Tuesday 4/30, I went to my appointment in the morning and she prescribed a topical, which I started that night. We were meeting with Jojo’s owner to see if it was going to work to have her stay for a week and a half. It went well. We went for a run afterward then Eric went to the store to get some stuff for dinner. I walked with the dogs up the street. The neighbor dog came after us, again, but this time I fended her off by kicking in her direction. Another neighbor came out and helped. I was in the bedroom looking at stuff online and watching Splash when Eric brought me dinner. I turned in early again because I had to be up early again because of the funeral the next afternoon and going in early to make up for the time off.

Monday 4/29, Mom let me know that Ernie died that morning. I called Dad on my lunch break and told him I was sorry. He took it pretty well. We ran after work then Eric made dinner and I half-watched DwtS. I may have written Fae’s bio, but that could have been the next night. I went to bed early because I had a derm appointment in the morning.

Sunday 4/28, We had a rough night sleep, with Fae bellowing from the kitchen then Brizo shitting in her crate. It was touch and go. Eric put Brizo in bed with me then slept in the back bedroom. I got up around 7:30 and took out all the dogs and fed them. I got ready and went out in the yard where I did more weeding and tilled in some more compost into certain areas. I went inside after it started raining. I had some lunch and showered. We went to Lowe’s and HD to price check countertops for the bathrooms and while it’s more than I expected for solid surface it didn’t shock me. We went to the store on the way home to pick up stuff for dinner and the week. Back at home I called Mom to fill her in and watched James Bond. Eric made dinner and I finished my movie. At 8 we took Fae and Clancy for a walk around the block and Fae did ok, considering. I folded like three loads of laundry then got ready for bed, updated this and watched some movie on the Hallmark channel. Went to bed before 11.

Saturday 4/27, I was up by 6:30 and Eric had already been up for a while. I got dressed and we did some small things around the house before leaving to go pick up Fae. We met Julee and Genie at the Newport boat launch and the girls were sweet but very nervous and under socialized. We chatted for a little bit then we took off for home. We got Fae medicated and our dogs flea-treated. Eventually we headed outside to the front yard where we weeded, but it wasn’t long before Mom arrived so we could go look at tile for the bathrooms. She came earlier because Ernie had to go to the ER in the middle of the night so she wanted to get back for a nap. We went to the tile place and looked at everything and went back and forth between different options. I ended up getting the floor tile for both bathrooms and being close to picking out shower / bath tile. I have to make decisions on the kind of pan next. They loaded up my car and off we went. Mom took off right away and I went in and had some lunch. Fae was super conflicted about asking for affection and being scared to actually get it. She’s very sweet but will need some confidence-building. I laid down on the bed and took a nap with the dogs. I had dreams and everything. Eric called to say he was on his way home. He made pasta and probably some of the best asparagus I’ve ever had, for dinner. We watched some tv and I continued to do remodel research. Watched 48 Hours and then a few minutes of SNL before falling asleep.

Friday 4/26, I ran on the trail after work and was glad my workout was over. I headed home and arrived around 6. Eric was working in the yard when I got home and it looked great. I heated up leftovers for dinner, showered then we went to Home Depot to pick up some stuff. We looked at bathroom stuff and I found my new toilets then it was on to gardening where we got some bags or Cedar Grove compost and stakes. We went home and I watched Batman and did some bathroom remodel research and updated my spreadsheet. I went to bed early and was excited to get going the next day.

Thursday 4/25, Eric’s six year anniversary of being sober. I gave him a card in the morning and he didn’t think I’d remembered. After work I did my run by myself and pushed myself at a few points and did a smidge more than usual (in order to avoid running by some roofers). When I got home I showered then Eric and I took off to see if the new Crossroads GO is open yet (nope) then to QFC for groceries. We got stuff for brownies and tater tot casserole, but with no meat. It was delicious and I gave it a 10, but to give it a really solid 10 I told Eric he’d have to put bacon in it. Back at home Eric made dinner while I worked on the brownies. We watched tv and after dinner had our brownies with vanilla ice cream. We watched our Thursday shows and went to bed afterward.

