Recovery
Just a quick update: mom came through surgery without any problems, and she is on the road to recovery. I had to leave the hospital early today because I just couldn't deal anymore. I am very tired.
Must nap.

The Unmitigated Gall!
After seeing every specialist in the hospital over the past two days, they think they have isolated the problem. Her gallbladder is very inflamed, infected and filled with stones. It will be removed tomorrow. She will be without gall. I told her they couldn't touch her temerity or even her p and v, though. She was marginally reassured!
Anyway, it was another long day at the hospital, but I feel we are on the right track. She was much better today.
We had an exciting adventure in bathing--I was glad I wore my water shoes. That's all I need say about that.
I find I have a certain sense of unreality when I am in hospitals for any given time. Everything seems slightly off. At least that's what I was going to say before discovering that my glasses are completely kattywumpus and it's a miracle I can see properly at all. That could definatley be adding to my goofy feeling.
I have however showered, so I've got that going for me, which is nice.

C596
Mom's hospital room for anyone curious.
Today has been a very long day.
I woke up at 5 with Eric and was looking forward to a nice long bike ride with dad at the trails in Irving. At about 6, mom and dad came out, and mom was a mess. I went to the ER with her and stayed the whole day.
At one point when her fever reacher 103 she was shaking so much I thought she was going to fall off the bed. Her blood pressure dipped down to 90 over 38, and she became completely unglued. She kept asking if dad was sick.
Anyway, we finally got her settled upstairs, and they brought both the fever and blood pressure undercontrol, so she is resting comfortably. We still, however, do not know what is wrong with her except that she has an infection somewhere in her body. Hopefully tomorrow brings some answers.
For my part I have developed an extremely upset stomach. I guess it's my stress reaction. That and hives. Ah, beautiful hives! I'm an attractive unshowered, hive started, gym clothes wearing mess. Be lucky there is no virtual scratch and sniff because I"m fairly sure I am a little rank.
The good news is that the situation is under control. Hopefully tomorrow will bring answers. And a shower. Yes, that would be good.
I'm not seeing straight, so it's off to some mindless television and then to bed.

Magnum
Someone should have me stopped, but I can't get enough Magnum P.I. episodes on the WGN. Is a sign that my sanity might be slipping just a little? I never watched it as a kid (a little before my time for one and also because my parents made us pay to watch t.v.), but the cheese factor is delicious. Hooray for 80s short shorts and the men who were proud to wear them. Too bad Eric can't grow a mustache (he has a bald spot on his stache!)
I was foolish and took a Tyenol p.m. last night, and this morning my brain was like mush. I had to go back to bed and sleep it off. Apparently these things really affect me. After my morning workout, however, I feel much better and am ready to tackle high speed chases in classic Ferraris.
You gotta love the life of a teacher.
Sent off the last of the loan paperwork (until the next time), so now we just count down. I will be chilling in the new pool in 18 days. Sooner if I can master the time and space continuium. I'll keep you posted on my progress in that regard.

My Wild Side
I displayed it yesterday by finally taking Eric to the zoo. I've been promising for 5 years. The best part is the Otter Outlook. There is no one, I don't care how hard hearted they imagine themselves to be, that can look at frolicing otters and not be happy. Master of Evil Dick Cheney himself would be cooing at the creatures. Pictures will follow soon of the otters and Eric's alligator wrestling!
Spent last evening chilling with Evangeline at Glorias and the Gingerman. Very fun.Friday we saw Ralphie May which was also pretty cool--we started talking to these people at our table which reminded me that we can make friends. How dorky is that?
The main point is that I'm determined to fully enjoy this city. When we lived in Austin we didn't fully explore what that amazing city had to offer. I will not make that same mistake again. Today we are going to see Shakespeare in the Park. I want to be a part of a city not just hit the chain stores and restaurants in the suburbs and think that's what it's all about.
As I'm done with my manifesto I"m going to sign off and check on my coffee. No one with a manifesto can start the day without some java.

Avalanche
Two tables cascade with paperwork for these houses, and there is no end in sight. After completing 13 pages of paperwork yesterday for the mortgage brokers, I have to do it all again today because they forgot to change their address and my printer was not terribly clear. Bleh. My signing hand hurts from overuse! Anyway, again I know it will all be worth it when we're chilling, partying, and swimming at the new house in a few weeks.
Dad and I walked in the Carrollton Nature Preserve today which was lovely but even by 8am it was hotter than all get out. It's amazing how summer takes me by surprise every year. Somehow I"m always shocked at how uncomfortable I am.
Clem has taken to digging in the houseplants lately, so I had to buy a bag of rock and cover them. She tried to sit in one today and got a big surprise. I am sure she can't wait until she has her own space again.
Now I"m rambling. That is all.

