Alcohol Abuse

Friday was nice - I slept most of the day away and felt so much better afterwards. The girls got the sniffles too, but if it's only a cold, we're good to go.

Saturday Ray actually danced at dance class! For a good portion of it too. Chasing Greta around outside the studio in rainy weather wasn't too much fun for either of us, but Ray needed to see that we were watching. We grabbed some groceries (returning the water filter/tap gave us grocery money!) and had a late lunch. After letting Greta scream and cry and talk in her crib for an hour or so, we went to the church for a meeting on how to improve the family atmosphere of the services. We were home for a late supper.

Around this time, Sailor's ship had their crossing the line ceremony. He said it went off well, but for some reason couldn't send any pictures. I guess we'll wait til he comes home.

Sunday we had church, then a birthday party for one of the boys from the church. It was a hoot, and the girls were kept running all afternoon. Once we got home, it was time to make supper as my aunts and uncle were popping in for a visit and food. We don't often see these specific people so it was a real treat to spend some time with them. Of course, the girls wanted to go outside as the weather was so nice. So we did (the girls, me and Aunty H). Getting Greta back inside included much screaming, yelling and tantruming. She was definitely tired. At 6:05 we were upstairs and in the tub. She was asleep before her music ended.

Ray was tired enough to go to bed at 7:30 and was under the covers by quarter to 8. It's my turn now, to turn in early. I'm over the cold for the most part, and it's due to Mona Vie and Cold FX.

I have my expres test tomorrow, so I have to be able to run. My whole body is out of alignment and I know I'm not at the top of my game, but if I can pop some cold pills and an Advil, I should be able to make it through okay.

I found out how to stop the cat from scratching my weatherstripping: double-sided sticky tape. And I have some too!

If I hadn't spilled an ounce of my beer on my computer table, it would have been a great day all around.

Time Flies When You're Dodging The Fan

Nanny contestant #3 backed out on me. Said I wasn't paying enough. And I know I'm not, but minimum wage would be $1800 per month, not including overtime or the Independant School's tuition. There's no way I can afford that.

Contestant #2 is hesitant about the time. As is #1. I'm back to square one now.

Bugger.

I have also come down with a cold, so the girls are more than likely spending tomorrow here with me while I shuffle around trying to feed them periodically. Lovely. I need to be better for the weekend.

The water tap I bought for filtered water has nowhere to go - the sink's too big and the dishwasher takes up too much space. That goes back to the store ASAP, and I keep paying for bottled water (as our local stuff bites). The tap can't even take a filter on it as it's a pull-out tap.

Sailor's getting things ready for the ship's Crossing the Line Ceremony. It's shaping up to be a good one too. He should be home in about 40 days, give or take. Then he'll go again after 2 weeks for another 3 months. He leaves the day before Ray's recital. That ought to be fun to live through.

Godfather is taking Greta to daycare for me tomorrow. That's great. I might even take Ray into preschool once she wakes up if I'm feeling up to it and then I can have a day to rest up. We'll see how I feel tomorrow.

Now if only I could find someone who would like to watch the girls, doesn't mind long hours with low pay, and can keep up to a 2 1/2 year-old and her sister. Pipe dream.

Let Me Down Easy

I just got off the phone from calling nanny contestant #2 that she didn't get the job. What made it especially craptastic, was I left a message. I felt awkward for sure doing that, and I was honest - someone else can start at 6 instead of 7. I wasn't honest with my other reason - how on earth can I give orders to someone who's old enough to be my mum?

What's going to be even more awkward is calling contestant #1 on Wednesday this too. I'd much rather be her friend than her boss anyway. I hope it goes well. Gah! I HATE the telling someone they didn't get the job or the firing conversation. Even though I have all this 'conflict management' training, it doesn't make these discussions any easier.

My friend and her daughter did make it over on Saturday afternoon. She's staying until we leave for work tomorrow. So I missed a fourth week of church and the second MFRC potluck. I was really looking forward to both events, but after spending the day with my friend, I'm glad she came. We go sometimes a year (or more) between visits, sometimes 6 months between phone calls. This visit was realy nice and special because we had such a great time together. It was nice to see ourselves as parents. We started out as school chums in a new school in a new city. Our friendship has lasted through many interesting episodes, with our thread of friendship sometimes very thin, and sometimes thick.

