You are here: Home / shut my mouth and write
Dec 13, 2021

Girlboxer is BACK

By · 5 Comments
Ten-ish Years Ago

To say it’s been awhile since I posted would be an understatement. It’s been a LONG while.

And now, Miss Clairol no longer makes a dime on me.

I never dreamed my first post, after years of silence, would be about my cellphone number, but, such is the case.

This morning, the text messages I sent to someone to let them know their glass etching was done, came back undeliverable. (More on glass etching later) It said it was because my phone was inactive. I sent it 3 times, like I could convince it, that it, was in error. I tried to make a call, no luckies there either. I had switched to the MUCH cheaper, StraightTalk company, and assumed I had some type of problem with my autofill.

If only it had been that easy.

According to them, I had cancelled my phone number. That’s what a young, female operator told me. I replied, “there is no way I would cancel my phone number.” She replied, “on Nov. 19 it was canceled and your plan has ended.”

Now, my reaction was probably one she never encountered before. I said, “you’re saying I canceled my number?” And she said replied with “yes.”

I literally moaned, and said, “I’m going to throw up.” She said, “Oh, it’s going to be ok! We’ll get you a new phone number.” WELL, that was not what I wanted to hear. I knew that meant there was NO WAY I was getting my old phone number back, because my account wasn’t just canceled, my phone number was marked as no longer in use, and recycled back into the number system.

The heat in my stomach shot up what felt like 10 degrees, and I could feel my heart beating in my guts. The kiss of death was when my mouth began to water like a geyser, and I either had to hang up, or this poor girl was going to hear me dry heave like a drunk after a bender. Fortunately, it was early and I knew nothing was coming up but some coffee, tops.

She could not WAIT to transfer my call to another dude, who eventually told me the exact same thing. I did not dry heave in his ear. It had taken a moment to get transferred. I’m guessing she filled him in that I was totally losing my shit over the cancelled phone number. Not screaming and yelling, but moaning and dry heaving.

Good news, I have a new number. It’s not a 717 area code phone number. Hell, it’s not even a PA area code, it’s for South Carolina, but at least a have a working phone again.

I have made it through the day and thought this would be a good way to jump back into writing on my blog. In a way, I’m having the same type of problem with my blog. I foolishly didn’t get around to changing my card number after it expired. My website did not auto renew, so I lost my website original name, and have to choose a new one. That sucks even more then losing my phone number, I think.

The question is, what do I change it too? Girlboxer-1970.com? Girlboxer1970Arts.com? Or, I’m seriously considering Girlboxer1970Pops.com.

I’m really into etching glass. I also etch metal and my husband and I make wooden signs together. That all can be found on our Facebook page, CopenCrider Creations.

Check out COPENCRIDER CREATIONS on Facebook for many more glass and metal etching and other fun things we make.
Check out https://www.facebook.com/copencridercreations

I want this blog to be more about my arts and hobbies (writing, painting, photography, glass-etching, balloon fun and outdoor adventures) and zero about divorce, which is what this blog had started with. Am I still going to write a book someday? Yes, I plan to. That will be down the road. I can’t even bring myself to read my old blog posts about divorce and custody. I also have a box and file cabinet of notes I don’t open. It is still very painful. I am happily remarried (part of why my writing died out) and my ex is remarried with wife #5. I wish them the absolute best.

All my original blog content will still be on whatever I name my new blog. It has to be as close to my original website name as possible. I have social media that I use to promote my arts and I use girlboxer1970 as my handle.

I am enjoying my new hobby of making TikToks. My YouTube channel of fun balloon videos, that are FREE, are still online and I’m adding more nearly every day. Some of my videos have been viewed over 63K times!

Please subscribe to my TicTok and YouTube! And, if you’re not a subscriber to my blog, please join in the FUN!!

Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for Girlboxer1970 fun!

You’ll be hearing more from me, I promise! It’s been forever since I clicked, PUBLISH!

