<wednesday september 3, 2003 - 11:11 p.m.>

Guess what?

I went to a meeting for Emma's nursery school at 7:30 this morning. I rolled out of bed, pulled on my clothes, ate a bowl of yogurt and walked. No coffee. No shower.

I got there and waited for 15 minutes while construction workers wandered around me, no doubt wondering what I was doing there.

I eventually left. I walked home, and called the registrars office. I tried not to sound too upset, but I was clearly irritated.

After I hung up the phone Mark asked me if the meeting was at 7:30 PM.

So I went back, a full 12 hours later. Indeed, there was a room full of people. Sheepishly I slunk to the side of the room. I avoided the registrar. Hopefully I won't be known as the wacko mother who can't jot down a simple date and time. Am I marked for life? :)

<sigh>

I'm goin' to bed. I am flippin' tired.

<tuesday september 2, 2003 - 11:45 a.m.>

Just got back from renewing my driver's license. I had to get a new photo too.

I get my new card in three weeks. Who knows how crappy this picture is going to be. I'm not even sure when the picture was actually taken. I just sat down, and was suddenly told that it was over with. Wha?

I have a feeling that I was looking downward and away. There was also no mirror there for last-minute adjustment or coiffing. How is this possible? Has no one ever wanted to check their teeth for stray poppy seeds from the morning's bagel? Has no one wanted to make sure there were no bits of toothpaste left in the corner of their mouth?

I have to face the reality. I'm going to be stuck with this image of my pointy, squinty, self for years to come.

And then there's Murphy's Law of Official Photo Taking: You shall experience a Horrible Blemish on the Eve of Important Photo-Taking.

Yes, I went there with a huge red spot (pre-pimple) on my chin. Let's hope that a layer of strategically-applied foundation covered it.

I am thirty-one. I should not be breaking out.

Curses.

-

We've just had a lovely long Labour Day weekend. Mark's parents (with pooch) were here for a short visit.

I also feel like we got a lot accomplished. It's a satisfying feeling, except that the "lot" we got accomplished largely consists of the spending of cash we don't exactly have at the moment.

It's amazing how that happens.

I am working on a new flatscreen monitor, for starters. This was not a purchase of technological excess. It was not spurred by our need to have the latest electronic gadgetry, rather, the need to make some work space in our office here at home. It's amazing. I love working on it. Mark is jealous. :)

Other purchases included new pillows, a new purse (it has a little light in the interior that turns on automatically upon opening... this helps when I'm rooting around for my Sweet Tarts in the dark), a funky purple scarf (it is odd to buy a scarf this time of year, but when you see the kind of accessory that you've been looking for for years, you have to jump) and other things that I can't even remember now. Cha-ching.

Mark is on holidays this week. When he's not golfing he promises to be in Home Improvement Mode. The first project was tackled this past weekend. Mark and Gary replaced a step on the stairs to the backyard and added a second railing. I am relieved that this work was accomplished. Emma once took a header down those stairs. This would be bad enough, but there is also a flagstone patio at the bottom, as well as a thorny rosebush off to the side.

There are many more things that need to be done around here.

In other news, we went to the Shawville Fair yesterday. A true agricultural fair... the kind that city folk like us don't get to see very often. This is the kind that has shiny new tractors on display, car smash'em derbies, horse jumping competitions, and tables full of the winners of the baking, quilting and pickling contests. Pictures to come later today.

a.