I must confess I spent too much of my weekend scanning Ebay listings for women's boots: specifically size 8.5,  black, leather (no vinyl for me!), mid-heel, mid-calf style. Not a square toe, not too pointy, not a super-blocky heel nor stiletto nor wedge. I have been searching for the *perfect* all-occassion (cropped pants, jeans, skirts) black boot for a few seasons to no avail. Finally last night i put in a bid in for what could be the light at the end of my footwear tunnel. In 1 day and 5hours I will know for sure...

 

    I am FINALLY taking a breather to sit and read my email, blog, etc.

I spent most of the day at my father-in-law's clearing out closets and packing up items in good shape to be donated. I took the Van down to his place with the intent of packing it with boxes and bags of items to drop off at a donation truck near our house. However, after hefting some 25 large bags of trash into the garbage chute at his building my back was crying out for mercy adn I left all the donate-ables boxed up for another time. Which will probably be this weekend, I guess...

All I know is that my family and I aren't planning anything "fun" except perhaps one night 's dinner at a cheap diner or something for a break in the action. We have to re-org our garage (ugh!) in order to accomodate tools and supplies that hubby is moving here from his dad's. Lots more moving, cleaning, more moving and more cleaning. I can't wait until things are finnaly in shape to get his condo on the market and get that chapter closed.

I plan on a weekend filled with ibuprofen, cheap wine, and a Homedics back massage mat/heating pad!

I know its not September yet, but my daughter had her first week of FIRST GRADE this past week! I know I was more nervous than she was! But it seems as if she is settling into the routine of all-day school, although no homework has been assigned yet so I'll be curious to see how that goes.

I spent my 2 days post-vacation/pre-school, cleaning and setting up a nice, organized, well-lit "homework space" for her to use - its my old desk in our basement home office. I cleared out two drawers, cleared off all bills and papers from the top and made room on the built-in bookshelf for her dictionary, atlas, encyclopedia, etc.

Despite her being out of the house all day, I find myself running short on time to complete the various home improvement projects, shopping chores, and workout routines I planned for my "alone time". Clearly I will have to scale back on these plans.

Beginning in September, I plunk some training sessions into my evening schedule. I am signed up to be a "greeter" (not much to learn, just some "house rules", etc.) at Church, which should be fun and pretty easy. The more intensive "training" is actually for the process of becoming an extraordinary minister/eucharistic minister in the Ministry of Care. This means that I'll be taking Holy Communion to the sick/homebound, and to those in nursing homes and hospitals. The Ministry of Care training is organized by the Archdiocese but luckily they are holding the sessions at our Parish this year, likely because we have the facilities to host such an event series.

I'm still happily surprised that I find myself drawn to this ministry. I knew it was for me when over the past few years, I have found great solace in receiving communion at the hospital during my various unfortunate stays there. All of the volunteers from  other parishes that ministered to me were so incredibly warm, caring, and kind. I really do believe those experiences aided my healing process. Since I am comfortable with the elderly, sick, handicapped, (I used to work in a nursing home - one of the best jobs I ever had!) I think I'm a good match for this volunteer opportunity. My only worry is driving around with "Jesus" (consecrated host) in the car! Do I put a seatbelt on the host container?!?!?! Lord knows I won't be hauling the host around in my rockin' van!!!! heheheheh.

 

 

 

In case you were wondering...

I've been on vacation in beautiful Brigantine, NJ since the 5th. Will be returning next week. Wish you were here :)

 

 

Since the passing of my father-in-law in June, our household has gotten larger - not merely with our new fab-u-maxi-van, but also thanks to our adoption of a darling almost-three-year old Scottish Terrier named Megan. Megan was my dad-in-law's dog, and as such she had to endure the horrible situation of her master dead on the floor, no food or person to walk her for days until his body was found. She was, to be honest, a basket case when we got her. I wasn't sure how we'd manage - she was peeing and pooping all over our house, then our beagle, Annie, was ALSO peeing and pooping all over in protest and our cats were terrified.

