I can get used to this

So, I've been working for exactly 5 days now! Not bad, considering I've been on hiatus for about a decade. I'm really enjoying being back in the work force...of course, it will be even better once I get paid! The job is not difficult...just a lot of stuff to remember. I'm sure that once I get used to it, it will come very easily.

The family is adjusting fairly well. I'm still trying to be the taxi mom, but the kids are attempting to get around on their own. There's still some question about Vytas getting to and from school, but his has always been a special situation anyway. I'm hoping to get things straightened out by early next week. It's a bit of a juggle to still get things done. I admire women who have worked through the child-raising years and have managed to be there for the family as well. It's no easy thing.

I'm heading over to my parents house tomorrow after work. They will be putting together the paperwork for selling their house and want me to be there. I'll do a bit more cleaning/packing too. I'm feeling a bit guilty now. I started this whole thing about moving, and now that the plan has gone into action, I suddenly find myself working and not at their disposal as much as I'd like to be. But at least they'll be close to me and I can drop in on them on my way home from work. The kids can visit anytime too as the bus route goes right by their condo. Just gotta get past the selling/moving in stage and get them settled in and comfortable. My mind will be more at ease then.

Well, I'm off to play Ocean Express on the computer (one of my addictions, lol). First I'll give mom a call and make sure they're ok. Then the rest of the night is mine!

How quickly things change

Two days ago, I was plodding along in my daily routine of at-home-stuff when out of the blue I got THE phonecall..."are you still interested in working here?". I had applied for a job at this place back in August but because I didn't know French OR excel, my resume was put on file for further notice. So when THE call came, I was totally surprised! For the last two days, I have been working in the office of a (get this) scrapbook distributor! What a job! I'm working in customer sales and although I haven't worked in almost 10 years, it feels great! We're still juggling a few things on the homefront, but I think it's all going to work itself out. I am thrilled! But the best part (besides getting paid...ha!) is that I can buy ALL my scrap supplies at wholesale prices! This will mean a huge savings in my purchases, but I realize that I will have to be reasonable when it comes to looking at all the delicious scrapbooking goodies!

My parents' condo deal has gone through! I am now in the process of prepping their house for sale. Twenty years of stuff to sort through! Tomorrow, hubby and I are going over to give the place a final (and completely thorough) cleaning. We want the agent to be able to put a sign on the front lawn some time next week. Between doing this and starting work and ferrying the kids everywhere still, I'm so very tired at night...but it's a good tired and I have started to sleep through the night. I'm in a good place right now and I can say that I'm happy.

It's funny how quickly things change!

(ps) I've forgotten to mention that to date, I have lost 25 pounds on the Nutrisystem diet...yay me! I've still got quite a ways to go, but I'm already feeling so much healthier!!

Almost there

Today we had a home inspector come to the condo to make sure everything was okay. Aside from a major leak from the dishwasher (it will be fixed next week), there was nothing major wrong with the place. What a relief for all of us! My parents chose their paint colour and the type of hardwood flooring they wanted and it will get done soon. My dad is finally anxious to move in...hurray! I've been cleaning and packing at their house like a madwoman, trying to get the place ready to put up for sale. We're finally almost there! I have to remember to take some pictures tomorrow before the old place doesn't look like the old place anymore. Closing can't come soon enough for all of us!

Finally! Hurray!

So, I've been trying to get my parents (read dad) to sell their house in Toronto and move out near me to a condo. My mom's been ready to go for more than a year, but dad has been terribly obstinate. This last year has been hard on both of them healthwise....they are not young anymore (80 and 84) and have not been able to care for the house properly for some time now.

Well, it finally happened. Last week they put an offer in on a condo and got it! Hurray! We're still sifting through all the legal stuff, but in the meantime I'm helping them get their house ready to put up for sale. What a chore! Twenty years worth of hording. Twenty years worth of decline in housekeeping. It's a big job. Yesterday, hubby and Vytas tackled the garage all day long. Today, Elena and I tackled the basement. We put a good dent in it, but we're all exhausted. There is a lot of stuff to put away before we can show that house to anyone! I'll update you on the process as we go along. I plan on going there each day this week in hopes that we'll be ready to put that for sale sign up by the weekend. It will be nice to have them leaving near me!

Busy, or what?

Whew! I was on the go all day long today. I won't bore you with details, but hanging up 4 loads of laundry outside just about did me in! But it was SUCH a gorgeous day...clear, cool and windy. Just perfect for drying towels! There's nothing like the smell of things dried outside.

I'm still waiting for my kit to arrive from Creatologie. I think I'm leaning towards making it into a "50" book about myself. I haven't done any pages about the momentous occasion that happened this past April, so I'm thinking that this kit will be just the thing. This is my first kit from Creatologie and I can't wait to work with it.

My parents FINALLY had a real estate agent over today to look at the house. Dealing with my dad is like dealing with a stubborn bull...he is terrified of moving. However, he liked this agent and I think that perhaps this move will happen after all. I certainly hope so! Susan (the agent) is going to look for a condo first. In the meantime, I'll help my parents declutter and reorganize their stuff so that the move can happen with as little stress on them as possible.

It's an early evening for me so far. I'm torn between just playing on the computer or picking up some crafty thing to do. I guess I'll just sip on my coffee for now and browse around the blogs that I follow. I must remember to take some pictures to post on here...how boring it is to just read words....

Yikes !

So this is what always happens...I start a blog with every good intention of keeping up with it and wham!...months go by in the blink of an eye and I finally get around to posting again. I've gotta do something about this....

The summer flew by rather quickly for me. Both Elena and Linas worked while I stayed at home with Vytas. Dear hubby worked as well, but he got to spend some time in Europe (yes, without me!!). His last two weeks of August were spent in Belgium, with a weekend off in Paris. Nice. Maybe one day I'll be able to travel back to Europe as well....I can dream, can't I?

In August, I decided to join the Nutrisystem program. After watching Donna Downey shrink down to a size SIX using the program, I got that extra push I neede to get started myself. I haven't really told anyone how terrible I've been feeling lately...my health was truly suffering from all this excess weight. So, I'm now determined to drop a good chunk of weight. It will take a while, but I'm ready for this. Tomorrow is weigh-in Wednesday for me (using Donna's terminology here, lol). Last time I weighed myself, I had dropped 12 pounds already. We'll see what happens tomorrow.

Circles

I sit here tonight, window open, and listen to the sounds of June. Birds are sounding out their evening calls, traffic hums in the background. Laughter of young voices drifts through the woods from graduation parties at houses beyond the trees. Neighbours gather in each other's yards to enjoy the cool evening air. All of these sounds repeat like clockwork each June. It always makes me wonder at the cyclical nature of things. There is truly comfort in circles, knowing that things don't really end but rather travel around to the beginning again.

So begins a new circle...my blog. I hope to share my thoughts, my creations here.