I didn’t want to mention it but I got laid off from my job last week. My former company laid off over 150 people and I was one of the casualties. On the calendar, to the day they chose to lay me off, I was but one week short of achieving a major anniversary milestone there, but the untamed corporate beast was just too hungry and it had to be fed.  Sadly, I was one of those sacrificial morsels destined to get tossed into the corporate beast’s foul-smelling jaws.

Thursday and Friday were a little weird… waking up without anywhere to go, but now that the shock is wearing off, I’m happy that I no longer work there for one reason: I worked like a dog and I hated my job. I loved my co-workers, made some good friends, had some hilarious experiences and fun times, but I hated what I was doing.

I’ve been through worse: my father’s death, my husband’s heart attack, my brother’s rejection and loathing, and everything that is, was and remains as a result of 9-11 are just some of the top four stunning events I’ve ever had to endure. This year, like previous ones, was particularly tough. I was hospitalized, my husband got very sick, we lost our beloved dog and now — my unemployment.

But I’m resilient and I’ll bounce back. And I look forward to the Messiah-elect bailing me out. After all, he did promise Peggy Johnson he would bail her out, so, why not me too?

8 Responses to “I got the boot”

1. Keith Says:
   November 11th, 2008 at 2:20 pm

   Hang in there gal, things can and do change, many times for the better if we focus our energy to make it better.

2. DerangedPenguin Says:
   November 11th, 2008 at 2:53 pm

   I was laid off one time, best thing that ever happened to me. Forced me out of my comfort zone and on to bigger and better things.

3. Michael Johnson Says:
   November 11th, 2008 at 3:03 pm

   Thought I’d share a recipe that helped my family through some rough spots:

   ———-

   Time: About 2 hours (Actual Work Time: about 15 minutes)
   *****************************************************
   BigAtticHouse dinner rolls: (one dozen)
   4 cups flour
   1 1/4 cups warm water ( Water should be warm, but not boiling. )
   2 tablespoons yeast (or 2 packets)
   1/2 tablespoon salt
   1 teaspoon sugar (or 1-2 Tablespoons if you want fluffier rolls)
   1-2 tablespoons cooking oil/olive oil/whatever

   1. dissolve yeast and sugar in water in large mixing bowl.
   2. mix yeast until dissolved.
   3. add 1 cup of flour and mix
   4. add salt
   5. continue to add flour 1/2 cup at a time mixing.
   6. flour will seem *VERY* wet, keep mixing. You can use a spatula to “fold” it.
   7. If you feel like a little exercise, oil your hands and knead in the bowl.
   8. The bread will “come together” after a few minutes, and feel “springy”. It will be smooth, If it looks like biscuit batter- keep kneading. Once it is smooth, it means the gluten has developed.
   9. Go ahead and knead the dough for a little while longer, you won’t hurt anything.
   10. Oil a glass or metal bowl. flop your dough into the bowl and flip over - so your dough is lightly covered in oil. Let sit 1 hour in a warm place. you may want to cover with seran-wrap to keep it moist/warm.

   **** After One Hour Rising ****
   11. Flour a surface.
   12. Punch the dough. Yes, punch it… all the air bubbles should deflate it.
   13. You can knead again if you want
   14. Cut the dough into four pieces
   15. Cut each piece into 3 pieces. This should give you 12 small balls of dough.
   16. Oil a muffin/cupcake pan, crisco works best , place one dough ball in each cup
   17. Place pan in a warm, draft-free place for 30-45 minutes.

   **** After 30-45 minutes rising ****
   **** Preheat oven to 425 ****
   18. When the oven gets to 425, Bake for 15 minutes. Rolls should swell about 3-5 times the size of the dough balls. They will start to brown after about 10 minutes, check every two minutes to make sure they don’t burn.
   19. Pop them out onto a wire rack to cool, or the bottoms will get slimy.
   20. Serve immediately with dinner, or as a snack. Careful they’re HOT!

   Note: Before putting in a bag, Let them cool completely (several hours at least) “stone cold”. They keep for 3 or 4 days in a plastic bag. 15-20 seconds in the microwave makes for a great snack.
   source: Mike Johnson of BigAtticHouse

4. ashok Says:
   November 11th, 2008 at 5:34 pm

   This is my first time here and I’m so sorry about the job.

   I’m wandering around your site and I think it’s awesome. Am linking back to you - with my amazing PR (*clears throat*) your traffic should increase a hundredfold and CNN and FOX will be begging for interviews and you’ll get endorsement deals.

5. KJeffV Says:
   November 11th, 2008 at 6:19 pm

   Ashok is a brilliant man who would never tell a lie . . . and neither would I! Praying that G-d will meet all your needs, esp’y that He will draw you closer to Him!
   ~KJV

6. Jack Says:
   November 11th, 2008 at 6:24 pm

   Hi Smooth,

   Sorry to hear about the job.

7. smoothstone Says:
   November 11th, 2008 at 8:52 pm

   Just want to thank all of you for your kind words and support. Your words mean so much. They’re comforting and fill me with positive and encouraging thoughts. Thank you all again and I will keep you posted on my progress…G-d Bless all of you.

8. Steven Says:
   November 12th, 2008 at 8:17 am

   Nice site!! Well done.

   Uncertainty is tough, isn’t it? Our family is in transition right now- well, maybe not really transition, either. More like walking on air, waiting to realize it.

   Sounds like you have a pretty good perspective.

   A quote that I absolutely love:
   “Never doubt in the darkness what God has shown you in the light.”

   May your path be bright, and the steps clear.

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