I have NOT been lazy while T was gone, oh no, not ME!
Sleep deprived that I am, I set about finishing some things on the "honey-do" list without the honey. First thing I did was buy a larger memory card for my camera, a whopping 1GB for a little more than $50! Now I can be snap-happy for WAY more pictures at once!!!!!!
Then I got a swiveling/tilting wall bracket for last-year's excellently cheap impulse eBay purchase --- my 21" LCD TV. I got the courage to use power tools and wire something mildly technical all at once! And YES I did read the directions. Now we have a TV in our bedroom, hooked up to a DVD/VHS player..... we don't have cable, but we sure look hi-tech in there now! Me and the boys celebrated by watching movies from my bed until they fell asleep. Cam is VERY warm, and Steve is VERY squirmy even as he sleeps. Alas, no sleep for the mommy-in-the-middle.
Then I decided Steve's carpet was TOO STINKY. (You see my darling Mo-cat is very old and a little senile and decided Steve's room was an excellent place to pee -- now he is an outside cat). We tried cleaning the carpet with every pet cleaner and carpet cleaner and deoderizer on the market..... with only temporary results. I had enough, especially after that last batch of Steve barf stained it so badly...... ICK!!!! I took everything out of Steve's room (except the bed, it's too HUGE). He has so much stuff that it pretty much took over the rest of the upstairs of the house. And I started ripping up the carpet! No turning back now! The smell of the underlay and subfloor was overwhelming! I nearly gagged. Horror of horrors, there were way more pee stains on the floor than ever I could have guessed, covering at least half the floor!!!!!! The dust and grime trapped under the carpet was astonishing -- just think, this is a seldom used room in a home less than 7 years old! Can you imagine what evil lurks under the high-traffic areas, or homes with 20 year old carpets?!?!?!?! Sobering.
After tearing up the ugly stuff, Steve helped me dig out the carpet tack strip and underlay staples for hours, he was very good about the goal. When I asked him what we would replace it with he said quite firmly "I am done with carpets, that's for sure!". Then I went to my neighbour who is a commercial painter and asked what paint would be good for sealing a subfloor, he said he would go buy it for me the next day. And not only did he buy it, but came over and rolled it on for me too!!!! It was a very strong-fumed oil-based paint, the door closed and a fan running full blast out the window and the house still smelled toxic (but better than cat-pee). While the paint dried, the boys and I headed out to the local floor store and bought a cheap cherry coloured laminate that was on sale. We brought it home and unwrapped it so it could acclimatize. Steve slept on his mattress in the middle of the living room surrounded by a good percentage of his toys.
Sunday morning. Oh ya, I need to use tools! I am nervous and unsure how to proceed! So I called Russ, my trusty stepdad, and he came over to help lay the laminate. It took almost 7 hours but we did it! I even helped with the power tools! I just had to provide the materials and dinner! Now Steve has a sturdy, attractive, wipeable fooring! Uncle Evan, the carpenter, will need to come by and install some quarter-round to trim around the baseboard though..... the laminate needs too much "expansion room" to fit all the way under our wimpy spec-home baseboards. But its definitely good enough for now and WAY BETTER than that stinky carpet!
Now my home is a little more the way I want it.
The chaos is still ruling upstairs as I didn't have time to load Steve's room back up, but at least I can get that under control before T gets home late tomorrow.
Sigh, it was time well spent... oh ya, and money spent hand over fist too. Gotta take the good with the bad though. Feels fine.
5.25.2006
I'm on my own
Hi there my friends!
I never got the chance to tell you T has gone up North with his brother.
He will be coming home on Monday, late at night, by plane. It should be a good adventure for him.
The first night alone with the boys was fun in that we ate a really hodge-podge dinner and didn't clean up right away. Otherwise it wasn't much different.... until the lights went out that is.
I guess I need to hear the sound of his snoring to get to sleep! It was well past midnight before I drifted off. Maybe tonight will be better?
I never got the chance to tell you T has gone up North with his brother.
He will be coming home on Monday, late at night, by plane. It should be a good adventure for him.
The first night alone with the boys was fun in that we ate a really hodge-podge dinner and didn't clean up right away. Otherwise it wasn't much different.... until the lights went out that is.
I guess I need to hear the sound of his snoring to get to sleep! It was well past midnight before I drifted off. Maybe tonight will be better?
Aging Gracefully
Let me start this post by saying...... "THANK GAWD I AM NOT A TEENAGER ANYMORE!"
I think the Buddhists may have it correct in wanting to get past reincarnation and join the universe without a body. This life business so far has been quite an experience, and not all of it has been pleasant.
Starting with the cruelty of puberty, then the cruelty of perpetuating the species, the cruelty of being a woman that doesn't perpetuate the species (read: menstruation)..... the cruelty of aging...... we'll see.
