"HER THING" - Diary of a Prisoner's Wife

Thank you all for you listening! Just a little message about me taking a break here for the month of December to catch up on some projects and focus on work. I'll be back on January 3rd with regularly published episodes.God bless, Merry Christmas, and have a Happy New Year!Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE:  The narcissist makes his appearance without even making an appearance. And so Gunner and I have a little debate about how to handle him.Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE:  I had been calling the foreclosure house "Gangster's Paradise," convinced it was perfect for us. But then I came across that potential log cabin rental and I wasn't sure. Up until this point, I hadn't been able to get out to the foreclosure house because the unplowed roads had been to treacherous, but finally the snow melted enough where I was able to go out there and take a look. What did I think? Well, you'll have to listen to find out. =)Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE:  What is wrong with me? WHY am I not healthy? In this recording I talk about how absolutely crappy I feel, and then I run down what I eat in a day/week. Check out my meals. What do you think might be wrong with me???Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE:  I wake up to a horrible nightmare, and then find myself with a seriously bum knee. No idea what happened, but now looking back I'm sure it was plant toxin overload and an autoimmune revolt. I still managed to get outside and walk almost 5 miles, and then I headed over to meet the couple who own the log cabin that I'm hoping to rent. It was beautiful! But my day was dampened by Gunner calling me and complaining about his sinuses. It was at that point I just threw up my hands and had a bit of a meltdown. No matter how hard I tried, I constantly felt overwhelmed.Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE:  Hey! I do a little intro here to talk about this episode. Man, listening back on this, I felt so bad for myself.  I was technically doing every single thing right, and yet I felt like crap. Brain fog, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, night sweats. I didn't want to be a hypochondriac, but it was clear that something was very wrong with my body. I understand now that eating ALL those fruits and vegetables and dairy was wreaking some serious havoc on my body. In recent times, I've discovered the carnivore diet. I know now that I'm just way too sensitive to the toxins in my favorite produce.If you want to check out the resources I mentioned, search for "Dr. Ken Berry -- Lies My Doctor Told Me" or "The Plant Paradox by Dr. Stephen Gundry." I also encourage you to check out the MeatRx website and look at all the testimonials and science behind a detoxifying carnivore diet. Or (with the supervision of your physician) just give it a try! You'll be amazed. I know I was.=)Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE:  I took the day off of work to drive Gunner's dad to the hospital so that he could have a routine colonoscopy done. Thankfully, everything was fine and there was no cause for concern at all. It was super funny watching him come out of the anesthesia. And, to make my day, I had a little God wink of a blessing involving a hundred dollars!Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE: Well, the day of Gunner's parole hearing finally arrived, and all in all I felt like it was a massive disaster. Nothing worked out the way either of us thought it would. And in the end, I was glad I went to be there with him. But have a listen to the entire event in detail. Let me know what you think!Email me any comments, questions, or just to say hello! I'd love to hear if you're enjoying my podcast.Thank you for listening!-MariaSupport the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE: Well, it was an election year. And one of the most annoying elections of all time. So I go on a bit of a rant about that. Then, I find out that the guy Jeff that I wanted to rent the house from just got a new puppy. What??? He was supposed to be moving! But the nice mortgage lady tells me she'd give me a supplemental loan to pay for the closing costs. So now I'm not sure what I'm going to do about the house. And finally, poor Gunner is still suffering and insists that the surgery didn't do a darn thing to help him.Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE:  I had a really tough time dealing with not being able to just pick up the phone and call Gunner. On the day before this recording, I had plans to do a fasted run and lunchtime after talking to him, and then make a nice big brunch. The problem was, he never called. And back then, my phone didn't have WiFi calling and I had no signal in the basement. Of course, I wanted to talk to him. Because the more time went by, the more I started to worry that something happened. Also, I ended up doing a complete 180 on my excitement about getting approved for the mortgage and wanting to buy that foreclosure house.Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE:  That's right folks. I woke up feeling amazing on this day, but had a bit of a concern that I might take one big ol' stumble off the positivity band wagon and find myself back to being a big hot mess again. So, I try to ramp up the motivation by giving myself a pep talk. And, I confront the vampire and manage to convey a bit what the circumstances were and how I need a break. I tried to be as neutral and forgiving as possible while standing firm. Why is it so darn hard to find really great girlfriends????Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE:  Have you ever had a friend that was an energy and emotion-sucking vampire? Well, sadly, I did. And she just happened to be one of my very best friends. When she failed to ask how Alan was doing after her surgery and instead talked on and on (and on) about herself and her job and her insurance and her title and her broken suitcase, I decided enough was enough. What is wrong with me that I tend to attract these people that are so self-centered and self-focused? It was disheartening and disappointing, but I was determined to remain positive. Gunner's parole hearing was only a week away, and I was super excited to see him!Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE:  The narcissist makes a move! Playing his little game and luring me into his trap. Unfortunately, sucker that I am, it worked. But I do at least recognize the total double standard and I know to proceed with caution. Then I learn that Gunner finally made it into surgery! I try not to stress about it, knowing God's got him taken care of.  And best news of all, I got approved for the mortgage! And yep, I got approved right after the rental guy told me they'll do all they can to make the rental situation work out. Once again, I find myself pulled in two different directions. Which way do I go??Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE:   I'm down 6 pounds in 3 weeks, and 10 full pounds since I started. Slowly but surely, I'm losing. My goal is to lose 20-25 more pounds by the time Gunner comes home from prison in 5 months. Also, I get a little irritated at him because we both know his surgery is coming up very soon, in the next couple of days. But because it's a prison security risk to tell him ahead of time, he doesn't know exactly when. He suspected it might be this day (Monday the 22nd) so I told him the night before to call me at lunch. And if I don't hear from him, I'll assume he's in surgery and will be praying for him. Well, he didn't call! But not because he was in surgery. Simply because he's a turd. LOL Have a listen to find out why.Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE:   I am the weirdest person I know! Why? Because I spent this entire day writing. Instead of working out, cleaning, organizing, eating healthy, packing up my stuff, or doing any number of other productive things, I felt inspired to start writing our love story, which Gunner and I fondly call "The Painted Line." And I gripe about some taxes I owe to the IRS, as well as calculate how many pounds I need to lose to fit into the dress I want to wear when I visit Gunner on his parole hearing in two weeks.Drop me a line! I'd love to hear from you. Email me at mlindbloom989@gmail.com or hit me up on Instagram:  @the_mrs_lindbloomI appreciate everyone who helps support my show! Your donation helps Gunner and I upgrade software and hardware and create better content for our friends and fans. God bless you all! Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE: Oh wow... this one is a doozy. As I start leaning towards the rental home instead of the foreclosure home, I decided to Google the retired homeowner to get a better sense of who he is as a person. You WILL NOT EVEN BELIEVE WHAT this guy did for a living. If anyone doesn't believe that God has a sense of humor, just have a listen to this episode.Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE: Gunner is getting nervous about his surgery. Could you imagine having surgery while in prison when you can't Google anything? And I reflect on how stupid I was for not following the whole "no contact" rule with my narcissist friend. I also express my irritation with some of my family members, especially my sister who keeps getting into political debates with me on social media. And lastly, I find myself with not one good house possibility, but two!Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE: Ugh! Once again I fall for the narcissist's trap. He texted and texted and texted, and then when I texted, I got my hand slapped. It made me furious and was upsetting. There's a reason why all the mental health experts insist on no contact when dealing with a narcissist. First came the love bombing, then came the gas lighting and devaluing, then the discarding, and now here I was doing the whole walking on eggshells dance. I was so over it. But nothing was going to take away my happiness because I had a fantastic meeting with the credit union and turned in all my paperwork for our mortgage. AND, I'd lost a couple more pounds and felt great!Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE:My heat went out first thing on this Valentine's Day, during a burst of polar vortex winter cold. Thankfully, it didn't last long. I had a good but unremarkable call with Gunner, and a couple of stupid text exchanges with my former bestie who goaded me about Gunner's ex. And, just as I'm about to formally apply for the mortgage on that house we wanted, one other one popped up as a potential rental in the perfect location that totally knocked my socks off. But regardless of the uncertainty and craziness that is my life, things are shaping up to be a pretty awesome year. Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

