There is a Silver Lining

I hadn't even had a chance to write about my new gig before it was over. After three years at Best Buddies, with various levels of frustration, I finally dedicated myself 100% to finding a new opportunity. It seemed like the dream job - a 20% salary increase, no travel, and working for a cause I was passionate about - the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes is an epidemic, a completely preventable (in the case of Type 2) epidemic. My mom is blind, my uncle an amputee, my father-in-law suffers from bleeding in his eyes, another aunt and uncle, insulin dependent, my husband and I, overweight! If I was going to be away from Myki, what better thing to do than work to improve his future, to help bring reality to a world free from diabetes.

Unfortunately, it wasn't all I'd hoped it would be. The Miami office is in Doral, quite a commute from my Pompano Beach home and they are going through their own growing pains and transition: no real leadership for years, falling short of budget, a complete lack of office procedures and a clique that was hard to penetrate. So in the words of my boss, it wasn't the right fit.

I should have cried, kicked and screamed, told them to fuck off! But I just said thank you and good luck and gathered my things. I think she was right, it wasn't the right fit. I'm sure she and I would disagree on why, but that doesn't really matter. So for the first time in my working career, I find myself unemployed. The instinct is to panic. We have a son, bills, no significant savings account, more bills. And although I've had moments of weakness, moments of whoa is me, I'm trying to keep my head up.

My friends and family have helped, presenting me with incredible support and silver lining proposals:

- God has something bigger in mind for you.
- Good riddance, who wants to be aggravated every day
- It has nothing to do with you, you know that.

So I'm going to take my time, find that perfect opportunity - near home, good pay, security. And while I'm searching, I'll be able to focus on the important things that have fallen to the wayside....the 30 lbs I need to loose to be below my at-risk weight for diabetes, reading books to my son, maintaining a clean and safe home for my family, calling my relatives, sending email updates to the world, being the best, mother, wife, sister, daughter, in-law, friend I can be and hopefully, writing in my blog! Hopefully I haven't lost all of my audience.

The American Way

Jacquelynne Powers, of the Miami NewTimes, pointed out some grease-laden irony in a recent blog post: From now until May 23, KFC is launching Buckets For The Cure with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which promotes breast cancer awareness. The fast-food outlet will donate 50 cents for every pink bucket of chicken, with the ultimate goal of raising $8.5 million dollars. All of this sounds very admirable...until you look at KFC's other newsworthy launch this week.They introduced the world to the Double Down "sandwich": an artery-clogging extravaganza that replaces buns with deep-fried chicken filets, with melted cheese and bacon strips in between. It has 540 calories, 32 grams of fat and 1,380 milligrams of sodium. So the Colonel is raising money for cancer while selling food that increases the risk of diabetes, heart attacks and all manner of other health problems.Maybe ironic isn't the best word. Hypocrisy might be a better fit.
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Wal-Mart

Intellectually, I know that Wal-Mart is evil, that although everything is cheaper, it comes at a cost. And when I first moved to Florida, I did not shop there. My husband was adamant that we would not support Wal-Mart, no matter what. But as a Mami, I have to say that Wal-Mart has persuaded me to look the other way at their questionable practices. I'm not proud of that fact, and I wish it weren't so, but it is the truth.

First, as everyone knows, mother or not, babies are freaking expensive! And when you've only go double digits in the bank account and need a laundry list of things, it only makes sense to hit up the local Wal-Mart.

Their latest invention for moms is INGENIOUS! Check out this little seat. Usually, if you go out with Baby, you pretty much have to count on not being able to pee, praying the shopping cart fits in the family bathroom or, when desperate, using the bathroom while holding baby on your lap. Do you have any idea how hard it is to hover, hold and control a 10 month old with just one hand and ensure he doesn't touch anything gross in a public restroom? I was in Wal-Mart for some weekly necessities and had to go so badly. Tried to bring the cart in - wouldn't fit. Fine, I guess I'll hold him. Well pop into the family stall and there it is. It was strategically out of reach of anything gross, had a belt that held his shoulders in place and he actually seemed to enjoy the thing very much! Amazing. I hate to say it but kudos to Wal-Mart.