In the Beginning...

So, I'm starting a new blog. The last time I actively blogged was over a year ago, but since then, I've become pretty actively involved in the hunt for Forrest Fenn's treasure. Look it up if you have no idea what I'm talking about.

To start the blog, I want to introduce the cast of characters. I'll give just the basics now, and you'll learn more later.

Me, Mindy: I'm a forty-something young single mom of three kids. I have Asperger's and ADD, but have overcome many of the traits. I work full-time for an orthopedic surgeon, doing a little bit of everything from X-rays (I'm ARRT Registered) to coordinating surgery, to a little bit  physical therapy, to patient education, to coding. I love my job.

I'm a multi-published author, with 8 novels published under a pen name. I've written a lot of non-fiction under of my real name. I've been published in well-known publications, and can honestly call myself an author, as I have been paid for my writing. I have also worked as a paid editor for large Internet publishing companies. One day I hope to start writing for profit again, but that may be a ways down the road.

The Memes: Two years ago, I took my mom into my home to live with us. She has end stage COPD, and she can be a little (sometimes a lot) evil. Or crazy. Often both. It is a monumental task working full time and caring for her and three kids, but God gives me strength and patience.The Memes thinks there is a ghost in our house.

The X:  In this case, not the X that marks the spot, but my ex-husband. He was an Air Force officer, has a Master's in Finance, and was highly respected in work and in his prestigious, wealthy family.
He molested my daughter, his step-daughter, when she was 11 years old. She kept it a secret for 4 years because she didn't want to see her little brother and sister lose their dad. When she finally told me, I confronted him, he admitted it, I reported it to get my daughter and myself and the two little ones counseling, he was taken from our home that day, was court-martialed, went to prison for a year, was on probation for a year, and now makes six figures in Santa Barbara, CA. We don't have a whole lot to do with him anymore, although he still keeps in contact with his kids.

A: My 20 year old daughter, who lives with me at home. Because of what my ex did to her, she went through a VERY rough time. Because of low self-esteem, she became involved in the wrong crowd, and became addicted to Roxies. We had a few very tough years of rehab, jail, and more jail. She is now 2 years clean, works full time, and hopes to be back in college soon. I'm thankful she is alive and well today. God is good, and merciful and full of grace.

C: My 14 year old daughter. She's in high school, in AP classes, and enrolled in the schools medical program. She's a pretty good kid, but she's presently going through some typical teenage angst where she hibernates in her room, listens to music, texts nonstop, and  forgets to do her chores. She's not much trouble, though, and is very caring and responsible. For Christmas, she donated her monetary gifts to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, without any prompting from me or anyone else.

J: My 13 year old son. He's very loving, has mild selective mutism, and is a genius. He's picked out his college, his career path, and basically, his life. He wants to be an astrophysicist, or a rocket scientist. He just got accepted into the IB program at Spruce Creek High School. He's an amazing kid.

Zuri: Our quiet, mildly fat, black and white cat who pretty much hides out in J's room.

Gucci: Our 1 yr old male black cat who likes to pee on everything, meow at all hours of the night, and generally make my life miserable. One day I may just leave the door open and "help" him outside. Lol. He is a beautiful cat, though.

Monet: Our newest addition. She's about 13 weeks old, and is a black/silver toy poodle. She pees on stuff less than the cat, but she's still a wild little thing with a TON of energy.

So, that's our family. Starting with  my next post, I hope to give you all a glimpse into my daily life, with all its not so funny hilariousness, and a glimpse into my hunt for the treasure, with some of my thoughts about that. Stay tuned...:)

Here's some pics: