Okay, I'm totally set up. I have managed to make good use of a very small space. I don't mind small. I don't need much space, and once the weather gets warmer I can start with the walks.

Abu is draped across my lap, her beautiful little paws stretched straight up into the air. She's always so annoyed when I disturb her, yet I'm supposed to get up and play at three in the morning. Comes with the territory, I guess. After next weekend I'll have some pictures to post.

I guess I should try to get some sleep while she's still sleeping. I'm sure she'll have me up bright and early.

I've been working quite hard at weaning my puppy, who didn't seem to care much for milk, but would drink it if she HAD to. Then I nuked some stir-fry for dinner and lo and behold....... my puppy prefers rice. Not so much into the milk... but since she was always chawing on my finger with those fresh little teeth, I offered her some of my dinner and she consumed it without hesitation.

It reminds me of the puppies we used to raise when we lived in the country. My dog, a pure bred German Shepherd, would never have fewer than 10 puppies, and by four or five weeks she had had enough of nursing. She refused to let the puppies nurse out of pure exasperation, and so we were always scrambling to wean the puppies early. Those puppie's liked milk.

Not Abu. She likes rice. I suppose I'm picking up puppy chow tomorrow.

I'm settling into my new digs quite nicely. Who knew one person could acquire so much junk in a two year period? I'm trying to just get everything to fit, so that I can sort through it at my leisure. I expect to throw most of it away. Ideally, since I'm not sure how long I'll be transient, and because I'm pondering the Regina angle, I would like all my belongings to fit in my car. I would like to be able to move without anyone's assistance. I don't mind accepting their assistance, I just don't like needing it.

With that in mind, I have a bed for sale. Single, twin, whatever you want to call it. Frame, wheels, box spring and mattress all in good condition. I don't know how much it's worth but the bed I have in mind to replace this one will cost me around $80. So if you need a bed, and you're in Winnipeg, let me know, and we'll discuss it. I might have some other stuff you might like. A nice wood nightstand, for example, which I currently appreciate but could be convinced to let go.

Now I must go to bed, me and my little dog too.

Well...... my life has changed gears at an alarming rate.

I now live, albeit temporarily, with my friend and her two year old daughter. Thus, I get up at 6 am and go to bed at around 9. That is for the time being, until I get my bed and move off the living room futon, into the basement. Then maybe I will sleep in till 7. I have discovered that I don't mind waking up early, but I do mind waking up to an alarm clock. Waking up to a screaming child is better, provided I'm not the one who has to get her. Then she comes and gives me my morning snuggles, which makes the morning so pleasant, and I get up and take my time getting ready.

Once the weather levels out at something more reasonable, this will mean morning walks. Maybe I'll start taking the bus, since that would be very relaxing and save me some wear and tear on my poor car, which is badly in need of some TLC.

Tomorrow is looking like a trying day, as I'll be getting the last of my stuff and clearing out of the house that I called home for the last two years. I feel so heartbroken. I didn't want to leave like this. I thought I had time.

Though I'm sad, I'm looking forward. This month has been rough all around, but spring is coming. I live now in a different atmosphere. I don't know how long I'll be here but so far I like it. One is not better than the other, but I was ready for a change, I see that now. I was not built for isolation, but for community. I think that one more evening spent alone in that basement would have made me crazy. I am shocked by the joy I take in the simple act of folding up a stroller, google-ing monkey pictures with the little one, cleaning the litter-box from hell. It surprises me that I don't mind going to bed at 9.

In the midst of it all is my increasing desire to move to Regina. The thought has landed in my mind and I can't shake it loose. It will be awhile before I can go out there to find out if the idea is doable, so right now there are only questions and hopes. The more I question my reasons for coming to Winnipeg, the more I miss the people I left behind in Regina. Though in theory I HATE Regina. The city, not the people. It's a wierd dynamic.

But what of the people I'd be leaving behind in Winnipeg?

As I said before, there is no option that doesn't tear me in two. Nothing feels good. And nothing ever works out the way you thought it would. So I don't know. Guidance is what I need, but for now I'll concentrate on settling in, getting my car fixed, getting to Liberia.

Getting to sleep.