Settling In.

Well, the countdown is on until T officially moves in...at the end of the month...in 4 days. Right at the moment, all it will change is the amount of furniture in the house. He hasn't slept at his own home in weeks.

Since I snapped at him about housework, we had a little discussion about what, exactly, constituted 50%. Little things, like doing the dishes includes drying them and putting them away. Like I don't want all the mental responsibility for tracking which chores need to get done, or having to ask him to do them.

I gotta hand it to him, the boy learns fast.

This weekend, we went for a nice drive, then Sunday was cleaning day. We both just got at it. Monday, I had a girlfriend over for supper. I cooked, we ate, then I took my girlfriend out to show her the backyard. By the time we got back inside, the dishes were done. I coulda kissed him. In fact, I did.

Yesterday, we were both exhausted from work. We dug some leftovers out for supper, then sat in side-by-side comfy chairs, reading. He was dozing off, and it was only 6:30, so I offered to make him a coffee. As I went to stir in the sugar, T came up behind me and gave me a big hug.

"Aah, domestic bliss," he said.

Indeed.

Good morning.

T. and I went out for drinks and a few games of pool last night. This is becoming a cherished tradition, in my mind...it is a fun evening, every time.

We came home early, though, as T had to work this morning. Not THAT early, mind you, but earlier than usual.

T got up before the alarm went off. I heard him turn it off, then dozed off again. Next thing I know, he's leaning over the bed, giving me a kiss goodbye.

"Don't worry about the dog," he said, "I already took her out to pee. Sleep in if you want."

I did.

When I did finally crawl out of bed, the stuff for coffee was all set out on the counter, and he had taken the garbage out. He's not home yet, but when he arrives, he'll be getting a great big kiss...

Peaks and valleys

I am much more stable when I'm single.

A couple days ago, I was floating, realising I'd finally found a guy who was serious about getting serious.

Today, not so much.

T got a random day off work; due to a slowdown, there was nothing to do. We found out at 0730.

At 0815, I had already petitioned my boss for a half-day off.

At 0930, I was on the phone with T, hearing that he had finished the dishes, and was moving on to the vaccuuming.

At 1000, the boss agreed to the half-day.

At 1030, T and I were back on the phone, planning an evening together.

At 1130, I discovered an important meeting would be happening at 1300, and I couldn't miss it.

At 1430, I finally got out of the office, full of anticipation.

At 1445, we were both sitting on opposite ends of the couch, playing on our computers, at his request for some 'down time'.

At 1700 hours, I ran to the grocery store.

At 1930, I got up and put in a load of laundry. As I sat back down, I asked T if he would like to do something. He declined.

At 2030, T snuck off to bed.

I am sitting here in my livingroom, wondering why I wasted the holiday time to take part of a day off work. I was really eager to come home, but when I got here, he seemed utterly disinterested. I started out being fairly okay with that; he'd busted his butt cleaning house, and I could understand wanting to sit and relax for a bit. Once it started to drag on into hours of quality time with the computers, I started to get a bit pissy. I just don't get it: why plan an evening with me, convince me to take time off work, then ignore me when I get home? Now that he's gone to bed without even saying goodnight, I am seriously considering pulling out the fold-out couch...why sleep next to someone you'd rather kick?

I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow, but I sure hate being ignored.

...And he's going to be moving in at the end of the month?!?

Parents

T has only ever introduced one girlfriend to his parents. It's a big, important step for him, and one that makes him very, very nervous. I told him quite awhile ago that I wasn't fussed about it one way or the other, that it could happen in its own time.

Then we decided to shack up.

T's parents are religious. Not just 'go to church once in awhile' religious, either. Really religious.

I told T that I'd rather meet his parents before I officially became "Devil Woman" by living in sin with their son.

Last night, I met the parents.



T's dad, G, shook my hand in both of his. T's mom looked like she was going to hug me, though I fended that one off. Apparently T having a real, actual girlfriend is a big deal. I was a little nervous, but managed to hold up my end of the conversation, and dinner was very tasty, which gave me something to focus on. I was very careful not to swear or take the Lord's name in vain. I didn't dig in to the food until after the prayer had been said. I managed not to embarass T too badly.

Actually, afterward, T said he thought they really liked me.

"Just wait till they meet my mom," I grumbled.


Sitting at home, later, deconstructing the evening, I mentioned to T that I am concerned about how his parents will react to the news that we are shacking up.

"They'll just have to get over it," T replied, "since you're going to be part of the family."

**melt**