Uncertainty

I know that up until now I have tried to keep things lighthearted and carefree, but today I am not feeling that way at all. Yesterday we got some bad news and then we got some really bad news and I am worried, scared, concerned, and really stressed. Most of the stress comes from not being able to control anything that is going on. I hate that. Yes, I'm a control freak, and I admit it.

First, the bad news. Harley is laying off 1100 people. They are closing 2 plants in the Milwaukee area. At least half of the lay offs will be here. Everyone here knows people who work at Harley. We all have friends who work there. One of our best friends works there. He has been there a few years, but at Harley that puts him down at the bottom of the totem pole. Most people that work there have been there for many many years. He hasn't heard yet about when or even if he will be let go, but I am so worried about it. I'm sure they are very worried, too. We just love that family and would not want this hardship to fall on them. We are sending good thoughts and prayers over to Pewaukee.

Then the really bad news. Someone very close to my husband was let go from his employer yesterday. That man's family has had a very recent death and then he had to go home and tell his family that he was asked to resign. I feel so much for them right now. He was pretty high up the food chain and we all know it is hard to find a job right now, let alone one in upper management. We are hoping he got some sort of severance package to keep his family afloat until something good happens for them.

Why is this really bad news for us? It is possibly too early for me to say anything, but it could mean change for our family is in the future. Change for some of us is exciting and new, but it also has a scary and unknown side. We feel pretty settled down here and my children feel this is home and no where else will do, but change is coming. We can almost feel it.

Not to mention we have recently received our statements from our investments for the last quarter of 2008. We have lost THOUSANDS of dollars. I know all of you have too, but to actually see it on paper is so disheartening. We have time before retirement to make it up and I am hopeful that our stock market will rebound. I keep reminding myself that after the Great Depression in the 1930's came the affluence of the 1950's. There is always hope.

So I will try to remain upbeat. I will keep plugging away at raising my children to be happy, independent adults. I will remain dedicated to my husband and try to keep him from falling into a cycle of worry and fear of the unknown. That is about all I can control at this point and I will have to make that enough. I'm sure you are all feeling the crunch, also. If we can just hang in there, I know it will be over soon.
There is my hope.