mrsqp

IVF

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:43:21 GMT

Well - we signed all the consents today for the IVF to get going. So - this is the plan...
Start Lupron on Friday (cd 20) keep taking that.
When my period starts - schedule blood work & an ultrasound (for a baseline).
Keep taking the Lupron until we decide it's "time". Then we schedule the appt. in Burlington & do another shot of... gonal F I think? I'm not sure I understand (now- I think I understood it before) why I need to do a trigger shot if they're going to harvest? But okay then. Like I said - I understood it when he explained it to me.
And all of this will be sometime around the beginning of February. (meaning the harvesting).

I guess I'll be a little sedated for the retrieval - but he said some people just find it uncomfortable - so think it's the worst thing ever. (I still swear the HSG was the worst thing ever - seriously - I've passed out from pain exactly twice - and that was one of them ... or at least I came reeeeally close).

And he said we should stay in Burlington until the next day - he said "In case of emergency. I mean - you could come home & have something happen - and go to Met (the local hospital) and they wouldn't have a CLUE what to do with you. Might as well stay up there until everything is just fine."

He said that they'll put two embryos back in - I asked what the chances were of one of the eggs splitting into two (making us parents of triplets) and he said in 30 years - he's seen it happen three times. Two in the same week - but each about 15 years apart.

So - that's what we're doing. I'm nervous that it won't work - scared that it won't work. But also scared that it will. I wonder if all my "I need a baby" stuff ... well, I wonder sometimes if it's habit - or if it's really what I want. I know I want it - but yikes - it's possible now.
EEEEP.

That's what I know.
In the meantime - I'm living in a house of sickies. I have a cold, which now Pete has (although I don't think I can be held responsible for him getting it). fun times. I went & bought more meds tonight - in case we need them. I don't want us to fight over it y'know? That would be ugly.

Ramblings of the new decade.

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 19:35:42 GMT

Pete took off for snowmobiling this morning - he was SO excited to start the machine and tinker with it... he even passed up on morning snuggles to go tinker. I have The Sick too - so I know he hasn't wanted to be withing 3 feet of me.

We went to the local bar last night - we've made friends with Andre the bartender/owner. Nice guy. Glad we like our bar keep. We were pretty low key though - due to The Sick and The Leaving (for snowmobiling). We were home by 1am I think. Which was good - because at some point in the night - I just hit the wall. It's weird - but lately (like, probably the last month) - I can be out doing stuff, getting stuff done etc - and then I'm just DONE. And I know this because I feel like I'm going to hurl, that I must get fresh air and take deep breaths or it will be an ugly scene. It happened the first time in Canadian Tire - and I blamed the overwhelming tire smell and the fact that I took my meds on an empty stomach (and it was still empty 2 hours later). But that time, I nearly passed out too.
This time - I was looking at Andre, had a beer in front of me and just said "Okay - we need to go. Like, nowish." I didn't over do it - I don't think. I had a vodka 7 and a guinness before leaving the house. Two guinness while at the bar & had just cracked open a Blue Light. (which was gross!!! - I'm hoping just post-guinness grossness, not gross in general gross).

I woke up at 3am, pretty sure I was going to die too. But I didn't. And then I slept until 8 when someone was banging around with the coffee pot.

Now I'm trying to decide what to do. I was on-line looking at house plans. We're not building yet - but we're discussing the eventuality of it all. Now I'm thinking I should work out. I'd really like to go out for a looooong new years walk - breathing in the fresh air etc. But I'm afraid this might make The Sick worse. I had planned on making chili for dinner - but it's already 2:30 and I haven't even thought about it.

I might try to whip this house into some sort of shape again. Tomorrow is recycling day and I have stacks of magazines to put out - I could probably add some more crap-ola to that pile.

Right all - TTFN - Hope you have a lovely new year!!

2009 Meme

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:49:32 GMT

What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Waitressed - and I suck at it. I'm sorry, did you really NEED silverware?

Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions?
partly. I spent a good half of the year being SO good at working out etc. And I did want to get a job - which I did. (which is why I haven't been as good at working out).

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not this year...

Did anyone close to you die?
No - but the Grandma of a former friend did die - and while I haven't had contact with that family in years - I do feel badly for their loss. She was a wonderful wonderful lady.

What countries/states did you visit?
um... I don't think we went anywhere this year - which is rare for us.

What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Aside from a bean, and jeans two sizes smaller than I currently wear (that I can actually fit into) - a job I like.

What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory?
Hmmmm. That's a tough one. I remember the day I found about the job (altho not the date offhand)... I remember our combined birthday celebration where my lovely friends made a point to get ME a cake.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Survival. I needed to get through this year - and I did.

What was your biggest failure?
Dropping the ball on being healthy. I should have kept up with the workouts.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
no - thankfully. I'm fighting a small cold now but no biggie.

What was the best thing you bought?
hmm - that's a tough one. I tried not to buy anything this year.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
Pete's. For being so patient with me and my sadness about not getting a job etc. Honestly - I don't know how he puts up with some days because some days - *I* don't want to put up with me.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I'm always amazed at people's behavior actually - so no one in particular.

Where did most of your money go?
staying afloat.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I guess my job... although I was excited then - not as much anymore.

What song/album will always remind you of 2009?
I have NO idea...

Compared to this time last year, are you:
1. happier or sadder? happier
2. thinner or fatter? slightly thinner I think
3. richer or poorer? richer

What do you wish you’d done more of?
Working out - crafting.

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Fretting.

How did/will you spend Christmas?
already did - it was crazy - don't want to do that again.

How did/will you spend New Year's?
probably at the local bar.

Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
most likely my sister.

Did you fall in love in 2009?
yep.

How many one night stands in this last year?
hmmm - I don't know - does Hubby count?

What was your favorite TV show?
Law & Order - naturally. New faves, How I met your Mother & Big Bang theory.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
not really - I dislike the same people I did last year.

What did you want and get?
A new job

What did you want and not get?
A bean

What were your favorite films of this year?
I didn't see that many movies.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Celebrated Pete's 40th with a HUGE party at the cottage, and I'm 35. (friends did get me ice cream cake though)

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
The first half of the year - casual. I never left the house in workout gear - unless I was going to work out. Now - it's more put together casual - and of course, the professional end of it all.

What kept you sane?
My husband, my sister, my best friend Tina.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I'm ashamed to admit - Rob Pattinson

What political issue stirred you the most?
health care & abortion

Who did you miss?
I don't think I missed anyone.

Who was the best new person you met?
I think it wasn't someone I met - but getting to be known more on the island - less as Pete's wife and more as myself - that's kind of cool. And therefore getting to know people on the island.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Some days - all you can do is just survive. And whatever you have to do to make it to the next day - is fair game. Also - that when I am working out regularly - I sleep better and am in a lot better of a mood.

So long 2009, don't let the door hit you on the way out!!

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:29:55 GMT

I am so glad to be saying goodbye to 2009. This year has kicked more asses than I care to even think about - and it cannot get out of here fast enough for me.
I know we're all suffering economically - and most of us probably know a ton of unemployed people. But the Detroit area (and especially, my former company) seems to have been hit reeeeeally hard. And it makes me sad to know so many talented people who are trying to figure out how make ends meet, to figure out how to pay for their mortgage and thinking exactly how many months they can keep doing this before it all falls apart.

