Been Awhile...A Loooong While

 Wow, it's been since 2015 that I've written on my blog. Sooooo much has happened. Here's a sum up for now until I can come back and write more. Quit the jail and did massage therapy full time. Found house in Hawkins to rent. Quit massage and went to a different jail to work. Got married. Got divorced. Quit jail and doing massage full time again and doing very well. Moved my son home. After 4yrs home my son passed away. Met some awesome people along the way. Met some not so awesome people along the way. But, I am happy with the direction my life is going. No drama. Not dating anyone. Traveling more. And finally, I'm enjoying life. 

Well, that about does it for now. Hopefully it won't be almost 10yrs before I write again. 

LIFE IS GOOD!!

         I know I haven't written in a while but I have been busy lately since I have moved to Longview/Gladewater and working long nights at the County Jail. I sleep all day on my days off and I am washing clothes, visiting my son, and doing something fun like going to the movies. I go to a lot of movies...LOL. I haven't met a lot of people up here yet except for the people I work with and they are all very nice and I get along with all of them. Just need to see if I can get them to hang out on days off (if they are reading this then they know we need to go hang out). I am not lonely, just bored by myself. But, I do like working with them and I LOVE my job!! Working at a jail is not as bad as I thought it would be, I guess I was comparing it to much to a prison which I know isn't easy. I go to work with a smile on my face everyday because I am so happy to be there and I know it is the right place for me at this moment in my life and because it is in the criminal justice system that I have been working so hard to get into since I was in 7th grade. I hope to be there for at least another 2yrs and then start looking for a probation job, unless a good one comes along before then. Actually, one did but I turned it down since I had just started at the jail and I was liking the jail and the people I work with so I didn't want to give that up so soon. The jail can be very mentally draining at times but I keep that smile on my face and every one stays in a good mood around me so that helps out a lot. Also sleeping a lot helps with any stress from work...I love sleeping!!!!

         So I am staying  in the RV at the RV park and it isn't to bad but not ideal either. I am still looking for houses to either buy or rent but I am going to wait till after my cousin's wedding to pursue any of the houses I have found. My credit is getting a lot better, I just need to save enough money for a down payment and all the other stuff that goes along with buying a house...or I could just rent. Living in an RV isn't that bad but it isn't great. When it rains I can't hear anything else, like the TV, because the rain is so loud on the roof. Also the RV shakes when I walk, the wind blows, or thunder rumbles. I have privacy but not at the same time...to close to the neighbors for comfort and I don't feel like I can keep the window shades open without someone looking in...no one actually looks in but I am up at night so it's dark so someone could be. LOL. It's too small to really have any friends over or even for just me by myself. I need more space and I want my comfy bed!! I will live in this trailer a few more months and see what I can find elsewhere and see how much money I can save.

        But, I am loving life and enjoying being on my own  and working a good job while being close to my son!! I have so much less stress in my life since I have moved to Longview/Gladewater and have been able to see my son more. I visit him at least 2-3 times a week and not just to pick up his laundry to wash, which I am ecstatic to be able to do-wash his clothes like a mother should. My life is so peaceful now and I couldn't be happier.

        Just need people to hang out with from time to time. Don't need a boyfriend, just friends right now. I also need to start working out and getting into better shape...I feel weak but not at the same time. I need to learn some defense tactics in case I need to defend myself for any reason. But it's hard to spend money right now when I am trying to save it, not sure what I am going to do yet about working out. I keep saying after my cousin's wedding I will do this and do that so I hope I can keep that promise to myself. My cousin's wedding is in Orlando so I am saving for that since the hotel and flight are going to cost more than the alcohol and Universal Studios combined. LOL.

       Well, I guess that is all that is going on with me right now and I hope this has answered all your questions about what I have been doing since I moved and started my job. I will try and write more often now that I am a little more accustomed to the work schedule.

       

Valentine's

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!

      Yes, I am happy on this day even though I am single. I have always been happier single than when I was in a relationship. I also have never wanted to get married, but do like companionship from time to time, someone to go to the movies with or dinner or just talk to.

      Valentine's isn't just for couples, it is for singles too. It's for those of us who choose to be single and are happier because of it. It's for those who have nobody that is meant for them, like me. Sure there are those guys who like me and I may like them but at the end of the day it's just a friendship that has some physical attraction.

       So I hope everyone had a enjoyable Valentine's and will continue to share the love throughout the rest of the year and into many more!!!

Update

The interview I had on Friday went extremely well. I have a 32 page packet that I have to fill out and turn back in about my background. It is very detailed. After that then I wait for them to look through it and then call me for a 2nd interview. I also looked at a duplex that is for rent and hope to get that if the job thing works out and they haven't rented to place yet. I also looked at RV parks for prices and those aren't to bad either, one I liked more than the others. So if this will all line up then I will be packing my stuff and moving. Anyway, just wanted to update you on that.

Life is going pretty good right now and I feel that I am on the right track and feeling peaceful with decisions I have been making for my future. Hoping it stays this way for awhile and that nothing bad is going to happen to ruin these plans. But if it does happen then all I can do is take it a day at a time and try to work through it as best I can.

That's all I wanted to say right now. I have been pretty busy and have had no time to really sit down and relax. Off to eat dinner and then work on tax stuff....yea! (sarcastically).