Wednesday 4/24, P let me leave a half hour early so I went home and got into some clothes to work in the courtyard to weed. Eric came and sat out there with me and kept me company while the dogs milled around. I got quite a bit done and moved the euphorbia by the door to over by the patio screen. Eric clipped the dogs’ nails and said he’d bathe Nyx later. We went inside and fed the dogs then Eric got going on dinner while I paid bills. He made gnocchi with a sage, kale and tomato sauce. It was delicious. Dad called and had just returned from his Asia trip that evening. We caught up then I continued reading up on my online gossip. I updated this and had Frasier on in the background.

Tuesday 4/23, When I got home Eric and I went for a run and I wanted to do more but just as we started on the extra portion I felt a pop and got a crazy cramp in my abdomen and had to walk it. I showered and Eric heated up leftover pasta for dinner. I talked to Mom for a while and caught her up on my trip to CA. We watched tv then Eric wanted to get into some intellectual art conversation based on reading his most recent C. Hedges book that I got him. I didn’t understand the point he was trying to make so we were kind of at an impasse. I put the dogs away then we fooled around for an hour and a half and went to bed not long after.

Monday 4/22, I went for a run after work and Eric did not join me. When I got back Eric was making dinner; pasta, heavy on the veggies. It was good and I couldn’t stop eating. We watched DwtS and got into bed shortly after. Eric hadn’t been feeling good earlier in the evening so we went to bed early.

Sunday 4/21, I woke up by 7:45 and read and packed until about 9. We got up, called Hertz and found out we couldn’t add me to the reservation so I was going to drive Lesley’s car against the rules. I had some breakfast and before long it was time to go. I said goodbye and wished I was staying another day. I headed out at 10:45 and stopped for gas in town then started the long drive. The drive was beautiful, but long. I stopped in Santa Rosa to go to the bathroom then kept on. I hit traffic just after the Golden Gate Bridge and the low fuel light came on. Drat. I had to find a station and that created a problem. Got it figured out, found the airport, returned the car with no problems. Called Kassie and Eric to let them know I made it. Got through security then sat down to have a sandwich and yogurt. Got to the gate and was plenty early. Read and listened to music. The flight was delayed, but short once it got going. I called Eric when I landed and he picked me up minutes later. We drove home and I got into bed right away because I was exhausted. We continued to talk for a little bit then lights out.

Saturday 4/20, I woke up around 7:30 and couldn’t go back to sleep. I did some reading and looking out the window at the scenery. Everyone finally started stirring after 9. Kass made breakfast tacos that were excellent. We took our time getting ready and went for a walk up to the yurt to meet Rio and Bridgit and so I could finally see the place. We walked up to the water tower then back down to the house. We had a little snack and chatted for a bit then made a list and headed into town to do some shopping. First up was Chataqua, next was the liquor store, then the feed store and lastly the Shop Smart or Smart Saver or whatever. All in all over a grand was spent in the span of about 2 hours. Back at the house we unloaded all the groceries and Kass cleaned out the fridge to make room. Soon she started on dinner, though we knew it would be a while so we had some pizza to tide us over. Michael L. showed up and I groaned. I mostly ignored him, though he wouldn’t have any idea why (the hot tub splashing incident at K’s wedding). Ely was next and the boys all trekked up somewhere to do something, but I don’t know what. Lesley turned on Pretty Woman so we watched that while Kass cooked. Next was Eat, Pray, Love and we half-watched it until it was time for dinner then Kass made us turn it off (“seriously”, she responded to LT). We had enchiladas and it was like 11. It took ~3 hours to make dinner. It was good, but seriously took forever. We packed up dinner and did a little tidying then us girls headed upstairs to Kassie’s room and laid on the bed talking about relationships. Kass eventually fell asleep so L and I talked about our respective relationships and different aspects. I enjoy L and think she has great insight. No drama. It was 1:30ish so we decided to head to bed and I read for a few minutes before falling asleep. All the boys had fallen asleep in front of the tv in the living room.

