The door is open wide and I am stepping thru it

We are now just weeks away from a major change in our lifestyle that both my wife and I have been anticipating for several months now.  As life progressed in the past several months of unemployment and uncertainty, our mortgage holder decided it was time to hit us with the 'F' word, Foreclosure.

Being unemployed it was just something to accept as the next logical step and I tried to take it all in stride.  Of course things are never black and white and there are many missteps that come along whether or not you purposely decide to take them.  Along the way I was re-employed by my longest employer only to be laid off again for a short while and once again am back at it.

We are planning a major yard sale this next weekend and if successful, we will be sleeping on the floor and eating from a countertop toaster oven for the next month.  On May 1st we will be moving into our new home at Staybridge Suites.  We will leave the unpleasant neighbors and falling down house behind for the bank to deal with.  A visit to our attorney this next week will help to cement our ideas and move us toward that goal.

It helps me to write down my thoughts as a way to deal with the angst of all of this.  If anyone reads this, I would welcome your comments and observations.

Life Moves Ahead

It has been a whirlwind for me with Burnt Toast playing Friday night for Relay for Life in Whitehall and then yesterday in Bethlehem at Art Walk.  Some Ibuprofen and Tylenol PM and I feel like a new man.  Burnt Toast continues to be a large part of the positive force in my life and I will continue on with job searches and such next week.

So many people have been so supportive for me in these last few weeks as major changes have crept up on me. I find that writing things down helps me to deal with both the good and the bad in a peaceful and insightful way.  If you happen to stumble on this Blog and feel a need to comment, please do.  I write this for my therapy but outside observances are always helpful too.

The Saga continues

Apparently the 'Letter' hasn't even been written yet.

But I am moving ahead with continuing my job search and getting ready for the Art Walk gig in Bethlehem with Burnt Toast.  Today is the first day that I really feel like my surgery and aftermath are 'behind' me.  It is amazing how at peace I am since that fateful Friday.

C'est La Vie!

A few more steps!

I called today to find out why the letter had not gotten to me yet and was told it had been mailed out on Friday.  At least this time my boss was able to tell me they are downsizing and that my position has been eliminated.  No fault on my part just need to save money.

So the fun continues.  A letter from the Health insurance company to tell me that it runs out the end of the month, and the prospect of filing for Unemployment Compensation are what are on my plate this week.

I am off to pick up my personal effects and return the company stuff I have.

But I keep my chin up (It is easier to get that knock-out punch that way!)

A journey of 1000 miles begins with a step

I must say that the way this journey began was totally unexpected.  Here I was recovering from surgery and feeling badly for not being able to work and then I get knocked right on my derriere.

I had talked with my surgeon as I was going stir crazy and needed to get back to working.  He told me I could go back for 1/2 day but take plenty of up and around breaks.  I thought this was great news and called my boss to let him know I would be in the office.  He told me to not come in but stay home and rest.

I knew that Fridays were typically slow days at our company and thought he was being nice about it all.

Get ready for that first step.

On Friday, I was checking my email from home to try to keep up with the office goings on and found an email from his wife.  It said that although they were sorry that effective that day I was terminated from my job.  A formal letter would follow.  Yikes, I called my boss right away and asked what was going on.  He said they were at the end of the road.  When I asked to speak to his wife, he said she was 'kinda busy'.  Yeah, well I was kinda screwed!

As much as I felt like I had just been punched in the stomach, I was strangely calm and actually relieved.  The working conditions had gotten progressively worse and although the work to do was enjoyable, the atmosphere and co-workers were anything but.  I now sit here in the wee hours and begin my Blog (a first ever for me, the Blog that is).  Nothing to do now but wait for that formal letter and contemplate what direction this new journey will take me.

I will try to keep you informed provided anyone actually reads this.