Hmmmm.......

G'day peeps...Christmas update is due, I know...I've procrastinated and do have something planned, including some pictures of my favourite prezzies...but first I have to take said pictures. It is on the way, I promise.

I felt the compelling need to post though - one of those things that make you go, 'Hmmmm'....How, without any real explanation available, does one wind up with an annoying song stuck in one's head, and this song, in turn, gets stuck on repeat for hours of the day?

Today's musical entertainment for me is Gillette's "Don't Want No Short Dick Man".

Merry Christmas!!!

Nothing like a little Mr. Bean to ring in the holidays:

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=8426419043568771345&q=merry+christmas+mr+bean+pt+2&total=2&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!!!

Santy Paws

A borrowed LOLCat image. It's seasonal...and cute :)

TGIF

Hi. So I made it to work...and I still feel like poo. I've got the cold chills, my throat is a major phlegm pit and so far 2 people have asked me if I was crying because when I'm talking my voice is graggly from the phlegm. I paint such a pretty picture, don't I? I want some chicken noodle soup and a huge blanket. Unfortunately I'm stuck at work until 8:30pm. Tomorrow, we have to get up early to head up West for Steve & Olivia's wedding (gawd I have to dress up and look presentable tomorrow.....). Happy Friday, peeps.

Still paddling...

Because I'm feeling like poo, I thought a cute post was in order. I hope you can see it ok - it went pretty small when I saved it. Isn't life grand as a kitty - no cares, no worries, and a simple sock causes so much pleasure and glory?

What else does a girl do when she's not feeling good? Why, she buys something new to make her feel better, of course! I've been looooong overdue for an upgrade on my cell phone...so I opted for this one. Apparently it's a good phone - and there are a lot of new cool features so I look forward to playing with it :).

I still feel like poo...but I'm working through it.

But I WANT to be invincible!

Well I mighta known it...as soon as I stop running around like a mad woman getting prepped for Christmas...as soon as I slowed down and sat down...as soon as I was finished.........I'd get sick. *whimper*...Yesterday I woke up with a scratchy throat and itchy ears - I tried to tell myself it was just 'dry air'. This morning, my throat is now raw...and my ears feel 'full', and I feel, overall, like CRAP. Merry Christmas - here's a cold.

*whimper*

A Christmas Survey

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? For Christmas, I try to wrap everything - I save the gift bag thing for other occasions, like birthdays. If I have to bag something, if it's odd-shaped or something, it's sure to be wrapped inside the bag. I also wrap the 'sock' gifts too.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Going to have to say artificial - although I love the smell of a real tree, it's undetermined if I may be allergic, and I'm not willing to 'test' the theory as yet. When I was young I was sick every year at Christmas (I'm talking puking/lying down/can't enjoy your presents sick), until the year we put up the artificial tree.

3. When do you put up the tree? I try to get it up 1-2 weeks before (since it's artificial).

4. When do you take the tree down? It usually stays up til at least New Years day...I think it's been Jan 6 the past few years. The room always looks so bare without it once it comes down.

5. Do you like egg nog? Yep, especially with a shot of spiced rum inside!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? The year I received an array of "Sindy" furniture. Sindy was the size of Barbie, and that year I had a bedroom set, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom set. Oh how I loved my Barbies! "Santa" had laid it all out, set up & ready to play on the living room floor. I was ecstatic (that is til I felt nauseous and had to lie down :S)

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Nope.

8. Hardest person to buy for? Hands down my brother Todd.

9. Easiest person to buy for? My Mom, although it's getting more difficult as the years pass...as her little house runs out of 'knick knack' room.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Both - I hand make my Christmas cards now, and for those I'm more 'electronically' close to, I send them off an e-card or at least an emailed greeting. I love to receive cards. I usually never get back as many as I send though. :(

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? The K-mart jeans from Wes...stone-washed and pleated. They were something else.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Home Alone I guess...I'm more a fan of the half-hour specials, and try to catch Frosty, Rudolph, & The Grinch every year.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I usually pick up a little throughout the year, but there's never a November/early-December time-frame that I'm not out picking up the most of it.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? On a rare occasion, yes. Those who say 'no' are lying :P.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? The biggest 'Christmas' eat that is nostalgic for me and that spells "Christmas" is "Dad's" homemade stuffing -fried up in butter in an omelette at breakfast time on Christmas morning........*drool*. I always asked him to make extra.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear...and I'm not loving the new LED ones -at all....

