Where does the time go? Wasn't it just yesterday we were flying off to Vegas for our weekend in March, summer has come and gone, and now the leaves on the trees are starting to turn colour!!

This summer has to be one of the coolest I can remember in a very long time. We're used to hot, humid days here in Toronto, and we had very few of them this year. That I'm thankful for, but the temperature extremes were a bit much. I've gotten into the habit of logging on to The Weather Network to figure out how to dress for work!! It got so cold the other night, I had to turn the furnace on to get warm!!

I really messed up my vacation selection this year. Took the week in March, wanted a week in September, but somehow ended up with the last week of November, first week of December, plus the week of Christmas off. Now Christmas I did want, but it's been a long stretch from March. I was debating whether to go away somewhere warm, but the bank account hasn't quite stocked itself well enough for a good vacation. What I'm thinking of doing with the end of November vacation is paint my house again!! It will be 2 years at the end of October that I've been here and it's looking old and tired already!! Plus, I never did do the front hall or kitchen in this house.

One thing I've never done for myself is had a pedicure. I used to go for manicures regularly. My nails take a beating driving the bus and they can't be too long because I can't tell you how many times I've snapped them on the big brake on the bus. I have to recommend this to everyone, and yes that means you guys too!! It is wonderful!! I also ended up having a facial for the first time in my life, as well as a massage. This will definitely be something I do on a regular basis now.

The other thing I've been shopping for is a ring. The birthstone ring my Mother gave me years ago mysteriously went missing when I kept changing addresses while I went to school. I have no idea if I lost it or it was stolen and I have never told my Mom. I had been looking around, because I wanted something with my birthstone (ruby) and diamonds in it. It's one of those things…when something catches your eye you just know.

Well, about 10 days ago, I'm out shopping in, of all places, Sam's Club, when I wander by the jewelry case. What pops out at me? A gorgeous ruby and diamond ring. Now what do I do? Yes, I have the money in the bank to pay for it, and yes it's exactly what I want. I walked away!! I didn't want to "impulse" buy, like I used to do. So..after my "pamper" day, I'm talking to my friend Bill and he says.."now go buy that ring you want". Well I did it!! Friday afternoon I had a dental appointment and when I was done..I went and bought the darn ring!! So needless to say…I had a very expensive "pamper" week, but you only live once!!

Some of you may remember a friend of mine who came into the forum by the name of Tygre313. She's been in declining health for quite sometime and is again in hospital. They have finally found the problem..but it's not good news. She has cancer of the bladder and it has spread to her stomach. She's in for a rough ride the next few months. Her and her husband moved up north a few years ago, so she is in hospital and will be transported by ambulance to Toronto when they get her surgery all set up. The surgery she has to have is 10 hours long. I'm just hoping that they get everything, but we will have to wait and see.

My sister and brother-in-law sold their house in the summer and bought another one. The new one was a cottage, so needless to say it needed some work. For some reason, the sister thought it could be done in 10 days!! She closed on the new place early, started having work done, and by the time hers closed, the new place was nowhere near ready. They've been living with my parents since the beginning of August!! Better her than me…I love my parents dearly but I would not want to live with them again!! Their new place is almost done now and in about a week they should be in their new renovated house.

As usual, my work hours are all over the place!! I sign up again on September 27, and I'm thinking of going back on something later. I hate this day stuff!! I don't particularly like the idea of doing the same thing for 5 weeks (this is a shorter board period), but I really do hate the early morning thing. I'm also thinking of changing my off days, since there doesn't seem to be much overtime on the weekends right now. We'll see what Monday brings!!

That's about all the news here. Till next time….

Tracey