Christmas List part deaux

OK, my mom wanted to know when I became interested in power tools? Come on, who isn’t? But, here’s some explanation about that Christmas list.

Well, a level is a handy thing to have just to hang pictures or put up shelves and things like that. There are times when one wants to tighten the screws on furniture, etc and a power screwdriver is a good thing,





especially if your hand goes numb after
gripping a regular screwdriver for too long.







I actually didn't put circular saw or nail gun on my list this time, but those are cool too. Or even a hammer with a magnetic head. I’d also love to have a tool belt – the belt loops and nail apron don’t always hold the stuff you need.











I have always been interested in carpentry – I wanted to take wood shop in seventh grade but the folks at J. L. Long Middle School wouldn’t let me.



They put me in Home Ec – which one semester each of sewing and cooking. I did manage to get them to let me do drafting, which was awesome.

Anyway, I like the idea of carpentry (and the smells to be honest) but don't think I'd be all that good at it, since I'm not good at precision work. I mean, have you seen my sewing? There comes a point where I’m like, “who really needs interfacing?” or, “this would go much faster if I sew snaps instead of the decorative buttons” or, “I can save a trip to the store if I use this [crappier] thread instead of the one the pattern ‘suggested’.”

But, really, since ASP, I have wanted some power tools of my own. I liked working the skil saw, measuring and hammering stuff. Polio and I kicked some butt putting up crown molding in a bedroom and finishing up some drywall. We’re also quite adept at putting up vinyl siding. I’ve been a master at pulling up old carpet and scraping up old flooring for years now.

My Christmas List (so far)

1. Boots from Cloudwalkers.

Pecan Boot (WW Width) Was: $99.00 (Now: $74.00)
Size 9WW

Style # 4918329A

Polio - I'm emailing you a coupon for the store that carries these - don't know if boots are included though.

2. Level. I've wanted one for a couple of years. Preferably one that's at least two feet long. The laser kind that projects a beam is cool, but they are expensive!

3. Electric drill/screwdriver. I'm kind of partial to Black & Decker, Skil, and Dewalt. Again, expensive items I know. I don't need a huge number of bits, but a small selection is nice.

4. Bras. These are very personal and there's no way in hell I'm giving out my size on this blog. A gift certificate to Avenue or some other place I can shop in Champaign is nice.

5. Not candy.

weather and taxes? God, I'm getting old ...

Well, we supposedly had "hurricane force winds" last weekend, but we slept through most of it and never lost power or anything so it was less than dramatic. Sandbox kept asking when the rain was gonna start and complaining that "this isn't a hurricane, this is crap!" We did have a couple of trees go down out back, ones that were already lame from previous storms I guess.

This weekend we had snow, lots of snow. It started Saturday afternoon and seemed to go on for about 24 hours! That's probably a slight exaggeration, but it was a long time. Sandbox and I went out in it Saturday night to shovel the driveway. He worked very hard and were out there for at least on hour. In the end, we were proud of what we accomplished.

However, it was snow-covered again by morning.

Today, we all had the day off in honor of Remembrance Day which was officially yesterday. I guess it's a combination of Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. Sandbox got to sing in a couple of Remembrance Day ceremonies during the week and met the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. Her outfit with the tartan flair kicked ass. (no good picture available)



I have not given much thought to a Christmas list as have other family members. I guess I think others are more organized than I and have done their shopping already. Also, I usually can only think of stores (as opposed to items) because they are the ones I don't have access to up here. But I may come up with a list and put it up.

The cold weekend convinced us that we could no longer put off buying winter coats for the twins.

We went to the big mall in Dartmouth today to look at coats. Old Navy was having a 40% off sale which is not too shabby, and we found one for Sandbox. he bears a striking resemblance to his older brother.
The store where we found Easel's coat was not having a sale per se, but any coats over $50 were tax-free. Considering the taxes here add about 15% to your purchase, that was also a good deal. I must say, she looks very grown up.

Mission accomplished, and now we're back home.

monkeys, singing, and Noel

Just a brief post to let you know I'm still here. I've changed my screensaver to the cutest sock monkeys. I'm kind of really into sock monkeys right now - don't be surprised if you get one for Christmas. I'm just saying..

I'm feeling that crafty urge I get once in a while. I suppose I should sew buttons on the DH's pants and other needlework chores I've neglected before I start some footwear/primate project.

Last weekend we had our master class with the Anonymous Four. We sang Byrd's Ave Verum, one of my favorite anthems in Latin - completely in my range- and it went very well. They commented on how nice it was to see young people singing this music (meaning, of course, Sandbox and Easel) and the twins got applauded. We did a good job, if I do say so myself, and I do. The A4 sang later that day and if you're interested, here's what they were up to http://thechronicleherald.ca/Entertainment/974646.html

I learned today that we will get our first taste of coastal living this weekend as we "welcome" Tropical Storm Noel. Here's what they're saying right now:

So that'll be interesting. Of course, we moved here from "tornado alley" so it will actually be interesting to see how these phenomena differ. We don't live right on the water or anything, and the last forecast I saw said the worst hit will be the western shore, so I'm not worried about massive waves. But I've been told to prepare for power outages. So I guess I'll go fill some water jugs, unpack the candles, and buy some cold cuts.

Enjoy your weekend!

October

This is my screen saver at work for this month. I think my favorite is the Krispy Kreme guy on the left - something about his little shoulders cracks me up. We haven't decided on costumes this year yet. It seems that Halloween is not such a big deal here. I mean, they start putting out big bags of candy in September, just like in America. But WalMart is not all 'weened up like we're used to by any means. Also, when my teenager asked her friends what they do for Halloween and if any of them go trick-or-treating, they asked he if she was "like, two?" Guess not.

On the other hand, there is a Haunted Hollow place near us where you go run around the grounds and get chased by scary people. (No thanks.) And on my way to choir practice last night, I saw a sign out in front of a store advertising "Chain Saw Sale." So now I'm thinking maybe they do take Halloween seriously here, just not in the same way.

Some sad news. My goldfish Speedy died about two weeks ago.

He was a fiesty little guy who lived in my office/home for almost

four years. He made the move to Canada in good shape but

finally went to that aquarium in the sky. R.I.P. my fishy friend.

In proof-reading the above, WalMart cought my attention. Hate on the 'Mart all you want, but they sold me Speedy for 12 cents. And you know what else? They'll take US currency here. That comes in handy when you're digging in your couch for caffeine money and all you can come up with is American coins. Go figure.

We're going to an orchard this weekend. We always like the Curtis Orchard back home at this time of year. We'll see what the Scotian orchards have to offer. If there's time, I'd like to stop in one of the Francofone communities along the way. Maybe Sandbox can put on his puppet show.

TV, Food, and Recycling

Well, well, well. I didn't make it through Canadian Idol - too boring and I still don't even know who won. I caught most of Canada's Next Top Model - even liked the winner a lot.

Now, it's Project Runway Canada hosted by Iman. She scares me. Sure, she looks friendly in the picture, but she'll kick your ass if you make something "unwearable." (if you click that link, go down to the seventh designer - Darin - he's the one she called unwearable) I enjoy watching with Rake and Easel. Rake and I often disagree about which designs we like though (the judges seem to agree with her more). Easel usually starts drawing about halfway through the show and is more interested in her own designs than the ones on tv. As much as I like watching with my girls, I miss Pip. She and I usually agreed on who's being a tool and whose designs we'd wear.


Since going out to eat is so expensive here, we've rediscovered some of our cookbooks and old recipes we used to make more often. Tops in this category is the homemade salsa that the DH makes. It is great and the kids didn't even know their dad could make it. We had him make a pitcher full two weekends in a row. The downside is that there's not a lot of choice in the chip department. Tostitos is about it actually. After Thanksgiving, I went out looking for Fritos - the best chip in the world to accompany leftover turkey. I am told they can be found here but I don't know where yet. I'll be on the hunt for them between now and the American Thanksgiving we'll celebrate in November.


I think we are starting to get a handle on the recycling thing.
At least the DH and I are. The kids keep throwing food in the trash or the sink instead of the compost bin. Also, I finally set up some containers for the paper and the plastic/cans/bottles. Since there wasn't a good, nearby place to put them, people kept leaving them on the counter so someone else (me) would put them away. Having said all that, however, we don't have a clue how to read the schedule for pick-up. We rely on the neighbors knowing, and when we see theirs out on the curb, we put ours out too.

Happy Birthday POLIO!!

