I'm Surrounded By Idiots

I posted this over on my other blog, but thought it might be worthy of a double post, I ripped part of my fingernail off right before she called, so I am doubly pissy tonight, har de har.

Student Loans. Those two words can cause a major eruption in living rooms across Canada as past and present borrowers shout obscenities about their issues with any financial institution funding student loans.

I have a few for them myself.

And today they choose to aggravate me once again. Last week on March 1st I contacted CIBC Student Loan Centre to get the amount of interest I paid so I could finish my taxes, and to increase the amount I pay. After all, that's why I moved here so I can pay off my student loans faster and get them the hell out of my life. Today missy called and began with a series of questions, and I stopped her and asked her why she was calling, and refused to tell me why she was calling until after she got the answers to her "security questions". Then I told her that I was not comfortable giving her any information because I know that there is no reason for them to call me because I JUST spoke to them last week and updated everything for them, I know that my payment went through because I saw it come out of my bank account online two weeks ago, and the increase was to be for the 15th of this month, which is OBVIOUSLY not here yet, so WHY ARE YOU CALLING? I have no other product with you, and if you think you can talk me into another credit card, you can fuck off. (I didn't actually say those last few words, but the rest I did). She still refused to budge, and continued with the questions. Fine. Ask me the damn security questions, which are typically my current phone number and address, and my birthdate. Then she continues on with questions like am I currently working, what is my work number, etc and she finally got to the reason she was calling. She proceeds to tell me that I am overdue for my last payment of $$$ amount, which was the new amount I had just increased it to. And she tells me it was overdue from February 28th. Um, no hun. Look, how can I be overdue on an amount that was not put into effect until the day after you already took out the correct amount, of which I have proof on my bank statement that it went through. Take my word for it, you are calling in error. For one, you can't take more money out of my account without my permission, so obviously I know when the amount increased and to how much. So she checked her system for when I called in last and saw that I had called on March 1st and STILL didn't believe me. Put me on hold. bitch.

She came back and got a few words out, "Sorry to keep you waiting, now I" and she put me on hold again, for even longer! bitch.

Then she finally came back and informed me that my payment was not actually overdue, and proceeded to tell me why. Um, you stupid bitch. I just told you that. (I didn't really call her a bitch), but I did tell her that she should have simply taken my word for it in the first place, since it was obvious that I had made the change to my account, not them, since they can't. And then I asked her why she couldn't just tell me what she was calling about in the first place before she got into all the stupid verification questions. I can understand the security ones, but to ask me if I am currently working is not exactly a security question, dumbass. (again, I didn't call her names, I don't do that) and I told her that if she could have told me why she was calling in the first place and cut the shit, I could have hung up on her earlier because I have better things to do than defend myself to you.

My question is, how is it that she had the information that my payment amount had been changed, but not when it changed?

Yes, I do have to speed up paying off my loans because I don't see those idiot calls ending anytime soon...

This is What Happens

when you go shopping and you're hungry. I didn't get it all at the same store, but I got it all today...Wal-Mart, Superstore, Liquor store, whatever... Oreos were obviously on sale...

Go Danny Williams, Go!

Well, Sir Paul McCartney and that complete bleach blonded idiot he is married to (sniff, I miss Linda too...) have decided to take on the seal hunt in Canada. Listening to Paul was bad enough but she just sounded like a dumb blonde. The more she opened her mouth, the more I was embarrassed for her. Paul, what are you doing with such a mouthpiece? She opens her mouth and crap falls out. She couldn't complete a coherent sentence that wasn't saturated with Hollywood ooze. Danny did his province well, and I support him and the seal hunt all the way. Heather was such an ignorant bimbo, she didn't even know that they harvest the seal meat to eat. I laughed so hard, ginger ale came out of my nose. If she only knew how many people actually eat seal meat. They sell it canned by the cases alone, and who could forget seal-flipper pie, and the seal penis being marketed to Asian buyers as an aphrodisiac...I could hardly sit in my chair I was so riled up. They are so being used, just like Premier Williams said, and I felt like I was watching a reality show where the rest of the audience knew Sir Paul and Lady Heather McCartney were being "Punk'd"...sad, truly tragic.

In any event, IRREGARDLESS you might say...(inside joke)...I don't think they will have the clout they think they have...don't mess with a Newfoundlander and his livelihood, he's been fucked around enough by others...they fight for what is theirs now, and but hard. And as Danny kept repeating to them tonight was that the Newfoundland seal hunt is sanctioned by organizations such as World Wildlife Federation, United Nations, and the Department of Fisheries Oceans, Independent Veterinarians, the list goes on. But yet Paul and Heather, as celebrities claim to be experts on the topic because they have seen a few videos and photographs of the way the hunt used to be decades ago, or of Greenpeace's fake Newfoundland videos of someone they paid off to illegally kill whitecoats to champion their cause and then try to pass it off as Newfoundland sealers who did it. What do they take the fishers to be, stupid? The majority of sealers are honest and harvest humanely with bullets. Honey, it ain't all about the fur coat, ya blonde idjit. Why don't you take your tested on animals plastered on makeup back to the UK where you belong. And Paul, I was real disappointed that you didn't know what province you were in...it's kind of an important thing when debating on Larry King...suppose I were being interviewed in The Isle of Wight, and proclaimed to have been in London, talking to whatever you call your respective chaps there.

The one thing neither Paul or Heather could grasp is there is no basis for their argument against the seal hunt, no matter if the harvesting method was clubbing or bullets, or spears, or secret decoder rings. Seals are animals that are harvest like any other animal in the world that is in a healthy supply, such as moose, deer, cows, etc. And the other thing is, Paul seems to have no qualms about assuming Sir, an honor bestowed by a monarchy that currently supports the fox hunt, something most Newfoundlanders might find barbaric, oh, sorry, Heather, I meant archaic. What a total idiot. You give blondes a bad name.

Phew, That's Done

I finally filed my taxes tonight. I know, I know, some would say I'm rather early...right G and K? But I generally have mine filed during the first week they accept them e-filed. I received my last piece of information today, so got to it. I'm getting back a nice little amount too, which is always nice. I'm not yet able to claim the Northern Resident's Deduction until after I've been here for at least 6 months, so next year that will come in handy. It's nice to know it's done, then I can file away my forms and forget about it until the money shows up in a week or so, whoo hoo!

Ok, now it's time to rant...

And No One Got Hurt

I used up the rest of the soft claws nail caps today and no one got hurt. I managed to get 3 on Via's back paw (she was missing two) to keep her from scratching at the bites that the little bastard rains down on her. I also managed to get 6 on Stormy, which is quite remarkable. They were so good I treated them to some new kitty treats. Hopefully now Via can begin to heal again.

Stormy is quite the hunter...too bad the birds he hunts are on the other side of the glass, lol. He is constantly at the window watching the birds at the feeders and the squirrel at the bag of birdseed on the step. The squirrel has left quite a mess on top of a box where he apparently sits and snacks, as it is all worn down. As long as they don't start trying to get into the house. I've only seen one squirrel though, so that's good.

PMS Reigns!

got this via email from a good friend of mine and feel exactly the same way...

Dear Kotex,

I recently noticed that the peel-off strip of my maxi-pad had a bunch of "Kotex Tips for Life" on it. Annoying advice such as:

- Staying active during your period can relieve cramps.

- Avoiding caffeine may help reduce cramps and headaches.

- Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day to keep you hydrated and feeling fresh.

- Try Kotex blah blah blah other products

Obviously the individual behind this was someone who has never possessed a functioning set of ovaries. Go ahead and tell a menstruating woman that drinking 6-8 glasses of water will help keep her feeling fresh. See what happens and report back. I'll wait.

While you're at it, dump out the coffee at work and remove the chocolate from the vending machine. I garan-friggin-tee that the first responders will be females who just ovulated.

Look, females don't need or want tips for living on feminine hygiene products. Younger girls are already hearing "helpful" crap like that from their elderly relatives. Veteran females have already concocted their own recipes for survival, many containing alcohol.

Printing out shit advice while sneaking in ads for the brand that was already purchased is just plain annoying, not to mention rude, and enough to send a girl running to the Always brand. Mostly we'd like to forget that we even need these products. It's not a fun time, but DO NOT try to cheer us up by adding smiley faces or bunnies or flowery cutesy crap to your products or the packaging. Put the shit in a plain brown wrapper so we can throw it in our carts discreetly and have it blend in among the wine and beer. There is nothing more annoying than having a blinding pink package announcing your uterine state to everyone in the store. So take your tips for living and shove them right up your ass.

Ovarily Yours,

Miss PMS

Cozy New Beds

Whilst sifting through some fabric for my sister I came across some sheepskin (fake) so thought I would whip up a couple of kitty beds so I can get them out of my knitting baskets. They did up in no time and they seem to just love them, don't they?

