KangaRuu

Look who we found sitting in our bread basket when we came home, no its not posed either! Also a pic of the leather jacket we got for $39.95 in the leather shop in the mall..ugh i sound so American, i mean shopping centre

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I was going to put one in our apartment in Urbana, but i asked the apartment manager first and he told me it was against the fire code. Something about that if something happened and we were inside the apartment, the fire crew couldnt get in (unless the broke down the door). Just wondering because in our last apartment, they had the chain guards on the doors. Any comments?

Meet the newest member of the McEnroe family :) little Milse (pronounced "mill-sha")its Irish for sweet. Pictures after the cut. Shes only about 7 weeks old.

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Outraged i was when i went into Meijer the other day, they have an international food section with all the flags hanging up over the different foods. The Irish one fell down and they never bothered putting it back up! Instead the moved all the Irish foods over under the Union Jack! *shakes fist* In case you have been living in space or under a bloody rock, Ireland is not part of the UK for fecks sake!

Rant over!

I shouldnt talk much about it, but i have been worried over the last few days. I was talking to my sister and she is feeling a bit depressed, thats all im going to say about it. I didnt sleep that well last night thinking about it.
Yesterday i started off some of my Christmas shopping for Marie...ok got sidetracked there.
My brother Paul just called from Ireland, it was great to talk to him. He said something about putting a house he owns in my name and giving me a "few grand" out of the deal next year. Incase you dont know Paul is like the Donald Trump of our little town back in Ireland. I dont know if he was serious or not. He is always looking out for me, i have always gotten on great with Paul unlike the rest of my siblings. Right now i feel on top of the world, a few minutes ago i was down in the dumps about not having a job, but i feel great now. What a great future i have to look forward to! Im going off now and hopefully Mam will text me in a bit to discuss getting my bed from Ireland.

Marie and I were chatting before bed about our cats back in Ireland. Funny memories of when the mommy cat was sitting on the doorstep crying when she had after birthed one of the kittens and not knowing what to do. Jacks favorite toy being a cloths peg which she was tap it with and watch it skid across the floor then running after it. The infamous cardboard box where Jacks would get inside and then poke her paw through the holes and then mommy would try to poke back through the holes. Memories of when we got mommy spayed, we let her stay in our room, she was rarely any trouble and would sleep for days. Jacks was another story, as soon as we went to bed, she would come out of her box, jump up onto the bed and start purring continuosly! When mommy was lost for a few days, my Dad found her up the garden at the back of our house with a dog food can stuck around her head! She must have saw some food still in there and gotten greedy.
My Dad opened one end of it with the can opener so she could actually see out and know that we were going to help her, then he cut right down the can and she was fine after that. Fun times :)

This weekend was good, despite saying we werent going to buy anything till the end of November, we ended up buying a vacuum and a george foreman grill (small one), they were good deals and on sale. All we need now is the bed, ill either have to get one from Ireland or buy some of this American rubbish :p
Yesterday we had dinner with the family and discussed Christmas presents, yeah we need to get them out of the way and paid for early. Marie and I made out our list last night and i think we are pretty much sorted on what we need to get people which is good. I think the plan is to eat Christmas dinner here and then have Maries birthday at our own apartment.

Well this morning Marie and I got a lot of pressure off us :) We paid our rent and internet early, our car insurance for next month, even though its not due until the end of this month. We also paid our year premium for our renters insurance. After all that we decided to eat Panda Express at the mall for being so grown up (ugh, im not grown up). This afternoon is going to be relaxing with Marie and maybe watch some Simpsons. The only downer is that my box of crisps havent arrived but everything is alive and well, good times :)

KangaRuu

Had tasty pancakes for breakfast with Marie because she works at 12 today. Thats the only thing i like about the day because she works till 9 tonight, well at least she has tomorrow off :) We have plans tomorrow and will be busy as usual, but try not to be too busy so Marie can just relax.
I packed a few things away in boxes, glass and a few other things, best to be better organised and leave it all to the last minute. I should know whether im getting a bed base from Ireland next week or so. I called my brother yesterday and he is doing well, he said we should visit and stay at their house. I cant see myself going home for a good while anyway but its nice to be invited back anyway.
Im in the process of sorting out renters insurance also, so we are getting our things sorted before moving, bills paid in advance, etc.
Today is probably going to be a study day when Marie leaves if i can be bothered or do a little more packing of things that can.
This hour change has knocked me off course still, im getting a good night sleep and not staying away at least but tired in the morning. That could also be that im pretty active during the day. Have been keeping in touch with home more often than usual because this time of year is a bit tough, but thats ok i have lots of support here.

