Happy Birthday Tigger!

Happy birthday Tigger! I miss you so much,  I hope today is a good day.


~Mom

Happy "Anniversary" Baby

It is the five year anniversary of my husband running off with some woman he worked with at his part time job. The same woman he lied to, and told his marriage was in trouble. 

The same one who he had, just a year before, asked if was a man or a woman, as she took our KISS tickets at the VIP gate. He later surmised that, since most men don't usually have roses tatted on their leg, surely MUST have been woman. 

The real trouble with his marriage was that he had not discussed anything about being unhappy, and wanting to move on, with his loving and devoted wife. He continued to  kiss me hello and goodbye, and make love to me for four more months, all while he spun an intricate web of lies to cover his tracks. That is until the day he kissed my lips goodbye, and moved out while I was at work. 

Whatever. 

I am certain that, by now, his intricate web of deceit has collapsed. As the past has proven, five years is about his limit. People were starting to catch on to his stories, and question me about them. That is probably why he relocated to somewhere no one knew him. 

People came out of the woodwork to tell me how much better off I would be without him, including members of his own family. How no one could believe I had settled for him and how long he was able to carry on his masquerade. I can say, my life did improve once he was gone. 

He is her problem now. Thanks for taking him off my hands. 

I have been able to finally heal my heart. Having always been a loner, being alone is easy for me. I will never let myself be so taken in by a good story, that I forget that I am my own best company. Anyone who I let into my life now, is there simply because I want them there. 

That is why I am excited to report that things have come full circle. But that is a story for another day.

Now here is a little ditty that I came across five years ago. It fit the situation back then so perfectly.

And it's funny, so I will leave it here for you now. 

Joey and Rory's "Cheater, Cheater"

~EnJOY

 

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Have You Forgotten?

This is the annual repost of my personal 9-11 story. 

I feel that it is important to remind others that this happened.

2,996 people lost their lives that day.

Never Forget!

Independence

So I went on a date this past weekend, with someone I have known over 30 years.


Yeah, I know.


In all the ways it was exciting, there was something very comfortable and familiar about him.


I was not prepared for him to the atypical, rude, obnoxious, bammer fan (a fact I didn't recall from our previous relationship) , which lead to some uncomfortable situations while we dinned, watching the Auburn game.


As he filled me in on what he had been doing these last 30 years, all I could think was, when did he turn into such a jackass? Everything he described had been so... dramatic.


I can not go down that road again. I can not knowingly put myself in a relationship where the male stirred up so much drama. It has taken me 4 years to cultivate a drama-free life and I like it.


Some may think it boring, but it is finally peaceful after having endured so much.  Stuff stopped going missing, all the bills are paid on time, the house looks fantastic, there are no sudden "crises" that drain my savings and the confident thought that I am NOT being cheated on with every floozy skank that comes along lets me sleep very well at night.


This date also made me realize, that I don't really want a relationship. I don't have to rush into anything with just anyone, just because I can't be alone with myself. 


 I used to think that I did.  I needed to show I had moved on and could be happy too.   But I could tell pretty quick, what was not working. That I was still attracted to immature boys, who lacked very basic responsibility. (I really love a good "project")  I guess now that I am older, I see that a man who is past 40 and doesn't have one thing for himself by now,  is not a truly a man. And these wanna-be men would try and manipulate me, I guess to get me to feel sorry for them and bail them out of some disaster. Oh the stories were good, but the blinders are off.  I had been down that road before.  I need a fully formed, fully functioning, adult human being.


No more "projects" for me.

Happily Ever After

Meanwhile...

Happy Birthday Brother!

I hope it was as special as you are!

~EnJOY

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom, who has stood beside me through thick and thin!  I could not have made it this far without you!

Sometimes I Wonder...

There are times that I wonder how I could be so blind!

A friend posted this on the book of face yesterday. The more I have listened to it, the more sense it made. And the more it sounded familiar. But I was extremely impressed with the video speaker.

In the effort to  locate the video link to post here, I came across the  entire YouTube channel of Mr. Derrick Jaxn. Video after video, all casually staged from the drivers seat of his car, on relationship advice. After a few moments, it is clear to see this is not your typical dude videoing himself in the front seat of his car!  Articulate, well spoken, and all points fully formed and well thought out. So I did a little more research and found him to be a lifestyle blogger, public speaker and author of several books!

You can enjoy his website here Derrick Jaxn

While not the intended audience, his message is universal.  

Take a listen!

Bonus Video shared by a girlfriend

Know the signs...Wish I had!

~EnJOY

Happy May Fourth!

Life Is Good!!

