one wanton chickie

It's been a LONG time...

2010-07-02T08:59:00.003-04:00

I almost forgot that I have a blog. Facebook has well and truly got me sucked in.

This whole back thing is killing me!

A little history:

Way back in March I started to have a sore back. Nothing I couldn't handle, but it was obvious to me that I'd managed to pinch my sciatic nerve (which I've done before) and that I needed to strengthen and stretch in order to feel better.

It didn't get better. In fact, it got worse. A LOT worse. Some mornings I couldn't move until I had a hot water bottle on my back and had some Robax in me. Thank goodness for a very patient and loving husband who helped me out with the child-wrangling.

My back began to feel better, but the pain moved down to my leg. Pain so bad it would sometimes take my breath away. It hurt to straighten my leg. It hurt to cough. It hurt to sneeze. I couldn't lie down, and I couldn't sit without being in pain. It's still like that a couple of months later.

So, I started going to a Chiropractor to see if that would help. It did. I would feel really good, although not pain-free, immediately after the treatment, but the next morning the pain would be back.

I was going to the Medical Clinic as well. The doctor prescribed really good painkillers and Celebrex to help and also had me start Physio. I go to Physio. knowing that it's going to hurt - a LOT. I spend an hour on the table in tears trying not to scream through the treatments.

Still....the pain persists.

Finally, a couple of weeks ago, the doctor agreed that I needed a CT scan to see what's wrong.

I meet with him in a few days to go over the results.

Hopefully I can get some relief soon.

A short list of things I want to do again:

Touch my toes
Shave my legs
Sit in a comfy chair for more than 5 minutes
Sleep
Run, or even just walk fast
Play with my boy-boy
Slouch

Oh there's more.....but that's enough bitching for today eh?

Groceries (yes...I'm that housewife who blogs about groceries)

2010-02-05T22:10:00.003-05:00

So, after a discussion with friends yesterday about our grocery habits, I made up today's grocery list so that J could do the groceries today. He's started doing them for me because it's SO much easier for him to get there by car (and without boy-boy). I like this new arrangement!

I got my flyers in hand and pored over them, looking for the most bang for my buck, and also doing some meal planning in my head, and made up 'the list'. I'm usually over-cautious with my guesstimates as to how much things will cost and was pleasantly surprised at what the estimated grocery bill for a week will be.

It was.....$124 including tax.

Imagine my glee when the actual bill came to less than $100. Yeah, he'd forgotten to get two things, but even if he'd got them, it would still be $20 less than I'd estimated.

DAMN, I'm GOOD!

I know we're on a VERY strict budget since I'm not working, but we're getting REALLY good at grocery shopping. We've been living on cash for a few months now and it seems to work for us.

Yes...this seriously does excite me.

Poor kid

2010-01-26T12:46:00.002-05:00

You know when you have a cold and the thing that makes you feel better is to eat comfort food and then pass out asleep for a couple of hours?

Someone needs to tell boy-boy that.

He refused to eat his lunch of PB&J sammich and blueberries (his favourite) and now is SCREAMING at me from his crib because he WILL NOT sleep, even though he's so tired he can't even play with his trucks.

Poor guy.

I, however, am plodding along. Colds suck. Big time.

*AND to add insult to injury, we couldn't even go to playgroup today, which I KNOW would have cheered boy-boy up and given me some much needed adult conversation. We's too sniffly.

F to the UCK

2010-01-22T08:16:00.003-05:00

Today was going to be a perfect day. J took the day off work and I was looking forward to a morning all by myself while he took boy-boy to do groceries. Then....off to lunch (again - SANS boy-boy) at work. They've invited me in for pizza for my birthday.

Oh, it's still happening that way but:

I didn't sleep AT ALL last night. Between my not being able to breathe and J's snoring really bad last night (I think he has a cold too), I ended up on the couch at 2am trying to get at least a *little* sleep. Nope. Nothing doing.

Boy-boy didn't sleep well either. He developed a cough yesterday. A chesty one. I don't think he's got a full on cold, but his chest is congested. Poor kid. Tonight, he and I shall spend some quality time bonding in a hot, steam-filled bathroom. Hopefully it'll work (for BOTH of us).

So, here I sit, happily enjoying the quiet, about to enjoy a LONG shower instead of a 30 second hose-down, and wishing I could breathe.

Damned sinuses. Do I really need them? Can I not just get them removed?

dammit...

2010-01-20T19:43:00.002-05:00

Forgot that I'd set facebook to post my blog whenever I posted.

Aaaannnnndd....then spent a rushed half hour trying to figure out how to UNdo it.

40??

2010-01-20T13:16:00.003-05:00

In three days I turn 40. FORTY! Ancient!

Looking back at the past decade, I can honestly say it's been one of the best, albeit most interesting, ones in my life. A lot of crap has happened along the way, but all in all, a good few years.

I shall celebrate by having friends over for food and booze. Not a 'party' per se, but just people coming over in a nice casual way.

Let me see - how did my OTHER decade years get celebrated:

30 - Most likely stinking drunk. In fact, pretty certainly stinking drunk. I can't remember. I know I was spending most of my waking hours at Dynes Rd with the Slovak and the boys and spending all my money on beer and smokes. I'd also just won the lottery and was being particularly stupid.

Grade: Fail

20 - was living in White Lake in a non-winterized cabin and still doing high school. Working at McCraps for pittance. Dating farmer-boy and like all 20-year olds doing a lot of foolish things (usually involving the back seat of a car). Was a few months away from my world falling apart and was blissfully unaware.

Grade: EPIC Fail

10 - Lived in England and was taken for a day trip to London by my favourite Auntie. Just me and her. It was great.

Grade: Great

I'm back

2010-01-20T13:13:00.002-05:00

Wow. Almost a year and a half since I last posted.

Let me see...what's been going on in that period?

Continued amazement that I managed to make a cute, healthy child and got to take him home!

My job description went from Uber-secretary for quite possibly the best Hospital in the world to Mom. I know I will have to go back to work but for now I'm really loving my job as chief potscrubber and bottle washer to boy-boy.

We've settled into this family life pretty well.

Haven't been posting here much...

2008-09-22T13:53:00.002-04:00

It's hard to come up with something UN-baby related at the moment. My life revolves around the care of a new human.

Wow...I made a human!

As soon as I have ANYTHING non baby related I'll blog it. If I remember....

Something to do

2008-08-22T06:28:00.002-04:00

Here is the new 2008 edition of getting to know your family and friends. Here is what you are supposed to do, and try not to be lame and spoil the fun. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person who sent it to you.
S ome of you may get this several times; that means you have lots of friends. The easiest way to do it is to hit 'forward' so you can change the answers or copy and paste. Have fun and be truthful!

1.

What is your occupation right now?

Baby factory

2.

What color are your socks right now?

I don't wear socks...it's summer.

3.

What are you listening to right now?

CBC Radio for the news

4.

What was the last thing that you ate?

Toast with peanut butter and jam - the 'approved' breakfast on the GD diet

5.

Can you drive a stick shift?

No

6.

Last person you spoke to on the phone?

The nurse at the high risk clinic

7.

Do you like the person who sent this to you?

I think I have to by law! LOL!

8.

How old are you today?

38

9.

What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?

At the moment, it's diving

10.

What is your favorite drink?

Coffee. But in my OTHER life, it's Ceasars. Mmm...can't wait til I can have one again.

11.

Have you ever dyed your hair?

Many, many times

12.

Favorite food?

Meat. And Shrimp Alfredo

13.

What is the last movie you watched?

Superhero Movie. Dumb, dumb, dumb. But good.

`

Favorite day of the year?

Christmas Eve...all the anticipation

15.

How do you vent anger?

Kill things in video games

16..

What was your favorite toy as a child?

Can't remember. Probably something to do with a doll.

17.

What is your favorite season?

Fall. CAN NOT WAIT!

18.

Cherries or Blueberries?

are gross

19.

Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?

Sure

20.

Who is the most likely to respond?

Whoever is as bored as me

21.

Who is least likely to respond?

???

22.

Living arrangements?

Shacked up with fiancé, cat, and baby to be

23.

When was the last time you cried?

Yesterday while sorting out old letters/photos

24.

What is on the floor of your closet?

dust bunnies, suitcases, and shoes

25.

Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to?

Julie

26.

What did you do last night

Channel surfed, ate chips, drank tea, spoke to the belly. The usual

27.

What are you most afraid of

Dentists

28.

Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?

ALL OF THEM

29.

Favorite dog breed?

Bouvier and Rottweiler.

30.

Favorite day of the week?

Saturday

31.

How many states have you lived in?

None. I am not American

32.

Diamonds or pearls?

Either if they're given to me. But I prefer Sapphires

33.

What is your favorite flower?

Day lilies

There goes more of my childhood up in smoke

2008-07-28T04:15:00.003-04:00

I woke up to see my sister's facebook status "is sad the pier has burned down" and looked to see what she was talking about (although there's only ONE pier we'd care about, really).

