Barbie's birthday

My mom, a.k.a. Vacation Barbie, celebrates the big 8-0 this weekend! She recently moved from her home to the local assisted living place. Fortunately, her cat Molly was adopted by her previous home health care worker! I won't be able to attend the big bash but we're trying to get there in 2 weeks for a longer visit when my temporary job is done.

Wanchese Whistle

The other day after work, we were making dinner and all of a sudden, some sort of warning siren sounded. This went on for about 5 minutes or so, enough to make all the hounds in the 'hood bark. We weren't quite sure what it was but thought they were testing the warning system. Not many days later, the same siren sounded, this time lasting for about 20 minutes.

(This warning siren is reminiscent of my home town "whistle." The whistle dates back to factory days and blows at 7 a.m., noon, 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Even on the weekends. Except for Sunday when they abstain from the 7 a.m. one. For "nostalgic" reasons, the town voters decided to keep the whistle blowing, although it still causes some rankor.)

The Wanchese whistle blowing continued and we finally found out why it blows. It is the warning system for the volunteer fire department. The length of time the whistle blows depends on the time of day, type of fire alarm and other factors no one could quite explain to us. We apparently have been lucky and not had a fire alarm in all these months we've been living there.

Suzy Q

Based on a suggestion from my sister, we decided to name our boat Suzy Q. This appropriately chosen name was the nickname my dad called me when I was a little girl. In a serendipitous coincidence, I learned this is the nickname/call sign that airplane pilots use when flying over and referring to the area around my hometown.

Boat buying

As you know, I have neglected my blog recently. Between moving, finding a place to live, unpacking, job searching, buying a car, etc., we also were combing Craig's List and every place else in search of the perfect boat.

I can now tell you all about 2-stroke vs. 4-stroke, gunwales, deadrise, cuddies, center consoles, T-tops, diesels, inboard/outboards and all sorts of boat-related stuff. Our due diligence paid off and we found an awesome boat, the Palm Beach. This 21-ft. brand new boat has a 150 HP Yamaha engine and a 21-degree deadrise. Which means less rockin' and rollin' in the water, always a good thing for me!

We finally get to install and use all of the boat electronics we've been hauling around with us since Alaska. Once those are on, we'll be out on the water.

The motherlode

Robin and I befriended a couple who own and operate Vineyards on the Scuppernong. These nice people not only make awesome wine (we recently bought 4 cases!), but they also are in desperate need of someone who will come and help them with their deer problem.

The deer find their land and grapes irresistible and the does are running rampant. Boy, did they find the right man for that job. I'm not sure Robin could be happier. Plus, they have this awesome cabin we can stay in whenever we want (yes, I'll take pictures sometime). Did I mention they make awesome wine?!? You know what I'll be doing while Robin hunts!

We spent a day out there over the weekend playing farmer. I drove a Kubota around and we planted some food plots to help lure the deer away from the grapes.

Employment

I'm back to the world of 9 to 5. Boy, what a change! I haven't had time to update my blog! I now have a full-time (temporary) job doing general office work that goes until mid-May.

In addition, my job search is in full swing and taking what free time I have. I had a very hopeful interview last week. This entailed a lot of prep. Robin and I went shopping for my interview outfit because of course, I didn't have a thing to wear (I left all that in Colorado). Plus, I had to pull together some semblance of a portfolio from the stuff I could get my hands on (some is not unpacked and the rest is in Colorado).

I am hopeful to be called back for round two. Which means another shopping expedition for another outfit!

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Regulation, regulation

Robin is taking a water treatment certification class for the state of North Carolina. In this weirdly over-regulated state, they require a high school transcript in order to register for the test. Yep, a transcript just to take the test.

We ordered his transcript. Robin had so many approved and unapproved absences, I am not sure how he actually graduated. Based on his attendance, he was hardly ever in class.

"People needed a lot of help with their cows," he said. "That's how I got all of those approved. People would call in when I was hunting or fishing and say my cows got out again." It didn't hurt that he plied his principal and teachers with meat and fish!