Men Are Happier People

or at least they should be...got this from a friend earlier this week:

What do you expect from such simple creatures?
Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
You can never be pregnant.
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
The world is your urinal.
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.
The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
You know stuff about tanks.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
You almost never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
Everything on your face stays its original color.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.
Your belly usually hides your big hips.
One wallet and one pair of shoes one color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a moustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier.

The Colorful Five Percent

I was out for lunch with a couple of gals from work and one is in her last weeks of pregnancy, and of course, we were swapping stories, and the other non-pregnant gal said "all I remember about morning sickness was that when I was living in India in a rowboat on the Ganges River, I was sick from the motion and the pregnancy". She was also craving a turkey sandwich in a part of India where they are strict vegetarians...the restaurants are staffed by people who are strict vegetarians, and no meat has ever entered the restaurant or touched any of the dishes in the restaurant. This same gal gave birth at home both times. And there's my supervisor who was a midwife in Africa for a couple of years before giving birth at home both times as well, once with only her husband there and the second time with another friend there.

And that's just a couple of the cool people I've met since I arrived in the Yukon. Then there is what is known as "The colorful five percent"...those interesting characters of which there are sure to be a few out and about during next week's Sourdough Rendezvous Festival here. I can't wait to see Sourdough Sams at the local bars...

Then I got an email from a friend who is travelling through Africa as I write this, and has been for the past several weeks. I post her emails on another blog I keep for her (she's less tech savvy and we consider ourselves lucky she can get an email out to us all) called The Many Travels of Mrs Pickles.

Now they all have me thinking about my next trip. If things go well, I hope to take another short trip abroad in 2007 sometime. I have a couple of destinations in mind...overland through Russia or putt around Eastern Europe, or hump through the jungles inThailand...I'm torn.

Balance Is Restored

So I bought the Live 8 Concert DVD collection the other day and tonight I sat down and rocked on through The Who and Pink Floyd...who could ask for more? Pink Floyd had not played as 4 in 20 years and they sounded the same as they did 20 years ago....close your eyes and fall back into the seventies and eighties. What a royal treat! The fire was roaring, the candles were lit, and Pink Floyd was together again, even if for just one night. Pigs Flew!

Comfort Movies

Do you have a movie that you like to watch when nothing else seems right, or you just want to curl up on the sofa with a good movie you don't have to pay close attention to because you know ever scene and word. For me, it's Lonesome Dove, all 4 parts. When I hear the opening music, I just feel warm all over. The characters in the movie are comforting, and so interesting. Augustus Macrae is my favorite, played by Robert Duvall. The entire cast is great, each one well picked, and I couldn't imagine anyone else in their place.

I think I have watched the entire series no less than 40 times, I'm sure. It came out in the late eighties as a mini-series on television and I had taped it off from there. I later bought it on VHS and wouldn't part with it for anything (except maybe the DVD collection, heh heh).

What's your comfort movie?

Oh Dear, I am hooked on a new show...

and its only the first night I've seen it. If you haven't already and you enjoy the Trailer Park Boys...this is not it, but similar humour. My Name is Earl. Starring Jason Lee from Almost Famous, Ethan Suplee from Cold Mountain and Adam Goldberg from Saving Private Ryan and a whole bunch of other spectacular stuff...he was hilarious on Friends as the freaked out roommate for a while. There is even a character named Randy...

Career Directions

Is there a map for this?

So I rambled earlier about not wanting to be a social worker anymore, which hasn't changed too much. If anything, I am certain about not wanting to work in child protection anymore. At least not here. As for the social work part, there may be a place for me, I just haven't found it yet.

Let me get out my map...

Cat Farts

Is there anything more foul? Possibly dog farts, but those felines are so sneaky, you don't realize what has happened until you are smothering. Thanks a lot Stormy. Pig. Sorry pigs.

Oh Great.

Now I don't want to be a social worker anymore. What does that mean? Thousands down the brain, I mean drain. Talk about a Freudian slip. Perhaps its just a combination of workplace stress, clients who annoy me, and listening to the same old crap everyday just doesn't do it for me anymore. I am questioning why I even got into this field in the first place. I thought about trying another field of social work, but I am feeling like it just isn't me anymore.

So what does THAT mean. It might mean that when my term is up, I'm outta here. But to go where? And do what? I have always been interested in social research, so perhaps going back to university is something I need to look at. I know I can't get into much with all undergrad degrees. I recall when I was in my sociology degree, I really enjoyed the research aspect of it. Or maybe I could master in criminology and get more into the criminal field somewhere.

And of course, as is my usual fare, I'll probably change my mind again tomorrow. So often I hear from others that they could never do my job, its too hard, too stressful, too unpleasant, etc. Now I don't want to.

Maybe I just need a vacation or something. Maybe I need a good shag. All I do know is that I don't like the way things are just now with my job. The money is good of course, but I am just SO sick of it all. Perfect timing, eh. Dragged my ass all the way across the country for what...more money, cozy cabin, and a job I don't want to do anymore. The feeling is not entirely new, though. When I was on the east coast I had been getting tired of the job. I had said in the beginning that I would keep working in social work until I didn't want to get up in the morning to go to work anymore. I had those days last fall, and now here they are again.

ARRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH.

Thoughts for 2006

Got this today from a friend of mine and it gave me a few chuckles so thought I would share...
Top 10 thoughts for 2006

Number 10 Life is sexually transmitted.

Number 9 Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

Number 8 Men have two emotions: Hungry and Horny. If you see him without an erection, make him a sandwich.

Number 7 Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach a person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks.

Number 6 Some people are like a Slinky.....not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs. (my personal favorite)

Number 5 Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in Hospitals dying of nothing.

Number 4 All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

Number 3 Why does a slight tax increase cost you two hundred dollars and a substantial tax cut saves you thirty cents?

Number 2 In the 60s, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.

AND THE NUMBER 1 THOUGHT FOR 2006!!!!: They know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease islocated among the millions and millions of cows in America but they haven't got a clue as to where thousands of Illegal immigrants and terrorists are located. Maybe they should put the Department of Agriculture in charge of immigration.

Kill Me Now

But my GAWD it's funny. American Idol has begun yet again and the losers are trotted out yet again. There has been some talent, but they seem to be airing the poor tone deaf souls tonight...which is totally why I watch. If anything I have to hand it to the tone deaf...at least they have the courage to get on national television and attempt to sing. So yeah, actually, don't kill me, then I would miss who's coming up next....the gal with a funny tan who looks like a crack whore that crawled out of the gutter to hear herself talk...she clearly wasn't listening to the panel! See, it is so easy to laugh at the misery of others from the comfort of my own home. Gotta love television for providing me this opportunity. Go Idol!

The Golden Globes

What in the hell was Drew Barrymore wearing and when did she burn her bra? Most of the dresses last night were stunning, but I have to say Drew, this was a mistake. Turn the headlights off, you're on stage.

Thirteen Things about Jude I graduated the first year they introduced Grade 12 in Newfoundland (now Newfoundland and Labrador). My brother was a year behind me for so many years and then was able to graduate in grade 11...not fair! I was married for 14 LOOOOONNNNNNGGGGGG years. And divorced for over 5 glorious years. I have a chipped tooth from trying to upright a parking lot chain post. Stupid kid. I hope to someday live in a castle in Ireland. That would be my ultimate...and if there is an available prince somewhere to shag shack up with, even better. I have never seen cocaine in person. I have however, known too many people who abuse it. I used to stage little plays in my back yard on the picnic table and charge my friends to see it. What a cliche... It was my childhood friend, Gisele, who first taught me the F-word. I can even remember where we were...swinging on my dad's canvas hammocks. My sex talk with my mother consisted of a stack of booklets under my pillow. She came back a week later and asked me if I read them and told me there was a box in the closet for me. I once picked neighborhood flowers and then tried to sell them door to door. I was 3 and I remember it. I think I also tried to sell rocks I had found in the yard. My first computer was a Packard Bell 486 with Windows 3.1. My grandmother taught me to sew and bought me my first sewing machine from the Eaton's catalogue for my tenth birthday. I still sew all the time, thanks to my grandmother's inspiration, and I now have 3 sewing machines including the old hand crank one she taught me how to sew on. My first new bicycle was a blue one with a bananna seat and streamers on the handlebars. My father tried to get me on the old 8mm video cameras (without sound) and I couldn't get going on my own. I trashed my Toyota Camry on Friday the 13th, 2000. Tomorrow is another Friday 13th and this year I have a black cat that I adopted last year on Friday 13th of May. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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Why Can't Men Understand Women?

I won't apologize to the male readers...you know most of this is true...

(A MAN'S PERSPECTIVE)
I know I'm not going to understand women. I'll never understand how you can take boiling hot wax,>pour it onto your upper thigh, rip the hair out by the root, and still be afraid of a spider.

