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  • Time for Reflection

    Phew, were does time go?!


    Where I'm I up to in my life...?

    I'm official unemployed and is it depressing, well that's what I should be feeling if I wasn't feeling so numb about everything. My last day was a week ago and I since then I've had 4 calls and 1 text for assistance. Today was asking me to come in and sort some work! Hmmm, that went down like a led balloon as it was more of a demand.

    Last weekend was a trip back home for a family party for my Nan's 80th. Wasn't looking forward to the event. My parents seem to be just surviving at the moment. Dad is still trying to work on our relationship with calls left right and centre. As much as this is great, it is overbearing at times but I can't seem to tell him to back off.

    I feel withdrawn and quiet, most of the conversations are about me and my job situation. I know people are just concerned but I don't want to talk about the fact the agency's never call you back or I'm just not quite what they want, not enough relevant experience, blah blah blah...

    BF decided he would drink the party dry, ignore my request to slow down with his drink and finally insult my family. He couldn't walk, talk and his eyes were rolling back into his head. Apparently that's him, that's what he's like. Final nail in the coffin.

    This week my Aunt announced that she had to keep the flat rented out at the full market value. Another blow.  

    I wrote this about 2 weeks but didn't have time to collect the rest of my thoughts.

    Again highs and lows I can't seem to get a happy medium.

    Last week was a flurry of activity on the job front. I have a interview lined up for 9th July and I applied for a role last Monday and called for an interview on the Wednesday for the Thursday. Not a lot of time to prepare but I managed to get all the information I needed. 

    It was a two stage interview in the same day which was interesting. The first part was with the manager in the role and another manager in the business, if I was successful they would bring in the hiring manager for another interview. Good news! I was successful enough to see the hiring manager. It's the waiting which kills you but they want someone to start ASAP which I have in my favour.

    M has finished his walk for charity and he's more positive as ever with our relationship and is wanting to find our new home. I love him being like this but there is just one obstacle after another at the moment.

    Patience has never been my strong point... 

    This feels better, I haven't realised how much this allows me to deal with some issues and move on.
     
     
  • An email and stamp = gift vouchers

    A week today I'm seeing M. It's been a while. End of March, in the hotel, is the last time he held me.


    I want to enjoy the few hours we have together. Holding hands, kissing, some lunch, shopping, those little things you normal take for granted. I think this will be the last time we see each other before the time comes.

    It will be 3 weeks tomorrow of constant positivity and not changing his mind. This is something he tells me every day. He feels stronger than ever.

    He's doing his charity walk in June and will be away for 2 weeks, he says he'll be in contact when he can which I didn't expect.

    I still have that doubt that he'll find it to hard to leave the girls but he knows no words can make that disappear until he's there in my flat.

    Work is painful, agency's are useless and I'm panicking. I think I'm going to do a quick speed typing course. I average about 40 wpm but I could do with being at least 60 wpm. Its a very flexible course up in Holborn and reasonably priced. 

    The Bank Holiday looks like its going to be uneventful. BF has confirmed he's working the Saturday and Monday. Great...

    Oh yes. My little story of the week. 

    Last weekend I was checking off my items on my account and noticed a refund on a dress hadn't credited my account yet. This was over a week.

    I visited the store I returned it to for the 'assistant' (there was nothing assisting about it!) said:

    "They've had issues with the line and could take up to 3 weeks, you'll just have to wait."

    "I can't check anything, you'll have to speak to your bank and wait for it to go in."

    "If you call Customer Services they will help you."

    Finally.... The best bit.

    "If you complain to Customer Services and tell them how angry you are etc blah blah, you'll get some free stuff..." This was the last straw.

    I documented this all into a to the point email and letter and sent it off to their complaints department.

    The following day lo and behold the money is promptly credited to my account and my email is acknowledge to say its been passed onto the Area Manager. Great.

    The call came yesterday and the Area Manager apologised profusely and explained the situation, and would like to send me some vouchers!! It was a bit of a joke as she'd seen the email and what the assistant had said. This wasn't my reason for complaining, just the lack of anyone willing to help. Still I wasn't about to turn them down when I have my eye on a lovely maxi dress...