Today after getting all the great stuff in Homer, we decided to check it out and see if it works ok. The lamps are fine and everything looks great. I was upset this morning after remembering an episode from my childhood i thought i had forgotten. My Dad when he used to hunt brought home a fox he had captured and let it loose for the dogs to catch, my brother Noel was very young at the time and cried as the dogs caught the poor fox. My Mam and sister screamed at my Dad for letting this happen and we all left him there and got away from the house for the afternoon. That was the only time i was ever ashamed of my Dad, hes not a bad man, he just didnt think of it. He was a hunter, he wanted to make sure his dogs hadnt lost their killer edge, they are hunting dogs, they are meant to kill what they catch. The thing that hurt me most was seeing my brother cry and look terrified. I always stood up for him when he was younger, in school, etc. That is probably one of the reasons im closer to my Mam because my Dad spent most of the weekends with the hunting group when we were a bit younger. Its even hard talking about it because it hurts but as usual Marie makes things all better, and for that i am forever thankful :)

We decided to watch some Mr.Bean and had tasty pancakes and decided to checkout Homeworks in town to get a floor lamp and some new handles for one of our nightstands. We succeeded on both counts there, got a floor lamp for $7 and some handles the right size for $3. I like shopping at Homeworks, at least the money is used for some less fortunate people than us.
We are not buying anything more until the end of November though because we bought enough at this stage and done very well with our purchases, dont really want to push our luck too far.
We had more nummy Best Wok for tea and settled down for some Simpsons. Damnit this time change has made me sleepy, think its time for the leaba,

Oíche mhaith a phaistí :p
KangaRuu

We got a heap more of great deals at Homer Auction tonight. We got two coffee tables, one with glass panel inserts on it and another one with real marble inserts in it (that one for $5!), a sofa and two massive speakers with a mini hi-fi thing, all for...$43 dollars total. Cant believe our luck :) going to watch Mr.Bean with Marie and then go to bed, night night

Well after work Marie and I went to get some Garcias Pizza and then went to Walmart. We went in mind looking for a pan and a pot, and we got both. We didnt buy the cheapest ones but both the mid-range ones, that should be good enough for us. Got a small computer desk for $39 dollars and saw an entertainment center for $39 and a big bookshelf for i think $29, so we will probably pick them up at some stage.
We are thinking of going to Homer again on Saturday the 5th with a sofa in mind to pick up and possibly a bedframe. I really enjoyed last time so i hope we could go again. However Marie works 5:30 that day, but i still think if she left a bit early we could make it.
My Dad is going to talk to one of his contacts about that he gets timber from Canada and maybe he can get my bed to Canada first and get it from there might be a bit easier.
Today was a normal day for me, 1 more chapter left in my book which i hope to finish tomorrow and maybe bring Shaggie for another walk, like i did today. Shes a great dog with bucketloads of energy i can tell you that! :)

Today after Marie got off from work around 3:30, we decided to go in and pick up a few kitchen things from Meijer, that "few" things turned into over $100 worth of things, but thats ok they are all good stuff. I found out how feckin expensive beds are here, so i dont know what we are going to do about it, will have to end up spending a small fortune on one, bah! Had Best Wok for tea and then headed home and just relaxed and watched Marie do her puzzles. We are thinking of moving in a day early to our apartment, to get all the stuff moved in, because Marie has some vacation time then. We may also go somewhere that time to take our minds off the moving stuff.
Well i just cant sleep right now, or havent for a good long while. I wish i didnt hear everything so clearly around me, i wish i had worse hearing sometimes. I wish i didnt hear the TV downstairs, even though its not really that loud, or the typing in the next room. I'll just give up!

Looks like luck is on our side at the minute, we found a great apartment at a reasonable price, moving in on Decemeber 10th. Lucky continued last night when Maries folks took us to Homer Auction. I didnt know what to expect but things got off to a good start and we got a 4 drawer chest for only $25! We both would have been happy with that if we had won nothing else, but more was to come.
Marie bidded on a small 2 drawer chest and won it for only $5! Next was the one we were waiting for, it was a pretty big dining table with two leaves for expansion and 4 chairs, we won that for $60. We werent too bothered what to come after that, but won a recliner chair for $30, another 2 drawer chest for $11 and a rug for $2. In all it was a fantastic night and Marie and I really enjoyed going there. I just like watching people bid really high on some stuff as they did last night with some solid oak things, which still went well below their value.
When we got home we unloaded the stuff into the garage and then i had some tea and i emailed my Mam and sister about it. They are excited to see the apartment, so i might get some pictures of it tomorrow if we can do that when signing the lease.
I feel that luck is really on our side right now, i hope it continues :)

