Sunday, July 26, 2026

May 1994

5/1/1994 Sun. midnight

Just had a chat with Andy and I'm about to hit the sack.

I have a total of 167 letters so far.

12:41 PM

Today I'm not in the best of moods. I blew my schedule. I couldn't wake up till 11 PM.

Also, the little animals are screaming their heads off in the backyard next door, so I sure as hell won't get any peace in my backyard. It sounds like the pool at the apartment complex.

What's God trying to tell me? Why, why, why?! Almost everyone else here's quiet on this street. Why me? Will they all really go to Idaho for the summer? Will they stay inside when it's very hot? Why me? God, what are you trying to tell me?

2:50 PM

Well, I just got the two stickers in the front cover of my journal from my box of Lucky Charms.

I'm very hungry now, so I think I'll get a bite to eat and then do some typing.

11:15 PM

I wish Tom was working nights just for tonight so I could go throw a bottle onto their roof next door. Oh, I wanna do something sooo bad.

I wish I was deaf. I really, really do. Yes, I'd miss my music, but I've heard long enough to hear plenty of songs in my head and to keep singing. I really really wish I were deaf. This one ear of mine has heard too many sounds it didn't want to hear.

I don't know how long they were out there, but I can imagine it was a good 4-6 hours. People have no respect for those around them. People have no control over their own kids. I'm sure they won't go away for the summer. God just wouldn't bless me with that. If He did, there'd be some other problem till we live in a house someday far enough away from others.

I just want to be deaf so bad. It's all I think about lately. It's always on my mind. I want to be deaf. I want to be deaf. I want to be deaf. I want to be deaf. I want to be deaf.

5/2/1994 Mon. midnight

Earlier Tom showed me how to hook the VCR up to the computer and print out pictures. I was doing fine till he went to bed, but now I can't get the damn thing to print.

So much for his wearing me out today like he said he would cuz he felt really lousy, but I truly understand. I couldn't be horny if I had a cold.

I talked to Andy and I may very well go to his place tomorrow to do wall art.

I'll be going to bed soon, and on my way there, I not only wish I were deaf, I still wonder. What's God's motive, or whoever my maker is, behind throwing these kids next door at me? Of all the houses on the block, too. It just had to be me. Is he trying to tell me I'm to have a kid? Or just annoy me? I think if I were meant to have a kid, I'd be pregnant by now and not a DES daughter. As far as to annoy me, I haven't been doing anything to really annoy, upset, or piss off anyone else for quite a while now, so I don't know about that. What is the reason? There's got to be a reason. These things just don't constantly happen wherever one goes. This is no coincidence.

Why? Why? Why? Why?

5/3/1994 Tues. 3:07 PM

In just a little while, I have to go see Dr. Wilcox. When I get there and have to wait 20 years, I'll write more.

4:30 PM

I'm in one of the exam rooms waiting to be seen. It'll be a while, I'm sure. God, I hate waiting!

Yesterday was lots of fun. Andy picked me up at 12:30 and I was there till 6 PM. Before that, I got 3 letters from Bob and 1 from Kim.

I also spoke to Tammy. They removed Bill's spleen which was loaded with cancer. Luckily his liver's OK and they hope he can resume light duties at work within 6 weeks if the chemo works. If not, they may have to do a bone marrow transplant.

When Andy picked me up, he went to pay his cable bill. That took forever.

Oh, before I forget. I spoke to Mom yesterday. She's sending a package, but she wouldn't say what it is. I should get it at the end of next week.

After the cable company, we went to the Abco grocery store where he got a 6-pack of Snickers bars and some milk.

I took my suit hoping that maybe his

6 PM

I got cut off in mid-sentence cuz Dr. Wilcox came in. Luckily it didn't drag on as long as I thought it might.

She thought this book was so beautiful and was astounded when I told her how many I had. She asked me how I got into it and I told her. I noticed she had the same pen I'm writing with now, but hers was black. She asked to try this pen; she did, liked it, and I offered to swap, but we didn't. I intend to get more of these pens for sure.

Anyway, my boobs are very sore. She recommended vitamin E. She also said my lungs were a little tight, but not that bad. Yup, they certainly could be worse. They took blood for my Theo level anyway, and they'll call only if there's a problem.

So anyway, about yesterday. I took my suit over to Andy's hoping the heat would still be on since there's a huge Olympic-size pool there, but it was too cold.

Andy did his laundry and cleaned while I drew cactus and a pot of flowers. He was very happy with it.

He gave me some things, too. The picture Tom took of us with my cactus I drew in the living room here behind us. Also, some other pictures of him, a nice wall shelf and an old Stevie dress. A nice pair of sunglasses, too. This pair doesn't bother my ear and when I blink, my eyelashes don't hit the lens. I'm going to adjust the Stevie dress and make a nice skirt out of it for myself. The wall shelf's up in my room. It has 3 spokes on it and I've got necklaces and hair stuff hanging off it.

I lent him my Bonnie Raitt CD again, gave him his tapes I dubbed and also his tape with his messages from his voicemail. The tape's not done yet. He just wants to hear what he has on it so far.

More later.

5/4/1994 Wed. 12:22 AM

We fixed our sluggish toilet. No more having to flush number twos twice.

Last night I printed out tons of Norah pictures. Yes, I can do it all on my own now, and it was so much fun. Going to do more of Gloria and others for Tom.

Sabrina and I still haven't heard from Fran. Maybe a letter is on its way in the mail, but I doubt it very much.

We're going to try to make and sell a computer program with me signing. First we'll begin with those not serious about signing. Those who are usually going to school, but further on down the road, we may do an advanced one. We'll start with simple everyday signs like in a foreign traveler's guide for certain situations. Like if you have a deaf visitor or work in an office with deaf people.

I typed up a handful of letters to Fran, Bob, Kim, Tammy, and my parents.

Got lots of things to do. I want to clean the bathroom after the blue toilet water made quite a mess while Tom fixed it.

Gotta type up my signing ideas. Simple phrases and questions. He's going to use the video blaster and the camera that's on a tripod.

Gotta somehow turn that big Stevie dress from Andy into a skirt. Gotta record My Time Has Come. Gotta keep typing #3.

This is the last month of SS and SSI checks.

I was just thinking of all the shocking, unexpected, yet great things that have happened since I came here nearly two years ago, between the dancing, getting a 2-bedroom apartment, meeting Tom, moving into a house, seeing Kim and Larry, learning computers, getting off SS and SSI, and only having a few bad asthma attacks. I wish I could add quitting smoking to the list, but I just can't.

5/5/1994 Thurs. 2:11 PM

Yesterday was quite a busy day. I got up at 12:30 PM and went for a swim. I also recorded my song and typed up ideas for the signing program.

At 6:30, Andy came and brought me to his place. I drew an Indian design to give it that real southwestern look. I also did his lampshade as I did mine.

He fed me well while I was there. He gave me cookies, crackers, a hot dog, and made me my coffee.

He also gave me tons of video labels, but I have yet to figure out what I'll do with them.

Tom was in bed when I got home at 9:30. We left each other messages, though.

I talked to Tammy and Bill's latest report isn't good. He's vomiting and has a fever.

My doctor called me in antibiotics. I've been quite congested and yesterday they called to tell me my white blood cell count was too high. Next Tuesday I still gotta go back for a re-check. When I awoke today at 11:30, I was coughing up gallons of shit.

Went for another swim today. The water's still chilly, but I managed to throw myself in.

What will the mailman bring me today? Another batch of Bob letters?

5:04 PM

Yup, the mailman brought me 2 Bob letters, which he stuck in one envelope.

Now for my cutest and funniest news of the day. I brought the pig out to the Jacuzzi and slowly lowered him down. I could tell right away that swimming would be one of his bags, cuz he remained totally relaxed. He swam around and around several times for a good 60 seconds or so and he loved it. Totally had a ball.

Andy's TV's dead and tomorrow I have to record 2 soaps for him. He says he's getting a new TV tomorrow, but we'll see. I have a feeling I may be doing this for him for a while. Guess he's going to try getting a loan from his parents.

I also numbered all the journals on the top shelf of my bookcase. So, that's 1-25. I'll do more another time. I've got 2½ out of my 5 shelves filled up with journals. 1-25 on the first shelf. 26-54 on the second. 55-73 on the third.

I typed a letter to my folks today and I'll do more typing later. Right now I'm a little bored. What else can I write about? I'm just trying to think. Have I forgotten anything? I said that yesterday and today I went for a swim, right?

Next door was quiet, thankfully, but I'm sure they'll be ruling the weekend. That seems to be their thing lately till it gets over 100º. I say let them have this weekend cuz at 80º, the pool won't be as nice and they say there's a slight chance for rain Saturday - Monday.

6:45 PM

Well, Tom will be delightfully pleased when he comes home which will be any second, cuz I have a spag dinner waiting for him.

I think I hear him now.

10:46 PM

Guess Andy's gone to bed. I just tried calling, but there's no answer.

Guess what? I am now beginning the typing of #4. Amazing, huh? This is the furthest I've ever gone with typing them. It's so much easier not printing them out. Also, it's much easier using all caps and no fancy fonts.

Tom loved his spag dinner and we talked a lot to catch up since we didn't see each other yesterday.

Will the pool be suitable for swimming tomorrow? I don't know. We'll just have to wait and see. Today was 97º and they say tomorrow it'll be 94º, but hopefully that difference of a few degrees won't matter. I'm not doing any swimming over the weekend. They say it'll only be in the lower 80s, may rain, and they'll be out back screaming next door.

No heavy metal concerts. They've been great. If they have been doing any playing, they've kept it quiet.

Tom's going to pick up my antibiotics tomorrow. This will really help. He said he may drop them off at lunchtime if he can get the time.

11 PM

I just went to the bathroom and got my regular meds.

In a half-hour, I'm going to watch a movie with Melissa Gilbert in it.

I saw something quite interesting on a news documentary show. Stalkers on Prodigy. But how the hell do they get people's addresses unless they gave them to them? That must be it cuz there's no way you can get this address from either Tom's or my membership. I think it had to do with something like a bulletin. Where people are either pen pals or looking for dates.

Anyway, they just couldn't get this one guy to stop. I am very against the sexual and threatening stuff he sent, but it seems like a fun way to send wacky stuff without getting caught. Then again, when Tammy sends me messages, a thing comes up giving me her name and her code. So, how in the hell are they sending mail without it being able to show where and who's sending it? I'll have to ask Tom tomorrow.

Andy said he finished that very long letter for Bob and me. Like 14 pages or so. When will he mail it here? Who knows? Fran's full of shit, though, when he says he's going to write to me and Sabrina. That's OK, I get my fair share of letters from Bob.

Let's see... what else is going on? Not much else. Can't wait to watch the pig go swimming again. It's so cute and so funny. I'll wait, though, for when I'm in the pool with him. This will give us better peace of mind. Also, he shakes water all over me, so I may as well have a suit on, rather than regular clothes.

5/6/1994 Fri. 12:33 AM

I'm watching that movie now. It's good so far.

I saw a commercial for an exercise machine I'd really like to have. Now here goes all those girlie talk-line commercials.

God, am I feeling like a blimp! It seems my gut goes in and out, in and out. I still have to get those water pills.

1 AM

Boy, this movie's good. Most movies are so predictable. This one keeps twisting and turning with lots of surprises. After the movie, I'll set up the timer to record Andy's soaps.

My tits are sore but I'm only 6 days away from relief and I'll be getting that vitamin E the Doc recommended.

2:15 AM

God, are my lungs tight. It could be worse, though.

I left a note to Tom with the idea I'm about to write. Remember how when I first got here I wrote a letter to the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf requesting a deaf friend to sign with? This was when I lived next to the VV butch before she pulled her shit on me. I met one woman who was prejudiced against the fact that I was on disability. Well, now I think I'd like to try again and send in another letter.

9:19 PM

Andy's on his way over, so be prepared for me to possibly be cut off.

Guess who's playing? Yup, across the street, but at an acceptable volume. I can ever so barely hear it.

They've been great next door too, but during the next two days, we'll see. I won't mind cuz I'm not going swimming tomorrow. I also may very well be asleep.

