Saturday I went shopping with 2.0.  I needed a dress for a wedding on the 14th.  First we hit Hecht's, where I found one we liked.  I bought it and kept looking (well, might be something better).  At Lord and Taylor, I found another one (same brand).  2.0 didn't like it as well, but I thought I'd take it home and see which one I liked best.  Then, the following:

Watergirl:  So, do we like the first dress $60 more? 
2.0:  That's the price difference.
WG:  Yes.  Big sale here.
2.0:   We might not like it that much more.
WG:  Also, I don't need shoes to go with the second dress. 
2.0:  I definitely don't think we like it $60 and shoes more.

This is why we get along well. 

Also, because we both agreed that flipping off the guy in the red Jeep who ran over the day lilies to get into the left hand turn lane so that he could sit at the red light was a perfectly appropriate response.

Today, Cdub and I went to Lowe's to get me a grill.  She has a minivan, and I also figured she'd be helpful for putting it together.  Guess what?  It was already put together.  And I got a free set of tools and a free grill cover.   Sweet.

So, I cooked the first meal on the grill tonight.  (Of course Cdub was invited.)  Beef satay.  Yummy!  Served with coconut rice and Asian slaw.  All yummy.

Also. yesterday was Angeler's Birthday.  Happy Birthday!

I have a subscription to the News & Observer.  It is a daily subscription, but my favorite day is Sunday.  I love curling up on the couch with a cup of coffee and reading the Sunday paper.  So, I was very disappointed this past Sunday when I went out to get the paper, and it was not there.  I called the circulation office and was on hold for 17 minutes.  (My phone, it has a timer.)  When I finally spoke to someone, I was told a replacement paper would be delivered.  (Note:  this was at about 0830.)

At 1030, I decided to run to the grocery store.  When I got back to the house (around 1100), still no paper.  I ran back out to buy a paper, and the first machine ate my money.  I did finally manage to purchase a paper.

When I called the circulation office yesterday to complain that I never got the original, the replacement, or the first paper I tried to purchase, I was told, "We can send you out one tomorrow."  I do not want the Sunday paper ON TUESDAY! 

Some of y'all know my mom.  You know then that if you meet my mom, she treats you as if you were another one of her children (except that, to my knowledge, she has never grounded you).   (Well, unless you are TRgirl, Bud, or Goose.)  Even the boys love her.  When I broke my leg, she came and stayed for a week, but had to go home for the weekend.  She came back for the surgery, and was greeted by two cat bellies.  That is a high compliment in the cat world.   

When I was growing up, I often wished that my mom worked, so that I could have the "fashionable" clothing.  (Why quotes?  I grew up in NJ.  Anyone else remember Z. Cavaricci jeans?)   I have come to appreciate having a mom who was home every day after school, who was there to listen to my problems and help with my homework.  (Well, until Calculus.  Mom, you were no help with Calculus.) 

We fought during my teenage years (I know, a mom and teenaged daughter fighting.  Shocker!), but we didn't really hold on to the anger.  Our most memorable fight involved throwing laundry at each other, which we then picked up and folded together.  (That's what I remember about the argument.  Not what it was about.)

I know that TRgirl, Bud, and I are the people we are because of Mom's influence.  (Goose is still young.)  We are in careers (or second careers) that help people, in our own ways.  We help where we can.  We support each other, and are always there when one of the others needs us. 

Mom, you are one of my best friends.  Thank you for all you do and all you have done for me.  I love you!

I am very hopeful that MW will be back by next weekend.  So much so that I've ironed the shirt he's planning on wearing to the wedding we are attending on Saturday (well, possibly the wedding I am attending on Saturday.  I had a backup date, but she's informed me she'll be out of town.)  Anyway, because of this,  I spent the weekend cleaning out my closets.  I like to do this about twice a year, but actually hadn't done it since about this time last year.  Result?  8 bags to Goodwill.  4 bags of trash. 1 burnt out paper shredder.

