The Reintroduction

Wow.

Has it really been that long?

I'm sort of embarrassed to continue this blog at all considering the time that has passed since my last post. The only way to move forward is to just consider it a fresh start and begin here, despite the almost irresistible urge to rip out the previous pages and start over.

Mymy how time flies and situations change. Where to start?

Holly House is (mostly) complete. There are still some cosmetic things to take care of, but all-in-all  I can consider it done. As much as any house one owns is ever really "done".  No one told me about the constant upkeep, repairs, and lawn mowing involved in owning a home, and now it's too late to change my mind. This heap is mine forever and I plan to haunt it when I die, just to make sure I get my money's worth.



This is an old photo. I have shrubberies now.

For those of you who read my Stray Dog Saga, Obi is awesome and tick-borne disease free.

Thanks to my friend Larry, endless hours of weekend and after-work labor in intense heat, and literal blood, sweat and tears, Obi now has a large fenced yard in which to gambol about. He and my 17 year-old cat Beckett have become fast friends. I wouldn't say I've completely converted into a "dog person" exactly, but I am definitely a this particular dog person.



Who can resist this cute widdle face?

My friend Brian and his cat Cooper moved into Holly House at the beginning of March 2013. It made my tiny home even tinier. Except for a few minor issues, which we managed to work out in a ugly screaming match, it's been a pretty smooth transition. It was difficult for me as a single, loner, home-owner to share space with someone again (MY space! MINE!! My preccciousssss...), but it's been good and it's kept me from reverting into my natural state as a complete recluse.

Especially since my dad died in November of 2012.

...

Yeah. That whole situation is still too painful to discuss. It's barely scabbed and I don't want to start picking at it.

...

I changed jobs about a year-and-a-half ago. It was a huge career advance and a big, scary, leap of faith, but has turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. A year-and-a-half later, I still love it even though most of the shiny has worn off. It's different every day, super challenging and the people I work with are fabulous (mostly). Oh, and I make a little more money. BONUS!

Since I've been absent from the blogosphere, I've done a bit of reading, a tiny bit of writing, a portion of a meditation retreat (interrupted) and almost no art at all, but I have plans to remedy all that.

I'm starting my Paleo Diet Challenge on July 13th and as a result of no bread, no pasta and no potatoes will probably be a giant, grumpy, carb-free, pain in the ass to be around for the entire 21 days. Consider yourself warned.

But tonight... WE'RE HAVING RIBS, FRENCH FRIES AND BEER!!

Now you're all caught up. We'll see how it goes from here.