Jacquelyn's Space

Someone asked a question about Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in one of the Facebook groups I belong to. It made me think about the trip my husband and I made last August. It was an awesome trip. I really want to go back, but spend more time.

The question:

Traveling from SE MI to the porcupine mountains. Looking for a way to break up the drive that will ultimately provide a one or two night stop with things for our family to enjoy. We have already experienced the Munising area. Looking for suggestions either west on 2 or NW of Munising. We will be in our travel trailer. TIA

My answer:

My husband and I took a 10 day trip (wasn’t long enough) through the UP last August. We did 2 nights in Tahquamenon State Park, we spent a night in Munising–did a couple of boat tours–then went up the Keweenaw Peninsula (on the way, looked around Marquette for an afternoon, went to Presque Isle) and spent a night at Fort Wilkins. We went up the Keweenaw one way and down another way…then finally on to a 3 night stay in the Porkies. We did the Adventure mine tour one rainy day, which wasn’t too far from Ontonagon. We finished up by going back a southerly route to Manistique (stayed at Indian Lake State Park) and hit Kitch-iti-kipi and Seul Choix Lighthouse on our final day…it was a long drive back, a long final day, but worth it. It was a great trip. There is lots to do and see in the UP!

**

Longer description and pictures to follow later…

It might finally be happening! My husband and I are considering adopting a baby. I am excited and petrified! I have always wanted a daughter…and the baby we are considering adopting is a girl.

My niece is pregnant. She has decided she doesn’t want the baby because the father isn’t interested and her current boyfriend doesn’t want to care for another man’s child. I don’t know how set my niece is on giving the baby up but she did have another couple lined up to adopt…that fell through. Her mom talked to her today and she is still certain she wants to give the baby up–she does not want to bring the baby home from the hospital. She is due in mid-June.

So, me and my sister-in-law have a lot of research to do. What is the best way to adopt without having to pay a lot of fees? Then me and my husband have a lot of thinking and planning to do. Can we afford it? Can we trust our niece to step back?

And then there is my nephews. Is their dad able to take them and care for them full time? The plan was I’d keep them this year and then they’d live with him. He still isn’t ready and he only has a few months to get ready. In my heart I don’t think he will be able to care for his boys  but I know I can’t do it til they are 18 either. 3 boys are too much for me…plus I always wanted my own kid, a little girl.

So we will see. Can it be done, will it be done? So much to resolve. And there is a lot more drama going on. Never did I think my life would have this much drama.

4 Behaviors That Unmask a Hidden Narcissist

4 Behaviors That Unmask a Hidden Narcissist

Great article. Dealt with this type of person before…describes my husband’s ex-wife to a T:

“What I didn’t understand at the time and do now is that the narcissist shows his true colors in conflict…..What kind of conflict shows the narcissist’s true stripes? The answer is all and any, ranging from the petty tiff to divorce court. If it’s the latter, abandon all hope of a reasonable negotiation or mediation; the true narcissist does neither. To borrow a term from the military, the narcissist’s policy is scorched earth, destroying everything and leaving nothing behind as he or she advances or withdraws—not a shred of connection or memory, respect for past connections, relationships, or the welfare of others involved in the conflict. The narcissist’s willingness to lie is nothing short of extraordinary and he or she will be completely unconcerned whether someone finds those lies out or not. It’s lack of empathy on steroids or, to put it better, aggrandized and entitled.The motto of the narcissist? “What you think of me is none of my business,” and he or she really means it.”

The article also delineates the difference between sympathy and empathy, which I hadn’t really thought much about. What’s sad and scary is I see some of my own behaviors in the article. Everything I’ve been through these last few years has pushed me to empathize with people less and less. I feel it! It sucks. I don’t want to be a horrible narcissist.

Today is the day for dreaming and planning. I finally get a day just to sit back and chill (mostly anyway). The boys are with their dad and will be for the next 10 days. Yay! So I have some time to waste…No, time to think about life and what I want out of it besides taking care of other people’s children. Life has been super busy and tiring lately. I have been working more, trying to get some bills paid off. I have started looking for a better gig, slowly. That is my plan for 2016: find a new job and go back to school. I am trying to determine my best path for now. I still want to be a counselor, still not sure which is the best route to attain that goal. But in the meantime I want to make some serious money. I might have to take a detour and train for some other career–one that will enrich my life AND my bank account, ha–then I will continue working toward my true career goals.

I know what I want to achieve long term. I pictured it on my way home from taking my husband to his teaching gig. I saw a beautiful little farm, a flock of birds with grey-tipped wings rise from a dead corn field and I felt a yearning… I want a pretty little farm. I don’t know why a farm–I don’t really want to raise a bunch of farm animals or crops. What I want is the land (lots of land), the big house with quaint porches that looks out onto rolling hills and distant forest, the big, red barn…On my farm I would take in abandoned and stray dogs and cats. Yes, I want that. I don’t want it to be here though–not so close to civilization. I mean, I guess I have to be somewhat close to civilization if I want to have a high-paying career (and help animals) but I really want to be up north. I want my farm to be in Manistee County, Michigan (or near there) closer to my parents and definitely closer to the Big Lake. I guess I’d settle for more land near my present location but it is not ideal…

And then I want a place up north. I want a place on or near Mackinac Island. It wouldn’t have to be large, just a place on the Island or on the beach. I would be happy with a place in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, either on Lake Michigan or Lake Superior.

I don’t think that is too much to ask for, to dream for. Now how do I get there?

Well 2015 is over, bring on the new year. Yay for 2016! I hope it is better than the last. I am ready. I feel more energetic and focused….I hope I the feeling lasts, haha. I am determined to achieve my goals…

This made me laugh so hard.