I'm gonna do this

I'll let y'all know how it turns out.

I'm trying not to.....

I've considered posting about this before and could never bring myself to do it.

Even now....while I'm typing this....I've typed whole paragraphs and deleted them...not sure exactly how I wanted to say what I want to say.

So I'm just going to say it: my husband and I are separated. We have no plans to divorce at this time. We consider each other good friends, and economically for both of us it makes the most sense to remain married.

When I first moved to Atlanta, it was with the intent that I would go back and forth to Alabama. Spend time in both places. This would be a trial of sorts for both of us to see how we liked being on our own. Over the course of the summer and then into the fall, I spent less and less time going to Alabama. My husband NEVER comes to Atlanta. He doesn't like it here. At all. I respect that. Just as he respects the fact that I'm bored with living in small town lower Alabama.

These past six months have taught us both quite a bit about ourselves: Mike has found that he enjoys living alone. He's 62 and this is the first time in his life he's ever lived alone. He's enjoying being able to do his own thing (golf 6 days a week) without having to worry about anyone (me) being upset about the amount of time he spends on the golf course.

I've found that (shockingly enough) I can~ in fact~ live without a dog in my home. This is the first time in 21 years that I haven't had a dog sitting right next to me as I sit on a couch. Yes, I miss my "boys", but I know they're better off, happier, etc....living in surroundings that they're used to. I'm SO fortunate that both of my daughters have dogs (the adorable Reuben and the sweet Sadie) that I get to spend so much time with....so that lessens the pain of being away from my own pups.

I just realized something: doesn't the fact that all I've written about is Mike's golf and our dogs speak volumes about how little there is left of what most people consider a "normal" marriage?

Mike and I have regular phone conversations and they're always amicable. There is no anger and no remorse. We spent months and months before I moved "discussing" the state of our marriage and what led to its decline. There is fault on both sides. But really...as cliche' as it sounds....we simply grew apart. We're both beyond being angry, laying blame, crying, discussing the same issues over and over again. We've done that. And this is where we are now.

We both feel lucky that we've come to this point. That we can speak on a regular basis without there being any angry words exchanged. We share too many years and too many good memories to not be friends. That would be sad. We've discussed how we want to remain friends and be a part of each others lives. I can't imagine it being any other way. I realize that could change....for me or for Mike. But right now....this year....this November....he's coming to Atlanta to spend Thanksgiving with all of us here in Atlanta. And he's bringing the pups.

That's good enough for me.

It's a Reuben Weekend!!!!

Yes, I am on voluntary Reuben duty this weekend.

Look at that picture.

He is working his cuteness SO hard.

I can't resist him.

I absolutely ADORE dogs.

I'd have 10 if I could.

So.....

Who is a "dog" person?

and

Who are the "cat" people?

Anybody out there have both?

Nanny Diaries: Bye, Bye Baby

Baby V did this for the first time yesterday:

....put her hands on my cheeks and her forehead

against mine.

It was so sweet and spontaneous.

I almost cried.

Thank goodness today was the last day.

*sigh*

I would have just gotten more and more attached.

Now on to the next job adventure!

Why is Pissy blogging at 12:50 a.m.?

Because she has severe gas pains.

Between her shoulder blades!!!!

Thanks old age! You officially SUCK!!!!

Ok. Enough of the third person.


I'm here to tell y'all: This stuff HURTS! I've been up trying to get rid of the pains for over an hour now.

I've taken Rolaids, drank some coke to try to burp (TMI, I know), walked around, stretched, used a heating pad, made the mistake of Googling my symptoms and then considered going to the ER on the off chance I was having a heart attack.....

Yeah.

Fun night.

*sigh*

I've even resorted to taking quizzes on facebook just to pass the time. I can't concentrate on reading anything.

Just to make this post more interesting, here's a version of one of my favorite Beatles songs that I'm really loving right now.

How have I not heard this before?

Nanny Diaries: Only one week left

Can y'all believe it?

Next week is my last one taking care of that adorable little munchkin pictured above.

It's been interesting, educational, exciting, exhausting, fun, frustrating, and seldom boring.

I will miss her and her great family.

I think they'll miss me too.

Luckily they are neighbors of Little Pissy's, so I WILL see them again.

Otherwise I'd be sad.

p.s. Yes, I AM the one who put her hair in pigtails for the first time. It suits her: she's a spunky little thing!

~Buddies~

Fancy cookware and eyebrows

Yep, you read it right!

How's that for randomness! haha!!!

I have so many things rolling around that I could blog about...and I will. But since I'd complained about my Dollar General skillet, I thought y'all would want to see what I went and bought to replace it.

Ta-dah!!!

Simply Calphalon!!!

Isn't it beautiful?!?!?
Found it at Ross for only $35 bucks!!!

Score!

I'm cooking a pasta sauce in it right now. :)

Also....

I love this saucepan!!!

It's a great size and just really pretty.
I especially like the copper on the base of the pan.

I always get excited about cooking when the weather turns cooler.

Do y'all do that?


Now for the brows....

Y'all....it had been at least a month since I'd gotten them waxed.
Sure I've plucked, but it's not the same.
All you women know what I'm talking about!

So off to the Vietnamese nail salon I went.
and $7 bucks later.....

Praise the Lord!!!

I have no idea what is going on with my left eye.
Jeez! I could carry a week's worth of clothes
in that bag under my eye!
(and of course no make-up 'cuz what's the point when you're going to get waxed?)

Alrighty!

This dose of randomness is complete!

Hope everyone's week is off to a good start!