I just received an e-mail about the first Water for Life Dinner planning committee meeting. I don't know what to do. (Well, I know what to do about that particular meeting. I'll be at the beach.) I believe in the cause, I have very good friends on the committee, and I've done it for 5 years now. However, the last dinner left quite a sour taste in my mouth. I did not even want to attend the event. I don't know that I'm far enough removed from that to join next year's committee yet. I don't even know that I want to be involved at all.

I am a list maker. Shocking, I know! Anyway, #1 on my moving list is done. I have reserved a truck. Now about all those other things...

So, I have postponed the decision. I can't attend the initial meeting anyway, as I will be at the beach.

Early Wednesday morning I had a dream which woke me up. I couldn't get back to sleep for nearly an hour and a half (which put me at about 45 minutes before my alarm went off). I tossed and turned so much that Ri gave up and went to sleep somewhere that was not the bed. Went to work, it was work. We had a major equipment failure about 30 minutes before Little Matty and I both had to leave. (This same piece of equipment has failed in exactly the same way 3 out of the last 4 times we had to use it. Will we send it back to the manufacturer to be repaired? Nooo. Grrrr.) Anyway, by the time I left work I also had a headache.

On my way to the barn, I kept thinking that I would like to shut my eyes, just for a minute. I yawned through my entire lesson. Christina was all, "You're exhausted. Canter some more!"

I went home, watched The Amazing Race and then America's Next Top Model (don't judge!). (ANTM was awesome, because Jade described elephants as preposterous and said they were related to dinosaurs.) Then, I went to sleep, figuring I did not need to take a sleeping pill, because I was so tired it could not happen again.

Ha! I was wrong. Woken up by another strange dream. (Luckily at 5AM). In this dream, Little Matty and I both were able to pick up a horse trailer (with 2 horses in it) by ourselves. That's preposterous.

1. I can't...
   
2. I can...
   
3. ...made me feel really good this week.
   
4. I bought...
   
5. My car...
   
6. My bedtime ritual includes...
   
7. This weekend I will...
   

1. I can't...believe how much work I have to do before I move, and how much stuff I have planned on weekends before then.
2. I can...cook. Really. Am excellent.
3. Riding three times...made me feel really good this week.
4. I bought... nothing, believe it or not. I need to buy cat food and litter.
5. My car...is almost paid off.
6. My bedtime ritual includes...washing my face, moisturizer, brushing my teeth, hand cream, lip balm, and calling Jasper.
7. This weekend I will...celebrate a friend's birthday at Bahama Breeze, work the Brookhill Steeplechase, and get some purging done.

So, Saturday was the 14th running of the Brookhill Steeplechase. The Raleigh Jaycees run the event, so many of us were out there volunteering. I was a Customer Service Rep for some of the tent customers. Basically, I took orders for tickets, chairs, tables, and parking passes before the event. Day of, I set up said tables and chairs, made sure my customers were happy, answered questions, emptied garbages, and took down said tables and chairs. (I was complemented on my mad garbage removal skillz.) In return, I got to watch the races and hang out and eat with my customers.

Although it doesn't sound like much, I was out at the farm for 11.5 hours, and the setting up/taking down of the tables and chairs wasn't easy. There was a lot of walking between tents, and much garbage to be emptied. I managed to do fairly well with the sun- my face got a little red, and my big toes got a little burnt. I highly recommend this sunblock, though I will still be carrying sunblock lotion for my face. I was wearing a skirt, and my legs were filthy at the end of the day. Well, except for my scar. My scar has magical dirt-repelling abilities.

Also? Some guy told me he loved me.

In anticipation of going to the beach next week, and also in an effort to reduce the number of books I buy, I placed holds on 4 books at the library last week. (Here in Wake County, you can go to the library's website with a list of books you want to read, place holds on all of them, and have them held at the branch closest to you (or whatever branch you want, actually). I did not plan on picking all four of them up together. However, they are all in now. I am hopeful that three of them will be 3-week loans; the other is a newer, in-demand book, so it is probably a short loan. But clearly, instead of purging/packing, I will be reading.

What books are they, you ask? Saturday by Ian McEwan, Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Steven J. Dunbar, The Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherfurd, and My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult.

P.S. I'm having spam comment problems, and I know some of you faithful readers have an authentication script- I have to type in a series of numbers to leave comments on your site. Does it help? How do I get one?

