Sh*tty Sh*tty, Bang Bang

So, my day off Thursday.... where do I start? Let's see... we all had a bit of a sleep-in, til 6:30 (me and Ray), then Greta was up by 7:30. Breakfasted, off we go to Preschool. Ray and I head off to Kindy and she, of course, puts up a big freak when I leave (but I have awesome video of her on the trampoline for Sailor). I drove off to the recycle place and got $7, then hit Canadian Tire where I got the last Griddler (display model!) for $5 off the sale price. I stopped in to see my priest and we chatted for 10 minutes or so.

Then I went to Pharmasave to mail some stuff off, then to Thrifty's for some top-up. On the way out of the parking lot, a pothole, in the place that ALWAYS has potholes, has opened up - to the size of an anti-tank ditch. I didn't see it til I was in it. BAM! I thought something had happened, but the car was driving fine. I got home, unloaded the car and did stuff inside til it was time to leave to get Ray.

By the time I got down the road to the first intersection, I knew something wasn't right. Sure enough, the right front tire was flat. I called Hyundai Roadside assistance and she said someone would be there within an hour! No way! So I turned around, drove home, got the truck (which had insurance up until the 1st of May... and this was the 7th), and put Ray's carseat in it. I made it to the school in time to see the Preschool van there. I asked the teacher if she could take Ray. Sure! No problem, she said. So I ran and got Ray, and told her she'd go back with the van. She got into a booster seat for the first time (took a picture), and I drove home. All the while, hoping the person behind me didn't notice the date on the tags.

I called Roadside assistance again, and buddy showed up within 20 minutes. He used one of those air bladder jacks - way cool - and put the spare on for me. I had called Ok Tire, Kal Tire, J&D Tire (mobile service), and finally Hyundai in town. Which, btw, doesn't sell tires for their cars. *sigh* BUT, maybe Joe's Tire Hospital does. No, they didn't have any, but they had a great price for a new 195/65R15, so I took the car there at 1. I was out of there by 2, and $117.60 lighter. I was finally able to get home and clean a little bit (shouldn't have bothered - cleaners were coming Friday) and start supper before going to get the girls.

Ray said she had a lot of fun at Kindy, however Ms Paula, the teacher, was quite surprised at how stubborn Ray could be. I told her about Ray taking 2 weeks with no tv to apologize to her sister. She was amazed. Ray was falling asleep during lunch. Greta didn't nap.

On Friday, I had a nice lunch with the gang from my old job. Well, technically just the civies from the old job - no one on the military side made it *sigh*. It was good though. And they gave me a pretty pen and journal.

Then we held the vote for the secretary via email, and the MPs got snippy with me because they're not members of the mess. Well, let me know then, don't send me snarky emails! Asshats.

I slid early and the house had been cleaned by the cleaners. Deelightful! I needed to get air let out of the new tire before I left though - every other tire was at 32lbs, that one was at 40!! No wonder it was pulling. Anyway, I'm going to take it to the garage on payday to get an alignment with the maintenance. I'm also putting in a claim with the maintenance company for the tire. I'll see how far that gets me.

Anyway, I put things back and made dinner, popped it into the oven and hit the nearby CB&W for some Damasco and Elquilas. Then I got the girls. We came home and our neighbours were mowing and weed-eating the lawn! They came over around 8:30 for some wine. We had a really nice visit. They're wonderful people.

The weather's turned nice finally! The blossoms are mostly off the cherry tree now - we had a high wind the other day (power went out at 5:35am!) and Greta said, "cherry choppums!" so cute.

Tomorrow's Mother's Day. Sailor was supposed to be home, but he's not. I still have some Elquilas left.

How Did I Get So Busy?

This week went by so fast! Turns out, that before I got the job as PMC, I was put on prade for Battle of the Atlantic (BOTA) Sunday. When I got the job, I was told I was off. I was told incorrectly. Thursday I got an email informing me that I was the Vigil Commander for the BOTA in Sooke! That's over an hour away from where I live. Of course, the Godparents who are to look after the girls for me on Sunday were on holiday when I found out. I left them a message, and when they came home, they said it was fine to leave the girls longer.

Thursday was Greta's last day at her daycare. I got her and her husband tickets to the local ECHL team's playoff game, and a potted plant. I cried as we left. I was teary all day. Still am when I think of it, actually. Got the girls' photos back from Sears that day too. They turned out well.

Friday I had parade practice. I told them I could only stay for 20 minutes. It took 4 to give me my words of command for the parade. Then I popped into the Band office to meet the CO and my liaison. They were a little taken aback at my confidence with regards to singing, but as I said to the piano player, I have to be confident if I'm the front man! I think they're planning on having me sing at other public occasions besides just a summer concert in the park! They asked me to choose three country songs that they'll orchestrate for me to sing. How exciting! Lots to choose from!

