What a Day

I have been busy today!

I am the contact person for planning a peace day on Sept 29 at St Gertrude's in Chicago. We have been seeking a focus on the Iraq war. I have been trying to get to the speakers and have them commit to being with us. Here is the copy of the email I sent them today as an update report.

Update on speakers

Raed Jarrar has returned from Japan. However, when we spoke yesterday Raed said that he had a AFSC person who handles the scheduling for him. So I have contacted both the local and the national offices and have left VM’s asking about the travels of Mr Jarrar and if we could be put on Raed’s schedule. Everyone I talk to at AFSC has been positive but I have not yet been successful. Both of the scheduling contacts are on vacation till next Monday.

I have finally connected with Aaron Hughes, head of IVAW-Chicago who assured me he has the date on his calendar and a vet will be available to speak at our event. Aaron could not give us a name today. However, I also talked with Josh Lawndale, another IVAW veteran who is organizing against the war, lives in Chicago and is head of the Iraq Campaign (We will be going to Springfield and Champagne this Saturday). Josh said he will talk to Aaron and get back with me. Josh said he is available for September 29. As I will be traveling with Josh this Saturday I will attempt to work out the details then.

I have sent an email to Anita asking for details on cost and their presentation. She has not returned email/got her voice mail when I called today to follow up.

I will continue to update as I get more details. Thanks for your patience and say a prayer for quick success in lining up speakers.

Katy

PS I never thought that I would have such difficulty getting speakers committed. Mike McConnell Regional Head for AFSC in Chicago assured me this morning that we are still well within publicity time for a late September event. That helps with my stress level as Mike agreed that talking to the Iraqi vets and attempting to plan is “like herding cats.” We laughed but then we both acknowledged that their behaviors are also indicative of PTSD and maybe being “20 somethings.” So we love them, support them and cut them slack they need. Let’s keep them in our prayers.

PPS Josh is only today making plans for Saturday’s trip-where we will meet, etc. So the vets do plan late in the game. I wonder if it can be from being on the ground in a combat zone and everything is fluid and “you can never be prepared for what might come next?”

I think you can see what the day has been like.

Talking to Josh I also committed to speaking for peace in a "caravan event" in both Springfield and Champagne IL this coming Saturday. So...I will speak for peace three times in the next week: Sat/Sun/ next Sat the 18th. It is so strange that I don't speak then three in one week!
I will be speaking as a member of MFSO and on Sunday as a theologian giving a spiritual reflection on my experience as a mother of a very seriously wounded (VSI) soldier and what that means spiritually and emotionally for me. For the only time, on Sunday I will reflect on my divorce.

All this working for peace keeps my mind off the divorce:
I realized today that I have overspent my finances. I have gone through all the reserve in my checking account and with what I owe in Visa I have a negative balance for the first time in many, many years. As I have written, Dow's $1000 a month temporary maintenance does not even cover my rent. I have been buying items for the apartment, I am now finished. Although I broke a dish, went to the condo to check and there are no extras. I took 6 and left 6. I thought we had extra luncheon plates but I am wrong. So I will have to purchase some Fiesta ware when I get the balances equalized.

I like banking on line as it really permits me to see my account but I don't balance the checkbook as I should. I need to really watch my pennies as I don't know how long this financial situation will continue. I also don't know how much money I will be awarded. I only hope that my car doesn't need major fixing or...some other major financial hit takes place. Cross your fingers as I fall from middle class income. I worry because I will have to pay taxes on the alimony, buy Cobra health insurance, put money away for auto insurance and repair, etc. I figure "Katy you are like every other American household-with credit card debt!" Sigh.

But the upside is that I am not living with Dow's emotional neglect and abuse any longer. I am free! and I plan to stay that way, whatever my finances are. I will make do. It is a creative challenge for me. I have learned too late in life that one's emotional life must come first! I thought I was being rewarded for doing the right thing because with Dow I was more financially comfortable than ever before. Was I mistaken! Money drives Dow and his desire for it over people drove me into neurosis-regression in support of the ego. I was blind but I walked out into the sunlight and now I can see the truth of my life and relationship with Dow. It is enough.