deza: (Secret master librarians)
Marna Carney ([personal profile] deza) wrote2014-03-05 02:57 pm
Entry tags:

LJ Idol, Week O - Introduction

Yes, I'm really doing this. Again.

A lot has changed for me in the last few years. Since I haven't been very good about keeping my LJ friends up to date, this is as good a time as any to recap what's been going on.

I am a disabled single mom librarian. I have what the docs call Cascading Autoimmune Disorder. The tl;dr version of that is my body hates me. The long version is my immune system randomly registers healthy portions of my body as viruses and tries to destroy them. This has manifested in some interesting interesting ways: skin lesions, arthritis, bamboo spine, and thyroid issues for starters. I spent four years in a wheelchair while being treated. In 2012 I was told I would never walk again. I didn't like that, so I got off the drugs and started forcing myself back into life. I still get seizures that are a side effect of having been on the meds for so long. Fortunately I have a very talented little dog who can tell those seizures are coming.


Tassie at work with me.

While going through all this, my husband decided he didn't want to be married to a gimp. After quite a bit of emotional and verbal abuse and a few affairs on his part, he decided to walk. The divorce was finalized almost a year ago. Being on my own with kids meant that I had to start working again, despite having been out of the field for years due to illness. I took a job as the Programs Librarian in a small rural borough in Pennsylvania.

When the kids and I moved here, we brought along a stray I picked up in Atlanta. Jon has been more or less trying to find work here for the last year. He hasn't been successful. He's moving back to Atlanta at the end of the month.

This leaves me with a big house, a 13 year old son and a 15 year old pregnant daughter. Yes, you read that right. Rowan is pregnant and due in June. I'm not exactly thrilled about becoming a grandmother right now. The babydaddy and his family have been less than cordial about the whole situation -- I reported him to the police this week for keying my car. Again. Still, Rowan is handling the pregnancy well and is making some good decisions based on how she wants her son to grow up. Kyle is less than thrilled about being an uncle. He just wants to play Call of Duty and GTA V and isn't sure how a crying baby in the house will affect him.

Me, I'm just trying to get this all to work out, one way or another. My life has been many things, but boring has never been one of them!


One last Tassie pic, because puppy. :)


LJ Idol entry, Season 9/OMG THE END, Week 0. The topic is "Introduction"> Any questions?
jexia: (Default)

[personal profile] jexia 2014-03-05 08:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Is that a Jayne hat I spy?


Good thoughts to your daughter, and to you.

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-05 08:21 pm (UTC)(link)
It is indeed. I just finished making the pompom yesterday. If I'm going to be raising another child, I'm gonna raise him right!

Thank you. :)

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[personal profile] jexia - 2014-03-05 20:24 (UTC) - Expand

oh!

[identity profile] vvalkyri.livejournal.com - 2014-03-05 21:30 (UTC) - Expand

Re: oh!

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com - 2014-03-05 22:00 (UTC) - Expand

[identity profile] lostin-thestars.livejournal.com 2014-03-05 08:35 pm (UTC)(link)
So many hugs to you.

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-05 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you! Hugs are always appreciated.

[identity profile] millysdaughter.livejournal.com 2014-03-05 08:40 pm (UTC)(link)
**hugs**
Is the boy old enough to charge with statutory rape?
If not, in my state you can go after his parents for child support if he is legally a minor. Check with legal aid there.

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-05 09:50 pm (UTC)(link)
No, he's a minor, too. Once we establish paternity after the baby is born, we'll be suing for child support and court supervised visitation. The boy is into some activities Rowan and I would rather the baby not experience.

[identity profile] kehlen-crow.livejournal.com 2014-03-05 08:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Nice to meet you :).

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-05 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)
And you. :)
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[identity profile] goldmourn.livejournal.com 2014-03-05 09:19 pm (UTC)(link)
"My life has been many things, but boring has never been one of them!"

You ain't kidding! Wow! You've had a lot going on there, eh? I admire your strength through this. Tells a lot about your character.

I love that you're a librarian. & the icon - is that an image taken from 'The Mummy'? I loved her character in that flick.

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-05 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

It is indeed. I wish I could claim credit, but I cribbed it many years ago.

[identity profile] fringebenefits.livejournal.com 2014-03-05 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
I look forward to reading your work!

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-05 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you! The feeling is mutual.
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[identity profile] x-disturbed-x.livejournal.com 2014-03-05 10:28 pm (UTC)(link)
I remember you! Glad to see you back! :)

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-06 05:36 pm (UTC)(link)
I remember you, too. :)
geminigirl: (Default)

[personal profile] geminigirl 2014-03-05 10:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Hi Tassie. I love your hat.

Somehow I missed the detail about Rowan on LJ if you mentioned it. (You and I are not FB friends, so if it was only there, I definitely missed it.) I'm glad she's handling it well. How are you set for baby things? Mine are big enough that I'm starting to get rid of baby things, no matter how much I want one more, and hope that it does happen.

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-06 05:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I kinda forgot to post it here. We found out in November.

More baby things are always welcome. Thank you!

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[personal profile] geminigirl - 2014-03-07 03:57 (UTC) - Expand

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[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com - 2014-03-07 22:41 (UTC) - Expand

[identity profile] sweeny-todd.livejournal.com 2014-03-06 01:19 am (UTC)(link)
Your puppy is beautiful. and wow -that is a lot going on.

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-06 05:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you. I adore my little life saver!

[identity profile] ljidolvillian.livejournal.com 2014-03-06 02:16 am (UTC)(link)
Sounds like tough sledding. I hope the writing gives you additional power to overcome it all.