Hey, I'm back! Thanks so much for your patience during my hiatus! In this episode, I give you a little update as to why I took two months off, and then it goes right into my recording from February 12, 2016 when I was driving back from the airport having just landed from a long work training session in Boston. I pensively assess my thoughts about Gunner's ex-girlfriend, Ramona, as well as my frustration with people who only love to talk about themselves. Hope you enjoy!~MariaSupport the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE:Guy friends, sorry for all the PMS and period talk at the beginning! I spend some time talking about how my whole life, I've always dealt with bad cramps and horrible periods, even though it's starting to get a little better as I get older. And I also spend some time on a diatribe about friends, and how very few people actually care about Gunner and me. It's funny how we live in a world where so many people only think about themselves and their own situations, without having the ability to see outside their own little world. It was super frustrating to me in this recording. Gunner and I are both thankful for the people we call true friends in our lives.NEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNPI appreciate everyone who wants to help support Gunner and me! If you love us and this content, please consider donating so that the two of us can upgrade software and hardware and create better content for our friends and fans. God bless you all!Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

Friends, I'm so sorry for the delay in uploading a new episode! I had a lot of things going on these last two weeks and just couldn't carve out the time to do some editing. But I think the wait will have been worth it as you listen to the recount of my fun but crazy trip to Berlin. This was my first time going abroad, and I had mixed feelings about it. Have a listen, and let me know what you think! I always like to hear from you. Drop me a line at mlindbloom989@gmail.com, or you can find me on Insta (send me a follow request!) @the_mrs_lindbloomThanks for listening!NEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNPI appreciate everyone who wants to help support Gunner and me! If you love us and this content, please consider donating so that the two of us can upgrade software and hardware and create better content for our friends and fans. God bless you all! Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE:Well, in true narcissist form, when I didn't respond back to my former-friend's text, he ended up calling me. I was a little apprehensive that he'd be all cold and distant and on the defense, but he was actually really relaxed and chill, and we ended up spending almost two hours on the phone catching up. It was good to talk to him, and we both managed to put all the past anger and resentment behind us. We laughed and talked, and I confessed all my eating and weight gain. He also told me that a friend of ours ran into Gunner's old ex, Ramona, and she looked exactly the same as she did in high school. Which freaked me out and made me really self-conscious. It made me feel competitive and a bit desperate to lose all the blubber I'd put on in the last few months. The realization began to hit me that my fiance was coming home in six months!Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE:We got a huge ice storm on top of the 2+ feet of snow that dumped on us, but I had to go into town and take my laptop to FedEx and do some laundry at the laundromat. I had my last day of work and start my new job in two days. I talk about all the things I have to do before I leave for Berlin in a week. And I also talk about our friend Billy, who has always, always considered us family and who always, always takes care of Gunner. He is our blood brother for life, and we love the stuffing out of him!Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE:Chores, chores, and more chores! And lots of snow and cold. And my beef continues with the "friend" who told me to toughen up and suck it up and not complain about the snow. She expected me to apologize to her, and deleted the homesteading group we were in.  Is it any wonder I prefer the company of my cats to people? And how is it my fiance in prison is the most happy, sane, well-adjusted person I know??Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE:Wow, out of nowhere a house popped up that was absolutely perfect for us. It was everything we had wanted: plenty of space, really remote, in an area that I liked, and empty. The only catch was that it was a foreclosure. But the price was pretty decent, at $169,000.  Problem was, though, I didn't have the credit to buy a house, nor a down payment. Yet this house was owned by a credit union that was willing to work with me on a loan. Could this be our "Gangster's Paradise" that we always dreamed about???? Was I finally going to be able to own my own home?Support the show (http://paypal.me/mlindbloom989)

