18 Years, 4, Months, and 21 Days

18 years, 4 months, and 21 days...

That is how old I was when I moved away from Mom and Dad. I drove, all 1,000 miles, in one shot from Weed, Ca (my hometown) to Phoenix, AZ. It wasn't just the day I moved away from home, it was the day I moved away from my Mom, the woman who had supported me and been there for me every day for the last 18 years, 4 months, and 21 days.

Where is all of this coming from? My 2 years anniversary was on Sunday/Monday. Sunday was the day anniversary of the day I left and 1am Monday morning was the anniversary of the day I arrived in Arizona. Both days are memorable.

It was a big leap of independence. A giant one, one that I wouldn't take back, but might possibly approach in a different way.

18 is young. People who are 18 really are just beginning their baby stages of their life. They think they know the real world, but they don't, because parents try as hard and for as long as they can to shelter their children from the cruelty of the real world. I knew what bills were, paid for my own cell phone, I paid for my own insurance and my own car. Unfortunately, it's not the same.

I do cherish that day. I cried so hard before I left, that I almost didn't leave, I almost post-poned it to the next day. I hugged my Mom so tight. Part of cries wasn't because I was moving, it was because I didn't know when I would be back, when I would see my Mom again. The other part was being afraid. Afraid of failure, and the shame that would come with having to "move back" if I failed. I was confident that wouldn't happen, I have a funny way of making things work. But, the fear was still there.

Then, my Mom's boyfriend did the unthinkable, he gave me money, to help along the way. It wasn't much, but it was enough, and it was the thought that meant the most. I cried harder. Now, they were a mixture of happy tears, sad tears, and scared tears.

I cried on and off for the next three hours. It wasn't until I was south of Sacramento that the tears subsided.

The next time the tears flowed, I was about 250 miles away from Phoenix. The trigger of these tears was a Britney Spears song. (SHUT.UP I'm a female, I can't control my emotions in these times. Plus, I am trying to be sentimental). The words, "I'm not a girl, not yet a woman..." played through my speakers. It was that moment that I knew I would persevere, and succeed and that too scared the shit out of me.

I closed a chapter of my life that day, it was the journey to independence. I then started writing a new chapter... the journey of independence.

The Morning Routine

Everyone (I can say everyone, because I've studied it. It's out there. On the web. Check it out.), has a morning routine. All routines can be different, but they are there, none-the-less.

For example, my morning routine when I was 16 went something like this (mind you I was in college at the time).

Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays (Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays were my days off!!! I know!):

10:00(ish) - Wake up

10:10 - Shower

10:20 - Hair & Makeup

10:50 - Rush to get to class by 11:00 (It was only 10 minutes away, and there was NEVER any traffic/stop signs/traffic lights (small towns, gotta love 'em!)

Now, as I am older, hopefully wiser, and more importantly need money to survive, my morning routine goes a little like this:

6:45 - Turn off alarm and curl up with Lover

6:52 - Turn off alarm and curl back up with Lover (I have many alarms for different times set on my phone.

7:00 - Turn off alarm and try to keep my eyes open while I curl up with Lover

7:04(ish) - Rush out of bed in a hurry to get ready, and brush teeth

7:07 - Start make-up / hair (which is still wet from the shower last night, because always put it in a tight bun)

7:20 - finish getting ready. Contemplate eating breakfast, but choose to curl back up with Lover for a few more minutes.

7:30 - Turn off Lover's alarm

7:34 - Rush out of bed, get dressed

7:36 - Crawl back next to Lover, give him morning kisses (while avoiding his morning breath) He always tells me that I look sad. (I do). Then he asks why. (He always asks why!) I tell him because I don't want to go to work; that I want to stay here, with him. (I ALWAYS respond in these words). He smiles, I give him a kiss, tell him I love him and miss him (On Mondays - Wednesdays) or tell him I'll see him soon (On Thursdays and Fridays), and to have a good day.

7:38 - Rushing out the door

7:44 - Make it to the freeway, where I get to fight traffic

7:56 - Still fighting traffic

8:03 - Pull into work

8:05 - Get to my office. I am always a few minutes late. But, I don't really give a damn because they took away my overtime, forced me to take an hour lunch, and put me on a set schedule (like I'm salary), so showing up late to work makes me feel like I am getting something back.

I miss Lover. I wish I didn't have to leave him in the morning and go to work. I would much, much rather stay curled up in his arms as long as I could.

I also wish I could have the routine I did when I was 16. Things were easier back then.

Planning a Party?

You know how we all dream. Well, I have been dreaming a lot lately. I have officially extended my budget out until the end of 2014. That's right, it's a five year plan. And if I follow it correctly I will have about $54,000 saved up. pppsshhhh. I have mentioned before that I am incapable of saving... I am still incapable of saving. It will be interesting to know how much I have saved up at the end of 2014.

That is one of the day dreams I have been having. The other is getting out of the job I am in now. It is not secret that I hate my job, in large part because I have to spend it with Mrs. NHJ (No Holey Jeans, in case I have any new readers). Part of this career change, includes how I can do something fun, that involves a random schedule of which I choose and when I choose it, being able to sleep in and cuddle with the love of my life, spend more time with is beautiful daughter Baby, interact with people, use my degree, and more importantly use my brain! Uncanny right? What job is going to offer all of this? Should I mention that I did not even note benefits or a 401K?

