Dudes!

HapPy NeW YeaR!!

Lots of happiness in my world right now! The Professor and I are still going strong. He rocks my world - seriously, upside down rockin'! In so many ways we are different, but we are the same in others. We're still learning about each other and about the kind of relationship we both agreed to embark on; one built on traditional roles - he's Tarzan, I'm Jane :) Oh of course it goes deeper than that, but that's best saved for another post (maybe one day).

Hey the gym is still part of my life - barely. I hope to return within the week. I did gain some holiday pounds, but thanks to the stomach flu, I lost it all + 3 more! But my appetite has returned so I need to get to the gym (with gusto) and get myself in better shape.

My kid is in a new relationship with someone that treats her wonderfully. I'm happy for Mari.

I've always posted about my job because it's such an important aspect of my life, but I've decided to tone down that importance. I've decided to pull way back on project work. This is the most that I've ever pulled back and I feel great about it! I don't feel like I'm going to miss something if I'm not on every project that I can get my hands on, I don't feel like people will think badly of me if I don't work like a dog, nah I'm done with that way of thinking. Dude, it's time for me to look forward to going home and actually leaving my job at 5p instead of 7 or 8 or 9! So right now, work is where it should be - on the back burner. Yeah.

I took two weeks off for the holidays and spent almost every single day with the Professor and his daughter. When vacation was over, it felt kind of weird not being with him, but soon enough I got back into the routine of work and all that goes with that - I've even enjoyed hanging out at home this past week, working on a jigsaw puzzle, taking it easy by staying put, not having to be anywhere - it's been quite nice.

But I do miss the Professor :) We'll be seeing each other soon enough - this weekend! It's his birthday so we'll be doing some celebrating.

My furry kids, Toula, Noodles, and Spatz are doing well. Each of them entertaining in their own special way. All of them are so loving, but they do have their own way of expressing themselves. Toula is jealous of her brother, but loves to hang out with him, Noodles is in her own little world, doing her own thing, while Spatz wants to be part of everyone's world. It's hard to imagine life without them.

Well there you have it; my corner of the Uni-verse.

I'm signing off for now - it's late, and I need my beauty rest.

Thanks for reading.

-xo

A Grand Life

My favorite time of year is right around the corner! I can't wait for the crisp coolness of autumn and its wonderful fresh scents that fill my senses as summer fades in the background and winter gets ready to make its appearance. This is the time when my soul renews itself and gears up for another year.

Rawrrr!

Currently things in my corner of the Uni-verse are going well. After almost an entire year of feeling overwhelmed with projects at work, I'm finding some breathing room, and it feels great.

The Professor and I are doing well; we're taking it a day at a time and right now I'm pretty happy with the direction we're going; it feels like a leisurely drive through the countryside with stops along the way to fool around :) Throughout each day I find myself smiling for no reason and I'm pretty sure that there's a little skip to my step. Hey I know it reads sappy, but it sure feels good!

The gym is still part of my life, which right now is barely tolerable, but I'm hanging in there because the other option is unacceptable.

May 2010 is already a big month for me! I'll be going to Pennsylvania for my niece's graduation from Penn State, then back home, I'll be going to the musical, "A Chorus Line!"

Right now life is feelin' pretty grand :)

End of Summer

The end of summer is fast approaching and a lot has happened since my last post. Remember my last post about the guy that has an 8 year old daughter? I shall call him the Professor. Well, we're still seeing each other; things are moving along nicely. We still haven't met one another's daughters, which I expect will happen sometime soon. However, this Saturday I will be meeting his bestfriend for the first time. Yes, I will have to pass muster with this guy - we all know how the best friend test goes. The Professor and this guy have been friends for over 40 years. The guy has a boat and will be taking us out on it and then we're all going to dinner. He's bringing his date too. It's been forever since I've gone on a double-date - even typing the word makes me giggle ;o)

Work is work. I have been a bit overwhelmed, but it will pass. It always does. Next year I'm determined not to take on so many projects at once.

I'm still going to the gym although lately it's been harder than usual for both cuzzy and me. We finally figured out why. We're at the 6-month mark, which was when we quit going to the gym the last time. Dude, we didn't go back to the gym for about 2 years! Not wanting that to happen again, we keep each other on track, even if it means going just once a week and not our regular 4 times a week.

On the family front, Johnny is walking now! He's cuter than a bug (takes after his auntie - ha!). My niece Mel (we call her Noon) and her boyfriend, Nick, are over for a visit - all the way from Pennsylvania. She is a senior @ Penn State while Nick graduated this year. They're a cute couple. Man, I can't believe just how grown up she is! It just seems like yesterday she was a little kid doing the happy food dance when she got a piece of candy.

My kiD Mari is doing as well as can be expected; she and her partner recently parted ways. Each day is different; some good, some bad. Right now sadness reigns in her world, but she is moving along and I believe is past the worst of it. The healing process has begun.

