Last week, I spent a scintillating week in our fair capital city of Ottawa, Ontario and will be spending 3 days in Calgary this week - both trips for a series of trade shows - and after travelling for work for the last 17 years I can honestly say that I feel meh about it anymore.
I used to love it - this was of course in the good old days when I actually got to travel to nice places (Madrid, London, Monaco), fly business class and have a VERY healthy expense account. However, even that got old after a while when you realize that your friends are having a great time without you; you haven't had a date in months because you are never home; you really want a dog but can't have one because you are never home and finally you are ALWAYS tired and not fun to be around.
So I found myself a job where I can still do what I love and travel very little. I don't mind the travel so much or the hotel - it is just the bother of it all. So here are my pros and cons of business travel
Pros
- airline points for future personal travel
- room service
- shopping in different cities
- trying new restaurants
- hotel points to be used for personal travel
- ordering movies from the comfort of your hotel bed
- being able to sleep sideways, diagonally or whatever direction I so choose in the lovely king sized hotel bed
Cons
- sitting on a plane with Typhoid Mary sitting beside you hacking all over you and your book
- all of those damn restrictions in the airport
- having to pay for airport water because the damn terrorists
- not being able to sleep beside my handsome husband
- missing my dog
- dry hotel rooms
- eating alone
Hmmm - equal pro to con ratio. I guess that means I better zip it and stop the whining. Never fear dear Internet - I will do my best to find something else to bitch about and get back to you shortly.
PS - HATE TRAVEL! My flight got screwed up and I am now sitting at the airport, waiting for my flight that is now at 3pm. My original flight was for 12:00 noon but I have been rescheduled for 3pm. Gotta love the 4 hour layover at the airport!!!!!
Monday, June 02, 2008
AND WHAT A YEAR IT HAS BEEN...
Today our sweet boy Arthur is one year old - and what a year it has been. Neither Wilson or I had had a puppy in years and we were woefully unprepared for the experience. Having said that - I wouldn't take back a single moment - umm, ok maybe the time Arthur bit my va-jay-jay with his needle-like puppy teeth.
Arthur - 9 weeks old
Watching him discover our neighbourhood, one lamp post, blade of grass and driveway at a time has been a truly wonderful experience. Somehow, before we knew it, the sweet puppy face was gone and this amazingly handsome dog was living in our house. In the course of a year we have gone from 9.2 pounds to 70 lbs; from 11 inches long to so big we don't even measure anymore and from needing to be carried most places to running so fast that he is a blur. 
Arthur - 1 year old (at Grandma & Grandpa's farm)
He is our boy and we love him dearly and he loves us back more than humanly possible. He has brought us to tears with laughter, filled our hearts with joy after the sorrow of losing our beloved Maggie, reminds us daily of how to love unconditionally but most of all, he made us a family of 3.
Happy birthday buddy!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
HOLIDAY WEEKEND
Here is the summary of my holiday weekend:
- planted, planted and then planted some more - and still have more to do
- shopped for the last time at Pottery Barn with a 40% discount. Thanks B - the last 7 years have been kind to me. But seriously - do you have to quit?
- consumed LOTS of wine
- one hangover
- one take out dinner due to aforementioned hangover
- watched a lot of TV due to rain ALL weekend and aforementioned hangover
- get to spend ANY time on our boat because it was too damn cold and rainy ALL damn weekend
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
STUPID THINGS I HAVE DONE THIS WEEK
I am VERY well known amongst my gang of friends for being the loud, klutzy, spilly drunk friend who occasionally does stupid things - mainly to myself. See below for this week's stellar examples of my unparalleled examples of my own stupidity.
The next time you see a girl walking down the street with a stain on her shirt, her bra showing and limping, please be nice to her - it is probably me!
- punched myself in the face this morning. Why you might ask, I was fixing my collar and my hand slipped. And now my jaw hurts.
- tried on 4 different tops, settled on one and realized as I was driving away that not only did I not change my bra, but I did not put on the camisole and so I have showing my boobs off to the entire office building today.
- Was playing soccer with the dog last night and twisted my ankle. I know that I am not athletic AT ALL so why do I try to do these things. And yet, even though my ankle hurts today I am wearing heels.
The next time you see a girl walking down the street with a stain on her shirt, her bra showing and limping, please be nice to her - it is probably me!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
SUMMERTIME - AND THE LIVING IS EASY....
There are a couple of things that I love and to me immediately evoke memories of sunshine, heat and all things summer. One is soft serve ice cream and the smell of sunscreen - you know the kind that smells like beach and coconut.
I grew up on a farm and there were no soft-serve ice cream trucks that went through the neighbourhood with the kids screaming after them "Ice creeeaaaammm!!! Ice creeeeaaaammm! - a la Eddie Murphy. However, when I moved to the city after college, I was quick to discover their delights. I love me this treat - always a vanilla cone dipped in chocolate - and allow myself only 1 per summer or else I would weigh 400lbs. I have tried to like the other flavours - chocolate or the vanilla chocolate swirl - but I always go back to the my tried and true favourite. As I was driving home today, I drove by one of those trucks, with his annoying music playing, and all I wanted to do was scream out the window "ICE CRRREEAAAMMMM!" but then EVERYONE in my neighbourhood would know for sure that I am a total lunatic!
The sunscreen smell is heaven on earth to me. Alas, due to my pale skin, Hawaiian Tropic doesn't work for me but I am like our dog Arthur around the BBQ when someone is wearing it - constantly sniffing the air. It totally takes me back to high school, sitting in the sun on our spare periods all greased up and trying to get a tan. Little did I know then that tanning and I would never have a relationship.
With our first long weekend of the summer coming, all I can think about is sitting in the sun (with my Ombrelle 30 on and a wide-brimmed hat) sniffing the air for the scent of coconut and my ear cocked for the sound of the ice cream truck. I can't wait!
I grew up on a farm and there were no soft-serve ice cream trucks that went through the neighbourhood with the kids screaming after them "Ice creeeaaaammm!!! Ice creeeeaaaammm! - a la Eddie Murphy. However, when I moved to the city after college, I was quick to discover their delights. I love me this treat - always a vanilla cone dipped in chocolate - and allow myself only 1 per summer or else I would weigh 400lbs. I have tried to like the other flavours - chocolate or the vanilla chocolate swirl - but I always go back to the my tried and true favourite. As I was driving home today, I drove by one of those trucks, with his annoying music playing, and all I wanted to do was scream out the window "ICE CRRREEAAAMMMM!" but then EVERYONE in my neighbourhood would know for sure that I am a total lunatic!
The sunscreen smell is heaven on earth to me. Alas, due to my pale skin, Hawaiian Tropic doesn't work for me but I am like our dog Arthur around the BBQ when someone is wearing it - constantly sniffing the air. It totally takes me back to high school, sitting in the sun on our spare periods all greased up and trying to get a tan. Little did I know then that tanning and I would never have a relationship.
With our first long weekend of the summer coming, all I can think about is sitting in the sun (with my Ombrelle 30 on and a wide-brimmed hat) sniffing the air for the scent of coconut and my ear cocked for the sound of the ice cream truck. I can't wait!
Thursday, May 08, 2008
A CASE OF THE CRANKS...
I have a bad case of the cranks - and I mean bad! Last night, I was such a complete bitch to Wilson. Seriously - it was an unprecedented level of bitchiness. I scared him a couple of times so badly with my overall bitchiness that he was afraid to answer my questions because he was worried that he would answer wrong. Which was probably a wise move.
I tried everything I know to get the cranks to go away - wine, wine and more wine, cheese, chocolate and nothing worked. I did not have a chance to try the surefire cure - shoe shopping which we all KNOW would have worked its usual miracle. However, I wake up this morning and dammit all - the cranks are still here. Thank Jebus that the crossing guards were gone by the time I drove through the neighbourhood this morning because I might have run one of them over.
Wilson might seriously consider leaving me if I come home again as grumpy as I did last night. However if he were a smart man - he should just point me back out the door and send me to the nearest mall with the instructions "Do not come home until you buy a pair of shoes that gets rid of the cranks!". I know that will NEVER happen but a girl can dream. And of course because of the cranks - the fact that I know it won't happen makes me cranky.
It is a cranky connundrum - what is girl to do!
I tried everything I know to get the cranks to go away - wine, wine and more wine, cheese, chocolate and nothing worked. I did not have a chance to try the surefire cure - shoe shopping which we all KNOW would have worked its usual miracle. However, I wake up this morning and dammit all - the cranks are still here. Thank Jebus that the crossing guards were gone by the time I drove through the neighbourhood this morning because I might have run one of them over.
Wilson might seriously consider leaving me if I come home again as grumpy as I did last night. However if he were a smart man - he should just point me back out the door and send me to the nearest mall with the instructions "Do not come home until you buy a pair of shoes that gets rid of the cranks!". I know that will NEVER happen but a girl can dream. And of course because of the cranks - the fact that I know it won't happen makes me cranky.
It is a cranky connundrum - what is girl to do!
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
WHAT HAVE I BECOME...
As I was driving into work today, there were a number of instances that made me go hmmmm...
