Some of you may understand the mixed feelings that lurk behind that statement-- disappointment, guilt, sadness, relief, anger, etc...
No one wants to walk away from something that they think is important, but I had to do what was best for my family.
This "job" was the opposite of "right" for my family for so many reasons.
I kind of wish my blog was more anonymous and I wouldn't have to write so stinking cryptically.
On the bright side, this week of soul-searching has left me with very little appetite. I could lose weight along with an enormous amount of stress if this all goes well. I will gain back a massive amount of creative time-- ie writing and photography.
NEWS:
Update on son # 1. He just took the ASVAB (again) and will begin paperwork sometime in the next week or so for the Air Force. He says he doesn't want to wipe elderly bums for the rest of his life. Just when I was was feeling hopeful about my future senior care, he gives up nursing.
At least he'll have a secure job, which would help free up some of my worry time...
Politics over here have been quite exciting. Well, maybe exciting isn't the best word, but the election resulting in a hung Parliament did hold my attention for several consecutive minutes. I'm sure you all know that England has a new Prime Minister?
When all of the world's leaders are starting to be younger than you, it's really depressing.
David Cameron is 43. He is basically running a country at 43 years of age. Know what I was doing at 43? Nursing a child that would one day turn our lives upside down. I hope for the UK's sake, there are no parallels to our stories.
Let's end this pointlessly verbose post with a bang, shall we?
"An aviation expert has warned that the ongoing problem with an ash cloud, drifting from a volcano in Iceland, could cause disruption 'for more than 20 years' - affecting the UK and the rest of the world." BBC News
Yee-haw. I can't even begin to tell you how this will disrupt our lives, some of us very seriously-- and when I say "us" I mean the population in the UK, not one self-absorbed American living in Norfolk.
However,
I'd better get stuck IN Disney World rather than FROM it.
I don't mind being the silver-haired lady with a sign around her neck, "Will work for room payment" if my holiday is forced to last a little longer (Disney World for 20 years, can it be done?). Which leads me to a very important thought for the day:
If the world as we knew it had ended, kind of like the world in Stephenie Meyer's The Host but minus the aliens, where in Disney World would you set up house and why?
Think about it, get back to me. I need the diversion to occupy all of my upcoming free time.
Sorry about the church situation. I do empathize. Very hard to make these decisions and live with them, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteYay for son number 1. I wish him the best of luck.
Lately I'm starting to feel like EVERYONE is younger than me!
Hope they're wrong about the ash. It's hard to even contemplate 20 years of disruption.
SO jealous of your Disney trip. We've been twice and always stayed at the All Stars. Obviously that's not where I'd set up house. Animal Kingdom resort has always appealed, but I can't imagine truly setting up house there. I could easily summer at Beach club. We arrived early there for a meal once and Jacob and Julianna were literally swooning over the pools. Of course the Grand Floridian I'm sure would be full of elegance and I could stand a touch of elegance for a few weeks.
That's it! I think I'll pick all the luxury resorts and spend 3-4 weeks at each. We'll start with Wilderness Lodge. I think my kids would love everything about it.
Hope you have a wonderful time when you get to go.
Hope you get your appetite back soon too. There's nothing wrong with putting your family first. Truly. Sometimes it's hard to do, but ultimately I think it's important. It's hard to be good at anything else if the sacrifice is too large.
I guess I'd have to live at the Tea Cups, because I love the tea cups. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThere is something about sons reaching the Doh! age. They just wake up one day, slap themselves upside the forehead & decide they no longer want to be the doer of menial tasks. Hurray! Better late than never, right?
Here's hoping you get (conveniently) lost at Disney World (alone)!
Regarding the appetite... Why question fate? I mean, really.
I know that it had to be hard to give up the church position, but sometimes you have to do the right thing. You done good.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to visit Disney a few more times to make an informed decision on where to set up house. We're saving desperately to go next year. Go, swagbucks, helping us along!
My hubs was called before the church board last year, and asked not to talk about the KJV. He was crushed. On the following Sunday, I resigned all of my positions too. Guess what, they can run the church without us doing the jobs we've done for years. None of us is irreplaceable.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time since we've been to Disney world, so I have no idea what they even have available.
I've walked those shoes, when I stepped down from being a Church Trustee. I needed to simply sit in a pew on Sunday morning..and honestly, it's a nice!
ReplyDelete~AM
I know you struggled with the church decision and that it wasn't easy for you to resign. I think you made the right choice.
ReplyDeleteAs for Disney, I've never been there, but I'm sure I could find a nice spot to settle in there somewhere! :D
I have had my same church job for 5 years. I have strongly hinted for a change. I think it might be time for me to follow your lead...
