661.

Yesterday's date was fun.

We had lunch then hung out for hours and hours.

He reminds me of a few people. His voice and appearance remind me of a cousin. He also resembles a friend from home who is cool. (And hot.)

But he also reminds me of a friend's husband. And he has a dog.

Errrrrrr...

We have many shared interests and we vibed well so a friendship might be in order.

As always, we'll see.

* * *

I have tentative plans for the coming holiday weekend.

Miz A and I are invited back to K's for another BBQ tomorrow. If we go, it's possible we'll sleep over again.

Having grown-up sleep overs is fun. What I don't like is people getting up with the roosters the next morning, disturbing my much-needed beauty rest.

Hmmm... I might just bring myself home Saturday evening, so I can sleep until I feel like waking up. Plus there's nothing better than being comfy in my own bed.

Well, maybe a few things but I don't foresee any of them happening this weekend. Certainly not at K's house.

My grandma left a voice mail yesterday asking what I'm doing on Monday. She wants us all to picnic at the lake, like we did last year on July 4th.

There are a few beautiful parks near me, on the lake. The one we went to last year isn't high on my list. It's very small and although it's on the water, it's more of a small peninsula.

My favorite park is bigger. It spans several miles around the lake. It has walking trails, several private lake-front decks with grills, an enclosed rental space with picnic tables in front of it, a playground, a tennis court, a dog park and more.

I told my family we should go to the park I prefer but no one listened because someone convinced grandma that the small park is the best one the area has to offer.

Any way, I'm not sure I want to go to a park this year. There are literally tons of ducks and geese in the area which means tons of duck and geese sh*t sprinkled about in various inconvenient locations.

I'm not in the mood to be sidestepping fowl patties.

660.

Today I talked to my Thursday lunch date by phone and his voice triggered a memory of someone else.

But I can't remember who that someone else is and it's plaguing me.

The voice keeps playing over and over in my head and I feel like I'm seeing a face but for all the fish and grits in the south, I can't remember who it is.

I know it will come to me eventually.

Carry on y'all.

659.

Well y'all, I did not sleep until noon. I was awakened by the cell phone so rudely trilling at an unGodly 9:30 a.m.

So about four hours of sleep and I've been up since then with nary a nap.

Any who, details about the weekend! Which was a near-total snafu but not quite. Once again, que sera, sera because we all know what happens to the best-laid plans, yes?

As Mercury slowly returns to the straight and narrow, she seems to want to go out with a bang, leaving me amazed at the comedy of errors that was my weekend.

Please don't ask about Friday because I honestly don't remember much of what I did. No, I wasn't drinking. (Because I don't indulge.) It's just brain fog.

The one thing that stands out is that I made a new friend on Twitter. We tweeted nicely-worded 140s back and forth through out the day. By evening, we were discussing a meet-ya-halfway road trip.

We'll see.

Memories of Saturday are pretty clear, long day that is was.

I woke up earlier than I wanted (another day I intended to sleep until noon) and wouldn't you know it, pretty soon, I was running late.

My Twitter buddy and I traded an hour or so of DMs then I got outta here to make my Wal-Mart and Aldi run before the BBQ.

My TwitBud called while I was out and we talked until I returned home and had to get ready for my drive down to the Big City for the BBQ.

When I arrived (with a watermelon, a box of ice cream sandwiches, and two trays of Hawaiian bread), the shindig was in full swing.

As predicted, there was a small turn out: six of us. Miz A was there along with M (another member of our sister circle), K (our host), and C (another mutual friend who I've known for years and who just happened to meet Miz A through an event that C hosted at his home for K. (Long story that I'll have to tell here one day.)

There was also R, a lady-friend of K's and C's.

I was hungry enough to eat a wild boar when I arrived so I made haste of the hellos and got right down to gnawing on some baked chicken.

K, our host, was responsible for the green-veggies salad. When I looked for it, I saw that the ingredients were still untouched in the fridge. So it was a bread-meat-chips-dessert kinda afternoon.

C left shortly after my arrival. Soon after, K, imbiber of a few too many drinks, retreated to his bedroom for a short snooze.

