Thursday, November 2, 2006

So Damn Jealous

So Mr. McFebruary is off to Europe for a 7 week tobogganing tour - and I am so damn jealous. I LOVE Europe (a fact which I'm pretty sure we are all well aware of) but I'm not sure I would want to go as part of a sledding team. I'm just not that into sledding - but hey, I can't knock it unless I've tried it right?

In any case I am sitting at my desk dreaming about a trip that I can take to get me the hell away from mortgage processing....that and the fact I constantly get emails from friends in all sorts of fun places- and by fun I mean NOT Calgary! I am for sure going to leave sometime soon - after my courses are fini, so I guess that means mid April - But hey Springtime in Paris is lovely and I do have a certain hankering for some ham sandwiches plus I need some more scarves (hey Denise!)

- Now watching McDreamy - and George just did the cutest McString of McWords - adorable, I love George....who doesn't really?

Class was over early today - I ROCKED the township system tonight - wicked! Now, just one more class to go and I'm free again until january.....

K - gotta go pack for housesitting - hasta luego...

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

AHHHHHH!








I had to - just couldn't resist....

Worst cake EVER!

Last night I made the ugliest cake ever - AND I got a freakin' certificate for it! Seriously, the cake design isn't that bad persay - but the colours I ended up with are hideous. I ended up with bright blue roses and green leaves on top, with white dots also on the top and pink swirl flowers on the sides. Ugh! I'll definately have to sharpen my skills for Miss KQ's cake on saturday - however the one that Heather wants to make don't really take decoration too well....I shall have to think on that one. In retrospect I should have made a Calgary Flames cake like Cam told me to - meh, next time.

In other news I have my final detox session tonight - since it has been a few weeks and I haven't been eating all that well I am expecting something very nasty. But, it's better in the water than in me, right? I should also really try a traditional detox - with herbs and stuff - probably something we should all do at some point in time - no?

Work has been interesting these last few days. I've forgotten to take my glasses out of my school bag and have thus not been wearing them on the computer - even now as I type this the words are blurring together, so please pardon any spelling errors. I am certain that this 2 computer screen thing is killing my eyes - hmmmmm. However, this afternoon I think I get to take a field trip to the second floor to decifer a nasty spanish voicemail that some randomn person who works in the same buildig as me received - weird, and scary - I hope that my decifering skills in spoken spanish are up to snuff....somehow I highly doubt it!

Well, tonight is Halloween, I am not dressing up - did that already, and I am not handing out candy - I've decided to be a Halloween grinch tonight and deprive the little kiddies of goodies - besides, who is going to come to an apartment? Plus, I have to move my bed tonight (my non - grown up twin bed that is in my storage room) and I'm sure I won't have any time to be answering the door.
In any case - HAPPY HALLOWEEN to all!

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Toga Toga!

As I write this I am looking out the window with a look crossed between horror and glee - it is the first snowfall of the season afterall regardless of the fact that I do not yet own a snow brush for my car. Also, I was kindly reminded after I was woken up a few minutes ago that in fact I had forgotten to turn back my clocks - wicked! There is nothing else like the joy one feels when they realize it is not in fact 12: 30 in the afternoon on a sunday (thus shortening their weekend) but in reality it is actually 11:30 am! Ahh, so now I don't feel like a huge lazy person laying in bed contemplating if i should actually venture out and do my laundry. I think I should - it is important!

Anyhoo, weekend thus far has been quite fun. Friday night was really great. Denise and I went to see The Queen at the Globe theatre. It was a great movie, certain characters seemed a bit flawed (Cherie Blair for one, she couldn't seem to sit like a lady......tsk tsk) but all in all I think Denise and I were pleased. Although I did turn into a cry baby for most of the movie. Honestly it was like I was reliving all the emotions I had when Diana died. I know, I know, I am a loser, but I really liked her, she was a lovely person and as much as I love the Queen, she wasn't all that nice to Diana. Anyhoo, yes the movie was really good. In the end I think it gave whomever has seen it / will se it a better perspective to both HRH the Queen and Tony Blair, funny enough though both of their respective spouses didn't fair nearly as well - they came off as both ignorant and annoying.

Saturday morning I woke up bright and early to pick up miss KQ and off to school we went. It was a day of learning about mud - and the importance of it to the drilling industry. Coincidently my grandfather was quite influencial in the world of mud so that made it a bit more fun. After all the mud talk we learned lots about how one actually searches, drills and then get the oil out of the ground and Miss KQ proved to be pleathora of information in the field of geology - hats off to KQ! Then we got a tour of the plant / rig at the SAIT campus - very interesting.

Saturday night was a bit of a blur as I raced across the city to pick up the toga cum bed sheet that Cam and I absconded with when we had our toga party in Corfu. Having picked it up I raced home to air it out, have a shower, curl my hair, have dinner, do my goddess makeup and attempt to put on the toga. Now, I know how to tie a toga, and I've done it before, but it is very difficult to make it lay flat and not all bulgy around the curvy bits. In the end I had to go to Rachel's to do it and after Mr. Rob Zombie was decked out with his makeup and fellow goddess Artemis Rachel was in her own toga and goddess makeup we were off. A bit late in the end but nevertheless we made it. The party was really quite fun - the costumes were great - a halloween bag lady (wearing a cape decorated with bags ful of candy!), Borat, a 50's dance girl, Charlie Chaplin (which for some reason I was certain was a mime?!?!), and Irish dude, a 70's coach in a plaid suit, a padded Superman, a rock climbing guy, a 1/2 pimp 1/2 hooker, a vampire girl, and mt fav - a guy in jeans and a t-shirt with a green hart hard on that had long pieces of orange streamer coming off of it. After much debate the 3 of us decided that he was in fact an octopus - he had suckers drawn on his streamers, eyes on his hart hat and a "tatoo" on his arm that read "I R Octopus" and later added a sign to his chest that read "I am a M F OCTOPUS" Priceless..... Oh, and I was hit on by a lawyer type from Prince George dressed as a very revealing caveman, who may be moving to calgary to work for a firm in town, and who coincidently is haivng a toga party in january which we are invited to - awesome, another event that I can attend in a bedsheet. In any case I spent the evening being plied with drink after drink offer which I declined (as I was driving), but instead accepted his offer of San Pelegrino water and had a very interesting conversation where he called he Spence all night - weird, very weird.

Friday, October 27, 2006

TGIF

I have been waiting for this day all week. It started tusday, as I was walking into my office building I was certain it was thursday but suddenly realised that it was in fact tuesday and I almost started to cry - that is how dissapointed I felt. However, I perservered and voila it is friday! Today has been pretty good so far. I just translated my third mariage certifiacte from spanish into english and I am beginning to see that my degree wasn't in fact a waste of however many years at university.

Yesterday was fun, at lunch I zipped over to buy a beautiful three tiered glass cake stand. After work I got to rush over to the canada post outlet and pick up my much anticipated Pride and Prejudice 10th Anniversary Edition DVD set (wicked!) and then to KQ's to pick her up so that we could make our way to class - that's right I went back to school last night. Now, it isn't really that much of an accomplishment, the course is 3 weeks long and my mark consists of a take home test (seems to be quite straight forward) and attendance at an oil well tomorrow - nice huh?

Wednesday was good despite the fact that apparently scottish dancing was cancelled - boo-urns! But at least I did do some yoga to make up for the fact I was deprived of my cute little scottish dude, and of course visitng with Rachel is always a nice way to end my work day. On, one more thing - my french radio station was having another "discussion" and this time the question was What do you do after sex? The most popular answers? Sleep, shower, smoke (the are french afterall) and brag to their friends - very odd....

Tuesday was KQ"s birthday although she seemed (and still is) quite sick - not good. Cam and I, however, had a really delicious dinner. We made hands down the most delicious salmon I have ever tasted - and super yummy brie quesadillas. Quite the culinary accomplishment I believe. Hats off to Rachel Ray for creating the recipe!

Tonight I have to do a spot of shopping - this time for a pretty dress for the ball next month. Hopefully I can find something inexpensive but nice - and to go with the tartan sash I have ordered from Scotland. Followed by dinner and a movie (The Queen) with Denise - A lovely way to end the work week I think.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Feliz Cumpleaños Amiga!


Bon anniversaire ma très chere amie - Je t'aime beaucoup beaucoup beaucoup!!!!!

Joyeux anniversaire

Joyeux anniversaire

Joyeux anniversaire KQ!!!!!!!

Joyeux anniversaire


Cumpleaños Feliz

Cumpleaños Feliz

Cumpleaños Cumpleaños

Cumpleaños Feliz


Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Miss KQ

Happy Birthday to YOU!!!!!

Monday, October 23, 2006

The weekend

Well its monday - hmmm. I can't quite believe that I am already sitting at my desk waiting for the clock to strike 8:30 but here I am. Onto the recap.... Friday was a relaxing evening...complete with PJs at 6:00 pm, vietnamese food and some fun tv (I forgot what TV was liek before 10pm), but oddly enoguh I didn't get to bed until midnight! Why? I have no clue, all the sudden it was 11:45 and I scrambled to wash my face, brush my teeth and jump into bed.

Saturday was also quite nice - not as relaxing, but really fun. It started out with work - (job#2) - and then a trip to my aunt's house for a very belated birthday dinner for my 2 sisters and I - it turned out to be quite the reunion, my grandma was there ( the coolest 92 year old I know!) and my cousin Kody (also very cool), my two sisters and their beaus, my uncle and my aunt's friend Bev. All in all we sat, ate and laughed until we almost died - I had forgotten just how hilarious my aunt is - plus the dialogue between my cousin and grandma was really quite priceless, there's nothing quite like a 92 year old grandma type zinging her 30 something grandson like someone half her age - no make that a quarter of her age! Back at home saturday night and I went to bed earlyish (for me) which means 11:00 pm!

