When I got up this morning I had big plans. I thought I'd be able to use my Food Stamp card to get groceries. I have a lesson plan that calls for me to have particular ingredients. I also wanted to use it to buy Mom some groceries. Because I did not remember how much I was allotted this month I called the number on the back of the card. Turns out my money does not go on the card until the 7th. At first I was very discouraged because I have very little food in the house (I lost most of what I had when the refrigerator unit went down), I wanted to help my mother out and I wanted to be able to start that unit as soon as possible.

I'm learning patience the hard way. I'm also learning not to make plans before consulting with God. So, today when Elyce e-mailed me her latest complaint about her inconsiderate alcoholic/addict I not only identified but I thought of a song that would give us both gratitude for what we do have and something to smile about because the song comes from our sunnier past.

Money's Too Tight to Mention

As sung by Simply Red

I been laid off from work, my rent is due
My kids all need brand new shoes
So I went to the bank to see what they could do
They said, "Son, looks like bad luck got a hold on you."

Money's too tight to mention
I can't get an unemployment extension
Money's too tight to mention

I went to my brother to see what he could do
He said, "Brother, I'd like to help but I'm unable to."
So called on my father, "Father,
Almighty father." he said,

Money's too tight to mention
Oh, money, money, money, money
Money's too tight to mention
I can't even qualify for my pension

We're talking bout reaganomics
Oh, lord down in the congress
They're passing all kinds of bills
From up there on capitol hill, we've tried it

Money's too tight to mention
Oh, money, money, money, money
Money's too tight to mention
Cutbacks!

We're talking bout the dollar bill
And that old man who's over the hill
Now what are we all to do
When money's got a hold on you

Money's too tight etc.

We're talking bout money, money
We're talking bout money, money

But you know I do feel blessed because:

I do have a new job that is close to where I live. I've met 4 out of 5 of the parents and children. I don't have a lot of things in the classroom to work with but I can improvise. I can make some things myself. And that unit I wanted to begin can wait until the other assistant is back from her missionary trip. The best thing came as I was leaving the school. For the first time in 18 years of teaching I have been given a mentor. It's not the one I thought I'd get but it may turn out to be a better option.

The apartment manager got me a brand new air conditioner. I slept better last night than I have in some time. I'm going to have a new bathroom when the maintenance people can get to it. I have food in the kitchen. It's not a lot but it will last me until next Tuesday when I can get started.

I don't have money for the laundry machines but I do have clean clothes for now and I have washer and dryer at my disposal elsewhere.

I don't have a lot of things but I can be grateful for what I do have.

I just looked at my perpetual calendar. It says volumes:

There will never be another
day quite like this one.
It it brings some disappointments,
learn from them and then let them go.
Make the most of each new
opportunity, savor each triumph,
and reach out in love
to those around you.

Since I've been home from school, I've had a nap, eaten a good meal and I've spent a few hours coloring items for two file folder games. Something kept telling me that I needed to look in the crate under the CDs. I found two notebooks with units I did while Joey was still in prison and during my first year of recovery. I thought that I'd left all of those in the old classroom! This is a God wink. There are folder games in one unit and there is the beginning of adapted reading material in another that can be finished and used with the new classroom. Wow! Now, see. The day began with a disappointment but it has ended with a triumph. How appropriate.