Green is Good

Um, yeah. So it's green. It still hasn't stopped raining, but I decided to just go ahead and add chemicals (Dad's advice) since the rain always knocks out the pH and the chlorine. Then I got home from work and vacuumed the pool...in the rain. That's love and committment, right? Do I get a pool boy now? I feel that I deserve one. Ok, so that is the spoiled princess in me talking. But seriously, what does one have to do to get a pool boy?

Playing Ruff

I was in the big dog room yesterday and wow. Apparently I am still a bit nervous. I am getting more used to them, but they were especially volatile yesterday and a lot of fights broke out. Very disconcerting when you are right next to two or more big dogs and suddenly the teeth come out and they snarls get serious. I tend to be more inclined to step back than to jump in and break it up, which we have to do sometimes. I'm not sure my insurance is good enough to cover a dog fight incident! lol.


Megan will be here tomorrow night, and I'm so excited!! We have a very lazy weekend planned.


The pool is looking green, but it's dirt, not algae. With all the rain, things fall into the pool and the chemicals get messed up. So in the pouring rain this morning I added chems and checked things. Great fun. As long as the weekend is hot and sunny I'm happy!


Just working lots and loving hanging out with Monica.

Off to work!

For Dad

See Dad? The pool is doing great! You wanted proof.

My job has been going well. I am not so afraid of the big dogs now. I took a nap on a large wolf looking dog today. He looks mean, but he's a big sweetie.

Meegan will be here F R I D A Y ! ! ! Can't wait.

Let Me Eat My Foot....Thanks

Today was nowhere near yesterday's "work". I went in to see how the doggy day care runs and what the girls will need to do. I was there for three hours, then they said I could go or stay and I bolted.

So I like dogs. In fact, they are my favorite animal. So naturally I thought it would be a walk in the part, getting paid to play with dogs. Um, no. First of all, the stench when you walk in. OMG. For the first hour I didn't even want to inhale b/c it was quite strong. The small dogs are cute. The medium dogs are cute. The big dogs are BIG. And there are a LOT of them.

I followed the lady into the big dog area and suddenly the thirty or so dogs there got excited by a new face and started jumping on me and I about freaked. One or two I could handle, but almost being knocked over and the worst part was that they have some sharp toenails. So my arms, back and stomach got cut up. My poor arms look like I took a knife to them. I was about ready to turn and run at that point. But then I realized I was over-reacting and they would calm down. And some did.

There are also pools for the dogs, so they in, jump out, then jump on you. So I will be wearing some very old clothes to work b/c of the jumping, water, and other things left on the ground.

And then the girls come tomorrow, and after hearing some of the "challenges" they have been posing, well........but who wants a boring job? ; ) Of course, the constant barking does get annoying after a few hours. lol.

But some are so sweet and want to be petted constantly and that is nice.

I think this position will just take some time to get used to.

My New "Job"

After three days of working my new job, I've realized I've never worked so little for so much money before. Wow. Today I actually brought in my yarn and crocheted the first 1.5 hours, then I read the rest of the day. I felt guilty about doing nothing, but there was nothing I could do. One of my boys called in sick, the one who requires constant watching, and the other really doesn't need a glorified babysitter. So I sat there. Weird. I felt like I should be doing ten billion things but I couldn't. Very unusual for me.

Tomorrow I change job sites b/c there was a problem at one in OP and they need a replacement immediately. So as of tomorrow I get to go work at a doggy day care and play with animals and wear comfy clothes. There's gotta be a catch, right? I mean, work can't be this cool!

I am still trying to work on my tan and getting nowhere. By the time I had finished cleaning the pool today it was getting late and the good sun was gone. Alas, I'll have to try harder!

In the book I was reading today, there was some good ideas about success. The author mentioned three things: passion, discipline and persistence. If you think about it, it really makes sense. Just food for thought.

: )

Weekend with Orkun : D

This weekend was waaaaaay too much fun! First Isaac and I checked out The Emerald House on Friday night and danced until my knee couldn't support me anymore.

Saturday Orkun came to town and after a nice dinner we went dancing. No one was at Casa Grande, so just before midnight we went to the Beach Club. (and can I just say that GPS is the most amazing thing and I soooooo need it! I was like a little kid in a trance trying to figure out how it was so smart. Very helpful.)

The Beach Club was packed, as usual, but Orkun and I salsaed the night away. He is really an amazing dancer, and he flung me around like mad. People were staring and kept telling me how good we were, but the truth is it is all HIM, because I was just trying not to fall! I got close several times but he always caught me and put me back on my heels. Then, he decided we should try our feet at country dancing inside the Beaumont Club. Most people there couldn't dance anyway, so we gave it a try and danced around them. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing and just tried to keep up. It was a blast.

After more salsaing it was about 2:30 and I could barely stand up. He insisted we go home before I fall asleep on the dance floor. I'm never the one to have to call it a night when it comes to salsa, but this weekend I was exhausted! lol.

Another thing I found amusing was that everyone thought he was Hispanic b/c he danced so well. These guys came up to us and were so adamant and said, "donde estan? donde estan?" and O said, "Turkey." And the guy goes, "No, donde estan? Man, where are you from?" And he goes, "Turkey." The guy just has this completely puzzled look on his face like what they heck and O goes, "Turkey. It's a country near Europe." LOL. Just b/c you're not Latin doesn't mean you can't salsa with the best of them!

Sunday Monica came back to town and the three of us stayed up too late again. Around midnight I went to turn off the water b/c I was filling the pool, and behind me I hear, "Don't fall in!" lol. Yeah right. The next thing I know I'm flying through the air, fully clothed, into the pool. Monica was next, and then we managed to get Orkun in. I didn't really think he'd throw me in! So some of the pics are pre-water, water, and post-water. I can't think of the last time I went swimming so late, especially with jeans on. lol.

