Good Choices, Bad at Blogging, and the Cutest Puppy Ever

Life has been a little more than hectic lately. In case you missed the part that I got back with my ex... that happened. Things unfolded beautifully and I was able to congratulate him on 5 months of sobriety on December 1st.

Since he and I have been involved, we have moved in and adopted a puppy. She's the cutest and don't argue with me cause you'll never change my mind.

We also went house hunting and found a new home that we love. Apparently, we close on it in about two weeks. This is super exciting as it has both a yard for pupper and room for my office. We also get to decorate and make it into our home as a symbol of our fresh start.

Not more than 48 hours ago, we received a call from a lady who may be interested in purchasing our current house--how amazing!

I should be finished with Sobriety Court sometime around the middle of the month and we have decided to return to Europe in the middle of March. We are terribly excited about this trip and it will be excellent to exercise my writing ability abroad in exchange for accommodations and activities.

Jeremiah's shop is expanding at a rapid pace, and he is on-track with another business venture set to launch in early 2019.

The biggest complaint I have is about his snoring and the puppy's need to eat my favorite blanket. This baffles me because those aren't really complaints at all. I know he loves me because he tells me all the time in the most sincere ways and I know that the pup was a great choice as she is basically an Allie reincarnate.

What I'm trying to say is that I feel secure, loved, stable and content. I am happy with myself and look forward to what 2019 will bring.

Oh, and, we are officially having our families over for Christmas at the new house. It will be a mad dash to prepare and decorate but I think we can do it--we've done crazier shit, that's for sure.

A Love Story Part II

The Consequence

I feel like I should take a minute to talk about your consequence. This wasn't the first or second time it happened, and you probably should have had far more of these. But, you didn't. Apparently, the first two times didn't teach you anything. 

So, this consequence put you into another institution for 10 or 11 days--I don't really recall. During that time you came to what you thought were realizations about your life and wondered if this was just how it had to be.

You arrived back to your place and went on a couple errands with your mom. She was scared of the future and so was I. 

We were told by your attorney that there was a special court for people like you and you weren't thrilled about the prospect of all the work involved. In fact, you tried to weasel your way out by opting for house arrest. Your mom, attorney, and I wouldn't let that happen. 

This program would be intense but it was doable and probably something we needed.

The Waiting

Having no job and no prospects, you went back to the hotel where you had previously worked. For a while this was good. Eventually, it drove you crazy for lack of a schedule, no way to move up, and no possible way to make more money. 

During this waiting period, a few important things happened: you found a great friend in Texas who wound up being one of your favorite people and almost our entire hometown flooded. It was trying, but your parents lucked out and did not have any damage.

After your roommate quit paying rent and you kicked him out, you found another winner to take over his place. This one bailed before he even moved in and it was decided you'd move back home. 

Moving back home was difficult at first. Your medicine was still a little off, probably still suffering from post-acute withdrawal syndrome, and it hurt your pride. To say things were rocky with your siblings would be an understatement, and it was hard living under a roof that wasn't yours after so long. 

Eventually, things mostly normalized and you got used to being there. 

The Facebook Post

This is worth mentioning because, at some point in time, there was a Facebook post wanting female friends. I'm assuming some people thought this post was funny or a joke but you didn't care. This is how you re-met your best friend. 

You and she had known each other for a long time--since The Bulldog days--but never had been close. She messaged you her number and (surprise!) you texted her. 

Y'all don't see eye-to-eye on everything all the time, but there is always some sort of shenanigan going on and lots of giggles. You two are each other's go-to girls, you vent and you laugh, you bitch about men, work, and school; there is just a certain level of understanding between y'all. 

July 11, 2017

This is the day you pled into that special court program. Soon, you'd start counseling and we'd start coming together again. Actually, as we began our new relationship, the relationship with your family also began growing and mending.

There was counseling, support groups, court sessions twice a month, one mandatory garden day per month, fees, probation, case management, more community service, curfews, and drug screens. We started to get busy. Oh, and for 45 days of all this, we had no license.

Oddly enough, the busier we got, the happier we got. Things started to shift, and soon they'd be looking up.

A Love Story Part I

The Beginning

When I first met you, I was unimpressed. You were a dorky teenager that tried too hard. Smart, and a smartass. I never knew if you were unsure of yourself, or actually confident... sometimes you were just a cocky S-O-B.

You began to get older, and you met other people. We grew apart but I was still excited for you. Something told me these relationships wouldn't work out--that didn't really matter, you were going places. But this story isn't about the other ones. It's about us...