Friday 4/19, I worked until 1:00 then headed home where I threw the rest of my stuff into my bag, ate some lunch and loaded up the car. Eric showed up right at 2:00 and we took off for the airport. He dropped me off and was really sweet as I left. The line for security was so slow, but finally made it through and to my gate. I called Mom to see how she was feeling after her oral surgery and we were chatting when Kassie walked up to the gate and right past me. I had to do a double take then turned my head and scream-whispered to Mom “Kassie just walked up; she’s on my flight!”. I slowly turned around to see where she was and she had sat next to the window. This was going to ruin the whole surprise and I couldn’t believe that Sky didn’t know which flight Kass was booked on. Mom was like “Go in the gift shop and buy a hat so she won’t recognize your hair”. I told her I needed to call Sky and hung up. I texted him and he was like, “Yeah, I know. I planned it that way. Go say hi. And don’t tell her about Lesley”. So I sneak up behind her and say in as deep of a voice I could muster, “Is this seat taken?” and she slowly turned around and was like “Oh my god. Are you serious?!” and her face turned all red and she started to tear up. She clarified that she was on her period. We caught up and I told her the whole back story. They started boarding so I went up and boarded as MVP for the first time. We asked the woman next to Kassie if she would switch. We had a nice flight and it went really quickly. When we got off the plane in Santa Rosa it was in the high 70s and it was 5:00. Sky wanted Kass to rent a car so we did that then drove it to the long-term lot to wait. She thought we were waiting for Sky but we were waiting for Lesley. We talked and caught up and the windows were down and it was just wonderful. Finally LT pulls up, radio blaring, swigging from a champagne bottle. Kass turns around and is like “OH MY GOD, LT?!” so she got another surprise. It was pretty funny. We loaded up L’s car with all our stuff and left the rental car in the lot for Jason when he came in on Sunday, though Kass didn’t know yet. We headed north for a long 3+ hour drive and the scenery was gorgeous for as long as it was light enough to see it. We talked the whole way and the 90s station kept us thoroughly entertained. We stopped in Garberville at Metille for two pizzas and four salads then started the windy drive to Kass’ house. Sky met us on the quad at the top of the turnoff and we followed him down and they’ve installed two different gates, one on the main part of the dirt road then another one on the perimeter of the house. We saw a huge camp site Sky had set up and then down to the house. I got a tour and it’s really beautiful with tons of original details and touches. We sat down and ate and I inhaled my dinner. We sat up and talked for a while then LT and I flipped a coin for which bedroom we each were going to get. I got the one with the nice mattress. I read a few pages of my book then turned in. It was 1:00 maybe.

Thursday 4/18, I went straight into Seattle after work because I was getting my hair cut at 6. It went well and I showed Sean the picture of the Victoria Secret model’s whose hair I wanted. He referred to it several times throughout the cut (it was only a headshot). We talked about Big Foot, addiction and the ramifications, Al Anon meetings / prostitutes anonymous, Scare Tactics and Portland. I was done by 7:15 and headed home. Eric had a quiche and a salad waiting for me then went on his run. I watched the Thursday shows and started to fall asleep on the couch. I had to write KR an email about her last month’s rent and deposit. Updated this and went to bed. It was 11ish.

Wednesday 4/17, Eric rode his bike down and met me at work so we could run on the trail. We did a couple miles and because it’s flat it really makes it easy. When we got home I put away laundry and showered. Eric heated up some pasta. I had strudel and ice cream for dessert. I started to pack and got most of it done. It’s going to be a short trip. I watched Suburgatory and got into bed. Asleep by 11.

