Sliced cucumber and onion salt. For serious- try it and you'll be hooked. Dunno what it is about the combination but omg. I'm eating it while I'm posting =P

(Oh, and BTW, I'm going to warn you right now, this post is going to be random thoughts. This is what happens when I don't post regularly- I get all those things I was going to say a day at a time ALL AT ONCE!!)

Working on some art right now- this is the start. I can totally see what I need to correct but the good news is after not picking up a pencil for a few yrs it still comes back, which is very encouraging. The oil painting I did the other day for some reason just does not translate on my cell phone camera. Honestly, if you stand about 10 feet back from it, it really does look much better than that photo. But it also needs some touches to it to blend it better and make it look more "watery". It's supposed to look like either a drain or a drop of water in a puddle or pond, depending on your viewpoint. The last time I painted oils was 3 yrs ago, and that work turned out okay.

On the vacay this week- just eleven days but a nice break mid-summer. Not much planned; a little work, a little play. Cleaning out things in boxes that have been sitting there for months. I put some stuff on Kijiji today which is REALLY contagious. The minute I put something on there for sale I swear I feel like digging through the rest of the house to see what the hell else could go! Unfortunately a lot of my "stuff' is books and I wrestle with keeping them or selling them. A lot of them are old, clothbound collectibles that are really a novelty to own. But how to display them? How do you show other people how cool they are?! *sigh* I think the ones that are "less valuable" to me I will part with. No sense dragging things around with me if I move again.

One thing I *purchased* this week is a new (to me) fridge. Stainless steel, top fridge, bottom freezer, 2 yr warranty. Lookin' forward to it being delivered next week. Our old one is going next door to the tenants. Be nice to not bend down or kneel and pray to the powers of the fridge every day in order to find that stray grapefruit that's rolled down at the back of the bottom shelf. Oy, I hate that.

Well, I think today I'm going to repot some plants on the front deck. I'm off- see ya'll next time!

Quick post today just to update my blog at least into the month of July!

Not much going on- I have vacation as of 6pm Friday (weee!!) just for eleven days. I started painting again and have 2 oil paintings on the wall drying. Every night I stare at them, retouch this or that, and sit and stare again! Got some plans for some pencil and conte drawings also which I'm looking fwd to working on on my holidays.

Outside of that this full moon passed with less trauma than I expected lol! Actually it's been a great week- work going well, life going well... ish, and working on things around the house.

Number one- keeping the house nice and clean. Number two- got some plumbing issues fixed which although small make SUCH a difference. My tub spout has a shower diverter on it and for MONTHS we were dealing with the shower diverter not working. Your feet got showered more than the rest of you and the shower head had no water pressure (since most of the water gushed out to tub spout). I bought a replacement spout thinking it would be an easy fix? Um, no. The last person who put the spout on TWISTED the spout so the little SCREW that undoes it off the pipe was who knows where... I didn't want to bust it off, so I had a plumber do it. Now? WONDERFUL. Nice, quiet, soft shower with good pressure and no water gushing out loudly at your feet. Amazing what small things can do for you.

I'll post photos of my art projects once they're complete. Adios, amigos! Off to the races I go!

Kind of fitting that my next post is (ahem) sobering. Literally. (And for the record I had 2 very tasty caesars which met my needs for that flavor. Nice to have tasted it though. I think more than anything I like the salted rim as opposed to the drink itself!)

Got a sobering email today. One that I didn't expect to receive. A friend of mine is sick and in care. I just never expected that to happen when we're in our thirties. Twenty years from now I may have seen that coming but not now.

I've been reflecting on this for some time - just how many of our grad class got sick with various illnesses and whether we are statistically over-average. Are we? I can think of probably 6 people (from our grade class of what, <100> people?) who I know either in their late teens or twenties were diagnosed with things like arthritis or MS or cancer. MS affects one in 700 people. Rheumatoid arthritis 1-2% of the population and juvenile arthritis one in one THOUSAND. Maybe I just find it unfair how undiscerning diseases like this are. Maybe in the city we lived in /out of the several other highschools there were this is normal. Maybe other local grad classes could relate to the same stats. I dunno. Not that these things stop you from living more or less normally. Things like arthritis and MS slow you down, rearrange your priorities, change how you LIVE but for the most part I think can be "managed" ...??

What a weird week though eh? All this news (or focus in the news) of Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon and Michael Jackson. Didn't see that one coming. One of the reporters on TV last night covering Michael's death was asking people why they were shocked. He said he as frail and looked unwell, but hey- first off he's a celebrity which means he can afford the best health care. And secondly he has always been thin and pale. Everyone I talk to was shocked.

Just as a point though, it doesn't matter celebrity or not your health will determine your quality of life regardless of who you are. We're all human. We're all experiencing this thing called Life.

Don't take your health for granted!!!

All hail caesar!

(Mott's is on sale at work; I couldn't resist...)

Mmmm, pickled asparagus and caesar rim.

Can't go wrong, seriously.

So today I have a joke for you. Actually some puns. ENJOY!

What do you call a country where everyone drives a red car? A red carnation.

Energizer Bunny arrested - charged with battery.

A pessimist's blood type is always b-negative.

A Freudian slip is when you say one thing but mean your mother.

A hangover is the wrath of grapes.

Corduroy pillows are making headlines.

Every morning is the dawn of a new error.

Sea captains don't like crew cuts.

Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?

A successful diet is the triumph of mind over platter.

A gossip is someone with a great sense of rumor.

Reading while sunbathing makes you well, red.

A man's home is his castle, in a manor of speaking.

Dijon vu - the same mustard as before.

When two egotists meet, it's an I for an I.

A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two-tired.

What's the definition of a will? (Come on, it's a dead giveaway!)

A backwards poet writes inverse.

In democracy your vote counts. In feudalism, your count votes.