The Slow Change

You ended up with multiple restaurant jobs and somehow always made ends meet. You moved up to bartending and started making relatively good money. At this point, you seemed to be a different person, one that I didn't really know. A person I couldn't stand to be around. You grew to be unhappy and obsessively thought about all the wrong things while poisoning yourself slowly. We didn't talk much anymore and you certainly had no friends left.

I knew you were ill, but I couldn't get you to change. Your sweet parents were devastated and things looked grim.

Relief... For a Bit

Sometime during our story, you decided to find the cure for your sickness. I actually started liking you again. Then you trusted the wrong information and made a life-changing decision.

Your dormant sickness was back with a vengeance. Things got much worse over a short period of time. It was frightening to everyone around.

It was found that the first sickness actually went along with a second disorder which you thought you had for years.

The office you were working at closed. Being at a loss, and feeling like you had nowhere to turn, you began to plan the end of your life. I knew about the plan, but couldn't tell you any different. There was nothing for me to do; my hands were tied. We weren't even that close anymore so I couldn't even offer insight.

Dumb Luck

You went on with the attempt on your life, emotionally wrecking the few people that remained close. It's a fluke you're still here, and I will forever be grateful for the person that stopped you. Honestly, I didn't know if you would ever forgive the person I was so thankful to.

I didn't see you for about a week because you went away to a hospital. You said it was pretty awful, but you didn't call me. I still hoped I'd have you back soon.

You were released and things were again better, if only slightly. Long story short, after a few months of having your own place and still being a crazy asshole, you had another consequence. A major one.
This was a game-changer. Your life as you knew it was over.

Ours was just beginning.

Green Tea and Kale

Okay, so Maybe Not a Ton of Kale, 

...but I guess I've subconsciously decided to attempt being healthy again. I've developed an addiction to Lipton Diet Green Tea (yes, it HAS to be diet) and cut out pretty much all of my energy drinks. To be honest, besides the fact they're terrible for you, I think it was messing with my meds. And oddly enough, making me less focused.

I knew I'd feel better but I didn't know I'd feel THIS good. And then... I've downloaded two meditation apps. I try to meditate daily but still don't find myself getting much out of it. So, I decided to do something different. Not gonna lie, those apps are bomb. One has more free content than the other but I'll still keep both.

Give me a week-- I'll be a hippie.

Totally kidding. But I am excited that healthier choices have been coming easily to me. I'm excited about them because I feel a bit better and have been insanely productive.

OH! And... I bought Morning Star Veggie Patties. I had a hard time finding them because I don't shop at that Super 1 too often (and I generally don't buy veggie patties.) This is exciting because its something out of the ordinary for me and can be a quick and easy meal.

Instead of me picking up my beloved french fries on my way home from work. It's also a lot cheaper, yay me!

In Other News

Well, no news is good news, right? It seems like everything is always crazy busy and I play catch up more than I'd like. Going to the camp for Memorial Day weekend provided me with exactly what I needed.

I was able to enjoy my family (all but my brother,) fish, be on the water, and actually get a full 8 hours of sleep. Of course, I couldn't go ALL weekend without some type of work, so one article did get done.

The last night I was there, right before I went to bed, I checked this site. I was mainly looking to see if there were any new comments. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there was one. On my very first post. 

He basically told me that he had been the one to order several of the posts I didn't get paid for. We chatted for a bit in Hangouts and he sent me everything I needed to report the guy. I emailed the site, sent a million screenshots along with his username, and they told me he had been banned. 

I still didn't get paid for it, and its highly unlikely I ever will, but I did get a small sense of satisfaction. 

The Last Few Notes

There are still so many great things happening in my life. It always amazes me and keeps me in an attitude of gratitude every time something crosses my mind. I get the chance to rebuild things with my sister, get to know my future brother-in-law (I hope) and really feel like I add value to the world around me.

It is amazing to be in a place where I'm unashamed of who I am, what I believe, or how I feel. To get to look forward to what lies ahead and what plot twists are in store. I don't think I've ever experienced this level of satisfaction in my life and I hope that you get to do the same. 

I'm not good at wrapping these things up... so, until next time.

I'm grateful but...

I'm grateful but... I don't have a new car.
I'm grateful but... I don't have a degree
I'm grateful but... that dude didn't pay me

See where I'm going with this? I want a lot of crap. Most of it is materialistic or in forms of financial gain.

There isn't anything wrong with that, especially if I'm willing to work for it.

Some things are out of my control. I have to keep that in mind, too. That guy not paying me? I can't do anything about it but put my own spin and positivity on it.

I was aggravated at first, but I was quick to see my part. I also started this blog. It's not big yet, but it will be.

It makes it easier to market myself to potential clients for quick jobs. And it gives me a fun outlet.