We spent many hours there when we were children. I'm sad to see it go. And, like my sister, I too was hoping to go back there some day.

My childhood is slowly disappearing. First, it was the closure of RAF Locking, and now this fire.

OH MY GOD, I'm BORED!

2008-06-27T12:12:00.001-04:00

I started training my replacement on Monday of this week. She's great, and I think she'll do fine.

So, since then, she and I have been hanging out in the office while I teach her the basics of my job.

In perfect honesty, there isn't much that I can teach her. The job is different every day and the best way to learn is to sit at the desk/computer and browse to see what's been done in the past.

That's how I learned the job.

To make matters even more boring, the boss left last night for 6 weeks of vacation...making sure that he had no loose ends and left no work for when he is gone...because he doesn't want to overload the new girl who'll have no help.

So..she and I spent the morning chatting about mortgages, music, boys, babies, Perez Hilton, etc. I taught her how to use the Google Reader at work, and other really really important slackage techniques.

What to do this afternoon?

She came from a REALLY busy department (the busiest in this place) and is having to learn a whole new way of doing things. The SLOW way....

And we still have a bit more than 2 weeks of training to do.... The boss thought it would take that long.

I'm done!

2008-06-19T11:56:00.003-04:00

So today, after hanging on to my 'emergency' pack since January-ish, I gave away my last - almost full - pack of smokes to a co-worker.

I'd been hanging on to them in my filing cabinet 'just in case' I felt the need for a smoke break. Also, at $10 a pack I didn't want to just throw them away...it would feel like such a waste.

I haven't felt that need since I got knocked up so today, when the co-worker mentionned that she was out of smokes, I gave them to her. They're probably stale but she didn't care...she was completely out.

Bless her heart, she tried to make me keep some of them in case I still had the urge, but honestly, I don't.

And this is a good thing.

Don't get me wrong...I've not become a radical anti-smoker. I still miss smoking, I miss the breaks, I miss the taste, the smell, and yes, the nicotine...but I don't miss them enough to want to go for a smoke any time in the near future.

(In exchange, she just brought me a chocolate popsicle. I just swapped one vice for another...)

Good news-Bad news

2008-05-29T10:46:00.001-04:00

Good news:

We don't have to buy a new dryer to replace our 'broken' one. It's not actually broken.

Bad news:

There's a frikkin' nest of Starlings in our dryer vent blocking it (and therefore not letting the moisture from the dryer escape etc). We have to call the landlord to come get rid of the nest and put in a new vent cover to replace the one the damned birds have jimmied open. The vent is WAY up high near the roof - we don't own a ladder.

BEST news:

We're not homeowners and WE don't have to fix it. That's the landlord's job.
Starlings are icky and I don't feel any remorse in kicking them out of their home (although I'm not totally heartless and we'll wait to call the landlord until after the chicks are hatched).

We discovered this yesterday. I'd had my suspicions for a little while. It also explains why Norm went ape-shit crazy about getting in to the dryer the other day.

Baby shower

2008-05-05T11:20:00.000-04:00

Awww... They threw me a surprise baby shower today at work. Yes...I blubbered...

Vente au public - Door Sale at DDF

2008-04-25T15:01:00.001-04:00

Hi,

I was sent this from my office mate. I'm not going because I don't have a freezer (yet), but if you're interested in some pretty cheap frozen meals....

Apparently they do these sales every month.
(And here I was thinking the place was just some factory placed in a rather odd, rural location?)
_______________________________

Chers Clients, (English text below)
Ce mois-ci, la vente au public aura lieu dimanche le 27 avril 2008 de 10h00 à 15h00. Venez voir nos spéciaux et surtout n'oubliez pas de partager ce courriel avec vos collègues, votre famille et vos amis !
Nous avons 5 nouveaux produits:
B Ananas en morceaux congelés - 1 kg G Fettucini - 1 kg 54111 Lasagne - 1.86 kg 52019 Suprême de volaille - 2.27 kg 51050 Pâté chinois - 2.27 kg
Visitez le http://www.deltadailyfood-na.com/ds/fr.htm pour une liste complète de nos produits, une carte routière et le trajet ainsi qu'une feuille de commande imprimable.
Au plaisir de vous voir dimanche et veuillez noter que la prochaine vente aura lieu dimanche le 25 mai 2008.

Lyne Brasseur Directrice, Logistique et distribution (450) 451-6761 poste : 212 1-800-563-3582

Dear Customers,
This month's door sale will take place on Sunday, April 27, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Come and take advantage of our specials and do not forget to share this e-mail with your colleagues, family and friends!
We have 5 new products:
B Frozen pineapple pieces - 1 kg G Fettucini - 1 kg 54111 Lasagna - 1.86 kg 52019 Chicken à la king - 2.27 kg 51050 Sheperd's pie - 2.27 kg
Visit http://www.deltadailyfood-na.com/ds/en.htm for a full list of products, map and directions and a printable order form.
Please note that the next door sale will take place on Sunday May 25, 2008. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Lyne Brasseur Manager, Logistics and Distribution (450) 451-6761 ext. 212 1-800-563-3582

Chimborazo, Cotopaxi

2008-04-22T21:00:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, John and I were talking about poems we remembered from Childhood. He has a favourite book "Alligator Pie" (which he's just bought for the baby) full of very Canadian poems. He remembers reading it and re-reading it.

I had favourites too, except that I can't remember the titles of the books at all. I had a few anthologies of children's poetry. A lot of stuff by A.A. Milne, a certain Mr. A. Nonny Mouse, Lewis Carroll and others.

Yes. I read VORACIOUSLY as a child (and still do).

There was one particular poem that I remembered last night. I had no idea who wrote it or what it was called, all I remembered was that I loved the way the words sounded when I said them out loud.

The internet is great for research. I found it:

ROMANCE

by: W.J. Turner

HEN I was but thirteen or so
I went into a golden land,
Chimborazo, Cotopaxi
Took me by the hand.

My father died, my brother too,
They passed like fleeting dreams,
I stood where Popocatapetl
In the sunlight gleams.

I dimly heard the master's voice
And boys far-off at play,
Chimborazo, Cotopaxi
Had stolen me away.

I walked in a great golden dream
To and fro from school--
Shining Popocatapetl
The dusty streets did rule.

I walked home with a gold dark boy,
And never a word I'd say,
Chimborazo, Cotopaxi
Had taken my speech away:

I gazed entranced upon his face
Fairer than any flower--
O shining Popocatapetl
It was thy magic hour:

The houses, people, traffic seemed
Thin fading dreams by day,
Chimborazo, Cotopaxi
They had stolen my soul away!

'Romance' is reprinted from An Anthology of Modern Verse. Ed. A. Methuen. London: Methuen & Co., 1921.

WTF?

2008-04-22T09:47:00.001-04:00

I don't even pretend to like Hockey. It's a game. Just two teams batting a rubber disk around on the ice.

Still, I do like that our entire city is showing its' support for the local team (GO HABS GO!). I think it's nice to see all the flags, the painted cars, the shirts, etc.

Last night I was watching the game with Mr. Man and our team won - sending them to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Hearing the cheers in the street and the cars honking was kind of cool.

THEN...I woke up to this story.

What a disgrace.

It's a GAME. Not even the cup final game. Celebrating is good and fine. Trashing everything in sight is not.

I'm ashamed of my city.

The knocked-up sugarbetes

2008-04-17T15:16:00.001-04:00

So, last night me and the baby-daddy went for our first walk of the year down to Wild Willys in Dorval for some lovely ice-cream.

I KNEW it was bad for me, it being full of sugar and milk and all, but I didn't care. I WANTED IT!

I used the super-intelligent reasoning that since I didn't have to do any glucose testing until at least 10 hours later, that it would not be noticed.

It was. My levels were high this morning and I KNOW that the doctor is going to have something to say about it next week.

DAMMIT! What's the use of lovely warm sunny weather if I can't enjoy an ice-cream?

Baby stuff

2008-04-15T09:08:00.001-04:00

I've fallen in love with the entire Barnslig line at Ikea (hint, hint).

Is there ANYTHING Ikea can't do awesomely?

Also, looking forward to getting the tax refund that is quite a bit bigger than I expected. As soon as I get it, a shopping spree is in order to get the stroller and baby room furniture (again...from Ikea). The stroller will not be from Ikea - unless they come out with one in the next couple of weeks...it is from Sears.

Food good

2008-04-07T22:17:00.000-04:00

John made us a really good supper tonight. A really good Springtime salad.

Who'da thunk it? Me and salad?

Chicken and strawberries are REALLY good together. Especially when mixed with banana.

He made enough to serve 4 easily, but because we are pigs we ate it all. It's OK though, because it was salad...and pigging out on salad doesn't count.

Also note the beautiful Daffodils. A yearly tradition. They remind me that warm weather is impending but most importantly, they are for my Mum.

