It's That Time of the Month Again

Now, don't get all excited. I may not be addressing what you think! We are in the last few days of the month, and it's time to cough up the bucks for the rent (See? It's not so nasty after all). This is the week where Ben and I scramble to shuffle money from one account to another, to think about eating out less, cutting other items of the budget, and so on, just to pull the rent together before the first of the month. Somehow, we always manage to find just enough. This month had some extra expenses (my traffic ticket, Ben's church convention, etc), so it's a bit tighter than usual, but with a little creative budgeting, we'll get by. Someday, we will both have incomes that will allow us to not have to sweat every first of the month and also to have some extra disposable income. Please understand -- I am not really complaining. God has continued to see us through, and I know that that isn't going to change. I also know that God has a plan for us, and we need to persevere and await a great future. It would be wonderful to see what lies beyond the next few months, but that's not the way things work. Things will be revealed as they come -- we may be here struggling through each month, we may be here with better incomes, we may find opportunities in other parts of the country, who knows? God knows, so if we stay faithful and remember that we won't be dropped along the roadside of life, we will get through and walk into a brighter and better future. Can you all just take a moment and say a prayer or whatever your faith journey leads you to do? We appreciate it -- thanks. Hug someone today!

And So the Season Comes

Here we are exactly two months until Christmas. In honor of the date, I bought the first Christmas present of the season. Ben was at his church convention and the mall was right across the parking lot from the hotel, so....... Like any good card carrying friend of Dorothy, I shopped! I also spent part of the day with Mother. She is living with my sister and brother in law, and that kind of arrangement sometimes causes tensions and upsets. Today was no exception -- in the twenty years or so that they have been married, I don't think I've ever seen the BIL upset with his Mother in Law. Today he just needed to vent, so besides occupying Mom for a while, I was also a listening and sympathetic ear. Mom is not a horribly controlling or demanding person, though I think she likes to be in control. Now that she's not out in the world or managing her own home, the little things become oh so important. I took a moment to remind Mom of the years when Grandma lived with them and how difficult that sometimes was.

Last night we were at the church convention banquet and had a great conversation with the rector from a large wealthy church. We discussed ministry, the sexuality issue, and had a great evening. It's nice to be included in things. The hotel room was nice (and there were NO animals taking up space in that huge kingsize bed.). Now we're home again and it's time to get ready to do church in the morning. After church, I have a budget workshop with the Board (YUCK) and then go to work for the evening. At least I am off on Monday.

Sorry it's been a while since I posted -- guess I hit a dry spell. I've been dealing with some level of depression, but nothing lethal. These seasons come, we deal with them, and move on with life. No time to slow down and deal with the underlying issues. Life goes on. So that's what new in this end of town -- how about you? Hug someone -- and remember -- only two more shopping months until Christmas.

8000

I just noticed when I logged into my blog that my counter is currently at exactly 8000 -- thank you all for reading even when I am lazy about posting. It's been an interesting experience to ramble through thoughts, events, feelings, and problems. Thanks to all for your support and patience. Now we move toward 9000!!