26 degrees and not a cloud in the sky!

What gorgeous weather we had today! 26 degrees and no cloud in the sky! I got a great tan, well, burn today so that was really exciting! We spent the afternoon down at the pool and we got some tennis in too. I was horrible at tennis so that made James not want to play with me, but to be honest I was better than what I thought I would be. James was not impressed when I told him that. I drove James around the golf course in the afternoon, this time I did not bring my book with me. I have finished 2 novels in 3 days, I just could not stop reading my new books. But I am going to wait to start my next novel until we get on the cruise.

James did some work around my grandparents house today. He installed a new kitchen faucet, garborator, and a cool water/purifier. He worked hard! But there was a leak, like there always is, so we have to wait until tomorrow morning to go Home Depot so we can fix the last couple of things. That's why plumbing is always so horrible, there is always a leak. So James and grandpa will be up early to head over to Home Depot before we go to Universal Studios/ Adventure Island.

My eyes are killing me. I am not sure if it is from the sun or from the hot oil that was used to deep fry our dessert. Whatever it is, I can hardly keep my eyes open! Not much else is new, I didn't take any new pictures, maybe I will tomorrow.

Have a great day,

Melissa

Greetings from Florida!

James and I, our first day in the Village!

This is what everyone drives in the Village, golf carts!

James golfing today... I read in the cart.


James golfing over some water, yes, he did make it over!

One of the MANY ponds around the Village!
There are alliagators in each pond.

These are the gross gekos that are all over here.

This one was inside our screened in porch.

James at another pond... this one had turtles.

This is near our golf course, inside the Village
Isn't it gorgeous!

Hey Everyone!

James and I made it here safely on Monday night. We spent yesterday and today lazing around the Village, making friends with the senior citizens and driving on the golf cart. We woke up and ventured outside the gate, in our golf cart, to the thrift shop located outside the Village. We did find some treasures there, we bought 2 tennis rackets (from the 1980's), a straw hat for me, and a good Francine Rivers book (which only cost 40 cents)! We ate out for lunch at a place that is a big buffet place and after that we hit another thrift shop because my grandma loves to bagain shop! We didn't purchase anything at that shop though but James did wander around with 2 hawaiian shirts but thankfully he put them down.

Life at the Village is, well, the life! James did 18 holes of golf today for only 12 dollars and I came with him and read my book in the cart. Tonight we are going to go swimming at the indoor pool with my grandparents. Tomorrow James wants to play another 3 rounds of golf and we are going to hit the tennis court with our new quality rackets! Friday we are going to go to either SeaWorld or Universal Studios, we can't decide which one though. I am leaning more towards Universal because I think it has more rides and stuff. I will fill you in on where we go later.

Last night James and I went to the Village's annual Talent Show! We thought it was going to be a bunch of old women singing hymns but it was actually pretty entertaining and funny. A lot of jokes were about growing old, so I could not relate. Let's face it, the skin under my arms doesn't quite resemble "wings" yet. You would not believe all the white hair there!!! It was like a sea of white and grey heads when you looked towards the stage. I would stand out like a sore thumb, good thing we sat near the back! One funny part was when this old man walked down the centre isle with the long size sticker still attached to the back of his new jeans. I didn't have the heart to tell him so luckily someone else did! Oh the joys of growing old!!

Well I should attach my pictures and then get ready for a late night swim at the pool! Hope everyone is having a good week! I know we are :)

Good Bye and Good Night!

The last load of laundry is in the dryer, the house is clean and I am pretty much all packed up. It felt like this day was never going to happen but now it is almost over. I hate packing for trips so much. It seems like you can never find the one shirt that you want to pack or the book that you want to take on the plane, nothing seems to come together at the last minute. One exciting thing was that we have a ride to the airport so we don't have to take a cab. I was half joking when I asked my uncle (not real uncle) Elroy if he was interested in driving James and I to the airport at 5:30 am but he said yes! I made sure that he knew that he didn't really have to drive us if he didn't want to but he insisted that he didn't mind. So that saves us on the awkward cab ride.

The house as been so quiet all weekend without Lexis here. She had to go to Outlook on Friday night because that is where she is staying for the 2 week we are gone. She loves going to Outlook and staying with James' parents because she gets so much attention. James' brother will take her snowmobiling and to the farm, plus she has so much room to play outside. She is in heaven when she is there! But I miss her here. I dropped stuff on the floor and there was no little munchkin to clean it up, I actually had to get out the broom. And we have so much room when we sleep now without Lex between us all night in bed. But we definetely miss her!

Well, wish me luck on our travels! I will be thinking of y'all, especially those who are stuck freezing in the Queen City. Just kidding! I will update you all on my trip later on in my week. We will be at my grandparents house in Orlando, so I will have computer access. I look forward to hearing how you are all doing over the next two weeks.