Then I had my meeting with the Base Commander. The Base Chief and my Chief were there too. It was nice and went very well I believe. The BComd seemed quite surprised at my military history (I left out a few things that would have REALLY amazed him), and that I'm single-mumming it, selling Mary Kay and doing my diploma too! He is really happy that I'm getting so uch accomplished at the mess and said he'd light a fire under the construction guys to see what we can do for the building quickly.

When I had bought the hockey tickets, the guy I met there when I enquired about season tickets for the mess offered me tickets for the Friday night game. I asked him if I could offer them to mess members instead. So, I put out a call to all members that the first two people to show up would get a set (2) of tickets for the Friday game. They were gone within 45 minutes!

Our plan is to give a set away for the regular season at each Canucks game and UFC that we show. And I'm going to enquire about the Jr team in town too, to see what they have available.

The BComd seemed impressed with that. Then we had the photo op and he said he was really glad to see me in the job and that the leadership to lead the mess is in good hands!

Five minutes later, as I was entering a different building, my Chief was exiting. He's a tough audience, but I said, "We have to stop meeting like this," He smiled and said, "You did a great job in the meeting," as he went out the door. Well knock me down or what?!

Friday night I went to a vocal choir workshop in Duncan. Two hours of learning better breath control and singing. It was lovely. I didn't even cough too much. I forgot to pay the babysitter. I'll catch her next time, but what a dope I am! Then I proceeded to get myself a Bachman Cummings ticket for their show next month.

I had promised Ray that if she danced today, I would take her for lunch tomorrow at her favourite restaurant. She danced! We're going for a late lunch/early supper.

Greta took a tumble at the studio location! Down four concrete steps - it could have been more than 20 - and I aged quickly in 6 seconds. I flew the 10 feet to the steps and stopped her from going any further. She didn't injure herself at all, except for a bruise on her nose and some on her legs. Thank God.

I might be going to see U2 in October!! I have a line on tickets, and with any luck, they're not as expensive as the $250 ones left online. Aw... I'll go anyway. It's U2!

This week's flex:
Sun: Drop off the girls, BOTA, get the girls, meal at the restaurant.
Mon: Downtown to kick off the Centennial Statue project.
Tues: Executive meeting (now that I have a full compliment, finally!)
Wed: Work.
Thurs: OFF! Ray has her 'practice' day at Kindy, so I'm going to drop her off and pick her up, but I'll get some running around done too and catch up on other things.
Fri: Work.
Sat: Dance. Groceries.

Now... for the REALLY good news:FW: Message for your friends and families

Friends and Family of WINNIPEG. We have received some clarification regarding the length of time we will be conducting counter piracy operations as a part of NATO's Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) that I would like to pass on to you.

The Minister of National Defence has authorized HMCS WINNIPEG to conduct counter-piracy operations with SNMG1 until the end of May timeframe, at which point the ship will depart the Gulf of Aden and commence a transit to Australia to resume our previously scheduled program. While WINNIPEG will complete its time with SNMG1 at the end of May, the remainder of the group will carry-on until 28 June. We anticipate that we will arrive in Brisbane, Australia for a port visit in early July on the same dates that I briefed to you at the MFRC Family Briefing prior to our departure from Esquimalt. Our port visits during the transit from the Gulf of Aden to Brisbane have not yet been confirmed, but will be passed on to you once known. While we hope to get this information as soon as possible, it may take up to a couple of weeks before this information is known for certain. Once we have arrived in Brisbane I anticipate the ship's program will remain as originally scheduled, and that WINNIPEG will arrive back in Esquimalt for 21 August.

Once again, I ask that if you have any questions at all regarding our deployment, please contact the MFRC who will then forward the questions onto WINNIPEG.

Thank you,

Craig Baines
Commander
Commanding Officer

This means Sailor MIGHT be able to come home in June! I sure hope so.

I have to send some receipts to CRA in order to get my tax return completed and then I can pay off some stuff.

We're going to hire a gardener to mow the lawn and weed the flower beds. I don't have the time or the desire to do it myself. All I want to do is read, sleep, or drink. And I can't drink til the antibiotics are done.

Monday Monday... doo doo... doo doo doo doo...

Well, what a weekend it's been, and what a Monday.

My hair was cut and coloured on Friday and I bought a cute headband. The dress store next door to the hairdressers let me take home a cute dress - without paying for it!!! (gotta love small towns) - and Ray declared it THE dress to wear on Saturday night. So I did.

