I got my lay-off notice yesterday (long)

Yesterday I got my official lay-off notice. My last day will be the end of May. They are moving my department to another state where they work on the same product. It is not like I didn't know it was coming but it still was a shock to see it in writing. Even though I have known about this for 1.5 years I have done nothing to prepare for getting a new job except have surgery so I will not be discriminated against. I could have been going to college so that I can get a good job when I get laid off. But I just do not have that "yearn" to learn. I have worked here for almost 20 years. That is most of my adult life. I am only 43 so still have lots of years to work before retirement. What do I want to be when I grow up? I will get free access to an employment place to help me with these questions. Since I have worked here so long I will also get a nice departing money package. So after taking the summer off with DS I guess I will take my new body and start a new working life. My DH was so great last night. He has been bugging me since I found out about this to go to school and be a nurse or something else high paid. But last night he told me he will be there for me no matter what. Even if I just end up with some crappy job. So it is nice to have that pressure off. I used this news as an excuse to eat a bunch of cookies and other junk last night. I knew that I really didn't need it but just used the "emotional" excuse. This is dangerous territory to be treading in. My only saving grace is that I "Know" I was using the excuse. At least I wasn't mindlessly eating and not realizing why. Not that it makes it any better. MichiGirl

MichiGirl, I just wanted to let you know I am sorry about your lay-off. It's aways scary when you have to look for another job but hopefully you will find something you love to do. Also, I think you are very smart in recognizing that you were eating out of emotion and hopefully you will take notice the next time an issue comes along that makes you feel like you should eat the wrong things. It helps me to keep in the back of my mind, that I didn't go through this for nothing and I have to stay on course. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you and hope that you have a better day today. Shannon

Thanks Shannon. I appreciate your support. I knew people would understand here. MichiGirl

Hi Michele, I am sorry to hear about your job,I too am 43 and I am going back to college fall 2007.I am going to be a Pharmacist,I have talked to several colleges and I think I am going to Kings in Wilkes Barre..I know I will feel a little out of place but I don't care...I am going for the same reason as the rest of them! whatever you choose to do I am sure will be great but don't let your age influence it. 43 is still young and tons of time till retirement. anyway I am glad that you know and admit that you are grazing for the wrong reasons. I can understand,I think we all can.............. Maybe a good idea is to get rid of the junk from the house so it is not there and you are forced to go healthy snacking.This is what I did right after the holidays.I threw everything out!the crackers,dorito's anything I can eat that is not good!! DH and DD have a special cupboard for their snacks and because it is theirs I respect that and will not touch any of it. You certainly do not want to sabbotage yourself at this point of the journey. I have started posting everyday our menus,if you can drop in and post your everyday it WILL HELP! If I can do anything to help let me know! hang in there!!! ((hugs)) Nancy

Wow a Pharmacist. Go girl! How is the pay for a pharmacist and how long does it take to be one? I am so happy for you. I wish I had the "want" to go to school. It is not really an age thing but more I just do not have the desire to go sit in a classroom. I really wish I did and I am sure that is what I will end up doing since DH is willing to put me through school. I was reading someones story lately about their DH not allowing them to go to school so I guess I have a great DH. Hopefully the employment place will give me an apptitude test and I will discover something that floats my boat and makes me want to go to school. I am for sure going to start posting on the eating thread. If I see it in writing or know I am going to have to put it in writing then I will be more accountable. I think the worst part about my eating those cookies and junk was not that I ate it out of emotion but that I said to myself "I can eat this and then blame it on emotion". I think that is worse than just eating out of emotion because I was fully aware and like a little kid I used an excuse. I am up 3lbs since the beginning of the year and need to take that off and start back to losing. I just looked and I weighed this amount on 12/18. So no progress is not good. Thanks for the hugs, MichiGirl

MichiGirl I know how you feel. Being let go in October I know that the feeling was awful. I give you so much credit for being able to go to your job until the end of May. That is not easy. You will definintely deserve the summer off. You are going to find something even better than you have now. This is a time for your to take care of you and do exactly what you have always been dreaming of. I believe in you. If you need to talk at all, email me. I truly know how you feel. Jeanna

Thanks Jeanna! You are a sweetie. How are you fairing since you were let go? What are you up to? MichiGirl

hey lady, Take this opportunity to take some time to yourself...then figure out what you really want to do. I went to school at 33 to be an elementary teacher. It took me five years, countless sleepless nights, and lots of hard work, but I did it! Find out what you want to do and go for it. I will keep you in my prayers dear. Love

I'm sorry to hear about your notice. I think even if you know it's coming, it's always a shocker when it really does. My heart goes out with you. I think you were smart in having the surgery b/c I do think you will have a much easier time finding a job - any job - being thinner. There are preducing when hiring people of large size. Keep on track and maybe take up some new exercise habit when you feel the need to graze. Hugs to you!

Wow, that would be tough to take, even with the advance warning. Although, a part of me envies your possibilities. I wish that I had the financial means to retrain in something else. I have worked 20+ years in the mental health field. I feel that I just don't have the energy to give it what I used to. Actually, if I could get a teaching degree and then work in a school counselling position, having summers off would be just enough to recharge me again. I definitely agree with your comments about being discriminated against because of your size. I really experienced that about a year ago. It was a horrible and humiliating experience. I am so glad to be passed that as well. All my best to you while you sort out your nedt steps. I strongly agree with your decision to let the employment folks help you sort out what you want to be when you grow up. Good luck to you. Lori