Nothing much to report on y'all, but I do have some new pictures of Dave and my trip up to Waterton after he came home. Enjoy and hopefully I'll have something intriguing to post at a later date.

Okay, so here's something less depressing and more like the old me....pictures! So, I'm gonna take you on a short journey to Vancouver with me. Mom and I went at the beginning of April and I finally got my pictures:


So, the body of water is the Pacific Ocean...well, realistically an inlet in which the ocean occupies space. And the conglomeration of buildings and skyscrapers is downtown Vancouver through which I had the "immense pleasure" of driving through. No matter, I ended up in I swear, the world's largest HMV where I found Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman on DVD.

And here is Cassie...darling sister of mine standing behind the counter of Vancouver's Best Coffee where she used to work. You can locate Van's Best on Broadway in Kitsilano. And the coffee's not bad but definately not the best. No offense, Cass.

And this is me and Cass' boyfriend Mark on the sidewalk of Broadway. I was freezing my *** off but they were like, "It's so warm out!" Although I look pretty happy for someone who's freezing their *** off. I think I was falling over and Mark was catching me by my jacket which apparently was very humerous.

And I couldn't not include a picture of the two together....how special. Of course there were a few other pictures and the side of Mom's face made it into one of them but this is the jist of it....drinking coffee and falling over on the sidewalks.

A Sigh of Relief

Do you ever get such a good piece of news that you start bawling your head off? Well, lastnight, on a whim, I decided to check Dave's blog to see if he had actually had time to post. He did. And all my fears were put to rest by this passage:

"Finally I said last time I missed Allison, this time I'll tell you I've never longed for anyone or anything this much before. Tonight before I go to sleep I'll look at the pictures of us together, and it wouldn't surprise me if there was a tear. Also my "beard" looks like wispy moss right now. I want to see her, I really don't want her to see me. Love,Dave"

And then, on our private blog to eachother, he wrote to me as well:

"I have no words to describe how much I miss you. I picture you in my mind and it doesn't even conjure an image, something more like a halo, shinning light. Everything about me wants to be surrounded by you, to feel you, see you. I want you so badly right now I would pretty much do anything to get to you....I want you to know I've never loved like this before in my life."

I have the best boyfriend...to think I was actually worried about him not loving me as much when he finally got a chance to be rid of me! lol. I wish I had something more interesting to tell you, but my life right now has been purely keeping my mind of becoming insane. It's working, for the most part. I love you all and I promise a more light hearted post at a later date.

What Could Happen In Three Months?

Alot could happen in three months.

Alot of good stuff can happen; a lot of bad stuff can happen. Of course, I'm opting for the good stuff. It just makes sense. I'll meet alot of new people, I'll bring in more money at work, I'll have countless time to write and work on my projects, I can hang out with my friends and enjoy summer.

For the next three months, I am single.

Dave and I aren't on a break or anything and being single is a mild exaggeration, I'll admit, but for May, June and July, my boyfriend is going to Prince George.

He leaves tomorrow and I miss him today. I can't wait for him to come back and he hasnt' even left. I think that my predicament falls in being scared that we might not make it through this without breaking up (it's as ridiculous as it sounds, believe me...we've talked about it). I think I'll be better once he's actually left, I have come to terms with loving being alone again and half way through his excursion, he emails me telling me how much he loves me, misses me and can't wait to see me again.

And I want to be able to reply to that, I love you, miss you and can't wait to see you again.

I have faith in us, God brought us together. I'll just miss him, that's all. I hope the horrible feeling in my stomach goes away soon, because I just can't cry for three months straight.

Ahem.....
I have a grand birthday shout out to make....Happy Fiftieth to my dad. He will not read it but surely you all remember lovely Al Trumbley and his incredible habit of pretending to spill punch on everybody at Halloween parties. So, yeah, that's about it....Dave and I toasted him on Sunday night as promised (Rum and Pepsi, no exceptions) and I will be having a glass of wine in his honor tonight. Thank you all and goodnight.

