That Day in May

I no longer work for the little engineering firm.

No, I didn’t lose my job. The company I work for was bought by a large Quebec corporation. Monday it was things as normal, and Thursday i was talking to communications people in Quebec to get their logo and colour codes for our drafting  department.  Whirlwind week, I tell you. And, really, stressful.  They have assured all of us our jobs are safe, but it’s still a big shock to the system.  I’ve been there almost a decade, and watched it grow and grow, but this is HUGE.  It’s also coming at our busiest time of year, which adds some extra stress, but i love a challenge, right!

So anyway. That’s partially why I haven’t been around. it’s been incredibly busy, and I’ve been busy with photography, too.  The only reason I’ve even partially been keeping up with email and such is because of this sweet little netbook.  I get everything done I need to do, and can crawl into bed with this and catch up on mail and even some blogs, then just toss it on the floor when I get too blurry-eyed.

Today we had Mike’s parents over for a bbq, and I’m going to do the dishes and tidy up a bit and then maybe watch a movie with my husband.

And here’s GiST #19, while I’m here:
1. Pet Shop Boys
2. Two kittens going to a *wonderful* home.
3.  CHEAP beer at the border.
4. Wonderful American friends who pick up that beer when they come to visit.
5.  Cool breezes after a humid day.

It has been *incredibly* busy the past week or so.  We had a houseguest, an extra dog, an anniversary, 3 foster kittens and a reposessed kitten and busy work weeks and photography gigs and all-night fundraising events.  There was a magician and a birthday party, two out-of-town photo jobs, visits with family and friends, and  our regular daily stuff on top of it all.

I thought once I had the netbook I’d be able to blog more (from bed!), but by the time I go to bed, I don’t even have the energy to focus at all, not even for a ‘Grace in Small Things’ post.

So here’s one now, while I’m here:

1. Great friends, absolutely the top of my list right now.
2. Dog-sitting for the week. I LOVE having two dogs.
3. FOUR kittens, romping around their room like elephants!
4. Maple cookies
5. My husband. Really, he could always be on this list.

1. My netbook arrived yesterday, and it is cuuute!
2. Work is BUSY.
3. Maternity photo shoot this weekend - should be fun!
4. One of our foster kittens may be adopted by my brother!
5. One of my best friends is coming to visit this weekend!

1. Good friends. That tops my list today, for sure.
2. A heavy rain, so that I don’t have to drag the hose out.
3. Although I have been feeling horrible for a couple days, today was busy at work and the day went by quickly.
4. Ordering our netbook!
5. The kittens. Yes, I know they’ve been on the list before, but seriously. KITTENS. Can you blame me?

1. Exhaustion. But, the good kind. The ’spent the whole weekend doing enjoyable things and now I need to fall over asleep’ kind of exhaustion.
2. My camera.
3. A really generous birthday gift.
4. Booking our rental car (truck!!) online with no fuss, no muss.
5. Incredible weather for our day in Toronto.

This has been all over the internet already, but I finally had time to watch it, and if you haven’t seen it yet, it’s probably worth the two minutes.

Yes, well, we all know a picture is worth a thousand words, so I’m just going to say a few lines, and post a picture.

The way I usually go to work? Is the green line (approx. 2 km).

The way I had to go to work today because of THREE separate detours? The red line (approx. 7 km!). NOT impressed this morning, I tell you.

stupid construction.

And THEN… I got to work, and the first sip of my coffee nearly put me under the desk. I had obviously neglected to put enough water in the coffeemaker last night. You could’ve stood a stick in that shit.

My big Jar O’ Money has now been converted into a big Box O’ Money, all counted and rolled.

And now, for the results:

The WEIGHT was 27 pounds even, which means ERIN is the winner!! She came the closest at 27.5 lbs!

And for the dollar amount, the winner is ROSEANN! Apparently her scientific method worked.  She guessed $822 and the total was a WHOPPING $876.90 (I had $450 just in $2 coins, people!)

And, for our RANDOM winner, I downloaded a little program called ‘The Hat’ and it picked SYLVAIN!!

Thanks to everyone for playing! I’ll be emailing the winners, and we’ll talk gifts!

P.S. Thanks to my mom for counting and rolling 27 pounds of change!

P.P. S. - sorry for the delay in getting this out, I was busy watching half of my tree get cut down.