Today was my mother's 82nd birthday, so I went over to do lunch and this and that with her. She was in rare form, complaining-wise. Proof of the kitchen magnet wisdom that "The more you complain, the longer God lets you live." It was quite a day. You'd never guess it was her birthday, and that getting to 82 is to be celebrated. Enough about that.
So, after slogging across the state and dodging two scary accidents. In the first, somebody decided to pass me and another vehicle - straight into the path of a fully loaded log truck barreling right at them, and they missed being vaporized by God knows how many tons of log truck by mere feet. I watched this from way too close for comfort as the second car, and checked out the shoulder of the road for a level place to flee to safety. The second was someone coming from the other direction right at me, passing a line of slow-moving cars - a long line. Lots of cars. They weren't content to pass one or two, oh no, they went for the entire line of cars. I, unfortunately, was minding my own business in their path. I braked and for the second time in 20 minutes checked out the shoulder of the road for a place to dive to safety, when at the last second they managed to get back on their side of the road. Yeah, visiting my mother is always exciting!
So, you are wondering why I am happy? My son got some excellent news of an employment nature, and as every mom knows, when it happens to them it's like it happened to you. I am tickled for him. AND....
I've picked up some consulting work, which may tide me over until the house sells. At least, and for as long as it lasts, it will pay much, much more than Florida's princely sum of $275 a week before taxes, which is the maximum unemployment compensation.
Jonniker reached escape velocity and got outta Florida. And I'm envious, and wish her Godspeed. But I'm also realizing that it's only my long work history in FL that landed me the consultant work that will save my butt right now. And there is the issue: to go elsewhere is to cut myself off from the connections I have here. I don't have a husband's income to fall back on while adjusting. It's scary - it'd be scary at 30, at 50, it's pretty much insane.
Oh well, at least my kids are landing good jobs. I'm happy for them because they may end up supporting me.
happy dance!
ReplyDeletesee, all that good juju did ya some good!
Kids! Yes! Let them take care of us. :D
ReplyDeleteTeasing aside, I'm glad to hear you picked up that consulting work - and who nows- you might just end up being your own boss, using those florida connections on your terms.
although secretly I want you to come up here so we can do Maryland Sheep and wool.
Well - maybe not so secretly. But most of all, like you want for your kids - I want you to get good job that is fun and pays well.
I'm over fifty, I can't work in any of the fields I've worked in because of health problems, and I'm moving a couple of hundred miles to where I know no one. Of course, I have also lost or am giving away just about everything I ever had in the process. I say go for it. You can only lose so much.
ReplyDeleteBut then again, I might be nuts.
I've already lost my entire existence for the last 20 years - husband died, kids are grown, damn near died, then lost my job and haven't found a new one. I have no problem with parting with all of the material things, I'm down to moving with my bedroom furniture and a couple of odds and ends. I'm open to the possibilities of the future, I'm ready to move if that is the answer, but I do think I survived the brain aneurysm with all my faculties intact for a reason, so I'm looking for that next purpose. I just don't know where it is yet.
ReplyDeleteSweetness about the consulting. A tide-me-over should give you the time and leave you the energy to live the rest of your life, like the next housing and the resumé parade. Hugs to you Catherine.
ReplyDelete