Not much happening . . .

After a couple days off from blogging, I thought I would come back ready to blog, blog, blog. Wrong.

Let's see. Life in the Lost in Montreal House is about the same. Boxes are being unpacked and repacked. Weeds are being pulled (not a lot since it has rained for the last couple days). We went to the parents information night at #2's school (I might blog on that later). We decided to go for a foam mattress-like memory foam. Going to order it from Costco. So, I can stop worrying about what I will be sleeping on once we move.

The heat is on today. sigh.

And finally, our sweet little kitten now weighs over 15 pounds. I am guessing "little" isn't a word I should be using when I describe him anymore.

Stop the Insanity!

I can't stand it. This just has to stop. I mean it.

That cute little pixie who loved crawling up and down my stairs is continuing to grow up. The sweet girl who looked me straight in the eye and said "NO" thinking she was the most stubborn child I knew (man, she was so wrong! I looked back at her and said, "Well, Ok, that's fine with me"-at which point, I think I totally confused her-little did she know that #2 had her hands down on the stubborn department and it was a no brainer on my part to know which battles to pick . . . .)

Well, as much as I wanted her to stay that cute baby age, she had other plans. SHE graduated from Middle School this year. AND she went to her 8th grade dance . . . in a Hummer Limo no less (ok, here is where I have to say, she was a guest in the limo-her parents didn't swing for it).

OMG, she just graduated from 8th grade? Oh, man, those parents are in deep do do. I mean it. They have NO idea the pain and suffering that lays ahead of them. Do they have an unlisted phone number yet? Has my brother perfected the mean Dad look for all those boys that will soon be knocking on the door?? Lucky for them, this is their only girl and youngest.

Blond and blue eyed: check
Cute: check
Tiny as hell: check (she wears 00 (do they actually MAKE things in 00???))

My good deed of the day

Tacos-the manchildren wanted them. But no lettuce. So off I go to visit the local grocery store. (on a side note-how is it that I can spend $60 at the grocery store when all I went for was lettuce?). On the way home, I turned into the neighborhood. The road is a bit long and straight. I have to remember to turn at the second stop sign. I have been known to forget that.

As I drove along, I noticed an frail, elderly gentleman up ahead. He was walking with his groceries. He paused and put the bags down. Rested. And then picked them up again. I thought for a moment. Then I pulled over. I asked if he would like a ride home. He was a little surprised (hey, not much more than I was that I stopped and offered a ride to a stranger). He thought for a moment and then said yes. He got into the car. He was breathing heavily from his walk.

His house was on the corner at the second stop sign. Perfect. As he got out of his car, he made a little chit chat. Oh, did I live near? Yes, down that street. Have I seen you around-do you walk a dog or something? (I think he was trying to figure out why in the world I would offer him a ride . . . um, ditto from me). No, I am pretty new here. Oh, where did you move from? Missouri. OHHHH, you are an American? (now, here is a hint for newly relocated Americans . . . this is the point where you say your husband is Canadian-they like you better that way). He asked if I liked the new president. Yep. Turns out-well he doesn't. He likes BUSH. What are the odds of finding the one republican leaning conservative in a super liberal Canadian Province?

So, here I sit typing away to my bloggies a secret I have from my husband. If he freaks when I put personal information on this blog, what do you think he will say about me letting an old man in my car? I know, I know.

Dear Diary

Dear Diary,


Today I dreamed of a tall, dark and handsome guy who would fill my car with gas and smile as he washed my windows . . .


oh . . . this isn't my diary, its my blog. And the tall guy was only 5 feet tall and needed dental work really bad. But he did wash my windows and he did smile and he did fill my car with gas. That alone made him my hero for the day.


I planted some flowers here yesterday. #2 asked why would I plant flowers if we are moving in a month. Good question. But there is a slightly broken barrel planter near the end of the driveway that just looked so forlorn. It screamed of an unloved house. Since I can't find a new barrel (seems they are hard to find since Seagram's left town . . . whenever that was), I decided to make it a little prettier with a few small flowers. So off I went to-yep, Canadian Tire. Bought a few, brought them home and planted them right away (Suzan would be so proud since she has been known for planting my flowers in the past when I would let them sit there for a month waiting to be planted-hey-allergies!)