This left the four ladies to bond over a hand of spades and some good ole trash-talking. Fun, fun, fun. We probably would have played longer but after hearing that three of us had plans to dash off to the all-white party in a few hours, R decided it was time for her to roll out.

She exchanged numbers with Miz A (so we can invite her to the next sister circle event, which will be a birthday party for yours truly and another circle member) and we three ladies walked her to her car.

My tank was only a quarter full so I harangued Miz A and M into riding with me to fill up. On our drive, Miz A called the guy who was hosting the all-white party. When she was unable to reach an agreement with him regarding our gratis entree into the party, she decided she no longer wanted to attend.

M and I were in agreement because: there was a storm brewing, we didn't want to pay to attend the party of a guy we didn't know, and I hadn't planned to wear all-white any way.

It was raining buckets when we got back to K's, where he emerged from his bedroom alert and happy.

We ladies freshened up and changed into our evening lounge attire. We had a great time, our merry foursome. Food, drinks, music, chatter, laughter, tv...

Every one crashed around midnight except me. I was awake at 2 a.m., when M departed for her long drive back to her southern city. I was also awake when K went to the kitchen for a snack in the wee hours.

I did manage a snooze of my own but was rudely awakened at 7 a.m. by Miz A as she click-clacked her heels on K's wooden floors, headed for her car to stash bags then leave for church, leaving me alone in K's living room.

By 7:30, I realized I wouldn't be nodding off again so I got up and began preparing to head home. K offered to cook breakfast for me but I declined. I was too tired to let anything slow me down.

On my way back to my village, I stopped at Wal-Mart to refill a few water jugs I had in the trunk. I feel like I stopped somewhere else too (maybe at the post office to check my box) but that part is hazy.

I thought I would pass out when I walked in but no. I started laundry, watched telly, grabbed a bite. And before I knew it, I was awake until 5 a.m. Monday morning, which is where my last post started.

As usual, there's more to the story.

Not the weekend story. The Monday story. But by the time I write it, it will be the story of this week. Which might be interesting. I have a potential lunch date for Thursday or Friday, my choice.

Stay tuned.

658.

I got in a few cat naps (meaning I nodded off a few times) but I haven't been to sleep since 7 yesterday morning.

Not good.

There's a to-do item on my list for 10:30 a.m. As soon as I publish this I'll be calling with my regrets and a request to reschedule.

In other news, I took time to take care of something I should have done a month ago.

Procrastinator that I am, I'm just glad I finally did it. Hopefully I'm done with it for good. Although with my life history, I doubt it.

Things (and people) often pop up again. And again...

Sometimes they're welcome, sometimes not.

Ah well...

I'm off to bed.

Fingers crossed that I snooze until noon.

Amen.

657.

It's 7:14 p.m. and all is well.

Exhausted I am.

More later.

656.

Moving on...

It's Friday night and I'm sitting on the floor in my living room. It's been rainy for a few days and it's a bit nippy in here because it's only 59 degrees outside.

There's a pot on the burner. Mashed sweet potatoes and apple-maple flavored chicken sausage patties. I'm really hungry so I'm anxiously awaiting the aroma that says "done".

Baby Bliss is out painting the town with her friends. They're going to a club down in the big city. She's very excited because it's her first time clubbing.

I know that a few of her friends drink (some of them are over 21) but the young man who's driving does not. His older sister is going with them as well. I haven't met her but I do know their mom. She's a no-nonsense momma.

My concern is the weather. It's raining hard and the highway is under construction. Not a good night for "on the town".

However, what is to be shall be. I bequeath the children's safety to the gods and goddesses of the night, send positive energy, and release the outcome.

* * *

In other news, tomorrow promises to be another busy Saturday.

The ever-ebullient and much-loved Miz A is commandeering the home of a mutual friend, K, for another birthday bash. No, not for a friend but for Miz A herself.

It's true that her birthday was last month but K (who missed Miz A's birthday bash because he had to work) gave the the thumbs up for a BBQ at his house.