- man in bright yellow car (we know what he is over compensating for!) comes roaring up behind me, passes me and then cuts me off and then got caught at the red light that I was slowing down for. My first thought was - "All that hurrying and it got you nowhere!" My second thought was - 'Mom get out of my head!"
- he then takes off like a crazy man - passing as many cars as aggressively as he can and my third thought is "let's hope that jackass doesn't kill someone while he rushes to nowhere". Again my mother says this (I never use the word jackass - asshole is more my vernacular) all the time and I had to come to the realization. GOOD LORD! I AM TURNING INTO MY MOTHER!
I knew that after spending my formative years with my parents that there would be some residual effect on how I think, act, etc. but this crap is kinda scary! Does this mean I am going to start reading Danielle Steele in hardback and loving it? Or taking up scrapbooking because it is fun? Or making conversation with complete strangers in the grocery line? Or going to church - REGULARLY? Or not gossiping EVER and cleaning up my trucker mouth? And GULP! does that mean I would have to give up drinking? OK - just breathe because we all know the last 4 will NEVER happen!
Being more like my mother would make me a much nicer person but I think my friends would run screaming for the hills looking for their gossipy, bitchy friend who drinks far too much!
Thank heavens I got to work and started slacking the minute I got here. I felt all normal and not mom-like because my mother would never slack off EVER.
WHEW! That was a close call!
- man in bright yellow car (we know what he is over compensating for!) comes roaring up behind me, passes me and then cuts me off and then got caught at the red light that I was slowing down for. My first thought was - "All that hurrying and it got you nowhere!" My second thought was - 'Mom get out of my head!"
- he then takes off like a crazy man - passing as many cars as aggressively as he can and my third thought is "let's hope that jackass doesn't kill someone while he rushes to nowhere". Again my mother says this (I never use the word jackass - asshole is more my vernacular) all the time and I had to come to the realization. GOOD LORD! I AM TURNING INTO MY MOTHER!
I knew that after spending my formative years with my parents that there would be some residual effect on how I think, act, etc. but this crap is kinda scary! Does this mean I am going to start reading Danielle Steele in hardback and loving it? Or taking up scrapbooking because it is fun? Or making conversation with complete strangers in the grocery line? Or going to church - REGULARLY? Or not gossiping EVER and cleaning up my trucker mouth? And GULP! does that mean I would have to give up drinking? OK - just breathe because we all know the last 4 will NEVER happen!
Being more like my mother would make me a much nicer person but I think my friends would run screaming for the hills looking for their gossipy, bitchy friend who drinks far too much!
Thank heavens I got to work and started slacking the minute I got here. I felt all normal and not mom-like because my mother would never slack off EVER.
WHEW! That was a close call!
Friday, May 02, 2008
HAPPY CHEESE DAY TO ALL
We here at our office - decided that there are not enough holidays to celebrate so we invented one and believe that will be come a international sensation. It is called Cheese Day - The Holiday with Culture!
To celebrate this holiday is VERY easy. You must first decorate - every house has cheesy items that need to come out and be on display. Secondly - you must play the music of Cheese Day -every one's CD collection or iPod has cheesy music within it - anything from the 70s qualifies. (Secretly I was hoping that David Hasselhoff would hear about our holiday and make an appearance as he is the Grand Master of Cheese - but alas, he is to busy trying to resurrect some kind of career.) Lastly you go and buy copious amounts of cheese - all different kinds and then add in some nice crackers and Presto Cheeso! you are ready for Cheese Day!
I am off to go and enjoy some fromage with friends and hope that all of you do the same. And don't forget the Cheese Day slogan - Cheese Day - It's Cheesetastic!
PS - I know that those of you who are lactose intolerant feel that this holiday should not be celebrated as much as it is - and to you I say, take a Lactaid and join in. Cheese Day is for everyone!
Thursday, May 01, 2008
A GOOD START TO MY DAY
This may make me seem petty but I got whistled at by a construction worker this morning and DAMN! if that did not give my spirits a lift and make me walk with a bit more wiggle to my hips. I am 41 and this shiz does not happen with the regularity that it used to.
So today I am loving the construction workers around my office! (this will last only until they hold up traffic and then I am all about the honking and back to being pissed off at them)
Happy Thursday to all - just one more sleep to the weekend!
So today I am loving the construction workers around my office! (this will last only until they hold up traffic and then I am all about the honking and back to being pissed off at them)
Happy Thursday to all - just one more sleep to the weekend!
Friday, April 25, 2008
WE'RE IN!!
Summer has officially begun for Wilson and I as we launched our boat, Summer Breeze, yesterday. Alert your livers sorority girls - boating season has begun. Bring on the heat weatherman - this girl wants to get on the water!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
LINK'D IN
Today I feel like I have arrived (finally!) in blog land. Why - you might ask? I have been linked in a blog roll - actually 2 blog rolls. Dating at Forty and My Friends are Sluts (which I have to say is the best name for a blog EVAH!) have now included me in their blog roll! I know that this post officially makes me a big, blogging geek for being so damn excited about it - but who cares! WOOO HOOOO! I feel all official now!
OK - moment of jubiliation is now over and back to reality. I think to celebrate this official day of wonderfulness - I must do something. Hmmm, what to do, what to do...(saying this while trying to look like I have not already formulated an answer). I know - I must go buy a pair of pretty shoes to celebrate. They will be forever known as my 'Link'd In' shoes!
Thank you fellow bloggers - you have totally made my day!
OK - moment of jubiliation is now over and back to reality. I think to celebrate this official day of wonderfulness - I must do something. Hmmm, what to do, what to do...(saying this while trying to look like I have not already formulated an answer). I know - I must go buy a pair of pretty shoes to celebrate. They will be forever known as my 'Link'd In' shoes!
Thank you fellow bloggers - you have totally made my day!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
A DAY I WILL NEVER GET BACK
Today I was forced to sit in one of those soul sucking training sessions - you know the one - endless PowerPoint presentations, speakers that drone on and on and on for way to long until you want to stab yourself with a pencil to relieve the boredom. Praise Allah that ReRe was stuck in the session with me because at least I had her for entertainment. All I could think of the entire time I am there is that I WILL NEVER GET THIS TIME BACK!
However, all was redeemed when I got home because in our mail was the 2008 Spring Selections catalogue from Tiffany. Suddenly my severe case of the cranks vanished whilst I looked at pretty, sparkly things. This is what needs to happen during soul sucking presentations - flash a slide of a Tiffany box just to get my attention every once in a while. I am like one of Pavlov's dogs - I will pay attention just to see the box again.
Thank you Tiffany for mailing me a coated paper catalogue that I didn't request on Earth Day. I realize that I should be appalled at the trees you murdered to produce it but with all the pretty stuff inside it - that is the last thing on my mind.
Happy Earth Day to all!
However, all was redeemed when I got home because in our mail was the 2008 Spring Selections catalogue from Tiffany. Suddenly my severe case of the cranks vanished whilst I looked at pretty, sparkly things. This is what needs to happen during soul sucking presentations - flash a slide of a Tiffany box just to get my attention every once in a while. I am like one of Pavlov's dogs - I will pay attention just to see the box again.
Thank you Tiffany for mailing me a coated paper catalogue that I didn't request on Earth Day. I realize that I should be appalled at the trees you murdered to produce it but with all the pretty stuff inside it - that is the last thing on my mind.
Happy Earth Day to all!
Monday, April 21, 2008
I HEART PASSOVER!
Alas, Passover has passed over us for another year! An evening of much hilarity and beige food happened on Saturday evening. My favourite highlights:
- much singing in Hebrew (Wilson, Mellie and I did not partake in this part as our Hebrew education is sorely lacking!)
- kosher dills
- the beet horseradish
- brisket
- learning that sage is a goyish spice - I never new that sage was more goy than Jew - Who knew?
- hymns and camp songs to end the evening - nothing like hearing Jews singing Amazing Grace to make you giggle!
The only explaining of my love of Passover is that I love to eat carbs, laugh A LOT and that I was a Jew in another life. It really is the only explanation. And though I ate more carbs in one meal that I have since Christmas - I can't wait for next year!
- much singing in Hebrew (Wilson, Mellie and I did not partake in this part as our Hebrew education is sorely lacking!)
- kosher dills
- the beet horseradish
- brisket
- learning that sage is a goyish spice - I never new that sage was more goy than Jew - Who knew?
- hymns and camp songs to end the evening - nothing like hearing Jews singing Amazing Grace to make you giggle!
The only explaining of my love of Passover is that I love to eat carbs, laugh A LOT and that I was a Jew in another life. It really is the only explanation. And though I ate more carbs in one meal that I have since Christmas - I can't wait for next year!
Friday, April 18, 2008
IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!!
It's passover time again! Now in our very WASPY house - we do not celebrate it but ReRe in all of her Jewishness does. This makes me VERY happy! I love it all - beige food, carrot tsmimis, apple kugel with dinner (which still confuses me as it tastes like dessert but it is not) and all of the ceremony that goes with it.
Bring on the matzoh brie, tsimis, pickles and blintzes!
I wish all of you a happy passover! Good Yountif (ReRe will let me know how badly I have misspelled this word!
PS - If you get to go to Passover this year and you are not Jewish - take it from me, pass on the Gefilte fish and the Manoschevitz. You can thank me for this later!
