Sunday Thoughts...

We watched a movie Friday night called "Slumdog Millionaire"....you've heard of it I am sure. It won a bazillion awards at the Oscars, Golden Globes etc. Anyway...if you haven't seen it and are wondering if it lived up to the hype my answer is "YES". Although the movie was not necessarily a 'feel good' movie, it was a sobering reminder of all that is good in our country as well as a deeply personal reminder of all that is good in my own little world. I've been thinking about it all weekend.... Yes our economy sucks... Yes our President seems to making ridiculous decisions (in my opinion, of course).... Sometimes it feels like we are just around the corner from completely falling apart. But, in the midst of all of this, we really do have it good. I just cannot imagine living in a place like that which is depicted in this movie. I keep thinking surely it was exaggerated for Hollywood purposes.... but in researching the movie I have found that it is actually pretty accurate. Im sure that there are 'nicer' places in India than what was shown in the movie but overall, it left me really grateful to live in this country.

Yesterday was such a frustrating day. First of all there is someone close to me that has been in the hospital all week with a mysterious health problem. Everytime I got an update, I was left feeling as though the staff at the hospital were really circus performers undercover. Like we were being 'Punked' or something. I understand that you never have the same nurse all day long. Shifts change, schedules change.....but the level of care shouldnt change and for hecks sake it would be nice if they would communicate with each other as they switched. I was beginning to think that this person would never leave the hospital because no one at the hospital seemed to really know why they were there in the first place. It was crazy. The good news today was that they are officially home and hopefully on the mend....now that the hospital figured it out! The other frustrating thing about yesterday involved another major organization. My husband owes his ex-wife money from child support arrears. There were times in the past when months were skipped for one reason or another and over the years, interest has been added to that balance. A few months ago I made a startling discovery that there are over $7000 in payments missing from this organizations records that I have proof were made. So, I spent 3 or 4 days making copies, filling out forms, and typing a nice neat letter of explanation that detailed each and every document included. This was no small task. But, I wanted to be thorough.....we were simply asking that they recalculate the arrearage and include the missing payments and make adjustments for interest charged on payments that were never missing to begin with. Yes, Denver would still owe some money after all that but the amount would be significantly less. So, yesterday we received a letter stating that they had completed their review. However, nothing was mentioned about a new balance. In fact the letter made no sense at all. They concluded that they were justified in taking Denvers tax refund to apply to the balance. OK......we never questioned that. We dont care about that. This request had nothing to do with that. So, we are back to square one with absolutely nothing accomplished. What kind of fools do they have working over there anyway (Arizona DES) ? UGH! It left me in a foul mood to say the least. I do feel better today though. I went to church and the message was clear....everything will work out. We definitely dont owe the money and one way or another, it will get fixed and the balance will be adjusted.

Sometimes, I think we just have to stop and take a breath. This past week I have really reflected on my family both immediate and extended. Things happen so fast sometimes that you can be caught off guard..... I tend to think it is God's way of slowing us down so that we can take care of unfinished business or to look at a situation and realize that we need to make changes. I hope that I can recognize these messages when they come and then have the courage to take the action necessary..... I am so grateful for the life that I have. It isnt perfect and sometimes Im left wishing I had a little more....but then I have a week like this one and realize that I really do have it pretty good.