The Real World Closes In

I talked with my parents today and one of the things we talked about was money. I always hate talking about money, normally because I don't really have any, but my Mom asked me how much I made last week, to help me figure out my budget and how much I can afford on rent and a car and insurance & etc. as soon as I get my own place. Not much, it turns out. Worrying about it later is not something I can do anymore; I have to grow up. I am extremely happy with where I am at Kim and Darren's, but at the same time, I don't want to get too comfortable here. I do want my own place and I do want my own car (one with AC, preferably), but it's really nice living with Darren and Kim. It's like an extended vacation with two of my favorite people in the world. I'm not in a huge hurry to change things, but at the same time, I absolutely positively do not want to be a burden to anyone and I don't want my staying here to cramp anyone. It's going to be hard - getting my own place. It's going to be lonely and there's going to be a lot of sleeping with a baseball bat next to the bed with a dead bolt on all exterior doors. But I'm also excited about having my own place, a place done up in my own style that just seems to say, "Hi, I'm Jessica's living room. Welcome." But in a good way. I feel so incredibly lucky to have Darren and Kim, so lucky that they let me live with them and drive their car. But beyond them, I see the real world, and it looks hungry.

On a heavier note, my Great Uncle John is in the Hospital. He's been anemic, and when he went in to get it checked out, the treatment they gave him caused him to vomit up his own blood. They think the treatment ripped a hole between his esophagus and his stomach. He's out of the ICU, but he's still at the hospital and his blood count is still terribly low. We're all keeping our fingers crossed and keeping him in our prayers.

On a more positive note, I've started writing again. I picked up a notebook this morning and began jotting some notes. I've since written a dreadfully droll poem, but I have hopes that I might write something of substance soon that I can post to my story online. We'll see.