WOMEN'S REVENGE
"Cash, check or charge?" I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase. As she fumbled for her wallet I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse. "So, do you always carry your TV remote?" I asked. "No," she replied, "but my husband refused to come shopping with me, and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally."(love the way she thinks)

THE SILENT TREATMENT
A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM foran early morning business flight. Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, "Please wake me at 5:00 AM." He left it where he knew she would find it. The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said, "It is 5:00 AM. Wake up." Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests. (my personal favorite)

CIGARETTES AND TAMPONS
A man walks into a pharmacy and wanders up and down the aisles. The sales girl notices him and asks him if she can help him. He answers that he is looking for a box of tampons for his wife. She directs him down the correct aisle. A few minutes later, he deposits a huge bag of cottonballs and a ball of string on the counter. She says, confused, "Sir, I thought you were looking for some tampons for your wife? He answers, " You see, it's like this, yesterday, I sent my wife to the store to get me a carton of cigarettes, and she came back with a tin of tobacco and some rolling papers; cause it's sooo-ooo--oo-ooo much cheaper. So, I figure if I have to roll my own .......... so does she.(ya gotta give this guy credit for creativity...but I bet he slept on the couch that night with a tampon drove up his ass)

Beware the Weak Stomach

So I warned you.

Saturday is typically cleaning day for me and since I work full time, I save up most dirty chores for the weekend, including cleaning cat litter, leftovers in the fridge, the bathroom, the garbage, and often times, dirty dishes.

Today was no exception. I began with cleaning out the leftovers, including the turkey dinner ones from December 26th...I know, it's been a frightful many days ago, but I knew that once I cleaned it out, I had to make a trip to the dump on the same day, and that's not always easy. They are only open the same hours as I work, basically, but are also open on weekends. So, by the time I got to dumping the "cuddins" as my SIL M. used to call them (what you cuddin' eat 'afore), things smelled less than pleasant. The vegetables weren't bad, and oddly, neither was the gravy, but the turkey was quite rank...

Following the cuddins, I moved on to the garbage. And since I recycle and burn what I can, I don't tend to have a lot of kitchen trash, but then it ends up staying in the bag longer...at the bottom was the wrapping from the turkey before cooking, the various and assorted entrails they feel they need to include, but I never eat, and the neck. It's been nearly two weeks, so they are good and ripe too, and unfortunately, dripping from the bottom. Great. Now I have to double bag as I have to take the trash to the dump in the backseat as the trunk of the government car is full of carseats. Then the trash bin needs to be scoured and it takes three washes with Mr Clean to come close to erasing the putrid odor of spoiled food.

ok, on to the cat litter trays. My LEAST favorite task in the whole house. So what is it with males anyhow? Tom cats and male humans seem to make 10 times the mess women and female felines do. I rarely had much mess to clean with just Via, a quick dump and swish and things were sparkling again. And I had her for 8 years and she was very consistently tidy. Um, Stormy is a fucking pig. There are piles and piles of uncovered messes, and he has it all up the sides, edges, floor in front, and so on. What a pig. I think I need to just stop feeding him.

So, an hour or so later, that chore is done. On to the bathroom. Well, I have been growing my hair out this past year...going from near brushcut to long past my shoulders now. And either I am losing more hair or the fact that it is longer makes it look like that. In any event, the bathtub drain is clogged with it. I grab on and begin pulling, and pulling, and pulling. EEEEEEWWWWW. And there seems to be a slow drain there anyhow, so the soap scum from showering and the hair are all matted to the drain area, and need to be scrubbed. Gross, I know, but I am often dressed and out of the house before the bathtub is drained, so what can I do...I think I need some drain cleaner.

So, there you have it, Saturday chores are almost done. I only have to load up the car and make a trip to the dump. There is no curbside service here, so it is a pain in the ass, but thankfully I don't have much trash...it is mostly kitty litter.

ugh, puke, arrrghhhhh.

What a Loser...

Ah, Stormy my boy...what a loser, complete with a fruit sticker in the middle of his forehead...heh heh...love that stretch though!!! He is so very handsomely cute...

New Year's Day

DAMMIT!!! I SAID STOP!!!!

I took this pic at the end of my road on New Year's Day...my neighbor thought it was me...um, no. I had a glass of wine at 8pm, a beer at 10:30pm and a shot of champagne at midnight. I went home at 2am. Um, no. Oh, and I also ate my weight way through the evening as well...lotsa good munchings there too.

so...I wonder just who it was...there are only a few houses on my street, 6 I think.

Car Shopping

Well, my car lease is up soon and so that leaves me to be car shopping this year. Now that I'm up north, I am thinking that my Echo is not exactly what I want to be driving up here. At first I thought I wanted a pick-up truck, but that was mostly because I wanted something with four wheel drive. Then I was concerned with mileage being so much higher with a truck....hmmm...what to do. And then I came across my co-worker today and asked her about her Matrix and lo and behold, the Matrix is 4 wheel drive, so whoo hoo, guess who's going for a test drive soon?

The gas mileage is a little less on the Matrix than on my Echo, but still better than any pick-up truck. And the cargo area in the rear is plenty of room for what I need. I think my roof rack will also fit it too, I just need the foot kit for the Matrix.

I am also interested in trying a red car this time too...I kinda like the look of the Matrix.

Resolutions For 2006

1. to become more fit (a standing resolution)
2. to get ahead of my debt and reduce my spending!
3. to visit my sister more often
4. to do more reading and less television watching
5. to explore the north and get out of hiding
6. to spend Christmas with family members, somewhere, somehow
7. to spend more time developing artistic talent (stop laughing)
8. to organize my crap (most of it IS crap, so why not throw it out?)

that's enough. I kept 7 of last year's resolutions so that's pretty impressive...let's see how 2006 goes...

2005 Dreamazone Review

Happy New Year readers. I thought I might post a little wrapup of the year as captured on the dreamazone.

January
- checked into the new year's resolutions...I kept about 7 of the 10 which I think is phenomenal...yahoo!
- overdoing it physically...there was pain involved.
- diagnosis of fibromyalgia...finally some sense was made of things
- sleep restored...relief of a lifetime
- the addition of photos...big improvement
- oh yeah, snow. lots of it.

February
- I resumed massage therapy...NICE!
- empty nest feelings
- confrontation with the trash man
- memes were apparently popular on my blog
- another sucky Valentine's day
- a visit from my daughter
- crappy singles ads
- killer bacon
- the Oscars
- oh yeah, and more snow.

March
- winter common cold
- the beginnings of my decision to move north(again)
- a visit from the parents
- more induced pain
- too much curling
- another glorious stumble
- lists, lots of lists
- invasion of the flies
- oh, and much more snow.

April
- yet another cold
- Easter candy...lotsa candy
- aquisition of a full-sized barbecue
- the on-call shift from HELL
- more induced pain
- Via's big kill
- and yet more snow

May
- a list of my spectacular stumbles
- a new tattoo (the sunflower on my hand)
- acquisition of a new digital camera
- the killer fire pit
- ten heads, no ears...still cracks me up
- Stormy moves in and takes over
- snow and sunburn on the same day
- clothes shopping
- another visit from the lovely non-resident teenager
- and now we are into incessant rain.

June
- my daughter reached the age of majority with both of us alive
- more lists
- the first camping trip of the year, whoo hoo!
- feline issues
- student loan woes, the bastards
- my new sofa (first in 8 years)
- my yard exploded
- oh, and more rain

July
- visit to Newfoundland
- got my kayak!!!
- summer heat has arrived (certainly not in Newfoundland though)
- Shoreline Festival in PEI!
- my rediscovery of music
- the Nova Scotia International Tattoo

August
- ISP crap
- camping trip to the Coal Mines
- SUNBURN
- visit with my neice
- purchase of a ticket to the Rolling Stones Concert in September
- formal application for a job up north
- summer heat
- taking stock of my injurious vacation
- barbecuing in the rain
- camping at the cabin

September
- acquisition of a new Dell laptop!
- near acquisition of a second Dell puter, for free!
- work frustrations
- hotel room shopping
- Stormy got neutered (ouch)
- the new job - hired for a job in the Yukon
- decision for surgery
- THE ROLLING STONES CONCERT!!!
- and another tattoo

October
- parental visit
- gall bladder surgery and subsequent recouperation
- phone woes (never ending when you deal with Aliant)
- daughter changed living accomodations
- preparing for the move
- Halloween party at S's house - I was the sex book
- moving out

November
- saying goodbye
- the MOVE north
- Stormy catches a mouse
- the hospitality of my friends
- hotel living sucks
- my feral cat
- Yukon life
- new job
- new digs - my lovely cabin in the woods

December
- going wireless!
- "chinese auction"
- the quietest Christmas ever
- the introduction of Jack
- the passage of time
- 25 years since John died...Imagine
- more feline issues (let the shredding begin)

so there you have it, my 2005 in review. Wake up, it's over.

