I gots a job!!!

OK so I tried to remain positive through the days after being laid-off, but when you get rejection after rejection after rejection, your self esteem starts to take a hit.

I somehow managed to be one of the lucky one, I was only out of work for three months. I have friends and family who are working on six months, and I know of many people who have been looking for 9-12 months. I know families who are split apart because one got a job in another state and they felt they had to take it.

This Map shows the scary reality of the recession; I knew it was bad but daaaamn.

Anyway on to happier stuff... I gots a job!!! I will be doing business analytics for a large ISP here in Seattle. The pay is good, the hours will be long, and it sounds like I can telecommute after a while. Spoiled I am...

On the lighter brighter side, My house is basically clean, my toenails are painted pink, and (just for my cousin) I am listening to Bon Jovi -"Livin' on a Prayer". Life is good, my karma is clean, I have a loving family, a husband who loves to tease and spoil me, and the diet is even going good.

I am going to go play some Lego Indiana Jones :)

Enjoy Life's Adventures!

Autumn

The Mischief Makers

I recently read a post on my cousins blog where she talked about a favorite picture of her grandma. Her story inspired me to dig out my favorite.

I call this picture:

The Mischief Makers


I can see the mischievousness in all their faces. There is 70+ years between these men that I love... 70 years in which the world has changed tremendously; multiple wars, altered family values, new forms of recreation, and new types of support networks.

I was talking with a co-worker a few years ago, and he mentioned that his grandfather had passed away the day prior. I became choked up just thinking about, and offered my sympathy; my co-worker shrugged and said he barely knew his grandfather and probably wouldn't even attend the funeral. After discussing this with close friends, I realized that quite a few people in my generation do not know their grandparents.

My memories of my grandparents are a rich tapestry that still to this day is being woven. My children's lives are richer for knowing not only their grandparents but also some great grandparents! After all, who else can tell them the stories about dynamite, WWII, Hawaii before it became a state, life without TV, and a horse named Colonel, a dog named Skip, a pig named SaraLou, a rabbit named Thumper, and a talking cat named Snowball. I will share all these stories in later days, for now just know that the stories are some treasured moments for me.

Enjoy life's adventures!
Autumn

Our Ancestors

Consider for a moment how difficult life is in 2010! Now think about this ladies life...

We get in our cars and drive to the market where we pickup everything for dinner in less than 30 minutes. We then drive home and can have a "homemade" dinner on the table in 10 minutes if we choose to use processed food.

My great great great great grandmother was born in Connecticut then she walked to Utah - yes walked... Dinner for her was a gathering and hunting, cooking over a fire, and washing dishes in cold water affair.

Were it not for our ancestors tremendous efforts, where would we be now? The 19 century brought us the lightbulb, sewing machine, stethoscope, electromagnet, matches, typewriter, braille, revolvers, telephone, telegraph and morse code. These are just a few of the discoveries my great (times 4)grandmother saw in her lifetime.

As I sit here, I am using the 21st century version of a typewriter. I talked to my mother today (she is 1500 miles away) using my cell phone, my lamp is turned on, I sewed my wedding gown on a sewing machine, and my doctor uses a stethoscope on me... I could continue, but what is the point. We tend to think that our ancestors were non-technical, but where would we be without the technologies they created.

Enjoy life's adventures!
Autumn

What do I have now?

I recently read a book in which one of the main characters started her chapters with "What do I have now?"* She went from being thrilled over a couple dresses and ribbons to being complacent about lands, homes, all the clothing she could want, and let's not forget the title of Queen; then she lost all with a melancholy few dresses, and her head detached from her shoulders.

Why do I bring this up? I was struck every time I saw that chapter opening with how self absorbed this character had to be. All of us are at times narcissistic, however, the depth of your own personal narcissism appears to be ruled not so much by the accumulation of material objects, as by a false sense of pride.


So, what do I have now?
...I have my family, that is what truly matters to me


What do you have?

Enjoy life's adventures!
Autumn

*Philippa Gregory - The Boleyn Inheritance