VANESSA MARTINEZ
Bio
I am a single and disabled mom of two awesome young men and an amazing Chihuahua, Pebbles. I love and enjoy writing and am currently in the process of writing a book. I hope that one day I will be able to share my words with the world.
Stories (20)
Filter by community
Stay at Home or Working Parent
As a single parent, I have had the opportunity to be both, a working mom and a stay-at-home mom. While some have never been granted the chance to choose, both roles are extremely important for the growth of both yourself and your children. As a working parent, you have an important role in making the money and ensuring that there is a roof over your head at all times. You wake up every morning and rush through your routine of getting dressed, brushing your teeth, and barely having enough time to grab a to-go cup of coffee. You shout at your kids to hurry out the door and all pile into your low-on-gas car for school drop-off. Your job isn’t just getting up and going to work but making sure everyone is up and out the door on time and in one piece. Time is of the essence and isn’t as easy as it sounds. Kids have their own clocks that have nothing to do with actual time. They are up when you wake them but can’t find one shoe. They are completely dressed but forgot to brush their teeth. When you almost reach their school for drop-off, they remember they left their homework at home but can’t remember where. As a working parent, you continuously have two jobs at all times. You sometimes find yourself staring at the moms or dads that are the easy-going, down-to-earth, stay-at-home parents. You sit in your car as your kids jump out of your vehicle and say bye to you. You commend all the other parents as they say goodbye to their kids without an ounce of rush in their steps. You think of how easy it is being able to go home and relax after drop-off. You desire that things could be as easy as that for you as well. You admire and even envy them for the life you wish you had.
By VANESSA MARTINEZ3 years ago in Families
Fluffy Saves the Day
I was only two or three years of age when I got the gift of a lifetime. A gift I treasured for years; my soon-to-be best friend. Her name was Fluffy, she was a cute small ball of fur. Fluffy, a full-bred German Shepherd, was nine weeks old when we got her. She quickly become more than just a pet and a friend; she was my family. Everywhere I went there was Fluffy, she followed me all around the house and backyard. Just like most people that welcome fur babies into their homes, we shared a ton of great memories together. Some memories were fun and hilarious and some were those that were just so amazing one can never forget.
By VANESSA MARTINEZ3 years ago in Petlife
Garry's Nightmare
Garry, a single parent kept exceptionally long hours at the office; he had to, he had a little girl to support. A little girl he loved more than anything in this world. While he was busy making the money, his daughter, Summer, stayed with his mother, Diana. Diana saw the opportunity as one to spend time with her granddaughter not so much as having to babysit. Which worked out for them both. They each shared the responsibility of raising this lovely little girl. Ever since Summer’s mother died, she was all theirs. And nothing could have been better.
By VANESSA MARTINEZ4 years ago in Fiction
The Cost of Freedom
Freedom comes in many different shapes and forms, either way, freedom is something we all want and thrive for. Some have freedom without even trying, freedom is just there. Then there are some that must fight for it and fight hard just to never get it. Men and women fight in wars for our country to have freedom for all of us. Parents fight for just an hour of freedom for themselves. Some of us fight for freedom in a different way, my fight for freedom is different than most but all too familiar to some.
By VANESSA MARTINEZ4 years ago in Confessions
My Hero's
There are a handful of people that have impacted my life and have changed it in one way or another. These people are the ones that have influenced me to do better and to be better. They have brought me up when I was down, made me believe in myself when I no longer believed that I belonged, they have and had been there for me when no one else thought I was anything to be there for. I want to thank these people and let them know how much of a difference they have made in life even if they have no idea they ever even did.
By VANESSA MARTINEZ4 years ago in Families
My Haunted House
I remember growing up in the biggest house in our neighborhood. It was the only two-story house on the entire block amongst single-story homes. When we first moved in, I was so excited to know that I would finally have my own room for the first time since birth and it was exciting. I loved having an upstairs bedroom. Running up and down those carpeted red stairs was amazing. It was by far the biggest house my family and I had ever lived in. My dad jumped on the opportunity to get this house; he said the price couldn’t be beaten. The cost was lower than all the single-family homes he had seen. But he didn’t ask why. He just signed the papers, and we had our big house and our own rooms. To me, my room was huge. Maybe it was or maybe it was just huge because I was small. Either way, I loved it. Everything was so great there. The neighborhood was quiet, and it was a short walk to my school. Perfect. But then it wasn’t.
