Monday, March 31, 2014

Guess who's back?!?!?!?!

Babies, Miss Boo is back! New, improved, and – believe it or not - feistier than ever before. Boo V2.0 is the result of a lot of trials, tribulations, and tequila. So. Much. Tequila. (gagging sound) 

To give you a very quick summary of the last year: 

* Frequently-bearded husband moved out with the fish and bird;
* I had to downscale epically and rehome myself and Kattie Boo, which also meant finding a shelter for my doggies (Go sponsor a doggie at FORA guys!!! No-kill shelter that does Good Work); 
* Faced my fear of driving, and conquered it in one weekend (and am now a certified, if still unlicenced, windgat); 
* My beautiful brother passed away; 
* I had 3 break-ins at my new house in 3 months and lost a lot of sentimental things;* 
* I got officially divorced; 
* I finally started work on my sleeve; 
* I collected some amazing, incredible people into my tribe, and rid some who turned out not to be who they said they were; 
* I finally left my crappy, dead-end, suck-your-soul-out-through-your-ear job (under a dark cloud of ugliness that’s not worth mentioning beyond a single word: KARMA); 
* Started my Saturn Return; and 
* Had what I’m pretty sure was some kind of breakdown in there somewhere, and yet I’ve survived somehow for the last 2 months with no income (because miracles are as real as monsters, and that’s said without a hint of sarcasm).

Oh, and I’ve lost somewhere in the vicinity of 35kgs. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, all in all, a pretty eventful few months, no? I’m sure you’ll forgive my absence in light of the fact that I’ve been trying to take this all in my stride and not end up in a mental institution. 

But the good news, Boolings? Despite a few little blips of uncertainty on my radar of sanity, I’ve come through all of this stronger, tougher, better, and more grateful for my blessings than ever before. And still smiling. A little more acidic and cynical than a year ago, but still fucking smiling. 

And my life is finally starting to look like the life I’ve always felt was right for me. That’s not to say there aren’t challenges – my god, the challenges! – but despite those, my life feels good. I feel good. For the first time in years, I really feel good. Who can argue with that, right? 
I’ve come to terms with emotions and realities and illusions and fears and misconceptions. I’ve battled dragons, and I have the scars to prove I conquered. My life has been far from charmed, but it’s still been beautiful, every step of the way. Sometimes I think that the times when I’ve been dragging my sorry ass along in the midst of whatever drama or crisis was kicking me in the teeth have been the most beautiful times. Hindsight, right? 
But because of the challenges and the lessons, I now have a home that truly feels like ME. It’s tiny, and I am only a few steps away from tomato-crate furniture, but fuck it. It’s my happy place, and my sanctuary, and MINE, and it’s awesome. I have a car full of dents and scratches, covered in band-aids that say things like “Whoosh” and “Ka-Pow”, and staples in the roof to keep the fabric from falling down, and which frequently runs out of fuel, but it too is MINE. My little Franken-car and I have had some adventures! I have the most amazing, beautiful, unbelievable souls around me, who have got me through some of the darkest times, and who have reminded me that there are such things as angels and miracles, in the most untraditional sense. And it won’t be long now before I can show them how much it’s all meant to me, and share some sunshine-and-vodka times with them. I can’t wait to spoil them! 

And the biggest deal in my life at the moment is my awesome, spectacular and unbelievably amazing new job. Yup. I just said that. I am a sales rep for CAMI@home, which is the most incredible educational software. I’ve honestly not felt this excited or passionate about getting up every morning and going to work in my whole life. It’s like I’ve found MORE of my tribe, and I get to go out and do this amazing thing with them every day and actually HELP people. 
It’s funny, you know. When I was writing my list of 2014 Revolutions, the number one thing on my list was ‘NEW JOB – Education??’ And here I am. Not quite how I thought it’d happen, but the Universe has her own ways, and I’ve learnt that questioning her ways is pointless, so I’m just going with it now, and saying Thank You. 

So, Boolings… Those of you who have been the angels (with discarded tinsel hanging off your black wings) – THANK YOU. If I’ve cried to you on the phone or in person, or texted you in the middle of the night going ‘What do you do if you think you’re having a nervous breakdown?’, or you’ve had to hold my hair back after a dozen too many tequilas, or you’ve danced on tables with me, or you’ve tolerated my excessive nerdism in my attempts to escape reality for a day or two, or you’ve put me on a bus for a week by the sea to clear my head, or reminded me that feeling is actually not all evil, or any of the countless amazing things you guys have done for me… I can’t begin to thank you, and will always, ALWAYS be grateful to you. I love you. (Yes, make gagging noises. I would if I were you. In fact, I might be doing that right now. Ahem.) 
If you’re one of the Boolings from far-and-wide, I’m sorry I’ve neglected you. I hope you’ll forgive me. I’m back now, and I have so much magic brewing that I just can’t keep it to myself for another second. So, expect good things! 

Here are a few photos that’ll show that I haven’t been hiding under a rock all this time, but am indeed alive and kicking. That should tide you over till the next post, oui? 


In The City 2013 

Hallowe'en 2013 - Little Dead Riding Hood and Corpse Bride looking intimidating

Being crazy at Justin's birthday

New Years craziness with Lady Smash

Beachy happiness in PE with Vaughan

New Years madness

The start of the New Years madness

High school reunion

reliving old times (we spent a lot of time doing this)

I got Lei'd

Having fun at Hooters

Rockabilly Radness

Shelly and the Jennas rocking Hogshead

Post-reunion face-licking

Party with my peeps

I think this speaks for itself

Coolest couple plus moi

Hogshead Hilarity

Crazy times at my niece's engagement party