DIS Dads DDC XXXIV: The Original Home Of The DISDads!!!

[Zmack]

Hey guys, well, it’s been quite a while since I’ve been here. Truth is I’ve been reluctant to come back and write a doom and gloom post, but I miss checking in with you guys. I hope you are all doing OK (no, I didn't read the 20 pages I missed). And this post isn’t particularly cheerful, so please don’t feel obligated to read.

I expect everybody is stressed these days, but I’m certainly feeling that way. Besides the social distancing lock down, I’ve got some other things weighing on my mind.

Some of you may remember that I work in Oil & Gas. Yeah, that’s a pretty scary place to be right now. I have kept working from home over the past few weeks. But I don’t expect to be working much longer. We’ve been told that layoffs are coming and they will be significant. I will be surprised if I survive the cuts.

My wife has been struggling with this whole situation. First, she was laid off from her job earlier this month. She worked in a retail shop and wasn’t making a six figure salary, but it certainly helped. Of course the shop was closed. But in the last week, the owner has hired her back (after the Canadian government announced the emergency wage subsidy for small business) and the shop plans to do on line/pick up sales for now. So that much is good, if a bit uncertain. I have never mentioned before, but she suffers from both depression and anxiety, a bad combination. Therapy and medication has helped over the last couple years. But her anxiety is kicked into overdrive now. She finds it hard going out in public at all, even just a weekly trip to the supermarket. She hasn’t had to go back into the shop yet, but I’m not sure how she is going to be when she has to work there, even if it’s just handing out merchandise at the door.

My oldest daughter is finishing her 2nd year of university online and she’ll be done by the end of the month. She had been offered a summer research job, but that’s a bit up in the air now too. They may have her work form home and do journal research. She’s not interested in that, but I told her if they are going to pay her, just be thankful to have something.

For our youngest daughter, we’ve been trying to keep up with school work at home, but mainly focused on math. To be honest, it’s the only thing I am most concerned about. It’s not been that easy because she has zero interest. I’m just hoping she doesn’t fall too far behind.

Ironically, a couple months ago I was actually thinking of going back to Florida later this year. That won’t be happening for a while, if at all. If I get laid off, I have no idea how long it will be before I’m back on my feet. I have a pretty good job now, but it’s very specialized, so it will be hard to find something else, I expect. I’m afraid the money just won’t be there for any trips.

Sorry about the negative post guys. I really just wanted to come back and touch base. I’m trying to look at the positives, but it’s hard. I’m sure there are people worse off than me. I just feel like the tunnel is pretty dark right now.

We are all here for each other, so feel free to vent anytime. We'll keep you and your family in our prayers. Hope to see you on one of the Zoom meetings.

 

[wasnotafan]

Try khanacademy.org. They are easily the best site out there for explaining math and doing so in a way that is both easy and desirable to learn. Maybe it will help Katie.

This. We were homeschooling parents for 4 years and Khanacademy is the best math program we found.

 

[Fred M]

@Terra Nova guy, I feel for you dealing with a spouse with depression and anxiety. My wife had post partum in 2014 right after our son was born. That morphed into major depression, anxiety, and agoraphobia, which continues to this day. Things were really rocky with her mental health up until August of last year--not taking her meds, not going to treatment, drinking way too much, gambling, etc.. Then she turned a bit of a corner right after that. It really had a lot to do with our son in Kindergarten and she had to take him to school, interact with the other parents, and get involved.

I was just on a week or so ago wondering whether my marriage would survive COVID-19. My wife really freaked out. But now that I've been working from home for almost a month she is starting to calm down. To make up for all the issues and drama as of late, I opened the door this morning to find out she had ordered a bunch of Omaha steaks. She knows my soft spot (that and any of the whiskeys!). Anyway, if you ever need to vent about anything, please do. It's a tough road to travel, and the best advice I have is take everything one day at a time.

Are you fellas doing another Zoom fest this week? I keep missing them. I'd like to interact with everyone online. Bad news for all of you is that you'd have to see my face. Anyway, if someone can throw a shout out for any upcoming Zoom meetings, that would be great!

I'm about to start 5 days off because I needed the mental break. Stay safe bromigos!

 

[declansdad]

Are you fellas doing another Zoom fest this week? I keep missing them. I'd like to interact with everyone online. Bad news for all of you is that you'd have to see my face. Anyway, if someone can throw a shout out for any upcoming Zoom meetings, that would be great!

I'm about to start 5 days off because I needed the mental break. Stay safe bromigos!

There is one tonight and a couple scheduled for Saturday.

 

[saturn5]

Hey guys, well, it’s been quite a while since I’ve been here. Truth is I’ve been reluctant to come back and write a doom and gloom post, but I miss checking in with you guys. I hope you are all doing OK (no, I didn't read the 20 pages I missed). And this post isn’t particularly cheerful, so please don’t feel obligated to read.

I expect everybody is stressed these days, but I’m certainly feeling that way. Besides the social distancing lock down, I’ve got some other things weighing on my mind.

Some of you may remember that I work in Oil & Gas. Yeah, that’s a pretty scary place to be right now. I have kept working from home over the past few weeks. But I don’t expect to be working much longer. We’ve been told that layoffs are coming and they will be significant. I will be surprised if I survive the cuts.

