I don't know how many times this happens in life (more often than not) but it seems when things seem so easy and so smooth that something bad is bound to happen. You ever get that feeling like, "Okay, things are going way too good right now, what is tomorrow going to bring? And you actually brace yourself for the impact because you know it's coming..."
Many of you know that things have fallen perfectly in place for us since about 1 year ago. We've made some crazy "jumps" over the past year that seem unbelievable (like Evil Knievel jumping over the Grand Canyon) and yet every time we've launched ourselves into the air, we've miraculously found the ground awaiting our arrival.
Jump #1
Can you hear the metal grinding, the brakes squealing, and our car getting ready for a serious impact? When my wife showed me the email I felt like that one skateboarder last year in the X Games. You know the guy that was 30 feet in the air but lost his board. Next image is of him floating down towards the concrete, with his legs kicking only but air, and landing with a THUD.
It's sorta like a car crash in a way. You have your seat belt on, you're strapped in, and yet you still put your arm out in front of your wife or loved one thinking that your arm will lessen the blow. I've been in a car crash before and I got news for you....it doesn't work....and in life even if you "put your arm out" the "bad" still happens.
Many of you know that things have fallen perfectly in place for us since about 1 year ago. We've made some crazy "jumps" over the past year that seem unbelievable (like Evil Knievel jumping over the Grand Canyon) and yet every time we've launched ourselves into the air, we've miraculously found the ground awaiting our arrival.
Jump #1
While living in Riverside, we found ourselves in financial trouble. Things were stable with my job but it seemed we spent what we earned and then some. We knew we needed to make a change but didn't know what that change would be. Most people move to Utah or Texas in order to save money and we knew we didn't want to do that. Nothing is wrong with those two states but they were "wrong" for us...that much we knew. Then the call came. "I'd like you to apply to be an English teacher at Laguna Beach High School." Crazy, right? Who in their right mind that is having financial trouble moves to Orange County?!?! After much prayer and fasting, we decided to take our first "jump."
Jump #2
Luckily I didn't choke in the interview and I got the job. So we had to decide what to do about our house in Riverside and where to live in Orange County. We put up our house for sale but nothing seemed to be happening even as we lowered the price. Then when things were looking bleak (miraculously), a friend of a friend asked Lou Ann if we would be willing to rent our home to them at a price similar to what we were paying for our mortgage. We hastily accepted their offer and they've been living there ever since with no issues or problems like most have when renting out their home.
Jump #3
For some reason we knew we needed to rent in the Beacon Hill area in Laguna Niguel but rental prices were high and it didn't seem like it would be possible. We were living with Lou Ann's parents at the time and it seemed like we were in for the long haul; however, one day at school I decided to check Craigslist.com. What do you know? A house in Beacon Hill (in our price range) had been posted that morning. I called, we checked it out after school, and signed the papers as soon as we could.
Jump #4
It's now a year later. We've had some great experiences. We live right next to the elementary school, the community pool, and the kids have made some great friends. But again....we feel the need to move on. We feel a pull towards Laguna Beach and that ward and that community. Crazy right? After all, how could we afford to move there? Anyway, we just knew we needed to make the jump so I asked my students if they knew of a house (in our price range). At first, they laughed and said, "Good luck." A few days later, a senior tells me that her neighbor is moving and maybe their house would be perfect for us. Come to find out, (a few days later) they would love to have a Mormon family living there and would keep the rent at a price we could afford. (By the way, it's two doors down from the principal of my school who is also Mormon and who got me the job in the first place).
Well, why do I tell you these things? It seems that every time we jump, we land on our feet safely on the other side the "canyon." However, even though we put our arms out and tried to brace for the impact, yesterday we got THE email: "Dear Lou Ann: My husband was just fired from his job and we can no longer afford to rent your house in Riverside. We're sorry but we have to move."
Can you hear the metal grinding, the brakes squealing, and our car getting ready for a serious impact? When my wife showed me the email I felt like that one skateboarder last year in the X Games. You know the guy that was 30 feet in the air but lost his board. Next image is of him floating down towards the concrete, with his legs kicking only but air, and landing with a THUD.
Jump #5
To be determined but if you know of someone who wants to live in Riverside or rent a home in Orangecrest....let us know? The Grand Canyon is a long drop......
6 comments:
Don't dispair. Things can still get worse. For starters, the protracted lawsuit that will ensue between you and your former freinds for breach of the rental agreement will be ugly. Next, President Obama will impose a 25% additional income tax on all those who live within 5 miles from a beach and will allocate this money to undocumented peoples living in the USA to compensate them for years of oppresion at the hands of those who are fortunate to live next to a beach. And, finally, it looks like the Lakers may not win the Finals and Kobe's coronation as the best basketball player on earth will have to wait another year.
I wish you the best, things will work out and you may still get to keep your right arm.
Dro, I think it's a sign to you and Louann that you need to move back to Riverside where all your real friends who actually read this crappy blog also live. Dude, get a good book and a train pass and you'll be to work in less than an hour. You watch the CW channel way too much.
Kyle, How many rings did wilt have? BTW- Leon Powe (celtic scrub) shot more free throws than the whole laker squad combined. I'm almost not a fan after last night.
Not to make light of Jon's pending home/lease situation and fully understanding that this topic is not who is the best NBA player is or was, I feel that I must respond to Chad. Wilt only won two NBA Championships in his 12 or 13-year career, and now you can see why. He lost in the finals or the semis to the Celtics probably 6 or 7 times. Based on your astute observations of the foul discrepancy in the current series, I hope you now see that Wilt got jobbed countless times against the Celtics just as Kobe is getting jobbed now, thus limiting Wilt's number of championships and votes in the never ending mythical best player ever debate.
Of course the Celtics won on their home court. Did anyone expect anything else? Tell me this? If the NBA isn't fixed, how come the Lakers are (all of a sudden) 10 pt. favorites in tonight's game?
The Lakers shoot more free throws tonight than the Celtics, Kobe goes off (at least 10-15 free throws) and the Celtics are in foul trouble all night.
I'm not even going to watch...the outcome is pre-determined.
Kyle,
I'm beginning to become a believer in Wilt now, thanks for pointing it out. After Sundays game I am starting to believe the nba controls each teams destiny. The NBA knows that the Celtics will have no chance next year when Bynum returns to make the lakers a "bigger three" than Boston. So what to do? make sure the Celtics win this year in order to set up an even more profitable NBA championship match up in 09. They are hoping and praying that kobe doesn't go off for 50 and win despite the huge foul discrepancy the league throws at them. David Stern is evil.
do i understand your jumps or what!?! except our crash hasnt stopped! UGH! i keep telling myself things could be worse-oh ya wait they are!! haha no kidding...but that does help me..just knowing someone out there has it even worse then i do...
im also learning about patience as i wait for the next jump....when there is NO income for 2.5 years..patience, patience, patience...
i hope you get your place rented out-it seems that no one can afford the house they are in..so they are dumping them and moving into a mortgage/rent they can afford--so im thinking something will turn out for you! but i agree with chad-get a book & grab the train already! we miss you guys!!
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