It all started with my idea to start writing a blog and then boom I am spending three days pulling my hair out on the verge of tears building an entire website. What the heck was I thinking? So I guess I actually need to start with how I find myself trying to build my own business. In April of 2023 I lost my job and it sent me spiraling into a major depression. How could I be 42 years old and out of a job with all of my education and experience. My depression worsened as I struggled to find a job. The depression led to a major flare of my existing fibromyalgia and additional symptoms leading my doctor and I to believe I also have Lupus. I spent days on the couch barely able to stay awake and barely able to walk due to the pain. This increased my stress, which worsens symptoms and I was stuck in a horrible spiral. My doctor and even my best friend suggested I apply for disability, but I was determined to not let that happen.

The solution to me was not disability, but rather finding a remote job. Fun fact, there are a million remote jobs out there, but companies either want no experience needed or a millenial with mad tech skills. I fit neither category. I have always done medical billing for clients running small or private practices as my side gig, so why not make it more. I posted ads on all the sites and updated to LinkedIn Premium and now I spend each day trying to find the faith that it will all work out for me. So another step in that process is this webpage. Now if only it would load everytime someone tries it rather than being super unreliable and leaving me to question if WordPress was the right choice, but I am not going there because I cant afford to lose more hair.

So here we are July 18th. I will be 43 years-old on the 23rd and I am terrified that I find myself once again starting over. Since mid-May I have been determined that this depression would not beat me and that I would get through this. My solution to not letting the depression win on a daily basis has been “Adventures with Hercules” and friends. I plan at least one adventure a week. We have been to the north coast, the south coast, the Redwoods, Smith River, Clear Lake, Koosah Falls, Sahalie Falls, Quartz Creek, Tokettee Falls and so many other places. On my birthday we are headed to Odell Lake for Hercules’ first camping trip and my first solo trip. I find a smile in everytime I discover the beauty that is Oregon and I always smile when Hercules is with me. We have all heard it said that we rescue dogs from their shelters as I did Herc, but in reality he rescued me. This dog saves my life every single day. He is always there for a snuggle, a kiss, a handshake or to “talk shit” as I say when I want him to speak. Sorry, my personality is a little warped.

My goal is to blog every week. You will hear about our adventures, my struggles with chronic pain and when I have a boring (hopefully because I am so busy with work) week you will hear me tell the hillarious stories from my years working at the county jail. Writing to me can be cathartic so sometimes it will be emotional and messy and other times light hearted. One thing is for sure, you will get to know me and hopefully, maybe even hire me, friend me, reccommend me, or at the very least engage with me.