bail out

Except that the whole "bailout" was a government scam and never actually intended to help out the citizens, (if it were, they would not have written so many loop holes into it preventing tracking to the money) it would have been better, if you are going to throw out that much cash, to give it to the citizens.
After all, it's our tax money...

My thought was pay it directly to us to
Pay our mortages so we
a) would not lose our homes, and
b) would have the cash available to pay bills and buy things.

And as John Stewart pointed out this week on the Daily Show, wouldn't it have been better to have used the bail out money to pay our mortgages and our consumer debt which would
a) get money back into the banks (where the bail out was supposed to do),
b) put Americans back on firm footing, and
c) allow us the money to continue buying stuff...

But hey, what do we know?

check out the link above (sorry for the attached ad)
click on the third section of the time bar for the Gwen Ifill interview.

False Sense of Security

Mentally Zelda and I are exhausted.
Which we did not realize or experience, till Friday evening after I accepted the job offer.

I don't want to forget the fear, the sense of powerlessness, and dependency of not being in control of life. That needing someone else to provide us with a livelihood.

It would be too easy to slip back into that false sense of security that working for someone else gives you..

I want, NEED, to turn that energy towards starting our own cash flowing businesses.

At my last company, I felt frustration at spending my time working for someone else.

Reality is...
one hour a day,
10% tucked away each month,
can create freedom,
even while working
for someone else.

Forward momentum

As "quickly" as the crisis hit, it has "dissolved".
( I won't feel 100% comfortable till I am sitting at a desk at my new office working on a project.)

I must be the luckiest guy in Dallas.

Not only have I been given a job,
but it's in one of the biggest demand areas for architecture in this economy,
health care.
Doing Lab work.

The only better job markets I am aware of are

teaching and nursing...

I am grateful to the universe...
***
It seemed things panned out every time Zelda and I moved forward with something.

Friday Z and I took a leap of faith and signed up for Rich Dad Coaching to put a fire under us in moving on long time personal goals. (At about 4k, it's a bargain. We should have our next positive cash flowing property by mid year.)

When I signed up for substitute teaching, other offers came my way.
***
Sunday we will speak to the family at church about offering a place to stay in our home.

And share our joy in finding work.

Zelda is still under employed in the work world.

When baby comes, that will change (diapers).
***
Two weeks to enjoy Zelda and clean house.
In my interview I mentioned I was studying for LEED.
Time to follow up on that!
(In speaking to my new employer, he felt it's more of a gimmick to sell stuff.
I agree. LEED is more about government paper work than the best energy savings. LEED certification is dependent on convincing the developer or client they want it. Most of them are on tight budgets and will not want to pay extra. It doesn't need to be LEED certified to be "GREEN".)

Anyway, it's a great sales tool for Architects if they have clients who want it...

blessings

American Policy

“What happens on the ground is for every one of those impacts you get five or ten times as many recruits for the Taliban as you've eliminated. The people that we’re trying to convince to become adherents to our cause have become rigidly hostile to our cause in part because of bombing and in part because of other killing of civilians from ground forces. We’re dealing with a society that’s based on honor... They have to resist being invaded, occupied, bombed and killed. It’s a matter of honor, and they’re willing to die in unbelievable numbers to do that.”

former Pentagon official Pierre Sprey on the US missle policy in Pakistan

Hi Baby!

The baby has been kicking Zelda today.

She had me place my hand on her belly.

I felt the BABY!

Sad news...

To balance out the good news,

some sad news...

Thanks to the Adkins diet,

and other low carb diets,

the company that makes Twinkies

has filed for bankruptcy.

Good news!

While we are not out of the woods yet, we received WONDERFUL news this evening.

The company where I interviewed last week called to let me know that they want to hire me! and I start on the 16th!

We meet with the real estate agent on Tuesday to work out the single income for a double income house.

Blessings and thanks to all who kept us in their prayers.

You are in ours...
***
We heard today from a good high school friend (another of Zelda's friends) that he was laid off today from the chocolate company.

He has a couple of leads, so he's not too concerned.

If we help each other, we can make it through this together...

Laughed so hard

Zelda and I needed a good laugh and last night, Stephen Cobert gave us just that. (jan.29,2009)

My stomach hurts this morning. We laughed so hard we cried. What was so funny?
His interview on NOT ENOUGH CHICKEN FOR THE SUPERBOWL with Richard Lobb.

too funny!

check out the link above, "Laughed so hard"
(please forgive the add that runs prior to the interview)

Some more positives

Zelda's doctor is Her Doctor.


We will qualify for medicaid for the baby.

Zelda wanted a Dula for the birth and we had begun to budget for it. Upon hearing our situation, the dula will give us the service gratis.

Did I mention We are having a BABY?