20 years ago today I was huffing and puffing and blowing the house down. The "house" being Seton Hospital in Austin, TX. Around noon, a beautiful pink baby boy joined the family. His grandmother came to visit and declared him wonderful. His granddad came later and thought he was awesome. Granny and Grandpa were smitten. His great grandfather called him Pinocchio Nose.

I became an accomplished worrier like I never thought I'd be. His dad became an expert at rocking babies to sleep. I accepted the baby swing as my saviour.

Today, he is a gorgeous, intelligent, 6'1", green-eyed man. I love him dearly. I miss him terribly. Words can't express how proud I am of him. Hugs and Kisses - mom

OOPS I did it again

I was going to post a blog yesterday wishing my mom a Happy 70th Birthday. Then I started second guessing myself:

what if it's not her 70th birthday? What if she's only 69? Then I've offended her and embarassed myself in public on the blogosphere! That would be bad. So, maybe there's a way to find out. But then I have to admit to my siblings (cause that's the only way I could think of to double check) that I don't know for sure. Or that I do know, but I'm too neurotic to trust myself. What to do?

So I waited. Got busy at work. Told myself I'd figure it out when I got home. Only I got home and got caught up in family stuff - driving hither and yon, the never-ending debate about WHAT'S FOR DINNER, and that jazz. Didn't think to call until about midnight (her time).

Here's the thing - I've done this before. I remember a week ahead. I remember a few days ahead. I remember the day before and consider calling then but I don't want to admit that I'm calling ahead because I might forget tomorrow. That's dumb. But here I am looking dumb anyway, so ...





Happy 70th Birthday Mom!!!
Gëzuar Ditëlindjen
Честит рожден ден
Bon aniversari
Per molts anys
生日快樂
Všechno nejlepší k narozeninám!
Gelukkige verjaardag
Χρόνια πολλά
¡feliz cumpleaños! สุขสันต์วันเกิด and Usuku lokuzalwa olumnandi


I love you! You have been (and continue to be) a great role model for me. Hope you are having a raucous party to celebrate this momentous occasion! (and if I'm wrong about your age - or you're sensitive about it - then I hope the partying has out you in a forgiving mood).

Your birthday wishes for my mom in comments ...

Curriculum Night and Dream Homes

Tuesday night was curriculum night at the middle school. The DH (dear husband) went to Sandbox's classroom (since I'd already met his teacher) and I went to Easel's. I was slightly embarassed when my cell phone went off but I caught it quickly and no harm done. Another person's went off shortly after, so I knew I was in good company. The two main teachers were going over what things they'll cover this year, including the expected outcomes (pronounced "oatcomes"), and had just reached a lull, when one woman's cell phone/MP3 player started blasting Pink Floyd's The Wall. It was hilarious when the school children started singing "We don't need no education!" The room erupted with laughter, and the woman was beet red. After it died down, one man raised his hand and "respectfully requested" that his son not be seated next to her son. It was pretty funny.

DH and I also met the band instructor, whom I liked a lot. She had nice things to say about Sandbox's musicality and manners. I was also happy to hear fromEasel's teachers that she does no appear as miserable as she makes out. Not that she doesn't feel rotten, but at least she's not moping at school and sitting in a corner crying.

A word about the raffle houses that Sandbox wrote about. There are two of them and we decided that we would be happy to win either one. I like the ground floor and upper floor of House 2 better, plus it's on a lake. But the home theatre in the House 1 is to die for. I would also be ok with the Mercedes Benz or a trip to Paris. Hmph, if anything, I'll probably win a grill. (Yes, Dagromm, I know that grills can be ill when you chill with your skills and all that, but I want to win a HOUSE.) Not to be confused with a House. Which would also be a nice prize. BTW, you can view the actual houses here.

Friday

I am busy at work with several evaluations on my current caseload and several high-profile cases coming down the pike. I've not done any Murder 1's or any with media attention so that should be exciting. And terrifying. The difference between those and the "regular" ones is just more scrutiny by co-workers before the report leaves our office and a higher expectation that I could end up in court.
And I guess a higher likelihood that some courtroom artist will sketch me in the witness box.

New Bloggers!

Hey everyone - the other two kids in this awesome branch of the family have added their blogs to the fray. Check out Easel's here, and Sandbox's here.

We're having our first guests over today. My old friend from grad school and her partner. Should be fun. We're gonna have Indian food and play board games. Whee!!

Choral Francais

We have decided to attend the Anglican Cathedral of All Saints here in Halifax.
I tried a church or two before the family arrived, but it's not much fun to attend by one's self, plus one of them was too low church for me.

The twins and I tried out St. George's round church. We had heard that the new organist/choirmaster was top notch and we were, of course, looking for a place for the gang to sing. We met him and he was cordial but not terribly welcoming. Even though he has worked with children in the past (according to web research), he didn't seem very excited about our kids singing for him. Afterwards, the twins were talking about how they didn't think they really wanted to sing this year, blah, blah. I told them we aren't paying for a choir course next summer if they don't sing this year. Plus, I knew this was just a reaction to the lame reception.

The next week, I suggested we try a big church I'd seen on the way to work - St. Philip's. Ugly modern buildings but big, so I thought it might have kids. Wrong. Before we even sat down, we knew this was a mistake. Easel stage-whispered "this is an OLD people's church!" She was right but they were too old to hear us or they may have been offended. The "choir" was three white haired ladies in what looked to me to be Presbyterian robes, and they were singing praise music (yuck. and yuck). I sent a note down to the DH (we were book-ending the kids in the pew) that it wasn't too late to ditch this joint and go elsewhere. He gave me the thumbs up, and we snuck out right after the Gospel. The kids were mortified - "I can't believe we just snuck out of church!!" I assured them that we were leaving to go to another church, not the bar, so I thought we would be forgiven.


We took ourselves over to the cathedral where we were warmly welcomed. The hymnals had music in them (the others hadn't - just lyrics), the architecture was suitably gothic, and the choir director was pleasantly eager to have our voices. I think he was a bit dubious about the kids until the DH gave him a CD of our choir back home. He was quite excited and, I think, very impressed, when he heard them last Thursday.
The family wanted me to try singing with them.

Now, I have sat in on numerous intensive choir rehearsals when I was a proctor for the RSCM so I know I am barely qualified - I have minimal music reading ability and a limited alto range. But, they really wanted me to do it, and I thought it'd be a good opportunity to teach, by example, how one approaches something they feel ill-prepared for and always behind the curve. The kids came home the first day or two from school moaning about how behind they are in French compared to their classmates. After giving them the "stick with it and you'll improve,; it's OK to struggle a bit and not be the best" speeches several times, it seemed a good idea to put my money where my mouth is. So - I'm in the choir too.


The first rehearsal was interesting. We showed up and basically doubled the choir with our presence (the group that comes on Thursday is quite small). The soprano section leader looked a little uneasy about our 12-yr-olds but our kids (all 3) blew their socks off if I do say so myself. It was a big challenge for me. It helps me to be next to a strong voice and I wasn't. Plus, I have heard many of those pieces before, but I was always listening to my kids (mostly) and that means focusing on the soprano parts. I wanted to quit about 20 minutes in, but hung in there and didn't embarass myself too badly. The robes are gross polyester but, what are ya gonna do?

The kids have now completed one whole week of school. Sandbox is enjoying it, Rake is making friends and is embracing the tougher curriculum, and Easel hates it. She's having the hardest time adjusting and accepting that we live here now. *sigh*

I'm Back!

Whew!!

So I haven't written anything in, like, two months I know. maybe no one is out there reading anymore. And I wouldn't blame you - I've been remiss...

In no real order, here's a quick rundown of the last two months:

- The family came and it was great. We ended up renting my boss' condo for three weeks while we waited for our house to be ready and then for our stuff to arrive. It was a beautiful luxury condo with a lake view from the 6th floor - awesome.

- I am loving my job. We've moved into new offices and, although I don't have a window (no one does) I do have new furniture and computer.

- We visited a couple of beaches, some too cold to swim in and one which was plenty warm but full of jellyfish. Sandbox got adept at flinging them and all the kids got stung. All the beaches were gorgeous though.

- We got into our house and we are still sorting out what the movers broke, scratched, and lost. Can't find the sub-woofer anywhere. Miraculously, they didn't scratch my bed so they get to live. For now.

- Our cat Sherlock became neurotic as he crossed the Canada-US border and is having a hard time adjusting to the new place. He is scratching up a chair or two with which he is not familiar (because they came from my office) and he wants to pee in the music room. The DH and I aren't having it so the cat is spending a lot of time outside. He sits outside whatever window is closest to us and whines constantly.

