Sunday, August 25, 2013

Breathtaking

I'm coming back to this space with the thing that keeps taking my breath away:  four years after he was laid off, my husband has a job.  A full-time job.  We are giddy as we lay out all our plans for the money, deferred for these years as he snatched every tiny freelance job that came along, including landscaping and church cleaning (he's an architect). 

 

This blog, although I never stated it explicitly, was born out of the chaos of my husband's layoff.  All options were on the table and we tried, oh, how hard we tried! to choose the life-giving, hopeful options. 

But I couldn't blog about the job situation because the pain and fear were too close.  And the newness of my husband's new job keeps washing over me, changing yet another plan or fixture of my thrift.  Because I do wonder:  how much thrift will I retain now that it's not urgently needed?




I'll keep you posted.
 
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35 comments:

  1. Jennifer JoAugust 25, 2013 at 9:20 PM

    Oh Margo! My chest is tight and my eyes are smarting. I am so, so happy and excited for you guys. SO happy.

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  2. momma-lanaAugust 25, 2013 at 9:22 PM

    Yay! My husband did not have a job for only 9 months and we retained so much of our thrifty ways that we have almost paid off our mortgage in the 2 years he has been back to work! It is hard to go back. It is always good to hear about jobs after long term unemployment!

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  3. RhondaAugust 25, 2013 at 9:25 PM

    That is good news! It may take a while to find a new rhythm but I am sure you will find the best ways to use that bigger income

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  4. AlicaAugust 25, 2013 at 9:46 PM

    Great news! I'm happy for you...I hope it's a wonderful thing for your whole family!

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  5. Nanna ChelAugust 25, 2013 at 10:20 PM

    That is such good news. My husband has been out of work for most of our married life as he injured himself just after we were married. It is so important for a man to have a job and I am so pleased for you and your family.

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  6. LisaAugust 25, 2013 at 10:37 PM

    Oh, praise God!! Wonderful.

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  7. SarahAugust 25, 2013 at 11:17 PM

    Awesome. You'll likely hang onto a good bit of thrift- once someone's practised frugality by necessity, I find, they're forever changed by it.

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  8. bethAugust 25, 2013 at 11:36 PM

    So happy for you. ;)

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  9. HazelAugust 26, 2013 at 2:08 AM

    That's such good news; I'm so happy for you both.
    It doesn't mean you'll stop blogging though, does it? I'm sorry that your blog started in such difficult circumstances, but I do enjoy reading it.

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  10. JoAugust 26, 2013 at 6:41 AM

    That is such wonderful news for your whole family. I hope it is a really positive move for your husband, bringing him real satisfaction. Will it make a lot of difference in your routines?
    I think that thrift becomes a way of life in the end, however it starts, because it embraces ethical concepts rather than merely economic necessity.
    Enjoy your new stage of life!

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  11. TracyAugust 26, 2013 at 8:42 AM

    Such wonderful news, Margo! 'm beyond thrilled for all of you. Praise GOD from whom all blessing flow!

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  12. Lydia JoAugust 26, 2013 at 8:44 AM

    How exciting! Congrats on the new job.

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  13. JulianAugust 26, 2013 at 9:12 AM

    Congrats! God is good!
    Christina

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  14. MargoAugust 26, 2013 at 9:39 AM

    Thank you, all, for your kind words and congratulations. I was so happy to tell you this news!

    And Hazel, I have no plans to stop blogging. I enjoy my record and my commenters so much :) However, we are adjusting to a new routine, so I don't know how that will affect us yet.

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  15. Sew Blessed Maw [Judy]August 26, 2013 at 9:57 AM

    Margo,
    I am so happy for your husband .I know both of you are beyond your selves with happiness and thankfulness. I am so sorry that you all had to endure this hardship, but I honestly think that sometimes, we go through these things to teach us and others. God is so awesome!!!
    As for your thriftiness, I think you will continue, but it will be nice to know that you can splurge more often, and that is ok too. I am so happy for you all.. Look forward to hearing the things you do in the future..
    Have fun and enjoy the peace that will come with a full time job..

