While the Cat is Away...

Ahhh, it's a beautiful Saturday morning...sunny and 65 degrees at 11am. I have already enjoyed some QT with the dogs, walking, going for coffee, and giving dirty little Mabel a much needed bath. Most mornings I spend laying in bed until at least 9am- eeking out every minute of being lazy that I can. This weekend is a little different.

Steve left for Texas on Thursday. It's bittersweet to have him gone. Sometimes a few days apart can be refreshing. It gave me a chance to get some really good spring cleaning done...I scoured the bathroom, dusted the ceiling fans and baseboards, and rid the house of a layer of filth. It felt cathartic to wake up this morning to a really clean house. There is no clutter, the backdoor is open and I am enjoying a nice early spring breeze. I also took the opportunity to watch a chick flick last night- Life as We Know It.

I had wanted to see it, and it was sweet, but pretty unrealistic. The thought of losing a best friend in a tragic accident is overwhelming- much less adopting their toddler too. The characters were a little to optimistic for most of the movie. Being that last night was the first Friday of Lent, I also was in need of a non-meat meal, which doesn't appeal much to Steve- or any man. I found some good looking pre-made tilapia in Harris Teeter. To my disappointment, it lacked flavor. However, I did indulge in a piece of German chocolate cake, which made up for the bland entree. Good thing I have been diligent about my workout routine- allowing Jillian Michaels and Denise Austin to kick my butt every day via DVD.

Today is Charlotte's annual St Patrick's bar crawl. My friends and I are all partaking and I am excited to carry out a tradition we have been part of for several years- and it's not often that we see each other any more, so just the thought of being together is great. I'm looking very forward to toasting with green beer and quoting the Mobile Alabama leprechaun- our patron Saint of St Patrick's Day. Pat may have driven the snakes out of Ireland, but the leprechaun has given us YEARS worth of humor.

On the flip side to Steve being out of town, sleeping alone is strange. And, I am not the only one to notice. Mabel was unable to relax with her obviously absent father figure with us. Once in her crate, she settled down, but sleeping in bed with me, she was restless. Last night I hardly got any sleep. I don't know if it was because I was alone, or because my allergy medicine had me buzzing.

Tomorrow I am going to visit Melia and her new baby, Zoey. She was born in March, and I have only seen her for a mere 2 minutes, so I am long overdue for a visit with the new little one. I am also hoping to score some church time, being that we are into Lent.

Speaking of, I decided to make the very difficult decision to give up Facebook for Lent. This is the first year in awhile that I am feeling really challenged. It's strange to be disconnected, but a little liberating. Why do I need to know what my old roommate's ex boyfriend is doing, or what my old boss' husband is feeling about the Daytona 500. There is something nice about simplicity- and not being wired to the events of over 600 people is nice and simple. I am sure by Easter I will be ready to reconnect, but for the next 35 days, I will take advantage of the disconnect.

In the meantime, I just have to make it another 3 days and I have my boyfriend back- which is WAY more exciting than Facebook, but until then I am going to enjoy some single me time with my dogs, my friends, and myself...and a nice clean house :)

On a total side note- and not to under shadow the importance of it, my thoughts and prayers are with those in Japan recovering from the tsunami and earthquake devastation. An 8.9 earthquake is unbelievable! I can't imagine. The footage is insane- especially of the tsunami. The cars and boats look like bath tub toys being tossed around the Japanese country-side. I just can't fathom enduring that kind of event. I will say that if any country can handle it, Japan can. They are leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of the world with their technology designed to respond to natural disasters- and they are a resilient people. Nonetheless, I am sending thoughts for peace and recovery.