I AM SO EXCITED!

Planning our trip to Greece and getting SO excited! I TOTALLY can't wait! All I need is Al's leave dates and I can buy the plane tickets! YAY!

So, I went out for Mom's Night Out with the ladies from church. There was Kim, Kathi, Tanya, Julie, Sharon, a new girl who is from Britain whose name escapes me, and me. We went to Jungle Jim's for dinner, and to get out without kids and just be women...and spent the whole night talking about...yup, you guessed it, the KIDS! We started talking about being pregnant, segued into childbirth, then breast-feeding, sports, sex (and not the good stuff, how you told/tell/are going to tell your kids about it, and, naturally, their reactions!), and finishing, quite appropriately, with how the kids handle death, and how you talk to them about it. By this time, they were closing the restaurant down around us, so took our leave. All in all it was a good time!

After dinner Kim and I went to Walmart in search of shoes for work. (Got a pair). I got home about 11:30. Which isn't bad, considering I left the house this morning at 9:30, and was only home for about half an hour in total all day!

I went out with Ashley this morning. We went over to Ginny to get me some clothes for work next week, then we went to the Chinese Buffet for lunch. Then it was time to pick up my truck from Saturn (it was getting a safety, an oil change, and apparently something done to the brakes). Dropped Ashely off home, got the mail. Al's T-4 was there, so off I went to get the taxes done. Stupid people REALLY make me angry! Took the guy 2 1/2 hours, and help from EVERYONE there, even ones in OTTAWA before he got it right. I was SO not impressed. By the time I got out of there I had no time for a shower. I just came home, threw some McD's at the kids and got changed to go out.

I dropped Victoria off at Jacquelyn's and picked up Kim (her mother) and went to Jungle Jim's.

Now, after talking to Al on the phone, and doing some searching for cheap flights to Athens (through Paris?), I am going to have that shower I didn't get earlier, and go to bed. I am rather tuckered!



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

A Song For You Al...

Something in your eyes, makes me want to lose myself,

Makes me want to lose myself, in your arms.

There's something in your voice, makes my heart beat fast.

Hope this feeling lasts, the rest of my life.

If you knew how lonely my life has been,

And how low I've felt so long.

If you knew how I wanted someone to come along,

And change my life the way you've done.

CHORUS:

Feels like home to me, feels like home to me,

Feels like I'm on my way back where I come from.

Feels like home to me, feels like home to me,

Feels like I'm on my way back where I belong.

A window breaks down a long dark street,

And a siren wails over my head.

But I'm all right, 'cause I have you here with me.

And I can almost see through the dark there's light.

If you knew how much this moment means to me,

And how long I've waited for your touch.

If you knew how happy you are making me --

I've never thought I'd love anyone so much.

CHORUS:

Feels like home to me, feels like home to me,
Feels like I'm on my way back where I come from.
Feels like home to me, feels like home to me,
Feels like I'm on my way back where I belong.

Feels like I'm on my way back where I belong.

{Feels Like Home - Bonnie Raitt}

Al I love you so much. I never knew what it was really like to love and be loved til you. I can't wait til I can "lose myself in your arms" once again. I miss you. Come home safely, soon...

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

I Feel Like Writing

But I don't really have anything to say...

We are over halfway done this deployment. January seemed to go on for MONTHS!, but February, so far, is speeding right along. Al has boughten me some lovely presents over there and I can't wait to post pictures of them when he gets back. I am also looking forward to going away with him for a couple weeks when he gets home. I am SO ready to have my husband by my side again! If ever I complain about Al having to go away for a month or 2, please remind me how much longer 6 months is! This is brutal. I really feel for the ones who actually end up in Khandahar. They stay for 9, 12, 14 months at a time! Their babies won't even know them when they get home!

I should be sleeping... I have Coffee Connections in the morning where I am facilitating a chocolate making class. Then in the afternoon I have a meeting at Cotton Ginny to sign my paperwork so I can start my new job next week. I hope my body co-operates!

I have been thinking of my friends and missing some of them quite a bit lately. Seems I haven't seen a lot of them for quite some time. Some I haven't even had an opportunity to talk to in ages! Hopefully I will get a chance to soon. I don't even know if they check my blog that much anymore where I have not been consistant lately. BUT, nevertheless, I want to say HI, and I'M THINKING OF YOU to:

• April {AKA Princessa Mirabella}
• Kelly
• Roni
• Brenda
• Lois

I miss you all and hope to either talk to you or see you sometime real soon!