To spend time with her and her daughter was a nice break from our usual insular routine of home-dance-groceries-home on Saturday and home-church-maybe somewhere else-home on Sunday. We played outside yesterday afternoon, had WONDERFUL butter chicken (first time I made it - won't be the last for sure!), then went out for a couple hours for a beer and some kareoke. Today we grabbed some carrots and coffee and fed the horses carrots, played in friend's backyard, had lunch, and went outside to play after the non-existent nap-time.

Sailor is making plans to come home for two weeks in May. He'll be here for Ray's first rehearsal, but leave the day of her second rehearsal, and the day before her first performance (if she does actually move on stage). That'll be fun to get through. At any rate, he's apparently supposed to work for the first few days and then get the rest off. He's not going to be happy when he sees the mold growing under the deck he built last year.

Seems I got the bursary for the church camp too. Ray's been talking about it and wants to make a checklist of items we need to bring. So cute.

Well, busy day tomorrow - mess meeting. Maybe I'll find out if I go the job or not. Hahahhaahahahahah. I kill me.

Banging The Buck

It’s getting harder and harder to keep afloat. I mean, you’d think it’d be easier as time went on, no? But really, it gets wearing. Doing the work of both parents is hard. How single parents do it, I’ll never know. I’m afraid to get sick and I take Cold FX every day just in case.

I’m constantly on the go from the time we get home until Greta’s in bed. Ray goes an hour later, and by that time, I’m ready to hit the hay too. By 9pm I’m toast. We arrive and I either make dinner or finish it (if it’s been cooking while we’re on our way home), empty the dishwasher, reload it with lunch dishes, and get out plates and cutlery for dinner. Then when dinner’s ready, I serve it up and get drinks. By the time I can sit down to eat, Greta’s finished (until she sits on my lap to eat my plate) and Ray’s running around between the table and the living room.

I finish and put dirty dishes into the washer, harass Ray to finish her meal, and keep Greta from getting swatted by the cat. Then I clean up the left-overs and put into containers for lunch the next day. While I’m at it, I cut and prepare fruit and cheese for the next day’s lunch. I might even start preparing for the next night’s dinner. If there’s enough juice boxes washed, I’ll get the drinks ready too. Not to mention prepping my tea for the next morning, washing any left-over dishes that are too big for the washer, and tidying up the kitchen.

The soap goes into the dishwasher and the delay is pressed so it’ll wash over night. If I’m doing pre-emptive laundry, I’ll switch it over to the dryer (as I put it into wash during the day or right when we get home). Then it’s 6:15 and time to go up for our tub.

A quick cleanup of the toys in the living room and up we go. Sometimes Ray will bathe with Greta. Sometimes she wants a shower, so by the time we’re all ready, it’s just around 7pm and as I’m reading stories to Greta, Ray’s downstairs getting herself a piece of cheese for bedtime snack. I’ll get changed into my pj’s and put Greta down and I’m downstairs by 7:20 or so. Ray goes to bed at 8, but after two stories and a cuddle and a song or two… it’s 8:30.

It doesn’t give me much time to relax and have ‘me’ time on the computer. I have to take care of the Mary Kay business, email Sailor, do the blog entry (unless I do it at work, like today), return phone calls, finish the packing up of breakfasts and lunches for the next day, fill the diaper bag, have my Mona Vie and popcicles… By the time 9:30 rolls around I’m ready to fall into bed, but I REALLY want to read something – my McLean’s or one of the books I have waiting. Once I start my next uni course, I’ll have to add in some study time too, and do assignments too.

A nanny will not save me money at all – in fact it’ll cost me more money each month as I’ll be paying for preschool AND kindy – but it’ll save me time. And that’s more value for my money I think.

Windows and Doors

Well the interview yesterday went well. Tough audience. Only got a couple chuckles from them. I think my answers were good though. I'll find out by the end of the week probably.

I talked to the boss at the ADRC and I might be accepted into their program for conflict resolution instruction and mediation! It won't be a fast process, but it looks promising at least.

So if one door closes (no PMC), another window will (ADRC). Or, if the door IS opened, then I can still keep the window open by taking conflict coaching. Very happy about this.

The girls are really missing their dad. Ray gets very sad and nearly daily says, "I wish my daddy was here." Me too, kid.

