Tuesday, September 27, 2011

*Deep Breaths*

Whew...

So after keeping my organization in limbo for approximately 5 months, the State, in its infinite wisdom, has "officially" decided to de-fund us for fiscal year 2012 as of September 15th. My last day at work is Friday. Nice notice, right?

I (and my co-workers) pretty much knew this was coming, but there was that glimmer of hope that everything would be ok and funding would come through. Not to be. I've been with that organization since it started, from the ground up, 7 years of blood and sweat and tears, wah wah woe is me.

I've sent out about 10 resumes in the last 3 weeks or so. I got my first rejection email this morning, for extra bonus awesome!

Anyway, I'll continue searching, obviously. I'll collect unemployment (which is about half of what I was making). Kyle and I are cutting back even more than we were before, and we will be ok for a little while. I'll get some time to decompress from this shitty limbo-state of uncertainty, wash some horse blankets, get the yard ready for winter, and of course lots of this:



Such a handsome head.

It's not all bad. Kyle says to focus on finding what will make me happy. I've heard the saying, "Do what you love, and the money will follow." It's a nice thought, but I'm so disillusioned with the economy in this State I don't know. I'm worried I'll end up taking something I hate because, um, we need dollars. Worse I won't even be able to find a job I hate that pays what I was making, and I'll end up working at Speedway. (Aside: If I have to work for 8 bucks an hour, I'd rather at least work around animals; a pet store or something. I'm actually really fascinated by animal nutrition and pet care, having owned just about anything with fur at one point or another, and I don't think it would be horrible.) The rejection letter I got? Says they received hundreds of resumes for this one position. It's tough out there.



Dark days.

Of course, leave it to Miles to be my bright light. He has been working so, so beautifully the last couple of weeks. Friday and Saturday I took him over cross rails for the first time in a month or so. We've both missed them and it sure injected more joy into our ride. Saturday I raised the rails up so the middle was just under 2 feet. I know, I know, we're CA-RAAAZY! It was fun to feel him actually use himself to jump though-thank goodness I had the presence of mind to grab mane the first couple of times. He's so adorably pleased with himself when he does a good job, too. Love my boy. How can any situation be all bad when I get to drive out to see this more often?



14 comments:

  1. Hey, I just discovered your blog through another blog. I am from Michigan, too, but closer to Detroit. It is tough out there, so I hope you find something soon!!
    I have a Haflinger mare. Your boy is so handsome!

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  2. Oh gosh. Good luck - and thank goodness for ponies :-/

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  3. Thanks you guys. Allison, I love finding other Michigan bloggers! Thanks both of you for stopping by:)

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  4. Sorry Sarah. Times are so hard for so many folks these days. I appreciate your positive outlook. Things have to start turning around soon.

    Hoping you find the job you want, when you want it. More time with Miles is a good consolation :)

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  5. I'm so sorry! I hope you do find something you love - why not? Stranger things happen...

    Horses kept me sane during our long hard road. I'll bet Miles does the same for you.

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  6. :( Bourns Sarah. That really sucks, though at least you get more Miles time to help you get through it. I hope you find a job you love again soon. My favorite quote: "Love what you're doing, till you're doing what you love".

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  7. Well, this really sucks. I am so sorry to hear this. Based on my personal experience, give yourself some time to decompress...it took me a month. I painted a bunch of rooms in my house - it was a great form of therapy because it was instant gratification and gave me a sense of accomplishment. A book that you may find interesting is "Do What You Are" http://www.amazon.com/What-You-Are-Paul-Tieger/dp/0316845221. It may give you some food for thought about where your passion, experience and capabilities may be used in other businesses or organizations. Thank goodness you have Miles. I am sending positive thoughts your way that an opportunity comes your way soon.

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  8. :-( I'm sorry. That sucks a lot, but you don't need me to tell you. Hope you enjoy your time with Miles and good luck on the new job.

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  9. Hang in there, Sarah! I was in your shoes a year ago, and it was not fun! You're so lucky to have beautiful Miles in your life to keep you smiling. I got some disheartening rejection letters as well, but I just kept on trucking. One website that did help a lot was Michiganworks AND INDEED.com...I hope those help!

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  10. Hey, it's rough here in Michigan BUT there are places hiring. Get on Crains Biz online, always announcing companies that are hiring, new jobs, etc. I agree-find what you love to do and go for it. Sometimes there are versions you never thought of. Reach out to network. You will find something soon. In the meantime, LOTS of pony time will remind you how awesome life is. Enjoy that time off b/c it won't be long :) xoxoxoxo

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  11. I'm so sorry. I agree that it is beyond "rough" right now. I've never seen anything like it, not even the 70s gas lines (which I barely remember in my childhood) compare to the dearth of jobs.

    I watch the roiling stock markets and see the widespread job losses, coupled with the zero job growth in the US last, was it quarter, and I fret. But, I can only hope, as we all do, that somehow, and soon, things start to turn around.

    My unsolicited advice is to try to get something—anything—in the next six months, even if it is a minimum-wage job. Because once you've been unemployed longer than that, it gets harder.

    And at least your situation is one that is easily explained. It's not as though you were one in an office to be let go. It was a de-funding initiative, so I would think that with your talent, youth, and stellar performance record, you'll land on your feet.

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  12. I hope you find a job soon. It wasn't very nice not to give you much notice.
    Thank goodness we have horses to help us through any tough patches we go through. They really seem to help us humans feel better no matter what.

    Sounds like an awesome jump ride :)

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  13. That. Sucks. It's awful to have to take any job available just so you can pay the bills but you have to do what you have to do. There's always temping, I've done that and it wasn't so bad- at least it gives you a chance to try something new.

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  14. Hi - I've got an award for you! Drop by my blog to pick it up...

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