Saturday 12/5, I woke up at 5 and couldn’t go back to sleep forever thinking about everything with the house that needed to be done and also the P thing. I finally fell back asleep after 6 a little after Eric got up. I woke up at 9. I ate breakfast then we went to Home Depot for supplies. We stopped home and picked up the dogs and Sos met us to take some boxes. She saw the house, the first friend, and she liked it and laughed at all the funny stuff. She left and we got down to it. Removed all curtains and shelving, nails, etc. We were at it for a few hours and Castor hated it. He kept barking and was very anxious. I took the dogs out and met Cherry, my backyard neighbor and she confirmed the fruit tree is a pear and that I have a lilac. She hates the holly so we’ll take it out. Talked for a while then back inside. I took Castor and Nyx home and ate some lunch. I made a sandwich for Eric, fed the dogs and left them. We got everything ready for taping the next day. I filled some holes and bagged up all the trash in the garage. Like 7 giant bags and various boxes. Goodwill boxes too and a bunch of stuff for the recycle. We walked around and talked about all the possibilities and it was really fun. The back bedroom is gorgeous late in the day with sunlight pouring in. Stayed until 3:30 and took off for Brizo’s class. She had a good one and showed off lots of her tricks and got praise from Cheri. Stopped by the store on the way home and picked up tater tot casserole fixins and home where Eric started it up. I packed up some stuff in the kitchen and showered. Sos and Jake met us there (after trying to ditch out) and followed us up to Bethany’s. Not many people there. Chatted and ate. It was a fun party and it was good to see K and get to celebrate her big 3-0. Hakim, Carmen and JP showed up really late but it was good seeing them and chatting with JP a lot. A little jealous of “Miyong”? Maybe. Or just a dick. I was surprised he was so bothered by my saying it. Hm. Note to self. Michelle and I talked a lot and we had tim tam slams but didn’t drink the coffee. Didn’t see Eric for most of the night. Lots of eating and drinking and Mandy’s cupcakes that were just like hostess cupcakes with the filling in the middle and the little curly q on the top, except waaay better. Apparently there was a mountain climbing incident and the guy called Jake a hippie and apparently it was hilarious. JP relayed all the details. He’s hilarious. Eric and I left by 12 and headed home and got ready for bed and watched the end of SNL. I fell asleep before too long.

Friday 12/4, Castor’s only day at work. Alice called to say that they didn’t pick it all up and that there was more garbage than would fit in the can. I called Rabanco and they said to put it on the curb and it will be charged to them. Perfect. Sos called to ask if we wanted to come over for lasagna but we were going to the house and I didn’t want to be there all night. She said a dine and dash would be ok. I went home and Eric had had a bad day and the end of my day wasn’t all that spectacular (xmas present). We fed the dogs and went over to Sos’ and had dinner and chatting. We left by 7:30 or so then home to grab some boxes and over we went. We saw all the garbage in the garage and that was upsetting, so had to plan how to take care of all that. I talked to Mom for a long time as we unloaded the car and I told her the P news and she was mad and wanted me to talk to her. I can’t remember how much more we did over there. Went home and got there just in time for Ugly Betty. Eric and I talked about the P thing and he helped me with what to say. I went to bed shortly after.

Thursday 12/3, Left work at 11:30 and called Alice and changed the garbage too. Drove downtown to the RC for the ladies holiday luncheon. I was there until 2 then home to the dogs. I took all of them up the hill and we went for a nice miler walk and everyone was very good. I packed a few boxes and watched Two Lovers. Eric had car troubles and just barely made it to class. We watched the NBC shows and went to bed.

Wednesday 12/2, I talked to Alice and she scheduled St Vincent de Paul to pick up the stuff in the garage on Friday. I got the PSE changed over then the water. P told me we were taking a half day the next day, which was quite a departure from the day before. I went home and Eric had stayed home and watched the dogs. We went to pick up more boxes at Donna’s then we went over to the house. We went through the garage and tried to fix the garage door but couldn’t, though Eric got it to work better. I found the mail key and it was fun going around but it was cold. We headed home after 7 and I was tired and hungry. I fed the dogs and Eric heated up dinner. We watched tv and failed to practice Brizo’s tricks. Went upstairs, watched Cougar Town, started falling asleep, got ready for bed, updated this.

