Hey, Santa
Watched Miracle of 34th Street last night. The one with Richard Attenborough. I love that movie. I especially love that moment when the guy leans out the window of the courtroom and says "Santa Claus wins!"
I'm sure I already mentioned that it was my own mom who told me there was no Santa. But as I got older I kind of half believed there was, at least some sort of benevolent holiday spirit that made magic happen. I really want Christmas to be a magical time for Alex so he has those nice Christmas memories. The magic seems to be taking its time this year though.
I remembered when we were in Algeria. Many of the contractors had small kids and they got together and had a kids party. They asked my dad to be Santa, complete with a white beard and big belly (which he does not normally have) and the red suit. Some of the six year olds were just starting to doubt, I think. All the parents were good about not mentioning to their kids that there would be a special visitor at the party. All the kids were playing and suspecting nothing when there was a knock at the door. My dad strode in in full Santa garb. You should have seen the faces on the older kids. It was like "holy crap, he does exist!" I almost believed it myself for a minute.
This is what I wish you all this Christmas or Chanukkah or Kwanzaa or Saturnalia or whatever holiday you choose to celebrate - that priceless moment of realizing the magic is happening. May you all be well and have a table full of food and a heart full of joy.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Paying it Forward
This from the lovely Glacia, who in turn got it here. It's a crafty pay it forward scheme. You make three things for people not expecting anything in return and then those people have to do that for other three people. I am totally on board and may just do that off blog as well. But if anyone would like to be the recipient of my PIF crafts, let me know on or off blog. You in turn will take a part in the PIF movement for others. It's sort of like a chain letter... but good.
Oh, btw, I don't know when these PIF goodies will be available, but definitely in 2008! Promise!
This from the lovely Glacia, who in turn got it here. It's a crafty pay it forward scheme. You make three things for people not expecting anything in return and then those people have to do that for other three people. I am totally on board and may just do that off blog as well. But if anyone would like to be the recipient of my PIF crafts, let me know on or off blog. You in turn will take a part in the PIF movement for others. It's sort of like a chain letter... but good.
Oh, btw, I don't know when these PIF goodies will be available, but definitely in 2008! Promise!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Yas'm
Certain people at work have been getting up my nose. I have the un-fun task (actually, it's mind-numbingly dull and has very little to do with technical writing) of doing layout for a manual. This means no writing, but putting everything in Adobe FrameMaker and making sure things look OK. There is one Research person who sees herself as better than most, at least better than technical writers. She stopped me as I was going to my desk the other day (literally had not yet sat down, had on my outside shoes and handbag). This is the conversation that ensued.
Stuck-up R&D Person: Oh, good morning. We will need to talk about the tables you will put in my chapters sometime soon.
Pengirl: Oh, OK.
SRDP: I don't know what you can do. Can you make them look good?
Pengirl: Well, I guess so.
SRDP: (Reminiscing) I used to have this wonderful technical writer (read servant). I just used to give her things and she made them look good without asking. She just did it! It was Sarah, have you ever met her?
Pengirl: I think I met her once (remembering someone extremely full of herself and rude).
SRDP: Well, I guess I'll come over and explain later what I'd like you to do with the tables.
Pengirl: (sorely tempted to say: tables, I thought those were them things you rich folk eat on) OK, bring some examples though.
(walks away stomping)
Let me explain. Technical communicators write procedural information. In fact, I wrote a chapter for the same manual. We are not in charge of making things look pretty. Graphic designers do that. Unfortunately, at this company, technical writers also do layout. R&D people often think that is the only thing we do. Well, certain R&D people. There is one lady who is great and totally respects the work we do. I suppose I should not be so hard on SRDP. She has a freaky looking daughter, so I suppose her life is not easy. No, really this kid has the face of a 30-year-old on a baby's body. I try not to stare at her picture every time I pass by SRDP's desk.
Certain people at work have been getting up my nose. I have the un-fun task (actually, it's mind-numbingly dull and has very little to do with technical writing) of doing layout for a manual. This means no writing, but putting everything in Adobe FrameMaker and making sure things look OK. There is one Research person who sees herself as better than most, at least better than technical writers. She stopped me as I was going to my desk the other day (literally had not yet sat down, had on my outside shoes and handbag). This is the conversation that ensued.
Stuck-up R&D Person: Oh, good morning. We will need to talk about the tables you will put in my chapters sometime soon.
Pengirl: Oh, OK.
SRDP: I don't know what you can do. Can you make them look good?
Pengirl: Well, I guess so.
SRDP: (Reminiscing) I used to have this wonderful technical writer (read servant). I just used to give her things and she made them look good without asking. She just did it! It was Sarah, have you ever met her?
Pengirl: I think I met her once (remembering someone extremely full of herself and rude).
SRDP: Well, I guess I'll come over and explain later what I'd like you to do with the tables.
Pengirl: (sorely tempted to say: tables, I thought those were them things you rich folk eat on) OK, bring some examples though.