We went to dance class on Saturday, and as it was picture day, we ended up on the stage in the theatre for practice. This did not go over well for Ray. During the first run-through, I held her and she watched from the wings. The second run-through, I sat in the audience and she stood on the stage. If there had been time for a third run-through, she may have actually danced. One of the other mothers kept Greta busy and happy. Then, at picture time, Ray joined in the group no problem, but wouldn't do the individual. I ended up joking around with her, and they put me in the photo too.

I tried talking to the owner's mother about how a little warning about the theatre would have been nice, and she walked away from me!! AS I was talking. RUDE!! Anyway, it's probably a good thing Ray doesn't want to dance again next season. It'll be interesting if Greta wants to in a couple years.

So Saturday night I went to the club with my friend and there was about 50 people or so by the height of things. Not bad I suppose. There were 4 entries into the contest: T, B, a duet, and me. We ended up starting late because one of the judges arrived late. When I said the rules (only military who pay mess dues at our mess could enter), it pissed a few people off, but hey - them's the rules. And the girl who arrived nearly half-way through the first round who wanted to join in got told NO! She wasn't too impressed, but we DID start an hour late, so she had plenty of time to arrive on time if she really wanted to. I'm sure a 'real' club would not have allowed it either.

At any rate, I sang first, and opened with Long Train Runnin'. Then T went up and did something (can't remember) that wasn't as good as what he'd done previously during the fun sing. Then the duet ruined Hotel California. Then B went up and kicked serious butt singing Love Somebody Like You by Keith Urban. I was scared!! I wanted to change my next song!!

Then there was a 30-45 minute break in between while one of the judges went to the can and we had other people sing.

We started up again, and I sang Some Kind of Wonderful. T ended up singing with some other guys, because by this time, he was hammered. The duet, also hammered, had three more people joining them. B went up and did Take Your Sweater, but it was in the wrong key for him and it just didn't sound as good as his first one.

I won. Very cool. I'll be talking to the band this week about singing with them. I'm kind of excited. It was a bit of a hollow victory though, because the evening degenirated into a drunk-fest, and it wasn't taken seriously. With such an important prize, I was hoping there'd be some realistic competition, and people who were serious about competing.

At any rate, I bought a round, handed out some swag, and generally had a good time. Got home late late late, and may or may not have a sitter for Friday night for a vocal workshop in town. Hopefully I will.

This morning I went to the base hospital for the hacking cough I've been keeping alive for three weeks or so. Turns out it is bronchitis. The doc gave me some antibiotics for it and said the earache I've had since Saturday night was probably related to the infection.

I've made an agreement with Ray about her dance. If she dances on Saturday, no matter if it's in the theatre or the studio, then I'll take her and Greta for lunch on Sunday to her favourite Lunch Trunk (Ray-speak for restaurant). Her Aunt L and Gramma will join us there. If she doesn't dance, then no Lunch Trunk.

Greta is singing "Happy Birthday" on a regular basis now, especially when she sees a candle. Sailor isn't going to recognize her when he comes home - she's talking up a storm! She starts preschool with Ray on Friday. SO exciting. Sad leaving her daycare though.

I start my Intro Marketing course this week. I'm hoping to finish it within 10-12 weeks. So far it doesn't look too interesting, but with any luck I'll find the spark for the course and do well to keep my GPA up.

Sailor was going to call last night, but he was tired after watch and went to bed. I have a feeling they're in River City again (no communications) because I haven't received an email from him today, and we usually get at least one a day.

He liked my hair cut pictures. I'm sure by the time he comes home, it'll be a bit longer.

This week's flex:
Tues - work. LOTS to do. Preschool and daycare.
Wed - work. Still lots to do. Preschool and daycare. Grab some extras from the grocery store after work.
Thurs - more of the same. Greta's last day at daycare!! If we have the money (and time to pick them up), we'll pick up some hockey playoff tickets for a thankyou gift, otherwise, we'll have to mail them or drop them off once we get some money.
Fri - Preschool for the girls. Work til noon, then chiro, dance shop, and Sears photo to pick up the portraits from the start of the month. Hopefully will have a sitter so I can attend the vocal workshop, and my bronchitis will be under control enough that I can sing without hacking up a lung.

Hope we hear from Sailor soon.

Effin' Pirates

I was warned yesterday that Sailor might not be coming home in May. And here it is, officially official:

FW: ! HMCS WINNIPEG Mission change !

