The first week back from vacation is always the toughest. And the longest. Unless, of course, you count the week that you're waiting for the end of. Then THAT'S the longest. And that would be this week.
We went to my cousin's BarrBQ (play on his last name there) yesterday. The 4th one we've been to. The second one without my dad in attendance. Seems my cousin Le is still really upset about his death, and would tear up often when talking about him. The youngest of the four, J, was invited and showed up this year. He's a 45+ year-old mooch who looks like a refugee from a 70's movie, and would be such a great guy if he'd cut his hair, shave his face, get a bridge for his missing teeth, and sober up for more than 10 minutes a day. It's a shame, really. But, he was there, it was nice to see him again (even if he did scare the daylights out of Ray and accidentally give Greta a Bailey's filled cream puff - the asshat).
The host, E, has taken up guitar as his new hobby. He has about 16 of them now, mostly Gretch's and Stienberger's (?). Nice guitars, that's for sure. He's the same as us all - is musical and has played guitar since birth. He's learning scales and notes now.
I was begged by Le to stay a little and sing, so I did, for about half an hour. This put us leaving around 8, and home around 9, so the girls were dead tired. I just changed them and put them into bed.
All was good until about ten after 1. That's the first time Greta threw up. The second time at ten after 4. We all slept in til around 8, skipped church, and just hung out. I think she has a minor fever, and I'm hoping it's just a yeast infection that's causing her to be in pain when she pees. If not, I'll be going to the walk-in clinic on Tuesday instead of work.
It's an hour past her bedtime and she's up still, messing around, Ray's destroying her father's recliner, and I'm going to go upstairs, turn on the laptop and burn some picture CDs for some friends.
Talked to Sailor tonight. They're able to send emails, but not receive them. The tiger cruise is well underway and they're now two hours behind us, not three. Getting closer every minute.
So much has changed since he left, it's hard to keep a list of it all. At least he has the next month to catch up with us and do some changes of his own around here.
Flex for this week:
Mon: work, preschool, cousins J&J supposed to be here for supper
Tue: work, preschool (unless Greta needs the clinic)
Wed: work (meeting), preschool
Thu: preschool, dr appt, work, Sailor's birthday!
Fri: Leave the house at 07, pick up MIL at 08, wander down to see the ship arrive after 09! YAY Sailor's HOME!!!!! Leave starts!
Sat: Pick up friend and have a great time at the Aaron Pritchett/Damian Marshall concert at my club.
Sun: Drop friend off, try for church (ha), birthday party for one of the girls' friends.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Let The Countdown Commence!
Camp was a hoot! We had so much fun. The girls learned a lot about their strengths and weaknesses, and I learned how to lighten the hell up AND did some spiritual junk too. It was great. We made some new friends and ate food we didn't cook (YAY). Ray slept on the top bunk - and didn't fall out or off the whole time. Greta climbed and swung (all the time), and fell and scraped her knees (again). Ray went canoeing!!
We had such a wonderful time - even if timings were suggestions, the non-existent insulation allowed us to hear every murmur of conversation and boom of a bass, and there are still people out there who need a kick in the ass. BUT, on the whole it was a positive experience. Apparently, we're going again next year (says Ray). We met a girl who lives near us who is more than happy to babysit the girls while our regular sitter is overseas for the year! YAY!
This is definitely NOT Sailor's cup o' tea, so we'll go, the three girls, and he'll either be at sea or on a mini holiday himself at the time. There was a wifi drop, so I was able to email Sailor every night! I just sent him a swak of pics from the first day.
The neighbour across the street not only fed the cat, watered the lawn and picked up our mail, BUT, she got her husband to mow our front lawn too! YAY! What a great bunch of people here. We're having a 'thanks for taking care of me while Sailor was gone' BBQ in September for the block.
Since we've been back, I've done about 8 loads of laundry (mostly with Oxyclean), gone grocery shopping, and we've seen the Musical Ride today. It was also the Celebration of Life for our friend's mother. I wrote them an email, but I don't know if it was read out. I did drop off two bouquets of flowers to the house before we went to the Ride.
