Backs and Backpacks

I hurt my back again. Some of you may remember I was off work for 3 months last year about this time with a back strain. It was not fun at all. Lots of physio, chiropractic care, massage therapy and tylenol 3's, along with some rest, and by just after Christmas I was back to work full time. Well, I did it again. Not painting this time, moving. I think I overdid it. It's just such bad timing. I moved things on Friday, Saturday, Monday, and today, lifted both items and people, and did more than I should have. I was feeling ok though, so I figured I was good. I was still lifting less than I used to. Apparently I have turned into a wuss. Rich is back to work tomorrow and Thursday so now the rest of the packing is my responsibility. Pray it gets better quickly. I have taken some advil, stretched and iced, hopefully that will be enough.

So before I realized I'd hurt my back today (I thought I was sick to my stomach - same thing happened last time), Rich and I took Chewie for a walk to get her nails clipped. We use a gentle leader to walk her which loops over her snout to give us a bit more control of her head. She can still bark, lick, eat, bite, and do all the normal dog things with this on - it's a great tool for training. The other thing we use to walk her is a backpack. For those of you who don't know a ton about dogs, Shepherd's are working dogs and like having a job to do. They also need a ton of exercise. The backpack looks like saddle bags and it's purpose is 2 fold. One, is to give her a job to do. The second is it's more work for her, so it's more tiring. A 45 minute walk with a backpack filled with 10% of her body weight feels like a 90 minute walk, so shes more rested and calm.

So Rich and I are walking her today down Old Ancaster Rd toward Govenor's Rd and across the road is a 4x4 who had stopped and yelled across the road at us. Across the 2 lanes of traffic they tell us what a pretty dog she is (we actually hear this a lot) and asked where we got the backpack. We gave them the website and they proceeded to ask us questions for another 5 minutes or so through the traffic. When they were done they did a Uturn and went back up the hill. We were walking down the hill, so they must have been going up, saw us, made a uturn to go down to find us, then went back up. So crazy what some people will stop for. Most people stop us to ask if there is beer in the backpack. Sorry, just water.

3 more sleeps till the move!

Stuff

So this weekend has felt long. Maybe because I haven't had the regular work week or just because it's been full. I'm getting ready to head off to bed soon and looking forward to a good sleep.

So far since I've been "unemployed" I've been very busy. Last Friday we went up to Alliston to visit my grandparents (Mom's parents) and my aunt and uncle who brought up Chewie's brother Mickey. Along with their other dog Didi they played and played and were exhausted. It was great to see. They both have the same floppy ear and their tongue hangs out the same side. It was fun to see Marma and Poppa and spend some time with them without the whole family around.

Saturday we were off to Toronto to see Spamalot (awesome) with my parents. Chewie came too and we left her with my other grandparents (Dad's parents) for the evening.

Sunday was busy packing and then took a break to go to church. Monday, Tuesday Rich worked, and I think I may have packed a bit, and did a ton of running around. Wednesday, Thursday we had Chewie out a lot, and went to Ikea (wooohoooo love Ikea) and signed our lease, picked up our keys (yaaaayy!). We can start moving stuff in which is great. Friday I went to help Natasha pack and ended up helping Kevin with his futon. Then off the Jeffersons to hang with Madi and Eden for a few hours. Lots of fun. Haven't babysat in a LONG time so this was fun - trying to remember what it was like! Today I helped Natasha finish packing and moving. It was a quick, easy move, which is always good. I hope ours is that quick.

Now it's only 6 days till our move. Getting close. We have such a busy week ahead. Rich is working Sunday, Monday night from 7pm-4am, Wed, Thurs days, and then the move is Friday. Wednesday night I'm off to the back to school party at the cafe, and then Thursday we have a wedding rehersal. Rich is the best man so we have to go. So don't have time! Saturday we have the wedding and we have to drive the bride and groom back to their hotel so we will be out super late. Hopefully we can get a good amount of unpacking done Sunday.

