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Jul 31, 2011

Dear John VII

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Dear John,

  Today is Zeth’s birthday!  I doubt you remembered that.   I already sent him a birthday note in Facebook.  Do you remember what happened on this day two years ago?  Let me remind you!

   I woke up in the hospital after swallowing multiple prescription pills the day before.  You were screaming at me that day about the business.   To make you happy I began to swallow my pills, followed by a swig of orange juice.  You did say “knock it off Pattie” while I did this, but made no attempt to stop me.  In fact, you even said, “now you’ll never see your daughter” and I realized you weren’t going to stop me from taking the meds.  This was the easy way for you.  Just let me off myself. 

   Once that light went off in my head, I stopped on my own.   The lights grew dim as the pills kicked in and I couldn’t find that damn syrup to make me barf.  Ipecac Syrup I think it’s called.  You had  got some for Diane the night she tried to exit out of your life.

   So I wake up in a hospital bed and tell my doctors what happened and why.  They believed me when I said I would never kill myself and did not need to go to the Psych ward.  They released me but I grew impatient for the discharge papers.  Finally I just left, feeling like an escaped prisoner.  Lisa Vannatta picked me up in the pouring down rain.  I was soaking wet after slipping on road, trying to jump a puddle in bedroom slippers.  I still had on my pajamas from the morning before the blow up.  Lisa thought I was crazy for wanting to go back to my house but it was Zeth’s birthday party.  I couldn’t miss the party I threw and Lisa was already on her way there anyway!

Boy did you have a look of surprise on your face when I walked into the house.  The party was already started but my entrance stopped the show.  Everyone was happy to see me alive and well, in the flesh.  Everyone but you!

Tomorrow marks two years since we officially split up.  Get on with this divorce PLEASE!

It’s true and ya know it,

~P.

Filed Under: Divorce, John, Zeth · Tagged: ,
Jun 30, 2011

Mi rutina (My routine)

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My second Spanish composition….

En la mañana yo quiero ir el parque y jugar el béisbol con me hija.  Nos
gusta escuchar a las gritas de los niños mientras ellos juegan el béisbol.  Yo paso mucho tiempo con me hija en la pincina.  Nosotras preferimos nadar en agua
el fresco.  Me hijo trabaja a la pincina y nosotras vamos para ver a ello.

En la tarde, vamos a pasear y compartimos la conversacion.  Nosotras
comemos el helado en el verano.  Yo prefiero el chocolate y ella prefierie la frutilla.  Espero viajar a la playa y tomar el sol.

En la noche yo tengo muchas responsabilidades en la casa.  Yo tengo qué preparar la cena por las familias.  Ellos tienen mucho hambre por el bistec y la langosta.  Nosotros desamos
comer la comida deliciosa.  Después de la cena yo limpio la cocina.  Me familia
mira la television.  Yo prefiero la lectura en el noche.

Mis muchachas van a las montañas conmigo.    Nosotras llegamos en la tarde.  Ellas preparan ir de excursion.  Las montañas son cerca del río.  Nosotras encuentramos las piedras bonitas.  Mi hijo, Jarrid es muy tonto.  Él tiene mucho miedo  el pez.
Jarrid no le gustan las pecas.

Mi pasatiempo favorito es ser con mi familia.  Yo tengo dos bueno hijos y
una inteligente hija.  Yo escribo electrónico por Jarrid y Zeth a leer.
Nosotros también hablamos por el teléfono celular.   Ellos gusta habla con Tesla todos los días.

~P

Filed Under: College, Jarrid, Spanish 101, Tesla, Zeth · Tagged: ,
May 27, 2011

Settled In

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Moving sucks….and it sucks twice as much when you’re a co-owner of a moving company yet can’t make use of the trucks you personally found online to purchase for your business.

Instead I borrowed my dad’s 1970’s pickup and made multiple trips in that gas guzzling, ancient truck.  My sister and I nicknamed it “Big Red” a long time ago.  It actually belonged to my first husband’s dad and he sold it to my dad.  It’s not nearly as pretty as it used to be as my dad is a terror on vehicles.  Just a few weeks ago he backed into my sister’s Ford Focus and put a huge dent in it.  Not that he offered to have it repaired…don’t be silly!

So I’m pretty settled in and excited to get Tesla this afternoon.  She’s already seen the house but now that her room is set up she will be twice as excited.  I changed my address and have to wait for that to come in the mail so I can finish registering her for kindergarten.  It will be awesome to be in school myself while she is just starting.  My world revolves around her and I miss her so much when she’s away.

Everything I do is for her and she knows that.  Spoiled, perhaps a little, but isn’t that what kids are for?  Jarrid and Zeth are going to my parents this weekend to visit and I want them to come check out my new digs.  It’s close to everything, yet back in the woods on a road no one has ever heard of.  The only downside is I can’t let Ying run loose like he was used to because there are too many other dogs in the neighborhood and he will want to visit.  He was picked up once by the police for jay walking on Market Street when I lived in East York.  It cost $50 to get him released from the dog catcher!  Fortunately, the backyard is fenced in for Tesla and Ying so they still can run around and play.