- The kids got registered for school which starts this coming Wednesday. We like the schools but they are smaller that the ones they were used to in the Midwest and that might be an adjustment. Rake is signed up for the IB prep courses - those that get them ready for the International Baccalaureate program. They also seem to have a decent drama program so she's looking forward to it.

- I'm so ready for the twins to find some friends - they're bored and need some peers!

- The DH is job hunting and trying to stave off the funk that comes with unsuccessful (thus far) job hunting. He's doing a good job.

That's the quick and dirty recap for now. So You Think You Can Dance is over so I'm sad. BUT we have satellite TV now - Sandbox and I are watching a Labour Day Remington Steele marathon. Yippee!

Oh screw it! I was trying to post the results of that dumb quiz Dagromm posted (I'm equal part Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy by the way) and it won't work. Whatever.

I know I haven't posted in a while. Not a whole lot has been going on really. I moved from my temporary-for-one-month home into my friends' house for two weeks. I was busy trying to line up digs for the rest of July when the family's here. My boss came through and is loaning us her condo in the city. Whoo! I haven't seen it but everyone tells me her ocean-front "estate" is beautiful so I expect the condo won't be too bad.

To answer your questions: Canadian Idol judges are 4 people I have never heard of. But that doesn't mean much. I'd never heard of Simon Cowell or Randy Jackson before American Idol. They are all coherent and seem respectful of each other. The host, though, is former prime minister Brian Mulroney's son Ben Mulroney. He's a tool and his hair is ugly. I'd rather have Ryan Seacrest any day. The contestants are mostly bleh, but there are a couple I like.

No, I can't tell you about my cases and it's not that juicy - more like sad. What I can tell you is that undercover police look for computers that have file sharing programs on them and look for files that contain illegal content. The same thing they would do to ID illegal music sharing.

I have not gone out sight seeing much. Well, at all. It's just not that much fun alone - I can sit in the back yard and read as easily as I can drive to a beach or a park and read. More easily really and the gas is expensive. I'd rather wait till the family's here. I have gone out with new friends from work a couple of times and had a blast. I really like the people I work with. They like beer and they like to laugh - 'nough said.

Two things I've got that you don't: Subway offers a lobster roll, Dairy Queen has a scallop basket. On the down side: milk is about $7 a gallon and I can't find corn tortillas in the grocery store.

I'm getting excited about my family coming in about 9 or 10 days!!!!

thoughts of the day

OK - Who knew "porn sting guy" would generate so much interest? I guess primetime TV programmers, that's who. I went out to the juvie today to meet with him. I liked him actually and he's much worse on paper.

The house - I found several places I liked. I narrowed it down to two, then found out that one of them doesn't offer bus service and the twins would have to walk about two miles to school. Nope. So that made the decision easier. Then, the owners found out that their transfer isn't taking effect till the end of July. So our place isn't available till August 1st. Bummer. I was afraid the DH would say they would stay in the Midwest till then but he didn't. Yay! He said they'll come up her in mid-July anyway and we'll figure it out then. I'm glad, 'cause I miss my family. Now I've just gotta find us a place for two weeks.

- - Some observations since I've been here - -
The parking lots are designed very tightly here. There's not a lot of room to back out and there are way fewer big cars on the road.

You can't seem to buy Naproxin over the counter. I might start a petition or something.

We say the radio station is 95 point 1. Here they say 96 dot 1. Hmm.

Milk is very expensive up this way. I've heard there are only three cows in Nova Scotia.

Back home in the Midwest, our stupidest local commercial for discount furniture involves a guy decking himself out like a rock star and giving away free onions with your purchase. Here, the stupidest local commercial for discount furniture involves two people dressed up like fishermen catching someone in a lobster suit.

Seems like every place is scent free. The hospitals, the gym, the schools too I think. I accidentally left my favorite fragrance at home when I drove up here so I've been going without. Last Saturday, I visited the perfume counter and squirted on some Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue (my latest favorite). I'd forgotten how much I love to smell pretty. I kept sniffing my wrists and sighing (with a dumb grin on my face no doubt). Well, now I'm thinking "screw you people and your sissy allergies! I want my perfume!"



The judges on Canadian Idol and Canada's Next Top Model are nicer than back home, but the contestants on each program are just as, um, .. interesting. Not that I watch those shows or anything. I'm just saying.

Father's Day Shout Out

I want to publicy praise and express my gratitude to the father of my 4 wonderful children. DH - you are doing a great job and I love you for it. I wish you were here with me so we could toss back some celebratory beer and guacamole. Thanks for passing on your genes - we did good. I LOVE YOU!

Not a whole lot to report on the Canada front. I found a house and signed a lease. The job is going well. I have my oral exam/interview this Friday. And I've picked up my first case - someone caught in an undercover internet porn sting. It's rained a lot and I haven't found a radio station I like all that much yet. I'll try and blog this week, although I should be studying the Canadian Code of Ethics for Phrenologists.

My first Saturday in Halifax

I got up and Nancy had already gotten the paper out. I found a couple of houses to call about and she told me which ones are in the area we want. I left to go to the St. George's yard sale. That church apparently has a lot of folks from England and I heard several different accents there. There were also several kids in hand-knitted sweaters and other things that looked kind of 'English village' to me. Cute. I bought a couple of small plants and a clock-radio. I've been using my cell phone as an alarm but I can't read the time off it without my glasses.

I went to another sale down the street and the girls there kept talking to an older lady they called Miss Claire, only they both had thick Irish accents. I hung around longer than I needed just to hear them say things like"Miss Claire, 'dja see this one?" "What about this one Miss Claire?" Very charming.

I drove downtown but then got turned around because I was trying to avoid getting stopped on a steep hill. Driving a stick shift in the FLAT land of central Illinois is very different from driving one here. In my efforts to avoid the hills (right) I ended up at the foot of the Citadel. I pulled over to look at my map to find an easier route out of there and just about jumped out of my skin when the cannon blast sounded. Apparently they shoot off a cannon up there at noon. Nice. Good think I didn't have a full bladder.

I had lunch with friends then went to look at some more houses. I drove around to revisit the ones I saw yesterday, just to get a feel for where they are and the traveling times, etc. Relaxing at home tonight.

Here's something that will take getting used to: people here do not seem to value ice the same way I do. I suppose it could be a family thing but one of my best friends who also grew up in TX said something that makes me think it's more a southern thing. When he was visiting us in NY (he was living in Rhode Island at the time), he noticed the many ice cube trays and full ice container in our freezer and was delighted. He said none of his other friends much kept ice on hand like that and we commiserated on how much we hate to run out of ice. Horrors!

Anyway, I couldn't even get a cup of ice at the gas station. Huh?! Yes, I fill up on litres of gasoline - and they still have full service stations here.

That's it for today. Nothing too humorous to report. Just keepin' on.

OK, I'm going to try and watch my spelling in this post as I got called out for my typos last time. They were bad. I guess I'm just tired. Go figure.

Work is going great. I have found that I remembered correctly and this place is a good fit for me. I got my first case today and I'm not really nervous at all. This is stuff I know how to do. A few of the assessment tools are different, but I can learn those things easily. And they are very willing to expand and order some measures I like to use. The other phrenologists are cool and friendly. I've gotten suggestions for movie rental places, restaurants, dog shows, schools, and the like.

I'm going to go look at houses tomorrow with a rental agent. My "landlady" suggested I also look in the paper this weekend and she'll sit down with me and help me find ones in the areas I'm interested in. I think I'll take myself to see Pirates of the Caribbean this weekend too. And I might hit a yard sale or two. Nothing drastic though, I swear.

FYI - schools are not out here yet, but I did learn that they do indeed have proms. Tickets are on sale now. I haven't found out yet about marching band.

Well, I don't have much else to report. I wish my family was here to enjoy the sun and sea with me. Did I mention that my office has a view of the Citadel and, if you look left, the McDonald Bridge across the harbour? It is a beautiful view. Alas, when our offices move next month (as we are scheduled to do because the program is expanding), there will only be one office with a window. A lottery will determine who gets it. Bums. So I shall enjoy my view while I have it. BTW, this picture is not the view I have. I took a picture with my camera phone but don't have a way to upload it. Yet.

I miss you guys. Write me.

Day Two

THINGS TO DO TODAY

Call and get the application started for my MSI card. That's the national health insurance. Done.

Got to HRDC and get an SIN number, basically like a social security card. Done.

Buy socks. I only brought one pair, white athletic socks, and my feet are frickin' cold. Went to Payless and found two pair, $1 each. While there I bought a watch. I've been wearing the other one but don't trust the time on it, so ... this'll do for now.

