Johanna,

Love your thoughts on the new pimpin' pad! You are on the right track. Everything I think of, or lean toward when looking at catalogs, is Bachelor Chic. Sort of a comfy, cozy minimalism with a come-hither bed and lots of candlelight. When the wife sees it, she'll FREAK!

I sent her an email last night, as a reply to something she sent me. I was not venting, but I did make some things clear. Mainly that I am getting mixed messages from her, that she seems to want me to read her mind, and that her bitterness is coming out in unhealthful ways toward me. I also said that I don't believe she wants to be around me. She doesn't want me to say that to her, but she also doesn't say that I'm wrong.

what's worse is that I don't believe that she ever really loved me. Friends tell me otherwise, but I can't let go of this thought. I am a handsome man (so I'm told), outgoing, intelligent, have a sense of humor, and share the load in a relationship. Yet, I feel like a loser. An ugly loser. So I can relate to the blow to the ego.

When do we decide just to cut our losses, Johanna? Something for me to meditate on in the Pimp Pad, under the glow of lava lamps.

Be good to yourself.

C9