I’ve never been superstitious about the number 13 until the year 2013 when it seemed I couldn’t get my mojo to work itself into a better situation! For the months I’ve been anxiously waiting for 2014 to get here and end my suffering!
Most of my troubles begin and end with my financials. It was a REAL struggle to learn to live without credit cards and within my means. It might not have been so bad if my health insurance rates hadn’t kept rising every quarter. If my teenage boys hadn’t begun to eat me out of foodstuffs on a regular basis. If the city hadn’t raised the water rates at the same time my teenage boys now NEEDED to shower EVERY day because they couldn’t seem to remember deodorant. If Tongue God hadn’t backed out of paying for the Coachella condo as he promised. If Sex God hadn’t needed me as much as a girlfriend. lol
But by the end of the year I DID manage to catch up on rent through much squirming and negotiating with the landlord (my mother). I was NOT able to reimburse the boys savings I had to raid to pay bills. I was NOT able to set aside savings for Coachella 2014 expenses. I was NOT able to buy the couch I’ve been dreaming of owning for 3 years now on any of the times it goes on sale at Costco for only $400 ($700 online).
Yet lets look at some of the things I did manage to accomplish in 2013….
I got to see Morrissey play and a Muse concert with Sex God and Tongue God. I also won/got to see Alt98.7 Penthouse Performances of Ms. Mr. and Family of the Year.. both are wonderful new upcoming bands and Flogging Molly & maybe more I can’t even remember! I was able to purchase presale tickets to Coachella 2014 and thank God I did as the lineup is amazing and they sold out again very fast last week. I was smart enough to do the layaway which made it much more affordable. 🙂
2 of the 4 steps painted
The garage door broke & while Sex God tried to fix it I think I need a professional. We had a termite Hatching in the house so the house was Tented last weekend (2014). The plumbing backed up again. Another 2014 expense of putting in a new clean out to make maintenance easier. I painted my downstairs! 🙂 After 11 years of living with white walls in every room I broke free and painted my living room, dinning room and hallway in bright vibrant colors that make me smile every time I come down the stairs. Sex God did a lovely design of flowers, etc. on my steps and I’ll script some nice saying on the steps between. I realize I’ll be in this house until the kids are out of the school district and that is not for at least 6-8 years. And where else will I find such a cute little home for the low price of costs. If I’m lucky we’ll be able to add solar to it in 2014.
I joined a new dating site called Cougar Life and enjoyed drinks with interesting young men. Although it was my old trusted AFF which found me the local Cub to play with for a conference. It also found me a new man who is much closer than Sex God and just as much fun. Living Poly is an interesting phenom. Sex God and I had our issues this year but I think by the end of it all we are stronger as you can see by this picture. Additionally this year I was able to meet in person 3 Facebook friends that had been only friends of friends for years. I hope to do more of that as I travel for work.
I job searched for 5 months with not a nibble. I’m not sure if its being 50 or that I need a higher salary than $12 an hour to justify leaving a good job which is so flexible for the kids. The Ex seems to be working a real job now so I’m taking even MORE kid responsibility. As if teaching the oldest to drive isn’t stressful enough! hahaha
Best Evan quote of the year: “Kissing is such a boring word… I prefer ‘Face Battle'”
My father’s health seemed to be okay for most of the year. Constant care is difficult on his wife so I try to help out by giving her a break once a week for a couple hours. I also did it for the morning hours of the Alaska Cruise trip the entire family finally took which my father booked BEFORE his stroke & paid for. Me and boats don’t really mix well. 🙁 Maybe I’ll catch up on blogging long enough to go into more detail. Maybe :/
My grandmother finally passed away at 96 & I had to travel to Minnesota in March to be my mother’s support for the internment of her ashes. Not fun hanging with relatives that I couldn’t really “be” myself around. But, ah well, that is life with family.
My mother ended up in the hospital for 9 days with heart complications which escalated into gastric & pulmonary complications. She’s better now but slower with much less energy. Her heart seems fine but is beating too slowly which makes her overall tired. But off to work she goes which is kind of good since she works at USC Medical Center. If anything’s going to happen I’d prefer it happen when she’s THERE with the experts vs at home. Of course she needs me more now which makes it hard to look for employment but I don’t know how long this job will actually last if she quits the industry.. so maybe I SHOULD get that other job. :/
Oh and on a wonderful plus note for the end of the year….I got that dream couch as a present for Xmas from Sex God and my Mother!