P.P.S. I also have 2 full sets of Bradford Exchange collectors plates that I bought years ago (I had this bizarre fascination with the Civil War.). The fascination is gone, I no longer want the plates, but I don't want to just throw them out. How would I go about selling them? Ebay?

Little Matty and I are currently having a conversation over IM. While we sit in the same room about 5 feet apart.

I will start this off by telling y'all that on Monday, I got home and said, "Oh! I left my onions at work."

One of my co-workers (who also farms (I mean also in the "in addition to working with me" sense and not in the "News flash! I am a farmer," sense.)) sells bags of Vidalia onions every year. They are trucked in from Vidalia County, Georgia, and he drives down to Fayetteville, NC to pick them up and delivers them to us at work. The are $10 for a 10 lb. bag. This is a reasonable price, and I do like Vidalia onions. But, the thing is, I like onions in things. Not plain. So, I don't know if I can use them all. I may have to chop and freeze. I am taking recipe suggestions.

First phone tapping, now this.

As Benjamin Franklin said, " They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

1. Nobody can ... like I can.
   
2. Every year I grow...
   
3. I've always wanted to know...
   
4. ...makes life simpler
   
5. My favorite book is... because...
   

1. Nobody canbring me down like I can.
2. Every year I grow more comfortable in my own skin.
3. I've always wanted to knowhow to sew my own window treatments.
4. Organization makes life simpler.
5. My favorite book is Trustee from the Toolroom because it's the first Nevil Shute I read, and it's engaging, and shows the power of the human spirit.

Found this funny over at Megan's.

Yesterday, the Jaycees helped with the NALC Food Drive. We hung around the post office waiting for the mail trucks to come in, unloaded donations, and sorted them (well, until it got late. Then we didn't sort anymore.) There is something gratifying about tossing cans into a very large box. The amount of food collected filled one semi-trailer about 3/4 full, and we left before the other semi got there. Now, there were many items that were just people cleaning out their pantry, (No, we don't need the open box of cereal. Thanks.) but most of what was brought in will be used by the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC. The Food Bank volunteer told us as the first truck pulled away that the food would be gone by Thursday (do note that the Food Bank turns the food over to charities which distribute it, but this is still an overall indication of need). It was dirty, tiring work, but also fun.

That night, a group of us headed out to Clayton to see Ashton Allen at The Flipside. He is talented and put on a good show, but it's not really my type of music. However, I loved the musician after him. Sara Hamilton has a wonderful voice (she was amazing live) and plays rock/country, which is exactly the kind of music I love (well, that and Celtic pop, but that's another story.) I had decided I was buying the CD two songs into her set. I'm very glad I did. It's excellent. I'd check her out if she's heading your way.

Actually, when we first got to the venue (very small, very intimate, the kind of bar I would love to hang out at, if it weren't 40 minutes away from my house (oh, and also, needs more cute guys)) we sat down outside because some of us (me included) had not eaten since lunch. (It was then about 8:30.) There was a pretty blonde woman sitting at the table across from us, eating and enjoying a glass of wine. A couple walked up to her, she greeted them and they talked for a while. I assumed she was from Clayton. But I was wrong, as I found out when she took the stage. So, it seems she is also very down to earth.

Oh, and it's been a while since I went to hang out at a bar with a large group. I forgot how much fun that can be.

I took Jasper to the new vet yesterday. Our old vet was in North Raleigh; it was a 30 minute drive to get there. Since there is this big vet school here, there is not shortage of vets. So, I asked around, and was recommended on much closer to my house (and even closer to my new house). Because of his mouth disease, Jasper gets steroid shots every 2-3 months. I wanted to have the new vet check him before he needed one to see if they would agree on the course of treatment. (Jasper will not take anything orally. Because his mouth hurts, he doesn't let anyone touch it, so you can't give him pills. He is smart enough to know that if I feed him separately from Orion, there's something in the food. He won't eat canned food until after Orion. This includes when Orion has been medicated- I would feed Orion in the bathroom, and Jasper in the kitchen. Jaz wouldn't touch the food until Ri came out and tried it.)

