All right, friends list. Tell me not to panic.

[pegkerr]

Rob just called. He has lost his job at Ultimate Electronics.

His boss had tears in his eyes when he told Rob the news. It's nobody's fault. It's just the economy. People aren't stopping at the store and buying big screen TVs. He has to start the job hunt all over again.

More to come later, but for now I'm just in shock. Rob's boss said they'd approve unemployment, but we don't know how long the benefit will last since he wasn't at work there for very long, just six months. We do have some savings.

I know the drill, and we'll start taking all the steps we took to contract the budget last time around. Thank heavens we had not yet cancelled the unemployment insurance benefit on two of the credit cards.

But you know what absolutely kills me? We just put braces on Fiona's teeth. The first payment is due July 1. We wouldn't have gone ahead if we'd known this was going to happen.

I want someone to take me out drinking soon. Hey, another martini night, anyone?

Comments

[aome.livejournal.com]

Are you kidding me? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I can't believe it's happening again. Oh, Peg. I can't take you drinking, but if there's anything else I can do to help you (even if it's just to help cope), please, please let me know.

Just how expensive ARE braces these days?

[faeryguinevere.livejournal.com]

Oh, no. I'm so sorry. That's so discouraging. You certainly deserve that martini!

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, Peg. That really sucks.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

We just committed to pay $5,300 fucking dollars.

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry.

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

Oh no! I'm so sorry. And I wish I could fix you a martini, or even two, but there's this Atlantic thing in the way.

I know you'll cope, because you do, but I really wish you didn't have to.

[barondave.livejournal.com]

Don't panic.

At least you have fallback skills: You and the girls can go into the protection racket...

[nmsunbear.livejournal.com]

Oh NO.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Thanks for making me laugh!

[peacockharpy.livejournal.com]

Oh, DAMN. And blast.

I would mix you a martini with my own fair hands if I could.

[roadnotes.livejournal.com]

Bloody fucking hell.

I am sorry.

Don't panic yet, please.

[eal.livejournal.com]

Oh man, I'm so, so sorry.

I can't do anything to help and I'm too far away for martini night, but I would take you in an instant if I could.

((((hugs))))

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry, Peg. I hope he finds a good new job soon.

[aome.livejournal.com]

Ouchy ouch ouch. Not all at once, I hope, but even so. Damn teeth. :P

[rivka.livejournal.com]

OMG. I am so, so sorry. What a nightmare.

[chelsearoad.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. I know it's going to be all right, but right now, that's not much comfort.

I am *so* sorry

[dlandon.livejournal.com]

What a stressful situation to find yourself in - again. I wish there was something I could do to help but don't have any job contacts in his field. But if you need a homecooked meal or something, just let me know :)

- D

[joelrosenberg.livejournal.com]

I'm available this evening -- the rest of the week has already been ducknibbled -- and while I drink very little in public, I'll be happy to pick you up and drop you off as drunk or sober as you'd care to be. Drunk riding is legal in MN.

[utkari02.livejournal.com]

Don't panic Peg.

I don't know what to say to help though. I'm still lucky to have a job, even though I don't make enough to really support myself. More goes out every month than comes in. And I'm in the situation of having to look for a second job. I never thought I'd have to do that. So, once I get back from Portus, my job hunt begins.

:(

ETA: I'll be buying you a drink or two at Portus.

[airemay.livejournal.com]

*hugs* You and your family are in my thoughts!

[maribou]

As Charlie Brown would say, "AAUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!"

*hugs*

[ckd]

Oh, Peg, I'm so sorry.

[hobbitbabe.livejournal.com]

Oh no. Life is not fair.

[stinaleigh.livejournal.com]

*hands pomegranate martini*

Peg, I know you don't necessarily want him in retail again. However, OfficeMax just finished (as of today) a restructuring of their supervisory level management. Many more people took the severance packages than were expected so there are a lot of supervisor level positions that are immediately available. Have him look for a "Spec, Store Technology-Key Carrier" positions. I just saw one for the Midway location( http://about.officemax.com/html/officemax_careers_retail.shtml). Also not everyone has had a chance to post for their openings as they were just allowed to do so today. The pay is retail, but with his experience he should get a job quickly and then be able to pursue other avenues while working.

*hugs and good thoughts*

eta: Here in MI we are down an average of 1 person per store, with some stores being almost full staffed and others needing at least 3 people asap.

[arian1.livejournal.com]

Oh man :( That absolutely stinks, I am so sorry.