    I'm never one to stand in a shop arguing and I didn't. Why should I have to arguing for some customer service? 

    I'm just second guessing the amount now... I'm thinking £20. Not bad for a email and a stamp.
     
  • Mountains to Climb

    I can't sum up where I am at the moment. Every direction of my life seems to be in limbo.


    I don't understand why I haven't had the motivation to write my thoughts and events on here recently either. Anyone shed any light??!!  

    Anyway...

    The job hunt is tiring and very demotivating. Its a tough market out there . I'd prepared, done all my research and showcased my work in a presentation pack. Still I didn't get the second interview I wanted this week. It also feels like you have to constantly chase the agency's which there is a fine line between pro-active and bloody desperate! 


    M has been perfect apart from the fact he's not with me! It's been two weeks of positivity for him and he's planning and focused on July.  He's been supportive of my up and down moods this week - brave guy! I do still share my cautious side with him and he understands this until he's knocking on my door with bags in hand. We talk about our first weekend together. Its nice to have plans regardless of whether we follow them through or just stay in-doors and order take away! He's free to chat on Sunday, a rarity. I guess its only weeks away until he has to break the news to his kids, that will be the make or break of us.

    My new home will be a fresh start with or without M. 

    Talking to my Mum yesterday confirmed I was doing the right thing. I can't continue living with BF. We hardly communicate and when we do its not about the important that matters. 

    BF has let me down more than usual, I would very much like not to deal with what's happened with my parents and with the distance I could but this is life and this is my family. He just ignores it hoping it will sort its self out. I also had confirmation that when my Mum came down and he woke us up at 2:40am he had been doing coke. I've done drugs myself and not judging that but my Mum was here in the house. For me its a complete lack of respect for me and my family.

    There has been many events, particularly recently, I've had to hold my tongue and its too late now to drag them back to present. They are there in my head annoying me though. 

    The conversation with Mum yesterday was about her first session with the counsellor. There were good and bad points that came out, and some frighteningly similar to me and BF. I don't want to end up like that and this spurred me on to contact my Auntie today to confirm my intentions and that I definitely want the flat. 

    I also spoke to my Dad last night, he tells me he's low but aren't we all is my response. Its hard to be compassionate with somethings. He tells me how he felt about the counseling and he thought it was very good and the counsellor herself was good. She must be good, it takes a lot to impress my Dad. It also takes me by surprise as my Mums comments on what she thought he thought was to the contrary. 

    He thought it was a step forward until yesterday afternoon when Mum called him to say they should send separate cards to my Sister for her birthday. This makes he think they are taking a back step as they agreed earlier on in the week that they would do the same as normal. He said that her reason was that they wasn't a couple anymore. I am surprised by my Mum, I thought she might have considered how it would affect my Sister.  

    I'm going home 7th June for a family birthday, I really don't know what that will have in store...

    As usual we have no plans for the weekend and I don't have the motivation to suggest something that doesn't involve computers, drinking, smoking or socialising in the garden. Thank god for sky + and books!

    I feel better now.  
  • Is there more to life than TV, computer games and bloody neighbours?

    Answer on a post card please...


    Hmmm. Its been a mixed week. I was finally back in the office on Thursday which helped to give me a distraction from the god awful mess happening around me. Fairly uneventful as you can imagine as the company is drawing to a close. Not long now, just 4 weeks until I receive my notice of redundancy. 

    I've secured 2 interviews next week with another possible one on its way. Tomorrows one is a good location but my Mum's comments left me a bit unsure, she says I'm too good for the position after reading the description. In all honesty she's right, the amount of staff management (the bit I'm good at!) is a lot less than I would like. Not sure keeping the kitchen area tidy is something that can keep me occupied.

    Wednesdays is more to do with my sector - Financial Services and more management focused. Although they did say they would be some admin work to do within the team. Hmmm, they obviously haven't had the right manager yet! Location will be great when I move to the opposite end of London too. They're only interview me and another person so very promising. I like interviews and have a little winning folder I present at the end, hasn't failed yet...

