Once Upon A Time...

There was this guy who loved this girl so much you could see his eyes sparkle when he looked at her or talked about her.
Can you tell me when those eyes turned so cold and when exactly they started looking around and when they learned how to hide truths and flat out lie to mine???

"Life Lives, Life Dies, Life Laughs, Life Cries. Life Gives Up and Life Tries. But Life looks different through everyone's eyes."

Crazy Cat Lady

So, I have visions of being old and alone with my two cats. You know...a crazy cat lady.
I had the dinner date guy over last night, and just as we popped in a movie, I start to notice that Mackenzie (my boy cat) is not well. Now, I knew that something was up earlier in the day, and have been commenting to people that know him, that he has been acting really needy for about two weeks. Last night during said date it all came to a head. My poor little guy wanted to be right next to me but did not want me to touch him. He puked. He had a glazed over eyes, I-am-in-bigtime-pain look on his face and he could not get comfortable. Then he started peeing...like a snail...leaving a trail everywhere he went...very strange as he NEVER EVER goes outside of the box. I knew he was ILL.
So today I drop $200 to find out he has some crystal formations blocking him up...just great.
All I really care about is that he is not going to die. That would really be the cherry on top of the shit sundae that has been served up this year.
A few months back when all this stuff started with AK and I, Bella (my girl cat) lost a lot of her hair. That was from the stress of AK being gone. She favors him, and if it were not for Mack and my huge attachment to her, I would give her to him, because she loves him madly. She RUNS to the door when he comes over. She lounges on or near him every chance she gets. She must have had a mini breakdown during that month that I did not talk to him because sure enough she had no hair down her back. Yes, we have successfully messed up the kids, and I have dropped an additional $300 total between the two of them.
Thank god we do not have children.

Cat Quote: “When I play with my cat, who knows whether she is not amusing herself with me more than I with her.”

You said you would love me until you died.

Well, as far as I know you're still alive.
Way to go...now our relationship as I believed it to be is now dead.
I am moving on. I find myself needing to call you and see you less and less.
Will I ever be over you 100%...not sure. I am guessing no. I do believe I will find real love with someone other than you now. Every time I have fun with another guy a little piece of me let's go of you. I am fighting against feelings of resentment even. I have no use for feeling bitter or p.o'd at you, but it is hard to not fully notice how much you neglected me now. Things sure are blurry when you are in the middle of a situation. I plan on keeping the lenses clean this next time around...I have a feeling from what I have seen, that I will not need to worry about 1/100000th of the crap I needed to be aware of with you!!
I'll be fine...Don't bother with your backpeddling and concern now. I will not die of deception. You on the other hand, you just might die alone and lonely if you keep up this "new" you...just like your father. Probably thinking about how much you still love me and regretting your poor choices...just like your father did with the love of his life. So maybe you were right...you will love me until you die...you just won't be faithful!!!!!

I’m trying to die correctly, but it’s very difficult, you know. (Lawrence Durrell)

Resting In Gods Arms

I have been given the Privilege of Honoring

Nereida DeJesus.

This picture was forwarded to me by Roxanne Perez. She is the mother of Mike the father of Nereida's daughter Lauren. They were taken by Efrain De La Cruz (Major,US ARMY) who lost his sister Lillian Caceres on 9/11. He attended and took this photo at ground zero on 9/11/02. He was thoughtful and generous to share them with the family and now with us!

Please visit the Quilt Memorial Project at www.unitedinmemory.net

For Nereida De Jesus, life equaled Lauren. Lauren was her daughter, a bubbly 7-year-old whom Ms. De Jesus, 30, was raising alone in Woodlawn in the Bronx. Mother and daughter would do everything together (get their hair done, go to movies, take bubble baths).

Ms. De Jesus' new job as a claims adjuster at Aon Insurance, which she started only a few months before Sept. 11, enabled her to send Lauren to a private Catholic school. When Ms. De Jesus was not working or taking care of Lauren, she could usually be found at church, either at her sister's missionary church in Dover, N.J., or at a church near her home.

Ms. De Jesus, said her sister, Elaine De Jesus, wanted to be like her own mother, who had raised three children alone on the Lower East Side (when that neighborhood was one of the worst in the city) and somehow had them all turn out fine. "Her job was helping her accomplish the plans that she had," Elaine De Jesus said. "She was proud."

