A song I've recently heard which comes from the movie version of "Mama Mia" will touch the heart of every mother (and father) and will most likely bring tears to the eyes of the Grandmas and Grandpas reflecting upon the experience of raising children. It's an Abba song called "Slipping Through My Fingers". I love Meryl Streep's version.
Here's a brief clip from the movie where she and her daughter sing towards the end of the song (you'll probably have to copy and paste the link)...http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3889758489/
As I sit here by myself, I think about where I've been and where I'm going. I'm at the point in my life where I realize that each day is certainly a blessing. You never know what tomorrow is going to bring so I know I need to make the best of today. It's this point that causes me significant angst because what I'm doing in my job here in Virginia feels useless and artificial. My insignificant contribution to my company and the Department of the Navy seems worthless when I think of all the other things in our country (not to mention the rest of the world) that need focused attention and effort.
There are so many examples I can think of: Our education system (the lack of pay for good teachers, the lack of books and supplies in our rural and lower income areas); the global environment crisis (global warming, the loss of the glaciers); the energy crisis (the need to create fuel and energy alternatives), health care (making it affordable for all Americans and changing the focus to preventative measures rather than the focus doctors and health companies currently have--just prescribe medication); healthier lifestyles for people as well as the environment (educating people about healthly choices and making those choices affordable, as well as holding community leaders personally responsible to work for a better environment and neighborhood); ensuring local farmers and small businesses can survive (buying local produce and supporting the mom and pop shops). I could go on and on.
I know I can't solve everything, but even working on one small area...focusing my efforts on one thing may give me so much more "job" satisfaction than what I'm currently doing. I need to make a change but admittedly don't know how to. I know what my current pay check has allowed me to do. If I eliminate that now, we will have a dramatic lifestyle change, leading to much more infrequent visits with our families. Plus, selecting a single area to focus on is a challenge for me because I am passionate about all the areas.
So, I continue to read and research things and hope to narrow down my focus real soon. I'm looking forward to Mark coming home in a couple of weeks so we can discuss our near future. And, I'm definitely ready to see Sara and see what Colorado may hold!
I am so excited about our upcoming trip to Boulder! Can't wait to see Sara again! It's been 4 months since I last saw her...way too long! I am also looking forward to meeting Zach, her boyfriend.
Just saw where CNN's Money magazine has listed Fort Collins, CO as the #2 best place to live in America. Plymouth, MN (about 30 minutes outside of Minneapolis) was #1. And, the Sully area (where we're living) ranked #25.
So much information (sometimes too much) making it difficult to decide where to relocate for Plan B. We want to look at different towns while we're out visiting Sara. We can do that in the day while Sara's working. We're definitely looking forward to spending time with her!
Those 6 days I got to spend in California last week with Holly, Erich, Zoe, and Ezra certainly solidified what I already knew...there is nothing more important than family! I'm sure this fact will be played over again in about 3 weeks when I get to visit Sara in Colorado. This is why I'm so anxious to move on to my Plan B!
Because the stock market has taken a tumble (and doesn't show any signs of changing for the positive any time soon), my 401K continues to drop in value. I may not be able to retire as early as I'd hoped. This is one of the reasons I'm looking for a job in Colorado Springs. It's more affordable to live in the Midwest. (I guess Colorado is considered the Midwest.) I could still earn a living and while at the same time get familiar with the Colorado life style and determine if this is an area I'd like to retire to. (Mark already thinks he would like it a lot.) And, I'm hoping my stress level will go down--less traffic and more time (hopefully) to focus on my health and fitness.
My dream is to have both daughters (and their families) in the same state and preferably within a couple of hours of each other. I wish my Mom, sister, brothers and Mark's family could all be close, too, but that's probably too big a dream.