I am happy to be done with a lot of the messier stuff. That is to say, I am closer to being done my "childbearing years" than I was in that fearful and exciting time of sexual awakening. Since my operation the horrors of getting pregnant and any possible pregnancy are no longer my concern! That in itself is reason to celebrate!
The horrible insecurities and conflicting arrogance of youth are no longer an issue (hooray!).... of course there isn't a whole lot of leering looks from treacherous men anymore either (something I wanted but dreaded at the same time).
My body she ain't what she used to be I can tell you that for sure! Then again, I suppose I COULD get a bow-flex or gym membership and look hot in a bikini as a "yummy mommy"..... But really, I simply don't want to be that way. I am getting comfortable with my softer contours. Very comfortable. As a teen I was so skinny that a simple cold would render me helpless with exhaustion, clothes fit badly and I was so AWKWARD looking at everything I did. I like a bit of flesh. It's my security blanket!
Though I have to admit, I want to look like a "hottie" once in a while, it is no longer a big goal of mine. I think I would rather look like a healthy, nice, intelligent woman..... is that lazy? I really don't think so. For the first time in my career people don't treat me like a greenhorn in the business, and for the first time in my life I don't get ID'd when I buy booze. My initial remorse at losing that youthful joke has faded.... after all I did get ID'd only a couple years ago -- being past 30 in a country where 19 is the drinking age and still getting ID'd! I laugh at the thought.
I have wrinkles.... oh well. I have some parts that are more concerned about gravity than they used to be -- spider veins on my legs and stretch marks in all sorts of places. I don't like it, but it's not gonna kill me. My hands look and feel different and makeup is harder to apply now. That's not to mention the extra few pounds and persistent aches and pains that have cropped up as of late. These are all things that aren't a huge deal to me, medals of honour to my years on this planet. (It should be noted however, that I HATE acne, and wish it would STOP ALREADY!!!!!!)
Mentally however, I am happier with who I am now than I have ever been! I feel secure in having my own needs taken care of, I don't feel threatened by much anymore when it comes to my own wellbeing. I am less terrified of being not accepted, of wondering how "normal" things need to be. The kids are another story and the insecurities and fear that generates there is boundless! But even that seems to be mellowing as they get older.
So here I am in my slower, softer, more fragile body... with my stronger, more secure mind and I am happy with it. Here I am in my mid 30's, and I am really okay with that.
........ the best part about it is I am actually excited about my 40's and beyond now too! I am SO HAPPY to be past my teens, you can't even imagine!
Getting older, but no more serious.
5.22.2006
Peace and Quiet
Believe it or not, it was a "win-win" situation. The kids thought it was great fun (they begged me to do it again!), and I got to have a few minutes free of squabbling.
5.19.2006
To run with a theme seen on Tai's blog.....
1950 VERSION:
Have dinner ready:
Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready for your husband. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home, and the prospect of a good meal is part of this warm welcome needed.
Prepare yourself:
Take 15 minutes to rest so that you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.
Clear away the clutter:
Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Light a candle. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too.
Prepare the children:
Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.
Minimise all noise:
At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer, dishwasher or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Better yet, have them in bed.
Don’t Complain:
Don't greet him with problems or complaints or complain if he's late for dinner. Just count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day. Speak in a low, soft soothing and pleasant voice.
Listen to him:
You may have a dozen things to tell him - the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.
Make the evening his:
Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom.
Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.
2006 REVISION:
Have dinner ready:
One day a week plan ahead, preferably five minutes before, to have a delicious meal - we think you should stop at the deli section of the grocery store on the way home for something pre-made. The rest of the week, scrounge food from freezer and cupboards. Pasta is quick and easy. Tell your husband that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs, he must be hungry and would he please make himself a sandwich because you are too tired (and while you're at it, feed the kids too please). Ignore the whining and grumbling, and shoot him a look to remind him you had a rough day too and point toward the fridge.
Prepare yourself:
Leave him with the kids one night and go shopping. Chances are you’ve spent the day with a room full of people who hate their job as well, or dealing with the endless whining and mess of little people all day may also mean you need a lift.
Clear away the clutter:
Kick magazines, papers and toys off the coffee table so you can eat off it while you watch TV. Have the remote handy.
Prepare the children:
Put a mindless cartoon on the TV (preferably no commercials that will wind them up). It may buy you some quiet time from the endless sibling squabbles. If you both need a break, take a few minutes to tie children's hands and feet, and don't forget the gag. Tell them you are playing Cops and Robbers or Houdini and tell them you are timing how long it takes them to escape. Usually, they will fall asleep from exhaustion before you come to untie them hours later. Your husband will nag how his mom didn't have to resort to these games to handle the kids, warn him you might try a gag on him too.
