That girl

So we're back

2009-04-06T20:49:00.000-07:00

I was trying to wait until the lab results came in to update, but it looks like it may take a few more days.

We are back from Children's Hospital, and I'm sure glad the surgery is over. It is so scary to see your child go under, especially for a wimp like me...

They didn't find anything in her throat, but they did say her esophagus was 'white and mucous-y'...so they took a biopsy. We are now waiting on those results, although I hope and pray that it is nothing.

Of course, now that she knows how worried I have been, and am, about her, she is acting like a little shit. She refuses to eat anything she doesn't like, and then blames it on her 'choking feeling'. LOL, it's funny and frustrating at the same time. Right now I'm catering to her though, as I wait for the results... she has lost quite a bit of weight, so I don't mind giving her only food she likes for the time being, so she can gain it back.

As far as the gluten free/ wheat free/ caseine free diet goes, we're doing alright... there are a lot of crazy products out there made out of who knows what that he can actually eat. Tonight he had 'rice-cream' and loved it :-)

In other news, my job is going okay, tax season (I work in the property tax department) is coming up, and people are starting to act like real shits. Always complaining and fighting about the taxes. Look people, I don't set the tax rate okay?!!! Jeeez.

Oh, and one more random thing that pissed me off this week: JP is a manager of his business, and he is totally different in his people skills than me. I am more intense and bossy, and he is relaxed and down to earth. The problem is that sometimes, not often, people he works with forget that he's the one in charge. Example: We go into the business over the weekend, and one of the girls working there starting talking to him like he was the new kid in town.

At one point she started arguing about a price with him, and she said 'you dipshit' to him. My mouth flew open and I couldn't believe it. I walked out of the store because I was furious and he stayed to finish the conversation with her. Back in the car, he said that the girl was just pissed off about something, and that he wasn't sure why she was so mad. I told him he needed to write her up for being insubordinate to him, but he thinks I'm over-reacting.

In the end, he said he'd talk to her tomorrow, when she is in again, but I think he should have sent her home then and there.

I guess that is why his workers love him and would hate me as a boss... I'd put soap in their mouths, I swear I would!

Gluten Free Wheat Free Casein Free -- Taste Free?

2009-03-30T20:28:00.000-07:00

I never knew how many things contained gluten, wheat or casein.

Even vanilla extract has gluten (in the alcohol)... who knew?

Now that my boy has been put on this special diet due to some severe allergies (which we also didn't know about until recently) we are sure learning a lot of these.

What I've found is that nothing is what it seems, that even Rice Krispies Cereal can contain gluten or casein (which is any dairy product) unless you get a specific brand.

Whole Foods is our new grocery store of choice as well as Applegate Farms. Which sucks, since I have to cross the border into the USA once a week, to buy all this stuff. That's right, apparantly us canadians don't have these products readily available. Sigh.

By the way, if anyone has any experience with gluten/wheat/caseine free recipes, please let me know... I'd love to learn some.

As if this wasn't enough, tomorrow morning my daughter has to go to Children's hospital to get a procedure done, where she will be put completely under, and they'll go into her esophagus with a camera all the way to her stomach. She's been having a 'choking feeling' now for 10 days and lost 4 pounds already from not eating.

Intervention is clearly needed, they'll go see if there is something there. IF there isn't they'll take a biopsy and see if there is anything wrong with the esophagus.

If you pray, keep us in mind, if you don't ~ think positive thoughts okay?

SIN CITY

2009-03-18T16:46:00.000-07:00

Just stepped off the plane a few short hours ago, and boy do I have stuff to tell you!

THE GOOD

We stayed at the Luxor hotel, right on the Vegas Strip. Before we got there, everyone we knew mentioned this "$20 upgrade trick" where you stick a crisp $20 bill in between your drivers license and your credit card as you're checking in and then ask for a room upgrade. Apparently this tricks works quite well. We decided we were too chicken to try it, but we did ask if there were any 'complementary' upgrades available. She said there were, so we did get upgraded after all, for free. From queen to king and from shower to shower and bath.

Not too shabby, right?

The other hotels we visited on the strip were just as amazing, and some even more so than others. The Venetian hotel was my favorite, it had the canals running through it. These hotels just ooze Luxury.

Really, they ooze it.

This is our hotel, at night. Gorgeous, right? And the other one was JP's favorite, the Bellagio.

We also took a bus tour to the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. That was probably the best money we spent on this trip. The scenery at the Grand Canyon was out of this world. If you ever go to Vegas, I highly recommend you stop by the Grand Canyon.

...

Grand Canyon was breathtaking, it really was.

And of course, last but not least on my list of "GOOD" was the M&M shop that is located right on the strip. M&M candy. An entire shop dedicated to just M&M candy and M&M paraphernalia. The shop had 4 floors people!!

I could have spent all day there, really I totally could have. They had clothes, and toys and stuffies and lunch boxes and watches and leather jackets and bedding ~~ practically anything that you can imagine, with the M&M logos all over it. How cool is THAT?

But the best part, was the wall with 22 different colours of M&M's. Yup, 22 colours of M&M's. Betcha you didn't even know M&M's had 22 colours. Neither did I. But there it stood, in all its glory. And we could sample some for free! Yummy.

I ended up buying one of those miniature gum ball machine dispensers, with M&M logos on it, that you can just twist the latch and M&M come out. It's like magic, you don't even need coins. I heart it. It's going on my desk at work tomorrow.

Are you totally salivating all over your screen? I still am. How cool is this?!

THE BAD

Of course I'm gonna bitch about things too, after all you want my real opinion not just some travel brochure bull shit right? Well let me tell you about the sleezy side of Vegas.

One word.

Flickers.

These are non english speaking men and women, whose whole job is to stand about 10 feet apart from the other flicker that you've just passed, and 'flick' pornography at you. I say pornography and it sounds harsh, but it is in fact that.

They are aligned all throughout the Strip and they have what seems like hundreds of these cards on them. (they have an apron on and these are stuffed in there). At first, they look like playing cards, they're the same size, but when you actually take one, you see that there are naked women on them - with the nipples starred out so you can't actually claim they're naked.

At first I thought it was weird, but then as we walked 10 more steps and 10 more steps it became rude, and then annoying and then just too much. The thing that bugged me about these 'flickers' is their persistence. It didn't matter to them if you were man, woman or child, they didn't discriminate against anyone.

Everyone got flicked.

Sometimes they walk a couple of steps towards you or behind you as you walk by, to make sure that they give you one of these cards. I seriously felt as annoyed as I did when I was running away from the kids selling chicklets in Mexico, but just less bad.

What inevitably happens is that everyone throws their 'cards' away once they see what they are, and then the entire sidewalk has a light dusting of porn on it as you are walking by.

Lovely.

By the end of the day I felt a little dirty and in need of a shower.

THE UGLY

By far the ugliest most annoying thing I found about Vegas was the drunks. Now don't go sending me hatemail, I know what it's like to be drunk.

But as I haven't been drunk in a while, I guess it's not that funny when you're the only sober one there.

Here's what bugged me most about it. It wasn't only college kids (of which there were lots, since it was SPRING BREAK) but 40 somethings and 50 somethings that were falling all over themselves at every corner.

It was especially moving to witness a mother and daughter bonding moment while they took turns holding each other's hair while the other one puked in the trash. And I must share the story of the pretty girl in the blue dress who was just too wasted to notice that one of her boobs had popped out of her dress, so she just kept walking anyway.

I also wish I had taken at least one picture of the 4 brides we saw walking (at separate times) on the strip, barefoot with shoes in one hand and an open beer in another. Now don't get me wrong, getting married in Vegas sounds beautiful, gorgeous setting and beautiful weather.

But when you've got a cigarette hanging out of your mouth while you're cursing at your new husband across the street, I think you've just lost the title of a 'blushing bride'.

More like Bridezilla.

Do you NEED enough alcohol to fill up an entire guitar?

And what is up with the slutty clothes that EVERY SINGLE FEMALE who worked there has to wear?

Seriously!

Even the senior citizen who was working in the casino serving drinks had a tiny itty bitty blue half dress on with tassels sticking out.

Do we really need to see this shit?

Between the whole Flickers scenario, and the boobies everywhere, and the 'costumes' the ladies wore, and the buses with the big "HOT BABES TO YOU" advertising and of course their sleazy motto "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas", I found myself feeling more than a little dirty.

Maybe if I'd been drunk I wouldn't have noticed all that, but since I wasn't- I did notice it, and it left a yucky after taste in my mouth that even those 22 colours of M&Ms can't get out.

All in all I'm glad I went and saw it for myself.

It is definitely a place like no other.

Vegas BABY!

2009-03-14T11:03:00.000-07:00

In about 2 hours I will be boarding a plane to Vegas!

That's right Lady Luck has smiled

upon us and we managed to get a good deal...

It's our first time going there and we're excited. Not big gamblers, and we don't drink (yawn, right?) but at least we like shopping!!

Of course, I'm a bit apprehensive leaving my kids behind, since I hate flying and I always imagine the worst case scenario, but once we land, I will be relaxed in the sun.

I've read it's supposed to be 27 degrees out there (that's 85 for you Farenheit speaking folks)

That's hot! Especially compared to me typing this while wearing my parka!

So, we're off til wednesday... hope to be taking lots of cool pictures to share with you when we come back!!

Oh and if you have any good tips, especially about upgrades and free stuff, do share! I'm gonna be checking my emails from our hotel :-)

I can't believe you're still here

2009-03-04T19:48:00.000-08:00

Seriously!

You came back to check if there was a new post, expecting the same old Bahamas heading, didn't ya?

Well I am full of surprises.

I don't want my posts to be few and far between, like some of you have been complaining about *ahem, Karen* but I also can't really blog like I used to.

You know how lovely this past September has been for me, right? (think back people, it's not that long ago - remember my drama?) Well, one would assume I'd have moved on since then, forgive and forget, that sort of thing. One would assume that since it's March, September would be all but forgotten.

Well, one would be wrong. Now yes, we've moved on since then, and are rebuilding. But the trouble is that I am constantly looking back at the pre-september life and wonder how I could have been so wrong about someone who I thought I knew so well?

Yes, I have since forgiven the incident, but I can't for the life of me look at this person the same way. You tell me, in all honesty how you can block such a betrayal out of your mind? I know some of your personal stories, and there are some readers out there that have overcome far worse betrayals and have gone on to have happy relationships.

I am not complaining, things are actually good. He's been trying his best to get back into my good graces ever since he's come back. I've been seeing a shrink since September as well, so I am definitely healing. But somewhere, somehow, during this big jolt - my rose coloured (I'm canadian ~ it's supposed to have the "u" there!) glasses got knocked off.

I have tried to put them back on, readjust them, strap tape to them if necessary, but the darn things just won't stay on! I see things differently now, and that makes me sad.

It's not necessarily bad, but I feel so jaded when I look around now. I think it's sad that we can love someone with our whole heart and build a home with them, and with one careless act, our entire sense of worth is in question.

In the end, I guess the lesson is supposed to be "rely on yourself"!

This is the part that I feel sounds jaded, when I say that when push comes to shove only you can ever truly take care of you... I never used to feel that way. I used to think 'together all is possible'. It's not a bad thing at all that it's changed for me, in fact in many ways I like who I am now way more than pre-September. I am more self assured, more independent, more confident and just more comfortable being on my own.

I even have my very own friends now. *Gasp!* Can you believe it?

That'll teach you about complaining about my lack of writing , won't it? Hehehe....

Bahamas here we come!

2009-01-27T21:22:00.000-08:00

This is the phone call I got at work today:

"Babe, I won a trip to the Bahamas!"

Me: "Say what?"

"Yeah, they just called and I got a free trip to the Bahamas"

Me: "Who called?"

"Majestic ~ they pay for everything, except for the flight there. They need our credit card number for that."

Me: "Hold on a sec, they said you won a trip and then they asked you if you had a credit card?"

"Yeah, why?"

I used to wonder WHO falls for these type of scams.

Now I get to sit beside him on the couch every night.

This is good for me?!

2009-01-23T19:16:00.000-08:00

New year's resolutions and all that... someone finally convinced me to take up Pilates. Not that this is a new phase or anything, I know it's been the "cool thing to do" for a while now.

After all, it's all the rage for the Sex and the City stars, so it must be THE workout to try. I have been hearing the same advertisement coming out of people's mouths: "It elongates the muscles, it lengthens the muscle, you get a lean long muscle...bla bla bla"

Enough already. When my work decided to throw a Pilates class pro bono in our lunch hour, I thought I may as well try it.

Let me be the first to tell you, Pilates sucks!

There's absolutely no grace to doing Pilates. I see these women in infomercials - smiling from ear to ear as they effortlessly hold their pose.

Nobody informed me that Pilates moves at the speed of snails going backwards. That's right. Everything is in slow motion. It should be for senior citizens only.

Except for that other part that no one informed me about: Pilates is really tough!

I'm no biker chick, but I thought I could tough out one class of working out. Turns out I was wrong. Holding those crazy poses, for what seems like forever makes me sweat and puff like the magic dragon himself.

Oh yeah, I totally took a beating. And the kicker ~~ After all this talk about elongating and lengthening muscles, I just checked, and it totally didn't work. I'm still 5'3".

So not going back.

Merry Xmas from us to you!

2008-12-12T20:20:00.000-08:00

Life has been hectic, no Christmas cards were sent this year... no presents have been bought yet .. so please excuse my lame blog as of late.

Hope you are all full of holiday spirit and you and your family enjoy this special time~

BLOGHER

2008-11-30T17:25:00.000-08:00

Who's heard of Blogher? It is something fairly new to me too.

Well, what do you know, each year in the summer there is a 2 day blogging conferrence (held in different cities each year).

Well next July it's being held in Chicago!! I totally want to go. I was talking to Laura, who's already gone once, and she loved it. There are seminars to attend so you can learn about how to write the type of material that people are drawn to, and how to improve things on your blog.

Not to mention meeting bloggers that you may or may not know in the blogworld. From all over the world!! (I can't think of a better opportunity than this)

As I was saying, I'd love to go, and I want to see who else would consider joining me? Seriously, 2 days (July 24th and 25th in Chicago...do I have to twist your arm?)

Let me know, and we can chat... there's lots to talk about, like room sharing, favorite beverages and other such important things, etc...

19 days gone...

