Am I really as neurotic as I feel?

Ewewew

I ran into someone from my past on Friday.  We broke up just over 3 years ago.  I desperately wanted out of the relationship, but couldn't find it in me to pull the trigger.  He cheated on me, manipulated me, etc.  It was a terribly unhealthy relationship (as most if not all of his relationships tend to be).  There were good times, but ultimately they weren't worth it.  But I was still unable to wrestle my way out of the paper bag that was our relationship.  He finally ended it, and even though it was painful, it was the best thing he ever did for me.

Anyway...we ran into each other.  I never really felt the desire to talk to him after we ceased communications a couple weeks after the breakup.  A couple times, perhaps, but it was a "Oh, he'd totally get this poster" kind of thing.  And despite living in the same area, our paths rarely crossed.  This was the first time we'd actually talked in person since the breakup.  He walked into the store as I was waiting for my order.  I immediately started texting a couple of friends so I could avoid him.  He left, then came back just as I was about to leave.  I made nice...I will avoid being rude at almost all costs.  I received a text message as we were saying hello.  He said it was from him, but I just smiled and nodded while thinking "Uh, okay, whatever."  I deleted his number 3 years ago.  Why wouldn't he do the same?  We chatted a bit about the game and then went our separate ways.  There was a definite icky feeling about the conversation...a subtle icky feeling, but an icky feeling just the same.

I checked my phone when I got back to my car...sure enough, the text was from him.  "What up, Chickie? Ignoring me now? Come now, what's 3 years among friends? ;-)"  I called a friend afterwards, and during our conversation, I received another text message from him.  "By the way...like the new 'do.' Looks good on you. Nuff said. :-) Later!"

I didn't reply.  I knew what he was doing.  I know better than to feed his ego.  The consensus from some friends (who are actually friends of his fiancee) was that he was looking for some.  They're supposed to get married next month.  They couldn't be more perfect for each other...they're both crazy and heavy on the codependency...but the kicker is that he is apparently carrying on an "inappropriate relationship" with the woman he dated right before me.  Three and a half years after the fact.

Needless to say, I feel icky for getting drawn in and ever being a part of the situation.  But I definitely learned a lot, and it made me a stronger person, so I guess it wasn't a total loss.  I couldn't be happier he's not in my life.  Seeing him on Friday and learning about his alleged dalliances (his modus operandi) confirmed that.

Posted by: greeneyes at 16:13 | link | comments (4)

Kiddo started first grade today.  First grade!!

Posted by: greeneyes at 15:16 | link | comments (4)

Rock the vote

I finally submitted a photo to JPG...

I plan on submitting another one for the "Night" theme, but I can't decide which one yet.

Can I just say I want to marry Michael Phelps?  I think I even like his new facial hair.

Posted by: greeneyes at 07:24 | link | comments (14)

Pup is so good.  He loves his kennel, still loves to cuddle (though in typical male fashion, he generally cuddles on his own terms), and has gotten better about meeting new people.  He still growls a bit, which I'm actually fairly okay with (what if one day I come across a bad guy? I don't want my dog to be the "welcome, come in, make yourself at home, can I get you anything" dog) but stops when I tell him to.  He learned how to shake in less than a week, and he's pretty good at waiting until I say "OK" before he takes the treat.  He's so darn cute when he's waiting for me to say "OK."  He stares very intently at the treat, puts his head down a bit (the longer he waits, the lower his head goes), ears cocked, brow furrowed, almost crying in anticipation, and then he gets the treat and all is well.  He does so well with Kiddo, and my dad (who didn't really show Bup affection until after I'd left for college and Bup seemed sad, and even then it wasn't a lot, but damn if he didn't love the dog) even let Pup lay down on his lap for a while.

Pup has a plush toy (it's down to 2.5 legs and 60% of its original body) that he loves to wrestle with, even by himself.  He stalks it, pounces on it, growls at it, shakes it around, throws it in the air, runs after it, and stalks it again.  It's hilarious.

It was a good week...RAGBRAI festivities on Thursday, a friend's going away party on Friday (soooo much fun...I didn't know I could drink that much, at least not without minimal side effects), and apparently Bachelor #3 is in the picture.  Hmm!

Posted by: greeneyes at 08:47 | link | comments (3)

What's up?

Pup is so freaking cute I can hardly stand it.

I'm generally not one to believe in reincarnation or destiny, and I know most people scoff at such a notion (especially when it comes to pets)...but I do think Bup is in there.  Similar facial expressions, mannerisms, sounds.  After talking with a friend, she said that a lot of cultures believe that your pet comes back to you in some way.  I can buy into that.

