Gah, I can't seem to get ahead these days. Every time I have a block of free time that should help me get caught up with work, something happens to keep from getting anything done. This weekend, I had 4 days without my daughter at home and I'm horribly sick. I'm going to get one writing project wrapped up and I'm heading back to bed for a well-deserved nap. 

My to-do list hardly got a dent in it this weekend. Fooey.

I just discovered a neat new "charity", that involves microloans to small business owners in the third world. You donate a small amount (like $25) and it goes towards a loan (usually less than $1000 in total) that will help a struggling person have their own business and independent income. It helps people get out from poverty without just giving them money.

These are true loans, as you actually get your money back over the term of the loan (up to a year, I think). It's the first place I've found where you can help someone and still get your money back at the end. Not that I might donating to worthy causes, but when the budget is tight, it's an added bonus to have it only as a temporary gift.

The site is called Kiva.org and I am recommending that you check it out. I just made my first "donation" and I will likely do it again :) You just pick a business owner that strikes your fancy and give them money, via a credit card or Paypal. The money will be repaid over time, and you can either take the money back or reinvest in another business later. They have a very low default rate, meaning that most people do repay their loans.

Anyway. I really love the idea. Thought I'd pass it along. The site is called Kiva.org.

Another personal rant today. With my last bf out of the picture, an old ex-bf has come back into the scene. We've stayed in touch over the past couple years, and he's made it clear that he regrets ending our relationship and hopes for a second chance.

Well, we decided to give it a shot and have a date for tonight (seeing Saw IV, how romantic) :)

He's been MIA for the past 3 days, not responding to IM pages even though he shows as online nor answering email. We're scheduled to go out tonight, but hadn't decided on when or where. So where the heck did he go?

You'd think I'd learn not to get my hopes up anymore, but this is pretty depressing.

I will sit for the rest of the day, with no idea what's going on. I'm trying to be positive, and give him the benefit of the doubt that it's been some kind of computer problem. But past history with him and others usually results in it just being general thoughtlessness.

I do hope it works out, but am not really expecting it to.

NOTE: and 2 minutes after posting this, he gets in touch. All's well, more or less  :)

We made our first jack o'lantern a couple of days ago (pics to come) and I didn't want to waste all the pumpkin innards. I can't cook worth beans, but I thought i'd give some roasted pumpkin seeds a whirl. 

They are gorgeous and toasty brown, speckled with spices and salt. They smell wonderful.

And they taste like wood chips.

YUCK. I may have over-roasted them or not roasted them enough. Who knows?  They are horrible and I don't think I'll be able to finish them.

Wood chips. Or maybe some pieces of dry bark.

Kitchen witch, I am not.

As I'm sure you're all on the edge of your seats, waiting to hear how my life is doing after my depressing last post. 

Well, I spend a couple very mopey days and have come out of it pretty much by now.

Things weren't working out, and I knew it. The split was still painful, especially after dragging on for a few weeks as he moved out. I do miss him quite a bit. Even so, I know this is better and I have to just enjoy my time alone (and with Em) until someone else crosses my path.

My situation is an awkward one, with so little opportunity to be social and give the fates that chance to throw someone into my life. Add being a single mom to the mix, and it can be depressing to think about.

I know there are all kinds of great guys out there, I just have to learn some patience in order to find one. I also need to learn how to be happy on my own. I have problems with that.....

Em is off to her Dads in a couple of days, so I will have a chance to get some stuff done around here including my backlog of email.