A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.

If you don't pay your exorcist, will you get repossessed?

With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.

Without geometry, life is pointless.

When you dream in color, it's a pigment of your imagination.

Sign for a networking business in Australia: The LAN down under.

He often broke into song because he couldn't find the key.

When she told me I was average, she was just being mean

This is my great great grandmother and great great grandfather. These two had 5 kids before she passed away at age 37 here in Winnipeg. Their daughter was my great grandmother.

(Does anyone ever think about the lineage they are creating when they have a child!?? Just curious if that crosses other people's minds...A hundred years from now your choice to have 3 kids, and they have three kids each, and they... so on and so forth, could result in a hundred people. Holymother!)

Anyhoo, try to follow this: I met my great grandmother's brother's family line yesterday. How neato !! It was so nice of them to invite me in and welcome me so graciously. I really, really, really appreciated it.

Seriously, I love exploring this stuff especially since it was spoken about since I was little. What the "family look" was- the genetic markers, if you will. So fascinating.

I so appreciate feeling some sort of connection to where I now live, though. It MEANS something. I suppose if we were really to investigate any family tree you could theoretically find some sort of 6 degrees in any place you live if you looked hard enough -explored the branches of various family marriages etc. With the world getting "smaller" with the internet it's good, and I'd suggest almost important, that we do know who is who.

'Kay let's take that thought a step further because I always enjoy expanding on ideas lol... I've always been somewhat horrified (excuse my honesty) with the implications of sperm banks and our genetic pool. Mostly because (a) someone could theoretically father a small herd of children (which has happened), (b) regardless of whether those offspring are fathered in different cities or suburbs they *could* quite serendipitously cross paths at ANY point in life. I know there are SOME rules in place in SOME places that are in place to deter this from happening. But I have to wag my finger at what *could* happen.

Matches and fire, people. Matches and fire !!!

Amicable Day

Did you know it's Amicable Day?
It is.
I discovered it.
It's "Day That Everyone Gets Along And Enjoys Their Day". What a great day, bags of puke and all !! How much fun was that ! lol... (Long story, email me and I'll fill you in) Seriously. Every day should be this good.
So I've been reading my own blog and why the hell isn't anyone mailing me anti depressants - seriously! I need some sorta pill to cure what ails me. Alls I do is bitch and moan, which although a relief and sometimes entertaining is a little stale...! Glad that I met someone recently though who seemed to appreciate my self depricating sense of humor and personal language. I felt vindicated [and relieved] to know that I do at times have a sense of humor! (That people GET, she quickly adds...) Nice to be heard, nice to be heard...!
Hopefully when people read this they GET that I have a sarcastic nature to my gnarliness. Of course I love dogs. I love that they eat their own vomit, and whatever else their bodies produce. I love laughing at them... I mean, I love them for that !! Yeeessss. =)
Anywhoodle I hope you all see today as Amicable Day. Seriously, I noticed so much comraderie today in all sorts of ways and places. Nice to see, nice to be part of, and nice to notice.
Mark your calendars going forward that June 18 is now Amicable Day =)

wednesday w's

Wednesday W's and Word Verifica.tion Wednesday!

Who: We
What: didn't get the puppy
Where: from the Humane Society
When: yesterday
Why: because I have some reservations... BUT, I am warming up to the idea.

I just dunno if NOW is the time to get a puppy and this particular one was sorta more than I can handle. I think if we can go when I start holidays in a few weeks THAT would be a better time. At least on vacation I'm there 24-7 to respond to it, teach it, take it for walks, as opposed to leaving him or her in a crate all day =( Aw, that wouldn't be fair.

Thank you for nice weather, Weather Gods !! Mmmm, finally warm sun on the face. If that doesn't boost your spirits I don't know what will. Outdoor activities here I come.. with or without a puppy !!!

Went to the humane society today; meant to look for a kitten. Looks like we may adopt a lab retriever cross (like this one at left, but this isn't him... same markings). Wow, he has some energy to burn...! I dunno, I'm torn between the "aw, he's so cute" and the "omg every thing I own is in peril from puppy teeth"... Seriously, I would have to puppy proof the whole house in like, a day to get ready for him. Let's do a pros and cons list and see if I can convince myself that adopting a puppy owns over adopting a kitten.... !!

PROS
It is summertime and a great time to have a puppy. We can take him for long, exhausting walks every day and play with him in the yard. He is (or will be) protection against theft and vandalism, and our tenants unfortunately just got hit a few nights ago with their car being torn apart in our driveway. (Don't get me started- no car alarm? No broken windows? No broken door lock? What ...??) They're loyal, responsive companions that are attentive to their masters. They're fun. They... they uh... Bah, that's about all I got for pros.

CONS
I love dogs, don't get me wrong. Love them. But this one is going to be a horse. It's not a small breed. And in the winter, what the hell ... I'm not going to be the one to let him outside to pee at minus eighty. And the barking, and the whining, and the ... the DOGness. The running through the house like a bull in a china shop. Chasing the cats. Chewing on anything remotely edible and other things that really aren't meant to be ingested. The dog hair, the dog breath, the... the kennel fees if we travel, not that we do. I dunno. Argh, when did this happen!?

I have apparently turned into a cat lover and a dog snob. I grew up with dogs (okay dashunds, which are half dogs.. Half sized anyways) I got cats in my adult life as pets and have since lived with only cats since my early 20s. Can I get past this though? I love love LOVE cats; they're wholly independant, stand offish, who cares what you do animals. I love that! Truth be told, I RELATE TO THAT! You can literally put a dish of food and water out, say see ya later and leave them for a weekend on their own. Cats can figure out that their food will still be there in a few hours and will remain there to consume tomorrow. They can live peaceably on their own without intervention for days. I even did 5 days once without any problem (okay someone checked in on them but they were fine) If you tried that with a dog it would eat all it's food in the first hour, puke, eat the puke, then eat your garbage and crap everywhere for the entire weekend. And then eat it's crap. And puke. And then eat it's puke. That's what dogs do. Dogs are dogs. Somebody help me see the merits of dogs again... !!! REMIND ME !!!

