MANY BLOG POSTS ALL AT ONCE...

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE ACADEMY...
and KK for her blog award.  I truly never thought anyone besides ReRe and Mellie would read it (and both of them read this only because it is automatically sent to them) and that KK was kind of enough to acknowledge my wee little blog with a Brilliante Award - I am truly grateful.  You rock KK - and I love your blog!

And now it is my turn to pass it on...

Fanfrickingtastic

Mama's Losin It

From the house of Emily

Jemima

Nothing but Bonfires

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UNEMPLOYMENT

I finished my job last Friday but before I left, ReRe made sure that I had one helluva send off.  There were many embarrassing moments and much laughter.  It felt good to say good bye.  And now, for one week any way, I am unemployed - sort of.  I have spa and hair appointments set up as well as lunches with friends.  The only thing standing between me living this life everday is that damn lottery win.  Seriously, I would make a really good lady who lunches (and shops and spas...)!

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PEDICURES

Are really a gift from God!  Nothing is nicer (on a Monday no less) than to look down at VERY PRETTY toes.  But the best part is that you got those while everyone else you know was working.  I have not yet decided which I liked more today - getting the pedi or emailing friends while I was getting the pedi.  Both were fun!

Whew!  I am now up-to-date!  I must go and have a glass of wine now to recuperate.

I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID IT!

Internet - you will NEVER believe what has happened to me in the last 2 days!  I just quit my job of 8 1/2 years to go to a new place.  How the hell does that happen? 

I am leaving behind me a cushy life where I came and went whenever I felt like it, wore pretty much whatever I wanted and did whatever I pretty much damned will pleased(which equated to me blogging, commenting and doing a lot on my Flickr account all from the comfort of my desk). 

Now I am going to a place where I have to perform, meet and exceed expectations and actually work for a living.    Also, my commute goes from nothing to everything - so I will be come one of THOSE people - a COMMUTER!  THE HELL! What am I thinking?

Oh yeah - the thing that made me jump up and down and scream in a Horshack kind of way - Oh! Oh! Oh!Oh!Oh! - was the cool stuff that I get to work on - like the 2010 Olympics.  When they were saying stuff like horrible commute, never see your husband, work for free all I heard in my ears was "WORK ON THE OLYMPICS!  WORK ON THE OLYMPICS!".    You can see my attention span is still functioning at its ever lovin best! 

Internet, please don't think I don't love you anymore if I don't talk to you as much because I do.  Just remember it is not safe for me to comment and drive at the same time. 

MAMMA MIA!

Lordy lordy - there are many reasons to see Mamma Mia and Pierce Brosnan, for me, is VERY high on the list.  This man is HOT to me.  Other reasons - Abba, Abba and more Abba.  First Sex in the City and now Pierce and Abba in one movie - 2 helpings of happiness pie in one summer! 

PS - Abba is not cheesy!
PPS - OK, so it might be a bit cheesy but who among us doesn't like cheese?  Eeezackly!
PPPS - Yes, I know that Colin Firth is in this movie as well and I love him too but Pierce is so damn sexy that I lose all ability to form a cohesive thought.  I also adore Colin Firth and meant no slight to Mr. Darcy!

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

One year ago today, we said good bye to our sweet girl Maggie.  Never has their been such a good dog, who loved her people so well.  We did our best to love her back as she deserved and give her the life she should have had all along. 

Her story before she came to us was not a pretty one - but the minute she entered my life on October 31, 1999 it all changed - for both of us.  Because of her I learned to appreciate my neighbourhood in ways I'd never considered before.  Because of her, I met amazing friends and learned the value of a good walk - no matter the weather.  Three years later Wilson met her and fell in love with both of us and we became a family.  She was with me for 8 amazing years and while lots of people say she was lucky to have found me - I was really the lucky one.

So today I remember her sweet personality and her amazing ability to love and am very happy that she was mine and I was hers. 

YET ANOTHER REASON WHY I LOVE MY TIDE STICK!

There is a reason why ReRe says I should be banned from wearing white - I am a spiller. Here I was sitting at my desk, eating my lunch and reading blogs - really bothering no one. Then all of a sudden - BAM! My lunch decided to make a break for it and tried to escape via my white shirt.

What was I eating you ask dear Internet??? SPAGHETTI WITH TOMATO SAUCE!

Sigh...Sometimes I amaze myself with what an idiot I can be. Excuse me while I dig out my Tide stick out of my purse and try to fix this debacle. Talk amongst yourselves while I remove my lunch from my shirt.

LATEST MEETING OF THE SORORITY (otherwise known as dinner with a lot of wine)

Minutes of the latest meeting of The Sorority. I know that most of the internet will not find this as funny as we do but I howled when ReRe sent these through. God I love us!

