my happy place

"Catching fish probably isn't much harder than catching a man..."*

2012-01-23T23:20:00.001-04:00

It's really Monday again? Another typical "Monday" at work, and here I am in my jammies by the fire in front of the tv watching the Bachelor.

Tonight's backdrop is the spectacular Canyons Resort in Utah. Rachel is the recipient of the first one-on-one date card and she nervously considers the time she's about to share as she remembers the last relationship she had ending due to her lack of communication (well, yeah, girl, you're there competing with scads of other beautiful ladies for one man's attention. You best hope you can communicate decently). They take a helicopter ride and the scenery is absolutely spectacular. They hop off the chopper onto a canoe, where they nibble on one another's lips as a barrage of bugs flit around their heads. Soooo romantic! They probably should have kept to sucking on their lips because the conversation (or lack there of) between them was awwwkward. I'm not entirely convinced that him giving her that rose was worth his time or not.

Onward to a group date. Horses and hipwaders, oh my! Ben takes the ladies on a horseback ride through picturesque landscapes, and they lead to the water's edge where a line of hipwaders and rods are waiting, and together they plop in the water and go fly fishing. Nothing spells "sexy" quite like a pair of rubber hipwaders, no? Much to the other girls' chagrin, (and my surprise) Courtney caught the only fish of the afternoon, and the cross-eyed, buck-toothed Samantha was left packing. Courtney had a goal in mind, and that was the group date rose, and lo and behold, without much convincing, she got it (now waaaaaait just a minute -- Courtney's occupation is listed as a model, right? Not actress??? Coulda fooled me *eye roll*).

Jennifer was awarded the final one-on-one date. Together, they plunged into the depths of a crater and sought shelter from a rainstorm, and ended the night with a country concert "just for them" (amid a huge crowd of others), and shared a too-fast slow dance. I don't mind Jennifer. I think when it's all said and done, Mr. Ben might have his work cut out for him trying to decide between her and Kacie B.

The typical drama ensued during the cocktail hour before the rose ceremony, and Emily tries to convince Ben that he's making a mistake by holding onto Courtney. Emily, Emily, Emily. Didn't you learn anything from previous seaons of the Bachelor? Any time one of the girls expresses opinions of one of the other ladies in a distasteful manner, she ends up getting the boot. Tsk tsk...You're lucky that Boobs McGee was less interesting than you this evening. I don't think you should get too comfortable, though.

All in all *yawn*, I thought it was a rather boring episode. Maybe it's because I had to lose a full two hours of my night tonight to watch it instead of recording it and being able to forward through the commercials and the too long "coming up nexts" in between them *shrug*. Oh well, you know I'll do it again next week. OH, and did you hear, ya'll? We're getting a Bachelor of our very own! I'm not entirely sure how I feel about that, actually (but you know, I'll watch it).

*Alternate title, "Winning!"

"Babe, welcome to Dumpsville. Population: You"*

2012-01-17T22:18:00.000-04:00

Alrighty folks, it's episode 3 and we're heading to Rice-A-Roni-town. Yes, I'm a day late with my update. I didn't feel like watching it 'live' last night, opting instead for the snuggle-Dexter-watching time with Chris, and recording the episode so I can waste less than the slotted 2 hour interval tonight.

Emily is treated to the first one-on-one date, testing her fear of heights. I think I'm repeating myself, but how does pitter pattering onself up to the top of a horrifically high bridge prove one's worth when it comes to love and relationships? Oh right, it's all about tackling fears, and if they can tackle this, "Lord knows what they can tackle together", paraphrased Ben-ism. {Insert huge eye roll here}. As much as I love Chris, there's no way on God's green EARTH , nor ANY amount of money in any BANK that would make me waltz up to the top of the San Fran bridge for him! Sidenote: Is it a good idea to describe your dating history as, "abyssmal", to try to impress a potential suitor? Really?
Skiing in 85 degree weather whilst wearing itsty bitsy teeny weeny bikinis is the perfect group date, no? Thank goodness there was some SUBSTANCE to the date, since I was beginning to think it was just a Honda CRV commercial. Add in some insecurity with Kacie B (oh she shows her young age, doesn't she?), and the voluntary leaving of Brittney even after she was awarded the 2nd one-on-one spot (I think she just missed her Granny), and you've got a fait accompli!
Onward and upward to the 2nd one-on-one date starring the darling runner-up Lindzi-with-a-zee (hey, at least it wasn't Courtney, right?) And now I want ice cream. Those friggers. A private concert at City Hall followed by dinner at a 1920's inspired bar seem to be the backdrops of some pretty decent dating time (yet I'm still craving ice cream). Beauty tip #2 for Lindzi: never pull your hair up or tuck it behind your gargantuan ears. Never. Trust me.
I.still.hate.Courtney.
Soooo the 'surprise' visitor wasn't an old flame of Ben's trying to rekindle a lost dying ember after all,...but instead the funeral lady from Brad's season, Shawntel, who wanted her own shot because she was crushin' on Ben from watching last season. Her introduction to the wolf pack was the best part of the show, though not to be outdone by the need for Erika's smelling salts and call for emergency personel. In all, I am happy with Ben's ultimate decision in letting Shawntel go, along with the other 2 he'd already picked to leave, sacrificing the final rose (oh, and Shawntel, the ugly cry, really?). Had he kept Shawntel, I think the wolves would have been out for his flesh, anyway, along with Ben finding a pet on boil atop his stove.

And we're only 3 weeks in, folks. Yup.

Title courtesy of Lindzi's dump text. Alternative title: "Who's that Girl?", or "Scram, bitch!", or "It's a circus; it's a frickin' three-way circus" (the choices were ENDLESS, really)

Fresh out of the draft folder: a belated Christmas recount

2012-01-14T13:18:00.002-04:00

I trust you all had a good holiday? Mine was really nice. To the Island's surprise, on Christmas Eve eve, we were treated to a beautiful blanketing of white snow, giving headway to a wonderfully white Christmas after all. I felt like a little kid as I stared out of the window in excitement at the big fluffy flakes coming down. That evening, Chris and I joined Lana and Keir for supper at Cedars. Lana & I have the tradition of going out for birthday shawarma on each of our respective birthdays, and we thought we should add a new birthday to that tradition, so we celebrated the baby Jesus' birthday too. Thank you baby Jesus :). From Cedars, we headed over to Lana's for a few drinks while she and I exchanged our gifts and then we moved from there to karaoke at the Murphy Center. It was a fun night, indeed!

As I had mentioned previously, this season was a little more relaxed for us visiting wise. Chris' parents actually celebrated Christmas in Truro this year. This marked the first year in about 18 years since they've done that. It must have been nice for the family to be all together again Christmas morning. From what I understand all of Chris' father's brothers and families were together with his Nannie. On account of there being one less location to visit on Christmas Eve we were darned sure not to miss the Bowlan's annual Christmas Eve bash! We arrived just as the party was revving up, ate a litany of yummy goodies and had some great chats catching up with some people we only see once a year at this particular function. As usual, Rhonda B, hostess with the mostest, was in the thick of it all, ensuring to give each and every guest some time, all the while making sure the goodies remained well-stocked. She's truly a superwoman. Thanks again, Bowlans, for your rockin' hospitality! After the Bowlans we headed to Mom's for a visit with her and Todd then back home.


Merry Christmas from us to youuuu!!

Christmas morning was a leisurely wake up and we were able to take our time opening gifts and having breakfast (consisting of some just-like-Dad-used-to-make stuffing omelettes...hashtag that as 'Christmas to me' for all you tweeters). As in years prior, we were sufficiently spoiled. Many, many thanks to all of you for your kind gifts and special surprises! We were able to get the house back in order and dishes done before heading back to Mom's for turkey supper. In our turkey comas we then convened in the living room to watch a movie before heading back to the 'hood for a snoozin'.

Boxing Day we headed back again to Mom's. Fred and Belinda just arrived that day. It was Belinda's Christmas gift to Fred for him to see Mom. We gathered together to enjoy some holiday spirits, laughs and take-out. On the 27th we joined Chris' parents at their home for a belated supper to 'end' our Christmas celebrations. The idea now is for us to host the Christmas supper next year (err, this year), and have everyone gather here in our teeny tiny kitchen. It sounds a little chaotic and maybe a little crazy, but it just might be the start of a fun new tradition.

I hope you all had a magical Christmas season with you own friends and families - and I hope you were able to form a few blessed memories that will last you a lifetime...xo

2012

2012-01-14T12:28:00.001-04:00

Well, here we are, 14 days into the start of a new year. I normally try never to make a huge list of resolutions because you all know that I just hate setting myself up for failure. That, and it's my own way of figuratively wearing a really big bulky sweater (more life oversized blanket) to disguise (hide) the over-fluffy that has become my fluffy. Seriously people, I happened to glance in the closet mirror last night as I stooped on the bed folding laundry and had to swallow back the vomit that filled my mouth in reaction to my own reflection. I have a huge affection for Reitmans-wear, and I had started to joke with myself that my size is fine til "I can't fit into the plus-size Reitmans-wear". I think I'm upon an epiphany here...one, seeing my own reflection that I try to avoid mostly, and two, fearing that I won't fit into the new-still-tags-on jeans from Reitmans that were 'slightly snug' when I bought them undoubtedly many pounds ago. *sigh*. So, the eggnog is probably now bad in the fridge. Most of the Christmas chocolate has been eaten (I did have a little help, but, I'm still not proud). It's time to start cutting back on the crap again and start to get my heart pumping (and I mean for a longer interval than reaching the top of the stairs at work). I may or may not blog about it. But, I gotta get a handle on it. Til then, this shall still be my motto for the new year that is upon us:

Number one priority, fluffy or not, is to spend the next 12 months trying to be as happy as I possibly can. So far, since just after Christmas, I've learned of 5 deaths...all close enough in proximity that I know loved ones of each family. Another one is expected, as the person has just been admitted into palliative care recently. In addition, I've learned of 1 marriage break-up and 1 on the cusp. These sad statistics break my heart and make me feel sick inside. Hey Universe, you can stop any time, ya hear?

Happiness isn't a guarantee, and life truly is a gift. I'm going to try to give it my all. Why don't ya'll join me? Let's kick 2012 in the ass...

I will remember you...

2012-01-13T17:21:00.001-04:00

People say you never forget your first. Todd was my first. He was the first boy to tell me he loved me. He was the first boy to break my heart into a million little pieces. I was 17. He was 19. We'd met through my friend Lori's older brother, Paul. Todd and Paul hung out together. The two of us met at Lori & Paul's house. Both Lori & Paul had a few friends in while their parents were away. We took a shine to each other that night, and began dating that week. I was in my final year of high school and I was so excited to have a boyfriend that I would be able to take to the prom with me. I ordered my grad ring that year, and opted for the one with the stone inside. Most who chose the stone ordered the ruby stone, since our school colours were red and white. I, on the other hand, ordered the bright blue stone. The stone closest to the colour of Todd's eyes (I kid you not). Unfortunately, Todd had a wandering eye, and he let it wander when he was still dating me, and that ultimately led to our parting. I took him back briefly, but as I couldn't trust him, it didn't last very long the second time. I ended up going to the prom with a boy that I didn't know. After my 'back up' date fell through very close to the prom date, my father set me up to go with a boy that worked in his office. Dad thought he was a nice kid. It was late in the year, and everyone else had been asked, and I sure didn't want to go alone. I actually considered asking Todd to take me, even for old time sake, but at the time, he was involved with another girl.

Life carried on. I had several more heartbreaks thereafter, learning something from each one. I ran into Todd a few times in between, and each time there was always something in his eye...something that told me that he still cared... neither of us let it go any further than that though. Jump ahead 20 years, Todd found himself married with kids. We reconnected again via Facebook, but didn't see each other again in person until just before Christmas last year. I ran into him at Home Hardware. He was there waiting for his brother to go to lunch. A brother he just found out he had. He was so happy to have found him. We talked that day for a really long time. We remininsced. He had a few health problems that he had alluded to. No details, aside from the fact that he commented that he felt it was life's way of getting back at him for treating some people in his life (like me) so badly. We parted, smiling and shared a hug. I was happy for him that he had a good family and home. I was happy for me, too, being in a steady, mutually satisfying relationship. Life had gone on. I no longer remembered the 'bad times' or the hurt that Todd caused. We were friends, and that felt good.

***
Last week, I got a message from Lori. She was sharing some news about Todd. He had been sent to the hospital in Halifax. He was unconscious, and the outlook, grim. Not usually one for praying, I prayed that day. I prayed that he'd recover. I prayed for his young family. That message arrived on Thursday. On Saturday, a further message had arrived advising me that the doctors were giving him 2 days. I was floored. In shock. How could this be happening? On Monday, a further note arrived to let me know that they were taking him off life support that day. Within a few more hours, he was gone.

He was 41 years old. He left behind a wife, and 4 kids, 18 years, 7 years, 4 years and 1 year. He stayed home with those kids after some health problems prevented him from working outside the house. Daddy being home is all those young kids know. Now Daddy is not there. They're too young to comprehend what has happened. They're undoubtedly calling out for him. The youngest won't even remember him. I'm just crushed thinking about it. How will his family ever get over this? No parent should ever have to bury their own child. No son or daughter should grow up without knowing his or her father.

I'm so sad.

You broke my heart once before Todd, and now, my heart is broken again. I cry for a life lost much, much too soon. I cry for your wife. Your loss will be unbearable for her. I cry for your children. Tyler had an opportunity to know you as a wonderful father, and your loss will be a void that will never ever be filled for him. Jock, Sadie and Willa are still so young...they will cry out for you. They will not understand why you aren't in the room anymore. Jock will remember you, but the memories will be so distant. Sadie and Willa may not be able to hang on to any early memories at all. Watch out for them...

Rest in peace, my dear friend. Thank you for the memories you have given me. I will never, ever, forget you.

~ A friend who dies, it's something of you who dies.
Gustave Flaubert

"Blakely is super flakely"*

2012-01-11T23:26:00.000-04:00

Wow, the Bachelor is really starting out seriously by bringing all the girls to Ben's hometown right at the start, huh? Sorry I'm a few days late. I just got around to watching this week's drama tonight, so play along with me, ya'll. Am I right, or am I right?

Date 1 with Kacie B - she seems like a keeper. I really like her, and I thought their date was really quite charming til the only-used-at-weddings-video they played. That was way too over the top, in my opinion.
Courtney is a biOTch!
The group date was fun. If you want an honest opinion, ask a kid. I adored their reaction to Blakeley. Bang on, they were!! Oh, and by the way...I totally thought Ben's character's name was "Prince PEDO". I literally had to rewind it and watch it again to get it right.
I do not enjoy Blakely. At all. However, I do hope he keeps her around for a bit longer, because I do enjoy the catty comments about her from the others.
Date 2 with Courtney - I don't like her. I don't trust what she says. She's conceited, and she has the potential to break Ben's heart. The best part of that date was watching the dog howl.
Um. Jenna, you state your profession is blogger. So you type for a living. You type words into cohesive sentences, right? So, you should be good with words, right? Good at getting your points across, right? Ok then, what.the.EFF was that display with your one-on-one opportunity? Your final declaration, "I'm not like a girl", just about made it's way to the post title. For the love of the sweet baby Jesus, get your sh!t together if you ever want to try to find true happiness. No, we're NOT kidding you.
A few catty comments...Samantha's dress: Does forcing your skin together tightly with duct tape to make homemade cleavage really work for you? Really? And Lindzi with a zee... you commented on your one-on-one time that your normal make up was mud. Did you roll around in the dirt before the rose ceremony because your foundation was ALL shades of wrong, girlfriend. You really ought to beg a few of the others for some beauty tips.

Yeah, I guess that's about it. What's that? A return of an old girlfriend next week? Can hardly wait. Probably a good thing that Jenna won't be around to deal with that, eh?

*Thanks to Jaclyn for the appropriate post title

girls + booze = DRAMA (otherwise known as your first Bachelor post)

2012-01-02T23:01:00.000-04:00

I'm due for a post-holiday update. Okay, overdue. Seems to be the story of My Happy Place's life lately. I'll get to that. In the midst of three loads of laundry I found myself immersed in yet another season of the Bachelor tonight. I'll be honest, I was considering letting this one go without commentary. Who're we kidding, though? The ridiculous antics and premise of this show really generate colorful blog fodder in an otherwise barren time of year, right? So, without further ado, we've just met our various hopefuls, and here are my first impressions:

- Of course we have to have our standout Canuck in a sea of American girls. The Baconator. Hmm. She's no Jillian, though, eh? Is Ben a vegetarian?
- Now Lindzi, I can understand you wanting to stand out in front of the other 24 girls, but, do you REALLY think smelling like a horse was a good idea? Suppose it's one way of making a first impression. Congrats on your first impression rose.
- And the blonde snubbing Ben at the entrance. She's another Canadian. I'm not so proud that she is and perhaps she isn't either after Ben just finished snubbing her, too (good on ya, Ben!).
-The British one has more to worry about people making fun of the ginormous schnozz more than the bum dimple on her chin, in my humble opinion. Looks sure aren't everything, of course. Let's hope she's got something, then (for the record, she annoyed the crap out of me within the first 20 seconds, and I will NOT miss her).
-Bringing Grandma along for the ride when you know he's a real family man, Brittney. Hmm...that just might have worked for you...
-Shira needs a cheeseburger. Or twenty.
-So you were in a beauty pageant, huh? Sure. Wear that sash. Wear that sash, everywhere. Yeah. And it seems apparent that you feel that sash nullifies the fact that you should brush your hair.
-I predict the blogger chick to be our season's unstable-on-the-verge-of-breakdown girl. What do you think? She's bound to make things interesting, though.
-Hey, Ms. Kentucky: your hat looks STUPID.
-Just a general question: When stepping out of the limo to make your very first impression on a man, is a ponytail your best look? Really?
-The model is so not here to find a man. Publicity, sure. Ben? Nah.

Oh the drama.... You love it too, don't ya?

reminder to search for the true meaning...

2011-12-22T09:42:00.002-04:00

So the countdown is on. Officially, we have only 3 more sleeps til Christmas day. I've been ready for a while now, including even baking up a few batches of cookies (and if you know me at all, I NEVER BAKE. One of the recipes wasn't even from a pre-made mix! It might have only been three ingredients, but I mixed them up with my own bare hands!). Don't get on me though, I actually have 2 more gifts to wrap, and I can't wrap them, because they're not done. And I'm waiting on Christopher to complete them so I can wrap them. And his poor brother will be opening up a belated Christmas gift because we couldn't fit our heads together to come up with a suitable something to forward along to the poor bugger. Sorry Shawn! I promise a little goodie is coming your way soon!

