my first Friday night

so here I am, alone with just the kitty to keep me company. the resident teen is no longer resident...how shall I refer to her now? the non-resident teen??? comments anyone? "Amber" is too easy.

roomie is away for a few days with a friend. I have been over to check on my friend's kitty and dog. The kitty, Rupert (yes, after Rupert Boneham from Survivor Pearl Islands and Survivor All-Stars) came BOUNDING out to greet me...this kitty is a freaky one...he has what they call "monkey paws" in front - an opposable thumb of sorts, and boy is he WILD! He miaows so loudly, its hard to believe he is just about 1.5 pounds or so. I also checked out my friend's whirlpool bathtub...mmmm...just what this old body needed after all that moving and unpacking.

there is a sattelite dish here, with tons of channels to surf...looks like kitty and me will be curling up on the sofa, checking it out.

Brand New Nephew

Well, my sister had her third child on Monday morning, wee hours. Cameron Nickolaas James has joined her family...I wish I was there! I can't wait to see pics of the new little man. I am planning a trip out west for late September if I can pull it off. just need the $$$ as I have the vacation time to spare. It will be great to meet her second and third children!!!

UNPACKED

That's it! I am unpacked. I unpacked the last box just last night and BOY DOES IT FEEL GOOD. I sewed a new set of curtains last night too and got them up so we can shut out the night now. I am so tired though, and my feet are so tender...I need a nice jet bath...good thing I am kitty/dog sitting over the weekend where there is one...I plan on bringing a book.

Roomie has settled in and has a friend visiting from BC. She arrived last night at 3am, and we ended up chatting until about 4:30am...the birds were singing as I went to bed...yawn. I had not been able to sleep last night anyhow, so by the time I did go to bed, I finally slept and actually SLEPT IN! A novel concept for me, but I stayed in bed until after 9am, which is late for me.

I don't think I will be moving again any time soon...enough of THAT.

Clean-up day –

The last day of the MOVING EXPERIENCE. I headed into town early and began the task of cleaning the Hiram Street house…stove, fridge, kitchen, bathroom, and vacuum and mop the floors. THEN came the basement…YIKES – what a mess of garbage…mostly cardboard, but what a mess. I finally finished around 1:30pm, turned in the keys and before heading home remembered to stop and VOTE!!!

I flopped on the couch for 3 hours when arriving home, then finally summoned the energy to unpack the car and put everything away. Boy, am I tired. The crazy week is over though, and my roomie showed up tonight to move in. I didn’t help her move her stuff in – I had spent my energy and she was okay with that, she just trucked it all into her room. She decided to spend the night here after unpacking what she had as she was too tired. I can relate to that.

MOVING DAY – PART 2

Well, Saturday morning found us at the old house, packing the car and hoping Brad would arrange something for toting the rest to Halifax. It was a trying day to say the least with arrangements falling through here and there, but by 1:30pm, Amber and I had arrived in Halifax and promptly called the landlord to let us in and we unloaded the car. It was so hot in the stairwell, we thought we were going to expire – turns out the boiler is right beneath it…pant, pant…

After we unpacked what came in the car with us, we headed out to shop. We finally heard from Brad again who was FINALLY under way with his uncle in a truck with most of their things. Wal-Mart was an experience. We get there, its crowded, but not so much we can’t get around. Pick out a mop and broom, then head off to the vacuum cleaner department and after 20 minutes, pick one out…as we are picking one out, there is an alarm sounding…sounds like a fire alarm but no one is moving so we ignore it. We are about ready to checkout when Wal-Mart staff goes aisle by aisle and directs everyone to leave the store immediately…so we did and went grocery shopping instead. After the grocery shopping excursion, we went back to Wal-Mart, got what we needed again and managed to get in the WRONG checkout line. We just got up to being next and the checkout gal left the stall…just LEFT. She was gone about 20 minutes or more. I don’t know where the heck she went. She finally came back, no explanation and cheerily checked us out. Whatever. So then we finally get the heck out of Wal-Mart only to be stopped by the evil Wal-Mart greeter to check our stuff – WTF? We didn’t even make the buzzer go off. So we handed her the receipt and she let us pass. Let’s get HOME!

We aren’t home long before Brad shows up with his truckload. Amber called her dad up to help, who couldn’t leave the house without CB, but whatever…if she can carry anything, its less I have to drag up the stairs. Brad is in a FINE mood by then, surly as I have ever seen him – but Amber and I are no fools…best approach, give him some space and he will get back to us when he is ready to interact civilly. It didn’t take long…his uncle left, then Al and CB left, so I puttered around, made up the bed and they headed out to the balcony for some private chat. By the time he came back in, he was in much better form and tackled the tasks at hand with cheer. Brad put together the new furniture and Amber organized his CD collection while I washed the remaining dishes and put them away.

Then came the time to leave. I had planned on staying there tonight but the couch didn’t make it in the first load, so I was heading out to my niece’s to sleep…and darn near got out the door until this lovely child of mine demanded tears from me…I had managed to construct a nice wall around them until now, denial was working well for me…then she spoke and proceeded to inform me of why I should be crying…it was too much. I broke. Sob, sob, sob…I finally left after about 20 hugs and kisses and reassurances from Brad that he will be good to her and cried all the way to my niece’s house. I finally settled down shortly after arriving there and managed to hold it together for the rest of the evening.

Then I had to drive home in the morning. I cried the whole way. Just when I would stop and clear my head and eyes, I would start again. And not just easy tears falling – HUGE GASPING SOBS. My wall had come down. The car is a nice place to cry…no one is watching, but my vision blurred many times, lol. I found myself at my friend’s house in East Havre Boucher and stopped there for a hug – GAWD I needed one by that point. And she did, and we cried together. Then I finally got in control again, and sat and chatted with her for a couple of hours before heading home. What an exhausting day.

The Graduate

I watched you today as you stood on the stage
And thought to myself, you've come of age.
You're ready now to go out on you own
And it hurt to see how the time has flown.

Where is that child of only three
Who loved to climb up on my knee
And ask such questions as who or why
What is that thing up in the sky?

Wasn't it only yesterday you started school,
And I tried so hard to be very cool,
But, as you walked in the door and sat in your place,
I did what I could to hide my face.

Remember that day we walked to the park,
We played so late, it began to get dark.
We started back home, your little hand in mine,
You were so happy and had such a good time.

It seems to me you were only eight,
When you wanted to know when you could date.
I laughed and said, "You're a little young,
But all too soon your time will come."

Before I knew it, you were in your teens,
Sloppy T-shirts and scruffy blue jeans,
Parties and dances, staying out late,
Ignoring your homework, saying, "It can wait."

Now you stand before me with your diploma in hand,
In your cap and gown, and you look so grand.
I hold back the tears that threaten to fall,
And put on a smile as you walk down the hall.

I look at you and I want to see
The little child who sat on my knee.
But the years are gone and can't be revived,
Except in my heart, where I will keep them alive.

So now it's time for me to let go,
How much it hurts, you'll never know.
Go now, my child, take your place in the crowd,
For whatever you do, I know I'll be proud.

by Florence Brown
Corner Brook, NF

I had come across this poem many years ago in a Newfoundland newspaper while I still lived in Grand Bruit and knew it was the one I wanted to keep for her special day. I pasted it into a scrapbook with corresponding photos and it looks wonderful. I cry each time I read it because it says what I am feeling so well.

The Empty Nest

Well, she's moved out. I'm in Halifax now, at my neice's house. The original plan was to stay at Amber's last night on the couch, but it didn't make it from Port Hawkesbury yet, so I'm over here. So that found me leaving her behind in her new apartment with the boyfriend a day early...WAHHHHHHH...I had been holding it together very well, thank you, all along. Denial was working pretty good for me. Then as I left this young lady's apartment, she demanded tears from me before I left and then set to work telling me the reasons why I should be crying...ask and you shall receive...I cried the whole way here, and then some.

So there I stood, a blubbering mess, locked in embrace with my only child, leaving her as she begins the next chapter of her life - in her own home. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. Gawd, I'm blubbering again now.

How did I get here so fast? How can I be the mother of a grown child who lives in another city? Where is that child who would patter out from her room, Sally Ann (the doll) tucked under one arm as she sleepily rubbed her eyes and croaked out "good morning mommy". It's one of my favorite memories of her childhood. I heard this for years, and now I long to hear it again. Since moving into my new place, I have set this Sally Ann upon my closet shelf - she too had been outgrown...and when I feel lonesome, I will leave that door open so that I may remeniece about this child. My friends say having Sally Ann and the other dolls of her childhood on the shelf creep them out, but they bring me only comfort - although I have to admit, the porcelain doll is a bit creepy and will soon find new quarters.

I have left my daughter to take her place in the crowd - go now Amber and make me proud. (paraphrased from a poem by Florence Brown that will be posted in a few days).

Graduation Week

Oh what a night…or should I say nights…as previously described, the past week was to be a busy one…The week began with the Grand March and Prom Night. The Grand March appeared to be quite a waste of time and energy…you take over 100 graduates, pair them up and make them prance around the auditorium stage for an hour in various groupings. There is no significance attached, it just is. The auditorium is another story…there is no limit on who can attend, so everyone and their dog and their neighbor came, and because I though 20 minutes before it began was soon enough to go, I had to stand in the hall. The auditorium was PACKED and people spilled into the stairways, jammed the back areas, etc. I managed to finally squeeze in behind some others standing up, but it was uncomfortable to do so for an hour…elbows in the face and back and so on…all for naught…just a bit of prancing. So then they announce that the fathers are to dance with the daughters. Amber’s dad is still in Halifax so she had pre-arranged for Brad’s father to dance with her, just so she wouldn’t feel left out. It was very sweet and sure made her happy. Following that, they danced with their date, then proceeded into the gym for the Prom. I had a look around and took a few pictures before heading home. There wasn’t much for décor, but the tiki bar was cool. This year’s theme had been Tropical Paradise or something like that.

