Disaster Reserve Specialist 2000-2011 for Small Business Administration

In Spring 2000 Maria called me and said she had found the perfect job for me.  Richard had died bankrupt in 1996 and I had to sell my house, store my furniture and was living first with Linda and then with James.  I worked as a Temp Loan Processor for awhile and then became the office manager for a business that James and Kent had gotten into and miracle of miracles when Maria called in 1998 and said she had found the perfect place for me to live, it had actually all worked out and in March 1999 I moved to Lake Almanor, Ca 30 miles from where Maria and her family were living in Susanville.

The problem was I did not have enough income.  When I left San Diego I supposedly had a job doing online work for James' business but that didn't last very long.  I had a lifetime teaching degree, a real estate license, a securities license but no real income besides my social security and that was about $1000 short of what I needed every month to make it.  I had landed a job finally with a title company by walking around Chester and handing out flyers and then interviewing.  I had the experience needed but it was full time and not that much pay. That was in late spring 2000.  

The job Maria had found on line was something new the SBA was trying.  They were looking for retired, experienced loan professionals who could leave within 48 hours of being called and be on assignment anywhere needed for three to six months at a time..  The position I applied for was called a Disaster Reserve Specialist and the salary range was ($26,470-$39,178) depending on experience.  The positions were temporary with an intermittent work schedule and so no benefits.

SBA provides low interest, direct loans to homeowners, renters, and businesses in declared disasters. I was a perfect candidate and got the job.  However, it was not until September of 2000 that I was called to Fort Worth, Texas for training.  Then it would not be another year before I was called on a disaster and actually make money. I did tell the Title Officer I was currently working for that if I was called I would need to go.  Besides the salary, there was overtime, per diem, hotel and plane points and of course, all transportation and lodging was paid for.  It turned out to be a perfect job even though I was now almost 69 and about 20 years older than most of them I was working with.  Luckily I did not look my age most of the time.  But when we introduced ourselves at the training I was the only one with a lot of grandchildren.

I was hired as GS 9...those who were the technicians who worked for us were hired as a GS 5/6/7.  Before I had worked two disasters I was able to get raised to a GS 11, the highest you could be in this particular work.

TROPICAL STORM ALLISON-June 11, 2001

I was on a plane to Dallas, Texas on June 13, 2001 to work for the Forth Worth Area Office.

They had us working in a really large warehouse type building and it would be hot summer.  I learned right away that any rayon or nylon type clothing was too hot and I was soon shopping for cotten and linen clothes.

We worked in a Pod with a Supervising Loan Officer and seven of us.  There were four ladies in our pod Joyce, Julia, Julie and Janet and three guys Leo, Randy and Dick.  Some of them had worked for SBA previously, three were from Texas, the other four were from Georgia, South Dakota, Hawaii and California.

Randy was from the Atlanta SBA Office and he was so pissed at Julia and I when he found out we were getting loans approved with less stringency (do more loans faster) than he was used to in their office, thus we had a higher production number than he did.  

JULIA

 

Dell was a great first leader for us to have because he taught us well.  I tend to ask questions however, and soon one of the guys was pulling a zipper across his mouth to tell me to shut up so we could move on...but questions is how I learn and to my credit, I was the first woman reservist to be awarded $50 as a Top Reservist!  I bought Kreme Doughnuts for everyone.  

This was my first day and one of the woman leaders took a liking to me and got me a SBA jacket.  Everyone did not get them at that time unless they were going out on a disaster location and people were always asking me how I got it so I always told them I would share.  Sometimes the air-conditioning would be so cold and sometimes we had rain, so I always had my jacket.

 

Randy liked to tease the ladies with his teeth but someone wrote him up for sexual harassment, which was ridiculous.

Julia and I became good friends and usually ate lunch together.  Ken, one of the young guys in my van liked to eat with us.  And one day, Julia said, "Now isn't this nice, A Jew, A Baptist and A Mormon all having lunch together."