I will miss you and love you all,
Melissa

For All the Women Out There....

Men, You can probably just skip over this posts, unless you want to read for your own humour... But ladies, I know we can all relate to this one :)



Dear Mr. Thatcher,
I have been a loyal user of your Always maxi pads for over 20 years, and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core(tm) or Dri-Weave(tm) absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts. But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.

Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? Ever suffered from "the curse"? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my "time of the month" is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call "an inbred hillbilly with knife skills." Isn't the human body amazing?

As brand manager in the feminine-hygiene division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customers' monthly visits from Aunt Flo. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women. In fact, only last week, my friend Jennifer fought the violent urge to shove her boyfriend's testicles into a George Foreman Grill just because he told her he thought Grey's Anatomy was written by drunken chimps. Crazy! The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in capri pants. Which brings me to the reason for my letter.

Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: "Have a Happy Period." Are you f&*%ing kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness-actual smiling, laughing happiness-is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak girl, there will never be anything "happy" about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlúa and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreens armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory. For the love of God, pull your head out, man. If you just have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like "Put Down the Hammer" or "Vehicular Manslaughter Is Wrong"? Or are you just picking on us?

Sir, please inform your accounting department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flexi-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bullshit. And that's a promise I will keep.

Always.
Best,
Wendi Aarons
Austin, TX

Happy Valentines Day... Yesterday!

Happy Valentines Day yesterday! What did you get? James sent me flowers at work, but when I brought then home he thought they looked liked weeds. That was too bad because he spent a lot of money on them. Even when I opened them I was not too impressed with them, but I wasn't going to say anything to them. I am sure the flower shop was running out of flowers, but still, James was willing to spend money on them. I got James a gift certificate for a in home back massage. My friend is a massage therapist and will come to your house for you, so that's what he got! Hopefully he will enjoy that after working so hard outside all the time.

I heard back from my course teacher yesterday. I am proud to say that I passed all 4 tests that I had on Monday. Isn't that exciting??? Not that I was worried because I felt prepared but it is nice to know that it is over! Only one more exam to go!! HURRAY! Today is my second last day at the front desk. Tomorrow we are having a "moving up" party for me at lunch.... I planned it myslef! (HAHA!) I am always looking for an excuse for lunch and a party!

Only 4 more days till we leave! How exciting is that? I can not wait for this weekend because I am going to pull out all my spring/summer wear and pack it in my suitcase. I am not sure what I am going to wear on the plane, I don't want to over heat with a winter jacket... haha, I don't think I will wear a winter jacket. Any advice?

The end is in sight....

Probably should be studying once again since I have 4 more exams tomorrow. If someone tells you that Realtors don't have any training or schooling you know that is not the case. I feel like that is all that I have been doing for the past 5 months. Courses, exams, courses, more exams... when will this all end??? Tomorrow should go well, I feel confident because we have done such in depth training all week in class. Plus the test I wrote last Monday does cover some of this stuff so it might be a review in some chapters. I just want to relax and not open a book again.

I booked a shore excursion for James and I on our cruise. On the third day when we are in Nassau, Bahamas we will be doing a Snorkling adventure at Pearl Island. The boat takes you to one of the top beaches in the bahamas where you can snorkle and see fish and sting rays... hopefully the string rays don't kill me!!! I am going to buy an underwater camera so I can post some cool pictures of all the wildlife we see. There are so many shore excursions to choose from, it was so hard picking just one. But you definetly can only pick one, well atleast James and I only can, because they are so expensive. Over $100 for James and I to snorkle for 4 hours, but I am sure it will be worth every penny. For $160/person you can swim with dolphins which would be amazing, but that is a lot of money for the two of us. I hope that while we are snorkling a friendly dolphin will swim up to me and play.... as long as I don't see a shark I will be OK.

This week is my last 4 days as receptionist at Royal Lepage. I don't know why I am so sad to leave the front since I am not going out of the office. I just love the people there but the funny thing is I will still see them every day. I am excited to get my own office and decorate it and make it feel so cozy! Make sure if you live in Regina you stop bye and visit me because I might be lonely sitting in my office all day. I am going to see if anyone wants to share an office (which you can do) because we all know that I would go batty in an office all alone. Plus it would be so much fun to have an office mate :)

Well, I should go and read over my notes one more time and then head to bed. The morning will be here before I know it!! Please be thinking of me tomorrow as I write my 4 exams. Two are from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and then I have another 2 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. It will make a LONG day!

Love,
Mel

I passed!

I passed!!! 88% on my exam so all that studying did pay off. What a nice feeling!!! My last day on in-class training was today, so I am a little sad it is over. But at the same time I am excited to get into the field and apply all that I have learned. I have exams on Monday, for this past course, so I will once again be studying all weekend. Oh my life is so boring right now! One more week or so until we leave, I can hardly wait to put on shorts and tanktops and bathing suits. I am getting very excited!

