Dear Hamilton Beach...

Why must you toy with me so? And at such an early hour of the morning. Every morning.

We replaced our aging model Hamilton Beach "Brew Station" with their new and "improved" model. I enjoy the fact that it keeps the coffee hot for up to an hour longer. I enjoy the easy to use functionality and the speed at which a full pot of freshly brewed coffee is rendered. I would have to say that since replacing our old one with a newer model, our coffee has never tasted better.

But the delivery.

Oh the delivery.

For the love of the sweet baby jesus what did you DO with the pour spout, Hamilton Beach? Not only is it ridiculously tedious to try to fit our standard travel mug under the spout to fill it (the pic is BEYOND deceiving), but every day I'm wiping up a mess of spewed hot coffee from the side and bottom of my travel mug, the counter, the dishwasher underneath the counter where the coffee maker is located, and the HUGE puddle on the floor at my feet. EVERY day. I've tried going at it at different angles. I've tried whispering sweet nothings to it. I've tried cursing at it (oh have I cursed!).

The only positive sidenote I can add about the delivery is the fact that I've somehow managed to avoid getting the spill on my clothing and having to send you my dry cleaning bill.

What's that saying? If it ain't broke, don't fix it? The previous model never spilled. Boooooo Hamilton Beach --- Booooooooooooooo. I guess we should have sprung for that Keurig after all.

Poop happens

ONLY in PEI do you wake up in the early morning to view the day's important news headlines to find a story about poop.

Front page news, folks....and a huge color picture, to boot.

A city counselor was quoted to saying, "lifelong residents in the areas being hit have “never ever experienced such a trauma"'.

Yes, 'trauma'. A trauma is defined as:

1. A serious injury or shock to the body, as from violence or an accident.

2. An emotional wound or shock that creates substantial, lasting damage to the psychological development of a person, often leading to neurosis.

3. An event or situation that causes great distress and disruption.

IT'S POOP, Mr. Tweel. POOP.
Sometimes it's almost embarrassing to say where I live.

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

When I was in junior high I had a major falling out with my group of friends. The details are fuzzy...it was 24 years ago (jebus chrisco. I'm OLD). I believe the whole falling out started with something stupid that was said between one friend and myself, perhaps something misunderstood or misconstrued... That friend gave me the silent treatment and from that point, one by one, the rest of the group started to alienate me and give the silent treatment. I guess the first one was like the ring leader of the group? I dunno. Thereafter the teasing started. Apparently one of them thought that I walked like a duck, so the nickname "Duckie" was coined. They'd giggle and whisper behind my back and call me Duckie and laugh some more. It sounds insignificant and trite now that I'm an adult, but back then, in the eyes of a 13 year old, it was devastating -- and I was without any friends, save 1 or 2 who were outside of that grouping. There weren't many days that I did not return home from school in tears.

One day I had my Dad go to the school to retrieve some books from my locker to do some homework. I had been out sick. He came home with a big grin on his face, handing me a little pink soap in the shape of a duck. It had been sitting on the shelf in my locker. He thought it cute, perhaps even a "get well" token...I dissolved into tears. One of them had gotten into my locker and left it there to taunt me.

From that point on, I made myself walk different. It took some time, but eventually I trained my feet to walk straight. Years later I have problems with my knee all the time. Coincidence? Who knows.

This "scenario" - for lack of a better term - lasted pretty much the 8th grade school year. It did little to aid the introvert that I was, I'll tell you that. One of the other girls in the group finally gave in and wanted to be friends again, and eventually, I've mended fences with the majority. Forgive and forget, right?

Periodically lately I feel like I'm back in junior high.

...

This morning the coffee maker spewed hot coffee all over the counter, down the dishwasher, and all over the floor. Like it does every morning. This morning I flipped out and screamed about it and Chris got the brunt of my anger, and I ended up leaving the house in a huff, without so much as a good bye.

...

I guess the whole point of this post is life is short. Words, or lack of words, can hurt. Communication is key, and lack of it can be hurtful.

Be kind to one another.

Groundhog Day

Well, as far as this end of the world goes, the little critter saw his shadow this morning. I'm surprised he ventured out at all, on account of the windchill being around the -35 degree Celcius mark (if any of my readers are used to the Faherenheit scale, that's frickin' COLD). So ya'll know what that means...another 6 weeks of winter. Seeing as our winter only just began, I suppose it's not that bad. I gotta say I'm still missing my car starter though. There's only so much to be said about roasty toasty butt cheeks when the rest of you is an icicle...not to mention how unnatural it actually feels to have that much warmth emanating out of your posterior region.

Speaking of groundhog day. Did you hear that PETA is proposing to replace the little guy with a robot? While I'm all for the ethical and humane treatment of animals too, I think this goes a little far. Publicity indeed. Perhaps a member of PETA would be willing to hibernate in a warm location and wake up & open the door on Feb 2 to see if he or she sees his shadow? Heck, I'm all for a little hibernation. Where do I sign up?

Oh, my love’s like a red, red rose...

Sorry I'm late posting this ladies - I was at Erin's last night to enjoy the Bachelor. Thanks lovelies, for a great night. It was so nice to see you. The snacks were yum, and the company was fantastic! I have to admit to still tasting the Doritos this morning. That just might deter my next handful when prompted, which would not be a bad thing. Oh, who'm I kidding??!

So he let the virgin go, eh? Most would keep her around one more week on account of not wanting to be the guy that "let the virgin go". Though... he did admit to having some "dirty thoughts" when Vienna pounced atop his bed before asking her to leave, unrequited. I bet his balls are bluer than the sky. He wanted some girls with experience ;). (Truth be told, I did have a bit of an inkling that he'd let Corrie go before her big "announcement". They didn't have any chemistry whatsoever...and like Tanya said, "Who is she, anyway??"... we never got to see her).

I still like Ali. Tenley gets on my nerves. Gia is more mature than the rest but her laugh ruins her for me. And, I'm about hating Vienna as much as the rest of the girls in the house do. If she ran in my social circle, I can guarantee you without a shadow of a doubt that we'd not be friends. Also, the more I see Jake, the more I don't like him, either. So, to be honest, I don't really care who he chooses. I had been pulling all along for Ali to be Mrs. Jake, but I think I'd prefer to see her as the next Bachelorette.

Tasting blood...

From biting my tongue, that is.

I work with the public on a daily basis. Most of the time, my days pass rather pleasantly. That is, until there is a full moon. The latest full moon was officially here Saturday. I felt it* coming on Friday. It's* still there now. It* normally does take a few days before and a few days after to successfully pass.

OY VEY!

Can I get a re-do please so that I can stay under the comfort of my warm duvet for today in it's entirety?

* "It" meaning the sheer crazy absurdity & utter lack of intelligence, common sense, forthought & respect that I've received from the general public today.

I had a dream....

Looking to make a little extra cash? Perhaps your current job isn't cutting it for you? Click on the following link detailing 'off the wall ways to make $$$$':

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/01/26/odd.businesses/index.html?hpt=Mid

Some are ingenious, aren't they? I mean, really...pancakes in a can (apparently it's organic). Why didn't someone think of that earlier?

Some are downright gross. Seriously, someone made a business out of picking through other people's hair for lice. She calls herself a professional nitpicker. Yeah. Fish houses made out of a loved ones ashes...Securing your place in Heaven (or Hell for that matter) including a travel guide to get there.....

I can't make this sh!t up, folks. The scary thing? The whole subject of the story was to report wacky ways other people have made money...so obviously those showcased made money. Somebody out there paid for such services.

Oh my.