Sunday was pretty great as well. I slept late - had a nice breakfast, went grocery shopping for cupcake supplies (cake class tonight) and baked some chicken for lunches this week. Then Mr. B (my favorite handyman) came over and I finally got my curtains hung for the living rom (after 4 months!) and they look wonderful! Bravo Mr. B on your handyman skills! Afterwards we celebrated hte birthday of the aforementioned handyman by going out for chinese food at the Imperial Garden restaurant - yummy! To wrap up the evening Desperate Housewives was new and I watched whilst icing my freshly baked cupcakes. This season seems better than last, but I still vehemently disliek Edie Britt - she is ruthless and horrible - I hope she meets with an unfortunate accident sometime soon in the show -she sucks!

One last thing to wra up this post - my beautiful yellow ribbon on my car was stolen last week and I am still mad about it. Tomorrow I shall have to go to the base and pick up a new one - this will be #3 for those of you who are keeping track!

Happy Monday to all - catch ya later!

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Mon Essentiel

I am totally hooked on this song by Emmanuel Moire today- I have no idea why...I just am. It seems very nice and happy. I recommend it as a download if you can find it - I found it on limewire.

Je sais ton amour
Je sais l'eau versée sur mon corps
Sentir son cou jour après jour
J'ai remonté les tourments pour m'approcher encore
J'ai ton désir ancré sur le mien
J'ai ton désir ancré à mes chevilles
Viens, rien ne nous retient à rien
Tout ne tient qu'a nous

Je fais de toi mon essentiel
Tu me fais naître parmi les hommes
Je fais de toi mon essentiel
Celle que j'aimerais plus que personne
Si tu veux qu'on s'apprenne
Si tu veux qu'on s'apprenne

Tu sais mon amour
Tu sais les mots sous mes silences
Ceux qu'ils avouent, couvrent et découvrent
J'ai à t'offrir des croyances
Pour conjurer l'absence
J'ai l'avenir gravé dans ta main
J'ai l'avenir tracé comme tu l'écris
Tiens, rien ne nous emmènes plus loin
Qu'un geste qui revient

Je fais de toi mon essentiel
Tu me fais naître parmi les hommes
Je fais de toi mon essentiel
Celle que j'aimerais plus que personne
Si tu veux qu'on s'apprenne
Si tu veux qu'on s'apprenne
Si tu veux qu'on s'apprenne...

Je ferai de toi mon essentiel
Mon essentiel
Si tu veux qu'on s'apprenne
Qu'on s'appartienne

Trading Spouses

I'm watching the latest edition of trading spouses - and it's a doozy! I first saw this show when I lived in France and thought it was an interesting concept. However, this episode features two families, one from Boston - orthodox Jews and one from Olympia Kentucky - good old southern bible thumpers - not that there is anything wrong with that. I personally like to think that I am quite tolerant of people's religious views - but this one women (from Kentucky) is ridiculous. She is sooooo ignorant of anything remotely different than good old christian values and tries to change the Jewish familes ways about everything! She complains about things being kosher, about the "arabic or hebrew whatever" on the packaging at the supermarket, she complains about that fact that the parents are against certain kinds of relationships between men and women - and dancing together. She was just plain rude - honestly - and it is making me quite angry.

Basically the show turned out to be a showcase of how ignorant and closed minded southern americans can be. What a gong show.

In other religious news - there is a new lady at work who does all of our "external" funding. She seems nice enough, talkative, but nice. In fact as I try to drown out the hideous ramblings of Don, Joanne and the Coach, of Lite 98 fame, with my aforeposted (did I just make up that word KQ?) french radio station she natters away at me about everything...at first I was trying to be quite nice and helpful because it was her first week - but after repeated attempts to explain to her that I don't know her job, or anything about funding she keeps at it. And then come the stories....about where she grew up, about where she has lived, about her grandchildren, about everything - including religion. As I said before I am very tolerant - in fact I couldn't care less what you believe in or don't - its YOUR belief and I support your faith in it, but a) the workplace is not an appropriate locale to just "bring it up" and b) I certainly did not solicit this piece of information.

Hmmmm, what a week - TGIF!

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Weird Radio

I'm listening to my radio station from France as I work this afternoon and the conversation that the DJs are haivng with a caller is very bizarre. First they are talking about some nutrition thing and they (the male DJs) - I swear - ask her a) how much she weighs b) what size pants she wears and c) what her bra size is. The then follow this up with an analysis of how many men she has slept with - honestly! By the way her answer was 25!

The station is basically a copy of Vibe 98.5 but in french and from France, but this is the most personal and bizarre conversation I have every heard broadcast on the radio - save for Sex with Sue of course.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Sexy Back

The return of the sexy sexy hair. I am in love with my hair - well not really, it could be darker and more red but I am nonetheless pleased with the result. I always feel much sexier and happier with red hair - next time though I'll go brighter.

Work was crappy today - I just wasn't that into it - plus Heather left again this morning after just coming home on sunday night - so boo-urns at waking up at 5:30 am to say bye bye, but she'll be back thursday I think.

Ahhh, I almost forgot I never told you about my cake class. Every monday in October Jennifer and I (from job #2) attend cake decorating class at Michaels. We are shaping up to be fancy Martha types and our cakes looked how you say - jolie! Mine was pale blue with white stars all over it and jenn's was pale green with dots and stars. We collectively decided that we didn't want to make a juvenile rainbow cake. Next week we are trying our hand at cupcakes with all sorts of decorations on them...the trouble is that I have this cake and I can't eat it - so that begs the question - who wants cake?

Monday, October 16, 2006

Monday Monday

Well it's monday - back to work - back to the real world - and to top it all off it's snowing. I don't have anything against the snow - persay - however I now have to lug around a coat, a scarf, a pair of gloves and I must contend with snow in my hair. Speaking of hair - tomorrow is offical sexy sexy hair day. More red, more dark brow, much less blond -I think I will be quite happy with my new hair - most people seem to say they like the red hair - it suits my blue eyes and milk white skin.

The weekend was fun - I did a 2 hour yoga session yesterday - and boy am I paying for it now -hmmmm. Also as the internet wasn't fuuncitonal for the better part of the weekend I was suffering from "not being able to illegally download - itis" and NEEDED to hear a few Jusitn Timberlake songs. How to cure this problem? Go and buy the CD - it has been like 5 years (save for France) since I have purchased a CD - but it payed off, I got to hear the song I wanted to immediately and it was cheap - only $12.99 at BestBuy. In fact I love it so much I am listening to it right now on my iPod.

Also, Heather came home, which is always nice. I seem to get lonely sometimes when she leaves - but now I am leaving to go housesitting for almost 3 weeks - what the heck? At least I can blast my new song - cause Heather seems to have a small aversion to it.

Oh, almost forgot I had a fabulous shopping tip to Ikea - bought some new rugs and curtains and a grater. Oh, how I love Ikea. What else? Oh, Friday Night Feasts at Sunterra are uber yummy and I had a lovely time entertaining people friday night whilst eating the aforementioned (just for you KQ) feast.

Anyone to join me next friday?

Friday, October 13, 2006

Because I'm Bored

NOW
Is your hair up?: no, it'd down but full of lovely big curls
Is your phone right beside you?:yes, I'm at work, but my cell is also on my desk.
Do you have a bf/ gf?: ummm, maybe?
Do you wish you were somewhere else? yes and no
Do you have plans for tonight?: I thought I did, but now I am going shopping (at Ikea of course) and cleaning my mess of an apartment like a mad women
Are you wearing makeup?: of course
Are you wearing chapstick?: lipstick infact - clinique
Are you cold?: always
Are you tired?: always
Are you excited?: can't say that I am save for the Ikea shopping expedition
Are you watching t.v.?: no - I'm at work
Are you wearing pajamas?: no - work clothes, black pinstripped flannel pants (from H&M) and a teal t-shirt
Who's the last person you IMed?: KQ maybe
Who's the last person that called? Cam

PAST
Anything you regret? for sure - lots!
Ever lied?: yes
Ever stuck gum under a desk? no, I find that completely disgusting
Ever spit at someone? never
Ever kick something living? again - never
Ever had your nails done?: often
Ever thrown up because you cried so hard?: yes

REVEAL A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF:
LAST WEEKEND
Had any plans last weekend?: Butcher shop, movie, work, movie, Dim Sum, Thanksgiving
Who did you see most last weekend?: Ronnalie
Was last weekend interesting?: yes - quite fun infact.

TODAY
Have you yelled at someone? no
Have you gotten mad at someone? yes - damn lenders
Have you cried? not yet
Have you called more than 3 people?: yes - liek I said, I'm at work
Have you IMed more than 3 people?: nope
Have you eaten anything gross? can't say that I have

SPILL YOUR GUTS
Q. First thing you did this morning?: put my hair in curlers
Q. Last thing you ate?: Cottage cheese and peaches and an avocado
Q. What's something you look forward to most in the next 6 weeks? St. Andrew's Ball (I'm a sucker for a scottish accent and a man in a kilt), cake class, PETR211 w/ KQ, Housesitting
Q. What's annoying you right now? Waiting for 4:30 so I can go shopping, reformatting this darn post
Q. What's the last movie you saw? Legally Blonde 2 - W network
Q. Do you believe in long distance relationships?: I did
Q Where is the last place you went?: Blood Donor Clinic - see last night's post for a recap
Q: Who is the last person you called?: Cam - didn't I already answer this?
Q: Been cheated on?: I plead the 5th
Q: Do you think that someone is thinking about you right now? I hope
Q: Choose one to have (love, beauty, creativity): Love for sure
Q: Do you wish on stars?: yes
Q: Does it work?: I hope so
Q: Do you untie your shoes every time you take them of: A lady does, thus...
Q: When did you last cry? last night
Q: Do you like your handwriting? If I am not madly scribbling away taking notes, then yes I do
Q: Are you a friendly person? I try to be, although I am painfully shy
Q: Are you keeping a secret from the world?? Yes
Q: Who's bed did you sleep in last night? Mine
Q: What color shirt are you wearing? Teal
Q: Do you have any pets? Did have
Q: What is the color of your bedsheets? Cranberry and Ivory with black pillow cases
Q: What were you doing at 9 last night? Watching Grey's - what else?
Q: last person you talked to : My assistant
Q: When is the last time you saw your dad? more than a year ago
Q: Look to your left: cubicles
Q: Ever cried yourself to sleep? yes
Q: Ever cried on your friends shoulder? For sure
Q: Song that makes you cry? Many - E vanescence is particulary good
Q: Are you normally a happy person? yes, I think so.
Q: Is your self-esteem low? At times
Q: What color are your eyes? Blue, like marbles I've been told
Q: Long or Short Hair : long, getting longer
Q: Current Music: NRJ (radio station from France)

I challenge you now....

