Monday, March 19, 2018

In the Quiet of the Afternoon

I get one day off.

One day.

One day to not be at work-- either job.

One day where I can pay bills and make appointments for Doctors and Therapists and such.

One day where I don't have to see the inside of either work place and I can just be where I am right now, doing what I am doing right now.

Sitting on my couch, writing to you, with the door on this rare but lovely day, dog chilling on the front porch and the amusing sounds of my beautiful eight year old in her room behind me.

Sure, occasionally it is interrupted by noises of my two cats fighting or my dog barking at a passer-by. But over all, this is the life I love and the life I wish I had more of.

I work 6 days a week as an underpaid housekeeper at a hotel that not only allows me to bring in my little one when she is sick or there is no school, but also helps me to get off work by the time she gets out of school so I can have the maximum amount of time with her as I can. My second job-- previously my first-- is that of a professional body piercer. I moved to doing appointments only so I could be with my daughter more and she didn't have to grow up inside of a tattoo shop that-- although family friendly-- isn't very fun for her. I'm sure my boss doesn't quite like it when I could be there accepting walk-ins if they come in but I needed this. I needed time to raise her where she didn't have her nose in the IPad all evening. Where she could go outside and play before it got dark or play in her room with her toys that I spent money on for her. So that we could be home.. in our house.. that I work two jobs to pay for and keep working so that way we aren't on the streets.

Working two jobs to support a life and home that I hardly see. What a life huh?

But then I get these moments. Mondays when I can sit down for a moment before my daughter's Parent Teacher Conference at school, after having a therapy appointment that morning so I was calm-minded for my daughter and strong for her when she returned home.. a moment where I can just be a mom. Not a working mom, not a single mom, just.. Mom.

"Mom can I play in my room?"
"Mom can I watch the iPad?"
"Mom can I have a zebra brownie?"

Yes, my love. Yes you can.

It's moment like these were I get to rejuvinate the mommy side of me. Being a mommy is hard. Being a single mommy is sometimes harder. Being a single mommy working two jobs that still barely pay the NECESSITIES so she wishes she could get an at-home third job that didn't involve selling things... majorly hard.

My house isn't perfect. My bedroom is cluttered, the laundry is questionable, the bathroom is messy, my daughters room is a disaster zone and don't even look inside my kitchen!

But it's ours. It keeps us warm, keeps the toys safe, keeps the pets safe. The water turns from cold to hot when we need it too and the lights turn on and off when required.

This is my life.

The loneliness kicks in sometimes but when I'm busy or when I have my daughter around me-- it eases. She doesn't realize how much she keeps me afloat. I tell her I love her and she means the world to me but I would never stress how much I need her. Although she knows her importance to me, I wouldn't put that sort of burden on her. Where the answer to the question "What would I do without you" can be terrifying to think about in all reality.

But I do what I do for her. So that she can grow without need, sometimes without want, but with the knowledge to know the difference between the two and appreciate not only what she has but who she is, where she can go, and what she knows and continues to learn each day.

Being a dad is hard too, I don't doubt it. Especially for single dads. But today I pay homage to moms out there. Single. Not single. Working. Stay-at-home. I've done it all. I miss when saying at home with her was my biggest job.

So this is my writing for today.

This is Me.

This is Us. (Amazing Show)

And I wouldn't change the important parts of it.

Can you say the same?

Friday, March 16, 2018

Sleepless in Seattle

When you lose someone that you care about deeply.. it isn't like any other kind of loss. This is the same in many situations. You could lose someone to distance, lose someone to death, lose someone to another.. or even just.. lose them.

I was in a relationship for seven years. We were young and in high school and it was my first real big relationship. I had already been with him for a couple months before I got freaked out about my own feelings and pushed him away. I was almost eighteen and my mother and I were moving again-- or so I thought-- and I was scared. Well, we ended up getting back together and when I turned eighteen I decided to stay and live with him and his parents instead of moving with my mother.

At the end of the first year he had already started hanging out alone with another girl. A girl that would come to ruin the first four years of our relationship to a point that even now I can't hear the name of the girl without a visible tick. Sure, I probably shouldn't have stayed if this was going on and I had asked him before to, for me, stop hanging around with her-- at least alone-- because it made my very uncomfortable.

Anyway, the relationship went sour for a multitude of reasons. He was a narcissistic sociopath and emotionally and mentally abused me, while in the last few years of the relationship I found that because I was unable to speak up to him or talk to him or explain how I felt to him.. my feelings grew hostile and I would punch him in the arm every chance I got. I didnt realize until later that it had meant I had become physically abusive even if it wasn't hurting him-- it was just apparently the only way I could express myself. I have sense gotten help and have relieved my urge to punch anyone in the arm that I couldn't properly communicate with.

Anyway, back to my point. After seven years and the birth of our daughter a few years prior, I couldn't do it anymore. Things had gotten so bad that finally our four year old would come out and say "My heart doesnt understand why you're fighting".. and that was it.