Tuesday 4/16, I had a date to talk to Courtney after work. I proposed my idea of going to see Sos in November and it sounds like she’s totally on board. We chatted and caught up a little then made plans to see each other when I’m down there in May for Aubrie’s graduation. Eric and I did our run, even though Eric had already done his run before I got home. Eric brought home from work some dog stairs to put by the bed so the dogs will stop jumping up and down and ruining their joints. I worked with Nyx and Brizo to try and get them used to it by using treats. Brizo got it quicker than Nyx, which didn’t surprise me. Mom called while I was doing it and we talked about dates for MN and airfare for Thanksgiving. Eric was making pasta and I hopped in the shower. We ate in the living room after I got out and it was almost 8. The pasta and sauce were delicious. For dessert I had more strudel. We watched Splash then into the bedroom where he read and I updated this.

Monday 4/15, I stayed late at work and when I got home I went for a run. Eric had dinner ready for me but I wanted to shower first. After dinner I had some of the strawberry strudel Eric made, with the homemade vanilla ice cream and it was delicious. He made lemon bars too but I didn’t have any of those. I watched Two Days in Paris in the bedroom and fell asleep watching Frasier.

Sunday 4/14, Eric was up early and finished cleaning up the kitchen. He had a coworker’s wedding to attend late morning so he got ready and took off for that. I got ready but took it easy all day. I wanted to watch Wedding Crashers but it was missing from my collection, of course. I’m missing like 8 movies and have no idea where they are. They all just disappeared! Yay! Not even the shitty ones that I don’t like. Instead I watched Before Sunrise then went out to pick up dog crap in the backyard and wondered where Eric was. I ended up falling asleep with the dogs. He was home around 4. I had a hard time waking up. He took a nap in the den and I started working on my visa statement and got things all squared away. For dinner Eric roasted the remaining veggies and I ate a TON. We watched AFV. Eric and I got into a snit and I stayed in the bedroom while he went and spent the rest of the night in the den. I fell asleep by 11.

Saturday 4/13, Eric was up early to get going on the cooking and I was up not long after. Maybe 7:30. It was my job to do the cleaning and his was to get the cooking done. I ran to the store to pick up a few things we’d forgotten the night prior. We had a lot of people coming over which meant a ton of food to cook. I worked on our bedroom first and eventually made my way through the living and dining rooms mopping and cleaning. I hung several paintings and cleaned out the front closet. I rearranged the buffet and cleaned it off. Next up was my bathroom and putting away laundry. Eric fixed the sink in the main bathroom and got some other things done in the kitchen. I helped him with the ice cream and folding in the whipped cream. We pretty much had everything done by 4:30 so we each took a break. I closed my eyes for 45 minutes because I was exhausted then received a text that Chrystol and Schuyler were on their way. We both got ready and I helped Eric with the risotto. Kass was the next to arrive and she did a fashion show trying on P’s giveaways. Stef arrived then H*sam was next and brought cookies from some bakery by their place and lastly Kristel and Troy. It was a full house and I was trying to help with cooking but also taking coats and calming dogs down. Dinner was ready not long after so we all dished up and sat down. Eric made roast chicken, roasted root vegetables, quinoa salad, a chilled asparagus salad with hard boiled egg, mushroom risotto, a green salad and some other baked dish with zucchini and tomato topped with bread crumbs. There was plenty of food and we didn’t even come close to running out. For dessert Eric dished up the ice cream and we had strawberries and blackberries on top. We had a good time talking around the table and there was plenty of laughing and conversation throughout the night. Everyone stayed until after midnight then Chrystol and Sky stuck around for another hour or so and helped clean up / keep us company and chat about the evening. It was almost 2 before we went to bed. We were exhausted.

