shmilestones

Time has gone by so fast. I don't feel the need to make a big deal out of it, because certain kinds of shmoop are unnecessary, but I would like to acknowledge that it's officially been a year since I texted FG and asked if he wanted to have dinner. Towards the end of our date, he leaned back in his chair and said, "I like you."

An early indicator of his superb communication skills, haha.

Turns out, cute older dudes (who turn out to be grandpas) are my jam. Well, at least this one is. He really is sunshine and happiness, in the form of a foxy, sweet man who brings me a lot of flowers and I'm digging it.

I fully believe the universe placed him into my life for a reason and I'm immensely grateful for all of the small but wonderful things that I've experienced as a result of him being around. I've had a lot of fun this past year, and I do not mind if he sticks around for a while.

P.S. I don't care if I have dated him for a year, I'm still not calling him my boyfriend. I absolutely hate that term but I can't figure out another appropriate word. I think it's so weird for a grown-ass woman to call a grown-ass man her boyfriend. Ugh. Not doing it.

P.P.S. Also on a completely unrelated note, I saw a roadrunner today. I was driving to Laredo in the middle of nowhere and he (appropriately), was running across the road. I'm glad I didn't hit him.

cbd bandwagon

To continue my cyclic, lowkey personal crusade that involves my digestive system, I've decided to take a new approach... ish.

I'm still over this whole, "take a bunch of medicine to help your symptoms and in the meantime we don't know what's going on so how about you avoid coffee, alcohol, chocolate, spicy foods, etc." type of approach. I mean yes, it does help to avoid certain foods that I know don't agree with me, and yes, cutting back on alcohol is a good thing. Duh. I've also added more organic foods and try to avoid genetically modified "food" [don't even get me started on that].

 And, not surprisingly, I have seen some improvement.

However, there are those few times when my stomach is just not happy, for whatever reason. I can still function, but feeling crummy and blegh ruins my damn day. I hate taking drugs to help, because they have their own side effects and I wind up trading one issue for another.

Looking for more holistic options past ginger and all that, I've considered smoking a little weed, but that's not really a long-term solution because I hate the way smoking hurts my throat and, you know, what if I have to pass a drug test.

But what about CBD? It seems to be taking off right along with the legal weed industry and the hype has to come from somewhere. I've heard a lot about it and know folks who swear by it. I looked it up, and the compound has been shown to have a similar calming effect on the digestive system as THC.

So I figured, why not give it a shot? It's certainly on the more holistic side of things when compared to proton pump inhibitors, and worst case scenario is that it doesn't work for me.

Surprisingly, in my research I learned that CBD actually interacts with many other drugs... "natural" doesn't always mean "safe!"

So anyway, for maximum benefit, I decided to try a full spectrum oil that contains below the legal amount of THC. Because it's there, even in a tiny dose, it can possibly make you fail a drug test, depending on your metabolism and how often you take it. So I bought a bunch of drug tests (on amazon!). I figure if it ever shows up positive, I'll stop taking it.

Also, on a crazy cat lady related note, I'm going to give some to Pumpkin and see if it will boost her appetite/ help her sore bones.

adventures of everydayness

I logged on to my computer to do some online shopping, and then remembered that it has been a while since I blogged.

Work has been busy and it seems it's all I have the time and energy for. I like installing instruments. Yes they're long days, but I like that the instruments are fresh and new and they usually cooperate.

A couple local trips, including one to Austin/Wimberley with the raddest vacation rental house that was on a creek with a hot tub and a fire pit. Life goals, right there. Went to reggae fest for FG's birthday, which was kinda meh for me since I don't smoke weed on the regular and that's all everyone did. The highlight of that trip was hanging out with Suze and Kenzie.

Then I turned right back around and went back to Austin for work, then the next week I started an install at a hospital where, in a fun twist of fate, creepy customer is now the lab manager. I expected it to be awkward but it turns out he's getting married, but also he dropped another bomb on me and said that they're in an open relationship until they're married and the offer to fool around is still on the table. I keep reminding him that I'm in a committed relationship... and am also loyal. Besides that, we are getting along pretty well haha.

After I finish this install, I'm headed to Laredo for 6 weeks-ish to install one of our big new products at a new site. Oy, that will be a lot. Trying to take that project one day at a time and not get overwhelmed. Job security. I already feel bad for the lack of attention that Pumpkin will have...

Still have a ton of house projects that I can never seem to complete. Painting stalled and half of the living room is still waiting for a refresh. Also, at the top of the list, there's some rotted eaves that my neighbor pointed out on the other side of the house.

Oh, and a giant bird ate one of the fish! Security cameras caught him, or else I would have never known where the fish went. In addition, it seems that spring is frog-mating season because the back yard erupts in asynchronous madness every night. They better eat all the bugs.

It's hard to believe that next month marks 1 year of living in this house. This time last year was SO different than it is now. I have to say, I'm so very thankful for all of it.