The renters just returned for the second time since we’ve been home in their obnoxiously loud vehicle, and now it’s their dog I’m listening to, but it’s better than having bass-thumping freeloaders just a few feet away, and besides, we won’t be hearing them much longer anyway.

Haven’t seen lights on at night in front for over a week and they still haven’t set the other house down, much less put it together which is perfectly fine with me. Maybe we’ll be out of here before they’re occupied.

Instead of reporting today, I had a wonderful birthday, even though my birthday’s still 5 hours away. Yesterday was a rather shitty day. For the millionth time, God saw to it that we got ripped off. The unemployment check didn’t come yesterday like it was supposed to so we had to take our chances at the bookstore. We were forced to settle for the measly $18 they gave us because we needed gas. Meanwhile, we had well over $50 worth of stuff. They practically took all the books for free and they didn’t take all the CDs, claiming some were too scratched.

I know that since we’ve got a money-making curse on us that the bulk of the stuff we don’t want to take with us won’t sell, but I’d rather they stay here as freebies than come hog up the precious room we won’t have for a while if it’s just going to be shit we never use anyway.

I only got a couple of books and will order a couple more online soon.

Since we already know for sure that we are going to lose the house, we’re only making sure to pay for the things we need like the electric bill (thank God it’s not summer! At least he gave us that much) and the computer since that’s so much of a lifeline for us. We’ll also keep one of the phones going as well.

I still haven’t heard from Mary and I still don’t know why. I’d still think Carolyn would’ve called if something was wrong, but maybe she lost my new number. I plan to call her next week if I still haven’t heard from her. I know there have been gaps in her letters before, so I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation as to why she hasn’t written.

Again, I know it may sound strange, but a part of me hopes she’s dumped me for whatever reason, so I don’t have to deal with her when she gets out, although that may not be much of an issue if we end up in some other state or in the Kingman area. If we were in Phoenix, she could just run right over in no time at all cuz that’s where she’s going as soon as she gets out.

Did my last story spook her out that much or what? I’d hate to think she could be that much of a wimp, but she does spook rather easily. Despite the fact that it wouldn’t hurt me, since I’m so used to people coming and going from my life, it’d still be way cold and insensitive of her to dump me, if she has, at a time when my birthday’s coming up and we’re going through such a shit time when we need support and encouragement. Then to not have the guts to tell me so; that’d really be being a gutless wimp on top of having no empathy or compassion.

I don’t know, maybe someone’s been stealing her mail to me or she’s been having hernia surgery or is just super broke or super depressed. I hope to hell no inmate has harmed her in any way. Maybe she has a problem with my views and opinions on God which differ drastically between us, but that’d mean that she’d suddenly be radically different than the Mary I always knew. The Mary I always knew has been very tolerant and accepting of those who differ from her, so I don’t know why she’d suddenly have a problem with anything I’ve been saying in letters or journals, but people can change and turn on you. If that is the case, then hell, she could become a bigot towards gays next for all I know and I don’t want anything to do with someone like that.

Anyway, if it does turn out to be over something I’ve said, we are done. After all the years I was forced to associate with domineering control freaks who couldn’t accept others as they were, I really need all the more to be with people who let me be me and if that means only associating with Tom, then so be it.

Mary has gone back on her word once, though. Actually, she’s gone back on it several times. So many times she promised not to keep asking for things I’d keep telling her I either couldn’t or didn’t want to do before she finally got the hint. Then there was that time in jail, of course, when she told me she’d have no problem moving to the big cell if one of us had to go, and then she got all bent out of shape and acted like a spoiled little brat about it when it came time to put her actions where her mouth was.

I decided not to worry about my schedule even though they’re flying again because I’m going to have to worry about it during the move, so I think I’ll take it easy for now. Besides, I get woken up at least once a week in this house anyway, day or night.

Okay, now that I’ve covered the bad and trivial subjects, I shall move on to today’s fun shopping adventure. Like I said, we lost the house anyway, so we’re not worrying too much about money anymore as long as we pay for the necessities. November will probably be our last house payment, but they won’t start getting on us about it till mid-Jan.

We went to Walmart at around noon. It was packed, but because Tom knew where everything was and because we didn’t have to wait in line to use the self-check-out thing that everyone hates, we weren’t in there long.

I had to pick up a few things like popcorn and female stuff. He got himself some soda, and then, we got the Charlie’s Angels DVD! It is so cool to have the whole first season. I also got Hawaiian Ginger perfumed body lotion from Calgon. I tried a sample I got in the mail and Tom and I both agreed it’s nice. I chose the lotion over the spray because it was cheaper and because my dry skin needs lotion anyway.

I also got 3 25-packs of incense, along with a little kit that has cones and mini sticks. The cones are cool as they barely give off smoke and they don’t make the mess sticks do, but they only burn for 15 minutes. Still, I wanted to try cones and now I have. It came with a little wooden burner to put it in. Next to it are two small holes for the mini sticks. I guess this way you can mix the scents, though I prefer to burn them one at a time. They last longer that way. The 25-packs consist of oriental flowers & spices, rainforest, and aromatherapy scents. All the sticks are colored, but not all of them are labeled. The oriental ones aren’t, so all I know is that whatever the bright green stick is, it’s the best one in that pack. It’s either oriental woods or opulent opium. I like the cinnamon, strawberry and jasmine, but the sandalwood is just so-so. Of the aromatherapy packs, I’ve only sampled the serenity so far, but there’s also romance, refresh and strength. Then there’s wildflowers, rainforest and spring bouquet. I haven’t sampled those yet, either, but I have a total of 13 scents.

Our last stop was at the Circle K in Stanfield for snacks, but before that, we got two new rats! They seem very mellow so far. One’s dark brown and the other’s white with really cool dark gray markings. I haven’t come up with names for them yet. Little Fella was ever so happy to meet them and to have roommates again. It’s cute and funny how he always comes and nudges my hand when I go to pat the others, to remind me that he’s my number one. Little Buddy did the same thing when Little Fella was just a baby.