2008-11-23T19:44:00.000-08:00

And I'm back to let you know that the hateful website - the one which all of you kindly flagged, has finally been (either forced, or willfully - doesn't matter) made private.

Yeay I am so happy that I'm doing a happy snoopy dance around my living room!!

I know I've been gone long, but I know you understand, since I was working on my relationship.

I am happy to report that things are going splendidly and we are awesome, in some ways better than before because now we know what the problems were and have fixed those.

With Xmas coming fast and furious, how is everyone else holding up?

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

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Jp will be in Montreal next weekend, from thursday to monday - so I will have plenty of time for blogging... just giving you the heads up.

In the meantime I'm driving a 'rental' Toyota Corrolla as my Yaris is getting a makeover. It's weird, but after driving a small tiny hatchback for so long, a Corrolla seems gi-normous.

Missed you all and it's good to be back!

~~~~

2008-11-04T19:36:00.000-08:00

Hey y'all!

When I got out of the underground parking the other day - a new driver had a stop sign, waiting to get out of the parking lot and COMPLETLY ignored the stop sign... so this is what my car looks like now:

...

Nice, eh?

My pretty little blue Yaris :=(

Let's move on

2008-10-30T20:12:00.000-07:00

It is almost Halloween after all... and now that we've had the spooky post below, let's have a fun one above it.

Today at work, there was a pumpkin carving contest. Big deal, right? Yeah, that's what I thought too. Oh my gosh was I wrong! WOW

Each department got into it and they were soo competitive. I've never seen anything like it. Now I didn't have a camera handy to take pictures of all the different departments, and because this was a raffle for charity, the pumpkins have already been 'won' by people so they are gone.

But I do have some shots that I received via email from a co worker of a few of the departments... including the department who won the contest.

Here's what we did all day at work, lol.

First up:

Finance Department

They turned their pumpkin into Cinderella...glitter and everything on their pumpkin. How stinkin' cute is that? This was the first pumpkin on display, so it raised the bar. No one even thought about add-ons before this....lol

Next up, came

Police Department

Theirs was the most fun one. If you look closely you can see the half eaten doughnut and coffee on the car. And they are carrying a smaller pumpkin behind them (there is a sign on top marked 'paddy wagon', lol)

Ours is the

Tax Department

We pretty much freaked out when we saw the other ones, as our department consists of 5 girls. Our idea of carving a pumpkin was cut out triangles and a mouth. So, we downloaded some 'easy clown mask pumpkin tips' from the internet and went to the dollar store to buy a carving kit on our break. Then, I called my dad and asked him to raid my daughter's toybox and bring me her Mr. Potato Head's arms so I could use them.

I am not sure what the next one is really supposed to be:

Community Services Department

And the winner is

The Planning Department

It's no wonder they deal with building permits and construction by-laws. I mean just LOOK at their work of art. This must have been planned for for a while. I mean, seriously, did they create blueprints for it? It was awesome. I even voted for it to win, even though I told the girls in Taxes that I voted for ours, tee hee.

My only question is, for the people who won these pumpkins... I wonder how they took them home in one piece?

I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

You want spooky? Read this!

2008-10-29T17:02:00.000-07:00

Okay so I am pissed.

I spent about a week and a half thinking of what to do about this blog. As you all know, I went private for 2 weeks to privately mourn when JP left. Since he's come back and we're working things out, I wanted to make the blog un-private again.

Then I saw a website that my lovely ex boyfriend put up about me. So I clammed up and quickly went private again, when I realized this person is STILL keeping such close tabs on me.

I mean, seriously? You still read me? WTH?

I am angry, freaked out and a bit disturbed by this. He has taken posts that i've written in the past, and spun his own interpretation of it on this web page. Never mind that he's taken something out of contest, or that it's not even true.

Those of you who have read me for a while will remember these posts... after each post he claims something.

At first he claims I went private because I wanted to bad mouth my exhusband Richard. As you all know, (since you've read me for 2 years) that is not the case. I went private because this nutbar (still clearly) followed my life on the blog and I was uncomfortable with that.

Then he claimed I lied about our wedding day. No I didn't. As you all remember, I got married in July and our pictures got lost. We re-did our pictures on our Alaskan cruise, which was in September. (Sept. 11 also happens to be the day we met, so we alwasy from the Alaskan cruise on have referred to that as our anniversary)

Third he claims I bad mouthed JP for leaving me (which you ALL KNOW I DIDN'T) and he claims JP left me for a 'not keeping my legs closed'.... dumbass doesn't know what he's talking about.

Lastly, (on a private blog that only a handful of people still read) I revealed that we were expecting. Obviously that wasn't meant to be, since we lost it are no longer pregnant. He pokes fun at that as well and claims I must have lied since the picture on my blog shows me thin.

I have not retalliated, but I have contacted the municipal police department. I had filed a complaint with them before about him, about a year or so ago... so they have that on file. They told me that if I could prove he's lying and they can do something about it, because its slander.

Now I have two lawyers (Dave and Karen) who read this blog... tell me what my options are here, as I'm getting really fed up of turning the other cheek.

And now, after all that, here is the website (I am only showing you because I contacted Blogger and they said if enough people 'flag' his website they can take action against him as well.)

http://www.jpandmichelle.blogspot.com/ *and yes, for those of you who remember, this was my original blog about how JP and I met, but I deleted it after this asshole found it... then he goes and re-instates it and writes this crap about me*

You tell me, WHO DOES THAT?!

And what should I do about this? Un-private-ize it so he can see that I'm exposing him? Or just keep staying private?

Speaking of odd..

2008-10-21T21:09:00.000-07:00

So I took my toyota to get serviced this weekend. All nice and good. When I went to get in and drive it home, I noticed that all my radio pre-sets were changed. WTF?

WHO does that to a vehicle they service?

I guess nobody likes country anymore...

~~~~~

I *heart* my new job.

The benefits are amazing, we even get to use the gym on our one hour lunch break if we want to (for a nominal fee each pay period). And we get to park underground - for a nominal fee each pay period. We pay 6% of our pay to our pension plan each pay period (the govt matches our contribution), and (yes, you guessed it!!) for a nominal fee each pay period we also get to have cappucinos or all sorts of goodies delivered to our desks each day.

(I can already FEEL me gain back all that weight I lost, haha)

However, by the time you add all these nominal fees all together, I figure I'll be bringing home about $5 every two weeks...

SUPER!

You've got a social life? You must not have children!

2008-09-26T15:02:00.001-07:00

"Mom - I've got a playdate with Cameron" my son informs me today.

And I've got a playdate with Neeve" interrupts my daughter.

My son wants to go to his friend's house. My daughter wants to have her friend come over to our house.

I quickly do a mental check and try and remember if I've cleaned up the dishes from this morning... yup, all clear.

Phew.

Now I just gotta figure out a way to drop off my son and make it back to my place in time for my daughter's playdate. And then, of course, once that is over, race over to my son's friend and pick him up again.

Did I mention I need to make dinner but instead I'm running around like a chaffeur?
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I spend more time making phone calls on behalf of my offspring, arranging and re-arranging playdates than any phone calls I make for my own social life.

In fact, my big calendar on the fridge is colourfully marked with all their activities (my daughter has Sparks and Art and my son has Karate twice a week) as well as playdates.

The other day I was trying to schedule some alone time for me and my husband, and I had to 'fit it in' between all the children's activities!!

Who knew 8 and 6 year olds could have a more active social life than their 35 year old parents?

Dear Jerk behind me in line at the grocery store

2008-09-23T19:36:00.000-07:00

If my children hadn't been with me today, I would've decked you. Right in front of all those witnesses.

I know that you were quite vocal in your displeasure with my son today, and I congratulate you about not only embarrassing yourself and us, but about making a little 8 year old boy feel truly humiliated.
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You see, this is the type of behaviour I expect from kids his age at school, though luckily there hasn't been any. But not from a 40 something old in a public place.

I realize that the loud squeaking coming from him bothered you. In fact, I think even the cashier heard you complaining about it, and she was a few feet away from us. And I couldn't help noticing you giving him a dirty look when he kept jerked his head back repeatedly. I especially am impressed with your sensitive nature when you loudly declared "there's something wrong with this kid"!

My son's tics got progressively louder after that, and he couldn't wait to get back into the car. Him and I both.

Your insensitive and thoughtless act has done damage to a sensitive young soul. I am very glad that my 6 year old daughter had the sense to scold you and tell you to 'stop being rude'! You see, she understands that when someone is different - we do not point or loudly talk about that difference. She also understands that the person that is different than her, has the same feelings that she does, and therefore she wanted you to stop making her brother feel bad.

If you had been nicer, or perhaps more sensitive, I could have told you that my son has Tourette's. He has involuntary tics. He squeaks, he grunts and he blinks his eyes a hundred times a minute. He also shrugs his shoulders and leans his head backward.

These don't usually occur at the same time, and they are usually not loud/pronounced enough for anyone to comment on them. Surpressing a tic only works for a short period of time. And it requires tremendous amount of concentration and effort, time better spent on other things - you know, like being 8 years old. A tic is like a sneeze, you can hold it back for a while, but eventually it has to come out.

I am mortified at your behaviour, I am amazed that I felt powerless to defend my son - normally I am much more confrontational when I feel strongly about something. I guess you took me off guard.

I went home and talked to my son about people like you. We both agree that you wouldn't make a very good friend.

Today I had a glimpse of what life could be like for my son. But I also had a glimpse of the strength that his sister displayed and the grace with which my son handled the situation. I would've burst into tears if I had been 8 and I had a grown up talk about me like that.

My son is wise beyond his years.

You however, need to go back to kindergarten.

I think you may have missed out on the first lesson:

Treat others like you want to be treated.

Now that Big Brother's over...

2008-09-17T21:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the cleaners got fired, so we all had to take our garbage to the dump ourselves.

Nothing like trotting across the parking lot in stilletos and a white leaking bag of crap.

Today the water guy came in an proceeded to remove our water cooler.

Did I mention we're on well water? Hello!!!

Anybody else smell layoffs coming?

Blogland

2008-08-24T07:59:00.000-07:00

Reposting this for Fned ....

Blog land. It's a different kind of place.

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For those of you who have recently moved to the neighborhood, welcome. This is really the kind of place most people usually only read about. It's nowhere in particular, but right outside your front door. You can be yourself. Or anyone else for that matter.

You can be as open or as raw as you wish. You can be as creative or as imaginative as you wish. You can be the person next door, or you can be the one that's unreachable.

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Blog land has rules, as most good lands do. But blogland's rules are a bit sketchy and not as rigid. Most of us who live here are easygoing and there are not a lot of hooligans around. I am only guessing, but if we were to be asked what motivated us to move to blogland, I bet most would say we were just looking for a place to be ourselves .

Be it fact or fiction, entertaining or dramatic, we all want a piece of our own land, here in blogland.

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So we moved and we built our own little space, eventually we met the neighbours. Like all lands, we'll have many that we instantly click with and like to catch up with every day and some that we don't click with as well, but feel like we have to stop and wave every once in a while or they'll get mad.

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Sometimes we get stuck in a neighbourhood with that one neighbour that nobody likes but everyone sort of puts up with. Probably the lady with the hundred cats, who nobody visits. She'll sometimes come by and you just think to yourself " I bet those cats would leave too, if they weren't locked in"...

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Another common trend in our land is voyeurism. We all have those familiar faces that we see, and start to recognize, but for some reason they never stop to wave or say hi. They just watch us from the car. Then they leave just as quickly as they came, but days later, we spot them again. Makes me wonder, why are they here? Are they scouting the neighbourhood, trying to decide if they want to move there? Or are they simply lost? Should I say hi first?

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I wonder if it's hard being a police officer in blogland. It's really not a very fast paced place. I doubt the officers get to write a lot of tickets for not stopping at the red blog. Or taking off too quick from another one. Indeed it's the kind of place where all happens at your own pace, and on your own time. If you don't have time for it today, blogland waits for your tomorrow.

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Sort of like Florida I would imagine.

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Sometimes it seems like a "masquerade party".... everyone has their own masks on, looking for clues to other's identity. Some are quite cleverly disguised...like the cat lady, (who I bet, if you look closer is probably male) and some not so much.

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After almost a year of being here, I have decided that I am glad I moved here, and have all of you as neighbours. I am happy to come home and catch up with you, learn about your day, and even after I am asleep, it feels good to know that you can still check up on me.

Yup. I sure do have great neighbours here. I'd lend each of you a cup of sugar anytime.

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Even those of you who never stop and say hi.

Is it over yet?

2008-08-19T21:03:00.000-07:00

I am sure I have mentioned this before. I hate nature. I know a lot of you are going camping these days, happily sleeping outdoors in a tent and cooking weenies over a fire and dousing yourselves with bug spray.

Not me.

And this weekend reminded me of why I hate nature so much.

1. On Friday, I had zero mosquito bites. By Sunday night, after spending Saturday and Sunday outdoors, I have 11 just on my legs. When I was little, my mom used to say they'd bite me because I was so sweet.
.

I'm not that sweet at all.

Bugs just suck.

2. I was at a girlfriend's house in her bathroom upstairs. So I see the shadow of a dragonfly on the window and open the window to flick the screen and make it go away. Well, I forgot that there is no screen and not one but THREE dragonflies flew into the bathroom. I had to flee, slamming the door behind me. I am only hoping they starve or run out of oxygen or something before I have to go back in there. Thank God for multiple bathrooms.

Again, bugs suck.

3. We are out bbq'ing and I look at our patio set. WTF is that all over the chairs? OMG, it's spider webs, attaching the chairs to each other, and the webs are covered in a combination of teensy little spiders and spider eggs. We had just been sitting on these chairs a few nights before and there was none of this. DIS-gusting.

And, once again, bugs suck.

4. A bee was in my kitchen. I freaked out. I smashed it against the window with a coupon-envelope-thingee. It fell to the window sill. I smushed it against the window frame with a big glass bottle that's on the sill. Whew, it's dead.
.

I leave it there for Frenchie to pick up later. ( i don't really touch bugs in any way, shape or form) and I continue doing the dishes when I hear buzzing. OMG, the thing came back to life! I grab the coupon-envelope-thingee again and hit it, four times, against the window. It appears to be dead, but I do not fall for it this time. I see its little stinger twitching and I know it's trying to reincarnate so it can sting me. So I hit it again three times for good measure, then swipe it into the sink, into the drain and drown it. I run the water for a good 3 minutes, just to be sure. It swirls down the drain, never to be heard from again.