The girls loved the show. They call them the "dancing black horses", and we were able to see two close up at the end. I wanted to go to the stables afterward, but the girls just wanted to go home.
My cousin was supposed to call me and I was to pick her up from the ferry, but she didn't so we didn't. Tomorrow we're having Mother-In-Law and Sister-In-Law come up for a visit and a bbq dinner. If I can light the bbq without lighting myself on fire too, that is.
Sailor called, but the phone didn't ring. He'll call again tomorrow he said.
Greta is now only in her bed. I dismantled the crib tonight. It didn't go smoothly. There's some repairs that Sailor needs to make to the crib if we hope to pass it on to someone else. At any rate, Greta looks so tiny and small in that wee bed in the middle of her room. And she's happy as a clam about it too. *sigh* another milestone Sailor misses.
This week's flex:
Sun: Church then MIL & SIL visit (maybe the neighbour too). Get read for work on Monday.
Mon: Recycle day! Preschool, work, drop the car off at the body shop. Get a rental for 3 days.
Tue: Preschool, work. Friends from Alberta are dropping in while on their camping vaycay for supper (BBQ again) after work.
Wed: Preschool, work. Maybe the car will be ready. Maybe not.
Thur: Girls and I are home for the day. Seems the preschool overbooked for the day, so instead of trying to explain to Greta why either she's with me and Ray's at school, OR she's at school and Ray's with me... I'll keep them both home for the day and we'll go to a local park in the forenoon.
Fri: Garbage day! Preschool, work. Car goes into the shop for maintenance, and I go to the chirpractor for MY maintenance! Gotta make potato salad for my cousin's bbq the next day too.
Sat: Cousin's annual family BBQ. Gonna be fun (kinda sad without my dad there again though) to see the family again.
Rumour has it my other cousins will make it down from the interior the following week for 3/4 days and they said they'd swing by the house. I'll believe it when I see it. I also have a dr's appointment that week (nothing serious), and then, before you know it, Sailor will be home!! YAY!
We had such a wonderful time - even if timings were suggestions, the non-existent insulation allowed us to hear every murmur of conversation and boom of a bass, and there are still people out there who need a kick in the ass. BUT, on the whole it was a positive experience. Apparently, we're going again next year (says Ray). We met a girl who lives near us who is more than happy to babysit the girls while our regular sitter is overseas for the year! YAY!
This is definitely NOT Sailor's cup o' tea, so we'll go, the three girls, and he'll either be at sea or on a mini holiday himself at the time. There was a wifi drop, so I was able to email Sailor every night! I just sent him a swak of pics from the first day.
The neighbour across the street not only fed the cat, watered the lawn and picked up our mail, BUT, she got her husband to mow our front lawn too! YAY! What a great bunch of people here. We're having a 'thanks for taking care of me while Sailor was gone' BBQ in September for the block.
Since we've been back, I've done about 8 loads of laundry (mostly with Oxyclean), gone grocery shopping, and we've seen the Musical Ride today. It was also the Celebration of Life for our friend's mother. I wrote them an email, but I don't know if it was read out. I did drop off two bouquets of flowers to the house before we went to the Ride.
The girls loved the show. They call them the "dancing black horses", and we were able to see two close up at the end. I wanted to go to the stables afterward, but the girls just wanted to go home.
My cousin was supposed to call me and I was to pick her up from the ferry, but she didn't so we didn't. Tomorrow we're having Mother-In-Law and Sister-In-Law come up for a visit and a bbq dinner. If I can light the bbq without lighting myself on fire too, that is.
Sailor called, but the phone didn't ring. He'll call again tomorrow he said.
Greta is now only in her bed. I dismantled the crib tonight. It didn't go smoothly. There's some repairs that Sailor needs to make to the crib if we hope to pass it on to someone else. At any rate, Greta looks so tiny and small in that wee bed in the middle of her room. And she's happy as a clam about it too. *sigh* another milestone Sailor misses.
