Monday Musings

no real train of thought in mind, just some rambling...

- for anyone who remembers all my difficulty sleeping, my doctor and I have finally discovered the cure - Elavil (Amitriptyline). Along with being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in early January, she gave me this drug and we played a bit with the dosage and timing and have finally come up with something that works. After YEARS of insomnia, I can now finally SLEEP and its GOOD sleep. The other drugs that I have tried in the past have not left me feeling restful and usually gave me a sleep hangover, if they worked at all to help me stay asleep. YAHOO!

- I think I am going to have to give up dairy and white flour for a while. My tummy is recoiling and its not from the rotten bacon I ate the other night, its been somewhat cumulative. Used to be allergic to milk as a child, and perhaps the tolerance for it has been thrown once again. As for white flour, well, just can't seem to find anything good written about it and want to give abstinence from it a whirl to see just how it impacts my health.

- we are due for more snow. great. F.U. winter.

- the Amazing Race starts again tomorrow night. I hope Robfather and Ambuh get the boot on the first night.

- I saw a dead something on the side of the road and couldn't figure out what it used to be...now it is just a pile of fur on the side of the road

- Abbey Road is coming to Port Hawkesbury in March - can't seem to find their site on the net...so I might be mispelling the name. They are, of course, a Beatles tribute band and I am such a fan of the Beatles. The tickets are just $15, so why not?

- Blogger is FINALLY counting posts again and this is post #352.

- it is past my bedtime so I am off...

Home

What is your conception of home? Is it where you grew up? What if you grew up like I did, in many different houses, towns and provinces? Where is home then? Is it where your parents live now? Mine live in a house I have never lived in. I was watching Garden State the other day (for the 3rd time) and they talk about home and how once you leave home, you can never recapture that sense of home again. You look for it, but it's never really there. My daughter was here last weekend but yet she felt "homesick" for where she now lives. Is she yet another casualty of frequent moving? Since she has been born, she's lived in two houses, an apartment, then a townhouse, then a duplex, and now she lives in her own apartment. Now I live in a home that she never lived in.

My own list is likely over 20 if I sit down and count again. I visit my parents home in Newfoundland, but its still not "home". Much of the furniture is new since I moved out 20 years ago, so there isn't even a favorite chair, or bed. And to confuse matters, the home my daughter did most of her growing in is one I still co-own with the ex. And no one lives there. We rent it from time to time, but when I go back to visit (it's in the same community where my parents retired) I almost feel like it was home to me, but not quite. There were many things I loved about my house and the community, but there was also a great deal of unhappiness to shake off.

I think home is where you are loved.

Here is Kate, in all her beauty - LOVE this shade of dress! 

Still Alive, even after the Oscars

No, the killer bacon did not do me in...I threw out the rest of the pizza though. Then there was the Oscars that always go on for hours and for someone like me who makes it a marathon (began watching at 6pm Atlantic Time) it wipes you out.

They were entertaining enough, but certainly not as entertaining as they made out in all the hype over this year's Oscar show, and Chris Rock. I only had a couple of criticisms this year...put the awards BACK on the stage, they looked like they were heading for a speakoff at town hall...and for pete's sake, don't line them up like beauty contestants...that is just tacky.

What the stars did get right though were the outfits...gotta love Robin Williams in his red and black tux. The star that really caught my attention was Kate Winslet...she ROCKED! Beautiful dress, hair, make-up, the works...will post her above.

Now its a whole other year before we see the awards again...sniff...

Expiry Dates

Funny how things crop up...I was chatting earlier today with my daughter about buying things that are on sale...especially meats as they often put them on sale if their best before date is soon up. We had been talking about shopping and how I got a great deal on cheese today and the cheese has months to go yet.

Then I made pizza. I usually fry out some bacon to put on the pizza and today I got one of my "sale" pounds of bacon out and noticed that the best before date had gone by as of February 15th...hmm...I don't live in town so can't just run to the store to get another one very fast. Hmmm...lets try it out and see how it smells when its cooking. After all, there are so many preservatives and crap in bacon, its probably fine. Then it starts to cook and there is a "different" smell. Not especially bad, but different. I've had this before when I cook pork, both ham and bacon, so was hoping it had nothing to do with the best before date.