If a soggy bee comes after me tomorrow, I'm making a movie about it!

5. The scariest part of the weekend having to do with nature: we were outside golfing on Sunday evening. When we got back, I talked to the neighbors about enjoying the weather. When all of a sudden we hear a rustling noise. Now, I live in the suburbs, but practically the city. We do not have animals of any kind except for squirrels and the occasional chipmunk.

So I start freaking out. Their boys think it's a racoon, but I think "no way!" We don't have wild animals like racoons and tigers and giraffes around here! Her husband goes inside and gets a flashlight. He shines it toward the bushes and what do we see but a baby bear? Which means, his mother is not far behind.
.

Did I mention this is in our back yard?! This cannot be. I decide right then and there, as I barricaded myself in the house, that we need to move someplace less rural.
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Nature sucks.

I am never going outside again.

2008-08-12T18:36:00.000-07:00

Today is not our anniversary. It is not my birthday. It is not even the day after a fight.

But this is what he wrote:

Hmmm .... I wonder what he wants?

I'm doing what?!

2008-08-09T22:02:00.002-07:00

The reason I got into blogging at first is to journal. To put pen to paper and to write. Freely, and without censorship.

I've always loved to write.
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But what started off as something I wanted to do for me, somehow ended up being something I do for others.

Don't get me wrong, I love it. I love blogging. In fact, I love it so much that I forgot that it was supposed to be about me, and it became all about you, the readers.

I look for comments and rejoice in the fact that there are some, or equally I am puzzled by other posts I write that hardly get any comments at all. As mentioned, at some point or another, slowly my writing changed and instead of 'journaling' as I'd intended, I'd turned into a comment counter.
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Which brings me to now:

I'm writing a book. Probably not a great book, or even a good book. But nonetheless I am writing it and it's all mine.

( Amazing, isn't it, that if you throw enough money at someone they will publish any old garbage?! )

I've compiled a bunch of short stories, mostly like a diary, from my past that I would like to remember - or at least have someone read to me as I get old - that will remind me that I lived a full life and that each chapter of that life was filled with something memorable.

Not everything in my life has turned up roses, and I'd like to remember that part as well. As I get older, I like to forget certain things I've said or done that paint me in a negative light, or that show my unflattering selfish ways, but those too, I've documented in this book.

When it is finished, I will keep it, and perhaps when my kids are grown, they will read it and maybe for the first time in their life they will see me as I was, before I became their mama.

"The night before we left on our trip, we went out to a club locally. Drunk and hot on the dance floor, I actually literally bumped into K. We both stopped in the middle of the dance and just stared. I was still mad, and tried to walk away. He grabbed my arm and escorted me outside. He wanted to talk. Reasonable as he always was, K told me how I had hurt him with my ultimatum. He said he never pictured himself with anyone else and he couldn't believe we hadn't talked in so long. He wanted to make up for lost time and hang out.I told him about my 2 week vacation coming up and he made me promise I'd call him once I got back. I promised I'd think about it.

When my gal pal and I arrived at our vacation resort, we realized we were in heaven. Hot air filled up the airport as we stepped off the plane. Smoggy hot air. No airconditioning in sight. After a long cold winter, to us, it was heaven.The taxi driver drove like a maniac all the way to our hotel. It looked much fancier in the brochure but we didn't care. It was clean and it was in a tropical place. For the next couple weeks, it'd be home.I proceeded to unpack my suitcases, but my fun loving friend persuaded me to leave them and head out on the town. A quick change out of our travelling clothes and we were ready to party. There is nothing like being young and single on vacation with a girl friend. The world is your oyster.

The first bar we went into, we sat down and met two other 'white girls' who became our bossom buddies for the night. Shooters, drinks and tequila shots flowed freely. Smoking like there's no tomorrow. Yup, this was the life.Our waiter was a very exotic looking fellow with dark curly long hair. You could tell that without the product holding it together it was unmanagably curly hair. It made me want to grab it and hold on to it. His eyes were the darkest of dark with long black eyelashes. When he smiled, he flashed perfectly white and straight pearly whites. One earing in one ear, and when he leaned in to poor the drinks I could see that he had a cross necklace through his unbuttoned shirt.

The accent and exotic look were too much for me. I asked for his name. It was G. I introduced myself, and asked the girls to take a picture of my mystery man and myself. Oddly enough it didn't scare him off. I smiled brightly and he dutyfully posed for the camera.As we were getting ready to leave I took my napkin of the table and wrote "What time do you get off?" He took the napkin (later I learned it was to get it translated, as he hardly spoke -let alone read- english)and when he returned there was "5AM" written on it.I gestured that I would come back for him at that time, and he seemed exited as well. We barhopped some more, getting back to the hotel around 3am. As my girlfriend passed out in the bed next to me, I called the front desk for a wake up call for 4:40am. I took a cab and went back to the bar where G was.

I'm sure he never expected to see me, as he seemed pleasantly surprised. I stayed until they cleaned up, and at the end of his shift, a bunch of them went out for breakfast. I joined them, my first taste of deliciously local food. As my tastebuds rejoiced, my eyes feasted only on G.I hardly knew him, but I couldn't keep my hands off him. He was only too happy to oblige, and we went back to his apartment and made love in his pool. Then we fell asleep wrapped in each others arms and I spent most of the morning taking in his scent. He was unlike any other man I had been with. He was nothing like sweet K. He was daring, exotic, mysterious and dangerous. He looked like trouble and I was hooked. That afternoon when we finally woke up, we talked for the first time. Really talked. It was rough at first as I didn't speak his language at all and he barely spoke mine. But we managed. We drew on napkins, we acted out charades and made sound effects in order to get ourselves understood. To tell you the truth, we clicked immediatly and neither one of us seemed concerned about the language issue.

We took a cab back to my hotel, where my poor roomate was frantic that I hadn't returned. Her mouth dropped when she saw me with G. Even more surprised was she when I told her I'd be taking my bags and 'storing them' at G's apartment for now. I wanted to be with him every second of this short 2 weeks and she thought I had gone mental.Of course we had the normal "how do you know he's not some psycho?" conversation, and she reminded me that he probably thought I was some easy chick from abroad looking for a fling. She told me to be careful and safe and I assured her I'd see her that evening after G went to work.

For the next 2 weeks, I hung out with my girlfriend in the evenings and partied with her, but I always found my way back to G's bar before closing time to pick him up and 'go home'. G had a motorcycle and on his days off we'd take off and explore the surroundings. It was so different being with him, there were no rules. He did what he wanted when he wanted. He and I answered only to each other. We talked about our home lives, our families and how we grew up. We noticed similarites in our upbringing and cultures that at first one may not see right away. We bonded and for the first time in my life I had met someone who, like me, thought the only thing that mattered in life was love.

All else would fall into place."

Now don't you go worrying your pretty little heads, I will still blog for comments on this blog!

Blogger eats comments?!

2008-08-07T21:05:00.000-07:00

How odd... I've heard of this, but it's the first time that it happened to me... I had 2 comments eaten by blogger yesterday, Hammer's and Sayre's. Both were there, and then they were gone... has that ever happened to anyone?

------

Sayre's comment was a meme, so here we go:

(she did bribe me with an award, so how can I refuse?)

Attached or single? Attached. Married to Frenchie.

Best friend? Frenchie.

Cake or Pie? Pie a la Mode.

Day of Choice? Sunday.

Essential Item? A purse to complete your outfit.

Favorite color? Red.

Gummy bears or worms? Gummy bears.

Hometown? Little town in eastern europe.

Indulgence? Massages, purses, shoes.

January or July? We have both kids birthday in January, right after Xmas...so I'd say July.

Kids? A couple.

Life isn't complete.... without my husband and my kids.

Marriage Date? Sept 11... I know... I know.

Number of Brothers and Sisters? I'm an only child.

Oranges or Apples? Apples - does anyone really prefer oranges?!

Phobias? Someone hurting my kids. I'm paranoid.

Quote? "This too, shall pass."

Reasons to Smile? Tonight? Jesse got evicted from Big Brother. I'm addicted, remember?!

Season of Choice? Fall. I love fall. Beautiful colours everywhere, and hands down the best wardrobe choices.

Tag Seven People No thanks.

Unknown Fact? My mother and I do not get along. At all.

Vegetable? Cilantro. Is that a vegetable?

Worst habits? Micro managing everybody.

XRay or Ultrasound? Xray. Broken limbs can be fixed.

Your favorite food? Mongolian. Thai. Indian. In that order.

Zodiac sign? Cancer.

So there you have it, another meme all done. Learned anything new?

And thank you, Sayre, for the award... you know I'm an attention whore, don't ya?

I love awards, recognition and all sorts of bling!

A tourist in my own town

2008-08-02T21:31:00.000-07:00

I am so tired, I can barely type. We've been playing tourist ever since the kids arrived from Montreal.

We've walked downtown, we've gone to Grouse Mountain, even did the Grouse Grind Trail (which, by the way, for those of you who don't know is an insanely steep 'hike', 2.9 km uphill) we've gone to Stanley park, Capilano Suspension Bridge, and tomorrow we are heading to Vancouver Island.

I have come to realize that although I live in this city, I don't know as much about it as I should.

Jp's eldest son is quite curious and smart, asking all sorts of good questions, like: "how many people live here?" "When was this bridge built?" "Why did they name it Stanley Park?"

I had to shrug at all of them. "I don't know kid... I just live here".

Have you ever had company in town, and been a really bad tour guide?

One that shouldn't be allowed to show tourists around?

The kind like me?

I mean, you have to make shit up if you don't know, right?

So I did... we'll see how much of my crap they're going to remember once they get home and tell their mother.

I can already see her eyes rolling now.

(All indignant, like only the french know how to do)

We are the host city for the 2010 Olympics, I'd better learn some trivia fast so I can answer the millions of questions that will come from the many many tourists.

Before I do that, I'm gonna pass out of sheer exhaustion first.

Or so they say....

2008-07-29T20:51:00.000-07:00

Bear with me as I re-post a couple of posts from my previous blog... Jp's kids are in town from Montreal til August 9th,

(yes - both of them, and NO they don't speak english!)

So I don't have time for new posts... I know there are a handful of reders who followed me here from my old blog, and if you've read this before, I appologize.

A little padding never hurt anyone...

But how would you feel if you had a playdate for your 5 year old one afternoon...

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Let's suppose Ms. Snobby dropped off her junior at your house.

Then suppose you tried not to notice her looks of disaproval as she notices that your house is probably 3 times smaller than hers.

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Furthermore suppose that the same Ms. Snobby comes back to pick up junior and wants to come in. Suppose you let the kids play quietly by themselves, and are quite proud of how nicely and quietly they've been playing.

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Assume that you let Ms. Snobby into the house and together you go to get junior for her. Then suppose they are not in their room, so you call for them. Pretend that their voices are coming from the bathroom down the hall...

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Skip to the part where you enter the bathroom, and find the kids sticking maxi pads ALL OVER YOUR BATHROOM WALLS. ("mom, we're wallpapering your bathroom")

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How would you feel?

Yup, that's EXACTLY how I felt.

Couldn't think of 6, so you get 100.

2008-07-21T18:49:00.000-07:00

UPDATE:

We're going away for the weekend to a golf

and spa resort, where we plan on enjoying both equally. We'll be back on sunday night. (Yes, it's a birthday re-do for me)

I was tagged again, by V.V. Dancing Madrona this time, to write 6 things about myself.

Instead of thinking up new 6 things, I'm re-posting an old post with 100 things about myself:

(hopefully that still counts, eh K?)

1. I was born in Transylvania.
2. I lived there until my teenage years.
3. I legally changed my first name at 25.
4. I also added a middle name just for fun at the same time.
5. My astrological sign is Cancer.
6. English is my 3rd language.
7. I also speak a 4th.
8. I don't have a birth certificate.
9. I have been married. And divorced. Twice.
10. I always wanted to have blue eyes.
11. My favorite movie is "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers".
12. I broke both my arms twice. Not at the same time.
13. I read by candle light while I was young, and have bad eyes because of it.
14. I don't like to eat red meat. Or pork.
15. I became a parent by accident.
16. My grandfather was a gypsy.
17. My blood type is 0 negative.
18. I don't like public pools.
19.I required stitches after my left foot got accidentally hit with an axe by my friend.
20. I prefer pickles to cookies.
21. While visiting a foreign country I decided to live there, and simply stayed. For 4 years.
22. I weigh the same now as I did in high school.
23. I prefer white gold to gold.
24. I ate my first banana at age 13.
25. My husband is my best friend.
26. My best girl friend forgot I existed the moment she met her current boyfriend, that was last year...
27. I have a good memory. When I was younger I could remember all the numbers on a telephone book page. I don't think that was useful information.
28. In school I got bugged for getting good grades.
29. My shoe size is 7.
30. I am an only child.
31. I want to live in South America.
32. I don't sew. Not even a button.
33. When I was 16 my French teacher said I'd never amount to anything.

