Back to reality

Back in town. Still on vacation. Two days left. I have lots of pictures. See me on Facebook for the full or most of the story.

I have prepared the tally to share the cost of this one with XSU because it involved the exchange student. He was over here yesterday to pick up RJ's laptop. I think she's overloaded it and it has run out of memory - cuz it's not working at all. Doesn't XSU come into the house - after knocking on the door at least- and come make himself comfortable at the kitchen table. WTF? My lovely red DELL was out and XSU had computer envy. heh heh heh. I believe he was rather surprised. whatEV!

I had signed over a drug plan cheque to him as he had paid for some of Rebel's meds. Well, as I knew, but he wouldn't listen, his bank wouldn't accept the cheque from him because I am no longer "known" to his accounts. "Very inconvenient," he said, "very inconvenient." Again I say whatEV!

The trip was pretty good. The girls enjoyed themselves though I am concerned about RJ's growing selfishness and "all about me" atttitude. I just don't know what the right way is to handle her on this. I am not at all impressed. We had a couple of "moments" that had me wanting a scotch or seven. I will mention them to the father and see if can have some kind of chat with her, but he too has his shelfish moments and I am not sure he'll be much help. However it must be duly noted.

I am back into the basement to get a bunch of stuff moved as I am having insulation sprayed into the "headers" tomorrow R24 here we come.

Road Trip

Meez didn't have a Niagara Falls image so road trip is as good as it will get. Taking Rebel Junior and her exchange student, already nicknamed "Frenchy" by RJ's friends, to the Falls. She wants to see the Falls by night and through the Maid of the Mist of course. I expect to be back on the weekend.
I don't post my whereabouts on Facebook - too easy to be a target there so if you read here you'll know where I am. I am taking the laptop with because teenage girls can't survive on texting alone apparently. If I am lucky I may even get access to it while we are away.

Renos going well. I am now the proud owner of lots of studs (-; and sheetrock.

Gotta love it all

Stay tuned. This blogger has been just a tad occupied with things around the home front.
I'll be back shortly with a little of this and a little of that.

The XSU moved out over three weeks ago - he has no phone and no computer so the girls can't reach him and he has to find a way to talk to them. Apparently he's been hitting up phone booths.
"It's very frustrating not having a phone and the phone company has not been good about the service" he says. And I have been having great pleasure in saying "no - he doesn't leave here any more. His phone number? Sorry I don't have that."
The daughter tells him - get a cell phone it would be hooked up in a minute. But he hasn't and probably won't.

Our exchange student has arrived. Her English is very good. We went to the lake today - she has only ever been in the ocean so this was very different for her! A bunch of my friends were there - it was a mother daughter good time. Even the dog came. He can do the dog paddle, but wasn't happy in the water at all.

I went out and bought a whole new living room. New love seat, chair, lamp nesting tables and area rug. Now THAT was fun. I think I will have to create a whole series of before and after photos. Except the before doesn't show the ugly furniture I had that XSU took. I am really gonna be happy with the new stuff. I am so not good on choosing colours and designs so I used the designer at the store where I liked the couches and chairs. She came to the house and gave me some good ideas on how to spruce up the kitchen as well. But that's on hold til EVERything else is done.

I have started getting the main floor ready to paint - my colours - my way. The basement is being demolished. The fecking eejits who did the original rec room put the vapour barrier against the cement wall THEN put in the insulation and then wall board. So I now have to take that all down and start from the studs and work up the insulation and new vapour barrier. Never mind the plastic they used was about as thick as Saran Wrap.

Gotta love the renos.

13 on Thursday

13 Things I have purchased since XSU vacated the premises

1. 1 new lamp
2. 1 new coffee pot - an old fahioned on the stove Corning percolator - consignment store find
3. 2 new doors steel with windows to let in the light - new locks too of course
4. 3 sets of glasses all different styles - consignment store find
5. two dresses; 2 pairs of shoes- new not 2nd hand
6. 5 batteries - remote died; my tv is effed up the channels have disappeared ARGH
7. 7 new windows including two basement windows
8. 1 package smoked salmon Atlantic - had a craving
9. 1 refrigerator
10. 1 stove -electric unfortunately but flat cook top!
11.1 range hood needs to be ducted to outside rather than re circulating into the house
12.1 microwave oven - it *should* pop popcorn
13. 1 bottle Pol Roger champagne.. because I wanted it!

Weepy moments and figuring it out

I've been completely alone in the house for the first time in a few years now. Probably since the last time both girls and the XSU went to visit his family in Nova Scotia. It's a little weird, but it's also okay.

I have chatted a few times with Rebel. XSU keeps trying to make his case with her. It's kind of pathetic really. He started telling her how for six years he would be the one to pick up the girls from day care, bring them home, make supper and I'd be late blah blah blah.

I told her that first of all her father's issues were his - not hers. That really, it was not any of her business. However I did feel I had to defend my side this one time. I told her the following
1 your dad is a teacher - he's out of school at 3:30 in the afternoon and done by 4 PM at the latest.
2 We only had one car and he REFUSED to take the bus even though his school is right on the transit way.
3 I worked across the river and took a bus.

So.... what did she think of her dad's resentments now? And finally I told her, that her dad should not be venting his issues and how feels about me to her. He needs to talk to a professional who can help him work through these things. A trained therapist is the sole person who can deal with this stuff and I told her she must tell her dad to back off. Seriously, I mean REALLY!

I've been furniture shopping and now have an interior designer and colour specialist coming over on Saturday to help me decide what to do with the main floor. I am pretty useless at that kind of thing and really don't have a clue. I know I really like modern edgy kind of looks but have no idea how to put it together. I know I want comfy couches that are meant to be sat in and not looked at. My closest friend is in the decor business and has promised to come for a visit and "chachka -ize " my house for me with finishing touches once I get a few things done. I am busy taping edges and doorframes and will prime up this week and then buy paint on the weekend and get that done before Rebel Junior gets home I think.

Rebel's BF has said he'll do the rec room demolition with his buddies so what the heck. I'll pay him some thing and then that will mean I don't have to pay the Hunky Handyman to do this stuff.

I've been having a few weepy moments... not sure why, but they happen. I think it's still the futility of the whole mess. That andXSU walking out with a few things that will have to be returned - my wine and art books, and a few other books that should hever have left, Christmas decorations that to me are treasures his mom made for both of us. I realized today he took one of my best knives, but I decided it was all right since the point is broken off -probably when he decided to use the knife as a tool. My good ole Heinkle knife is still a good knife that I can keep very sharp and I have the rest of the CUTCO collection for back up. But really - he should have asked or at the very least told me he was taking this stuff.

I also think some of my best towels are gone . The thing is - I know he took "towels" without consideration for colour or anything. I want them back and will give him others. My bathroom is painted a chinese red and the only towels I can use in there are the black, grey and white ones. The pink and burgundy towels from back in the day just hurt the eyes in there.