I wonder if you added some gratuitous nudity to your blog if maybe you would make more money from ads. Just a suggetion.

Heidi, I don't know how you can be so funny in the face of adversity, but I have to hand it to you!

I'll cross my fingers for your family today!

Kristina--you are brilliant! Randi--AND my brother in law is in ICU today. Sheez! But thanks! Now I am off to grant gratuitous nudity to my shower . . .

Hope he comes home without a pretty pink slip. (Crossing fingers!)

Here's hoping that there will be no need for yodeling. Although cutting slits in plastic bags sounds highly entertaining, no matter what your economic situation.

Hope everything goes okay for your husband...

And I love the library. I think I really need to go there and check out this book I've heard so much about:)

Way to hold the possible hysteria and panic at bay with a bit of humour!

... will they treat a stress ulcer for free at the looney bin?

Crossing my fingers here... I've never liked pink...

This was hilarious, Heidi! And I appreciate the list of free entertainment since the economy is in the tank, and well, my husband is in sales. You do the math.

Hope your hubby is spared the curse of the Friday the 13th lay-offs!

The library is my absolute favorite free thing to do.

600 teachers? Really? Will there be any left? They have been cutting teachers and the like around here lately too, it's very frustrating. I hope it all turns out okay for you guys.

If worse comes to worse you could have your hubby get a teaching job here in Mesa and come be my neighbor. I would let you siphon gas in times of desperation! But please no slitting holes in my baggies.

Hopefully it will not come to that, though. My thoughts are with you today.

This was so, so funny! I admire your attitude in the face of adversity.

We'll be praying for you guys.

I'm with Kristina P. about the gratuitous nudity. You could shave your dog and charge admission? Wait--you do have a dog, or I'm thinking of someone else...

I sort of think you're at your best when you're under loads of stress. I mean, look at you go. :D

I'm hopeful for you, but I know you'll roll with what you get either way. And now that you've reminded yourself that you don't have to actually keep paying for that tan, I bet you'll be okay. :)

Fabo ideas. Thanks for the insight. I will print this and keep it for possible future reference.

Oh, and I will keep my fingers crossed, and my toes, and my eyes crossed for your hubby! Good luck!

Annette--thanks! Lara--I am sure whomever cut mine wishes he/she could have been a fly on the wall this morning! Barb--yes (and did I say YES?!?) Kim--thanks, hon! T--see, that's all I've got going for me today b/c I love pink! Alyson! Yay! Good to see you! What you say is true--we are far from the only ones who are suffering from this economy. Eventually everyone will suffer. Sue--it's a huge district, just huge, which is part of the problem. I think 600 is about a 4th. Becky--you make me laugh! I promise if we move to Arizona, I will live next to you--maybe even camp out in your yard. Wouldn't that be special? Rebecca--we DO have a dog and she would be quite amusing shaved, I'm sure. She is mostly hair (not fur) and she would look pretty funny naked. Lisa--you are a born comedian! You go girl!

Julie--thanks sweetie! I guess I should be more worried but I'm not. What will be will be.

we are far from layoff right now. and i am depressed trying to figure low budget meal plan so i can cut my grocery bill hopefully in 1/2.

i go to your blog and laugh my behind off! i do think you write well under stress..

At first I thought that last sentence said "right here at Dunhaven PALACE." The irony...

I'll be checking back for an update! What stress. Hoping for the BEST.

PEACE-
Heather

Just curious, how many administrative positions is the district cutting? It really chaps my hide that teachers are considered expendible. Better to keep the teachers and get rid of buildings and supplies (look how well the Church manages with lots of volunteer teachers and a few manuals), but better yet to cut back on administration--can you tell I used to be a teacher(?).

A few months ago I heard that Washington Mutual was laying off three thousand workers. The next evening I was at a committee meeting with a friend whose husband worked for WaMu. I asked if her husband's job was secure and she replied that he had received his pink slip that day. It felt like a punch in the gut to me, I can't even imagine how it felt to her.

