Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Frustrated
However, I even tried to take a break, I got out of town for a week. For five days of the eight I was gone I was tried like either a six year old or that invalid that is going through a divorce. Also, all of those five days where so crammed backed with activities that I had to sleep for two days when I returned home, just to start to catch up.
And now - now I need all new rims (wheels) AND tires for my car that is not even two years old. I am trying to see if I can get insurance to cover the THOUSANDS of dollars it is going to cost to repair the car.
Christmas is right around the corner and I have no clue what I am going to do. I am not sure I can bring myself to go and stay with the people that are set on treating me like a little child and not the 30 year old I will be in a month. There are other people that I am not certain and I handle setting my eyes on right now, for various reasons. But I do not want to sit at home, alone, like the crazy chihuahua lady. Do I just suck it up? Or is that giving in like I have done for the last several years of my life?
I can not get my head on straight. I can not think anything through. I can not focus. I am losing patience with the things in my life I know I need to be patience with. I am just tired.
Now I feel like Mega SuperWhiner. But I guess that is part of why I have this site. So I can vent, I can think things through and get things out.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Or Maybe Just Crazy ;-)
There is so much going on in my life right now. Conversations with my close dear friends (the people that know about this site) often include trains of thought that make me a new young adult, the soon to be divorcee, and the person who is experiencing life.
One moment I feel like an 18 year old, out of the house for the first time. The other night I made a pretty darn good dinner for myself and I completely made it up on the spot - no recipe, no ideas from the internet. Does not really sound like a big deal, right? I have always been the type to only follow a recipe, with no exceptions or substitutions. There was too much worry about what if I did it wrong or what if those spices didn't mesh? The other night, I made a batter and breading for cubes of chicken, cooked up some veggies and a sauce and it all worked out. I could not believe it!
Other moments I have to deal with the reality of my current "marital situation." It was another doggie visitation weekend, meaning I had to see The Unmentionable twice. It went ok, minus getting stuck in traffic because of the rain. I have spent MUCH of this week on the phone and at the fax machine and writing and receiving emails about financial crap.
Happier moments I am so freaking bubbly about certain other situations and ongoings that I can not contain myself. Then I think, can I truly be this happy about this?! But so much is uncertain!
I have a note posted on my office desk that says to "Just focus on today." I have always been a planner and that is really hard when I have no clue what the future holds. So, in the meantime, I'll just jump on the roller coaster and see where it brings me, or what personality I take on.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Gathering Some Rays!
I spent yesterday afternoon exploring my environs. I live very close to several forest preserves with paths and rivers and trees. The weather was gorgeous, a perfect fall afternoon, sunny, light breeze, warm. The leaves on the ground had dried up enough from the recent rain to provide great crunching noises.
I wandered around, through trees, over bridges, sitting by the river for a few hours. It was fabulous. It was so nice to get out side and enjoy the beauty that surrounds me. I even found a bench under four or five various trees and just laid there for a while looking up at the different colors and the angles of the branches and the blue sky above it all.
The afternoon was refreshing and energizing. I hope there might be at least one more day like that before it gets too cold. (BUT I do think I found the local sledding hill!)
I played with my camera on my phone a bit as well...

Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Turning around
I have a full on real bed, with a mattress and box spring and headboard and foot board. It is about 3.5 feet higher than the air mattress I started out on in my apartment.
My apartment is mine. I have never lived on my own before and I am doing great. I cook real dinners and have everything all set up.
My friends and family have been amazing, in several ways. Thank you all for your listening ears, leading/giving me your stuff, and over all just being there for me. The support I have received in the last several months is unreal.
[Insert Item Here]
I am experiencing life. Doing things I have not ever done or have not been allowed to do in years. It is great.
I am getting other things figured out that I have not had to deal with, and I am handling it. Everything is ok.
The process is bit by bit moving forward.
When this all started I was just in a deep dark tunnel, with no hope in sight. NOW, there really IS a light at that end of the tunnel! AND I am starting to be able to see it! Some times I just have to stop and remind myself of all of this. That there IS an end. That things are pretty darn good right now!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Am thinking it was stress...
I am not sure where those fifty pounds were located. I am not sure how I lost them. I really do not care about my BMI or what a scale says, I am more concerned about how I feel. Sure, I'd like to be more toned. But really, I would rather just keep working on being less stressed, more happy. I think this is a testament to the fact that I am getting there.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Self Challenge
***
Recently, I have been often told to have patience, to just take things one step or one day at a time. I have a hard time with this. I want to have everything set and in a plan and know what is up. It is time to slow down, take some deep breathes and try not to worry to far in advance. I just want all of this done and over with, but I want it done correctly, so I need to realize that will take time. And that is okay.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Guess Again
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Try try again...