Families and friends of WINNIPEG,

1. As I mentioned to some of you during the last Sunday Session, due to the critical role NATO is playing in combating piracy of the coast of Somalia, there was a chance that WINNIPEG's mission could change to have our counter-piracy operation extended. This has indeed occurred. Today, NATO has announced that SNMG1, of which WINNIPEG is a part, will cancel planned port visits in Singapore and Australia and instead return to the Gulf of Aden to continue the counter-piracy operation.

2. What does this mean for WINNIPEG? Well, it will impact the ship's company and the families and friends in a number of ways. Specifically:

-Short-term schedule: WINNIPEG will no longer proceed to Singapore or Perth for the planned port visits. Instead the ship will return to the Gulf of Aden to work alongside the other ships of the NATO squadron and the other coalition forces in the area to continue to combat piracy.

-Long-term schedule: NATO has announced that the counter-piracy operation will be extended until 28 June 09. At this moment, we do not know if WINNIPEG will participate in the counter-piracy operation for this entire time, or whether we will depart at an earlier date. We will let you know as soon as we do. When this decision is made, we will also be able to tell you our future anticipated ports and dates. For instance, we may still visit Perth, but it would be at a later date.

3. Some questions you may have:

Return Date: While our mission has changed, there is no indication that this change will effect our return date to Esquimalt, which is still planned for 21 August.

HLTA: Unfortunately, due to the cancellation of our port visits to Singapore and Perth, all HLTA that had been previously arranged for those ports will have to be cancelled. While this will be a dis-satisfier for some, please understand that this is an operational requirement. HLTA will be refunded for those individuals that have made plans. Depending upon the length of our operation, there will still be some opportunity for members of the ship's company to take HLTA.

Benefits: WINNIPEG will continue to receive high levels of Hardship and Risk allowances, and will remain on tax free status, for the duration of our participation in the counter-piracy operation.

As always, I know that I can count on all of you to support your loved ones as we embark upon this next phase of our mission. Rest assured that I will keep you informed of any further developments in our mission, and will advise as soon as possible when we know more about the length of the counter-piracy operation, new port visit dates, etc.

Once again, I ask that if you have any questions at all regarding our deployment, please contact the MFRC who will then forward the questions onto WINNIPEG.

Thank you,

Craig Baines
Commander
Commanding Officer

Yeah, thanks for that. How the hell do I explain to a 4 year-old that Daddy's not coming home now, but we get extra money for it?

We're all bummed out, but should snap out of it soon.

On a happier note, I got my hair coloured (redish!), trimmed, and bought a snazzy head band. I LOVE it.

Tomorrow night is the Fleet Idol karaoke contest. I'm entering. So's the Vice. I haven't met him yet. I'm hoping there'll be a HUGE crowd, because I'm sick and tired of listening to the day staff moan and drip and say, "It'll never work" when I know it will. After all, I've been there for a week (technically three days) and I already have more people on the committee, and guys from the Shop (can't say where) have come to measure stuff so they can make covers for us. Bah... when there's a big crowd, that'll learn 'em. I hope.

I invited a friend of mine to come with me. She's a new friend, and I'm really looking forward to spending more time with her. She's fun. And she sings too!

So, well, I guess I have to re-arrange some things and find a sitter for Greta during Ray's rehearsals. I think their Godparents will do it, but I should have a back-up just in case.

*sigh* Miss ya, Sailor. We all do.

Two Days of My Life I'm Never Getting Back

I spent the last two days on a SCAN seminar. It's basically a series of talks to inform you of the benefits and things you need to do once you retire from the military. Most of the presenters were pretty good. Except for the one just before lunch yesterday. Everything that you learn NOT to do in a presentation class... she did. I felt so bad for her - she cleared the room out in less than 8 minutes - but as a team leader, she needs to get some workshops under her belt before doing that again.

I think I have found a couple people for the Mess Committee. I'm going to finalize (I hope) things tomorrow and see. Now I just need two more and I'll be set.

So, tomorrow will be my first day of really digging into the job.

The girls are doing well. Greta's getting excited to join her sister next Friday at preschool. Ray fell on some pavement yesterday and did her knee in. She gets her grace from me - I'm so proud.

She's tired though, and will be going to bed 30 minutes early in about 6 minutes.

Found out how much the Foreign Service Premiums are. Nice chunk o' change. I received my payback for my last Uni course, and I'll be able to register for the next course by Friday when the payment goes through on the credit card.

I'm still nervous about the job, and I have this cough still. I should be able to sing on Saturday night as long as I stop yelling at the kids. I'm going to really get this Karaoke Contest going. I don't think the bar manager had any idea what he was doing when he put it on for only one night. We may need to extend it if there's as many people signing up as I think there is. It's all so exciting.

