Monday

Oh my Gosh!

I can't tell you how lovely it feels to have A few days off

I've worked the last four days 

And for most of those days I've had the mother of all hangovers 

But I guess that's the price one pays for a good night out 

I still can't remember a lot about the night 

But I am assured that we had a great night 

With great craic

And good company

I know that I didn't do anything to disgrace myself 

Or embarrasse myself 

I  know I told the chef a little about my history 

But that's ok

I'm not ashamed 

I have nothing to hide 

I have to admit though 

I feel a little bit hurt by the revelations that the chef likes Sinead

I can't lie 

My heart is a little bit bruised 

And I feel slightly silly that I actually though that he might like me

How wrong was I?

Very wrong apparently 

It just seems like I am always passed over for the girl who is younger than me

Thinner than me 

And prettier than me

I never seem to get the guy

And I'm just wondering 

If it will ever happen for me

My mam has pointed out 

That I am only really starting to get out and about and meeting people very recently 

She assures me that there is someone out there for me 

I hope she is right 

Because people 

Where is he already?

Work yesterday was lovely 

We had a group of 36

And even though they were quite 

Demanding 

They were so lovely 

But my God I was kept on my toes 

Between one thing and another 

It was nice because I was there every day with them 

And got to know them 

Their names 

Their stories

And of course they quickly got to know my name 

All I could hear all day long was Ruby, Ruby, Ruby!!!

And Christ on a bike 

I've never seen people my whole life 

They got through bread like  it was going out of fashion!

Yesterday morning 

One of the ladies asked me if I could organise a cake for one of the other ladies who was turning 60

So I got on to the chef

And he made two cakes pretty quickly 

We also managed to find birthday candles 

So

After tea 

We lit the candies 

And I carried the cake up all the while singing Happy Birthday

The woman who turned 60

I think she is special needs 

But the smile on her face was just priceless

She was so surprised 

So overwhelmed 

She must have hugged me ten times 

And thanked me a hundred times

It really made my day

Then when I was leaving for the evening 

Some of the ladies came back to me

And gave me a tip 

Which was so lovely of them 

I know that people staying in our centre don't have a lot of money

Do a gesture like that 

Is really appreciated 

I have another three weeks of work before I finish up

Then I will be at a loose end 

So I am on the look out for something to do

Whether that's another job

A course 

Or volunteering 

Hopefully something will come up

So

That's me for another day folks 

I am now going to catch up on your blogs and some much needed sleep

See you on the flip side......

Post party....

My God

It's been a crazy few days 

It's only now that I am getting the chance to post

And make sense of it all

On Thursday night 

We had our staff party

We met up at a bout 7pm in a local pub

Where we had a couple of drinks 

Yes

You read correctly 

I did have a drink

I know I probably shouldn't have 

But look 

It's done now 

I can't go back and change it 

So 

Then we headed to bingo

We went to bingo

Because the two housekeepers are leaving after this season

So we wanted to do something that they would enjoy 

I have to say 

It was great craic

Myself and Mary spent most of our time running up and down to the bar

I was on vodka and orange juice 

And people kept buying me doubles 

So as you can imagine 

I was well on it by the time we were finished the bingo

It was great though 

One of the ladies won €40

And one of the house keepers won €100

So we were delighted for them 

Some of the ladies left straight after the bingo

So there was just four of us left

and we headed on to a pub where a band was a playing 

Of course the alcohol was flowing freely 

I can only remember bits and pieces 

But it was great fun

And I was with good friends 

You know I wrote a few times about a crush that I had 

Well it was one of the chefs 

Who didn't come out with us that night 

His brother is also a chef 

And did come out with us 

At one stage 

One of the girls pulled me in to the loo

And broke it to me that my crush likes one of the other girls 

A very young 

Very tiny 

19 year old 

I have to admit 

I didn't not see that one coming

But thinking about it now 

I can see that my crush is more a good friendship more than anything else 

And maybe that is better 

I'm not heart broken or anything like it 

But it seems that the guys I like never like me back 

Why people?

Why?

