Helping Her to Help Me

This past Monday I went to a dealership with my girlfriend to find her a car.  We had already done the research and knew what we were looking for. She had done the credit application and listed both our names (me primary).  We were able to get her in a used 2018 vehicle based just on my info.  She's going to pay everything. It's just in my name because she has a recent repo.  Putting her in her own vehicle has already helped.  Hopefully it will continue to improve our situation because she plans to get a second job.  

She got a taste of my mean side

So the girlfriend got a taste of my mean side a couple of weeks ago.  We had a disagreement about something. I think it was work related.   She called herself getting mad and not talking to me.  Is that what you REALLY want to do?  Ok.  Let's play.  For the next few days I spoke to her only when absolutely necessary. Forget all the "morning babe. How was your night."  It was strictly business.  After a few days, we started talking as normal. She got tired of me basically ignoring her presence. So let this be a lesson. When needed, I am quite capable of being an asshole. 

New year - Same old ish

We are officially 3 weeks into 2020.  I can honestly say that the new year hasn't really brought me anything new.  It's still SSDD. 

Christmas 2019

Lemme post about Christmas 2019 before the new year arrives.  Christmas actually went better than I thought it would this year.  I worked with the ex-wife to get my 2 youngest daughters what they wanted.  The little one wanted an Apple watch.  We also got her some jeans.  The middle daughter wanted some Vans shoes.  I gave my ex-wife money to get the middle girl some jewelry.  I got my oldest daughter a projector for her phone.  I got the ex-wife a neck massager (something to open in front of the kids) and a vibrator (had to open that one in private.  We're divorced but we still have our foolish moments.)  I got my girlfriend a Michael Kors purse.  My kids got me some office supplies for my desk and my girlfriend got me some sleep pants and tshirts.  The oldest daughter purchases a Nintendo Switch for her younger siblings and my girlfriend purchased an additional game for them.  Overall, Christmas 2019 was pretty nice.   

Should I be Proud or Pissed Off?

I'm at a crossroads about a situation in my life.  My oldest daughter decided you wanted to try to work 2 jobs.  Her second job is McDonalds.  Now for those of you who are paying attention, you know that I don't deal with McDonalds since my incident.  Not only did my daughter get a job at McDonalds, she works at the one where my incident happened.  I don't know if I should be proud of her for trying to get her grind on or pissed off because she is working somewhere I don't support. 

Divorce - One Year Later

A couple of days ago marked the one year anniversary of my divorce.  I jokingly texted my ex-wife and she replied thanks but I was a day ahead.  Minor technicality based on day it was signed vs day it was filed.  Anyway, the ex and I have managed to remain peaceful and work together for the sake of our girls.  She still gets a hunk of my paycheck every 2 weeks and I assist with other financial obligations related to my girls when necessary.  Overall I think the divorce was a good thing.  It seems to have allowed both of us to move to a better place in our lives. 

Thanksgiving 2019

In typical Thanksgiving fashion, I volunteered to work the evening shift.  I got up last Thursday and lazed around for a little bit.  Around 10am, I preheated the oven and started loading our Thanksgiving meal.  My daughter, my girlfriend and I decided on a small ham, mac & cheese, cornbread dressing and broccoli rice casserole.  We all sat at the table around 12 and enjoyed the meal.  We cracked jokes until it was time to clean up.  I got ready for work and spent the rest of my day at my retail job.  Nothing spectacular, nothing crazy. 

New Living Arrangements

My ex-wife emailed me last month and informed me she wanted our oldest daughter out of the house by month's end.  I decided not to put up a fight and simply complied.  I told my daughter she would be moving in with me.  So for the past week, I have been living in an extended stay hotel with my girlfriend and my daughter.  Needless to say, this can't and won't last long.  As much as I hated to do it, I agreed to move into a 2-bedroom apartment.  Good news is that it will provide more space,  Bad news is that none of us own any furniture so we will be starting from scratch.  This is going to be an expensive adventure. 

Ten Months and One Year

Last month marked ten months of officially being divorced.  It also marked one year since I was asked to move out of the house I once shared with my wife and kids.  It's hard to believe so much time has passed.  So much has happened. 

Stay Out My Business

There's a saying in the streets - "Snitches get stitches."  That's really how I feel right now.  Over the past 2 weeks, someone has seen fit to put my business on blast at my fast food job.  First of all, someone decided to tell our above store manager that my girlfriend and I are actually dating.  Yea, I know that sounds crazy.  You have to remember:  1) I don't put my personal business out in the open and 2) my above store manager doesn't/didn't know about my divorce.  My store manager came to me and said her boss had been made aware of my relationship.  My manager told me to keep things professional and hopefully nothing further would come from the situation.  Ok.  That's problem number one.  Problem number two.  Someone decided to again go to my above store manager (amazing how these motherfuckers can't talk to me or at least my store manager) and bring up the fact that my daughter and I worked at the same store.  What fucking difference does it make?  It's not like we work together often.  Based on our schedules, my daughter and I may have worked together 3-4 times total.  However, in order to cover his ass, my above store manager said something to my manager.  Now there's a chance my daughter may be getting transferred.  I really want to put my foot in this snitch's ass. 