Tuesday 12/1, The house closed and I got official word from escrow. Apparently the realtor put the key under the pot. P was out for most of the day and it was a much better day. I went to work at 6:45 and had a very full day. I was tired and called about free boxes when I got home. I scheduled a time to pick them up and ate some dinner. Packed a couple little boxes of trinkets and picture frames then went by the house to get the key. I talked to Mom and Dad the whole way there and they want to get me a house warming rug, but I told them no. There was a car in front when I drove by so I turned around and came back and went up and met Alice and her son and they were cleaning out garage and picking out the stuff they wanted. We talked for a while and she gave me the house plans and told me stories about the house and her time there. She told me to take anything in the garage then left. I couldn’t get the garage door down and had to manually pull it down and it was so f-ing heavy. Started freaking out because I had to go and didn’t even check for the key. I rushed to Clyde Hill and picked up as many boxes as I could cram. I was laughing and so exhausted then headed home calling Eric on the way. Practiced Brizo’s tricks and she’s doing really well. We watched tv until late.

Monday 11/30, What a day, oy. I didn’t want to go to Kent to sign and Dad said I shouldn’t have to, so I went straight to work early then got a call that I had to go down there due to a deadline. P was not happy that I’d have to be gone and traffic and all that, but it went pretty quickly. I signed and was done quickly, but then the wire couldn’t be done over the phone so I had to do it in the office after getting back. It was extremely busy at work, 150 emails to catch up on. P was not happy I left at 5 and made a comment about working extra the next day. I was irritated, tired, exhausted and didn’t want to deal with reality. I went to Office Depot for packing tape and talked to Dad. I had very mixed feelings and he told me to buck up and asked if he should call P. I said no. I went home and ate dinner but I don’t remember what. Brizo practiced her tricks and she finally caught on to laying down; doing well. I watched GG and went to sleep.

Sunday 11/29, Thank goodness for a day off. Ate cereal and took it easy for the day. I fell asleep and got mad because I slept too long. I think I took Castor for a walk and I practiced Brizo’s tricks. We watched AFV and DH.

Saturday 11/28, I woke up around 8 and went downstairs and Dad was making pancakes and I think I only had one while I chatted with Grandma and Papa. We went up and scanned pictures until time to decorate the tree. We were having fun until the new ornament of Kass and Sky broke and Kass got mad because apparently Dad was like “I guess it wasn’t meant to be!” and she hit me in the arm and made a big deal about it so I got upset and started crying because it’s not like I meant to. Then I couldn’t stop because everyone kept saying it wasn’t a big deal and trying to console. Finally got over it, after Mom started crying too because I was upset. I don’t know why I was so upset. We finished decorating and took some pictures. Kassie and Skylar left with Mom and Dad for the airport and me and Aubrie went to Lou’s. I got a cd for me and one for Eric and on the way home we stopped and I got a donut and Aubrie had a bite. We had lots of turkey, potatoes, stuffing and gravy for lunch and Aubrie piled hers up like a mountain. Aubrie was pumping Mom and Dad about what they knew about Kass and Sky and she was like “The jig is up” and we were dying laughing. Dad looked at us like we were nuts. Grandma, Lish, Aub and I watched Richie Rich and Aubrie and I were fake fighting and I kept showing her the food in my mouth. She tried to tattle but Mom didn’t believe her because I played such a convincing part. We worked on the video up until it was time to go, and I went outside to talk to Dad for a little bit then said bye to everyone and had hugs and kisses. Aubrie and I chatted the whole way and after she dropped me it was pretty easy. No wait at ticketing, through security in 5 minutes, to gate and waited to board. The flight went by fairly quickly and I got through all my magazines and landed safely. Called Eric and texted Aubrie then met Eric outside at baggage claim and got my bag. Eric had alluded to a night of passion when I’d talked to him earlier in SD. Sure enough he was dressed very nicely and all clean shaven. We went to Mom’s so I could pick up my car and I talked with her for a minute then home. Eric made me a sandwich because I didn’t have dinner. Then the romance started. He lit like 100 candles and had music on and we, you know. And I, you know, twice. Nice. Tired, went to sleep.