Tuesday night was the Grad Dinner. This was a purchased ticket affair, so tons of room for us to sit, and a lovely meal. The tech class had prepared a video collage which was very nice to watch while we ate dinner, and there were a few presentations and speeches…not much, which was FINE with me.

Wednesday evening, I finished off moving my stuff to the new house. I was getting tired, but not out of steam yet. Thursday morning I had to work, then spent all afternoon unpacking, then headed into town to have supper with Amber, Brad, Al and his crazy lady. Al treated us all to Pizza Delight which was a nice surprise. Then we headed off to the graduation and got excellent seats. It was a proud night for us as parents. Amber received the Honor Cord which is awarded for maintaining an 85% average all during high school…you could see the heads turn when she received THAT…as many judged her by her appearance and assumed she was just another dumb punk…NOT! She also received several bursaries, including one from each of the local newspapers, which was very cool. She beamed with pride as the tears rolled down my cheeks. I thought I was going to lose it a few times, but carefully reconstructed that wall around my emotions for a few more days yet…I had so much more to do…

Friday I spent cooking and cleaning, and getting prepared for the big party I was to throw for Amber’s success. My brother was even coming down, which tickled both Amber and I. I also had a bunch of the gals coming, Brad’s mother and sisters, Amber’s friends and parents, etc….It was a huge success, and people were so generous and kind to Amber…it was nice to see her enjoy the day so much. Brad was chief cook on the grill and did a fabulous job – Thanks bud! There was too much food, as usual, but settled nicely in my fridge and Amber’s. We wound down around 11pm or so and were EXHAUSTED.

Amber was able to garner tears out of many of the women by showing them the booklet I had prepared for her with the poem in it. I’ll post it above. It is a beautiful poem.

Moving Day

Well, its pissing down rain...I hadn't counted on that, but we will move just the same...I mean, its not like the boxes will disentegrate in the rain...will they? depends on how heavy...lol

Just brought fresh Timmys to the younguns in an attempt to get them moving this morning...they have limited lounging time this morning...

Lets get MOVING!!!

Grad Dinner

Ok, it was a good meal, we weren't crowded in and there were seats left over. They showed a video production that was pretty good, although Amber only appeared in a baby photo, likely because she finished school in January and the shot it after that. But the video was entertaining and well put together just the same. Dinner was hot turkey, mashed potatoes, veggies, coleslaw and rolls. Only one more night of this to go...

Well, got a call tonight that my house is cleaned and ready...whoo hoo! I can pick up the keys tomorrow, so that's AWESOME! I have to get some $$$ from my new roomie so I can give them a cheque for the rent and damage deposit. Then we are good to go! I can hardly wait...I'd begin moving tomorrow night if I had time, but there is that pesky grad dinner...wonder how late that runs? If I can just get out there with the entertainment unit and get that beast put together...we shall see...

I am ready to move. Now.

The Grand March

What is that anyhow...well, at SAERC (Strait Area Education and Recreation Centre) it means cramming 1000 people into a 500 seat auditorium, and having them watch the grads prance around in their prom outfits to the sound of Pachelbel's Canon. They walked SO SLOW, you know that old step shuffle that people used to do at weddings...and prance around on the stage for about 30 minutes, then they have the grads dance with their matched partner, then call for the dads and moms to dance with their son/daughter. It was interesting to see the parents try to shuffle their way through the overcrowded auditorium, over seats, people, etc...but they all managed to get there. Then they had the grads dance with their prom dates, and THEN they made their way to the gym where the actual prom was taking place. I went over to take a peek, as I didn't go to my prom, so wanted to at least say I had been to someones!!! It was a tropical theme, and looked pretty nice, but not overly decorated. Nothing on the ceiling at all, and very little on the walls. Just a few props, but the Tiki bar was pretty cool. I guess they had a problem with getting people to volunteer to decorate. same old story.

Anyhow, she seemed happy enough, whatever it looked like and they'll have a few dances there, and head off to the prom party after the dance ends at midnight or so, coming home to change of course!!!

So there we are, one night of Grad nearly over, only three more to go...

The Prom

Well, tonight is her last prom. As usual, some things are left to the last minute...I asked her a couple of days ago before I packed all my sewing stuff if her dress was too long. I had only seen it on her in the store, without shoes. She assured me it was indeed the right length with her shoes on. So tonight when this charming child tries on her dress now that she has her hair all fluffed and done, and this child shows her mother - it is about 2-3 inches too long. A disaster waiting to happen...GAWD. So rifling through boxes I go, just two hours before prom, digging out sewing stuff and off to the sewing machine I go. It got done, but I should have know better...

But par for the course. Earlier today, she headed over to Brad's aunt to get her hair done. I was to pick her up at the aunts and bring her home...after all, we can't have her hitchhiking back with such poofy hair. I had timed my last home visit to end at the end of the work day and then off I would go to pick up said child. 10 minutes left of my home visit and out comes a disclosure about another child being abused...WTF!!! So I get all the info I can, then tear off out the door, hoping to catch a supervisor still at work, phone half the building and find no one at their desks...of course, its 4:30pm and they're out of there like a herd of elephants...sheesh. I drive just down the street to my own house (see, clients are too close for comfort) so I can use a land phone, make another dozen calls, leave a phone message for my supervisor and take off to get said child. I am tearing off towards her and see traffic ahead (I live in SMALL TOWN) so I know the only reason for traffic is the causeway is open. DRAT! So I end up finally getting a hold of my supervisor, giving out the referral on speakerphone while waiting for the causeway to open up...it finally does, I am still on speakerphone, driving across the causeway, then make the turnoff to where said child is when I hear this enormous horn blow - I look in my rearview to see who the hell I have pissed off now, thinking I cut off a trucker or something and then swing my head back to the front of me just in time to notice the train coming down the tracks and the railway crossing lights FLASHING...I slam on the breaks, pull up the emergency break, all while still chatting on the speakerphone with supervisor and after hours duty worker...the train passes, I keep on going, trying to remember where the heck I am picking up this kid at as I have never been there before, still on the cell phone in the crook of my neck, imparting valuable information...I tear up someones driveway, not knowing where I am going, back up with cell still under my neck, hoping I don't land in the ditch (as anyone knows me, I don't do well backing down driveways...) and then decide ENOUGH!!! I AM PARKING TO FINISH THE DARN CALL! Just as I do, said child comes waltzing down the driveway - it was the right one after all...she says to me "didn't you see me waving my hands to you???" Sure...just get in the car before someone dies tonight.

So, we made it home, supper was a mixed bag...lovely roasted chicken that I had managed to stuff at lunchtime and entrusted to the younguns to cook. Brad burnt the potatoes and did not realize it would affect the taste when he mashed it all together...hmmm...I had also not realized there were only two measly carrots....so we had chicken and stuffing with a few scraps of carrot.

And now it is raining and I didn't get any outdoor pictures of said child in her dress because I spent too much time hemming it tonight.

And the fun has just begun...

moving day is approaching and it can't come soon enough! I have my living room filled with boxes and almost all of the entertainment packed up with the exception of this computer and my little tv in my bedroom. I may have to resort to a book.

Seriously though, I was reading Alistair MacLeod's No Great Mischief and should probably get back to that. Things have all been awry with all the changes this month...it will be great to get back into some sort of routine. I haven't been on my treadmill in a number of days, but not like I am not running marathons anyhow with everything that has to be done. It seems like I pack every day, for hours, and there is still so much to pack...endless!

And just when I thought I had a night to spend with the younguns, and had planned a nice chicken dinner...they were (and me) invited out to his parents for a lobster feast. Now I don't eat lobster, but was assured there was plenty else...it's the thought that counts. We are giving Brad his graduation present tonight too, an accoustic guitar that he has mentioned wanting no less than 100 times since I have known him and he darn near bought one a number of times, but we had been planning this forever. His face will light up the room tonight, I'm sure. He surely deserves it too, as he has worked so hard at everything and we are all so proud of him. Music means so much to him too, and he loves the accoustic sound of this particular one.

so my chicken dinner has been rescheduled to tomorrow night, and hope that everyone here can put a hand in towards cooking it as we are all fairly busy - me with work, Amber with grand march and then getting THE HAIR done, and I am not sure what Brad is up to tomorrow. It must be cooked tomorrow though as we are out of nights to cook for them.

they managed to work something out for moving their stuff. A relative of Brad's is going to let us use his truck to tow a trailer to Halifax with all their stuff in it. Who'd a thunk it was so hard to arrange a move, but I guess everyone moves out of Cape Breton, and few move in.

Brad is in the middle of a job interview right now, at A & W (not to work at A & W though) with some fellows from Rod's Machine Shop in Halifax. He was quite excited so I hope he gets the job. The real challenge will be figuring out the bus system in time to get to work! I may stay an extra night to help them sort that out.

Like Brad always says...things are coming up Brad all over...lol

ConBRADulations

Well, the boyfriend of resident teen has graduated tonight from college. He successfully completed the diploma in Welding, 2 year program. YAY BRAD! And today he received a call about a job. Remember the trip to Halifax last week? Well one of the resumes he dropped off paid off and they are down in Cape Breton for the weekend at Margaree, and will drive to Port Hastings (next door) for the interview at none other than A & W, where the resident teen will be working that day...talk about pressure!!! We wish him well, and hope he gets the job...he'll hear later this week.

