I don't think I can be of actual help, msbelle, but I wish you a world of luck.

The mortgage refinance people called my cell phone at work, and agreed to call me back on my landline tonight at 5:30. That did not happen, but I missed a call (from a different phone number and apparently a different state) on my cell (which was in my purse with the ringer turned off, as it often is when I am home, which is why I asked them to call my landline). Sigh. I'll call the 800 number on Thursday. I missed my window to mow the lawn today while waiting for that call, though, I don't think I can get it done before sunset. Maybe tomorrow.

I don't know anything about resumes, msbelle -- I have a feeling mine is pretty outdated in format and keywords and all that. But I can help you write killer cover letters when the time comes.

Oh, damnit, msbelle. I'm so sorry. Especially because they are assbuckets who have been misusing you and draining you dry and you deserve to be firing them, not they you. And especially because you don't need the additional stress. And especially because FUCK.

Damn, I am so sorry. I am vibing and praying like a vibrating supplicant thing that vibes and prays for some damn thing that's better and easier and puts you together with people you actually like and respect.

Msbelle, when work sucks, it sucks big time. I really hope a great opportunity is right around the corner. Please know you have tons of ~ma coming from Colorado.

I am almost embarassed with how happy I am with my job right now. Yes, it has been overly busy recently, but that project has finally moved onto it's next step. Do I wish I were paid more? Well, who doesn't. But I get good raises each year and I work with a bunch of great people. I wish similar jobs to Consuela and msbelle, and anyone else who is looking for something new.

and as I find an Assistant job at a nearby school district to apply for, we have reached round 2 of crying. Must get at least 2 applications in tonight must do it.

Oh honey. You will get through this. Have a good cry, you need to get out of this toxic place. They are the problem, their asshattedness. This was a rude and unnecessary shove, but it'll get you to better.

This may be stupid advice, but I've basically been using the same cover letter for years -- I slightly adapt it for each position, but I figure it's worked before, and the fewer barriers to getting applications out the door, the better. (Do online application systems even call for cover letters? I don't know that world.)

Also, I really want to recommend Kind Hearted Woman, a documentary playing on PBS this week. The filmmaker ended up with a story he didn't expect to find, which is brutal, but important. And he has some incredible techniques with sound and stuff that make you feel really inside the family it's about. It's hard to watch, but worthwhile, I think. (I haven't watched the whole thing yet, but enough of it to say that.)

They are the problem, their asshattedness.

This, very much.

It's hard to watch, but worthwhile, I think.

Is it something I'm going to sob through? I almost ended up in tears at work last week reading an article about tenant eviction, so there are a lot of raw places left that I have to deal with.

Do online application systems even call for cover letters?

The ones I've applied to recently usually have an optional "upload a cover letter" button, sometimes I have done it, sometimes I have not, I cannot draw any conclusions from my results.

BTW, msbelle, temp agencies sometimes offer health insurance and other benefits.