Yes, I think good things have come out of 2009. Pete getting a TON of work - that has been wonderful (and really did save our collective ass). Me getting a job - also wonderful. (setting aside the "I don't like this job" bit to be thankful for what I do have rather than being picky). Getting to live on the island for 6 weeks and learn how much I don't like waitressing as a career choice for myself. All very good.

However - I'd like to look forward to 2010.
I would like to think that maybe MAYBE 2010 will be the year the universe decides is a good year for a Wolf-Letkeman baby. (who would be a Letkeman - because I think Pete's family would implode if they tried to hyphenate a babies name - besides, I'm fine with baby being a Letkeman, doesn't make it any less Wolf - it would have just made ME uncomfortable to change MY name).
I would also like to believe that maybe 2010 will bring a job for my beloved sister - who has a second interview in two weeks (fingers crossed so tight!!!)
She deserves a job - and I know she needs one.
I would like to lose weight in 2010. I know I say this every year - but it has got to be done. I lost about 30 lbs over this past year (and gained probably 10 of it back in the last three months). But I need to keep focused on this. I need to do this. I want to drop 40 lbs by next Christmas. I think that's completely do-able if I just focus.
(Of course - that's all out the window if hope #1 comes true).

We're going low key this year. Last year - Pete surprised me with box seats for the Bare Naked Ladies at the Fox Theatre. This year - we're probably going to be heading to the bar up the road for a few drinks with our bar tender Andre. We like that bar - it's a pool hall, but has good food & the bar staff all knows our names & our drinks before we sit down (is that a bad sign? I mean - the coffee shop knows my drink order too...).
And it's close to home. So while all the cops are out trying to bust people for even THINKING about drinking - we can easily get home (we could even walk from there - it would be about 1.5 miles).

So while I wait for Pete to get home, I wish you and yours a Happy Happy New Year. May it bring us all peace and prosperity.

And 2009 can kiss my lily white ass. (it's very lily white - trust me, it's so white - it's nearly blue).

not enough TIME

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:50:32 GMT

For all the crap on my list. There is a reason that for the last several years - I've taken off work starting on the 15th ish. I'm working till the 21st this year and I'm SO stressed out by all the crap I have to do.

AURGH.
Right now - I'm making cookies. Christmas cards are (for now) done. Of course - I don't have Canadian stamps... so they can't get dropped in the mail right now.

I hate the holidays. I get so overwhelmed by all the things I think I should be doing. And some of it - I kind of "have" to do right? Like clean the house? Plan the menu for Christmas dinner? Kind of have to do that.
Things I don't have to do? Try a new kind of Christmas cookie. Try a new dessert. But pretty well everything else on the list - should be done. And there is NO TIME. Tomorrow, around 2ish - we're going to Pelee. Thank my lucky stars that my darling husband found a way for us to get there by boat - so that we aren't dependent on the whims of the plane home on Sunday. (the Cemba - the boat we're going on? Has been across the lake when it was breaking ice. Is the boat that carries fuel to the island - so if that thing doesn't go? People shouldn't be travelling.)

I am thankful because I get to go to the island & see everyone. AND I get to come home at a reasonable hour (instead of about 3:30 in the afternoon) and still get things done. Plus - I have to get up as ass-crack of dawn again for another meeting on Monday.
But then - THEN - after I have "thank god it's over" drinks with the team - I'm HOME FREE!!!

Four fewer vials

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:07:41 GMT

I am four vials short of a full blood supply today. I had to get a bunch of public health stuff done - like HIV etc etc.
It actually worked really well, my pap & swab (what's the difference? I dunno) were fine, easy peasy - and then I ran down stairs to give them my blood - in, out and done in 45 minutes or less.

Anyway - so the blood draw lady says "What's new?"
I said "nothing..." (seriously - I've never met her, I'll probably never see her again... what a weird question)
She said something like "I bet you are hoping SOMETHING is new!"
I said something like "Um - well - that would be an interesting thing to explain right now ..."
Then she asks how much IVF was. And then asks if we only got one baby through it - would we try it again? I said no, probably not. She tells me that she & her husband have two boys- they lost one in the middle so they have an 8 year old & a 2 year old - and that they'd decided they were done. No more kids. But then in September - she started feeling a little strange - and she thought uh-oh. So if this one is a girl - that would be great - but if not - one of them is getting fixed.

What is wrong with "So - do you think it's going to snow today?" kind of conversations?

She did wish me luck though..

Weird.

soooo sleepy

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:10:39 GMT

Someone had a bright idea to have a 8:00 meeting today. So that meant I was at work at 7 to make sure everything was set up etc etc. Which meant I left the house at 6:15. Which meant I was up around 5:15.
(normally - I get up at about 6:45).

except - that Pete fell asleep on the couch and came to bed around 3:30. And woke me up in the process. (also - side note, Thatcher was sleeping on the bed with me prior to this - I really thought he slept "somewhere else") So at 3:30, trying to fall back asleep - I have Seriously Loud Snorer on one side of me and Weighs a Ton When He Doesn't Want to Move Cat. At one point - there wasn't even room to sleep on my back.
I *finally* fell asleep at around 4:15 ish. And when I was dreaming - I thought "Oh thank god I'm dreaming - I must be sleeping!"
And I dreamt that I was visiting with Bridgette from The Girls Next Door - and she was moving to Albany to persue a modeling career - but had just started dating someone who lived in Wisconsin & she was disappointed it was so far away. I tried explaining that it wasn't that bad - same time zone at least - Or at least I thought it was... still don't know.
But in the dream - I had a baby - who I basically forgot to change the diaper of for our WHOLE road trip to see Bridgette.

Anyway - So I went through customs - and got stopped. Random inspection. But they confiscated my orange. It was labelled "US" - but they said I could take them OUT of the country - but not bring them BACK. Um - okay - whatever.
They were relatively nice. Someone told me they were recently told to be nicer to people.

Tomorrow I get to take some "stuff" over to get mailed - I'm going to say it's decoration for my office...?
Oh - and I have a doctors appointment tomorrow too. Just an internal (fun times) and something else - but I don't remember what exactly. And I'm trying to get blood drawn then too. Just to get it out of the way.

And then tomorrow NIGHT - I get to pick up Pete's Christmas present!! They came today to deliver it - but no one was home - so it'll be ready tomorrow after work. YAY!!! Best part - I've kept the secret for two whole weeks. A new record for me!

And I'm having my family for xmas dinner. Think I'll have the balls to tell my dad to knock it off with his political crap while he's under our roof? I honestly do NOT care about his politics (although I'm proFOUNDLY embarassed by the "A village in Kenya is missing its idiot" sign he has in his car window) - but I do NOT want him bringing negativity into our home. And it's MY roof (along with Pete - who thinks my dad is nuts) - so it's MY rules (again, see Pete).

Alright - I'm going to work out and then go.to.bed. I've now been up for 15 hours. Not including my 3 am stint and I'm sleepy.

ho hum

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:59:15 GMT

Nothing new going on...
I have to go get my blood drawn (am thinking maybe Saturday morning? or possibly next Tuesday morning - depending on how things go). I still have to let work know that I'm going to be late on Tuesday. I have my internal appt. that day.

