Had to request a new password it’s been so long

September 3, 2009 at 12:59 am (Stuff, Wonder Boy, Wonder Girl)

Well if there is anyone out there still stopping by, my apologies for such a long gap.

Summer, hell, life got the better of me.

WB is now done working for the summer and we are moving him back up to school tomorrow.  Truck rented.  A ton of boxes, groceries, small kitchen appliances and 19 yr paraphernalia litters my dining room.  And if your friends with me on Facebook you know I have waffled between smothering him in his sleep and crying the past couple of days.

WG is good.  After a lot of back and forth, she will be living with Rhino this year.  He did want me to have her keep living with me, while he was a couple blocks away and being the door mat I can be I was going to do it.  But turning 40 tends to make you re evaluate some things.  I told him she needed her father.  All the time.  Not part time.  So, Sam is settling in with her father.  Time will tell how that situation plays out.

Work is work.  Spent a week in Orlando for convention and can I just say…why?  Why would anyone live in Orlando in August?  Or plan a vacation for then?  It was ridiculously hot.

So, I am going to make a concious effort to be here on a more regular basis and to visit you all more often.

And how are you guys?

4 Comments

Random updates while I take a breather from life

June 8, 2009 at 8:17 pm (Stuff, Wonder Boy, Wonder Girl)

So, we’re in the process of moving.  Sold the house and bought a ground floor condo with some green space out back I don’t need to mow and a driveway/parking area I don’t have to shovel.  The reasoning behind it was twofold – cut in pay at work, escalating property taxes, university costs and I will officially be an empty nester come September.

I have been painting my little heart out at the new place and slowly moving some stuff in.  I am already very excited about moving in.  It’s still by the lake, lots of mature trees and so QUIET!!  Both WB and WG love it and they still have their own rooms.

But the packing of the old place??  Dear lord we are pack rats.  I never thought so before but I put 7 garbage bags on the curb this morning for pick up.  That’s garbage.  Multiple bags of clothes have already been donated.  WB had shirts that still had price tags on them that don’t fit.  Me?  A pair of size 6 pants in my closet.  Not sure who the hell I was trying to fool but I haven’t seen that on a piece of clothing in quite some time.

WB leaves Friday for Halifax.  The new girlfriend lives near there and for his birthday just past, I bought him a ticket for one week.  So now I’m stressing over what to get her parents as a thank you gift for having him for the week.  A nice box of chocolates just doesn’t seem to cut it.  See cute pic of the couple below – taken St Paddy’s Day:

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She is a super sweet, very funny and intelligent woman.  I heart her already and have really only spent a lunch with her and moving home day from residence.  She is coming to visit us though the short week in August, so hopefully we can get to know each other better.

WG is in full blown exam panic-my life is over-I’ll never get anything done end of school mode.  Between my lack of sleeping and heightened stress levels, WB’s I don’t have to listen to this crap attitude, WG’s hormones out in full force and only 24 hours in a day – we are all getting on each other’s nerves just a wee bit.  Hence….

Another reason why I like the new place -  I’m sitting here right now in the one fully done room – the dining room – in peace and quiet.  I painted two walls a colour called Slippery Rock, the other one Belgian Cream (its open concept).  The baseboards, which are huge, are done in Champagne.  My grandma’s walnut dining room table is in with my new black leather parson’s chairs.  Drapes hung.  Butcher’s block wine rack partially stocked.  And previously requested stolen internet from my new neighbour.

All I need is a bed and I may just leave the kids at the house to fend for themselves.

8 Comments

Tidbits from the past 2 1/2 months

May 13, 2009 at 9:49 pm (Family, Rhino, Wonder Boy, Wonder Girl)

Well as most know, Rhino and I split up.  It was not a pretty, rainbows and unicorns break up.  And apparently the definition of break up is different in his world.  Other than communication about WG, as she has continued to live with me for the duration of the school year, there was to be NO CONTACT.

To me, this is pretty self explanatory.  To Rhino this meant calling in excess of 10 times a day; emailing; texting and waiting for me on my front porch at 6:30am in the morning.  This has slowly turned into  “I don’t know why your being such a hard ass about this?  I made a mistake.”  I’m curious to know how the girl he knocked up would feel about being called a mistake?

To say I did not handle this well would be a mild understatement.  At first I pretended I was fine.  Then I started not wanting to get out of bed.  Then the over eating.  And finally…the melt down.

Thankfully I am on the other side of that now.  10 pounds heavier, a few more grey hairs but happy again.  Small price to pay considering I was thinking of marrying him.  Thankfully dodged that bullet.