April idiot

2008-04-01T08:44:00.001-04:00

It's only 8:30am and I've already been 'had' twice.

I need coffee. I'm not good at the April Fool thing.

Anyhoo...

It's APRIL! The month when the snow leaves! This makes me giddy with excitement.

*Coming soon - belly pics (due to peer pressure!)*

Happy Anniversary

2008-03-05T09:45:00.001-05:00

I consider myself VERY lucky to still have one set of fairly healthy grandparents. In fact, I don't know any other 38 year olds with living grandparents. Yes, they have some problems, but all in all, are doing fairly well.

They just celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. Granddad is 84 and Granny is 88.

We're planning on going to visit at Christmas to introduce them to their 5th great-grandchild. I can't wait!

Glowing, my arse!

2008-03-03T10:29:00.000-05:00

Apparently, I'm supposed to be glowing and happy.

I'm not. I'm always tired, pukey, sore, or any combination of the three. Not to mention the constant need to pee and the myriad of doctor's appointments.

If this is any indication of what I'm going to feel like for another 6 months, I'm not very happy about it.

Don't get me wrong - I've been wanting this pregnancy thing for a very long time - but it's not a 'special time' in my life full of wonder and inner peace.

(On the plus side though - I have cleavage.)

The habits meme

2008-01-23T21:48:00.001-05:00

La belle Glacia tagged me so here goes:

Link to the person that tagged you.

Post the rules on your blog.

Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.

Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.

Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

I only recently learned that I am allergic to beer - and to some extent, cider. Which would explain the crippling hangovers of my younger days. I still love it though...in MUCH smaller doses.
There is half a bodkin embedded in my butt from a time I was play-fighting with my brother as a kid and fell over on our Mum's sewing box. It sometimes sets off metal detectors at the airport...I LOVE explaining that to the surly security dudes.
The place where I spent most of my childhood no longer exists (RAF Locking).
I used to love doing drill in Cadets and still secretly do drill in my head when walking somewhere
I have seen a calf born, named it, helped to castrate it, and then (a few months later) eaten it...and don't feel any remorse.
My brother and I have the same birthday (Today!) but I'm a year older than him...and look younger!

I can't tag anyone as everyone has been tagged that I can think of. So, if you wanna, go for it.

26 years ago today

2008-01-10T14:58:00.000-05:00

I just got reminded (by looking at the weather network) that 26 years
ago today, my family moved to Canada.

It was so cold we could smell it. We were rushed out in the next
couple of days to buy snowsuits and good boots.

Today, however, it isn't. I bought a bathing suit.

Not it's not THAT hot oustide, but Cuba is, baby! 143 days and we
will be there. 146 days and we will be MARRIED there!

2008-01-05T22:02:00.000-05:00

Because I always will be a nerdy cadet at heart:

Happy Christmas

2007-12-24T11:33:00.001-05:00

I know I've been less than social lately, but I want to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.

All my best to you and your families - whether you celebrate Christmas or not. It's still a holiday season and a time to think of friends and family.

Kerry

Peleter la neige

2007-12-16T20:07:00.000-05:00

...et peleter encore...

grrr

2007-12-10T13:50:00.001-05:00

So...my new office desk was supposed to be delivered today.

I've spent all morning trying to empty drawers and the filing cabinet so that the old stuff can be removed.

Good think my boss is away cuz all of my stuff - files, paper, supplies, my phone, etc - is all over his office floor in highly precarious piles...waiting for the new desk to be put back in to.

Our internal moving guy came and removed my old filing cabinet and would have removed my old desk except that I still need SOMETHING to sit at, so right now I am sitting in a very empty, very dusty, very dirty room equiped with just a desk, chair, printer (on the floor) and nothing else but holes in the walls from where I had to remove all the old shelves.

THEN....just got off the phone with the furniture people to ask when they will be gracing me with their presence today. They won't. It will be wednesday.

SO GLAD my boss is away until friday. It's hellish enough without him here, if he was here and had to use his office it would be even worse.

2007-11-23T14:33:00.001-05:00

Go here. It's good for you.

Charity Event - The Saku Koivu Foundation

2007-11-21T11:36:00.001-05:00

From Paul:

Friends!

It's that time of year again where I organize a charitable event for a great cause and get to play my guitar very, very loudly.

This year's cause is the Saku Koivu Foundation and for a change we have a new Venue in Clydes, 286 Bord du Lac, Pointe-Claire.

Date: Saturday 8th December 2007, 7.30pm

For those of you who are unaware of this foundation, he's raising money for a series of PET scan machines in the Montreal area which can detect and assist in the treatment of cancer in much earlier stages.

More info can be found at his website.

Joining the Strawberry Jam Band on stage (this year we have a stage!!) will be:

Paul Goguen
Manon Lavoie
Belfast Andi
Head Office
Trevor Sinodhinos (comedian)
Gerry Lefebvre - Magician

...and some unidentified others!

There will also be a silent auction of signed Canadiens memorabilia and other funky things!

Ticket's are only $10 and are available at the door - it even buys you a free beer!

For those who have come to previous events over the past few years, these evenings are a lot of fun and have raised upwards of $6,000.

So let's make it a good one for Saku and his Foundation. He is, of course, invited... but as they are playing the 'Canes that night, there's no guarantee he'll make it!

Besides - I know I've been MIA for a while and it would be awesome to see everyone under the same roof!

Cheers

Paul

Heels day 2

2007-11-16T11:20:00.000-05:00

They still are not comfy. But it's getting better.

I was told I looked chic today and asked if I had a hot date after work.

Probably because of my 'Dwight Yoakam' jacket. I love my jacket.

Sadly, I don't have a hot date after work. It's going to be a night of comfort food and TV. Not that I'm complaining - me and the man do 'comfy' really well.

on being a gorgeous lay-dee

2007-11-15T14:36:00.001-05:00

I'm tall.

I have huge feet that as an added bonus, are wide.

Heels and me are not good friends. Never have been.

Usually, I wear a pair of flat maryjanes, but since I wear them EVERY SINGLE DAY, they are getting scruffy. It was time to buy new shoes. A time I dread almost as much as bathing suit buying.

So, I bought a pair of cute little boots with 3" heels last night and decided that I should wear them to work.

Why? Because Gok Wan said so. And anything he says, I do. It's like I'm hypnotized.

I might add that these are probably the highest heels I've ever owned. EVER.

The boots are cute. They're pointy. They're feminine. When I walk in them I feel more confident and lady-like. I feel like a grown-up and just a *tiny* bit more fashionable than the usual slob I am more comfortable being.

But they will take some getting used to. All this walking around on the balls of my feet is not comfortable.

Not comfortable at all.

I don't know how women wear stilettos every day and not scream in agony all the time.

Gok Wan is my new gay best friend

2007-11-08T15:51:00.001-05:00

I've been following his show "How to look good naked" and have been hooked.

I need Gok to come visit me. He can even see me naked.

Things my mother taught me

2007-09-28T10:42:00.000-04:00

*Never stick your head out the train window
– someone might be doing the same thing on the train going the other way and your head will be knocked off.

*Always wear clean undies
– you never know when you’re going to get run over.

*Sugar sandwiches are a nice light snack.

*Marmite is the best stuff ever. (Actually, I don’t believe this one…)

*A good mug of tea with sugar in it cures everything.

*Coronation Street and All Creatures Great and Small are the only television worth watching.

I’m a day late, but happy 56th birthday Mum. If you could see me now!

STM crap

2007-09-26T11:17:00.000-04:00

For the past few weeks, there have been large gaps in the schedule of the regular bus that I take to and from work. The reason given by the poor bus driver (who gets yelled at frequently) is that the STM bought crappy busses that keep breaking down and that they are unable to keep enough functionning busses on the road to satisfy the full schedule. Unfortunately for me, that means that the first busses cut are the 'metrobus'...which I take.

I'm not happy about it, but I can't do anything other than leave earlier and hope that I get to work on time.

TODAY HOWEVER...I was handed a flyer from the STM drivers union.
I'll paraphrase into english:

"The STM has decided to rent its newest busses to do shuttle service for the PGA President's Cup tournament on Ile Bizard. They are renting dozens of busses a day despite the fact that they are already missing more than 100 per day on regular service.
While you, a second class user, face longer wait times and additional service cuts, the PGA clientel wait a maximum of
two minutes until the next shuttle."

I cannot tell you how PISSED OFF I am.How fair is that? I pay $780 per year for my bus service.

I deserve a little more respect than this.

So. I'm going to write to the STM and complain...again.

I'm a big believer in public transport. I believe that more people should use it and that it's a valuable and important part of this city's infrastructure.

But, I can understand why more and more people are giving it up. It's getting worse every year.

cough, sneeze, sniff...

2007-09-24T14:23:00.000-04:00

So here I sit at home. I took a sick day thanks to a lovely cold that sprung up and attacked me yesterday afternoon. I was FINE until yesterday, dammit.

