Batter Up!

It’s baseball season - - and I can’t think of a better metaphor to relate to this tale - - - -

I wasn’t going to write about this in my blog . .. it being so public and all . . and yet this is a tale of the times and one to think about and to remember - - -it certainly isn’t anything to brag much about . .. but then maybe it is . . .especially when you hear the “rest of the story” . . . .

Like all Americans our neck of the woods has certainly been hit with recession, increased prices and homes being forclosed upon. And like most Americans . . we all take the stand that while it is certainly awful it won’t happen to us.

Several weeks ago Nineandahalf’s hours were cut significantly at work. While that required that we cinch in our belts a bit and give up our passion for eating out, morning lattes and shopping trips, we felt that all was well and that things would turn around. We were prepared to batten down the hatches and weather the storm albeit we were still nervous. And as week by week went by and Nineandahalf could see that things weren’t getting better at the old “gravel pit” we became more and more prepared. With that said . . .I don’t think you can ever be totally prepared. Yes, on Monday when he went to work, he was laid off. Like I said . .. we were prepared . .. but still shocked. Thank goodness for unemployment and the belt tightening we had already done in the weeks before. While we hadn’t shared the hour cut with anyone, we certainly had to say something now. You can’t help but feel a little sheepish when telling this news . . and while it is certainly no reflection upon Nineandahalf it still is awkward.

Well, how best to spread the bad news . . .. well certainly neither one of us relished making calls and having an “I’ve been Laid Off Open House” seemed out of the questions . . . email seemed the best way. Short . .. to the point . . .and you don’t have to look anyone in the eye and can take some time to lick your wounds.

So by now I imagine your are wondering just what this has to do with baseball . . .well I just wanted to give you the pre-game festivities - - now to the game. The emails were out . . . .and the news was told. Feeling as if we were down a few runs and in the bottom of the ninth we sat down to some barbecue burgers. Just as I started to eat the phone rang - - -and batter number one was up to the plate.

Batter #1 (my oldest child, Stefanie) was on the phone. She expressed concern but also immediately offered to help. Our cell phone was a company phone so of course now we had no phone and no way to make calls. She immediately offered us an extra phone she and Superman had (Superman? Oh yeah . .that’s our son-in-law). They had been paying for the line anyway and were stuck in a contract. We offered to pay the small charge and she set up the phone - -even going so far as to put in some phone numbers for us and add a couple of our Friends and Family numbers. (Note to all - -don’t only rely upon your phone to store important numbers. We had them written no where!)

Batter #1 swings and hits a home run with her generous offer of help and support!

So, back to the burgers . . . and a few minutes later . . the phone rings again and this time it is Batter #2 (Furrbait – our affectionate family name for Kyle). He’s calling all the way from college in Pullman where he is struggling with finances himself. He is very concerned and has several ideas to help us out- - he even offers to come home if we needed help or that we could stop helping him with his college needs. Wow, I was stunned. He really is a sensitve and giving young man. I assured him that all would be well and that we would continue to support him as we have been doing. He said for us to be sure to let him know if he could help.

Batter #2 swings, flies around second base and slides into home.

So the evening ends with Nineandahalf and I working out a game plan of our own and planning what to do. With the summer looming ahead and our prior planning to do so many street fairs this year we are confident it will all work out. And the time looking for a new position and being at home will also enable him to do all those honey do’s that there never seems to be the time for. You should see his list!

So Nineandahalf prepares for his first day. Off to get our new phone from Batter #1, to the library to use the computers to get email and print resumes and home to do some yardwork. (Oh yeah , , I forgot to mention that our internet service was provide by his company so that was gone as well - -amazing how isolated you are without cell phone and internet service - -a little scarey - - -- like being back “in the day”) A short time after he finished the yard work, Batter #3 pulls into the driveway and steps up to the plate- - -Yup . . you guessed it PoolBoy. He saunters on up in his easy way and Nineandahalf and Poolboy sit down on the porch to chat. Poolboy just stopped by to see how Nineandahalf was doing – cheer him up a bit and offer some encouragement - - male bonding I guess you would say. I don’t know what Poolboy said or exactly how the conversation went, but ole Nineandahalf was a little misty eyed when he relayed it all to me and said how much he appreciate all the “kids” stepping up to the plate. Thanks to his his years of baseball and passion for the sport, he uses baseball phrases and analogies all the time.

And so it was that Batter #3, stepped up the plate and hit the ole Grand Salami!

So, while we were feeling a little down in the bottom of what seemed like the 9th inning, the kids stepped up to the plate and made all the difference in the game. Is Nineandahalf still laid off? Well yes but our mindset and feelings are much more positive. It’s amazing what a little family support can do. And Phine (an affectionate name I call my mom) was right there every step of the way leading the cheering section. Her positive attitude is always so amazing. She gave me an amazing revelation last night as we were talking - - that with all of our plans and our desire to be Sew Happy and really just do our ‘little’ dress business – yeah the one that some laughed at me about and said I’d never make any money - - -it’s getting more profitable all the time . .and maybe this little layoff will be just the push we need to really let it fly! Anyways . . she said - -“You know . .this might end up being the best time for you kids and a time you will treasure together always.” Yes . .”us kids” . . .well she is over 70 ya know . . .and that brings up another thought . . why is it that what is the worst of times ends up years later as having some of the best memories - - -ah . . but that’s for another blog . . .

Time to grab my hot dog and cracker jacks and enjoy the rest of the baseball season! We do have a great team this year! Watch and See!