Things unemployed people do

It has been a pretty slow week on the job search. There have been a couple of calls from headhunters that have some pretty interesting jobs in Columbus, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Atlanta. But have not heard from any hiring managers yet. Not losing hope, it has not even been a month yet.

Thought I would let you know what I have been doing to keep busy (no particular order):

• Take your 95 year old Aunt to the foot doctor to get her toe nails trimmed. They asked her for a picture ID and she gave them a picture of herself.
• Help mom apply for Medicaid, required many many hours of calling people, getting copies of all kinds of papers, making copies, meeting with the medicaid people.
• Helping at Awana last night, listening to kids recite Bible verses. I was with the 1st grade girls, it was pretty fun.
• Choir practice at church, always a good time
• Looking a used cars (newer than my 1992 caddy), day dreaming of buying one
• Teaching college @ MVNU last class tonight, been a great group, have been asked to teach another class in May (anyone know what "Moodle" is?)
• Visiting people at hospital when the Pastors are busy
• Exercising some, but not enough, hard to get motivated to keep it up
• Attending a Men's Leadership book study group, that was fun, met some new people, getting back to reading some more
• Attending auctions at Appletree Auction, that is interesting
• Going to Columbus to meet with my outplacement case worker, nice guy, always leave encouraged
• Checking in with some old Abbott colleagues and other ex-Abbott employees
• Keeping up with my 100 day Bible Reading plan
• Babysitting for Brock, Jakob, and/or Bryson on an emergency basis

So you can see for the most part I am keeping busy, which is the plan.

Just need one company to call!

God still in control.

"Thank you for your oustanding contribution"

That was the message on the award I received yesterday, ironic isn't it?

Go back a few days, we got a call from Fedex saying there was an important package coming that we had to sign for. Being the optimist I am, I was thinking we had won a major prize from some sweepstakes or maybe keys to a new car. I even thought that maybe it was some more papers from Abbott about the downsizing.

So yesterday, I had a meeting in Columbus with the outplacement firm, and while I was gone it came!!! A big box from Abbott!! So I began to wonder, was it stuff from my desk that I forgot? Did I win a lifetime supply for Zone bars?

It was neither, it was a very nice award to sit on your desk from a project team I had been working with before I left. I really appreciate it, they could have have not went to the expense of sending it and I would have not known either way.

I just wish they had sent it to the person who picked me to lose my job, maybe it would have changed their mind.

"...I know who holds the future, and I know who holds my hand."

Unemployed week 2

Well not much has happened on the job front :(. There are a few jobs in the Columbus area I have applied but have not heard anything. I remember from the last time being downsized that companies work at the their own pace, and it slow to someone waiting for a call.

Calls and emails have slowed down from my old coworkers (but not stopped). Went to my 1st meeting at the outplacement agency, was surprised by some of the other people I knew. 1 guy had worked for Abbott for 35 years! Another over 20, most of the rest of us were between 6 and 8 years. Some taking it much harder than me, but it is their 1st time being out of work in a long time.

There is news with Mom this week. They moved her to the convalescent wing of Newark Healthcare. Her Doctor now thinks she has a form of Parkinson's disease. The good news is I think the meds they have her on seems to be helping. Taking Dad down in the morning to get mom signed up for Medicaid to help pay her bills.

Still have mixed feelings about mom being there, she is safe and has people to take better care of her than my dad can. On the other hand, it is sad to see her physically unable to even get out of bed herself. Not sure she will ever walk out of that place. I know dad is missing her being at home.

Think I have dad convinced to sell his house and move to a place much smaller and closer to mom. That is the next step, getting the house cleaned out and ready to sell. LOTS of work ahead on that front.

Still working out everyday I can, walking on treadmill and Crossbow machine. Keeping busy between Aunt Rhoda, mom, dad, teaching college class and church, so time is moving pretty fast.

That's all for this week, remember "...I know who holds the future, and I know who holds my hand."

Downsized Part 2

Today I begin the 2nd week of being unemployed.

It was a week ago Wednesday that I got the ax from Abbott. I was one of 1,900 in the US, and 1 of 100+ in Columbus to lose their jobs. In my department in Chicago there was also 1 other person downsized, so 2 of 10, we were hit pretty hard.

As you can imagine, it has been an emotional roller coaster. I thought I would be able to retire from Abbott, it is a great company and a really miss the people (most of them anyway :)) Now we are facing the possibility of relocating away from here, a thought that we are not enjoying. But we know God has plans for us and will lead us where he wants us to be.

I have been keeping busy this past week, mostly dealing with mom and dad. Mom is moving out of the rehab side and into the long term care side of Newark Healthcare. A sad day but she is safe there and it gives my dad a break. I am trying to convince him to sell his house and move but I need to plant the seeds now and let him work up to a decision in a few weeks (Angela says I am just like that also, I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.)

Starting to prepare myself for the job search, had an opportunity in Iowa, but it is too far away. Another opening in Columbus, but have not heard anything yet. One good thing is that I can apply for others jobs within Abbott as they come open, SO I am also watching the job board closely.

Began walking on the treadmill and using the Bowflex almost everyday. Wanted to do it before, but now i have the time and motivation to start it. Just need to consistent.

Went the auction today, nothing but junk, but had breakfast at their restaurant.

That's all for now, will keep you posted on how it is going

"...I know who holds the future, and I know who holds my hand."