December 2008 is one that has presented a few challenges for my family. I am ready for Christmas (well, not totally ready), because it has to be an improvement over some of the stuff we have dealt with this month.
For example:
1. My wife and I both experienced a stomach virus (she had it worse than I did, which was compounded by the fact that she is five months pregnant).
2. My son's Nintendo DS case and all of his games were stolen from our van as we ate at one of our favorite restaurants in north Austin on December 11th, which was the day before his birthday. Many of my ActiveRain and Twitter friends stepped in to help by sending money and games for him. You can read my post here about that: How My Twitter/ActiveRain "Family" Made My Son's Difficult Day a Little Brighter
3. Six days after that theft, my daughter's actual DS was stolen from the TABLE at another restaurant when my wife took the kids to the bathroom. Apparently, she left it sitting there for a couple of minutes. When they returned, it was gone. Elizabeth Golden went above and beyond by sending a second check for my daughter (she sent one for Brandon previously).
4. My wife accidentally backed into the vehicle of one of the maids who was cleaning our house. Our car had damage - hers did not. After that, while I was working upstairs, I overheard the maids using profanity (some in Spanish, some in English) while talking about my wife. I made them leave my home immediately, and called the owner of the company, who is a longtime friend and a current client of mine. Needless to say, they will never return.
5. Yesterday, our refrigerator decided die slowly. We had to go out shopping for a new one, which answered the "what should we do today?" question. It will be delivered tomorrow. Tonight, thankfully, it is very cold (for Texas) outside, so much of our perishable food is sitting in boxes on our back porch. It looks like we left it out for Santa so that he would have plenty to choose from.
In the midst of that, we had to get our house decorated, shop, plan for relatives who are going to visit soon, plan my son's birthday party, and keep our three children alive. I also got two new contracts in place, thankfully.
Overall, it could be a lot worse. I am blessed beyond belief.
Thanks for listening to me whine for a minute.
Truly, none of this stuff has put a damper on my Christmas spirit. After all, it's just "stuff", right?
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Jason...when it goes bad, it goes bad. Seams like nothingyou do turns out.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Didn't know Austin had alot of crime. J/K
How sad though. Hang in there.
Jason,
They say bad things happen in threes....maybe that is per person??
Hang in there,
Ann Hayden in Wildwood, Missouri
Unfortunately, the holidays are a prime time for theft, but as you said it was only stuff and not all that important in the grand scheme of life. Nice little life lesson on what really matters...
In the midst of that, we had to get our house decorated, shop, plan for relatives who are going to visit soon, plan my son's birthday party, and keep our three children alive. I also got two new contracts in place, thankfully.
Praise God! And take plenty of pix. :)
Hey Jason
Sounds like everything is normal. ;-)
Funny how little problems all pile up at once and then things start working themselves out.
Hope you and yours have a blessed Christmas.
Well, I am glad to see your holiday has been as eventful as mine!
Jason,
Most real estate people are among the worlds nicest people. You need to expend your circle though, consider an insurance man, you need lots of coverage with little or no deductible. The sooner the better.
Merry Christmas!
Bill
Jason, that is a tough month! I was just cussing the fact that according to the local weatherman we're looking at another week of snow storms. I guess I needed a little perspective!
Ouch!!! Tough month!!! Hope everyone is feeling healthy again, games have been replaced, vehicles have been repaired or scheduled for repair, and refrigerator will be delivered tomorrow. Sounds like this brrrr cold front arrived just in time for you.
Wishing you and your wonderful family a very Blessed Christmas and a very Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year.
Do we have a name for our soon to be here little Crouch???
WOW, what a month you and your family have had. Hope 2009 starts out better for you.
Judi - I think we have a first name, but no middle name yet. I will probably write a post about it as soon as we fully decide.
Oh Man......some kind of month......good thing you got it all out of the way - so you can start the new year like freshly fallen snow...........may all your footsteps be light ones! :-)
What's the saying... when it rains, it pours? It sounds like you and Pam have it well under control. I'm sure Santa would appreciate a little something besides milk and cookies. I mean, how many cookies can one fat man eat? :) Merry Christmas, Jason.