Besides that 

We had a great night 

We danced 

We chatted 

We sang 

We took photos 

One of the girls even took a video of us dancing 

God forgive me 

If that ends up in a social media site 

I will go ape shit 

After the pub 

We walked up to the town

But I swear to God 

I don't remember a thing from that time until the time I got home

Not An iota 

Apparently we went to a night club

No memory of that 

We went for food 

No memory of that 

We walked one of the girls home 

Then I had to ring my mam for a lift 

As the taxis don't run at that hour of the morning 

I. Got home at 6am

What the hell I was doing until 6am 

I do not know 

At one stage during the night 

The chef asked me if I liked the other chef 

I have no clue what I said to him

But I'm hoping I didn't say anything about my supposed crush

I do however remember telling him about my drug history 

He was shocked to say the least

But I get like that when I have a few drinks taken 

My tongue becomes very loose altogether 

But hey 

I harmed so one 

Yesterday morning 

I got up at 11am

And my God I had the mother of all hangovers 

I haven't drank like that in years

Literally years 

I surprised I didn't pass out or get sick 

I got up 

Had a cuppa 

I couldn't face food 

And in fact I still couldn't face it today 

So I haven't eaten since Thursday 

Which is not good I know 

But I will have something this evening 

I then brought the dogs for a wAlk

Which cleared my head to a certain extent 

I came home And dozed on the couch 

Before I headed to work for 4pm

Sweet Jesus I was dying on my feet

And in fact I had to work an extra hour 

So that made the shift even longer

I got home last night 

And went straight to bed

Where I conked out like a light 

Then I had to be up today 

To be in work for 8am

It was not easy getting up this morning 

And I had another long day

Until 4pm

But in fairness 

The day went pretty quickly 

As we were so busy 

So I didn't have time to mull over things 

It was great fun today though

As we all tried to put the pieces of the night together 

There were some really funny momenus 

And the photos that we took are hilarious 

I really can't share them though 

As my others co workers are in all of them 

But I did post a couple of photos of what I wore at the end of this post

But yes

In all honesty 

I really should not be drinking 

Because I'm on a lot of Meds 

Because I have a history of addiction

Because I know I am a disaster area when I'm drunk 

But 

As we said today 

We harmed no one 

We got drunk 

Any harm was done to ourselves 

I won't be drinking like that again 

It was a once off

Not to be repeated 

When my mam and my auntie came to pick me up 

They meet some of my work friends

It was so funny 

Because we were all so drunk 

But it was harmless fun 

Today I feel a bit better 

I'm more tired than anything 

I'm in work again tomorrow at 12pm

So at least I have a lie in tomorrow morning 

Then I have a few days off

A chance to catch up on sleep 

And lick my wounds regarding the chef 

Work is finishing up for me in a couple of weeks 

It's going to be very strange to have no job 

I'll miss it 

The structure 

The routine 

The money 

But mostly the friends I have made

There are some really good and sound people working there 

Georgina picks her employees well

She seems to be able to read people quickly and accurately 

I really have made friends for life 

I've had jobs in the paSt 

Where I dreaded going in to work 

But not this job

The holiday centre is a very special place 

And both staff and guests are a pleasure to work for 

I can remember Georgina saying to me at the start of the summer 

That I would flourish in this job 

And you know what?

She was dead right 

I have come on leaps and bounds in the last few months 

My confidence 

My self esteem 

My whole demeanour and outlook has chAnged 

And I Am so grateful to Georgina for giving me a chance 

Because that's all I needed

For someone to give me a chance 

And now I know I will be kept in mind if anything else comes up work wise 

I will keep in touch with Georgina anyway 

And we'll see what happens 

Again 

Apologies for being a bad blogger 

For not being as committed as I used to be

And my reading and commenting has left a lot to be desired 

But look

I'm not blogging because I'm out there 

Living my life 

Working hard 

Playing hard

And generally being on the go the whole time 

But that's good

It great 

I now have a life 

I have a job 

Friends 

My horizons are expanding 

And my issues with food are very much in the background 

Which is nothing short of amazing 

Don't get me wrong 

Things are far from perfect 

But they are a hell of a lot better than they were 

I'm trying my best 

And look

I know I shouldn't have drank last night 

But I did 

And I will know for again not to have even one drink

Because as soon as I get a taste for it 

I can't stop myself 

Anyway 

I will leave it at that for today 

I am super tired 

So just going to flake out on the couch 

With a cuppa 

And watch The X Factor

What did I say earlier about having a life......?

Party!!

Today is Thursday 25 of August

Which means tonight is my staff party

Every year

Towards the end of the season

They head out for a well deserved treat

Last year they went to the races

But this year we are going to, wait for it...

....Bingo!!

Yes Bingo!