So I cooked it up, and made the pizzas...nibbling a little on the bacon - ummmm..not so great, but not AWFUL. The pizzas came out, looked great and chomped in. Hmmm, not spectacular, but edible, I guess, however the funky smell carried over to the taste. I had hoped that the combination of sauce and cheese might mask it...no.

So now the query of the day is how long before food poisoning sets in?

If you don't see any new posts for a couple of days, I might be retching in the bathroom, clutching the porcelain.

Saturday Short Stuff

No real topic in mind here, just a few short notes

• It is still snowing here in the middle of nowhere. Some nice person plowed my driveway this morning, so I could go into town easy enough...only had to shovel out the small mountain on my step and walk.
• I am hooked on the soundtrack for Garden State. It is just relaxing and fun music and if you saw the movie, it totally takes you back.
• I tried to rent out at least one of the Oscar nominees movies for the weekend and nothing was available. Some of them are still in theatres, so I will have to wait.
• I don't know what I am going to wear to the Oscars...seriously though, my friend and former faithful reader Tobey told me she dresses up with a friend to watch the Oscars.
• I cleaned the fish tank two days ago and no one died.
• the resident feline is annoying the hell out of me by walking over my keyboard and tray CONSTANTLY in an attempt to climb ON me so she can snuggle into the quilt I am wrapped in...she is never satisfied. I spend the whole night with kitty and she is still vying for attention...personally, I think it is the quilt she is after, not the body its wrapped around...which is why I made her her OWN quilt...apparently she prefers mine...
• I took a nasty skidder today on the way into town, but because of my astute driving skills, recovered nicely (HA HA)

and that's all I have to say about that...

My singles site profile, as promised

here it is...nothing special, but gawd help me, better than the crap I posted below.

I am an independent, single woman who loves to travel. I have been across the pond, but would love to go beyond someday for more thrills and excitement. I'm also able to see what is right in front of me, and and enjoying just living life to the fullest. I love to read, learn new things, camping, cooking, photography, and many other wonderful things.

I have a 18 year old daughter who has recently moved out to begin her life beyond me at Saint Mary's University, and of whom I am very proud!

I love to color outside the lines...with my hair, my clothes, my thoughts...whatever inspires me, and I love to be inspired.

I am looking for someone to have fun with that loves to laugh, both at me and themselves. I have a bit of a cynical nature to me, and love to share it with others.

I love to write and paint, but that does not always translate to talent, heh heh.

I'm not into head games, and you'll always know where you stand with me. I love a man who can share (his chocolate AND his secrets!).

Take a minute and send me a smile, I will always send one back, and we can take it from there.

Singles Ads Scorned!

I was reading this blog and sadly, could relate. I have been a member of about a half a dozen singles sites over the past few years since my divorce (2000) and it just amazes me what crap some guys write for their profile...and do they REALLY think that writing this crap will actually attract women? Just curious...so read on for some examples and my own thoughts -

MAC771 says:

"Enjoys Sports, particularly skiing, golf and hockey. Movies work but only on weekdays as the theatres are a ripoff with what they are now charging. Getting out with friends is what I enjoy most."

In other words - I am a sports freak who will throw you over for a game anyday, so don't mess with my ESPN. I am a cheapskate on dates, so we can only date every third Tuesday. I am afraid to be alone, so you better like my friends.

STEEL5 says:

"just checking this site out. Any dirty little horny chicks who just wanna have fun?"

In other words - I am masturbating while surfing the net. Come find me.

ORGASMRUS says:

"how many times do you want to O" in his opening line, then inside say absolutely nothing. What a coward.

DIVEIN1212 says:

i enjoy simming, boating good conversation, animals that dont bite. i am honest sincere and like to make people laugh I enjoy comedy and the fun things that life brings us"

In other words - I am a coward who can't swim. I like acting like an asshole. I love to make armpit noises and paper hats out of my telephone bill.