Today (and tomorrow and the next days for a month), I will be unpacking and packing. Always fun. I am getting a little nervous about all this stuff and the new house. Let's see, I have a ton of junk, a much smaller house, no basement and NO bed yet. (No bed because we can't get our king sized bed up the stairs to the master bedroom). I waiver between chucking it all and getting a queen sized bed, or trying the two twins. Pros and cons for both.

To continue a theme-Kooking with Vick-I made Monkey Bread last night. I was going to take a picture but something happened before I could take it. They ATE it all. Hello-the blog is calling for its photos and all that is left is a sticky plate. It turned out pretty good since I didn't actually follow the recipe correctly. Close enough. I wonder, do the kids remember that I used to make it all the time when they were little? Nah, I bet not.

The wind was slightly blowing today. I was thinking, how bad does the water get here with the wind? We get some pretty hard winds when some fronts come in.

I was looking at the lake near our house, and while it really wasn't all that windy, there were little white caps. So, if it is really blowing, does that mean it has BIG white caps?

Kooking with Vick: Kabobs anyone?

It's a long weekend down in the lower 48 (ummm-that would be YOU folks). Yeah, long weekend, cookouts, swimming and beer. Not necessarily in that order.

To celebrate with you, I did some beef kabobs. Nothing special, just different. However, using the little tomatoes was a mistake. Ohhh, yeah, vegetables and the men types here-don't mix. I was gently informed that onions are ok, mushrooms--welllll ok, but tomatoes were NOT ok.

The suggestion of just meat came up. Chicken, beef and little sticks. That might be an option. LOL

so far I have spent how much on this tomato plant???

Tomatoes. Just how much do they cost in the grocery store? Not that much really. But if we have a run on tomatoes, I will be prepared. I guess.

So, just how much have I spent on this tomato plant?



The plant itself. $9.99
The pot. $6.99
The little metal thing that goes around the plant. $1.99
Potting Soil for the pot for the plant. $6.99
Equals ONE tomato . . . PRICELESS.





All so I can get tomatoes. And it will prob die before they turn red. Or a bird will get them. OR the wind will blow it over again (and again and again). Impulse purchases at Costco . . . must rethink. Such as, buying a plant that needs direct sunlight when the yard we have is almost 100% shade. But it's trying to grow.

Engineer nerd with his cats. Gotta love nerds.

Being married to an engineer, a daughter of an engineer and probably NOT a mother of an engineer-I like this video. But it is long. If you are bored, and have the time-watch it.

A new game-"What's in this box?"

I am going through my boxes. I have so many. There was one box that kept bringing me to a halt. It was labeled Christmas. It had maybe three Christmas items. But it also had a bunch of things that I knew I needed to go through. Porcelain dolls that were Larry's mom (I have thought about putting them out but . . . well, they will get dusty, not sure exactly where to put them, etc), a couple big boxes of leaf bags (I am guessing I got them at Sam's Club), assorted mugs, a table cloth, little things to put on top of presents to make pretty, a couple boxes of old negatives, a bow maker (for that time in my life when I thought I just had to make pretty bows for presents), some old letters (one I wrote when I was ten to my grandmother, a couple from old friends with pictures), a few little wedding things I saved but not sure why, and another box of just little things. Yeah, this BIG box of stuff stumped me. Not sure how to unpack it or where to put all the stuff. So I would stop unpacking and look at the top of the box. Sigh . . . and I would decide I wasn't up to going through such a mess and I would stop unpacking.



Yesterday, I decided to just get it done. Larry said, oh, just mark on the side what is in it and tape it up. Well, I wasn't really sure what exactly was in it. And writing on the side would take forever-too many random things. Besides, the idea is to unpack, donate, throw away and repack as little as possible.



In the old box with negatives, I found some old pictures. Some of my favorites when the boys were little. I think they were dumped in the box in a hurry the time the water pipe broke over my photo boxes and books (ooohh yeah, that was a mess).

I love this picture of #1. He was about 6 weeks old and he wore that outfit ONCE. And that was for this picture. He outgrew it the next day!

So cute! About 9 or 10 months. His first pair of real shoes. He was walking pretty soon after this picture.

And finally, a Christmas portrait at about the age of 16 months. Yeah, knickers.

In the same box, mixed with the few pictures was something I have been trying to find. I have looked and looked in boxes marked "papers" etc. It has driven my nuts.