This week's flex:
Sun: Church then MIL & SIL visit (maybe the neighbour too). Get read for work on Monday.
Mon: Recycle day! Preschool, work, drop the car off at the body shop. Get a rental for 3 days.
Tue: Preschool, work. Friends from Alberta are dropping in while on their camping vaycay for supper (BBQ again) after work.
Wed: Preschool, work. Maybe the car will be ready. Maybe not.
Thur: Girls and I are home for the day. Seems the preschool overbooked for the day, so instead of trying to explain to Greta why either she's with me and Ray's at school, OR she's at school and Ray's with me... I'll keep them both home for the day and we'll go to a local park in the forenoon.
Fri: Garbage day! Preschool, work. Car goes into the shop for maintenance, and I go to the chirpractor for MY maintenance! Gotta make potato salad for my cousin's bbq the next day too.
Sat: Cousin's annual family BBQ. Gonna be fun (kinda sad without my dad there again though) to see the family again.
Rumour has it my other cousins will make it down from the interior the following week for 3/4 days and they said they'd swing by the house. I'll believe it when I see it. I also have a dr's appointment that week (nothing serious), and then, before you know it, Sailor will be home!! YAY!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Camp Week!
It's our first time away at camp. Me and the girls are going for 5 nights to a 'church' camp, where they have fun and I have 'me' time! I'll try to get a jump start on my next assignment.
I lit the bbq today with a match. Which nearly lit my hair on fire. I think the igniter is n/s.... needless to say I will be MUCH more careful in the future. Reminded me of an immersion heater, but without the loud BOOOOOM!!! that can accompany it.
So the girls are bugging me for food and the meal's cooking. I don't know if there'll be a WiFi drop at the camp, but I hope so. I like to email Sailor.
20 days! WooT!
I lit the bbq today with a match. Which nearly lit my hair on fire. I think the igniter is n/s.... needless to say I will be MUCH more careful in the future. Reminded me of an immersion heater, but without the loud BOOOOOM!!! that can accompany it.
So the girls are bugging me for food and the meal's cooking. I don't know if there'll be a WiFi drop at the camp, but I hope so. I like to email Sailor.
20 days! WooT!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
How Hot? Damn Hot!
There's a heatwave going on. Hot hot hot. I don't mind it, but it would be nice to have central air instead of fans and ceiling fans.
Greta has been sleeping in her bed since Wednesday. Well, kinda. Last night she moved into her crib, and she's in the crib again tonight. But for the most part, she spent the week in her toddler bed and we didn't have a single problem!
She's sitting on the potty too, but no go. It's a start at least.
Sailor called this week. It was great to hear him. He sends me emails every day and it's so nice to read his words. We're under the 30 day mark now! Wheee!
I said the Prayers of the People this week. When I got to the part I wrote about the military I nearly lost it. Three times. What a dork. Everyone said it was heartfelt, but I thought I was dumb.
This week's flex:
Mon: Exec meeting
Tues: Mammogram (yay. not). going to Hyundai to see if we can change cars.
Wed: work
Thurs: work
Fri: work
Sat: Dave's going to put our fence pickets on the deck! YAY!!!
Sun: Off to Church Camp for the week. HUZZAH!!!
Greta has been sleeping in her bed since Wednesday. Well, kinda. Last night she moved into her crib, and she's in the crib again tonight. But for the most part, she spent the week in her toddler bed and we didn't have a single problem!
She's sitting on the potty too, but no go. It's a start at least.
Sailor called this week. It was great to hear him. He sends me emails every day and it's so nice to read his words. We're under the 30 day mark now! Wheee!
I said the Prayers of the People this week. When I got to the part I wrote about the military I nearly lost it. Three times. What a dork. Everyone said it was heartfelt, but I thought I was dumb.