So Al Got a Tattoo

Orange Juice, Meat Loaf and a Healthy Dose of Hair Loss

Apologies all around for the lack of posting: I have been quite ill but now am able to capture your attention once again. Firstly, I'd like to start on the captivating subject of Meat Loaf. Not the food, the man.

Even if you aren't a fan of his music, surely you have heard of him. Famous for his hits like 'Bat out of Hell' and 'Paradise by the Dashboard Light', he has lived on for years (seriously, the guy is fifty nine!) and at the end of all these years has come out with the last addition to his Bat out of Hell CDs...Bat out of Hell 3: The Monster is Loose. And, in the tradition of such an unveiling, he went on tour and on the tour, he made a stop in Edmonton. Dave and I were there, with floor seat tickets. Oh yes, my darlings, it was the most amazing night ever and Meat Loaf totally rocks my socks!

Now, the title of Orange Juice may be confusing you severely and when I tell you it proclaims my boyfriend as the best ever, I'll really have you wondering. It all begins with this week's illness. I had a weeklong fever and strep throat and was dealing with the strep throat alright but was finding it hard to sleep with a fever. So, finally, on Saturday at work, I looked up relief for fever and one of the not-gross-sounding remedies was to drink alot of orange juice. Well, considering I get off work at ten and had church early the next day, my not-so-gross-sounding remedy got put on the back burner but at church during a delay in the service I was randomly telling Dave about this weird sounding relief antedote.

Well, no sooner had I got to work after church, but in walks my darling man with a whole jug of orange juice pulp free, just the way I like it. Hats off to my main squeeze.

And speaking of hats off....

In case you didn't catch that right off, I'm now indeed hairless once again. I think I look cute bald...that is the only reason I did it, plus it will grow back in short and blond and pixie-ish. And Dave actually finds me very attractive and I can wear hats without messing up my hair.

So, my darlings that is all that is new on the home front. I love you all and will hopefully post sooner.

Weird Ramblings

Okay, so life is funny and all around weird. It's Janna's birthday today (this isn't the weird part or the funny part; it's just a prelude) and I actually remembered which is the funny part because I sadly haven't really communicated with my SSS in a long time. I had made up my mind to call her and sing 'Happy Birthday' to her lastnight but before I went to do it today, I got really nervous, which is the weird part. My stomach was all butterflies and do you all want to know why?
Well, even if you don't, I'm telling you.
It was because I hadn't talked to her in so long that I was nervous...maybe she didn't even want to hear from me; maybe even if she thought she wanted to hear from me, it would be all awkward and once the birthday wishes were bestowed, we'd have nothing to talk about. The fact that the girl that was once my all time best friend might not have anything to say to me and vice versa, terrified me. But...I called her anyways.
And, she answered the phone and I sang my little heart out, followed by 'it's Al by the way'. And she got excited (which I'm hoping she wasn't faining) and we did indeed talk without awkwardness. It was good and nostalgic and a little sad.
Because (and I'm directing this to you, my SSS) God has indeed kept us connected through memories and heart but we're so distant. I felt sad because I don't know what's going on in Janna's life or if she still loves cheese or if she still spits when she talks or if she remembers when we made her try and be quiet for an entire lunch hour and she failed. And I don't know what's going on in Sarah's life and if she still has a computer chair in her house covered in her beloved dog's hair or what color her hair is next week or if she remembers when we were doing 'Get Another Boyfriend' as a lip sync and she was sick and came in to perform it with us anyways. And I don't know what's going on in Brynne's life and what she's taking in school, and how often she battles her curls to go straight and if she remembers when we went over to her house before the school dance in Shoal Lake and waxed our legs and armpits and I broke into a rash.
It's sad when my best friends on the planet; that shared a lot of my best years with me and went through a lot of growing with me, grow without me and make new best friends and have best years without me. I know I have done the same and I have cherished every moment of it; I truely have...but today was a day for mourning and rejoicing.
I mourn because of distance and time and I rejoice because maybe that distance and time hasn't quite eaten up the SSS. This may be just my thought but I'd like to think that we can muster up our friendships. Janna, our conversation meant alot to me today and I'd like to talk to you again; Brynne, Sarah, I would love to talk to you guys too.
And, as Janna has found out, I will indeed be in Manitoba on August 17th. I want to see you all. I love you and Happy Birthday my dear Janna Banana.

