Reinventing Joy

"So how are things with you and your boyfriend?"   We just celebrated our 1 year anniversary last Monday!  Huzzah!  It's a world record in my relationship track record.   How are we doing?  Well.  We're doing well.  What a blah answer, right?! Last Friday, he advised that his 3 month contract has been increased to 5 months.  YAY!  He's got a steady income coming in for 5 months!  YAY!  IN PHILLY!  (Crickets) He leaves right after Christmas so we have 2 more weekends left together.  (More Crickets) He can’t wait to get out of Myrtle Beach.  It makes me sad because he won’t be as close and it’s going to be expensive and challenging trying to manage a for real long distance relationship for that long.   I’m going to try my best to budget my travel up there.  The other challenge is that he would prefer to move back to Philly permanently.  Remember my posts about moving to Myrtle Beach?  Well this is an even stronger negative feeling. I really hate the id

The procedure went well. At least I hope it did. I wasn't able to speak to my doctor afterwards. I was super scared. I tried to lighten the mood in my room by watching "Saved By The Bell" and taking goofy pictures.  They let me keep these horrible socks and a pillow. That equates to $2200, right?!  My follow up appointment is on 9/15.  Some of my girlfriends came by to check in on me for the first 2 days.  It was nice to have the company, lunch, some sweets and watching "Frozen" for the first time.  I've been so tired and sleepy- so I've been napping. Yesterday, I was cleared to drive. I went to rehearsal last night  since we open next Friday.  Aside from the length of the rehearsal, I was starting to feel fatigued on my way back home. I woke up at 3:33am in pain. I felt like I was jumped and someone had kicked me strategically in my lower abs. I took some ibuprofen and turned on "Happily Divorced" (my back up to my guilty pleasure "The Na

The day before my same day procedure and I get a call from the hospital. I owe them $2200!  What the What?! I asked the lady "Is this after insurance?!" She advised that the surgery originally was $20K. (Are you serious?! For a same day procedure!) After insurance and because I didn't meet my deductible, I owe $2200! She kindly offered a down payment arrangement of $880.  I asked her about the $580 I paid last week. She said that was for my doctor's fees. Unbelievable!  I shutter to think about people who don't have insurance. I don't want to make this a political thing at all. I'm just downright cheap. But the cost of taking this golf ball sized fibroid out if me is worth it.  I've chewed through too many belts and endured too much pain for the past year. My girlfriends have shared their experiences with this surgery and said it's not going to be a big deal. Their theshold for pain is much higher than mine. I cry when I get a paper cut. And this i

I am less than 24 hours away from finding out if I've gotten an internal job I've been pining for. I am giving it another go inside the company. I applied in May and it's almost July.  It's killing me!  I got word from the hiring manager that he's "still working it through with HR." I'm not sure what that means.  Some have said it's nothing and to wait and see.  Others have said it could be a compensation thing.  All I know is that waiting has never been a strong suit for me.  My mom says I entered this world 3 months early at 2lbs 10oz.   I can't wait to find out!  I want to either drink a bottle of champagne to either celebrate closure or a new beginning.  I am anxious and hopeful too.  I just want to kick this weekend off with some type of relief.  Getting this position would be right in my leadership and learning/development wheelhouse.  PS I would be back on the road and seeing the country. God's country but nonetheless- somethin

I have been working on a few projects that have been chugging along at a reasonable pace.  I am starting my own business. I want to be a life/career coach. I do it everyday and I think I can earn some extra money doing more work on the side. It is actually the only part of my hellacious work situation that makes me happy. I have registered for my business license and LLC. I have also gotten my taxID. I have been slowly getting the DBE(minority owned business) application completed. That is one intimidating application. I have to declare that because I am a woman and I'm Black that I have been disadvantaged for doing business.  Cray! I am finally getting Joyel and The Side Hustle rehearsed!!! (That's the new band name-you like it?!) It was like hearing cats, pulling teeth and waking up the teenage son I don't have for school all in one! Bands take work. To get them motivated when there are no gigs lined up is really hard. But we have our 2nd rehearsal set for tonight.  My bo

Things I've Done in 2013: Reprised a role I played in college-Crystal in Little Shop of horrors  Performed for 3 Nights in Vegas at the Rouge Lounge at MGM Grand at my 2nd Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp Performed and recorded with Sammy Hagar Twice!!! Was coached by Vic Johnson (guitarist with Sammy Hagar) Performed with Guitar God-Steve Vai Coached by Lita Ford! And she made a shout out on FB Performed in Piccolo Spoletto doing my 1st staged reading "Love Loss and What I Wore" FB friended by American Idol finalist and local artist-Elise Testone Performed in numerous venues in the Charleston area Was in a band-Shrubbery Transit and knew when to back out when it wasn't working  Played out on guitar for the 1st time at The Windjammer!  Attempting to start several music projects (Band with Bobby Plexico and Wedding Band with Madden Bros) Actually heeding two month vocal rest and healing up so I can sing out more.  Bought my 1st electric guitar! Made it through my 1st year play