Minimise all noise:
At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer, dishwasher, or vacuum. Ha ha! Just kidding. We know you don't possibly have time to do laundry or vacuum. That stuff will have to wait until your next three-day weekend. If you want things quiet, turn the TV down. Try to encourage the children to be quiet (See Cops and Robbers, above). Be happy to see him if he says "lets go out for dinner tonight". Greet him with a warm smile and be glad to see him. If he doesn't seem equally glad to see you, start an argument. Since things are nice and quiet, he will be sure to hear you.
Don’t complain:
Instead, speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. This will alarm him and he will wonder if he has forgotten your anniversary or birthday. You could get a present out of it. Allow him to relax and unwind before mentioning that it's his turn to give the kids a bath.
Listen to him:
You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first. This will placate his ego. His six words won't take long anyway.
Make the evening yours:
Complain if he does not cook once in a while, by asking him to do it you will likely get to go out to dinner once in a while. If that doesn't work, make a very important dinner date with friends and put it on the calendar 3 weeks in advance. When the evening comes, remind him that he will have to cook dinner for himself and the kids (and they'll need baths too before bed). He will complain that he didn't know you were going, but you have the evidence of the calendar to back you up. Go out to dinner with your friends, make sure you come back well after the kids bedtime so you can come home to a quiet house. After a few evenings alone with the kids, he'll see the wisdom of your words. And better appreciate everything you do in a day.
LOL! Spider, do you still think I am a domestic person!?
Rude Awakening
ooooooooh, it was a rough night last night!
Out of a deep sleep, came a niggling sound at the edge of my conscienceness..... I wake with a start!
"Did I just hear Steve throw up?" I say aloud groggily.... no response from the snoring lump beside me. I decide maybe it was my sleeping mind's twisted idea of a joke, and try to fall back to sleep.
The I hear sobbing and Cammy screams "MOMMY!" from a nightmare. Interesting, I thought I heard something from Steve's room. I drag my tired butt out of the warm covers go to Cammy to sooth him, rub his back and help him lay down again.....
....on my way there I hear Steve in a shaky weak voice..... "Mom, I barfed"CRAP! I didn't imagine things and apparently Cam heard enough to wake up too. GROAN.... I guess I don't get to go back to sleep for a while.......
"Coming Steve" I try to sound upbeat. I finish getting Cam settled back down, and go to assess the damage in Steve's room. I walk in and the smell sends me reeling!!!!!! "UGH!" (I couldn't help the exclaimation).
I turn on a little light by his bed. The little guys eyes are puffy and I instantly feel so sorry for him. Oh my GAWD the smell is unreal! He has leaned over the edge of his bedrail to throw up, his carpet has heaps of horrble stinky stuff (I could discribe it in more detail, but I'm sure I don't have to.
I call him down from his bed and send him to the bathroom to clean himself up and rinse his mouth. I go gather a plastic bag, paper towels and spray cleaner. Poor guy throws up in the toilet (out his nose this time) and it hurt him. After he has rinsed and blew his nose as best he could, we went back to his room, and I attampted to clean up the mess........ honestly I was not the most patient or thorough maid the smell had me gasping and gagging and it was NOT relinquishing its grip on the carpet!!!!! What the heck!?!? I gave up. Got Steve lots more tissue, a big plastic bowl (barf bowl) and some water. And wearily crawled back in bed.
Just drifting off again and I was awakened to coughing and sputtering again. Du-OH! I egt up and check on him. He got to the bowl in time..... but it came out his nose again. Ouch. Poor guy looked terrible. Huge dark circles under his eyes from the strain. I rinsed the bowl and got it back to him in time for him to do it again. I got some water for him to rinse and spit, more tisuue and cleaned out the bowl. Poor little turkey. Poor carpet. I will have to deal with it later.
Dragging myself back to my now cold sheets, I elbow the snoring husband and say "Steve keeps barfing". A barely understandable.. "huh? oh, wonder what's wrong... snort, mumble..... " snore. Is all the sympathy I will get this evening.
And thankfully that was the last I woke up until 6AM when my alarm went off to gather the boys to go to Sis's for a 7am babysitting. I am keeping Steve here (at Sis's) and confined to the nest of pillows and blanket in the den all day.... just to be safe. It was probably the pizza he had for lunch yesterday, but I'm not taking chances.
me sleepy.
Out of a deep sleep, came a niggling sound at the edge of my conscienceness..... I wake with a start!
"Did I just hear Steve throw up?" I say aloud groggily.... no response from the snoring lump beside me. I decide maybe it was my sleeping mind's twisted idea of a joke, and try to fall back to sleep.
The I hear sobbing and Cammy screams "MOMMY!" from a nightmare. Interesting, I thought I heard something from Steve's room. I drag my tired butt out of the warm covers go to Cammy to sooth him, rub his back and help him lay down again.....
