Monday, December 31, 2007

Here I come 2008!


I know, I know. I have been MIA for a week…..or so. Well I needed some downtime to just get through the gong show named Christmas. Now that I am at the end of that tunnel I get to celebrate a fresh start, a new year. Tonight at the stroke of 12 I will be so damned happy, I could kiss everyone around me. I just home 2008 doesn’t let me down, I have high hopes for her.

Thursday, December 20, 2007


Another great story about my Dad, because there are so many.

I am having a wonderful relaxing evening all to myself last night, when my phone rings. It is Dad, giggling like a little school girl. A salesman called trying to peddle Primus the phone company, Dad likes to play around with the annoying sales men that call all the time, so he regaled me with this story:

The guy (and of course they all have a heavy accent and it’s hard to understand them) tells him he is calling to save Dad money. He then asks if Dad makes local, long distance or overseas phone calls. My father says “umm overseas I guess”, so the guy then asks where he phones to, and Dad says “Antarctica” without missing a beat. The guy then asks him to spell it for him, so he does.

He then says “Just one moment please Mr. Mike” and puts him on hold for a moment. The salesman comes back on and asks him where in Antarctica does he call, so Dad comes up with “Sharps Corner”, the guy again says “just one moment please Mr. Mike” and puts him on hold. He comes back and asks Dad to spell that for him, so Dad spells out Sharps Mountain instead. The man is a bit confused and then for the final time said “just one moment again please Mr. Mike”. By this time my Dad was bouncing around the dining room in from of my Mom who was wrapping Christmas gifts, he was giggling so much he couldn’t do it anymore, and had to hang up the phone.

Immediately after he hung up the phone, before he could even gather his composure he had to call someone to tell the tale to, and lucky me, he dialed my number.

It’s just another day….

I figure he will be pulling practical jokes when he's a 90 yr old man in a retirement home....I can just see it now, I will be getting phone calls from the home saying that others are complaining about his wacky sense of humour, that or from him - giggling his head off that he put a whoopee cushion under some 85 year old ladies chair.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Safety Alert!


I am a freak for H2O, it is all I drink, serious. I love to cart my water around with me in my many different coloured Nalgene water bottles. A co-worker has now informed me that these bottles are not safe! I am so upset over this, for the past 3 to 4 years that is all I have ever carried my water in, they are light weight, colourful and do not leak, even if you let the bottle roll around on the floor of your vehicle (as one of my bottles has done for the past 2 days). I decided to look into this story and the news I found was shocking, as of today I now ban my beautiful Nalgene bottles out of my life…sniff.

Here are a few tid-bits I do want to share, because I have a deep feeling that some of this is related to my past year.

“For years, hikers, bikers, campers, and other outdoor recreationalists have favored wide-mouthed water bottles made from Lexan® polycarbonate plastic, like those sold under the brand name Nalgene®. Lexan‚s advantages have been as clear as the water that flows from containers made from it. It‚s tough, lightweight, absorbs no flavors, and imparts no unpleasant tastes to liquids stored inside. According to new research, it may, however, be imparting unhealthy doses of a chemical called bisphenol-A.
According to several recent studies, polycarbonate plastic readily leaches a chemical called bisphenol-A (BPA) into foods and liquids that are stored in containers made from it. BPA has been identified as an endocrine disrupting chemical, or a chemical that easily mimics hormones when absorbed by the human body. In the case of BPA, the hormone being mimicked is estrogen. Exposure to this compound at the wrong time can cause a cell division problem called aneuploidy in which chromosomes do not evenly split as a cell divides, leaving the two resulting cells with more or fewer chromosomes than normal. This uneven distribution of genetic material can in turn lead to cancer, miscarriage, and birth defects that include Down‚s Syndrome.
Unfortunately, polycarbonate plastic bottles and containers are identified by the plastic recycling symbol #7, which is used for a wide variety of plastics and plastic mixtures that fall into the "Other category. Unless this #7 symbol is accompanied by the letters "PC, there‚s no sure way to tell if the container in question is made from polycarbonate or some other kind. To be safe, environmental advocates suggest simply avoiding #7 plastics altogether and opting for safer choices for food and beverage storage.”

They are really pushing for people to use metal water bottles, and bottles that have a ceramic lining. I know for sure that my Nalgene bottles are being retired until I know more.
There is my safety bulletin for the year.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Just a Deposit?


I have been using up my vacation and flex days, as well as hours that I have build up from when I was being driven to work an hour early for the entire summer. I have not worked a full week in over a month. You can bet your boots that I hate the thought of actually working a full week in the New Year. I am trying in vain to come up with some way of getting out of work for at least one day a week, or more. The only thing I can think of is having a baby, ya well that isn’t happening fast.