Well, as it is after 2AM, and I have to get up fairly early in the morning, I guess this is it for now. Not very exciting, I know...

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

What She Said...

Elizabeth said:

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

I
HATE, ABSOLUTELY DETEST, DESPISE WINTER
I absolutely hate winter. I hate
the cold, I hate the snow, I hate the fact that the sun shines but it is still
cold, I hate winter.

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

White Point with the Kidlettes and Tanya - And Horatio of COURSE!

I decided that since we couldn't go to New Brunswick this weekend, I would take the kids away anyway, so we went to White Point Beach Resort (If you remember a couple summers ago, Al and I took the kids there for a weekend, and they really liked it there, so, since it was a hit once, I thought we'd go back - it was a hit twice!), and since I didn't want to be without adult conversation all weekend I called my niece Tanya to see if she'd come with, and she did.

The hot tub was heavenly, the pool was wonderful. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous! The road from Bridgetown to Liverpool SUCKED! OH MY GOODNESS HAS THERE EVER BEEN SUCH A LONG, BUMPY, WINDY ROAD EVER!?!?!?!?!?

We finally got there about 8:00, had a quick supper and headed to the hot tub (and pool). Tanya and I were invited to a party for a ... "happy"... guy who was turning 21 (whose make up was running in the hot tub), by his ... "happy"... friends. We did not go.

Saturday the kids went off to the pool, the computer area, the games room, chasing the bunnies, and Tanya and I slept in. Then we went into Liverpool to McDonald's and Sobey's, and back for more swimming and taking pictures. They had their bonfire, but it was really cold, so we roasted a few marshmallows, then went back to the lodge and we played guitar and sang (and probably drove the neighbours crazy!)

Little Horatio thought he would chase some bunnies. They got away. It's a good thing too, because they were twice the size of him!

Sunday morning we packed up and left, heading to Not-Digby to my brother's (Tanay's father's) until it was time to head to my sister's in Bear River (STILL not Digby, yet they still tell people they live in DIBGY!) for the party she was having for her boyfriend for being clean and sober for 1 year. (Good on you Duck, I hope it sticks!).

After that, we headed back to Kingston so I could drop Tanya off, then I headed to my other sister's for tea before heading home.

Just before I got into Berwick I nearly hit a deer! It was standing in the road as I crested a hill. I laid on my horn, slammed on my brakes, and thrust the car into neutral. It is a good thing the horn scared it off because there was no way I wasn't going to hit it! Pretty scary!

Anyway, we got to Amy's to have tea, and Sandy came in, so I visited with her and Amy for about an hour, then on the road again..., fianlly getting home about 10:30.

I am uploading some pictures from the weekend. Please forgive that they are not in order. Perhaps I will try to rearrange them tomorrow, but not tonight. However, I somehow doubt it, since it took almost forever to get them semi-equi-distantly apart.

Horatio thought that eating Tanya's hair while she tried to sleep was a fun thing to do. Tanya? Not so much!

All in all, it was a good weekend. We all had fun and got "away from it all" for a while. I am glad that I am taking one weekend a month to take the kids somewhere until Al gets home. It is something to look forward to, and makes the time go faster. I am not sure where I am going next month, but Sandy I will try to give you a few days notice so you can come next time. I still have never been to Oak Island... That sounds kinda fun! Wherever it is, it has to be pet-friendly because little Horatio has to come!

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

No Longer "UN~NAMED"

Well, this time when he went away, I didn't end up with PINK hair! I just got a shihtzu, that's all. Isn't he a cutie? He has no name yet. I am waiting for him to tell me what it is. The name I had picked out was Charlotte, but since he's a BOY not a GIRL, I can't really get away with naming him Charlotte. He is quite the cuddle~er though!

After much deliberation I have decided to name him Horatio. What do you think?

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

Crappy Day

I think I am missing my hubby a lot today, I have been crying over nothing.

NINETY-SIX MORE DAYS!

AND... TODAY IS THE LAST BLASTED DAY OF JANUARY! Halle-friggin-lujah!


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

I Miss You Al

Julian Austin
"The Red and White"





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

Thunder & Lightening

In January??? Can you believe it?