We met with one of the nanny contestants today. She's really great and the ONLY thing holding me back from hiring her on the spot is that she can't start work until 0700 and I'd prefer 0600.

I have a line on another girl who comes with glowing references and CAN start at 0600, so I'll meet up with her and see what comes of that. She's younger than #1 and has only a "NEW" license right now, but she's going for her 'real' one in April. She's medically trained, used to work for Molly Maid and is a part time employee at a vet clinic. She can take care of the kids, the house AND the cat! Ray is just concerned about this other girl's desire for swimming and if she has horses.

We're looking forward to a friend's visit this weekend with her little girl. Should be A LOT of fun... especially since I found a sitter for Saturday! Wheee!

Time To Breathe - I Don't Have It

Well what an exciting last few days.

Friday night I went out with my neighbour and we had a BLAST at the local pub.I knew the bass player in the band, and after 3 pints of Sleeman's I was in fine form. I got to sing because the guitar player was slow coming back from the second set break, and I jumped up to do Some Kind Of Wonderful. Which I'd never do if I were sober.

My friend and her daughter are supposed to come over next weekend, so we may attempt this again if the band is playing somewhere local.

Saturday, Ray didn't dance the whole time again, and we went to the grocery store. After Greta woke from her nap later, Gramma (Sailor's mum) and Sister-In-Law arrived for a visit. I was told by Niece #1, who was bringing Niece #2, that they'd be here between 5:30 and 6. At 6 I said "to hell with it" and no sooner had we sat down for dinner (at about 6:10 or so), they walked in the door. Dinner was lovely, held in the dining room, and the girls were on their best behaviour. Even after the cake they had for dessert.

I stayed up late again, talking to the Nieces as I don't get a chance to see them much, and Niece #2 is usually in Saskatchewan. The last time I'd seen her was at our wedding 6 1/2 years ago. This was the first time she's met the girls too. It was nice to have good girlie chat.

Today was the Business Fair. One vendor emailed and said she was sick and wasn't coming, but she still is sending money for her table. Nice of her.

We had a good turn out - of vendors! First, it was rain and snow. Then it was snow. And it was sticking. By 11:00, it was coming thick and fast. I felt like such a tool. No one blamed me for the weather (VERY nice of them), and we (the vendors) actaully had a great time networking and chatting about products, as well as buying some. We did get some stuff (including $5) for the food bank, but not as much as we would have had if the weather had held out.

So over 4 hours, the 9 containers of 2-Bite Cinnamon Buns turned into 7 containers (which were then given to the vendors). We now have lots of coffee, whitener, sugar, cups and spoons for the next one.

It's probably decided we'll try again in May or June. Nearly all the vendors asked to be informed of the next one, which was so sweet of them. The sun finally came out and the snow was gone... at 2:30... when we ended.

I met the two nanny contestants. Number 1 is young, around 25-30, very sweet and wants to take the girls everywhere and do lots of stuff. She misses nanny-ing, and is worried about getting here early, but said she could try it. She has horses and would take the girls there too, as well as swimming and the park with her nieces and sister and friends with their kids. I don't know how I feel about that, to be honest. Part of me thinks that's cool, but part of me wonders if she'd get too attached (she admitted she wants to get attached to the kids) to them and think of them as 'hers', but not in a good way, IYKWIM.

Number 2 is older, in her 60's I'd say, and is also very nice. She's a more nature-oriented woman, and wants to have the kids outside learning about nature and suchlike. She's also worried about the early morning, but is willing to give it a go. She's raised three kids on her own, so she knows a thing or two I'm sure. I'm worried about her energy level around the girls, but who knows - maybe it'll be what they need?

I think I'll email Sailor and let him know. Then the women will each take a turn to come over for a couple hours and see how the kids relate to each of them.

Tomorrow is my big interview with three Chiefs for the PMC position at the PCF. If I get it, I'll be out of trade for 2 years. If I don't then I'm going to apply at the Alternate Dispute Resolution Centre for THEIR out of trade positions and see if it's a good fit before I go through the courses I'd need to facilitate there regularly.

Either way, I'm hapy. I'm nervous about tomorrow for sure - Sailor usually does my boots and I'm supposed to be in Salt & Peppers. I'm debating on putting on a skirt and heels, but the weather looks craptacular (it was hailing on the snow this afternoon) so I'll check out the stuff tonight and see what can be done. If it's bad, I might just wear nice heels with pants and take the pain as I walk up the hill to the interview.