Friday Night Fright

taken from Seattle Post Intelligencer
Ok, so I went to see Wolf Creek tonight with a new friend, aunt of my good friend M. My first in this city at a small two-plex theatre. The venue was good enough, no issue there, it was mostly empty, which is fine with me. If you have seen Wolf Creek or know what it's about, well, after watching it I then had to drive home in the dark to my cabin in the woods, alone. Good for a few jolts, paranoia served up nice and sweet anytime a pickup truck with search lights passed me...

So of course, I couldn't let the night go without completion and stopped off at the local Movie Gallery and picked up a new recommendation from my sis, The Exorcism of Emily Rose...we'll see how many heebie jeebies I can come up with after that...

oddly enough, they are both based on a true story. I think that makes them even scarier than those blood fest movies like Friday the 13th and Halloween. They got more than a little ridiculous towards the end of their run.

So, off I go, doors are locked, lights are dimmed, fire is crackling (it will likely pop with a bang now and again just to scare the shit out of me like it usually does).

I love a good Friday night fright...

Slothful Days

I've been off work since last Friday and don't go back until Tuesday. The 10 days of sloth are well under way. I had hoped to go out exploring a bit since I was off all week...I got about 25 km from my home so far...which is basically nowhere! I've watched a sinful amount of television...not too much on the dish though, more of my own collection than anything. I bought Season 4 of ER on DVD last week so started watching on Christmas Day and finished up yesterday. I haven't been completely idle though. I finished up my granny square afghan, thankfully. I thought my wrists and hands were gonna give out altogether. I finshed up a pair of mittens as well. I still have a scarf to finish and a pair of mittens to get done, but am not sure if that's gonna happen while I'm off. I have gone out, somewhat. I went out for dinner on Christmas Day...um, I drove to Takhini Hot Springs yesterday, and stopped at Bean North, a local fair trade coffee roaster/shop. Oh, and today I went to the gas station/convenience store, twice!

I am going out to a movie for the first time since my arrival, tomorrow night with a new friend, L. Then she invited me for turkey dinner on Sunday, yummy.

and inbetween, there shall be sloth...

My Charlie Brown Tree

Well, I broke down and went out and cut a tree. More like gnawed it down. I had forgotten to bring a knife and wasn't really expecting to find anything but had my car keys in my pocket so set to work gnawing through with that...lo and behold it worked. Poor little tree. It didn't have much of a chance out here anyhow. It was growing up next to a woodpile.

So it is the only decor I have up, and of course I don't have a small string of lights so chose to string my 100 strand around the table and then on up the tree. Had to watch the ornaments though as it is very small, no more than 2 feet tall I'm sure.

I "piled" the presents under the tree then. The biggest one is for that "Chinese Auction" I'm participating in tomorrow. There are a couple of presents for the felines too of course. A rubbing arch and a canister of treats. They had some early gifts too with the water fountain and a covered litter box.

Merry Christmas all!

GET OUT!!!

Well, I survived it. I left my office at 3pm today, went looking for Sears Order Office, stopped at the lawyer's office, went looking for Sears Order Office, then the foster parents, and went looking for the Sears Order Office, and then the liquor store, found the Sears Order Office, and lastly the grocery store and the pick up the mail and THEN come home. It was CRAZY busy in town. The thing was, all YTG (Yukon Territorial Governement) employees were let out early today, many at 3pm...which explained the traffic jams, otherwise unheard of in this city. Lineups were long, and when I finally did get to the Sears Order Office, I couldn't find what I wanted so left empty handed. But I am OUT OF TOWN now. Phew.

I picked up what I needed to get me through to Tuesday or Wednesday and then got the hell out. Too many people for my liking, and I needed to get home to start drinking and hide for a few days...

I am truly looking forward to sleeping until sunup tomorrow!

So I Bought This Safe

I have never owned a safe before, and never went to a Chinese auction before and how on earth could these two things be related? Well, has anyone ever heard of a party game called Chinese Auction? I hadn't but have played a game very similar to it. You bring something that you have at home, like a Christmas present you got last year and didn't like too much and are ready to regift it. Or something you bought for yourself or someone else and never used. So I went to my first one a few weeks ago at my supervisor's house and brought a little gift pack I had picked up at Hilltribe in Halifax earlier this fall and didn't quite know what to do with. Then you draw numbers and pick a gift from the pile from 1 to the last numbered person. The fun comes in when you get your numbered turn (I had # 1 as luck would have it) you can choose to pick a prize from the pile, OR you can take a gift from another person who has already picked. They then have to choose from the pile again, and not from anyone who has already picked a gift. Once you pick a gift, you have to unwrap it, so it's kind of like Monty Hall's Let's Make A Deal" I came home with a snowman candy dish and a bag of M & M's.

And now I am going to another one on Sunday, so had to buy something for that as they had a gift price minimum of $20. I didn't have anything as I had pretty well trimmed things down when I moved out here, so knew I would have to buy something. So I bought a personal safe, just a fireproof lock box. It was about $28 so should be ok. I wonder what I'll come home with on Sunday...should be good with a high minimum.

What I don't get is why it is called a Chinese auction...it doesn't appear to have anything to do with China, and there is no auctioning.

But who am I to question how things go in the Yukon...personally I think it is not actually Chinese auction but just a game someone came up. When I look it up on the net, I find a penny sale/ticket sales auction as the description and such things. I'll be sure to bring it to her attention on Sunday. What a way to get kicked out of a party, lol...just kidding!

I hope they enjoy the safe.

I'm Wireless Tonight!

Usually that would read I'm wired, but alas, with my birthday and Christmas money from my parents, I bought myself a wireless router! Now I can take my laptop anywhere in the range, which for sure is all of my house, but likely for me to sit out by the house in the summer too. I hated being bogged down to the dial-up back east, and then to the DSL cable, although it sure is sweet just to have DSL after crappy dial-up. ANYHOW, I digress...I got a nice router today on my lunch break, and then when I got home from the Longest Night I hauled it out and set it up. Why I felt it was necessary to do when I got home at the late hour of 11pm, I don't quite know, but I was like a kid at Christmas...now my laptop is truly portable.

Do You Know Jack?

so I have been writing to this guy I met through Lavalife...and he sent me his photo today...I am quite a suspicious person anyhow, but I think this pic belongs to someone else. For some strange reason it looks familiar, and the more I look at it, the more I am sure. My guess is this guy in the pic is a clothing model somewhere and that's why I recognize his face. Anyone have any guesses or recognize this dude, because I am quite sure it is NOT the guy from Lavalife...heh heh.

Laughs All Around

Turns out that some tasks can take up to 10 times longer to complete when under the influence of substances such as alcohol or drugs...I bought an electric Fresh Flow Fountain for the kitties last night and had a few drinks and such, and it took me over an hour to get that sucker together. The instructions were in a number of languages (4 or 5 I think) so I kept getting confused with them...didn't take long, lol. And then the damn thing didn't work. I got home with the replacement today, completely sober and it whipped together in minutes and was on the floor for them within 5.

Bought Volume Three of The Family Guy...good for a few hoots tonight. I'm watching Forrest Gump at the moment...needed a Tom Hanks fix for the night before moving on.

I bought another water bottle to get the cats with, namely Stormy, the shit disturber...that should also provide some entertainment, heh heh.

My supervisor bought me a bumper sticker yesterday - "Unless you're a Hemriod, get off my ass". I know, spelled incorrectly but I guess they thought the real spelling was too long, either that or they are manufactured in another country where spelling was not at the top of the list, lol.

ha ha..

Time Flies When You Can't Remember It

I was just organizing some yarn this week and cleared out some of my cloth bags. One has a screen printing from a winter carnival I helped organize in Newfoundland a few years back. Then I noted the year...1996. OMG that is nearly 10 years ago!!! Where in the hell did the time go? Ten years has seen a lot of change now that I think about it. Ten years ago I was still married, barely into my first university degree, my daughter was just 10 years old, and I was living in outport Newfoundland, and I remember wondering if my life was basically over. Well, maybe not that dramatic, but I do recall being disappointed with my life and how I felt trapped in my marriage, in my home, and in my situation. Now look at me, ten years later I am happily divorced, living on my own, my daughter is moved out on her own, and I have graduated from university 3 times and am in my fourth year working as a social worker. I live on the opposite end of the country and have been on three international backpacking trips thus far.

The world has also moved on in the past 10 years, as things tend to do. In the words of John Lennon, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans". Try to enjoy the next ten years.

Christmas Spirit? What's That?

