These are the days I love my job....

Today I was talking with a borrower who is 3 months behind in his mortgage.  He is clearly ducking my calls.  Today he called and said he needs help, and admitted he has been ducking my calls because he was too proud to say he needs help.  He said he's desperate, and he lives in his house with his wife, his kids from his first marriage, her kids from her first marriage, one kid together, his wife's sister who lost her job and is going through a divorce, and her kids.  He said it's crazy, and he is trying to keep a good attitude.  In fact, he was going home and making two big pans of lasagna for dinner.  I asked him if I could come, because there are so many people at the table, he wouldn't notice a stranger.  He laughed and said yes, and if I didn't make it on time, he would overnight a piece to me so it would still be warm when I received it.  We both laughed and finished our business.  As we were hanging up, he thanked me.  He said he hadn't laughed in weeks, and I gave him hope and a good laugh.  Those are the moments I know I am in the right place.

Yesterday, my trainer, Tina, called me into the conference room for some training.  We NEVER go into the conference room, so I was a little nervous.  I didn't have my contact lenses in (another of my goofy stories), and when I walked in ahead of her, there were a lot of people standing in the corner.  I turned around and told Tina the room was full.  That's when I realized the room was full of my coworkers who were saying, "Surprise!"  I stood there in total shock, and said it must be for Tina, because I'm not getting married. They told me to look at the cake, which said, "Home Sweet Home, Pat"  It was a housewarming party.  They gave me a gift card, some handmade dish towels, a used TV (I gave mine away when I left Detroit), and a homemade lemon cake.  It was wonderful.  Life is sweet.

Catching Up

Happy New Year, everyone!  I hope all of you are safe after yesterday's storm.  Here in Harrisburg, we had freezing rain, followed by sub-zero temperatures starting tonight...then into the 50's by the weekend.  Climate change?  Oh, yes, I think so...

It has been over 3 weeks since I last posted, and it's been a wild ride.  The quick move to Chris' house, followed by the second move to my new home the Saturday before Christmas.  Then Christmas, New Years, lots of strange weather, and here we are!

Both moves went very well.  I am now living in the small city of New Cumberland, PA.  I live in a 3 bedroom ranch home with 1 other woman (actually 2).  In the upstairs, the kitchen, dining room, bathroom, and side porch are common areas.  My roommate, Ginger, has the living room and one bedroom as her private area, and I have the other two bedrooms.  No furniture in my living room, yet, but it will get there.

There is a separate apartment in the basement, with its own kitchen, bath, etc.  Lorri lives down there.  We are all divorced, and within about 3 years of each other in age.  Lorri and Ginger work together.  They are both very nice people.  Ginger is a very thoughtful roommate, and as a housewarming gift, gave me an individual teapot and teacup.  Ginger drinks LOTS of tea.  Last Thursday, and again on Sunday morning, the three of us sat and talked for several hours.  We have a lot of fun, with many laughs.

When the weather calms down a little, I will go take pictures of New Cumberland.  It is very cute, with a lot of shops and restaurants in downtown.  Downtown is about 5 blocks away, down some steep hills.

I am starting to think about what I want to do with the rest of my life.  The answer so far is "I'm not sure."And since I'm not sure, I clearly don't know how to get there from here.  I am journaling a lot to center myself.  For now, I am focusing on my new job, getting my health back together after many years of focusing on survival, and building a life for myself.  Maybe the future will take care of itself?

Take care, everyone!