~Pattie

Filed Under: Just Life · Tagged:
Jan 30, 2019

Snow Day

By · Leave a Comment

I had a hard time getting up the short drive last night. Schools are closed, but I have work today.

I have so many homeless clients. I hope they are at least indoors with the temperatures below 0° with the wind chill.

Stay warm,

~P.

Filed Under: Dreams ·
Jun 29, 2018

Hey…. It’s me! Making changes.

By · 8 Comments

I get so angry with myself because I have this awesome website with people who follow what I write, yet I rarely write. So I need to develop a time where I regularly write again.

We’ve had a lot of changes in our lives recently. The biggest being that Brian was awarded custody of his son, Matt. Matt’s 12, same as Tesla, my daughter. The custody process was very long. It took over a year just to get a trial.

Actually, there were two. At the first one, the judge was not pleased with either Brian, or his ex-wife’s, testimony. Instead, she appointed a lawyer for Matthew and said when he was done gathering information and writing a recommendation, then there would be an actual custody hearing.

From the day Matthew was appointed his own lawyer, until the actual decision, was a year and two months. Brian was awarded full physical and legal custody of Matt. His mother can see him the first weekend of every month and then have him December 27th until the day before he returns to school.

This decision, of course, isn’t sitting well with Matt’s mom. She was expecting to keep primary custody and hoping to get some of my income as child support to boot. I knew neither of those things would happen.

Brian has all say in Matt’s life now. He is able to take him to the doctor and doesn’t need her permission for him to start medication for ADHD. All the ideas and accepted behaviors that Matt’s been taught his whole life now need to be changed. This could prove to be a challenge.

Another change that I’m working on, I want to get back into shape. I don’t expect to become a triathlete, but I would like to be able to walk up a few flights of steps and not thinking I’m going to die. I’m seriously disappointed in myself for falling out of shape.

I gave serious thought to bariatric surgery. My weight now is considered obese, but not morbid, so I probably don’t qualify. I have not scheduled an appointment with a surgeon to see if I’m a candidate, but instead began a diary to keep track of what I eat and exercise.

I’ve lost weight before, so I believe I can do this. My starting weight. 211. My goal weight, 155. I’ve got a ways to go.

I feel sad looking at these pictures! So here’s to eating right and exercising.

Fingers crossed!

~P.

Filed Under: Just Life · Tagged: ,
Jan 27, 2018

His Day Was Worse

By · 1 Comment

drug addct

Today started out like any other day. Wake up before the alarm goes off. (Isn’t that frustrating!?) Shower and dress, pack lunches, walk the dog, drive to work, park somewhere I hopefully don’t get a ticket for, avoid getting hit by traffic, enter work through 4 alarm coded doors, sign in, turn on my pc, warm up my coffee, and heat my breakfast, usually an egg sandwich.  Work until first break. All normal.

First break, my work wife, Kem, asks me to walk over to the diner with her and out the door we go. That’s when things took a turn.

I could see what looked like legs, sticking out into the parking lot, across the street at the strip mall.

The clientele at this strip mall are often pan handlers. They ask for a quarter from anyone who passes by until they have enough change to buy drugs, or, go into the little liquor store for a half pint of their poison. People ask for change so much that I avoid the mall as much as possible. There are nice stores there, so like today, we were on the way over.

A man, probably in his mid to late twenty’s, was lying on the sidewalk, his head against the brick column. His shirt was pulled up, way up, and his jacket was nearly off of him. He was blue and getting bluer. Kem asked if anyone called 911 and there was a lady on the phone already. No one was doing anything for this guy.

I asked if he was breathing and the lady said yes. I was doubtful. So was Kem. She checked his pulse and said it was weak. We were told he fell twice in the parking lot and they carried him to the sidewalk. I presume, “propping him against the column”.  He had blood on his knee and both hands. So we straightened him out and I did a chest rub. He didn’t respond.

He didn’t seem to be getting any bluer, but wasn’t responding, even though his eyes had opened. They weren’t blinking. Then he started to convulse. I came around to the same side Kem was on and said to watch for needles when we roll him on his side. He was breathing again and looked less blue. That was a relief. I knew we just needed to keep him as comfortable as possible until the ambulance arrived.