Pete went to the doctor (because he needs a referral to an allergist) - but basically the doctor said "Oh you're fine." about everything. Took his blood pressure twice - told him it wasn't an issue (this was after Pete's truck license "doctor" said it was an issue). Pete said "My hands shake." The doctor said "Oh that's only a problem if you can't hold things." Then Pete told him that he drinks every day, and the doctor said that didn't seem like a problem because you'd rather be happy for 65 years than unhappy for 65 and then in a nursing home for another 25.
And THEN - Pete said well - and I'm fat. The doctor said "Well, it's true - people have more health problems when they'r overweight - but that's usually people over 300 lbs. You're not over that." Pete is over that. And then the doctor said it wasn't that big of a deal - if he'd had skinny legs and a big belly - that would be one thing - but since he's carrying a lot of muscle too - it's not that big of a deal. Now granted - he does have legs like tree trunks and really built arms - but uh - so weight doesn't matter? Did you tell the other doctor in your practice that because she wanted to put me on MORE weight loss meds than I'm on.

Seriously. I love you Canadians. I do - but AURGH.

Oh - and here is the other thing that I heard today. *disclaimer - I am against drunk driving* There is a law in Ontario against drunk driving - anything over .08 is over the limit - fair enough - Michigan is the same. But now - anything over .05 will get you in trouble.
AND - the radio had a call in - two stories caught me off guard.
1. There was a couple going out in Windsor - and as always, they would go out, have dinner, have some wine & call their friend to come pick them up. So they called, and were standing out on the sidewalk waiting for said friend to come get them. Cops pull up - and arrest them. For public intoxication. The friend drove up at the same time as the cops.
2. There was a girl (also in Windsor) - who was playing guitar at a bar. She didn't want to drive home either - so she made plans to stay with her friend a block away. At the end of the night - she went to her car to put the guitar in the car- so she's in the TRUNK of her car - opening it to put in the guitar & the cops charge HER with impaired because she had the keys in her hand. And she was at the trunk of her car.

I'm all for people getting busted for stuff. If you're doing something - fine - pay the consequences. If you're trying to do the RESPONSIBLE thing however - notsomuch. And in the case of guitar girl - perhaps you should have waited to see if she actually got into her car and attempted to start it.
You can't assume because someone gets in a car that they're going to drive. On a night like this - seriously windy & cold - maybe they just wanted out of the wind. Granted, when they start the car - ding them. But not when they're just in their trunk or waiting for ride...

Sometimes this country just confuses me. Sometimes Canadians seem to me to not want to get involved. They don't want to tell people what to do etc. But other times - they're completely unreasonable. If you want the drinking limit to be .05 FINE - but legally - it's .08. Soooo - which is it?

Ah well - that's my rant for the day. I'm going to bed. I'm sleepy.

On the ivf front - nothing will happen until late january at the earliest.

Super Powers

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:07:57 GMT

It's been quiet around here for the last few days. Not even just the blog - but the house has been pretty quiet to. I have been trying to wrap my head around this whole thing and also figure out exactly what it is that I'm worried about.
I don't want it to be MY fault that we lose this kind of money. And since I feel like I'm the one getting us into this - I would feel like it was my fault. Pete doesn't agree, he says yes, of course, if this doesn't work - it would be money wasted - but not by either of us. We're both doing this.

Anyway - so we were talking about it and he said "Do you think it would be possible - while they have our eggs - to maybe, inject them with super powers? Maybe, the ability to fly? Or super speed?"

We are moving forward with it. He wants to do this in the winter because it would be easier for him to get off work for that time frame in the winter (not as much going on). But - I'm really not telling anyone (except the internets :)) My sister knows, my best gal knows -and that's it. Pete apparently told the guys he was working with on our day of the appointment that we were meeting to discuss it. I just wanted to keep this under my hat for now.

In the meantime, I have to go to a baby shower on Jan.2nd for my ... neice? I mean, I guess she's my neice since she married my husbands newphew? seems really odd to have neices old enough to make me a great-aunt... I went to sears to buy their present (there aren't a lot of baby-options in this area... it's Sears, maybe the Bay and Babies R Us(which is inside the Toys R Us and not very big).) Anyway - so I knew she wasn't finding out what she's having. But the items were confusing (not because of her). For example - the registry would say BrandName Receiving Blanket - Flannel. And then I'd look at the number. And the pink one, the blue one, the green one and the yellow one - were ALL the same number.
I asked the woman at the register what I was supposed to do - how was I supposed to know? And she said "Oh - that's why we ask what color they want - see? Red & Blue are the main colors in the room - then yellow & green."
I got the blue blanket with the tiny brown dots. But ... who knows if that's right?

Phew

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:18:51 GMT

Completely ripped off from Barren Blog (a blog I found today) Talking about IVF and the decision to move forward with it....

It's huge, scary as shit, deeply traumatic and life-changing. Where I am right now is terror - not of the process itself; I think I can handle that after everything I've been through already - but of it not working. I know I can drag my body through all the physical trauma and survive, but I can only do that because of the shred of hope that it will work and that this is just what I personally have to go through in order to become a mother. What I can't countenance is putting myself through all of that and failing.

And that's where I'm at. Met with the new doctor today - who basically said "It's IVF at this point". I'm still trying to wrap my head around this.
I want a child. And I'm willing to do nearly anything to get there. But what if it fails? What if we spend all that money, time and emotional-ness and..... nothing. We still don't really know my eggs are any good. This could totally go bust.

Pete seems on board. When he called earlier & I seem less than excited - he said "What? I thought this is what you wanted? We were going to do the thing?" (I was glad the doctor explained IVF to him - because he actually said "So wait, can't you grow one in a test tube for like - three months?")
I didn't wake up this morning thinking "Okay - IVF is the option" - I thought we'd do another clomid cycle or something. So I'm just trying to figure it all out. What if it doesn't work?

whoooo doggy. been a while...

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 02:58:55 GMT

Right.

So my waitressing career is O-VER. I gotta hand it to whoever does that for a living - because that is HARD work. And relatively thankless.

I've started the new job - and I'm terrified. I am used to being the brain trust for my projects. By the time I left Former Company - I had been there 8 years - and was the only person who'd consistently been on the project in that time. So I could remember when we'd done x in 2005 and why that didn't work etc. I knew every report that I need - every single thing that was going to work etc. Here - I am still trying to figure it all out and it's a bit disheartening. I keep trying to think "Well - if she was dropped into MY job - she'd have a struggle too right?"

And I talked to the girl I'm replacing about this - she was very supportive. Part of the struggle I'm having is that I don't have a place. I don't have my own office. I don't have my own phone/email or even COMPUTER fer cryin' out loud. And I guess the manager (who is the client - it's weird) told the girl I'm replacing "It would be good if Meghan was here at 8am - it would look better." Um - sure - I'd love to be there at 8 - BUT - I was told between 8:15 and 8:30 AND I have no computer. So if I got there at 8 am and Alison (who I'm replacing) didn't - what am I supposed to do? Besides - half the office seems to start their day by dropping off their things & then walking to the starbucks. If I'm coming IN to the office when you're going OUT of the office ---- whatever. I'm not complaining. I'd love to start at 8. I will start at 8. Although if I'm sitting there like a bump on a log - don't freak out.
(I did kind of make a comment about that to the manager today - he joked about it & I said "Man - I'd love to start at 8 - but I have no computer so I have to wait for Alison..." He said "Oh - I hadn't thought about that...")

