Hoooooooraaaaaaaaay!!! As of 2pm this afternoon I am no longer a homeowner! I feel like I just drank 12 cups of coffee. I can’t hardly sit still! What a GIGANTIC blessing it is to finally have that burden lifted. I feel 100 pounds lighter (as I sit here munching on M&Ms) and so much more in control! Thanks to the wonders of a Power of Attorney I didn’t have to travel down to Georgia for the event. Oh, what a good day it is!
This is a going to be a big week. If all goes as planned, as of Thursday afternoon I will no longer be a homeowner! I have mentioned before how unbelievably painful that house has become to both my checkbook and my emotions. What a blessing it is to finally be able to close such an agonizing chapter of my life. Buying a house is supposed to be the American Dream. I never would have thought that it would become my nightmare.
I’m still not 100% sure that I’m ready to dive headfirst into another relationship, but I am ready to start meeting new people and to start rediscovering how this dating world works. I was a teenager when I went on my last first date. I’m pretty sure some rules have changed since then! I figured that I might as well put myself out there and start working out the kinks.
So, last weekend I found myself getting ready to meet a perfect stranger for dinner. I wasn’t as nervous about the date as I was anxious to just get my first “first date” out of the way. We met at the restaurant and exchanged awkward hellos and nice to meet yous. I am happy to report that dinner went fairly well. We talked about the usual topics…. Family, job, hobbies. Blah blah blah. As nice as the conversation was going, I knew within about ten minutes that there probably wouldn’t be a second date. I had this guy figured out before our salads got to the table. I guess my dating skills weren’t as rusty as I had originally thought.
Dinner was followed up with a few drinks with some friends of his. An enjoyable evening? Yes. An enjoyable evening that included fireworks? Absolutely Not.
To be continued…
I want to say a few quick words, mostly for my own benefit.
I am once again in disbelief at the actions of those that were once so close to me. I considered myself a part of this family. We shared birthdays, Christmas’s, and vacations. We bonded over house projects, long phone calls, and 1000′s of other events over the last 5+ years. I don’t even know how its possible to forget those things so quickly. How is someone humanly capable of loving you like a daughter and so quickly turning that love into hate? To be able to blame me for everything that went wrong with their sons marriage is absolutely crazy and ridiculous. Its so unfair, and very sad. I loved these people and cared for them deeply. I feel like they have been mislead. And how dare they take out their arrogance and frustration on my mom.
I feel better now.
So yup, its Valentines Day. The day set aside each year to celebrate your love for someone else. As Valentines Day was approaching I have surprised myself by really not giving it much thought. Even the overly stocked cards, candy, red roses, and teddy bears didn’t seem to really bother me. I can’t really explain why, but I just seemed to overlook the sea of red and pink. I could have been bitter and resentful. But instead, I chose to be content with my current single status and not allow myself to be miserable.
Maybe I’m finally accepting that I am single. Maybe I am finally finding the true happiness that I was looking for in myself, and not having to rely on someone else to provide it. Or maybe Valentines Day is just a silly “Halmark Holiday” that seems to be a little bit of a waste of money? I think its all of the above.
On a side note: Today is the anniversary of a terrible accident that happened to a wonderful friend of mine. That day has always stayed with me for some reason… I remember every detail of that horrible afternoon (as well as the days and weeks that followed) like it happened yesterday. My heart hurts for what could have been. I am also so proud of what he has been able to overcome! That family is living proof that miracles happen and that love can heal all wounds! Just a reminder that life can change in an instant… Have a Happy Valentines Day!
So here we are, the middle of February. Michigan continues to be pelted with snow. “The most we have seen in 30 years”. Its just my luck that I move up here, and they are hit with a record setting winter. We hit -5 degrees earlier this week (-25 with wind chill). Brrrr!! But all in all, its been OK. If you overlook the hazardous driving conditions, the snow itself is absolutely gorgeous. My digital camera has been working overtime. Although, the pictures really don’t do the beautiful scenery justice.
In other news: I broke down and joined a gym. I was having a hard time justifying the expense since I actually work in a huge, fully stocked fitness center. But, I was having trouble feeling motivated to workout at 8:30pm when I got off work. And, my dogs are loc
ked in their cages all day when I’m working… so I always felt guilty spending an extra hour away from home. So, I did some research and found a great place a few miles from my apartment. I have taken it upon myself to join in on the aerobic classes and love the idea of jumping, dancing, and kicking my way through an hour of intense cardio! I’m miserably sore, but its so worth it! (We were on mini-tramps for an hour this morning-So Fun!) And maybe this place will also give me the opportunity to meet some new people… who knows!?
My mom and step dad are planning on coming up for a visit at the end of March. I’m excited about having the opportunity to show them around. I’m currently on a great search for things to do to entertain them for 4 days. Since my apartment is the size of a shoe box they will be staying in a hotel. I feel a little guilty about that. But I guess it will have to do.
I have have my 6 month evaluation at work next week. I’m not really worried about it. I’m just dreading the self-assessment that I have to complete prior to the interview. Why is it so hard to critique yourself? My company is sending me out to San Francisco in April, so I’m pretty convinced that they like me. 
The selling of my house is still going smoothly. The buyer is supposedly approved for his loan and we passed our home inspection with flying colors. We are scheduled to close the deal on February 28th. Two week countdown…
Alright, well you are updated! Have a good week!
Quote of they day: “Life isn’t about getting what you want, it’s about wanting what you’ve got.”