Legacy.com has beautiful comments posted by the friends and family of Nereida. I was moved to tears reading them. I did not have the pleasure of meeting Nereida, but I am so glad we were brought together through this 2996 Tribute. Funny how God works. I think about 9/11 every year a bit, but mostly I move through the day with ease. This year, since having made this "connection" with Nereida, I have been struggling a bit. I guess this is what I needed to make the whole thing "real" on a deeper level. I have been thinking of her while watching the news coverage, the documentaries, while at the movies...and I am especially thinking of her and her family today.

What a beautiful wonderful person. She was just one year younger than I am now when she went to be with God. That hits home. I hope anyone reading this understands there is no way I could possibly do justice to the life of Nereida, but rather takes comfort that there is just one more person out there that will help to keep her memory alive ~ even if in just this small way.

I will remember her not just today, or this anniversary, but from now on...my prayers will always include the DeJesus and Perez families! God bless you and keep you safe.

Please see a tribute from that day set to music by Enya.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhCoD94YDAg

I encourage you to visit http://www.dcroe.com/2996/ and take a moment to remember the victims of September 11, 2001.

Some information was taken from excerpts from The New York Times, November 24, 2001.

Please always keep Nereida, her family and all the people affected by 9/11/2001 in your thoughts and prayers...and NEVER EVER FORGET.

I am...I said.

Two words. Super Diamond.
They are the psuedo famous Neil Diamond cover band that I went to see this evening with a bunch of people. I HAD A BLAST. I mean, SOOOOO much fun. My favorite is "I am...I said". Not sure why...just is. Regardless, the band sounded JUST like him and the House of Blues was jam packed. We grabbed a cab and headed over to someone's penthouse condo party after that. More fun. One of my best night's out. I introduced myself to some extremely attractive guy at the concert fully expecting to be shot down...he laughed with me as I sang some of the lyrics and then gave me his number. Hey, what do I have to lose??
I called AK when I got home. I cried and raised my voice and HEALED just a bit more. I have been so gracious through ALL of this BS...WHY??? He is a lying, cheating, deceitful, egotistical sex addict...and ALL of those are FACTS. In this moment I do not want to continue any communication. I hope I feel the same tomorrow. What a JERK. I know you are not suppossed to say nasty things, but in this moment : I wish I never met him. WHY would I be glad to have?? To have set my progress in life so far back?? I already was a caring, loving person before him...if anything I am now more guarded and not so nice.
Whatever. "I am...I said"

“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”....So true!!

Uppers!

In an effort to turn around my ohsopleasant mindset, I am compiling a list of things to be grateful for TODAY!!! Here goes:

1.) My cats Mackenzie and Isabella. I think animals can sense when you are sick physically or otherwise. Mine have been rallying around me. Tonight I woke up to both of them cuddling me in bed. That is becoming the norm now and it makes sleeping alone just a little more bearable!!

2.) Family. My brother is out in Utah, but emails and calls to tell me he loves me and to make sure we stay close. My mom and dad drive me nuts in a major working-on-it-in-therapy kinda way, but I notice all the effort they put forth to call to make sure I am coping well. I appreciate that they all are here for me when the cards are down.

3.) Friends. The kind that worry about me like I am their sister. From constantly keeping their eyes peeled for some quality man for me :) (God love 'em), to including me in most everything even though I am the third wheel on a regular basis now!! I am an honorary member of many of my friends new young families that have small children and am considered "aunt map"...breaks my heart and warms it at the same time.

4.) Blogger. I messed up my first template, and I had no idea how to fix it. So, I moved to Beta and chose a new template and now all is well. Thank the blogger gods. I have to add my memorial name though, and that is when it all went downhill for me last time...cross your fingers. Oh, and I cannot comment to people who have not switched...everyone switch quick!!

5.) The weather. Seriously I love spring and autumn!! No sweat running down your back, no need to break the bank on A/C. (Heat is covered at my apartment so I can keep it as toasty as I would like!!) I love roaring fireplaces, big soft sweaters, hats mittens and scarves that match/coordinate!! Pumpkin picking, long walks to see the leaves turning, hot tea....etc.

6.) Health. I am well able to do most anything. I am lucky/blessed beyond compare. My family is primarily the same. I recognize what a joy that is. There are SO MANY people that are not currently able to say that.

