I'm Dear Abby

One of my colleague's mother had passed away late last week. I knew that this person was going on bereavement leave, but my manager quietly let me know on Monday that it was his mother.

The reason why my manager had disclosed this information was that he didn't know what to do. I became his go-to person for advice.

He isn't the strongest person writing heartfelt messages that express emotion. On the other hand, I'm perfectly fine emoting and expressing how I feel.

So, I helped him out. I indicated that we should send flowers to express our support. He showed me flower arrangements and I picked out one. Done.

I wrote a short note that he could cut and paste. I also recommended that he send the flowers to the funeral home for the visitation.

He thanked me directly and in an e-mail to our department. He also said that I was his Dear Abby.

I am good dishing out advice. I knew that as a young person (it sounds crazy, but I was and still am fairly wise for my age), but it was incredibly noticeable yesterday. It's always good to help someone out.

Eye appointment, cafe stop, and writing advice

I visited my ophthalmologist yesterday. All went well. I go back in six months, in my usual monitoring mode. I'm happy.

I got to visit my favourite cafe next door. I was so happy getting a raspberry white hot chocolate and an albacore tuna sandwich. Yum and yum!

A fellow writer at work in California reached out to me asking for advice. I'm not sure how she found me. I hope to ask her that question next. She's apparently new to her project.

My ex-guy wrote to my work e-mail account - respond or ignore

It has been over two weeks since I checked my work e-mail. I returned to work on Monday and had 100 e-mail messages waiting for me in my inbox.

Oh, joy.

One of them was from my ex-guy. He sent me a message using my work account. How charming.

He wished me a happy, prosperous new year. It seems like a slap in the face considering that he ruined 2019 for me.

Question for you:

I have not responded to his e-mails that he sent to my personal account seven months ago. I am guessing that it is the reason why he has chosen to drop me a line through my work account. Should I respond? Continue to ignore him? Respond with a YouTube music video that explains how much of a jerk he is?

I would like to know what your thoughts are. I could use a different, helpful perspective.

Heartbreak advice from Dax Shepard

I was listening to an episode of the Ellen on the Go podcast. Dax Shepard was on the show for a segment called Dr. Dax. It's where audience members ask him advice.

He offers funny and sensible answers. There was a woman who had just been dumped and asked how she should handle heartbreak.

He first joked and said that she should sleep with every female friend of his. The more serious answer was to say, "It is only temporary," as a mantra.

It's similar to how I am approaching my broken heart,. It is temporary. Time will help and heal.

Dreams and mush

I know that I miss my guy when he is on the road for weeks and I end up dreaming about him. I did this just over a week ago.

I don't recall the exact topic that we were discussing, but I wanted some advice from him. As he normally does, he offers that to me.

The transition was rather odd, but the next action that occurred was my being bent over a long table and my guy spanking me. Needless to say, I woke up happy and longing to be spanked.

The other day, I told my guy my dream. He told me that he'd like it to become a reality. I couldn't help but to automatically smile.

Yesterday, my guy and I were chatting on Skype. I was briefly telling him about the interview candidates that I had on Thursday.

"No cute girl as a new hire for me to look at?"
"Nope," I said. "I guess I'm not off the hook."
"You're never off the hook," he said. "Having another cute girl in our department would make me want you more."
"I don't get that," I said. "Wouldn't you go for that cute girl instead?"
"That cute girl would be eye candy, but I wouldn't have the same great conversations, company, love, and sex as I do with you. You will always be my cute girl."

It's neat how we start off teasing each other and it ends up being sweet mushiness at the end. We've been apart for way too long.