I Still Can't Believe It

So after a 5 year hiatus, something spurred me to post here on February 8th.  It was a short post and didn't really say much.  It was kind of like dipping my toe into a pond I hadn't visited in a long time.  Who knew that in three short days, my life would forever change.  It kind of makes me regret that I let this blog languish for so long without updating as I would have liked to have some record of the previous five years before The News that would usher in the next chapter of my life - a chapter I had mostly given up being able to ever write. Backstory: I hadn't been feeling well at the beginning of 2016.  Just felt off a bit.  I went to Orlando to work a conference and when I got backed, I was rocked by something flu-like.  I'm not sure I've ever had the flu but from the symptoms, I supposed that's what it was.  Of course I didn't go to the doctor or anything, pshaw.  I just suffered through it.  I had a fever for a few days and...

I still struggle with what to write here. 2008 verily sucked. Sure there were some moments I'll recall with fondness, but I'm going to have to go with Strongly Disagree if the question is "Would you classify 2008 as a good year?". From one nasty habit to another. I'm trying to quit smoking and I'm not using any medical or OTC aids...yet. But I've taken to sleeping on the couch - the busted out, drooping in the middle monstrosity and it's not doing much for my back health or my emotional well-being. I bought a pretty fancy mattress in September but for some reason, it's just not doing it for me. Part of the reason definitely has to do with how cold my bedroom is but sadly, that's only half the story. The other half is certainly the part where sleeping in it alone is deflating. And Corn Dog just isn't the bastion of warmth and affection I need her to be. I wonder if Cesar Milan could help me train her to be a better co-sleeper. Mayb...

That was the call that rang out from upstairs. I emerged from the basement to find a wiggly stream of pee ranging from the pine room, through the entire kitchen and around the corner to the hallway, with a nice finish on the hall runner. Guess I have no one but myself to blame for not letting Bean out when I got home from the bowling alley, but cleaning that up half drunk really sucked. But I'm thankful Bean's still around to piss on the floor for the full length of the house. Just one of the many things for which I'm grateful. Yesterday was Thanksgiving, but I do try to be grateful every day. An alarm titled "Gratitude" goes off at the same time every day on my phone to remind me in case I've forgotten. So, thank you Cassady, for pissing all over the house to remind me. Next time, could you just leave a note?

A friend you know here as JoySoy Habanero has a daily alarm set on her phone to go off everyday at the same time. And when it does, she thinks of as many things as she can for which she's grateful. The alarm goes off and she says "Time for Gratitude!". It's a habit I'd like to get into made even more pertinent by recent events. So here is a list of things for which I'm grateful today: My family. I've always been close to my family, but in the last few months when things have gotten rocky, I've truly been amazed at how much we will do for each other. They've been there for me without a complaint or a moan to be found and I only hope that I repay that in everything I do. Warts and all, I've got the best family I could ever wish for. All four seasons. I don't think I'd ever want to live someplace for any length of time that doesn't have all of them. And right now, spring is reminding me every day of how sweet it is to come out...