hula hoops and hampster wheels

SO I called him - I know,I broke rule #1 of breaking up. But I love him too much just to walk away- I needed him to know I think that it's worth it to work on us and well, Becuase I'm sorry, but he doesn't get to leave me hanging while he goes on a two week hiatus from our relationship for answers to basic questions.
jist of the conversation...
He cares about me and loves me - but something in his own world isn't right and he doesn't know where he is with everything, including me. Not a real defintitive answer to anything was given, but I can now honestly believe that it's not me and stop beating myself up about gaining weight and being moody and not being the prettiest or not being the trophy girlfriend, we all know I'm not graceful enough for that label.

So a little space is needed - I guess I can use this time for me - to start painting again or crochet something. Maybe work on the novel.

If it doesn't work out between us, it's not going to be because I didn't try or care enough. It'll be what it's going to be and right now it's in limbo and I'm sad and scared and hopeful.

So if anyone wants to play me in scramble I'm game!

I've even taken a vacation day tomorrow to sleep in (shocker) and get some crap in Kristen world straightened out.

So I was completely blindsighted last night when Dave had me over to talk.

He didn't really have a reason and couldn't tell me what went wrong other than it's him and not me. That he thinks I'm great and wonderful and that he loves me - but his heart isn't all in it. Then as the evening progressed, he wants to take a break and then talk again in a 2 weeks.

Maybe to see if I'm the root of his unhappiness. Maybe to weigh out bachelorhood vs. commited relationship, Who knows?

WTF.

Where did this come from, I don't know.

I'm sad and hurt and confused because I love him.

My whole take on it is - he either loves me and is scared about the intensity of love or he just doesn't or can't love me.

Sooo I love birthdays. I love making a big fuss and getting the perfect gift. Or so I thought.

This year for Dave's birthday -- I was at a loss - I had no idea what to get him.
I googled best boyfriend birthday gifts. I had a couple lame ideas...

1. cologne -- but he already smells so good - ps I love his deodorant more than his cologne. But never the less -- don't fix it if it ain't broke.

2. kitchen crap. i.e. a colander, new toaster, glasses to replace his plastic cups. lameness factor - 10. useful for when I'm cooking dinner and need to strain something 1. ok it's on the veto list.

3. a puppy. cute idea - but it'd be better if he picked the puppy out and gave it to me and then made me move in with him to take care of said creature. preferably small and well behaved along with adorable -- cats are preffered in my book but I've warmed up nicely in our discussions of having a dog in the Wonderland Future that we discuss from time to time.

4. I can paint him a cool picture of a classic car. Who am I kidding I can't paint real things -- I can paint abstract color blobs. And no offense to me - but I wouldn't want one of the only things hanging on his wall to be a crappy ass picture I pretended to paint. Plus - I might have fun doing this - but in the end result would not even be worthy of Country Kitchen art, no refrigerator -- unless it was some mini fridge under the bar - where no can see it refrigerator.


5. crochet him a sweater. again, not going happen - too much time, bad execution of yarn projects that aren't just big rectangles. Plus he's never even used the scarf I made him -- but he has it still - we do use the afghan I made him - it doesn't match his couch but he went out and got a new couch - and I'm sure his thoughts weren't what will match my afghan...

6. bake him peanut butter heart shaped cookies. he loves my peanut butter cookies. but I have not been motivated to bake. alas veto list again.

7. movies. although nice-- also pretty lame.
8. books. although nice-- also pretty lame.


Ahhh! So what in the world do I get the fantastic boyfriend for his 34th birthday?

9. 34 powerballs? nope lame

10. nothing.

But this is the most fabulous result from google:

MANGROOMER Do-It-Yourself Electric Back Hair Shaver



SO what did I get him? Nothing. Well, I made him dinner: Alaskan King Crab and New York Strip Steak, Baked potato, texas toast and then I let him have full reign over the tv.

SO What did we watch. Well, Friday night, we watched a good 35 minutes of Amatures. It's about a bunch of townies making an amature porn. Dave gave up on this attempt of a man-comedy on his own, but I was happy he turned it off. Then on Saturday, we watched a couple episodes of Sunny in Philadelphia and House and the cheesy movie What happens in Vegas. It was a good lazy weekend mostly spent in front of the tv.

For Dave's birthday we went out for breakfast to eat and read the paper. How adorable right? So we sat and read the paper - ate our breakfast, I shared my bacon with him as he didn't have any and I had 5 pieces. Now, I love bacon- but 5 pieces in addition to hasbrowns, eggs and toast is a bit much. So we read the paper and chit chatted over breakfast. I didn't get to do my puzzle but that's ok -
I'm going to pick up a suduko book today or tomorrow so we can do puzzles together. How sick is that?