ReplyDeleteWell, we just went to DWorld 3 months ago, but I think I still like DLand better. If I got to set up shop, it would definitely be on the Jungle Cruise. The only place in Disney Land/World with shade.
Oh, btw, I recently have been taking pot shots at Stephanie Meyer over on my blog. In fact, I did a Twilight blog just today. Please don't be offended. I really don't think she is that bad... she's just an easy target.
ReplyDeleteThe good news is--Jesus doesn't resign on you. Church work goes on. I am glad you are putting your family first. Your church needs to volunteer to help you out! But you know what your doing. It really is OK you know. As for disney world? Since i haven't been i don't know what i'm missing or where i would live. After my recent spa day--I think I'll stick with my own place, it's looking pretty good to me.
ReplyDeleteI understand the guilt Jeri. I'm only in the nursery, but I too would feel guilty about throwing in the towel. However, I think you know best what you and your family needs, and I know you've wrestled with this decision. There will be plenty of opportunity's for service in the church, don't beat yourself up one bit about your decision.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your son.
Hmmm, I've never been to Disney World, so I'll have to use Disney Land to answer your question. I would set up shop in one of those cute little castle in It's a Small World.
Don't waste one more minute feeling guilty about the calling thing- you DO have to do what is in the interest of your sanity. I would have NO problem resigning from a calling if I really couldn't do it. Then again, when you're a B-list Mormon, you don't have to worry about the big, yucky callings so I've never had a stressful enough job in the Church to NEED resigning. I enjoy serving in things OUTSIDE the Church- much more rewarding personally.
ReplyDeletePolitics have been absorbing me lately too. I'm a volunteer on a big Senate campaign and our candidate is gaining National attention right now- kind of fun!
As for Disney World/ Land- I'm squicked out by it ever since I read they have to have special vacuums to clean up the rides etc. because there are so many people who want their ashes spread there. Gross! Spread uncle Fred's ashes at Disneyland and he's gonna end up in a vacuum then at some landfill or something. I don't imagine I will EVER go in the Haunted Mansion again (the most popular dumping spot). I wouldn't recommend setting up house there, goodness knows how many bits of other 'residents' are still in there!
I LOVE coming over and reading your posts Jeri, they are great diversions for me.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely unique! And I treasure your uniqueness!!
Keep shining dear one.
Big hugs
Peggy xxxx
About your church situation: "Family first", right? You did the right thing. No one will think less of you, I am sure.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post a lot. I love how you share what's in your head. You keep saying i's random ramblings, but I love the flow of it, I love how you write. :)
Keep it up. :)
...And I have never been to Disney World, at least not the Paris one, so I'm not sure where I'd like to live. Maybe where they sell icecream or something... :)
congratulations on saying no. it's a big step.
ReplyDeleteUmmm, I have never been to anything Disney. But I'd set up closest to food and fun and sun =) And I know you may be disappointed, but in the bigger picture it is for the best family wise.
ReplyDeleteAnd yay for #1 son =D
Sorry about the church thingy but I totally understand. Been there myself.
ReplyDeleteBeing stuck in Disney would be wonderful. I think I would like the Caribbean world...beaches...water...sun...what could be better?
Hugs
SueAnn
I'm proud of you for putting your family first... even if it is tough it is a good thing!!
ReplyDelete*hugs*
I have such the right feeling about your decision re the "volunteering." Such the right feeling....now, which Disney, and when? I'll come get stuck there. We can figure out particulars such as housing and food after the euphoria wears off.
ReplyDeleteI've had to cry "Uncle" a couple times at church, too. Nursery and then Sunbeams teacher of your own autistic child and several others when you're 8 months pregnant and barely holding on to sanity was a good enough reason in my book.
ReplyDeleteNow, about Disney? World or Land? Since I only remember Disneyland, I'll have to go with that one. My favorite would have to be Pirates of the Caribbean. If you just lopped off the pirates and stuck me in the Caribbean, I'd be even more happy.
I know how hard it is to have to say no to some things at church, thinking of you matey. Yay for son#1 as well :)
ReplyDeleteI am SO glad to hear you've stepped down from the volunteer position. Yay for J! What a relief!
ReplyDeleteIf I were to set up house because the world ended, it would be in or near Tulsa. Seriously.
don't for a second feel guilty! what was your calling anyways?
ReplyDeletei've got no thoughts on disney -- but a deep yearning to re-read The Host (i'm coming to find that it is becoming my summer reader --- just can't get enough - by bor says that a movie is in the works for that book)
and ---- LOVE, love, LOVE the key chain (i had totally forgotten what i was going to be getting from you...) it ROCKS --- the candy was an interesting experience for us "over the pond-ers" but thank you so much! (i like winning things from your kido's!)