This Week of Loss

On Monday - I packed up all of Luna's stuff, put her in the carry thingy, and drover her to Bill's house (her new home). She was fine for the most part - I was a wreck. I was crying - knowing what was happening - and she had no idea! When we got to Bill's and let her out of the carrier - she ran around the house exploring - tail wagging. Bill was so excited to see her - and kept saying "Welcome Home Luna!" - so I think it will be ok. She probably loves being Queen again - and doesn't miss those nasty dogs at all! (However, Baxter spent quite a bit of time roaming around the apt. looking for his Luna that night.)

On Tuesday K and I broke up. It was a weird breakup in that it was MOSTLY done on instant messaging. We both just were kind of being there - and it was kind of "ho hum." I think we're both looking for something else. But it was good - first relationship for either of us after our divorces - so now that's out of the way! :) We still have talked on the phone - and he's online right now even - so we've im'd a couple of times. He'll probably be a good friend for awhile anyway - at least until one of us is dating someone else - and it gets weird (IF it does).

Yesterday I had the DAG group over for casual conversation. Julayne was home from Korea (just for a visit) - so I called the whole gang together - and a good number showed up!

Today I'm going to lunch with a friend from the district - and then scrapbooking with Nancy F and Jaymie. Should be a fun day!

Weekend in Bemidji

This weekend started off pretty rocky. I had an argument/disagreement with Paul on the phone Friday - which pretty much ruined my day - even tho I was off to visit Grandma and Aunt who were getting their nails done at Mask. Anyway - quit crying long enough to get Arby's with Grandma, Aunt, and Grandpa - followed by a trip to Cold Stone. (New and exciting experience for the grandparents from the town of 300.)

Went to K's house Friday night - got up in the am to leave for Bemidji. We had a good day - hanging out with his friends from CA (who make this yearly trip to Cass Lake with their family) - and also some old buds from his BSU days. We stayed at the lovely Palace Casino and Hotel - an experience in itself.

We came home early today - and I've been welcomed home by loving Luna who peed on the couch! The cushion covers have all been thru the wash - and are doing fine - no harm, no foul. Luna misses her mommy - and probably wasn't too happy with me being gone for the weekend. (Melanie - she had a clean litter box- a bowl full of dry food - and Auntie Ann to check in on her.)

Ann's here now - showering - she's just painted her bathroom - and we're headed out to get some food.

I'm a Bus Rider!

Ok, this week - my first week of vacation - I'm on jury duty! Some people are bummed about being there - me, I'm having FUN! I sat on a case Mon, Tues, and today - and after a 4 hour lunch/break - they excused us, saying the case was settled! The best part of all of this is "playing" downtown. I'm riding the BUS - ALL by mself! I'm eating lunch - for an hour or more! And I'm hurrying down the streets of MPLS like I have somewhere to be! :) I am having fun. So, I have to report back tomorrow at 9am - there were only about 30 people in the jury room at 4pm today - and there are 30 new cases for tomorrow - so chances of being on another jury are very GOOD.

Melanie is in Thailand - looking for a place to live. Sounds like she's having fun so far. Hopefully we'll hear from her soon - and get the big scoop!

I asked Jaymie how to post pics on this blog - so I'm going to attempt some soon! Be on the lookout for photos of BELLA LUNA!

She leaves for Thailand in 9 hours

Melanie left today. Not for Thailand yet - but she left the apt. We said our goodbyes - at the last minute - in the middle of our messy apt - with her parents waiting for her outside. Yes, we both cried - but this is a GOOD thing, no? Knowing this day was coming for many months did not make it any easier. I moped around the rest of the evening - and couldn't even enjoy spending the evening with K. He came up to get some help shopping for baby gifts for friends - and bday gift for niece. Then we got hotdogs and icecream at DQ - and watched tv. I don't know, I'm sad inside. I already feel like it's too quiet here - even tho I've been here alone before - knowing that she's not "coming home" anytime soon makes it seem so EMPTY.

Oh well - I will be fine - Mel will be fine. We'll both be back at work soon - keeping busy.