I can drive truck and get home each night, make enough to pay the bills, and by the time we move into the rental, be able to support us on one salary.

Driving truck has medical benefits and I can pick up extra work.

Our neighbor pays for his home and a new car on a driver's salary after only one year driving.

I have access to architectural drawings on medical labs, the hottest work going right now, because Zelda works in space planning of hospitals. Not quite the same thing as drawing them, but I will have a leg up on those who haven't.

Friends are feeding us possible job leads...

Obama is President.

Time to look at the positives...

Zelda and I still love each other

We might be able to keep this house for 3 months after the money runs out.

There are a few job leads in Architecture showing up here and there.

Our church will make a room for us to stay in should the worst case happen.

My sister and brother in law have offered to house and feed us.

My sister has been tracking down baby things for us.

Our church is collecting baby things for us.

Our church family has been very supportive of us.

We have the possibility of short selling the house (selling the house for less than we owe) and being forgiven on the taxable "gains" from such a sale. (yes, sell your house at a loss and the government see the difference owed as a taxable event. fortunately, they have given a forgiveness exception on this due to the numbers of people foreclosed upon).

Zelda and I did not buy more house than we could afford, this is not our fault.

We can avoid a foreclosure black eye by short selling or deed in lieu of foreclosure.

We will both be gainfully employed as soon as this banking crisis breaks as we both have desirable skills.

We have the rental to move back too, and it will take care of itself thru at least October of this year.

We don't have to make a lot of money to pay for the rental so Zelda will be able to stay home and care for our baby.

Zelda will be able to work from the house again when this breaks, allowing her to stay home with our child.

Zelda is a great cook!

She was able to get a forbearance on her student loans.

We have wonderful friends willing to come help us clean house and pack up to move...

We have wonderful church family.

We have wonderful family willing to take us in close by...

Consumer credit counciling will be able to help us pay off our consumer debt should we have to fall into selling the home.

With our regular jobs, we should be able to pay off any outstanding debt quickly.

We had savings in place to buy us a little time...

We have each other...

Short Sale

I checked in last week with my last company to see how they are.

Still waiting on word and work from clients.

I was the only one let go so far.
Had they been able to keep me on, there are things Z and I could do to stay in our home.

The real estate agent called yesterday evening and we spoke for about ten minutes.
He asked if we would like to keep the house, which we do, and that it might be possible to restructure the loan to our reduced income.

That is, if we had any income.

We have to focus on moving forward. This last week has been more of a waiting game, hoping to hear back from last week's interview.

I am doubtful I will get the job. In the past it has been quite clear by the end of the interview whether I am in the running or not. I didn't get a good feeling.

But for Zelda's sake, I will keep an optimistic out look.
***
Z does not want me to drive truck. She does not want to be alone when the baby comes. She's worried about my safety.

I am at a loss as to where to turn for employment that will bring in adequate income in a hurry.

I haven't heard back from Costco. 24 hours a week at $6.00 an hour...

What to do...

I'd rather be poor with Zelda than rich with out her...

Expecto Patronum!

Nope, the scary recession is still here...

But I have been making a point of eating bits of chocolate here and there...

Zelda's having a hard time

She needs to eat for the baby and to keep her blood sugar balanced.

The stress is affecting her appetite. She doesn't want to eat...

I'm going to email bunny sister and Z will email bunny in law about staying with them after we can no longer live here in our home.

What I want to do is find a piece of land, build a small, energy efficient home, pay for it with cash, get off the grid and say *#!) to the utilities, cities, and red tape used to take money out of my back pocket.

Come on Zelda friends, give her a call and let her know you love her.

At the moment

I need to call the real estate agent today to get our house on the market.
The fear is some one will actually BUY the house, which is a blessing and a sad thing.

Zelda's friend has the house looking Great!
Something both Z and I feel bad about not being able to do ourselves...

I feel a twinge of guilt when I think that an architect and interior designer can't keep their home in presentable shape.

Z's friend doesn't have the emotional attachment to the Stuff that we have collected over time.
She also didn't spend much if any time while she was here in front of the tv.
Something Z and I do too much...

Two more resumes out to possible employers.

The ice is beginning to melt here in the Dallas area.
Glad I didn't have to get out in it...

blessings

Still in the running...

There are jobs in Architecture opening up a little here, a few there, in the medical field.

I checked in this morning with the company I interviewed with Friday to see if a decision had been made.

"no"

He's a 'too the point' kind of guy.
***
I just got a call from the HR department from a local hospital and they are looking for a registered architect.

He will forward my resume to the Facilities Office for an interview...

Hope against hope.

the hunt continues...

they are also looking for a interior designer, Z may apply as well...

What to do...

Last week and the weeks prior were busy with getting resumes out and tracking down possible leads.

Now the slowing down is happening...
The leads are drying up...
The money is flowing out...

