Ok sorry guys for taking off last night. After I posted Mr Swan and I did some more talking and went to bed. It was a long day peppered with a lot of stuff.
Bigdreaux: He worked at a newspaper as a Production Journeyman...meaning he was a mailer or insert operator. They were the ones to make sure that newspapers got their ads and went to where they were supposed to go.
Orbison: Thanks for the heads up on that. Vancouver sounds like a beautiful place to live. We've heard awesome things about it.
Stealth: Calgary huh? Making a list here of places to check. Thanks!!
Free2think: Hey thanks. We'll be ok. I know it. It's just the time in between is a little nerve wracking. I'll tell ya though, we're better off the others who work in the same place as him. Even his brother! His bro works in a different dept but has the threat hanging over him, plus their negotiations start Thurs and it's likely they will offer a drastically less pay and expect them to do way more work for it. The thing is, this is where my husband and I met. I Know the work these guys do. They are hard working men. So, at this point, we're actually becoming More worried about him. Mr Swan and his co workers ended up with a small severance that will help us get through a few months. We're hoping that he can find work before he gets through it, because if he finds work out of state OR out of country, then that will help us get a place and get moved. His brother likely won't get that if they do cut him and if they cut the wage he'll just have to choose whether to stay or walk away. The guys that bought this place own several other newspapers and media. They know what they're doing. People who have sunk their entire lives into this place are just being axed left and right. We got lucky compared to upper management.
Lisa: He can't retire until 57 (?) and even then it will be with a penalty. We had to cash out the 401, he's wishing now we would have put more into it. The thing is with that, that was literally going to be Juniper's college fund as his pension would (will) be enough to live on. So, we really don't want to touch the 401 cash. Unemployment lasts 6 months. He can Do a lot of things. He is a licensed high/low forklift driver, he can drive box trucks, he's willing and thinking of getting a class B cdl as it will open up more doors. The thing is, they just don't pay well for this stuff. Really in many areas, not just here, you're lucky to get $10 an hour. Even if we both work at that rate full time, that still won't make our bills. So, hey, no big deal we can move. We're just thinking though that if we have to kick our butts to make this work, fine but we're going to do it someplace else, as we're not overly fond of this part of MI. I'd like to go South. Texas, NM. He wants to go to NV. Which is fine by me, but Texas would be nice as from what I hear there are SOooo many nice people down there...(aww who am I kiddin' I just want to hit a TX apostafest, lol)
Unemployment lasts 6 months. NOW we did just hear, MI is now offering a good chunk of cash to reeducate people who are laid off. Noni1974 had suggested this, but I was thinking that they *the MI govt would have certain classes, i.e. computers etc for them to take. Instead, they are offering the cash to anyone who goes through any education to get back on their feet. He is going to check into that. Either for trucking or computers or business......he's not sure right now.
jgnat: ALberta! Ok, well...I will be looking into that area too then. I'm intersted to see what's available! And likely we would get the place to live first anyway with the kids and all.
Thank you for the info!! I was just showing him all the replies and what you had to say about the process. He said thanks!!
Blondie: He's very handy! And I'm sure he will hook up with a few guys for extra cash. Besides the guys at work (including his brother) we are putting out the word to people we know, the problem is They're getting laid off too! Not a good situation. Family....hahahaha oy that's a whole others story as of late. But yes we are definitely putting the word out. I'm getting some business cards made up for him. Just to Give people to keep his name and number and type of work he does. We have a resume for him. The positions that he Could qualify for are often just a tad out of his reach in terms of specifics and experience. There was one in TX that looked great, but it was just a little over his head. So, he's sort of stuck in between things. He's either going to be Over qualified for positions or just Under qualified. And in many of these situations, it is not a matter of schooling to learn what he doesn't know it's a matter of someone has to take a chance with him and see that he is a very fast learner and is hard on himself until he gets it not just right, but dang well near perfect.
I'd hire him, but I'm biased.
FL: Yep you know. I know that we can and will get state aid. But I also know that there are so many people out of work right now, that it takes a looong time to actually get help. We have insurance til the end of the month, so I'm going to get things settled with the kids. A friend whose husband has been out of work and who doesn't make quite enough now gave me a bunch of local charities and resources for food and clothing. Clothing will be the worst. New Truth sews so I think I'm going to talk to her at our 'fest this weekend to see if she can help with that.
I described his job position up above, but a quick synopsis: He's a Production Journeyman, mailer or ad insert operator. He has worked in a supervisory position for several years now too. So he has that under his belt.
We shall get through! I know that. Nerve wracking, but it will work.
I need to get past a few of my own issues. I don't mind working more at all! I have a really really hard time with working with the public and seeing as I've no education past high school, I don't know what more to do. I am looking for more housecleaning jobs and I am hoping that something will come through on that.