I realize now that the woman who recommended that I be let go was correct, even though her motivations may have been misguided. I was not suited for that job. At the time, however, I was devastated!! In my 35 years of working I had never even had a mediocre review, much less a bad review followed by being "let go". It was a surprise, even though that morning I had a moment of prescience as I headed out the door of my cottage. I had thought, "What if I get laid off, what would I have to remember to take with me from my office?" It was a strange thought and even at the time I thought it could have been a premonition. Sure enough, that day I was called into the big bosses office and was told that he had to let me go. He wanted me to stay until the end of the week, but I was too emotional and knew I couldn't stay. In tears, I packed up my office and left then and there.
Most of my coworkers were shocked at how I was let go, and I did have some support from one of them in particular who snuck back in my office to retrieve some personal items I had forgotten!! It was comical as we went back and forth leaving each other messages, trying to arrange when and where we should meet so she could give me my "stuff", like some illicit drug exchange!! I appreciated her support at a time when I was still in shock. Right after it happened I wasn't comfortable telling people that I had been "let go", so I let people think I had been "laid off". At the time it sounded better, but over time I have changed my wording to be more accurate. The only negative thing for me now is that I have to say that I was "let go" on my job applications.
The first thing I did that day was to drive over to my storage unit and retrieve all the boxes of stuff I had been planning to sell after I got "settled" in Morro Bay. I had been selling through eBay for many years, but when I revisited their site I realized that their policies had changed so much that their site was no longer a viable place for low-end sellers like me. So, I did a bit of research and discovered some free online storefronts. I decided to list my modern items on BluJay and my vintage items on eCrater. It made me feel like I was doing something proactive towards my unemployed situation.
Of course, after I did a bit of research, I applied for Unemployment Insurance. I lucked out that I was awarded the maximum weekly benefit because they based the figure on my previous job. I was also lucky that I hadn't quit my part-time job when I got the San Luis Obispo position. I had been commuting up to the San Francisco Bay Area every other weekend for a high-paying part-time position. This part-time position enabled me to continue to stretch out my Unemployment Insurance for 2 years at the highest weekly award while I have been job-hunting in my field.
I have lived somewhat frugally over the last two years, but I recently began my third Unemployment Insurance claim and they are now only using my part-time work to calculate my weekly benefit amount. My current weekly benefit amount is only $150, and I will only get that during a week when I am not working my part-time job. The bottom line is that while my part-time job will give me enough to pay my rent, it is not enough to pay the bills!!
And, I want to Stay in Morro Bay!! I love it here, I am happy here, it is beautiful here. Unfortunately, there are almost no job opportunities in my field here in San Luis Obispo County. At almost 50 years old I don't want to move home with my parents, although I totally appreciate that I have that option. I moved home with them in my mid-thirties and went crazy. I was able to get somewhat out of debt after a year and a half, but I had gained 25 pounds and many stress-related health issues. I couldn't get out of there fast enough once I was relatively solvent.
So, after seeing this incredible sunset this evening I decided that I WANT TO STAY IN MORRO BAY!! This blog will follow my journey of trying to find money to pay the bills, find a job, hopefully getting out of debt again, AND be able to stay in Morro Bay!!
© 2011 StayInMorroBay@gmail.com
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