For the past several days, I have been splitting my time between the old house in sunny LA and the new house in Colden, also known as "Ski Country" or "the snowiest place in WNY". It's amazing. Well, frankly, the house isn't so great. It's a white hillside ranch, modular house built in 1955, very different from the house we currently live in which was built in the 20's and definitely has, in my opinion, more character. And we have a lot of work to do. The people who lived there before us, didn't actually seem to do anything but paint and put up border paper. They were really big on border paper. What is so great is the land that the house sits on. It's just under two acres, totally surrounded by evergreen trees. In the front yard is an old Oak tree. In the back there are two maples and a crab apple and about five apple trees. I'm planning on being an apple pie baking machine this fall. We'll see, though. I do make some mean apple pies, from scratch, including the crust! But I digress... We also have a blueberry bush, blackberry bushes, elderberry bushes, and I suspect red currants and raspberry bushes. What's also awesome is the inground pool! Hallelujah for the pool! Especially in the weather we've been having. Off of the pool is a screened in gazebo. Towards the back of the property is the barn. It's not one of those dilapidated barns you see around, it's a really nice, really sturdy Amish built barn. I'd never been excited about a barn before now. I don't know what's happening to me.

It's so quiet out there, it's like a whole 'nother world. I can't wait for autumn just to see all of the leaves change colour. I am not, however looking forward to all of the snow, and the drive to work and school is not going to be quick and fun. But it's a trade off, I guess.

My new favourite activity, asides from swimming, is sitting on the back steps of the deck and watching all of the bumble bees gather pollen from the clover. It just makes me smile. And there are so many butterflies! It's just beautiful.

It's such a huge change but it's one that my parents have definitely needed for a long time. Right now, we're knee deep in paint and cleaning supplies and it seems overwhelming and yesterday I didn't get to finish what I wanted to accomplish, although I did assemble the patio furniture, but we have to keep focused on the fact that it is worth it. I think everytime we step outside, or watch a rainstorm from the sunroom, we are reminded that we absolutely made the right choice for us now.

I think the heat is making people crazy! Anyone else notice people being particularly whackey today?

So, I finally broke down and ordered Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I'm going to have to wait until next week to read it, so NO ONE SAY ANYTHING, should you read it before I do. Also, today, for those of you not in "the Know" is Sexy Underwear Day. Let your imaginations take that wherever your little heart desires. Adieu!

Yay! Today, I got to jump in our new pool, despite the rain! And it was awesome! Everything I thought it could be and more! Oh, and Happy Bastile Day everyone!

I'm tired right now and my job is making me nuts, but what else is new. Doesn't it just suck when you need to take off a day really, really bad and you can't! I can't take care of my school things that I need to, I can't take off to help my parents move, I can't take off because there is at least one person off in my bank branch until God knows when. I'm feeling the pressure, like I'm going to snap. If I didn't have a car payment and car insurance and student loans and credit card bills to pay, this week I would totally have told my boss to fuck off! Some days, what I would give to go back to being 6 years old again! I think that's about it for now. My best friend is away. I'm surviving without her. I can't wait 'til she comes home, but I hope very much that she's having a good time. Ciao.

Is there anything better than a compliment, except perhaps a compliment from a stranger? Last week, I had someone tell me that I look like Nicole Kidman. I don't, but thanks! ( I'm much too short and chubby.) And today, I had someone tell me I look like Drew Barrymore! (That one, especially when I was thinner, I would buy.) Sweet! As the rest of my day is pretty, "Eh", I'm clinging to these spontaneous moments of joy. And they are two of my favourite actresses that are still living. Sweet!