Five and a half years ago my husband came home through our front door at about 9am, which was uncharacteristically early considering he left work at 5:30-6:00AM and usually returned at 3:30-4:00PM. When I asked him what he was doing home so early, he replied, “I was laid off.” It was such a shock. Robert had worked at the store since he was in junior high. We worked for the first owner from 1981-2005. Then when the second owner bought the shop in 2005, Robert at times felt he had less job security. But seriously, we never saw the lay off coming.
Robert was out of work for about 20 months. I cleaned houses for a couple of months and started our virtual assistant business. Then his original boss, whom he had worked for over 20 years called him saying he had a new buyer for the store. You see, the second owner still owed the original owner money so when he went out of business in 2009, the store reverted back to the original owner. Clear as mud, eh?
He’s trying hard not to crack a smile in this photo in case you didn’t notice. 
My Husband Lost His Job….Again
We accepted the job because we had high hopes of the store succeeding under new ownership.
This current lay off was better in the fact we knew it was coming. Robert’s job allowed him to see the numbers in the reports he ran and I’d say early in the summer he called it by saying he gave the shop until mid-August. He was a little off in that he had a job until about the end of August, as he was officially done a week and a half ago.
It’s was a topsy, curvy ride waiting for the axe to fall, so to speak. It is a bittersweet end to a job Robert enjoyed. He really liked this last owner and we thought the store would make it but alas, the industry has changed so much with the advent of the internet. Mom and Pop stores cannot compete with their distributors or online competition. Just look at your home town’s main street. If you have empty store fronts like we do, you’ll see what we are living.
We are not sure what God’s plan is in all of this. It is definitely stretching us.
Robert is applying to jobs. I’m working more. I just learned that I have a job as a hostess of a new moms forum, which will help bring in a little extra money. We are trying to get caught up around the farm while Robert is home…but that is a never ending task because there is always something to do!
Have you ever been unemployed or faced a lay off? How did you survive?
One of my jobs at one of the universities I teach for was eliminated… and up in smoke went abut 20k of income for our family… (this was in July) but as everyone does we keep looking! I still have 2 other places I work for but the work is not as steady.
It’s scary, I know. We went through a similar thing 2 years ago. Every time I just didn’t know how we’d make it… something was made available to us so that we were okay. I pray things work out for you guys, too!
I didn’t know that Magen.
Bummer.
Thank you, Donna, we appreciate all the prayers we can get right now! I am trying to pray continuously and it usually goes like this, “Lord, please provide for us, please provide for us” because last time we didn’t have a mortgage or rent to contend with and this time we have rent. Plus, we have our animals. Thankfully, most weeks our egg business takes care of most of our feed costs, but that and rent makes a huge difference on how much income we need to survive. And it’s not like we have our townhouse to go back to…..definitely scary.
I am so sorry about your husband. I was laid off once. I cried for a few days and then I decided to make it the best that ever happened for me career wise. And it was.
Oh no, I hope he is able to find something soon. The economy is so hard right now it can be so scary.
Stacie, that’s a great outlook. I’m trying to think of this in a positive light rather than get sucked into the black hole of abyss but it’s hard.
It’s true, Jenn. They say it’s improving, but we really don’t see it that way, unfortunately, and I’m definitely wrestling with fear (or the black hole of abyss).
I’m so sorry to hear this. I know exactly what you’re talking about with the mom and pop stores. I watched our family business fight against department stores and major retailers until my mom just finally said enough, closed it and retired.
I’m so sorry to hear that! I hope you guys find something great.
Yeah…lots of fun! i hope you find employment soon! in the mean time have fun having him home!
I’m sorry to hear this! I hope and pray that he finds another job that he likes just as much. This is what I am afraid of for my husband’s job. He works for Springleaf (formerly known as American General Finance) and lay offs were happening left from right last year. The economy is in such an uproar that you never know what’s going to happen next.
HilLesha, sorry to hear that your husband’s work situation is on shaky ground. We had friends who were in a similar situation and they said it was scary waiting to see if and when their lay off would happen. I hope your husband is able to keep his job. While I know there’s some unknown purpose for our current unemployment situation, I wouldn’t wish it on any one.
Yeah, Magen, we are enjoying having him at home! Thanks!
Liz, it’s just sad that these businesses that thrived for years and years just up and close.
I love the internet and all its progressiveness but hate it at the same time because small businesses are the crux of any community, especially as far as employment goes. Sorry your mom had to retire and close her store when she probably wasn’t even ready to.
My husband & I had real good jobs with the same company and when it closed, we both lost our jobs, on the same day! It was a Friday, less than a week before Christmas. We made the difficult decision to take back some of the kids gifts to stretch our funds a little further. It wasn’t easy, but we knew it was more important for them to have food and shelter than the latest gadget or toy. That was almost 6 years ago. I found a job making over $10,000 a year less, than I am still at. My husband was out of work for months, found work but then cutbacks hit and was laid off and was out of work for over a year. Now he has a good job with a good company.
I’m praying for your family and all the others in the same situation.
Wow, Karen, I cannot even imagine losing my job the same day as my husband! So glad things have got better for you. We appreciate your prayers!
I am so very sorry to hear this news! I am wishing you and your family strength and guidance during this rocky time.
I am so sorry to hear. I hope he finds something even better real soon.