My wife has been struggling with this whole situation. First, she was laid off from her job earlier this month. She worked in a retail shop and wasn’t making a six figure salary, but it certainly helped. Of course the shop was closed. But in the last week, the owner has hired her back (after the Canadian government announced the emergency wage subsidy for small business) and the shop plans to do on line/pick up sales for now. So that much is good, if a bit uncertain. I have never mentioned before, but she suffers from both depression and anxiety, a bad combination. Therapy and medication has helped over the last couple years. But her anxiety is kicked into overdrive now. She finds it hard going out in public at all, even just a weekly trip to the supermarket. She hasn’t had to go back into the shop yet, but I’m not sure how she is going to be when she has to work there, even if it’s just handing out merchandise at the door.

My oldest daughter is finishing her 2nd year of university online and she’ll be done by the end of the month. She had been offered a summer research job, but that’s a bit up in the air now too. They may have her work form home and do journal research. She’s not interested in that, but I told her if they are going to pay her, just be thankful to have something.

For our youngest daughter, we’ve been trying to keep up with school work at home, but mainly focused on math. To be honest, it’s the only thing I am most concerned about. It’s not been that easy because she has zero interest. I’m just hoping she doesn’t fall too far behind.

Ironically, a couple months ago I was actually thinking of going back to Florida later this year. That won’t be happening for a while, if at all. If I get laid off, I have no idea how long it will be before I’m back on my feet. I have a pretty good job now, but it’s very specialized, so it will be hard to find something else, I expect. I’m afraid the money just won’t be there for any trips.

Sorry about the negative post guys. I really just wanted to come back and touch base. I’m trying to look at the positives, but it’s hard. I’m sure there are people worse off than me. I just feel like the tunnel is pretty dark right now.

I understand the hardship, but not as personally. I have a few friends here in Houston TX whose oil&gas companies are starting the rumors of layoffs. Just watching them live and how the stress can really take a toll on people is never fun, especially when it is a friend/loved one. Stay strong, and we will get through this. One thing I love about this group is how everyone is willingly to help in any way. It is fantastic. Best of hopes to you, and your family! We will say a prayer tonight for you and everyone else!

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

FYI: It's Friday...

 

[declansdad]

FYI: It's Friday...

 

[Zmack]

Morning from a snow covered Westfield NB. This is the start of a 4 day weekend for me. I had planned on doing some yard work, but with the snow that's not going to happen. Stay safe guys.

 

[declansdad]

Morning from a snow covered Westfield NB. This is the start of a 4 day weekend for me. I had planned on doing some yard work, but with the snow that's not going to happen. Stay safe guys.

Me too. I have some trees to cut and chicken and ribs for the grill. Hope this is all gone by tomorrow.

 

[Zmack]

Me too. I have some trees to cut and chicken and ribs for the grill. Hope this is all gone by tomorrow.

We only got about 10cm, most snow that hit the road melted, the sun tomorrow should take care of the rest.

 

[declansdad]

We only got about 10cm, most snow that hit the road melted, the sun tomorrow should take care of the rest.

It's accumulating here but I doubt it will last more than a day or two. Still going to have to clean the driveway though.

 

[Zmack]

That looks like a winter wonderland, I'm wondering when spring is arriving.

 

[wasnotafan]

Morning from a snow covered Westfield NB. This is the start of a 4 day weekend for me. I had planned on doing some yard work, but with the snow that's not going to happen. Stay safe guys.

Not snow covered in KY but we had some light snow around 2AM in the higher elevations. I grew up in the snow belt off of Lake Erie where our annual snowfall avereaged around 110 inches//280 cm so I don't ever want to see snow again. Tonight is going to be a real challenge with a low around 25 F/-4 C. Our frost free date here is mid-May but I have some new tomato research out in some high tunnels that I will have to take extra measures to protect from freezing. Just thankful I still have a job.

 

[Zmack]

Not snow covered in KY but we had some light snow around 2AM in the higher elevations. I grew up in the snow belt off of Lake Erie where our annual snowfall avereaged around 110 inches//280 cm so I don't ever want to see snow again. Tonight is going to be a real challenge with a low around 25 F/-4 C. Our frost free date here is mid-May but I have some new tomato research out in some high tunnels that I will have to take extra measures to protect from freezing. Just thankful I still have a job.

It's been a cool spring for many and the cool nighttime temperatures are a pain when trying to get a head start on gardening.
Our company has laid off 80 percent of the work force, I'm safe for a while, happy to be still working, many others are not as fortunate.

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

Still going to have to clean the driveway though.

Why? Are you going someplace?

 

[declansdad]

Why? Are you going someplace?

Bored

 

[docsoliday1]

Bored

You're going to bored?

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

Bored

Oh, ok. You need the exercise anyways... I understand bored, so today our Quaranteam repaired the leaky kitchen faucet.

 

[pkondz]

Morning, gents.

FYI: It's Friday...

How can you tell?

This is the start of a 4 day weekend for me.

Me too... except my 4 day weekend got canceled and now I am working 4 midnight shifts instead.

We only got about 10cm,

"only"
We got 22cm/8/5" on April 2nd/3rd and it all melted in about 2 days. Then we got another 6.5cm/2.5" day before yesterday. That's mostly gone too, now. Had to shovel 4 times for the first snowfall, but not at all for the 2nd.

Still going to have to clean the driveway though.

Bet you thought you were done with that.

That looks like a winter wonderland, I'm wondering when spring is arriving.

Shortly before winter.

I grew up in the snow belt off of Lake Erie where our annual snowfall avereaged around 110 inches//280 cm so I don't ever want to see snow again

I get that!

Why? Are you going someplace?

You're going to bored?

I've been there!

 

[Zmack]

Me too... except my 4 day weekend got canceled and now I am working 4 midnight shifts instead

That doesn't sound like a fair trade to me. I got called into work this afternoon too, it took me 15min to plow a parking lot,but get 4hrs for the callout, so not too bad.

Shortly before winter.