I wonder why for the beginning of our adult lives we try our darndest not to get knocked up, and then when we decide we want to it is the hardest thing to do. It should be as easy as saying “Yep, I’m gonna have a baby now”. Everything else seems to be that easy, only you need money for everything else in the world, so why not have a deposit box somewhere where anyone who wants to have a family can just go make a deposit of say $100 (cause we all know how crazy expensive kids are), and then go home and wait one month and be on your way. This way you are also guaranteed that there will be no “recalls” better known as miscarriages, and if you pay the extra insurance you will be covered if your baby is sick in any way. Doesn’t it sound like a good idea? I think so.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

A Billion Pounds


Tis the season to gain a billion pounds, and I am so not exaggerating, I promise.

In my place of employment around Christmas time we get amazing meat trays, heavenly assorted baskets, beautiful nut trays and other lovely goodies. The sit on the counter that is, oh we will say four feet away from me. The only exercise I get in a day is getting my butt out of my chair to walk to the counter to eat something, anything that is on the counter. Then we have office potlucks and catered lunches, oh when will it end.

This year is crazy outside of work as well. My grandparents are going to be out of town for Christmas, so we have to have this big turkey supper before they leave. After that we have a birthday party on Tuesday, nothing on Wednesday thank the lord (because I have one of the divine potlucks that day). On Thursday we have a catered lunch at work, and then an engagement supper for my cousin that evening. Friday I have another fantastic potluck at work, and so far nothing in the evening, but it is still early.

So see I am totally not exaggerating that I will most likely gain a billion pounds.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007


This is all I have to say today….

I have this by my desk; I look at it longingly when I can’t wait for the weekend. Usually first thing Monday morning to be totally honest with you, oh and that is what I look like on Monday mornings. It’s a really good thing I don’t work in a fancy shmancy office…..I just work in an office.

No I do like my job, but I also love the weekends more. I also have on my desk a lovely quote….it goes “I don’t mind coming to work, but that eight hour wait to go home is a bitch”. I mean come on who doesn’t agree with that? It’s just funny to me really, who would rather be at work than at home? Well ok, some of you workaholic freaky people, not some of us “normal” folks.

I also quite enjoy the quote I have on the front of my desk. “I am really easy to get along with once you people learn to see it my way.” Which is really funny to me as well, because I am the only woman in an office of over 20 people, so of course it is only fitting….don’t you think?

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Hey 2007! Dont let the door hit you on the way out!


Most kids, no ok, ALL kids count down to December 25th; Santa comes shimmying down the chimney, furnace pipe or what have you. I am counting down the days to January 1st; I cannot wait until the stroke of 12 on December 31st. Oh it cannot come soon enough!

Sorry for the mini-pity party here, but I decided to start a “screw 2007 club”. I actually have a few members already; all we do really is count down the days and try to forget the year that is almost completely behind us. What a downer this post is!

I will lighten it up for you…yep my tailbone still hurts! I have to get up and sit down like a pregnant lady would. It is sort of funny, but damn it is so NOT funny. We went to town today to do some “finish up” Christmas shopping (which we are still not done). I was walking around like a little old lady for a good part of the day. So I now know what I will look like when I am walking around when I am 85 and wrinkly.


So lift a big box of Heineken with me and toast the end of 2007!

Sunday, December 9, 2007

YAY!

YAY, I am totally done the Christmas Party! Ok, well not completely done, now I have to make sure bills are paid and that kind of stuff. Other than that though I am done, and I am officially of the committee. Anyone want to celebrate with me?

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Stairs are not for sliding!


My ass hurts; ok, so not my ass itself, my tailbone is what hurts. You know that when you crack or horribly bruise your tailbone, sitting, standing, lying down; it all insanely hurts!

I got up this morning around 9:00, and started to head down the stairs, I only made it to the first step, and then I rode on my tail bone all the way down the stairs. Where I laid for about 10 minutes screaming and crying, mostly from the shock at first; and then from the pain. You know what really sucked, I was home alone. No one to come running, no one to worry over me; well I had our dogs, they both ran to my side and looked at me with love in their eyes (well that is what I will say anyway).

I finally got myself up, still crying and immediately located a phone and called Oscar; because of course you need someone to feel sorry for you when things like this happen. Heaven knows he calls me when he hurts himself, and then makes me look at it every day for a month.

I then decided to do nothing all day, because to do anything hurt like hell. So I laid in bed for a good portion of the day, that hurt to but it still felt better. There is really nothing on TV on a Saturday; you really have to scour the guide to find anything worth watching. I watched a show about the Sphinx, and then I think I watched some How its Made, and then I watched some What Not to Wear, holy crap there are some nasty clothes in the world, and some moronic people who love to wear them. I love love love Stacy and Clinton, they are funny AND well dressed. Ok so there were some shows I like to watch on the old boob tube.

I wonder how I will feel in the next few days, very sore I am guessing.

I would love to have some extra sympathy if you have any to give…..

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Congrats!


I would just like to put a little post on here cause I am so excited! One of my favorite little cousins (ok he's not so little really, but he's younger than me so it counts!) proposed to his long time girlfriend last night! We love her! I couldnt have picked him a better one I tell ya!