Well, it's bath time and the girls have been going to bed later that usual lately. We're up at 5/6 tomorow, so time to go.

Maybe I can relax on Tuesday.

I Feel Like A Duck

Like I don't have ENOUGH to do on a day-to-day basis, I decided back in January to spearhead a local home-based business show. The date we ended up with due to various reasons is the 15th of March.

So now, things are starting to speed up:

- the vendors are wondering why we have only 15 minutes to set up. Well, because the space would only allow us 15 minutes before and after to do so. And I figured if we're paying for 4 hours, we should GET 4 hours. Not pay for 5 and only get 4. Silly me.

- I was wondering why the location didn't put our fair on their big lit marquee sign. Apparently I was supposed to have ASKED for that at the time of booking. Yeah, well it was such a gong show just getting the booking, that I didn't bother. Not that I knew that. I thought that if you had something like a home-based business fair that was open to the public, that it would have been understood that advertising was wanted. Or at least have been asked. Silly me.

- On a positive note, the local radio station is giving us a heckuva deal for ad time - 10 spots for less than 1/2 price!

My nanny ad has two interested parties in it. One, about my age is VERY interested, but the 7 am arrival time is making her hesitate. Hell, I've already changed it to an hour later than when I REALLY need it! And I quoted her $100 more than I should have, so when I tell her that, she's probably not going to be too impressed.

The other person sounds older (I'd say late 50's?) and she goes to my church and her neighbour is our priest. She's going to mull it over too, as the 7 am start time is a thinking point for her, and she'd have to come over from a little distance away.

That's only if my work will accept me working from 8 til 3 (and working through lunch to pull that off).

Greta's diapers are FINALLY back to normal now, and she's definitely getting ready for potty training as her dry spells are lasting longer.

Ray has a wee rash on her hands for some reason, and she said she was scratching because she was itchy. Now I have to try to figure that out.

I have a sitter for tomorrow and my neighbour and I are going out for some pops after the girls are in bed.

Yesterday was a success, but I spent FAR too much money. Worth it though.

Sailor couldn't call from is port today due to weather, and after finding out the roaming charges we got from Hawaii, he'd better get a phone card and aim for a payphone!!

Well, it's time to put Ray to bed and me to the tv.

Hump Day Madness

Truly, I have the best boss evah. Let me explain.

Greta's had three heavy pee diapers today (not counting the one she woke up with), but no more explosions of the town-leveling kind since yesterday. I made an appointment with the doc to get her seen, and that's right when they open, just before 9 am tomorrow.

I asked my boss when I could take an extra hour in an afternoon and he told me to take the whole day tomorrow! WOW! What kind of boss does that, eh? He rocks so big. I owe him lots of beers.

I went to my grief support group tonight and it was nice to get away for a while.

It's dropping down to -6 tonight and I'm out of kindling, so I picked some up from the store on my way home and will light a fire tomorrow afternoon.

I have SO many things to do tomorrow:
- drop Ray off at 8:15
- dr. appt at 8:50
- drop Greta off afterwards (9:45?)
- drop off play tent for $$
- get stuff for the house and for the business fair from Costco
- go to Rona for our water faucet
- dentist at 1:20
- pharmasave to return old cold med and pick up different stuff for Ray
- check out XS Cargo for a few things - AMAZING prices there - Holy Crapoly!
- pick up Greta at 3:30
- pick up Ray at 4:15
- eat dinner (crockpot roast... yummmmm)
- speech therapy lady at 5:30
- then bath, bed and check emails etc afterward.

Thursday I have a Conflict for Managers course. Uh... that'd be how to MANAGE it, not CAUSE it. I hope.

Sailor is approaching Korea any day now. He tells me they're not having fun. I believe him. His niece from Flatland will be in town over the weekend, and I'm hope we can get together with her before she goes back to Vancouver.

Well, it's late and I have a TON of stuff to do tomorrow when I get up. It'll be interesting to see what I actually get accomplished.

California Dreamin'

There was no snow when we left this morning. Well, there was, but not much. We made it into town easily and by 9:15, there was 2" in Cobble Hill and it was coming fast and thick on Base. There were accidents on the 'Hat and traffic was at a standstill. I was told to leave at 11:30.

