It make's you think!

Yesterday the national company I work for made some cuts in staffing. 1,000 people were affected. In my department we were more lucky than some. Although it affected 5 people, only 2 of them are no longer with the company, the other 3 were moved to new positions, most a "demotion", but they are still there.

It makes you think about how secure are you really in your job? And what would you do if it had been me?

About 10 months ago it was Mark, and it was a scary time for our family, at least the adults. When a family of 5 drops from two incomes to one how do you cope? We were more lucky then most and Mark found a position with a new company quick enough that we didn't get into a real crunch for money. But not everyone is so lucky, a friend of the family has been jobless since last Spring and with the economy in it's current state it's scary to think of how much longer he will be without work.

Today emotions at work will still high, and it made you stop and think, could I be next? What reason do they have to keep me? The "big wigs" say we're done, but for how long? I am hopeful that the economy will come around and there won't be a need to cut more American jobs, but who can say for sure. I guess we just ride the wave as best we can.

How do Single Mom's do it?!

Tonight brought a repeat of the message that I've been thinking for the last 2 and 1/2 years. Tonight the family was out and about - leaving Albert and I for some Mommy and Al time. What fun!! Except that Mom got brave - she did some laundry and then headed to Skyline for Kids night - free food for Albert and Santa was there!!! I knew it would be busy, we found a table and settled in for dinner! Al has gotten to the point that he's a Big Boy and doesn't want to use a high chair or booster, so he's sitting in a chair, sort of! About every 30 seconds he was leaning on me, or standing up on the floor, or trying to stand on the chair, or just generally "Ants in his pants" behavior.

Then we had the "trauma" of Santa. When we first got there he seemed excited to see him, but then he wouldn't go over to see him. When Santa came to our table he covered his eyes, although told Santa he wanted Darby (from My friends Tigger and Pooh), Thomas (the Tank Engine), and Elmo for Christmas. Then we pay and I talk to one of the servers who always waits on us and we head to the car, about half way out he starts crying. By the time we were in the car it was a full blown fit - what was wrong you ask. Well he wanted to see Santa! So we go back in and then what happens - he refuses to sit with Santa, so I end up next to Santa holding Al and all he seems to be interested in was the bag of candy :)

So I ask again how do the single Moms do it?!

I mean after this stress we had to go Giant Eagle and then to finish some Christmas Shopping at various stops. He stopped the crying fits (Yeah!) - till we got home, but then it was bed time and the world just stops! More crying and nothing we do is what he wants. I'm sure it was being tired on both of our parts but every child and every mother gets tired.

So I ask again how to Single parents do it? I mean there are Single Dad's out there too! How do they take a full day of work and then dinner and then "chores"?

I am so blessed to have a family around me. Step Kids who love there little brother and enjoy playing with him! A husband who loves his kids and will do anything he can to help them, and have fun with them.

To those single Mom's and Dad's out there - I hope you too have a support system to help through those stressful, sleepy days! I know it must be hard sometimes, because it's hard for me sometimes!