Stormy Monday

Sunday night when my husband and I were having dinner I asked him what he would do if he could do anything. He said he's happy right now, which is retirement with a fairly busy volunteer/social life. I told him I would like to work with animals someday.

When I walked into work Monday morning I was told I was laid off.

Well. Alrighty then.

I always think of myself as kind of trendy -- and what could be trendier than losing your job in a Recession? At least I have plenty of company.

Did I see this coming? No, not really. But I did feel I was lucky to have a job and even luckier that it was something I like to do.

Was I the only person in the company given that news? No, unfortunately. I was not the only employee to lose my job on Monday. In fact, one of the other employees just learned last week that his significant other was losing her job as well. That's a double whammy.

So I am entering the murky world of unemployment at a time when jobs are scarce and living in a place where any job can be hard to come by.

I learned I can file for unemployment online, which is kind of a relief. That's step 1.

Step 2 will be a recommitment to working out, not just when it's convenient, but on a regular scheduled basis. Any excuses I may have had just evaporated. And I will still get in a mile walk with the dog every day, only now I may be able to do that twice a day. I love those walks!

Step 3 will be The List.

You know the one, things you need to do but are just too busy to do. Cleaning the closet, the freezer, the tupperware storage area (where DO all those lids disappear to? Or does some other random person have just lids and no bottoms?)

I've started The List in my brain, but I will prioritize everything and write it down. I love the satisfaction of writing things down and then crossing them off when completed.

When I get down to putting all my pictures in photo albums, that will probably be the end of The List. Or will I have a new list by then?

This is uncharted territory for me, having worked continuously for the past 31 years. Yes, I'm a late bloomer -- I was a stay-at-home-mom until I was 30!

I feel a little sad, and scared, too..but I also feel like there is a whole world of possibilities out there, just waiting for me to find them.

I think My Little Pony would approve.

Comments

[Dixie Redfearn]

Russ, George and Laurie,
Thanks for the support! I appreciate it. Went to the gym in the rain and then got to watch the falling snow here without worrying I had to drive in it. Nice! Cozy fire, dog and cat warm and happy, Tomorrow I'll make vegetable soup in the Crock Pot and visit Monster Gym with hubby. (I can join for only $5 a month since I belong at South Yuba.)

[Russ Steele]

Dixie,

First, I am sorry that you were laid off at KNCO. I was just looking at the KNCO Web stats this morning and noted that web visits were up 120% and KNCO has twice an many page reads per visitor than The Union. I posted some of my findings on NC Media Watch. Ellen and I went to an AM Doc appointment in Sac this morning and some Mall Crawling this afternoon in Roseville. On the trip down to the valley I was telling her about the 120% increase in visitors to the KNCO web site and suggested they were coming to read your column, and staying a while to read the rest of the stuff. Let's see if over the next 3 months of that growth stops, or even declines, now that you are not posting on the KNCO web site.

Get Anna to re-list Dixie Fix on Nevada County Voices, and then lets see if we see a big bump in the Dixie Fix traffic. If you have some time once your List is finished, we can trick out the Dixie Fix a little and make it an even more enjoyable experience for your readers. If we can capture enough new readers, you can start selling ads on Dixie Fix. Look at all that valuable white space on your Dixie Fix page. Let's not let it go to waste.

Every local paper used to have columns like your, interesting tidbits about what was going on in the neighborhood. It was these columns that gave the local papers "juice." It was this "juice" that encouraged people to pick up the paper, it helped the ads go down smoother. One did not pick up the paper to read the ads, it picked up the paper to see what was going on over the back fence, and what the neighbor down the street was doing.

I am a Dixie Fix regular and I would go out of my way to shop at the folks that supported the Dixie Fix. Let's get started.

By the way, the Roseville Mall was empty. If we rounded up every shoppers we saw, we would have been hard pressed to fill up all the seats on a Grayhound Bus.

[George Rebane]

Just got back from one of those meetings you'll now have more of a chance to attend. Jo Ann told me about the news before I got to sit down in front of my box. Not to worry Dixie, you have a following and opportunities will abound. This is a good time to reorient and get some stuff done. Just wanted to add my voice as your fan and friend.

[Laurie]

So sorry to hear about your lay-off, Dixie! But you have always been an amazing Phoenix. And this may be the opportunity to work with animals -- "in disguise."

Keep up your blog! We love to read you!

[Aaron]

Can't understand that decision, but you are already a great news source about Nevada County...you should think about expanding that while you have a little more time!

And we'll have to do my next interview as a podcast on your blog...

Aaron

[Tom]

What wonderful responses to your announcement. Nevada County is a special place evidenced by not only your "well-wishers" but the wonderful positive attitudes.

Keep on writing Dixie this county not only needs your talents but loves you as well.

Be prepared for good things to happen!

Tom

[dixie Redfearn]

Thanks Karen, MLP, Bert, Dave C and Pascale!!
BTW, it is either hailing or snowing here!
Whhheeee!!

[Karen]

Dixie, I have your lids. Let's talk. As for unemployment, you have the right attitude; it will all work out. When one door closes, another opens. Meanwhile, enjoy your time off. It might not last.

[Bert]

Hang in there girl, we love you!

Bert

[MLP]

I definitely approve. You are such an asset to this community, keeping us informed when the local media so often fails to stay on top of events and news. It boggles the mind why KNCO would allow someone with your skills and contacts to leave, but you will find another employer who "gets it" and we will follow you there. In the meantime, spend some quality time doing the things you love and I promise to return all those tupperware lids.

My Little Pony

[Pascale]

Two items for The List:

Keep your blog going and;

Keep up with people.

Maybe you can start a new trend: "The Involved Citizen" and attend some of the government meetings - just because you want to. Of course, that's purely selfish on my part; I'll miss not having you sit next to me during these meetings.

As for possibilities, they are endless. Did you know the Chinese ideogram for crisis also means opportunity? Get some well-deserved rest, walk those dogs and let us know what your next adventure will be.

Pascale

[DaveC]

Sorry to hear KNCO laid you off Dixie. I for one will miss hearing you on my Marconi device while working at home, tooling in the garage or driving in town. I sure hope they gave you a right of recall when things pick up again. Keep your blog up and let us know how your to-do list progresses.