Real World Mom

Last night, I found out that Sam from Temporarily Me has been pregnant ‘forever’. Her friend Karen (Karen Sugarpants) wanted to try to cheer her up by throwing her a virtual baby shower, and having other moms share their overdue baby stories. Please visit Sam and leave her some words of encouragement!

My first child, D, was 15 [long] days late. He was due on June 17 but didn’t actually show up until July 2. Being June/July, it was hot, and I had gained about 50 pounds during my pregnancy; needless to say, I was a little cranky. Since this was my first child, I think I was more impatient than anything.

On the evening of July 1, I finally started having real contractions. I spoke to my doctor on the phone, then proceeded to take a shower and shave my legs. (Hubby thought I was crazy, but I wasn’t leaving the house without a shower!)

My baby D was born at 9:17 a.m. on July 2, 1987. All the crankiness and pregnancy discomfort was forgotten as I held my firstborn son.

Pregnancy number two also went past the due date. This time, by six [long] days. (Funny how the days seem much longer when you’re overdue!) I was much crankier that time. I hadn’t gained quite as much weight, but it was hot again and I wanted to be un-pregnant!

M was due on May 30 and finally arrived on June 5, 1989, at 2:18 a.m. (yeah, my boys liked the morning for some reason). Once again, the misery of the last couple of weeks was replaced with joy!

My average did improve with the next two children…

S (son #3) was born on October 22, 1991, at 6:55 a.m.–on his due date! (Thank you, S!)

And my daughter (baby #4), B, was born on March 23, 1995, at 5:07 p.m. Two days before her due date!

So, there is hope, Sam. And, one medical certainty: You will not be pregnant forever! Best of luck to you and your family! I want to see pics of the new arrival when you get the chance!

For the first time since I started Real World Mom, I’ve gone a whole week without posting anything. That sucks!

I’ve been so tired from working, that when I’m home, it seems I’m always trying to play catch up: rest (hope that actually happens someday!), housework, laundry, emails, etc. I’m still having a hell of a time trying to get into a routine with all this.

Then there’s the writer’s block. (Not only have I neglected my sites (realworldmom.com and thesaltymooch.com), but I haven’t posted on New Jersey Moms Blog or The AntHill in a while either.) I don’t know if it’s because I’m just so tired all the time, or I’m just having trouble switching gears back into ‘blogger mode’ when I have the chance, but I feel like I’ve just got nothing to write about!

The job still sucks ass, a little more now because it’s killing my back. I think I’m just too freaking old for this shit!

Haven’t registered for school yet, and I’m hoping it’s not too late.

I always feel like I’m not getting a damn thing accomplished, and that I’m just doing what I can to get through the day. What a crappy way to live…

Some good news too:  I was selected to become a member of cre8Buzz!’s  Buzz Board!  This, my friends, is very cool to me!

Anyway, I’m still alive, and hopefully I’ll be back–for real–soon!

What is Open Blogging? According to my friend, Antman, Open Blogging is:

“Open Blogging is the use of one blog by an unlimited number of authors or contributors. Open Bloggin’, like the name suggests, is an open blogging platform where anyone from the blogosphere can post whenever and whatever they want. Open Bloggin’ changes the way blogs work by increasing the social networking interaction of bloggin’, providing more information, creating more robust dialog and feedback and offering more exposure to the authors. An Open Blog is full of energy as they are always on.”

Sounds like a pretty exciting concept, doesn’t it?

Where can you find this cool, new Open Blog? On The AntHill, of course–the internet’s first Open Blog! If you haven’t already, go see the great posts and interesting conversations for yourself!

What can The AntHill do for me? By writing posts on The AntHill, it not only gives you a larger audience of readers, it exposes you to people who may not otherwise hear of your blog! There is always new stuff being posted, and the discussions that follow are often informative, fun and an easy way to make connections with folks you may not come across anywhere else!

How can I join? Go to the sign up page and get started!

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”
-Helen Keller

A friend recently reminded me of this quote, and, today, it seems appropriate to share it with all of you. One door has closed for me, so another has opened. And I plan on walking through it.

One year and a day after filing, I received my final divorce decree!

My first feeling upon reading the words, “And now, 8th day of May, 2008, it is ordered and decreed that Stacey D., plaintiff, and Husband D., defendant, are divorced from the bonds of matrimony,” was relief. After such a long, and sometimes bitter battle, it felt so good to have closure!

Then, somewhat to my surprise, I felt a little sad. I guess with everything he’s put me through, I just didn’t expect to experience any sadness. However, I also believe that it’s a normal reaction. I’ve known this man for 30 years (most of my life), and we were married for over 21 years. And, an ending, no matter how much you look forward to it, is still an ending. A passing of something.

I’m glad to be able to say I have no regrets about my decision. In my situation, a divorce was the only solution. And I do not feel as though I’ve failed either. I know that I gave my marriage my best effort, often when I felt I was the only one who was trying.

I will probably call my ex in the next few days to see how he’s doing. (Seems odd saying “my ex”, without prefacing it with “soon-to-be”.) As I’ve mentioned before, I do hope that he and I will be able to maintain some kind of friendship, not only for the kids, but for him and I too. Maybe it will be easier now that we are beyond the bullshit!