11.05.2004: The Circus Has Left Town
The election is over. Like most people, some of my candidates won, some lost. Some of the losses I expected; others were dissapointing. But it's over, and I have one thing to say: "Take down your stupid yard signs! It's over with."
Actually one of the funniest things in the Presidential election was Iowa. As I mentioned before, many of our local TV stations, including our personal favored news channel, are across the river in Iowa; so I heard about every campaign visit that came there. To say there were 'a lot' does an injustice to the concept of 'a lot'. I think 'Ludicrously Excessive' says it best.
And what did either side get from all that campaigning? Nada. Iowa was so split that they voted themselves into irrelevance. Three days after the election and they still haven't called a winner in Iowa (Bush currently has a slight lead, 50% to 49%.) But y'know what? It doesn't matter, the election is over. Iowa, the perpetually undecided, the swingin' state that saw both candidates and their wives more than DC did in the last few months, isn't a factor in this year's election. To quote Bill Murray, "It just doesn't matter; It just doesn't matter!"
I've mentioned before that we were foster parents. We have an adorable baby boy in our home right now. And though nothing is official and nothing is certain until it happens, everyone says his case will likely lead to him being available for adoption. My wife and I would be delighted if this happens... but for now I have to keep reminding my self that no matter how sure the workers are that something will happen, it hasn't happened yet.
Still, he's a wonderful baby and we're enjoying having him with us. He's mostly sleeping through the night now, although he did half-wake up this morning crying. He didn't need a change and he didn't take much bottle, but he kept squirming in his sleep. I came to the conclusion he must've been having a bad dream, and just held him till he fell back into a sound sleep. He's just so darn cute!
In other exciting possibilities, it looks like we finally have a buyer for our old house (remember last year's soapboxes when I talked about moving? Yeah, that same house.) This one is pretty much another answer to prayer, and not just our prayers. Just when the finances were starting to get really tight we got a call from a friend from chuch who had in-laws that were looking for a house. They had moved back to Rock Island recently after a small business in another state had failed. They were renting a very tiny little mini-bungalow and paying a huge monthly storage fee to hold most of their stuff.
The difficulty was the failed business and the bankruptcy that went with it. But they found a bank who told them that if they could get a contract and stay current for a year, they would have no trouble financing them. So we get some relief mortgage payment-wise, and they get a bigger house they can put all of their stuff in and start making their own. Our needs matched up perfectly... this is the sort of thing where you look back and can see only in retrospect that God had a plan for all of us, it was just a matter of timing until our friend brought us together. We're drawing up the contract this week, it should be a done-deal by the end of the month.
The 'circus' referred to in the title was originally the election campaign(s). But looking over what I've written, it seems to also mean that the past few years' craziness and uncertainty in our lives is pulling up stakes and hitting the road. The child we've tried so long to have, the house none of the 'professionals' could sell... suddenly there are glimmers in those tunnels.
I don't know what the next act will be, but I've got my popcorn and corn dog ready. Send in the clowns!
Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are. -- Chinese Proverb