Yeah, my old passport with my "Landed Immigrant" stamp. You know, what I need to get my updated "papers" up here. Sigh. How it got in there, why it got in there? And now, what to do with it?

Mr. Tomato Plant-My Little Friend

Remember the tomato plant I impulsively bought from Costco. Oh, don't worry, I haven't killed it (yet). It's actually growing.



But . . . last weekend it got cold. Almost freezing cold. The wind chill was 30. Hmm, I wonder if plants feel wind chill?



I decided to invite my little friend into the house. All warm and snug waiting for a more sunny day.

Hi-little friend. Enjoying the window?

It's warm enough to put Little Friend back outside. I haven't yet. I should. And I should replant it in a pot. Hey-two out of two-not bad (too bad its things NOT done instead of done, but whose arguing a record of 100%?!?)

It's the new green?

Weeds. Weeds and weeds. Now, I need to deal with them, but how? They don't sell Weed and Feed here. They don't sell weed control. They don't deal with weeds. It's not considered "green" or environmentally safe. That's Quebec. And its now Ontario too (new law). If you want something serious like slug bait, it is locked behind doors and you have to ask. I suppose they don't think eating slug bait is a good idea. They do sell Roundup-but in Ontario you have to say its to kill Poison Ivy. One of the politicians said that he expected a large influx of poison ivy in that province this year. LOL

However, I have dandelions. Lots of them. Well, everyone does. Lots of em. How do you get rid of them? Pull them I suppose. And I did-and then I said, WHY? They are green. The grass is green. Hey, that makes the lawn green.

It's all in how you look at it.

And besides, they make purdy yellow flowers too. :)

Has it really been a whole year?

Colleges, Universities and Quebec

Manchild #2 will be going to a local college in the fall. Now, I suppose I should explain the differences between colleges and universities up here. There is a difference-unlike in the states where a college is the same as a university (mostly). And of course, there is a difference between Quebec university/college system and the rest of Canada (gee, bet that surprises you!) I would explain it all in detail, if I really understood it totally myself-which I don't. I don't really understand the political process up here either. Or the fact that Canada has a Queen-as in Queen Elizabeth. Yeah, and she is on the money and everything. Or the fact that Canada is bilingual, but not really-depending on your location. Or that the Canadian dollar sort of goes up and down with how much it is worth-or is it that the US dollar goes up and down? Anyway, let's just say . . . take anything I tell you with a grain of salt-could be right, could be wrong, or it could be a little of both.

In Quebec, high school ends after 11th grade. At that time, students go to college. The colleges are for two years and after that, they go to University. University is for 3 years. If you are coming in from out of the province (or country) to attend University straight out of high school, you are at a disadvantage. You probably haven't taken the correct classes your last year in high school, and the rest of the students are at least a year ahead of you. So, it is in your best interest to go to into the college system.

Now, I am not supposed to tell you bloggees details such as our names, location or school of choice, so I will nickname it JA College (ok, not a big jump there). It is located in a quaint little college town on the water. Wonderful view, great location, beautiful campus. And it is halfway between where we live now and where we will live this summer. GREAT! So manchild won't have to drive really far. Ok-it is a bit of a drive, but to be honest, I drove further when I drove to high school (you know, wayyyy back then).


Manchild #2 was accepted into the science program. For two years, they take a lot of science. Now, I was expecting them to take more of your traditional "core" classes. Obviously, I don't know what classes make up the core anymore.


Highlights:
Tuition is FREE. Yep, no tuition. It's covered by the Province. Coool.
(if you are coming from a different province-tuition is over $1000 a semester, if you are coming out of the country-its over $6000-however it is free to residents. Manchild is a resident . . . thank goodness!)
Fees are about $200 a year.
Books are . . . well, whatever they cost now.
About 6000 or so students at this campus.
English only campus. However #2 has to take an English test to prove he can speak it. :)
And parking is $170 a year. Yep, parking is more than Tuition. Strange world we live in up here.


History of the provincial colleges. Way back (in the 70s? maybe) Quebec decided to make education affordable to everyone and started a system of schools and paid for them (or I should say our taxes pay for them). It now has about 40 such colleges in the province. And its not just for university bound students. These schools also have computer programs and dental hygienist programs, etc. Not a lot of student go into those extra programs but what a deal that would be. The advantage to the dental school is you can get very inexpensive dental care offered at the school.