John had told me to be sure and visit the Stockyards so I thought they would be like the stockyards in Glendive but it was a great entertainment center.

This was Ken, the Messianic Jew from Florida.  He was very smart and when one of the former SBA guys told me I should be able to get a raise because I was much more experienced that most of them, Ken helped me change all of my non-government words into government words showing the experience I had, in my resume. I got the raise to GS 11.  No one cared until Beaumont, Texas when one of the old leaders found out two of us ladies were GS 11 and he was only a 9.  He gave us a bad time and I told him off.  Probably gave me a bad write up but that was in 2007 and I did not care if he did, he was not the greatest leader I had, in fact he was prejudiced against women.  One of the ladies reported him.

This was Leo, a really quality guy from South Dakota, had a lovely wife and home.  A real gentleman.

Julie had a crush on Randy.

This was my last day on August 25, 2001 and I was so tired.  My files were all completed so I was helping Leo and Randy finish their files.  

Matt Graduates from Eighth Grade

 

Real Estate License Renewed

I really cannot remember why I am placing my real estate license with Malan Financial when I have already moved to Lake Almanor???

 

Financial Situation Stress

  I need to put down on paper how I am feeling because I can't really tell anyone.  They would not understand anyway.  I wouldn't have.  To grow old with not enough money to be secure and independent is to lose dignity, self-worth, and joy in living.  You go to sleep every night crying and praying for a miracle.  You feel like your life has been long enough, you do not want to go on living with the pain.  You don't want to tell anyone how you feel because you used to be a capable person who could cope with life and you are ashamed to tell anyone you are not that same person.

About $1000 a month stands between dignity and despair.  Another $1000 a month would make me rich.  How to bridge that gap.  I should be able to work but up here the pay is so low I would probably have to work full time at a hatefull job.  I am 68 years old and starting over!!!!  I just can't bear it--so many years of doing something I hated and not having time for the important things in life has just destroyed my will to do it again.  I would really rather die.  I am ready to go and yet I know it is cowardly not to live a full and useful life to the end of your days gracefully and with a smile.

Today I received "found" money from an old Virginia Colony account at Bank of America.  No one could have gotten it out but me and I didn't think I could so it sat there for 4 and 1/2 years with B of A just taking their fee out every month.  I am sure it was an answer to my prayer to find it but I am not sure it is really mine after all and so I feel guilty about that.  It meant so much to be to be able to sit down and pay my bills and taxes but it is still not enough.  I need another $1268 just to get down to paying for the basics of living.  John said I could not afford a house.  I cannot, but I cannot afford to live anyplace else either except with someone and at least I am building up equity here.  I bought this house for $118,000 and the realtors say there is nothing in Lake Almanor for under $150,000 anymore.  It has become in demand.  My mortgage is only $88000, but the payment is too high.  But I feel very humble that $2600 made such a difference in my life.  It is not a large amount and I would not have appreciated it near so much when I was working and making  money.

Christmas 2000

Two big things happened this year.  We had our 50 year High School Reunion for Classes 49, 50, 51 and 52 in the summer and it was so fun.  In the fall I went on the Best of Scandinavian Transfalgar Tour which was marvelous.  I also had training for SBA employment!!

Three of my best friends in school, Myrna, Raine, and Kay

Martin and Kathy were at Park City, too.

Park City again!!!

John and Quinnie, she has a restaurant in Park City

Events in 2000 at Lake Almanor

 

Oslo and then to Sea, London, and Home-Day, 18, 19, 21, 22

After spending more time in Oslo in the morning for last minute shopping  we drove to Kristiansand to board our 'mini-cruise' across the North Sea to England.  The liner had bars, restaurants, and a nightclub.  All cabins had shower and private facilities.  It was very luxurious.  We had an inside cabin and it was small but nice.  We spent most of our time outside.

