Buffalo Gal

Just three days into our new world of unemployment everything falls sharply into two columns -- Before the Axe (BA) and After the Axe (AA).
BA we were going to move to Buffalo sometime in the next 14 months, probably about a year from now when the leaves are turning and the snow hasn't started. That was supposed to be the postcard setting for the homecoming I've planned on some level for the last 25 years. One daughter would have graduated college, the other would be close. Medical bills would be paid off and there would be money in the bank. We would enjoy a personal renaissance. I would involve myself in the community in some spectacular way to pay my penance for a couple decades of desertion.
It was going to be an old house near Delaware Park with thick stone walls in the basement and a huge hearth and fireplace. I'd live the life I dreamt happened beyond the doors with stained glass windows everytime I rode through the area on a field trip schoolbus.
AA we'll be up there as soon as I can get a job or we can sell this house. Whichever comes first. One of the better scenarios would involve moving to Buffalo in January. Charlie and I may need to live 1,000 miles apart for awhile and a temporary apartment will definately be involved -- not the lovingly restored 100-year old duplexes in the old city neighborhoods, but the suburban kind that take pets as one of their only remaining marketing advantages.
I used to cry about one daughter not likely coming home for the holidays this year. Now I don't know where home will be.
AA we're running out of things that can go wrong and the possibilities for good things are infinite.
My cottage on Lake Erie and Parkside home are still there waiting, the way to get to them has simply been rerouted.
Working full-time rarely meant less than 50-60 hours a week for me. I did it for more than 20 years. It's been less than two years of the luxury of writing at home. As I put together resume packages yesterday, I was surprised at how excited I am at the prospect of going back to the other kind of work.
So it's time to let go of BA.
This is the last you'll hear about what the plans were supposed to be, they are what they are. It's up to me to make them work.
As the late Harry Chapin said "It's got to be the going, not the getting there, that's good."

Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs

Buffalo Gal Judi Griggs I'm a communications professional, writer, cynic, mother, wife and royal pain. The order depends on the day. I returned to my hometown in November 2004 after a couple of decades of heat and hurricanes. I can polish pristine copy, but not here. This is my morning exercise -- 20-minute takes without a net or spellcheck. It's easier than sit ups for me. No guarantee what it will be for you. Clicking on the subscribe link will send you an email notice when each new entry is posted.
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Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (0) Share on Facebook		2004-10-14 7:16 AM Accelerating the plan Just three days into our new world of unemployment everything falls sharply into two columns -- Before the Axe (BA) and After the Axe (AA). BA we were going to move to Buffalo sometime in the next 14 months, probably about a year from now when the leaves are turning and the snow hasn't started. That was supposed to be the postcard setting for the homecoming I've planned on some level for the last 25 years. One daughter would have graduated college, the other would be close. Medical bills would be paid off and there would be money in the bank. We would enjoy a personal renaissance. I would involve myself in the community in some spectacular way to pay my penance for a couple decades of desertion. It was going to be an old house near Delaware Park with thick stone walls in the basement and a huge hearth and fireplace. I'd live the life I dreamt happened beyond the doors with stained glass windows everytime I rode through the area on a field trip schoolbus. AA we'll be up there as soon as I can get a job or we can sell this house. Whichever comes first. One of the better scenarios would involve moving to Buffalo in January. Charlie and I may need to live 1,000 miles apart for awhile and a temporary apartment will definately be involved -- not the lovingly restored 100-year old duplexes in the old city neighborhoods, but the suburban kind that take pets as one of their only remaining marketing advantages. I used to cry about one daughter not likely coming home for the holidays this year. Now I don't know where home will be. AA we're running out of things that can go wrong and the possibilities for good things are infinite. My cottage on Lake Erie and Parkside home are still there waiting, the way to get to them has simply been rerouted. Working full-time rarely meant less than 50-60 hours a week for me. I did it for more than 20 years. It's been less than two years of the luxury of writing at home. As I put together resume packages yesterday, I was surprised at how excited I am at the prospect of going back to the other kind of work. So it's time to let go of BA. This is the last you'll hear about what the plans were supposed to be, they are what they are. It's up to me to make them work. As the late Harry Chapin said "It's got to be the going, not the getting there, that's good." Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs Read/Post Comments (0) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top