Felt much better last night after I got into my jammies and made a fire. Today has been a lazy day. I started a sweater. We will see how it goes. I have never made a sweater before.

I am cooking supper and then Maureen is coming over to watch a movie. That's nice. I always feel better when I have company.

I didn't end up going to Ashley's last night. Once the rain and the storm started I was kinda glad I stayed home.

So, that's about it for today. Just wanted to say I feel better today.


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

On Feeling Crappy

When you feel crappy and there is a reason for it, it is not quite so bad. I mean, feeling crappy is NEVER good, but at least when there is a reason, well, there's a REASON. But when you are feeling crappy and can't figure out what the reason is, that just makes you feel even crappy~er.

Reasons To NOT Feel Crappy Today:

~ It was reasonably warm today. No snow, no rain. These are "non-crappy" things.

~ Went and had tea at Ashley's. Definitely a "non-crappy" thing.

~ Was invited to go over to Ashley's for drinks later this evening. "Non-crappy".

~ House is reasonably clean. CERTAINLY "non-crappy".

~ Wearing my "skinny jeans" and the t-shirt I couldn't get on on Christmas. "Non-crappy"!


Reason TO Feel Crappy Today:

~ Am cold. Kinda crappy, but not devastatingly so.

~ Guitar playing SUCKS! Kinda crappy, but no more so than it was yesterday.

~ Victoria's sleepover got cancelled due to illness at friend's house. Crappy, but more for her than for me. Really, just means I don't have to drive to Cole Harbour tonight, and tomorrow, and then, on Sunday, again. Not really registering very high on the crappy~ness scale.

~ Al's away. This is not new. Crappy, but not NEW crappy.


Well, still don't know why I am feeling crappy. Can't seem to shake it though. Even playing my piano (which is normally a great stress-relief) didn't help.

Need cheering up... Any ideas?


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

Want To Cry With Me?

Read my niece's blog from today.

http://teadayz.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-aunt-donna.html


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

~Untitled~

"Untitled" because I am feeling rather blah, and not very creative.

I think I have discovered one of the reasons I am a night owl. It is because my body tends to not hurt so badly at night. Mornings are excruciating. Ask anyone whose been around me first thing in the morning when all my "get the day going and body moving" meds kick in! {They seem to make me rather chatty for about half an hour...} But as the day wears on, for the most part, the pain goes from being excruciating (like putting on my socks is akin to medieval torture), to somewhat bearable (just don't ask me to lift, bend, jump, run...etc.) Such is the life of a "fibromite". {'Course, being rear-ended by a dump truck - TWICE didn't help much; then falling on the leg/hip that took the dump truck's impact REALLY didn't do a whole lot of good either!}

Today (well technically yesterday) was the 9th. That means Al will be home in 4 months. One hundred and twenty days (not that I'm counting... {where are those eye-rolling emoticons when you really need them?} ...) I think I dreamt about him last night. I can't really remember, but I have that feeling that I was with him. The same feeling I get when I dream about my mother, then I don't miss her quite so much, because we had spent time together. However, the lump of pillows and heating pad that are tucked into his side of the bed are not really cutting it anymore. I am ready for some real body parts - get your mind out of the gutter Elizabeth Dorene! I mean arms to hold me, and lips whisper in my ear and kiss my neck, and chest on which to rest my head at night.

And speaking of my mother, I miss her a lot tonight - thanks to Tim! We talked about prayer and faith and healing at group tonight, which I was ignoring very effectively with my knitting, until he noticed that I hadn't said anything and very promptly asked me what I thought. What I thought! I had been doing very well keeping the tears at bay counting stitches and rows and learning how to do a cable, thank you VERY much! What I thought... Marjorie and Beatrice both knew what I thought, and knew why I was knitting so very diligently. "We've already talked about this!", is about all I managed to get out, hoping it was enough. Men are so thick sometimes, even very kind, gentle, good men like Tim. "I don't understand..." So Beatrice proceeded to tell him of my Mother and my struggle with praying for healing and all I could do was cry and wish that the sofa would eat me.

So now I am feeling rather blah. I am tired. I am sore. I am sad. I am lonely. And I want the 2 people I can't have. Make that 3 - I wanted to run to Lois's but she isn't even here anymore. So, that's that. Time for bed... I hope tomorrow is brighter.