Aw, look at that puppy face...

So this Swine flu is going to get around to everyone they figure, so why panic (right?!) Manitoba now has 119 cases, BC has 151 cases , Quebec with 706 cases, Saskatchewan with 270 cases and Alberta 240. What's the recommended way to deal with this thing anyway? Is it better to expose yourself to it so you build an immunity, or should we get a flu shot or what?

I don't often get the flu. I never get flu shots. I more often than not take vitamins and sanitize my hands. Last winter was the first time in about 2-3 years that I've gotten SICK sick. It was a viral infection that was sweeping the workplace. Knocked me down for about a week, but nausea- puking? I only had for like, a day. The rest of it the time was consumed by REALLY really light headedness, no balance at all - falling over against the hallway wall, weak stomach, no appetite, headaches, yada yada.

I remember when I was a kid reading a book called Behind The Attic Wall. It was about a young girl, set in the early part of last century, who had lost some of her family to the Spanish Influenza of 1918. When she came down with it they had put mustard and onion packs on her chest to draw out the infection. Apparently these packs (and certain foods) have some pretty admirable remedial qualities if you are ill. Course any of you raw foodies already know this =)

Good luck to all of us with this crazy bug; nothin like Toxic problems...!!

FORECAST IMPROVES!

ALERT ! ALERT !
Sunny weekend ahead!
No, I'm SERIOUS!
For REAL!!

Mark it on the calendar!!!
=)

And to boot I will get to enjoy it because I was blessed with a 3 day weekend starting Sunday.

Ahhh, 3 day weekend. Mmmmm...!

Whatever will I do with myself in plus 26 weather?! Probably burn lol... Actually I think my plans are to do some morning weeding in the garden before the sun gets directly overhead. I'd also like to windex the back windows (which will be in the shade).

YAY, GOOD WEATHER!!!!!!
/*skips off to find warm weather clothes...

Starting to inch towards WARM.
Just INCH, though. Tonight low is 9 degrees.
I took pictures of my plants that I'm discovering in my yard as I try to figure out who they are !! (Okay what they are, but they all have personality so I say WHO...) For instance I have what I think is a SNOWBALL tree, and possibly lily of the valley (which if it is I'm stunned to learn is tolerant to minus 40 temperatures and a zone 2 perennial...). And quite likely this lovely flowering crab apple tree dripping with purple flowers... mmm. That will make some damn good jelly if that's what that is !!!
I was just spreading my learned gardner karma (from Aleesha of course) with someone at work. You know how it goes- plant FRUIT trees and FLOWERING plants along a neighbouring fence so your relationship with that neighbour will also flourish and be fruitful. Never plant prickly plants on a neighbouring fence line again because you would not want a prickly relationship with them. It's just bad vibes, man!! Anyways we had a lovely conversation about how that makes so much sense and I'm so glad I'm able to forward her teachings.
Happy Full Moon all; here's to the energy of this Sagittarian moon. Here's to all of us seeing the big picture and believing in the greater good for everyone. Passing on some good mojo; over and out !

OFFICIAL NEWS - SUMMER HAS BEEN CANCELLED

Time to post in six words !!

Seriously people, is summer ever coming?
I know I cannot be alone.
Everyone anywhere COLD must be PISSED!
Personally I feel like freaking OUT...
No word of a lie here.
Every day I cry about it.
Well not just about the weather.
But it does bring me down.
Let's call it a big contributor.
SERIOUSLY...WHEN WILL SUMMER EVER ARRIVE?!?!?!

Isolation.
Geographically, personally, physically, socially, partly chosen and partly imposed.
And it's really hard to cope; harder than I thought it would be.
Not that this ongoing saga of horrible cold weather helps at all. If I see another frost warning like today at any point in June I'm seriously transferring back.
I give up.
I can't do this.
I can't live an indoor existence.
This is incredibly depressing.

OMG LEAVES!!

I was doing my banking this morning and I'm driving up a street, HAD to take a picture. Only 30 days ago the trees were BARREN. It was like Twig Town everywhere you went, very very very depressing. Today? Lately!? GREEN.... Green is good. Green is fantastic, actually. There may be hope yet !

That's why I love gardening so much; it's the symbolic act of GROWTH that's at the core of it. It's (ahem) ROOTED in everything that is (ahem) NATURAL to us. Growth is good. Growth is fantasic, actually. There may be hope yet !!

Moving to other green news I've been following what's happening economically with Big Companies like GM and Royal Bank which reported a horrifying $50 million loss a few days ago. GMC going under (offically yesterday) was " the third-largest in U.S. history and the largest ever in U.S. manufacturing." Wow. And worse yet- "In the wake of its widely anticipated bankruptcy filing, GMC stock - once considered a rock-solid blue chip - was being removed from the Dow Jones industrial average and delisted by the New York Stock Exchange." Oy. Yeah, always invest in those blue chip stocks... unless we're heading into a recession/ depression and all hell breaks loose. Watch out for that.

I've never so much been into stocks. To me you have to either be on it all the time yourself or have a broker you trust that constantly watches the values. I prefer bricks and mortar. I'd like to buy some gold since the Mint is right here, and there is a finite amount of it in the planet meaning it will always have value. I'd also like to get Universal Life, because it fascinates me that an investment and an insurance product can work together and are tax deferred. Who knew...

Feelin a little like this. Whatever this is. Actually I know what this is but I'd prefer not to get all psycho analytical on you. Meh. Nondescript. I think the one on the left is my favorite. I like the tilted head, I'm so listening to you pose.