17. Favorite Christmas song? "Oh Holy Night" - I think Boys2Men do a version that's soo pretty. Even Kelly Clarkson's version is nice. I also adore "Please Come Home for Christmas" by my Jon Bon Bon Jovi.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Well, between my family and Chris', we're usually going back and forth between homes...fortunately, we do live in the same province so that's the most travelling we do. If we moved away, I'd have to come home for Christmas...

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Lemme see......Dancer, Prancer, Donner, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Dasher, Blitzen ...and Rudolph (how'd I do?).

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Definitely an angel.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Oh definitely Christmas morning - though as a child, we always opened just one on Christmas Eve.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? When people are made to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" ... sending "Holiday" cards instead of "Christmas cards", putting up a "Friendship or Peace Tree" instead of a "CHRISTMAS tree'. It's CHRISTMAS, people!!!!!!!! This year, one of the stupidest things I heard yet was the idea of changing Santas call from "Ho ho ho" to "Ha ha ha". Stooooooooooooooooopit.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I'm a big fan of homemade ornaments. All the ornaments on my tree are handmade, or they're from my collection of Carlton ornaments that I collected over the years. They all mean something to me.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Again, Dad's stuffing.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Heaping quantities of love and happiness - and something pretty or sparkly never hurts, either. :)

Wrapping Up

Today marks the end of my vacation....back to work tomorrow. The time passed so quickly...

So in the past few days I:
-completed my Christmas wrapping (yeah!)
-watched the Survivor finale - glad to see Todd won, as he was the smart schemer, so a deserving win, methinks.
-joined the scrappy girls for our Christmas gift/sweet swap - despite a nasty drive to and fro (I was very glad to get home). Due to the poor weather, it was a short stay, and a rather hasty retreat, which I found disappointing. The treats are/were yummy, and the homemade gifts are lovely. Thank you, thank you lovely ladies!
-went to Chris' staff Christmas party Saturday night. We had dinner at Piazza Joe's followed by 'sneaky Santa' at Jim's. Next year, it's Chris' turn to drive.

This morning, I had a day of productivity planned, including several loads of laundry. I got up early, swept the kitchen floor and tidied up the living room/kitchen, and started my first load at around 8:30. The washer loaded up, per normal, and then quit. A full drum of water and nothing. I tried a few different wash settings, and nadda. I tried to trip the breaker, and nadda (who even knows if I got the right switch anyway). I called and called and called different numbers for repair, only to be greeted by answering machine after answering machine.

Being the 'girl' that I am I was a little afraid that possibly the plug was loose, but I couldn't reach it to adjust it. For a brief moment I thought a pussycat might have been the culprit - possibly falling behind the washer/dryer as he so often does since I couldn't find him. I frantically searched the house for him...yet only to discover him sitting pretty under the coffee table watching me silently the whole time, almost mocking.... So, in disgust, I gave up, & wrapped my remaining presents. I finally reached a live repair man, who said he'd try to make it this afternoon, and advised he'd call ahead. Afraid of missing his call, I didn't even shower because I waited for the call. Finally going on 4:30 he called, and I said I'd wait til Chris came home to see what he could figure out, and advised I'd call him back if there was still a problem. Chris landed home, pulled a 'Fonz' on it, and lo and behold, we have a working washer again. He figures the timer is going on it...I'm currently on my 3rd load and I've never been happier to do the chore. Who needs a major appliance going fubar this close to Christmas?? Not us.

Typical Monday?? :P

Umm....where'd December go??

Holy crap it's been 4 days since my last post.

Holy crap it's now December 14.

Holy crap!

The past few days I've been prepping for the scrappy girls Christmas party, which is Sunday evening - finishing up the homemade project and actually 'baking' something for the swap. Mine's a no-bake, and some may think it's too simple, but I don't care. They're not Rice Krispie squares, they're not chocolate chip cookies, and they're freakin' good. Soooo....despite my best intent of having EVERYTHING completed for Christmas by now, that party took up a big chunk of time (the homemade gift, although itsy-bitsy took AGES to do). I did start my wrapping - but it's not finished, and I do *gulp* have to venture out to a store to complete a few things I've left to buy for. And my vacation is nearly over.......bah!

Chris' Christmas party is this weekend, my scrappy girls is this weekend. Steve & Olivia's wedding is next weekend...then Christmas is 3 days later. Then it'll all be over.

It's like a whirlwind for everyone, I'm sure. Time to count to ten....relax.... Try to take a moment, with family or friends and hold them dear for a minute, and try to find the true reason for Christmas.

