So You Had a Bad Day?
Wow… It never ceases to amaze me how much your own problems can suddenly seem so small. I am currently unemployed and the job market in this area stinks. Sheila and I continue to discuss how we can cut back, and what our options will be if I can’t find anything suitable in this area. The stress level is up…
Suddenly, I find out today that my brother Jim and his wife Cammi lost their house and EVERYTHING within while they were away at work yesterday. A fire gutted their home. Gone… House… Clothes… Pictures… Personal Items…
I know that at some point, both he and I will look back at this point in time and think about how much those around us helped out, smile a little inside, and think about how glad we are to be wherever we are at that point. But right now it stinks.
Jim has hands down gone through more (a LOT more) drama in life than I have, and I really feel terrible about his situation right now. I’m sure he’ll hear all the normal things over the coming weeks such as “at least no one was hurt” or “it could have been worse, the garage could have gone up too and you would have lost your Harley.” 
But none of that will lessen the sting right now. I know they are going to be hurting for a while…
Jim and Cammi, you are loved by many. We are all thinking of you. Jim, I pray for you more than you know and I will continue to. Keep your chins up.
With love…
April 13th, 2009 at 5:18 am
Ugh, I am so sorry to hear this. There have been so many fires around here lately – it just terrifies me.
Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help out.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Hey, just happened to check your site for the first time in forever. I’m so glad Jim & fam is okay…
And sorry to hear about your employment difficulties… Michigan is having a hard time, and Oregon (where I live now) is right next to it. Time to work the network, and beef up them geek skills. I finally finished my MCSA last year, and it helped me land my current job, but I’m going on to MCSE and Cisco as well. Check out the Microsoft site (PTUI!) – they’ve got a ton of free study courses for the exams. You’ve already got the experience, so it’s time for the certs, brotha!
And seeing the camping photo brings back some memories. Do your folks still have that blowup of you sitting on the cliff?
Take it easy, and hugs to you guys…
April 17th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
ender: Thanks for the offer. Unfortunately, my brother lives in Illinois and there not much I can even do. The good thing is that they have a LOT of friends & family helping out. Things will get better, but it’ll take a while…
Mr. Shemp: How’s it going??? Thanks for posting! Yeah, the geek skills are feeling a bit undervalued at the moment due to my lack of certs. I’m about to start a few freelance jobs that should carry us for little bit, but need to get serious about something full-time soon. I’m seriously thinking of turning my back on the interweb as a full-time career and actually do something that burns fat and builds muscle. I miss the days that I felt sore at the end of the day and knew I had helped “make” something.
I’ve been getting out in the ministry a TON with me being off and Sheila regular auxing. I’m loving it. As much as I hate the uncertainty right now, I think the change of pace and the perspective 180 has been a really good thing for me.
So what are you two up to? I had heard from Papa Smurf that you were out there on Oregon. Did the new job take you out that way or did you go out there and then find work?
The blown-up picture of me is in my basement right now. Gotta love the look on my face. I was SO stupid going out there…
Later man!