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.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by Marilyn

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.