This past weekend, there was a slight, slight snowfall, and on Sunday night we hit the road to Rustico to view the lights (good thing, too, because it appears we'll be having a green Christmas after a few days of milder temps melting the little snow we did have). Monday night I attended Todd MacLean's music school Christmas concert (starring my dear Chris playing "Greensleeves"). Tuesday night, I shared a lovely evening with some of my best girlfriends with our annual gift exchange, and I've been treated to two lovely dinners for Chris' work Christmas parties. I've been feeling the little anticipatory butterflies of the holiday excitement, and really have started to look forward to a few happy surprises and quality time spent with my family and friends. I love Christmas. I'm especially looking forward to it this year, because my momma will be home! She's been in Ontario the last few years, and it just isn't the same when your family isn't close. Fred & Belinda are joining us here on the Island on Boxing Day, too.

Life, as it seems to always do, however, interrupts the reverie to give a devastating reality check. While I sit in my own little bubble of happiness and dream of sugar plums and all such things, 5 families are forever changed. Last week, on their way to the airport, 2 young PEI boys along with an Alberta resident were murdered. Another PEI girl is fighting to recover in an Alberta hospital. Doctors claim that it's a miracle that she wasn't killed. The incident appears to have been a random act - one that was domestic in nature. One of his victims was an ex-girlfriend of the shooter. The shooter, after having fired many rounds at his intended victims then turned the gun on himself, and he too, died from his wounds.

I've been wanting to write a post related to this event since it happened, but I haven't been able to put anything into words. Four families have lost a son or daughter. Their family circle is broken, and while time will mend it somewhat, it will never be the same shape again. A horrific circumstance of 'wrong place, wrong time' proving our own mortality, and the ugly face of reality...I can't get my head around it. My cursor has been flashing in the same spot for so long. I've typed, and typed over, and re-typed and then removed what I've typed...My heart aches thinking about those poor families and friends of the victims. The survivor, though so, so fortunate to have escaped this tragedy with her own life, now has to live with the horrific memories of what happened, and the loss of three of her dear friends (one was her boyfriend). The scope of what she must be feeling is unimaginable. I pray for her, and for the families of the other victims. May they find the strength to deal with this tragedy, and somehow move on from it...

Christmas is a magical time of year. For those people who have lost a loved one, though, it can be especially hard. As you're hurrying and busying yourselves getting prepared for the festivities to come, please, please take a few moments to reflect on what is truly important in life, and remember what the real meaning of Christmas is. Never leave things unsaid, and treasure every available ounce of time you have with those people that mean so much to you. Life is a gift.

Are you ready?

2011-12-10T16:14:00.000-04:00

Well folks, you'll be glad that I spared you all the frantic, "omg it's only 4 weeks from Christmas; omg it's only 3 weeks from Christmas and I have NOTHING done". It's currently 2 weeks from Christmas, and aside from a few bows, tags, and gift bags, I'm DONE! That's right. Done. The tree has been up and trimmed for two weeks. The cards (albeit, store-bought on account of my wrist issues) are addressed and ready to go in the mail. The gifts are bought, wrapped and under the tree. Heck, I even have Chris' stocking stuffed. And, I'm not gonna lie...it feels damn good!

Per my usual routine, I took the first full week of December off from work and stayed on 'staycation' to accomplish the preparations for Christmas in the 'hood. I truly don't know how or if I'd get it done otherwise. Of course, there will still be some final loose ends we'll need to do, like a run to the grocery store and the liquor store. And of course the house still needs a good scrubbing (which, instead of blogging, I should be doing right now). However, I plan to completely and utterly ignore, avoid and boycott the malls altogether, and sit in front of my fake led-lit tree and electric fire, sipping on a mug of coffee and Baileys and just let it all happen :).

How are your preparations going? I hope you're all making it as stress-free as humanly possible. If not, go a little heavier on the Baileys hand - it might help :)

"With great mustache comes great responsibility"*

2011-11-27T15:18:00.000-04:00

Like last year, Chris participated again in Movember this year to help fundraise for prostate cancer research. All month long everywhere I go I see mustaches. So, so many mustaches. I'm glad to see so much participation, and I hope that this participation has led to thousands and thousands of new dollars going to the cause. It still doesn't nullify the fact that mustaches creep me out. And, I selfishly look forward to the first of December when all the razors come out of hiding :).

Yesterday, Chris, Matt & Nicole again set up a Mo'Photo shoot, and they raised $255 to go toward Matt's work's Movember donation. A great big thank you to all who came out to participate! Your generosity will not be forgotten! If you missed out this year, fear not, as far as we can tell, this photo session will reoccur every year.

Let's kick prostate cancer in the ASS!!

*Quote from the Family Guy

Anniversary

2011-11-22T10:12:00.002-04:00

When You Found Each Other

When you two found each other,
you gained the finest prize:
a companion to share life’s joys,
a friend who lightens burdens,
whose company is always a comfort.

When you found each other,
you embraced the love you had dreamed of,
the source of endless pleasure
and memories to treasure.

May your anniversary remind you
of how precious that day was,
when you found each other.

By Joanna Fuchs

****
They found each other over a half a century ago. They brought many years of joy to each other. They were the perfect fit for one another. His loss makes her world so quiet. So empty. 53 years ago today, they were married. Today, she thinks of him a little more.

Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad. I miss him so much, too. Mom, I'm so sorry that today will make you sad.

75

2011-11-16T12:58:00.001-04:00

You would have been 75 years young today, Dad. Every year, the weeks leading up to your birthday make the ache in my heart a little stronger. I hope there's a party going on right now in Heaven to celebrate the amazing person that you were. You were nothing short of wonderful to me. You taught me so much. I owe so much to you.... Thank you for guiding me, and shaping me into the person that I am today. I hope I made you proud.

Since memories fade, and they're all I have of you now, I wanted to recount a few more here, in celebration of you, on your special day:

-sitting on your lap with a bowl of Bits & Bites. I never liked the cheese cracker bits, so I'd give them to you, and you'd suck them up like a vacuum, and I'd giggle every time.
-surprising me one winter day by coming to my kindergarten class and asking Mrs. MacRae to let me out early so we could go on a 'date'. We headed to the Rideau Canal where the ice sculptures were. Winterlude was over, and it was just the two of us and your camera. I have to go find those pictures. I don't think you're in any of them, sadly.
-the scent of your cologne and the shine of your face after a bath and a fresh shave. I'd come home from work or being out, to greet you in your chair in the living room, and bend over to kiss your forehead from above. The smell wasn't overpowering (though sometimes I wonder how it wasn't, being Aqua Velva or Brut, and all!), it was comforting. The lighthouse blanket used to smell like you. It doesn't anymore :(.
-those crazy eyebrows of yours. They stayed so black while your hair went so grey. Every now and then there'd be a rogue hair that was stuck way out of place and I'd pluck it. You never complained.
-some girls might have thought it weird that their father would ask them to shave their neck. I didn't mind it though. I don't think I ever cut you once. Even with that ancient old razor you used with the Wilkinson Sword blades.
-You must have been a very hard worker - immersing yourself completely in your job at the office. On more than one occasion you started small talk with me as I called your office after waiting impatiently for you to pick me up out front of Main building. It would go something like this: you: "Head Material Control Officer, Fred Manuel"...me: "Hi Dad..."....you: "Oh hi Amber, how's it going today?"... me: "Um...aren't your forgetting something??".....you: "Oh! Shit! I'm sorry! I'll be right there!". You'd look like the cat that swallowed the canary when you got there.
-your smile. Your eyes twinkled, and you commanded a room (Mom always said it was your Navy arrogance). Everyone who met you, loved you.
-your hugs. The biggest, warmest bear hugs ever. You'd squeeze so tight and hang on just a little longer than most.

God I miss you.................

finally!

2011-11-15T20:14:00.000-04:00

It wasn't just something I read!

Eeeeee!!!!!!!!!! December 9 is opening night! And! I just HAPPEN to be on staycation that week! Can I buy my tickets now???

And December 9th is not that far away. (How the heck did THAT happen, anyway?)

quote tuesday

2011-11-15T14:09:00.000-04:00

The 'return' of quote Tuesday:

Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.

Sometimes life can be hard. Sometimes you don't get what you'd really prefer. Sometimes you don't realize just how lucky you really are. Take a few moments today to think of what/who make you truly happy...and be thankful for what you have, and most importantly, be happy.

remember

2011-11-11T12:35:00.000-04:00

My father was a member of the Royal Canadian Navy. From there, he worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs until retirement. And, up until his death, he joined the Canadian Corps of Commissionaries. He instilled in me a deep appreciation for remembering those who gave up the ultimate sacrifice, and the importance of November 11 as a day to remember them.

Every year on this day, for at least a few moments, I stop what I'm doing and think about the brave soldiers who lost their lives fighting. They fought to bring freedom to our nation. They died in sacrifice to the freedom we all know, and share, and for the most part, take for granted. Thank you soldiers, past and present, for allowing me to live and breathe in a nation of freedom and peace. Thank you.

For the past hour and a half I've been watching coverage of various memorial services for Remembrance Day - the majority of which airing from Ottawa. The camera pan across the crowd of previous service men and women, tears in their eyes, is very affecting. I've wiped my own tears away several times.

Lest we forget.

quote tuesday

2011-10-04T09:07:00.000-03:00

Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that's right is to get by, and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught.

~J.C. Watts

you may have wondered where I've been...

2011-10-02T11:44:00.001-03:00

I've been MIA, but let's face it, who has time to read blogs in the summer? Consider my lack of posting being a gigantic favor to all of you. Now you don't have months worth of posts to try to catch up on. You're most welcome :).

Soooo, yeah, in my absence.....let's try to see what I deem to have been blog-worthy but just didn't hit the blog....

What does anyone talk about after a long absence? Why the weather, of course... Despite getting a slow start, we did have some pretty decent summer weather coming toward the end of the season. Now it's "fall" according to the calendar. In the Maritimes, we're in that in-between kind of time when summer just doesn't want to quit, yet Fall nudges its nose to interrupt it from thriving. It's cold in the mornings and it's warm in the afternoons. Programmed A/C gets deactivated for the fall and winter, and Lord help us, we try to look fashionable and don our new fall fashions only to be in a lather by noontime. The stray hairs on my face are blowing in the breeze, tickling my nose and chin (read: driving me effing ape-sh!t crazy), and my eyes are dry as the fan at my desk blows warm, stale air over me. It's warm. And I'm not even dressed for fall - still wearing sandals on my feet despite the fact that I had to drive with the heat on in the car yesterday morning ;).*

Update on Zoe: I'm delighted to report that Zoe appears to have made a full recovery from whatever had been ailing her. We're still unsure what made her so sick, but fortunately, she appears to be back to her happy, bright self. She's back to pushing Bosco out of the way when he tries to scramble for a few crumbs at the food dishes, and she's chatting and playing like her usual self. Words cannot describe the amount of relief that I'm feeling....

Birthdays! There's been a few birthdays that have come and gone while I've been on hiatus, and I can assure you all that I was thinking of each and every one of you!!! A belated but very special greeting going out to Jodi, Nicole, Rhonda, Trudy, Melissa, Angela, Kimberley, Fred & Belinda. Cheers today to my special friend Tanya, who today turns another year on the calendar. LOVE YOU ALL!!!!! xoxoxo

Matt! We had a chance to see Matt Andersen perform on two different occasions this month. We were one of a few select guests to land tickets to a charity auction that was held at Gingerwood Stables (home of PEI Tim Hortons' Murphy family). It was our first experience at such an event, and despite the fact that there was no way we could realistically afford to bid on any of the auctioned items, and our feeling a tad under-dressed, we still had a good time. I say we owe it all to Matt, but I am a little biased. He put on a killer show there. It was also fun prancing through a real-life 'mansion'. It was surely lovely inside - just lovely. And by the way, they have a bridge on the main floor. Yes. A bridge. A real frickin' bridge over frickin' water. Inside the house. I had to suppress a giggle as one of the organizers took one look at Chris and I asked if we'd visited Gingerwood before (uh...of course we haven't). We said no, politely. So he followed up with an invitation to view the auction items downstairs, and we could get there by, "going over the bridge and down the stairs on the right". Yeah. Anyway.

In addition to the charity event, Matt wowed TWO sold-out audiences at the Indian River Festival again this year in St Mary's Church. That's right, two. He was in such a high demand that the festival organizers implored that he book another time, and he graciously ended up booking an afternoon and an evening show on September 18. Dennis Ellsworth, lead singer of Haunted Hearts, and newly embarking on a solo endeavor, opened up both shows. Once again, we, and undoubtedly the rest of the audience of the afternoon and the evening performance, left in awe and with big smiling faces. We also had the chance to score a copy of Matt's very latest CD, "Coal Mining Blues", and I've had it on repeat in the car stereo ever since. SO, so good. Matt's now on tour to promote the new album and is moving across Canada -- so, be sure to check your local entertainment listings to see when he's near you. And go.see.him.

So there's some good...now onto a bit of bad...

Once again, I'm a klutz. Last weekend, I had a scheduled 3 day weekend on account of a floating holiday, so when I left the workplace Thursday evening I was MORE than a little stoked to think of what the next 3 days had in store for me. At approximately 3:30-4:00am on Friday morning, I was nudged awake by the urge to pee (later on to discover that perhaps I had been in a deeper sleep than I thought and the nudge was actually Chris shoving me because I was snoring; I don't remember that part). So I stumble (literally) out of bed. My two feet hit the floor and the ample weight of Amber goes down on both legs and appendages. Problem? My left foot was asleep. I did not know that it was (how does one not know that they have a sleeping appendage???)....and, as the weight went on it, my foot bent awkwardly like a wet noodle, and all I remember after that is searing pain and a lot of curse words involuntarily leaving my lips. Yeah. So. The weekend was a bust, and it was spent, horizontal on the couch with slight elevation and a lot of ice being placed on the wounded appendage. Ordinarily, I would have been THRILLED to have a 'do-nothing' weekend with nothing but relaxing and resting to do...tv, book reading, etc... But throw that on me when I have no choice in the matter... that's a whole different story.

You might have thought that was the only pity-me part of the post; well, you're wrong. I shall now discuss the problem I've been facing pretty much all summer long. Adult acne. I've always had problem-skin. Never to the point that it was considered "severe", however, always one to have to cleverly use concealers and cover-up to mask a few unsightly blemishes at pretty much any given time over the course of my entire teen/adult years. For the past few years I've kept my issues at bay after using the Proactiv skincare regime. Better, yes, but never 'clear' in the sense that I felt overly comfortable going out with make-up on. Approaching my *cough* 40's rather quickly, I thought to myself, "enough is enough", and after having watched the infomercial a few times on this new 'wonder acne product by a renowned dermatologist, I thought I'd give Murad a try.

Worst.mistake.of.my.vain.years. I went from a few bothersome zits to patches of painful, cystic, ugly acne. The literature all said to have patience - that there was to be an expected 'purge' of the skin where it could be temporarily worse while the impurities were being flushed out of the skin. I tried. I had ordered a 2 month supply and gave it about a month and a half before I walked into Shoppers Drug Mart , completely exasperated and in tears, and had the cosmetologist recommend something to help me. For the past month, I've now been using Neostrata products, and while I'm certainly not fully crystal clear, I can FINALLY say that my skin is at least back to (nearly) the condition it was before the whole Murad debacle. AND, I'm STILL trying to fight with them to get my money back for their crap product that made my skin worse than it's EVER BEEN IN MY LIFE. I can only hope that it continues to improve.

Enough about me, what about YOU? How was your summer? Anything new and exciting? I'm sure I've missed some stuff, and I actually have new stuff to say but will leave it for a new post. There's your teaser...don't leave me. And thanks for waiting, ya'll! xo

*"Yesterday" as in days ago; I started this update post on a work break. Unfortunately, 15 minute work breaks don't allow enough time to post a complete update :)

quote tuesday

2011-09-20T09:51:00.000-03:00

An overdue update post is in the works, I swear it is. Because I'm more in the mood right now to punch teddy bears, I will not attempt any witty commentaries, other than to post a motivational quote:

What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters to what lies within us.- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Lord help me, I've been reciting the Serenity Prayer in my head ad nauseum... let's hope between that and the intelligent prose of Ralph Waldo Emerson, I shall get through another quote Tuesday. Hope you're all enjoying a good day. If not, get back to me, and we shall plan a time and meeting place to let out our aggressions on our childhood stuffies....xo.

In the words of Mooch:

2011-09-16T14:24:00.000-03:00

Yep.

That's about it.

Update comin' later.

sick kitty

2011-09-14T11:44:00.001-03:00

My little Zoe is having a rough few days. She's been throwing up since last Thursday, and her appetite has been down (normally she's such a little oinker I'm afraid Bosco won't get his fair share). After watching her go through that the entire weekend and cleaning up way more than a fair share of cat barf, Chris took her to the vet yesterday. Of course, prior to that I attempted to get my answers via Dr. Google (read: very bad, very, very bad idea). I was worried sick, and was a teary-eyed pathetic MESS Sunday night and all Monday. The vet didn't want to jump to any conclusions until she ran some tests so on Monday they took blood and did a full work up. In addition she declared that Zoe had a substantial heart murmur (a 3-4 on their scale of 6, and 6 being the most worrisome), and a low-grade fever. Fortunately, the blood work came back clear, but there was still no determination as to what was causing her to be so sick, so an x-ray was booked to see if there was a blockage. She went back today for an x-ray; there was a small spot where the vet thought there could be a blockage, but it wasn't something she wanted to 'open her up for'. She was given an enema which didn't really result in a large anything, and she was given an anti-puke pill which she promptly puked up. The vet left instructions to continue force-feeding her the anti-hairball paste (which, up til now, she liked and readily took, but now, apparently loathes), and advised they'd like to have her back in again today for another x-ray to see if the blockage moved.

I'm so completely worried sick about her I don't even know what to do with myself.

Last night when I got home from work I was sure to get as much snuggle time in. Her ears and face were burning hot so I assume her fever is still present. Fortunately, it seems the anti-puke pill gave her belly some relief because there was only 1 barf incident, and into the evening, she finally started to show signs of turning around. Maybe the fever broke. She has still been drinking, thankfully (always has been a 'water' cat), and she's been taking a little bit of food and treats. I felt better leaving her to go to work today than I did the past two days. I'm hopeful that today's x-rays will show that the area of potential blockage has started to move... and will keep the blog posted. If all my readers could keep my little Zo' in your thoughts and prayers, we'd both appreciate it. She's my constant little companion, and she's only 6 years old. I'm hoping, and praying, for many, many more years of snuggles and purrs with her....

