Val-isms

A transition weekend of sorts

It's a lovely Friday.  Well, not really.  It's kind of overcast, humid and with a chance of rain.  But, hey, it's Friday.  And the weekend is supposed to be gorgeous - sunny and 70's!

My parents are being held hostage good sports from 10-1 today to host the cable guys who will be installing a cable box (since we added Showtime to the cable package, cuz duh, we need to see "Dexter" and "The L Word"!)  Hopefully, they'll show up earlier rather later.

We did a run of boxes to the new place last night and also moved the hamster ("Boo") to his/her new home.  The cage was placed in Sophie's room, so it won't be scared to death around their dogs, who probably wouldn't deliberately hurt it (well, maybe the border terrier would!) but since Boo hasn't had any encounters with dogs in his/her brief life, we decided this wouldn't be a good time to start.  Sophie is actually excited about having Boo with her.  We'll see how long that lasts!

Sophie has her annual physical this afternoon after school, so I'll be leaving work early to take her.  I can't wait to see how much she's grown since last year, as it seems like she's really shooting up.

She'll be staying with Gail tonight thru Sunday afternoon, though I'm sure I'll stop over to see her at some point before then.  It'll give us time to kind of get settled in at the new place.  She'll be with us Sunday night for dinner and all day on Monday.

We're going to services tonight, and it seems like we haven't been there in a while, though we just missed going last week!  I'm looking forward to getting back into that routine, but we'll probably be going to the Saturday morning service, as it'll be more convenient.  It will also allow a new tradition of having a Shabbat dinner at home on Friday night, which I'm looking forward to implementing to end the week.

It's "Weclome New Members" night at Services tonight and the Rabbi has invited us to her home to have dinner with some of them.  We're looking forward to it.  It'll be an early evening, though, with us having to be up and out early in the morning to get the final remains out of the old place and then clean.

What looks like just a few things, but will probably take 4+ boxes, will be moved out tomorrow morning.

It's kind of strange watching the old place empty out.  It was my first and only place I've ever lived in on my own.  Moving into it in October 2004 was one of the scariest things I've ever done in my life.  It served it's purpose, thought, giving me a place to sort through decisions I made that year, begin a new relationship with the woman I asked to marry me in November 2006.  Moving there was a good thing and I'll look back at the time spent there as productive and protective.

The next 6-8 months will be another stepping stone on our way to getting to our final destination - a home of our own.  But in the meantime, we'll enjoy the extra space, the beautiful views and being able to think and plan our future together.

Shabbat Shalom.

1st day of 2nd Grade and back to work

I think that going to meet the teacher and seeing her classroom yesterday definitely helped to take any anxiety out of the first day of school for Sophie.  It's a great idea.  I don't think that they did that when I was a kid.   (And no, Tina, that wasn't when all kids of all ages were in a one room classroom!)

Anyway, I went over to my ex's place early this morning and had b'fast with Sophie and helped her get dressed.  She wore a sleeveless pink/white top with her favorite white skirt (that Grandma & Grandpa brought her back from Israel) with her new pink sneakers and pink socks.  She looked great.  I'll post pics tonight if I find some time.

We drove her to school and she calmly walked to the classroom with us.  She saw her buddy Kenyon who is in her class this year and who also happens to live across the street from her.  Yesterday, they got to pick out where they wanted to sit for today and tomorrow and then the teacher will assign seats starting Monday (they rotate the kids every 4-6 weeks so that the kids get to know everyone).  Sophie picked a seat next to Kenyon.  Familiarity is good.

So she let us take some pictures of her & Kenyon and the 2 of them with her new teacher.  Then in the classroom she walked - glancing up at us waving at her and pretended she'd never seen us.  Ah, so proud we were to be dissed!  A far cry from last year, when she wasn't so sure she wanted us to leave.  I'm sure she'll be babbling about her new best friend and how nice her teacher was when I talk to her later.

Kenyon's Mom is picking them both up from school today and she'll hang there til Gail gets home from work. 

