Day One - The Search and Finding Center

We are NOW on the official first day of the unemployment/employment search/career makeover. I headed off to work, but he was up when I left. After receiving his regular WORK emails (his last day was Friday) all weekend, they closed his profile, so he no longer got those emails on his phone. He felt obligated (after 22 years, I think it was just habit) to respond to them in such a way that it didn't appear that he was still there, but didn't just flat out say, "I'm not there now!"
He has to determine where to file for unemployment. I think he can file where he worked. (we live in a community that spans a state line). Several folks I know who live in one state but work in another file in the other state (not the one where they live). He doesn't believe me. What can I say. I know nothing. I've accepted that.
I'd be happy if he cleaned or unloaded the dishwasher today. Most likely, he'll do some laundry and vacuum.
I can't begin to understand what he's experiencing. Yesterday there were some loud exchanges and then the rest of the day was silence. I don't know if I can keep myself mellow while he goes on this journey of self-discovery. I think this may be my outlet. 
Brace yourself, Eppie, it's gonna be a bumpy ride!

What I Want to be When I Grow Up

Last night, the hubs dropped a bomb. After working for 22 years and increasing in responsibilities, naturally, he feels he has to start from scratch. "no skills". "What do you think about me becoming a para-legal?" I seriously thought he was kidding -- along the lines of "Greeter at Wal-Mart" or "Taxi Driver". Nope. Serious as a heart-attack. 

What am I supposed to do? He's now looked - fleetingly - at job opportunities. This change of events happened for a reason, and he's freaking out now. Perhaps he can spend $65,000 and get a $35,000 per year job is what he's thinking. You know, if it is really something he wants to do, then I'm fine, but if he's already grasping at straws, well, we're going to have a little problem. 

We were going to have a run at a business, but now he's just jumping at "oh shit" level.




Where do I go from here. I am going to have to let him storm for a little bit, and if I mention that he should storm for a while, I'll just set him off. He's all about it's ALL about him now, and making me feel guilty if I don't embrace all of his flight paths.

I pretty much just wanted to throw up last night, thinking if I can't change this path, I can at least drop that last meal. 

I don't think he's seeing the big picture. If he takes a job that pays so little, we cannot afford insurance, there will be no money for life insurance, and we'll be another one of those poor couples who can barely eek out a living until they die with no insurance and the other one has to go live with one of the children in a back bedroom only to go just a little crazy. Suzy-Freaking-Sunshine, eh? 

Yeah, this is ALL about him and his well-being, until I'm the one who dies early and he goes nuts, or vice-versa.