Friday 11/27, Kass woke us up a little after 8 and told us it was time for French toast. Went down and Dad was busy cooking and we talked with Grandma and Papa. I got ready and Aubrie and I scanned pictures until it was time for me and Kass to leave. We had researched bistros the night before and Kat liked the sound of Zanzibar for lunch so we called and they were open. We left with Sky in tow and he was going to do his own thing while we had lunch with the Belize crew. We had a great lunch and so much fun chatting. They want to do a Bahamas trip aboard a replica schooner. It would be so much fun. Everyone is good and we’ll see what happens. Said bye and headed home. We continued scanning and did it all day, all while trying to hide from Mom. Kass went out to get ready with Sky at 4 and soon we were getting ready too. I got ready quickly (Dad’s ‘Mega Mega Hold’ and Aubrie’s eyeliner for a widow’s peak and dark eyebrows) and soon it was party time. Pat, Court and her Mom were first to arrive. Lots of pictures and food and soon everyone had arrived, except Kassie. I finally had to go out and get them and they looked so crazy. Yikes. Crazy and hilarious outfits. There were like 25 of us and the game was fun but I mostly hung with Court and Kass. Pat was pissing Kassie off and I know Court was getting frustrated. In the end the killer was Skylar and awards were given out to Sky, Kass and Dad. People filed out then we looked at pictures of George on Court’s camera and Kass and Aubrie were in love. Courtney laughed. They left and Grandma, Mom, Dad and I sat and talked for a little bit then we peeled off to bed and I called Eric. It was like 11:30. I was tired, showered to get the widow’s peak and super jelled hair rinsed. Aubrie was on the phone for a while then we went to sleep.

Thursday 11/26, I was up at 8 and talked to Mom and Grandma for a bit then went up and got ready super quickly because we were going to be late getting to the finish line to meet Alishia at her 5k. We found parking fairly easily and ran all the way down but unfortunately we were too late and missed her crossing the line. We walked up to a little coffee / smoothie shop and we had a little refresher. As we were leaving Kass and Sky got into a fight because of a conversation during the prior evening’s dinner and Sky said he loved the chemical they put in McD’s fries and that pissed Kassie off. It got blown way up and Sky went off with Alishia and that really set Kassie off and she took off so me and Aubrie followed her down the alley and we had to talk her off the ledge by the dumpster. A hot tattoo guy pulled up and then we left. She knew she was off base and I’m glad I was able to shed some light. On our way home we stopped at Cream of the Crop and Aubrie and I practiced our frown faces and had a good time walking around and looking at things. Kass smoked part of her j in the parking lot and a kid in the car next to us shook his head. We didn’t know if it was because of Kassie or because Aubrie was smelling her armpits. We finally made it home but Sky and Lish weren’t there yet. Kass started on her guac and I had a little cereal. We went up and watched SatC and did more pictures but not for long before going down and starting on snacks. I had quite a bit and ate a lot of apples and pears and eventually a lot of weenies. (weenie time, weenie time, little tiny weenie time). I was tired so I went upstairs and took a nap on the couch upstairs but not for long. I took a shower and when I got out Aubrie texted me asking where I was. I talked to Eric and he was on his way to Schuyler’s parents house. I had a few more snacks then went on a long walk with mom and Grandma. Got back and watched more SatC with Aub and update this thing. Waited downstairs while dinner was finished up and sat out by the fire pit for a little while and talked about snakes and spiders and scorpions. I went back in and we watched Home Alone until dinner was ready, 7:45, a record. Usually it’s more like 9. Dinner was very good and I had two helpings but we hardly put a dent in the food and Mom commented that there was hardly any gone and it must be because Eric wasn’t there and that they miss him. Aubrie and I moved into the family room and were watching Home Alone again and Mom was in a bad mood for some reason and didn’t dish up my dessert. I had peach and apple pie with ice cream. We finished Home Alone from where we left off (tv was back to that part since it was cycling) and then we watched Love Actually from about the middle and Skylar and Kass kept wanting to go out to bed so we played Truth or Dare on the commercials to keep them up. Aubrie had to text a boy that she had a crush on him and Kassie picked some guy in Palm Springs and Aubs didn’t even remember the guy and he didn’t remember her and asked who she was then called her in the middle of the night. Kass was going to be dared to text Eric that she had a crush on him but it was 11:45 and I didn’t want him to be woken up. It was over at midnight and we went up and went to bed afterward.

