It’s been quite some time since I last blogged (a little over
2 years).
Life has a way of going by real quick, too quick if you don’t
pay attention. This is going to be an extremely long blog as I have a lot to
say (and remember I just turned 34 yesterday. I’m no spring chicken).
So let’s get caught up!
Fall 2012: The beginning.
Mike and I started our Journey looking for a new home. We
found our realtor Rhonda; she was an absolute God’s send. She put in a lot of
man hours taking us from house to house. Even with my constant judgments, she
kept ushering us along. We did find a small house at first. Cute, newly remodeled
and in a nice area. The only problem was it was too small. I mean so small that
I wouldn’t even be able to store my clothes and shoes and directly behind the
house were the Hall Rd. railroad tracks. I can pretty much guarantee I would
have pissed myself from fear for the first year. Luck was on our side though.
The deal fell through.
Looking for our home was no easy task. We looked at dump after
dump. We were beginning to lose hope on finding the perfect home for us. I mean
some of the places looked like drug dens (which 1 actually was, as were walking
through a house and the owner decided to sit at the dining room table and smoke
a joint). And so our search continued. We called Rhonda on a Friday evening and
told her of a few houses we wanted to see. She said she had 1 more house to add
to our list that she thought we might like. The next morning we got up and were
not really feeling it. We were tired and pretty much figured the few houses we
were going to look at were dumps too. We met Rhonda at the house she thought we
would like first. Mike and I pulled into the driveway and instantly knew and
WANTED this to be our house. It had everything we were looking for, 3-4
bedrooms, garage, basement, huge kitchen, huge living room and a nice size
backyard PLUS closets for all my clothes and shoes. Unfortunately when we went
to look inside the Real Estate agent forgot 1 thing. THE KEY! We went and
looked at a few other houses and were able to look at “The House” later. During
the walk through Mike instantly said “I can see us living here”. Me I thought “Yea,
but this place needs some major updating and cleaning”. It was decided. This is
the house we wanted. Now, was the hard part? We had to place our bid and hope that
everything went in our favor…
November: The month I decided to change careers paths. I
resigned from ALS. A huge part of me was relieved and the other was deeply saddened.
I worked for this company since I was 18 years old. 2 weeks fresh out of high
school. I had grown to love people who were once “co-workers” that are now my
family. I was leaving and it made me really sad. “My family” threw me the very
best going away party. It was filled with laughter, tears and a long walk down
memory lane.
I was starting my new career finally using my CNA license. I
was going to work in a Hospital and everything was going to be great?
Right?
NOPE!
I hated it. I was depressed and lost. I took all that I
could and decided that place was not right for me. I wanted my old job back and
“my family”. Unfortunately (fortunately)
I wasn’t able to get my old job back. It was time to keep trucking along…
Winter 2012: “The House”
December was the month we finally heard back from the bank.
Did our offer get accepted? Were we actually going to be moving into the house
we drove by weekly hoping and praying that it would be ours? We wanted so bad
to live across the street from Susie. We wanted to have BBQ’s, family gatherings,
anniversaries and to make that house our own.
Well I’m sure you know the answer. YES! Our angel agent
Rhonda worked her magic and our offer was ACCEPTED! The only down fall was we
had to wait for everything to be put together (records, titles, insurance. You
know all the paperwork). But the house was FINALLY ours! Our prayers and wishes
were finally heard. We had our home. Mike and I started shopping and picking
paint colors. We were elated! Now we just had to wait it out. (It seemed like
FOREVER)
I still hadn’t found a job yet. It wasn’t till the end of
December that I finally started telling people I was unemployed. It was truly
hard to fathom. I’ve worked continuously since I was 14 years old. I was embarrassed
and I was losing hope. That was until I got a scathing email from Kathy re: me
being stupid. I confessed that life wasn’t treating me so well in the job
department and I was jobless. Well her “Mama Bear” instincts kicked in and she
offered me to come help at the Bingo Hall. I worked a few shifts and it was
just like old times. Except the damn fryers, I was terrified of burning my
beautiful face. A few weeks later Mark (Daddy Warbucks) offered me my old job
back. I was FINALLY employed. It didn’t (doesn’t) matter how much money I was
making. I was back “home”. With people I love and a job I’ve loved since
puberty. Things were starting to come together.
Winter-Fall 2013
I continued working my shifts at the Hall and packing all of
our earthly possessions. In the spring we were supposed to get our keys. I continued
to look for a full time job. That was a pain in the ass, let me tell you. I
went on A LOT of interviews and didn’t get any of them. I was hopeful and
looking forward to spring when we could finally move into our home. That was
until….