By VANESSA MARTINEZ4 years ago in Horror
Pebbles' Playland
Once upon a time, there lived a very cute, very loveable little dog. Her name was Pebbles. She was the cutest little dog in the whole kingdom. Everyone loved Pebbles, for she was so nice and so kind to all. Animals from all over the kingdom would travel from far just to come to play with Pebbles and her new toys. She was so loved and she so loved everyone, that after a long day of playing she would give everyone she played with a new toy. After so much playing Pebbles always had to clean up the big mess that would be left behind by all of her kingdom friends. No one ever stayed to help her clean and that would make Pebbles very sad. She thought that because everyone loved her and because she always gave everyone a toy that they would stay behind and help her clean too. But no one ever did. Of course, this didn’t stop Pebbles from treating everyone with love and kindness. “No matter what, they are all still my friends.” Pebbles says with so much joy. One morning when it was time for Pebbles to awaken from a long night’s rest, she heard knocking, she stretched all of her little tiny limbs and ran down to answer the door. “I wonder who it could be this early in the morning?” Pebbles asked herself. As she pulled open her front door, she poked her little head out with a big smile. “Good morning, how can I help you?” Pebbles asked happily. And there in front of her was someone new, someone, she had never seen before. It was another small dog. “Hi, I’m Daisy, I’m your new neighbor from one kingdom down.” She grinned. Pebbles stared at Daisy for a few seconds, then smiled and reached out a paw, “lovely to meet you, my name is Pebbles, welcome to my enchanted kingdom.” Pebbles replied. “Would you like to come in? It’s a little early, not quite time for all my guests to arrive but you are welcome to join me for breakfast if you like.” Daisy looked at Pebbles as she walked past her to enter her very beautiful home. Pebbles closed the door and walked past Daisy to lead the way to the kitchen. As she passed, she noticed Daisy looking at her up and down and not in a very nice way at all. But as we know Pebbles is a very kind dog, so she just continued to walk and talk. She explained to Daisy how she has all of her friends from all over the kingdom to come play with her and her toys every day. Daisy watched and listened as Pebbles went on and on about all of her good deeds and how much everyone loves her. As Pebbles continued talking, Daisy started to not like Pebbles more and more. “I think I better be leaving now!” Daisy shouted over Pebbles while she spoke. “Leave? Why you will not be attending my gathering today?” Pebbles asked with such concern. Daisy told Pebbles that she had to take care of her very sick mom and that is why she couldn’t stay. Pebbles walked Daisy to the door and out the gate and told her to have a very lovely day. “Well, she was very nice.” Pebbles told herself. Pebbles hurried back up into her house and continued to get everything ready for all of her friends.
By VANESSA MARTINEZ4 years ago in Fiction
Midnight Thoughts
Are you ever wide awake in the middle of the night when you know you should be sleeping, but you can’t sleep because your mind is just racing with all the problems you have on a daily? Then out of the blue in the midst of all those important thoughts, something nonrelevant pops into your head. Like something that happened to you when you were in elementary school. That seems to happen to me a lot. Like just the other night or morning, I’m not really sure but I know it was dark out and everyone else was asleep; I was listening to my mediation music with my eyes closed just listening to the relaxing sounds, then a memory of something that happened when I was in the fifth grade came flooding back. This wasn’t something fun or exciting, nope, it was gross. But there it was right there in my head. The memory of when this boy in my class, let’s call him Jimmy, just to save face, had his head facing down with his head in his hands. I thought he was crying or that he had a really bad headache. I kept looking at him and even asked him if he was fine. But there he sat, holding his head, no words, no sounds. Just there.