This week's flex:
Mon: Exec meeting
Tues: Mammogram (yay. not). going to Hyundai to see if we can change cars.
Wed: work
Thurs: work
Fri: work
Sat: Dave's going to put our fence pickets on the deck! YAY!!!
Sun: Off to Church Camp for the week. HUZZAH!!!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Dog Days of Summer
I took Friday off, but didn't go up to Quadra (his timings were changed). Instead, I ran errands while the girls were at preschool. I managed to get a lot accomplished too! From the north end of one town, to the north end of another, including Costco and Canadian Tire!! An expensive, but productive day.
Sailor called on Friday night too and it was so great to hear his voice again! The girls weren't too chatty with him, but Greta did her best to talk to her dad and Ray was trying to show him a Barbie doll she has.
On Saturday, we got up early and did our grocery shopping. Then we went to a friend's consignment store where, for the price of a new two-wheeler at Canadian Tire, I managed to get:
~ a linen dress with little flowers on the skirt for Ray's birthday pictures
~ a Barbie colouring book for the girls
~ another floor puzzle for Greta
~ white fancy shoes for Ray
~ Cinderella Barbie and two outfits for her and her friends
~ and a two-wheeler with a helmet for Ray!!
Greta wore the helmet home and around the house for the next few hours.
Ray wants to surprise her dad and be riding the bike when he comes home in five weeks. I guess I need to figure out how to put those training wheels on!!
Then I went to Harry Potter's new movie (thanks to the soon-to-be-richest babysitter in the village). It was great! Another good one for the collection when it comes out on DVD.
Today we took the splash mat and some potato salad to my step-sister's place for a family bbq. We haven't seen the family in about a year or so. One step-sister is traveling to England to see their brother with my step-mum on Tuesday, so we took a family photo to send to him.
One of our assistant priests has asked me to lead the prayers of the people next week. I'm very excited. I get to write the prayers and he wants it to sound intimate, like I'm talking to friends around the kitchen table. I don't usually pray with friends around my kitchen table, but I guess I can fake it. Mostly. I'll be putting in more than just "bless the members of the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan and the crew of HMCS Winnipeg" too. I do need to follow a set route, but he doesn't want to take too long. I think no more than 10 minutes should do it. Ack! I'm excited and nervous... but also really honoured and happy. I just want to do well at this.
I've been carrying around a packet of salt lately. My feet seem to taste better with it. It seems that no matter who I talk to, my words come across condescending or rude, and that's not my intent. I think I need to zip it for a while until my synapses re-sychronize or something.
This week's flex:
Mon: work.
Tues: work.
Wed: work. I sense a trend.
Thurs: work.
Fri: work.
Sat: Ray's friend's birthday party at the local pool.
Sun: maybe a playdate with some of Greta's friends in the afternoon.
It's been beautiful weather. Too bad sailor's not here to enjoy it. Soon. Soon.
Sailor called on Friday night too and it was so great to hear his voice again! The girls weren't too chatty with him, but Greta did her best to talk to her dad and Ray was trying to show him a Barbie doll she has.
On Saturday, we got up early and did our grocery shopping. Then we went to a friend's consignment store where, for the price of a new two-wheeler at Canadian Tire, I managed to get:
~ a linen dress with little flowers on the skirt for Ray's birthday pictures
~ a Barbie colouring book for the girls
~ another floor puzzle for Greta
~ white fancy shoes for Ray
~ Cinderella Barbie and two outfits for her and her friends
~ and a two-wheeler with a helmet for Ray!!
Greta wore the helmet home and around the house for the next few hours.
Ray wants to surprise her dad and be riding the bike when he comes home in five weeks. I guess I need to figure out how to put those training wheels on!!
Then I went to Harry Potter's new movie (thanks to the soon-to-be-richest babysitter in the village). It was great! Another good one for the collection when it comes out on DVD.