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-06 05:38 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll keep doing what I've always done -- one day at a time until I make it out the other side. That being said, there's no guarantee all the other people around me will have the same option...

[identity profile] adoptedwriter.livejournal.com 2014-03-06 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
Tassie is precious!
Good luck w the baby thing. Two of my nieces have been teen-moms. It's a blessing to have family who can help. AW

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-06 05:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

When I got pregnant at 28, my mom stopped talking to me until I got married. Best 5 months of my life. I decided then that if the situation ever happened to me, I'd be supportive of my kid. I'm trying to live up to that.

(no subject)

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com - 2014-03-07 22:43 (UTC) - Expand
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[identity profile] shay-writes.livejournal.com 2014-03-06 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
*big hugs*

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-06 05:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] alycewilson.livejournal.com 2014-03-06 06:29 am (UTC)(link)
I was aware of the health issues but not of the divorce or the pregnancy. Your daughter is very lucky to have a strong, supportive mom like you.

Welcome back!

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-06 05:40 pm (UTC)(link)
The health problems have been around for a while. The divorce I didn't talk about much. I'm still in shock over the pregnancy. I'm trying to give her the support I wish my mom had given me.

[identity profile] ecosopher.livejournal.com 2014-03-06 07:53 am (UTC)(link)
Wow. Life certainly isn't dull for you!

Sending lots of good thoughts for you and your family. Jeepers, a baby at fifteen. I was 31 when I fell pregnant and still had enormous amounts of growing up to do. Wishing you and your daughter strength.

Tassie is the cutest :)

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-06 05:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, at 28 I felt awfully unprepared. I'm just making sure she knows she always has a home for herself and the baby.

[identity profile] ryl.livejournal.com 2014-03-06 03:10 pm (UTC)(link)
So I'm not the only person who calls autoimmunity "my body hating me." I have ITP (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/idiopathic-thrombocytopenic-purpura/basics/definition/con-20034239); it's in remission now but I don't trust it. Mine didn't come with a puppy, either. :)

It's a pleasure to meet you, m'lady. I look forward to reading your words.

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-06 05:43 pm (UTC)(link)
It does seem like the best description, doesn't it?

I once reported a family to child protective services because of a toddler with ITP. Never heard of it before then. You have my sympathies.

(no subject)

[identity profile] ryl.livejournal.com - 2014-03-06 23:07 (UTC) - Expand

[identity profile] grail76.livejournal.com 2014-03-06 07:22 pm (UTC)(link)
I've missed your LJ updates. Glad to see you back for whatever reason.
Maybe we can share citations sometime.

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-07 10:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Any time, hon.

[identity profile] halfshellvenus.livejournal.com 2014-03-06 09:36 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sure sorry about the recent developments regarding the unplanned pregnancy and really difficult babydaddy family.

But it sounds as if you're doing all the right things, give the hand you've been dealt!

Welcome back. :)

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-07 10:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] solstice-singer.livejournal.com 2014-03-07 12:29 am (UTC)(link)
I wish your daughter the very best with her pregnancy. Life sounds anything but boring over there.

[identity profile] waltzmatildah.livejournal.com 2014-03-07 12:36 am (UTC)(link)
Tassie is so cute, omg!!! SO CUTE!! And smart.

HELLO!

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-07 10:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Hi! Yeah, she's a pretty special little pup.

[identity profile] veronica-rich.livejournal.com 2014-03-07 04:10 am (UTC)(link)
You have a lot on your plate. I can't imagine being a grandmother at my age (though, fun fact: My favorite grandma was two years younger than I am now, when I was born - only 39. So we're doing better than her! LOL).

That dog looks adorable. My cats are not service animals, but they provide companionship and stress relief - when they're not creating their own unique kind of stress, of course. But, you know - they're cats. It happens. ;-)

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-07 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm 3 years older than my mother was when I was born. In November, I made the comment that now that my youngest was turning 13 I wouldn't be able to use him for getting free candy at Halloween any more and I needed a new baby. This was not how I meant to go about it!

[identity profile] tatdatcm.livejournal.com 2014-03-07 04:24 am (UTC)(link)
I went through a similar situation with two daughters. I now have a 3-year old grandson and a 2-year old granddaughter who are the most awesome little people ever!

Good luck to you and your daughter. I'll offer a shoulder if you ever need one.

So nice to meet you. I look forward to reading your entries.

(If you notice a deleted comment, that was me. I replied to one of the comments by accident.)

[identity profile] deza.livejournal.com 2014-03-07 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you. I appreciate that.

[identity profile] muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com 2014-03-08 04:07 am (UTC)(link)
That's quite an update. :) Yay for the talented puppy, and best luck in this last season of LJI.

Dan
ext_12410: (kaylee umbrella (by octarine))

[identity profile] tsuki-no-bara.livejournal.com 2014-03-08 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
wow, dude, that is not boring! i'm kinda looking forward to your entries now. and good luck to your daughter - and you! - with the upcoming baby.

i love that your puppy has a jayne hat. she's really cute.

[identity profile] kathrynrose.livejournal.com 2014-03-08 05:24 am (UTC)(link)
You have a lot going on!

Love Tassie in her hat. :)

[identity profile] roina-arwen.livejournal.com 2014-03-08 07:51 am (UTC)(link)
Cute puppy! Does she aim to misbehave? :)

Congrats on the upcoming grandparent-hood, I hope it all works out for your family.
Edited 2014-03-08 07:52 (UTC)

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