So now the kid needs to get a job, but it looks good for her...her boss is going to make a call to the owner, who also owns the A & W's in Halifax and help her get a job there. With any luck, they will both be working just days after they move next weekend...now if they can only find a way to get their stuff there!!! There appear to be no rental trucks available, and they can't scrape up a friend to take a truck towing a trailer...not yet anyhow...I told them good luck...its their responsibility to get their stuff up there and I had cautioned them on gathering too much before they moved...now they have a truck load.

the younguns have headed out to a party tonight in L'Ardoise. At least they have a DD tonight, so I can rest easy, and the DD and b/f are coming back into town reasonably early to go to another party. I will content myself watching Ellen tonight, as I usually do!

well, my friend Kathleen has moved all of her stuff out, except for what she takes on the plane and in the car. The movers came today to take her stuff up north, and her dad was over to pick up her stuff for storage at his place...I guess I really am going to move in! The landlord wants to have a couple of days to check things out, fix anything, etc, then I can begin to move stuff in. We had a few drinks and food over at the local tap and grill tonight to say good bye and the gang at work chipped in for a digital camera for her. She is travelling the Dempster Highway and will be working up north for a bit and we want to see what it looks like up there! So I set her up with a blog and an msn community in which to share her photos.

seems tonight is not so newsworthy...

The Hubcap

Ray: Above all instruments, why did you choose a hubcap?

Kevin: Raymond, I am a hubcap player because my father before me was a hubcap
player Raymond, and his father before him was a hubcap player Raymond,
and in order to play a hubcap back in the 1930s, you had to be willing to grab on to the old spoke wheel, tire and all. So, give her, come on.
- Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers

And then there was the ordeal with the hubcap. Last Tuesday, as earlier reported, I had a flat tire in Halifax, just around the corner almost from the Toyota dealership. It was drizzling rain and so Brad was elected to change the tire and touch the "dirty stuff" - you know, the "guy stuff". Not that I can't change a tire, because I can and I have done it more times that Brad, who has no driver's license yet...however, I wanted to give him a "manly task" in light of the dress shopping we were about to do. So he changed the tire effectively enough, but left out one small detail - the hubcap. I recalled seeing it on the grass next to the parking lot where we changed the tire, and I recall thinking it was going to be left behind. I further recall mentioning such a thing and being assured it wouldn't. I can almost recall the hubcap being placed in the trunk on top of the tire. Almost

Great. We went to Toyota, got the new tire, and away we went. As we are leaving Halifax the next day and are already out of the city, I notice - no hubcap. Great. Did Toyota forget to put it back on? So I called them and got one of my HUGEST PET PEEVES - automated voice system. I got to a point where I thought I could leave a message, but was left wondering was I talking to a dead phone, or was something being recorded. I had politely asked that if they had my hubcap, could they call me back and let me know either way. If they had it, I wanted them to send it on to my local Toyota Dealership.

Well, no one called. A week went by so I called them again and found out that they had actually written on the work order that no hubcap was found to put on once the tire was replaced. I looked at my copy of the work order - no mention. Oh, sorry about that Ms Billard, it should have been noted on your work order. No shit. If it had, I would have realized right away that I didn't have a hubcap and could have gone around the corner to the Canadian Tire gas bar and gotten it where it likely sat on the grass. Now here we are a week later, who knows where it could be??? Thanks bud.

So I called the Canadian Tire gas bar - luckily there are a limited number and I got the right one on the first call. Yes we have a hubcap from a Toyota. CAN YOU HOLD IT FOR ME??? Sure, we will put it in the office. BTW, where did you find it - on the grass next to the curb. Oh, ok. Thanks. I will pick it up in two weeks.

So I talk to B-Rad and he swears he put the hubcap in my trunk when he changed the tire. Um, apparently not there B-Rad. But all is ok because I can get it back next week. Saved me from buying a $50 part for the car. I just have to have a naked rear right tire for a little while longer. heh heh.

Ok, I have had about enough sun. HAHAHAHA just kidding. It has been really nice weather here lately, and not too hot, just hovering in the high teens and 20s which is JUST where I like it to be. I sure hope moving day is about the same. There is talk that we won't be getting a very nice summer and not much heat. WEll, sunny days I would like, but the usual humid high heat spells, good riddance!

I would like to hear from my faithful readers - you know who you are. Hows about a comment or two once in a while? Just click on the comments below each entry, click post a comment and then type something in the box so I know who's there. I know of at least 4 of you that read this nearly every day :-) come on, admit it!

the worst is yet to come

Well, went to the Annual General Meeting tonight for my agency. Was chatting with someone from our board of directors who works part-time with the resident teen. He started talking about how I would miss her when she moves away...gawd, I nearly bawled on him. The worst is yet to come. When I have to drive out of her parking lot on the 27th, I know it will be just plain hard. How do you separate from someone who has been in your life for 18 years? And for the past 7 years, it has basically just been the two of us, with the exception of a few months here and there when her father lived with us (not counting the collection of room mates I had in university).

I know my every happiness isn't defined by her, but she sure brightens my day! Lookout Cibele, I will be looking to mother you, heh heh. FYI, Cibele is the new rommie that moves in next week with me. I took her out to see the house last night for the first time and she loved it. I can't wait to be living there and all unpacked. For anyone that knows me, I prefer my things ordered and in their place...I am not a neat freak by any stretch...the dustbunnies can attest to this, but I am bothered by clutter, so having my stuff all crammed into boxes here and there this week really bothers me! So by next Wednesday when I finally get to haul some of it out of here, I will surely be batty!!!

We chatted with the new neighbors last night too, and the landlord. They are such nice people, we are so lucky. And the landlord, Stephen is such a character, I just know we will hit it off. He was cutting the grass last night so stirred up all the black flies...they were NUMEROUS!!! I have a few bites already this year. Lookout West Nile Virus!

anyhow, back to the kid and the worst is yet to come - I imagine her graduation will be a tearful event...the school will likely be looking for a muzzle for me, as I am bad enough at weddings, let alone my only child's graduation. I will have to work hard to keep it in check for sure. Don't want to embarrass her too much, heh heh.

so now I am off to pack some more crap...it is neverending...

tomorrow is hump day

ah yes, Wednesday, aka hump day. And what a hump it will be. My life is so busy these days, filled to the brim with "stuff". If anyone is interested in what my calendar holds for the remainder of the month (as interested as you are in any of the other drivel I blather on endlessly about)much of it social obligations or desires

Wednesday, June 16th - drive to Sydney for work, getting home around 6:00pm or so and pack
Thursday, June 17th - work all day, go out with friends to say goodbye to co-worker after work
Friday June 18th - supposed to be my relief day off for being on duty all week - oh no..court that was supposed to be on Thursday is now on Friday and I have two cases so must be there. Attend court, then take kid to new foster home...then attend graduation ceremony for resident teen's boyfriend that night
Saturday June 19th - pack and clean
Sunday June 20th- pack and clean
Monday June 21st - work all day, then attend Amber's Grand March and see her off to the prom. After prom (midnight) take both to prom party. 5am, pick up from prom party
Tuesday June 22nd - work all day, attend grad dinner, then begin moving items to house in country
Wednesday, June 23rd - spend day moving into house in country with car, then evening with friends who have trucks moving furniture
Thursday June 24th - unpack and arrange all day, cook for party tomorrow, then attend graduation ceremony that night for resident teen (don't forget to make sandwiches for ceremony), take new graduate and boyfriend to grad party, then pick up at 5am
Friday June 25th - attend court AGAIN, finish cooking for graduation party at 4pm, then host party until who knows when
Saturday June 26th - move resident teen and boyfriend to Halifax, packing truck and then unloading truck in Halifax that day.
Sunday June 27th - return from Halifax, clean old house
Monday June 28th - finish cleaning house, return keys to now former landlord and finish settling into new home.

I will be a little tired.

Got me a nice sunburn today. I was sitting out back with a friend and the kid's boyfriend and we all got some sun. Except is is only on my legs, the left side of each...guess I should have faced the sun more, lol.

The packing is coming right along. I have most all non-essentials packed in all rooms. The walls are bare, the windows are bare and their curtains have been washed and packed. My desk is just about empty, and the only place left that has not been packed up is the kitchen. I've gathered one box of Tupperware and taken the blue glass off the window, but I have been avoiding it basically. Too many breakables. And I am almost out of paper, and don't want to use newspaper. I gave my friend Kathleen a huge bag of it that I really needed myself...darn.

What bugs me most is the clutter and mess that comes with packing. ARRRRGGGGGHHHHH! I can't wait to be all set up again in another place and packing far behind. Why did I decide to move again??? Oh yeah, I remember, the noise, the clients, the smell, the noise (did I say that already). So lets go already. I don't move for 10 days, but I am darn near ready now.

I tried to watch an old movie tonight, Trainspotting - ps-ycho, (psss cyco - its the new thing with the kid). All I know is that it was too hard to understand all those scots! Strong accent and I was not up for translating, lol. I just want to watch a nice happy story. I tried to watch one that they had rented last night (movies aren't due back until 10pm here) Club Dread...well holy cow...GROSS, so that wasn't a happy story either. Then I fell asleep watching Return to Me which is a happy ending story, but some sad stuff throughout. I gave up and am now on my way to bed...got a full week ahead of me...sigh.

sunny days, driftin away

ok, I wish, but the time is slipping by fast and I haven't finished packing yet! I move in just 10 days or so, and I have SO MUCH TO DO! And then we move the kid after that. Yikes! I did manage to pack up most of the living room the other day, but nothing since. Today my goal is to pack up at least two rooms, and get all the bedding washed out. My house is a mess, and I can't STAND it!