Today we took the splash mat and some potato salad to my step-sister's place for a family bbq. We haven't seen the family in about a year or so. One step-sister is traveling to England to see their brother with my step-mum on Tuesday, so we took a family photo to send to him.
One of our assistant priests has asked me to lead the prayers of the people next week. I'm very excited. I get to write the prayers and he wants it to sound intimate, like I'm talking to friends around the kitchen table. I don't usually pray with friends around my kitchen table, but I guess I can fake it. Mostly. I'll be putting in more than just "bless the members of the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan and the crew of HMCS Winnipeg" too. I do need to follow a set route, but he doesn't want to take too long. I think no more than 10 minutes should do it. Ack! I'm excited and nervous... but also really honoured and happy. I just want to do well at this.
I've been carrying around a packet of salt lately. My feet seem to taste better with it. It seems that no matter who I talk to, my words come across condescending or rude, and that's not my intent. I think I need to zip it for a while until my synapses re-sychronize or something.
This week's flex:
Mon: work.
Tues: work.
Wed: work. I sense a trend.
Thurs: work.
Fri: work.
Sat: Ray's friend's birthday party at the local pool.
Sun: maybe a playdate with some of Greta's friends in the afternoon.
It's been beautiful weather. Too bad sailor's not here to enjoy it. Soon. Soon.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Back to Reality
What a week it's been! I've seen some amazing musical acts, met Jo Dee Messina, and met some amazing people. I've also worked alongside some great, not so great, and idiotic people, but that's the luck of the draw. I'm glad it's over and I think I'm good for another 8 years or so. Mind you, I'd come back to see the lovely people from the Walk of Stars again, as well as their friends.
The girls were run off their feet this week by their Aunty A. They went to beaches and parks, pony rides, Jumpin' Jiminies and played at home too.
I'm so happy for them. I'm happy for me too - CRA has seen fit to honour me with my money, finally!
I'm just on my way out to the highway and soon will be home with my babies once again. And then normal programming will resume.
Sailor is counting down the days - 39 give or take.
This week's flex:
Mon - home
Tues - work
Wed - work
Thurs - work
Fri - hopefully going to Quadra to see my friend's son graduate from his Two Weeky course
The girls were run off their feet this week by their Aunty A. They went to beaches and parks, pony rides, Jumpin' Jiminies and played at home too.
I'm so happy for them. I'm happy for me too - CRA has seen fit to honour me with my money, finally!
I'm just on my way out to the highway and soon will be home with my babies once again. And then normal programming will resume.
Sailor is counting down the days - 39 give or take.
This week's flex:
Mon - home
Tues - work
Wed - work
Thurs - work
Fri - hopefully going to Quadra to see my friend's son graduate from his Two Weeky course
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Shout it, shout it, Shout it out LOUD!!!
It's Saturday night. It's 23 degrees in my bedroom, and that's with the shade drawn all day to keep the sun out. So I have the AC in the window to keep me cool. But, it's late, so I've turned off the turbo fan and am listening to the hum of my new laptop (which is what I'm writing this on tonight! WooT!), and the giggles, laughter, and WHOOOP from our neighbours.
So my choices are: take out the AC vent thingys and close the window. PRO: no more (or muffled) Whoop-De-Doos. CON: Hot. Hot. Hot. Hot.
OR
Leave the AC vent thingys in the windows and run the fan again. PRO: the noise will cancel out the yahoos in the back 40 and it'll be cold in here. CON: I'd have to run it all night, I wouldn't hear if the kids are in trouble, and it takes up a lot of energy.
What to do... what to DO!?
I'll give it 10 minutes. If it's still going on at 11:30, then I'm turning the fan on. I have thick blankets and can sleep through the noise of the fan if I need to.
So tomorrow is A&H's annual country party at their place. REALLY looking forward to going and seeing everyone I haven't seen in a year. The girls are going to keep me busy though - no sitting on my laurels this year. Sailor won't be there watching them and making sure they don't klonk themselves on the head. SIL can't come - maybe. Friends I invited aren't coming either, bummer. Still gotta make some potato salad and think of something for the 'table'.