So when will it actually get HOT and SUMMERY, I ask you. This whole crap with dipping to three and five degrees at night and maybe if we're lucky hitting a whopping twenty degrees is getting beyond irritating. It's truthfully annoying at this point which is why I'm writing in Angry Red. Someone yesterday said to me, don't you feel ripped off? I almost screamed an Allelujah. Can I get an AMEN!? Holymother, seriously, this is teh lamest, most unsettling, traumatizing, let-down everrrrrr. First we're insulted with seven months of winter including SNOW in MAY. This is not right. Then, throughout May and into the first 2 weeks of June and are we getting any reward for a shit winter? Oh noooo. Nope, we get miserable, mediocre reports from the meteorologist. Jerk. Give me some news that 30 plus degrees and full hot sun is coming and lasting until AUGUST. That *might* appease me...maybe. Check the weekly forecast here for Winnipeg and groan with me. Look at the lows. I'm seriously moving. No lie.

I actually started looking at condos in BC on the mls just to taunt myself into the idea of going home, because honestly can I deal with this for YEARS? I don't know if I want to, and hey, I have choices- I got options here, dudes. Be great to live just minutes to Harrison, or live in Penticton, or Kelowna, or Comox, or Langford... you know what I mean. That province is home to me, doesn't matter where. And it's nice that there are MULTIPLE CITIES to choose from. I probably have camped there, visited relatives there, HAVE relatives there or know someone there in any one of them guaranteed. Or, let's get crazy I mean we could move to the States, like Missoula Montana or Antioch California. I wonder what that takes to do- I guess a work visa and stuff.

It's so humorous when people here think it's sooo costly to live in BC. I mean let's do a side by side comparison ok? Lower personal income tax in BC? Check. Lower property taxes in BC? Check. Property prices comparable? Check those links there and tell me those aren't affordable condos. Better weather? Check check. More opportunity? Check. Hmmm. Looks like a long term goal here is in place. Westward Ho in like, a few years or something.

Amazing how fast twelve days of vacation can go. How did that even happen, seriously. The first week I was off I confess I did NOTHING. And it was good =) I lounged around, watched tv, watched some more tv, diddled around online... okay, I managed to do some laundry and dishes, and I think I grocery shopped one day. Other than that, I did nada. Only in the last three days have I done any yard work.
And yard work I did.
I took out my trusty edger and edged the grass around the property which took a few good hours and several blisters to complete. Also edged the path and swept it REALLY hard to see the cracks and spots the weeds are popping up. Today I'm going to pour boiling water on the weeds to kill them... In a few weeks I'll rent a compressor and hose down the walkway as much as possible. I'm gonna fill the cracks with concrete and probably use one of those concrete sealer products to make it look all fresh and new. It's such a cheap-n-easy thing to do but it so completes the look...Well either that or I'll level it and put brick on top...
I still have to go get my hoe from Sears that I ordered. I'm going to try it out; if it doesn't work their circle hoe looks really interesting. A girl has to have a good hoe these days =P
I used my musckles and heaved forty feet of various types of boulders to create a lovely rockwall... which now needs about 3 yards of soil heaved in there. Suprisingly my spine is completely good after that. I musta lifted properly =)
Hmmm, what else. Oh yeah, we tore apart our 6 x 8 (or 8 x 10?) Rubbermaid shed. I just hated where it was stuck in the yard. For some reason the previous owner slapped it in the middle of the backyard parking spots (?) Why, I dunno. It's lovely and all, very new- probably only a year or maybe two old. But stupid, stupid place to stick it. And honestly I'm humming and hawing whether I need one (?) We have so few things to store (same with our tenants) plus we already have storage space under the back deck. I might just Kijiji it.
And I guess I cleaned some windows. That's it.
All in three days lol... I must've saved up the energy from the week before I guess !!
And now that I'm all worn out I'm heading back to work. LOL ... hence the picture =)

I hate the part where I feel stupid.

I thought I'd be smart yesterday and start investigating how to make my own website, with my own domain. I mean how hard can it be; I've blogged for a few years- I know basic (and I mean BASIC) HTML and stuff. I figured I could manage. Lots of people do this, everyday!

Oh, no. Not so much. Not for me.

So I go get a domain and I register it, and I start feeling like I can do this. I at least know how to register domains. I've been looking at getting one for years, but just never have. I didn't 'get" why I should have an internet address that is "solely mine" as opposed to a "subsidiary" of Blogger. (Does it matter?) In fact actually I might register a few more each payday just to have some domains that I think might be worth something... or not lol...

Anyways I'm reading some online instructions and now I need to "upload files". I realize I need a WAY to get my files TO my site which means I need some sort of FTP uploader thingie. Well, whatever- I've been a fan of CNET or Download.com forever and I know I can find programs like that there. I download a program, install it and open it up.

OMG. What is this thing. My Star Trek antivirus program looks less intimidating (insert my nerd laugh here).

Okay, the instructions ...which include something something drag something here and there. Omg omg omg. Where?! Drag what? To who? For what purpose?! Omg. That feeling of angst is growing. This is where blogs are good because everything is turn key. But I just want to get this thing done, and once I figure ONE out I can do more. Oooooh... grrrr.... okay, okay, come on let's read this thing and figure it out.

Where was I. Something something upload... hmmm. Okay, so I try to open the files that I think need to go to my site. But I think I need the whole folder uploaded, it won't "drag", I don't even know where to drag it TO, and omg I'm getting really angry. I diddled around for a few hours, trying this, trying that and finally I said piss on it. Nevermind. I'll stick to ready made blogs that have everything BUILT IN and require no skill lol...

