*Playing dress-up with my friends (three grown men, I might add). *High Life - The Champagne of Beers. *Working days for a week straight (It’s confirmed, I’m not a morning kinda girl). *Renewed faith in the power of a good kiss. *Knowing that cupcake lip gloss does not make good eye makeup and tastes awful. *Going out and NOT spending any money on drinks. *Remembering why I quit smoking and then starting again. *Having someplace to go besides Bourbon Street on a Friday night. *Getting in at 4:30 and not being able to work the door to get through Sher’s room. *Talking to my best friend for the first time in a month or more. (I really do miss you, James). *Finding out that I have several true gentlemen in my life *North Rampart isn’t really that scary at night but I’m still not walking home alone. *I still don’t remember going to Bryan’s. *Making Monday’s special after a visit with Joel.
Last week was pretty crazy. Somewhere out there, there are pictures!
got a letter from my Mother today. It merely said "no crap" and enclosed was a check for $200. Who knew that ranting and raving at her would have any effect at all? certainly not me. In 41 years I've never been able to change the woman's mind about anything. I was mostly upset that if she wanted to say no, she couldn't simply say no without giving me loads of crap. I accepted the no, just not the crap. still not sure i understand why suddenly she sent the money anyway. ima buy a microwave.
in other news, i just finished the most dreadful book. i'm always disappointed when a promising zombie novel turns out to be predictable and seems to have been written by a twelve year old.
still haven't seen the new harry potter movie, or read the new book, but i've been busy.
on the home front, the job is great, i'm learning a lot and having a really good time working with some terrific people. NOLA never ceases to amaze me. i'll have to do another post soon and try to put it all into words.
The story begins with a call to my dad asking to borrow $200. He said, sure, I'd be happy to do that and then lectured me for 20 minutes on what kind of men NOT to date. We won't go into my dad's prejudices. He said I should call my mother later on in the afternoon since she has the checkbook and he would let her know that i called.
I called my mother and the first words out of her mouth were (in answer to Hi Mom, how are you?)....this is a direct quote now "Paula, I can't believe you, I just can't believe you." Not exactly what i was going for. I understand not wanting to loan me money but don't be a bitch about it.....she went on for a long time (while i was walking home from work with the phone in one hand and a cocktail in the other) about how I left a good job and moved to a "jerky town" and had a "jerky job" against her advice. Hell, here i was thinking that I was doing something I really wanted to do.
Suffice to say I finally snapped and not only did I Yell at my Mom, I swore at her, over and over and over again. I've rarely sworn at my mother in 41 years. I think I swore more at her today than I have in all of the years I've been speaking combined. The woman just kept coming back to the fact that since I'd moved her against her wishes, she wasn't doing a damn thing for me. Ok, fine. Whatever. You don't have to be a bitch about it, just say no. Don't push every single button I've got and expect me to just be nice. Don't call me names, don't tell me I'm stupid for quitting a job and moving here. She raved about how I'd had a future at my old job...i pointed out that i'd waited for a raise for 2 1/2 years and never got it, and hadn't gotten a bonus in 8 months. That bonus was supposed to pay for my car every month. She just didn't want to hear it.
So, when I finished yelling and swearing at my mother I came home and vented to Sheryl. and immediately began to cry...which is what I do when I'm frustrated and can't kill the person I want to kill. It would almost be worth the 30 hour drive to Maine, but not quite. Especially, since I'd have to borrow the $ to get there from my Mom. She'll be 8 hours away in November, but waiting that long doesn't seem feasible. and it's not calming me down one bit knowing that I have to wait until Thanksgiving to kill my mother.
the update So, I started a job at Schiro's on Friday, kinda sudden-like. Someone gave their notice and they threw me into the kitchen to train immediately. I'm doing dishes and prep and learning the line as soon as they can teach me. Sher and Stephie are both going to be working there, too. I love the job :-)
Tia went home today. which made us all sad. Jess left too, thank the gods....every last one of them. The child was making us all nuts. (I know, we're already nuts - just imagine us worse.)
We're getting the house pulled together...still need to find some furniture, but it's getting there. It'll happen faster now that we've got income again.
We've worked $ for a beer at Markey's every day into the budget. We get free lunch at work every day as well as a free drink after work, too :-) I love New Orleans.
it's the one on the right :-) it's just the one we thought it was - we walked by it when we were there in May and somehow we just knew. so freakin' cool.
can't wait to get there....leaving two weeks from today.
I told my mom yesterday. I don't think it went so well. See for yourselves......
the first email:
Shock I guess, you are going to the most crime ridden place in the country and almost all black. What is your job and have you already been to check the living place. You could have made it alone like many others you have chose not to. I am really upset but I have never been able to guide you had I you would be living good now. I can't tell Dad now till I get over it a little bit he will be so upset. He prays everyday that you will get your life together before one of us dies. Are you still working for Bill. You could have given us awarning. I just can't believe what you are doing. Let me know about jobs I hope you have got some credit I don't believe we will help for you to live there. I am sorry I cannot be happy about this if you were the mother you would understand. Please take a few minutes and think how you would feel about this little girl you wanted so bad and wanted to have a successful and happy life and after 40 is headed out with nothing to a bad environment. It will certainly keep me awake the few nights I do sleep. I am so sorry that you don't feel that as your mother I cannot give you good advice or that you won't let me guide you. Please fill me in a little more I feel like I am totatly losing you. I do love you Mom
and this is the p.s.
What about the surgery you told us you needed. Paula please believe me you are going from bad to worse which is sad this late in life. You need to get yourself fit and better on the ball people around you to work up to a middleclass person, hate to see you at bottom of totem pole. It is so scary to me it is bad to be poor in small cities or country but so much worse in big cities. What is your job and how did you get it. I am SOOOO sad about this. and sad to think of all the planning you havebeen through and not included us because you knew we not approve but you must know we have good reasons llke the many people who had good jobs and won't go back to the city. It will be sooo hot this summer too. So many other choices in the country besides this. I don't know why I am rambling because I know you don't think we know anything and never have listened to us. But I am so upset. I am sorry Love Mom
