The Color Of June

What color do you think of when you think of the month of JUNE?  
I can't think of one specific color to attach to JUNE.  There are many weddings in June, but I don't think of WHITE.
Can you help me out here?  Please.

By the way, what about the color of being relieved?

In all shades of THANKFUL.

This was a different kind of week.  Very different.  School is out and I have been staying busy with Lil Miss.  We journeyed to Manhattan on Friday, planning on having Lunch with my Husband. We'd decided on a 11 o'clock meal.  

I drove up to the front door of his place of work and there he was waiting to tell me that a mandatory meeting was planned for 11:30. 

NO PROB.  We'd go shop for awhile and come back at noon instead.  We had an interesting shopping time at Target and I curved my spending.  Used a gift card from my Oklahoma Kids to buy a Jewelry Tree and smiled all the way back to the car with it.  I barely spent anything.

A few days before, we had heard that a furlough might take place at where my Husband has worked for 16 years.  A furlough was likely.  So I have started to figure out what to sell at HOME to help with a serious dry spell that could take place.  The gears start turning.

I have been thinking of ways to cut expenses.  

AGAIN. 

As I drove the car back to pick Hubby up.  He handed me a letter from the President of the organization.  A piece of paper that was given to him by his BOSS telling him that he'd be furloughed if the Governor didn't sign certain papers.  He'd be furloughed starting Saturday at midnight.

A candidate for furlough.

Along with about 24,700 others. 

FURLOUGH.

GULP.  A first in his employment.  A first.  We've experience LAY OFFs, but not furlough.  NO PAY.

He told me that the atmosphere on Friday at work was so thick,
you could have cut the air with a knife.  Everyone was on pins and needles. 

Since I had Lil Miss with me, I tried to keep things light hearted as to not scare her.  My stomach hurt and I felt like I was going to lose my cookies.

I read the letter at least three times for sure.  Blurry and difficult to comprehend what it was saying.  Telephoned the phone number that was shared to check on furlough updates. Saturday was difficult.  Waiting for a word.  Spread some cheer and color it PINK?

The furlough was dismissed.

Relief set in and fatigue settled on us.

The adrenal drain was felt.

This was a tense day to say the least.  

As I wrapped my son's birthday gift, I got sentimental.  Tears with being very emotional came to pass.  He'll turn 40 soon.  40.

I became a momma 40 years ago.  I was just a young kid when I gave birth to him and now he is turning 40.  That's definitely middle age.  Let it soak in...middle age.  I am matronly and soon to be 60.

I very much felt my age this week-end.  60 soon.  Shall I scream it from the roof tops and see if I'm viewed as a weirdo?  It seems impossible to be 60.  IMPOSSIBLE.  Wam...it's here. 

My 37 year old son has been laid off.  I continue to pray for him. Please join me.  Odd thing is my Husband was laid off from work when he was 37.  It's been a long haul to get back on our feet.  He's now 60.  

We talked about what we'd need to do if the furlough took place.  We will continue to thin through our things and downsize.  Get as organized as we should.  Beautify our HOME SWEET HOME.  Do our best to save some money and make plans to retire in a few years.  In a few years.  Lord, we need your help on all of this.    

One very good thing, if you can call it good, Husband learned that when he does retire he will not be getting his retirement funds in a lump sum as we had previously been informed.  The laws changed.  He'll get 10 percent of his money each year for ten years and a day.  

Not happy about this.  

This changes some life plans.

When he shared this info with some co-workers, they were stunned as well.  The 62 year old HR rep didn't know the rules had changed along with the other workers.  The HR representative.  Hum.  What 'cha gonna do?  Seems horribly dishonest to me.  We have to safeguard the money as best we can.

It isn't good to have the retirement money disappear.

We have our general ideas as to what should be done.  Praying for God's guidance and direction.  

So what is the color of relief?  Crystal.  

See through tears that stream down our faces are crystal clear.  

CLEAR.

Today, my thoughts are about ways to spend less money and

concentrate on getting out of debt.  It's a tough assignment, 

but somebody's got to do it.

I had to call to remembrance some scriptures about life

and the goodness of GOD.

Giving thanks.

Blessings to you on this fine JUNE DAY,

d