I began my antibiotics today. Last night I slept 4 hours, waking up at 8 AM. No noise woke me up. I fell back asleep, though, from about noon to 5:00. I needed it, and the antibiotics have a way of making you drowsy.

Andy rented a TV today and is coming to get the soaps I recorded for him.

He's also bringing 4-5 Mexican TV dinners. I probably won't like them, but Tom will. He got them from a guy who drives a delivery truck with TV dinners.

Got a letter from Bob today. That makes my current total 175. BOL #8 is just past halfway.

I may also have another pen pal from where Bob is. I told Bob that as long as the guy's no sex offender, it's OK. I can deal with robbery or drug offenses, cuz you know I believe sex offenders can't be rehabilitated and should be tortured and executed. Also, I'll accept no sexual talk. I'm just not into that anymore. Those I'll mark 'return to sender.'

Tom thought it was a great idea for me to write to the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf for a deaf friend to sign with.

I put my note I left him in a no-postage-necessary envelope. I sent Kim Bob's letter and Bob a letter, too. Soon I'll type my parents and maybe Fran, too.

11:09 PM

Andy came and got his tape. He also brought about 6 Mexican TV dinners, which I hate, but Tom will like. He also brought some pies, but they were crushed.

Yuck! There was a spider crawling on the headboard of this bed. Thank God we're going to bomb real soon.

I finished typing up #3 last night and began #4. Typed letters to Bob, Kim and my parents tonight.

Fran called and Ricky was with him. He says Sabrina's letter is ready, but he's having trouble finding someone to take a picture of him. Guess he's still trying, though. He wants more and more to come out here and said it's cold there now and they almost had a hurricane.

Ricky called Nervous and I was surprised he didn't instantly recognize his voice and hang up. Ricky pulled some ticket scam on him and for a few minutes, he was dumbly going along. Then Crystal grabbed the phone and she was just getting heated up, but Ricky hung up cuz he thought I hung up.

5/7/1994 Sat. midnight

I am sitting at the kitchen table now where it's easier for me to write.

I just copied a drawing Bob sent of a horse. It was from the neck up. Mine was good, but most of his I liked better.

I'm getting sort of drowsy now and I also have to go take another antibiotic now. I'm going to veg out to music and lie down, so I'll write another time.

4:10 AM

Yup, I'm still up.

I killed 3 spiders and typed a letter to Boo and Max. Why? Oh, just for the hell of it and to give them my life update since they last helped me out. Hopefully, they're still in Longmeadow and will get the letter. I believe they only go to Florida during the winter.

I forgot to mention the lovely and unexpected surprise I got from Tom shortly after I got up yesterday morning. He went down on me on the couch, then later we played on the waterbed. This time wasn't a clumsy disaster as he made it in there. I swear this guy's getting closer and closer to cumming, but if he ever will, who knows?

He's going shopping this morning for some stuff we need around here. We need silverware, margarine, water, and of course, food items, too. He’ll be up in 1-3 hours.

Gotta call Prodigy. I'm sure I have all kinds of junk mail to delete. Gotta shave, gotta polish my nails and whatever else I can think of.

Yesterday I gave my hair another mayonnaise treatment. It really does work well at getting the dryness out. Makes it softer. I topped it off with Infusium.

2:30 PM

Today I got Andy's 14-page letter. It's pretty cool and funny. I also got a letter from Bob. I'm going to go type them up and use the disk labels to stick them in BOL #8.

6:22 PM

Got myself an unexpected surprise today. I went swimming today and the water's a little warmer. No noise next door.

Tom did some yard work and it really looks nice out there. He trimmed with the edger after he mowed and swept the grass away, since tomorrow they say it'll be not only windy but very much cooler.

He also brought out this little round raft which is perfect for my size. It's actually intended for something other than a raft. It's got 8 small spots for glasses around it and in the center, another bigger sunken spot for a thing of ice. The pig will love traveling around in that.

I typed up Bob's 7-page letter and Andy's 14-page letter. It's printing out now.

6:31 PM

I just jumped up to take my antibiotic. Don't wanna be too late on it.

Amazingly enough, I got up at 12:30 today. Even after yesterday's long nap.

Well, gotta go check the printer now. Later I'll be back to write more.

7:32 PM

I taped in my letters.

Tom's cooking pork chops now while we're watching the movie Police Academy.

8:03 PM

OK, I'm back. Tom just went to bed. Dinner was good.

I cut another big baggy-ful of lettuce for the pig.

Tomorrow Tom's going to work on this guy Eldon's (a friend of his) computer.

Tomorrow's Mother’s Day and we're both going to call my mom tomorrow night.

Next Sunday I'll be meeting his parents (finally).

Tom went grocery shopping this morning and he picked up the vitamin E Dr. Wilcox recommended. Yup, it does help these tits of mine. Now I gotta get the water pills. Tom's been having a hard time finding them. I think our best bet would be to go to a drugstore for them.

Hang on while I go potty.

8:11 PM

I got an idea last night for the waterbed. I was thinking of taking the foam pad off the twin bed and sticking it on the side I sleep on. This will make the sheets cling to it better. You know how waterbed sheets are always slipping off.

After I try that, I will go look in the TV guide and see if there are any good movies on tonight or not. If not, I'll type letters. I'll do that anyway, as I usually tape whatever I watch to zip through the commercials. That is unless I'm watching HBO or Cinemax.

I need to call Andy too, to let him know his letter arrived today.

9:50 PM

I just typed letters to Fran, Bob and Kim. In a few minutes, I'm going to watch a movie.

I love my piggy, but sometimes I think it'd be nice to have a small poodle. Something you can run around with. Also, they have no dander, don't shed, and don't need to be declawed. No litter box, either.

Well, till later.

10:43 PM

I know I've said this before, but I have to do something about my weight. I recognize the old, yet familiar pattern. It's been 101-103 too much lately. I'll keep gaining 2-3 pounds a month if I don't stop it now. I must lose 2-3 inches all around. If my parents are coming within the next few months, I'd like for them to see I'm still thin. It'll be fine with them and they'll love me just the same if I'm chunky, but I prefer to be thin, regardless of what others want for me.

Late at night, they play all these commercials of sexy girls to call. That's my idea of pictures for Tom. I'll surprise him, but right now the VCR is in use, taping a movie.

5/8/1994 Sun. 6 PM

I hope Tom hurries up and gets home. Last night we agreed we'd call my parents. For two reasons. One's cuz it's Mother’s Day and the other's so they can talk with Tom. I have a feeling he may have an excuse not to call. Does he really want to talk to them or even meet them? I wonder about this, but we'll see what he says when he gets in.

Next Sunday I'll be meeting his parents, but now I wonder if I'll be able to be up at a decent hour. I didn't get up till 2:30 today.

I talked to Tammy, who says Bill's doing better. She's got a cold, though, or something. She said Larry called her. They only spoke for two minutes. He was in Missouri.

They made it sound like it was going to be very chilly today. Well, it's not hot, but it's not chilly either.

The pool doesn't feel too bad, but it is very windy out. They say we may have T-storms tonight or tomorrow.

I'm very hungry now, so I think I'll go cook some chicken wings.

6:35 PM

I just threw in a few chicken wings and did the dishes.

I think I just heard Tom. If he isn't back in an hour, then I'm not going to call my mom. If we don't call my mom, I'll keep my mouth shut for a few days and see if he mentions it. If he doesn't, I'll remind him that he doesn't have to do anything he doesn't want to, and he can tell me so up front.

7:27 PM

Tom got home about 20 minutes ago and we did try calling my parents, but there was no answer.

I ate and now he's eating.

I also talked to Andy for a few minutes. Between both of us, we've got lots of mail to go out tomorrow. He's got his bills, book club and whatever computer stuff. I've got letters to Fran, Bob, Kim, Tammy, Bill, my nieces and my parents.

God, my face has been so greasy. Guess that's better than it being all dry and flaky, though.

I just printed out 3 pictures from tapes but they're too light. Time for a new color ribbon. That video thing's so fun. When we get a new ribbon, I'm going to do some of Gloria. I'm going to do different stuff for Tom, and I have a real surprise for him and Andy both. I'm going to take the video of me and Andy performing at the pub and the Frontier and print some of those out.

8:10 PM

That guy Eldon gave Tom an old VCR for working for him today. He just sprayed electrical spray on it, so I'm in my room now till the smell goes away. Later on tonight, I may use whichever VCR to print out some pictures.

He's on the phone now talking to David.

11:45 PM

Gosh! I have been running a mile a minute here and now I gotta slow down.

Tom was really tired, so we didn't have any fun tonight. That's alright though, as amazingly enough, I'm not all that horny for being 3 days away from my period.

5/9/1994 Mon. midnight

I typed up more of #4, but now I think I'll go watch TV. I sure hope I'm not up too late, but we'll see. I'm not doing any more letters tonight, that's for sure.

My nose is all jammed up. Better go blow it!

5/10/1994 Tues. 2:30 AM

I have several things to write about, but then again, maybe I should wait till tomorrow.

Tomorrow we're bombing this place, thank fucking God. I'm sick of finding at least 3 spiders a day.

I'm getting blood drawn again tomorrow to see if my white blood cell count is normal again. Of course, we're taking the pig with us. Getting blood drawn won't take 2-3 hours, so what else we'll do and where else we'll go, who knows? I'll save the rest of my news for either later or tomorrow.

3 PM

I am at the doctor's now waiting to be stuck. She said it won't be too long, but we'll see.

Before we left, we set off the bombs. Piggy's in the car with Tom.

5/11/1994 Wed. midnight

Now I finally have time to update. Yesterday Tom and I broke a record. He went down on me, and I came twice. No one else has ever been able to make me cum twice.

I spoke to ma a couple of days ago and she tried to call us too on Mother’s Day, but we both missed each other's calls. Oh well. Better luck next time.

Got a Bob letter two days in a row and Kim called yesterday, too. She had me play a joke on Phil, her very much ex. He placed a personal ad on a 900-voicemail system and I called with a bogus Northampton number and name, saying I was very interested in meeting him. She's going to reimburse us and wrote a check to Tom for $10.

She'd also like to visit again in the summer or fall and maybe go to Vegas. Tom said he'd like to go, too. That's cool. I thought he'd want to avoid Kim.

She's got letters on their way to me, too.

So, it didn't take long for the blood work, then we went to get cash, then to KFC, then to Jack-in-the-Box, then home. We were gone for about two hours.

Upon getting home, we opened the place up and turned the EC on. No more spiders!

When Tom woke me up yesterday, damn, was he horny! Unfortunately, I was too tired to respond.

I printed address labels for the people I write to a lot, except for Bob, since he may have moved out to Gardner.

Speaking of address labels, some Veteran company sent me about 90 of them on a sheet. Right before I get married, huh? That's OK, though, cuz I'll use them for Fran, as well as entry separators. They weren't overly impressive. Just so-so. They had 4 different things preceding the address. Eagles, flags, rainbows and fireworks. I put the labels in the front cover of this book.

I'm mailing Nerv tons of computer catalogs. Yup, Tom gave me lots of NPN cards for catalogs I know he didn't get yet. I printed out 2 sheets, each of 14, so that totals 28 labels of Nerv's name and address, so I only had to write 4 by hand. So, he should get 32 catalogs, all from different states.

7:30 PM

Tom's home from work now, eating dinner and getting the basketball scores on the TV in the back room.

In the living room, I'm recording Friday the 13th. They're having about 5 episodes from Wednesday-Friday.

Within an hour or so, he'll be going to bed, seeing how he's been up since 5 AM. After he's in bed, I'll probably do some typing. Last night I used all those free labels I got, plus some of the ones I already had.

11:32 PM

I was about to expand on my labels, but Tom and I got to talking, then he crashed.

I had several journals, especially the earlier ones, with calendars and other little things here and there, taped in the front and back covers. I had written stupid stuff like numbers on the back and front covers, making it look confusing and unorganized. That's the original purpose of covering them with pictures of flowers from calendars and whatever the hell else. I took off the pictures I had taped on and re-covered the confusing mess back up with address labels.