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

I Did It

I stayed home all day. I did not leave my house once all day! This is the first time in over 2 months, and it was nice! I spent part of the day cozied up on the sofa with Johnny (Depp that is - I watched Secret Window, still an awesome movie! Watch it if you haven't.) Then the kids and I played Cranium - I sucked. I made spaghetti and garlic bread for supper - not great, but not bad either. Then my friend Maureen came by. I haven't seen her since, I believe, October - and she only lives a few houses down! Bad, I know. I hate it when my friends get jobs and I never get to see them anymore! (I do not like to intrude on families in the evening, as it is the only time the couple gets to spend time together, and I was told, once, by a friend's husband, "Do NOT be here when I get home from work again!", so...I tend to not visit, call, etc, when the husbands are home!)





Anyway, I had a lovely visit with Maureen. She brought me my Christmas present. {Just a sec, I will take a picture of it...}












Isn't it just sweet? She said, "I don't know anyone who likes tea more than you." I think it is just darling!

We had a nice long visit, got caught up, and just chatted for a few hours.

Then I decided I would pick up my guitar, because I haven't had the time in a LONG time, to play it. So I played til my fingers were sore (which really didn't take that long!)

And so now, here I sit, as the fire does down to glowing embers. It is nearly the 6th of January, which means that my youngest will be a teenager, officially, in 4 months. Actually, 4 months from now, 13 years ago I was in labor. She was stubborn then and is stubborn now! Four months - 4 months and 3 days Al is due home. Whether or not they actually GET home on time remains to be seen. I am not banking on it, that's for sure. If I have learned anything in the 6 years "we" have been in the Military, it is "nothing is for certain til the papers are in your hand!"

Our next door neighbour left today to go to Pet for his 3 month training to leave for Afghanistan. He will not be back to his wife and 3 children until February of 2009. When I ran into him at the grocery store yesterday and he told me I nearly cried. It is just so heart-wrenching when daddies and husbands (and mommies, too, I guess, now) have to go away for so long, to such dangerous places.

So, my plea to you tonight - Love your families. Tell them, show them. Hug them, play with them. Kiss your spouse, make love. Cherish every moment you have with them, if not for yourselves, for those of us who wish we would have had time for just one more...



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

Phone Call

I got to talk to Al today. He phoned from the ship. They are doing exercises, mostly. He seems well. It was nice to talk to him. Haven't since Christmas Day.


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

Change

I've changed my blog and can't get it back to the way it was, so I lost all my pictures and everything. AUGH! I will figure it out.


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

PINK

This is really, quite pink...especially for someone who doesn't really like pink...

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

2008

Well another year gone, another one begun. I now can say my Sailor will be home "this year", however, that still seems a long way off.

We had a nice Christmas, despite the fact that Al's away. He called and talked to us on Christmas day. We also went and had Christmas dinner at our friends' place. We went to Al's father's for Boxing Day dinner, then on the 27th, dinner at another family's place from church. Then on the 28th we went to Doaktown to spend some time with the Leas. I was SO happy to spend time with Lois. I miss her so much. It was great! We intended to come home on New Year's Eve, but seeing as we were in the middle of New Brunswick, we kinda got snowed in, so we came home yesterday.

I hope that everyone had a great Christmas, and I wish you all the best in 2008!

Love to everyone...

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

Bells Will Be Ringing

OP Altair Strike Force

O Bells will be ringing

this sad sad sad news

Oh what a Christmas

to have the blues

Al in Gibraltar

My baby's gone

I have no friends

To wish me greetings

once again

Al in Gibraltar

O Choirs will be singing

Silent Night

Al in Egypt

Christmas carols
by candle light

Al in Egypt

Please come home for Christmas
Please come home for Christmas

Al in Egypt

If not for Christmas

Al in Egypt

by New Years night

Al in Egypt

Al in Egypt

Friends and relations
Send salutations

Sure as the stars shine up above

Al in Egypt

But this is Christmas

Yeah, it's Christmas my dear

It's the time of year
to be with the one you love

Al in Egypt

So won't you tell me
You'll never more roam
Christmas and the New Year
Will find you home

There`ll be no more sorrow

No grief and pain

And I'll be happy, happy, once again

Some of the crew of HMCS Charlottetown on the Flight Deck

There be no more sorrow

No grief and pain

It'll be a happy, Christmas,

once again

Merry Christmas from the SUP guys on HMCS Charlottwetown

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

(Bells Will Be Ringing - The Eagles)