Thank you to everyone who has said they are helping. It's such a huge help you have no idea how much we appreciate it.

Feel productive and like I accomplished something helping Natasha pack today and seeing her place getting cleared out. I feel like I should be done moving now! 6 more days. 6 more sleeps and then in the new place yaaayyy!

What to do with a wedding dress

Question for all you crafty people:

I'm looking for things to do with my wedding dress. I've read pillows, photo album covers, purses, christening dresses, and quilts. I can't see selling it and I'm not sentimental enough to need to keep it all together but I would like to keep it in some more practical form. (I also think I can only convince to move it once, next time I think he'll hide it on me.) Looking for any suggestions you have - there's a lot of dress to use!

I have 2 sewing machines at my disposal to use now (although I hardly remember how to use them) so all ideas are welcome!

Thanks!

Finished

Well I am done. It's been a very stressful week for me so I haven't posted. But now a major chunk of stress was relieved so I am able to post.

Anyone who reads my blog knows I am going back to school and had applied to reduce to part time hours at work. I was approved a few weeks ago and as recent as last Friday I was sitting with scheduling at my supervisors prompting to hammer out my vacation and schedule for the coming year. Most of you also know Rich and I are moving on the first of September due to reasons beyond our control. I tried to get the 1st off, no go. I said I'd call in personal - gave them plenty of advance notice, and take the day unpaid. That started a downward spiral that shocked me.

From that point on my supervisor and his superiors began to harrass me about both my move, my attendance, my voice, and many other unfounded things. Rich and I had discussed the possibility of me resigning in the fall (like in October) but hadn't made a decision yet. Then all this happened and I realized they were trying to get rid of me. I stuck it out until yesterday.

The icing on the cake is that I was hauled in yesterday and my part time status was revoked. They said I would have to stay full time. I knew for sure they were trying to get me out. I was forced to sit through the same questions with different people repeatedly, all of them knowing I am having difficulties with my voice again. Rich and I talked and we made a decision. I spoke to the labour board who said I have a good case for constructive dismissal - being forced to quit due to pressure/harrassment and being made uncomfortable. It's the worst working environment I've ever been in. Most people know I hated my job, but this was unbearable.

I drafted my letter of resignation and took it into HR this morning at 9am, and started work. I put my end date as August 31st (two weeks). By 10:30 I had been hauled in and told my offer of resignation was accepted, and that I didn't need to come in any further, but I would be paid in full until the 31st with benefits and complimentary services. I believe they knew they'd forced me out and didn't want me telling anyone else what they'd done to me. I also had such a bad feeling about all this I fully expected to get fired (without grounds mind you - they've never even so much as written me up or given me an official verbal warning for anything) so I cleaned out my drawer. I had almost nothing to take today, and off I went.

Everyone was a bit shocked. It was kinda funny to watch actually. The supervisors looked smug until they heard people saying "make sure you go to the labour board" and things like that. I also took in an extra copy of my 4 page letter of resignation and dropped it on a friends desk. I'm sure it will circulate quite quickly. I'll see some of them again, some I won't, some I don't want to.

So it's weird. I am home now - officially unemployed. This will ensure we have a fabulous move of course, I have no excuse but to be super prepared, and we'll save some gas money over the next few weeks. I almost feel like I was fired, I am upset I knew they wanted me out. It's awkward. But I know I resigned, and why, and they can think what they want that makes them sleep better at night. I did get a few good shots in at them while I was there. In one conversation my supervisor suggested Rich move on his own, and I told him I thought that was inappropriate. I said "You'd never ask your wife to pack up your house and home and move all by herself". He said "no but I've had to ask her to do things without me because of my job before because I have to prioritize". So I calmly said "well I prioritize differently, I have chosen to prioritize my marriage above my job". He looked a bit stunned. Woohoo go me! So I do feel weird, but God knows what's best for me right?

Hope all is well with everyone. 3 days till Spamalot!

