Mar 17, 2009

"Why you not go to work today?"

Courtesy of beawesomeinstead.com


Apparently 3 year olds don't understand the concept of getting laid off, since Sam asked Mark why he wasn't at work a minimum of 15 times today. That's right folks, as of last Thursday, we officially joined the ranks of the unemployed. Upon hearing the news, I immediately buried myself in a 500 page book about Communist China for about 36 hours straight. Because whenever you think your own situation is bleak, there's nothing like reading about life during Mao's Cultural Revolution to make you think. "gee, I guess I don't have it too bad." So far, it's been kind of nice-- I can go running in the middle of the day without any kids even, which I call heaven.

Really, we're doing OK. On a scale of 1 to 10, my freak-out level is about a 3 (where 10 would be an all-out crap your pants kind of panic). We don't need to beg for handouts yet, we're just cutting out frivolous expenses such as newspaper subscriptions (I mean, newspapers are doing just fine right?), and health care insurance (because according to the Republican party, poor people NEVER get sick). And we're very hopeful. If it comes down to it, I'm just sure that our back-up plan to flip houses in Detroit and Las Vegas will bring in BIG bucks. But for now, I will shamelessly put forth this small plea:

Anyone need an Information Architect?

16 comments:

John said...

Actually, Republicans claim you already have health insurance since you can just go to the emergency room and get treated for free.

Good luck with finding a job. It looks like my efforts to find a job failed this year so we'll be students for another year.

Kim said...

Wow. Good luck! I'm sure with Mark's expertise and experience you'll find something before too long. Best wishes... :)

Anonymous said...

Donna - I love you but you are a bit behind the times. Whereas I used to be an information architect I am now a user experience architect. There is a BIG difference but none of my colleagues ever figured out what it was.

Regardless, the plea is marginally better asked: does anyone need a user experience architect?

- Your Husband

Aimee said...

Bleck. I hope something comes along for Mark quickly. And I hope your anxiety says at a 3. I've been all over the scale.

We'll have to have you over for dinner in the next month.

Mary said...

Mom told me about Mark's layoff and we have been praying for you. I am glad that you are handling it so well and are not too stressed out yet. I know I would be very stressed if Matt was without a job. We love you guys.

Anonymous said...

Maybe if your dh wears that storm trooper costume to job fairs and interviews, it would give him an edge over other applicants? Seriously, though, we're praying for you.

Sara said...

Running in the middle of the day with energy and no kids does sound a little like heaven. I'm just sorry it had to come at such a cost. Hopefully something will come very soon!

Neva said...

Crap! That sucks! The State of Idaho has never paid my husband what he's worth, but in these poor economic times his job becomes more secure because parolees tend to commit MORE crimes. I'm still not sure whether that's a good thing or not. Hang in there ...

Kacey said...

Dang it Donna! I'm so sorry. I'm glad you are handling it well though. These are the times when you have to have a little more faith and hope that paying all that tithing pays off.:) You'll be in our prayers.

Bardsley Family said...

That is awful Donna! I am sorry for you and Mark. This has been a very nasty month for you guys..."they" say that things happen in 3s...It has to get better from here. Love you guys.

THEY CALL ME DADDY said...

While I was on my work "hiatus" Suzy felt like you do. I'm sure whether he lets on or not Mark's stress level is higher than yours.

BTW are you reading Wild Swans? That book is brutal.

I keep thinking I want to chuck this "life" we've created in the Bay Area and go live like Lynn and Jeremiah.

Starting April 1 sales tax in Alameda county goes to 9.75% and we are laying off teachers in our crappy schools.

California is FUBAR.

I was glad to have the lay off because it made me realize our health and our family is all we need to be happy. All the rest is a waste of time and energy.

John Hatch said...

Hey, I feel so bad about Mark losing his job. I understand why you read the book like you did. By the way, what are the green hyper-links you have in your posts? I have them in my posts too, but don't know how they got there. Well anyway, back to subject. I'm sorry Mark lost his job.

LeAnn and Kids said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
kg said...

Donna, I am so sorry to hear about Mark's job..but happy to hear you are still running! By the way, I love reading your blog--maybe you should consider a career in writing....

Denise said...

I agree with Karla. Every time I read your blog I think that you are a great writer. You might consider it. We are so sorry to hear about Mark. It was not fun for us going through a job loss last year with Kenneth being out of work for 2 months. We will keep y'all in our prayers. Keep positive for Mark. Even if he doesn't tell you, he is extremely stressed about it (Kenneth tried to stay positive and up beat for us and I should have known that it was his way of covering up how he was really feeling inside). We love you guys and pray he will find something quickly.

Anonymous said...

I haven't been upbeat. All I've had time to do is help Donna and the kids get their resumes in order. I have a lot of soap operas to catch up on.

- Mark