I tried to pull his clothes over his bare skin while he was on his side. He had surgical scars all over his lower back. I don’t know this guy’s name, though they found a credit card beside him that said Henry Something, so the EMT starting calling him Henry. Henry smashed his phone during his falling down moments.  Kem had tried to see if he had any ICE contacts listed. It wouldn’t turn on. We left after the fire truck arrived to finish her errand.

The diner employee said she thought he had just been there and used the restroom. I told her to be careful emptying the trash. She nodded, not having thought of that.

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say pain medication caused this man to go to this length, to take a drug he’s become addicted to, in a public place. Had he lost consciousness in the restroom, he might be dead. Actually, I don’t know that he lived.

And directly across the street, he can apply for assistance to break his addiction. I pray he soon gets help.

I felt sick after getting back to work. I never saw someone overdose before. I hope I never see it again.

God Bless all,

~P.

On a good note: 7 years ago today I started my blog. 🙂

Filed Under: Just Life, York PA · Tagged: , , , , ,
Nov 24, 2017

Day After Thanksgiving

By · Leave a Comment

Brian has gone to get Matthew for our part of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Tesla is with her father for his part of the holiday weekend. She’s coming back home by the time her brother gets here with Brian. She’s very excited to see Matt. I’m enjoying a few days off of work, having today off as a holiday too. I’m thoroughly enjoying it, as I do laundry.  Might as well get a jump on it. Thanksgiving Day was very nice. Delicious food that everyone contributed. My house was full of people, and I love that. My parents, Brian, and I played a card game called Hand and Foot. Brian and my dad crushed mom and I. They haven’t been playing nearly as long as Mom and I. It was a bit of a disgrace to lose. But that’s okay, we had fun and only had to tell my dad it was his turn every minute or two.

Like pretty much everyone else celebrating Thanksgiving, I overate. No longer having a gallbladder, that’s a foolish thing to do. And I paid for it just like I said I would when I sat back down with seconds. And then late last night, I decided to eat some spicy pizza with Brian and my acid reflux went off the hook. Now my throat is sore to the point where I can’t even drink hot coffee from bringing the spicy pizza back up around 3 am. I told Brian, “no more spicy pizza for me at night. My throat feels like I swallowed acid.”

Just finished swapping the laundry. The lint came out so pretty. I almost want to use it for a craft!

23998502_1650659838287432_418665647_o

We’ve been painting rocks and hiding them, and when I say we, I mostly mean me. Brian paints rocks, but, doesn’t hide them. And, when I hide his rocks, he yells at me for hiding them. Ok, maybe not yells, but asks why I’m hiding his rocks. LOL I said, “you got to hide them because we’re not painting them for ourselves.” I think he just forgets to hide them.

SafeLite Auto is coming out to fix my windshield today. We’ve come to the conclusion it was hit by a rock and not shot by a pellet gun. Though, if my windshield was completely shot out by an actual bullet, it wouldn’t surprise me. York has had so much violence and drug overdoses this year. I really hope the new mayor can do something to change things. I don’t live in York. Working downtown is scary enough. Gun fights at corner markets a block from my office. Road rage incidents that led to death. A young girl being gang-raped near the York Fairgrounds. And the heroin epidemic is so bad the local television station is doing a year-long report on it. York County has the second highest rate of overdoses in the state. This absolutely shocks me because York county is mostly rural. The child abuse and neglect is also ridiculously high. And, there are 12 prisoners on death row from York County, out of the 156 in Pennsylvania. That seems high. I pray for my county, country and the world. Outside of my happy house, it’s scary. So, I’ll just enjoy my day of laundry and wait for my family to return to the nest. Only about 5 hours to go and I’m going to binge watch “Medium” the entire time.

Well, between laundry loads.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my post. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of the fellowship, love and really good food!

#EatingLeftovers

~P.