I was rather bummed because it has been a goal to try new things and meet new people. It was my hopes that this class would have aided in both, but it was not meant to be...yet. Now is the time to come up with new ideas!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
So Much Going On
There was the Big Huge Medical tests. Everything ended up fine, but it was scary and I was really worried. Thank you to my friends that were there for me during that time and through the tests, I would not have made it with out you.
There was the BIG MOVE! I have my own place. I am mostly all settled in and I am loving it! It is strange to live by myself, but I am enjoying it. I can make what it is I am hungry for for dinner. I have things set up the way I want them. And have slowly started to decorate in my style, whatever that is...The doggies love it and I have more closet space than I know what to do with, that is going to spoil me :-)
There was the start of doggie visitation with The Unmentionable. Which had lead to us communicating again. Overall, that has not been the best.
There has been little movement with the proceedings. There is some big paperwork that has been done. This is going to be a long, slow process.
Sleep and I have broken up. As in, I don't sleep well. Hopefully that will be a short-term issue.
Scatter in some other personal stuff with friends and family and work...
I have started to try to figure out ways to meet new people and get involved in new activities. Tonight is my first ever wheel throwing ceramics class. I could not be more excited. In fact I was all dressed and ready to go 3.5 hours before the start of class.
OH! I colored my hair, from a box. I have never done that before. But people who know me know I have had grey hair for a long time. That was fun and exciting! It is basically the same color, but a little red and a lot less grey.
I am hoping to start getting back to writing out what has been going on, what my feelings are, how I am doing.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Stepping Forward
I move in a week into my new apartment so I have been focusing on getting everything ready and planned for that. I can not wait. I look forward to this step, I think it will be a big one for me. It will be the first time ever that I have lived on my own. That is scary, but also so very exciting. It will take a little time for the place to become mine, as most of the furniture and other household goods are coming from other people.
I spent all of last weekend shopping for bedding and other general items. It was fun. I could pick out what I wanted to have. Not worry about anyone else's tastes or opinions. I know this sounds selfish, but honestly it is a time for me to be selfish. It is a time to think about myself. Every step I take for me is a step I take towards healing, towards stitching up the wounds. There are still goals I have for my life and I am not going to be able to start working towards them until I am okay with me. I am getting there, each day brings me closer.
At the same time, I have been trying to not get to far ahead of myself. Just thinking one small step at a time and enjoy each passing moment.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Flight
I do not want to become an ostrich, with my head in the sand anytime things get tough, but right now, it is the little things I just can not handle. With everything else that is going on it is just too much. I know it is going to come down to balance. But in the mean time, everything inside of me is screaming to just run away.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
If Only
Over the weekend, I saw a friend that I had not seen or spoken for several months. She asked me if I was happy, and I could see this look in her eyes were questioning me "Are you sure about this, the two of you seemed okay?!" And yes, on the outside we were great, I put up a good front so many times. I went through the motions and held onto the dreams. Now I just feel like I have been living a fake life for years. I am certain this has lead to part of his in ability to accept what is happening and that yes, this really is going on right now. I still think he believes this is all a game, a big bluff.
Now I am trying to remove the layers of "let's pretend we are happy" and live a real life. I know I deserve true happiness and I believe he does as well.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Like a Paula Abul Song
I just want to be able to pull myself and my life together and move forward. I know I am going to still tumble. I know there is still going to be pain and heart break. I know that his habits of tearing me apart are so "old hat" that he does not realize the affect he has on me. The weird thing is that he "claims" to have moved on and forgiven me. Then he sends me message after message telling me how I am a horrible person and wife and why. I don't know why I am always the punching bag, but I am. I was in my marriage and I was in high school. I have always been the person used to be put down so others "can feel better about themselves." I guess I am an easy target. I suppose I am too easily walked all over. I need to figure how to to not be that person.
This is a weird post because I am in a weird mood today. My mind is all over the place. But sometimes, it just helps to get it out.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Harder than it Sounds
I know that I have to move on and move forward. I am trying. A part of me is still concerned that I have lost my dreams. I think that is why I was still holding on, still hoping. Even though I know that those are no longer dreams I want to share with him. This is all so strange to me, all so new.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Steps
-Found an apartment! I move in the First of August. I am very excited, but also rather apprehensive. In my almost 30 years of life, I have never lived on my own. This will be another new experience.
