Re-Post: Asking For Help Is Hard To Do

Hi friends!


I have a special post today. 


Ashley, from Germato, and her fiance are going through a rough patch.  We've been all hit by the recession and consequently jobs are pretty much scarce in the labor market.  So, along with Ashley, I'm asking you to please offer as much advice, suggestions and ideas as you can.  I wouldn't say much as her post is pretty much self-explanatory.  Please spare a few minutes and read the following.  Thank you.  


P.S:  You can visit her site and leave a comment there if you wish.  

I pride myself on being able to take care of myself. I pride myself on knowing a lot and doing a lot. I pride myself on being able to do most things on my own without needing someone to hold my hand all the time. But we all stumble from time to time. And those that offer a helping hand at those times of need are truly magnificent people.

But I’ve stumbled at this point and I’m asking for your help in whatever way you can.

Nathan quit his job today. A job that made weekends an extension of the week days. A job that forced him to find himself at his desk more often than he found himself at home. A job that left him miserable and me frustrated. A job where respect for a person/person’s family/person’s life outside of work was a foreign object to every manager above him.  A job that drove a wedge between us, almost permanently.

To some, this is a foolish step. With the economy how it is. With the job market how it is. With us wanting to move and plan a wedding. But to me, and I hope to Nathan, this was a step in gaining back the respect he had lost for himself. Gaining back the happiness that he forgot about over six years ago. Gaining back a life that doesn’t revolve around a job that gave nothing in return. Gaining back his hopes, and our dreams.

I encouraged this step whole-heartedly, knowing it would put a different kind of strain on our relationship. Knowing that I would most likely need to work overtime, or cut back on my spending, or not eat out. Knowing that a move may be less likely and that our dream wedding may have to change. Giving up all of these things and more was worth it. To get that phone call this morning and hear “I feel like I was let out of prison” was so bittersweet.

I will be the only source of income after February 1st. He will be actively searching out a job, but it’s not always that easy. On top of that, our pets will be my main priority in all of this. My goal is that they don’t notice a change, other than that Nathan is able to spend more time with them. So we’re looking for extra ways to make money. Ways to cut back, but still have fun. And if you want to go all out, a job for him. And if said job requires a move, a job for me too. (I am kidding, sort of.)

So my plea for help is this: Share your knowledge. Tell me what got you through the tough times. Explain your extra sources of income. Leave me/us words of encouragement. Keep us in your thoughts. And if you can, repost. The more people that can give me insight on what’s looking to be a rocky road ahead, the better.

Oh, and while you’re improving your karma? Keep Brittney in your thoughts too. She lost her cat last week and I’m hoping for his safe return.