WYFP (What's Your Fucking Problem) is our community's Saturday evening gathering to talk about our problems, empathize with one another, share advice, pootie pictures, favorite adult beverages, and anything else that we think might help. Everyone and all sorts of troubles are welcome. May we find peace and healing here.
Won't you please share the joy of WYFP by recommending?
When I signed up for tonight's slot, I purposely chose this date. Today is my birthday, and I wanted to share this evening with all of you. A birthday that once in a while falls on or is close to Thanksgiving, especially when you are the chief cook and bottle washer, pretty much passes by with just a little bit of recognition. Yes, I get the phone calls from my out-of-town loved ones, and it is very much appreciated. We don't go out for dinner or a celebration of sorts - I live in a ski resort village, and this weekend is always packed with those who travel in to either ready their vacation homes or to start skiing if the hills are ready to accommodate them. (The hills aren't ready, but its getting close. I understand the snow guns are being used as much as possible.) This place is packed in the wintertime, and, living as a "local", its usually not worth the hassle from the (rude) crowds. We'll patronize the local restaurants in the summer; they won't see us during the winter!
But, I didn't even have to heat up the Thanksgiving leftovers today - my spouse actually made homemade pizza, the dough made with our bread machine, and it was quite good. Earlier today, I treated myself and spent some time at a local casino. So, I did get out for a bit and I thoroughly enjoyed myself!
And that's OK with me. Now, on to tonight's theme.
Initially, I thought my theme would be to share all of those bits of wisdom and advice I've picked up over the years and to ask for your input as well. Well, things have a funny way of changing. Instead, tonight's theme is "life's sucker punches". You know - the ones that sneak up out of nowhere, punch you in the gut, and suck the breath out of your lungs - life's unexpected downturn of events.
A financial setback the really throws your finances into chaos.
The home repair(s)/broken appliance(s)/car repair(s)/medical expense that you really didn't need at this time, and can barely, if at all, afford.
A devastating home fire or act of mother nature. An auto accident.
Unexpected bad medical news.
The healthy body that suddenly betrays you, and life is never going to be the same.
Learning of and watching the "train wreck" that a loved one is going through, by their own choices, and your input and help isn't wanted or appreciated.
The sudden death of a loved one/pet.
That phone call/visit from the local police department, state trooper, and/or your child's school.
Betrayal from a loved one or friend. The news from your spouse/partner that they are leaving you.
The pregnancy test result that you really can't believe you are seeing.
Extra points for a positive result, you are single, and your partner abandons you at this crucial time.
An unexpected job firing or layoff.
Unexpected rejection.
And on and on... (I really don't want to say how many of the above I've experienced in just the past 12 months. And yes, one of the above is the reason for my theme tonight. But no, the following paragraph's story is not the reason!)
Who wants to come and fix a crumbling plaster wall? This is the newest sucker punch; it happened due to water damage from a piss-poor roofing job (thanks, roofers, who moved south just after Katrina hit). Apparently its been leaking for a while but had been hidden due to wallpaper. My husband thinks he has been able to fix the leak, (so far, so good), but the interior damage still has to be dealt with. And its going to be a project and a half. I'm not even going to try to match the wallpaper, and the walls are papered starting from the first floor stairs throughout the second floor hallways; the hallways are immense. Think of a line that goes down (16 ft.), then to the right (12 ft.), and then down again (16 ft.). So, wallboard will be needed for the repair, and I'll be stripping a lot of wallpaper, repairing and painting walls and trimwork. Its a very old house, (1870). Everything has trimwork. I am going to paint over wallpaper that is still in good shape, though. That's the one compromise I'm making. A good bit of it, though, is going to have to come down. It just sucks that the last item on the house repair/renovation list has suddenly moved into the number one slot.
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I personally don't know anyone who has not experienced at least one of these sucker punches; they are a part of life, learning and growing. They help shape the person that you are. I do believe that there are many times when the way a person handles the situation is more significant that the initial situation.
It is said that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. At this point in my life, though, I'm starting to question that line of thinking. Although not possible, I'd like to know just how many of these punches does it take until it dents your spirit. How many successive, different punches can a person endure? Is there a life-time limit? If so, I feel that I've met or am coming really close to my quota! There are days, and then there are days.
This past year has been pretty rough, and for those who know me, it shows. I'm trying to scratch my way back to some things I had to abandon, but it seems that just about every time this year I was ready to step up, I was sucker punched back to the dark side. Each punch seems to make it just a bit harder to recover.
But I'm determined to make my "way back", and damn it, I will. I would just like to know how long it's going to take!
But, its not been all bad. There have been bright spots, like the surprise party we had this past May in Vegas for my parents' 50th Anniversary. Any trip to Vegas is a good time, and the party was a huge hit. I attended YearlyKos, and it helped. It helped a lot. YearlyKos was just as much, if not more fun than last year's event. I got to spend time with my dearest friend that I hadn't seen in six years. I met more of my Kosmates, connected with the New York Dems, had a great time, and haven't laughed as much or felt that light-hearted in a long time. It did me a world of good and it was just what I needed. (I am very much looking forward to Netroots Nation in Austin next July. I spent a good amount of work-related time there and in San Antonio during the mid-80's, and it will be good to "go back", reconnect and make new friends, have a tasty margarita or two, and eat some yummy BBQ beef brisket.)
But most of all, I have wonderful people in my life and a loving, supportive and understanding husband. I have a roof over my head and food in my kitchen pantry and freezer. I have what I need.
So what's going on in your corner of the world tonight? How can we help?