Bring on the matzoh brie, tsimis, pickles and blintzes!
I wish all of you a happy passover! Good Yountif (ReRe will let me know how badly I have misspelled this word!
PS - If you get to go to Passover this year and you are not Jewish - take it from me, pass on the Gefilte fish and the Manoschevitz. You can thank me for this later!
Monday, April 14, 2008
IT HAPPENED AGAIN!
I have a photo inclusion in the Schmap Texas Second Edition. Again, Flickr leading the charge on this one again. Wilson and I were in Houston in January for an industry conference and got the opportunity to go to Minutemaid Park where the Houston Astros play for a SuperBowl party. We went down onto the field and with my Blackberry camera I snapped a photo of the scoreboard and poof - 2 months later this guide found it on my Flickr page.
This is such a total kick for me I can't even tell you! I don't get paid a dime for them including my picture but I do get photo credit (yeah, yeah I know that photo credit doesn't pay the bills or get DiDi that pretty pair shoes - but it is fun for this photo geek!)
Here's hoping that it happens again soon and that the next time, they pay me A LOT of money! Then my sorority sisters and I can go for lunch and shoe shopping. Life just wouldn't be better than that!
This is such a total kick for me I can't even tell you! I don't get paid a dime for them including my picture but I do get photo credit (yeah, yeah I know that photo credit doesn't pay the bills or get DiDi that pretty pair shoes - but it is fun for this photo geek!)
Here's hoping that it happens again soon and that the next time, they pay me A LOT of money! Then my sorority sisters and I can go for lunch and shoe shopping. Life just wouldn't be better than that!
Friday, April 11, 2008
SPRING HAS SPRUNG
There are crocuses in my garden with more flowers to come as evidenced by the amount of daffodil, hyacinth and tulip leaves we have protruding from the ground. I can't tell you how happy this makes me. I don't care one wee iota that it is raining today and will rain the entire weekend and that means that traffic is going to suck. All that means to me green grass and leaves on trees and spring is finally here! Can everyone give me a big AMEN to that one.
I know that there are lots of you who live south of the 49th parallel who have more flowers than you know what to do with right now but for me, these small, hardy little flowers who poke through the ground when it often still feels like winter out - mean the world to me.
Happy spring dear Internet - we all deserve it!
Monday, April 07, 2008
AT LONG LAST!
I am wearing open toe shoes for this first time this year! Praise Jebus that spring has sprung, the snow she is almost gone and the pretty shoes are on my feet!
There is a god and she lives in the shoe department of Nordstroms!
There is a god and she lives in the shoe department of Nordstroms!
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
IT'S OFFICIAL
A little known fact - well maybe not so little known, at least to my friends - is that I am a photo geek. I love taking pictures of just about anything and anyone (but mainly of Arthur - our dog). This is my only - and I do mean only - artistic venture. I do not have a creative bone in my entire body. Drawing is out, creative writing - not so much (as anyone who reads this blog is well aware - a Nobel prize in literature will NEVER happen for me), handicrafts make me frustrated and Wilson has banned me from ever painting in our house ever again.
However none of that matters as (pause for dramatic effect)...
wait for it...
I have sold my first photo!
(insert marching band, parade, showers of money)
Regarding the showers of money - not so much but small cheque did find me! A scrapbooking magazine wants to use a photo that I had in my collection from my brother's wedding in 1985. I was a bridesmaid and wore the worst bridesmaid's dress in history. You think yours is worse...check it out for yourself.
However these ever so crafty people took the above photo and did this with it
And that is how I am now a published photographer. I do not care if it ever happens again - this was a total thrill for me. Thank heavens for the keywords at Flickr or it never would have happened.
Yay - my work is out there in some magazine. I am a published photographer! Look out world, here I come.
POINTER SAVES A KANGAROO
Thanks to the mighty Dooce - I found this amazing article about how a dog saved a baby kangaroo - and the dog is a Wire Haired pointer so of course I am enamored all ready. Also, I want to bring the kangaroo home with me and keep it as a pet. Seriously - it would be a money maker - I would be the ONLY person in Toronto to have a kangaroo as a pet. How awesome would that be!
Baby Kangaroo story
I read this and thought to myself that Arthur would have been equally enamoured and then scared to death of the baby Joey. He would have wanted to play with it, then it would have moved and he would have barked his damn head off. However, Arthur is much cuter.
Thanks to Dooce for publishing the article. It made my day and I hope it brings a smile to yours.
Happy reading!
Baby Kangaroo story
I read this and thought to myself that Arthur would have been equally enamoured and then scared to death of the baby Joey. He would have wanted to play with it, then it would have moved and he would have barked his damn head off. However, Arthur is much cuter.
Thanks to Dooce for publishing the article. It made my day and I hope it brings a smile to yours.
Happy reading!
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
HAPPY AT LAST
At long freaking last - the temperature was in the double digits today, there was blue sky AND sunshine! Everybody say 'HELL YEAH!". The snow - it was-a-meltin and I do see evidence that we do have grass in our backyard. This could only mean that open toe shoe season is not that far away and that boating season is around the corner. This also means that my ranting, bitchy posts about the weather will soon cease for another year. Praise sweet baby Jebus for all of the above!
Monday, March 31, 2008
ANNOUNCING...
My gorgeous, talented and funny friend ReRe has entered the world of blogging and all should know (OK, the 2 readers I have should be aware). Her blog Dating at 40 is some seriously funny stuff about her adventures back into the dating world. All should read and be amused - I know I am.
You go my friend, keep writing, get a book deal and become fabulously wealthy. Just checking, you do know that when that happens, you will be expected to buy me really nice presents.
You go my friend, keep writing, get a book deal and become fabulously wealthy. Just checking, you do know that when that happens, you will be expected to buy me really nice presents.
Friday, March 28, 2008
HAPPY BLOGAVERSARY TO ME!
I totally missed it - it was March 14th 2006 that this little inauspicious blog began for no other reason than I loved reading other people's blogs and wanted one of my one (also, work was boring and this was something to do during the day). It seemed all the cool kids had one and since I fancy myself a cool kid (pause while I pat myself on the back) I decided to get one.
I am going to have to go buy myself something pretty to celebrate. If the 1st anniversary is paper - what do you get yourself for anniversary #2? I know - shoes!!!
I am going to have to go buy myself something pretty to celebrate. If the 1st anniversary is paper - what do you get yourself for anniversary #2? I know - shoes!!!
Monday, March 24, 2008
I LOVE THIS MAN!
This is an article from Macleans magazine - for anyone outside of Canada - it is a Canadian newsmagazine. I love this man because he put into words how we are all feeling about this goddamn winter that never seems to end. Please oh please - let spring find us soon. I have some very pretty shoes that are dying to be worn.
What's eating you, Mother Nature? Is it us?
I always pictured you as a nice lady, but after this much snow you're one mean slut
SCOTT FESCHUK March 12, 2008
An Open Letter to Mother Nature
Dear Bitch,
Are you for real?
We know it was wrong of us to stand idly by and let Al Gore show all those explicit photographs of what you're going to look like 30 years from now. But seriously — ease off. Enough with the apocalyptic downfalls of snow mixed with ice pellets mixed with freezing rain mixed with snow pellets mixed with the frozen tears of sedentary Maclean's columnists who just can't lift the shovel even one more goddamn time. I'm not saying I'm totally sick of winter, but see that animal's head mounted above my fireplace? Say hello to Punxsutawney Phil. Shadow-seeing bastard had it coming.
In Ottawa, we're closing in on the all-time record snowfall of 444.1 cm — a mark that has stood for almost four decades. Spring seems as far off as Jessica Alba's Academy Award. How bad is it in the nation's capital? I have to wear an avalanche beacon when I go out to get the paper. The local TV weather guy has the eerily distant look of a soldier with post-traumatic shock or a teenage virgin who's been left alone with Charlie Sheen for seven minutes. And at press time Scatman Crothers was desperately trying to get here before Jack Nicholson attacks my family.
Word is you've been kinder to other parts of Canada. Calgary was pushing 12 degrees this week. The mercury in Whitehorse hit the positive numbers. And Winnipeg reportedly made it a record six straight days without a single mosquito joke. But you continue to treat Ontario and all parts east as your own personal snow globe.
We've tried to have patience. Some of us have also tried patience's little helper, Xanax. But look what you've done to us. We're a quivering mass of shattered nerves, deadened eyes and extended middle fingers. Our arms ache from all the ice-scraping. Our eyes sting from the unrelenting glare. Our brains atrophy from hours spent staring at the shelves of the local DVD shop and trying to remember which of the Ernest movies we still haven't seen.
What's eating you, Mother Nature? Is it us? Listen, we all still have regrets about those 1970s commercials for Chiffon margarine — the ones with the catchphrase, "It's not nice to fool Mother Nature." The special effects were cheesy at best and some of those woodland creatures really phoned in their performances. And yes, we bear a collective responsibility for failing to punish Hollywood for callously having you portrayed in films by not only Phyllis Diller but also Bette Midler. Next time, Scarlett Johansson in a fig leaf. We promise.
