Sunday, April 6, 2025

Summer 3rd Quarter Journal 2009 July-September

 

July

1 July 2009 Wednesday

Mark Andersen came over again this morning because UPS had no work for him.  We went to the Blue Plate Dinner over in Sugar House for breakfast and he ordered a Hollandaise Omelet that he said was really tasty.

I went up to Washington Elementary about 11 a.m. to work in my new classroom but first stopped at Chase Bank and got a credit card for emergencies. You never know. Have a $8000 line of credit with them. 

After working in the class room I took the Cruiser up to a dealership in Bountiful to get an oil change and tires rotated because of a promotion they were having for $18. 

Mark came up to take me to Wal-Mart to get some dog food for Priscilla but my car was done and ready when we got back so came home and Mike Romero took off early.

By the time I put things away, Mark was already naked laying in Mike Romeros arms and watching Lesbian porn…he loves his Lesbian porn while being played with…after about an hour of Lesbian porn I suggested that Mark get off by fucking Mike Romero…it was a new step for him. 

He’s fucked Mike Romero twice this week now so I know he’s liking it but had not, with me watching.  So I let him think about it while I went to feed the dogs and when I came back, Mark had already mounted Mike Romero. 

He had Mike Romero on his belly so he could fuck him while watching his porn.  I knew he was ready to toss a load and it was for me beautiful to see Mark making love to Mike Romero…two people I have deep affection for. 

If we are a family and I do believe we are, we should be able to be with one another without doors closed.  Anyway after they were done and showered Mark wanted to go out to eat and I suggested Golden Corral because he’s mentioned it so many times even though it’s a drive from our place.

So that’s where we went and our bi-sexual compadre flirted with all the waitresses there. The food was really good and a change from Chuck A Rama because the Corral had steak and that’s what Mark wanted. 

He had to leave for Salem about 8 and then Mike Romero and I went to our separate rooms. Mark is definitely the glue that is holding us together.  Today ended the era of Private Clubs in Utah.

 

3 July 2009 Friday

Mike Romero took off early this morning for Cheyenne and Mark Andersen is spending the weekend with Tiffany up at Park City so I will have the house to myself the whole weekend.

 

4 July 2009 Saturday

I spent a very quiet 4th of July by myself and the dogs.  It looked like it might have rained some in the mountains.  I don’t know if it was because of the recession or what but very few fireworks went off tonight and for Priscilla’s sake I am really grateful.

 

5 July 2009 Sunday

Mike Romero got in about 5 pm from his trip to Cheyenne to see his friend Troy.

 

6 July 2009 Monday

I called in my prescription for my pills today and the pharmacy said I couldn’t have them unless I made a doctor’s appointment so I guess I will see Dr. Stoneburner on the 29th of this month at 9 a.m.

When I drove down to pick up the prescriptions a truck threw a rock up at me and put a big chip in my PT Cruiser.

Mike Romero and I were shocked to see Mark Andersen pull up about 7 this evening. He and Tiffany had gotten into a major fight and he took off.  I guess they got in a fight over their Park City 4th of July get away.  He didn’t want to really talk about it so we just tried to be sympathetic and said that he can stay here as long as he needs. 

Mike Romero was thrilled but I felt bad. It’s no fun to be fighting.  He spent the night.

I wrote my Uncle JW Johnson today:

“Dear JW, hope this is still a good address and that you are doing okay. Mom says Texas has been hot and dry. It's been wet and cool here but I think it's been the most comfortable spring summer we have ever had here.  Everything is still green when it's usually burned up by now. 

I used to have a small vegetable garden in the back yard but my trees have grown up so much over the years that most of the back yard is in shade all though I did plant some tomatoes in half wooden barrels and they seem to be doing okay but they won't have any worth eating until early August.

We are 4500 feet up in the air here.

I have four schnauzers too that didn't help my garden any either, for two of them were pups and would run through and tear up things. I Didn't mind...they are much more company then squash. 

I do have an apricot tree, peach tree, and nectarine tree so I will get some fruit. Apricots come in at the end of July, Peaches and Nectarines in early September. 

I am still teaching school but am ready to get out of it. This coming year it will be 22 years and they change requirements so much that it's a young person's game anymore...

Kids are getting rougher too with little respect for anyone anymore. Well at least it seems to me and I am the only man teacher at my school so kids think I am just a mean old man when I try to get them to behave. ha-ha.

Mom is in a transition state again. She is wanting to get out of Las Vegas but dreading the move.  I guess she will fly down to Phoenix where Denise will take care of her from there while Charline finishes up things in Vegas. 

Well it won't be as hard as it was when we moved her to Vegas.  Then she had no place to stay and had to look for a coach in that heat and stay at this old joint for about two weeks until her money from the sale of the house in Palmdale came through. I tell you that was a rough patch.

If Mom could get around better I think she would have enjoyed herself more in Vegas but her arthritis in her hands and knees really prevents her from getting about.  I know she renewed her driver’s license but she said she isn't going to drive anymore.

She is happy to be moving to a place where there's some farming and ranching going on. She wants to see cotton fields again instead of just tall buildings and asphalt.

The rest of the family I guess is doing okay. Donna is going to be a grandma again. Her son Ken and wife Jehill are expecting a boy in the fall sometime. They have a daughter already.  Donna's husband has been in and out of the hospital this year with something. I guess it's not nice but I don't care. 

Charline and Dennis are close to retirement and collecting their social security. Dennis will be glad to get out of Vegas. He's already been "prospecting" down there in Arizona.

My Aunt Marie Williams, Milton's wife, isn't well. Has cancer and the doctors only give her less than a year before she succumbs to it. Her church and daughter has been helping out.

I called my Uncle RL Williams on his birthday last June. He turned 86. He had to have a ball joint replaced in his hip after he fell in his garden but says he can get around fine now.

Mom says your grandson and his wife are heading to China. I know you must be proud but a little worried them being far from home.  Hope the rest of the grand kids are well.

I am thinking about refinancing my house since interest rates are low now. I am still at 6.25 and I think they are down to 5.25 here. Might get some money to put in new carpets and paint the place.  I tried painting inside last year and did a room or two but I have vaulted ceilings and just can't climb up and down those ladders with paint buckets like I use to do. The mind thinks you can but the body tells you different.

My diabetes is always something I am taking a fist full of pills for each day.  Not too concern about it but would hate to lose a foot or feet over it. 

Didn't your grandma Johnson die of diabetes in Magic City?  I need to lose weight but know that ain't going to happen. I have sleep apnea also so if I am lucky I will just pass away in my sleep someday.

I will probably go down to see Mom sometime this month although I haven't made up my mind to drive or fly.

JW you sent me an invite to be on Facebook but I'd rather just email you. I promise to write a long letter at least once a month.  Facebook is great but lots and lots of chatter, and silliness, and really don't get to say much and then everyone else reads it too.

I know you were in the Navy and not much can shock you but sometimes I jokingly get a little raunchy...being honest here... and rather you not know about it since you are still my uncle and value your opinion of me.  In that way I guess we never grow up... Our aunts and uncles and parents are always our aunts and uncles and parents and want them to always have a good opinion of us!

So expect a long email from me each month and I will keep in touch with Kay also through Facebook...she already knows what kind of bounder I am...Hahahaha. Hope you had a nice 4th of July. Love always your nephew  Jr.

 

7 July 2009 Tuesday

There was no work for Mark Andersen today so he just played on his play station 2 and killed Germans in a WWII game. I know he was using it as an escape but sometimes you just got to do that. 

We met Mike Romero for lunch today and went to China Delight. Maybe because we are all a bit edgy we didn’t enjoy the meal as much.  Mark tried riding the Hummer bike that Mike Romero gave to him and he broke the chain. I guess Mark has no intention of going back down to Salem and is thinking about divorce.  He wanted fajitas for supper since I had made a roast and he said they were delicious.

 

8 July 2009 Wednesday

Mike Romero bought a new bike at Pedersen’s Bicycle Shop in Bountiful for $450 this afternoon and dropped off the Hummer to get it repaired. Should be ready on Friday.  I rode Mark’s around the block and boy did it tire me out. 

Mark Andersen was bored today after killing off the Germans and wanted to work on the Sprinkler system so we went to Sutherlands and bought stuff we needed for him to connect up my timer in the house. So after about 10 years I finally have a sprinkler system again. Yea. 

Mike Romero’s mom called while at Sutherlands to make sure Mike Romero had gotten his birthday card. I said he did. I guess Bill had to go to the emergency room because he had a bloody nose that just wouldn’t stop bleeding. He’s good now.  

Mark met Mike Romero about 4 to get my windshield repaired for free.  After that we went out to eat at Applebee’s. There Mark made me laugh about Vegetarians  and Catholics. Can Catholics truly be Vegetarians if they are eating literally the body of Christ through transubstantiation? Just wondering.

 

9 July 2009 Thursday

Mark Andersen was called into work today so I was by myself for most of the day and I worked on the Gay Archives. What I am trying to do or at least attempting to do is put everything by dates in a calendar of 12 months so when someone searches the archives you only have to do a search in 12 places instead many, many more.  I fixed Mark and I a hamburger for supper.  Mike Romero didn’t want anything.  I watched four episodes of True Blood an HBO series on Vampires in Louisiana. It’s pretty good.

 

10 July 2009 Friday

Mark Andersen didn’t work today so hung around the house some while I worked on my archives. 

We went to Sam’s Club where he picked up a membership he left at Salem and I renewed mine. Then Mike Romero met us and they went over to a sporting goods warehouse to get a water container backpack for their bike ride tomorrow.

The place was located in the old Jeff’s Gym bathhouse that was closed in 1986.  If the walls could talk.

Mark picked up the Hummer Bike Mike Romero gave him from Pedersen’s Bike in Bountiful, where he had it tuned up after break the bike chain.

When Mike Romero came home he went up there to pick up his Bike he bought Wednesday. Mark gave me his old bike and we went riding up to the North Star elementary school and my butt and legs were sore but I still can ride.

  Mike Romero and Mark went for a long ride along the Jordan River Bike Trail to North Temple and back and when they came home they wanted to go out for dinner.

We ended going back to Golden Corral again because Mark wanted a steak and it was fish night so everything was tasty.

I had called mom today because she had lost my phone number again and wanted to talk to me.  She said my cousin Marilyn’s husband Danny Stephens died last week in Kingsman Arizona of a heart attack. No one bothered to call mom she just learned it from my uncle RL. I told her that I’d probably not come down until after the move to Arizona when I’d fly down.  Can’t face being cooped up in that coach with Charline, Dennis and the dog Winston. 

Grandma Johnson died this day about 15 years ago.

 

11 July 2009 Saturday

Mike Romero, Mark Andersen, and Tom Folks are upstairs all above my head, drunk, dancing and listening to Gay dance music. My life is really different because of Mark Andersen. 

This morning I got up about 6:30 and heard the dogs scratching in the garage, only to find Mike Romero up and packing the bikes.  I laid down a little more and then because I didn’t hear Mark Andersen, I went out to the garage and asked where was Mark. I could tell that Mike Romero was in one of his piss off moods. He said that Mark had stayed up to 3 in the morning texting this girl named Marian and if he is not up when Mike was ready to leave he was sending him packing.

