Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Mocha!

So, it's been a bit. A number of things have happened. The biggest and most recent thing to happen was that my sciatica went out and landed me in the hospital for 3 days and I've been home for a week and I still have bruises on my arms and hands! In the ER the nurses had to stick me NINE DIFFERENT TIMES to be able to put in my IV and that's after they pulled out that special red light lamp that shows my veins. It was nice though, because I was getting a hefty dose of my pain meds straight into my veins and then also given another hefty dose orally. I was feeling pretty damn good! Though, I couldn't sleep, which sucked. I also remembered why I am not a big fan of the hospital I was at - I had to share a room, the tv/phone had a cost attached to them and things were just out of date. But the food was decent. Not as many choices as the other hospital I normally go to but still it's not like I starved! Fortunately my sciatica finally calmed back down and I'm able to sleep. Because it was hurting so badly, that sleep was not something I could do for the better part of two weeks. And now I have at home physical and occupational therapists coming. A bonus - I now have a pretty shiny and new shower chair! It's nice to finally be able to enjoy my showers and not have to rush and/or fear that I'll fall. This way, I can just sit and let the water hit me and actually enjoy myself. It's great that my insurance company fully paid for it too, because if I would have had to pay for it - I'd still be scared of falling in the shower...

In other news, I have developed a sort of routine for myself. Washing my face in the shower, using my, erhm, the liquid stuff you put on a cotton round and it removes ground in dirt?, lotion, my green makeup, brushing my teeth and using mouthwash, and my makeup even has a routine - I'm using a special eye under crayon to help with the circles, liquid foundation and even concealer! And at night - I use special wipes to remove all my makeup (mind y'all - I would normally just sleep in at night), then I use a facial creme and an under eye cream. And again - brushing my teeth and using the mouthwash. This is major because I'm normally a "brush-em-once-a-day" kinda girl. So between all of this and dropping 14.8lbs on Weight Watchers and FINALLY getting really decent numbers with my blood sugars - they used to always been in the 300-400's, but I've been getting them down to 90 to mid-200's! This is amazing because I've never had numbers like this in the past. It just goes to show that when I put an effort in - I can actually accomplish things and feel better.

Speaking of feeling better - I'm at it again with my whole family. And I'm sick and tired of it. My mother, for the FOURTH TIME, called fucking CPS on me! There is no level she won't aim for or anything she wouldn't do to try to hurt me. I honestly think she's trying to get me to lose custody of my son, and that way she can make a play for him. Granted - she'd have to get thru shithead - but I fear she doesn't see him being a problem. And it's NOT COOL! And now she's not talking to me because I apparently threw J under the bus with the whole investigation and she "needs a break from me". Case in point - the other day she invited EVERYONE BUT ME to come to the house and go to a pumpkin patch. Which is a bunch of bullshit. And I had posted something on facebook about how I'm pissed at them all and sick of their shit, when my one sister went off on me. It's bullshit! Apparently I'm the only one whose not allowed to have an opinion on anything and voice said opinion. But whatever, fuck them all and I just need to learn to stop caring about them, because clearly they don't care for me. 

On a brighter note - I ate some crow last week, asking the owner of a former salon I used to go to, if I could come back. I had a falling out with him and he banned me from the salon. And now he said I could come back. But what's interesting - apparently they're closing the salon I went to because my appointment that I have next week is at a TOTALLY DIFFERENT salon and when I drove past the other one - it was closed and dark! Apparently there's an interesting story behind this whole situation and I can't wait until next week! And my stylist, whom I adore, has found a new product that's a shampoo that does a really decent job of dyeing someone's hair to whatever color is in the bottle. And she agreed to buy me a bottle and only charge me her cost. So, I stopped by the new salon (since the old one was dark) to give her the money tonight. And the new place looks pretty damn cool/interesting! So it should be exciting! I'm just bummed to find out that the perm I got for my birthday, that I was so happy with - is what's causing me to lose chunks of my hair and making it so knotty. Hopefully this conditioning treatment she's going to do will help. I'm just pissed because according to my stylist and a WW member whose also a stylist - they both said that I never should have had gotten a perm, since my hair is so highlighted/bleached. And now I'm pissed at the stylist that did it. I'm just glad I get to go back to the stylist that I adore! Plus, I love the salon experience - all the hustle and bustle, gossiping and gatherings. Kinda understand why guys tend to congregate at barber shops!