Christmas used to be one of my favorite times of year but I have found that it faded over the years and this year I could care less if it came at all. I now live away from my daughter, and with her grown and spending Christmas elsewhere, there just doesn't seem to be any point to the whole ordeal. I normally decorate in early December, and put up my tree in mid-December, always before my birthday on the 19th however this year, my decorations are sitting in a box in my dining room, as yet untouched. I don't think I shall bother this year, my heart isn't in it and it just seems like making a mess for nothing. As for the tree...hmmm, will miss that, but since it will be just me for the very first time in my life, why bother?

I mentioned this to my mother tonight and she was shocked...could not understand why I wouldn't decorate and at least have a tree up. She talked about her own mother not doing much after her children moved out and her husband had passed on, and how sad that made her and her siblings feel. I don't feel sad about it, I just don't feel concerned about it at all. God knows there is enough Christmas decor everywhere else that I don't need to add to it. The only thing I have done is to get some of those new LED lights that change color...they are pretty trippy and I will likely keep them on all winter as my outdoor light is cranky and only comes on when it wants to.

Even my gift-buying has gone to pot. I used to be the shopper that looked all year for the perfect gifts. It wasn't that I was super organized or anything (although I usually was) it was that when I saw the perfect gift for someone, I just bought it then and there if I could and stuck it in a closet somewhere. This year, I haven't bought a thing for my neice and nephews. Not one thing. What a rotten auntie I have become. I won't see any of them for the holiday, and they barely know me. My niece is more familiar with me since we spent time together over the summer, but the others are so young, and the two newest additions have only met me once (my brother's new woman's sons). Money has also been a factor...just moved up north so still trying to catch up with the bills and setting up, not leaving a lot of extra cash in my budget. A couple of more paycheques and I should be just fine, but until then...

The only thing I have done is write my annual newsletter, and buy a few token things for my daughter, and parents. Not mailed yet, of course. My dad's birthday is on Sunday and his card sits in a bag in my car still. Shocking for me. I am about the only one he could normally count on to get a card in the mail on time. Left to my brother and sister, you are lucky if they call you on the right day (well, that would be my brother normally) let alone send a card.

So anyhow, no Christmas spirit, no decor, no carols playing, no piles of baking in the freezer and no plans to do much of anything. I did get invited over to my supervisor's house for dinner. I will likely go, but will also cook my own bird as I love the leftovers. Other than that, I have a puzzle to put together and that is what my Christmas looks like.

One might say, bah humbug...

From The Back Pew

of course, I'm not the religious type, but this came from my mother last night, and gave me a chuckle, so thought I would share...

There was a preacher whose wife was expecting a baby so he went before the congregation and asked for a raise. After much discussion, they passed a rule that whenever the preacher's family expanded, so would his paycheck.
After 6 children, this started to get expensive and the Congregation decided to hold another meeting to discuss the preacher's salary. There was much yelling and bickering about how much the clergyman's additional children were costing the church.
Finally, the Preacher got up and spoke to the crowd, "Children are a gift from God," he said. Silence fell on the congregation.
In the back pew, a little old lady stood up and in her frail voice said, "Rain is also a gift from God, but when we get too much of it, we wear rubbers."
And the congregation said, "Amen."

Speaking Spanish In School is Forbidden

Is anyone else outraged at this story? When I read it I thought I was in a time warp to when First Nations people in Canada were forbidden to speak their native language in the residential schools. I cannot believe that an American school in this day and age would forbid any language, let alone Spanish, which seems to be very predominant in many states, much like French is in some of our provinces. I would think the school would embrace bilingualism, not suspend children for it. Ridiculous!

25 years John...has it been that long?

Hard to believe, but it's been a quarter of a century since John Lennon's death. I have been a fan as long as I can remember, and I remember the day I heard on the radio that he was murdered. I was setting the table for supper at our house in Newfoundland and I just sat down and started to cry. Even though my mother was not a huge fan, she understood. She and I had lived through losing Elvis in the seventies.

I miss you John, but at least I have your music to help me out.

Imagine.

Rick Mercer

Does anyone out there watch Rick Mercer's Monday Report? He used to be on This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and now has his own show. It is freaking hilarious! I have just recently become a fan and wanted to get the word out. Watch it, you'll laugh. My favorite segment is Talking to Americans...it amazes me how ignorant some Americans are of anything Canadian.

Two Year Anniversary

Well, I just noticed when flipping through my old posts that today marks two full years of blogging. I was re-reading the old stuff about me not knowing what to do with my life next...nice to know that I was finally able to decide THAT! Now here I am in the Yukon, starting a new chapter in my life. Happy Blogiversary!

Let The Shredding Begin

Made an attempt to glue some nail caps onto Stormy tonight. Yeah, that was fun. I didn't get too many wounds but by the shrieking and howling sounds coming out of him, you would swear I was driving bamboo shoots up under his nails instead of simply slipping rubber nail caps over them. If anyone has any tips on how to put them on with the least amount of shredding and howling, please, let me know.

Usually I can simply lull him into a false sense of security and slip one on here and there, but he is up to my tricks now and I go through similar shrieking while simply clipping his razor like talons. Gawd, what a pussy.

It's The Little Things That Irritate Me

Like going to the supermarket today to do a simple thing…pick up some milk and a roasted chicken. Then I attempt to check out. The checking out part goes fine, but when I go to put my bank card back in my wallet, it slips and falls down into the void that is the checkout stand, in some random crevice. There is a line-up at the checkout, of course. Never mind that the lady behind me has about 100 things in the express checkout I am at. Pressure is on. FIND THE DAMN BANK CARD!!! We search and root and search and root. Nowhere in sight. Sorry ma’am, did you put it back in your purse, or maybe it’s in your pocket. NO, IT IS NOT IN MY POCKET, I heard it clink as it hit something hard. WTF??? So I tell her to go ahead, check out the lady behind me, she has all of her 100 items spread out on the belt anyhow and I will root through my purse and coat, floor, whatever to see if I can find my damn card. It’s not like there is any money in my accounts or anything (the big cheques have not yet begun). But it is a royal pain in the ass to replace it and memorize YET another number. Mega shopper finishes up and I implore the prepubescent checkout girl to keep looking. She gives me a little spiel about, well, it’s not there, hmmm…guess it’s gone. GONE WHERE? Where in the hell do you think it has gone, evaporated??? WE ARE GOING TO KEEP LOOKING! Oh, ok.

I am pretty sure it went down in the crack below the weight scale, so I ask her to look on the shelf below the scale. She looks on the shelf below the shelf below the scale. No dear, please look on the shelf just below the scale. Oh, you mean here? Yeah, it’s not there. Um, I think it might be, it’s a red card and it might not show up on your red shelf. Oh, really? Hmmm…let me check again. Oh, look, here it is, your card. Ok. GIVE ME THE CARD. Have a nice evening…sure. Later dumbass.

That was one of the little things that irritate me. Ridiculous I know, when there are so many more major things that could irritate a person. It’s the little things that matter.

That DAMN Feral Cat

Stormy scared the shit out of me today...in the pre-dawn hours, I heard this growling, thinking he must have cornered Via or something...oh no, psycho cat had a fake mouse in his mouth (you know the kind, covered in rabbit fur) and was snarling and growling at anyone who came near him. I tried to take it from him and got shredded for my efforts, so then I thought I would try to distract him with another fake mouse...he picked up both in his mouth and snarled at me. The only other time I had seen him do that was when he caught the mouse at A. and R.'s earlier this month...a real mouse, and I could understand it then. So why so feral? I have no idea.

So I went back to bed, deciding to leave him do his thing, but then he jumped on the bed and scratched me! So I decided then to bar him in the bathroom for a time out until he settled down, but how to catch this psycho? I finally cornered him and threw a towel over him, flung the growling mass into the bathroom and slammed the door. I left him in for 15 minutes and when I didn't hear the growling anymore, opened the door, cautiously and out he sauntered, purring like nothing happened. PSYCHO I tell ya. So I picked him up and he was his old self again. WTF? I took the mice then and packed them away for now...

now I must lick my wounds...

Prepare for Bitchfest

Ok, I know my readers on the northern adventures blog want to read my crankiness so lets harbour it here...

I am sick and tired of living in a hotel. One might think, wow, what a luxury. Um, not in the coffin they call my room. As well, it's often noisy at night, doors slamming, some drunk wandering the halls last night and how about how the light shines in around the edges of my door so I feel like I'm in a twisted version of The Ring. The wireless net hasn't worked in my room in days, so I am left to shuffle into the lobby to use it. And because I just don't care anymore, I shuffle down in pyjamas and slippers...let them dare to bring up THAT issue with me...bring it on.

My car is filthy on the inside, thank-you movers. It looks as though it was dragged through the Sahara desert. They are willing to have it cleaned for me but it might involve taking apart the door panels to get at the glass. Great. Feckers. The last time I saw my car it was wrapped lovingly in moving blankets.

