More Holes in My Head

The history of my piercings:


When I was 11 years old, I was permitted to finally get my ears pierced.  I don't remember much about the event.  I believe it was a trip to the mall and sitting at a jewelry counter in a big department store. (2 holes) 


When I was a little older I wanted to get my second holes done, but my Mom said, "no".  So, one weekend when I was at my Dad's, I think I was around 14 years old, I decided my friend and I would pierce my ears.  So there I sat in my Dad's tiny little bathroom with ice cubes on my ears.  Angela was supposed to shove the needle through my ear, but needle in hand against my ear....she chickened out.  (!!!)  I really wanted this piercing, so determined as I was, I tried it myself....I couldn't get the needle through my ear, so in my young wisdom I ended up with a large diaper pin.....(ouch)....but it worked!  even though it was a large pin that did the piercing, I couldn't get the stud earring in, only a fish hook type.  Needless to say, I only did one, that was enough pain inflicted on me, by myself. (+1=3 holes) (And I remember that night we went dancing at a place in Roanoke for teens called Club 19 and after dancing all night that earring hanging out of the new piercing....ouch!)


At times that I don't recall over the years, I ended up getting the second hole done on the other side.  And then my third holes. (+3=6)  These occurred sometime by my mid-20's.  


When I was 28, I quit smoking (a 14 year habit).  After six months of no cigarettes, I gifted myself with a cartlidge piercing.  I went to a tattoo shop to have this one done, after doing much research and learning that it was safer to have the piercing done with a needle opposed to a piercing gun.  (+1=7)


After gaining about 30 lbs over the five years after I quit smoking, I joined WW and lost it.  So six months later I gifted myself with a navel piercing.  That one was pretty painful!  Technically it's two holes, but only considered one piercing. (+1=8)


After attending a customer appreciation day at the tattoo parlor, I was called and informed I'd won $100 of piercings!  oh wow!  what to pierce? after much consideration and internet research, plus permission from my boss for one of them, I made my decisions.  So on September 3rd, 2010, I went in and had my nostril, tragus and lobes pierced.  The nostril hurt the most.  The tragus wasn't nearly as bad as I though it would be, just a lot of pressure.  And my lobes now have four on each side.  (+4=12)

(I don't really like this pic of me)
The nostril piercing hurt more than the others!

The tragus didn't hurt as bad as I anticipated.

These pics were right after I got the four new ones.

So....am I done yet?  maybe....maybe not!

Why doesn't she just leave?

Sometimes you might wonder why women stay with men that treat them badly.  I know a long time ago, I would wonder that as well.  I still sometimes have a hard time understanding it.  But, when you live it, you begin to understand.

As an 18 yr old, I began a three year relationship with a guy who was 6 yrs older than me.  When I met him, I thought he was so handsome.  It was so cool to be dating an "older boy".  He was a lot of fun, we would always have somewhere to go and hang out with his friends.  He liked to drink, but this wasn't a big deal to me.  He was older, so I figured he just liked to have a little fun and party, plus it was cool because he could buy it for me as well!  I had a pretty early curfew, so I don't think I had the full picture of how much he drank.  One thing that should have been a big clue....he had two dui's against him so he couldn't drive.  I don't know why this didn't matter to me at the time.  I guess I just liked him so much I overlooked it.

My parents disliked him.  So I defended him.  Finally I ended up moving in with him.  And then it was too late to turn back.  I had pushed away my family. I really didn't know what I was getting into.  Three years of arguing, him drinking all the time, me driving him to and from his numerous jobs, gaining a "step"daughter and trying to protect her from what was going on around her , living in roach infested apartments, having a gun pointed at my head, (I love you baby, it won't happen again), sleeping on people's couches, being pushed around (I didn't mean to do it, I'm sorry, I love you), losing friends because they didn't understand why I stayed, being drug off the bed and held up on the wall (I love you, please don't leave me), making a few new friends, having the police called on us by neighbors out of concern (shhhhh! don't move, be quiet, don't open the door), starting my two years of classes at National Business College,  sleeping in a tent for two weeks, living in different hotel rooms every night for two months, having him sent away for help when he threatened suicide (I promise I'll change, I won't drink anymore, I love you), becoming a stronger person, being punched in the face......calling the police....finally, finally, finally leaving.  I had finally had enough.

Do I regret this relationship?  No.  I learned a lot.  Made friends that I still have.  Mostly I learned what I needed in a relationship and in live.  And what I could live with and without.  I learned to not judge people by what they have and don't have.  (I grew up pretty sheltered and spoiled).  I grew.  I became a better person.

