Friday
You knew I couldn't stay away too long, didn't you?
It has been a heck of a week, punctuated by, what my MIL calls, a kick in the teeth.
I worked hard at the office in preparation for a major event next week, my boss made it to London and back and mentioned that they'd love to see me in the UK office (note to Alice!) and I went and saw my pal Jen make an appearance at a big bookstore.
Next week, I'll accompany co-workers to a two-day industry show kind of thing, be on my feet all day and, hopefully, manage the boss's time efficiently.
We await the arrival of the London staff and are hoping for ash abatement.
Jen's appearance? Well, let me tell you - I am lucky enough to be around Jen whenever I can (though it often involves air travel). If you are lucky enough to be able to see her at your local bookstore, I highly recommend it.
She is tremendously entertaining and her fans, her loyal, lovely, wonderful fans, are treated to fresh Jen. Live Jen. Hysterically funny Jen.
Have I mentioned (less than five or six times) that Chapter Four of My Fair Lazy covers her visit here, to MY HOUSE, a couple of summers ago? I've never been in a book before and blush and smile and couldn't be more tickled by this. You really need to pick it up and read it while I work on cleaning up my language (apparently I curse A LOT).
After the reading I had drinks with her and some of her peeps and publishing staff and then dashed off to the 11:19. What a night!
(As an aside, I need to tell you that a fellow in her audience mistook me for Anna Wintour. And no, he wasn't drunk.) Between being completely starstruck, chuffed over the new book and a couple of glasses of Pinot Grigio, it was memorable to say the least.
Oh, and, the kick in the teeth?
K was laid off from his job on Tuesday.
This bad thing was shocking, yes, but I was not surprised. The great guy who brought him into the company was let go a month after K arrived. Their big plans were doomed only four weeks after K was made a staff member and, frankly, I was surprised they kept K as long as they did. Business losses and layoffs all around slowly spelled doom (I guess) for K's position and he was told that he was "a luxury the company could no longer afford."
It's strange, but I just seem to not have the energy to have a breakdown about this.
I am working.
My position is secure.
We are all healthy and happy.
We have each other and we will be fine. I don't know when, exactly, but I have faith that K will move on to something else...perhaps even something that is a more comfortable fit.
He's hit the ground running and I've realized that all those years that he was free-lance (and he will probably be free-lance for a while now too) had many benefits.
I've learned that you can lose a staff position. I've lived in fear of him losing his job and it has happened. It happened a few years ago and we survived. I feel like we will again.
My confidence probably stems from the fact that I am not sitting at home fretting. I'm working and loving it.
This, of course, does not mean that I wouldn't gladly accept your support/prayers/thoughts while we weather this storm.
But this time I'm not sitting wringing my hands and crying.
I do so appreciate my community here.
It wasn't easy to form my thoughts and post them.
And, as always,
I thank you...
all 331 of you who clicked over here to see what I was up to yesterday.
It has been a heck of a week, punctuated by, what my MIL calls, a kick in the teeth.
I worked hard at the office in preparation for a major event next week, my boss made it to London and back and mentioned that they'd love to see me in the UK office (note to Alice!) and I went and saw my pal Jen make an appearance at a big bookstore.
Next week, I'll accompany co-workers to a two-day industry show kind of thing, be on my feet all day and, hopefully, manage the boss's time efficiently.
We await the arrival of the London staff and are hoping for ash abatement.
Jen's appearance? Well, let me tell you - I am lucky enough to be around Jen whenever I can (though it often involves air travel). If you are lucky enough to be able to see her at your local bookstore, I highly recommend it.
She is tremendously entertaining and her fans, her loyal, lovely, wonderful fans, are treated to fresh Jen. Live Jen. Hysterically funny Jen.
Have I mentioned (less than five or six times) that Chapter Four of My Fair Lazy covers her visit here, to MY HOUSE, a couple of summers ago? I've never been in a book before and blush and smile and couldn't be more tickled by this. You really need to pick it up and read it while I work on cleaning up my language (apparently I curse A LOT).
After the reading I had drinks with her and some of her peeps and publishing staff and then dashed off to the 11:19. What a night!
(As an aside, I need to tell you that a fellow in her audience mistook me for Anna Wintour. And no, he wasn't drunk.) Between being completely starstruck, chuffed over the new book and a couple of glasses of Pinot Grigio, it was memorable to say the least.
