The Backstreet Boys are Back!

So I've decided to come out from under my rock and make an attempt to update this. I'm not promising wit or even cohesion since my mind is a ball of Gymbo-mush and I seem to only be able to think in terms of sizes, return policies, or upcoming promotions.

The past seven months have been all kinds of crazy. My marriage ended, my new role as "single mom" began. OSU and I, on the other, renewed our vows. In sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, I will continue with school until death (or I graduate).

My girls learned how to live a life with the two most important people in their lives in two separate places. I have no idea what kind of bad relationship choices, drug experimentation, or therapy bills they'll be able to blame on me someday. For now, they seem to be adjusting just fine. There was a moment last summer when the girls and I were sitting in the living room...I was staring blankly at Noggin, the girls were eating cereal out of the box, the house was inching towards disastrous, and I was feeling tired and sorry for myself. I looked at them at thought, "if life is ever going to return to normal for the three of us, one of us needs to suck it up and act like she knows what she's doing". We took a vote. Maria just stared at me and Ava picked her nose. I guess I drew the little straw. Seeing as how I am the mom and 13 years into adulthood, that's probably for the best.

I met with Dan to finally separate finances (I knew I would be poor but I need to know exactly how poor I was - I found out. No worries, we're still okay enough to keep fruit snacks and cable TV in the house. The W girls are happy.). I found a job which I find to be pretty Gym-painless and Gym-flexible. I dug my heels in and braced myself for the most stressful ten weeks of my life.

I counted (because I'm secretly OCD with counting and numbers) and I believe in ten weeks I took 14 quizzes and tests, wrote 15 papers, worked 256 hours, and was told I was crazy by about 395 people. I did it though. I came out of it with pretty decent grades and a new appreciation for fast food and quick and easy meals.

I realize this may sound like I'm petitioning for an award or at least an honorable mention. I'm really not. In fact, I'm very aware of the fact that this was all self-inflicted. It is my very hope and wish that, in the end, this will all be worth it...that this is like remodeling a house. You endure months of blood, sweat, debt, fights with contractors, and parading family past it saying "I know it doesn't look like much now, but just wait until it's done. It'll be gorgeous." That's where I'm at now.

I'm happy and have that good feeling that comes from a day of honest work. The girls amaze me with their patience and resilience. I just started my winter quarter. I'm almost done. Seriously, check back in a few months. It'll be gorgeous. Until then, you'll just have to use your imagination.