IN THIS EPISODE:We got dumped on over 2 feet of snow, and of course, I was totally unprepared. I had no food in the house, no shovel, and no one to plow me out. The neighbor across the street who plowed me the last time it snowed was out of town, and so I scrambled to find some help because I needed to be able to get out of the house.Also, two new houses popped up on my radar, but I had decided not to tell Gunner about them and get his hopes up. It's too hard for him there in prison to get excited and then get let down again. I appreciate everyone who wants to help support Gunner and me! If you love us and this content, please consider donating so that the two of us can upgrade software and hardware and create better content for our friends and fans. God bless you all! paypal.me/mlindbloom989 Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:I have two stories of really SUCKY people who irritated the crap out of me on this day. And I don't hold back! Let it rip, Maria!!Or... is it just that I have a bad case of PMS? Have a listen, and decide for yourself.And just for the record, Gunner is STILL LIKE THIS to this day. It wasn't just because he wasn't because he was in prison, because I know some people might say that. I swear it's just his nature.NEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNPI appreciate everyone who wants to help support Gunner and me! If you love us and this content, please consider donating so that the two of us can upgrade software and hardware and create better content for our friends and fans. God bless you all! paypal.me/mlindbloom989 Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:Well, I'm a sales person at heart, and I know how to best negotiate deals based on need. When Gunner begged me to go back to those people that dismissed us as potential renters because of his felon status, I knew the only way to get them to talk to me was to offer them money and appeal to their financial need. So I came up with a creative way to entice them. Will it work?And also I share some news that the brother of an old high school friend passed away from an aggressive form of brain cancer. I share my thoughts on cancer treatment, chemotherapy, and radiation based on my own experiences when my mother died of peritoneal and ovarian cancer. NEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNPI appreciate everyone who wants to help support Gunner and me! If you love us and this content, please consider donating so that the two of us can upgrade software and hardware and create better content for our friends and fans. God bless you all! paypal.me/mlindbloom989Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

HEY, ALL! Sorry for the hiatus. I took some time off for a summer vacay and to do some work around the property and in my garden. I couldn't resist the summer sun. Plus, work at my job the last two weeks of June was insanely busy. But I'll be back on the Mon/Wed/Friday schedule with the next episode posting Friday morning.IN THIS EPISODE:A huge moment for us as Gunner finally got approved for his surgery! You wouldn't believe the hoops we had to jump through in order to get that. Gunner's writer's mind and eloquent, articulate writing finally got them to move. I couldn't imagine a more horrific experience than having surgery in prison, but he was over the moon. I talk in detail about what he said to the prison, and how they've handled his medical situation so far. The prison system is sorely lacking in physical and medical health. NEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNPPlease reach out and say hi! I'd love to hear from you. mlindbloom989@gmail.comSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:Now that the holidays were over, it was time to give my boss notice and let her know I'd be starting a new job in a few weeks. Always the classy lady, she took it in stride and was very understanding and professional about it. Although she wasn't all that keen on bringing my friend on in my place. But she was still trying to process the news, and would see how things would go. Of course my friend, who tends to lean to the negative side, thought her shot at my job was in the tank.And, I was still on the hunt for a new rental home after getting turned down by this last chick. I wasn't so sure about this home, as it was in an area even farther away,  and (to me) it was a bit pricey. Plus it was right on the highway. But it seemed like a beautiful house that would be an awesome fit for Gunner and me. Might this finally be the one?NEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNPSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:Well, it finally happened. The lady I had spent 2 months trying to rent a house from took the coward's way out and decided to ghost me and not get back to me at all once she found out that my fiance was a felon. Since I couldn't get a hold of her, I called her ex-husband to ask what's going on. He told me that she had a problem with him and wouldn't rent to me. While I did understand her concerns, I wish she would have talked to me about it. She could have made a huge difference in our lives by giving us a chance. For all her talk about diversity and inclusion, she totally turned her back on us and refused to engage me in any further talks. So I decided to write her a nice little email letting her know what I thought. It was respectful, intelligent, and totally intended to get her to see the error of her ways and her bias.NEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNPWant to reach out? I love emails! My email is mlindbloom989@gmail.comSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:So in an effort to save face, build my self-confidence back up, and to ensure that my fiance isn't believing the lies, I sent