Pints and Ponders #1, 3/22/16: The End Is Near

Hop Grandslam, Courtesy Of Bell's Brewery

One of the many perks of my job (and there are many), is the ability to stop downtown to the pub after a long hard days work, and enjoy what's called a "shifty". Basically, what that means, is a free beer (any choice and any size) after the end of my shift. And I don't know if anyone reading this has been to Bell's beer garden, but it's beautiful! So here I sit outside alone in the sun, enjoying my brew, and I suddenly get the urge to write. Plus let's be honest... "Pints and Ponders"? Yeah, that was too clever to not use, so I'm going to just go with it!

So anyways, today's post is titled; "The End Is Near". Don't get me wrong, that does seem like quite the negative statement. It couldn't possibly be a good thing right? Well in my case, it's a very good thing, as my end is the end of all the bad things that I've had to endure the last two years. It's now a time that signals the end of heartbreaks, loneliness, struggles, and atrocities that I've had to experience. It's also the time of rebirth of sorts.

To start off, I'm about to do something in my life that I swore up and down to so many, that I would never do again: Get Married! I used to think, "Why Bother?". I became so hardened to the pain that 2 divorces caused, that I never thought I could bare a third round. But I was wrong. So wrong! I had no idea in those days that I was going to (re)meet my best friend, soul mate, and partner in crime. My beautiful Maria. She truly has opened my eyes to what true love is, can be and is supposed to be. We have a bond and friendship like no other! I thank god for her everyday! The End Is Near.......the end of loneliness, being treated poorly, and just generally not knowing what true love really felt like. My time for love is now here, and I'm embracing it with all I have! The wedding will commence on July 30th! We are counting down the days......

That also brings me to the next piece of joy in my life and the end to another terrible chapter of my life: Being Homeless. Now, before anyone says anything, yes I know I always had a roof over my head. As well as my son and daughter. I wasn't on the streets, or living in my jeep (though I did think about doing that once or twice). No, when I say homeless, I mean not having a place of my own. Something that was mine and not someone else's. After hitting some huge financial difficulties out of my control in December of 2014, I found myself without a place to live. Everything I owned went into a storage unit, and I found myself roaming around. My kids were always safe and sound with their moms. I was once staying with my daughters mom, then my parents, then a girl I was dating, then back to my parents, and now as of late, my fiancé's parents. Which is the best part! I have the most loving and caring "soon to be, but already are" in-laws! They feel like a true family, with never a judgment, and always an open door/open arms policy. They love me and my kids, and I love them, though I don't know if I could ever express to them how much! Because it's tons!

Where was I?....... (I ramble when I drink lol)...... Oh yeah, not being homeless. As of this writing, in just 10 days (and after a lot of work), Maria and I will have our first place together, to move into. April 1st! And no, it's not an April Fools joke lol! A new start for us, and another rebirth for me and my son. My stuff will no longer be in storage. I no longer have to bounce around. I not only get to live with my best friend and start our lives together, but I can also finally feel like I'm where I really belong. In my own home. I'm super extremely grateful for everyone who's helped me for sure! But nothing beats coming home to your own home. I'm so excited for this......

Part 2 brought to you by Mango Habanero Oberon, Courtesy Of Bell's Brewery. Side note...... OUICH! This stuff burns!!

Part 2......

Moving back inside, as it's getting chilly outside lol......

The last "End" I want to mention is, my career. I had been working in retail management for a company that located me to a very ghetto location. While I loved the people I worked with, the clientele? Not so much. Then came the chance of a lifetime! Last November, I applied to Bells Brewery. Now yes, I worked my ass off to become a Nationally Certified Pharmacy Technician. But that was seemingly going nowhere. I tried. Boy did I try. But an opportunity to work for a great company AND doing something I have a passion for? With a tiny push from Maria I had to give it a shot! And I'll forever be grateful and blessed that I did. I am now (as of last week) officially hired in. I've been there almost 3 months, make so much more money, benefits that even makes Kellogg employees benefits look silly, better hours (first shift, and Friday to Sunday off), I've made good friends, and it's a fun job! I'm literally working the job of my dreams and doing something that I love!

So here's to the end of my old dead end career, and a cheers to the start of my new career and new future with an amazing company!

 Well it's time for me to leave the pub. I've had my drinks, gotten my thoughts out, and I have to drive. But know this......for my life, this week truly marks the beginning! 2016 will forever be the year that my life turned around!

Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment below! I absolutely love feedback! :)

God Bless my friends, and Cheers!

- MvM