It is cold out again today, but sunny at least, so makes for a pleasant enough day.

Amber is working all day today and tomorrow. The boyfriend has gone with friends for the weekend, kind of a last hurrah before moving away in two weeks. So I am basically alone for most of the weekend...have to be productive, although I am hoping to visit friends out in the country later today or tomorrow.

must get going now...

Here kitty, kitty, kitty

ok, so I'm packing to move and the cat is insane. She is jumping in and out of boxes, and around furniture, on top of bags, threading herself through plastic bags, and so on...then she gets behind a box and gets trapped. I guess she squeezed in behind it, and realized the only way out was to back up...which she had some difficulty doing, so instead I hear scrabbling and scratching and I was wondering WHAT IN THE HELL IS SHE DOING??? so I finally found her, trapped behind the box and rescue her. She looks at me totally non-plussed as if to say "I was fine, I was just checking out this here box". She is too funny. Now she is curled up licking herself on a huge Walmart bag. I fail to understand the attraction of sleeping on a rattling plastic bag, but she does it all the time. Put a bag in a room anywhere, and she is ON it.

She is such a great cat...don't know what I would do without her. I hope she likes the new place, and whoops any mice that happen to inhabit the house.

Well, I deleted my last post. I just couldn't even stand to look at it myself. I have used this blog to natter on endlessly and felt I was spoiling the normally lighthearted mood I tried to keep here, even when complaining about the kid. So I deleted it. I don't want to be reminded every time I log on of the whole situation, and I don't want to remind others either. So here we are, back to the lighter stuff...check out my next post!

My dear sweet child

It is hot here. It is even hotter in my house because the dear sweet child was cold in the house, so opened all the curtains and windows and turned my once cool house into an OVEN. It is 29C with a humidex of 32C, which is not the worst its been, but coming from about 5C yesterday, it is hot enough. She had been outside, sunning herself, and got too hot so came inside and found it too cold, so opened the windows AND the screenless window in the side door. We now have several LARGE wasps in the house. Thankfully I have been able to trap most of them in the windows when I shut them all again.

You would think she had learned how to keep the house cool in humid weather...after all, we did spend FIVE years in hot, humid and polluted southwestern Ontario, but NOOOOOO, she forgot the whole thing. So I chewed her out for it, and she said she was sorry...doesn't help me though. Our air conditioning is not yet reinstalled at work, so I sweated the day away in the sauna that is my office, only to come home to absolutely no relief. ARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHH.

Ok, I feel vented now...

and did I mention the accident that I inadvertently caused? While we were working on Friday, we were waiting to meet up with police in order to serve the parents, and I pulled into a driveway between two businesses, kind of like an alley. I wanted to pull out again and face the other way as I couldn't see the police when they came. So I began to back up, and the truck that had parked across the end of my car noticed, so he began to back up, BUT what he didn't do, is look in his rearview mirror...there was a little car right behind him, kind of the size of a Ford Escort...he crunched right into the drivers side front panel and tore paint and metal...I was waving to him and yelling for him to stop, but when he finally did, it was too late. He had one of those big dimpled steel bumpers too, so he didn't get a scratch. It was almost funny, although not for the escort...heh heh.

Glad it wasn't my car!

The Halifax Trip

Well, it has been an eventful two days...we left early yesterday morning for Halifax, and spent the morning having Brad drop off resumes in over a dozen Welding shops in Burnside and area. He got some good vibes from several of them, so hope that he gets a bite. Then we went in search of apartments...there wasn't much to pick from in the price range they can afford...the first place we looked at was a DUMP and STUNK. It was so tiny, there wasn't room to turn around. BUT the second place they looked at was so awesome, they jumped on it right away. It was $600/month with heat and hot water included. The apartment is clean, new looking with beautiful kitchen cupboards, roomy and bright, with a lovely view overlooking the harbour and bridge I think. We were shown the one down below it, but she clamied it was even nicer. A very secure building, nice laundry room right there, and an underground parking garage. So, they filled out an application and found out some hours later that they were accepted for a one year lease. AND, it is just down the street from where her father lives, so he can walk over any time. Which is awesome, then he doesn't have to bring HER, who Amber does not like, let alone me.

Following checking out the apartment, we were heading over to look and see where her father lives, and happened to skim a curb with the car and popped a tire. Thankfully it happened just up the street from the Toyota dealership!!! So Brad and I whacked on the donut tire and headed back to the dealership where they replaced the tire (all covered under my Extended Car Plan) and we were on our way. We headed down to Halifax Shopping Centre where Amber found the perfect prom dress at Sears at a very reasonable price, and then we picked up a tie for Brad, and shoes for the kid. They also bought some household items too.

So then we headed back to my neice's house for the rest of the evening, and visited. My other neice showed up and it was great to see everyone.

This morning we have to go to the bank, sign the lease, check out the shipyards (more resumes from Brad) and then we get to go home...I get to relax, they get to pack. Their apartment is free to move into on the 15th of this month, which is just next week! It panicked them a little, but they will be ok. We will be moving them on the 19th, as we have to wait for the weekend for me to be able to drive the truck up there. Amber can't move up until the following weekend as she has her Grad stuff all that week. And sometime in there I have to move out of my place!!! I just don't see any restful days coming soon...And I haven't even begun to pack!!!

no wonder I am tired...

I thought weekends were for relaxing...

Apparently not for me...sheesh...well, I did manage to squeeze some in at the staff bbq and overnight on Friday night...although I was late for that because I was too busy at work, and had to take two children into care, which creates a WHOLE LOTTA more work. Main thing is, the kids are now safe, and that is why I am there in my job.

So the BBQ and staff party...well, we had delicious steaks, lobster and chicken with tons of salads, and there definitely was alcohol flow...the entertainment of the night was a Scavenger Hunt that myself and another worker ran...BOY OH BOY do they get competitive when they think they can win something. It was cutthroat I tell you. And following the hunt, we went into Karaoke...WELL NOW, I never knew we had so much talent at the agency. Britney Spears and Christina Skankulara showed up (W.) and was trying to sex up the show, says she. Well, it must have worked on the Testosterone part of the judging because they won fo best act. Our group won for Funniest, and that we were. We had on big eye glasses, and sang Summer Nights from the Grease Soundtrack, then Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer...and when Britney tried to sex up our act and interfere, we pretended to kick the crap out of her (S. and I). It was hilarious.

So Saturday...drive back from overnight, shop for birthday party, then finish A.'s recipe book - had do hand-stamp the design on after good friend R. printed it off for me. The plain print looked a little blah, so used my scrapbooking stamps to finish it up. That took me only THREE HOURS!!! Then I had to write notes from the day before as I had to meet with our agency lawyer for an affidavit the next day....THREE HOURS MORE. I was exhausted but waited up for the kid to come home. She and the boyfriend had taken my car to Antigonish for the evening to visit with some friends. When they got back, we celebrated A.'s birthday, since it was just past midnight on the 6th of June. She loved her gifts, and try as we might to make her cry with our sappy cards and poems, we didn't crack her. She's tough...Brad even wrote her a song, and called it A.'s Song. It is quite nice. So after the gifts, we stayed up until 2:30am watching the Trailer Park Boys. Brad and I got hungry so we cooked up some spaghetti and no sooner had we sat down to eat it when the power went out!!! So there we sat in total darkness, with our spaghetti...I fumbled around for some matches, and we finished by candlelight. Mine got cold, however, so I did try to warm it up in the microwave...

Up again at 6:00am, got work to do...make potato salad, macaroni salad, make cookies...ooops, missing ingredient for cookies...phew, don't have to make those now. Head over to the office to put my notes into the sytem..can't because the server is down, probably from the power being off...head to lawyers office and print off there. Then got the gang up later to help clean up the house for company that was coming for lunch. Then chop up all the stuff for shishkabobs, realize I don't have room for them all on BBQ, look for charcoal for hibachi...send kid out, she comes back without starter fluid...I go out, 6 stores later, find some.

The BBQ was Awesome, we had 7 of us sitting in party hats and chowing down. We all hung out for a bit then it was time for the kid to head to work, and I had to get to the lawyer's office to do up my affidavit. THREE HOURS LATER I get to come home...and phew...too tired so go straight to bed.

Where does the relaxing part come in???

My famous neighbors

Did I mention that someone almost famous came to my yard sale? Turns out Ashley MacIsaac's mother was at my yard sale...they live two doors down. I am thrilled (HAHAHAHA).

For those of you who DON'T know who Ashley is, he is a very talented fiddler from Cape Breton with a very talented way for getting his bad boy mouth into trouble. He is also known for flashing the crowd when he wears his kilt when he plays.

If you want to know more about this local boy who made it big and pissed a lot of people off with his antics...check here - Ashley MacIsaac You can even hear samples of his music here.

Just think, they have lived there for months and I never knew.

And incidentally, I actaully saw Ashley perform on stage in Waterloo some years back. He played in Hagey Hall on the University of Waterloo campus - no admission charge. He was awesome and quite subdued, in spite of his knack for grandstanding and pranks.

Releasing my anger

Well, I was faced with a situation tonight that led to immediate anger. It wasn't even all that life alteraing, but I got angry nonetheless...welcome to a Sophia moment...