7.) Money. This one is a gray area. I am grateful that I can pay my bills ~ that I do not have many bills! I am not in the financial position I would like and am actively working on that!! Funny what happens when you focus on nothing but a guy...your career sucks. In the future I would like to invest and secure savings in other avenues.

8.) That I continue to learn and grow. There was a period of time over the last few YEARS where I could not really say that. I was ONLY focused on caring for AK's ailing father and my bumpy relationship with AK. Now I find myself learning all of the time. A few recent examples: Like this blog adventure. I am clueless, but I am slowly learning!! Like learning to let go and that other guys/people find value in me. Like the fact that I am pretty cool just the way I am.

This one is perfectly perfect!! "Good cheer is more than faith in the future, it is gratitude for the past and joy in the present”

Infinite Sadness

Currently my "theme song" is playing over and over and over in my head. I have the CD on rapid repeat as well. "If you're goin' through hell keep on going~Don't slow down if you're scared don't show it..."
So, last night I had a truly cool second date. He came over to cook me an AMAZING dinner. Amazing because the guy made his own dressing and sauteed the croutons for the salad! Amazing because he added fresh chopped garlic in with the fresh green beans. Amazing because the salmon and gnocci tasted AWESOME. I found myself staring at this "guys guy"...I just looked at him while he COOKED ME DINNER at my place. I just took it all in. We both are very comfortable around each other. That surprises me. We laughed and talked and played with the XM radio online in between stirring and then after dessert. We downed 2.5 bottles of wine between 6-midnight. He kissed me...and not just on his way out the door. He was very sweet and several times throughout the night just stopped and looked at me to say "That was cute." or "I just think you're cute." It was nice to be appreciated and for someone to compliment me. It was nice to have FUN without someone snapping at me, or telling me to "hurry up" or without them being annoyed by god knows what. I had a good time. "But the good news is there's angels everywhere out on the street! Holdin' out a hand to pull you back up on your feet..."

THEN it hit me. We were SOOOO comfortable that suddenly I threw on the breaks in my head. Whoa there...THIS is like a relationship...and I have marathon dating to do still...and healing...and you left the toilet seat up (who DOES that?)...and...and...and you are NOT AK.
I just sat up, and went over to the computer and acted like I was reading the FREAKING NEWS. Really I was trying to steady myself. He got the hint. He came over and looked at me for a minute, gave me a really great hug and kiss and then said he was leaving.

He left and I felt like I was spinning. I could not sleep and my stomach felt ill. (spin) I just wanted to call AK and act like this dumb date never happened. (spin) I wanted him to hold me and to tell me that all this was a FREAKING NIGHTMARE and to wake up. (spin) Then I started to think about the fact that he did this stuff with other women (3 that I know of). That he could then come home to me and act like all was well. That he gave this to them WHILE he was with ME. (spin spin spin). I went to bed and felt an empty feeling that I never remember feeling ever. (spinning stops) We have crossed into new territory. I have kissed another man after YEARS and it has changed everything. I am overtaken by a very deep sick sadness that is in my soul. I have to let go for real now. AK and I did not talk today. He did not call or come over and I did not reach out. Very strange. I couldn't help but imagine that he stopped by and overheard us and left, or drove by and saw the car in his parking space, that he put it all together and that is why he did not call??!!

Yesterday before the date AK called me to tell me that he had a work dinner from 6-10 so "don't worry if you call me and I cannot answer, that is why. Oh, and I love you" I thought about him saying that last night while I lay in bed. He thinks about my feelings when I let go of his. Go figure.
I am typing away right now, but there is a quiet about me inside that is creeping me out. I feel calm or numb or SAD. I feel like not talking.
The telephone was ringing bright and early with all the girls who are dying for me to move past AK and into a great new life with someone new. Naturally they wanted the news...they wanted to know if we kissed as they all know that is a huge mile marker for me. Some calls I let pass, others I just gave a two second synopsis so I could get off the phone.
I spent most of the day fighting back tears and as I write this they are stinging my eyes now. Some people say it is not NATURAL to be monogomous. I say it is not natural to NOT BE. I must have been a dove in another life. One life...One love. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers while I work through this. I know there is world hunger and Cancer and MANY much more serious issues that plague people, but right now...for ME...this broken heart feels like all of those combined.