I shall never forget

2011-09-11T10:59:00.001-03:00

10 years ago today I had the day off from work. I was settled in my apartment on the couch in front of the tv, watching TLC. I was glued to either "A Dating Story", or "A Wedding Story", when the phone rang. It was Tanya, my roommate. I think she asked me what I was doing and I advised I was chilling in front of a little TLC. The next words she said are as vivid as if she'd said them today, "Amber, you have to turn the channel....you have to turn on the news...".

I saw the fire burning in the first tower. I saw the 2nd plane crash through the other tower...and I saw the wreckage of both pummel downward to the ground, and the big plumes of smoke and dust cover everything...

September 11, 2001 will be forever marked in everyone's minds and hearts.

http://designwire.interiordesign.net/projects/governmentinstitution/1935/fast-company-goes-behind-the-scenes-of-the-911-museum-at-ground-zero

10 years later, Ground Zero is no longer a place of wreckage, of scars. A memorial was opened to commemorate the victims of the tragedy. Where the two towers once stood, now are two square memorial pools, each adorned with the names of victims, amid trees to signify resurgence and regrowth. A lone tree that was adorned the "Survivor tree", after it had remained standing after the attacks, being one of them. Today there's a memorial service including a moment of silence at the times of the planes hitting, and the times the towers fell. The names of all of the victims being read aloud by members' of their families. Family members gather around the memorial pools, finding the name of their loved ones. They say a prayer; some take photos; some take pencil rubbings of the names; some leave flowers.

I sit today, again glued to the tv in front of me, as I was 10 years ago. Again, tears streaming down my face. I shall never forget September 11.

It just happened...

2011-09-09T12:43:00.000-03:00

I'm coming back to you all. I swear. Soon!

quote tuesday

2011-08-23T09:39:00.001-03:00

Sadly, Jack Layton lost his battle with cancer on August 22, 2011. I felt it rather fitting to quote him* today, on quote Tuesday:

"My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world." ~ Jack Layton

What a wonderful person he was, and what a difference he made to this country. His spirit will live on, and I hope his final words become something we will all remember, and live by.

*This was the end quote of a letter that Jack wrote only 2 short days before his passing. I encourage you all to click on the link in the post which will take you to the actual letter, if you've not yet read the whole thing. Our country is in mourning. So, so sad.

quote tuesday (on a wednesday)

2011-08-17T08:36:00.000-03:00

I had intended on posting a quote yesterday but I was too busy editing the weekend post I guess. A friend just updated this quote as her FB status, and I promptly stole it:

If you're alone, I'll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I'll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I'll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile. But anytime you need a friend, I'll just be me. ~Author Unknown

To all my friends near, and far..

To those who I don't see nearly often enough but are truly as close as can be in my heart...

I thank you for being there...xoxo.

something about a weekend

2011-08-16T16:03:00.001-03:00

I wish I could wiggle my nose and bring my weekend back. It was just lovely! Friday night, after a crap-full-moon workday, Chris & I went to pick up Julie, and the three of us headed to the Trailside Cafe in Mt Stewart for dinner and a performance by Irish Mythen. The dinner choices were few, and expensive, and I'm trying to forget about hearing the 'beep beep' of a microwave just before I saw the wait staff bring out the next plate. Julie's nachos, also nuked, were additionally stale, and I think they were saving the cheese for someone else's plate. Anyway, all that was quickly gone from our minds as soon as Irish hit the stage. Oh, and the cheesecake for dessert? That was superb, too, by the way!

It had been our first time to the Cafe. The locale was quaint; the room was full, and the tables were squished in to accommodate the crowd that formed. It was warm, and there were a few mosquitoes buzzing around. To hear Irish belt out a few old favourites and the majority of her new album? Priceless, and worth any of the little inconveniences before us. Irish, once again, thank you, thank you for an UNFORGETTABLE night! There were a few faces in the crowd that hadn't seen Irish perform before, Julie included, and it was so awesome to see the look of pure entertainment and joy on their faces as the night progressed! Can't wait for the next performance!

Saturday, Chris & I decided to hit Cows for a cone, and at the spur of the moment, ended up joining a bunch of others for the factory tour. It's very neat - and something you should do if you're on the Island. Totally worth the $6 (I think it's cheaper for children, too). Their was no actual production because they don't work weekends, but there were videos at each stop, where they explained how their creamy ice cream is made, the process for their cheese/butter making, and the production of their popular t-shirts (aren't we cute posed in our hats?). It didn't hurt that you got to sample a little bit of their ice cream at the very end, either :).

After our ice cream tour we hit up the Bulk Barn and loaded up on a few munchies, then drove into town, where we walked around the city & took in a bit of the "Concert on the Row", a pre-concert to introduce some of the acts that will be at next year's Malpeque Folk Festival. We got to hear a few songs from John Connolly and Meaghan Blanchard. We walked down on the waterfront as well, and I bought a few new pairs of comfy flip flops (a new pair of Crocs flip-flops & a pair of Sanuk -- both sooo comfy). I tried to convince Chris to let me buy him a pair, but, he insisted that he keep his socktan for another year running *sigh*.

As the sun was starting to set, we walked down to the Marina Bar & Grill and sat on the outside deck to have a cold beer and supper. The food was ok; the beer was super cold, and the view was spectacular (am I right, or am I right?). We then headed back home, sleepy from the fresh air of the day. 'Twas a great day!!

Sunday, Chris and I shared our morning coffee outside on the deck (a rare two-days-in-a-row of sunshine, no less) and made our way out for a few errands, including groceries. Before we knew it the sun was setting again, and it was time for Big Brother and an early night before a new week.

This week is a sad week for me, with Julie and her girls returning to Whitehorse tomorrow. I already miss her and she's not even gone yet. Cody & Jool are visiting from Calgary. Jool travelled across the country with her family, and Cody landed on Friday night. So far, we've not yet connected, but we hope to soon get some time in with them in the next few days, and finally meet their gorgeous little girl, Chloe.

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful weekend filled with happy memories, sunshine, good friends, and warm breezes, too :).

Did I shave my legs for this?

2011-08-12T09:42:00.005-03:00

I've said it before, but some days it's worth repeating: It's a REALLY good thing that people can't read minds to discover what I'm really saying to them in my head, as I smile, and nod and "agree" or empathize with what they're saying, or trying to say.

I broke a mirror this morning 10 minutes before I had to leave to get to work*. It's a full moon. I'm PMS'ing. I have a ginormous zit erupting at the tip of nose so in a few hours time I'm going to look like Bozo the Clown. We've had so much rain I'm starting to mold.

I really should have kept hitting snooze and stayed my arse in bed.

All together now....TGIF! I don't think I could do another day. As a bonus, we're supposed to have sun all weekend. And, I have a great evening planned....Yes, I'm selfishly looking for my silver lining. Happy Friday folks -- hope your day started better than mine ;).

*Might I add that it's the second mirror I've shattered in a MONTH? So. Does the second one cancel out the first 7 years of bad luck, or am I royally eff'd for the next 14 years? *sigh*

** Thanks to my hunny for cleaning the mess....xo

quote tuesday

2011-08-09T12:28:00.001-03:00

All of us can use a little encouragment from time to time:

Look at a stone cutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred-and-first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before.

~Jacob A. Riis

where have you BEEN???

2011-08-06T10:49:00.000-03:00

....I feel like I've been such a spotty blogger that I can't even do an 'update' post any justice. The summer is half over and I haven't let you all in on what's been going on. I suck. I'm sorry. I'll try not to waste your time complaining and coming up with excuses. Yes, life is busy. Yes, my wrist is bothering me - still. And a lot. Yes, it's that humid time of year where I'm prone to headaches that feel like my head's going to bust open. I guess that's where I'll stop complaining. Here's a little of what's been keeping me off of blogger and out of your lives...

One of my dearest friends is on the Island, visitng from Whitehorse. Julie embarked on the journey with her two girls in tow; Teddy is staying home this visit. She's only visiting once every two years, so I've been trying to soak up every ounce of available time with her that I can. The girls are growing up so fast!! Sarah is a complete clone of Julie, and Alexa, of Teddy. In fact I've donned her "Little Teddy" this trip. They're so freaking cute!
Chris and I are trying to do a 'date night' once/week, and that usually falls on the weekend. So, in the past three weeks we have: Had dinner at the Chinese restaurant in Cornwall, then onward to a video store, bringing back a few movies, along with some Cows ice cream* for the road, and then came back home for a movie night. We even sat on the same couch! We rented Inception & Little Red Riding Hood. Inception was CRAZY, but I really enjoyed it. LRRH was ok...but I kinda wish I'd left my childhood story where it was. The following weekend, we headed out in the Element on a beautiful Sunday afternoon with no real destination in mind, but in hunt of local vegetable & fruit stands. Chris has a little project he's working on, so he was technically 'working', but it was still an opportunity to share some alone time and explore some different paths and roadways that we've not been to before. We ended up vising Argyle Shore Provincial Park, several different roadstands and ended the day in Kensington for supper (and more importantly, dessert) at the Frosty Treat. Last weekend, we had supper at Maggie's & then onward to the theatres for a showing of a new movie, Friends with Benefits. It was really cute. I didn't even mind that that much that it was Justin Timberlake who starred in it. Tonight, we have a double-date planned for dinner & a movie with Melissa & Darren! So excited; we haven't had a chance to spend time with them since their wedding - so LONG overdue!
I finally got out with my girlfriends, albeit, more than a month late, for my birthday supper. We went out to the Old Triangle for a change. The food was good, though a bit expensive ($2 more to make a sandwich a wrap instead of a keizer? WTF?). The company made up for the price. Thanks girls.
Last weekend, I joined the girlies at Tanya's house to celebrate the upcoming Baby Redmond's arrival. I can't post pictures yet, because it was a 'themed' shower, and not everyone knows the 'theme' yet. Suffice it to say that Julie got a lot of really nice stuff :). Speaking of a pregnant Julie R, I also joined Chris on her maternity photoshoot a few weeks ago. It was a hot and very humid evening; we got some great shots at a local area park, and got back to her place before a big thunder bumper passed by. We'll be back after Baby R arrives for more pics, and perhaps I'll share a few on the blog at that point :).
Last week, Chris & I met Julie's friends Jen & Roger. They used to live in Whitehorse, too, but just recently moved to Ottawa. They and their 2 kids drove to PEI on vacation, lining up when Julie was home as well. We grabbed a drink and munchies before they headed back on the road the next morning. It was great to meet them - and it's easy to see why Julie thinks so fondly of them. I helped Jen make a 40th Birthday scrapbook for Julie, and she brought it with her to give it in person. It turned out great! Great to meet you Jen & Roger! We'll be sure to catch up with you in October if Chris & I make the big trek up your way!
No summer update is complete without a little BB talk! Yes, we're still heavily enthralled with the show...collectively gagging when the camera panned to the scenes with the blubbering Brachel duo. We were SO delighted that Brendon finally got the boot last week. Now, to work on the other half! We're still cheering on Jeff & Jordan, as well as Daniele. The latest "twist" of a formerly voted out housemate getting the chance to get back into the game makes me nervous. Will Brendon & his big mouth land his way back there? Wouldn't surprise me. Ah well, makes for loads of drama, anyway!
Last night, Julie & I had a date night of our own! We stuffed ourselves on garlic at Pizza D, then went shopping for t-shirts for her, and then made our way to the theatre where we caught the late show of Horrible Bosses. If you haven't seen this yet, you should try to get to it. So freaking funny. Not long ago Chris made a comment to me that every time Jennifer Aniston stars in a movie she basically plays Rachel. Wait til he sees this movie. Thanks Julie for an awesome time!
On a sad note, Chris got some disappointing news yesterday. A friend of his who has been undergoing treatments for cancer was advised that the treatments weren't working, and he's been given only a few months to live. He's in the midst of getting settled into his home to spend his final days with his loved ones by his side. We're so, so, so sorry to hear that it didn't go his way, and wish him, and his family, strength in the next while. Go out there and LIVE people. Don't put off stuff you think you can do another day. Life is so precious and fragile.

*speaking of ice cream. Dear LORD the ice cream consumption this summer has been atrocious. If my wrist wasn't so bad I might consider trying to get a part-time job at Cows so that I might be sick of it. It worked for me back in the day when I worked for Garden City. I didn't want to even LOOK at an ice cream scoop or drop of ice cream for years after that. Something tells me that wouldn't work though.

quote tuesday

2011-08-02T13:04:00.003-03:00

Whatever you want in life, start today.
Not tomorrow - today.
Let it be a small beginning - a tiny beginning.
Your happiness depends on starting today - every day.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

"things don't end unless they end badly"*

2011-08-01T23:28:00.001-03:00

You all know that I've basically watched this season more out of habit than anything else. My eyes were sore from rolling them on a weekly basis, and, when it came down to the end two guys, I didn't really care which one she ended up choosing. I did watch last night's "Men Tell All" with slight glee, waiting for the attack of Bentley, but the pussy ended up declining the invite to even attend, so I didn't even get any happiness out of that.

As for tonight's finale, I actually ended up missing the first 15 minutes, and for a brief moment, contemplated watching a movie with Chris and catching up on it on the weekend. Chris opted to go to bed early, so I stayed up to watch it to the bitter end, after all. So here you are - the first time all season I note my opinions right after the show aired instead of deferring it to a later day.

JP, eh?

If I was to place my choice out there, I would have wholeheartedly been routing for Ben. He was the kindest. He was the most sincere. There was an obvious chemistry, and he could have given her a lifetime supply of wine at her fingertips (helllloooo!). Besides, JP has an angry jealous streak he's already displayed. Not cool. And does she really think he's going to give up his life & routine to set up a whole new one with her? Pfffft. Right. I think she made the wrong choice, and I think it's disgusting that she didn't stop Ben before he made his way down on bended knee when she knew what was about to happen and could have easily stopped him.

It's only a matter of time before we see their names in the tabloids as the next failed Bachelorette union, and see her sniffling and bawling on the 3rd season of the Bachelor Pad. *rolls eyes* (ouch!)

*quote by brokenhearted Ben; wishing you love and happiness someday, Ben!

quote tuesday

2011-07-26T13:44:00.000-03:00

Love can be fickle. Love can be fragile. When you find it, it's truly the best feeling in the world. Some days it's easy to take for granted what is the most awesome in your life. We don't mean to do that, just, sometimes, life can get in the way. Today's quote of the day is brought to you by the wise Bob Marley, and is dedicated to Christopher. Thanks for loving me, babe...I love you to the moon and back... xoxo:

"You may not be her first, her last, or her only. She loved before she may love again. But if she loves you now, what else matters? She’s not perfect - you aren’t either, and the two of you may never be perfect together but if she can make you laugh, cause you to think twice, and admit to being human and making mistakes, hold onto her and give her the most you can. She may not be thinking about you every second of the day, but she will give you a part of her that she knows you can break - her heart. So don’t hurt her, don’t change her, don’t analyze and don’t expect more than she can give. Smile when she makes you happy, let her know when she makes you mad, and miss her when she’s not there."
- Bob Marley

"If you do the same thing and expect different results, that's when insanity begins"

2011-07-20T22:22:00.000-03:00

Oh the drama!! The best place for Rachel was hiding in the bushes. She's such a whiny child! It's too bad that Jordan was such a committed game player. I think it would have been hella interesting to see the look on the Branchel's face if she had back-door'd them tonight! At least Rachel didn't win veto, and she still has to eat the slop. I might have clapped my hands together in glee when she slipped off the beam the second time.

I still love Jeff.

And I still miss Dick :(.

"It's the best when the ordinary is extraordinary"*

2011-07-19T21:57:00.001-03:00

A few observances as I watched last night''s episode online this evening:

I think my eyes are sore from rolling - and she's not even through of the first hometown date yet.
Maybe it's because I desperately miss my own dad, but, I absolutely adore Constantine's father.
Ames' hometown date was awkward from start to finish. The picnic under the magnolia tree was a nice touch, but, a hit and a miss just the same. Sayonara, Ames.
Ben's date broke my heart....why does the friggin' BACHELORETTE have to get me missing my Dad all the time? Jeeeeeezzzzzzz. Despite the obvious emotions, I think they have the best chemistry. Ben shall be Mr.Ashley; and they shall spawn a child; a boy, who will be named after Ben's late father. And he will have big brown eyes and curly brown hair.
Watching the date with JP only made me miss Skate Country. Though his mommy's desperately trying to protect her son's fragile heart, JP's gonna get hurt again. Control freaks lose in the end; they always do.
And it is Ames to ride off into the sunset, onward to more "adventures with himself" (hey, *I* didn't say it - he did!)....eeyeah.
So, who flew all the way to Fiji, huh? Perhaps a better question is, who cares?

*yawn*

*figured I owed the broken-hearted Ames a bit of a tribute so the post title is a quote from under the magnolia tree; guess he wasn't ordinary enough. And BONUS - it can serve as my quote for "quote Tuesday", too.

The Big House

2011-07-16T13:00:00.000-03:00

You're probably wondering where the BB posts are, aren't you? Yes, I am indeed watching. It's not really summer til BB starts :). I did a complete 360 from complete elation at the returning veteran houseguests, namely the return of my beloved Evel Dick - to utter disappointment that he had a surprising & quick exit from the house. Obviously it was for a very important reason that he opted to leave, but his presence will definitely be missed. I hope that Daniele can reprise the Donato fortune this season as well, and show us all a double-win. With both Jeff & Jordan also there, I'd also be happy if they were back to claim the prize (either one), as well.

Now, on to Brachel, or Branchel, or whatever you want to call them...how about the "Demasculinating" Duo? (Attention Rachel & Brandon....that AIN'T a word!! I believe the term you were searching for may have been emasculating? *rolls eyes*). Despite being really hard to love, they do spur on a great deal of drama, so they make the show fun. I definitely don't want them to win, but I'll be okay if they last a little bit. They're the type of people that you love to hate, ya know? I can't believe he proposed to her...suppose they definitely are made for each other. *shrug*

For the longest time, I was puzzled as I looked at Rachel, wondering to myself, 'Who does she remind me of??!?' Thanks to a friend on FB, who hit the nail right on the head, BOY GEORGE! Hmmm....we haven't heard much about BG for a long, long time...Same person, perhaps? Click on the picture to make it bigger and really get a good look at the two. Hahaha :).

