N8 you deserve so much more than that waste of space formally known as your H!
You have grown so much hun and should be so proud of yourself!
Hugest hugs, take care
Rabbit
Lost Rabbit--so happy you stopped by to say nice things to me! I love it when people say nice things to me.
Seriously, thanks for the things you said. I AM proud that I've survived thus far, continued to be a sane and productive member of society, and kept my sense of humor. Your advice and support have been helpful, and I am so grateful.
Hugs back to you! Give the horse a good nuzzle for me.
I AM A HOME IMPROVEMENT SAGE, LUMINARY, AND GENIUS.
I started working in my living room on Sunday, as I am in home-makeover mode. I'm glad I had some projects to keep me busy this week, given that I've now been SERVED (but served through my attorney, which is much less traumatic and didn't involve my physical person at all).
Remarkable accomplishments:
*painted living room walls (BIG room; got paint in hair yet again, though amount minimal) *put together incredibly attractive ladder-style bookcase; have found myself to be unusually skilled at using an Allen wrench *used caulk gun to do minor repairs; showed extreme talent with this, too (despite long, snaky drips of caulk intermittently squirted on floor) *applied wood filler to holes in new wood trim around new back doors ("new" meaning March); primed wood with amazing skill and precision; painting will commence this evening *removed books from built-in bookcases; organized books on floor by author and/or genre; painted bookcases with glossy paint that will match the trim I am going to repaint in the coming days (oil-based paint slightly more difficult to get out of hair) *hung two new dramatic pieces of artwork that each depict a single koi in a pond *also hung a set of circular mirrors; still need to wipe off fingerprints from mirrors and patch holes (I readjusted and rehung a few times) *placed new tin sign I received on mantle, though it will find a permanent home on bookshelves. Sign reads, "Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman Scorned"
Goals for next week:
*complete painting of trim *begin working on kitchen (though father cannot yet know of plans to actually paint the cabinets) *engage in tomfoolery with friends *read for self-help AND for pleasure *sunbathe and frolic
Other suggestions for next week will be accepted. No suggestion too outlandish.
Thank you! You're right--it is. I'm doing pretty well, considering everything (though I have my moments). Thank you for popping in. Come by again any time!
*complete painting of trim *begin working on kitchen (though father cannot yet know of plans to actually paint the cabinets) *engage in tomfoolery with friends *read for self-help AND for pleasure *sunbathe and frolic
No goal is too big for me to tackle, and there's nothing better than the sense of accomplishment that comes with achieving goals you set for yourself.
A coworker friend has a cabin at the lake, and she and her husband invited Boxer dog and me to come for a visit (she also said 15-year-old half-brother should come, too). We got up early this morning, picked up brother, and headed to the lake for some tomfoolery and frolicking.
Friend and her husband took us out on the lake in their boat, and we enjoyed four hours of sunshine and boat-cruising fun. Boxer dog loved his first boat ride and is considering taking up a nautical lifestyle.
Brother eventually took over boat navigation (under the tutelage of friend's husband) and took us on a lovely cruise. This provided me with an opportunity to sunbathe on the back of the boat and chat with friend.
Friend has invited me back for a visit this week, this weekend, and several upcoming weekends. Boxer dog and I will certainly accept some (if not all) of these invitations. Brother is desperate to go back, too.
Wonderful way to pass the time. Very productive day.
I'm so pleased that I have such wonderful friends, and they've really rallied since H filed. I haven't fallen apart, wished for death, or indicated that I should not be left unsupervised. I HAVE been sad, angry, frustrated, and confused about how to proceed. I'm very lucky that my friends understand me well enough to know that humor and making me laugh are the best things for me right now.
I am secretly amused, however, at the ways my friends go about seeing me or communicating with me. I get lots of things like these: "I was just in the neighborhood", "I thought maybe you'd like some company on your grocery trip", "Let's meet at the coffee shop in downtown in 20 minutes" (from friend who doesn't drink coffee EVER), "I accidentally bought two milkshakes and thought you might like one", "I'm sure I need things from the hardware store, so I'll go, too", and so on. I actually began to wonder if a sign-up sheet went around so they could sign up for shifts to be with me.
The best one yet, though, has been when I mentioned to a group of girls that I wanted to start working on my kitchen--like painting the walls, painting the cabinets, going through cabinets, and weeding out kitchen things I no longer need. I immediately had four girls say, "Ooooooh, I want to help!" Then they each started outlining the skills that would qualify them for the job (ability to bring sturdy boxes, knowledge of quality cookware, availability each week, cooperative and helpful attitude, intense interest in creating a beautiful kitchen environment for me, sincere desire to follow my directions, etc.). The good news is that there will be enough work for everyone. In other words, they're all hired.
I'll post more later. I'm due a milkshake any time now.
