Recently, a friend of mine made the comment that a child growing up with one parent is not a normal family household. I also read Tara's blog from yesterday about co-parent counseling. All of this really got me thinking... what is "normal"?
My parents divorced when I was three. I don't have any memories of the three of us together as a family. I do, however, remember how they used to fight ALL the time when my dad would pick me up/drop me off at my mom's every other weekend. This was normal to me.
I have four siblings. My dad was married both prior to my mom and is now remarried to my stepmom. Only one of my brothers is my "true" sibling (for lack of a better way of explaining it... because honestly, as far as I'm concerned, they are my brothers and sister, period. There is no half-brother/half-sister explaining going on. Most people don't know any different and I like it that way). I was the only kid in my Catholic school class who had divorced parents. I'm not saying all of this because I want sympathy. I'm saying it because this is my normal. It gets even more complicated and it's definitely not the traditional two parent family.
Sure, I have issues. In fact, before I met my husband, I was pretty certain I would be single forever because I would never find anyone patient enough to break down the walls I built so far up and move beyond my issues. I can only count on one hand the number of people I truly trust. I have major trust issues. I am way too independent for my own good. I have a hard time expressing my feelings and sometimes have problems with giving/receiving affection. It makes me uncomfortable. I'm more of a pessimist and usually believe that I will be let down at some point, so I prepare for it. These can all be connected to my childhood and a result of my parents divorce. I don't need to have a therapist tell me that. It's not news to me. I also don't blame my parents for divorcing or use that as an excuse for anything.
I recognize that these are things I will always have to work on. Yes, most people would consider my upbringing as "abnormal." But never once did I question my parents love for me. Overall, I think I turned out pretty good. Most importantly, I'm happy.
Normal has nothing to do with being happy.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Finally
It's official. I got a promotion. Finally. After being in my position for 3 years and taking on way more than my fair share of work... I got a promotion.
This came right in time. I was interviewing with a few other companies and actually took a half day vacation last Thursday morning to go on my second interview with one company in particular. When I came into work later, my boss pulled me in his office to offer me a higher position. Which also came with a pretty fantastic raise. I wanted to jump up and down and scream... "it's about freaking time you realize how fabulous I am..." or, you know, something along those lines. Then I was told I couldn't say anything to anyone about it until it was officially announced today. I have been feeling like I was going to burst!
Later that day I was offered the postion with the company I interviewed with earlier in the day. No, I'm not joking (who knew... Cinco de Mayo is my lucky day). Oddly, I felt really bad about turning the job down. No doubt, I would have taken it if this promotion didn't come along.
I still can't believe it. It's been a long time coming and I'm really excited to get started.
This came right in time. I was interviewing with a few other companies and actually took a half day vacation last Thursday morning to go on my second interview with one company in particular. When I came into work later, my boss pulled me in his office to offer me a higher position. Which also came with a pretty fantastic raise. I wanted to jump up and down and scream... "it's about freaking time you realize how fabulous I am..." or, you know, something along those lines. Then I was told I couldn't say anything to anyone about it until it was officially announced today. I have been feeling like I was going to burst!
Later that day I was offered the postion with the company I interviewed with earlier in the day. No, I'm not joking (who knew... Cinco de Mayo is my lucky day). Oddly, I felt really bad about turning the job down. No doubt, I would have taken it if this promotion didn't come along.
I still can't believe it. It's been a long time coming and I'm really excited to get started.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Extreme Couponing
I don't get it.
Does anyone watch this show on TLC? Maybe it's just me, but I don't totally get how this works. How does someone have a $1900 bill and only end up paying $103??
I'm not even about to start stockpiling or spending hours cutting coupons and getting ready for my shopping trip, but I would love to learn more about how to save a few dollars on my weekly grocery store trips.
The most I ever saved was $33 at BJ's (one of the local wholesale clubs) and that was only because I happened to be buying a lot of items they had coupons for that week. I grocery shop weekly at Walmart (and I hate it... seriously, I try to get there at the crack of dawn just to avoid the crazies. What can I say, they have the best prices on most things). Then I supplement with a trip to Giant Eagle or Acme. Prices are more expensive at these places, but I just like their produce better than what Walmart has to offer. Once every month and a half or so I make a trip to BJ's to buy the stuff we can in bulk. M hates this, as our bill is not unlikely to be right around $300. The weekly trips cost us anywhere from $100-$150, depending on what we need. I think this is a bit ridiculous, considering it's just the two of us (and our pets... but they don't cost too much).
I do quickly skim through Sunday's ads while sipping my coffee in the morning and I clip the coupons that we can use. But honestly, I am finding, there's not many that we can benefit from. M and I eat pretty healthy for the most part and a lot of coupon's in Sunday's paper are for foods we don't buy. Here is where I will say that I can totally understand why there are so many overweight people in America. Parents simply cannot afford to feed their families with healthy foods... it adds up QUICK.
Do you use coupons? What are your tips/tricks for saving money?
Does anyone watch this show on TLC? Maybe it's just me, but I don't totally get how this works. How does someone have a $1900 bill and only end up paying $103??
I'm not even about to start stockpiling or spending hours cutting coupons and getting ready for my shopping trip, but I would love to learn more about how to save a few dollars on my weekly grocery store trips.
The most I ever saved was $33 at BJ's (one of the local wholesale clubs) and that was only because I happened to be buying a lot of items they had coupons for that week. I grocery shop weekly at Walmart (and I hate it... seriously, I try to get there at the crack of dawn just to avoid the crazies. What can I say, they have the best prices on most things). Then I supplement with a trip to Giant Eagle or Acme. Prices are more expensive at these places, but I just like their produce better than what Walmart has to offer. Once every month and a half or so I make a trip to BJ's to buy the stuff we can in bulk. M hates this, as our bill is not unlikely to be right around $300. The weekly trips cost us anywhere from $100-$150, depending on what we need. I think this is a bit ridiculous, considering it's just the two of us (and our pets... but they don't cost too much).
I do quickly skim through Sunday's ads while sipping my coffee in the morning and I clip the coupons that we can use. But honestly, I am finding, there's not many that we can benefit from. M and I eat pretty healthy for the most part and a lot of coupon's in Sunday's paper are for foods we don't buy. Here is where I will say that I can totally understand why there are so many overweight people in America. Parents simply cannot afford to feed their families with healthy foods... it adds up QUICK.
Do you use coupons? What are your tips/tricks for saving money?
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