So I went upstairs and saw that Mark was sound asleep on Mike Romero’s bed and got him up. I said you better get ready and don’t tell Mike Romero I woke you up.

Mike Romero had taken off without Mark, but Mark called him and got him to come back.  Mark took him up to the bathroom and pissed on him in the shower and that calmed Mike Romero down. Weird.

Anyway they took off to go bike riding in Echo Canyon but I didn’t want to go.  I stayed home and worked on my Gay Archives especially going through all the Gay Pride 2002 emails Chad Keller had sent me.  That Made me really miss the fucker.

Anyway Mike Romero and Mark came home around 5:30 from their bike ride and I guess they had made up and had a good time. Mark bought me a new wallet up in Park City that has a key ring on it and I guess they even went up to Evanston, Wyoming. Tom Folks had gone with them and when he came over, we all went out for pizza at The Pie up by the university. 

Back at the house Mark started doing shots of Jägermeister and fixed the rest of us an Amaretto Sour Cocktail. So ends this beautiful July day.

I learned that last Thursday a Gay couple walking through the Temple Plaza (Main Street) on their way home from the Twilight Concert Series was arrested because one gave the other a peck on the cheek and church security hassled them for inappropriate public display of affection and when they objected they were zipped tied and the SLC police was called and they were arrested for trespassing on what use to be a public thoroughfare. 

If Mormon leaders had any decency at all they would reprimand the Plaza Security, send them to diversity training, instruct them on what public display of affection truly is and offer an apology to the couple. I hope the ACLU gets involved and that the PR nightmare two homophobic brain-washed troglodytes that pass as Church security makes National News.

Ben completed the quiz "What kind of old person will you be?" with the result The Ancient Hippie. When people walk by and yell, "It's not the 60's anymore!" they ARE talking about you. You don't care, though, you're retired and determined. “I plan on wearing floppy hats and lots of lavender when I retire.”

 

12 July 2009 Sunday

I was up early about 7 this morning and wanted to go to the Kiss-In at Temple Square and take the dogs for a ride but Mark Andersen’s car was blocking me, and I knew Mike Romero and him would still be asleep. But by 9:30 I checked in on them and they were just watching Lesbian porn, Mark’s favorite.

Everyone was just lounging around feeling comfy, so I waited until they were satisfied then they wanted to go out for breakfast.  We went to Jim’s on 39th South because the Jim’s on Redwood Rd and 7800 burned to the ground last week. 

After eating, Mike Romero and Mark wanted to get some padded biking shorts because their butts and thighs were sore from riding yesterday.

 In the afternoon we had a thunderstorm roll through with a fierce summer storm.  I bet a ½ inch poured in just 15 minutes. It lightened and thundered but afterwards got hot and muggy. 

Tiffany came up to the house while they were working on their bikes and brought Mark’s clothes up so I guess they are really separating this time.  I just saw her briefly while Mark and she were quarreling.  I know it’s a tough thing to be going through. 

After the rained stop Mike Romero and Mark went for another long ride down to North Temple while I just rode up to the school and back. I still have to go slow.  I fixed hamburgers for dinner and we watched the German thriller “Anti-bodies” in the evening before hitting the sack.

 

13 July 2009 Monday

Made Spaghetti for dinner.  Mark Andersen’s been fighting with Tiffany. I guess they are really going to get a divorce this time.

 

14 July 2009 Tuesday

I took Mark Andersen  out for breakfast today. He wanted to go to the Blue Plate Diner in Sugar House. He likes the Omelet’s there but I ordered Biscuits and gravy and it was awful. Very dry. 

Mike Romero took off from work to be with Mark and they went off shopping and running around. They are looking at some camping trailers but can’t agree on whether a tent trailer or hard shell trailer is the best.

I fixed tacos tonight.  I’ve been out riding Marks bike just down to the school and back while Mark and Mike Romero have been going on much longer bike rides.

 

15 July 2009 Wednesday

I took Buddy and Daisy down to the groomer but because their Bordetella shots were due I had to get that done also, so it ended costing $180 ouch.  But they need their hair cuts.  Smokey needs one but I can’t afford his yet.

Mark Andersen wanted a steak tonight so I fried him up one and we ate left over Spaghetti with it. Mike Romero went out and bought Mark another smaller iPod for bike riding.

 

16 July 2009 Thursday

When I went out to get some meat for the dogs, I saw that Norma and Lynn Chaffins house was up for sale! That was a shock. 

I went and got a haircut. My barber went up to $11 and I only had ten on me so I will owe him I guess.

Mark Andersen came home really hot and tired but at least he worked today. I fixed a ham dinner tonight for the boys. I finished watching all of True Blood season 1 tonight . It was pretty good.  Mark and Mike Romero were in bed by 9:30.  That’s a shocker. 

 

17 July 2009 Friday

This morning I got Mark Andersen up and fixed him breakfast before sending him off to work. Checking my Horizon checking account I saw that I was over drawn by $250.  So I pulled $300 out of the American First and $100 out of Chase and put in that account but I have to be really careful now. 

It’s just barely pass the middle of the month and I am already broke…too much eating out and buying everyone’s dinner.  I still have to register my car this month and that’s another $200.  I am starting to feel overwhelmed again.  Alone Again Naturally.

Mark Andersen  and Mike Romero got into a really big fight this evening. I guess Mark said his Blackberry lost its charged so he didn’t call Mike Romero to tell him he was going to go out and have a beer with some of his work buddies.

Well Mike Romero was really pissed off saying that Mark was inconsiderate and Mark said he’s going to find his own place. Mike Romero went off to get something to eat and he took Marks blackberry with him which really pissed Mark off…so I don’t know what is going on. 

Mark off handedly said to me that he’s not staying at Mike Romero’s house. I asked if Mike Romero had gotten the townhouse and he said he thinks he did.  So I don’t know how I feel about that. 

 

18 July 2009 Saturday

Mark Andersen didn’t spend the night here, so in the morning I texted him if he was going to come home. He said he spent the night in his car in the UPS parking lot.  He said he didn’t want to come home because he didn’t want to deal with Mike Romero. I said he wouldn’t have to deal with Mike Romero and just come home at least to take a shower and talk.  So he did after Mike Romero had left this morning so he wasn’t here when Mark came home. 

We talked about him being honest with us and that he never has to lie to us but he said he feels like he does with Mike when he treats him like Tiffany does, snooping through his stuff. 

When Mike Romero came home he says to Mark “Was the fuck worth it?” which made Mark explode and start yelling at Mike Romero and said he’s out of here and he slams the sliding door yelling fuck you.

I went down and got in Mark’s car before he could take off and he throws the iPod and stuff Mike Romero had gotten him out of the car.  I was barefoot and told Mark to just drive around the block so we could talk but since I wasn’t sure where he was going I asked him to let me out because I can’t walk very far back home.

Instead he came back to the house where then Mike Romero got into the back seat of his car and they both calmed down and apologized and made up and then Mike Romero tells me that he’s been approved to buy a townhouse over on about 5th West and 4th North.  My heart just sunk hearing the words from his month.  When he said that Mark agreed to move in with him, my heat went numb.

They wanted to show me the place but I really didn’t want to see it but Mark took me there anyway. I tried not to cry but my eyes betrayed me.  I don’t know what I am going to do.  I feel so alone.

The years spent with Mike Romero had denuded me of any friends I use to have, or of people I could count on to help me. I am mainly worried about my dogs.  I’ve got to keep it all together for them.  I made a life for them and I am not about to abandon them now. 

Mike Romero said if he took Smokey he would probably put him down in a few months.  I said Smokey should stay with Buddy in the only home he’s ever knew.  So I put my feelings on autopilot for the rest of the day. 

Mark wanted to go out for breakfast so we went to Ambers. Very few people were eating out so maybe the economy is finally hurting people.  I just had a plate of biscuits and gravy. 

Later Mike and Mark went off bike riding in the mountains while I escaped into my thoughts by delving into the past working on my archives.  The past is safe and familiar. 

I called Mom today and we and a long talk but not about me. She was worried about Aunt Marie because she had a spell and was taken to the Cottonwood Hospital. She wanted me to get in touch with Stephanie to find out what is really go on.

She also said she’s kind of depressed because the trailer is in disarray because of all the packing and clutter that goes along with that.  She said Nathan Ferguson, Charline’s grandson is there visiting them. 

Well my well has run dry. I thought Mark coming here we all could become like a family but Mike Romero has no interest living in this house anymore.  He never planted the trees, painted the place, tried to keep it up and I just can’t do it alone. May be this change will be a good thing. 

I will go next week and see about refinancing the house to get the lowest payment I can get even if it means mortgaging the place for another 30 years. I’m not going to be able to pay it off anyway.  And if I change jobs next summer who knows the situation I will be in and may have to sell the house anyway.

I doubt whether Smoky will be alive by next summer and maybe not even Priscilla. She’s 13 years old now and her health isn’t what it used to be. Well neither is mine I suppose. 

On Facebook this young kid [David Alter] posted an article I wrote for Michael Aaron a couple of years ago on the Mormon Law of Adoption or sealing men to men.  He said that it made such an impact on him that the very next day after reading it he came out of the closet and left the religion he was raised in. 

I knew I had made a difference in the lives on Gay people in Utah 20 years ago but it made my heart glad that my writings are still touching people. 

This evening Mark was antsy to get out of the house so he wanted us to go with him driving around Sugar House Park.  I know Mark is good for me because I would never at this time in my life be driving around Sugar House Park at 10 at night.  

Newsman Walter Cronkite died today. He truly was an American icon on what was right about America.

 

19 July 2009 Sunday

My cousin Stephanie Williams called and said her mother Aunt Marie is in the Cottonwood Hospital and the doctors said she could pass anytime even today.  So I may be attending a funeral in Arizona this week. 

I Went to Jim’s  in West Valley for breakfast this morning and in the afternoon Mark Andersen went out to visit with Marian.

In the evening Tiffany came up and they went out for dinner but when they returned to the house they were fighting with Mark screaming at her. I am not comfortable with all the racket they were making. But it can’t be easy for either of them. 

Mike Romero and I drove around the Marmalade area and then he showed me the townhouse he wants to move into. It’s a good deal but I wonder if he will be happy there but I wonder if he can he be happy anywhere?

 

20 July 2009 Monday

Forty years ago we landed on the Moon. I Watched it with mom, dad, Charline , Donna and James on the front room television in our house on Dale Street in Garden Grove.

Mark Andersen worked today so I fixed him some breakfast before he left. Spent most of the day on Facebook or reorganizing my archives. Did meet up with my former student teacher Deborah Borseth at Washington Elementary today. She wanted some advice and I gave her some posters and stuff. I think she has the jitters being a teacher on her own finally.

Mike Romero and I went to Leatherbys for some ice cream before Mark came in. He really doesn’t like sweets very much.  I fixed tacos for dinner tonight.

Ben took the Hogwarts Sorting Hat quiz and the result is Hufflepuff!

