771.

A happy Sunday evening to one and all!

It has truly been a much-deserved weekend of bliss for the paramour and I.

Despite the fun of last weekend, the past few weeks have been stressful for me. I'm thankful that things seem to be leveling out but there is part of me that is waiting for the other shoe to drop while praying that it doesn't.

Yes, a contradiction but my life is full of them.

Finding the balance is an ongoing endeavor but I remain thankful for this life regardless of the obstacles that come my way.

My paramour... He's a hard-working man who deserves to put his feet up a lot more than he does.

We were busy this weekend but we also had some much-needed down time.

Thank God for respites.

And now folks, we are tired here and it's time for lights out.

Sweet dreams to you all.  💤

770.

Happy Sunday y'all! 😀

I hope everyone is healthy and happy today. I certainly am.

It's been a really good weekend with the paramour so far and I'm still enjoying it.  😍

More later...

769.

Good morning folks and Happy Thursday.

I was up and at 'em early today but not by choice. The paramour had an early call time. Did I mention that he has a job and a business?

He's a hard-working man. It's a good character trait but too much of a good thing can be deadly, as I believe was the case with Mr. Bliss's illness and death. The last month he worked, he worked the entire month and many of those days exceeded 12 hours.

That on top of all the previous days, weeks, and months that he'd worked excessive hours in any randomly-picked 24-hour period. Add in poor eating habits and there's the cocktail for illness and finally death.

The paramour and I discussed the aforementioned and he said he's slowed down a bit since he and I began dating and I'm thankful. Not just because it gives us more time together. It's also about his health, regardless of who he's dating.

Lately I've been researching more on sleep patterns as they relate to health and healing. Some of the information is scary enough to make me get more sleep.

My new goal is to be in bed before midnight at least four out of seven nights per week. To help with this plan, I set a phone alert for 10:45 p.m. telling me to get ready for bed.

🌻 🌻 🌻 🌻 🌻

So, the paramour and I had an interesting night. He bought a new cell phone and switched carriers and it took us a while to activate the phone and set up his new account.

Once that was done, it was time for snoring. 

We were both tired. Me from my long weekend: 12+ hours of long-distance driving, working to help prep my sister's house for the party, the party itself, and the visit with my dad. My sweetie spent most of the weekend rehabbing his latest property.

🌻 🌻 🌻 🌻 🌻

Looking back at my last five or six posts, I see that I neglected to mention my sleepover at the paramour's house last week.

He lives about an hour south of me, in the woods. It's a neighborhood but it's outside of the city and it backs right to what I call the forest.

His house is beautifully decorated. Very neat too which left me wondering how we'll manage to co-habitate on a daily basis if we do marry.

This city girl enjoyed the peace and quiet but the centipede that met me in the shower was not to my liking. 🐛😱

I'm scheduled to return for the coming holiday weekend. Although it's possible he'll work part of Saturday, we're going to a family celebration at his sister's that day. Hopefully we'll relax on Sunday because he said we might have folks over on Monday for a cookout.

Sounds like I have another busy weekend in store, yes?

However, I will not be taking any Geritol. Although I did get some last year (courtesy of an ex), I realized there are ingredients in those things that give me serious pause.

But I haven't given up hope on finding a good multi-vitamin. In my research I came across Ritual and based on good reviews, I'm gonna try this brand.

🌻 🌻 🌻 🌻 🌻

In other news, it seems my hair has been growing faster than usual in the past several months. I am locking my hair (for the third time in 20 years) and in the past 90 or so days, I've tightened it at least twice each month.

I don't know the reason for this accelerated growth. Perhaps it's something I've been eating...

I'm thinking about henna-ing my hair again soon. It's a long and tedious process but I had mostly positive results with it in the past. We'll see.

Time for lunch folks. No breakfast and I'm starving. 

Maybe I'll be able to get a nap in soon.

768.

Happy Wednesday folks.

I hope everyone is healthy and happy today.

I'm taking baby steps, getting back to "normal" after a long and tiring weekend.

So much to tell and I'm not really in the mood but I know you all want to know how my dad is doing.

The short of it: he's doing well. He's scheduled for two to three weeks in a rehab facility and then home.

