Well, the process of moving sucks. My mother, sisters + their families and me have been trying to clear crap out of this house for the past couple months. Over 30 years of bills and misc. documents, clothes, lost toys, trophies, etc. I’ve never had to do this moving thing before…not that I’m a spoiled brat that’s been living with her parents all her life. I’ve given my share into this house. Even before my father passed away, I was giving money towards the mortgage and buying groceries here and there. I’ve never expected to mooch off my parents. I take pride in paying my dues. Having the ability to do so. But with the market the way it is and with my mother retired and looking for something new…it irritates me that I can’t do anything more to help out financially. Wow, my thoughts just took a detour!

Back on track now. So we’ve been trying to get crap out of the house, donating some along the way. Even Duo has been there for us and lent a helping hand with things as he’s been able. It’s definitely NOT a one person project and it’s far from being complete! So much for our completion date…you don’t even want to know what it was. Seriously.

So this move is stressing my mother and me out, as well as her search for a new career. AND, we just went over to Pennsylvania this past weekend for one of my sister’s last minute wedding. This was a drama packed weekend as my mom ended up falling down a flight of 16 stairs in my sister’s old Victorian house and going to the ER. We were all surprised that she walked away with just the bruising, busted lip and dislocated shoulder. She made it to the wedding the next day though. I could get into the annoyance factor of the trip….but that’s a rant that could go on and on and on. Let’s just say I had to snap just a little bit at the bride and groom….but wanted to do much more than that. It’s amazing to me that they think they have the right to judge my life and what I choose then to take a look at theirs. Marriage should be based on love and respect before convenience!

Let’s hope this weekend is less drama. Got a baby shower to throw on Sunday for another sister. But given which sister it is….I may need a straight jacket by Sunday night!

Looking out these windows, all I see is that pretty scene of snow covered pine.  This and freshly fallen, untouched snow really make winter worthwhile.  Snow angels, snowball fights, curling up under a comforter or two with a nice warm cup of cocoa…these kind of things make this season so great!  But, since I started driving there’s been one question that’s been creeping in my head every winter.  Has mother nature forgotten that snow should only fall on rooftops, trees and grass??  Can you imagine how much happier this season would be if people didn’t have to worry about wiping mounds of snow off their cars before leaving for work, having spin-outs on the way or slipping on ice? 

What can I say, it’s nice to imagine these kind of things.  I’m not saying that I’m a crazy driver or anything.  I think I’m a pretty good driver, but even the best drivers have difficult moments at the wheel.  With this in mind, I’ve been more cautious with snow and ice lately, especially when it comes to my mom.  She doesn’t need any more struggles than she already has.  These days, I find myself watching the weather predictions and actually taking time out of my travels for safety.  Last year around this time, my mind set was “it’s just another winter in Chicago…I can tackle it!”  But since then, my spin-out last February in a Michigan blizzard doing 15-20 mph on the expressway really put things into perspective like a slap in the face.  It doesn’t matter how cautious you’re trying to be…if you test mother nature, prepare yourself for the worst!  I always think of that man that showed up out of nowhere with a shovel in his back seat that dug my car out from the side of the road.  What’s the chances of getting stuck in a blizzard with the only driver around us being a man that plows streets for a living!  How crazy is that?!

Attended my friend’s Halloween party this weekend, which was like an escape from the jumbled mess that’s been going through my head lately.  Didn’t really feel that great the next morning though…how did I become such a light weight drinker??!! lol.  Duo made me feel better though.  Took me out to the beach for a nice long walk with the breeze hitting my face, waking me up, settling down the headache.  It was very relaxing. 

