Running, Drinking, and Surviving

So I've decided to try this and see if it works (without the expensive glow up). I started with my list and ratings. Try not to judge me, as I tried to not judge Amy Webb, the author of the book. We all have things we want, things we don't want, and things that cause penalty points, but aren't a deal breaker. So...here goes...and I changed names or used nicknames to try to preserve at least SOME anonymity for the guys. Ms. Webb's requirements and scoring showed that she required at least 700 points before she would waste time on an actual date.  However, her point system only had a maximum possible of 1550 points. Mine has 2192. So I'll have to reevaluate the number required for a date, as some of these things would be clear until after a few dates, if not more (such as whether or not he likes my family, and vice versa). Top Tier Traits Rating Kind 100 Smart 99 Funny 98 Liberal 97 Not Religious

So, it’s a very quick read, very entertaining, and has a lot of good insight. It also features a writer who decides to get a Hermione level glow up for perfect pictures at great expense. So it’s a mixed bag. Actually, the glow up goes well beyond Hermione’s teeth shrinking—more like teen rom com featuring the slightly unfortunate girl who has no style and bad hair, but magically tu rns into a fairy princess with a haircut and new dress. I’ll say more on this later. The author, Amy Webb, makes a lot of good points about dating websites, algorithms, and human nature. I definitely cringed when I thought of my own dating profile faux pas that never occurred to me (until now of course). However, it’s also based on online dating in 2005. Yes. 14 years ago. Of course, they don’t mention that until the appendix. She then makes sure to clarify that the websites have all made updates to their algorithms so we couldn’t rely on her data too much right now. Um…what?? So you just gave us a great

I'm restless. I'd say I'm having trouble sleeping, but it's more like I don't want to sleep. I have something on my mind and it won't go away. It makes it hard to get up in the morning, and yet I'm not tired during the day or ready to go to bed at night. If history is any indication of what is happening, I'm at a crossroads. A major life change is coming. As usual, I'm not happy. Is it the job? The location? The lack of viable romantic options? All of the above? Or is it just that I'll never be happy no matter what I have? I know many think that I can never be happy. Or that I just make all the wrong choices to make that happen. But I honestly think I just haven't found the right spot for me yet. Most people are born into the place they belong. Not me. I don't fit anywhere I have been. *WRITTEN 5/29/19 - Moved on 8/10/19...guess I know thyself

The last couple of nights of dreaming have been...interesting. The days too. It started Friday night. I dreamt of Michael. It was an interesting dream. He wanted me back in his life and he was moving to Kansas. And I felt happy and loved. But I said no...I wasn't coming with him. And I felt good about that decision. I woke up that morning suddenly wanting to get married again for the first time in 8 years. I then spent the day fantasizing about a wedding, watching Say Yes to the Dress, and essentially planning my next wedding. Yes, I am aware that I am 1) not engaged, and 2) not even dating someone. Yet it gave me an odd sense of hope to feel hopeful about a future wedding. I'm sure this all seems rather nutty, but I think this was my subconscious finally moving past the past. I know it has been eight years so most people will think, "you're still not over this?" But to those people I say this--that divorce was more than losing a husband. I lost my husband, my b

On January 1, 2019, I began a shopping ban, courtesy of a Caitlyn Flanders and her book "A Year of Less." I also took a lot of time combing through my worldly belongings and clothing to weed out what I don't need. Move aside Marie Kondo, Caitlyn Flanders is so much better at this. It's not so much about decluttering as it is about taking stock of what we really need and use and trying not to be so consumer driven. So, the way this Shopping Ban works. Create a list of essentials--things you're allowed to purchase as they are necessities (food, pet care items, medications, etc.) Create a list of non-essentials--not allowed to buy unless something breaks and is an absolute necessity (electronics, clothing, furniture, games, etc.) Create an Approved Shopping List--things that aren't necessities, but items you plan to buy in the next year and are within the budget (Paint & home improvement items, wine (don't judge), vegetable plants, Arcade Expo tick