Go to the hospital and meet with HR. Done. I found out that I've gotten a slight raise since I got my offer letter - yay! - and signed all the paperwork. My first payday is next Thursday and it covers four days of this week. But I won't get paid if I don't open a bank account so they can direct deposit my money. So guess what's next on my list?

Open a bank account. Done. It was so easy, I didn't even have to give them money. My first deposit can be my paycheck. So now I have a debit card and four temporary cheques. Cool.

Meet some people at work. That was good. I went for coffee with a couple of folks and we talked about neighborhoods, schools, offices, jewelry, etc.

I have widened my circle a bit. I skimmed past the rotary once but didn't get in to go back around and out the other side. I had decided that if I can drive in Chicago and Dallas I could tackle this dinky circle, but the line to get in (it was rush hour) was too long. So I drove the long way and have put together a little bit more of the Halifa map in my head.

I was home by 5:15 which is great. I need to organize my papers tonight

and take a bath. Hm.

BEWARE: LONG POST

Well Hello! I've been away from the blog for over a week and it seems like ages! Here is a run down of the last 10 days or so.

May 25th: My last day at work. I wrote about that already. Busted my watch, cleaned out my desk. Bid adieu.

May 26th: Should have been hard at work packing etc. but it was hot and I wasn't in the mood. I don't remember if I did anything memorable that day. Guess not - or I'd remember it, right?

May 27th: the waterworks started. I hadn't cried or anything yet but that Sunday in church - whoa. During the passing of the peace, I got a hug from a woman I've made two road trips with (with teen and preteen girls) and I began to tear up. Then two more women I've made two and three road trips with to do volunteer work in Applalachia (with teens) came up to me. That sent me over the edge. I was politely, quietly crying but still holding it together when the music started. It was Down Ampney, which I often cry to anyway, but I couldn't even make it through the first verse. I just sat down and wept quietly (I hope) while I listened to the choir. After that, although the regular announcements had already been made, Fr. Tim publicly wished me godspeed on my journey later in the week. That did it - I had my face buried in Kleenex, shoulders shaking, the whole enchilada. My girls came over to console me and I'm told others were crying as well. Whew!

Later that evening was a Memorial Day picnic at the rectory and it was a fine time. We lingered as long as seemed appropriate, just us, and two other families, including two kids that Rake and Polio have virtually grown up with. It was beautiful.

May 28th: OK. Working hard on the inventory. That night we had a women's night out as a last hoorah. It took time out of my preparations but was totally worth it. Piper, Jill, Sena, Gloria, Linda, Mary, Elaine, Susan, Lorraine, and Liesl - I LOVE YOU. I am so blessed to have such great friends!

I'm starting to get that sick to my stomach feeling that preceeds monumental events like defending your dissertation or getting married. Not bad things, just HUGE things. Anyway, several people have assured me that they will be there for Polio if needed and that makes a huge difference.

May 29th: Still at it. The kids are down to just a few days left of school. Up late, back sore.

May 30th: Well, I was supposed to be on the road tomorrow but it ain't happenin'. I'm just not ready. I want to have as complete an inventory as possible when I go, so as to avoid any hassle at customs. I'm really worked up about it. I call the attorney and he tells me not to lose sleep over that list. Too late. But I have yet to put in the values for everything and separate out the things I'm taking with me from the things to follow. We decide to put off my departure for one more day. Polio invites me to go see Shrek 3 with him as a mother-son thing. I'm feeling sick again. I'm going to miss him so much. The movie is good and we have the theatre virtually to ourselves. I shouldn't take the time out but what the hell. This is my boy.

May 31st: Happy Anniversary! The DH and I have been married 21 years. I don't feel old enough to be having a 21st anniversary but the license says 1986. We spend the day packing, counting, and finally eyeballing and estimating our junk. Rake's ex comes by to give me going away gift - very sweet. We're up late finishing the damn inventory and it's as complete as it's gonna get. Tomorrow's the big day. Oh shit.

June 1st: The DH has to go print out the list while I load the car and clean the fish bowls I'm taking. Yeah, I could have done that sooner, sue me. The kids only have school for one hour today (their last) and I'm waiting till they get home so we can say our goodbyes. Easel doesn't come straight home though so I'm kind of delayed. Shovel is getting off to a late start? What else is new? This part is awful. Sandbox and I are crying the most and I put it off as long as possible. But I finally hit the road at 11:15 am CST.

I make it as far as Freedonia, New York. This is good, as it's about a third of the way. About an hour and half into the trip I realized that I left one box at home - my jewelry and girlie personals. Crap. So I have to revise the list before I hit customs. I get offered a free room by some businessman that's leaving early and not going to use it but the room smells of his cologne and, more importantly, the TV doesn't work. So I pay for my own - no way I'm gonna sit in a silent room. I stay up till like 2:30 watching boring shit I can't even remember now, but I'm wired and can't get to sleep.

June 2nd: Up and away after loading up on the continental breakfast. It is bright and sunny in western up-state NY and HOT. I'm fighting to keep my eyes open, mostly because of the sun, and stop to rest in Rochester. I talk to Sandbox on the phone and he suggests I buy some sunglasses. Smart boy. I find some clip-ons that work with my stylish Prada frames and I'm off again. Ahh. Much better.

I'm making good time and realize I'll be in Maine by 7:30. I decide that I'd rather take the ferry tomorrow than spend the time driving. So I find a cheap motel in Portland, ME for the night. I have an adventure when I mention to my dad that I wish I knew where the bookstore was because the book I'm reading is too morose, and he Googles Borders for me and tells me how to get there. I get lost and call him up again. Good Ol' Google Maps and Good Ol' Dad get me there but they had just closed. Oh well.

Still up later than I should be. The people next door are thumping around at 2am. What the hell? Banging things, not each other.

June 3rd: I arrive at the International Marine Terminal by 6:45am and they show me where to line up for driving my car on board. We sit there for about 45 minutes or an hour and I take my first Dramamine. Then I drive on - it's like an all-metal parking garage and we're packed in like sardines. We get out and go upstairs to a very nice ship. There are tv lounges where you can watch various movies (seats like Amtrak's with lots of leg room, not dark like a theatre or anything), a casino area, and a cafe. I get some breakfast and eat leisurely. I revise my stupid inventory and fill out the declaration form you always have to do. Then I hear they're showing Casino Royale so I head over there and take my second Dramamine. I think I watched about ten minutes before I fell into a drooling sleep. Or maybe it was a stupor. I'm not sure. When the movie was over, I changed seats and went up front where I could watch the ocean. I wanted to see a whale but alas, I did not.

Starting to feel queasy after awhile, so I moved to the casino and dropped a few quarters in the slot machine. I'd never done it before. Boy, I could waste alot of money that way. Better move on. I bought a Coke and sat in the sports tv section (I didn't want to watch Rocky Balboa), but this was not a good move 'cause there were kids running around and one that kept singing Bah Bah Black Sheep OVER AND OVER AND OVER - mainly because she kept getting wild applause for it. I got nothing against cute kids singing cute songs - my kids were little and adorable too. But I wasn't feeling so good.

I took another Dramamine and headed over to the CNN lounge. Slept some more - drooled some more. I woke up because I heard my phone ringing. I didn't realize that we were close enough to shore to get a signal because my watch got bumped and the hands got moved to 11:20 (see timepiece drama in previous post). Must get that fixed. A couple of quick phone calls and it was time to disembark.

Customs went smoothly but slowly. I think I was there about an hour and a half. I'm not sure because of the watch thing. And the drooling stupor thing. Anyway, I was last to leave except for one woman whom they were detaining for some reason and whom I overheard sobbing and exclaiming "I just want to get back on the ferry and GO HOME!" It was very unnerving - and I'm used to listening to people cry. It's just that I kind of felt the same way, only I didn't know it till I heard her. I did my best to shake that off but driving out of Yarmouth was tough going. (seems weird that that was just yesterday)

I try to suck it up and get it together and all those catchy phrases. On the way to Halifax I can't get hold of my friends there or the person I'm staying with, so I don't know where exactly to go when I hit town. Oh God, I'm going to be alone in this new town, in a new country, with no where to stay. I just wanna get back on the ferry and go home! All right. I fight it off and I'm doing better. Oh, good, Footloose is coming on the radio - upbeat, I can sing along. But remember Rake dancing in Footloose two weeks ago? I can't even get through the chorus and I'm crying again.

