This past Friday we were hit with some pretty bad devestating news. My Husband was laid off from work due to the economy and the downsizing at his employment. At first I was in utter shock. As I began to do the mind drill of the what ifs etc. Some may not know, also that My Daughter and grandson also moved back in to the house about 4 weeks ago due to she got laid off too. And my other daughter is going thru a lay off to in her family.
My husband and I thought we were one of the lucky ones and were not effected by those lay offs for the last two years . Still gainfully employed. Yes there is ALOT of pressure riding on me , now that my full time day job is what has to sustain us, thats for sure. I wont lie to say that I have not had a few melt downs , and shed a few tears this weekend just thinking of all the what "ifs" . I have to remain positive thru this path that has been laid in front of us and can only pray and hope that there is something better on the horizon, what ever that may be.
It dawned on me just how important my stock pile that I have building for the last year, and how that will help sustain us until unemployment checks ( piddles) comes in as that takes a minimum of three weeks. And even when it does start, its not much thats for sure.
Ive taken alot of joking from faimly members and freinds who ask me why in the world do I have 10 bottles of laundry detergent on hand and 2 freezers and a full walk in pantry and all that dish soap. I now can just smile and say - because I planned not even realizin this was coming to our door step. I also can breath just a little bit easier knowing I have worked hard to prefect my couponing skills. Its taken trial and error but I am glad I did not give up. If you recall when I first blogged about stock piling , my goal was to have at least a three months supply of what we use toilitires, household cleaning, food on hand. I am glad I do. It may get depleated but we will not go hungry and wear dirty clothes. It feels nice to know that I have those extras and can help sustain our household on a one income at this time. Couponing 101 has really come in handy, I may not be an extreme couponer but I am able to coupon for our faimly.
We are grateful that he is able to receive unemployment benifits, but on the other hand its piddle drops in a bucket compaired to a full paid weekly pay check. Hopefully there wil be a better job in the works.
The Holidays may not be filled with tons of wrapped gifts this year under the tree. We may not be eating steak every night ( we dont anyway now) but at least we will all be together and have each other to lean on, and be able to find the "positive" in this rocky path we have begun. I plan to use this as a lesson and share our triumps and hiccups along the way with you all each week.....
Nana