And how about throwing in a payday mixup. For some reason, the company responsible for payroll at my old agency managed to royally screw up and pay out $9,000 instead of my expected pay and "eagle eyes" at the office caught it when sorting out the pay slips. DAMN. So now they have sent it back and requested the correct amount, but lo and behold, it can't be done on time so BOINGO!!!! that is the sound of cheques bouncing all over. Thanks a lot, feckers. I am to be paid from the new job today but no one is quite sure where I can pick up my cheque. Great. So I have $4.13. Why couldn't I have just gotten the $9,000...that would have been nice. I would have moved out of this shack and into something decent.

Oh, lets talk about the ice...face plant yesterday, that was nice. My second fall of the week. Loving that. I shall me marching into the Royal Bank today to share my frustration with the ice...they will shudder when I leave. (ooooooooh)

whine, whine, whine...

Check out the New Digs

Well, I have begun yet another blog, and will likely keep up this one to some extent, but if you're looking for how things are up north, check out my new blog at Great Northern Adventures (or not) . I'll see how much time I have to maintain two blogs before deciding whether or not to retire the Dreama Zone.

Last Night On The Island

This is it, my last night on the island. Wahhhh...I am torn, but excited. I know I've rambled enough about leaving and staying so won't repeat it all here. Its been a nice weekend with friends, and tomorrow I shall see my daughter for a couple of days before heading out.

I received a nice package from my future co-workers yesterday - they had a couple of Yukon books in it and a CD Rom with video clips of each of my future co-workers, which was really nice. I was able to have a glimpse into my future workspace, which was also very cool. They seem like a friendly bunch, so let's hope that pans out. Feel free to check out my new blog once I get moved to see what's happening in the Yukon.

I guess I should go have my last local beer...Keith's Light

The Farewell Speech

Just in case I lose it, I thought I might post it here, and share as well. This was delivered by the executive director of my current agency yesterday at lunch. The only edit was to my name, which I replaced with "dreama" as the rest of you know me by, and the name of my agency.

Well Dreama, it’s time to say a few words, and unfortunately for you all, it falls to me to say them.
So, on this important occasion, I’ll begin Dreama. It was just over three years and three months ago (July 29, 2002) that you walked into our agency and our lives, you walked in like you had always been there.

You found your way very quickly. I sort of suspected you would because I recall a video conference job interview where there appeared on the screen an imposing lady with some vivid color in her hair. I don’t really recall any longer what color, but it was something really vivid. Being the conservative sort that I am, I was swept away, and it was immediately obvious to me that anyone who could show up that way for a job interview could probably tackle anything, or be capable of anything. And, you’ve proven that point here time and again. No question.

So, you’re leaving Dreama, and we all want you to know that you will be missed.

How can we replace such COLOR, such VA VA Voom? There’s just no way. No way Dreama.
So, what will we be losing? Well:

Your strong work ethic and thorough approach to your work has always been valued, and even when you obsessed Dreama, we all knew (or at least hoped) it must have been for a good reason.

• You conscientious approach brought closure to many issues and many files, and

• opened up many matters that needed examination, and

• brought forward protection for many children, and more ordered lives for many families.

• Dreama, you got it done.

• Your empathy for, and work with adolescents, was noted to be a sure strength.

• You kept us on task, and made sure we attended to the things needing attention.

• You have a lot of style, and a unique style. You’re Flashy Dreama: The chrome of a 58 Buick

• A great a way of processing things through your life experience and your common sense.

• You never flinched when you had to stand against strong dysfunctional entrenchments.

• You made a “social” contribution here as well as a “work” one. You played well on the team, and you sang your truth for all to hear! .

Go well Dreama. Keep in touch, Good luck in the Great Cold North, and think (name of agency) first when you think of coming South again. Cheers to you Dreama.

Fresh Mouse Is On The Menu

Well, since my friends moved into their new to them home, they have known they had mice…heard them in the walls. They lost their mouser, Rupert to the coyotes earlier this fall. Since moving in here for a few weeks before I head north, I had heard them myself and at one point was awakened by a scuffle under my bed, but had yet to see one.

This morning one made its appearance. Via came charging into my room after one, and as soon as Stormy caught wind of it, he shoved her out of the way and took it for himself and ran into the basement with it, growling the entire time. Not wanting him to butcher it and leave a big mess, or worse, hide it somewhere to rot, I followed him down and had to chase him to get it away from him. It was still alive, barely, so I took it by the tail out of his mouth and threw it outside. I received quite a dirty look from his captor, let me tell you…

Poor Via was upstairs still, sitting in the corner where she had last seen the mouse before Stormy charged in and stole it from her, thinking it might come back…sad. Not that she hasn’t had here share of hunting victories, there have been a few, including some pet mice…but that’s a story for another day.

So hats off to the tag team kitties for catching a mouse. I think they’ve earned their keep here now.

Saying Goodbye Is Never Easy

Today I was treated to a lunch at the Maritime Inn by my co-workers with a healthy turnout as a goodbye thing. Since I wasn’t aware of it until about an hour or so before, it was quite a surprise…I might not have known then if my supervisor hadn’t told me after hearing I was possibly planning to go out on the road for the day. She was worried they would all be at my luncheon with no guest of honour, heh heh. The ED got up and then sat down and then got up again to say a few words…it was very nice to hear how he felt about me and my work. Its one of those things you can pull out now and again after a rough day and read over, feeling good about yourself all over again. Thanks M.

so there was also a gift involved and since I had seen many colleagues come and go in my over 3 years here and my involvement in our “social committee” I knew there would be a gift, so I shamelessly let it be known I didn’t have a case for my laptop and if they were struggling with what to get, that would be it. Groovy. They picked out a wonderful leather case for my laptop and when I got back to my current living arrangement, I checked out all the compartments and resized the padding to fit my computer. It fit very nicely, and then I thought I might grab it by the handle and see how it felt to carry it, would it be heavy, and so on. Only to promptly drop the fucking thing on the floor. I had forgotten to zipper it up and my beautiful laptop, tumbled out of the case it was supposed to be protected by onto the hardwood floor. Didn’t I feel stupid…

Then I became paranoid that I had broken it, and once I finally turned it on, if anything seemed different, I blamed myself…turned out though that it was absolutely fine…PHEW!

We’re heading out to a local bar and grill after work for a few more casual drinks and laughs so I’m hoping that I don’t begin to cry there…I sure did when I tried to speak at the lunch…gawd, it was embarrassing.

SNOW!

First snowfall, November 9th. It's coming down pretty thick out there, no wind and looking so pretty. It will be a mess to drive in, that's for sure. The ground is covered and the trees are picture perfect with the white stuff.

Now let's see how many idiot drivers it takes to create chaos in town. They seem to forget everything they know about winter driving from the previous year, like a brain dump.

Ok, Time for a Time Waster

I could see myself playing this for hours...if I wasn't at work...but a case could be made that it is relevant training to my job as an investigator...(says my co-worker G.).

Try it out...
http://www.20q.net/index.html

have fun!

Enough with the Rain already!!!

It has been raining for months now it seems. Sunny days are purely a memory to me now. What is up with all this rain??? Grey days, soggy ground, and mucky driveways...I have had enough.

It could be worse, I know...that precipitation could be SNOW. Egads.

Was talking to the folks from the Yukon and they already have snow and cold temperatures. During the discussion, we talked about accumulation for the year...the gal I spoke with said they have been getting more snow in the last couple of years than they were used to...how much was that? 2 FEET says she...

Ok, I had to hold back the snickering...and then I told her we get that much in a DAY, let alone the whole winter. Phew! I can handle 2 feet, no problem.

Living Lavida Limbo

Well, its official, I have moved out of my house. The felines and I are bunking in with my friends. Stormy has come down a few pegs...heh heh...the puppy is delighted that he has come to visit. Via sits on the back of the sofa, taking it all in, glad that Stormy has given her a rest for a change. I hope it teaches him a few lessons...

It was hard work, but I got moved out and cleaned up and boy was I exhausted when I got to my friend's house last night. Much better shape today, but still somewhat tired.

got some news about my bloodwork...no surgery required...YAYYYYYYY!

I have only 8 days of work left. THANK FUCK.

My coatrack is missing from my office...I wonder where it went...

Halloween Party on the East Coast

Now just who is trippin'...the photographer, the subject or the viewer....or all three?

Its All Over But the Hurtin...

Well, my costume last night was a smash....I became known as the sex book...which was fine with me. I went as Yosh Taguchi's Private Parts: a Doctor's guide to the male anatomy.