Unfortunately, a walk on the beach was not an option yesterday.  Reality set in and I realized that the production classes that I was enrolled in would not be feasible at this time.  I’ve been stressing out with starting classes this month and not being able to work through my family and financial obligations in time.  Asking for a second extension or a drop from the admission process did not go so well with the admissions director.  I had to hold back from writing this blog yesterday.  I was so frustrated that it would’ve just been a ramble of fury without making any sense.  It was not planned for my grandmother to pass away when she did….It was not planned for my mother’s health to go so crazy that she can’t make the hour and a half drive home from work in the dark….and it was not planned that I could not get a loan to cover the tuition….but it all happened anyways.  And yes, I do choose my family over my “dream career”.  Contrary to his beliefs, I am determined to follow through with this education.  However, it will not be at his center.  There are other options out there that I can turn to once my mother and I move.  This guy has no power over me or my career plans.  I can choose my own path and I’m prepared to deal with the outcome.  So what if it takes a little longer to reach the goal, as long as the goal is reached.

Yeah….I forgot my sign in stuff….that’s my excuse for not getting my butt on here in a couple months….oops!

So, last I wrote, I had my coworker’s wedding to attend. That went well. Duo accompanied me and we had a great time. Stayed out by O’hare. Those Hilton’s need to speed up their elevators! Seriously, they were reeeeally slow.

Aside from that, I’ve been spending more time with Duo. Spending as much time as I can with him. Kinda just been there for support with everyone too after his mother passed away. I’m glad I got the chance to meet her..to laugh with her. I could only imagine how hard it was for everyone. But, they have been strong and have been very supportive of each other. What more can you do.

As for things in my neck of the woods, I’ve been carpooling with my mom since she now works in the same office as me, and we’ve been driving every week to the nursing home to see my grandmother. She’s not doing so hot right now. They just made the decision today to stop feeding her, as she can no longer swallow food. They are just keeping her comfortable and pushing the fluids, giving her ice chips and such, and lots of morphine. It doesn’t look like it’s going to be much longer. The last time she was actually responsive was when my cousin came up with her newborn daughter Zoe. So, at least my grandma was able to see her before she zoned out for good! I just hope she goes peacefully. That’s all I could do. Hope.

Well, obviously, not in a crowded theater!  But, I did have to laugh just a little bit when I heard that my grandma yelled FIRE in her nursing home just so she could get the nursing staff’s attention!  Haha….she can be so spunky!  I’m sure the nursing staff just LOVES her! =)

So, with this, my mother and I will be going to visit her on Friday.  Make sure everything is ok.  Let her vent, if she’s up for it.  It all depends on her pain levels that day.  Some days she is clear as a bell….other days, she’s just not all there.  Hopefully Friday will be a good day for her.  That would kick my weekend off on a good note!

I got my coworkers wedding to go to on Saturday in the city.  Dragging Duo along!! hehe….No, not literally….he’s coming along willingly, and we’re gonna have loads of fun!  I think with all the stress going on around us, we both need a good, low stress weekend.  Maybe even go get me a kite this weekend….that sounds pretty fun!  Things still up in the air a bit.  Seeing where the days take us at the moment, which is fine by me.  Possibly do some downtown walkin…outlook good!  We’ll see when it gets here.  But all in all, it should be a pretty fun & relaxing weekend.  Can’t wait!

Don’t you hate it when you put important stuff in a special place, but then realize, that place is SO special that even YOU can’t find it?!

Yeah, me too.  It’s actually happened a few times lately…and, quite frankly, it’s really getting annoying!

WOOHOO!! New page, new outlet thanks to Duo’s creative skills….now, just gotta think about what I wanna outlet! =P

Hrmm….well, excitement grows as I have just yesterday paid my enrollment fee to attend broadcasting classes!  10 months of crazy days await me once I start the program at the end of next month.  But I’ve been wanting to get into broadcasting/production for a while now…I just didn’t know where to begin until the opportunity presented itself. So, this next month and a half, I’ll be doing as I please, spending as much time with my boyfriend as we could squeeze in, and with my friends too!  It’s a little wierd to be heading back to a school-like setting, but I’m excited and can’t wait to see where it leads me!  Wish me luck! =)