Bateaux laid off several people yesterday, one of them being their extremely lovable, hard-working, knowledgeable and charming bar manager/beverage director, Jimmy.
So Christmas is kind of off this year. Not to mention eating and paying bills. My monthly salary, after taxes and insurance premiums, is $1,866. Our rent alone is $950. Then there are utilities, cars, dogs, prenatal care, gas, groceries, la la la ... You get the picture. As do more than a half-million other Americans who are struggling with unemployment.
I get it. I read the stories every day. I could explain to you how the market tanked, the intricacies of Wall Street, the details of the bailout plan, who's who among the congressional leaders supporting and opposing a financial rescue package -- but up until yesterday, I couldn't REALLY tell you how much it sucks. Now I can. It SUCKS. And at Christmas?! With a baby on the way?! Come on.
But no crying over spilled milk, ya know? I'm done. So it's time to pull out the resume, update it, head to job interviews, pinch our pennies and say our prayers.
And as for Christmas, we decided we are going to spend lots of time volunteering. We still have a little to give and others have a lot less. And I can't think of a better gift we could give to each other than sharing the joy of helping others. Anyone have any ideas on a good cause looking for volunteers?
On a brighter note, it's really nice outside today. Time to take the pups for a walk :)
