Life of the unemployed

So, it's official. I am officially unemployed. Well, I've actually been unemployed since May 1st. I originally thought this would equate to much more regular blog postings. Hmm,... we can all see how that's not happened. :-)  I'll say this lack of posting is due to the rigors of newborn childcare, but it seems that this lack of typographical pontification is due to --- wait for it --- laziness. I seek to remedy this. Updates, per se, won't be posted. Instead, I willl just provide snipets (at least that's what I'm saying at this moment). Here goes ....

I'm getting ready to begin editing my first, official freelance editing job for a faculty member in the department where I used to work. It is very odd ... trying to set a rate of pay for yourself. I guess I've been in the pre-set-pay world a bit too long. I've edited/proofed many pieces of writing over the years, but this is the first time I've set an official rate to charge. Jeesh -- Now I'll have to actually do a good job since I'm getting PAID to do it. hehehehehe

The impending visit of a dear friend ...

The impending visit of a dear friend causes me to reflect, a bit, on the loses we all experience in life. Our friend and his wife have begun the adoption process six times thus far. Although they have successfully adopted two children (who are awesome, by the way), they have experienced various types of loses of the other children. Most recently, the child they planned to adopt this summer was lost to stillbirth.

Losses, known about in advance or sprung upon us suddenly, change how we view the world. These losses can taint our future experiences. We become wary of experiences that are meant to give us joy. These types of losses show us that yes, indeed, the worst CAN actually happen. We tell ourselves so many times throughout our lives that, "Oh, that won't happen" (because most of the time it doesn't), but those of us who have experienced these types of losses know that it really can happen. Yes, most likely I will not get in a car accident on the way home today and be killed, ... but it could happen. And, someone will actually have this happen to them today --could be me. I'm not special and somehow exempt from tragedy.

The only way I've been able to wrap my head around this is to come to the point where I can say, "Yes, this could happen, it's pretty unlikely, but it could. I have few options when dealing with this. So, I can let myself lose myself thinking about all the coulds or I can just live for today and hope for the best -- appreciate today and what I have because it really IS wonderful." This was not an easy thing for me to do. I must admit, I still struggle with this. Losses happen in life -- most of the time we have NO way of anticipating them. Even if we can anticipate them, oftentimes we can do NOTHING about them. The only thing we can control is how we react to them. This is big.

Our friends are still suffering from this most recent loss --- I know they still suffer from all of their losses. You don't 'get over' or 'get past' losing children ... it just doesn't happen. You learn to live with what it is and go about your lives the best you can -- finding even more beauty in all that you already have.

I think, perhaps, this is the lesson for all of us. It's just sad that we don't really learn this until we've experienced the type of loss that literally shakes us to our core.

Live today. Love what you have ... it really is wonderful.

A bit of positive motivation

The many small tempests and storms of life toss us under dark skies. Mostly small issues ... in the larger scheme of things ...

On this tired and sore morning, a bit of positive motivation is needed.

You know, ... everything is going to be alright.

Winter's end ...

Skiing on Sunday ....

Tomorrow it's supposed to be 72 degrees! Wow! I would imagine that we'll see some more snow before it's all over and done for the season. It's nice to know that a new seasons arrival is imminent. Still, I can't help feel a bit sad .... winter is truly beautiful here and this winter brought us a most perfect and unimaginable little gift who, at this very moment, rests in the arms of the other most wonderful gift I've ever been privileged to receive.

One season ends and another waits just off in the distance to spring upon us. Winter will return again. Fires lit, warm stews simmer, chilled red cheeks come in from the cold, puffy coats crackle when the mercury plummets, snow squeals and scrunches underfoot, and love glows warm. Yes, winter will return. We'll wait, all the while reveling in the beauties life continues to offer.

Heikki Lunta cont.

Well, this is more like it .... could my smile get any bigger?

Hazardous weather...
* snow will develop early Wednesday morning... and then quickly
   become heavy at times by late morning. The snow will begin to
   diminish late Wednesday afternoon.
* Storm total snowfall by late Wednesday night will range from 6 to
   10 inches... with the majority of the accumulation occurring by
   Wednesday evening.

Heikki Lunta ....

So, in a photo-post NOT related to the newest edition in our house ...... I give you Heikki Lunta himself!

Oh, and the deck is about 20 feet off the ground, so the drift isn't from the ground.
NICE!

What to say?

So, I guess I could profess to write insightful musings about life .....or, I could post pieces of my first commissioned work (thanks, honey) .....

but sometimes a picture really IS worth a thousand words

Miss Mags and Robert Johnson

What a mornin' for the blues .....
Day two back at work, Pandora pouring out Robert Johnson, and this back at home ...

SIGH

The sweetness of life ...

So, life moves on. Seems like little Miss Mags grows and changes everyday. Of course, I know this is a common refrain among parents and my observation is not unique. However, Miss Mags IS unique! hehehehe

And so it goes. Miss Maggie in the morning.

Life.Is.Good.

A New Day

So, it's a new day here in da Yoop. We officially have a Yooper living with us. She arrived on Saturday, January 7 at 12:45am and weighed in at 7lbs 13oz. She-is-beautiful.

What can I say? My cup runneth over.

The big day .....

So, tomorrow I'm being induced. I'll be 39 weeks and 4 days. Hard to believe that this time tomorrow we may actually have a healthy baby. Margaret Mary will arrive shortly!