Random thoughts...

So I got fired last week... Kind of expected considering the restructuring.
The reactions of my coworkers were heartwarming though. One cried, the second was furious, the third one talked about finding another job now; she was only there for a few weeks.
Even the two most important lawyers in our Berlin office apparently did not really agree and more or less tried to reason with the office manager after the fact. But well, he's the flashy new guy who can't do much wrong so far.

For me it's not that bad actually. I can easily find the kind of work that I did over there, since there's a massive shortage of office personnel in and around Berlin. I just don't know yet if I want to do such work again, and I'm also seriously considering returning to the Netherlands.
So the biggest challenge would be finding the right focus. I do want to support my family of course, and since I have a legal right to multiple months of parental leave when our new baby is born, I will not be a very attractive option, at least not in Germany.

At least I get paid until the end of the year, and I'm not obliged to do any work so I can find a new job. But even though it could all be way worse, the situation isn't that ideal.

Oh, sorry to hear that!
Good to know that God will provide and surely has a plan...

Thanks. And yes, God's plan is actually what keeps us this calm. My father reminded me of Romans 8 verse 28. And I'm in the fortunate position that I don't need a lot of imagination to see how this could help us further. I mean, in a way it was a dead end job anyway, and if I was ever going to be a lawyer or maybe a judge, waiting too long is deadly for job opportunities.
Nonetheless, new situation, so gotta see how I can adapt.

Oh wow, right before Christmas too.  That's cold...  God is good nonetheless and it seems like you've got a good perspective on it all.  Keep us posted with how this all turns out!

I will! I think I'll focus on a job here until our third is born. After that, I'll probably see if I can be a lawyer in the Netherlands. That'll probably be better to support my family in the long run.

We had to put our cat Callie down a little over a month ago.  The house has been so empty.  The silence was deafening without our girl.

We have since adopted two rescus.  They are around 9 months old and VERY full of energy.  Their names are Belle and Albus.  They are litter mates. 

The house feels right again!

I wish my depression wouldnt rear its ugly head at this time of the year

Is it related to the season?

Yes and No, I struggle with depression all year all my life. I take meds for it,  Seems that my ability to manage it is lessened at this time of the year.  One income supporting a family of 3, car issues so down a car, Wife's birthday is 4 days after christmas. It just wrecks on me , That's why i play christmas music, and watch christmas specials when they are on and do christmas things with the family in hopes it will either lessen or go away completely and to get into the holiday spirit.

the good side is right now its not making it worse so I am thankful for that. Thats not even factoring in all the work stress  too.. I  find myself often "shell shocked" on the weekends these days...

^I'm sorry to hear that Warzawa.  Anything in addition to prayers we could help with?

I got my morning workout shoveling snow for the first time this season.  Our new place has a longer driveway and path to our door than our old place which is unfortunate haha, plus HOA requires we shovel the stretch of sidewalk in front of our home too.  (I guess them punk kids need a clear path to walk to the school bus or something.)

The opposite of Microsoft Office is Macrohard Onfire.

Nah but i do covet all prayers

I had to shovel this morning too but it  wasnt as back breaking as the last storm was when i got dumped with a foot instead of the 3-6 inches they were projected.  Last night projection was 1-3  got 4-6

I have only had to shovel snow once or twice in the 31 years we have been in this house.

My daughters got vaccinated today, two each. One will make them sick very soon, the other in seven to ten days. Luckily they won't be needing any more after that.

Andreas89 wrote:My daughters got vaccinated today, two each. One will make them sick very soon, the other in seven to ten days. Luckily they won't be needing any more after that.

My kids never get sick from vaccinations. They don't even mind the needle stick. My youngest is diabetic and can give herself shots if needed (luckily she has an insulin pump so no longer needs to give herself shots anymore). And since she is diabetic vaccinations are very important because the flu can wreak havoc on a diabetic kid.

Finishing your taxes is teh shibby! 

We have moved to the ground floor of the building. We have an extra room in the cellar, so finally a bedroom for my wife and I (and the upcoming baby girl, but sssh!). We just have to wait a week before the internet provider switches the connection to our new appartment.

In the meantime, I made some neat pictures of my CD collection. I might post them later...

Andreas89 wrote:We have moved to the ground floor of the building. We have an extra room in the cellar, so finally a bedroom for my wife and I (and the upcoming baby girl, but sssh!). We just have to wait a week before the internet provider switches the connection to our new appartment.

In the meantime, I made some neat pictures of my CD collection. I might post them later...

My wife and I are expecting #3 at the end of March. Is this your first?

No, also number 3 The first two are twins by the way

That's awesome! I can't imagine dealing with twins, that's a whole other level of parenting.

Uh oh, who was Guest?

I don't know, I forgot his name. I think he became a member in 2018...

It was Astyrian.  I'm bummed he left and wonder why?    He seemed like a cool fellow.

PEOPLE.  

I posted a piece of furniture on Facebook marketplace for $45 and this is the first response I got:

guy on facebook wrote:Is this still available? You do 10

I politely replied that I'm firm on the price but now I'm really wishing I replied something to the effect of, "yes, you do 60."  Where are peoples' etiquette these days?  (I will say, a very friendly person soon thereafter offered $40 to which I gladly accepted - so at least there's some reasonableness out there!)