Flashback to 2025: Job Situations Part 2

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Tuesday, February 25, 2025 Journal entry:

Yesterday I worked 9-1 at the register. The news came that all JoAnn stores are closing after all which is really disappointing...

February 26

Yesterday work was as busy as the week before Christmas as people came to stock up on craft supplies and use their gift cards before the store closes. Many people expressed their sorrow about the closing. I came home exhausted...

February 27

Yesterday I worked 9-1 and again it was like Black Friday with condolences. Already, with three cashiers the line wove back to the aisles - and the sales haven't really started yet!...

February 28

Yesterday I worked again, starting with orders, but then at the register as it got busier. It wasn't quite as exhauting that way...

March 1

Yesterday I worked 9-1 and came home cranky, frustrated with the vultures who are waiting for the store to die, disappointed with the sales and complaining - while I am facing the end of a job I have enjoyed the last two years as well as a store I have enjoyed shopping at. I fear this will bring an end (or at least a stunt) to quilt making and other crafts that involve fabric unless someone else can fill the gap for a good selection of reasonably priced fabrics.

March 4

Yesterday I worked and once again it was busy and once again people were frustrated because they couldn't make returns, use gift cards or coupons or get price matches - I couldn't change a price at all. It was frustrating for everyone involved...

April 9

Yesterday I worked 9-1, mostly in the back room sorting merchandise that just came in by its percentage off. (Everything 20% off goes in this pile, etc.)...

April 25

Yesterday I worked 9-1 condensing and straightening shelves. There are more and more empty shelves and aisles as things sell...

May 6

Yesterday I worked 9-1 at the register while others unloaded the last truck the store will receive.

May 10

Yesterday I worked 9-1 at the register. They announced that the 22nd would be our store's last day, but I will be able to move to the Westminster store and help there until they close....

May 15

Yesterday I worked 9-1 at the register, then consolidating and moving things forward. All fabric is being sold by the bolt now, so is going fast.

May 17

Yesterday I worked 9-1 at the register. We've only got a week left, everything is at least 70% off and people are buying what they can while they can...

May 20

Yesterday I worked 9-1 at the register. It was busy as people picked over what we have left, which is only a few aisles now...

May 21

Yesterday I worked 9-1, mostly at the register. Only the front row and aisle had stuff to sell. When I left there were only 20 skeins of yarn in the store...

May 22

Yesterday was my last day working at my JoAnn in Northglenn, although I didn't realize it. Tiffany brought in food. Lori was making deals with people, and the things we had for sale dwindled. When I left I was told to come the next day, but last night I received a phone call to say not to. They finished all they needed to do.

May 24

Yesterday I went to the JoAnn in Westminster and helped consolidate the floral department there. 

May 27

Yesterday I went to the JoAnn in Westminster only to find a sign on the door: "Store closed, product gone. Go to Littleton." They must have had a really busy weekend! Anyway, that's the end of my job. 

Reflections:

My experience with losing my job was very different from Steven's of being marched out of the building suddenly. I don't know if it was better or worse, watching the store that I loved slowly dwindle away to nothing. Part of me wanted to splurge and take advantage of the sales, (plus my employee discount!) and stock up on yarn and fabric while I could. I did buy some things, but without knowing when Steven would have a job again, I didn't get a whole lot. 

After JoAnn closed, I applied for a couple jobs, but nothing I was really excited about. I looked into becoming a home care worker, and even completed the training and was officially hired by a company, but, due to persistent car trouble, I needed a situation that was within a 10-15 minute drive from home so I could be dropped off and picked up if necessary, and that didn't end up working out. Shortly after that, around mid-August, I asked for a blessing for guidance, and was told to look for ways to share my talents and skills with others, that I may occasionally earn money, but I was left with the impression that I really didn't need to be seeking formal  employment. I took this as another assurance that Steven would begin working again soon. 

In October I started teaching piano lessons to a 6 year old girl who lives across the street and I've really enjoyed it. I've also done a few crafting projects that I was paid for. I have enough to do to keep me busy and as our cars have been in and out of mechanics shops I've been grateful that I haven't had to compete for transportation to work. 

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