This meant the house was in disarray for about a day and a half.  Jasper hates that.  He spent a good part of the time running around, trying to find a room I hadn't destroyed.  Since only the kitchen and bathrooms lack closets, he didn't have much luck.  (As for the kitchen, I had already cleaned the pantry out.  And the laundry closet.  Refrigerator cleaning scheduled for Tuesday.  Yes, I did write it in my planner.  What of it?)  Thus, when I was making one of my trips to the dumpster, I returned to find him stretched out to his full length, reaching for the latch on the storm door.

I had planned that the closet cleaning would take all weekend, but except for the actual delivery to Goodwill, it was done Saturday night.  Which left time for cleaning the house on Sunday.  And 4 loads of laundry.  And a walk with 2.0.  All finished in time so that I could enjoy Cold Feet with a glass of wine. 

Update on the 101 in 1001:  I've completed 10 items, or slightly less than 10%.

That's what I am.  I quit Weight Watchers several weeks ago.  Why?  The program was good for me- it has made me more aware of what I am eating and I do make better choices, but I was no longer benefiting.  I was simply paying them for the privilege of weighing me every week. 

And I?  Own a scale.  Not that I've used it.  However, I can tell you that when I did the closet clean-out, I discovered that several pairs of pants that used to fit and then didn't now fit again.  So that's something.  Also, I can almost (almost) fit into my "skinny" pants. 

Y'all, today I am certain that MW will not be back in time for the wedding.  Which means I will have to go by myself.  Which I do not want to do. 

Also, my GC?  FUBARed again. 

Oh, and boys?  You know how you wake me up early on the weekends?  Why do you not do this on weekdays when I forget to set the alarm?

Babu:  Why do they need an ATM right in the restaurant?

Watergirl:  I guess if they don't take credit cards here and you have no cash?

Babu:   Oh, I did that at a drive-thru once.

WG:  Once, I went to Cup A Joe to buy some coffee, and I went to pay, and the girl told me, "We don't take credit cards."  I had to write a check.

Babu:  Who writes checks anymore?

So, today was the much-talked-about (here, anyway) wedding.  (No, MW did not get back in time.)  I got to the church at 1250 (the wedding started at 1).  I met up with a friend, we signed the guest registry, and were prevented from entering the church by this tiny woman who was apparently in charge of sending the processional down, and decided that it was now time for the grandmothers to be seated.  There were at least 20 guests standing behind us, and the Mother of the Bride had to suggest to this woman (who was physically blocking the entrance) that perhaps the guest should be seated before the processional began.  (Late guests had to sit in the balcony, but we?  Were not late!)

The ceremony was beautiful; the bride and groom were beaming.  After the ceremony, we all headed down 40 to the farm where the  reception was held.   Food, wine, mingling.  Then?  Holding baby.  Stetson, to be exact.  He's 5 weeks old now, and still very tiny. 

Anyway, y'all know that I was not looking forward to going on my own; I had a good time. 

2.0:  So, I messed up my toenail polish at the beach today.  Can we get pedicures tomorrow instead of Wednesday?

WG:  Sure.  Where do you want to go, your place or mine?

2.0:  Where's your place?

WG:  In the mall.

2.0:  Which mall?

WG:  Cary Towne Center.

2.0:  Oh, we could get Orange Julius and pretzels.  Let's go there!

So, Ri has been spending a lot of time lately staring under the oven.  From on top of the counter and from on the floor.  Sunday, I walked into the kitchen as he was in pouncing mode, just in time to see him attack the oven.  Hit his head on it.

Now, I had figured there was something under there, and after that little display I had to find out what it was.  (Note:  I assumed some sort of bug.  Or possibly a small snake.)  When I pulled the range out to clean behind it, do you know what I found?  Mouse droppings!

I called the landlord today, to tell them this.  I was asked, "So, I guess a mouse from outside is getting in the house?"  Gee, ya think?