This is the dental school area for ripping out students teeth-or maybe just cleaning them

So, #2 is starting he education. And it's cheap (ummm, make that inexpensive). I am sure all you that are sending your babies off next fall will be envious of the cost. But remember, it comes at a price. And that price is . . . SNOW. Cold, white, frozen snow.

Brrrrrrr.

I wish I had half the talent . . .

Cool Art. I mean it. And I am envious. But I am always envious of this lady's ability. I might print this one up and frame it. Or make it into a poster. Am I too old for posters?

Artist's Comments AP art project.Prismacolor markers, Millenium ZIG pens, watercolor, a cr*pload of time.

This is an imitation of baroque art, illustrating the properties of time management.

The laurels symbolize power over time.
The chains of watches on the wrists symbolize restriction by time.
The gears symbolize cooperation and division of powers as a method of time management. (i.e.: Divide and conquer/assembly line/etc.)
The waterfall and river symbolize the flow of time.
The bottomless hourglasses symbolize the spending of time.
The buildings, sand dunes, and mountains formed from the sand dripping from the hourglasses symbolize the result of spent time.
The money in the three-bulb hourglass in the background equate managing time to managing finances when paying in installments.
The sun shoulder guard symbolizes the day.
The moon torso guard symbolizes the month.
The stars symbolize the years.
The hourglass body is a pun -- hourglass figure -- and symbolize life as it is being spent.
The bricks symbolize the steps in each task in time management -- "Every building begins with a single brick."
The arrow shaped building pointing up symbolizes the possibility of progress if we spend our time wisely.
The cracks in the base of the buildings symbolize the obstacles that mess up your schedule.
The fruit shaped watches symbolize the 'fruits of labor' if you 'seize the day' (carpe diem).
The pen symbolizes the hard work that time management will facilitate.
The sky is split into day and night.
The word DEADLINE is spelled in the picture:
D: The leftmost gear, partially hidden.
E: The weird cluster of buildings near the lower parts, with the skybridge.
A: The clock tower's clock hands in conjugation with the flowing hair.
D: The gear without teeth in the hair.
L: The pen
I: The arrow (or the pendulum on the hourglass-figure
N: The folds of the cloth right next to the arrow (or the pendulum) -- this one is hard to spot
E: The watch that's labeled "Carpe Diem" on the chain.

Holidays- sort of the same, sort of different

Hey, Monday is a holiday. Its Victoria Day. Yep, the nation has a special day just for me. Actually, its a British holiday observed by the British Empire. Victoria . . . as in Queen Victoria (no, no, NOT me the queen, the other queen).



And it just so happens that Quebec has a holiday that falls on the same day. Cause, well, you know they have to have their own holiday. So, Monday is Victoria Day in most of Canada and National Patriot's Day/Victoria Day in Quebec.

This is the weekend for picnics, beer and hotdogs. Ok, I made that up about the hotdogs. Fireworks too apparently.

However, we don't have memorial day. Don't have July 4th either (Gee, you mean Canada doesn't celebrate the US independence from the British????). We celebrate Canada Day on July 1st. It has been around since 1868 to "celebrate the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada".

Yeah, right, they prob just wanted to have fireworks like the US does in July. LOL (Honestly, my Canadian family, this is a joke.)

Bless Me

I discovered something today. When a front comes in with lots of wind-my allergies go nuts. Then it rains and . . . well, ditto.

(excuse me while I go sneeze a few million times)

It seemed like a good idea at the time

Impulse buys are almost never a good idea, unless you are shopping at Costco. We all know, if you see it and want it, you had better buy it because it may not be there next time. Smart move on Costco's part.

I went to do some basic shopping at Costco yesterday. You know, meat, bread, potatoes (the ONLY place around here with decent baking potatoes!), etc. As you probably know, I was a Sam's Club shopper before we moved up here. The only Costco in St. Louis was just a tad too far out of my way (and YES, I know they are opening one really close to my old neighborhood soon. Ggrrrr). Anyway, I have never been to Costco in the spring-during planting season. Wow~just wow. So many flowers, plants, bushes, trees. I didn't expect it. I guess I should have. People in this area tend to go NUTS with flowers this time of the year. May 24th is the planting day (give or take) and they plant until they run out of room. Its so bright and colorful everywhere. I suppose if you have to deal with snow for so long, you want colors (and lots of them) in the summer. I have to say, I have never been to an area that goes so much into flowers.

