Friday, January 29, 2010

the economy claims another victim

A favorite nursery closing? No it’s me, I’ve been laid-off.

It was hardly a surprise; the architecture firm I’ve been working at for the last 5 years has been on a slow downward spiral since the housing market went under and the economy ground to a halt.

I’m in good company, so many capable people have been let go before me. Hundreds have lost their jobs at "my" firm alone. That’s the scary part really; there are so many talented hardworking people out of work right now, it’s easy to be discouraged. But where does that get you, right?

So a positive attitude and resourcefulness are called for, there are opportunities ahead to be discovered and created! With an extensive marketing and retail management background I’m prepared to scare up something. Or spend a lot of time in my garden; thank god the spring months are ahead! Oh wait…there is a metaphor in there somewhere! Spring = new life/new future…
Now if I just wasn’t so worried about the plant budget! I wonder if any of my favorite nurseries will let me work in trade for plants?

19 comments:

  1. I'm sorry that you were laid off, Loree, but you are right: new opportunities await. A positive attitude is the right approach. Good luck with the job search, and have fun in your garden in the meantime.

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  2. So sorry about you being laid off.
    The hubs has been in that situation since last June.
    Good luck with your new upcoming opportunities, whatever they may be - this might end up being a wide opened door to something wonderful!

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  3. Ooh, so sorry to hear that. Hope you find something soon. Good luck!

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  4. Aw, Loree, so sorry to hear that. New opportunities will soon become evident, I'm sure: you are clearly a capable, intelligent, positive person. Who wouldn't want you on their staff?? Meanwhile, enjoy the unfolding of spring in your garden as you plan your next moves!

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  5. You have my sympathies. I went through the same thing about 15 years ago and took it as an opportunity to change careers. I wish you the best.

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  6. Gah! Yuck! I'm so sorry to hear that! And I completely admire your look-on-the-bright-side attitude. Now's the time to make like an agave in bud and transform yourself! :)

    Oh, re: your plant budget: I wonder how many of your Pdx readers would do a cutting/pup/division trade with you? I know I would.

    S

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  7. harumph! but then again...what lies in store might never have happened...live well and prosper! And, by gum, you got that order in with Annie's just before the axe fell.

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  8. You're in good company with us in the ranks of the unemployed and under-employed .
    Big FAT SIGH.

    I think that to keep us creative gardener types going during this depression we have to band together and do more plant swapping.

    I'm going to make a ton of cuttings this Sunday and hope that I get good propagation rates. Then come this spring I hope I can swap cuttings.
    Are you in Loree ?
    It could be just as much fun as plant shopping.

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  9. Oh, I hope something comes up fast! I actually quit my job a couple years ago to stay home with my newborn. As the economy started circling I thought I was a fool for leaving, but that decision turned into a new job (as my own boss) in the gardening sector. It all works out, right? And you have a bright outlook.

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  10. Oh gosh Loree~~ What a freaking bummer! I admire your hunt for the silver lining. Seriously though have you thought about applying at nurseries? Usually [from what I know anyway] they do their spring and summer hiring in February and with your enthusiastic plant knowledge and your marketing, you'd be a shoe-in. Just a thought. I like Anony's idea of selling/trading plants too.

    My hubby was laid off from 2005 to 2008 with the occasional odd or contract job. I remember thinking that no one could possibly understand what I was feeling. And now just about everyone knows someone who is out of work. It's weird.

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  11. Oh bummer, I'm so sorry! But I hope it turns into something good. Geez, deja vu, same thing happened to Megan last year. She seems to have landed on her feet, thankfully. I wish the same for you, no pun intended! I agree that plant swaps are good for the budget. I know that natives are not really on your wish list too much but sometimes you can volunteer for a native plant rescue operation and take home free plants... that could be another way to lessen the bill. Wishing you lots of luck in your job search!!

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  12. I will say from personal experience, Spring is THE time to get laid off when you're a gardener. Will work for plants, careful, I'm probably going to try to take you up on that.

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  13. So sorry to hear that you lost your job :( I was out for about a year and a half and that's when I ripped out my whole front yard lol. Now I just need a little vacation so I can finish it up.

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  14. Loree, I'm so sorry to hear you've been laid off. These are tough times. I will let you know if I hear of anything specific - but certainly have lots of ideas for you... more on that soon.

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  15. Sorry to hear about that, but I am sure a new opportunity will come up soon. Its been somtimes tough for me since late 2007 to get contracts as there is now so much competition and people worldwide are dropping their rates, so I started to be very aggressive about applications-and drop my rate. Meanwhile do enjoy your garden.

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  16. Oh LOREE! I am so sorry. This economy can totally BITE ME, I hate it so much. These are indeed super hard times, but the attitude you have is exactly what will see you through it to something wonderful on the other side. I have so much faith in optimism in the face of obstacles, even when its hard, even if they seem insurmountable. I can't always muster up that optimism, but I DO believe in it! You are awesome, Loree, there are great things in store for you.
    My garden design practice started as puttering in my yard after an abrupt "career change". One never knows what's around the corner when you do what you love with passion and focus.
    And as soon as I have time to work in my garden, I'm sending you a succulent care package! Email me your address!
    XOXOIvette

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  17. So sorry you were laid off....new year, new you, new opportunities! If you want some cheering, check out the post from The Germinatrix http://thegerminatrix.com/?p=777 about the aloes blooming at the Huntington Gardens. Best of luck....

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  18. Thank you everyone for the understanding and encouragement, you have no idea how much your support means to me. When I broke my ankle and now with this development you've all really helped my mental state stay focused and on track!

    Anon S, I was thinking about this very thing as I was writing the other day. What are you thinking like a big "meet-up" sort of thing or a one on one? Email me...my email address is part of my "complete profile" about 1/2 way down the page on the right.

    ricki, you are so right about the order! I would have never done it after the fact.

    DD Michelle, great idea! And I'm in...although I can't imagine what plants I've got that you might want!?!

    Karen, Megan is my unemployment hero; she was so employed even in unemployment! I'm not sure my skills are quite as in demand as hers but I'm going to give it my best shot.

    kate, you've certainly got my attention! I'm very curious about these ideas, and appreciate your thinking of me if you run across anything specific.

    Germi, thank you!!!

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  19. I am excited to see what you do next. A positive attitude will get you far in life!

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