I say, whatever works

Plenty of businesses are offering specials related to Election Day. Check out this story about how offering freebies for voting is a violation of the law. As the story points out, "Leave it to the law to spoil all the fun."

Most businesses figured out a way to get around the law by offering general Election Day specials and not requiring people to actually show their "I Voted" sticker.

Truly, how many people are motivated solely to vote based on getting free coffee from Starbucks or free ice cream from Ben & Jerry's? I'd like to think people are voting because it's their duty as U.S. citizens, but, I guess, whatever works ... I am, by the way, going to Starbucks this afternoon for my free coffee (but I would have voted anyway!) :)

A good mommy weekend

I'll be the first to admit motherhood has been so hard for me. The last nine months since my daughter was born have been pretty tough. But this weekend I had a great time hanging out with Katherine. It was a much-needed reminder that she is a precious part of my life.

On Saturday, we ran to Wal-Mart and then stopped at the new Petco so Katherine could check out the birds and other creatures. Later that day, Clint and I took her to the Coastal Carolina Fair (in the South, fairs come late in the year so you don't die from summer heat and humidity). We walked all through the animal barn, with Katherine squealing at the sight of piglets, chickens and cows. She even had the chance to pet a rabbit. And by pet, I mean grab a fistful of fluffly fur and pull. (Eek! Don't think the bunny can win many prizes missing a clump of fur! Sorry to the nice man who tried to let a baby pet a rabbit.)

Even on Sunday, we went to church, took an afternoon walk through the neighborhood and just hung out. It was a quiet, fuss-free weekend.

I tried to soak it in so I could summon those memories on a day when Katherine is sick, teething or just in a general grumpy baby mood. Or maybe I'll think back to that trip to the fair when she gives me a 14-year-old, "Whatever, Mom! I'm going to the mall."

Boo!

Silver linings

OK, so I've found a couple benefits to having been laid off:
1) I lost 3 pounds.
2) I can run errands during the day when the stores aren't crowded.

Just trying to see the positives, folks!

Seriously?

Clemson University football coach Tommy Bowden was fired last week, but will get paid $3.5 million. And yet, thousands of people around the country don't have jobs and are in danger of losing their homes. I think we might have a problem with priorities in this country.

Tips for keeping your job

I just saw this article from the Wall Street Journal about how to figure out if you might be on the layoff list. Definitely I saw some of these five signs (cutbacks, work slows down) at my previous company, but truly didn't think I'd find myself packing up my family photos and personalized notepads.

Then I read the list of "Tips for keeping your job:"
- Make yourself irreplaceable.
- Be very clear about what your responsibilities are, and make sure you are meeting them.
- Pick up additional responsibilities.
- Make sure your supervisors and colleagues are aware of your capabilities.
- Continue to build your skills.
- Look for opportunities at your company and elsewhere.
- Don't seem paranoid or anxious.
- Keep working at your current output.

Hmmm, check, check, check, check, check, check, check and check.

I guess sometimes you just don't have any control of a situation.

When one door closes ...

When the CEO and vice president of your company call you in for a meeting at five minutes before 5 p.m. you have to know it's not good news. Yesterday, I was laid off from my job as an editor with a local business publication.

The company had been making several cutbacks in operational areas, and yesterday the cutbacks hit the staff. My position was eliminated, thus, I was eliminated. It was as if someone had punched me in the stomach.

I had been with the company longer than anyone in our editorial department. I'd tried to be a good and loyal employee, doing everything that was asked of me - and then some. But, I guess when you're competing with the bottom line, it always wins.

Now, I have to pull myself together and regroup. I'm trying very hard to believe this is part of some master plan God has for me. Still, it's tough. I may give myself a few days to mourn this chapter of my life, and then I'll try to figure out what's next. Maybe I can do some freelance work while I see what other opportunities are out there. I have a couple of book ideas I've been kicking around so maybe now's the time to work on those.

I guess I'll have to see what doors open for me.