By VANESSA MARTINEZ4 years ago in Confessions
A Heart's Secret
After everything, I can’t believe we made it. I wish Lazarus was here with me; he would be so happy to know we found mom's friend. I watch the old woman as she holds the locket in her hands, smiling. “I knew you would find me. I thought your mom and her kid would be here too.” She says smiling. She proceeds to stare at the locket. As she attempts to unlatch the clasp, we hear voices in the near distance. She relatches the locket and places it inside her pocket. “We have to go now Pebbles, hurry!” the old woman shrieks with panic in her voice. We quickly follow aside from the old woman as she hastily leads the way. Rosie and I both continue to look back as we follow. The voices slowly dissipate. “We should be safe here until they leave.” The old woman remarks. It is an abandoned cave; it’s cold and dark but away from whoever was following. Rosie jumps off my back and begins to explore. “Are you sure we can trust her Pebbles?” Rosie asks. I look at Rosie and tilt my head slightly. “Why would you ask that?” Rosie turns to look at me as she continues sniffing around. “I don’t know, just something about her smells off.” I look at the old woman as she sits in silence gazing upon the locket. How would she have known about me if she didn’t know mom and Lazarus? No, I need to stop letting Rosie get into my head, not all humans are bad. The old woman gets up and peers outside the cave. “I think it is safe now. We must hurry as to not get stuck in the dark.” Rosie shrugs and jumps on my back; we follow. Unfamiliar sounds begin to surround us as darkness commences. It seems we didn’t quite make it to where we needed before nightfall. I feel Rosie grab onto my ear tightly. The fear that fills Rosie, fills me as well. But we continue to follow. “Just behind those bushes.” The old woman whispers. I try to look past the bushes but can’t see anything but trees. The old woman stops walking and pulls some bushes apart. There is a pathway just beyond the bushes. She gestures for us to pass. I look up at her then carefully proceed. So many unfamiliar odors with equal unfamiliar sounds. As we continue to walk along the path, movement from all directions, humans, both young and old with bewilderment in their eyes. “I don’t like this,” Rosie whispers in my ear. I assure her it will all be okay but I’m not sure it will be. We finally come to a complete stop. The old woman looks down at us and smiles. She gestures for me to take a seat. “Everyone this is Pebbles, and she has brought us a gift, the key.” The old woman holds up the locket for all to see. Whispers all around begin to get louder. “Silence. Let us all rest and wait for the light to arise and awaken us once again. We shall use the key at first light.” A small girl brings me a blanket and smiles as she places it on the ground next to me. I take one last look around at all the humans and at Rosie, then lie down on the blanket. I finally get to rest easy; hopefully.
By VANESSA MARTINEZ4 years ago in Fiction
Pebbles
Let me start by saying how amazing and loving my baby girl is. She has brought me so much joy and happiness in my life. My baby is a two-year-old blonde Chihuahua named Pebbles. She was brought into my life in January of 2020 as a late Christmas gift from my oldest son. I couldn’t have her sooner than that because she was probably still too small and was still nursing. When my son had told me a little after Christmas that what he really wanted to get me was a puppy but couldn’t find one; I immediately went online and began my search. Only ten minutes later, I found her. The cutest and smallest little face on an ad on Craigslist. I quickly messaged my son at work and let him know I found a Chihuahua. When he told me to call, I did just that and made sure they knew I wanted her, and I wanted her at that very moment. The next day I went to get my baby and oh my goodness when I saw the guy carrying her out of the car I almost ran up to him and just snagged her right out of his hands. I was in love.
By VANESSA MARTINEZ4 years ago in Petlife
The White Owl
It has been fifteen years since my mom has passed away to be in her new haven. And besides for the more obvious reason, I miss her so much every single day. She was not only a beautiful woman on the outside, but she was smart, honest, kind, and so very hilarious. She was always there for me every time I needed her with no questions asked. One of her most generous traits was her love for animals. No matter if she said time and time again that she didn't like dogs or cats; I would find her singing to my dogs and my cat. She was funny that way but, when it came to birds, there was no secret there, she loved birds very much. Every day she would go out to her back yard to feed and water them. After watering all her plants, she would sit on her patio with a cup of coffee in hand and just watch all the little birds enjoying the food she gave. She always looked so peaceful sitting there. It was her earthly haven. Just one of the many things she enjoyed in life.
By VANESSA MARTINEZ4 years ago in Fiction
