Maybe what I need is a little indicator light above this blog, as a quick way to show the mood swing du jour. Gray could be for a depressed day, vibrant green for optimism and maybe blinking fuschia for a crazy episode.
If I had that, today would be pretty close to a bright green. Maybe it's the beautiful warm weather, the green grass and trees in bloom, the half-planted garden.
Then again, it could be the steady trickle of good news that's been coming over the wires. Retail sales--improving. Unemployment rates--improving. Just a couple of days ago, New York Times columnist Andrew Sorkin asked, what if the bailouts are working? Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal says Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke predicts, with caution, a moderate economic recovery.
Whatever the reason, things just seem better. There seem to be a few more jobs out there. As a result, I'm beginning to feel some of my fear melt away. A year ago, I felt the need to squeeze hard on the "bridge payment" money we got after the downsizing, knowing it was all the cash we had for financial emergencies--the only thing separating us from bankruptcy, should there be further downsizing or a medical problem.
But the emergencies never came. And we've cut our spending even further to the bone. The result is we still have all of that money, plus a little more I've managed to save from teaching.
So maybe it's time to spend. This week we started on a long list of overdue projects. A new bathroom vanity to replace the decrepit one upstairs (it has to be stained and varnished, but still, it's new.) Flea medicine for the dog, which we've been putting off until outdoor season. I even went out to see a movie (Alice in Wonderland, 3-D. It was great.)
We're a long way from Easy Street. But just spending a little made me feel great.
If repeating things helps you believe, then I guess I'll keep repeating: The worst is behind us. The worst is behind us. Forward to a better tomorrow.
Now...how do I bottle that up for use on one of those gray or flashing fuschia days?
Posts
2 comments:
I'm a conservative, non-greenthumber, non-musical Christian (in other words, we probably don't have a lot in common!) who comes in to check your blog every once in awhile.
Maybe you should write a book about how you're getting by on less in difficult times. I'm impressed!
And if you're looking for another movie, go and see Date Night. Lots of it was inappropriate, but I felt like I had had an ab workout from the laughing at the funny parts.
HAHA...Thanks for the kind words. Heaven knows I'm up for finding a new revenue stream. Know an agent?
Post a Comment