It's been 4 years this coming August and I am single. He had a rebound and then married the next girl. Someone he met four months after we broke up and married six months after they met. We co-parent and that's a situation all its own.

But my meaning for this post.. I'm fine the way I am. We spent our developing years together. 18-25 years old is a time of development and finding out who you are. I didnt get that. So, I'm doing it now. In therapy, of which I am a big advocate for, I finally reached a point that I had to be honest with myself about something.

Why was it taking me so long to heal and get back out there?

Aside from any emotional and mental abuse that left me scarred and terrified of really trying to start anything again.. and then later aside from finally coming into my own and being able to really explore myself single and find myself and my own likes and loves and who I was.. who I am. It was this.. I lost someone that I would have been with forever.

Honestly. Had we truly been able to work things out, he would have been it for me. That isn't like any other break up. It hasn't taken a month, a year, just to get over. It wasn't just heartbreak. It was the loss of a future. It was knowing that I would have been with him forever if our communication skills just panned out. If he had been less this or I had been more that.

No, we weren't perfect for each other and yes I understand that it means that he wasn't "The One" and that someone else is out there waiting for me. But when you love someone and you believe that had youbeen able to just.. communicate better.. that he would have been it for you.. it's not just a break up to get over. It isn't just about realizing that "oh we had a nice time but its gone now". Its a loss of part of yourself, part of your time, part of the future you hoped for together. It's just.. more.

So remember that, when you judge yourself for it "taking too long" to heal over someone. Were they it for you? Could you have seen yourself, at that time, with no one else? Did you have legitimate plans and not just fairytale dreams of being with each other forever?  Even if you didnt.. the moral here is that it doesn't take everyone the same amount of time to "get over it and move on". We all need our time and whether it is days, months, years.. don't let anyone else judge you and tell you that you should have moved on already. In my situation I said goodbye to a lot more then degrading words and cold shoulders. I said goodbye to the good times, the memories, the part of the cycle that was nice and perfect and the future we could have had together not just me and him but with our daughter as well.

So you do you.. you take your time.

Do like Sam says in "Sleepless in Seattle" because to many, it does feel as though your spouse has died. Or at least the dreams you had for your life with that person, or the part of that person you dreamt of having that future with.

"Well, I'm gonna get out of bed every morning... breathe in and out all day long. Then, after a while, I won't have to remind myself to get out of bed every morning and breathe in and out... and, then after a while, I won't have to think about how I had it great and perfect for a while."

Goodnight everyone. And may your hearts heal and your love see the sun once more.

Saturday, March 10, 2018

What Are Friends For But To Eat Tiramisu!

When your days are rough and you don't know what to do.. do it with friends!

Today, after work, I got to go out of town with one of my best friends. We headed up to a bigger city and just decided to have a girls day.

This involved spending money that we probably should not have allowed to be spent but sometimes you need to worry about yourself for once. Especially when the bills have already been paid.

We went out to the mall to walk around, she did some healing-spending and then we walked around some more. We went out to Olive Garden and had some DELICIOUS food.

Soup, Salad and Bread sticks anyone?

But first we started off with an appetizer. It was this Chicken Alfredo on Flat bread and it was amazing. It had basil and red bell pepper on it and.. just yum!

Then of course our soup of choice is the always outstanding Chicken Gnocchi (pronounced No-key).

Then for dessert, Tiramisu. I've never had it before and neither did the 'bestie'-- this is what we will always refer to this friend as.. cause she is-- but anyway, it was delicious. I am usually not a custard person but this was so good.

Then, we decided to see a movie. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.

I really liked it! It stars Karen Gillan, Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart and Jack Black and is hilarious. A little cringe worthy and nerve wracking too! I was nervous at first because, lets face it, the first one was amazing. Not to mention Robert Williams was and is a big person in my life. Seriously, losing him has been like losing your favorite Uncle. Still, gave it a try and I was not disappointed. They paid homage to the first one really well. Spoiler; if you see it, there are no after-credit scenes. Which probably means they wont make another because the first one sort of set up for another one or the possibility of one in the future.  Anyway, great movie and I recommend it.

Then, on the drive home, we listened to a ton of awesome music but of course what came on the radio at 1030 at night but to end a wonderful girls night? "Wannabe" from the Spice Girls! Wow, what a tribute to a great night.

Retail therapy, food, movie-- which by the way was at an awesome movie cinema in Peoria, Illinois that serves things like burger sliders, curly fries, Chicken and Waffle sandwiches, has seats that recline back and huge drinks and was just a great experience.

What a great night.

Where was the mini-me angel you ask? Well, she is going to see A Wrinkle In Time with her grandfather tomorrow so she is spending the night at her grandparents house. Then Ill get her tomorrow after work and shell spend some time at her dad and step-monsters house while I am at singing practice at Choral Dynamics and then home for bed for the both of us!