But it's been raining most of the week and tomorrow's forecast involves pop-up showers and there's mud.

So everything will probably be inside and based on an earlier conversation with Miz A, it appears  attendance will likely be sparse.

No matter. We are prepared.

We decided to scale back the amount of food, take a deck of cards, and carry on.

That's part one.

Part two involves an evening all-white party Miz A was invited to. As the Official Designated Driver, I am always invited as the plus-one so of course I'll be there.

Except I won't be dressed in white. I don't do all white. Quite the opposite as all black is my go-to for evening shindigs.

Baby Bliss said I mustn't buck the system in such a way. She said I should compromise and at least wear something white.

Ha!

I have three potential outfits in mind: two black dresses and because the possibility of a compromise is within my a pair of black capri pants paired with a white crop top.

All three will travel to K's house because we're heading to the venue from there. Which leads us to part three.

There's a high probability that we'll go back to K's for a sleepover after the party. He lives closer to the venue than we do and it would be easier to sleep at his place until morning.

We already know he's amenable. The question mark goes to the third person who is scheduled to attend the party with Miz A and I.

Stay tuned.

655.

It appears another weekend has snuck up on us my dears.

And yes y'all, it will be another busy weekend for me. However this one shall be stag.

Yep, the latest suitor and I have parted ways. Although we had lots of fun together, our lifestyles weren't as compatible as I had hoped they would be.

Fun is... fun. But as we all know, there is much more to living.

Last weekend (our last weekend together) started out well.

We had some unexpected time Thursday evening, which was fine. (See previous post.)

Friday evening we spent more time together.

Saturday I had a scheduled event that covered the whole afternoon but we had Saturday evening together as well as church on Sunday.

But it was Sunday that made the difference.

It began with my early morning dreams. The first one I recalled was an anxiety dream, which I knew as soon as I remembered it. The second dream was the pertinent one. It seemed ordinary but there was one thing that stood out. When I researched the symbolism, I realized that in waking life I had been squinting when I should have had my eyes wide open.

Because... fun.

My bad.

(I believe that God uses dreams to talk to us, to get our attention, to remind us of something(s) we may have overlooked. If you're a frequent reader here, you have an idea of my relationship with my dreams.)

After I was fully awake Sunday morning, I knew it was time to proceed with my eyes open wide.

There was so much to see.

Nothing I need share here but to cut to the chase, as he was driving me home Sunday evening, I began the conversation that led to me telling him we were winding down our last day together.

There were protests and tears (his) but in the end he understood why it was for the best.

It has taken me a long time to learn that I have to be true to myself in order to have my best life possible. In some circumstances I'm still learning how to implement this truth. Sometimes it's a struggle but I must keep moving forward.

It's what I wish for him too.

Amen.

654.

Another weekend is imminent and not a word from me about last weekend.

Where are my manners?

Probably in whatever crevice my sleep has disappeared into.

They say there's no rest for the weary and I'm inclined to agree.

As most know, last weekend was Mother's Day weekend. It was also my daughter's birthday weekend.

Needless to say it was a busy one.

Silly ole me can't recall every detail now as too much else has taken place since then.

What I recall:

- Friday morning while I languished in bed during a phone call with my suitor, I was startled by a knock at my front door. I opened the door to see a man bearing a beautiful bouquet of red roses and other lovely blooms.

Happy Mother's Day from my paramour.

- Sadly, on Saturday, I had to attend the funeral of a "little sister". She was a young lady who I became good friends with while dating her cousin over 25 years ago. It was a six-hour drive, to her service and back home.

Another Baptist church...

Her parents and I are fairly close. Her mom was devastated. Her dad was... seemingly unperturbed. I know it's because it hadn't sunk in yet.

- My sweetie and I met up for dinner and a movie soon after my return home, which just so happened to coincide with his return home. Sweet.

- After a morning and early afternoon of making and receiving Mother's Day and birthday calls and texts, Baby Bliss and I got all tarted up to attend Mother's Day dinner with my family. Somehow there was a snafu and we missed dinner.

(Mercury, I'm blaming this on you and your ill-timed late spring retrograde.)