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Bloody Hell

Bloody Hell - quite the evening I've had - and it's not even 20:00 yet.

The end of the work day was nice, I got to take a small field trip to the bank and drop off a cheque and the deposit book which didn't make its way into the courier bag for this afternoon - plus I was so quick I even got to have an iced coffee - mmmmm. Then I went to my Ionic Detox session (#3) and it was gruesome - no seriously - much like #2 was but more so and with more liver this time - yuck! Glad to be rid of all that nasty garbage from my body.

On my way home though, something terrible happened. I was driving on 5th, right by Queen E High School and right at the intersection the car beside me had stopped at the crosswalk - so of course I stopped assuming that there was a mom with her stroller and kids crossing the street (there were various of the aforementioned people milling about the area) - HOWEVER, that was not the case...I didn't see anyone crossing so I inched my car up a bit to see around the car beside me and what do I behold in the crosswalk????? A mangy old coyote! In broad daylight! He was darting back and forth, which was odd, and I was thinking that he was after a mom and kids or someon'es dog - not cool by me, in fact I was ready to jump out of my car and help anyone to kick the crap out of him (ps - I HATE coyotes!!!!). Anyhoo, I inched the car closer and oh my god - it wasn't a dog he was after, but a BUNNY!!!! A cute fluffy bunny - and he grabbed the bunny right in front of me. Now, anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE bunnies and as soon as I saw him grab my bunny friend and run off away down the street - I gasped audibley and covered my eyes and mouth - I was shocked! God Damn Coyote - pardon the swearing but I friggin' hate the damn creatures!!! I rushed home and proceded to call several people to report what had happened - I'm still in shock reliving the memory. After I had calmed down I watched a bit of Smallville to relax before my blood donation appointment. Next up was the actual blood donation appointment - I really enjoy doing this, it's like my good deed of the next 56 days. Anyways - I get there all excited to donate - get my finger pricked and blood dropped into the blue solution stuff - and guess what? I fail - I freakin' failed it - so she tried a more sophisticated test - I failed that as well - the first time EVER I failed. Man I felt so embarrassed. I even had to go into the little room and chat with the nurse about my "hemoglobin" problem. Brutal! So now I am branded for life - damn female hormone crap - I am "anemic" and am off to Safeway to buy cream of whaet and raisins.

Arriving at Safeway I am trying to find all my required groceries but a) am talking on the phone with my mom and b) trying to get some milk from the bottom shelf - this nice older man (what's with me and older men?) was trying to help me - quite nice indeed...then I found my cream of wheat (it had loads of iron in it) and was off to try to find raisins - thus I went to the baking aisle - no luck and I ran into my milk guy. We walked up and down several aisles looking for these damn raisins and same up dry - where the hell are the raisins? After leaving my milk guy I venture to the produce section and proceed to ask the produce guy where I may find the raisins...he promptly ushered me to the apporpriate section and off to the checkout I went - and voila I find my milk guy there as well - he was so nice.... and I just realised I never got his name.

Quite the eveing indeed - now I kickin' some butt on Jeopardy and then later - thank god I have Grey's.

A Pick-me-up of sorts

Yoga last night was terrible, I was ultra shaky and weird - not sure why...but I feel like crap about it - and then I had to go to my St. Andrew's Caledonian Society meeting which lasted for-ev-er. Every month there is this lady there and all she does is talk and talk and argue. Everyone else and I were exchanging horified "holy crap is this lady ever going to shut the hell up?" looks during her tirade about mailing out a questionaire about the approval of the group's crest. Last month it took almost an hour to get the wording corect for the motion to give some calgary tartan fabric to a dance school to make mini kilts. Brutal I tell you - brutal!

The only saving grace of the evening was the yummy yummy snack we get at tea time after the meeting (remember these folks are scottish - and therefore make the yummiest snacks). During tea time I got to talking to the husband and wife team that teach dancing on wednesday nights. Now, before I go oon let me explain that they are an older couple - in the 70's at least and are SUPER scottish and adorable. Knowing that I can continue explaining my conversation. We were discussing the fact that the tartans one wears to a Scottish Ball do not have to match (you and your escort) which was news ot me because previously I had thought it a huge faux pas to intermingle the tartans....anyhoo the conversation steered around to the fact that I was wearingmy yoga pants tot he meeting as I had just finished yoga and my dance teacher (his name is John) encouraged me to wear them to dancing to. I explained that they were too long to dance in (we dance in gillies or ballet slippers) and that I would trip and fall. His wife (Jessie) replied that I should roll them up over my knees, to which I laughed and said I would look awfully funny. John pipes in just here with his adorable scottish burrr and explains that he is very excited about the prospect of spying some leg (remember that he is older). I laughed at this and suggested that maybe next weke I should show up in my mini kilt! Needless to say he was very excited about that suggestion. Old scottish men are so cute - I just love them!

After this I went home to make up some vegetable quiche cups to go for my breakfasts and didn't actually make it asleep until after 12:30, thus this morning when I pried my eyes open at 6:45am I almost cried because I was sure I hadn't slept yet. However, here I am at work struggling to funciton despite the yummy eggnog latte that I made myself and dimly thinking of the detox, and blood donation that I must attend ot after work - but at least it's thursday and thus Grey's is on tonight. YEAH!

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Damn gloves

I think I may have over did it....

So last week I invested pair of really neat body shop scrubby gloves for the shower - to exfoliate - and thus every time I am in the aforementioned shower I scrub so as to be all nice and shiny and soft all over. Tonight however I may have over done it. I scrubbed really really hard and now I am very dehydrated, and my skin feels about 2 sizes too small. HMMMMM, not so good. Now I'll admit I think I went over board on the scrubbing, oh let's face it, I often go overboard on most things, but I am itchy and I hate that I must lotion my whole friggin body, or else deal with it all night - and in my new improved bed.

Now why I am telling you all of this I ask you? no idea, but I'll thought I should share. I think I need a drink.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Fin de semaine d'action de grâces

What a weekend. Friday I loaded up on meat (jerkey and yummy sausages) with Ronnalie and then we watched Sliding Doors (an old obscure Gweneth movie)....very fun

Saturday was more work - quite boring, with laundry and Legally Blonde 2 in the evening.

Sunday was a) Starbucks to see Heather and get a lovely coffee, then wicked fun Dim Sum and a walk around chinatown with Ronnalie (what can I say, she's too fun for jsut one day) followed by a trip to Costco - note to self, never ever go the sunday before thanksgiving, it was wickely busy. Later on that evening I finished the aforementioned laundry, watched Desperate Housewives, took the best shower ever (at the hosuesitting house, they have a huge rain shower head, ahhhhhh)

Monday, more Starbucks (in preparation for the spectacular dinner I was about to make) and then cooking cooking and more cooking. In the end I made a bacon wrapped 15 lb turkey on the BBQ, a green bean casserole (I created the recipe), glazed carrotts, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce (okay it was canned) and mashed potatoes - well I had lots of help from Cam, so props to him for the stuffing and potatoes.... Then we feasted, and it was a feast... in addition to all that food my mom brought the sweet potatoes - mmmmmm - and Cam's mom made pumpkin pie cheesecake - delicious! Afterwards I cleaned out my car and brought all sorts of goodies into the apartment - much to Heather's chargrin. in fact I was going through my grandfather's WWII stuff and trying on all his uniform parts as Heather sat on the couch and watched me like I was a lunatic - but meh, it was fun!

AHHHHHH, today I am still quite full despite my walks yesterdaay but happily I tried on my "skinny" pants that I bought in Avignon when I was in France a few years ago and hooray for me - they fit - even after that gigantic wekeend of eating.

Tonight brings job # 2 and a clean up of my messy messy room, then tomorrow I have Yoga / Pilates and dancing - thursday is Ionic detox session #3 and Blood donation - won't the lucky person who gets my blood be happy that I detoxed just for them! and friday - nothing, so far, thank god, I am a wee bit booked these days!

Friday, October 6, 2006

TGIF now with Old El Paso

Thank God it's friday.....I have slept in everyday since I got my duvet - which also could be attributed to the fact that I also did my 2nd Detox session that day, but meh, TGIF.

Last night Grey's was good, I am not too impressed with the edition of McSteamy into the cast. I am loyal to McDreamy and am therefore made to hate McSteamy for his adulterous betrayal. Also, I am so not enjoying this watch one episode of Grey's and wait a whole freakin' week for another one - but I guess that's what I get for watching like 6 episodes in a row for seasons 1 and 2.

As for today, it is fat friday at work which means that today Serrine is bringing tacos!!! Now I love tacos as much as the nex guy, but at 10:00 am? - whatever, we all know I'll enj0y myself.

One more randomn thought - on my drive to work this morning I was listening to the radio report the hockey scores from last night - and no I don't want to talk about it, GD Edmonton, what a hole of a city.... - and I realised that you can in fact watch 3 major sports at this time of year - the aforementioned (did you get that KQ?) Hockey, Baseball playoffs (Go Yankees!) and Football (the Northamerican kind).

On the schedule for this weekend firstly today I have work - yuck - but then I get to go to TJ's Sausage Kitchen and pick up some fantastic beef jerkey and sausages and then chill with my pal Ronnalie - saturday brings more work and an open evening - for once... Sunday is more Ronnalie and dim sum this time plus more relaxing in preparation for the gigantic monday thanksgiving feast. Cam and I are making dinner by ourselves for his parents and my mom - hopefully I'll conjure up some mad award winning food studies skills from high school. Wish me luck!

Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Return of the Nog / Ionic Detox Part II

Big day yesterday!


As I was grocery shopping last night I spied something a little special in the dairy case - can we guess what is was? That's right - Egg Nog! Yeah! I used to hate it, really hate it and then I gave in (do we remember Fort Egg Nog?), and now I just love it and even though it is out before halloween I don't mind onw bit - cause this way I get to drink it every day - light version cut with milk of course, it's too rich otherwise.... But yes, egg nog by the glass, in my cereal, in my coffee...no not really not in the cereal, that is toooo weird, although I wouldn't put it past some people - I think you know who you are!

