My Worst Day Ever

Yesterday I had an epiphany. I realized that I hate working in media, and that quitting five months ago was the best thing I ever did.

If I ever get a job again, I want to work with kids. It’s a lot more fun than being in an office, surrounded by nasty people cutting each other’s throats to get ahead.

I actually have a degree in Early Childhood Education. I ended up getting a summer internship at my aunt’s company, and they hired me. From there, I’ve had three other media positions.

But it’s a phony world. I want to spend my time around children. They’re so much more sincere,

My latest epiphany came playing with my baby daughter Astrid, who is 16 months.

I realized that over time, working in an office with twenty other people just sapped my soul.

Whereas, being at home with my kids just brings me back to life.

I only regret that I ever ended up passing on the opportunity to teach, going instead for the sure-thing, getting hired through nepotism.

What Do Women Really Want?

I can only speak for myself.

I want peace in my life.

My children are my life. But they bring me constant stress.

My baby, Astrid, stresses me the most. She is a very outgoing and friendly girl.

Butter blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Always wanting to help.

I am having a difficult time teaching her about “stranger danger.”

I don’t want to stifle her innate compassion, but I do have to teach her to be safe.

Should I destroy her trust in others? It’s upsetting.

My older girls are in grade school. They have their own issues.

So, at the end of the day, it’s really just looking out for my children than anything else that stresses me.

I found a few ways to keep my peace going strong.

One is massage for women.

I think it’s mostly men that get massages. That has to change.

There are so many benefits for women, but I think it’s just the history of how our culture views massage that keeps most women away.

My first massage was a I had with my husband in the Bahamas.

Before that, I had never had a backrub.

I found the experience like no other. The only other thing that brings me so much peace is my medical herb.

That was over eleven years ago. Since that time, I’ve had tons of massage therapy sessions.

Mostly, I’ve had them at the day spa, but in the last year, I discovered in-home massage.

I like that way better. I always found the hygiene issue to be something I felt strongly about. So, being in my own home works best for me.

I get my older two girls to babysit the little one in the playroom. Meanwhile, I drift off into bliss.

I don’t care if my therapist is a man or woman. What does it matter? But they do have to be able to use tons of pressure.

My shoulders get way too tight. I had a therapist last month named Mara. She was like 4 foot eleven inches or so. Skinny.

I didn’t think she’d cut it, but man was I wrong! She had muscles hiding somewhere!

It was the best session I’ve had in a while. I always assumed guys were stronger, but that’s just a myth.

Men are not as good at giving massages. There’s the creepy guys. Count them out. Then, there are the guys who are just the opposite, afraid to touch you because you’re a woman. The sexism thing is just too big a deal, one way or the other.

Even so, I’ve had great massages from guys. And nowadays, girls can get creepy, too. I think of it as a medical thing, so there’s no place for anything but a clinical eye.

My advice? If you find a good LMT, get their name. Make sure you re-book with that same person. You may have an amazing first massage and then your second time is a waste. You wonder what happened. It was the therapist. Some really suck at this. Others are amazing. Like anything in life.

With massage, there’s just no faking it, though. It’s such a basic and simple thing, you either do it well or you don’t.

The only thing with women i hate is that they tend to be chatty. I don’t want to talk. I just want to be still!

So, there’s no perfect therapist based on gender. And individuals defy stereotypes. The biggest chatterbox I’ve encountered was actually a man. I had to tell him to stop talking. I said, “dude, you’re souring my buzz!” He shut right up. Was I wrong? Nah. I paid for the session, after all.

The one red flag I want to warn you about are therapists who use their phones. If you have this happen, demand a refund from management. There’s just no reason to be browsing the latest on Twitter while giving a massage. Give me a break!

Lonnie’s Life

I love my life. Why? Because I’m alive.

It’s great breathing. That’s all I have to say.

The Pink Floyd Track “Breathe” is my favorite. It should be my anthem.

I love cannabis. Can I say that?

I know I’m a mother, but I have to say, I love the sticky icky! (I have a medical prescription for anxiety)

I don’t drink, so there’s that, at least.

My sister is a lush. It’s not healthy. She gets all distorted and says ridiculous things. I’m often embarrassed for her.

My kids are too young to know what’s actually up, but they know when Carol is drunk. My smallest one, Astrid, asked me, “What’s wrong with Aunt Carol? Did she get hit in the head?”

Astrid offered Carol her baby bottle, her bright blue eyes looking imploringly at my sister. Ironic that her instinct was to offer her a drink.

I used to drink but stopped in high school. Why? I saw too many friends getting their stomachs pumped.

And after kids living on my block crashed their cars, I knew it was no joke.

I think everyone should do what works for them. And, I do mean that.

But if you avoid the alcohol, you’re always better off.

Lonnie’s NJ Blog Introduction

Hi, y’all. I’m Lonnie. I am a thirty-something Mom living in New Jersey. I grew up in Brooklyn, NY, Hillside, NJ, and Gainesville, Florida.

Right now, I’m between jobs. It’s OK. I am not starving or anything. I have savings in the bank, a good resume, and a college education. I’ll be fine.

In this blog, I’m going to be talking about life. I don;’t have the most exciting life, but it’s not terrible, either.

The most important thing to me is my family and friends, learning new things, and exploring all there is to do where I live.

I’m not presently thinking about relocating. I like it in New Jersey. Right now I live in Edison, and I think I’m staying put. At least for a while.

Vacationing is not for me. A vacation, in my opinion, is just spending the day in bed until noon, then getting up and going to the spa. I don’t need itineraries and plane trips. I relax at home just as easily.

I’m an easygoing person.

Hopefully, I’ll have some interesting adventures to write about. Feel free to leave feedback. If a blog post sucks, do let me know. I do hope y’all will stay a while and kick back with me while I tell some stories, talk about life, and share some adventures. See ya’ soon!