The fear of a jinx has kept me away

Since I was afraid it may fall through, as many opportunities have for me recently, I did not post when I received my job offer last week. This position I have been interviewing for over a month for and I felt like I met the entire firm in the process. Anyway, I landed a great job and I could not be happier about it! Hallelujah! Since I am a little weirded out about who can read Internet posts I won't say where the job is, but it is at one of the banks in town and I was offered an officer title. Again, I could not be happier. It took six long months and I often felt like I was losing my head, but I made it!!! I start my job next Monday.

While I wait to begin this new adventure I am trying to tie up any lose ends around here, but basically I have been out of work so long I could care less about all the other day to day stuff. I am just eager to dive into my new career.

I did find a book club here- so I am planning on joining. I have always wanted to be part of a book club, but they always meet in the middle of the day- and I work : ) But finally, our church has a woman's book club that meets in the evening one night a month- so in an effort to get out and meet people, and live this life to the fullest I am joining a group. I really am trying to find ways to meet people since I feel as though I still have no friends here. Thankfully we have family that helps me through that. MW has made friends through hockey, work and golf, but when I tried to make friends through golf all I met was retirees. Go figure.

Bailey is doing great. He is getting stronger each day. He still is not able to walk upstairs so MW carries him up each night for bed and down in the morning. It is really adorable and I need to get a photo. Bailey's right leg is still dragging a bit when he walks so he can't really walk on cement without cutting his feet up - but aside from that he is a happy tail wagging lab and that is what we like to see.

If any of you are wondering why I have not called---- I managed to talk my way through my cell minutes and then some and when I got the bill my jar dropped....Nights and weekends only for me for a while. Whoa. And if you want to call and chat please try my home phone first. I have managed to talk myself into a steep bill... yuck.

1. Stay well everyone.

Sammy's Home!!!

After careful consideration we decided that it was time to bring Sammy back into the house. Bailey had seemed depressed for days now and we all missed pretty princess prancing around. So, Friday afternoon I picked Sam up for the reunion. We spend a lot of time in the yard and on the deck this past weekend. I took a bunch of photos that are posted below.

We have two guard dogs whenever we go outside. Especially Sam. She is the Chief of Security at this house. Nothing is getting passed her.
Bailey never seemed to figure out that he weighs 80 pounds and not 8! He is a lap dog in his mind. Meanwhile, this is supposed to be Sam's reunion and Bailey is hogging all of the attention. Of course, this is nothing new.

The princess

I have a photo just like this one from when Bailey was 8 weeks old. He is a ham.

My lap dog.

Showing off his Salty Dog bandanna.

Notice the tongue.
Other than this, the weekend was pretty uneventful.

Time Flies

I can't believe it is the middle of October already. It feels like yesterday was September. Since I last posted we traveled to Jersey City and Belleville NJ, Hyde Park and West Point NY, and Hilton Head Island, SC. While at the brunch following Bill and Ro's wedding we got a photo of the entire Hyde Park clan plus the additions of wives and children. A few people could not make the brunch, but for the most part this is MW's old crew. I love group photos like this.
When we got back from NY we were only home for two days before we left for Hilton Head Island. We "won" a free stay there, so we took advantage of the opportunity. It was a beautiful place, but nothing like what I expected. The island was very residential and other than going to the beach you could not see it...meaning there were not many restaurants on the water or you could not drive along the coast line, and there was no kind of boardwalk. We did rent bikes while we were there and cruised all over the island. It was a lot of fun. You are able to ride your bikes on the beach there, so we rode for miles and at one point had dolphins literally swimming right next to us. The water dropped off quickly, so the dolphins were swimming maybe 15 feet from shore. It was incredible. They were so beautiful. We also went to "The Salty Dog" which is the islands famous restaurant. If anyone has ever been to Martha's Vineyard or heard of "The Black Dog" it was similar as a trademark and a legendary story.