It was great seeing Orkun again, it seems I see him every two years or so. Monica and I will have to change that.

So after a wonderful weekend I started my new job. Weird not to be at YWC, but definitely more relaxing, and totally different.

Dad is safely in Afghanistan trying to adjust and actually went to Kabul today, why I'm not sure.

I need sleep. : )

Success

Success may come in many shades, today it is a lovely and sparkling blue. That's right, I have beat the algae! (and Megan, yes, in my head mold and algae are the same as well). This morning I got up and the pool was looking MUCH better! (I also added a little extra chlorine last night.) Then I cleaned the pool, and this time it looked amazing. Just the right color. Ahhh. And it was a beautiful day for laying poolside. Brooks came over and actually put his kayak in the pool, and it was pretty amusing. And I think I'm working on the start of a great summer tan.

I can't wait to share the pool with lots of friends this summer, and hopefully next time they will bring food to grill!

Orkun is in town this weekend, sadly Monica is not, but we will most likely go dancing tonight, and dancing with Orkun is always a treat!

Did I mention I quit my job? I start a new one on Monday, working with kids for the summer. I'm quite looking forward to it. It really is a fabulous weekend.

Hope everyone is well, haven't heard from Dad since he left Istanbul, but I'm thinking in a few days I ought to hear something.

: )

Algae 2: Kate 0

Hmmm. Ok. So blasting the pool with chlorine and algae killer didn't exactly work. I figured that when I got home today I would find a sparkly and algae-free pool. Wrong.

Phase Two included more algae killer and chlorine. If this does not work, then I will have to take it to the experts. I can't believe Dad hadn't even left the country before I lost the pool. Sigh. Can I have a pool boy now? ; )

Going Green

Alas, we've gone green. And I don't mean in some eco, German-crazy environmentally friendly sort of way. I mean in the, despite my excellent and timely pool care, making sure it was vacuumed, backwashed, filters clean, chemicals perfect, etc., my pool has turned a frightening shade of green. Now, if you are a fan of swimming in lakes, this might not bother you, and while I have nothing against swimming in lakes, this is disturbing because, well, let's face it, I have a pool in my yard and not a lake. So you can see my concern is justified.

After raising the hardness and attempting to raise the already level pH, I got a call from Dad this morning out in the middle of nowhere South Carolina on the way to the airport. After making sure he was doing better from being injected with all the scary diseases known to man (ok, just several of them), I blurted out that I'd lost the pool to greenness. And that the chemicals were all where they ought to be. Suddenly he goes, did you check the filter we closed off? If something didn't die in the pool, maybe something else is growing in that filter.

So outside I trek to The Dead Filter, and once I open it oh my goodness gracious! Megan, remember when you found the mountain of mold on your wall? Well, this wasn't quite as dramatic, but wow. Talk about a ton of algae! All growing right there in the lovely Dead Filter. So I got down the algae killer chem and some serious chlorine and poured it all into The Dead Filter. Take that algae! Ha! We'll see how it looks when I get home from work. I'm hoping for a pleasantly blue pool.

Ahh, the joys of homeownership and maintenance (ok, so I can't really claim that, but man I've been waiting for so long to say it!)

As of now the score is Algae 1, Kate 0. But I think the tide is about to change.

On the road

Some of the candid shots I got of Dad preparing to go. The last one is us at the airport right before security. I think he was supposed to be smiling, but he has that, oh dear goodness I'm going to Afghanistan look. Very deer in headlights. I also think he was ready for me to turn the stinking camera off by that point. hee hee.

Burn the Floor!

Monica and I went to see Burn the Floor at Starlight tonight. Oh my goodness gracious it was amazing!! The music was great, the dancers were fabulous....ahhhhh! It was Ballroom and Latin and all mixed in. We saw Rumbas and Waltzes, Paso Doble, Tango, Cha Cha, Jive, Fox Trot, Quick Step, etc. For dance addicts like Monica and I, it was intoxicating and near impossible to sit still.

Afterwards some of the dancers were out signing autographs and taking pics. Monica asked me if I wanted a picture with the dancers as well, and at first I kind of said no. But I really wanted one. However, it was just me and all the little 13 year old girls in line. Luckily, Monica is cool enough that she encouraged my inner teenager to get over there and pose. The girl on my right was one of my favorites! So yes, Kate had a 13 year old girl moment tonight, and loved every minute of it! I think I now know how little girls feel when they go to a Britney Spears concert. Hmmm....

Goodbye Party

Dad had a going away party at Side Pockets Friday night. I would have taken more pics, but it was dark and I didn't want to be that annoying person who kept blinding everyone else in the room. But I really like this picture. Love you Vati!

Weekend

Monica and I had a good weekend. We went out salsa dancing on Friday, which was great until the end when there was a fight and the place shut down. Then Saturday we got up early, went down to the City Market, got some great vegetables, coffee, and jewelry, then checked out the Dragon Festival by the Plaza. We also got stuck in the Rock Fest traffic, which was crazy! But I hear it was a good time.

Then last night Monica got a flat tire near my house, but luckily Super Dad was there to help and he changed the tire faster than we could have. I was highly amused by the grill (along with various things) that Monica keeps in her truck. I knew she was always prepared, but dang!

And she starts moving in this week. Good stuff. : )

Auntie's Birthday

Auntie's 50th birthday was a lot of fun! We snuck in, decorated, and completely surprised her when she got back home! It was a crazy weekend. : )