Jason - when we have 'days' like this the only thing I can suggest is this ....
Don't look upon it all as problems - just consider these 'days' to be potholes on the road to happier times.
Though this month has been expensive, inconvenient and down-right maddening, the important part is that you have a beautiful family, a successful business and God's love. You have it all. :)
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Jason,
You are a very blest man and I think that you know that. Sorry to hear about the trials you have had this month but I am sure that things will be looking up soon my friend.
Merry Christmas.
Wow Jason. Think how nice it will be to bring in the New Year!! Here's one of my favorite Guy Kawasaki hindsights: Pursue joy, not happiness!
Yes, it is just stuff ! It always gets back to the big picture even though all the little things that add up make it hard to remember to be thankful and grateful. In the end, it can always be a lot worse ! Happy holidays ! Enjoy and relax !
it's ok to whine sometimes...life happens.
You are a trooper! You and your family are in my prayers this holiday season.
This is humorous b/c it didn't happen to me. However, my car lost it's ability to shift to 5th gear. Therefore, I'm driving it at 4000 RPMs to go 55 MPH. I know it needs the fix, but until the expenses get more managed, I just won't worry about speedint anymore.
I love how you can laugh and make fun of such things... because they are all meaningless... except the baby on the way, congratulations... and for standing up for your wife's honor... 6,000 atta boy points! Don't spend them all in one place.
May I suggest the name Hope?
Merry Christmas Jason and family.
Wow...Happy Holidays! You know they say it usually comes in 3's, but in your case, I don't know what to say! :) May 2009 bring you better luck!
Cheron Lange
Jason - I imagine that you will be glad to get December behind you. But just think of all the points that you have received this month, and, even more special, the generosity and compassion of the online community.
From Collective Soul to You
December promise you have unto me
December whispers of treachery
December clouds are now covering me
December songs no longer I sing
Isn't it the strangest thing how things like this seem to come in waves? Life is going along just fine, then all of a sudden it's one thing after another.
Good thing you have a great sense of what is important.....
That is a lot of junk to deal with all at once. 'Tis the season! But just think of that beautiful new baby on the way!
Jason - I don't see it as whining. You've come to know a lot of people and a lot of people have come to know you. You've had a rough month and I can sympathize. Right after I got my license, my cat died a horrible death (as I was driving her to the vet to have her put down, a decision not easy to make), my house was broken into and we got pretty well cleaned out (the worst was a bracelet I had bought for my wife...the most expensive thing I have ever bought outside of a house or a car, she rarely wore it because she was too afraid to break it, but I'll never forget her face when she opened it...it had little to do with the money, but everything to do with the memories I had of it and the day I gave it to her), and an old friend from high school committed suicide (we had lost touch over the years, but at his funeral I re-connected with the best friends I have ever known, shame the guy didn't know just how much people cared about him). It was a rough period and as it was all happening and I was juggling things, the market started to slow. It was tough, but I learned a lot from the experience. The kindess of others was huge during that time. An office of people I barely knew were always there for me and it meant the world. Friends came out of the woodwork to support my wife and I as we struggled with the feelings we were having. Its amazing what you learn in times of trouble and knowing you, you've come out with a lot and probably much stronger as a family. I wish you the best in 2009 and look forward to seeing how you do through the year. Good luck with the baby on the way and take care!
MATT - It's interesting that you mentioned that stuff. It sounds like this year for me was very much like the time you described. In March, I lost one of my very best friends to throat cancer at age 49. In fact, I still feel like calling him sometimes. Two months after that, another friend of ours killed himself, leaving his wife and two (very small) boys. During the summer, we had to put our cat to sleep - she was 16 years old, and she was our first "child". All in all, this year has been tough, but we are also very much looking forward to our fourth baby in April, and business is reasonably strong. As you indicated, I have come to know a lot of new people this year, which has made some of the rough patches easier to bear.
Jason - It does sound similar in many ways. Interesting how you find people you can relate to over the things that have happened to you all thanks to the internet. The good news is that what I know about you, I know you'll move through it and come out better than this year. The realtionships you've formed (and I have formed) will only help. I was very impressed with the giving nature of everyone after you're troubles as well...goes to show that although sometimes the world seems like an uncaring place, that thought is far from the truth. Best of luck to you and I look forward to getting to know you more over the coming year.