Monday my friend Chance and I are going to my first concert to see Lights in Chicago at the House of Blues. Looking very excited to it. Ill have to wait in line for over 2 hours for my basic ticket while Chance goes in 2 hours early for his VIP ticket but I do not mind at all! That's what books and headphones are for!

Anyway, it was a great night with a great friend and much needed for the both of us. The money spending wasn't neccesary though. We love spending time with each other regardless and it really helps calm us out.

Night everyone!

Friday, March 9, 2018

Confessions of a Mentally Unstable Housekeeper

I swear.. this is going to be the title of my book one day.

"Confessions of a Mentally Unstable Housekeeper"

In it, I will write about all the things housekeepers hate and have to go through.

Working 6 days a week,
Minimum Wage,
Construction Workers Make Horrible Hotel Guests,
Tipping!

I have notes. I tell you, I am going to write a book-- seriously, but with a ton of added comedy to it, about the ins and outs of being a hotel housekeeper. This will be my big break. I got the in!

Of course I wouldn't mention which hotel, any names, etc. But one day, I tell you, the voice of the housekeeper will be heard and will reign the through the lands like a biblical scroll!

Okay, it might only sell like ten copies if that, but it will be a gem in back alley bookstores one day. Mark my words!

Well.. Look Who's Back.

Alright, let me be completely honest.

I forgot I had a blog.

"How can you forget you have a blog!?" Well.. it's easy I suppose. Life happens and we move on and forget some things that we once did or once used.

But I am back! I want to be back this time.

And no, it isn't just because I watched 'Mom's Night Out' for, probably, the ten billionth time. It's because I'm changing. We all are.. can't you feel it? There are a lot of updates, I suppose, to my life. I'm not really sure where I left off.

I'm a single mom and have been for almost 4 years now. I'm single in general and I'm okay with that. For the first time, I am really letting myself grow. I've learned a lot about myself and I don't really care if no one wants to read about it. They don't have to. This is me, and I make no excuses.

I'm a pan-romantic, Grey-asexual single mom of a beautiful eight year old girl. I'm an Otaku and a fandom geek. I'm Pagan. I'm a survivor of a past emotionally, mentally, and sometimes physically abusive relationship. I suffer from depression and anxiety and have been in therapy sporadically all my life. I also suffer from PCOS (Polycycstic ovarian syndrome). I have three jobs. Aside from my first job as a full time mommy, I am a house keeper at a hotel 6 days a week for minimum wage anywhere between 3 and 8 hours a day. 8 Hours is hardly a thing but on really busy days it is absolutely a possibility. And, by appointment only, I am a professional body piercer. Yup, I poke people full of holes. This is by commission but I love it. I've been a body piercer for over a year now.

I have recently-- over the last few months-- started my own little trend. #selfesteemproject #bodypositive.

I always hated myself. Even when I was in highschool and only 135lbs, I hated myself. I only gained 10 lbs when I was pregnant and I hated myself. I am now, 10 years later, 100 pounds heavier-- nah ah.. I forgot, I lost 10 lbs since starting the house keeping job-- 90 lbs heavier, and finally I decided that.. I need to not hate it.

I made the post offically on facebook when I decided and it wasn't exactly like a New Years Revolution thing but it was shortly after when I decided.. I hate hating myself. I have spent my entire life hating myself and lets be honest.. I could go back to 135 lbs and still think I was fat. I know this, because I did then. I'm not an exerciser. It's not that I'm not healthy just.. big. It happens when you're in a relationship where you don't look in the mirror, you eat and eat, they don't tell you that you look any different and then of course the stress from the bad side of the relationship doesn't help and being a woman automatically makes it harder to lose weight so.. One day you look in the mirror and realize.. "WTF". And want to kill yourself.

Now don't get me wrong, I DON'T want to kill myself. It isn't a thing. Everyone I know knows this, so don't you worry. But it was a shocker to me.

But I woke up and honestly decided.. I hate hating myself. I really do. I'm not a gym-life person. I despise the gym. I love food!! And that's okay to say. I don't eat horrible.. sure fast food is in the mix but other then that I eat pretty healthy. I am a "poltry-tarian", I call myself. No red meat, pork, seafood.. just turkey and chicken and honestly that's because I had to because of health stuff otherwise I would be a full fledge vegitarian.

Let's see.. where was I.. Oh!

I like yoga and pilates and tennis and stuff but I don't do the running or "leg and arm" day or that kind of thing and honestly, I just don't have time for it. I know, I know, it's an excuse and a typical one but it's true. Or fact is, I dont want to MAKE time for it.

There is this stigma about bigger people. Yes, I am a big girl and I am only 5"3, but if I don't love me then who else will? I'm emotionally strong-- sometimes-- and I've come a long way-- or so my friends have said. But who better to trust then your close friends right?

So anyway, I guess the purpose of this post was to say-- Hello! I'm back. I'll be posting about whatever! Me, my daughter, my pet peeves, reviews, etc. All my opinions or If I use fact's then I will state where I got the facts from.

So get ready!!.. Or Don't read.

But