We lounged around most of the afternoon on Saturday. He took me out for dinner for being so fantastic and not making a huge deal out of his birthday, okay maybe that wasn't the reason - but anyways we went out for dinner and had a Saturday night date. Then I went home cause he had to work overnight last night.

In the Vegas movie, there was bit about putting the toilet seat down, I let him gently know that we can talk about this later since it's his birthday but I think he got the hint, he needs to work on putting it down.

I did sing to him on several occaisons my annoying birthday song. He plugged his ears as expected since my singing voice - well it's not pretty.

So yesterday, Dave had some golf thing for work to attend. He asked me to be his designated driver- I dropped him off at the golf course a little before 9 am. He stated that he should be done around 6 but he would call, and we could go out for a Saturday night date night.

Well I went about my day, got my hair cut and my eyebrows and lip waxed - endured the pain an agony for beauty. Came home - vegged out, took a nap. Fixed my hair from the nap -- put on make up and looked super cute for date night.

6: no call, no text.

7: no call, no text.

7:15 I text him inquiring on his best guess for time -- they are eating dinner right now.
I'm slightly irritated at this time, but make a bowl of nacho cheese fiesta soup and eat it since I won't be going out to dinner for date night. But maybe we can catch a late movie.

8:00 Text received - almost done

8:15 I head out the door pull out of the drive way, get around the corner and get another text.

8:16 Text reads something to the effect that there is a benifit and it will be awhile.

9:00 Figure that it will be over with by 9:30 and I'm 20 minutes away so I leave my house.

9:15 Sitting in dark almost empty golf course parking lot, text Dave to tell him I am here when he's done.

9:20 Receive text that he's not there - he's downtown Minneapolis. A good half hour from this dark secluded parking lot in the midst of cornfields.

9:21 Leaving the golf course and calling Dave.

9:21-9:30 Conversation filled with his drunken apologies. I'm irritated, sober and try to be the fantastic girlfriend I am - I offer to pick his drunk ass up but he can't call after 11.

9:45 Arrive at the gas station to get essential pissed off goodies - i.e. diet coke and cigarettes.

10:00 arrive home, watch tv - get fuming mad and ready for bed, feel disappointed and irritated and chaulk it up to stupid boyfirend behavior.

11:00 In bed, retainer in mouth, head on pillow, cat snuggled with me watching SNL.

11:01 Receive text: Do you want to meet me at my house?

11:02 Receive text: Cause if you're not coming over I'll stay at my friend place.

11:03 Sent text: I'll come over - but I'm not putting clothes on I'm in my jammies.

11:04 Yes, I do believe this is the first every booty call from the boyfriend. I'll humor him but he's not getting any tonight.

11:05 Call dave. no answer
11:05 Text dave - Do you want me to come over?

11:06 Receive call - I got a ride home are you coming over?

11:07 yes, I'm coming over, I'll see you in 30 minutes, are you going to be passed out when I get there? "No"

11:10 In my car pulling out of the driveway, receive call from Dave aka Drunkaroo who has been drinking now since 9:30 am. Are you coming over? Yes, I'm in the car - Oh well I just got a text -- I sent that to you before you called earlier. Oh ok - I want you to come over. Ok I'm on my way.

11:45ish Arrive at dave's clad in my pink snow flake fleece pants and wsu t-shirt and green hoodie -- all items pretty much a fashion no no - and when put together I look hideous. My face has been washed and my hair is now a disaster so much for cute date night.

12:00 We're in bed cuddling and he's telling me about his day and how he won an XYZ tee shirt and pocket knife. I proclaim that's amazing since the best thing I get is a safety packet in June for safety month.

12:30 He's still apologizing and smells of alcohol and his deoderant has given out on him. So pleasant. But we make up from our first little fight.

7:00 am He wants to snugggle and make out & be romantic on a Sunday morning.
I mumble to him that if he wakes me up - I'm going to be up and I will make it miserable for him to try and sleep. He persists. We snuggle and fall back asleep.

8:30 He wants to snugggle and make out & be romantic on a Sunday morning.
I mumble to him that if he wakes me up - I'm going to be up and I will make it miserable for him to try and sleep. He persists. We snuggle and fall back asleep.

11:00 I wake up - I know a miracle that I was able to go back to sleep. Tickle fights and the idea of going to lunch is tossed around.

11:30 I get out of bed - get dressed in the clothes I wore on Friday - can't very well go out in the world wearing snow flake pajama pants.

11:31 Look in the mirror and see the disaster that is my hair complete with the 20 products my hair chick used to make me fantastically beautiful - now looks like small animals have taken refuge in my hair. Shower is needed.