Wednesday 11/25, Up at like 7:15 so I went for a run/walk at the park and went two times around then home for some breakfast. Aub went to school for her final class and then to pick up Kass and Sky. I was bored and wished Aubrie was there but occupied myself the best I could. Grandma, Mom and Papa came home by 10 so I talked with them for a while. Kass, Aubs and Sky arrived home and Grandma and Mom had taken off to go find costumes so they said hi to Papa and we took off in search of lunch. We wanted to go to the little News Café but it closed 20 minutes before we got there so we went to a little Italian place with the guys excited for us to eat there. They told Skylar how lucky he was. I had a caprese and got quite a bit of color sitting in the sun so Skylar switched spots with me. Afterward we walked over to the bakery because the weather was so beautiful. Sky and I talked all the way over about real estate and having a winter home in Arizona or New Mexico or Palm Springs. 5 year plan. Kass bought us two cinnamon crisps and we walked back toward the car then went down to the beach for a second, but the beach was too crowded for what she wanted to do so we walked back with Kass saying she didn’t want Sky to censor her. We went home and talked to Papa then upstairs to start picture scanning and got quite a good start. Santer was open until 6 so Lish called us when she was done with work and we left and met her down there for pictures. There was no line and I insisted it had to be taken vertically even though they gave me an argument. It was the Santa from 06 and 07 and he remembered us. It was over before we knew it and we went back to the house and continued to work until dinner. Went down to find the table chock full of fondue fixins and I ate a ton. Lots of meat and French fries. I was surprised Sky ate as much as he did. We had fun convo about Mom and how much of a dictator she was about chores but how now we’re appreciative. Then Mom said she thought Dad would look cute in a yellow hummer and Grandma said that’s the kind of car a Nazi officer would drive. We died laughing. We had Grandma’s sugar cookies for dessert then looked at pictures from the trip on Dad’s computer. Aubrie went to see friends and everyone else wanted to go to bed so I went up to Aubrie’s room and called Eric because it was only 9:45 and I was bored and didn’t want to go to bed yet. Aubrie came home and was like WTF where is everyone. I told her they went to bed. We got ready and went to bed by 10:30 or so.

Tuesday 11/24, Woke up a lot but was so tired I kept going back to sleep and finally got up at 9. Aubrie was up not much later because Dad had come home and was talking to me before he went in to work. We got ready and headed into Old Carlsbad to Elyses’ or whatever for breakfast. We both had pain au chocolat and ate them in the sun while watching the cops file in for their morning snack. We went to 7-11 so Aubs could get her snack, Hi Chew, and it was delicious. We went to Ulta and talked about Mom’s video on the way home. After we got home we packed up with Mom and went to a few thrift stores and I got a onesie and some boots for my murder mystery outfit. Home we went and watched some SatC and Aubrie made Mom plug her ears and Mom actually did it. I talked to RH Eric briefly and now he’s working at Slim’s and doesn’t love it and the baby has a UTI, yikes. I told him there was something in the water and he said he doesn’t drink it anymore and that he drinks soda now. I hung out until it was time to go to Court’s and left and got a little turned around until I got the gps working. When I arrived George and Lynne were there and I forgot they’d be there and I was like “Hey George!” rawr. We sat and talked and I felt her belly and she’s getting big but not huge. We had dinner and chatted and had some cookies afterward. It was really fun and I told George he should come to the party too but he’s leaving on Friday morning. He asked if I wanted to stick around and play Guitar Hero; I kind of chuckled and declined. Hhit the road when they did to their parenting class and got home pretty quickly. Lish came over and Aubrie eventually came home too and they all had dinner and we watched football or something and eventually Aubrie and I went upstairs to watch the end of BL. Went to bed not long after it was over.