him a Jpay explaining the whole thing of what happened and where I stood with my former best-friend-turned-narcissist. So here in this recording, I read that Jpay from start to finish. Forgive all the censored bleeps, I'm just trying to keep names out of it. The most ludicrous part of the story is when this guy left his phone at Kroger. One night I had received a call from someone and that person said the phone had been left at Kroger. But it was kind of a weirdo person who hung up when I tried to ask questions. I knew my friend always shopped at Kroger at night, and was panicked that some weirdo had his phone. Having just seen his son's phone number in a text a few night's previously, I called his son (whom I'd met before and gone to church with) to tell him his dad left his phone at Kroger. Now, all these months later, my friend is telling everyone I'm a pedo creeper who stalks his son. Classic narcissist gaslighting my friends. I didn't see it at the time, and it did a lot of damage to my state of mind. Thankfully, I had Gunner to keep me grounded and not fall for the manipulative tactics. Again, if you want to read more about what "gaslighting" is (basically it's when someone tries to make you think you're crazy or to mess with your head for the fun of it), here's an article from Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/here-there-and-everywhere/201701/11-warning-signs-gaslightingWant to reach out? I'd love to hear from you! Email me at mlindbloom989@gmail.comSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:Well, I had been prepared to have a nice, quiet, relaxing New Year's Eve but those plans got thwarted when my old narcissist former-best-friend reared up once more and attempted to plant seeds into my fiance's head that I'm crazy. Gunner told me that he had called him to wish him a Happy New Year, and the guy once again brought up my supposed "crazy" jealousy. If any of you have known someone with true narcissistic personality disorder, then you might be familiar with the term "gaslighting." It simply means a tactic of manipulation by which a person covertly makes another doubt themselves, lose their confidence, question their sanity, and tries to ensure everyone else around them questions their sanity, too. The underlying motivation behind it is usually one of power, but underneath that it's just plain ol' insecurity and some deep-seeded issues. If you'd like to read an article about it, here's an article from Psychology Today about "Gaslighting."But in the end, I still know my worth and my own sanity, and of course, my faith protects me from those who want to do me harm. After a frustrating night, I finally manage to put it behind me.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

*Sorry for the hiatus, friends! We had so much work that needed to be done after Memorial Day around the homestead that I needed to take a bit of time off. But it was time well spent. We've got a bunch of raised vegetable garden beds planted (lots of tomatoes!) new landscaping and flowers, a new greenhouse, and some new trees planted, too. I appreciate your patience as you waited for the uploads to resume. Just in time for the new "season" of my podcast to begin as I ring in 2016.IN THIS EPISODE:Biorhythms! They're going to drive me to drink. The day before this I had been sluggish, lethargic, unmotivated, and I ate my weight in rice. But this day, New Year's Eve, I felt rockin and full of energy. A good night's sleep totally changed everything. I rehash my wins for the day, my new diet plan, and my commitment to the next three weeks of diet and exercise with the start of a new 21 Day-Fix challenge. Welcome, 2016! I've waited so long for this year to finally arrive.NOTE: A new season will begin with the next episode.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:With Christmas finally done and over with, I'm now looking towards New Year's. I had my first weigh in and found myself in the exact same place I was a year previously. I talked about how frustrating it was to be so far from the grocery store, and how I was still determined to move. But most important, I recognized that in 2015 I did a crappy job of managing money. I was about to start a new job, and so I wanted to be sure I was in the right mind-set to save money and only purchase those things that matter.NEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNPI'd love to hear from you! Want to say hi? Drop me a line: mlindbloom989@gmail.comSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:My Christmas episode: I made the determination that my new diet pills were messing with my mental state, and I made sure to tell Alan to keep an eye on my personality. I had read on Google that they could cause anxiety and depression. I had a better day, though, and spent some time sitting in the sun in front of my picture window, reflecting on the times over the summers in the wilderness where I went for walks on the trails and basked in the sun and warmth and fresh air. I understood then that my days ahead have hope and purpose. I understand that Christmas has bigger meaning than me, and that helped put things into perspective. That really helped me to see my world from a brighter perspective, and to find hope in the days to come. I set in motion a new plan to get healthy, fit, and strong for Alan's homecoming. NEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNPWant to