Why my son and husband are awesome....
We have been having some serious money issues this year, what with the the house foreclosure, and the husbeast not working, and the unexpected trip to Miami. No one really has any money...
I was able to get David a few gifts and a couple of small things for the husbeast...but there was going to be nothing under the tree for me. Which I was okay with, because my son and husband were taken care of.
In the past, my son has eagerly awaited the holidays for birthday and Christmas card with money. He always has big plans for these gifts. I think this year he had plans for some new games, maybe a PS Vida or PS3. In previous years this would have been possible.
My son only received one birthday-money gift this year.....$20. When he got his money, he asked my husband to take him to Target to get me a present. He picked out the gift himself (a Hello Kitty toaster), and paid for it with his own money.
The husbeast chipped in a few of his gas-money dollars and bought me a movie and some chocolate. Together they made sure that I would have a gift, too.
That's why they are awesome.
W. :)
Monday, December 31, 2012
Last post for 2012....
Another year come and gone.... I am looking forward to this one going, for sure.
I am going to enter this new year full of hope. And a few other goals are on the horizon, as well:
Re-start school this summer. Life got in the way this fall and winter, and I totally lapsed on school. So, starting with the summer sessions, I am going to get my butt in gear, and start working toward that BSN. First classes on the list: World History and Life-span Psychology.
Decorate my apartment... We have been living in the apartment since July 2011, and we still have hardly anything on the walls or floors. The apartment is still all beige and white. Blah.... I want to finally tap into my style inspirations and change it up. My husband may die of color overload, but that's his problem.
Hike... at least monthly, preferably weekly, especially while it is cool.
Walk... at least 30 minutes a day, every day. I have got to get my butt moving. I spend entirely too much time sitting in my house, because others want to do nothing. The lethargy is killing me.
I wish we could get one of these... but, $2000 is way, WAY out of our price range...
I guess it is park walking for me....
Give up soda... this one may actually be one of the harder ones to stick with. Just drank my last Diet Coke... I don't usually drink them excessively, but I am getting older, and my bones need to keep all their calcium.
Knit a whole sweater.... I have been wanting to knit a cable fisherman sweater for year. This will be the year to do it.
Volunteer... I have been wanting to volunteer for ages... but I could never decide on what to do. This past Christmas was only the first step... Through the Lexington Rescue Mission, I have the opportunity to use my nursing skills in a helpful way. I also want to make regular food and toiletry donations to the Mission, as well as knit or crochet scarves and hats.
Find my style.... I know I have one somewhere.... sometimes I feel like I am too old to dress the way I really want. But, I am determined to find my style.... how does one dress like a preppy, rocker, quirky girly-girl with an affinity for Breton striped shirts?
Work on positivity......
I am going to enter this new year full of hope. And a few other goals are on the horizon, as well:
Re-start school this summer. Life got in the way this fall and winter, and I totally lapsed on school. So, starting with the summer sessions, I am going to get my butt in gear, and start working toward that BSN. First classes on the list: World History and Life-span Psychology.
Decorate my apartment... We have been living in the apartment since July 2011, and we still have hardly anything on the walls or floors. The apartment is still all beige and white. Blah.... I want to finally tap into my style inspirations and change it up. My husband may die of color overload, but that's his problem.
Hike... at least monthly, preferably weekly, especially while it is cool.
Walk... at least 30 minutes a day, every day. I have got to get my butt moving. I spend entirely too much time sitting in my house, because others want to do nothing. The lethargy is killing me.
I wish we could get one of these... but, $2000 is way, WAY out of our price range...
I guess it is park walking for me....
Give up soda... this one may actually be one of the harder ones to stick with. Just drank my last Diet Coke... I don't usually drink them excessively, but I am getting older, and my bones need to keep all their calcium.
Knit a whole sweater.... I have been wanting to knit a cable fisherman sweater for year. This will be the year to do it.
Volunteer... I have been wanting to volunteer for ages... but I could never decide on what to do. This past Christmas was only the first step... Through the Lexington Rescue Mission, I have the opportunity to use my nursing skills in a helpful way. I also want to make regular food and toiletry donations to the Mission, as well as knit or crochet scarves and hats.
Find my style.... I know I have one somewhere.... sometimes I feel like I am too old to dress the way I really want. But, I am determined to find my style.... how does one dress like a preppy, rocker, quirky girly-girl with an affinity for Breton striped shirts?
Work on positivity......
Take a vacation with the family, that does not involve travel to Miami. I would like to go to New York City, Washington, DC or drive up into Canada!!
Other self improving items for this year:
Develop a budget and stick to it.
Eat fish 2 times per week & eliminate white pasta.
