad will turn to something welcome…
sorry if confusing…
Jaye
Aug 05, 2011 @ 13:40:25
Not confusing at all. I completely understand what you mean.
Aug 05, 2011 @ 14:48:36
I’m often surprised how quickly networks can produce suggestions /results & change the day completely. So glad your PLN has come up trumps & there will be someone who loves dogs!
Aug 05, 2011 @ 14:53:12
I hope so. Nobody so far. It looks like we might be homeless and have to resort to plan B of buying when I don’t have a job. Eeeek. Something will work out, I’m sure.
Aug 05, 2011 @ 15:02:33
Someone suggested maybe you look into the idea temporary housing for the dogs til you get straightened out. Apparently people do things like that for families that have to recover from natural disatsers. Maybe there is such a program in the area. Just a thought.
Aug 05, 2011 @ 16:07:14
So many hands are reaching out to you with real possibilities! There’s wonder in those hands, and in those possibilties. I’m glad you’re breathing again!
Aug 05, 2011 @ 16:38:06
Glad that things are coming together . . . just start, and the way will appear.
You might also check out “House Sitting” to see what’s available.
Aug 05, 2011 @ 19:24:16
Sadly things only seemed to be coming together. I don’t know what to do.
Aug 08, 2011 @ 09:03:28
Take a deep breath. TTT….These Things Take Time. From my husband, the Sage. This is a yay boo process. Hopes are raised and sometimes dashed. And one bright day the solution comes, and be prepared here, it’s often nothing like what you thought would happen.
Get out the foolscap and list your blessings. Of course I never wanted to hear that drivel either but did it anyway. You don’t want to hear platitudes either, no cliches or panaceas. You just want to know where the hell you’re gonna live and what about the dogs!! Of course. All I can do is assure you it will work out. And I don’t know when. My wise child told me once that looking at it with hope takes no more energy than looking at it with despair, so try hope.
Some things are not worth the paper they’re not written on. But that’s a nugget.
Aug 08, 2011 @ 09:17:49
I would actually argue that it takes more energy to look at things with despair. Seriously, when I have hope I feel energized, and when I’m feeling low it seems like all my energy drains into the impossibilities. Case in point, Saturday I whizzed through numerous tasks without stopping to think or question, including writing what I considered to be a pretty good post. The list of things I accomplished on Saturday toward the move and the future were staggering. But then, Sunday rolled around and my hope felt a little more dashed, so I accomplished very little and felt tired all day. So, I’m going to work on maintaining hope and see where that leads.