say hi? Feel free to reach out! You can email me at mlindbloom989@gmail.comSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:Oh, my heart breaks listening to this episode. It was Christmas Eve, and my power had gone out in the early morning hours because of a wind storm. My house was cold, dark, and very, very lonely. I got weepy as I talked about how lonely it was spending yet another holiday alone, by myself as I waited for Alan. Thankfully, this was the last Christmas that I'd have to spend that way. Now as I edit this episode, I just want to give that 2015 "me" a big hug, and tell her that it's going to be okay. Better than okay, even. The Christmases after that are going to get a lot better. I'm sure there are other women out there who have spent lonely holidays waiting for their loved one to get out of prison, or who spent Christmas alone for whatever reason. Big, big hugs to all of them. It WILL get better.NEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNPWant to drop me a line? I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at: mlindbloom989@gmail.comSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:I got the job! I talk about how the trip out to Boston went, how I rocked my presentation, and how I had an offer letter that next day, which I accepted. Now I just had to figure out how to tell my current boss, which I was dreading. My plan was to hold off after the New Year, and based on year-end meetings and discussions about the uncertainty of the direction of my role and the company, I did feel a lot better about my decision.I recognize that I got sick because my nutrition and health was so bad, and so I was headed to the grocery store to do some shopping. My plan was to eat Paleo... nothing processed, and start there. That was the way I ate (Paleo-Keto) when I lost weight. And I had waited until I got back from my trip to send a final text to my former best friend, letting him know I got the job, thanking him for his prayers (knowing he probably didn't even pray for me) and wished him well. I knew he'd understand my subtle/not-so-subtle "my life goes on with good things" implication.Finally, I talk about my other friend who is trying so hard to get a job, but who is stuck for some reason on having a high level title like director or manager, because it means something to her. But she doesn't have the experience for those kinds of positions and isn't qualified, so she keeps getting rejected. NEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNPSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:I'm on my way to the airport for my flight out to Boston, totally frustrated and sick. First of all, I had an episode in the middle of the night that only happened once, 3 years before. My larynx closed up to only a pinprick sized hole, and I couldn't breathe. I woke up panicked and flailing and gasping for air. Thankfully, the episode subsided quickly but I couldn't fall back asleep. I had woken up with a stuffy nose and sore throat, and was dismayed that I'd have to do this interview and presentation with a head cold.On top of everything else, the happiness I felt from having a couple of good conversations with my ex-bestie friend disappeared quickly, because we were back to fighting again. Alan had talked to him on the phone, and since they've known each other since they were teenagers, Alan was busting his balls about "trollin' around for hoes." Me, knowing that Alan can be harsh sometimes, tried to step in and make sure his words weren't offensive or cause anger. And that got me a couple of texts from this guy telling me to leave him alone and stay away from him. All I was trying to do was insure his feelings weren't hurt, but for some reason that pissed him off, which pissed ME off. It was so irritating and disappointing and hurtful, and I was over it.NEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNP Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:On my way to go get a new battery at the dealership, I talk about my preparation for this interview and my nervousness that I'm not going to get the presentation right. I'm also bummed because I woke up with a cold, and I was all stuffy. My flight is scheduled for 2pm the following day, so I'm running around getting things done. I love this episode because I talk about what it means to not worry, and how regardless of how things work out, I'm content that it's God's will for my life.NEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNPHave feedback or just want to say hi? Drop me a line! mlindbloom989@gmail.comSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:A little extra episode for listeners this week, since this one is so short. It's just me in the car talking about the funny Christmas card Gunner sent, and how excited I was to get his letter. And I talked about how I sent an email to my potential new boss and told him that based on his integrity and taking the time to call me the night before, I decided that I would go all in and give this presentation my focus, attention, and enthusiasm. He wrote back right away and said that he was thrilled, and was going to suggest I come out anyway just to meet everyone. The only problem is, I'M TOO FAT to fit into my interview outfit!!!NEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNPSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:Oh, this one is a doozy. First, I had a great conversation