A big welcome to everyone
stopping by from the First Wild Card Tour!
I’m hosting a one day giveaway.
Someone will win a copy of Where Hope Starts!
Enter by liking my Facebook page and signing up for my quarterly newsletter. Let me know you’ve done that in the comments below- and tell me what piques your interest the most in Karen’s journal.
Here’s a peek inside Karen’s journal before the story begins…
stopping by from the First Wild Card Tour!
I’m hosting a one day giveaway.
Someone will win a copy of Where Hope Starts!
Enter by liking my Facebook page and signing up for my quarterly newsletter. Let me know you’ve done that in the comments below- and tell me what piques your interest the most in Karen’s journal.
Here’s a peek inside Karen’s journal before the story begins…
Dear Diary, I just met the most amazing man. He saved me from an ugly fate. At least I think he did. I was at this party at a bar with some friends. A man approached me and asked if I wanted to go back to his place. Say what? I didn’t know this guy. He was very insistent and I didn’t get the feeling he would take no for an answer. Did he think I was a hooker or something? No clue why I even went to that party.
Then the amazing man walked up – I think the first man was his boss – creep. Anyway, this guy told the creep that I wasn’t his type. He finally convinced the creep to leave. And before he turned to go, he smiled at me. My heart melted. Then he whispered an apology. Oh, his voice. My heart pooled on the floor at his feet. But, New York is a big place and this particular establishment is not in my neck of the woods. I doubt I will ever see him again.
Note to self: Next time I meet a man like this, say something!
Dear Diary,
His name is Barry! Yes -the amazing man walked back into my life today. He and the creep showed up at the restaurant. Fortunately the creep was distracted with some blond babe draped on his arm. After they paid their waitress, they left and I thought that was that. But then HE came back in. Walked right up to me. I still remember his exact words.
“I wish we had met under different circumstances, but I hope we can get past that, because I have a feeling that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Okay. Now that only happens in fairy tales. Unless of course it’s some sort of great pick up line. Which in all likelihood it is. But I would be stupid to not find out if this man were real or not.
I watched him walk out the door then I ran to the back and stuck my head in the cooler. Be still my heart. We’re going out on Friday. What shall I wear?
Note to self: Don’t mess this one up.
Dear Diary,
I think I am in love. My amazing man is no fake, even though it feels like a fairy tale. He asked me to marry him last night.
It’s crazy. It’s only been 4 months since he saved me from creep man. But I said yes. He wants to get married in the spring. Only two months away. Yikes. How does a girl plan a wedding in such a short time frame? Of course, he says a small wedding is fine with him. And I don’t have any family around.
I can do this.
Note to self: pinch yourself to see if this is real. Ouch.
Dear Diary,
The dress is beautiful, I must admit. But I keep telling Barry that his boss has ulterior motives. The way he looks at me makes my skin crawl. There is no way he is doing all this for us without any strings attached. I don’t think the man knows how to do an unselfish thing. Yesterday he offered me a job at his restaurant. I don’t think so.
Note to self: Never be alone with Dennis.
Dear Diary,
Okay, I had my doubts. Especially about the motives of Barry’s creepo boss. But it was wonderful. He insisted we take his yacht for a two week honeymoon. All expenses covered. Wow. That’s all I can say. It was beyond romantic. Beyond incredible.
I think I am in for the adventure of a life time.
Note to self: Fairy tales do happen in real life.
Dear Diary,
We’ve been married just over a year and he never ceases to try and please me. Last night Barry surprised me with another one of his creative dates. When I came home from work the apartment was dark except for a candle on the kitchen table. There was a note next to it inviting me to the rooftop. On the roof he had set up blankets and pillows. Candles everywhere! We ate dinner- take out from my favorite Chinese place. Then we listened to the sounds of the city- enjoying its rhythm of life as we talked. I nodded off to sleep snuggled against him. I have never felt so safe before in my life.
Note to self: Don’t ever let this man go.
Dear Diary,
It was like a scene from Sleeping In Seattle. On top of the Empire State Building. First anniversary. He asked me to meet him after hours. It was amazing! My favorite music and dancing in the moonlight!
I have to admit, I like the benefits of Barry having such a…well connected boss. Just hope when he starts pulling the strings we don’t get choked.
Note to self: Plan a romantic dinner for Barry. Soon!
Dear Diary,
Just went to the best movie ever. Barry has been trying to get me to go see UP forever, but I had no interest in seeing an animated film.
He finally convinced me and now I wish I had gone earlier. I loved the whole idea of forever love like that. I’m definitely adding this movie to my list of must haves.
Note to self: Listen to Barry more often.
Dear Diary,
We just had a fight. Okay, a minor dispute. Not worth a mention anywhere except in my diary. Barry absolutely loves his car – a Probe.Since he’s had it a while and I tried to convince him he should trade it in for a Mustang. Shoot, he makes enough money we could have both. But NOOOOOO. A Probe is what he wants. Bummer. It was fun making up, though…
Note to self: make up more often!
Dear Diary,
I had so much fun! Barry and I went to the zoo today.
He’s been coming home so stressed from work lately. I know his boss is up to something. But Barry won’t tell me anything.
But while we were at the zoo, he was like his old self. We just left it all behind. It didn’t even feel like we were in the City.