NEED YOU44 says:

If you know what' say so if your honest now. you'll meet more people who want what you want and spend less time meeting people aren't right for you.

In other words - I was dumped because I can't form a coherent sentence. Love me, not my behaviour.

INTELEGEND says:

"Who is looking 4 MR.Right or a Prince, should also be herself a Ms. Right or a Princess!! !!" in his opening line and then inside says "coming from me,..well, it sounds a bit presomptuous for one to establish his own credentials no knowing anyone at all to verify the exactitude of my conclusion on myself. The best, in my opinion would be to discover this on a personal level, face to face or, at least through elaborate communicaion, but even with the latter, it can be a shot in the dark., you know what I mean!! Reasonable intellegent, passionate, kind and sensitive. tying always to please no matter the cost. Honest and loving for the one who demonstate the same qualities. "

In other words - I like to use big words to impress you but don't ask me to define or spell them because I don't know WTF I am talking about. I can't even spell the word intellegent (sp).

and one more for the pile:

BOB12131 says:

"don't really know what to say. i try to be easygoing but sometimes i'm a little headstrong. not into the bar scene. my daughter comes first. i'm just moving along slow see what happens"

In other words - I have trouble thinking independently. I can be a real prick if you push your luck. I am an alcoholic and haven't had a drink in 13 days. My daughter will kick you in the shins, so get over it. I lost my driver's license so expect to walk.

Wondering if I can write any better...will paste my profile into the next post.

Pet Peeves

You know you have them, everyone does and mine are likely to be very common ones. Things that annoy you at the time, but you don't often make a big fuss out of them, they just continue to annoy you when they happen. Like:

1. people who do not clean the lint out of the dryer when they are done...or ever! When you finally change it yourself, you have a very thick carpet of lint. Nice.
2. people who ask how you're doing but don't wait for the reply and keep on walking away from you.
3. cats who whine and complain when their food bowl is empty and then when you fill it, proceed to gorge themselves and then puke it up anyhow.
4. garbage on the side of the highway, especially those damn Tim Horton's cups!!!
5. people who leave snotty tissues in the shopping carts. again, nice.
6. cigarette butts. everywhere.
7. the phone ringing the minute you get in the door after a hard day ( I know I don't have to answer it, but just the ring annoys me!)
8. the toilet paper roll - not refilling it, or leaving just 3 squares on it and hiding the rest
9. cat fur, everywhere (I know, the price of having a kitty but come on, she should be bald by now!)
10. telemarketers. all of them.

Then there can be a whole other list for pet peeves related to driving!

1. not signalling a turn, just stopping suddenly and pulling in
2. signalling for a turn you never plan to make
3. not paying attention to the GREEN light - it means GO! It does not mean you have time to root in your purse for your cell phone, cigarettes, or gum
4. people who drive 45km in a 90km zone, especially when there are NO places to pass (safely)
5. people who take up TWO spaces in the nearly full parking lot either because they don't know how to friggin park, or they are just selfish and don't want to risk anyone bumping their car door into their "baby"
6. HIGH BEAMS - glaring into your face, or better yet, headlights that have too much tilt on them so even the regular setting is glaring into your face
7. cowards at the intersection - you know who you are. You take forever to pull out for that left turn, and leave everyone else behind when you finally turn at the red light, all because you are too scared to pull out with traffic on the road, anywhere!
8. tailgaters
9. cigarette butts thrown out the window that bounce and nearly come in my window
10. and last but not least - the asshole who ran into me and kept on going, leaving my then brand new car with a dent that rusted...

Let me know what yours are...love to hear...

Let Sleeping Teenagers (and dogs) Lie

It's winter break from university here. My lovely daughter is home for a few days (Fri night to Wed morning). She loves to sleep. I was wanting her to get up so we could spend time together, but I have learned that now that this child moved out to the city again, she expects to be constantly entertained...and mom lives in the "boonies". She arrived here late Friday night after I picked her up at work in Halifax - we drove back the same day. Saturday we spent shopping in town, preparing food for the Snowbowl party, and doing laundry (doesn't every teenager bring home laundry? heh heh).