In about a month, Stephanie, a girl that cuzzy and I met when we owned an online gaming ladder will be flying out from Arizona to meet us both for the first time! Man! That's something! We've known one another for about 8 years now. She's going to spend the weekend here - we're just gonna keep ourselves completely inebriated the entire time! LOL! I'm kidding; at least 99.9% of the time. We do have our standards.

So that's it, my friends.

What about you; how are things going in your neck of the woods?

When you hear from me next time, I hope that the Professor and I will still be clicking along.

Later.

-xo

Catch-up

A few things have happened since my last post.

I have been back at the gym for awhile now and I’ve even lost some weight :-)

I am no longer seeing the man that I wrote about in my last post. Things fell apart. We parted as friends, but really, it was more like a friendly parting. At times I find myself feeling wistful, but I realize that I need to move on and stop dwelling on the what-could-have-beens and the if-onlys.

I have met someone and we get along well, but I am not sure about having a relationship with him yet. He's an interesting man, energetic, intelligent, attentive, and dedicated to his 8-year old daughter, who he has full custody of. He is interested and curious about me; what I think, how I feel, what makes me laugh, my likes, dislikes, etc. This alone is heady stuff and I find myself drawn to him because of it. But that is just one aspect; there are many more that we need to explore. I really don’t want to jump into anything – heck I’ve been searching for that special someone for over a year now so I am sure I can wait

Work has been good and busy. I'm taking off next week (vacation). I am not planning on going anywhere, just hanging out at home, being with family and friends, and basically doing nothing but relaxing.

It's late so I'm off to bed.

Thanks for reading -xo

Life in the Date Lane

Well for the past couple of months or so, I have been dating. Yes, for those out there that know me, you can stop the pretense act of fainting (dweebs!).

I'm dating because I have decided to take action and go after what I want - a long term committed relationship. Someone that I can share my life with wholly and completely. You know how it goes; all those wonderful things that make being a couple fun, passionate, happy, and sexy.

So that is why I am dating. Have I met anyone special? Yes I have, but we're more like friends; I view him as my mentor within the lifestyle that I have chosen to pursue. To me he is sexy, intelligent with a great sense of humor, and we get along great. But as life would have it right now, he doesn't want what I want out of a relationship. Although he wants a long term relationship, it is not the same kind I want. His idea of a LTR is more along the lines of being casual/platonic. Even if we don't share a 'traditional' romantic relationship, we do share a special friendship, have the trust, the mutual respect, and the intimacy of sexual exploration. In a sense we are committed, but on a different level (this is difficult to explain so I won't even attempt it). He knows I date because he can't provide me with what I truly want. In fact, he has encouraged me to date. And because he tends to be protective, he has asked me to keep him updated as to whom I date and he always asks how everything went, etc. I might add that he finds my dating adventures somewhat amusing (geez). So as you can read, our relationship is a bit different, but some would understand it - it is part of the lifestyle that I have chosen to pursue :-) Some would call him my dominant and I guess in a way he is.

From time to time my kid has always bugged me to get out and date. And of course the minute that I do, she is my fiercest critic, kind of works on my last nerve, if you get my drift. But I know she does it because she loves me.

This is very new to me; having a casual relationship and dating a lot. I feel such the late bloomer. Here I am 48 years old dating like I should have done when I was in my 20's. I always did do things ass-backwards.

Geez.

It is an adventure of sorts and yes I have some stories that I could share. But really, dating is becoming more of a chore because I can't seem to find the guy that makes my world spin :-) Well I did find him, but like I said, we don't want the same things out of a relationship.

Curses.

So that's where I am now in my life. Still hard at work, been back at the gym for about 2 months now, in a casual relationship, dating, learning, and on my way to living the sort of lifestyle that I have always wanted to live.

So there.

Neener.

How's Tricks?

How are things with everyone? Good I hope.

Good news - my sabbatical is less than three weeks away! I'm so looking forward to not having to go to work for two months (with pay)!

I've been busy with my nephew Johnny and with my new furry kid Toula. Last weekend mom, my brother, his wife, Johnny, and I went to the State Fair. We had a really good time. Toula is such a wonderful little sweetie; it's hard to imagine my life without her in it.

Recently I made an investment in a carpet cleaner (Bissel) and I tried it out for the first time today. It worked really well. So I'm pretty satisfied with my purchase.

I know that I should get into a house; it's the right thing to do because really I've grown out of the apartment, right along with Noodles, Spatz, and Toula (my furry kids would love a bigger place to live in). But the thought of house hunting is a drag. It's not fun. I'm tired of making offers that never get accepted. I know that I will find my house when the time is right for me (this is me giving myself a pep talk; because really I will live in this apartment forever -ha).

Okay really I won't - sometimes I just feel would it be so bad if I did??

Anyhow enough about me. How are things witchu?

Girls that Wear Glasses and other Kernyen News

Last Friday I went to a specialist of the cornea that my opthamologist referred me to and it would seem that my eyes need a break from wearing contact lens for about 2 months (maybe more). The ulcer on my right eye is healing, but my corneas have some wear and tear on them from wearing contact lenses too much.

So now I am wearing my glasses full time and I can't wear makeup until my ulcer heals completely.