Well, I think that I have made up for "lost time", and I have a mug of hot chocolate calling my name and a bottle of peppermint mocha creamer asking to be used! So until next time!

Love you

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

My good people - I missed my introduction!

If anyone whose actually reading this can name that movie - gets a free blow job! I kid, I kid! Or am I...?

Okay, so it's been a little bit since I was last on here. Sue me, it's a free blog! Unfortunately, it's not like I've been super busy, just going along with my life. Right now, I'm worried about the season change. See, I have Bipolar II, which is the one where you're depressed most of the time, with only periodical manic episodes. But what I also have is seasonal depression. Combine those with the depression of not living with J - I'll be happy to make it thru the winter!

A little bit over 2 weeks ago, I joined Weight Watchers again, and so far - I've lost -14.8lbs! I'm a bit scared because that's a lot to lose in 2 weeks, but if the scale either goes down again or even just stays the same - I'll be a VERY happy camper. Maybe I'll get in enough of a groove, that maybe I can back away from having the surgery... But I don't want to get a head of myself yet. Have to take everything in baby steps.

J has been acting out a lot as of late. His father keeps telling me that it's my fault that we're not getting along. What he doesn't realize - my relationship with J was perfectly fine PRIOR to J having to move in there. I mean, yes we did have our issues, but we also spent a lot of time together. It's just hard to effectively parenting a child that no longer lives under the same roof as you, and the child is living with a parent that has not been a true constant and the child fears that if he doesn't act accordingly - that parent won't love him anymore and might leave him. Which is no place for a child to be. And I have to be understanding of the complicated needs the J has right now.

I came to the conclusion tonight that I have a SERIOUS problem with having postage stamps! Like - I have 6 different sheets of stamps! Varying sizes, shapes and pretty details. And I was going to buy MORE today!!! Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on thoughts) I spent too much money at Walmart and I chose to pay a credit card bill instead. It's just scary. And tonights I found myself writing some cards to friends, and tomorrow I am sending one friend a note in what is possibly the smallest envelope EVER! Just because there was a stamp on it and I never returned the meal card to a cousin's wedding. Oh well! At least she didn't waste money and I put the stamp to good use!

Today with J was extra stressful. I was on my way to pick him up from school, I had even contacted the school to tell them to bring him to the front office and as I'm turning onto a road to head to the school - guess who I see walking on the other side of the road!? I was PISSED! And eventually I realized that he had gone to school this morning because his father dropped him off, he was apparently seen by his homeroom teacher and then he walked out and off of school property! Because I never had gotten an email from the school telling me that he wasn't there. So, no one knew that J actually, intentionally wasn't in school. Fortunately, proving that I am learning from all my decades in therapy and our behaviorist that comes once a week to meet with us, I never yelled or raised my voice. I just made him call his father and tell him. Which J was NOT thrilled about, but it needed to be done. Ultimately, when we were done running some errands, I took him back to his father and we had a conversation. I had taken J's phone yesterday because it took me over 2 hours to get him to come over to my place for our appointment with the behaviorist. I was supposed to keep it until tomorrow after I got home from a doctor's appointment, but I gave it back to him today. He apparently went digging around in his father's bedroom, and found his live-in girlfriends' old phone and was playing with it. And he lied about it, but his father found photo's of J on the phone. But what sucks is, his phone is the main and really only way I have right now, to discipline him. But when he doesn't have a phone - he gets his ass into even MORE trouble then he would have had been in, in the first place. It's annoying because my ex and I are both at our wit's end on what to do with him. And I sadly, don't see it changing any time soon. But we will have to wait and see, I guess.