I'm battling what seems to be my semi-annual upper respiratory infection, usually brought on by seasonal allergies. That is why I missed wishing Julz a Happy 29th Birthday!

I also missed congratulating her on her graduation!  It was a long time coming but I couldn't be more proud.

It's been a rough couple of days. I will post details later

Confession Time: Memories on April 27th

Facebook has a funny way of reminding you of events in your life, right when you need to remember them. A "memory" popped up today from six years ago.  I  had posted as we sat in a waiting room at UAB after my bother's wreck.  It mentioned how ironic that a year later we were all right back in practically the same place.




Time is a funny thing. It softens the blow on the most painful memory and heightens the emotions of others.




Seven years ago today, was the deadliest tornado in our most recent history.


The ex has supposedly fell off our roof and had gone by ambulance to UAB. I say supposedly because where he fell did not match the "injuries" the doctors were looking at. While I had believed him. everyone else felt that there was something that did not quite add up in his story.  The doctor had asked me out in the hall if he was an alcoholic. Looking back, I should have known.  He had a flair for the dramatic. Love makes one blind to so many things, especially deception.


 In that post, I also mention my lifelong friend, Leigh, an only child who lost both her parents to this storm. Being around her the last few weeks, at our weekly gathering at the local Mexican restaurant, she reminds me to cherish the time I have left  with my parents.  When we all complain how crazy our parents make us, she quietly reminds us that one day, they will no longer be there to complain about.




Six years ago today, my brother was in the trauma unit at UAB, recovering from a motorcycle accident. I am reminded of how fragile life is and how we shouldn't take anyone for granted. As my mother and I tried to steer Julz through last minute details of her upcoming graduation and the frustration of not being able to impress on her how important these details are, I remember that life is short and in five years, they may not even matter.  That we should look for the opportunities to be with those we love rather than slogging through the mundane. So when I had the opportunity to either cut my grass, or go celebrate a friend's birthday, I immediately chose the birthday.






Tomorrow I will be at UAB yet again. to watch my daughter graduate. Whether we sent out "proper" announcements or not, those who love her will be in attendance. Whether we got the cake with the dragon on it or not, we will gather to fellowship in her honor.




Lastly, I am thankful to God, for allowing me these memories, that my stroke could have easily stolen from me. I am reminded that everything under Heaven, good, bad, otherwise, He uses for His glory. I have no doubt that I have walked through everything I have walked through on April 27th o that I can appreciate the 364 other days. 




I reposted my memory, an added the thought:


 " Much like a boat, Life rises and falls with the waves, but my Anchor has me firmly in place still."


~EnJOY

He Is Risen!!

I have heard the Gaithers sing this or the more popular version made famous by Don Francisco. 

Many may be surprised that the late Lynyrd Skynyrd frontman Ronnie Van Zant was a co-writer.

But this is my favorite version of this song. I know Dolly is a Believer. You can hear it in her voice.

He's Alive and I'm Forgiven!!
Happy Easter y'all
EnJOY!

Happy (belated) Birthday Kit Kat!

Happy (belated) Birthday baby girl!

Thank you for still considering me as family1

Rough Night

Well Monday night was kinda rough. So rough, they closed my office early. Not April 27th rough but pretty close. Sending out prayers to those who suffered damage from the storms that came through.

When Your Week Starts Out Like This...

...things can only look up!

Glad to be over the hump, not under it!

~EnJOY

Where have I been?!?

Hard to believe that it has been two months since my last post!


I kinda thought I posted something back in January after my first date with The Umpire, but I guess I didn't.  Subsequent dates have been just as pleasant. But if  one thinks the five year age gap was hard to over come, try eleven years! I swear there are things that he has no concept of!


I wanted to post after Kit-Kat's Miss Alabama prelim, but I can't get the pictures from the official photographer to post. She did awesome and everyone around us agreed that she would have been a much better choice. There was some minor drama with folks that she said probably wouldn't bother to show up (mainly because one had to pay to attend), but I thought I handled it well. 




Despite being on track to be smokin' hot come summer, my bikini body is on temporary hold due to an abdominal injury. The searing pain from my belly button to my left hip suggested a hernia or torn ab muscle. Initial testing has ruled out an umbilical hernia (by the belly button). As I go through all the testing to determine the injury, I am having to sit out from the gym. It is killing me.


I have new "neighbors" as of Sunday.  Keelan and his girlfriend are boarding their horses in the pasture next door. I have only seen them once since they arrived but look forward to getting to know them.


I feel like there is something else I was supposed to mention today. but can't think of it.
That is gonna bug me all day long.
Oh well


EnJOY your day!