Feeling blue

I'd like to know how one can visit "The Happiest Place on Earth" and not feel so happy. We just got back from Disney World with my mom, aunts and cousins. I'm not sure if was the amount of people in our group or the grief, but I just didn't have the magical feeling. Yes, I had fun, but not super fun. I LOVE Disney. It just wasn't the same this time. Nothing to get psyched over. I feel like all of my funness (is that a word?) was taken when Brian died. We did have a good time though. The kids were the priority. I have to thank my mother for the distraction from Halloween at home. Halloween was a bigger holiday for our family than Thanksgiving. We would always have people over to a pumpkin carving night. It was a big toodoo. But now, those days are gone. The kids started talking about Christmas today. I explained that it would be different this year. They asked questions about who would put up the tree, etc. It was always something Brian and the kids did. They helped him assemble the fake tree. I hate change.

Brian's mother has invited us to Thanksgiving dinner, along with my parents. I'm wondering if my mother would go, for me. My MIL invited my parents too. It would help me alot in making a decision of whose house to go to. I know they will always be in my life, but I would really like to be with my family. Can I have it all? These are the decisions I will have to make. Forever...

So after I made my last post, the following day I get another drunk text from J asking for, well, you know. I asked him if he could still give me what I wanted. He said yes for that night, but not sure on any other night. I told him to take a hike. Ok, so if I would have had a sitter, I would have been in the car in a heartbeat, but I didn't. I texted him on Halloween wishing him a good one. He responded, so I guess he's not too upset. At least I'm angry at him now. The anger makes me think twice. Meanwhile another friend, P, that I have been in contact with thought I wanted something more. I explained I didn't, but just like having a guy to talk to. He's divorced with a three year old. It's not quite the same, but similar. We listen to each other rant about things. It's nice. I have no attraction to him what-so-ever. He's just a nice guy.

The girls and I are going to a Hopice "reunion" from the kids summer camp this weekend. I get to meet other parents too. Not sure how I feel about that, but it's only 2 hours. I can do it. The kids are excited to see thier camper friends. I'm glad they made the best of the situation.

I have so much paperwork to go through. I'm a little behind in it. I feel like I'm drowning. I can't even tread water at this point. I just want to put my head in the sand and pretend the world doesn't exist. My bed being the sand. lol. Speaking of, I'd better call it a night.

Been on a Bumpy Ride

I am ten days short of six months without Brian. Since school started, I have been having a very difficult time. It hasn't been one thing in particular. It has been a combination of EVERYTHING. I enjoyed my long term sub position but was ready to be done when my time was up. That on top of grad school and the kids put me over the edge. I put off all grad work until the sub position was over, Oct. 1. And here it is Oct. 17 and I'm still behind. I got kicked out of my endorsement class and absolutely HAVE to have it to student teach in the spring. I freaked at first, but have come to deal with the reality. So, I don't graduate in the Spring. I wait till fall. So what? I still finish, right? My mother is unaware of this. She is going to freak out. I set up a meeting with the director of the program for Monday. We shall see what she says my options are. I know that I cannot take on anymore at the moment. I find it very difficult to concentrate on anything. I can read a chapter and not remember a damn thing. Hence the drop out of the endorsement class. Ugh.

All I want to do, and all I seem to be doing, is lie in bed. I get the kids off to school and climb back in bed. I'm guessing it doesn't help I'm up so late like tonight. Today I slept until 2pm, got up, showered, did the dishes and then went to get the girls from school. Honestly, I want to drop the kids off at my mother's for a week and stay in bed. I would hope that after a week I would get sick of it and snap out of this funk. I am far worse than I was in the beginning. People said this would happen. I thought I was doing so well. I see it happening before my eyes, yet I can't do anything to stop it. I know the difference between right and wrong and what I am doing is wrong. Tonight was the first, maybe second, night I cooked dinner since he's been gone and ate as a family. Six months people.

Brian was my best friend. He was the one I would be talking to now about all of this. But he's not here. My best friend is gone. To read it makes it so real. I miss him. I miss his voice, his eyes, his touch, and him being a daddy. I get very little break. I want that time at 6pm when he used to walk in and take over. I don't get that anymore. The girls, they miss him so. Poor Morgan has been taking over. Sad, but true. God love her. She has been helping out in the kitchen at breakfast and lunch. I try to tell her how much I appreciate all she does. She starts counseling again on Monday. I'm hoping it helps her stomach issues. They were ok for a bit until school started. I'm guessing the stress of school triggered it again.