I picked up Greta, who was very happy to see me for once, and we went home. She had fallen asleep and the trip was fine - a little wet here and there, but the roads were clear all the way through.

I debated switching the car seats over while Greta napped at home, but I didn't. By the time we were to leave, the snow had melted away quite nicely. It was frosty by 6pm, but the car handles ice better than the truck does, so we'll be fine tomorrow.

I had to wake her up and she was SO not impressed. She cried and went through the "I don't wan-nooo"s for 15 minutes. By the time I got her to the car though, she was fine. We got Ray and came home easily.

The fire's lit and roaring downstairs. It's so hot I can barely get another log inside!

This not eating ice cream for Lent is great for my weight-loss efforts (I'm down 2 lbs!), but SUCKS for snacking!!

I get to sit in on the production and sub meetings tomorrow. Lucky me. If Greta's still not got normal poos by tomorrow night, I'm taking her to the clinic on Wednesday.

Let's hope the snow's gone by then.

The Ripple Effect

I wrote my English exam today. In record time too - 1 hour 15 minutes. I hope she can read my writing when marking it. I'm sure I did just fine. It's nothing I hadn't written before.

The girls spent the time at their Godparent's place. Greta was cuddly all day however, she did eat more than she has in days. They had lunch (with chocolate ice cream for dessert), and off we went.

I had stopped by the pharmacy on the way to get them and picked up something different for Ray's cold. That one decision put into action a series of events that I just wasn't expecting.

They're the Triaminic melty tab things. Ray was all for trying one out until it actually went into her mouth. She started drooling because she didn't want to swallow. This set her to crying. This set Greta to screaming in terror because she thought her sister was throwing up again. This set me to screaming at them to stop screaming, which set them to screaming more.

As we pulled into the cul-de-sac I saw our neighbours out in their drive. I rolled down the window and called, "Two kids, CHEAP!" and we all laughed. Part of me was serious, I think.

At any rate, they didn't stop freaking out until we got inside and Ray could have her drink of milk. The melty tab had stuck to the roof of her mouth, so she was forced to take the medicine after all. However it's since worn off and her sniffles are back. And I'm nearly out of Benadryl.

I guess tomorrow I'll buy some more liquid.

Greta has not had a bowel movement since yesterday. She's eaten quite a lot too - toast, cheese, Pedialyte, garlic sausage, cheddar bunnies, spaghetti supper and chocolate treats. And about 4 big pieces of cantalope too. There's something brewing in that tummy of hers and it ain't gonna be pretty when it comes out.

Now it's time to try to put Ray to bed. Wish me luck - she doesn't like her room, doesn't like to go to bed, and wants a bedtime snack.

Damned time change.

If This Is March, Why Is It Snowing?

This has to have been the weirdest weather day I can remember. It started out warm and sunny. I managed to find a sitter who came over at 11:30 (after I called her at 9!) to watch the girls. I'm not complaining, I mean, she came over! But I thought she'd have been here at... say... 10?

Anywho, I got the stuff to the dump, got the broken Filter Queen out of the house, and went to the bank and Timmy's. At one point I was driving in a snow storm, but the sun was shining. And it was 7 degrees out!

Greta had a poo that wasn't (same as yesterday only not as much), and went for a long nap just as I arrived home. Ray and I were messing around doing nothing, then the power went out at about 1:30.

We started a fire and at 3 the meat guy arrived. We sat for a good hour going over next year's requirements (and the price went up because we went to a higher order. *sigh* Never ends, eh?). He was just leaving and the power went on again! So about 2 hours. It started snowing at about 3.

In between I'd stoke the fire, deal with Ray's interruptions, the usual.

I got Greta up and it was snowing like mad. It ended at quarter to 5, but it dropped a good inch or so on everything. Didn't stick to the road though.

We ate a fast supper (Greta didn't) and then changed Greta twice in a 20 minute period from her blow-outs. Poor lass. She's not running a fever, just having icky poos. And she's clingy. It's a late night for her, but because of the time change tomorrow, maybe I can get her to bed earlier. If her bowel movements don't clear up, I'm going to have to take her to the clinic on Monday. Yet another day lost at work.

Tonight once Ray goes down, I'm watching my taped shows with a bit of chocolate and a fake beer. Yee ha. I can really whoop it up, eh?