12:10 We are both showered - I'm dressed and Dave is in his robe and he wants me to go out an get sandwhiches... he has to call his insurance adjusters for some issue - fine - I go to subway get us our sandwhiches. Have a horrible experience at subway that is going to be a completely separate post.

12:40 I get back - we eat our subs and then he puts on sports so we both take a nap on the couch.

4:00 I get up from the nap - get a diet coke, gather my things tell Dave I have to go do laundry and go home to get ready for the week. He gets up gives me a hug and kiss goodbye.

SO it was decided that we would celebrate Labor day weekend as anniversary weekend.
I forgot there was 31 days in August so I told Dave weeks ago to pick a day between 21-30. He picked the 31st. So then it was said that I expected two cards then 1 for the 30 and one for the 1st -- just teasing, but really not... We never really had a day when we it was decided what we are. He wanted to go by the first date which is cute - but has already passed and I explained to him that was the day I gave you your watch with the new battery as clocks and watches are tradition for 1 year anniversaries -- ok I left the last part out as to not freak him out. So technically out anniversary is August 6th.

I told him let's not make a big production out of it. Wrong thing to say.

I picked him up a cute card and that bacon chocolate bar. Along with fixings for beef stroganauf and breakfast. It was decided that we would spend the day together Sunday and Monday.

So I got up. Got ready, went to the store ran some errands. Boring Sunday morning crap. Waiting for the phone to ring. I read a book -- which I'll go into more later. 12, no phone call. 1 no phone call, 2, I'm pissed off and no phone call, 3I'm irritated and then it dawns on me -- maybe he's out shopping? quarter to 4 he calls --- There will be no wedding this weekend -- that was the delay, his friend Randy's son was planning on having some sort of shit gun wedding this weekend in Vegas -- and Dave agreed to watch the dog if he needed to leave town. So what's the plan I ask? He said it's up to me -- I hate this - fine if we are going to dinner after work - but jiminey crickets woo me once in awhile it's really not that hard!

SO maybe I was pmsing, mad about wasting a day sitting around waiting for love nugget to call me, and just a little moody in general.

So I go over there -- he's not hungry yet. So we watch bad tv -- hang out on the couch - I give him his card and chocolate bar. He doesn't have a card for me. Now, I know what you are thinking - who cares. I care, I love cards. I can't help it. I'm not asking him to write me a love letter every day of the week - I'm not even expecting a special message , just a nice card - and him signing his name.

So I run to the store pick up a couple things. In the meantime - he does his dishes. I make dinner -- while he watches tv. But he's checking in on me and my progress during dinner - kissing me on the forehead, tickling me etc. so now I'm less mad. We eat, watch tv toddle off to bed ...

We get up the following morning - lay in bed and talk for awhile. I get up and start making breakfast - eggs, hashbrowns, bacon, english muffins. Excited to spend a whole day being lazy with him. No longer irritated, just chalking it up to him being a man and clueless and me being slightly hormonal and expecting him to be a mind reader. But mind you I did text him to tell him I found a funny treat for him. That should have been a clue to at least have a card. oh well.

After breakfast, we shower, talk about politics, and then he proclaims it's time to go -- go where? Well, I can tell you -- or it can be a surprise. I'll take the surprise.

So we are on the way to the unknown, I start guessing and he says "maybe" to everything. Then he proclaims we are going to a car show. I fake pout as I usually do. But we end up at the Minnesota Zoo.

I've been wanting to go -- since it had been forever since I've been but I wanted to have a camera with me -- but no such luck. So we walk the course of the Zoo looking at everything, trying to avoid the bad smelling places. We go everywhere except the Barn yard animals. It was fun - the annoying parents and children were minimal. It was a good time.

We leave and head back -- I suggest going to cold stone for ice cream, he suggests dairy queen since it's lighter. I rarely crave ice cream so ok fine dairy queen works. We head home, eat our ice cream and then I proclaim it's nap time. I take a nap on the couch - he moves to his chair, watches some tv. I get up about an hour later -- he moves to the couch to take his nap and I move to the chair.


Then we talk about his lack of card for said anniversary. He said we agreed not to make a big deal about it - so I pouted and said yes, that's true but you know I love cards. Remember the Valentines episode, he neglected to get me a card then too... So I say well a card and flowers or candies would have been nice.

I say I'm going to get going - I have laundry and all sorts of junk to take care of, inquire when would be good this week to get together. Maybe Thursday, I request a regular date night like Friday or Saturday - he doesn't have any plans yet so most likely. I head home. But first he hugs me and tells me he's an anaconda then fluffs my hair and tells me he's a bat. Then kisses me good bye.

SO now, onto the book I read while I was waiting for him...

I read "The Rules" some of which is completely unreasonable but some is worth a try -- I don't know how successful I'll be playing the rules now that we've been together for year but I'm going to give it a shot. I'll post a separate post going into detail about the rules...

