Blessed

I am clearly aware of the state of the economy and all the troubles Americans or for that matter just people are having.  But when it is not right in your face you tend to forget when you are going about your daily life.  Things have not always been peachy for me but I can honestly say we are doing fine right now.

We have been lucky enough to make our own decisions regarding finances or jobs rather than them being forced on us.  For this I know we are truly blessed.  Coming to a small town reminded me of this and continues to do so on a daily basis.

While I used to run into SAHM's at the park I now run into them, yes, but grandparents and dads and aunts etc.  They need a reminder that life will be ok.  And many of them are unemployed.  They are not there just letting their child run off some steam but also because they need the smiles and the fresh air they need a break.

I had a harsh reminder that we were not the norm the other day when everyone was talking about channels on the tv as our kids climbed and played.  I could not follow the conversation, not only am I new the channels and stations but they were all talking about the channels that are not through cable.  To me cable just is in our house.  Working from home occasionally and a husband on call who works in computers means that internet is a must thus it seems cable just goes right along with it.

I left that day in aww that I had slipped into the ranks of cable is not a privilege! How was this possible?  I am very aware of the hungry or the homeless but we seem to forget some of the things we are just used to others would love to have even just for a day.

We are not rich and we are not out here on  a horse ranch living it up but by far we are not the norm.  I keep getting asked how did we find jobs to move here and I explain my husband is now a commuter that we did not come and surpass all those in line looking for work. 

No matter where you go, well I will take that back, almost everywhere you go people are thrilled to help, serve, or whatever it is they do you.  They are grateful for their jobs and their opportunities.  The fast food person is not frowning or a teenager who has to be there because their parents said find a job.  The checker is not pissy and throwing your groceries over they are smiling and engaging in conversation.

It is something I needed something I missed.  I missed the level playing field.  I was taught do what you love and do it well.  The money will follow or maybe it wont but as long as you are happy that is what matters and you see that here on a daily basis.  More often than not you can feel that the adults are not snubbing one another because of what someone does for a living.

Now I am not going to assume the teenagers in the area have all skipped the usual better than you clique phase but what I have noticed is manners for the most part.  Manners that I hope rub off on my son. 

I have to admit that in my middle and high school we were among the lowest income students.  It was hard when you looked around at all the things others had.  Or when you went and bought swiss cake rolls because they were $.99 and lasted a whole week.  But if we choose to stay here and hubby continues at his company and is blessed to keep his job for a long time our son will never know that feeling which to me is something I have always striven for. 

Don't get me wrong he will know what it is like to earn, to be told no, to not be handed everything but he will hopefully not have to worry if rent will be paid or if food will be on the table.

Sometimes we think that we just want to do or go somewhere for the heck of it!  So we can live in a small town or have animals.  But in all reality there was just so much more to the plan than ever known.  We truly are and have been blessed.

So Scared

Two nights from now I will be back in bed in this house after spending the day in the new house we are moving to and I am scared to death.  Excited but scared to death.  I know I sound like a big fat baby but I never claimed to do well with change.  I have always been a runner I am good at it, what I mean, I do not dump you I just stop taking your calls, I do not quit I just don't show up, see what I mean I do not like to plan out big things.  My day yes, but big things, no.

The house we are in now is wonderful it is bigger than we need, has custom cabinets, granite counter tops, custom baths, a pool, is in the suburbs and so on but we are leaving it.  And for a home that is much different.  We are trading in the pool for 2.5 acres, switching up the floor plan, losing some of the upgrades and even saying goodbye to the suburbs.  While I am thrilled and it is a dream I am scared to death.


We did not make this decision lightly but still I wonder do we really know what we are in for.  I do, I guess, I grew up in a small town and I know it is going to be hard at first but once you are in you are in so to speak.  I wonder will I miss the pool we never used.  Or will I miss the custom tile as I am in the bathroom of the new house.  I think it is fair to expect that at times I will miss this home but the one we are moving to is just the one that is meant for us right now.


Luckily we are able to rent before we purchase the owners are even open to allowing us to rent for a few years to make sure we like the area and the home etc.  What I love most is this has been a team effort.  With this home I saw it picked it and called hubby to come see it.  He said he liked and bam we were under contract.  See being in Real Estate I am sure I saw all the inventory before I even knew we were house shopping.  This home may have us and have a little paint but none of it was done by us.  This is what is so appealing about the new house.


The new house has just enough updating to make it updated but not so much that we can't get what we want when we are ready to purchase.  I would be able to get my dream kitchen and hubby his media room and so much more.  We can get animals or even put in a pool that is in our taste and we are just so tickled about it.  I truly am thrilled to hear hubby talk about it and shop for a riding lawn mower he is more excited than I ever anticipated.

For someone who grew up with a single mom renting small homes in a mountain town in Colorado calling many laundry rooms her bedroom, yep, I said laundry rooms!  I find it quite silly that I would be wondering will I miss my granite counter tops or my stainless steel appliances!  Oh how I know we are so blessed to have a home and a roof over our head.  I am also so blessed that we are listening to the Lord and our intuition on this one and know that it is by far the best decision for so many reasons.

Doesn't make it any less scary though!