His going "home" is what concerns me. That's where his stressors are. If you're a regular reader here, you understand why. I won't rehash any of the reasons but I ask that you all continue the prayers, positive thoughts, and healing energy for this situation.

Despite his failing health my daddy still has a strong will and I believe it's one reason he's still amongst the living, as he would say. I'm thankful to have him for as long as he wants to be here.

My everlasting gratitude to everyone for your continued support during these difficult transitions.

Daddy and I on Monday:

🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸

On other fronts, we celebrated Baby Bliss's birthday a few weeks ago with dinner at one of her favorite local venues. It was a very small but lively group. Lots of food and fun.

Me, en route to Baby Bliss's dinner:

I also went to a birthday party Saturday evening for my other mom. The party was a blast! I saw folks I hadn't seen in years and met new people who I hope will become friends.

The food was excellent, as were the DJ, the songstress, and the bartender.

I'm sure it will be a while before I attend another event like that and I'm glad it turned out so well.

Well folks, the paramour is on his way. We're having a heart-to-heart talk tonight. 💕

Sweet dreams everyone.

767.

Everyone,

My faith is being tested and I feel like I'm making a slow-motion fall into the abyss.

I learned late this afternoon that my dad had a stroke Friday and is back in hospital. After his recent heart attack, I am beyond worried.

Shortly after I woke up Friday I felt there was something wrong but I was unable to reach my dad. Today his aide returned my frantic call and confirmed my worries.

I have been anxious and fretful from the time I found out. I can't get to him until tomorrow morning and the weather forecast is for rain.

Once again I am asking you all to please send positive energy, healing thoughts, and prayers. Not only for my father but for me as well.

Thank you all in advance.

766.

Good morning and Happy Sunday y'all! 😊

I hope everyone is somewhere safe and hopefully peaceful as well.

Today I am tired, tired, tired but for good reason.

The past two weeks have been filled with celebration, which I'm always thankful for. The hard work leading up to the fête, not so much.

When we hit a milestone of joy, a celebration is a way of showing gratitude. However that gratitude is often preceded by sacrifice or struggle, yes?

Persevering through 22 hours of labor to give birth to a long-awaited miracle baby, surviving a natural disaster, living to see another birthday, the first 30 days of sobriety...  💪😌

Whatever the reason, I think celebrations big or small are good reminders that we are alive.

There's more but I'll fill in the details later people. I'm off to either snooze for another hour (Did I mention how tired I am? 😂) or I'm getting up to prepare for part two of yesterday's soirée.

Either way, I am thankful for it all.

Ciao for now folks!

764.

Happy Tuesday y'all!

If you're reading this, like me, you woke to see another day.

Hallelujah!  🎉🎉🎉

Another fast one because I'm in the middle of several projects and need to finish them before I hit the road tonight.

First, let me thank everyone who joined me in ensuring the safe return of Baby Bliss from her weekend excursion into the wild.

She gave me an awful scare by not calling on Saturday after saying she would. I called the ranger station and wouldn't you know it, they aren't open on weekends. Sunday morning I dreamed of fighting off a pack of wolves. 😰

Thank God for Facebook. I'm friends with the mom of one of the other kids who went camping and she assured me that even though she hadn't heard from her child, another mom had heard from the children and all was well.

🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸

Remember how on Friday I was feeling like something was askew in my world? It was daddy.

Sunday morning he called to say he was in hospital, having had a heart attack on Friday.  😔

He said they rushed him straight to the operating room from the ambulance. I'm thankful that he is now home and on the mend. I love my pappy. He's about as tough as they come.  🐓

My family welcomes your prayers as well as positive and healing thoughts for my dad. Thanks in advance!

Despite the drama of Sunday, I had a lovely Mother's Day with the paramour.  💕💕💕

A bouquet of beautiful roses, a visit to my grandma's, a late lunch/early dinner down in the Big City, a few lovely hours spent laughing and talking at my favorite park on the lake.

Lots and lots of smooching... 💏 💕 💏

Okay folks, gotta run!

The paramour and I have a late-night date planned (he works second shift) and I have lots to do before I meet him later.  😜

I also need to start packing for my upcoming trip north.