....on my way there I hear Steve in a shaky weak voice..... "Mom, I barfed"CRAP! I didn't imagine things and apparently Cam heard enough to wake up too. GROAN.... I guess I don't get to go back to sleep for a while.......
"Coming Steve" I try to sound upbeat. I finish getting Cam settled back down, and go to assess the damage in Steve's room. I walk in and the smell sends me reeling!!!!!! "UGH!" (I couldn't help the exclaimation).
I turn on a little light by his bed. The little guys eyes are puffy and I instantly feel so sorry for him. Oh my GAWD the smell is unreal! He has leaned over the edge of his bedrail to throw up, his carpet has heaps of horrble stinky stuff (I could discribe it in more detail, but I'm sure I don't have to.
I call him down from his bed and send him to the bathroom to clean himself up and rinse his mouth. I go gather a plastic bag, paper towels and spray cleaner. Poor guy throws up in the toilet (out his nose this time) and it hurt him. After he has rinsed and blew his nose as best he could, we went back to his room, and I attampted to clean up the mess........ honestly I was not the most patient or thorough maid the smell had me gasping and gagging and it was NOT relinquishing its grip on the carpet!!!!! What the heck!?!? I gave up. Got Steve lots more tissue, a big plastic bowl (barf bowl) and some water. And wearily crawled back in bed.
Just drifting off again and I was awakened to coughing and sputtering again. Du-OH! I egt up and check on him. He got to the bowl in time..... but it came out his nose again. Ouch. Poor guy looked terrible. Huge dark circles under his eyes from the strain. I rinsed the bowl and got it back to him in time for him to do it again. I got some water for him to rinse and spit, more tisuue and cleaned out the bowl. Poor little turkey. Poor carpet. I will have to deal with it later.
Dragging myself back to my now cold sheets, I elbow the snoring husband and say "Steve keeps barfing". A barely understandable.. "huh? oh, wonder what's wrong... snort, mumble..... " snore. Is all the sympathy I will get this evening.
And thankfully that was the last I woke up until 6AM when my alarm went off to gather the boys to go to Sis's for a 7am babysitting. I am keeping Steve here (at Sis's) and confined to the nest of pillows and blanket in the den all day.... just to be safe. It was probably the pizza he had for lunch yesterday, but I'm not taking chances.
me sleepy.
5.18.2006
A visitor
Alright Girls, who was our highschool mascot? Remember?
Well I had a visit from one in my very own office this morning.
Poor thing was terrified out of it's pinfeathers, slapping against the window. I came closer to open the window, and was abit nervous that it might come at me (they look bigger up close and all flapping madly). I calmly talked to it and I managed to corral it outside.
A "flutter" of excitement first thing in the morning!
That's my second close encounter with nature this week.
Tuesday, after dragging the boys out of the mud of the sprinkler I hauled them upstairs for a bath. I felt something on my back and brushed it off. Something went "THUD" on the floor so I looked. It was a large strange bug. I put a cup on it, and went to get a jar. With the bug captured I went straight to work identifying it.... "chalcophora_virginiensis" AKA "large metallic woodboring beetle". Very interesting looking, active and alert for a beetle, it scrambled at the jar frantically. I eventually let it go, though I was tempted to squash it since I love trees BUT I couldn't bring myself to do it -- it is native to here and well I'm not really so its got a right to go through the motions of life.
Well I had a visit from one in my very own office this morning.
Poor thing was terrified out of it's pinfeathers, slapping against the window. I came closer to open the window, and was abit nervous that it might come at me (they look bigger up close and all flapping madly). I calmly talked to it and I managed to corral it outside.
A "flutter" of excitement first thing in the morning!
That's my second close encounter with nature this week.
Tuesday, after dragging the boys out of the mud of the sprinkler I hauled them upstairs for a bath. I felt something on my back and brushed it off. Something went "THUD" on the floor so I looked. It was a large strange bug. I put a cup on it, and went to get a jar. With the bug captured I went straight to work identifying it.... "chalcophora_virginiensis" AKA "large metallic woodboring beetle". Very interesting looking, active and alert for a beetle, it scrambled at the jar frantically. I eventually let it go, though I was tempted to squash it since I love trees BUT I couldn't bring myself to do it -- it is native to here and well I'm not really so its got a right to go through the motions of life.
5.17.2006
hmmm....
Maybe I am a sadist.
I was cooing and smiling at my cute little baby neice and my sister says "You know you are going to miss her when your not taking care of her anymore"
I said "I Know! She is so sweet".
Sis says, "If you tidy the house at the end of the day, I will give you $70/day to stay".
And you know what? Looking into the blue loving eyes of that baby I want to say yes! It breaks my heart to think anyone but me will be caring for her. 3 days a week.........
I really need to say no though don't I?
I'm a fool.
I was cooing and smiling at my cute little baby neice and my sister says "You know you are going to miss her when your not taking care of her anymore"
I said "I Know! She is so sweet".