Update
After 3 and 1/2 hours of being on hold, Gold's Gym finally took my call and canceled my membership.
During that time I came up with so many new forms of profanity and particularly vilianous curses.

Worst Service Ever
I have been on hold with the GOld's Gym Customer Service people for 2 frickin' hours. This is the worst service I have ever received, and I have already gone to every consumer watch dog website to post a commplaint. I hope everyone at the service center has a horrible case of the runs and is currently cramping up on the toilet while angry beetles are nipping at their toes. That would be the only excuse for such monumentally crappy service.

Moral Outrage and New Seating
I have been watching Headline News in the morning, and what I see makes me physically ill. They discovered the bodies of the two privates kidnapped in Iraq. They were mutilated beyond recognition and turned into weapons. They were babies. I just wish someone could give me one reason why that happened. Why are we there? If we were actually defending America I might understand. If there was actually a threat (any WMDs)I might possibly understand. If we did not choose to invade a country and start an unwinable war perhaps I could come to some peace about these and the other 3,000 deaths of Americas and the tens of thousands of deaths of Iraqis. Senseless.
Now that I've gotten that out of my system, my other big news is that we bought our lovely chaise sectional last night. I highly recommend Basset Furniture Direct. The cool thing is that you get to pick exactly what you want, and they will make it for you. You select the style, the configuration, the pillow type, the base type, the fabric, the ribbing, ect. It costs a little more but has a lifetime warantee, gets delivered more quickly and is exactly what you want. The couch itself is made of what the sales lady called "Teddy Bear fabric." It's soft and fuzzy in a taupe sort of color.. The accent pillows are too cute in modern patterns with taupe, cream, green, and aqua. It is going to be a perfect little haven even if it doesn't have a cuddler! It should be delivered around the time we move into the house.
I'm trying to get my act together today, but I have no plans and no energy. Ebony meowed all night--right in my ear. I might try to get some sleep before figuring out my day. Working yesterday was so nice--perhaps I'll end up there again. Next summer when I am not moving, I will find a job. I acknowledge my complete and total inability to chill.

12,000,000 Staples
That's the number I pulled from the bulletin boards in my new classroom today. What began as a quick errand turned into a 9-2 workday, but I feel 10 times more energized than when I stay at home. Amazing how that works. Once again I will never be able to stay home full time--it makes me into a rabid beast!
Anyway, I met the science teacher and her grandson who helped me do a lot of stuff in my room, and we all went to a nice lunch with the assisntant principal too. It was really cool to talk to those people, hang out, get the inside scoop and just socialize. I was complaining to E last night that what I really can't stand about not working is the utter lack of interesting conversation during the day. I love to talk!
I think I'm really going to fit in at the new job, and I'm getting excited about starting. I might go in again this week to put up paper and do other settling in activities. That's just how I roll.
Eric too seems to like his new job. They seem really impressed with his capabilities which is a huge boost to his self-esteem. I think he can really advance at this company. i love it that he's happy.
House closing continues on schedule, and I fill out about 17 documents each day and field calls from several realtors. This will all be so worth it when I'm chilling in the new pool. Actually both sales have gone amazingly well ( currently knocking on this old wooden desk).
I do have something weighing on my mind, however, and that, as usual, is Toby. I just went to see him today to take him on a nice walk. For the first time I got to go back and see where they keep him, and I was completely horrified. He only has a small metal cage with little padding, and he's there with about 20 other dogs. The noise level is deafening. He started coughing badly when I went back, and he freaked out and leapt into my arms. Everyone who reads this knows that Toby and I are really not friends, but this simply isn't right. I need a plan B desperately. Perhaps I can sweet talk my parents or something because I cannot in good conscience leave him there another 3 weeks. Not right.
M and D come home tomorrow, so I need to clean and perhaps do something nice for them. It can't be easy to have your empty nest invaded.

