What is that Burning Smell....

With so many changes in my life - it is no wonder I cant sleep very well at nights.  I've tried everything and to no avail - every night I lay there in bed - thinking, which as many people know - is like a slow kind of self-torture (at least for me, and most of the other girls I know).

Last night I read until I thought I couldnt keep my eyes open any longer -- 11:30 PM.  I shut the book and turned off the lights and that was my mind's cue to wake-up.  So I lay there for and hour an a half at least, trying to will myself to fall asleep and all of the sudden I start to smell smoke.

At first I just figure it is someone smoking outside, and try to ignore it - after you've had someone try to break into your apartment you try to ignore most noises - or you'd go MAD!  So after 10 minutes of smoke smell I get up.  I look at the clock 1:00 AM - Great I have to get up for work in 5 1/2 hours... I walk into the front room smelling around... still the smell, but no flames...  I look out the window for signs of fire or smoke.... nothing.  It seemed almost like the smell was following me...

So then - wide awake by now - I decide, there has to be a fire somewhere so the logical thing would be to get the collars on the cats so if I have to run out of my apartment and they run away too - at least they'll be identified.  I chase the cats around and force them to wear the bells around their neck. 

My next thought is, I have to change what I am wearing - if there is a fire - I dont want to run outside in my worst PJ's.  So I change clothes into something "presentable" and then I lay in my bed waiting for the smoke.  I start to think about what things in my apartment I would save -- how I would be able to pull Lola (the anti-social cat) from under the bed so she didnt get burned to death.  Then I started to think about maybe I should store my photo's at my parents house and then I thought, that isnt what they are for - then I'd never be able to just pull them out.

And then I realize.... The smoke MUST be coming from my brain -- I am overworking my poor mind so much that it actually started on fire....

And then I rolled over and tried not to think so much -- for another hour or so.... woken up through-out the night by the bells on the cats collars -- I cant take them off.... Just in case...

Just a City Girl....

I hate camping...

I hate bugs - of any kind (except Potato Bugs)...

I hate dirt...

I hate the smell of freshly cut alfalfa...

I hate my hot dog being cooked in the fire to be black - I call that burnt food, the same way it tastes...

I hate my marshmallows for s'mores being cooked in the fire 'til black... see the above reason...

What does this make me??  A real "City Girl" - look out Carrie Bradshaw and friends....

I have never considered myself a city girl, maybe because my "city" is Salt Lake - and compared to almost all other big cities - it is barely a city at all.  But, I guess when you grow up on a farm it is a big city.

This is what I was faced with in the latest chapter of my dating life. 

After splitting with my fiancee, my sweet friend called and said,

"Jamie, I know you just split, but, I have a friend that I would love for you to go on a date with."

I agreed, with hesitation, if, for no other reason - to get me out of my apartment, but more important - get me out of my Ben and Jerry's, pajama's and sea of tissues.

I did go out with him - 3 times, well 2 1/2 really.... one he sat by me at a birthday party and didnt say a word - so I wonder if that is even half... oh well...

After deciding he was very nice - but I still was in love with my ex, my friend asked me to try it one more time.

He called me and - I swear - it was the most flustered conversation ever (endearing really) - like those awkward phone calls you made to your "secret crush" in Junior High - but this time he was in college.  We decided I would meet him up North and with my friend and her husband, go up to the canyon for a bonfire.  I think they used the word "bonfire" because they knew if they put the camping spin on things - it would probably be a no go.

We did go up to the canyon and had a good time.  The strange thing was that I picked up a nickname from him, very early into the night - he insisted on calling me "City Girl" for the rest of the night.  I wouldnt burn my hot dog - city girl.  I only ate one s'more and the marshmallow was hardly gooey - city girl.  I wanted the spider webs dusted off my chair - city girl.  I thought I was doing well because when a monster dirty butterfly (that is what me and my sister call moths), flew dangerously near my face - I didnt scream and run.  I helped put some wood on the fire... actually I think I just put my drink-cap in the fire, nevermind that.  I did notice the amazing sky filled with the most stars I've seen in a long time, and even said "Maybe if I went camping now (the last time I went was over 10 years ago - with a church group), I would actually like it."  But, to no avail - my nickname was set.  It didnt ruin the mood too much - we still had a good time playing the "Would You Rather" game...  We left the "bonfire" around 10:00 - the drive home was when I got to smell fresh cut alfalfa - a smell that I can only describe as wet grass and cow manure.  This was the conversation:

Him: "Can you smell that smell?"

Me: "Yeah, I was just going to roll up the window!"

Him:  "WHAT?!!?  That is the best smell in the world!!!"

Me: "WHAT?!?! Are you kidding???"

Him:  "Nope, that smell reminds me of home.  What is your favorite smell?"

This is when I realized he was right and I was so proud of my "City Girl" title -

Me:  "My favorite smell is the smell of new shoes!"

I am sure we'll be friends... but, as far as a relationship between this City Girl and Mr. Country -- I really dont see it happening....

The Mating Habits of Crabs...

Last Saturday I was sitting home, by myself and watching a nature program about the phases of the moon...

It came to the part where it said when the moon changes the tide for the spring the crabs come to the shore and lay eggs.  The female crabs lay the eggs and the male crab attaches to a female and wont let go of them... even after they swim out to sea.

While watching this, the thought went through my head, "Even crabs can find a mate!"  the thought continued... "yeah but I bet those women crabs arent picky - maybe I'm too picky."

Then I realized they were crabs - of course they werent picky... and then I thought, "Jamie, you do realize you are compairing your life to that of a crab."

And then I turned off the TV and went shopping....