Why doesn't she leave?  probably because she is afraid for one.  But, also, because she thinks he truly loves her and that he will change.  She sees small changes and hopes for bigger changes.  She becomes part of his family and loves them.  She probably has lost friends and family along the way.  And is afraid if she leaves she will have no one and that he may retaliate against her for leaving.  I was lucky, we didn't have any children together.  If we would have, it would have been much harder to leave.  I was so afraid of losing touch with my  "stepdaughter", but I'm lucky to say we are still in contact and she is 22 years old now.  Life moves on.  We grow up and become smarter and stronger (hopefully).

Chapters

If my life was a book, these might be the chapters:

Childhood: growing up with divorced parents
Teen years: growing up and away from family rules
After HS/Tony: rebellion and learning many lessons
Young Adult/Scott: growing up and settling down
Adult/Lee: moving on and finding "the One"
StepMom/Mom: taking care of my young ones

to clean or not to clean.....

When you walk in the door you see newspapers, a pile of clothes, a stack of books, an item that shouldn't be there, a toy here, a toy there, a crumb, a smudge....comfy furniture, flowing curtains, beautiful walls, family photos.  This is my home, from room to room.....it is much the same.  


Why? there are lots of reasons...excuses....laziness is a huge part of it.  Having little people in the house has really made it worse.  I like things, books, clothes, etc.  But, generally I don't acquire too many personal items.  But, when you have children they are always getting things....birthdays, Christmas, other holidays, etc.  


I don't like my home to look like this.  I like to have visitors....but when it's like this....not so much.  I know my husband hates it.  I always have good intentions....I was off all summer...but it is still not any better.  Now that I'm back to work, it will be harder.


Lee is afraid our home will be like the show Hoarders...lol....I don't think it will ever be that extreme!  


Maybe one day it will be better.  My baby girl likes to put things away and organize...maybe she will motivate me.  Hopefully something will motivate me.  I'm really motivated a few times a year when we have birthday party's and Christmas celebrations.  


Maybe, I just need to plan for a get together every couple of weeks, maybe that would work!

HERSHEY....yummy! and fun!

Who doesn't love chocolate??? well, I guess there might be a few people that don't.....???....hmmmm but they are weird, right??

What's not to love about a place that is designed around a chocolate company??  Chocolate shaped lights, the scent of chocolate in the air, chocolate scented flowers,etc.

We traveled to Hershey, PA as part of our Honeymoon trip in 2005.  We visited the amusement park, the zoo, the flower gardens, took the trolley tour, visited the museum and many other attractions. 

I love themes, I love to see a theme carried out.  So going to Hershey was very fulfilling (in many ways, lol).  It was a fun, relaxing way to spend several days with the one you love!  I highly recommend visiting there.

I have a small silver Hershey kiss on my charm bracelet to remind me of the time we spent there.

Lee and me with a huge Reece's cup while on our Honeymoon in Hershey, PA

I Slept on a VIRGIN (Island)

My parents just returned from a trip to Grand Cayman Island...man I'm jealous, it's such a beautiful place!  When they returned they had gifts for my children and me.  (shirts for them and shirt & jewelry for me) I love getting presents!  My parents have always been so sweet to bring me things from their trips.  When they gave me my new gifts, I took inventory of what I was already wearing, and I had on earrings, necklace, bracelet and ring from trips they had taken in the past!  I was thinking of all the trips they have taken and all the things they have brought back.  It made me recall when I was younger seeing a shirt my stepfather had gotten on a trip.  It was yellow, if I recall correctly....his fav color.  And it said....I Slept on a VIRGIN (Island).  I remember being so embarrassed that he had this shirt! haha!  I don't actually think he wore it out anywhere, but in retrospect, now that I think about it, it's pretty cool that he had it!

NoIsEs in my HoUsE

LOL, it's funny when you have different age kids in your house.  

They all make NoIsE, some just different than the other!

Last night, the teen was listening to some screamo metal music.

The toddler was making siren noises while playing with his ambulance.

LOL, gotta love it!!

Technology

I love technology!  love, love, love it....but only when it works!!!  sooooo frustrated right now!  my husband's important company backups that are on a flash drive....corrupt or something.  HELP!!  story of my life....something always goes wrong!

Teens & Toddlers

Of course, I love my kids....but why is it that one moment they are nice/sweet/loving/cordial, etc.  Then a moment later they are the complete opposite??  It's up and down, up and down.  And lately I haven't had much patience for the down.  ugh!

Mean People

November 27, 2006, from an older blog

I saw a bumper sticker the other night that I really liked, it said....MEAN PEOPLE MAKE LITTLE MEAN PEOPLE.....isn't that true?  I think children really do learn to act like the adults in their lives.