Tuesday 24 February 2009

Fine Place For A Day Full Of Breakdowns Takes More Than A Meltdown To Show Us How

I'm not sure if I need to point this out, but stress management? Is not one of my strengths.

The past two weeks have been stressful to say the least. Shawn's job (which we thought was secure) started to get a bit dodgy. Last Friday, after a week and a half of uncertainty, Shawn lost his job. Partly because of the economy and partly because of his shady boss but whatever the reason, the outcome remains the same - Shawn is officially unemployed.

The plan has always been that he would one day start his own business. We thought that maybe this was an opportunity (a sign? a kick in the pants?) to start the ball rolling. We threw around a few ideas - moving to Kelowna to start the business in a city with less competition, selling our condo and moving back into downtown Vancouver to be right in the thick of things - but in the end we decided to stay put. Shawn is an audio video designer; he designs elaborate entertainment systems and sells the equipment required to complete them. He deals in luxury goods. Luxury is the devil right now. People can't get far enough away from luxury. So plans for Shawn's business have been put on hold and his job search has begun.

Shawn's unemployment + me being absolutely convinced that I was pregnant = a Very Stressful Time for us. Fortunately, my womb is blissfully empty (Tia, I am choosing to ignore you and your "false negative" warning) and Shawn has a job interview lined up for tomorrow. He's lucky that he has a lot of contacts in the industry and managed to finagle a job interview for a position that he knows is unfilled. If offered this job, he will be taking a 20% pay decrease from his last position, which sucks but isn't the end of the world.

Which brings me to yesterday and my meltdown.

Yesterday I had a job interview.

And that is pretty much all I can say about that. I wish I could say more because my brain is bursting, but I can't. I'm kind of peeing my pants right now, but in a good way. The bad stress has turned to good stress all of a sudden and I think I can return to my regularly scheduled program of lentils and vegetables for lunch instead of licorice and cookies.

Shawn and I went to our favourite restaurant last night and ate burgers and poutine (sober poutine is almost as good as drunken poutine - who knew?) and talked about everything that's happening right now. We don't have a game plan but we have a few ideas. It feels good to know that we're in this thing together, that even if I stay at my soul-sucking job, at the end of each day I get to come home to an amazing man and two insane yet adorable puppies and we'll make it work somehow. I feel so lucky and optimistic that this is all going to work out. That's not to say that there won't be more crying or head-melting, I mean I am who I am and let's face it - I may not have stress management skills but when it comes to overreacting and dramatizing even the smallest situation? I'm your gal. Stay tuned for more crazy ...

25 comments:

  1. This post brought tears to my eyes. Because, from the sounds of it, no matter what happens to you two professionally, you're going to make it. You'll figure out a way. Because you have each other. And sometimes love does conquer all. And when I think about my own situation with Sweets, I very much feel the same way. Hugs to you, girl.

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  2. Our lives are running in parallel right now. We need a stress be gone party.

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  3. I'm sorry you're dealing with so much crap right now. It's scary out in the world right now, but it's nice that you have a great partner in crime to get through the hard times with.

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  4. Wow. You've got every right to be stressed. I hope Shawn gets the job and I hope all went really well at your job interview too.

    (Also very happy to hear that you are happy it was negative.)

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  5. Wow! That kind of stress sucks! So sorry he lost his job - I am crossing my fingers for him. And you, too!

    I think I need to try poutine again. I tried it in Montreal in 2007 and was not a fan. Is it much different in Vancouver?

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  6. Wow, Hillary! I can't believe all of the changes! I'd be a basket case. It sounds like you guys are handling everything remarkably well.

    I hope both of your job opportunities pan out.

    *Crosses fingers*

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  7. I'm crossing my fingers for both you and Shawn right now.

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  8. Oh Hillary, I'm so sorry :( But I agree with Nilsa - it's good that you have each other (and two ADORABLE puppies). Good luck with the new job opportunities for both of you.

    I had poutine in Toronto, and it was awesome. Now that I'm back on the west coast in Portland, I'll have to try it on this side of the country. I haven't ever been to BC, but we're tossing around the idea for mid-March.

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  9. I just found you through Marie... and I only have two things to say...

    1) I'm SO sorry you were going through all that (I once missed my period for TWO months just from stress...), but best of luck with the interview.

    2) How on earth can you be sad about ANYTHING when you have those weedle puppy faces to nuzzle?? I am so jealous!

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  10. Appendages crossed for you both!

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  11. Oh, I'm so sorry about Shawn losing his job. Of course you're stressed into licorice and cookies for lunch! My fingers are so crossed for you on the new job. You are being extremely positive in the face of a very challenging situation. That's hugely to be proud of. As for overreacting and dramatizing...um, the problem there is?

    AND! You eat poutine! I only recently learned of poutine! And now I know someone who eats it!

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  12. I've got my fingers crossed that both of your interviews went well and that you both get amazing new jobs! Hopefully the rest of this week will be less stressful! =)

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  13. I have a stress management problem too, and one of my favourite quotations from my dad is "Get your stress level under control"...Even though I never manage it, I like to repeat it often to myself!

    I'll be thinking of you in the days ahead! (and being jealous of the cuteness that are your puppies!)

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  14. WOW. Your head meltingness is totally justified my lady. I'm really sorry to hear about your hub's job... it seems like no one is safe anymore. However, I'm really glad that he was able to line up an interview so quickly. That is pretty much unheard of in Pittsburgh. It's actually considered shockingly fast for someone to find a new job in less than six months here. Sad but true.

    I am crossing my fingers for both of you. You deserve an awesomely awesome job and all the licorice money can buy.

    xoxo

    P.S. No babies.

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  15. I hope you both find something soon-- and all this entry did was depress me that I'm in the US and can't get poutine!

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  16. I'm so happy for you that you're not going to have to do the baby thing. Mister and I just went through a massive pregnancy scare as I was deciding when to give my notice at the old job and... wow.

    Even with things being stressful, everything seems easier when you don't have to worry about potential future children.

    I'm so sorry about Sean, but I love how much of a team you are. These moments are trials by fire and you guys? You're golden =)

    I hope your interview went well and everything goes fantastically! Fingers are firmly crossed for you over here and if there's anything I can do to help in the way of contacts or anything please let me know!

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  17. You NEED to try Italian poutine. Fries, grated mozzarella and meat sauce. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

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  18. Good luck to both of you.

    I miss the days when job security was not an issue.

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  19. Wow so many changes! No wonder you were stressed. But I love your attitude about it all. And isn't it nice to have a partner when life gets stressful?

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  20. I'm totally rooting for you guys! As stressfilled as this post was, it was also cautiously optimistic (IMO, the best kind of optimism!)

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  21. I'm so sorry to hear about Sean's job. Your post was so inspiring, though. It's awesome that you're able to keep looking ahead.

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  22. I totally understand the luxury = devil. My business has suffered greatly. Plus my husbands job is not tally secure. I've been looking for a job. /sigh

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  23. having a partner to share life with is precious. So very precious.

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  24. holy WHAAA??????
    DUDE DUDE DUDE----how much of your life have I been missing while not being bloggy????? Good GOD--unemployment?? pregnancy??

    I've officially learned my lesson.
    And I really hope things on on an upswing. Or at a pub.

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