stormy weather

Arizona in springtime - it's beautiful. A little warm today, a bit windy tomorrow, then a cool down to 82 for the weekend. Brutal.

So many are suffering back east. Near where my daughter lives. A springtime rite where my son lives... But both of my kids are safe and that's what matters.

I grew up with the horrors of tornadoes in Kansas and Oklahoma. Flashbacks of being scooped out of bed as a kid, lightning flashing, thunder booming, rain and wind pounding down as my parents herded us across the street to the neighborhood cellar...a dank, crowded hole in the ground, all my neighbors crowded together as we wait for the storm to pass. The main thing I remember as a 6 year old?... wetting my pants.

But weird - I miss it a bit. It's a part of my history.

Arizona natives don't really get it. And that's ok. I know.

Don't make me ground your ass...

Last night I went to a concert with a girlfriend. Old Crow Medicine Show, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and Mumford & Sons stopped by Tempe on their Railroad Revival Tour. What fun. It's been ages since I've been to a concert like this. Awesome music, perfect weather, and despite the fact that the venue had changed from a grassy park location to a parking lot in the middle of town, it actually was set up well.

But...as we were getting jostled, shoved, elbowed and stepped on by the crushing crowd of mostly 20-somethings, I realized seeing a band close up and personal was not a priority for me. So after the second set, I was more than happy to make my way to the back of the 10,000 plus crowd to enjoy the music, rather than go all mom on the drunk kid in front of me who kept stepping on my toes.

and so it goes...

Okay - I do have a job. I do have a paycheck coming each week. Just not quite as much. Damned recession, damned pay cut, damned furloughs. Yes, this means being a bit more frugal. But my bills will be covered. This will pass. One way or the other, this will pass.

But it's still a bit depressing. I was this close to feeling like I was moving forward financially. I mean I bought new underwear last week! I never imagined that at my age I would still be struggling. I've always felt like the days of getting past financial angst was right around the corner, right within my reach. But there's always some mishap, some setback right before I get there.

But - I will get another paycheck. I will continue on. I will make do.

And, surprisingly, (or not so surprisingly) I will be happy. Because though my financial picture isn't all that rosy, my personal picture is good...great actually.

Bump in the Road

Wow. What a difference a year makes. This is not the company I thought I was coming back to.

Hanging in there, trying to make a difference.

But, c'mon lottery numbers...

just a bit short

It's a 2-bottle merlot night. Too bad I only have half a bottle.

Thinking about...

Bones...Tuna...Cats... I love my mom.