I'm baaaack!!!

I'm back!  And I have missed you!

I never intended to be gone from blogging for so long (it's been TWO months!), but it took awhile to come up with the money to get the computer fixed.  I've hated being without a computer!  I've missed visiting your blogs, and I've missed posting on mine.

I have been using the time productively, though.  I've taken on a new position at work (same company), but instead of cashiering, I'm working in the cash office.  It's a lot better, although I'm still not fully trained (still feel a bit stupid at times, so I take my notes home to study in my free time), and I still don't have full time hours.  I AM getting more hours than I was previously, though, and I don't have to be on my feet for 4 or 5 hour stretches (or deal with cranky customers) so things have improved a bit.  I'm still continuing to look for a full time job, though.

I've also rented out one of the bedrooms of my house, and because the tenant has a 4-year old son living here, I've had to childproof my house a bit.  Okay, actually, A LOT!!  So, much of the china has had to find temporary homes out of reach.  And anything that I don't want to see broken, smeared by sticky fingers, written on, etc. is now stored in the garage.  To be honest, I'm not thrilled about having to rent a room to anyone, let alone someone with a young child.  I'm not used to living with someone (I've lived alone for half my life), and it is quite difficult living with a 4-year old that you can't discipline.  I also seem to spend an awful lot of time cleaning up after a child that isn't my own.  But, I know that I could have gotten tenants that were far worse, so I grit my teeth and bear it, because I don't have a choice.  I only hope that I will make more money in rent than I will have to spend in cleaning and repairing stuff.  I don't remember my nieces and nephews EVER being this messy or destructive. Or whiney. 

Unfortunately, much of the garden has gone to ruin  -  the weather has been so hot that I can't even think about going out to weed. And because we got so little rainfall this year (and water is VERY expensive here), much is dying, including my backyard lawn (of course, the WEEDS are drought resistant!) So, fall weather can't come soon enough for me.  I'm looking forward to getting the backyard and the planters weed free and ready for next year's planting (and a few autumn plants). And I'm hoping for a very cold, rainy, foggy winter.  The fog here is legendary in these parts; I was very disappointed that it was so mild last winter, because I LOVE gloomy weather!  And yeah, I know all you Midwestern women who read this are rolling your eyes at this native Californian, because I don't have a clue about REAL winter weather : )

Well, I have no pretty pictures to share today.  I was just so excited to be able to post, and I can't wait to read all that I've been missing on your blogs.  I also have more than 300 e-mails to plow through! Ack!

Hope to have a Cinema Sunday post this weekend, as I've been watching A LOT of movies lately, since I haven't been able to play on the computer.  And, at some point, I'll also have to share photos of a couple of decorating/craft projects that I've been working on.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.  And thank you for your visit!  Can't wait to visit all of you!