It's too early to have formed too many opinions of the newbies, but here are a few:

Adam - at first I thought he'd be cool, what with the 'bad boy' vibe and all. I even laughed at the obsession with 90210, but I think, even just after a week, I've grown tired of it. His 'monster-truck-announcer-yelling' grates heavily on my nerves.
Dominic - not much to say; he doesn't seem to like the veterans, so I can't like him at the moment.
Lawon - I like this guy; he makes me laugh at his over-the-top style and personality.
Kalia - waittaminute -- I thought Oprah didn't have kids? She looks like Oprah. That's all I can say about her.
Shelly - She bothered me at the start, until Chris pointed out that her personality strikingly resembles Melissa McCarthy's role on Bridesmaids. That's made her a lot more tolerable. She won't last long though.
Cassi - She's pretty; she has great teeth and I was shocked that she is a smoker. I guess she has to do something to suppress her appetite to keep her scrawny figure, after all.
Porshe - well, I suppose every season needs it's own ditzy blonde, huh?
Keith - he bugged me the minute he opened his mouth, and I'm SO GLAD he was the first to go.

Have you been watching? What are your thoughts (SPOILERS UNWELCOME!)

"the offspring of an ostrich and Elton John..."*

2011-07-12T21:43:00.001-03:00

One of these nights I might actually post my thoughts right after the show airs:

I loved, loved, loved the love lantern thing. The shot of them all flying out into the night sky was awesome.
So it would appear that Ben the winemaker is sharing a little chemistry, hmm? What, with them forgoing their individual rooms before being invited by Chris Harrison to do so....tsk, tsk.
JP's jealousy is unattractive. I wonder if crying and whining to get what he wanted worked for him as a child?
While Ames did look ridiculous in the hideous pastel tux, my favourite shots from the group photo shoot where theirs, actually.
Ames looks like Elvis Presley & Harry Connick Jr's love child. And what guy wears red pants if they're not up on a stage performing?
That 'umm hmmm' thing that Ashley does (followed by the whole lick lip thing) is grating on my last nerve....
Waiiitaminute -- are those pants actually FUCHSIA??? Yes, yes, I think so; cuz those pillows are definitely red, and they're nowhere near the colour of those pants. I repeat my last comment about what kind of guy wears fuchsia pants if they're not up on stage performing... and multiply that by 12.
Ryan's a wiener. "Cloud 10"....*barf*. Maybe his melodramatics will convince the producers that he should be the next Bachelor. Oh God I hope not.
Lucas stepped down with grace.
Ok, I take back my comment re: the 'umm hmmm' thing, and change my mind to the heaving-snort-back-bucket-loads-of-snot-while-dabbing-daintily-at-her-eyes-CRYING grating on my last nerve!
Attention Chris Harrison: Brad & Emily were NOT meant to be, and it never really seemed that way, either.
Is "dot dot dot" now an official "Bachelorette-term"?
Ok maybe I was just so bored that I lost my attention span, but why did Emily & Brad break up?

*Alternate title: "It's not a dress; it's a long shirt"

quote tuesday part 2

2011-07-12T16:53:00.000-03:00

I owe you a few Tuesdays' worth anyway, so even though I already posted a quote for today, after finding this one, I figured I'd post it instead of saving it:

"I believe things happen for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so you can appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually start to trust no one but yourself, & sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together." ~ Marilyn Monroe

quote tuesday

2011-07-12T12:04:00.000-03:00

"When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile". ~Author Unknown

the closed door

2011-07-12T09:26:00.000-03:00

In the maze of life there are many twists and turns - each turn a new decision, the place where that turn leads offering more direction to go. Years ago, we all started out walking along the same path. We laughed over silly things; we cried over boys; we experimented with different things; we promised each other that we'd be "BFFs" forever. We set out on our journey then, traveling together, arm in arm, until we came to a big, thick door. Beyond that door there were rattles, pureed vegetables, diapers, and drooling, wide-mouthed babies. I chose to walk past that door. Everyone else walked through. A few were hesitant. A few knocked lightly before gracing the threshold with slight hesitation. A few had trouble with the lock, but finally managed to open the door wide and ready.

I didn't knock; I didn't ask for a key. For a brief minute, I stood outside that door and I fought with the idea of tapping it lightly, but then I opted to walk past, and I haven't looked back.

The trouble is, I looked behind me, and there wasn't anyone behind me. I could hear the faint laughter and shared companionship in the distance, behind the door, paces down the hallway.

And then I felt sad and a little out of place.

I haven't forgotten about you, I swear....

2011-07-11T09:32:00.000-03:00

I don't have a good excuse for leaving you for 10 days. You can blame the damn wrist! I have been very achy lately and the thought of sitting down and typing hurts me before I even try it. If I didn't have to type for a living I might get somewhere....hello, Lotto? Yes, I could sure use you. You're busy right now? Ok, well, can't knock a girl for trying...

Sooo...it's summer - finally :). We knew it would get here, we just had to have a little patience. Here's a list of a few sure-all signs of summer, for me at least:

- the glory that is the a/c (hey, I'm a MUCH happier person when I'm not dripping in humidity sweat, trust me)
- fresh PEI strawberries!
-the pop-tart tan of 2011 is coming along nicely
-bug bites (I swear an entire chunk of my arm was bitten off)
-music, music, music! Including attending the Summerfest show on July 3 with Haywire and Meatloaf (thanks Lana!), and 1, possibly two, Matt Andersen concerts to go, and one for Irish Mythen. We're also marked as a very possible maybe for an Ian Sherwood house concert, too. Can't beat live music!

I've yet to dip my toes into the sand, nor enjoy a beverage on an outside deck... thankfully, the summer's not yet over :). Hope your summer is passing along swimmingly!!

Oh, Canada!

2011-07-01T23:56:00.007-03:00

Happy Canada Day!! This year was the first year in four that Chris wasn't working. We slept in, went into town to do a few errands, had fries out of a fry truck, stopped in at the park to see some of the Canada Day festivities (including seeing a number of people we hadn't seen in ages), and we hung out for a bit with Matt & Nicole at our place. Matt & Nicole were pretty beat, so they left at about 8pm. For a while, it looked like we might skip out on the fireworks. At about 9:30pm our grumbling bellies forced the decision that food was our priority, and on our way to get food, Chris made the spontaneous decision to go straight instead of heading into town, and we ended up parked on a cottage lane in Cornwall, across the water from Victoria Park. We parked, sat & snuggled on the tailgate of the Element, and had a perfect view of the fireworks! Since Chris had the forethought to park backwards, on the other side of the road, we were able to be one of the first cars out of there, too, beating all traffic. We ended up at Pizza Delight in Cornwall for a late supper, then landed home to crash. It was a pretty quiet Canada Day, but it was still a memorable one. Hope you all enjoyed your own day, celebrating what a wonderful country we live in! Happy 144th Birthday, Canada!

*crappy photo from Chris' iPhone -- sooo far away from the action, but we saw them all. It was way more romantic cuddled up on the tailgate than fighting traffic from town back home :).

a fairytale come true...

2011-06-29T22:46:00.000-03:00

Melissa and Darren are two of my most favourite people in the world. Both have been dealt some very difficult hands in their past, and they're living proof that goodness, happiness, and love prevails over even the worst adversity. They're perfect for each other, and their love is beautiful. I was absolutely honored to be asked to do a reading during their intimate ceremony, and I'm so happy to be able to tell you all about their special day from start, to finish:

Stanhope Beach Resort was the perfect backdrop for an outside ceremony right by the ocean. The night before, it had been windy and so cold we couldn't feel our toes, but, the actual day of the wedding, the sun shone bright, and the winds minimized. It was perfect. Melissa and Darren both have their own special angels shining down on them, and I'd like to think that they both had something to do with the perfect weather :).

The reception area was absolutely gorgeous, thanks to Once Upon a Wedding - they came in, decorated the whole thing, and tore it down when it was all over. The room itself was beautiful to start with, but the tasteful decorations turned the room into a romantically magical setting!

The gorgeous cake, including it's very own bling.

The center pieces - PERFECT, if you know Melissa!

They're both beaming - that great smile of Melissa's lights up the darkest of rooms :)

Kaylie wrote her very own speech to welcome Darren into the family. Melissa didn't know about this until a few days before the wedding when she told her mom she thought she might need a little help finishing it up. In her words, she, "really wanted Darren to know how much she loved him". The speech was poignant, sweet, funny, and caused a few tears in the audience. She's her momma's daughter, for sure!

I *heart* these two!! Could they BE any more adorable? No, I think not ;)

Donnie and Tim of Vintage 2.0 provided the entertainment for the dance, and the dance floor was hopping the whole night long! Always a pleasure to see these guys play. Great job!

The bride & groom jivin' it up :)

Chris took his responsibility of being the evening's emcee very, very seriously. He made sure that he did whatever was in his power to ensure everyone around him had a good time. Despite forgetting the whole saying grace thing (and an incredible minister who was able to eloquently fit it in as an 'after dinner tradition), he did a bang-up job. He ensured the reception flowed through its paces; he had several 'dance offs' amongst some of the other guests (including his own rendition of "break dancing", and showing off his version of "the worm" not once, but three times). It was tie-swinging, feel-good fun :).

Melissa & Darren, thank you so much for allowing us to share in the magic of your special day. You are both so important to us. Words can't describe how happy we are that you've found each other. Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness, always xoxoxo.

quote tuesday

2011-06-21T17:02:00.000-03:00

dot...dot...dot...*

2011-06-21T15:12:00.000-03:00

So Ben the winemaker wasn't one of my early favourites, but after their one-on-one date, I'm growing more and more warm to the idea that he could be making his way onward to the final few. He seems very genuine, and very 'into' Ashley, and she appears to be a little smitten, too. The scene where they weren't 'allowed' to kiss because of the sacred ground was actually kinda hot ;).
'fight for the girl' group date...boxing, the thai variety, or any kind of 'sport' of that nature is NOT my thing. At all. Besides, why would she want to run the risk of them bruising up their pretty faces? Though, their pre-match warm up routine...and their glistening muscular chests (hellloooooo Mickey!!)? Ummm...yeah, that was pretty ok. BUT! All's fair til the one in the pink shorts lands his ass into the ambulance (I personally think he looked like he fought like a girl, but, all jokes aside, I'm glad he wasn't seriously injured).
To Lucas: GOOD JOB douche-bag...telling her that her 'type' is Bentley. We almost had a whole episode without his rat arse being mentioned. Your heart is obviously not into this.
Blake is awkward. Perhaps he's just shy. He's not ugly though.
Ames was dopey-looking enough without the worry of being concussed. Did he look extra dopey the evening of his date, or was it just me?
Ben C and William fight for their chance to stay, amongst the elephants...Did Ben C really tell the guys that he couldn't wait to get on dating websites? Jokingly or not, it would appear that it was his time to go, regardless, but William hammered in the nail til I was buried deep in the wood. If he DID say those things, good on Wills for doing Ashley a favor. If he twisted it to his benefit, I've lost respect for the guy. The jury's still out on what I believe about all that. Maybe the "Men Tell All" episode will reveal some "unseen footage"? Either way, the point is kinda moot now. Maybe she was just sparing William's feelings by keeping him around a little longer after his roast debacle anyway. His whole 'pity me' speech at the end only proved, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that Ashley made the right decision.
For the love of the sweet, merciful Baby JAYSAS......enough about Bentley, already! I want to punch her!

*sigh*

Remind me again of why I watch this show? Oh, I just saw the preview for next week. I can hardly wait :).

*Lending the phrase: the eloquent Bentley (sarcasm intended)

Shame on me...

2011-06-20T17:25:00.000-03:00

...I've been a bad blogger. I wish I had some exciting reasons why I've been MIA. It's more that there hasn't really been much blog-worthy goings-on, I'm afraid. I'll try to cap off a Coles notes version of the past while...I'll go point-form so I don't lose too many of you toooo quickly:

-Operation Mouse Trap 2011 has been a success. After a week between the last check, it has been determined that we've rid our home of our pesky little visitors. The 15 traps under the home have been untouched, as are the ones in the water heater closet. Phew! That means that our original mouse count of 3 was it. The assumed entrance-way has been plugged up, and the traps will remain for a while longer. We have slept much better lately.
-Our 'spring weather' in the Maritimes has been really sh!tty - wet, damp and cool. We can count on 1 hand how many nice, warm, sunny days we've been graced with. And, it's even making the news - they just mentioned that it's rained 2 out of every 3 days since May. I don't normally blog about the weather, but one day in the future, maybe we'll look back on 2011 as the year we didn't have summer? I kid, I kid. Personally, I wouldn't mind if the temps stayed in the 20-22 degree Celsius range, so long as the dark, dreary clouds would dissipate. I can just imagine that realistically, the humidity is on its way and the remaining summer months will be unbearably sticky and hot and I'll be praying for a little rain and cool. We'll see.
-We finished Prison Break. A little piece of me has died. I'll not elaborate in the event any of my reading audience has yet to watch (watch it already, damnit, so we can talk! :)).
-I have been watching the Bachelorette; I did my first post recently, as a catch up post for the first 3 weeks. I watched this past Monday's episode over the weekend, and I really don't have much to add. Ashley is whiny. The last episode was boring...but, I will keep watching. And the preview for tonight's show sets up the possibility of a return of the Snake Bentley? That oughta mess with her head. *sigh*
-Big Brother starts on July 7!! I'm just a little gleeful about the prospects of a new season in the house!!
-My aforementioned birthday shawarma was postponed - to tonight that is!! Meeting up with Lana tonight and I can barely stand it! Belated birthday shawarma is something I look forward to twice every single year :).
-We've been to a few more Open Houses in the past while. We've determined that our 'style' of choice is definitely a rancher - with a full double-car garage with the extra high ceilings so that Chris can set up studio shop inside. We're still not sure whether we want to take the leap to build something, or keep shopping for one that's already up. Chris' list of must-haves is a lot longer than mine. I just want a big closet, and it must be walk-in. In the meantime, we've purchased some new flowers to dress up the outside of the mini-home. We may be here for a lot longer, yet (if only I could convince him that the painting and sprucing up inside could stand to be done now and not when the time comes to sell...).
-One of the few beautiful sunny days that we had was last Saturday, June 11 - Darren & Melissa's wedding day. That day was so spectacular it deserves it's own post, so stay tuned. I'll even include pics ;).

That's about it --- birthday shawarma awaits, so I must go get purty! More updates to follow :)

on Fathers Day, and every day...

2011-06-20T13:21:00.001-03:00

Dad, when you left this world, you were never truly ever gone. Memories keep you close...smells, tastes and sights enhance the recollection... Yesterday was Fathers Day. I miss you every single day, and the hurt I experienced when you passed away 9 years ago has never gone away. On special "occasions", such as Fathers Day, the hurt is a little stronger. In tribute to you, my awesome father, I thought I'd compose a list of things that have, and will always, remind me of you:

-Irish Spring soap.
-BRUT cologne (only on special occasions, of course).
-calligraphy pens.
-fried eggs with a dash of garlic powder (sometimes way more than a dash).
-La cucaracha, la cucaracha... (I had no idea you were singing about a cockroach, and, I'm pretty sure the only words you got right were "la cucarcha").
-Chap Stick - the black, original kind only, of course.
-turkey stuffing - your own secret recipe. Todd gets close, but it's never truly been the same.
-beer and Clamato juice (blech!).
-Molson Canadian Lager.
-air-popped popcorn with a tall glass of Crosby's lemonade (made with a little extra water, because if you didn't, it would be too strong).
-The New York Islanders (particularly the 1980-83 seasons) when we watched them prevail (even listening to the New York radio station when the game wasn't being aired on CBC), all while enjoying your popcorn & lemonade you made special, just for the game.
-Archie Bunker
-lighthouses.
-Navy ships or anything to do with the sea, really.
-Dentyne gum (the classic, small stick cinnamon flavored kind); you used to drive me nuts when you chewed it.
-Nikita by Elton John. You wore that tape out because you'd only listen to that one song on the one side. The tape deck in the Tempo (or was it the Escort?) had a button where you'd flip the tape to the "B" side and you'd go back and forth in that same section of tape. What was the other song? "Wrap her Up", maybe?
-John Wayne movies. Remember when I worked at the video store and brought home the life-size cardboard cutout of John Wayne? He stood in the basement for so many years...

I hope I always hold on to these memories. I'm blowing kisses up to Heaven...Happy Fathers Day, Dad....love and miss you, forever xoxoxo.

howling in my head

2011-06-15T10:11:00.001-03:00

Having to work when there's a full moon about to happen that same evening is sure to generate the insane, the oddballs, the wackos, the meanies, the 'oh-my-god-how-do-you-function-in-life?' people.... Add a head cold into the mix and the pounding head, crackly throat, and the 'speak-up-I-can't-hear-you' people, and you have my day, so far. *whimper* Only 6 or so more hours to go...

"Today marks the first day of my love story"*

2011-06-13T20:46:00.000-03:00

I know you've been waiting with baited breath. Perhaps you've even long given up on me. As I mentioned before, I've been behind on this season, and I've slowly just caught up (Thank goodness for Citytv!). On account of feeling like a big sack of dog poo I don't know that I'll be able to watch tonight's episode as it airs. I have a rotten head cold and I think my health should take a higher priority over watching some poor waif's struggle with finding her "prince". Anyway, a few commentaries thus far:

Note to future contestants of subsequent bachelors for the Bachelorette show: if you're a raging alcoholic, do not sign up for the show; you'll only embarrass yourself as you wind up pickled into a drunken stupor, necessitating your competition to have to prod your sorry ass up off the seat you passed out on and throw you out the front door.
William & Mickey get my thumbs up -despite William's horrific display at the 'roast'. I think he made up for his faux pas with raw emotions. We'll see.
"Beast" needs to go.... I get the fact that he wants to acknowledge the whole, "beauty is skin deep-get to know the person instead of judging on the outside-thing....but man .... It's a public show based on first impressions, including looks (you can't tell me that the stars of each season don't initially weed out the uglies, regardless if they've talked to them to 'get to know them', first). The "life-changing" mask is ridiculous; I had visions of some dark, thick hair on the upper cheek area. I think maybe he was trying to get his own spin-off dating show. Waitaminute...wasn't that done before? *rolls eyes*. Least they can finally burn that damn mask (Typed before they actually did do that at the end of episode 3, I swear!). I didn't expect him to last very long in this whole journey.
Bentley, Bentley, Bentley...what an A$$HOLE!...Seriously! -- "I'm gonna make Ashley cry.... I hope my hair is OK" ...*PUNCH*! I can't wait for the "Men Tell All" episode!! Will she be privy to what he REALLY said? Will she confront him? I hope someone hurts him. Bad. Hey, Michelle Money, if you happen to read this, drop me an email, would you? I'd LOVE to hear what you have to say.