There were a lot of cool costumes there such as my friend R.'s costume - he was a skier in regular ski garb, but he had "impaled" himself with a ski pole through one shoulder and out the other side of his body. Another cool one was the gal from the cream cheese commercial, you know, in the fluffy clouds...she even brought her own philly...Another cool one who stayed in character most of the night was a gal wearing overalls from Nova Scotia Power who had done her makeup to look like she had obviously electrocuted herself...that was groovy.

Of course, there was the standard collection of witches, devils, and vampires. There were a couple of costumes that people weren't able to guess who the person was inside.

And then there was the music. There were a couple of gals there who had great vocals and both played amazing accoustic guitar, regardless of how drunk they got, ha ha. There was also a guy with a cool voice who belted out a number of Tragically Hip songs. The girls did some Fleetwood Mac, some Sarah McLaughlin, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, and other songbirds. I loved it!

And then there was the time the Amazonian sized blond (guy in disguise) was wrestling on the floor with the little guy dressed up as some local person, Handy...the blond outweighed him by a good 60 pounds or more, ha ha.

so hats off to my friends S. and S. who threw a fabulous party, and I hope to party with you folks all again sometime soon. Enjoy the book, S...I thought you might need it.

moving limbo

That's where I'm at. The movers are here today to pack and will return on Monday to load. I have moved into the back bedroom, but with everything packed, will I even want to stay here? That shall remain to be seen. I don't want to have to crash in on my friends until the very last moment, so will likely stay here, surrounded by packed boxes. The movers are out having a smoke right now, but they seem to know what they're doing and as hard as it is for someone with OCD tendencies, I am keeping my mouth mostly shut...

The cats seem to be enjoying it, particularly Stormy...all that crinkling paper, ever changing landscape of the rooms, and boxes to jump into and on...as long as he doesn't get packed...it will be a long dry run to the north for him...heh heh.

Well, I should probably go and get busy...or at least look busy...

Full Deck, so to speak

I like the way this person thinks, HAR, HAR! Got me ROARING again :-) Not that I condone violence, of course, ahem...

Wednesday ramblings

Home this afternoon from work, not feeling too great, just an ordinary FM flare-up is all though. I never know when the flares will come or when they will leave. The weirdest body parts have more pain than others...my thumbs, my elbows and my hips. Weird shit.

anyhow, being home, I am making lists of things I have left to do before I move. The list is still quite long, even though I have been busy for weeks. I think once the movers arrive and get my things off, I will feel a little less overwhelmed.

There's the Halloween party to look forward to though, this Saturday night. I have my costume made and it looks pretty good...pics will follow after the weekend as it is top secret until then, HAR, HAR.

Ok, time to go lay down...am on call at 4:30pm...

Loyalty in Marriage?

A woman's husband had been slipping in and out of a coma for several months, yet she had stayed by his bedside every single day.

One day, he motioned for her to come nearer. As she sat by him, he whispered, eyes full of tears,

"You know what? You have been with me all through the bad times.
When I got fired, you were there to support me.
When my business failed, you were there.
When I got shot, you were by my side.
When we lost the house, you stayed right here.
When my health started failing, you were still by my side... ......You know what?"

"What dear?" she gently asked, smiling as her heart began to fill with warmth.

"I think you're bad luck, get the fuck away from me."

Time Is Ticking!

Ok, its pissing rain, but at least I got lots of stuff done today. Laudry, organizing crap, throwing crap out, changing out beds, etc. Before I know it, Saturday will be here and the movers arrive to pack it all up. I have moved myself into the spare room so I can put all of my things that DO NOT get packed into there. Lets see how many times I have to tell them not to go in there.

The count is on for work too...just 15 days left of work, yahoo! I have been wrapping up my caseload but it hasn't been easy, particularly with 2 open positions not filled yet.

This time next month I will be already started at my new job...how weird is that. The job I have now is the longest I've spent doing any job. I just hope I enjoy my new job as much as I've enjoyed this one. WHO SAID THAT? Well, maybe enjoy is too strong a word...how about appreciated the challenge...

Dammit I am sick of this rainy weather...but of course, it could be worse...it could be snow.

What Are Social Workers?

A gal I went to university with sent this along to us today...

A mugger with a gun confronts a social worker. The mugger yells, "Your money or your life!" "I’m sorry" the social worker yells, "I’m a social worker, so I have no money…and no life."

Social workers, like most teachers, don’t make much. Or do they?
Social workers make an infertile couple celebrate a lifetime of Mother’s Days and Father’s Days by helping them adopt a baby addicted to cocaine that no one else wanted.
They make a child fall asleep every night without fear of his father’s fists.
They make a homeless veteran feel at home in the world.
They make a boy with Down syndrome feel like the smartest kid on the bus.
They make a beaten woman find the courage to leave her abuser for good.
What do they make?
They make a 10-year-old believe that he is loved and wanted, regardless of how long he lasts in the next foster home.
They make a teen father count to 10 and leave the room so he won’t shake his newborn son.
They make a man with schizophrenia see past his demons.
They make a rape victim talk about it for the first time in years.
They make an ex-convict put down the bottle and hold down a job.
What do they make?
They make a couple communicate so well they decide not to get divorced.
They make a dying cancer patient make peace with her past, with her brief future, with her God.
They make the old man whose wife has Alzheimer’s cherish the good times, when she still remembered him.
They make forgotten people feel cherished ugly people feel beautiful, confused people feel understood, broken people feel whole.

What do they make?
They make more than most people will ever make,
They make a difference.
Exceptional PEOPLE, Exceptional CARE

Back To Work Blues

Well, if anything, going back to work again today has led me to believe I made the right decision in leaving to go to the Yukon. Sad isn't it. No one reason, just a lot of shit going down in the workplace that I'm sure glad I don't have to deal with it much longer. Not that there won't be the same kind of shit to deal with at a new place, but it will be DIFFERENT SHIT.

I was called off today by a supervisor/director/whatever in the hell he calls himself for using a word improperly, a simple stupid thing, it was entirely childish. He is with another agency, thankfully, but so ridiculous. And then he ended the email with a spelling error. Gawd. And it was a truly easy word..."remember" was spelled "remembar". For pity's sake. And he had the nerve to say that my grammar was an indication of my social work skills...sheesh.

They had a fire drill today, but yet the fire department did not show up and they are located a block away. WTF? Shouldn't they attend? After all, it is a FIRE drill. I am surprised that the maintenance joke who pretends to look after our building didn't pick a nice rainy day to do it on, so kudos to him for a change. I wanted to stay at my desk as I figured it was just a drill but the fire marshall??? on our floor (seriously, that's what she called herself) drove me out.

In any event, I am glad to be wrapping up my last weeks here and move on to new business. I will miss some of my co-workers, though, and hope they try to keep in touch.

ahhh...tomorrow is another day, and a Friday at that...how bad can it be?

Still Alive

Yup, still here, just in case my readers (both of you) are interested. I had an ultrasound and a chat with my surgeon (since when did I have a surgeon?) and he thinks I passed a small calf gall stone on Monday night...ah, that would explain the pain, yes, that would, indeed. I have heard from others just how awful passing any kind of stone is through a body part not designed to carry it. And no others showed up on my scan, so he figures that was it for stones, however would like yet another blood test (I'm beginning to feel like a pin cushion - 5 sticks and tomorrow makes six in just a few weeks if you count injections).

so I guess I am going back to work tomorrow after all, yay! Not that I missed it that much, but it sure is lonely out here, heh heh. As well, I do have a lot of loose ends to tie up before moving, including packing up my office before next weekend as the movers are coming then.

Here's to good health in my near future! And here I thought I would never have the opportunity to get up close with "the stones"...

Recouperation Sucks

So I can't go back to work tomorrow...a few minor complicatons possibly from surgery, so I have to have another test tomorrow. ARRRGGGHHH. Not that I'm running back to the office, but I am getting tired of being at home and definitely ready to be feeling better.

The cats seem to be enjoying my leisure time at home though as they drape themselves around me all day.

I still have plenty of movies to watch, that is if I could focus without becoming nauseaus. Isn't recouperation grand?

on the bright side, I spoke to HR at my new place of employment about my expected take home pay. Let's just say I was happy. Now all I need is to be well enough to move!!!

Sigh...be afraid, be very afraid

now, I'm one who avoids politics when I can...particulary those involving George Dubbya...but this was hilarious, IMHO

Donald Rumsfeld is giving George W. Bush his daily briefing and tells him that 3 Brazilian soldiers have been killed in Iraq. George says "that's absolutely terrible" and is at a loss for words. He holds his head in his hands for several minutes, obviously terribly upset.

His staff are amazed at his reaction and the whole room is silent. Finally George lifts his head and says "Exactly how many is a Brazillian?"

Men Are Just Happier Creatures

sent to me this morning by my father...

What do you expect from such simple creatures? Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can be President. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100. People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time.

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.

Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life. Your belly usually hides your big hips. One wallet and one pair of shoes one color for all seasons.

You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache..You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minu tes.

No wonder men are happier

Stormy, The Evil One

Yes, he can be very evil...pounces on Via constantly, and chases her away from the food. Just can't seem to leave her alone, a real shit disturber...but boy he is cute and such a cuddler. He has a teddy bear, a little Breast Cancer Support beanie bear with a pink ribbon on its neck. He drags that little bear around the house, usually keeping it nearby and beating the shit out of it when he can.

He reminds me of a miniature panther, with his sleek coal black coat.

right some handsome he is...

Holy Shit It's Friday

and?

• my neice called me last night. She's six and in grade one. It was a cute conversation, and believe it or not we chatted for about 20 minutes, non-stop. What a cutie
• the non-resident teen aka mbd (my beautiful daughter) is changing her living accomodations and situation. She will be moving out by month's end to a place of her own, well, a room in a rooming house across from Dalhousie University. It's a change, and I hope for what will be positive as new worlds open up to her
• I am still on sick leave. And I am sick of it. Well, not actually, I am enjoying NOT being at work, but not the whole SICK part. I am getting better but I feel like its slower than what other people who have had a similar procedure tell me. So, not sure why that is. In any case, I am due back to work on Wednesday. I think I'll be ready for that, but not much sooner.
• I bought a new coat yesterday in Antigonish at, you guessed it, Cotton Ginny. Sorry, I am addicted. That's why it costs me so much to go to the doctor...they are in Antigonish. Its corduroy, which I love. I'll be able to wear it as soon as I get to the Yukon.
• the sun was out today, but it was CHILLY and for the first time this fall, I was cold. I even closed the windows.
• the movers are coming on the 29th to pack up my stuff. That is just two weeks away. Holy shit.
• I made fudge tonight. It's for my friend's housewarming party tomorrow night. I may have to make ANOTHER batch fudge for tasting...
• Stormy is getting huge. See a new pic in the next post...

Spelling is not as important as we think...

Olny srmat poelpe can. i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I wasrdanieg.

The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig toa rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in wahtoredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is tahtthe frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae.

The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit aporbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter byistlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

Wednesday Funny

"If only my wife was this dirty"

Now, ladies...find yourself a van and seek retribution...write something just as nasty about a man...

The Many Ways Aliant Can Screw Up

Well, I have certainly rattled on about Aliant, the phone company, before...they always seem to find new and exciting ways to screw things up. As my regular reader(s) know, I am moving in a few weeks, and so as I have done many times before, I organize things ahead of time...today was when I decided to call Aliant and tell them when to stop my service, at the end of the month. Seems easy right? Simple even...I called them, spoke to "Wendy" and made things crystal clear for miss Wendy. We even chatted casually about the move, and she mentioned having been there a few years ago, and that she has friends still living there who own property rentals...hmmmm...can you hook me up...so she knew full well I wanted the phone disconnected at the end of the month. Well, about 20 minutes later I went to use the phone again, this time to call the power company and advise them of my move...no dial tone. WTF???

I just knew it was yet another Aliant fuck up so I went to my neighbors and called them. They dialed my number and it played a recording that my number had been disconnected. WTF??? So she checked her program, it clearly stated I scheduled disconnect for the end of the month. so what happened??? She called the programmers and someone who took the order beyond her deleted my service. Ok, stop fucking around and put it back on. Moments later it was on. Phew. They even offered me $25 credit for my troubles. Great! Incidentally, they also asked me why I was paying for Internet Call Manager without an internet service...HUH? I informed dear Wendy that I indeed had internet service and had been using it daily. Well, its not showing up here, so how about we do nothing and you get it for free. Fine with me...

About an hour after that, my mother went to use the phone...no dial tone once again. I was livid. So I went to my neighbors once again and called Aliant. Sorry about that ma'am, I will talk to the programmers and see whats going on. She did, they screwed up yet again, but no offer of another credit. Gee Wendy, your credit is getting used up if I have to keep doing this...

So here I am, just an hour or so later with the phone still working...I am scared to call the power company...

This is Who I Will Miss The Most

My delightful daughter...in just one month I will be moving to the other side of the country from her for who knows how long. I took this pic the last time I took her out for lunch at one of my favorite restaurants, Swiss Chalet.

sigh...I'm bored

It's day 6 of my 14 day sick leave and I'm already bored. I think part of it is that I don't feel well so am limited to what I can actually DO. I have been spending the time mostly watching television or dvds. I should be reading but reading in bed often puts me to sleep, and I'm not comfortable sitting up in a chair for long...belly hurts. So I lounge in my bed, next to this trusty laptop, feeling lazy and unproductive. And who decided to put caffeine in Tylenol 3...and for what reason? I take it to feel better, but it keeps me up all night, so I end up being tired the following day instead of well rested....ARRRGGGHHH.

I know, perspective, perspective...people are dying or dead following the tragedies of the week...mudslides, hurricanes and earthquakes. Its devastating and I simply cannot watch any more of it, its so depressing. This year has been riddled with natural disasters...the only thing I haven't heard about is a cyclone...

The weather doesn't help...I had planned on doing some painting in watercolor while off but its been pissing down rain since Friday, continuously. They say its rain from all those hurricanes. Whatever, I am sick of it.

My daughter was down for the weekend and it was a good visit, even with the scrap in the kitchen over cooking and territory...ha ha ha...but now I miss her...

Sheesh I'm feeling cranky. Show me the cheese and I'll continue to whine...

Tales From the Sick Bed

I'm still alive. I've had a few visitors, my friends A and M, and my daughter who is now visiting for the holiday weekend. The resident felines have been constant, sometimes annoyingly so when they begin to fight with each other, using my body as the battle ground...they usually feel the hard floor shortly into those battles...

I'm sore. Of course the incisions are tender to touch, but after that surgeon was rooting around in there for my gall bladder, my insides feel very raw too. Like I had been kicked in the stomach from the inside.

I've done a bit of reading, a bit of surfing the net and a whole lotta dvd watching. I love this laptop.

It's been terribly hot and humid here though...29C with the humidex yesterday. YUCK. Where in the hell is fall? The leaves are turning, but we seem to be stuck with the heat this month. Dammit.

I'm not up and about much, as when I do get up, I feel worse, so slink back to my sick bed...sigh...

Thank God The Knife Didn't Slip

well, it's all over but the healing. Surgery went well enough today, although the surgeon informed me that it was a close call for the old type incision, the one that would have put me off work for 6 weeks. Doc told me my gall bladder was hiding a little in the folds of the liver...whatever. All I know is that its over and done with, just have to heal.

I was extremely uncomfortable when I first woke up, but after some thrashing and complaining, they gave me enough drugs to make me comfortable again. Got some to take home, but not near as strong.

so now I am on 2 glorious weeks of sick leave...I am so glad about that. I needed a break from work, and my parents are visiting, so I can spend lots of time with them.

ok, starting to fade...time to get to sleep before my mother catches me on the computer...I'm only 38, lol!

Tuesday Tidbits/Timbits/Titbits/WHATEVER

• I am now officially on sick leave. I hope the surgery goes ok...it would suck if I have to stay in the hospital...I am not a pleasant patient...
• my parents moved my dish drainer to the other side of the sink and it has thrown my sense of familiarity off. I go out into the kitchen and it feels like someone else's kitchen. All because of a dish drainer. Isn't that truly sad?
• my daughter is coming to visit for Thanksgiving this weekend and she is going to cook Thanksgiving dinner, with help...her first time!
• the cats have gone insane tonight, particulary the kitten...racing through the house like a psycho
• I don't have to even think about work until October 19th
• what in the hell am I gonna do if I die tomorrow...heh heh...not much, just be dead...sheesh, that's a little morbid. I think I'll go watch something funny on tv to balance out...

Doctor's Orders...I WISH!

Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!!. Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will situps help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing situps if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO . Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feelgood food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting inshape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets. And remember: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways Chardonnay in one hand chocolate in the other body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, Its Been a Hell of a Ride!"

I've Been Invaded

by a bunch of seniors...my parents and my sister's in-laws are here for the week, coming and going. They are touring the area and visiting relatives. For the most part they look after themselves, but boy does it make a difference having 4 extra people in the house after I have lived on my own for a while. They are out for the afternoon, so I took the opportunity to clean up the shack a little. They are here until Tuesday, when the in-laws retreat, then my parents will be picking me up at the hospital on Wednesday and staying with me for a week perhaps.

they spend their evenings playing cards, cribbage, etc and talking. I escaped last night to my friends A & R's house. When I returned, it was only my ma up. This morning I got up and made them bacon and homemade waffles, which were a big hit.

Time is getting short...this is my last month in this house...hope to move out by the end of the month if I can...gotta get those movers sorted out first...