Picture it, Guatemala, 2004...it was towards the end of the trip I had dragged myself and daughter through sweaty central america and I hadn't bought hardly a single souvenir for myself. Finally, there they are, the perfect gift for me - a set of 6 lovely vivid blue and multicolor (as things in Guatemala always are) placemats and napkins. I HAD to have them. Sure, I had seen tons of sets before, but these, oh these were just the right shade and coloring. So I haggled, as they do very well in central america, and bought them. I don't even recall the price, really - likely about 25 or 30 quetzales, which is just about $4US or so. Not a lot of money, but I was very happy with them. I had bought a purse in Flores, and now we were in Antigua, I bought the placemats. I later bought a large cloth, and a book cover and that was it. Lovely daughter had bought dozens of things for herself. Good for her. We were worried about weight on the small prop plane we returned to Flores on, so I packed all my souvenirs in my old purse (its a big purse) and lugged them onto the plane. I had bought a number of things for friends and family. They all made it back to Canada safely, so it should have been a happy ending...

think again. I had thought about not using the placemats, but then, I hate the thought of buying anything and putting it "away" for later. So I put them out. The very first meal we have on them, my lovely daughter spills a large quantity of gravy on hers. So, deep breath...I take it and rinse it in the kitchen sink and hang it on the back of the chair to dry. She hears me rant briefly about it, and UNDERSTANDS that the placemats are important to me. AT LEAST THATS WHAT I THOUGHT.

Today, this darling child feasts on lobster on our dining room table. I am not home, but at work. It's her birthday in a few days and dad sent her money which she bought herself a feast of lobster with since he isn't close by to take her out. Wonderful. what a lovely idea. Too bad she forgot to take the placemats off the table. They get downright filthy, apparently, as you can imagine what two young people are like with four lobsters in front of them...why not do what she had done her whole life of growing up with lobsters and spread newspapers over the table??? Or better yet, eat them outside on the patio table and then hose it off. But no, that was too much trouble. Instead, they spill water and lobster crap all over them and then thinks that the best solution is to take these placemats and fires them off into the laundry with a bunch of clothes before I get home from work....

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I still am unaware. This darling child goes off to work in my car, I come home and notice the placemats are not on the table, but figure she just moved them off while they ate the lobsters on newspaper. After all, the table is cleared of everything, so it was a logical assumption. And as said previously, she has feasted on lobster every year of her life since she could chew it up, and it was ALWAYS ON NEWSPAPERS. I don't say anything to Brad, and hang out for a while before my friend comes over and we go out for shopping and a draft at Millers. Forward to me coming home and up the stairs to find Brad sitting on the edge of her bed, untangling something from darling child's clothing. I figure it is just the waistband of some underwear or a bra that has unravelled, like usual and wrapped itself into a knot on some piece of clothing.

I wish. Turned out to be the unravelling of my dear placemats. She had washed AND dried them in the dryer. There are threads everywhere as they unravelled from the abuse. They are faded and the blue color has run into the lighter colors, and they are shrunken to the size of napkins, or smaller. Brad looks helplessly at me, and asks me if I am going to lose it...I smile ever so sweetly and answer, OH YES, I AM. I call the darling child and chew her a new body cavity, and then get back to the placemats. He has managed to unleash the pair of pyjama pants they had tangled their unravelled selves up in and hands me the BALL of thread. I had to cut them apart and trim all the ends. It is a darn shame.

I have to wonder what possessed her to put them in the dryer, as she has seen me put our woven placemats (from Walmart or the Dollar store) hang on the drying rack in the basement for YEARS!!! And to add to it, when I cleaned the gravy off, she asked me how I did it and I told her I rinsed it in the sink because I didn't want to put them in the washer. Apparently I was tuned OUT that day.

Now I know that they are just material things, pieces of cloth, but for gawd's sake, I sweat my butt off on that trip and brought back very few souvenirs and now she has ruined one of them already. We haven't even been back a month yet.

But then I have to acknowledge a comment made by this darling child which puts it in another light..."I guess I just got you back for breaking my shotglass from the colliseum in Rome last year". Well, perhaps...but you ruined a set of 6 placemats, where I only broke 1 shotglass, and that was because you had it put next to the computer on an unsteady keyboard tray...comparable? good question.

I am left with one thought then, tonight...when is moving day again?

now, that's done. called all the utility companies and made necessary arrangements. The only possible glitch is that Aliant is on strike (the phone company) so we might be late getting my number moved out to the house...however, Cibele is taking over Kathleen's phone number and they don't have to come out for that, so should be able to do it in a day or two once she moves out. So we will have her line to begin with.

I have to say goodbye to high speed internet...whatever will I do??? There is only dial-up, so I won't be online as much. I am ordering the unlimited though, so I don't have to count hours. And we will have two phone lines, so if folks can't get us on one, they can try the other. AND there is internet call manager with Aliant that has a popup window that tells you someone is calling you if you happen to be on the net. It will just be the SLOWNESS we have to contend with. Perhaps I will rediscover other pursuits then! I have tons of unfinished projects that I could be working on instead of plunking here each night....be prepared to hear about them, heh heh.

half-way sunny day most of the day...I am getting worried about my tan fading though. Perhaps the sunny day on the weekend we are promised will be warm enough to tan. We have a staff BBQ and overnight event this Friday...I wonder if a raised blood alcohol content will affect tanning ability? Anyone know? ;-)

List of favorite male actors

In no particular order other than how they pop into my large purple head...

Matthew McConaughey - he is just a very beautiful man with an awesome Texas accent
Heath Ledger - mostly when he is in A Knight's Tale...not so much in Four Feathers
Mel Gibson - getting a little old, but what a butt
Robert Redford - just a handsome man, even if those crags are taking over his face
Hugh Grant - not completely handsome, but full of charm and wit - he makes me laugh
Matt Damon - that hometown look
Colin Farrell - its the Irish accent for sure
Harrison Ford - just remember his Han Solo and Indiana Jones days
Brad Pitt - not in the scruffy days, but in The Mexican or Ocean's Eleven - he was just darn cute

I don't have a long list and fancy pics like the Hoser, but there you go. Just click on the name to get a picture of them.

bright and early in the morning, it is..what in the heck am I doing up? Well, I misread the clock for one...thought it was 10 to 7, not 10 to 6. But I am up now, so will take advantage of the quiet morning. I have some reading to finish for NSASW anyhow (oops!), and I want to spend some time on the treadmill again this morning. Its hard work keeping it from becoming a clothes rack, you know.

Thought I might take a cue from the Hoser's blog and do a few lists of my own...

check back occasionally for one when I feel like it.

Moving Days

Well, the verdict is in - I passed the "interview" and have been invited to rent Kathleen's rental house in the country. I am hoping to move in around the 23rd if possible...now comes all the other work....packing of some sort, and phone calls to the utilities to change things over for phone, power, oil, cable, internet, etc.

I have begun a list of things that need to be done...and who is going to help me...remember all those offers of help folks? Don't even think of hiding...I know where you live...heh heh...just kidding...it should run smoothly on the moving days. I am usually organized enough that it just does.

And then at the end of the month, we have move number 2. Amber and Brad will be moving to Halifax for July 1st they hope...we are heading up next Monday to look for an apartment, prom dress and for them both to apply for work in person. I hope they are successful on all issues!

Now for a hello to my faithful readers...Tobey and Tammy...gawd, don't you guys do anything else? just kidding...at least someone is reading it! I like just having it as a record of my meager existence...proof that I have done something other than just sit and knit while watching movies...which actually sounds pretty good right now, only I have reading to do for my NSASW Supervision tomorrow morning (Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers). So off I go...

well HOLY COW

I forgot to mention yesterday that the sun actually came out...it continued to spit rain and we were cheated out of a rainbow, but the sun was out. and it is out again today! I have dressed in corresponding attire, so much so that people will have to put sunglasses on to see me...you see, lime green is back IN! I have on a lime green sleeveless top, and a lime green and dark green floral long skirt. Then you have the purple/red hair to go with that...and it shows off my tan just lovely...

I bought a new bag last night...not a purse, but a tote. I had been using a black soft nylon briefcase for work, but hated the way it looked...so official...yuck, and institutional. So I bought a nice blue and tan tote for about $13 and will use that instead. I thought of a neon beach tote, but rethought that one...after all, I don't want to look ridiculous...HAHAHA...I can hear your snickers from here...

Another long day...work, then off to Antigonish for an appointment - turns out I have asthma...guess that's why I nearly expired on the volcano in Guatemala...heh heh. The doc actually told me it was very dangerous to have such an attack so far from hospital, and no emergency puffer. So I left armed with two prescriptions and a promise to carry the emergency one with me at all times. Sure would have helped me out on the volcano, I tell ya.

Amber and I visited a friend of hers who is in the hospital getting treatments for cancer. The friend is from A & W, and Amber misses her quite a bit, so wanted to visit. She brought her candy, flowers and some Downhomer magazines. Amber made an odd comment though that I hadn't realized before...she had never been to visit anyone in the hospital before. She had surely been as a patient a number of times, especially to outpatients, but could not remember visiting anyone. I reminded her that she did visit me when she was just 2 years old, but of course, would not remember that. She was a little nervous, but I told her just to chat it up with this friend like she always did and enjoy the visit. The friend was likely glad to not have to talk about her illness for a change.