I certainly hope for your sake that your husband will keep his job (though if he's only been there for three years, it sounds like he might not have the security of seniority, if that is factored into the decision) but my sympathy goes out to all the individuals and families who will be impacted. Not to mention the students. Will the teachers at least finish out this school year?

Heidi! This is a bad day for lots of people I know. I hope he gets to keep his job. Please keep us posted and I need to borrow those books from you. Let me know when you have time.

So much for the government stimulus package ...

Um, it's making me nervous lately. We have a friend who was laid off. He was the CEO of a corporation. Well educated. Sharp guy. His company was transfering his family across the country. They had the moving date set and the movers were coming in a week. And then he gets and EMAIL saying that he's been laid off. Nice.

Not to mention, people my husband barely knows have been asking him if his company is hiring and where they can submit resumes. It leaves a general feeling of unease.

I hope your husband keeps his job.

On a happier note:

I can completely relate to #1 on your list. And #2 on your list has always made sense to me.

And, I have to admit to being dismayed that it really DOES cost more to make cookies than to buy them. What is up with that?

Hey, I finally ordered your book off Amazon.com. Curiosity and all your promotion finally motivated me to get it! It hasn't arrived in the mail yet. But I have to admit I'm looking forward to it. :)

So much for the government stimulus package ...

Um, it's making me nervous lately. We have a friend who was laid off. He was the CEO of a corporation. Well educated. Sharp guy. His company was transfering his family across the country. They had the moving date set and the movers were coming in a week. And then he gets and EMAIL saying that he's been laid off. Nice.

Not to mention, people my husband barely knows have been asking him if his company is hiring and where they can submit resumes. It leaves a general feeling of unease.

I hope your husband keeps his job.

On a happier note:

I can completely relate to #1 on your list. And #2 on your list has always made sense to me.

And, I have to admit to being dismayed that it really DOES cost more to make cookies than to buy them. What is up with that?

Hey, I finally ordered your book off Amazon.com. Curiosity and all your promotion finally motivated me to get it! It hasn't arrived in the mail yet. But I have to admit I'm looking forward to it. :)

My motto is "Enjoy Life....It's Delicious" so eat those Oreos and stay your positive self! Keep up the great inspiring blogs Heidi!

is school STILL not out over there??? my kids are all home... and after the 30 minutes I spent with Po's teacher... well, let's just say I'd have been willing to sign THAT pink slip...

How about the old glue-a quarter-to-the-airport-floor-and-watch-every-person-try-and-pick-it-up game? I guess it would take some gas money to get there, but oh, so worth it!

Good luck on the job front. I feel for you. Really.

Gramee--thanks! But don't laugh your head off entirely--I think you'll be needing that to figure out the food budget thing. :)Heather--thanks, doll! Pam-yes they finish out the year. They are letting some administrators go and kicked out the superintendent. Janelle, yes, totally--let's talk about a good time for you to borrow the books (sometime after I dig them out of wherever they are just now . . )Heatherlyn-you made my day!! Courtney--thanks! So fun to see you on my blog! T--it comes in the mail . . . Kazzy--that is such a great idea! Love it! Of course, the closest airport is in scary Oakland . . .

HOORAY!!! NO PINK SLIP!!!

I'm totally trying out that oreo baggy thing. I'm going over to my brothers house first thing tomorrow to implement said evil plan. Gwa ha ha ha ha!

Hallelujah!!! I'm so happy for you :) And now you don't have to clean or anything...

What a relief! We've been through this several times lately... As much as you feel bad for the people who do get laid off - you can't do anything to change that. So you just thank god that it's not you (this time)!

Oh Heidi, I'm so sorry I wasn't here to offer some support, but it looks like it wasn't needed which I'm extremely happy about! Yay, no pink slip!
Love your list by the way! Do you think people would think I was weird if I actually might do some of those...:)

600?! Are you kidding me? What percent is that of the total teachers in your district? Wow. That is scary. Lucky for me, no one would want my job! I'm happy for your hubs.