Shiny new Mac and Chicken

So I got my Mac. I love it. It is SO easy to use and so pretty. I love it.

Packing is going pretty well. We have 30 boxes done, but its been a bit stalled since the arrival of my mac yesterday.

Tomorrow I am going to have a good day. Doing fun things with Natasha and fun things with just me. Looking forward to it.

My chicken. It is so cool. I made my first roast chicken a few weeks ago and I am very proud of it. I took pictures cause no one was there to gush. I finally have the pic uploaded so I can post now.

Off to explore my Mac!

Moving, Ipods and the Lamp

Yesterday was a busy day. I had to get up early and wait for the delivery of our washing machine which we won't use until we move. The guys put it in the living room. I think they were a bit confused as to why, but they did.

Then the delivery guy came with the replacement Ipod that we'd sent away to be repaired. It was a Christmas gift from Rich but as I was getting a free one with my Mac if they were able to fix it he could have his own. They sent a brand new one.

Then we found out we got our number one choice for a house! It's a townhouse in Stoney Creek that is larger than where we are now. Very cool. We called and they told us we were accepted. Then came the drafting of the email to the old landlord to tell them we were leaving. They were cool, and as long as we get our August rent back we should be good.

On that note, we have to be out Friday, September 1st. If there is anyone at all that can help us move we would appreciate it so much. Two of our friends that normally are able to help can't, we're worried about being out on time. I promise to be super organized so it's an easy move, and we will have pizza or some other kind of food and alcohol for those who need an incentive! Thanks to anyone who can lend a hand, we would appreciate it so much.

And finally, the lamp. When we were in our apartments up on the mountain I was working on wedding invitations at Rich's place. I used the glass coffee table and put a table lamp right over top of where I was working, and the cord stretched over from the wall. One morning I came in and Rich was gone to work, and the lamp was broken. I felt bad as I'd left it so the cats must have hit the cord and pulled it off the table. I ran out to buy a replacement identical lamp, and told Rich, who was quite understanding.
We were packing on Monday, and he looked at the lamp. He said "If I tell you something will you promise not to get mad?" I said "no". He said "I broke the lamp". He broke it. And when I called him all apologetic he said NOTHING. I felt SO bad. What a turkey.

Pretty, shiny new computer!

I got a Mac. Well, I ordered a Mac. I ordered it with a guy in California this week, and it went immediately from China to Alaska. Now I am waiting with bated breath!

I got the student discount (yaaaayy thanks for telling me Krista!) and then the free Ipod as well. That has already been shipped. The Airport was shipped the next day (the little wireless router thingy - Chris told me to get it and I listened - thanks Chris!), and the the laptop was shipped yesterday!!! The only piece yet to be shipped is the mouse - the new wireless mouse - it doesn't even have one of those little tails they normally have! And it has a 360 degree scrolly button.

So I'm super excited, hopefully my new toy will be here soon!

Moving

So we're moving. So frustrating! We like our house and Dundas and the chances of staying in Dundas are slim. Also, with me starting school in a month it's a lousy time to move. It would be even lousier if we moved during school, but starting to look now we still could be. Also, we bought a dryer in February and we JUST bought a washing machine. No idea how that's going to work renting another house.

It's been a stressful week. For all those I have neglected to call (Natasha, Talie) and for those who emailed that I have yet to email back (Carolynn), and all those blogs I haven't commented on, I am sorry. I have thank you notes for some of you here also, but have either forgotten them at home, or haven't seen you to give them to you yet and I apologize.

So the packing begins. It will be much harder to find a houset his time with Chewie. Please pray we find one soon, as we'd like to get moved before the school year if possible.

On top of everything that has happened, on the hottest day of the year so far, we had to return the air conditioner we'd borrowed. Packing in 40 degree heat....fun!

Hope everyone is having a better summer than we are, and anyone who is reading this (and especially to my wonderful hubby) thanks for putting up with my complaining.