5/12/1994 Thurs. 1 AM

They say when one falls in love (or thinks they are), they're compensated with weight gain. Well, they were right as I continue to get bigger. The sooner I stop worrying about it and trying to change it, the better I'll feel. So, let the fat come! This also happened with Brenda and Kacey. Yeah, well, no chance of me leaving Tom, so God can pile all the pounds on me he wants.

3:40 AM

I just finished watching the movie I taped.

I was typing letters earlier to my parents and to Tammy and I figured out how to insert symbols and special characters.

I had another idea about my weight. Why don't I try to get fat? Cuz, you know that the harder you try for something, the less likely you are to get it. That rule didn't apply to me with women, though. Even when I wasn't looking, I never got approached by anything spectacular.

Tomorrow I will have my period. That'll only make my tummy a little flatter for 24-48 hours or so, so I'll just go with the flow, do whatever my body's going to do and not try to resist it. By August I'll probably be 106-110 on our scale here. I'll keep a regular log of it. Earlier the scale said 102 and my waist was a sickening 27". The last time I had a 27" waist, I weighed 110-115. Someday I could weigh 100 and have a 29" waist. It feels like I get way more inches for the pounds. Tom keeps insisting I'm skinny and that's fine and that's his opinion, but what's really important is how I feel. That's what really counts and I no longer can as easily look in the mirror. That is unless I'm not nude.

Yesterday I fell asleep at 8 AM and got up at 2:30 PM. I'm surprised I didn't sleep till 4:00 or 5:00 and that I wasn't tired all day. Especially with the rain too, cuz that usually makes me tired.

5/13/1994 Fri. 12:19 AM

Got up at 2:30 PM yesterday. Got 6 hours of sleep, but I'm not tired. Woke up with my period, too.

I went swimming at 6 PM. It was nice and within the next week, the temperature will be climbing. Tomorrow will be 93º and for Sat. 97º and Sun. & Mon. 100º. Who knows if I'll be lucky enough to have a peaceful swim this weekend? I'll probably get screamed out by the lovely animals next door. Will they really ever go to Idaho? Who knows, but I'm definitely going to Vegas from June 14 - 17. We'll be married on the 15th. Can't wait!

Fran called earlier, all upset about that girl Annette. Tom thought it was really neat how I calmed him down and got his mind off of it.

Yesterday Tammy brought Bill home from the hospital, so that's cool.

I wrote letters to Bob and Kim. Got 2 letters today from Bob and I should hear from Kim tomorrow. I'm sending out my letter to the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf, so we'll see where that goes.

I exercised and will continue to regardless of where my weight goes.

Wanna go for a swim right now, but I'm sure it's too chilly now.

Well, now I'm going to go start typing up more of #4.

3:31 AM

I sure did lots of typing on #4 tonight. I typed 10 pages, which only took 5 on the computer. I made some spaghetti, and I wonder if BOL #8 will be finished tomorrow?

I gotta take a break and lie down for a while, so I'll see ya.

6:36 AM

I forgot to mention that yesterday I got a call from Dr. Wilcox's office. My white blood cell count has much improved. In 3 weeks I gotta get stuck again, though.

I did even more typing on #4. I typed a total of 8 pages through the night. There are 53 lines per page. I think that's 505 lines altogether. That's a lot. Most of the shit I'm typing is either way off the wall or shit I really don't care to remember.

7:24 AM

Just spoke to Tam and gave her our wedding date. She said she wished she could be there. Me too, but what can anyone do?

Tom just turned the shower off and will soon be off to work. Poor guy. He's running late, too.

Well, gotta go set the VCR.

5/14/1994 Sat. 2:11 AM

I am so fucking pissed! There's nothing like having everything break down on you at once. God just insists for whatever reason that I don't do any computer work right now. The printer's fucked up, so I can't print out Bob's and Fran's letters. The VCR keeps flashing that the timer's on and I can't turn it off! I swear I'm on the verge of handwriting all my letters again! And fuck working with the video blaster!

The good news that I amazingly have is that I got one letter each from Bob and Kim today and BOL #8 is done.

Kim sent Tom a check for $15. That was nice of her. I thought she said she was sending $10.

Fran called and we talked for two hours. We got Andy on the line at one point and he had Fran call his friend Mary, who's also in Springfield. We called Nervous and Crystal a few times and they only spoke briefly and hung up. I couldn't get Crystal to go off like I wanted her to. Nervous was drunker than hell. Lastly, we ordered them a pizza, but who knows if they'll get it? You can't get into their front door with no key.

Tomorrow we're going grocery shopping. I mean today (early this morning).

I'll probably be too tired to swim today, but who cares when I'm sure all they're going to do is scream all day next door.

Don't they ever go anywhere? I swear these people are home more than I am. When did they move in? November or December? Maybe even October. I'd have to look it up, but my point is that they've spent a total of no more than 4 days out. Tom says that if they really do go to Idaho, it's tradition to go on Memorial Day weekend. So many people talk but never do, so I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best. And also hope that if they do split, God won't stick me with someone else's noise. It didn't sound like anyone would be renting cuz the guy's going to stay there the bulk of the time and fly up on weekends. That's what she said.

4:11 AM

I just did some typing on #4, the only thing I can do tonight on the computer that works.

My waterbed sheets have been staying on a hell of a lot better since I cut the corners at the headboard, making straps. It's a very hard thing to describe in writing, but it works.

I also did some exercises.

I hope Andy didn't get killed or something when he went for his walk after Fran and I talked to him. He said he'd call back, but I'm sure he fell asleep. I still have a keen enough 6th sense and I'd have a lousy feeling in my gut if there was anything wrong.

I've got 8 hours’ worth of movies taped. This will be good for those days when I don't feel like doing anything at all. That's usually only 1-2 times a month, but it's good for those kinds of days.

In about 4 hours, we'll be going grocery shopping.

5/15/1994 Sun. 1:46 AM

Got a letter from Bob and got a letter from Kim today.

I'm certainly going to have a lot of movies taped. Six of them, and in 40 minutes or so, I'm going to watch another. One about ice skaters trying for the gold and falling in love.

I got up at 6 PM and could've easily gone to Tom's parents' house tomorrow morning. Guess why I'm not, though? Cuz Tom says there'll be some cousins, "ants," and uncles who are jerks. Don't I know all too well about that one.

It was 101º today. I went out back a couple of times in the early evening and guess who I could hear? It pisses me off and it's also very depressing. Except for dogs, it used to be so quiet and peaceful back there. I still hang onto the hope that as the temperature gets hotter and hotter, they'll shut their fucking door. Better yet, leave. It's better than having them right outside my bedroom, though, and during the winter they oughta have their doors shut. I never could really hear them in the back till recently.

Well, it's nice to know the music's quiet across the street, their dog's quiet next door and the dog across the street has been long gone.

Also, not one spider since we bombed. That's just great cuz by now I'd have found about 20 more.

The more I think about it, I realize that it doesn't matter if they leave next door cuz if they do, God will send someone else to irk me.

6:03 PM

I know I've bitched and bitched, but I guess I just always have something to whine about with life's many ups and downs and changes. However, next door, for example, really hits me hard cuz of the NHA. Also, the VV and CC, but especially the NHA.

I'm bummed now cuz I want to go swimming today. Well, I might want to. We'll have to see how tired I am. The point is that I live in a house that will sound like an apartment complex out back.

Again, I ask God why He insists on doing this to me. What does He want from me? No matter when I may think about having a kid, I know it is not meant to be. There are more reasons for it not to be meant to be than for it to be meant to be, so why does He insist on exposing me to kids’ noise so much? I don't care that it's a fraction of the NHA's noise, either. I want to know what the point is. What did I ever do to any child for Him to use them against me? Is it cuz I pissed off adults when I was a child? Every child does, so why me? There are enough people in this world, you know, who don't have to put up with having their own backyards screamed out. Especially in a house.

It would ease my mind right now if I knew for sure they were going to Idaho or would shut their fucking doors.

Tom's up now, so I'll continue this later. He's up early. I thought he'd sleep in today.

8:42 PM

Last night I went through a catalog for work at home. Sending mailing lists, stuffing envelopes, etc.

I slept from 10 AM to 7:30 PM and feel so much better. Today's the last day of my antibiotics.

Tomorrow oughta be a great day. It'll be Monday, and too hot for them to have their doors open.

Tom said he was glad I didn't go to his parents' house today. He said there were 4 kids and 20 adults. All in a house half the size of ours.

He surprised me today with a teddy bear journal (#74) that was only $2.49.

5/16/1994 Mon. 3:38 AM

Guess what I'm doing right now? I'm printing out shots of Andy and me performing at the Pub and Frontier. I hope it comes out OK. Andy's going to love it and I'll send copies to my parents, Tammy, Bob and Kim too, eventually. This will be so much fun, but right now I've got to go see how it's printing out. It takes forever and I've got sooo many scenes of sooo many different things that I want to print out.

4:06 AM

Picture #1 came out so-so. Parts of it were either too light or too dark. People’s faces were one big white blob. You couldn't see much detail. We need a new ribbon. Also, Tom said he'd show me how to lighten and darken things. How to change picture sizes, too.

I wonder if my package from my folks will arrive today. I hope so if she mailed it last Tuesday or Wednesday.

The journal Tom got me is so cute. It's so sweet of him too, and he said he finally wanted to buy me a journal without me there.

I'll have to ask for Andy's help in mid-June or so, to take me somewhere to get something for Tom's birthday.

Well, let me go check on how picture #2 is making progress.

5 AM

Picture #2 came out lousy, but we'll see how #3 comes out. I definitely have lots of questions for Tom. I'm going to try to print a Gloria picture as I'm curious to see how that comes out. I'll try more of Norah, too.

8:11 AM

Yeah! I'm so psyched. I showed Tom how shitty the pictures came out and he said it was cuz I was starting with the picture too small on the screen. He also said he'd show me how to fix it some time. Well, guess what? I figured out how to fix it for myself. So, this is what I'll be doing for a while, then maybe I will go for a swim.

5/17/1994 Tues. 5 AM

I have so much to write about, but I am temporarily all written out. I'll do a quick rundown on things.

I got all psyched up last night for nothing, but Tom said he'll show me what I'm doing wrong with printing pictures.

I got 2 letters from Kim, 2 from Bob and 1 from David. He's an inmate where Bob is and the letter he sent was nice. I have another pen pal possibly.

BOL #9 has 38 pages done already.

5/18/1994 Wed. 5:16 AM

Yesterday I managed to stay up till 2 PM and I got as close to midnight.

Yesterday Tom did yard work. I even helped saw off a tree branch.

Tom brought up a very important subject. He said, "I don't want you to feel controlled or like I'm picking your friends, but I don't think it's wise to be pen pals with anyone else in prison."

He brought up some other things to consider, too. The guy lived in Arizona for 5 years, knows the area, knows people here, and is in for involuntary manslaughter, which is a common plea bargain for murder. He's right, and that'd be all I'd need is for him to get released, come out here, and stalk me. Usually, the only way to rid yourself of a stalker is to kill them. I certainly don't feel like having to go out, learn to shoot, then kill this guy. Or anyone else.

I'll explain all this to Bob, but I think he's just been transferred. In the letter I got today from him, he says he'd like to call collect to let me know the new address. As I was falling asleep, I forgot to ask Tom if he could accept his call, if he did call. He did call, but Tom refused. Oh well. He also left me a message saying Andy, Fran and Kim called, too.

In a half-hour he should be getting up, then after he leaves I'll dust and vacuum.

1:49 PM

I'm so tired now. Just exhausted, but I don't want to go to bed just yet. Let's see... what can I write about? Well, for starters, Bob called and gave me his new address in Gardner. He says it's so much better there than in Concord. Easier for Kim to visit here and there, too, cuz Gardner's an hour away, whereas Concord's a little over two hours. Any mail already on its way to Concord will be transferred to Gardner. I went to the computer and opened his address file, typed in his new address (now that I know this is his last transfer), and printed out a sheet of labels.

Speaking of labels, got my cactus labels. When I'm officially married, there'll still be plenty of the old ones left to use as entry headers.