He had a full physical, and decided that when they were checking his eyes that they were going to try and look in his mouth. He opened his mouth as to warn them he would bite. This is not too scary, as it has now been confirmed that he has no teeth. Consequently, when he opens his mouth, he looks like a snake. (He did try to bite the vet twice. The gumming didn't seem to bother her.) When he closes his mouth, he doesn't always put his tongue back in. (No teeth, so he doesn't bite down on it, and thus apparently doesn't notice.) This gives him a very intelligent look. (This, coupled with his habit of chasing his tail down the stairs, has made many people doubt me when I tell them how smart he is.)

Anyway, I liked the new vet. The exam rooms have windows in the doors, and the entire building is louder than the old vet's, which made Jasper nervous. However, the care will be excellent, and he'll get used to this place. (He was used to the old vet. Much like me, Jasper abhors change.) The vet has agreed that she will follow the course of treatment we've been doing, but is going to do some research, because she was surprised at how red and inflamed his mouth was during a good period.

Next week they get to meet Orion, whose nerves at the vet's tend to conflict with his desire to meet new people.

Yesterday I interviewed for a job I really want. I don't think I got it. I am very bummed. Also, completely and utterly frustrated with this job search. Thankfully, I leave for the beach tomorrow, where there will be my girlfriends and lots of wine.

Found at Janet's, about 3 days ago, and I am just getting around to it now.

* I AM: single again. And happy about it.
* I WANT: a station wagon. Seriously. Who am I?
* I WISH: that I could go up and see Peg. But I am very busy until July.
* I HATE: asymmetry.
* I MISS: my grad school friends.
* I FEAR: growing old alone.
* I HEAR: my space heater. The temperature in the office is controlled by the men. They even passworded the thermostats!
* I WONDER: how the boys will adjust to the new house.
* I REGRET: not answering a card I received in January.
* I AM NOT: as independent as I think I am.
* I DANCE: all the time.
* I SING: in the car, at work, at home.
* I CRY: when others cry.
* I AM NOT ALWAYS: patient.
* I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: the horse listen to me (also involves legs!).
* I WRITE: because I enjoy it..
* I CONFUSE: toile with tulle, just for a second, when I first read the word.
* I NEED: more business casual clothes.
* I SHOULD: really have packed more things.
* I START: things early, but
* I FINISH: them just on time.
* I TAG: if you want to be tagged, be tagged.

The beach was wonderful. It was cooler than I would have liked, and the thunderstorms were spectacular, but I wouldn't have not gone. I have pictures, and will post them later. Hope y'all had good weekends too.

It had to wait until it was official. I have (finally!) found a new job, thanks to some wonderful friends of mine. I start the new job June 5. I am excited, but also a little nervous. Mostly, I am happy.

Of course, there's still that pesky move thing...

This how it works: Janet gave me the letter "S"; I'll write ten words beginning with "S". When you leave a comment on this entry, I'll give YOU a letter (if you want to play) and then you post this in your blog...et cetera, et cetera.

1. Solie Even though he's not mine, I do think of him as a little bit mine. I mean, I fell off of him and broke. That has to give me some claim, right?
   
2. Sand and Surf Beach weekend!
   
3. Sailing Did you know that when I lived in MA, I spent a summer racing Lightnings? We went all over Southern NH and Eastern MA. I miss it, but not enough to make it fit into my schedule.
   
4. Shrimp I am allergic. It's sad.
   
5. Summer is almost here. This year, I have gardens to tend!
   
6. Sutton was the name that Jasper had when I adopted him. It didn't suit him at all.
   
7. Spain I spent a summer there as an exchange student when I was in high school.
   
8. Subaru Outback This is the car I want. Phoebs and Bud each just bought them, so I'd be a big 'ol copycat. But I have wanted one for a while.
   
9. Sandals I love sandals, and am loving that sandal season is here.
   
10. Sister We never got along growing up, but I'm glad she's my sister.
    

Mom: "How's the packing coming?"
Watergirl: "HA!"

Little Matty: "How's the packing coming?"
Watergirl: "HAAA!"

My house looks less like I am packing, and more like I have decided that collecting boxes is fun. I do have two boxes packed, but one of them contains my bird book, and I need that to tell lastewie what birds I saw this weekend, so I will be unpacking it. Right now, the boxes are most likely to contain cats.

(Note to cats: stop going in the boxes. The boxes are not for play. I am thisclose to taping up boxes with you inside them. I will label the box with one of my new Sharpies (many colors! couldn't resist!) and not unpack it until after the move. So there.)

