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Lula Harp

~ one girl's journey into cooking, crafting and self discovery

Lula Harp

Tag Archives: move

I guess you’ll do…

27 Tuesday Mar 2018

Posted by Lula Harp in just a thought

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Tags

cats, move, pets, purr, stress

Ginger Kitty was a street walker for the first year and a half of her life. I found her by accident in the window of a pet food store on view for adoption. I was halfheartedly looking for a cat to adopt, but didn’t even see her in their window when I wandered into the store. I’m a sucker for an orange tabby.

She was thin and shy. Very wary and not at all affectionate, but there was something about her that struck me.

This was a few years ago now. She’s still wary and not terribly affectionate, and many days I’m not entirely positive she likes me. But she’s a funny kitty.

She was such an incredible sport about the move across the country. Really, until we broke down, she was pretty happy. After that, she started expressing dissatisfaction, but was amazingly tolerant of the whole process.

curled ginger
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Moves within moves and different situations have really tested her. Each making her appreciate the life I offer her more and more. When I travel she is downright affectionate upon my return. Just one more reason to travel.

When life throws us a curve ball, she manages to let me know that she more than tolerates me.  When I’ve been sick, she has curled up with me for hours, when normally she sleeps in another room.  As we are boxing and moving, we are all a more than a little stressed out.  Last night when I couldn’t sleep, I went and found her in another room, carried her back to bed with me, and let the purr-box help me relax.  The amazing thing is she stayed with me, most times this will last about a 2-4 minutes.  This night, she settled in on my chest, and stayed with me for 2 hours, until Coe made us go out.

As I sit an write, she is curled up with me again.  She know when her mama needs a little extra love.

 

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the language we speak…

25 Sunday Oct 2015

Posted by Lula Harp in community, move

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

English, language, meet new people, Memphis, move, pho, Portland, sick, volunteering

This morning is the first day I’ve woken up feeling moderately human. I actually woke at 7:12am saying is it monday? is it monday? OMG I’m going to be late. As it turns out, it is sunday; but when you’ve been off work for a week, trapped at home, and hopped up on drugs, you lose track of time.

I was starting to feel better yesterday. Actually got a shower and out of the house for a few minutes, even if just to go buy dog food. I had to get out of the house as I was on the verge of a tiny meltdown. I really miss Portland. I miss my neighborhood Vietnamese restaurant with my favorite pho (extra important when sick). I miss being able to walk to the grocery store. I miss all the weird creative types. and I really, REALLY miss my friends and community dinners.

I am trying so hard to meet new people and I have made some wonderful, wonderful new friends. But starting from scratch is so hard. My favorite new friend and I bonded over a moment at a women’s get-to-know-you game, where I gave a true glimpse of the real Lula. One of the ladies said I find it so hard to make new friends now that I’m over 40. Off the cuff, without even thinking, I said “I find it so hard to make new friends because most of the time I’m thinking you’re an idiot and I wish you’d just shut the fuck up.” This got a laugh from the table, but I immediately worried who I had offended. Little did I know, my message was received and shared by two of the ladies at the table.

So often since coming to Memphis, I feel like I’m speaking a foreign language. People don’t say what they mean and don’t mean what they say. So me, in my true self, speak frankly and honestly, cannot get anyone to give me a straight answer because they aren’t actually hearing the words I am saying, and not interpreting them in the literal sense I intend. I’ve never been good at game playing, other than to stir the pot. I’m a master pot-stirrer 😉

Other than going to church, or volunteering, how do you recommend connecting with other people? I’m looking for any and all suggestions, no matter how ridiculous.

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I’m on a roller coaster

13 Wednesday Aug 2014

Posted by Lula Harp in move

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

cocktails, Memphis, move, training, transition, work

I’ve started half a dozen posts. Each one tells a different story and has a different emotional bent. My emotions and thoughts about this move have changed every 15 minutes. One minute I’m sobbing uncontrollably, the next I’m laughing, and the next I’m bored.

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I’ve been ready for a change for awhile and I know once I get settled in a space I can call my own and make a few friends I’ll be ok with this. In the mean time though… This transition is a little tough.

I’ve never had a training course with my employer that has not made me feel like a complete dunce. This is no exception. Once I’ve finished all the horrible training classes and moved into whatever the new job has been, I’ve be able to feel successful. This class is truly the worst class I’ve ever taken. The instructors are disorganized and don’t know the topics they are teaching. How can you expect me to be successful if I am not being taught by someone successful? Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach. I’m in the middle of that adage.

That in itself has made this move even more stressful. What has made it bearable are my new neighbors. I’ve met a couple of other professional folks who are also in limbo. We’ve been meeting for dinner and drinks to commiserate about our respective jobs.

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Ginger is making sure I plenty of snuggles. Coe makes sure I get out for a walk every day. I’m sure I’ll look back on this time and forget how horrible this part feels. In the meantime, pass the beer nuts.

 

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I’m taking suggestion on where to find good cocktails in Memphis!

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  • The Meadow
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