Hopeful...

[kawichic]

Seems MAYBE my Irish luck has finally taken a turn...

MY CAREER:
My interview (for the special needs teacher position) a couple of weeks ago went well, and I was called back for a second interview, which also seemed to go well. The director asked me to come back this Monday and start training in both her facilities so I can float between the two buildings as needed. It's paid training, and she said to bring a pen because there will be a ton of paperwork to finalize. It sounds like I've got the job. Yay! FINALLY!!!!

The hours are ideal for our situation. Monday through Friday 11:00am until 3:00pm. It'll allow me to be home in the morning and get my son, possibly the Bret's kids as well (if Bret's wins custody,) onto their buses, and still have time to get in some exercise before getting myself into work. Then I'll be home just as everyone is getting off their buses.

The director asked me if I was against working Saturdays, or was the weekend reserved for my family? Because I wanted this job desperately, I told her I wasn't completely opposed working *some* Saturdays, but for the most part, the weekends were for my family. I explained that for the last 12 years I've worked every holiday and every weekend, and I've missed out on alot with my son. I would prefer not to work the weekends. She just smiled and said, "I figured, with four children and a new husband, I'd want to spend my Saturdays at home too. But you'd be willing to give me some time then?" I told her I would.

The only real downside to this job is that I am starting at rock bottom in my career field - one that I already mastered during the previous 12 years of work experience. It kind of feels like I'm fresh out of school again and starting where I started back then. But I'm so happy to be working, I don't care. If I have to start all over again in this field, I will. Hell, at least now I know how to quickly move up the ladder, lol. Maybe it won't take me another 12 years to get where I was.

THE HOUSE:
After feeling very hopeless about the whole house situation, Bret seemed to give up on being approved for a loan. I gave him a few days before taking the tough love approach and kicking his a$$ into gear. He contacted the mortgage broker I had set him up with weeks ago, and then contacted the seller of the house. Things are in motion again, and so far, everything seems favorable to us getting into this house. Thank God!

Whatever it was that was triggered in his brain, I am thanking the Heavens. The proverbial ball is rolling again, and as long as things work out in the direction they seem to be headed, we could very well be in the house in the next few months. Before Christmas would be nice, but that might be pushing it a bit.

FAMILY VEHICLE:
Between my Jeep and Bret's company vehicle, which seats 6 legally, we always have transportation for the 4 kids. But my Cherokee will not seat all 6 of us, and although the work vehicle does, its technically Bret's *work* vehicle, and not our family vehicle. If he gets hired by the shipyard in January, we will most likely lose that mode of transportation, so we need a second vehicle, and common sense screams for a minivan. Borrowing my sister-in-law's minivan has shown us how nice and comfortable it can be.

As I was driving home from my 2nd interview earlier this week, I saw a minivan for sale on the side of the road. I stopped and read the description. The people aren't asking very much for it, only $500 and they're willing to negotiate the price, and I realized why when I finished reading the handwritten description - it doesn't run. Lucky for me, I have a very mechanically inclined and capable soon-to-be husband... if he can fix it, it would definitely be worth the little money they're asking for it. So I took some pictures with my cell phone, wrote down the number and description of the minivan, and texted it all to Bret.

A few months ago, he bought one of those handy handheld computer thingies that you plug into your car and it tells you what's wrong with it... so tomorrow we're going to go down to the minivan and plug the computer in and see what's wrong with it. If its something not too complicated or expensive, we very well might have ourselves a minivan.

I know I shouldn't be counting eggs before they hatch, but with the sh*t luck we've had all year, I can't help feeling a bit hopeful. Sitting on the couch last night, Bret turned to me and said, "You're looking better... baby, you beat the H1N1..." lol We shared a laugh on that one.