Learn to paint with water colors.
Get regular pedicures.
Go to dentist.
Use no credit at all.
Spend more quality time with my kiddo and husbeast.
Happy New Year.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
This is me challenge: the final chapter
Death:
*What would you like to do before you die? (Bucket list)
Travel to Europe
White water rafting
Learn to finally speak Spanish
Take David to Comic-Con
Travel nursing assignment to New York City for at least three months to experience actually living in NYC.
I have been working on this, and most of my list includes travel. I have serious wanderlust.
*What are your beliefs about death?
Well, I guess I believe that when our bodies die that energy that made us who we are gets reabsorbed into the Universe, to become something or someone else, much like our bodies are.
I don't believe in Heaven or Hell, I believe we make our own versions of that while we are alive. I believe that we should do the right thing because it is the right thing to do, not for some reward that one can only receive by dying.
*Are you scared to die?
I am not scared to die for my sake....because I know it is inevitable. I fear death at this time, because my son is still a child dependent upon me. I worry, because my husband is not working, and I worry about their survival.
I do not fear death itself, but I do fear how I could die... which I think everyone fears.
*How would you like to go?
Quickly, painlessly, and loved. I do not want to linger on if there is no hope of recovery.
*What are your final wishes?
Cremate me and sprinkle my ashes in the rose garden as Walt Disney World.
*What are your wishes for your funeral and burial?
I do not want a funeral. I do not want to be buried. See above.
*What would you like people to say about you when you're gone?
She was a good person.
W. :)
This is me challenge: part 7
Nature:
*Where is your favorite place to go to get away from it all?
I like to go hiking, alone. Being in nature, listening to the bird calls, waterfalls, the wind in the trees... just perfection.
*What outdoor activities do you like to participate in?
Hiking, cycling, walking, swimming... and I REALLY want to go white water rafting.
*What are some of your favorite outdoor memories?
Going fishing at the lake in Wilson, NC with my father. Going fishing with my husband at the beach (totally catch and release). The funniest was when he caught a puffer fish, and the thing started inflating itself. Going out on a little 2 seater speed boat with the husbeast.
Going for walks with my son. (Great bonding times.) Going for hikes. Bicycling, especially when I lived on the beach.
Traveling:
*Where in the world have you been?
I have lived in a few states (NC, FL and KY). I have visited a few more (CA, NV, NY, IL, OH, TN, NC, SC, GA, FL). I have lived in Sweden. I have visited Spain, Denmark, Canada, and Mexico.
I would love to travel all over Europe, and visit specific places in Canada (Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Vancouver). I want to visit Monterey Bay and San Francisco, in California
*Where was your favorite vacation? (As a child, as a teenager, as an adult, etc.)
As a teenager, my favorite vacation was a road trip that I took with my aunt and cousin. We drove from Miami up to Tennessee, crossed over into North Carolina through the Great Smokey Mountains and then back down on the coastal side. We stopped at little towns all along the way, had no hotel reservations and we had a great time.
As an adult, my favorite vacation was a train trip the three of us took to NYC for Christmas in 2004. That was tons of fun.
*Where would your dream vacation be?
Well since we are talking about dream vacations.... I would like to take a year off to travel all over Europe! Spend a week or two in all the major cities, and then travel by Eurail to the next destination. Rent cars for side trips to quaint villages, rent bikes for local in town travel. Of course, with this I would also have to have an unlimited spending budget, as well.
*How do you like to travel?
I may be one of the few people who still likes to travel by train. Sure, air travel is quicker, sometimes cheaper, and definitely cleaner... but I love the clickety-clack of the rails, seeing the country go by outside the window.
Miscellaneous:
*What is the most daring thing you've done?
Daring....Well, up and moving to Kentucky with no job and no safety net was pretty daring. Fortunately, everything fell into place.
*What is the stupidest thing you've done?
Getting married, and hiding it from my family for 8 months. It was one of those, "I'm gonna do what I want, and there is nothing you can do about it (especially if I don't tell you)" moments. Caused a huge rift in my family for a while. It would have been better to have been honest up front.
*What is your most embarrassing moment? (Or moments.)
Can't really think of any.... Oh, well there was the time earlier this year when I went to stand up at work and my scrub pant drawstring had come untied, and my pants fell down.
*What choices in life would you like to have a redo on?
Well, not being honest about the elopement. Buying our house. And, I wish we would have moved when we originally talked about it a long time ago.
*What is your general attitude toward life?
I tend to be a realist, sometimes a cynic. I don't sugar coat things, but I don't always look for the negative aspects of life, either. I want to be positive, but my life forces me to see things as they are, and I have been exposed to far too much to do otherwise.