I'm hungry. And I've used up all my points for today and don't want to delve any deeper into my extra weekly points because I know I used a bunch yesterday. I really need to go up to my bedroom and pretend to sleep, but that's not going to happen for at least a little bit longer. Gotta finish watching Judge Judy! I actually got some control over the remote tonight and got to watch 2 episodes of Speechless (TOTALLY must watch!), I'm on my second Judge Judy, and I got to watch Quantico (which you ALSO must watch!). It was nice to actually get some tv time in. Hopefully I can watch some more tomorrow... It's hard to fight over the DVR control. My ex brother in law likes to delete all my shows. He doesn't care that I don't get to watch much tv when Sr. is downstairs and has the remote, and Jr. comes down after I go up to watch his own shows. Hopefully, since I begged tonight - he'll stop doing it! Because I have to go back and figure out what it was he most decently deleted.

Well, I've ranted long enough and need to try to get some sleep, because tomorrow is free coffee day at Wawa, and I plan on getting at least 3 cups! Which means, I need to shower early in the morning... 

Until next time...

Monday, September 12, 2016

Round and Round We Go, Yet Again...

Well, I am back on the merry-go-round again. The Weight Watchers merry-go-round, that is. I joined again today. I know I'm trying to have the surgery and I understand that, but at the same time - I need MUCH more support then a monthly meeting with a nutritionist who talks down to me because I have issues with portion control. And I have had good results with Weight Watchers in the past. On two different occasions I've lost 50lbs. So here's to hoping.

Things have been just going on every other front. Still having a lot of problems trying to get along with J. He just wants to buck at even the idea of being near me. And that sucks, I'm starting to fear that once I get my own place again - he's not going to move back in with me... And I couldn't handle that. Only time will tell on that though, so I have to try to not think about it for some time.

I dunno, just don't feel like I have much to say tonight. Been a rough few days, and I just don't have much to say... So I think I'm going to end this here. I'll probably think of more to say later on, but I can't think of much right now. All I know is that I've joined Weight Watchers again and I have to make it work. I can't keep failing at life.

Until next time...

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Blah, Blah Blah...

Well, I really didn't expect to be back QUITE so soon. But alas, you're stuck reading this! Well, technically no you're not... But you're still here anyways! 

I'm happy, I know I had mentioned a few posts ago how I was trying the Jamberry nails out? Yeah, didn't work so well for me, they kept pulling off within a day or so and not really sticking to my nails. I get a couple of bucks today and went back to my old favorite nail salon and got my gel nails put back on. I know, I know! Having the gel nails isn't the greatest thing in the world, not only for my nails but for my wallet. But I like having my nails done. Makes me feel pretty and nice. I just won't go back to the place in town here. Thus why I drove all the way to Norristown tonight to go back to my original place. They are a bit more expensive ($5 more and no free designs), but I never got an infection from this place. And they're really nice and speak fluent English.

For anyone who reads this that also follows me on Facebook - tonight I posted a "funny?" picture. I got a Ninja (I mention this?) for my birthday and made myself a fruit smoothie tonight. I keep misjudging how far a little bit of fruit goes and OMG! I had to pull out the HUGE beer mug tonight! Y'know - the one that's about a foot high? It was TOTALLY worth the brain freezes! Just need to get better at the actual blending. I had to keep turning it off, mushing the stuff around and blending again. It just wouldn't move the stuff from the top to the bottom. But I eventually got it to all work and had a great dessert!

I have also spent the past 45 minutes trying to explain Avengers: Revenge of Ultron to my father-in-law. It's going, just have to keep telling him the names of the different characters. I just love that I get to see Paul Bettany! I have been a big fan of his since A Knight's Tale! But that was mostly because of the Heath Ledger, lets be honest here! I'm hoping I can put Judge Judy back on soon, but I'm not holding out much hope. I mean, I will - just probably not in the next hour or so, I just need to keep him from putting something gory on the tv!

And for those who noticed - I was finally able to update my profile/thumbnail picture AND input a picture of Piggy and I in my last post! It was not easy to do, but I was able to manage to get it accomplished via my phone of all things!