We got an email in
early February. Rhonda emailed to inform us that the house would officially be
ours by the end of the month. We were flabbergasted! We were getting the keys
to our HOME earlier than any of us had expected. We jumped into over drive and
on Thursday February 21, 2013 we signed on the dotted line and we were OFFICIALLY
HOME OWNERS. We were going to wait till we had the house painted, cleaned and
ready before we were going to “move in”. Yea, that didn’t happen. With the help
from some amazing people (Mom, Dad, Melissa, Tom, Megan O and Papa Sam) we were
on our way to making that “house” our home! With lots of blood (I busted my
hands up pretty good removing trim), sweat (Lord was I hot) and tears (from spackling,
sanding, moving and everything in between). Our home was finally coming
together.
Winter turned to Spring and Spring turned into Summer. The
house was coming along lovely. We busted our asses making it what it is today.
It was lot of work. Work I wasn’t used too. I mean come on now, I am a prima
donna! The only thing my hands were used to doing was shopping, pointing and
picking. I had to do MANUAL LABOR. In the end it was all worth it. We had our
home.
We took a house that was pretty much stuck in the 80’s and had
seen better days and turned it into something far better than it had seen in
years or we imagined. We made it our Home.
A month after moving into the house I found a job at an
Assisted Living Community. I loved it! I hated working afternoons but I loved
the work I did. I met some really awesome people (who became lifelong friends)
and I was doing a job I loved. My patients gave me love, encouragement and a
job I loved coming to (even though I had some bad days). Unfortunately it didn’t
pay well and it had ZERO benefits. Even though that shouldn’t have been the
purpose, I still had to make a living. I still kept my eye open for something
better and continued working at The Assisted Living and the Hall. Something
finally came along and it was an opportunity that I “couldn’t pass up”. A job
working in a “Nursing Home”. It had benefits, the morning shift and was going
to be great experience utilizing my CNA license.
Right?
Wrong again!
I should’ve known it was bad energy as the day before I
started working at this place, my brother in law Ronnie unexpectedly passed
away. My poor sister and niece were crushed and there was nothing I could do to
make it better. I was batting 0-0.
It was the absolute
worst job and atmosphere I had ever had to experience. I would have rather been
a prostitute on 8 mile and hoping I didn’t get an STD than work for that God
forsake place! The whole situation still leaves a bad taste in my mouth and I don’t
like rehashing that “period”. I did my work and left. It was all I could do.
Again, I was on the prowl for something (anything) better than that place. It
prevented me from working at the Hall and missing a lot moments that I can’t
get back. I was literally exhausted day in and day out. Plus I was beginning to
hate being a CNA and the work that I was doing.
In the midst of me hating my job and being miserable.
My best friend Melissa had decided it was time to begin her
life and decided to become a traveling nurse. She was moving to Seattle.
My other best friend Angela had a baby , which I hadn’t got
to meet yet because of the “Nursing Home”.
I was shattered. The most important people in my life, lives
were changing and there was nothing I could do about it. I was shattered
because Melissa was moving and Angela had Jax who I hadn’t even met yet plus my
sister and niece were dealing with the loss of Ronnie. I was in a terrible
event of unfortunate events. Man was I bad. Mike was so loving and supporting,
but not even he could help. I was down and OUT! Even Melissa calling/texting/Skyping
2,000 miles away, Finally meeting Jax, and Guilia’s support wasn’t enough to
get me out of my funk.
Toward my 90 day mark (End of Summer beginning of Fall 2013)
Guilia told me her job was looking for a receptionist. I didn’t care what it
was, as long as I was getting out of that hell hole! I bombarded Guilia with
texts and emails daily for her to ask this “Kim” person if I could get an
interview. Luck was on my side. My angel Guilia came through for me. After an
awful 11 day stretch of “Hell” I got a call from a woman named Amanda and said
she received my resume from “Kim” and wanted to set up an interview. The next
day I was sporting my best duds and interviewing for a job that I was hoping to
land. A few hours later I was going to be gainfully employed and could leave
that wretched “Nursing Home” behind. I didn’t even give them the satisfaction
of a 2 week notice. They received 4 days. I took all that I could take and was
ready to get the HELL OUT OF THERE!!! When I got home from my last day at the “Nursing
Home” I walked into my beautiful backyard (which I hardly seen in months as I
worked like a dog for an unfortunate and should be closed place). I lit a cigarette
and took my CNA license out of my wallet and burned it to ash! It’s sad that a
facility (job) made me hate something that I worked so hard for and turn it
into something so ugly that I would never want to do it again.
