pictures from Gillette Stadium

Here are a few that show the crowd... that's me...I look like shit...but I didn't care - I was having a great time!

some pictures from Boston

Thought I would post a few.....

Here are some from Boston - the Bull & Finch







This is a house on Beacon Hill that looked interesting...



















Sunset on the Charles River...

small update

So glad last week is over...what a hectic one. As I posted previously, we had company until Wednesday night, so there were late nights involved. Add on top of that adjusting at the new job, it seemed to never end!

Thursday John and step-son went camping so I had the evening to myself. I caught up on some errands and had delicious frozen pizza. I joined them for Friday night, but got home early on Saturday in order to get housework done and get laundry done for John before he headed to Cape Breton this morning. We made a run into town for a few items, took Step-son to his grandmothers for the week, and went to visit some friends. So, John is on his way to Cape Breton with others for a conference, and I am relaxing in anticipation for my trip to Halifax tomorrow!

I will be back Wednesday evening, so I hope to blog then.

On a side note, the dog has been feeling neglected lately...too much alone time or a house full of people. She destroyed John's sandles Thursday night, and today I made the mistake of leaving her alone in the house for an hour. I came back and found a tube of sunblock on the floor with the end chewed off, and on the stairs, she had begun to destroy a bra - I know she is crying for more attention, so after this week, I hope things calm down a bit for her.

So much to Blog about

Whoa - A lot to update, so this may be a long one....

The Trip - A great time with John. We have never been together in a vehicle for that long a period of time before (8 hrs.) and we didn't have one argument! Our only problem was the heat (but A/C took care of that) and lack of radio stations that we could get in clearly. We arrived at the motel early afternoon on Friday, got settled and went for a dip in the pool. The place was much better than expected! That night we went into Boston to look around - it took about 45 min. to get there, as we drove thru Cambridge. What a great town. We managed to get a spot on Beacon St. right in front of the Bull & Finch pub (aka the original Cheers bar) so we had an appetizer before taking a stroll thru the Public Gardens and then heading thru Beacon Hill, finally stopping for a rest along the Charles River. I have 35mm pics to develop so if they turn out ok, I will post some. We didn't take any digital as neither of us likes that camera.

Saturday, we did a little bit of shopping at Barnes and Noble before heading to the concert. It was a long wait for Kenny, but he was so worth it. What a performance! It was great singing along to every song, along with 50,000k other fans. His performance of "Where I come from" was amazing...I cannot say enough about it!

So Sunday was along drive back....we got home about 6:30pm and my Aunt and Uncle were down from Ontario for a week long visit. They stayed at our place Sunday and Monday night - it was really great catching up and talking about the old days....I am on my way to see them again so I am trying to make this quick.

New Job
Getting adjusted is hard...but everyone is nice, I am impressed with my Manager and everyone seems to actually be doing work! So, I guess my blogging at work days are over - I will have to make it a nightly thing now! The office is the nicest I have been in.

That is all I can post right now - I will try and check in again later!

no title

Currently 30 degrees celsius and sunny in Saint John right now - that is very hot for this city. I don't have to suffer, though, because it is nice and cool in the air conditioned office.

We have been hearing it is going to be hot & humid this weekend in MA - so I took a quick look for some more tank tops at lunch time. John found a couple for himself at Walmart, but being a female endowed with fairly large assets and being petite, I need my tank tops to be cut in a certain way....I hate t-shirts that are too long. I like them to fall right at the top of my hips. I did pick one out at Walmart, but I was really iffy about it. I left it with John to take thru the cash as I had to leave & get back to work. I decided to take a very quick look in Reitman's on the way to my vehicle, and found two in nicer colours, cheaper, better style - so I bought them. So I was a wee bit late coming back from lunch, but I don't care.

I also noticed when I was trying tops on how great my tan looks...I think it's the best that I have ever had!

