Confessions of a One-Track Mind

Friday's Kitchen Nightmares had Gordon Ramsey saving a Mexican restaurant, complaining that the cochinita pibil was bland and too dry...but at least he didn't shoot the cook. During my OUaTiM* phase, I made puerco pibil several times, and correctly made, it should be neither bland nor dry. Ever. It certainly was a blast from the past, as that fandom was what got me writing again after a long draught.

Saturday's mail brought a notice from the electric company that they're going to be installing one of the new smart meters soon. (As recently discussed in a Question du jour) According to the card they sent, I'll even be able to check my power consumption online. Oh goody, a way to check it with and without A/C usage.

I knew exactly what I was going to wear to church tomorrow, but NOT if I'm going to be visited by Aunt Flo. Pink chiffon is NOT the thing under those circumstances. And remind me to check for mold before placement....

o = o = o = o = o = o = o

*Once Upon a Time in Mexico

I've been having a rough couple of days. Yesterday, with no warning whatsoever, I got hit with my first period in two years and three months. (I'd forgotten what a massively icky nuisance it is, although this one seems a little extreme, I gotta say.) I don't think it's a sign of something wrong with my lady-parts; I have anecdotal accounts from other women who've had a sudden recurrence after a long drought. It may be mind over matter, my subconscious ramping things up after my birthday, trying to rouse one last hurrah from a tired uterus.

Another theory: There is scientific evidence that being around other women who are having hormonal surges can trigger one's own hormones, in which case, I blame it on J, whose cycle tends to be sporadic, and who got hers last weekend. Supporting this is the fact that I was always commendably regular, and the ONLY time in three decades that I ever had mid-cycle spotting, I was hanging out with J's mother.

Third theory (This one's a stretch!): I've read that there are some substances that can cause bleeding (or miscarriages) if taken in quantity, and one of them is licorice. I've been on a Good 'n' Plenty/Twizzlers kick lately---maybe in conjunction with hormones and whatever?!

Anyway, I had to run down to WalMart, because OF COURSE I didn't have supplies with me (and even if I'd been home, I haven't got that much anymore), which infuriates me: Food stamps won't pay for that, and cash is, as always, at a premium, no pun intended.

Begged off media night with J, as I'm crampy and don't feel like moving, let along going wnywhere. Called GK and chatted for a half-hour about her new home in NM and how she likes it. (A lot!) I asked her what the job market is like...I know, I'd be doing good to visit, let alone relocate, but the thought of locking up my crappy house in a crappy neighborhood and departing for someplace interesting and new sounds SO appealing.

Now, if I can just figure out what I can do for dinner that doesn't entail going out...frozen lasagna, here I come. Blergh.

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Last night GK called (in the middle of WNTW, timing!) and announced that she was scheduling me for Kat-sitting duty. She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed has drafted me today from 2-9 and Wednesday and Friday from 5-9. I had my calendar handy and was able to verify that I/we have no dogs on those days.

Last night I even dreamed about dog training---I was in the backseat of a convertible with a yellow Lab puppy. The couple who owned him was in the front seat, talking about how he seemed to be afraid of car upholstery...the other side of the backseat was clawed down to the foam. I had him on my lap, and he seemed calm and happy. I'm not sure what I did about his fears....

Hormones are playing hell with me...signs that I may be getting punctuated after about nine months without---really, I'm OVER this. Ready for my cronage, thank you. It's probably contributing to the fact that I have been sleeping very badly and hurting a lot. Not so much the usual pit-of-the-stomach pain, but my shoulders---there IS no comfortable position, and they wake me up numerous times every night. My first action every morning is to grab the Excedrin.

Now to go find some breakfast, and take care of some "bidness" before I head over to Kat's....
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It's been seven months since my feminine cycle last intruded into my life. Seven. And now it decides to kick off the New Year. Oh yay! At least there won't be any question about "When was the last time...?"

Sorry if that's TMI, but DAMN IT! I'd be perfectly happy to settle into cronehood.

(But it *does* explain Tuesday's meltdown and my recent crescendo of hormones.)