Personality:
*What kind of personality do you have? (Shy, outgoing, calm, stressed, etc.)
I am definitely an introvert. I tend to like to stick to myself, enjoy quiet time alone and I get stressed out in large social situations. I do not tend to get frantically stressed in most situations, and maintain a calm demeanor.
*How has your personality changed over the years? What made it change?
Well, I probably have become more introverted. I have a really difficult time making friends, which makes me sad... I have a hard time finding people who share my interests. So, I guess the solution is to get new common interests?
*How well do you associate with others?
I get along fine with people... at least I think so. I am never unfriendly, but do tend to be direct. I am not much for gossip, which can be a problem, working mostly with women. I am a firm believer that if someone will say something to you about someone else, they will say something about you, as well.
*What makes you nervous/happy/angry/surprised/scared/etc?
The prospect of travel always makes me happy and excited! I get nervous about speaking in front of people. I get angry about people treating others badly. Other emotions are on a case by case basis.
Hobbies:
*What are your current hobbies?
Knitting, crochet and quilting. Reading is also a big hobby of mine. Hiking. Cycling.
*What hobbies have you had in the past?
I used to be quite the philatelist (stamp collector). I like gardening. I like travel, crafting, bellydancing, cross stitch... I used to paint in high school.
*How often do you get to do your hobbies?
Crochet, knitting and reading tend to be portable, so I get to do those things fairly often. Hiking... well, I would like to do that more...this past year, I did not get to very often, because it tended to rain on most of the days I was off work. I guess I am going to have suck it up and tromp around in the mud.
*What hobbies do you wish you could start?
I would like to learn needle-felting, painting with watercolors, stained glass, and to get back into belly dance.
W. :)
*Where is your favorite place to go to get away from it all?
I like to go hiking, alone. Being in nature, listening to the bird calls, waterfalls, the wind in the trees... just perfection.
*What outdoor activities do you like to participate in?
Hiking, cycling, walking, swimming... and I REALLY want to go white water rafting.
*What are some of your favorite outdoor memories?
Going fishing at the lake in Wilson, NC with my father. Going fishing with my husband at the beach (totally catch and release). The funniest was when he caught a puffer fish, and the thing started inflating itself. Going out on a little 2 seater speed boat with the husbeast.
Going for walks with my son. (Great bonding times.) Going for hikes. Bicycling, especially when I lived on the beach.
Traveling:
*Where in the world have you been?
I have lived in a few states (NC, FL and KY). I have visited a few more (CA, NV, NY, IL, OH, TN, NC, SC, GA, FL). I have lived in Sweden. I have visited Spain, Denmark, Canada, and Mexico.
I would love to travel all over Europe, and visit specific places in Canada (Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Vancouver). I want to visit Monterey Bay and San Francisco, in California
*Where was your favorite vacation? (As a child, as a teenager, as an adult, etc.)
As a teenager, my favorite vacation was a road trip that I took with my aunt and cousin. We drove from Miami up to Tennessee, crossed over into North Carolina through the Great Smokey Mountains and then back down on the coastal side. We stopped at little towns all along the way, had no hotel reservations and we had a great time.
As an adult, my favorite vacation was a train trip the three of us took to NYC for Christmas in 2004. That was tons of fun.
*Where would your dream vacation be?
Well since we are talking about dream vacations.... I would like to take a year off to travel all over Europe! Spend a week or two in all the major cities, and then travel by Eurail to the next destination. Rent cars for side trips to quaint villages, rent bikes for local in town travel. Of course, with this I would also have to have an unlimited spending budget, as well.
*How do you like to travel?
I may be one of the few people who still likes to travel by train. Sure, air travel is quicker, sometimes cheaper, and definitely cleaner... but I love the clickety-clack of the rails, seeing the country go by outside the window.
Miscellaneous:
*What is the most daring thing you've done?
Daring....Well, up and moving to Kentucky with no job and no safety net was pretty daring. Fortunately, everything fell into place.
*What is the stupidest thing you've done?
Getting married, and hiding it from my family for 8 months. It was one of those, "I'm gonna do what I want, and there is nothing you can do about it (especially if I don't tell you)" moments. Caused a huge rift in my family for a while. It would have been better to have been honest up front.
*What is your most embarrassing moment? (Or moments.)
Can't really think of any.... Oh, well there was the time earlier this year when I went to stand up at work and my scrub pant drawstring had come untied, and my pants fell down.
*What choices in life would you like to have a redo on?
Well, not being honest about the elopement. Buying our house. And, I wish we would have moved when we originally talked about it a long time ago.