- ReRe trumps DiDi's age crisis with 40-kids-single trifecta
- Mellie contemplating mistress lifestyle due to post-wedding woo and present decline
- DiDi and ReRe suggest possible downside to mistress lifestyle, burst mistress lifestyle bubble
- All in agreement marriage = death of woo
- Except DiDi content with Wilson Woo, a subtle but highly appreciated (by her anyway) form of woo, not an Asian man (who would have a small penis and therefore who would want his woo anyway?). Wilson Woo only happens when either been away for 3+ days or intoxicated.
- Mellie also appreciative of also-subtle Jew Woo, consisting largely of occasional "you look nice" comments but insufficient kissing
- DiDi and ReRe appalled at insufficient kissing
- ReRe not one to talk given current relationship with jacuzzi
- ReRe & Mellie grant DiDi permission to drink at all weddings - however all in agreement that DiDi should NEVER volunteer to plan a friend's wedding again.
- ReRe near suicidal at mention of word "wedding"
- Jew wants big boat
- Jew working hard ... on tanning
- All highly amused at vision of Jew camping in Lacoste polo and Rolex
- All considered delightful (though klutzy) drunks
- ReRe explained burn-like injury due to "I was drunk and I fell down"
- DiDi enjoying unfamiliar status as second klutziest. Unprecedented lack of soy sauce spilling (I was wearing black so soy spillage near impossible to detect)
- Mellie & DiDi concur husbands prone to dumping in case of substantial weight gain
- ReRe unable to share concern due to ongoing lack of husband
- 3 1/2 years with iPod man declared giant mystery
- iPod man's DiDi hatred declared overt, intense and highly amusing
- General iPod man mockery highly amusing
- DiDi and ReRe support Mellie's recent jewelry purchase; DiDi contemplating tennis bracelet purchase due to aforementioned post-wedding present shortage
- DiDi possibly grazed Mellie's arm due to tardiness-hunger combo
- ReRe's fake tan declared tan-like
- ReRe near suicidal due to constant engagement talk, also occurring during writing of minutes
- DiDi squashing ReRe's lunch-time income supplementation via prostitution plan due to footwear limitations
- Mellie & ReRe planning pedicure intervention
- Hoodia/TrimSpa phase remembered fondly by all

I HATE BACHELORETTE PARTIES!

I went to a stagette last night where I was the OLDEST person there. I am so not kidding about that. Here are some of the highlights of the evening!

• I heard more times than I can count that "Wow! You look REALLY good for being almost 42!"
• I rode on a school bus with a hardwood floor and a stripper pole AND karaoke
• For many of the girls there - I their worst nightmare. I married Wilson at 40 and as they are all 30 and under thought when they heard that I got married at 40 - they thought to themselves Eeeek! I hope I am not as old as her when I get married! I have seen the look before so I know when girls think that.
• I also did the math - when I turn 50 none of those girls will yet be 40. God - it is 9:30 am and just writing that sentence makes me want to start drinking again.
• EVERYONE else got carded while walking into the first bar - EXCEPT ME! The doorman just waved me through. The hell? Why not card the ENTIRE group. Why single me out as the person most in need of Botox!

I will say that I rocked a pair of navy Stuart Weitzman's, took my new early birthday Burberry purse, wore my Citizen of Humanity jeans. I may have been the oldest person there but I looked good. Being old does have its advantages - you can afford really nice accessories.
Then I came home, called ReRe and bitched mightily about the evening while drinking 1/2 a bottle of wine that was left on our counter.
I hate bachelorette parties!
PS - to add insult to injury, Arthur decided to chew my beautiful navy blue Stuart Weitzmans. He has never chewed a shoe before but decided to pick today to experiment with shoes. I am going for some retail therapy - replace my shoes and shop until I feel better.

I AM A DADDY'S GIRL

For all of you celebrating Father's Day today - I say "Happy Dad's Day to you all!" On this day where we formally say thanks for everything, I wanted to share with you the reasons why I love my dad.

• he bought me my first dress and I wore it home from the hospital
• he taught me how to tell a joke-
• he had to emigrate to Canada at a very young age, all alone and live with people he had never met and he never saw his parents again and yet somehow he learned how to be an amazing parent
• he is the proudest grandparent I have ever met
• he showed me what real love - the kind that last forever - looks like
• he made me learn how to change a tire on a car
• he told me I could be or do anything if I only put my mind to it
• he showed me, by example, how to have a happy marriage
• he showed me, by how he treats my mom, how a man should love a woman
• most of all, he showed me what I needed to find for myself - a kind, loving man with a sense of humour and the ability to laugh at himself and thank Jebus I did.

For these reasons and so many more that there is not enough blog space in the world to write them all, I love my dad. I hope I have many more Father's Days with him to tell him over and over how much I love and appreciate him.
Happy Father's Day Daddy!

