A shark's weight loss program

[Underdog]

Lights--I've missed you! Going to the HRC dinner without you was not as fun, and you missed an introduction to Nuclea Waste (check out his website for a giggle).

I hope your research and thesis moves along smoothly so I can celebrate your victory with you. Then maybe it's time for a road trip, dear?

Now, have you contacted S yet? Please feel free to drop me an e-mail when you don't feel like posting. It's:

underdog_dbatyahoodotcom

Beren--Let me know when you get settled in. I'm leaving for DC in 2 weeks (spring break with the kiddos) but otherwise okay. Thanks for your nice thought on not needing weight loss... though I never got the Bomb-dropping weight loss plan like so many of you.

Uh, I think that you sold yourself short on the pool thing! I spent quite a bit of time at the pool last summer, and I don't care if other people felt they needed to look away

I had no idea that my life was so fast moving, but I'll take your word for it...

Lights--getting back to your question. No, he wasn't drunk. He had left the house an hour earlier and was stone cold sober and fine. Yesterday was his brother's 45th birthday, and my guess is that he and his bro had been talking and it stirred up some emotions about his mom. Sunday marked a month since she died, so I know he's still struggling with his grief.

I think that both he and I are very concerned that a premature move home will thwart our attempts at reconciling and healing. This is why my version of Step 3 asked for his commitment to reconciling... moving home is the icing on that cake, and we have some work to do.

I feel pretty good about it, because we really DID hash out a whole lot during our 5 months in MC last year. The only reason we didn't get further--and it's a biggie--is because he was not committed to the process.

**News flash**

Mr. W. just phoned me on cell from his car. I answered the phone and it was Bob Barker on speed:

MW: "WELL, HELLO, BABE!"

Me: Babe? Huh? Oh, crap, he means me! "Hello! Aren't we bubbly and enthusiastic today! What's happening with you?"

MW: Laughing. "I'm on my way back from the old place because--get this--they said I forgot to sign one of the clearance forms. How could I forget to sign a form they never gave me? What a bunch of morons. Anyway, I'm heading off to go get some pizza before I head back to the office to get my a$$ kicked by someone else!"

Me: "I hope not!"

MW: "Hey, do you have your Daytimer open? We made it into the state bowling tournament! Put down May 15th & 16th on your calendar! " I'm assuming this is his way of letting me know that he's going to be out of town. Either that, or I'm going to be the state bowling slut and bring beer and cheer to his friends.

MW: "And then my brother is coming in July to go golfing to Estes Park again in July... He might bring SIL down too to visit you. This will be really fun, because we haven't done this together in a few years. We're both really excited."

Me: "I've got it down. And I'm glad the 2 of you have already made plans to do it. Good! As long as we're discussing weekend plans, I'm going to Seattle on the weekend of April 16th, so we'll have to coordinate Easter or something."

MW: Silence. I knew he was DYING to ask me about the trip. But I let it pass. "Okay, got it."

Me: "I know that our agreement says you have Easter, so I want to make sure that we don't have any conflicting plans."

MW: Happy and upbeat. And positive! "Bets, I'm really not worried about our SA anymore. We seem to have worked through any conflict with that."

Me: "I agree, but since I have them the week before on Spring break, I know you're going to miss them and want to spend some time with them."

MW: "Yes, we'll think of something. We always do. Oh, BTW, I saw in D7's back and forth book that you're not planning on attending her IEP meeting on your birthday? What's up with that?"

Me: "It's a possibility, K. I'm taking off the week before and D has mentioned to me that I seem to be taking a lot of vacation lately. I know it's really important to be there--you know I'd rather die than not be included in decisions for her--but the fact is that you are just as good an advocate for her as I am. I'll try to rearrange things, but I won't know until I get back from DC what sort of crap awaits me on my desk."

MW: "I understand. D really has been very patient with you, us and our mess. Whatever happens, I'm okay with it."

Me: Wow, this guy sounds happy! I kinda like him! "Oh, I got your e-mail this morning." He NEVER sends me e-mails. He hates computers and usually calls. "I'll download the state tax forms since they never arrived. And I have an idea on your golf tournament question."

Then we discussed that idea a little more, more on the motor home repair and filing taxes. He joked about bringing meat in for his weekly meeting with his boss--a Catholic lady--which happens to be every Friday. I guess the old Mr. Wonderful is slowly returning to his life form.

WOO HOO!

That's it for now.... TTFN!