Castles and Working

A few people have told me it's been a while since I'd blogged and I didn't realize how long till today. So here's what's happening:I'm exhausted. Worked overtime this week which basically means I'm working every day between April 17 and April 27, so 11 days in a row and then I have a 3 day weekend. I don't think I'm going to make it to church tomorrow.

The only reason I'm awake now is when Rich is on nights and I'm working the puppy is in her crate more so I try and give her as much time out after I come home before I go to bed. I only got home from the castle (see picture) a while ago so I'm giving her some play time.

We had a great Easter. Very relaxing. Very nice change of pace. We brought Gary home with us and he stayed for half the week, then went to London to visit his friend.

A girl came to the door Thursday evening canvassing for the Cancer Society. I was holding Chewie's collar who was straining a bit to get out but was being quiet. She was good until this poor girl who looked about 15 reached out to hand me the brochure, at which point Chewie decided to show her who was boss. The girl gasped and threw her papers in the air. It was hilarious. I assured her Chewie would not hurt her, she was still a puppy. She said she had a big dog too so she wasn't scared, just startled. It was funny. I went to bed around 11 that night and around 12:30 Rich came home from work. Some watchdog. Rich got in the bedroom before Chewie even noticed.

So today I worked, went to a friend's baby shower, then went to Uxbridge. The castle is in Uxbridge. My younger brother Gary was (is) on a tv show called TQ on CTS. It's a kids show - kind of like a religious Sesame Street. Anyway they had their final cast party at his cohost Shauna's house....I mean castle. Gary asked me to come (read drive him to the party) as the family was invited. So off we went to meet Mom, Dad and Ian who had come in from Kingston (Talie stayed at home with her boyfriend). Apparently Shauna's Dad was one of the inventors of the GPS tracking system. The man who founded Magna International Inc bought a development of land in Uxbridge. He bought 50 acres of land and built his home (and lake and pond) on it. He finished the home in December of 1991 and sadly, he died January 14, 2002, never living long enough to enjoy his home. So 6 years ago Shauna's family purchased it. They named it Blythaven which means basically a "joyful place of refuge". The house is gorgeous. I've never been somewhere so overwhelming that "normal" people live in. They were very kind and generous, completely unpretentious - the exact opposite of what you think when you drive by those enormous homes. They have an elevator that can take you between 4 of the 5 floors, winding staircases, beautiful tapestries and draperies. They have a prayer room in the top of one of the turrets that has a window facing all 4 directions. They have a board room, a soundproof "quiet" room for their kids to hang, a theatre, a recital room (loved that one), innovations room, and even a Fantasy room. They open their home to many churches and business that may want a change of scenery for a board meeting. Mom walked around with her camera as they are hoping their office will be able to go back at some point.

During dinner I asked their Dad if he knew how many doors there were in the place. He said he wasn't sure so after dinner Ian and I counted. We got to 71. They had pretty much the whole home open for us to come and go as we pleased but I don't know if we went everywhere. They even had a sauna room. So cool. We watched a dvd that Gary and Shauna did - a sort of blooper reel from TQ. Very cute. We all got a copy and they sent us home with Candy shish kabobs. Her dad also handed me the brochure they have on their home which explains the history. They even had mints all over with Blythaven on the wrapper. It was quite an experience. It was an enjoyable evening, got to see the fam again, but I'm exhausted. Chewie has finally stopped pacing so I'm off to bed to prep for another long day at work. 

I AM that girl.

So a woman calls in yesterday and says I was disconnected cause I didn't pay my bill. I said yup. She explains how she hasn't worked in a while so they have one income only, and that she was struggling to pay her VERY expensive bill. Now the bill wasn't a lot when you compare it to the ones I look at every day, but it was a bit much. She of course blamed the company. I explained how her bill did not need to be that high - she didn't NEED the extra $19 pack she had on there, she didn't NEED the internet as fast as it was. In less than a minute I showed her how she could retain almost everything she had and save $35/month. She didn't care. She wanted to know how to reconnect her services.