34. I became an accountant and last year, the same teacher asked me to do her taxes. I said no.
35. My first kiss was in grade 8.
36. I once accidentally killed a bird by running it over.
37. I am outspoken and am often perceived as abrupt or insensitive.
38. I get nightmares when I am upset.
39. I never had to wear braces.
40. I have recently switched jobs.
41. I love paint-by-numbers projects.
42. Between JP and me, we have 4 children.
43. 3 out of the 4 are affected by autism.
44. I don't like snow.
45. I'm afraid of flying. And bears. Equally.
46. I have been "the other woman".
47. Past lives fascinate me.
48. I am a cat person.
49. When I was pregnant I was in a car accident.
50. I have scoliosis because of it.
51. My exboyfriend is my only regret.
52. I own more than one wig.
53. I don't understand computers.
54. My cousin and I recently found out we're in fact not related at all.
55. I had a job once that was only based on commission. It was one of my favorites.
56. I don't own an ipod. Or an mp3 player.
57. I only listen to Country Music.
58. I don't care if people make fun of it.
59. I have no traditions that I can remember.
60. I drive 60 minutes to eat at my favorite restaurant.
61. I am an auditory learner.
62. In university I taped my lectures and listened to them in my car.
63. When I was young I thought I'd be an astronaut.
64. Looking at a rollercoaster gets me motion sick.
65. My Christmas decorations come down on Boxing Day.
66. I read all my junk mail.
67. I don't camp. Ever.
68.When I was a kid, I almost got bit by a snake.
69. I woke up once to find a cockroach on my face in Mexico.
70. I drove on the autobahn in Germany at 16.
71. I (used to) take 4 sugars in my coffee. Now I'm down to 2.
72. I re-decorate and re-paint my bedroom on a regular basis.
73. My friends are mostly male. (actually this is no longer true)
74. I recently had a hernia that needed to be operated on.
75. Both my kids were colicky as infants.
76. I always wanted to have an easy last name. Never happened.
77. I can not catch a ball that is thrown at me.
78. I am over sensitive to criticism.
79. I have a tattoo.
80. After that I discovered I am allergic to tattoo ink.
81. I only drink one or two cups of water a day.
82. The first thing I notice about people is their eyebrows.
83. I am slightly claustrophobic.
84. My favorite book is still "1984".
85. When I was in high school my best friend and I made up our own secret language. It included symbols and characters. I still remember it.
86. I rarely chew gum. It reminds me of cows.
87. I had a paper route when I was a kid.
88. I've never had chicken pox.
89. I prefer the toilet paper to roll off the top.
90. I almost ate turtle once, but couldn't go through with it.
91. I like to smell things. All things. I do it subconsciously and it annoys people.
92. I can't fall asleep if music is on.
93. I like traditional man/woman roles.
94. When brushing my teeth, I like to sit on my bathroom counter.
95. I don't like when teachers go on strike.
96. I used to eat pizza with just green olives on it. Yum.
97. I cut my tomatoes is wedges not slices.
98. I pay my bills as soon as I get them in the mail.
99. As a child I used to pick up frogs and kiss them to see if they’d turn into princes.
100. I take great pleasure in refilling things, like salt shakers and liquid soap dispensers.

What a difference a day makes

2008-07-19T21:17:00.000-07:00

Now that I've officially turned 33, I figure it was time for a change.

YESTERDAY

TODAY

Out of the hospital

2008-07-17T22:03:00.000-07:00

So, we're home. And he's doing much better.
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You guys all rock.

Some of you were kind enough to email me and share your own experiences with me. And so many of you left me nice thoughtful comments. I know a few of you prayed for him, and I thank you for that as well.

Let's recap. He got sick just before my birthday, with something that I thought was a normal cold. He had very high fever, 104...for 6 days straight. When I went to the doctor the first time, around day 3 of the fever, they told me it was just a cold and to wait it out.

Then he ended up with some really big swollen lymph nodes in his neck and a rash on his body. We went to the Children's Hospital, where they told us he had 3 out of the 5 signs of Kawasaki Disease. (What the hell is Kawasaki disease, right? I heard of the Kawasaki - the motorcycle)

Click here to read more about Kawasaki disease.

With Kawasaki, there is a potential for its young victims to develop severe heart problems and it has even been known to cause heart attacks in kids, and if not treated, could potentially become fatal in some cases, so the doctors were very clear when they told us that if he does have Kawasaki, it needs to be treated within 10 days of the onset of the first symptoms in order for him to have a 90% rate of recovery.

The treatment would include an intravenous dose of antibodies of gamma globulin (purified antibodies) from other blood donors, to clean his blood basically. Anyway, they were going to start the treatment on day 8...wednesday. But then, that morning we found out he tested positive for another virus...that only mimics Kawasaki disease.

Big sigh of relief.

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This one is also a lymph node virus, but it's one that he can recover from on his own. It's just going to take another week or so before he is all better and back to normal.

So...it's been a roller-coaster of a week, him and I both lost 5 pounds (me due to stress, and him due to the illness) but I gained about a million grey hairs in the process.

Next year, I'm skipping my birthday alltogether.... just in case.

FOR UPDATE, READ MY LAST COMMENT

2008-07-10T19:48:00.001-07:00

To lighten the mood somewhat, and because it's my birthday tomorrow, JP and I went golfing. It's something we like doing together. I am not good at all, so he's teaching me :-) Here is a short clip of us, isn't his accent just so cute?

Un Fucking Believable

2008-07-08T20:10:00.001-07:00

*Steam coming out of my ears*

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I am so mad. Let me start at the beginning. A month ago I get a call from my mastercard company, Capital One. (That's right, I'm naming names)

Capital One: "good afternoon, bla bla bla, nonsense, nonsense... we'd like to offer you a new credit card with a microchip in it that would be better for you than your current one"

Me: No thanks.

Capital One: "actually ma'am we're going to send this card to all our customers as we are updating our system".

Me: "So, it's less of you offering it to me, than it is you bullying me into taking your new card"

C.O: "Oh, we wouldn't refer to it that way".
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Me: "Of course you wouldn't."

So, they send their bloody card. Or so I thought. Fast forward about 2 weeks, and I realize I haven't yet received this magical card from them yet. So I call them. *I should probably inform you that calling any credit card company is on my least favorite things to do list. It ranks right up there with calling the phone or cell phone company. They piss me off every single time*

Capital One: "Oh, you didn't get your card?"

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Me: "Nope. Can we just forget the whole thing now, and I'll just keep my old one"

C.O: "Oh no, we'll have to send you a new one. But now we may have a breech in the card so we'll have to issue you a new account number."

Me: "What does that mean?"

CO: "The card you have now will become invalid at the end of this call and we'll send you a brand new one with a new account number within 10 business days"

Me: "WHAT?! Are you frikkin' kidding me? I don't want my card to be invalid, there's a long weekend coming up."

CO: "I'm sorry ma'am it's to protect you against fraud."
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I hang up.

How the fuck are they protecting me against fraud? I never asked for their stupid card. Now, I am without a c/c for 2 weeks. On a long weekend. Granted, I don't use it much, so I am grateful for that. But I'm still pissed.

Fast forward to yesterday. It's been 2 weeks. No card yet. I call them again.
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Me: " Where the hell is my card?"

C.O: "We sent it 2 weeks ago."
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Me: "Well, did you send it to me?! 'Cause I didn't get it. Just like the first one I didn't get. And now I have no c/c"

C.O: "Well, it shows it hasn't been activated yet, so that is a good sign."
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Me: "Indeed. When can I expect it?"

CO: "Any day now. But I can offer you extra protection if you want it. We can ask them to request a password upon activation of the new card."
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Me: "So, just for the activation, the person would need a password to activate it?"
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CO: " That is correct. That way it can only be activated by you."

Me: " Okay. Let's put a password on the activation."

Done. I feel slightly less annoyed. Then today, I get my card in the mail. I open it up. It doesn't look any different as my old card. What makes this card so coveted?

I see a big sticker on the card that says "Call here to activate". So I call. It's an automated message. It asks for the card number. "Your card is activated" it tells me.

What the fuck? Why put the damn password on if I can activate it without one?
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I call them again. I can't even get a word in, she asks for my password.
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Me: "Yeah, that's what I'm calling about. I shouldn't have a password on my account. It was supposed to be for activation purposes only. But I just activated it, without being asked for the password."

CO: "Did you call the customer help line to activate the card or the automated line?"
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Me: "Well, I called the number on the orange sticker. It was an automated line."
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CO:"We can't have passwords on the automated line. Only at customer service".

Me: " You guys said the password is to stop any possible fraud against the card being activated by someone else. If someone else were to find it, why would they call the number on the statement? They'd obviously use the automated line to activate it, which means it didn't protect against fraud at all".

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CO: "It would have had they called the customer service line"

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Me: "You're missing the point. Never mind. Just take the damn thing off and let's just get on with it."

CO: "I'm sorry but passwords can only be removed after writing a letter in to customer service"

Me: "What? what are you talking about?"

I'll spare you the rest of the conversation. Turns out even though I didn't ask for the card, and didn't want my account changed or cancelled, and didn't actually want a password on the account, but only on the activation (Which by the way, what was the point of that anyway?) I do now, need to write a letter and spend even more time on this god forsaken company to undo this password.

I know that to most this wouldn't be a big deal. But it IS a big deal to me! This is complete foolishness. Why take a password over the phone (never mind that they're not describing the rules accurately, therefor I'm making a decision based on mis-information) but now, to undo, it must be in writing?

That's wrong.

I know it's petty, but it's the principal behind this people! I've told my husband and my parents about this because I was outraged. All have said to drop it.

But principals are not like a hat that you take off or on when it's convenient. You either have them or you don't.

So, I'll write my letter. And another one to the supervisor. And then, I'll call them just one more time.

To change my password to 'dumbass'.

Offensive to sensitive readers

2008-07-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

So here's my beef with women: They manipulate men.

Now before you go and send me nasty comments, I have plenty of women that I have as friends and they are dear friends to me. I am in no way saying that ALL women are manipulators (After all, I am a woman so that wouldn't be very smart of me)

But I am talking about women in general. You know what I mean ladies. When you pout and cry and yell and scream, or make yourself appear more vulnerable than you really are, just to make that certain man in your life act according to your will.

I've just about had it with those types of women! Yes it works, and most of the time the man doesn't even realize he's being manipulated. But I hate when otherwise intelligent women resort to this type of behaviour.

Stomping your feet and slamming doors will not change what is happening around you. All it does is let everyone know that you are feeling out of control. And what bugs me is when otherwise intelligent men sit miserably by, while it all plays out.

Granted, only a nice guy will allow you to act like a primadonna and not put you in your place, but come on nice guys! You don't have to let women walk all over you. There are plenty of women who , appreciate but not take advantage of, a 'nice guy'.

Plenty that will treat you with the respect you deserve, and love you without trying to change you into someone else.

My grandpa always said: "Men marry hoping their wives will never change. Women marry hoping their husbands will."

Sad, but true.

Bragging

2008-07-01T21:20:00.000-07:00

Most of you know by now that my frenchie is a pretty awesome photographer.

He is much more shy and modest than me, so he never boasts about his skill - but this time I thought I should.

I am so excited to tell you that he'll be participating in an Art Exhibition soon! I'm proud of him for being part of it, especially since it's an exhibition entirely and totally about him as an artist and they'll have only his work on display.

Today we had to pick a handful of photos out of thousands that he has, to be displayed at this art show. He'll be displaying about 15 - 20 pieces.

Wanna see some of the ones we picked?

(they're local photos, and fairly recent, which was part of their request)

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Cool right?
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Too bad you don't live closer, I'd so invite you to come!
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You know you totally want the free champagne :-)

I must speak more slowly...

2008-06-27T22:37:00.000-07:00

(This is a recycled post from my old blog.)

This post is all about my old job. Mostly actually, it's just about me venting about stupid people.

My title at my last job was "Dealer's Sales Liaison" which is fancy schmancy and doesn't mean anything - but I liked it anyway.

I liked my job exept on days like like this one.

It was crazy busy and everyone was pulling out their hair. (A common occurance on the last day of the month as we struggled to collect our outstanding accounts receivables.)

Patience is highly over rated on a day like that. One of our computers crashed (hmmm...come to think about it, maybe it was me - I'm awfully bad with technology) so I was trying to call the Geek Squad (actual company name).

It went something like this:

Me: I don’t know why I got the dispatch department. I need tech support. Could you transfer me please?

Replicant: I see here that you have a parts order being processed. Do you need the status of your shipment?

Me: No. I need support. Could you please transfer me to technical support?

R: Okay. But before I transfer you, what’s the problem?

M: Well, my computer died this morning. It needs a new motherboard which is the new part that you see a dispatch order for. However, I need to ask a technician about recovering some data.

R: Well, I cannot help you with that

M: (Well, no kidding!) Yes, I kind of imagined that. Hence, why I’m asking you transfer me to tech support

R: Okay, since you have a technical question and I cannot help you with that, I’m going to have to transfer you to the technical support department who’ll be able to help you with your technical question. Long pause...

M: Yes???

R: So right now I’m going to be transferring you to the technical support department so they can help you with the troubleshooting you need. Okay?

M: (Yawn) I thought we had established that already

R: Okay! So I’m going to have to put you on hold so I can get a technician on the line.

M: Sure. Do you think we can skip to the part where you actually transfer me to tech support?

R: Sure. Can I get your permission to put you on hold so I can transfer you to the tech support department?

M: (In tears of desperation and hope) Do I have a choice? Bloody do it already!

I never knew my patience could be squeezed like a shammy for an entire 20 minutes.

Free Money

2008-06-25T20:16:00.000-07:00

I passed my 3 month probation at my new job a few weeks ago, and to my *pleasant* surprise, I got a very nice raise. Of course, I am excited about it and JP and I are now trying to work out our finances and monthly budget with the new amount.

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Well, today I got my very first cheque with the new amount. It was considerably higher than I'd expected. I called him at work, we both laughed and cheered.

At home, again we talked about how much difference this raise has made. Then my smart husband says "I'm sure it's a mistake, that is too much"... so we work it out on paper.

And it IS a mistake!

It's exactly double than what I'm supposed to get. You see, our accountant resigned the same day I got the raise. Before she left, she ammended my pay to reflect my raise that I got. The next day the new accountant started at our company. She was asked to make sure the raise got included in my pay.

(I am only guessing the next part, but I'm pretty sure this is what happened)

She also added the raise to my (already elevated) salary.

So now, both of them have added this and I'm stuck with the extra money. The problem is that now that I think I've figured it out I don't know if I can keep it. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I shouldn't.

Karma and all....

ARGGG....Why'd Jp have to go and notice this?

At least before I could claim ignorance.

So, do I tell or keep the money?

UPDATE: i did tell. I went to the accountant first thing the next morning and showed her my stub.

Meme

2008-06-21T17:09:00.000-07:00

If you hate MEME's blame Queen, she tagged me. (how's that for pointing fingers?)

You're supposed to sum up your last 15 years in 10 bullet points, as if you were talking to someone who used to know you before.

15 years ago = June 1993.

1. 1993 = I was living in Berlin, as an exchange student.

(actually I was supposed to be there for 6 months, but I fell in love with it, and didn't want to return. To my teacher and parents' dismay, I decided to just 'stay longer' and I stretched it out to a full year... I'll never forget it.)

2. 1994 = Came back and graduated from highschool in Canada

(I ended up graduating a year late, but it was all worth it, since I now speak German and still keep in contact with friends that I met there)

3. 1995 = Went to Mexico, for vacation, met a cute latin bartender and decided to stay there.