My friend calls me back and then then the householder. Good. I find her house easily and she totally understands when I say I need to change clothes, call home, then have a good cry and go to bed. I do all those things and finally sleep well. White cotton sheets, and a warm blanket are blessings, are they not?

June 4th: Today. I feel mostly OK this morning and call in to find out where exactly I am to go. It's not far from here and I know how to get there. They have an office being cleared for me (should be ready Wednesday) and I can use someone else's in the meantime while she's on vacation. I get to start reading the orientation manual - good times. I'm starting to get a tad sleepy when the boss comes in and invites me to lunch and a hearing. Sounds great. We eat at a nice cafe then attend a hearing for a kid who was found not criminally responsible in a previous trial. They thought this meeting would be a piece of cake, but new info came to light and it was a lot more interesting. These things are way more fun when you're not the one being questioned, so I had a good time.

They let me go home a little early - I think I was looking bleary-eyed. I found my way to a bank to change my money, the drugstore, the grocery store, and back home. A good day.

It's been raining non-stop and cold (10 degrees Celsius). For a quick estimate of the Farenheit equivalent, the rule is "double it and add thirty" (thank you Larry Hubert).

If you've hung in there and read this whole thing - thank you for your attention and patience. Now do your part and leave me something in comments. I'm counting on not losing touch with my friends and I'm hoping this blog will play a role. The phone prices are too high to talk a lot on the phone - at least until I find a new plan or something. Of course you can email me too. Thanks for supporting me. I miss you.

Watch out! It's my last day at work

I just got back from my going away lunch at the Moon Glo. Good times. After eating most of a burger literally the size of my face (with onions) and deep fried cauliflower, I decided I needed a breath freshener. As I turned the corner on my way to the overpriced snack machine to purchase on overpriced Starburst, I banged my wrist on the water fountain. "Ow!" I exclaimed, more as a reflex than a reaction to pain (because it didn't even hurt). I had hit my watch actually and felt the crystal to see if I'd cracked it again (I don't how it happened the first time). Lo and behold, the whole crystal was punched out of it. Shattered. Smithereens. One little piece was hanging on by the 12, but I took it out so I wouldn't cut myself.


Well, crap. I love this watch. It's a Fossil watch that I bought a few years ago for $5 at a garage sale. It looks kinda like this.

Boo hoo.

What a finale. I feel so weird. I've been saying goodbye and giving out hugs but haven't even shed a tear. Not like me - I'm a cryer. It just doesn't feel real to me. I feel like I'm wrapping up loose ends before taking a long weekend. I hope my co-workers don't think I'm cold-hearted. I guess I'm just taking my grief out on my accessories. Next I'll lose an earring or swallow a gold tooth or something.

Farewell my diligent, courageous, mighty, goodhearted, awesome co-workers. Goodbye to the ones I don't like that much. Adios to the folks whose names I never knew and whose jobs I never understood. Godspeed whatsyourname.

Oh Canada!

Those of you who know I got the work permit last Saturday may be wondering why I haven't written about it yet. And really? I don't know. I'm excited, scared, ready, not ready, anxious to get going, and apprehensive about starting a new job. But - I leave in two weeks (give or take a day).

I was sick last week and did little on the blogs - I'm woefully behind in reading the ones I like. Then Saturday morning I happened to wake up and managed to get the husband off to his early call (he's working on another shoot), then fell asleep again. Later I woke up and got Easel off to her last track meet (sectionals, yay!), again just in time. Don't know why but nobody's alarms went off. Again, back to sleep. Later, as I left for the bank, I checked the mail and there it was. Yippee!!

Things went well the rest of the day too. We got our tax return. Easel made it to the finals in discus - she didn't win but the finals was her goal. Sandbox and Polio came along and we all got some nice sun. Also, Rake got an award which I'm sure she'll write about here the night before. I felt lucky and bought a lottery ticket. ... good times.

So, my last day at work is next Friday. We're donating TONS of stuff this weekend and throwing things away and getting real about this move.

I'm hungry

I got tagged by my brother. I actually like this kind of thing. I would like to tag some of my friends that lurk on this blog. This is probably why they've never shown themselves, to avoid getting roped into a meme. Ah well, ... I'm gonna do what Dagromm did and tag a relative, a friend, and some random people I find on here.

The meme:
1. Add a direct link to your post below the name of the person who tagged you. Include the city/state and country you’re in.

Nicole (Sydney, Australia)
velverse (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
LB (San Giovanni in Marignano, Italy)
Selba (Jakarta, Indonesia)
Olivia (London, England)
ML (Utah, USA)
Lotus (Toronto, Canada)
tanabata (Saitama, Japan)
Andi (Dallas [ish], Texas, United States)
Todd (Louisville, Kentucky, United States)
miss kendra (los angeles, california, u.s.a)
Jiggs Casey (Berkeley, CA, USA! USA! USA!)
Tits McGee (New England, USA)
Kat (Ontario, Canada)
Cheezy (London, England)
Paula (Orange County, California, U.S.)
Jeff (Colorado, USA)
Fringes (around Houston, US)
Tera (Somewhere In KY by way of OH, USA)
Dagromm (Dallas, TX, USA)
plug (Champaign - Urbana, IL, USA)

2. List your top five local eating places.

Thai at the Y (on the U of I campus in Champaign) - Located on the ground floor of the YMCA on the University of Illinois campus, this is great place to take a visitor, eat with an advisor, or meet up for a study lunch. They ususally have only about six entrees on the menu and it doesn't change much; all served on paper plates with plastic-ware. I love the spicy pad thai and the curry is very popular. They're open from 11-3 on weekdays only when classes are in session. If it's hot outside, it's hotter in there because the Y is not air-conditioned so you might want to get it to go.

Dos Reales (one in Champaign, one in Urbana) - We suffered a serious lack of decent Mexican food when I fisrt moved here. Then I think the migrant worker population hit critical mass and somebody opened the first location; the second one followed a few years later. This is our favorite after-church spot. Great prices, fast service, cute waiters (who smell great), and good food. The Gualajara Special, at $7.95, will feed you for a couple of days. And there's a mariachi band on Mother's Day.

Bombay (on Green Street in Champaign) - This place is small and the tables are packed in pretty tightly, but the guys are nice and the food is good. We love the chicken tikka masala, vegetable biryani, and palak aloo. It's not as cheap as some Indian resaurants I've been to in other states, but it's reasonable and there's little competition here. The other place is slow and expensive.

Hickory River (Urbana) - Owned and run by transplanted Texans, this is the only place we've found where we can get sliced brisket and ranch style beans. The cornbread is rather dense and the cole slaw is the vinegary kind (which I like but some don't). They'll ask you if you want hot, mild, or both (barbecue sauce). If you say both, they'll mix them, so if you want the hot stuff - and why wouldn't you? - get the hot. It's only hot by midwestern standards, you're safe.

Bread Company (Urbana) - I think they have fancier stuff now than they used to, but I like to remember the old days when this was just a bakery/sandwich place. Located around the corner from the U of I music building, across the street from the Krannert Center, and down the street from Smith Recital Hall, this is a good place to go after a concert or play. My favorite: tuna fish on marble rye and whatever soup they've got. Follow this with sables (mexican shortbread cookies, half chocolate, half white) and a coffee. Yum ...


3. Tag 5 other people (preferably from other countries/states) and let them know they’ve been tagged.

goo
dog
sarah
russell
sara emelie victoria

Maybe this meme will come back around to me in a year or so and I can review some spots in Nova Scotia.

Kentucky Derby Time!!

I don't know if my mom started it or not. I do know I started reading Dick Francis novels because of her, and that has something to do with it. I'm talking about figuring out what you'd name your race horse if you had one.

In my opinion, there are a couple of factors that go into choosing the perfect race horse name. Perhaps you want to rub other people's nose in the fact that, heh, heh, you had few exra million dollars to blow and decided to buy a filly. You might choose a name like "Spencer's Folly" or "Mid-Life Crisis."

Maybe you're new money but you want to sound classy, so pick something like "Aristedes" or "Verdigris." Or your horse's name can tell the world how hip you are(n't). So you call him "Horse.com" or "Impeachment."

Personally, I might just aim for the funny. I would get a kick out of making the announcers say my pony's name as he careens around the rails or finishes last. Or I might get political, or just go for the smut factor.

Anyway, this weekend as you watch the derby (and I know you will, with your mint julep in hand, wearing your big hat), try inserting some of the following - my picks in the Run for the Roses.