I explain how. She says I am mean and don't understand (don't care was more the correct term - I hear that so many times a day you start to not believe people). Anyway she yells and I wait till she's done and then ask if she wants me to reconnect her or not. She says no and slams down the phone. So I turn to some coworkers, tell them our little story, and take my next call.

About a half an hour later I get another call. Same woman. She explains that she wasn't very nice to the last rep she spoke to and she's been lying on the couch for 30 minutes feeling bad. She says the rep didn't understand her and she does owe her an apology but thinks she was lying to her. So she asks how to get reconnected. I give her the SAME info, in the same voice as the last time I spoke to her and at the end she say "you are so much nicer than that last girl and this info sounds right - I don't think she knew what she was doing". I said "ma'am, I AM that last girl".

Silence.

So funny. She then tried to back peddle with a bunch of excuses and apologies.

Can't wait till I'm teaching instead.

Another thing. I had a loan for my car. Paid off the loan (with another loan) to close out the account. I did this mid March. March 29th another withdrawl came out of my account to pay for my loan which was paid in full. I call the bank. Why did you take money? The girl says to me "did you tell us not to?". Ummm no, I figured cause I don't owe you you'd stop taking my money. Girl says "oh no, not until you tell us to stop". I said ok stop. She says "no you have to come in and tell us".

Good Lord.

Off to the bank to tell them to stop then off to work on paper work for school! I love filling out forms. I know I'm a nerd.

Oh and finally, Pop Shoppe Floats from Freeway rock. Brilliant idea.

Life no longer sucks!

Those of you who know me even a bit know that one of my main "life sucks" issues is my job. I really do not enjoy it. I am thankful for it, however I would love to just quit. Life no longer sucks because that is now a possibility!

I applied to a few schools to do my Bachelor of Education so I could actually do something with my music degree. I was 100% sure I would not get in. I worked full time while attending university full time, and worked part time on the side. Needless to say, my marks were not stellar. I've always loved teaching though and figured I'd regret it forever if I didn't at least try. So after getting rejected from my fall back schools on Monday (which prompted me to write life sucks as I could only see an endless career at the black hole that is my job), I was a bit down.

Today, my wonderful husband, checked online for me when I asked him to check the status of the other school I applied to. This was the one I figured would be the hardest to get in to. Took the most prep work and needed higher grades.

I got in! So starting September 2006 I will be enrolling at the University of Toronto to pursue my Bachelor of Education degree!!!!! When completed, I will be able to teach high school music and history and possibly more. I am so excited.

It will be stressful as far as finances and time with my hubby, but it's temporary. Nine months or so of school and with any luck by September 2007 I will be teaching, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there!

For all of you who were praying and keeping fingers crossed for me, thank you.

Off to bed to dream of producing high school productions of Spamalot!

Life Sucks

Sometimes life just sucks. Sucks so much you feel like crawling into bed and doing nothing or starting at the tv.

That's how I feel today. Bad news sucks even when you expect it. Work sucks even when you are optimistic.

My knee still hurts.

Stuff

My knee hurts. I actually think it hurts worse now. I walked around the ROM on Friday and then around the Dundas Conservation park on Saturday with Chewie which maybe wasn't a good idea.

I stole Margie's ticker from her blog. Sort of looking forward to surgery. Still nervous, but anxious as well.

Do not want to go back to work tomorrow.

Last day of vacation. We've had cadets all weekend so when we get done here today we'll be going home and spending some time together as it's our last time for a while. We won't see all your Freewayers for a few more days.

Rich and I are looking for someone to trade with or to take our nursery rotation on Easter Sunday. If anyone is willing please please please let me know. We are going to Kingston to be with my family for the weekend so we're looking for someone to cover or swap with. Thanks to anyone who can help!

I need new clothes. I need pretty much everything. Almost everything I own is falling apart. Rich let me go buy new shoes which were also desperately needed. Awesome deal at Old Navy though - 2 pairs of flip flops for $8.

Sister is moving out today.

Should really be doing work at this point.

Knee still hurts.

Chewie started to eat my comforter. We had a little talk about not chewing Mommy's things. I think we came to an understanding.

My hubby is the best.

Back to work now.