I don’t think I had mentioned this before; perhaps I didn’t even know for sure yet when I last posted (I know, it’s been awhile). I had my final interview for my job and I got the call about a week or so later with the official offer. I’m so relieved to have secured the job! I had a really good feeling after each interview but it was still nerve-wracking to not know for sure. I’ll be starting this coming Friday (I’m assuming it starts with an orientation since it’s a Friday, plus we have a long weekend after that), and I’m alternating between feeling nervous and really excited. Due to the fact that I’ve seen more than one person get royally screwed because they talk about work on the internet (I don’t want to be “dooced” thanks very much!), no I can’t say where I’m working or what I’m specifically doing. I will say that I’m dealing with clients and that’s as far as my description goes. I’m going to rock at it though!

Anyway, since I’ll soon be back in the work force full time, I’ve been spending this last little bit of time just taking it easy and enjoying my time off as though I’m on vacation. I can’t remember everything but a wee summary is something I can do.

I had a small group of people over for my birthday the Saturday after my actual big day. I realized it was the first time in over a decade that I’d had a party of sorts for myself. Our apartment just wasn’t conducive to gatherings other than for the kids’ birthdays but this house sure is! I also had my sister, her husband, and my niece (!) over twice since moving in. I can’t even say how nice that is.

The kids met their cousin who is visiting from Toronto and he ended up having a sleepover here. He was over because we had all gone down to the harbour for the jazz fest. We ended up skipping the music since it was all super expensive but we had a nice time going out for a beer downtown anyway.

It was completely surreal to wander along the waterfront and realize that we LIVE here now; it wasn’t just a visit. Surreal, yet amazing.

What else? Hmmm.

We checked out the spray pool with the kids and their cousin on one particularly hot day, that was a pretty big hit. We also went back to Point Pleasant Park again, this time in our bathing suits. We didn’t get in very far that day; the ocean is always cold but it was SO cold that time that my feet actually hurt while wading around.

Feeling a bit defeated by the water temperature, we decided that the next day we should go to a lake instead and we found ourselves at a nice little beach with some friends. The water was MUCH better and I was able to actually get in and swim.

We visited with friends at their house, once for the afternoon and a second time to help build a fence and to have a BBQ. They live in a great area where they’re surrounded by woods. I wouldn’t mind living out there one day. They have kids who are the same ages as Hayley and Breanna so they have a lot of fun together.

We also went out to my sister’s place to have a BBQ on Saturday. She made these very tasty teriyaki burgers and I think I’m going to have to suck it up and stop relying on those pre-made frozen burgers because hers were easy but so good. The kids occupied themselves by remaining within two inches of their baby cousin at all times. I’m surprised that Neal was able to go put her down for a nap, I think they would have liked to have crawled into the crib with her! They amused themselves anyway because Neal’s dad is awesome and the last time he was visiting he bought some bubble wands to leave over there for Hayley and Breanna.

Whew, I’m tired just thinking of all the things we’ve been doing! It’s been so much fun though and for the most part the weather has been gorgeous – warm and sunny all day, then cool and comfortable at night. Yesterday we just stayed low-key at home. I filled the wading pool up for Hayley and then when George took Breanna grocery shopping, Hayley and I busied ourselves by doing a bit of weeding so I could pretend that I know anything at all about gardening.

Today is another relaxing day and it’s actually raining so I don’t feel bad about staying at home at all. A friend of mine, Patricia, is coming over later though which will be awesome. We had only ever known each other online for at least ten years but once I finally moved out here we were able to meet up face to face. She was over one evening (and brought us a nice homemade loaf of bread, a bottle of wine, and a Nova Scotia Weather Button, hee), came back with her husband the next day for my birthday party, and is coming to hang out today. All-around win!

And on that note I’m going to get a few things done to take my mind off my pre-work jitters.