 

21 July 2009 Tuesday

I went to First American Credit Union today to see what their rates are for refinancing the house. I looked at 3 scenarios one refinancing $98,000 at 15 and 30 years, and one refinancing $118,000 at 30 years to get $20,000 out to fix up the place.  The lowest interest was 4.75 for the 15 years but my payment would still be up around $950, the 30 year rate was 5.25 and was about $700 a month and the last was also about $900.  I told the loan officer that I would definitely be refinancing but want to take these figures home and look at them. 

I was thinking that if Mike Romero wanted security he could pay me back the $10,000 and then I would put his name back on the title and we would split the equity when we sold the place in a year or two. 

When Mike Romero came home he said he had put $500 deposit down on the townhouse and had a key and wanted me to see the place.  He was excited about it and I made sure I didn’t say anything negative although I hate the location and think he’s paying too much.

After showing me around I laid out the options that I had after seeing a loan officer. I told him my offer to have him put back on the title and we would split the mortgage payment…but he didn’t want to. He said he thought this was a great opportunity to have something of his own for his retirement security. So I guess that’s that.

 

22 July 2009 Wednesday

I gathered up the items that the loan officer needed to process my application and went to America First. I decided that if I am going to be living alone I need to have the smallest payment possible so decided to go with the 30 year mortgage. I will sell this house long before 30 years or drop dead in it so what does it matter.

They ran a credit check on me and my average score was 725 so not too bad. 850 is the highest and no one hardly ever gets perfect credit.  Anyway I locked into an interest rate of 5.125, an 1/8 percent cheaper then yesterday. It’s such a game…up and down…I am not going to lose sleep if it drops even more.

I am having the closing costs rolled into the refinancing so I am refinancing the house at about $103,000 with a payment of $735 a month.  I’d have to pay at least that if I went into an apartment and now I can keep a home for my dogs. 

I had to run around to put $400 in my America First account since they needed that as a deposit before they could begin the process.  I feel really good about the refinancing although it puts me back about where I was 3 years ago but at least I am not paying $1200 a month now.  I won’t need a roommate to help pay the mortgage any more. I will be able to do it on my own as long as I have a job.  I spend so much money of food for Mike Romero and Mark. That expense should diminish next month when they are gone.  For dinner they finished off the lasagna I fixed yesterday.

 

23 July 2009 Thursday

About the only time I got out of the house today was to go to The People With AIDS thrift store on 3rd East and 4th south. I wanted to see where I’d have to go to make donations and what they will take.  There was the blue haired guy working out front who was had the typical “what do you want” attitude instead of the “can I help you?” Didn’t bother being friendly. God did he think I was there to hit on him?

Well now that I know where it is I can start packing things up and bringing them down.  I don’t want a lot of clutter and stuff to remind me of sharing a household with someone for 16 years. 

Gas prices are going down again. Dropped a dime to $2.49. Health care reform is in all the news but until they have a single payer system I am not too interested in all their folderol.

 Stephanie Williams called and said her mother rallied a little and is the Kachina Point Nursing home there in Sedona. She is alert and conscience but will not get better. Stephanie, her girlfriend, and son David are there at the house in Sedona, Arizona

When Mark Andersen came home, he felt like having hamburgers so I fixed that for dinner. Mark is becoming more and more straight acting. He belches constantly during dinner which puts me right off eating. Don’t need an appetite suppressant with that going on. I asked him what did your mother say when you were belching out loud like that and he said nothing she could say because he ate alone in his room most of the time. I think he had a screwed up upbringing. 

I gave Smokey a haircut today with the dog clippers I had at the house. He really needed one for a pick me up. He gets kind of down in the dumps when his hair gets too shaggy. But the clippers died before I could totally finish him but got the majority of him cleaned up and butt washed.

I Drove around the city with my hounds in the Ruby Red PT Cruiser this evening...still hot and people are lined up with tents and chairs and blankets to get a good spot for the Mormon Pride Parade tomorrow...Seems like it was more packed when they were camped out on Main Street...It was fun to walk up and down city blocks and cruise. Gone are those days...like gravity hill and cruising up and down State Street.

I wrote Kimberlee Gile an email: Hope all is going well with you. Tomorrow is Pioneer Day so whoop pee doo. Thought you might like to know that Norma and Lynn Chaffin have their house up for sale. Noticed the sign up last week. Leonard and his family moved out about 2 weeks ago and the Pink house people are gone. All that is left are the Halls and Nate Carter across the street. 

I got Elyse package about two weeks ago and been meaning to tell her thanks...unfortunately the frame and glass was all busted up and some of the picture was scratch by the broken glass. So much for stamping fragile! But it was a very sweet gesture. Kids sure have grown haven't they?

My mom and sister are moving to Phoenix area [Chandler-Queens Creek] in late August. Mom and I don't have Gay Elder's phone number anymore...I must have lost it when I lost my phone the last time...any way let your mom know if she knows anyone wanting to buy the coaches...

Charline's mom is letting go for 10 grand and her coach she is only asking 20 grand for it. Have you gotten into your new place? I know you love your dad but sometimes it's good to have your own place.

Mike Romero is trying to get into a townhouse closer to the city. He qualifies and has put money down on the place so he will know around August 15 whether he will have his own place.

I have come to terms with him leaving [kind of] but after 16 years of living with someone it will be different living by myself again. 

I refinanced the house and got my payments down to $700 a month so should be okay even if I quit teaching.

How are your hounds? Smokey is still kicking but is fading and Priscilla is getting dementia. I told Michael to leave Smokey here because it's the only home he ever knew and he and Buddy are such pals. I said take Smokey for rides and visits but let him finish his days at the house.

Smokey has changed too he no longer sleeps with Michael but with me and has attached himself to me for some reason...maybe he's letting Michael separate from him.

Mike Romero and Mark Andersen bought mountain bikes and helmets and have been tooling around up in the mountains. Good for Mike Romero to be doing something besides staring at movies and the computer screen. Mark has left his wife [though he's not really Gay] and I guess will move in with Mike Romero.

Mike Romero will eventually get his heart broken because Mark likes the ladies more than he does guys.

It's hot today, 100 degrees but it's been a pleasant summer.

Mark got my sprinkler system up and running again so don't have to hand water anything again. He also helped me cut down the maple tree that was in front of the house.  It was dying and not getting any iron so I chopped it down. I was sentimental over that old tree though. It was the first I had planted in the yard.

Well I hope this email address is a good one.  I miss you and Randy and the kids but hope you are enjoying sunny Florida.  I guess if you miss the mountains you could always go up the Appalachian Trail.

 

24 July 2009 Friday

Today is Mark Andersen’s 29th Birthday. I fixed him a breakfast of steak and eggs before he left for work and then he had a very busy day and didn’t get home until 8:30. I guess the Outdoors Retail Show at the Salt Palace kept him super busy.

About the only thing I did today was mowing the front yard and taking the dogs for a ride and working on the computer. 

I did talk to Norma and Lynn Chaffin when I was outside. I guess they are trying to move down south because Lynn found work in the new Canyon School District around 92nd South. They are asking $230,000 for their house which really isn’t too much for what they’ve done with the place. Tim is 23 years old now and dating a girl he’s serious about and Sarah is being deployed to Afghanistan which Norma is sick about but when you join the military they own you. 

It was hot today but not over 100.

After Mike Romero came home he said that Mark was running really late so we went to Leatherby’s for a big banana split.  From there we were driving around and went by the Trapp where this man was sitting in front decked out totally in a Pink suit with a pink fedora. I waved to him and he waved back. Now that takes guts.

We were going to see the crowds at Liberty Park but instead stopped in on Steve Merrill and Richard Packer who are staying with their friend Bobby on 9th South and 8th East since they sold the Condo on Highland in preparation for their move to Tennessee. I will probably be the last time I will see them.

Bobby was lover with Paul owner of the Rusty Bell a Gay back in the day. He told me some stories about the lesbian Billie Hayes who he was friends with. 

While we were  in the 9th and 9th area, Mark called and said he was home so we left and went back to the house. He had a brutal day loading and unloading packages for UPS pickups.  He wanted a steak for his birthday so we went to Bountiful to the Texas Roadhouse Steak place.  We couldn’t get in until 9:30 so I ended up taking most of my dinner home because I wasn’t all that hungry after the ice cream earlier. 

Mike Romero and Mark went out drinking afterwards but I came home and went to bed.  My feelings are changing knowing that Mark is moving in with Mike Romero at the Townhouse. Kind of trying to distance myself.

Mark said when he came home to an empty house he was depressed and I said well the dogs were there to greet you and he said it wasn’t the same. I just thought to myself how do you think I am going to feel?

 

25 July 2009 Saturday

Mark Andersen got his rifle out of hock today and afterwards we pick up his daughter Audrey to go out to breakfast. We ate at the Jim’s way down in Sandy around 102 South. It was a very nice Jim’s Restaurant but I wasn’t too hungry still from last night.

After breakfast, Audrey’s mother said Mark could have her for the day so we drove up to Eccles Dinosaur Park in Ogden. It was a very nice day for it even if very warm; a nice summer time day, the kind you look back on and think ahhh summer. 

Audrey liked the museum and walking around looking at all the dinosaurs. If I was a kid I’d think it’s pretty cool too. Mike Romero was getting tired and so was Audrey so we left and found a McDonalds to get some chicken nuggets for her.

 She’ll be going into 4th  grade at the end of summer.  After taking her back home to Sandy Mark wanted to go to Wendover  but I didn’t so I said just take me home so I can feed the dogs.

I guess Tom Folk wanted to see the Townhouse that Mike Romero is wanting to get into so they met him there and went to Wendover from there.  I spent a quiet evening with the dogs after straightening up the house.  Again I am kind of trying to keep my space.

 

26 July 2009 Sunday

Mike Romero and Mark Andersen slept in until noon. I guess they didn’t go to Wendover but was just tooling around Salt Lake going to different bars.  When they got up, we went out to breakfast at Chuck-A-Rama…they don’t serve breakfast but do have fruit and muffins and yogurt and granola and then of course everything else. I didn’t offer to pay this time. 

After eating Mike and Mark wanted to go down to Cabela’s in Lehi to get some good work boots. I went with them and bought Mark some $100 steel toed work boots for his birthday. 

We went to the South Towne Mall after that because Mark wanted to look for movies for his game boy but the store was closed. They still wanted to run around with Tom Folks so I said take me home so I could feed the dogs.

Again I wanted to disassociate myself from them so when they are gone it won’t be so traumatic being alone.

I talked to Chuck Whyte some and he’s weighing the pros and cons of running for Emperor of the Royal Court next year…he’s not sure if he wants the drama without Chevy Stephen Bolinger being his empress.

He also wants to move from his place off of 21st South and Highland  so I said next Friday I’d drive him around looking at neighborhoods.

Then I called Stephanie Williams but couldn’t get a hold of her so left a message saying I was thinking of her and then called Mom and we talked for a while. I finally told her that Mike Romero may be moving out if he gets approved for this Townhouse and that I had refinanced the house.

She is getting anxious now for the move to Arizona. Dennis took the truck to drive Nathan back home and baby sit him while Denise and Cody are off in Texas for some job they had to do. 