Now my head hurts, my nose is blocked, throat hurts and even my TEETH hurt. I hate being semi-sick.

Not quite sick enough to be in bed, and not quite well enough to be at work.

I thought about getting my co-worker to send me some files so that I could do some catch-up work here at home, but it's not gonna happen. It would be too complicated.

I was SO looking forward to today at work. No boss around for the day and some yummy graphs and charts to design for an upcoming meeting. Yes...I love that stuff. I'm odd that way.

Overheard on the 191 today...

2007-09-22T20:31:00.000-04:00

"Did you call me a crack-head, bitch? Do I LOOK like a crack-head? I'm FAT!?!"

And the moral of the story is...

2007-09-14T15:36:00.001-04:00

Don't wear foul-smelling aftershave!

It's been a while...

2007-09-14T14:04:00.001-04:00

I've been busy.

Work is busy - now that my boss has figured out that I can actually DO stuff, he GIVES me stuff. Lots of it.

But, I've taken up some rather odd (to me) hobbies in the past few weeks. I've been learning how to be a girly-girl. No, seriously. I had a GOOD haircut at a real salon that wasn't in the 'sad' mall. I've had my eyebrows plucked in to pretty shape. I've grown nice fingernails that actually have polish on them. AND...I've been using products...lots and lots of products. I've got me a face-cleansing regime that uses more than just soap. I even wore lipstick yesterday.

I think I like this new pretty smelling me.

But it takes up a lot of time.

Next on my quest for girlyness:

Waxing

Pedicure

Manicure

I love Fall

2007-09-04T09:35:00.000-04:00

I must say....this fall weather is GREAT! Went for a good two hour walk yesterday at the nature park on Ile Bizard. Lots of birds and turtles and nature-y stuff. And two beaver lodges with beavers refusing to show themselves to us. Beavers are the snobs of the animal kingdom I think.

And the following overheard conversation:

A man and a woman are standing on a boardwalk thing looking over at some birds swimming in the water. I don't know what they were but they were NOT ducks - not even close. They were pretty though. I looked them up once - I think they were Grebes or something like that.

Anyway, the woman said to the guy:

"Wow, they're pretty. I wonder what they are?"

Man (in a very self-important voice, because he OBVIOUSLY knows EVERYTHING...):

"They're ducks. The ONLY birds that can swim like that are ducks."

So John and I walked on a bit and then started cracking up.

Following this guys logic, the following birds are all ducks:
Penguins
Seagulls
Geese
Puffins
Loons
Albatross
Swans

2007-07-22T13:28:00.000-04:00

John asked.
I said yes.
'Nuff said for now (stay tuned...).

idiot people

2007-07-03T11:47:00.001-04:00

Mr. Man and I are the very happy owners of a brand new couch set.  We went shopping on the weekend after months of thinking about it, and bought a three-piece living room set.  It gets delivered next week.  It's NOT real leather but a very good quality fake.  We buy only what we can afford.  "Fake" leather has improved a lot over the years and we have nothing against it at all.

So, because I am THRILLED about this purchase, I told a woman at work - thinking that she would say it's nice.

"Why didn't you get REAL leather?  Oh I get it, you're going for a kitch kind of vibe?"

Um no actually.  I explained to her that we don't buy what we cannot afford and that we're VERY happy with our purchase.

"But you want it to look good, right?  Everyone will know it's not real - how embarrassing for you."

She can bite my arse.  I told her that if it's so important for us to have a REAL leather set, she can buy it for us.

Here are OTHER purchases I make that I'm proud of:

-No-name brand food because it's cheaper and just as good

-Clothes from Walmart and Zellers and Winners

-Used fridge, stove, washer and dryer - they all work well and look good

-Used books

Grrr......so mad.

virii are bad

2007-06-12T21:21:00.000-04:00

Last Thursday, my work was hit by a rather nasty virus.
It's still not fixed and probably won't be by the end of this week according to the rumour-mills.

No internet access. No email access to the outside world.

I.MISS.INTERNET.

I find myself having to call people on the telephone and talk to them.
I have to write letters, put them in envelopes, and send them by MAIL.

It's AWFUL! AWFUL I tell you.
The withdrawal pains are terrible.

Commuting is fun

2007-05-31T09:33:00.001-04:00

It's a common and rather annoying fact that towards the end of the month, STM passes begin to lose their magnetic coating and don't work in the automatic turnstiles anymore. This is only mildly annoying as it means that I (and quite a few other people) have to line up at the manned booth to show our passes and get in to the metro.

It slows me down a whole minute at most.

What REALLY makes me laugh is people like the woman I had the pleasure of meeting this morning....

She had a defective pass and after trying all of the automatic turnstiles, she came up to the line and tried to butt in line. No-one would let her butt, so she went back to the machines and tried them all again. By now, she was swearing and complaining that we'd all made her miss her metro.

She came BACK to the line and tried to butt in again. This time, it was in front of the woman in front of me. She told her to piss off back to the back of the queue. So she tried to get in front of me by saying she had a very important job and couldn't be late. I wouldn't let her in either. She gave up and went sheepishly back to the end of the (now much longer) queue.

Here's the questions I had in my head for her:

If you're so important, why do you take the metro? Why don't you have a personal driver?
What makes you thing that you have the right to butt in line *just* because you have a bus pass and aren't paying cash? Yes, she tried to get in line saying this.
Who pissed in YOUR cornflakes?

Day 1 of the bus strike

2007-05-22T13:05:00.000-04:00

I got to work early thanks to no-one being on my bus. I guess everyone panicked and left earlier than usual.

This strike doesn't seem at all like the last one. So far....

As long as I keep working regular daytime hours, it shouldn't really affect me too much.

Still, I do NOT feel any sympathy towards the strikers. They make an average of more than $50,000 a year. MUCH more than me.

Remember - be nice to your drivers. It's not their fault this time.

The "Grown Up" Survey(Meant to be completed by those out of high school)

2007-05-18T13:47:00.000-04:00

Tired of all of those surveys made up by high school kids?' Have you ever kissed someone?' 'Missed someone?' 'Told someone you loved them?' 'Drank alcohol?'

Here are 50 questions for the people who are a little more "mature"...

1. What bill do you hate paying the most? Hydro - it makes no sense and confuses me.
2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner? Guido et Angelina on a free gift certificate.
3. Last time you puked from drinking? Ummm.....a while. I'm slowly learning NOT to drink.
4. When is the last time you got drunk and danced on a bar? That would have been when I was living in Ottawa on my first non-'date' with Stan. This was after I decided to sit down on the floor in the middle of the mosh-pit cuz I was tired.
5. Name of your first grade teacher? Not a clue. Miss something.
6. What do you really want to be doing right now? Reading in bed.
7. What did you want to be when you were growing up? Many many things: a stewardess, army musician, nurse, horse farmer....
8. How many colleges did you attend? Dawson for a semester and Algonquin for 2 years.
9. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now? It was clean and semi-presentable under my jacket.
10. GAS PRICES? 117.5 last night when J filled up.
11. If you could move anywhere and take someone with you? That cottage on the Tarras where you have to cross a ford. With John of course.
12. First thought when the alarm went off this morning? I didn't hear it. I NEVER hear it. Early morning thoughts are rarely pleasant and happy.
13. Last thought before going to sleep last night? Norm know's we're right here so why is she yowling all over the house looking for us? SHUT UP!!!
14. Favorite style of underwear? Cotton and comfy.
15. Favorite style of underwear for the opposite sex? Boxers
16. What errand/chore do you despise? Cat litter changing.
17. If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer? Maybe, never thought about it.
18. Get up early or sleep in? Sleep in as much as possible except on weekends when I have all the time in the world and for some reason can't sleep in anymore.
19. Who is your favorite cartoon character? Lisa Simpson
20. Favorite NON sexual thing to do at night with a girl/guy? Sit all cuddled up and read or watch a movie together.
22. When did you first start feeling old? Old? I don't feel old. I feel like I'm running 10 years behind.
23. Favorite 80's movie? Footloose
24. Your favorite lunch meat? Garlic roast beef or pork - especially the stuff from Farmboy in Ottawa.
25. What do you get every time you go into Walmart? Cheap-ass shoes.
26. Beach or lake? Rocky beaches win every time, but I'm not fussy - either or.
27. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual? No - but the religious aspect of it is.
28. How many people do you stalk on Facebook? Everyone I can remember the name of.
29. Favorite guilty pleasure? Country music and line-dancing
30. Favorite movie you wouldn't want anyone to find out about? None. I don't care what you think of the movies I like.
31. What's your drink? Tea. And Ceasar's
32. Cowboys or Indians? Cowboys - I wish I were a buckle-bunny.
33. Cops or Robbers? Cops - it's the uniform...
34. Who from high school would you like to run into? None from Arnprior except for Rae of course and selected very few others....As for Riverdale - I've suddenly become too shy to talk to people I used to have hour long coversations with. It's sad but true. That's why I like the internet.
35. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now? Home stereo is tuned to the Sirius stations. They rock!
36. Norm or Cliff? I'd hang out with Norm. Cliff I'd have to kill cuz he wouldn't shut up.
37. The Cosby Show or the Simpsons? Simpsons
39. Do you like the person who sits directly across from you at work? I work in an office all alone. But the other offices near me all have people I like and respect. (Did I mention the new job I LOVE?)
40. If you could get away with it, who would you kill? Only I know and only those who know me well enough would be able to guess.
41. What famous person(s) would you like to have dinner with? Rick Mercer for the conversation, and George Strombolopoulous for the totty factor. Oh, and Eileen from Corrie.
43. Have you ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose? Yes.
44. Last book you read for real? Daughters Keeper - can't remember the author
45. Do you have a teddy bear? In a box somewhere, and I also have my Mother's bears she had when she died.
46. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth? Standing knee-deep in a lake somewhere in NB, very early in the morning before anyone else was awake, surrounded by fog. After a night of heavy HEAVY HEAVY drinking. It was one of those perfectly serene moments.
47. Somewhere in Canada you've never been and would like to go?Everywhere. Especially the Viking settlements in Nfld.
48. Do you go to church? Strictly weddings/funerals/baptisms. And the carol service at Christmas if I can make it.
49. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or a new relationship ? Neither. Just finally started my 'career' and already have 'the' relationship.
50. Just how OLD are you? 37 with the mind of a 27 year old.