Sorry for all that has happen Jason, But from reading your post, You are one lucky man, you have a beautiful family, good health and a new life on the way- There is no greater joy than that.
merry Christmas and Hope the new year is filled with more happiness & love
Man if I ever have a situation I know who to call. You are a real great guy and I love reading your posts. Happy Holidays.
Terry Miller
Jason,
It is simply amazing that the old adage "when it rains, it pours" always seems to happen. Although your events are far from tragic, they still happened in close succession. I have always found that so odd. Needless to say, I could take a little rain at a time, but when it keeps pouring that just stinks. Glad to hear you are still your chipper self and that you are enjoying the holidays even though they have been tough. Hope all is well and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Jason... you whiner.... lol Serioulsy. yes, it could be a lot worse. Besides, what should be the moral of the story when going to the restaurants? Leave all games at home. It does suck though.... and some great people on AR.. I just met 7 or so new members down in MD today... Happy Holidays.. PS... I don't think I knew that your wife was pregnant... congrats..
Jason - i almost could not believe it when you said your daughter's DS was stolen. That really, really stinks. I hope things turn around for you and am glad to hear you are rolling with the punches.
Tina in Virginia
Jason, it is good to hear you vent once in a while, after all, we all think you are almost an Active Rain saint. It is ok to be human and get upset, annoyed, and challenged. But I am sure you have a lot to be grateful for, and it is important that you are surrounded by your lovely family. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Jason, I can relate. The last month or two has been a never ending compilation of issues..lol
Sounds like you have the best attitude though. Many, many blessings to you and your family!!
John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Yup.....
Just STUFF...... wow...two nintendos in a month stolen.....
God is good to be so near to us when things go wrong.......
I am STILL waiting for the groups pages to be fixed....hehehehehe
;-)
God Bless all of you this Christmas. My refrigerator died last month and it was only 6 years old. I hope you have a great Christmas.
I was so glad to see you say "it's just stuff" after all that's happened to you ... it is so true! Your wife being 5 months pregnant & you all having 3 kids already - that's FAMILY stuff. Best to you & yours & have a wonderful Christmas!
There seems to be a virus for refrigerators in the last week. Suggestion: leave all toys at home. Windows get broken in Chicago even with an empty bag in the back or front seat! (Lesson learned).
You know how to count your blessings. One by one.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Jason. Sorry to hear you had a difficult month. I am glad to see it did not put a damper on your Christmas. Wishing you and your family a great Christmas.
Hi Jason! OH MY! I've missed alot of your posts and have a ton of reading to do, don't I?! I came by to see your MeMe and found this post--you HAVE had a rough December! How could I have asked YOU, of all people, to do a MeMe? I'm so sorry and I do hope that you don't do one--you've had enough going on in your life!
I'm glad to know that AR members contributed to your children's losses. That just warms my heart and just reassures me that those here are genuinely GOOD folks! We're all very fortunate to have this group to fall back on--especially when we're having a rough month!
I hope '09 is just divine for you and yours and that things look up from this day forward! Let me be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas Eve!!
Are you sure all this REALLY happened??? It's against the law of probability.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL YOUR FAMILY. THE WEEK BEFORE NEW YEAR IS BOUND TO BE BETTER!
Jason, you're right that it's just stuff....but the kid's toys that were stolen was THEIR STUFF. Thankfully Elizabeth Golden came to the rescue! And even more than that, thankfully you didn't let it put a damper on your holidays!
All the best to you and yours this holiday season.
Through all the headaches, it looks like the people around you have simply shown you Christmas spirit.
Now that all of the bad stuff is over you can look forward to all of the good things that 2009 will bring. Scott and I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season with all of the joy and love that it brings.
"I got two contracts in place" sounded like an afterthout.....Awesome......Congrats......and Happy New Year!
Jason,
What a "string" of events! The bad stuff is over!! You are so right it's just "stuff" and your spirit sounded still intact. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and very best wishes for a prosperous 2009!