~Less Than A Week~

Since it is now nearly 1Am, I can say "less than a week". And it can't come fast enough. I can't wait to hand over the reigns and let him drive for a while. I am DONE LIKE DINNER!

My wonderful Sailor~Man has allowed me a day at a spa, and I am going tomorrow for a spa day. Tomorrow night is the Gala, so a fresh do, fresh skin, fresh nails, fresh tootsies are definitely in order, and besides, tomorrow is the only day I have off (besides Sunday, which is a CLEANING day) is tomorrow. Now THAT sounds weird. Tomorrow is the only day I have off til he gets home.

I went to "AFTER Happily Ever After" tonight with Sharon Guptill (Jay was away, so we went together). I wasn't going to go, because, really, what good is a marriage seminar if only one half of the marriage is there? Now that I went I am SO glad I did.

As I was sitting there listening, I was thinking, "I am getting more out of this to prepare me for his homecoming and reconnecting than I did at the Reunion Workshop!", so at the break I went to Dr Gary Rosberg and I told him that I was there "alone" because my husband is in the navy and that I wasn't going to come. I told him how I was so glad I did because the information is extremely helpful in re-connecting with your spouse after a long separation.

He was SO nice! First of all, the thanked me for my husband's sacrifice, AND for MY sacrifice to ensure our freedom. Then he said "I would like to invest $350 in your marriage". I think I kinda gave him a stunned look. He told me he was going to give me a subscription for a magazine (and I was too stunned to remember what it was called), and he was going to give me a DVD series that they use for reunion workshops for their Military (they are from Iowa) returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. All I had to do was to make sure I wrote my address and email and our names on a piece of paper and give it to him at the end. And so I did. And I bought some books (so that Al can read what they talked about), and Dr Rosberg and his wife, the co-author, both autographed them.

So, you can check out their website if you like.

http://www.drgaryandbarb.com/home/the_great_marriage_experience.php

Or you can check out the actual seminar at...

http://www.fotf.ca/marriagetour/

Course, then I came home and the kids have the house upside down, and so I ended up crying, out of frustration and exhaustion (I went from work to pick up Sharon to Rock Church to take Sharon home, then finally home), in my bubble bath.

Now I am going to peruse that website and then go to sleep, listening to the Spring Peepers sing.


And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It

~Single Digits~

We are now down to single digits - Al will be home in 9 days! Isn't that something? There is an end after all. I was really beginning to wonder! I can't wait to see him get off that ship. I would LOVE to see him get off the ship in his nice dress uniform, but I know he won't. He will probably have that ugly, faded Toronto Maple Leafs T-Shirt on. I can't wait to get that thing in the laundry. "Oops Sweetie, I 'm sorry the Javex ruined your T-Shirt! So SO sorry!

I just want these next 9 days to go fast. I am working almost everyday, and I have a fair amount of sewing to do. I have to 2 outings this week in the evenings. Then next week it will be rush to get the house clean and KEEP the house clean for when he gets home.

Horatio had learned how to dig. I now have a hole in the front lawn, and HE has muddy feet, AND a muddy face. What do they do? Eat the dirt? He did not enjoy getting his face and feet washed at bedtime. As it is he gets bathed 1 or 2 times a week to keep his coat nice and shiny and groomed and so I guess he must figure that is enough. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get him to stop digging BEFORE it becomes too much of a habit?

Well, since it is "tomorrow", I am going to say good night and go to sleep. So... GOOD NIGHT!

And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It

To Some An End, To Others A Beginning

I only have to sleep alone 13 more times and my Sailor~Man will be home. I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. I tell everyone, even people who don't care. Some people get to hear it every day - Only ## more days...! I think the girls at work will be so glad when he gets home so they won't have to hear it anymore.

I was thinking how, with most things, one thing has to come to an end for another to begin. They say that for every life that is created, one is lost. For every job lost, one is gained. {For every pound that is lost, I gain one!}

As excited as I am about the return of the Charlottetown, and my husband, there are approximately 300 families devastated at the deployment of the Iroquois, which left on Saturday for the Persian Gulf. We know that one ship is coming home, and one ship left.

