Open Door Policy

Now before you get yourself all excited and head to the liquor store to pick up your favourite drinks, this post is not about to say that I've turned our home into some kind of party central, gathering place, or brothel to fill my void with an assortment of wild and fun activities. In fact, my doors are actually locked 24/7, even if I am home.  And while I do enjoy a good time here and there with my friends, that's not what I am talking about...

For those of you that have the type of relationship where doors just get in the way and you are comfortable with public displays of urinating (or worse), then this will seem insignificant.  However, Dan and I are NOT one of "those" couples.  As much as I love him,  leaving the door open while I'm in the bathroom crosses some lines that I'd rather avoid.  I mean, there is just no sexy way to sit on that porcelain throne as your digestive system goes through the inevitable.  Heck, at this point Dan hasn't even heard (or smelled :P) me fart! I wish I could tell you that the reverse was the same but a nice moment curled up in a blanket at a soccer game was interrupted by such an occurrence.

All that being said, I'm no door Nazi either; closing the door, locking it, relocking it, then stuffing a towel under the door to prevent the transmission of sound and possibly smell... yes people do that.  In fact, I suppose I wouldn't even say it was bothersome, only its not just Dan that I am keeping out.  My furry little shadow insists on following me into the bathroom as well which results in one of two things:
1) I let him in, he sits on the bath mat watching me intensely (which often results in stage fright of my bladder), until he gets bored, or worse - the smell is too much for his canine nose to take - then heads back over to the door crying, begging, scratching to get out as if he was locked into some kind of gas chamber!  I mean really, I'm not gonna sit here and profess that "my shit don't stink" but it's not THAT bad :P

2) I keep him out, which requires making sure the door isn't just "kinda" closed, but that the lock has hitched and its good and tight cause that dog is gonna fight so hard to get in there.  Which by the way, also elicits the bladder stage fright, to the point that I stretch over to the door, let him it, until I am faced with problem number one.

So by now you have probably discovered the significance of my "Open Door Policy." With Dan away, I can go to the bathroom and leave the door open whenever I please! It solves all of my problems :) Kovy can come watch as long as is necessary, he can then escape once he see's fit, and I know that he will eventually leave so its just a matter of sitting there until that happens.  At which point my inner royalty emerges to sit on my throne for as long as I need to (which once has been so long that Kovy came back to check on me).

Parking Galore!

Dan and I have an abundance of parking space as it is, even with our two vehicles.  However, with one car gone in storage, now I have even more.  There is something fun about knowing I can come home and park my car which ever way I choose, front-ways, back-ways, side-ways, diagonal even if I want to!  Also, its super easy to back into the driveway which is convenient given the driveway opens onto one of the main streets.

With parking space being such a coveted asset here in the city, especially this time of year with the parking ban on, its a comfort knowing that I have an abundance of space.  Making it easy to have guests and sleepovers and knowing no one will wake up with a parking ticket on their window!

 However - got the news this week that Dan will be home for the majority of February!! So while my extra parking space may be temporarily limited while he is home, at least someone can help with the shovelling haha!

Healthy Tear Ducks!

Okay, so departure day has come, and well has almost passed at this point, and despite my emotional instability throughout the week - I held it together great at the airport... until I got to the car at least, but hey, that's commendable right?

I've had my sporadic bouts of crying, sobbing, and just tearing up... not to mention I've felt like I could of had strep-throat for weeks trying to swallow the lump that's been sitting there.  And while my white pillow case didn't make it out in great shape (damn not washing off my mascara before bed), I feel that all in all I am doing great! I mean, there is no better way to ensure my tear ducks are in perfect health :)

In fact, just to give them an extra go for their money, I came home from the airport and watched Grey's newest episode and the movie The Help - holy tear jerkers!!  It was good though, I feel better just letting myself have a moment here and there rather than holding it all in, inevitably exploding at some insignificant event like realizing I'm sat at the toilet with no toilet paper and now there is no one to call out to to bring some in.... but I digress....

So far, Day One has almost been accomplished and it wasn't that bad.  Besides, Dan has only made it as far as Gagetown, NB yet... my tear ducks will really get a run for their money the day he actually deploys!

PS - Big shout out to all my great friends who checked in on me today to make sure I was okay!  Just being checked on made me feel great. :)

A Great Group of Co-workers :)

I am extremely fortunate that I was able to get some of my shifts covered before Dan makes his big voyage.  As my friends in the industry will tell you, getting a day off in the field of nursing can be a challenge. I was extremely fortunate to have this weekend off - Dan's departure weekend. (Side note - if you see a blubbering mess at the airport on Sunday, its probably me)

In addition to getting those few extra days to snuggle, laugh, cry, and whatever else we will end up doing it was so comforting to see how my friends here at home are on my side, and super supportive.  Afterall, that is who I am going to spend the majority of my time with for the next 10 months!  Not only are you guys great to me, but Dan can fly across the world with peace of mind knowing that I have people watching out for me. 

I would like to say a special thank you, to my manager, Kelly; and one of my co-workers, Megan, who made it possible for this time off to happen.  I can not express to you how important it was to me, and how grateful I am that you helped make it happen. 

 Some people go to work daily, dreading it, counting down the hours, minutes, seconds until its time to go home again.  I will be the first to admit, that my days at work are, more often than not, less than glamorous.  That being said, I still look forward to going.  I have an amazing group of co-workers who make me laugh and make my job enjoyable by making the best out of bad situations.  Having Dan do this tour has given me the opportunity to really step back and appreciate you all.  Having him gone is not all bad, so thanks for helping me make lemonade!!