When life is good

How often do you give a quick reply of “good” when asked how your life is?  “Good” is probably the most often response used.  When we respond is it automatic?  It’s certainly the easiest answer.  People really don’t want to hear about your problems do they?

My friend from highschool, Kym Guss Buchanan wrote in her status update:

Oh Happy Day! Tests came
back…still cancer free! So ready for my fabulous future! Bring it on…so
ready to rumble! Working on making some career goals a reality! Planning more
into the future now. Sharing special times with my hubby and daughter…spending
time with my terrific friends and family…
so much to enjoy!!!! I feel
fabulous and Life is SO good!!!!

That was SO good to read because I get how short life can be.  The wonderful news that Kym is cancer free renews my faith in God and reminds me that good things do happen.

While I struggle daily with not a physical illness, but a mental illness, I love and appreciate all the support I get from my family and friends.  It’s good to know, especially in dealing with depression for the past 3 years, that I have my peeps out there backing me.  Everyday I feel stronger and excited for the future.  I couldn’t do that without my family and friends and that is exactly what I was missing out on in life during my 5 year marriage.

Still unpacking the damn boxes,

~P.

Dear John III

Dear John,

I was surprised when you told me you were sending my check written to the moving company to domestics.  “I’m not cashing it.” you told me.

Well, you can’t cash it really, it’s written to the company.  I asked you why you were doing this and you responded in a text (impressive) with “Because you just said you’re hurting for money so I’m not cashing the check and putting it towards my child support so you don’t have to be out of the money out-of-pocket right now.”

I texted you back “Tearing up the check would b better 🙂  Most helpful 2 TT n I.”

I wasn’t surprised with your text back, “That’s not gonna happen. :-)”

“Of course not.  You enjoy seeing me struggle.”  I replied.  Loved the smiley icon in your text.  Is there a snear smiley available in your phone?

I’ll struggle but survive, even in the 96 degree weather,with no air conditioning in my car or house.  I’m sure you have the AC on at home, chilling the house.  You can always jump in our swimming pool to cool off.  I really miss that pool these days!

So, I’ll get some child support out of the check I sent you.  Maybe $85 or so out of the $106 I wrote the check for.  You’ll get $106 credited towards your child support and somehow, I suppose, not have to claim that income on the business records.  Yes, had you forced me to pay cash it would have been much easier on you.  Sorry about wanting to follow the rules in running a business.

Tesla is checking out the new house.  She says it’s beautiful.  Isn’t she just a sweetie!  Gets that from her momma!

~P.

Math, M&Ms and more

How to calculate in chocolate

Done!  Done!  Done!

Just finished up my math homework.  My professor lent me his extra calculator this afternoon.  How kind is that?!  I had one that someone else had bought me, but that one wasn’t “scientific” enough to handle these advanced math problems.  I decided to use M&Ms to calculate but that didn’t last long.  Too Tempting!

A friend brought me the M&M’s yesterday, the ones with pretzels inside.  They are pretty damn good.  On a completely different note,  I’m currently experiencing gas problems. (Not to be confused with the gas on the first day I blogged at http://girlboxer1970.com/2011/01/21/its-just-gas-it-to-will-pass/ )  Columbia Gas was called on Thursday about my gas needs.  What do they say?  They can have it hooked up in a week.  A week?

It has been less than 3 days since I moved here and I am over the cold showers and stove that just won’t light.  It is hot out, but straight cold showers over the past 3 days SUCKS!  My entire body gets covered in goosebumps and I try to not bite myself as I shiver.  Forget about shaving!  I could die a slow death from all the nick marks on my legs!

Just half an hour and I leave to get Tesla.  I miss her so much!  Of course there’s always that feeling I get when I have to drive to my old house to pick her up. (http://girlboxer1970.com/2011/03/30/that-sinking-feeling/ )  Tesla is worth driving to my old home, talking to John, talking to John’s girlfriend, rarely seeing my dog I couldn’t take, Vic.

Everything I do is to improve my life for my daughter’s sake.

