Reflection: Two Years

At the end of August it will be two years since the separation with Chad.  (and two years on October 1st since I moved out and haven't seen him since except back in July)  I'm not exactly sure what I want to say... but mostly just wanted to mark the moment.

Mostly it feels like so much longer than two years.  I remember things about being together, but it seems like a much more distant memory than just two years ago.

It feels like I've lived a lifetime since then.  I've done so many things.  So many fun activities and trips and family time and friend time and just life in general.  There's so much I have done that I would never, could never do when I was married to Chad.

I feel like I've done a good job moving forward... and I'm very happy with where my life is headed.  I don't want to call the marriage a mistake, but I've learned a lot from it and hindsight is always 20/20 ya know?

I haven't really talked much about moving forward from this divorce since I moved onto my next relationship.  When I was first going through the divorce process I thought for sure I would have a party to celebrate being divorce... single again... but it never felt right.  It didn't feel right to post it on Facebook.  Mostly I've just gone with when it feels right is the right time to do stuff.  And that's worked very well.

Last year during the month of November when I wrote one thing I was thankful for a day I wrote an entry about how I was thankful for my divorce.  The short, simpleness of that post really is still true.

In the end I have lived so much more since the divorce... I appreciate things more and I just understand relationships and life more than I did.  It's like don't sweat the small stuff or something.

I know that I'm not making a whole lot of sense and this post is really rambly and all over the place... but I guess I just wanted to mark the occasion and really say that I'm proud of where I was and where I am now.  I never really want to read about how sad I was in those first days (you can go back and read, but honestly I don't want to look at those posts) but I've come a long way from being soooo sad to being very happy and in a really good spot.  It really just takes time to move forward.  Waiting sucks, but it's worth it in the end.

That would be my advice to people going through something like I did.  It gets better.  Just wait it out and know that life is much better on the other side.

Reflection: Living with Four Cats

The short: Four cats is TOO MANY.

The long:

When I moved back home I took my two cats - Pretty Kitty and Stitch - with me.  It was very nice of my mom to let the cats come too.  Since she already had two of them (and dislikes having them)

Pretty is in the background and Stitch in the front

They joined my mom's two cats - Cocoa (the mean one) and Snickers (the fat one)

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I did think that Snickers wouldn't really care and Cocoa would be mean and grumpy.  I think I was about half right, b/c Cocoa was still mean and grumpy, but Snickers did care that they were there.

She pretty much antagonized Pretty from the get go.  You see, my cats are fairly small.  Stitch is about 8.5 pounds and Pretty is about 8 pounds.

 

While Cocoa is probably more along the lines of 12 pounds (total guess) and Snickers is a wopping 18-20 pounds.

 

Snickers on the left and Cocoa on the right

 

Snickers just picked on the cats from the beginning - especially Pretty (she is the more social cat).  Sounds came from Pretty that I have never heard before.  Snickers would chase Pretty around the house and there would be these horrible hissy/growly/moany sounds.  Real fun to hear in the middle of the night...

Things got better over time and they weren't as hissy, but I really think that Snickers is going to miss having these two cats to chase around.

 

 

 

I learned something about the cats while having all four of them in the house together.  Pretty and Snickers are a lot alike.  They like to be around people and will follow us around or dart into the bathroom if they know that's where we are headed.

 

 

And Stitch and Cocoa are a lot alike.  They stay more away from people (although Stitch like people and Cocoa just hisses and growls).  They keep more to themselves and enjoy the same spots always.

Cocoa really didn't come around to the cats... but no one really expected her to.  She's grumpy.  She did finally warm up to me - but it took several months of trying before that happened.

 

 

I know my mom is happy to go back to the two cats b/c well... four cats is just too many.  They make bigger messes (throw up all the time... although I really think this is a Snickers problem since she gobbles up food faster than her stomach can take it evidenced by the mostly undigested food... but I know that ALL cats puke).  You don't really know which cat is causing the problem (poop on the floor... who did it... my guess - Cocoa just b/c we've caught her in the act before... oh and she peed on Lindsey... that's a new one)

 

 

My cats mostly stayed in my room.  Stitch especially.  Cats are so funny they do this thing where the "follow" you except they are in front of you.  They try to anticipate your next move.  Like if I'm headed down the hallway and think I'm head for the bathroom they will dart in there, only to realize I'm actually headed to my room so quickly come in there.

 

Cats are great pets... despite what people may think.  They are fun, social, entertaining, cuddly, loveable and just enjoyable to own.  I hope that the move goes well with them and we get the basement set up in a way that makes sense.  I am still working that out.

So in conclusion - cats are great, don't have four!

Home Tour: Before

Finally we get to some pictures of the actual house!  Have I been dragging it out a bit?  I just wanted to know the house was all mine before I posted these.  I remembered to take these right before Dan showed up with the U-Haul on Saturday.  Now the spaces are cluttered with boxes :)

 

Also, these are off my iPhone.  So if the picture quality sucks... well that's why.  Also might be why some of the colors don't turn out correctly.