I'll be stopping at U-haul for a few more boxes on my way home.

Linda is dropping her road bike at the bike shop to get 'clips' installed (instead of pedals) and perhaps checking out the bike shoes to put into those clips.  She is very excited about this and hopes to have them installed for her Sept. 9th ride in NYC that she's going on.  I'm sure she'll be blogging about it once we get settled into our new place.

Tonight will be a few runs to the new place with boxes and hanging clothes.  Some laundry will be done, as well.  Services and dinner at the Rabbi's tomorrow night will fill up most of Friday night, so we want to get most of the stuff over to my parents tonight, so that Saturday morning will be just the remaining boxes and then cleaning the old place.  We have to be out by noon.  I can't wait!

But until then, I'm back at work today and it's not too bad of a day.  Lots of e-mails to be sure, but I got thru them.  And tomorrow is Friday.  Nice work week.

I'm back...

Hey there... miss me?!

It seems like a long time since I blogged.  I didn't even check e-mail while we were away.  We had a great time out on Fire Island.  The drive down and back, including the ferry rides were uneventful.  The weather was beautiful for the entire time we were away.

We went to the beach and there were actually waves.  3 footers.  Knocking us all on our asses!  Great fun.  The water was almost a tropical blue in color.  The sand was soft like 'buttah'!

The cousins had the freedom to go where they wanted during the day, as long as they told someone.  They got to ride boogie boards, go to the playground, the local store, swim and ride bikes.

Linda became my sister's running mate - running with her each of the 3 days a minimum of 5 miles and yesterday doing a 6 mile route!  It was hot out and the route they took included some interesting terrain: boardwalk, cement and sand.   There was little shade on the route, too.

Then there was the food.  My brother-in-law Jesse is an amazing cook.  He made pasta salads, regular salads, fruit salads, grilled steaks, made 'from scratch' pancakes (regular, blueberry & chocolate chip), baked potatoes, green beans, fabulous desserts of babka (chocolate & cinnamon), crumb cakes and I can't remember what else - - all more delicious than the prior meal eaten!

I got a LOT of color despite the sunblock.

What I didn't get were a lot of pictures.  In fact, if I got 3, that's saying alot.  Suffice it to say that I spent more time doing, than watching and the camera wasn't my first thought.

My sister was snapping pics so perhaps I can scan a few and post them.

The Israeli Bogners left for their home today.  It was excellent having them around.  The kids are amazing and we got to know an older Yonah who is quite the charmer.  I think Linda fell in love with him.

It's good to be home.  I dread facing the e-mails, but I'm looking forward to sitting at my desk in a nice air conditioned office tomorrow morning.  No kids whining.  No sand in places it shouldn't be.  But with other annoyances, I'm sure.

But before that, I'll be seeing Sophie off on her first day of 2nd grade.  We went over to drop off the school supplies and meet her teacher today.  She's very nice.  And she knew a few kids that are in her class and saw some from last year who are in different classes this year.

We spent today cleaning out the last of our place and moved some boxes over to our new place.  We'll sleep here tonight, but most likely sleep over at the new place tomorrow night.  Sleeping on the floor hasn't been too bad.

Off for a mini-vac

While Linda was at her bridal shower yesterday, I went over to see my parents and the visiting relatives.  Low-tide was about 3:30pm and walking way out at that time is a lot of fun for searching for little crabs and such.  My brother graduated from high school with Weese, so he'd invited her and her lovely wife over to join us.  It was great to see them and I think they enjoyed the adventure. 

It was agreed upon that they would visit us in the fall, winter and spring, for research purposes, to see if it's great to live on the beach only in the summer!  Perhaps Weese will provide us with their project results.

We got the apartment cleaned up and pretty much packed up today.  We have a few hours of work to do on Wednesday.  I'm feeling WAY less anxious and know that we'll have everything done by next weekend.  (Thanks, honey!)