TT time soon!

~P.

Dear John II

Dear John,

I realize you might not read this right away as you all are on vacation.  I hope it’s going great!

Things are going well back in PA for me.  I’m surrounded by half unpacked boxes that are staring me down, wondering when I’ll finish emptying them.  This weekend has been incredibly productive in many ways.  Tesla and I now have a house of our own.  My friends and family were here for me on moving day and one of our employees that I just met.  His name was Randy and he did fantastic work on the job.  I was happy to give him a $20 tip for this excellent work.  The actual cost of my move is on an invoice.  It’s a strange feeling signing an invoice as a customer instead of as the owner.  Remember when I ordered those first set of company invoices?   Instructed the printing company what the company name was, our address and phone number?  It was exciting seeing the company develop into a legitimate business!

Back to paying for my move, I began writing the check out to the company name and Randy stopped me saying I had to pay cash.  Where the hell is that coming from John?  Why do I have to pay cash?  You afraid my check might bounce as you know how little you send every other week for child support and alimony?

“I’m writing the check to the company.  I have an invoice.” I tell Randy, my A1 moving helper.

“John said you were to pay in cash.”  Randy suddenly looked like a deer caught in the headlights.  Poor guy, I could tell he was already shook up.

“I don’t care what John said, I’m writing a check, but I do have a $20 tip in cash for you.”  I responded, feeling bad for my employee.  I had become the unco-operative customer who was going to do what she wanted, regardless of what he said.

“I have to call John, because I need the cash and $40 of it goes for the fuel in the truck.” Randy said.  He looked absolutely miserable knowing he had to make this phone call.

“Okey Dokey,” I replied.  “If you want, I can call him.  I know the number.” I offered.

“No, I’ll call.”  He declined, but I knew I would wind up having to talk to John no matter who dialed the cell number.  I wonder if Randy has John listed as #2 on his speed dial?  Though I rarely use it other than calling Tesla, he still makes #2, after the voice mail.  Someday, Tesla’s phone number will be my #2.

Randy calls John and tells him I want to write a check.  Isn’t that how it IS supposed to work in the business of being a mover?  You move me, I write a check to pay you.  Sure I got a HUGE discount on my move.  Randy at his hourly rate and $40 fuel surcharge.  That was a great deal and I have no complaints, other than FREE would have been ever better.  I mean, I did find the truck we used, online for our company.  Infact, I think all 3 of our trucks in service, I picked out and you agreed they would make good business purchases for the company.  Heck, I issued the first check making the payments on it, at one time in life.  Regardless, the move was completed and I could not be happier with the results.

What I do have a problem with is you wanting me to write the check not to the company but to Randy himself.  I realize I am throwing a wrench in the works with you being away from the office, already on the road the camp.  (Wow, you are camping?  Remember this blog? http://girlboxer1970.com/2011/03/02/i-used-to-camp-then-the-sheraton-became-toughing-it/ )  Now wait a minute here, I couldn’t use the truck without having Randy because of workers compensation and if I would wreck….  Yeah, ok I didn’t argue as this move was as legit as I could afford.  $103 to move stuff 3/10 of a mile with a second trip to Dover for my shit that’s been in storage since Feb of 2009.  It’s a good deal, but one I’m writing a check for.

“Just let me talk to him,” I said for about the 3rd time, reaching my hand out to Randy for the damn cell phone.  I was seconds away from just calling myself if he didn’t part with his cell soon.

“Ok.”  Handing me his phone, Randy wasn’t looking happy at all.  Not only did he have to call the big boss because the “invisible boss from the past” was suddenly present and making things seem complicated, but he KNEW there was only a check in the near future.

“Hello John” I greeted you on Randy’s phone.  At this point, I really don’t remember if you got any words in.

Why?  Because I immediately reminded you that I had an invoice for my move and I was writing a check to the company.  There was no way in hell I was writing a check to the employee and nothing you said was changing my mind and I hung up.  Well, actually I just handed the phone back to Randy who was staring at me in disbelief.  I guess he never heard anyone tell the Boss John what was going to happen.