(My roommate and I went to Puerto Vallarta for a 2 week holiday. The first night we arrived, I saw the most beautiful man in the world... short, dark and handsome - well, he was mexican and they're all short -. I was captivated and that night I ended up moving into his apartment and 'lived' with him for the remainder of my 2 week holiday.

My girlfriend = not impressed at all)

4. 1996 = Married my bartender and started working as an english teacher in Mexico.

(Well, after the 2 weeks were over, my new 'boyfriend' drove us both to the airport and as we were checking our bags, he gets on one knee and proposes with everyone watching. He had a ring and everything. How can you not say YES? So, I tore up my ticket and said "SI". My girlfriend who, as mentioned, was also my roommate back home = not impressed.

( FYI - I paid rent for another month so she'd get over it, lol-)

5. 1998 = Divorced the cute bartender because he didn't want to have babies, moved back to Canada.

(Yeah, yeah, before you think "of course it didn't work!" let me just say that I think we'd have had a good shot at making it, had we agreed on this issue. Of course, perhaps we SHOULD'VE discussed it BEFORE we got married, but in our defense, we hardly spoke the other one's language when we first met...lol. -wait, I think I may have just made that worse- Hehe. I still keep in touch with him - he's remarried and still doesn't want children)

6. 1999 = Came back to Canada and married my best guy friend - because he wanted babies

(After my first divorce I was devastated, I was heartbroken. My friend, who'd always liked me, was nice to me and we seemed to have the same goals so we decided - on a whim one weekend- we'd get married and have babies. Lots of babies. That would make it all okay I thought and it'd get me over my loss)

7. 2000 = Had my first baby. A boy. Yeay.

(We had our first child right away, and I was over the moon.)

8. 2002 = Had second baby. This time a girl. Yeay again.

(Again, I was over the moon, I had two babies - one boy one girl. What more could I ask for?)

9. 2004 = Divorced best guy friend and remained friends.

(We realized that our marriage was a mistake since we were more friends than anything. Unfortunatly it was a rebound relationship. A weird fit from the start. The divorce was a good idea, but breaking up our family was the hardest thing I've ever had to do)

10. 2006 = Met my frenchie... and two years later married him.

(I met JP at the aquarium, in Vancouver when he was on a business trip here. He was living in Quebec then, and I was here... people thought we were crazy when we got together. We did the whole long distance dating for 9 months before he moved here.

Now, for the first time in 12 years I can truly say I'm in love again, and this time, we got it right.

Don't laugh - Sometimes, third time IS a charm.

If you want to do the MEME - let me know that you've done it, and I'll be the first to come by and read it.

2008-06-19T20:30:00.000-07:00

I was in the bathroom bathing my son when the phone rang. I reached over to see who it was on the call display, but I missed it.
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So, I chose not to answer. I hate not knowing who is calling ahead of time. I'm one of those people who will screen my calls.

Later in the evening, after the kids are both in bed, I decide to call the mystery number back.

I try not to feel like an idiot when I say:

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"Uh, I think someone called me from this number".
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A man's voice answers back in a very thick accent, appologizing for dialing the wrong number.

He excuses himself again for misdialing, and just as I'm about to hang up after saying goodbye, I hear the stranger on the other line say "Bye Michelle".
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It takes me about a minute to go "HUH?" to myself but I don't dare call back the creepy man with the accent and ask how he knows my name.

Being jerked around

2008-06-14T20:21:00.000-07:00

If I were Pluto I'd be pissed.

First Pluto is a planet. Then all of a sudden about 2 years ago, Pluto got demoted from being a planet and sank into the 'has-been' abyss.

Now, as I unfold my morning paper with my morning coffee, there is Pluto, once again all over my front page. Apparantly for the last 2 years, scientists have been trying to figure out just WHAT they could now call Pluto since Pluto didn't technically fit in the 'planet' category anymore.

(Really, THAT'S what they've been doing in the last two years?)

By George, now they've got it!

Pluto is now a PLUTOID!

A WHAT-oid? What the hell is a Plutoid? Clearly it's some sort of second rate name for the masses in space that are bigger than some things but smaller than others. Those shall from now and forevermore be known as plutoids.

And according to my paper, we have 2 of them so far in our midst.

After shaking my head and spilling my coffee I realize that I don't like this new reality. I grew up with 9 planets, damnit! I don't want to re-learn that.

It made me think of all the other things that I grew up with that no longer make the 'cool' list.

Here are some things I recall fondly:

Ending every other sentence with the word 'SIKE'!

2. Singing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and doing the Carlton

Wearing a ponytail on the side of your head.

Making mom buy me one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.

Playing the game 'MASH'(Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House)

Wearing Jordache jean jackets and being proud of it.

Knowing the profound meaning of ' WAX ON , WAX OFF'

Wanting to be a Goonie.

Wearing fluorescent clothing. (sometimes...head-to-toe)

Remembering what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.

Pondering why Smurfette was the only female smurf.

When it was okay to say 'NOT' after every sentence.

Thinking our childhood friends would never leave because we exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.

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Watching 'I've fallen and I can't get up' commercial.

Going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.

Alf, the lil' furry brown alien from Melmac.

The New Kids on the Block when they were cool.

All the characters names and their life stories on 'Saved By The Bell,' The ORIGINAL class.

Knowing all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.

(You just sang those words to yourself, didn't ya?)

Tight rolled jeans.

I remember 'Where's the Beef?'

Saying 'What you talkin' 'bout Willis?'

If you're still singing 'shot through the heart' in your head, then you know what I'm talking about!

I miss all these things, the world is getting more modern and faster paced by the minute and I'd like to dedicate this moment to the good old '8o's.

A time when Pluto was still a planet.

Don't tell anyone but...

2008-06-10T18:25:00.000-07:00

I actually have a real life.

With real problems, that -as you've noticed- recently rudely interfered with my blogging.

I know! Who would've thought I'd have one of those?

When you are about to bring another person into this world, most of your thoughts revolve around the actual 'bringing another person into the world' event, not afterwards.

I remember being *so* concerned about the birth, but spent little time on focusing about raising my child afterwards.

My child was born, he came out healthy, 10 fingers, 10 toes. I had a son.

The hard part was over.

In my young naivity I assumed that because he looked healthy, he was in fact healthy. Let the baby fun begin.

After all, isn't that what we all do? NO? Only me then...

There was no doubt in my mind that i'd have a healthy child. Why wouldn't I? After all, I was on the cheerleading team all through highschool. That should count for something, right?

Turns out those things don't guarantee a healthy child. I know!! I was shocked too!

6 years later, I found out that my son was autistic. It explained a lot of things, but it still was a big shock to my system.

As a mother, what you want for your kids is for them to be healthy and happy.

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Just 2 months ago, we were told that he may have Tourette's as well. I was speechless. Shell shocked beyond belief. Images of my son's young life flashed before me, and all I could imagine is years of children laughing and teasing and pointing until he'd be so humiliated and insecure that he'd become a shell of a child.
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It was awful, being in my head. I cried more than I ever have in my life.

I was angry at everyone, and couldn't get past the 'injustice' of it all. After all, my son already HAD a disability, why add another one? Why couldn't this have happened to someone else's kid?

I sunk into somewhat of a mild depression, staring at young moms carrying their babies, thinking 'just wait you'll see'.

Thankfully, JP is in my life, and his attitude is 'we'll deal with whatever it is'.

And he's right. We will.

I've come to the conclusion that it's not up to us to chose the life we'll lead.

Someone up there decides who gets what challanges in their life.

And I figure there's got to be a reason.

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After all, I spent my first 23 years being vain, and shallow and judgemental.

My life revolved around parties and travel. I was on a self distructive path towards a shallow life which I thought I loved.
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My son teaches me about humility and acceptance every day.

I know that is why he's mine.
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I needed him.

Addicted to crack

2008-04-12T21:14:00.000-07:00

I have never done drugs.

(Well, that "one time, at band camp", but I puked and never touched it since)

but I think I know a little about what being addicted to crack must feel like...

You see, the (real) reason I've been neglecting this blog, and the reason I've had to cancel barbeques with friends, miss a recent 'girl night out' and become a night owl,

is because I have a big, dark, embarrassing secret.
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Like all addictions, everything starts out very small at first. You tell yourself that you're not hurting anyone , and everything is okay 'in moderation'.

Gradually, and innocently enough, your intervals between get a little closer, and closer until you start lying to others about how often 'it' happens.

I have been lying to my husband for about 3 weeks. I am downplaying the symptoms and I am finding ways to hide the fact that I have a problem.

I've been really struggling with how I could tell you this gently, yet recently, I feel that I need to un-burden myself:

I am a "in the closet" BIG BROTHER nut ...

(Yes, the reality show. Stop rolling your eyes!)

More than just a regular viewer. I am a secret BIG BROTHER fanatic.
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I am absolutly addicted to anything to do with this reality show. I know, I know, you think it's disgusting right?

But innocent?

Yeah well, it started out like that.

And then, I went online and started google-ing all things Big Brother. Then, I joint BIG BROTHER chat groups. But the "out of control" started when I found this blog.

It basically updates me 3 or 4 times a day to what is going on in the big brother house. You see, the author of this blog has the LIVE internet feeds that are on 24 hours a day!

And she has nothing else to do with her day then to update, me, the reader as to what is happening in that BIG BROTHER house as it happens.

She even stays awake at night during those long endurance competitions and gives hourly updates. WITH VIDEO, people!!

Now that is committment, my friends.

I find myself envious of her resources...

Never mind that I would probably have to quit my job just so I could stay at home and watch the live feeds all day.

I think that would probably push me further in the downward spiral than I already am..

But I've realized I had a problem towards the end of last week. I had started to suspect it for a few days, ever since I've been 'mis-counting' the times I frequented this blog, when JP asked...

He knows I am online ALL the time reading about it, but he gives me the benefit of the doubt. When he asked how many times, I said TWO.

(in reality, you'd have to add another zero to that digit, and that would probably be more of an accurate description of my past time)

I tried to stop and I can't.

There are no self help groups out there available for BIG BROTHER fanatics, I already looked.

Just more weirdos like me, who encourage this behaviour. I have a whole new group of 'friends' who I discuss the BIG BROTHER show and strategy at length with, every evening.

Each move of the houseguest gets scrutinized and then taken apart by us geeks.

Oh yeah, it's THAT disturbing. (are you cringing?)

More than once I've logged on after JP went to bed, in the bathroom, to find out what is going on....

DON'T JUDGE ME, it's a sickness!!

I figure since the finale is on April 27th, and the live feeds will abruptly stop after that point, I need to find a way to wean myself off slowly.

But what will I do with all that extra spare time?

I'll have to go out again...and see things.

I'll talk to real live people, not only chat group Big Brother weirdos. Will I have anything in common with 'normal' people?

I'll even have time for sex again....the possibilities are endless.

I guess, in order to move forward, like with all good programs, you have to admit that you have a problem. Apparantly after that, it all takes care of itself.

And they'll never let me watch another reality show again.

*Sigh*

Okay, here it goes:

My name is Michelle and I addicted to BIG BROTHER.

Now if I could just find a sponsor....

2008-04-07T21:17:00.000-07:00

You will never believe what I've done... I am shocked at my behavior ... just shocked!!

I went out and bought ... another journal. And have been writing in it...with a pen.

Yes, writing on it with a pen...blaspheme...or blogspheme!

And I have noticed something. My handwriting is horrific, I can't read a damn word I wrote. Well, that isn't entirely true. I can read a it a bit, but I noticed I have this annoying habbit of skipping letters then going back and filling them in badly.

I'm embarrassed by my penmanship, and I didn't realize how badly it's gotten...certainly a case of losing something not used!

Come to think of it, I just realized I haven't written a letter (and mailed it out) in almost a decade. It's always email, text, phone, or msn.

The only time I ever handwrite anymore is on excuse notes for my kids' school. And even then, I ask my kids to write them and I just sign the dotted line.

Just curious, is there anyone left reading this blog, after I've abandoned it for 3 weeks?

Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

However weird you are, this is weirder

2008-03-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

So, I'm googling Scientology.

Why? Because it's wednesday night and I've got nothing better to do. (that's not really the point here)

Well, of course I immediatly wonder if, I too, could become a couch-jumping wacko. So I dig a little deeper. Ah, a questionaire. Perfect. (These are actual questions from the Church of Scientology 's "Sec Whole Track" questionaire. No lying.)

1. Have you ever driven anyone insane? Most likely. Ask my husband. Or my mother.

2. Have you ever killed the wrong person? Um, it's ok if I killed the right person?

3. Is anybody looking for you? Nobody good.

4. Have you ever set a poor example? Nope. I only teach my kids to hit when no one is looking.

5. Did you come to earth for evil purposes? Um, did you?

6. Are you in hiding? Usually.

7. Have you systematically set up mysteries? Yes. It's always a mystery to me how I never have any money left over.

8. Have you ever made a practice of confusing people? Do I count?

9. Have you ever gone crazy? Gone? I'm still there...I can't find my way back.

10. Have you ever sought to persuade someone of your insanity? Actually yes. Back in the day, I had quite a few admirers who could not take no for an answer. So I tried to act even crazier than I am, to scare them off. But the crazier I acted, the more they wanted me. Go figure.

11. Have you ever deserted or betrayed a great leader? Well, we haven't had one in a while, so I"ll go with ...no.

12. Have you ever smothered a baby? No. Never even thought about it. My kids are awesome.

13. Do you deserve to have any friends? Of course I do. I'm super fun.

14. Have you ever castrated anyone? Not yet. But I've thought about castrating some of the boys in question 10.

15. Do you deserve to be enslaved? Um, no. Oh wait, will it be by one of my A-List guys?

16. Have you ever tried to make the physical universe less real? Huh? I don't get this one. Oh, are you talking about drinking, cause in that case, yes.

17. Have you ever zapped anyone? No. I have no zapper gun thing-y. Can I get one of those from you?

18. Have you ever had a body with a veneral disease? As far as I know this is the only body I've had, and it's clean.

SO...you think I can get in? Well, if not, there's always Kaballah.

Good samaritans or suckers?

2008-03-08T16:04:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had something happen to you that was so ridiculous that the only logical thought in your head was "I'm so blogging this!"

Last weekend started out like any other. In fact, we thought it would be better than most, since some family friends of ours called us and told us that they've decided to buy new furniture and are getting rid of their gently used leather couch, loveseat and lazychair. Would we want them?