This morning I didn't get up in time to make myself an aforementioned egg nog latté, but no worries, tomorrow shall be much better.

Before the thanksgiving grocery shopping expedition I arrived at home to find a different surprise in the living room - my comforter and new pillows (note - that brings the pillow count on my bed to 7! and no I'm not kidding!). So I gleefully ripped open the box yanked out the comforter and ran to my room, swept everything on my bed (including the 5 pillows) and covered myself with my new duvet - it was heaven, but then I had to get up and go pick someone up from their office downtown - fun was shortlived indeed. Anyways because I got my new comforter and was no longer in need of the twin sized quilt that was currently doing it's best to cover my queen sized bed, I needed to make a trip to (all together now....) IKEA! for a duvet cover and pillow shams.

Off we went to Ikea and wondered about whilst trying to figure out how to match the duvet cover with the Ikea curtains I already ahd - they are a red colour and I wanted a different cranberry sort of coloured duvet cover - in the end we decided to alter the curatins and just get the cranberry duvet cover set - the brown version was too blah for my beige walls.

Now previous to my Ikea trip I was at the Homeopath's doing my 2nd Ionic Detox treatment - apparently time 2 and 3 are suppose to be the worst - so I prepared for the worst - and Yeah! for me I got it! It was truly sickening I tell you.... the water was DARK green (from my gallbladder) and thickish with orange sludge on top (from my joints) with some white foam stuff and white bits - plus, get this!- black flecks (heavy metals!) - yuck yuck yuck. Oh well, at least it isn't in my body anymore. I'm scheduled for the next on on the 12th so I expect it will be even worse - how lovely!

PS - I'd add more pictures to illustrate my fantastic day but blogger isn't cooperating - sorry!

Sunday, October 1, 2006

Walkers for Knockers

Today was the CIBC Run for the Cure. Our fearless team leader Heather did a wonderful job organising us and made it a great experience despite the rain and cold and the fact that the people forgot to print our team name on our t-shirts (Best Team Name EVER!!!!!).

It really was a great turn-out, oodles of people came out to walk / run, oodles of people in Willowpark decorated thier lawns and homes to support all of us walkers - as well as tributes / memorials to grandma's, mom's, wives, sisters, aunts, and daughters. It was really touching.

I haven't gotten around to loading the pics from my phone but I plan to do so quite soon and I will do my best to share them with you!

Bravo to all that donated, participated and supported everyone affected - good on ya!

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Kinky Boots and Stupid Boys

Cute movie - love the drag queen Lola - he/she is just fah-bu-lous. A nice thing to watch whilst lounging on the couch after a hard day's work. However, the guy at the casablanca (the movie store) was very weird - it was like - he - took - a - huge - long - break - after - each - word.... brutal!

Yesterday, at job #2, this guy (another weird one) was soooo bizarre! First let me tell you that trying to impress me with horror stories of what you do to your eyes with contacts will NOT impress me - in fact it does the opposite, it grosses me out and makes me want to rip out the eyes from your undeserving eye sockets! This guy told me that he, and I quote, "wears his focus night and day (contacts you were for UP TO 1 month straight) for - get this - 3 months at a time!!!!!!!!!" THEN he tells me that he has previously worn his 2 week contacts for almsot 6 months and only took them out because they hurt his eyes - plus he hasn't owned a bottle of solution in 3 YEARS and only came in for the exam because we wouldn't sell him contacts until his eye exam wasn't dated 3 years ago!!!!!

Apparently he has figured out the contact lens scam (?!?!?!?!) whereas the lenses are only marketed with that schedule because the company is trying to scam the consumers. He has absolutely no concern for the fact that the material degrades after a while, not to mention the fact that your eyes deposit ooddles of protein on the lenses every day - disgusting!!!!!!!

I was so appalled with his behaviour that I couldn't even disguise my disgust - normally when patients tell me things that make me want to scream at them I can put the disinterested face on and say "mmmmm" and calmly write it down in their file. This time though I just stared open mouthed at him and just said over and over agian - seriously?!?!.

What an idiot, I hope his eyes fall out.

Thursday, September 28, 2006

So Sad

I am waiting for my Heather to get home with my H & M shopping (thank you Heather!!!) as well as well as waiting for my baked potato to freakin' bake (it's been almost an hour so far!) and I am watching the Barbara Walter's special with Terri Irwin (Steve's wife), and it is so sad. I could never believe that anyone who is watching this isn't moved by what she says - so terribly sad.

In other news, I am very very tired, again - today was day 2 of soup, lots of veggies - hence the baked potato - and that combined with the ionic detox thing from yesterday is making me feel quite ill. But, I perservered, I went to Yoga and Dancing tonight - not bad not bad. Tomorrow is fruits and veggies and soup - I'm getting there.

I can't wait for the banana and milk day! (I'm kidding, it isn't going to be pleasant) If it kills me I will fit into my fress for the ball - I swear.

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Let the detox begin...

I am soooo exhausted from yesterday, let me explain. Yesterday after work I rushed over to my mom's brewed up a batch of soup and frantically did my laundry. Then I rushed off to my dancing - and boy was I dancing. There were sooo many people there this week, so we danced and danced and danced, then Rachel and I and my new friend Deanna went over to her house and practiced some more dance moves - wow, it was tiring. In fact I didn't get home until 1 am!

Today, well this morning I was so tired and because of my soup diet I couldn't drink any coffee - damn! Oh well, only one week of this, I can hold in there. After work I raced down to Bridgeland to see my Homeopath Shann, and we did this sort of Ionic Detox thing - basically this machine pulled all sorts of nasty crap from the pores in my feet - and the water was, oh god, disgusting. The colour and ...uh substances.... in it tell you what part of your body the crap is coming from - mine was dark orangy brown with some other things in it, bascially my joints and liver and lymphatic system were detoxed. The next 3 sessions should be better, aka more stuff from my body in the water - gross, I know!

Monday, September 25, 2006

Desperate Sunday

I had forgotten why I liked Desperate housewives so much, and why I love Bree so much. I love that she loves everything to be perfect, and she has the perfect complexion and the perfect hair and the perfect clothing. I just love Bree, but what I do NOT like is the crepey men she is always with - what the hell?

In other news, I had a really lovely tea/coffee party with Mrs. B then we got to rearranging my room and the living room a bit - much much more room in my room. Now all I need is to get my duvet from airmiles in the mail and my duvet cover from Ikea (of course!) and viola - perfection. On that note, last night when I was sitting on my couch reading my new book, I looked up at my doorway into the living room then around the room and had this sudden realisation that - wow, this is my apartment and wow - I love it! Wicked! In fact as I am typing this Heather is basically saying how much she loves our new living room - wierd indeed!

Tomorrow I'm off to do laundry, make some soup (for my new soup diet) and of course every monday -scottish country dancing! Yeah!

Night

Saturday, September 23, 2006

McParty aftermath

Thursday night was fun, we had pizza, cake and of course McDreamy. Funny thing is that somehow we watched the 2nd episode of the season BEFORE the season premiere! Why? I 'm not quite sure, but I hear from oodles of other people that CTV failed to air the proper episode. As it turns out we changed the channel from 3 to 5 at 10:00 so we did in fact get to see the season premiere, and let me tell you, it solved quite a few confusing questions that were lingering after the 9:00 show. Technical problems aside, the shows were great - McDreamy was well, Dreamy, George was adorable (I need my own George) and the rest of the gang were equally as great. I can't believe Addison though, what the hell was she thinking - McSteamy????? Did anyone else notice the steam that followed him out of the bathroom door? I did and it made quite the impresison. And Izzie, poor poor Izzie, I kept my cool throughout the episode, didn't cry for her pain, but I wanted to. In the end my vote goes for McDreamy, McVet is fine, really quite nice, but I've never been a real fan of Chris O'Donnell.

Friday was fine, KQ and I attended the funeral, never been to a catholic funeral, but it was nice and both KQ and I did well, so did our friend - we are both very proud of you! Afterwards we took a trip to the Famer's Market for some urgently needed snacks and veggies - and I got a new yellow ribobn for my car - in fact I got it for FREE! No, it wasn't my charm that did it, it was the defective quality of the first sticker. Then, I attended my very first Mary Kay party. Denise was our lovely host and I got to visit with a whoel wack of people that I haven't seen in a while and get pampered while eating delicious treats - good day!

Saturday, same old same old - work then lounging whilst reading my new book - probably should have cleaned the house up a bit, maybe I'll get my butt in gear and do a spot of organising / cleaning yet tonight. A nice surprise for Heather, no?

That's enough for now - night!

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Oh McDreamy, how I love thee!

Thank you Heather - no seriously....without her purchases of seasons 1 and 2 of Grey's Anatomy I would never have understood what the heck she was talking about every monday morning. Anyhoo, I am very much in Grey's Hypermode.

This week alone I have watched season 2 in it's entirety, well most of it, I had seen a few here and there over the summer. In fact, last night I started my session with the episode with the unexploded bazooka shell in the man's chest and finished with the season finale - needless to say I have spent each evening during my marathon week of Grey's Season 2 with a combination off tears, mascara and eye liner running down my face. and I am proud to say I am in love with not only McDreamy, but George as well and even Alex has somewhat redeeemed himself in my eyes. Furthermore, I just love Bailey - and of course the other interns too, Meredith, Izzie and Christina, I've even warmed up to Addison!

In any case, I am very excited for the McParty tonight in my new McLiving Room with my friend McKQ, McRB and McMG.... it should be fun, too bad McHM has to be away, but I'm sure she'll have a similar McParty with her sis.

See you all there.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

A Real Living Room!

YEAH!!! We actually have a proper living room, with shelves, and if I might say, it looks fabulous, and just in time for my McParty to watch McDreamy on thursday night! Anyhoo, many many hours were spent at Ikea yesterday, we tried on several different couches, chairs and generally pretended like we lived in each exhibit (I think this might be my favourite activity ever..). In the end I ended up with a hefty $450 bill and a very very happy Linda.