Mike endured my many moods and made sure I was fed and that
our house was being kept up. I missed him and being able to enjoy our home.
Plus a little dog by the name of Farrah came into our lives.
OMG! I love that dog. Bianca took to her the minute they met. Bianca is a
wonderful and protective big (little) sister. Farrah completed our little
family and we are so fortunate to have her!
But my Journey continues…
The following week I started back in Mental Health. I was
finally back doing the work I am destined for. Even on its worst day, I am
grateful and fortunate that I have the job that I have. I worked in Clinton Twp
for my training with Heather and would be transferring to the Centerline
location. I finally got to meet “Kim” who is my big boss. Kim is one of the
most honest, full of integrity and appreciative people I have ever had the opportunity
to meet. I strive to be better at my job because she encourages everyone to be
better. Heather taught me well and was the first person to make me welcome at
the new job. I hold a very special place in my heart for her. Plus we had a
good time and I was able to meet some other coworkers. I was sad to be leaving
Clinton Twp.
Centerline…
I walked into that office thinking “This is not Clinton Twp”
and was greeted by a long black haired girl named Melissa who in just a few minutes
introduced me to my new boss, Dawn. I was never asked so many questions in 15
minutes than I was meeting Dawn. But with all her questions, she made me feel
extremely comfortable and welcome. Dawn kept offering me candy. I think she was
trying to bribe me into staying. I was pretty scared. The following weeks, I
became a fixture. I was beginning to get the hang of my new job and met some completely
“random” and “unique” people. People who
are now my family (My very LARGE family). People who I respect, care for and
love. There are days I want to go running for the hills, but there is no place
I would rather be. I’m doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. Some days
I feel like I am not making a change in peoples live and then there are days
that a simple “Thank You” or “You really helped me” or “You are silly as hell” make
it all worth it. I love the work that I do and I know I will grow old and even grayer
with all those “random” and “unique”
people.
(I have to add this tidbit) November 5th 2013 I
got to see Stacie Orricos “Stage It” concert. Best early Birthday present ever!
Ya’ll know how much I love my Stacie! (Plus her few singles released this year
have been on repeat).
Fall 2014:
This past week we lost the Matriarch of the family, Grandma
Doris. I couldn’t properly put into words what she meant to our family. Our
world lost a great deal when she left, but in her absence we will gain lessons
to be learned. Grandma Doris is the reason why I have my DeCoopman family (and
the other grandparents/parents). Mama D and Papa D are the parents people wish
to have. I got damn lucky coming into this family. I mean real lucky. The whole
family welcomed me with open arms and it showed this week during our hours of
mourning. We are a family. Dysfunctional, but family. Mama D gave us some of Grandma
Doris’ mementos that Mike and I will cherish till the end of time.
Mike is already starting Christmas (I like to act like I am
annoyed, but secretly (not so secretly) I love it). Mike set up our “Grandma
Doris” Christmas tree and we will reflect years that have passed and years to
come every time we set it up.
My sister and niece still deal with the loss of Ronnie
daily. They have grown and over come so much. I am extremely proud of the both
of them. Even on their darkest days, they still have faith and believe
everything will be ok.
Jax is growing into an amazing young boy, who loves his big
brother Joey. Ang and Chris are engaged and doing quite well.
Melissa married Tom and now reside in AZ. She’ll be home for
a visit in 3 weeks! I can’t freaking wait!!! I’ll get out there sooner than later. Plus my
brother Joe, Kim, their children and Heather (who I reunited with right before
I started my new job) live there so I can kill a couple birds with 1 stone.
I’m still with the Bingo Hall. And I still love it 20 years
later. Bonus I get to spend time with people who I love and cherish.
Anddddd I turned 34 yesterday. I can’t believe it either!
This has got to be one of the best Birthdays I have ever had. I received so
much love (and gifts) from the people I love the most. It was a good way to
start my “New Year”. Wow, 34! I feel old, but I look real good. LOL!
Through the ups & downs, happy and sad times. I am here.
Through the grace of God or my angels (Mom, Joe, Grandma Austin, Eric and so
on) or because it was just meant to be. I am here. Living, learning, loving,
growing (shrinking in size) and everything in between. I am here.
This was a good start for my long hiatus of not writing in
such a long time.
I promise I won’t wait too long to write again. I gotta fill
these chapters for Mike and I so when we are really old (I’ll still look real
good) we can reflect on the life we have LIVED!
Till next time…
Ciao,
Nick xo