Baby's kicking.
Wife is just as beautiful as ever.
House is clean and nice thanks to friends.

Self doubts about how I prepared and handled Friday's interview.
I'll call to touch base Wednesday to see if a decision has been made.

Mean while, I might have a job with costco collecting carts and helping out.
It has to make more than 370 a week or it's "better" to stay on unemployment.
***
Rather than send billions on bad bank loans, it would have been better to pay unemployed persons one year's salary.

It would (potentially) keep people in homes and give them time to hold out till this blows over.
***
It would also help if social security was available for each person as an emergency fund for such occasions such as this.
(Though there would actually have to BE something in the account)

Thank you government for *&!^ everything up so royally.

help

A high school friend of Zelda's came down from Oklahoma to help us clean house and organize for showing the house and getting ready to pack.

She went through the kitchen sorting and putting things away we could not find homes for.
We took items to good will, half price books, and our church.

She and her husband where able to start clearing a hole in our garage pile that we have started working on, but due to emotional attachment, weren't able to make any progress.

The front rooms, dining, kitchen, and living room are cleaner than they ever have.

We are grateful...

Interview

I had an interview today with a company that I would fit right in.
Turns out the principal I spoke with worked for an old boss of mine whom we invited to our wedding.

While I wasn't told I was out of the running, I didn't get a feel for whether or not I was on his 'top of' list....

I was not as prepared for the interview as I should have been....
I have always been hired on my work.

There too many Architects out there to not be prepared.

He will let me know next week if the position has been filled.

Please keep us in your prayers.

I know I can do the work.

I just need the opportunity.

Gakkk!

On the way to take Zelda to get her hair cut, the phone rang.

Her client called to let her know that the company is taking all projects in house.
Doesn't matter that she has two years of working relationship with this particular client, nor that she is faster and cheaper than doing it in house, the new pres of the company is trying to keep his folks employed...

While it was only 8 hrs a week for Z, it covered all her monthly expenses...
That would include our cell phones and internet...

I have an interview tomorrow am.
A friend called with two possible leads with interiors firms.

He's a fellow Aggie.

Cross your fingers...
***
Zelda is sad for a number of reasons.
One being she wanted to have her business so she could stay home to care for our baby...

Had the economy not turned south, we had everything in place for her to be able to take two months off after the birth...
***
We currently have too much in our savings, (two month's expenses) to qualify for medicare.

Our mortgage company can't help us until we are behind in our payments.

They will allow a Short Sale - allowing the house to sell for less than we owe on it.

They will allow a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure, but the house will need to be on the market for at least 90 days... that would be the week the baby is due...
***
We are keep on keeping on...

The weather is too nice to be sad...

Babys

I'm still not quite coming to terms with the notion that in a few short months I will be a Father (and no longer have a life of my own).

Zelda is looking forward to meeting the little person who is kicking the inside of her tummy.

blessings

Some hope

In addition to the new President and what he is doing.

Tuesday I visited the AIA (American Institute of Architects) web site to check on possible new job postings.

There was a cryptic one that I saw was new and forwarded my resume into the void.
That afternoon I checked back in to my email and there was a note described as "interview".

Yes, I have one for Friday morning in North Dallas.
I am confident I can perform the tasks and meet the requirements for the job.

If so, it will save Zelda and my butts from potential homelessness.

If so, we will make a call to the church family currently in our same spot with potentially no home in a few months, and offer them rooms and space in our home.

They are a young couple with three school age girls. The mom approached Zelda about helping each other with baby sitting.

Wish us all luck!

New President

Zelda and I were able to watch the swearing in of President Barack Obama. (Someone needs to update blog spots spell checker, "Barack" and "Obama" need to be added to the dictionary).

It was moving.
I'm glad we could see it live.
***
Resumes are flying out the door.
No one is biting...

Isn't it supposed to be better yet?
***
Wish I had been better disciplined to have had more $$$ saved so Zelda and I could ride this storm out with reduced or no income.

Moneys

Tonight we will visit with Bunny brother in law.
He's in accounting so he will help us with suggestions with our cash flow.

All last week and early this week it has been all blow and go.
Surprising how long the days seem to last.

Now begins the personal character, can you get up and make a go at it when there does not seem to be a goal line.

Tomorrow I'll visit with Texas Workforce to find out if I can get grant money for retraining in something.
I wonder how long the paper work will take?

If I can get in to driving school, I should hopefully have some cash flow coming in by mid Feb.
$400.00 would cover the cc bills.

Zelda's business handles some of the regular bills we have.
***
In order to stimulate the economy enough to begin building again, I worry it would take more infusion of printed money. Printed money is easy, but it causes inflation...
Possibly Hyper inflation...
Good for those with fixed rate loans and regular raises...

