Pity Party, Table for One

Yes, I know my life could be worse, and I know many other people have much more to complain about than me, but according to a friend, blogs are about self-absorbed people, so this is all about ME, ME, ME!!

Remember when you were a kid, and all you wanted to do was grow up and be an adult? WHAT THE HELL WERE WE THINKING?? Being an adult is like being on a lifetime rollercoaster ride. The climb to the top is very long and very slow, and once you are there, you can't stay there. You have to tumble down, and the ride down is very fast.

Here's the Cliff's Notes version of my adulthood. (I wish I could chart the ups and downs for you, but I think you'll be able to tell just from the text).

Graduate high school. Meet Travis (the ex-husband). Move into Dancer Hall at UNI. Series of part time jobs through college. Transfer to Arizona State University my junior year, only to come back because they said everything would transfer and it didn't. I would've basically been starting over as a freshman, with no guarantee I would be accepted to their design program in two years. Graduate from UNI with a really crappy grade point, get married, and move to Des Moines, all in the summer of 1998. Can't find a full time job for 6 months. Get a job, get pregnant, lose job. Work 3 part time jobs while 9 months pregnant. Have Jake. 8 week unpaid maternity leave. Come back to one of the jobs as full time designer. Buy a new car. Buy a new townhouse. Total car in accident and lose job before the ink dries on the townhouse. Get a new (used) car. Get a new job. Find out new job will be straight commission after 6 months. Literally start losing hair. Get new job. Get pregnant. Have Tyler. 8 weeks unpaid maternity leave. Come back for a month and then lose job. Work for a temp agency. Find dream job as a territory sales rep. Sell new (used) car and drive a company van. All expenses paid. Company starts messing around with territories and brands and suddenly there isn't much left to do. Look for new job. Find new job, but with a major pay cut. Find new (used) car since there is no company van or paid expenses. Things with Travis fall apart. File for bankruptcy. Move out of townhouse. Once bankruptcy is final, realize that life would be better single. Move into a duplex. Have a relationship with a total cretin. End that. Start online dating. Find great stories for future book because most of those guys are WEIRD. Rent goes up, twice. Find a great townhouse to share with best friend. Divorce is finalized. Re-meet Eric and wonder what life would've been had this happened in high school. Find another dream job as a furniture rep. Life is good. Then...fight with the ex over child custody because a move to Cedar Falls is necessary. Lose job (again!).

So life is in limbo. I'm in CF when I don't have the kids, and DM when I do. Job prospects are grim, and where do I look since I live in 2 places?

But I digress. I have 2 adorable little boys (who drive me absolutely nuts). I have a great relationship with a GREAT guy. I have unemployment for the first time in my life to help get me through.

I guess things aren't so bad afterall.