What a wonderful story that you shared with us all! May I share with you that when things go nuts for me (like when you were laid off) I usually go into my quilt "studio" and either use the rotary cutter (and cut everything in site into 2 1/2" strips) or I sew on the machine (and listed to the needle go up and down in a wonderful hummmmmmmming sound!). Quilting is very personal and has helped me over lots of "stuff" in life...I hope that you will find that it helps you as well!
Welcome to this message board!