comings and goings

I realise I have to keep a balance between blogging and emailing. I have been neglecting the weekly/biweekly updates that gave snippets of what was happening in the lives of Mike and Di. So here goes:

- last night we saw the Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights) for the first time up here. I can't really describe them accurately... streaks of greenish and yellowish light flashing across the sky? But they're don't flash like lightning - it's a constant glow. You feel like you're in the presence of something unearthly. Friends that were with us said that was a tame version. Usually there are streaks of blue and pink and green and yellow and they flash and dance across the whole sky as far as you can see. Very cool. I'm looking forward to seeing more.

- update on the house. As of today, all the paperwork is in. I met with a guy from a building store on Tuesday to discuss my new kitchen. That was fun. He had this cool program that once you put the blueprint of what you wanted you could see a 3D version of what it would actually look like. The kitchen is pretty small (maybe 9' by 9') so the cost will be lower than a usual kitchen. I'm hoping for enough money in the budget to put towards a new dishwasher! No more dishes! We're hoping to get possession of the house next week Thursday (oh my goodness!) The craziness that is moving and packing starts again. This is the last time in a long time. We want to paint over as much peach paint and coral orange trim as we can before we move in. But now that the snow has melted you can tell that there's a huge garden in one corner of the yard so I can try out my green thumb. Mary Ann, the lady I work with is a fabulous gardener, and she's going to give me lots of pointers and maybe even some cuttings.

- house-warming/birthday party. My birthday is actually in April, but we're going to celebrate it at the end of May, combining it with a house-warming party. Out of town guests are most welcome and we'll have a place for you to stay!

- Mary Kay. I have officially become a Mary Kay lady. No, I will not be working towards the pink Cadillac. I like pink, but only to a certain degree. But I will be selling some fantastic facial products and makeup to all who are interested. Just let me know.

- jobs. Mike is full-time in Houston now and running the store on his own and doing a wonderful job. The past few weeks of my job have been pretty hectic because of the timing of the trip for the wedding and making up for that lost time and then this week everyone is going to a conference in Kamloops, so everything has to be in by tomorrow at the latest. But everything of mine is in already. Hence the blogging. I leave for the conference tomorrow afternoon. We're staying at the Coast Hotel, which apparently is supposed to be pretty nice. Maybe not the 4 Seasons, but you can't complain for a mini-holiday with everything paid for by the company. Hopefully they have an eliptical machine in the gym.

- that's all folks. If you want to help us move, like our friend John is doing, feel free to fly or drive up for the long weekend next week. We'd love to have you and your help.