*What is your general attitude toward life?
I tend to be a realist, sometimes a cynic. I don't sugar coat things, but I don't always look for the negative aspects of life, either. I want to be positive, but my life forces me to see things as they are, and I have been exposed to far too much to do otherwise.
Personality:
*What kind of personality do you have? (Shy, outgoing, calm, stressed, etc.)
I am definitely an introvert. I tend to like to stick to myself, enjoy quiet time alone and I get stressed out in large social situations. I do not tend to get frantically stressed in most situations, and maintain a calm demeanor.
*How has your personality changed over the years? What made it change?
Well, I probably have become more introverted. I have a really difficult time making friends, which makes me sad... I have a hard time finding people who share my interests. So, I guess the solution is to get new common interests?
*How well do you associate with others?
I get along fine with people... at least I think so. I am never unfriendly, but do tend to be direct. I am not much for gossip, which can be a problem, working mostly with women. I am a firm believer that if someone will say something to you about someone else, they will say something about you, as well.
*What makes you nervous/happy/angry/surprised/scared/etc?
The prospect of travel always makes me happy and excited! I get nervous about speaking in front of people. I get angry about people treating others badly. Other emotions are on a case by case basis.
Hobbies:
*What are your current hobbies?
Knitting, crochet and quilting. Reading is also a big hobby of mine. Hiking. Cycling.
*What hobbies have you had in the past?
I used to be quite the philatelist (stamp collector). I like gardening. I like travel, crafting, bellydancing, cross stitch... I used to paint in high school.
*How often do you get to do your hobbies?
Crochet, knitting and reading tend to be portable, so I get to do those things fairly often. Hiking... well, I would like to do that more...this past year, I did not get to very often, because it tended to rain on most of the days I was off work. I guess I am going to have suck it up and tromp around in the mud.
*What hobbies do you wish you could start?
I would like to learn needle-felting, painting with watercolors, stained glass, and to get back into belly dance.
W. :)
Monday, December 24, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
This is me challenge: part 6
Sleep:
*How many hours do you like to sleep at night?
Like to sleep.... about 10. Get to sleep... about 6.
*Do you take naps?
If I have been off a few days, and will be working that night, I will try to lay down for about three hours before. Otherwise, usually no naps.
*Do you like a lot, or few blankets and pillows?
1 sheet in the summer. In the winter, 1 blanket and 1 quilt. 3 pillows (2 under head, 1 huggy)
*Can you sleep anywhere, or does it have to be in your own bed?
Oh, I sleep better just about anywhere but my bed. I can sleep just about anywhere. Planes... I fall asleep immediately after takeoff, and wake when I feel the descent. Trains, automobiles, doctor's office, Firestone, and my favorite, hotels. However.... I sleep terribly at my grandmother's house. I have become so accustomed to sleeping alone, I can not sleep with my husband. I tend to sleep on the couch if I am home at night.
*What are your favorite conditions for a good-night's sleep? Does it have to be completely dark and quiet?
I sleep during the day more often than I sleep at night....so my ideal sleep is in my house, alone, the neighbor's upstairs not at home. The temperature must be cool. It does not have to be dark. And, I like some white noise, usually a fan.
Food:
*What are your favorite foods?
I have never met a noodle I didn't like. I tend toward pasta dishes... but not heavy, cheesy dishes. I like pasta with a lot of vegetables and a simple olive oil sauce.
I also like Thai, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Japanese, Indian and Mexican foods.
*What are your favorite desserts?
Ice cream. The best vanilla you can get.
*Do you like to cook or bake? What are your favorites to make?
I like to bake cakes. I was really into baking cupcakes for a while.
*Do you have any food allergies?
No.
*What are some foods you have a hard time saying "no" to?
Ice cream, pasta, my favorites....
*What foods do you HAVE to have name brand? Which can you do generic?
Pasta can be generic... sauce has to be brand. Cheese has to be brand. Lunch meats have to be brand.
*Do you try to eat healthy?
Yes.... usually. I love to eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies. But, I also love a good burger.
*Do you prefer eating out? Where?
Honestly, I prefer my own cooking, except salads. Nothing is better than a restaurant salad. Oh, and Five Guys burgers can not be replicated at home.
Health:
*How is your overall health?
Well, I really need to lose a lot (A LOT) of weight. But, otherwise, I am pretty healthy.
*Have you had any surgeries? (If yes, give details.)
Lost my gall bladder. January 2002 I had to have it removed. It was a laparoscopic procedure. All I remember is waking up in the recovery room and immediately throwing up.
*Have you had any broken bones? (If yes, give details.)
