It was love at first sight. She had these gorgeous yellow/green eyes, and was grey with black spots. I got her out of the kennel, and watched her play with the toys. She was so energetic and charming, and she trusted me almost immediately. After only glancing at the other cats, I decided Lizzie was “the One”. I went to the front desk with her kennel number, paid for her, and went back to visit her before I left. It felt like her eyes looked right into me.

I returned the next day with my youngest sister. Lizzie had been spayed, and was ready to come to her new home. On our way home Lizzie was extremely nervous. My sister put her hand in the pet carrier to calm Lizzie, but somehow Lizzie needled her way out of the carrier and was now loose in the car. Now even more nervous, and still a bit drugged from her surgery, Lizzie started experiencing some flatulence. It smelled terrible. We finally reached home, and got her into the house. After exploring for a few minutes, Lizzie climbed up onto the couch in the living room, sat on my lap, and took a nap.

Over the last year, Lizzie has been a constant companion, a nuisance, a comfort, a source of entertainment, and has evolved from being my cat and pet, to being very human to me. She is my baby. I don’t like children, but I love my cat.

January:

• I turned 20. Now I can talk about those “damn teenagers” and mean it.
• Grandma had to go into the hospital for a month, the day of my birthday. I hated 2010 already.
• Grandma’s house is being remodeled.

February:

• After having issues with Grandma, she gets better, and is released from the hospital.
• Grandma’s house is still being remodeled.

March:

• I got to see Eric Clapton in concert!
• Grandma’s house is finished.
• 2010 is looking up.

April:

• My sister turns 18.
• I start making plans for London.

May:

• I buy tickets for London, book a hotel, and make definite plans.
• I have the most successful semester of my college career.

June:

• I meet my best friend online. I get a crush.
• I quit my job at the Aquarium. (Amusing annoying story- ask me about it sometime.)
• I start PACKING.

July:

• I go on a cruise to the Bahamas, and learn that my online best friend will come to meet me in London.
• I’m home for 2 days, then catch my flight to London and have the time of my life.
• Meet my best friend. More than a crush. I kiss him. He kisses me. We are happy.

August:

• Best friend becomes boyfriend.
• I start school again, and for the first time I’m ready.

September:

• Stress kicks in, but I find ways to relax. I stay positive.
• Boyfriend comes to Oklahoma! Everyone loves him!

October:

• I don’t even remember having October this year. I’m sure it was mediocre.

November:

• My grandmother (father’s side) passed away.
• I see Elton John in concert!!!
• I still can’t find a job.
• I still like school.

December: (It isn’t over yet, but I can tell what will probably happen)

• I finish this semester of school successfully.
• I go to GERMANY and hang out with my boyfriend for a week. We are happy.
• Bring in 2011 in Germany with my boyfriend and a smile.

You got a BOYFRIEND?!

Yes. I know its hard to believe.

Tell me about him!

He’s 26 and lives in Germany and I think he’s awesome. Obviously.

Have you even met him?

Yes. I took a trip to London this summer and he flew over to meet up with me for a week. Which means a lot to me. How many people will do that for you?

Fair enough. But it’s so weird with you having a boyfriend! LOL!!!!

Yeah I GET IT. Valarie isn’t supposed to have a boyfriend. Valarie is supposed to be the one that everyone thinks is gay. Valarie is supposed to be the one that is always single so that when your boyfriend or girlfriend break up with you she’ll always have time to hang out because she has no other real friends.

So when can you see him?

We talk on Twitter, on Windows Live Messenger, and on Skype. He is coming to Oklahoma in late September and I’ll be going to Germany for New Years. We do what we can.

So now that you have a boyfriend does that mean you’ll talk to me less?

No. Because I never actually get to SEE HIM. If I talk to you less it’s because I want to actually pass all of my classes this semester. Also, because you’re getting on my nerves when you express disbelief at me finding a boyfriend.

Do you love him?

I don’t know. He’s my best friend. He has made some sacrifices for me that mean more to me that I can say. (Flights across the world, quitting smoking, etc) Yeah, I think I love him. And he feels the same.

And that’s all for now. Will you all please stop thinking it’s the funniest thing in the world to think of me having a boyfriend? The novelty has worn off of your reactions and now I’m just angry about it. Thanks for understanding.

Wait one last question- now that you’ve got a boyfriend will you still post almost creepy things about old British guys?

Hell yes I will. The boyfriend is understanding of my love for Anthony Head:

London was great, but not my thing. It smelled like stale urine, which is unfortunate, and was too crowded for my taste. However, it is a lovely city and everyone should go there at least once in their lifetime. I saw most of the “touristy” things, but also allowed myself to get lost a few times and stumbled upon some gems. (A poster of Anthony Head outside of a theatre!!) Here are some pictures from London, as I’m feeling too lazy to write too much.