Oh, and, the kick in the teeth?
K was laid off from his job on Tuesday.
This bad thing was shocking, yes, but I was not surprised. The great guy who brought him into the company was let go a month after K arrived. Their big plans were doomed only four weeks after K was made a staff member and, frankly, I was surprised they kept K as long as they did. Business losses and layoffs all around slowly spelled doom (I guess) for K's position and he was told that he was "a luxury the company could no longer afford."
It's strange, but I just seem to not have the energy to have a breakdown about this.
I am working.
My position is secure.
We are all healthy and happy.
We have each other and we will be fine. I don't know when, exactly, but I have faith that K will move on to something else...perhaps even something that is a more comfortable fit.
He's hit the ground running and I've realized that all those years that he was free-lance (and he will probably be free-lance for a while now too) had many benefits.
I've learned that you can lose a staff position. I've lived in fear of him losing his job and it has happened. It happened a few years ago and we survived. I feel like we will again.
My confidence probably stems from the fact that I am not sitting at home fretting. I'm working and loving it.
This, of course, does not mean that I wouldn't gladly accept your support/prayers/thoughts while we weather this storm.
But this time I'm not sitting wringing my hands and crying.
I do so appreciate my community here.
It wasn't easy to form my thoughts and post them.
And, as always,
I thank you...
all 331 of you who clicked over here to see what I was up to yesterday.
Comments
My prayers swim and fly right at you.
And you are right: your job is such a blessing on so many levels. I feel exactly the same way! Picking up Jen's book for the weekend.
...and I don't remember you cursing once when I met you in Chicago. Congratulations on your book appearance!
I too, believe everything happens for a purpose. And we learn from how we respond to the challenges and obstacles placed before us.
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
Any chance of some financial aid/grants for Middle's tuition next year?
I'll send prayers and well-wishes out to your family.
I'm sad for you all, but glad to hear you're feeling philosophical about it.
Your soiree sounds like Fun!
And re your trip to Londontown? It sounds divine, meeting Alice is on the top of my list, if ever.
Finger crossed, prayers in the air and a smooch.
(Kidding. I know the drop-in-the-stomach feeling of sudden unemployment.)
As I also know the strength of realizing that you WILL make it, no matter what.
As you WILL.
xo Jess
I know how hard this is, because my husband lost his job once, when we had two little ones and I was not working at the time. It was, to say the least, stressful.
Hang in there. Take care of yourself!
I'm glad you had the treat of that book reading--and you have YOUR JOB! So yay for that!
I'm sure K's window will open to something pretty awesome--from all reports here he sounds like a hot commodity.
We can survive all kinds of crap, you know.
Give K a big hug from me and then have him give you an even bigger one from me.
Smooches and positive thoughts to both of you. You'll be fine, I just know it--but I feel for you.
i dunno, from my internets experience, mrk sounds like he has mad mad skillz. so keep on keepin' on, chica. this too shall pass.
And the promise that on the red-letter day you turn up in London I am taking you out even if I can't promise burgers in brown paper.
And I am SO sorry to hear about your hubs. As you know, I've been there, done that. All last year. Remember, everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end. :)
Many times some unexpected good comes of this...
If you like, come back and visit mine: http://albumdeestampillas.blogspot.com
Thanks,
Pablo form Argentina
Family Commentbox xxxx
xo
ErinH
Uncertainty is tough. I hope it passes quickly.
xo
But yes, good thoughts, etc. GOES WITHOUT SAYING.
Yes, this, too, shall pass, and I'm betting it will pass relatively quickly, as K is a man of tremendous talents. You know you will survive, which is more than half the battle, right there.
I agree with the many others who voiced the sentiment that this will probably lead to something even better. Here's hoping!
This event will lead to another event then another later on. It all becomes part of the narrative of your life.
I find your narrative to be rich and wonderful.
I thought I was the only one who often cannot muster the energy to wash out that final pan or pot. Phew. Glad it's not just me. xo
jbhat
2. K's job? I'm so sorry to hear that. But things really will work out for the best. And though the old, "been there, done that" sucks...yes, I have and yes, he'll be just fine.
XXOO
Still, I hope you and K stay calm and positive. The economy needs a kick in the pants.
I try really hard to focus on the 'healthy and happy' part. Because that's everything, isn't it?