So I went to World Market today with my mom. She needed sherry vinegar and I love stores that have weird crap that you don't see at target and wal-mart.

So I had a sweet tooth while I was there and they have a section for international candies. I bought a bag of Lindt truffles in a new variety: stracciatella and then I found hte perfect candy for Dave.

Dave generally doesn't like candy bars unless they have some substance in them -- like peanuts, carmel, nougat -- he likes baby ruths, snickers, peanut m&ms... but today I found the candy bar of his dreams.





Yes, that's right -- bacon and chocolate: Mo's Bacon Bar.

Now, I'm jsut trying to think of what else to get him for our aniversary - since we haven't celebrated it yet -- and we decided to do so this weekend.

So I'm convinced that David has some sort of fear - similar to my brother's in that it revolves soley around toilet paper.

I'm convinced he waits until the upstairs bathroom is running low on toilet paper and then uses the downstairs bathroom and visa versa - and this continues until I go in the bathroom and use the last measly square on the roll, and then change the roll.

Is it really that hard?

He also has difficulty putting the seat down. But it is his house and his toilet so I don't press the issue but I make a note to always leave it down and put down the lid after I'm done.

If this is our only quasi fight then be it.

There is also the issue of the towels. He complains that I leave random towels throughout the house - on the back of the chair in the kitchen - on the floor in the bedroom on the loveseat on the back of doorknob not connected to the bathroom.

I explain that he doesn't have a towel rack and it would be a act of God if I could reach high enough to throw the towel over the shower curtain like he does. He just shakes his head.

Maybe I'll start hanging the towel up in an appropriate place when starts changing the toilet paper and putting the seat down so If I go on a tinkle mission at 2 am and don't turn on the light my fanny doesn't get wet.

I do not have a poker face. I tell it like it is. I use body language to express myself. I am not a girly girl with magical purple and pink princess powers. I am however terrified of critters.

Now, I have some irrational fears, I know this, yet I still have them. I know that I am bigger and more mightier than the meager mouse, smarter than the average bat, and I have legs and arms so I have exponentially a larger quotient of appendages than any snake. Plus even at my small stature of being 4-11 and 3/4 (can't forget that part)

So despite all that I have in my favor against the critters in criterville -- I am still terrified.

So frightened that in face -- I see spots, sweat and shriek with out any sound coming out as if my body is in such shock it is unable to make noise.

Well Dave and I were heading out to grab dinner -- and there I see it-
Small beady eyes -- long skinny tail -- small brown body.. It's a mouse-- I scurry away and it stays perfectly still -- It could even be dead -- but In addition to my reflexes of silly erratic "get me the hell out of here ASAP" dance and prance -- arms flailing in the air -- the silent shriek- the bells in my ears -- the spots in my eyes and the sweat --- now I'm also gagging. Gagging over a mouse- this is ridiculous and apparently sooo funny in Dave's eyes that he wants to run in and get a video camera to have a reenactment. No, thank you - this delicate flower will have none of that. But it's happened --- Dave has seen me do the ridiculous dance and gag over my ridiculous fear. And so I asked him if he had any irrational fears -- his manly reply is no.

So 1 year and 1 day ago Dave and I had our first date. Aww how precious.

I know what you're thinking -- "jeez louise another Dave blog." Well, I'm really not a super sap -- nor jumbo mushball -- I have moments, and I really can't help it if they occur when I'm in blog mode so blah!

Ok so 1 year ago we met for drinks -- decided on dinner and since then life hasn't been the same.

So what's so great about Dave anyways? I mean he doesn't eat his vegetables and he doesn't like cats... so he does have flaws...

Prior to Dave -- I was a commitment phobe - I had a string of relationships that were going through the motions but there was no foundation for anything, I would get bored and want to move on after that 3 month window. I'd go on dates and everyone was so fake -- or had ill intentions or just plain creeped me out.

So we took things slow, we never analyzed our relationship, and when everything was fresh and new - we didn't try to define it as a relationship -- so we don't have an "aniversary" like other couples. We've never put ourselves on this "where are we" scale -- cause once you do that you open a new bag of worms. We love eachother and that's about it, we're there for eachother to support one another, and laugh and eat expired meatballs and play UNO when I promise not to cheat, and it's fantastic.

Dave has been phenomenal support for me during my grief. Losing my dad, by far has been the hardest thing I've ever gone through - and Dave's been there for me He knows I'm going to cry for no apparent reason - and he'll just hold me -- knowing he can't make things better but- if he offers a ear, or holds me that I'll know that he's doing everything he can -- and that he hates to see me hurt.

And I'm not a total leech when it comes to support -- I'm there for Dave during his trials and tribulations -- but due to the boyfriend/girlfriend privacy act I'm not at liberty to blog about his ongoings.