MW's back!  He got back last night.  Watergirl = happy.  Also happy?  Jasper.

What does this mean for the weekend?  Artsplosure.

Our best conversation?  While looking at an Atlas:

MW:  I like looking at maps.
WG:  Me too!
MW:  That's a weird thing to have in common. 

Not so, my dear.  Not so. 

In other news, they plugged a hole to outside and set a mousetrap in the kitchen.  One that will not lead to my coming home and finding Orion with a mousetrap on his paw.

When I went to bed last night, the mousetrap was near the kitchen sink.  When I came downstairs this morning, the mousetrap was on the opposite side of the kitchen.  Although I suspected this meant there was a mouse in it, I thought it also possible the boys decided to play with it empty.  Not so.  There was a field mouse inside the trap.  (No, I did not bop it on the head.)  What did I do?  I put it back by the sink and left a message for my landlord.  Hey, I'm not letting it go right outside my house, so it can get back in.  Also, I was unsure as to its state of existence.  If I were a mouse, caught in a trap, and then some cats started batting the trap around, I might have a heart attack.  Hard to say.

I could use it around my house, unfortunately.  And the fact that it's bilingual?  Brilliant!

(Thanks to Sars for the link.)

I have Sting's Englishman in New York stuck in my head.  Luckily for my co-workers, I know exactly 2 lines.  And am not afraid to sing them.

Ri woke me up at 0500- he was being all lovey and snugly.  I thought it was sweet, until I realized that the real reason was that they had managed to lock themselves in the bedroom.  (Jasper's reaction to this was, "I will lay down next to the wall and go to sleep then.")

I drove all the way out to the barn last night.  They had predicted showers, so I had my raingear on, but when I got there, it was thundering.  And we do not ride in thunderstorms, horses being flight animals.  So, I had to reschedule.  But I did get to see the new filly (<1 week old).  Foals?  Have funny tails.

Tonight, we are going out to celebrate Cdub's birthday.  Early, but I am a proponent of the Birthday Week.  Because we are very mature, we are going to play video games.

We are not allowed to drink the water at the office (some sort of problem with it.  I don't know, and they haven't asked me to check it out.), which means no coffee.  People going to be crabby around here!

1. Air hockey and wedge sandals are not a good combination.
2. The Harley Davidson racing game is much better than the similar one featuring the crotch rockets.
3. We still suck at House of the Dead.
4. But not compared to how much we suck at pool. 

  Confederate camp, prior to battle 
  Originally uploaded by H2O girl.

So, I'm trying this flickr thing for my photos, seeing if I like it better than Typepad's photo albums.  Here are a few pictures from the Bentonville reenactment.  Thoughts?

So, Friday night was Cdub's Birthday Extravaganza.  (Actually, her birthday is today.  Happy Birthday, Cdub!  You are way older than I am!)  We went to Jillian's, played video games and shot pool.  Actually, attempted to shoot pool might be a more accurate description. 

Saturday, before MW arrived, I ran to the Farmer's Market.  I wanted strawberries.  I also impulse-bought asparagus and a hanging plant (don't know what kind.  I will take a picture for 2.0.  She will know.) 

Sunday, we went to Artsplosure.  Lots of art, and we each had our favorites.  MW liked this guy (possibly because he used beautiful Italian-maple frames).  My favorite is here; I loved his "Mrs. Davis' Chair" series.  (I am regretting not buying one of the prints.  Actually, had I seen this one, I would have.)

After Artsplosure, I brought MW out to my office (He wanted to see where I work.  Totally would have been better when we had a chicken.)  I was leading him down the hall toward my office, and realized he was no longer behind me.  The sight of Cool Boss's messy office had stopped him in his tracks.  "How does anyone work in this office?" he wanted to know. 

See, this is why, on our (Cool Boss and I) joint projects, I keep the files. 

but you still are not supposed to lock Orion in my bedroom while I am at work. 