2.5 days left

It took 5 emails to the payroll department this morning to get a straight answer about if I would be paid out my remaining vaction time (equivalent to over a weeks pay) and when. I kept getting half-assed replies back, so I had to keep pushing until I finally got a straight answer. I am going to send the emails to my home address in the (likely) event they will screw up. The reason I kept pushing for something in "writing" is because another person is leaving here the same day as me, and will not be paid out vacation time but it will be transferred over. When I start my new position, I will receive two weeks vacation from that day forward. And we are both going to affiliated companies - everyone seems to have different rules around here.

Did I mention I only have 2.5 days left! And that I am the 3rd person to leave here within a month! Arghhhhhh!

The Weekend

I took advantage of the alone time and the sun so I laid out semi-naked on the back deck (well concealed from prying neighbors eyes by moving the BBQ around and arranging some sleeping bags over the railing). I did improve my tan, though!

I finally found a swimsuit that looks good, so I bought it. It is a two piece in “Espresso” brown…never thought brown would be a colour that I would choose, but it is in this year. Keep on working on that tan and it will look good.

Saw “Wedding Crashers” – really funny! It is highly recommended, especially if you are a Vince Vaughn fan (perfect comedic timing). I also picked up a previously viewed copy of “Sideways” at Blockbuster for $6.99. I convinced John to watch it with me the other night – he wasn’t into it as much as I was, but he said in the end he enjoyed it.

Also reading “The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing” by Melissa Banks. I cannot seem to put it down! It almost seems familiar, like I have read this before. I may have because it was published in 1999 – so, I could have...I have never been one to forget if I have read something before, but...I am getting older...and losing it!

This week, my last day at current job is Thursday. It think it is going to be painful to get to Thursday. Then, I have a four day weekend with our trip to the USA to see Kenny Chesney and Gretchen Wilson in concert, returning Sunday about supper time. My Aunt and Uncle will be in town to visit, so we are attempting to arrange for a BBQ at our house Sunday night (everyone can show up and get started while we are on our way home). Then I have Monday to visit with them, and start the new job Tuesday. So, I have laundry to do and pack, make some phone calls - a little planning ahead grocery wise. Going to be a busy one!

Carnival of Carnage 2

So this is where everyone has been hanging out lately....I did think Walmart has been quiet the last little while.

From the Globe and Mail

My score was 14 out of 20 on this quiz....

This is me today

Another day of fog….my tanning bed tan is starting to fade, as I have not had an opportunity to enjoy any natural sunlight in awhile. Only sun I have had recently has been while driving as it beats in the windows. If I am wearing a T-Shirt then I get dark forearms, giving me the dreaded “Farmer Tan” look – think I will try to get a session in after work today…

Still showing up for work everyday….6 business days to go! I have had very little to do since I resigned. I think some people are ticked that I am leaving. Let’s see…I was called a traitor the other day and a quitter yesterday by some of my co-workers here….but I got an email from an old boss that now works for the same company that I will be starting at, saying he was looking forward to seeing me again; that was nice! I should have emailed him back with a smartass comment like “Have my coffee ready”…we used to take turns getting coffee and muffins for each other…but maybe that would be too cheeky.

Bought the Bill Clinton autobiography yesterday on my lunch break – I have wanted to read it, for some strange reason. I realized during the last US election that I missed seeing Bill on the news. I think the world needs another leader like Bill Clinton. The book has gotten good reviews, so it should be an enjoyable read – Clinton is anything but boring!

Odd Maritime Behaviour

Ok, this is really bizarre.....Shatnerian posted it on his blog, but now that I have really read the story - WTF???

"We love pain, and we love doing this" - a quote I won't forget anytime soon!

A "Just Because" Present

John surprised me by installing in my car last night a CD player (it only had a tape deck before). The CD player even has a remote, but I have been forbidden from using the remote while driving….Thanks, Johnny!

I think I will spend my lunch hour figuring out how to set the radio stations – this should be good!

a whinny post....

