Bitter Old Hag

I get the giggles every time I see that phrase. In fact, I had a hard time typing it because it made me laugh so hard. So I'm going to keep using it as much as possible in as many venues as possible just because it's so fucking hilarious. And just keep blogging about all the great things going on in my world these days.

• All the hard work is paying off for my team at work. Last year, we were up in acceptances by 26% over the previous year. So far, we are at about 21% over the same time last year. And most of that can be credited to Dan, Nicole, Debbie, our intern Laura, and myself. We've operated down by 2 staff members and still managed to better our yield. If we're all going to put in 60 hour weeks, then it's good to know that it's worth the effort.
• I've been on a massive cleaning jag and it feels good. I've spent at least 3 of the last 4 weekends on a cleaning project. I first scrubbed the kitchen floor by hand and washed all of the baseboards in the apartment. The next weekend, I got the steam carpet cleaner that Tom and I agreed to share custody of and cleaned the carpeting in the bedroom, hallway, and living room. I meant to do the entry and staircase the next weekend, but Easter intervened and I put it off. Last weekend, the weather had turned and it didn't seem smart to do the entry and stairs while the weather was so wet and muddy, so I scrubbed the entire bathroom from top to bottom. It looks like spring is finally on its way by this weekend and I hope to finish the carpeting. The next project is to wash the walls and then decide if I want to paint. Sometimes I enjoy this nesting behavior and I miss the things Tom and I would do around the house. I can't really remodel, but I can still have home projects and I had forgotten that. I think I'll get some potted plants for the deck this year. It's taken me a long time to get to the point where I feel good doing these previously joint projects. I'm glad.
• Speaking of Tom, it's possible that by the time I finish typing this post he will have made a major career move, one for which we had both planned for many years when we were together. And he couldn't wait to talk to me about it. It's good that we can still do that. In fact, he has indicated and I am sure that, in reality, *I am* the only person he can really discuss it with and get a sympathetic and enthusiastic ear. He interviewed a week ago, felt it was a rousingly successful interview (of which, knowing Tom as I do, I have no doubt), and expects to hear something within a week. I hope he gets it and expect he will. And I will take some pride in that. I worked harder promoting and planning with him his career than I did my own and now, hopefully, he will finally be in a place to really build something. It will be a huge step to move from secondary ed to post-secondary ed, from managing a classroom to managing an entire department, from the constraints and inertia of the secondary level to the ability to innovate and create. I'll be so happy for him if and when this actually comes to fruition. And I'll be able to, once again, see that the years of work pay off. Not for me, but for him. And I'll take satisfaction in my part of it and in the knowledge that he gives me my part of the credit for it.
• Long distance lovers are the best, I've decided. I never get sick of them being around all the time. I don't have to explain where I'm going, when I'm going, and who I'm going with to anyone. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. And they are so wonderful when they are here. As am I to them. Been making plans to see a few of these lovely men lately and my social life for the next several months is being planned. Tim will be in from Philly this weekend and one long weekend in May. Randy is coming in from Florida during June for a long weekend and again for a week in October for his niece's wedding. And Ron. Ah, Ron. He'll be here for a week in July while I'm on vacation. And again in August for a week when I have a four day weekend planned. And he'll be dropping in to check on his parents intermittently between the longer stays. I'm so glad that his campus in Florida has it's main campus here. It means I get regular fixes of him in addition to all the phone calls and emails. And I've decided I need regular fixes of him. He's different in demeanor and action from any other man with whom I've ever gotten involved. I'm intrigued by it and that makes him like catnip to me. You've gotta love a man who is like no one you've ever met. Well, if not love him, at least, make love with him. And he's quite the singular character in that sense as well. Gotta be careful around him. He's one scary dude. Because I've really never experienced what I experience whenever I hear his voice on the phone. I feel like someone is pouring warm honey all over my body. That's the only way I can describe it. I like it, but it's terrifying.
• I tried to come up with something bitter here. Really I did. Just to fit my square peg into the round hole all prepared for me. But I'm sorry to say, I got nuthin'.