But you need to lighten up. Winters like this — they're not something that humans are built to endure. In that way they're like all Robin Williams movies since 1987. We can't take the physical strain of trudging through this much snow. We can't take the mental strain of driving on impassable streets. And we can't outrun the yetis who've come down from the hills to feast.
What's that you say? If we don't like it we should go somewhere warmer? Oh you'd love that, wouldn't you? You'd love us to go to the airport so you can hurl another 50 cm of glistening white misery at us. We'll end up like those people on the news who spent half their March break in line at the departure-lounge Sbarro.
I always pictured you as a nice lady, sauntering through idyllic forests, bluebirds chirping merrily as they fluttered around your head. Maybe you'd stop now and then to enjoy a leisurely cup of tea with other famed anthropomorphized figures such as Jack Frost or Andy Rooney. And then you'd be on your way to cuddle a cute bunny rabbit or make the sun shine out of Barack Obama's ass.
But it turns out you're one mean slut. So much snow has fallen this winter that hell itself has frozen over — and you know what that means: now Rob Schneider gets to star in another movie. Thanks a lot, Mother Nature: first 410 cm of snow; next, Deuce Bigalow III: Gigolo Harder.
You and I have had our differences before. As one who sweats profusely under certain conditions, such as sitting quietly at room temperature, I wasn't too wild about the summer of 2005. By late June I was technically classified as an estuary. But this is different. This is worse. This winter has worn me down like a Rosie O'Donnell opinion. And to think this is the thanks I get from Mother Nature for spending 90 whole minutes cleaning up that riverbank that one afternoon 20 years ago when I was trying to hit on that enviro-chick who never wore a bra.
One last thing: because of the snow and the cold, I haven't been able to take down the Christmas lights yet. But with you in mind I did manage to rearrange them to spell, "Up Yours." We know it's not nice to fool you — but there's nothing in there that says we can't punch you in the face.
Sincerely,
Everyone
What's eating you, Mother Nature? Is it us?
I always pictured you as a nice lady, but after this much snow you're one mean slut
SCOTT FESCHUK March 12, 2008
An Open Letter to Mother Nature
Dear Bitch,
Are you for real?
We know it was wrong of us to stand idly by and let Al Gore show all those explicit photographs of what you're going to look like 30 years from now. But seriously — ease off. Enough with the apocalyptic downfalls of snow mixed with ice pellets mixed with freezing rain mixed with snow pellets mixed with the frozen tears of sedentary Maclean's columnists who just can't lift the shovel even one more goddamn time. I'm not saying I'm totally sick of winter, but see that animal's head mounted above my fireplace? Say hello to Punxsutawney Phil. Shadow-seeing bastard had it coming.
In Ottawa, we're closing in on the all-time record snowfall of 444.1 cm — a mark that has stood for almost four decades. Spring seems as far off as Jessica Alba's Academy Award. How bad is it in the nation's capital? I have to wear an avalanche beacon when I go out to get the paper. The local TV weather guy has the eerily distant look of a soldier with post-traumatic shock or a teenage virgin who's been left alone with Charlie Sheen for seven minutes. And at press time Scatman Crothers was desperately trying to get here before Jack Nicholson attacks my family.
Word is you've been kinder to other parts of Canada. Calgary was pushing 12 degrees this week. The mercury in Whitehorse hit the positive numbers. And Winnipeg reportedly made it a record six straight days without a single mosquito joke. But you continue to treat Ontario and all parts east as your own personal snow globe.
We've tried to have patience. Some of us have also tried patience's little helper, Xanax. But look what you've done to us. We're a quivering mass of shattered nerves, deadened eyes and extended middle fingers. Our arms ache from all the ice-scraping. Our eyes sting from the unrelenting glare. Our brains atrophy from hours spent staring at the shelves of the local DVD shop and trying to remember which of the Ernest movies we still haven't seen.
What's eating you, Mother Nature? Is it us? Listen, we all still have regrets about those 1970s commercials for Chiffon margarine — the ones with the catchphrase, "It's not nice to fool Mother Nature." The special effects were cheesy at best and some of those woodland creatures really phoned in their performances. And yes, we bear a collective responsibility for failing to punish Hollywood for callously having you portrayed in films by not only Phyllis Diller but also Bette Midler. Next time, Scarlett Johansson in a fig leaf. We promise.
But you need to lighten up. Winters like this — they're not something that humans are built to endure. In that way they're like all Robin Williams movies since 1987. We can't take the physical strain of trudging through this much snow. We can't take the mental strain of driving on impassable streets. And we can't outrun the yetis who've come down from the hills to feast.
What's that you say? If we don't like it we should go somewhere warmer? Oh you'd love that, wouldn't you? You'd love us to go to the airport so you can hurl another 50 cm of glistening white misery at us. We'll end up like those people on the news who spent half their March break in line at the departure-lounge Sbarro.
I always pictured you as a nice lady, sauntering through idyllic forests, bluebirds chirping merrily as they fluttered around your head. Maybe you'd stop now and then to enjoy a leisurely cup of tea with other famed anthropomorphized figures such as Jack Frost or Andy Rooney. And then you'd be on your way to cuddle a cute bunny rabbit or make the sun shine out of Barack Obama's ass.
But it turns out you're one mean slut. So much snow has fallen this winter that hell itself has frozen over — and you know what that means: now Rob Schneider gets to star in another movie. Thanks a lot, Mother Nature: first 410 cm of snow; next, Deuce Bigalow III: Gigolo Harder.
You and I have had our differences before. As one who sweats profusely under certain conditions, such as sitting quietly at room temperature, I wasn't too wild about the summer of 2005. By late June I was technically classified as an estuary. But this is different. This is worse. This winter has worn me down like a Rosie O'Donnell opinion. And to think this is the thanks I get from Mother Nature for spending 90 whole minutes cleaning up that riverbank that one afternoon 20 years ago when I was trying to hit on that enviro-chick who never wore a bra.
One last thing: because of the snow and the cold, I haven't been able to take down the Christmas lights yet. But with you in mind I did manage to rearrange them to spell, "Up Yours." We know it's not nice to fool you — but there's nothing in there that says we can't punch you in the face.
Sincerely,
Everyone
Thursday, March 13, 2008
FEELING UNAPPRECIATED AT WORK LATELY?
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
FINALLY!!!!
At long last - the Great Scanning Project of 2007 (yes I am aware that it is 2008) is now complete! All of our photos - taken before the great age of digital cameras are now scanned in and uploaded to Flickr.
I will now go and do the "I finished scanning dance" to celebrate! Should you wish to see the fruits of my labour - you can check out our Flickr site at www.flickr.com/photos/thesorority
Whew! Now what ever will I do with my time - I may actually have to work...
I will now go and do the "I finished scanning dance" to celebrate! Should you wish to see the fruits of my labour - you can check out our Flickr site at www.flickr.com/photos/thesorority
Whew! Now what ever will I do with my time - I may actually have to work...
Monday, March 10, 2008
I HATE WINTER!
I hate snow, winter, cold, down-filled coats (even though it keeps my mighty warm), boots, gloves, hats, shovelling, shivering and generally all things associated with winter!
I am officially raising the white flag - You win winter! You have kicked my ass mightily and you are the winner! Now that you have won - can you please leave and let spring come! Pretty please with a cherry on top!
I am officially raising the white flag - You win winter! You have kicked my ass mightily and you are the winner! Now that you have won - can you please leave and let spring come! Pretty please with a cherry on top!
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
ALWAYS
My girlfriend Kacy sent me this email and I loved it! The author of this letter and I will probably never meet but I ADORE her! Only a team of men could have come up with the tagline that prompted this letter. Read on women of the internet and enjoy!
This is an actual letter from an Austin woman sent to American company Proctor and Gamble regarding their feminine products. She really gets rolling after the first paragraph. It's PC Magazine's 2007 editors' choice for best webmail-award-winning letter.
Dear Mr. Thatcher,
I have been a loyal user of your 'Always' maxi pads for over 20 years and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core or Dri-Weave absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts. But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.
Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my time of the month is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call 'an inbred hillbilly with knife skills.'
Isn't the human body amazing?As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customer's monthly visits from 'Aunt Flo'. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women.
The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants... Which brings me to the reason for my letter. Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: 'Have a Happy Period.'
Are you f------ kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling, laughing happiness, is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak, there will never be anything 'happy' about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreen's armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.
For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like 'Put down the Hammer' or 'Vehicular Manslaughter is Wrong',
Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bullshit. And that's a promise I will keep. Always. . .
Best,
Wendi Aarons
Austin , TX
This is an actual letter from an Austin woman sent to American company Proctor and Gamble regarding their feminine products. She really gets rolling after the first paragraph. It's PC Magazine's 2007 editors' choice for best webmail-award-winning letter.
Dear Mr. Thatcher,
I have been a loyal user of your 'Always' maxi pads for over 20 years and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core or Dri-Weave absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts. But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.
Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my time of the month is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call 'an inbred hillbilly with knife skills.'
Isn't the human body amazing?As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customer's monthly visits from 'Aunt Flo'. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women.
The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants... Which brings me to the reason for my letter. Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: 'Have a Happy Period.'
Are you f------ kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling, laughing happiness, is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak, there will never be anything 'happy' about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreen's armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.
