The Adventures of Being Me

Had the weirdest lecture from roommate. He asked if I believe in Jesus. Obviously, if I am physically preparing for Easter, I wear a cross to church on Sundays and recently got a new Study Bible to follow Bible devotionals my brother's church gives out. Catholics don't believe in Jesus as the Son of God, and ceremonies are full of demonic hand gestures. I asked if this was from a YouTube video. No. He did his research (Research where, the Conspiracy Theorist Monthly?), and the Catholic church actually is a cult worshipping the Roman agriculture god Saturn. Their imagery doesn't reflect Jesus, but nature deities. He told me I was Catholic. No, my family is Lutheran, a sect that rebelled against the Catholic Church during the Protestant Reformation. But I know plenty of Catholics, and yes, they believe in Jesus as the Son of God. Then he tells me he wants to be a priest and preach the Bible. He was raised a Baptist. Cult leader leading conspiracy theorists is more like it. Ex...

Took Rufus to the vet for his vaccines and heartworm test. Couple of pounds overweight at 19.7 and needs to drop 2 pounds. OK. In good health otherwise. Go to pay, and they want to schedule a tooth extraction. What? Vet failed to mention that. The receptionist double-checks with the vet, and a molar needs to come out. Ok, what is that going to cost (I have to make sure I have enough in my account when I pick him up from surgery)? They will email an estimate. Let's hope so. PS. They never emailed the estimated charges.

RIP Alex Duong. We met in Fall 2008 while I was taking a makeup artistry class with Amy Ward Studio with hopes of being a makeup artist. He was a model I did his makeup for a couple of times and kept in touch by email after I returned home. I told him I saw potential in him by the way he posed. He had hopes of being an actor. I told him to tell his agent to get him parts because I wanted to see him again. He was the one who encouraged me to join social media. I long ago threw away the photographs from the week-long class because nobody gave me a chance to do their makeup. Not even one person. He became a stand-up comedian, actor, and screenwriter. I watched his performances on YouTube, even a commercial for Best Buy, where he had no lines. After watching him in a video with his friends, I said I was so impressed that if he went through his whole life without winning an award, I would be severely disappointed. I saw on Facebook that he got married and had a daughter. He continued workin...

Argh. Give Rufus his favorite chicken can food this morning, and he refuses to eat it. Not even a lick. Grab another chicken can food I had prepared when serving beef, and he gobbles that right up without a pause. I have a weird dog.

OMG, Lord, have mercy on me. Did the Pilates studio classes today for 6 hours, and my shoulder blades are killing me. Came home to let the dogs out to pee and refill the bird feeder. Then had to grab Rosie, who escaped outside. Then went to the grocery store. Rosie explored one of the sacks to fall off the table. Checked her out, and she is fine. Now cooking a pizza. I'm so hungry. Barely had food in the cupboards this morning.

Good news: Took Anna into vet for a booster shot. She lost 2 lbs. I'm so happy.

Bought used car for roommate so I can have my car back. He wanted a truck but can't drive a stick shift. Then he wanted an Imapala, but their automatic shift is on the steering wheel and he can't adapt to it. So got a little compact car, in blue. Test drove it and worked fine. He hesitated cause he is used to driving my SUV and this is smaller. I said he could get used to driving this smaller car too. He picked it out from all the cars in the lot. Got home and he complains the check engine light came on on the way home. Told him that needs to take it to a mechanic to find out what's wrong with it. Probably electircal. And guess what, no owner's manual in the car. That's what you get when buying a used car "As Is". Bought a used car once and it broke down on the way home and constantly breaking down for months. Which is why I begged my Mom to puchase a new car when the fix it estimate on the latest problem was more than I could handle. The mechanic said ...

Begged for roommate's schedule and got it. He works 4 days a week about 20 hours. He finally got the OK for food delivery. Suggested gettign a used car for him and he buys it off me since doesn't work many hours. I could cover the insurance and he handle the gas, maintenence, and repairs. Had to contact the financial advisor for money to drive car again. It's not fun asking permission to borrow my own car. I want my independence back.

Love him in Walker, Texas Ranger.

Got winter and Valentine decorations put away and got Easter decorations out. Missed the parade getting up at noon, then it was 20 degrees outside so decided to skip it. Completed 2 observations of Pilates classes with the instructor I did a Pilates class with yesterday. She recognized me. Afterwards, I took the car rental back since I can't afford to to keep to demand my roommate's schedule so I can plan around it. He is still waiting to be a food delivery app driver in addition to delivery pizza. Stopped for gas before returning the car and drove too close to the gas pump to scratch 2 doors. Great. Get to pay for the damages. Order a ride pick up on a mobile app. Roommate called saying they are back from girlfriend's doctor appointment fromm her headaches. They will pick me up so cancel the pick up app ride. Get charged $5 for cancelling. Ride would have cost $12 plus tip. Start demanding his schedule to plan appointments around it. Won't give it to me. Then this...

Got 50 mph winds, interstate to the west of city was closed for hundreds of miles. Turned out we got about 2 inches of snow and freezing cold through tomorrow. Roommate has work delivering pizzas.