Before going into Ikea Cam and I decided to peruse the Jysk store across the street and honestly it felt like I was cheating on Ikea, the store was weird to say the least, they even had some clothing...... very very bizarre.... and some curiously similar furniture, nevertheless we decided to be true to Ikea and walked across the parking lot.

Back to my place to put together all of our loot. My living room is stil a bit disaorganized, but it is slowly coming together in a semblance of real living - Martha would be proud! Now I just need to clean up my bedroom and buy a duvet cover set and hang some more of my pictures. Wow, it feels quite bizarre to be a grown up, but I guess I really don't have any choice in the matter, do I?

I shall leave off here with a promise to have another party so we can all check out the new arrangement in my living room.

Oh, by the way - the aforementioned McParty is happening chez moi on thursday at around 8:30 in case anyone wishes to attend.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

My Deepest Sympathies

I just got home from dancing and Heather has informed of of the sudden passing of a dear friend's mother. I don't even know what to say, or what to do. I am just so sorry for the sadness that her family must be feeling.

To her I say that she has my condolences and my prayers, we are all here for you my dear, whenever, wherever, always.

Miss KQ and I will be attending the funeral on friday and will hopefully be able to bring some semblance of comfort to her.

Monday, September 18, 2006

OOH - SO CLOSE!

Ah, I almost made it - I thought I had escaped the dreaded cake at the work with the card and everyone singing......unfortunately they didn't forget after all, it was just delayed. I was given 2 very yummy cakes, and of course the card with the gift certificate in it. So now I have soooo much cake in my place - I need some help to eat it all - please help me - I have carrot cake, chocolate ganache and black forest to eat - and soon!

Back in the Saddle again!

Yesterday was truly fantastic.

I haven't been riding for a while and yesterday myself, Miss KQ, Rae and Heather took off to Griffin Valley Ranch to do a bit of riding. Although we weren't able to do much more than a gentle walk due to the snow and mud, I think we still had quite the good time! My horse's name was David and he was lovely with the exception to the fact that every time I had to dismount in order to open a gate / fence and then try to remount he thought it would be funny to start moving while I was 1/2 way up into the saddle. I'm sure this looked hilarious to my riding partners - well actually it was quite funny, and trying to mount a horse who is moving while laughing isn't the easier thing to do. In any case, and despite the discovery of the entrails of a recently snatched (by wolves) pony, it was a great day - follwed by of course some McKay's ice Cream in Cochrane.

Today however I am suffering a wee bit from my escapades yesterday. I have a bruise on my forearm, a bruise on my knee where it was rubbing against the saddle, sore triceps, sore shoulders, and very very sore inner thighs - walking is interesting but somehow I'll manage. In fact I am so enamoured with riding, plus it brings back some really great childhood memories, I just might be a regular at the ranch, although I might upgrade my horse - sorry David! - although in doing so I might not be able to actually get back on the horse if I ever need to dismount..... but I digress.

I'll see if I can find some pics of me on a horse when I was younger - my mom tells me I was a natural, but that remains to be seen!

Tonight I'm off to the 2nd session of my scottish country dancing, hopefully it will be better than last time..... and tomorrow I get to go on a mini shopping spree at Ikea (my 2nd home). Heather and I will finally have more of a real home, with furniture that somewhat resembles each other and some semblance of an organized space - and maybe we can even get the curtains up in the living room!

Oh, one more thing a big thanks to Heather for being so brave and letting me convince her to come riding- you are a natural my dear!

Sunday, September 17, 2006

A redeeming quality

I was at work today and decided that I didn't like the shirt I was wearing that much, soooo I decided to go and get a new one - one that I had seen in a flyer, argyll - one of my favourite patterns - anyhoo I went, bought it, changed into it and wore it for the remainder of the day... However, the reason of this post is to inform all of you doubting thomas' that in fact the now infamous Steve at work said - and I quote -
"Linda, you look rather fetching in that sweater",
So now we can all stop hating Steve for saying such nasty things to me whilst trying to make me feel better.
Bravo Steve, you've redeemed yourself.....

Friday, September 15, 2006

The week after - almost

So almost a full week as a full fledged 25 year old. Much has happened, I went dancing with a man in a kilt, had yummy Don Quijote dinner with a man in a suit, survived my first yoga/pilates class in forever, ate genuine scottish shortbread with an older scottish lad who begged me to come dancing with him next week, and had a Grey's Antamoy mini (disc 1) marathon. Tonight, dinner with Denise (greek this time!), perhaps some more Grey's and tomorrow is another birthday party for Mrs. B followed by some horseback riding with the girls on sunday....and it better not snow!

Phew - what a week, and it pretty much continues in this fashion until next May with some added bonus of classes...yeah!

Oh, and a huge CONGRATS!!!! to Heather on the purchase of her first new car - that's just awesome!!!!!

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Scottish Country Dancing

So Rachel and I donned our dancing shoes and headed out for some good old fashioned scottish country dancing. It was really fun, we even had a gentleman in a kilt - he was great! As we fumbled our way through sets and casts and twirled around in our skirts and cute shoes we had a good work out and a lot of fun. Our teacher Fiona is nice, she seems to be quite patient with my rhythm-less self and I have since put about 5 different books on hold at the library so I can "study" and try to wow them next week. I'm such a geek! But in reality I know it probably won't do much good, I just need weeks of weeks and practice, and then some. The up side is that there are quite a few workshops in the coming months which means I can really get better at it. Plus, if by chance I am ever transported to 18th century scotland (a la Outlander) I will fit in just fine.....now if only I possessed a time machine......

Sunday, September 10, 2006

The Day After - now with Peter's!

I came, I drank, I partied...
Can I just tell you all that I absolutely LOVE my friends....lots of people whom I love came to wish me well (and mix me a drink), and in fact lots of people who couldn't make it despite my guilt trips and warnings. But in any case I had a lovely time, I really did, and to Macleod, Rachel and Rob who bunddled Miss KQ (my snuzzle buddy) and I into my bed at 2:30am AND who cleaned up my living room and kitchen, I am eternally grateful - you guys are wonderful.

But let me start at the beginning. I had to work at job #2, I got up dressed up in fancy clothes (and earings) and went to work. Upon my arrival I found a beautiful cake and card with a giant Happy Birthday Linda on the white board - and of course hung out all day with the girls - good start! Afterwards I raced around buying booze, and party snacks the home to prepare the snacks - which Miss Heather took control of - Thank you! Then I was off to dinner with Mom and the B's (as in Mr and Mrs). Who PS brought me a HUGE cake with - of course - a tiara on it and singing candles...I'm such a princess!!!

Then the party began - loads of hugs and hellos....and loads of drinks. I don't think I ever made my own - probably because I don't really have any skills in mixing at all. As it turned out (realized through a deep discussion with the afrementioned Miss KQ) Miss KQ and I were the only ones who had a few to many. Oh well, it was my party (Heather's too), my birthday and I had a really really nice time.

This morning was a different story. I woke up at 5:51 am, just as Heather was leaving for work - I felt like trash, my biceps hurt like heck (why? why? why? I have no clue, it wasn't like I was lifting all night or something...), my stomach was in poor shape and I couldn't get back to sleep....so I took some pepto bismal curled back up in bed and awoke at 11:00am with my phone ringing. So KQ and I got up, made the bed, cleaned up the dishes from last night, put on real clothes (complete with jewelry), and headed out for a drop off and some Peters (for me...mmmmmm)

Not bad for the day after huh?

Thanks guys for the great day! I think I'll turn 25 agian next year!

Friday, September 8, 2006

The Day Before

Well well well, I'm almsot there - the big 2 5 - I'm half looking forward to my birthday and half kinda pissed off about it. I know I've done lots of stuff in my life, I know I have a lot to be happy about, but I thought that maybe I would be in a different place by the time I reached the ripe old age of 25. In fact, there is nothing I can do about it, short of lying about my age - cna I stay 25 forever?

In any case tonight is going to be quite fun, the moms (mine and Mrs. B) are going to Spruce Meadows for the Masters tournament - which I love to do. Plus my mom told me this morning that they have a lovely collection of Rembrandt paintings on display, and I just love the international markets. Plus I might swing byIkea (my other home) and pick up a quilt for $20, as my queen size bed currently is sporting a twin sized quilt, not the best look, trust me!

At the momnet I'm trying to lay low at work, I'm pretty sure that they don't know it's my birthday, and as I don't really know everyone, and I'm naturally really shy, I don't want a fuss - 'cuz I'll be embarressed and will have to answer loads of questions, plus I have a tendancy to blush easily and I hate that!

Thursday, September 7, 2006

The weirdest conversation in an elevator

So today, after lunch I was riding in the elevator with this guy, he was probably around 35 -ish, seemed nice. The following is the conversation that ensued....

Him (while starring at my toes intently): WOW!

Me (very confused): Hmmm?

Him: Your toes - they are VERY bright!

Me: Ah, yes they are.

Him: Really, they are, it's a nice colour....

Me: Um, thanks.

Apparently my newly painted red toenails were the highlight of his day. How bizzare.

PS - Birthday party chez moi - moving to Original Joes later on - saturday night..... come one come all -BYOB.

Tuesday, September 5, 2006

A tribute


I've been terribly callous and derelict in my duties with regards to paying hommage to our beloved Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin. Let me tell you all that I have always admired his bravenss and true zeal for life. He really lived his life and had so much fun - we could all really take away a great lesson from him, he died doing what he truly loved.

Rest in Peace Steve, you will be missed.

Monday, September 4, 2006

One more thing


Seeing how this guy lives in Moose Jaw -

I'm really putting myself out on a limb this time......For the St. Andrew's Ball I need a date - anyone game?

A Bonny Day in the Rockies!

Well well well, what a lovely lovely day! I reapeat myself because yesterday was really excellent. As it turns out it was just Rachel and I that went to the games, but we had such a blast. In fact we stayed out there all day but sadly didn't stay for the Ceilidh as it was sold out and we needed to be able to drive the 107km home!