Sis says, "If you tidy the house at the end of the day, I will give you $70/day to stay".
And you know what? Looking into the blue loving eyes of that baby I want to say yes! It breaks my heart to think anyone but me will be caring for her. 3 days a week.........
I really need to say no though don't I?
I'm a fool.
5.15.2006
Weekend Joys
My weekend was nice actually.
Here is a pop quiz for you..... How can I have a nice time with year-end for my business and taxes all crammed into about 11 hours?
Answer.... Have a great friend teaching me the accounting program while his wife (one of my very dearest friends on the planet) sews ornate gold buttons, fringe and jingling metal things onto a black bra wilst in the same room! Joy of joys! Business and pleasure at the same time. I wish I could have made a more fanciful meal for my hard working guests, but such is life.
That was my Saturday!
Sunday was Mother's Day, of course, and T made me buttermilk pancakes the size of dinnerplates with fresh sliced strawberries, whipped cream and maple syrup on top!!!!! Yummy! Then I got to open a cute "bouquet" Cam made in Preschool and a box of Purdy Hedgehogs ---- drool ---- and the rest of the day just drifted by slowly.... somehow it just evaporated into nothing, and that was a happy thing actually.
Later on I went to the grocery store and rented a movie too (Fun with Dick and Jane). After dinner we squeezed it in before Desperate Housewives. We each gave it a thumbs up for its sad situational humour and subtle jokes, along with Carrey's not-so-subtle physical presence. Tia Leone was a nice match in this one. After that we managed to stay awake for Sopranos and went to bed way past our bedtimes!
(About the taxes -- I owe, as expected -- sigh, nothing can be done about that! THANK YOU J and Spider for slogging me through the tough chore. Though it should be easier next year as I will be keeping up with it weekly instead of doing it all in one sitting at the end of the year!)
Here is a pop quiz for you..... How can I have a nice time with year-end for my business and taxes all crammed into about 11 hours?
Answer.... Have a great friend teaching me the accounting program while his wife (one of my very dearest friends on the planet) sews ornate gold buttons, fringe and jingling metal things onto a black bra wilst in the same room! Joy of joys! Business and pleasure at the same time. I wish I could have made a more fanciful meal for my hard working guests, but such is life.
That was my Saturday!
Sunday was Mother's Day, of course, and T made me buttermilk pancakes the size of dinnerplates with fresh sliced strawberries, whipped cream and maple syrup on top!!!!! Yummy! Then I got to open a cute "bouquet" Cam made in Preschool and a box of Purdy Hedgehogs ---- drool ---- and the rest of the day just drifted by slowly.... somehow it just evaporated into nothing, and that was a happy thing actually.
Later on I went to the grocery store and rented a movie too (Fun with Dick and Jane). After dinner we squeezed it in before Desperate Housewives. We each gave it a thumbs up for its sad situational humour and subtle jokes, along with Carrey's not-so-subtle physical presence. Tia Leone was a nice match in this one. After that we managed to stay awake for Sopranos and went to bed way past our bedtimes!
(About the taxes -- I owe, as expected -- sigh, nothing can be done about that! THANK YOU J and Spider for slogging me through the tough chore. Though it should be easier next year as I will be keeping up with it weekly instead of doing it all in one sitting at the end of the year!)
5.12.2006
fabulous follow up
Of course it wasn't as flawless as yesterday, but it was a nice morning.
I didn't get up exactly bright eyed, nor bushy tailed.... instead it was more of an effort to drag my bleary-eyed self out of the warm comfort of my bed. The boys were up before me, and having a great old time. I did manage to get up and get them a yummy smoothy made for breakfast with fruit and juice ans milk... mmmm mmmmmmmm.
I got myself all dressed up in my professional meeting garb, complete with hair and make up, then quickly threw together a lunch for Steve and headed out the door. Cammy decided to stay with Uncle D, so that made it a wee bit easier.
Off to my sister's to visit briefly before going to the meeting.
I got to the restraunt first and had about a half cup of coffee down before he arrived. He was dressed a bit more casually today, with an armload of a briefcase.
We settled in and this time ordered breakfast. We ordered the same thing, right down to the eggs the same way.... strange but okay. Over our meal I learned a lot more about him personally, (his diet, his relationships and even a bit about highschool and the way his parents taught him to respect money. We had parents with many of the same values to teach - interesting). I would think he was full of crap, except many of the things he was talking about were STARTED by him, so he couldn't just be echoing what I was saying. Maybe he thinks I am full of crap LOL.
After eating he took out his laptop and showed me a few of the websites that have put together. VERY nice and clean and easy to use, I was impressed.
Then we went over what the plans for his business included and how I could fit in. We settled on a rate I could charge that would be acceptable to him and fair to me. How he was hoping I would deal with the clients and workload, etc. And next thing I knew almost 2 hours had gone by! We could have kept chatting for another 2 I am sure and not gotten bored.