My nephew rocks!

2007-05-18T09:16:00.001-04:00

it's been a while

2007-05-17T09:41:00.000-04:00

Wow. Almost 2 weeks without updating. How rare for me.

But, you see, I've been kind of busy...what with having a JOB and all. Yes - a job. A real one. One where I'm not just someone's temporary replacement. A permanent one. One where I get full benefits. One where I know where I'll be working in a week from now, a month from now, hell...even a year from now. One where I can confidently make vacation plans without worrying if I'll have a job when I get back from vacation.

It was made official yesterday and I am now on a 20-day trial period where I can decide if I really do like the job. It's the job I'm already doing since I started as a replacement temp., but now it's all mine. They like me. I like them. All I can really do to screw this up is to blow up my office or something.

I am happy. I'm not half as happy as I will be in 21 days. But happy nonetheless.

Tomorrow night I will be going out to celebrate a dear friend's birthday, but I will also be raising a glass or two for ME!

My Daemon

2007-04-29T11:16:00.000-04:00

The Golden Compass.
I've never heard of these books, but now I need to go out and buy them. The movie looks like it will be really good.

Throwing $$ at me.

2007-04-27T09:20:00.000-04:00

Guess what? I won the UK National lottery?
Really, I did. I got an email saying so and everything.
Look:

From :

Reply-To :
philip-hargreaves@hotmail.com
Sent :
April 26, 2007 9:36:52 PM
To :
(Recipient List Suppressed)
Subject :
Confirmation Letter From the Lottery Board

UK National Lottery,
101 Wigmore Street
London W1U 1QU
Ref: UK/9420X2/68
Dear Winner,
We are pleased to inform you of the final announcement of the British Lottery
Online Promo Programme held on Wednesday
25th of APRIL 2007.
The draw was done electronically with several email addresses provided to this
office by microsoft to enhance the
utilization of the internet.Your email address was attached to Reference Number
UK/9420X2/68 and was picked as one of
the ten winning email addresses.This has qualified you to claim the total cash
prize Of £815,502 in cash.
To file for your claims and due remittance of funds contact:PHILIP HARGREAVES
with the following details:
Name/ Age/Address/ Occupation/and Telephone No;
via Email;philip-hargreaves@hotmail.com
Yours Truly
Anne Wright(Online Coordinator)

OK, so it *MAY* be a scam. I'd better send them all my info just in case eh?

(In other actual events - my Union has a small cheque waiting for me in their office. I have no idea why. I'm not going to complain though.)

Dear Craigslist users...

2007-04-24T13:11:00.000-04:00

I have an obsession with looking through your furniture section looking for good deals.
There is one thing you must learn though:
It's spelled WROUGHT IRON, not ROD IRON.

That is all.

FRIDAY!!!

2007-04-20T09:48:00.000-04:00

It's sunny outside and warm. Warm enough so that I didn't even put on my jacket this morning.
I'm not wearing any nylons or socks - AND I have short sleeves.
Thanks to Mr. Awesome, our house is spotless and ready for this weekends visit from the Hockey Dad.
We get to go to St. Leonard this weekend and watch the next Gretsky and his team whomp some ass. I don't even like hockey and I'm looking forward to it.

I am a freak

2007-04-19T10:45:00.000-04:00

I don't like to eat breakfast. Never have. I will pretty much only have breakfast if someone else makes it and serves it to me.
I actually prefer 'crap' coffee from a coffee shop to the fancy coffees made in a French Press, or any drink that ends in 'ino'. Instant coffee is my favourite.
Most drugs, such as Tylenol, are way too weak for me and I end up taking a small handful of them to get rid of a headache. Likewise, any drug that makes other people 'stoned' doesn't do a thing to me except for rare occasions. When I DO get high on meds and think to myself "AWESOME! I get to see what the big deal is!" I end up just feeling woozy and not 'high'. This pisses me off because I feel cheated.
After brushing my teeth for my entire life, I have STILL to find a toothpaste that I really like.
I really do enjoy taking public transportation. I've taken the long way to somewhere just to see where the bus goes.

So, what makes you a freak?

Crackberries

2007-04-19T08:57:00.000-04:00

So, yesterday, millions of North American crackberry users had no service.

Including my dear little brother.

News reports state that some desperate users had to resort to *gasp* telephones to contact people.

HA HA!
Crack is bad, m'kay?

Friday night is pizza night

2007-04-13T21:30:00.000-04:00

Since tonight is Friday night and the start of the weekend, Mr. Man suggested that we have some home-made pizza.

I made the dough and, using Mr. Man's own yummy recipe, the sauce. The dough is an ancient family secret handed down through generations of totally non-Italian stock - OK, so it's the recipe that came with my food processor, but it's really really good.

Mr. Man put the masterpiece together using as much pepperoni as could possibly fit on one pizza...because we all know that pizza is just a delivery system for pepperoni:

Then, in to the oven it went and after a good quarter hour or so, it came out all hot and smelling really good:

Finally, dinner was served. We are very upper class people and very fancy. We insist on proper etiquette, especially when dining.
Notice that the beer has been decanted in to glasses. This proves just how classy we are.
Notice also the serviettes. We keep them on a cardboard tube for easy portability.

While eating supper we watched the Sarah Silverman Show.
Becase ain't nothing classier than eating pizza on the couch while watching a show that has witty musical numbers and expounds on the thrill of getting high on cough syrup.

I love my life.

Sign of Spring #4

2007-04-11T14:56:00.000-04:00

Good news:
The fire department dropped by today to test my smoke detectors and fire extinguisher.
They came in, were very polite and were impressed by my fire-fighting knowledge...

Bad news:
The local fire department is NOT staffed by men like this:

Parliament Hill's cats

2007-04-07T19:29:00.000-04:00

When my mother lived near Parliament, she and I would go on a fairly regular basis to visit with the cats behind the centre block. I still go to see the cats whenever I get a chance and was very upset that access to them was blocked off last time I was there (Canada Day).

There have been cats there for as long as I can remember and they are one of my favourite things about Ottawa. I've heard stories that the original cats are from when there was a rodent problem in the parliament buildings. Other cats just end up there or are 'dropped off' by their owners who ~~are too lazy/too ignorant/too stupid~~ can't look after them any more.

There are a few regulars who look after them, including René - the old man I've spoken to a few times. They keep the cats fed, take them to the vet (who does a routine sterilization of the 'new' cats every year), and basically look out for their well being.

There is a blog with pictures here (on an actual Gov't website, to boot!)

Make sure to visit them next time your in the National Capital. They're a very unique treasure.

Where's Kowy?

2007-04-05T12:25:00.000-04:00

So, I'm fully addicted to Facebook and have spent the past few days finding old friends and groups.

LOTS of Cadet groups. I've been busy uploading photos from various camps and events.

Here are two pictures. I went to band camp two summers in a row. 1986 was spent in Cap-Chat, Quebec, and 1987 was spent in Bagotville, Quebec.

Go ahead...find me:

In lieu of content...

2007-03-26T22:04:00.000-04:00

I love cats.
I love Bjork.

I love them better when they're together.

Movies in 5 seconds

2007-03-24T19:40:00.000-04:00

Ah, the internet...source of constant amusement.

This guy is genius.

Yes - I AM very easily amused.

...didn't even have lunch...