So yeah -- 1 year for the former commitment phobe -- who would have thought a year could pass so quickly.

Sooo the other night I was over at Dave's for dinner.
I was supposed to cook chicken breasts -- but they were frozen. So instead of defrosting we changed our minds on a whim and decided to have meatballs.

You know quick easy- frozen meatballs -- zapped in the microwave, a variety of dipping sauces available from the fridge -- kraft mac n chese for our carbs on the side.

So I'm make the macaroni n cheese - gotta love the blue box. Dave's pulling out the possible dipping sauces -- and I'm putting the meatballs in the microwave. It's at this point I'm looking at his unique and varied condiments.

Honey, this barbeque sauce is expired.

Eh, it only a couple months - it won't kill us.

Fine, you can eat it.

Dave, this other barbeque sauce -- is expired... expired last year.

Manly man throws glass bottle into garbage for dramatic baskball player points.

Honey, let take a look at what else is expired:

Grape Jelly: expired: January 2007
Sour Cream: expired: April 2008
Honey Mustard: expired: February 2008
Yellow Mustard: expired: November 2007
Soy Sauce: expired: June 2007
Ketchup: safe
Ranch Dressing: safe
Blue Cheese Dressing: safe
A-1: June 2008
Sweet n Sour sauce: can not read expiration date-most likely expired
Miracle Marinade: expired: Febraury 2007

Ding. The meatballs are dinging, oh they still need a couple minutes.
I'm draining the noodles as Dave is throwing items into the trash -- so I'm not sure what these expired items were -- but he had several barbeque and steak sauces -- so
I can only imagine the expiration dates.

The meatball bag is still on the counter -- the meatballs are done, and macaroni is done.

Honey, the meatballs are expired.

Well, what do you expect we microwaved them?

No, seriously -- they expired January -- 2006.

Well -- they look fine.

Really?

So now I'm in a position -- he is not at all grossed out by this -- I can make him test a meatball -- but I know he'll just say they are fine, or I can be the brave one and eat a two year old meatball.

I eat it. We wait 15 minutes to make sure I don't get instant gout -
and I don't...

So we eat the meatballs that have been tucked away in the freezer.
Dipped in slightly expired sweet n sour sauce and perfectly made macaroni and cheese -- not expired in the least.


The aftermath consisted of very bad gas -- could have been the herbs and seasoning -- in the meatballs -- but I'm convinced it was our bodies telling us to throw the bag out. This is the first time - Dave has not wanted leftovers wrapped up for the next day.

The next day I was hoping I wouldn't need a butter knife like dear Ava did! And that's as graphic as I'm going to get in the poo poo report. For those of you who have no idea what that means -- think cement in the shape of mighty python.

I'm changing my name to Grace-- Dave calls me this on occaison -- when I do normal things and some how manage to hurt myself -- and inatimate objects around me.

I fall out of bed on a regular basis -- Dave's bed is higher than my bed and in the morning hours when I'm not quite with it yet -- my depth perception is off all of the time so I guess I can't always blame it on the morning grog -- but I fall out of bed.

I run into coffee tables -- I trip -- I drop things -I spill.

Coffee tables have turned me blue -- maybe I just can't walk straight. Maybe I got some clumsy gene from my parents -- but I make a fool out of myself trying to do normal everyday things.

I've slipped in the shower -- sprained an ankle doing it and hobble around on crutches getting into more trouble for my lack of equilibrium.

I have lots of sweaters and shirts that I bought for work and after one or two wearings they have a spot or a stain --

I some how manage to get chocolate on my khakki work pants almost everyday -- thank you Dockers for being so stain resistant!

The injuries have effected my life permanently -- I can no longer ski or ice skate due to poor ankles from spraining them on several occaisons -

Yesterday I droped a diet coke can on my big toe -- it hurts

I'm pretty much a disaster zone some or most of the time -- maybe I should consider wearing a hard hat at all times.

Nah, that would ruin the 1/7 good hair days I have in a week.

So date night was last night -- it was fun. We went with Plan B -- Plan A was go get something quick to eat -- head up Urbansprawlville to see Batman on the IMAX and go home and tottle off to bed. Well -- we went to the new theatre up there in the UrbanSprawlville, a little drive but mostly freeway -- but we knew if we went to the IMAX theatres closer to Dave's house -- there would be more people and we both dislike a crowded theatre -- even though we know that any showing of Batman would be pretty full. SOoo it seems as though everyone had the Sunday night idea -- thinking that the busy nights would be Friday and Saturday -- long story short --we drove up, and drove back -- sold out!