Mom said she did speak with Marie and she’s real incoherent from all the drugs and pain medicine they have her own. Stephanie said the Kachina staff has gotten Marie out of bed and walking but she will never leave the nursing home.   So that’s about what my day has been.

 

27 July 2009 Monday

Mark Andersen had to work today but Mike Romero had taken today off. He spent the morning cleaning the movie room and taking up the rug that the dogs had peed on.

 I spent most of the day cleaning out from underneath the stairwell getting rid of stuff to take to the AIDS Thrift Store like most of my videos, pots and pans and dishes I don’t use any more. 

I made hamburgers for dinner as that when Mark came home, he said he wanted a greasy hamburger.  He was hot and tired and had worked nearly 10 hours. I called Stephanie Williams and she said actually Marie made a recovery but probably will never leave the Kachina Nursing home.

 

28 July 2009 Tuesday

Mark Andersen called and asked if I wanted to meet him at Apollo burgers about 1 this afternoon and I said sure because I needed to get out of the house since I’d been researching the old Deseret News online archives relentlessly.  Mike Romero showed up for lunch too.

I really had already eaten so just sat with them until they both had to go back to work.  Since I was seeing Dr. Stoneburner tomorrow as I was out, I decided to go in and get some blood work done but the Lab technician said that since I hadn’t fasted that they wouldn’t draw blood until I fasted for at least 12 hours. She said for me just to come back tomorrow. 

I spent much of the rest of the time watching Season 4 of Dr. Who. I fixed a spaghetti casserole dish for supper with a nice salad and garlic bread.

 

29 July 2009 Wednesday

I am so depressed today I just want to cry if it would do any good. I went to my Doctor’s appointment at 9 this morning and of course it was 45 minutes before I saw my doctor. When I told him that I tried to have my lab work done yesterday he was furious with the lab and told them never ever send his patients away for lack of fasting. 

So then his nurse assistant went to draw blood from my right arm…couldn’t get a good vein. So she went to my left arm still no use. They she did one from my right hand and still couldn’t get any blood so they called in a technician and she was able to get some blood out of my left hand… then to find out she only took one sample when Dr. Stoneburner needed two.

So I was poked 5 times just to get a blood sample for lab work. I was not having a good time. Then my doctor wanted me to stick around for the lab results so it was nearly 11:30 by the time I saw him again and then he gave me the news I didn’t want to hear. My blood sugar levels were above ten and he wants me to go on insulin. My worst fears since I hate needles.

He ordered me a prescription of needles and insulin but since no one was available to show me how to use them I said I’d pick them up tomorrow. I was still in stress and anxious that I have to go on insulin.

I had texted Mark Andersen from the doctor’s because he had wanted to go out to lunch but I said I was still there and I was until about 12:30 in the afternoon. 

After coming home still in a bit of a shock I started thinking about how I’m now going to have to give myself an injection for the rest of my life and I got really depressed.  I stayed downstairs for the rest of the day only coming up to feed the pups.

 

30 July 2009 Thursday

Didn’t want anything to do with Mark Andersen or Mike Romero today. They are only interested in themselves.

 

31 July 2009 Friday

So ends the month of July. It won’t be but a little while I will be back in school again.  I am thinking that maybe it won’t be the end of the world if I stop teaching. It’s a very demanding job and I think I might just be getting too old for it.

I went to the Pride Center on Third West at one and met with David Alder and Jeremy Yamashiro about their Oral History Project.  

 

August

 

1 August 2009 Saturday

Chuck Whyte is thinking about moving so we drove around different areas of the city so he could look at neighborhoods.  I told him how I have to be on insulin now and how hurt I was that neither Mark Andersen nor Mike Romero cared enough to ask me how I felt about it. 

Mike Romero took off somewhere and Mark is in Evanston Wyoming with his daughter Audrey for a family reunion so I am by myself this weekend and it’s kind of nice.

I am testing my blood when I first get up and at 9 at night right before I give myself a shot in the belly. The needles are super fine and actually the finger pricking hurts more than the shots but it’s the phobia I have about needles that is what’s making me anxious.

 

2 August 2009 Sunday

Talked to mom today and told her about how I have to be on insulin now.  She said they are about all packed up down there in Vegas.

 

3 August 2009 Monday

Went to the optometrist this morning and he said that my vision had changed just slightly but there wasn’t any sign of damage from my diabetes.  Mark Andersen took today off to go to Salem and get his things but his father-in-law wouldn’t let him inside without Tiffany being there so he said that was a wasted trip.

Ben took the What's your Native American Indian name? quiz and the result is Strong Heart Ben Williams I believe this is true one of my faerie names was Fearnaught You have been through many storms which made you very compassionate and wise. You love to take care of others, family and friends come first.

 

4 August 2009 Tuesday

I went to my pharmacist for a follow up on taking insulin and reading my blood sugar meter.  There was this guy this time and he was so much better than the gal I had last week. He put me on a varying schedule for testing my blood so he could see what it’s like at different times. I made an appointment to see him again next Tuesday and to see Dr. Stoneburner at the end of the month. 

Mark Andersen was home again so in the afternoon I asked if he wanted to go see a movie.  Nothing big was player but Harry Potter and he doesn’t like the series so I suggested The Hangover which was just a fun summer type movie about a romp in Las Vegas.  It really had so funny lines.

 Mike Romero and Mark played with his remote control toys he brought up from Salem.

 

5 August 2009 Wednesday

Elyse Gile called at 11 this morning to say that their plane had come in so I went and picked them up at the airport. Kayla is going into 7th grade this year so she’s a pre-teen now. They looked good just tired.

Mark Andersen didn’t have to work today so he called Mike Romero and we all met at Applebee’s for lunch. 

The girls told how their folks were doing. Randy got a job today finally so everyone was excited.  I let Elyse take the Cruiser for transportation while she’s here. While Kayla was visiting friends in the neighborhood, Elyse took a nap because she said she had been up almost all night. 

In the evening Mike Romero shocked me by asking me to go with Mark and him looking for remote toy cars. They are on a new toy kick.  So I did and we ate at Virg’s in Taylorville. Mike Romero and I both had cod fish while Mark had ham breakfast and the biggest piece of ham I’ve seen in a long time. 

At Wal-Mart they found some toys and I bought myself a new answering machine.

Ben completed the quiz "What is your trailer trash name?" with the result Fayleene. You are Fayleen, the Queen of the trailer park. Trailer trash children want to be just like you. You know how to get what you want, just by flirting. You are the envy of all the trailer park wives. The wives hate you because as hard as they try, they will never live up to your standards. You are the best at what you do. You can hold a baby on your hip, have a cigarette in your mouth, talk on the phone, all while making the best Frito Pie any man has ever tasted..

 

6 August 2009 Thursday

Mark Andersen didn’t have to work today so I took Elyse Gile and him out to breakfast at Ambers. I guess Kayla is still over at her girlfriends. Afterwards, Elyse took the Cruiser and headed for parts unknown.

 Mark and Mike Romero bought another couple of remote cars during Mike Romero’s lunch break. I didn’t do much except work on files. 

The weather turned nasty as warm winds blew in from the south whipping up everything and filling the air with dust and smoke from grass fires in the valley.

Mark wanted me to go with him while he looked for UPS drop off points for tomorrow but that’s about the only time I got out.

I fixed pork chops for dinner and afterwards I said that the dogs were dying for a ride since Elyse has my Cruiser so Mike Romero took his SUV and we all drove around even out to Erda in Tooele County. 

The winds were wicked and a fire was just south of I-80 by the airport. Later I heard it jumped the freeway. We saw two horse trailers blown over and people were trying to help get the poor horses out. That was awful to see but the horses were standing so hopefully they weren’t hurt.

 

7 August 2009 Friday

Mark Andersen had a long day today and didn’t get off work until 9 o’clock at night.  Mike Romero wasn’t feeling well and when he came home he took a nap. 

The weather was completely different from yesterday. It was in the 70’s.  The only time I got out of the house was to go and get a copy of the QSL. I haven’t been able to read it on line because Google says the site is infected when Michael Aaron has spent about a month making sure it is clean. He’s fit to be tied.

 I connected Bob Waldrop and Bruce Barton up with each other. Two old Salt Lake MCC Pastors via Facebook. Other than that I spent the day chronicling.  I made Chili Verde for supper.

 

8 August 2009 Saturday

Mike Romero isn’t feeling good. He’s been downing cranberry juice because his kidneys are hurting instead of going to the doctors for some anti-biotics. He bought a small lap top computer and gave his big Acer to Mark Andersen.  They have been playing around with remote control cars…their new toys.

Mark had a date with his new girlfriend Marian this evening and Mike Romero and I took the dogs for a ride looking at the new Gay bars. Next to Try-Angles there’s a Gay coffee shop called Traxx Stop owned by Gene Gieber owner of Try-angles. There’s Club Edge now over on 4th west and 6th North below the overpass as well as Club Jam on 3rd West and about 9th North.  

It rained last night and cleared all the junk out of the air and it’s considerably cooler. Down in the 70’s. The rain is nice. Cleaned the air of smoke and dust.

Going to bed now, happy to reconnect with a blast from my past a very talented good hearted soul, Michael Anderson. We were like sisters in the late 80’s but we began to drift apart as he became more and more involved with his acting crowd and I think he was dabbling in drugs. He moved away to Seattle in 1991 and I had lost all track of him.

 

9 August 2009 Sunday

Charline called this morning and said that mom was in the hospital. She overdosed on some new pain medicine she just got on Friday for the pain in her legs.  She took six pills instead of 3 and it caused her to hallucinate and forget where she was. She couldn’t speak except to call Charline “mom” and she had to be restrained at the hospital because she was so agitated and not knowing what was happening to her. I asked if I needed to come down and Charline said no.

They were going to do a cat-scan and some other tests to make sure she didn’t have a stroke.  So that was very upsetting. 

Mike Romero and Mark Andersen didn’t get up until nearly eleven. Then we went to Virg’s for breakfast down in Taylorville. We also took the dogs for a ride in the afternoon and Mark got pulled over by a Bountiful Cop for speeding but fortunately he let him off with a warning.

In the evening we went back out and I bought a very small lap top computer for $300 at Target.  It’s only about 10 inches and perfect to use as note book and for typing. It’s also small enough to take on a plane. 

It was 40 years ago that Sharon Tate and her friends were brutally murdered by the Manson family. I will never forget the event. It was chilling.

 

10 August 2009 Monday

Charline said that Mom is doing better but they are keeping her for a couple of days in a convalescent home before bringing her back home so that’s good news.

Mike Romero has been hurting in his lower back. He thought it was his kidneys and had been swilling Cranberry juice but he finally brought down and went to the doctors today and she ran a bunch of tests and his kidneys are fine but he may have pulled a muscle in his lower back so she gave him a prescription for Lortab and a muscle relaxant. 

I went with him to Smiths to get his prescription filled, and his having no insurance it was cheaper then what I pay with insurance.

 

11 August 2009 Tuesday

I went to see the pharmacist that is dealing with my diabetes and he upped my insulin to 18 mm. He wants me to exercise for 20 minutes three times a week. So I rode my bike for a little while but the tire is low and needs air.