Worst Luck Ever
I have had a very trying morning. Shortly after my last post I decided to get my butt in gear, head to Curves and then see what the day offered me. Before leaving, however, I discovered that Clementine's box needed to be cleaned; thus I began a 2 and 1/2 hour odyssey. I dutifully cleaned her box and headed outside to the trashcan to despose of the gross bad. As I headed out, I shut the screen door behind me. Little did I know that it would lock in place. There I was, no shoes, no keys, no phone, no money, no tools, nothing. I walked around to every door and window to plan my return: nothing. I tried pulling, pushing, swearing, poking, dismantling with a paint key. Nothing doing. I tried to train Clementine to climb up and unlock the door--less than successful. I then decided I needed a break, so I went around front to grab the paper and read it in the back yard. I had to pee in the bushes.
Finally I found some garden shears that I used to unscrew on of the screws holding the screen, I pulled out the stationary screen and used the 2 inch opening to stick a long pruning sheer through, push up the lock mechanism, and grant me freedom. Now I'm sore, tired, scraped, battered and rather unamused. Whoever heard of a screen door that automatically locks?
Anyway if you haven't been locked out for over 2 hours this morning, you're one up on me.

Gurgle, Gurgle
Tummy upset.
Sadness.
Icky.

I just wanted to lodge a complaint.

I tried taking Clem for a walk on her leash. That went about as well as it sounds.

Happy Father's Day
Enjoy your special day, dads.
We had a lurvely weekend full of crazy good food, beer, nights on the patio, shopping, horrific losses at pool, and family. Most excellent. Friday we went to a wonderful bar called Lee Harvey's which is in a seedy part of town, but it's basically a bunch of picinic tables on a huge tree covered lot, a stage which was occupied by a pretty rockin' roadhouse type band, and a small inside area where one can find both wonderful food (I recommend the portabella mushroom pannini) and buckets of beer. I can't remember when I had a more pleasant evening. Saturday night we hung with Jen, Jay and some of thier friends, and that was lot of fun too. We seemed to get along with them well, and I hope we hang out again. It's weird going from having so many friends to having to make them again. Still, I'm up for the challenge I think.
M and D left for a cozy cabin in Tennessee, so Eric and I have the house to ourselves. Well, ourselves and 3 cats. We just finished a dinner of mom's mac and cheese, and now we are floating, sickeningly full, around the house. So good!
Transitions are hard, but I am so very lucky to have the family, friends, husband and cat that I do. Toby keeps me humble.

Wind Swept
As I was riding this morning, I kept thinking of how to describe the feeling of liberation and complete freedom you get when you're in the saddle on a nice day--the wind hits your face perfectly and at times it seems you fly. I even love the feeling of pulling myself up a difficult hill one painful push after another. It makes me feel my muscles are alive and growing. There really is nothing like the rush of achieving the summit of a hill, pausing to look at your achievement and then flying down. The world disappears on a bike. It is definately the best money I ever spent--I can't think of anything else that has given me so many hours of pure pleasure.
After my ride and morning coffee with m and d, I went to Curves with mom. That's a different sort of work out, but I enjoyed the fact that it's just 30 minutes. I'll probably go back again tomorrow. I love the feeling of a body in action, it makes problems seem smaller somehow.
I also checked a few furniture stores which is always a good time. I am leaning towards some stuff I saw at Lazboy. One of the sectionals I like has a piece called "the cuddler." I must have a cuddler!
Clem jumped into a plant, and everyone is mad at her. She just doesn't understand why she cannot examine every square inch of the house. Poor misunderstood kitten!

Expensive Day
Eek! Buying and selling a home is pretty much like hemorraging dinero. It's coming out rapidly both ends. I'm paying repairs on our house and inspections, earnest money, option money ect on the new house. It's a good thing I do not intend to do this again for a long time.
Eric seems to be getting into his job. He was all proud of himself today because he knew a lot about a program his supervisor didn't really understand. He's also feeling tremendously macho because he's working on a tank for the Marines. Actually as near as I can understand he's actually working on a map system for a tank. Or something. In any case, I think he's digging the new job although he will be much happier when we are situated closer to his work. The commute from Carrollton sucks.

I've been cooking all day for a dinner party the rents are throwing. I have diced, chopped, mixed, stired and baked more today than I have in months. E and I are not actually eating the fruits of my labor, however. We need a date. We haven't had one since before he left for Germany!

I drove over to the new house because I had to drop something off by the title company, and I made an exciting discovery--the house is only 2 minutes by car maybe 5 by bike from the lake and all of the trails and parks around it. How rockin' is that? Consider this your written invitation to visit and chill once we get settled in.