A woman's work is never done y'all.  😝

763.

Happy Sunday everyone and Happy Mother's Day to all who bless us with much-needed nurturing feminine energy.

It's been a lovely weekend chez Bliss.

My paramour and I are in the tail end of a three-day date.

More on that later.

Good night everyone.

762.

Happy Friday and all that good stuff folks!

This is gonna be a fast one because I'm ducking the Sandman and I'm running out of crevices to hide in.

I didn't sleep last night. When I finally passed out it was after 3 a.m. Wake up was 8 and I don't know why.

My tummy has been upset most of the day and my nerves have been on edge. Likely from not enough sleep, possibly other things as well.

Before I forget, the paramour and I had another two-day date earlier this week. We also met for lunch today.

Both dates were good, each in its own way. Lots of touching and smooching, private jokes and laughter, all around good vibrations.

Traffic was awful going and coming. Not wanting to linger in other people's exhaust fumes for too long, I made two pit stops.

One at Mr. Paramour's insistence, to check my blood pressure. He thought me not feeling well might have been an indicator of a bit of hypertension so at his urging, I stopped to slide my arm into a pharmacy cuff.

The results were good but I figured they would be.

I also stopped at Target to return lipstick and attempt to exchange a shirt. I got a refund on the lipstick but I still have the shirt because the store didn't have the size I need.

Ah well... Some other day...

So I get a phone call from Baby Bliss when I'm about a mile from home. It seems she's going camping with her boyfriend and his family.

As in "in the forest". As in "sleeping in tents". As in "there are bears and snakes and ticks out there".

And now I know why I've been on edge all day.

In the physical presentation of my "symptoms" there was the feeling that something "other" was off in the world. In my world. I guess this was it.

They'll be gone until Sunday. I'm thanking God and Universe in advance for my daughter's well being and safe return.

Please join me.

In my upbringing, the only people who slept outside were homeless people and drunks who passed out outside.

Seriously.

Time for my nap folks.

I ask that you all participate in knitting me a cocoon of love and prayers while I sleep.

Amen.

761.

Howdy folks.

I hope y'all are healthy and happy today.

My paramour woke me with a phone call shortly before 9 a.m.  We chatted as he drove to his first stop of the day. He called me again en route to his second stop and we talked for the better part of an hour.

Lovely.

Except I had only turned in shortly before 5 a.m.  😭

Now it's almost 8:30 p.m. and I'm beat.

Mid-afternoon, I picked up Baby Bliss between her work shifts. We ran errands that ran later than we intended and were forced to grab lunch on the run.

After I returned the daughter to her sushi and saké, I picked up a few items on a grocery store run. One of my neighbors caught me in the supermarket parking lot and detained me for a round of conversation.

Throughout the day, I talked to my momma, one of my sisters, and there were a few more calls with the paramour.

I also learned some information about obtaining a duplicate of an important document. Something else to add to my to-do list...

Now it's time to shower and shampoo as I anticipate the end of my paramour's work day.

We have a hot date later. 😍

760.

Baby Bliss and I had a pleasant excursion to the Big City. We hit the mall, not to browse or shop extensively, only to go to Dillard's so that I might try the two makeup brands I was interested in.

Well wouldn't ya know it, I purchased neither brand. The lady working the counter(s) turned me on to a totally different line of cosmetics. It's a brand that's been around for decades but I'd never tried it.

She was able to match a foundation to my skin almost perfectly. After my mini makeover, I was sold on the shade.

The lipstick, I had to say no to. Although the saleslady liked it, it was an orange-ish shade of red that does not agree with my undertones. Thankfully I already own a tube of lipstick that's the perfect shade of red for me. It's inexpensive too. (Just saying. For when I run out.)

After my transformation, Baby Bliss and I ate lunch in the food court then returned to the other side of the mall in search of my car.

(Having had a lot of trouble in the past with makeup looking good in the store and horrible elsewhere, I was happy when I hit the sunshine and my face looked as good as it had inside the building.)