The stockings were hung by the chimney....

Sooooo......a busy weekend behind me....Here's a quick back-track:
-Friday night after work I joined the girls at Julie's house for a Christmas party. There was yummy munchies, including a chocolate fountain! We exchanged a $10 gift, and gabbed the night away.
-Saturday I wrapped and packed up Cathy's presents, and Aunt Barbara Ann's. Normally I'm lucky enough to squeeze them into Mom's outgoing parcels, but unfortunately this year there was no extra room, thus, my own procrastination and now I can finally say they're ready for mailing. Saturday night, Chris & I went out to visit Kim & Kevin for munchies and beer/wine. We talked and talked...and by the time we looked at the clock is was going on 2am. Thanks lovelies! We had a fantastic time, and we can't wait until our next stop at the "Pepperoni Palace"!
-Sunday I completed my cards - and there are only 4 with outstanding requests for a mailing address, so I hope to get the addressed ones in the mail today. While I was addressing, Chris busied himself with the setup of the tree. I helped decorate it once the cards were finished - and now the living room is a 'winter wonderland' (well, not really....desperate attempt at finding my Christmas spirit).

Now we're at Monday - I am on HOLIDAYS all week and I'm going to try to finish my Christmas wrapping/shopping in this week. Today though, I have to pick up Mom for a hair appointment, then we're going to shop around a bit for some stocking stuffers, and tonight I have my stamping class, so today is veering toward a write-off day. Here are some pics of the weekend:

"Wearing nothing but a smile........"

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/offbeat/2007/12/05/az.naked.shoppers.ktvk

My question is --where'd they keep their money?

Fa la la la la la la

The onset of a little bit of Christmas cheer compliments of:
-the potential of a white Christmas for the first time in many years
-driving through the streets and looking at the Christmas lights with a blanketing of snow atop them
-listening to the Boney M Christmas album
-watching a "Charlie Brown Christmas" on tv

Now......if only my Christmas cards would address themselves and all the wrapping would complete itself I'd be a happy girl.

V-Dubbin!

So I'm all approved! I picked up my VW City Golf last night after work. With the onset of our winter weather and another storm today I haven't had any time to drive around. I really like it!! I'll post pictures as soon as I have a chance to take a few. The VW cookie was shot on the day that we first went in to VW. They had a big promo day with free t-shirts and cookies/coffee. I thought the logo on the cookie was too cute not to share, and now that I drive a VW, I figured it more appropriate :) Although I'd love to say the big house in the background is my house, I have to admit that the picture of the car itself is a borrowed image courtesy of the 'ol inkernet, ...but that's what she looks like. Ain't she purty?

The Landlord

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/74

So you should watch this video....it made me laugh...and you all know how much it takes to make me laugh.

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas...

Well Mother Nature gave us one 'ol bitch slap today, now didn't she? It was a very nasty drive this morning when I left at 9:00am to visit the boys at VW. Oh yeah, did I tell you? I changed my mind about the car thing....worry-free and maintenance-free driving are too important to me, and I decided to get a new car instead of buying out my own. Soooo...now just waiting for approval on my application for a VW City Golf - should know Monday. And the reason the ride there was so nasty? Lola's tires are b-a-l-d. It was like going for a walk on the ice with sneakers on. Least I made it home without hitting any more guardrails. After making it home I made the conscious decision to NOT leave the house...called BR and said I wouldn't be making it in. I said I wasn't feeling good (truth be told, I really didn't, but the main reason was the driving and the bald tires...if they suggested a cab ride I would have laughed out loud, since the cab fair to and fro would have cost me more than I would have made there today).

So it was a fairly productive day - I finished up Anja & Jackson's present, finished Cathy's, and made Steve & Olivia's wedding present. Chris took me out for supper at the Churchill Arms; it was my first time there. It was just fair - the smell of curry was overwhelming as soon as I walked in and that turned me off. I realllllly dislike curry. Dessert was a shared deep-fried Mars bar. It was my first time for one of those suckers too. Wow. It tasted deliciously-horrible-for-me...but I felt pretty gross after. From the restaurant we headed to Canadian Tire to pick up some shovels and cleaning supplies. Tomorrow is going to be a deep cleansing day for the mini-home.

As I type, I would like nothing more than to curl up under a warm blanket with a good movie or a book, but alas, I have more presents to complete, then I have to wrap what needs to be sent off, and then I have to make more cards. *sigh*. Least with the snow today it's feeling more "Christmas-y". Who'm I kidding?? Bah humbug!