Holidays on a budget? Yep!!! Big job lay-off still happening so time to adjust our lifestyle! Here is how we celebrated Valentine’s Day in a unique way! Enjoy!
Tag: layoff
First interview
You never know what a day may bring! I remind myself of that everyday- on the good days and the hard days and the days that seem like they go on forever because you are in the “waiting room”- as I do fondly call it!
When I started this draft, I was sitting in the parking lot of the embassy suites in Rogers, Arkansas, while Jeff met with a hiring manager for a major pharmaceutical company. (Doing 1 of my favorite things- listening to Sirius satellite radio and working on my phone).
We had literally gotten the call the afternoon before in Dallas- 5 hours away – for this 1:00 meeting today. It was not convenient but it was necessary! Remember- you never know what a day may bring! We don’t know if this is the right career move for him but it’s an opportunity to connect with others and explore possibilities. So why make last minute arrangements and go? This👉🏻
Because…. you will never know if you don’t consider the possibilities. If you don’t ask, the answer will always be no. If you don’t try, you will never know what you can do!
Where are you in your life? Are you connected? Are you living in your purpose? Or are you trying to find what you were created for? As hard as this season of our life has been, is currently, I know there is a purpose bigger than the day to day frustrations!!
We were made for more! You were made for more! You were created for great things! Look at the things that come easy to you- the things you are great at that don’t come easy to everyone—those are GIFTS!!!! Are you a great communicator? Do you make others feel valued and listened to? Are you great at putting together a weekly menu? Are you great at math? Writing a budget? Can you see solutions when others only see problems? Do you love to entertain people in your home or make them feel welcome where you are? That is the GIFT of hospitality! What comes easy to you? Take a deep look inside and think, “how can I serve others and make the world a better place?” You are needed! Every special thing about you is important!
But what if we were all gifted in the very same way? What if we all had the same strengths? Can you imagine?
The Bible talks about the body- see this in 1 Corinthians 12- Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
…So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad
All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.”All the parts of the body matter- even the big toe! Especially the big toe!! You matter! You are needed- even if you feel like a big toe! (Google it- why you need a big toe). No, seriously!
So what comes naturally to you? Have you thought about it? Operate from your strengths- use your strengths to serve others and together we can make the world a better place!
I’d love to hear what your strengths are? Are you not sure? There is a great book called Strengths finder 2.0. I’ll post the link! (Not an AD). There is a test you can take then the book breaks down all the results! It is eye opening!! Share your strengths when you take the test. I’d love to know your top 5. Oh…the interview? It went well but call backs next week so we will see! Subscribe for future posts to see how things turn out! It’s gonna be good! I have no clue how but it’s gonna be great! I believe that! Do you?
Painted brick and pumpkins
I’m dreaming of white painted brick! And a new home! Ok- I’m dreaming of many things! I’ve wanted a painted brick house for decades! Our last new construction HOA didn’t give us the option. So now- anything is possible. We are in a huge moment of transition- which means- the possibilities are endless!!! The house is sold, everything still in storage and nothing holding us back. To catch you up, if you are new here- Jeff was transferred over an hour away from our new home. After making the commute for a year- we sold the house and moved closer to his new territory! Just as that home search began- he was laid off. I know….. Right???
But……The job search is strong and God is in control! We can’t wait to see where He places us. We know this- He has covered us and protected us in this crazy phase of life we were not anticipating and even put a temporary roof over our head when we didn’t realize how we would need it. So grateful we hadn’t purchased another house. So everyday- we dream and work with intention -asking God to open the right doors and give us wisdom as to which to walk through. I can’t wait for the day to tell you all that God did during this time in our lives. He doesn’t waste a single thing- especially the hard stuff! We know He has gone ahead of us and has worked out all the details. Life is hard but God is good! Everything is going to be ok!!
RepostBy @mylightingsource: “Countdown has begun at our house. Cutie festive porch by @kindredvintage. 🎃🕸🍂🧡”
The lay-off!
