I lost my job today......

You have my prayer, brother.

Sorry to hear about your bad news . It is always tough to start over but thats what makes us all stronger in the end . Who knows it could also be the best thing that ever happen to you in time .

-- John in Belgrave ,(Slideshow http://cid-69bce320c6d8b119.spaces.live.com/ (Website) http://www.extremebirdhouse.com

20 years…wow. That will be a major change. Best of luck to you.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

Grant,

I’m sorry to hear about your job loss. Unfortunately, you’ve got a lot of company these days. Hopefully, this is really just something to pave the way for a better opportunity.

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

Sorry to hear about your job loss. After 20 years with the same company it is hard to understand. I got downsized from Sears quite a few years ago after 26years. Hang in there and keep your chin up.

-- Max "Desperado", Salt Lake City, UT

That sucks are you eligible for a pension?

-- There is no such thing as a mistake. Its called a design modification Rick Kruse, Grand Rapids, MI

It.s a shame that they cut the guys with the most seniority, because that is where they save the most money (in the short term). In the long run, companies only hurt themselves by cutting their best employees.

Good luck!

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Sorry to hear…..keep your chin up!!

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

As one door closes, another opens.

Yes, you’ve heard it before but with your positive attitude and your family behind you you will see that it’s true.

Stay open to any opportunity. After 20 years, change may seem difficult but it will ultimately bring you a new sense of accomplishment and rewards.

Lew

It’s A new beginning ! Some day you will look back, a think what was I so worried about. What kind of work do you do? Good Luck!

-- Dennis Zongker

sorry to hear that you lost your job but at least you will get more time in your workshop but good luck for the future

andy

-- cut it saw it scrap it

Geez Grant, sorry to hear that, and our beloved Buckeyes blew the game too. Rotten week for you. My wife was downsized right before Christmas after 23 years with the company she worked for. I have to keep reminding her that she didn’t get fired, she was downsized, big difference. So don’t take the loss of your job as a reflection on your competence or worthiness. If you were there 20 years, you were good at what you did. Use your friends and family and lean on us if you need to, we are here for you.

-- Rich in Richmond

My heart goes out to you – but at least you have a good network and an ex that is willing to cut you enough slack to get back on you feet.
Sure you had a lot of seniority but being in your early 40’s isn’t going to hurt you like it would if you were 55+ and looking.
Also, though the bad economy makes the search a bit harder – you also won’t have such a stigma about why the company picked your position to eliminate.

Time to regroup and then go back after it. Make sure that you have recovered from the shock and bitterness before you interview – because any hint of negativity that comes out in the interview will sink you. So make sure you are really ready to get back on the horse BEFORE you make any new ‘first impressions’ with potential employers. So go out have a few too many, curse the wind etc, but be sure you get it out before you hit the job trail.
I’m in central kansas, and Philips is doing OK, but in town there are the Lear jet manufacturers that are heavily downsizing here – so we have seen some applicants that have come in and trashed their former employer (perhaps rightly) rather than say Lear jets aren’t exactly selling like hotcakes these days so adjustments had to be made – - they didn’t get hired here as it was felt their complaints would ‘poison’ our workforce.

All the best as you move forward.

-- Its never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

Grant, sorry to hear about the downsizing….I know the feeling, but I’m in the 55+ group and my ex gets $1500 a month, if I quit paying her, even one month….she goes under too. Times are tough, but I believe it will turn around. I just need to decide WHAT occupation to go after now, I CAN’T go back to mine. Anyway, good luck, and keep us informed. yoda.

Grant Sorry to hear about that. It happened twice to me. Once after 23 years and another after 13 years.

Our prayers are with you thast you will find something fast.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

sorry to hear the news.
here’s to wishing you the best of luck in finding a new job (that you like!) soon.

-- www.darrylmasterson.com ~ www.darrylmasterson.etsy.com

Sorry Grant, you have the gift of active creativity and I am sure you will come up with something. Power to ya man!

-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.

Good luck, Grant. I’m in the same prayer circle with Rikkor on this. I hope the new door opens soon for you.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

Good luck Grant. —- Buckeye’s never quit!!!

-- You can't get a hug from Facebook.

Grant, I’m so sorry. It’s good to know that you have support of family and friends. Make sure you lean on them as you get your feet back under you. This can also be an exciting time (I’m sure that’s hard to see right now) as you explore your options. My hope for you is that you can look back on this and see it as a good thing. I will say a prayer for you tonight.

-- Teri, Kokomo, IN

Hey Grant, sorry about job, that sucks. I too was “downsized” at the begining of the summer. Keep your chin up. Like someone posted earlier..one door closes, another will open. Looking on the bright side, I have been able to wrap up alot of unfinished projects around the house and I’ve been able to spend time making sawdust.
Just waiting for the door to open..

-- Ron,R.A.Shepard Woodworking,Massachusetts

Sorry to here the bad news I think it can happen to any of us now days, you have my prayers and hope a new door opens soon

Good luck!

You’ve got a great attitude. I’ll bet you’ll get back on track right quick!

-- - Please help keep Lumberjocks an enjoyable escape by refusing to participate in political discussions. Simply spit out the bait and ignore the thread...

I feel for you. I had a similar occurrence 7 years ago and remember the uncertainty I went though for a while. But, another door opened and I never looked back. I’m sure it will for you.

-- I don't make mistakes, only design changes....www.dgmwoodworks.com

I’m sorry to hear this and wishing you the best in finding something new and better.