Saturday night was the game and the party, to which she accompanied me because her own friends were working or unable to be found. We stayed until after 2am, and slept in the next morning. Then off to town again to do a little more shopping and pick up a movie, head over to a friends to watch it, and then she is barely home and out the door with MY CAR to her friend's houses for the evening. The snow comes, making the roads slippery and so she stays in town with friends until morning, comes in at 8:30am and crashes again. It's 11:30am and you know what this child will say when she gets up? "I'm bored. What are we going to do today?"

Yes, it is best to let sleeping teenagers lie in bed. I will watch the deer in the backyard, mulling about, while I prepare a lovely roast chicken dinner for you. And not mind a bit because I know that I can creep into your room and watch you sleep...either that or scare the bejesus out of you with one of my killer screams...heh heh...sounds like a great idea...I have to go now...

The Corner of Winter

Well, its the corner of winter, you know, where you get a couple of weeks of nasty winter, followed by a couple of weeks of really nice stuff that gets you thinking winter can't be much longer, so it must be the corner of winter and we all know how turning a corner can infiltrate every aspect of our lives. Sometimes I feel like I have turned enough corners to be in a round room, while in other respects, I wonder if I will ever turn the corner!

The tulips might have been confused last week, but they are likely sorry they ever showed their sorry heads after the weather of the last few days. BRRRRRRR! Its been downright frigid with wind chills of -29C and so on. The boys played the Snowbowl last night, but claimed it wasn't as cold as all that, they were working up a sweat. However, for the "fans" it was frigid and we rotated between being nice and warm in the house chatting with the other gals; to near arctic on the deck, watching the boys; to hanging out for a bit in the "smoking garage" with the other smokers. I don't smoke, however I like to roam around a party too, and some of the most interesting people are sometimes smokers, so if you don't smoke, without roaming, you might hardly see them. The garage wasn't freezing, but it wasn't that warm either. There was a couple of heaters going, but its a detached garage, so chilly!

In any event, this led to dragging my ass in at about 2:15am and dragging it even more throughout today. Pretty low key - a trip to town to pick up a movie and spent the afteroon at M.'s watching Little Black Book with Amber and M. Now she's gone into town again to visit with friends for the evening. She waltzed out of here wearing high heel shoes, claiming that everyone wears them in winter mom when you live in the city...ok, but you will freeze when the car goes off the road and you have to walk to use a phone! We don't live in the city...

A little bit of snow, just enough to make it slippery, so I shall not rest tonight until that youngster of mine is home again (and my car!).

so its just me and the kitty on this corner of winter night, both wrapped up in our respective quilts...oh yes, she has her very own quilt (so she can stay the hell off of mine!).

Make Your Own Heart

cute idea - looksee!

I Saw the Light

You would think that seeing a little mouse do the backstroke in a pothole filled with rainwater would have been the strangest thing I saw this week, however you would be wrong. I was driving home from work a couple of nights ago and saw a strange light. It wasn't an object, but a specific glow in the sky, just up from the treeline. I live in the country, so it's easy to see. It was like a white cloud of something, but illuminated. I suspect it had something to do with the plants in town, and their emissions, but it was very strange, nonetheless. I looked for it again last night when driving home, but nothing doing.

The non-resident teen is home again! I drove to Halifax and picked her up last night. It was so good to see her, as I hadn't seen her since Christmas, so not since "last year". She is snuggled in the spare room bed, sound asleep. I want to wake her and visit, but she rarely gets to sleep in on a Saturday morning because she generally works then...so I will leave her, for now...heh heh.

The 10th annual Snow Bowl is tonight in the metropolis of West Bay! Some friends of mine host the Snow Bowl in their back yard - a bunch of men chasing pigskin in the snow. Good enough entertainment and the food is always good. The snow is a little crusty after the rain and freezing we had, but it should be good for a laugh just the same. Last year someone broke 3 ribs...so much for no contact!