I took care of the bill and had to tell him that I had another appointment (because I had to go to babysit my sis's kids). He asked when I am available and I told him I had a commitment until the middle of next month for 3 days a week, but I was available USUALLY most days, and had been known to work evenings, though I really disliked having to work weekends (he sympathised). We swapped MSN addresses and shook hands.
This could work. He seems to have a very well organized way of doing thing, and realistic goals for his business.
Then I went home, changed into babysitting clothes and had Uncle D drop me and Cam off as sis's so he could borrow our truck..... and that's where I am right now!
I didn't get up exactly bright eyed, nor bushy tailed.... instead it was more of an effort to drag my bleary-eyed self out of the warm comfort of my bed. The boys were up before me, and having a great old time. I did manage to get up and get them a yummy smoothy made for breakfast with fruit and juice ans milk... mmmm mmmmmmmm.
I got myself all dressed up in my professional meeting garb, complete with hair and make up, then quickly threw together a lunch for Steve and headed out the door. Cammy decided to stay with Uncle D, so that made it a wee bit easier.
Off to my sister's to visit briefly before going to the meeting.
I got to the restraunt first and had about a half cup of coffee down before he arrived. He was dressed a bit more casually today, with an armload of a briefcase.
We settled in and this time ordered breakfast. We ordered the same thing, right down to the eggs the same way.... strange but okay. Over our meal I learned a lot more about him personally, (his diet, his relationships and even a bit about highschool and the way his parents taught him to respect money. We had parents with many of the same values to teach - interesting). I would think he was full of crap, except many of the things he was talking about were STARTED by him, so he couldn't just be echoing what I was saying. Maybe he thinks I am full of crap LOL.
After eating he took out his laptop and showed me a few of the websites that have put together. VERY nice and clean and easy to use, I was impressed.
Then we went over what the plans for his business included and how I could fit in. We settled on a rate I could charge that would be acceptable to him and fair to me. How he was hoping I would deal with the clients and workload, etc. And next thing I knew almost 2 hours had gone by! We could have kept chatting for another 2 I am sure and not gotten bored.
I took care of the bill and had to tell him that I had another appointment (because I had to go to babysit my sis's kids). He asked when I am available and I told him I had a commitment until the middle of next month for 3 days a week, but I was available USUALLY most days, and had been known to work evenings, though I really disliked having to work weekends (he sympathised). We swapped MSN addresses and shook hands.
This could work. He seems to have a very well organized way of doing thing, and realistic goals for his business.
Then I went home, changed into babysitting clothes and had Uncle D drop me and Cam off as sis's so he could borrow our truck..... and that's where I am right now!
5.11.2006
Flattering Day
Everybody needs a day like this regularly!
Started off with hitting the snooze buttone (twice) and actually sleeping between alarms. Then a great long shower and coffee and breakfast. Get the big boy off to school (on time) and then get ready for my meeting at the other end of town.
My hair and make-up cooperated even my outfit came together at the last moment! My portfolio was found and off I went to the meeting.
Made it there with 2 minutes to spare and settled down for a coffee in the arranged meeting restaurant. He was on time and looked like he took the meeting as seriously as me with a clean, taylored appearance, good shoes and firm handshake (clean nails, gold watch, no wedding band, hand slightly warmer than mine) I was immediately happy to be there and started off with some casual talk (about yoda of all things)! Made me even happier to be there. Then I showed him my portfolio and he was quiet but not in a bad way.... I could see the gears working in his head.
Then he closed it and said that he has interviewed about a 100 designers in the last few months and my work is in a whole different class. He was impressed, and he wasn't shy to say it (I blushed and I think I may have even giggled). Though I thought we were just meeting to compare companies and histories over coffee, it turned out to be a meeting of mutual benefit and glory. He wants to find a reliable, skilled print designer, and I want to find a web publisher with a flair for design and a vast array of tools at their disposal. Looks like we can do each other a favour! He said he has more to talk about and wants to gather some info and can we meet tomorrow..... I said yes and we hammered out a time.
Feeling great, I rushed off to my next meeting. A pal from my last job (one of the marketers that was let go even though she was fabulous) wanted to take me out for lunch! I got to choose the place and so its Asian-fusion-cuisine. She was already there and I got to start our lunch recounting my great meeting. She is doing fine as well, and looking good even though her child is being horrible (arrogant teen boy) and she is presently unemployed, but being picky.
The food was just right -- sushi! Yumm.
After my fun, social lunch, I wandered across the plaza to get a cheap haircut. And about 45 minutes later I still had long hair, but more texture and layers to it, feeling fine.
And here I am. Telling you all about it!