Things are looking up and I am in good spirits.  Summer classes start in a week and I’m anxious to get back at the books.  On an even better note, with all the stress with divorce, custody, moving, etc….I received a letter from York College, I made the Dean’s List!!!  Woohoo!!!  Nothing and no one can keep me down!!

~P.

Filed Under: College, Divorce, Family, Jarrid, John, Pets, Tesla, Zeth · Tagged: , ,
May 9, 2011

Magical Mothers Day

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Blaine and Tess

 

I may have had the best Mother’s Day ever. Zeth spent the weekend and went to church with his Aunt Suz, Blaine, Pap and Gramma in the morning. When they came home, Zeth said he was making me breakfast. I requested eggs and toast from the invisible menu and a wee bit later, I had three well cooked “dippy” eggs and cold toast with way to much margarine.  I happily ate it anyway, honored he wanted to cook for me.  Jarrid met up with us in York and we hit the Mother’s Day street fair.  Blaine and Tess chowed down on the Famous Bricker’s french fries then had a blast in the bounce houses.  All that walking from one bounce house to another left their stocking feet black, but oh well, that’s what bleach is for.

We walked around long enough to get a slight sunburn, about three hours.  Stopped for some ice cream and headed back home.  At home all of us bowled with kid’s plastic bowling pins and….a golf ball.  I discovered just how well golf balls bounce on cement today.  When I tossed it to Tess and she missed, it hit her on the top lip.  A few tears were shed, but she’s tough like her mom and forgot  about it quickly.

Our neighbor texted and invited us over for a cook out.  In the country the word neighbor is used loosely.  We don’t really have a “next door” neighbor out here, so if you’re within 5 miles, you are a neighbor.  We piled into two cars and drove about 5 minutes to a farm.  There we enjoyed hotdogs, hamburgs, salad and risking our lives on four wheelers and a gator.  My son managed to get the gator stuck in the mud while Suz was videotaping the ride.  I will have to post it because it is hilarious.  Think Dumb and Dumber with four-wheel drive….

New peeps arrived on the farm today

More people showed up, including the infamous Jerry that was a hot topic of discussion earlier.  Jerry took 3rd at Susquehanna Speedway Saturday night, but forgot to have his car weighed and checked after the race.  He was officially disqualified, losing his placing, the $150 prize, and the 5 points earned towards qualifying.  I didn’t know who he was at the time but I laughed along with everyone else for his stupid mistake.  When Jerry showed up for the cookout and I discovered this dodo is my second cousin.  Small world gets smaller everyday. 

Around eight we drove 5 minutes back home.  My day wasn’t quite over yet as Zeth needed to go back to his dads for school in the morning.  Now…. I’m sitting down relaxing; reflecting how wonderful my Mother’s Day was.  I am blessed to have 3 healthy, happy children who love and enjoy spending their time with me.  Life is wonderful and I live each day embracing it. 

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there.  I hope your day was as wonderful as mine!

~P.

Filed Under: Family, Friends, Jarrid, Tesla, Zeth · Tagged: , , ,
May 4, 2011

Homeless but happy

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The word is the parental homestead is going up for sale.  God Bless the person who buys this straw house.  So, once again, I am mortgaged to the hilt with my husband, yet homeless.  Now I contemplate the options I have of getting a new place to live. 

I could move onto campus, but there are no overnight visitors aloud.  I can’t live somewhere that I am not permitted to take my daughter.  I could get an apartment close to campus but have to consider Tesla starting school.  John has taken the liberty of enrolling her in the school district of our home in Windsor.  When I brought up registering her for Dover he had a meltdown.  He told me today he had his lawyer send a letter to my lawyer concerning Tesla.  He wants her to go to school from our house but will agree to let me have her 3 days a week or something like that.  For that to work, I would need to live close to Windsor or in Windsor. 

I’m not giving up parental rights to my daughter.  Not going to happen.  With that thought in mind, I struggle to do what’s best.  I refuse to remain on a mortgage of a house I don’t live in, especially with the latest girlfriend and her 4 kids residing there.  The mortgage is way behind and now our credit is ruined so I don’t see how John thinks he can keep our house to himself.  He has warned me if I make him sell the house he will ruin me….how much more ruined can I get?  At least I’m not scared!!

So, my options: 

Should I use my school loan to get an apartment?  Try to get an apartment near the house I own with John and keep the 50-50 custody agreement?  Give in to his demand of having majority custody and patiently wait for Tesla to announce she wants to live with her mom?  Get an apartment in Dover and fight for custody?  Get an apartment in Dallastown and move Zeth in before his father boots him out over the summer?  Rent a house with my sister and nephew?  That would be four people and two dogs and probably, very expensive.

