Well, I have been told that I have a few followers...woo hoo! Makes me feel like a real writer, so thanks everyone. And apparently there is a new potential follower...my ex's girlfriend. So to her I say, "Hello!" And just for the record, I do mean it in the most sincere way. I am looking forward to meeting her someday and possibly even being friends. She makes him happy, and he certainly deserves to be happy. 


I know a few weeks ago I freaked out over the whole divorce process in California, leading some of you to possibly wonder if I am officially divorced or not: I am not. I call him -- hmm, he needs a name so let's call him PT -- my ex because we have both moved on and it's just the damn paperwork that needs to happen. We have had many heart to heart discussions and I truly feel that we both have learned so much from our time together. 


So one of the things that he has learned, or is at least open to, are new 'things'. Now during our time together -- especially after the house was purchased -- I pushed to get new furniture. You know, the whole new home = new stuff = new beginning. He fought me the whole way -- which was completely frustrating especially given the condition of the old couch. This couch had lived in 2 states, 3 counties and is working towards it's 5th decade! Yes, it WAS time for a new couch...arguably even before it came into my possession. It was my grandmother's. It's not like it was some precious antique, it is just one scary hot mess! Pictures are below. So one of the things that he has 'learned' is that getting some new furniture can be a good thing. Of course hearing him say this made me a little irritated. I mean, haven't I been saying this for years? It wasn't until the new girlfriend urged him to get new stuff for his place that it really sunk in. And this isn't the first time she has said something -- that I said for years on end -- and he listens...to HER!! I sometimes think, "Why wasn't I worth listening to?" PT and I have since talked about it -- one of our heart to hearts. Since it was his reasoning and rationale, I don't feel it is my place to explain his side.

You will notice that it is not only missing half of the fabric -- no clue as to where it went; I think the couch started eating itself -- but it is also brown corduroy. Yup stylish fun!!

Since the old, scary couch was in such bad shape, I bought a slip cover. Yes, I still have the damn couch. Anyone want it? It's FREE! Yup, slip cover is included...Come on, you know you want it.

I am pleased to report that my gout or plantar fasciitis is not, I repeat NOT affected by red wine. Whew! I was worried there. Do to my dedication to science, I decided to test out my theory...I drank red wine. Remember, it's all in the name of science. I was pleased that the next morning my heel was not quite as bad as the morning I walked around like a drunken 90 year old. I know you were all worried about this. 

Along the wine theme, the strangest thing happened yesterday. So for the last few days I have had workers at the house fixin' stuff. I had the pest control guy come out...interesting character who I will talk about -- or not -- in a bit. I also had a landscaper dude come out and fix my fence. Nice guy, does good work; I've worked with him in the past so I'm cool with him. At the end of the day yesterday -- day 2 of fence/gate fixin' -- he made some joke about beer. Apparently his helper made a crack about how a cold beer would be good about 'now'. Which I totally understood. They had been working in the sun and heat all day. Sometimes, I'm too honest for my own good...I replied that I had wine, but no beer. The guy who wanted the beer proceeds to ask what kind of wine and of course I answer -- honestly 'cuz I don't know when to shut up -- red and white (which was chilling in the fridge, yup, told them that too). I must really learn to shut my mouth! Somehow it came about that he would take some red. Now, to be honest I may have offered -- it's how I am. Seriously, some strong duct tape might do me some good! Thank goodness it was 2 buck chuck! So, yes I poured the wine for them -- in classy red plastic cups! Between the two they drank almost the whole bottle. I think they were done, or almost done, with the work. Seriously, it was a very surreal experience. And yes, I would -- and will -- hire him again to do work for me around the house.

I am all too aware that I am a healthy young woman. However, there are times when something goes wrong with my body and I assume I have some strange disease or ailment. To date I have had -- in my 'OMG, What the hell is going on?' moments -- tumors, heart disease, arthritis (some doc says I do have this....bummer), thyroid issues (still suspect this one), pulled muscles, have started menopause, going blind and a host of others. Currently I have been having issues with my right heel. Each morning when I get out of bed I have trouble walking. It really hurts. Some days are better than others. And within a few minutes I am fine -- or as fine as I'm ever going to be. So this morning I really couldn't walk on the foot. I was hobbling around worse than a drunk 90 year old. Now, I have never actually seen a drunk 90 year old -- most family members don't live that long -- but I have a vivid imagination. So I thought to myself, "What the hell did I do to make it worse today then ever before?" The answer...red wine. Okay those of you who know me, know that last night was NOT my first drink of the 'All Healing Liquid', but it did get me thinking. I may not have plantar fasciitis like I originally suspected, it could be GOUT! Now, in all actuality, I will be fine in a month or two...all my ailments fade when I get bored with them. I'm like an 8 year old, ADD kid with a new toy. And in all likelihood, it is probably related to stress. That seems to have been the theme for me within the last year. I mean, I couldn't even move my right arm up and down for several months due to stress. Although my original prognosis -- my own prognosis -- was a torn muscle.