So have YOU been watching, too? What are your thoughts?

*Quote from Ashley as she daydreams about the snake that is Bentley. Oh dear, poor, little naive Ashley...

2011: The Year of the Mouse*

2011-06-08T15:59:00.002-03:00

In my absence from posting I turned over another calendar year. As we speak I have exactly 363 days left to suck out whatever I can from my final days of my "thirties" before embarking on a new *gulp* decade. You would think I'd have an amazing story to share of the wild party that took place over the weekend. You would think that I've been suffering a 3 day hangover on account of the rowdiness and the celebration. You would think. But, that's not the case.

We'll blame the mice. So far our carcass count is now up to 3. We had originally hoped the discovery on the hallway floor was a solitary visitor. Unfortunately, after allowing 2 days to pass after a thorough clean up, there was new 'matter' of the fecal variety discovered in the original hide out place by the water heater (in our bedroom closet, no less. Yeah. Awesome). So, Sunday afternoon, the official "birth" day, Chris went to Canadian Tire to purchase $20 worth of mouse trapping devices, and he crawled around underneath the mini-home placing them in regular intervals, and loaded up the water tank area. By the time the area was 'secured' it was after 4pm (oh, and p.s. in addition to the traps, he also landed home with a bathroom scale, which he swears was not a birthday gift, just on sale. Regardless, I was feeling old; and fat; and p!ssy about the mice messing with a good day, so well...you know).

Originally Chris had planned an all-day "Adventure Day", complete with lunch out at one of our favourite restaurants (seasonal), and a drive. Because we had such a late start, we couldn't do that, but we made the best of it. Instead, we travelled to Jewell's Country Market and slurped up a HUGE ice cream cone (the evidence of which still shows on the scarf that I wore that day, waiting to be laundered), while walking through the various rows of pretty plants and flowers. From there, we took a drive, and ended up at East Side Marios for eats. You never leave that place hungry. Despite saving more than half of my entree for lunch the next day, I felt pretty nasty full. Oh, and bonus! We could now weigh ourselves with the purchase of the new bathroom scales, and each carried another 3lbs or so from the huge supper :P. A few more episodes of Prison Break later, (we're almost done; god, what are we going to do when it's done?) and it was time for bed.

Monday night, Chris joined Mummy & I for supper at Swiss Chalet. Mummy spoiled me again this year, with a generous gift card to Reitmans (hellloooo new summer attire!) and she also replenished my perfume, too! Love you, Mummy....xoxoxo. Thanks to Todd, too, for his gift card. Unfortunately, he had to work, so it was just the three of us for supper. We settled on Swiss Chalet. I was so indifferent when it came to making a decision, if the truth be known, that restaurant was really for Mom and Chris. My ears have been bothering me (to find out today that the cold I had a few weeks back has plugged them up really good -and now I'm on a prescription to clear them), so I wasn't even that hungry. From there, we went back to Momma's for a bit, then on to his parents' house for a visit. Thanks to Rose & Charlie for the gorgeous scarf, tops & little kitty pin!

On Sunday I have plans to meet up with Lana for some belated birthday schawarma, and a day next week, I'll be kicking back with my girlies to celebrate mine, and Julie R's birthdays, so the fun times aren't over, yet :). A huge THANK YOU to all who sent well wishes, cards, etc....Love you all!!!!!!!!!

So, even though it was a quiet birthday, it was still spent with the important folks in my life, and I appreciate the time and the generosity more than words! Thanks everyone!! xoxoxo.

*Otherwise known as the year I turned 39

This is not a Dr. Seuss rhyme...

2011-06-02T16:26:00.000-03:00

...but....

I awoke to a freaking MOUSE IN MY HOUSE!

Fear not, he was not attempting to plot.

Dead was he, and white-faced, was ME!

I nearly passed out. I frantically called out to a slumbering Chris, "UM, there appears to be what looks like a real dead mouse in the hallway". To which, he sleepily replied, "Huh, that's not possible"..and then the surprise, "Oh my God it IS (no sh!t, Sherlock!)".

I remember hearing Zoe crying out for us earlier in the morning, long before the alarm. She usually waits til the alarm goes off, and then she walks all over me to ensure I'm getting up. Perhaps she was squealing in delight at her kill? Bosco looked unusually tired this morning - barely opening an eyelid as he remained drowsily perched on top of the couch. Perhaps he'd had a busy night last night. Regardless of how the kill went down, at least Chris was there to dispose of the...carcass. He'd dropped it actually, and it made a big thud. How quick does riggor kick in, anyway? (*shudders*). This is our first issue with a rodent. Does it mean that there's a nest of little furry creatures in our mattress? In the dust bunny haven under the bed? Perhaps in the sty that we call a bedroom closet? I'm sickened at the thought, but, at least I do have a few 'guards' on hand to take care of business, as it were.

I guess you know what I'LL be doing this weekend. Full on clean up in the Master...complete with closet dump. If it's not been worn in a year, "hopeful" or not, she goes to the red bin. Pray that I don't find fecal matter or 'nests', would you, please?

Sweet merciful baby Jeeeeeeeeeebus!

It's June? Really?

2011-06-01T08:39:00.000-03:00

Hehe...supposing this cute little cartoon doesn't sufficiently explain my absence in posting - especially, since, you know, it's only June 1 today, and my last post was a week ago. Nevermind the fact that there's a new season of the Bacherlorette on and I've not even mentioned it (I'll get to it, my pretties, fear not. Playing catch up and I've not seen this week's show). Heck, I even missed Quote Tuesday yesterday! Ok, I promise a catch up post soon, and to mark the missing quote Tuesday, here's one of my favourites (I kinda use it as my own motto):

"Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted" ~ John Lennon

Happy Hump!

Oprah's finally over, as well as Country Idol

2011-05-25T23:08:00.001-03:00

Ok, despite my boycott, I do have the finale turned on this evening in the background. Mostly because there's nothing else on, and secondly, because Chris is not home yet and if I hop in bed and fall asleep he'll surely wake me. Thirdly, I've started to cough. A dry, croupy cough. Rather incessantly, since, oh...7:30pm or 8:00? I can't figure out if it's the 'cold' that was coming on/affecting me end of last week/weekend (which, btw, I thought was practically gone by today), or, if it's just from the smoke (weekly Mummy night/visit at Mom's tonight -despite her refraining from lighting one til after I left). It's exhausting and my chest hurts. Blah!

So yeah, enough of my complaining. A few points, for old times sake:
- so it's now a showdown between the 'best' country performer. I could care less which one of them takes the crown, or sequined cowboy hat, as it were. They're both talented (the majority of the top 10 were), just, not my thang, I guess.
-I do enjoy the finale shows, as they are chalk-full of stars joining the Idols on their songs. I missed the start, and really just started paying attention now, and there's only about a half hour left, but I've come to realize that...
-I really do heart Tom Jones.
-I really, really don't like Beyonce. At all. Not even a little bit. Nope.
-Carrie's legs are phenomenal. I'm like, lusting after her legs. I wish I had her legs. I think I might serve myself up a bowl of ice cream to soothe my wounded self for knowing just how far from her legs that my legs actually are. Plus, it oughta help my throat, right?
-I'm glad I didn't spend money on the U2 tickets for the Magnetic 360 Tour; I just don't like them enough. Who was the guy singing with them, anyway? (yeah, I really stopped watching after my boycott).
-I enjoy Steve Tyler a lot, and I think he's been a fair & decent judge. The best quote of the season (told to me by my mama, as quoted by Steve: "...so we'll f*&k the duck and see what comes out" - if anyone knows which contestant he was referring to, feel free to comment).
-Scotty can part his hair on the side as severely as he wants to, but he'll still look like the MAD guy.
-The "Idol" song SUCKED - I know he was heavily emotional, (licking at the streamers like they were snowflakes was a little much though), but man...out of tune much?

That is all :)

quote Tuesday

2011-05-24T13:22:00.002-03:00

I found the following quote from W. Brett Wilson's newsfeed. I think this is a quote that we can all benefit from:

‎"Do not judge and you will never be mistaken." - Jean Jacques Rousseau

The "list"

2011-05-22T15:20:00.003-03:00

My head is POUNDING, so I've taken to the horizontal position with my cozy throw, the cat, and the laptop. I'm coveting silence as Chris practices the electric guitar. Even the sound of the dryer is pushing me over the edge. Yeah, after celebrating the fact that I've been healthy all winter while people around me came down with various ailments, I guess I've succumbed to something. I can feel the fullness in my right ear and it's snaking down my throat and choking me. It's as pleasant as it sounds. Needless to say, it's been a rather lazy long weekend. I need a distraction. You need a post. Herein, I give you the "list".

What's the "list", you say? Well it's that small grouping of celebrity people that you would whisk yourself away with for a night of hot, steaminess. You all have one. If you say you don't, you're bold-face lying! When you're done agreeing with my choices, feel free to comment to tell me all about your own. Here they are (in no particular order):

Jon Bon Jovi

I've always loved Bon Jovi. I have always been a sucker for piercing blue eyes and a nice smile. Add an amazingly generous spirit and good nature to drop-dead gorgeous looks, and you have my Bon Bon. I've fallen madly in love with this man over, and over, and over again.

Matthew McConaughey

There's just something sexy about him. His smile; his dimples; his chest; his accent. He's just well, awesome. And, he gets my mojo workin'.

Wentworth Miller

He's a recent discovery, but I'm all-out lusting over this one. He's the hot Michael Schofield on Prison Break, and he's been the topic of mannny a daydream since the short time between now and us discovering this little gem of a tv-show. I heart Wentworth. *heart*. I've gone so far as to Wiki him. We're quite similar, actually. Both Geminis, born only 3 days apart, and we both have our Bachelor degree in English. It's like we're soul-mates or something, hmm? He's just freaking hot, hot, hot, HOT! I will be so sad when we finish watching Prison Break. I'm going to have to start watching the seasons over again. What's that? You don't watch Prison Break? FOR SHAME -- get thee to Netflix and tune in....NOW!

John Stamos

When I was a little girl, I watched General Hospital with Mom. I remember Blackie. I remember thinking he was cute. I knew the cute Uncle Jessie was played by the same actor, and I was thrilled when he earned a part on ER several years later. Who'd have guessed a better haircut would make the guy 10 times cuter? It could have been the lack of Bob Saget, too. Regardless, he's a cutie patootie, fo' sho!

Shemar Moore

He was on a soap opera I didn't watch. He's on Criminal Minds now, which I don't watch. But I still know who he is. He's one of the hottest individuals I've laid eyes on, and has been on my "list" for a long, long time. Pretty. SO, so pretty.

Jesse Williams

Speaking of pretty, this little hottie has just waltzed his way onto my list after landing a part on Grey's last season. Those eyes. That smile. Have you seen the scenes with no shirt on? Yum. Dr. Avery makes my Thursday nights a lot better!

Eric Dane

No "list" is complete without mentioning dear McSteamy. Quite simply, he's friggin' hot.

The list is complete. The house is now quiet. I think I'm going to hunker down under this blanket and see what movies I can find on Netflix, possibly starring someone from my beloved "list". Hope you are all enjoying your weekend :)

in the words of Dr. Phil....

2011-05-18T16:15:00.001-03:00

Euuuuughhhhhhhhhhh.......

Bleeecccchh.......

(I started this post on Sunday night. I had to draft it until I had a free moment to finish it).

Tonight was book club night. I get together with a great group of ladies and we gather together to eat and watch the movie of the book that was assigned for our group to read. The first meeting during the movie we shared munchies - some candy and chips/salsa. What started as munchies has now spread ino a full out 4 course potluck meal (appetizer, main meal and 2 desserts (at least)). I usually eat light, you know, in preparation of the gluttony that is to follow. Today was no exception. Regardless, I stuffed enough into my pie hole to feed a small starving country...and I have the belly ache to prove it now.

Will this feeling be sufficient to force me (finally) to get back on that broken wagon and start to look at my health and get some improvements started? So far, we've gotten together for the past 4 months with 4 different books/movie dates. So, yeah, perhaps not. If only I could bottle that feeling - and release it in regular intervals. I'd probably find some pill for that though, wouldn't I?

I saw this precious Dr. Phil poster in my FB feed, and it seems to fit this post. I also love how Blogger kept updating the post as I sat here, composing, and the cursor kept popping up right under the picture so I kept constantly seeing the 'flash' of YOU'RE FAT! Even Blogger is trying to tell me it's time to make a change.

quote tuesday

2011-05-17T11:41:00.000-03:00

Yep, still raining. There might be some sunshine tomorrow. Apparently.

It's quote Tuesday! Here's one to ponder:

"Your presence is a present to the world. You're truly one of a kind. Your life can be what you want it to be. Take the days one at a time. Count your blessings, not your troubles. You'll make it through whatever comes along. Within you are many answers. Have courage. Be Strong. Wish upon a star, and don't forget....how very special you are."

Oh Mr. Sun...

2011-05-13T18:47:00.001-03:00

...where the eff ARE YOU? This is our miserable forecast for the next 5 days. And, it is a carbon copy of what? The last 10 or so?

It's so depressing. I have to thank whatever individual for his/her photoshop skills for taking something so dreary and trying to find a smile. Read carefully:

So do you think all this rain is just readying us for a super, sunny awesome June??? I hope so. I have a week's vacation coming up, and I sure don't wanna see an extended forecast like this.*

Stay dry, everyone. Happy Friday!

*Truth be told, every year I have worked at my present job, I've booked a week off in early June (as close to the summer as I could book, being so low on the totem pole). Every.single.year. it poured rain the entire week. I can still hope for it, though, right? Mother Nature is one fickle bitch, though, ain't she?

customer service, part 2

2011-05-11T13:27:00.001-03:00

Maybe it's because I've worked in the "customer service" industry all of my working life... Maybe it's because I pride myself on providing a good customer service experience, that I have grown to expect it back in return... Here's a story...

A number of weeks ago, Chris received a tag from the post office in the mail re: a parcel for me that required a signature for delivery. As the tag indicated, he went to the post office before the office closed to pick it up. It was a Friday afternoon, approximately 10 minutes to 5. The office closed at 5:00. He waited his turn in line behind another customer who had a number of parcels to send in the mail. Spying the tag for the parcel in Chris' hand, the post office clerk advised if he was only there to get a parcel, she could pop back to get it for him. She checked with her current customer to see if it was ok if she left her for a moment to do so, and the customer agreed without hesistation. So far, pretty good customer service, no?

The postal clerk goes back to where the parcels are stored, and soon returns, the parcel in her hand, and a grimace on her face, "I'm sorry, I can't give this to you now. It requires a signature, and we close at 5pm. You'll have to come back for it".

Chris: "But the parcel is right in your hand".

Clerk: "I'm sorry, sir; I'm in the middle of helping this customer, and we close at 5".

Chris: "But I entered this location before 5; you have my parcel in your hand".

Clerk: "I'm sorry" (with very little apology in her tone).

Meanwhile, the other customer who was being assisted looks extremely uncomfortable. Chris, still in shock that the clerk couldn't interrupt the job she was doing to take the thirty seconds it would take to enter the code on the box and have him scribble his John Hancock. I mean, really....she could easily have said the parcel wasn't in his name, and she'd only release it to the addressee, that would have been swallowable.... She obviously had a hot date and needed to skat out of there at 5:00hrs 01 secs. UNREAL. I dunno where she learned her service ettiquette, but when I was being taught the ways of the customer service world, I was taught to clear the queue, or clear the store before the shift ended. NOT push the customer out the door as your shift ended on the time clock and you didn't have 'time' to help his/her concern.

quote tuesday

2011-05-10T10:41:00.002-03:00

...it's still raining. I thought about searching out a sunshiney-blow-rainbows-out-yer-arse type quote, but that wouldn't be Amber-appropriate at all, so I decided on one that should make you think (err...pardon the pun):

"The third-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the majority. The second-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the minority. The first-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking." ~ A. A. Milne

Today's task: Stay first-rate, people ;)

Now it's your turn - write your own on your own blog, or send me something in the comments :) Happy Tuesday!

rainy day monday and a weekend tally

2011-05-09T20:13:00.000-03:00

Monday again. And it's been raining all day. I guess if it's going to rain, it may as well be a Monday, though, right? I thought we had enough "April showers" though already.

Sooo, oh, hai! Thanks for still tuning in despite a slackadaisy turnaround in the postings...I swear when I started the whole 'quote Tuesday' thing I had not intended on just weekly updates with just a quote. For someone who feels she doesn't have much of a 'social life' it seems life has been busy! I worked the night shift last week, so there wasn't much on the go other than the standard work, eat, tv, sleep, repeat (about as blog-worthy as it sounds). Saturday morning, Chris was up at the crack of crow p!ss and made sure I was up just after that. We hit the road at about 7am and headed to the mainland. Our original intent of the trip was a visit to see Sue before she was packed up in her three transfer trucks and back to where she hailed from. Of course, the two of us being the procrastinators that we are, we left it til the very last minute (the last day being May 8) . Before we made it as far as Halifax, we had to stop in Truro to visit Chris' nannie. It being Mothers Day weekend, when we arrived, she also had a full house - with Chris' parents and his Uncle Terry & Aunt Judy. So we had a nice visit and fueled up on home cookin' before we hit the road to Hali.

Sue was neat. Actually, I sorta thought she'd be bigger. Perhaps, being that she was in 'strike' position, down low, this did something to the perception? Had there been room to stand her up tall, she might have appeared to be more intimidating. *shrug*. Perhaps I'm just grappling with the memory of a 7-year-old me when we visited the "Dinosaur" museum in Ottawa. Perhaps I just need something other than an assortment of aged bones to excite me. Perhaps heading to Halifax on very little sleep, while PMS'ing, and then having to stand outside in a line-up to see said aged bones were a bad combination. Yeah, I was a little underwhelmed. Chris was like a kid though, and squealed with delight. So one of us had fun ;).

After the museum, we stopped into David's Tea, where I picked up a few delicious blends I can't wait to try, and then we hit Jack Astor's with the Moshers! The food was delicious, and the company was even more appealing. Thanks for the laughs, Moshers! We miss you so much! With extremely full bellies, we hit the road and were on moose patrol (well, I suppose I wasn't much help. Every time Chris made a comment, "Oh there's eyes in the ditch", I'd awake from my stupor. For the record, there was nary a moose sighting). It was 11:30 before we drove back into the hood and we collapsed into bed soon after. It was a whirlwind trip, certainly do-able as a day trip, but it is pretty tiring.

