I cannot believe it is already July.  Where does the time go.  Although, the fact that it is July means that I will be in Maine in 2 weeks!  (Current weather here:  93 degrees F.  Current weather in Bridgton, ME:  62 degrees F).

I am going up this weekend to get my grandfather's couch.  (I need to replace my couch.  Desperately.)  I called and made a reservation for a pickup truck over a month ago, but last night was getting nervous about said reservation.  I called the rental car company to learn that I did in fact have a reservation, but it was for a full-size car.  I explained that this would not work, and will now be traversing the back roads of VA in a cargo van.  Y'all might want to stay out of the way.

This weekend, I drove up to Culpeper to get my grandfather's couch (my couch, which I bought at the DAV shop 2 years ago, was in a sad state.)  I took a cargo van (which was not what I had originally reserved.  I had reserved a full-size pickup truck.  When I called to confirm the reservation on Thursday, I was told I had a reservation for a full-size car.   If they had not been able to come up with a suitable vehicle, I may have attempted to use said car as a transport vehicle.)  The cargo van reminded me how well Fords drive.  Responsive steering.  Also?  It is my belief that Ford vehicles have the best AC systems.  (Note:  I don't drive a Ford.)

Anyway, drove up to Culpeper.  The couch was loaded into the van by my uncle and his brother-in-law.  (His mother-in-law was there, and there was no way that she was letting me load the couch when there were capable men within a 25-mile radius.)  I also helped paint the kitchen (they are fixing up my grandfather's house for sale.)  I also laid claim to the two pictures he had had hanging near the fireplace- they are photographs of rural VA.  I'm planning on re-framing them and putting them in my bedroom.  They'll play nicely off of the celadon walls.  (Oh, and I now have my grandmother's mortar and pestle.  Yes, there have been times when I needed one.)  Sunday, we went to Luigi's, an Italian restaurant in Culpeper.  I had smoked chicken and mascarpone ravioli.  Yummy!

I came back Sunday, and MW came up to help me get the couches switched out.  We took the banister down to give us more maneuvering room.  (Note to TRgirl and Randy:  we put the banister back up when we were finished.)  Moving the sofas went fairly smoothly, probably due to the fact that MW planned how to accomplish the objective before we started.  He must have learned that somewhere... 

After the new couch was in the house (and the old one in the van), we let the cats out.  It took Ri several minutes to notice the new piece of furniture, but once he did, he checked it out and then curled up and slept on it.  Jasper came downstairs, saw (and probably smelled; my grandfather had a dog and a cat) the new couch and went back upstairs for two hours.  He came back downstairs while we were watching Patriot Games and checked it out, sitting down between us several times.  (It should be noted that MW has become Jasper's second favorite person.  Apologies to Mom and Cdub.) 

We took the old couch to the convenience center to dispose of it this morning.  The center is south of the city, in a less-developed part of the county.  On the way there, we passed several large houses and were discussing them when MW became distracted.  Someone had put up a large (the thing even had guy wires) amateur radio antenna in their backyard.   Thought we might have to clean the drool out of the van before we returned it. 

When we got back?  Jasper was sleeping on the new couch. 

Y'all, I forgot to mention this in the story of the couches, but MW very sweetly allowed me to vacuum before we brought the new couch in, even though it was really unnecessary (WG:  I haven't pulled the couch out to vacuum behind it in three weeks!  MW:  Three weeks?).  He even found other things to do while I vacuumed. 

I just walked into Babu's office.  He looked at me and said, "You have a waste disposal question, don't you?"  The scary part?  I did. 

Tonight, I had planned on doing laundry and filling out my PE application.  I had also planned to go for a walk with 2.0.  When she called to say she was home, we decided that a swim would be nice after the walk (hot and humid here today).  During the walk, she mentioned that 2.0 spouse had met his friends for dinner, but was concerned about her plans, so she told him she'd query me.  We ended up going to The Mellow Mushroom, where the beers were $2.50.  (Note to MW:  I had a Belgian White.  They served it with an orange wedge, which, well, are they supposed to?)  Is it mean to drink in front of the pregnant lady?

