I have 3 hours and 45 minutes of sheer boredom. (we’re leaving at noon) I could work on my story, but I’m not exactly in the mood.

Anyway, I hope he isn’t too sick or tired when he gets up so we can enjoy the stores afterward, but if we have to postpone it, we will.

I missed my bangs and cut them back yesterday. They look much better on me than with my hair parted in the middle. Especially with such a low forehead and wide face.

This weather is unfuckingbelievable. It was down to 38° outside when I got up at 6:00 and 69° inside. We don’t have to worry about sweating our way to Casa Grande this time around.

As always, I have to wonder – are there any nasty surprises waiting for me? I don’t sense it, so I guess that’s good. It’s just that it’s been a few months since there have been any changes. Not seeing Scot for over two months is quite a change in itself, but I mean with the rules in general. I’m more worried about being tested by POs who don’t know me. Hopefully, though, if Scot didn’t brief them on who’s who, they can at least look and see that I’ve only had 4 tests, see the growing gaps between each test, and realize it wouldn’t be necessary before I have to fight giving my body once again to the state to use and abuse at will.

For the first time ever, Tom remained in the waiting room the last time and I’m going to ask that he do so from now on, with or without Scot. This way I’ll have more of a sense of independence, so to speak, like I’m saying, “I’m not afraid to face you guys alone and I don’t need my husband hovering over me for protection,” not that that’s necessarily what they thought.

Gonna go water the plants now.

Later…

Yes! I did it! One of the tulip trees and the lavender bush are now showing signs of growth. The other tulip tree is still the same. All the other plants are doing well, though there are a few elms and Sharons I question. It’s okay if a few of the elms don’t make it because of the oleanders in front of them as a backup. It’s also okay if a few Sharons don’t make it because we can always get extras for fill-ins next year. Besides, the only purpose of the Sharons is for bordering. The poplars are definitely doing the best. They’re getting leafier by the day. I’ve got to take monthly pictures of them. I’m sure the changes will be quite amazing. They weren’t kidding when they said these were fast-growing trees. If they survive the heat and then the next freeze, and I’m sure they will, they just might provide a little shade as soon as next summer. From what I’ve seen so far, though, I can totally believe these things will be 50’ – 80’ tall in just 4 years. It seems like it’s going to take these palm trees 20 years to reach their mature height.

Later…

Well, I have what’ll no doubt be my most shocking news since I’ve been home. Scot said that since they won’t let me go (he never used the word “victim”), and since he agrees it makes no sense to report twice a month, he’s now cut me to just once a month!!! I have to keep pinching myself to make sure it’s real, but yes, Mr. Serious himself, who I thought would never give me any breaks, told me I could start reporting the first Wednesday of each month! He warned me, though, that if there are any violations, I’d be right back up to two monthly reports. I assured him I’ve come too far to mess up now, so he need not worry (I still have to worry about others saying I did, though, since they’d be the ones to be believed, but I still don’t sense any trouble looming ahead, fortunately).

He recommended we go to the courthouse in August, pay off the rest of the money, get a receipt, then bring it to him in September.

My only concern with this new arrangement is him making up for lost report time in-home visits, and he did mention stopping by, too. I can see maybe one more visit, but any more than that would surely make me wonder cuz it wouldn’t make sense. After all, if he felt he couldn’t trust me enough that he had to come to the house more often, then why cut my reports in the first place? You never know, though. That’s the one area where he hasn’t been predictable. His house calls have been known to be erratic. I’m back to wanting to get the fences up like yesterday, just in case he does get visit-happy on me. At least I can’t have much more than 6 months of whatever’s in store for me and I don’t have to go to him as much. I’d rather he come to me where I have the choice of saying no and ignoring the door, and if those fucking welfare bums do end up waking me up again, I am not getting out of bed for them! Meaning, if he comes when I’m asleep. I wonder if he’d have visited in February or March had he not gotten ill. All he said when I asked what happened to him was that he had some serious medical problems, but he didn’t say what, so I didn’t push it and ask. It’s none of my business, and besides, I’m just glad he’s back.

Anyway, I’m still completely blown away. I mean, this morning when I got up, I had 13 more reports as far as I was concerned and now I’ve got 6!

Do I think he’ll test me? No, because so far he’s been predictable and has kept his word in that department, but at least the amount of times I had to worry about that has been cut in half.

I beat him to it as far as how much time was left and informed him there were 197 days left, and he asked if I was marking the days on the calendar. As a matter of fact, I am, I told him.

Because of Tom’s cold, we skipped the stores. We agreed to go back on Friday instead.