Could we just wrap this up?

OK, home inspection is done. House is good except needs new furnace, it is original to house-that's 40 years old, probably new hot water tank, and front walkway thingy needs to be redone-as in it's rotting. We'll probably put in a heat pump as air conditioner is 20 years old, and do it all in one fell swoop. We figured on new furnace, and I thought as going through house-hmmm-is that walkway thingy OK? before the home inspection. The deck is OK, it's just the front part that you see in the picture. Apparently it's just plywood-no weather resistant stuff there-other than outdoor carpet. Who built that and thought that would be a good idea?
Now we are waiting to get OK from lender. They have our last few paystubs, letter from employers, have called our employers, have copies of our house assessment from the BC Assessment Authority, we have had an independent assessor come and assess our house. They also have our rental agreements, copies of our bank statements-proving we actually do have money, as well as copies of our RRSP holdings. They know our financial picture better than we do. Of course, seeing all the news stories right now, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. All these stories are talking about how the banks all of the sudden don't want to lend money.
Anyhow, as we were going through the house we were thinking of where to put things etc. I am pretty happy about the whole thing and am finally sleeping better. the kitchen has a convection oven-and a garburator. Like we'll ever use that-all that good compost sent into the sewer. What we need is an automatic composter.
Richard has started packing and I have been allowed to pack a few boxes under supervision.
I just want to wrap this up.
We changed our move in date to January 27 as I was offered a trip to Toronto for work! For a conference on decreasing smoking rates among people with mental illness! But sadly registration was closed, so it looks like it will be later in the year. Which would actually work out much better considering that we would be in the middle of moving. We're going to hire movers, but we all know how I feel about having my life disorganized and in boxes.
I feel terribly unprepared for Christmas and don't know how this will resolve itself given that all this other stuff is happening and it seems that since beginning house purchase I have had to spend most of my time worrying about things. this doesn't leave me enough time to actually accomplish things. But I did review shopping list and felt better as it seems that we actually did a lot of it on the weekend before we seriously started looking at buying a home.
The rest of this week I need to: bake 10 dozen cookies for cookie exchange tomorrow (never mind Allison, you'll be happy enough to eat them). Get OK from mortgage broker and take conditions off of sale of house (could this thing take any longer?!), finish Xmas cards, finish shopping for out-of town people, do some more packing, recaulk our bathtub, go to LES Xmas party, supposed to go to mtg for resident's association today but am going to excuse self based on this list, begin to decorate, clean house somewhat, and then go back to work on Saturday.
Sob.

I applied

I turned in my "pre-application" to be allowed to apply for the PhD program at the library school on Friday. It was two days late; but nice Joanne in the office said, "We don't get very many of these; I don't think it'll be a problem." I had total anxiety about writing this thing! It was only two pages, and all I had to do was say what I wanted to do, who I wanted to work with, how it built on my academic / work experience so far, and with which department I could partner. But I think I had a big anxiety block.

If I get in, I will do it part time, while still working. And will obviously cut down on other things going on in life currently. But I will still make lots of time to stare off into space.

I bet "mental health" is our most-frequently-used tag.

At the Library This Friday

Sarah and I did a little presentation to the library staff on mental health, dealing with people with possible mental health behaviour etc. It went well and I think they want us to come back! And help them with their own mental health. It seems that it is very stressful for them to manage this as obviously they didn't think they'd be dealing when they signed up to work at the library. Sarah says maybe we can take our show on the road.
I have been off work the past 2 days because of my leg. Guess what the Dr. thinks I have? Sciatica!!!! But I don't feel angry.
I wen to the walk in as no appt's at the family GP. So, I go for x-rays to rule anything really out of the ordinary out, to physio before I can be cleared to work. He also gave me a couple different drugs to use, which seem to be working quite well today- Celebrex-my leg feels quite fine right now, and Flexeril to use at night-which seemed to work as I slept well and I ahven't been sleeping well lately. I didn't really put my poor sleeping (which isn't all that bad, but unusual for me) togteher with sore leg, but that was perhaps the problem.
I ahve been making recipes out of Nigella's book, they are all good!

Adrift

My conference in Vancouver went well -- I had a very effective meeting for a human resources summit I'm helping plan, a good session on new librarians that I moderated, and I go to stay here.

I also bought some swanky clothes and ate some good sushi.

I feel a little adrift right now; all my big work stuff is basically done, and I'm just waiting on the job decision. I feel okay but think I have a bit of stress because I'm having some trouble sleeping. I feel a bit low energy, and like I actually just want to drift. Maybe I need to go on the houseboat a month early?