We don't know that I had the H1N1 for sure... I tend not to go to the hospital unless I think Im dying, and I'll admit, there were a few times this week that I contemplated that possibility. Breathing was the most difficult. Between that and the coughing, insomnia, then sleeping for literally hours on end, I definitely had something I've never had before. It certainly didn't feel like the flu, or a mere cold. I was incredibly weak. Just climbing the stairs to get up into the main level kicked my a$$. Taking a shower literally had me on the couch for 2 hours. H1N1 or not, whatever it was, it was serious business. I still don't feel as if I am breathing comfortably... I've had pneumonia before, and it felt similar. Thank God, it seems I'm over the worst of it.

I don't yet feel 100%, and this morning I felt as if I was relapsing, but for me, staying in bed for 3 days will make me hurt in places I normally don't, so as much as I whined and complained when Bret dragged me out of bed, I knew it was for the best. Sitting on the couch, Bret placed a hot cup of coffee in my hand and I began to sip away, feeling more awake and revived by the minute.

He's long since left for work, and my son is up and ready to enjoy his day off from school, and I'm feeling a little better, hopeful, and contemplating taking my kid for a scenic walk along the coast. It's supposed to be sunny today. Not warm, but sunny. I'm still sporting a cough, slight fever, and foggy head, but the weakness and exhaustion have left me. Bundled up warm, I think getting outside would prove me good. I haven't exercised in 4 days... laying in bed all week... spending hour after hour asleep... my body hates me right now. I need to get out and move around. I know I'll feel better.

And hopeful... I think state of mind has alot to do with healing and helping positive things happen. I am feeling very hopeful. I hugged Bret this morning and didn't wanna let him go. He kept smiling and kissing me back. Last night, he said he's missed me... I haven't quite been me all week... but I'm back, almost completely, and I'm ready to start this new job, get this minivan, and get into the house. I know the house will burden the credit score enough that the potential of getting myself another bike in the spring might be slim to none, but its okay. (I probably won't feel this okay about it in the spring...) But I definitely want the house more than a bike, so right now, I'm hoping for the house.

All in all, the new job in MY career field, the potential of acquiring a more suitable family vehicle, beating whatever virus I had all week, the good news about the house, has me feeling better than I have felt in months... if Bret gets that letter in December saying that he's been hired by the shipyard, I might end up exploding with an overload of joy!! (Us Irish folks are not accustomed to things going well.) I can't wait until Monday, my first day on the job... Things are finally falling into place...

Okay, return to your morning schedules... Thanks for listening.

[mwmalotte]

It looks like things just might be on an upswing for ya, Lee... I'm keepin' all appendages crossed for ya!

[Big Ed]

I am so glad that things are looking up.

Sometimes we are given the rough road so that we can be thankful for when it smooths out. Appropriate that this is all turning around at Thanksgiving.

Praying for you,
Ed

[cmptrmn.1]

Very cool. Glad things are going in the "up" direction for you finally. That just means you can get a new MC sooner. Woo hoo

[wild_deuce03]

Lee, you could write a book!

[joeVulcan]

I told you! Good karma is repaid x3!

1 - Career
2 - House
3 - Vehicle

[kawichic]

Originally Posted by wild_deuce03

Lee, you could write a book!

I've written a thousand books. Only 2 got published. But I'm working on my 3rd book now... its a children's chapter book. hopefully, it will be published also.

[joeVulcan]

Originally Posted by kawichic

I've written a thousand books. Only 2 got published. But I'm working on my 3rd book now... its a children's chapter book. hopefully, it will be published also.

unless it's about wizards, vampires, or time travel my kids won't read it. I don't know if that's good or bad.

[kawichic]

its about a magic flute that transports the kids to various mystical places... lol

[nvbirdman]

Life is full of ups and downs, glad to hear you've finished a trough and are headed for a peak.

[.22]

Originally Posted by kawichic

its about a magic flute that transports the kids to various mystical places... lol

This one time at bandcamp....

[V2K_CCTX]

Lee...

Congrats on things coming around.....

[northernman]

I loved band camp.

[cinnamon]

Really great to hear Lee!
You deserve all good things!!

[kawichic]

thanks guys and gals!

[ozyran440]

Lee, this is all great news! It's awesome to see things coming around for you!