I am worried though - I have a HARD time with bra's. My back is wide and the girls have their own zip code. The other year I had gotten a NASTY sore on my back bra line that got infected and was just a really bad mess. Like - I had to go the wound center and had to rely on J to take care of it because I couldn't reach it. And the sore has come back and it's purple. While I LOVE all things purple (except purple flavored shit) I highly dislike my skin being purple! And it's really hard to get the bra's from rolling up and tightening on this spot. I'm constantly adjusting them but they always go right back into place. So, I don't know what to do. Especially now that J isn't living with me, I don't know who I could get to help me care for it... Ugh.

And no blog of mine would be complete without mention of the whole weight loss journey. Which, as always, is still "going". I admit - I had Joe grab me some McDonald's this morning (only way I was getting my bacon/egg/cheese biscuits b/c I live in McMuffin country) and OMFG was it yummy! And I ordered from the pizza place tonight but didn't eat anything in between. I know it's not the best of idea's to skip meals, but when I have big calorie meals - I try not to eat much of else during the rest of the day. Fortunately though - while I still order from the pizza place on occasion - I don't eat much fast food. Don't really like eating in my fil's car and rarely am I a passenger in someone else's car. Medical transit won't stop for food. But Friday I go and meet with the doctor again, hopefully I'll have dropped at least a pound or so by then... Fingers crossed!

Right now - I really just need to REALLY go food shopping, get some actual food that I'll eat in the house so I'm not relying on the pizza place so much!

And today was J's birthday. And I wasn't "allowed" to see him. I honestly think his father is trying to make a power play to take him away from me for good. Which is NOT cool! It doesn't help that people constantly tell J that it was all my fault for why we had to move. He doesn't seem to realize how much it cost me to run that apartment each month and until my SSDI comes thru - there is not much of anything I can do. But just wait out the time until I get appointed a judge and get my judgement. I really wish it would be sooner than later, but there isn't anything I can do. I just want to have my own place and my own money again, and be with my son again. I truly miss having him around and seeing him every day. Granted, he wasn't spending much actual time with me, because he was always outside playing or in his room - he was at least near me. And I yearn for that again, being able to be the one he hugs good night and all.

Well, as always, I start these things without much thought in mind and always end up rambling on for quite a bit! So I'm going to call it a wrap and wish everyone a good night!

Until next time...

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Where dreams go to die...

Well, I think the title says it all... I've been having a rough time as of late. And I can feel the walls closing in on me. The "joys" of having Bipolar II - which is when you have more down days, that can get even lower depending on the moment. I mean, I still get some manic days but not as often as someone with Bipolar I. Things have just seemed very bleak as of lately. Just having a hard time still adjusting to everything. I mean - yes, I know that I am in control of my life and am the one to make the changes needed in my life. But the problem is - it is just gets really hard to find the motivation most days. Example - I have to admit that I went a day longer then I would have liked between showers, and I've been in bed until 2 or 3pm every day. It's just not fun or easy.

J and I have been getting into a lot lately. He's not grateful for everything that I've done for him over the years. I'm not even allowed to take him to the first day of school this year. I haven't missed a first day - EVER! But it looks like I don't have a choice in the matter. His behaviorist talks about how we need to take the time to go and do things together. I can't even get him to commit to coming over to make me go on a walk. And yet - he constantly goes off about my weight. Yesterday I asked him to go with me to Kohls to exchange the sneakers I got for my birthday and it turned into a HUGE argument because he didn't want to go because he wouldn't be getting anything! Mind you - his birthday is on the 6th! 

My diet has been completely shot to hell. I can't stop wanting to eat! I don't know what to do about it either. I meet with the surgical team this Friday, so maybe they'll have some tips for me?! I need to drop some of this weight before the surgeon will even think about allowing me to have my surgery. So, it's uber important to drop some poundage. I'm just really worried that I won't succeed and this surgeon will drop me too. And I can't handle that anymore. I try locking myself in my room in the evening to keep me away from the kitchen, but I have goldfish in my room because I'll get SO consumed by wanting to eat. And some goldfish tends to subside the urges. But it's still upsetting and frustrating for me!