On a positive note, I've met my sales goal, but not my time goal. I have another 9.5 hours to go on that. I write my English exam tomorrow too while the girls are at their Godparent's place. I hope Ray doesn't sneeze on anyone.

Friday With The Girls

Well, it's nearly over. It was a good day on the most part - we finally decided to end pajama day around 10:30 and head out to the grocery store. By the time I remembered to pack the diaper bag, juices and snacks it was 15 minutes later.

The bank was first where I managed to finally open a 'business' account, but as a chequing account instead. My branch ROCKS! (no fees)

Then to the Pharmacy where I mailed off my teas for the tea exchange.

The grocery store took from 12 til 1.

Then home (got the mail) and a quick lunch that only I ate. Well, the girls ate the buns, but not the main.

Greta went for a 2 1/2 hour nap at 2.

I have an idea for a SFX picture for a contest, so I had the girls dress in pretty dresses and pose for me. Which would have worked out, except the angle I took the photos at is all wrong. I'll have to try again another day I guess.

We got a call from the MFRC for the monthly check-in call that I requested. It was nice, but I didn't really know how to answer, "How are you doing?"

I mean, sometimes I feel really overwhelmed and I just want to go out for drinks for a week. Other times, I feel okay and this is not too bad. Like tonight, I was singing Pajama Time and The Going To Bed Book to Greta and Ray was beside me, singing along to the TGTBB too. It was so lovely. Until she coughed in my face, again.

At any rate, it'll be nice when Sailor comes home because I really think that that's when I'm going to get ragingly sick for 3 days and HE can take care of the girls while I recover.

So tomorrow, unless Ray's nose clears up, we're going to skip dance class. And if that happens, I might see if a teen sitter is available to watch the girls so I can run to the dump and get rid of some stuff. Should only take an hour tops and hopefully Greta won't have another icky poo like today.

The stuff coming out of her could level cities. If she'd only eat some toast, it'd go a long way to solidifying.

Once Ray goes to bed, I'm hitting the hay too. After I:
- take my Mona Vie
- check the fire downstairs
- put Greta's diapers together
- brush my teeth
- read a little

With any luck the girls'll sleep in tomorrow til 7.

Spring Has Sprung

the grass is riz. The sun is shining and the wind is picking up.

Greta’s finally over her gastro-bug. It was a poop-tacular day yesterday, as we went through at least 7 disposables. I was getting worried if we’d have enough to last until I got to the store. She moaned and dripped all day, ran a fever, and then when the medicine kicked in, she chatted and played puzzles til bedtime.

I disclosed all information to the babysitter and she still came over. I heart her. Greta was down by 6:30 and I left about 10 minutes later to go to my Mary Kay training in town. It was so nice to get out of the house. My sitter said that she knew how much I needed the break and as she had made plans to help me out, she wasn’t going to turn me down unless I thought Greta would need me. As it was, Greta bitched for about 2 hours, and fell asleep about 45 minutes before I came home.

Ray had over half an hour of stories read to her and refused the babysitter’s tucking in and put herself to bed at 8. *insert shocked look here* Kids really are different around others than their parents.

The morning routine wasn’t too bad either – just putting in the car seats took the time this morning. Both girls whined about getting up, but Ray actually started dressing herself! It’s a definite improvement over last month.

It’s been a month today that Sailor left. Wow. Let’s recap: Greta gets Fifth’s Disease and a tummy bug. Cat gets into a fight and ends up on meds and house arrest for four days. Ray gets a gastro bug, dances, doesn’t dance, dances and doesn’t dance again. Greta gets the gastro bug. That’s three – let’s hope the streak has come to an end! We’ve had four garbage days (fifth tomorrow), two recycle days and two water days. Sister-in-law’s birthday and three visits from her and a friend. Mother-in-law’s birthday the other day. Two chiropractor visits, two trips to Costco, three afternoons off for ‘personal admin’ and four grocery store trips. It’s been productive I think. This coming month is supposed to be even busier. Let’s just hope all illnesses are done for a while.

I’m off tomorrow due to a daycare closure, so I think it’s going to be disinfecting day around the house. And if the weather’s nice, we might try for the park with some friends. As long as noses stop sniffling around here.

