Shoot him in the face, huh? Sounds like a murder 1 conviction girlie. But thanks for the offer. It doesn't matter now. He can't effect me anymore, except at work. At work, he likes to make Robert's life hell, not mine, but Robert can deal with it. I tend to mention the times that Ralph is an ass to our district manager so that the information gets passed along. Harassment is a no-no.

So today is a big day. A super mega big day. Robert and I are going to meet his mother, grandparents, step-father, 2 brothers, and sister in law. All in one meeting. Oh boy. Guess who's nervous...me. Firstly, I am 3 years older than him. Secondly, I'm not Christian and his younger brother is a youth pastor and the rest of his family is pretty religious, but strangely Robert is pretty moderate. He seems to think that Christianity should be about loving people, and that church is often about hating other people. So he's not really down with the church. We get along in that regard...and almost every other regard. Thirdly, we live together...in sin...in a one bedroom apt. Oh boy! I just hope I don't do anything stupid like say "fuck" seventy times in a row, or hit my thumb and say "Jesus Christ" or "Goddamn it", you know, phrases I love. I also have no idea what to wear. Robert says is casual, but it seems to me when you go to meet the entire family that you should probably not wear your "Gettin' Lucky in Kentucky" t-shirt. (Just kidding I wasn't planning on wearing that ever, around them).

When his mom called to ask us over for dinner, Robert was so cute...he paused and told his mom he had to ask me first...so he paused, put his phone on mute, and then asked me very seriously, if I wanted to meet almost everyone in his family at one dinner. I said yes. I find it very hard to say no to him, because he's so honest with me, and I know that if I had said no, he would have been completely okay with it.

Everything is so much easier with Robert. There are no head games or drama. When I want to do something or go somewhere, I just tell him and we do it. Whenever I cook something he talks about how great it is or how wonderful it is that I would cook for him. We are clicking wonderfully...and of course the bedroom antics are pretty wonderful too.

Anyway, I'm sure I'll make it through tonight. Robert promised to not leave me high and dry ever and to inform Michael (his younger brother/youth pastor) not to be a pastor tonight. So I'm ok. probably.

oh boy. Love you girlies...

Manda

Manda,

I'm sorry; I feel really fucking stupid and worthless right now, because it had occured to me fleetingly that your relationship might have been like that. When you told me about one of your arguments and you said he accused you of cheating on him, I thought that that sounded like something an abusive person might say, but I dismissed the thought and only mentioned it briefly because I thought you would have told me. I'm sorry that I didn't ask more questions and push harder, and also I'm sorry that I can't figure out a way to shoot him in the face and make it look like an accident. Please please call me if you want to talk.

Jen,

I've actually been meaning to call you, but ran into a major obstacle because my phone spontaniously deleted some of my saved numbers. I programed in my Dad's cell and MIL's home phone, but then couldn't find my backup copy of your number. However, I was clearing out my text messages yesterday and found an old text from you with your number. So I'm hoping to call you sometime soon. Its been way too long since we talked. I'm also wondering if you got my Xmas presents yet - there's a small one and then a cool one coming from England, so I don't know how long that will take. Let me know.

So, the moral of this message is that if either of you need to talk to me at any time, call me. Seriously, I do nothing all day but clean the house and hang out with the dog. I'm up late at night and you're an hour ahead of us anyway, so don't be afraid to call late. Mornings are trickier, but if I sleep through your call I will call back ASAP.

~Katie

'Manda, you should have never felt embarrassed or ashamed with regards to your relationship to Ralph. As your friend, I want you to be able to come to me regardless of the situation. I love you and all I care about is your well-being. I will never judge you, I'll just be there to protect you. With that mushy stuff aside, I am so happy that you had the power to get out of such a destructive relationship. Many women find it hard to do so, so you should be proud (particularly because you have found someone better). Robert sounds like a great guy, but I'll be the final judge of that (lol). I hope we all can get together soon (are you still planning to have your birthday in Orlando?). I would love to hear more about your relationship with Robert, so you better keep us updated!

Hey Katie!! Sorry that it has been awhile since we last talked. It seems that things have just been popping up here and there....I haven't had time to just sit down for even a few minutes. I know...excuses, excuses. I promise to try my best to call you more. Don't forget, you can always call me.

As for myself, I finally started my job. I have my own office (which is pretty sizeable) with a window. Jealous, right? Everything, so far, has been going well, but it has only been two days. I have been working on things from contracts to copyrights to dispute resolution. I'll post more once I've had at least a week under my belt.

I want to hear more about your lives, so please post. I love you both!!!!