I went for drinks with them all afterwork. They're all quite nice & funny etc. But... it takes time to fit into a new crew. And I was trying to walk the fine line between drinking (and being social) and not drinking (to maintain professionalism, to be able to drive home & not to be the drunk new girl). I succeeded. I had two guinness at the first bar, we walked to the second, where we ate dinner & I drank soda & lime the rest of the night. I like soda. It's bubbly. I like carbonation.

Heading to Pelee tomorrow. Miss my husband... This is going to be tough I think - this not being together a lot... le sigh.

Some stuff

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:00:02 GMT

I've now been a waitress for two days (well, not these LAST two days - I worked Friday & Saturday).

Hats off to waitstaff. That's hard & I am hopeful that I don't have to do this for the rest of my life. Sure the cash is nice. But the backache, the feet that hurt and the "I could have SWORN you said just french fries - not fish too" bits - that you can keep.

I'm stuck on the mainland right now, the boat didn't run today. Okay they are predicting storm cells this evening - but there was an 8:00 boat that didn't go either. And there were no storm predictions at the time.
So poor Thatcher is stuck on the island by himself - and we're here. Pete is working here today & tomorrow.
Thatcher has spent his days sleeping under the blanket upstairs in the double-bed-room. There is just a cat sized lump under the blanket - quite cute.

We have our washer & dryer. But. We need some stuff to hook it up - and the guy who did our power - hooked us up with the wattage for a dryer - but not a washer. (Devon said "What did he think you were going to do? Beat your dirty clothes against a rock and THEN put them in the dryer?" We thought it would have made more sense to hook up just the washer & not the dryer - but then - if you were wiring one - why WOULDN'T you wire the other?)

Went to MARVIN today. Found out that it's possible to make your "call" on line for that... would have been nice to know that.... Also reminded me how stupid those people are over there. When I went last week to sign up for the No Worker Left Behind thing - they said "you need a stamped copy of your resume from our system in order to go to the orientation." Okay, I said - can I do that now, while I'm here?
No - they didn't have the staff to do that - I should come back later. Today I went there & they said "Why didn't you do it last week?"
DUH.
Then they had my name wrong (first & middle - as opposed to first & last).
But - I was able to sign up for the extra 11 weeks of unemployment AND check to see how many weeks I have left - which is handy - kind of wish I had that before...

Island Experiment.. week 1ish

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:46:43 GMT

Well - it hasn't quite been a week yet (that'll be tomorrow) - but it's close enough right? So - how is it going?

It's been a hard week. I was supposed to start working on Tuesday - but then they said they weren't busy enough for another person so not to come - but to start Friday instead (tomorrow). So I've had NOTHING to do all week. I washed the floor. I've done dishes, I did clear out the fridge a bit. And I've cross stitched. Snooze-ville. Pete doesn't understand why having absolutely nothing to do is a problem - but it's just boring. And really - I came over here when I did so I could start work. And have some structure to my day. I have no structure.

Today is a better day because Pete called & asked me to bring coffee & cinnamon buns to the guys at the job site - so I actually got out of the house. Plus I went to the "Coop" (it's actually the "Co-op" - the little store - but when they put the sign up for the temporary place, they forgot the hyphen - so everyone just calls it the Coop now). The old Co-op was this dark, dingy, gray building that made you think every grocery item had been there since you were born. Seriously. This little temporary place is bright and airy - and everything looks clean and new. AND they'd just gotten a fresh produce delivery. It's amazing how wonderful the sight of a beautiful button mushroom is!

And I'm doing laundry at Dayne & Kristen's. We own a washer & dryer - but it's still at the store because we haven't gotten it over here yet. I didn't really need to do laundry but I had some of my fat quarters that I wanted to wash so I could get started on a quilt. Or something. Something to DO.

Thatcher is still a little freaked out by being here. He's feeling a little bit better about it - but he still thinks anyone who drives up to the house needs to be growled at. And he and Agatha have been having hissing fights through the screen door.

I haven't seen the snake - or much evidence of mice - lately. So I think that's a good sign. Pete says Thatcher is frightening them away - he then quickly adds "It's not like they know he's a chicken..."

Alright - time to switch my laundry I think.

Island Life...

Thu, 28 May 2009 20:55:49 GMT

Starts tomorrow! I can't decide if I'm excited or scared out of my WITS or both.

I called the post mistress today (to give y'all an idea of how things are on the island...) about a mailbox. She doesn't have voicemail or an answering machine - and delivers mail during the day so getting a hold of her is a bit tricky - but everyone I talked to said I needed to talk to her - she'd know what to do.
I finally caught her today. She said "Well, the green box by the bakery is full - but there is someone who isn't coming to the island for the summer so you can maybe have his - I'll call. Or - you could just put general delivery and I'll drop it off at the co-op... Or you could put up a mailbox...."
Um - okay. I get it's a rural community but shouldn't there be a more organized mail service than this?

Then I said "So - do I need a key and a lock for the box? Do I just get that at the hardware store?"
(get this) She said "Well - some people have HUGE locks - and some people use sticks. Just depends on what you want."
STICKS?

This is a little like adjusting to Ireland. When I had to go get my visa renewed at the police station (or I'd be kicked out of the country) and they said "Oh - you need to talk to Officer so & so... He's at lunch.... can you come back on Tuesday?" This is going to be weeeeiiiirrrd.

Other today happenings:

I'm pissed off at our vet. I called them on Monday to get some tranquilizers for the boat ride and she (Monica - insert eye roll here) says "Well, what about coming in for his shots?"
Okay, I said - (he must need shots if they said so) let's book that appointment.
This morning, I fought for 15 minutes and THREE pills to get him drugged up for this appointment - carefully timing it so it wouldn't be worn off by the time we got to the vet (too early a pill deliver will do this too) and hoping he'd still be drugged up for the ride tomorrow.
I get to the vet, early - wait for a while - get in the office and they say "Oh - he's already got all his shots."
Bastards.
I said "Well - can you trim his nails while we're here and he's already drugged?"
Sure, she says, with this bravado that clearly SHE knows what SHE is doing...
I said "Do you want the towel or the gloves?"
Nope - she said she'd "scruff him".
I thought "wow - here is a lady who isn't afraid!"
She tells me to get him out of the carrier.
I dump him out on the counter, he takes one look at her, hisses with all his little drugged up might and she reaches for his scruff.
He swipes at her and she says "Oh - I'm not going to get bitten today. We usually tank this kind... Do you want us to tank him?"
Let me see. I have a geriatric cat who is already on some tranquilizers and you want me to put him in a plexiglass tank so we can trim his nails?
No thanks.

Emotionally - I cannot handle "the tank". I cannot bear to put him in this plastic box where he can't really stand up. I can't stand the bedside manner when he comes out (they say "We'll just wait to see that he's breathing...." )
I just need a new vet. The vet himself is okay - although I do think he'd prefer the big-animal medicine (horses & the like) and the cats/dogs just pay the bills.