I walked up and down the aisle outside looking at pretty things. Not that I am going to buy any. I mean, we are moving the end of June. Why plant flowers? Well, maybe plant some in pots but since I left all of my pots in St. Louis-why bother?

Then, I saw them.

Tomato plants. Lots of them. And I have to say, the biggest tomato plants I have EVER seen at a nursery or plant shop or Wall mart or Lowe's or Lucky Girl. NO kidding. Not the little 6 inch plants I have normally seen. No, these babies were big. And had little blooms on them. Even little tomatoes. It was too tall for the van. It's a big tomato plant. KC didn't know what to make of it! LOL

I bought one. Why? I have no idea. I mean, how much sun do we get in the back yard? Maybe 5%-if that. I couldn't help myself.

Now, all I have to do is buy a planter for it-BEFORE I kill it. And if it survives (always iffy), I can take it with us in July. (NO giggles from you ladies out there who have watched me buy and not plant flowers for years!)

Boldly Go

We went to Star Trek Monday afternoon. How nice that the two manchilden, the MainMan and I all went together.

I give it two thumbs up. It's fun entertainment. Not deep thoughtful stuff, but fun.

If you are a dyed in the wool trekkie (I suppose that would be those of you who dress up for Star Trek), I think even you will enjoy it. For those middle of the road trekkies-its a YES and for the non-trekkie types that are forced to go with your trekkie better half-you might enjoy it too.

Yeah, it was a good trek movie.

But, and I really want to know if this was only here . . . they censored a little part of it. There is a scene where Kirk is being chased by a big monster that intends to eat or dissect him in a very painful way (ahhh, Star Trek all the way) and while Kirk is running from said monster, he is bleeped. Then a few moments later, there is a blank spot in the sound track. Either he said Shit or F**k (see how politically correct I am and censored myself). If any of you see the movie, let me know if it is only censored here. It's rated G up here.

Final verdict: Go see it and have some popcorn. You will enjoy it. (Both the movie and the popcorn)

Oldie but goodie-Great for Mother's Day

Live Long and Prosper.

Have I ever told you that I am a closet Trekkie? Well, not totally closet and not a real, true Trekkie. More like a Trekkie WannaBe. But, in my own mind, I am a Trekkie. If you don't follow Star Trek, then I would say that you will think of me as a true Trekkie, but trust me, some people out there are . . . well, slightly off the rocker in Trekkiedon.

Long ago, before children . . . back in the days of breakfasts out on Saturdays AND Sundays, MainMan and I were driving around in Southern California. We had gone to the beach for breakfast and decided to just see where the road took us. Suddenly, I saw a sign that said "Star Trek Convention Today". Hmmmm. Now, this was BEFORE The Next Generation. It was during the time when movies were being made from the original series. I was curious but also not. I mean, we have all heard about the nuts that go to these things. MainMan said, hey, if you want to go, let's go.

Cool. No, I mean, wellll, ok, MainMan-if YOU really want to go.

Yep, we went. I wish I could remember all the things there. It was weird. In a trekkie sort of way. LOTS of people dressed up in their favorite Star Trek character. Funny that the one that I remember the most is a guy dressed up as Spock walking an invisible dog (you know, the lease and collar but no dog-for you younger folks, it was a fad for a while).

We sat in on an question/answer with an original actor. Darn it all, I can't remember who it was. Maybe Kirk? Not Spock. Maybe Sulu? Or possibly Scotty. I remember thinking, poor man, to have to answer these questions over and over where ever he goes.

Lastly, the other thing I remember was the area where you could buy things. Books of all kinds, trekkie do dads here and there. And-copies of the next movie that was about to come out. There was a disclaimer that it wasn't the real story line somewhere in the arena. But I looked through it, and when the movie came out a year later-it was basically the correct version.

Yeah, I am a Trekkie. And I do and have read trekkie books. Oh, my-I guess I shouldn't have admitted that.

Today, #2 gave me a card for Mother's Day. He drew a Comm Badge from Trek on the front and on the inside he wrote:
In the future, there will be clean air and food replicators. We'll have to make do until then.

And he gave me a cool kitchen gadget that I have been wanting. LOL. Gotta love the kid.

We are going to the movie. Yeah, I raised the boys right. They know a "good" movie.

