Getting Back On The Saddle

After a really long hiatus, I’ve decided to take an active role in my dating life. As I’ve gotten older I find the idea of dating apps to be pretty daunting, but with all of the changes that I’ve made in the last year going out and actually socializing with people has been difficult.

Since I’ve relocated, again, I find my social circle to be pretty limited. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family, but any time we get together it’s always the same people. So my opportunities to meet NEW people have been pretty limited. So obviously I jumped back into the dating apps, I updated all of my information so that it was current and picking people from the correct area. Because for a while POF was still matching me with people in Chicago.

And then I met someone, we talked for a bit through the site, and then exchanged numbers. I took that as a good sign because I don’t just hand my number out to anyone, but I had a good feeling about this guy. He was funny, independent, ambitious, kind and we appeared to have quite a bit in common. So we set up a date to meet, it didn’t happen though because there was a series of events that caused us to reschedule three times.

After each time though, he always seemed really apologetic, I get it shit happens and sometimes things can’t be avoided but I thought I’d give him the benefit of the doubt here.

Then this past weekend, I was at a baseball game on Saturday hanging out with my cousin and her friends. Texting sporadically with this guy talking about how excited we both were about finally meeting (on Sunday).  We were still figuring out what we were going to do when my Cousin offered me two tickets to Sunday’s game. Knowing that this guy was a huge Cardinals fan I thought perfect! So we made plans to meet at the ballpark just before the game. He showered me with flattery and told me he appreciated the thought and that he couldn’t wait.

Sunday morning comes around and I get a text saying it’s supposed to rain, but he was still down to go to the game if I was. So of course, I said yes, worst case scenario we could go to Ballpark village or something to get out of the rain if it got worse. I went about my business, got ready to go and headed out to the ballpark a bit after 12:30PM. Parked the car and then text him while I was walking to our meeting spot.

I sat in front of Gate 2 for about 30 minutes or so, debated whether or not to take out my umbrella because it was starting to drizzle but opted to just wait it out since it wasn’t too bad.

And I never heard from him again…

Even when you think someone’s a decent person they can prove you very wrong, and I think that’s what annoys me the most about online dating. I had hoped that people in this age range would be past ghosting or games, but I guess not.

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Sugar And Spice, And Everything Nice

I’ve been doing a lot of reading about Ketosis and going on a Keto diet, I couldn’t fully commit to it just yet so I’ve been focusing on low carb for now.

But the one thing I can’t get past is the sugar in my coffee. 😦 Every other meal or treat that I’ve had in the last week or two has been relatively perfect and planned out. Each meal is proportioned according to whatever calculations the lady at the gym gave me…

Except I miss the taste of my morning cup of coffee! I figured if I kept it to that ONE teaspoon of sugar a day then I’d be okay, but I know that things don’t really work the way they’re supposed to unless you fully commit. I replaced whole milk for Half & Half (although I’m thinking heavy cream might be better) and last night I went out and bought some Stevia. Convinced myself that it would be OK and that it’d taste normal… or at the very least that it was an acquired taste and that I’d get over it.

So this morning arrives and it’s time to make that precious cup of coffee…

And all I can taste is the artificial sweetener. I don’t even taste the half & half, which has always had more of a ‘chalky’ texture to me. So my question to the universe… is there a keto friendly sugar replacement that DOESN’T tastes like PURE sweetness or chemicals?! Or do all sugar substitutes taste the same and I just need to suck it up, or just give up coffee all together?!

I guess I can do that, I drink it more out of routine than the need for caffeine, and there’s always tea. I don’t think I need to sweeten tea, all of the stuff I have is herbal or berry flavored anyhow.

On the bright side, at least I’m only struggling with sugar in my coffee. My mom (who is on the same meal plan for support) is still struggling with the idea of just eating meat and veggies at every meal. The woman loves her rice, pasta, and tortillas. I told her not to worry about it, she can eat whatever she wants, but she said if I’m doing it then she can do it too.

Getting older is hard work

All the changes have happened and I’m in a place I never thought I’d be.

Over the last 6 months, I’ve gotten rid of basically everything I owned and replaced it, primarily with clothes but who’s really keeping track!?

I started my life journey in North St. Louis, Mo… moved to the NW Suburbs of Chicago at the age of 7 and lived there until I was in my early 30’s. I traveled to StL for holidays and family events and every time shook my head when asked: “when are you moving back!”. I dreaded visiting during the hot summer months, or any month really because I always thought it was hot to some degree! ha.

In 2015 I reluctantly moved to CA, where I spent 2 years working on a new career and spending time with family. After which I returned to Chicago, to less than enthusiastic old friends, for which I take most of the blame as I tend to be horrible at keeping in touch with people. And within 6 months or so decided that it just wasn’t for me anymore so I was moving “home” (albeit semi-reluctantly).

And now here I am, doing something I hate so very much: starting over.

The upside to this, however, is that my entire family is in StL so things have been pretty busy since I’ve been here. And, thanks to that career that I mentioned early I was able to do very adult things like buying a house!

I joined a gym (and have actually been going), I’ve changed my diet and I’m making changes.

Still not looking forward to that summer though, but I’m making the most of it because change is good… right?

I don’t know how I’ll end up using this blog, but I wanted to start writing again so we’ll see. I’ll likely bore you with the details of my meals and re-acquainting myself with the city that I first called home.