25
Went out to this amazing nature center this morning and got in a good 25 mile ride. . . it felt amazing although my butt now hates me. So much for the squishy gel seat. I accidentally got on an equestrian trail, though, but I stubbornly refused to give up until I kept sliding down a sand hill. Not my finest moment. Tomorrow is my easy training day--only 15 miles. I'm enjoying this process even if my butt is not.

Still have poison ivy despite soaking in vinegar until I smell like a salad. I feel like no 28 year old should have poison ivy. Isn't that in the realm of 10 year old boys? Toby was an idiot and I have arms of fire.

The cohabitation experiment has gone well--Maggie and Ebony leave Clem alone. She is currently enjoying Ebony's little ball chaser-ring and eating the good nip. Life's good when you're cute and fuzzy.

I'm boring. No drama today. Tomorrow's not looking good either.

1505 Briarcrest
I am not supposed to say much about the deal, but our offer was accepted on our new house! I am excited because I see this as a place Eric and I can be happy. When it is more official, I will be able to share in greater detail. SEveral pertinent factors:
1) It has a swimming pool and hot tub!
2) It has a big wet bar in the living room!
3) The master bath is very large with nice soaking tub!

The first two mean we will have excellent parties. The last point of interest means I will be able to read in the tub which makes me happy.
Anyway, I am happy and am looking forward to continuing the process. It's not as painful as I thought it would be. I am sure that comes later. Anyone wanting a realtor needs to check out Jay.
I ended up at Christ the King today. I was supposed to be there to pick something up and ended up staying a few hours. I am getting more enthused about the job. Everyone there is really nice, and I think I will be able to suceed there.
Clem and Maggie have met briefly, and with time I think it will all work out. Toby is still at the bording facility, but I am starting to feel guilty.
Eric had his big first day, and he seems to like the job so far. I think this will be a wonderful move for him.
Anyway all of this is to say so far, so good. I know there will be frustrations, but I think this is where we are supposed to be, and that we are doing what we are supposed to be doing. That being said, I already miss the Austin crew. No transition is easy I suppose.

Boo Yeah!
Yesterday we got two offers on the house, because of this we were able to negociate and get exactly what we wanted. Yay! Anyway we will be closing in July. Today we go out with Jay and look at houses. If we like something we can make an offer this week. I am very excited. It's like a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.
We had a lovely going away dinner on Friday night that was special. Thanks to all who came out and celebrated with us. And thanks for six good years, Austin!
We're in the middle of filling out bank forms and other paper work--boring but necessary I guess. Eric is also trying to convince me that we absolutely must go to Frys this morning. Something he can't live without, I'm sure. . . Actually that was a big selling point for Dallas, apparently they have 2 Fry's here. Something every city needs I guess.
Tonight we hang with Snoobie at his new pad in Allen. I hear it's Nutria infested! everyone loves nutria.

Too Small, Bad Floor Plan, Ugly Paint
It seems that Eric and I have unwittingly been living in the crappiest house in the world. I think I should stop reading the comments, they just hurt my feelings. I hate this process.
Had a strange day. Did my bike ride in the morning, and then I had to leave the house for a viewing, so Toby and I did another long walk. Then right when I got back a friend called who needed help, so I've been out most of the day. It's probably a good thing since I drive myself nuts here.
I can't believe I"m going to leave tomorrow. I know I will be back, but I will never "live" here again. I keep thinking of all that needs to be done, but in truth I think most everything is finished. It's all over but the leaving. I should probably do one final cleaning of everything before leaving so the house looks perfect for visitors. I am also in charge of packing up all of the clothing and transporting it, the pets, and my bike to Dallas tomorrow morning. Eric is not helping because apparently going tubing is more important. Who knew.
Tonight we party. I am totally craving Carrabba's eggplant--cheesy, gooey yumminess! What I probably want even more is a nice glass of white wine, an elegant table cloth and some really fantastic company. Yes, it should be a good night.

