Catching up! (or at least trying to)

It has been a very strange month with the economic situation hitting closer to home. My employer announced in November that any pay increases for next year would be deferred until April. They also had a small staff reduction. This news was not too bad, we still had jobs, the project is going well, and things in the electronic industry are always cyclical, this is no different. Just taking steps to help ride out the storm.

Then along comes December...

More "cost savings measures"... No 401k match, no raises at all this year, they are offering early retirement packages, and taking volunteers for unpaid leave-of-absences. They are looking for a 7% staff reduction, so depending upon how many people take the buyouts, there will be layoffs in January. Oh yeah, I almost forgot about the 10% pay cut for everyone across the board. Merry Christmas...

Good news: Things could be worse...
Bad news: They may just get there...

The more I read about how this financial mess started, the more upset and disappointed I get with our government and 'supposedly smart' business leaders. I guess this is yet more evidence that the world is pretty messed up and there is only one real solution. It also amazes me how the media is playing all of this. It is all doom-and-gloom, perpetuating the spiral... Yes, things are bad, but it is not the end of the world... that is coming later! :) A little common sense can go a long way... but there seems to be lack of that too!

Enough of the bad stuff!

We are planning a simpler 2009 as a family. Sticking close to home and enjoying all that NE Ohio has to offer. We still want to take our annual trip to the Adirondacks, it will just be a matter of when and where. Denise and I have suggested to the girls that we camp this summer.... that did not go over too well, but it does sound like fun! Racing: Denise is thinking either Cleveland or Buffalo as a spring marathon and of course, Columbus again in the fall. See the post below for my schedule...

Gina will run track in the spring and Abby is excited about cross-country in the fall. The dogs continue to keep us busy and this cold weather is a joy for them. Forrest just loves to lay in the snow on the deck...

Well, I hear the family starting to wake up. The best part of the winter break is sleeping in...