Yesterday, Chris made supper for the mommas. Unfortunately, my momma bailed at the last minute, so we're going the celebrate her on Wednesday night during our weekly "Mummy & me" night. Chris' mom & dad seemed to have a good time, despite there being a few less people than expected. Thanks for all your hard work preparing supper, Chris!! *muah!* Wishing all of the mommas in my readership much love. Hope you all had a chance to celebrate 'you' with your close family and friends! xoxo. What did you do? Tell me all about it!

quote tuesday

2011-05-03T18:27:00.002-03:00

Wow, is it really Tuesday all over again?

Today's quote was easy. I borrowed it again, from a FB status. Several on my friendship list had this posted actually. In light of some recent events, it really speaks volumes, to me:

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Osama bin Laden was killed. An eye for an eye? Sure, the man was responsible for unspeakable grief and suffering. But will this end the horror? Of course not. Will the man's counterparts not declare justice, or revenge on the people responsible for the act? Of course they will. As Obama and the rest celebrate the victory, I sure hope they tighten up the security.

Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts*

2011-05-03T16:31:00.000-03:00

Even after I knew the Easter Bunny wasn't 'real' I still enjoyed a good Easter egg hunt. The years my older brother was home to help hide the eggs were the best. He'd find the most inconspicuous places and hideaways that oftentimes, a lone egg would be found months and months beyond it's "prime" time (I probably still ate them anyway, truth be told). So yeah, even though my younger brother and I insisted that there still be an egg hunt long after it was socially acceptable, it meant that Easter was a whoollllle lot more fun than it would be after the hunts ceased.

2002 marked a sad, sad Easter season for the family - with Dad succumbing to the cancer just days after Easter Sunday. The last Easter card I have purchased was one for him...where I had feebly signed it, "please get well", knowing it was a futile wish. Since then, the coming of Easter has brought up sadness to me, to the point where I don't want to celebrate (admittedly, for selfish reasons; I've never been overly religious). This year, Easter did fall a lot later than normal, and it was a few weeks after the anniversary, but, I still felt melancholy.

My brother and sister-in-law had travelled to the Island to visit, and Easter Sunday fell in their vacation interval. I spent the better part of the weekend at Mom's, surrounded by my craaazy family. Easter Sunday we dined on leftover hamburger/macaroni goulash, not baked ham or turkey with all the trimmings. If one was to spy on our living room through a looking glass you'd see a litany of crazy, spotted with a bit of lunacy, raunch, and silly thrown in for good measure. I'm sure we are the fixins of a real good sitcom :P. Despite the silly, there's a whole lotta love...and I'm glad that I could spend a 'sad occasion' in the throes of craziness and family.

I hope you all celebrated a good Easter weekend, and had your own mix of silly, fun, and the love of family, too.

*Author unknown - and the quote seemed to depict our crazy clan to a "T".

quote tuesday

2011-04-26T09:46:00.002-03:00

Last week, I started a new blog item - and I plan to keep up with it. Here is this week's installment:

"Laugh when you can. Apologize when you should. Let go of what you can't change. Love deeply and forgive quickly. Take chances and give your everything - Life is too short to be anything but happy. You have to take the good with the bad. Love what you got. Always remember what you had. Forgive but don't forget, but always remember that life goes on."

I stole it from a friend's status on FB. I don't know who wrote it, or who she stole it from (heh, maybe she even wrote it herself), but, I like it. Now, it's your turn...

And GO! (Feel free to send me a fav quote in the comments, even - I like to collect them).

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T11:32:00.000-03:00

E C M A-mazing!!!*

2011-04-22T12:35:00.002-03:00

I've been meaning to tell you about last weekend! 'Twas a whirlwind, which actually started early, and ended late. 2011 marked Charlottetown's turn to host the ECMA events. Now in addition to having some of the friendliest people on the planet, the East Coast has a lot of friggin TALENTED people, too! It's no secret on my happy place that I have an adoration for Matt Andersen, NB's East Coast prince. So, when we knew it was our own city's turn to host, let's just say Chris and I were SUPER pumped to be able to take in as many ECMA events as we could, especially those where Matt played a part.

Wednesday night, we took in the Export Stage event at the Delta. It was a showcase event, where many 'biz' folks were in attendance - people like booking agents, etc, scouting out the talent. I guess in years previous, this event was reserved only for the business folk, not the general public. The general public raised enough of a chatter that this year, they sold 100 tickets to the general population. With thanks to BarbaraB, I was able to land 2 of the 100 tickets, and that was part of Chris' Valentines Day gift this year. There were 4 bands slotted for the show, including, The Olympic Symphonium, The Once, Matt, and The Trews. It was an awesomely entertaining show. And, in true Prince Edward Island fashion, there was even a potato bar!

Friday, we went to the Stanhope Beach Resort, where Matt played a spectacular show to open a new season at the resort. He took along the Hupman Brothers to play with him, and Scott Prudence of the Dungaree Brothers also stepped up to the mic for a few songs. It was a packed house, and probably one of my most favourite of all of Matt's shows (though, I'm pretty sure I say that after every show, don't I?). It was stellar. We scuffled ourselves up to the front by the stage, and I couldn't help but laugh as Matt laughed at me and my reaction (hands clasped together and a wee little giggle like a kid on Christmas morning) to hearing the beginning of Magnolia. I like to think that he chose to play that one for me. So, yeah, Matt, thanks eh? ;)

The Stanhope affair was actually an evening special at the resort - exclusive, in fact - where the purchase of the tickets to the event included your entrance to the show, a room for the night, and continental breakfast the next morning. After Matt left, Mike Biggar came up to entertain the crowd. Matt had to get back to C-town as he had another gig scheduled for later in the evening at the Mack. I hear it was fabulous. I have to admit to having a little bit of remorse for not actually getting tickets to that as well...but, it just didn't seem logical to trek all the way back to town, and then back again to sleep in the hotel, so we opted to drink beer instead and stay put. SUCH a fun night.

Saturday, after a quick cat nap we then headed back into town where we popped by the Old Triangle. Irish Mythen was playing there at 2pm. We had already purchased tickets to go to the Globe for the very same time, but, Irish is a friend of ours (and spectacularly entertaining, talented, and down-right awesome in her own right), so we really wanted to try to catch her set. Turns out we should've skipped out on the cat nap and headed there as soon as we had traveled back to town from Stanhope. The place was PACKED - there wasn't even standing room to see her play. We listened to a few songs, undoubtedly getting in the way of other people's views, then made a quick stop to the Urban Eatery for a quick sammie for lunch, and then hoofed it down to the Globe.

Our poor planning time-wise for the Triangle was unmatched by the poor planning for the Globe, too. By the time we'd made it in there was standing room only - by the bathrooms. We then moved upstairs to the balcony area (pretty sure the top of Chris' head was grazing the ceiling). I could see very little, and my poor tootsies were burning after standing in my boots for 5 hours, but all the pain was worth it when the big guy hit the stage! Matt was the 'finale' of the show, and he wowed the crowd with a few blues numbers, and even a few popular singalong numbers like Hand Jive, and ended the show, as they opened the big door so the crowd gathering outside could also sing along to Round and Round, Wagonwheel (a rarity nowadays for him), and Ain't No Sunshine. Incredible! Kudos also go out to PEI's Got Blues band, Mike Biggar, and Ross Neilsen and the Sufferin' Bastards, who rocked the crowd before Matt came out.

Sunday night the Gala was being held at the Confed Centre. We opted to watch it from home, as Bell Aliant was streaming it live online. Chris hooked up the 'ol Mac, and it was almost as good as being there. A huge congratulations to all the nominees and award winners, as well as the organizers for pulling off a fabulous week! Cannot wait til it's 'our' turn to host this event all over again!!!

*All photos in this post courtesy of, and used with permission, by Chris Wilkinson, spinphoto.ca. If you see any you like, feel free to purchase a print or two, or, contact him if you have an event that needs coverage!

Spring is in the air?

2011-04-21T10:50:00.001-03:00

Spring has reared its head a few times already. There have been a few delicious bbq'd meals consumed. I took out my spring jacket, more than once. I took a long, forlorn look at my poor disastrous feet and contemplated a pedi to ready my little piggies for another sandal season. Many a crocus reared its pretty head. Spring. You could smell it.

And yesterday? A winter storm watch. And yes, that's +9 Celcius in the 'current' conditions prior to being on the watch for a potential 10-15cms of white stuff.

'Tis life in the Maritimes. There's a blanket of white out there as I type. It'll be gone by day's end, no doubt. It just goes to show that Mother Nature is always in control.

Easter weekend is upon us, and a fabulous ECMA weekend is behind us. I have much to say about it all, so there will be a few new reads in the coming while ;). Til then, happy "Friday" - enjoy your long weekend with your families. Happy Easter :)

Quote Tuesday

2011-04-19T12:56:00.001-03:00

Isn't it awesome how the Internet works? Thanks to Toughie, I'm participating. Toughie discovered this idea over on Pepper's page, and I hope you wanna play along, too! Every Tuesday, let's share a favourite quote. Maybe you just like it. Maybe its message resonated through your mind enough to get you through a rough patch in your life. Maybe it makes you laugh, or just smile. Maybe it's naughty, or silly. Maybe it just makes you go, 'huh'?

I came across the following quote while perusing status updates on facebook (where in Gawd's name would we be without FB, anyway?). I love it. It's cute. And, it really reminds me of the relationship I'm in with TheChris:

"We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love" ~ Dr. Seuss

Thanks Pepper (and Tough) for passing along this idea. I will try to be back every Tuesday with a new quote. Go on over to Pepper's page to play, too, won't you?

"weight" just a minute!

2011-04-14T14:14:00.001-03:00

Remember how avid a watcher of American Idol I've been? Well. This season, scheduling conflicts have interfered with my routine, and I've only caught bits and pieces so far. Today, I have quit the show. Why? you ask? Well, I shall tell you. See the photo to the right*? I've borrowed it from Mix FM's website.

This pretty, young girl won a radio contest to participate in the AI audience.

She was banned from the front row....

...........

...because she was....

"too big".

I'm purely, utterly, and absolutely appalled, and disgusted.

Sadly, society as a whole has made it so that one's size dictates their 'worth' or their 'well-being'; or, what 'we want to look at', or 'what we want to be'. And it's wrong. So very wrong. Growing up a little fluffier than the average gal, I know the heartache, humiliation, and torture society can place on a person for being overweight. And it's about damn time we break the silence and say collectively that this IS NOT RIGHT. C'mon, ya'll, get on up here on my soapbox and join me, would you!??

*http://www.mymixfm.com/blogs/post/savery/2011/apr/12/american-idol-says-girl-was-too-fat-sit-front/

I heart PB*

2011-04-11T20:17:00.000-03:00

I'd blog, but, I'm a little consumed right now. I might also have a fairly large crush on Wentworth Miller. Ladies, trust me.

*And I'm not referring to peanut butter.

P.S.A.*

2011-04-07T22:09:00.000-03:00

WHY do people figure they can get everything they want for free? WHY do amateurs undercut the professionals? I love what this guy has to say, and I wholeheartedly agree! Don't you?

*language warning, you know, if you're browsing my blog at work or something ;).

customer service

2011-04-06T20:00:00.002-03:00

Last week I had supper with a girlfriend. We opted to to go to Pizza Delight as it was close to where I get my hair done, and I was meeting her after my hair appointment. It's not like it was 5-star dining, so we weren't expecting any award-winning service or anything like that. But, as a consumer, one is entitled to having a few expectations of food service, I think, whether you find yourself at your nearest Tim Hortons or a fine dining avenue.

To start, I waited longer than I should have at the door for a table. It was later in the evening, so there was no supper crowd the staff were contending with. They were just, well...not there. Finally a very friendly girl offered to get me seated, and offered to get me a drink while I waited for my friend to join. Moments later, the same friendly girl sees my friend to our booth, and my friend was offered equally friendly service for her drink.

Then came our waitress. She laid down two menus, mute...and walked away. My friend and I both shared a raised eyebrow. Not five minutes later the mute waitress returned, pen in hand, asking if we were ready to order. We politely asked for another few minutes, wondering where that friendly girl went to.

My friend was torn between a few items on the menu - and had a question. There is a "combo" special advertised for a certain price, and, the exact same dish advertised on the main part of the menu for a few dollars less. She wanted to know what the difference was. Was the combo one a little larger? Did it come with another side dish, perhaps? The menu made them appear identical. Perhaps it was a typo? Inquiring minds want to know! And we were inquiring minds!

So when the mute waitress returned once more, my friend approaches her, asking what the difference was between the two menu items. She looked rather blankly, and said, "Wow. That's kinda wierd". We voiced our query ..., "Is that one a bigger serving? Does it come with an extra side?"... Her reply, "uuuhhh,...I dunnno". Not, "Let me find that out for you", even. Just, "That's wierd...he he. Are you ready to order?"

SERIOUSLY.

To give you a mental picture, she looked like she'd just fallen off the turnip truck. Her long hair was pulled back in a pony tail that may have started out in the back, but had slid to the side, hanging there, loosely. When she wasn't talking (which was most of the time), her lips just sorta gaped open. Oh, and the finale? When my friend went to pay for her bill she handed her Visa to the waitress. She brought it back, and stood over her, waiting for her to calculate the tip and sign.

Needless to say the tip wasn't favorable. Nor did it even cover the tax.

I can't make this sh!t up. I sure hope she has bigger aspirations in life than to perfect the skill of being a waitress.

Thinking of Corey

2011-04-05T09:43:00.001-03:00

I remember getting the call that day...the day I'd found out you'd lost your struggle. Finally, your pain was over, yet, ours was just beginning. Ironically, I had already been in a sad place, because it was the day after the anniversary of Dad's death just 2 short years prior. I refused then to say good-bye to you, and I still do. Because you're not gone. You're always here. There's not one gathering where your name is not mentioned multiple times. Little things constantly remind us all of you...

We shared a lot of laughs, and a lot of happy memories. You were also there to offer your strong shoulder that night I was sad...and I'll always remember that, Corey. You were a gentleman. You were a fabulous friend. You're a Guardian Angel to so many.

It's been 7 years. 7 years since we saw that big smile and heard that big laugh. You're so missed, Corey. So missed.

I know you're up there nibblin' on sponge cake until the day we can all dance again together - for the 'ol times...xoxo.

"I have only slipped away into the next room, I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Call me by my old familiar name. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Play, smile, think of me. All is well."
~ Henry Scott Holland

"What the heart has once known, it shall never forget"*

2011-04-04T07:21:00.003-03:00

Today is an anniversary. 9 years ago we lost you. It seems like forever ago, yet it seems like only yesterday. Not one day goes by, not one, that I don't think of you, and miss you. You were the best Dad that a girl could ever, ever ask for. So much of me, is a part of you. You've helped shape me, and make me into the person that I am. I miss your twinkling eyes. I miss your big bear hugs. I miss your laugh. I miss you. God, I miss you so much....xoxo

To Those I Love
If I should ever leave you whom I love
To go along the Silent Way, grieve not,
Nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk
Of me as if I were beside you there.
(I'd come-- I'd come, could I but find a way!
But would not tears and grief be barriers?)
And when you hear a song or see a bird
I loved, please do not let the thought of me
Be sad... for I am loving you just as
I always have... You were so good to me!
There are so many things I wanted still
To do-- so many things to say to you...
Remember that I did not fear... It was
Just leaving you that was so hard to face...
We cannot see beyond... But this I know:
I loved you so-- 'twas heaven here with you!

~ Isla Paschal Richardson

* Author unknown

I'll play a fool for you*

2011-04-01T18:30:00.001-03:00

I walked up the stairwell to the entrance door at work today to find a sign, "Please use other door!".

There's a brightly coloured, very professional looking, sign on the printer to advise that it's now voice enabled, with user-friendly instructions: "Using Voiceover is Easy. 1.) Stand close to the printer 2.) Simply speak one of the following commands: "PRINT"; "COPY" or "SCAN" 3.) You may also speak additional information: "PRINT FIVE COPIES"; "COPY THIS TWO TIMES ON A4 PAPER".

I work with a bunch of hooligans ;). I can proudly say that I was not fooled by either message. But, as I sit right next to the printer, I can honestly say that there were at least two others that questioned: "Well, will it still work if I just hit the buttons? 'Cause I'm not going to talk to the printer....".

Kudos to whoever came up with the devious trickery. It was quite amusing.

So, tell me --- were you fooled today? Other than forgetting my watch and leaving my freshly brewed, piping hot travel mug full of coffee on the kitchen table, I managed to escape the foolery unscathed. Fortunately, I can finally say that the weekend is on the horizon, and a very long, VERY busy week is behind me. That's my tiny blessing for today!
Happy Friday!

*post title courtesy of the wonderful Matt Andersen lyric

Tiny blessings

2011-03-31T09:45:00.000-03:00

We always have to count our tiny blessings. Here are mine for today:

chocolate and cream cheese are a perfect combination
there's nothing like a hair cut and colour to boost one's self-esteem
an evening out with a girlfriend can vastly reduce one's weekly stress level
a pending weekend with friends and wine helps to even further reduce one's weekly stress level
Prison Break is an awesome, awesome show...awesome enough to enduce a mild addiction similar to a crack-addict (wow, wonder what sorta traffic the 'ol blog'll pick up after that term is used)

What are 5 random things you find yourself grateful for today?

Wednesday update

2011-03-30T18:29:00.000-03:00

We're short-handed at work on account of a vacation week and a baby being born (CONGRATS to Dave and Lynne! I've been singing "Layla" from Clapton in my head for the past 2 days!), so we're down to a team of 3 trying to do the job of well, about 6 (yeah, the math is right; somedays it feels like we need another person). Never a dull moment! So, yeah. BUSY. The busy-ness means extra strain on the wrist(s) (the good one's even bugging me this week), so I'm trying to avoid extra typing, and unfortunately, that means the blog gets ignored. Sorry m'lovelies.

A quick little recap....

Friday night we went over to the W-homestead for a delicious lasagna supper and choc cake with boiled icing to celebrate the day of Charlie's birth (Happy B'Day, pappy!).

Saturday, it was lovely and sunny, so we were out of the house early, having a to-DIE-for breakfast at Leonhard's Bakery (OMG if you're in the C-town area and have not yet been, you must. You must. You MUST (a future post about the awesomeness that is Leonhard's to come at a later date, because it's THAT awesome)). After our breakfast, we then drove around, scoping out various communities where we might someday wanna hang our hats. Saturday night, we had take-out Chinese, enjoying it over candlelight, dining during Earth Hour, and then I finished up my book I was reading for bookclub courtesy of my booklight with rechargeable batteries (you're welcome, Earth). Once the lights came back on, I finished up the laundry and fell asleep as we tried to watch a movie.