Rex Kwon Do

I did Code White training this week for work. (called in the hospital when there is a violent person) It is a 3 day course, involving learning how to defend yourself etc. Taught by a ex-cop who travels around BC doing this. He taught at the Vancouver police academy etc. And is like Rex from Napoleon Dynamite, in fact he said to one security guy taking the course, 'your shoe's untied'. And hit him in the head. I actually really liked him and the training.
Sarah and I spent a lot of time laughing in it, though I actually think I have some sort of post traumatic stress from it as I woke up last night in the middle of the night and thought about it. we did these scenarios and I think my skill is not in jumping into codes, rather, it is to intervene before they start. we'd be in the middle of something and I'd feel like i was freezing. I would make a poor cop. During one practical he grabbed my arm and i just looked at him blankly, he said 'what's wring with this?' I am like,'Huh, I don't know" Answer= I shouldn't be so close someone can grab me. Duh.
Plus, during one of the restraints, one of the security guys was holding me and my arm hurt and he didn't adjust! I told him like 3 times, now my arm, neck and shoulder hurts. And i have had an earache, (from before it started), so it is all uncomfortably making the left side of my body hurt. Bugger. I made a massage therapy appt for this afternoon. But have to plant all the lovely annuals we bought 1st!
There was this one security guy, Fran who is so dense. Mom thinks I'm being cruel, but seriously, this guy is supposed to be helping us when someone is being violent to nursing staff? We'd be doing stretches to warm up, Rex would say, 'Put your hand right by your face', Fran would have his hand above his head, Rex says 'By your face' Fran puts hand higher up, Rex says, 'by your face' Fran puts hand on top of head. We all say, 'by your face', Fran puts hand about 2 feet in front of face. Most of the time, I'd have to leave and get a glass of water, or look down at the floor or else I'd burst out laughing. And though I have an evil streak, the rest of the world doesn't need to know about it. Poor Fran. Sarah and i were like, 'what is wrong with this guy? Is he disabled in some way? Low IQ? WTF?'

Yarding/Houseboat

Richard and I spent all day yesterday doing yardwork. And I got a sunburn as though I put on sunscreen, there was a gap between my shorts and shirt-hussy. It was lovely out though. Plus the yard looks better. Still there is much weeding to be done.
I was worn out after my last set of shifts. Trained in psychiatric ICU, then had a, how shall I put it, challenging night on the floor, with 2 difficult to manage people, and we were short staffed, which meant no breaks. PSICU at this point does not seem to be where i want to work. I'll try it some more, but really think that I'll prefer the main unit. It's not the patients, but rather the environment...just isn't where I want to work I think.
How tactful is that?
Yardwork was therapeutic in dealing with my stress from the last set of shifts though. Hurrah for living things and nature!
I hope that you are still on the mend Jude, how did work go? Were you OK there?
I paid the rest of the houseboat. I thought I'd pay for all of it then get reimbursed by the rest of you, but upon further reflection...could ya'll send a cheque in the next month or so?
Total was $5287.73. Divided by 13 (I'm presuming that all the Ferrey's are coming? If not sure...is fine, we can sort out later) = $406.75 per person.
I am excluding Mom...as she paid for our trip last time and thought we could pay for hers this time?
Perhaps this is not the best forum to discuss this, but is the best way of reaching all of you. As I know that Jim and Laura read this, even if they cannot figure how to post.
What do you think?
Cost includes our night on the boat before we actually leave..Sunday June 29th, then returning Sunday July 6. It's only 2 months away!! Should I arrange for meals etc and post again? It would be 2 meals we have to prepare and clean up after, so 1 breakfast, 1 supper? Gas will be extra of course..plus insurance I think from last time if I am remembering correctly. This time we will have a truck, so can bring extra chairs, firewood, as i know last time everyone was pretty cramped in their vehicles. Just let us know what you need. other than a million dollars.
I am arranging for beautiful weather, but cannot be held accountable if it does not arrive as ordered. There is a hot tub if cold and rainy...which it won't be....plus we have karaoke to amuse ourselves with!

Seven Things To Do

Has anyone seen that Kids in the Hall sketch where the guy has a list of 7 things to do? That's how I feel -- I have a list in front of my face & am consumed by said list. Although instead of packing up my goods, I seem to go home, drink a beer, eat dinner, have a bath, and go to bed. That's not very efficient! I think I'll do better tonight. I feel a bit more rested.

Cats like the moving boxes a lot. Older cats use them to hide from the kitten. Kitten uses them as teething tools.

My movers are booked for Dec 19, and they'll be moving some of Todd's big furniture as well. I get to take the day off from work -- we get a moving day! Thanks, taxpayers!

I'm hoping to do first painting this week and early next, and maybe paint the living room walls. It's not hard stuff, but I just seem to have some motivation problems with it. Not to mention with xmas shopping. Would any of you like a gallon of paint for xmas?

Super(re)model

Actually, the most exciting thing about having everyone here last weekend was the fact that they saved my sanity by helping me so much. And Todd's sanity too, by helping pull up numerous staples in his flooring. I feel *extremely lucky* to have you guys! Tim & Geoff looked at electrical, Theresa pulled up flooring and lino, Judith and Lisa scraped and everyone hauled stuff out. Honestly, I'm so grateful for this. Everyone invited to what Jen calls our House Swarming on December 29! And I don't think I brought any bedbugs home from new place, either!

More exciting things: the article on housing in Alberta has been published! Check out my glamour shot. Mom, I do have an extra print copy I'll send off in mail to you.

I am not going to Rocky this weekend due to a strategic planning event that I am trying to pull together for L53, and that is my loss. Sniff.