Since we've been looking to update our couch, and their leather couch had a

hide-a-bed in it, we said "HELL YA!"

We've been meaning to update our furniture, and had agreed on buying a couch with a hide-a-bed next time. It seemed that our friends offer was our lucky day.

Alas, it's wasn't that simple. These people lived about an hour away and we'd need to rent a moving truck to fit it all in. After doing the math, we came to the conclusion that it'd be worth paying for the rental in order to receive such quality furniture for free.

At the rental place the employee pissed me off right away. He took all my I.D's, along with a strand of my hair for DNA and a urine sample. Then he proceeded to 'authorize' my credit card for $300... (rental was just $100!) in case I got a speeding ticket while I had the truck.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I get a speeding ticket in someone else's truck, I am still the one paying for the ticket, not the owner of the truck. I tried to argue this point and some lady behind me in line who really wanted to get on my last nerve, butt in and said 'they're just doing their job, it's their policy to authorize for that".

I thanked her for being so helpful and jumping in. My eyes must have told a different story 'cause she backed right up.

Then, the employee of the month, takes his clipboard and starts going outside with it. He inspects the truck announces that there are no damages to it and that it'll be inspected again upon it's return. So, I went outside and started taking pictures of all the dents and scratches with my cellphone.

Dude's got a clipboard, and looked all official, so I figured I could take pictures, while loudly announcing each scratch I found.

(Ya don't think that was childish of me, do ya?)

The cow, I mean the helpful lady inside, was rolling her eyes at me through the glass.

We made it to our destination, where the leather gifts were already neatly stacked outside. I was so exited, they were a beautiful hunter green colour. We backed up in the driveway, and I hopped out.

Good thing I was holding on to the back door as I jumped out or I would've fallen on my ass right there.

It was like a bad movie...All I could say is "no no no" and shake my head.

JP followed me and I just stared and pointed.
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I am not going to pretend that I am not a snob, because I most certainly am. I like nice things. I don't put crap in my house.

If that crap is being given away for free, it's still crap and I don't want it.

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No wonder they left the shit outside.

They probably had it out there the entire winter and nobody took it.
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The couches were dirty, scratched, dis-colored, and just all around nasty. I couldn't believe my eyes. Where the hell did these people think I lived, in the ghetto of suburbia? I wouldn't be caught dead with those pieces in my house.

So now, we're an hour away from home, with an empty rental truck and items we don't want in front of us. JP suggests we just load them in, and talk about it on the way home. So, he loaded them in by himself as I cussed like a sailor and we drove back.
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Once we got home, we moved our couch out of the way, and figured we'd at least try to bring the one couch in (with the hide-a-bed) and see if it would look better once inside. We unloaded the stuff, and once out of the truck, that same wave of disgust came over me when I saw it. No way am I putting this in my house.

Jp loaded it all back in the truck and we put our old couch back. Now we had to go get rid of these items somewhere. We went to a couple of thrift stores. One was not accepting donations on sunday, the other was full. At this point we're just driving around looking for someone who'll take them.

(bare in mind we're being charged by the kilometer as we're driving)
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Never one to be classy and composed in situations like this, I cursed and swore the entire time. (Oh, yeah, I'm a treat to hang out with when things don't go my way)

We decide we should go to the dump and 'recycle' this garbage. We go in, we wait in line, we pay an arm and a leg (they charge by weight) and then we leave. Of course, JP unloaded the entire truck alone

again, while I took pictures documenting this catastrophy for you guys.

these pictures don't truly show the awful state of the rips and tears, in fact they look ok in the photos.
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By this point we've spent over $150 (including milage, gas, truck rental and 'recycling fee') and 5 hours of our sunday afternoon taking out other people's trash.

Once we got back into our own vehicle, after the rental truck was returned, we looked at each other and laughed.

Somehow, it's hard not to feel like total suckers.

Dumb ways to make money

2008-02-28T20:11:00.000-08:00

Last night there was a hockey game in town and some joker who got called out of the crowd had his dream come true. There was a contest, and he had 25 seconds on the clock, to shoot the puck in the net a minimum 15 out of 20 times (further away for each shot).

Joker-boy apparantly is a secret NHL wannabe, because he scored the required shots on net and for his 25 seconds got himself not only a brand new 2008 vehicle, but also, (are you ready for this?)

$1,000000 !!!

That is 6 zeros people!

1 Million dollars for doing fuck-all.

How do I sign up for that? Do I need to go on unemployment insurance and play street hockey in the back of my house all day? Would that help?

Perhaps I need to go and buy a coffee at the Tim Horton's down the street. They are having a millionaire contest too. All you have to do is "Roll up the Rim to Win" ~(name of actual contest)~ You drink, you roll up the rim of your paper cup and voila, you can win the riches of your dreams.

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Since when does it take no skill or effort to become rich? Oh yeah, I know, they have that skill testing question : How much is 19 + 5? Calculator included.

Seriously though. I'm really tired of people becoming rich (or famous for that matter) for nothing at all.

Let Paris Hilton lead the way!

We're enabling people every day to be lazy and reward them for it too. Damn squeegee kids at every red light with last night's dirty bathwater.

"Hey miss - want me to clean your windows ?" No you freak, step away from my car.

Clearly, I must have a stick stuck up my you know what, I know. But I hate this type of behaviour.

You know what else I hate? Giving money to young people in designer sneakers holding up signs that say:

"Homeless and hungry".

How are you homeless? Didn't you just get out of that soccer mom's van over there?

What the hell is wrong with you!

When I walk the streets of Vancouver (In a totally non-hooker type of way) I realize that we have used every excuse in the book not to work.

People have signs that say "Will work for food", but then turn up their noses at my mystery meat sandwhich.

One lady, who did in fact look homeless, had a thousand piercings in her face. It was hot outside and she was begging for money for food as well. I think someone offered her some water, but it just spilled out of all the holes and she was right back at square one.

Last weekend there was a bum with a sign that read: "Stranded here from planet Zuxlu. Need money to fix my spaceship. Please help"

Well, I did give to him.

Dude was stuck here.

GREAT NEWS

2008-02-25T20:18:00.000-08:00

I got it!!

*doing happy snoopy dance*

I got the job I was hoping for. I'm so excited, the new boss called me today and even offered the compensation that I asked for. It's 8 minutes away from my house, and the hours are great. Whoot!

I gave 2 weeks notice today and my boss' jaw dropped. He didn't see it coming. He kept saying that if it doesn't work out I could come back, bla bla bla. Too late buddy, get used to it.

So, today I found out my girlfriend and her husband want to vacation with JP and I next January. We have fun with them, they are good couple friends of ours, but on holidays together?

How does that work?
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I think we're now officially old, if we're considering vacationing with another couple. I can just see it now, me and the other mrs. scrapbooking while the men play the wii.

What kind of vacationing is that? How about the hot vacation sex? You can't have any hanky panky when you know your friends are reading the bible in the next room!

(they're the good church going kind of couple that JP and I just aren't)

And I'm sure they won't want to see us skinny dipping in the pool at night. Or watch us rent dirty movies at night.

Sigh.

So much to consider.

Then, comes the decision of finding somewhere where 4 people agree to go to. Jp and I like the sun, so we'll go anywhere with hot climate. We're beach whores.

However our friends are more the 'let's go for an all day hike' type of people. We love them, but we get tired just looking at them.

I suppose it's nice they asked. Gosh darn it, people like us.

I don't know about you all but we take being on vacation pretty seriously. We do mostly nothing. And we like it that way.

We sleep in, eat breakfast in bed, scratch a little, then get tired again.

Oh yeah, we're a hoot to hang with. Do we really want to subject our friends to that?

There go our game nights when we get back home.

Job hunting

2008-02-20T17:39:00.000-08:00

I have been on my blog a few times, ready to write and just too exhausted to do so.

My grandpa died on Feb 12 and i've been doing family stuff. The kids were confused and I had to answer a hundred questions about death and what happens after. I wasn't properly prepared for it all, and all of a sudden I've been wondering if I should go back to church.

We'll see.

Other than that, for the past few weeks I've been job hunting. I've had 4 interviews, 2 job offers and 1 second follow up interview set up for next week as well. I'm tired. Tired of getting dressed up, of pawning my kids off to my mother's so I can go to the interviews, tired of answering 20 questions, tired of waiting and most tired of being 'on'.

You see, my lovely 6 year old pain-in-the-butt of a daughter got sick. I mean the 'so sick we have to go to the hospital' type sick. I took 2 days off work. (I called in sick) I told my boss we were at the hospital with my daughter and I had to stay with her.

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Once I did return to work (Jp had to book time off as well, since I could not be taking any more days off from my work) my boss took me into the office and bluntly asked if I plan on working there any longer. It was like a ton of bricks just hit me. I said "yes" and asked why.
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He said he could not accept my 2 days off as "sick days" as it was not me that was sick, it was my child. (As he so elequantly put it, he does not give sick days for someone's children) So I should've lied then I guess...

Anyway, I told him he could take from my vacation days. Bastard turned to me and said 'you need to give me notice to take vacation days'.

Asshole.
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So after that little fiasco, I threw my hands up in the end and said "cut me some slack". But he didn't. He told me I could choose to hand in my resignation or choose to stay but "promise it won't happen again." I didn't need to think about it. I looked him straight in the eye and said

"i have 2 small children, I guarantee that it'll happen again".

I walked out of his office, shaken up and angry. I am still angry, even though it happened almost 2 weeks ago. Since then, he's talked to me again (no, not apologized, since that would mean he'd have to admit he was wrong) and said he just wanted to show me how important I was to his organization, that he needs me to run the joint and since I was gone for 2 days, that means there is no one there to take care of things.

He told me it was a good thing, and to look at it as meaning I was a valuable memeber of his team.

Well, it didn't work. I didn't take it like that. Ever since that day, I've been actively searching for new work. I've had a few interviews. Some were not enough money, some were not the hours I'm looking for, and so on. I got a great job offer at the police station down the road, but I had to turn in down because every second rotation would have been afternoon shift

(i want to be with my kids after 4pm so that didn't work for me)

I know I sound picky, and I really don't think I am being that way. I am totally going to take a pay cut , I am prepared to, but I still want it to be something that I can be happy at not just any old job.
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So now you know, there you have it, that's what I've been doing since last time I blogged.

Jp suggested staying where I'm at til the kids get sick again, and then just quit then. It would be smart of me, the hours are great for me (7am -3pm) and great money... but my damn pride won't let me.

I can't back down.

I hate being in that office now and all I can think of is getting out of there.

Blog buddies

2008-02-09T16:42:00.000-08:00

I just got back from a very cool lunch date with a woman that I've only known through my blog before. We've been reading each other's blogs for over a year now, and I always think she has something interesting to post about. But to actually meet, in person, is taking the blog-friendship to a whole new level.

Can I just say I heart Laura! We met at this hole in the wall monolian restaurant that I just adore. I eat there about once a week, even though I live 1 hour drive from it. I'm seriously considering moving closer into the city to be near the restaurant.

Yup. That's how much thought I put into all my big decisions.

But back to Laura. I walked in and saw her sitting at the table already. I stopped from a minute to really let it sink in. Moment of truth, right? What if in person, it'd be totally different? After all, I never did tell her I was short. What if she didn't like me?

(I sound like a highschool kid on a first date)

Well, I needn't have worried. She was fantastic. Not only is she tall, beautiful and smart but she's got a great sense of humour and a number of fantastic stories. Poor girl couldn't get to her food, since I kept playing 20 questions.

But it turns out we have a lot of things in common, from the type of car we go for (just cause it's cute, right Laura?) to the travelling bug , to both of us wanting to leave our current jobs, and even to the fact that we both narrowly escaped marrying musicians. Both our exes are convinced they are headed for 'big time' rockstar status.

It's so cool to meet a fellow blogger, especially one who's life you've been 'following' over the years. It doesn't feel like meeting a stranger, as much as a friend you've never met.

At one point we were talking about dogs, and I asked 'who's watching Sierra now?' as if I've met the dog before. But I just feel so connected to her life, since I've been reading her for so long. And more than once, we both referred to past things that happened in our lives, and the other one would nod and remember having read about it.

Too cool.

Have you met any of your blog friends? If so, was it cool? Did you hit it off right away?

And truthfully, how many of you would actually put an effort into it and travel

to meet another blogger?

(I'm not talking halfway across the world here, but a reasonable distance)

HamiHarri- are you reading this?? (LOL)

You want 10? I'll give you 5.

2008-02-02T09:38:00.000-08:00

I loathe bargaining with people about money. I hate garage sales only because of all the people who are haggling around me. It makes me visibly uncomfortable. I know I am a minority in this, since everyone I know does haggle when it comes to price.

Some only do it when it comes to buying from garage sales. Others enjoy the experience while buying a car at a dealership. Many still, will bargain with sales people inside stores.

Everything about arguing (as i think of it) with someone about price is totally out of my comfort zone. I am outspoken and abrupt so it's not the confrontation that I am scared of. I just don't like this game. The seller will price the item higher so that he has room to come down. The buyer will offer a lower price, and feels good about themselves as they leave because they've gotten such a 'good deal'.

Why? Everyone knows this goes on. So what's the point?

I don't hold many garage sales as I'm sure you've guessed. I tried to but it doesn't work. I price things at the price I expect to sell them at but nevertheless, there is always a conversation about price that goes something like this:

Buyer: "how much is this?"
Me: "5 dollars"
Buyer: "I'll give you 3."
Me: "It's 5."

Then they get upset, and I get upset and at the end of the day, I have to pack up all my crap back into the garage. It's futile.

The other day we bought a 'new' car (a 2002) and JP wanted me to seal the deal while he was away. Problem was that he wanted me to offer $500 less than the asking price. He knew that it would be hard for me, but he had no idea how much so. I couldn't sleep the night before, I thought about it all day, and then, just before I got to the lady's house (the one that was selling the car) my palms got all sweaty. In the end, I couldn't do it. I found something wrong with the car, and told her my husband would be by later to look at it.

I am lucky that she allowed that to happen, and didn't sell it to someone else. When JP went there, he offered $500 less, she said she wanted $200 more than what he offered. In the end we bought the car at a price we were happy with and she probably got what she had originally anticipated.

But to me, this little 'haggling dance' cost me sleepless nights, sweaty palms, a headache and more than a few gray hairs. I'd rather paid her the $300 more she had asked for and be done with it.

