Boy, did I get a shocker in the mail yesterday. I got a signed 5x7 photo of Kate! Both of us were really surprised. We never expected I’d get anything. You usually don’t from the bigger stars. I never heard from her when I wrote her when I was 10, but maybe it’s because she’s older now. I still don’t think she read the letter herself, though. I picture her getting more than she could possibly even have the time to read. I don’t think they hear about any of their fan mail unless it’s something that’s either way off the wall or threatening. Anyway, although I don’t really like this picture because it’s black and white and she was between 45-50 when it was taken, it was still really cool to get something. It could be a printout, but it looks like she actually signed the photo herself with a marker. What sloppy handwriting the woman has, too! If I didn’t know better, I wouldn’t be able to read the name. Anyway, it was nice. Not as nice as it would’ve been had she sent a letter saying she regressed back in time and looks just like she did 27 years ago and would love to get together with me just as soon as Tom leaves for work, but it was still nice, even so. The other Kate picture that I ordered won’t be shipped till around October 9th, I was told, though it could ship a little earlier or later. Meanwhile, I hope Rosa’s now as shocked to have gotten my letter as I was to have gotten Kate’s signed photo. I also hope she writes back!

I didn’t get mail from Mary yesterday like I expected to, but I got my Trimlife samples. One’s a multivitamin I’m supposed to take twice a day, and the other one’s for the weight loss I still can’t believe I’ll achieve. It’s all natural, but even natural things can cause problems so we’ll see. I’m going to take it real soon. That too, is to be taken twice a day. It’s got 5 different things in it that are supposed to suppress your appetite, boost your metabolism and give you energy. They say you can lose anywhere from 1-10 pounds during the first week and whatever you do end up losing will determine which group you’re best off in if you buy a full supply of the stuff. I decided not to get any more if I don’t lose at least 4-5 pounds.

Later…

The good news is that the pills didn’t make me nauseous and the bad is that the scammers won’t stop calling! Now I’ve got the same problem I had in Phoenix with the constant sales calls! The ones that mention money up front are the obvious scammers, as Tom pointed out, trying to see what they can take you for. However, I got a rather odd call in the midst of it all. In this case, the guy gave me his name and number and told me to call him if he doesn’t get a hold of me tonight at 8:00 my time to discuss a home-based job. Why didn’t he just discuss it with me last night when he had me on the phone? Well, we’ll find out tonight what the story is with this one, though I won’t hold my breath. I still don’t think I’m meant to make money anymore than I think I’m meant to lose weight, but it is all up to fate. Whatever will be will be and whatever won’t be won’t be.

The mesquite tree’s flourishing beautifully. We definitely want to transplant more of these, but we’ll have to find smaller ones so we don’t have to damage their roots. Even the two full-grown mesquite trees that are 25-30 feet away are fuller as the water eventually seeps down and over to them.

The remaining palm still looks the same exact size as it was when we first got it and it still looks on the verge of death, too.

There are two Barbies up for auction at a starting bid of $5 with no reserve price set and just $5 shipping, so I put a bid on them. I’ll find out tomorrow morning at about 6:30 if I won them. They’re in L.A.

It’s been cloudy since I got up, but it doesn’t look like we’re going to get the rain they predicted for today. The clouds are too thin.

I think the horse may be gone in back which is a good thing. Not that I have a damn thing against horses, but the horse was one more reason to draw them outside and they’re outdoorsy enough as it is. I swear there’s a new vehicle over there every few months too, if even that. I’d say someone over there fixes cars for sure. Most of them sit there with their hoods open. Since they’ve been around more often and gotten rid of the horse, they’ve been much neater. I mean, the place is still an eyesore, but they’re not dumping their trash to get blown onto our land anymore, so that’s good.

Later…

Wow, it’s just after 3:00 and it’s only 84°. The wind’s picked up, the clouds have thickened, and we’ve now got a bit of a drizzle going, even though it’s pretty half-assed. We should be right on the verge of the end of the super hot days, but not too close to needing heat.

I’m working on my story now which I think I’ll be able to finish before the year’s out.

Although one day is too soon to really make an accurate judgment, I do seem to have a bit more energy and the pills do seem to help curb my appetite, though I’m still a little hungry. I guess nothing can be perfect, though. If this continues to work the way it has today, maybe I can lose a little weight. I don’t think I’ll ever be between 100-110 pounds like I’d like to be, but maybe I can get to the 115-120 range. I won’t count on it, but we’ll see when the week’s trial period is up. They recommend those under 150 pounds begin with just one pill twice a day, but maybe it’d be better if I upped it to two pills twice daily.

I’m still winning the dolls, but there are still 15 hours to go where I could get outbid.