Automobile located, our next stop was Target for a few makeup staples that were expensive in Dillards and reasonable in Target. They work just as well at Target's price point as they do at Dillard's markups so I'll keep my extra cash, thanks.

Finally we headed home, making a pit stop at the post office and Dollar Tree along the way.

🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸

Okay folks, I'm sure some of y'all think I'm exaggerating about this Mercury retrograde and the ex-men, but I swear it's all true.

If you didn't read the previous post (759), please do so now.

I'm kidding. You don't really have to read it but if you do you'll see that including the call I'm about to detail, I received six (6!) calls from exes on Monday.

My phone rang as soon as Baby Bliss and I pulled into a parking space at the mall. The caller id said "NoName" but the call rang through any way.

What?  😮

Why?!  😧

Anyone with that moniker should have been on the "reject call" list.

I asked Baby Bliss to take the call in Swedish. She obliged. Who ever he was, here's to hoping he doesn't call again. If he does, he's going straight to voicemail because he is now a member of the "reject call" collective.

Speaking of rejected calls, I've been ignoring the Sandman's persistent ring for long enough.

Good night folks.

759.

Mercury, Mercury, Mercury...  😁😂😶

This is the post-shadow phase of the retrograde. (See here for explanation: 2017 Mercury Retrograde Calendar.)

Maybe it's because this retrograde is in Taurus but it seems like the most stubborn retrograde I can recall.

This morning, when I checked my call log, there were four (4!) calls from the most persistent ex I've ever dated. I say "persistent" because he's the one who I haven't (voluntarily) talked to in the longest amount of time and he's the one who continues to call despite that fact.

I've mentioned this ex more than any other ex so my frequent readers probably know who I'm referring to. But I'm not linking to any more posts about him. I feel like I'm drawing him to me.

Only he and God know why he never leaves a voicemail. It's obvious he wants to talk to me because he's literally been calling me for years and other than a few accidental incidents of me answering, his call go straight to my voicemail.

Leos! 😫

A few minutes ago I also saw a call from a number I don't remember, but the number is on the reject call list as indicated by an "A" in a red circle with a red diagonal line. And as we know, about 99% of the numbers on the list are those of exes.

Ahhhh well... It's time to get the daughter for our afternoon shopping spree. 👗 👡 💄 🍧

Toodles y'all! 

758.

There was no trip to the Big City yesterday. I decided to wait until Monday so that Baby Bliss, makeup artist extraordinaire, might accompany me.

I want to try new foundation for the party. Estée Lauder is what the daughter recommends and I've read great reviews about Fashion Fair. Dillard's has both so that's where we will go.

We'll probably have lunch while we're out.

And I might make a side trip to the mega beauty supply store, to buy more hair accessories.

I'm really excited about going home for the party. It's been a while since I've been to a party at my sister B's and she gives really good parties.

🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸

In other news of the day, Mr. Paramour and I had a date earlier.  😍

A lot of discussion about something we didn't quite agree on and other topics. 

What we did agree on, tentatively: the wedding will be in Vegas. 😉

Stay tuned folks.

757.

Speaking of Mr. Paramour (briefly mentioned in post 756), he and I had our third date of the week Thursday/Friday.

It was a good date.  👩🏾‍🤝‍👨🏽

The more we talk, the more shared interests we find. The more time we spend together, the more I like him; and so says he, the feelings are mutual.

If we had met some other way, like at work or through a social group and we were just friends, I would probably have a crush on him.

Let me be clear: this man just does it for me.

I've already outlined the qualities that make him good dating material in at least one other post, I'm sure. In addition to why I like him, what makes me lust after him is that he is so effing sexy to me.  😜

I also know that the reasons I like him are, too, what makes him sexy to me.

The adjective "sexy" encompasses more than a person's appearance or mannerisms, though those things can be thought of as sexy.

For me a sexy man is the total package of how I perceive him: his energy, his outlook on life, his actions, his lifestyle...

Even if I don't agree 100 percent with everything a man does or says, as long as I don't think of him as being somehow contemptible, he can still be sexy to me.

Mr. Paramour is my sexy.  😊

🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸

In other news, I shall soon be donning my traveling shoes again.