For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like 'Put down the Hammer' or 'Vehicular Manslaughter is Wrong',
Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bullshit. And that's a promise I will keep. Always. . .
Best,
Wendi Aarons
Austin , TX
Monday, March 03, 2008
THINGS TO DO WHILE YOUR HUSBAND IS AWAY SKIING!
Wilson was away skiing for 4 days and there was a brief moment where I was wondering how the hell am I going to deal with the mighty Arthur for 4 days - BY MYSELF!!! But then I took a breath and remembered that I could and did do the following:
- have popcorn and wine for dinner
- have Arthur all to myself
- eat pasta with tomato sauce (Wilson is not a pasta lover at all hence why we never eat it in our house)
- eat cookies and feel no guilt
- visit my gorgeous nephew and make him laugh - he is 8 months old today!
- watch movies that Wilson would never want to see - Away from Her, In the Valley of Elah, La Vie En Rose. Recommend all three but loved, loved, loved Away from Her and In the Valley of Elah.
- leave my shoes in the entry way (this makes Wilson INSANE!)
- not hang up my coat right away (see above)
- spend 2 fantastic hours with Mellie and Ivy (funniest moment of the weekend was watching Ivy try to dominate (aka hump) Arthur and then he decided to spin around and 'helicopter' Ivy.
All in all a good weekend for me. Got lots of stuff done and spent so much fun time with Arthur. By Sunday though - I had had enough alone time and wanted my husband back. And the best part of all - he missed me too! I got me lots and lots of kisses and a new pair of gloves.
And now - I am back at my desk but very happy that when I go home tonight there will be a brown puppy and a sweet but tired boy. A girl could not ask for anymore!
- have popcorn and wine for dinner
- have Arthur all to myself
- eat pasta with tomato sauce (Wilson is not a pasta lover at all hence why we never eat it in our house)
- eat cookies and feel no guilt
- visit my gorgeous nephew and make him laugh - he is 8 months old today!
- watch movies that Wilson would never want to see - Away from Her, In the Valley of Elah, La Vie En Rose. Recommend all three but loved, loved, loved Away from Her and In the Valley of Elah.
- leave my shoes in the entry way (this makes Wilson INSANE!)
- not hang up my coat right away (see above)
- spend 2 fantastic hours with Mellie and Ivy (funniest moment of the weekend was watching Ivy try to dominate (aka hump) Arthur and then he decided to spin around and 'helicopter' Ivy.
All in all a good weekend for me. Got lots of stuff done and spent so much fun time with Arthur. By Sunday though - I had had enough alone time and wanted my husband back. And the best part of all - he missed me too! I got me lots and lots of kisses and a new pair of gloves.
And now - I am back at my desk but very happy that when I go home tonight there will be a brown puppy and a sweet but tired boy. A girl could not ask for anymore!
Monday, February 25, 2008
DAMN, IT'S MONDAY!
Well another Oscar Sunday as come and gone - and I really liked this ceremony! Jon Stewart was funny in the bland way that Oscar demands and I also loved that there was no runaway winner. I finished 2nd in my Oscar Pool with 13 correct guesses.
My faves of the evening were Tilda Swinton's look of utter shock when she won and then 'taking the mickey' (as they say) out of George from the stage. Apparently he played many a practical joke on her during filming and that was the best payback ever issued.
Helen Mirren 'knighting' Daniel Day-Lewis - and his speech. He is an eloquent bugger.
Javier Bardem (whom Regis called Xavier) and speaking in Spanish to his mother, grandparents, father and the people of Spain. I could listen to him read me the phone book. I do love a Spain Spanish accent. So damn elegant!
Marion Cotillard - total surprise and how gobsmacked she was. You could tell she was struggling to remember to speak English and I thought she did a great job with her speech.
I love that Juno won for Best Original Screenplay - it wa so new and fresh. I hope Diablo Cody can follow it up with another one that is a good.
And George Clooney - whom I have loved since he was on the Facts of Life - although he is much better looking now. No one wears a tux better or is more of a movie star! He also looks like he is a great friend, gets the joke and doesn't take himself to seriously. Wilson is well aware that George is one of my Freebie Five.
ReRe and Mellie - hate you both for being somewhere warm when they are calling for more snow tonight and tomorrow. However, I will be in Ottawa so Wilson will be doing the shoveling this time.
My faves of the evening were Tilda Swinton's look of utter shock when she won and then 'taking the mickey' (as they say) out of George from the stage. Apparently he played many a practical joke on her during filming and that was the best payback ever issued.
Helen Mirren 'knighting' Daniel Day-Lewis - and his speech. He is an eloquent bugger.
Javier Bardem (whom Regis called Xavier) and speaking in Spanish to his mother, grandparents, father and the people of Spain. I could listen to him read me the phone book. I do love a Spain Spanish accent. So damn elegant!
Marion Cotillard - total surprise and how gobsmacked she was. You could tell she was struggling to remember to speak English and I thought she did a great job with her speech.
I love that Juno won for Best Original Screenplay - it wa so new and fresh. I hope Diablo Cody can follow it up with another one that is a good.
And George Clooney - whom I have loved since he was on the Facts of Life - although he is much better looking now. No one wears a tux better or is more of a movie star! He also looks like he is a great friend, gets the joke and doesn't take himself to seriously. Wilson is well aware that George is one of my Freebie Five.
ReRe and Mellie - hate you both for being somewhere warm when they are calling for more snow tonight and tomorrow. However, I will be in Ottawa so Wilson will be doing the shoveling this time.
Friday, February 22, 2008
THANK GOD
It's Friday. Also - that February is almost over! This month maybe the shortest but DAMN! does it ever drag its ass!
And Sunday - The Oscars!!!! Imagine dear internet - a chubby Canadian girl sitting on the couch - remote in hand - watching every single minute and so damn happy!. Yipeeee!!!!
Now - if only the end of the day would get here faster so I can go home to my Arthur and Wilson!
And Sunday - The Oscars!!!! Imagine dear internet - a chubby Canadian girl sitting on the couch - remote in hand - watching every single minute and so damn happy!. Yipeeee!!!!
Now - if only the end of the day would get here faster so I can go home to my Arthur and Wilson!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
NINE WORDS WOMEN USE...
My girlfriend Sharon sent me this on Valentine's Day and I had to laugh out loud. Some of it is more true than I would probably like to admit and if truth be told, I have used numbers 1, 3 and 9 a fair amount in our relationship. Oh come on - so have you!
Anyhoo - read and enjoy!
1.) Fine : This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
2.) Five Minutes : If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
3.) Nothing : This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
4.) Go Ahead : This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
5.) Loud Sigh : This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)
6.) That's Okay : This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
7.) Thanks : A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome. 8.) Whatever : Is a women's way of saying FUCK YOU!
9.) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to #3.
Anyhoo - read and enjoy!
1.) Fine : This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
2.) Five Minutes : If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
3.) Nothing : This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
4.) Go Ahead : This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
5.) Loud Sigh : This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)
6.) That's Okay : This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
7.) Thanks : A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome. 8.) Whatever : Is a women's way of saying FUCK YOU!
9.) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to #3.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
SENTIMENTAL
Every so often I read or hear or see something that strikes a chord within me – and it is usually about a couple who has overcome some kind of crazy odds together. Usually, because I am some kind of sap, it moves me to tears. OK so I am a sap that happens a lot.
Recently I was reading a very emotional novel about the hard choices of love and my sappy heart is very emotional. I welled up continuously as I read the difficult choices the characters in the book have to make and, of course, being the sappy, impractical girl that I am, I put myself and Wilson in their shoes. I, of course fast forward to the end when we overcome that obstacle and move closer to our happily ever after. I know that life isn’t like that but somehow I know that no matter what life throws us, we will hold tight and get through it together. Some would call me naïve – and I don’t care. I know that what we have, our partnership, can withstand any test.
There are times that when I am with him that my love for him almost brings me to my knees such as when he reaches for my hand during a difficult moment just to give me support or when he puts in my favourite movie after he has made me a wonderful dinner just to make me happy; when he rolls over in bed, snuggles close to me and whispers he loves me; the love behind the kiss that he gives me before he leaves for work every morning and when he comes home from work every night; the kindness that he shows my aging parents, small nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters.
Some would say that I love too easily, feel too much, blah, blah blah! What I know is this - I waited a long time to find someone who loves me! Me – this sometimes too loud, crazy girl who never thought that she would find someone who would see through the crazy and love the girl under it all. He is home to me – where ever that may be – here in Toronto, on a boat in the Caribbean or where ever life takes us. He has taught me that love isn’t loud or flowery – it is solid, quiet, caring, sweet and truly better than I could have ever imagined.
I know every day that I married the best man for me. Our story is a journey – with highs and lows, clear sailing or bumps in the road – but as long as we travel hand in hand, seeing each other as only we can, caring for each other and forgiving each other when need be – that we will reach our sunset together. I know that my life is better for having him in it and I am grateful for every shared moment. Wilson I love you today, tomorrow and forever. You are the one I never thought I would find and I so glad that I stopped looking and that you found me.
I love you! Happy Valentine's Day!
DiDi
PS - now that I have written this wonderful entry about you, can we please buy a snowblower so I never have to shovel again????