Bad for those in the bottom rungs of the economy...

Day 8

Zelda and I have about two months before our funds run out.
I have applied for unemployment, substitute teaching, and a number of architectural listings.

The recruiters I have spoken with have bleak things to say.

Today I'm off to have lunch with a former coworker to gather some portfolio work I did while with his company.

The position I was given, Mr. Restaurant, at that firm, is the only business line that seems to be bringing in business right now.

I took a risk. It didn't pay off like I thought. But it was the right thing to do.

The recruiters have also told me that I have been under paid for the last number of years.

Home Hope is program thru the mortgage companies and the gov. to help those in a bind with their house payments.

The best case senario as I see it right now, is we could get our new home sold on short sale. It would ding our credit, but not show up as a foreclosure.

I am also applying for truck driving. Our neighbor is doing quite fine for himself driving truck.

Zelda is going to give us a baby in 3 short months. I will do what it takes to take care of her and our new one.
***
In the worst case situation, we will have food and shelter provided by friends, church, and family.

God bless those in this same mess...

Caught off guard

Zelda and I have a long term plan to "get out of the rat race".
We've miss stepped a couple of times.

But you make mistakes and correct.

I am surprised at how much on autopilot life has been.

In an okay market, I can get a job making a nice salary without too much trouble.
In a down market, as good as my skills may be, training is needed to get me up to speed in a different industry. Making equivalent money is a challenge...

The concern now is...how long will this last?
How saturated is the current real estate market with existing product?

I have heard that the strong will survive this down turn and the weak will fall.
This of course was said by a man I have worked for in the past who has grown his company to an international firm in the 13 years since I was let go from his firm.
He is international and very wealthy. He also has a certain amount of money he's going to make each year, and it does not matter who or how many people will be cut to ensure that number.

My last company, on the other hand, is small, and the owners take a cut in pay to keep their employees. All take a cut to keep all in work. That is where possible.

Sadly, the former is positioned to survive, and the latter is not.

Pastor reminded me that there are people in the world who strive to make others feel inadequate.

It is our job to remember that they are wrong.

Day 4

Zelda has been good to me.
She allowed me to have a break down earlier in the week and guide me out of it...

I am praying for Obama and sending out resumes to as many places as possible.

Zelda also helped me find a number of leads.

Monday I have interviews with two head hunters.
I'm also sending in resumes for construction related professions that are not architecture.

Jobs are there for those with experience in medical and schools.
Two areas I've had some work, but not the type they are looking for.
Time to SELL myself!
***
Advice from family has also been helpful.

Sell our house and the rental and work to save our credit.

Sell the rental to give some cash for staying in this house. The thought is, it has positive cash flow, has been fixed up, and would give us survival time.

We have been in the mind set of moving back into the rental because the expenses are low and letting the new house go back to the bank and work our way back to good credit on the other side.

The notion of having zero debt and just surviving is good too.
***
Father in law suggested we put together three plans.
1. Best case.
2. Bad case.
3. Worst case.

That way we would have a plan of action and could be flexible.

Mom in law suggested speaking with our pastor. She also thought selling the rental might be good. It has some equity still which our new one does not. If it did, we could in the extreme case, sell it to an investor who would take it off our hands for the equity in it.

Pastor let us know that in the worst case situation, he would "make a bed room in the education building for Z, me, and our new baby". He is also will collect baby stuff for us.

Sister has told us she and brother in law will give us a room as well as feed us.
She and pastor pointed out that Obama is now in charge and he's working to do something.

I am glad he is. Let's hope it clears this up....

And everyone has reminded us that there will be "the other side".

It's the getting there that is scary.

Change...

Good luck to you who still have work.
G-d bless those who don't.

We can get through this if we help each other.

I am blessed that Zelda is here to help me through this.
Our marriage will help us make it no matter what the out come...

It's official

Today was my last day...

Funding...

I have a good friend who's firm also has the work lined out, but the funding can't be found...

From what I've heard on the news, the banks are holding on to cash waiting for the next wave of bad home loans to pop up.

If they wait too long, we might be one of them...

Time for the resume blits.

Architecture is making me old...

I guess it could be worse, we could be having a baby...
***
Zelda informs me that the baby is kicking up a storm!
Makes it challenging to sleep.

My beautiful wife!

Should we PANIC!?

Zelda's line of work is slow right now.

As is mine.

The company I'm with has the jobs, but the clients can't get the funding.

So it maybe I'm changing my line of work to truck driving...

Our neighbor next door has been able to provide a good life for him self driving locally.
***
Z and I are both fearful... at the moment.
I have some time to act...
***
I wish I were smart enough to create my own future.

Maybe I am...

I won't panic.
It won't help.
***
Zelda is healthy.
Our baby is kicking.
Life is good.
We'll ALL get through this...