 I talked to mom today because Charline brought her home. She said except for all the black and blue bruises all over from her wild escapades she feels pretty good.

 In the evening Mike Romero, Mark Andersen and I went to Target where I bought a small lap top like Mike Romero’s. It’s an Acer 10 inch monitor with built in wi-fi and web camera. Perfect size for traveling and taking to school back and forth. However Mike Romero deleted my word processor when cleaning off things from the hard drive and I thought I’d be able to install my Word Perfect 2003 on it but it wouldn’t take the code.

So I will have to go buy a Word Perfect Program.

Ten Years ago a tornado hit Salt Lake City destroying the legendary Gay Bar, the Sun

 

12 August 2009 Wednesday-

This is my last week of summer vacation. I go back officially on the 19th. I got my welcoming back letter from Liz Beck today.  I also got a copy of the appraisal report today and he appraised my house at being worth $180,000 even though the tax assessor said it’s only worth $155,000.

In the evening we went to Costco and I bought Microsoft Student 2007 word program and Mike Romero loaded it on after having to crash my computer first.

I think it's pretty cool that Stan Penfold director the Utah AIDS Foundation is a Candidate for Salt Lake City Council District 3. That's the Avenues. He needs help canvassing in that area of town. He's been director of Utah AIDS Foundation for many years now.

I am so odd... why do I enjoy watching a documentary called Nietzsche and Nazism? But I do... watch out for those who espouse nationalism, socialism and collective ethnic or racial superiority and who are anti-western liberal Republican individualists. I love my Netflix instant watch

 

13 August 2009 Thursday

Mark Andersen told me today that Mike Romero’s approval came through today and that he had to pay $5000 for closing costs so I guess that’s that. By the end of the month I should be living alone again.

Earlier America First called me and said my refinancing was approved and to come in on Monday at 1 to sign the papers and meet with the Title Officer. My monthly payment will be slightly less than I expected $690 instead of $735. So that is a relief that I will be able to afford to live here without a roommate if I want to or if I lose my job next year.

The news of Mike Romero’s moving out, still made me sad and wanted to tear up…I don’t know why, I guess after 16 years of living with someone there is still a sense of loss.

I called Bill and Fay Romero this evening to visit because I hadn’t heard from them all summer and still want to stay in touch with them. I wanted them to know that whatever Michael does they can still come and stay here when they are visiting SLC.

 

14 August 2009 Friday

I went shopping today and bought a computer case for my little Acer 10” laptop, some dog shears to groom the dogs between visits to the groomers, and some clothes and a pair of gym shoes.

 I took 15 shirts into the dry cleaners so I really don’t need school clothes and I am almost down to a size 42 pants from 44… not quite but probably will as I continue to watch what I eat. 

Steve Merrill and Richard Packer dropped by the house to pick up some ice and buckets that Mike Romero brought home from Questar that he said he would. I guess Richard’s family has a big reunion planned for tomorrow.

Mike Romero and Mark Andersen wanted to go out to eat but it was nearly nine by the time we left the house. The place they wanted to try out closed at 9 so we ended going to the Desert Pub where Tom Folk joined us. 

The weather had cooled off and it was nice and breezy just a wonderful evening to be outside. Felt like a touch of fall was in the air.

Mark said that he was assaulted today while on his deliveries by some Mexican in Glendale that was mad that he didn’t have a package for him and hit him in the back with a steel bar but Mark said he decked him and the police put the guy in jail for assault…not sure how much is exactly true Mark does let his male chauvinism expand on fine points.

Anyway, I just had onion soup and a salad and a diet cola while Mark and Mike Romero had two pitchers or beer and whisky shots.  Tom didn’t order anything but just ate off of the chips and salsa and the bread I had given him.

  The bill was $66 more than half was from the booze.  Our service was just okay but Mark left a $9 tip, but he paid for dinner. I think he regretted insisting he pay after seeing the bill.

This cute guy kept coming over to our table looking for a light so Michael flirted with him. Mark was pretty shit face when we left and got home about midnight.

 

15 August 2009 Saturday

I went to our National Kiss-In at Library Square in Salt Lake City. There were almost as many news media as there were people. About 75-100 people there I suppose. It rained last night so may be that kept some people away. 

I only saw Toni Palmer; from people I knew, except for ones that had to be there. 

Mike Romero went to his homeownership meeting for most of the day and Mark Andersen took Audrey to Tiffany for the weekend. He wanted me to put him on my Costco Card so we did that too.

We ate at Applebee’s and he paid but even though I had a low carb meal it spiked my blood sugar.

 In the evening they took off somewhere and I watched TV.  I am really trying to separate from them so when they are gone at the end of the month my heart doesn’t break.

 

16 August 2009 Sunday

Toni Palmer said that South Valley Unitarian Universalists’ transgendered pastor Sean Dennison is moving back to California so I went to hear his last sermon. I also needed to be around some of my old friends.

I saw Debbie Rosenberg and went and sat with her during the service. Also saw Luci Malin.

Dennison gave his goodbye sermon and after it was over, I came back home, mowed the lawn, and watch some Torchwood series.  Mike Romero and Mark Andersen went out and bought a huge flat screen television. Toys, toys, toys.

 

17 August 2009 Monday

Straightened up the house this morning doing dishes, vacuuming and even gave Daisy a haircut before going to school.

I worked a couple of hours when Liz called me into the office and said that I don’t have to teach a split anymore because she took some stimulus money to hire a new 4th grade teacher. The news sounded like a huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders, but I also said I’d move into the middle room rather than have the music room between Jeny and I, so guess what I will be doing all day tomorrow.

I tried to give Dave Alder some pictures but they didn’t burn on a CD. I guess so will try again.

Then I rushed to American First to sign my refinance papers… My new monthly payment is $695 a month another weight off my shoulders.

The Title Loan officer I got to talking and she said that if I ever wanted a job searching titles give her a call. I just might next year.

 

18 August 2009 Tuesday

I met with my pharmacist this morning and he upped my dose of insulin to 24mm. Then I headed off to school where I worked my butt off switching rooms…

I put in a full 8 day of hard labor and still there’s more to be done tomorrow.

I met the new 4th grade teacher Ms. Padgett. I think that is her name. When I came home fed the dogs and fixed fajitas for dinner for Mark Andersen and Mike Romero. Won’t be very long until I won’t be cooking dinners anymore and they won’t have home cooked meals either because neither one of them can cook.

 Mike Romero is buying all new things for his place and I don’t blame him although I told him he could take whatever he wanted.  When he’s got all his stuff out of here I am going through everything and donating everything I don’t need or want any more to the People With AIDS Thrift Store.

I need to decide what to do with the huge heavy analog television downstairs. It really is too heavy for me to lug around by myself.

 I heard from Michael Aaron that the Radio City is finally closing after all these years. Brandon Burt wrote an article on it for the City Weekly. Michael wants me to write one for the QSL

 

19 August 2009 Wednesday

First official day for the school year 2009-2010. Principal Liz Beck had us meet at Paradise Bakery for breakfast before our faculty meeting.

I spent much of the day still putting things up in the classroom. Finally went down and got my Computer and put it all back together so I could look at my class list. So far I have 21 students.  I sure hope I can stay under 24 this year. 

I was really beat when I left at 4 but stopped and got roasted chicken for the hounds and then got ready for Equality Utah’s Allies Dinner. Michael Aaron comped me the $100 ticket because I write for his paper. I asked Mark Andersen  to take me down to the Salt Palace because I didn’t want to have to find parking so Mike Romero and he dropped me off right out front.

It was a very swanky affair…lots of cocktail dresses, suits and ties…I saw Todd Bennett and Ron Hunt there, all dressed in kilts. They looked good. Talked to Alan Anderson and his kind of boyfriend, Kyle Daniels, who wanted my phone number to talk later about history but I really think he just like chubby older guys.  Finally found our table and four of the people sitting there were people I had no idea who they were, but after introducing myself learned one was sales manager and the other was a photographer…they had no idea who I was so I wonder if they even read the paper.

 I sat next to Michael Aaron when he came and on the other side sat Donald Steward so we three visited. Dinner consisted on a salad, cordon bleu chicken, wild rice, and this squash medley. It was good, and I was good and didn’t eat any bread or had desert or any wine. Just drunk water since a fruity punch was the only thing to drink outside of wine. 

Bishop Gene Robinson was the keynote speaker, and Carol Gnade and her partner Loraine Miller, Jenny Wilson, and South Valley Unitarians were given awards for their work in the Gay community.

 

20 August 2009 Thursday

I called mom as I was heading for work. Today is the day she’s leaving Las Vegas. She said her flight was at noon and she sounded good and strong.  She’s taking all her clothes and Denise will pick her up there in Phoenix. Well this end the Las Vegas Chapter of her life.  What an ordeal it was to get her there from Palmdale. I guess I owe Mike Romero some gratitude for helping her move there back in 2005. 

I worked on putting my bulletin boards together and just going through things. I have 22 students now.  Room got a little warm today.  I stayed until about 5:30 and then went and got some food for the dogs at Smith’s. 

When I got home Mark Andersen came in just a little bit after I did, and he said he was taking Audrey out for dinner even though I had planned on cooking a meal here. He asked, didn’t Mike Romero tell me? And I just rolled my eyes. 

Well I am done cooking dinner any more for them. They are on their own.  I have so much food in the frig that’s going to go to waste. I’d be better off eating out myself for all the money I spend.

I tried calling Charline to see how Mom was but she didn’t answer.

 

21 August 2009 Friday

Worked all day getting my room situated for Monday. Dorothy Pratt was wandering the halls looking for some lost keys and driving me crazy every time she’d drop in and  visit some more. I just wanted to lock my door.

I have 24 students now so there’s no way I have to do a split now. When I came home Mike Romero said that he turned the utilities off that were in his name so we called Questar Gas and got that turned over into my name but the Water department was closed so will have to do that Monday.

 I fed the dogs then took off to go to Ruby Ridge’s [Donald Stewart] Gay Bingo Night. I just need to get out into the community again and see people. I sat with Mark Swonson and Dan Fahndrich. 

Courtney Moser [Petunia Papsmear] was all decked out in this billowy  luminescent white gown that  would but Glenda the Good Witch to Shame… It was fun being out but by 8:00 I was getting tired and ready to go home. Heard they raised $1000 for the Salt Lake Men’s Choir.

 

22 August 2009 Saturday

I got up around 7 this morning and cleaned the kitchen and vacuumed before I realized that Mike Romero and Mark Andersen did not spend the night here. I heard them last night going in and out so they must have spent the night at Mike Romero’s new place so I spent my first night alone and I didn’t even know it. 

I mowed the front and back yards. Mark said he was going to do it but I doubt that he will. I took the disk of pictures of community people over to the Tower Theater but David Alder wasn’t there like he said he’s be so I just left the disk there since some of the people there said they knew who he was.

 After eating lunch I went up to school and worked more in my classroom to get ready for Monday. I worked until 6 and then thought I better get home to feed the hounds.

 If Mike Romero had been over at all today there were no evidence of it.

 I did pick up a copy of the QSL while out. 

