New friends and missing bras

So some of you know I seriously question my social skills. I have a hard time actually getting off my butt and going out where I am out of my comfort zone. Last night was Sarah's Magic Birthday party and when I looked at who responded they were going and realized I knew pretty much no one I was all set to not go. I've been challenged by a few people including my hubby to get out there and make friends. So mustering up all my courage I showered, did my hair, pulled out some non wrinkled clothes, and got ready to go.

Now another thing some of you know is I am scheduled for a breast reduction surgery the end of May. As it's only 3 months away, and my bras currently cost a minimum of $100/each, I'd bought two in my new size and can't justify $100 for another one for three months. So I have 2 bras, one comfy, one not so comfy. The comfy one has been MIA for a couple weeks now, which has been annoying considering bras can't go in the dryer for one, and it's the comfy one that is missing.

So how does this fit in to my story? Well you see I looked around for bra #2. It was no where. I retraced my steps, got up, went to Costco with Rich, came back, took off bra, went to washroom, helped put away Costco items, and that was it. Now, 7 hours later, the bra is gone. I mean completely and totally gone. I feel completely stupid now as I call Sarah and explain, who of course laughs (which is what I would have done) at what is probably the dumbest excuse in the world for not coming to a party. Needless to say I never made it.

Now on an upnote, the bra did resurface at 11:30pm on Friday night. It was under a chair which had a blanket over it. I found it when I rescued the cat - Chewie found her and I was rescuing her.

So today, armed with bra, I went to help Sarah move. Again I was nervous - I've known Sarah for a bunch of years now but I wasn't sure who else would be there. Off I go to what was easily the fastest and easiest move ever (thanks Sada!) and check out the new pad. Coolest place ever! Dave and Sarah have the coolest basement apartment I've ever seen! So after the moving is done, Sarah invites me back for dinner and a movie which I of course sort of accept and decline at the same time because I am afraid of coming back and being stuck in a possibly socially awkward moment (because I'm a pessimist and expect the worst of course). But after a nap and some dinner at home with Rich, I not only muster up the courage, I have my bra, and I go armed with peanut butter rice krispie squares!

So we watched a movie, had some snacks, teased Sarah for sleeping, and stood in the freezing cold talking. It was so nice to be out. Although I've been in Hamilton almost 2 years now I really haven't made an effort to meet people or go out - I've been with Rich and his family or friends, so there was no need. But Pernell did challenge us to develop community, and I know it's what I've been missing. It makes my completely crappy job slightly less crappy!

Now it is 10 to 2 in the morning, I am home from my evening'o'fun, and ready to climb into bed with Chewie who as I type this has been mysteriously quiet. I hope Rich's slippers are still there.

So thank you to Rich for encouraging me to go, Pernell for challenging me and everyone else, and especially to Jen, Nick, Dave and Sarah for being the coolest people ever! You definitely made my weekend!

Nursery and Long Weekends

I am off for the weekend and it's only Wednesday! I'm so excited! Rich and I actually have a full day off tomorrow together - that happens about 3 times a month - if we're lucky.

