What a Strange Afternoon

[queenoftheskies]

I wanted to go to the academic competition my youngest son is competing in today, but it's a long drive down to Long Beach from here, and since my one tire is leaking, I decided not to chance it. I wanted to try to scrape up some money for a new one so I could go, but, as always these days, another emergency came up that requires extra money instead.

My oldest son, who coaches the school's Academic Decathlon team told me that my youngest son beat the team genius' scores on ALL the practice tests yesterday and scored a 960 (out of 1000) on the music test, and did well on the Super Quiz practice, too, so I'm sitting here rooting for him as I know they've probably started Super Quiz right now.

So, I've been kind of blue. Normally, I can handle the work stress and getting home late and the fact that I'm making $17,000 less since the new folks took over.

But, getting paid every two weeks on that much less money is hard sometimes. I keep hoping it'll get easier, but it's really hard to stretch the money and, sometimes (like months when I have car insurance or extras due), it's harder.

I hate the thought of having to go back to a Controller job or having to commute to LA. That would cause huge headaches and mean even less time to write. But, it might have to be done.

This afternoon, I find myself web-surfing apartments and jobs in other parts of the country. It's not that I want to leave California, and I think I'd be sad if I did, but there's so much out there and the rents are so much LESS and the apartments more like homes.

Sometimes, it's tempting.

This afternoon, I was looking at Nashville. That's where I was born and lived for 25 years. In a few months, I'll turn 50, so maybe, now that I've been out here for 25 years, I'm getting nostalgic. I don't know.

I love Nashville. Love Tennessee. Have very, very, very MANY bad memories of living there. Abusive, religious family and the like. However, it's been a long time and I wouldn't have to see them, so I looked.

It never hurts to look.

I found 2,000 sqaure foot apartments (my apartment is maybe 850) that cost $300 LESS per month than I pay. Isn't that CRAZY? Complete with fireplaces and microwaves and beautiful, wonderful ammenities. THey even accept multiple pets.

But, the real clencher...there are glorious, glorious trees in Nashville. And, lakes. And trees. Did I mention trees?

There appear to be jobs, too.

But...it's just daydreaming. Even if I actively wanted to move, I don't think I could get the money together to do it. And, I've lost contact with all my friends I once had there. And, they wouldn't understand that I'm not a church-goer any more...and wouldn't be tolerant.

I just need something to cheer me up until I hit one of those 3 paycheck months that rolls around periodically. :)

I am thankful to have a job, an apartment, and a running car. There were times that I had none of those luxuries.

I am thankful. Just a little stressed.