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)
I am so sorry to hear about the hard time you and your daughter have been having. I really wish you both all the best!
Blessings on your move and may the sun shine on your lives brighter in OK. Let the ill-air be blown behind you as you leave.
You would never know what has been going on with you, because your blog and shop are so lovely.
Thanks for your honesty and transparency. What courage.
You did a very courageous thing, good luck, and lots of good thoughts for you and your daughter!
Wishing you and your daughter the very best! With love!
I hope you'll get a great new start for your daughter in Oklahoma, send her my love! Bullying is really the meanest thing in school, especially if the school doesn't act. Wishing you both a great spring with lots of laughter and joy!
Oh! My heart is breaking knowing that your daughter is being treated so horribly in school. As a teacher, I feel that is first and foremost my job to make sure that all of my children are in a safe and comfortable learning environment. It does not sound like the teachers at your daughter's (old) school shared my view. This is a crime. Your life has been so had these past months but it will get so much better-I can feel it!
I wish you all the best in Oklahoma. Your blog always brightens my day, so I was saddened to see you are having such a rough time right now. Things will get better and we (your audience and blogging friends) will be right here for you. Good luck and enjoy the new beginning.
Wow, this is wonderful news that you are going to be near your family again -- I'm very happy to hear this! I am sure that you will miss Melissa and Marichelle very much though, I know you ladies are so super close -- but maybe they'll come visit you and you can all still remain close.
I am so happy for you -- and I wish you happy times ahead -- don't worry -- things can only get better!
xo
I am so sad to hear about your past events, it just broke my heart. I have recently stumbled upon your creature comfort blog and find it inspiring. Good Luck on your move. I will say special prayers for you and your daughter.
I have been enjoying this blog for a couple of months now, but I think this is my first comment. I just want to say how sorry I am that you have been going through these things and hope that peace will find you and your daughter in OK. Good for you for taking her out immediately and doing what you need to do for her sake.
I will be praying that everything goes smooth for your move and transition. I will miss your posts but hope you will return when you are able!
Take care of yourself.
I have a been a big fan of your blog for the past 2 years, I have found such inspiration and inner piece when things get hectic at work, they often do unfortunately. And I want to thank you for this. I also, want to tell you how sorry I am that things have been so hectic for you but I think you're making the right decision and I admire your courage to not stand for wrong doings. Your life will shine soon!
So sorry to hear about your crazy ordeal -- wishing you the very best and much more happiness in Oklahoma! Sending well wishes your way.
i'm so sorry for all that you and your daughter have endured since moving. i wish you all the best in oklahoma, ok!
Praying for a smooth transition for you and your daughter. Oklahoma is a great state! I'm in OKC. :)
So sorry to hear about what you've had to go through this past year. Sounds like you definitely made the right place. Kirk and I decided to move back to Utah last year to be near our families and we are so glad we did. It may not be the most exciting place, but it has natural beauty and it's so nice to have such a great support system around. Oh - and Kirk lived in OK for several years in high school/college, and he met some of the greatest people with whom he still keeps in touch and considers some of his best friends...10 years and numerous moves later. I think you'll love it! Best of luck with the move.
I meant "right choice" not "right place". :)
Sorry to hear all the troubles :/ Best withes with the move & everything.
Good luck Ez. Rest assured that you've made the right decision for yourself and your daughter, it's courageous to admit when something doesn't work out having given it a decent shot, and brave to pack up and move on (I'm thinking of doing the same, returning to my family). I wish you lots of luck and happiness and I want to give you a pat on the back for protecting your daughter so well x
oh my goodness, what an awful situation all around! but i really admire how you're taking action. i too was bullied really badly in school, and like your daughter, my parents' complaints fell on deaf ears. unfortunately, my family wasn't able to move. its wonderful that you can give your daughter (and you!) a great fresh start. best of luck in your great new midwestern life!
I've been reading your inspired blog for a couple months and am sorry to read things have been so rough. I grew up in Oklahoma City and always wished I was somewhere else. That is, until I moved to LA -- and realized it was such a gift that I HAD grown up in OkC. It's a grounded & friendly place - and artists tend to find each other to build a strong community. Good luck there. I think you'll like it.
http://www.stylespotting.com/
It's heartbreaking to read about your daughter's struggles. And it is so infuriating to know that this happens so often. Looking at the picture of the two of you, I am struck by how lucky she is to have a safe family to call home. Unfortunately, not everyone has this and while it doesn't solve all problems, I have to believe it helps. Your response to and fear and love for your daughter speak loudly from this post.
Change is always good and family support is essential when in crisis mode. Sending you and your daughter love and wishes for a happy life in OK.