At a Red Light

Mr. Chase has a lot of patience but when it comes to me driving my sister's car (which has a standard transmission) his patience is not so great. So he grabbed the keys and offered to drive which honestly took the embarrassment of grinding gears in front of him (again) out of the equation. SCORE FOR ME!

So here we are driving along in the slick and snowy roads heading the 6 or 7 blocks to the video store when we pull up to a stop light. It turns red whilst Mr. Chase is in the intersection, we see the cop car across from us and know that our number is up. We had no choice but to go because hello we were already in the intersection and what did he want us to do? BACK UP into the car that had slid up behind us? I THINK NOT! So we all made sure our seat belts were on (they were) and were very polite as the red and blue lights blinded us.

Mr. Chase kept his cool and I watched him very closely, worried about what his reaction to the obvious ticket was going to be. It was inevitable. After the officer had the necessary information and took his sweet time I knew that he was NOT getting away with a warning. I cringed as he brought back the license, registration, insurance information and the ticket for Mr. Chase to sign. He asked about how much that ticket would cost and the officer wouldn't even give him a ball park. Just told Mr. Chase that he had no idea how much it was going to be he was going to have to call the court to find out. This is where I mumbled Liar under my breath. What a jerk he didn't take the conditions into consideration and just wrote up at ticket.

Jerk.

We went and got the movie he fretted for about 5 minutes then he was over it. just announced that he would have to work more to pay for the ticket and that was that. We spent the rest of the evening talking on the couch. Poor Mr. Chase is getting sick. His whole body is aching and I told him if he shares it with me or My Little Monster he is a dead man. I hope he feels better tomorrow, that it was just a quick 24 hour bug... I hope - I hope - I hope! Men are big babies when they're sick!

Pet Names

So many different names he could call me,

Sweetheart, makes my heart flutter.

Babe, Makes me Giggle.

But I am probably happiest when he calls me

Em. 

Disappointment

I found out today that I will be ringing in the New Year sans
Mr. Chase.
I hate to admit it but I'm terribly disappointed
Now what am I going to do?
More importantly...
Who is going to kiss me?

Trouble in Paradise?

Today was Christmas.

That being the case Mr. Chase was not in town.

Rather he was down at his parents house. (Where he should be!)

So we did not see each other today.

We did text!

&

As always I waited for him to text me. (Call me old fashioned)

So tonight just as my little monster and I returned home from a long day of festivities @ my parents house, he asked why I had been so quite all day, furthermore, asked if I was trying to break up with him due to my lack of verbose communication and his fear that the disapproval of family members had gotten me to change my mind about seeing him.

The poor guy.

I explained that he wasn't gonna get out of this {whatever THIS is} so easily.

And all was well in the world again.

Addressing Concerns

It has been brought to my attention that in reading my blog Mr. Chase sounds as though he is

"Mr. Wonderful" and apparently this poses concern to some of my readers, okay THEY are not really readers... THEY are concerned family members that think my track record is not so stellar and are concerned that I do not think I can get "prime beef"

that I am settling for scraps {when the family member referred to Mr. Chase as beef I nearly lost it- tears welled up in my eyes in attempts to keep from laughing hysterically}

Now, when it comes to men and dating I am the first to admit that I have not had such great luck. Perhaps I am not the greatest judge of character I have certainly picked myself some real WINNERS but what can I say? I am a sucker for the underdog, I see a person for who they are at the moment- not who they were- THEY see this as a character flaw on my part- not looking at the full picture and such.

{I blame my father for this actually, he can look at an empty lot, or an old falling down house and see something magnificent and extraordinary just waiting to take shape. I am the same way but my vision of what is yet to come extends not only to structures but to people as well.}

and I could probably add taking things slow to my list of things to be concerned about. This is not something I am very good at, when I say that I mean, I go from Hello my name is ____ to Hopelessly Devoted in half a second @ least that's what THEY think.

Now I realize that the way I do things is not the norm, but I have never been accused of being normal.

I am the first to admit that Mr. Chase may not be everyone's cup of tea however, right now he is like a breath of fresh air to someone that has been drowning in a sea of creeps. How is he so different you ask? He does not treat me as a second class citizen for being a divorced/single mom. You would not believe how many men go running for the hills when they find out that I'm a mom. He opens doors for me-chivalry is NOT dead! And a BIG one is that he LOVES and respects his mother- I firmly believe that you can tell how a man will treat you by the way he treats his mother and sisters (Mr. Chase does not have any sisters)

I am not going to continue to spout off starry eyed drivel about Mr. Chase -although I probably could- because ladies and gentlemen I know he is not perfect, he has a not so pleasant past (that I'm not going to divulge the information I am privy to because that would just be rude) that has presented many obstacles in his life but he is overcoming them and that's all that really matters right? And his past is just that, past and while I am completely aware that it could come back and bite him in the ___ should that possibility prevent us from something GOOD from happening?

