Sad, sad world....Fox News report Unemployment by the Numbers: How Bad Is It Hurting?

Unemployment by the Numbers: How Bad Is It Hurting?
Friday , March 06, 2009
More people are unemployed in America than live in Ohio or go to church in Texas.
Unemployment statistics don't usually leap off the page, but the latest report from the Department of Labor offers some astounding figures. More than 651,000 jobs were cut in February, continuing a steep drop that has raised the unemployment rate to 8.1 percent, its highest level since 1983.
Matched up against some of the latest stats made available by the Census Bureau, those numbers really do begin to add up.
• 651,000 jobs were axed in February, a number larger than the populations of:- Baltimore- Seattle- Denver- El Paso- Washington, D.C.
• 12.5 million people are unemployed in the U.S., which is more than the number of:- people watching ABC's "Lost" this season- women attending college- male scientists and engineers- Americans who grow herbs- people who played tackle football in the past year.
• 12.5 million people is also a number larger than the populations of 45 states, including- Ohio- Pennsylvania- Michigan- Virginia
• 4.4 million jobs have been lost since the recession began in December 2007, which is larger than the population of the entire San Francisco Bay Area.
• 2.6 million jobs have been lost in the past four months, which is like every Presbyterian in America getting the ax in one winter, or about the number of senior citizens in Florida.
• 8.6 million people have been forced to work part-time for economic reasons, which is more than the population of New York City, or more than the number of people who try to quit smoking every year.
The roll continues, and it is a stark one: construction companies eliminated 104,000 jobs in February, factories cut 168,000 jobs, retailers sliced nearly 40,000, professional and business services got rid of 180,000, financial companies reduced payrolls by 44,000, and leisure and hospitality firms chopped 33,000 positions.
Despite all the doom and gloom in the Labor Department's numbers, at least one sector had a pretty rosy February: the government boosted its number of employees last month.
Click here to see the Labor Department report.

Am I biting off more then I can chew?

Am I biting off more then I can chew?

In the merry merry month of May I have decided to teach again at night. So in addition to working at the “day job’ from 8-5 M-F, I am going to teach Human Disease from 6-10 M, T, & Th from April 28 (tonight) through May 22.

In addition I am trying to launch my home based freelance business and set up for my summer business of crafting and gift baskets with my daughter. I also plan on listing items on eBay, which entails cleaning out my closets (which desperately need it) taking pictures and actually listing stuff on eBay.

Also, baseball season for my youngest son has started. So a lot of my time off will be there watching him develop his skills so he can be a pro football and baseball playing doctor, lawyer, Indian chief when he grow up.

So between grading papers, setting up lesson plans and correcting batting stances I also am becoming a BeautiControl consultant. Which I love because I love the spa products, but I also spend a ton on the stuff (because I love it so much) so why not get it at a discount right?

I also have my awesome cousin Tamara coming in town this week (love ya girl!), mothers day celebrations at my awesome mother-in-laws, an Cleveland Indians game for little league night, I am now on the advisory committee where I teach, Erik and Amanda are with me every weekend (I love you guys!!) and it is time to get my veggies started for the garden.

In all of my craziness I would in no way be able to have so many things on my plate if it weren’t for my awesome husband John. He cooks, cleans and runs Johnathan everywhere. He helps coach the baseball team, handles snack night, has dinner ready for me and hugs me when I need hugged. He is the perfect husband and I am infinitely grateful for him. Without him my craziness would be insanity. I love you hunny!

Well, I better get to work because the day job is still my major source of income. But one day soon I shall be free! Lol Until then I must go type a roster.

Love, Shannon

PS if I am slow to respond to emails, phone calls, IM’s, or posts I am sorry. I will have my blackberry with me all the time I just may not be able to answer right away. But know that I still love you.

PSS if you need me for a gig in May the sooner you can let me know when the better because I am filling up fast! 