13.7
That's my mileage count for this morning. I"m feeling a little proud I've either walked or biked every day this week. Some days I have even done both. I'm taking my bike up to Dallas this weekend, maybe I"ll get Dad to show me some good trails around there. If we move to Grapevine it will rock because they have 32 miles of interconnected trails around the lake and nature centers. My goal for this year is to really improve my stamina and endurance as well as speed. I aim to complete a couple of bike races or even duathalons. (Not tri--my swimming stinks)
We had a nice diner in Salado last night with Eric's co-workers. We went to The Range which is a truly fantastic restaurant--very yummy! They were really sweet and bought him a plaque with a propeller on it , thanking him for his years of service. Tonight we have a big goodbye dinner with friends at Carrabbas which should be fun (as well as sad). The thing is I don't really feel like I'm leaving them, because we will be back. But it is a good excuse to wear my new little brown dress that I bought a few weeks ago. It too is yummy and a testament to my weight loss.
I have this crazy icky rash on my arms that is driving me nuts. It is from one of two things. I first noticed it after I picked up Toby who had been in Lorraine's back yard--perhaps he had some sort of mite or something (I don't get along well with mites) but I had also spent all day packing boxes and it is right where I hold the cardboard. I could be allergic. I have not idea the cause but it hurts and itches like you wouldn't believe. I"m dousing myself in benedryl but it only takes the edge off. (At least it's on my arms so I am still well supported!)
Well tomorrow the world changes. Freaky.
Exciting but truly freaky.

Sigh
Just got more feedback about the house--the people who looked at it hated the colors we've used inside and said the outside was only average. I know this should not matter to me in the least, but it does. I spend hours every day trying to make it look nice for people, and so far to no avail. A little discouraging.
In brighter news, had a nice ladies night last night. We just did dinner and a movie, but it was quite lovely. Good conversation. Sometimes I really enjoy seeing people I don't know all that well--it leads to interesting conversation based more on things like books, movies, history rather than on people. In any case it was a nice way to spend an evening.
Tonight we are meeting Eric's coworkers in Salado for a farewell dinner. I think it's pretty sweet that they are making this big deal. It makes him feel really good. They're also doing a lunch for him too with a larger group of people. He's worked for this guy Chris for his entire career which is kinda neat.
Talked to dad yesterday, and he's convinced me to bring the pets up with us this weekend and look into friendly boarding centers so they'll be near us and so I will not have to do so much back and forth. At least then I'll know they will get the attention they need. I could also visit daily.
We have another showing today, and I'm going to try to walk Toby again. Hopefully we will not have a repeat incident.
Maybe this will be the day.

Crap
Apparently the person who put an offer on our house did so without actually checking her finances. Today they decided that she could not afford a 3 bedroom house and is buying a 2 bedroom for $20,000 cheaper. Something that would have been nice to know before getting my hopes up. Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap.
On the plus side I've been having 2 people a day come to see it. I noticed that one of the people who came by today has been here before. Perhaps that is promising. I am sick of the whole thing.
I hung out with Lorraine this afternoon, and that was really nice. Got some hugs in with Natasha and Luthor as a bonus. She was also kind enough to let Toby hang in the back yard while we were out. I can safely say it was more pleasant than packing boxes. I've actually packed away the entire kitchen and purchased paper goods for the rest of the time we are here. In addition, I found someone who will take our couches this week. The house is starting to look really empty--now I just need someone to buy it.
I just hope my house on Bear Haven is not gone by the time I am ready to make an offer on it. I dream of having parties on that deck!
Oh well I have the important things--Eric, family, a job, Clementine, friends. Shelter is overrated!
I just realized it's 6-6-6 today--perhaps just an ill fated day after all. Two things will happen tonight: I will go see The Omen and I will drink some red wine. I dont' think Damien was very patient either.

Rolling
I hope I set a good precedent--I got up with Eric and as he left, I took off on my bike for a nice 12 mile ride. It felt perfect. 6 a.m. is the only time of day riding makes any sense. Anyway, my goal is to do this all summer no matter where I am. By the end of it I will hopefully be in better shape. It also eases my anxiety which at the moment is fairly high. That bike was the best $300 I ever spent.
I'm going for breakfast and coffee with Erin and the girls. That should be fun, and I think we could both use some time out of the house. I know I am totally craving a cappuchino. Ummm, frothy, creamy, caffiney goodness!
My goal for the afternoon is to get more boxes and pack up the dishes and the rest of the books. If I'm really productive I'll mow the lawn. I'm not feeling that productive I don't think.
Toby is doing much better although he is still slightly sluggish. If anything it's made him a little calmer and more controllable. I think it also helps that the groomer cut off all of his hair. He lost 5 pounds!