-Purchased a couch, chair, and ottoman for said apartment. This is the first large purchase I have made on my own. They will be delivered to the apartment. I can't wait!
-Between my parents, friends, and co-workers I should have enough furniture set up my apartment with out having to drop much more cash on large purchases. Thank you! You are all incredibly awesome and have provided more support then I could have ever wished for from any of you.
-Started looking for the smaller items I will need to obtain. It is fun to be able to look and shop for myself. I have realized that I am not sure what are my tastes or what are tastes that were formed because any shopping done previously had to be approved and permission granted for any purchases. Although it is liberating to be able to go to a store and buy whatever I want, it is also a little overwhelming.
Over all, things are coming together for me to be able to move into my own place and start my own life!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Emotions
I want a positive outlook on life. I want to be able to grow and develop myself in an effective, productive, and positive manner. And I do not want it to be fake or superficial.
I do not know where I am going with this post, other than to get it out and work through my thoughts. I have way too many thoughts going on in my head at any one time, and writing on this site has been a good way to sort through those thoughts.
***
In other news, I am going to look at three apartments tomorrow, with the assistance from some really amazing friends. I am really excited about this endeavor, I am beginning to feel that part of my healing process needs to be living on my own. I am very, very grateful to my friends that I am living with and I do not think I could have been able to handle moving out of my house and end up directly on my own.
Who knows if any of these apartments will be "the one". I am a little apprehensive because I have never gone through this process before, but it will be great to find a cool place that will work for me for the time being.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Gone, but not forgotten
I am writing about this for several reasons. Partly because she was very supportive of me during the time that I knew her and it is very sad that she is no longer on this earth. Partly because I am very confused as to what my role in this situation should be. The Unmentionable was very close with this set of grandparents. Him and I would visit them every Sunday, every week, and that continued for years. I know that this has to be very difficult for him because I was by his side a few years ago when he lost his grandpa. This time I am not sure I can be by his side. I know that he would like that. But I do not know what to do. Part of me has already mourned the lost of all of his family to me. Part of me understands what he is going through and wants to be the better person, put everything to the side and just be there. Another part is just angry at him for some recent situations (possibly more on that in another post).
I am a little scared that if I provide support in this manner, it will also provide a false sense of hope. He has already been asking for more chances (which I do not think I can yield after years and years of chances). He seems to believe our relationship is not over, and if anything is going to progress he needs to realize that I am done.
I feel a little bit like a bad person for not really wanting to go to the services.
Overall, I am conflicted and sad. It is my hopes that his family is doing okay at this time of grief and that they may be able to find some peace.
But I still do not know what I should do...
UPDATE: I decided to not go to any of the services or to send a card or flowers. I was able to grieve the loss on my own, in my own personal way. Good bye Grandma, you will be missed!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
It is Not All Downs
My first step is going to be figuring out where to live and setting up a place to live. I have never lived on my own. This idea is slightly daunting, but just as exciting. I have no clue where to start looking or where I want to be. I know that I am going to be in the Chicagoland area for at least another year, but after that, I have started to think about moving.
The next step is going to be finding activities that I enjoy. This might be artistic, perhaps a watercolor painting class or learn how to throw pottery, it might be revisiting athletic activities I use to enjoy like going backpacking, wall climbing, or playing ultimate Frisbee, maybe it is something completely new possibly learning how to kayak.
Eventually I hope to find a new love, building that relationship, and possibly starting a family. I was talking to someone recently who told me "You are another friend getting divorced! I am never getting married!!" That got me thinking. I am still and have always been a fan on the institution of marriage. It just was not the right thing for him and me. I hope that there is the right person out there.
There are various "ups" on the horizon. Many more than I am sure I could ever imagine. But I am grateful for those "ups" I have experienced and looking forward to those still out there.
Bridges
Generally when people quit a job you hear about not wanting to "burn bridges." I knew that I would do exactly that as soon as work trickled down that I moved out and filed for divorce. I burned the huge bridge of my local family support system. This was really difficult for me to handle. I was really very close to The Unmentionable's immediate and extended family. We spent every Sunday visiting family. Most summer weekends were filled with family parties, graduations, birthdays, weddings, christenings. His parents treated me just like another daughter. I often called his mom or aunt when I needed advice or was looking to toss around ideas. I looked forward to the time spent with his cousins and their spouses; I finally had cousins my age! When they had kids, I watched them grow, was at all the important events. That is all gone. Maybe one day when the wounds have been healed, there might be some sort of connection. But overall, I burned all of those bridges in one quick swoop. I went into this knowing that. It was probably part of what was holding me back from leaving sooner. One day I will have other connections, but right now, I just feel the loss of those I had.
