2017 Project 365 – Week Forty-seven

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times… We had a nice vacation after Thanksgiving, but I found out today that my position at my company has been eliminated (they’re restructuring). I’ll work until the end of the year, and then I’ll have severance to last for a little while, but now I need to learn how to look for a job again. I’ve been with this company for almost 16 years! Fortunately, I have some good friends and family who are in a position to help point me in the right direction. But I’m in a bit of shock right now, which is why I’m doing this post before it really sinks in & I’m not able to function. Although I am GREAT at compartmentalizing, so that might not ever happen.

Things to regret: a) that Mary Kay order; b) we live toward the bottom of a hill, so this winter it might get interesting having to drive to work; c) I’ve gotten used to sleeping later in the mornings since I don’t have a commute. Things to be thankful for: a) We have already moved back home where we can get the maximum support from our families; b) I have already had my hip surgery and it’s mostly paid for; c) I actually have been thinking recently that I would be more productive in an office environment instead of working from home.

Now, let’s look back at the Time Before (I found out I didn’t have a job):

Sunday, November 19^th         

A Sunday collage. Firstly, I did such a great job of parking at the nursing home that my Aunt Mimi made me take a picture of it. I know! I’m amazed too! Secondly, a Prayer of Confession to kick you in the gut. Thirdly, my lunch as I waited for choir practice. That cookie dough stuff is Fabulous.

Monday, November 20^th                       

I had gotten into bed & realized that I hadn’t taken a picture today, so I took an “artsy” one of my comforter. The other day I flipped it over & started displaying the geometric design, because flowers are for spring & summer.

Tuesday, November 21^st                                       

That time I tried to make a present less “Shelby’s Wedding from Steel Magnolias” by putting a fancy bow in it. Things went horribly awry.#icantparkorwrappresents

Wednesday, November 22^nd                                

Oh noes! I hope this isn’t an advance scout! 

Thursday, November 23^rd                            

I think you guys probably all picked out Ryan in the picture, but just in case…

We had a great meal, with all the usual food suspects. I love that our youngest member insisted on leading random folks around by the finger – so cute.

After the meal we had a bridal shower for my nephew & his fiancé. She was mostly hilarious, but when she opened the personalized gift from my sister-in-law she teared up & that made the rest of us tear up. Welcome to the Wallaces Britt!

Friday, November 24^th                   

We drove down to the beach today. This is the view from our balcony. Ahhh…

Saturday, November 25^th                       

Things I did on my beach vacation: wove in the ends of a completed project, chilled in the shade of a ginormous umbrella that Dr. M rigged up on the balcony, and started a new project.

Here are some random beach pictures. Other than a couple of walks, and going out for dinner, we mostly stayed put on the balcony and enjoyed decompressing. I love the beach this time of year! You’ll have to wait until next week for more photos, but for now, you should go to Dr. M’s post with all the dogs we saw on the beach. They all had a blast, and we loved watching them.

I hope everyone has a great week with no unpleasant shocking news! 

Mawkish

I feel beat down and sad. Consumed by lethargy. Annoyed with myself, God, and any number of other people (the cast list changes on an hourly basis). Um, I mean the “other people” cast list changes. God & I pretty much stay the same.

I’m pretty sure that these feelings are 75% hormonal and 25% disappointment in my own self. I don’t want to go into what’s wrong because I want to wallow & if I tell you guys then you’ll just be all, “it’s ok” and “buck up” & stuff. On the other hand I HATE it when bloggers talk about their feelings but don’t tell what’s going on. Because I’m extremely nosy that way. So, I will whine for just a few minutes & hope that I get it out of my system. And you can be all supportive, but I think I’ll ignore you for a few more days & then come back & read the comments when I’m ready to start feeling better. Ha!

I’ve been singing this hymn every morning in the car for about a year now. I finally worked up the nerve to sing it as a solo at church this past Sunday. I thought it sounded decent during choir practice. But when my big moment came I could barely get a squeak out. Was I nervous? Not really. What happened is that I requested that I sing the solo during communion so people wouldn’t just be sitting in the pews staring at me. So I had communion first & then went to stand by the organ to sing. And the bread was kind of stuck in my throat. I really needed a big sip of water, but there wasn’t any, & I had already started to sing before I realized that I needed to clear my throat.

I was SO disappointed! My Baptist roots are telling me that’s what you get for being prideful. But I don’t think I’m all that prideful about my voice – it’s just really kind of pleasant & I thought the song suited the moment. So I’m having a bit of a theological war inside my head & truth to tell I’m mostly angry at God. What about “open my lips & my mouth shall proclaim your praise” didn’t God get? Hmm?

Obviously, if there’s a next time, I’ll sing during the offering instead of after communion. But I’ve got to get over being mad & humiliated first.

P.S. I always work the The Free Dictionary word match puzzle every morning. In the list of words today was lugubrious, which matched with mawkish. LOL! That’s it! I’m feeling rather mawkish. I’ll let you know when I get over it.