 

View from the front door when walking in.  This will be the living room.  I love the block windows throughout the house!

Front door.  I could do without the decal (wall decals aren't really my thing) but how amazing is that circle block window??  Also, straight forward from the door (on the left side of this picture) is a coat closet.

Here's a view of the living room to the dining room.  I love love love the arched door and the little arch cutouts.

View of the picture window in the living room (see what I told you about the light and camera crappiness?)

View of the window in the dining room area (living room to the right)

A different view of the dining room and living room archway

Don't you love the door bell chimes?  This is the dining room looking to the hallway and the kitchen is on the right.  You can see Daddy and Bella wondering around the house for the first time!

This is the guest bedroom.  It's looking quite orange.  I'll have to see how it looks once we get some furniture in there.

A view of the door and closet for the guest room.  I'm pretty sure Bella is pooping in this picture.  Both the dogs took a "recreational" as my dad puts it when they first got here.  I think they were excited/anxious/unsure what was going on.

Upstairs full bathroom.  I love the sink, how they sprayed the tile to get a new look, the block glass in the shower and the ledge in the shower.  We also found a linen closet in here that I did not know existed until my mom found it when we were mopping on Friday.  Also that mirror opens which I didn't know either until Dan figured it out.

Master bedroom.

View of the closet

Headed into the kitchen from the dining room

Kitchen

Can't see the cabinets too good, but they are quite retro...  The fridge is nice and new though.  And there once was a cabinet above the fridge which they covered up with a wine rack...

Another view of the kitchen

View of the basement

Storage the laundry area is behind and to the left of this picture

Utility area

Downstairs half bath

Another view of the basement... and some Daddy poo... sorry

Extra basement room

Another storage closet - didn't get the awesome clothes hanger in it though

Garage

Deck (I bought the chairs and small table at Kmart on sale)

Other side of deck and the yard.  We figured out that's a maple tree... and Dan is planning on harvesting maple syrup this winter

Where it's wired for a TV and has a fan.  Nice covered area - and look the UHaul arrived!

There's the quick breakdown of the house.  I'll be back with more information.  I'm thinking a quick post of my favorite parts of the house and the updates I'm day dreaming about.

I'm a homeowner!!

Ignore my horribly chipped nail polish

That's right.  Last Friday I became a homeowner.

I seriously can't believe it.

Kinda funny story - I went to get a cashier's check for closing and I was suppose to get $XXXX.71 but I'm not sure if I said it wrong or if the bank guy typed it wrong but the check was for $XXXX.17.  I only realized this about 10 minutes before closing time.  I called my agent and mortgage guy and they said they would work something out so I didn't have to worry about the 54 cents.  Quite the steal I got huh?

I really liked who I worked with through this process... and they said the same about me (hey I respond fast!).  If you ever need any recs - I'll let you know who I used.

While I was waiting for the money to be officially transferred I had lunch with my sister and then we went shopping at target for cleaning supplies.  I also may have gotten a maxi skirt.  Lindsey did some shopping as well. 

On Friday after I got the clear I showed my sister around and Michelle.

Then my mom came over after work and together we cleaned that place yo!  I cleaned both of the bathrooms, the stove, and the kitchen walls.  She cleaned the fridge and the cabinets.  Then together we swept and mopped all the floors (kitchen, bathrooms, and unfinished parts of the basement).  It was really nice having her help.

On Saturday Dan rented a uhaul and we got all of his stuff moved and all my stuff from my storage unit.  I still have to go back and sweep it out, but then I'm done with that place.  It's awesome to have my stuff back and not be paying to keep it somewhere.

I still have to get my stuff from my mom's house, but that's not too bad... hopefully we'll do that this weekend sometime (I still have to pack some things up).

We still need some furniture before it really looks put together, but it's getting there.  It's not as chaotic as when we first moved boxes on Saturday.

Dan has proven to be a huge asset... already doing some minor things here and there.  He's so smart and has a problem solving mind.  Plus he sprayed for wasps - so we know he's a keeper b/c who wants to do that?!?

Overall it's coming together slowly but surely.  The cats haven't moved yet, but that's mostly because we have to figure out a door solution.  We'll probably talk more about it tonight.  Hopefully they will be joining the family soon.




Reflections: Living at Home

I thought a few reflection entries might be nice since there's a couple of things coming to an end as well as a big milestone for me.

I have been living at home for about two years. I moved home shortly after I got separated back in October of 2011. When I moved back home I wasn't really sure how long I would be staying. I think I planned to be out in a year, but obviously it was longer!

Some people would probably hate to have to move back home. And while there was some adjustments, living at home with my mom and sister (and brother for most of it too) was really amazing.

