Real World Mom

One of my favorite (recent) photos of my daughter and I. Visit Wordless Wednesday for more participants.

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And it feels so good!
Ok, minds out of the gutters! What I mean is, at this time yesterday (11 a.m.), I had already been at work for five hours. Today, I’m off, and I’m sitting here in sweat pants and one of Tim’s t-shirts. Ahh!

My first week at the new job has been good overall. It’s nice to be out in the world again and–best of all–making a little money!! Though being on my feet so much and the odd hours are a little more difficult getting used to than I thought they would be. Guess turning 40 does, in fact, have some impact on my body, if not my mind!

There is one woman at work who I have some issues with. For her sake, I’ll refer to her as “Gnatalie“. (As her new name implies, she is an annoyance, but a rather small one in the scheme of life.)

Gnatalie has recently been promoted to a level slightly above minion, and I’m afraid it’s totally gone to her head. Since I’ve seen this same thing happen to really nice people, I’m trying to give her some time to deflate on her own before I get my pin out and help her with it.

She’s having a grand old time giving orders and kissing the manager’s asses. (Hello? Stupid? You’ve already got the promotion. Knock it off already!) So, when she gets too close to me, I use my fly swatter and gently swat her away. For now.

Today, I’m catching up on the things I haven’t had the energy to do all week. My Google reader is empty, I’m actually writing a post, and I’m on load #2 of laundry! Think I’ll even clean something! Later, I’m planning to take Madison and my new book out on the patio and just chill in the sun!

Tim has been a total sweetheart and 100% supportive. He’s been dealing with the daily stuff around the house, pampering me with dinner and chocolate milk, and not letting me do anything I don’t absolutely have to in my free time. I’ve been reminded everyday just how lucky–and loved–I am! I love you, Ubu! ♥

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Visit Wordless Wednesday for more participants.

Send me a cup of java!

What a difference one week can make! So much in my life has changed in the last seven days.

Here’s the recap:

Monday- Signed the last of the divorce papers. It should be final in 4-6 weeks! Hallelujah!!

Tuesday- About 1 p.m., I received a call asking if I could go for a 4 p.m. interview that day. I went AND I was offered the job!

Wednesday- Received my financial aid approval in the mail. I can afford to go to school in September!

Thursday- My first (short) day at my new job!

It’s been an exhausting but excellent week for me. I’m so grateful that things are finally falling into place! I have to thank my family–especially Tim–for all the love, support and encouragement that has gotten me to this point. I wouldn’t have all of this good news to share if it weren’t for them!  I love you!

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Liz from This Full House (who is one of my favorite Jersey Girls, and the person who got me involved in the New Jersey Moms Blog) let me know that today is Blog Reader Appreciation Day!Blog Reader Appreciation Day was created by City Mama and The Other Mother. In honor of this important day, I would like to thank the following people for taking the time to stop by my little corner of the internet, to offer their words of encouragement, love, friendship and wisdom:

Bad Momma (Bad Momma)
Banana Blondie (Anna)
Classy Chaos (OH Mommy)
Cold Coffee…and Reruns (dkaye)
Huckdoll’s Hood (Jen)
If Mom Says Ok (Tara R.)
Immoral Matriarch: Catechizer (Maria)
Jogging in Circles (Kim)
Laski Gal (Laski Gal)
Melinda Zook (Melinda)
Misty’s Words and My Dogs Keep Me Sane (Misty)
Mom Knows Everything (Tammy)
Momo Fali (Momo Fali)
Singing with My Heart (Heather)
Such Simple Pleasures (Melissa)
The Inflatable Soapbox™ (Tim)

And anyone who I’ve inadvertently overlooked, as well as any lurkers I’m unaware of! Thank you all!

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They do still exist! Visit Wordless Wednesday for more participants.

Send me a cup of java!

First posted on December 19, 2007, “Still Waiting”, was the current state in the long process of my pending divorce. See the update that follows!

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“Still Waiting”
Still no forward movement on my divorce.My soon-to-be-ex recently offered me $600 as a divorce settlement. Yeah, I laughed too!

Now my lawyer wants another $1,000 to continue working on the case. I don’t have $1,000 to give her, and all I can see that the first $1,000 got me was her filing the divorce petition–pretty expensive!