One of my sisters back home is throwing a big party for her/our mom. I booked my Airbnb reservation last night. Now it's time to create my packing list, lest I be Last-Minute Lucy and stress myself out for no reason.

It's been over a year since I've been in the vicinity of my hometown. Although I don't like the place much any more, it is where I grew up and where I still have friends and family.

My Airbnb accommodation is outside the city I was raised in but close enough that I could visit if I wanted to. I don't want to and I won't.

My visit will only be an extended weekend (arriving Friday and departing Monday). I don't plan to make any unplanned visits to anyone because I don't want to overexert myself, knowing I'll need to be well-rested for the drive home.

But I will stop to see my daddy as I head back south, if his schedule allows. (Which reminds me that I need to add a reminder to my calendar so I don't forget to tell him a few days before hand so he can check his schedule.)

🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸

Speaking of family, Baby Bliss has a birthday soon.  🎉🎉🎉🎈🎈🎂🎂 🎉🎉🎉🎈🎈🎂🎂

We shall have a low key dinner at one of her favorite local restaurants. Her boyfriend will be there. My paramour works second shift so although Baby Bliss invited him, he won't be able to attend.

I invited Baby Bliss' best friend so I won't be the third wheel. I wanted to invite more people but she was adamant: no.

She did, however, request balloons and a cupcake.

Cool. Her best friend can get the balloons on the way to the restaurant. I'll get the cupcake.

My baby is no longer a baby. Not that she's been one recently. It's just that I'm still in awe of having been pregnant, given birth, raised a child, and getting her to age 18 with no major mishaps.

Don't tell me there is no higher power. 🎩🎐👵

Baby Bliss was a miracle baby from the beginning, starting with a dream... 🎑

I'm thankful she was brought here to teach me and I'm thankful for everyone who has helped me get her to now, including my Beloved, Mr. Bliss. I know he'll join us at the celebration. I'll look for him.

Here's to another year of Blissful Living with my daughter.  🎊 👭🍹

Amen.  

756.

Good morning and Happy Saturday everyone!

I hope you are all healthy, happy, and safe.

Today's weather at my location is extremely windy and cool for this time of year. It's also beautifully sunny. Aside from the wind knocking over one of my porch decorations necessitating me picking up broken glass, the weather suits me.

While I was on the porch, I looked at my siding and decided it needed washing. Lots of dirt and debris had settled into the small crevices. Since I don't have a power washer, I loaded up my giant spray bottle with shampoo and water and got to work.

Didn't have to scrub anything but there were a few spots that need wiping down.

Today I need to travel down to the Big City but I'm reluctant because of the wind. The highway that connects me to the big city is currently under construction which is causing major headaches for drivers.

In addition to the added congestion, there are also the issues of construction debris and people driving too fast on pavement that is no longer smooth. Collisions have increased at an alarming rate.

Traffic to and from this area is always horrible on weekends because we're considered a recreational area. Lots of people come up from the city on weekends to sail, fish, swim, and partake in other water-related activities in the area.

Which brings me to thoughts of moving.

If this thing with Mr. Paramour and I continues to move along at its current rate of ascent, I will eventually be Mrs. Paramour. Which means I will eventually have to move.

It's really really really gonna be hard to leave this place. It's beautiful here. Serene for the most part. One of the nicest places I've ever lived.

But no need to fret on it at the moment. Those are thoughts for a future that has yet to manifest.

Today's Big Decision revolves around going down to the big city and which route to take if the answer is yes.

After last weekend's punctured tire incident, I'm thinking about boycotting the highway for a while.

755.

It was a dark and stormy night...

Just kidding folks.

Regarding my most recent date(s) with my Paramour: It was a warm and dreamy night. And a wild and wonderful day.

Lots of interesting conversation (more reveals), lots of laughter, talk of marriage (including what I'm calling an "invitation to a proposal"), food, lots of kisses, some snuggling...

Most interesting: the "invitation to a proposal".

During our meal, we talked about our lives and he mentioned how much we had in common including the number of times we've both been married.

I laughed and asked him if he truly wanted to get married again. He in turn asked me if I wanted to get married again. I said I wasn't sure.

