Oh my goodness, so much has happened since last June! Too much to get in to, really, but if you know me, you already know everything. With this being said, I will just hit the highlights...
Posting Season sucked, with many of our friends getting posted away. The first time we have really been hit.
I am taking a course through NSCC's Virtual Campus. Medical Laboratory Assistant. Had good marks first term - 87%, 87%, 92%, & 93%.
I had the chance to go to Toronto to see Al, and to visit with our friend Abby while the Charlottetown was on her Great Lakes trip. That was lots of fun.
We have decided to abandon Hillside, and take the plunge into Deep Water, in the hope that our teenagers would be more apt to heed - at least pay attention to! - sermons from someone they like (and the fact that MY friends are there, really is just an added bonus!)
Christmas was nice, and we had a fun New Years snow-bound in Malcolm's cabin!
I have a new job. I am Cash Supervisor at Shopper's Drug Mart on Mumford Road.
Now we are current. Al is away right now, thankfully it is only a few days' trip. He'll be home tomorrow - only, except the storm is coming TODAY! It figures...
I just wanted to update, I am going to try to update more frequently. Now it is time to get ready for work.
I have been waiting til I had lots of time so I could update this properly, but it does not appear that that is going to happen, so here is the short version.
Al is home, safe and sound.
We went to the UK, and are home safe and sound.
That about sums it up.
Al - very happy to see us, before they were allowed off the ship. They let the guy whose baby was born while he was away off first so he could meet his son. I thought it was horrible of the Navy to not let him go home - til Al told me he CHOSE to not go home...
La Familia - together again!
The newest addition. Why didnt' they let Al off first to meet his new baby?
Al and his Dad. Wayne and Linda came down to be there when the ship came in. We went for breakfast at Smitty's then we headed off to Moncton for a few days.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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...
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 leskidlettes!) 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}
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.
This is the song that we are singing in Church tomorrow for Easter. Happy Easter everyone.
So, 1 month, 2 weeks, and 1 day til my deployed sailor gets home. It is getting close, and I can't wait! 46 days... YAHOO!
Work is going well. I told the DM that I was ready to be promoted now. She never answered me...
Horatio is doing well. Not so well with the potty training, but it is hard with the kids not really paying attention when I am at work. I hope that it doesn't make it impossible to train him...
Kids are...kids. They want Daddy to come home. And they want school to be over. And they want the snow to go away. Sounds like what we all want.
The calendar says it is Spring. But all that white stuff out there makes it very difficult to believe!
I went up to see Lois last weekend, which was awesome. I sang "Via Dolorosa" in church there. I think I did OK, made a few "I'm Kinda Nervous" mistakes, bit overall not bad. I love Lois. I wish they could move back...
After church tomorrow we are going to Al's father's for Easter dinner, which is nice, but it would be so much nicer to be able to spend time with just them, but Al's sister and their 5 kids will be there too. Going to be pretty chaotic with 8 kids in the house... It usually is. My kids are staying over night at Grandma and Grandpa's, and they are bringing them home Monday when I get off work. That will be nice. Be even nicer if I didn't have to work and could actually enjoy the break... Oh well...
So now I am waiting for Sandy to get here. She is coming down to go shopping and she should be here any time now.
I colored my hair this morning - "Light Ash Brown". I now have no gray! YAY!
Everyone around me is getting sick with that sore throat. I HOPE I don't get it. I do not have time to be sick.
Horatio is learning how to sing. It is pretty cute!
Well, I guess that is all for today. I am pretty boring, I know...
1) "1 month and 4 weeks til my deployed sailor comes home" - Isn't 1 month and 4 weeks actually 2 months?
*edited to say: HOW did it go from "1 MONTH and 4 WEEKS", TO "1 MONTH, 3 WEEKS, and 6 DAYS" in the time it took to post????*
2) I am finished cleaning for tonight. I have a (somewhat) sparkling kitchen, and a "sanitary" bathroom (the floors can wait).
3) I like my job. Time to get promoted I think...
4) Having a sweet-tooth and nothing sweet is a BAD combination!
5) I like my new yellow bra. I think it is the nicest, comfy~est bra I have ever owned!
6) I do NOT like the smell of the cream stuff that I have to clean the top of my stove with. EW, it is on my hands and won't wash off!
7) I am VERY glad to announce that I have places for all 3 of the kidlettes for when my Sailor~Man and I go to the UK.
8) I am VERY excited that my Sailor~Man and I are going to the UK.
9) I am ECSTATIC that my Sailor~Man and I are going to the UK - KIDLET~LESS!
10) I want my new tattoo before we go to the UK, but if I get it, then we will have that much less money to do things there. I guess Scott isn't going anywhere.
11) "1 month and 4 weeks" is actually 58 days.
12) My first closing shift is tomorrow night. This morning I learned how to open.
13) Ibitz just signed on MSN - so did Tanya. I wonder who will be the first to comment on my blog? Anyone wish to make a wager?
14) I am CERTAIN that there is a dining room table under that mess somewhere. I KNOW there is! I can see the table legs!
But not to Greece - I have two tickets to the UK. We are flying into London, renting a car, then driving around England, Scotland and Ireland. It just sounds glorious! I can't wait.
This seems to be a lot less stressful than trying to plan a trip to Greece. I would like to go to Greece someday, but sometime when we have more money and more time.
Al's been busy on the ship catching smugglers, rescuing people... There are lots of stories about them online. Just Google "HMCS Charlottetown" under the NEWS heading for Google and you will be able to read what they have been up to. Al is on the Boarding Party so he was involved in at least SOME of these operations. He said, "The Charlottetown has really gone above and beyond what other Cdn ships have done over here." You can tell that he is proud to be serving, and I am so very proud of him.
February has flown by. So fast that I didn't even get to have a "Thank GOD January is OVER" party! Now lets hope the next 2 months go by just as quickly.
For those of you who do not yet know, I am working for Cotton Ginny again. And I still love it. I didn't think I would remember things (ie: paperwork things) from the last time I worked there when we lived in Moncton, but it is coming back to me.
I guess that is all for tonight. Time for a shower and bed.
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!
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...
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...
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.
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!