Tried calling Charline again but still no answer. I guess Mom is doing okay or I’d heard something. 

Ate some dinner myself and picked some apricots and nectarines off the trees. They are just falling off now. 

I was commenting on Facebook when my computer started acting funny and locking up.  It wouldn’t let me log off or anything so I did a hard boot and it must have done something to it because it lost a drive and kept going into a loop. 

So today is the day that my Acer Tower computer died.  I guess it is only fitting because it was one that Michael had given me.  Fortunately my  external hard drive was safe and is operating now on this little Acer laptop that I bought a week ago. 

Well I am alone in the house again…well I mean without human company. I still have my babies but I am on my own again naturally. 

I wrote a tribute to Ken Francis on the Affirmation Book of Remembrance Page with his picture.  He needed something written for people to remember Sugar Tush.

 

23 August 2009 Sunday

I called mom his morning and she said she was happy to be in Arizona although she is a little tired. We had a good long visit.

As I was on my way to Best Buy to get another computer Mark Andersen called and said he’d meet me there.  He had spent the night at some girl’s house all night fucking.

 I guess Mike Romero’s niece Christine Taylor and her friends came in last night and spent the night over at Mike Romero’s place. 

I bought myself another Acer computer.  Spent most of the day with Mark, who was frantic because Mike Romero wouldn’t return his calls even though we saw him on Redwood when we were out driving. 

I wanted to go to Radio City for the last time because they are closing the bar tonight so I asked Mark if he wanted to go to and he did.

I brought my camera and took about 14 pictures of the place. It really had faded from Its glory days. We didn’t stay long just enough for me to snap some pictures. 

I went to bed by 10 because tomorrow will be the 1st day of school with the kids and I had Mark come lay with me so I could hug him while he was furiously texting someone. Probably Mike Romero. 

He finally got him to answer and he left the house to go over there and I fell asleep.

 

24 August 2009 Monday

Mark Andersen and Mike Romero both came over when I was getting ready for work. I know Mark called in sick and he looked sick and was running a fever. I don’t know if Mike Romero just took off or what.

They fooled around with my computer and I was finally post my pictures of the Radio City. It’s time for me to retire and find something else to do.  I find no joy in teaching anymore. 

I have a class of 24 students although 4 didn’t show today.  I have a few boys that I think will be a challenge but no real mean kids like last year or kids that were plain insane. It was warm in the classroom but we got through the early out day okay.

 The school is a lot more quiet then it was with so many of the Foxboro kids gone.  I still have no idea of how this literacy group thing is going to work for me. 

Came home to just feed the dogs…both Mike Romero and Mark were gone.

 

25 August 2009 Tuesday

Today was a little better because I got some prep time so I felt like I had a breather.  One of my students was officially taken off my rolls so I am down to 23 students but 3 didn’t show up so actually I have a class of 19 and it is so wonderful to have 10 less kids then I had last year. 

I am still thinking this may be my last year teaching. My license is up for renewal at the end of June and if I have to be finger printed by “criminal past” will come up and I don’t know if I’d get my license renewed anyway.

 

26 August 2009 Wednesday

Mrs. Petersen and I swopped a student today who wanted to be in my class. I said I didn’t care. This class has some really nice kids compared to the awful kids I had last year.

After work went to Costco to get some doggy treats and some treats for me that I can eat without causing my blood sugars to go high. 

As I was fixing dinner, Darren Solomon dropped by unannounced and I was not in a mood to really have company.  I was tired from school, had just fed the dogs, and was cleaning up some puke from Buddy.

 Mark Andersen dropped by about the same time and said he was off to see Marian but he was here long enough for me to use him as an excuse to let Darren know I had work to do and visiting or sex was not a very good idea right now. 

After taking the dogs for a ride I tried to write something for Q Salt Lake and nothing  would come. So ended up watching Big Brother on Instant Watch…mindless blather but I need that right now.

 

27 August 2009 Thursday

I am getting into the ritual again of giving the dogs their treats, changing their water, fixing some breakfast and something to take for lunch before heading out of the house. It’s all on me.

This morning while at school Mark Andersen texted me to ask to use the truck since he didn’t have to work today. I asked since when did you feel like you need to ask?

I am finally getting to know my students and I think one may not show up so I might only have 22 this year.

 It was hot today near 100 degrees so of course the room heated up and I was drained by the end of the day.

I came home soon as I could to start writing something for the Q Salt Lake but I’ve got writers block…my mind is so numbed by this first week of school that I just can’t get it together.

I wanted to write something about Radio City but couldn’t come up with anything so I fixed the hounds their supper and began to fix me something too when I heard the doorbell ring.

It was Mike Romero and I thought how odd that he just didn’t come in so I guess this doesn’t feel like his home anymore.

He said he’d come over this weekend in and get some stuff but he was saying how he wasn’t sure whether he wanted Mark to be his roommate.  He’s mad at Mark again for spending so much time with his girlfriends and not being considerate to Mike Romero.

Anyway Mark called, and he and Mike Romero get into a fight. I just stay out of it. I am through being the in-between. Mark came to the house and since I was fixing some supper I fed them and that calmed them down.

Mark apologized for being inconsiderate and he carried Mike Romero’s bed down to the truck to take over to the Townhouse. I’m not sure why but I began to tear up when I saw the bed going down the stairs and out of the house. 

The hounds were all happy to see Mike Romero but I think they are weaning themselves off of him because he doesn’t really spend any time with them and I feed and water them, sleep with them and take them for their rides.

  Anyway they being here shot any change of me concentrating on writing so I gave up. It won’t be the end of the world if I don’t have a column. I am tired.

The only thing in the news is the funeral for Senator Ted Kennedy who died yesterday of brain cancer at 77 years. 

 

28 August 2009 Friday

Glad it was a short day because it was hot in the classroom and 90 degrees outside. Tried taking the class outside while it was cool to play kick ball but kids were getting stung by bees so we had to come in.

Dorothy Pratt came in and asked if I had any days for her this year to sub for me. This year will be much harder for me to find ways to fit her in.  I said I would take next Friday off for a long Labor Day Weekend and October 23rd.

I left after the kids did because I had to go to the water department and get the water changed into my name and I had a doctor appointment at 3:20 although it was nearly 4:30 before I saw Stoneburner.

He’s upping my insulin to 30 units but I am going to start giving myself shots in the morning instead of at night. I made an appointment for the 23rd to meet with Dr. Stoneburner again and I asked him to write me prescriptions that I could use at Smith’s rather than driving all the way to 21st all the time.

Fed the dogs but they weren’t eating so don’t know what’s up with them.

I went to the Queer Oral History Project tonight at the Pride Center.  There were about 8 people there. David Alder and Jeremy Yamashiro had us pair up to listen to a partner tell an important event in his life. I listened with this 18 year old U of U student named Jacob Lewis who is a drama student. He came out at 14 and that was just 4 years ago wow but a lifetime of changes for him.

The next guy was closer to my age named John. He was really fun to talk to.  I really had a good time interacting face to face with people tonight and getting out of the house.

 

29 August 2009 Saturday

I was really busy today. Decided to get up early and change the house around now that I am living by myself. First I checked my blood and I was 203 but I didn’t take insulin last night because I wanted to start taking it in the morning.

After that I moved the dining room table and the red hutch and scrubbed the kitchen floor getting rid of the floor rug that was in there.   Then I took apart the twin bed in the front room and put the box springs out on the deck and hosed it down and scrubbed it to get some of the dog pee off the corners where Smokey and Buddy would mark. 

I put the twin bed temporarily in Mike Romero’s room and moved the chairs around in the front room. I moved the Television against the south wall and put the lounge chairs against the railings.

The two orange chairs I have positioned on the north wall. They will do until I can get new furniture. I vacuumed really well the front room when Mike Romero and Mark Andersen came by to get the truck. They are going to get Mark’s washer and dryer and his couches from his storage unit.

Mark asked me to go but I didn’t want to stop cleaning while I was in the mood.  I did, however, take a break to go up to Washington Elementary to get my teacher’s manuals do I can make plans for next week. This keyless entry is really handy. 

I also stopped at Smiths and got some groceries for the week.  About 2:30 Tom Folks, Mark, and Mike Romero came to the house to bring more stuff over to Mike Romero’s Townhouse. I didn’t help.

I helped Mike Romero move in from Wyoming in 1994 but I wasn’t going to help him move out.  Someone scraped the hall wall and took off some paint but thank goodness I still have some of that paint left over for that very reason.

They were going out to Olive Gardens but I didn’t want to go with them. I have food in the house but I don’t feel much like eating.  I know that I am single again but it doesn’t quite feel like it.  It probably won’t until Mike Romero is completely gone. 

Mike Romero took Smokey with him today so Smokey got some alone time with him.

 This year is going to be the end of one era and the beginning of another but if Chuck Whyte can live alone and without transportation I certainly can.

 I wonder if this will be my last year teaching. It will be if they make me fingerprint after all these years and they hold what happened 19 years ago against me.  I would be glad to move on from teaching as long as I can find a job with good insurance that would cover my diabetes.

 

30 August 2009 Sunday

I tested my blood sugars 184 and gave myself an insulin shot this morning and then started straightening up things. Mike Romero and Mark Andersen wanted to go to breakfast before going to Ikea so I mowed the front yard and it was already getting warm and it turned in to a scorcher of a day.

We went to Jim’s in Sandy and I had two eggs, 2 slices of rye toast 3 pieces of bacon and some cottage cheese for breakfast.  I left a $5 tip but Mark offered to buy breakfast for us. 

We then went to Ikea and I bought a few kitchen things and a lamp. I wanted to get some rugs but they didn’t have any decorative ones like last time. Spent two hours walking around that place. 

Then we went to Sam’s Club where we looked at flat screen televisions.  I need to get rid of the behemoth down stairs. I saw a 37 inch screen for about $550 so I will probably get that eventually. 

Tom Folks was with us at Ikea but then he went to Bed Bath And Beyond and we came back to my house where they worked moving everything out of Mike Romero’s room. Most of it they just moved into the big Television room where they could come and get stuff a little at a time.

 Mark looked really tired. I fed them a Sunday dinner of pot roast, mashed potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower, and a salad. We sat at the dining room table for the first time.

 I packed up my glasses I didn’t want and some flat ware and they took them. 

After they left I went into Mike Romero’s old room and I broke into tears. I think it finally hit me that he’s gone. I started to bawl so I decided to clean the room to keep from being so depressed. 

I vacuumed it and the dust was thick in the carpet behind where he had his chest of drawers and other things. I got some spic and span and washed the base boards and the walls.  The room needs painting but I don’t know if I have the energy and the carpet really needs cleaning. I am still undecided which room I will move into upstairs. Mike Romero left his computer desk in his old room so may move into that one.

 I have lived down stairs for nearly 10 years so it will feel funny being upstairs.  I called my niece Denise Wachs and she said all her friends got together and helped Mom and Charline unload the truck and get the house set up so Mom is now in Arizona again.

 I think she and dad were happy in Cottonwood and Prescott Arizona where they once lived.  So it’s been a busy day and I am pooped. Kind of an emotional day for me.