Flour Power

and oh the mess it makes...especially when you drop a full canister of it on the floor at your feet. Thankfully AFTER I made my supper...now everywhere I step, it feels like there is still flour on the floor, even after I swept and swept and swept...

dammit.

Class of 1984

Lifted from devilboss...

YOUR SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL

[What year was it?]
1984
[What were your three favorite bands?]
Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, and Rush
[What was your favorite outfit?]
my black leatherlook pants and my pink kerchief top with the playboy bunnies on it and my black leather biker jacket with the zippers
[What was up with your hair?]
Well, it was brown and down to my shoulders, and complete Farrah Faucett feathering...
[Who were your best friends?]
JoAnne Turner, Paula Noseworthy, Jody Wilkins
[What did you do after school?]
usually went driving around in a car with someone
[Did you take the bus?]
no, I lived just down the street from school
[Who did you have a crush on?]
my boyfriend at the time - Joey Cullen
[Did you fight with your parents?]
hell yeah, mostly with my mom, hardly ever with my dad
[Who did you have a CELEBRITY crush on?]
Mel Gibson - still do!
[Did you smoke cigarettes?]
I sure did, and had since I was 11
[Did you lug all of your books around in your backpack all day because you were too nervous to find your locker?]
no one used backpacks back then, except the odd army green backpack with the leather straps
[Did you have a 'clique'?]
hell no, we made fun of them
[Did you have "The Max" like Zach, Kelly, and Slater?]
We used to hang out at the bowling alley, same type of thing, had a snack bar, where I worked for a short time, and all my other friends worked
[Admit it, were you popular?]
no, I was a bit of a radical, that's all
[Who did you want to be just like?]
someone else
[What did you want to be when you grew up?]
an architect
[Where did you think you'd be at the age you are now?]
Designing buildings for a big firm in Toronto. I moved there after high school, but hated it, although I did interview for a job at an architect studio. They were just starting up their business and wanted a secretary...unfortunately I had absolutely no experience then other than working in a grocery store and a snack bar at the bowling alley. I didn't get the job...so that's the closest I came to that dream.

Thanks again devilboss for the great cheater...

This is my favorite time of day, and this is one of my favorite sunset pics - taken at Grand Bruit by my mother last year.... 

A Little Piece of Me

So the Hoser thinks he knows it all...I wasn't even considering doing this mini-quiz about me until he mentioned it...now I feel, um, OB-ligated...heh heh

1. What time did you get up this morning?

7:00am, same as every other weekday.

2. Diamonds or pearls?

A BIG emerald cut diamond

3. What was the last film that you saw at the cinema?

Hide and Seek - it was pretty good for a thriller

4. What is your favorite t.v. show?

Hard to say - Favorite Drama - ER; Favorite Reality Show - Survivor; Favorite Comedy - Will and Grace

5. What did you have for breakfast?

a cinnamon raisin bagel with raspberry cream cheese and a glass of milk, eaten in front of my computer at work

6. What foods do you dislike?

anything from the ocean

7. What is your favorite cuisine?

Italian

8. What are your favorite potato chips?

Dammit, just when I stopped thinking about them...I am a carb addict...any chip will do, but for a favorite - Humpty Dumpty Regular

9. What is your favorite c.d. at the moment?

I like too much music to have a favorite

10.What is your favorite sandwich?

I hate sandwiches, but when FORCED to eat one, BLT on white

11.What characteristics do you despise?

dishonesty, phoniness, and incompetence

12. Favorite item of clothing?

My denim jacket

13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation where would you go?

If it was all expenses paid - a safari in Kenya

14. What color is your bathroom?

walls are some overdone shade of beige I think...but I ADD color with a blue mat, a yellow mat, pink shower hooks, yellow and orange towels, and a tie dyed curtain

15. Favorite brand of clothing?

Cotton Ginny - LOVE IT!

16. Favorite time of day?

sunset

17. What was your most memorable birthday?

I don't usually even like my birthday - they usually suck. But as for memorable? Would have to be my 19th. I was 4 months pregnant, so couldn't get drunk like most people do, so I went out to the bar with my soon to be husband and a friend and played pool. I had one beer, just to celebrate.