I would feel bad, but she made fun of my '80s mix CD I had playing in my car.  In fact, the last words she said before leaving were, "Ha Ha Ha!  Duran Duran!"

This picture of me was taken about a week before the September 11 attacks.  Angeler and I were headed to Berlin to attend Caroline and Axel's wedding.  We turned our layover at Heathrow into a 2-day sightseeing juggernaut.  I found the Londoners to be kind, helpful, and charming.  The hotel staff even forgave us for crashing in the wrong room (long story, that). 

2 days after we returned, the world changed.

What I remember most about this time is seeing on the news the expressions of support from places I had just been.  In a scary, confusing time this brought comfort, to know that we were not alone, to know that it wasn't just the U.S. that was attacked.

To the people of Britain and especially the Londoners, we feel your sorrow, we feel your pain, we feel your anger.  You are not alone.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you. 

Cdub and I went to see The Fantastic Four on Saturday.  It wasn't reviewed well, but we enjoyed it.  (As Zoot said, cute boys saying silly things.  Who doesn't have a weakness for that?)  Then we went over which plants she needs to water, because next week?  I'm in Maine!  Yay!  Cdub is watching the boys and plants.  I had to explain to her about the drama queen petunias.  (You come home in the afternoon, and they're all shriveled up, all "We're dying here!  Must.  Have.  Water."  So you water them, and 5 minutes later?  They're fine.  Stupid petunias.)

MW came up for dinner (chicken picatta, one Mom's best recipies).  Afterwards, we went out to TirNaNog to see a band.  The bar was not very crowded, and the band wasn't all that, so we left early.  I shall have to take him to see Rich Emily, but the next time they play at RiRa (my favorite bar), I have a horse show the next day, so we'll have to catch them later. 

So on Saturday I went to get a pedicure, and the nail tech talked me into getting a manicure as well.  I got a lovely french manicure, and my nails looked super fabulous.  Until today, when I scratched up the polish on my right pointer finger changing the trap in my purge and trap unit.  This is why I only get pedicures. 

Heather:  How was he (Bruno) last week when you rode him?

Watergirl:  Well, it took him a few minutes to realize I was riding him and not (girl who rode him immediately before me) and that he had to listen.

H:  What do you mean?

WG:  Well, I'm not as timid as (GWRHIBM).

H:  You're not as timid as a lot of people. 

In celebration of Embrace Your Geekiness Day, I would like to report that after installing a Purge and Trap unit on my GC, using the FID, and installing a new jet for said FID, I got a calibration curve with an R squared value of 0.994.  Go me!

Which of the following was in my back pocket as I went to both the bank and Old Navy today?

a.)  Money
b.)  A credit card
c.)  my hand
d.)  a tire gauge

First off, Jenna had the right answer to yesterday's quiz.  She wins a fabulous prize! 

Secondly, I am off to Maine today.  Well, actually I am off to Culpeper today and Maine tomorrow (time: 0 dark 30), but the point actually is that I will have no computer!  For over a week!  Y'all play nice now.

Note:  This post is mainly therapeutic for me.  I debated even telling the internet, but I need to share.  I am not trying to belittle anyone. 

I'm back from Maine.  I'll write and post pictures of my vacation later.  For reasons I am about to explain, I can't right now.

I checked my e-mail upon my return yesterday, and waiting for me in my inbox was a curt letter from MW breaking up with me.  (Background:  before leaving, I was upset with him, and I wrote him a somewhat nasty e-mail, so I did precipitate this.)  I was gobsmacked.  I felt like I had been punched in the stomach, and then like someone had sprayed my heart with liquid nitrogen and thrown it to the floor.  I never expected that.  The last time I saw him, he made the comment that "we" loved the boys. 