Love Affair

I felt sick; not physically though but emotionally and spiritually. I felt pressed, like I was suffocating and in one swift moment, whatever was pulling at me would crush me completely. I was not a generally happy person…I couldn’t remember laughing much since I was a very little girl but this weight, this sadness was much more intense. I’d have fits of rage come from nowhere. Any remnants of people I called friends were long gone, leaving me only with the men I entertained and they were very little comfort.
I heard of the man that called himself King of the Jews from one of my favourite customers; the one that came often and attempted to lift my burden with laughter and talk. He told me this King had made blind men see and had risen those with the smell of Death on them, jump forth and breathe.
“It must be nice to see such a man.” I said, lying there beside him in the little room I worked from.
“You probably could go see him. He’s coming this way.” My customer replied, his hand trailing down my bare arms.
“Why would I need to do that,” I said, suspicion growing in me, “I’m not ill.”
“Mary, you’re not the same…I’ve noticed; you’re different somehow.”
I had thought about our talk a lot but if he was indeed such a man, he would never heal someone like me, who made a living sleeping with many men. I was far too gone for a King to spend time on. Although, I found myself dreaming he would find me; I thought I could see his face. He became my tiny miracle that I held onto when I was working. He became a freedom from the life I was so tiredly bound to.
If I had been one to believe surely in miracles, I may have seen this coming, but it was as much a shock to me as any. As I walked through the streets that afternoon, smothered in the heat, I heard shouts of happiness bellow in the dust. I ran out into a crowd, curious at the noise and my miracle was standing in the middle.
His eyes met mine instantly, like he was waiting all that time for only me. And he walked toward me and laid his hand against my cheek and at the touch of his warm palm against my skin, I was released. I felt light and giddy and I laughed. I laughed until tears welled in my eyes and he held me against him like a brother.
When I stopped laughing, I clung to him, taking in his sweet scent (a mingling of dust and sweat) and I nearly wept. I felt like I had been waiting for this man my entire life and all the others were stepping stones to my King.
He pulled away with a smile and melded back into the crowd. But I was not done; I wanted more of him, I wanted to drink him in; touch him, kiss his cheeks. I wanted him to be a part of me.
And so, I did the only thing I could do. I followed him. I left behind my terrors in Galilee and I followed him onward. Every night, I’d wash his feet and lay down his weary head. I’d feed him and make him as comfortable as possible among the dirt and the stones. I’d fall asleep gazing at him; his beautiful face. I couldn’t wait to get up in the morning so I could see him again and talk to him. I was completely transfixed by Jesus. As time went on, my heart ached for him. I couldn’t touch him or love him the way I wished but I had his care and that was all I could hope for.
***
Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. She earned a living by pleasuring men; something that was dirty and very, very sinful. She was also very unfortunate to be possessed by seven demons which Jesus drove out of her. She was recorded in the bible to have left behind everything and follow him, taking care of he and his disciples. A task which I’m sure, she readily did.
If there was one woman in history that I’d aspire to be like, it would be Mary Magdalene. She had a life that was prosperous but very sinful and she knew it to be so. She was demon possessed and under that best assumption, though she was wealthy, was not very happy.
But then, Jesus comes to her and heals her and in that moment, she decides, ‘yes, this is my future entirely. This man, right here.’ And disregarding everything, she follows him and tends to him and through her earnings, feeds the disciples.
And Jesus takes to Mary. He cares deeply for her and I’m sure, told her so on many an occasion. I imagine it wouldn’t have been hard for Mary to fall in love with the Christ. If I were in her position, I would be madly in love with him also.
