Bummed

[Marilyn]

Sorry I'm not on here much lately. My work days are filled with dire news, phone calls from lawyers and financial people. Trying to get out and find more business opportunities. It's depressing out there.

When I'm not at work, I'm at home trying to catch up on things here. We've had lots of outside committments lately which helps get our minds off work and on to much more important and uplifting things. The house is suffering though, and that's depressing.

It's kinda like our weather right now, drastic highs and lows in one day. It wears you out.

Perhaps things will settle down a bit in a month or two and become more "normal" or at least a new "normal" again. :crossfingers:

[DianaB]

I'm sorry that you're dealing with such depressing stuff with your business. Why don't you see if you can find someone from your church that would be willing to clean your house for a couple of weeks and get you back on top of things? It sounds like you have enough to deal with without worrying about the house. I know that when I feel behind I have one of the granddaughters come over and help me. {{{{{{Marilyn}}}}}} I think that you need a hug.

[donna1990]

Marilyn, sorry your are Bummed.
Will not be long until Spring is here.

[AngieDoogles]

I'm so sorry you're feeling down Marilyn. *hugs* I can definitely relate to coming home and still feeling sad or bogged down by things from work. I've had some days where I just came home and cried for a while. I'm getting better at dealing with it and I'm going to try to get out in the professional community more because I think that will help too. I'm going to be going to TN Health Care Campaign meetings and local National Association of Social Workers meetings. I think it will help to be around others who are dealing with the same things as me. Is there anything similar that you could get involved with? I know you are already busy outside the home, but it seems like work and financial stuff is what's stressing you most right now. Perhaps networking would help bring in more business and you could also learn how other professionals are coping during the hard times. I hope you feel better soon.

[gja1000]

I know this is a trying time - I have to insulate myself from it and I find that I don't listen to the news much anymore - I just don't want to hear depressing news, even though I know it is happening, I just don't want to be exposed to talk about it. I know you can't avoid it because of your work, so that makes it even harder!!! Things will change, they always do, but how they will change remains a mystery.....

[Janet]

I'm sorry you're feeling so low Marilyn. So many people are having to deal with these tough economic times. Just know that we're here for you and for each other.

Like you Gayle...I'm just not watching the news as much. I use to be such a news hound, but I need a break from it all. Just too depressing. It will get better....it's just going to be awhile.

[Marilyn]

I'm so sorry you're feeling down Marilyn. *hugs* I can definitely relate to coming home and still feeling sad or bogged down by things from work. I've had some days where I just came home and cried for a while. I'm getting better at dealing with it and I'm going to try to get out in the professional community more because I think that will help too. I'm going to be going to TN Health Care Campaign meetings and local National Association of Social Workers meetings. I think it will help to be around others who are dealing with the same things as me. Is there anything similar that you could get involved with? I know you are already busy outside the home, but it seems like work and financial stuff is what's stressing you most right now. Perhaps networking would help bring in more business and you could also learn how other professionals are coping during the hard times. I hope you feel better soon.

Thank you all for your kind comments. I am feeling a bit better, hey, it's the weekend!!!! Yaaaaa!! Angie, I try networking. Some of my outside activities involve work related networking. Right now, these activities become pity parties of sorts. We just get depressed together.

When I got home from work yesterday afternoon, Hubby knew I'd had a stressful week, so he took me to eat at the Texas Roadhouse. I couldn't believe how packed it was. Looked like there were a lot of us escaping. This morning, hubby got up early and let me sleep. When I got us, he had cleaned much of the house for me, or at least organized and straightened. He did clean the kitchen. Sometimes they come through for us.

I'm keeping all of you in my prayers. I know we are all being affected by all of this. It sounds like it's especially close to home for Lynne. So hope this all turns around soon, but it's in God's hands. He knows what is best for us. Just have to keep realizing this fact.

[AngieDoogles]

Thank you all for your kind comments. I am feeling a bit better, hey, it's the weekend!!!! Yaaaaa!! Angie, I try networking. Some of my outside activities involve work related networking. Right now, these activities become pity parties of sorts. We just get depressed together.

When I got home from work yesterday afternoon, Hubby knew I'd had a stressful week, so he took me to eat at the Texas Roadhouse. I couldn't believe how packed it was. Looked like there were a lot of us escaping. This morning, hubby got up early and let me sleep. When I got us, he had cleaned much of the house for me, or at least organized and straightened. He did clean the kitchen. Sometimes they come through for us.

I'm keeping all of you in my prayers. I know we are all being affected by all of this. It sounds like it's especially close to home for Lynne. So hope this all turns around soon, but it's in God's hands. He knows what is best for us. Just have to keep realizing this fact.

I can see how that could happen. I guess with my type of work, it helps to talk about it and know that you aren't alone. Maybe in your case it would be better to stay away from work-related stuff when you're off?

I'm glad you're feeling better. Any exciting plans for the weekend? It's so nice of hubby to be there for you when you're feeling down. At least you have that to be thankful for! :)

[judy]

It's so good that hubby came through for you!