 

31 August 2009 Monday

A frustrating day because the flash drive I had put my schedule on didn’t work on the school computer so I was scrambling to get something ran off for the kids. So it was one of those days. I don’t have any prep time until the afternoon so Mondays are hard if I am not prepared.

I went to Wal-Mart right after school and bought a few things for the house and some clothes for the fall. It’s hot now though in the mid 90’s and air still Smoky from the fires in California. 

I was tired today so after feeding the dogs I just went to bed and watched a little television. 

I did get mom’s new phone number and everyone seemed to be happy to be out of Las Vegas and in Arizona. 

So this is the end of August.  Mom and Charline are gone from Las Vegas so there’s no reason to go there anymore. Mike Romero and Mark have moved to their Townhouse on Hodges Lane and I am living alone again after 16 years.  August sure brought some major changes.

 

SEPTEMBER

1 September 2009 Tuesday

Today was a much better day at work. Starting to get back into the routine. I went to my Credit Union during my prep time to pick up forms to have my mortgage taken out and sent to American First.

 Mark Andersen called me at work and wanted me to come over to their place for hamburgers. I suppose I should. They want to show off the place.  They are going to keep the lazy boys since they found a way to make it work for them.  We watched “Were the World Mine” then I went home to take the dogs for their little ride.  Another really warm day.

 

2 September 2009 Wednesday

Long day because it’s back to school night. I left at 3:45 to go home to feed the dogs and then went back at 5:30 to get ready for the parents. About half the parents showed which is typical. I didn’t get back home until nearly 8:30 after stopping at Food Savers to get some groceries. 

Really think I should paint Mike Romero’s old room so to get the memories out of there and then move into it.  Another very hot day

 

3 September 2009 Thursday

Hot day again. In the 90’s. I made lesson plans for Dorothy Pratt who is subbing for me tomorrow and after school went and bought some plastic binders for the kids to keep their Literacy papers in.

I was frustrated trying to take off this tv wall mount that Mike Romero had left up because one of the screw heads was stripped and I couldn’t get it to come out.

So I called Mark Andersen and asked if he’d come over with some tools to help me take it down but he said he was on the way to meet Marian… I said fine and hung up.

I never ask Mark for help and when I did, he wasn’t there for me. So I just ripped the thing off the wall and bought putty to mend the damage.

I went to Sutherlands and bought some paint. I wanted a more cheery color so the paint is kind of an apricot yellow. It was called “Dreamsicle”.  I dread painting but I want the room to be mine without any memories of Mike Romero there.  I really feel abandoned here.

Mark said he’d drop by to check on me but he never does and no one calls. Well they didn’t look after me when they lived here so why should I expect that they would now that they are gone. Mike Romero could have been coming over here to get his stuff out of the former tv room. It’s filled with his crap.

Got a thing in the mail that our neighborhood cleanup is scheduled for September 21. 

 

4 September 2009 Friday

Busy day. I went to America First CU and got my mortgage payment taken care of with them taking it out of Horizon CU. 

Then I went to RC Wiley’s and bought some furniture for the first time in years.  I bought a full size captain bed, three lazy boy chairs, and a 19 inch flat screen television.  Then in the afternoon I started to paint Mike Romero’s old room.  The power roller was a joke and used more paint and made a mess but I got most of it painted but had to go get more paint.  I will finish tomorrow.

 

5 September 2009 Saturday

Finished painting the room today. It was a two day job. I also went and bought some East Indian Print curtains at Walking Crane and curtain rods and a valence at Lowes so the room is looking pretty good but I am super tired.

Went into the old TV room and straightened it a bit so Mike Romero and Mark can get the rest of their stuff.  They never called this morning to take them to the train station.

 It was a Saturday on Labor Day Weekend a year ago that I made love to Mark for the first time but that’s all over now. The bathroom scale says I’m about 251 buck naked. That is down from 274 that I was.

Hopefully this diabetes change of eating will help me lose weight too.  I talked to Bill and Faye Romero today. Faye is sending me some books on diabetes. I told them that Mike Romero had moved out. He hadn’t told his mother.  Cooler day today. 

 

6 September 2009 Sunday

My whole day was spent painting the upstairs Bathroom.  I thought it needed a makeover. So I painted it a bright yellow orange color and bought a new shower curtain, towels, and bathroom accessories.  Truly it took all day.

 

7 September 2009 Monday Labor Day

Ben Anderson emailed me that Mattias Lumaca and he are coming back in January and wants to know if they could rent from me. Hmmm.  My blood sugar was 103 this morning. The lowest ever.

 

8 September 2009 Tuesday

Back to school today and President Obama gave his address to the nation’s school children that the radical right tried to derail. I didn’t get to listen to it however because I had to stay with the four children whose parents did not give their children permission  to listen to the President of the United States. Fucking idiots.

 About 6:00 my furniture was delivered and put together. My Captain Bed is tall! Really tall. I have to climb into and it’s really hard for the dogs to get on so I will have to figure something for them. 

I asked Mark Andersen to come over to see my new furniture and I sent him home with some enchiladas that I made for dinner, for him and Mike Romero to have for supper.  It seems really strange to be upstairs. 

Mark said to call him if I get scared living alone but I said I lived on my own for many years and I guess I can do it again…still it feels like Mike Romero’s just away on a trip rather than really gone from the house.

 

9 September 2009 Wednesday

Today is the 9th day of the ninth month of ’09 so its 090909. About 3:30 this morning I heard this explosion that woke me from my sleep and notice that there weren’t any lights on in the house because the power had gone off.

So I got up and found some candles to have near my bed because I had faculty meeting this morning and didn’t want to over sleep. Fat chance of that because I kept waking up about every 40 minute.

About 6:30 the power came back on but I was really tired from lack of sleep.  I was a little cranky at work because I was feeling so low. I even got a nose bleed during lunch for some reason and I rarely get nose bleeds. 

After work picked up my prescriptions from Smith’s and fix the dogs and myself some supper.

 I fixed myself some Spaghetti with Italian Sausage and then I moved my computer upstairs and put that all back together so now I don’t have to go down stairs anymore except to do laundry.

Will have to clean up down there so that will take a little time but The upstairs bedroom and bathroom is painted, bed delivered, and computer set up.  The house is really starting to feel like mine instead of Michael’s. I listened to Obama’s speech to the joint houses of Congress on Health Care reformed. I think he gave a great speech and laid out a sensible plan.

 

10 September 2009 Thursday

Read on Facebook that David Alder and Jeremy Yamashiro of the Oral History Project are thinking about leaving the state.

 

11 September 2009 Friday.

It’s been 8 years since that awful day.  Didn’t get all we needed to get done for Literacy Groups next week, so Mrs. Peterson and I said we’d come in tomorrow for a little bit.

 

12 September 2009 Saturday

I cleaned the house really well this morning before heading up to Bountiful to meet with Mrs. Petersen and Mrs. Pulley about our Literacy Groups. I was there for about an hour then headed to Centerville to go shopping. 

I found the little ottomans I wanted for the bedroom at Target and then I bought some rugs at Kohls and a table runner at Pier One Import. I think I’ve shopped more this month then I have in a  year!

Mark Andersen and Mike Romero were at Audrey’s soccer game for some of the afternoon and then they came over and filled the truck up with more of Mike Romero’s things out of the entertainment room. 

It was a beautiful day today with so much going on. The Greek Festival, Farmer’s Market, the Avenue’s Street Fair and the State Fair.

Mark said he was taking Audrey to the state fair and asked if I’d go.  I thought I needed a break from the house so I went to the Utah State Fair with Mark, his daughter Audrey, and Mike Romero.  We looked at the cows, goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits, and chickens. Saw the Butter Cow Sculpture but didn’t see the veggies this year. 

I took my walking stick and it really helped because we were at the fair for about 4 hours. Audrey wanted to ride the ponies, have her picture taken with an alligator, bought a bracelet and a little cat furry figure, and I bought myself a mood ring for $5.

 Mark had two free tickets for he and Mike Romero went in on them and I paid for Audrey and myself and I also gave Mark $20 to buy ride tickets on the Midway.  Mark and Audrey went on the Ghost Pirate Ride, Audrey went by herself through the fun house but rode with Mark on the bumper Cars.

Mayor Pete Carroon was there with his son on the ride and Mark kept ramming him but I don’t think Mark knew who he was until I told him. 

The Midway was packed and later learned it was celebration Mexican Heritage day as well so that was why there were so many Mexicans there. 

Mark, Mike Romero, and Audrey went on the Ferris Wheel and I just found a park bench on which to sit. I was getting really tired and my feet were hurting.  Really felt my age today seeing all the young people at the fair.  I got home around 11.  The last time I went to the fair two years ago it was with Ben Anderson and Mike Romero.

 

13 September 2009 Sunday

Bought a lot of stuff today.  I wanted to go back to Kohl’s to get more rugs to replace the old stuff in the house and then I went over to Wal-Mart in Centerville.

 It’s so much nicer than the one in Salt Lake that’s so full of trashy people. There I bought some dog food and bought a pad for the bench so Smokey can jump easier up on the bed.  Also bought a lamp for the front room and some more sheets that were on sale. 

Over the internet I bought four posters of Bette Davis, Jean Harlow, Joan Crawford, and one with Cary Grant and Randolph Scott together. That was about $125 right there. 

At Food savers I bought the dog their food for the week and when I came home Mike Romero, Mark, and Audrey were over with Mike Romero getting some more of his things.

 I fixed Audrey some fruit and they went to see “UP” at the movies. They asked if I wanted to go but I said no I had too much around the house to do.

 It rained some today even thundering and lightning.  Autumn should be coming right on time. 

I later texted Mark if they wanted to come over for Sunday dinner after the movie since I had baked a Pork Loin.  They did and I had Spanish rice, corn, squash, a salad, cantaloupe, Cauliflower and broccoli as well.

 I set up the movie room again and they adjusted it and got my television working in my room also.  Spent the rest of the evening getting ready for school

 

14 September 2009 Monday

Actor Patrick Swayzy died today of pancreatic cancer.  I enjoyed him in Ghost and To Foo Young. 

I was out of sorts for most of the day…not sure why… feeling kind of over whelmed at school I think.  It rained and thundered pretty hard today.

 In the mail my $1400 check from Washington Elementary Mutual came.  Did a little house cleaning when I came home. Someone pooped in the kitchen… probably was afraid to go outside in the thunder and rain.

 

15 September 2009 Tuesday

Deposited my check into Chase Bank because will probably pay off the credit card and then put it away. It kind of rained a little in the afternoon.

Mark Andersen was going to come over and help do some yard work but it was too wet. 

I made a tuna casserole for dinner but Mark said he’s already made something over there at Mike Romero’s place.

Darren Solomon dropped by this evening wanting to cuddle some but I wasn’t in the mood to do much else.  He said that he’d help paint the house. I said I would just as soon pay him as a stranger.

 

16 September 2009 Wednesday

Not feeling really perky…not really sick but just out of sorts.  Mark Andersen texted that he was not feeling well and was just going to stay home, which is just as well because the outside refrigerator circuit shut off and defrosted and water poured into the casserole I had made and put there. 