Many of y'all have asked if the move is local. I assure you it is. I am moving 3.7 miles away from where I live now. The joke is that I am moving into the containment area. See, it is said that the name of the town I will be living in is an acronym for "Containment Area for Relocated Yankees." However, I am not moving into one of the big, fancy, golf communities. In fact, the house was built in the 1950s, long before (or long after, depending upon how you look at it) the Yankee Influx. It is a 3-bedroom, 1.5 bath house with hardwood floors, a mostly decorative fireplace, and a beautiful kitchen. The storage in the house is excellent, especially considering the era it was built in. I love it, and will post pictures when I move in.

Ocean, AM 3
Originally uploaded by H2O girl.

This is for lastewie. Birds I could identify without my book: Laughing gull, egret, osprey, red-winged blackbird, and brown pelicans. Also boring things such as cowbirds and Canadian Geese. Now that I've gotten my book out, I can tell you that I can't identify the other birds. Little sandpipers of some sort. A large group of them was often accompanied by a larger bird, also like a sandpiper. But taller. Good thing I opened those two boxes.

Oh, and really, I'm not an actual birder. I like looking at birds, but I don't go looking for them.

On Monday I got home to find a package notification on my door. I had no idea what it could be. I walked over to the office to get it (possibly the one negative of my move is no office to accept packages) and discovered that it was my Bloggers Fuel review package. (I found out about this from Monique.) Free coffee! Free hat! Free mug! Now, I only started drinking the coffee yesterday, so I am not ready to write a review yet. But I can tell you that so far, it is good stuff.

Friday afternoon, I got a call from a friend of mine. (Note to self: You should hang out with her more.) She wanted to know if I was free for a movie this weekend. Which ended up being Friday, with two other friends of hers. We met at Hibachi Xpress for dinner. I had no idea it even existed! But now I know where to go to get take-out sushi.

Yesterday was the tiki party. I got to visit with several friends I haven't seen in ages which was most excellent. Afterwards, I met up with One L and we went out to Tir Na Nog to see Suicide Blonde, and '80s cover band. They were good; I'd see them again. Funny story of the night: We didn't know it when we headed out, but there was a concert downtown that night. Because of that, the parking decks that are normally free Saturday nights had a $5 charge. Which we didn't want to pay. But One L is like me and doesn't (read: can't) parallel park. So, we drove around looking for a parking space, and I spotted one that was two spaces (I can get in those. And out even, if someone ends up taking the other space.), so I was all, "Park there!" But when we pulled up, there was a suspicious "No parking" sign. I got out to check it, and it was for weekdays. Some guy on the street confirmed that it was OK, and then helped One L park, because it turns out that someone is worse at parallel parking than me. Anyway, it turned out he was homeless, he said he wanted to get something to eat, so I gave him $5. (It would get him food, and if he wanted it for something else, it wouldn't get him far. And it is entirely possible that he needed that money more than I did.) But really, we could have just parked in the garage.

(phone rings)

The Cap'n: Hello.
Watergirl: Hi Cap'n, it's Watergirl. How are you?
The Cap'n: Pretty good.
Watergirl: That's good. Is 2.0 there?
The Cap'n: Actually, she's not. She got the opportunity to take a sailing seminar in Florida. She'll be back Thursday. (Sidenote: 2.0 is lucky!)
Watergirl: Well, then, and I hate to ask, but I need a favor.
The Cap'n: What's up?
Watergirl: Well, this morning I woke up at 3 sick. Really sick, and...
The Cap'n: Oh no! You have The Monkey Death. I had The Monkey Death. The good news is, it seems to be a 24-hour thing.
Watergirl: That is good news, if I can last that long. But I really need saltines and ginger ale, and I can't go to the store.
The Cap'n: Well, we were planning on heading over to the office in about an hour. Can you wait until then?
Watergirl: Sure can! Thanks!

I made it back to work today. Yep, I took yesterday off. Because, well, why not take a sick day on my last week, which is actually a short week to begin with? (Note: I really was sick.) I am feeling better, but still not 100%.

Kimmy was taking me out for a farewell lunch today, because she can't make the official one, which is Friday. Here's how the IM went.

Kimmy: We still on for lunch?
Watergirl: Sure, but no Mexican or Italian.
Kimmy: I was thinking P.F. Chang's.
Watergirl: Bleargh!

Kimmy had missed the reason for my absence. We ended up at Brig's, which is like a diner, but is not a diner, because diners are open 24 hours.