[Marilyn]

I'm so sorry you're feeling down Marilyn. *hugs* I can definitely relate to coming home and still feeling sad or bogged down by things from work. I've had some days where I just came home and cried for a while. I'm getting better at dealing with it and I'm going to try to get out in the professional community more because I think that will help too. I'm going to be going to TN Health Care Campaign meetings and local National Association of Social Workers meetings. I think it will help to be around others who are dealing with the same things as me. Is there anything similar that you could get involved with? I know you are already busy outside the home, but it seems like work and financial stuff is what's stressing you most right now. Perhaps networking would help bring in more business and you could also learn how other professionals are coping during the hard times. I hope you feel better soon.

Just wanted to add that I'm sure it's tough dealing with the things you have to each day. Financial issues are one thing, and they can be depressing, but seeing first hand the really cruel aspects of our society and their manifestation on children must be really difficult and stressful. So good that there are people like you who care and are trying to make a difference. My hats off to you, and hugs, too!!!

[Janet]

I hope you're feeling a bit better Marilyn. I know it can be difficult to pull ourselves out of our lows, but we can when we focus on what's really important.

[Marilyn]

I hope you're feeling a bit better Marilyn. I know it can be difficult to pull ourselves out of our lows, but we can when we focus on what's really important.

Thank you, Janet. I am feeling some better. Just have to adjust to the new normal. Work and the financial stuff won't be the same for a very long time so just have to adjust and go on. Things were just so good before all of this. Uh, what a mess!! And hubby is dealing with issues as well. He's running his business by himself right now. At least it's getting done his way. When we get home, it's hard to be motivated to do all the things we normally do. Just no get up and go to get the laundry done, household chores. Evenings I'm home and not at some meeting or something, it's easier to sit on the couch and let the TV entertain, and that's not like us. Or at least not like me.

I know this too will pass. We're talking about going back to the gym. That would probably help a lot. Just have to get up the momentum to get there and get started again. I could cry so easily right now, and I know y'all are probably getting sick of hearing me complain. Wish I had a job like teaching or something where there is a bit of insulation from all of this. Though those careers have their frustrations as well. No, don't want to be a teacher. At least not public school. Not sure what the ideal job would be right now.

[judy]

It sounds like you're acclimating well to the economic crisis. It is so difficult!
My prayers to everyone who is in this position.

By the way, teaching is no longer secure. There are issues other than just the economy, but teachers in NYC do not have job security like they did anymore. I got out just in time.

[Marilyn]

I think we are all getting numb. So much has happened, and all my customers are either in financial trouble or cutting way back on spending. All we can do is try to convince them to give whatever business they do have to us. I'm trying to use this time to do a few "lunch and learn" presentations. Folks have time to attend right now, and appreciate the free meal. We get their attention for an hour to tell them how wonderful we are or one of our products is. What else can we do? I have a booth in a trade show this afternoon. Started not to do it, then decided the show benefits scholarships, and we just have to keep doing that....so hopefully some key customers will attend to support all the vendors.

Our CEO called yesterday, and we discussed LyondellBasell, seems we are able to start working with them again, so this will be a help for both companies. We need the sales soooo badly. He also asked how the other accounts are, and said that things are the same for most all of our petrochem accounts. Just hoping that if the stimulus passes that it will help us all, and that we will eventually be able to pay it all off so future generations are so burdened by what is happening now.

[HALEY]

Marilyn, its depressing here at work to, we just had a meeting with our company, they cut all the ceo 15%, vp 10% and all the working class 5% of our pays today, and they put a hold on our 401K's there not matching what we put into them, ya like its worth anything anyways, just so depressed today, i feel like just walking out these doors and never coming back.:(

[Marilyn]

Haley, at least we still do have jobs. We are more fortunate than many. Our company hasn't made any cuts, yet, no adjustments to 401K's. They did announce that there will be no salary increases this year. Many of us do have commission as a portion of our compensation, and this automatically lowers our income when things are down. I'd tell you how much I just lost personally, but should not put that kind of thing in an open forum. There are other things that have happened lately, too that I really don't want to put on here, but some good news would really help us all right now. Don't think I can handle much more bad news.

One thing I hate about all of this is that being in a management position, I get to deliver and explain the reasons for some of the bad news. It's hard to have to explain to people that they won't be making as much for a few months because of a customer's financial problems. They are upset, and there is nothing you can do but try to help them to understand and realize that we do still all have our jobs, and we are all sharing in the losses together.

I hope and pray that your situation will improve or at least stabalize so you have some comfort and security.

[HALEY]

Thanks Marilyn, i hope it does get better, but just thinking now, i got cut to 4 days a week, now 5% of my pay on top of this, and on April 1, another 4% cause were not getting any raises.. its' depressing, but yes Thank God i still have a job, and Thank God too that my husband is still working good.
So i'm just going to try and cheer up, and take the punches for now. and move on and see what happens in the next couple of months.