5/19/1994 Thurs. 4:02 PM

Tammy got her address labels today. She liked them a lot and I just realized the second order of mine could be out front, so I'd better go check.

Nope. It's not, but I might get it tomorrow.

Got the package from Mom yesterday of one huge stuffed cheetah, leopard, or whatever. Tom and I aren't sure, but it's cute.

I went for a very quick swim in the Jacuzzi today. The pig did too. Early this morning the water temp was 76º, and it was almost 80º an hour ago. I may go for another swim after I finish writing.

I got 1 letter from Kim and 2 from Bob. Bob's artwork is really improving. Kim also sent me 3 letters she'd gotten from Bob. I typed them letters and quickly chatted with Fran. They're about to turn his phone off. His bill's currently $1,500. Ha, ha!

Now I think I will go, after all, and see what the pool's like now.

4:20 PM

I changed my mind about going swimming. I could, as it's far from freezing, but it's very windy. I only like it windy when it's 100º or higher.

I'm watching Donahue now. God, guys are so horny and so easy. I can bet you that 99% of guys hit on by a woman will jump at the opportunity right then and there. There's nothing wrong with being a whore if your partners are willing, but guys are such major whores.

5/21/1994 Sat. noon

Today's been a real frustrating day so far. I went to wash my pillows, and one came apart. The other one's all bunched up. At least it's quiet next door. So far.



5/22/1994 Sun. 2:24 PM

Well, well. I've got quite a bit to write about this time around. Let me first think about all the little things to tell about before I get into bigger things.

Well, Tammy got her kitten labels. Mine oughta come at the beginning of this week.

Andy and I were going to go to some yard sales yesterday, but he got sick.

I'm starting to get some color once again and I haven't laid out either. I won't do that ever again cuz all I do is get chased by bees and get sun poisoning.

Yesterday, in my opinion, wasn't a good day, but it could've been much, much worse. I woke up today with the attitude that yesterday was done and over with. First my pillowcase came apart in the washer, as I had mentioned before. Once again, the reality of being trapped on cigarettes till they kill me had me bummed. Tom watched basketball all day, then we went swimming.

At one point in the pool, Tom started to initiate sex, but after a few minutes, I began to get really chilly. I wasn't going to mention it, but it was making me so tense and rigid that I had to. He then put on the spa and I had a smoke while I was waiting for it to warm up. When it did warm up, I got in and began giving him a hand job. He didn't seem overly aroused, but aroused enough, so I thought. When we went to get out, he seemed bummed, and when I asked why, he said it was cuz it was hard for him to restart again. I had mentioned finishing our business in bed, but he just couldn't seem to get in the mood again.

Up till yesterday, it seemed to be that we reversed roles in a way. Remember how I was the one who was always horny and would be begging for him to initiate sex more? Well, now it seems the other way around. Guess I go through my phases with that.

Well, things are far from bad with us and both of us are still eager to get married, but there are still a few things I don't get. When he said how he didn't want to be held back (sexually, I mean), I didn't get that cuz he's held himself back. I used to think that he couldn't cum by me, but now I think he can. If he can get so hard so many times, he can cum. There were several times he was about to cum and he just stopped, so why he'd hold back beats me. I don't want to put him on the spot, though, and ask him. If he chooses not to cum by me, then that's his choice.

This morning he told me he didn't sleep too well cuz yesterday was a bad day. He said he's not blaming me for it or trying to put a guilt trip on me, but I feel that way anyhow. I feel like he's not going to initiate sex later as a punishment for yesterday. He always tells me to look ahead, don't take things so seriously, so then why is it still a big deal? I can understand something very traumatic being a big deal for a while, but yesterday really wasn't all that bad.

Lastly, when I went to put on a certain shirt, I jokingly said we oughta get married with me in it, and he looked mortified. I hope he knows me well enough to know I was joking. He seems to be taking some things too seriously. I resent his saying I've taken away all the things that turn him on about me. If I’ve turned him off so bad, wouldn’t he not want to be with me? Also, that I dress with my tits hanging out, which is bull. There was only this one shirt and I didn't even know it till he mentioned it. Now I'm going to be paranoid about what I wear when we go out. My body is for him and him only, but I cannot and will not live to please others. I can't spend my whole life worrying about what they think of me or my clothes. I just don't feel I should need to worry about what a stranger approves or disapproves of. I just hope that Tom knows that I am for him only, regardless of whatever some stranger may be thinking when they see me in public.

Regardless of this, we both do love each other very much, have way more better days than most couples and want very much to be married.

I called Florida today, but only my mom was there. She and Dad are both going to call back this week. She asked Tom about his life in general. Tom told him about his work, being here all his life and that we'll be married in Vegas. Ma mentioned getting us a portable dishwasher for a wedding present. Cool. No, she never went into why we shouldn't have kids.

Well, that's pretty much it. We both swam today and it's been so quiet next door, across the street, and with the dogs.

8 PM

Well, I'm now recording the first part of the Menendez Brothers murder case. It's a 2-part movie about these 2 brothers who murdered their parents. It's based on a real-life true story.

Tom mentioned us fooling around, but we were both really hungry, so we ate. I think we're both going to be too tired.

5/23/1994 Mon. 2 PM

Got a letter from Bob. One of the happiest he's ever written. He really likes it better where he is.

I also got 5 returns for info on home computer work which I'll have Tom check out later on.

9:20 PM

Man, was today a weird day! Last night Tom and I cuddled, but we were both too beat for sex. He reminded me to wear whatever I want, regardless of whether it'd be something he'd wear or not if he were me. It's true that he never plays daddy; otherwise I wouldn't marry him or be here.

The phone's ringing, but I ain't answering it. People always call when I'm busy. Kim called and she's sending stamps and envelopes. Cool cuz my supply is running out and I don't want to reorder now. I want to save all my money for Vegas.

She's also mailing me a tape of different outgoing messages for the VM. There are people like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rosanne Barr, Joan Rivers, Star Trek, Madonna, David Letterman and some others.

Andy got Sabrina's letter and he read it to me. It's sooo funny and he's putting it in tomorrow's mail (I hope).

I went for a few swims today.

Tom and I went over the business info I got. He's going to check them out on the computer. Some sounded hopeful and some sounded shady.

Speaking of computers, boy did I get so mad and bummed! I accidentally deleted 6-7 pages I typed on and off all day today, but when Tom got home, he recovered them. Andy said, "Thank God you're marrying a genius." How true indeed. What a heroic rescue.

Well, I'm sort of tired now and tomorrow will be a big day, so I think I'll just go take it easy.

5/24/1994 Tues. 1:40 PM

Just got this pen at the grocery store. It's the same kind as the blue one I've been writing with.

Got my meds too, and the guy came today to do the appraisal. We hope all goes well with that and fast.

8:38 PM

I am so tired, so I'm going to make this quick. Today was a fun and productive day. Tom and I also made love.

We had T-storms today and for the first time in a while, my allergies acted up. I took an allergy pill and I'm much better now, but very tired.

I'm going to go shut the computer off and try to get some sleep. I need it.

Kim called telling me she won't be able to mail out the tape, stamps and envelopes till Friday. That's OK, cuz we got some stamps and envelopes.

5/25/1994 Wed. 1:30 PM

Where the hell is the mail? Oh well, I guess it's still early enough. I just stepped out to put out Bob's letter and I saw his truck so he's on his way. I hope he has Sabrina's letter and letters from Bob and Kim, too. I do have more to write about, but I'm not in the mood just yet. I'll fill you in later.

5:35 PM

Got Sabrina's letter, which was so funny! This guy can't spell, make any sense, and never uses any periods. Sabrina and I wrote him back and I'm sending letters to Kim and Bob. I'm going to send Fran's letter to Kim. She'll get a major kick out of it, then send it to Bob.

Fran left me a message for Bob's address saying he knows people in prison where he is. I sent Bob's address and I also sent Bob Fran's address.

I talked with Tammy, who dropped a jug of juice, stepped on it and had to get stitches in her foot. Good God! I feel like not only did I leave the curse that was on me behind, upon coming here, but that now the curse is on them.

Today's their anniversary, too. I sure hope their next one's 100% better.

I called Ma and told her, and she said (as we were about to hang up), "I bought you something. Yes, it's real. You can wear it at your wedding to feel like I'm there with you, but only if you want to."

Tom had a great idea last night. We're going to get some dorky shirts there for the wedding.

Both Mom and Dad will be calling either Friday or Saturday night.

Well, I think I've remembered to write about everything I wanted to. Going to go play a computer game!

5/26/1994 Thurs. 6 PM

Got a lot done today. I finished typing up #5 and then I typed all of #7. How'd I do that? Easy. It was only 20 pages or so cuz the old little #10 was recopied into #7 when I lived at the Vista Ventana. Remember? The remainder of #7 is being used for an ongoing journal chart.

I'm outside now and the weather's gorgeous. It's the perfect temp now. Not too cool, not too hot. It's not very easy to write out here, though. Wish there was a table out here.

Guess Tom needs to chlorinate the pool. It's a lovely shade of jade green.

I'm momentarily going to put the stuff I want to write about on hold.

8:25 PM

OK, I'm going to write till Tom's dinner is digested. Then it's playtime for us.

Got 3 letters today from Bob and 1 from Kim. Got a total of 204 letters now and BOL #9 has 38 pages left in it now.

Andy called with Sarah, who's playing Sabrina, and I read her Fran's letter. She was cracking up.

I was out bouncing my superball off the laundry room door when Tom came home. He shocked the pool.

So, their last name is M next door at 3629. A catalog came in their name. I brought it over, hoping that'd be a great opportunity to see if they're really going to Idaho, or if they're all talk. No one came to the door, though, cuz I doubt my knocking could be heard over all those screaming kids.

I've been playing another computer game Tom showed me. It's kind of cool and lots of fun.

Later tonight I'll begin typing #6. I thought about maybe typing up the quicker ones, though, first. What I mean by quicker ones is that there are a few with large print.

Andy and I may shoot again for going to yard sales this Saturday morning.

What am I forgetting to mention? Guess I've covered everything. I still can't wait till we get new ribbons, but that'll probably be after we're married. There are so many pictures I want to eventually print out.

5/27/1994 Fri. 2:52 PM

Andy will be here any time now. Of course, he was supposed to be here two hours ago, but you know how he is. Always late.

Been back and forth from the pool all day. Getting a bit more color.

5/28/1994 Sat. 11 AM

Tom came home early yesterday, and Andy got here shortly after. He swam a bit and we talked and he played the new Stevie single he bought on his way over here. After he left, Mom and Dad called, and Tom and I spoke with them. It was a nice chat.

Ma says Larry's going to be calling. Cool, but with my luck, it'll be when Andy and I are out at yard sales.

Andy called last night with his sister Marla in California on the line. She was telling me all about her new and very impressive computer and that she'd eventually send me a message on Prodigy. Tom also talked with Marla and her husband, even cuz they had lots of questions for Tom.

Andy will be calling any second to tell me he's on his way over.

Tom's going to go help Eldon with his computer cuz it's trashed.

7:30 PM

This afternoon Andy picked me up. We were out for about 3 hours. We couldn't find any yard sales. It was kind of late for that, but we drove through some absolutely gorgeous neighborhoods.

First we went to JB's where I ordered a pork chop dinner. It sucked, so it was comped. All I got was a sundae and an iced tea.

When we couldn't find any yard sales, we went to a pawn shop. There, I got an oldies CD and the CD Trio with Linda, Dolly and Emmylou. I have it on tape, but it's finally nice to have it on CD. I sing a lot of the songs on that CD. At another store, I got Lush Life by Linda. Another one I only had on tape, and most of those songs I enjoy singing.

Got 2 letters from Bob, 1 Bob sent Kim and 1 from Kim to me. She also surprised Andy with a letter.

When Andy and I got back here, we went swimming. The pool's the most comfortable it's been all year so far. Andy hung out for an hour or so. I read him Bob's letters. He also pointed out that I put the shelf up wrong that he'd given me when I was doing wall art at his place. I fixed it, and I hope it holds.