Excited

I am so excited!! I am hoping this works out what I am about to tell you. So in the couple posts that I mentioned the job I am working at part time I haven't sounded all that enthused about, that's because I am not thrilled with the pay and schedule. Well, I have a job interview on Friday for another job out of town in Longview!!! It pays better and the hours will be better too. On top of that it will be out of Houston and I will be closer to my son so I can see him more. I am excited about that. I have been talking to my parents about if I get this job where I would stay. I asked them if I could use the trailer to live in for a few months and then when I have saved up enough for a down payment on either a rental house or a cheap house then I would give back the trailer. I have all ready found a couple houses that I like and hope will still be available in a few months if I get this job. Some houses up there are cheap but are also fixer uppers. I have found a rental that I like that is one bedroom one bath and is $700 a month. I don't think it's a bad price considering the other prices around town. I think I would give up the peace corp idea if i got this job. It is part time as well but definitely pays more than what I am doing now. I also applied for another part time job up there and hope to hear from them soon. If I could work both part time jobs then I would be happy with my job situation. Anyway, wanted to post this because I just had to tell someone other than my parents. Pray for me and cross your fingers on Friday, my interview is at 3pm.

I will keep you posted. =)

Hawaii 2013

This is a video I took SNUBA diving off Molokini Crater in October 2013. Absolute favorite part of the trip. The second favorite was the road to Hana. I need to go back again now that the Government isn't shut down so I can visit Pearl Harbor and go back to the road to Hana to see the 7 sacred pools. Best birthday/graduation present ever!!! Thanks to my parents for taking me.

There are a few videos of the Luau and hundreds of photos I took but not going to bore you with those. Just wanted to post this video because I loved being underwater.

New Year

Well, it's now 2015 and as I reflect back on 2014 I realize that I never mentioned what has happened with the Peace Corp. Just to remind you, I applied back in July or August or maybe before that to see if they would send me to the Philippines for 2 years. I heard back from them around November telling me that I wasn't accepted but that I could apply again. So I did. This time around their application and medical application were a bit different so hopefully that helps this time around. Instead of me picking where I wanted to go I let them pick for me and so there is a possibility that I could go to Botswana in Africa. I honestly don't care where I go I just want out of this country for a while. I also want out of Texas, Houston, and my parent's house for a little while and the Peace Corp could help me with that. So with that said I am still waiting to hear from them and should sometime before March. Crossing fingers. It's scary to think about but exciting too. I would miss out on a lot of things if I was accepted like my cousin's wedding in July, my son, and the family Thanksgiving that I am trying to plan. I would also miss my cat and worry about her with my parents but I am sure they all would be fine for a couple of years even if my parent's travel.

What about my job you ask?? Well it's part time and my client that I have now should be out of the program by the time I leave. I would just have to let my boss know about what's going on so they can decide if they want to give me another client while I am still here. But, I am pretty sure they wouldn't. I don't think my boss likes me anyway, well on good days she does. LOL. This job is fun but not at the same time. There is a lot of rules and paperwork and the schedule isn't always the same every week and definitely not the pay. I have yet to get paid more than $180 a week yet and I have been there for 3 months now. I could get health insurance but then my check would be even less and I have bills I need to pay. I also have been applying at other places in hopes I can get a full time job or at least another job that would have a steady schedule and pay check. A few places are up where my son lives which would be nice and a couple are in Houston but pay better and schedule should be better too. I am just waiting to hear from them and if I get one of these jobs then depending on how it goes depends on if I accept the Peace Corp offer, if they accept me.

So right now some things are still up in the air about what I will be doing in 2015 but what I do know is that I am still working at YAP with my client and that is going well with them. I am also still doing massages and I am now working for one of my massage clients working the bars at the NRG Stadium. I am a "Jack of all trades" kind of girl. Gotta make that money somehow. It is fun and I am looking forward to continuing this as often as I can. Rodeo is also around the corner and I am looking forward to that this year since I now know how to shine shoes. I will be able to be a counter and shiner at the same time if I need to be. I am trying to save up enough money so that if I don't get the Peace Corp I can go to my cousin's wedding that will be in Orlando, Florida. Also to be able to pay bills and not have to live paycheck to paycheck or wherever I can get money. It sucks not having a steady job with steady pay that I can plan and make a budget with. Just dreaming of that day to come.

I actually made new year resolutions this year...I never do. This year I plan to write in this blog more and work on my two books that I am writing and hopefully finish at least one of them so that I can start on the third I have in mind. I am not doing the books to get rich, however that would be nice, I am just doing it for fun and I guess you could call it a hobby like this blog sort of is. I never do resolutions because I would never keep them and this year I decided I actually have some that I can keep. I haven't done resolutions in over 10yrs I think.

I should also say I will make a point to see my son at least once a month or more this year. I used to do that, but then money and work would get in the way. Money is still an issue but if I can get a job up there then I could see him several times a week instead of once a month. Good goal but will be hard to keep because of money.

On reflecting back on the year 2014 I don't think I would have done a lot different, except quitting Massage Heights sooner. Other than that I feel like I had a great year and I have no complaints about it. I had fun with friends and family and even traveled a little, my bills always got paid on time, never went hungry, had a place to sleep, a vehicle to get me around, I am healthy, and my family and friends are always there for me when I need them. So in short 2014 was over all a very good year, not as memorable as 2013 but a good follow up year. You know, like, how do you top/follow a great act that was just on stage, type of thing. Hoping 2015 brings more memorable things which means I have more to talk about, I mean type about.

Hope you all had a great year in 2014 and that you can top it in 2015!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!