So the back up plan was to go to our usual theatre -- in Suburbia Grove - it's a nice theatre and almost all of the movies we've seen together (which is quite a few -- since we are very lame and lazy when planning dates) have been at said theatre -- but we didn't see Batman since he really wants to see it on IMAX and I frankly don't care -- I'm just agreeing to see it in hopes that he will go to Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants II with me next weekend or the weekend after -- cause you know the theatre will be packed for that one as well! God I love teeny bopper flicks -- cheesy weakness, I digress.

Anyways so we decided upon Step Brothers --- since- well he's basically stated that if no one else in the free world will go with me to see Mama Mia - we can rent it when it comes out, thanks honey. Oh well -- not everyone loves musicals or Meryl Streep like I do. Neither of us have seen X files 1 -- so we have an unwritten rule about sequels -- that we both must see the original or prequel before going -- so that also wipes out Hell Boy, since in the attempt to watch Hell Boy 1 last week -- after watching the Batman Begins and eating mashed potatoes, chicken, stuffing and of course a klondike bar--- I fell asleep -- shocking, I know. Sex in the City is on neither of our want to watch lists -- someones nose drives us both a little nuts. Then the other option was Wall-E -- not really in the mood to be depressed about the universe ending and a robot being responsible for saving the earth -- that might make me want to recycle and frankly -- I'm sticking to the notion that it is my first amendment right - not to believe in recycling.

So we run in and get tickets for Step Brother -- 7:45 show -- we have plenty of time to eat a real dinner - instead of fast food or sandwiches. So we head over to California Pizza Kitchen. It is agreed that I'm treating him to dinner. He got dinner last week -- it's my turn, I'm nuts sometimes. I like to pay for things - I like paying bills, I like treating to dinners and lunches -- everything eventually evens out in the wash- But our waiter -- who was pretty fantastic keeps looking down my shirt -- I'm pretty modest in my dress - but remember this was get pretty date night - so I'm wearing a boobie t-shirt. Super Dave is a little annoyed with our waiter -- I'm a little flattered but boobs are boobs and almost anyone has seen them - especially if you were that night on Lafayette -- bygones -- can I have one train of thought? -- We order some carbonated beverages -- soda/pop/soda-pop or whatever you wanna call it -- Coke n Diet Coke. Order our salads -- I drink my dc and my water -- uncontrollable thirst --we talk and eat the bill was about to come as I got up to pee -- so I peed -- while peeing -- Super Boyfriend had to pay the bill -- probably so he could be manly, and control my tip, and give the waiter an evil glare -- or else he was just saving time and paying the bill while I tinkled so we could get to the theatre. ps. -- I have issues with tipping -- I love to tip because I was a waitress many moons ago. (This is Captain Tangent -- I'm obviously going the some ADD turbulence please be patient)


Anyways back to dinner -- we had a lovely conversation --- it went something like this:

K: How was that car show yesterday?
D: It was fun, twice as many cars as last year?
K: So who all went?
D: Oh the guys Randy and Lisa were there, Bobby, Frank, Fred, Llyod, Ralph, etc.
K: So who did you hang out with on your Tour De Cars.
D: Rolling his eyes -- eh I visited with everyone but mostly walked around by myself.
K: Oh - ok that's cool (thinking: I could have walked around with you)
D: I'm thinking of getting out of Classic Cars.
K: Oh, really -- don't you love it?
D: Yes, It's fun -- but I just don't have the storage --
K: yeah -
D: I think I'm going to move into Motorcycles.
K: (Semi-choking on some avocado from my Cobb salad) Really?
D: Yeah, they take up less room -
K: Well how many cars do you have --
D: Too many
K: (at this point I only know of 2 - the two in the garage, 3 if he's counting the one I call my Enemy that is at his parents house but is his Dad's, so I'm confused) What's too many?
(Why has he kept this tid bit a secret I will never know -- he's a true man of mystery...)
D: Six
K: Where are they?
D: He explains where they are stored and ya-da-da
K: So motorcycles eh?
D: Yep.
K: They are so loud --
D: They make quiet ones.
K: So you just have the one right now?
D: Well I have one and then a mini bike -- it's red and shiny and be perfect for you --
(Obviously he has some sort of fantasy involving a revving engine between my thighs...)
K: So do you plan on going cross country - or to motorcycle shows? Do they have motorcycle clubs?
D: Yeah, that'd be fun -- I don't know yet though -- Yes, they have clubs and shows.
K: Do you have a motorcycle endorsement on your drivers' licence?
D: Scoffing -- No.
K: That's it - no motorcycles or I'm calling the authorities - haha, just promise me you won't do anything dumb like that story you heard about my dad -- (short version of said story: It was the 70's, he was drunk- drove his motorcycle into a bush after driving around a friends yard and passed out sitting on his bike.)
D: Shaking head -- Why don't you like them?
K: They are loud, and unsafe --
D: Cars are just as unsafe --
K: Protesting: Nah-uh
D: Just as dangerous as cars,
K: Well at least in a car accident the chances your body will remain in the vehicle are much greater.
D: Scoffing.
K: Fine. Do you want leather chaps for your birthday?
D: Laughing: No thank you.
K: Ok.
D: I'll get a motorcycle endorsement if it will make you feel better--
K: ok it will -- I love law abiding citizens.
D: You should get one too.
K: I'll think about it, but I'm more inclined to wear leather chaps, but I'll think about it.

