Pauline,

Thanks for the heads-up about this thread. I have been under the weather and not even answering e-mails for a few weeks, but I wrote you a long chatty e-mail just 2 days ago, just to try to get back in touch, but it was returned yesterday. Somewhere in my address book I still have an obsolete e-address for you, and I sent it to that, I'm sorry.

Well that message is now O.B.E. I guess. The first thing I can say to you is that you know there are people who care for you and are concerned about your welfare. We can't really help you find the work you need -- at least I can't, because I never could figure out how to pursue a good job while I was working. I just took whatever came along. I hated the interview process SO much! I shudder when you describe your experiences.

I've been worried since you told me your COBRA insurance is running out.

Kaiser Permanente has a relatively good personal insurance plan but even though it's relatively inexpensive, it's still expensive. Their doctors are better than I would have expected, too, and it would give you prescription benefits. I know you're guarding your remaining money pretty carefully, but what good will any of it be if you can't afford medications you desperately need? Well this is probably also something you have already thought about!

Would it do any good to use a few of your friends as "sounding boards" when you are looking for work? I know there's not much out there but perhaps in talking to people about the pros and cons of different possibilities, you could come up with some creative approaches, maybe to supplement the free lance work and the violin lessons with another rewarding activity, or maybe something full time with benefits.

I know I have your current e-mail, it's just that my e-mail program doesn't show anything but your name when I pick a recipient. I will look for the current one and try to write again off line, or we can PM each other.

All I can say right now is that you have lots of friends who do care, both here in the Washington area, and, from knowing you at the Getaway and your other activities, all around the world.