Ups and Downs of the Weekend

I had a very odd experience last night. My mom's neighbour passed away and was found last night in her bed (the assumption so far is she died from a heart attack in her sleep at age 75). I'm feeling pangs of guilt as I noticed her newspapers piling up on her front steps since Saturday. I did eventually ask my mom if she knew if Lou was away, but I was concerned that it might be something more. It turns out that she had passed away sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning. I know there's nothing I could have done about her passing on but I feel bad, she could have been found sooner if I had mentioned something. I must learn to speak up! On the up side (if there is such a thing with death), it's nice to see that she got to stay in her own house right up until the very end - no ordeals with nursing homes - and she had just returned from a trip to Mexico the previous Tuesday, so she really lived right until the very end.

Now on the other end of the spectrum, I'm just soooo excited about my condo again! I went to revisit it on Sunday past to sort out measurements and colors that I may paint once I move in. It's starting to take it's toll on me as I'm having a hard time falling asleep for all the planning I do while lying in bed. Only 34 more sleeps (not that I'm counting!!)

My beautiful purple and orange kitchen - soon to be different colors.

The living room and balcony.

The bathroom.

I'm also open to suggestions for decor...so far I'm thinking a light forest green for the walls...

La Gusta Salsa

Salsa classes started up again last night and I'm so happy to be out dancing every week again. It was only two weeks between sessions and I thought I was going to go crazy. However last night I started wondering if I'm the right type of person for salsa. Chatting with fellow class mates, I found out that I'm dancing along side a biochemist, a geophysicist and a computer science techy guy. I sell fish. Plain and simple. All of a sudden I feel as though I'm in some sort of warpped genius social gathering...and I'm not too sure I belong.

Of course after getting to dancing, I felt right back at home again! It was just weird to find out that so many people in my class are of the "highly intellectual" sort. My only concern now is all the spinning in our routine this semester. Oh I'm gonna be dizzy! Must remember to get Gravol before next class.

Six More Weeks!

Six weeks today I finally get possession of my own condo - and none too soon. After spending all of last week with the kids and not getting any "Alanis time", I was so excited for Sunday being an "Alanis day". It ended up being a "mom day" instead (of course, what was I thinking, I hadn't seen her all week!). There's nothing like spending your one day out in Bragg Creek (I admit it's a beautiful drive) checking out all the Christmas craft shows...yawn! I know it's my daughterly duty to spend time with mom...just some times I want my own time.

At any rate - that time will come soon. As for the rest of my weekend, it wasn't too bad. I stayed in with Rachel on Friday night to watch movies and then was up at the crack of dawn Saturday to drive Will to rowing (he's one dedicated kid!). Rachel and I picked up my friend Melissa and we spent the rest of the afternoon shopping...although I'm still no further ahead on Christmas presents...but I did get a fabulous new scarf for myself!! Melissa and I then met up with my friends Kelly and Matt for sushi (yummy!) and drinks at the Black Swan. The week before certainly took it's toll on me as I was ready for bed by 10pm. I think I may need some more practice at this staying out and drinking past 11pm...anyone willing to help me?

Ohh, I'm also still excited - I bought Madonna's CD and have listened to it constantly. I love it!! (Thank you Reid for all the hype leading up to it - I would never have bought it if it weren't for your love of Madonna!)

One tired Mommy

I don't know if it's possible for this week to go any slower than it is. It's only mid week and I'm ready for a months holiday now. As much fun as I am truly having with the kids, they are completely wearing me out!! I honestly think they would go mad if they had to sit quietly for more than 5 minutes. I do like conversation, but I'm realizing that I also appreciate my quiet time - Oh how I miss my quite time:(. Having these up-beat, hyper chats all night long (not only do they talk a mile a minute - they pace, or fidgit, or dance as they talk too) is draining...

zzz...

...time to go have a nap.

Instant Motherhood

I think most would consider me to be insane at this moment. For the next ten days, I'm looking after my friends two kids (ages 13 & 15), while the parents are off in England. What was I thinking agreeing to do this!! All of a sudden now, I have to pay attention to school schedules, play dates, meals, TV watching...it's all rather overwhelming. I'm lucky though, as Rachel and Will really are good kids - Will's too dedicated to his rowing to do anything bad and little Rachel is just plain too scared to try to do anything evil (she freaks out at every sound in the house at night!). I think if they do try to do anything that's not allowed, it'll be because I'm coercing them into it!! I will just have to do my best to be a "good girl" for this next week. And already it's soooo hard.

First off it's the long weekend - although I don't know if it really counts for me having to still work Friday and Saturday - and I want to go and meet up with my friends and drink beer. Jon's having his Keech Shaker tonight and I can't go (I think Rachel would die of fright if I left her alone in the house this evening & I don't think bringing her is really an option) and I want to go and see everyone! Then tomorrow, rather than being able to meet up in the afternoon with friends for drinks, I have to stay sober so I can drive Rachel to and from her play date in the afternoon and then I have to pick up Will in the evening from Band Camp (yes that's right folks, I said band camp!!). Where's the Alanis time in this?!? I think next Saturday night is going to be a blitz night for me...I should start planning now!

At any rate, this job is good for me - it pays well and god only knows I need the money to pay down my NY trip. So I will suck it up (and knowing me, I'll probably have fun by the end of the week)!

Whirlwind of a weekend

Well it was a pretty great weekend in that I got to spend Friday night with Melissa, Leiane & Leiane's friend Trina at our girl's sleep over (and yes for all you boys reading this, we did have pillow fights in our panites and practised kissing with each other) where we sit and stuff our faces full of wonderful food and wash it down with all sorts of drinks and giggle the night away. This is something that I think all girls should do at least twice a year - it's a great way to re-energize yourself and a great therapy session! To say the least, Saturday was pretty much a write off - I slept in till almost noon! Did a bit of shopping and house cleaning and then spent some time with Jon that evening.

Sunday was another great day, spending it with my friends Brad and Derek. We got to go to the football game to freeze our little tooches off, but had a blast, eating hotdogs, drinking beer and of course hot chocolate with Baileys - Yummy! It was then back to their place for a warm roast dinner and video games to help digest the food.

I wondered why last night at 8pm I was ready to go to bed, but now I look back on the weekend and no wonder! I don't know where the down time was on the weekend!

Any way after all of that, the purpose of this post is to figure out if I can put in a picture or not...I need to learn how to do this on my own and Jon is helping me by giving me a CD with all my photos on it...Can she do it?... YES!!

It Really Real!

I'm rather beside myself at this moment as I just signed off the last condition on the Condo I put an offer on. I OFFICIALLY AM A HOME OWNER!! I'm not too sure how to feel at this moment; one part of me is on top of the world with excitement while at the same time I could possibly throw up. The one downer - I have to wait almost two months before I take possession. However, this could work out to my benefit with that much more time to figure out the decore. OHHHHHHH I'm just so excited!!!