Filed Under: Family, Just Life, York PA · Tagged:
Aug 30, 2017

My Friend Went to Jail

By · 4 Comments

smiles

It’s been a day like none other. It started out earlier than usual because I now take Tesla to middle school. The school set up is bizarre and I could not find how to get to the student drop off. There were signs everywhere staring me down with: No Student Drop-Off  But, no sign directing me how the hell to get to the drop-off area. I finally trusted her to walk across the parking lot, even with the signs still glaring at me through the rain drops. Oh yeah, it was dreary and raining too.

Work was the same. Me, trying to cram as much case clearing as possible into my work schedule. I do get breaks. Two, 15 minute, breaks that fly by along with the rest of my day. And today, I left early because one of my best friends was being sentenced.

We stood outside the courtroom, waiting to go in. When I arrived, I hugged Jodie, her husband, Steve, and their 13 year old son, Sean. I have been friends with Jodie since meeting in 6th grade. Our other two friends, Dawn and Angie, were also there and we sat together in the courtroom, often holding hands during the impact statements.

The judge seemed angry. Often short with the lawyers. She listened to both sides give statements, including Jodie and Steve. Listening to the parents of the children who died was absolutely gut-wrenching. I cried along with the families.  I cannot even begin to understand how it would feel to lose your child in such a way that they did.

Steve pled guilty and did not have a trial. Jodie was not offered a plea. She was found guilty, and now, today, a judge was deciding her fate and also making the decision of Steve’s. After the testimonies, the judge immediately gave her decision. I don’t understand the impact statements if the judge has already decided. I guess it is just the last chance for everyone to get off their chests what they think and how they feel. It was emotional beyond belief. The family of the boys that died testified for both sides. It split families, because some felt that strongly that what the boys did on that day that caused their deaths was their own doings, as Jodie and Steve weren’t home. They did not allow them to drink for hours and then drive a vehicle drunk. Period.

I wasn’t there that day. I’m just stating what I believe to be true.

While I think they were completely wrong in previously buying alcohol for kids and allowing them to drink, I do not think Jodie should have been sentenced to 2.5-6 years in state prison. Her youngest son is 13 and oldest just started college. My heart was breaking as the judge read off their sentences. Steve was sentenced 3 years probation with fines, DUI classes, and community service. I had hoped Jodie would not get prison time, but the judge was incredibly harsh, comparing them to parents who horribly abuse their children, physically, sexually and emotionally, and even murder them. I knew then that she was going to jail. The judge was over-the-top and out-of-line with that comparison. In no way would either of these two people intentionally hurt anyone, especially their children, or friends of their children.

What I think doesn’t matter. The statement I prepared and gave to the judge didn’t matter. The judge had already decided what she was sentencing my friends and there is nothing I could do about it. I will be there for my friend and her family as she begins what her lawyer told me will be 2.5 years, and then she will be up for parole with the state board. The most she can stay at the county jail is 1 year. The judge ordered she must go to state.

She ordered Jodie be taken into custody immediately to begin her sentence. The sheriff cuffed her and led her out of the room. We were all in shock. Then, we all started crying.

So what has been accomplished? Tax payers will pay for someone to be behind bars that is not a threat to society. In fact, prior to this, she and her husband had never been in any legal trouble, so society is losing a tax payer and gaining a tax creator. I have cried so many times today for my friends and their family. I just needed to get some of this pain out. Stone and Nick won’t magically come back. I wonder, is there really is any satisfaction gained by destroying more families?

Now, I will stop crying and just continue praying. I went to their house afterwards and told Steve they have to be strong, and work through this, and that I’m only a phone call away. I pray he never hesitates to call.

Thanks for reading.

~P.

Filed Under: Friends ·
Aug 23, 2017

Home Movies (Crider/Beideman) now on Facebook!

By · Leave a Comment

Technology is wonderful and never stops changing. So when the home movies my parents made in the 70’s and 80’s went extinct, they just sat in a box gathering dust, until now.

film_reels

Four minutes clips of silent history to jostle those memory banks.  I can’t even put into words how happy that makes me. Even when the movies are unfocused, I still love them. I don’t think I’ve watched these movies since the early 90’s.