Spotted Dick
Thay It With a Lithp
Beans Beans the Musical Fruit
Skidmark!
Smell the Glove
Avada Kedavra
Coitus Interruptus
Your Mother's Double Chin
Sanjaya
10,000 Dead Nuns & Orphans
and

Nova Scotia Bound

Little update

Several things:

Nova Scotia - I learned yesterday that the @%&*! doctor's office that did my medical exam on APRIL 6TH, didn't mail it to Candadian Immigration till APRIL 25TH!! I told them that it needed to reach the Canadian consulate within 30 days of my application (made on April 2nd). So I ask myself...



So, on the advice of the attorney, I have faxed an explanation to the consulate. Let's all cross our fingers.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch - Easel got tagged to run in the 4 X 400 at her meet yesterday. After taking 2 minutes to learn how to pass and receive the baton, she ran in the third slot on her team. They didn't win that event but they won the meet overall. Yea!

Seems like the prom was big fun. Rake looked beautiful and I hope to get some pics out to the family. Maybe we'll upload them tonight. (?) She came home around 10am Sunday - they have a supervised post-prom event that goes till 5 or 6, then she and some friends had a sunrise picnic - and slept for about 5 hours. Then more rehearsals for the musical.


The BACH society concert is this weekend and I heard our folks rehearsing yesterday. Sandbox sounds lovely. He's decided to test for his bronze medal this June. Should be a piece of cake for him. He's an excellent sight reader and has a terrific ear. And the voice is angelic.

grumpy

Seems like a lot of you blog on the weekdays and take the weekends off. I, however, find that Saturday is a good day to sit down with the computer and post something without worrying that I am taking too much time away from the scalps that always await the busy phrenologist.

Rake is off to get ready for the prom. Or as she reminds me, "just prom, not ~the~ prom." OK. We get to go over at 6:15 and take pictures of her and the others she's going with to dinner. She told me she has been waiting for this big weekend, then she'll blog about it. So next week, check out www.creativebrick.blogspot.com.

Polio has been packing up his room and Sandbox has been hanging around waiting for a chance to have some Polio time to himself. Easel had a track meet today. She's pissed cuz she thinks she had the best distances in both events but got second place. I don't know why they had some girl from a rival school helping document the results either. Mmm...

For those who don't know, I am really bummed these days. The stinkin' work permit is taking forever and this whole process has taken a financial and emotional toll on most of us. Gas prices are going up. We had the clutch worked on last week. I mean, glad we got to do it before it went out on the drive to NS or something, but lousy timing. Allergies, packing, constant questions about when I am actually leaving are combining to make me a grump.


harumph.

Another List

I would like to win a lifetime supply of, and never have to spend my hard-earned money on, the following:
1. socks
2. underwear
3. shampoo
4. batteries
5. tampons
6. bobby pins/hair ties
7. toothbrushes
8. milk
9. laundry detergent
10. cat food

What's on your list?

Another List

I really want to post something but I don't have any good stories that come to mind. So here's a list instead.

Favorite Drinks - not really in any order except #1
1. ice water - big glass, glass glass (not plastic), lots of ice cubes (big cubes, not crushed ice), infinite refills at hand.
2. iced tea - weak, almost like ice water, no lemon, no mint, NO SUGAR, lots of ice.
3. Diet Pepsi or Diet Coke - in a glass or styrofoam cup like at the gas station, must have ice.
4. dark beer - glass bottle or pilsner, not too heavy, microbrewery, Mexican, German - cold (I'm not British).
5. white wine - nothing too sweet, not picky.
6. gin and tonic - with a lime, light on the tonic.
7. margarita - original flavor (never had any other), preferable on the rocks but frozen OK.
8. non-dark beer - heffe weisse, other imported.
9. chocolate milk shake - think, but not so thick you can't get it through the straw, no whipped cream or other crap on top.
10. cafe mocha - basically a coffee disguised as hot chocolate, skip the whipped cream.

Nuttin" Much

Here's the latest for those who wanna keep up:
Polio moves to Boomtown May 19th.
Rake's prom is April 28th; the show goes up the following week.
Sandbox's solo is May 6th.
Easel's best stats at the meet today: shotput - 18'1"; diskus - 50'10"

In other news ... there is no other news.

Meanwhile I can't get enough of Dancing with the Stars.
What are you watching?

Trying Something New

OK. I've been wanting to figure out how to post pictures on here. Not because I have any pressing need to show you something right now. But everyone else has them and they do add to the posts I think.

Polio showed me how to do this earlier this evening and now I'm going to try it so this is kind of a test. But what pictures to put on here? The first thing that came to mind are these photos that have haunted me since the first time I saw them. I've added captions/titles, but if you have one, please share.

Here's photo #1: "They tell me the bandages will be off by spring."

This second one I call: My Grandma Knitted Me this Ski Mask. Why does Grandma Hate Me?

Finally, I call this one "I will butcher you in your sleep."

Thanks, Polio, for the tutorial.

Just sittin', and waitin', and dreamin', and postin'

Not a lot to report on Canada and jobs at the moment. Some things may be brewing, but maybe not. I'll keep it on the DL for now and let you know if it pans out.

In other news:

Rake is going to the prom, her one and only Midwest prom since we'll be moving. I LOVE the young man who's taking her (a senior) and think she'll have a great time. We went dress shopping last Saturday. Of course we hit the resale shop because I'm frugal like that. Thankfully, Rake has that gene as well so no arguing about the venue.

I really liked the virginal white dress but Rake pointed out, correctly, that it kind of looked used. Not in an obvious way, especially not obvious in the lighting I would expect at the prom, but still. We both liked the seafoam green dress but it was a strapless dress, rather heavy (more like a bridesmaid dress I thought) and would be tough to dance and feel comfortable in. And not the best color on her. We settled on a killer black number. It has straps (yes), it's stretchy velvet so it'll be comfie and easy to dance in (yes), and looks smokin'! The problem? Well, not sure it's a problem for Rake, but it's very form-fitting and, well, smokin'! I told my mom that Rake needs some opera length black gloves and a microphone and she'd look perfect atop a piano in a smoky nightclub.

Easel didn't get to be in the first track meet since she missed school earlier in the day - recovering from the tiring car trip to Detroit. But she got to be a runner for the judges and had a good time. Just hanging out on the field, she made some new friends from other schools. I don't really worry about her making friends in the new place. BTW, she corrected me - she's not putting shot because it was too heavy and she could only make it go about 2 feet. Instead she's throwing diskus (how do you spell that?).

Sandbox will be going for his red ribbon this spring in the RSCM - very cool. He'll have a solo at their Bach Society concert in May. He's really liking the music they're playing in band too so things are going well.

Polio is making a good impression at the Sammich Shop. Check out his post at www.floppysockdance.blogspot.com . Sounds like they're grooming him for the big time. As he has said to me before, "the oldies and the d-bags love me."

Ciao.

My pirate name is:

Captain Bess Kidd

Even though there's no legal rank on a pirate ship, everyone recognizes you're the one in charge. Even though you're not always the traditional swaggering gallant, your steadiness and planning make you a fine, reliable pirate. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

I'm kinda boring as a pirate. Guess I'll stick to phrenology and the mesmer. Nevertheless, thanks Q - I like quizzes.

Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain

OK. I'm now in a place (mentally) where I can write about the Canada plan and how things are progressing. They are progressing slowly. And expensively.

Last Sunday we drove part of the way to Detroit. We stopped in Paw Paw , Michigan where we had a nice swim in the pool and a hot tub in our room. The kids liked it a lot, which is a good thing. The next morning we got up early and continued onward to the Canadian consulate in Detroit. I had been in touch with the immigration attorney in Nova Scotia (paid by the new employer, not me) and scoured the applicable website. I thought I had all my ducks in a row. I thought that the process would take two weeks or so if you mail the stuff in, but had been told that you can get your work permit that day if you walk it in. This was our mindset when we arrived.

1. Attorney guy had told me that there are forms to be filled out, but only if you're mailing in your application, not if you go in person. Wrong. We had to fill out work permit apps for me and the DH, and study permit apps for each of the kids.

2. I knew there would be fees for me and the DH. No one had said there would be fees for the kids too. We had brought extra cash "just in case." But when we heard the total ($575!!) we had a moment of panic. We scrounged in our respective wallets and came up with just enough. Well, that is, after the DH ran down to the bank to change some Canadian money I had been carrying around since November. They needed it to be paid all in one currency and in cash. As it was, the nice man there kept the office open an extra 15 mintues so we could do the money thing.