Oops. I wasn't done. Thanks for the peeve idea. The post is scheduled for tonight.

In regard to your having to always fill in your info on my comments, 1st, thank you for going through the trouble. Second, I have no idea why it does that for you, because I just asked my sister to check it from her end, and she said it does auto-fill for her. I have no idea what to do now, as I did spend some time at Haloscan today trying to figure it out. Also, my blog is through Blogger (not Wordpress). Haloscan is an add-on. Let me know if you know what else I can try. Thanks.

Hooray for the good news. But if you ever do go to the looney bin could we be room mates? I am pretty sure I will end up there sooner or later. And well it would be comforting to be there with someone I know.

Congrats on escaping the chopping block. Now you have no excuse not to help stimulate the economy by skipping the dollar store and heading straight to WalMart.

I wish I had the words of comfort to return to you - Your comments really pulled me through. I don't know you in person but I really do appreciate you. Thanks.

Que Bueno!!!

Laura--just so you know, any kind of cookie will do, but Oreos smash more satisfingly into little bits when they hit the floor than, say, Chips Ahoy. Rachel--thanks!!! Kate--no doubt (but I still feel bad) Melinda--not any weirder than we already think of you as . . .(JK!!) Barb--you are such a sweethheart to spend so much time trying to figure that out. I shoulda known the problem was on my end--it usually is. To answer your question, 600 teachers is about a 4th of the # we have in this huge district of ours. Pat--YES esp now that I know how to make you happy (a couple of hours alone with the computer on Friday night--but I get it the rest of the time, right? Yes? No? No deal? Shucks!) Megz--you said it! What a card you are! Does lack of sleep do that for you? It just kind of makes me limp. As does just barely having given birth. You rock! Jess--my favorite comment of the day (though Heatherlyn's about buying my book is a pretty close second). I sometimes worry that I am always so full of unsolicited advice but anytime I can share what I have learned (and so painfully!) and have it lighten anyone's burden gives me the greatest joy in life. Thanks for taking the time to say that! T--I suppose this means you think I speak Spanish. I don't but I can wager a guess so que beuno right back at ya!

Heidi, Long time lurker first time follower. I am so glad that he didnt get the pink slip. We were so praying for you guys on that one.

Keep these post coming they are so funny.

Please feel free to stop by and visit us at Fort Thompson anytime. you are always welcome.

love and prayers,

Tim

OH MY! I missed all the anxiety, but I'm still so glad he didn't get a pink slip. That bilingual certificate is GOLD.

It's been four weeks exactly since Applebee's. Just wanna say I LOVE YOU and I'm glad you live close enough that we could play.

Whew. THat has to be a huge sigh of relief, but still -its hard to see friends get that news. You're IDEAS on things to do for free are helpful for sure.

I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU that he didn't get the "pink" slip. This is really stressful all these job looses and I too am thankful I just have a job. (and hubby) BUT the list of free things to do still comes in handy.
And, I am kinda leaning towards Kristina's suggestion of the gratuitous nudity.
Like the ol'saying --I was young and needed the money.

Hooray! I'm so happy to hear that! That is just great.

Yay.

Tim--gosh, thanks! I have a lurker? Wow! Thanks for the prayers! Jami--I can't believe it has been 4 weeks! In some ways it seems longer, in some, just yesterday! Thanks SO much for coming to my little party! I loved getting to hug you! Love you too! Heather--thank you so much! Hey, you're back! I missed you! Wendy--bwaaahaahaaaa!! Lisa--yep, we are so relieved! Starting to feel the tension about all of it now that the crisis is passed. Such is life!

YAY! I was worried when you said he is (was)!

My favorite tip was to climb a local mountain and yodel. I'm going to give that a try.

Whew! I'm glad his job is safe!

I'm so glad it all worked out for him!