Since I'm a 54-year-old woman, I'm finally getting to menopause. The clockwork-regular event, every 27 days for 6 or 7 days, is more sporadic. Not only can I no longer predict when, I can't predict HOW. Time was, the first two days I would be well advised not to leave the house, and then the flow would taper off. Nowadays, I haven't a clue what will happen. In July, I had a slow, steady fortnight of discharge, and never any need to run to the bathroom. This one, the next one, has gone on and on for two weeks, but just as I thought it was finishing Thursday, I suddenly got cramps and needed to change my clothes! Thursday through Saturday were awful, just like the first days in the Bad Old Younger Days. Don't really sleep, or you'll need to change the bed. (It's things like this that make me sure God is male.)
I am relieved at the timing, though, even while feeling miserable. There is no way I could have managed a 14-hour day for the election. And whaling? Wouldn't that have been a joy! I'd have brought the sharks, for sure! I'm hoping this will be over (and won't come back) while we're in Pittsburgh. Flying is a little scary, I suppose, though I don't recall it bringing on "my visitor" before.

It was this, and the election, and the weather, that meant no walking. I lost another pound (ONLY a pound? It seemed like it shouldda been at least 10!). Three magazines, finally finished the Round Robin and got it out, and that's about it.

It's not the hormones that cause Rich's and my different approaches to life. I'm apt to jump in and make a decision, however foolish, while he is more diffident. I recall, for instance, one time in Norwich, with my inlaws and the three kids and an elderly houseguest all along. Rich was reluctant to actually choose a place for lunch. So I basically said "screw it!" and marched into a place... only to be greeted by a maitre-d'. O---K. Just let me go quietly. The kids had fallen apart 70 miles previously, and we were so staunchly American. I hoped he would firmly turn us away, (THEN I was intimidated. AFTER I was in it up to my neck!) but instead he asked "how many?" and I weakly told him "8" and he set up two tables of 4. To my total shock, the children rose to the occasion and behaved much better than their 4.5, 3.5, and 2 ages would have suggested.
The difference in our approaches cost us money when we were first here in Sacramento. We were in a motel, but had a house promised to us on October 1, 1976. So Rich got the movers organized, and then the agent couldn't get the previous tenants out. We ended up billed for $60 just calling the movers out, and Rich didn't want to drag the agent through small claims court for it.
I'm the one who griped about our realtor, and about a school principal. He ended up doing the major paperwork and complaints about a credit-card glitch.
Then there was the sewing machine. I'd been having trouble with my old one. A lot of it had to do with threading the needle and the thread breaking, and all kinds of frustration with the bobbins, and so forth. I was totally frustrated, trying to make an Easter outfit for Bernadette. Nothing was working. I called Rich and he was too busy to concentrate on what I was saying. He "uh-huh"ed me just once too often, and I hung up, grabbed the credit card, headed to Wards and brought home a new machine. Of course, nothing was seriously wrong with the old one, as Rich pointed out when he got home.

In Arkansas, we took the kids to a Memphis department store's "Be a Clown" promotion. There were some kids who had a system and got most of the toys and goodies. My kids had a good enough time, but I saw problems and wrote the store about them. The marketing person wrote me to thank me for my comments (which were very polite: I get rude when my kids are hurt, but not as a general rule) and tell me what her future plans for this promotion were.

So what have I been up to lately? Oh, when I felt dissed by Tower Books (for putting a sign up about their grand opening, then turning us away at the door) I called and griped. I also haven't been back, but that is only going to matter when I actually file a complaint with the manager. And I probably will.
When I needed the cord for my laptop, Rich was all worried about the paperwork etc., and how would I prove it. I marched in, waved at Yianni, waited till he got off the phone, described the problem, and took the proper cord, with thanks.
I thought of Rich getting excused from Jury Duty to attend the election class. He was really reluctant to talk to the lady till I told him he'd feel silly watching all these other people getting excuses. He did, and it worked (though she did call me on speaking for Rich, and I'm still sheepish about that!)

I get mad like (snap fingers!) THAT! Rich is a lot more deliberate, a lot slower. (We're definitely good for each other!) But once he's angry, it's for real, and it doesn't blow over in a second. He means it. There's someone out there who thinks I am the problem. I may be today's problem, but tomorrow will probably be different with me. I managed a pretty nice letter to this person, for instance, but Rich, no hypocrite, didn't. (Not that I think I am a hypocrite. I meant what I said. And I'm trying, now, too.) Any serious peacemaking efforts will have to be with him, as well, not just explosive hormonal me.

I do, however, maintain my seven year grudge with Clinton. Hyde's 81 questions put the burden on the Pres, starting with "do you affirm or deny you are the chief law enforcement officer of the United States?" Well, yeah, but he's above the law. Especially when he's lying to save his sorry skin. I noted that the press expressed surprise the questions don't deal with sex. Disappointment, too, I detect. However, it's not about sex, people. It's about IS he above the law? I suspect he's going to get away with it. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, who know Their Boy Bill of old, says when he escapes consequences, he thinks he's invisible, and they bet he has a new girlfriend by mid-May. (Let's hope Hillary Bobbettizes him this time)
Jimmy Carter, promoting his new book on getting older, has some ideas of how Bill can spend his retirement. He's a lawyer, after all. (If Wright doesn't hold him in contempt and Arkansas disbar him, that is. Which is the penalty for other lawyers who commit perjury.) He could be a professor at any University. Hmm. You're a University President and here is a guy with a track record of irresponsible behavior with subordinates. How long before he's up on some student-professor scandal and your University is being sued? Or you're a parent looking at a University for your daughter, and here is this guy who would be in jail if he had any other job. Hmmm.
Meanwhile, ironically, the Starr testimony will be on the 135th anniversary of the Gettysburg address.

In our state, Fong could have used some GOP support. Actually, even though they said it was inportant, the Republicans, yet again, seem to have given up on California. They're going to regret that for years and years.
In retiring, I'd like to think Newt is showing Clinton the way. But, but... what about his Georgia constituants? Aren't they angry at losing their vote and at having to have another election? I'd like to think this is all an honorable resignation for the good of the Party and the Country, but it sort of rings like a temper tantrum.

Despite their partisan differences, Newt Gingrich and Bill Clinton really have had a lot in common, beginning with their determination to sacrifice larger institutions, whether the presidency or their party, to their own precious careers.
---Lead Editorial, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Nov. 8

Prairie Home Companion was hilarious about Jesse Ventura.

I have a 20 year bet with Al. I say in 20 years he and the country are going to look back with regret on this Presidency. I'm mostly speaking of the foreign situation and the Great Appeaser. He says I'll think Blister Billy wasn't so bad after all. I can hope he's right, but with Saddam and the Sudan bombing, for two, not to even mention North Korea or, ack, CHINA, how can I lose?
The election actually means Gore's chances are reduced for 2000. I read one column saying that since NOW has completely lost its credibility defending Clinton, and the Black Political Caucus says NO ONE else will do, Gore can't say he's so great. If they'd wanted him, they'd have had him, but it was ONLY Clinton they wanted. Sowing the wind...