The daughter and I decided to drive down to the Big City to have our own celebratory dinner. After dinner, we visited relatives who lived near the restaurant while we waited for my grandma to return home from dinner.

Baby Bliss and I finally had a few hours with grandma then saddled up for home.

We made a detour at our local fro yo shop for dessert. The price was right but the toppings I chose this time were off. Never again will I add cheese cake bites (or any other cake) to fro yo. The mouth feel is just awful.  😵

- Tuesday morning (yes, I know it's not technically a weekend day), Miz A called to invite Baby Bliss and I to her side of town for a birthday lunch at O'Charley's.

We arrived only to be summoned to the mall across the street, where Baby Bliss was told to pick anything she wanted for a birthday gift.

Baby Bliss said she would accept lunch as her gift, as already agreed upon. Miz A laughed, gave BB a monetary gift, then said to meet her across the street at the restaurant.

Those two get along like peas and carrots. It was a lively, leisurely lunch.

We all went to Miz A's after, to watch telly and veg out on the sofa for a few hours.

On our way home, BB and I detoured to a favorite thrift store. BB found a few skirts and I found a nice dress that I'm sure will get a lot of wear this summer.

- Finally, we get to last night.

(What? You say Thursday is not technically a weekend night? Well I say it depends on who you ask. And it's what's next so let's get to it, shall we?)

My sugar dumpling was home for a layover of several hours and he spent it with me.

He wanted Chinese for dinner but he had a late arrival time and most places in my village would be closed when he got here. Also, I knew he would be tired. I suggested I get takeout so he could relax when he arrived.

Baby Bliss and I made a mad dash to our local Chinese restaurant. Not that we really needed to rush. It was 30 minutes until closing and we live mere blocks away.

K, the lady who works the counter and waits tables, is a sweetheart. BB and I eat there a few times a month and she always remembers us.

The suitor said to order what we wanted and he'd reimburse me. I requested my usual shrimp egg fu yung; Teriyaki chicken for the daughter; shrimp lo mein and BBQ ribs for the gentleman.

When the gentleman arrived chez Bliss, BB retreated to her bedroom with her food, leaving my suitor and I to dinner and a (half of) a movie in the living room.

After dinner he showered and took a nap so he could rest a bit before getting back on the road. It was a short and sweet visit.

I'll see him again this afternoon when he returns home from today's excursion.

* * *

And now that I've shared the most pertinent details of my life for the past several days, it's time for me to get some shut eye y'all.

I hope I sleep until noon. Not likely but a girl can dream...

Here's to a cuddle with the Sandman.

653.

Last weekend was super busy.

Saturday, my beau and I had a fantastic outing with Baby Bliss as well as several members of the sister circle. A few of the ladies brought their significant others along as well.

There were lots of people, food trucks, a d.j., children, puppies, vendors, and ladies selling baked goods.

We ate, drank, laughed, danced, and more for several hours. Two-thirds of our group left after two or three hours. The threat of rain finally got the rest us to head for home.

* * *

Sunday my suitor and I joined his parents (and other relatives) at church.

Baptist church.

It had been a while since I'd been to a Baptist church. The rhythm of the service never fails to move me to tears of both joy and sadness.

After service we joined his parents for dinner at Ruby Tuesday. After dinner, we went back to their place for a few hours to talk, watch telly, do a few puzzles...

Just a quiet evening at home.

Driving back to my place, we encountered a series of frightening thunder storms. Lots of lightening, blinding rain, thunder.

Driving in the rain is a thing I dread. Being a passenger when someone else is driving in the rain is anxiety-inducing. If it's dark and the rain is really coming down, I begin to panic.

If I'm driving, I can turn on my double blinkers and go as slow as safely possible. If the rain is pouring, I'll pull over to the closest shoulder.

God bless my sugar pie. He kept right on plowing along, storm be damned. He drives for a living so it's second nature to him to keep the train moving.

 All I can say is I survived but the hairs on the back of my neck are still standing at attention.

* * *

Overall it was a fantastic weekend.

Here's to many more.

Amen.