wow, it's been forever and so much has happened!

the interview I had went well, but the employer has had issues getting her web coding together and I have yet to get any work from her.

but don't despair, much better things have happened. I hooked up with a nail salon owner in the beatnik section of town and I am doing henna at her shop on the weekends! we have a lot in common and get along well and she has asked me to go to school for nails and waxing. it is more feasible than I had originally thought and she explained to me how I can make it all happen. she has had trouble finding a good person to handle all the work she is getting and we have talked about ways to work it around my church job gig. I had my first paying henna customer there yesterday and it was great. she says I am going to do very well in this location. I'm just happy that I don't have to sit under a tent, getting sunburned raw and bug bitten doing five dollar festival henna! I also have my paintings hanging in the shop and my magnets on display in the window!

church is also good. I have volunteered and am working with my pastor to eventually teach the new believer's class and I am very excited about passing on experiences and knowledge with my pastor having my back. it's helpful because in the past few months I've had some really sketchy people try to attach themselves to me and suck up all my time and energy. they have both gone away now, fortunately, and I have been resting up and restocking my emotional reserves. I have fought too hard and long for my stability, and am learning that I will have to at times protect and defend it. I have a hard time saying no and can be too laid back and passive. I have to work on that.

the other big news is that I had knee surgery in March. it had been giving a hard time with pain since October and kept getting worse. my meniscus cartilage had a small tear and worse had an edge that was terribly frayed. the surgeon cut out the tear and trimmed and filed down the fray. I am mending nicely but my knee has been reminding me to take it easy a little too.

life is good and I am so grateful for how everything is working out. the new goal is to be financially stable, to pay up outstanding bills and improve credit, and to be able to save. I'm enjoying each and every day, caring for and loving time with my son, and spending time with all my friends and family. Netflix is fun too. :)