So with Dave's hectic summer schedule -- weird overnight shifts at work and summer car show madness -- we've been having Sunday date nights. Tonight -- we are going out for dinner and to the IMAX theater to see the new batman movie. I'm excited -- we've been staying in lately -- nesting -- watching tv on the couch - making dinner not going out as much as is bound to happen with any relationship, but tonight -- I'm going to girlify myself -- possibly put on make up and try to do something with my hair to make it cute. My brows and upper lip were waxed yesterday and I feel a little more ambitious to be pretty.



However -- I suggested that I come over a little early -- so we could take a nap together, go out for dinner and then go to the movie -- he was more in favor of plan B --me coming over at 4:30 waking him up from his slumber and going out to dinner. He must really need a nap -- don't want to have a cranky Dave on my hands.



I was then informed that I would be driving, I don't mind really - He puts up with my driving and lack of direction, I prefer to have him drive but he likes to be a passenger once in awhile and I'm okay with that. Ok - so I needed to clean my car up a little bit-- I found lots of random things, a picnic blanket from XYZ Fun day -- which I have yet to blog about -- and several cds and a candy bar wrapper from when I was feeling my blood sugar drop while driving into work -- nothing says good morning like a 3 muskateers or some gummi lifesavers. I wiped up my diet cokes spills that are all over the center cup holders... I"m not very graceful at all let alone with beverages in the car. Dusted if you will the dashboard and doors -- got out the windex and did the mirrors and windows.

Now, It's time to think about what to wear --- right now I'm in this super comfortable -- although not so fashionable blue tee shirt and jeans... I might get a wave of ambition to go to the store and find a new shirt -- although that's probably not going to happen -- I need to pack my overnight bag but my work clothes are still in the dryer -- I think I"ll just slap on some make up and try to fix my hair.

I got a hair cut yesterday -- and it looked fantastic when I left -- and then this morning I tried to replicate that -- and I look more like a poodle than anything. I'm at the weird length -- I can't wear a proper ponytail, my hair is getting curlier -- and the humidity -- well the humidity is making it extra poofy.

Whatever will I do...

So after reading that bible quote below... I was thinking about all that love is -- and how it's always so tricky to define love and how even if you don't say you love someone everyday -- (which I think is a bit excessive and looses some of it's meaning if it just becomes a habit)


Dave hearts Kristen:

Love is putting up with my randomness, quirkiness and shaking your head when I've pushed a joke or saying to far.

Love is telling you how important, smart, funny, handsome, wonderful you are in everyday ways.

Love is vetoing the idea of a Bulldog -- becuase the hair and drool will be a bad thing with your allergies.

Love is helping you with yard work, shoveling the driveway and or just having a snowball fight for fun.

Love is trying seafood and pork because you love it.

So Dave and I were invited to a bbq this weekend -- and we went. My friend Heather just had twins this fall and I haven't been out to see them. And my other friend Josie and her husband have 3 children. So it was a bring your meat and something to share type poot luck bbq extravaganza. We were fashionably late -- which was fine. We chatted and visited out on the deck -- at dinner. I held babies -- it was fun. After a couple hours though - of holding babies and playing with toddlers and a 7 year old ... it was time - time to go. Dave and I had a movie to catch.

On the way to the movie we discussed babies -- and we are both a o k with not being parents at the present time. Then we discussed the possibility of a pet. I suggested a cat -- cause I love kitties! But that was quickly veto'd as Dave has allergies and a dislike of cats. So ok a dog -- but a cute one. I like jack russel terriers and Enzo dogs -- not sure exactly what an Enzo dog is... but it's a dog like the one we dog sit. He's like a lab -- and some "duck fetching" brand -- but technically he's a mut -- but I love him -- and I'm not a huge dog person. I also like german shepperds and springer spaniels -- they were my childhood dogs -- and he is alergic -- so we are talking about dogs with less shedding -- and he likes bulldogs... thinks they are adorable. I think they drool to much -- but maybe he likes that? Maybe I should drool on his pillow more... oh wait I already do that.

Well -- Date night with Dave has always been fun! But lately we're more about the quality of time together. Cooking together and watching tv -- then the end result is usually me squealing from being tickled.

