Self-Portrait With Pimples

Pregnancy is a fascinating lab--what will my body do next? Oh the wonder and BEAUTY OF IT ALL--NOT! Some of the changes are fine and dandy--some of them are adjustments. Like the pimples. I have never had pimples in my life--not the full on ACNE kind. I know, I know for those of you who have had acne in your life you are rolling your eyes at me (and as you SHOULD). But for me, who hasn't ever had this issue it's been an ADJUSTMENT. My dad when he saw me a a couple of weeks ago said, "What is that rash you have on your face?" Heh, RASH. I said, "It's just another gift from pregnancy." I'm actually surprised that it isn't bothering me MORE. I think I am just ROLLING with it. There have been SO MANY other things to worry about, but today I am embracing the pimples. The pink RASH that has hit my face.

I went to my old work place yesterday to talk to payroll about that miracle check. Turns out, it's no miracle. It's no good. They explained it was an old check that got lost and then replaced--they showed me the records and they are right. It was a year and a half ago, so of course I didn't remember. I didn't know what I was sorrier about--losing the money, or the story. I think it was the story. Wouldn't it have been SO GREAT if it did work out that way? Sure, it would have--but it also doesn't diminish the very REAL money miracles we've had lately. Graham got offered a FLUKE position for the next semester as a sub professor--which means he gets the salary and the benefits of a professor without the title. So that means we will have full benefits through the baby's birth and Graham will be getting a REAL salary for 3 months. He's taking it a semester at a time because he is in the midst of writing his dissertation and the work level as a sub professor is pretty high--still the money and the benefits (even for 3 months) are FABULOUS. We'll take it.

Now if only I could get my short stories and pictures back. I'll have to see about that--the financial jury is still out. I will admit that when I found out the check was no good, I felt some foolishness at having spread this false miraculous tale all over town, but it's like the pimples. You have to say, "Ah well, that's life too." Miracles still exist. I still believe in them, but I also have to admit to the pimples. It's all the same and I'd rather be able to embrace both and show up anyway--miracles and pimples alike.