Oh! Almost forgot. Got the diamond earrings my parents sent. Yes, they're very beautiful.

No call from Larry yet. He sure won't recognize this place. When he was last here, there were no wall drawings and that old ugly kitchen paneling was still up.

Now, I'm going to go change the batteries in my speakerphone.

9:30 PM

Where in the world is Tom? I guess Eldon's situation with his computer was as horrible as Tom said it was when he called him last night. Anyway, I thought he'd be back between 4:00 and 6:00, but I guess not.

Tammy says she's back on Prodigy. She hooked it up. I'll leave her a message maybe tomorrow. I just haven't really felt like doing any computer work today. I'll probably type some letters, too.

No calls from Fran. I wonder if he's already lost his phone. If not, I'm sure it'll be soon enough. Maybe Larry will call tomorrow, but Mom said something about Wisconsin, but that's quite a way away.

I changed the batteries on the speakerphone. I watched some TV and there are 1 or 2 movies I'll be taping. Tomorrow we have to get Piggy another big bail of sawdust. I mailed Becky's birthday card out today and on the 1st I'll mail Mom's out. Well, I guess that's it for now. I'll just go veg out.

5/30/1994 Mon. midnight

Well, it was on this day two years ago that I found out I'd be moving to Phoenix.

Today was a good one. Larry called, but I wasn't awake enough to talk to him. I hope he catches me the next time.

Not much else happened today. We got more sawdust and some treats for Piggy, did computer work, and went swimming.

There's no mail tomorrow cuz of Memorial Day, so hopefully Tuesday will bring me lots of mail.

They've been so quiet next door and they were definitely out today. Could they have gone to Idaho? I sure hope so, but I won't count on it.

10:40 PM

Tom got home right after I last wrote. He had quite a bit to fix on Eldon's computer.

We just had pork chops, and now I'm full.

Tomorrow's the 102º day, so I heard, and it's going to be a great swimming day.

Tom just said he thinks it's best to get wedding rings after we're married so we'll have money for Vegas. I agree, but it would've been nice to have rings at the wedding. Why must love be so expensive?

Come to think of it, I think Larry's just going to be calling, not coming to visit.

Well, there's nothing else going on at the moment. I'm taping a movie and Tom's eating. He's on Prodigy now and I have my first of two loads of clothes in the dryer, which I guess he's waiting for. I suppose I could call Prodigy to see if I have any messages from Marla or Tammy, but I doubt it. Tammy's too busy, and Marla's told me it may be a while.

When am I going to bed? I have no idea, but I think I'll go listen to my music.

Tom just said he feels much better. He hadn't eaten all day long.

2:21 PM

Just got done swimming with Tom. It's really hot out and the water felt so good.

He's checking to see if the start of our sign language program works, then we're going to have fun.

2:30 PM

Again, they're not home next door. What luck, huh? I sure hope they split to Idaho. It'd be even nicer if they decided just how much they missed it and sold their house to a nice old couple. One with no little grandkids who hardly ever have company. No dogs, either. Hopefully, they're cat, bird, or fish lovers instead.

3:24 PM

The typing of #6 is going pretty fast. Within the next couple of days, I should be done with it. Then, I'll be skipping #7 cuz I already typed it and I'll do #8.

Swimming was lots of fun today and it was 105º today. They say it'll be 102º tomorrow and 107º the next day. Wow! Summer's definitely here. The pool shouldn't be too chilly for the next handful of months. Even in the middle of the night, it will be extremely warm.

They were definitely gone all weekend, as I said before. (next door) I still haven't heard them return, and I definitely think I would've if they were back. As the parents were unpacking, I'm sure the kids would've been screaming back and forth with them. I hope they're in Idaho and seriously enjoying it.

After I let enough time go by, cuz I just took my meds, I'll make some popcorn. Yummy!

Larry didn't try to call back again, but Tammy said he called her. She said they only spoke for two minutes. He was in Wisconsin on his way to Colorado.

I hope I have a generous supply of mail tomorrow. Kim's answering machine tapes, envelopes, stamps, and whatever the hell else may arrive tomorrow.

Going to go finish my coffee now.

5/31/1994 Tues. 12:12 AM

I just typed a letter to Bob and have one ready for Kim tomorrow, too.

I don't really feel like watching TV now. I watched a little while I ate my popcorn, though. Guess now I'll go listen to some music or just veg out for a while till I can fall asleep.

Tomorrow I have to get blood drawn, meet Tom's parents, and we're also planning on videotaping me signing for the sign language program we hope to launch.

12:20 PM

I am in the car right now, heading to get stuck. Lucky me, huh?

We're not sure if we can see his parents cuz he called there and they said they were going out.

Yuck. I'm coughing up lots of sticky stuff.

It's too bumpy for me to write now, so I'll continue either in the doctor's office or at home.

12:30 PM

I am at the doctor's office now. Amazingly, there was only one other guy in the waiting room. He just went to get stuck first.

We're going to KFC after. Then who knows where?

I just asked Tom if he had anything to say in here. He said nope. Not today.

9:43 PM

I'm taping the music awards now. According to Andy, Gloria will be on at some point.

Got 3 letters from Bob today. In one of Bob's letters, he enclosed a letter from a guy named Donald. He said he talked to him, warning him (Donald) of what's OK and what's not OK to write. I made a deal with Bob that anyone can write to me as long as they send their letters through Bob and never get my address. When I write them back, I'll either write directly to them or send it to Bob to give to them. I know I can trust Bob's judgment with this.

I got a package from Kim. She sent 2 sheets of 18 stamps. The kind you stick, rather than lick. She sent 2 boxes of envelopes. Each box contained 100 envelopes. Now we're at a total of nearly 300 envelopes here!

Lastly, she sent 2 tapes of funny outgoing answering messages, which I like a lot. I already put one on my voicemail. I duped them on Tom's stereo and will soon send her back the originals. I've got to call Andy and let him know about the tapes and see if he wants to hear them. I'm sure he will. I also have to leave Kim's address on his VM.

10:08 PM

I just turned the VCR off, and later I'll watch the awards. I zip through 98% of it cuz most of it's boring. Filled with people I couldn’t care less about.

Tom and I swam a lot today. It was fun. He has this plastic boat that's broken, so it sinks. Therefore, I throw it across the pool and dive down under for it. I can open my eyes underwater, but he can't cuz of his contacts.

Still haven't seen the van next door. I thought I heard a quick scream or two, but it kind of didn't sound close enough to be right next door. It could've been anywhere, and all kids sound the same to me. They're all one big scream in my book.

I put the pig on the little round raft and he loved it. He sat there so calmly, totally unafraid. Yes, he really does love the water.

Still no messages on Prodigy from either Tammy or Marla.

I'll call on the 3rd to wish Becky a happy birthday. I sent a card with a $5-dollar bill. Tomorrow I'll send out Ma's card. Her birthday is on the 6th.

Tom called travel agencies today to get info. Only 14 more days left! Yup, in my next journal, I'll be a married woman! Can you believe it?! I can't fucking believe it! I never ever thought I'd see that day in my life. Maybe the next, if there is a next, but not in this one.

I think I'll go watch the awards now.

Oh, I forgot to mention - no calls from Larry. He either gave up or tried to call when we were out but left no message. Oh well.

10:47 PM

I just saw the awards. It was the World Music Awards. Gloria just doesn't look as good as she did during her Let It Loose album and her Cuts Both Ways album.

I suppose I should shave my legs now, but I'm too lazy.

I saw an interesting commercial for an upcoming show on 20/20. Water births. They say it takes some of the pain and pressure off and makes it easier for the baby. Bet you gotta be rich for that. Water or no water, I can't imagine something the size of a watermelon ripping through my crotch. Plus, I'd have to have a C-section anyway.

11:05 PM

Another beautiful journal. This shall be the journal in which I am to be married in. Amazing!

Can't think of anything to write about at the moment. Just that I'm going to go turn the computer off and watch TV. I expect to listen to music at some point, as well. My nails look pitiful. I better go cut those, too.

Hopefully, by tomorrow, book of letters #9 will be finished. It all depends on what I get in the mail. In the meantime, I will write later or tomorrow.

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

April 1994

4/1/1994 Fri. 6:40 PM

Tom just left a message. He's going to be an hour or an hour and a half late.

I made another big pot of spaghetti. It came out well.

I talked to Fran and Ricky last night.

I called the Civic Plaza and Naomi will be there at 2 PM on the 9th.

Also, I called and scheduled an appointment for next Tuesday at 3:15, as I may need antibiotics. Been a little congested.

Today I was finally able to get into the pool all the way up to my ass. It won't be long till it's pleasant enough. It's now 70º or so, so 5º more oughta make it nice enough. Actually, 10º more would make it quite comfy. It's going to be 84º - 87º from now till Wed., so that'll help it a lot.

I hope Bob gets my letter. I hope, also, to hear from him before the month is out.

That's all for now, so, later!

4/2/1994 Sat. 11:22 AM

Today's not likely to be a good day. The EC is broken, so Tom's gone out to the hardware store to get some parts. This is going to fuck up our budget.

4/3/1994 Sun. 1 AM

The EC has been fixed and today Tom's going to do some yard work. Later we'll be going in the Jacuzzi.

Evie had her baby yesterday and I must confess I'm a bit envious. I don't know why I am, but I am. They named her Nakita. What a gorgeous, unique name.

2:51 PM

This weekend has really been tough on both of us. Things have been breaking and we forgot a lot of stuff at the grocery store.

The lack of sex is getting to me again. People with busy lives manage to take breaks from their chores to play around for a half-hour or so, so why can’t we? Right now I wish I could tell him that I need the closeness as well as sex. It'd sure make me feel better, but I can't make him do something he doesn't want to do. He says it's not me and that I do attract him, but I guess I'm going to have to take care of myself most of the time. For almost a week now, he's been saying “maybe tomorrow,” and I feel teased. If he wanted it that bad, he could've come and gotten it. Is he really teasing me, or is his appetite really that low? And is it me or has he always been this way?

3:46 PM

God, am I bored! I can't think of anything I really want to do. I did do one fun thing today. Went in the spa.

This sexually deprived girl hasn't said a word. I don't want to get into an argument. I'm not going to give in either. I know he's not going to ask for sex today, but if he does, I'll give him a “maybe tomorrow” right back. Let him feel deprived for once.

7:52 PM

Well, sure enough, Tom and I did end up having a discussion, but a good one. I let him know it's not his fault that I'm hitting my sexual peak and he's over his, which might be the case here. I also let him know that I love him, no matter what and that if this was to be part of being with him, so be it.

I brought up my getting together with women here and there as a side dish for when he's too tired or too busy. One with no strings attached cuz it is he who I love and he only. No one and nothing can replace the relationship or the love we have. It's not that he doesn't please me in bed or that I miss women; I'm just not getting enough sex. Now I know how Brenda and Kacey felt, and they were at their peaks too. Tom said it's something to think about, but then there's reality. Do I really think it'll be that easy? No. Otherwise, I would not have had only a few 1-nighters in 3 years. Things haven't changed and they never will. 95% of gay women are butches and those few fems are going to want butches. The bi ones will want threesomes with their boyfriends or husbands. Plus, I couldn't expect a woman to come running at the snap of my fingers every time I got horny. We'll just have to wait and see, but no amount of sex can ever replace my love for Tom and the great person he is.

Yesterday I came up with a late, yet personalized present for my dad whose birthday's the 5th. I wanted something with a personal touch. Not something I bought. So, I made a calendar on the computer. It was a great learning experience for me too, and believe me, I learned a lot. I did from April to December, using different colors for each month. Tom already had a blank calendar on the computer and I filled in the correct dates for each month. Then, I inserted my drawings on the bottom. I have 11 drawings scanned in, so April and December got two, and May through November got one.

4/6/1994 Wed. 7:41 PM

Let me begin updating starting with the early morning hours of the 4th. At 4:00 my time, I called Tammy at 7:00 her time. They're now 3 hours ahead. I told her about the talk I had with Tom, telling him how I feel sexually deprived, and about my mentioning a woman. She gave me good advice. She said I let my feelings be known to him, so now back off and see what happens. Also, I should sleep with him only. I agree, cuz the issue isn't me missing women or him sucking in bed (though it does suck that he doesn’t cum); I just want more.