She went to Australia for a month with her sister just to tour around, and he went with her parents to pick the girls up at the airport lastnight. His original plan was to propose as soon as she got off the plane, but her flight was delayed something like two hours, so he waited until they all got back to her parents hotel room.


Oscar and I have known since last week so it has been killing me waiting! Yah!
K, you are a very lucky man, she has put up with your gooberness, and she is a sweety, and she will put up with your dweebyness for the rest of her life, God bless her.

25th Anniversary!

Today is my parents’ 25th wedding anniversary; it is a huge milestone these days. So I would like to take this time to tell my Mom and Dad to give themselves a big ole pat on the back. There ya go, that is your gift from me to you; Simple yet meaningful.

Now I am going to attempt to get my hands on a picture of my parents wedding to share with everyone. Oh you bet your boots it is an amazing picture; Mom with her fantabulous glasses that cover half of her face, you know those nice big ones that were the most amazing style back in the late 70’s early 80’s. She looks about 17 in the picture as well, but I guess it isn’t that far off her age, she was 20. Now we move on to my Dad, he makes the whole picture, it wouldn’t be what it is without his powder blue tux; you read that right, powder blue. If you need anymore help visualizing this, it is pretty much identical to Harry’s beautiful tux (Dumb and Dumber for those of you that need it spelt out).

So to celebrate this astonishing occasion, Oscar and I are making a lovely steak supper for Mom and Dad this evening, and then promptly kicking them out the door.

Happy 25th Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Monday, December 3, 2007

The yearly Christmas Party


So this past weekend we were in the big city for the "big" company Christmas party. I have to tell you, its quite a "to do". We have to get all dressed up, sit in the fancy shmancy ballroom at a big ritzy hotel, and eat the four course meal that is all delivered right to your spot. Who doesnt enjoy feeling like a royal for an evening; I know I like it.


The part that we have to endure though is our North Americal Vice President do a little speech, then we get to listen to the big kahuna do a little song and dance (not literally, although I think it would be funny). After that, we finally get to eat, Oscar and I ended up sitting at the same table as my boss (cause ya, its not like I dont see him enough as it is). His wife is a very funny and quirky kind of individual, and she was very hungry on Saturday evening. She ate her entire salad while we had to listen to the speechs, she then ate the salad from a vacant spot at the table, as well as a few buns; No big deal, I really dont care, the woman was hungry!


So finally the rest of us dive into our salads, and as I'm sure you all know, eating a fancy four course meal is a long drawn out process. So they finally bring us our soup, which was tasty but I didnt eat all of mine (and I think she - the bosses wife, was thinking I was crazy for not slurping the entire bowl down), then we get into the good stuff; turkey, mashed potatoes, veggies, stuffing, etc. I ate a slice of my turkey and all my mashed potatoes, and Oscar ate my second slice of turkey. We are all sitting just letting the meal settle, when she - the bosses wife, grabs her fork and says "oh your not eating your baby potatoes?" I said "....uh, no I'm full" so she proceeded to eat my little potatoes, and then my steamed carrots and I dont remember what else, oh I know she picked at my stuffing as well. I do believe she pretty much cleaned my plate off actually. I said go ahead, but it was kind of weird dont you think? I have met her many times before and think she is a nice person, but umm she was eating off my plate.


I just think it is wildly funny, in fact I think it was the highlight of my entire weekend. That and realizing that our dear friend Stacy that has moved away, but we got to see on the weekend....well I didnt, because we discovered that he is running for mayor. No not for real, but he might as well, it is his new name, "the mayor".


Now I am trying to tie up all the loose ends for the local company party that you have all read about, I cannot wait until this next weekend is over.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

I feel so blaaaa


So I have been sick for over a week now, I love it. I love the fact that I have used up three full boxes of Kleenexes in 9 days. I also love that I get to cough and do the whole phlegm thing. Oscar gave this cold to me, and he is well on his way to recovery and I am still wallowing in the fun of little to no sleep and no appetite. Insert here that I love food.

I cannot function if I have a stuffy nose, I feel claustrophobic if even one nostril is full, or even if I have one little boogy in my nose on a normal day, I cant handle it. So I have been having fun going to bed at night, I get my nose almost clear enough to go to sleep; and then one nostril fills up. So for the rest of the night I find myself rolling from side to side just so that I can alternate nostrils (you know so that one side doesn't get to dry and the throat doesn't get really sore as well).


By 3:00 I have been waking up unable to breath; my husband lives with a permanently stuffy nose, because he is allergic to everything on the planet, so he is going through life without using his nose. I however do not know how to breath through my mouth, I have never let myself do it. I think I have a fear of inhaling something odd like a balled up Kleenex next to my head and dying in my sleep because of a snotty Kleenex.


I just wanted to share my misery with everyone, it makes me feel better.....only until the next stop on the Blow My Nose Highway.


How much are stocks in Kleenex?