high

Thursday I had two meetings. They took a good chunk of the day, but were one-on-one and rather low key. In between times, I had that rather lost feeling of someone who has pushed hard to a deadline and finds themselves on the other side, purposeless. I knew I had lots of other things to do, but just couldn't quite remember what they were.

I did, however, feel an urgency to keep looking for places to stay in Florida. I think I forgot to mention that sometime in this past week we officially arranged with our organization to take a leave of absence for a year so that we can do our sabbatical. It's basically resigning, but not quite. We will have no income, insurance, etc. But if we decide, at the end of the year, that we want to continue with the organization, we can just step back in; no re-application required.

So, that means we're NOT staying for the regional meeting in early January, which also means that we're leaving here about a month earlier than we originally planned, which also means we'll be with family for Christmas, and have a longer time in Florida than we thought at first.

All that to say I spent much of my free time on Thursday surfing the internet for short-term rental options. I sent a number of inquiries, not hopeful about any of them.

My evening appointment was at a coffee shop with a lady who also had a cold. You should have heard us. We sounded awful—coughing constantly. But it was a good visit anyway.

When I got home I checked my e-mail, and I had a very affirmative response from one of my inquiries. I re-checked their web site, to remember which one it was, and couldn't believe my eyes. It was one of the really upscale places. Just gorgeous. Their lowest price is at the very top limit of our budget. But I think we could swing it…

I was ecstatic. My first thought was, "Really God?? Would You do that for us?" Then I felt bad that I was so incredulous. I mean, He isn't an ogre, and even though life has its share of disappointments and tough lessons, He can surprise us lavishly at times. Mr. is one of His gifts that still takes my breath away with His utter goodness to me.

Speaking of Mr., I am afraid I let my excitement show a bit too much. I think he has reservations about the place because of the cost. (He seems quite ill at ease to not have an income in the foreseeable future. Understandable, but I've been there before. I don't know that he ever has been.) But now I know he'll go along with the idea anyhow, simply because he saw how much I wanted it.

Although nothing was definite, as I went to bed I was so pumped. I had trouble settling in to sleep. And then, as the hours ticked away, I realized with dismay that my high was not simply from finding a really good housing possibility, but also from the fact that—although I had emphatically asked for decaf—I'm pretty sure I got regular coffee at my evening meeting. I was so buzzed. I think I only slept 2 or 3 hours total. Arrrrgh!