I think what I need to do is READ MORE about this before I get started. Probably why i never finished my degree, the whole LEARNING thing is a pain in the ass... =P

Anyways I found this online and maybe some of you Proud Parents may be interested:

2009 CuteKid of the Year
Submit your Toddlers photos
Free Membership and chance to Win
www.TheCuteKid.com

6 word saturdays...

SO SMART, LOOK- SIX WORD SENTENCES!

Vacation is for doing absolutely NOTHING.

I don't feel motivated at all.

And better yet I don't care!

I could diddle around all day!



Let's see, what have I accomplished?

Caught up by phone with friends.
Made a new inspiration photo wall.
Read a lot of new blogs online.
Went to a women's night out.
Played some games on the net.

Yep, there's no more to report!

If anything exciting happens you'll know!

NEW MOON REMINDER...
Sunday, May 24
8:12 am - EDST (7:12 am, EST = Eastern Standard Time) is the New Moon Power Day in May!

Don’t miss this opportunity to make wishes for experiences you’d like to have.

This NEW MOON is in the sign of GEMINI, and it’s a powerful time for wishes involving communication, manifesting what makes your life happier in any area that is important to you: a relationship, social or business skills, a new hobby, a new behavior, popularity. Things you may have wanted to happen in your life for a long time can begin easily manifesting through using the boost of the happy, smart, and social GEMINI NEW MOON.

Among other things, this New Moon stimulates the ability to more successfully navigate your life by boosting your ability to see options. It empowers you to become more aware of rising above conflict by seeking more information and seeing events from the other person’s point of view. It stimulates in you the gift of being able to appreciate the value of tact and sophistication - leading to more success and popularity in social relationships. The energy of GEMINI also promotes the ability for enjoying brief conversations and lighthearted exchanges of information with a variety of people

This New Moon is excellent for releasing rigid ways of thinking. Just ask for a breakthrough, and find ways to quiet the monkey mind so you can get to the good stuff. Mercury is in retrograde, so the end result may not come into view for a while. Mercury in Taurus is sensing its way through what's available in the here and now, as a material resource. This is a New Moon to reclaim our direct relationship to life and our world, and step into a new, freer way of being.

Barbie things I remember, and more Barbie things I found out...

BARBIE FASHION PLATES

The BARBIE RV

Barbie THROUGH the ages

Barbie AS she ages - pre Juvederm =)

Barbie by MAC make up

Skipper, Barbie's Suspicious Little Sister

Barbie jewelry - why not

This has been bothering me for a while. I need to get this one out there.

PHONE ETIQUETTE.

So many people, so many phones, so many bad, bad manners.

Let's start with cell phones since they're the easiest to critique.

Let us pray:

Dear Lord, we forgive those that have heinously less IQ than us. Like those that have not or will not figure out that when you are being SERVED by someone either at a restaurant or coffee shop or bank or WHEREVER, get off the phone. These people are stupid, yes, annoying oh for sure, but they deserve your forgiveness. Even though they're a plague on society.

Dear Lord, we forgive those that have ringtones that make you want to stab dull objects into their eye sockets. I mean She Bop by Cindy Lauper was awesome about oh, twenty years ago. But She Bop today on a phone in midi tones is .... so.... sooooo not right.

Dear Lord, we also forgive those that are unable to put their phones on vibrate or turn them off during concerts, performances, oh anywhere public where we are all focussed on something. And then Cindy Lauper comes on, She Bopping away. In the middle of dance recital.


TELEMARKETING PHONE ETIQUETTE.

Okay this list is definitely my MOST HATED. I can't STAND telemarketers at the best of times, and it drives me insane when they do the following :

1. Mispronounce my name. My last name is FOUR LETTERS two of which are the SAME and TOGETHER. There is no need to add VOWELS or CONSONANTS and make it longer or into some other name. Should be simple. Apparently isn't.
   
2. Assume your title is MISSUS for some reason.Who decides this?! Is there something on Equifax that says my marital status?! Am I on a MARRIED PHONE LIST?! What happened to MIZZ or just asking simply BY NAME?! I feel like saying no my mother is not home, actually, you have the wrong Mrs Jones... jerk. How about you also assume I have 2 kids, a dog and drive a Chrysler Seabring convertible? (Which speaking of stereotyping, check out anyone that drives that particular car. We have yet to see anyone other than a 40 something woman driving one. Please verify this for yourself, I'd love to poll this one LOL!!!)
   
3. Won't take no for an answer. The ones that hang on for dear life and blurt out frantically as I'm hanging up that "their coverage will only add to whatever you already have!" Just SHADDAP, if I say no I mean no you moron. Now go phone someone else who might have more patience than me.
   
4. Charities. These I have a soft spot for, I confess. Most of the time I will entertain these calls. But I will NOT give credit cards over the phone. The last charity I had phone I requested to be mailed a form. They hummed and hawed and insisted they PREFER credit cards and that they were REALLY trustworthy. Good for you! Send me the form please. I got upgraded to a supervisor for CLEARANCE for a form to be mailed. Now I understand a SURE SALE is better than a MAILER that may not be returned. But if someone REQUESTS it, for the love of gawd just do it. Plus a lot of the time I find things out FROM the mailer I didn't know from the phonecall. Like I'd be supporting the Pedophiles Anonymous Charity by my donation and things like that. Okay I exaggerate. But I have discovered that some charities are religion based which I steer away from on purpose. I have no use for the whole "I'll build you a village if you just accept Jesus into your life" thing. Sorry, won't support it. Let little Ajibway worship who he wants. Maybe they worship cows or chickens; so what?! Go thump your bible somewhere else. Jerks.
   