Today, I’m home sick watching these movies from my childhood as my brother uploads a new one every 40 minutes, and it’s so exciting having memories come rushing back.  Sam says he has 175 videos of dad’s that he’s transferring.

Mom and pattie 70s

My mom and I around 1971.

I am enjoying seeing everyone that attended birthday parties and other celebrations where my dad had the video camera. He’s not in many of the videos, and I get that. I’m often not in my photos or videos because, I’m the one taking them.

It’s frustrating when he’s trying to catch footage of people and they turn away or get up and move out of frame. You’re seen every day just how you look, so why not let someone make a video or take a picture. It’s not for you, it’s for others to enjoy in the future.

Uncle Bill

My Uncle Bill who passed at 16 and I was 11.

 

These home videos are the best. I love seeing all the awesome birthday cakes my mom baked. It just brings me such joy watching us celebrate big gatherings of family for our birthdays and holidays. And seeing how times changes things, it’s so interesting to watch. Now our family would never have a party and allow everyone to smoke in the basement with all the kids around. What hasn’t changed: every celebration the beer came out.

Wayne 1971

My Uncle Wayne who has also passed away.

When someone wants to take your picture, or include you in their home movie, let them. You may not want to see it, but others will. I’m so glad my mom and dad made all these videos. It’s like my childhood is coming back, in 4 minutes segments.

So, I urge my family and friends on both sides of my parents who were hanging out at family gatherings in the 70s and 80s, to go to my dad’s website Walt Crider and check out the Home Movies. There are so many family and friends in the videos. It’s so much fun to watch. They start when I was a baby and lived in the farmhouse in Alpine and end when we lived on Bluebird Lane. Lots of movies at other people’s home too and my family in Philly.

PappySam

My mom’s dad, Pappy Sam, who lived in Philly.

As I watch them I’ll try to remember to tag people that are in or have family that are in the movie, but you have to friend request him to watch the movies.

Here’s the movie Facebook page. Enjoy!

https://www.facebook.com/walt.crider.549?ref=br_tf

~P.

Filed Under: Family ·
Jun 18, 2017

Looner Study: What I learned from liking balloons

By · 6 Comments

IMG_0043

I did an interview with Practitioner’s TV about balloons. This YouTube channel is out of Philadelphia and came to visit me to learn about what looners are and balloon & latex fetishism, based on a paper I wrote while in York College of PA in May of 2012. I agreed to the interview because I was promised the show was to promote acceptance rather then ostracize those who love balloons. The interview will be release this Thursday, June 22, 2017.

I have never shared the results of my questionnaires with anyone other than my professor and people who submitted responses and wanted to see the final thesis paper. I decided to share the paper now that the episode was coming out so people could see the full study along with the interview and the awesome song written by Dave DeHart of They & Them. Here is the link to the song he wrote based on the interview.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2qNkOfwVLU&t=179s <—–Looner theme song written by Dave about my love for balloons.

Below are the links to my thesis paper for my professional writing class. I received a perfect score though she teased me I did miss some commas. 🙂

Complete Looner study   <—–PDF version

Complete Looner study <—–Word Doc version

Here is the link to my YouTube channel where I enjoy making videos for other people. They’re just me being silly, and blowing up balloons, and popping them. Either you’re into watching (or hearing) them or you’re not. It’s all good. I rarely make a video anymore, but I still think balloons are awesome.

https://www.youtube.com/user/girlboxer1970

IMG_1143

Thanks for stopping by! If you like what you read and want others to read it too, show you care and share this post. 🙂 🙂

Please write me a note in the comments about your thoughts on the results of my paper.

Here’s the episode!!

~P.