As far as the car thing goes, well, my car runs and is paid off. So I don't have to carry full insurance. I also have AC which is imperative for surviving Louisiana summers.

And the degree? It's coming. But I'm doing it my way, accomplishing every thing I can along the way.

In the meantime, I'll be grateful. Truly grateful for everything that goes right in my life on a daily basis.

Proof!!!

In case you don't believe at least SOME of the work was published... here are some screenshots. If you go back and look at some of the descriptions I posted, these are included.

 

Gotta love stolen work. 

All These New Posts

I've said it before, I'm saying it again... I'm only posting because I didn't get paid and don't believe I will. If, on the off chance, you got to this blog because you searched on Hemmingway or another app/extension, please contact me. I actually don't even mind if you use my work this go-round. Just stop using whoever sold it to you because they are ripping people like me off.

I work hard. The entire week that I wrote for this fella, I slept around 4 hours a night because I was pulling double duty at my other job and have a ton of obligations during the week. I also put off writing for another company which prevented me from making money for bills.

Was I naive? Yes.

I know it's unlikely I'll see anything from this, or that anyone reads it, or that I'll ever see a tenth of what is owed, but it's worth a shot.

And if you've just run across my blog randomly and like what you see, let me know that too. Always down for extra work and I enjoy writing.

Oh, and if you're a writer... don't trust anyone. If you communicate on a certain site, keep it to that site. I'm sure I don't have to say it, but I'm saying it for those people who are like me and lured by attractive clients, money per word, and the like.

Anyway, I might actually give this blogging thing a shot... It's kinda fun. Somewhat like talking to yourself but having the potential for other people to hear your thoughts.

How Much Are You Wasting on Energy?

When thinking about household bills, you may take into account your water, electricity, mortgage, cable, and food bills. Generally speaking your water, mortgage, and cable bills are set. This leaves electricity and food, and there are TONS of articles dedicated to lowering your food bill.

So you guessed it! We're going to have a talk about just how much money you're wasting on energy! There are probably a few things you didn't know, as well as maybe some old ideas that need to be brought back to light. Everything covered will allow you to save on energy costs which may let you splurge on something the whole family will enjoy!


Continue reading to see where you can save:

First, we're going to start with a few older tips that maybe our moms taught us a long time ago. Of course, you want to turn the lights out when you leave the room, but turning EVERYTHING off isn't really ideal or possible. Unplug things that aren't in use; that can include lamps, televisions, game consoles, and even blow dryers. This is important because even though they're not on, they still use energy. If you've got to keep your lights on for extended periods of time, upgrade your bulbs and be sure that you're using energy efficient ones.

A ton of people can remember their mother's telling them, "close the door, you don't live in a barn!" While this is true for most people in tropical climates, if you have nice weather, you SHOULD open the doors and windows. If you live in an area that is too hot to let nature do the work for you, bump up the temperature a few degrees and let ceiling fans do the extra work. Also, keep in mind that your thermostat will read based on what's near it. So if you have a lamp that puts off heat, the air conditioner will be running more often with less reason.

Oftentimes we keep our air conditioners on for extended periods of time, even while we're not there. It's understandable that you don't want to come home from a long day to a warm house. You can keep the settings at a temperature slightly warmer than you'd be comfortable in and turn it down when you get back. This way it's not running incessantly yet it doesn't take an hour to cool off.

If you can't tell, these are relatively small things to do that will help you save a bit on your energy bill. To put this in perspective, in certain areas, running a central air conditioning unit costs $120 or more a month. If this seems on the low side, keep in mind, this number is for areas with nicer weather where they don't see extremely high temperatures or high humidity.

The laundry room is another energy sucker. The dreaded dryer buzz can be eliminated with a simple fix: a clothesline. It sounds old school, and it is. It prevents you from wasting on energy and gives your clothes the fresh air smell.

Other things to think about are making sure the dishwasher is full when you run it, not overloading your refrigerator, and waiting for a full load of clothes instead of washing only one or two items. If you tend to fall asleep while watching TV or with the lights on, timers can be set so they automatically turn off at a certain time. An added benefit to this tip is more peaceful sleep!

This all seems like an awful lot of work. The good news is, most updated homes and apartments come with energy-efficient products. This does not mean to leave them on all the time, please don't--it's still not great for the environment. But it does make for a naturally lower energy bill. If you decide to follow these few tips you may see that you waste less on energy in the long-run.

Windy Tennis

Tennis is already a difficult sport. Unless you have a completely natural ability, you will probably take lessons and even attend workshops to better your skill. If you play indoors, you won't need to worry about this problem. However, playing outside, there could be an entire book written on how to play tennis in the wind. Here we will offer an overview of how to compensate for the wind and keep your game on track.  