What has surprised me are the bridges I thought would be burned and are not. I was told at the beginning of this process that in the end I would know who my true friends are. After several years together, we formed mutual friends, his friends became mine and vice versa. A little while ago I received a phone call from one of these people, some one I considered "his friend" but also someone I became closer to since we work in a similar field. When I received this call, I was asked how I was, was told that I could count on this friend if I ever needed any one, and was told that "Hey, you both are rather rational people and that if this has come to pass, there must have been some rational thought behind the decision." I hung up the phone feeling optimistic, maybe I have not lost all of my mutual friends. Maybe not everyone think I am crazy for what the choices I have made. Sure there are some people that could not wait to "unfriend" me from the social networking sites. That is okay, The Unmentionable needs a support group too.
I look forward to the new people that I have yet to meet. The idea of the connections and bridges I have yet to build excites me. In some cases, I have my own obstacles and huddles to get over first; in other cases I have already had the opportunity to meet some great individuals.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Tumbling
Someone once told me that life is like a rollercoaster, but what you have to look as is if there are more highs than lows. When I was still living at home and putting up with issues every day, it was almost all lows with very few highs in sight. Lately there have been more highs and lows every now and then. I know that there will still be lows, that I might not even have hit the lowest of them. But I have faith and hope and courage that there are those highs out there...I just have to find them.
I keep saying things like, "things will feel more settled once I have my own place". I hope that is not placing false hope in myself or pushing the opportunities until "later". But some things, I just can not deal with yet. Other things, I probably have not dealt with the best way. BUT I am getting there. If I have to push things aside to get somewhere, then that is ok.
It has taken me a really long time to write this. Honestly, I have sat and cried a good portion of the day. Cried over the lost of what I thought my life was and where it was going. Cried over the fear of not knowing what is next. I have talked to a few good friends and have been told it is ok to panic, that that shows I am thinking about the future, and have been told to have patience*. I have been told that things will come together, that if my dreams are really my dreams, it is up to me to make them happen, it just is not going to happen over night. I have been suggested books to help me find my soul. I have been made to laugh. I have been truly blessed with amazing friends who have been beside me and will continue to do so. I know I have put them through dealing with lots of my freak outs. For that I am truly thankful.
*Which I had to look up to make sure I spelled correctly and Wikipedia defines as the state of endurance under difficult circumstances. That is just it! I need to be able to endure these difficulties. And I will.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
A Mixed Bag
But I still slip into the old mind set. I am very use to having all of my actions and ideas run by "The Unmentionable". That every thing I did was controlled to the point that I could not do anything with out an "Okay!". I am getting use to this. It is rough, I find myself seeking validation, without it I am finding myself to tend to lack confidence. Just another thing that was taken away from me that I am working to get back, my self-confidence, my ability to make decisions on my own. As great as it is that I am able to do that now-make my own decisions-I find it weird. And part of me is saddened by that.
I still have those dreams and I do not want to loose my dreams. I hope that one day I will be able to make those dreams happen. In the mean time, it is time to make new dreams. To re-evaluate who I am and what I want. I keep telling myself to take things one day at a time, but I still have to think about my future at the same time.
Friday, May 22, 2009
No, really...I am OK
I recently came to the realization that I could not take the steps I have taken, could not have moved out and started all the legal process, with out being mostly through the grieving process. No, I was not ok a few months ago or a year ago or several years ago. At that time, I had not yet dealt with the loss of my dreams, of what I thought my life was going to be. But I am growing and I am getting stronger every day. I am developing new dreams and forming new goals. I am excited. The prospects excite me. Piece by piece I am picking myself up and discovering who I am.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
A New Beginning
With that and this new site, I am ready to find out what the world has to offer.
***
I have recently learned how amazing family and friends can be. When I told my parents that I was leaving "The Unmentionable", I was terrified. Scared that I would be a disappointment. Worried that I would shatter how they perceived me. Uncertain how they would react. They could not have been any more caring, understanding, or supportive. In fact, they were relieved. And that day, I found the piece that told me that family will always be there when you fall.
