Off Topic Frustration

[Phoebe's Mom]

Just back from a long walk with Phoebe on a glorious day--76 degrees, blue skies and sunny--but instead of enjoying it all I can obsess about is the fact that my husband has been unemployed since January (for the second time in two years), knocking himself out with networking and sending resumes, all with nothing to show for it. Phoebe keeps me going through the day though I know by now she is sick and tired of listening to me drone on and on about our situation. Sometimes she looks at me with those gorgeous green eyes of hers as if to say 'I get it so could you please be quiet for a while?" Once I pick up all my children from school it is a tad easier to 'forget' about our situation but some days are truly longer than others. Thanks for listening.

[The Berry Oaks Doodle Ranch]

I say hang in there also...when we got Guinness over a year 1/2 ago, a year had gone by already. It was great that both of us could retire in 2007 no credit cards. no bills to talk about except your normal house hold bills. Thinking we were on cloud nine, we could sell our house in MD.very quickly before the housing market crash...well that didn't happen. A year went by nothing, so I had been looking for a certain dog to enter our lives. And that's when we decided this would be the right time, we were so depressed...before we retired we bought property in Sav.Ga.took alot of house hold goods to Ga. to put storage in (climate controlled)area. THings were just not working out well, we got Guinness Dec.of 2008 it was the best thing we ever did. He entertained our lives so much in next months to come we even forgot some of our close friends & family because we were having so much fun with him...he still is apart of lives so much...we enjoy every waking moment of him. It has been three yrs.we still are waiting to sell our house in MD.we can't build in Sav.Ga. because of this. We do travel some & do some small trips...we just keep busy as much as we can...we even got a 2nd Doodle again I must say we have only had him a few days...but again it was the best thing we ever did...Phoebe's Mom please hang in there ....

[Zoe, Benny and Tyler]

Hang in there, you are not alone and better times will come for sure.

[Phoebe's Mom]

Sue-- despite your concern and anxiety about your son, you must be so proud of him. May he be kept safe and may you find comfort in knowing what wonderful boy you have.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Sue ..... glad to hear that your Son has found a purpose and again has some direction in his life. Many thanks to him for deciding to join the ranks of all the men and women who have chosen to defend this wonderful Country many of us call Home! I know it will be tough for you, but we will all keep him in our prayers.

[Sue & Willy Babe]

My son has not been able to find a job he is 25 so . . . he has enlisted in the Army as a Geospatial engineer, he is going to study maps he leaves on Aug 11 for South Carolina, for 9 weeks then on to Virginia for 22 weeks for training I am scared but . . . when I see his face now he has a sense of direction of what he is going to do . . before he had not and was getting depressed . .. there isn't any work here for him in the GreenBay WI area. . I will miss him very much..... Thanks for letting me vent
And I hope that all will go well for all of your husbands and children

[Penny, Comiskey & Beemer]

I feel your pain...my husband is in the trades....no work there....he has been off for over a year....lost our benefits....having to pay COBRA....and then Beemer had to have his surgery.....BUT....our pups have been our salvation...when everything looks bleek....we talk it out with one of them....we all give up just one more thing....and we become even closer....Blessings to you....

[Phoebe's Mom]

The support is wonderful and totally needed this week. I think I have reached my breaking point right now. As for starting our own business, I am way too scared to do that plus we really need a steady income as we have four younger children. Unfortunately for our finances only, I am a stay at home mom and have been for thirteen years. it is so impossibly scary for me to think I may have to return to work and give up what I do with the children--volunterrring art school everyday, seeing all of their events, etc-- and even scarier to think of what I would do for a career as I have a Ed.M. degree in English education but have not taught in over 15 years. These are scary times! Thanks again.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

I hear you, its awful. I went for a week and a half over the last 2 weeks not knowing if I was going to have a job or not. Its safe for now but next week who knows. I feel for you and your husband and you are in my prayers. I am sure Phoebe isn't tired of listening to you, she probably just doesn't know how to help more than she does :-) I cried on Hunter for days - she was ready to have me committed. Stay strong and know that you have lots of support whenever you need a shoulder. God Bless! Denise & Hunter

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

I feel for your husband. I was "down sized" from my job of 6 years in February. The IT job market has been pretty bleak in Atlanta. Since we are a 2 income family (and DH 2 yr away from retirement), relocation is not really an option for us. Thanks for bringing this topic up. It is a good place to vent and receive support.

Just out of curiosity has your DH thought about going into business for himself? I am starting to look at what pet industry opportunities might be viable. It is about the only sector that is growing. Lots of Boomers out there like many of us on DK that now baby their 4 footed children.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I lost my part-time job last fall when the business was sold and the new owner got an unpaid employee (his wife) to do the bookkeeping. I've since heard of so many friends and acquaintances who are in the same boat. Hang in there, and vent whenever you need to...you are not alone!