Unemployed!

In light of the turmoil in the financial markets, the Bligh household is about to experience some financial changes of its own. I was laid off last week! In these uncertain and scary times, no one wants to lose their job... no one but me.

The news is not at all unexpected. In fact, I have been preparing to be let go since the rumors started circling last February that my business (CitiCapital) was up for sale. CitiCapital was sold to GE Capital on 8/1/08, and I have been coasting along for the past two months, hoping for a severance package. You see, if I wasn't laid off last week, I was inevitably going to have to resign given that (a) my job is based in Chicago, (b) I now live in Seattle, and (c) I am getting larger by the minute and won't be able to fly back and forth for work much longer. The timing could not have been better. I am working for the next couple of weeks to wrap things up and transition my accounts, and then I'll be able to enjoy a couple of months off until the baby arrives. My severance package should tide me through what would have been a traditional maternity leave, so I feel very, very blessed! Once the severance is gone, Tommy and I will officially forgo our DINK (Dual Income, No Kids) status and become a one-income family. No pressure, Tommy!

Actually, I'd love to find another job after having the baby, but I struggle over whether I want that job to be full-time, part-time, a corporate job, a fun job, etc. The good news is that I have some time to think about it and explore my options. I would hate for all the time and money I spent on my MBA to go to waste. If anyone has ideas, please pass them along!