The Light at the End of the Tunnel....

....Has been turned off due to the economy...and pay cuts, cost of living and on and on and on. However, I do believe I've been able to turn mine back on and it's growing a little bit brighter by the day. Through the advice of some very knowledgeable friends I have been able to take advantge of some of the "debt restructuring" opportunities in out in the world. By doing so, I'm managing to bring my life back into a reasonable balance after the massive pay cuts we received at the beginning of the month. I'm told by the time the project I'm working on at work winds down at the end of the year, the mortgage loan modification should be complete and in place so the massive amounts of overtime won't be necessary any more - good thing as it's probably going away anyway. Not only will I be able to afford the mortgage on my now-reduced salary, I'll have time to enjoy the things I've been stashing for that rainy day...nice. Time and a little bit of money - what a concept. So, there does really seem to be a light...hoping it isn't the train, but really is daylight heading my way...and that 2010 will be a better year.

Moving On

The last couple of months have been very challenging. Losing a beloved friend, health issues, challenges with employment being just a few. However, the more that happens, the more I keep finding out how resilient I am. Doesn't mean I'm not complaining about it to everyone who'll listen, not at all. ;) It just means that I've been able to survive it all a lot better than I have in the past, or that I thought possible in my own mind - Thanks, Lorraine! I'd attribute that to a wonderful host of friends and a fabulous support system. Thanks, all! Anyway, my point is, that through all of this going on, I've still been able to continue on that one big adventure: weight loss. And while the loss hasn't been big on the scale, it's been big in my mind. So, here's to letting go, moving on and moving up!

One Last Chessa Post

When we played with all the other cats Chessa wasn't interested until we brought over a wand with a long ribbon on it. I tried a few times to get her to play, but she didn't want to. One day when we were in the family room I tried again and Chessa was so funny! She was like a little kitten. She chased the ribbon and slid across the slippery wood floor. Candy and Sue said that was the first time Chessa had ever played like that. It made me feel good that I got her to play. She was so funny to watch!

Memories by Megan

I think what I would like to share most is something that happened at noon on the 27th (of July), the day she passed away. I had dozed off on the loveseat and I had a dream. I don't know where I was but I was sitting on a bench in a wide open area people-watching. I looked up and Chessa was coming toward me. She jumped up on the bench beside me and I started petting her as I always did. She purred so loud as she always did. She only stayed for a few minutes, then climbed up on my lap, licked my face and gave me a look I'd never seen from her before. Then she jumped down off the bench and walked away. I woke up instantly and went to check my email...Sue had emailed just 7 minutes before letting us know Chessa was gone. I like to think Chessa came to tell me good-bye before she went to her better place.

Memories by Gena