Sign of the French times

Lost in Translation.



Some things just don't translate well. I love looking at signs and trying to figure out what they really wanted to say. The universal shapes help. Stop signs may not say STOP in English but I get the message because they are red and shaped like a stop sign. Yep, let's stop here.




OK, I know what they mean. But I just love the sign. Hey, folks-"Close your Engine". I am sure you all leave your engines open. Hmm, how does one open an engine? And once you open it, how do you close it?

(Yes, I do know what they want me to do. Yes, I know, turn off the car. Yeah, yeah, I get it)

Mother's Day and I am better

It's Saturday night and I already have a Mother's Day present. MainMan set up the air cleaners and went out for a new and improved one.


I can breathe.


I think he was a little shocked at how I look in the morning. I haven't been getting up with him this week, so this morning was the first time in a few days. Let's just say, a vision of beauty-I wasn't. First, short hair tends to go wild if you go to bed with damp hair. I mean really wild. Nutso wild. Then, I was coughing and sneezing and the voice was gone. Now, normally, about this time, people start feeling really sorry for me. Dinners would arrive at the house, or maybe chocolate (even tho I forgo chocolate during allergy times). Yeah, folks, I looked that bad. Off MainMan goes. And sets up everything. In just a couple hours, I could tell a difference-and so could the family.


Well, darn, I guess that means I have to make my own toast from now on.


On a different note, the coffee maker is working again. Yeah! It dripped in sympathy Friday morning but it turned out that it was just not aligned correctly. Ah, coffee. Very much needed in the morning.


The other day, I blurry eyed pulled out one of my favorite mugs from the dish washer. I put it under the coffee maker and pushed the button. CR - --AAA ---CCKKKK! Whoa! That was loud and not a sound I wanted to hear. Quickly I put the mug over the sink. Ohhh, yeah, it broke. It had gotten chipped in the washer and the hot coffee finished the job.


And, yes, this is a Christmas mug. Yep, my favorite mug is a Christmas mug. Think of it as Christmas year round . . . at least until now.

This too shall pass

It's official. I am still allergic, even up here in the frozen north. I suppose I would have to move farther north to get away from it.

Let's just say, omg, I am pathetic.

This is a little fluff and stuff (AKA sneezy stuff) from the local trees.

Everything decided to bloom and bud and pollinate this week. Everything. And while my allergy meds can help on an average day, the last few days haven't been average.



But, there is a bright side. Yesterday, #1 looked at me and said "Gee, Mom, you look terrible" and promptly decided to take care of me. He made me breakfast, a snack and then in the evening-toast. Toast works cause it scratches my throat as it goes down.



So here is the question. Should I be sad that I looked so bad that a 19 yr old decided to take care of me or should I be happy that my 19 yr old decided to take of me? I will take the second choice.



Yeah, he can be soooo sweet at times. Remind me of this next time you hear me yelling at him to go away when I am trying to talk on the phone!

YOOOOooooo Hooooo, wakey wakey

Where oh where did Vicky go?

To bed.

Why, you may ask. I asked that myself. I tried a new and improved allergy med last night. It's for 24 hours. Non-drowsy. Supposed to be great. It's not available in the states but has been around Europe and Canada for a couple years. And, it's not cheap. (It's called Aerius).

So, I took it. A little nervous. I am not sure why I was nervous. Maybe because its not available in the states. Not even as prescription. Why is that?

It was late and it didn't start working right away. OH, well, that's ok, I will just go to bed.

I work up at 11am!!! NO kidding. KC was just sitting there watching me . . . waiting. And I woke up all itchy and drippy and itchy and sneezy and snotty (get the point?). I walked around like a zombie for a while. Finally, this evening it wore off.

I don't think the Non-drowsy part actually worked the way I wanted it to work. I mean, I didn't want to be drowsy. So, non-drowsy should mean I wouldn't be drowsy. Hmmm, maybe its a language issue! LOL, that's what I say now if it isn't what I think, it must be language.

Anyway, back to Allegra-D. It's over the counter up here in CanadaLand. Yep, that's right. I can buy it at the drug store. Yeah! And I can function while I take it. Yeah Xs Two.

Remember, a short time ago? When MainMan and I actually had a weekend to ourselves? No manchildren? They were both in St. Louis that weekend. Wow.

