Oh, and this ambitious misunderstood genius dropped out of college and works construction. Not that there's anything wrong with working construction, or dropping out of college, but it doesn't really seems like the sort of thing that someone who defines himself as an ambitious genius would do. (He never says what his ambitions are -- like, is he writing a novel or discovering a cure for cancer or something when he's not working? He just talks about watching wrestling and playing poker.)

I'm not awke enough to utter the proper imprecations against the evil of your former in-laws. But I am awake enough to be happy that you are dating.

Nothing wrong with wanting to excel at a trade, but he just sounds like a blowhard who is projecting what what he wants to be on who he currently is.

Thank you, Andi. He's a keeper.

I'm taking an online class about how to teach statistics, and I've got to write a sample lesson plan. I really don't feel like writing a sample lesson plan. And most of the suggestions given for these lesson plans involve having students use their own personal data for stuff, and I really need to get over the fact that I'm not comfortable with that, because I need to remember that I'm not going to be teaching this lesson plan with any real students.

(But, seriously, in what way is it a good idea to have high school students do an activity in which they have to report how many text messages they send per day, on average? Is there any scenario where this will not become, "That kid sends almost no text messages because he has no friends"?)

Yeah, your in-laws will never accept a scenario where they can't blame you for things. Best to never deal with them again.

And hooray for Keeper EMT Guy. (I'm probably lucky I don't interact with my neighborhood, I can just see myself being introduced to single men with kids who would be delighted at a middle-aged widow with a good job.)

I'm done with the outlaws. I'm not even sure they know I've moved. I've been careful about who gets my new address.

Heh. KEMTGuy is 25. I had to make sure I wasn't being used for money or status. But a few things have happened over the last couple of months that prove he's not. One thing could have sent him running for the hills, and he stuck right beside me through everything. He can be a little confrontational when debating a topic, but I called him out on it, and made him realize his attacks on a position were coming off as attacks on the individual. He moderated his approach. He's willing to listen--and consider--alternative viewpoints. There are some eerie similarities to Rob, enough so that my sister remarked upon them without prompting, but it's the good stuff that drew me to Rob in the first place and not the bad that had me ready to call it quits right before he was diagnosed with cancer.

Ooh, girl, I need a good long sqeeeing phone call with you about him!!

And re: the autopsy. IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT. This would have happened anytime, anywhere. The fight had nothing to do with it. He could have had it watching an exciting hockey game, or sitting on the toilet.

But if you need support, and need to look at it, I'm there. Love you, doll.

Once I get my world a bit more stable, I've got to travel to meet some of you folks.

Hil, if you need suggestions. I has a stats class where I had to collect the data from 50 coinflips, play 50 or 100 (memfault) games of Yahtzee (thankfully friends helped with that one), and stand out side the school library with a clipboard and ask every 3rd person questions to get data points.

Everybody else, hugs and glitter as warranted. So bummed I don't have more time to hang here. But I'm so glad that the advice and support and love keep flowing.

Thanks, Strix. And yes we do! I'm still hoping that Cosmo shows up on your front door soon, with a look of "oh hey, now where's my food?".

I've got a spare bedroom Connie. You can see what life is like on the other side of PA.