Anyhoo, back to the games. There we were amongst many many - perhaps even hundreds of brawny men, of all ages, kilted and resplendid. Honeslty I think I fell in love several times, but as Rachel soon found out I am a huge wimp and have absolutely no confidence in approaching men - even to take a picture - needless to say Rachel is the one who asked Tyson (the highlander I am with in the above photo) for a photo. He was truly excellent, not quite my type, but certainly one of the best dressed there...if you can see my right elbow is being blocked by his sword! - just fabulous!

But also, so many people were there with their highland jewellry, or goods and it was so fun just to browse around and chat with people. In fact Rachel and I will soon be quite proficient in Highland dancing, courtesy of our monday night lessons in prepartion for the Ball we are attending November 18th and the Robbie Burns Night January 13th put on by the St. Andrew's Caledonian Society (we are soon to be members) as well as any event that the Clan Cameron puts on, as I am also a member - I joined yesterday when I found out that MacPhail (my Nana's maiden name) was a sept of the Cameron's.

In any case next year we have planned on making it truly an event not to be missed and will stay for the evening's festivities, drink wiskey and have fantastic time with our bonny bonny scots.

Friday, September 1, 2006

The start of a great weekend

AHHH, almost finished with work (illegal blogging here!), going to pick up a movie - housesitting with a stocked fridge, and some visiting with a good friend.

Tomorrow is the Calgary Highland Games, I'm going to see if I can't a bit before job #2 and even some afterwards if I'm lucky (and drive real fast!)

Sunday however is going to be really fantastic - the Canmore Highland Games are on all day and I have 2 friends to chill with whislt scoping out the beauties in their kilts - I am sooo excited, I can't even tell you.... Maybe if YOU are lucky I'll post some pics of my new scottish friends - maybe I'll have some other news to tell come sunday night...hmmmmmm - I hope!

Anyhoo, I should pretend to do some more work before the bell chimes for 4:30 - Happy Long weekend everybody.

Hey - next weekend is my 25th - that's right a quarter of a century baby! We should do something, maybe a hosue party or another great evening at Original Joe's - they have the yummiest drinks! (I like the cold shower). Any ideas?????

Thursday, August 31, 2006

I spoke too soon

I swear 2 hours after the cable dude left my internet went down - for the whole bloddy night! You can't imagine the frustration (unless you're Heather of course)

Anyways life goes on and thus I am still here. Tonight, night of all nights, is a sort-of Grey's Anatomy marathon, well actually it's 2 episodes in a row. I'll take it! But yes, I am watching my marathon sipping a white hot and eating west jet cookies, mmmmm- after my dinner of yummy yummy vietnamese, this is the end to a very nice and relaxing night!

Oh, PS there is a women at work whom I have now dubbed "dragon lady". On the first day I worked with her she was telling me that she is "very abrupt" and that it doens't mean anything...then she proceeds to tell me that she makes people cry and she "doesn't understand why..." oh, my, god, I work next to the dragon lady. Today after I full on asked someone how to do somehting and proceeded to do that to a "t" I might add - she beraded me in front of the whole office - I had to shut her down though. I can't suffer that humiliation..... I told her that "I was told to ignore it as it was her job!"

Hahahaha, take that dragon lady - Ronnalie you know what I'm talkin' 'bout!

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Great Service!

Wow - the shaw guy came today and helped me with my internet / tv connections. The service was so great that it pretty much makes up for the fact that the actual feed into the apartment has been crap since we moved in. In fact the guy (I didn't even get his name) was soo nice that we had a fabulous conversation about travelling and languages. Also, he fixed my computer - and made it so that the computer recognizes the modem. Wow, I am just blown away with the service.

Earlier was not the best - I spent almost 1 1/2 in traffic. I left work early to get home for the cable guy, and I was 1/2 hour late - every road had construction / stalled vehicles. I was so fed up that I admit my road rage was showing. I even yelled at a guy - albeit it was in french and I'm sure he didn't understand, but it made me feel better!

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

A lovely evening

a summary of my evening/day...
a) went to work - all was well, did lots of entering and lots of asking questions.....got cool land admin assignment from my boss (he's great!)
b) saw Cam's office - nice - had a great earl grey latte with him, bought newest OK magazine and some yummy scottish toffee....mmmm
c) walked home from eau claire in the heat with a velvet blazer on - not so smart
d) picked up the BSD bitches' and went for some drinks at OJ's
e) drank some gin and ginger on the way to OJ's (from a perrier bottle - how classy indeed!)
f) had more drinks at OJ's - too many in fact
g) remembered why I enjoy drinking so much
h) walked home in a drunken state
i) vegged on the couch whilst watching teeny bopper drama on family network
j) took drunken shower
k) wrote a very ridiculous blog entry whilst still tipsy...
......my evening summed up.....
All in all it was nice to chill with the girls - I miss it quite a bit.
Now it's time for bed - work @ 8:30 and I should be somewhat alert.
Night!

Monday, August 28, 2006

David Blaine

Holy crap - he is amazing - I have been watching him all night, he just pulled a chicken's head off and re-attached it. Among other things he's been reading people's minds, and pulling card tricks, even levitating - he even guessed MY card!

I can't even comprend the level that he operates on. Oh my god - I am beyond amazed.

Oh, and for all of you who read thursday's post and think that it was Cam that emailed me - it was not.

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Another move?

Today was no better. I decided to wear some nice heels to work to lift my spirits - it backfired. The now infamous Steve noticed I had worn heels and asked why - my response (aimed at making him feel badly for his previous day's comments) was "They make my legs look skinnier" .....his response..."No they don't!"

I know he was joking and I realize that I shouldn't be so offended, his intentions were not malicious, but really this past week has sucked, almost everthing that happened made me feel like s**t.

I need a change, a big change - calgary just isn't doing it for me anymore. I am seriously considering enlisting again - I've got my degree, I can enter as an officer, and perhaps I will be stationed in europe somewhere. I'm definately feeling the europe vibe right now - and doesn't Lt. Spencer have a nice ring to it? I sure think so.

I've always had a feeling that the military was for me - a fascination if you will. I am often times drawn towards all things military. But, it will take time to sort it all out, I won't make any rash decisions - I promise... and I'll keep you posted.
L

Friday, August 25, 2006

Moving day

well it was moving day at the office, my part was quite easy, I didn't have a whole desk load to move as I have only been working there for 1 week. I did however sit in my new chair, position my 2 computer screens and my phone and rearrange the file folder holder thingy on my desk - oh and help everyone else move - did you think I just sat there and watched while everyone else lugged their stuff up/down the stairs??? I'm not that mean....

After work I came home ate dinner, had a shower, cleaned my house a bit, and watched tv while I waiting for my "date" to show up - he hasn't and I think I have officially been stood up - wow, today is sooo much better than yesterday....

What I learned about myself today......

Today was just awful - awful! It started out quite well, good hair, a great starbucks caramel macchiato, then somewhere womehow it turned terribly terribly wrong.
First I got a very hateful email from a certain someone whom I will not share the name - let's just say it was not very flattering and I don't think I quite deserved it. Afterwards I had almost eveyone in my new office ask me questions about myself. Which in itself isn't too bad, they do need to get to know me as I will be working with them for quite some time. However it was the nature of the questions that really wasn't all that fun - but I'm sure they didn't intend it to be that way. Anyways, almsot everyone asked me the dreaded "do you have a boyfriend?" question. Why? Why? Why does this matter??????? Plus their reactions didn't help - they basically told me not to worry that I would find someone. After that email this was not the thing to be asking me. Furthermore my lunch leaked a bit and made a mess in my lunch kit - gross!

So the day progressed, I finished job #1 and drove to job #2. The traffic was not so bad and I thought my day was getting better. I was sooooo wrong!!! the worst was yet to come. I arrived at work and was putting my purse in the lunch room where Dr.M was eating her dinner and staring at me in a weird way. After I told her about the gorgeous 1965 red mustang convertible with the 3 really cute guys in it she proceeded to ask me in a very quiet and sympathetic voice if
"Linda - did you break off your engagement?"
to which I replied (a little stunned) - "Well, sort of yes"
and she said "Are you okay?"
and I said rather quickly, "No, I'm not, but that doesn't really matter... " (what the hell else was I suppose to say????)
and she replied - "I'm really sorry to bring it up..." which I thought to myself - well then why the hell did you?
and I promptly left the room.

Fighting the overwhelming urge to break into a fit of sobs at work I resumed the duties of an optometric assistant and continued on with my shift. Then in conversation with Steve, who is a guy I work with, I mentioned the nasty email I received that morning and he replied (his exact words I swear!)

"Well, maybe he just dates skinny girls!"

HMMMMM - then he proceeded to stick his foot further into his mouth and insulted me a bit more - now I know he wasn't TRYING to be mean or malicious, it just sounded that way.
After listening to his tyrade and after closing my mouth, which had dropped to the floor with his comment, I suggested that he replace the word skinny with something else as it was what was insulting, he replies

"well Linda you are an attractive girl" - getting better - however, his next comment was not a good follow up.... he said and I quote "I guess you are average"

If there was ever a day in which transpired made me want to slit my wrists - it would be this day. Now I am sitting here watching sad and terrible music videos after missing almost the whole episode of Grey's Anatomy and feeling quite sad with myself.

Let's recap shall we...I learned that I am a) not very nice (according to the email), b) a pathetic loser without a boyfriend c) also sad and pitiful because my 10 year relationship / engagement has fallen apart and finally d) average and not skinny

Why don't I drink more? I desperately need to start I think.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

more and more

I had to wear my glasses today at work - starring at the computer for 8 hours a day is not so good for my eyeballs....after monday I felt like my eyes were going to fall out.
But as for the hour long lunch hours I am LOVING it - today I got loads of errands finished, and I got to eat the leftovers from my italian dinner last night (the morrocan restaurant was closed so we went to La Viena).
After I got off work this afternoon I had to race over to my other job, for a further 3 hours of work. AHHHH, it reminds me of my days in university - 2 jobs. It wasn't really that bad, in fact I felt quite refreshed upon arriving at job #2 - plus I got a $25 gift certificate from our Complete rep! - I think I might get someone to buy me H& M from Montreal the next time she is in town....now I am home drinking my earl grey tea misto that I made with my fancy coffee espresso machine (well, actually Heather's) and watching JAG in my pj's.....tomorrow - laundry and thursday is basically a repeat of tonight but with fireworks instead of JAG.