~ Ciao!

Guest blogger Opportunities!!

Daily Urbanista is looking for some guest bloggers to add to the calendar, if you’ve ever wanted to blog but don’t have the time to maintain your own blog then shoot DU an email!

 

If you don’t know who DU is then check the blog out and let us know what you think! You don’t have to live in Chicago, or even in the US, we have writers all over! Send an email to dailyurbanista(at)gmail(dot)com with your intro and some topic ideas and let’s get this ish rollin!

XO

New Year New Beginnings!

Resolution for 2016:

1. Make better use of your personal blog (hello blog!)
2. Figure out what the HELL I’m allergic to so that I can stop eating it (even though it’s probably something delicious)
3. Complete at least SFDC 5 certifications (Woot! New job Ya’ll!!)

Keep it simple, keep it light.

A lot has happened since I was “laid off”, for starters I’m not in Chicago anymore!

I may as well get another cat

I’m beginning to think that I won’t be dating anyone, anytime soon. And that’s really starting to upset me. But this isn’t at the top of my “wtf” list. As mentioned in the last post I moved!!!

In the last couple of months I quit a comfortable job, moved into the city, started working at a startup and then “lost” my job. Fun times. So I’m currently working part time as a hostess at a restaurant in a near by suburb and scrambling to update my resume and get a new job. The way I figure, I have enough money to get me through this month and through most of next month. If you need me I’ll be rummaging through the boxes (because yes I still have many boxes) trying to find anything worth of value that I can pawn. (jkjk)

Since I’ve moved into the city that also means that my mother moved out of state, she never considered herself much of a city girl so she quickly declined my invitation to stay with me for a bit. That being said this past Mother’s day was a bit rough.

There Comes a Time in a Girl’s Life…

Well… it’s happened. I moved!!!! And to celebrate I wanted to share this post I did for the Daily Urbanista.

8 Things That Happen When You Live Alone

I’ve spent so much of my 20’s in the city and have seen so many of my friends move that it only made sense to move where everyone else I knew lived. Plus, it’s Chicago… need I really say more? So here I am, in a small one bedroom apartment on the far north side and I’m realizing more and more just how much can change when you live alone.

1. Hi Couch, I love you

I’ve never spent as much time on my couch as I have this past month. There’s just too much Netflix to catch up on! It also doesn’t help that I am still living out of boxes so really the couch is the only place to be, except my bed. But then I’d be asleep all of the time.

2. There’s no such thing as Breakfast or Lunch or even Dinner.

 Cooking for one just seems silly and it takes way too much effort seeing as how you have to scale down recipes, otherwise you end up with a ton of leftovers. I have no problem cooking for 4+ people (that just makes sense), but cooking for one is a bit difficult. Not to mention the fact that I have to go grocery shopping and I still haven’t mastered the idea of buying what I’ll eat versus what I think I’ll eat. My last trip to the grocery store ended with me carrying out a gallon of milk, two boxes of cereal and a dozen eggs. Who says you can’t eat cereal three times a day?

3. It’s easier to just buy more dishes, right?

Since I don’t really cook you think it’d be easy to wash dishes as I go, but that just seems like a waste of water. And with the drought in CA everyone has to do his/her part to conserve, right?! This is also how I feel about laundry, but it’s okay, because I purge and donate at least twice a year.

4. Oh shit, spider!

I’ve never really been afraid of spiders (or most insects for that matter) but something about living alone and finding one in the closet just left me with an unsettling feeling. I don’t advocate killing spiders, but the other day I silently panicked and grabbed a shoe. I am truly sorry Mr/s. Spider

5. No Pants party

I used to joke about this all of the time, but now it’s actually possible. Most people I know lounge around in sweats and yoga pants, but I don’t own these things so what’s the alternative? A good ol’ NO PANTS party (for one obvi)!!! Please give me a 10 minute warning before you arrive at my doorstep, it would be greatly appreciated.

6. You are your own boss

Out late and want to sleep in? Go for it. Don’t feel like getting out of bed? Don’t worry about it. There’s no one to tell you not to, no one to pull open the blackout curtains you put up or to pull you out of bed by the ankle. This was a huge selling point for me, however that internal clock that makes you get up earlier the older you get has apparently started ringing. Who knew I’d eventually get out of bed before 10 AM on a weekend?

7. Sometimes you do need help

Yes, I have a small tool set with essential items. Yes, I know how to use a hammer without smashing my finger, and even have a small hand saw. Although I’m not entirely sure what I’ll need it for, but better to be safe than sorry right? But that doesn’t help me when I can’t get the 100+ pound box up the damn stairs and into my apartment so that I can use said tools. My first attempt was sad, and after talking to a coworker about it he offered to help me should I receive any other heavy packages. Luckily for him I had one coming the next day. It is SO much easier to move a wooden shelf when you have two people versus pushing it up a rounded staircase by yourself!

8. Open Door Policy

It’s just me… and the cats… do I really have to close doors?! I mean, I have the blinds pulled up in the living room so anyone can see in but the bedroom and the bathroom are out of view. So I’m safe, right? It didn’t hit me until a week or so in that I probably should be more careful with the windows considering I’m technically on the first floor. (oops)

So there you have it… I moved into the city and am now living alone. Definitely not what I thought it would be like, but let’s save that for another post?!