I miss our old vet in Rochester. Best.Vet.Ever. She used to play with Thatcher before treating him. They had separate dog & cat waiting rooms - they just loved him. And he loved them! He'd eat their treats while they were checking him out. They used to let him climb on the desk while I was paying. I miss them.

Aurgh.

Cats on Meds

Wed, 27 May 2009 16:28:18 GMT

I booked my trip over to Pelee, I leave Friday morning and then have booked return passage for a vehicle on Sunday so I can be at the No Worker Left Behind thing on Monday morning EARLY.

So here is my dilemma. I have a 3:00 vet appointment with Mr. Thatcher (AKA - Cranky Pants). I have drugs to give him to knock him out. I know that one pill can hopefully knock him out for 24 hours- if it has time to take effect before we go to the vet. (meaning - at LEAST a hour). Learned my lesson last time when the pill just pissed him off and wound him up even more.

If I give him the pill at about noonish - it should last until about noonish the next day - which would be perfect, because I could give him the ONE pill and it would carry him over until he was on the island. (I don't know how he'd be on the long boat ride over to the island). I'm crossing my fingers because I don't want to have to give him a second one on Friday. That seems unfair. But really - can he go for the 45 minutes TO the boat + 1.5 hour boat ride without peeing? I don't know. I'm just hoping it works & my little man will be safely on the island Friday morning without any huge worries. I don't mind if he's party awake for the last little bit of the trip - but I do NOT want to have to knock him out again on Friday morning - two days in a row would make me a nervous wreck. He's really kind of scarey when I have to knock him out like this - his eyes roll in his head, he falls down stairs... it's really quite sad and I hate doing it to him. But he gets SO wound up at the vet that I have to knock him out. And the boat ride... well, he's usually a fairly good traveller once we get past the distance to the vets office - but it's a LONG boat ride (1.5 hours). We used to drive 1.5 hours - but it was with me in the car with him. And we haven't done that in a long time.

I'm also worried about the critters on the island. Primarily the snake - but maybe Thatcher will avoid him completely. The mouse - no biggie - Thatcher might be terrified of it - but he also might catch it. Who knows.
There are also the next door beasties - Kiera & Jake & Agatha. Kiera & Jake won't bother him - they probably won't see him and they are "so over" cats. Agatha (the kitty) on the other hand - has laid claim to me. She looooves coming over to the house and crying in the windows. Her parents kick her out of their house because if she doesn't get out during the day - she's rammy at night. So she gets the boot there and comes to my house.
I don't let her in (okay - I did once - and we napped together) but she thinks she should live in our house. So I'm not sure how Thatcher will take to this interloper.

And what do I do if I forget half my crap at THIS house?? What do I do if I run out of groceries? Ack!! I'm really quite nervous about this whole thing and Pete just keeps saying "It's an adventure. Just think of it as an adventure."

I don't know....

Snakes in Closets!

Tue, 26 May 2009 18:24:10 GMT

Snakes in Closets - new Hollywood movie based on? My life.

Okay - so let me set the scene. It's Saturday morning - we're getting ready for a big party for Pete's birthday (although he swears he did NOT plan to steal my birthday - which was on Sunday). I look over and there is a mouse sitting next to the wall. A little tiny mousie. I yelp. My mom says "What?" I said "MOUSE!!"
Mouse runs under the couch and we can't find him. I get on my hands and knees to look under the couch - fearful that said Mouse will run out, right for my face and I will need to consume large amounts of alcohol to recover. Mouse doesn't run out (phew). Mom picks up the lid of a box, Dad goes the other way to corner him. Dad corners him, steps on him, end of mouse. (Now, what exactly Mom's plan was with the box lid - we're not sure...)

Later, I say "Oh - I'll go get some lawn chairs." (They're in the closet under the stairs). I open the door. Snake. I slam the door and yelp again. Mom says "What? Another mouse?" I said "Nope. Snake."
I go to the door to get a man to deal with this. (Yes, I understand the irony of an independent woman looking for a man to deal with the snake - but seriously people - I have my limits!) Pete's out there, as is Dayne, Jay, Mike and I think my dad. Pete's afraid of snakes, Dayne is too. So I thought all would be lost. I said "PETE?"
All the guys turned around.
I said "There's a snake in the closet!"

Someone said "What kind?"
I said "I didn't ask for any id - he's just in the closet."
"In the closet?"
Yes, in the closet - a snake.
All the guys come into the house - with the exception of Dayne (all the ladies have now LEFT the cottage). Out comes Mike carrying a 3.5 foot long brown snake. He chucks it in the bushes. (Dayne ran behind a car).
I'm told that this is an Eastern Fox Snake and they're actually not "bad" snakes (not to mention, they're protected species). They eat all the mousies and what have you - so they're not bad to have around - just clearly not good to have in one's closet.
Sidenote: The Blue Racer snake is also a protected species - and people on the island hate them. See, if you find snake habitat on your property - you have to stop doing any sort of building, mowing of lawns etc. etc. So, people sometimes will clear the brush on property they don't really intend to do anything with - just so no snakes are found there. Before the protected species thing - the snakes weren't well loved of course - but no one really cared about them. They existed with the people and everyone moved on. Now that finding one on your property makes the property useless.... well, you can see how this goes for Mr. Blue Racer.
No one makes this kind of fuss over the Eastern Fox Snake - who is also protected.

Anyway - according to Wikipedia - they only get to be about three feet long. According to people on Pelee - they can be about 5 feet long.
YIKES.

The snake followed the mouse in - which explains why the little mouse didn't run back into the closet (where he had run to the night before). So - Pete needs to fix the hole in the house where the little bastards are getting in.

I was complimented later when I heard someone had said that I handled the whole snake incident quite well. No panic, just calmly stated there was a snake in the house. Of course - I don't want to be anywhere NEAR that closet. And I am wondering how Thatcher will respond to this whole nature thing. I thought it would be hard enough for him to deal with Agatha (the cat next door who thinks she should live at our house too) or Jake & Kiera (the English Mastiffs who live next door and also think our house is a fairly good place to lounge). But add a mouse to the mix - and a possible snake to the mix - how crow. I don't know how this will go.

I start (work) on Tuesday. I'm going to be waitressing and booking hotel rooms. I've never done either - so I'm a little nervous. But - I'm only doing days - so that's not so bad. And it's close to home, and it doesn't seem like it would be a LOT of hours (like - the place opens at 11 - so even if I worked until dinner - what is that - 7 hours maybe?) and sometimes they send you home early if they're not busy. So - we'll see how it goes.

Job Fair Blues

Tue, 19 May 2009 15:18:04 GMT

***Background: I remembered about this job fair yesterday, whilst watching Good Morning America. We came home around 3, I decided to print out my resume. Only to discover we were out of printer ink. And it was a holiday in Canada. So I called around & finally decided to just GO to a store and look. They didn't have my cartridge - but they had a copier!! I "printed off" around 75 copies of my resume - because there were supposed to be 51 companies there - not including all the home based ones (Avon, Mary Kay, Tupperware etc). I got up at 4:30, left home at 5:50 (in the morning!), drove around Cobo's lot for a bit - until I was told to park on the roof. And I was thrilled I had a parking space.