Recently I was reading a very emotional novel about the hard choices of love and my sappy heart is very emotional. I welled up continuously as I read the difficult choices the characters in the book have to make and, of course, being the sappy, impractical girl that I am, I put myself and Wilson in their shoes. I, of course fast forward to the end when we overcome that obstacle and move closer to our happily ever after. I know that life isn’t like that but somehow I know that no matter what life throws us, we will hold tight and get through it together. Some would call me naïve – and I don’t care. I know that what we have, our partnership, can withstand any test.
There are times that when I am with him that my love for him almost brings me to my knees such as when he reaches for my hand during a difficult moment just to give me support or when he puts in my favourite movie after he has made me a wonderful dinner just to make me happy; when he rolls over in bed, snuggles close to me and whispers he loves me; the love behind the kiss that he gives me before he leaves for work every morning and when he comes home from work every night; the kindness that he shows my aging parents, small nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters.
Some would say that I love too easily, feel too much, blah, blah blah! What I know is this - I waited a long time to find someone who loves me! Me – this sometimes too loud, crazy girl who never thought that she would find someone who would see through the crazy and love the girl under it all. He is home to me – where ever that may be – here in Toronto, on a boat in the Caribbean or where ever life takes us. He has taught me that love isn’t loud or flowery – it is solid, quiet, caring, sweet and truly better than I could have ever imagined.
I know every day that I married the best man for me. Our story is a journey – with highs and lows, clear sailing or bumps in the road – but as long as we travel hand in hand, seeing each other as only we can, caring for each other and forgiving each other when need be – that we will reach our sunset together. I know that my life is better for having him in it and I am grateful for every shared moment. Wilson I love you today, tomorrow and forever. You are the one I never thought I would find and I so glad that I stopped looking and that you found me.
I love you! Happy Valentine's Day!
DiDi
PS - now that I have written this wonderful entry about you, can we please buy a snowblower so I never have to shovel again????
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
LOVE - PART DEUX
More smooshy love stuff coming at you. Do you ever wonder at those couples who are married for 60 years and still in love. My parents are that couple - still happily married, still in love and shockingly still best friends. They will be marrid 59 years in 2008 and when I think about that, it moves me Every.Single.Time.
Being only 14 months into my marriage, they have been the best example any daughter could have in what to emulate in her own marriage. Growing up, I never heard them say a mean word to each other. No fighting, no throwing things, nothing. That does not mean that they didn't have squabbles but as my mom once told me - "If you keep your eye on the prize, they bumps along the way really don't mean all that much". Their prize was and is a long and happy marriage and they never forgot that. While that is what Wilson and I want - sometimes his crankiness and my bitchiness do get the better of us.
Their story is very simple - my dad was sent to Canada from England by his parents when he was 14 years old. He moved into the same area where my mother lived and somehow they never met. After the war, my dad served with the Royal Canadian Navy, he decided to come back to Canada and live in the same area where he'd lived when he was sent over from England. They both lived in the same area for a couple of years until a chance meeting - at church late in 1948. Six months after meeting, my dad popped the question and they were married in a small ceremony.
July 23, 1949
They decided not to wait to have kids and sure enough my oldest brother was born on Mother's Day of 1950 (true story - my mother said she was going to be a mother by Mother's day and sure enough, out he came on the day. Do not mess with my mom and her determination!) Five more kids followed - of which I am the sixth. When I was just over a year old, decided to add another one to the brood and adopted my brother to make it 7. They did not know that when they adopted my brother that he was developmentally disabled but when it started to show itself at around age 4 or 5 - they just rolled up their sleeves and dealt with that too. Many people told them to institutionalize him - but nope. They kept him with us and our family intact. I never knew life any other way but it had to have been so difficult for them - but you would never have known. This was their family and they would do whatever they could to make our lives better than theirs were growing up. They suceeded - in spades!
Now all of us are grown and out of the house. They spend every day together taking care of each other and I marvel at them. I watch my daddy age with my heart in my throat but my mom still sees that young guy that she married oh so long ago. I see them holding hands, caring for each other, helping each other and loving each other after so many years and it always brings tears to my eyes. I know that I don’t have many more years with this wonderful example around me and I cherish every moment.
Married 58 years and counting
Their loving legacy will continue on for so many years to come - with their 7 children, 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
I love you Mom and Dad - more than you could possibly know. Thank you for teaching me how to love and for showing me everyday what love brings to your life. Because of you I never settled and I found the love of my life. You both truly are the best!
LOVE
This is a week where people talk about love A LOT! I am not a big lover of Valentine's Day for many reasons (overpriced flowers, stupid restaurants that charge to much for bad meals, blah, blah, blah). But, never being one to miss jumping on a bandwagon - I too will talk about love this week here at blog central.
There are so many kinds of love - the "I just found the prettiest pair of shoes" love, the "happily married - even though he annoys me to bits at times, I still love him more than anything" kind, the new "just fell in love and never want to have this feeling end" kind, the "wet sloppy puppy kisses all over your face" kind(could not resist a shout-out to Arthur) and the kind that parents have for their children.
Today, I share with you a wonderful story of love. Our friends T & D have a gorgeous son C - and I do mean truly gorgeous. Both T & D have siblings and they wanted C to know the love of a brother or sister (as well as the special kind of torture that a sibling brings to your life).
So, being the truly loving parents they are, they decided that there waaaay too many kids in the world who REALLY do need a loving home, they started the process of adoption. China was their first option and did all the paperwork and were waiting for the call.
Funny sidebar - Along the way, they told C that they were going to get him a sister and they decided to name her Libby. C, being the sweet child that he is, went to school and talked about his sister Libby - apparently a lot as his teachers felt the need to pull T aside one day as she picked him up from school. They were concerned about C as he is telling fibs to the other children about his sister - as they knew he was an only child. T quickly filled them in on the missing details and C's reputation was saved.
Then this year, they found their daughter. She did not live in China but in South Africa. T, D and C all went to South Africa late in 2007 to meet her and make her a member of their family. T stayed with her daughter to finalize everything and the entire family was reunited in time for Christmas. Never did a more deserving family get the best present in the whole world.
Look what love brough to Canada - Miss Andile Elizabeth Victoria. Welcome to Canada Miss Libby! You were wanted before they ever met you and are now loved to distraction by more people than you could have dreamed. Your parents and brother are what love is all about!
More smooshy love stuff to come this week - it is Valentine's after all!
Thursday, February 07, 2008
ENOUGH ALREADY!
Ok, I get it, really I do! I live in a country where we have winter. But that godamned groundhog didn't see his goddamned shadow and now we have 6 more weeks of this crap. I am so tired of snow, cold, winter, snow, cold, shovelling, snow - well you get the point.
Last night, after we landed from Houston (where it was warm!) we drove home from the airport in a blizzard, we (that is Wilson) shoveled a foot of snow so we could get into our driveway last night. He pulls a muscle in his back and then I (yes me!) shovelled 6 more inches of that blasted white stuff this morning. To top it all off, the damn snowplow came and deposited a foot of that shit back at the end of the driveway - so I had to shovel AGAIN! (on the plus side, I am wearing my JCrew green and white polka dotted wellies when I shovel - so my feet look fab!)
Spring - this is a message from a sick and tired girl in Canada - get your ass here as fast as you can! If you don't, I will not be held responsible for the consequences!
Last night, after we landed from Houston (where it was warm!) we drove home from the airport in a blizzard, we (that is Wilson) shoveled a foot of snow so we could get into our driveway last night. He pulls a muscle in his back and then I (yes me!) shovelled 6 more inches of that blasted white stuff this morning. To top it all off, the damn snowplow came and deposited a foot of that shit back at the end of the driveway - so I had to shovel AGAIN! (on the plus side, I am wearing my JCrew green and white polka dotted wellies when I shovel - so my feet look fab!)
Spring - this is a message from a sick and tired girl in Canada - get your ass here as fast as you can! If you don't, I will not be held responsible for the consequences!
Friday, February 01, 2008
SNOWED IN!
Wilson and I were supposed to be winging our way to Houston today for a conference but alas Mother Nature had other plans. She decided to drop a foot of snow over Southern Ontario and cancel our flight. On the plus side - am sitting at my dining room table, in my pjs with my fuzzy slippers on, surfing the net, ooops I mean working.
We leave tomorrow on some convoluted flight plan but we will get there. And the best part - no snow and sunshine!
As the commercial used to say - "It's not nice to fool with Mother Nature!"
We leave tomorrow on some convoluted flight plan but we will get there. And the best part - no snow and sunshine!
As the commercial used to say - "It's not nice to fool with Mother Nature!"
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
AN OPEN LETTER TO WINTER
Dear Winter,
I know that you come for a duration of time, once a year and I know that I live in a country that is north of the equator. Taking all of that into consideration, I would like to inform you that I am tired of all of your baggage - tired of snow, wearing more layers than one human ever should, being forced to wear a coat that looks like a sleeping bag, getting out of bed and being cold, walking the dog in the dark of night when it is only 5pm and the list could go on.
Please, with all due respect - go and bother another country and let me where pretty clothes, open toed shoes and bare legs.
Seriously winter - go the fuck away!