I am not sure why we didn't take pictures but we had one of the most lavish buffets I have ever had.  The food was marvelous.  We sat at long tables and I was tucked way in the end and so had to pass everyone at my table when I would get more food.  One of the men (not from our group) was at the end and slightly drunk.  When I came back from loading my plate the last time he said he would not let me by unless I kissed him so all eyes were on me to see what I would do.    I quickly kissed him on the cheek and he let me pass.  My party was very surprised.  I think he was, too.  But what would you do, start a scene???

Day 19 we spent at Sea and wandered the ship and viewed the scenery.  There was much you could buy, of course.  After we docked at New Castle, our coach brought us back to London, arriving in the late afternoon.

We stayed at the same hotel we had stayed when we arrived and we did some evening touring and I remember I had the Garlic smashed potatoes with the Salmon and cream sauce again.  I wish I could duplicate it.

 

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Our driver and Tour Director--this is truly a nice way to travel, but it is not cheap.

We took a final picture before leaving our Coach.  It was an interesting group, mostly older people, of course.  There were a few single young people, however.  The most interesting of the group was a lady with her black husband, he was most friendly and helpful and the couple from Australia.  They are the second man on the right with the blonde wife behind him.  He was very funny and they were lovely to talk to.   Made me want to see Australia.   There was also an older well traveled couple which gave us lots of advice.  We were the novices it seemed.

Day 20 we went to the airport, back to Houston and then finally on to San Diego.  The flight back was very tiring and we were so glad to get home.  It was a wonderful trip but it was getting very long and that trip across the ocean is very, very long.  It was Day 22 when I finally said farewell to Denice.  We had to settle our money later as she had borrowed a lot from me since she had such a problem with her ATM and never wanted to go into the exchange places.  I was very appreciative to her for letting me travel with her.  It was very pleasant.   Four years in the planning and then her daughter bailed out on her.  Many thanks to James and Camber for giving me the trip of a lifetime.

Oslo Sightseeing-Day 17

  We stayed at the Scandic Hotel in Oslo.  In the morning we had a guided sightseeing tour of an Old Cathedral and the Royal Palace and then we visited the Vigeland Sculpture Park.  We must have marveled at Vigeland's "Story of Life" through his naked body scultures.

 

 

 

We also visited the Vikingskipene Museum.


We learned that a Queen and her maid would be buried in a large ship with everything they would need for the next life, such as a sleigh, cooking utensils, a cart, money, textiles.

 

 

 

We also visited the Polar Vessel "Fram".  This veteran of polar exploration went the furthest north and the furthest south of any of the ships.

We also saw the Kon-Tiki   and other ships at the Kon-Tiki Museum.  The Kon-Tiki crossed the Pacific in 1947.

Thor Heyerdahl (1914-2002) is one of history’s most famous scientists, adventurers and champions of the environment. The Kon-Tiki Museum houses original boats and exhibits from Thor Heyerdahl’s world famous expeditions.

 

And the Ram II which crossed the Atlantic in 1970.  The idea was to see where the ships would drift to.



Another thing I found out is that the early ancestors of my ancestors was probably the Vikings!!

 

Os-Bergen to Geilo and then to Oslo-Day 15 and 16

We spent the morning of Day 15 exploring Bergen but we must have been tiring of posing bccause we didn't take any pictures.  Then we drove via the Voringfoss waterfall and continued across the bleak Hardangervidda to the beautiful resort town of Geilo.

This was such a charming place, great place to come skiing.  We sat by the fire at night and listened to a Group from Bulgaria sing American songs from 40's to 60's.  What fun, you had to listen really well but they were sweet.

 

Geilo

Next morning we traveled through the narrow Hallingdal Valley to emerge among the trim farms of  Ringerike.  Then we pass by Honefass and through the town of Norderhov with its medieval church.  Later we enjoy the scenery as we travel between the Steinsfjord and Tyrifjordn en route to Norway's Capital of Oslo.

Actually I think we were still on the "Norway in a Nutshell" tour and part was by train and ferry as well as bus.  Finally we arrived in Oslo, our destination and the end of that tour--though you could do a round trip back.