Wake County NC Rabies Clinics Fall 2009

For residents of Wake County, Raleigh NC , Cary NC and surrounding areas, low cost rabies vaccinations are available at the following locations/ dates for fall 2009.

http://www.wakegov.com/pets/events
Rabies & Microchip Clinics 2009

Rabies Vaccines for $5 and Microchips for $10 per animal
Note: If you would like for your animal to receive the three-year vaccine, please bring proof of previous and current vaccinations; otherwise, your animal will receive the one-year vaccination. Learn more about rabies and pet safety.

September 19, 2009
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Petco in Knightdale
1014 Shoppes At Midway Drive
Knightdale, NC

October 31, 2009
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Canine Carnival
Crowder Park
Apex, NC

September 26, 2009
TBD
Dog Days at the Park
Womble Park
Holly Springs, NC

November 7, 2009
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Mutt Strut
Historic Oak View Park
Raleigh, NC

October 3, 2009
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Lake Benson Park
Garner, NC/clinics.htm

Fall is in the air!

I must admit, for as much as love summer- i think spring and fall have to be my favorites! Especially here in North Carolina, when summer temperatures hover near 100 for weeks on end and the electricity bill is in excess of $300 a month! For the past week almost, I've been able to have the windows open, and in true sign that fall is coming, have been burning apple cinnamon scented candles most of the week!

Holding Park Pool Review, Wake Forest NC

While on vacation with my aunt last week, my daughter learned how to swim! Since a swimming pool is not in our budget, I looked around locally for a public pool so she could keep practicing. The nearest one I found was the Holding Park Pool in Wake Forest, North Carolina. So this afternoon we went, and here is my review!

Price: $4 for those over 13; $3 for 2-12 and $1 for kids under age 2. Very reasonable, and they give you a wrist band, which I am assuming means you can leave and come back later in the day, although I am not certain on that point. They also offer season passes for town residents ($40 per person) and at a higher rate for non-residents ($65 per person). Since we do not live in town, we would have to pay the higher rate, and I am considering it.

Hours: Open swim for the public is from 1pm-6pm M-F and 1-7pm Saturday and Sunday. While I wish it opened earlier the times aren't bad.

Safety: While we were there, I noticed 4 lifeguards on duty in stands next to the pool, and several others roaming around (working concession booth, etc). I was glad to see this, especially with the large number of kids. They also did seem to be very observant of what the patrons were doing- I noticed they enforced the pool rules and heard them calling out to kids to stop doing whatever violation was occurring. One thing that surprised me (pleasantly) was the age demographics f the lifeguards. While there were quite a few younger guards (high school/ college age) there were also several more 'experienced' guards on duty. While the younger employees were paying attention to their job, I do remember ( I was once a lifeguard) that sometimes talking to your friends can distract you. I did see them talking to friends occasionally, I never saw their eyes leave the pool. They also rotated stands occasionally. The did a really good job of discerning what was fun and acceptable and what was not. Several swimmers had pool toys of various sorts and different games were going on.


Fun Factor: The pool is an L shaped design, the short end being the most shallow. It goes up to 12 or 13 feet deep. At the deep end, there is a small tube type water slide and a standard pool side diving board. The pool was busy this afternoon, and short lines were pretty standard at both attractions. The line moved quickly however, and the lifeguard kept things running smoothly. There is a small concession booth which seemed to sell candy bars, cups of soda, and popcorn. I did not look closely, so I cant give much more detail than that. Perhaps next time I'll take a closer look and update this review to fill in!

Seating: There are chairs provided, however, they fill up quickly, so I recommend you bring your own! I was glad I brought mine, although shortly after we arrived the family next to us left, and I took one of those chairs as mine!

All in all, we had a really great time and will definitely be going back next week! The pool was clean, well staffed and lots of fun!

Harry Potter AND Twilight- someone pinch me, I must be dreaming!

I have a secret obsession.

actually ... two.

ok, maybe more, but I'm only talking about two of them today.

The first has been a shadow over my head for- the past eight or nine years.

