Saturday, August 20, 2011

What are Saturdays For?

It's Saturday, and it has taken me most of the day to get my back to quit hurting so much. Back pain is one of those things you live with as you grow old. Mine comes from sitting in an office chair for more hours than I should. I do it because it is my space. Frequently invaded, but still mine.

This week we got Chris signed up for school, job hunted, spent time together, and fretted some. Guess we are going to do that, considering all that is going on, but still hopeful. Trying to figure out exactly how we will get through this. We are blessed to have people who want to help, and we know we will have to let some things go to get through, but they are just things.

I have been trying for awhile to find the right plot for a mystery I want to write. A couple of my short stories have some very interesting characters in them and they keep coming to my mind. I want to create a story around familiar aspects of my favorite getaway place, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, but also incorporate memories of places from my growing up as well in Missouri. So little by little things come to me to put into this. Yesterday, the mystery plot came to me. Now I have to try to focus much harder on it. Hopefully as I get further into it the killer will be revealed. For that matter, I am not even sure who will be murdered yet. But they will let me know just as they have in the past. I can't wait to see what happens.

Monday, August 8, 2011

A Very Productive Day

Yesterday, I cocooned in my office and bedroom for the WHOLE day. I spent it writing, sleeping, reading, etc. Today I got out of bed (earlier than I planned) and sped through the whole day. Paid bills, got Chris started on his resume and unemployment application, groceries, and even helped a friend out (actually they helped me) with some work. We also got to spend time with our friend, Joe, getting a haircut and a taco together.
Joe is one of those special people who have a heart for others. He sings with us in Ransomed, and nurtures us, as well as lifts us up. Like everyone, he has his quirks and certain things he is adamant about, but his heart is a heart of gold. And he is fiercely loyal. A friend, a brother and a man with a heart of gold.
No matter what is going on in our lives, there is always someone with a ray of sunshine for us.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

A New Beginning

Life has a way of knocking you around a bit, doesn't it? That is what it has done in this house for sure. I was laid off in March 2010. Job hunting for a year and a half isn't much fun. Sadly, too many people are experiencing this same situation. Then on Thursday, my husband came home. SURPRISE! He got laid off. We have been married almost 26 years, and this is only the second time he has been without work in all that time.

Let me tell you about Chris. Physically he is a gorgeous man. Six foot one inch tall, under 200 pounds, slight middle age spread that only I know is there. Blond hair that lays perfect, one green eye, one brown eye. Built to perfection for me. Friends from high school still recognize him, he looks so young. Inside he is even more special. He is an awesome father, soon to be grandfather, and great husband. I didn't say perfect only because no one is, but most of the time he is. He is quiet and thoughtful, dry sense of humor, and the kindest man I have ever known. Quick learner, too. So it is even more hurtful that life throws these things at us.

We have raised our five kids (four boys and a girl) and our niece. Our oldest son is actually mine from a previous relationship, so in 26 years, Chris has been father to more than his own kids. He has worked hard, in the army, then on to many dead end jobs to pay the bills and put food on the table. The way society is structured today, it would have been easier to take the money from the government than work those jobs.

Talented, yes, very much so. Chris is the leader of a southern gospel trio, but he isn't a dictator (unlike his brother who thought he was the boss). He has a four octave range, plays guitar, works up the arrangements, and mediates when necessary. And there is so much more.

My point is that it seems that our life is proving that sometimes nice guys do finish last. Except...they don't. As hard as it is, we need to look to this as a new opportunity. A new beginning. We can sit around and moan and decry our circumstances and the situation, or we can move forward in a way that is good and exciting.

The challenge isn't in replacing a job, the challenge is in looking up, being positive and keeping our hope alive. Starting today, I am up for the challenge.