His response (as he gazed longingly into my eyes across the table -- seriously), "Yes, I do want to get married again and I want to marry you."

(Well, okay...

Yes, I have had several husbands as well as a number of broken engagements and a number of proposals I've turned down. And perhaps one day some extraordinarily lucky man will once again call me his wife.  💕

Perhaps it will even be my current Paramour because I definitely dig this guy.)

My reply (rendered with lots of eyelash fluttering and an inviting smile: But (Paramour), you don't really know me.

Him: I like what I know so far and I'll get to know you as my wife.

Me: 😯 Baby... getting married means moving again. I hate moving.

Him: Baby all you need to do is pack. I'll make sure the moving gets done.

He said he wants us to spend more time together once he moves into his new house (now being built and scheduled for a mid-summer closing) and he doesn't believe in just living together so he's working on making me Mrs. Paramour but he'll let me decide when I'm ready and then I can propose to him.  😄

My thought: ideally when two people who are romantically involved decide to legally merge lives and commit before God and family, they are committing to doing what it takes to make the situation work well for both parties.

I know what I tell myself about the things I want to do and what I'm willing to do when I partner with the man I want to spend the rest of my life with.

The question I have to ask myself is am I serious or am I just telling myself these things to feel like I won't make any of the "mistakes" I made in my relationship with Mr. Bliss?

Which leads me to another question: do I really want to be in an exclusive relationship right now or do I want to continue to be free to date whomever I want whenever I want, believing that some future day will bring me the man I want to spend the rest of my life with?

All things I need to think about as the gentleman and I spend more time together.

My Paramour admits his role in the demise of his former marriages and what he learned from those relationships. I can only take his word for what he says unless he shows me otherwise, as he must do for me.

I'm not sure we can ever truly know every aspect of our partners' thoughts, dreams, past histories, etc. Perhaps we should not know some of those things.

Which, I admit, kind of freaks me out because I am still learning to release my controlling tendencies.

In my evolution, I'm still learning to embrace the concept of "now".

The goal is to know when that concept means throw all caution to the wind and just do it as opposed to when it means sit tight because, "now".

Get it?

No?

I'm not sure I do either.

I'm still working on it...

Whatever the outcome of this situation, I must remember to remain grateful for opportunities for self-introspection no matter the impetus.  🙏


p.s.  If this post sounds out of context in any way, it's because I'm tired and sleepy. In fact I'm finishing it up in my bed, where mounds of pillows lie awaiting my loving embrace.

Good night y'all.

Sweet dreams.

754.

So there were no sweet potato fries in the freezer.  😮

My heart is broken.  💔

But there were regular fries which are now in the oven. I'm gonna eat them with scrambled eggs and mashed sweet potatoes. Maybe some steamed kale.

Yum!

Healthy-ish, right?  👍🏾

753.

The last few days have been interesting, to put it mildly.

My Paramour has managed to surprise me in a quite surprising manner. Frankly, I'm surprised that I can still be surprised by life. Grateful too.  😊

Today we had an hour-long conversation that spanned a wide range of topics, as has become our custom. This is one of the aspects of our interaction that I really enjoy. I love listening to his voice and how calm he always sounds.

When he leaves work, we have plans to meet. I'm sure we'll continue the open dialogue we've established, among other things...

Good stuff.

So why are my nerves shot?  😳

Partly due to lack of sleep.

I intended to go to bed early-ish last night (meaning closer to 1 a.m. instead of 3 or 4) but it didn't happen. When I finally made it to bed I was exhausted.  😔

After rolling around for a few minutes, I jumped up to find my friend Lavender Essential Oil.

While it helped me fall asleep, I couldn't stay asleep. I literally tossed and turned until daylight.  😭

Part of the reason I couldn't sleep is because I know the Paramour and I have some unfinished business that really needs finishing. That's the other reason my nerves are on edge. It's nothing negative but it's making me nervous all the same.

After I shower and shampoo my hair, I'm gonna soak my feet in epsom salt, baking soda, and lavender e.o.

But now I'm craving McDonald's fries. (Thanks Dr. Oz!)

Thank goodness I have sweet potato fries in the freezer. Time to pop some in the oven.  😁