Two Words. Harry Potter. I bought the first book from walmart on a lark- wondering what in the world all the fuss was about. I read it in one sitting. I was cruelly forced to wait until Christmas of that year for the other books (which were 3 or 4 at that point). Ever since then, I anxiously awaited the books and movies. For that reason, I can hardly wait until July 15th, when the 6th movie comes out- 'Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince'. Oh joy of joys!!!!!!!!!!!!! The seventh movie (based on the 7th book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, is scheduled to be released in two parts- the first in November 2010 and the final in July of 2011. Which means- I have 3 movies to be exited about!!!!!!!! YIPPPPEEEEEEE

My next obsession is more recent. I am shamefully embarrassed to be addicted to the 'Twilight' series. Much as with Harry Potter, it began with the purchase of a book out of curiosity, and began a new obsession. The books- while hardly literary art- are engrossing enough to capture your attention and bind you to the characters - and leave you wanting more. Sadly, the first twilight movie was a HUGE disappointment, but with a new director and larger budget, I have high hopes for New Moon. Sadly, even if New Moon is poor as Twilight (referring to the movies, not the books), I will still hope (it does spring eternal, afterall) that Eclipse and Breaking Dawn (third and 4th books, respectively) are done better.

It's a sickness, I tell you....

**** disclaimer****

The New Moon Poster below is a fan made poster. I do not know who it belongs to. If you are the rightful owner, please let me know and I Will be happy to give you credit or remove it at your request!

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

It should come as no surprise that my husband was laid off yesterday. Well, okay- it was a bit of a surprise. After all, the company is doing reasonably well, he is only one of two in his immediate department, and he was one of the most dependable employees there. But alas, corporate insecurity and greed supersedes everything in this world, and he found himself on the wrong side of a CEO's desk. He knew it was coming though- he is, after all more attentive and intuitive than nearly anyone I know, and in fact threw Mr. Sassypants for a loop when he told him he 'knew it was coming'. Oh, to be a fly on that wall.

He was one of 7 laid off due to a 'reduction in force' as his separation papers so eloquently put it, and he and his 'senses' (which are more often right than wrong) feel another wave of layoffs coming. Most of the staff released yesterday was presumably 'relieved' due to their payscale, after all when you're let go with the likes of the head of the R&D department and engineering team, its fairly obvious. Although, some staff in the warehouse was also dismissed, although from what I gather they were on tenuous ground anyways- last hired, frequent absences, etc...

Thanks to his 'sense', I had already been working on his resumes, which were in fairly decent shape and current to begin with (one of the perks of having a professional resume writer for a wife, I suppose). But yesterday my proofreading and concentration was on a new level- for I have now joined the ranks of my clients. People looking for a job in an economy where there just isn't much. And, just as I advise my clients to proofread, I too sent my husbands resumes to a friend to proofread. I am not infallible, afterall.

And, as I advise clients, I am spending time looking at newspaper ads and the job boards, creating resume profiles and sending resumes off for dear old hubby.

In his favor, he is aptly qualified for two very different fields- Inside sales type positions and warehouse management. So, at least we have a couple of categories to shuffle through each day!

On the plus side, we are debt free and living expenses are reasonably minimal. Between his severance package, unemployment and our savings, plus what I bring in, we should be okay for awhile- although much to my dismay I had to cancel hotel reservations at the beach for next month. And my shopping habit needs to decrease 100 fold. But thats ok. Our tiny home is getting a bit crowded anyways!

But, this too shall pass. There will be other opportunities, other blessings and more paychecks in the future. My new laptop arrived today, which means we no longer need to fight over computer time!

and if anyone reading this in the Raleigh area needs a really great warehouse manager or inside sales/ CSR type position filled- shoot me an email! ;) Or if you need a resume- I could use the money more than normal now! lol!

Christmas Chaos

This year marks the first year my daughter has had the opportunity to participate in a school Christmas play. They have been having rehearsals before school every morning for the past month, and she is quite exited about it.

Yesterday morning, my dear child informed me she needed some sort of reindeer antlers or something Christmas-y for her costume. Ok, 48 hours before the play you let me know this. terrific. But being the good mommie, I go out in search of these antlers. three stores later, I found them. Rather plain, so I got some glitter puffy paint to liven them up some. problem solved.