I got a hairline fracture of my left ulna while learning to roller skate way back when I was 7 years old. I kept falling and breaking my fall with my left arm. Only had to wear a sling for a few weeks.
*Do you have allergies? (If yes, give details.)
Just the seasonal stuff....
*What are you doing to keep healthy now?
Can I get back to this one?
Around the World:
*What major world events have happened in your lifetime?
Wow, since December,1969?....Too many to list here.
*Has it affected who you are now?
I think it is impossible to live life without being affected by the world in in which we live.
*Who was the President when you were born? Who is it now?
Nixon was President when I was born. Today, President Obama is serving his second term.
*What natural disasters have you been in?
The first natural disaster I ever experienced was Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Until Andrew, there had not been a hurricane in Miami in over 20 years. I have been through several hurricanes since then.
*How many hours do you like to sleep at night?
Like to sleep.... about 10. Get to sleep... about 6.
*Do you take naps?
If I have been off a few days, and will be working that night, I will try to lay down for about three hours before. Otherwise, usually no naps.
*Do you like a lot, or few blankets and pillows?
1 sheet in the summer. In the winter, 1 blanket and 1 quilt. 3 pillows (2 under head, 1 huggy)
*Can you sleep anywhere, or does it have to be in your own bed?
Oh, I sleep better just about anywhere but my bed. I can sleep just about anywhere. Planes... I fall asleep immediately after takeoff, and wake when I feel the descent. Trains, automobiles, doctor's office, Firestone, and my favorite, hotels. However.... I sleep terribly at my grandmother's house. I have become so accustomed to sleeping alone, I can not sleep with my husband. I tend to sleep on the couch if I am home at night.
*What are your favorite conditions for a good-night's sleep? Does it have to be completely dark and quiet?
I sleep during the day more often than I sleep at night....so my ideal sleep is in my house, alone, the neighbor's upstairs not at home. The temperature must be cool. It does not have to be dark. And, I like some white noise, usually a fan.
Food:
*What are your favorite foods?
I have never met a noodle I didn't like. I tend toward pasta dishes... but not heavy, cheesy dishes. I like pasta with a lot of vegetables and a simple olive oil sauce.
I also like Thai, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Japanese, Indian and Mexican foods.
*What are your favorite desserts?
Ice cream. The best vanilla you can get.
*Do you like to cook or bake? What are your favorites to make?
I like to bake cakes. I was really into baking cupcakes for a while.
*Do you have any food allergies?
No.
*What are some foods you have a hard time saying "no" to?
Ice cream, pasta, my favorites....
*What foods do you HAVE to have name brand? Which can you do generic?
Pasta can be generic... sauce has to be brand. Cheese has to be brand. Lunch meats have to be brand.
*Do you try to eat healthy?
Yes.... usually. I love to eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies. But, I also love a good burger.
*Do you prefer eating out? Where?
Honestly, I prefer my own cooking, except salads. Nothing is better than a restaurant salad. Oh, and Five Guys burgers can not be replicated at home.
Health:
*How is your overall health?
Well, I really need to lose a lot (A LOT) of weight. But, otherwise, I am pretty healthy.
*Have you had any surgeries? (If yes, give details.)
Lost my gall bladder. January 2002 I had to have it removed. It was a laparoscopic procedure. All I remember is waking up in the recovery room and immediately throwing up.
*Have you had any broken bones? (If yes, give details.)
I got a hairline fracture of my left ulna while learning to roller skate way back when I was 7 years old. I kept falling and breaking my fall with my left arm. Only had to wear a sling for a few weeks.
*Do you have allergies? (If yes, give details.)
Just the seasonal stuff....
*What are you doing to keep healthy now?
Can I get back to this one?
Around the World:
*What major world events have happened in your lifetime?
Wow, since December,1969?....Too many to list here.
*Has it affected who you are now?
I think it is impossible to live life without being affected by the world in in which we live.
*Who was the President when you were born? Who is it now?
Nixon was President when I was born. Today, President Obama is serving his second term.
*What natural disasters have you been in?
The first natural disaster I ever experienced was Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Until Andrew, there had not been a hurricane in Miami in over 20 years. I have been through several hurricanes since then.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
This is me challenge: part 5
Celebrations:
*What are some of your personal and family traditions for each holiday? (New Years, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Easter, Passover, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, etc.)
Well, as we are now on our own, (i.e. no family nearby, just the three of us) we are developing new traditions as each year goes by.
New Years has always been celebrated at home with family. In the past, I have been the only one awake as the ball drops. In Florida, we would light sparklers and firecrackers in the front yard, then go inside to watch the programming. At midnight, people would shoot guns (highly dangerous), and we would avoid windows waiting for the gunfire to cease. Since becoming a nurse, I have worked every New Year's Eve, except last year. I will be working this year.
