Tuesday, January 27, 2009

I Knew It

Well, the front offices had their big meetings today, and we had one, too. Those of us over 55 with more than ten years of service are being offered early retirement packages. They want to cut heads through synthetic attrition, as I call it. That does not include me. I couldn't now anyway. Also, there will be some restructuring. Some jobs will be moved or consolidated, some will go away. About 100 jobs in sales and marketing will go away, we were told. 100 out of a company of about 2,500 or so. It could have been a lot worse.

It has not started snowing out yet. In fact the skies are half-clear right now. It is still plenty cold, though, and the air feels damp. I have a feeling things will change in the next few hours.

This morning I got up early and went to see my psychiatrist. I still have to stick to all of my meds. He did put me on a cheaper version of one of the meds though, so that helps. He had a general lack of appreciation for my Ohio State ball cap. He went to the University Of Michigan. I had forgotten about that. Oh, well, he was light-spirited about it. After my appointment I went to the gym and worked out for an hour. I came home after that and promptly fell asleep on the couch until almost time to leave for work. I have a feeling that I will sleep very well tonight.

In the next few days I have to have a talk with my ex about something and I'm not looking forward to it. Nice, maybe too nice, guy that I am, I get her her lease car for her through my company because it's a great rate and the insurance is included. The payments are deducted from my paycheck each month- I get paid monthly. We had an agreement that she would pay me back half of the cost every two weeks. Well, she paid me nothing in December and has yet to pay me anything this month, which is almost over. At this point she owes me about $800 for the vehicle lease. In spite of what she may think my circumstances are, I need that money. I have bills to pay and so on. That should be a happy little chat when it happens, which will be sometime this week yet.

An aunt of mine died over the weekend. I had not seen her in probably over 30 years. Although a nice person, she was never really close to the family. I think that maybe she distanced herself because of my uncle, who was an alchoholic and a schizophrenic. They divorced when I was very young. He was my mother's brother, so this was an aunt by marraige. I remember very little about her. It's a shame when things happen that way. I only have one aunt (blood) left now, and she lives somewhat of a hermit's existance somewhere out in Arizona. I haven't seen here since I was probably six or seven years old. I don't even remember what she looks like. All I know about her is her name and where she lives. Sad, isn't it?

Well, I don't want to end this post on an unhappy note, so I'll say that I am starting to plan a trip t go home to visit the family sometime in February or March. I haven't been home since July. Now is the time to go while gas is still reasonable. I can't wait. I'm thinking that I will surprise my parents this time and only tell my siblings that I'm coming. I can hardly wait.

6 comments:

  1. Well sounds like things could have went much worse at work. You know, some industries are thriving while others are not. I think everything will find a balance.

    You are such a sucker :) I learned not to trust any ex of any kind with money - especially if I am the one to which it is owed. Good luck with that one.

    Maybe you will find it in your heart to come out here to the Washington desert/mountains and visit us, eh? Anytime you're game for some west coast action we have extra bedrooms ...

    ReplyDelete
  2. We aren't exactly thriving, but we did a bunch of things a handful of years ago "just in case" that are paying off now. Still tightening our belts, though.

    I hope I don't end up having to learn a hard lesson the hard way on the money thing. Things have been very civil with the ex so far, and I'd hate to see that change at this point, especially over something like that.

    I would like to make it out there some day. I do have a couple of relatives in Olympia. How far off is that?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hope your chat with the ex goes well, and isn't a "check's in the mail" type of thing. Home? Where's home? I need a vacation, too. ACK! lol. Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Whew--I'm glad you were spared in the layoffs! I'm sorry about your aunt, and your money situation with your ex.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Xanadu- Thank you. I wish I was taking a real vacation, like a cruise or something. That would be nice. I haven't had that type of vacation in over 15 years. It's always off to see the family, not that I'm complaining. :)

    jen- Thank you. A layoff or a forced early retirement would be devestating for me. I'd most probably lose my house, for starters. Where would I go with my dogs? I haven't a clue.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Olympia is a four hour drive. It is quite a beautiful drive however.

    ReplyDelete