Was out to my friend Kathleen's house tonight. She finally had the opportunity to speak to her landlord about the possibility of me moving into her rental house. So when I got there, they stopped over for the "Interview". It was a little awkward, but we muddled through. They will let me know tomorrow. I think they were just surprised as they didn't know she was even looking for work elsewhere - it had been a low-key effort. So, I will hear tomorrow whether or not I get to finally move out of this noisy town. Either way, Cibele will move in with me next month, and if I have to stay here, I will just keep looking over the summer for another place.

Another busy week...with a fine ending - we have the agency picnic at Whale Cove this Friday. It is an afternoon and overnight adventure, complete with cabins, bbq and games. I went last year and had great fun, so it should be good this year as well. And then Sunday is the 18th birthday for the resident teen...HOLY COW. I am cooking a turkey for she and her friends, and I have to go in this week and order an ice cream cake for her. Brad is going to make some cookies. Should be good fun!

Now it is off to bed with me...and some reading in my latest novel - No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod. It is interesting thus far...

The Great White North

That's the title of my friend Kathleen's new blog. As you know, she is moving up north and she wanted to blog, so I set one up for her and I hope she posts regularly so we can all live vicariously through her although I will not envy the COLD and DARK winter.

Look here for new postings, although I wouldn't expect anything until late June or early July when she actually arrives there.

The Great White North

so I tried to listen to Kool FM and the only player available to listen to it is a TRIAL version they link to their site. rats...I thought I could just listen with Windows Media Player or something like that. if anyone knows how I can configure my own, just let me know.

I had a couple of days in Halifax, just got back last night. I had a training session for work on "Brief Therapy with Adolescents" which was quite helpful, but would have been more so if I actually did therapy with anyone. I only see people a few times, normally, and them move them on to others. But useful just the same. I have found though, that I tend to nod off when someone else talks for more than five minutes, so on the first day, I had a terrible time with the ol' head bob, back and forth...yikes. And it wasn't that he wasn't interesting either. So I brought my knitting the next day and was just fine. You laugh, but I tell you, I began bringing it in my last few months of my BSW degree and it made a world of difference. Instead of nodding off and sleeping through the lectures, I was actually able to pay attention. Thankfully for the other participants, I am not a noisy knitter - no clitcky clacking from me, heh heh.

Got some shopping done, and bought a present for the resident teen - her 18th birthday is in one week...YIKES! I also bought a birthday card and father's day card...you know you have the right card picked out when you start cying in the card store...its so sad, really...and embarrassing.

I have begun a new novel after getting halfway through Sybil again and realized it wasn't what I wanted to read. Now I have begun Alistair McLeod's No Great Mischief so we will see how that goes. I also have a few others on the go in my reading pile on top of my nightstand - The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan, On South Mountain about the Goler Clan, and one about the Dalai Lama and living a better life. There is likely a magazine or two there too.

Went to lunch with my friend who is moving up north...she has just 3 weeks left on this coast and then she heads to Inuvik...BRRRR...can't believe I was considering it myself! Now I am quite comfortable with my decision to stay, and excited for hers to move. Especially if I get to move into her house in the country...heh heh. Then my co-worker Cibele will be moving in with me and the resident teen will be moving OUT. We are going to Halifax again next week to do a little apartment hunting with she and the boyfriend. That and look for a prom gown...leaving it a little late for the prom gown, I know, but perhaps we'll get a deal.

now I hear the couch calling me for a nap...here Jude, come here...

Kool FM

Well, this is very cool...I was chatting on msn with my friend from Waterloo and she has worked for Kool FM for a while and told me tonight that she is "voice tracked" on there until midnight tonight, so I have gone to the site and am listening now...and have been told that it is Kool with a "K". :-)

check it out! Kool FM

The Fate of Sponge Bob Square Pants

Well, although he fought the good fight to move on to a better life, poor Bob has been kicked to the curb, literally. He was auctioned off on e-bay and fetched a handsome price of $12.50US, but then when it came time for shipping, and he was taken out to the post office today, the shipping rates proved to be too much for the bidder to endure at nearly $50. The bidder was let out of his contract, and I had to bag up Bob and take him to the curb for spring trash pick-up sometime this month. Poor guy. Who knew his life would end like this...

and this is another favorite from the session today...

many thanks to the hoser, Shane, for hosting my pics for me.

there's my girl...

new look for a new address

just a note - please do not adjust your set, I have indeed changed the template for my blog. thought I should have a new look for a new address. what do you think?

grad photo day

Well, we finally did it...the planets were finally all lined up and we took the plunge and went to get the resident teen's graduation photos done. We began at Wal-Mart where we had hoped to get them done...turns out our local Wal-Mart does not carry the gown for the local high school. WTF? There are only three high schools in the two counties and they don't actually carry any of their colors. But yet they have a big advertisement for doing graduation photos...whatever for??? So after I pitched an embarassing hissy fit, we left and went to Bob Martin Photos and paid $30 for 12 proofs/poses. We have to then pay $25/sheet which is 1-8x10, or 2-5x7, 4-4x5, etc. Quite a difference from the $3.95 I was going to pay at Wal-Mart. They will get a stern letter from me...

So off we went to Bob Martin's and he was gracious enough to see how frustrated we were since we had taken months to get hair, makeup, absence of zits, schedules, time and so on all together. She dyed her hair yesterday so it was freshly colored for the pic...minus that little smudge of dye on her left cheek...can't see it in the photo, honest! Surprisingly enough, the photos were taken at noon and ready for 3pm. So I picked them up after work and Brad and I browsed the photos at home. The resident teen is at work, so has not seen them yet. There is a really nice one of her in the grad gown and another really nice one in her regular clothes. He took some of each and one of the both of us, but I don't particularly like the one with me in it...my planets were not lined up...

I had my B & W film developed today too, but I was not so impressed with them. It wasn't Bob's fault, but the fault of a crappy camera and not so interesting subject matter in central america. I guess the Roman ruins look better in black and white. We didn't see that many in CA, so there are just a few pics that are frameworthy. Oh well...I have some really nice color pics that I will check out getting enlarged to 5 x 7 I guess.

My friend got a job up north, just the one she had been after for big money. Congrats!! When can I move into your house??? heh heh...I am hoping she will talk to her landlord early this week and let me know, one way or the other. If not, I am not homeless and Cibele will move in here with me next month when the resident teen and her man move out. We are going up to Halifax in two weeks to find those crazy kids an apartment, and take himself around to look for a job.

I am still recovering from the busy weekend...but can't go to bed early as I have to wait for the resident teen to get home and critique her pics or I won't hear the end of it, heh heh. If anyone wants to take a peek, just e-mail me or leave a comment and I can send it to you (family and friends only though).

I have to go to Halifax tomorrow afternoon - have two days training in Halifax so I have booked into the Cambridge Suites which is a pretty nice hotel. Will be nice to have some quiet alone time I guess, although I find staying in hotels rather lonely these days. Too bad someone else wasn't coming from work. I think my office mate is coming, but he is likely staying at his own house as he has a house just outside Halifax. Training is just more fun when there are two or more of you staying in the hotel together.

Ok, my contacts are about an hour past expiry for the day, so must run...later.

Another succcessful girls day. We ate, we drank, we did very little crafts, we watched a few good movies and oh boy, did we laugh! The movies we watched were Thirteen, AGAIN, because a couple of the gals hadn't seen it before. Its a great movie, which is why I bought it. We then watched Scary Movie 3. If you haven't seen any of them, rent them now, they are hilarious. The catch is, you have to have watched at least some of the horror movies that they refer to for it to make any semblance of sense. My favorite part in # 3 has to be the scene with the teacher after someone throws crayons at the door...I just ROARED. We need more teachers like that.

We then watched My Life Without Me, starring Sarah Polley. What an awesome movie. Sad, but a very honest portrayal that was not all sap and drama, just a real story. I would highly recommend it.

We had another movie to watch but were too tired to bother, so just K. stayed over and we headed off to bed after I finished bidding on a movie - St. Elmo's Fire, one of my favorites! The movie we didn't watch, I watched later today - The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer. It was a half-decent scary movie. Good plot, and no gore at all, just psychological stuff.

Now I have to go rinse the purple dye out of my hair...bleached out and redyed today for a fresh new purple. then it will be NAP TIME. Gawd, I need a vacation to get over my holiday weekend.

6th Monthly Girls Day

Well, its here, 6th Monthly Girls Day. We are starting a little later today as it is a holiday tomorrow. I told the gals to come about 3-4pm and we will bbq supper later. Snacks, crafts, liquor, movies and comfy clothes are the order of the day and NO WORK TALK. I have a sign on my fridge that we are not working today and must not discuss work as most of my friends are social workers that I work with. It is a good rule and we are pretty good at adhering to it. Although sometimes I am the culprit.

I have to go find the movie Cold Creek Manor and since the resident teen has the car, if Big Al's Video doesn't have it behind me here, then I guess we don't get it, lol.

Brad has offered to entertain us, but I am not sure in which manner...heh heh, just kididng.

Yard Sale a Rousing Success

Well, its over...the hugest purge I have ever done. And I am $250 richer for it, YAHOO! Things went quite well, and what was left was either moved to the spring garbage pile at the corner of my yard for pick-up, or taken to the local women's shelter (clothes and household items), and I dropped off a huge pile of books for the second hand bookstore for either credit/money. I only brought just a few things back into my house that I either was unable to sell, and a few pieces of Tupperware I couldn't "give" away. One lady asked me how come my prices were so expensive for the Tupperware. Now this Tupperware is not your mother's old white and avacado or orange tupperware that smells like rotting plastic, this was relatively new stuff in mint condition, and I had a price of $5 on a container that is priced at $20 in the catalogue. So I politely told her that and that Tupperware has a lifetime guarantee regardless of owner. Still didn't budge, so I told her if she wanted to pay a dollar for a container, she should go to the dollar store and buy brand new Sterilite instead, because I wasn't giving away my Tupperware for a dollar. She ended up buying one instead of two, so it wasn't a total loss. Now, of course I didn't have that attitude about pretty near anything else, but since I was a Tupperware "consultant" for a number of years, I am quite partial to it, ha ha.