We're leaving today for Fire Island.  I've never been.  My sister and her family are hosting my brother and his family, my parents, Linda, Sophie & I.  It should be a lot of fun.

The 6 cousins (ages 13, 11, almost 8, 7, 7 & 3 1/2) will have a blast.

Friends of my sister have made their house available for use for the overflow, so there'll be plenty of room for everyone.

Nothing but sun, beach, biking, walking/running, lounging for 2 days.  Sounds good to us!

Friday synopsis

It was an all day affair til 8:30pm.

Thank God for Matt - Hercules, nice guy, in a good mood the whole 5 hours he worked with us, mover/packer, amazing fella.  We could NOT have done it without him.

We threw out a TON.

We packed a TON.

Our apartment is empty except for bed frames, miscellaneous boxes, one table, one chair miscellaneous clothes/drawers, ironing board and iron.  Oh, and the food in frig and cabinets.

We slept on the floor last night.  We were both too exhausted to have any problems falling asleep.

Linda has a bridal shower this afternoon.  I'm going to my parents to see the family for awhile.

We'll regroup later.  I'm thankful that my back isn't bothering me too much yet.

I can't wait for it all to be over.  We leave for Fire Island in the morning 2.5 days away is just what we need right now.

Waiting...

The POD is being delivered today, versus tomorrow.  They called yesterday and asked if they could deliver it a day early.  Why, of course, I said.  They gave me a window of 11-2.  sigh.  I hate waiting.

Sophie I hung around this morning - she had 2 books to finish of her summer reading and I had to finish my book.  It was pretty good.  May have to read another one by this author: James Grippando.  I read "Lying with Strangers".

My list today includes:

• Taking my 10 yr old Volvo to have the emissions done
• Taking our vacuum cleaner to see if it's worth repairing
• Coordinate my moving 'helper' to come over about 10am tomorrow morning to help load the POD
• Go to the library: get me another book and some more books for Sophie.
• Pick up the liquor we are bringing to the dinner party we're attending tonight at the home of old friends of mine (one of the few couples I got in the 'divorce'!). 

I'm looking forward to going out tonight with Linda, as we've been like 2 ships passing in the night this week.  She's been having a week of Hell at work - lots of meetings with people from out of town, team building activities and culminating with a 'company day' today up in Southbury playing games and more team building.  On top of it all, Tuesday evening they had them bowling and last night, she had a dentist appointment that caused here mouth to be extremely painful all evening.  Poor thing was just plumb tuckered out.  I don't think we said more than a dozen words to each other all week!  I'm not crazy about this!  But I know it's not the norm, so hopefully, we'll have a good time tonight.

Sophie will be picked up by her other Mom later this afternoon and attending a local outdoor concert that is starring "Kool & the Gang"!  'member them?!!!!  Course ya do!

Tomorrow morning, I'm picking Sophie up EARLY to go with me to meet some old co-workers for a birthday breakfast for one of our gang AND Sophie (yet another 'party' for the 7 yr old!).  I haven't seen this group in a month or 2.  I'm looking forward to it.

Our storage area downstairs is in need of sorting and I know of at least ONE table that needs to be tossed, so perhaps Sophie & I will at least get that out and dumped before the POD arrives.  (This plan should surely guarantee that as we're mid-way thru it, the POD people will arrive, right?!  That's usually the way it goes)

No sooner had I just typed and spell-checked this post, I got a call that they POD would be here in 15 minutes and then it showed up in 3!  It arrived 15 minutes BEFORE it was due.  I hope that it's a sign for a very smooth move and that everything will fit in there.  Standing in it, it didn't seem that big... but I have to remember that we really don't have a lot of stuff.

I'm off to do the list above.

Vacation day #3

Doing the packing bits and pieces is good for the back, but it does tend to make things drag on a bit.  Sophie has been amazingly good with not having anything really fun planned for this week and just kind of 'winging' it with dear old Mom.  The weather has made us both rather lazy, as well.