EEK
I'm freaking out because the chick who put in an offer is coming back tonight to look at the house. I have been cleaning for hours--again. Hopefully all will work out. I am uncertain how much more I can do. Anyway, I hope we can finalize the deal so we can buy a house in Dallas this weekend. That's the goal.
I need to go pick Toby up from the groomers and see how he is feeling.
Eek.
Eek.
Eek.

Better
Toby is much better. He's walking, eating, drinking, and has even started to follow us around again. I think he's going to be just fine. Thank you Pete and Erin for your help!
I am also better since Eric is home.

I Didn't Mean It
Toby and I just returned from a very harrowing walk over at Mills Pond. I am now fairly certain that Toby had some sort of heat stroke. We were about 3 miles out when he fell over and refused to get up. He was spewing white foam and panting heavily. He didn't seem to be able to stand or use his back legs. I carried him for another 2 miles or more, stopping every 100 yards or so because he's heavy. At first he would just collapse on his side when I put him down, but eventually he got back on his feet. He is now walking, but it's not right. He seems to be unable to walk straight. Anyway, my friend Pete thinks he will just gradually get back to normal as he cools down and chills out inside. I hope so. As much as this dog and I do not get along, I was seriously freaking out, thinking he was going to die on me without Eric here. Poor dog.
Eric gets home in two hours! Yay!

This is the Day
After two weeks of acting like a complete idiot, whimpering, watching countless hours of horrible television I will get what I want. Eric comes home today although I am still a little unsure on his arrival time. He spent the night at the Munich Airport Hotel in hopes of maybe catching an earlier flight out. Hopefully he managed to grab one.
Last night I was even more of an idiot than usual--I watched a couple of horror movies that while not very good made me keep the lights on until well after 1 a.m. I have also turned into a CSI junkie--Spike plays it multiple times a day and I get a kick out of it.
This week my goal is to pack everything I possibly can into boxes so I can leave with Eric next weekend and not have to worry about anything. My goal for next weekend is to buy a house! I am so excited about doing this. As much as I like our house now, it's really Eric's house--he got to pick everything. The next one will be our house, and that makes all the difference. I am excited--I just hope everything moves as smoothly as it can. I know the next few weeks are going to be crazy and stressful when we have no place to live, but we might even have some fun with it. We're spending most of the time at my parents, but we might do a little hotel surfing too. If at all possible we will take off for a weekend and hit some place we've never been. Eric has a ridiculous amount of frequent flyer miles we need to use. I haven't been anywhere since college. It's time.
Toby has some sort of freaky oral fixation. WHen he's not trying to lick off his own paw, he's licking my foot. Very strange. I've been giving him Claritin for his skin condition, maybe it's a weird side effect. In any case it's pretty nasty.
I'm so tired, but at least I know I will sleep well tonight.
I need a book to read--I can't bring myself to finish the one I'm working on now by Mark Helprin. I tried to get to Barnes and Noble yesterday, but the highway up there is such a disaster that after the 4th turn around without nearing my destination, I headed elsewhere. Actually that was another testament to my patheticness. I went to Highland Mall and basically walked laps. I didn't even look at any stores. Very woe is me.
I think I need a nap. Getting out of bed might not have been my wisest move.

Zoom Zoom
It's only 8:30 and I"ve already been tremendously productive. Got up at 6:30, caught up on email, stalked people on myspace, and then did a quick 10 miles on the bike. You'd think I'd remember how good that feels and do it every day instead of moping around the house. Actually that is my new goal--to get in some biking every day. I love the feeling of successfully mastering a hill. I'm no Lance, but I love the challenge.
I should have eaten though, because I came home and promptly threw up the contents of several people's stomachs. Ick. I'm going to remedy that, however, and go grab a newspaper, find a good place for breakfast and coffee and just hang out.
Eric is coming home tomorrow, so this might be my last day of obsessive running of the blog. . .

