Curveball
Hello lovelies! I want to fill you in on the need for my emergency blog break last week. I won't be able to share every single detail because of time (and I really don't want to bore you all), but will do the best I can to explain.
To begin with, my daughter and I are moving again...in 7 days! We only found out just last week and I've been frantically trying to throw everything into boxes and tie up ends that I thought I'd have another 4 months to tie up. The background story is this:
Last Summer we moved across the country from our home in California to start what we hoped would be a fun and fresh start for us here on the East Coast. From day one things started to go wrong. First it was the black slime coming up into our kitchen sink making the room unusable. The fridge gave out shortly thereafter. Next it was the bathtub drain, and then nasty stuff started to come up our bathroom sink as well. From outside appearances this place is not a dump, so we had no idea what we were in for when we rented the place out. I wish that was the entirety of the situation. Unfortunately our apartment is also sandwiched in between two sets of unsavory neighbors that I wouldn't wish on anyone. On one side we are assaulted by the daily barrage of their screaming fights coupled by the strong scent of marijuana and cigarette smoke that seems to seep through our walls. Second (not as bad) is our neighbor who likes to wake me up early in the morning by ringing my doorbell incessantly until I answer...and then proceeds to go into tirades about the alarm system in her unit...asking if I ever hear it go off, etc, etc (completely nuts).
Next, I've been having some health issues that are making blogging/work very difficult and painful for me...and I strongly suspect that these are in great part due to the growing stress I've been under over the past 8 months.
Finally...and the reason for this sudden acceleration in our moving schedule (we were already planning to get out of here when the lease ended in July)...is that my daughter has been suffering from horrible bullying at her school. If you follow me on twitter then you know a bit about what has been going on for her. I've also just posted a more detailed infor in this post earlier today. Basically any attempts I've made to have the threats, verbal and emotional abuse stopped by the school went nowhere. The last straw came this past Tuesday when my daughter was thrown against the wall by a girl in her class. After she crumpled to the floor in pain a lunch aid came over to see what had happened and told my daughter that she would report the attack. She didn't. I only heard about the incident from my daughter when class got out that day. I just could not wait around for another more violent act against my daughter to take place and I went into the office and withdrew her from school immediately.
So dear ones...I am packing up my life again and moving to Oklahoma. Yes, it sounds crazy even to me. But my family lives there (after relocating there last year) and I really feel the need to be near to them once again after such an ordeal. We have found a sweet little house that seems the perfect place to find the peace and happiness that we were so hoping to have here in New Jersey. I will be sad to leave behind the friends I have made here but know that this is the right step for me to take in my life right now.
This week I will be doing my best to keep regular posts up here on Creature Comforts and then some incredibly generous blogging friends of mine will be writing a few guest posts to get us through the following week as I pack the moving truck and drive to Oklahoma. I thank you all in advance for your support and understanding. I will try my hardest to keep everything flowing as smoothly as possible here on CC during this process. xox Ez
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| by Ez Monday, March 22, 2010 
Reader Comments (147)
So sorry to hear about all this turmoil....I hope OK brings you and your daughter much happiness :)
I'm sorry that your dream didn't pan out the way you intended but I'm glad to give you welcome to Oklahoma. We'll be waiting for you to bring your fabulous self here to our grand state. I hope the move goes well and you feel at home soon.
I am truly overwhelmed everyone! Thank you all so SO much for your thoughtful words of support and encouragement. It is so good to know that I am surrounded by such an incredible community of kind people. It does my heart good! Thank you a million times over.
xox Ez
Such a hard decision but you've made the one that's best for you and your daughter. Stay strong!!
I am so, so sorry to hear of all you have been going through. I wish I could give you a big 'ol hug, because, girl, I think you could use one. I'd be freaking out if my daughter was being bullied like that. My daughter faced a lot of bullying on a much smaller scale- kids pulling her hair, stealing from her, and tripping her all the time. That was our first experience in Morocco and I pulled her out of that school and we moved too. Well, I don't know if you are the praying type, but I will certainly be praying for you and your daughter. I do so hope for you that this next move will bring you peace and comfort, good friends for your daughter, and a much better environment for both of you. Big, big hugs and many prayers!!!
I'm really really really sorry to hear about how things are going for you. I'm sure that pulling your daughter out of school was a tough decision, and I'm sorry you had to make it. My background is in social work and some of the schools I worked in really frustrated me when it came to bullying. It always seemed like administrators would turn their heads and not doing anything about it. I'm glad you can be a strong advocate for your daughter.