I will see this dinner date guy again tomorrow out with friends. I am going to take a deep breath and try again to hang out and have fun.
Who knew you had to TRY to have fun??? Practice makes perfect I have heard.
"When you're goin' through hell, keep on movin' ~ Face that fire, walk right through it ~You might get out before the devil even knows you're there!"

Quote: “Do not watch the petals fall from the rose with sadness, know that, like life, things sometimes must fade, before they can bloom again.”

Crikey!!

What a way to go. At least he was doing what he loves when he passed. I think he went to Animal Heaven to care for all the critters that have gone to the other side.
Hey, Steve, if you can hear me, say hi to Tippy my very first dog. Tell her I love and miss her.
That's all I have to say about that.

I like the quote today. Very fitting!!“Seeing death as the end of life is like seeing the horizon as the end of the ocean.”

Cleansing of the Soul

There is something very freeing about cleaning. Today I scrubbed every inch possible of my two bedroom suite. I still need to scour down the oven, but other than that this place is sparkling. I did laundry and purged everything possible from tons of old clothing to worn out pots and pans. There is some correlation between clutter and the way you feel. My place is not filled with junk, but I have a lot of stuff that I save for whenever I may need it (which never comes), I felt relieved to get rid of it all. Less to care for…less wasted time organizing…more space. I believe the way your closets and living area look is a reflection of how your life is going. So, right now my space is looking pretty clean. I have made room for the NEW…the old is now gone. It feels good. I may try to expand this into every aspect of my life. Happy Labor Day everyone…hope you are enjoying life…it is so short!!

Words to think about: "Don't call the world dirty because you forgot to clean your glasses!!"

If you're going through Hell

So, Rodney Atkins has that new song out called "If you're going through Hell". Freaking Brilliant Lyrics. I am officially making this my new theme song to be sang when P.O.'d, sad, annoyed, WHATEVER. I even ran out today to get the CD, and I hate buying those things!! I thought I should make an exception with the new theme song being on there and all. Bonus that Mr. Atkins is hot. I am officially making him my stand in boyfriend until I get a real one. It's kinda nice to just declare something to be the way you decide!! Wouldn't it be clever if things actually worked that way?

Here are a few lines for those of you that have not heard the song!!
Well you know those times when you feel like~There's a sign there on your back~That says I don't mind if you kick me, seems like everybody has~Things go from bad to worse~You think it can't get worse than that~And then they DO~You step off the straight and narrow~And you don't know where you are~Used the needle of your compass, to sew up your broken heart~Ask directions from a genie in a bottle of jim beam~And she lies to you~That's when you learn the truth~If you're goin' through hell~ keep on going~Don't slow down~ if you're scared don't show it~You might get out before the devil even knows you're there!!

Singles Scene Update:
Date #1 was rescheduled for Wed. This one is too cute with the ideas for hanging out. He is cooking me dinner at my place and "handling" all the arrangements. Ummm, let me think for a moment....YEEEEAH, AK never once felt the need to purchase ingredients to plan and cook a meal for me. I do not count warming up leftovers or opening a can of soup. All he eats now is a protein shake for dinner anyways...I guess he has made me one of those!! This new one must actually think I can afford to eat some food that you chew!! This one has possible potential.

Date #2 was interesting. To be generous he is just not "the one". We were set up by acquaintances...never again. I am glad I am meeting new people, but before I downed my first cocktail, he told me a story about a guy that "shit his pants" literally. I AM SERIOUS. So, I have been out of this dating game for awhile, but I am guessing on a first date most people like to get to know each other and that stories about people shitting themselves might be reserved for a later date. He was attractive, but he had small hands. I simply do not want small hands all over this body....ewww. Imagine my thoughts when he said "So, do you want to do this again sometime soon?" UGH that would be a NO.

Date#3 I asked for a rain check. I kinda feel bad. I just could not head back out into the abyss again tonight after the shit talker. I need some recovery time inbetween these little adventures in dating. Marathon dating will be revisited in the future once a little more healing has taken place. I am just not ready to be a serial dater.


Tonight's quote: “Nothing defines humans better than their willingness to do irrational things in the pursuit of phenomenally unlikely payoffs. This is the principle behind lotteries and Dating.”