3. So, now it's 11:20 am (they officially close at 11) and we 're waiting, we're waiting, and we're waiting. At about noon, they tell us that "these things take a while and would we come back at 1:30?" No problem. That'll give us time to figure out how to get some money so we can get out of the parking garage and maybe even buy some some gas to get home.

4. 1:30pm. We're waiting. About 1:45, she calls me up and gives me a couple of forms. First, I need to send in proof of five years experience in my current job/profession. Now, I can get this easily. I could have brought this with me IF I HAD KNOWN ABOUT IT. That was not on the website. Anywhere.

5. I had specifically asked the attorney if I would need to have the medical exam because, although I won't be in the hospital, I am employed by the hospital and, on paper at least, it looks like a job that could affect the public health. He assured me that I would not unless we were applying for permanent residency status. Different thing. Guess what! I have to have the medical exam. There are only two doctors in my state (and the one to the east) that do these official exams. And they ain't cheap.

So, we return home, despondent and depressed because we thought we'd be leaving there with permits in hand. Instead, we had had to call a friend to wire us money (which fortunately we had, just not on us), we were hungry, and disappointed. I felt like the Wizard had told me to he'd grant my request, but only after I bring him the broomstick of the ... you get it.

So, yesterday Polio accompanied me to the big city to have the medical exam. I had to give bodily fluids and have a chest X-ray. They were all very nice though the trip took the whole day and the exam cost $250. The doc was impressed that I brought him a copy of my whole medical record, but I'm trying hard to be prepared. What's another twenty bucks? The nurse there was convinced that each family member has to have the exam - better not. I think that's only if you're looking for permant residency, but who the hell knows at this point. I've got my letter from my current boss.

Now we're waiting. I am grateful that we had excellent weather for all these excursions. We are so fortunate to have great friends like the one that sent money. I know I'm lucky that my current place of employment is not kicking me out. But I hate everybody asking me "when are you leaving? when's your last day?" I DON"T KNOW!!

Anyway, Happy Easter everybody. I'm not as bummed as I was on Tuesday and I finally got a good night's sleep. I hope to be blogging regularly again.

Hump Day

**warning** this post has nothing to do with humps or humping.

Wow. The last three days seem to have lasted a year. I'm beat.

Canada: The NOVA SCOTIA BOARD has approved my license transfer pending completion of the Transfer Interview, which is sort of an oral exam, sort of a walk-through of ethics. I'm not worried about it. However, "the fee for this interview is $500!" (exclamation point added) The next opportunity to do that is in late May. If I want to be placed on the courtesy registry in the meantime, I can pay another $200!! WTF?!?! Is this America? I didn't think the Canadians were like this too! Whatever. You know? Forget it. I'll end up paying it. I have to. Not the $200 though! They said I don't have to pay that if I am only asking for the temporary thing for 21 days or less. My future BOSS is cool with that. Oh yeah! and I have to study the Canadian Phrenologists' Ethical Code too, "a copy of which is available for 45 freakin dollars!" (exclamation point and "freakin" added) Now I'm all worked up again!!

OK. ... I'm calm. Thanks to those who submitted questions for the potential roommate. That deal already fell through but my Nova Scotia friend is checking out a female prospect this weekend. She lurks on this blog so I presume she knows what to ask.

In other news ... Rake got a part in the musical Footloose. She's in mainly dance numbers, not a featured part. Easel is putting shot (?) for the track team, and Sandbox is at level 10 of the Tales of Symphonia GameCube game! Actually I don't know what level he's on - he's just not doing much else new these days. Wait - that's not true. He and Easel have discovered tennis. They go over to the park and play and seem to be having a great time. One of them is using a cool aluminum racket we got at a garage sale and one is using the Billie Jean King wooden racket I inherited from my mom. No one has claimed to be winning these games which can only mean one thing. They don't know how to keep score.

A Case of the Mondays

This has been a weird day. The kids returned to school after spring break none too happy. I remember being excited about the countdown to summer, but they're in a funk. One of Easel's friends lost her father over the break. The family had gone to Florida and her dad and brother went into the water to help some people in distress. Everyone made it back OK except the dad.

Also, a triple homicide in the town in which I work took the life of a former co-worker's 18 yr old daughter. I didn't much care for the former co-worker and, by all accounts, the daughter's tragic end was not much of a surprise given her history, but still. A sad day.

Now that I've brought y'all down... the Canada update. I got my report back from CPS stating "No Priors." Why do they go to the trouble of having you print a label telling them where you want it sent (the Nova Scotia Board) if they have no intention of sending it? I'll send it myself tomorrow I guess.

... so I am looking for a place to stay for two months or so in Nova Scotia until the rest of the family joins me. I emailed a couple of folks I saw in the classifieds and one looks kinda promising. I would be sharing a two bedroom apartment with a guy I don't know - is that weird? My friends up there are doing a drive-by tomorrow just to see from the outside if I should even keep emailing. If it doesn't look too bad I'll call him and get more info.

It's awkward since I need to size this guy up without benefit of my phrenology tools, namely being able to analyze the bumps on his skull. I suppose I'll have to ask questions. Like if he has pets, if he's a smoker, what kind of hours he keeps, what he does for a living. I could ask him one of those random questions the blogger asks you in your profile. What do you, my blogging community, suggest I ask?

Canada (and other stuff) on my mind

First let me say that the party last night was fun. Exactly the kind of shindig I was hoping for. Shame on the few of you that didn't make it. You have till Monday morning to come up with a good excuse.

I have noticed that on many mornings, as I go through my morning routine (not a beauty regimen like I'm supposed to according to the magazines and Tyra, but the stuff I have to do to get out of the house in time to be at work before noon), that many of my actions are followed by thoughts like this:

wake up - it doesn't seem like 7:30. Is it this dark in Nova Scotia? Right now it's already 9:30 there.

clomp to the bathroom - we'd better find a house with decent water pressure. I hate those damn low-flo toilets and not being able to get the shampoo out of my hair.

in the shower - maybe I'll find some unknown Canadian shampoo that'll make my hair behave. I need to find someone who can color my hair. What about when I decide to let it all go gray? Or rather, colour my hair and grey.

towelling off - where are all the good towels? Probably in polio's room. We'd better find them before we move. Way before we move actually since we have to list everything we're bringing.

getting dressed - when I move, it'll be like havinga whole new wardrobe because no one there will know my clothes. Right, and we'll find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

driving to work - man, I'm gonna have to get used to seeing speed limit signs in kilometers and looking at the kph part of my speedometer instead of mph. And Celsius. But that's easier. I had a cool stats professor in grad school who made us remember a rubric for changing Farenheit to Celsius - double it and add 30. If it's 6 degrees in Canada, it's 42 degrees here. He was a great teacher. Wonder what he's doing now? I saw him at the grocery store not long ago.

asshole passes me going way too fast and getting too close to my car - I hope the drivers are more polite in Canada. They'd have to be wouldn't they? Remember, driving in DC? They honk at everything!!

listening to NPR - I've gotta figure out how to listen to NPR when I get there. I used to hear "As It Happens from CBC," but our local station dropped it. I will miss it. No I won't - I'll find it.

at work - hope I have a good parking place at my new job. Maybe I'll be able to walk, or take a bus. Or maybe I'll have a good parking place.

OK. I'm gonna stop for now. How bored are you?

Photos and Faxes and Forms, Oh My!

Things seem to be moving a little more quickly now. I heard from the immigration attorney that the word is back from Service Canada that I am now eligible to apply for the actual work permit. They had do the Labour Market Survey first, to make sure there aren't any other phrenologists in Canada that want this job.

Now, the DH and I are to fill out the FORMS, gather PHOTOS of ourselves and the children, and take it all to Detroit where we can visit the consulate and pay them some FEES. We need to both go because he'll get his on the strength of mine. As of right now, we plan to drive there on Palm Sunday, stay overnight, do our thang on Monday, and drive home. I have been advised to fill out the FORMS and then FAX them to the attorney and have him check them out first. We will definitely take this advice.

I still don't have a place to live yet, so if anybody knows someone in Nova Scotia who would like to rent me a room for about two months, PLEASE hook us up. Then again, I hear it's fun to stay at the Y! M! C! A!

Question of the Day

If you were an idiot savant, what would you want you special talent to be?

Picture Solution

OK, regarding that last post, I figured out that the thing to have in front of my mouth in the photos is the beer bottle. Yeah, ... I didn't earn a PhD for nothing.

Going Away Party #1

Not much new on the Canada Report. I checked with the ILLINOIS BOARD last Friday and they told me that they had, in fact, mailed the form as requested. Fingers crossed that it makes it to the NOVA SCOTIA BOARD in time.