Monday 11/23, Up at 5:30, ready, took Castor out and Nyx escaped and ran all over the fucking place all the way down to the bottom parking lot and finally came back and I was so pissed and worried she wouldn’t come back. Took off at 6:05 and Dad took me to the airport. Checked in, security, talked to Eric, gate change, back to main terminal, boarded, went through all my mags but one, quick flight, no one in the two seats next to me, so nice. Landed and it was so sunny and beautiful. Texted Aubrie and she was like “Oh fuck, are you serious?!” because I got in 20 minutes early. Got my bag and stood outside in the 75 degree weather and it was so nice I instantly felt wonderful, and also like I was getting burnt. I went and stood in the shade after 20 minutes. Aubrie showed up and got out and looked just like Jenny Humphrey and the car full of guys parked behind us was ogling her to the max. We drove to the house and I had some spaghetti. We hung out and eventually we went to Barney’s and I got a pair of jeans that fit perfectly and they were on sale so my shopping mission is accomplished for the trip. Went home and relaxed some more until Aubrie’s friends started showing up for dinner. Dad came home and we all left for Wokery. Lish met us there. It was a fun dinner with a ton of food and lots of presents. I rode with Alishia home and we had dessert pizza, or fruit pizza or birthday pizza, whatever Aubrie calls it and it was really good. Sat around talking and looking at pictures for a while then I went upstairs after Nichole and Cassie left and watched tv and played on the computer (K’s birthday plans are getting out of control) and eventually fell asleep.

Sunday 11/22, Eric got up early and left and I cleaned up more dog vomit from Castor when I went downstairs to take the dogs out. Eric came back and made me breakfast, even though I’d already had a bowl of cereal, and it was a goat’s milk yogurt layered with crumbled lemon ginger cookies and topped with raspberries, blackberries and chocolate covered wafers. Yum! So sweet. Also bought me some beautiful roses. He said it’s because I’m going to be gone for almost a week and he sees me everyday but now he won’t. Sweetheart. I got dressed and took Castor to his appt and talked with the nurse forever, then the doctor and decided on a doggie prozac basically in a small dose to see if that works. I went home, gave him his first one and took off to go meet Mom and Dad at the house to take more measurements and check things out. Back home Castor was all chilled out, thank goodness. Eric was making lunch: warm croissant sandwiches with egg, bacon, tomato and cheese with a side of fruit marinated in orange juice, raspberry vinegar, balsamic and orange peel. Delicious! I went upstairs and relaxed then it stopped raining so I took Castor and Nyx up to the park and I dropped Nyx’s leash and she took off like a bolt of lightening and I couldn’t catch up with her and was dragging Castor because she was running so fucking fast and finally I caught up to her on the grass. The rest of the walk was pretty uneventful after that. Castor ran around in the field and loved it. At home we hung out some more (well, Eric was cleaning) and eventually later in the afternoon we were bored so we went to Up Front and there was nothing I loved, then BB&B and walked out empty handed then home. I talked to Jenifer to straighten all the final details out and talked to Court about dinner on Tuesday and Eric arrived with dinner from Chipotle and we sat and talked and ate. My stomach hurt afterward and we watched tv and Eric brought me Mylanta. I finished packing, which I’d been doing on and off all day. We went to bed after I talked to Dad.