2007-03-23T17:51:00.000-04:00

I have been working for the Quebec health care system for the past 3 years.
So far, I have been lucky enough to never have had a post where I had to work in a clinic environment.

Today that all changed.

SWEET BABY JEEBUS it's fucking insane. 100+ patients in 8 hours. All of them cranky.

Good thing it's only for a couple of months.

I may go insane.

The Scottish are invading!

2007-03-21T12:53:00.000-04:00

YAY!!!!

Summer plans have been made for my sister and her family to visit for almost a month. I'm so happy!

Spring cleaning

2007-03-19T16:14:00.000-04:00

Got some stuff up on Craiglist:

Mar-19 Newspaper rack - $20 (Lachine) pic

Mar-19 Corded Audiovox phone - $10 (Lachine) pic

Mar-19 Universal Air Conditioner Support - $20 (Lachine) pic

Mar-19 Ikea MALMA mirrors (7 of them) - $15 (Lachine) pic

Mar-19 Mini sewing machine - $25 (Lachine) pic

If no-one buys them, they're going to the Donation box next weekend - along with a whole pile of other stuff.

*Update - all gone. All will be found in some Fripperie some time in the near future.

Norm

2007-03-19T09:11:00.000-04:00

I've had Norm ever since she was a kitten - she was born in my barn. She is now 12 years old and is getting old and her health is declining.

It's a sad thing to watch and last night Mr. Man and I had a discussion about her and what we'd do if the time came to have to make a decision.

The poor girl is not herself lately and now, for the third time in as many months, she has diarrhea - something I really hate having to clean up. She's never had it before and it's a worry to us. She knows it means I have to clean up after her and wash her (which she HATES), and I'm pretty sure she knows I'm not angry with her, but still, she hides from me and looks guilty. If she's still sick tonight, we're going to the vet. We NEVER go to the vet except for yearly checkups and shots...that's how healthy she usually is.

My family have had cats all my life, and have had quite a few of them put down or die at home, but Norm is special. She's the first cat that was all mine.

Here she is in all her sick, poopy glory. Even her fur is dull.
My poor baby.

Yes, she and her poopy bum are on my bed. She's comfy there and I'm not going to move her. I have a washing machine...sheets can be washed.

I am so smart....SMRT

2007-03-18T22:02:00.000-04:00

Mr. Man and I just took the Test the Nation test on the CBC.

It was HARD!

But, we're both smart and both got good scores*.

I got 47 of 60 questions correct, which gives me an IQ result of 122, which is above average.
A score of 130 or more would have put me in the top 2% of Canadians.

I think the test is still available on-line. Go try it and let me know how you do. Sixty multiple-choice questions...it won't take you long.

*although I scored better than him and I have to gloat a little teensy bit.

I was....

2007-03-15T15:16:00.000-04:00

This lovely lady dusted off this meme again, so I'm gonna do it again.

Ten years ago
I had finally broken up with my boyfriend of 7 years and was slowly beginning to live a proper life again. I had just started my first 'real' job in years and was enjoying my life. Going out way too much for my own good and was great friends with my room-mate. I was living in an apartment above my Dad's garage in Ottawa. Somewhere along the way I foolishly picked up smoking again after a 10 year smoke-free existence. Norm was still a skinny young-ish cat.

Five years ago
After spending the past 4 years pretty much drunk (thanks to a rather unhealthy friendship), I had plucked up the courage and quit my job in Ottawa, moved to Montreal, and started a great job with an old high school friend of mine. I was living alone for the first time in my life. Still going out way too much for my own good. Still smoking. Norm was getting fatter. Started using the internets to meet people and was dating casually. Was mere months away from meeting the love of my life.

One year ago
Spent a lot of time packing, painting, and purging getting ready for our big move to Lachine. Was reminded of my Mom's death 10 years ago (11 now). Worked at the hospital and was thoroughly enjoying my life and achievements. Had great new friends. Was FINALLY feeling like a 'Montrealer'. Norm was FAT and was becoming rather needy. Still smoking, but tried to quit.

Yesterday
Worked my last day at my current assignment. Slipped out of the building so I didn't have to say goodbye to anyone. Bought a large plant because I'm in Spring mode and therefore am suddenly a gardener. Mr. Man made his shrimp Alfredo and I fell in love all over again (with him, not the Alfredo - although it's a close tie). Ate a lot of carrot cake. Norm still fat and getting older and whinier. Smoking a lot less - not enjoying it, and still trying to quit.

Today
Made an appointment to see my new boss tomorrow for my new assignment that will start on Monday. Thought about cleaning the apartment - did laundry instead. Listened to BBC1 on the Internets all day. Norm spent as much of the day on my lap as possible. Didn't smoke.

Tomorrow
Meet my new boss and find out what exactly I'm to DO at this new assignment.

2007-03-14T13:18:00.000-04:00

I can't remember where I found this, but it's pretty cool.

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Winter can end now

2007-03-06T10:16:00.000-05:00

It's wicked cold.
It's freezing brass monkey-balls cold.

No. I'm not complaining. But I've decided that I have personally had enough of winter as of today. I was just waiting for the one tiny thing that would tip me over the edge, and I just got it:

I share my afternoon office with the music therapist. Her entire job involves singing and talking to people. I just ran into her in the hallway and she has lost her voice thanks to a nasty cold she had last week. It's funny (because it's not me), but I feel really bad for her. No, really, I do. I told her I'm going to start calling her 'Little Voice'. She hit me.

T'ranna

2007-03-05T08:50:00.000-05:00

We spent the weekend in Toronto.

Driving to Toronto through a blizzard ain't fun, but since we did have some kick-ass company in the car (Thanks Debbie!) it made the trip a bit more fun.

We met up with friends we'd never actually met in person before.
We did some top-secret geeky stuff.
I ate amazing steak & kidney pie.
We bought some haggis, and Scotch Eggs - and a big pack of Hob-nobs.
I bought John a t-shirt with a brewery logo on it.

We drank - a lot.

I was offered a crack pipe.

And Mr. Man managed to bump in to random people he knew. He can ALWAYS do that. If we were in Mongolia, he'd probably meet someone he knows.

Thinking Day 2007

2007-02-22T14:24:00.000-05:00

Today is Thinking Day , the birthday of Robert Baden-Powell - a very important day for Scouts and Guides all over the world.

As much as I have read of Lord Baden-Powell being rather a prick and kind of an anti-semite, closet homosexual pedophile bastard, I have a great deal of respect for him and his wife, Olave - the founders of the Scouting and Guiding movement.

My Father was a Kings Scout (the highest honour a Scout can have) and he talks fondly of his trip to Greece for the World Jamboree in 1963.
Both of my parents volunteered for the UK and the Canadian movements. My Mom was even the district commissioner for a while.
I have a collection of ancient Guiding books from the 30's that I've inherited from my Aunt. She was a Guide leader and her notes are fascinating.

I was a Brownie and a Pathfinder. My brother was a cub and a scout. My sister was a brownie and a Guide. Their kids are now all involved and they are all very proud of their accomplishments.

In short - we are definately a Scouting family.

The Scouting movement taught me a lot. Some of it useful (always have a clean hanky), and some of it not so useful but fun (dancing around a giant toadstool).
Through the movement, I learned to enjoy reading by being introduced to the Jungle Book, I learned to respect and enjoy the outdoors through camping, I learned respect for elders, and I learned a lot more that I use in everyday life.

This year marks the 100th Anniversary of Scouting and the World Jamboree is being held at Brownsea Island, the site of the first Scout camp. I'd love to be able to go, and I hope that other members of my family are able to go.

I left Guiding when I was a teenager. I joined Air Cadets instead - same thing as Guides (for me) but with the added thrill of BOYS and paid summer camps.

One day I will go back to Guiding or Scouting as a leader of volunteer - when my kids have joined...and they will...

What to do? What to do?

2007-02-21T07:48:00.000-05:00

So now that I've been freed from the oppression of full-time gainful employment, I am at a loss for what do do all day.

As of this week, I am only working two days a week, and today is my first full day 'off' with no specific plans other than look for another job and maybe take a shower.

I'm still going through the testing process at Veteran's Affairs though, so hopefully that will lead me to a full-time PERMANENT job. Wouldn't that be nice? I think so!

Any ideas on what I can do today? Apart from calling HR to figure out how to get EI.

Early memories

2007-02-13T11:38:00.001-05:00

Mr. Lambic asked about our earliest memories.

I know that my brother and I had a 'tea party' where we drank kerosene when I was 3 or 4 and we both had to have our stomachs pumped - but I don't remember anything.

I know that I told my sister to eat my Mum's 'candy'. It was valium. Sister tried to fly down the stairs. I was 5-ish. She was 2 or 3-ish. Another trip to the hospital for stomach pumping. Again - I don't remember a thing.

I DO remember telling sister to shove a bead up her nose. We ended up going to the hospital - AGAIN. I was 7 or 8 and was VERY upset that the trip to the hospital meant that I was missing Top Of The Pops.

