I never mentioned it here, but I got laid off on June 29. Then on July 5, a job I had applied for in April finally came through. So I was off work for only 2 weeks (1 was our already scheduled vacation). The 6 days between jobs was scary and I hope never to go through that again, but I’ve come out on top and I’m thrilled about the new job. I’ve been there since Monday and I’m very hopeful and excited. It also happens to be with the same (very large) employer that Strawberry works for and we have been able to carpool. It’s not something we’ll be able to do every day unfortunately, because my job has odd hours sometimes. But it is very nice when it works. I feel challenged and appreciated and so far, I like it. I do have less time on the internet during the day, so my blog reading/commenting has suffered.
In the week before I started the new job, Strawberry took a morning off so we could all go apply for Curly’s passport. We’d done the pictures a few weeks ago, had all the paperwork printed and filled out and we arrived at our local post office at the 9:00 am opening time. Only to be told that the passport office didn’t open until 10 and then closed for lunch at 11:30. Well, there went our nice little plan of taking Curly to daycare at 9:30 and enjoying a leisurely brunch before Strawberry headed into work late. Curly napped at home until 11 and then we rushed back to the post office. And were told that the passport processor had a family emergency and was gone until after lunch. There was one other person in the office that could process passports but she was on her way out. So we LITERALLY begged her to take us in, showing her that we had all the paperwork prepared, photos taken, necessary photocopies made and 1 year old in arms. She must have liked kids, because thank goodness she took us back. The whole process took 10 minutes and she gushed about what a good boy he was the whole time.
Oh, and for all you parents out there getting ready to do passport applications? Keep a photocopy of your child’s birth certificate because the original has to go with the passport application. And you just may need a copy of it should you be starting a new job and needing to enroll your child in your health insurance. And certified copies cost money and require either a trip to your local government office or additional payment to a 3rd party processor. Just sayin’.
1 In Vermillion 
having been a victim of layoff myself, i completely understand what you mean about the scary! but i’m happy that something came your way so very quickly!
this was a nice reminder that things will work and fall into place. we have to hold on to that.
When I read your first sentence, my stomach dropped. But then I was so relieved to read the rest of the paragraph. I’m really glad everything worked out with the new position!
N, I’m so glad you were able to make a quick & happy transition to a new job!
Thanks for the tip about the birth cert!
Wow. your first sentence was scary. I am so glad to hear that everything has worked out well. Best of luck in your new position
A passport! Wow. I’m excited to get to that stage. Also, many congrats on the smooth transition to a new job — so great it was only 6 days of limbo. I too was worried for you when I read the first sentence, and relieved it worked itself out so well.
Yikes, sending the original copy would make me a little nervous! But, I understand why they need it…
It will be cool to keep all the passports he gets over time. His baby one will be so cute!
And good luck with the new job and the occasional carpooling opportunities!
Congrats on the new job! That must have been scary to get laid off, but it’s wonderful that you were able to start the new one so soon after, and that you like it so much. And yay for carpooling–that time together in the car must be so nice.
Layoffs are scary anytime, but are especially so in this economy. I’m so glad you were able to find a new job so quickly.
Baby passports are so cute. Our bean’s looks like a mugshot!