I cried last night, and took Tylenol PM to get some sleep (I got this news after 12.5 hours of traveling, so I was exhausted.)  Which means that when Bud called (I love Bud!  Quote:  "If you need me to come down, I will rearrange everything to make that happen."), he got a very groggy sister. 

This morning, I am still devastated.  It's entirely possible that this is for the best.  I don't know.   MW is not at a point where he is willing to include me in his life- I am a separate part, not part of the whole.  This doesn't make the hurt less. 

I was happy with him; he made me laugh, he accepted me for me.  He was there for me when I lost my grandfather.   I do not wish for a moment that we had never met.   I'm glad for the time we had; I wish it could have been longer.

I will be OK.   In time, things will get better.   And I will tell you funny stories of my vacation (I took notes!).  But right now, I need to lay low.

P.S.  Next week, send wine.  This week, tell me I'm pretty.

So, I am ready to tell y'all about my vacation now, and will do so, but first I thought I'd post to tell you how I am doing.  MW and I did talk after I posted on Sunday, and I understand but I don't understand.  I am having trouble eating, I am having trouble sleeping, I am having trouble reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.  I am trying to hold it as best together as I can at work, but do have the occasional crying jag (this would be why I explained the situation to Cool Boss).  Cool Boss looked at me today, said "You need to get out of here," and took me to Foster's Market for lunch.  Aside from sobbing at my desk the other night (Ri responded by giving me many, many bonks), most of my crying is in the car.  I tend to cry in the car.  Don't know why that is, but it's a habit that started back when I lived in MA. 

Things will get better, and I promise y'all will be reading a happy blog again someday.

So, I spent last week on vacation with my family in Maine.  My parents and my great-aunt (henceforth known as Peg)  own timeshares in Stoneham, and my aunt (my mom's sister) has a permanent campsite (huge RV!) in Naples. 

I left on Friday (Bud's birthday.  Happy Birthday, Bud!  Sorry I woke you up to tell you that!) to go to Culpeper, where Peg lives.  (Bud returned the wake-up favor by waking me up at 1020 to tell me that my dad was, in fact, coming.)   We woke up the next morning (early!  0415!) and drove to Dulles airport to catch our flight.  Stupid, used to RDU, me never imagined such lines at that time of the morning.  Luckily, I had requested a wheelchair for Peg at check-in (you have to reserve these ahead of time!) because  after waiting over and hour to check-in, she was in pain, and we didn't have much time (about 45 minutes) to make it through security before our flight.  Except that if you are in a wheelchair and the skycap is wheeling you around, there's a special security line. 

We arrived in Portland and went to the counter to pick up our rental car.  She asked the person giving us keys, contracts, etc. how one gets to the ME turnpike from the Jetport.   She specifically asked him, "What do I do at the light?"  He said, "You will go straight at the light," and handed us pre-printed directions to the Turnpike.  As we were walking out to our car, Peg said, "Those directions are wrong.  They gave me them last year and I got lost."  We proceeded to the airport access road, as per said instructions.  These instructions then stated, "Turn left at the first four-way intersection."  We came to that intersection and I told Peg to turn left, to which she replied, "He said go straight at the light." 

WG:  There isn't a light.  You have to turn left here to get to the light.
P:  I'm going straight.

We then reached an intersection with a light, but if you went straight, you would be in a neighborhood.  Also, there were signs at the intersection indicating that one should make a left turn for the ME turnpike.  We did, and Peg said, "See, I told you those directions were wrong!"  (Note:  I suspect that if you actually follow those directions, they are right.) 

After more navigational fun (and by fun, I mean the driver (Peg) not trusting the navigator (me)) (Note:  I am an excellent navigator. ) , we met my Aunt in Naples, hung out at the campground for a while and then drove to the timeshare and checked in.  Mom, Dad, Goose, and Rachel (Goose's girlfriend) arrived around 2115.

