I'm feeling pretty good about where my life is right now. I am content living the single life - it's much easier and less complicated to exist without being in a relationship. (Though I do have sort of a thing going with a guy I met on eHarmony who lives in New Mexico... but not sure if it will ever actually go anywhere beyond friendship. We do have some nice, deep chats. I guess it is the perfect "relationship" for me right now - no strings or expectations, but someone I can talk to about anything, who doesn't judge me, and who has good advice.) I am happy living with just my cat. He's the true love of my life. And he's much more dependable than a man. He consistently gives me tons of unconditional love. What more could a gal want?

Financially, I'm getting myself back on better ground. I've sold the house that was a huge burden to me with those two mortgages, and am paying only about half as much in rent as I had been paying on the mortgages. I took the Sears job to add a little extra income, and it gives me something to do on weekends. I hate being bored and am not good at relaxing, so I'd rather be working than loafing around with nothing to do. Even working three jobs, I still have enough "down time" to not feel like I'm overextending myself. Pet sitting is getting a little busier, so I am earning more money from that gig. Hopefully I will be able to keep afloat and not have to depend on my parents for loans to bail me out due to my own stupidity.

My MA program in library and info science is going well. I've gotten A's in all my classes so far, though I'd be content with a B in the current course, which is on IT, a subject I am FAR from an expert in! I have confidence I will be able to make it through the program, and hopefully it will lead to new career options down the road. I would love to be a health sciences librarian. It would be an interesting subject, plus the pay is really good.

My relationship with my brother, after a brief period of strain due to his overly religious tendencies of late, has improved. I don't agree with his political beliefs or religious views, but I have learned to accept that he's still my brother, and still has some good qualities.

I have some good friends, though some of them don't live near me anymore. But I still feel close to them. I am one of those people who likes to keep bonds alive despite distance. My best friend and I have been close for almost 12 years now, although for most of that time we've been apart.

I know I'm not the easiest person in the world to get along with, and don't make friends tremendously easily. But I have enough friends. Though I'm always open to new ones should they come along...

Switching gears entirely... There is an animal Web site I would like to promote, http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com - you click (as many times as you want) to donate food to rescued animals at shelters, and it's FREE. They also have an online store selling clothing, jewelry, pet toys, etc., with proceeds going to feed rescued animals, and there is a discussion board area and places to blog. It's a great site.

Weight-wise, I was up five pounds from where I had been the previous week, despite dieting, but it must have just been water retention because yesterday I was down four of the five pounds again. I'm pretty relieved. So, I'm now down almost 40 pounds since December. Only 63 or so more pounds to go!

The story of how I met my kitty, Murray, is being featured on a blog called "Love is a Four-Legged Word," http://www.fourleggedlove.wordpress.com - I just wish I had better pictures to have submitted!