That’s the beauty of my life now.  I swear I am SO over being told by you how my life should be run.  Just enjoy how your life is now and let’s get this divorce over.  Then you can rush into marrying Heather and start all over again, like last time.

Back opening boxes of my life’s little treasures, and having the memories poke me with sharp little sticks.  No worries though, I am feeling fantastic about where I am in life.  I accept that meeting you was important in my life.  I think it’s sad our life didn’t work out but I can’t let that get me down.  I hope you and Heather are having an awesome time on vacation this weekend.  I’m glad Tesla has somewhere positive to be while I restart our life with a permanant address.  Someday I will have money to take her on a vacation.  I just have to be patient, like these boxes, randomly sitting through-out the house waiting for me to finish unpacking them.

Patience is a virtue, but empty boxes are the bomb!

~P.

Dear Heather

Heather,

It was good to talk to you today at the top of my driveway.  You of course know I am not to drive further down to get Tesla.  I was impressed by how important it was to you for Tesla to find the heart-shaped rock she found for me, then lost.  In that 10 minutes, it was actually a relief to apologize to you if I’ve come off as an ass.  I realize on occasion I act that way.  It was just so much easier to just ignore you until you move on in your life.  But, like I was (wifey #2) …and Diane (wifey #1)….and Kelli (was gonna be wifey #3) we get that you think everything is going to be peachy keen in your life.  I’ll cross my fingers for you, but not hold my breath.  Sorry if my expectations are awfully low in any relationship John is having.  He doesn’t exactly have a great track record, if you know what I mean.

But, again I’m happy to hear all is good under the roof of my house, at least for you and John.  You and I both want to see the drama end, but it could take a while.  This divorce just isn’t going so smoothly.  Not every woman who John takes it upon himself to crash into their life ends up holding the bigger stick.  Actually, none of us have so far.  I’m getting good vibes that will change though.  I’m sure you’re happy to hear that.  The divorce will come sooner or later and everyone’s life will move on.  My guess is, not exactly the way we all would like, but it will move on.  I could have sworn I saw an engagement ring on your finger at the parenting classes.  Are you and my husband engaged?  How exciting!!

Write to you soon!

Best wishes to the future wifey #3,

~P.

Dear John Letter

Dear John,

I know my last post on your birthday wasn’t very nice, but sometimes in life you encounter someone who just deserves that type of birthday greeting. 🙂  I can’t take it back as it’s now on the worldwide web, but I can apologize sincerely.  That parenting class was very helpful.

Today, I found a townhouse for Tess and I.  Now I have a room for my daughter and a room for myself that is not under constant threat of flooding, mold etc.  No more basement living, isn’t that great?  I’m so damn excited!!  But, I had a moment just a few minutes ago.  As I was packing up my shit for the umpteenth time, I started to cry.  Not because I was moving again, but because my marriage failed.  I don’t like to fail.  Not acceptable in my world, and in yours, as I am fully aware of.  You are starting over just as I am, but with much better odds in the financial matters.  I get the child support and alimony pretty regularly.  The arrears are still around $1500, but that’s ok.  I realize my claiming Tesla last year screwed up your plans, but life’s a bitch.  My life’s been a real rollercoaster since meeting you.

So I’m patient.  Just waiting for my day in court.  I know, as my lawyer assured me it could be very costly.  We’re both having problems paying shit these days, huh?  Good to hear you caught up on that $10k you were behind on with the mortgages.  That’s a big relief, though I haven’t gone online to make sure you’re not telling another fib to me.  Credit scores aren’t looking great for either of us.  Sucks when the credit goes down the toilet.  We’re not the only ones.  Lots of people out there roughing it.  Depending on how life goes…the divorce, custody, marital assets,  college, the business, if Heather sticks around, if I ever give another person a chance in my life etc.  Yes, life is just so unpredictable.