I’ve been with my current company since ‘96. I just got hit at the end the year with a 13.5% cut in pay, lost of vacation time and lost of paid holidays. Luckily, I still have the job…for now. But next round of “make the share holders happy”...who knows?

-- Joe

Sorry to hear that, Grant. One door closes and another opens. Don’t let it get you down. I have no idea what it is like to work one place for 20 years. For me 20 months would be a record. We’ll pray for you and wish you the best of luck.

-- Thos. Angle

Hang in there buddy. My wife always tells me things happen for a reason. Give it to God.

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

Sorry to hear that Grant.

I know Columbus got hit pretty hard with the economic situation. I know of several people that have lost their jobs back there.

I felt pretty lucky that my brother and I stayed non-stop busy back there and work seemed to be drying up for everyone else at the same time. It is tough to watch because people come begging for work and you can only share so much of it.

We are backing you, good luck

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Grant, my prayers are with you also. I’ve been through this before too, like so many others. And I’m still not out of the woods yet with my current position either, even 7 years after the last high tech shakeout. Very close in age too. All the best wishes for you, keep your head up!

Betsy, I’m sure glad my Longhorns didn’t quit, or the Buckeyes would have done them in. All the more reason for a replacement for the BSC and all of it’s inequities and biases.

I too pay, (gladly) crushing support payments, but cannot move, because that would allow my ex and her new “husband” to move further away with my kids. And they need me more than they need the alternative at least at this point in their lives. Our three weekends a month are so interactive and meaningful that I cannot visualize not having them, so here I will stay.

-- If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait until it's free! PJ O'Rourke

Sorry to hear about that,just stay positive ok? I just hope the situation gets better for you.
I also hope that 2009 would be a better year for all of us. I got laid off 2 months back, and just surviving on doing freelance job. What is important is to have a clear mind. Try checking out http:// jobstaxi.com They probably have some openings of interest. I just thought this might help you

Sorry to hear about the bad news, happened to me in October.

I found I was doing so much around the house I am regretting getting more work as I will miss my workshop – not miss the kids though :P

-- The wood slayer - Yes dear I did plan to make more kindling out of that wood I have been drying for the last year - honest!

Sorry to hear that Grant.
I hope this is not the end of everything. There could be ways to turn problem into opportunity. Be strong
Grant.

Wish you good luck.

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

Grant, this simply means that the Big Guy feels that you’re ready for your next challenge. And your additude shows it – ”...life goes on and I will hit the ground running. I have a good support system in my family and friends.”

Like Lew said, “When one door closes another one opens.” Embrace it. :)

All the best!

-- I'm a wood magician... I can turn fine lumber into firewood before your very eyes! - http://www.woodworkersguide.com

Hang tough Grant things will work out. Like Betsy said “Buckeyes never Quit.”

-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)

Onward and Upward!!!

-- Berta in NC

Sorry to hear that, but you do have a good support system to rely on. So much for loyalty on the job. It seems to often it only goes one way. Think of the car commercial “that’s opportunity knocking”. Good luck, I wish you the best.

-- Bob K. East Northport, NY

Been there done that (a few times)...

Run (don’t walk) to your local unemployment office. They will not backdate unemploymenr payments, and any time you wait will be lost. It needs to be your first act of business today when you’ve had a minute to breathe.

Good luck in finding a new job. Wish you well.

-- Steven

Grant, I know this is truly hard shot after 20 years. I hope that one day in the near future, you can look back and say that it was the best thing that ever happened to you. My best wishes and prayers for you and your family.
God bless

-- Gene, a Christian in Virginia

Grant -

I know how you are feeling as almost exactly the same thing happened to me in 1992. I had 26 years with the company.

As other have said, God will provide, and he has a plan for your life. It cost me a lot financially but that was offset by many blessing that money can’t buy.

Bless you.

-- Joe

I know what you are going through in Oct I got the same deal along with about 6 other people. I am 62 but don’t have enough time working to collect SS due to the time I spent working for the USPS and at that time we did not pay into. It does not look like I will be going back to work at all for anyone for two reasons, 1 Age 2. No jobs out there. So I will have to make it as a wood worker, no other options left.

-- Sell it here> http://woodworkerslist.com

I was laid off in 2001 after 16 years with the same company after the telecom/dot com bust. I immediately took the opportunity to take that 3 month bike trip across the US I had always wanted to do. I also got involved with other members of the same company that also got laid off and formed a group which still exists today to support and help each other in moving on. We organized and ran 6 ‘reverse’ job fairs, ie: where we invited the recruiters to come meet us. We helped a lot of people and I got a lot of mileage out of that activity, easing my own transition. I am now back in the same field but it did take 2 years and I managed in between in various ways.

The situation may be different today but the point is, don’t lose hope. A lot of people are in the same situation and if you work together as a community, then you will have lots of support to see you through this and eventually find a way to support yourself once again.

-- Steve, New Zealand, www.steveracz.com

Sorry to hear about your job .However also I must say it seems a bit underhand the way they did it.Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

a little late, I guess.. but how are things going?

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Sounds like we’re riding in the same boat , except that I’m in the 50+ section…. 20+ years of knowledge and experience in my field and no one wants to hire an “old man”. I’ve worked for some Temp Agencies but they were only paying half of what I used to make and no bennies at all to do the same job. Right now I am thanking the Lord for creating the Unemployment Extension and allowing me to keep my home and my health : ) I see this is an older post and I hope that you’ve found something to keep you busy and some money in your pockets . Here is a little project that made me some pocket money and lifted my spirits at the same time : ) Best wishes .
http://lumberjocks.com/projects/16691

-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .

I feel for you. I hope things turn around.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon