I can’t believe I’ve had this blog for 12 years. When I first started blogging, I was toying with the idea of going back to school. Now, 12 years and 4 degrees later, I’m an Addiction Counselor and….
I just got a house! It’s a 3 BR for $1,090 per month- that’s a steal in today’s economy. Huge yard with a large kitchen- I love it. I gave up my home owner’s status to go to renter’s status, but it’s worth it to me to have a house. Life is good!
My new house. 🤗
Apart from that not much to update. Josh and I will remain best friends, of course- that’ll probably never change. I’m excited for us both though. After 18 long years, we’re going our own ways to both start fresh in life. He’ll probably end up with a kid or two and hopefully, a good woman. It’s time to carve out my OWN life. Brian (my son) and I will be living together; super excited.
I legit couldn’t ask for anything more in life right now. ❤️
It sounded so glamorous to both Josh I to go out and have a few drinks at Kaiju’s, but neither one of us were vibing. It was sort of meh, when put into practice, so we had one drink each and went home to our digital devices. 😅
I’ve been sick for two weeks now. Went to two different hospitals: Bronchitis & The flu (A). My chest is still pretty congested, despite the Dayquil & breathing treatment. I went back to work 4 days ago (because I had to), but I’m still pretty sick. Spending the day watching True Crime (Charles Starkweather & Caril Fugate’s killing spree in the ’50’s.)
Nothing new to report. My job is going great, life is great, all is well. Can’t complain. 😎
Loving this new iPhone 15 +. (And all of my mobile digital editors, of course.)
I’ve got a full day at work today! I have 3 Psychosocials to complete with 3 different clients then a 2 hour group therapy session with all of the clients. I spent $45 on various chocolates (truffles), Starburst, Dum Dum suckers, Trident Bubble Gum flavoured gum, and Reisen chocolates for my clients today. We like to have fun on Saturdays. 😁 We have an hour of Psych/Ed with worksheets, then the last hour is spent with the music on, playing Jenga and sharing candy. I like to bring some fun up into the hizzle! They only get to do that once per week and that’s when I’m there on Saturdays.
Taken out in Henryville, Clark State Forest, 3 days ago.
Almonds wrecked their car, Brian went to jail, I got pulled over, and Martin needed to be rescued 50 miles away where he’d been stranded for days without food.
It. Was. A. Night.
In my world, however, it’s truly just another day. I can handle pretty much whatever the world throws at me, AND I keep a good attitude rolling through it all.
Firewalker. <——— me
Just another day in the hood. 😎
In other news, I absolutely am living the dream. I have to pinch myself everyday going into my office, where I see a handful of clients daily. It feels so surreal to passionately want something so badly and work hard in school for so many years, and then it finally pays off: I’m a therapist.
Speaking of which, I get paid in two more days: $1,300 after taxes and insurance (medical, dental, vision). I feel pretty good about my benefits too: 401K, a plush benefits package, PLUS a life insurance policy of almost $100,000 in which I don’t have to pay a penny into to set my kids up with $30,000 each- it just comes with the job automatically and every holiday AND the following day = PTO/ paid time off. I have no complaints!
It’s been awhile since I’ve submitted a general update on my life. I’m so used to setting goals and achieving them, I’m almost lost without a packed-down goal sheet.
I have no complaints. Just got hired as a therapist at an addiction treatment center, my kids are thriving and all doing well in their own homes with their own jobs. I’m getting ready to receive my $2,000 sign-on bonus with my first check, so right at $3,300 to $3,500. Not too shabby. 😎
Josh and I are cohabitating, as usual. He’s my best friend. Nobody’s been there for me for so many years (almost 18!). Mom is doing well too. I go see her when I can (which is several times per week) and stay the night with her on Saturdays so I can go to Church with her on Sunday mornings, then I’ll go to my church on Sunday nights. God is so faithful with His blessings!
We’ll stay here at the mobile home for a bit longer, but soon, we’ll be able to get a nice 2 to 3 BR house and I cannot WAIT. I definitely want my own home office.
It’s 9:06 pm and 5:30 am comes early! I like to wake up early enough to have my time with the Lord (prayer/anoint myself/Word/Bible) as well as get a bit of work done before heading to the office.
It’s been a long road, almost 12 years maintaining my blog. When I first created Monochromejunkie, I was just toying with the idea of getting an education. I wanted to be a Serial Killer Profiler so signed up for Criminal Justice, then switched my major to Social Work (hated it), then switched my major again, to Psychology and I loved it. When I added on a CPC/Certification in Substance Abuse- I knew I’d discovered my passion.
I spent the next 3 years pursuing my Master’s degree in Psychology and Addiction Counseling. I absolutely loved it. My passion isn’t for just any area in the field of Substance Abuse, but particularly those in recovery- who have just entered rehab, and ultimately detox. Most rehab programs are 28 to 30 days in length, of which 7 of those days are spent in heavily monitored medical detox and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT).
There are successful rehab programs, but I haven’t heard a lot of talk about the importance of a strong after-care program. Things like beginning to go to AA/NA meetings, short term and long term goals, helping them work out transportation with free programs like THRIVE- an organization which helps those in recovery with 8 rides per month to AA meetings. Also, encouraging the clients to consider going to college for free using pell grants that don’t need to be repaid. I have a wealth of community services knowledge that will be super helpful as a Substance Abuse Counselor, and equally helpful in creating a structured after-care program.
So yeah, I created this blog to leave my thumbprint behind for my kids and family; a memorial of sorts. I always knew that I’d maintain my blog until I found not only my desired job, but career. And so I have.
I won’t be deactivating my blog, but will be posting a lot less because my goals have been accomplished! I may still pop in from time to time with a nature shot here or there, but for the most part, my blog will serve as a timestamp of a decade (and some change) of my academic journey, and photo collection- a time capsule, if you will.
m o n o c h r o m e j u n k i e † 