Potato Potato Potato
Just back back from the motorcycle parade--too cool. I must have seen easily 10,000 hoggs. It was a wild experience, and 6th street was packed with interesting characters--I'm glad I got to go again before leaving.
The coolest cycle was one made to look like the back half of a VW bug. I wish I had gotten a pic. I did snap a pic of Leslie in fishnets and a leather thong. Gotta have that as a keepsake. I wonder if Dallas has a resident transvestite?
I have such a weird thing about motorcycles. On the one hand cousin Rodney died on his and the hwole lifestyle is unappealing, on the other the sound of all of those custom bikes rolling past gave me a goosebumps.
Anyway, it was a good night. We hit Coyote Ugly, Ivory Cats, Buffalo Billards and Flamingo Cantina which has a rockin' roof top section.
Next year I bring my Raleigh road bike and show them who's boss. (They are, I'm sure)

Who Loves You, Baby?
Because I am a giver, I'm going to save you $8.
Do not go see The Breakup. Just say no.
I had to get out of the house so I thought I'd check out a movie. . . mistake. What is wrong with Hollywood? I didn't really want to see it, but it was the least offensive choice on the marquee. As Lorraine said "If you want to see The War of the Roses mixed with Friends, rent War of the Roses and the 1st season of friends." Wise woman.
Anyway, I shall wash the taste out of my mouth at tonight's bike parade and rally. Omar and the Howlers and Vallejo are going to play. Eric told me I couldn't run off with anyone in chaps.
He's bummed because he won't be home until at least Sunday and he's feeling sick and sad and rather pathetic himself. Besides all of this despite the fact that he's worked for 14 straight days, his co-workers forgot to request overtime, so he's getting screwed. At least he only has 5 more days of work for them! I'm glad he's found a place that seems to really want and appreciate him.
I got moving quotes today. There was only one problem--we have no house to move in to and no moving date. Details, no? Who needs a place to live? So bougeois! At least we have a tent. Actually that could be fun. . .

No Z
Can't sleep.
Bleh.
Eric might come home on Saturday. . . or not. It's almost impossible to get a straight answer.
I can't wait until next weekend when we get to decide on the new house. I've done some calcuating, and for only a few hundred more a month we can get a rockin' house and a 15 year mortgage note instead of 30. Tres cool.
None of this helps my current state of pathetic, though. The evening ended with me eating oreos and watching a documentary on Soddom and Gomorrah--how sad is that? I had forgotten that Lot committed incest with his daughters. Very icky. It's amazing what you never wwanted to remember on the History Channel. They're exploiting the whole DaVinci Code thing nad doing nearly constant Bible related stuff--I am not sure that was athe purpose of the channel, but I guess they go with the market. Tomorrow I must come up with something productive to do--perhaps box packing? Maybe I'll even see a movie or something.
Pete and I plan to hit the Republic of Texas Motorcycle Rally downtown tomororw night--they do a huge parade of hoggs. I figure this is exactly the sort of thing I need to see if I am planning on leaving Austin soon. Perhaps 50,000 Harleys barreling down the street will lift my pathetic away.
One can hope.

St. Joe
Whoot!
There's been an offer made on the house!! Whoot!!!
Whoo!
Whoot!
One more time. . . whoot!
All we have to do is get an AC guy to come give the unit his blessing and we have sold our house for exactly what we were asking. Whoo!!!
Even Clemmy is excited. I can tell because she is climbing the bookshelves.
Whoot!

Gone to the Dogs
In order to escape the lonely houe, I've read two books this week: one was fairly interesting and one was quite excellent. The first was The Jane Austen Book Club. It was a little patchy, but pretty interesting, especially if you've read a lot of Jane Austen. I probably wouldn't have read it if it hadn't been sitting on mom's shelf and I hadnt' been bored. Still, not bad. The second book is called The Dogs of Babel THe book sis fascinating and heartbreaking. Lovely. It's not my usual sort of fare, but I thought it was supremely well written and beautiful. Now I am bookless again and pondering some extremely dangerous amazon.com shopping. Darn them and their reasonable prices.
It's a pretty nasty day--all thunder clouds and drippiness. The pets are both curled up in bed, and it's not a bad suggestion. It's a sort of do crossword puzzles and eat oreos in bed day.
Talked to Eric earlier--he may or may not be back on Saturday. Apparently he got his rented BMW stuck in the mud while trying to get to the field exercises today. I'm not certain that he was amused. He's also sworn off German food forever. I even heard him say he was sick of beer! The situation has grown serious. He asked for good mexican food and a margarita when he returns. I am always happy to oblige requests for frozen tequila tastiness.
No one has called about the house today--I'm sure they are waiting until I have started some sort of messy project or have just begun to enjoy a meal. Still it will be all worth it when we have begun the next chapter.
If anyone knows a good book for me, please comment! My unoccupied brain is dangerous.