Seemingly Endless

And so it begins: Two whole days without Mr. Chase- He is going home for the holiday. I knew there was a reason I hated this time of year.

Yeah that pretty much sums it up.

Ever Feel?

You ever just feel kinda crabby?

For no real reason?

Just crabby?

Heard it Through The Grapevine!

Sometimes I wonder if anyone even reads this. I rarely receive comments but I am not complaining rather explaining how an interesting conversation took place with a church leader of mine. I was talking with said church leader this afternoon after our usual block of Sunday meetings and he expressed a concern over something he had "heard through the grapevine" about something someone had read on my blog. (Gasp!)

I was floored, had I been found out!? My midnight trysts with Mr. Chase were now the topic of ward gossip!? Oh the horror! (Just kidding)

I thought long and hard about what I had written on my blog and drew a blank, What on earth could someone read within this blog that could have had this church leader so concerned? He explained that he had been told about me writing about having Mr. Chase over at all hours of the night and that posed a concern.

I nearly laughed in his face. I carefully explained that while it is true that Mr. Chase and I have had a couple of late nights, we realized that they were not helpful or healthy for either one of us, we both needed our sleep and the late nights are now a thing of the past. He smile and agreed that this was probably a good idea, I asked him if he would like the link to this blog, so he could check up on me himself and not have to wait from concerned citizens but he just smiled and said no, he trusted me. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself I didn't realize that when I choose to have my dates was such a cause for concern in the general populous.

I can only imagine what this concerned citizen was thinking and would like to reassure them that all is well nothing shady is taking place regarding me - at my apartment or anywhere else for that matter -in the wee hours of morn nor in the broad light of day. As I mentioned earlier we have set a curfew, and I would just like to thank whoever you are for keeping an eye out for me and being so concerned over my virtue! I hope this eases your minds. And for future reference if you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment, you could even do so annonomyously :) I would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have

Round 1

Mr. Chase is out of town for the weekend. Visiting family. So we have been texting to keep one another entertained.
We had our first "misunderstanding" via text messaging today... go figure.
I received a random text, obviously not meant for me and rather than confront him, and ask him about it. I straight up told him he sent it to the wrong person and a few minutes later told him I was going to say good night. Seeing as it was 7:30 he became suspicious and asked me if I was upset. The texting that ensued was fraught with frustration and miscommunication but we got things sorted out and both apologized for the way we handled it.
I wish he would come home. I miss him. (He'll be back tomorrow)

Happiness is

Finding notes like this -{written in wall crayon}- on your bathroom wall

{and FYI when i found this i had a grin that not even a magic eraser could wipe off}

What a Day

Despite the horrible tossing and turning and nightmares of last night, today turn out to be a pretty fantastic day! My little monster slept until well after 11 am and I was able to get up and do some things I needed to.

We got up got dressed and got ready for the day, crepes were on the menu so I set to work on then and its true what they say "if you build it they will come" or rather in this case, "if you make it he will come. " That's right Mr. Chase showed up just in time for lunch. With a bag of his laundry to boot! And well now we have not come right out and said that we are "boyfriend/girlfriend" doing one another's laundry and spending lazy afternoons together... hum... but I'm not saying anything I'm not going to be the one to curse it.

Mr. Chase was nice enough to run me up to my appointment on campus with the academic advisor I have been dreading. I gave him a quick kiss goodbye but apparently that wasn't good enough because he pulled me back for another and another.

The Academic advising appointment astounded, astonished, and amazed me. I found out 4 classes that are all available next semester is all I need to graduate. I laughed, I cried and the advisor even gave me a hug! I can't remember the last time I felt such relief? {Perhaps when they told that after 48 hours of labor at home, I was finally dilated enough to have my little monster}I will have a degree! After 8 years of on and off I am finally going to get that blasted insanely expensive piece of paper to hang on the wall that says I DID IT!! I FINISHED SOMETHING!!! My mom was the first person I called she didn't answer and didn't answer so I called my dad, He DID answer and was almost as enthused as I am. I posted it on facebook and received many accolades and congratulatory remarks but there is still one semester left. I am confident. The end is near!!!

I celebrated by staying home all evening (because my car is broken) and making latkes.( They were stellar! ) seeding pomagranites and doing dishes. I sent Grace to bed painted my nails and was dozing on the couch when my phone began to sing to me a Tim McGraw song "I may be a real bad boy... but baby I'm a real good man..." this danced through my mind as I was dozing I snapped to when i realized WHO was calling. I looked at the clock quarter to midnight. I grumbled and answered my phone.

"Hello?" - I said in my grouchiest how dare you make me wait this long to hear back from you voice.

"Hey what you doin?" He asked in his happy golden retriever all is right in the world voice.

"Just sleeping on the couch" *click* I thought he hung up on me. Oh boy was that man going to get a piece of my mind. I called him back no answer. I tried again still no answer as soon as I hung up his ringtone played again. "Hangin up on me eh?" I asked.