with my boss, who I really loved. She gave me a half-day on Friday because I told her I was going out of town. I felt so guilty about that, because I was going out of town for an interview. I relayed my guilt and hesitation to Gunner, and decided I'd tell the new hiring manager that I would only leave my current role for an extra $10,000 in salary. So I sent him off an email.Then I had a phone call with that dude I had a falling out with. I noticed some weird hits on the website we had worked on together, and didn't know what to make of it. He and I talked about several things, and I told him about my dilemma with the house, that I was struggling with the potential new landlord because she wanted to know all of Alan's information. I explained how I had lied to her, and asked him what I should do. He insisted it was wrong and that I needed to come clean with her. After that, the new hiring manager called me after landing in Boston after a long flight back from Berlin, and he spent time assuring me of all the perks and benefits of the new role, and apologized because he just could not give me the extra money I wanted. But he really spent time convincing me that it would be a terrific career move and that I'd be glad I came aboard.So then I called my ex-best-friend-guy back, because I wanted his wisdom on the job situation, too. Surprisingly, he was his old self, laughing and joking and jocular. He told me that I would definitely need that extra money when Alan came home, and that I should take that job. In the end, I reflect again on blessings and curses, and I was convinced in my heart I was making two right decisions in God's eyes.NEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNPSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:I had my big interview with the company I was getting pursued by, and I felt it went fairly well. The VP asked some tough questions, but because I didn't really need the job, I was calm, cool, and collected, and I answered their questions the best I could. Later, the hiring manager called me to tell me that the final step in the interview process was for me to give a formal presentation--in person, in Boston. And it needed to be done that Monday because they're closed as of Wednesday. That meant only four days to prepare for my trip out, and only four days to prepare the presentation. Of course, that only added to my stress, but that's what happens when you interview for these high level sales positions. I agreed that I'd make it. So that was going to occupy me for the next few days rather than just winding down for the holidays like I had planned.NEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNPSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:This isn't a long episode, but it's a profound one. In here I talked about how I sent out Christmas cards, one of my favorite holiday traditions. This time around though, I wrote a letter to include for friends and family. In the letter I mention how one of my big projects 7 months out from Alan's homecoming was to start preparing "stuff" for him. Because he literally had nothing of his own to bring with him when he paroled. He had his state issued prison uniform, shoes, a toothbrush, some soap, and prison issued socks and underwear. And of course, his typewriter, manuscripts, and letters from me. That's it. I wasn't writing that so that others could donate or step up to help, I just wanted them to understand that life was going to be challenging for both Gunner and me upon his release. All I really wanted them to know was that I'd appreciate prayers, and their love and support of his homecoming. As you'll see in later episodes, that request fell on some deaf ears.NEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNPSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:I talk about a few minor things, like how Alan and I are writing each other massive letters to each other as Christmas presents, and how I can't seem to lose weight for the life of me (even though I've only been doing it two weeks).  But the biggest thing I want to highlight in this episode is how I alluded to the fact that one of my best girlfriends is a gal who is always in competition with me. Even through she's a faithful Christian and I know she's got a good heart, she's just one of those women who naturally compete with other women. I'm smart enough to know this is a self-esteem thing (or lack of self-esteem) but it still drives me bananas. It was one of the things I loved most about having a "guy best friend" there for a while. I always seem to find myself in these friendships with other women who want to compete, even through I have zero interest in playing that game. This particular friendship will incur more problems with regard to this down the road. Stay tuned for more...NEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNPSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:I had completely forgotten about this as I went back to edit it. I had read a book called "Blessing or Curse: You Can Choose" by Derek Prince. It impacted me profoundly. I understood how easy it was for us Christians to talk about our blessings, how blessed we are and how wonderful it is to see other people receive blessings. But how funny that no one ever seems to talk about curses, even though it's mentioned in the Bible just as much as blessings. Blessings and curses go hand-in-hand. I share