Note to self: Check into season passes to the zoo.
Dear Diary,
That was so much fun! Megan’s old fashioned board games in the park day. Get away from the arcade and the computer screen! Her friends aren’t so bad either, I just wish she would stop talking about God all the time.
And I wish Barry had come with me. It’s been a while since we’ve done anything really fun. He said it was because of the people – he doesn’t have much use for this God stuff either- but he’s acting strange these days. I think something is up at his work.
Note to self: Ask Barry what’s up lately. Tonight. If he ever comes home.
Dear Diary,
I found this awesome looking recipe for scalloped potatoes on Pinterest. I pinned it on my board, Megan pinned it on hers, too.
I think Barry will love it, especially if I cook ham with it! I can cook it for him tonight… I think I have all the ingredients: Cheddar cheese, basil, chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, garlic and potatoes. Good to go.
Much later…the food’s getting cold. Where is he?
Note to self: Stop expecting Barry to come through.
Dear Diary,
Ate at our favorite Chinese place tonight. Without Barry. Again. Wasn’t even here when I got home. I grabbed several fortune cookies. Maybe one of them will promise better days ahead with Barry.
Okay, first fortune. Renew an old hobby. Hobby? It might get my mind off of my marriage, so I might as well give it a try.
Dear Diary,
I decided to try and renew an old hobby. I think I’ll give biking a try. I used to ride my bike a lot, so asked a neighbor if I could borrow theirs for the day. Glad I wore the helmet. Different perspective to see the City from atop a bicycle. Its dangerous business riding a bike in this traffic. No wonder they pull some of the stunts they do.
I decided to try and renew an old hobby. I think I’ll give biking a try. I used to ride my bike a lot, so asked a neighbor if I could borrow theirs for the day. Glad I wore the helmet. Different perspective to see the City from atop a bicycle. Its dangerous business riding a bike in this traffic. No wonder they pull some of the stunts they do.
Note to self: Take a bike safety course before riding in Manhattan traffic again.
Dear Diary,
Biking didn’t work so well last week. I think I’ll try photography. I used to take pictures all the time, so I borrowed Megan’s camera for the day. It was fun. Downloaded the shots to the computer. But I gave the camera back and don’t plan on buying one anytime soon. There are plenty of great photographers in this world and I am not one of them. The pics I take with my phone are fine.
Biking didn’t work so well last week. I think I’ll try photography. I used to take pictures all the time, so I borrowed Megan’s camera for the day. It was fun. Downloaded the shots to the computer. But I gave the camera back and don’t plan on buying one anytime soon. There are plenty of great photographers in this world and I am not one of them. The pics I take with my phone are fine.
Note to self: I don’t have the time or energy for a hobby. Not with Barry and his shenanigans.
Dear Diary,
It was fun tooling around the flea markets in Connecticut with Megan. I needed the break.
We saw the most amazing Victorian house! It had this incredible wrap around porch. It must be full of all kinds of nooks and crannies. I can just imagine a bed and breakfast in that place.
That’s what I wish Barry and I could do – leave New York – get away from whatever it is that is ruining our marriage and do something different. Like maybe start a bed and breakfast. Like that could ever happen.
Note to self: Don’t think about Barry when you’re having a good time. It ruins everything.
Dear Diary,
Why does he even ask my opinion? If he’s not going to take it into account, why does he want to know it? So he can squash it? Have an excuse to put me down for my stupid ideas?
What has happened to us? I miss the man I married. He used to listen to me. He used to value everything about me. I can’t stand this much longer. Something has got to change.
Note to self: Keep my opinions to myself!
Dear Diary,
Barry is getting to be a jerk. I keep telling him to just go get a job. He claims he’s looking, but I don’t believe him. Last night we had a huge fight and I went over to Megan’s.
We rented Zoom. I laughed so much. I know it’s a bit hokey and all, but I think it’s cool how Zoom lost his way then found his way back to who he really is. Gives me hope that Barry can be my super hero again. Someday.
Note to self: Remember who Barry really is underneath all his bravado.
Dear Diary,
I don’t know how much more of this I can take from Barry. He has gotten so unreasonable. He acts like a bully. I just want to quit some days.
Then I remember why I married him in the first place. Is that man still inside him somewhere?
Note to self: Try and remember the good times.
Dear Diary,
I was listening to the radio this morning and they posed an interesting question for the new year. If you could do anything you wanted in the next 365 days, what would that be. If money and time were no option.
I don’t have a clue. I used to have all kinds of dreams and wishes. When did I lose that? I don’t even care. I told Megan about it – the eternal optimist in my life – and she challenged me to start a list. Choose some things I could do. She thinks maybe it will get me out of the down-at-life rutt I’ve been in lately.
Thinking. Thinking. If I could do anything, I would…return my marriage to its early days. But that’s out of my hands. Megan doesn’t get it. Her marriage is so wonderful. Her husband is so perfect.
Note to self: Ignore the optimist.
Remember to enter my giveaway! In the comments below, let me know that you liked my FB page and signed up for my quarterly newsletter. Then tell me what piqued your interest about Karen in her journal entries! (Winner will be chosen from verified entries. Must be several entries to award a prize.)
photo credit: www.freedigitalphotos.net // photostock
