Sunday, January 9, 2011

OMG! Yes, I am STILL ALIVE!!

Holy Shit. I honestly didn't realize how long it had been since I posted till I logged on today. For the last few months, I've contemplated a return to blogging....but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I don't know why. I took a much needed break. But when it was time to come back, I just froze. What if all my friends were gone?? What if I didn't have anything to say anymore? What if no one came back to read what I did have to say?? I just couldn't take the rejection.

Things in my life have changed immensely. So many changes, in fact, I don't know where to begin. First of all, my blog is in need of a change. A much needed face lift for starters. But I figure I should start with baby steps. So I'm starting with a post.

The summer brought on a change in our family dynamics. When Mike and I were both working 3rds, the kids spent time with Mike's parents. In fact, they spent more time with them than they did with us. At the time, it was good for us. The kids were taken care of, and we worked. And slept. But losing my job...and Mike getting laid off changed all that. Then a huge blow-up between Mike and his parents occured at summer's end.....and mentions of that little word custody thrown out there, and suddenly, it didn't work so well. In fact, it wasn't working at all. In August, the kids cleared all of their stuff from my in-laws and now they are in our house full-time. In fact, we don't actually speak to the in-laws any more. I thought around Christmas, we were going to patch things up, at least for the kids. But some words can never be taken back. I don't think there is enough forgiveness in the world for our families to ever come together again. And as sad as it sounds, I can live with that too.

My family and I have mended many fences in the last year. In fact, this was the first time in years that we spent the entire holiday together....and it was wonderful. I've missed them terribly. Although we had some issues in the past, my parents are so much more loving and forgiving than Mike's. They accept us for who we are, and that means the world to me.

Next bit of news....Mike got a job!! Not a full-time position. Yet. But awfully close. He just started as a material handler with FedEx. Even though it's only part-time, he has the most incredibly benefits! Medical, dental, vision, vacation, 401K, sick days, even tuition reimbursement! I'm so happy for him! He's looked for something for SO long. And this kind of just fell into his lap at the right time. He was told with hard work he could be made full-time within the first year. They NEVER lay workers off. This is a job that he can retire with. And once he is full-time, we can move with FedEx anywhere in the country. With the family issues we have right now, a move actually sounds good.

And me?? As of January 18th, I am once again, a full-time student! I am working towards a 2nd Bachelors in English/Secondary Education. I'm taking 5 classes this semester at the Jr. College, then transferring to ISU in the fall. I've wanted to do it for SO long but I never thought it would really happen. But I figured if I don't do it now, I never will. SO......I'm back to being a student again. And it makes me really happy. I went and bought my books last week. I can't even begin to tell you how excited I was!

Like I said....baby steps. My reading has been all over the place lately. Not really reading all that much. With classes starting next week, not sure how much I will read that isn't on a syllabus, but I guess we will see. My reading list for the lit classes is pretty awesome. I have a semester of The Novel and The Short Story and also English Lit. Hoping for some great reading.

So....that's it for now. I'm in the market for a new look. Have to get on that soon. BUT....I am back. I have been reading your blogs lately, but haven't had the nerve to comment. Wasn't sure who would ever remember me!! Hopefully your lives have been wonderful the past 9 months I have been absent. I will do my best to catch up with all of you!!

Later!!! (and this time I do mean it!)

36 comments:

Melody said...

Welcome back, Stephanie! We missed you! Glad everything's well on your end. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm glad things are looking up for you. Sorry about the attitude of your in laws. Families are funny things... Enjoy being back at school :)

Marg said...

Of course we are still here!

I am so glad to see that amongst the trouble, some positive things are happening for you! How fantastic that Mike got a job, and good on you for going back to school!

christina said...

Yes! Another fabulous English teacher heading out way. Congrats on all of the wonderful changes.

Chrisbookarama said...

Dude, you have been busy! Welcome back to the interwebs!

Kailana said...

Yay! You actually posted! I have been waiting for months!!! Now, email me back, missy. lol

Glad to have you back! Stick around. :)

Iliana said...

So good to see you back Stephanie! I hope things calm down and continue to look up for you guys! Congrats on going back to school. You'll have to keep us posted on the reading you do for classes.

DesLily said...

LIfe often gets in the way of little joys like blogging.

I am sorry to hear of your troubles, but the rest is great news! Working for FedX is awsome and the fact you will be a full time student again in fantastic!.. you may have had a set back but it looks like things are all looking up now! much luck to you both

Ana S. said...