I just watched a little television and then went to bed.

Henry Gibson from Laugh-In died. Seems like a lot of celebrities are passing away lately.

 I made some granola tonight because I ran out this morning. Gave the dogs a bath wash butts when I saw some dirty marks on my new rugs.

 

17 September 2009 Thursday

I had a restless night and my nose bled a little. What’s up with that? I also had a very lonesome dream about having an empty house to sell.

At work still kind of sluggish. So is Mrs. Petersen. I asked if there were any more plastic lunch trays around today and I got two to add to the one I have at the house. 

Came home and cleaned downstairs. Made up the bed and scrubbed the bathroom.  I was doing that when Mark Andersen came over. He said Mike Romero was out on a date so I fixed him some supper.

I cooked him a steak and we ate left-overs from the frig. He said he’s come by tomorrow and cut down some branches since Mike Romero and he are going to Bryce Canyon this weekend.  Weather is still warm.

Tim Keller is coming down tomorrow from Logan to go to Bingo and to also bring me some files saved from my old computer.

Mary Travers of Peter Paul and Mary died.  Really enjoyed their music

 

18 September 2009 Friday

I came down with a head cold today when my nose started running like a faucet and started to feel achy.  I really had planned on going out tonight but with this cold I thought I better stay home rather than be in crowds and spread it.

Mark Andersen worked late today and never pruned the trees. He called later and apologized. Oh well… no big deal I suppose. 

Tim Keller and his friend Paul Janssen came over about 5 and down loaded the files that Tim managed to save and then they left to go get some supper.

They invited me but I said I better just stay home.  He wanted a copy of my music so I said just start down loading and drop back before you head back to Logan. 

So I watched on Netflix the 2 hour finale of Big Brother that was live last Tuesday.  I was happy the way it ended.

When they guys came back over at 10 they wanted to visit and we talked for about 2 hours about politics and life.  First company I had over with the new furniture and it was great. I forgot how much I enjoyed company. 

They left about midnight but told them if they ever need to spend the night they are more than welcome to crash here.

 

19 September 2009 Saturday

Stayed in bed much of the day. Called mom and we talked awhile about how things were going in Arizona. Today is Grandpa Johnson’s 108th birthday if he’d still be with us.

 

20 September 2009 Sunday

I slept in until 9:30 this morning. I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve done that. Just stayed in bed most of the day. I wanted to get some yard work done for the city clean up tomorrow but that didn’t happen.

 Ain't gonna get dressed today but curl up in a blanket and watch 8 episodes of Torchwood and eat barley soup. I watched some of Torchwood and stayed in bed resting until about 4:30. The dogs wanted to go out for a ride so went driving around downtown to see the changes. 

Ate a grilled chicken burrito from Betos. First time I’ve eaten out in a while.

 

21 September 2009 Monday

Could have stay home and slept some more.  Cousin Stephanie Williams wrote that she’s going into surgery tomorrow for skin cancer on her nose.

I tried calling my dentist to schedule a cleaning but their hours were ridiculous so that gave me a reason to find somebody not across town.

I fixed a hamburger for dinner but went to bed by 8:30.

First day of summer so Summer 2009 is a memory.  Forty years ago I was registered at Cypress College starting my great adventure into adulthood.

 

22 September 2009 Tuesday

I felt a little better today and am getting a cold sore so my cold must be breaking up.  I wanted to stay in bed all day but alas duty calls... teachers are the thin white chalk line between civilization and anarchy.

Another fun day at work… one of my students puked all over himself during our Iowa Standardized testing. A study showed that teachers are more likely to get sick then doctors because per square inch children carry more germs then adults. First time that has happened I along time. Lots of my kids are getting sick.

My pictures I ordered on line were delivered today.  I need to get them Framed now.  I am going to give the one of Cary Grant and Randolph Scott to Michael as a house warming gift. 

I made an appointment with a Dr. McKay in Bountiful for a dental cleaning on October 1 at 8:15 a.m.  I also asked Dorothy Pratt to come in this Friday for me.  I need a rest.

Is it a tad bit too Gay that I am putting a framed black and white glamour shot of Jean Harlow in my bathroom and two of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford in my bedroom? I thought of getting one of Norma Desmond but really that's TOO Gay. 

It’s been a month now since Michael and Mark moved out and I have been on my own…how quickly the days flow now compared to when I was young.

 

23 September 2009 Wednesday

I had a fitful sleep last night and work up about 1:30 and couldn’t get back to sleep until nearly 3:30.  So I was tired most of the day and still coughing from my cold. 

Michael Aaron offered me tickets for Chorus Line at the Pioneer Memorial Theater.  Now who to go with? Went to Ruel’s Frames after work and spent $140 on four frames and mats for the photographs I ordered that came this week.  I am giving Mike Romero a housewarming present of one of them.

 

24 September 2009 Thursday

I made arrangement to have Dorothy Pratt work for me tomorrow and I am just tired from this head cold.  After work drove across town to Sugar House to pick two tickets to see Chorus Line. 

At home I asked Jacob Lewis, my Facebook friend, who is a Theater Major if he’d like to go with me but by bed time he hadn’t responded.

I finished Mike Romero’s picture and wrapped it up and brought it over to him today.  I could tell he really liked it. I would too. The picture is great of course but I also did a nice job picking out the frame and mat for it.  I spent the rest of the evening just watching “Lost” on Netflix.

 

25 September 2009 Friday

I took the day off to rest and get over my cold.  Well I really didn’t rest much because I cleaned the movie room by bringing Michaels things down to the garage or put up in the closet. 

I wanted to start using that room again.  So I cleaned it and also scrubbed the bathroom. That took much of the morning.

 I never heard a response from Jacob Lewis about going with me to Chorus Line so I asked Mark Swonson but he was heading out to Pinecliff for the Retreat that Donald Stewart and Dick Dotson do every year for AIDS people and their families.

I hated to waste the ticket and even texted Michael Romero that if he and Mark Andersen wanted to go I’d babysit Audrey but I never heard back from him.  

On Facebook I saw that Dominque Storni was wanting to go so I emailed her and said that I had an extra ticket and I’d be up at the theater by 7:30 and waiting in the lobby and I waited from 7 to 7:50 before giving up and taking my seat….later I read an email saying she would be there but I never saw her so I hope she didn’t make a trip for nothing. 

Anyway I did see Courtney Moser and Tim Keller there and we visited for a while and agreed to meet up afterwards to go out for some coffee. 

Chorus Line was incredible even though I did get a little sleepy because it was a 180 minute show without an intermission. I had an aisle seat and not one was next to me and no one was sitting in front of me so I had a great view.

 After the performance hooked up with Courtney and Tim and we went to Village Inn, which I hadn’t been to in ages.  I think the last time I was at Village Inn was with David Sharpton so that’s at least 16 years. 

There were a couple of knock down gorgeous men there and I had forgotten how beautiful many of the men in Salt Lake City are up by the University.  We had a good time visiting and I picked up the tab and it was nearly midnight when I got in between the sheets.  I am glad I took the day off.

 Great news, David Bell the Gay guy who was accused by Tongans of kidnapping their children was found not guilty.  They had beaten the crap out of him and his boyfriend because the Tongans were having a wild drunken all night party and the two small children had come next door to David’s house to sleep. 

 

26 September 2009 Saturday

I got an email from my sister Charline today that Jehil had her baby yesterday, a boy  Charline thinks they named Ken Edgar Andrew Jones.  I haven’t heard any more.

Only slept in until about 7:30 because the dogs wanted me to get up so took them with me to go get some coffee. Then I decided to head to Deseret Industries at Welfare Square to look for a bureau to put up against the wall in the movie room. Their pine ones were expensive over $350 but looking around I saw a five foot teak wooden console with four drawers and a sliding door compartment for $25! I took it immediately and hoped it would fit.

 It’s really pretty and looks like it’s from the late 1950’s or early 1960’s.  They loaded it into my truck for me but I called Mark Andersen and asked if he’d come over to help me carry it into the house. He was at Audrey’s soccer game but said he would after it was over around 1 so I spent the rest of the morning finishing cleaning the house I started yesterday. 

They came over while I was finishing up the dishes and Mark and I carried it into the house. It was solid wood so it was heavy but I had taken out all the drawers and the legs off.  I am pretty proud of it.  It fits neatly under the big wall screen and when that is gone, I will be able to set any type of big flat screen on it.

  Audrey wanted to go to Applebee’s so I said I’d take them and Michael Romero  joined us so we had a nice dinner together like before they moved out. 

Michael took Smokey with him over to the Townhouse because Smokey was missing him.  He brought him back for me to feed him and we talked a little.

 I guess Mark hasn’t been working much and Tiffany lost her job.  Mark went out with Marian tonight and took Audrey with him so Mike Romero I guess didn’t want to be by himself because he stayed and I fixed him some pie and we watched several episodes of AB FAB. 

It was a beautiful day not too warm and yet not really cool either.

 

27 September 2009 Sunday

I went shopping this morning at Wal-Mart and Saver’s Thrift Store to buy pillows, scarves, lamp shades and other items to dress up the television room. I think I will be spending a lot of time in there…more than I thought. 

Mark Andersen called about 12:30 and asked if I wanted to go to Chuck A Rama for lunch and I said I would. It was a beautiful day and I really needed to get out.  I stayed away from the carbs there and ate mostly salads, fruit, and veggies with some chicken wings. It was nice. I paid for the three of us and Audrey.

Afterwards we went to Gilgal Gardens to have Audrey run off some energy and then I had them take me home.

 I was kind of tired still and wanted to rest before starting up again tomorrow. 

I pulled out an old VCR tape on which I had recorded Something For Everyone an old movie from 1969 with Michael York and Angela Lansbury…it was a poor copy even then but had really deteriorated but the sound track was still good.  It was the first movie I ever saw a guy kiss a guy on the mouth romantically so the movie was thrilling to me at the time. 

Didn’t do much else this evening but rest and watch the Simpson’s. They have been on television now for 20 years. I think Mark and Mike Romero are going to see Chorus Line on October 10th and I will babysit Audrey.

 

28 September 2009 Monday

I don't think there's enough coffee in the world to get me going this morning... oh well had a wonderful weekend--Chorus Line, finding bargains, Sunday dinner at Chuck- A -Rama with my little friend Audrey, her dad, and Mike Romero. And surrounded by pounds of hounds. We share mutual love and affection and naps. I am rich in puppy love.

PS happy birthday Billy Bikowski where ever you may be. Today is Billy Bikowski’s 48th birthday. I have not seen in him in probably 15 years. It was 90 degrees today. Yummy cornbread in a glass of milk and I'm ready for bed

 

29 September 2009 Tuesday

I went to the Horizon Credit Union because they rejected my automatic withdrawal for my Mortgage.  I guess American First left off a number.  So I have to do that all over again.  I just paid October mortgage out of my America First  checking account.  It rained and stormed off day and temps dropped down to 60 degrees.

 

30 September 2009 Wednesday

Kids were very antsy today. Only one student didn’t bring in his volcano. The weather has dropped to 40 ....the autumn wind is blowing...it's snuggling time

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