18. Where were you born?

in a hospital. In Ontario.

19. Favorite sport to watch?

I do not watch sports. I even have them blocked out of my dish.

20. Who do you least expect to do this?

who knows?

21. Who do you expect to do this first?

same ting

22. What fabric detergent do you use?

whatever is on sale, and liquid. Usually Purex.

23. Coke or Pepsi?

ack, gack, cough, spit...Pepsi???? I am a solid Coke drinker

24. Are you a morning person or a night owl?

both...I can shine anytime of day...

25. What is your shoe size?

about an 8...depending on the manufacturer

26. Do you have any pets?

The resident feline, Via and her friends - my fish. There are 13 of them left.

27. Any new and exciting news?

I have achieved everything I need for my RSW - Registered Social Worker. In some provinces its as easy as just paying the fees. Not here...they make you meet once a month for two hours with someone for supervision for over 2 years, and then write about it.

28. What did you want to be when you were little?

besides older? a nurse...then an architect

29. What should you be doing today?

I don't do shoulds...

30. Birthday and Sign?

December 19. Saggitarius

Thanks ya Hoser for the post idea.

Black Monday

Yeah, its Valentine's Day, or as I like to call it, BLACK MONDAY. So what. When you're alone, who cares? Now that my daughter has moved out and on, I was informed I don't really need to buy her any treats for the day, as the boyfriend will take care of it (as he should)...but then there is no one to bring me a treat as she usually reciprocated...sigh

Remember when kids gave you those lovely handmade valentines out of red construction paper and paper doilies? They were the best! I saved each and every one, much to my daughter's embarrassment. My last one came when she was 17 years old, heh heh...still hand made. I kept it along with my Easter card on my desk at work. People would ask what little child made me that...I thought it was adorable, and she knows it, which is why she makes me handmade ones. This will be my first year without one single valentine!

OK, enough of the self-pity party...I think I will go devour that box of chocolates I hid in my dresser from the Boxing Day sales...

That Darn Car, That DAMN Trash...

Well, the brake job ended up costing me $360...ka-ching...I was ready to cry. Actually, I did cry. I began to well up so left the dealership clutching my half-paid bill and drove off. And then felt stupid to be crying over a silly car. But not half as stupid as I felt later that day to be crying over trash...

Did I mention earlier that my trash collecter has decided that my trash is not worthy to be picked up. Like a good Cape Bretoner, I place my trash at the end of a driveway in a rusted out freezer that has the lock removed. And when that one rusts out, you drag another one out beside it, leaving the old one there to grow a tree in the centre of it...

So I couldn't figure out how come he wasn't picking up my trash since Christmas...yes, since Santa left. He took my neighbor's, and we share the SAME rusty freezer. I checked it for stickers from the trash police and found nothing. I scoured the freezer for a lost note, but again, nothing. So my neighbors suggested I call our local councillor, Red Eddie...oh dear, I know I am in the boonies now when our local representative for the county is named Red Eddie. But then the mayor of the last town I lived in went by Billy Joe. And I don't even live in Kentucky.

So I tried e-mailing Red Eddie, and also called the County office, who took my complaint and had the trash man call me aka waste disposal engineer (WHATEVER). Dougie was very condescending in his manner and tone. The simple reason why he did not take my trash was because it was not tied. Hmmm...I use drawstring bags and you have picked up my trash every Tuesday since last June, but now since Christmas you have decided that it no longer suits you. He refers to some silly by-law that states you must tie your garbage up, that he doesn't make the rules, and if I wanted to complain about it, perhaps I should take it up with the local councillor. And while I was at it, I could ask them to hire someone to visit all the homes in the county to have the art of tying garbage bags explained to them. Fucker. I simply asked for a reason why my trash was not being picked up and why he didn't just leave a note or sticker saying what I needed to do.

It went downhill from there. I asked him how many weeks he planned on letting my trash accumulate in the rusty freezer before he either began taking it or left me a note. He told me that the by-laws are on the internet for anyone to read them, and the onus was on the homeowner to know them. Okay, fair enough, I will go read them. Asshole.