2020 Goal

I have a goal in mind for 2020.  I've shared my goal with a couple of people and have gotten mixed feedback.  I want to take my mom somewhere on a vacation next year.  With all my hard work, I'm hoping to have more money to spend on things I want besides bills.  That being said, I want to do something nice for mom to let her know how much I appreciate all she has ever done for me.  Now that I think about it, I am going to take her on vacation.  Even if it means, bills don't get paid.  As mom would say, "it ain't gonna put me no closer to the soup line." 

Fix It Or Get Another

My truck is starting to show it's age and I'm torn about what to do.  It's a 2011 model so it's not super old but she's no spring chicken either.  A variety of things have happened to make me question whether I should keep the truck or get another.  Back in August, I was taking my daughter to work and the truck actually overheated.  I had to pull over on the side of the road in 5 o'clock traffic and wait for the engine to cool down.  I can't run the air conditioner for fear of the vehicle overheating.  Something is wrong with the driver's side window and I can't let it down.  I need a set of tires.  I need to get the brakes done because they are starting to squeak.  I need to have the shocks and struts replaced.  I've also been told the rear control arms need work.  All in all, that seems like a lot of money to invest in an 8 year old car.  I've learned in the past that when you start putting more into the car than what it's worth, it's time to move on.  Barring any major problems, I should be able to pay it off at tax time next year.  At that point in time, I would only have to worry about maintenance and insurance.  On the flip side, I could look into getting another vehicle but that would stick me with another car payment for five or more years.  I'm still undecided which option to take.  I'm still not sure if I should fix it or get another.

If I was an Asshole

I have officially been divorced for 9 months.  Life is going good.  I'm working my ass off trying to get myself to a better place.  Things between my ex wife and I are good.  She gets her child support money each month thanks to the nice people at the Department of Human Services.  Additionally, if she needs anything extra, she'll text or call me.  This is where the asshole part comes in.  Yes, I know in the divorce papers, it says I have to help with expenses related to the kids.  I'm cool with that.  But if I was an asshole about it, I wouldn't give her money every time she asks, especially when the reason is not directly related to my children. 

Fedex almost bought me a truck

A couple of weeks ago I was almost in a serious car accident.  I had made a stop at a gas station at the corner of an intersection.  I pulled out of a gas station onto the road.  This particular road (highway actually) has 5 lanes, two going north, two going south and a turn lane.  I needed to go south so I had to cross the 2 north lanes and the turn lane.  As I was crossing the turn lane I was almost hit by a FedEx truck going north in the southbound lane.  The only thing I can think of is the driver must have pulled out from the parking lot of an abandoned store on the corner was trying to avoid going through the light.  Luckily I saw the vehicle in time and we both slammed our brakes and swerved to avoid collision.  No collision.  He kept driving and so did I.  Thank God I was in the band and have that good peripheral vision at times.  Otherwise, FedEx would be taking care of me for the rest of my life. 

Dayum she look sexy but....

I was at a gas station the other day and this gorgeous young lady walked in.  Looked like she could be a model or in the entertainment business.  First glance, she appeared to be flawless.  Then she opened her mouth and asked the cashier for a black.  Hold up.  Pump da brakes.  Immediate turn off.  One thing I don't like is a female who smokes.  So yea, she looked sexy as hell but the ashtray mouth was a killer for me.

I Lost an Argument with a Box Cutter

I learned why following safety rules can be so important in life.  I was helping out at another retail pharmacy location in August.  I was trying to remove a fixture which was attached to a metal shelf with plastic screws.  Normally simply tugging on the fixture will pull the screw out.  Unfortunately, I encountered one persistent screw which would not budge.  Being the smart person that I am, I went to my truck and got my box cutter.  While holding the fixture with my left hand, I tried to cut the plastic screw.  I cut the screw along with the tip of my left thumb.  Took off most of the extended part of the fingernail and about a sixteenth of the actual meat of my thumb.  I spent 4 hours in the ER that night and had surgery a few days later to repair my thumb.  The amount I cut was not enough to be reattached so the plastic surgeon did a procedure where he cut a V into my thumb, pulled the skin to cover the open wound and stitched it back together.  I've been wearing gauze pads and bandages since then as the wound heals.  So when people see my covered finger and ask what happened my reply is, I lost an argument with a box cutter. 

Has it really been 2 months?

I can't believe it has been 2 months since my last post.  I told myself I was going to do better and post more.  A lot has happened in the last 2 months and I'm sure I'm not going to remember everything.  Guess I'll post what comes to mind and make it do what it do.

Jealous or Envious?

I've been thinking a lot recently about whether I'm jealous or envious of my co-workers and the lives they have.  Talking to people at my jobs leads to discussions about family game nights, vacations, going to the movies or other fun times.  Anyone who really knows me, knows all I do is work.  Hell, with 3 jobs, it's all I have time for.  I looked up jealousy and envy online to see which one better suited my thoughts and this is what I found.

The main difference between envy and jealousy is that envy is the emotion of coveting what someone else has, while jealousy is the emotion related to fear that something you have will be taken away by someone else.

Well that makes it pretty easy.  I can't be jealous because I don't have anything that anyone wants.  Guess I'm envious of my co-workers and their lives from time to time.