Today we both slept til 8:15.  Didn't even hear Linda get up or or leave.  (Sorry, honey!)

Then trying to figure out logistically what had to be done and in what order... we ignored it all and went to the diner for breakfast and called Yak to meet us.  It was a nice impromptu meal - good company and good conversation.

Then off to the library where we hit pay-dirt and got 4 more books on her summer reading list!  She read one of them on the way home!  Then the 2 of us curled up in the over-sized chair and read for an hour - - nice and cozy! 

We headed over the Temple to see about helping with the move in the religious school classrooms only to find out that they couldn't do as much as they had hoped and the 'crew' had left for the day.

We stopped at U-haul to get some more boxes and then to a consignment shop to see about clothes for Sophie.  We found a beautiful black dress and a shirt and skirt for her - all 3 items totaling under $20.

Home we headed with the intent of packing up the stereo and speakers.  Despite all the bubble popping of the bubble wrap, we managed to get it all packed up nicely.   The place is pretty much starting to have minimal walk way space.  Unfortunately, most of the boxes that are packed and stacked in our place are going to the new place, versus storage, so they'll be around til the 1st!  But Friday/Saturday, we'll be packing up the couch, chair, beds, dressers, etc... so it'll be like camping indoors for the remainder of the time we're here. 

I keep reminding myself that there is an awesome light at the end of this tunnel and it'll all be worth the inconvenience we will be going thru over the next week and a couple of days. 

Deep down, all I really want to do and is curl up and read my book, which is what I'm going to do right now.

Transparent to the reader...

Yeah, so I already posted once today.  So it's bonus day!  Lucky you!  And who says I can't post twice in a day anyway???!!

Transparent to the user... or rather the reader, that is.  The past 36 hours have been what I'd term stressful - and me, on my vacation, too!  (I hate when that happens!)

I've been without Internet access for that long.  I know... can you imagine????!!!   :: shudder!::::

Well, actually, it wasn't SO bad, since Linda's laptop still had access.  But that was the frustrating part of it all.  We both access the Internet using the same router.  Yet, SHE could get on and I couldn't.  I was on all weekend, and then about 8:30 am yesterday, BAM!, I couldn't get in any longer.

Fortunately, this was good, as being on the Internet is THE best way to procrastinate, it forced me to actually DO something!  But last night, I called my work help-desk (yes, in India) and after talking to this guy who I could barely understand, he suggested it was the router's problem.   Not my company's laptop issue.  (I love when the finger pointing begins!)

So then I spent an hour with another guy from the router company (who, coincidentally, happened to also be India!) and he thought that I might need a software update, but he needed me to hook up tusing an Ethernet cable from the laptop to the router to validate this theory.  I told him that I didn't have one of those and this whole set up has been working wireless for YEARS, etc.....   He said I had to get the cable and to call back.  sigh.

So among my errands today, I picked up a cable.  Tonight, I called back and spent another hour doing pinging, downloading, ftping, etc... and after all kinds of trying this and that and another thing, the guy (also in India, but who I could easily understand and who had the patience of a saint!) figured out that it was a combination of having a very old version of the router software (which we upgraded) combined with the fact that someone in a nearby apartment had recently installed a router, which had the same 'name' and my PC was getting confused.  In it's confusion, it just stopped working!  (And here I thought it was a machine and confusion was not something that would affect it!  Silly me!)  So now my connection is named VAL and hopefully we won't run into another "VAL" in the area.  He also assured me that when we move, all we have to do is just plug the router in and everything should work without having to do anything.  Stay tuned for THAT folks!

So I'm back in business tonight.  And boy it feels good.

It was kind of good not having the access (aside from using Linda's this morning to check e-mail and post on my blog).  I got into my new library book, while Sophie was reading her latest summer reading book.  Then off we went to do our errands.