Basically, I have came to the conclusion that I would have to work for myself. But, what would I do? Howe about plan parties! My family... We know how to party, and we have thrown some pretty good ones, that aren't too pricey!

My dreams came to a crashing halt for a few reasons. One, starting a business costs money. Maybe not the one I am wanting to start, because I don't need and office, e-mail is free, and I can do my own marketing. But, there is advertising, business cards, and who the heck wants to hire someone who doesn't have a website in this economy. A website and references are a must. Two, I'm almost positive I would have to quit my job to do this. I can't quit my job. My job is steady income that I need to pay the bills. I can't leave steady income for "I don't know when the hell I am going to get paid" income.

Maybe some day, in 5 years, after I have the $54K saved up, then I can quit my job and start planning people's parties! I mean, I know all the vendors, I have people skills, and it's something I enjoy doing! *sigh* How I love to dream.

But really...

Would you hire me to plan your wedding, birthday, company party, holiday party, funeral? :O

He's Takin' Over (For today only)

If you haven't already head on over to Blogging is for Dorks and check her out! She is the one who inspired all of this!


My boyfriend and I are very similar in the fact that we like to talk about ourselves, and we like to talk about our relationship. So, that is what he did and I'm not critizing him, he is new to the whole blog world; all I am saying is I will work with him.

I have read what he wrote, and I cried (shut up! I'm emotional like that! I can't control my hormones!). What you are about to read is true to our relationship and true to him. I swear the only think I edited was punctuation and paragraphs. I hate long paragraphs. Oh and I added the pictures.

Lover, Christie (AKA Love and Booze), and Cinderella

This is Curtis and I am writing about the love of my life, movies. No, just kidding, it’s about a beautiful woman named Christie.

I met Christie back in the beginning of February at a coffee shop in Tempe Marketplace. She walked through the door and I was instantly attracted to her. She had on tight jeans and a black shirt that showed off her “assets” clearly. She was just testing me she said. We talked for hours getting to know each other. It was the best date I had ever been on and believe me when I tell you that I have been on a lot.

We next met on the day before Valentines Day at Macaroni Grill. I had asked her to be my Valentine that day but I did give her some hints the day before about asking her. She already knew I was going to ask but played it off like she didn’t. We dated for about two months before I asked her to be my lady. I pretty much knew from our first date that this was definitely someone I could see myself being with.

We have been official for almost eight months now and it has been the best eight months of my life. I have a daughter from a previous relationship, her name is Cinderella [okay so I changed one thing], and Christie instantly warmed up to her. I was a little nervous telling her about that whole situation with Cinderella’s mother and I, but she understood and didn’t judge me in any way.

Christie and I have been living together for about five months now and things are great. We don’t fight and we get along very well. We did have to make adjustments because I had never lived with anyone so it was a lot different for me. We pulled through just fine and we couldn’t be happier.

Cinderella, Christie (AKA me!)

Christie is the most wonderful person I know. She is smart, kind, intelligent, peaceful, loving and worldly. She always has a lot to say about anything and everything. She knows how to get things done and doesn’t waste anytime. She is goal oriented and very hardworking. She has all the characteristics that I love in a life partner. She is the woman I intend on spending the rest of my life with. I want a home, children and a beautiful life with her. She is the one I want to vacation with, talk with, spend time with and grow old with. She makes me feel like the luckiest man alive. When it comes to her and I, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

First Carving

My first time EVER carving a pumpkin.

My family did Thanksgiving and Christmas, not Halloween.

The end result.
Lover's pumpkin. (He did a good job, don't tell him that!)

You like? I like!

Lover and his creation!

Finally, The artist and author herself.

One of my friends over at Blogging is for Dorks suggested that we have our significant other write about us, in order to scare away our readers, because who is really going to listen to anything we have to say after we called out by the one person who knows us the best? Anyway, I have Lover working on this and I should have it posted first thing Monday morning.

For Lunch...

Lasagna and cookie dough...

because I'm an adult.

And I can! :P

Famous Last Words

"UH OH!"

That's exactly what I was saying when I remembered that I was back in school. (You can stop laughing now).

How does anyone truly expect me to remember that I am enrolled at a University for their Masters program? Come on, it's me we are talking about. :D

I remembered on Friday, I set everything up, so that all I had to do over the weekend was log in and post it for participation. Then, Sunday night rolls around and as I am about to drift into the most beautiful sleep imaginable:

"Babe, are you doing your homework?"

*dead silence*

"It's just that I never see you do any homework."

*My jaw hits the floor*

"Are you still going to school?"

*My eyes are about to pop out of their sockets*
In a haste to remember. "Umm... Yea, I'm in school. I do all my homework at work, you know that."

*silence*
Trying to recover, "I did forget that I was in school this weekend though," *deep breath* "But, I'll be fine, like I can recover from it, it won't hurt me."

I've been really busy lately, and wow! I can't believe I forgot, for 2 days I forgot. Good thing Lover said something! Who knows how long I would have forgotten for.