Still no jobs on the horizon for Mike. It’s been a month. Exactly a month today since he got notice. I’ve often wondered how a company can, in good conscience, lay off someone with a wife that’s on Maternity Leave with their new baby… then I begin to think how irrational that really sounds.
What about those that have been with the company for 20 plus years and suddenly get a pink slip? Those that are so close to retirement and are pushed out the door a couple years too soon? People with exorbitant loans, mortgages, school tuition, car payments, etc? There is never a good time to lay someone off. No matter their situation, a job loss is a HUGE impact on any family.
Since he’s unionized, Mike’s job prospects are even more limited since legally he’s not allowed to solicit his own work – should he solicit work and then be called to report to a job site he’d then leave another company high and dry (which even though we’re not supposed to, we’ve been looking and no one is hiring). He is technically supposed to wait out the list at the hall as prospective work trickles in.
Did I mention he’s number 239 on that list?
Two HUNDRED and thirty-eight people ahead of him are also looking for job placement.
Needless to say, it’s really not conducive to a happy home life.
We’re doing our best. Conscious spending (not on my part though…) and less take-out or dining out and holy cow! I never realized how much money we put out on commuting, gas and parking. We’re still treading, keeping our heads above water. For the moment anyways.
:::
I took another trip to visit my aunt yesterday. I think I may have misconstrued her situation a little. She’s not technically on life support – there is no assisted breathing, or anything to that significance… but she is fed intravenously to keep her hydrated and with us. They’ve begun giving her morphine to keep pain to a minimum.
Today, her husband will continue to act as her Power of Attorney for Personal Care. (A Power of Attorney for Personal Care is someone who you appoint to make personal care decision when you’re no longer able to.) Today, her husband will fulfill her request to have any assistance halted and let her go in peace. As she stated – with dignity.
Karen Sugarpants says:
Much love to you as always. xo
January 12th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Lotta says:
Well, the laptop can be written off. Technically, it’s a business expense right? You sell ads so..
I hope you Canadians have unemployment? If so – Belly up to the bar and cash that check. No shame in keeping your family afloat.
Money creates soooo much stress on a marriage and family doesn’t it? Sucks wads I know. My only suggestions are finding cash jobs for him and giving handjobs behind the supermarket. I suggest the first option. But if he goes with the second one make sure you tell him that if he uses both hands it will be over with faster.
Take care, hugs!!!!
Lotta
Lotta´s last blog post..My Craft Got Jacked On Craftastrophe
January 12th, 2009 at 11:21 am
ali says:
gabe lost his job when i was pregnant with josh and we had just bought a house. and i was not working. it was the WORST timing. BUT he ended up finding something WAY better..i’m hoping for that for you!
ali´s last blog post..my ali-never-gets-hit-on reputation remains and a contest
January 12th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Vic @ Glowstars says:
238 is a sucky number. There’s so many expenses each month that you don’t realise are so high. At least now you’re conscious of what’s coming in and out, once Mike gets sorted with a job you’ll rise to a much better position much more quickly.
Vic @ Glowstars´s last blog post..I Bruise Easily (or Bella ain’t got nothin on me)
January 12th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
justmylife says:
Hubby thankfully still has a job, but the hours are going down. Good Luck to hubby and to you and your sanity. And much love to you and your family with all that is going on with your “aunt”.
justmylife´s last blog post..I just need more coffee.
January 12th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Jenn says:
You seem to be handling it really well. I am amazed that there is such a large list. We live in Alberta and there are still lots of help wanted signs around. Love to hear some of your money saving tips…
Jenn
Jenn´s last blog post..Guilt is There a Way to Get Rid of It?
January 12th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Haley-O says:
It is brutal that they lay people off with a new baby at home. But, it’s happening all the time these days. Don’t think about the 238 ahead of him, if you can. It’s around the corner. Just believe that. The more you think about the obstacles, the greater they become. So true. ((HUGS))
Haley-O´s last blog post..Yoga Mama Drama….
January 12th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Christina says:
Aaron was laid off in June and it took 4 months before he was able to find anything. His contract job will likely be over at the end of this month, and then we’re back to nothing again.
I know how you feel, and it is frustrating. I’m in the middle of nursing school, so I can’t really work much until I’m done with school.
It’s hard advice to follow, but try to stay positive. This kind of financial strain can be hard on a marriage, and trying to remain positive goes a long way to counter that.
Christina´s last blog post..How A Bendy Straw Nearly Made Me Cry
January 13th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Miss Britt says:
He has to wait in LINE for a job? Man, that would frustrate me.
In the mean time, I guess he’s getting a little of his own paternity leave with the new baby. Right?
Miss Britt´s last blog post..I want them to say that…
January 13th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Internet Strategist says:
It is great of you to share what you’re going through. There are so many who are too or will be as things worsen.
I know of all kinds of ways to make living less expensive and perhaps more importantly many skills that are easy to learn and in demand online that pay cash via PayPal. If anyone is interested contact me and I’ll be glad to share.
Often the most challenging times turn out to be the key to awesome new rewards. That is my wish for you and yours.
Internet Strategist´s last blog post..Increase Your Blog Subscriptions: How to Activate FeedBurner Subscribe Via Email
January 13th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
flutter says:
((sam))
flutter´s last blog post..Typical
January 14th, 2009 at 1:12 am
car donation laws says:
what are the tax laws that are beneficial for doing this?
March 11th, 2009 at 4:06 am