an example or two from the book, as well as examples from my own life on how Gunner and I might be cursed. And then I pray a fervent prayer to God to remove any potential curses upon our lives.If you're interested in reading that book for yourself, here are the links (note: these are Amazon Affiliate links to help support the show):BLESSING or CURSE: You Can Choose, by Derek PrincePaperback: https://amzn.to/2RmFC0zKindle e-book: https://amzn.to/3ueyyS2Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:In this recording, I recognize that it's my sister's birthday. She turned 40, and I reflected on how my 40th year, this year, was the best of my life so far--even though the last few months have been seriously challenging. I also look back on my 30s, how that was a time of fun, travel, working my way up in my career, meeting new people, and immersing myself in culture. I also continue the conversation about my disagreement with Alan. He and I talked it out more, and he was able to understand my disappointment and frustration. I explain things a little better here. It's not that I want to stifle his dreams, but I needed to set boundaries of what I was willing to do and what I wasn't. After spending months as an enabler to a friend that meant the world to me, I wasn't about to become a person who capitulated and walked on eggshells just to make my husband happy. I was going to stand my ground.And at the end of this recording, I was interrupted by a friend of mine who just got done with an interview. I talk about how she attempted to shift from sales to marketing, and it didn't work out so well.NEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNPSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:This is the heaviest episode by far.  Many years before when Gunner and I first fell in love, we spent pages and pages of letters and hours and hours on the phone dreaming about our quiet life in the woods after his parole, working on his books and our new-found publishing company. But I had a phone call with him and he was all gung-ho about the new social media platform company he wants to launch, and he informed me he was going to be gone several days a week when he paroles home in order to obtain advertising partners. Then he said he wanted to send out proposals to show runners and networks about an idea to have a reality TV show about his life, documenting his release from prison after being locked up for 13 years--a time traveler essentially. I didn't want anything to do with it, understandably.  By nature I'm a quiet, introverted gal who doesn't like being in the limelight, and that conversation frustrated and disappointed me. I wasn't in a good place in this recording, as I felt the first nudge that things might not be all kittens and rainbows in my relationship with Gunner.For those who want to check out his books, TO BE A KING Volumes 1 & 2, please click here:  https://www.gunnerdetroit.com/to-be-a-kingNEW! This podcast is now available for free to all Audible members! If you have an Audible account, you can download all my episodes and listen there. Just click this link: https://www.audible.com/pd/HER-THING-Diary-of-a-Prisoners-Wife-Podcast/B08JJNNCNPSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:So, I finally make the trek out to the house that I want to rent and meet with the homeowner. This lady is one flaky gal. I talk about how I have compassion for her, because it's clear she's dealing with some tough life circumstances and has had some tragedies in her life. Yet she continues to badger me for more information about Alan. I did not tell her he was in prison, and just said that he was overseas. That was the explanation I thought would keep her from asking more, but instead she kept prodding me to provide his information, too. Later, that lie would snowball into something I just didn't feel comfortable continuing. And here the inkling that this could go wrong was starting to surface. I knew from experience the stigma and negative reaction I'd get from telling people that my fiance was in prison, so I tried to avoid it. I believed it had nothing to do with me and my responsibility as a renter. But in this case, I wasn't going to be able to just brush it off with this woman. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)

IN THIS EPISODE:I'm frustrated to see that I gained 2 lbs, even though I tried so hard that week to eat well. Gunner suspects that it's just water weight, but still I'm annoyed by it. I'm starting to really worry that I won't bounce back from my heavy weight gain the last few months. I try to motivate myself by buying a couple of pairs of new running shoes. Also, I finally heard back from that hiring manager who reached out to me and wanted me to interview with their company. Despite me providing dates that I was available to fly out for an interview, he asked if I would be able to come out that Wednesday--with only 3 days notice. I was beyond irritated because I couldn't make it with that short notice in the middle of the week. Even though I'd just gotten a nice Christmas gift card as a thank-you from my current company, I still thought it was prudent to see what this new company had to offer because it was $30,000 more a year in salary. And of course, I had a couple of great calls with Gunner and gush on and on about how awesome he is.  =)Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mlindbloom)