Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Pete and I are enjoying just relaxing for now. We leave Friday morning for CT. A long weekend with his family. His cousin is getting married on Sunday. While we are there we are meeting with the photographer to order all the wedding photos. It will be good to finally have all the wedding stuff done.
Our weekend in pictures...
Pete sleeping during the day on the couch. Amazing...he never naps.
Zora sleeping. No big surprise, its all she does.
Pete foraging for food before we had gone grocery shopping. That is the snack cabinet.
Taken at the same time as the one above..Zora drooling over the thought of food being touched. She seems to have the ability to see through sofas and walls to see food.
Our weekend in pictures...
Pete sleeping during the day on the couch. Amazing...he never naps.
Zora sleeping. No big surprise, its all she does.
Pete foraging for food before we had gone grocery shopping. That is the snack cabinet.
Taken at the same time as the one above..Zora drooling over the thought of food being touched. She seems to have the ability to see through sofas and walls to see food.
FL Trip
After company left Pete and I had a relaxing weekend. The following Monday I left for FL. I was going to visit my grandparents. Trying to be frugal, I found that I could take the train from here to Tampa for only $42. A bargain, how could I resist. It turned out to be the trip from hell. Pete drove me to the station. It ended up being very ghetto. Upon arriving, we learned that the train was a hour late. No problem. A quick call for Dana to let the dog out and Pete sat with me til the train got there. When I booked the ticket, I had this vision that the train would be empty and relaxing. Think again. When I got on, it was packed and we had assigned seats. I was sitting next to a man whos teeth decided not to make the trip with him. At this point it is 10:15 pm and I was getting tired. The man next to me had the window and went right off to sleep. I on the other hand could not get comfortable. After a while I figured out how to make my seat go back and fell asleep. I woke up at 6 to find out that overnight we had stopped on the tracks due to a power failure and now we were running 5 and a half hours late. Ugg. I tried to keep positive and napped and read the morning away. To make up for the delay Amtrak gave us a wonderful boxed lunch, a sandwich that hadn't seen the light of day in awhile, chips and a soda. Non diet soda. Not thinking I threw the soda in my bag. (remember this fact it does come back to haunt me later) Around 1, we hear parts of an announcment. It included the words Tampa, luggage, and Winterhaven. I immediately was interested because I was heading to Tampa. I had to go find an Amtrak worker that knew what was going on. Harder than you would think. I learned that to save time they were letting all the people going to Tampa off in Winterhaven and bussing them to Tampa. Fine whatever. At this point I just want to get to my grandmother's. About an hour later, they changed thier mind. Tampa people are getting off in Orlando. In Orlando, the weather was killer. The bus was there, but the driver would not let anyone on. Finally I got fed up and told some Amtrak worker to let us on. There were about 25 people on the entire bus. Everyone could have had thier own row. Damn my mom for raising me polite. An elderly woman asks if she can sit next to me. I spend the next hour squished against a window listening to her about how the train delay was a terrorist plot and the Iranians were behind it. Some people. In the middle of it all, I feel something wet by my feet. I thought that maybe my water bottle cap came off. Nope, no such luck. Remember that coke can. Big hole poked in it by the battery charger. Coke everywhere and I have no where to go. The old woman just goes on about the terrorist. We finally get to the train station and things start to look up. There are a couple car companies that pick up there. No such luck though. Not mine. I took a hot taxi with a woman who didnt speak English through Tampa rush hour toward the car rental place. It was near the airport but not at the airport. She didnt listen to me when I told her to turn and she ended up taking into the airport and got us yelled at by 2 cops. I finally find the shuttle to the car place and rent my car. I had to upgrade cuz the car they were going to give me was the size of a match box. 6 pm and finally on my way to my grandmothers. Had my directions and they led me on a toll road. I had to run the toll cuz I had to change, there was noone there and a line of cars was behind me. Should be a nice ticket when it comes. Finally got to my grandmother's. She had a great dinner waiting and it was nice to finally be there.
The rest of the week was nice. I got to talk to my grandmother and learn alot about the family I didn't know. We, meaning I and she watched, packed up her china. We visited my grandfather in the nursing home. Such a depressing place. The first day we got there he was laid curled up in the fetal position in his bed. It killed me. He can't walk very well anymore and he didnt know who I was. He rediscovered that I was related to him every 10-15 minutes. The place he is at seems nice. They have activites and they people are nice.
There was this one nurse's aide that my grandmother talked to the first day. Young guy, not really attractive, but was nice to my grandmother. She was complimenting him on his new look. The next day when we got there, he found us again and told my grandmother that he would get my grandfather up for us. Apparently in the 8 months that my grandfather has been in the home that was the first time that anyone has ever helped her. She couldnt figure out why, but I think I had. Once my grandfather was up, the nurse's aide was just hanging around and followed us around. It was kinda creepy.
Saying goodbye to my grandfather was the hardest thing because I had this feeling that it would be the last time that I said goodbye to him. It was horrible to have to leave him there.