Another thing that has been weighing on me is the fact that I have no dating life. I had had high hopes for the man I went out with a few weeks back, but now he's pretty much disappeared and won't text me back. I know he was busy these past two weekends, but I doubt it that he'll pick up the phone and reach out to me any time soon. But I also have to understand that I'm a hard person to love. Any man that would want to be with me, would either need to have his own prior children, be open to adopting or totally okay with not having biological children; as I've been strongly encouraged to NOT get pregnant again. The joys of blood thinners! And I also know that I come with a lot of baggage - I have a very strange living arrangement, a very strained "relationship" with J's father, my own family can only handle me in small amounts. Which really wouldn't make me easy to love. But it just hurts because I have SO MUCH love to give, but no one to give it to. 

What sucks for me, with not having a car - I can't get close enough to my sisters' dog - Miss Piggy. I adopted Piggy for Annie MANY years ago, probably 2012 or 2013? And she is just amazing! She is a total nanny dog who thinks she's a 60lbs lap dog! Being able to just sit with her and rub her ears, scratch her belly and get her kisses ALWAYS make me feel better. But it can be hard to get near her... Piggy's lovability also comes into play with my sister as Piggy is a certified emotional support animal. But I can't bring her here and only get near her on a rare occasion. Makes me earn to get my own place (and car!) again so I can get my own dog... And I want to adopt a pitty/bully - which is what Piggy is. These dogs are just SO misunderstood and are the most loving creatures!

Well, I've spent the past 45 minutes trying to add a picture of Piggy to this post, and it just was not working! Which is also why my thumbnail picture is so old - I can't figure out how to make my computer let me change them! It's really quite annoying, but at least I finally got rid of the spinning color wheel without having to delete the post!

So, until next time - hopefully I'll be feeling better...?!



Saturday, August 27, 2016

I got nothing...

The title says it all - I got nothing. Things have been rather calm as of late. Just chugging along and trying not to create any major issues. J is unwillingly getting ready for the start of the new school year. He doesn't want to go back, especially since the first day also happens to be his birthday. I keep telling him he has to go, regardless of how many times he says he wants to stay home! But that's to be expected. I personally don't know what it's like to have to be at school on your birthday (joys of an August birthday), but I know I never wanted to work on mine! 

I've been thoroughly enjoying Ulta's return policy though. I went so many YEARS without using any styling products and now I have hair that requires product. Granted, my stylist got some products in for me, but I also have been trial and error-ing it at Ulta. I had a bad experience the other day when I went to a location I've never been at before. Got into an argument with the associate that was trying to ring me out. I had ordered something a while back and wanted to return it. I had the shipping receipt and she kept saying that I would get the lowest rung price for it. I finally said that I've been shopping and returning items at Ulta longer then she has worked for the company and just to do it my way. She finally called her manager up and agreed that I was right. Fortunately - the girl just sulked away and the manager finished ringing out my order. Just annoys me when people try to tell me that I'm wrong. Oh well. It's not like I'm going to stop shopping with Ulta. Just no longer at that location.

I can't remember if last time I mentioned that I had finally hired a lawyer for my Social Security Disability claim. I know by having him it won't spend up the process of being assigned a judge, but it will help to have him when I finally GET a judge and have to go before them. I'm glad I waited as long as I did though. There would have had been no point to hire him back in January when I was first denied, he'd been siting around and doing nothing, but now that I'm closed to when I will be assigned a judge - it makes more sense. It also helps to have someone in my corner that knows when I need and how to go about doing it. Just gives a certain comfort level to everything. 

I put my second set of Jamberry nails on last night. It was a bit easier then when I first did them. I'm hoping that these ones stay on a bit longer then the last set did. But fortunately when the first set started coming off - it was easy to get the rest off. Just had to gently pull them and they lifted off. But this is less expensive and MUCH less harmful to my natural nails then going to the nail salon and getting the gels put on. I miss having that time to go and get them done and how pretty they would be for 2+ weeks, but the last salon I was going to - RUINED my natural nails. Oh well. Not like I really have the money for them right now anyways. 

