…well sort of.

Tomorrow February 1 I start a part-time job with the ALS Association, Keith Worthington Chapter.  I’ve wanted to work in the non-profit since I was in college and getting laid off last October gave me the opportunity I needed to take this leap of faith.  If I were still working full-time I wouldn’t have taken a second look at a part-time position but when you’re unemployed a part-time job is better than no job!

So, since I still don’t have a full time job I will continue to apply for jobs and file unemployment claims.  But it has already become very apparent to me that I’m in a good place working for the ALS Association and hopefully it will open new doors for me that will result in full-time work.  And if you’re looking for a new charity to donate to, please consider the ALS Association, Keith Worthington Chapter - not only is it a great organization that helps people and families who suffer from this horrible, currently incurable disease - but it could also mean the difference between me working for them full time and part time! ;)

Well, here I am at the beginning of my fifth week after being laid off and yes, still unemployed.  Here are some updates:

• Unemployment seems to be calculated based on the last 18 months of unemployment, and since I worked in Kansas at some point during that period I was able to claim unemployment in Kansas which will pay me about $100 more per week than Missouri - wohoo!
• I still haven’t gotten paid and I had some problems when I went to file for my third week of unemployment, some how my claim became inactive.  After days and days of trying to get through to the unemployment office I finally got through and straightened everything out.  I also have a tip for anyone else trying to contact the KS unemployment office: There are 4 phone numbers you can call to speak to a claims specialist, if you can’t get through on one try another.  I was instructed to call the Topeka number, but on a whim I decided to call the Kansas City area number (after all, I do live in the KC area right?) and was able to get through on my first phone call.  I did have to wait on hold for quite awhile, but at least they let me wait on hold instead of disconnecting my call.
• I have had 3 interviews for a position at Principal Financial Group in Overland Park, KS.  Since they’re still conducting interviews for the position I’m going to play it safe at leave it at that.
• I had another interview on Monday November 2 for a program assistant with a non-profit in Kansas.  Again, for now I’m going to leave it at that.
• I’m getting a little tired of being at home, essentially alone all day every day, and I think it’s starting to take a toll on me emotionally.  I don’t like to sit around and do nothing, but while I like to be busy I can only do so much housework.  I kind of struggled with this when I was working too because even when Dustin is home he spends most of his time doing homework and I had to find ways to entertain myself alone - not always fun.  Now I’ve added 8-9 more hours in my day that I need to fill and that’s quite a bit tougher.  Luckily, I’ve been able to fill many of my week nights and week ends with friends and family and I know that’s what is getting me through; I could not be more grateful for this support.
• Despite the above I have been enjoying some of the free time I’ve had.  I love being able to sleep in and take naps and I love being able to enjoy our dogs during their calmest time of the day.  I’ve also had the time to work on a few crafts as well as some other projects around the house I’ve been meaning to get to.  I even got to take a trip with my dad and my nephew Hayden to the the Children’s Museum - we had so much fun playing and now Hayden also wants to take me to Science City.  And if it weren’t for unemployment I would not have had the time to make my dog’s awesome Halloween costumes!

At 5 pm on October 5 I found out that my company could no longer afford to employ me - effective immediately. I was actually given two options: I could take the lay off and they would pay me two weeks severance plus any accrued and unused vacation and sick time, or I could work part time until a) I found another job or b) they couldn’t afford to do that anymore either.

While I was shocked, I was not surprised - my company has been in financial trouble for a few months and I believed it was only a matter of time before I was let go, however I was hoping to have found a job before that time would come.  After a lot of thinking and discussing with Dustin I opted for unemployment, so as of today October 6 I am officially unemployed.

I went into the office this morning for the last time to clean out my desk and turn in my keys and as I walked to my car with my boxes and bags I was a roller coaster of emotions. Relieved to not have to go back to a job I really didn’t enjoy, scared knowing we only have so much money to tide us over, and determined to find a new, better job.

I already have the rest of this week planned out, hoping it will set me up for “successful” unemployment. Today will be dedicated to filing my unemployment claim and learning as much as I can about my responsibilities to the state of Missouri while receiving unemployment. I also hope to get a handle on my emotions and get it out of my system. Tomorrow will be a day of recovery - I expect today to be exhausting so I’m giving myself permission to sleep in and relax before hitting my job search hard and heavy. Thursday I have a 7 am meeting arranged with someone from a local advertising agency that I hope to be helpful and informative. I will take everything I can from this meeting and hit the ground running.

No one ever expects to find themselves in my situation, but I know I’m not the first nor will I be the last. If you’ve been in my situation I welcome your stories, suggestions and lessons learned. Also, please don’t be shy about telling my story to your friends and colleagues and if you hear of any opportunities please pass them my way. Prayers would be appreciated too.

I am determined to make the best of this situation but I know I won’t get anywhere alone. Thanks in advance for your love and support.