My trip home was uneventful. I left early in the morning. Ed had given me great directions so the drive was easy. I made it in one day. I only hit traffic in Raleigh. Poor Pete, had to deal with me swearing at all the NC drivers and NC DOT.
It is good to be home though even if only for a little while.
The rest of the week was nice. I got to talk to my grandmother and learn alot about the family I didn't know. We, meaning I and she watched, packed up her china. We visited my grandfather in the nursing home. Such a depressing place. The first day we got there he was laid curled up in the fetal position in his bed. It killed me. He can't walk very well anymore and he didnt know who I was. He rediscovered that I was related to him every 10-15 minutes. The place he is at seems nice. They have activites and they people are nice.
There was this one nurse's aide that my grandmother talked to the first day. Young guy, not really attractive, but was nice to my grandmother. She was complimenting him on his new look. The next day when we got there, he found us again and told my grandmother that he would get my grandfather up for us. Apparently in the 8 months that my grandfather has been in the home that was the first time that anyone has ever helped her. She couldnt figure out why, but I think I had. Once my grandfather was up, the nurse's aide was just hanging around and followed us around. It was kinda creepy.
Saying goodbye to my grandfather was the hardest thing because I had this feeling that it would be the last time that I said goodbye to him. It was horrible to have to leave him there.
My trip home was uneventful. I left early in the morning. Ed had given me great directions so the drive was easy. I made it in one day. I only hit traffic in Raleigh. Poor Pete, had to deal with me swearing at all the NC drivers and NC DOT.
It is good to be home though even if only for a little while.
Back from hiatus.....
Alot has happened in the past couple of weeks, so I am going to put it in a couple of posts. Since it has been a couple of weeks the details may be a little lax. Sorry.
Jesse and Amber got here on Monday midday and we just relaxed that day. We went to the mall and shopped a bit. Pete came home from work and was in a lovely mood, though he was glad that Amber became attached to his big orange fish and that it was finding a new home. He has been after me forever to let him get rid of it. At least now I know it will have a good home, or as good home as one can have when your owner surfs on you.
Tuesday we went to the North Carolina Musuem of Natural Science. It is a free muesuem in Raleigh and it is pretty nice. It is pretty big and takes a couple of hours. Jesse and I learned our favorite fish, the Slippery Dick. I have video of us pretending that we are not adults and we kept making Amber say it. hehe.
Amber is a bright child, so she enjoyed learning about everything.
She is also a huge dinosaur fan. I swear she knows more than most about them.
Wednesday we went to the North Carolina Zoo. I am always looking for an excuse to go. Pete went once when we first moved here and that was enough for him. The day was a little overcast and it rained some in the afternoon, but it was a nice day to go. It was alot of walking, though that didn't faze Amber. She ran or skipped the entire zoo and still had energy. Oh, to be 5 again!
The gorilla that wanted nothing to do with us. He kept turning his back.
A giraffe and ostriches.
Thursday we went to Exploris, which is a kid friendly musuem in Raleigh. While we were there we also saw an IMAX movie. The Ant Bully in 3D. It was really good.
Jesse enjoying the masks from around the world exhibit.
Amber getting lost in the big head.
My favorite exhibit. You were suppose to put the tiles into the side of the scale which you thought they belonged. A benefit or cost of getting a job. In the end it shows that you shouldnt get a job. That there are not enough benefits. Had to take a picture to back up me not working right now.
After the musuem, we went out to Maggiano's for dinner with Garrett and his friends that he was visiting. After that we came back so Jesse could pack. I entertained her and bribed Amber to go to sleep by giving her stuffed animals.
They left bright and early Friday morning and I was sad to see them go. It was so good to hang out with Jesse after all these years and get to see Amber. I hope Jesse's plan works out and then I will get to see them more often. Something to look foward to.
Jesse and Amber got here on Monday midday and we just relaxed that day. We went to the mall and shopped a bit. Pete came home from work and was in a lovely mood, though he was glad that Amber became attached to his big orange fish and that it was finding a new home. He has been after me forever to let him get rid of it. At least now I know it will have a good home, or as good home as one can have when your owner surfs on you.
Tuesday we went to the North Carolina Musuem of Natural Science. It is a free muesuem in Raleigh and it is pretty nice. It is pretty big and takes a couple of hours. Jesse and I learned our favorite fish, the Slippery Dick. I have video of us pretending that we are not adults and we kept making Amber say it. hehe.
Amber is a bright child, so she enjoyed learning about everything.
She is also a huge dinosaur fan. I swear she knows more than most about them.
Wednesday we went to the North Carolina Zoo. I am always looking for an excuse to go. Pete went once when we first moved here and that was enough for him. The day was a little overcast and it rained some in the afternoon, but it was a nice day to go. It was alot of walking, though that didn't faze Amber. She ran or skipped the entire zoo and still had energy. Oh, to be 5 again!
