Ironic Post Is Ironic

For the first time in my life, I am participating in NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month.
Admittedly, I did not start on November 1, which is the official start date every year, so I'm not fully participating in it. But, at least I am devoting some time every day to writing! That's a start, right?

Fall is always an inspirational time to write. In fact, each season has its moments of inspiration. Like the first time you notice a winter's sky in the fall, or the first time thunderstorm clouds are on the horizon in the spring. Maybe the super-charged electricity of summer just before a storm gets your creative juices flowing. Whatever it is, there is something to be said for seasonal inspiration. I know I am affected by it.
Seasonal Creative Disorder?

I find it hilarious and ironic that I have my NaNoWriMo story up in the taskbar, but here I am, blogging about the writing of it. Ha.

...anyway, there were some life developments that have occurred lately.

One, I think there may be something wrong with me. Or maybe it's just that the news has been shared SO MANY TIMES in my life over the last several years that it seems like it's not new anymore. Anyway, last night, my family was in the living room watching AFV. The program showed a few clips of couples announcing to their families that they were pregnant. In the first video, the grandma-to-be got up off the couch and ran around her living room, screaming, with her hands in the air, until she stopped in front of the fireplace and said, "Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Jesus!" I sat there, eating my most delicious and amazing dinner, and was astonished. I guess I have never seen that kind of reaction out of anyone for hearing that their family was going to be growing, and so it has never really seemed like it's that exciting of a deal.
I mean, pregnancy puts the mother on restriction from certain and varying activities, it ties up the couple's finances and lives, it raises all kinds of worries and concerns, and that's just the start. What is the joy found therein? A child? That is going to scream and cry and keep you up all night, that latter one happening until they are a teenager, at which point there will be screaming and crying again, along with them telling you that you are being 'so unfair' right before they slam their door? Is that worth it? Stretchmarks? Strapped bank accounts? Being thrown up on, spit on, shat upon...dealing with colic and thrush? Is that worth it? What about the pain that the child causes in utero? And, um, hello, labor? Easy-peasy-otomies? Is a child really worth all that, especially that the adventure BEGINS at labor?
(See, I told you that there may very well be something wrong with me!)
I'm not saying that parents are crazy, or that there is something wrong with them for putting up with all of that. I'm sure they are right where they want to be. No judgement. I am just saying that I am not sure that I find it appealing. Nine months of hell, leading to a remaining life of worry and saying "no", at the fore of which is one day of incredible, indescribable pain? No thank you.
(I need to write an entire blog devoted to my thoughts on whether motherhood is something I want in my future, because this little blurb is not described adequately and there is much more to be said on the subject, and yes, Jacob and I have already discussed this.)

...then again, keep in mind, this is after eight months of living apart from the person who makes me feel completely me. Without him, I am just not myself.; things are muddled apart from him.

(And the sadder thing? I don't see any chance of us being closer / me being less muddled for prolonged periods at any point in the near future.)

Another thing: I sent in a paper today that may very well change things for the way a business handles itself. No, not my permanent mail-in ballot request, though I did fill that out and send it in today. I'm talking about a pending class action civil suit against a former employer. It was initiated by a woman in New York who had, apparently, been experiencing things while being employed that I had also experienced. It's no cost unless a judgement is made, so there is no risk. (The attorney and court fees will be taken from any judgement that is found.)

And, finally, I sent out a third piece of mail today: the saddest card I have made to date. It also happens to be one of my favorites. It did not turn out the way that I initially imagined it, but the card was organic and changed in the process of its creation. The card in question was a sympathy card for Jake's aunt and uncle who lost a beloved kitty last Friday. I also need to make a birthday card for Jake's uncle, whose birthday is around Thanksgiving. On Thursday, I should find out if I am going to have Thanksgiving Day off. I already know I'm working on Black Friday. I don't know what shift, but those two days' schedules will determine what I do for Thanksgiving. The initial plan was to go to Denver with Jake's aunt, uncle, older brother, and sister-in-law, but since then my grandma has decided that she is going to do a dinner. (Of course: this always happens.) How can I turn down an 80-year old woman with macular degeneration, who very well might be staring blindly into her last earthly holiday season?
My mind will be made up when I see the schedule for the next few weeks. It depends on (a) whether I am working on Thanksgiving, and (b) what hours I am working the day after.

Well, I should log off. Bailey has been gracious enough to wake me up at 6:30 these last few days. (Even BEFORE the time changed.)