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So what's the latest on the job search?

Well, I applied to a bunch of jobs on-line through careerbuilder.com, so fingers crossed. As far as the shoe job goes, I called them again, but AGAIN all I got was an answering machine. And they haven't called back. I may be going on a trip for New Year's, so that complicates matters a little bit.

Right now I'm gather a list of good temp agencies call, too.

Hello guys.

Just so that you all do not think that :

1) have found a mate, and thus, stopped posting here, WITHOUT telling everyone what is going on, or

2) Someone insulted me so bad that I decided to quit coming here:

NEITHER ONE has happened. While it is true, that not long ago someone here compared me finding and selling those amps this summer to stealing someone's car(and then, they QUICKLY said they were joking, when I called them on it), THAT is NOT the reason I have "been away".

Truth is I have been having some VERY serious transportation problems here and working a lot.

To begin with, about a month ago, I bought an old car(a 1988 Buick Riviera 110k miles), to use as a "beater", to keep miles off of my van. I got it quite cheaply,($700) and I KNEW it needed a bit of work--So far, I put about $250 in it, for new plugs, wires(which I did myself) and an ECM computer. Now, aside from one small problem of not going into overdrive lockup(and I think that is because the shop did NOT put the old PROM from the old computer into the new one) it is running, and driving quite well.

And it is a VERY good thing that it is, too. Because, for about the last 2 weeks--it is ALL I have had to drive.

About 2 weeks ago, the "check engine" light came on in the van. All seemed to be fine, but I was worried. I pulled the codes, and it showed a "transmission fault". But at the time, the tranny SEEMED to be shifting fine(except for a bit of "chuggle" when shifting)(looking back--this SHOULD have been a warning to me. It had been doing that for awhile--but I thought it was "normal"). I drove it some, for the next few days--(but I tried not to drive it too much)until I got the car fixed. On the final day I drove the van(the Thursday before the last one) The tranny started to shift VERY roughly sometime, and sometimes, the engine acted like it was trying to die and/or the brakes were being applied. Also, I heard a whining/grinding noise coming from under the hood, even in park. I promptly drove the van home, and parked it. I was not sure it was going to go much farther. I drove the car from that point on, till Tuesday morning. I took the van to a garage, to find out how bad things were, but I figured I had lost the tranny.

And that IS what has happened. I now need a rebuilt transmission in my van. Over $1400 to get it done. The van has only about 105K miles, but from what i hear--it is NOT unusual for the transmission to fail then. On these Chrysler minivans--the tranny is a VERY weak point. So..the van is still at the garage, and I will probably get it back this week.

SO..do not fear...I have NOT "left the fray", so to speak. Then again.....maybe no one noticed me gone, either...

BTW P, CONGRATULATIONS on "finding someone". I KNEW you would not "end up like me", and I guess you took my, and others here,advice, and did NOT allow this girl to slip away. I hope things work out for you!! PS..last night, I and my family went and saw "The Nativity Story". It is DEFINITELY worth your time. See it if(and while) you can!!