Wait, I am in Mary’s position. I’m a horrible sinner who, one day, came to Jesus and said, ‘Yes, this is my future entirely. This man, right here.’ He may not have driven out seven demons but he put himself inside my heart, warding evil things away daily. And he loves us. He looks at us like he must have looked at Mary Magdalene. With love and intensely deep caring. As a man looks at his wife-to-be.
The problem is, I have trouble looking at Christ this lovingly; as Mary must have. I forget sometimes, the immense relationship we have. I put it aside. I know he loves me and he provides a wonderful life for me but I take it for granted. I’m not going to lie; I do. And he waits patiently for me to love him like Mary loved him. And I want to; I really do. I want to ache for him.
***
That morning, early before anyone had risen from their slumber, I made my way to the tomb to spend just a moment with Jesus. I was craving to see his face one last time; anoint him with my oils and say goodbye. My eyes were filled with tears as they often were these last few days.
Even in the darkness, as I neared the tomb, I could see the stone had been rolled away. In a panic, I turned and fled to the town to the house where Simon Peter was staying. I rapped on the door in fury of fists until he answered, his eyes bleary from sleep.
“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and I don’t know where they have put him.” I sobbed, tears tearing at my cheeks. Peter and Simon reached for their cloaks and ran down the path, leaving me weeping at their door.
With all my strength, I ran after them. I reached the tomb as they were turning back and said nothing to them and they did not say anything back but their faces were those of men who had been utterly defeated. I stood at the entrance to the tomb and stared in afraid of the emptiness.
But instead, two men were sitting on the bench where Jesus’ body once had lain. They were dressed both in white and looked so much like angels that I didn’t dare blink, in case they were to disappear like my Lord had done.
“Woman,” the one spoke; his voice was soft like a tinkling of a small bell, “Why are you crying.”
“They have taken my Lord away,” I repeated, a fresh flow of tears coming from me, “And I don’t know where they have put him.”
A sudden sound of footsteps made me turn. A man was standing there, looking at me very concerned as if I had lost my very mind, which, seemingly, I may have, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him so I may get him.”
“Mary,” The man said. His voice was all too familiar and his eyes became the eyes of Jesus. The man before me was my love.
“Rabboni!” I cried, leaping at him and throwing my arms around him, tightly. As tightly as I dared. He smiled but pulled away from me.
“Do not hold on to me for I have not yet returned to my Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” He whispered.
I released him slowly; looking at him like a dream that fades when you wake up. My body yearned to hold him. I ached; I could feel it in my very bones. The creation of my muscles was solely for loving my Lord.
***
Imagine, Mary who loved Jesus with all of her heart was parted from him and got one more chance to see him. How excited she must have been! I can’t see why she wouldn’t have wanted to hold him until time escaped them.
That’s the kind of meeting Jesus wants with us when we get to Heaven. He wants us to love him so dearly that we don’t want to let him go…that, like Mary, we would do anything to keep hold of him. He wants us to be crazy, blubbering people for him. He loves that about us.
So, if I were to choose someone to aspire to be, I want to be Mary Magdalene. I want to ache and be crazy and cry for Jesus. I want to be the woman who would leave everything behind and follow the man I love forever. I want to one day be in Heaven and be able to touch him for the first time. To hold onto him like I’d never let him go and have him wrap his arms around me and physically feel it. And not only that, I want everyone to feel that way. I want to share this wonderful King with everyone so that they may love him as Mary loved him. I want to have a love affair with God.