Happy 5th Birthday Anna. Actually Birthday is April 1 and Gotcha Day is April 8 but celebrating today. Dogs and cats were offered cans of tuna and treats. Well I finished my taxes. Since employer failed to take out state taxes from my paychecks, I owe $730. Fed refund is $200 so take out some of the sting.

Went to interview for volunteering at local musueum for the summer. They stopped wearing costumes and dress normal to be interpreter of History. They have a culture center with Revolutionary War wall, bios of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and several quilts, a covered wagon, and hearse. Interesting. They even included a few women and I commented not to let Trumps see that or he will order the women displayed taken down. I said I could anywhere they need help. I am so upset. Went to grocery store, big sale Friday. Just got my unemployment check. Card declines. We have to put back $14. Roommate picks a package of beef steaks for $14.75 to put back. Who does roommate think I am, Donald Trump? Explained that was embarrassing and worse I knew the cashier from a past job. Then, I get home and TV advertising HyVee having special sale Saturday and Sunday to get gasoline discount. I have 19 cents in my bank account and 9 cents in savings. I could really could use that gas d...

Wow, go to all Pilates class and locked out because I am 4 minutes late. It is disruptive to allow late people come in. I swear their clocks must be 10 minutes fast. They say arrive early and I did last class to have them start class right away. I was 10 minutes early. Did an online class instead.

Well, Roommate got a job delivering pizzas for a pizza place. I thought all restaurants used food delivery apps nowadays and got rid of their drivers. Problem is that leaves me without a car for 8 hours so taking Pilates class tomorrow and observing Pilates classes next week are going to require me to get to a rental car until he can save enough to buy a used car. I just emptied my bank account replacing the motor in the furnace. It takes time to sell stocks to replenish my cash account. Then the outside airport car rentals are out of cars so have to go the airport where fees are higher for extra security after 9/11. I told him Congratulations on job, I just wish he would have gotten a job that didn't require my car for 8 hours. He said package delivery company rejected him. I hope he keeps this job and makes good tips. He actually said I could take ride shares everywhere and furious I am spending money on a rental car. He took my car. When I said he could use my car to get to a de...

Some people are so funny. Tell someone my former employer didn't take out state income taxes from my paychecks per W-2, and since it is not my fault employer screwed up, they think oh, I don't have to pay state income taxes then. No, that means I get to pay all my state income taxes now, meaning no refund because they were never paid in the first place. Sigh. Welcome to Adulthood. Losing confidence in my Pilates Teacher Classes, watching everyone else jump on Advanced Exercises that I end up having difficulty with, or am unable to do at all. But I don't have to be able to do everything; I just need to tell people how to do the exercises. But it is nice to demonstrate that I can do Advanced Exercises to the students. Need to work on my flexibility and strength. Learned something new in Pilates instructor classes. Obese people having trouble lifting legs so private lessons might be better before joining classes to prevent embarrassment of the client.

p>Back to Pilates Teacher Classes. And preparing for rain, I forget my bag with my notebook, snacks, and water bottle. I will survive. Have to remember to put it in my car so don't forget tomorrow.

Funny. Saw a license plate saying FOXFORC5. I laughed and roommates thought it was military. I explained that was from Pulp Fiction. I watched the movie on DVD.

Walked around the yard and found a striped garter snake. Small one around a foot long so much have just hatched. Directed the dogs away from the snake and cats were going back inside so we came in. Guess I have walk the dogs on a real walk since I have my shoes on. Took Anna to the vet for her vaccines and heartworm test. Her weight got up to 42.3 on the scale. Needs to lose 10 lbs., so have to cut the table scraps except maybe vegetables and meat. She might be experiencing back pain from the extra weight. Got to take her to the local park again. Hit 50 degrees today, and we walked around the neighborhood. She needs longer walks and fewer carbs, like peanut butter and crackers.

The whole Punch Monkey and his stuffy remind me of when abused children grow up and are tossed out in the world (Clearly Punch was not abused by his zookeepers, but he was disconnected from his troop and then reintroduced). Punch clinging to the stuffy alone is the security of the past in a scary world where there are no bonds with people from no history. Who is trustworthy, who is just using you, who is bullying you, and who is kind enough to give them a chance? Abused children learned unhealthy habits to survive, but don't serve them well when they reach adulthood and are on their own, navigating jobs and finding housing when lacking the social graces people expect. Then comes the first touch, the first kind word of someone feeling sorry for you, to react with fear. Do they trust this person not to hurt them, as so many have done in the past? Then comes another kind person, and bonding begins, learning who to trust. Then acceptance and friendships form, life partners are found, a...

Well, Rosie's fractured toe is much better. Not only is she back to climbing my clothes closet, but she also climbed the tree today. Today is the last day of the painkiller. She still holds her paw up, so it could be sore after use. Still a little swollen. Hooray! Roommate passed his driving test and now licensed. They gave him a paper one and get the plastic one in the mail. I told him now he can get a job and make his dreams come true. He wants to be a delivery driver or get his own car to do food delivery apps. Yes, I added him as a driver on my insurance. I said he starts working, he can pay rent. Half utilities, his share of insurance, and buy their own food. That would help me out. He is so happy.

Went to Cracker Barrel for dinner with family in celebration of my sister's birthday. Had the fried chicken. Delicious. Her birthday was Feb 16.