Well hi there.

No excuses. I suck. It's been a very busy, very stressful year.

I have a 9 year old and a 3 year old. I'm going to be 27 in 5 days. Not much planned for my birthday, although I have a tentative date in the works.

I finished my carpentry program in April and passed everything no problem. I got my official confirmation a few weeks ago that I'm a level one apprentice. I worked for a month after that and because of the boss I had, I hated it. He made working for him very hard. Hopefully the next time I venture into the trades I find a boss that's a little more accommodating.

From September to just a couple weeks ago I was in a masonry program. I learned a hell of a lot and really enjoyed it. I write the level one exemption next month. Fingers crossed I do well.

Christmas was pretty low key. Ma'am spent some time with her dad and Bub is currently with his Nana. Back to school/daycare for them come Monday and back to job searching for me.

Not sure what my immediate future holds. I have some court issues I need to deal with and I'm really hoping everything goes smoothly. It hasn't thus far, so it can only go up, right?

A couple months ago I stumbled across a YouTube channel that does poetry slams (I believe they're called). I wrote a bunch of pieces and posted them to the writing section of my blog. It's been very therapeutic, surprisingly. I wouldn't say it's helped me figure anything out, but it's easier to admit these things and say them somewhere other than my own head.

Oh, I adopted two cats. They're brothers from the same litter. Peanut Butter and Jelly. I named them. PB has been nicknamed Garfield because he's so fat (he's orange but he's missing the dark stripes). Both are serious cuddle bugs and love attention. Both are also jerks and cause havoc around the apartment. Jelly is a vulture and will eat anything. He also tips over the water bowl (often enough that it sits in the tub). PB is very vocal and gets into everything. I love them both.

I might start a weekly question thing on the 1st, to keep the blog active. I'm in the writing section so I figure why not.

But it's 1 AM and I need to be up early. Goodnight!

*shrugs*

Well, I did mean to write here more, but what can I say. I'm a single mom with an 8 year old and a two year old. I was in AU and am now in a pre-apprenticeship program for carpentry. Those two things take up most of my time right there. Add in all of my other goings-on and I'm one busy person.

I am going to try to get on here regularly though. Thinking about starting another page for my academic stuff. I build things. It's all very interesting.

I'm actually learning a hell of a lot and am really enjoying the program. I don't know what I'm going to do with it once I'm done, but my options are pretty endless.

Once I pass the exemption test, I will have learned everything a Level 1 carpentry apprentice should know. I guess basically I have two main options. Work or go back to school.

I'm inclined to think I'll work, but depending on what I learn this coming semester, we'll see.

In second semester we spend some hours learning the basics of the other trades (plumbing, electrical, masonry, HVAC) and I am just itching to get into the masonry building. I have absolutely no interest in the others, so spending that time is going to suck. But, it will be good to know at least the basics.

I do know that I am not going to be a roofer. Shingles and I don't get along at all. And I have the marks to prove it.

In April we do a 10 week work placement. I can work basically anywhere, as long as it has something to do with carpentry. I've heard that some people have worked at Home Depot.

My ex works at a place that cuts and finishes wood (for chairs, tables, etc). He's put a good word in with his boss, so I'm hoping I'll be able to do my placement there. I don't think I'd mind sanding wood for 10 weeks.

Christmas went well. This was the first year Miss was with her dad for Eve and Morning, so it was pretty quiet here Wednesday night. We did our gifts at home this morning then had a family dinner. Tomorrow we do a lunch with my other side. And then both kids go to Bub's grandma's house for a few days. Which means I'm going to be all alone. For days, even.

I don't know what the hell I'm going to do.

And then in 9 days I will be 26 years old. I'm not excited, per se, but I'm not freaking out anymore about getting older.

It's getting on 11:30 so that's all for tonight. Merry Christmas everyone!

365 Day Challenge; day 54.

54. In the haste of your daily life, what are you not seeing?

I think, how smart and wonderful my daughter is. I forget too often. I need to stop picking the little things and start seeing the bigger picture.

365 Day Challenge; day 53.

53. What is the most defining moment of your life thus far?

I don't know if I can answer that one. There have been quite a few moments in my life where things could have happened and gone so much differently.

365 Day Challenge; day 52.

52. What impact do you want to leave on the world?

I want my kids and grandkids to remember me as a good person. A person that helps others, that does good things, that has something nice to say to and about others. I want them to look up to me.