I remember rough-housing with my brother and ending up, again, in hospital. I had the broken tip of a bodkin stuck in my buttock. We took a bus to town and I was mortified because the bus was full of young soldiers from the base heading out for a night on the town. They thought my predicament was hilarious.

I remember being hit by a car on my way to school one day. The car was driven by my teacher's daughter.

I remember living on RAF bases and the smell of old lino in old buildings.

I remember my best friend Catherine Jackson. She kept my rabbit when we moved to Canada.

Done and dusted

2007-02-13T09:52:00.001-05:00

As of January 31, my last student loan is finally paid off. Ten-ish years of minimum payments later.

I should be happy about it, and I am, but another part of me is a tiny bit sad. Or maybe nostalgic.

That student loan was the last tie I had to that part of my life.

Living an unhappy existence in Fitzroy and not knowing how to make it better or how to leave for greener pastures.

I obviously did though.

My life has changed so much since those days. Changed for the better even though there were a few HUGE bumps in the road and hurdles to cross.

Still, I kind of miss college.

The life of a temp.

2007-02-08T15:32:00.000-05:00

Wanna know what really sucks?

Finding out on Thursday afternoon - LATE Thursday afternoon - that I will have a job on Monday.

Yup...I'm still going to be employed on Monday. For another week. And no more after that except for the possibility of working 2 days a week for another month.

But it's better than a kick in the arse, right?

2007-02-02T11:56:00.000-05:00

Oh if ONLY I were this FAT!

According to all the BMI calculators and nutrition information I've ever read or been given, what "Fat" Tyra weights right now is my ideal body weight.

If this is fat, I'm well and truly fucked. According to all the BMI calculators and nutrition information I've gathered over the years, what "Fat" Tyra weighs right now is my ideal weight.

Give me a job!

2007-01-31T10:48:00.001-05:00

I need a job. A full-time job.

My current assignment ends next week and so far, all I have to fall back on is a 'possible' 2.5 day a week temporary position. I go to meet the person for that later on.
*UPDATE* It was way way WAY out of my league, so I had to politely decline. Still, it was nice that someone thought enough of me to recommend me to the job.

If you need someone to 'pretty-up' your documents, or make powerpoint presentations, or even really pretty MSPublisher documents....I'm your girl.

Or internet research...I can do that really well.

I'm tired of being a secretary.

If only I could wangle my way into making this kind of stuff a full-time career, I'd be a very happy camper. ESPECIALLY if I could do it from home.

Current mood - not that great. Don't mind me - I'm just venting.

Six years old already!

2007-01-26T15:56:00.001-05:00

"Jo-un, d'ye wan' some chook-lit?" - as said to John last Christmas.

(It's REALLY hard to write something in a Scottish accent!)

My youngest nephew turned 6 today. He's becoming a proper ginger-haired Scottish lad.

His Auntie Kowy is a retard and sent his gift via boat-mail and not air-mail. He's going to be getting a really cool present some time in the next few months.

So....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2007-01-23T08:23:00.000-05:00

...to me!

Even though the nice chatty letter and card from Granny says that I am 38.
She's allowed to make mistakes. She IS old.

And her.
And my little brother too.

AND, one day late, but happy birthday to my dear Granddad. Eighty-three years young.

Oh, AND...it's my nephew on Friday.

Busy week!

Just call me Martha

2007-01-21T21:09:00.000-05:00

This afternoon, I hemmed and put up a pair of new curtains.

Supper was leftovers of a home-made shepherds pie that I made yesterday.

Then...

For lunches tomorrow we made home-made egg and shrimp salad made with home-made mayonnaise, on home-made whole wheat bread. Home-made hummus. Followed by some home-made brownies.

We're turning in to hippies. Very well fed hippies.

yesterday

2007-01-19T09:54:00.001-05:00

So the testing went well. I think. I hope.

Another language test on Tuesday.

Got my fingers crossed.

Other than that, not much else going on here in Kowy land. I've been re-training the woman coming back to this job. She's nice. Too bad I won't be working with her for long, it's been ages since I've actually had anyone to chat with at work. She likes all the work I've done in her absence and loves the fact that I simplified a lot of the work. I'm really glad she tells me that, because no-one else here seemed to notice. I know I'll be missed, which is nice...sad, but nice.

and....as is tradition for my upcoming birthday...I have a cold coming on. I can feel my head filling up with snot and sneezes.

Crazy lady update

2007-01-16T09:06:00.001-05:00

So, here's the story so far:

At least once a week, my bus ride home is graced with the presence of the 'crazy lady'. This woman insists on sitting in a certain seat, and if she doesn't get 'her' seat, she will cry, pout, and whine until she gets it. She says she's ill and gets nervous on busses but I think she's full of crap.

Anyway...if no-one will give up 'her' seat, she'll sit somewhere else crying for the entire trip home.

When she DOES get 'her' seat, she'll sit down and go on to wish everyone getting on the bus after her a nice day with a big satisfied grin on her face.

If the bus makes any stops before hers (which it ALWAYS does), she mutters rather loudly about the terrible service. If anyone has a cell-phone conversation near her, she'll comment on the conversation and try to join in.

As my bus home is an express bus, most of the passengers are regulars and we are used to her. We've learned to just give her the frickin' seat to save ourselves some grief. There's no use arguing with her, we've all tried and we've all watched in amusement when a newbie tries to talk reason with the lazy cow.

Fast forward to yesterday...

The snowstorm meant that the busses were all messed up and not sticking to the schedule. One bus never came so there were about 100 people in line to get on one bus. It was not going to be a fun ride.

By some fluke, when I got on the bus, there was still a couple of seats available near the driver. Wow...my lucky day.

Unfortunately, I, and the woman who sat next to me discovered WHY there were a couple of free seats - the window was stuck wide open.

We tried to close it, the driver tried to close it, the supervisor tried to close it, the muscle-bound guy standing near us tried to close it...you get the idea.

We gave up, stood up, and the bus was off on it's merry way home, with the driver apologizing profusely for the broken window and even going so far as offering his coat to use as a window blocker.

And what does the crazy lady do? She yells at ME to "shut the fucking window. It's fucking cold. Don't you realize there's sick people on this bus and we can't get cold?"

I snapped back at her that if she wanted the window shut, SHE should get up and shut it herself. Then she started yelling at another woman who snapped back at her to shut the fuck up.

The driver agreed (although much more politely), as did the rest of the very-packed bus full of cranky people.

Crazy lady cried all the way home.

Good.

News of the obvious

2007-01-15T12:33:00.001-05:00

It's snowing.

In Montreal.

Go figure!

Yes, it's icky out there. Snow is blowing in my face. It's windy. It's cold.

BUT....It's JANUARY and as much as it's a pain in the arse, it IS winter.

Finally....

The Friday Happy FIle

2007-01-12T09:45:00.001-05:00

After a few weeks of stress, headaches, and general blah-ness, I finally got a bit of good karma thrown my way.

My soon-to-be-unemployed-ness has been postponed for a month. The woman I've been replacing is back as of Monday, but I will be working alongside her (full-time) for the next month to re-teach her the job. After the first month, I am still eligible for a part-time position so it's not a total lack of money for a while.

Veterans Affairs got back to me. I didn't go to the test last Friday - I got too nervous, threw up in a bush, and headed home to cry. But, they have given me a second chance. I have another test appointment next Thursday.

My own personal hell

2007-01-10T14:49:00.001-05:00

Oh what a week this is turning out to be....and it's only Wednesday.

The woman I've been replacing for the past two years is supposed to come back to work next Monday - although nobody seems to be able to confirm this. Everyone 'thinks' she's going to be here on Monday, including her and me, but no-one can tell us exactly when or in what capacity. Will we be job-sharing for a while until she gets back on her feet or what? Do I have another placement to go to? No-one knows, and no-one seems too worried...apart from me and her, that is.

So. Here I am furiously trying to get everything as sorted out as possible so that I can give her the job back without too much stress on either of us. I'm writing instructions for her, making notes of what has changed in the time she's been gone so that I can teach her how to use the new systems, etc. I don't mind her coming back. It's her job and I've always known that I was just her replacement for a while. It was supposed to have been just 6 weeks!

What happened yesterday then?

One of the computers I use decided to up and die on me in the middle of trying to print something. The computer whiz guy says it's fried and doesn't know how it happened. I have so much stuff on that machine and although I was pretty good at backing up, it hadn't done it in a while. I have to wait until I get the computer guy in again to see if he can salvage any of my work. If not, I'm screwed.

I should just go back to flipping burgers for a living. No stress, no responsability, no worry.

January blah

2007-01-05T18:53:00.000-05:00

Now that Christmas is over and life returns to normal I can't help but feel a bit depressed.

Now comes the long, sort-of-cold, dark, and gloomy part of the year.