The same day, Dear child comes home from school and hands me a note from the drama teacher. They want the children to dress up in christmas outfits or dresses for the play. YIKES! She hasn't had a christmas dress since she was 5 years old! ok though, thats fine. Head off to Target to find a dress. Find a dress, shoes and tights, and am happy. Did not try on the said dress, as my two year old was being monster child. I am fairly confident it will fit though, but to be safe, tell her NOT to take off the tags, and try it on when we get home.

Do you think that stupid dress fit?

Of course not.

ok...eat dinner, leave monster boy with dad and go to return the stupid dress, and look for something else. I really wanted a cute little girls christmas dress, even though my daughter is no longer a 'little girl'. Nothing in her size. of course not. SO, we wander to the juniors section to see what we can find. Well, the best thing we found was a midnight blue velvet sheath dress with a matching satin sash. Not quite what I had envisioned,but seeing as it was pretty much my only choice (unless I wanted to go to the mall, which was out of the questions) we tried it on, and purchased it.

Dress problem solved.

Seeing as I had been lazy all day, I hadn't cleaned up, and stayed up late straightnening up, so that the following day I would not have as much housework to do (grandparents are coming over for dinner and going to dear child's play with us). Go to bed. Go to sleep.

Wake up.

Find two rolls of toilet paper shredded on the family room floor, and box of toothpicks dumed all over the floor, and every single couch cushion tossed throughout the room.

This is just what I wanted to wake up to. Drink my coffee and stare at the disaster in front of me. Finally wake up enough to decide I am capable of cleaning aforementiond mess. Two year old is in one of his infamous moods, where nothing is making him happy. Cats have mysteriously disappeared. Did I mention they had decided to open two presents under the tree? I'm certain that's why they were maintaining a low profile. Fortunatly, pickle boy did not notice them, and I was able to wrap them. I thought I was done wrapping presents? guess not.

Now, for the rest of the house. boy oh boy. what a fun 24 hours its been.... and I still have to make a pork roast for dinner.

what a day...

Christmas Obsessions

I love Christmas. Seriously, LOVE Christmas. The whole Holiday Season. As a kid, it was because I was guaranteed to have a massive pile of gifts under the tree. That seemed to have changed when I moved out, but my love has never subsided.

The lights, music, sounds, smells and tastes. The memories and nostalgia. My fairly non domestic self is certainly guaranteed to have at least one or two days of furious cookie baking that results in more cookies than appetite. My Christmas perfectionism takes over. My normal sense of haphazard housekeeping turns into a fiercely neurotic obsession with keeping everything perfect. While a pile of toys strewn about the family room and dishes piled in the sink normally has little to no effect on me, once you put the tree in the room, my whole perception changes. After all, a mess would only distract from the hours of labor I put into my tree. I will literally spend days arranging and rearranging every ornament on the tree until perfection has been reached. I zealously guard my tree from cats, dog tails and children's hands. The tree is my domain, and I do not share or play well with others. The children have certain ornaments they can place, but it doesn't take long before even the smallest child knows that removing an ornament can have ear drum shattering consequences.

And if its possible, the one thing I love more than my tree, is giving presents. I take great pleasure in thinking of the perfect gift. Sometimes, it is months in the making- thinking and mulling and pondering...other times, I know months in advance...and then there are those 'surprise' moments, ones that when looking for something totally different, I stumble upon the perfect gift. I love spoiling my kids, and making their Christmas wishes come true.

For I know, I have far too few years to be able to spoil them and grant their wishes. The day will come when they are grown and have their own families, create their own traditions, and have their own holiday obsessions. I know the day will come, when picking the perfect present for them is not as easy as it is now. For now, it is as simple as an Ipod, or a video game or a tricycle. But they will grow, and just as with other relatives, it will become more of a mind reading game, more of reading unthought of thoughts, unrealized needs, and finding those token jewels to make them remember their crazy mom and her Christmas obsessions.

But then, perhaps, I will have their children to spoil... as long as they learn not to touch my tree...