The other night we tried this recipe Dave found in the paper -- the original recipe was from Gordon Ramsay's collection - It was supposed to be sticky chicken... and well it was good - but a little too done. Next time we will have to watch the heat settings.

I'm going a little domestic -- last night I made a simple dinner - tomato soup and grilled cheese - but Dave's likes bacon on his sandwhich -- I think I burnt the bacon -- opps and then the house filled up with smoke.. double oops. Then after dinner - I did the dishes and this morning I made his lunch. How prescious. Is it wrong that I get all giddy cleaning up and making lunches? Maybe a little bit. Yep, but it makes ridiculously happy.

We are tentatively planning to go to the Star Wars exhibit at the science museum -- no, we are not that nerdy -- but we do love the science museum. Ok, maybe we are nerdy - well I am anyways.

Ok - maybe I'll more entertaining stories later.

So when I had braces, I had a toothbrush hiding everywhere-- 2 in the purse, one in the glove box, one in my emergency kit in the trunk, 2 in my desk drawer at work, an endless supply at home. Somehow, I have dismissed the constant need for a toothbrush. Now my usual toothbrush stashes are now fully stocked.

Dave and I were housesitting -- and I forgot my toothbrush. Dave offered me the use of his -- since we had crab and steak dinner and I had particles of dinner stuck in my teeth. I was truly touched, but declined as I was jsut getting over a cold and didn't want to implant cold germs on his toothbrush. But it was very sweet that he offered. Just being a sap.

So at work -- we have this medicine/first aid cabinet. And a couple weeks ago I was suffering from sever nasal congestion and discomfort. So I decided to use the freebie work stuff until I got myself to walgreens or cub.

Well -- I started taking the drugs as directed - with water, every 4 hours, 2 pink pills. Then the next day - to keep my relief on a more even kilter, I've decided 1 pill every two hours would be the better plan. I keep this up --- and on my way home I start to notice, that I'm not exactly sure how I got to where I was, I notice that I'm leaving my turn signal on an extra long time (which btw is my pet peeve and I rarely do such and unthinkable thing) I chalk it up to several of the other issues at hand: pms, quitting smoking, tiredness, the angles of the moon and anticpation over the recent eclipse, the decrease in caffine in my system the nasal decongestant did not come to mind until --- I met Dave for dinner.

We met at PF Changs and we had a little bit of a wait, and we were talking and I was getting loud, louder than my usual boistrous self, and much more animated, I bit my tongue, I was extra affectionate and extra goofy. I had a fit of laughter, uncontollable , unstoppable laughter --- about nothing, I am amused by everything, I feel drunk. I haven't had anyhting to drink, I've removed diet coke from my diet -- (Now I'm drinking it for the sole purpose of caffine -- I much prefer non- diet sodas now... shocking I know -- but I don't my ass and thighs to expand past the point at which they are so I have to suffer with the horrible taste of diet coke -- anyways.... onward) So we are finally seated and we order our beverages -- Coca Colas, and chicken lettuce wraps and crab wontons for appetizers. We wait, we talk, I'm still a little giggly, Dave thinks this is very amusing.
We order food, we talk, i giggle, we eat, I take a litle pink pill after I'm done eating. He asks me what kind of drugs taking since it's in this bright orange paper. He reads the drug information. Turns out I shouldn't be taking this drug due to a thyroid condition, this warning has been on other things and I haven't really paid much to it, but it makes sense - so I promise to discontinue use.
Dinner ends, Dave walks me to my car. Dave likes to park in the furthet possible spot from the door, so I've parked in what I consider the furthest possible spot -- he has parked in the other direction so it is agreed that I will take him to his car if he walks me to mine.

I drive him to his car and exit the Arbor Lakes twisted roads that lead to shopping. Dave goes his way -- and I go, well I go... the wrong way --- somehow - I get myself turned around, going the wrong way, leaving my turn signal on for I don't know how long, I get myself int a neighborhood that I thought connected to the road I pass on my way to work --- nope it was a similar name, so I drive around a couple blocks a couple times. It's dark and I'm stuck in the inner circles of suburbia purgatory --- where every street is the same name except the lane, ave , ct, circle keep changing. WHY can't it be alphabetical like everywhere else! Finally after a near breakdown -- I notice my turn signal is on and I turn it off. It must have been my lucky switch cause once I turned it off -- I found my way to a road I knew I could cut through to find the road that I know will lead me in the right direction, I'm still a ways from being found-- -so I turn the corner, cross the street, what's this? A roundabout? I didn't know there were roundabouts out here! yielding, yielding, straight and then taking my next right, I find myself -- and continue AND finally I am on the road I know, I am finally found -- I call Dave, tell him I got lost and he talks to me until I'm almost home.