1. The people she raised have abandoned her. The only people who call her more than once a year are her daughters (pain killer addicts) and her granddaughter (my aunt, who is having quite a few problems of her own.) Why hasn’t she heard from the niece she raised? Why hasn’t my own father (her grandson) stopped by on his way home from work? (Rhetorical question- he would never do anything like that.) This family is made of FAIL.
2. People she isn’t even related to see her more. My mom’s family sees her more than any other family member of hers. And my mom’s family is in no way related to my grandma, except through my sister and me. Like I mentioned above, she will get phone calls, but no visits. Ever.
3. I get to deal with all of the frustration and anger from her, while they sit around their own houses not even thinking of her. I get to deal with the 1 a.m. wake ups when she falls out of bed. I deal with the incontinence she sometimes has. I deal with cleaning the house. I take her to the doctor. I take her grocery shopping. I never hear from anyone except my sister (who is a big HUGE help) and my mom’s family, asking if they can help out.

Thanks, Holly family. (minus 2, my aunt & sister) A phone call doesn’t hurt, and a visit wouldn’t be so bad. Not because you need something, but because you WANT TO VISIT.

1. Bella Swan is a Mary Sue (perfect character. no flaws.)
2. Edward Cullen is a stalker.
3. The vampires SPARKLE.
4. Edward is abusive.
5. Bella is annoying.
6. Stephenie Meyer spends every other page describing how hot Edward is. We get it already.
7. The books tell girls it’s ok to get pregnant at 18, drop out of school, and give your baby to your male “best friend” who apparently “fell in love” with your baby.
8. Vampires are supposed to be infertile. Because they’re DEAD.
9. The “love story” between Bella and Edward is entirely superficial. Bella loves Edward because he’s hot, Edward loves Bella because she smells nice.
10. If Bella is so awkward and clumsy, why does she get so many guys giving her so much attention at her first week of a new school?
11. Emmett Cullen only turns teenagers to vampires. Creepy?
12. The werewolves aren’t actually werewolves. They’re more like shapeshifters. Werewolves only turn at a full moon.
13. Only two characters die in the whole series.
14. The crazy fangirls. I am a fangirl. I am not militant or crazy. Take notes.
15. The best characters are given no development and are ignored. (Alice, the Volturi)

There’s probably more, but this is good for now. Long live Harry Potter.

From Facebook group "Lord Voldemort is pure Evil. He turned Cedric Diggory into Edward Cullen."

1. Oklahoma lawmakers.
2. There’s no air conditioning in the booth I work in, so it’s extremely hot.
3. Middle aged women who like Twilight.
4. Twilight in general.
5. The penny.
6. The $50 bill.
7. The Tulsa Zoo.
8. Big Splash water park in Tulsa.
9. The “Saw” movies.
10. Plane ticket prices.
11. Militant religious people.
12. Some of my friends.

rolled your eyes – Today, at an Aquarium volunteer.

Tied your shoe – This morning.

reorganized your bedroom – One week ago.

Took a walk in the park – I can’t even remember.

Chewed gum – A few weeks ago?

drew a stick person – Biology class last semester.

activated something – Activated a debit card last week.

Drank a milkshake – A few weeks ago.

Google mapped an address – Last month when looking for London & Liverpool hotels.

sang your favorite song – Today in the car!

Fumbled with a button – Yesterday.

answered the doorbell - Last Thursday. I talked to some Mormons for 10 minutes.

Spilled your drink – Not sure. Probably last week.

administered CPR – Last year at camp when I got my CPR certification. Luckily I’ve never had to use it “for real”.

Made a sarcastic remark – RIGHT NOW. Probably today.

Offered someone advice - Today.

Watched a sunrise or sunset – It’s been a while.

Were jealous – Oh geez. I don’t know. Uhhh let’s go with last week. Sounds good to me.

Smiled when you didn’t feel like smiling – Today at work.

Loved when you didn’t feel like loving - Today with Grandma.

noticed you didn’t give a damn – Today. Dealing with the Holly Family.

Held someone’s hand – High school graduation a few weeks ago.

Ignored a phone call – Yesterday. NEVER.

tweeted – Ten Minutes ago!

you were really you - I’m always me.

Cried yourself to sleep – …………..

Were speechless – See above question.

rode a bus – Camp last year.

were right - I’m always right.

googled – This afternoon

Lost your temper - Today, with Grandma.

Laughed uncontrollably – A few days ago, laughing at my cat.

Felt guilty – Kind of right now… I should be doing something else.

Looked up a word in the dictionary – A few days ago.

returned from the point of no return – A few years ago.

felt genuinely happy – A few weeks ago!

kissed in a car – Never.

Sent a greeting card – Hell if I remember.

yelled at your television – Last week, while watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. DON’T JUDGE ME.

confided a secret – Last night.

wrote in cursive – Today, on a check to bail someone out of jail.

When was the last time you said this was the last time – My 19^th birthday.