Sunday, we brunched at home while watching a movie, then headed out to several open houses...hanging our heads as we came, once again, to the realization that what we want, and what we can afford, are two vastly, vastly different things (*sad face*). After the last hideous open house we then booked it home so I could then book it on over to Sherri's to join the bookclub girlies, where we enjoyed a variety of DELICIOUS treats and watched our book club movie, "The Secret Life of Bees". When I got home, Chris then suggested we start watching Prison Break. It was recently added to Netflix, and someone had recommended it. Let's just say that our sleep has now been sorely affected because of our new ADDICTION. Wow, what a BRILLIANT show! (I literally think my blood pressure rises when I watch that show it's that exciting).

Ok yeah, now we're at Wednesday. Break's over...time to get back to work. Happy Hump! Look at the pretty kittehs!

Don't forget...

2011-03-25T13:01:00.002-03:00

point form

2011-03-25T10:47:00.001-03:00

I owe you all an update as to what the heck's been going on and keeping from my happy place. I've opted for point form so the post doesn't go on for days:

-In my last post, I was bemoaning the whole grey haired and wrinkled thing, but Tuesday night, I was time warped back to circa 1990-1991 after meeting up with Lori and Jodi for supper. Their 20 year high school reunion is coming up, which had them already reminiscing, and it led to a planned supper out amongst us (something we've been saying we'll have to do for YEARS). Unfortunately Rizpah couldn't make it, but we hope to get her out for the next one! We laughed til our bellies and cheeks hurt; we reminisced; we shook our head at our young silliness; and, we marvelled at how we look exactly.the.same even after 2 decades have passed (heh); and, we laughed some more. Thank you, thank you, thank you, lovely ladies, for a fabulous walk down memory lane.
-So for some reason, the network switched Survivor to Wednesdays instead of Thursdays. As that takes priority over American Idol, the blog may very well (well it has) lack any significant commentary on the singing competition until they at least get the Wednesday show down to an hour. I tried to watch this week, but gave up before it ended due to the calling of my bed, and the fact that I was bored out of my trees. Perhaps by the time that it's back to an hour the participants will have been weeded out enough that the suckage is lowered? BTW I do enjoy Steve Tyler on AI very much.
-Bachelor Brad did pop the question and it wasn't Chantal, as I'd predicted. The finale was all a little 'meh' to me. I never felt confident that it would work out in the long run, and from what I've heard, they're still not fully committed. I don't buy their 'love'. I never watched "After the Rose". I might at some point if I have a free minute on the weekend. Or I might not. (*shrug*)
-My heart goes out to everyone who has loved ones near, from, or involved in the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami that took place a few short weeks ago in Japan. I pray they get the radiation leaks under control and hope they will be able to rebuild and move past this. Somehow. It's just heart-breaking. Chris' mom has had several exchange students stay with them over the years from different parts of the world. Shota is now back in Japan. Thankfully, he and his family was spared any destruction...
-The wrist is bad. Bad. I'm numb and tingly up to my elbow and sometimes my shoulder most days. I've taken to wearing the wrist brace a lot. It doesn't really help. It sucks. A lot. I'm signed up for an upcoming scrapbooking retreat for May...I'm hoping I'll still be able to make it...
-So far I'm going on day 3 of a ginormous headache that won't take a hike, despite my regular Advil intake. Last night I was completely useless. After about 3 hrs of sleeping on the couch as I 'watched tv', I finally gave up and went to bed. I'm super bummed that I missed supper out with my girlies. I really wanted to go, but felt that if I'm coming down with something, the last thing I wanted to do was pass it around to them -especially the mommies and the mommy-to-BE! My plan is to lay low this weekend and hopefully I'll be back up to snuff next week. We're going to be down manpower next week at work. I just can't be sick. I can't.
-2 weekends ago we had our first barbeque of the season courtesy of Matt & Nicole (thanks guys!), and I had to brush my car off again this morning. Mother Nature isn't done with us yet, methinks.
-Smurf & G are moving back to Halifax. They leave tomorrow. It sucks. We'll miss you guys! I predict a few roadtrips to the big H in the upcoming future! Travel safely back home...xo.

So yeah... that's about it. Hope you all are feeling fine! The weekend is so close I can smell it now. Happy Day to you all!

Alphabet soup

2011-03-22T13:31:00.004-03:00

Seeing as I've been a big, bad slacker, here's some more random facts that you can suffer through. The idea was stolen from the lovely, witty, cornocopia of awesomeness that is Toughie:

A. Age: The age at which bi-monthly colour 'touch ups' are required to disguise the grey. And those lines? The ones around my eyes? I've given up on saying they're just laugh lines. I know the difference. They're damn wrinkles.

B. Bed size: It's a queen. I like the idea of a king though...more liking the idea of the house that has the bedroom that is big enough to comfortably fit a king-sized bed.

C. Chore you dislike: Scrubbing the bathtub. I loathe doing it. It makes my back and wrist hurt, and I feel such a low sense of self-satisfaction after it's done because I can't, for the life of me, rid the tub of that G.D. ring!

D. Dogs: Are slowly, slowly growing on me. There was a time where I would never, ever, think of even the remote possibility that I'd one day be the owner of a dog, but, one day, with a bigger yard (read: a bigger house), we'll most likely be bringing one home. I hope Zoe and Bosco can adjust. They were here first, so, if they don't....well? And, the dog must join our family as a pup. And, I will not be scooping the poop. Nor getting up through the night when it whines. Yeah. All those things.

E. Essential start to your day: At least one hit of the snooze button and a big, piping hot cup of coffee. In that order.

F. Favorite colour: I'm a big fan of chocolate brown.

G. Gold or silver: Silver, but I'd never, ever refuse something sparkly, wrapped in white gold.

H. Height: Um, 5'6" maybe? Unless the weight of my gut has weighed me down.

I. Instruments you play(ed): While I love music, there is not one thing about me that is musical.

J. Job title: Call centre schlep. Still. I KNOW.

K. Kids: If it happened, I wouldn't give it up, but, I'm certainly not actively promoting, nor aiming for conception. Put it that way.

L. Live: In a teeny, tiny mini home, in a small mini-home park. It's past our "5 year plan" mark, and I'm desperately coveting a larger space. Like seriously - perusing real estate sites in between posts.

M. Mom’s name: Joan, or Mummy.

N. Nicknames: Ambifer, Sunshine, 'Ber (rare), Burger (only by Alan), BUD (only by Jason).

O. Overnight hospital stay: None yet, and I'm not looking at changing this answer any time soon, thanks.

P. Pet peeves: Ooooh sooo many....people talking over me; whiners; when Chris puts the empty water bottle back into the fridge instead of filling it back up; scraping ice off my windows; nose whistles; people snapping their gum, or audibly chewing it like a cow on cud; people who pop and crunch a SUCK candy (people, they're meant to be SUCKED); liars; snoring; "me" people; people being over-fake...(I could go on, and on, and on...).

Q. Quotes from a movie: "You had me at hello"; "A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti."; "You can't handle the truth!"; "Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary."; "Nobody puts 'Baby' in a corner."

R. Righty or lefty: Righty

S. Siblings: Cathy, Frederick, and Todd

T. Time you wake up: Seeing as I'm still doing shift work, the wake up time is completely determined by the shift start time.

U. Underwear: Um, yes? Though, I know a girl who doesn't wear any. I can't imagine. I mean, really - there's supposed to be a barrier...there. Besides, I do enough laundry as it is... She must do a load every single DAY, no?

V. Vegetables you don’t like: beets, arugala

W. What makes you run late: I tend to doddle. It's really bad when I wake up a little earlier than I normally would. Suddenly that extra 10 minutes becomes a half hour in my brain and I end up late when I should have been early. I also have a huge knack for getting behind school buses, Sunday drivers and red lights.

X-rays you’ve had: ankle - twice; the same ankle, and each time it was just a sprain; mouth - the orthodontist wanted to break my jaw and re-set it and put me into braces to fix my crooked jaw. My jaw's still crooked and my ankle's weak.

Y. Yummy food you make: I make a damn fine spaghetti sauce, the best French toast, and apparently, my KD tastes better than Chris' (per Chris).

Z. Zoo animal favourites: I don't agree with animals being caged up. However, I have to admit to feeling a little selfish glee when I got to see the big, glorious, majestic kitties when I did go to the zoo.

open house?

2011-03-22T10:44:00.001-03:00

So our overabundance of snow is finally melting. Actually, we're very lucky to have had a fairly mild spell and rain which really helped the level to lower rather quickly. The warmer weather has brought a resurgence of thoughts involving an upgrade of our humble abode. It happens every year. Chris and I get the spring fever, and start taking in open houses and checking a variety of realtors' websites looking to find that perfect house that we can share. We're now well past our '5 year plan' with the mini-home, and while the place suits me fine for space, it really isn't suiting Chris' or his budding business needs.

Sunday we waltzed into an open house in a new subdivision in Cornwall that blew the socks off of both of us. It was gorgeous. The layout was perfect. It suited us to a complete T (you should have seen the freaking walk-in closet for me - which, by the way, was the 2nd of the 2 closets in the Master. That's right - his and her closets, his is 'regular' sized, and hers is gloriously oversized). Even the colour of the house was awesome. The basement was a blank canvas for a future 'man cave', and the double garage would suit Chris' needs for a studio just fine. The only hitch? Oooh, something about a mortgage that would be at least triple what we pay now.

Yeah. So, there'll be no need to save packing boxes for us just yet.

When you find the perfect house do you then stay in the less than perfect home you have to try to pinch and save enough to one day get you into the house you really want? Do you still look at an in-between thing to tide you over and possibly turn over a better resale to get you into your perfect place in another 5 years? Do you find a contractor and a piece of land and try to build it on your own, hoping for a smaller price tag in the end? So many decisions. So much we don't know. It's kind of exciting, though.

At least we have an idea of what we want. And we'll wish and dream and hope, and we'll likely end up in the mini-home for yet another couple of years. At least we have aspirations. We'll get there some day. Being a grown-up is tough sometimes. Man I want that closet. Yeah, so millionaires, if you're still reading - feel free to send me that million. Even a couple hundred thousand would be perfect. I'll even write a post in honour of you and your generosity. And I'll take pictures of my closet.

Euugh...Monday

2011-03-21T07:47:00.000-03:00

While the rest of the Island is on March break, I'm toddling to the car wiping the sleep out of my eyes. Monday morning, I am soooo not ready to greet you yet.

And it's a Monday straight after a full moon. The 'super moon', in fact.

S'gonna be a long day.

Friday Funny

2011-03-18T20:12:00.000-03:00

Yeah, yeah, I'm super slacking in the blogging. I am sorry. I really am. I will aim to do better next week. I swear. Been busy - super busy at work, and that's led to a SUPER sore wrist, necessitating even wearing a wrist brace again. Sooo...less time on the interwebs in my "free" time. I've been thinking about ya'll, and wanted to say hey, Happy Friday... Here's a funny:

The look on that dog's face is freaking PRICELESS!

A real post coming soon...

2011-03-14T09:14:00.000-03:00

So it's been a week since my last post. I'm not proud. There's been so much sadness lately with sickness, people passing away...the horrific tragedy in Japan...I haven't felt very inspired to write anything witty. It just didn't feel 'right', ya know? So a little hiatus, I did take, and soon I'll be back to report the mundane that is my life. I actually had a fairly busy weekend we can chat about. For now, look at the pretty kitty. And think about bacon. Bacon makes everything better.

for Jenn

2011-03-07T21:47:00.002-04:00

So I had a crappy day. System issues playing havoc on the daily routine...being down in manpower on account of a scheduled vacation for a co-worker taxing an already huge backlog of backlog...lack of sleep...aching joints and damp weather. Added together, I thought I had the perfect fixings to a day worth a litany of 'poor me' thoughts, and I validated those thoughts from sun up til sun down. There may have been tears (ok, so maybe we can even throw hormonal in the mix??). It's at times like these when life will then kick you in your proverbial sunken ass, and give you a dose of perspective, and realism. I'm lucky. I'm damn lucky. How dare I sit and wallow in my own self-pity and feelings of self-loathing? How dare I?

As I wallowed and did my routine check on FB status updates, I noticed several friends with memorial status updates for a "Jenn". I noticed several had profile picture updates with the same, simple, "Love for Jenn", badge. It would appear that a friend of a friend(s) lost her battle with cancer yesterday. Curious, I did a search on FB and found a page dedicated to the strength and courage of this young lady. It also linked to her personal blog, where she wrote about her first diagnosis, her triumph of having 'beat' it...and, the unfortunate return. She had battled the disease for two years with vigor, passion, an unwavering will, and the utmost of positivity. She leaves behind a loving husband, a 3 year old son, and a legacy of love and hope that will live on in her honour.

I sat here and read every single word that she wrote. In awe. In tears. In complete and utter sadness for a true spirit taken from this world, and a renewed sense of gratitude and overwhelming guilt for feeling so sorry for myself all day long, I once again am aware of the fragility of life. Of the need to live each day with its fullest and highest potential. Of never, ever leaving any word unspoken. Of having no regrets. Of living life with passion. Of loving to its most unconditional potential. I encourage you all to click on Jenn's blog, and read her story, and share her pain and her passion.

To Jenn: I didn't know you, but your story has touched my very core. You were truly a blessed soul, and you blessed everyone you touched. Your words will continue to touch, and I wish your family peace, as they keep you close in their hearts and memories, forever.

Go tell someone you love them. Go live....

BAH!

2011-03-07T09:46:00.000-04:00

I've used this picture before to explain a previous Monday. It's so fitting, it deserves to be brought back out again. Man I wish I was piled up under the covers today.

Le sigh.

Saturday funny

2011-03-05T10:48:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Julie!

2011-03-04T10:37:00.006-04:00

She's miles away, but so close in my heart. She's the brightest smile in any room, and has the biggest laugh that is so contagious. She's fun; she's caring; she's gorgeous; she's one of my very bestest friends.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Julie! The pic above is Julie with her two beautiful daughters, Alexa & Sarah. She's all the way over in the Yukon, and with the time zone, may still be sleeping as I type this. Julie & I met while working at Southport Pharmacy. We became fast friends, and were inseparable until she took the plunge with her hubby in hand and set out for the Great White North. A short hiatus landed them back to the Island, but the pull of the North ached at them soon after, and they've been back there ever since. It breaks my heart that she's so far away, but we're very fortunate in the fact that she's been able to come 'home' fairly regularly (some day I WILL get to the Yukon to see her -the interwebs as my witness!).

There's a viral friendship quote that has made it's way through FB two or three times over that reads: "It's been said that everlasting friends can go long periods of time without speaking and never question the friendship. These types of friends pick up like they just spoke yesterday, regardless of how long it has been or how far away they live and they don't hold grudges. They understand that life is busy...but you will ALWAYS love them." This definition truly defines the friendship I have with Julie. She's so very special to me.

Julie, raising a glass to toast your greatness, your smile, and our everlasting friendship! Wishing you an overabundance of love, gladness, and all things happy today, and throughout the whole year ahead of you. I can't wait to see you this summer!! Love you bunches, girlfriend! xoxoxo

Lucky 13?

2011-03-04T10:37:00.005-04:00

I haven't been able to tune into much of this season's preliminary American Idol episodes. I think the beginning stages can be comedic, but I don't clear my calendar to watch it. I try to concentrate more once they get the gang down to the Top 10, and at that point I may even blog about it. I have no idea which contestant made Jennifer Lopez and the rest of North America cry to see let go, and the only contestant that I remember from the initial shows is the big tall guy with Tourettes that can wail like nobody's business.

Tuesday night, there wasn't anything else on, so I tuned in to the Top 12 guys. And after seeing Jovany, I almost opted to turn the TV off and go get a book to read. However, I did keep on watching (because I was snuggly under my cozy throw and can blame sheer laziness over being actually entertained). However, truth be told, I was actually entertained within the last 1/2 hr or so. My socks were blown off by the following contestants: Paul McDonald & Casey Abrams. An honorable mention goes to Brett Loewenstern because he's unique, and can sing, and to Scotty McCreery because even though I abhor country music, he hits the nail on the head of it. James Durban can wail, yes, but I am not sure if he'll be able to mould himself into the other genres that he'll be asked to cover to allow him to last past the first few weeks after the Top 10 have been decided upon (he, and the others I've mentioned are destined to be within the Top 10, though imo).

I missed the girls' singing on Wednesday night too, on account of Survivor - but I did catch the final half hour. After seeing the recap of the entire show, I really don't think I missed much, and of what I did see, I can say that Lauren, Haley, Pia and Thia should go far. And, since I didn't see the results show last night either, I caught a tiny recap on the AI website to see that the majority of my picks made it through (too bad about Brett, though). High stakes, maybe? Having it ended with 3 wildcards for a Top 13, instead of 10? Should be a good singing competition.

What about you? Are you watching? Who are your favourites?

It's March 2nd...

2011-03-02T16:26:00.001-04:00

...and today we shall eat cake, for it is my Bon Bon's Birthday. Happy Birthday, to a dear, sweet, awesome, hunky piece of male flesh!

Happy Birthday, Jon!!!!! xoxoxoxo

"Awkward" - thy name is Bradley Womack

2011-02-28T22:52:00.001-04:00

It's Bachelor Monday. I could go on with a rant about Mother Nature, and the next storm that is passing over PEI, and the fact that this latest weather system is preventing me from taking Mom over to my aunt's funeral tomorrow...but, I won't (EFF YOU Mother Nature!).

I know there are people out there who've probably read the spoilers (oh, and p.s, PLEASE keep the info you've found to yourself!), but I'm not one who can read those (even for the lame show that the Bachelor (especially this season)) is. However, I'll just put it out there that I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he does the exact same thing as last time. Though, would that not make the show lose a huge amount of 'credibility' if he didn't end up picking someone on his "2nd try" to find love? Hmmmm....

So all imaginings aside, tonight the backdrop is South Africa, with the 'should-you-forgo-your-individual-room' overnight dates, and the odds are now against Chantal, Emily and Ashley.

Chantal is up first. I still like her..and really think that they seem to have a connection. They're the only ones who appear "natural" in each others' presence. (Oh, and may I just say that I am SO effing jealous of the two of them and their safari jaunt and sighting the real life big kitties? I swear, before I die, I'm going to be that close to a real life big kitty). Did he just admit that he's the "most comfortable" around her? Hmm...is anyone else out there feeling a bit of deja-vu? Did he not give the other two girls similar affirmations? I can't help but be a little pessimistic. It's in my nature, compounded by my pissy mood tonight. I hope I'm wrong. Chantal always was my early favourite, and despite a few misgivings about her emotions, and the initial reaction Brad had to her pets, I think between who's left, she's the best match for him. If he picks anyone at all (there I go again).