[Janet]

It's time to pick what's really important in our lives and get rid of the rest. That way we don't have so much to worry about losing. Compared to others...we are blessed with abundance and when any part of that is threatened..we start stressing. Why do we put ourselves in this position....we should know better.

[HALEY]

It's time to pick what's really important in our lives and get rid of the rest. That way we don't have so much to worry about losing. Compared to others...we are blessed with abundance and when any part of that is threatened..we start stressing. Why do we put ourselves in this position....we should know better.

Amen, Janet !!!

[Marilyn]

It's time to pick what's really important in our lives and get rid of the rest. That way we don't have so much to worry about losing. Compared to others...we are blessed with abundance and when any part of that is threatened..we start stressing. Why do we put ourselves in this position....we should know better.

We know better, but it's difficult to put it in perspective and focus on the positives, and our blessings when the nightmare just won't end. I was busy today visiting with customers and trying to do my job to build relationships and work out ways to increase our sales and begin the process of recooping some of the recent losses and when I got back to my truck and to my cell phone after being away from it for a couple of hours, I had several missed calls and voicemails. More people needing answers about what happened to cause the recent losses, everyone wants details and more information on a topic that frankly is beyond all our control, and I'm tired of explaining. It's up to the bankruptcy courts and the lawyers now. Tomorrow morning, I will be visiting with more customers trying to develop a couple of new accounts, and tomorrow afternoon, it's back to the office to answer some of the questions left over from today. Who'd have thought 6 months ago that we would be where we are today. I'm trying to hang on, but most of the time, I'm just a breath away from tears and turning into a blubbering idiot.

I told hubby, I haven't starting reading the 4th book in the Twilight series yet because I don't have time. It may just be time to break it out and start reading. I need to escape into another world for a while. Calgon, take me away.......

[AngieDoogles]

I think it's a good idea to take some time for yourself and read. It always helps me to "escape" in a book when I'm feeling stressed.

[HALEY]

Marlilyn how is it going at work??? Same depressing day here... starting next pay we will see are 5% pay cut.. so i was redoing some of my bills last night.. moved some around, Thank God my cc will be paid off next pay, finally!!! then that will give us some extra money next month, then i have Micah's second Birthday party to deal with, its going to be small no big deal this year...

[Marilyn]

Haley, I just don't know. I visited a customer yesterday who makes needle coke. It's a material that goes into electrodes. They are shutting down for two months due to lack of sales. Just a few months ago they were going and blowing, revamping the plant, two expansion projects in engineering. We sold them lots of valves last year, and one of the projects was going to be huge for them and us. All their storage is full, and they have literally a mountain of unsold coke in the plant. Looks like a huge pile of coal.

Their are laying off all contractors with the expection of 5 or 6 engineers. The shift workers are going to straight days, 40 hr weeks, and will be doing the maintenance work, mowing lawns and such if needed. There really isn't any maintenance to do since their outage last year. BTW, their owner is in Pennsylvania.

The people in the plant are scared. The same plant went bankrupt several years ago and shutdown for almost a year, laying off all but just a few people. Their new owner had really turned it around, found lots of global customers.

I'm beginning to wonder if there is anyone left to sell to. What a mess!!!

[HALEY]

It is a mess Marilyn, we been in the red at work for 2 months now, i'm just waiting for them to lay us off for a couple months. Hopefully, its not permanent, I just Thank God everyday that Mike is working so good, but then again his government job ends in September, so i don't know where there going to send him after that, if there's no work around here there going to send him out of town again, and that is a nightmare on me by myself with Micah, but i did it before and will do it again i guess..
If i get laid off, i'll just bartend under the table again like i did before to make ends meet.. we'll see what happens. I know a couple of clubs that need parttime daylight bartenders... Mike is not going to like the idea, but i have to do what i have to do...
Maybe there is a light at the end of this long tunnel but i don't see it yet????

[HALEY]

their owner is in Pennsylvania.


What company is this?

[Marilyn]

It's called Seadrift Coke. It has maintained this name through various owners. I'm not sure what the parent company is actually called. They are probably just dba Seadrift Coke. The man who owns them, and I don't know his name, has a background in the steel mills of PA, but decided to branch out into the coke industry. He's supposed to own this plant and one other. You know he's gotta be sick over what is happening.

[HALEY]

It's called Seadrift Coke. It has maintained this name through various owners. I'm not sure what the parent company is actually called. They are probably just dba Seadrift Coke. The man who owns them, and I don't know his name, has a background in the steel mills of PA, but decided to branch out into the coke industry. He's supposed to own this plant and one other. You know he's gotta be sick over what is happening.

I'm kinda in the Steel Mill industry, don't know to much about Coke.. and i never heard of Seadrift Coke..
I went to a good friend of mines childs birthday party this weekend and found out that here husband just got laid off Friday, and basically they told him they don't know if they can hire him back.. how depressing... and they just purchased that house about 2 years ago, don't know how there going to keep up on the payments if he can't find another job... even Birthday parties are depressing to go to...