I called the county office and got the website address (a simple search did nothing to help me find it) and clicked on the by-laws...lo and behold, no manner of searching could produce such a ridiculous law. The only restrictions was on the size of bag, and of course, what was permitted to be put in it. Nothing whatsoever about tying your bags. And he had barked that to me over and over again like it was factual common knowledge...now I am pissed...

So Red Eddie called me yesterday, and I informed him of my unpleasant conversation with the most condescending Dougie, the trash man. He listened to my concerns and assured me he would look into it. He also added that I was not the first to complain about their garbage not being picked up because it was not tied. OH REALLY? You just wait until I meet up with Dougie some day...I hope he gets in shit. Speaking of which...I had fleetingly thought of coating the TIED UP handles with some similar substance out of spite, but then realized I was somewhat more mature than that...however, the thought of it did bring a chuckle on...

BTW - I do not own the house I am in, so I don't feel responsible for the rusted freezers at the end of my driveway...heh heh...

Looking down the road and finding..

that you are farther along than you thought. I was driving home from work today and thinking about the clients I had just seen, and began thinking about how they are just putting their child into the public school system, and I'm talking to them about properly supervising him, and I began thinking about how I longed for the days when I didn't have to watch my own child's every move, how I missed the freedom that only comes from adolescence. I wasn't wishing the years away, but thought about how that place in my journey seemed so very far away, and now, before I knew it, its been here and gone.

My daughter moved out last June to attend university and the likelihood is that she won't be coming back to live with me, at least not for some time. I truly enjoyed my time at home with her in the role of her mother, even though at times it was a little rocky, I would never trade a moment of my time watching over her as her mother. Now she needs me less or in other ways and its bittersweet. I do love my newfound freedom, but wow, this nest is awful empty.

random thoughts about money

my car - holy crapola. It began with me taking the car in for an overdue oil change. They told me at the dealer that I was also due for a maintenance check (sparkplugs and fluids) which would cost me another $200, plus that vibration I'm feeling is likely a balance problem...so we have $200 plus $70 for an oil change and balance. I opted out of the maintenace thing and just got the oil and balance. When I pick up the car they tell me I need a new tire, that one of them is not in good shape. Another $110. I stalled at first but later called them and told them to order it.

I had it home a week and there is this horriffic noise. It began as a little bit of noise but yesterday developed in to full blown screeching clunk. Ok...that can't be good. Turns out I need my brakes repaired. Initial estimate as I dropped it off last night was over $200.

OK, WTF!!! Now a simple oil change has turned into possibly $600. Great. Like I have that. Not to mention that I have to pay my association dues to the tune of $310 by the end of the month. (I don't have that either) In order to remain a social worker in good standing, I have to pay their outrageous fees. Sheisters...

So I got a ride home last night from the Toyota people, and now I have to be picked up in the morning by a friend. Hopefully I can get my car fixed today. I've never had it in overnight, but that's what happens when you ignore a noise until the end of the day and drop it at the dealer 15 minutes before they close...heh heh.

Good news is no new snow in over a week! We even have milder temperatures! Whoo hoo! I think winter is over for us. If I keep chanting that (winter is over) it might actually come true. I have to believe this.

here is another pic of the resident feline - just because she is so cute... 

Hide and Seek

A couple of the gals and I drove down to Sydney for a movie yesterday and saw Hide and Seek. It was scary enough, and not too much gore, but not without it. Robert DeNiro delighted once again and this one had me fooled...don't you just love that? Think The Sixth Sense, A Beautiful Mind or The Secret Window. All create an illusion or a mystery for you. And then there was the weirdo person who wandered into our theatre, making the strangest of noises, walked up and around the seating to the top, across and down the other side and left. Right in a scary part too. It was very weird.

We went shopping as well, of course. I didn't buy a whole lot (I already blew the budget with the second season of ER on DVD) but I did pick up some fabric and such to make a little blanket for a brand new grand-nephew (from my ex's side) that was born on Friday. I also bought a bracelet and some scrapbooking stickers. Whoo hoo.

