Miss Independent

What an interesting thing independence is. I have had the very indifferent experience that is "independence" for the past 6 months now. I purchased my own house, which I love and am SO proud of. When I first moved into my house, D. was a jack of all trades and could pretty much take care of any task I deemed impossible. Examples: hanging new light fixtures, fixing a dishwasher, a storm door, and a water heater, etc. This was awesome and so appreciated, but it spoiled me a bit. As if I wasn't spoiled enough from living with my unbelievably amazing mother for the first 24 years of my life. To say that I was well taken care of is putting it lightly. My mother is the caretaker of all caretakers. I'm pretty sure that I don't have a domestic bone in my body contrary to my mother's continued support that it will all come in time. BUT that's another blog for another day. Anywho, I am now attempting to handle things around the homestead on my own. With the assistance of E., Fal, and KP of course. I singlehandedly assembled my tv stand, put it together, and equipped it with what was necessary for usage. That sounds like nothing to an ordinary, productive person, but to me, this was HUGE. The television came in the mail (b/c it was a WOOT DEAL www.woot.com- it's a 1 deal a day website. Awesome. Also, check out www.groupon.com/nashville/ if you're in the Nashville area. When you're a teacher, you depend on these things. Sorry told you I get off topic.) Long story short: We'll pretend like that's possible for me. The television had been sitting by the door, not in use for close to 2 weeks b/c I was afraid and NOT CONFIDENT at all about assembling, mounting and putting it to use. Was it a hard task? Not at all. Just intimidating to me because of my lack of craftsman skills. The point to my babbling is it's super stressful taking on normal homeowner tasks when you've never had to deal with these mundane problems. Hence: a bluebird decides to build a nest in your dryer tube. What do you do? Apparently get it out IMMEDIATELY. On the bright side (shout out to Cr) it feels awesome once you have solved these problems and accomplished these tasks on your own. Or at least without the assistance of a male. Not that male assistance isn't wanted/needed sometimes, but as a girl, it's nice to do "manly" things solo. I've never wanted to be "that girl" that depends on a male for everything. Everything being happiness, survival, etc. I definitely can't say that I've NEVER been "that girl," but one day at a time is how I see it. I also definitely CANNOT say that I don't depend on other people for happiness b/c that would make me a liar. I most certainly depend on my family and friends for happiness. Extremely reliant on them. Regardless, paying the bills, working hard, and depending solely on yourself financially is difficult but definitely worth that accomplished feeling at the end of the day when you look around and know that all of it is yours. Well, yours and the banks. Even though I have had to give up a lot of my addictions: online shopping, spending hundreds of dollars on iTunes, new sunglasses and watches and purses every pay check, I do love this "Independent Woman" phenomenon I'm living. I'm also finally comfortable that I did not obtain my Mrs. degree from college. Disclaimer: I am so happy for those of my friends who are married and progressing in their lives. I'm merely stating that just because I'm not, doesn't mean I'm behind :) The American Dream is what you make of it for yourself. It's 2010. The stigma has been removed. 24 does NOT have to = married and pregnant.

"It's something about the kinda woman that wants you but don't need you." Ne-Yo is such a smart man.

Sidenote: Napoleon Dynamite NEVER gets old.