Started off with hitting the snooze buttone (twice) and actually sleeping between alarms. Then a great long shower and coffee and breakfast. Get the big boy off to school (on time) and then get ready for my meeting at the other end of town.
My hair and make-up cooperated even my outfit came together at the last moment! My portfolio was found and off I went to the meeting.
Made it there with 2 minutes to spare and settled down for a coffee in the arranged meeting restaurant. He was on time and looked like he took the meeting as seriously as me with a clean, taylored appearance, good shoes and firm handshake (clean nails, gold watch, no wedding band, hand slightly warmer than mine) I was immediately happy to be there and started off with some casual talk (about yoda of all things)! Made me even happier to be there. Then I showed him my portfolio and he was quiet but not in a bad way.... I could see the gears working in his head.
Then he closed it and said that he has interviewed about a 100 designers in the last few months and my work is in a whole different class. He was impressed, and he wasn't shy to say it (I blushed and I think I may have even giggled). Though I thought we were just meeting to compare companies and histories over coffee, it turned out to be a meeting of mutual benefit and glory. He wants to find a reliable, skilled print designer, and I want to find a web publisher with a flair for design and a vast array of tools at their disposal. Looks like we can do each other a favour! He said he has more to talk about and wants to gather some info and can we meet tomorrow..... I said yes and we hammered out a time.
Feeling great, I rushed off to my next meeting. A pal from my last job (one of the marketers that was let go even though she was fabulous) wanted to take me out for lunch! I got to choose the place and so its Asian-fusion-cuisine. She was already there and I got to start our lunch recounting my great meeting. She is doing fine as well, and looking good even though her child is being horrible (arrogant teen boy) and she is presently unemployed, but being picky.
The food was just right -- sushi! Yumm.
After my fun, social lunch, I wandered across the plaza to get a cheap haircut. And about 45 minutes later I still had long hair, but more texture and layers to it, feeling fine.
And here I am. Telling you all about it!
5.10.2006
tone deaf
Sorry for the tone of the last entry.......
On to brighter things!
Our youngest has started to accept the dirtbike! Hooray! Not that there was any doubt he would, its just a nice thing to see him enjoy the idea now.
T had been pushing him around the cul-de-sac with the engine off to get him used to the weight and brakes, then when he got really comfy with that we came out to start the engine in a safe location. We took him out to a dead-end access road, and T basically pointed him out and let him go.
He LOVED it and took to it like a fish to water. I am nervous about what he going to get into, but alas, it is a hobby we all enjoy as a family, so there is always the risk! He looked so tiny and so confident out there zooming back and forth and going around. He even loaded the bike back onto the truck "by himself", something his big brother hasn't shown the slightest interest in doing. Very exciting times indeed.
On to brighter things!
Our youngest has started to accept the dirtbike! Hooray! Not that there was any doubt he would, its just a nice thing to see him enjoy the idea now.
T had been pushing him around the cul-de-sac with the engine off to get him used to the weight and brakes, then when he got really comfy with that we came out to start the engine in a safe location. We took him out to a dead-end access road, and T basically pointed him out and let him go.
He LOVED it and took to it like a fish to water. I am nervous about what he going to get into, but alas, it is a hobby we all enjoy as a family, so there is always the risk! He looked so tiny and so confident out there zooming back and forth and going around. He even loaded the bike back onto the truck "by himself", something his big brother hasn't shown the slightest interest in doing. Very exciting times indeed.
5.06.2006
bin-jing and purr-jing
Pardon the spelling of my title here.... I just felt that way today.
My mood is sporatic and unpredictable lately.
Happy, and content as I purge some of the clutter from my life.... complete temper meltdown (complete with bulging vein in my neck and throwing things) moments later, crying from my cruel irratic behaviour and back to a calm and almost happy state minutes after that.
I put a bunch of the out-grown toys in the buy & sell last week and actually had someone come by and buy $50 worth! Hooray! But I am still overwhelmed most of the time.
I am worried about ***** [edited for content]******
Anyone know a good psychiatrist?
My mood is sporatic and unpredictable lately.
Happy, and content as I purge some of the clutter from my life.... complete temper meltdown (complete with bulging vein in my neck and throwing things) moments later, crying from my cruel irratic behaviour and back to a calm and almost happy state minutes after that.
I put a bunch of the out-grown toys in the buy & sell last week and actually had someone come by and buy $50 worth! Hooray! But I am still overwhelmed most of the time.
I am worried about ***** [edited for content]******
Anyone know a good psychiatrist?
5.03.2006
Beautiful day!
Isn't it nice out today?!
Sigh.... birds are singing, flowers are blooming, trees are waking up with the new leaves taking the first breaths of Spring!
It's a calm day, even with the Cam being home, even having to go get gas (a chore I don't enjoy), even though I still need to make dinner, I am happy and relaxed.
No good reason, just happy to be happy!