Small steps mean easier correction in changing winds. This means you should focus on what your feet are doing more than usual. If you're consistently taking huge steps on the court, the second the wind changes, you are going to have to take more steps to make up the difference.  

Adjusting how you serve will also be advantageous, especially if you have a high toss. When playing in the wind, you will need to toss the ball lower as the further up it goes, the more it'll catch the wind. If you notice the ball is moving around a lot on your toes, you can catch it and start over. Do this as many times as you need, but it may aggravate your opponent.  

Anticipating how the ball will move after your partner serves it is one thing, but you also should anticipate how the wind will affect movement when you return it. Obviously, this is tennis and not chess, but slightly planning ahead will give you the leg up. Consider the wind a driving or stopping force depending on which way it's blowing. If it's behind the ball, it will go further; similarly, blowing against the ball may cause it to stop short. 

Your partner is going to be having the same exact problem you are on the opposite side of the court. Even if they are accustomed to playing in wind, the game and the weather are unpredictable so there isn't a huge advantage in being used to those conditions. This goes hand-in-hand with not overthinking things. Anticipating how the wind is affecting the next serve is good. Trying to figure out the entire game and what the wind is doing, is a good way to lose.  

The harder you hit the ball, the less chance the wind has for changing its course. You may also want to stay away from lobbing the ball. Just like the toss for the serve, the longer the ball is in the air, the more room for error there is. No matter how you get the ball across the net, quickly evaluate the benefits of going for the middle of the court. This is mainly because the wind can change directions at any time and knock the ball further in any direction than you intended.  

Overall, the to be successful on the court, you need a good attitude. It's windy, so what? Both you and your opponent have to deal with the same conditions. It will give you the advantage if you don't overthink the situation while anticipating immediate reactions. Go in with the attitude of it being a fair match and play to the best of your ability. At that point, you may win your match and give lessons entitled "How to: Playing Tennis in the Wind." 

Wallpaper Descriptions

I wouldn't waste my time reading these... they're pretty boring, and just talk about desktop themes I don't have pictures or screen grabs of. Just need on here in case anyone does one of those awesome plagiarism searches.

 Elex 

If you play Elex, you already know what you would want to see as graphics for a desktop theme. Not many people could pull it off this well, but here it is! You have some beautifully captured shots directly from the game, in many positions you may have found yourself in. The styling of these backgrounds will elicit an exciting feeling from you when you see it and cause your friends who don't play the game to inquire as to what it's all about. Of course, you'll tell them about the video game, but maybe not all your secrets—like where you got this Windows theme from.  

Ford Mustang 

Fans of fast cars and American Muscle will LOVE this desktop theme. Gorgeous cars, both brand new and older models are shown off and featured with these wallpapers. You might not know a single thing about any of the cars, but it's guaranteed that you'll be able to appreciate their beauty. Not only are these cars gorgeous, but the photo composition and vibrant coloring make for a well-balanced, easy-on-the-eyes Windows theme for you to enjoy over and over again. If this doesn’t induce some racetrack fever, probably nothing will.  

3D Visual Effects 

Visually stunning, bright, colorful, eye-catching. These are only a few words to describe what this desktop theme showcases. Some people aren't keen on a certain theme for their background. They don't want a movie, tv show, game, or car to be the thing they have to constantly look at on their screen—that's okay—these wallpaper themes solve that problem quickly. There is also another benefit: patterned visuals are very calming to most people because of the way our brains have evolved. You'll probably make a few people jealous and want to know where you got these which is always a good feeling.  

Yoga 

If you made the promise to yourself to try a yoga class or to get better at it, this desktop theme could be all the inspiration you need. There are beautiful graphics highlighting individuals in yoga poses ranging from quite simple to very difficult both in neutral or colorful photo compositions. Not only could these be your inspiration, but you can use this Windows theme as your 5-minute escape from work by visualizing yourself enjoying a peaceful yoga pose in a scenic environment; on the beach, in the forest, or in one of the many other places these wallpapers feature.  

House M.D.  

If you miss Hugh Laurie in the tv show, House, you're not the only one. Many people were quite saddened to see the show go, especially toward the end as the plot really unfolded and came together. There are a few wallpapers that show off the main cast of the show, and many more that feature just Dr. House or Dr. Lisa Cuddy. If you don't already miss the show or haven't thought about it in a while, scrolling through these beautifully photographed desktop themes will make you want to go back and rewatch the series starting from season 1. 