But no sooner as we arrived home, it was a nagging urge the whole time I was making dinner.  You would have thought I'd had a limb cut off or something.  Though it's nothing even close to the feeling I get if I forget my cell phone!  ::: double shudder:::

In a totally unrelated side note, I am thankful that for whatever divine intervention happened tonight to enable my lovely Linda to arrive home safely to me.  She witnessed a complete spin-out across a 5 lane highway on her way home from work that was literally seconds in front of her.  The driver seemed to have been thrown out of his car which had slammed into a light pole and knocked it over (thankfully away from the highway).  She stopped, as did a few others, to check on the guy, who seemed to bleeding a little from his nose, but was complaining about his back.  They called the police and she left a guy there, who saw the whole thing happen, to stay with the guy and talk to the police when they showed up.  It really shook her up as you can imagine.

She had to go back out after dinner for a 'team-building' bowling thing tonight and was a little nervous about going back out there as it was still pouring out.  She called me when she got there to let me know that she arrived safely. 

So things are good.  AND I got a good haircut today!  (and my hairdresser said I didn't do too badly on Sophie's either, but she did have to even up a few things!)

Here's hoping that it's not raining tomorrow.

Vacation day 2

I'm not sure I like this much rain going on.  There was a chance of it yesterday and that would have been fine, but it never really came.  Today it's come.  And it's pretty chilly out there.  Feels more like September versus August, but I'm not complaining.  (Fall is, after all, my favorite season)

Sophie & I were very productive yesterday - between packing/sorting stuff indoors in the morning and then we went to the car-wash and really cleaned out my car - the Volvo who was the 'catch-all' vehicle for many things!  It looks great now on the inside.  And we even drove it through the car wash just to make it shine a bit on the outside.  Yeah, I knew rain was on the horizon, but it'd been MANY months since it'd been cleaned.

Today, we have a few errands to do, as well, including FINALLY sending a wedding present to a certain daughter of a new blogger/old friend of mine!  I have to get a card to put in the box and off to the post office we'll go!

Around noon time I have a hair cut to go to.  I trimmed Sophie's hair last night (something I hadn't done since I trimmed her bangs when she was about 2!) and well, er, uh, let's just say that I shouldn't have!  I'm not a professional and though it's not horrible, it's in need of a professional, so I'm hoping that my hairdresser can take care of it while we're there!

Linda has an all day meeting that she's speaking at, which had her tossing and turning all night in bed.  I'm sure she'll be fine.  This is an all day Marketing meeting and then the group is going bowling tonight!  So I won't be seeing too much of her, though she might come home for dinner, which would be nice.

On a down note, my laptop's software for the Internet is not working, and though it doesn't make sense to me, it's not 'connecting' with the router.  It's been doing it for 4-5 years, but yesterday it decided it had enough.  To upgrade it (as directed by the help desk # I called), I have to have an actual cable (ethernet one! to connect the pc with the router directly and then they can do what they need to do to it.  So I have to pick up one of those in my travels, as well!

Sophie & I will be busy, but unfortunately, unless the sun comes out, nothing too fun.  Maybe it'll be better later today and we'll get to the pool.

But hey, it's not all bad.  I AM on vacation!

Vacation Day 1

For the ultimate procrastinator, sometimes it takes divine intervention to keep me on track. 

The weather is overcast with an 80% chance of rain.  Basically, the world is telling me that there is absolutely no reason to venture outside, so get packing/sorting!

I did venture out for a coffee and a bagel when Linda headed off to work at 7.  Sophie was dropped off this morning about 8.  I've since gone through the bathroom cupboards identifying things to keep and things that can be tossed.

My next project is the pantry closet.  Sophie wants to help, which should be great.  If there's time, we'll head to the library before lunch, if not, we'll go afterward.  Sophie has more required summer books to finish before school starts and we have to return the ones she's read.

We're going to have lunch with Linda and stop into my office as I forgot to hit the credit union on Friday for some cash. 

This afternoon, we're open as to if we'll head to my parents or find something else to do.

But at least the morning will have been productive... if I just stop typing this post and get going!