    Lastly the one I'm waiting to hear sounds challenging and interesting. Location is poor.

    After a slow start the job hunt is coming together but looks like I'm going to have to compromise somewhere but I haven't decided one what yet, all depends on whether they offer me anything first.

    That's the good bit...

    Mum is doing OK, she's suggested to Dad some counseling which he has book for next Thursday. In the meantime it's fairly tense at home. Mum is hardly talking and Dad is calling me a lot. Today he need some advice from BF and he depressingly mentioned Mum had gone out to my aunts and he was home alone again. 

    I want to help them but its hard. Still doesn't seem real but I'm not holding my breath they can make this work.

    BF just hasn't a clue. 

    Friday, Saturday and today he's spent the majority of his time out with the neighbours. Friday because I was out with work until 10pm, fair enough. Yesterday since we got back from the market so about 12/1pm and today watching the football. In between he's watched TV or played on the computer.

    I'm bored of this crap. I'm bored of talking about him. I also know that this is the extent of the summer to come if I was to stay.    

    And finally M.

    Thursday was our first in depth conversation for a while. It became frustrating and in a nutshell he announced in far too many words that it was time to walk away. I'd done playing games and acknowledged it with one word. 

    "Fine."

    I think this made him realise I've had enough of the games and declaration of love. I'm tired of waiting for something that seems like it will never happen. Apparently my lack of contact and distance has made him realise he has to do something. Also apparently July is when it will all happen, after I settle into my job, should I get one, and moved into the flat.

    I don't know if I care anymore! No I do care but the time when enough is enough is drawing near. He knows this and I confirmed it.

    It is Monday now, I wrote the above on a very bad day and today is clearer.

    Today I spoke to M for about an hour. He is still adamant and sure of his plan. He doesn't want to be without me and home is getting less and less bearable. I humor him and take it with a pinch of salt, he said he knows I will only believe him when he's on the doorstep with his bags - he's right! 

    Now I have to focus on my job hunt and interview technique.
     
  • A River of Tears

    I'm not sure why I haven't been able to post for the last couple of weeks, scared of putting of this mess into print I guess. Not sure I've been in a state of mind to construct sentences, think it might have just been random words not making any sense - even to me! It's like my lips are tapes shut and if I let them part the words would fall out like a river.


    I've had my Mum stay with me for a week, not sure it helped apart from take her away from the tense environment she's living in - feels like I let her down not encouraging her to talk more. I cooked and looked after her while she busied herself with a bit of cleaning and we painted the living room together. Dad has been in contact a few times, text, email and phone. He made me feel responsible in some way for 'convincing' Mum to keep us all together. I really don't think he has a clue and is just mortified at being found out and me and my Sister knowing. He didn't want Mum to tell us! Selfish bastard.

    I've just come back from the bank holiday weekend at home as we were invited to my old school friends wedding. Unfortunately not the best time to be having to stay there. It was bearable and I think Mum tried to make it easy as possible, again putting everyone else before her.

    Tonight Mum told me that they are going to their first counseling session next week, Dad booked it today. I hope it works to help them communicate better regardless whether it keeps them together.

    There's so much still bottled up inside me and I don't know what direction I need to let this out in.  My mind won't switch off at night and my dreams wake me more than usual. I'm not sure where to direct my energy - job, relationship or family?! They all need urgent attention.

    I have felt a need to distance myself from M, not only through the pure guilt and disgust at my actions but to see if my feelings are still as strong. We last had contact on Friday, he was off to the family caravan for the bank holiday and I'd promised to be in touch Wednesday/Thursday the week following. 3 emails today on my work blackberry today! As usual all the right words said. 

    Not sure how long this is going to last, not sure how long I want this to last. Its been a hard lesson learnt by my own family been torn apart by lies and infidelity. It hurts like hell.

    Difficult times ahead and its all sent to try us and make us stronger - aren't those the things people say?!... Hope some good comes out of it all. 
  • A Horrible Mess

    Not sure I can believe yet what I'm about to write, in fact I can feel the nausea rising up my body.