Love,
Mel

Happy Hump Day :)

WOW! Everyone sure got all jumpy over my last post to Mr. Furry! HAHAHA! You have to know Tim to understand that he loves when his name is mentioned, loves attention, and has the best sense of humor in the world. I only posted that "public apology" after he mentioned to me about 100 times how disappointed he was that I never called my grandpa for him so he could stay for free at their house and after he told me 100 times we were fighting because of that. Trust me, Tim is a good guy with a good sense of humor. We are best buddies!

In other news I am half way done my class training. So far it has been very interesting and I have liked what I have learned. I hate doing Role Playing, so today I was not happy doing that. It is one thing to say certain things to a client but it is another thing to practise saying things to a friend who just sits there and stares at you. I hate it! It makes me feel so awkward.

My job as receptionist is offically filled. I will train for 4 days next week and then I am done. Hard to believe! I have waited for so long to come to this point but now I am nervous. I know I will love being self employed, I have never really liked being told what to do, so I look forward to certain things. Such as taking as long as I want for lunch break, taking a sick day without having to call in, I get as many holidays as I want, I set my own hours, heck, if I don't want to go to work then I don't!!! But there are down sides to, such as finding your clients, getting your name out there, having expenses, and I am sure I could list 1000 more but I won't. I am not really too scared because I am a second generation real estate agent. My grandma is a very successful real estate agent so I have seen how the best do it. She makes it look so easy and is so calm doing it. She is a great inspiration to mentor. Although she doesn't always know WHY she does something, just that she has to do that and does it out of habit now.... but that is experience for you.

I should get going here. I got 2 great magazines in the mail today so I want to get those read. Plus I have to get a GST number and have a nap. And maybe when James comes home I will wake up and make some dinner..... only maybe.

Love,

Mel

Mr. Furry

Mr. Furry,

I would like to make a public appology to you. I am sorry I could not help you out this past Christmas by finding you a place to stay in Orlando. As you know, my hook-up was not available. I am sorry for any inconvenience this caused you and your family. Please know that I did try, an email was sent but there was no vancany in the village. I did hear that you enjoyed your time, even if you had to pay for the nights you stayed. Your daughter did inform me that the heater was broke in the pool but that did not stop her from using it.

I am sorry that the village came available when I called to arrange my vacation. Looks like being a grand-daughter does have some benefits. I will put in a good word for you when I am down there so that maybe next time you may be able to stay there.

Your friendship does mean a lot to me and it hurts me to know that we are fighting. We are too close to have silly fights like this, always remember how close we are! I am sorry that your office does not smell good anymore and that I have not been around to file your sermons away. We had good times together. Always remember those times, they are memories I will hold onto forever.

Your Melly Forever,

Melissa

Busy weekend!

February is going to be one busy month! This past weekend we kicked it off with a short trip to Outlook/Saskatoon. We went to a Food Bank Fundraiser, a chef/restaurant competition. The food was amazing! All the top chefs in Saskatoon cooked food and you walked around and eat all you could and at the end judged the best food. We ate so much shrimp, ribs, roast beef, sushi, and so much more I can not even name. Such a good time!

Today, Sunday, James' family came down and we celebrated Katie's (James' sister) 15th birthday and watched the Superbowl. The 5 of us girls got really bored and decided to watch a movie, Step Up, in the den. What a good movie!!! The boys watched the Superbowl. I did go online to look up the 2007 commercials, the dalmation one is adorable! Last year my favorite one was the little horse in the Budweiser commercial.

This coming week I am in courses all day (8:30 am - 4:30 pm). I am actually looking forward to it because I learn so much better when I have a teacher going through the material with me. I can get so confused when I have to take correspondence courses because I never know which material is actually important and which material is just filler. As some of you know I rewrite my Phase 1 test tomorrow night. I feel much more confident about it now, I know I can pass it. I have studied for it so much and I feel good about it. Please remember me in your prayers, I write at 7:00 pm. Tuesday will be a good day at the course because a General Contractor will take us to a couple of houses and show us defects that we need to be aware of when we list/sell houses. Also, we will be doing some hands on training so that will be very interesting.

Hard to believe that we are leaving for our vacation in 2 weeks from tomorrow!!! I just can not wait to go down there and get some sun! I hope their is internet on the ship because I will definetly blog and let you guys now how it is. I know we will have access to a computer in Orlando, so I will fill you in on what we do there. It probably will not be much as we plan on being at the pool most days!

Well, I just wanted to let you all know I am alive and doing well. Very busy but alive. I hope to update you later on in the week, probably not tomorrow as it will be a very busy day! Thanks for thinking of me and my test. I will keep you posted!

Love,
Mel