We did the nursery again on Sunday and it's so much fun. The kids are so good and way too freaking cute. This week we had Ethan, Eden, Zoe, Paige, Jacob, Madison, and even Chloe for a while.
Susan rescued us and stayed with Ethan for most of the night so we didn't have him for too long, but I think he's warming up to us!
Zoe is quite the little entertainer. She set up all the chairs for everyone and performed a puppet show that she'd written the script for, directed, and did all the parts! Barney and Minnie were the two protagonists and they were fabulous. She was also instrumental in cleaning up. I told the kids that once the puppets and books were picked up we could have snack. She said "ok let's go people" and made sure everyone was helping, and announced each item she was putting away. She is definitely going to be in show business someday.
Eden plopped herself on our laps whenever we sat down with a book - at one point I had four kids on my lap, and she was trying to be the fifth. It was so funny - she had a look of confidence like there is no way I am not going to get on this lap too.
Jacob was great at entertaining Eden when she wasn't reading - they played under the slide for quite a while. Every once and a while a voice would come out "I'm stuck.....no I'm not". He also invited everyone to come play at his house after church! Very hospitable!
Madi was hilarious. This was my first experience with Arnold. I've read a lot about her, but never actually watched it first hand. I called her Marnold for half the evening, and she'd remind me when I was wrong. She came over at one point and said she no longer wanted the barrett in her hair. It was a bobby pin and I offered to take it out. She said no she could do it. And she did. Not sure why I was informed about the process, but I was!
Paige always cracks me up. She is so sophisticated. Very well spoken and quite a handy girl in the kitchen. Rich has never eaten so well! We've had eggs, toast, cereal - Rich even had his first tea party the first time we did the nursery. She makes sure we are all eating well during nursery.
We both love all the kids, but Rich will tell you Chloe is his favorite. He is so happy to get Chloe time every week and Carolynn and Marshall are so accommodating when it comes to giving up their baby from time to time. We got Chloe part way through the evening, and she fussed a bit when Rich had her so of course he passed her off to me. I played with her and got her to smile and she was all good.
Then Rich LEFT ME and went to the washroom. I could not believe it. Now I know there were grownups around, but he LEFT ME ALL BY MYSELF with all these munchkins. I survived, but he did leave me.

We did have a great time though - all the kids are so good it's "almost" easy!

Now we're off to puppy school! So much easier than nursery!

Check out Rich's letter to the editor here!

So tempting

Things that are tempting:

1) Surplus. The opportunity to go home early without pay because there are hardly any customers calling in.
2) PopShoppe
3) Chocolate
4) Regular Pop

I'm very hungry. Looking forward to time out with work friends tonight and my hubby. Did I mention he got me a beautiful white gold, ruby bracelet with diamond chips in it for Valentines Day? Isn't he the best! I got him slippers. I suck! For a wedding present he got me a ruby earring and necklace set with a ruby and diamond ring AND tickets to see Wicked! You know what I got him? A plastic cow. He likes cows they make him laugh. But still. So I'm feeling like the poopy wife with no money cause my hubby keeps spending it! But I love him to death he's such a sweetie.

Back to work. Still want a PopShoppe. Or a Coke. Dieting sucks.

Nothing to Blog about.....

I don't think I really have anything to blog about. I just feel as though I've been neglecting my blog life. I'm nervous to go to frwy tomorrow for a few reasons. I'm not looking forward to weigh in. Rich and I have both had our gym bags packed and ready to go all week. Something keeps happening. Tuesday was our first night we were all packed up and ready to go after cadets. But the meeting ran until almost 11...by that time I had a migraine. Rich had been up since 4:30am I'd been up since 6. We just needed sleep. We've been eating better, but the whole week has been like that as far as work out plans. So frustrating. Today I have to wait for the electrician but maybe I'll try and take Chewie for a walk.

Second I have to admit I'm a bit nervous to find out who got the cafe manager job. I have no idea why. I'm sure everyone involved picked a wonderful person who will be great at the job. I thought about applying for the job - I thought it'd be great fun, something you could take pride in, and something I'd be good at. I can manage, and I can train, but I know for a fact I can't network. I also can't lift right now. Every time I thought about applying my stomach flipped over. I prayed about it, and it did not seem like the right thing for me. I also didn't want to get rejected by people I know! But even though I knew I was not the right person for the job, I'm jealous of whoever is. I know that's terrible. I think I'm more jealous of someone getting a job they will love. I still hate mine. It used to be so easy for me to get a job. I remember getting 4 or 5 job offers in one day one time. Now, I'm either over or under qualified for everything. What was I thinking? What does a Music Degree get you? A job at a call center. Woohoo.

My weeks consist of looking forward to spending time with Rich and looking forward to Frwy. When we're there we have fun. When we're not there I worry about whether or not I am any good at making friends. I worry about saying something to someone that may hurt them. I made a comment to Margie before church last Sunday that did not come out the way it was intended, then I sat there so upset and worrying through the whole meeting. I waited anxiously till she was done talking so I could tell her what I really meant. I love Margie she's great. I admire her so much. I'm so glad she understood what I was trying to say.