There may be other links through the balloon tags on my blog site that don’t work. I had to delete tons of photos of balloons I had because I didn’t have space. 😦

Filed Under: Balloons, College, Professional Writing Class · Tagged: , , , ,
Jun 15, 2017

Upcoming Custody Hearing & Stuff

By · Leave a Comment

Well, I’m back to taking medication for stomach irritation. I started again after another worthless doctor’s appointment. I’m tired of wasting my leave time at work to just be shifted back and forth to the same few doctors. What really makes me mad is after seeing Dr. Po and learning he didn’t feel I needed surgery and the vomiting and nausea we’re not coming from his specially area, the rear, he says he didn’t have anymore tests and told me to see the gastrologist again, it had to be my stomach. Keep in mind I had just seen Dr. Po (his name and the humor of it is not lost on me) and the receptionist or whoever she is, insisted I come in and refused to send a note back asking him if I need the test he mentioned. I was furious that this appointment was a waste of time, but Po got paid. No wonder insurance is costly. So, we’ll see how this goes again after almost two years of regularly feeling nauseated and vomiting in the mornings. I’ve also been working at the assistance office for 2 years now come next month. It’s been interesting to say the least. There is never a day at work where I not surprised a bit, sad a bit, and angered.

Hitting home, after years of fighting with my ex-husband over custody of our daughter, I’m now involved again in a custody battle, this time as a stepmom. The custody trial is coming up 2 days after we get back from a week’s camping vacation. Currently my stepson, Matt, visits us every other weekend. His mother lives in Erie so on our Friday, he doesn’t actually get back to our house until 11 at night. On Sundays, we meet her halfway later in afternoon for the exchange. Erie is about 6 hours away from where we live. Basically, Matt gets 2 days a month to do something with us because the other days are spent driving. We are trying to get custody because Matthew has been diagnosed with ADHD since he was young, and more recently ODD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder. His behavior is far, I repeat far, from acceptable. Had I behaved this way I would have just gotten my ass beaten, but these days there’s medication to help stop this bad behavior as well as the hyperactivity. Matt’s mom won’t allow him to take medication and won’t voluntarily give Brian custody, so he’s suing her in court. I truly believe it would be best for Matt to live with us, though it might push me over the edge. Haha
I’ll let you know how things go.

~P.

Filed Under: Brian, Just Life · Tagged:
Mar 17, 2017

Stop TWEETING Already!

By · 3 Comments

 

What is going on with our government? Why can’t Trump stop tweeting?

I’m so sick of hearing about stupid stuff the President is doing. Act presidential for crying out loud.

So much time is being wasted on his tweets, especially the wire-tapping tweet.

Then, there’s the travel ban, the Russian brolove, the border wall, healthcare, and all the fighting back with every single person or entire groups, like the media, who disagrees, dislikes or questions anything he says. I can’t stand it.

But, I can’t stop reading.

On a local level, I’m not pleased with Pennsylvania Governor, Tom Wolf. Right before Christmas he laid-off Unemployment Compensation employees. It was sudden and not well-thought out as there were not enough employees left to handle all the calls for claims from unemployed Unemployment Comp workers.

Now, out-of-the blue, my office gets notice of lay-offs and furloughs. People are going to be urged to retire with a special package or find new jobs in other state agencies. Those who don’t may be transferred to the nearest call center that is taking transplants to continue our position.  The nearest is 1.5 hours away, so I will not be going that route. Those who don’t transfer will be let go. They can start calling Unemployment immediately as its dicey if you’ll get through.

I’m pissed about this whole possible loss-of-my-job issue. I like working in York. I can get there in 20 minutes or so. In the summer I can have lunch with my husband, which I greatly enjoy. If I take a new position, I’d have to drive to Harrisburg again and no more summer lunches on Cherry Lane taking in the free entertainment.

I read Trump is decreasing funding for welfare. Maybe the time IS right to get out of the assistance programs. There are days where I can barely stand the lies I get fed every day, but then, there are days where I really feel I helped someone, or a family, out during tough times. Sadly, most days seem to involve hearing lies.

I haven’t written in so long. I feel rusty. I need to stop slacking.

~P.

Filed Under: Work · Tagged: , ,
«Previous Page
Next Page»