Sigh.... birds are singing, flowers are blooming, trees are waking up with the new leaves taking the first breaths of Spring!
It's a calm day, even with the Cam being home, even having to go get gas (a chore I don't enjoy), even though I still need to make dinner, I am happy and relaxed.
No good reason, just happy to be happy!
5.01.2006
Nice Weekend
On Saturday I finally used a spa gift certificate that I got for Christmas! It was due to expire on the 30th, so I squeaked in by 24 hours.
A mini-getaway package. Sigh.... a full hour of warm, soft body massage........ my muscles were so wound up that RELAXING was the most painful part! It hurt so GOOD.
Then when the lights came up and I was covered head to toe in massage oil, droolling and mushy muscled.... the gave me a mini-manicure and a foot treatment. During which time I woke back up and had fun conversation with the ladies! What girlie girls they are! You know, I am likely to assume someone is like me unless they prove otherwise... admit it we all think that way! And well these girls were very very different. It was interesting conversation.... a verbal version of the "people watching" I used to enjoy so much! And even though they were different, they were still nice people (LOL).
I cam out of there greasy, happy and with pretty sparkly nails (I chose an iridescent pink).
After the spa I did some house stuff and dropped Steve off at a friends birthday party. Cam stayed home with T and he was riding his bike endlessly... relaxing evening actually.
Sunday started tense. T was on the cleaning rampage again and no surface was safe! Kids thankfully cleaned there rooms without a fight and our room was already fine. The living spaces weren't too bad, so it was dusting vacuuming mopping mayhem until every horizontal surface was sparse and clean. I always feel on edge when he does it, mostly because I can't seem to stay out of the way, even when I am trying to help. So this time I curled up on a chair with a book on organizing (yes its funny) and ocassionally got up to check the progress with the boys. Then when inside was acceptable, T went into the yard and started loading stuff into the back of the truck! Apparently the old decking, the old sandbox and some other stuff had to go NOW! He found willing recipients for all of it -- thankfully.
The rest of the day revolved around my sister's baby's first birthday! I can't believe she is one already. (I would rather have been at home digging in the garden if you can beleive it.) T was about an hour late thanks to his yard cleaning endeavour, and I had a growing headache, 10 little kids (4 of which were babies) and all their parents and the grandparents didn't help, so I wandered out onto the front porch quite a bit to be alone. It was a successful party though. No child got hurt, no babies went into screaming fits and all the parents played nice.... oh ya and the food and beverages were very nice too! I had a skewed perspective with the headache.
I let the kids stay up a bit to unwind.... they were roaming around on their bikes, endless loops up and down the driveways.
Peaceful end to the weekend.
A mini-getaway package. Sigh.... a full hour of warm, soft body massage........ my muscles were so wound up that RELAXING was the most painful part! It hurt so GOOD.
Then when the lights came up and I was covered head to toe in massage oil, droolling and mushy muscled.... the gave me a mini-manicure and a foot treatment. During which time I woke back up and had fun conversation with the ladies! What girlie girls they are! You know, I am likely to assume someone is like me unless they prove otherwise... admit it we all think that way! And well these girls were very very different. It was interesting conversation.... a verbal version of the "people watching" I used to enjoy so much! And even though they were different, they were still nice people (LOL).
I cam out of there greasy, happy and with pretty sparkly nails (I chose an iridescent pink).
After the spa I did some house stuff and dropped Steve off at a friends birthday party. Cam stayed home with T and he was riding his bike endlessly... relaxing evening actually.
Sunday started tense. T was on the cleaning rampage again and no surface was safe! Kids thankfully cleaned there rooms without a fight and our room was already fine. The living spaces weren't too bad, so it was dusting vacuuming mopping mayhem until every horizontal surface was sparse and clean. I always feel on edge when he does it, mostly because I can't seem to stay out of the way, even when I am trying to help. So this time I curled up on a chair with a book on organizing (yes its funny) and ocassionally got up to check the progress with the boys. Then when inside was acceptable, T went into the yard and started loading stuff into the back of the truck! Apparently the old decking, the old sandbox and some other stuff had to go NOW! He found willing recipients for all of it -- thankfully.
The rest of the day revolved around my sister's baby's first birthday! I can't believe she is one already. (I would rather have been at home digging in the garden if you can beleive it.) T was about an hour late thanks to his yard cleaning endeavour, and I had a growing headache, 10 little kids (4 of which were babies) and all their parents and the grandparents didn't help, so I wandered out onto the front porch quite a bit to be alone. It was a successful party though. No child got hurt, no babies went into screaming fits and all the parents played nice.... oh ya and the food and beverages were very nice too! I had a skewed perspective with the headache.
I let the kids stay up a bit to unwind.... they were roaming around on their bikes, endless loops up and down the driveways.
Peaceful end to the weekend.
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