Mel - I love you! Be safe, be good, and have fun! And don't forget to BLOG! :)

Carrie

A lot can happen in 3 1/2 months

OK - it's been a long time since either of us have posted - so here's the catch up:

Since April 10th:

* Melanie and I have been living together in NE Mpls - GOOD TIMES

* I started dating a guy who lives in Shakopee - "K". It's been fun - not sure where it's going - but more good times. :)

* Melanie has just recently hooked up with a guy who she was interested in before - "EMM" - and they've had a few good times. :)

* The school year ended. YAY.

* We started - and have almost finished - teaching summer school. Working - ughhh. . Paychecks - Good times.

Wow - I guess you haven't missed much - but it seems like we've been very busy!

Melanie leaves for Thailand in 6 days. - She's busy this week seeing the people she wants to see - Once she's there - and set up with a computer - we will both be posting blogs - so hopefully we won't skip so much time anymore.

Now to bed - and to watch Big Brother VI that I tivoed - it's a sickness - I know.

Carrie

allergic reactions

So the dating front has been weak to say the least. I had a prospect who e-mailed me a few weeks ago. We'd chatted through City Pages for a few months in the late fall, but due to his infrequent responses I came to the conclusion that "he's just not that into me." Thank you Greg Behrendt.

So it was a nice surprise to hear from him about 3 months later seemingly regretful that we had never actually met. He's going to school to be an ESL teacher, I am an ESL teacher, we both like to travel, etc. We met a few times and had some nice conversations and exchanges some awkward pecks. I was playing it cool and letting him call me, which he did. On Tuesday he called and we talked about meeting at the Triple Rock to see the Divebomb Honeys. He called late that Thursday night to say he wouldn't be able to make it because of "homework." However, he was on his way to a barbeque, so I'm guessing that wasn't the real reason. Anyways, he ended the conversation by saying that he would like to get together with me "sometime." I suggested he call me if he wanted to get together "sometime." LAME

Anyways, so I didn't really feel like going out this weekend and decided to give a friend/ex a call. Not surprising, he was feeling quite down. We've become reacquainted (see the week of the ex's) not too long ago and have been hanging out a bit. He's really funny, but way self-depricating. Last night, being the good friend that I am, I decided to bring him some dinner. He was unable to move his neck, so I tried to help by massaging the knots out. I guess my massage techniques leave something to be desired because afterwards he had a large welt and it appeared that I had rubbed so hard that I took off some skin. OOPs. We were able to laugh it off and watch a movie.

Then the dude started sneezing a bunch and had a runny nose. After snuggling up to me he backed away and said "I think I'm allergic to you." I took this as my cue and suggested I leave, all the while, he's rubbing my back telling me I shouldn't go. Talk about mixed fucking messages. I went to the bathroom and decided it would be best to go. I came back out and said I was taking off. He was all pouty, but what the hell? I'm sorry, I can't makeout with someone who is allergic to me or cats for that matter. This will be added to my list of "guys I can't date" - the ones allergic to me. Super.

- Melanie

what's the point

I'm tired. I ended up at Gustav's tonight to celebrate an old friend's birthday. I really have no desire to go there again, although the coat check girl was quite friendly. It was so crowded and just not my scene. I'd been there about a month ago the night Carrie got a little tipsy and was not impressed and left right away. But since it was a friend's birthday I figured I'd make the best of it. I tried. I've kind of made a vow to myself that I won't go or do things that I don't want to do. This evening reinforced my belief. Oh well.

Knowing that I'm moving to Thailand in about 4 months has really put a twist on things. I think some of my friends are sort-of putting me at a distance and I understand.

- Melanie

Playing Catch-Up

So - It's been awhile. A few things have happened in the month since we've last blogged.

*I (Carrie) turned 32

*Melanie bought kamikazes

*We got an apartment in NE Mpls. (We move-in April 1st)

*My divorce was final on Friday, March 4th.