I finally have a project other than looking for a job. Dad takes people to jail with him and they use this 2" thick binder of music when they go. The problem is it's all one part or just for piano. He wants me to arrange it for four parts. I love arranging. I know I'm a geek. I'm not great at composing, but arranging I can do. That was one of my favorite parts of university. It's going to take forever to do the whole binder but I'm really looking forward to it.

Must go put on the dishwasher and get ready for the electrician. Yaaaayyy we'll have a dryer soon! No more crusty clothes!

I guess I did have a few things to blog about.

Training Chewie

We took Chewie to obedience school on Friday and she was terrible. So much worse than the week before. It felt worse than it was I think because we wanted her to do so well. Rich and I were both sick this week so not as much training happened so it wasn't really her fault. Little things she was perfect at before (like sit) Rich had to place her in that position instead of letting her go on her own. Down was super hard. When she doesn't go, we are supposed to pull down on her collar slightly and put a bit of pressure between her shoulder blades and push her off balance a bit, so she goes down on her own.

Anyway this worked in class ok but we know she can do it on her own she was just being stubborn. I was expressing frustration during the weekend that she has stopped listening to me as well as she does to Rich. He said to make sure she knew I was boss - don't give her a command unless I can follow through and make her obey it if she doesn't. So yesterday I was being a bit more assertive. If she didn't sit I placed her in her sit, told her she was good and on with my day. Last night we were having forced interaction with Chewie and the cats. We throw them in a room with no escape and let them duke it out. Hours of entertainment. We actually just want them to tolerate each other. Chewie gets a few swats on the nose from the cats but when they don't move she flops and sleeps. As soon as they move they are toys to chase, she runs, they run, on it goes.

So Chewie was getting tired out and we had all three of them in the living room with us. We wanted to work on some training while she was distracted. So I went over and said "Chewie sit". She sat. "Down". Nothing. "Chewie look at me." She did. "Down". Chewie looked at the cats. This went on a couple times and I was getting frustrated. Rich said to try what they'd told us in class. So I did. I grab the part of her collar I'm supposed and try to lead her down and push her off balance a bit. She's like a rock. She will not move. It's like having a toddler that is Superman. Finally I get her head so it's a half inch from the ground, but she's so stubborn she will not lie down. So she starts to fight. We wrestle for probably 5 minutes. I'm exhausted - she's way stronger than I am. But when I look, she's lying down. I start to bawl. I think I must have hurt her. Rich says she's ok but I figure she'll hate me. I pet her for a long time telling her she's good as I cry. She must think I'm nuts. I tell her "Ok" and up she gets. We play for a minute, then I say down again. Nothing. We go through the whole routine again, I'm still crying, only now I have rug burn on my knuckles. She's finally down. Rich gives me treats and I work on down a bunch more times with food.

A while later he takes Chewie downstairs to do some laundry and she goes to her usual terrorizing the cats position. I say "Chewie here". She comes! Shocking! I say sit, she sits. Now for the test. "Chewie down!". Down she goes. I am so happy! I still think she hates me though.

This morning I woke up and called Chewie up to the bed. She happily did and licked me to death. All is well with the world, she still loves me. My knuckles are still sore, but Chewie loves me and I think is listening a bit better. If training a puppy is this hard, how many kazillion times harder will it be when we have kids?!

Chewie

 

Blogging Fun from Natasha

1. Take your blog username and replace each letter with the corresponding number (A=1, B=2, &c.)
Jaci

2. Add all of the numbers together to create a kind of super number.
23

3. Make a note of the first digit of this number, then add the digits of the number together.
5

4.Find the post of this number in your Blog. If you don't have that many posts, add the digits together again. Keep doing so until the number is smaller than your pathetic number of posts.
Jan 23

5. Take the digit you noted in step 3, and count that many words into the post and bold them.
"I"

6. Use the resulting word in a Google Image Search, and select a picture from the first page.

See my picture Here