I'm truly counting my blessings this Thanksgiving. Number 1 on my list is Ala-non and all the supportive people I've come across in the program. Number 2 is the relationship I've built with my HP (thanks to Ala-non). Number 3 are two very close friends that have seen me at my worst over the last couple of years and Number 4 is the job I love and hope to keep as long as I can survive on the measley wage I make!
I remember someone at a meeting several years ago shared about how her HP always came through when she was in a pinch (mostly financial). In the past 6 months as I prepared to leave my husband and money became an issue I started to understand and experience the very same thing. A few weeks after I actually made the move my supervisor came to me and said they re-evaluated my pay scale and that I would recieve three raises in the next 9 months. The apartment I found bases your rent on your wages. I signed the least on Oct. 26th and the 1st raise took affect on Nov. 1st. The higher wage would have increased my rent. The next week I was selling my hand knit items in a bazaar and sold twice as much as I predicted. I also received a $119.00 rebate check just before I moved and before I had my mail forwarded. And those are just a few of the ways my HP is active in my life and for which I am so grateful.
My son came home from college tonight for the first time since I moved out. We had a good visit and I took him home so he could be near his friends. I think he's feeling a little time pinch trying to see everyone in the next four days so I'm leaving it pretty laid back for him. He'll be home for a monthover Christmas so it will be better then.
I'm really loving my new life without the stress of living with a dry drunk. He is doing everything right and pushing me to spend time with him. I keep telling him that I'm not ready to be social with him or have any deep discussions. I'm trying to stand my ground but he (of course) is very manipulative. Luckily, stalking me is not his style so I haven't had any of those ugly scenes.
Ramble, ramble!
I hope you all have many blessings this Thanksgiving because you're one of mine!
Whitie
kismetstrand said
Nov 24, 2005
Thanks for your post Whitie! It reminded me of a time (boy, over 14 years ago now), I was pregnant with my youngest and had a 1, 4 and 8 year old boys, we were living in an old 2 bedroom trailer (the landlord had put a new front door on it before we moved in - the door was too short by about 6 inches so we had carpeting stuffed in that space!), this was in Michigan and it was cold this time of year. I had found a mom's group that met in one of the town's churches (thank goodness for that group!), didn't have Al-anon at the time, we were poor, used to go to the food pantry and get government commodities to help out. I had gone out with the boys somewhere and when I pulled into our driveway, on the front steps were 2 boxes with 4 bags of groceries in them. I just sat there and cried. I always remembered that time, how I had been helped in a time of need, and later in time when we could afford to we gave back to others who were in times of need. Always grateful someone cared about us back then, and grateful when I could return the favor.
This year has been one of ups and downs, but we've always been taken care of. I was down to $100 in the checking account and wondering how bills would be taken care of or holidays celebrated. My Uncle had passed away several years ago and what did I receive in the mail not so long ago? A check for a share of the inheritance that was left to myself and my two half-brothers and a cousin. We are having dinner at my mom's today, she insisted on buying all the food and only asked that I cook the turkey. Well I sure can do that! Been needing a few dressers and had gone to a thrift store with mom, saw a bedroom set in good condition, the old style made with dovetailed notching on the drawers. Now hubby had just called his work and said "i have a drinking problem, i need help", which I had told mom about a few days before along with how I'd probably have to find a job cause I didn't know how long he'd be without a paycheck but that we should be okay for the next month (I'd already made the mortgage payment for December). Mom decided to buy that bedroom set for us.
There really is a lot to be thankful for in my life. Being a single mom of 4 and living in poverty conditions taught me how to be frugal and stretch a dollar. Taught me how to look for programs of assistance and to not be ashamed to ask for help when I needed it. Taught me to never look down on others less fortunate than myself, as I could understand then how circumstances can change, how anyone could need help at some point in their life. Taught me the value of getting an education so that I could find a better job and be self-supporting. I have lived both the poverty life and the "high roller" life, and while of course I prefer not living paycheck to paycheck or in the hole, I'm not afraid of it anymore either. HP has always seen us thru. My life is rich indeed.
Thanks for your post Whitie! It reminded me of a time (boy, over 14 years ago now), I was pregnant with my youngest and had a 1, 4 and 8 year old boys, we were living in an old 2 bedroom trailer (the landlord had put a new front door on it before we moved in - the door was too short by about 6 inches so we had carpeting stuffed in that space!), this was in Michigan and it was cold this time of year. I had found a mom's group that met in one of the town's churches (thank goodness for that group!), didn't have Al-anon at the time, we were poor, used to go to the food pantry and get government commodities to help out. I had gone out with the boys somewhere and when I pulled into our driveway, on the front steps were 2 boxes with 4 bags of groceries in them. I just sat there and cried. I always remembered that time, how I had been helped in a time of need, and later in time when we could afford to we gave back to others who were in times of need. Always grateful someone cared about us back then, and grateful when I could return the favor.
This year has been one of ups and downs, but we've always been taken care of. I was down to $100 in the checking account and wondering how bills would be taken care of or holidays celebrated. My Uncle had passed away several years ago and what did I receive in the mail not so long ago? A check for a share of the inheritance that was left to myself and my two half-brothers and a cousin. We are having dinner at my mom's today, she insisted on buying all the food and only asked that I cook the turkey. Well I sure can do that! Been needing a few dressers and had gone to a thrift store with mom, saw a bedroom set in good condition, the old style made with dovetailed notching on the drawers. Now hubby had just called his work and said "i have a drinking problem, i need help", which I had told mom about a few days before along with how I'd probably have to find a job cause I didn't know how long he'd be without a paycheck but that we should be okay for the next month (I'd already made the mortgage payment for December). Mom decided to buy that bedroom set for us.
There really is a lot to be thankful for in my life. Being a single mom of 4 and living in poverty conditions taught me how to be frugal and stretch a dollar. Taught me how to look for programs of assistance and to not be ashamed to ask for help when I needed it. Taught me to never look down on others less fortunate than myself, as I could understand then how circumstances can change, how anyone could need help at some point in their life. Taught me the value of getting an education so that I could find a better job and be self-supporting. I have lived both the poverty life and the "high roller" life, and while of course I prefer not living paycheck to paycheck or in the hole, I'm not afraid of it anymore either. HP has always seen us thru. My life is rich indeed.
Wishing you and all our MIP family enough.
Luv, Kis