Independence Day is for cooking out, and my son and I go watch fireworks. (Fireworks always make me cry, for some reason.)
Easter is spent with family. But I want to change that tradition, and go to church.
Thanksgiving used to be spent going between all our families' homes, and stuffing ourselves like crazy (because you can't eat a little bit without insulting the hosts). Last year we went to the movies and Cracker Barrel. This year we spent it with our neighbors. I made all the sides and they made the turkey. Next year I will be working.
Christmas has changed a lot for us. In Miami, we would spend Christmas Eve with Willie's relatives (they celebrate La Noche Buena), then spend Christmas morning with my family. Christmases were always spent at my grandmother's home. We always had lasagna.
It is our tradition to decorate the Christmas tree on the weekend nearest my son's birthday. While David prefers a real tree, I prefer the artificial variety. Sure real trees smell awesome, but I get so sad throwing away a tree every year. So, large green toilet brush it is. :) Decorations come down on the weekend after New Year's Day.
Last year was our first Christmas on our own. And of course, I worked the 24th, 25th and 26th. This year, I am off. I will be making lasagna for 12/24. We will watch holiday movies, and spend it together. On Christmas morning I will make breakfast, and then we will go serve dinner at the Rescue Mission. Then home to watch the Doctor Who Christmas special. :)
*How do you celebrate adult's birthdays?
Dinner out and a homemade cake.
*How do you celebrate children's birthdays?
Dinner out and a homemade cake. (It is hard being born two weeks before Christmas. And David is not much of a party person.)
*How do you celebrate your anniversary?'
We used to go away for our anniversary (usually Disney World). This year, hubby rented a hotel room half a mile from home and we went out to dinner and spent a night just the two of us. It was nice. My dream anniversary would be a trip to Ireland and a gift of a claddagh ring.
Home life:
*Describe the places you've lived.
So many places... Well, Miami when I was very small was very different than it is today. Miami in the early 70's was resort-y, and still Southern in a lot of ways. Now, it is extremely diverse, which is good and bad. Good in that people get exposed to many different cultures and could use this exposure to learn tolerance and acceptance. Bad, because often the diversity serves to create more barriers between people (race, sexuality, language, cultural beliefs, etc).
When I was really small we lived in my grandmother's house. From there we lived in several places ( at least three that I can remember...this was all before the age of 5), until we moved to North Carolina.
Wilmington, North Carolina... it was a trailer on the beach. I don't remember a lot about this time, except that I developed a huge crush on a drummer in a local band. The band played a lot of Beatles tunes, and I fell in love with "Penny Lane." I also remember seeing snow on the beach, which I remember thinking was so strange.
Wilson, North Carolina.... think oak-lined streets, old houses, brick buildings. We lived on the corner of Park Avenue and Kenan Street, in a huge old house that was converted into apartments.
Obviously, it was not boarded up while we lived there. The front door led into a foyer with stairs going up on the left. The windows on the second floor to the right belonged to my mother's best friend, Macon who was from Virginia. The attic apartment belonged to a guy named Bruce, who was awesome and had those clicker-clacker things. Our apartment was the one on the lower left. Being a converted house, the apartment was laid out in a weird way... kind of like a long row of rooms connected by doorways. From the living room, the next room was my parents' room, then the bathroom and then the eat-in kitchen. My room was a little room that was just sort of stuck onto the back of the house, and when we first moved it was sealed shut. There was a small screened in patio off the kitchen. There were fireplaces in the first two rooms. My room was always cold. We lived here for two years.
photos borrowed from workingthejob
Then we got a brand new trailer in Macclesfield, NC. (A very, very tiny town.) The trailer backed up to a plot of farmland that had rotating crops, from corn to potatoes. This is a pretty good, though modern, representation of it.
Next to our trailer was a ditch, that my best friend and I would get into a just get covered with mud, and then spray each other with the water hose.
From here we moved into my father's mother's (Lucy) house. I hated that house, and that woman. I had severe night terrors and walked and talked in my sleep while we lived there. Lucy was a mean, hateful drunk. This was the point at which my parents' marriage fell apart. My mother moved us into an apartment of our own on Elm Street. I don't remember much about the apartment, except that it was an upstairs unit, it had wood paneling, and that there was a hair salon next door where I loved to hang out. All other memories I had of that time were not good.
Then we moved back to Miami, to live with my aunt. At the time, my aunt was married to a paranoid, schizophrenic, cocaine addict. He would go off drug fueled crazy times, and we would have to run off in the middle of the night to stay in hotels. (CrAZY!!!!)