5. TIME OF PHONECALLS. And this goes for anyone, telemarketer, friend, family or foe. There are certain hours that are ACCEPTABLE to phone within. I personally believe in the 9 to 9 rule. Never phone someone before 9am or after 9pm at home. These are "safe" hours. I had a dentist's office that used to phone me to remind me about appointments at 755am without fail all the time. Not cool. My mother also used to violate this policy, relentlessly. So I politely informed them all of The Rule and they have since obeyed =). But really it does surprise me that I have to TELL people about this. Everyone knows the ONLY people who are awake at 8am are parents of small children and old people. Anyone else I assure you is NOT RECEPTIVE to speaking to anyone else until after their coffee..s.

Alrighty that's my rant for today.
Spreading sunshine and happiness into the internet everyday
=)
That's my gig...
And the beauty is you can "listen to it" or turn it off, unlike a telemarketer!!

I couldn't have slept more this week if I tried. Yesterday I woke up at 8am, watched TV for about 2 hrs, went back to sleep. Woke up at 12:30, did some things, went back to sleep at 3pm. Woke up at 430, had something to eat, diddled around, went back to sleep at 6pm. Got up at 730 and went for a walk just so I could say I *DID*something. Could be my head cold, knocking me out. Anyways I just went with it and slept. And then slept a bit more. What the hell, I'm on vacation!

I have done a lot of nothing this week. I had such big plans, all sorts of *THINGS* I was going to do. No rush on them, though. Besides on a one week vacation you may as well recouperate as opposed to going back to work drained, right?

I did do something that was interesting though. As I get further into my 30s I see the effects of sun damage and ... that other thing, what is it? Oh yeah, AGE. It appears more and more on my face and it's starting to look not so flattering. So I went to see a dermatologist about it. Good news is it's fixable; just costs a few (er, hundred) dollars to get it repaired. I went for the free assessment, to find out if a photofacial was what I should get and if so what's it cost. I found it interesting that the place I went was going to charge $500 for the first visit yet all the subsequent visits are half that. I mentioned that to them, and was surprised that they bartered with me in the exam office. The physician said "it was his birthday" (which I doubt) and that I could get one done today for $300. I said I'd think about it, but I left (a) because hey I just wanted info on it, get assessed and (b) um, why are you bartering with me?! Not that I'm arguing over the lower cost. That's all good. But uh, kind of CONCERNED me more so than it INTERESTED me after that yno? Plus I called some other places and they do NOT charge more for the first visit, plus they suggest doing it towards fall as opposed to the beginning of summer, when you're going to more likely endure more sun damage. Good point. And I can wait a few months, no biggee...

RIP


1992 - 2009


SQUEAKER


My first cat-
rest in peace Squeaks

I'm just comparing my BC Property Taxes from recent years to my newest 2009 Manitoba Property Taxes. There seem to be a few differences. One being that my Winnipeg property taxes are FOUR TIMES that of my BC taxes. Half of which are SCHOOL TAXES.



Holy.
Mother.
Of GOD...

Apparently I will have to REMORTGAGE to manage to live here in this "affordable city".

Seriously.

Actually if I compare what my costs were (including mortgage payment, property AND lower income taxes) between BC and MB it was literally cheaper to live in BC. That's saying something. The only thing that's less here is GAS and MILEAGE on the cars because the "commute" here is so minor. Well under 10,000km a year on the cars- that's unheard of. In BC commuting around the Fraser Valley meant about 60km per day, per car or probably about 20,000km a year on each vehicle. I dunno. BC, it's a lot of wear and tear from mileage- here you get the wear and tear from pot holes.

But a three thousand dollar property tax bill with NO HOME OWNER'S GRANT is insane. INSANE. Why am I paying for some kid to go to school. Read a book already. Hit the internet, it's cheaper. For serious. I could finance five villages in Africa for a year with the money I'm pouring into school taxes here. What the eff.

I never read the MSN news. Today, however, I went to clean out my hotmail accounts (which I use as spam blockers. Whenever I need to "create accounts" and register at sites online I use hotmail. Even when these sites SWEAR they would never share my email address with ANYONE I know they're ALWAYS full of pooh. Case in point- I had 142 messages in one week, all spam, in one hotmail account.) So's Im at MSN.ca and I see this ad here, which made me laugh since anger is maybe one of my bigger problems. Anger, rage, then immediate regret and depression. That's my process =P If I can ever, EVER learn to overcome this I might actually be able to move past my first level of Reiki LOL. I'm pretty sure it's one of the rules (she says knowingly) !!!!!!!!!! LOL =)
Anyhoo the article says to do 7 things to chill out : take a time out, do something physical, find ways to relax, don't stew (oooh, that one is my biggest. I love stew.. stewing I mean, I love stewing), focus on solutions (*Snort* what EVER..that is hilarious advice- like anyone is REASONABLE when they're mad- hello!? Who are these saints?! They're pissing me off already lol), look for the humor in it (omg if someone laughed at me when I was pissed off that would be a bad, bad scene) and don't hold a grudge (no prob- I can never hold grudges because I never remember about 5 minutes later what pissed me off) Serious short term anger memory =) Actually just really short term memory in general, since birth. Waddyado !

In other news I got my most recent Moneysense magazine in the mail which had a great article on Best Places to Live In Canada (on the link choose the slideshow option). REALLY good read and interesting comparisons. For instance I was unaware that Winnipeg (number 7 in the list of 145 Canadian cities to live) had so many new cars on the road, but laughed when I saw our crime rate. Apparently we have a lot of new stolen cars on the road =) Another great article on this site is Canada's Top Women Entrepreneurs. Take me all my vacation to read all about these 100 female professional powerhouses!! I'm such a nerd.

