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Now that I have your attention:

I haven't written in this blog for just over a year. I've visited often, meaning to write, but I just haven't found the words. Call it some stupendous writer's block, but lately I've found it much more interesting to read other people's blogs, namely the ones I have on my list. I feel guilty for not tending to my own writing, but one of my resolutions this year was to start it up again, because sometimes I think I need it as much as it needs me to thrive.

I have tremendous admiration for those who have continued to write in their blogs for years, and the fact that they can take a mundane event in a day of their lives and spin it into a great story that's based upon their thoughts, feelings and opinions.

It's not that I haven't had anything to write about. There have been many important changes in my life that definitely bear writing about, it was just PUTTING IT IN WORDS. If you're reading this with a sense of foreboding, not to worry, there have been a lot of great things this year.

These are in no particular order.

1. In the past year I moved myself and my kids in with my boyfriend and his kids. Huge step. We moved into a big old bungalow that was renovated to suit our needs. We have six kids between the two of us, so the contractors created an extra huge bedroom in the basement for his kids to sleep in when they are here, which is often. Our landlords are friends, and luckily they are the kind of landlords that don't butt their nose in too much, so we can pretty much do anything we want to the house in terms of improvements and expense it if we want to.

2. Speaking of blended families, we are by no means different from any other blended family you can think of. We have had our share of differences of opinion, the kids having their 'space' issues, and our kitchen runs full time. Most of the time we run it like a 24 hour buffet and it seems no sooner than we get it cleaned up than the kids are back for the next round.

3. Gerry and I, while we clash on certain things, have made a smooth transition in the actual 'living together' part. Meaning, we have SEPARATE bathrooms, (which the kids routinely take away from us) and true to my previous words, I have all the closet space. And most of the drawers. He's taken over the garage, but he did, bless his heart, build me a workspace where I can sand and stain furniture. He got his big plasma TV, but says nothing but positive things when I get the urge to decorate. Everywhere.

4. My wonderful boyfriend and I became engaged on the eve of our third anniversary. It was totally unexpected on my part, not that I didn't know we were eventually going to marry, I just didn't expect him to pop the question at the time, because he gave off absolutely NO hints. Awesome. Now I have the right to call him my 'fiance', and with a grimace, he says he can now call me his 'fiancee' but he doesn't think it sounds all macho and tough guy. I just reassure him and tell him that yes, it is very manly to acknowledge it!

5. We've clashed more this year, mainly due to money issues and the fact that he hates the kids' dad, mainly because they don't pay child support on a consistent basis and this sticks in Gerry's craw because he always makes sure his kids have everything they need. Can't blame the guy, but I have to keep repeating my mantra: "I am trying my best." I could go on more about this particular subject but I don't want to. At different points during this year the money thing has damn near broken up our relationship and I am trying like hell to make sure that never happens. Quite honestly, I can't picture life without Gerry, as much as I can't picture life without my kids.


6. For about seven months now, I have become aware that I have a digestive problem. Due to past crappy eating habits, too much Advil (I used to LOVE that stuff) and lots of stress, I developed severe acid reflux, according to the specialist. Meaning, if I don't take the highest amount of Zantac allowed without a prescription about three times a day I feel sick every time I eat. So with the medication, I only feel sick about half the time now, and I'm finally gaining back some of the weight I lost. I know, every woman out there at one point has thought they could lose five pounds, but too much is too much and then you start looking like a stick. And your breasts disappear. Considering I didn't have much to start with I am anxious to get curvy again, within my current dietary limits, which sucks. So it's a slow climb.


In a nutshell, that's what's been happening lately. Plenty of good, some bad, all interesting. I hope that whoever tunes in continues to read, and I'll try and make it worth reading.