Why on earth are you going to Bingo I hear you ask 

Well

The two house keepers at work are avid Bingo fans 

And this is their last year working before they retire 

So we decided to do something that they would enjoy 

We are meeting in a pub this evening at 7pm 

Then after a couple of drinks 

We are heading to Bingo for 8pm

They will most likely go back to the pub afterwards 

I am both really looking forward to tonight 

And dreading it in equal measures

Obviously 

I won't be drinking 

And I have been thinking about how I'm going to manage that 

In reality

I don't need to explain myself to anyone 

But I know I am going to be asked what I want to drink 

And I'll just be asking for a soft drink 

Really it's no ones business whether I drink or not 

All I need to say is that I don't drink

Period

I'm getting my hair done at 3pm

I'm getting some braids on one hAlf of my head 

And I'm going to wear a sleeveless shirt with jeans and some smart trainers 

For me 

Comfort is the priority 

I spent too many years 

Trying to be someone I wasn't 

And let me tell you 

That is utterly exhausting and soul destroying 

Thank the Lord that I don't have to do that any more 

Any way 

Look 

I will go 

And do my best to have a good time 

So 

I better run 

I will post tomorrow to let you know how it went 

And of course to share some photos with you....

That is a given

Ok

Talk soon 

And see you on the next post....

Party!!

Today is Thursday 25 of August

Which means tonight is my staff party

Every year

Towards the end of the season

They head out for a well deserved treat

Last year they went to the races

But this year we are going to, wait for it...

....Bingo!!

Yes Bingo!

Why on earth are you going to Bingo I hear you ask 

Well

The two house keepers at work are avid Bingo fans 

And this is their last year working before they retire 

So we decided to do something that they would enjoy 

We are meeting in a pub this evening at 7pm 

Then after a couple of drinks 

We are heading to Bingo for 8pm

They will most likely go back to the pub afterwards 

I am both really looking forward to tonight 

And dreading it in equal measures

Obviously 

I won't be drinking 

And I have been thinking about how I'm going to manage that 

In reality

I don't need to explain myself to anyone 

But I know I am going to be asked what I want to drink 

And I'll just be asking for a soft drink 

Really it's no ones business whether I drink or not 

All I need to say is that I don't drink

Period

I'm getting my hair done at 3pm

I'm getting some braids on one hAlf of my head 

And I'm going to wear a sleeveless shirt with jeans and some smart trainers 

For me 

Comfort is the priority 

I spent too many years 

Trying to be someone I wasn't 

And let me tell you 

That is utterly exhausting and soul destroying 

Thank the Lord that I don't have to do that any more 

Any way 

Look 

I will go 

And do my best to have a good time 

So 

I better run 

I will post tomorrow to let you know how it went 

And of course to share some photos with you....

That is a given

Ok

Talk soon 

And see you on the next post....

Saturday

I usually work Saturdays 

But 

Work is quiet so I have another day off

This is both a good and a bad thing 

Bad in that I don't get paid 

Meaning that this week I have only worked a total of eight hours

But good in that I get to do fun stuff

Like sleep in 

Watch TV 

And blog and generally relax

So that's what I'm doing today

There are a lot of things about work I would love to blog about 

But I don't feel right writing about them

And posting it on the Internet 

So I will just keep things general

Last week 

And the week before 

I picked up extra hours 

As one of the girls was unwell

I was grateful to have the extra hours and pay 

But towards the end of the week

I kind of felt like I was being tAken for granted 

The sick girl was supposed to come back to work Thursday morning 

But I got a text at midnight on Wednesday from her 

Asking me to do her shift 

I was pretty annoyed about being asked at such short notice 

But 

I thought there was no one to go in to do the shift 

So I agreed to do it

I got up at 7am the next morning 

To be in work for 8 am

I was not a happy camper to say the least 

I thought I was on my own to do breakfast 

So you can imagine my surprise when one of the other ladies who works there walked in the door 

She was just as surprised to see me

Then the girl who had been poorly turned up too 

I was pretty annoyed 

Although I didn't show it 

Needless to say 

I left them to it 

And headed home

Later on that day 

I got a call from Georgina 

She apologised about the morning 

And said that this girl should never have asked me to work 

Without going through Georgina first 

She had a stern talk with her 

I then got a flurry of texts from the girl 

Apologising 

And trying to make things right

Of course I won't hold a grudge 

And apart from my feeling a little bit used 

No harm was done 

So we will build a bridge and get over it 

In other news 

Following my last post 

A few of you were adamant 

That I should not weigh myself on Monday

Just to remind you 

I have been feeling very fat and cumbersome

And had planned to get my doctor to weigh me on Monday morning 

I just feel like there is so much of me 

Sometimes it bothers me 

But most of the time I can rationalise that I am not obese 

And am in fact a healthy weight 

But recently 

I am finding it hard to appease myself 

I know there are other ways to keep an eye on my weight

Like how my clothes fit 

They fit perfectly 

In all honesty 

I feel no difference there 

But then I look in the mirror 

And I estimate by looking at myself 

They I am  size 14-16

Even though my clothes are size 8-10

And as well as that 

I hate that it still matters to me what I weigh 

Up until now 

I have been going by how I feel 

And not how I look 

I feel pretty good 

So who cares what I weigh?