Barf-A-Rama Redux

"Tell me why I don't like Tuesdays..." (sorry Sir Bob). Ray was surprisingly easy to get up this morning. We left 4 minutes late, made up the time at the drop-off though, so we were only 1 minute late getting onto the highway.

I went to the lawyer's this afternoon to sign my will and pay for the service of getting them done. Sailor had to have his done before he sailed and they were great to do it so quickly. I also had a talk with the lawyer about a little problem we had with our real estate agent about 4 1/2 years ago when we bought our house. He thinks we may have a case, so we'll keep onto that.

Then I swung by the bank. The lineup was out of this world! I didn't get out of there til waaay after 4.

When I got Greta, they had been outside for a little walk. I popped her into her seat and away we went. Five minutes later, she erupted.

She had been fussy, but I thought it was because the sun was in her eyes. We went through the lights at the highway and merged, and then YARF, all over her carseat, jacket... just like Ray's last week, only not quite as much.

I pulled over into a gravel lay-by beside the construction, and used a million Kleenexes to clean her up. I didn't have a garbage bag, so I dropped them to the ground until I could figure out what to do with them.

A lady pulled in to get her mail and wandered over. She's late 50's I guess. She said, "Are you alright?"

I replied, "Yes, my baby threw up and I'm just cleaning her up."

"Oh, poor thing," she says, "You're not going to leave those there, are you?" pointing to the Kleenex on the ground.

"No, I'm NOT," I said and promptly ignored her and went back to cleaning off my kid.

First of all - excuse me? They're TISSUES lady. Filled with vomit. I think they're biodegradeable.

Second of all - it's a construction zone. HELLO! My little mess is really the least of your worries around here.

Third of all - you could have at least offered me a bag or something. Really, take some diplomacy and tact courses because you really need it.

I laughed about it after, but I was amazed at the balls this woman has.

We made it to get Ray (around quarter to 5) and made it home safely. I managed to get everything inside and into the washer within 10 minutes. Then I started supper. Then the speech therapy lady called to say she'd be 20 minutes late.

As I was holding Greta because she was whiny and crying (real tears too, weird), she barfed again. All over my shoulder, her replaced sweater, into the sink. And two minutes later AGAIN, all over my shoulder, her sweater, and into the sink.

We went upstairs for another change and managed to get everything into the utility room. As I was cleaning up the sink from that, Greta was sipping apple juice (popple-joo) on the sofa. The doorbell rang and the speech lady was there.

I stopped her at the door, explained the situation, and then we made an appointment for next week. Then I called my sitter and told her that there'd been a change of plans, but I'd need her for next Tuesday for sure.

Murphy's Laws of Deployment Parenting #4:
When you have a night away for coffee with the girls or training or some-such escape, one or more children will be sick a minimum of two times that afternoon so that you CAN'T get away.

*sigh*

I am, however, going to my Mary Kay night tomorrow, because I just AM!! Unless, of course, Greta is sick all day tomorrow and not just tired like her sister was.

By the time I flashed up the computer tonight it was around 7:30. Greta had a quick bath and while I read her stories, Ray was in the shower. We ended up downstairs just after 7, and I had some dishes to wash and the kitchen to tidy up before I could 'play'.

Got an email from Sailor saying he was going to try to Skype again between 5 and 6 our time. Sorry I missed him, but honestly, it was a madhouse around here, and adding that into the mix would have really messed me up.

Besides, Greta probably would have yarfed all over the keyboard, and we can't have that!

ETA: Change to the flex: Friday is not a working day - DCP is closed, so we're having a play date with a friend and her kids. Unless, of course, Greta is still sick. Saturday after dance, Harvest Valley is making an appearance to go over our needs for the coming year.

Domo Origato!

Sailor and I managed to Skype tonight. It was great! Greta repeated, "Hi Daddy!" over and over. I don't think she realized it was him exactly, because my computer pixilized the picture a lot, especially when there's movement. But she heard his voice and seemed really happy to see him.

Ray was happy to show him her Snow White slippers and kept repeating, "MY Daddy!"

Now, I don't know if it's related, but she was a bear at bedtime tonight. A quick story (I know Cinderella inside and out now!), and into bed. A song, a snuggle, a kiss... and "I don't want to go to sleep!" Along with not staying in bed, and not staying in her room. And then she started banging on her door.

Until, that is, I lost my bubble and roared at her to go to bed. She sniffled herself to sleep.