Friday 4/12, Eric rode and met me at work so we could go do our shopping for the next night. We went to Costco and Office Depot then home. It was also our five-year anniversary. We fed the dogs when we got home, each showered and got changed and headed off to the greek place by our house for dinner. It was cheap and quick, but good. We went to QFC afterward and picked up all the stuff to fill in the gaps of what we couldn’t get at Costco. Someone kept screwing around with the intercom and playing this hilarious song (“A-ring-a-ding-ding-ding-dong, a-ring-dong-ding-ding-ding” etc) and we were cracking up. At home we were both tired and didn’t want to start the prep, so Eric got the chickens marinating then we sat on the couch and had some ice cream and watched tv. We went to bed early-ish, since we had to be up early and would have a full day.

Thursday 4/11, I had a dentist appointment after work so I didn’t get home until after 6. Susan called so we chatted for a while and I told her she should still go on her trips. I’m not sure how I spent my evening up until my shows were on but I know there was a shower and some dinner in there. Eric nailed down what he was going to make for dinner on Saturday night and we talked about going and doing shopping the next evening. I watched my Thursday shows and Eric was out in the garage working on his new-old bike, stripping paint and all that. He came in for Parks and Rec and Office then went back out to work on the bike. I went to bed after watching some Frasier.

Wednesday 4/10, I stayed late at work but knew I needed to go for a run when I got home. Eric went with me and I had more energy than I’ve had for a long time so I did an extra half mile. After cooling off on my walk up the street and back the neighbor dog came chasing after me down the sidewalk and nipped me on the back of my leg. I was like ‘You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!’ as she ran away. There was no one around. I just stood there with my jaw on the ground. I went into the house and told Eric. I hopped in the shower and when I got out he made me dinner. I sent out some messages and we watched our Wednesday night shows. Went to bed at a decent time.

Tuesday 4/9, I rushed home because Percy’s adopters were coming over right after work to pick her up. They arrived and we went over everything and they gave us a nice card and chocolates as a thank you which was so sweet. We did pictures and answered questions and off they went. We went to the store and picked up stuff for the week and also for Eric to make breakfast burritos. Kass called and we talked for a little bit before I got off the phone so that I could eat dinner. We sat in the living room for a good part of the night and watched tv and kept wondering how Percy was doing. Eric went to bed early and I stayed up and watched tv for a little bit.

Monday 4/8, It was a rough day at work and I was completely exhausted by the time I got home. I couldn’t even handle doing a run so Eric joined me on a walk with all the dogs except Breezy because we didn’t have an extra harness that would fit her. I had some leftovers for dinner and probably relaxed in bed.

Sunday 4/7, We slept in until almost 9, a record. We got going and I laid in bed and looked at some things online while Eric got ready and took off to go hang with Sky. Kass called and we talked about Alix and going out to Boston at the end of the month or in June. Mary beeped in and said she was on her way to pick up Poppy. After they picked him up I did a few things around the house and ate leftovers for lunch. I took off and picked up some fleece at the fabric store then headed up to Everett. I met Lindsay and Co. at Evergreen Lanes. Said hi and got hugs from all the brothers and met some of the kids. The boys’ friend Kevin was there as well, so I met him. They all kept giving Lindsay a hard time about BH. We had fun and L and I got to talk for a bit. A rumor spread that I have a tattoo of a vag on my vag. They were all going nuts. Most of the group wanted to get something to eat so it was decided we should go to Applebees. We caravanned up there and L rode with me. I sat at a table with L, Adam and Kevin. We had a good time and there was plenty of inappropriate talk. I took off afterward and headed home. Eric was making soup when I got home so I showered and we sat in the living room and had some. We watched tv and I worked on this.

