Poker Face

I'd like to think that I blog pretty honestly here.  In fact, I probably err on the side of being a little too honest, either embarrassing a member of my family or sharing more information than you really ever cared to know about me.

But there's something that I haven't been very honest about lately, both here and In Real Life. 

It would be about Mike and what he's really been up to lately. 

Everyone's been so kind since I spread the word that Mike lost his job.  There have been lots of offers of help of any kind, lots of offers to help with resumes and networking, and most importantly, lots of kind friends who were just available to listen.  And we thank each and every one of you. 

So here it is . . .

Mike isn't looking for a job.  He seems to have found a suitable replacement for his previous employment just a few steps down from our master bedroom.  He's playing poker.

I don't know why I've hemmed and hawed when people have asked variations on the question "How's the job search going?"  I think mostly it's because in my mind I never in a million years imagined that I would be married to someone who makes a decent living playing cards.  For me (and I'm quite certain for my parents!), I'd have been no less shocked if someone had told me that someday I would marry a __________ (insert  any of the following fine professions: bookie, hustler, pimp, drug dealer).

Does that sound a bit harsh?  Well, if I'm being honest here, it's taken me a good 3 of the 4 years that Mike has been playing to really be ok with it.  I'm a cautious kind of girl, especially when it comes to money.  So you can imagine if it took me that long to be ok with it in my own little world, I probably wouldn't be broadcasting his choice off the rooftops.

But here's the thing:  for the first time in a very long time, my husband is content and joyful.  I watched over the last few years as his job sucked joy and energy out of him.  Mike's always wanted to try this as a way to provide, but it never seemed like the right time or the right choice.  All of a sudden it was a choice, so we said a little prayer, closed our eyes and jumped in. 

And it's good. 

And as my dear friend Annie put it so eloquently, "it's not all Skittles and rainbows, either."  No ma'am. 

Now you know.  Now that it's out there, I'm looking forward to sharing the details of what this life is really like.  Not just the working home together aspect, although that's fodder for many a post.  I'll share what it's really like living with a poker player.  Because you know what?  I've sat through many an episode of World Poker Tour, and I've never seen anyone like Mike on there.  Can you imagine it?  All the other players have all these glamorous stories, then there's Mike: the one who car pools and changes diapers in between sit-and-go's. 

Who knows how long it will last.  In the meantime, I'll blog honestly about it here.  And when it's over, you'll hear it here first.  Honestly.