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  16. RachelAugust 26, 2013 at 11:50 AM

    WONDERFUL!!!! I wish we could bring around a pie to celebrate. Missing you all and rejoicing with you from afar!

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  17. AllegraAugust 26, 2013 at 2:59 PM

    How wonderful :o) Congratulations to you all and may your new life be all you have hoped and prayed for !

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  18. MerylAugust 26, 2013 at 4:03 PM

    Congratulations! Such good news for your family.

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  19. saraAugust 26, 2013 at 4:07 PM

    Oh Margo, I'm so happy for you. We've been there.

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  20. johnnyjumpsupAugust 26, 2013 at 4:32 PM

    Congratulations. I'm really pleased that things are coming right for you and your family again with regard to your husband's job situation. It has been a tough few years for many architects all over the world. Here in London many architects have been been made redundant in recent years. I have heard stories of many of my partner's friends and colleagues finding themselves without work. My own partner has started his own practice in the last few years and my own frugality measures in recent years have been borne out of this situation. Thankfully this has worked out well for him but has not been without it's stresses. I hope all goes well in your husband's new job.

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  21. Christian - Modobject@HomeAugust 26, 2013 at 5:01 PM

    Emerging from my bloggy silence of late to rejoice with you! I've prayed for this and am so thankful for God's providence... for both the job and for your needs. As for the thrift... I think it's in your blood, Margo! You never cease to inspire me. Hugs.

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  22. PollyAugust 26, 2013 at 7:33 PM

    HALLELUJAH! I am so, SO pleased for you and your sweet family. I'm thanking God tonight for this wonderful news.

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  23. UnknownAugust 26, 2013 at 8:36 PM

    Congrats!!! If he's anything like you I'm sure he has an amazing work ethic:) Go celebrate, after his first paycheck!

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  24. UnknownAugust 26, 2013 at 10:27 PM

    Congratulations! Blessings on you all.

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  25. jenny_oAugust 27, 2013 at 12:27 AM

    Such wonderful news! I am so happy for all of you.

    I think the ability to prioritize, be industrious, avoid waste, and set aside for "what if", are all good skills that will stand you in good stead even when times are better. And like Sew Blessed Maw said, splurges now and then are good too!

    I'm so relieved you intend to keep blogging - I'd miss your wonderful posts.

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  26. ZoëAugust 27, 2013 at 1:33 PM

    Oh my. That IS breathtaking! I'm so happy for you guys!!

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  27. Beth in the CityAugust 27, 2013 at 1:47 PM

    yay! what wonderful news.

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  28. BethAugust 27, 2013 at 5:43 PM

    SO HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS.

    Praising God with you!

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  29. MeghanAugust 29, 2013 at 1:31 AM

    So very happy for you. Congratulations Mr. Thrift!

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  30. BLD in MTAugust 29, 2013 at 10:17 AM

    Well this certainly calls for rejoycing! I can only imagine how relived you all feel. And I bet you will find the thrifty things you've learned in the duration will only help make the extra money go even farther. So happy for your family.

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  31. MelanieAugust 30, 2013 at 8:15 PM

    Oh HOORAY! What wonderful news! I empathize with that challenge, and my heart rejoices for you and your family :-)

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  32. LeilaSeptember 2, 2013 at 8:50 PM

    Yay! Hooray!
    I have found that I always keep my thriftiness because there are always expenses. God knows not to tempt me with really being well off :) I would be terrible.
    On the other hand, there are things you have to do when you have to do them, and other things that you can just stop doing because your time becomes more important. That's fine!
    Relax, enjoy!

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  33. DusaSeptember 5, 2013 at 1:20 PM

    This is awesome news! What a wonderful thing. When my husband went back to work after being laid off, I was much happier to see that we were both content with the lifestyle we had developed with only one income. It has turned out to be such a blessing - I hope the same is true for you!

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  34. Deanna BethSeptember 12, 2013 at 10:11 AM

    Yay! Yay! Yay!

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  35. Sarah BarryOctober 2, 2013 at 9:17 PM

    So interesting to hear the back story to your blog. Great news! Congratulations to your whole family.

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