Saturday 4/6, We got up and I went for my run right away then showered and got ready. We had Percy’s home visit in Seattle at 11. It went really well so we knew things would be moving forward. I called Mom on the way home and she met us at the house after we got home. Eric left to go get something for his car while I made my lunch. Mom came over and we talked about the bathroom plans and tried to pinpoint what we were going to do with the window and all that. Eric had to go to work. I wanted to go to the tile place but Mom had a headache so she left. I ended up taking a nap for a bit. I got up and ready to head into Ballard and stopped on MI on the way in to get some birthday cards for Stef and Peter. I went to Sky and Chrystol’s and filled in the cards then we headed up to Cedars in the U-District. It was a pretty big party including His*m and R*berto. I shared my lamb with H because he thought he and R were sharing dinner but R didn’t know so he only gave him one chunk of meat. It was a fun dinner with lots of talking and tons of laughing. After dinner some people wanted to go out so we decided on Liberty on 15th. I took Sky and Chrystol back down to Ballard so they could get their car and part way there Stef calls and says they’ve been following us and thinks we’re going the wrong way to get to Liberty. We all laughed. They followed us to their house and came in to see the place. We headed up to Cap Hill and I had to park a million miles away. Eric met us down there too. We got a couple tables. Diana and her bf were there as well. We hung there until after midnight, said goodbye then all headed home. We watched some SNL for a while until I fell asleep.

Friday 4/5, P let me leave early, at like 1:30. I went home, ate my lunch and proceeded to watch three episodes of Cold Case, which I’ve never seen. Eric came home and went about his activities. I fed the dogs and eventually showered. I was going to see Lindsay up in Everett at 7:30 at one of her brothers’ houses. Eric had plans with Peter and Stef so he could say goodbye to Peter since he’s leaving again for a job around which will have him traveling all over the country. I headed up north and stopped to get her girls a gift. I met them over at Eric’s and met his gf and their kids. Grace was there. We hung out there for the evening and I was there until almost 10, maybe. We had fun reminiscing and also just chatting about current events and various family members. I headed home and told Lindsay I’d plan to see her Sunday. At home Eric wasn’t there. I stayed with the dogs in bed and watched tv. Eric was home by around midnight and slept with three of the dogs in the guest room.

Thursday 4/4, I skipped my run. Genie emailed that Percy’s app was an AC pass and to call her. We talked for a little bit and I felt good about it. I emailed them and set up a time for Saturday morning to do the home visit. I worked on my visa statements and showered before watching the Thursday shows. Eric joined me part way through one of them. Went to bed not too late.

Wednesday 4/3, I got ready for my run after work and Eric decided to join me. We did three times around the block again and walked up the street to cool down. We chatted then went through the yard and looked at the plants. Inside Eric fed the dogs while I hung with Pop in the bedroom for a few minutes. I had some leftover macaroni then hopped in the shower. I brought Nyx and Brizo into the bedroom with me while I did some organizing of my credit card statements and filled out my sales tax worksheets. I watched some ABC shows and Eric came in at 8:45 to go to bed. I watched Modern Family but Kieran texted toward the end and wanted to talk. I was dreading it being about the stove; it wasn’t. They found a place and are on schedule to move out 5/31. I updated this and got ready for bed.

Tuesday 4/2, I got home before Eric for once and let all the dogs out, including Pop who was staying with us through Sunday. I got ready and went on my run solo, just around the block three times. Eric was making homemade macaroni for dinner and it was delicious. We ate in the living room and watched tv. There weren’t any shows on so I watched Elizabeth in the bedroom by myself with some of the dogs. We got an app for Percy and it looks decent and the man in the couple is a professor at UPS. They live on Capitol Hill. I updated the long bio and prepared to send it the next day after Genie’s intro email went out.

Monday 4/1, After work I downed a bunch of potato chips then went out in the backyard to do more weeding. Eric joined me to keep me company and to run the dogs around. Percy and Clancy played for the second time in two weeks. That was really encouraging. Eric ended up helping do some weeding and we got quite a bit done. Dad called toward the end of our weeding and told me the tabs were sent to the property. Back inside I shuffled some laundry and cut up some carrots to pair with hummus. The dogs got some carrots too and they wanted more. I made a salad then took a shower and got into bed. I did some online gossip reading and updating this.