  My God this is a mess and I only have one person to thank.  Myself, for falling in love with an asshole.

Thoughts and comments appreciated!  House and apartment rental leads also appreciated!!

~P.

Filed Under: College, Divorce, John, Pets, Tesla, Zeth · Tagged:
Apr 25, 2011

Tesla turns 5

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Tesla turned 5 on Easter Day.  We had a little party and egg hunt to celebrate.  Where does time go?  She is growing up so fast!  Then there are her brothers, who will never grow up.  Zeth wound up on the ground…the very wet, muddy ground. 🙂

~P.

Filed Under: Family, Jarrid, Tesla, Zeth · Tagged:
Apr 17, 2011

The Conewago Floods

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Tesla, Suz, Zeth and I drove to the Conewago Creek to check out the flood situation.  We confirm; it flooded.  🙂  Pictures are from Kunkle’s Mill Bridge (the little calf houses floated down the road, someone’s dock drifted by)  Boring Bridge Road (my Redneck Art stop sign blew over) and Beaver Hole Bridge or as my daughter calls it “Our Bridge” because we love it there! 

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Filed Under: Beaver Hole Bridge, Tesla, Zeth · Tagged: , , , , ,
Apr 17, 2011

Cut your hair, show you care event

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York College of PA’s SIFE team (Students in Free Enterprise) held a fundraiser for Relay for Life cancer research on April 17th.  Held on Jackson Street in York, people gathered outside eating, playing games, tie-dying t-shirts and listening to music.  Inside, The Dollhouse Salon employee’s gave haircuts with all proceeds going to Relay for Life.  The event was a success and at the last count prior to leaving, 9 people had their locks trimmed.   If you didn’t stop by you missed out on all the food, fun and the chance to tame your unruly hair.

I took my sister Suz, son Zeth and daughter Tesla and we all had a blast.  Hope you enjoy the pictures and GREAT JOB SIFE!!

~P.

Filed Under: classmates, College, Tesla, Zeth · Tagged: , , , ,
Mar 6, 2011

Flood~It’s really coming down

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Not my basement, Thank God!

 

I called up to my brother Sam, “Hey where’s Dad? The basement is flooding.”

Sam consulted with father, who knows best, and was sent to the basement for the portable pump.  The utility pump found, electric source with a three prong adapter found and….nothing.  The pump motor was frozen.  Sam, being the smart guy of the family, grabs my shop vac.  Presto!  Problem solved….

except I HAVE to keep turning the shop vac on and it’s filling rather quickly as the water level is constantly rerising.  Do other people still have this water drainage issue or am I the only one left, shop vaccing water from a drain hole?

So far Tesla has been distracted and not noticed the drainage issue.  I could see her digging out the rubber duckies in her toy box, and declaring it her pond.

~P.

Now imagine about an hour or more passing.  The shop vaccum didn’t hold enough water to keep the flood back.  Squeegies as my father calls them, were necessary to push back the flow of water towards our sleeping area and dressers.  Dad has finished eating and left for a new pump.  Suz, Sam and I have carried at least 10 buckets of nasty water.  Yes, it smells now.  Nothing like a flood to ruin a day.  Unless you were Noah and had an ark.

I have to go suck water again.  “Hurry Walt, my back is killing me!” Sigh..

Ironically, I had started a story for writing class with the title of a Jars of Clay song, “Flood.”  For some reason that song made me think of all the times the basement flooded when I was a child.

The first line of my story is “It never occurred to me that my pink  bedroom slippers would float.”

Currently, my slippers are safe….

No ark here,

Pattie

Filed Under: College, Family, Tesla, Zeth · Tagged: , ,
Mar 5, 2011

Today went quickly

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I had a busy day today.  First up, I put some bread in the toaster, then forgot about it.  When I finally returned I did a double take pulling it from the toaster.  Someone, had taken a bite before I even buttered it!  I burst out laughing and my son Zeth, couldn’t help himself.  His guilt wass confirmed in his wild laughter.  There is this trend at the Crider house, when making something for someone else, take a bite before you give it to them.  Zeth to that in-house joke one step further.  You’re welcome Zeth….you are definitely my egg.

Next up, I wanted to see if my car radio would get a better signal if I taped a wire hanger to the antenna.  After several test checks (why do it if it doesn’t make any improvements?) I secured my new antenna.  I see it as redneck girl-functioning art. 

Tesla has a perfectly good pair of shoes to play outside in during the mud ball season.  It’s just the velcro that replaced laces years ago, doesn’t cut the mustard.  The shoes lost their grip.  I had the electrical tape handy….presto!!  Redneck girl fix #2!

Now the repairs were finished and the kids were ready to race in the garage.  Everyone was happy and life is good.

Filed Under: Family, Tesla, Zeth · Tagged: ,
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