Battle of the Backyard Part 2

Finally found the hexkey. Can now put the chainsaw on a stick back together. Watched enough youtube videos that I feel confident in using a real chainsaw to cut some logs. Mostly, I just want to get the weedwhacking under control. Then I need to set my sights to the inside....yuck.

Took the truck in for an oil change and took Becca for a walk while I was there. A lot of traffic, some people, two very calm dogs and a large amount of men. She was tired from all of her barking. Freaked on the dogs, but they couldn't have cared less about her.  She barked up a storm outside the service centre and then decided to start barking after 5 minutes inside. Strange thing is, she was quite (not calm, but quiet) then barked, then was really exicted to sniff everyone. Maybe just a warning that she was there and people should know it? Certainly not a fighting bark.

She did have an urge to rumble with a few muslim women and a sikh man.  Is my dog a racist?

Right....battle of the backyard.
Ready...set...GO!

Back to Life, Back to Reality

Reality Bites!!!

It is Thursday and I arrived at the bus station at 6:30 am on Tuesday morning. That means I had all day Tuesday and Wednesday to get my life back on track.  I'm not even sure I know where the track is.

So let's see....in 2 days I've managed to shop for food and home necessities. It took me two days to get the lawn mowed.  I needed to whack some weeds, but then I had to go to the store and figure out how to replace the trimmer line. Then I had to actually figure out how to replace the trimmer line. Got it done eventually, but still haven't finished the whacking job because I realized that the yard is too far gone. I called in re-enforcements. The CHAINSAW ON A STICK!! Well, the job was too much even for that. The chain popped off and I figured out how to put it on again. Then it came loose and I realized that the hexkey that I need cannot be found. Of courses it's probably somewhere in the mess that is the garage.  Now I have to go and put together the gas chainsaw. Good luck. I'm also still waiting till dusk to try to kill the mass of hornets that have made a home under the front stairs. The dog still can't figure out what to do with herself and did I mention I probably ruined my brandnew Samsung Galaxy tablet trying to protect it. It's the ultimate in irony. I purchased one of those protection sheets and spent many frustrating hours trying to get it on properly. I probably used a little too much vinegar to help me out, since the screen is completely unresponsive today. I've soaked it in kitty litter (thankfully still in my truck awaiting delivery to my mom- procrastination came in handy with this).  Happy to say I was able to unlock it, but I was still unable to turn it off, making me think there is hope. It's probably still wet inside. If this thing comes through it's going to be one of the only pieces of good luck I've had in a while. It needs to pull through.

Interestingly, I'm taking it as a way to stop being busy. Isn't that the reason I started this blog- to find ways to stop with the meaningless busy and find meaning? I haven't been distracted by the fun of the tablet and as much as I hate to admit it, writing this blog is a lot faster when you get to work on a human sized keyboard.

Well....off to figure out how to put a gas chainsaw together.  Owning a house is so much work...but mostly, it's just a lot of learning when you've never lived in one before. I've learned so much in the past few days alone.

The year of the dog.

It seems as though this year may need to be focused on learning everything I can about dogs. Becca is great, but the three weeks away made her less of a follower and now I'm struggling to get her to be even half as submissive as she was when I left. She runs on her leash knstead of walking beside me as she used to. She's very aggressive with other dogs and small children. She's barking more. I've got a party on Saturday and it could be a disaster for her. Now to the library to begin my search.

29 days and counting

According to my 'days left' app, there are 29 days until I have to set foot in my classroom again. 29 days.  The time has flown and while 29 days is a lot more than many people will receive in holidays...it is not enough. I am tired, bored, I feel like I've wasted a lot of time and simply....my soul is sad.

This summer was a total bummer so far. The first week was spent running errands and preparing for a friend's wedding, while also getting last minute stuff done for school. Promotion meetings for ever ESL kid takes a great deal more time than I want to give. Before I knew it I was recovering on the couch from the wedding, then packing my bags and heading to the ship to visit Mat. That was three weeks ago. A quick stay in Quebec City and I was onboard. One stop in Isles de la Madeliene and that's it. Most of the time was spent on the computer or watching movies. On the plus side I've watched so many movies I actually question my former love for movies. I've also averaged 3 a day for 18 days...so I've seen enough to last me a lifetime. I've also decided to cancel my cable when I return home, since I don't want to be tempted to waste even more time of my life infront of a TV.

Another challenge this summer brought was the carb challenge.  I've been doing a pretty good job of eating a Paleo diet since April. In 3 short months I lost almost 30 pounds and did absolutely zero in the area of physical activity. All I had to do (and lucky for me I was able to do it) was stay away from carbs.  Then I visited the ship. Three meals a day with very limited protein and vegetable selections, tonnes of carbs and an endless supply of cookies and ice cream. Needless to say I've put on 15 pounds in the past 6 weeks! Boo! Clearly I've yet to master the art of self control. Where do they sell that? I've get myself a lifetime supply. Hell, I'd be good with a month's worth.

So now it's 29 days left and I have this anxiety over how I'm supposed to fit a summer vacation worth of fun in 29 short days. 28 if we're honest. 26 if we're brutally honest (meetings are sure to be called). So how??? No cottage. A dog. Just me.  What to do?

Toronto is a wonderful city, but it's not all that dog friendly...and my dog isn't all that friendly herself.

So....brainstorm. What can I do?

- camp
- Stratford for a play or two
- rent a cottage
- finally paint the kitchen
- beach
- find dog parks and use them silly
- go to the States for shopping and other frivolous entertainment
- finally finish that walk in Niagara that mom has been begging me to do for years
- visit the inlaws at some point
- drink great quantities of alcohol (preferably in yummy, low-sugar form- vodka and soda. Maybe get into the gin and tonic feel)
- visit the museums (preferablly on a half price or pay-what-you-can day)
- sit in a park and read
- sleep on the grass
- cut the grass (but this is not even a little bit fun)
- buy a kiddy pool and drink margaritas
- try to find the calm assertive nature my dog needs
- read even 2 of the books on my summer reading list
- smile
- listen to music loud and sing even louder
- get a suntan

So it seems I have a lot of things that I could do.  Now...what will I do?

There are some things I HAVE to do:
- get Becca into an exercise routine
- break my rejuvinated carb addiction
- set an outline for each of my three courses
- plan the first week of school
- determine a focus for the year (ie. learn french, ASL, sleep, lose that 60 pounds, etc.)
- relax

The boat should be tied-up in 4 hours. I'll be on a bus in 9 hours and I'll be home in 16 hours...then it's 3.5 weeks to myself!!

Blogging from an android

How crazy. I can blog from an android. Loving technology, but probably just one more way to keep me busy. This blog is supposed to be about finding balance. I guess i should determine where to look.