Ok, so as you might be able to guess from the title of this blog, there are three main topics I'll hit on to let you know how life is right now. So let's begin.
THE GOOD - This weekend is the weekend of Christmas performances. Courtney has one tonight at school, and then 4 at church over the weekend: 1 Saturday and 3 Sunday. At church, Skyler has 2 performances (1 Saturday and 1 Sunday), immediately preceding Courtney's performances. This is always a great time and one of the biggest joys as a parent. I know they both enjoy singing and love it. They also love it because they get to wear the new Christmas dresses their grandma (my mom) bought them. Courtney has been counting down the days to when she could wear her dress and tonight is the night...finally!
Also, today is a happy day for me and Traci because it was 16 years ago we started dating. (It has been 21 years this month since we were first boyfriend and girlfriend.) Not really any special plans prepared as our schedule is pretty busy, but just remembering this day makes me happy! Happy anniversary, Hon!!!!!!!!
It's also been a lot of fun to watch Traci take on the challenge of her own business and so far it is going pretty well. She has been busy with many photo sessions since early November and is actually at one right now as I type this. She has more on the calendar, into January, and there are no signs of slowing up yet. I know the Christmas season is helping, but I've heard and seen good things from these initial sessions. It will be fun to watch as things progress!
THE BAD - Yes, I am still unemployed. My last day at work was October 1 and my last day of getting paid was November 9. At least the last check included a week and a half of vacation I didn't use. Somehow, we have managed to make that check last. However, it is pretty much gone. I am expecting more money coming including payment for working the polls on election day, stock dividends (from Chevron), severance and my pension/retirement. Once the severance shows up, we should be fine into January, which is when the retirement should come. However, in the big picture, I need a job. Kaiser didn't work out (twice!), which bummed me out after having gone through 2 interviews with them. I supposedly have a possible opportunity in the works right now, but no call for an interview yet. I've learned not to make assumptions about anything until it actually happens. If this does happen to work out, it could be great...IF. But until I get that call, I'm trying to keep from getting my hopes up.
THE UGLY - When we dropped Skyler off at preschool (Whittier Christian) this morning, there was some information about her school Christmas performance, which we had expected prior to now. However, we were shocked when we saw that we would have to pay to watch our daughter, Skyler, perform this year!! What that heck is that about?!?!?!?!?! It's $6/seat, which means we'll need $18 for the three of us to watch her sing. $18 may not seem like a lot, but when you have no income (Traci's income is going towards additional supplies for her business) it's especially frustrating. We are not going to pull Skyler from the performance, as has been suggested by some, because she has put a lot of time and practice in at school and should be able to present the final product with her schoolmates and friends and I don't think it's fair to her. She shouldn't be punished for a dumb decision made by the school.
There are two things the preschool is doing different this year than in past years: 1) the preschool is performing with the elementary kids, and 2) it's at the La Mirada Theater for the Performing Arts. That is probably why I suspect they are charging, but still. Does it have to be such a big venue for a school performance? This just pisses me off because the last thing we need is an additional expense right now.
Courtney went to preschool there for two years and this is Skyler's second (and final) year there. We have made a lot of effort to cut our budget and eliminate things we can do without. There are two things we have discussed before but have decided not to touch them...yet. One is World Vision. We may have things rough right now, but our "rough" and how rough the life of our Malawi child is, are completely different. Therefore, we decided that we needed to continue that. The other item is Skyler's preschool. It's $360/month for three half days a week. (It is more expensive than other preschools we checked out, but we also get more than we would get at those other places. Plus we know all the teachers at WCS are followers of Christ, which I question at at least one other preschool we checked out.) We decided she should be able to go to preschool since she loves it and it's been a great experience for her. If I don't land a job in the next couple months, that may be a cut we have to make, which will break all of our hearts, and I don't want to go there. So to summarize my feelings about this whole pay-to-see-your-child-perform thing, I think Whittier Christian really needs to rethink what they are doing. I think it's crap and I'm a little pissed off.
My meds seem to keep me even-keeled and positive, but those negative feelings keep creeping in periodically. At least they are not that bad, but they do worry me occasionally because of the whole job situation, and the last thing I want to happen right now is to go back to where I was. I don't think that will happen, but I can't say it's not possible. I know God is with me and on my side and has plans for me, but I just don't like the timing, whatever it is. I guess it's just His way of reminding me he is in control and to trust Him. I'm excited to see what happens, but just wish I knew when it would happen. All in good time I assume.
