It's been a long day. Not that I did anything overly productive, in fact, I spent a majority of it sleeping, but I suppose the time change got to me. We spent the evening at Carla's (Chris's sister in Pitt Meadows) house. It was Chris's dad's 60th birthday yesterday and we celebrated that tonight. We got him a balloon bouquet and a Robin Sharma book... If you have never had a chance to read Robin Sharma... DO... His work is amazing... Life inspiration type stuff.... Anyways, it was a nice evening. Hectic as per usual when you combine that many people and kids to boot.

I find it hard to be in busy, loud environments since my craniotomy. Actually, I have never been good in large groups. I find I take in everyone's energy, and that doesn't always work out so well. It tends to be a rather emotional ride for me. This is so much the case, that I no longer had large birthday parties after 7. I would always end up crying over something before the end of the party. Even still, I am much like that. I think my need for attention plays into that a little bit too. A trait I am far from proud of, but aware is there. I always did better with one on one communication. It always felt less competitive. Odd, I know.

We came home and did the typical Sunday night hussle to get everyone to bed, and everything ready for Monday's manic. Lunches, laundry, homework checks, the works. Wow, how does all this become the norm without even being noticed. It is strange how one day, you just realize you are in this adult world.

As Chris is folding laundry, I hear him say "There he goes...". He says this rather nonchalantly, and the worse part is, I am not near as concerned about -what- goes as opposed to the fact that I am convinced it is a she... not a he. I of course correct his choice of gender, and carry on with kids nightly routines. The SHE he is refering to is our new little fridge friend. I call her nipple. don't ask. Nipple made her premier one night when my step mom and sister were babysitting the girls while we were in victoria. Sam saw her scurrie across the floor, and since then, we have been cohabitating with our furry little buddy. I was probably ok with this, as sad as it sounds, but I stared to be able to visualize little nipple, despite never seeing her, and I have decided, she needs to return to the wild wilderness. Everyone in the house has seen her but me, since I have a very vivid imagination, that is perfectly alright.

All this brings me to a huge issue. I cannot handle killing a mouse. I think this all stems back to a very, very warped story that has become one of those "Famous Julie stories" that get told at every event. If you haven't heard it yet, I am sure you will. It will probably be told at my funeral, along with numerous other groaners. Apparently when I was little, my dad used to catch mice and hit them over the head with a hammer... I know right? Sick! Cruel! Inhumane! Might I mention, that if you knew my dad, you would have a hrd time invisioning him EVER doing this, but as the story goes.... As a small child, I was quite enamoured with this method of rodent extermination, and would, at randomn times, grab said hammer and urge my daddy to do it again. Yes, apparently I enjoyed "Bonking the mice on the head". Since then, I obviously had regret issues as I have happily been owned by several pet mice and even two pet rats. Mice are adorable.
So I set on a mission to figure out a humane way to trap a mouse, only after we tried pulling the fridge out and catching it with one of many tupperware containers. Our little nipple is far too smart for this though and never emerged. Though she did have a nice cozy nest under the fridge, and I was quite proud to see it was actually very clean behind my fridge!! Ok.. I know, off topic. So we found advice on using a toilet paper tube, with some peanut butter and cracker in it, balanced over a container. Theory being that the mouse loves a challenge, goes into the tube to get the goodies and whoops! Falls in. Well it's all set up and I am patiently waiting, but no mouse thus far. I must say I am rather dissapointed as I read many stories of people catching numerous mice this way within one hour. Perhaps nipple is just too clever for us. This may take some doing, but I will hope to find a roming nipple in the container in the morning.

We watched Neverwas tonight. What a great movie. If you get a chance to see it, do. I always enjoy a good happy ending.

On that note, since I think I only napped for about 4 hours today, I should probably get some sleep. My husband is soo good to me!!

Happy thought for today
It's Monday, March 9, 2008. 12:43am

I went out of my way to look nice today. I have been getting gutsy with my makeup and have actually bought afew new items of clothing. It felt good to be noticed and get compliments.