It doesn't help that I'm broke, about to be unemployed, and have a week-old headache that just WON'T. GO. AWAY.

On the upside though, I have an appointment with Veterans Affairs on Friday morning that may bring me one step closer to a sweet-ass PERMANENT job. Yes...my fingers are crossed, and yes....I'm studying like a maniac.

"Où est la plume de ma tante?"

Je suis
Tu es
Il/Elle est
Nous sommes
Vous êtes
Ils/Elles sont

Studying grammar wasn't fun in school....and SURPRISE, it's STILL not fun .

New Years Resolutions

2007-01-05T18:43:00.000-05:00

Not have to go to the fat-lady section of the store to buy clothes. I only have 2 sizes to lose, but I'm hoping for 3. This involves continued trips to the gym and eating less fat. Simple - but SO HARD.
Make concrete plans to fix my credit rating and pay off my debts, or at least, work towards it. *Already started - I got my credit rating from Equifax (it made me cry)*
Learn to make more inexpensive, healthy, home-made food. Tonight, for example, I'm making bread using my super-duper awesome Christmas present from Mr. Lover-Man.
Make appointments and actually GO to a Doctor and Dentist - for the first time in I don't know how many years. I'm sick and tired of always being sick and tired.

And you? Any big plans for 2007?

January Blah

2007-01-04T09:53:00.001-05:00

New Years Resolutions

2007-01-03T09:53:00.000-05:00

I won't make any New Years resolutions because, seriously.....who actually keeps their resolutions?But, I DO have plans for this coming year. I'm sharing them here so that people will keep on my arse and MAKE me do these:
Not have to go to the fat-lady section of the store to buy clothes. I only have 2 sizes to lose, but I'm hoping for 3. This involves continued trips to the gym and eating less fat. Simple - but SO HARD.
Make concrete plans to fix my credit rating and pay off my debts, or at least, work towards it. *Already started - I got my credit rating from Equifax (it made me cry)*
Learn to make more inexpensive, healthy, home-made food. Tonight, for example, I'm making bread using my super-duper awesome Christmas present from Mr. Lover-Man.
Make appointments and actually GO to a Doctor and Dentist - for the first time in I don't know how many years. I'm sick and tired of always being sick and tired. And you? Any big plans for 2007?

Happy Christmas in Saint John

2006-12-26T09:11:00.000-05:00

Food was eaten.
Presents were opened.
The Saint John family was all present.
The Scotland family were all spoken to.

A pretty good day really.

After dinner J and I headed out to the Irving Nature Park for a bit of a walk - and to escape the family for a few minutes.

P.S. Note the distinctive lack of SNOW!

Happy happy days

2006-12-22T14:12:00.000-05:00

I'm on vacation in less than 2 hours. This makes me very very happy.

Tonight we shall load up the wagon and prepare ourselves for the long trip home tomorrow.

This time last year we were heading to Scotland to see my family. This year we head to New Brunswick for John's family.

I don't care who's family we spend the time with - as long as it's family and as long as there are kids to spoil.

Merry Christmas.
(now excuse me while I cry. *see my previous post*)

...told you I was bored...

2006-12-22T11:17:00.001-05:00

Just for you.

Name six weird things about yourself.

1) I can cry on demand. Or not on demand. I'll cry for anything. I'm a walking tear-factory. I should become a professional mourner.

2) I am incredibly strong. I get embarrassed for men who can't lift as much weight as me and I act weaker than I am so as not to make them feel bad.

3)I have fangs, and when one of them had to be replaced by a false tooth, the dentist kept it as a fang.

4) I can play any brass or woodwind instrument....with practice, of course. Except for a flute - can't get a noise out of it at all.

5) I can walk for miles and miles and miles - but I can't run.

6) I have the broken-off half of a bodkin permanently embedded in my buttock. There's a big lump there. It doesn't hurt.

zzzzz

2006-12-21T08:48:00.001-05:00

Z is for ZIT. INSIDE my nose.

It's very annoying, let me tell you. And it hurts.

Poo. Double Poo.

(I was going to tell you all about the absolutely fabulous party I went to on Tuesday night, but the nose situation is getting in the way of me being happy and writing about happy things. Maybe later on....)

Ewwwwww

2006-12-18T15:14:00.000-05:00

I've bitched about this before, but today's experience takes the cake.

If you have explosive diarrhea, PLEASE, for the love of God, lower your ass COMPLETELY on to the seat. This is definitely NOT an appropriate time to hover.

I was greeted by the sight of nasty, nasty, NASTY 'stuff' all over the back wall of the toilet stall....the only stall on the floor, and therefore the only stall I could use.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I just have to go throw up.

"You look like a Protestant!"

2006-12-15T15:24:00.000-05:00

I can't wait.

Ben's

2006-12-15T14:19:00.001-05:00

The bathroom had rather questionable wires dangling from a hole in the ceiling.
The waiters always seemed to be WAY too busy, even if we were the only customers in the place.
The woman in the cage where one pays the bill was always in a bad mood.
The food wasn't the greatest.

But, it was cheap.
It was always open.
And....it had all those autographed pictures.

I am sad now.

Yesterday evening's bus ride.

2006-12-15T10:59:00.001-05:00

I take the bus a lot, and therefore, I see many things that annoy me.

Take yesterday evening's commute home, for example.

My bus never showed up, and judging by the length of the queue, the previous bus hadn't arrived either. I knew I would be in an over-crowded bus, so I headed for the other bus that would take me near home...thinking that I might actually get a seat if I was lucky.

I wasn't lucky, but that's OK, it wasn't very crowded and once I'd put my bags down, I prepared myself for the long ride down the highway (it's non-stop from downtown to Dorval). After years of commuting I'm pretty adept at barrelling down the highway on a bus while standing and reading a book.

What annoyed me was the following:

A rather frail-looking elderly man boarded the bus and who immediately jumped up to give him a seat? The rather obviously pregnant lady.

Did anyone give her a seat?

What do you think?

WTF? This bus was full of students and commuters who looked pretty damned healthy to me.

Christmas Meme

2006-12-13T20:33:00.000-05:00

I'm taking a break from the grueling task of looking after mr. sicky-poo...which basically consists of making lots and lots of tea and porridge.

So, having been tagged by Glacia here is my thingumabob.

Christmas Meme

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? Either, but hot chocolate would win in a deathmatch.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrapped. Who the hell doesn't wrap presents?

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White. But not the LED white - they don't look right (which I found out when I bought LED lights for the dining room window.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? If I could FIND mistletoe I totally would.

5. When do you put your decorations up? As early as I can get away with it without looking like a loser.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Dad's roast potatoes. And the skin from the turkey. Oh...and the stuffing, and the brussel sprouts, and the mashed neeps, and the gravy, and the...... So I'm a pig what's it to ya?

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child: the christmas at Kilncleuch after the big storm when we had no power and our 'tree' was a HUGE downed bough from the lower garden.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? About the same time I figured out that Father Christmas had the same terrible handwriting as my Mum.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Not usually

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? lots of glass balls and certain special decorations.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Love it ONLY when it's the light fluffy kind, and ONLY when it's falling as we leave midnight mass or something.

12. Can you ice skate? I own skates, is that enough?

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Um....no?

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? Making other people happy - spending time with family and friends.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Fruitcake topped with marzipan and royal icing.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Singing carols

17. What tops your tree? my brand new 'unitarian' angel. She's all earthy and green and natural and stuff. And she was on sale at Zellers which makes her even prettier.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Both

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Once in Royal David's City - sung by a boys choir. and....Leroy the Redneck Reindeer.

20. Candy canes: too sweet

21. Favorite Christmas movie? The Sound of Music

22. What do you leave for Santa? We used to leave milk and cookies. Now, um, we leave, um, cat food?

2006-12-13T09:45:00.001-05:00

Someone's not feeling very well today.

I left him at home, wrapped up in blankets, big bottle of ginger-ale at his side, and TV clicker at the ready. This, after a night laying awake, in pain, and with me trying to keep him hydrated.

I hope I didn't bring home the particularly nasty bug that seems to be making the rounds of the ER here. I think I'm immune to all the bugs here, but I never know what I've been exposed to, and I always worry that if someone near to me is sick, I gave it to them.

Stop laughing at me

2006-12-11T15:57:00.001-05:00

Next Tuesday night I get to go to the Bell Centre, eat free food, and see a free concert.

Peter Cetera

Courtesy of my least-favourite ex-employer and my friend who still works there for the next week or so - when she will be skipping out the door to happier pastures.
I'm going as her date so that :
1. I can see Peter, and
2. so that I can skip up to my old boss and casually mention how much I love my new job.

Life is good.

I TOLD you....STOP laughing. Peter Cetera was the soundtrack to many a romantic evening in my younger, sluttier days....when romance meant a night sitting in a truck on a backroad in Ontario, after leaving the Crazy Horse and/or the Antrim Truck Stop.