Cincinnati Ohio (actually Oregonia)

I got leave to rig up and head to my next project in Alpena Michigan, but I have a little time between the two projects, so I routed myself through Cincinnati. I am here visiting with Robbie.

We've had a wonderful time. Getting acquainted again: talking, talking, talking.
Called my brother and invited him and his wife and child to visit, which they happily did last weekend. That, too, was a wonderful visit.

Next, my best friend Lisa (Robbie's sister) will visit on Thursday on her day off.
It's been many years since I've seen any of these people, but I found it quite heartwarming to realize the history I have with all of them.

I've known my brother all our lives, haven't seen him since 2003 or 2005.
I've known his wife for about 28 years.
I've known Robbie for 26 years.
I've known Lisa for 26 years.
I've been "away" for too long.
It was surprising and pleasant to sit around a campfire or sit around a dinner table and just talk with people who have so many years' familiarity.

Well, I'll be heading out of here soon to Michigan, but this was really worth it to steal a little time for some heart-healing.

You have a great day.
MsAmber

My new companion

I looked around at the local animal shelters - there was a St. Bernard, and a bull-mastiff, and some small dogs. But none seemed right. I looked at Craigslist and there was a Border Collie who was in trouble for killing chickens. The owners said lots of good things about her, but they couldn't tolerate a chicken killer. I arranged a meeting and I would like to introduce everyone to my new companion: "Haps".

"Haps" is a good girl. She's 7 years old, very fit and trim. Mature and quiet, but loves to run off-leash when she can. She makes me get up in the morning, which is a wonderful thing. Pretty much, she has all the good qualities from all my favorite dogs, wrapped up in one. So long as I don't own any chickens or rabbits, we're all good. She's darn funny, too.

Change of subject:

I bought a bag of nice ripe cherries on sale; I normally don't get ripe cherries or plums until July 4th weekend, so it was a pleasant surprise. I made Hamburger helper for dinner, then sat down to watch a Lara Croft - Tomb Raider movie. I got finished with dinner and decided to raid the refrigerator for something sweet - I found that I had forgotten about a bag of Dove Dark Chocolates stuffed in the door of the fridge. So I ate ripe, sweet cherries while nibbling on 3 Dove Dark Chocolates. Mmmm. Yummy. My forgetfulness sure does serve up some good surprises sometimes.... LOL.

Monday night I went to bed with a headache. I didn't have anything to take for it that doesn't contain caffeine, so I just thought I'd sleep it off. I woke up Tuesday with the WORST kind of headache ever! I dreamed that I was moving the longitude lines on the Earth because the minutes weren't correct and was calculating the TRUE circumference and my head was swelled up like a beachball and I had belly-buttons for eyes. I woke up with a terrible headache and couldn't bear the light and I thought for sure that my head really was swollen up like a beachball. I just covered my eyes and stayed in bed until 8:00. Well, I was late for work, I couldn't see, my eyes were swollen up pretty bad, but I was actually surprised when I looked in a mirror and my head wasn't a beachball. Light felt like big needles sticking me in the brain. I didn't actually feel better until about 2:00. It was awful. I haven't had a headache like that since 2008, I think. I actually can't remember when.
And to top it off: Tuesday was sunny and warm. I think that maybe big swings in barometric pressure set me off. I didn't get to enjoy the whole "warm sunny day" thing because I had a terrible headache.
The weather is turning rainy again, so I'm back to feeling alright. I had a pretty good day today - I guess when you survive a headache like that one, the next day you are giddy to be out of pain.

Ironic, isn't it?

"The Guy" that my brother recommended me to meet turned out to be my second boyfriend (joke's on me). My first boyfriend was Steve Conrad, in Jr. High, and he was killed in a 4-wheeler accident. My second boyfriend, during High School, was Robbie. We went to the prom together, and I was really infatuated with him. My brother has always thought highly of Robbie, I think my Mom and my Brother both conspired to keep Robbie in the family. In fact: Brother warned ME to be good to HIM. Yeah, tells you how well my brother thinks of me, right? It's all good, I'm not insulted much - we all know I'm not very good at relationships.
I'm intrigued by the prospect of getting to know him again, but actually quite scared of it too. I've been bullying and bluffing my way through life, and here's somebody who knows me and could actually call my bluffs. That's just not right.
I like to keep the number of people who can dis-arm me down to a handful.
Oh, but I DO have a certain fondness for him. I know he's a good guy - maybe too good - and I'm too much.
I told my brother - "Just because I'm lousy at relationships, doesn't mean I'm not a darn good woman!" (my defensive posture)

I don't want to proceed because for the first time I know it's somebody I don't want to hurt.
(There's the truth.)

The Base is playing Taps, so it must be 10:00.

Goodnight.
MsAmber