He's so funny.  He has a plush toy that he wrestles with...he throws it, chases after it, sneaks up on it, and growls at it.  He jumps up onto the couch (only when he gets the signal) and slides over to me.  He's a lap dog.  My parents, nephew, and friends love him...how could they not?  Just look at that face.

Posted by: greeneyes at 21:31 | link | comments (5)

Well doggone it!

It's tough opening your heart to love.  There's always a fear in the back of your mind...what if I don't like him?  What if I don't like him as much as the one before?  What if I can't give him what he needs?  But the time comes when you know you have to take that big step and welcome someone new into your life, offer him what you can, and hope for the best.


Meet the new man in my life...well, near-man...he was neutered a couple of weeks ago.






He has similar features as Bup and has some similar mannerisms...but the new bup likes his kennel and carrier, which is definitely a good thing.  

Posted by: greeneyes at 22:24 | link | comments (6)

The water is going down.  Slowly.  It's gone down much faster in CR.  Everything is muddy, icky, stinky, moldy, and gross.  And pretty much trash now.  Some businesses may not re-open.  Others will, eventually.  Some bridges are still closed.  Some roads are washed out.  Billions in crop damage.  Some of the university buildings were hit really hard.  A friend will be out of her house for a long time, and they lost a bunch of stuff.  But people are safe.  Now everybody downstream is getting our leftovers.  Look out, New Orleans.

I made an awesome potato soup last night.  My own recipe.  So delicious.  I also made a Greek country bread.  I'm not sure how Greek it actually is, except for the little bit of honey.  But it was delicious.  And it would have been more delicious had I remembered to add the salt.

Posted by: greeneyes at 18:03 | link | comments (2)

It's bad.  So bad.  I can't even describe it.  People have worked so hard, and they're still working hard, to keep the water away, but it can't be stopped.  You can barely see the tops of some houses.  My university, library, student union, theater building, art building, Hancher Auditorium...they're all facing serious damage.  Up in Cedar Rapids, the current is so strong in the streets blocks away from the river that the rescue crews are afraid to go there.  A small town by CR is completely under water and is accessible only by boat.  There is a 280 mile detour to get from Iowa City to Cedar Rapids (normally a 20-30 minute drive).  It will be another week before the water is down to normal flood levels.  I feel so helpless, so hopeless.  I'm still fine, but my heart is so broken for everyone and everything else.

Posted by: greeneyes at 18:56 | link | comments (8)

A mo'friend inquired about how I am and how things are up here.  Here's my reply...

Personally, I'm fine. My home is in no danger of flooding. A friend and I went driving around town and took pictures...it's just incredible and even though I saw it in person, it still doesn't seem real. Iowa City still has a lot of flooding to go...they're anticipating at least another 5 feet (assuming we don't get the 3+ inches of rain forecasted for this weekend) on the Iowa River, and cities north are being evacuated (one town about an hour north is completely isolated because all the roads are covered in water). The university will take a really hard hit when it's all done. Even if we don't get a drop of rain for the rest of the summer, we'll still be above normal levels.

I got home not too long ago and heard about the tornadoes (we heard about some tornado warnings on NPR while driving around, but didn't hear about the scouts until home). It's just terrible. My parents are currently getting hit with a nasty storm, but the radar isn't showing any tornado or potential tornadoes, so that's good. In fact it seems to be breaking up...I always swore my hometown was a bubble for weather). Some relatives in the NW part of the state also got hit tonight.

One good thing is that whenever disaster strikes Iowa, everybody comes out to help. People are sandbagging, helping people move things to higher ground, taking in misplaced people.

So I'm fine...people around me, not necessarily.

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One of the major roads in town is closed because it's completely under water.  I imagine another main road will be closed tomorrow because water is seeping onto it already and the river is right under the bridge...the water will probably be on it tomorrow morning.

Some businesses have closed for the time being.  Some have relocated.

My heart breaks for the Boy Scouts and their families.  I can't imagine.  I don't want to imagine.

Water was bursting through manholes in Iowa City and Des Moines.

Here is a picture of a tornado well north of here from Tuesday night...you can kind of see a mouth and tongue in it...I think God's sticking Her tongue out at us:



My nephew lost his top left front tooth tonight.

Posted by: greeneyes at 22:25 | link | comments (3)

I'm just sitting here, waiting for Noah and his ark to come by and pick us all up.

Posted by: greeneyes at 20:26 | link | comments (5)