Right - so, Job Fair. It was at Cobo (for those who don't know - Cobo Hall is where the Detroit Auto Show is held - it's a huge convention center that is clearly starting to show it's age - although I didn't see any buckets for leaks today)- apparently being hosted by Good Morning America.
Registration was from 6-10 am. I got into Cobo around 7 and the line was already snaking through Cobo hall. Lucky for me - I have a friend who was working the show - who got me in. Yes, I did jump the line - and that sucks - but really - I had NO advantage over the others who got there at 7. My advantage was over the people who were walking in when I left at 9:45. Seriously people. This is Michigan - unemployment is the highest in the nation - maybe want to try and get there early?

Anyway. I get in there, first thing I notice - was how they have the job fair squished over in one corner. There is room in the aisles between the booths for maybe - 7 people to stand side by side. Maybe. And some booths backed into other ones (instead of having all booth backs facing out like is the norm).
There were lines for nearly everything. So it was seriously congested. There was PLENTY of room in the space though (again - auto show space) but they crammed us all in. I heard that it was so the job fair would look busy when featured on tv - but it was really annoying. Also - not knocking it - but Avon, Pampered Chef, Mary Kay - should have been clustered together - and maybe set apart. Not mixed in. (I also found the "tomboy tools" set - all in pink - to be particularly offensive - because I'm a woman I need a pink hammer??) (And I think people were actually selling tupperware there - which was confusing).

Moving on. Most of the companies there - weren't in Michigan. I suppose I could move to Texas to be a Ranger (although I will NOT wear the dorky hat). Or move to Idaho for whatever thing THAT was - but really. No thanks. Also - Kelloggs (the cereal people were there) - with a "live" stuffed Tony the Tiger. That was a little off-putting. He was waving to people and handing out cereal. Were they aware that this was a JOB fair? Not a trade show?? And that some people don't like live sized cereal characters...

They had a "resume critique" section and I thought- oh okay - that's great. Always one to have a fresh set of eyes look at my resume. This woman - was.useless. I argued with her on some points - until I realized I didn't care what this woman was saying. I've discussed my resume with other HR people, my friend who does recruiting for Kelly - and this woman was crazy. Then she handed me her daughters business card - because her daughter does resume work. I'm sorry - was that just a sales pitch???

Also - where was Blue Cross Blue Shield? One of the biggest employers in the state hadn't even HEARD about the job fair. Ditto for Compuware (which is headquartered IN Detroit.) But hey - we had the Dallas Police... that's good right?

And finally - people smell. Especially when you're so close, you know what deoderant they're wearing (if any). Also - maybe you want to wear pants that actually COVER your ass at one of these things. And do NOT stop in the middle of a busy aisle way to fill out your application. Really - that is why they have chairs. This is why Detroit gets a bum rap.

Although - props to the gentleman I saw as I was leaving. The man was dressed well. he even had a bowtie on (and not a cheesy one - a cool one). He was impeccably dressed. I just hope he was willing to move to Texas, work retail 60 hours a week, or work his way through the company via sales.

It was disheartening. I kept thinking "Is it too early for a drink??"
This unemployment thing is something you cannot escape. Every morning you wake up and think "Oh - I have no job." Every time someone says "Oh finally - I have a day off!" You think "Must be nice to have something to have a day off FROM."
And as petty as it sounds - as I walked around today - running into ONE person I knew - I thought "Where are all the people who were useless when we were all together? Why don't THEY have to be here? Oh that's right - they have jobs."

I'm willing to work. I'm willing to learn. I can do anything. I'm adaptable. I'm a nice person. I'm easy-going, but I still demand a lot from my team (but in a completely reasonable manner - sometimes bringing them cookies etc as a please/thank you).
I just can't move.

And that bothers me.

(incidentally - I will be using this space to post about my life on a semi-desert island this summer).

Moving to a desert island - what do you take?

Thu, 07 May 2009 23:09:32 GMT

Okay - so Pelee isn't exactly a desert island (although it IS the southernmost point in all of Canada) - but I am going there - and my options for entertainment are limited. No more running to starbucks for a coffee because I just HAVE to get out of the house. No more perusing the bookstore without buying (again - to get out of the house). No running to Michaels just because I have a 50% off coupon (and kudos to them for always supplying me with some kind of coupon...).

Nope - this island has one grocery store (although I think it's being run out of someone's back porch currently). I'm TOLD there are videos available on the island - but it might just be what you can borrow from your neighbor. When I asked about library books to the island, the ladies in my library looked at me funny and said "Um - I think there is a library there - does anyone know?" and then they googled it. (there is, according to Google Gods - but no one I've talked to ON the island knows about it - they just hit the one on the mainland).

Should be an adventure. So - what does one take?
Our two TOP TOP TIPPY TOP priorities currently are internet and washer/dryer. The washer/dryer bit won't be hard. It's a matter of figuring out when they can deliver it. The internet is proving to be a challenge - but I will not be without. I'd almost rather just skip the whole phone thing in favor of the internet. (but I won't - I will have some phone dealio there - even if it means taking my US cell to the otherside of the island once a day to check messages.)

Other than that - I'm taking my sewing machine & thread, plus books relating to crafting. Just in case. I'm taking my knitting & possibly my smallish yarn stash. I'm taking the fabric I know I want to use for projects I have in my head. I'm taking my dictionary - because, well - you just never know. I'll also take Pride & Prejudice - because sometimes - you just need to read it again.
I'm taking my cross stitch stuff - because I'm about 85% done with a large project & want to finish it.
I'm taking my work out stuff - because I'm determined to still work out. Don't know if I'll be doing The Cult on-line or just trying to schedule my weigh in times with my grocery/library runs.
I'm planting a garden over there too...

I'm a little freaked out by the whole thing - to be honest with you. What if I hate it - what if I want to come home - what if I get a job and then only see Pete on weekends again? (wouldn't that be nice? the "to have a job" part I mean...)

le sigh.

Dreadful

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:04:25 GMT

I'm terrified to get on the scale tomorrow. I'm pretty sure my 4.6 lb loss last weekend was mostly a fluke - so I'll get some of that back - plus any damage I did over the weekend. Too much booze, breaded fish, easter candy...

Which would mean a set back. Also - I stopped the running. I wasn't really liking it. I did talk to my aerobic instructor about running & she had some good tips for it - but I just haven't followed through with them.
I did go to spinning last night - which kicked my ASS. Seriously. My friend Kelly convinced me to drop in (and 4.25 - how could I not?). The instructor is young & cute (so it's good eye candy) but his music was SO DAMN LOUD I couldn't even hear his directions as he called them out. So I don't know that I'd go back (and if I do - I certainly won't sit right in front of the speakers...)

And I still don't have a job. I mentioned to my mom (remind me never to do that again) that I had thought about nursing. Looked into it a little - but there are a lot of prereqs that I'd probably suck at. She has a friend whose daughter is a Nursing Assistant (trained through the red cross) and has a job. So now Mom thinks I should do it. And part of me thinks "Well - why the hell not? Nurses are in high demand right now - why NOT do something that is useful and in demand?" But then part of me wonders if I WANT to be a nurse - or if Ijust want a job. And I do want a job. I don't know about nursing. It's not something that ever ever went through my head as something I wanted to do. And I know a nursing assistant wouldn't be a nurse - or anything close to it to be honest with you. But it would show me what to expect I think. And if I could get a job (even making $20,000 less than I was) it's still more than I'm making now right? And maybe then I could get them to pay for nursing school?