I guess I am a lone breed in all of this, but that is how it is.

Casanova

2008-01-23T23:08:00.000-08:00

After we work all day then come home to take care of you and the kids, and we fall asleep on the couch out of pure exhaustion, do not wake us up to see if you can 'get some'.

The answer will most likely be no.

MY A LIST

2008-01-19T18:24:00.000-08:00

This is a recycled post from at least a year ago, on my last blog. There are only a handful of you who'll recognize it and I do think it's worth re-posting. I'll probably do that with some of my favorite old posts, in the whole 'recycling' spirit.

You all know what an “A-List” is, right? It’s a list of names of celebrities or otherwise un-attainable people that you can, um, do the hanky-panky with, without your significant other getting mad at you.Jp and I talked about this and he thinks it’s a juvenile idea. So, he doesn’t have a list. Oh well. Too bad for him. No list - no sleeping with some hot celebrity! Can’t be cheating on me without a list, I say.Meanwhile, here’s my list of top 5:

1. Jude Law

2. Matthew Mcconaughey

3. Orlando Bloom

4. Josh Lucas

5. Ryan Gosling

Who’s on your list?

More mediocre service - coming right up!

2008-01-15T19:46:00.000-08:00

Get ready America! It's coming!!

In case you haven't heard, Tim Horton's is trying desperately to push into the US market. Tim Horton's is a Canadian coffee and donut chain, much like Crispy Cream or Dunkin' Donuts.

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It's very popular in Canada, and it's rival is Starbucks. Although Starbucks has a certain snob appeal, I find most canadians, do in fact prefer Timmy's (as we affectionatly refer to it) to Starbucks due to the 'proudly canadian' factor.
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There is only one little teeny tiny problem. The people who they hire to work there!

As part of the pre-requisite to work at Tim Horton's you must not have graduated high school, and above all, you must not (I repeat NOT) speak english.

If you meet the two critiria, you will most likely pass the interview - conducted by a manager and a fellow highschool drop out with no handle on the english language- with flying colours!

(NO, it's not a spelling mistake, we spell colour with a 'u'. Same with neighbour, and labour too.)

This little hickup does not stop hundreds of hungry commuters from lining up each morning through the drive through, most of us just grabing the standard 'double double' and a bagel.

(double double is what Tim Hourton's calls their coffee. 2 cream, 2 sugar. Catchy, right?)

I am one of those faithful, if completely frustrated customers, and I go by each morning at 6am and get my double double. Each morning it is always the same. I can put money on how it'll go.

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Tim Horton's Employee (In frightening Darth Vader voice)

"Welcome to Tim Horton's can I take your order?"

Me (wondering why they all sound like Darth Vader in the damn speaker)

"A double double and a toasted bagel please"

T H Employee:

"Would you like to try our new B.E.L.T bagel?" (Bacon Egg Lettuce Tomato)

Me: "No"

T H Employee: " Would you like anything else?"

Me: "Still no."

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I get to the counter drive through. I go to pay. The lady who clearly wasn't listening the first time asks me to repeat my order. So I do. Slowly.

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Then she reaches out into my car handing me the bagel wrapped in a plastic-y type napkin. At this point I always ask for a bag. She sighs. Hands me the bagel AND a bag.

I then proceed to put the bagel into the bag on my own. Next comes the coffee. Again, she attempts to hand me the hot drink. I ask for a sleeve or I'm going to have blisters on my hand before I even get around the corner. She visibly rolls her eyes, but complies.
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This ritual has gone on every single day for over a year. Same people at the drive through counter, same old me in the car. Same scenario every time.

It just kills me. WHY can't they just bag it without being asked?! And why won't they put a sleeve on the coffee without being reminded?! Are we saving a few pennies for the corporate giant by cutting these corners?

Then, of course are the days -like today- when I pay with cash instead of debit card. I try not to, because they sometimes run out of fingers and toes and I have to wait for someone else to come by and take off their sandals before I get my change.

Today my order came to $3.25 I gave her a $5 bill. She got me my food/drink (after doing our little bag and sleeve dance back and forth first) and started giving me my change.

I saw a quarter in my ashtray and handed it to her. That was my first mistake. She moved her hand back and had a puzzled look.

"You already paid." she said.
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Me: Yes I know, I'm trying to get less change so I'm giving you a quarter.

TH Employee (so observant) But you already paid.

Me: Yes, you are correct. But now I would like a toonie as change instead of all of that in your hand. ( a toonie is a 2 dollar coin we have)

TH Employee: YOU PAID!!

Me: We've established that. I am going to give you a quarter back and you can give me a toonie.

TH Employee: I am going to get the manager.

Me: Oh, for Fuck's sake.

Manager comes back, (with the translater in tow)and asks me what the problem is. I tell them that I was trying to get less change and that I wanted to give her a quarter so that I could get a toonie instead of a bunch of coins.
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He pauses. Seems to be thinking. I hold my breath. Looks at her, then at me. Then he says to me "we don't do that here ma'am" and gives me back $1.75 in change.

I just about dropped my coffee into my lap and shook my head.
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There was no point continuing, as I fear explaining it further would have made me late for work.

And that, in a nutshell, is TIM HORTON'S.

Coming soon to an American town near you!

I know! We'll call it DILDO!!

2008-01-10T16:59:00.000-08:00

This article just proves I can find the most useful things on google.

Sure, you may wonder why I'd be google-ing "Dildo" in the first place, but more importantly, look what a gem I came up with:
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There is a town in Canada (on the east coast) called DILDO.

That's right, as in the toy. Apparantly the quaint little coastal town got it's name long before the toy, however they are now sick of tourists snickering as they come through.
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They are considering changing the name, though some of the younger generation finds it un-necessary.

I think it'd be cool to live in a town called Dildo. It's better than the town called Hell.

What do you think? Have you heard of any weird town names near where you live?

And, here's my first poll ever:

My best friend's wedding

2008-01-07T20:20:00.000-08:00

My friend got married on saturday. I was her maid of honor. I was looking forward to this event for months. JP was hired to be the wedding photographer, and he was looking forward to it as well.

Let me tell you it was the weirdest wedding I have ever been to. Complete chaos mixed with utter elegance. I have never seen anything like it.

It was due to start at 1:30, but at 1:52 the guests hadn't arrived yet. You want the worst part? Neither had the groom! The church was big and beautifully decorated, but empty.

My friend and I were waiting in the limo, with her entire wedding party, not sure what to make of the whole thing. Her mother was fuming and I swear some white foam was becoming visible around the mouth.

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By 2:15 we finally got started, with only half the guests in attendance. Bastards. But they did all manage to join us later for the open bar reception, of course. And a beautiful, expensive steak and lobster sit down dinner.
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As for the bride and groom, after the VERY long catholic ceremony, they were finally wedded. A few quick pics in the church, and we all jump into the limo to go to the ceremony site for more pictures. Half way there, the bride decides she's hungry, so she requests the limo to stop by the McDonalds. Yes, in full wedding attire.

Apart from the shock value that caused, I found it in extremely poor taste. But whateva, a girl's gotta eat I guess, and she was hungry.
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Next, we make it to the reception site, and the reception starts. It was like watching a car wreck. No one knew where to go, when the speeches were coming, when dinner was coming (it was an hour late) and the couple changed their mind at last minute about the first dance.
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DJ - boy still had some straw on him from sleeping in a barn the night before, I suppose. I was just shocked. His clothes were wrinkled, he had a cap on backwards and brought 4 homies with him. What the hell?

Totally didn't fit the $100 a plate reception site. Unbelievable.
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Then, after dinner, came the part where the groom's mom got liquored up and took the mike. She announced that the bride was lucky to have her son as a husband, since her son could have chosed from any woman.

Then she reminded him that he should not forget where he came from, that she was his mother long before she became his wife.

WOW.
The room was left speechless.

And the funniest part ~although annoying to JP~ everything was in spanish. (the bride is from Chile, and although she's fluent in english, she came as a toddler, her entire family and new husband are latin, and so the entire ceremony and reception was conducted in spanish)

Problem with that is that he missed all the announcements, because he didn't know what they were saying. He almost missed the announcement of them walking in because he didn't understand it. Lucky for us, I speak spanish fluently so I ended up being his ears for the rest of the night.

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Some people would just come up to him and start chatting him up in spanish, not realizing he was the only one there who couldn't understand them. After a while, he should've just started speaking french and they'd have the same look on their faces as he did.
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2 people had their children there, and had no control over them. They ran up to the head table crawling under it, running and banging on the piano during the toasts, and just being kids, but no one took the time to pick these kids up and discipline them or take them outside so that the toasts or speeches could continue uninterrupted.

At one point, one of them was dancing circles around the bride and groom doing their first dance, and no one said anything.
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All in all, my friend was deliriously happy, so I guess you'd call that a success. Jp and I will just stick to calling it a freakshow...but only in private, don't worry.

Do I or don't I?

2008-01-03T23:32:00.000-08:00

We've established already that I am not the most laid back person on the planet. I have a Type A personality, with all the gifts it brings: anxiousness, worry, planning, scheduling everything to death.

My latest endeavor is no different. It hasn't even happened yet, but I am consuming my mind with thoughts about it.

"IT" being a new job.

I have worked at my current company for just over a year. And while my boss can be the most distant, un-feeling jerk in the world, I have come to love what I do. I am good at it, and lately my work has been rewarded with a new office and a new title. (Not to mention extra perks like trips on company's dime and season hockey tickets that Ican use.)

BUT - there had to be a but... I work 1 and 1/2 hours away from home and it is a very long commute every day. And of course, working with an ass of a boss has it's downside. If you let it get to you , as I did in the beginning, it can really bring you down.

And, because it is a privately owned business, so other than the great pay, there are no medical benefits and no pension.

Today I received a call from an HR lady from a government agency that I had applied to. I have an interview scheduled for next thursday. I am very exited, I have been trying to get into a government job for as long as I can remember. How can I not want that for myself?

Union wages, scheduled breaks and paid overtime-something unheard of at our company-

lots of benefits and a great pension...you name it. Oh, did I tell you it is 4 minutes from my front door? Yeah, that sweetens the deal doesn't it?

Here is my dilemma: I have come to like what I do and am afraid of leaving it for a job that would be less challanging (i am in a leadership role now, and the new job is entry level). Also, I'd be taking at least a $10,000 paycut per year. Minimum.

Basically I have to choose between two careers: One, that I am in now, with a great salary and challanges, but no benefits and no pension and far from home and one that is an entry level position, that I am over qualified for, but it is right outside my door, job security, pension, super annuation and guaranteed raises every year. (the pay is not bad either, just less than my current position)

I am jumping the gun here, I know.... I haven't even had an interview yet.

(panel interview, no less - any tips?)

Flipping a coin may just be the way to decide on this one.

Just the way things are

2008-01-01T14:25:00.000-08:00

***I will preface this post by adding that nothing went wrong in my personal life, and that I am totally in love with my husband. I'm not even pissed off, really.

It's just an observation in general***

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Most women are bitches. Me included. The reason I can admit that is because I believe society requires us to be this way. I think in order to be a carreer woman nowadays, you sometimes have to be comfortable with being labeled a bitch.

"Nice" women don't wear suits. They bake cookies.
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We are taught very early on to be nice. To share. To not tattle tale. And above all, to play well with others. While our mothers were molding us into "nice" girls, our brothers were dirty, rough-playing little shits who got away with most things.
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Our mothers meant well, but it does not do us justice in the real world. A women needs to be strong and kind, both at once. Gentle and firm. Only then, will you not get trampled on by men.
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And speaking of men, (and I do like to speak of men often) I am often perplexed by them. They work hard to woo an independant woman. Maybe harder than they should. They make it their goal to "break through" some make believe barrier to be the one successful suitor in her life.
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And finally, when the woman falls in love with him and willingly gives up all others for him, then...
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He becomes an ass.

Just a littly PUSHY?

2007-12-28T22:54:00.000-08:00

This article about "push presents", which ran in last Thursday's NY Times, has been forwarded to me by a dear friend who knows how to get my panties in a twist. Titled "A bundle of joy isn't enough?", the piece focuses on the practice of men giving their birthing wives /girlfriends gifts (often referred to as "Push presents", which I find a particularly revolting term) as a way to celebrate the birth and show their appreciation for everything the mom endured.

The piece suggests that many women have come to expect these gifts, though some women interviewed say they feel such an expectation is silly. Some men interviewed say they are cool with giving such gifts, while others apparently think such a practice is ludicrous.

What the hell? My friend (who is now a first time mom to be) is undecided on where she stands on this issue. I, however am not so reserved.

I cannot believe that women a)would expect or b) accept anything called a PUSH PRESENT.

To me, that is more insulting than anything. I am not saying that after 17 hours of pushing I wouldn't want a nice pair of diamond earings, but are you kidding me?!

What does the card read? "Thanks for pushing. You're swell!"

Maybe it's just me. I never got a push present for my kids.
But what the hell do I know? We got divorced, maybe that was the golden ticket?

Merry Christmas

2007-12-22T10:56:00.001-08:00

Wishing you a wonderful next few days!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you.

too politically correct

2007-12-15T16:28:00.000-08:00

Today I took the kids to the mall to buy kid suitcases. (We're going on a trip with them to Disneyland next May, and they got to each choose a suitcases as part of their Christmas gift)
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So there we are, in the midst of mall santas and over caffeinated shoppers, having just completed our purchase, when my youngest says Merry Christmas to the sales lady as we walk away.

