I’m not going through everything I think about the cataclysmic political mess in Washington and beyond. I’m aware of it. I’m not okay with it. I simply cannot deal with it now. There aren’t enough spoons.
Yesterday, the older daughter and grandson flew to Iowa, which had been the hope for a while. She left armed with reports from CPS, a pediatrician, a child psychologist, and a child psychiatrist, all backing the need to get away from her abusive ex. My biggest concern is she needs to file for divorce NOW, before the political regime shuts that down too.
The cross-country move isn’t a perfect solution, not by a long shot — but the grandson was doing dramatically better after a change of meds. Most of my daughter’s siblings and their kids, half-sister and kids, and step-siblings and their kids, and her kick-ass stepmom, are all there for support. Much as I love my daughter and grandson, I don’t have the physical stamina to deal with all the boundless energy of a six-year-old, certainly not indefinitely.
On the two-hour drive to the airport, the grandson kept saying he was going to miss me so much. I pointed out that I’d miss him, but he didn’t see me for weeks or months at a time before they moved in with us. He replied, “Yeah, but I wasn’t addicted to you then.”
Right in the feels, I tell ya.
They arrived safely late yesterday (no guarantee when flying these days) and I got photos and a video today of the munchkin playing in the snow. He was overjoyed to be there with similarly-aged cousins to play with. Plus, despite growing up in the desert, the kid’s part polar bear in terms of tolerance to cold.
The tentative plan for G and I is still to (hopefully) retire to the Midwest in a few years, though looks like the date’s been pushed back.
Speaking of…
As I’m sure most of you guessed from my previous semi-vague hints, I got a promotion at work, effective next week. Not a whole lot more money, but definitely a more stable income. I should also get a pay raise after 90 days, and there are other perks and bonuses. I didn’t want to jinx it by saying something before it was a done deal. Now, however, I’ve signed the contract and it’s all formal and official-like.
There will be overtime at the drop of a hat, which will obviously impact income, as well.
While there are obviously new elements, a lot of the work is stuff I’ve done before. However, going foward I’ll carry a laptop with me when on the road, and invest in a hotspot plan for my phone. In additional to my normal duties, from time to time I’ll fill in for one of our other admins, who’s dealing with an ongoing family medical situation. I’ve always stepped up to help when and where I could, but didn’t have the authority until now to jump in on some of the things needed (even though I knew how). Going forward, that won’t be an issue.
With the promotion, retirement is off the table for a while. To be perfectly honest, with the guillotine poised over Social Security, my retirement is postponed indefinitely.
Incidentally, I was required to submit a photo for the new job. (Yuck, but whatever.) I sent this selfie. You get to see my shaggy-partly-grown-out haircut. I’ll never love my mug. Considering I’m creeping up on 70 years old, though, I guess it could be worse.
It’s crazy quiet at the house with just the two of us here. There’s no more kids to move in with us. They’re all over 1000 miles away. We both love the kids and the grandchildren, but it’s really been a crunch to have extra people in this little house, not to mention the added expenses involved. I’m glad we could help – and just as glad we don’t need to any more, at least not for the foreseeable future.
Girl, I love this for you. No sarcasm!
That silence is one I keep reminding myself, will echo. But damn, April 15th (camp opens) is not coming soon enough, heh.
We are still 8, in approximately 1600 square ft. 1 bath and technically 3 bedrooms. Everyone has beds, and a roof and is safe. Hugs from here.
Thank you! We technically have two bedrooms in 950sf; but since I work from home, the second bedroom is our office. We talked about moving things around while the kids were here — but having a noisy child in the house meant I HAD to be able to close the door to work. Therefore the daughter and grandson were in the living room. It was better than where she was; still definitely not ideal.
Congratulations on the promotion, new salary and other perks. I know that has to make you feel more secure. And so happy your daughter and grandson got on their way. I hope things settle down for you and that you can enjoy the newness of your life.
Thank you, Terri! I’ve got fingers crossed things simmer down.