Okay, I just looked up gout....it's in the big toe. But whose to say that it can't move to the heel? 


So tonight was the Farmer's Market. My lettuce guy was there...thankfully. He really is a cutie...and WAY too young . However, to his credit he was reading a book on Karma and positive and negative energy. I did chat with him for a few about Law of Attraction, Ester and Jerry Hicks, and Wayne Dyer. That's all I got folks. 

Yeah, I've got nothing else going on in my life so I talk about my dog... A LOT. That and I don't get out much....It's his fault! I am, by nature, a person who likes to enjoy life and take it easy. You know, relax...a lot...maybe too much! So as much as I like to lounge around, Samson does it 10 times better than me. I mean he was so lazy today I had to carry him outside to go to the bathroom. Then upon re-entry (to the house) he took off to the bedroom, with his treat in mouth and never bothered to eat. That led to vomit on the new brown couch...again -- but I'll talk more about that later. So at this point, with Samson's approval and mentoring, I'm pretty sure I haven't left the house in a few days. In my defense, I A) have taken a shower everyday -- I may like to relax, but I also enjoy being clean. and B) I was ill yesterday. I contemplated not going to the gym this evening, ya know recovery from yesterday's illness. But then Dianna -- curse her -- texted me back and I will meet her there. Thankfully, it's only one class.


So the dog gets it into his head that he doesn't need to eat, or he is waiting for the good stuff in the evening -- wet food. Either way it's annoying. First of all, the food just sits there all day. Secondly, and more importantly, this lack of eating leads to an upset stomach and a build up of bile or something. Anyway, the dog vomits. And lately this has happened on the new couch. I mean, come on...hit the old couch. No one sees that one and you can't tell one stain from another. At least today he did it all over -- and I do mean all over -- a new throw pillow. That was an easy solution; throw it in a washer. I don't buy the super fancy, silky, embroidered or otherwise embellished pillows. One must think about drool stains. If you ask me the whole reason for pillows is to rest your pretty little head on and take a nap. And yes, I drool therefore, I must take this into account when purchasing these things. So in the end, the pillow went into the washer and I made him eat.


Now for something a little deep. I am a runner. Not in the sense that I go out --- I just told you I hadn't been out in days -- but one that tends to run away from sticky situations and problems. Within the last year I have stopped running -- and living on 'Survival Mode' as my therapist put it. Last year was my 20th High School Reunion. I grew up and graduated in the Detroit, MI area. Via Facebook -- which I made fun of for the longest time and am now an addict myself -- I have reconnected with many. This has been both fun and interesting. Fun in the sense that I am reconnecting with some good people and interesting in the fact that I am becoming friends with some that I hardly ever spoke to. I am realizing that good people are out there. I have had a few offers from 'new friends' to stay with them when I come into town. This has touched me, mainly I think because only one family member -- and the majority of my family is in the area -- has extended that offer to me. So I guess this means that I am beginning to make better choices in the people I want to be surrounded by and whom I call 'friends'. 

I am amazed at the size of Samson's bladder. For a 10 pound dog with 4 inch legs, he has great bladder control and capacity. Almost every day we go for a nice walk around the hood, and inevitably on this walk he has to do some business. Usually it is of the liquid type, but occasionally it is the solid type. No fear friends and neighbors, I always have my trusty plastic baggie with me. When it comes to the liquid type, I am in constant awe. First off, he likes to brag by going on the sidewalk instead of grass. At first I was confused by this. I mean, at home he frolics and does his 'thing' on the grass. But now I'm on to the boy! He leaves a puddle, no. lake, the size of which an animal several times his size would normally leave. I am still trying to figure out where he keeps it all.