My first going away party is this Friday. This is the work one. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm gonna show off my intelligent, beautiful children and brag about Canada's Ocean Playground. I'm gonna hear all kinds of complimentary things about myself and how folks are gonna miss me, blah, blah, blah. In my fantasy I get drunk and give a scathing report about all the agency's problem areas. Of course that'll never happen because 1) there probably won't be any good dark beer there, 2) I'm NOT getting drunk around people I work with, 3) I don't know if my complaints about the agency would be best delivered under the influence anyway, and 4) we all have issues about our places of employment - I've got 'em here, I'll have 'em in the new place. Eventually.

The bad thing about these parties is that people want to take pictures and I am not photogenic. Last time I looked at a photo of myself (which was only about a week ago) all I could see was the huge gap in my teeth. I think for this party I will manage to have something in front of my mouth in every photo. Maybe I'll carry a geisha fan or something.

Not the Yukon

I have had to say this a number of times over the past couples of weeks. OK, I haven't HAD to say it - I CHOSE to say it. When we tell someone we're moving to Canada, 9/10 of them ask, "Canada? Which part?" (the other tenth ask, " Why Canada?" We tell them Nova Scotia, but, either way, we mostly get things like "Brrr. You'd better buy a warm coat!" or "Brrr. You're gonna be cold!" or "Brrr. Hope you like snow!"

I have taken to saying,"we're moving to Nova Scotia, not the Yukon." I may go on to add that they get more snow than us, but the average temperature is about like ours, or a couple degrees cooler. The temperature range tends to be less extreme since the ocean tempers the climate. The summer will be cooler, yes. Sometime I remind them that it looks more arctic than it is because we tend to look at rectangular maps of a spherical planet. Nova Scotia's latitude is lower then much of Maine. I don't think I sound defensive, just like a weather/geography nerd. Yea.(btw, check out this website - NS is about on the 44th parallel. Our current location is at 40.1)

Nova Scotia is known as Canada's Ocean Playground - that's what the license plates say. Although I think they should say "Nova Scotia - Not the Yukon".

The DH and I watched The Perfect Storm the other day. I'd seen it before but this time around I actually knew the areas they're talking about. I mentioned it to Easel (cause she likes Clooney and suspense/disaster movies), but she said a movie about hurricanes would freak her out. She's asked several times if Nova Scotia gets hurricanes - she's very worried about this. Weird, since we currently live in TORNADO ALLEY and have two tornado seasons a year! Although they don't always touch down near our specific house, they occur at least annually, and they're scarier because you get much less notice than you would in a hurricane. Another difference is that in a hurricane, you get to leave your home and go stay in a hotel. In a tornado, you run down to the basement and sit on top of dirty laundry. Plus, hurricanes have names, which is kinda like a pet, only ... not. Anyway, we've assured her that NS has only experienced hurricanes very infrequently and they have not caused much damage.

Oh yeah, another good movie is Stranger than Fiction - loved it. Not to be confused with Strangers with Candy. Totally different movie.

I'm in Trouble Now!

This blog stuff is addicting. I'm not really into random searching for things. Instead, I like to check out those who comment here and on my brother's, click on blogs they've said they like, and so on, and so on ...

And now look what I've found

http://2007.bloggies.com/

- a whole bunch of new ones to check out! I may never come up for air!

OY!

I played the voice mail recording of the Canadian dude for Sandbox last night. He wasn't all that impressed I have to say.

SB: That's not all that different, but he didn't say Oy. You said they say Oy all the time.
Me: Oy!? Wha'?
SB: You said they say things like, "How are you, oy?" and stuff like that.
Me: You mean "eh?"
SB: Eh, Oy, whatever. He didn't say that.
Me: Mmm. Well, I think the "eh" thing is more informal, like "you decided to wear the red one, eh?" Or, "It's nice out, eh?" This was a business call so he didn't say that.
SB: Oh. When we move to Canada, can we each get our own laptops?
Me: Isn't it time for American Idol?

In other news - that coffee thing really worked out for me yesterday. Those who know me even casually know that I don't usually drink coffee - I'm a diet soda gal. Though I have been known to pour my soda into a coffee mug because I think that looks more grown-up. But yesterday I was so tired already at 10am that I bought some Dunkin Donuts coffee. ZING! I was zipping around, speed-talking, interrupting people, and feeling really productive for about three hours. I don't know that I actually got much done but, man!, I felt like I was and that's what counts right? If anybody'd tried to tell me different I wouldn't have let them finish their sentence anyway, so yeah, I think it counts.

The Canadian Accent

So while I'm driving to work, I got a call but didn't answer it because I couldn't tell who it was from - too much glare in the car. And yes, I screen. Sue me. A check of my voice mail once I hit the office revealed it was from the NOVA SCOTIA BOARD saying my STUFF had arrived and they needed to fax me more STUFF to sign and fax back. He's so friendly. I'm saving his voice mail so I can play it for the kids. Sandbox is worried he won't be able to understand anybody even though I've assured him they sound just like us. And we made them watch Strange Brew to prove it. Now he's hoping we live next to a brewery. Or not, since you may remember the brewery is right next to an insane asylum.

Rake is looking forward to meeting some "hot Scottish guys" with their amazing accents since she read that Nova Scotia means New Scotland. I'm afraid she thinks she'll be going to school with Ewan McGregor. I tried to do my sucky imitation of the CANADIAN ACCENT but couldn't pull it off. So NOVA SCOTIA BOARD dude will be tonight's entertainment.

I love that we now change our clocks forward earlier. Do they do that in Canada I wonder? At the same time? It's hard to imagine our GOVERNMENT cooperating on something like that. I imagine that Canada decided to move it up two weeks, so our GOVERNMENT decided to move it up 4 weeks.

I'm drinking COFFEE today so you know it's gonna be a doozy.

I'm back - with a purpose

I've been away for awhile - not away from the computer (still reading Dagromm and pals) but not posting. The reason? Lazy. Not really. I just can't handle the pressure to be funny and "worth reading" (I feel like Chris Farley with the hand quotes). So I've decided to change the direction of this blog, at least for now. I'm going to try and chronicle our travails as we emmigrate to Canada.

Here's how things stand as of right now: I have received the formal job offer and I have formally accepted it. The prospective EMPLOYER now has to go to the Canadian GOVERNMENT and get approval to hire me. That is, show that they've advertised for the job for X amount of time and could not find any qualified Canadians to fill the position and now they've found some gullible American who doesn't know any better and was lured by the promise of BIG MONEY and has crazily agreed to come up and take it. So the GOVERNMENT then issues me a work permit.

Meanwhile, I have to pursue having my license transferred to Nova Scotia. The NOVA SCOTIA BOARD that approves this has asked for a form and BIG MONEY and they will review my application on the 23rd of March. I also have to pay MONEY for a background check and send it to them. Oh yeah, and I have to pay the ILLINOIS BOARD some MONEY so that they will fill out a form and send it to the NOVA SCOTIA BOARD. What happens to my application if the ILLINOIS BOARD doesn't get my stuff to the NOVA SCOTIA BOARD in time? I DON"T KNOW.

We have encountered the first hitch: the GOVERNMENT wants some assurance that my license will be approved for transfer. So the EMPLOYER now has to get the NOVA SCOTIA BOARD to put it in writing that they expect me to be OK. Will they do this for me? I DON"T KNOW. So, I haven't given a formal end-date at work yet. They know I'm leaving and they're throwing me a party but I may extend my time here in order to minime the time without a PAYCHECK. Won't it be funny if the whole thing falls through and I don't actually leave? Heh ... not really.

We went to the post office on Saturday to get the kids their passports. They were a bit wound up, which was understandable. And E wanted to sign something. She was put out that R got to sign (since she's over 14) but that her signature was not required. So the nice postman guy gave her an extra form. She filled in her name in every field. Cute. We paid the BIG MONEY that our GOVERNMENT requires and took the oath or whatever.

After that, we all went to the superstore to have our Olan Mills family portrait taken so my mom can stop nagging me about how she doesn't have any family photos. The pictures were actually pretty good and we ordered a bunch. They'll come in about two weeks. Then my mom can start nagging me about how I never mail anything in a timely fashion.

I plan to keep this updated as things unfold. That way y'all can read this if you're interested and I won't have to explain the same thing on the phone over and over. Not that I don't love you all, but I will have less and less time in the next few weeks for phone talking. Also, our Cingular (the new AT&T) service charges BIG MONEY (59 cents a minute) once I cross the border.