Before ManChild #2 left, we were sitting at the dining room table. I commented that I just won't know what to do without my children hanging around (tongue planted firmly in cheek). #2 gives me a sidelong glance and says:

Oh, Mom, you will do what you always do. You will work on your note cards and play Nazi.

Ok, now, just to let you know, I happen to think I am a nice mom-hey, even a nice wife. I do not roam the house in a Nazi uniform asking people for their papers. (Or worse). I don't scream as I rearrange my little tiny black mustache.

I have been called a lot of things in my life, but a role playing Nazi wasn't one of them -up until that point.

#2 and I burst out laughing.

Ummmm, slip of the tongue there . . . I meant Yahtzee

Yeah, sure kid. A Freudian slip if I ever heard one!

We did the drive by

We drove by the house today. All the ice is gone from the river/lake (I really am not sure, I think it is a lake but it's also a river. The town is called something "on the lake" but in french. Anyway, back to the house. Yeah, it looks nice.



#1 liked it and can't wait to sit on the dock (that is if we figure out how to put it out). #2 thought the house looked small. Well, son, it is small. It has 4 bedrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen and two baths. That's it kid. No family room. No basement. No attached garage. But it has a solarium, and a deck and welllll-the water. The water should count for something. It also has a shed and a pretty darn big garage.



I think its hard for the kids to come to terms with the fact that most families of 4 don't live in 5 bedroom houses with full basements, big back yards and double garages.



However, I am having trouble coming to terms of just where my desk and printer will be. Maybe the living room? Overlooking the lake? But-I would have to keep it clean (not an easy task). And I would have to deal with the family being in the room with me and talking and watching TV and actually expecting me to listen to them. Plus my printer and tip tap typing might disturb them (nnaahhhhhhhh).



I suppose I could put the desk in the master bedroom, overlooking the lake (are you noticing a theme here? As in overlooking the lake?) But we all know that won't work. I like to print late at night, when the house is quiet. I am pretty sure MainMan would begin to resent the humming, buzzing, typing, paper cutting noises as he tried to sleep.



I guess I will figure it out. Or maybe, I could just put everything one big platform on wheels and move it in and out of the house and work on the dock. Yeahhh, that would work.

:)

Life-normal-sort of

Life is getting back to normal here.

I am not worrying about the flu now that #1 is back. Funny how that works. However, I find it interesting that in big headlines it blared "Pigs found in Canada that have Swine Flu!" Good for those pigs. They know this flu belongs with them and NOT us.

#1 suddenly is interested in the house we are moving to in July. He wants to drive by today. He didn't go with us before. So, I guess we will do a drive by-I will try to take some pictures if I can without being too obvious and intrusive.

#1 also needs to unload his car. He has some stuff out, but there is still a lot. He was stopped at the border and had his car searched for the first time. I told him this could happen but he was very surprised. I think they picked him because he drove up and said "Oh, I am at the wrong border crossing, how do I get to the other one near Montreal?" Now, an innocent question, but I do believe it got their attention. Why would someone want to go to the smaller, less guarded border crossing instead of the reallllly big one near Niagara Falls? So, he was picked. I suppose you can guess just how full his car was of clothes, bedding and well, envelopes. Yep, I said envelopes. Kay bought me 4 CASES of envelopes and had #1 bring them up. (This explains why there was so much clothes and stuff in his back seat). The guard did a very short inspection, opened his car, pulled on the dashboard a little, looked inside the trunk. Asked what the 4 BIG sealed boxes were. "Ummm, envelopes for my mom" He said they didn't really understand but closed the trunk. Didn't even open the boxes. Now, there was a cool note on one of the boxes saying these were a gift to me and signed, but I would think they would open the boxes. Or at least look behind them or move them or something.

So, he is home. And has his computer back up. He had taken it down to pack away (he didn't take it with him), so he got to unpack it. Guess he is content now.

#1, #2 and hubby are home. Guess I am content now too.

Yeah, I did this. See what you can do with dots?

The Traveler has returned

He is home, safe and in bed. Asleep. I feel better. And, yes, he drove straight through. Why is that, I wonder. Some man/boy thing?

However, I just finished sneezing about a million times. I am sure you thought the world was having a series of small earthquakes spaced very close together. But it was actually my sneezes. Sorry if I disturbed your morning. (Note to self: Do NOT work in the yard during allergy season-its not worth it the next day).