This all occurred to me tonight while I had Stephanie at the MFRC showing her how to send mail to the ship. While we were there 3 or 4 other wives came in with packages to send to their husbands on ship. And while I was bursting inside because I no longer have to prepare packages to send, because he is coming home, these women were crying inside at the lonely 6 months ahead of them - and I knew EXACTLY how they were feeling. It is a horrible feeling. Like someone stuck a knife in your stomach and every once in a while gives it a twist. Then I began to feel guilty for standing there so happy and excited because MY Sailor~Man is on his way home, and there was nothing I could do or say to take their pain away - even though, now, I know, and could tell them, that 6 months is not as long as it sounds. But I knew it would have fallen on deaf ears, because 6 months ago people told me the same thing, and I did not believe them. Tomorrow I am going to a Reunion Workshop, and they are beginning the Cycle of Deployment.

I feel as though I am babbling, but that is the dialogue that is running through my head, and has been since then. I just hope that these ladies have a support system in place and that they utilize the MFRC to it's fullest capacity, that they keep themselves busy, and that they help one another. As much as I love my job, if a position became available helping women like these (like US), I would not hesitate taking it. Someone needs to be there for them. Someone who understands. Someone whose heart breaks for them - and with them. Someone who has walked in their shoes.

And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It

What An Exciting Day!

Well to begin with, there are only 14 more nights that I have to sleep alone. Yippie!

I bought some fabric and dress patterns to make something pretty to wear to the dockyard when the ship comes in. AND, apparently, I REALLY like one of the patterns - I bought it TWICE! {Ha-Ha} Now I just need a day off so I get them made! I don't have a day off til Sunday, which really doesn't count because I have church in the morning and group in the evening. So the next day off I have is NEXT Thursday! I guess I will have to try to sew in the evenings after work. OH - my hours were changed for Friday. I don't go in til 5:30 so I can at least cut them out Friday - between Coffee Connections and work... {How in the bloody blazes did I get so BUSY?!?!}

So, the REALLY good news... I OFFICIALLY got promoted today! I got my store keys, I now have full access to the systems at work, I got a RAISE! I have only been there 2 months and I already got promoted to Full Time Key! And I was telling Patty that I am really glad that I got placed in the store I did instead of Dartmouth Crossing, where I applied. She told me that she "stole" me. The District Manager interviewed me, then called Patty and told her that I had had my interview and she didn't know what to do with me (haha), and would like a second opinion. So Patty interviewed me and called Kim and told her "I'll take her! I know what to do with her!" So, it seems, that she intended for me to get this position right from the start. Which makes sense because she started training me right away. And I knew all lot of it anyway, from when I worked at Cotton Ginny in Moncton.

So, it was quite an exciting day for me!

Almost as exciting as the day last week that I got that speeding ticket!

And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It

Tired Of The Blues...

On my blog that is. I really don't like blue anyway, so what colors should I chose this time?? Suggestions welcome.


And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It

It Is Getting So CLOSE, I Almost Can`t Believe It!

It is only 18 (whole) days til my Sailor~Man gets home - because today doesn't count (obviously! It is almost over), and the day he arrives doesn't count (since he is getting in in the morning), SO...18 full days, 20 sleeps (!?!???!) - well that doesn't sound near as good, so let's stick with 18 days.

I am working nearly 40 hours a week now. I almost took a second job (at Walmart), but I was so tired and I was feeling like I am never here as it was, so I called and told them that I am now full time at Ginny, so I would not be taking the job. I can't TELL you what a relief that was. (Thanks for praying Brenda!) I love my job at Ginny. I was just telling Sara yesterday how glad I am that I am in the store I am in, I feel I fit it well, and even though it is WAY over in Bayer's Lake, I don't mind. Something tells me that I wouldn't fit in so well at Dartmouth Crossing anyway. AND, I get my keys Monday! YAY! I am so excited. I will be MANAGEMENT! One step closer to having my own store.

I went to Moncton on the weekend to the RENOVARÉ conference. It was really good. Not quite what I expected a "Spiritual Renewal" conference to be, but it was really good nonetheless. The speakers were very knowledgeable, and they worked well together. The little British Man from Wales, in the waistcoat and little gold John-Lennon-Glasses was just far too cute. I wanted to put him in my pocket so he could make his grand quotations in Arabic ("which is actually Welsh") all he wants!

The dear lady who was speaking was so sweet. Her hands were all crippled with (I can only assume to be) arthritis. I bought a few of her books, and she so graciously signed them for me. The thought of the pain her hands must be in when she writes is rather heartbreaking.