Well

Me apparently 

I bloody care 

Or at least the ED part of me cares

But really and truly 

Weight should be the last thing on my mind 

And most of the time it is 

But just in the last week 

Having so much time off 

Has me looking for trouble 

This is why being busy is good for me people 

It keeps my mind distracted 

And I don't have time to think about things like weight or drugs 

But look

Hopefully this is just a temporary thing 

And I will move past it 

I am undecided whether to weigh on Monday or not

I guess one of two things could happen 

I could be relieved and reassured 

Or I could be horrified and repulsed 

But really 

I shouldn't let those numbers get to me so much 

However 

I will think about it 

And as ever 

I will keep you posted 

There is a girl at work 

And she has taken it upon herself to set me up with a guy 

She herself is all loved up 

So I guess she wants me to be too

She spoke about a few possibilities 

Even the chef at work 

But another girl that works there has a little crush on him

So I couldn't really do that to her

She could very well hunt me down and kill me in my sleep

But to be honest with you 

I do think the chef is a really nice and good guy 

When I first met him 

I didn't feel any attraction at all

But as I got to know him

And saw what a really sound guy he is 

He became more attractive to me 

Now 

The thing is 

I am not sure if I am mistaking friendship for something more 

I mean 

We get on great 

And he knows some of my history 

And didn't run in the opposite direction when I told him

He's just a very kind, caring and considerate guy 

I like him 

I'm just not sure if I like him like him

Am I making any sense here at all?

Watch this space I guess 

So 

All in all 

Things are going well 

I'm happy in work 

Happy with my friends 

Happy with my hobbies which keep me sane 

Happy at horse riding 

Happy in my recovery 

It's only been a few months 

But my life has changed drastically 

It's unrecognisable to what it was 

And I am so very grateful for that 

Also to have this community 

You all have been there for the past four and a half years 

Laughed and cried with me 

And always there by my side 

I am eternally grateful for that 

I will never forget you 

Thank you 

To each and every one of you 

From the bottom of my heart 

Bad blogger

Yes

I have been quite the bad blogger lately 

But in one way it's good

It means that my real life is full and busy

Instead of writing about my life 

I am actively living it

I do aplogise though

For not replying to comments 

For not keeping up with your blogs 

And for generally being MIA

It's hard to believe that the summer season is nearly over 

The town I work in is a seaside town 

So the population explodes during the summer

And is like a ghost town during winter 

As they say 

You have to make hay while the sun shines 

So everyone tries to make a buck while they can 

It seems like five minutes ago that I started working 

And now it's nearly over 

I can't lie 

I am really going to miss it

The people 

The guests 

My co workers 

The structure 

The routine 

Not to mention the money 

I know that I need to be smart 

And have things lined up for autumn 

Whether that be another job

Or a course

Something to keep me out of trouble 

As we all know that the devil makes work for idle hands 

Georgina has told me that if something comes up 

She will keep me in mind 

So I am grateful for that 

I really have done my best to be a reliable and hard worker 

As I often say 

It has taken me a lot of hard work

To get to the point where most people start off 

Just to get to the starting block

I've had to fight my way through the maze that is addiction and disordered eating 

Just to be the same as everyone else 

But hey 

That's life 

Some people just have to fight that bit harder 

Although things are going well

I still have a lot of work to do 

Especially around my intake 

If crisps and peanuts and chocolate are junk food 

Then I pretty much survive on junk food 

I can't lie 

I don't eat enough fruit and veg

In fact I don't eat any fruit at all 

At work 

I have what ever is going 

Which could be anything from a fry to bangers and mash 

But hey 

At least I'm eating 

No? 

Well

I'm still alive 

So I must be doing something right

But this week

I had a sudden panic that I had gained too much weight 

I have nothing to base this information on

I don't have a scales 

And my clothes still fit 

Do really I have no evidence to support this 

It's nothing more than a feeling 

So I think I'm going to ask my doctor up weigh me on Monday 

Just to ease my mind 

Is this good idea?

I don't know 

I guess I will find out on Monday

Anyway 

This was just a little post 

To let you know that I am here 

I'm ok 

I'm alive and kicking 

Working 

Living life

Loving life 

Making mistakes on a daily basis

But learning from them too 

In looking forward to closing one chapter of my life 

And starting another 

I'm excited to see where life takes me 

It never ceases to amaze me the direction that life takes me 

And I am blessed to have wonderful people around me every step of the way 

I love it!!!!

Workin' 9 to 5....