The gorilla that wanted nothing to do with us. He kept turning his back.
A giraffe and ostriches.
Thursday we went to Exploris, which is a kid friendly musuem in Raleigh. While we were there we also saw an IMAX movie. The Ant Bully in 3D. It was really good.
Jesse enjoying the masks from around the world exhibit.
Amber getting lost in the big head.
My favorite exhibit. You were suppose to put the tiles into the side of the scale which you thought they belonged. A benefit or cost of getting a job. In the end it shows that you shouldnt get a job. That there are not enough benefits. Had to take a picture to back up me not working right now.
After the musuem, we went out to Maggiano's for dinner with Garrett and his friends that he was visiting. After that we came back so Jesse could pack. I entertained her and bribed Amber to go to sleep by giving her stuffed animals.
They left bright and early Friday morning and I was sad to see them go. It was so good to hang out with Jesse after all these years and get to see Amber. I hope Jesse's plan works out and then I will get to see them more often. Something to look foward to.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Not much is going on lately, which is why I havent posted. The next couple of weeks are going to be busy. Jesse and her daughter Amber get here tomorrow morning and they are staying til Friday. Amber wants to go to the zoo and I am all for that. I am always looking for an excuse to go the the zoo. After they leave we have a quiet weekend and then I leave for FL. I am driving back, so I hope to be home by the next Sunday. A few days home and we head to CT for Pete's cousin's wedding. Lots to look foward to.
Looking for a house has been put on hold for a few months. Our neighbor wants to put an offer on a house, but she found out that getting out of our lease is expensive. 60 day notice, a month and a half rent on top of that plus paying pack all the consessions on our lease. We talked about it and we will be better off waiting til January or so. That way we can look for something we really want and hopefully be in it by the time our lease is up April 30th. It also gives us time to save more, which is a feat in itself.
Most of my time is used working out, cleaning or playing with Zora. Zora has been spending alot more time with Captain, her boyfriend. He belongs to the neighbor who wants to move, so we have been giving them thier quality time. They are a good source of entertainment.
Thats about it for now. I will try and post this week cuz it is bound to be more exciting.
Looking for a house has been put on hold for a few months. Our neighbor wants to put an offer on a house, but she found out that getting out of our lease is expensive. 60 day notice, a month and a half rent on top of that plus paying pack all the consessions on our lease. We talked about it and we will be better off waiting til January or so. That way we can look for something we really want and hopefully be in it by the time our lease is up April 30th. It also gives us time to save more, which is a feat in itself.
Most of my time is used working out, cleaning or playing with Zora. Zora has been spending alot more time with Captain, her boyfriend. He belongs to the neighbor who wants to move, so we have been giving them thier quality time. They are a good source of entertainment.
Thats about it for now. I will try and post this week cuz it is bound to be more exciting.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
I think that maybe I should limit the amount of Diet Pepsi I drink. It is 2:30 in the morning and I am wired. I should be tired. Damn Diet Pepsi for tasting better than water. There is nothing on TV this early in the morning. I was looking foward to watching a movie I had DVRed, but it wasn't the movie that was recorded. Apparently the station decided to change the programming and leave the title in the guide. Damn VH1.
I got a notice from the State today notifying me that I could withdraw my retirement. I think I might. I have to call to see what the balance is and how much they are going to take for early withdrawal. We could use the money right now. I talked to my mother today and apparently they don't think that my grandfather is going to make it to the end of the year. I need to go see him one more time. Not that he will realize it. He doesn't know who I am anymore. My grandmother was telling him about the wedding and showing him pictures and he had no clue who I was or why she was telling him. I have been lucky so far. I have yet to have any deaths in my family. Anyways, I looked into taking the train there and if I book now for the date when I want to go it will only be $42 one way. Then I would rent a car, visit with my grandparents and then drive home. I would only be driving home because I am inheriting my grandmother's china and it can't be shipped, so I figured while I was there I would kill two birds with one stone. I still have to look into car rental prices, so we will see. I really want to see my grandfather though.
Enough babbling for now. I am going to try and sleep some.
I got a notice from the State today notifying me that I could withdraw my retirement. I think I might. I have to call to see what the balance is and how much they are going to take for early withdrawal. We could use the money right now. I talked to my mother today and apparently they don't think that my grandfather is going to make it to the end of the year. I need to go see him one more time. Not that he will realize it. He doesn't know who I am anymore. My grandmother was telling him about the wedding and showing him pictures and he had no clue who I was or why she was telling him. I have been lucky so far. I have yet to have any deaths in my family. Anyways, I looked into taking the train there and if I book now for the date when I want to go it will only be $42 one way. Then I would rent a car, visit with my grandparents and then drive home. I would only be driving home because I am inheriting my grandmother's china and it can't be shipped, so I figured while I was there I would kill two birds with one stone. I still have to look into car rental prices, so we will see. I really want to see my grandfather though.
Enough babbling for now. I am going to try and sleep some.
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