We moved several more times after that (11 times that I can remember). I did not have a stable home life until I moved out on my own. My first apartment was an over-the-garage in-laws apartment on Miami Beach. This is the main house:
The rent was only $400, and included lights and water. It was within walking distance to the beach, and this was before South Beach was SOUTH BEACH. Lincoln Road was quiet, and usually pretty deserted. My apartment was a one bedroom, one bath. It had a little eat-in kitchen, and small storage room. I loved this little place. It was close enough to walk to everything, including my job, the grocery, the laundry...It was where I lived when I met my husband, and it was here that I had my wedding reception. I lived there for three years, until we moved off the beach to another apartment.
We lived in the first apartment at the top of the stairs pictured. We moved in October 1993. We moved out August 1997 (days after Princess Diana died). It was a large one bedroom apartment. It had seven (7!!!!) closets. We loved that apartment. The rent was around $700. This was where we lived when I became pregnant with David. We had my baby shower right under that canopy by the pool. Willie decided that we needed to have a house... that paying rent was a waste of time. So.....
We bought a house.... where we lived for 13 years. Until we lost it due to foreclosure. Which sucks.
Now we live in Lexington, KY, in an apartment. In all honesty, I prefer apartment living. I hated yard upkeep. I like the convenience of just calling the landlord when something breaks. Perhaps one day we will consider purchasing, again... but, I doubt it.
*What was your favorite house or apartment? Why?
My first little apartment on my own.
*How do you like to decorate?
I like lots of color against white. However, that is not what I have. I have beige and dark woods. :(
*What is it about home that you love?
My son. But, I really like having alone time.
*How has your standard of life changed through the years?
Well, it has gone up and down. For a while it was really good. But, my husband has never been great with keeping jobs, and the year I became a nurse was the year he stopped being an electrician (2007). He has not had a full time job since.... now, he is in paramedic school, which he should complete in the next three months. At that point he needs to find a full time job, or we will be renegotiating our contract....
Right now... we get by. And that's about it. If we were still living in Miami, we would not be able to make it, at all.
*What are some of your personal and family traditions for each holiday? (New Years, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Easter, Passover, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, etc.)
Well, as we are now on our own, (i.e. no family nearby, just the three of us) we are developing new traditions as each year goes by.
New Years has always been celebrated at home with family. In the past, I have been the only one awake as the ball drops. In Florida, we would light sparklers and firecrackers in the front yard, then go inside to watch the programming. At midnight, people would shoot guns (highly dangerous), and we would avoid windows waiting for the gunfire to cease. Since becoming a nurse, I have worked every New Year's Eve, except last year. I will be working this year.
Independence Day is for cooking out, and my son and I go watch fireworks. (Fireworks always make me cry, for some reason.)
Easter is spent with family. But I want to change that tradition, and go to church.
Thanksgiving used to be spent going between all our families' homes, and stuffing ourselves like crazy (because you can't eat a little bit without insulting the hosts). Last year we went to the movies and Cracker Barrel. This year we spent it with our neighbors. I made all the sides and they made the turkey. Next year I will be working.
Christmas has changed a lot for us. In Miami, we would spend Christmas Eve with Willie's relatives (they celebrate La Noche Buena), then spend Christmas morning with my family. Christmases were always spent at my grandmother's home. We always had lasagna.
It is our tradition to decorate the Christmas tree on the weekend nearest my son's birthday. While David prefers a real tree, I prefer the artificial variety. Sure real trees smell awesome, but I get so sad throwing away a tree every year. So, large green toilet brush it is. :) Decorations come down on the weekend after New Year's Day.
Last year was our first Christmas on our own. And of course, I worked the 24th, 25th and 26th. This year, I am off. I will be making lasagna for 12/24. We will watch holiday movies, and spend it together. On Christmas morning I will make breakfast, and then we will go serve dinner at the Rescue Mission. Then home to watch the Doctor Who Christmas special. :)
*How do you celebrate adult's birthdays?
Dinner out and a homemade cake.
*How do you celebrate children's birthdays?
Dinner out and a homemade cake. (It is hard being born two weeks before Christmas. And David is not much of a party person.)
*How do you celebrate your anniversary?'
We used to go away for our anniversary (usually Disney World). This year, hubby rented a hotel room half a mile from home and we went out to dinner and spent a night just the two of us. It was nice. My dream anniversary would be a trip to Ireland and a gift of a claddagh ring.
Home life:
*Describe the places you've lived.
