Like a fish needs a bicycle

More on Bill and Lil. It's day three and they're still swimming. As you may recall, I have past experience with goldfish. My mom gifted me one of our old tanks, but it's rather large for such tiny fish, not to mention that I have no place to set it up right now. However, I knew that those little guys wouldn't last much longer swimming around in that stagnant bowl, so I improvised. I hooked up the filter from the tank and dropped it into the bowl. It's way too big, but already I see the fish look happier. I'm totally going to be one of those mom's who leaves her kids with an open jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread, aren't I?
I do plan to look at getting a proper tank sometime this week.

Do you take this fish

I went to a wedding on Saturday afternoon. The bride was my dad's cousin and it was her second go-around. I was her flower girl for the first wedding, and when I heard that she and her husband were splitting up, I kind of felt like I had some how failed.

I got my chance to make things right this year though when the man who became her new husband asked me to help him with the proposal. He wanted to do a video that would end with the big question, but he had no idea how to put it together. He brought me a collection of digital pictures, we sat down together on a Saturday afternoon and put them together with some captions in Movie Maker. My favourite touch was using Cheap Trick's The Flame as the background music.

The wedding was a close gathering of friends and family in a big back yard, and the reception was under a tent. I think this one will work out.

The centerpiece on each table was a glass bowl filled with water for a tiny goldfish. For having selected the chair with the winning card taped to the underside, I was the lucky new pet owner.

"His name is Bill," one of my favourite relatives informed me. Someone decided I couldn't leave with just one fish, so they yanked one of the bowls from the head table. I named the second fish Lil, although I think she's bigger than Bill. Hopefully all will go well so that the Christmas cards from The Little House on the Prairie will be signed with love from Jill, Bill and Lil.

All in a day's work on vacation

I took today off work and did my best at trying out this "vacation at home" thing. A big storm rolled in around 3 am and woke me up. My power was out. I noticed this only when things started coming back on flashing and beeping. Because I didn't have to worry about getting up for work, I decided to get out of bed and sit in the living room to watch the skies light up. It reminded me of storms up at the lake--so loud and close sounding, the rain coming down in sheets and pounding against the window. It was a perfect summer storm.

It was a good thing I didn't have to go to work. With my clock radio alarm screwed up because of the power failure I probably would have slept in. I woke up first at 7 am, in time to hear the bus I usually take go by. I then returned to slumber and didn't rise again until nine. I succeeded in achieving luxury number one of a day off, sleeping in.

Once up and dressed, I decided to go for a walk in the park. I packed a bag with a book, my camera, a snack (I didn't eat breakfast) and some money for a coffee break. I considered my umbrella, but felt it would be unnecessary added weight. So I left it behind.

On the way home from a lovely walk, which included some time spent playing with a chocolate lab puppy, I stopped at Sunstone Coffee for a latte. I took a spot at the counter in front of the window and grabbed an old issue of Fortune to read as I sipped my small bowl of coffee. I did not think of work for one moment. I did not call my mother. I was doing very well.

I looked out the window and noticed some very dark clouds moving in from the south. Knowing I was still about 20 minutes from home, I downed the last few sips and headed out. Clearly, a real vacationing woman would not have worried about the impending rain. She instead would have ordered another latte and waited for the showers to pass. But I had only brought enough change for one beverage and didn't want to overstay my welcome in the nearly empty coffee shop. Yes, I still have some work to do on being carefree.

As I was nearly home, the skies opened up and it started to pour big, fat rain drops. With no umbrella in my well-packed bag, I couldn't really do much else other than laugh and think of how much I like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain.

When the skies cleared up in the afternoon, I sat outside on my front step with a book and a beer. I finished off the day with attending the football game with my sister, Lisa and Chris. We lost. Terribly. But it didn't bother me much; I was on vacation.

Key in the door plus many more

After the blog post I forgot all about the significance of the day. I got caught up in an online conversation with Adam and then before I knew it, it was time to head out to Lisa's.

I got home around 10, changed out of my clothes and grabbed Mac to check life in the online world. I went into the kitchen to put away the fresh figs I bought at the farmer's market and I noticed two bottles of wine and a red rose on the ledge. Then I remembered the day again. My parents had dropped by to leave me a little something in honour of the anniversary. I grabbed the bottle of wine I had put in the fridge, the J wine, and I cracked it open.

I went online hoping to find a friend to have a virtual toast with, but no one was around. Bummer. So I poured the wine, and toasted with Jeff. (Kasia did leave a note for me here though, so I felt that she was here in spirit some how). It felt a little sad, but I guess it's another tribute to my independent party status. I phoned my parents' house and my mom answered. She pointed out that she told Dad to pick out wines of the 2007 vintage, in honour of the special year. If anyone should be here with me, really, it's them.

Vince logged on and I jumped on him. "Drink with me!" I said.

"I have no booze...I can drink water."

"That's fine, just put it in a glass so we can clink."

I swear, those last 365 days just flew by, and yet so much has happened. This was such a huge step for me. Then I think about how I got here and it seems like it's been a journey five times longer.

Well, I've just poured myself another generous glass of my J pinot gris. Wherever or whenever you are reading this, I hope you can raise a glass or a shoe and give me a little nod. Join the party at the Little House on the Prairie.

Love you all.

One year baby!

I was looking at some e-mails today trying to figure out how long I've been working on that website project. The first e-mail was sent on July 5, 2007. Wow, I could hardly believe we've been working on this thing for a year now. Tidal wanted to schedule a meeting with Head One but she told them she wanted to wait a few days as I was away. Away? Why was I away last year in early July? I looked up the dates on a calendar and it finally hit me. I was taking possession of my house.

Last July 3, I became a homeowner, jillstory fans. It has been a year of sacrificing shoes for utilities and groceries, finding new joys in cooking and yard work, adventures in dating and learning to enjoy my own company.

Kat was the first person I told when I realized what day it was.

"You should do something to celebrate, like take it out for dinner," she suggested, as an appropriate way to celebrate a first anniversary.

"Oh, but I'm actually going to my friend's place for dinner tonight." It's Thursday and Lisa's turn to cook. "I'm stepping out on my own house! Maybe I'll bring home some dessert."

Kat laughed. "If it involves whip cream and strawberries, I don't want to know."

I do have that bottle of J wine I've been saving. Maybe today would be a good occasion to open it up.