Trip

Okay, so all excited because this weekend Dave and I are going on our first weekend trip together. That's right and when I tell you where it is you'll be like; who cares, but truely, it is exciting.

We are going to Camrose, Alberta.

What's in Camrose? you ask.

My friend Amber. I would answer. You must all remember Amber:

We haven't seen eachother since last summer when she sadly moved away....To Camrose. And now, Dave and I are going to spend the weekend with her and get away. I'm excited...I think he's excited so yay!

Know Thyself

I'm twenty one years old and I listen to Bach while drinking green tea and knitting. I enjoy Bach; his melodies are much sweeter than those of Beethoven or Motzart and I'm twenty one and I understand that. I'm twenty one and I enjoy homemaking. My napkins are homemade; all my furniture matches. I have a flower garden that I love to work in and I cook. This morning I made breakfast for Dave and I. I'm twenty one and breakfast for two included an assortment of homemade crepes, pancakes, orange/pineapple pancake syrup, scrambled eggs, hashbrowns and breakfast puffs. I'm not writing this to brag, honestly, because a lot of people wouldn't be happy with what I do. I'm writing this because I'm twenty one and I know myself. I know what I like and don't like and I love who I am. I'm twenty one and I'm a woman who enjoys green tea and Bach.

Merry Christmas, One and All!

Hey guys, sorry for now posting for almost a month...deepest apologies and still, nothing really relevant but I wanted to tell you all to have an incredibly Merry Christmas and can't wait to see what happens to us all in the New Year! I'm excited for a whole bunch of new stuff that we never saw coming and I hope everyone gets exactly what they want. I love you tons and Happy Holidays!

Bragging

Okay, so last Friday, was Dave and my one month anniversary...something I had known but wasn't prepared to make a big deal because, hey, been there done that. But it still is something when you love someone and so, Dave, the ever amazement of my life, created a scrapbook for me for that day. He came by my work and handed me this scrapbook with pictures he had arranged from our Halloween and Tour of the City photos we had taken, backed with silver and gold paper and at the end, a pipecleaner tulip and a poem. He is so good to me you guys, you have no idea. And so, in the spirit of bragging, I made a collage of the book from front cover to end cover and a special picture of the poem he wrote me. Enjoy.

Lovers

Have you ever thought of the comparison between us, God's children, and Hosea's wife, the adulteress? Let me begin with scripture:

'When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, "Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the Lord.'" Hosea 1:2.

If you look at the book of Hosea, he was told to marry Gomer, an adulterous woman. Night after night, she would go to the beds of her lovers, wear their jewellery and indulge herself in false idols. God tells Hosea to rebuke her and punish her soundly which he does, but then, God does something tremendous, 'The Lord said to me, "Go, show your love to your wife again, though she loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes."' Hosea 3:1.

And I realize that it's hard to fathom this kind of love, even if we know it. You all will read this little paragraph and know it but not really understand it to its full potential which we never can do because we, as humans, aren't really capable of it. So, I encourage you to do a small exercise for me to get a good idea. I'm going to use a boyfriend/girlfriend scenario because I am well aware that most who read my blog have known insane love from a significant other as well as expressed it.

Think hard; how do you love that person? Is it so great that the thought of never having them around makes your heart weep with wanting, does seeing them make you smile without thought, or captures your breath? Does their kiss ignite something inside you that you can't quite place even though it vibrates through your entire body? If you answered yes, then take comfort in this, so did God! He proclaims to be our bride groom and he does such an impeccable job of it! In fact, multipy your love by at least one hundred and that might, just bight be equal to God's love for you and me.

I realize that you may have though that I was talking about redemption for a bit, but no, I'm only talking about love. Plain and simple, is God's undying and perfect love. The entire book, Song of Songs is full of his example and written is such poetry, that how can we not read it and fall in love with God?

He says, 'Like a lily among thorns, is my darling among the maidens.' Song of Songs 2:2. Isn't that exquisite? We're the lily among the thorns! If your significant other had said that to us, would we not blush or cry or do something equally emotional? When I think of God speaking that to me like a lover, I don't blush per say, but I get shivers all over. It's amazing.

'Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon; your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil are like the halves of a pomegranate. Your neck is like the tower of David, built with elegance, on it hang a thousand shields of warriors.' Song of Songs 4:3&4.

I think that if we make up our minds to accomplish one goal with God this week, it is to look at him as our lover; the lover of our soul. Speak to him as such and love him as such and see what a difference that makes. I can't wait to hear what you all have learned from seeing Jesus as your bride groom. God Bless.