I feel bad, but really she's going to be a bag of hair in the morning from not enough sleep.

We need a nanny. Soonest.

Back Into the Fray

Well, it's Sunday finally. Friday was a half day at work, because we had a hike up Mount Douglas that afternoon. I'm a little bitter about that still, so I won't write more. I managed to drop off Sailor's whites to the triwall that's going to meet them in Pusan though. That afternoon before supper, I took the girls to Ready, Set, Learn at the SLCC where we got a bag of swag and had a little visit with people in the community we haven't seen in a while.

Saturday was busy! Kee Kee got his shots and a de-worm pill, which added up to an extra $60 that we weren't expecting. Then we got some groceries, and took Ray to "It's Not Dancing Day" class. She's so hit-and-miss in this class. It's very frustrating. And I don't know whether or not to enrol her for September again. *sigh*

After that, we picked up the frozen portion of the list and headed home. A quick non-eating of lunch and Greta went to her crib for a change. It was supposed to be a nap, but it wasn't. And a change is as good as a rest, right?

We all went to the local hair shop and got trims. The girls were great! Then home and a late supper. The girls were in bed 45 minutes later than usual. Ooops.

Didn't stop them from waking up early today though! Ray came into my room at 6:30. I told her that when there was a 7, then she could talk. Yeah... that worked. Not.

So up we got at 7, showered, dressed and down for left-over pancakes for breakfast. Sister-In-Law arrived around 9 and it was GREAT to know someone could watch the girls while I ran off and did errands.

Recycle bottles and cans: $10.40.
Pick-up cell phone: re-format.
Drop-off and pick-up from Kinderbeez: still no shoes in Ray's size.
Drop-off ad money to Tupperware Rep: two weeks til our business fair!
Check out Dump: closed on Sunday. *sigh* Well, that'll give me something to do on the 21st if I can find a sitter.

Sailor's in Okinawa now. It's Monday morning there and it's Sunday afternoon here. We're going to try to Skype tomorrow evening around supper time.

The rain has been falling pretty steady today and the lawn is more green than white, so things are looking up! We're having roast chicken and sweet potato rounds for supper tonight (and mixed veg), and tomorrow Ray wants a chicken and cheese sandwich. Greta will get left-over chicken and I'll have the last piece of quiche from last night.

Our neighbours are back from Cancun, minus one piece of luggage. They had a great time though. The other neighbour's Husky puppy is growing exponentially and is the cutest thing!

The Flex for the week:
Monday - work, Skype with Sailor at dinner time.
Tuesday - work, speech therapist at dinner.
Wednesday - work, Mary Kay training night (and I have a sitter!).
Thursday - work.
Friday - work.
Saturay - groceries, dance class.
Sunday - girls to Godparent's place while I write my English exam.

I've put an ad out there for a live-out nanny. It's frustrating. I've asked for a resume with references. I've received four replies:
1 - says she works at the front desk of a hotel and babysits. Much prefers to babysit. Uh... it's caregiving. However, she did send her resume and references as asked.
2 - texted me on her cel 2 give her a call if I'm "intrested" in talking to her. No resume, no references given.
3 - is giving birth any day and would love to go back to work in April. I told her she's nuts (but in a nice way).
4 - is 19 and wants to work in a customer service job. Her spelling is not that good, however she did send me a resume. But no references and her 'cover letter' is geared towards a customer service job, instead of THIS job. So... uh... no.

I'm sure the right person will come along. But I was hoping for April 1st. Guess it's not going to happen til May 1st now.

Preschool put up their rates another $30 a month. It's only $1 day increase, but they're not the only ones putting their rates up and it's killing us. To have both girls there until Greta turns 3 will cost us around $1400+ month, and once she's 3, it'll be only $50 less.

I know my kids are my greatest treasure (etc etc), but it does me no good if I can't keep a roof over their heads, not to mention all the days off I have to take when Daycare closes or they get sick. So, a nanny it is. I hope. Wish us luck!

It's been a year since my dad passed away. Time really does go fast when you keep busy. I still miss him very much, but I'm not bursting into tears whenever I think of him. The Grief Support group I go to helps a lot with that.

I'm looking forward to talking to Sailor again soon. I hope he finds a way to call us if we can't Skype - without running up the cell phone bill!