I myself have felt ill lately. I had finally written the old boyfriend off and then I get the call. You know the drunk dialer. He said everything I had so wanted to hear. EVERYTHING. He explained to me why he had waited and asked if I was glad. I am, I know I'm not ready. He promised me the moon, stars and the sun and reneged the next day. I'm guessing the alcohol gave him the courage to say the truth and then that scared him. I was sick all weekend. Not sure if it was Jay or a stomach bug. I'm thinking a little of both, since I have been feeling nauseous every time he comes up in thought or conversation. We did talk last night and agreed to be "friends." I'll take it. I'm not sure I'm really ready for anything more anyway. He says he's used to doing things whenever and wherever without checking in with someone and he's still wants to play the field. Whatever field that is. We are 35 people. lol. I asked him what he thought it was I really wanted from the relationship. Then I laid it all out there. I said I wanted to lie with a man with my head on his chest while watching TV. I asked if he could give me that, because THAT is what I want. He ignored the question and we have moved on. I just can't let things go. I bring up past conversations and probably say too much. This dating thing, whenever I get there, is going to suck. I'm too straight forward now. Brian didn't play games. Say what you want. Bottom line. So, now I do.

Anyway, I have started seeing a grief counselor. She is awesome. I'm hoping to go back next week. She makes me feel normal. Whatever that is.

I've officially been up for 12 hours and it's 2am. Guess I should go to bed. Tomorrow we have the school funfair and the movies with my cousin. I'll be putting on the brave face for the funfair. I'll be getting all of "the looks" that I dread. You know, the ones that say, "Oh her husband is dead, she must be a mess." Yes, yes I am.

The Dance

"The Dance" starring Brian and Toni

Looking back on the memory of
The dance we shared beneath the stars above
For a moment all the world was right
How could I have known you'd ever say goodbye
And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance
Holding you I held everything
For a moment wasn't I the king
But if I'd only known how the king would fall
Hey who's to say you know I might have changed it all
And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance
Yes my life is better left to chance
I could have missed the pain but I'd of had to miss the dance


Brian and I were like two dancers moving in sync with the music. We knew who was going left and who was going right. Sometimes he led and I followed and sometimes I led and he followed. We just were. At parties we could be together, yet apart. We knew each others thoughts and movements. It is so hard to be at parties with a bunch of couples. I'm always the third wheel. I envy those that share a kiss in the corner. I cringe when I see families laughing from a far. Why isn't that me? Why can't I have that? What did I do to deserve to be alone? We were perfect. When I see couples fighting over stupid stuff at parties I just want to shake them and tell them to get over it and love one another. You never know what tomorrow will bring. Though six months ago, if someone would have told me the same, I would have shrugged them off.

Nothing is forever and we need to treat each day as if it were our last. On my birthday we all went out to dinner. As we walked to the ice cream shop we passed by several little shops with cute displays in the windows. As I was ordering our ice cream, Brian said he would be right back. He didn't want anything. He returned with a big bag. I asked him what it was and he told me it was a birthday present. Being sentemental, I didn't want to open it until I got home. It turns out that he bought me a wooden sign that said, "Always Kiss Me Goodnight." I LOVED it. It is so true. I didn't like going to bed fighting. There were many a nights that we were up until all hours talking until all was well. Making up was much more fun than fighting.

I'm not sure what I will do without my dancing partner. For now I will dance. This is what I believe Brian is telling me to do:

I Hope You Dance

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin',
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

Dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance..

For now I chose to dance. Sometimes fast and sometimes slow, but I will keep on dancing.

Moving forward, but dragging my feet.

Brian's boss sent me an email yesterday stating that Sept. 1, 2009 would have been Brian's 6th year anniversary at AmCad. The place he loved going to everyday was the place that helped take his life. Ok, so that is just my opinion, but I feel the stress from his job contributed to his untimely death. I know that heredity, diet and other things contributed as well, but still. They stole his sole and took advantage of a very good man. He never said no. He made whatever they wanted work.

I miss talking to him. After class yesterday I wanted to call him on my way home. I miss the hugs and kisses. I miss hearing his voice. What happens if I forget his voice? I know I have videos of the girls and him, but I'm not ready to watch them yet.

This semester I have a full load. How am I ever going to get through this without him. I depended on him for so many things. He got me through so many projects and papers. He always knew how to talk me down from one of my anxiety attacks. Brian would proof read my assignments and give me feedback. He would keep the girls while I attended classes. He would make dinner and put them to bed. Oh how I miss him. I know that I have to finish this program in order to support my family, but I was hoping to do so with Brian by my side. I wanted him to be in my graduation picture.