Well, yesterday we broke another record. He not only made it in there, but we both were so close to cumming.

Yesterday I got my license and I wasted my time studying for the test. I'm sure I could've passed it, but all I needed to do was show them my birth certificate and SS card. They took my picture, which I hope isn't too shitty since I'll have to have it for 12 years. It cost $25 and it's good till I'm 60. All I have to do every 12 years is get a new picture and an eye exam. When my last name becomes his, it'll only cost $4 for the change. They'll be mailing me my license within a week.

I also got 3" of hair trimmed by some girl who was probably a butch. It's quite shorter. Up to the small of my back, but I had to do it as it was so dead. It still looks like it's been run through a shredding machine all the way up to my shoulders. It'll come out of shock in 2-3 weeks. She also trimmed my bangs and I got more of that detangler.

The lettuce is really growing out back. Piggy loved it. It's so tender. The carrots, though, are taking longer.

Well, I don't think I'm forgetting anything. I'm taping my shows now.

9:42 PM

Sure enough, Law & Order was a repeat.

I just made a huge thing of spaghetti, which Tom really loves. Yup, I've gotten good at it.

I wonder if Bob got my letter? I sure hope so. But will I get a letter from him during this month? I'll have to see it to believe it.

Well, time to go listen to music now.

4/7/1994 Thurs. 3:47 PM

Yay!!! I finally got a nice long letter from Bob. I copied it in #57. He even got the one I sent to Walpole. The second one, he should've gotten directly after he mailed the one I got today. My third one will go out to him in tomorrow's mail.

I have a total of 146 letters so far, counting from Book of Letters 1-7.

I hope that today my dad got his calendar.

Someone's been calling and hanging up. If it's not someone Tom knows, I wonder if it's Nervous? He's the only one that I can think of that may do that. Even long-distance.

I also typed Kim a letter and enclosed Bob's letter.

4/8/1994 Fri. 5:42 PM

Bob called collect a couple of hours ago. He's pretty much just trying to hang in there and he does have an appeal going through.

As usual, SS is fucking with his checks. He's having his sister look into it, but for now he has no money to buy smokes or stamps. As soon as I get around to buying some, I'll send some his way. I wrote to Kim and asked if she too, would send some stamps.

He says he's locked down 22 hours a day. The other 2 are for showering, eating and making phone calls. He says there are no limits to how many letters he can get or send. He thinks there is a daily mail pickup, too.

The other inmates are unaware of what he's in for and he has to keep it that way so he doesn't have to be put away from everyone else. This I don't understand cuz most inmates are there for some kind of sex crime. Most guys are pro-rape, so why would they want to go after him?

His cellmate is in for robbery.

He was also crying about how he hasn't seen or heard from Kim. He says it's cuz of his love for her. I know that, but I said, nah, she's just busy and is afraid of running into that guy she testified against. This is true and we all know Kim's barely home long enough to eat, sleep and piss.

Anyway, I typed letters to Bob, Kim, and my parents. Later I'll do one for Fran.

Andy was over earlier. He brought me some postcards for magazine subscriptions and gave me 1 of 3 60-minute blank cassettes. He did have 2 stamps for 2 people he had me send wacky letters to but lost them. I dubbed 2 tapes for him, which is a pain, but he says his new box eats 120s.

I got two more of those hang-up calls. Andy says he's getting them, too. Mine come at different times in the afternoon. His always seem to come at 1:30 on Saturdays. Nervous could get this number if he wanted to, but I don't know.

Tom may be a little late tonight and I'm sure he'll be beat. I would be, too. This is why I told myself to enjoy the sex we had last Tuesday, cuz I ain't getting it for a while. Maybe this weekend, but we'll see.

He didn't get the job he was trying to get at AMEX, so now he'll have to apply for another job.

4/12/1994 Tues. 12:48 AM

Well, well. I guess I haven't been writing as much lately. That's cuz I have been pretty busy.

I didn't go see Naomi cuz you couldn't meet her after all. She was only there to give a speech. I also woke up wheezing real bad. If it were Gloria or Linda, I would've crawled there somehow.

Instead, Tom and I went to K Mart where I got 5 boxes (each containing 8) of markers for only $12. Good deal.

I also got Linda's new CD and I especially love the song called Heartbeats Accelerating. There's also a Spanish song on there.

I recorded 3 songs using Tom's microphone. I think some of it sounds good and some of it sucks.

I sent Bob 10 stamps, so that'll help him out and keep him busy for a while.

Tom and I also went to Red Lobster last Saturday and I loved it like I knew I would.

Sunday was the day I met Tom a year ago. Today was one of the worst days of my life 11 years ago. I jumped and broke my arm.

2 PM

Well, I have my own floppy disk now and I learned how to use it. Remember how I was starting to type up and print out all my journals? Then I tossed the idea out. Well, now that I can type 100 WPM without looking, it's much faster and easier. Plus, I'm not going to bother printing them out. The floppy disk can hold hundreds of journals. I'm almost through typing #1.

Tom gave me graph paper a while ago and I'm coloring in different designs and patterns to fill up his bare bedroom walls.

Tom and I did a survey thing again. Here are the questions with our answers (% probability).

Will the business work out?

J-100, T-50

Will we be married?

J-100, T-100

Divorced?

J-0, T-0

Will I be a singer?

J-30, T-75

Dancer?

J-15, T-25

Model?

J-15, T-50

Have a kid?

J-10, T-50

Abort it if I get pregnant?

J-5, T-20

Quit smoking?

J-0, T-95

Will Tom lose weight?

J-100, T-75

Will I?

J-5, T-80

4/13/1994 Wed. midnight

Went to see Dave and Evie's baby. It was a cutie for a newborn. Also, her name's not Nakita. It's Nickolena, but that's pretty, too.

Dave and Evie are very nice and their house is beautiful. Funny how some people can have a normal house with normal neighbors and a normal sex life to go with it.

I just finished typing up journal 1, which only took 3 days. It came to 20 pages, 55041 characters. I'm going to go begin typing 2 now, so I'll write about Cassandra later.

3 PM

OK - about Cassandra. She left me a message last Sunday saying she had been in California when I left a message.

When I told her all that's happened since being here, she sure was both shocked and very happy for me. She asked if I'd miss women, and said I had guts to do the dancing. Especially all-nude private dancing and modeling.

Now here's the funny coincidence. She's seeing someone now who's an exotic dancer. I knew she was either gay or bi. I sensed it all along from day one.

She's visited here before and she said she loved it. Also, this fall she'd like to vacation out here and see me. Cool! I would really like that. She's such a neat person.

It's going to be 91º tomorrow and the next day. Great. This oughta take the pool temperature up even higher. I believe tonight's low is 70º.

I started typing journal 2 and I also typed letters to Bob and my parents.

4/14/1994 Thurs. 12:21 AM

Yesterday was a much better day than the day before. I'm due for my period, so I'll have to deal with that, unfortunately.

Got a letter from Kim today and in tomorrow's mail, letters will be going out to her and Fran. Also, Tom brought home all different kinds of pretty and different canceled stamps. I'm sending them to Tammy to give to the girls.

I had a nice chat with Lisa today, mainly about her school, the weather, and music.

The pool temp is up to 74º and I got up to my tits today. It won't be long before I'm swimming away constantly.

We are not going to be able to go to Disneyland yet. It's just too damn expensive. We may go to Tucson instead.

Andy and I had a nice phone chat today. He asked me to read him every April 13th entry from ’88-‘93. If there was no entry for the 13th, I read the closest date. I read up on a few different and funny things. Like how he got the phone bill in the name of Kevin H right before I left Springfield for Deerfield, and the multi-page phone bill "Maria S" got in Deerfield. Then we’d laugh at me bitching all about the cold and the snow.

12:50 PM

I forgot to mention that I'm sending Kim 5 pictures I don't want of Bob's apartment. The one he had before the last one. I'm sending 3 to Bob. One of me, Kim, Phil, and Alex. The other 2 are of Kim and me. I'm sending 5 to Fran. They're of scenery and shit like that. They're extras. I had 2 of the same shots of the place on Nettle's Island that my parents just moved from.

6:13 PM

My license came. My hair looks better this time than on the MA license but my face looks huge.

The bad news is that I need one or two teeth pulled. I have an impacted baby tooth. A dentist told me when I was between 20 and 22 that it may cause trouble when I got older. I really didn't think so, but sure enough, last night at 3 AM I noticed a funny feeling. I can feel the tooth growing directly behind the one that's always been there. I guess two of the adult teeth grew at an angle, blocking a baby tooth from getting out and letting the adult tooth come down. I've seen X-rays of it up in the jaw.

I called Access, who told me to call Wilcox's office. The girl there gave me the number of a Dr. Sadar that I'm to see on the 26th. I hope it doesn't get worse before then, but I was told to call if it does. Tom got some Ambesol for toothaches and whatever if I need it. I haven't had to use it, but I took Ibuprofen for my cramps. Haven't started bleeding yet, though. So far it seems my cycle's every 29 days. Well, going to go lay down now.

4/15/1994 Fri. midnight

Tom's going to dust the ceiling fan in the living room and he wants me nowhere near it. Ain't that sweet? Most people forget or do not give a shit that dust makes me sneeze and wheeze.

My insurance will pay for any work on my teeth, but he said if they didn't, he'd slap it on his credit card. How nice.

I typed letters to my parents, Kim, and Fran. Tomorrow I'll do a letter to Bob and I hope he, or someone, writes soon. Hope I get mail tomorrow. I can feel it. I mean, I should. Bob oughta have gotten those stamps I sent. I hope none of the guards steal them.

3:40 AM

I just typed a quick letter to Bob.

I finished watching some shows I taped, as well as other stuff that was on. On weeknights at 1:30 AM, they have old reruns of Little House on the Prairie. I think I saw just about every single episode there ever was. Just like with Charlie's Angels, The Bionic Woman, and Twin Peaks. I miss those days when they'd make over 100 episodes of all series. Now it's only 10-15 and you see the same few shows over and over.

My tooth is wiggling a bit. Even though it's a very slight wiggle. I hope I can hold out till the 26th.

4/17/1994 Sun. 12:23 AM

Andy says he's sending me one of his wacky letters. I got no letters from Bob all week. Now what the hell's going on? He very well should have those stamps I sent, unless a guard stole them as I said before.

Yesterday the pool pump broke, but what else is new? Tom replaced it today for $240. Also, he got a video blaster for $250. I'll explain how that works another time.

I'm going to be getting a double bed and other stuff next Wed.

I'm on a serious diet for the first time since early 1988. It's no big deal, though, compared to having to lose 35 pounds as I did in 1985. I'm 104 and I want to get to 95, but I know I will. I can lose 2 pounds every 2-3 days. Doing it somewhat fast won't hurt since we're only talking about 9 pounds. I lost 2 already. I'm going to constantly be swimming, so that'll make a difference. Tomorrow we're going swimming.

Today was 100º! Neat, huh? It should be really hot tomorrow, too. That's it for now.

3:40 AM

I can't fucking believe this shit! Yesterday I slept only from 8 AM-noon. I've been exhausted all day and all night, yet I still can't sleep. Tomorrow we're going swimming, but how am I going to be able to when I know I'll have to sleep the day away? How can I go shopping next Wed.? How can I be at my appointment for my teeth? How can I ever be a mother if that ever is in the cards for me? How? How? How? I'm so pissed and frustrated that that'll only make it even harder for me to get to sleep. I feel like I'm going to be up till 6:00 and sleep till 3:00 or 4:00.

4/18/1994 Mon. 3 AM

Boy, did I do a lot all day and all night.

First, let me get the one and only bad news out of the way. For a few hours yesterday, I wanted to go next door and kill those animals. I guess they were running through their sprinkler, but nonetheless, they just wouldn't shut the fuck up. Don't their parents realize how close these houses are? I hope to hell Lenore wasn't kidding when she said she was going to Idaho for the summer and I hope she takes those fucking kids with her.

