I seen it coming, and it happened Thursday morning. I got sick hard with the flu just as I was finishing a tool (I'm a tool and die moldmaker). I had all the details done, just had to put it together. I had help with that (plenty of help available, as we were slow). I left early Tuesday, and went home and went to bed. Basically stayed in bed all day Wednesday, and when I went in to work Thursday morning, I found my tool assembled (as expected), and the boss came over to me and said there was nothing for me to work on, that's it, I'm laid off. Permanently. Seen it coming, but that didn't make it much easier. I AM relieved tho, as it was a 1 hour commute each way, 10 hr days plus commute, and in an environment where I was the outsider. I didn't fit in. I have SO much relief that I no longer work there, that I now feel this as a blessing from God that working that job is no longer a part of my life.

So after 35 years in the trade, and at age 55, I'm now unemployed, with no one hiring, cuz there JUST ISN'T ANY JOBS! I got a few lines on things, but it has made me available to do several other things for people that needed help, as in road trip co-pilot and driver. I'm heading to Mayo Clinic tomorrow, and will be home Thursday. Being a driver for our Pastor, so his wife can stay home with their young girls for a change.

What's in the future? I got a line on a couple of things. One is a 3rd shift job running Wire EDMs for an old friend, but the commute would suck worse than the one I just had, as it's all I-94, US 131, and then downtown Ka'zoo traffic. My MAIN hope and prayer for a job is at a local community college called Lake Michigan College in there vocational tech' department as a part time instructor. Pay is decent, and I don't need benefits as LadyT works for the state of Michigan as an adult services worker (she has a MSW!). I have some experience teaching at the college level, teaching Mold Design for 3 years at another local college, and I have been involved with local apprenticeship programs for years, not only working with apprentices, but also with school counselors, teachers, and administrators from all over the state. There IS life other than a liberal arts college, BUT our young MUST have training in some field or another.

Pray for me (us) that God will use me where he wants me to be used, to the fullest, using my abilities and talents.

 

 

My apologies for the sickness plus being laid off. Talk about having a bad week.

Hopefully things work through for you

 

Thanks for the kind thoughts Space.
The teaching positions don't start until fall semester, I just found out. Not sure if that's bad or good. It would give me time to prepare, learn some unfamiliar software and machines, and maybe brush up on calculus if I got the math position, also.

 

Sorry to hear about the layoff Wayne. Prayers on the way. Hopefully you'll find something better very soon!

 

Ya Wayne times are tough. I was laid off from my Desktop/Prepress job back at the end of July and have yet to find a job in my field. I did start a Temp job under contract back in the end of September and I am still working. But the thing that sucks for me is that I am forced to to COBRA because of my pre existing condition and I can't get my own health insurance. That was the main reason for selling my Mini Cooper because with the $450 a month COBRA payment and a $400 car payment - something had to go. And I don't have any idea when I will get married (I have been engaged for 3 1/2 years now) so I can't get on my Finance's insurance unless we are officially married. I hope things turn around soon because this is very depressing.

 

Sorry to hear about that man. I hope things turn around for you.

 

 

Sorry about your job Wayne.
I've been hoping that stories like this become less frequent, but at least tough times can't last forever.

Hopefully this is an opportunity for you to pursue something that you've always wanted to do but never had a reason to.
Best wishes with pursuing the teaching job.

-Riggs.

 

Wayne,

Sorry to hear about what's been going on in your life. As you well know God does things for a reason. When He closes one door, He allows another door to open.

The way our economy is right now, a lot more people could find themselves without work.

Try to use this time to get fully recovered from being sick. Being run down only allows you to get sick again or not get well.

Please keep us updated on how things are going for you. We will be Praying for you.

RJ