Well not quite 9 to 5

More like 8 - 4

But you know what I mean

Our hours had been cut last week

Due to the centre being quiet mid week

But I managed to pick up some extra hours this week

As one of the girls is sick

Yesterday I was in by myself 

I was supposed to be working 8-12pm

But in actual fact 

I didn't get away until 3pm

There was just a lot to be done 

And I wanted to leave things in some sort of order 

Before I left 

I was chatting to Georgina in the office 

I said to her that I felt like I was forgetting to do something 

She told me not to second guess myself 

To be confident that I have done everything to a high standard 

But even so 

I was reluctant to leave without checking every thing 

And actually 

When I got home 

I started to worry that I hadn't turned the gas off 

And texted Georgina to check 

Of course I had 

But still 

Better safe than sorry 

I couldn't live with myself if I had inadvertently caused an accident at work 

But anyway 

All was well 

And I did my best to leave everything spic and span

I didn't even stop to eat 

So i know I worked hard 

Before I left 

Georgina asked me if I had seen one of the interviewers for my job on Monday 

His name is John

And he was one of the panel that interviewed me back in February

Apparently he called in to the centre this week

But I don't remember seeing him

Anyway 

He obviously saw me

As he said to Georgina that I was a different woman 

They was nice to hear 

She also said that back at my interview 

I looked quite unwell

I remember it so clearly 

I was going to wear a great jacket to the interview 

But my mam said I looked too thin I it 

So I had to find something else 

All along 

Georgina has said that the centre will be good for me 

And I will be good for the centre 

It's so true 

I am loving work 

And it has done me the world of good 

I couldn't ask for more 

As I said 

I was in on Monday morning for one of the girls 

I was chatting to the chef 

He is a young man 

The same age as me 

H was telling me that he had hurt his back playing golf 

And also that his chest was sore 

I was telling him that he should go to the doctor 

But like a typical man 

He wouldn't 

In fact at 9am 

I ran over to my own doctor 

To collect my script 

The chef asked me if I mind going to the doctor 

I said I didn't 

And in fact I had to go every week

He asked why 

And I knew I had talked myself in to corner 

For some reason 

I'm not quite sure why 

But I ended up telling him that I had a drug problem years ago

And that I was on a methadone programme

He reacted quite well

And seemed very curious 

Asked me questions 

I get on with this guy pretty well

So I didn't feel uncomfortable telling him 

He said he wouldn't tell anyone 

And I believe him

Although afterwards

I worried that I had been a bit too honest 

But look 

I'm open about my past 

I have nothing to hide 

And it's not like i am going around broadcasting it 

I told one person 

Anyway 

It's done now 

You can't unring a bell

I don't worry that he judged me 

He is not like that 

And anyway 

If he talks 

I'll know he broke my trust 

And I won't risk telling anyone else 

I'm back in work this evening 

Just four hours 

Which always flies by 

Then I'm back in tomorrow morning for hours 

Then an eight hour shift on Sunday

So I'll have a very healthy pay cheque next week 

Which is always nice

Also 

Thank you all for your feedback on my last post

I know I haven't been great at replying to comments

So apologies for that

But no 

I'm not going anywhere 

This blog 

And my friends here mean too much to me 

Even if our community is shrinking 

There are still plenty of us to keep it going 

Even if no one reads 

My blog is still a personal record for myself 

A diary of sorts 

And of course 

I always write in the hope that my blog can help someone else in a similar situation 

Because as you know 

My life has been quite eventful 

And I am coming out the other side of my illness and issues 

There is one thing that always sticks in my mind 

Something my psychiatrist wrote in a letter once 

That I have a 'chronic eating disorder'

And 'severe and enduring mental illness'

I can remember reading that and thinking 

That's not me 

That must be about someone else 

The words chronic 

And severe and enduring just sounded so hopeless 

These are words that have never left me 

And being my stubborn self 

Wanted to prove that doctor wrong 

Now I am 

I've managed to claw back in a few months, everything that I lost in the previous 15 years 

As I often say 

As quickly as things can go wrong 

They can also turn around just as quick 

It is just so so important to keep hoping and believing that things can get better 

To keep fighting for a better life 

For you and your family 

Because for every person that has a mental health issue or addiction

There is a whole group of family and friends that are suffering too

Often in silence 

So 

If you think you can't go own 

If recovery seems like something out of reach 

Please know that it is possible 

I promise you that 

You have just got to keep holding on 

It will pay off 

And you will get better 

Look at me 

I thought I would never get well

And now I am the best I've been in a long time 

It is possible 

Recovery can happen 

It's there 

You just have to reach out and grab it