We went out to supper at Swiss Chalet, one of my favorite restaurants. Just love that chicken and those fries. I specifically asked that the wing tip not be burnt and of course, that's exactly what I got...she got a small tip.

What to do with my Sunday? Well, I might head over to the neighbors to hang out for a bit when they have their annual super-bowl party. I hate sports, but the socializing might be fun...I need to meet more people away from work! Of course, there is also the enticing food they promised...

Talking to Americans

This remains one of my favorite bits by Rick Mercer...from Wikpedia comes this little treat:

"Talking To Americans was a regular feature presented by Rick Mercer on the Canadian political satire show This Hour Has 22 Minutes. It was later spun off into a one-hour special that aired on April 1, 2001 on CBC Television. View image (http://www.cbc.ca/comedyweek/images/thumb_mercer.jpg)
It consisted of interviewing Americans on the street and convincing them to agree with ridiculous statements about Canada. The intent was to satirise American ignorance of its neighbour and the world in general. Examples included:

- persuading Americans to congratulate Canada on legalizing insulin or adopting the twenty-four-hour day,
- various political controversies involving one or more Canadian states,
- congratulating the Canadian government on building a dome over its "national igloo" (apparently a downsized version of the United States Capitol) to protect it from global warming,
- agreeing that the U.S. should bomb Saskatchewan or send ground troops into Gilles Duceppe,
- proposing the absurd idea that a Canadian company actually had the mining rights to Mount Rushmore,
- controversy around the reconstruction of the historic "Peter Mans Bridge", named after "Prime Minister Peter Mans".
- asking if Jean Chretien-Pinochet should be charged with crimes against humanity.
- asking Harvard students and professors to sign a petition asking Canadians to discontinue the practice of abandoning the elderly on ice floes.
- congratulating Prime Minister Tim Horton on getting a double-double (support on both sides of Congress)...

The most famous segment, aired in 2000, featuring Mercer asking then-presidential candidate George W. Bush – who had previously stated that "you can't stump me on world leaders" – for his reaction to an endorsement by Canadian Prime Minister "Jean Poutine"."

And they think we're slow...we just look that way because we are COLD here. Our minds are nice and toasty...(that can be taken oh so many ways)

Massage me baby

Turns out the massage experiment was a success. She was a little painful at times, but overall, a good thing. If I had one complaint it would be that when I am laying there in all my nakedness (undies only) under the blanket, and she opens the door to come back in, I can see into the waiting room...thus, anyone who was peeking in would also be able to see in...not sure I like that possibility. A simple screen or changing the room around would take care of this.

It appears that my massage therapist is also a dancer! That is very interesting as my last massage therapist from Waterloo was also a dancer...hmmm...

My next appointment is in March. Why do they ask that you not consume alcohol 30-60 minutes before or after massage therapy? Anyone know?

Honey, where did you park the camper again...I can't find it. Obviously someone didn't remember that ice MELTS. 

Gonna Have Fun Tonight

well, actually, its not tonight, but late afternoon...and I am not quite sure how much fun its gonna be...

I am heading for massage therapy this afternoon with someone new. Old insecurities aside (did I shave this month, should I have showered twice this morning, what did I eat - hope there is no gas issue) blah blah blah...I have other concerns about her touch. Some like to really KNEAD your skin and torture you, so I may have to mention the FM so she doesn't put me through an hour of torture. My lovely massage therapist from Waterloo, Amanda, was wonderful. I left there feeling like I could float home...but then I went somewhere local in December and it was a little bit of torture. Parts of it were enjoyable, but I was in so much pain from the rocks I was laying on (it was healing stone massage) that I don't know if I really benefitted from anything much.

I had been originally booked in early January and they had to reschedule me to February, unless I was willing to take a noon appointment. Yeah. Right. Like I want to get all relaxed with a massage only to go back to WORK. Especially where I work. It's the reason my back muscles are attached to the back of my head in the first place.

So, we shall see what this new venture brings - tears or relief...