I don't know - I wish I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up....

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:13:33 GMT

Aside from getting a job - my current goal is to lose 14 lbs by my birthday - which coincides with the Canadian Holiday of Victoria Day. Can I just say how lovely I think it is for the whole country of Canada to celebrate MY birthday?? I know it happens to also be Queen Victoria's birthday (and Bob Dylan's) but I'm sure it's all about me!! (May 24th). They also have an ad that says May 2-4 (said as May two four) - 24 beers in a case - coincidence? I think not.

So yay for the Canuks. (interesting to note - Pete's last girlfriend before me had the same birthday - so he's only had to remember ONE birthday for the 10 years we've been together and the 1.5 they were together before that. Lucky sap got off easy no?)

Anyway - so my goal.

I am 14.8 lbs away from having lost 50 lbs total. So I would like to think that in the next two months - I can lose those 14 lbs. And that is what I'm going to work towards.

This means - drinking minimally. Exercising maximally. Stepping up the running program just a hair. I am doing the Couch to 5K thing and am on week 3 of that - so I'm going to keep doing that - keep working hard on that. My sister - who is doing the biggest loser thing at her gym - says she runs at 5.0 on the treadmill - I run at 4.1, maybe 4.2 - she thinks it's easier to run faster. I'm not convinced- but perhaps I'll try it today. I also noticed I run up & down instead of moving forward- which I think is just the hazard of the treadmill you know?

Also - it's going to be tank top season shortly - so I need to focus attention on my arm flab. I don't think it will go away in 8 weeks - but maybe it will be less flabby in 8 weeks. Also - really want to focus on my belly. When I was in college - during the summer, my mom & I would go to the Y and work out. We'd walk there - work out, and walk home. And during one summer - I actually had that little line showing up on my belly from toned abs. I did about 100 crunches every day, on each side & in the middle. I want that line back. I at least want less of a pooch.

So - to sum up:

Lose 14 lbs by May 24th.
Tone up Arms
Reduce Pooch on Belly.
Be able to run a 5K by Birthday (I'm kind of on track for that as it is anyway. Like to put something on the list that is low-hanging fru

From a million years ago...

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 02:59:15 GMT

I love how the
moonlight rests
silently on your
bare skin.
I love your face
flushed like that of
a newly awakened toddler.

Sometimes, I wake in
the middle of the night
to watch you sleep, your
chest softly
rise and
fall.

Your eyelids buttoned shut
for the night.
I curl back into you
and smile.
Lulled to sleep by
the rhythm.

Sheesh - been a while hasn't it??

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 21:04:46 GMT

thanks to Henna for giving me the electronic nudge about my slacking!

Mostly - my mind is focused on two things right now.
Getting a job.
Moving to the island.

If A, then no B.
If no A, then B.

So - I have a phone interview on Tuesday - which I'm fairly geeked about. It's for a company that was kind of a competitior to my company - but this other company managed to get clients outside of the Automotive Industry. Whereas my company didn't. So this company I'm talking to on Tuesday actually called me about setting up an interview. Yes, I sent (and send) my resume in to every single posting they have that is even remotely interesting - but they called ME. Which I think is good. So - fingers crossed it leads to something.

If that goes well - then all Pelee bets are off for me - and I'll be living the single life all summer. Pete is going to be on the island starting in May I think - and I don't think he'll come home that often. So - it would be up to me to mow the lawn, make sure the house doesn't fall down etc - and see him on weekends. This isn't that bad for us - I mean, we dated for four years like this - only seeing each other on the weekends. But it will still be tough.
I'm determined - however - to look at it as my time to work out like a crazy person in the evenings, eats lots of tofu (which Pete hates) and lose weight. And I'd still be able to go to weight watchers every week.

If I'm on Pelee this summer - I've been planning what to take & where to leave the car etc.
Pete - typical male fashion - thinks we'll only need to bring some clothes. But I know this won't be possible. First of all - if I'm over there - it means that a lot of meals will be cooked in that kitchen. Like - A LOT. I've been cooking at home every day and I would plan to do that there. If the guys come home for lunch or not - that remains to be seen - but I would still need a good collection of pots, pans, the food processor,

Then there is "all the other stuff". Thatcher would clearly be coming with us - so I would need to bring all his stuff over (thankfully - this means less than it used to - since he has a litter box over there now). A sewing machine & all the crap associated with that. The computer, clearly. And then all the food. There is a grocery store on the island - but it's about the size of my house. Actually - one floor of the house. So I do plan to buy in bulk at Costco & bring stuff over.
Also - I would need to come back here every week to mow the lawn and make sure the house didn't burn to the ground. Which would also mean I could go to Weight Watchers - I could do grocery shopping that day etc.

If I move to the island - what will I do for a phone number on my resume? My cell barely works over there. There is a spare phone (blue phone) that I could use - but it would mean that the phone number on my resume would be Canadian. Of course, very few people use the phone as my first contact with them. Only one has really.

Hmmmm.

Anyway. So - I finished knitting my sister a hat last night. I'm rather pleased with myself. Even though this is the third hat I've made from this pattern - it's different than the other two. I changed up how I decreased the stitches at the top - and it made the most adorable little flower at the very tip top of the hat. As I was making it - Pete said "HEY! Why don't you make those & sell them at Pelee fest??"
I said I had thought about it - but I would have to make a fair number of them between now & August. Of course- I probably have TIME for that on the island this summer. And there is a stitch & bitch on the island on Wednesday nights too.

I've been thinking about a quilt too - but haven't gotten around to plotting it out. I was thinking of squares with flip flops on a sandy colored background - but I'm not sure yet... it's still in my head.

Thatcher is going to the vet in the morning... I think he's starting to get wise to it too. I asked Pete to pull the carrier out of the spot under the stairs - so he did - but he brought it upstairs - instead of just pulling it out of the closet. Thatcher saw it & was a little nervous - but then he got in it. Now he's just avoiding it. I got permission to drug him for the visit. I know that won't give them a good heartbeat - but they won't be able to get a good heartbeat off Mr. Growly Pants anyway...

Also - I'm debating a massage this week. I have one scheduled for Tuesday morning - but I have a feeling it's going to be be a "relaxing" massage - as opposed to a "Let's work this kink out of your shoulder" massage - which is what I wanted. So I don't know ... I'll probably keep the appointment.

Well - that's all!

random musings...

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 03:48:32 GMT

Hubby is in Toronto (which I can't help but say with a long drawn out ooooo at the end) until Wednesday. He left Saturday. It's weird - I really miss him. That's not weird really - but I miss him more, I think, than I did when he went snowmobiling. And considering he's gone long hours etc (and doesn't always sleep in our bed) you'd think I wouldn't notice as much. But I do.