    Sunday was going to be about looking to the future and where I would be living to do that. Despite M skirting around the subject I was looking to my future whether he was part of it or not.

    That was before my Sister called.

    Asking if everything was OK I expected the usual answer of yes, but it wasn't. She was choosing her words carefully or just finding the right ones that were about to shatter everything.

    Its Mum and Dad.

    My whole body is shaking, what? What? What?

    Her exact words, I think were... 

    'Well you know when we (Sister and Mum) were in Brasil and Dad went to Rome. He didn't go alone, he went with another women'

    If I had been stood up I would have collapsed to the floor at this point. I couldn't take this in, this wasn't happening. Mum didn't want to call and tell me because I had enough to worry about with my job. My Sister thought different and rightly so, it must have been horrible for her to have to tell me.

    She wants him gone. She can't forget what he's done and doesn't want to end up bitter and resentful.

    BF must have realised it wasn't a good conversation and was at the bedroom door. I shove the phone in his hands because I can't hold the tears back anymore.

    I was in the process of getting ready to leave the house to meet my auntie. I had to pull myself together.  Lunch was surreal but I just keep it together. She doesn't know anything and its not for me to break the news, plus I need speak to Mum first. I leave for home knowing I'll be moving out and into her flat in July.

    I am beside myself with thoughts of my broken family and I retreat into myself. Up to now BF has really had many words to say to me and when I hide away upstairs he asks what he's done wrong. I can't control my anger at him. I know he hasn't a clue what to say but I'm not going to be all happy and smiles not know what the hell is happening to my family. It sums him up and makes me decision to leave all the more the right one.

    I've managed to calm down when G text me. He asked the previous night if I wanted to go round for a drink. I was non committal and said it depended on my day plans.

    'it would be easier to meet the Pope then get to chat with you for an hour'

    That was it, the step too far. I requested BF contact him to ask him to give me some space to deal with some news I'd had. It finally worked. This is the least of my worries...

    I was due in work Monday but I couldn't face it, I knew I had to call Mum and couldn't do that at work. She beat me to it but I daren't answer. BF came home while I called back. It was the most painful call ever. I wanted to be strong for her but there were times when I couldn't hold my emotions in. 

    Its all a mess. She's worried about the practicalities of living on her own and an income. Not to mention what it's done to me and my Sister. We talk about her visiting for a while as I'm on leave and she's booked to come down on Saturday until Thursday.

    My head is spinning. I flit from the pain my Mum is in to my Dad and the slut he did this with to me and what I'm doing with M. The slut was a silly mistake, someone he met in the internet (no surprise there) but wants to work things out with Mum. A mistake he had planned since at least October last year. Mum found the flight details, no denying it. Of course he did until she showed him the evidence. He thinks if he deletes all the evidence etc they can go back to how they were. Now that's silly to think that!

    Tuesday I'd offered to help my auntie at the hospital. She's having a minor procedure but under a general. It's a long day only to find out BF has fucked off to the pub with next door because he couldn't get hold of me. 

    Bang.

    That's the final nail in the coffin BF has just made.

    M has been supportive as much has he can be at 100 miles away but we talk and talk and says the right things. All those things you want to hear when you're hurting.  I feel disgusted with myself that I'm carrying on contact with him knowing how much hurt this causes families. No more Christmas together, no more all those little things that make our family what we are. This was the only thing stable in my life and I feel like I have nothing at the moment.

    Today has been hard. Dad tried calling at work, then my mobile twice, then work again. He leaves a voicemail. He states the obvious that I probably don't want to talk to him but he needs my help to sort out the 'problem'. I text him I can't talk at work I'll talk later. He wants to know what time. I let him know when I'll be free for him to suggest lunch time. I need to be at home for this conversation, but he doesn't realise this until I point it out to him.

    M calms me before the expected call. It's short and to the point. He wants my help but I'm not here to take sides I want to help them both. I'll talk with him more tomorrow. He loves me and I love him back, I don't remember when he last told me that. My parents have never been one to say those words it always been assumed. 

    I am scared of how this will affect all our lives and will take an awful lot of time to mend whatever the final decision.