Things used to be so much simpler.  We were happy for at least the first two years I suppose, and certainly had many great moments.  I found you so attractive, funny and caring.  I thought it was cute that you wanted to “save” me.  I guess the jokes on you as I actually didn’t need saved.  That’s okay though, like you’ve told me many times and in texts (that I still have) “it wasn’t all bad!” or something like that.  Another favorite text from you is that I’ve never apologized for all the things I’ve said and done to you.  Well, I’m sorry.  I am really.  I want to move on in life and this is how I’m doing it.

At times, you were all that.  After some time passed, you were that.  After getting quitting my job, getting married, selling my house, car and many other things, I REALLY hoped and prayed I could find a way to keep us from falling apart.  I truly believe in your eyes, you did the same.  If that was your best shot, I’m fine with that.  Do I still cry now and then? I sure do.  Not because I want us back together, but because our marriage was doomed from the day we met.  Silly me just didn’t realize it!

Anyway, enough for now.  I’ll write again, but I have to get back to packing.  I never heard back from you when I texted about using the 16 foot truck.  Maybe you’ll mention it when I pick up Tesla at 5PM.  Then again, maybe not.

~P

Kids First

Yesterday I attended the court ordered Kids First workshop.  It is designed to teach parents how to help their children with separation and divorce.  I chose the first class on a Saturday that was available.  Guess who also chose the same day?  If you guessed John, you would be correct!  Also joining John was his girlfriend, Heather.  Oh the irony….

So the group of 30 parents sat around a huge table and our instructor asked how many were attending with a co-parent.  I raised my hand, but John didn’t.  The numbers didn’t work out evenly and she asked again.  This time she thought John’s co-parent was the woman beside me.  I volunteered that he was my husband to clear things up.  Our instructor complimented the 6 of us who were attending the same time as our co-parents.  Shortly after that, John asked the instructor to step outside.  When they returned, John ordered Heather to get up because they were leaving.  Her response was “I don’t think that’s a good choice.”  What she thought didn’t matter because out the door they went.

The rest of us started with the workshop and I have to admit, it was very educational.  I hope that John and Heather both attend.  I actually think it’s great that Heather is going also.  This class may open both their eyes….it did open mine.

There were serious rain storms over the weekend.  My newly carpeted and linoleum floors were ruined and water was everywhere.  My room-mate was certain there wouldn’t be any flooding issues, but he was wrong.  I’m looking at apartments again and this time I’m NOT moving into a basement!  I hope to find an apartment in Eastern York school district so custody is no longer an issue.  Tesla’s health is most important to me and I can not stay living here now that I know it will flood.

My never dull life….

~P.

 

Took one for the team

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Tomorrow will be my last Recreational Shooting class at York College.  I have to be honest and say I will miss that single credit class.  My classmates were awesome and Professor Massa is a very cool teacher.  I learned a few new things in rec shooting.  One being it is NOT a requirement to have a gun in one hand and a beer in the other.  Imagine that!?

In rifle shooting I received a 3.5 out of 4 and pistol shooting the same.  Clay birds was my favorite and I would have loved to practice more with the shotgun.  Even without practice I managed to get 5 out of 5 the first day.  Hell, I was hoping to at least get 3!

Professor Massa was quite entertaining in class.  He had many stories about shooting to share and even took a shot in the leg during pistol practice.  Good thing the school has medical coverage and workers comp!  His luck is not good with animals though.  Without shooting them, cats die off in his presence.  Take his class if you want to learn more!

The slideshow is from class today.  Notice in the one picture where I am “throwing the pigeons,” I take a shell in the back.  My friend Josh just happened to catch that on film.

Thumbs up to York College for offering such an educational gym class.  It beats the hell out of yoga.

Taking no prisoners,

~P.

bike down

I made a BAD decision today.  Probably not the only bad decision, but this one was a doozy.

I rode my harley to classes today, enjoying the nice weather.  I decided to park as close to the humanities building as possible.  Crossing over the tiny stream, my cycle was swept down by the water and it was so slimy standing on the concrete crossway, I couldn’t pick up my bike.  Finally I had some volunteers who didn’t mind wet feet.