Mini Cooper 

You either love Mini Coopers or you think they're a small clown-like car. If you think they look like a clown car, these desktop themes will put them in a whole new light. After putting one of these beautiful photos as your desktop theme, it might make you want one of your own. And if you already love Mini Coopers, you will be pleased to find an array of colors and settings. From cityscapes to industrial backgrounds and even a racetrack; the classic looking Mini to the brand-new ones, you WILL find something you like!  

USAF 

If you serve in the United States Airforce, have a loved one in the branch, or are a veteran, it's always nice to be reminded of the time of service to our country. Even if you just have an appreciation for military airplanes, this Windows theme is a wonderful choice. There are many options to choose from, including fighter jets in formation to artistic shots of planes on a wet tarmac showcasing their beautiful reflection. So, whether you're showing gratitude to a service member or served yourself, this desktop theme will be a beautiful reminder of past and present sacrifice.  

Toyota 

At first glance, there are no words at how great this selection is! Toyotas from different years, different makes, and models, artistically shot, and showing off both the toughness yet classic vibe the vehicles have. If you are a Toyota lover, you will want to see this Windows theme every time you look at your screen. You've probably thought and dreamt about all of the things you'd love to do to your own Toyota, but until you get your rugged dream car or truck, just enjoy these beautiful shots every time you get a chance to glance at your computer  

Supercar 

Elegant, luxurious, expensive, high-end. This is exactly what you will think when you see these beautiful sportscars. These Windows themes will lend itself to magnificence even if you're just peering at it on a break from work. Maybe it'll remind you of the dream car you wanted when you were 20, or maybe it’s a nice change of pace from the minivan. Whatever it is, you will enjoy seeing this theme over and over. Your spouse would probably have a heart attack if you drove up in one of these... but there's no harm in looking, right? 

Racing Theme 

If you like dirtbikes, motorcycle, desert, or Indy car racing; if you like all of them or others, or you just really like seeing things go fast, this theme is for you. These are really great action shots of some beautiful cars and bikes that almost make you feel like you're there watching. Even if you're not big into racing, the colorfulness of the photos will surely be an attractive feature making you want to learn a bit more. And if you have been to a race or two, this desktop theme is sure to take you back to whatever your favorite track or race has been. 

 Creed 

This Windows theme centers around the film, Creed—a sequel to the Rocky franchise and one of the best boxing movies in years. Spotlighting the major protagonists of the movie, any of the wallpapers you choose from this download are sure to be inspiring and encouraging. Most of the available wallpapers are of Michael B. Jordan (Creed) and Sylvester Stallone (Rocky) though there are a few other shots including other some of the film's other characters. The stills from the movie are strong, memorable scenes that are sure to bring a smile anytime you glance their way.  

Glee 

For a fan of this show, this Windows theme is sure to make you smile. Plenty of the backgrounds feature the whole cast, while a few showcase particular characters. One, in particular, shows the cast in black, white, and a bit of red for a beautiful, artsy vibe. This one also works if you don’t want everyone that sees your screen to instantly know you're a "gleek." If you're a fan and proud of it, there are also a few wallpapers that are branded with the name of the show, what time it airs, and the station that broadcasts it. 

Hogwarts 

No matter if you identify as a muggle, mudblood, or wizard; or if you belong to Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, or Ravenclaw, if you are of diehard fan of Harry Potter, you NEED this theme! Potterheads can agree and unite on the beauty of this desktop theme. Plenty of stunning stills from these movies showing off the beautiful school of magic, Harry Potter himself, as well as one wallpaper that even has the crest of Hogwarts. Your friends will probably ask where you got this Windows theme and you should tell them. But if you really want to be the only one with it, you can just use a Memory Charm.  

ICarly 

Perfect for any huge fan of "ICarly," this desktop theme will make it that much harder for you to pull your child away from whatever screen they use. Miranda Cosgrove and the rest of the cast are obviously kid-friendly, but not enough so to make your very mature tween feel like the show is just meant for younger audiences. This set of wallpapers will make you giggle no matter if you've barely seen the show or don't know a whole lot about it. If you're tired of seeing the show on your television, maybe putting it as their background will get you a break. 

Scorpion 

If you are a huge fan of the show, "Scorpion," then you've probably already heard the show has been canceled by CBS after four seasons. A cancellation of a loved show is sad, but this desktop theme will allow you to forever commemorate this series with your choice of still shots showing different episodes featuring your favorite characters at memorable points in time. The entire cast is good-looking so this set of themes will be well-loved and probably used long-term. Hopefully, your favorite program gets renewed/brought back, but if it doesn't, relive your favorite moments with this wallpaper theme that will keep the show's memory alive.