I am lucky to have a pretty great family. I like being around them and they support me when I needed it. I know that not everyone has this luxury and it's not one I take for granted. When I first moved back home it's exactly what I needed. To be in a house with other people who made an effort to spend time with me and talk to me. I really think being around them helped me get through the roughest parts of the divorce.

I am also blessed that I got to reconnect with all of my family. It was such a precious time in my life. Not many people get the option of living with their family when they are older and wiser and I was. This really helped me bond with my little sister. We have a great relationship now and I'm so happy I was able to spend time getting to know her better.

I am so thankful to have a mom that let me move back home like I did and while I did pay her some rent, it was minimal which gave me the ability to pay off my credit cards, car, and save money for the house I'm buying. She also let my cats live there (whole other post on that) which I really appreciate as well.

Overall I know that living at home isn't an option for everyone, but I'm really happy it was for me. It was a great two years of my life. I'm really going to miss coming home to my mom and sister and the random things that go on in the house... but I'm nearing 30 and it's time to spread my wings and fly!

What I'm Watching

I watch a fair amount of TV... I love TV... I am not sure if we will continue to have cable in the house (hey it's expensive).  If we choose not to... well I'm going to miss a lot of things I watch. 

But that's not really the point of this post... I just want to tell you about some of the things I'm watching on television right... well all summer long.

These are in no particular order... and it seems like way more when it's written out...

• The American Baking Competition (CBS):  Jeff Foxworthy was the host.  He wasn't terrible, but I could have done without him too.  I really ended up enjoying this show.  It was fun seeing all the different baking things they did.  I think that's why I liked it so much - the variety of the things they baked and it was all baking.  The contestants were very likeable too - and everything looked so good you wanted to try it.  If this show comes back I will be watching it!

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• Dance Moms (Lifetime):  I have been a fan of this show since the beginning.  It's just so out there crazy that it's just entertaining on so many different levels to me.  The show has gotten pretty ridiculous and it seems they are just redoing the same plotlines over and over.  This show is suppose to be reality but it's pretty staged - but I DO NOT CARE.  I also really enjoy watching the girls dance.

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• RW/RR Challenge - Rivals 2 (MTV):  You already know I want this one since we are doing a fantasy game with it.  I really enjoy the challenge aspect of these shows and there's just the right amount of drama... it's a perfect mix!  Some pretty crazy things can happen.

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• Breaking Pointe (CW):  This show is about Ballet West, a premiere ballet company in Salt Lake City.  While I could tone down the drama a bit, it's really intersting to learn how a ballet company works.  How do they cast a show?  What are the different roles?  It's really interesting to me.  Plus, I love watching people dance ballet - I mean isn't amazing to see them dancing in pointe shoes?

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• America's Next Top Model (CW):  I didn't really want to add this to the list, but I have been keeping up with it so far this season.  This show just continues to get more crazy (they had a runway that involved the models walking down a side of a building... come on).  This season there's both girl and guy models... so we know there will be some sexual tension.  It's totally silly, but whatever it's easy to watch and follow. 

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• Project Runway (Lifetime):  This is one of my favorite shows.  We are also doing fantasy PR.  I am doing terrible at it by the way.  I'm down to just four designers.  I love all the challenges and seeing them put together clothing.  I'm not a huge fashion person, but some shows just do it right, and this is one of them.  You can say what you like and what you don't.  The judges are likeable... overall you should watch this show if you don't already!

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• Food Network Star (Food Network):  I picked this up midway through the season.  My mom recorded it and I ended up watching it.  The people were likeable and the challenges were fun.  I've watched bits and pieces of other seasons.  It's not something I have to record, but I enjoyed seeing it when I did watch it.

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• Arrested Development (Netflix):  It took me awhile to get through all of the episodes, but when I did it was great.  I need to go back and rewatch them all.  You have to watch them all before you make a judgement of the new season since it's just done so differently.  I hope they come out with more!

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• Sister Wives (TLC):  I love following this family but I have to admit this season has been a bit tough to watch.  The editing has been bad and feels like they are repeating the same things over and over and over.  I really like following the Brown's journey, but come on give us some more information.  Also, seems like they focus a lot some things and then glaze over other things that seem way more interesting.

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• Breaking Amish - LA (TLC):  I picked this up since it came on right after Sister Wives and the promos looked good.  I enjoy learning about different cultures, so learning more stuff about the Amish has been very interesting.  there was a previous season that I didn't get into, but this season I've really enjoyed it thus far.

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• Sabrina the Teenage Witch (Teen Nick):  This show is old, but I've been recording the episodes and rewatching them.  They are totally silly now, but I like the actors and the nostalgic feeling of watching them.  I only have about 30 episodes to catch up on the DVR...

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That's my summer list... maybe I'll be back this Fall with those shows!