I seriously heart your blog and follow it religiously, so I can't wait until you get back to it regularly. But as a blogger myself, I understand needing a break in times of emergencies. Good luck moving....travel safe.
Sounds grim! But I'm so glad you and your daughter are such a tight unit - I'm sure you'll thrive in Oklahoma. And I agree with everyone else, don't worry about the blog. Just take your time.
WOW! I am sorry and sad to hear about the curve balls that have been thrown your way over the last few months. As a daily reader of your blog, I would have never known you were under so much pressure at home and at school. At least you will soon be closer in distance to people who will give you the warmth and nurture that can only come from family. Best of luck with your move. Safe travels ;)
~Elizabeth
I'm so sorry to hear about what you and your daughter have been going through! I'm glad to hear that you are moving back to family and friends who can support you through this hard period in your life. i wish you and your family all the best.
xo
Carina
This is atrocious! I wish I could say that I couldn't believe it, but I DO believe it. This stance from the school is horrifying and awful and just frightening. You are absolutely doing the right thing, and I commend you for standing up for your daughter. May Oklahoma be the sanctuary you need!!
awww good luck with everything! It sounds like a great start to a wonderful life!
oh my goodness! i'm so sorry to hear about your troubles - especially with your little one. i hope everything is smooth sailing with good health & happiness for you both from now on.
No matter what happens or how bad it seems today, life goes on and it will be better tomorrow. Stay strong.
Our lessons came from the journey, not the destination.
wow Ez..I'm so sorry to hear about all the stress and pain over the past few months.
I'm amazed that you've been able to keep up all the blogging as well as you have given the circumstances!
You are truly an inspiration. There's nothing like family during challenging times. Wishing you a good and safe move and look forward to hearing more about it in your blogs.
Hello Ez
I wish you both all the best for you're upcomming part of your life...Hope and strengh comes in one, meaning that you can do anything, by taking the chances and the new beginnings in life.
sending you all our best
Ez, I wish you and your family a beautiful, happy new life in Oklahoma. I was bullied at school too. I guess because I was "nerdy' and, well, a bit chubby! My mother (the angel that she is!) did the very same thing - we packed up and moved to a beautiful country town in the Australian snowfields where I started a new school with high hopes. There, as well as making a bunch of wonderful, lifelong friends, I met my highschool sweetheart and soul mate! We're now married and have been together ten years. I know we've never met, but I really admire your strength and it sounds like you are the best mum ever. Give your daughter a big hug from a girl who understands, way over in Australia x
I am sorry to hear about all the horrible things that have been happening to you. Moving to be close to family will get you back to where you need to be! I know it helped me when I needed it most. As for the bullying of your daughter - it is completely unacceptable that the schools don't do a darn thing! I was bullyed in high school, for having blonde hair and blue eyes in a mainly hispanic community...my school didn't do a thing either! Sooo frustrating. Luckily, I took my GED and got out a year early - thank god I had the opportunity. I wish you nothing but the best in your move. It's Spring...and a new beginning...the perfect opportunity to start fresh! Will be awaiting your return, when ever that may be! Godspeed!!!
Kristi
Oh Ez! That really is a traumatic time! I hope that your move to your new home goes well and everything falls into place. Its always nice to be around the unconditional love from family. all the best
x
What an ordeal! I am so sorry to hear about the troubles, but it sounds like you are in good spirits considering all of that, and I wish you good luck in the move!
Good luck in your move! I am presently dealing with some unsavory neighbors myself, and it's awful. There is nothing worse than bad neighbors. They make me dread leaving my house. :( I'm sure you will find peace and quiet in your new home! My thoughts are with you and your family. My daughter has also dealt with bullying but definitely not to the extent that yours has. I can't believe the school let that go on. How frustrating!
Hello Ez. I've never written here before and have only recently found you but just wanted to say that it seems like things can only get better for you, and I wish you and your daughter all the best. I am struggling myself with the school in my community and we also want to move because of it. It is very frustrating when you feel that you are not being understood or heard in any way, especially when it comes to your children. So, good for you! Oklahoma sounds warm and lovely. Stay positive and I look forward to eventually hearing about what I'm sure will be your future contentment in your new abode. :) best of luck and happiness to you :) sheila
don't worry about us. pack, move, get healthy. we'll be here when you get back. promise
What an awful string of events. :(
But hey: welcome to Oklahoma! There's lots of good here!
Hi Ez. I second what Emily said, as well as a few others -- There is a lot of good here in Oklahoma, and I hope that proves to be true for you and your daughter. I hope you have a smooth transition and safe travels.