Here we go again

For those who are wondering, yes, my fella and I broke up. Nothing dramatic or anything, we just drifted apart. I'm actually kinda annoyed because I could tell he had lost interest, but I was the one to say that it was over.  Sigh, oh well.  I just can't leave things unsaid; loose ends bother me.  So back to the drawing board... or back to the online dating world, as the case may be.  Let's see, I Bumbled in Korea, tried FB dating (I turned that one on for about a day, but quickly deleted it after a match wanted to talk about sex more than anything else), and now I'm on Hinge.  Their shtick is "the app that is meant to be deleted." I guess they're going to help me find someone compatible, who is looking for the same thing I am.  We shall see.  So far, I'm impressed that they seem to be really on the ball with deleting fake profiles.  How do I know they're fake?  Well, when someone asks to exchange phone #'s within about 2-3 messages, that means they know they're about to be removed but still want a chance to scam you.  I always say that I'd be more comfortable getting to know them on the app first, and then those profiles would disappear.  I'd later get an email from Hinge stating they had been removed and giving tips on "how to be safe."  How to be safe... in online dating... sigh.  I'm doing my best - don't give out my phone # until we've established some kind of repartee (still don't click on any links they may send), when meeting in person we meet in a neutral place, I bring my own car, let them leave first, take a less direct route home just in case... I really don't want to end up on the nightly news.  In any case, I haven't broken my record - in my late 30's and STILL haven't had a relationship last for more than a year.  LOL.

As promised before, I won't regale you with details of dates or anything until we've had the exclusivity talk and agreement.  Really, I'd love to take you all on this roller coaster with me but, honestly, it's more fun going over all that stuff with the bestie.  I've learned more about myself and what I'm willing to allow in a relationship, so that's good.  Honestly, my only regret is that it took me so long to confirm what I'd suspected.  I also thought that breaking up should be done in person, and we ended up doing it over text.  Ah well, live and learn, right?

Other than that, not much is going on.  At work they were still paying me more $ in PTO than when I was there, but the HR lady figured out what was going on and fixed it.  Getting paid more to be gone than to be at work will NEVER not be funny to me.  

New office being set up

The lab equipment will eventually be sold and moved... I've been told I need a couch there.

If anyone comes to visit, I have a chair for you! And yes, I will be getting a mini fridge.

A weird thing has happened since I got that raise though... I'm starting to think house thoughts.  I KNOW, RIGHT?!  I will admit part of that might just be how exceedingly unhappy I am with this apt complex (no water AGAIN last night) and with my excessively loud neighbors.  If the stars align and everything works out for moving in April, perhaps a Cleburne apt complex wouldn't suck so bad.  On the other hand, it would be nice to have my own space, land, etc.  If I got a place outside of a town, I wouldn't have to worry about HOA's, I could have a garden, a dog, a couple cats, etc.  Turn my whole yard into a garden and BOOM, no mowing necessary.  LOL.  Though to be honest, I'd put native plants around to help the bees and still not have to worry about mowing.  Grass is stupid.  It'll be a few years before I save up enough $ for a decent down payment, tho.  Also, I have a couple international trips that I'm saving up for... come on, Australia!  I'm dreaming of a White Sandy Beach Christmas ;).  So perhaps home ownership will be a 2030 goal.  Course I also sent my resume to someone in Bulgaria, so who knows what may come of that.  I'm pretty much the poster child for "no clue what I want to do/be when I grow up."  In the meantime, I'll start studying to take the test for my CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality).  

Even though I have no clue what the future may hold, I'm at peace with it.  Looking back, I've lived a pretty darn awesome life so far.  I'd like to find a partner to continue the ride with me, but if that's not meant to be, I'll be alright.  I've been taking care of me for a long time now, and I'd still be taking care of me even with a partner!  I have wonderful friends and family that support and love me, and I thank God every day for them.  So, I'm not alone, even when I'm single.  In fact, the bestie is coming up this weekend and I'm SUPER STOKED for that. MARGARITA CRAWL!!!