Oh Stephanie, could we ever forget you? It sounds like your family went through A LOT last year, but I'm so glad things are finally starting to look up! Also, that's awesome about you going back to school! Best of luck with everything!

Renay said...

It's so nice to see you again! <3

Eva said...

Welcome back!

Yay for the good changes, I'm sorry about the bad ones, and I hope your semester goes brilliantly. :D

raidergirl3 said...

Good to hear from you again. Hope that things are feeling more settled. The best part of Google Reader is as soon as you post, we see it in our reader, no matter how long it has been.

Happy new year and welcome back!

Debi said...

The smile on face right now is enormous!!!!! You've been soooo missed!!!!

Kathleen said...

Welcome back! Of course we are still here!

Material Handler... does that mean he doesn't drive the trucks? My husband would love a job driving a mail truck, whether it be fed ex, purolator, UPS or just the mail truck that only delivers packages. He wasn't sure how to go about that or what you need.

Michelle said...

WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!

I missed you, but I know you were taking care of your family. I am so glad things are finally looking up for you though. We'll be here no matter how long it takes for you to come back fully.

Susan said...

Oh Stephanie, it's so good to hear from you!! I know all about families having gone through a bad Christmas this year (and the desire to move far away again), but you have been through so much and I'm so very happy to see it's all coming together for all of you now. Especially Mike with his new job, and you back to school. Big smile from up here in Canada!
PS we could never forget about you, you know.

Kathleen said...

Welcome Back!!

3m.michelle said...

Oh Stephanie, I can't believe we were "out of it" for almost the same amount of time!! I love your blog and I'm glad you're back. I'm glad I'm back. I had some family and job troubles, too, so I can definitely relate. Here's to 2011 being at least better than 2010.

Looking forward to reading your blog again!

chrisa511 said...

It's so good to see a post over here, Steph :D

Carl V. Anderson said...

Welcome back! It is wonderful to catch up with you even if some of the catching up is hearing of the rough things you have all went through. I hope time proves you wrong and that your husband can mend things with his family. It may not seem that important now, but it will be, and life is indeed to short. That being said, they have to be willing to step up and seek forgiveness, and if they don't there isn't much you all can do except go on with your lives and enjoy yourself as a family.

Congrats on Mike's job and your return to school. I wish all the very best for both of you in those ventures and hope 2011 proves to be a fantastic year.

Nikki in Niagara said...

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! So glad you are back and the future is bright!

Tif Sweeney said...

Welcome back!!!! I am sorry to hear that you've had some rough times, but I am also very excited that things are looking up for you! I wish you the best of luck and look forward to whenever the next time is that you will be popping in again!

Lesley said...

Welcome back! It does sound like you've been through a lot but that things (with the exception of the in-laws, and even a somewhat clean break is better than dragging on a toxic relationship, IMO) are working themselves out and looking much better. Congrats on hubby's awesome job and your returning to school!

samantha.1020 said...

You just made my day! I'm so excited to see that you are back and posting...you have been missed around here :) Good luck with going back to school...it is something that I have been contemplating myself. And congrats to Mike on his new job. I can't wait to hear more from you!!

asicsshoes said...

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Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

Oh Stephanie--it's so good to see a post from you! And how silly to think we wouldn't remember you. ;) (although secretly I have the same fears).

I hope this is a fabulous year for you--sounds like you need it, sweetie. Glad to hear you're back in school and things are looking up.

Bookfool said...

I can't imagine anyone forgetting you. Glad you're back! Congrats to your hubby on the job. My eldest son worked for FedEx for 2 years and they are truly awesome employers.

Andi said...

SOOOOO glad to see you, Stephanie. It sounds like it's been a rough time, but I hope things are ironing out for you guys now. :) Hugggs!

Bonnie Jacobs said...

I missed you, a lot. I haven't been reading blogs for a week because Donna was so sick I called an ambulance in the middle of the night for her. She's been in the hospital since the wee hours of Wednesday morning, but may be able to come home tomorrow. She went because of the flu, but they discovered an enlarged heart and will do an arteriogram tomorrow. More later. Welcome back to the book world, dear heart! I hope school is lots of fun for you. By the way, if you move, Chattanooga would be a good destination!

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Carrie K. said...

Welcome back! Sounds like you had an eventful and stressful few months. Glad everything seems to be looking up. :)

Lisa said...

Welcome back! I'm sorry to hear it's been so challenging.

Sheila Beaumont said...

I'm so glad you're back! I'm not a blogger, and this is my first comment here, but I have been a regular reader of your blog for quite a while, and I've really missed your posts.

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