Kind regards,
DiDi
I know that you come for a duration of time, once a year and I know that I live in a country that is north of the equator. Taking all of that into consideration, I would like to inform you that I am tired of all of your baggage - tired of snow, wearing more layers than one human ever should, being forced to wear a coat that looks like a sleeping bag, getting out of bed and being cold, walking the dog in the dark of night when it is only 5pm and the list could go on.
Please, with all due respect - go and bother another country and let me where pretty clothes, open toed shoes and bare legs.
Seriously winter - go the fuck away!
Kind regards,
DiDi
Thursday, January 24, 2008
CURIOUS
How do 2 people create so much laundry? We dry clean most things that we wear to work and still I do copious amounts of the stuff. How is this possible...
Thursday, January 03, 2008
A YEAR IN REVIEW
I did this for the first time last year and found it a really good way to look back over your year. So here it is again - my own personal Year in Review!
1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before? Paid off my horrible tax debt!
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I really didn't make any resolutions but Wilson and I set goals for 2007 and I achieved more than I thought I would.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My niece Lisa had her first child - a baby boy named Quinn.
4. Did anyone close to you die? Our sweet dog Maggie - she was a beloved member of our family.
5. What places did you visit? The Grenadines (Bequia, Canouan, Palm Island, Mayreau, Union Island) Vancouver (2) Calgary (2) Ottawa (2) Montreal (1)
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? Better financial outlook for our retirement. Because of the crippling tax debt (that is now gone! HOORAY!!) I was not contributing to my RRSP and now need to contribute as much as possible.
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? June 30th - the day we lost our Maggie. July 20th - the day we brought our Arthur home. December 9 - My first wedding anniversary
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Being someone's wife, paying off the crippling tax debt
9. What was your biggest failure? Being lazy and not keeping off the 15lbs I lost before getting married. Also, knowing that diabetes is on both sides of my family and the best thing I can do is exercise and eat right to prevent me from ever sticking needles into me.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Other than a couple of bad colds - nope.
11. What was the best thing you bought? My very pretty new Cole Haan Mary Janes.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? ReRe's - she figured out that turning 40 really isn't so bad.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? George Bush
14. Where did most of your money go? The government
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? - getting our hot tub, paying off the government, our first anniversary, giving Wilson his birthday present, bringing home Arthur
16. What song will always remind you of 2007? Before he cheats - Carrie Underwood and Rehab by Amy Winehouse
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? Happier - I was very happy last year and am glad that I am still in a happy state
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Saving.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Spending.
20. How did you spend Christmas last year? With family
21. Did you fall in love in 2006? Yup - with a sweet puppy named Arthur.
22. How many one-night stands? None.
23. What was your favorite TV program? So you think you can dance? Grey's Anatomy, Brothers & Sisters
24. What did you do for your birthday in 2007? Had dinner with my husband and his parents on the Ottawa River
25. What was the best book you read? I would have to say Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Not sure - I did love hearing more of Amy Winehouse and Joss Stone.
27. What did you want and get? A great vacation with my husband
28. What did you want and not get? A telephoto lens
29. What was your favorite film of this year? Hairspray, Dreamgirls - am a total sucker for musicals.
30. Did you make some new friends this year? Alison
31.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? More time relaxing with my husband
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Hatred of my clothes always feeling tight
33. What kept you sane? Weekends on our boat, my husband, our dog, wine, time with friends
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? No one really
35. What political issue stirred you the most? poverty, genocide in Sudan
36. Who did you miss? Kacy
37. Who was the best new person you met? no one person springs to mine
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. That happiness just doesn't happen, you work at it every day and some days it is easier than others.
1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before? Paid off my horrible tax debt!
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I really didn't make any resolutions but Wilson and I set goals for 2007 and I achieved more than I thought I would.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My niece Lisa had her first child - a baby boy named Quinn.
4. Did anyone close to you die? Our sweet dog Maggie - she was a beloved member of our family.
5. What places did you visit? The Grenadines (Bequia, Canouan, Palm Island, Mayreau, Union Island) Vancouver (2) Calgary (2) Ottawa (2) Montreal (1)
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? Better financial outlook for our retirement. Because of the crippling tax debt (that is now gone! HOORAY!!) I was not contributing to my RRSP and now need to contribute as much as possible.
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? June 30th - the day we lost our Maggie. July 20th - the day we brought our Arthur home. December 9 - My first wedding anniversary
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Being someone's wife, paying off the crippling tax debt
9. What was your biggest failure? Being lazy and not keeping off the 15lbs I lost before getting married. Also, knowing that diabetes is on both sides of my family and the best thing I can do is exercise and eat right to prevent me from ever sticking needles into me.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Other than a couple of bad colds - nope.
11. What was the best thing you bought? My very pretty new Cole Haan Mary Janes.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? ReRe's - she figured out that turning 40 really isn't so bad.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? George Bush
14. Where did most of your money go? The government
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? - getting our hot tub, paying off the government, our first anniversary, giving Wilson his birthday present, bringing home Arthur
16. What song will always remind you of 2007? Before he cheats - Carrie Underwood and Rehab by Amy Winehouse
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? Happier - I was very happy last year and am glad that I am still in a happy state
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Saving.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Spending.
20. How did you spend Christmas last year? With family
21. Did you fall in love in 2006? Yup - with a sweet puppy named Arthur.
22. How many one-night stands? None.
23. What was your favorite TV program? So you think you can dance? Grey's Anatomy, Brothers & Sisters
24. What did you do for your birthday in 2007? Had dinner with my husband and his parents on the Ottawa River
25. What was the best book you read? I would have to say Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Not sure - I did love hearing more of Amy Winehouse and Joss Stone.
27. What did you want and get? A great vacation with my husband
28. What did you want and not get? A telephoto lens
29. What was your favorite film of this year? Hairspray, Dreamgirls - am a total sucker for musicals.
30. Did you make some new friends this year? Alison
31.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? More time relaxing with my husband
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Hatred of my clothes always feeling tight
33. What kept you sane? Weekends on our boat, my husband, our dog, wine, time with friends
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? No one really
35. What political issue stirred you the most? poverty, genocide in Sudan
36. Who did you miss? Kacy
37. Who was the best new person you met? no one person springs to mine
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. That happiness just doesn't happen, you work at it every day and some days it is easier than others.
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS - FINALLY!
I am taking a page from our real life and putting my goals down on internet paper... Some say resolutions others say goals - either way the following is stuff I would like to accomplish this year at some point...
FAMILY and FRIENDS
1. Be grateful for my family - they may be crazy but they are the only family you get.
2. Be less judgemental about Wilson's family. They are what they are and I have to roll with it better. besides, in the year that we have been married, they have been nothing but loving towards me (except for Nana telling me that I was fat at Christmas...)
3. Visit the family that I have in the city more.
4. Be a good friend and call more.
COOKING
5. Make cooking healthy a lifestyle choice.
6. Use less butter and cheese
7. Grill meats as much as possible
8. Eat vegetarian 2 times per week
9. Smaller portions for both of us
10. Have healthy snacks only in our house
11. Have only grains or healthy carbs once per day.
Health
11. Stop being so damn lazy and get my ass on the treadmill 3 times per week
12. Find and take yoga class once per week
13. Try to start running - 20 minutes 2 times per week by June
14. Lose this persistent 15-20 lbs and keep it off through consistent excercise and good eating.
Home
15. Do more gardening
16. Find and refinish inexpensive bedside tables for the spare bedroom
17. Find and refinish better side tables for basement family room
19. Frame photographs for spare bedroom
Hobbies
20. Take a photography course
21. Buy telephoto lens and become proficient with it
22. Learn photoshop
Finance
23. Maintain debt free status
24. Build better nest egg
25. Contribute as much as possible to pension plan and RRSPs
Fun
26. Play more games rather than watch TV
27. Go to more movies
28. Have more friends over when on the boat
29. Go to the theatre 3 times this year
30. See a concert I have always wanted to see
31. Ride a horse at least once per year
Love
32. Stop being so sensitive and realize that Wilson is trying to help more than hurt
33. Count to 5 before I say something hurtful
34. Remember that even when he pisses me off, how much I love him
35. Thank him for taking such care of me and Arthur
36. Kiss him 10 times per day
37. Plan a weekend trip to somewhere he wants to go
38. Put my crap away promptly so that it doens't make him crazy
FAMILY and FRIENDS
1. Be grateful for my family - they may be crazy but they are the only family you get.
2. Be less judgemental about Wilson's family. They are what they are and I have to roll with it better. besides, in the year that we have been married, they have been nothing but loving towards me (except for Nana telling me that I was fat at Christmas...)
