Sidling warily into the New Year

[pegkerr]

I've not been posting much because my family's in town (my parents from Georgia and my brother's family from New York) and we've been getting together in the evenings.

So, it's 2009. I realized last night that I've been avoiding making a New Year's post, because I didn't know what to say about last year that wouldn't rehash all of the ways that it sucked, and I don't really want to make a post about the New Year because I'm afraid its going to suck even worse. Sorry if that's a downer, but there you have it. So, aside from than touching on the most salient points of those two statements (2008: depression stalked me for much of the year, Rob lost his job in June and 2009: unemployment is about to run out), let me just say that I'm very glad that Barack Obama got elected and I hope with all our help he'll manage to turn the country around. I will do my best. I will work at finding ways to decrease world suck. I will go to Mexico and work in a children's orphanage for a week. I will work at my karate. I will cook wonderful and healthy dinners that doubtless will not be appreciated and try to keep chaos from taking over on the home front. I will try to find ways to be creative. I will do my best to manage my family, my friendships, my weight, my moods, my spirituality, and my money.

I will write about it here.

I got a copy of this book in my Christmas stocking this year. Maybe I will find a way to use it to make my life even better in 2009.

Comments

[skylarker.livejournal.com]

I sympathize with your attitudes toward 2008 and anticipating 2009. I've been stressing over the future, too, and reminding myself that my fears aren't accurate predictors any more than my wishful fantasies are.

That looks like an interesting book.

[serendipoz.livejournal.com]

Peg, first set of unemployment will run out soon, but the government put in an extension. You should get a letter soon that'll tell you that as soon as the current unemployment runs out you can sign up for the extension - 3 more months of it.

Mine arrived just as I went into the hospital (lots of that on my journal if you're interested) and of course I couldn't get any unemployment while I was in the hospital (a month) or until the doctors said I could work again (another six weeks) things were pretty flat.

But there is still some time there.

A suggestion for Rob is to try the St. Andrews Job Transition Club - every Wednesday at 11.30. There's a good web site on it.

Luck,

*hug*

Joyce

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I've heard of the St. Andrews group, and I think I've mentioned it to Rob, but don't think he's ever followed up on it. I'll push him again to try it. Thanks!

He's already on the second extension. *sigh*

[serendipoz.livejournal.com]

The push at St. Andrews - and it's a very large job club - is to come with an idea about where you'd like to work and ask for someone to provide information about the company - and usually there is someone availble to provide help and references.

Another thought is to go the Workforce Center in South Minneapolis and take the Unemployment U (8 morning classes over two weeks.) The classes are useful and taught by the staff which gives you an in with a job counselor there.

Anyway, best of luck for 2009.

Joyce

[wordswoman.livejournal.com]

Hugs & commiseration. I think our lives are on parallel tracks, except that my husband voluntarily left a miserable job so there are no unemployment benefits. If we'd known how much worse the economy and job market would immediately get...well, hindsight. You know.

Here's to a better year for both of us, I hope and pray.