DEAR LOTTERY

Dear Lottery,

I write this letter in protest because I have done nothing other than be an utterly faithful, loyal purveyor of your goods. I never miss a week. I buy multiple products. In other words I contribute substantially to your upkeep. What is my point you ask - well here it is.

WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO START GIVING BACK TO ME!

I am sorry - did that seem like I was raising my virtual voice. It is only my frustration of not having won a jackpot that makes me a bit crazy. I have done nothing but praise you and support you for years and you still have yet to really reward me appropriately.

I am not asking to win the entire gigantic jackpot - but a portion of one would be just fine with me. Did you note my unselfishness? I am only reminding you that we have a mortgage and I would like to not work anymore due to the fact that I hate it.

As I have indicated to you on many past occasions, I would only do good works with the money. Assist my aged parents, contribute to charities, add to the local economy - and so much more. Also, having me win the economy would be good for the environment - as I would not have to drive to work, a lottery win would help reduce our carbon footprint and better the air quality for all concerned. Lastly, we are not ugly people and would look good in the paper when you take our photo holding onto the giant cheque. I know that you have your reputation to think of and do not want any unattractive people to be associated with you - you have your standards and I totally understand that. I hope this helps you better understand how a jackpot or part thereof for us would really be a good thing for all concerned.

With all of the aforementioned evidence, you can see that we are the ideal candidates for a winning lottery ticket. I urge you to once again, please consider my request.

I remain faithfully yours,

DiDi

SMELLS LIKE?

So there I was on Friday - yearning to be home and with my sweet husband and pooch and away from the city where I had to wear Man Pants - so I changed my flight to an earlier time and off to the airport I went. I checked in through the obligatory machine, waited in the line for the bag tag, pretty much stripped to my skivvies for security and then sat my ass at the gate to wait for my flight.

It's called and I think to myself that I am headed home - YIPEEEEE! I march to my seat - 17D, an aisle and close to the front of the plane - SO HAPPY. I sit down and am immediatly overcome by an odour - of unwashed person. I discreetly sniff under my arms and can determine that it is not me, there is no one across the aisle from me so it must be the man in 17F - the window seat. Mother-of-pearl that smell is bad - so bad that I move my nose into my shirt so that I can smell the fabric softener I use instead of him. How can someone allow themselves to smell like this? How is such a smell possible? Can he not smell himself? Was he traumatized by Psycho as a child and now can no longer step into a shower without the immenient fear of death? These are the questions that are running through my mind when I realize that I must endure this heinous smell for 4 long, torturous hours. I have determined that God, she is really pissed at me for something I did.

A man comes and sits in the middle seat and I have a barrier betwixt me and the unwashed man. Halleujah!!! I can still smell him but it is fainter and blocked by the human taking the scent bullet for me - and for that I am eternally grateful to the man in 17E.

This ends my tale of business travel as I am home, safe from man pants and smelly men. It makes me want to click my heels together and say "There's no place like home!"

MORE TRAVEL TALES

When I began packing for this trip to Calgary - I knew that I didn't need much - comfortable clothes to fly in, a good book, black pants and branded shirt for the trade show floor makeup, blow dryer, skin products, etc. All was packed into my suitcase and off I headed to Calgary.

I arrive, take out clothes and hang them up to get rid of the wrinkles in the shirt and pants and this morning I go to put them on only to discover I brought my husband's pants instead of my own. I am wearing man pants! MAN PANTS! MAN PANTS!!! I'm sorry - perhaps I should say trousers. I AM WEARING TROUSERS!

If I had known this piece of information yesterday when I was in the mall shopping (3 new tops at Banana Republic) I would have thrown a nice pair of pants into the mix as well. The only silver lining to this story is that I am feeling thin in the pants. Thank Jebus that my husband is not a skinny minny or I would have been so screwed.

However bad your day may be today - you can always think to yourself "At least I am not DiDi today who is wearing her husband's TROUSERS at a trade show".

BUSINESS TRAVEL - LOVE IT OR HATE IT???

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!!!!!

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!

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

What didn't we do?

• get to spend ANY time on our boat because it was too damn cold and rainy ALL damn weekend

Trying not to whine because it was a good long weekend - just wish it had been a tad warmer! However - a 4-day work week is utterly divine! Happy Tuesday everyone!!

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.

• 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.

I just realized dear internet - THE ABOVE HAPPENED IN THE LAST 24 HOURS! Good lord - I am beyond hope. In my head I am the ever graceful Audrey Hepburn. In reality - I am Bozo the clown!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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 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

FEELING UNAPPRECIATED AT WORK LATELY?

Good lord - my colleagues would notice after 5 minutes at the lack of noise coming from my cube. Now that is a REALLY bad day at the office!

One more day until Friday!!!!

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 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!

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

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!

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.

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!

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.

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????

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!

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!

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!"