Emily gets the second date- he openly admits he's intimidated by her 'past', but he gives their date his all, anyway. First he takes her for a ride on his elephant,...er...on a South African elephant. I don't believe he misses her daughter, nor do I think he's "ready for a 5 year old" (helllooo negative body language!). He's.so.dang.AWKWARD with her! Oookay ---- so, he just confessed that he's falling in love with her??!?!!? Maybe I'm just bad at paying attention to body language? Maybe he's just outright socially awkward in every respect, so he's unreadable. Or, maybe we're back to him giving out a similar affirmation, like his last date, like his previous stint on the show...??

Despite confessing his love (intentions?) to Emily, he does take Ashley on the 3rd and final date, toasting her and her family as they overlooked "God's window". A firelight dinner, and an awkward 'future' conversation later, it wasn't hard to see how the evening would end...

Soooo...Chantal Womack, and Emily as the next Bachelorette, hmmm? *shrug*

Another 2 hrs of my life that.I.will.never.ever.get.back. He's such a wiener.

She fought til the end

2011-02-26T14:45:00.002-04:00

In May it would have been two years since she found out. And last Friday, her last radiation treatment. She vowed she would fight it with everything she had. And she did.

She turned 59 on the 6th of February, and last night, her brave fight came to an end. Too young. Just, too young.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many. Farewell Aunt Barbara Ann... may you rest in peace, now that your suffering is over.

"Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them
frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you.

-Saint Francis de Sales

Friday WTF

2011-02-25T13:26:00.003-04:00

Having just polished off a 'stellar' frozen dinner for my lunch and dreaming of eating something unhealthy but delicious for dessert, my appetite has been suppressed after finding the following article:

British shop sells breast milk ice cream
By QMI Agency

It may not be to everyone's tastes, and that's a good thing, because there's not much to go around.

A London, England, ice cream parlour has introduced a new dish they're calling the Baby Gaga: ice cream made from the milk of people, served with a shot of liquid nitrogen and, if you so please, a cocktail.

The breast milk comes from willing donors who are paid for their trouble, the U.K. Daily Mail reports. The first woman donated about 30 ounces (just over 800 ml) and was paid just over 45 pounds (about $70).

"I saw the advert offering to pay women to donate breast milk on a forum and it made me laugh," Victoria Hiley told the newspaper. "There were so many comments and people were having a debate on whether it could be genuine. So I thought I'd find out."

The ice cream is served in a martini glass for 14 pounds per serving, or about $22 for us Canucks.

Source: http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2011/02/24/17396711.html

I think I just puked in my mouth a little.

A rant

2011-02-24T13:25:00.000-04:00

I might be slightly biased, but I think Chris does great work. He's come a long way at pursuing his passion for photography, and I think his work speaks for itself. The profession itself is a tough market. A very tough market. In an age where technology has made a small pocket-sized digital camera inexpensive, and capable, taking decent pictures can be a fairly easy task once you get a quick tutorial on how all the buttons and settings work (especially if you leave it on "auto" and let the camera 'do it for you', right? ;)). Everywhere you look there are ads, or facebook groups for new "photography" sites, and new "professional photographers". What? So you bought yourself a new DSLR camera? And you just took it out of the plastic? Well, of course that now makes you a professional! Go on out there and register yourself a domain and then, *poof*, you now can offer professional services for your 'craft'! After all, for every good camera, a good picture makes, right? {insert eye roll here}

I do not claim to know the ins and outs of proper methods of exposure, or ISO settings, or white balance, or aperture. I can, after a few helpful hints from Chris over the years, view a photo with a bit more critical eye. I can appreciate the rule of thirds. I know it's important to make your subject stand out in the photo and to ensure that you don't have your subject stand in front of distracting objects (ie, don't stand right in front of a tree...otherwise, you look like you have branches growing out of your noggin). I also know that if I was to inherit a hand-me-down DSLR camera from Chris one day, that I would in no way shape or form be willing to market myself as a pro. I'd love to study more, and maybe someday assist Chris - who knows, maybe someday a family business, perhaps? But I digress...

Without calling out any names, because I don't feel that's professional (pardon the pun), after all, this is a very public forum. However, I do have a story (and I apologize in advance for the lengthy, wordy post). An acquaintance of an acquaintance bought him/herself a decent camera. He/she took photos as a hobby, and over time learned a little bit about photography. Truth be told, this person learned a lot from a photography forum...the evidence of which apparent in the photos that would later be posted after specific 'how do you...' questions that he'd/she'd pose on the forum. It was a forum that Chris belonged to, and he replied to these 'how do you...' questions. Chris is very encouraging when it comes to people curious about photography, and loves nothing more than lending out a helping hand (making him the perfect candidate to teach some photography basics at the Photo Bootcamps he puts on).

Anyway, so this 'acquaintance' then decided he/she wanted to try his/her hand at 'profesional' photography...Lo and behold, behind Chris' back, this individual ended up stealing a work contract that Chris had worked himself the past 5-6 years. The sad part? This 'acquaintance' considers him/herself a "friend" of Chris'. To add insult to injury? This 'acquaintance' landed a spot in one of his photography bootcamps, even! Why would a "professional" photographer need a photography bootcamp - geared toward the amateur who wants to learn more about his/her camera? Shouldn't this person already know the basics? I mean, he or she has already labelled him/herself AS a photographer...even going so far as to say he/she'd been at the craft for a NUMBER OF YEARS on his/her professional photography website! It just makes me crazy.

This person gets on the defensive when offered constructive criticism by knowledgeable professionals and continues to spew out crap pictures that he/she's attempting to place out into the marketplace as "art". He/she undercuts the other professionals out there...making it even harder for the real professionals to maintain the niche market that they may be used to. The frustrating part? Even those paying for the services don't realize the difference, it seems, between a good photo, and a mediocre or crap photo. They see the price. They go for what's cheaper...or, they think that quantity is better than quality. Oh, so you give me 500 crap photos, with maybe 5 okay shots and this other gentleman over here offers me 30-40? (even though his all look really good)? Well, dang, of course I'll go with the one that gives me the most for my money. {Insert HUGE eye roll here}.

(*sigh* Obviously I have a bit of passion for this topic...and perhaps I'm too close to the immediate subject to be even professing to have a valid opinion for it...but...I HAD to express myself before I literally imploded).

Need a good photographer that offers decent, competitive, wages and high quality product? Please, send me a message. I can recommend someone.

Seriously...

2011-02-22T17:50:00.000-04:00

...how long should one expect the effects of the full moon to last? 'Cause my sweet baby Jesus, I'm entirely sick of it now, and am more than ready for a new phase!

Please, someone, for the love of all that's holy, pass me my glass of Pinot!

Hometown heroes

2011-02-21T22:49:00.003-04:00

So I did take the 2 hrs out of my evening schedule to tune into tonight's Bachelor. It's the hometown dates, so the remaining ladies get to show off their hometowns and try to convince Brad that their family is one most worthy of his affection. So far, all it's done is make me crave poutine.

After seeing Brad interact with the families, here's a few thoughts:

-Brad's facial expression when he realized that if he picked Chantal, then her 2 cats and dog would be along for the ride, left me thinking that I no longer want her to get the final rose. She can do so much better.
-Ashley's cute, but the way her entire family scooched down onto the floor, surrounding him was kind of creepy. He did seem to gel well with the mix though. Oh, and also a very large eye roll to Brad when he said, "Si", to the Acadian waitress at the restaurant before he came by her parents' house.
-Is it really a good idea for Shawntel to be having thoughts of giving up her entire legacy to run around with Brad, especially when she's still one of 4 prospects? The look on her father's face as he realized what she was saying says it all. I don't think he has anything to worry about. She'll be back to take care of the family business. Brad's way, way too uncomfortable with dead people (typed before the end of the show; I won't say, "I told you so" though :)).
-And the date we've all been waiting for...Emily and the fated meeting of the child. First off, that kid is too old to be sucking on her thumb, and the meeting between her and Brad was aaawkkkwaaard! It even made me uncomfortable, let alone how it made him feel. And the whole quiet time between him and Emily after the kid went to bed was even more awkward. Make that redonkulous. He didn't want to kiss her because he just met her daughter? Get the man a direct line to his therapist, and pronto.

My early prediction? Ashley might be the new Mrs. Womack.

" The only reason why we ask other people how the weekend was is so we can tell them about our own weekend."*

2011-02-21T22:08:00.001-04:00

After a full moon-Friday at work, I opted to have a quiet night in on Friday night, allowing me to finish reading my book club read, seeing as our next meeting was the following Sunday evening. I'm pretty sure both Chris & I were down for the count before 11pm. Titillating, I know.

Saturday morning was pretty lazy (the best kind), complete with a late breakfast, and a few extra-large coffees while enjoying a movie. We headed out to run a few errands and then it was onward to the hoppin' town of Summerside. Melissa & Darren invited us down for the evening. Darren was curling at the Silver Fox so we started there (that is after a slow, slippery drive (the car we saw on it's two right-sided wheels attesting to that), and multiple circles around town just to find the darn thing!). We stayed there for a few drinks, then we dined on pizza at Michael's Pizzaria, then went back to M&D's for some trivia (Buzz trivia for the PS3 -- SO fun!). Believe it or not, it was just about 2:30am before we figured it was time to pack it in.

Sunday, after fueling up with a huge breakfast at the Heritage, we bid adieu to our S'side friends, and then headed back home just in time to clear the pathway and the snow off my car so that the plow driver could clear the latest snowfall from our surroundings (man we've sure not been hurting for snow this winter in these here parts!). I grabbed a quick shower, and then I was back out the door to meet my book club friends at Dawn's. She hosted a lovely potluck, and we dined on a multitude of delicious eats (including a few curry dishes and ohhh, about 5 different desserts, among which the most sinful, most delicious, most to-die-for brownies I've ever slurped back), as we got back in touch with our teenage selves, drooling over the young Patrick Swayze & Rob Lowe in the Outsiders. It was a great evening!

Today the rest of the Island celebrated "Islander Day", and had an extra day to their weekend. Unfortunately for me, I wasn't among those celebrating, so it was back to work again after a whirlwind weekend. The floors didn't get scrubbed, the bathroom is a sty, and I'm just barely finished up the week's laundry now as I type. But you know what? The dirty floors, the nasty bathroom and a new week's worth of laundry will be there next weekend. I had a terrific weekend filled with good times, good food, and great friendship. You can't get much better than that :). Happy Monday!

*Quote by Chuck Palahniuk

TGIF

2011-02-18T15:21:00.000-04:00

I believe the full moon is at its 'fullest' tonight. Therefore the nutbars are at their nuttiest level. It's been a slow transition all week. When Mummy & I did our girl night on Wednesday I was nearly sided swiped twice. The scenarios I've run into at work have been unusual, unheard of and time consuming...the customers? Crazier than what is the norm. I've said it before, it's just not safe to be out and about on the days leading up to and including the full moon. If I was able to plan my vacation days around the full moon, I would.

At least we're at Friday, folks.

Have a good weekend.

Misery likes company

2011-02-16T14:05:00.000-04:00

There's a full moon on the horizon.

If you work with the general public, you probably didn't need to have that reminder.

Least we don't have it as bad as this little guy, eh? ;)

a post about poop

2011-02-16T11:46:00.001-04:00

Blogger makes it possible to see how many page views your blog has in the run of a day, week, year, etc. You're also able to view the select countries your readership has reached, and even see what types of search results brought up the blog via Google. For the most part, people search for 'my happy place', or 'amber happy place blog'. Every now and then, someone googles something that's completely separate from me, but I may have submitted a post about it (ie, chia seeds).

Possibly the funniest search result that is showing for my latest stats, however, is the recent: "what happens if you shit in the shower". Really? Did you REALLY need to google that? Man, I hope it was for a friend. I'm doubtful that the post you would have discovered would give you the answers you were looking for. I've heard of people brushing their teeth in the shower to speed along the morning routine (something I'd never do, by the way), but, I've never come across any stories where someone felt the need to release their morning poo inbetween a shampoo & conditioning. I live to give, though, so my best advice, if you're still searching for an answer, would be to try to go before you hit the shower. It makes for a more productive shower experience. Ya know, you'd feel cleaner, longer, in my opinion. And, I'm sure you don't want that funk hanging out in your drain pipe, and possibly running the risk of it backing up, do you? That's just gross.

Yeah, so reading public, if'n thee gets the urge to drop a deuce whilst sudsing up your private bits, get thee to the toilet.

Happy Birthday Cathy!

2011-02-16T06:45:00.001-04:00

A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.
-- Marion C. Garretty

Today, my big sister rolls over another year on the calendar, and with it, moves into another decade. I'll not mention what decade, because most ladies prefer to keep that to themselves. Besides, I'm creeping up quickly to my OWN new decade, and well, what's age really, other than a number? ;)

I got into your stuff when you still lived at home. I probably annoyed you to no end when you had boys over. There were probably nights when you wanted more to go out with your friends than to stay home and babysit me. You can make me laugh. You've made me cry. You're crazy as the crows, but I love you anyway. Thanks for always putting up with me. Happy Birthday, Cathy! Wishing you an overabundance of love and happiness - more than your heart can hold, or stand...xoxo.

"We're losing the sun, and we're gaining the moon"*

2011-02-15T22:08:00.001-04:00

Hello my lovelies, I'm sure you were shocked to find that there wasn't a Bachelor update waiting for you this morning. My apologies. I didn't watch last night. I was too busy snuggling with my hunny. Sometimes real life has to take precedence over reality tv. I had a lovely Valentines Day, complete with a surprise delivery of roses to my work - hand delivered by Chris!! He also took us out to supper, and we then came home to snuggle and watch a movie. So yeah, I didn't watch Brad. And, I didn't miss him.

I really do this for you all, so fear not, thanks to CityTV.com , I was able to catch up online tonight:

The locale is the beautiful island of Anguilla with 3 one-on-one dates & one group date.

Emily gets her own private island, and Brad breaks the rules and tells the lady she's getting a rose at the next rose ceremony. I think he really likes her, but I don't think he'll end up choosing her. Guaranteed, if he doesn't, she'll be the next Bachelorette.
Shawntel skips through the farmers market and tells Brad she's falling in love. They share a tender kiss as the rain falls, and he alludes to the possibility of being in love himself...Whooo boy! Things are getting hard core! Brad's therapist would be so proud!
Britt is the lucky recipient of date #3. Holy eff that girl needs a cheeseburger - or 5. I don't blame her for being scared of the cliff jumping. She doesn't weigh enough to give herself enough clearance to jump far away from the rocks. She made it, and they then go on to a little supper chatter...Ah. so she's afraid of rejection and isn't good at showing emotion? Yeah. This is a great spot for you, Britt. A great spot. Is it any wonder he sent her packing her bags? Least he spared her feelings and saved her nerves by having her say good-bye at the end of the date. She should go console herself over a Happy Meal...and chase that with a Quarter Pounder.
Onward to the group date and a steamy photo shoot with Chantal, Michelle & Ashley. Michelle & Ashley embrace their inner beauty and lose their bikini tops, and Michelle embraces her inner skank and ravages Brad in the sand. Emotions ran high, and Chantal got messssy --I wonder if Brad minds the excessive emotions?
HO-LEEEE SH!T BALLS! Chantal's safe for another week...he's sending the crack head home! He came to that decision on his own tonight, with 100% certainty, really? I bet that's what the show wants you to think. I bet his therapist has been watching and seeing all the extra stuff Brad hasn't seen and he told him to give her the boot. Good job, Brad. I think you've gained one more small ounce of respect out of me, regardless of how you came up with your decision, though I will still miss the drama.

Did you watch?

*Poetic excellence courtesy of Bradley Womack. Alternate post title: "I don't even see them friending each other on Facebook "(Michelle); or, "Life would be a lot better without Michelle around" (Chantal). It was such a hard decision :)

my happy place

"Catching fish probably isn't much harder than catching a man..."*

"Babe, welcome to Dumpsville. Population: You"*

Fresh out of the draft folder: a belated Christmas recount

2012

I will remember you...

"Blakely is super flakely"*

girls + booze = DRAMA (otherwise known as your first Bachelor post)

reminder to search for the true meaning...

Are you ready?

"With great mustache comes great responsibility"*

Anniversary

75

finally!

quote tuesday

remember

quote tuesday

you may have wondered where I've been...

quote tuesday

In the words of Mooch:

sick kitty

I shall never forget

It just happened...

quote tuesday

quote tuesday (on a wednesday)

something about a weekend

Did I shave my legs for this?

quote tuesday

where have you BEEN???

quote tuesday

"things don't end unless they end badly"*

quote tuesday

"If you do the same thing and expect different results, that's when insanity begins"

"It's the best when the ordinary is extraordinary"*

The Big House

"the offspring of an ostrich and Elton John..."*

quote tuesday part 2

quote tuesday

the closed door

I haven't forgotten about you, I swear....

Oh, Canada!

a fairytale come true...

quote tuesday

dot...dot...dot...*

Shame on me...

on Fathers Day, and every day...

howling in my head

"Today marks the first day of my love story"*

2011: The Year of the Mouse*

This is not a Dr. Seuss rhyme...

It's June? Really?

Oprah's finally over, as well as Country Idol

quote Tuesday

I found the following quote from W. Brett Wilson's newsfeed. I think this is a quote that we can all benefit from:‎"Do not judge and you will never be mistaken." - Jean Jacques Rousseau

The "list"

in the words of Dr. Phil....

quote tuesday

Yep, still raining. There might be some sunshine tomorrow. Apparently.

It's quote Tuesday! Here's one to ponder:

Oh Mr. Sun...

customer service, part 2

quote tuesday

rainy day monday and a weekend tally

quote tuesday

Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts*

quote tuesday

Last week, I started a new blog item - and I plan to keep up with it. Here is this week's installment:

I stole it from a friend's status on FB. I don't know who wrote it, or who she stole it from (heh, maybe she even wrote it herself), but, I like it. Now, it's your turn...

And GO! (Feel free to send me a fav quote in the comments, even - I like to collect them).

Happy Easter

E C M A-mazing!!!*

Spring is in the air?

Quote Tuesday

"weight" just a minute!

I *heart* PB*

P.S.A.*

customer service

Thinking of Corey

"What the heart has once known, it shall never forget"*

I'll play a fool for you*

I found the following quote from W. Brett Wilson's newsfeed. I think this is a quote that we can all benefit from:

‎"Do not judge and you will never be mistaken." - Jean Jacques Rousseau

I heart PB*