    It's just such a shock and a horrible mess.
     
  • Pillow Talk and Tears

    He's breaking me. 


    He says the right things, he loves me, we'll be together, he's never felt like this before - physically or mentally and many more. So why are we miles apart and no where near being together?

    Because of his baggage that's why. I know that. 

    I wouldn't nor couldn't tell him when or how he should tell them he's leaving but it's getting hard, I manage to whisper as the tears well up, running down my cheeks.

    He thinks he's upset me and he can't get off the phone quick enough, asks me to call him in the morning. 

    I want him to see this side of me, I'm not a naturally strong person - just stupid when it comes to men! Dealing with this while still living with BF, the job situation and not to forget the bloody annoying neighbour is hard and I don't think I can carry on much longer. My own fault of course!

    I kinda (no kinda I wanted him to!) hoped he'd text to make sure I'm OK but nothing. Perhaps he thinks I'm putting this on. I am capable but these are real tears of sadness. 
  • Decisions Decisions

    I've been a little scared to write the events of the last couple of days, seeing it in black and white highlights the reality of the situation.


    Tuesday resulted in a short and not very constructive phone call between me and M. He rattled off his reasons for not being in touch. A mixture of sorting out the car with his previous job, walking in Wales over the weekend and starting his new job. He hasn't been avoiding me, apparently. 

    Yep all legitimate and reasonable but still... How long does it take to text and tell me?!

    He cleverly detects the lack of compassion in my voice which was not very well disguised and he declares that he just messes everything up. We agree to talk later but nothing. 

    Yesterday was restless. I was on my 'work form home' day and there was silence, nothing from M, nothing on the job front, and sh*t on the TV. I did manage to find a running club to join and my dance teacher finally got in touch to arrange a lesson. 

    Just as a side line to the, no doubt, boring and predictable M situation, I take private dance lessons at a studio in London. My teacher is brilliant, encouraging and pushes me to my limit. She's just done the Sugababes tour so will have lots of inspiration for our new routines. I love dancing, I taken lessons since I was 3 had a break in my early 20's and been back for 2 years. That would be my dream job.

    Back to yesterday, I tried calling more times than I care to declare to finally get a response to say he can't have his mobile on in the office and that he'd seen the calls and texts and knows what's coming. He's tired and can't face it right now. He'll call after 6pm.

    We talk through the things which are stressing him.

    1. Work. They seem to be very much like his previous one - dodgy. He's working until 6 and then has a 30 mile drive home. 
    2. He's suppose to be doing a sponsored walk for the hospital he was in when he had cancer and the training is not going well. He was f*cked after one day of a 17 mile session when he has to average 22 miles to complete the walk in 2 weeks. 
    3. The recent trip back to hospital brought back memories of the cancer.

    The only thing that keeps him going is me. Its great to hear but how can I believe that when he shuts me out. He feels better after talking with me and it focus his mind on the positives again. He forgets I want to help him through the bad times just as much as enjoying the good times we've spent together. 

    We spoke again this morning. He feels better. I encourage him to rethink the walking and postpone for a while. No point in ending up in hospital. He's not committed to a date just that he wants to do something to give back to the hospital which helped him. One less thing to stress about until he's ready and fit to do it.

    The job is a difficult one. I hate being in a job I hate and make rash decisions to get out as soon as possible. He has to weigh up the benefit of taking time to find the right one, money at the end of the month and the stress its causing him. Not to mention the petrol cost.

    The depression; I can't even began to relate to how having cancer would change you. My Auntie survived ovarian cancer 8 years ago and has given her a very positive outlook on life and is now living in Brazil. Everyone is different in how they handle things.

    He tells me he keeps looking for signs and he's made the right decision - me. He confessed to his brother -in-law at the weekend about me and how to deal with telling the kids. I see this as a good sign but the lack of conviction in things I ask him worries me still.

    I've asked him today to think about where he see us in the next 3 months and if the doubt out ways the want to be with me I need to know. I'm seeing my Auntie on Sunday and will discuss the option of renting her flat until she sells it. This would mean not renewing the current tenants lease so I don't want to start something that was never going to happen.