Speaking of being a nerd and wanting to learn about powerful women, I would've loved to check out this film The Notorious Mrs Armstrong. It just played the other night in Winnipeg. What fascinates me about it is the TIME FRAME. It was just three yrs after Emily Murphy became the first femal magistrate in AB that Mrs Helen Armstrong, a working-class housewife and mother of four in Manitoba, rose to the front ranks of labour leadership during the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919, one of the largest worker uprisings in Canadian history. She would have been a contemporary and likely friend of Nelli McClung, another female activist. These chicks had some serious balls taking on the Suits at that date and time. Women were supposed to make the men sandwiches, push out babies and put laundry on the line, not turn into judges, holding mock parliaments or becoming labor movement leaders! (Course perhaps some took it a bit far with Eugenics, where people considered of lower intelligence were neutered lest they reproduce and become burdens on society. Then again, there is evidence to support her theories all around us LOL... I kid, I kid)

Perhaps they lived by Eleanor Roosevelt's words:

"You must do the things you think you cannot do."

"Do one thing every day that scares you."

"What you don't do can be a destructive force".
and finally...

"Women are like teabags.
We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water!"

MINUS THREE.

Geraniums that I just planted a few days ago in planters on the front deck are having some problems. Suffering, really... I just brought them inside after a night OUTSIDE in sub zero weather. They look like wax plants =( I hope they survive...

*sigh*

Seriously. Having some issues with this shitty weather thing. Forecast WAS supposed to be for a nice weekend but I see that they've now updated for ANOTHER SUB ZERO DAY on Saturday (again, minus three). People. Seriously. I just want to buy my hanging baskets and at least be able to ENTERTAIN the thought that it's going to be WARM. For more than ONE DAY at a time.

So's anyways, when it DOES get warm - like in a few months or something - I would LIKE to get working on some yardwork. My front pathway is one of those old narrow concrete walks that has seen better days. I'd love to "resurface" it or clean it up somehow, maybe with one of those concrete sealer applications from RONA or find out the cost of getting exposed aggregate applied to it. I know updating the entrance would definitely add appeal and value so it's worth the time and effort. After this winter I just want to get outside, get physical and get rid of this cabin fever !!!!!!

Oy.
I see where they get that saying, when it rains it pours. Apparently the prairies coined it. Every storm drain is plugged, every street is a lake, and many basements (yep, ours) have water yet again. And just to add to the bliss the temperatures are dropping like a rock tonight. It makes me angry. It makes me really, really angry. Like seven months of winter isn't enough of an insult. I feel like no matter how amazing of a summer is produced, it just will not be enough to make up for this stupidity. It simply can't. You could tell me starting tomorrow until Halloween there would be clear skies and 40 degree days and I'd say so freakin what. Doesn't make up for spring STARTING IN JUNE for gawds sake. There aren't even LEAVES ON THE TREES here people.
(*breathe*)
Ooookay. Got that out. So what's good right now... hmmm.
(*crickets*)
Wait! There's that.... nope, hang on.
Lemme think.
Oh! Oh! I know, it's the... there's was that one time when.. and then afterwards... shit.
I remember I had some Good before. Yno I swear it was just here. I wonder where I put it. My Goodness, where is it. I know what I need- Vitamin B. I knew I forgot something today =P ...Course I probly need it in bucket form...
Actually I do have some goods to list. Okay I have a lot of "goods"..
Two more workdays til vacation. Check.
Lost thirteen pounds. Check.
Two happy (one crazy, one sleepy) cats. Check.
Many happy relationships with friends and family. Check.
Understanding, cooperative and reliable tenants. Check.
Yup.
So....
Livin the dream, people, livin the dream.

Yep, disappointment. It's going around lately. Hopefully you didn't catch it; I have a serious case of it myself. Funny- I was just ranting to someone about it and then I read this post on a friend's blog. Oy. I just hate the feeling of things or people letting you down. On the Pollyanna flip side you should be glad to have discovered what is not working for you and be able to resolve it, or move in the direction that Life apparently wants you to go. Wudev, say what you will, it's a let down =P
I so need a vacation. Just four days to go...In my mind I'm going to get away. In reality I'm going to work on the yard, edge lawns, rip up weeds and plant new things in the border garden. One day I'll be able to go on a real trip, somewhere new, somewhere exciting, and see things you normally only see in National Geographic. One day. When is One Day anyways?!

I said I would post today and I will. I've been away for a while, just busy, not really in front of the computer long enough to do anything worthwhile. However, today - on this day especially- I just wanted to say thank you to someone who was very important to me for many years. For when things were good between us. For learning to speak TO people instead of walking away muttering like my dad does while you chase after him wondering what he's saying. For learning to become who I am, which you helped shape. For going through all the things we did, because I think we lived through more really tough times and hard experiences than most people do in a lifetime. For the great family you have.
Just for what was and what we had.
Thank you.

Black, Black, Black, Black, Number One....

Oops, I did it again. The box says DARK BROWN so I pour it on my head. Forty five minutes later I'm Goth Girl. Gah! Wudev, it isn't grey any more. If I hit a tanning booth I may not look quite so shocking =P

In other news things aren't quite so dark =) I should hear from the City this week about the status of our application for subdividing the duplex into two titles which opens a world of opportunity.

Starting off the week hopeful, so that's always good.

My horoscope for Monday:
"This is a really good time of the month to get noticed, so get out there and take charge. Things will generally get busier, reserve extra time on your schedule for unanticipated appointments or prolonged, profitable personal engagements. The spotlight turns up, and you're on stage -- perform! Family and home are focuses of change now, as old familiar patterns undergo an irrevocable transformation: time flows in one direction only. Real estate investments offer lucrative rewards at some risk. A change of residence is likely."