"Sorry my phone died and its going to die again soon. I was wondering if I could come over and get my laundry."

I wanted to say, sorry the laundry mat closed at 10 but I think something along the lines of do you realize its almost midnight? came out. He said he'd be there in a moment and he arrived a few short minutes later. I was sprawled out half asleep on the couch so he came in and crawled over me so he could hug me for a moment. He apologized for leaving me in the dark and mentioned that he would not do it again. He stayed for about 20 minutes before it was time to send him home. He smiled and kissed me goodbye. Told me he wished he didn't have to go

My feelings exactly! So even though I was mad that he made me wait so long, all in all it was a pretty great way to end out a night.

The Chase

I had my first "real" date with the guy that I have been seeing for two weeks now. What should we call him? He needs a name so I can refer to him... hum... Let's call him... Mr. Chase because that may or may not be his name... or maybe I'll call him Chase because I am going to make him Chase me... get it? Oh I crack myself up sometimes.

To catch you up, Mr. Chase and I met online a few weeks ago, he lives less than 5 blocks way. We are both attending the local university and we have been seconds from passing each other in the hallways all semester long. He saw me on a dating sight and told me I looked familiar which if I didn't think the same thing I would have thought it was a line.

Anyway, we have been doing the hanging out sort of dating. You know the kind I'm talking about the hang out on the couch giggling when your elbows touch, watching movies, chatting. Lots of texting back and forth (not while he's here, that's just juvinile!) The first time he came over he actually spent the evening fixing the lights on my Christmas tree while I wrote a paper, and he has done a great job of making sure that I'm doing what I'm supposed to in my recovery from pneumonia, ie he reminds me to take my antibiotics. He is helpful, I was vaccumming when he came over the other night ( I had just redecorated my tree so there was glitter and whatnot all over the place) he took the vacuum, vacuumed everything up and even MOVED THE FURNITURE to get behind and under it!!! Well we decided that we should probably go on a REAL date out in public, the kind with the opening of doors and the pulling out of chairs.

To be honest I was NERVOUS when he came to pick me up, butterflies and everything. I was all flustered and he was too it was cute. We went to dinner and since we ate so early, around five, there was NO one else in the restaurant, we joked about him arranging a private room for us, very romantic. We enjoyed dinner and looked up movie times on my phone then headed off to the theater to catch Blind Side. (GReAT movie- sandra bullock should NOT be a blonde) Afterwards we headed back to my place and since My Little Monster was in bed, we decided to watch Phantom of the Opera.

All in all it was a pretty great "first" date. I told Mr. Chase that I was going to make him chase me. I'll let you know how it goes.

The Sweet Sound of Music

I have wanted a piano for a LONG time. I do NOT play. I tinker with it at best but I think a home isn't a home without a piano. That said, I was at my parents the other night and my little brother (aka Superman) walked in with Dad (and I will just call Dad, Dad), they had just gotten back from a long day at the Depot, "Have you asked Seester (me) about the piano yet?" Superman asked Dad.

"Not yet, you tell her about it you found it."

Superman then explained to me that a friend of theirs had an OLD piano, in desperate need of repair that he was wanting to get rid of. He was going to push it out the door and destroy it! Luckily Superman and Dad said they would gladly take it off his hands. So they asked me if I wanted it, with the warning that it was DIRTY and needed some repair. I instantly jumped at the chance and the piano will be coming to reside at my apartment in the next few days.

I have had to do some MAJOR rearranging, I had to move the HUGE bookshelf. Dad and Superman did that yesterday and now in the interum of having the open space for the piano and having the piano my lovely garage sale recliner is going to fill the void. I can hardly wait for the piano to get here!

My little brother asked me the other day if I wanted a piano. The correct answer of course was "Duh!"
I of course have not been able to afford even entertaining the THOUGHT of having a piano, but apparently a friend of his has an OLD piano in need of serious cleaning, restoration, tuning and TLC. I am so excited to get it.

O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
This is the 2nd time I have had to decorate my tree this year. My little monster pulled it down last night with the help of two of her monster friends. So after she went to bed, I took everything off and put everything back on while watching a Hallmark movie. Talk about sentimental mush and can you say predictable?! I laughed through a good portion of it and had to stop it before it was over, I just couldn't take it anymore.

The ONLY reason I even bothered making my tree look decent is the book club I am a member of is going to be meeting at my place this week and I wanted things to look FESTIVE. I will let you know how it goes.

The Awkward Stage

What do you do when doing backflips (previous post) you end up falling flat and you don't know if someone is going to be there to catch you? I have officially entered into the "we have hung out 5 or 6 times, cuddling on the couch, and quick kiss goodnight stage" but we have not had a DTR (determine the relationship) chat so here I go into the dreaded awkward stage!

That Feeling of Excitement

You know that feeling when your stomach does a double backflip - then your heart leaps to your throat? Isn't it GREAT?!

REALY?!

what on earth is next?