    There's been enough talking and sharing of dreams of the future, I need a little action now.  
  • Still Nothing...

    I want to be strong, really I do. I feel like I'm falling apart inside. I'm agitated, waiting for that beep of a message to tell me everything is OK. It's all just a misunderstanding but 4 full days of nothing doesn't bring that hope anymore.


    I called first this morning, ringing out to the sound of the answer phone clicked in. I couldn't listen to the words recorded to greet me. The follow up text hasn't been responded to either.

    Going back to yesterday, Sunday, we had a 'good' day. I say it like that because I'm not really sure what is good anymore. We'd been into London, got rained on the whole time we were there and then it stopped as we boarded the train. 

    Opening the front door a gorgeous aroma of meat cooking slowly made us groan in delight. Eating the meat and potato pie was even more delicious than it smelt. The suet pastry was the best I've ever made it. We also cleared 2 bottles of wine between us. I don't recall the time but it occurred to me I hadn't thought of M for the majority of the day. Not sure if that was a good thing or not. 

    Today I'm consumed by him again. I cave in and try to contact him. Anything back would be nice. Even 'piss off'! NOTHING. I don't think it has helped that I've been on my own for the most of the day with my thoughts. Wild thoughts have ran through my brain, has he had an accident? Is his family OK? I check out his myspace blog and it confirms he last logged in yesterday, then I check his Facebook (limited profile as we can't be friends...) the number of friends has increased meaning activity in the last 4 days.

    To top my day off G has been harassing me. Here's today's:

    G: Are you behaving yourself?
    me: Yes
    G: I expect you've been out jogging? NOT
    me: I consider going to interviews more important at the moment.
    G: ... Christ you're secretive. Hope they went well

    It continues by a few more texts but its just shit and not worthy of recalling now. He's testing me and I will snap fairly soon. I know it's his humor but its not even funny. 

    Things to focus on this week...

    Following up on all the interview/registrations that I've attended 
    Make firm arrangements for meeting up with S (Auntie) on Sunday
    Enjoy the fact I'm off again on Wednesday and Thursday - DO NOT WALLOW IN SELF PITY
    Find a local running club.

    That will do for now.

    I am going to keep strong and repeat those words in my head when I need some hope to cling onto - thank you fairplay 
  • Nothing Hurts

    I have that sicken feeling in the pit of my stomach that rises into my chest and the back of my throat. I can't decide whether that's down to the lack of communication from M or the amount of taffy I've consumed. Bit of both I expect.


    The final part of our conversation on Thursday was that he was driving home to talk to a contact about a new job and to email me. 

    Nothing. 

    Friday. Nothing, nothing all day or evening.

    I last text Friday morning as I set off for my interview at the agency. Nothing. He's away at the caravan all weekend with only his brother-in-law training for his walk in June. Still nothing. 

    I don't understand. Why no contact? Is something wrong? Up to now there's always been an explanation, usually after the event. I expect there's one Monday too. Nothing dramatic like the ones whirling round my head. 

    I still don't understand. He professes I'm constantly on his mind and pressing send and receive waiting for my replies on email, especially if he thinks he's said the wrong thing. He's always waiting for that message from me. So why doesn't he let me know, even if its just, 'difficult to talk I'll be in touch'. But I get nothing. He knows how this makes me feel but doesn't alleviate this.

    For me his words don't match his actions, well, lack of actions. 

    There are times when I feel like walking away and starting again with everything. Make things simple for myself. Selfish I know, but still I hate how I've made my life so complicated. I have to take account for my actions and I'm getting closer to ending it (with M and BF). I've told M before he's made me feel like ending this to see what he's reaction is but I don't want to do this. If I do it's for real. 

    It's definitely the taffy, my teeth are covered in sugar and I feel like I'm having a rush. Least I've got this off my chest, I can park all these nonsense feelings until I have the facts to deal with.

    BTW  the taffy was apple sour with a peanut butter centre all the way from Canada. A present from G. I fallen in love with it!! 

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