As if Spanish isn’t bad enough, two hours of it soaking wet with nasty smelling creek water took the prize.  Life is interesting.

~P.   (who has showered and washed her smelly clothes)

Redneck 4th of July

River Rednecks are the Bestest!

I had a great weekend with friends and family.  It was Tesla’s weekend with her dad and I missed her.  If it had been my weekend with Tesla I wouldn’t have made it to the Redneck River party every 4th of July down at the river.  I’ve been so busy with school I haven’t taken a trip down by the Accomac Mill.  It’s that part of the river that the REAL rednecks party.

There’s these two brothers, twins actually, and oddly enough, both are butchers.  Mike and Pat and they know how to throw a party.  Roasted pig on site, lots of food, beer, boats, a band and people.  It’s amazing just how small the world is once people begin to gather by the waterfront.  There’s never a dull moment either.  For instance, Pat’s daughter was so enthusiastic about jumping on the back of a four-wheeler, she seriously injured her leg.  Just keep the alcohol flowing and she’ll be fine till morning!  And she was…until he drinks wore off that is, then she was ready to go to the hospital.  But that’s getting ahead of the story.

We swam in the river and no one was swept away by the current.  Always a great thing!  The water was warm and inviting and a group of 5 or 6 of us splashed around.  Never hurts to have friends splashing you, as for the rock skipping and eventual rock tossing…I could have passed.  Drunks and large rocks shouldn’t mix.  Cute guys and beer mix, and make them so easy to make fun of.

The bonfire warmed us right back up after the refreshing dip and the band started to play.  For a hundred bucks, those couple of guys rocked the party.  They played a little bit of everything and we all sang and danced along.  The band packed up right before the down pour, including lightning and thunder.  I believe there was 5 of us huddled under and completely unsafe metal tent.  What really are the chances of getting struck by lightning down by the river?  One guy was crashed out on a rubber mat with a blanket and happy as a clam.  I must say it was visually spectacular.

Around 5 am, the guys helped Jada get into her uncle Mike’s house.  Less than an hour later she called her mom in major pain.  Ironically, she’s in medical school in Philadelphia and diagnosed her injury on the spot as a sprained or even torn ligaments.   I stayed up a little longer talking to a good-looking guy.  We watched the sun come up but it  wasn’t terribly exciting.  Cloudy, drizzling and damp doesn’t bring out much emotion other than the dread of walking to the house for a dry place to sleep.  It seemed so much easier just to stay under the tent, chatting with the hot dude.  🙂

I missed every boat ride that went out, but even from the bank,  the Marietta fireworks were beautiful and reflected on the river.  Hanging out with old friends and making new ones was a great time.  People are a different breed down by the river, but not one of us would change them!

Sunday, I basically recovered from the lack of sleep and watched Gladiator.  I even broke out a little Spanish homework.  I needed a day of rest.

Today, I went on a bike ride with my friend Tani.  I met her in Abbotstown then we rode the Appalachian Harley Davidson.  They were closed, which I guess shouldn’t have surprised us.  There were many Harleys in the parking lot so we chatted with some other bikers.  From there we went to Olive Garden and stuffed ourselves like we may never get another meal.  Even Olive Garden’s salad rocks.

After the bike ride, I picked up Tesla and we came home.  Several friends and neighbors came over and we cooked out, swam and set off fireworks.  My dog Ying may never recover.  He didn’t like the small fireworks the night before and ran off, not returning until 1:30 am.  He managed to open the screen door and finally crashed for the night.  Hard to say how many ugly puppies he created in that timeframe.

My sister Suz and Blaine came over also.  Matthew, the neighbors kids and Tesla were wow by the fireworks.  Great night with family and friends and I look forward to more summer gathering.  It’s wonderful to have family and friends that want to visit!

Happy 4th of July my friends and family!  I hope yours was as great as mine turned out.

~P.