Today we went to see the Lippizzaners in town. I thought it started at 2:30. Nope. 2:00. We were 30 minutes late (I suck). Greta started crying when she saw the horses, but soon settled in enough to wander towards the ring between acts. Ray sat there with her fingers in her ears nearly the whole time. So classy.
This week's flex:
Sun: Church, laundry, party
Mon: BUSY day at work plus mess meeting.
Tue: prep for Merritt - dry cleaning, tidy, hair appt, meetings maybe, try to make some spaghetti sauce and jar it too. Hopefully my friend A will be over that night to get a head start on things. I have to arrange pick-up with my partner in crime for the drive. I have tons of packing to do too.
Wed: drive to Merritt
Thurs: Meeting at 0900 to find out the schedule. According to a rumour, the promoter might get me a backstage pass because he found out I'm a country musician!! WHEEEEEEEE!
Fri: do navy things. sing.
Sat: more of that.
Sun: still more of that (what a hard life).
Mon: come home.
Sailor called on Friday night while I was at my Mary Kay awards night dinner. He's going to try again. He's hanging out with my mum on Sunday. I'd be interested to hear how that goes.
The guy who was supposed to pick up my slide on Friday didn't. Piss me off. I did get the glass panels though, finally. Made me late to get the girls on Thursday, but at least we have them now.
Well, I have to shut this thing down and go to bed. The girls still get up early on weekends.
And... it's quiet outside! YAY!
So my choices are: take out the AC vent thingys and close the window. PRO: no more (or muffled) Whoop-De-Doos. CON: Hot. Hot. Hot. Hot.
OR
Leave the AC vent thingys in the windows and run the fan again. PRO: the noise will cancel out the yahoos in the back 40 and it'll be cold in here. CON: I'd have to run it all night, I wouldn't hear if the kids are in trouble, and it takes up a lot of energy.
What to do... what to DO!?
I'll give it 10 minutes. If it's still going on at 11:30, then I'm turning the fan on. I have thick blankets and can sleep through the noise of the fan if I need to.
So tomorrow is A&H's annual country party at their place. REALLY looking forward to going and seeing everyone I haven't seen in a year. The girls are going to keep me busy though - no sitting on my laurels this year. Sailor won't be there watching them and making sure they don't klonk themselves on the head. SIL can't come - maybe. Friends I invited aren't coming either, bummer. Still gotta make some potato salad and think of something for the 'table'.
Today we went to see the Lippizzaners in town. I thought it started at 2:30. Nope. 2:00. We were 30 minutes late (I suck). Greta started crying when she saw the horses, but soon settled in enough to wander towards the ring between acts. Ray sat there with her fingers in her ears nearly the whole time. So classy.
This week's flex:
Sun: Church, laundry, party
Mon: BUSY day at work plus mess meeting.
Tue: prep for Merritt - dry cleaning, tidy, hair appt, meetings maybe, try to make some spaghetti sauce and jar it too. Hopefully my friend A will be over that night to get a head start on things. I have to arrange pick-up with my partner in crime for the drive. I have tons of packing to do too.
Wed: drive to Merritt
Thurs: Meeting at 0900 to find out the schedule. According to a rumour, the promoter might get me a backstage pass because he found out I'm a country musician!! WHEEEEEEEE!
Fri: do navy things. sing.
Sat: more of that.
Sun: still more of that (what a hard life).
Mon: come home.
Sailor called on Friday night while I was at my Mary Kay awards night dinner. He's going to try again. He's hanging out with my mum on Sunday. I'd be interested to hear how that goes.
The guy who was supposed to pick up my slide on Friday didn't. Piss me off. I did get the glass panels though, finally. Made me late to get the girls on Thursday, but at least we have them now.
Well, I have to shut this thing down and go to bed. The girls still get up early on weekends.
And... it's quiet outside! YAY!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)