Monday, August 21, 2006

First day

Well my first day went well. First thing this a.m. I was asked to read a writeup on the Alberta Land Titles office and it's procedures and history. Afterwards I had to take a test to see if I am able to remember things and also tosee if I am worthy of working in the office- which I am, in fact I'm pleased to report that I did quite well on my test! Anyhoo the rest of the day also went well, I learned all sorts of things about mortgages, and even had a nice 1 hour lunch. However, the drive home was ridiculous. I have officially decided that I really really disagree with driving home in rush hour - the c-train is going to be my mode of transport as much as possible.

The really really crazy (and honestly - very scary) thing is that my boss' wife, who also works in the office was asking me about someone I took spanish classes with. She asked me if I remembered a guy named David (last name omitted) - she described him as "mousy". I was racking my brain to think of the person she was refering to. I said to her I wasn't quite sure who it was, to which she replies "Well he sure remembers you!". Apparently he was staking out her house as the BBQ guests arrived - and of course saw me as I exited my car. Then when he was chatting with her about the incident Sally replied that I was new to the company. Anyhoo, it suddenly donned on me that it wasn't "David" that she was talking about, but rather "Steve" as in "Creepy Steve" - HOLY CRAP!!!!! - my stalker is her neighbour!

Naturally I was really shocked and told her the whole story about him stalking me, changing his major to mine etc etc etc - she promised to tell him that I no longer worked for her company and she doens't know where I am -

Phew! that was close.

Maybe tomorrow will be not so shocking - now I'm off to experience the lovely cuisine of the local Morrocan restaurant near chez moi! Adios!

Sunday, August 20, 2006

AHHH Brenda and Dylan

So in order to replace my BBC Canada's Footballers wives (I don't have Bell Express Vu) I seem to be addicted to TVtropolis. This morning whilst cleaning up my "flat" I watched with trepidation as Brenda went through a pregnancy scare (wow! - quite scary indeed) and then proceeded to breakup with Dylan... really tragic. I know I was pretty upset - it's really too bad. Perhaps next week I'll find out that they get together.

Now, before you start to remind me as to what really happens, I'll stop you right there...back when we were all little elementary kids and glued to the tv when the gang was on - I was out playing cops and robbers. That's right! I never watched this show, nor did I love the NKOTB - I'm just playing catch up now!

Finally....a Post

What a month.....first of all I finished my last week of fulltime at SHEC , and on monday I start my brand spankin' new job....well I am a bit worried because I have no clue what the hell I am doing but what the hey - I'll give it a try....

Monday was super awesome, I had my first roadtrip in my car - to Drumheller! I saw the hoodoos and the giant T-Rex, spent a lovely afternoon in KQ's garden and had a really yummy dinner with the family - hilarious day!

Tuesday was okay, nothing much to note, except the fact that I purchased 6 dozen roses, hey at $5 a dozen wouldn't you? I gave 1 dozen to each Mrs. B and my mom and saved the rest for my place, plus it was a nice touch for Heather's special day...

It was Heather's 22nd Birthday this week - and I did what any good roomy would do - I made her breakfast in bed (her mom wasn't here to do the job) and then I had the most delicious dinner at her father's house - honestly, I have never had a real dinenr party with proper courses, 5 of them to be exact...and wow, it was spectacular.

Anyhoo then it was a pretty ho hum thursday at work- afterwards I spent a great evening with Eleni and Denise, wicked shopping at the cutest store by 12th street called Honey B's (it is like they emptied my brain of all my lovely ideas and created a store out of it) followed by some ultra delicious pita pit, and get this - we shared a crave cupcake 3 ways because some crazy person bought all but one cupcake at the store - who does that I ask you? WHO?
I recieved some really lovely housewarming gifts, a gorgeous lily plant and a great decorating book... (entitled Royal Palaces of Britain) afterwards my evening was marked with some really awesome Grey's Anatomy season 1 action. AHHHH - Dr. McDreamy

Friday was lovely, it was my mom's birthday, she's 25! So I took her out for an evening in Kensington - dinner and some gelato - plus more dinner next monday - I love to spoil her!
Saturday was a boring day at work - not so much fun but I was invited to a BBQ at my new boss' house - and it was catered! mmmmmmm, it was really really delicious.

Anyways that was my week, next week I was thinking of perhaps having a gathering of sorts - maybe friday or saturday, a housewarming perhaps - does this work for you guys? drop me an email to let me know......

Tuesday, August 8, 2006

Holy Jesus!!!

In the last 2 days I have seen....2 mustangs (I believe they were 1966 and 1968), one convertible one hardtop, a bear driving a car (well, he was wearing a bear suit!) a girl with wings, and get this today I saw a man with a snake just casually chillin' outside a store....and I swear the snake was eyeing my up, perhaps I looked raher tasty.....anyhoo, the point of this is that it has been a rather bizzare 2 days together with my marathon shopping trip to find a certain someone a b-day prez anddthe lovely dinner I had at Ikea with Denise and I am exhausted.
Tomorrow I have a Dr.'s appt where I will most likely learn that I have some huge problem with my thyroid (aka my meds are not working) and that is why I a) can't wake up in the a.m., b) am ALWAYS (and I mean always) cold, even when others are sweatin' up a storm, and finally c) there is a reason why I have huge bruises all over my body (unless Heather beats me up in my sleep). Anyways I shall keep you posted in case I do have something terribly wrong.....let's hope not!

Monday, August 7, 2006

The Bolivers

SO I'm housesitting right now, it's going well but I am sooo addicted to BBC Canada, which means that I am currently in the "know" of footballers wives... I think I should be a footballers wife - I wouldn't be all bitchy and evil like some of them, but more like Posh, glamorous (I'd try) and aloof....hmmm I think I'd have to move to the UK or europe to find my footballer however.....

Anyhoo, back to the Bolivers (the kitties) and my BBC Canada....

Saturday, August 5, 2006

If only!

So I just found out that the home that my dad grew up in is for sale - actually it's quite nice - too bad I don't have 2.2 mil to buy it!

Perhaps I'll play the 6 49 tomorrow!

Thursday, August 3, 2006

Oooh I almost forgot

I think miss Hez and I should have a joint graduation / got a new apartment / got a new car / got a new job / birthday party - most of you (hahahaha) are invited so I'll keep you posted as to when it may happen.

Drinks will be the order of the day (my new hobby p.s.) so feel free to bring some stuff to create those aforementioned drinks. I promise to try all your concoctions - as long as I'm still standing...

What to do....

So the last week has been interesting - no real internet for the most part. We had a small problem with the connection and then miraculously it started up again.....

In other news - nothing, seriously - oooh except for the fact that I got a new job.... so I should be getting some more moolah and perhaps that means that Heather and I can have a really great espresso machine - more all that nice starbucks coffee we will be having around the house.

Friday, July 28, 2006

My SEXY SEXY new hair!

HAHAHAHA...I LOVE getting my hair done, I am such a girl sometimes but who the heck cares? I would love to upload some pics but unfortunately I can't get my computer to connect to the net and I'm not sure miss Heather wants me to be adding randomn weird hair pics to her computer...so I suppose you'll just have to wait - I'll try to fix it I promise.

But, I digress....back to the hair - it is mostly quite dark with loads of RED (and I mean red) highlights and of course a few blond ones that are left over from the previous few hair sessions. I guess the thing that I forgot about was the fact that when my hair is darker I look soooo pale! Now for anyone who knows me knows that I am the world's whitest person - ultra pale and cannot for the life of me get a tan - but with my new hair I am WHITE! I honestly thought that perhaps I was getting a wee bit of a tan, but sadly no. Also, my baby blues really stand out now - I think I prefer this look, it is more, how do you say?...striking, in that my whiteness is accentuated a lot more.

Anyways to finish off the day can I tell you that the crazies were out in full force...the two people that started my work day off were completely unbelievable. First I had a lady who - get this - had a raging eye infection for 3 weeks - 3 WEEKS! - and who full on admited that she a) didn't finish the eye drops rx that her GP gave her...b) took someone else's steroid drops (I can't even begin to tell you how wrong that is).... and c) seriously thought she did nothing wrong!

Then, the next girl came in and also full on admited that she had been wearing her MONTHLY (as in can only wear for 1 month MAX) contacts for 3 MONTHS!!!!!! and she honestly thought I was going to let her leave my office without garbaging them - I cannot believe her eyes didn't fall out! Not really, but you get the jist...

I'm not sure if you all understood the lunacy of the day but meh....

So this weekend I will try - for your benefit - to a) upload pics of my wicked hair.... b)upload pics of my apartment.... and c) upload pics of my fancy dancy new car..... I hope.

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Some randomn tuesday thoughts...

First of all how much do I love having a great room-mate? Lots! This morning she wakes me up and says.... "Linda - I made coffee if you like" ....ahhhhh the smell of coffee first thing in the morning can't be beat. Plus, soon, very soon my house will be filled with the delicious aroma of fantastic Starbucks coffee.....I just love Heather....

Secondly, I don't like dating - the whole nervousness, the unsure of what to do next crap - seriously I've had a 10 year hiatus and I am NOT enjoying the transition - supposedly it will get better....

Thirdly, I get my hair done today - I am forgoing groceries for this so it better be good. I think we'll take the blond out and put in some dark with some red - we'll see.

Fourthly, (is that a word?) I love my shower....it has a lovely window in it with a shelf - don't worry it's high up so I'm not exposed to my neighbours - but honestly it is really nice and I like the tile too!

I guess that's it for now....

Sunday, July 23, 2006

My Apartment

My apartment, I think, is finally really feeling like home. Because I house-sit so much and have lived everywhere the past little bit (Europe, my mom's, the Bowman's, etc etc) I haven't really had "a home", however now I can really chill and do whatever I want, it really is quite nice. Oh, and I seriously do feel like I am living alone with an occasional house guest - Heather is rarely home.