Thoughts

Hey darlings! I realize that Tina did a post similar to this but I'm going to post this way anyways! I know you have all had a time when God has been put on the back burner and you haven't talked to him in what seems like years and for those of us who are in love with him, it is way too long. Well, I started a written prayer to him at work today and I came to this: "You're so patient and awesome! Thank you formost for that! I'm so glad I have you. And it's dumb that I haven't talked to you because I'm thankful for so many things...
1)You
2)Dave; I love him so much! Thank you for bringing this amazing boy into my life!
3)My wonderful job; I actually really enjoy it and it pays all the bills!
4)My house; I have a place of my own that's safe and comfortable
5)My friends; not many people have the love and encouragement that I do
6)My family; see number five reason
7)My cats; they make me happy and my world would be empty without them

Lord, I thank you for all my life was, is, and is yet to be. I wouldn't trade places with anyone!"

So, anyways, y'all, I leave you with that and take a peak at Philippeans Chapter 3. I love you all and have a blessed day!

For Crying Out Loud
-Meatloaf
I was lost till you were found
But I never knew how far down
I was falling
Before I reached the bottom
I was cold and you were fire
And I never knew how the pyre
Could be burning
On the edge of the ice field

And the now chilly California wind
Is blowing down our bodies again
And we're sinking deeper and deeper into the chilly California sand
Oh I know you belong inside my aching heart
And can't you see my faded Levis bursting apart
And don't you hear me crying:
"Oh Babe, don't go"
And don't you hear me screaming:
"How was I to know?"

I'm in the middle of nowhere
Near the end of the line
But there's a border to somewhere waiting
And there's a tankful of time
Oh give me just another moment to see the light of the day

And take me to another land where I don't have to stay
And I'm gonna need somebody to make me feel like you do
And I will receive somebody with open arms, open eyes,
Open up the sky and let the planet that I love shine through
For crying out loud
You know I love you
For crying out loud
You know I love you
For crying out loud
You know I love you

I was damned and you were saved
And I never knew how enslaved
I was kneeling
In the chains of my master

I could laugh but you could cry
And I never knew just how high
I was flying
Ah, with you right above me

I'm in the middle of nowhere
Near the end of the line
But there's a border to somewhere waiting
And there's a tankful of time
Oh give me just another moment to see the light of the day
And take me to another land where I don't have to stay

And I'm gonna need somebody to make me feel like you do
And I will receive somebody with open arms, open eyes,
Open up the sky and let the planet that I love shine through

For crying out loud
You know I love you
For crying out loud
You know I love your
For crying out loud
You know I love you

For taking in the rain when I'm feeling so dry
For giving me the answers when I'm asking you why
And my oh my
For that I thank you

For taking in the sun when I'm feeling so cold
For giving me a child when my body is old
And don't you know
For that I need you

For coming to my room when you know I'm alone
For finding me a highway and driving me home
And you gotta know
For that I serve you

For pulling me away when I'm starting to fall
For revving me up when I'm starting to stall
And all in all
For that I want you

For taking and for giving and for playing the game
For praying for my future in the days that remain
Oh Lord
For that I hold you

Ah but most of all
For cryin' out loud
For that I love you
Ah but most of all
For cryin' out loud
For that I love you
Ah but most of all
For cryin' out loud
For that I love you
When you're crying out loud
You know I love you

Hello my darlings! Okay, so I have very little to say; in fact, hardly anything important. But....I was looking through my boyfriends blog and found it particularily interesting...he has a really different way with words and some of you may find it interesting. Plus, those of you who are curious about my new found love may find some sort of insight into his pysche. Or just be amused. Anyways, here's his link. Enjoy, my darlings. www.slippingthestream.blogspot.com.

Yay!

So, as most of you know, I have been in the habit of buying new furniture, ect, so here is a lovely picture of my apartment, post new stuff.

My Two Fave Things: Prism and my new boyfriend

Yes, indeed y'all. I've seen Prism yet again and they were indeed fabulous. I even snagged Steve-O's guitar pic, hoorah. And I went with me darling boyfriend Dave...that's right ladies and gents, Al's in love. Big time and I guess it's only fair that there are pictures involved.