I tossed and turned all night, so I'm going to try to get some sleep tonight so I'm in fighting form tomorrow. I think a wee bowl of ice cream will help with the insomnia.

Good Things Come In Threes... Right?

For a Monday, it started out as craptacular as usual; as I was walking out of FMF for what was probably my last (or close to it) time, some unknown P2 yelled at me to get rid of my gum. He needs a hobby.

Then I got to spend 2-ish hours trailing my Chief around the mess with the bar manager, pointing out all the things that need to be done to the building, should be done to the building, and why they're not being done to the building. Although my enthusiasm was appreciated (his words), I apparently know nothing and will never get anything accomplished. Yeah... whatever. Let me do my thing, wouldja? Maybe I'll surprise you. After all, I know a hell of a lot of people on the base, so maybe, just MAYBE I can get something done in the two years I have here.

I had a great chat with the mess manager and we've worked out a system (all totally legal, no worries) for my monthly babysitting costs. I'm very happy with that. I found out that I get a staff discount (50%!!) on my meals. If I'm to keep my new-found shape, I'll have to forget that tidbit, and keep brown-bagging my lunches.

I sold some Mary Kay to one of my co-workers. Huzzah! She also wants to have some friends over for a facial class. We're working on timings.

I managed to get a lot accomplished today and felt really good about my first day, even though I was really nervous leading up to it. I think I can do some good there - a lot of my ideas were met with positive vibes, and I got some more great ideas in exchange.

Then, during supper, we received a phone call from Sailor. He was just off watch, and sounded much more alert than he did the other day. He laughed when I told him about Ray and her comments in the bathroom, and Greta managed to talk a little to her Dad, which I know made him feel really good. He also told me that he'll either have money with him when he comes home in 3-ish weeks, or it'll be directly deposited upon his return when he leaves. YAY!

So the girls got scrubbed and sang to and cuddled and smooched. Then I checked my email. My accountant told me how much the refund we're both getting will be.

If you heard a 'clonk!' around 8pm PST, that was me falling into a dead faint on the floor. It's not enough to clear our debt, but it's enough, along with Sailor's extra money, to pay back accounts that we've been borrowing from, clear one or two things, AND still have a little left over for the overdraft.

All in all, Mondays are pretty good to me.

Tuesdays on the other hand... usually suck.

End Of An Era

Today was my last day at BLog. I received my out-routine sheet, and the 'in' signatures were from '02! LONG time at the same place. Granted, I'd had two kids, and therefore two years of maternity leave, but nevertheless...

I also had my interview with my new boss. Who, in the chain of command, isn't my direct boss, and that's probably a good thing. We're both very passionate about what we believe in, and we're both knowledgeable about our strengths. However he's a tough audience, and I think he's run on logic. Which is fine - my dad was a Taurus. I had to write a 3 page logical argument about why I should be allowed to go to a movie one time. I have had lots of practice convincing people to see things my way.

Which is to say... I was essentially told to go stuff it in regards to asking for reimbursement for babysitting services while my husband's on deployment. So. I'll keep working at it.

Maybe the MFRC has a fund for this, I dunno. They have respite babysitting services, as well as free once a week daycare, however the times they have set up don't really help me out. The daycare is set up for weekdays (I work and the girls are in care already), and the respite care is for 3 hours on a Saturday morning. In order to use it, I'd need to burn gas there, tool around Victoria to do whatever, and then drive back. I'll think about it, but it's really not worth my money, especially if I'm spending a tank of gas and babysitting costs at least once a month for the mess without reimbursement.

I'm sure I'm the first one to ask for this. Doesn't mean it can't be done, but it does need to be accomplished in an above board manner. I don't think I'm asking for the moon, but I'll talk to the mess manager on Monday and see if something can be arranged.

The section I just left is going to have a going-away lunch for me in May. It was originally at a pub, but I find this specific pub really over-priced for what you get. So we've moved it to a less expensive Chinese Buffet place that real Chinese afficianados don't like. Oh well, it's close and the food is edible at least.

We played Bouncy Ball dogeball for PT this morning. Things were going well (only two nails broken), when near the end, I fended off the ball and gave my thumb a slight sprain. Not enough to swell up and bruise, just enough to be annoying whenever used for driving or typing or washing the kids or doing the dishes...

We're going up to see my Step Mom tomorrow. It was her birthday over the week, so we're bringing some of Ray's paintings and taking her for lunch. Sunday is a birthday party for two of Ray's classmates. In between all this driving and visiting, I have to go grocery shopping and do our laundry.

So at 0830 on Monday I meet up with the Chief and we go over to the mess to start my new job. I'm nervous. I'm excited. I'm resigned to fighting.

I'm really looking forward to it.