A brief update
On the reno diary for all those checking in: The carpeting was installed in the Master Bedroom, and the room is generally put back together. It looks more beautiful than I even imagined it would! We are thrilled with the results and are working now on "mere" decorating details.
Still no "official" word on money owed by the Former Company appearing in our bank accounts tomorrow, though rumours abound. I, for one, am not holding my breath.
I need two new tires on my car (which really means four new tires for proper alignment and balance). It will be a delicate budget balacing act trying to pay for them.
Happy 36th Birthday (tomorrow) "little" brother!! May you celebrate many more happy ones to come in the years ahead! And you're almost catching up to me ; )
Those of you who follow these pages know that a few entries ago I spoke of giving the Former Company the benefit of the doubt vis-a-vis the funding they were seeking being in their hands on May 24th. Said date has come and gone and still no word to us. Emails have been circulating among the layoffees asking if anyone has heard anything. So far the answer is no. June 1st is the next payday and I suspect we will be looking still at empty bank accounts. There is money somewhere, as the Former Company has rehired one layoffee on contract.
As for how I feel about it all? Day by day it is all fading into a distant memory. I have been so consumed of late with my own agenda of getting hearth and home in order that I haven't had the time to stew. I can say that job market is bleak for those of us pounding the pavement right now. There are relatively few jobs for the slews of people looking to get hired. Such is the word from fellow layoffees as well. It had been suggested by more than one person that I consider "taking the summer off". As a matter of fact, one email this morning suggested just that, with the reminder that "Teachers do it". Heh. I remember. I was a teacher in my former life, and thoroughly enjoyed my summers off for time to regroup and re-energize. I guess I am taking much the similiar approach now. I am using this time to reorganize and build back some of my lost spirit.
Thanks go out in particular to my fellow layoffees, especially my former Director and former Manager prior to that. Between the two of them, I have an inbox full of encouraging words and understanding, as well as potential job leads. The latter, my former Manager, who is also a dear friend, has her hands full with a new baby and a slightly nose-out-of-joint 3 year old. Yet she still finds the time to send me positive vibes and gentle reminders that I will be ok.
Among the challenges that accompany being a victim of a Downsize is the money issue. Is there enough in the bank account to allow me the "luxury" of searching for the
right opportunity? So far, we are ok. The mortgage that we were trying to renegotiate came through, finally, and along with it a savings each month. In addition to that, I am no longer paying for parking downtown, a daily dose of Tim Hornton's coffee and muffin or lunches out. When I take out cash from the bank account, it tends to remain in my wallet longer than it used to, being mostly at home now. I also have forgiving parents who have put loan payments on hold, despite the fact that it may mean some belt-tightening for them. For now the monthly bills are paid and up-to-date, and we are ok with me collecting significantly less in Employment Insurance than I earned while working full-time. Mind you, my car is in for a check-up today, so here's hoping there are no unexpected expenses!
Clearly, I am far calmer than I was a month ago. Rumours out of the Former Company still "tweak" me, though I am finding that upon waking with every new day, I am able to quickly let go and move on. I am reclaiming the spirit I thought I had lost, slowly but surely. I guess I am moving on.
For those who have been following the renovations, the bedroom furniture and walls are done. Today is "clean out the closet day" (there is also
mucho laundry to be done from all the dust kicked up in the room) to ready for the bedroom carpet install tomorrow. With any luck, we will be sleeping in our own home and in our own bed again tomorrow. This weekend will see us working towards finishing up the kitchen, which still needs the walls painted and the floor done. Stay tuned to this spot for further updates!
