my first inamorato: part 2

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my first inamorato: part 1

Afterwards, the cards were fewer and farther between.

Two years later, I went to visit my friend in Washington. When my visit was almost over, I finally called Jim. I can' even recall if I talked to him or got the answering machine. I called because I felt I had to, not that I wanted to. Whatever was between us, was gone and I didn't want to look like I was trying to hang on. We never had an end, it just faded.

Over the years, I thought about him. Not often but enough. I have a pretty good memory. I was SO surprised to hear from. His email was rather long and he apologized if he had hurt me. I assured him that he didn't. The fact is, he offered and I was ready. Love was not involved, probably not even lust, but a strong attraction and I was starved for attention never having a boyfriend since fifth grade where going together was more of a declaration more than any physical action.

What was really weird was him saying that he has read my blog. Oh lord! What does he think of me?
I finally emailed him back. I kept it light. He is married now, happily he repeated in his email. I thought it might be nice to have an email pal. I never got a response. Was he injured or killed? Did he think I wanted something more? I thought a lot about this. My theory is that he is in some kind of recovery, some 12 step program where he has to make amends.

charlie's soap

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When I learned to do laundry, we were using powdered detergent in a box. You grabbed a scoop and dumped it into the washer. Powder was everywhere. If you needed bleach, only on whites, you added a half a cup to this green jar we had then filled the rest with water. Once the washer was filled and moving, you could add the bleach.

Then we got some crystal detergent in a bottle. The cap was the measuring scoop. It was all very handy and neat. That product was replaced by Free. At least I think that was the name of the detergent and it was a liquid! A liquid? Yes, a nice little bottle and you poured in the amount and did not spill powder all over the place until you felt like you were at the beach. We eventually switched to Tide and have been there for years.

When I had a baby, everyone said you had to use Dreft because it got out the stains and was gentle for baby. And it smelled great. Only it smelled worse than 3 day old diapers and I couldn't stand to use it. I switched to Tide Free, which had no dies and no scents to irritate baby's skin. I found I liked it too for some of my clothes especially the ones right next to my skin.

Now I find out that Tide isn't so good for the environment. Huh? Well, liquid Tide isn't so bad but there are better products out there. Charlie's Soap is one I keep reading about. You especially see it talked about at the baby and diaper sites. And Charlie's Soap is supposed to cut down on the washer build up gunk. I have a lot of gunk because I have a Maytag Neptune front loading washer. And this washer is supposed to be left open between loads. Except I can't leave it open or my son would crawl in there! So the gunk grows.

OK, I'll try some but I don't want to pay shipping. Can't I find some locally? No, a few places might carry the all-purpose cleaner but no one carries the laundry detergent. I find a place that seems to have a good deal and place my order. Now all I have to do is use up the Tide I have and make the switch. Except every time I get low, dad goes out and buys more. Oops. OK, we are on the same page and have used up the Tide.

I have been using Charlie's Soap for a few weeks and I like it. There is less gunk in the washer, which is good. I haven't noticed any more softness in my clothes but that's OK. They didn't seem scratchy to me in the first place. I guess it helps to buy cotton.

My only problem is the powder all over the place. I hate that sticking to my hands. Yep, it's a sensory thing and I feel like I am back at the beach.

groceries

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I admit it, I haven't paid much attention to grocery prices. I guess I figure it's one of life's necessities and worrying about every increase will just further my depression.

I am very lucky in that when my dad comes to visit he buys most of the food. I go on Sundays after church and get some fresh vegetables and personal items.

I checked out today and almost fainted when I heard the cashier say $76. What?! Seriously?!

I got back to the car and added up the receipt. It was correct and it made me feel even more sick. I didn't get any Edy's Fruit Pops even thought they were on sale for $3.50 a box of 6. When did they jump from $2.50 a box to $3.79?

workout clothes

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When I started walking a few weeks ago, the weather was cold and I wore pants. Now the temps are back to normal and it's downright warm when walking in the sun. I put on shorts but hate the way they bunch up and have to keep tugging them down. I found some of my workout shorts but frankly I am not brave enough to walk around the neighborhood in lycra. I put my regular shorts on over but they still inch up.

I saw a thin woman jogging in this adorable running skirt. Oh that's what I need! Sure I'd love to be a thin jogger but it's not in my genes. But what I can do is get a skort. No, it won't be adorable on me but it will make me feel more confident when walking. I need one meant for exercise with bike shorts underneath. I looked online and found a couple at Junonia. One had pockets which are mandatory. Yes, I know pockets aren't flattering but are the better alternative to fanny packs Fanny packs are so wrong and should never be worn on these big hips. I ordered a skort, dang they are expensive, and will let you know how it works out.

learning from videos

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When the boys were little, they loved watching Thomas and Friends and Theodore Tugboat videos. When they started school, they stopped watching TV. They would rather play on their computers.

A couple of years ago, they discovered YouTube. Now they are back to watching their favorite videos, over and over again.

andy20090110

Yesterday, the boys got their hair cut. The typical routine is haircuts, bookstore then dinner. On the way to the bookstore, Andy was talking about his video camera. During the past 2 haircuts/bookstore/dinner routines, I have let him take his video camera in the store. But both times he has set it down and forgot where he put it. It's not a fancy video camera but still over $100 to replace and I am not going to replace it! So I told Andy that he cannot bring it in the store. He got angry and threw his hat into the empty seat next to him. We talked about someone else who got angry, Hank, and said "It's not fair!" Andy could relate his own frustration to Hank's and then talked it out and felt better.

Of course, he talked it out and over again for the rest of the evening.

rant

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Rant: The Oral Biography of Buster Casey Rant: The Oral Biography of Buster Casey by Chuck Palahniuk


My review


rating: 4 of 5 stars

If I had read a sample chapter, I probably would not have purchased this book. Rant Casey is a weird, stranger person and I wasn't sure I wanted to know more about him.

But I am one of those people that finishes what I start (I just don't start very much.) so I kept reading. Rant was still pretty messed up but the premise of time travel kept me interested.

The book did not answer every question and I still have a couple. Was Simms really Casey as well? Or did he just befriend Rant to try to get him to do what he wanted. I understand how Simms would time travel, rape the girl, then disappear. But is there a parallel universe where Casey never returns so Rant grows up without himself as his father? And why didn't Casey remember/know about the rotten eggs in the grass?

There is a lot of graphic language and some disturbing things. But it is interesting to think about the future and what will happen in a few years.

View all my reviews.