I got my Ninja yesterday. Already made two smoothies with it! It works GREAT but OMFG is it LOUD! It was a bit better then morning then last night, but I also adjusted a few things: less ice, more water stuff. But I hope this helps and it'll keep me from just wanting to go out to the Y to get a smoothie - I can stay home and make a bigger one and NOT spend the $4 or $5 it'd cost there! Though, I do need to get back into the groove of going to the Y. I need to swim more and entertain injuring myself on the treadmills... 

I was bummed about the Nike's my mom got me. Even though they're a size 12 wide - they are too narrow for my feet. So she suggested I switch a mens shoe. I can get the width I need easier that way. Once I get a chance - I'll head to Kohl's and pick out a new pair. 

Right now I'm just hoping my other rings come back from my jeweler friends soon. I sent them 4 rings I have purchased from them over the years at Faire that had gotten too small for my sausage fingers. I just can't wait to start wearing them again! I have so much pretty jewelry, that it's almost a crime when I can't wear any of it! I'm still really pissed off that the other woman who lives in the house with me stole my most prized piece, but I talked to my ex father-in-law today and we agreed on a course of action. The jewelry store that I had the original piece made at is having another event in October or November and she needs to pay for me to get a new piece of comparable value. Seems only fair in my own thoughts. She apparently no longer has what she took, so she needs to replace it. I feel like having my diamond studs set into a ring and a necklace... But ask me again after I make her pay... Maybe I'll just get a stone at the store instead. Who knows?!

I'm still having trouble with the whole weight loss situation. I'm constantly hungry and it's really pissing me off! I want to do good and drop the weight that I need to, not only to make the surgeon happy, but myself and to prove that I can actually do what's needed to make the surgery successful. But if I'm constantly hungry it's going to make it extremely difficult and make me ultimately unsuccessful. And I don't know what to do. But I need to keep hope alive and just take everything one day at a time, and one meal at a time.

Well, apparently I did have SOMETHING to say tonight. HA! But I think I'm done ranting for right now. I will admit that I'm glad I picked this back up again. I still poke Tim to see if he wants to do a show with me, and he seems interested in doing so because we both think it'd be fun, and the past 3 years we've done shows for Pride48 weekend. It's just a case of buckling down and sorting out all the information. Like whose going to bounce and post, pay for the hosting and what sites to use. But we will see. 

Until next time... Love you all!

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Another Day, Another Frustration...

Like the title says - it's been another one of those kind of days, y'know? I had to be moving and shaking a bit early today because I was finally able to go downtown into the city to meet with a new disability lawyer about my case. He seemed confident that we could win, but my "young" age and with my educational background - it could make things a bit more difficult. I just wish this would happen already. I mean - not having my own place, money or a car has taken a real toll on my ability to function. I tend to go a bit stir crazy when I stay cooped up in the house day in and day out. So, I will sometimes just "disappear" with my ex father-in-laws' car for a bit. Fortunately he doesn't seem to mind. I mean, I'm careful and put gas in the car and always ask if he needs anything. So it's cool for the most part but it's just tough on me emotionally.

J is causing more problems then ever! His father was blowing up my phone earlier, flipping out about me apparently having appointments on the weekends, what if he had plans for J on the weekend and keeping him "out so late". I had to, as usual, remind him that he can't go blowing up at me. That there's nothing wrong with asking, but not to take everything J says as gospel! I don't have any appointments this weekend and I'm allowed to take him out for dinner and hair cuts if I want to. It's not like I drove to The Shore with him, I was in the area and had him back to his place before 8pm. I'm just sick and tired of him constantly blowing up my phone about stuff, without even taking the time to calmly ask me questions or trying to think clearly about what J is saying to him. I mean, he expects me to never fully believe everything he says to me, but heaven forbid knuckle head grants me the same respect. It's just gotten really old and tiresome. All I know is - I need to figure out if the measly pension I get each month is taxable and file my 2016 taxes ASAP. Because I wouldn't put it past him to try to claim J on his own taxes. And that is NOT going to happen. He lived with me for half the year and I still take care of his expenses. I pay for his clothes, hair cuts, insurance, transportation, doctor visits and daily expenses. All he does is make sure he's back there and pretends to sleep. Not even like he makes sure that J takes his medication which he's court ordered to do so.