The waiting continues…

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Update:
My soon-to-be-ex and I have talked on the phone no less than three times in the last week. These have been the most civil–I’d even go so far as to say they were friendly–discussions we’ve had in close to a year. I have to say, it’s been nice.Not only do we share four children, I’ve known “D” for most of my life. I first met him when I was about 10 years old. We grew up in the same town and had some of the same friends.The idea that we may never get along again made me sad. For one thing, it definitely makes things harder on the kids. And, to be completely honest, I’d like to feel that either of us could be comfortable picking up the phone to call and talk about the kids or even to see how the other is doing. I’m not sure how realistic it is to hope for something like that, but time will tell.

As of this moment, it seems we have finally agreed on a settlement. I think I compromised more than he did, but, after almost a year of the divorce process, I’m just really ready to have it over with. To be fair, “D” did give in a little too, so at least I can live with the decision I’ve made.

Hopefully I’ll receive the paperwork soon–and it will be correct! Then it will just be a matter of waiting for the court to approve it and issue the divorce decree! It will be such a relief to have that closure!

~  ~  ~  Scrolling Saturday was created by Melissa at Such Simple Pleasures and Coleen at Manners and Moxie.  ~  ~  ~

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On April 10, 1866, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was founded. In celebration of this anniversary, April 10 is Go Orange for Animals Day!

Go Orange for Animals Day is a tribute to the work of the ASPCAASPCA and to celebrate love and compassion for all living things everywhere. (Orange is the official ASPCA color.)

The ASPCA is the first and oldest humane organization in the Western Hemisphere!

What can you do to help celebrate and spread the word?

• Wear something orange
• Put something orange (and safe!) on your pet
• Sign the ASPCA pledge to help fight animal cruelty, and ask your friends and family to do the same
• Visit this page to find information to share with your kids about being kind to animals
• If you were already planning to adopt a new pet, find a shelter or rescue group in your area

Please Help if You Can!

Wishing you a happy, peaceful and productive ASPCA Day!

Originally posted on The Salty Mooch.

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My name is Stacey and I am a cre8Buzz! addict.

Seriously.

One fateful January day, when I was a new blogger looking for ways to gain exposure for my blog, I happened upon a site called cre8Buzz! I’ve been there every day since. I have joined many other social networking sites, but cre8Buzz! stands apart from any other I’ve seen.

And here are some of the reasons I feel that way:

• There is a true sense of community there that I have never found on any other site. Not only is it great to have that sense of belonging, but I feel as though I have a personal interest in the success of this place that I like so much.
• The people I have met there are genuine, caring, intelligent and really nice!
• The cre8Buzz! team is true to their motto: “be seen… be heard… be found”. And on the Anthill: “Where the ants speak.” It really is about the people and giving us a chance to shine!
• The Antman is ‘one of us’. He hangs out with us, comments on our stuff, welcomes each and every newcomer, and even answers emails! Try finding that on one of those other sites! (I haven’t.)
• It’s fun!

And the addition of the Anthill (cre8Buzz’s brand new community blog, and a first of it’s kind!) is just feeding my addiction! It’s only about 24 hours old, and there are already a ton of outstanding posts and comments!

Thank you to the cre8Buzz! team for doing all that you do!

Stop by my profile at cre8Buzz! and say hello! If you’re not already a fellow addict member, sign up while you’re there! It will only take a minute and then you’re on your way!

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Today marks a very big day for my friend Misty Dawn (from My Dogs Keep Me Sane and Misty’s Words). She has just written her 500th post! Congratulations Misty Dawn!!

Misty could have written about anything. Or not written at all (which would have been sad). She chose to do something very special. She wrote about her friends. Her blogging friends! “Celebrating 500 with a Tribute to YOU” is a beautifully written post dedicated to the people she has met through blogging and have become important folks in her life. The fact that she includes me in that special group touches me deeply, because I definitely count Misty Dawn among my friends as well!

If you’re not already a regular reader of My Dogs Keep Me Sane (which I hope you are!), please take a moment to visit today and wish Misty a “Happy 500th Post”!

Congratulations again, my friend! Big hugs to you!

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