We had others selling with us - a friend of Amber's was there and had a whole table of stuff of her own, as well as two friends of mine brought some of their stuff to fill a table and a half. It was busy, that's for sure! People were coming by (as usual) as we were setting up, rooting around and asking questions. We also had a lot of "drive bys", you know the kind and you likely do it yourself - you're driving by, slow down as you pass the house and decide whether or not there is anything there worth stopping for, and whether or not you really want to get out of the car, because its kind of cold, and then step on the gas and head out.

We had a ton of kids come over, and they are Amber's usual customers as she clears her room of childhood things to make way for grownup stuff. There were two kids who came back about four times, and left with a shopping bag full each time. Their mother's will surely kill them, or come looking for us! Amber sold her bike, which was the main thing as it has just been collecting dust for years.

We served coffee, juice and cookies, which were a big hit, especially with it being so frigid out early in the morning. I was FROZEN. which in itself is unusual as I rarely find it cold. And in spite of the cold, most of us sellers got sunburns, on our faces of course as no other skin was exposed.

I managed to buy a few things myself from other sellers...books, a scrabble game (yeee haw!) and a picture frame. Following the sale, I also went out and bought a few new things that were definitely a splurge, but that has always been my one rule - when I have a yard sale, I must buy something nice for myself. I don't have to spend it all, but there must be at least one nice thing coming back into the house. So I bought four. I bought a mattress foam - you know the kind that they talk about mattresses being made of on TV like NASA stuff, where you put your hand in and it keeps the shape of your hand. This is a two inch thick piece for the top of my mattress. And boy did I sleep well last night...granted, it was likely exhaustion induced from a BUSY week, but I don't have sore joints today like I often do. I also bought a new pillow (who doesn't like a new pillow once in a while), a wooden and cloth magazine rack and my favorite purchase - a new polished steel lamp. I had sold my set of dusty rose (ick) lamps and needed at least one new one to replace it. I bought a white linen shade to go with it and it looks very smart in the living room. I didn't spend all my money, but feel happy enough about the money and the purge. I got rid of SO MUCH STUFF.

Now comes the time to clean up...cleaned up most of the upstairs last night, but the basement is a bit scattered since I had been going through boxes to find things to sell or put in the garbage. Now I have to pack up the boxes again and settle things away.

Phew!

well holy cow...someone bid on my Sponge Bob Square Pants costume! I did it as a joke and now someone actually wants it...very strange! But now I have to figure out shipping costs and how in the heck I am going to ship it!!! The buyer pays, so it won't cost me anything, but I think it is hilarious what you can sell on there. If it didn't go in the auction, I was going to sell it in the yard sale on Saturday, lol.

Which by the way, things are coming along nicely. I purged my cupboards and took out a ton of Tupperware for the sale, and I hope people aren't expecting to get it for nothing, as Tupperware is expensive and has a lifetime warranty (spoken like an ex-representative, heh heh). I earned every piece of that.

The resident teen priced all of her stuff today too, so we are nearly ready. I have to make some signs tomorrow evening because I forgot to get some bristol board and we should be set. I might have buyers for some stuff already which is GOOD. But now I am too tired to stay up any longer, so off to bed I go.

Sunny day again, that's lovely. Wish it would warm up a little, but I am not complaining. It was downright hot on Saturday and I got some sun, including a sunburn on the legs.

Nearly ripped my toe off on my treadmill...got cocky and didn't hold the handlebars, as I was reading and my toe slid back to the right and hooked in SOMETHING rather unpleasant...all I know is there is a flap of skin on my little toe trying to grow back. But it has not disuaded me from using it...been pretty good actually and used the treadmill nearly every single day since I bought it.

Sleepless night last night...I haven't slept well since returning from my trip, which is typical, but last night was the longest ever. I had a rough day at work yesterday with a child apprehension, which is never easy. I probably wouldn't have slept anyhow, as I usually spend the night replaying in my mind the events of the day, how the mother reacted, and the look on the child's face. Thank goodness I don't do that sort of thing very often or it would burn a person out.

Went out last night to my friend's house who I hope to rent next month for a look. Resident teenager was late in bringing my car back, so I didn't get out in time to get a picture of the outside of the house, and then I kind of forgot about pics on the inside. My friend is not a tidy person...enough said. But I could look through her clutter and furballs (two long hair cats...) and envision my things in her house. It is much more roomy than mine, and the location is perfect. It was just a mere 15 kms from town. There are some needed repairs/things to be done, but nothing drastic...doorbell needs replacing, tons of lightbulbs burnt out (that would drive me nuts - doesn't bother her), move out the old laundry pair to make way for my new set I bought when I got my job here, get the dishwasher cleaned (don't know how that works, but she claims it needs cleaning - I am thinking there is a food trap somewhere or something), get cables run to two other rooms and phone cords to two other rooms (jobs for my dad, the cables and phone things). So not a whole lot. The basement is huge and has cold storage too and a laundry chute from upstairs! Although I am not sure about throwing my laundry down there...seems to be an abundance of bugs/flies...they might crawl through it.

My friend has yet ANOTHER job interview, so something is gonna happen for her, and she will likely have several job offers. Then I have to give notice to my landlord, and get packing! I have decided not to do a big pack job, but to just take my time and move one room per day if I can, and get a truck for one day to move all the big stuff. That's the plan TODAY...who knows what might transpire as the time comes. My friend hopes to be out by mid June, so I am hoping to be moving in by then, and completed by the end of the month. The resident teen's graduation is at the end of the month - a week-long fiesta it seems. There are three nights, only two of which I am invited to go, but will be expected to drive for the third. They have the grad dinner, the prom and the grad party, all on different nights...and of course there is a party after the prom, so two late night parties in the same week. I was chauffeur last year, so likely a repeat duty.

Of course, my parents will be coming during that week we hope, so that should be interesting - moving during a parental visit. But they did it their whole lives as my dad was in the military, so it should be old hat for them...heh heh. Don't worry mom and dad, won't make you work that much at all. It should be mostly done by the time you get here. Just a few jobs simple jobs for dad :-)

must go get ready for another day.

Comments?

Just wanted to note that with the changes to Blogger, I now have a comments option. Feel free to leave any comments, but be aware that offensive or rude comments will be removed from my blog site. I would love to hear what you think about my ramblings and useless musings!

To leave a comment, simply look to the bottom of the post where the date and my username is and to the right of that is the word comments - click on "comments" and then click "post a comment". You will then get a new screen where you can type in a comment and the choice of posting as registered user (if you are one) or anonymously. Click on Publish your comment, or preview to take a look first. There you go, simple!

Looking forward to what others have to say :-)

Well, so much for being chilly. It is actually very warm today! Must be well over 20C...which is glorious! I was out sunning myself earlier, but got a bit of a burn on my thighs, so had to come in. I need something to lay one other than a towel so I can "flip over" to get the backs of my legs a little tanned. My upper body is well tanned from my trip south, now I need legs to match. I know what they say about sunning yourself, but I really don't care. I like being tanned! Simple as that!

My friend and co-worker A. was by earlier today with her brand new kitty...she is a lovely longish hair tabby and white...and she phoned me just now to tell me what they named HER - Rupert! can you imagine? We are both Survivor fans, so that's where it came from. The kitty is cute as ever, and will be expected to earn her keep at their new lodgings out in the country as there are mice in the area. She is just 8 weeks old, so will have some time yet, but I imagine it won't be long before she bags her first kill. According to A., she is getting along already with the resident dog, Brandy. He is used to kitties I hear.

The resident teen and boyfriend were out in the yard today, goofing around...I was watching from the upstairs window as they attempted cartwheels, handstands, flips, somersaults, etc...it was quite humourous...I rememeber the day when my body would let me do that...

I don't recall if I mentioned it before, but I am considering a move this summer out of town, but not too far. One possibility is to a friend's house in the country. She is pursuing employment up north, so I am pursuing renting her house when she departs. It is a nice 3-bedroom with a huge yard, and nice neighbors. I have also asked another co-worker to move in with me and share expenses since I will have so much room. The rent is less than I pay here, and I am hoping I will actually be able to tackle my student loans in earnest by sharing expenses. The co-worker and I hope we are compatible to live with each other, so it should be an interesting summer. The new house is not far from where A. and kitty are living, so we can visit often!

NOW what can I get up to...I finished my book I was reading...

yard sale, huh? Not tomorrow...it is much to chilly around here. And it is forecast to RAIN! So I have decided to postpone my yard sale for a couple of weeks and try again then. I might actually have my stuff ready by then too. PROCRASTINATION.

TGIF - oh yeah, a full week back at work, what's that all about? My job has been VERY busy, and getting busier. Its mostly because my officemate is gone for the week, and I am having to do all of his work and mine too. Hopefully he will be back next week and I can get back to my own stuff.