Rhino has moved back here and is living a couple blocks away.  The game plan is for WG to move in with him for the next school year.  She is not fully embracing this move but knows that her room will always be here for her and that she can stay over whenever.  I have tried to be positive about the move and I do truly hope it works but at the same time it will be awfully quiet around here without the giggling girls, blaring Jonas Brothers (shudder) and clothes strewn around as far as the eye can see.

On top of everything, in March, my son the smart University student rented a house with four other boys for the next school year.  While I realize this is a rite of passage and I am excited for him, the day he called me to tell me they had signed a lease without a single ADULT looking at it made my head explode.  I wasn’t the only parent questioning whether the $15K we had just spent on first year was a waste.  One mother called her son a tool and hung up on him.  She and I are now good friends.

The lease turned out to be simple and straight forward, the landlord a sweetheart.  Collective bunch of horseshoes up those boys’ asses.  But the house was not done causing drama.  The rent is $400 a month inclusive and I decided WB’s father was going to pony up 6 months of rent.  I mean seriously, the man has not paid a dime in child support, nor did he help out with first year.

So, I bit the bullet and called him.  It did not go well.  I realize your probably asking yourself “Did she really think it would?”  And no, I wasn’t expecting a walk in the park but nor was I expecting World War 3.  Suffice it say, we have not spoken in over 7 weeks.  But he did cough up rent – the WHOLE years worth.  Of course when he gave WB the cheques he added the “Your mother apparently can’t afford it” comment.  And you know what?  I don’t care.  He’s paying and its about fucking time.

I promise to be back tomorrow with more…especially the soap opera at the office.

And you know what?  I have soo missed this:)

7 Comments

The one where my head exploded

January 27, 2009 at 2:58 pm (Family, Rhino, Wonder Boy, Wonder Girl)

I have very little to offer you as to why the long absence other than I’m not dead, nor did I run off to the land of endless margaritas and cabana boys. 

We all survived the Holidays even though I was sure I would end up in a padded room before the New Year.

Both child units were sufficiently spoiled and WB managed to eat through over $350 worth of groceries in a 2 week span.  And while I miss him now that he is back at school, my pocketbook is enjoying the reprieve.

Here is a lovely shot of my son enjoying everything University has to offer:

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Please note the appropriate ratio of boys to girls.  At least he has good taste in beer.

WG is doing amazing at school, having joined both the Volleyball and Drama programs.  She is currently experiencing her first ever week of exams, so the mood swings are enough to cause whip lash.

And the biggest change around here is that Rhino and I are no longer together.  The short version is I don’t share.

What this means for WG after the end of the school year remains to be seen but until then she will be staying with me and WB.

And rather than end this on that depressing note, as per Jen’s request, I give you Snorkeling in Wisconsin:

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Christmas Dinner #1

December 17, 2008 at 5:17 pm (Family, Wonder Boy, Wonder Girl)

Scene:   Sunday 1:30pm in my living room:

WB:  I don’t want to go.

Me:  Suck it up.  They are family and it will only be five hours out of your life.

Cue floppy fish imitation and high pitched whining.

WB:  But I don’t want to!!!

Me:  Until you’ve been tortured for 39 years by these people you have nothing to complain about.  Now shut it and finished getting dressed.

Scene:  20 minutes later in the kitchen.

Me:  What are you doing having a beer?!?!

WB:  Liquid courage baby.  You want some?

Me:  Get in the damn car you asshat.

Scene:  2 hours later in my sister’s kitchen.

WG:  Why does that one man keep referring to you as the bad daughter?

My Sis:  Did you want me to top up your wine Josie?

Me:  He’s old and senile WG.  Just ignore him and go play with the other kids.

My Sis:  *snort* He’s 52 hon.

Me:  He’s an inbred.

My Sis:  He’s family.  I’m sorry this is so hard on you.

Me:  Hey no worries.  My self esteem hasn’t taken a good beating in awhile.  I was due.

Scene: 90 min later; heard thru my sister’s kitchen window.

WB:  where’s Mom?

My Sis:  Out on the deck with a bottle of wine and Ed’s cigarettes.

WB: I told her to drink nefore we came.  I’m so going away next year.

My Sis:  No.  We’re just not inviting these people again.

Me from outside: Can I eat out here?  I’m kind of done hearing how I shamed the family by having a child out of wedlock 181/2 f*&^ing years ago.

Scene: 2 hours later, my living room.

Me:  Gah that was horrid.

WG:  Your family isn’t very friendly to you.  What’s up with that?

Me:  They are not family hon.  They are an obgligation.

WB:  An obligation that needs to be either neutered or killed off.  Care for a drink?

6 Comments