On a brighter note, last night was fun! I was able to get together with an old Weight Watchers girlfriend and we hung out at a local Starbucks for almost 2 hours last night. It was really nice to get out of the house and spend time with a person who I have things in common with and have real, adult conversations! I mean, I know I can talk to Sr. when I want, but it's not the same as a girlfriend with small kids of her own and be able to joke around and complain. It was really nice. And she does the Jamberry nail wraps and I finally broke down and got some. I have a set on now actually. I'm a bit bummed that when I was pealing an orange earlier tonight, the one wrap lifted a bit. But she said if I heat it up with my hair dryer and push it back down - it should behave. I'm not a fan that they don't cover all of my nails but it's only when I'm looking for perfection do I notice it. What is also nice, we're supposed to get together again tomorrow night. Which will be really cool. I just need to get out more and interact with other people of my age and common interests.

As far as the weight loss, which is the giant elephant in this blog post, is going. Though I am unsure of how well. I was at my PCP's office on Monday getting J his physical for school sports and weighed myself. According to that scale, I've gained a few pounds. Which doesn't make any sense. Though it was the day after my birthday, and my body was still full of all the salt that comes with Chinese food. So, I just need to get back on track and keep on trucking. I need to get thru this and drop the weight. If for no other reason - it'd be nice to drive my fils' car and not have the steering wheel digging into my stomach. Makes it a bit difficult to steer and all. 

Mentioning my birthday, it was a really nice one this year. My mom paid for me to get my hair done (I got a PERM!!!!), she bought me a Ninja so I can make my own smoothies and not debate going to the YMCA just for one, a new pair of Nike's, Billy got me some bath bombs, and my one aunt (who loves herself some Amazon Prime!) sent me VEGAN and GLUTEN-FREE bombs! Never knew such a thing existed but they're really cool. And she also sent me a lovely new bath sheet/towel. Billy picked us up around 3pm, we dropped J off at my mother's house, went to Kohl's to get some socks and then went ALL the way downtown to pick up Grace. I happened to mention in the car to Billy if we had to go to this one restaurant which apparently translated to J telling mom that I didn't want to go at all. Which was KINDA true, but combine that with the fact that we didn't get back from getting Grace until 7pm - we just ordered Chinese. Mom didn't want to go out, it was also raining and pretty bad at points. And we had a Dairy Queen ice cream cake. Everyone else has been getting Cold Stone cakes, but NOTHING beats a DQ one in my book! It would have had been great if my other sister could have been there but she was ordered into work. So it wasn't like I could get mad at her. But I did text her and thanked her for running around to get my cake and some other things for me. Regardless, it was a nice day. Made the transition into my 35th year a bit easier. It's really nice when the family is able to get together and everything goes smoothly. I wanted to go see my dad but it had been raining for a while before Billy picked me up, so there was just no way. I didn't want to sit in the mud. I just have to make a point to go again soon. Haven't been there in a while... I still miss him dearly every day but the pain has eased, which is really nice.

This morning was also interesting. I was at that point where you're not fully asleep nor fully awake but still dreaming. And I was dreaming that I was sitting at my desk when I was at PennDot and was "helping" customers. It seemed SO real, it was eery. It happens some times, and it's just weird because it brings some interesting feelings back. I miss my work, I really loved my job - it was the management that I couldn't handle. I was hated and had my life made unbearable simply because I was "young", white and a female. But whatever, it's not like I'm going back there ANY time soon! Just need to keep moving forward.

Well! I think I've ranted long enough, and I need to see if I can steal the remote and watch myself some more Judge Judy! GOD! Do I LOVE that woman! I've learned a lot from watching her for so many years. Mainly, how to behave in a court room, and to get EVERYTHING in writing! 

Until next time...