I've been trying to wander back over to that right brain side lately. It's been getting slightly easier in the past few days with the sunshine, the snow completely melting, the green grass of the front yard visible and just being surrounded by signs of Spring. If this hasn't been THE most depressingly LONG winter IN MY LIFE, argh...insert squinty DOH eyeballs here ><

Some other glimmers of light are that I found out my duplex here already HAS applications on file with the City to split it into 2 titles, which is FANTASTIC. I guess the previous owner was trying to do the same thing and already did the survey, the application and the whole process last year. That saves me MUCHO TIME and headache! When I purchased that was one of my diabolical plans for Year One here. Having 2 titles means (a) I can sell one half anytime I want should I want or need to and (b) it creates 2 mortgages - one for me (as a primary residence) and one for my tenant's side. The beauty of this is I can consolidate any of my own personal debt into my mortgage without compromising anything. Which bring me to the OTHER glimmer of light!

Yesterday I was talking to some people about mortgage rates, and if right after getting MY mortgage for the duplex the rates didn't drop again (*raspberry*). Apparently their open rates are hovering around the 2% mark. My two mortgages are at 3.5% open variable and the other at 4.3% closed/fixed. If I were to swap these over to 2% it literally saves me about 300 bucks a month and makes both properties income earners as opposed to just breaking even. Woo hoo!

The only hang up is I need to answer my questions about the duplex title split and complete that process before I go wandering off with the then TWO mortgages I will have for each title and each side of the duplex. But meanwhile I COULD theoretically wander around with my condo mortgage and shop for a better mtg rate for that any time I want.

Oh, I just love it when the right side wakes up and gets to think wild and crazy thoughts!!
=)

Happy Easter Everybody !

That's about all I have today.

Don't really feel like blogging lately...

I'll come back to life after Easter =)

Ha! Prophetic words from Abraham Hicks this morning in my inbox.

Make the best of it. When you make the best of whatever you're focused upon, your future will be better than your now. If each moment you're making the best of what-is, no matter what it is, you make the best of it; make the best of it; make the best of it—your future just gets better and better and better, and better.

I love it when pearls of wisdom are emailed randomly. It's so... it's so just my way of learning =P You know, randomly.

I had an incredibly weird dream last night as I always do. Something about owning a house with a fantastic ocean view on a rolling but snowy hillside. Suddenly the water was really high, just about level with one of the hillsides. I thought wow this property is precariously situated and prone to flooding. Then I noticed a weasel hole on the top of that hillside and I thought holy, that weasel will drown if that water pours into his hole! I poked him awake and he ran out of the hole, scampering across the hillside. He was thin and sickly and needed nourishment. (This is where it gets really weird) Uphill was a dog with her teeny newborn puppies; the weasel went to her to be fed. Weird eh?! Very weird. Like why am I saving weasels; the flooding or threat of flooding I get... and no, I did not have cheese before bed.

At any point in my life, this will ALWAYS be my favorite song and video. No hands down. Any time. Any reason. Just go ahead- dress like a girl. I'll dress like a boy.

Who will look "stupid"? And why? Interesting that this video was banned in many parts of the world. 8 years and it's still difficult to find.

Fascinating.

GREAT MORNING to ya! Mine started out with a Tim Horton's delivery in bed (O for twelve on winning something with those damn roll up the rim things). I flicked on the tv to see Dan Akroyd giving away free wine at the forks and watched Breakfast Television which hosted some great jazz. It's all comin' together! I briefly considered cleaning myself up and going down there for an autograph but meh, I just want to veg today and spend the day in jammies. Not that I won't be productive; oh yes, I have things to do. I just prefer to do them in my own time, in my own space, in my own non-daytime clothing =P

So yes, flood snow winter storm warnings in effect today. Snow is already coming down in Winterpeg and accidents are apparently everywhere. I guess a couple small towns outside the south perimeter are either being evacuated or are no alert to BE evacuated right now. I keep wondering if Car is okay or if she's sandbagging as we speak lol! Our basement's got very minor trauma; just a trickle from the wall straight to the drain. Luckily it's an unfinished bsmt so just painted concrete anyways. Wudev. Some people in other areas literally called 911 when they saw water pouring in their bsmt windows. Floods do suck; in Chilliwack I had to contend with flood waters as well (which just a month ago other Chilliwackers did also in that there link). Part of the gig living near rivers is hey- they swell during Spring thaw- waddyado. It's nature, baby... still scary, still a very real threat.

In the flood of 1997, the Red River breached its banks and spread out 2,000 square kilometres — an area equivalent to the size of Prince Edward Island. The rain forecast for North Dakota — a system that may deliver 20 to 60 millimetres of rain — has officials there ramping up emergency flooding efforts. In Manitoba provincial flood forecasters are predicting the second-highest water levels on record, equal to that of 1979. That flood is ranked second only to the flood of the century in 1997, which caused $4.4 billion in damage along the Red River valley between Winnipeg and Grand Forks, and forced about 80,000 people from their homes. Even with the floodway protection, Winnipeg city officials are preparing for the possibility that almost 300 homes will have to be sandbagged.Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz said the city has already contacted people in what he calls the flood "hot-spots." Discussions have been held with homeowners in St. Norbert and Scotia Street, areas that are vulnerable during times of high water.

Seriously.

You guys are scaring me...

Water in my basement...

Should I inflate my 2 man boat now, or in a few days?! In my place it's just a little stream. On the other side it's about a 6 foot diameter low lying pool of about an inch or two of water. We're removing the snow from the perimeter of the house tomorrow, and I guess I'll buy a wet vac? Otherwise I can't do any "preventative landscaping" for another month or longer. Oy vey... This is where I miss living on mountains...

Dude. I slept until 1030am, had a pile of coffee but I still couldn't get started until noon. Worked hard all afternoon to get ready for John's grandmother coming for dinner, which turned out to be a great evening despite my non Polish speaking abilities =) I actually met her when I first arrived here- must've been July 2007. Saw her once again a few months later at another relative's home; this was the first time we had her to OUR home for dinner. Very nice. Very very tired now though. Must sleep now. BURNT OUT...!!