Moving on....

So, I started this blog last summer. It was a great opportunity to write, process, comment on life as a mom, etc....

Then, in the Fall, my life was upended drastically and I took a break. My husband quit me. In no way do I place the full blame of the failure of our marriage on him. I failed him too. The difference is, I never quit trying to make it work. He never attempted to make it work. He just quit.

So, now that I've been through some of the most difficult months/situations of my life, I'm starting fresh!

I've started a new blog, that is less generalized and a little bit more focused on life as I'm currently living it.

If you're interested, please come check it out at The Homeless Housewife
Thanks for reading!!!

2011 Highlights so far.... and its only February 10th!

Well, in the first 40 days of 2011, I've had my fair share of adventure. Seriously, I think I need a vacation. Maybe someplace warm, with a beach, not too hot, not too loud. I want to go to a place that's exotic and the people admire women with fuller figures who dare to put on a bathing suit and show stretchmarks...  a place with good mojitos and cute cabana boys! Anyone with me?

So, the first 40 days of 2011:

• Applied for my dream job, interviewed for my dream job, was a finalist for my dream job and then did not get my dream job :(
• Firstborn child had her first surgery. She did great. I did ok... almost passed out when I got too close to the "gas" and almost burst into tears from unresolved grief of my last surgery(pregnancy loss).... oh, how smells can trigger memories!
• Day after #1's surgery,  #2 child bounces himself right off the couch  and breaks his collarbone.
• Stayed calm at estranged-husband's "honoring" me by not accusing me of hurting my child in aforementioned collarbone incident. (What? Who thinks this way?)
• Smiled politely and didn't harm anyone when my estranged husband invited me over to "approve" of his new place.
• Took the "Life is Beautiful" approach in regards to continued habitation and subsequent interactions with estranged-husband and my children.
• Celebrated #2's 4th birthday with my extended family and estranged husband. Listened patiently and didn't pop off at the mouth as he boasted of his new furniture purchases for his new place to my father and brother.... the 2 men who "gave me away" to him on my wedding day! Actually, I am more proud of my dad and brother for not committing a justified felony. 
• Screwed up my knee big time pushing my car (with bald tires) out of a snowbank. Why are your tires bald, you ask? Because I have no access to $$$ because my estranged husband closed our joint bank accounts. I have to ask for $$ for groceries and am pretty much S.O.L. on everything else...

In 2 weeks, I will be homeless, husbandless and jobless. I have about $200 to my name. I will have access to a storage unit to put my belongings into. I MIGHT be able to live with my parents for a short time. I have been emotionally separated from my husband since October. We've had to live under the same roof since that time because he doesn't want to have to pay for 2 households.

Happy New Year 2011!

Well, we all survived the first decade of the 21st century.
Considering the last decade included the Y2K bug, 9/11, the housing meltdown, the double dip recession, Reality T.V., crazy political races, and the proliferation of all things techy into our worlds (cell phones for everyone, internet, smart phones, blogs, etc.) I'd say the fact that we're all still upright and breathing is a good thing. Its been a big decade!

For me, the last decade has been personally intense.
In the last 10 years:

• I got married
• moved 5 times
• became our state's guinea pig case for what would become the mortgage modification nightmare
• survived the subsequent legal battle and foreclosure of my home
• had 8 different jobs
• survived 4 of my husband's layoffs
• tried my hand at a couple new careers only to fail miserably
• gained 50 pounds
• lost 30 pounds
• gained 30 back
• lived through 3 miscarriages
• 2 high risk pregnancies and deliveries to have 2 of the most beautiful children on the planet
• attended the funeral of a former student and count that as the most painful funeral of my life
• and I've watched too many others pass away prematurely. 

Needless to say, I don't count the last decade as one of my best. So, I'm taking a fresh new look at the next decade and setting some goals. I turn 40 in 30 days. Here's to hoping the next decade is better than the last! Cheers and Happy New Year!

Goals for 2011:

1. Lose 60 pounds
2. Get a job that will support me and my children and feed my soul.
3. Blog 1x/week
4. Walk a 5K next Fall
5. Cultivate healthy, life affirming relationships
6. Complete the Bible in One Year program
7. Take my children on a memorable vacation
8. Celebrate 40 all year long!
9. Complete Dave Ramsey's baby steps 1 & 2
10. Win the HGTV Dream Home Sweepstakes :)

How about you? What are your goals for 2011?