Do you know the mixed feelings of finally getting a hold of most of a book series you used to have, but haven’t read in years (and most of which are out of print!), and the added bonus of finding them super-cheap but in good condition at a used bookstore, and getting halfway through the series (and enjoying it tremendously, even more than you’d remembered) — and then finding out that you’ve skipped one in the series (which kinda throws off the whole set) because you forgot you owned that one volume in the series?!!!

Then again, if that’s my biggest problem, I certainly shouldn’t bitch.

And in other news, today I went shopping with my Number One Internet Fanboy. I didn’t do any actual shopping; I was there as a consultant. *grin* He needed clothes (most notably jeans), and cleaning supplies for a couple of projects at home. I must admit, I wasn’t entirely sure if it was a compliment when he told me he wanted to ask me which items to get for the cleaning projects because I know more about cleaning than pretty much anyone he knows. But Geoffrey assured me it was a compliment. (And if you haven’t tried out the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, go buy some immediately! These things easily remove dirt, scuffs, and pretty much any kind of grime, off pretty much any kind of hard surface. It’s enough to make me want to propose to Mr. Clean…except I’m not that interested in bald guys.)

Karel also took me out to lunch, which was considerably tastier than Applebee’s usually is — maybe it’s because we went to a different location than we usually do. I had the garlic-infused steak & potatoes goodness plate, which made me ridiculously happy. We had fabulous conversation, as usual, which was also very happy & good. The Number One Girlfriend will be arriving tomorrow for a week of job-hunting and Karel-canoodling, which also makes me happy (if somewhat indirectly, still very much so).

The warm weather recently has been largely a good thing, although the cats are even more determined to escape to the Really Big Room (which is how I imagine housecats describe the outdoors). Having to double-check your immediate vicinity for sneaky kitties ready to zip past your ankles every time you open the door gets a bit annoying, but it’s understandable. And if it gets too annoying, I can make up for it by sitting just outside the screen door and taunting the little monsters in a sing-song voice, “I’m outside, and you’re not. Neener!”

Speaking of behaving like a 12-year-old, the World’s Best Ex has a week off work (because of a schedule swap he did with a coworker), and so he’s been dropping in fairly often — which is nifty, as he’s fun and good company…and easy on the eyes. *smirk* However, I’ve noticed an alarming trend, when Robert & Geoffrey spend much time in one another’s company… they turn into 12-year-olds. Yes, it’s some sort of exponential testosterone over-exposure, when 2 or more guys who are pals (or maybe even those who aren’t) spend any time together — they do a lot of laughing about things that are mainly only funny if you have a Y chromosome, shooting the Nerf gun, and taunting the child and/or cats. I half-jokingly told Robert yesterday that he’s a bad influence and totally eggs Geoffrey on. Today, I teasingly told both of them, “I’m not going to let you two have play dates anymore!”

Speaking of dates (okay, I admit that was a reach), I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t need to think about that for a while. Dating anyone other than Geoffrey & Karel, that is. It’s not that I believe in polyfidelity; in fact, I think it’s a terrible idea and I want nothing to do with it on an intentional level. But situationally, it’s no worse than situational monogamy, which has happened to me before — when circumstances meant I’ve only been involved with one person, whether or not I was interested in changing that circumstance. No, what’s driving this is basically the idea that searching to find someone (new) to date has never worked very well for me (okay, that’s an understatement…usually it’s been an unmitigated disaster), and the best relationships I’ve ever shared with anyone grew naturally (and often unexpectedly!) out of already-established friendships. Since all my male friends are either guys I’ve already been romantically involved with, guys who are in monogamous relationships, guys who are too long-distance for me to consider dating, or guys who would laugh hysterically at the thought of a romantic relationship with me…it kinda comes down to there being no possibilities — unless I actively seek out new people, which I’ve decided not to do. And I’m surprisingly fine with that, more than I ever have been, or thought I would be.

Not that I’ve done so very much pursuing of new possibilities in the last year or so, anyway! In fact, I’ve had exactly one date with someone other than Geoffrey or Karel in the last year & a half. This is largely just a “mindset” issue, a reassessment of my attitude on the subject, a refocus of my conscious & subconscious energy on the subject. Which basically means nothing to most people, but I felt like writing about it.

My eldest demonspawn is home for an overnight visit, which is nice. There’s something delightful about hearing her call the cats “poop-face” and tease her sister. She took lots of silly pics during her last visit, which of course amuse me to no end. So I have new piccies of Angst, Rissa helping Angst bleach her hair, Rissa being her usual adorable self, and my darling offspring being their usual wacky selves.

Trust me, that last pic is freaking priceless!