But I worked with Meg to figure our what "schedule" she was used to for being walked. We did one night of crate-training and then moved to quasi-crating which is basically keeping her in my bedroom with me all night, and she barks to wake me up to go out. At first it was tough - she was used to living with a senior citizen and thus was demanding to be walked at 6am, whcih is probably a few hours after he was awake anyway! Now, we have come to a more civilized compromise of both doggies cheerfully (and "successfuly" - i.e. they pee and poop all in the same trip!) being escorted on leash and harness at 8am and then another few trips in afternoon and evening.

She has calmed considerably and I have even taught her some manners and "house rules". Unlike Annie who is calm but enjoys her treats and cuddles, Megan loves playing fetch with squeaky toys and tennis balls but doesn't care to sit on a lap. I splurged and got her the "As Seen On TV" Doggie Steps so that she can scramble up into bed with me when she wants to - otherwise she sleeps on the floor next to my side of the bed. Luckily she was used to going to the groomer and so  her most recent trip for a proper Scottie cut garnered rave reviews from the grooming technicians who noted how beautifully behaved she was.

She is sitting here at my feet as I type late tonight - she refuses to go to bed with out me.

Without further adieu, here are our sweet "girls", Annie and Megan:

Yesterday I was suffering from IBS-related woes. I had to run out for a few quick errands, though, and sweated through each seemingly-endless red light, my guts churning and gurgling all the way.

As I sat waiting to make a left-hand turn, I noteced the vanity plate on a red VW Jetta in front of me:

KOLNRN 1

After reading the plate aloud I realized that perhaps her car should have been BROWN instead of red!

 

So...I have nothing witty or fun or remotely interesting to write about as we are extremely busy and mentally preoccupied with getting all of this estate stuff rolling along. There are so many papers to be signed, things to be faxed and fed-exed and notarized...and the estate hasn't even gotten into probate court yet!

I'm also waitng to hear from the Van store as to when our new tv/dvd player is arriving (the one that came with the van doesn't work; they are replacing it gratis.)

Next Saturday we leave by Van for the golden sands of New Jersey! So next week I will be cleaning, organizing, packing, re-packing...and unfortunately today I'm trying to not touch anyone or anything because I came down with a case of bacterial Conjuctivitis (pink eye.) Ick. Thankfully I've got eye drops to burn away the germs.

Delicious.

 

I have always snickered at the manner in which people who suddenly come into money spend their new-found greenbacks. With most Americans, it's usually big, huge obnoxious TV's and/or some sort of equally obnoxious, gas guzzling, road-hogging automobile.

Count me in among the latter! Yesterday, we dropped some coin (courtesy of a recent inheritance) on a HUGE and totally sweet GMC Savana Regency conversion van. Granted, with its sheer size and gas mpg rating, it will not be my primary vehicle. I will continue to walk, bike and/or drive my more modest Tortoise (Taurus) for everyday use. This van is for our family's twice-yearly trips back and forth to PA/NJ from Chicago. And maybe also for additional travel adventures across North America.

Its ironic because I am typically anti-automobile, anti-emissions, anti-gas-consumption... but, damn, for a long haul its like travelling business class - plenty of room for luggage, kid, dogs, snack coolers, etc. Naturally its got the tv/dvd built in (so I guess in a way, we DID get a tv, too!) plus a "sofa" that reclines into a "lounge" (i.e. - small bed.)

Speaking of the "lounge," guess who christened the Van last night in the driveway -- and I ain't talking about breaking a champagne bottle on the bow! My hubby made a special CD for the occasion, complete with "Can't Get Enough of Your Love" by Barry White" and of course, "Chevy Van" by Sammy Kershaw.  Oddly enough, he included that 70's novelty hit, "Convoy" in the mix as well.

Now I gotta get one of those bumper stickers: "If the Van's a-Rockin', Don't Come a-Knockin'!"

Is it remotely possible to gain 4 lbs overnight due to That Time Of The Month ????????

Whoever wrote that song "I enjoy being a girl" needs to go buy me some pamprin! And Chocolate. Now! grrrrr!

In a previous entry, I mentioned my participation in the 2006 local 4th of July parade. This year, our local library outdid themselves (and won first place) by creating a really cool pirate ship float with these incredible cannons (tested to be crowd-safe.)

If you have somewhere to store a driveable pirate ship, it is for SALE on Ebay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also check out the web-u-mentary on the building of this vessel at http://www.operationeyepatch.com

Personally I think the US Navy should buy it, float it in the Sea of Japan and scare North Korea...