I've been hanging out with my boyfriend though - Jonathan Rhys-Meyers. I rented the first season of the Tudors to watch while working out. Yeah - if Henry the 8th looked that good in real life? I'd have risked my neck for eatin' crackers in his bed. Phew.
There is just something about dark haired (not to mention well built) men. I have found myself lusting after him, John Cusak and Colin Firth this week. But Pete? Is a red head. And not built like Mr. Ryhs-Meyers.
But that's okay - I'm not built like 7 of 9 (from Star Trek) either - so all is fair in love & war I guess. Although he does say he always liked dark haired girls (with big boobs) - and that is more closely aligned with what he got.

Um - what else?

I should spend my days crafting. I need to make the starburst mirror already so I can hang it on the wall. I'm tired of starting big projects - getting hung up on one little thing & not finishing. This mirror thing - I'm supposed to be using silver leaf on the wooden skewers and it's NOT working. I think the sizing is getting sucked up in the wood. But you know - I still have to DO this. So I should just get on it already.

Keyboard Heal Thyself

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:46:57 GMT

About two weeks ago - the keyboard on the laptop died. It just stopped responding. In a panic (can't live without the internets you know...) - I ran downstairs & grabbed the first keyboard I could find. It was Pete's old ergonomic keyboard. In the meantime, Pete thought it was time to replace the laptop. It's old - probably about 5 years by now - and kind of antiquated. We don't have built in wireless, we have a card. We can't burn cds, it's reeealllly slow booting up (despite the cable modem). And now that the keyboard stopped functioning - I relented (although I did try to uninstall the keyboard etc.)

Today - when I went to post this to y'all - I decided to confirm my theory that the laptop still hates me - and typed a letter on the keyboard. It worked. Damn computer. So we have a brand spanking new computer on the truck as I type this - and a semi functional one already. Blast.

Oh well.

So what's new? Nothing.

The weather is finally warm here - so I'm planning on opening up the house & giving it a good airing out/cleaning. I read a magazine article that said I should start my spring cleaning (ha ha - like I do that) now - and I could start by washing the walls.
Washing the walls? Well that's interesting. I've never washed a wall. I mean - sure, I give the molding a good scrub when it gets dingy where someone rests his hands - and I guess I've wiped down a wall prior to painting but washing the actual WALL? This is interesting. I'm sure my grandma (no one cleans house like a Polish grandma) washed walls but I've never done it. And I've never seen my mom do it.(Mom doesn't clean like a Polish grandma - although she's not a grandma - so maybe that is why?) I'm not sure if I'm going to do it or not yet. I'm intrigued though...

Crafts - I'm knitting a gauge for a baby viking hat for little Mr. Ben (for next year - Auntie Meggo isn't that on the ball).
I still have to finish my purse that I started a while ago. I've done the outside, done the lining, just need to put them together & to add handles, the zipper - and figure out if I can do a pocket or not.
Also - I still have those crepe paper flower kits that I bought on clearance at Michaels a while back. I want to make those. Martha had someone on the other day who made HUGE ones (like, the size of my head) and was offering them up for $47. I could make them. I could make them and sell them for that! Yay!

Internet - I was planning on starting some basic web design training when I got the new computer. (I figured it would run faster - which would be nice. I often find myself wondering how far I could throw this computer...) So I might start that today - possibly tomorrow.

Workouts - I have been good about this. I didn't work out yesterday or Friday - but every other day this past week - I did workout. Even when I skipped my aerobics class. That aerobics class is tough! I keep wanting to take the arms & abs class immediately after - but I'm so tired at the end of the first class - I just want to go home.

I tried on some clothes recently - that have been in my closet. I ended up giving away a few shirts, I think a skirt. (A skirt which bummed me out because it's a cute skirt that I didn't wear because it had beading on the edge so it needed to be for a dressy thing - and then it was too big). I tried on some clothes yesterday. The white dress pretty well fits - of course, it's totally summer & where does one wear a white dress? I tried on a black knit dress that I've had for years - think I'm giving that one away. I'm going to need to buy new summer clothes I think. I doubt my size 18 shorts (which were a little big last summer) will fit now. And tshirts - I need to do something about those things. I'm thinking of seeing if I take them in or not. I would hate to have to buy all new shirts (that's a lot of shirts...)

I should make an appointment to take Mr. Thatcher to the v-e-t. Don't tell him though - I'm going to try and sneak him there. He needs to get his talons trimmed. I would do it - but if I even touch his foot - he pulls away. He's SO not going to let me trim the talons. I might get the vets to show me how to properly do it (because that freaks me out) so that I can maybe enlist Pete's help... (although he really hates cat-wrangling)

I'm going to try and be better about posting.... I swear.

Woefully Behind

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:55:58 GMT

I wanted to be better about posting this time around (because, hellloooo? I have nothing BUT time these days) but I kept forgetting my password & then it's like an ATM password & it locks you out if you try too many times etc.
Whatever. I'm here. That's what matters... I guess.

So - Toledo. Here is the deal. I got a call yesterday from the "talent" agency (think temp agency for marketing & creative types - they do stuff nationwide so if you're interested in knowing more - let me know). They have a position, it's with a stable company, completely NOT automotive, but they're looking for an interactive project manager. (Which I can be). Sounds great. Salary is in the range that I'm used to. Problem is - it's in Toledo. TOLEDO. As in, Ohio. Remember - I live in Canada. So I go on google & it looks like it would be about a hour to a hour & a half long commute (although I'm thinking of actually DRIVING it one day just to see what it really is). I've seen 1.5 hours & 1 hour & 19 minutes.

When I worked in Troy - my commute was about a hour & it was 35 miles. So - it's not like I'm not USED to crazy-ass commutes. In fact, now that Sir Ipod is speaking to me again, I could theoretically get a lot of reading done in the car. But hello? TOLEDO?

At the same time, there is an administrative position open in one of the local municipalities. I'm not an admin - I was never really EVER an admin - but. It sounds like more than answering phones and sitting at a front desk. Which is good - because I always hated that. It's more of a job that's doing administrative stuff, drafting correspondence etc. I have a friend in one of the other local municipalities who said she'd put in a good word for me - so that's nice.
It's a LOT less money. Like - $20,000 (if the exchange rate was dollar for dollar) than what I was making & what the Toledo position would come in at.
BUT. It's 8-4:30, Monday through Friday. I think it would take me MAX a half hour to get there (if I stopped for coffee along the way). And there is a pension (but whatever, I don't think this would be a forever job). Insurance - in Canada.

What scares me most about that job though though (the local one) is it's completely off any sort of career track that I've been on. I guess, if it came down to it and I was working there but interviewing anyway - and if someone said "So - what's with this admin position? It's a step sideways - why did you take it?"
I can always say "Because it was offered. Because I'd been unemployed for two months & it was offered. I needed a job."

But oh - how wonderful to be THAT close to home! Oh my gosh! It would be so thrilling to have such a ridiculously short commute - and to be able to get to know people in the area!

It doesn't matter - at this point - neither has been offered to me so it's a non-issue. Hell- I haven't even gotten an interview.

The ironic thing about Toledo - when Hubby was dragging his feet proposing to me (but making me go house hunting with him anyway) I remember telling people "If he doesn't step up by April (when my lease was up) - I'm moving... to.... Toledo!"
It was far enough away that I would be able to get away from him - but still close enough to family.
And I used to work programs in Toledo too - I think it didn't seem THAT far... I almost got a cat in Toledo - poor thing was outside a gas station.

I don't know.
I don't know.