Update on Mr D ...

[dizzojay]

So, at the moment we are a one-wage family!  Mr D left his job on the 30th November, and right now he's a house husband :D

I won't deny, I think we both had a couple of wobbly weeks in the first month after he handed in his notice - there was one week where I actually lost 7 pounds in weight - the stress diet obviously works - but we have done a lot of talking and made some economies and I'm feeling a lot more comfortable about things now (well, I've put the 7 pounds back on so I must be!!!).  We've worked out that as long as we don't have any unforeseeable expense over the next couple of months until Mr D is back in work, we'll be fine.

We went to see my parents two weeks ago, and part of me was dreading that they'd be disappointed.  My Dad particularly, as much as I love him, is quite old school, and is very practical.  I grew up in a family that is phobic about debt, and even now I refuse to have a credit card because that debt fear has rubbed off on me, and I really thought he'd sound off at Barry for not just manning up because we have a mortgage to pay, but I've never been happier to be proved wrong.

He and my Mum were both sympathetic and understanding.  My Dad explained that he knows what it's like to suffer in a job you hate, and that no job is worth your health.  They both said that they know we don't want charity, but they won't see us get into problems and if anything untoward does crop up, just to get on the phone.  That alone was a HUGE weight off my mind.

Mr D is like a new man. He's happier than I've seen him for months, and the mystery abdo pain he was suffering has gone.  He's relishing being at home and isn't being idle - he's blitzing the place - honestly, my bathroom hasn't looked so clean and shiny since the day it was fitted, and he's actually excited about deep cleaning the kitchen next week!

He's not being idle on the job front either.  While he was serving out his six week notice, the bosses were - true to type - being utter bastards and blocking all leave, so unless he went sick or AWOL, he couldn't get time off for interviews.  He hasn't taken a day off sick in the whole nine years he's worked at the hospital - not that it actually meant anything to those morons - and he was too proud to spoil his 100% record.  He did manage a couple of interviews out of office hours, but nothing came of them (I admit to being furious at  one where the organisation more or less admitted he ticked every single box on the job description, that he interviewed brilliantly, and could do the job blindfolded, but there were other applicants who were 'a better cultural fit'.  I've worked in HR for nearly thirty years, and I still can't work out what the hell that gibberish means.)

Now he's a free agent, he's got six job applications in so far, and he's already got two interviews lined up on the 18th and 19th of December.

I honestly can't see him being out of work for too long, so just for a few weeks, it's actually kind of nice to come home after a long day to a cooked meal, a clean house and a cup of tea, and to be able to be the one to say 'Hi honey, I'm home!'

Comments

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad to hear things are settling down emotionally - and that the future is looking hopeful. Not that I thought Bazza wouldn't land another job with all his experience, but still, it's good to see things moving in the right direction. And isn't it wonderful to have supportive parents.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm feeling much more positive about it all now. And it certainly is nice to have supportive parents!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

It certainly is - one advantage of being an only child, methinks. I was/am dead lucky in that respect too.

[be-my-precious.livejournal.com]

So happy you've worked things out... money is absolutely horrible to talk about some times. A lot of people actually avoid it.

Glad to see Mr. D getting into the cleaning while searching for work. Perhaps if there's one too many at the table, you can confidently bring them to the bathroom for them to eat *snickers*

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

It is a horrible thing to talk about, and we'e neer had to do it before because neither of us have ever been out of work but in a funny kind of way, it's also been a really good exercise in focussing on our spending and making a few economies that we really should have done ages ago!

Honestly, I think our bathroom is so clean, you COULD eat your dinner off its floor!

[be-my-precious.livejournal.com]

Good to know how clean your bathroom is! ;)

I know it's quite hard. My mom had a serious relationship with a guy that started before she bought the house, so he came with her and contributed to the mortgage. When he left, my mom was having to pay the whole thing, and it was a VERY bumpy ride before she started to figure how being on one income was like (you know I've talked about some of the unwise decisions money wise though).

[jillmariej.livejournal.com]

I am so happy he's no longer working at a place that was hurting him. You're probably frightened but you aren't letting the situation control you. If you ever need someone to listen, I hope you remember where to find me.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Thank you, that's very kind! :)

[zara-zee.livejournal.com]

Genuinely excited about deep cleaning the kitchen. Bwahahaha! But I do get where he's coming from. I was the same when I got made redundant; suddenly I had all this extra time to do all those things I never had time to do. It genuinely was exciting! :D

Oh, and I think that 'better cultural fit' often means 'plays golf with the HR manager'... :|

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

I am currently sitting ammidst the chaos of our 'being deep-cleaned' kitchen. How on earth have we managed to acccumulate so much junk which is currently spread out all over the living room floor???
*sigh*

And yes, I thinnk you're probably right about the cultural fit thing. Makes you sick, doesn't it.

[wings128.livejournal.com]

I'm relieved for you and Mr D.
I hope something shows up on the job front, but like you say, enjoy the benefits of your very own house-husband while you can xx

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

I am indeed enjoying the benefits of having a valid excuse not to have to lift a dishcloth for the foreseeable future!! :D

[julchen11.livejournal.com]

I'm so happy for you two that everything settles down. Nothing is worse than doing a Job you absolutely hate. When my hubby lost his Job few years ago he was an excellent housemaid!
Good luck on finding a new Job for Mr. D! and Happy Weekend to you, Sweetheart. *hearts & loves & hugs*

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Thank you, he's so much better in himself since he left. It would be a great Christmas gift if something good comes of one of his interviews next week!
*hugs back*

[ennisjackdean.livejournal.com]

Way to go Mr. D. Clearly NOT a soul to sit and sulk.

I'm sure others will be happy to have him. And let's hope
they're smart enough to show it.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Nope, Mr D is definitely not a sulker.
I hope tey can see his qualities too. Nine years without a single day off sick - tells you all you need about him!

[sasha-dragon.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a weight off your shoulders! Knowing that you have support from your parents can be a godsend, but I'm sure Mr D won't be a house husband for long, so while you've got the chance enjoy coming home to meals on the table and sparking clean house.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Yes, definitely. I'm rather liking the 'coming home to a sparkling house' business :)

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

I am so pleased that Mr D is feeling better physically and emotionally than he has in months - that's proof enough that he did the right thing to leave that toxic environment, and I'm sure he'll get a good job soon. I hope the interviews this month go well, he's certainly trying hard, and giving your house a spring clean while he's trying!

*hugs you both*

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

If they've got any sense, they'll see his value.
We were talking just the other day about all this work he's doing around the house and I said to him, 'it's all lovely, but don't forget to make time for yourself and do something you enjoy'.
He said, 'at the moment, I'm just enjoying not being at Frimley Park!'

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

Aw, Mr D has such a great way of looking at things! I am sure someone will see his worth, his value and his experience, and take him on soon. *hugs*

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad to hear that things are kind of normal-ing out emotion wise, I understand the sheer panic and wobbles of a partner without a job, and it can be terrifying *hugs* Well done your folks for being so supportive and please tell Bazza someone will snaych his hand off when they see what an amazing man he is and hear about all of his experience ♥

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Thank you. yes, if they've got any sense, they'll see what they're getting. Nine years without a single day off sick tells you everything you need to know about his work ethic!