Merriest Christmas to you, friends and family, and welcome to my first ever Holiday Newsletter!
This year was a very big one for me, so I decided to send out a (virtual) Holiday newsletter to those nearest and dearest to me (all of you!), telling you all the highlights of my year! Buckle in, it's gonna get wild!
This year was a very big one for me, so I decided to send out a (virtual) Holiday newsletter to those nearest and dearest to me (all of you!), telling you all the highlights of my year! Buckle in, it's gonna get wild!
January 2021 came in strong, sucking pretty badly! I had just endured one of the craziest years of my life, and the previous month was just about the worst I had ever felt.
I was dangerously burnt out and exhausted from my job as a youth care specialist at a residential treatment facility for juvenile delinquent teenage boys-I had been working very long hours, as well as it being a very emotionally strenuous job to start with. December also brought a very expensive broken down car, getting stranded on Christmas Eve, and the signing of my divorce papers. To say I was stressed out, is a gross understatement.
I was dangerously burnt out and exhausted from my job as a youth care specialist at a residential treatment facility for juvenile delinquent teenage boys-I had been working very long hours, as well as it being a very emotionally strenuous job to start with. December also brought a very expensive broken down car, getting stranded on Christmas Eve, and the signing of my divorce papers. To say I was stressed out, is a gross understatement.
Knowing that something had to change, in January I put in my two weeks notice at my job, packed up my car, and took off for a relaxing and soul searching weekend in Hocking Hills with Rocco.
It was life-changing.
Being in a cabin in the woods, away from civilization, technology, and other people, was the best thing I could have done for myself!
Removing myself from all the distractions of everyday life, allowed me to clear my mind, fully relax, do some much needed soul searching, and begin the arduous journey of healing.
I really think this weekend was when my healing began.
Read my post about Hocking Hills.
Being in a cabin in the woods, away from civilization, technology, and other people, was the best thing I could have done for myself!
Removing myself from all the distractions of everyday life, allowed me to clear my mind, fully relax, do some much needed soul searching, and begin the arduous journey of healing.
I really think this weekend was when my healing began.
Read my post about Hocking Hills.
Me and my girl gang at D+S
After returning from the woods, feeling much more rested and at peace, I finished out my two weeks at my job (which was actually quite hard-I really miss those boys), and then started another job a week later. It was through a temp agency, and after three months it became apparent that they had no intention of hiring in temps. I knew I needed to find a new job fast, because I was wanting to buy a house, and the bank would not give me a loan if I was working a temp job. So at brunch on Sunday morning, I was explaining this to Chase, wondering out loud what I should do, when a woman at the table next to us says, "excuse me, I was eaves dropping, but I'm hiring!" She hands me a business card, I meet with her on Tuesday, she hires me, and I started working at D+S on Monday morning!
Love of my life
On March 2nd, Chase officially asked me to be his girlfriend!
I said yes, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and he has made me happier than I ever thought possible.
It is such a blessing to be in a relationship with my best friend-the sweetest, silliest, most loving, and handsomest guy I could have ever imagined.
I said yes, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and he has made me happier than I ever thought possible.
It is such a blessing to be in a relationship with my best friend-the sweetest, silliest, most loving, and handsomest guy I could have ever imagined.
My divorce was also finalized sometime around then, I don't recall the exact date.
Although my Hocking Hills weekend definitely helped bring about some peace about the situation, and helped me to reset and recover from the shock of it all, I'm not going to lie and say it was all sunshine and rainbows from then on. It was still crazy hard.
While I was working as a temp, I was very grateful that most days I was working alone, because for a couple weeks, I would burst out crying out of nowhere, almost every single day, and not be able to control it.
I had never felt this way before, but I knew that it was all a part of the grieving process, and so I let myself feel whatever I needed to feel. I knew I was in the depression stage of my grief.
Although my Hocking Hills weekend definitely helped bring about some peace about the situation, and helped me to reset and recover from the shock of it all, I'm not going to lie and say it was all sunshine and rainbows from then on. It was still crazy hard.
While I was working as a temp, I was very grateful that most days I was working alone, because for a couple weeks, I would burst out crying out of nowhere, almost every single day, and not be able to control it.
I had never felt this way before, but I knew that it was all a part of the grieving process, and so I let myself feel whatever I needed to feel. I knew I was in the depression stage of my grief.
But then!
The anger stage of the grieving process hit.
And booooooy did it hit hard!
I had never felt so hurt, so betrayed, and So. Damn. Angry!
Seeing as I'm not normally an angry person, I had no clue how to deal with this new feeling.
So I did what any sane person would do, I went to a rage room!
Forty five minutes (it was only supposed to be thirty, but afterwards the guy was like, I could tell you needed some more time hahaha) alone in a room, blaring 90's and early 2000's rock, smashing the ever loving bajeezus out of empty wine bottles, VHS tapes, dishes, glasses, an entire tv, and various wedding items and pictures with a baseball bat, was exactly what I needed!
I was sobbing, screaming, and wielding a baseball bat like a madman.
Talk about cathartic!!!
That forty five minute session helped leaps and bounds to get out all my well-deserved anger, and really did make me feel better.