I was never one of those girls that did the natural look so I am feeling a little plain without my makeup (okay a lot plain).

In other Kernyen news, I spent the day with mom, Mari and Arron. Mom fixed this sea food dish that was spectacular! And the girls brought over a banana cream pie and a peach pie - very delicious.

Tomorrow another week begins. My boss is out for a week on vacation - yay! But I have a two-day face-to-face (FTF) meeting, but other than that it should be an easy week. It's the following week that will be pretty full; I have my admin team FTF followed by my boss's 2-day FTF staff meeting. Then we have a quarterly event (team building). However, I may not get to attend any of it if I have to go to court for jury duty.

Lord I can't wait for my sabbatical!

Stuff

I went to the eye doctor today and she referred me to a specialist because the ulcer on my eye isn't healing fast enough so she wants a second opinion. So tomorrow I have an appointment to see an eye specialist (cornea). I am a little nervous about the whole thing, not knowing what the diagnosis will be.

House Update: I did not get the last house I put a bid on; too many bids and with my limited budget I could not compete. So another house lost to me. I am thinking of giving up on the hunt for a few months and go back at it while I'm on my sabbatical. It will allow me some time to save more money.

Tomorrow I took the day off. I will be spending the day with mom, who will be going to the eye specialist with me + she will be going with me to the lab where I will need to take some tests (a regular thing I do for my diabetes).

Well that is all I have for now - later gator ;o)

Three's a Charm...

...or so the saying goes. I bid on my third house today. Cosmetically it needs a lot of work and a couple of other fix-it stuff, but I can do it. I have family that is willing to help me :-) But I am thinking do I really want this house? I am a little nervous about it. With my budget the only houses that I can afford are those that need fixing so I have to stop being so darned picky; otherwise I'll never buy myself a house. Mari and mom are both telling me to wait, but I've been waiting so long. And I ain't getting any younger.

I should just quit worrying about it (I am such a worrier at times) - I don't even have the house yet!

On another note, I took Noodles to the vet today. She is healthy as ever and such a good cat. She is always good at the vet's.

Tomorrow I go to the eye doctor for a check-up on the ulcer on my right eye. At least it is healing!

This Friday, me, Mari, Arron, Jane, Sance, and Jodi are going out to dinner in celebration of mine and Mari's birthdays! I can't wait :-)

Thanks for reading -xo

House Hunting and the Blues

Lost the house that I bidded on, but will be going out tomorrow during my lunch hour to look at a couple more. This house hunting stuff is becoming a pain. That is the 2nd house that I bidded on. My cousin said don't get discouraged; your house is out there.

But where it is?

Been feeling blue today about G - I know why. I did something dumb. I sent my friends an e-mail letting them all know that I will be closing down my Yahoo e-mail account and that they could reach me on my Hotmail account - I included G in that e-mail and now regret it because of course I wished he would have replied to it, but he hasn't so I am going upside down over that.

I swear why did I do that? DANG!

Well now I will just have to get over this and quit causing myself unwarranted anguish. It's just not worth it.

Now hopefully I will remember this if I get another stoopit idea in my head.

Sunday, Sunday

Looked at a few houses today and found one that I liked so I'll be submitting an offer. I hope I get the house. It's just perfect for me and my kitties.

I had a nice visit with mom. We talked about all kinds of things today. I really enjoyed my visit.

I'm really tired today because I didn't sleep that well last night. Spatz has this bad habit of waking me up at around 5:30 in the morning ;o) I was going to take a little snap today, but since I spent all day at mom's, I never got the chance. I might go to bed early tonight, but we'll see. I am a night owl and going to bed early is never easy for me.

It's getting hotter - summer is right around the corner. Mom talked about the possibility of her and I heading to Florida to visit Kim when my sabbatical rolls around. I am not sure I want to go, but we'll see - a lot can happen between now and September.

Adieu for now -xo

The Weekend Begins

It is going to be about 80 degrees today and I will be headed to the local park to attend my cousin's baby shower. I'm looking forward to it. I will be taking Fatbird with me :-)

Yesterday I went to see Laura and we had a good session. I felt lots better afterwawrds. Then I went to Nia and got my hair cut. I feel great!

The house hunting is still underway, but I must tell you it's a tad discouraging because I can almost be guaranteed that any offer I put on a house will have anywhere from 3-7 offers on it. I already lost a house :-( Both my mortgage gal and realtor told me that just within the past month the market has changed. There's a lot of investors out there that are literally buying up these homes and leaving homebuyers like me in the dust! Son-of-a!! What-the!!).

But I will continue to forge on because I am ready to get into my own house now.

Pretty Cool

Just when you think your life is settled and it’s all that, along comes someone that makes you feel special. You feel this is it; this is the guy that I’m going to spend the rest of my life with. But things go wrong and your hope for the future with him dies before your eyes. You weep and the pain seems like it will never go away.

What now? You go on, heal and pretty soon the haze of pain slowly subsides and you start to come to the realization that being alone is pretty cool.

I vaguely remember that cool feeling; I'm just not quite there yet.