She's Baaack!... (but only briefly)

Hello Dear Readers,
Can you believe a whole month has passed since I last held court at the Manor?! I apologize for my extended absence. First, there was the family reunion, then the food poisoning, then the flu, then my poor little computer developed narcolepsy and had to be sent away to the Apple hospital. (I just brought her home today.) And in the midst of all that, I lost another loved one to cancer. Yes, it's been a rather "challenging" and eventful month, to say the least. And so I've popped in to the Manor to say a quick "hello" before heading south for the weekend. Yes, I know, I've only just returned to the land of Blog and now I'm leaving again. It's not that I don't love you, I assure you. As a matter of fact, if I hadn't already committed to going on this trip, I'd gladly stay home this weekend to enjoy some much needed "down time." It's my last chance to have the house to myself before the new housemates move in. Oh yes, housemates (plural). If you were to ask me what I _don't_ want in a housemate, I would tell you that I won't live with a smoker, that I'd prefer a male over a female (already having 2 females in the house), that I'd rather not live with a couple, that I don't want to live with a student, and that I really don't want to live with a 20something. No offense to my 20something friends, but I'm a bit older than that and would prefer to live with someone closer to my age and life-stage. Anyway, so I came home this evening to a message from my landlady informing me that a couple will be moving in on the 1st. She would like me to meet with them, or, at least call them before the weekend, so we can, I don't know, get acquainted?... So, after I cooled down a bit from a rather high level of irritation, I decided to do the polite thing and call the soon-to-be housemates. I called and introduced myself and then proceeded to the "interview"...

Me: "So, what do you do?"
She: "We're both students."

(great)

I asked several more questions and then...

Me: "So, what about smoking, drugs and alcohol?"
She: "We don't smoke or do drugs and we're not even old enough to drink."

(super)

Need I say more?... (At least they're not smokers.)

Really, that's all I have to say on the matter at this point. There's nothing I can do about it (short of moving out) and so there's really no point in complaining, is there?

On a more positive note, I get to spend the weekend with three of my dearest friends. People who have known me since I was a mere 17-year-old college student myself. People who have seen me through various stages and life changes and have continued to love me despite it all. But then, that's what true friends do, isn't it? And where would I be without them, without YOU, for that matter? Yeah, you know who you are. The people who love me, who encourage me, who lift me up when I'm feeling down. The people who really mean it when they ask me how I'm doing. The people who pray for me. Thanks. Don't think for a second that I don't appreciate you.

And now I must bid you adieu and go pack for my trip.

Thanks for visiting Timely Manor. Come back soon.