I am not really sure what is up with me, but I have been feeling lousy lately. It could be that I am just restless to get to my new job (8 days including today). Perhaps having restless days contributes to restless nights and prohibits me from having a peaceful sleep…which makes me feel lousy! I totally gave my husband a hard time last evening on the phone – I recognize that now. I get cranky and lash out, usually at him, because who else could I lash out at? He called me later in the evening to talk me out of my mood, and I felt a lot better after we talked. Sometimes all it takes is to sit down and relax...

Today, I still feel tired - what is up???????? I think I should start taking vitamins again…I always slack off, but maybe I need something!

The things you get away with when you are 1!

Had to put this picture up of the guest of honour!

By the time I got home from work Friday night, I was completely exhausted. John commented on the dark bags underneath my eyes - I just felt wiped. But, I was determined to enjoy the evening! My sister came over for BBQ for supper (just hamburgers and hot dogs) and brought with her a delicious Coconut Cream Pie (some left in the fridge that I am thinking of right now!). M&J came over later to visit, and we sat out on the deck until it started to get a bit chilly.

Saturday was the 1st Birthday Party in Amherst for our nephew. Had a quick stop at Costco (bit of an oxy moron) on the way. Had a great time - we stayed the night and pitched a tent in their enormous backyard along with a couple of other couples. After all the kids left, the adults had their own party, including M&J who arrived later in the evening. The mosquitoes were really bad so everyone piled into the screen tent for awhile. Then it appeared that the files were slacking off so the boys lit the Mexican Chiminaya...but it didn't keep them away so some of the ladies (ones that were not drinking too much) went inside to chat in the kitchen. That included me (I know, I usually drink a lot at parties) but I just could not get in the mood to drink. I had bought Long Island Ice Tea but realized too late I didn't have the right mix. Then I had a couple of rye & gingerale, but it didn't do anything for me. I did have one glass of white wine...but it was too late to get me in the mood. Which was ok, because I didn't know the majority of people there, so perhaps I wasn't comfortable enough to drink a lot.

We got home mid afternoon and had a short nap before John headed to work for 5:30pm. That is about it for the weekend. I had a shower, something to eat, and intend to watch TV and check out the internet!

Peonies

Came home today from an overnight trip to find my peonies in full bloom....

In Two Weeks!

A new link (Stephanie) and an old link (John) under “Blogs that I read” ……

Just two weeks to go! Two weeks till the Kenny Chesney concert…and two weeks left here at this job! I was offered a new position with an affiliated company, and decided to accept. I just felt that a change is good right now.

The whole interview process was a bit cocked up…since I just started a year ago with current employer, I already completed the personality test, the Wonderlick (sp?) test and of course, the drug test. But I had to go thru the process again! Last week when I went for the interview, I mentioned this fact. That still did not clue the recruiter in that I worked for an affiliate…the recruiter just mentioned on the phone a couple of days ago that she just “learned that day that (my employer) is an affiliate”. This is after I indicated “Internal Posting” on the application form, to answer the question “How did you learn about this position?”. Maybe recruiters should brush up on this sort of thing first, imho!

Currently reading “Good Grief” by Lolly Winston; I recommend it. You can read about it here.

I was amazed by the newscasters this morning, discussing how people in London are back to their daily commute on the tube and getting back to normal. Have the newscasters never heard of "Keep your chin up" (or, "keep your pecker up")? It wasn't that long ago that bombs were falling from the air, and not cowardly hid underground!

Almost back to normal

Got some links back up to the right...the only one I don't know is my husbands - I asked him on the phone and he can't remember, either. Since he has not posted since starting that thing, it doesn't make a difference.

on another topic, Big Brother 6 premiers Thursday, July 7. The show usually starts with such promise then turns into trash...but I will watch anyway. Even just to see how thin Julie Chen is now. i checked out the contestants - ususally the show has some "real" looking people, but this year eveyone looks like a model. Also, there appears to be some repeat contestants - i.e. A Personal Shopper black guy named Beau (remember Marcelle) and a Firefighter named Eric (hope he is smarter than the last F/F named Eric). The usual Cocktail Waitress, Retail (IfoldsweatersattheGap) Manager, and student also appear.