I made up last Thursday's riding lesson tonight.  It was a group lesson in which all three of us became frustrated with our horses (for different reasons).  I am showing on June 12th, so I have to decide if I want to ride Solie or Bruno in the show.  By Wednesday.  Also?  I must memorize my tests by Thursday.  This means living room run-throughs, which the boys love watching.  (Jasper:  Why is she running around in circles?  Ri:  She crazy!  Let's run with her!)

Several of y'all have asked for this, so here is a picture of Cassidy, Castle Farm's new filly, with her dam Sandi and Heather.  (Photo by Chris King).

You can find more pics here. 

   

I told you 2.0 would know.  They are petunias.

Y'all, just now?  Coming out of the lab?  The door bounced off of the reservoir for the air conditioner (HVAC system in this building is not sufficient for a lab with 2 fume hoods and an autoclave, so we have a window unit in the wall) and hit me in the head.  Hard.  I saw stars.  Now I have a lump and a red mark on my forehead.  Ow!

I was invited by a friend to attend a yoga class last night.  It was my very first class, and was nothing like I expected it to be.  Definitely a workout!  However, all the muscles that were sore from riding on Monday felt much better afterward.  I would do it again.  Actually, I hope to do it again.

In other news, I thought the bump on my head from yesterday's incident wasn't that bad, but when I came into work, Sara greeted me with, "That's quite a knot you gave yourself!" 

It's watching Gone With the Wind.  Heather was appalled that I hadn't seen it.  She found this out when she told me that Solie looked like Prissy and I had no idea what she meant. 

Last night's ride was much better than Monday's.  We are working toward our first dressage show (June 12).  Wish me luck!

Friday night, 2.0 and I went walking.  This was after a lengthy phone conversation that established that a:) we were both tired and didn't really feel like walking and b:) we were both lying on our beds during the conversation.  The walk did turn out to be a good idea, as we both felt better afterwards.  2.0 borrowed a few DVDs from me, and introduced 2.0 spouse to the joy that is The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

Saturday, they came over for a cookout- nothing fancy, just hot dogs, hamburgers, coleslaw, tzatziki, and beer.  They supplied watermelon for dessert.  I noticed as I was going out to light the grill that MW had fixed the problem (I had complained about this) of the strings for the blinds constantly getting in the way by putting them up in the header.  This would not be a good time to mention that I am an engineer.  Also, we swam beforehand.  Or rather, we waded and then soaked our feet.  'Twas a bit cool.

Yesterday, 2.0 called and we went for a walk again.  (2.0:  I brought my swimsuit so that I could convince you to go swimming again.)  We went swimming afterwards, this time jumping in the pool.  Thus, I have begun my summer hair-lightening.  I am all about the natural highlights, people.  Then, we went to the mall so that 2.0 could have her Orange Julius and pretzel.  We then picked up 2.0 spouse and went to see Star Wars Episode III:  Revenge of the Sith. 

Was Lucas trying to make a comedy?  I can tell you that all three of us cracked up when Darth Vader yelled, "Nooooo!" upon learning of Padme's death.   Afterwards, 2.0 remarked, "That was a bad movie."  Of course, it was a Star Wars movie, so I expected nothing less.  I find the movies entertaining and enjoyable, but they are not good movies.   (Please do not e-mail or comment trying to convince me they are good movies.  Try you may.  Convince me you will not.)

Today?  Hiking.  It may rain, but I don't melt, and I definitely don't feel like hanging about the house. 

So, I told y'all about what my apartment complex manager said when I told her about the mice.   (Side note:  Our maintenance guy wants to know how I have mice when I have two cats.  Good question.  Boys?)  Today, she called me:

Watergirl:  Hello?
Complex Manger:  [Watergirl], this is [apartment complex manager].  I'm calling to check back about a service call.  Did you call and complain that your hot water heater wasn't producing enough hot water for a shower?  (Note:  it's a 55-gallon heater.)
WG:  Nope.  I've got no problems with my heater.
CM:  I must have the wrong apartment.