Plan? What is a plan?
I found that quote last week on the day that our life took another turn last week that we hadn’t planned.
It seems like our lives have been a series of twists and turns that we didn’t plan since our move 2 ½ years ago, something that in itself has been a little difficult for us, since we had previously spent a number of years with Dale on the same job, working the same hours, and living in a house we had owned for 17 years.
When we lived in the city, Dale had managed to work his way up to night supervisor at a company that he had worked at for 23 years. He’s always been a night person, preferring to even work the graveyard shift over days. I didn’t care for his evening shift that often had him staying 12 hours or more in the city, but that job paid provided for us for a long time.
When we moved to The Little House, I was very happy that he had found a day job with good benefits and pretty decent pay. Even after he was laid off, he still worked days on his next job, allowing him to work some evenings at a local farm and home.
That all changed very suddenly last week when he was called for an interview and told he needed to start that very day.
We had very little time for thinking or adjusting our plan yet again. We were anticipating the first job would be calling him back this spring, but when it didn’t look like that would happen, he opted to take this new job, hoping that it would eventually provide him with new opportunities for technical training.
I’ve even considered taking a job in town, but the wages here would not pay me to leave my home-based freelance writing business as I would have to purchase gas and have more upkeep on my 22 year old vehicle.
If I’ve learned one thing since moving to The Little House, it’s not to plan – or anticipate – anything.
As John Lennon sang, “Life is what happens to you while you’re making other plans.”
Have you found a move, a job change or the economy especially challenging in the past two years and how has it changed your plans for your life?
My husband is self-employed and still staying busy, but his customers are ordering less which makes our income lower. This economy, I feel, is going to get worse so I have done some food storage and using what I have, growing a garden. It's a plan that gives me some sense of control. Writing this, my favorite bible verse comes to mind, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 28:11
It never hurts to stock up. I'll be glad for late July and August when I can some of the veggies we'll be growing this year. That will save on tomatoes and other veggies we eat regularly.
So far, my wife and I have been very fortunate with steady employment. I know many who are struggling and frequently get calls asking if I'm drawing any plans anything they can give a bid on.
My sense is that things will never go back to the way they were. This generation will emerge with new perspective (probably a good thing). The gravy train was nice but I'm certain it was an anomaly.
I think you're right, Mo, I don't think things will ever return to the way they were.
Congrats that Dale has a job. Hope it works out for ya'll.
Thank you, S.A.B.L.E., it isn't what he had before, but it is something!
Kerri
So happy to hear Dale has a job. Hope that it is all he wants it to be. Have been really praying for him to get a good job. Love you.
Thank you, Phillis. It will be rough until the wages catch up again, but at least we have our health. It helps that we're not the only ones going through this.
Life can sneak up on you. Last year I had a stroke at 36 and I haven't really been able to work as a writer since. I don't know from one day to the next if I'll be productive in working on my fledgling felting business or spending my day in pain on the couch.
I find it is best not to try and think too far ahead these days. Focusing on what's right in front of me is the best thing I can do. Some days being able to vacuum the floor is a major victory and I take it as such.
OMG, Frugal Kiwi, I somehow missed that news. ou're right, life does sneak up on us and we have to learn to be grateful for the little things.
Well, Kerri.…The end of a long-term marriage, both of the boys getting out on their own, the loss of a career that I dearly loved, savings gone, home gone.… all withing the past 2.5 years.
Along the way, however, wonderful things have happened. A massive weight loss, learning to live within my means (which ain't much!), living in blue jeans rather than business suits and meeting a wonderful man who seems to accept me as I am…
So, with throwing both hands up in the air, screaming, "I give up!", a certain peaceful acceptance has come.….
You know I'm downsizing again; this time running towards something…rather than running away.
It's a wonderful life. We'll see how it goes.
My best to you and Dale on YOUR new adventure!
Oh, Rhonda, you have had a very unsettled life as well! I would love to have just one year when we aren't struggling in some way or another. Too bad there isn't a cruise control for life!
My favorite clothing line is "Life is Good," such a positive affirmation.
Let us know how that move goes!
The nicest thing about going through so much is that you know, beyond any shadow of doubt, when things are good & real.…..It removes a great deal of manufactured drama, you learn to never take things for granted.…but yeah, a year with no crap sounds pretty good to me!!! (Remind me to give it a shot!!)
We begin every year with the sentiment, but it hasn't materialized for us since 2007. At this point, I would just take 6 months! You're right about the drama though. I don't think a lot of people knew real drama until this recession.
My husband works for a telecommunications company that has had major layoffs, eight years in a row! Even though he's been lucky so far, and kept his job, the specter of being laid off always looms over us. We have land in the country that we had hoped to build a house on, but that plan is on hold until we see if his company gets more stable and his job more secure. Still, I count my blessings every day and feel terrible that so many are struggling right now. I hope that this economy turns around soon (all signs are that things are at least improving) and that all of the people who want nothing more than to work and earn a living wage, will have that opportunity.
>>>I hope that this economy turns around soon (all signs are that things are at least improving) and that all of the people who want nothing more than to work and earn a living wage, will have that opportunity.<<<<
That is a great thing to focus our hopes upon, Kathleen!
Oh, so sorry about the water, Mary, that's awful. I hope we get a few days (or more) of dry weather now.
Glad to hear Dale got a job!
We have been fairly lucky since we started this B&B, even with the recession, bookings seem to be going fine for summer. I certainly agree, however, that one never knows what life will serve up … and even the best-laid plans sometimes need to be pushed aside.
That's great, Alexandra, especially as hard hit as the travel/hotel industry has been. I'm hoping things vastly improve for everyone this year.
I have a new sign with the quote: Live one Day at A time. This is the way I am trying to live so I don't lose my mind before I have to. I am always spinning on a merry-go-round.I never know when it will stop and at that stop, what it will present to me. Last week it was water under the house.