The anger stage of the grieving process hit.
And booooooy did it hit hard!
I had never felt so hurt, so betrayed, and So. Damn. Angry!
Seeing as I'm not normally an angry person, I had no clue how to deal with this new feeling.
So I did what any sane person would do, I went to a rage room!
Forty five minutes (it was only supposed to be thirty, but afterwards the guy was like, I could tell you needed some more time hahaha) alone in a room, blaring 90's and early 2000's rock, smashing the ever loving bajeezus out of empty wine bottles, VHS tapes, dishes, glasses, an entire tv, and various wedding items and pictures with a baseball bat, was exactly what I needed!
I was sobbing, screaming, and wielding a baseball bat like a madman.
Talk about cathartic!!!
That forty five minute session helped leaps and bounds to get out all my well-deserved anger, and really did make me feel better.
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In March I turned 34. I got to spend it with family and friends, and Chase surprised me with a visit to Otherworld in Columbus! It was so much fun, our first date as a couple, and a really special experience we got to share together.
Also, I am loving this age!
Also, I am loving this age!
End of May I got Covid. Boooooo.
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This summer.
This summer was one of the best summers, and the best times I have ever had!
Camping, rafting, kayaking, garage saling, riding the motorcycle with Chase, golfing, a trip to Cleveland, DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area)-ing around Wooster, thrifting, swimming, shooting guns, playing guitar, karaoke, a Lost Dog Street Band show, dairy free ice cream, hanging out with friends, a taco tequila crawl, a crazy amount of breweries and craft beers, and spending lots of time with the boyfriend, all added up to literally one of the best summers of my life!
This summer was one of the best summers, and the best times I have ever had!
Camping, rafting, kayaking, garage saling, riding the motorcycle with Chase, golfing, a trip to Cleveland, DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area)-ing around Wooster, thrifting, swimming, shooting guns, playing guitar, karaoke, a Lost Dog Street Band show, dairy free ice cream, hanging out with friends, a taco tequila crawl, a crazy amount of breweries and craft beers, and spending lots of time with the boyfriend, all added up to literally one of the best summers of my life!
August 31st my nephew was born.
I am so in love, and am loving being an Aunt!
I am so in love, and am loving being an Aunt!
In September, to celebrate our dating 6 month anniversary (the 2nd), and the one year anniversary of us re-meeting, talking, and falling head over heels for each other (the 4th), we took a mini vacay to Michigan. It was wonderful! We stayed in a yurt, cooked food over an open fire, and visited the local beaches and breweries!
October 2nd I adopted my sweet little angel, Kramer!
I adopted this adorable seven year old boy from the Wayne County Humane Society, and I am so excited to welcome him to the family!
He was rescued from a puppy mill (😭), where he had been abused and neglected his entire life, and it is very apparent by how nervous, skittish, and unsure he was when I met him.
He has come such a long way in these short two months I've had him; he gets happy and excited now, is not as afraid as he was, he follows me everywhere, and absolutely loves being held!
I am so excited to keep teaching him new things, and give him all the love, and a happy and safe forever home 💖🐕
#adoptdontshop
I adopted this adorable seven year old boy from the Wayne County Humane Society, and I am so excited to welcome him to the family!
He was rescued from a puppy mill (😭), where he had been abused and neglected his entire life, and it is very apparent by how nervous, skittish, and unsure he was when I met him.
He has come such a long way in these short two months I've had him; he gets happy and excited now, is not as afraid as he was, he follows me everywhere, and absolutely loves being held!
I am so excited to keep teaching him new things, and give him all the love, and a happy and safe forever home 💖🐕
#adoptdontshop
In October I began selling my handmade goods in Blended Ohio, at the Strongsville Mall!
There's still time to get your gifts for Christmas!
There's still time to get your gifts for Christmas!
I BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!
Yes, all by myself!
There are no words to describe how extremely proud of myself I am, and how completely excited I am for this next chapter of my life.
It has been a crazy long road to get here, but it has finally happened!
I am loving living by myself for the first time ever!
I am in the process of decorating and getting everything all put away and organized. I am so in my element!
Yes, all by myself!
There are no words to describe how extremely proud of myself I am, and how completely excited I am for this next chapter of my life.
It has been a crazy long road to get here, but it has finally happened!
I am loving living by myself for the first time ever!
I am in the process of decorating and getting everything all put away and organized. I am so in my element!
At the same time I was buying my new house, I got a big promotion at work!
As exciting as it was, it was also a bit stressful, because I was moved to a different building, away from all my amazing work friends, doing a job I've never done before. It is a pretty difficult job, and I am still being trained on it, learning more every day.
As exciting as it was, it was also a bit stressful, because I was moved to a different building, away from all my amazing work friends, doing a job I've never done before. It is a pretty difficult job, and I am still being trained on it, learning more every day.
So, 2021 has been one of the craziest years of my life. I've grown a lot, experienced a lot, and accomplished a lot! So proud of how far I've come, and so excited for all yet to come.
Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year, from Rocco, Kramer, and I.
Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year, from Rocco, Kramer, and I.
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