Saturday 11/21, Eric was up at 7:30 and I got up at 8. Put on my workout clothes and took Castor to the park up the hill and we did 1.5 miles and got soaked. It was beautiful when we started and miserable by the time we threw in the towel. At home Eric got my breakfast ready (Tutti Fruittis) then he jumped in the shower and I wasn’t far behind. We were out the door to Target (return dog coats), All the Best (anti-anxiety meds, chew for the car and pee remover), over to Crossroads, buttermilk donut, Half Priced Books (got Aubrie Stealing Beauty for her birthday), Silver Platters (Ruby Suns for Aubrie), BB&B (dishwasher detergent) and eventually headed home. I had a hot dog for lunch, then some cookies. I went upstairs to practice Brizo’s tricks for laying down. I posted the Craigslist ad, then sent an email to Nyx’s rescue for an update. I updated this, talked to Mom about plans for the fence and dog door and relaxed before needing to go to Brizo’s class. We headed to class and she did very well again and Cheri has some new techniques for stay and touch. We went home afterward and Castor had obviously had a freakout because he ate the ends off his rope toy and then I stepped in the huge pile of vomit on the rug in the living room. Great! I don’t know what’s going on with him but his anxiety is off the charts. I immediately called the vet and made an appointment because he needs to be on meds and I’m not fucking around with this anymore. After that was done we hung with the dogs and I think Eric made dinner. I don’t really remember what else. I think we were going to watch a movie but then we were both tired and went to bed early, like 10.

Friday 11/20, I got off work a little early and went home to find a dark house, which was very odd because I expected Eric to beat me home. I cleaned up the kitchen and made cookies (bag) and called Eric for his ETA before hopping in the shower. He arrived home and went into a cooking flurry while I got dressed and looked at a magazine. Chrystol and Schuyler showed up at 7:30 then we got to start eating. Goat cheese and brie with lots of yummy toppings. Chrystol and I went upstairs to look at wedding magazines and we were up there forever and it was so fun. Brizo walked over C’s legs to get to me, which was very surprising. We heard silverware clinking and the boys had started on dinner without us! Actually they were already done. We dished up and ate as well. The quiche was really good. Schuyler got out the orange pound cake and it was really good and we continued chatting and I got to the bottom of a few wedding details, which was good. I need to start making spreadsheets. It was midnight by the time they took off. We were all surprised it was that late. Went up to bed and crashed.

Thursday 11/19, Susan picked up my contacts for me then brought them to me after work. We talked on the couch for a long time and she filled me in on what’s going on with her. I was getting hungry so made the dogs’ dinner and we headed out to Chipotle and I had a delicious steak fajita burrito. We went to Target next and I bought some cheap dog jackets that ended up not fitting the dogs at all. I also bought candy. Yikes. We went home and talked with Eric for a few minutes before Susan took off. We watched our Thursday shows and Eric made a weird noise that freaked Brizo out and she hid upstairs and she hasn’t been the same since, very weird. No more weird noises! Eventually retired.

Wednesday 11/18, Kay-See texted right before leaving work asking what I was doing so I asked her if she wanted to come over for dinner since I was cooking for Eric for once. She said yes. I had to go to the bank first and luckily that went very easily, then home. Eric was busy cleaning and I told him K was coming over and he jumped in the shower. We started dinner and K was very helpful since apparently I can’t cook and talk at the same time. Must be a blonde thing. Or perhaps a non-chef thing. We discussed Monday’s events in detail, then her trip coming up, then other relationships and weddings and eventually into the living room with lots of licorice and more discussions about verbal abuse. It was like 10:30 by the time any of us looked at our watches so K took off and I went up to get ready for bed, while Eric watched tv for a little while downstairs.

Tuesday 11/17, Got the Charles Schwab letter handled and luckily was in contact with a very helpful woman who made all my problems go away. Talked to Dad several times and got the appraisal and it didn’t come back super high but it was enough to not have to worry about the loan process being interrupted. I think I had leftovers for dinner and after Eric arrived home watched BL. Went to bed not long after.