I know I've been absent a lot here lately

Lately, I've been absent a lot from both Vocal and ViM. Many of my closest friends know and understand why I have been, but there are several who are probably wondering what's going on with Ol' Mother Combs. Whether I am alive or dead, or if I just gave up altogether on writing. Well, let me update my fans and readers on what's been happening lately in my life.

I've been so busy in my real life, I've not known much whether I'm coming or going. Between the divorce and the move, I've not had much time to create on Vocal, much less check in on ViM more than I have lately. I knew this would be a busy time for me, but I just didn't realize how much work would be required for each task. It's crazy busy, I tell you.

I've been lucky with the little property I purchased. Both houses have minor leaks in the water pipes, which have been easily fixed. A friend of mine is laying the floor in the second bedroom for me. This same friend has been the one to help move the larger stuff with her grandfather's trailer, so I haven't had to rent a U-Haul. Honestly, with the help of my friends, I've saved money because they darn near refuse to take a dime except for gas and food. We've moved over 80% of our stuff since Monday, with just one truck on Monday and my car the rest of the week. We'll have the truck again this Tuesday (after Labor Day), and we'll finish the move of our larger items, plus the dogs and cats.

The previous owner has left SO much stuff inside both houses. They even told us to keep what we want, and they'll come back for the rest to haul off to the thrift store. Some really nice furniture and kitchen appliances! Washer, dryer, stand mixer, coffee maker, microwave, coffee table, TV cabinet, microwave stand, mini fridge, stoves.... Plus so much more that they left and didn't want, and all of it's GOOD!

Not listed on the sales listing: the water heaters are almost brand new for both houses, and so is the pressure tank for the well. After weed-eating around the house and cutting down some flowers that have already bloomed, we found a STORM SHELTER!! It'll hold at least 5 people!

Turning off the phone and internet at the old house was a hassle. Windstream didn't want to lose us as customers, but they didn't have service in our area, ten miles away. After several calls and demands, I got them to sign me up with ViaSat (it seems to work great so far) and to finally cancel our service on the 30th of August. (Which, by the way, my soon-to-be ex had a meltdown when I canceled the internet on him, making it so he could no longer watch YouTube.) So, my new house has internet AND phone, and it's great! Now, I can get back online!!

Electricity has been a little headache. Turning it on here at the new house has been no problem. We had to pay a SMALL deposit to have the already turned-on electricity in my name. What was the hassle? Trying to get my name off of my old electric bill. Why? Because it's in both my ex's and mine names. They won't remove mine until the divorce is completely final, so if he doesn't pay the bill and skips town, I'll be stuck with however high he runs the bill. I understand why, but I don't like it one bit. Nope. Sure don't.

Bonnie and I bought a TCL TV for a third of the cost of a Samsung. Let me tell you, it's the bomb! 43" with the clearest picture I have seen in a long, long time! Supernatural, The Big Bang Theory, Bob's Burgers, The Simpsons, and a few other shows we've broken down and watched, LOOK FANTASTIC!!

The divorce from my husband is still in the beginning stages. Hoping it will be over by Christmas. If it is, I may start celebrating Christmas again. On a plus note, he's given up all his verbal attacks. He's still a narcissist, but he's backed off for now.

This all may seem like one huge flex to you all, but just know it's not meant to be. I've not had good news like this to share with anyone in such a long time, I'm just bubbling over to tell someone! Who better than my Vocal friends!

All in all, the girls and I have been extremely hectic busy with everything we have had to do. Yet, this house has brought each of us peace that we didn't have before. It's also bringing us together.

Hopefully, very soon, I'll be way less busy. Then I'll be able to sit down again, read everyone's stories, commenting again, while writing my little tales. If you have a story you feel I should be reading about, feel free to drop the link in the comments, or DM me through Messenger. I'll gladly make sure I read them.

Thanks for putting up with me babbling throughout this whole missive. Just know I'm thinking of each of you and hope to be back to full-time reading very soon!!