The next day (to the surprise of everyone who knows my dad) we went shopping!  At outlet stores!  And a Wal-Mart!  Wait- that was in the afternoon.  In the morning, Goose, Rachel, and I hiked up to an abandoned chalet near the timeshares.  On the way down, Goose started telling the story of when Randy demanded a nickname change (actually, he was making fun of him). 

Goose:  "Why can't I have a cool nickname, like Matlock or Iceman?"

Like Matlock?  Wow, these kids today sure have a different definition of cool!   (Note:  I am now using the phrase "Cool like Matlock" to indicate things that are not cool.  At. All.) 

Tuesday, I kayaked with my dad on Kezar Lake in the morning, and then I almost bought a kayak at Saco Bound.  But I decided against it, because, well, I should be studying for this exam I'm taking.   Maybe.  In October.

Wednesday was Super-Active day!  First, we hiked out to Emerald Pool (a pool formed by the Cold River).  You can jump off the rocks above into the pool, and Goose bragged that he was going to do it, but he needs to learn that you stick your bathing suit in your bag and don't tell anyone that you might do it.  That way?  No one knows if you chicken out.  We then went to Kezar Gorge, and decided to follow that up with a hike up Sabbatus Mountain.   It was a rough hike, and I had not been planning on it, so I had not taken my preemptive Advil.  So my ankle?  Hurt.   And then no one could find the rest of the loop, so we had to double-back. 

Thursday we went boating with my Aunt, my cousin, and my cousin's two sons.  We started out on Long Lake, where my Aunt's boat is docked, and traveled through Brandy Pond, the Songo River, and the Songo Lock to Sebago Lake.  Then we swam.  And perhaps some of us got sunburnt a little. 

That night we went to the Bridgton Drive-in and saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and War of the Worlds.  Do not put five fully-grown people into an Explorer and then go to a double feature at the drive-in.  Trust me.

Friday Mom, Goose, Rachel, and I went for a trail ride.  I rode a Shire horse named "Shire".   (Note:   he was probably a cross.  But still big.)  I don't know that they didn't have horses named "Appaloosa", "Morgan", and "Paint".  Anyway, the ride was good, the horses were good, and at no time did I fear for my mother's life.  Yay!

Saturday.  Airport.  More navigational arguing.  (Peg:  "I wasn't arguing.  I was just telling you what I thought.")  Click here for pictures. 

Also?  Guess what was with me the entire trip?  Tire gauge!

Confidential to Angeler:  Cdub and I are planning next year's vacation.  Call us when you get back from your family vacation. 

So, I indulged in a little retail therapy last week.  I bought pillows for my new couch, a new water dish for the boys, and, since Angeler is coming in August and my parents are coming in September, a new futon mattress. 

What I should have bought?  This, in Maple.

The POD for today is to run to the grocery store, and then spend the day reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.  I also have to do some work.  And laundry.  And empty the dishwasher.  The rest of the weekend went as follows.  (Note:  I am taking Shea's advice.  Good friends, good books, and possibly even the Ben and Jerry's.) 

Friday I got a call from one of my friends, asking me if I wanted to hang out.  I agreed, and we went and got a manicure (her) and a pedicure (me), and then had dinner outside on the patio at the Hibernian.   

Last night, I went over to Leila's for dinner.  She'd invited a bunch of us over, as they are trying to clean out the freezer before hunting season.  We had Hungarian Partridge, grouse, and pheasant.   (Note:  While eating, one of the other attendees exclaimed, "I've eaten partridge, grouse, and peasant!"  We all moved just a little bit away from her.)  All were yummy!  Accompanied by fresh veggies, and possibly alcohol.  Oh, and the door prize for attending?  A pound of venison sausage.  Yum!  Now I have to decide if I'm making Bambi chili or Bambi spaghetti sauce...

The night was fun, but also sad.   I have wanted to show MW their house, because I know he would love it.  This was complicated by the fact that all I wanted to do yesterday was call him.  I still want to, more than anything.  I won't, for various reasons which may or may not include stubbornness and stupidity.   

I think I need to get away.  Who wants to take a road trip?