And I am still looking forward to checking this out!

I wanted to change the appearance of my blog, but ended up losing my links in the process....and then I realized I like the original set up the best anyway. But I will leave it like this for awhile and play with getting those links back up....damn!

Time for a new post

What a busy five days I have had...I wish I didn't have to go to work tomorrow, but this is life. At least I have less than three weeks to go till Kenny C!

Wednesday, John and I headed out for a drive to St. Andrews - were it was hot and sunny. We made a brief stop along the way to check out a sail boat - a hobby that we are considering taking up, perhaps next year. The boat was not much to look at - the right size but in really rough shape. So, we stopped in St. Andrews and had a small picnic lunch at the Block House, then checked out the shops on Water Street. The only thing I bought was a china plate for my dining room hutch. We then headed back up the highway and decided to hop over to Deer Island on the Ferry. Not much to see! We checked out the camp ground over there, but it was rather rustic, so I don't think we will go over there. We stopped for supper at Comeau's seafood and were back to Saint John before 7pm.

On Thursday, my sister and I went to Moncton to get some shopping done, mainly a Costco trip. While we were there, we ran into my Brother and Sister in Law (John's side) and decided to do lunch all together at Montana's - nice place. And it was great running into J&S like that - nice to catch up! So, the day was pretty good - a got a couple of new tops for work, but no cigar for shorts...I think I will be wearing capri's and my jean skirt for most of the summer. I just cannot find a decent pair of shorts - must be all sold out!

The only bad thing about that day was being pulled over by the RCMP on the way to Moncton. The Mountie was rather amused by the two females going shopping...he was smiling the whole time he was talking to us...he said he felt I was driving a wee bit fast, even though there were cars zipping past me the whole time we were on the highway (I didn't mention this). He also didn't believe we're sisters (my sister told him this because I was driving her car). She told the Mountie that she had a headache, and that was the reason that I was driving (the Mountie asked her if perhaps it was her car giving her a headache - a Mustang). Anyway, I know it is best to be very obliging and polite with the feds, so I told him to have a nice weekend as he let us go, ticketless.

That night John and I went to look at another boat (a Sandpiper) on Darlings Island - very nice shape, this time, and very clean. At 18.5ft, it is a bit on the small side, but as this is a "starter boat", I don't think we should go much bigger. The owner told us that when he was looking for his first boat, he must have looked at about 20 before making the decison. A good lead to folow...Also, John will be selling the bike before buying a boat - the one toy at a time rule!

July 1st, I spent doing housework that was long overdue and because of company coming over in the evening for a BBQ. Pika and her new Man came down from Frederiction - it was really nice to meet him, and Pika seems very happy with him. My sister was also over, and C&A came with their Baby, who is now running around at a little over 16 months. My sister-in-law and nephew also stopped by, along with a friend of the family from the USA. The house was full! It was a really enjoyable evening!

The company from Fredericton stayed the night so we had a little fire in the backyard, before the rain. Some neighbours were kind enough to put on a small fireworks display - not too bad for buying at the corner store!

The weekend was taken up with grocery shopping and some work around the house. John worked Saturday night so my sister and I headed over to my brother& sister-in-laws as they were having some people over for drinks. It was a mix of people that I have known for years & years and some people that I have never seen before - a very eclectic mix. Some stayed outside and smoked (various things) and the others (me, et al.) stayed in and watched LiveAid8.

So, it is now Sunday night and John is at work - just me and the dog. The coming weekend is a 1st Birthday Party in Amherst for our nephew - I live fore the weekends this time of year!