Loose ends

Oh man... today is one of those days that I'm finally facing a bunch of dreaded chores that I've been putting off for WAY too long. I think I'm finally getting at them because I've been stuck in this house for so long without much to do. Of course, I could be cleaning the bathroom or wiping down the cupboards and every other surface in this house that is covered in dust (at least the floor is vacuumed!). I have been working and out of the house but not much. There aren't that many hours available at this time of year, plus I don't have a second vehicle to get to work so I have to work around Dan's schedule. I've made 2 weeks worth of chili, dog treats, a terrible pasta salad and banana bread. The house is pretty clean (except for that dust and some clothes to put away) and the dog has had plenty of walks.... now what? So, I started finding a DJ for Cass's wedding and stag and doe. I'm looking into a long lost purchase of my mom's that she never received, I'm making arrangements for Bella's new home (Larissa's rabbit) and now... I guess there's nothing to do but my old chores that I don't want to do. Here's confession time: Dan and I still have stuff at our old place back in the country. Luckily we know the people there so we can go and claim our stuff but eventually they are just going to get rid of it themselves. We have an old car sitting in their driveway (what a waste!) and a spare tire for our Jetta in the garage. These are two things that we for sure should make sure we take care of. How does one go about getting rid of an old car? I know the tires are seized up and it's not worth fixing anymore. If I found someone with a trailer, and we somehow managed to get it on there, do we just drive to a wreckers and drop it off? I don't know!! I have NO experience here. I called the wreckers and they said I would get about $75 for it and they would pick it up.... would I get much more if I pulled in favours from friends and dropped it off ourselves? It's pretty humbling picking up the phone and calling the people that have lived with that car in their driveway for so long. I know they are nice people but I'm still quite embarrassed. And then, I made the dreaded call for a sit down with the bank. It's not really a bad meeting but we have to change our home branch now that we've moved out here. Really, it's not that bad but it's something that I've been putting off forever too. The only consolation that I have after all this is that I'm hoping it feels so good to get it all done. Next, I need to repair our only working car and get rid of the crunched up truck in OUR driveway (by the way, is that the right word? driveway?).

The Black Sheep Inn, Part 1

What a good weekend. It was a whirlwind of a weekend but still a good weekend. Mike and Meg came over Friday night so that we could get an early start the next morning off to Ottawa. We decided to rent a car for the trip just for the fun of it so we didn't really get started till around 10:30. That's alright though because the trip really only took about 6 hours. Dan and I got a GPS for Christmas and before March we really hadn't used it too much. There's little things here and there but this weekend we really found it helpful. We left without even looking at a map to see where Wakefield is. It turns out it's about 25 minutes past Ottawa into Quebec. The trip there really didn't seem to last too long. We had lots of time to chat and catch up on our lives for the last 6 months and where the next 6 months are heading. It was neat going through Ottawa and since Mike's been there a bit more than us he pointed out all the important buildings to us. I really don't have any live memories of driving through Quebec so once we got past Hull I was really impressed. You can see distinct differences right away. Besides the street signs there were plenty of things that made it seem like we just entered a different country. The houses looked different and even the landscape looked different. When we got into Wakefield I'm sure someone actually said "is this it?!" It's realy just a small hamlet although I'm sure there are more houses tucked into the hills. The town is right on the edge of a wide turn in the Gateneau river so on one side of the road is a beautiful view of the river and on the other side is a row of cafes/shops/pubs and then behind them are houses going up into the hills. It's really beautiful. I could very easily live there but the other 3 said they would prefer to visit often but couldn't quite live there. It seems very isolated and quiet (even though it's so close to Ottawa).
We drove up to the B&B and were brought to our rooms. The house seemed like an older house but was comfortable enough. Before we had our bags down Meghan was just drooling over the home renovation ideas she would have for the place (have a look at the rooms and you'll see what I mean). It was a good place to stay the night at though.

I have so much more to say but, alas, I have to go to work so you're all going to have to wait for a part 2.