Andy says I'm 100% ready to be a mom, but 4 kids is like 400 kids! I can't deal with more than one kid at once. That means babysitting or listening to them. One's all I can handle.

Very early yesterday morning, Tom really calmed me down and had me feeling a whole lot better. I ended up sleeping from 8 AM - 2 PM.

Tom tried heating the pool, but it was still a bit chilly. We went in the spa, though, and talked about a Vegas wedding in June.

2:15 AM

Wow! I've gotten 42 journals since coming to Arizona and I've done 21 since I lived here with Tom.

I got 4 Norah pictures off the video blaster. That thing is so neat. Using her video, we paused some shots of her, then printed them out. Cool, huh? And that's not even the tip of the iceberg as far as what that thing can do.

This week, probably Wednesday, I'll be getting a double bed. Also, Tom planned on giving me a bookcase with 6 shelves to use in my room cuz he is going to be building more in the back room. I had a little bookcase with 3 shelves by my bed (they're both of wood). I had my CD player, CDs, and some knickknacks on 3 plastic shelves. Part of the ones my parents sent me when I first got here. I took those plastic shelves and put them in the back room. I put the CDs, CD player, and knickknacks on the little shelf (3). Then I went into the back room, took all his books off it, and walked the shelves in here, and put them on my bed. I put my journals on them, my alarm clock, pads, pens, markers, and little stuff like that. It wasn't easy, but I got it in here somehow. Now I've got space with the way I'm set up in here for a double bed.

5:45 AM

Tom will be getting up in 15 minutes. He's going to be in for a big surprise when he sees all the rearranging I've done. Also, I moved those shelves all by myself, but I have moved lots of furniture before on my own, so it’s no big deal.

A double bed sounds so good to me. If I decide I want to use one pillow instead of two, I can throw it on the other side of the bed. Now I throw it on the floor and often trip on it. Also, my comforter is a double size, so then it won't have its edges dangling on the floor.

I talked to Tammy real quick. Bill's been really sick with pneumonia.

I'm going to go make some coffee now. Then shortly after Tom gets up, I'm going to bed.

I think I've covered everything there is to say. I just hope I get a letter from Bob with the stamps I sent him. It sounds like Bob's got lots of letters for me. When I talked to him, he was waiting on getting stamps and he said then that he had 5-6 letters to go to me.

It's wishful thinking, but it'd sure be nice to also get a letter from Cassandra.

They've been quiet across the street for a while now, thank God. Yeah, that's why I was compensated by next door.

Oh. Another thing Tom says the video blaster can do is to make a picture of Gloria and me, or whoever, look like we're standing side by side. Cool. I know a few suckers who'll buy that. If I tell them we met, I mean.

6:40 AM

Tom's up now filling out the application for a loan on the house.

When he got up and came towards my room, I said, "How do you like how my room looks?" and he said, "Wow! You moved that all by yourself?"

He agrees it does look nice in here, but I really can't wait for a double bed, the more I think about it. I want a soft, comfortable one, and thankfully he has full-size sheets. My full-size fitted sheets are long gone. I ditched them when I got my waterbed back in 1989.

4/20/1994 Wed. 2:08 AM

I have some news that's really going to send shock waves through the pages of this book, especially if it could feel. Well, I had a feeling and I foresaw this day coming by 1996 tops and it has finally arrived. It just didn't arrive for the reasons I thought it would (by me building up a nest egg from singing). Well, I'm off SS and SSI! Got the news in the mail yesterday. My first reaction, which was normal, was to panic cuz this had been my safety net since 1986 and old habits die hard.

I said to Tom, who loves me rich, poor, or average, "I guess cuz we have each other, I don't need a safety net." Then he said, "But you're not exactly walking a tightrope anymore." That's true. I got a life. I'm just not an emotionally mixed-up little girl anymore who needs Mommy and Daddy and SS every day of her life.

I'm still covered medically by Medicaid and Tom said that if they stopped it tomorrow, he'd marry me tomorrow. How sweet he is and I trust him so much after knowing him for a year. He also brought up a good point. He said that I could get a part-time job or do whatever I wanted and not have to worry about taxes.

What a life promotion this feels like to me. I really thought for the longest time that unless I got rich, I'd be on it for the rest of my life.

Between today and yesterday, I got 6 letters from Bob! That's a lot of letters, huh? When I began to copy all of them, there were 99 pages left in the book. Now there are 55 left.

Now here's my bad news. Bill's in the hospital, according to Tammy, and it has just been found out that he has leukemia. This is just horrible! That sister of mine has also been through enough shit in her life and she doesn't need this. If worse comes to worst, how's she going to manage? She's never been alone even a day in her life, even though she's 36. How would she be able to keep the kids and support them, let alone herself? She's a smart person who can learn very well, but she has no job skills.

Tom's been such a love and such great support and he spoke to her, too. He said he'll see that I fly there if I'm needed and wanted. He couldn't go cuz he'd have to work and even though they hit it off over the phone, he's still a stranger. I feel so helpless. She was there for me like never before when I needed her the most, when I went through the shit I did with the NHA. I want to return the favor in any way I can, be it by being emotionally supportive over the phone or in person, or looking out for the kids. If I do go there, well, it sure won't be in the way I ever expected. I expected all of them to come here first, so this is a hell of a way to visit, under miserable circumstances, rather than a happy family reunion.

3 AM

I just put Piggyback in his cage after playing with him for a bit.

At 9:00 this morning we may go get that double bed, but that will depend on Tammy first. I'll call there at 8:00 her time (in 2 hrs) and see if there are any new developments. No one knows yet what type of leukemia it is or what the outcome will be. She's talked to Mom and Dad, and as Tom said, we're sure they will do whatever it is that they can.

I spoke with Andy for over an hour after I awoke and that was good for me. We talked about that and I read parts of journal 12. Some of our worst times, like when he lived with me on Woodside Terrace. I wrote some pretty awful stuff about him, but as he said, we now laugh at it all. It's all in the past and he admits that what I said about him then was the truth.

Andy's been feeling really doomed lately. Well, Tom believes the world is going to continue for eons. I don't know what to think, but Andy feels it's the beginning of the end. He believes in the Bible as well as certain prophecies and believes that the end will be from 1998-2001. Me? I still believe the Bible's full of hogwash that anyone can write, but everyone's entitled to their own opinion. What I or someone else assumes, believes, or thinks and feels may or may not be the truth and what will happen for sure.

3:20 AM

In an hour and a half, I will be calling Tammy. I hope for their sake that all is OK. I just sent her a letter since it's been so hard for her to find time to get into Prodigy.

Yesterday I sent letters to Bob, Tammy, and my parents, and 2 to Kim. Also sent for another 100 stamped envelopes. Today's letters will go out to Bob, Kim, Fran, and my parents.

5:22 AM

From the looks of it, I have a feeling I'm going to Connecticut. I called the house and Bill's mother answered. I had a hell of a time understanding her with her accent. She's from Israel. I spoke with Lisa too, and told her I'd come in if need be. She then goes, "Awesome!" I reminded her not to jump the gun, though, as it's too soon to know what's going on.

I called the hospital and he's in the William B. Backus Hospital. The same one I was in before I went to Natchaug. His mother gave me the wrong room number (deliberately?) but I was finally connected to the right one. Tammy answered and said she'd call me back cuz the doctor was there.

I called ma and told her I'm prepared to go if I have to. I really have a feeling I'll be going.

5:45 AM

The suspense and the waiting are killing me. I wish she'd hurry up and call back. If I do go, though, it's not going to be very pleasant for me, aside from what's going on with Bill. Walking into that hospital and just being there in the Norwich/Salem area isn't going to bring back a flood of pleasant memories. How long I would be there if I were to go, beats me.

Earlier I killed 3 spiders in here and now I have a touch of the willies. It's time to bomb in here and get Operation Spider Storm well underway.

Gosh! I really don't want to go to CT. Not like this. Not under these circumstances. God, please let Bill be OK if you can hear me.

8:15 AM

Tammy finally called and she doesn't really need me there. There's nothing I can really do and I'm not an early morning person, as she herself pointed out.

Tom and I called CompuServe a little while ago and looked up leukemia. There are several different kinds, but they all sound pretty nasty.

Soon Tom and I are going to pick up my prescription and possibly get me a double bed. More than likely we will, seeing that I'm not going to CT.

I polished my nails Wineberry.

4/21/1994 Thurs. 3 PM

I had quite a busy day yesterday and today. First of all, this is the best pen I've ever had. It's a rolling ball marker, not a felt tip. It glides so easily, giving me fine lines with no inkblots.

Shortly after I last wrote yesterday, we went and I picked out my waterbed. It's got black padding all around it. There are no shelves or drawers, but that's OK cuz in time I intend to add on the matching bureau. At the head of the bed, where the shelves usually are, there's black padding that slants upward so I can sit up and read or write. It's a king-size and costs $305.

The matching bureau has black padded drawers and the top surface of it is all mirrored. Then there's a mirror extending upward with black padding around its sides. It's really a sharp set and it's totally me.

His brother David came over with his truck, got Tom and then went and picked it up. Tom's got some of it assembled, but he had to stop to do some plumbing at his sister Mary's house. I'm going to sleep in his bed cuz it won't be done until tomorrow.

I'll write more about it later, but before I sign off, I went swimming today and yesterday, and it was great!

4/22/1994 Fri. 12:15 AM

I fell asleep yesterday at 4 PM and got up at 9 PM; therefore, I'm still tired.

Fran left a message and he's losing his phone again from the sound of it. Yeah, I believe that. He does that here and there.

The waterbed is almost all set up. All we have to do is fill it and set the headboard on. Tom went to bed about an hour ago and we're going to fill it when it gets light out. This way we don't get bugs.

We got the bombs yesterday when we went food shopping, so soon it’s bye-bye spiders.

God, my stomach is major gassed out. That's what happens when I don't get enough sleep.

I'm going to listen to music now, then I'll write more.

1:27 AM

Well, it doesn't look as if I'll be falling back asleep anytime soon, so I oughta write a little.

Bad news for the pool - it was 100º yesterday, today's to be 98º, Saturday 83º, and on Sunday only 78º. This is going to cause a setback. Monday they say we're in for T-storms.

Today we need to go out to get a mattress pad. Tom thought he had one from when he had his waterbed, but he thought wrong.

Yesterday I got another supply of 100 stamped envelopes and I pre-addressed some. For now, I think I shall go type some letters.

4/23/1994 Sat. 1 PM

Shortly after I last wrote, I fell asleep and got up at 7 AM yesterday.

We completed the waterbed a couple of hours later. It's sooo nice and sooo comfy.

Yesterday was a very lucky day for me. We went to one bookstore where I wasn't too impressed. Then, the second one was like oh my God!!! I got 8 journals for $25. Normally, 8 of them cost $60. What luck, huh? They were all $2.98 and #66 and #67 are dreams come true with a real piano. (not a drawing) Most covers are drawings and designs. If I remember right, the 3 cat books and 2 dog books are my first with pictures of real live animals. I was going to get a real live horse cover, but I forgot. Other things on the covers of #66 - #73 are sheet music, guitars, drums, ballet slippers, and flowers.

Then, after I came home, the mailman came and there were 6 letters! And 2 of them were from Kim. The others were from none other than Bob. That's 12 letters from Monday-Friday! The most I ever got in under a week. Same with the journals. The most I ever got at once is 3. No. Once I got 5.

Copying these 12 letters has taken up 70 pages. If I'd copied Bob's letter to Kim and all Bob's poems, it'd have been 100-110. There are 30 pages left in Book of Letters #7, then Book of Letters #8 will be journal #72.

2 PM

Just sitting here waiting to see if the mailman delivers another slew of Bob letters.

I forgot to mention that yesterday we got a mattress pad. It's much softer and more comfortable than what I had on the one I had back east. We also got a nice set of sheets.

Wait till I tell Andy about the bed, journals, and letters. The only one I haven't told is Tammy cuz now's certainly not the time.

I typed some letters, but I need to type more. I've got time since there's no mail till Monday. I haven't typed #2 (the current one I'm typing) onto my floppy disk, so I may go do that.