I find myself, purposefully, not looking at pictures of him. I'm not sure if it is too painful or if I like to pretend he is still away. I want to get new pictures of the girls together. I was going to do it for his birthday, but his time ran out. I thought of having the 4 of us done, but that is so permanent. Us, without him.

Taylor has been giving me a really hard time lately. Her temper tantrums are coming more often. Over the weekend I had to drag her out of Costco screaming. I had told her that she couldn't have a lava lamp and she threw a fit. I had her sisters put the Halloween costume back. She didn't deserve anything for that behavior. That is when she hit me with her cast. When I grabbed her she proceeded to bite me on my arm. I still have the bruise. With that I left my mother to pay for our items and took Taylor to the van. What on earth do I do with her? Is it grief, age, or anger? Is she just testing me? I'm so done with this. I'm hoping when school starts that she will get better. Maybe we all need a little structure in our lives. I have enjoyed spending the summer with the girls, but we all need to get back to reality. Even if it does suck!

We are all moving forward into these uncharted waters. Together we can do it. For better and for worse.

Summer of Fun

So remember when I said all I wanted to do was sleep? Well I got part of my wish. Last night I went to bed at 9pm and woke up at 8:30am this morning to take my girls to camp. I was back in bed by 8:44am and slept until 11:06am. You would think I would be well rested, but I think I could honestly stay in bed all day and sleep. I remember my mother doing this when I was a kid. I was left to fend for myself on weekends for breakfast. Bryers ice cream was delicious. No wonder I was so heavy in 4th grade. Is this how my children will remember me? Will they remember eating popcorn, cereal or poptarts for breakfast. (Those are the current meals of each child.) I try to pull it together for them and do fun things during the day, but by nights end I am done.

We went to King's Dominion today (a local amusement park). The kids had a great time, although my youngest couldn't do too much due to her cast. I am actually going to call the Dr. in the morning about the cast. We are scheduled to go to an indoor water park for a few days next week, but I am worried they won't let her do any of the activities with her cast on. So much for the waterproof cast. Do I jeperdize her healing wrist so that she can have fun on our trip? Or do I cancel the trip? It's our summer of fun. We actually leave for the beach tomorrow too for the weekend. Busy time before school starts. I guess I'm doing this all out of guilt. Once school starts for the kids and me (grad school), life is going to be chaos. I have class 3 nights a week and the kids will have a sitter. I feel horrible for having someone else care for them and putting them to bed instead of me. I keep telling myself, "Only one more semester." I just have to keep telling myself that. I'm just not sure how I am going to do ALL of this alone.

Ok, enough whining. I'm going to fold my laundry and head off to bed. Here is to a happy weekend at the beach!!!!

At the end of my rope.

In the midst of thinking I'm doing ok. I realized today that I am NOT. This parenting without a break thing sucks. He doesn't come home to releave me like he used to. I sleep all the time in the day, but not at night. I've been taking the kids to camp at 8:30am and going back to bed until 11:00. This leaves me enough time to take a shower before picking them up. Though yesterday I didn't even shower. I slept 25 minutes longer. There are days that I even take naps in the afternoon as well. I totally lost it today with my children. I gave them the warning of: "Mommy's going to lose it, so go find something to play with." I feel so guilty, but I just needed quiet time. No whining, no gimmies, no fighting. I tried to apologize to the girls. I'm hoping they are resilient. In the 'moment,' I could feel my BP shooting up. I hate feeling out of control. I have so many things to do, but no motivation to do them. I'm doing the laundry now for the beach this weekend. I need to straighten up the basement, have the kids clean thier rooms, put away the clean clothes and declutter the living room. Though, I have nothing to give. I'm on empty.

Funny how I can say I'm doing well, when in reality I'm not. I can get the kids where they need to go, and make sure they are fed and in bed on time. I kinda lose track of the bathing, but for the most part they are fairly clean. lol. Here is hoping for a better tomorrow. We are going out to dinner tonight because who wants to cook? Not me!

Does Lightening Strike Twice?

I miss him. I miss the smell of his hair. The touch of his skin. The goodbye kisses in the morning. The phone calls in the middle of the day. The sound of the kids yelling, "Daddy's home." I miss hearing him read the kids a bedtime story at night. Falling asleep on his chest every night with his arm around me holding me close. I miss seeing him cook on the grill. I miss buying him clothes, Pepsi's and Sour Cream and Onion chips. I miss hearing his voice. I miss his I love you's.

Will anyone ever love me the way Brian did? He gave his everything to us all. I wanna be loved again. To be hugged again. And to be kissed again with such passion. I miss him. Together forever, till death do us part.