So Rupert got the second million bucks...good for him. I think he deserved it. He played the game so hard, and without lying to anyone and only got voted out because he was a threat to win the game, twice! He looked so happy last night with his family, snotting and balling. But what is up with Jerri - don't boo me, wahhh, wahhh, wahhh. Then don't do evil things. And Big Tom, he was "touched" to be on the final four...yeah, ok...touched in the head maybe. What a goofball. So now it's over and they have already filmed the next one, to air in the fall. They are also taking applications for Survivor 10...great! This Survivor fan will get another year out of Mark Burnett's efforts. Next time there will be a pool again. We missed out in this one because it was so different and we weren't sure how they were going to run the show, and eliminate contestants, so skipped it. Now its back to normal.

Now its back to the real world of life and work...

just to let you know there are another couple of dozen new pictures on my website from the trip...have one roll left to go - my black and white film. Now if I can just drag myself over to drop them off!

Well, I finally heard from the interview...I didn't get it, but some lucky aboriginal who invoked their right to affirmative action did. Good for her I say. She will fit right into that native community. But, they mentioned that they had a number of other opportunities they wished for me to consider and interview for. I gently turned them down, explaining my reasons for needed to stay in place for one more year. They fully understood and advised me to contact them next year if I became interested once again. Incidentally, though, they did have my co-worker's name on their list to call for a interview, so I was excited to hear that!

Then I got another call, just about the same thing - we have some opportunities coming up that we would like you to interview for. When it rains it pours! So again, I explained how I needed to stay home for at least one more year and that I would likely look at moving north next year. She fully understood, and also had my co-worker's name on her list to call...eerie!

Sunny here today, but not so warm. I am supposed to be getting things ready for the yard sale in two days...haven't done a thing, but better get hopping tonight. The resident teen also has boxes of stuff, so will put her to work today also, pricing it.

Now I have to take my car in for repair, which is thankfully covered by insurance. They want to replace the filter (which one, I don't know but will have to ask). I will be glad to get rid of the buzzing muffler...the front gasket on the exhaust needs replacing.

I finally got my hands on a movie I have been in search of for many years - "Where the Spirit Lives" with Buffy Ste. Marie. It was originally aired on CBC, and I have been looking for it all over, including CBC and e-bay. Found it on e-bay a number of times but the auction always climbs up rather steeply to about $70-80US, so this particular time, perhaps the seller didn't recognize the value of the movie, but he listed it with a buy it now price of just $15.99, so I snapped it up! Coincidence is, he lives here in Nova Scotia! So it is bought and paid for and should arrive today or tomorrow. Score!

so Brad cooked supper for us tonight...it was delicious! Broiled pork cutlets, rice, and potatoes. Lots of starch, but I love it! And THEN he did the dishes...who can complain about that? He worked all day at his work experience, came home and cooked supper then did the dishes...he must feel like a wife by now! I think he was even a little jealous of Amber who lounged around ALL day, doing nothing. But then she works about the same amount of time as he does, just on different days and in the evenings. He has all of his evenings off. She worked all weekend, where he had it all to himself. We shall see how the division of chores fares out when they move in together.

Day two back to work...great start...jumped out of bed, got dressed for work without looking outside in a short skirt and a tank top, thinking it would be nice out as the weather network said it would be on the net today...went downstairs and darn near froze...looked outside and it was pissing rain...could have done that first, but didn't...so back upstairs, changed outfit to long skirt and longsleeved sweater. Just as well, when I got to work, my co-worker headed down to court on a subpoena and shortly after came racing back up only to tell me that they actually needed me, not her! EEEK! I hadn't read a thing, or prepared in any way for the trial!!! So off I race to print off the case file and quickly skim the part they will surely ask me about, and thankfully I was dressed decently enough for court. I wait ALL morning to go on the stand, only to get up there at 11:45am for about 5 minutes...sheesh...one of the hold-ups was truly classic...they needed a video camera or a converter to watch the evidence tape as it was only recorded on 8mm...and didn't have one. They searched for about 20-30 minutes and when I asked what the problem was, I asked them politely why they didn't try the high school next door for one...they have their own TV lab, and the largest computer lab in the province, with tons of video equipment...oh really? Guess who gets appointed to carry out this task...lol...So off I race to sign out a camera so the trial could continue...gawd I feel like I live in a hick town sometimes!!!

Another hot topic at work is our upcoming camping trip on the long weekend...it is still rather chilly and we are rethinking the whole idea as we don't want to freeze to death on the ground...so looking at cabins in which to camp instead, just for this trip and then as it warms up, tenting will be fine. There is nothing like a night out in the country to begin the summer season!

here's to the continuing saga of getting my pictures...I haven't written about it because it is too ridiculous, but I am just pissed off now. As you know, I was too cheap to put mine in the one hour photo, so dropped them in the cheaper option at Wal-mart where they send them away...didn't know that it was to HAMILTON, but anyway...I had specified what I wanted, which was 4x6 prints, matte finish and white borders...didn't know they didn't do white borders. So I get a call last week, on Friday afternoon - we don't do white borders. Ok I say, then just print them regular. Ok she says, and tells me they won't be ready until about Tuesday since they came to customer service, it slowed them down and they have already shut down the processing lab today as it is late on Friday afternoon. Ok says me...fine...whatever. If that was only the end...

Yesterday they call and tell me they can't do white borders...um, I tell them I have already talked to someone about this and understood they were going to just print them normally and I would have them tomorrow...oh, ok, I will make a note of that and let them know. Duh, what did your coworker do last week then? If that was only the end...

Today I got another call...they can't do the white borders...ok, this is enough...I already told your company yesterday AND on Friday that it was okay, just print them without and send them back to me. REALLY she says, I have no record that you spoke to anyone. I am evil now. I tell her if they are not back to Wal-Mart tomorrow, to just send the damn things back to me and I will take my business elsewhere. I tell her that I have better things to do than to call their customer service desk and wait for 20 minutes to speak to them only to be told the same darn thing again and again. I tell her that I will never use their service again. She tells me she doesn't blame me and that she will make a note of my call. Tomorrow shall be fun. I am going to Wal-mart in person to pick up my photos.

Survivor is over...boo hoo. I can't believe those two went to the end...make me hurl. What were the others thinking, even keeping Rob in the game??? They should have gotten rid of him weeks ago, and now little miss Amber Brkich took the million bucks and because she is marrying him, they will share it. They are too sappy to even watch, but you do, just like a car wreck, you can't turn away. Now CBS is going to give out another million bucks and everyone knows who will get it...Rupert! His popularity has not waned, and when I voted this morning, it already was an overwhelming majority of people voting for Rupert to have the second million bucks. Go Rupert! And we get a bonus night of Survivor on Thursday night, wow.

Its back to work for me today...getting dressed up and all that jazz. I have been rather slovenly this past week since my return home, and now I have to get with the program. Stay tuned for more ramblings and useless musing...

I just finished reading my book from Amber...what a wonderful little book! It is called Dear Mom, Thank you for Everything by Bradley Trevor Freive...it is the cutest thing. It is a collection of photos, mostly of animal babies and mothers with a story about thanking your mother for being there, for all sorts of things. Just wonderful! Thanks Amber, for the marvellous book!

She even made me breakfast, but lacking a tray, I went downstairs to eat it, which was fine with me! Now I have done nothing else but call my own mother and lounge around all day...I have been soooo lazy since coming back from my trip! I have to get moving soon though, and at least get my laundry done! Tomorrow I head back to work.

well that was a lovely evening with friends...got invited out to my friends R. and A.'s new digs...they have moved into R.'s parents' house for a year while the parents travel on their sailboat. We we ate and ate and ate bbq, and watched funny stuff on television. Nice to have an evening out, thanks to A. for rescuing me, and Brad, who also came along as the resident teenager was working til midnight tonight.

A GALE of wind today...I braved it to put some clothes out on the line...silly woman...it all blew off...my tablecloth was in the neighbor's tree. But it was dry, so I can't complain too loudly! If it wasn't for the wind, it would have been a nice day, but at times the gusts were wicked and blew dust and dirt all around in your eyes.

tomorrow is Mother's Day, but the resident youth in the home decided I should receive my gifts and cards today...Brad gave me a lovely bouquet of periwinkle blue hydrangeas, and Amber gave me a lovely book that I can't remember the name of, but is a funny book with drawings and things about being a child of your mother. All that's left is breakfast in bed tomorrow morning!

My last day off tomorrow and then back to the grind...who knows what the week will hold for me...I'm sure you will hear about it here...

the job search - it has temporarily ended...after much thought and conversation with Amber, I have decided not to pursue employment elsewhere for the time being. I am moderately comfortable here, and feel that the timing is just not right for me, or for her. She will move on to Halifax of course, but I will remain here in Port Hawkesbury until at least next spring. I am just not up for a big change at the present...so friends and family can relax, or cry, whatever!

so I will be settling in for another year here, and with Amber and Brad moving out this summer, that will be enough change for me! I will be having a yard sale on the 15th to clear out some clutter, and am looking forward to doing some local travel for the summer..camping and visiting family when I can.

Alas, we have returned from the south! I will post a few more on the Central American Blog, but I'm back here for regular drivel...

today is a day of chores...paying bills, checking the mail, getting groceries, getting film developed, dying my hair back from the awful color it turned in salt water, etc...I have only begun with my hair...once that is done, I am fit to go out in public, heh heh.

I have decided to keep my holidays for the rest of the week and just relax, get some stuff done around here and return to work on Monday, all refreshed. Hope things are not too busy at work, so I don't feel guilty!

Sunny day here today, but not the heat of central america. I will have to put pants and socks on, it looks like! No more shorts for a while.

Lots to do, not much to blather on about this morning...