My friend Kim came with me. I am so glad that she did. She had only been a Christian for 2 weeks, and she was really breathing in everything she could.

However, the best part of the weekend, for me, I would have to say, was seeing Pastor John and Jane. I was so excited to see him when I walked in. I miss his preaching and his genuine love for people. I miss them both.

Had a dear elderly lady in the store today. Her daughter brought her shopping. The "little old lady" (I'm sorry, but that is what she was!), said to me "I am 97!" Well, let's suffice it to say that I had a hard time getting through helping get her clothing picked out and paid for without crying. They told me I was very sweet and thanked me for the wonderful service. I overheard the daughter asking the mother if she wanted to keep me. It was cute.

It is nice to be able to go into work everyday knowing that you are good at your job, and that you enjoy it. It makes that blasted 6:45 AM ( ! ) alarm (almost) worth it.

Well, it is almost Pumpkin~Time, so I am going bid you all adieu...

"18" Days! YAY!!!!

And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It

We Sure Could Use A Little Good News Today...

Anyone remember that old Ann Murray song? Not that I particularly LIKE Ann Murray, but I do like the song.




So I thought I would share some good news...



~ I do NOT have skin cancer! Definitely GOOD NEWS!



~ The doctor is referring me to a plastic surgeon so I can get my hands fixed. I wonder if free tummy tuck comes with carpal tunnel surgery? That would be WICKED news!



~ In 1 month and 1 day, I no longer will be sleeping all alone *wink* - AND I will be getting diamonds!



~Andrew did not skip any classes this week. I did not get one phone call from the automated system that says "Your son or daughter missed periods 1, 2, 3 and 4..." Most definitely good news!



~I am singing with the worship team this morning. That is so awesome! I love it so much!



~ Horatio is poo~ing outside - when the kids remember to put him out. {It is VERY difficult to train a puppy when the kidlettes are not on the ball with him while you are work}



~ It appears I am going to have a second part time job at the jewellery counter at Walmart. The Ass. Man. said that as far as he was concerned he was hiring me, he just needs to go through the proper channels and procedures. "If" my criminal history and back check come back clean then I have the job.



~And speaking of jobs, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my job at Cotton Ginny. It was just like going home. I loved it when I was there in Moncton and I love it now that I am there, here.



~ AND, Patty talked to me today. It is official, I am being promoted! I am currently being trained for Full Time Key Holder, hoping to start by the 20th. She said, "Sara, Heidi and I have been talking and we would love to have you join our management team." YAY ME!

So I just need to get my training finished. I will get some closing training tomorrow. I can pretty much open by myself, so that's good. When I was Part Time Key in Moncton, I closed every night, so I don't imagine it will be hard nor will it take long for me to catch on. Especially since everything is computerized now, and it wasn't when I worked there before. Man, when I was there before, we didn't even have bar code scanners! We had to key in every single SKU, (Only the really BIG grocery stores had scanners . I don't even think Walmart did yet.), I was pretty good at it too! I could key those numbers in so fast and co carefully that my pretty acrylic nails didn't even pop off! So that was really exciting news for me. I was very happy - still am!



~ Our travel plans to the UK ( and Paris!! ) are coming along. Thanks to Juliet, we are going to be staying with her Mum and her sis for a couple nights each, and they will be able to show us around. I TOTALLY can't wait. I have never been anywhere like that before.



~ Next weekend I am going away to Moncton (sans les kidlettes!) for a Spiritual Renewal retreat. I have great expectations of how God is going to work in my life and in my heart while I am there. I am in such great need of a fresh infilling of the Water of Life! {Please pray for me for next weekend}





Now it is your turn. YOU tell ME some GOOD NEWS.


And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It

So...

I met a cousin of mine today. Never knew her before. She came shopping in my store, and we "got to talking" (Yup! Still a Valley Girl!) about who knew whom... Turns out her grandfather and my grandfather were brothers!

When she came in she looked familiar... I know now why... She looks like the rest of Keddy's. She bares quite a resemblance to some of Mom's sisters. Kinda funny really.

You know you have a big family when...!

And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It

New Post Over Yonder

http://alightintheharbour.blogspot.com/2008/04/danger-of-drifting-by-dr-charles.html


And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It