We've never really had a great night - that we had to blog - but if we wait for that, we could be waiting for a long time. :)

This week at school was a long one. We finished up conferences - and we're on the home stretch to Spring Break (so the kids are a little NUTS). We started last night off with Happy Hour at El Toro with co-worker Missy. Later - we went to Grumpy's for some darts. Vanhtha joined us - for A drink (more like a SIP of A drink) - and then Tony and Sam and their friend Brian came later. We got a little silly - but not crazy. It was an ok night. We're getting up slowly - and craving ice cream shakes. Hmmm . ..on the coldest day of March so far. .yes, we're weird - but that's why you love us.

A Day Lost to the Wanderers Punch

Ok, it's true. I got a little too drunk Friday night. I actually - and this is the truth - have never been THAT drunk before. As Dave Attell would say . . I did not "black out" at all during the night. .but I did quite a lot of "time traveling." You know, first thing, I was at the bar, next I was outside, then I was in a car, next thing I knew I was on a bench at a new bar, and then I was safe and sound in Melanie's bathroom throwing up. (and how and when did I get this stamp on my hand??) I'm sure this was all quite pretty for my friends who were the ones that actually had to HOLD ME UP to get around to all these places. Yes, I have done my fair share of taking care of the drunk, and I shouldn't feel bad that I've now done it ONCE in my life. (little bro would be SO PROUD) :/ But as an ALMOST 32 year old. . I can safely say - I don't plan on doing THAT ever again (or at least until I forget how sucky the hangover was). I lost ALL of yesterday! I was throwing up, little headachy, couldn't find a comfortable position, always searching for the cold side of the pillow, trying to focus on the TV. . and Melanie ended up NOT hanging out with Brian - so we could have TOTALLY done something fun. . but no. . warmest day of Februrary, and here we sat INSIDE - in PJ's - watching TV and ordering IN.

Oh well. . . .today is a NEW day. . and I'm feeling good.

REFLECTION:
Before the whole drunken Friday night, I did have a PRETTY good day - I went to divorce court with Paul - and that whole thing should be over WITHIN 4 weeks! We were commended by my lawyer, and the judge for having everything taken care of before we entered the courtroom. NO fighting, no haggling. . . pretty much my lawyer read our agreement into Record. .. and we're on our way! Also - our house went on the market - and we've already had 3 showings! Keep your fingers crossed for a QUICK - yet profitable SELL! Would be a GREAT birthday present - to have a divorce decree AND a closing date set!

Bangkok it is

So last weekend was a pretty intense weekend at the UNI International Teaching Job Fair. I and about 500 other teachers were running around as if we were on The Apprentice trying to land the "perfect" job. There were offers and timelines and decisions that needed to be make quickly. So after many phone calls to friends and family back home, I decided on Thailand. I leave in August and have a 2-year contract at an international school there. I don't think it's really hit me yet that I'm leaving for a long time. So right now my goal is to enjoy Minnesota and spend as much time with the people I love. And that's the plan.

I was already able to use the excuse "I'm moving out of the country" on a date that was about as funny as pocket lint. The sad part of it was that he thought he was quite hilarious. The waitress and I just didn't seem to agree though. I guess he was nice, but no spark. I don't think it's a good sign when I'm thinking about the Tuesday TV night line up that I'm missing.

On a better note I got a call from Tony, the ex that I ran into at the CC Club. We talked for over an hour, and then I e-mailed him when I came back from Iowa. I invited him to a little social we attended last night at the Red Dragon. We celebrated being single on the Valentine's weekend with wanderers punch. It didn't agree real well with Carrie as she ended up complaining to the driver to "stop moving the car" and, for the grand finale, puking in my toilet. Oh well - we had to cut the night short. But in Carrie's drunken state she did manage to forget my sweater in his car. I called to apologize about our obnoxious behavior, and now I'll have to see him again to get the sweater. Damn. Actually I'm hoping that I'll be able to make out with him as I could really go for some male companionship.

Oh, also funny was that one of the women at the party was a good friend of my most recent ex. She has known several females who dated him as well and have all come to the conclusion that he's "the gay." My feelings and doubts were validated - once again it was him, not me. 'Cuz it's never me.

- Melanie