Here it is... finally. An update! I do have to say, I have a bit of dutch stuborness in me so everytime someone complains about the lack of good reading material it makes me want to do this less and less.Right now I'm actually sitting in a lawnchair at my campsite waiting for my sausage to be cooked. Isn't that the life?! I love being able to go camping this often. It's also a great way to see Dan more often.The new job is going very well. I really like the work and it's a great company to work for. I'm almost done my contract but there's a possibility that I'll get a permanent position soon (cross your fingers). There is a ton to learn, tons of paperwork and some really heavy stories... But it feels so good to be doing something that I like and am good at. It is really fulfilling. On top of that, the company has been supporting every single innitiative and idea I bring up. They sent me to a 3 day paid conference, they are paying me to sit on 2 different commitiees, I asked them to pay me for 2 hrs. a week to do commitee work, and I asked them to sponser a garden plot for the addictions/mental health clients so that we could run a horticulture therapy program. And they said yes to everything! I don't know where all these ideas and energy is coming from but I love it! Maybe it's the 7 years of dead time selling beer. It's just a lot of pent up energy.Unfortunately, my home life is suffering from all of this. I hardly have anything for a garden, I'm embarassed about how little I clean the house (and it shows), I never get to cook and bake anymore and our diets are crap! I don't remember the last time I ate a vegetable or fruit. I'm just not used to this kind of schedule! It's a terrible thing to complain about since this is what most people have to juggle. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it eventually. I have to make some sacrifices and get a house cleaner or something. I have to learn to make the quick healthy meals and forget about the fun, inspiring long meals that I used to make.So that's it for now. By the way, I typed this whole thing out on my blackberry. Pretty good, eh? I guess it was worth it!

hey all...
another week over.... almost. Dan's coming home tonight finally. Last week when he came back he was saying that he can't wait to get to work and now he's saying he's glad he's got a bit of a break just to let everything settle in. Everytime I talk to him he's either coming or going to some sort of study thing... he's a new man!
Larissa had her baby this week which was soo much fun for me. Actually, I don't know if fun is the word but I love being able to be totally comfortable around and baby and not worried about getting the stink eye from the mother for not holding the kid just "right". James had to go back to work on Thursday so I was even asked to go pick Larissa and Jaela up from the hospital. What a priveledge, eh? We weren't really sure we got the car seat in right but everyone made it home okay so it all worked out. Now I look at pictures of Grace and I can't wait till Jaela gets that old. I looooovvveed those pics of Grace with mom and dad. She looks like she's got such a personality. It makes me want to come over and hang out with her more.
Cass, James said he would do your brakes for you some Saturday if you want but I think they'll be a little forgetful about it and busy for the next little while. James' uncle found gramma Smith on the floor of her home yesterday.... she had a stroke. I don't know how she's doing at all but I'm guessing that life is going to be a bit difficult with Jaela and gramma now.
I'm going to have a super busy weekend now and it looks like it's going to be stinkin hot too. I woke up super late this morning (10:00.... 11 hours sleep.. mmmm) and slowly walked upstairs and could hardly make it. It's nice and cool here in the basement but upstairs it was 26! Freaking hot! and this weekend is only going to get worse. And I don't have a thing planted. All that rain and heat isn't doing anything for my garden.
So I bought a ticket to Winnipeg. $79! not bad eh? I was going to drive there with Opa, James, and Caleb and then drive back with John, Tena and Caleb but you can't beat $79. At least I know for sure now that I'm going. I leave the last thurs. of June and come back the beginning of next week. Then..... SARAH AND PETER COME!! I'm so excited about that. I have to make sure that I ask off the weekend right away.
Anyway, I hope you all have a good weekend. I doubt I'll get any phone calls in but I miss you girls! We'll talk soon.
Love nicole
.... wierd.... I just about put an "h" in nicole

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One of my favourite things about this computer

See the memory stick ports in the middle? I love them. It is so easy to upload my pictures. No need for a missing camera cord.

Another favourite thing, the monitor is thin. We have a really small place so all the space is needed. Right now the whole thing is on our table (as you can see) but we hope to get a tiny little desk that fits just the computer.

And my most favourite of all favourite things about this computer......

I have high speed internet!! Boy did I miss this these last two years. It took me about 2 seconds to upload the picture!

WHAT is THIS?! I'm working a lot this week yet I'm still cooking... why? Dan said to just go to subway but noooo i decide to buy the on sale PC green curry sauce. I followed the directions but I am not so sure that I want to eat it now. My guts hurt just looking at it. Dan just finished his and he says now he's afraid to fart. Oh man... wish me luck.

Oh, and I took this pic for Mom W so that I'm actually in some of the pics and they're not just of dumb computers and food. :)