Now that we are back I had my final? interview for this one position that has been dragging on forever. No final word yet... What a frustrating experience. Meanwhile, it still has not rained in months and the earth is so dry our yard is dead and the dirt is drying and cracking as if it were the desert. The drought is so serious that I heard the other night on the news that in some areas there is only a three month water supply left. CRAZY. We need rain so terrible. I guess tomorrow or Friday we may get a little and we will take whatever we can get!

I have traveled the past three weekend and am looking forward to spending this weekend here doing things around the house. I hate that I can't do yard work- meaning I can't do anything worth while since I can't use water on plants, grass, or flowers...I am not even sure it makes sense to put down fertilizer unless it is raining. Maybe tomorrow I will run out in the rain, if it rains, to fertilize the ground.

The Bailey News

It has been a little bit since I posted an updated on the brown pup. He is doing AMAZING! Last weekend while I was away he decided to become independent and start walking around on his own all over! He can now walk on the wood floors and deck! Although it is much more difficult than the carpet, he is getting around just fine. He is still unable to take on steps, but I did see him climb the two side steps by our house once and down them twice. It is just too risky for him to do it on his own still. He got lucky those times, but he has also fallen and it is not worth him injuring himself again- so we use the sling to get him up and down the stairs.

Today, for the first time he lifted his back leg to pee! -Which shows he has strength to hold his body weight on his right leg- the injured side of the spine. Huge accomplishment.

I did unfortunately contribute to a minor injury today. I thought it would be special to take a short "walk" so I put his leash on and we walked down the sidewalk about four or five houses- he loved it!!!, but on the way back I realized his back right foot was scraped up and bleeding again and his toenails were completely worn down. I felt terrible even though he was smiling.

Anyway, that is what is up with the pup!

We are heading to the Hudson Valley for the weekend! One more wedding!!! I am sure the foliage will be beautiful. We are also hoping for a trip to West Point while we are there.

What a day...

Sometimes I feel like my day is so crazy I need to go home and find a "safe" place. Today was one of those days. It started with a phone interview that I don't think went all that well. The lady grilled me and I just had a bad vibe. It was the 8th person I have interviewed with for this job and I am interviewing with four more people within the next week. If i don't get this offer I am going to be so frustrated that I spent all this time interviewing!!!!

Then MW called because his glasses broke- I drove to Charlotte to bring him a new pair. Next, I go to his parents house to get the mail and feed the cat. NOTE: If you are a Wanish and have not spoken to any parents today please do not read this. I arrived at the house and began filling Widget's (the cat) water dish. I shook her food and she did not come running. I bet you all know what I am going to say next. Yes, the 17 year old cat was dead. The poor thing was sprawled out on the sun room floor. I have never actually seen a dead animal other than on the side of the road, so this was pretty traumatic. I called MW and told him I am not moving the cat. I leave. I then go home to care for the pup (who is doing very well by the way) and eat lunch. After that I headed to the mall to try and get MW's glasses fixed. Of course they can't fix them. They will replace them for half price since they are less than a year old, but they no longer sell that frame. OK, but I can't pick them out for him and we fly tomorrow to NY. Oh well I figure since I can't do anything else about it. I leave the Mall only to see that the bank next to the mall just got robbed. OK- I see the police running around and them putting yellow tape all around the building. I continue on. MW came home a little early to change his clothes to go bury the cat. And here I am. What a day. What a day. It was just one thing after the next. I know the glasses breaking is minor, and the interview was just an interview, but it was sad to see Widget-t it was obvious though that her tiny little soul was gone and I knew that she was in kitty heaven. I just felt slightly responsible for her death and not being there and that she maybe died from being old and lonely. She has been alone for a week with only two visits. Who knows. OK- that was the day. Thought I would report it. Sorry to rain on your day. Tomorrow we head to NY for another wedding! Wow. Last one for the season. Did I mention I am having my first dinner guests since moving here over tonight? Fun times.

September 29, 2007

A perfect day for a wedding in Wilton, NH. Congratulations Meredith and Shane. I had a great time!

My sister is the tiny one- aka third in from the right.

Although I wish MW could have been there it was great to see such a good friend get married. I was able to catch up on girl time with some friends I have not seen for a few years. Hopefully, not as much time will go by before the next visit.