Day 1- The news came on Friday-Jeff was being laid off from his pharmaceutical sales specialist job of 15 years! The job that transferred him across the metroplex 6 months after we built our beautiful new house! The house we sold 18 months later bc the commute was brutal and we needed to live closer to his territory! That was just 3 months ago! 😬 Yep- that job!
So Friday was numbing! We found out recently it was coming but hopeful the chopping block wouldn’t come down on him (us). Well, it did! So that was Friday! Fortunately, I was at a business retreat with awesome friends who have known us well for decades and love us! The best place to be when you get bad news is with your friends! To clarify- only if your friends are super encouraging! If your friends aren’t going to make a bad situation better- maybe reconsider. Just sayin’! Choose wisely!
So Jeff came to join us for lunch and rub shoulders with uplifting people- always a good idea! While I remained at the retreat, Jeff drove back to take care of our furry kids- Oliver and Ivy Bichon, and do the only acceptable thing on a Friday night in Texas- go to a high school football game with our daughter and son-law! Friday night lights! Now exactly our experience growing up in a Little Rock, Arkansas. Everything IS bigger in Texas!
The shock didn’t set in til Saturday as we grieved for amazing friends and colleagues who were also “reorganized!” REORGANIZED-that is the word they choose to use because it sounds so much better than downsized! Not really- but what ever makes the decision makers sleep at night! No discussion here about the process – heartless as it may be- bc we aren’t looking back!
Then Sunday—it was a day of refocus, encouragement at Gateway church and an amazing message by Tony Evans. Want to be encouraged to defeat the giants in your life? Here is the link- https://youtu.be/ld7P6DQbDiA
We finished the day with Jeff’s favorite meal at Texas Road House! Because sometimes you need a yummy steak and rolls!!! Yep!!!! CARBS with butter!!!! This was not the day to pass on the rolls!
Hello Monday!!!! ❤️ The first day of a new future and transition is exhausting! Change is hard! Life is hard! Tying up loose ends, closing expense reports, clearing out storage unit, accounting for samples but…the biggest expenditure of energy? Choosing a mindset of moving forward and letting go of the secure! #ivybichon – who usually will prefer to sit with me- was full on therapy dog and loving on her daddy! So rest!!! 
Restorative rest! Not for long but in the in between! I’m so proud of Jeff! He has been weighed down for a while and working so hard! The lay-off was certainly not in our plan but the peace we have reminds us of Gods care, protection and covering! He has shown up and gone before us to protect us when we didn’t even know we needed it!
This is not the end – it is a new beginning! But for this minute- rest! Recharge! Renew! And dream big dreams!!!
Have their been times in your life when you have had to recharge? What makes you feel renewed? What is your self care strategy when you are wiped out? If you don’t have one, praying you will look at yourself and see what you can do to rejuvenate! Are you a caregiver for someone else? That is exhausting! Just like on the airplane- when the oxygen mask drops- put it on yourself first! Praying peace and rest for you and new beginnings! Kelly
What if you are rejected?
Wow!!! This is so true when you see change through the perspective of faith!! Change can be exactly what you need to point you in the right direction! The last few years have been crazy, unsettling and exhausting! We have yearned to find a home in one place and create some long lost stability! The list is long and it has been a season of testing, trials and uncertainty! But-in the midst of it all- there has been protection, healing, growth, new friends, perspective and renewed vision! It has brought wisdom and fresh eyes to see many things as they really are! It is not lost on us that it has been like cracking open the hard shell of expectations to explore what could be inside. Renewal? Hope? What about dreaming a new dream? We are having big conversations about this lately! And, if we needed more earth shattering reality to push us out of our comfort zone- Jeff was laid off from his job Friday! Ouch!!!!
Just when things seemed to be finally settling down as we sold our house & moved closer to his territory to reduce his giant commute across the metroplex!! But, this we know!!! God is still in control! We can see His protection for things headed our way that we didn’t even see! He was already making a way! His dreams for us far exceed ours and we desire His best! Grateful for the encouragement of friends and drops of wisdom that seem to surround us! Can’t wait to see what the future holds!
So today? Let’s be intentional and prepare for the future!
This Sweet Southern Life 