So, here is Dave himself...the boy who stole my heart.

Yes, yes...and you couldn't get away without a picture of kissing

And here is us actually watching the concert and finally...

A picture of Al Harlow from Prism in his wicked awesome jacket

Holy Crap

So, life goes on as it always does, one thing leading to another; random events turning into something substantial...usually before we realize it. But I've been realizing a substantial event was coming for awhile.

At the beginning of September, when church started anew for the the fall, I sat alone in my pew...everyone that I knew still holding on to the last bit of summer and abandoning the service for a vacation. A kid I'd never seen before sat down at the far side of the pew. I smiled, he smiled; and that was that.

Then, during an intermission we happened to be at the same booth and he had mistaken me for someone I knew so I remedied that and introduced myself and we went along our merry little ways.

Through time, and Jerrah and my constant need to make the new youth feel welcome, we started an out-to-lunch get-together after church to which this guy from the pew (Dave) was always invited and we became friends due to our love of doing our hair and our constant sarcasm. We'd always sit together in the pew with everyone else, making an attempt not too annoy them too much with our bantering.

Then, on Thanksgiving Sunday, when no one else could make it for lunch, we decided to go by ourselves and we had fun. There was no conversation we couldn't touch, no awkward silence. We both ate way too much. And at the end of the meal when the waitress asked if we'd like one check or two, I said two and she went away.

Dave laughed, "I was actually thinking about asking you out, so I should have said together."

I smiled, "Well, I would have said 'yes', so next time, you can pay when we both know it's a date."

That Wednesday when I got home from work, I had a message on my machine from him asking me if I was free Saturday. I was not. But I phoned him and we decided that Tuesday we'd go out on an actual date.

On Sunday, we carried on our tradition of sitting in the pew, bantering, neither one of us letting on that we may be seeing eachother outside of church relations because, come one, no one really needs to know. That week at church was harvest festival, hence, a large thanksgiving dinner afterwards, which us and dear Amy attended. Amy left early and since I had some time to kill before work, we went for a walk.

Then, six o'clock pm came yesterday and he knocked on my door. Instantaneoulsy, I was a nervous wreck. We got along great as friends but a date? Were we insane?

We went out to the car and I was a good girl, I let him open the door for me (I have a habit of being a little bit too independent woman) and he noticed because he knows this about me and strangely enough finds it attractive. Keep in mind, I had no idea what we were doing for our date.

"I know I said I don't like dinner dates," he said, "But I was thinking to make it more interesting, we go to a different restaurant for each part of the meal."

I said that idea sounded great, so we went to a place called Mocha Cabana's for appetizers (a swanky little coffee house in the downtown). We ordered Bruchetta and sat and talked for a long time. Then, we decided if we wanted to hit everywhere else in time to eat, we'd better go. I decided on the next place; my fave place called 'Fire'. A classy club/restuarant. We had drinks (A Tom Collins and a White Russian). He had the 'Fire and Ice Wrap' and I had the 'Calamari Wrap'. Once again, we sat and talked for a long while before deciding to go for the final and most important stop...dessert.

Outside, as we were walking to the car, he stopped me and faced me.

"I feel so comfortable with you." he said and then kissed me. And it was good.

Then, we headed to a place called 'Yoyo's' for gilato but it was closed so I picked 'The Cheesecake Cafe' instead. He had the 'Swiss Almond Cheesecake' and I had the 'White Chocolate Raspberry'. We talked about all important things like breasts and my plugs and getting married (but not to eachother, don't worry).

Then, at ten thirty-ish, before they closed, we decided that neither of us wanted the date to end so we decided to drive around. The drive eventually took us to a little dirt pull-out outside of town where some making-out ensued which was a little unexpected and I teased him that he had planned on it and knew there was a dirt road out here. And then we cuddled in the dark of the car, soft music playing, watching the semis roll by until about twelve thirty. He drove me home, walked me to my door and kissed me goodnight and then I called my sister and blabbed all about it. Hoorah.