Now what would you think the correct response would be such a sentiment from a 5 year old? A smile, and a nod, perhaps a "merry christmas to you too" back?
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NOPE.
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She told my 5 year old: " You should say happy holidays, since not everyone celebrates Christmas".
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My daughter just looked at her with a blank expression on her face.Then she looked up at me. I could see the sales person waiting for me to echo her sentiment, and to use this opportunity to teach my child the 'correct' way to greet someone during December.
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Instead I am going to teach her how to distinguish old bags from regular people.
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Having a discussion about politically correct Christmas greetings is not a discussion I want to have with my children. In fact it ranks right up there with the conversation about why Jake in her class has two daddys.
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It's not something I'm getting into with 5 year olds.
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Here's my question to you:
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How far are we going with this politically correct crap? You tell me! Why can' t a child say "merry Christmas" to another without being given a lecture? Why are we being sensored?
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I don't get it.
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Even if someone else doesn't celebrate Christmas, that doesn't mean we have to hide the fact that we do. Why would that even be offensive to someone? It shouldn't be.
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It's not like I'm putting someone else's beliefs down.
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I can talk like this because I experienced first hand what it is like to move here, and be a minority. I came to this country when I was 14. I had to learn a different language, different customs and different traditions. I have never felt insult if a tradition was different than mine. I was the one who moved here, if I didn't like it tough! After all, I chose to move here!
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And that is exactly why I hate how careful we've become as a nation to not offend any minorities with our opinions, our traditions and our culture. You know what? Most people who moved here from another country, have had bigger problems than being offended by someone celebrating Christmas!
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I refuse to teach my children to apologize for who they are. That doesn't mean I don't want them to be sensitive to others, it just means they don't have to be scared of sharing their opinions too.

sluts or skanks? Neither, just a new girl

2007-12-12T17:45:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am referring to our new employee we just hired. Lovely lovely girl, all of 19 year old and more flakey than the snowflakes in my backyard.

But it's not in a bad way, just amusing. I have a window in my office so I get to watch the interaction daily. Have I mentioned I work in a mostly male field? (only male workers, only male clients) I am -should correct that, was- the only female there.

In walks Stacey. Let's call her that because you won't know if it's real or not anyway :-)

Fresh young meat. You could see the guys, circling like vultures.

Yup, circling.

So, like a bad accident, I watch. I pause and I look out my window.

Here, I'll draw a picture for you:

19, young and blonde. Her wardrobe must be left over from her last job as a call girl, because all she wears is skin tight shirts and short short skirts. When she wears jeans they're super low cut. So you have no choice but to notice her, um assets.

She's sweet as pie, but clueless. Men have two views to choose from. If they're in front of her, and she's at the desk -while they are standing mind you- they get to look down her shirt. If they're behind her, watching her lean over her desk, they get to see the pretty rhinestones in her g-string.

Win win situation for all.

Except that my boss is now asking ME to address this delicate situation, and to 'take her under my wing' so I can help her fit in better. He means make her more prude-ish like me :-)

Now I am not one to be at a loss for words, but I don't want to be the one telling her anything. And that guy in the office upstairs, I don't want to talk to him about deodorant either!! There are just some things that cannot be brought up delicately.

Hmmm... maybe if I am her "Secret Santa" and buy her a sweater, maybe that'll work!

Are we 20 something?

2007-11-18T20:56:00.000-08:00

This weekend was one of the funnest weekends in a long time.

It was our company's long awaited Christmas party (yes, a little early). Each year, the boss invites all of us and our families to Whistler. For those of you who are not familiar with Whistler, here's a hint: it's where part of the 2010 Winter Olympics will be held, they are co-hosting with Vancouver.

It's a winter wonderland resort, about 1.5 hours away from here.

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Each year he splurges on this fantastic trip and we all look forward to it. This year was especially great since all of us were either newlyweds or recently engaged. So we were looking forward to spending some quality time with some adults our age.

On Friday night after we got there we took care of

business first:

1. Check into the suite.

2. Go to village and find booze.

Once we've successfully completed our mission in the village, we headed back to the hotel for the hot tubs outside. It felt like frostbite on my feet just walking to them outside -remember it's snowing in Whistler- but once inside the hot tub, all was well.

Here is where we stopped acting like 30-somethings and turned back into 20 year olds.

Someone mentioned a small get together in room 619. Sure we went.

And here are some picture from this very mature event:

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The girls before we got hammered. After a lot of drinks later....it looked like a frat party

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Us girls sitting on one of the girls husbands after one too many drinks. And here is a close up of the poor guy's face in case you missed it

Jp had the girls going wild for him

We went back to our room around 3am, in pretty rough shape.

I wish I had a picture to describe what happened next. I passed out on the bed, while JP was in the bathroom brushing his teeth. By the time he came back out, I guess the distance to the bed seemed too long, because he only made it half way there.

He woke up in the middle of the night to find himself -still fully clothed- halfway on the bed. His head and torso had reached the end of the bed, but sadly the rest of him didn't. He woke up with the lower part of his body still kneeling on the floor, beside the bed.

Now that is drunk.

Bigaffes and Hostables

2007-11-13T19:33:00.000-08:00

I have just opened my Christmas present. Yup, my Christmas present. Jp, bless his soul, bought me something awesome, and me, being the wicked witch of the west, made him show me what it was. Hehe.

It's a brand new freakin' laptop. I've been having computer problems lately...or haven't you noticed? It's fantastic. And portable. (a key element in a laptop, I must say) Sure am glad JP fessed up. I hate surprises, even good ones. Aren't I a drag?

I should tell you about my absentee blog-ism as of late. (new word I've just made up) Because we're so smart, we decided to play 'trading spaces' / 'musical chairs' at our house. Oh yeah, just before the holidays seems like a perfect time to renovate every single room of the home. My son moved into a brand new room that we added on, so we had drywallers and flooring installers here last month. Then of course we had to paint. (by we I mean I) Cunning as I am, I convinced my son it looks fantastic with just one wall painted, and left the other three the way they were.

My daughter -who up to now shared a room with her brother - got our bedroom. (the kids had the master bedroom before, and our room was smaller) But now that he has his own room, and she didn't want to stay in the big room all alone, she also moved into a new room. Our old one. More painting, furniture shopping/assembling, and hair pulling -by me~

Only for lack of options, we ended up in the kids old room ...which origianlly was the master bedroom, it's huge and it's got great potential. But now, after doing the kids rooms we're exhausted, and want a break from painting/renovating. So, we've decided we'll not paint til the new year.

Too bad the kids room was multicolored. One wall yellow, one lime green one blue and one pink. I think I know what it feels like to be on acid now. Wanna try? Come over and try and sleep in my bedroom.

It sure does bring me back though, staring at those walls. (no no, not to the time I did mushrooms in highschool) but to the days when they were little. And when they used to talk like little kids: Bigaffe and Hostable. (my daughter couldn`t say giraffe and hospital for the longest time, and now being in their room makes me long for the days when she used to talk like that.)

So there you have it boys and girls, I`m back and I`m sitting in my psychadellic room on my new laptop.

Poor JP, I wonder what he`s gonna buy me for Christmas next?

Los Angeles - Day One, Two and Three - you ready?

2007-10-23T20:18:00.000-07:00

Day One -getting there

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The morning of the trip, I get a surpsise request by the hospital. We need to do a follow up ultra sound to see how everything is bla bla bla...can you come in?

Of course, I chug all the water I can possibly handle, kiss the kids goodbye, drop them off at the daycare for grandma to pick up later and off we go. At the hospital, after being poked and prodded some more, they release us just in time for us to get to the airport in time.

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And we're off! Once on the plane we have the pleasure of sitting directly in front of the parent who doesn't believe in any discipline and they have the crazy 18month old toddler who kicks and screams and runs all around the aisles. Yes, that was a fun 3 hours!

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We got to LA in one piece, and headed for the MARRIOTT hotel. When we get there, they inform us - to our surprise - that we are going to have to press PH on the elevator. (THAT'S RIGHT, Penthouse!!!!)

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We immediatly want to go out and check out our surroundings so we take JP's mega camera out, and try not to look like tourists and blend in, hehe.

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We headed straight to Hollywood boulevard, and saw the usual celebrities hanging out, you know, Jack Sparrow, Minnie and oh yeah Tina Turner accepting some suspicious cash from Charlie Chaplin. It was great fun.

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Day Two - name dropping

For anyone who knows me well, fairly well or almost well, they'll tell you I LOVE LOVE LOVE fashion and anything to do with names in fashion.
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Rodeo Drive is only 3 blocks long, but those 3 short blocks constitute the most famous shopping district in America and probably the most expensive three blocks of shops in the world.

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Oh yeah, I did drag him there. He had no idea about Rodeo Drive (he kept calling it Rodeo, like the rodeo as in cowboy! Puleeeze!!) He looked at it once we got there and I'm sure he thought we wouldn't be there very long.
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But I wanted to visit my friends: Tiffany, Cartier, Valentino, Gianni Versace, Christian Dior, Dolce & Cabbana, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Armani and Hermes.

I was in heaven. I tried on a $3000 pair of Versace shoes on. I fell in love with a beautiful $7,000 Hermes bag. And then, because my husband is the most wonderful man in the world, he took me into Tiffany's and actually bought me jewelry!! How cool is that?

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It was only a small lock pendant with my initial in it, but it cost way more than I can reveal here. I had a permagrin on for the next few hours!!

We spent our evening in Santa Monica, walking around and having dinner and I just couldn't have asked for a better evening. It was awesome!

Oh oh, did I mention we stopped at "Sprinkles" Cupcakes (which is only THE most famous cupcake store in all of LA - people line up for hours to buy them) and waited in line for some delicious to die for cupcakes.

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(this is the line up that we waited in to just get into the store)
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And Rosie O'Donnell and Julia Roberts have talked about them, so I had to try them (yup, I'm THAT shallow) Yum yum yum.

Day three - all over

At last, sunday came. We awoke to the news that the California fires started about 20 minutes from the very spot we had walked and dined the night before. We actually are following the fires closely, only because for us it hit so close since we were just there, taking pictures of things that are now burned. Very odd feeling.

By the way, I wanted to show you the picture of the plane that we boarded on the way back from LA to Vancouver. It's smaller than my freakin' living room!! Only 42 people in it. Have you ever seen anything like it? It was awful. I walked into the plane and almost started hyperventelating. (i hate flying as it is, and feeling like I'm in a shoebox does not help)

JP exclaimed "oh, it's cute!" FYI... when I think of adjectives that I'd like to use while describing the plane that I'm in , "strong" "big" "safe" or even " massive" comes to mind, but not "Cute". Maybe that's just me.

Just as we are about to taxi away from the gate the one lone flight attendant announces that the plane is experiencing a ' weight imbalance' and that they'd be looking for 2 volunteers to get off the plane and board a bigger plane 2 hours later.

I almost hurt JP I shoved him in the side so hard. He waves his hand in the air, I jump out of my seat and start speed walking to the cabin door. And we're out!

For our trouble we received 2 vouchers for $200 off each of our next ticket with the same airline, and got to fly home in a big comfortable plane that looked much friendlier. Take a look:

I blinked and here I am.

2007-10-16T19:49:00.000-07:00

Due to an abundance of cash, we took off to L.A. til monday. (actually we won a trip, but wouldn't it be nice if it were an abundance of cash?)

We'll be staying at a fancy-dancy hotel, and enjoying the lifestyle of the beautiful people. I can't wait to hit Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive baby!

(poor JP, i'm gonna so drag him along as we buy maps to the houses of the

rich and famous...teehee)

So, the last real memory I have from my childhood is when my mom told me that my dad died at 11.

Which is odd, because he is very much alive, but when I was 11, and living in Romania -communism and all- my dad decided to run across the border and see if he can escape it. He and my mom talked about it for years -I didn't know this then- and had decided that it was time.

The problem is that in Romania, back then, people did 'dissapear' in the middle of the night, and whoever uttered a bad word about the dictator, did in fact 'vaporize' into thin air... it was not fun living there. A real live "big brother" type world (ever read 1984?)

Moving on.

When my dad ran, he knew that they'd question me and my mom to his whereabouts. My parents figured if I didn't know where he was, we'd both be safe. So, in my mother's infinite wisdom, once he left, she told me he died. Which I then believed for 3 years!! Yeah, that was fun.

Then one day, when I was 14, she tells me we're moving to Canada to reconnect with my dad. PARDON? (Oh yeah, she cost me years in therapy.) But anyway, back to the point.

I don't recall my childhood at all. I have this one memory and then the next thing I recall I am in highschool in Vancouver. All the big events I remember, my prom, my kids being born, but I have real trouble with the details. I am constantly getting in trouble from friends when they say "remember the time when?" and I always say "no".

I sometimes wonder if this incident has anything to do with me "blocking" things out as my therapist liked to call it, but I'm not sure. Maybe I'm just kinda slow.

Not sure what brought this thought on today. I was driving home, and thought "holy shit, my son's almost 8. When did THAT happen?"

We love free shit!

2007-10-14T11:09:00.000-07:00

I worked at the Vancouver Home show this weekend. The Vancouver 'home and garden' show I should say. It happens every year, may even be twice a year I think. Moms come from far and wide with strollers and carseats, in-laws and husbands dragged along.

I used to be one of those women, but not this year. This year, I was one of the exhibitors. My company is one of western canada's distributor for hardwood flooring, so we had a booth there. ("booth' is a bit of an understatemtent. It was a $20,000 - 500sqft advertisement)

I couldn't believe the company paid as much for this as I did for my car!

Anyway, once I was there, I had a chance to observe the kind of people who go to these things. They all look normal at first, but I think one gets dumber by the minute while inside a home show exhibition....

Otherwise smart men and women seemed to gather around like caddle around the 'chef' who was chopping all the onions and green peppers. "Ooohs" and "Ahhhs" all around as the amazing chopper cut your chopping time in half. They were practically throwing money at this guy to get their hands on the new 'best kept secret' in the kitchen.

Then there was the gal who demonstrates the swiffer mop. Oh, how glad everyone was to see her! Oodles of old ladies gasped as the mop cleans even residue that has been stuck on since the last time she cleaned....which incidentally was just a few minutes ago, with a different crowd.

The mop was $19.99 but WAIT, you get a second one FREE!! I'm telling you they were buying those stupid yellow mops like they were going out of style.

There was another booth there with a guy demonstrating how he was loosing weight by having this big black belt strapped on to him. It was emitting heat apparantly and he would be sweating off the pounds without lifting a finger. He recommended wearing this gadget everywhere, to work, shopping, on dates. The fact that he's plugged into a machine, while he was belted in, apparantly is no cause for alarm. Just adds to the charm I guess.

I've come to two conclusions: First that these homeshows seem to be nothing more than an expensive over-hyped infomercial. Second, that I really appreciate NOT being in the retail industry after this weekend. (Our company does not sell directly to Joe and Jane Homeowner, we're a distributor, meaning we sell to floor stores only, they then turn around and sell to the public)

But it wasn't all bad. I did walk around after my shift and get a few free samples. I came home with 2 rolls of the new ROYALE 3 ply toilet paper and more free razors (the kind with the shaving cream build inside them already) to last a small european country for a year.

Oh yeah, my weekend was THAT good!