Anyhoo I tried to take some pics of my new place - well the kitchen to be exact (complete with a back door!) - it's the only room (with the exception of Heather's room) that is clean. Well, not really the place is clean per say but MY room is a wee bit messy. I have A LOT of ironing to do and I need to hang all of my pictures....Oh yeah pictures, the photos are a bit blurry as I am still getting used to my camera. I'll post them anyways so you'll have to forgive the clumsiness..... oh and please note the newness of everything..hahahahahha (PS - all of the shoes are property of Miss Heather - mine are in my closet and are equally as abundant...)
















Tomorrow is a fun day I hope, my mom and I are going to the Salsa fest in Kensington - see ya there?

Friday, July 21, 2006

Yum!

More free dinner tonight - this time at the Hadock & Hoof and courtesy of my boss. As per Teila's recomendations I had the fish and chips - apparently it was to be the best I'll ever have in my life! It was quite good, and I am very very full. Oooh, also I had a mussel, a scallop, some crab and some calamari - pretty good for a prairie girl huh?

Oh yeah - almost forgot to tell you all....tuesday I got a phone call from the catering manager at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel - she wanted to confirm my booking for dec 21 this year. I politely declined - ouch!

Creepy Creepy Italian Man

EWWWWWW... Heather and Megan and I had dinner at a randomn italian restaurant ('cuz the one by our house strangely didn't have any available tables hmmmm). The food was really nice....the staff however was a wee bit creepy. Firstly, I have almost no idea what the hell he was saying most of the time even though I pride myself in understanding not so perfect english (being a languages major). Secondly he seemed to have a real affinity for miss Heather....I'm not so sure that she liked that so much. (PS - He's no Big Fat Pizza Man B, but he was quite the man!)

Then we went to our gelato shop (of course) and the guys at the shop were all flirty and ridiculous with us - ahh Italian men, whata group!

All in all a good evening was had by all. Tomorrow I get to go for dinner again 'cuz we had a record day at work and dinner is our reward...mmmmm free food. Wicked, I just love it.

Now that I have my Tombstone DVD (well it was nicely upgraded to a DVD from a VHS by a certain Cam) back I can watch some of beloved Doc Holliday.
"I've got two guns, one for each of ya..." and or course who can forget.."It would appear that the strain was more than he could bear" or "I'm your huckleberry!"

Excuse me - Doc is calling..

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Why, oh why?

Why do I seem to attract all the crazies? It seems as though I bring out the weird talkativeness of some people. They tell me all sorts of stuff, about their medical history, their love life, their adventures etc... Today I must have sat there and listened to some lady drone on for near 45 minutes. Seriously, some how I got roped into a chat with her. First it started out about airplane travel, then crashes, then vegas, then weather and architecture and jewelry, then all of the sudden she launched into her medical history and that of her elderly husband. She continued to explain all about her husband's caregivers and how she nearly ran away with one on account of his charisma and how it so closely matched her's (which by the way if you are wondering is equally as amazing). THEN she blabbed about how her mother was such a tremendous beauty with a quick wit and - you guessed it - fabulous charisma. Honestly, she went on and on. After that she switched to the topic of intelligence and how her mother was super intelligent and (it turns out her mom used to live in the Beverly Centre, where I used to work in High School) how she passed this amazing intelligence down to her younger sister and then onto her son who turns out - get this - is a double Einstein!

Whatever the hell that means!!!!!!!????? He apparently started university at the age of 11 and is refered to as a boy genius. Oh puhleez....

No one at work seemed intent on saving me from this women - I was seriously sick of hearing about that wonderful fabulous bragging that she had to do about her family and herself....But thank god her husband needed her help with his glasses and I could escape.

I'm not sure if she was just lonely, but this seems to happen to me quite often and I have no clue as to why - perhaps I have some sort of magical talking powers and people are just compelled to tell me intimate details of their lives. Geez, what a power, I would rather have something like flying or invisibility. One can only dream , right?

Black is the new Black

Hot damn - finally a fashion trend I can really put myself behind! It seems as though the designers are using the "newest" colour in a monochromatic, very structured style. So for the fall and winter, let's all take notice, black on black with black shoes and black accesories...wicked!

Monday, July 17, 2006

I could have blown up!

Call me ridiculous but the whole time that I have been living here at my place I always noticed a natural gas-ish smell coming from my storage room where the furnace and the hot water tank are. Today however I probably spent something like 15 full hours in my apartment. The smell was getting stronger and I had a headache plus I was getting a bit light headed, so I called the gas company emergency line. They sent out a guy to check it out, now this guy was no spring chicken but he knew his stuff. He said he couldn't smell anything, but checked anyways for me. It turns out that I did indeed have a small leak - which he said was probably there for years without anyone noticing it. So why did I smell it? He said that women have a more sensitive sense of smell - HA! Anyhoo all is fixed, gas leak is no more and I feel a whole lot safer now. Weird that no one else (except Heahter, my mom and my old neighbour Karen, all of whom are girls by the way) could smell it, or did anything about it until now.

PS. I actually made it to the Stampede tonight, I ate my mandatory mini doughnuts and cotton candy, I even had that special barrel root beer. No word yet as to whether or not I won the dream home - I'll post something if I do...wish me luck!

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Ode to Bertha... the Very Best Grandma

I am the worst grand - daughter ever.

All week long I was thinking about my Grandma's birthday, I even told people about it 'cuz I am super proud of her. I get my scottish heritage from her, I have some of her dishes in my kitchen, I have a fascination with the military because of her husband, and I will never forget playing with all her tupperware on the kitchen floor when I was little. All in all she is a super huge role model to me. Anyways, Friday comes around and I forget to call her, saturday comes and I forget to call her, finally today I realize my enormous mistake and I call her to wish her a wonderful (but belated) 92nd birthday. 90 freakin' 2 years....she is amazing. She lived through the depression, lived through 6 (almost 7) years without her husband (he was in WWII) while raising my uncle and then has lived for 37 years (thus far) as a widow. I cannot tell you what a great lady she is...all that she has seen and done for low these past 92 years, and she still drives!!!!! (not in calgary mind you, but still)

So Grandma if you are reading this (although I'm not sure she knows what a blog is)- Happy Birthday, I love you lots and lots.

A good day

So today my friend Ronnalie and I had a lovely day...first we got together and took her dog Max for a walk, then we went to this great meat shop - it was awesome, I bought some fabulous beef jerkey (that Woody Harleson apparently loves!) - 3 kinds- and some yummy sausages and wicked steaks. The best part is that the meat is all super top quality, almost no fat, the sausages are made from chicken breats and the jerkey is made from rump roast. I'm telling you it is awesome. Then we went shopping and I spent $175 at Aldo on shoes and purses - I don't feel nearly as guilty as I should just because a) my shoes from Nice (from 4 years ago) are falling apart and b) I'm a grown up and a university graduate and so I should have grown up purses and shoes, thus the spending of the money.

Anyhoo afterwards we had a great lunch - with yummy yummy melted brie on Naan bread - and then we hit my place to watch the first volume of Kill Bill - it was a cool movie - violence, just what I needed.

Plus we had another walk - and some more beef jerkey. Next stop is Costco for some perrier and "pantry essentials". Slowly but surely I am making up my grown up life.

I know that I have promised to post numerous photos, but when I get my computer up and running - I'm using Heather's now (thanks Heather) - I'll post some photos.....

Sunday, July 9, 2006

I'm not sure what to do just now - I feel quite empty, which I suppose is to be expected. Some days I think I revert back to how I went about things when he was in school, other days I feel the full impact of what has happened. I feel devestated, empty, alone, humiliated, like I want to die.

I sound like someone has died, but that is just it. For 9 years I was blissfully happy. No matter what happened with my family, with school, with work - whatever - I still had him. I had my "rock", I had the one thing in my life that above all else I could absolutely count on. I may sound a tad dramatic, but really - I venture to guess that you would feel the same. Countless times I have heard people say to me that I was so lucky to find the love of my life so early - and so easily. We were truly (although with trepidation of soundy quite corny) soulmates. Some people go through life never finding the one person that they can feel so free, so comfortable, so at ease and happy with - some people are not destined to ever find that - I however, always thought that I was one of the lucky few. Beginning from one month into our relationship, I was 15 - he 16, we knew that we were to be together, we planned our wedding, picked out children's names and the like. Then without warning I was hurled into this, this depth of sadness and betrayal. The best way to describe it is that I feel my very soul is bound to his - even now after all that has happened. I feel that I cannot move on until that connection is broken or disolved. Maybe it is the denial stage, maybe I can't face the truth right now. All that I know is that this is too much to bear. That I am experiencing such heartache and pain that I get through the day in denial and I fear that it will be this way for a time.

I am humiliated to admit this, at times it is all I can do to not break into heart wrenching sobs at work, at the store, alone. I know that I am not in fact alone, time and time again I hear my friends assure me that they are there for me - and I honestly am thankful for that, I truly am. But, in reality I'm not sure anyone can really understand this, unless they have been in a relationship for as long as I have been and have had this sort of thing happen to them. That isn't to say that I am not grateful for the support, I am - even from his parents - whom I secretly think love me more than I know.

I'm not sure why I wrote this - I think I shall regret this tomorrow and the next day, but I had to get it off my chest without saying the words outloud - if that makes any sense at all.

Monday, July 3, 2006

Avec un coeur gros / Apesadumbrado

Apres tous, c'est fini. J'ai auncun idée ce que je peux faire, comment le réparer. Je suis totalement au désespoir. J'ai essayé pour 10 mois pour éviter ceci, mais malheureusement mais dans la fin il se révèle inévitable.

Aunque tengo algunas cosas en mi vida con que debo ser feliz- como un coche nuevo, un apartamiento nuevo con una amiga asombrosa y otras amigas igualmente asombrosas - es complentemente terrible. Son las tres por la mañana, pero yo no puedo dormir, ni comer. Necesito ir a trabajo en algunas horas (y por el resto de la semana) pero no se como puedo trabajar con esta tristeza.

Alors, je sais que avec un peu (ou beaucoup) de temps, ce sera meilleur, mon coeur réparera. Cependant, pendant ce temps je suis détruit. La tristesse est presque écrasante.

Lo siento para este "post" bastante triste y lleno de melancolía, pero creo que es realmente impossible der ser de lo contrario.