How are we going to make it?

[Mrs. Green Thumbs]

So I guess my DH didn't want me to worry when he found out last Thursday that there were going to be lay off's at his work. He said that he didn't want me to stress if nothing was going to happen.... I honestly don't know what GM is thinking.... That man busted his heiny 5 day's a week doing everything asked of him the moment it was asked. He pulled twice the work load as the 2 kid's that he worked with but at the end of the day... my husband was sent home. How on earth will we make it? I am the only income we have now and I don't make much at all. On top of that I still have the coop to fix and a pen to build with no money... I think I'll have to sell my chicks and find a second job just to make end almost meet.... I'm just in shock. He worked there for year's. And this is how they treat him?! That man came home with tore muscles, banged up knuckles, tired feet and at time's all while sick as a dog and he still got up every morning and WALKED to work to save us money. He's a hard worker and a loyal employee and they dumped him.... I just can not even begin to understand why they would let him go over 2 kids that can't seem to pull half the work my husband does. And they made the same wages so it wasn't even like the business was saving money.... All it was was that there were 3 tec's there and they didn't need 3. I'm so angry, and scared, and sad. I was so excited about this chicken project I was so into it and now I can't even begin to see any way we could keep them. I'm just at a loss. Sorry for the rant. And now that darling man is doing all he can to be brave for me... and Lord.. he is seriously trying to get into the off shore oil business, he want's to "make this up to me" can you believe that? This amazing man, we JUST had an oil rig BLOW UP off shore there are like 11 men "missing" and he want's to put himself in that industry to provide for his son and his wife.

It's not like we haven't been here before... California is a harsh place right now as far as employment goes... I am blessed to have the 10 hour a day 5 day a week job I have, I just... it's so hard to struggle and scrape.... and to let go of thing's you had worked so hard to get started.

 

[patnjess]

I'm so sorry

I know God will make a way, just some times its hard to get to that point. how about unemployment, can he collect on that? If so that might help to make it through.

God bless
Jessica

 

[Mrs. Green Thumbs]

He's going to apply but a lot of the other guy's that we know that used to work there and got laid off had to fight to get their unemployment... took them a long time to get what they were owed.

 

[patnjess]

well fight! i know how you feel we went without a pyacheck most of this past year. I don't know how we made it, we did though, and we are STILL trying to make it

Mrs. Green Thumbs :

He's going to apply but a lot of the other guy's that we know that used to work there and got laid off had to fight to get their unemployment... took them a long time to get what they were owed.​

 

[valentinebaby]

I am so sorry to hear about your situation. Your husband must definitely get down to the unemployment office and start the process as I believe it takes 2-3 weeks to take effect. Don't look at it as a hand-out - both of you have been paying into it for years, so it's your turn to collect. I once lived in California and left before it started to go downhill (job wise) and am so saddened to see such a great state have such problems. Be sure he goes online and looks for anything on the state websites - we have a job corp here in Texas that is great from what I understand and the state always has listings for jobs.

In regards to the oil rig - my cousin started out in the oil business working on a rig - he has now worked his way up the company and is doing quite well. The work is hard and is scary, but remember, one of you could be walking down the street and be hit by a car and either seriously hurt or worse, so all of life is a chance. A man like your husband is a proud man, so let him do what he needs to do to feel like one.

Regarding your chickens: I hope that some of your fellow California BYC'ers will pitch in and provide you the spare wood or fencing that you need to finish your job. See if you can go to your local market and talk to the produce manager - some of them will work with you and give you the lettuce and veggies that aren't pretty enough to sell, but are still good. I'm going to put out a separate post to see if we can attract some of your California neighbors to lend a helping hand.

All my wishes are with you at this difficult time -

Gail

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

for everyone in your house and yard.


I know it is scary, my DH was out of work for awhile. He is now in another state, making a living for us - the state of NV is in as bad a shape as CA no work.


Hang in there.

 

[St-Hubert]

He sounds like a very good man...and also like he'll fight to keep his family fed, clothed, and sheltered. Let him know we're pulling for him, and also know you will be in my thoughts.

 

[sfw2]

No advice - just

 

[Southpaw970]

I'm sorry to hear about your husband losing his job.
We have been in pretty much the same situation since 11/08. Unemployment is less than half what my husband was bringing home working in the power line industry when he got laid off. I've been unable to work for the past 4 yrs. DH finally found a job with a lot of overtime from October to December but got laid off again the week before Christmas- just as I was starting to get a little ahead on things and was able to buy Christmas for our son. We just went 6 weeks with NO income from unemployment due to a big mix up over a 2 week temp job that he took back in Feb. Thankfully we had a tax refund and an insurance check from hail damage on our roof. Jobs are really hard to come by where we live. Somehow God always makes sure we have enough to cover our bills.
I'll keep your family in my thoughts and prayers. Do make sure he files for Unemployment right away because that's the date they start your payments from - not the day he got laid off.

 

[Mrs. Green Thumbs]

Thank you all so much.... I think I'm in a bit of shock right now... and I keep trying to reassure him that we will be ok. I can tell he's really upset but he's trying to comfort me while I try to stay strong for him. This man is a survivor and he believes in hard work. This time without employment is going to be hard on his pride... on the bright side... if I find a way to salvage some wood he will have plenty of time to build the pen for me huh...