6:20 PM

No mail today, but I typed more letters and some of #2.

Tom went to the racetrack today but didn't win. He's now reading more on how to print out pictures from videos. I can't wait till I learn how to do this cuz when I do, I'll be having a field day with different videos.

This will sound crazy, but it works. I got the idea from a health book. Guess what I had smothered all over my hair? Mayonnaise. Yup, it's a cheap and great way to condition the hair. Also the nails, nail cuticles and skin.

4/24/1994 Sun. 9:33 AM

I wish I could know where each entry date was to be on each page of all the journals I have. If I could know this, I'd stick in all the address labels. Like I said before, when I send away for Tammy and Bill's address labels, I'll then send for my own in the name of S. I'll use the S labels for the covers of each journal (when I'm officially married) and for all my mail and letters, except Fran's. After we're married, there'll be tons of labels left with my maiden name, so those I'll use for entry date separators.

Tom just came into the room and I believe it's now playtime!

11:53 AM

We played around for a while and now he's sorting through boxes in the back room. Sex is better on a waterbed. It makes it easier to get in certain positions.

This is the last day of his vacation, but it's been a good one. He's been so happy and there's been much more lovemaking.

A little while ago I stuck some address labels on different envelopes. I have 13 each for Kim, Bob and my parents. I used up all the cloud/rainbows and air balloons for my parents and I have 17 music labels left. Fran will get all the gold-trimmed ones, like the one in the front cover of this book. So it looks like I'll use day separators in this order: music, silver prisms, Rose pond/seashells/river, and rainbow last.

4/25/1994 Mon. 5:52 PM

Yesterday and today have been very busy days. Yesterday was the biggest breakthrough ever in organizing the back room. It looks better than ever in there. We put the twin bed at the end of the room, and it looks good.

I also talked to Fran and Tammy. Tammy still doesn't know too much.

I typed some letters and learned another great thing on the computer that I wish I'd known all along. There's this dictionary that highlights and corrects misspelled words.

Today I really had my work cut out for me. I began at 7:30 AM right after Tom left and didn't finish till nearly noon. I washed rugs, sheets, towels, etc. Did the dishes, dusted, vacuumed, washed the table, counters and stove, cleaned the bathroom and changed the pig's cage. Now I really need to repolish my nails and shave, but I'm too lazy now.

Got 3 letters from Bob today with beautiful drawings on both his envelopes and letters. Beautiful flowers and one with 2 turtles that were awesome. Great idea for me to try. I've learned a lot from him.

Book of letters #7 is finished. On the last few pages, I glued in poems. Like 5 of them, as well as 3 parts of his envelopes. I printed a copy of his poems for him, too, cuz I know he likes to see them typed up. BOL #8 will be in #72. It'll go quite fast if his letters keep pouring in as they have.

He says they're soon to be transferring him to Gardner, MA. Great. I just pre-addressed about 12 envelopes to him. Guess he can get out in the year 2000. Only 6 years away, but to him, it must feel like 6000.

4/26/1994 Tues. 8:30 AM

I am in the car now on my way to the dentist. I'm not looking forward to this, but hopefully, I won't be in for too big of an ordeal.

I can blame Tom for my sloppy writing and I just did. I jokingly said we must be hitting air pockets (like in a plane). We still have a long drive ahead. Bell Road is way the hell out there. We're driving by one of my favorite mountains now.

1:45 PM

I am home now (since 11 AM) and Tom ran out to pick up my meds. He oughta be back any minute.

When he returns, we're going to fool around, then later I'll write about the dentist, Fran and whatever.

4/27/1994 Wed. 11:37 AM

The dentist told me yesterday not to do anything about my teeth unless it hurts. That wasn't too big of a deal, thank God. He said it could bother me soon or years from now. Hopefully, it will stay right where it is, but I have a feeling that's wishful thinking.

Up ahead, a few pages, Tom wrote a quick note. I love how he used the word "well" twice when he meant to use the word "will." He says that's a common mistake of his. He says the word "will" like "well." He says all his short i's as short e's. That's probably where that mistake comes from.

Damn, it's chilly out! This is weird for this time of year. It'll be in the low 70s until Sunday.

Just put letters out to Bob, Kim, Fran and my parents, who will never call or write.

Tammy says they still have no diagnosis on Bill.

Well, that's pretty much up to date. Been typing journal #2 up a lot and I hope to finish it today. Got 1 Bob letter yesterday which began BOL #8. That's in #72 as I said before. Going to go type #2 now.

Oh! One more thing. I do believe Andy will be receiving "Sabrina's" letter. You know, from Fran. He says he's sending me one too, but I'll have to see that to believe that.

How many Bob letters will I get today?

4/28/1994 Thurs. 1:16 PM

I was so pissed yesterday. I hate it when politics fuck up my life. There was no mail yesterday cuz Nixon died and was buried yesterday. Who cares about this impeached president who never did anything for us? Plus, this criminal had a funeral fit for a king. I just hope there's mail today.

Andy's friend Sarah may play Sabrina. He's going to talk to her about it and if she agrees to it, I'll give Fran her number.

10:19 PM

For the first time in a while, I'm bummed, worried and anxious. My weight's going up and I just can't stop eating. I'm hungry all the time. I tried to restrain myself and talk myself out of it, but before writing, I ate a whole lasagna TV dinner and a big marshmallow/rice bar. I just can't stop eating. I weigh 104 pounds, and I doubt this scale's even right. I'd say I'm more like 107-110. Being barely 5' it doesn't take much to see and feel it. I feel like a blimp. My waist is a sickening 27. I want it back to a 24. I want to lose 3" all around and weigh 95. Oh God, please give me the strength to not eat for at least two days. Please?

On the lighter side and better side of things, I got a letter from Kim today and a very nice one from my mom, too. Finally!

No concerts across the street and it looks as if they may go away this weekend next door.

I'm almost done typing up journal #2.

Andy called me with Sarah on the line. Then, I called Fran and she played Sabrina.

I talked to Tammy who still doesn't know much about Bill. She says to call her tomorrow night. Then, she hopes to know the whole story.

4/29/1994 Fri. 5:16 PM

I just called Tammy. Things are definitely at their shittiest. Next week they're removing and biopsying Bill's spleen.

Tom came home early with a cold. Ten minutes before he did, I had a feeling about that. He's lying down now. I hope I don't catch it, although I never caught his last cold. I've been very lucky for over a year now.

I finished typing journal #2 and began #3.

Tom brought home more stamps from work (canceled). I've split them up between Kim and my parents.

Got 3 letters today from Bob. He asked if I remembered the date we met, and that he could. It took a while, but I found out we met on 8/25/91 in journal #5.

I also thought of a clever idea for numbering my journals last night. My perma-marker. You know that if I wrote with this pen, especially on those that aren't cloth, it'd smear off. This pen's permanent and won't smudge off. For some journals I kept their sticker numbers on cuz the color of their binders was too dark and the pen wouldn't show up.

Tomorrow night there's to be a movie with those figure skaters, Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan. It oughta be pretty entertaining. They did a damn good job with getting Tonya and Nancy look-a-likes. It seems so many skaters, dancers and gymnasts look the same. Except for topless dancers in the clubs I danced in. They all come in a wide variety of looks and sizes.

Tom showed me something neat the computer can do with journals 1 and 2. It shows how many characters, pages, words and minutes I spent typing each one. I think #2 was 103 thousand and something characters. 19,500 words and I believe the minutes were- oh, I forgot, but they were in the 5 digits. It may be around 50 hours or so that I worked on it. Eventually, I'll have a summary information (that's what it's called) list of them, here in this book. Or somewhere.

Now I want to go finish my coffee and have a smoke.

5:36 PM

Maybe praying to God as Andy does will work here and there. What tremendous willpower I've had with eating today. Only a few bites of spaghetti, a little bit of lettuce with ranch dressing and 2 pieces of bread. Gone down 2 pounds, but I must be consistent for a while to get my body to do its thing on its own, as it has been since early 1988. I know it's mostly water, but I can once again speed up my metabolism so I can gorge on whatever I want. As I said before, the use of the pool on a daily basis will help.

These last 2 months I haven't had to wear a liner for extra discharges mid-cycle. Lucky me, but my tits have been way sorer throughout these last 2 months. I don't know why. My caffeine intake hasn't changed. Maybe it's cuz my last 2 periods were sort of light and half-assed. It'd help if my next one was heavier, but that'd call for extra cramps.

9:37 PM

Gosh, it feels later. It feels like it's near midnight. Well, I got up at 7:30 so I'm starting to tire down.

Next Monday I'll send out letters as well as Mom's Mother's Day card and Tammy, Bill's and my address labels.

I was doing great with eating very little, but I slipped. Let's see... I had popcorn, a carrot, spaghetti and 2 pieces of cheese. God forbid I may be forgetting anything else. I'm soooo fucking bloated. I don't dare step on that scale right now.

I will go shut the computer off now and at least lie down a while. If I fall asleep, OK. If not, that's OK too.

4/30/1994 Sat. 9:12 AM

Got up at 7:30 and now I'm going to go change all the calendars.

Tom's still sick, but he's in the shower now. After that, he'll be going to his sister Mary's to fix a light on her car.

Tom's youngest brother Steven is getting married in Fresno, so Mary and his parents are going to drive out.

4:34 PM

What a bummer that the pool's too cold. I could really go for a swim now, and they're definitely gone next door. It's been a very peaceful, quiet day.

I just harvested a bunch of lettuce, which I gotta go put in a baggy now.

I talked to Tammy. They're operating on Bill tomorrow morning. I sent Tammy a letter and Bill a get-well note with a few flower drawings.

Tom's still fixing Mary's car.

Oh! Also, I called Nervous with the hopes that if Crystal were still there I'd get her on the phone and tape her. I was lucky cuz she is still there and man did she go off on me! It was so funny and she reminds me of Tracy K. If she's the clingy, desperate type she sounds to be, she could hold Nervous hostage and beat the shit out of him. She sounds so mean. He sounded absolutely depressed and terrified. I think she's got to be an alkie or a druggie or both, besides nuts. I hate to say this, but they deserve each other. I can picture her threatening and scaring him into submission and beating the hell out of him. I think the only reason they're still together is cuz she's got him in the palm of his hand and he's terrified of her. Anyway, I'll have a few great edits. I left the 30 seconds or so of her screaming at me on Andy's machine. He'll love it.

4:52 PM

I just squished the lettuce in a big baggy. There sure is a lot out there. The carrots are doing well, but it'll be another 3 weeks or so before they're ready to be pulled up.

Now, thanks to Crystal, I am finally motivated to do some editing after quite a while.

5:26 PM

Tom's home now. I haven't edited Crystal yet, but I'm all set to go. First I had to put her on my current convo tape, and ditch a very old dead tape. One that I can't record onto cuz what's previously on it doesn't get erased over. Well, guess I will go edit her now.

5:39 PM

I just edited Crystal. Yup, pretty funny.

Tom's on the phone now talking to his brother. He says he feels better, but I have a feeling sex is out for this weekend. I also have a feeling that the sex will be a continuous cycle where I cry out for needing more, he gives in for a while, then backs off. We'll see. I'm not going to keep "reminding" him, though.

7 PM

I just began taping the Tonya and Nancy story.

Tom's eating now and will probably be going to bed.

I'm 12 days away from my period, so I'm getting hornier and more bloated. I wish every day was like right after my period. It seems I only have about 3-5 days where I'm not so watery and gassed out. Tomorrow we're going to the grocery store and I'm getting water pills. And if you can't take it with asthma or Theodur - tough!

I'm in luck after all as far as sex goes. Tom says he'll definitely be non-contagious tomorrow and that I won't be horny this month cuz he's going to wear me out. Cool!

Guess I will go watch the movie while it's on. I just like to zip through the commercials, but I don't feel like doing anything else right now.

A Note from Tom - 4/26/1994

Jodi,

So, you want me to write in this journal. You know, this well be over very soon and we'll be heading home. Until then I well try to think of more things to write. This is a strange place for a dentist. I guess they expect you to go shopping then rent a few movies and have your teeth cleaned.