So many places... Well, Miami when I was very small was very different than it is today. Miami in the early 70's was resort-y, and still Southern in a lot of ways. Now, it is extremely diverse, which is good and bad. Good in that people get exposed to many different cultures and could use this exposure to learn tolerance and acceptance. Bad, because often the diversity serves to create more barriers between people (race, sexuality, language, cultural beliefs, etc).
When I was really small we lived in my grandmother's house. From there we lived in several places ( at least three that I can remember...this was all before the age of 5), until we moved to North Carolina.
Wilmington, North Carolina... it was a trailer on the beach. I don't remember a lot about this time, except that I developed a huge crush on a drummer in a local band. The band played a lot of Beatles tunes, and I fell in love with "Penny Lane." I also remember seeing snow on the beach, which I remember thinking was so strange.
Wilson, North Carolina.... think oak-lined streets, old houses, brick buildings. We lived on the corner of Park Avenue and Kenan Street, in a huge old house that was converted into apartments.
Obviously, it was not boarded up while we lived there. The front door led into a foyer with stairs going up on the left. The windows on the second floor to the right belonged to my mother's best friend, Macon who was from Virginia. The attic apartment belonged to a guy named Bruce, who was awesome and had those clicker-clacker things. Our apartment was the one on the lower left. Being a converted house, the apartment was laid out in a weird way... kind of like a long row of rooms connected by doorways. From the living room, the next room was my parents' room, then the bathroom and then the eat-in kitchen. My room was a little room that was just sort of stuck onto the back of the house, and when we first moved it was sealed shut. There was a small screened in patio off the kitchen. There were fireplaces in the first two rooms. My room was always cold. We lived here for two years.
photos borrowed from workingthejob
Then we got a brand new trailer in Macclesfield, NC. (A very, very tiny town.) The trailer backed up to a plot of farmland that had rotating crops, from corn to potatoes. This is a pretty good, though modern, representation of it.
Next to our trailer was a ditch, that my best friend and I would get into a just get covered with mud, and then spray each other with the water hose.
From here we moved into my father's mother's (Lucy) house. I hated that house, and that woman. I had severe night terrors and walked and talked in my sleep while we lived there. Lucy was a mean, hateful drunk. This was the point at which my parents' marriage fell apart. My mother moved us into an apartment of our own on Elm Street. I don't remember much about the apartment, except that it was an upstairs unit, it had wood paneling, and that there was a hair salon next door where I loved to hang out. All other memories I had of that time were not good.
Then we moved back to Miami, to live with my aunt. At the time, my aunt was married to a paranoid, schizophrenic, cocaine addict. He would go off drug fueled crazy times, and we would have to run off in the middle of the night to stay in hotels. (CrAZY!!!!)
We moved several more times after that (11 times that I can remember). I did not have a stable home life until I moved out on my own. My first apartment was an over-the-garage in-laws apartment on Miami Beach. This is the main house:
The rent was only $400, and included lights and water. It was within walking distance to the beach, and this was before South Beach was SOUTH BEACH. Lincoln Road was quiet, and usually pretty deserted. My apartment was a one bedroom, one bath. It had a little eat-in kitchen, and small storage room. I loved this little place. It was close enough to walk to everything, including my job, the grocery, the laundry...It was where I lived when I met my husband, and it was here that I had my wedding reception. I lived there for three years, until we moved off the beach to another apartment.
We lived in the first apartment at the top of the stairs pictured. We moved in October 1993. We moved out August 1997 (days after Princess Diana died). It was a large one bedroom apartment. It had seven (7!!!!) closets. We loved that apartment. The rent was around $700. This was where we lived when I became pregnant with David. We had my baby shower right under that canopy by the pool. Willie decided that we needed to have a house... that paying rent was a waste of time. So.....
We bought a house.... where we lived for 13 years. Until we lost it due to foreclosure. Which sucks.
Now we live in Lexington, KY, in an apartment. In all honesty, I prefer apartment living. I hated yard upkeep. I like the convenience of just calling the landlord when something breaks. Perhaps one day we will consider purchasing, again... but, I doubt it.
*What was your favorite house or apartment? Why?
My first little apartment on my own.
*How do you like to decorate?
I like lots of color against white. However, that is not what I have. I have beige and dark woods. :(
*What is it about home that you love?
My son. But, I really like having alone time.
*How has your standard of life changed through the years?
Well, it has gone up and down. For a while it was really good. But, my husband has never been great with keeping jobs, and the year I became a nurse was the year he stopped being an electrician (2007). He has not had a full time job since.... now, he is in paramedic school, which he should complete in the next three months. At that point he needs to find a full time job, or we will be renegotiating our contract....
Right now... we get by. And that's about it. If we were still living in Miami, we would not be able to make it, at all.
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