KangaRuu

Well we had much better fortune today! This morning Marie made pancakes and i called my Mam for a bit, everyone is doing well at home, except for the Latvians who have basically taken over the town. After looking at an efficiency this morning we were in good spirits and had some nice lunch. Marie wanted to find a small cooler thingy and we picked one up in Target for $29.99, it holds like 6 cans and keeps them nice and cool when we are too lazy to get out of the room. Our appointment at Country Club was next, we arrived a little early but it was worth it. The manager there said they had just bought these apartments and that they were refurbishing most of them, new carpets, balconies, etc which i thought was good to see. Marie and I saw a nice 1 bedroom, just the right size for us and not too big that it would be soon filled up with stuff we didnt need. All we would have to pay is electrics and internet and the rent was very reasonable. We are going to find out more at the Tenant Union on Monday morning and probably sign the lease that day for moving in December 10th so it'll be our first Christmas together, like alone, fun times :) We are also going to Rhodes, if they are still open, to see if they have any decent beds at reasonable prices. I cant sleep right now because im really excited and i have a pain in my stomach also. The only reason Marie is asleep is because she has work in the morning, otherwise we'd be both awake planning for the apartment moving hehe.

Tomorrow we are going to Homer auction to see if we can pick up some nice furniture, ive set a budget of $150, so we'll see what we can pick up for that much :)

We went to Homeworks today and picked up a few nic-nacy things and then went to go to the apartments we were meant to view! We arrived about 2 minutes after our 2pm appointment time. The office was shut and very little signs of life around there. I called and got no reply and an answering machine asking to leave my name and number. It was freezing so we decided to wait around in our car next to the office but after a few minutes just decided to leave it at that. Also great advertisement for the apartments was a battered up car with smashed windows and spray paint with unsavory launguage on it near the front office, very nice, really makes me want to live there. What a waste of my time!
Anyway tomorrow is going to be Country Club apartments under new management as far as i know, hopefully will be a bit better of an experience, rant over :)

KangaRuu

Still settling back in Urbana. Yesterday after Marie got off work, i went and sold my spare phone, went to deposit money in the bank, got grocery and then some yummy Best Wok.
Last night we were chatting about apartments again and sorted out 3 places to target for a possible viewing this week, i have to call today and find out. I will then compile a mini dossier on each of them to compare with each other.
Marie came home so happy from work yesterday and i have been promoting her work at Petsmart, so anyone get your dogs into Petsmart and request Marie (from next week onwards 25th Oct.) for a grooming appointment, or else the teddy gets it *points the gun at your teddy*

KangaRuu

Well we got back today in Chambana after our month in St.Louis, im too tired right now so i hope i get enough rest tonight to be able to function tomorrow. On a better note we had Lil' Porgys courtesy of Maries folks, tasty but im really tired and want to sort out the rest of my mail. Good evening

KangaRuu

Today was pretty quiet, i havent been up to much. Alot of reading and trying to get my book finished so i can relax for a bit before the massive session of taking notes! We have been chatting about our cat Jacks back at home because we were talking to my Mam. I miss our little cat so much. My Mam said that she still cant meow, it just comes out as a mew, i can picture her now. Standing up when she smells the food Marie had prepared for her, sigh. I guess we will have to get another kitten to look after when we get an apartment.
Less than 2 days left in St.Louis then back to Chambana to settle back down again for a while. We saw some adverts on QVC and they have all the Christmas stock in and reminded me, i must get peoples Christmas lists so i can begin the shopping. Im unsure whether im going to shop online for my folks or if i will get something in Chambana and send it over myself, i think im going to have to send it special delivery or face it getting smashed up by those gobshites at the USPS.
Marie and I were thinking of going to the Medieval Times in Schaumburg at some stage, looking at their website the tickets say $48.95 but lots of food with that it looks like. Well going to relax with Marie and try and stay awake before bedtime.

Well this morning on Maries day off we went to a MASSIVE computer surplus store and i picked up a few parts for my super computer which im going to build. We were going to pickup a used one that Marie could play her games on but hadnt enough money in our account :p I bought a SCSI adapter card, DVD ROM and a DVDRW/CDRW for $94! Probably would have bought a heap more but hadnt enough money. They do have an online shop which i will no doubt be looking through when i get back.
I also found a website where i can order my beloved County Meath Gaelic Football jersey, only its $45+shipping which isnt too bad. Any going to do a bit of reading and spend the rest of the day with Marie :)

Kanga

Well i spent most of the morning doing laundry then it was time for the Ireland game, we needed the win to get to the play-offs but as usual were let down by a shoddy performance!
I finally found the game online and was watching it and wish i hadnt, the players seemed to forget how to even pass the ball to each other, shower of wasters!
I looks like Brian Kerrs head will be on the chopping block now, even though hes done fine in the exhibition games, we havent done well in competitive matches. Well im going for a shower now before Marie gets home.