3. Visit the family that I have in the city more.
4. Be a good friend and call more.
COOKING
5. Make cooking healthy a lifestyle choice.
6. Use less butter and cheese
7. Grill meats as much as possible
8. Eat vegetarian 2 times per week
9. Smaller portions for both of us
10. Have healthy snacks only in our house
11. Have only grains or healthy carbs once per day.
Health
11. Stop being so damn lazy and get my ass on the treadmill 3 times per week
12. Find and take yoga class once per week
13. Try to start running - 20 minutes 2 times per week by June
14. Lose this persistent 15-20 lbs and keep it off through consistent excercise and good eating.
Home
15. Do more gardening
16. Find and refinish inexpensive bedside tables for the spare bedroom
17. Find and refinish better side tables for basement family room
19. Frame photographs for spare bedroom
Hobbies
20. Take a photography course
21. Buy telephoto lens and become proficient with it
22. Learn photoshop
Finance
23. Maintain debt free status
24. Build better nest egg
25. Contribute as much as possible to pension plan and RRSPs
Fun
26. Play more games rather than watch TV
27. Go to more movies
28. Have more friends over when on the boat
29. Go to the theatre 3 times this year
30. See a concert I have always wanted to see
31. Ride a horse at least once per year
Love
32. Stop being so sensitive and realize that Wilson is trying to help more than hurt
33. Count to 5 before I say something hurtful
34. Remember that even when he pisses me off, how much I love him
35. Thank him for taking such care of me and Arthur
36. Kiss him 10 times per day
37. Plan a weekend trip to somewhere he wants to go
38. Put my crap away promptly so that it doens't make him crazy
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Happy New Year to all! May 2008 bring all health, happiness and all that you can wish for.
2008 kisses,
DiDi
2008 kisses,
DiDi
Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas
Here it is another Christmas Eve and this is my favourite night of the holiday season! I have my handsome husband of 1 year by my side. Rounding our our wee clan this year is our wee Arthur - the sweetest, craziest puppy you ever did meet. With those gifts in my life - whatever is under the tree is just icing on the cupcake!
Safe travels Mellie & Jewemy! Can't wait to take the dogs for walkies when you get back!
ReRe - have a great visit with your mom.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
DiDi
Safe travels Mellie & Jewemy! Can't wait to take the dogs for walkies when you get back!
ReRe - have a great visit with your mom.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
DiDi
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
DECEMBER 9, 2007
I know, I know - it is waaaaaay past December 9th but I have been a busy girl. Went on a catamaran cruise around St. Vincent & the Grenadines (FAB!), got back, went back to work, Christmas shopped my brains out as well as a myriad of stuff that is too boring to even mention.
But December 9th came and that means that my beloved Wilson and I have been married for an entire year. And what a year it has been for us both! Running away and getting married on a beach with Wilson was the smartest thing I have ever done! This year has had it hard moments but having this wonderful, smart, sexy, funny, sweet, aggravating, oh so loving man by my side has made every moment sweeter. Having him by my side, holding my hand makes every day married to him the best day. While there are days when I could cheerfully punch him hard, I know that in an hour we will have forgotten about it and be laughing at something else.
I always knew that being married was something that I wanted - I have the best example in my parents who are still in love and happily married after 58 1/2 years together. But never in my wildest dreams did I think to myself that I would find a man who has the same picture in his head of marriage and is so in it for the long haul with me. Knowing that, being married to that - makes it all worth it. I am looking forward to more years of fighting and making up, snuggling in bed, walking the dog in all kinds of weather, vacations, summers, winters, kissing him good bye as he leaves for work and then kissing him hello when he comes home again for the rest of my life. You and me baby - it's all I could ever ask for!
Happy anniversary baby!
But December 9th came and that means that my beloved Wilson and I have been married for an entire year. And what a year it has been for us both! Running away and getting married on a beach with Wilson was the smartest thing I have ever done! This year has had it hard moments but having this wonderful, smart, sexy, funny, sweet, aggravating, oh so loving man by my side has made every moment sweeter. Having him by my side, holding my hand makes every day married to him the best day. While there are days when I could cheerfully punch him hard, I know that in an hour we will have forgotten about it and be laughing at something else.
I always knew that being married was something that I wanted - I have the best example in my parents who are still in love and happily married after 58 1/2 years together. But never in my wildest dreams did I think to myself that I would find a man who has the same picture in his head of marriage and is so in it for the long haul with me. Knowing that, being married to that - makes it all worth it. I am looking forward to more years of fighting and making up, snuggling in bed, walking the dog in all kinds of weather, vacations, summers, winters, kissing him good bye as he leaves for work and then kissing him hello when he comes home again for the rest of my life. You and me baby - it's all I could ever ask for!
Happy anniversary baby!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
IT'S A GOOD DAY TODAY!
So far - I am having a very good day! I decided to work from home today and that really means I do whatever the hell I want. So today - I am blogging, playing Scrabble on Facebook, smooching Arthur at every given opportunity and scanning pictures! To anyone who reads this (Mellie) you are probably thinking that I need to get a life because that is an incredibly boring day. To me - it is like a vacation day and exactly what I needed. Shortly, I will take wee Arthur for a long walk and throw him his ball 1000 times. The only way life could be better is if Wilson was home to play with me.
DiDi
DiDi
Monday, November 12, 2007
LEST WE FORGET
Yesterday was Remembrance Day and I am always moved by this day. I have a WW2 vet for a dad and the importance of remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice was always reinforced in our house. Wearing a poppy was mandatory as was thanking the man from the Legion who was selling them because he too was a veteran of a far off conflict.
While Wilson and I spent the morning with Mellie and Jewemy watching our puppies romp and play it wasn't far from my mind that it was November 11th and that I needed to take a moment and reflect on all that we have because of the sacrifice of so many.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to those who have fought and those still fighting. It is because of you that I could spend the day with my husband, dear friends and our dogs, walking on a Toronto beach and just enjoying the day.
We are the Dead.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
While Wilson and I spent the morning with Mellie and Jewemy watching our puppies romp and play it wasn't far from my mind that it was November 11th and that I needed to take a moment and reflect on all that we have because of the sacrifice of so many.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to those who have fought and those still fighting. It is because of you that I could spend the day with my husband, dear friends and our dogs, walking on a Toronto beach and just enjoying the day.
In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place;
and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead.
Short days ago
We lived,
felt dawn,
saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved,
and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch;
be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
WENT TO DENVER AND HAD A BIG ACCIDENT
Wilson and I went to Denver for Kacy and Ed's wedding reception - which was a total blast! However, my real plan was to shop until I dropped as the Canadian dollar is pretty much a par with the US dollar (everybody give a big HELL YEAH! on that one) and DiDi just finished paying off a huge tax debt so I was ready to celebrate with some new clothes.
And celebrate I did. Here is what I bought:
- black and white wrap dress - Banana Republic
- black turtleneck - Banana Republic
- 4 pairs of dress pants - Ann Taylor - have I mentioned that I could turn gay for Ann Taylor?
- 3 blouses - Ann Taylor
- 1 green turtleneck - Ann Taylor
- 1 grey sweater - Ann Taylor
- 2 new pairs of jeans - Garment District
- 1 pair flat shoes - Nordstroms
- 4 new bras and 5 pairs undies - Nordstroms
- new dress shirt for Wilson - Nordstroms
Then we went and got manis and pedis so that I can recover from spending like a wild fiend. And now that I am home, I realize that I should have bought more stuff - couple of more tops, some casual wear, etc but the amount that I had spent scared the crap out of me. But did it ever feel good! Thank you Mellie for paving the way for shopping accidents. If not for your example - I would not have known how to accidentally fall into new clothes quite as easily!
New clothes kisses to all,
DiDi
And celebrate I did. Here is what I bought:
- black and white wrap dress - Banana Republic
- black turtleneck - Banana Republic
- 4 pairs of dress pants - Ann Taylor - have I mentioned that I could turn gay for Ann Taylor?
- 3 blouses - Ann Taylor
- 1 green turtleneck - Ann Taylor
- 1 grey sweater - Ann Taylor
- 2 new pairs of jeans - Garment District
- 1 pair flat shoes - Nordstroms
- 4 new bras and 5 pairs undies - Nordstroms
- new dress shirt for Wilson - Nordstroms
Then we went and got manis and pedis so that I can recover from spending like a wild fiend. And now that I am home, I realize that I should have bought more stuff - couple of more tops, some casual wear, etc but the amount that I had spent scared the crap out of me. But did it ever feel good! Thank you Mellie for paving the way for shopping accidents. If not for your example - I would not have known how to accidentally fall into new clothes quite as easily!
New clothes kisses to all,
DiDi
Friday, October 05, 2007
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! (if you are Canadian)
The first long weekend of fall - YIPEEE!!!!!! We are going to my parent's farm to be one with the crisp fall air, walks in fields and lots of turkey. Most of my crazy family will be there and I get to see my newest nephew again. Then on the Sunday, my brother is having a turkey dinner for his kids and Wilson and I are going to that as well. Two turkey dinners - I LOVE IT!!!!! Arthur gets to run around with my parents dog, be leash free, get smelly and have the best time!
Most of all, we are thankful that my Mom is healthy and doing so well after her fall earlier this year. So for turkey, time with family, Arthur being tired and my mom being healthy - we are thankful.
Have a great long weekend and Happy Thanksgiving to all!
DiDi
PS - just realized that this is my first married Thanksgiving. I am very, very thankful for my smart, handsome, funny husband.
Most of all, we are thankful that my Mom is healthy and doing so well after her fall earlier this year. So for turkey, time with family, Arthur being tired and my mom being healthy - we are thankful.
Have a great long weekend and Happy Thanksgiving to all!
DiDi
PS - just realized that this is my first married Thanksgiving. I am very, very thankful for my smart, handsome, funny husband.
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