(walks away stomping)
Let me explain. Technical communicators write procedural information. In fact, I wrote a chapter for the same manual. We are not in charge of making things look pretty. Graphic designers do that. Unfortunately, at this company, technical writers also do layout. R&D people often think that is the only thing we do. Well, certain R&D people. There is one lady who is great and totally respects the work we do. I suppose I should not be so hard on SRDP. She has a freaky looking daughter, so I suppose her life is not easy. No, really this kid has the face of a 30-year-old on a baby's body. I try not to stare at her picture every time I pass by SRDP's desk.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
It's December!
And that means Christmas is near, pilgrims! This year I'm hoping little hands will help decorate the tree and will not make it fall over too many times.
I'm teaching him about Santa. Basically, telling him "Santa will be here soon and bring you many presents, etc." He looks at me with a very philosophical expression on his little face. I fear we will need to take him to a mall to show him "the real thing."
Got my Finnfeelings bling today. 'Tis gorgeous. Mind, I also asked my hubby for some bling for under the tree. I am all about the bling.
So love working at home. Can get bling by mail... enjoy some afternoon delights with my sweet honey... hold my munchkin on my knee as I type. Love it.
And that means Christmas is near, pilgrims! This year I'm hoping little hands will help decorate the tree and will not make it fall over too many times.
I'm teaching him about Santa. Basically, telling him "Santa will be here soon and bring you many presents, etc." He looks at me with a very philosophical expression on his little face. I fear we will need to take him to a mall to show him "the real thing."
Got my Finnfeelings bling today. 'Tis gorgeous. Mind, I also asked my hubby for some bling for under the tree. I am all about the bling.
So love working at home. Can get bling by mail... enjoy some afternoon delights with my sweet honey... hold my munchkin on my knee as I type. Love it.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Oh, dear...
Not marble, nor the gilded Maggie
Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme.
Which work of Shakespeare was the original quote from?
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Winter
Just looked out the window and it was total whiteness outside. Crazy. There are work crews working on our street and I was just thinking that I would not want to have any of their jobs. Mind, their progress seems to be confined to making larger and larger piles of gravel on one side of the road. I worry that I will not be able to get in or out of the driveway one of these days. Out will not be that bad, but in would be worse because the designated parking areas already have people parking on them even when there is no work being done. So, one day, pengirl will just be trapped at home and will be forced to play with her husband and baby all day instead of going in to work. Ah, dear.
Lots of knitting going on. Char's daughter's scarf is progressing. Almost done, in fact. I bought her a pair of earrings that I thought would be totally perfect only to find out she does not have pierced ears. I thought I was safe in assuming she did as she has pierced everything else. Tempted to keep them for self as they are funkeh!
Caved and got winter boots. Well, it was a given that this was going to happen because I threw away my old pairs (two of them) on account of them killing my feet. And what happened on the first snowy day in Toronto? No boots. So I went to Payless and bought mommy boots. Oh, you know the kind I mean, the kind that go with that padded, long Michelin man coat. I am happy to say that I still have not reached the Michelin man coat stage, but now certainly I have the boots for it.
Sooo proud of myself as I went to the mechanic across the street from work by myself and got the oil changed and the wiper blades replaced. Feel so grown up now. Of course, the mr. rolled his eyes at what they charged me (OK, I rolled my eyes a little bit too), but I feel you can't put a price on confidence! He did say that they charged surprisingly little for labour. I know it's not possible, but it feels like the car runs better now.
Just looked out the window and it was total whiteness outside. Crazy. There are work crews working on our street and I was just thinking that I would not want to have any of their jobs. Mind, their progress seems to be confined to making larger and larger piles of gravel on one side of the road. I worry that I will not be able to get in or out of the driveway one of these days. Out will not be that bad, but in would be worse because the designated parking areas already have people parking on them even when there is no work being done. So, one day, pengirl will just be trapped at home and will be forced to play with her husband and baby all day instead of going in to work. Ah, dear.
Lots of knitting going on. Char's daughter's scarf is progressing. Almost done, in fact. I bought her a pair of earrings that I thought would be totally perfect only to find out she does not have pierced ears. I thought I was safe in assuming she did as she has pierced everything else. Tempted to keep them for self as they are funkeh!
Caved and got winter boots. Well, it was a given that this was going to happen because I threw away my old pairs (two of them) on account of them killing my feet. And what happened on the first snowy day in Toronto? No boots. So I went to Payless and bought mommy boots. Oh, you know the kind I mean, the kind that go with that padded, long Michelin man coat. I am happy to say that I still have not reached the Michelin man coat stage, but now certainly I have the boots for it.
Sooo proud of myself as I went to the mechanic across the street from work by myself and got the oil changed and the wiper blades replaced. Feel so grown up now. Of course, the mr. rolled his eyes at what they charged me (OK, I rolled my eyes a little bit too), but I feel you can't put a price on confidence! He did say that they charged surprisingly little for labour. I know it's not possible, but it feels like the car runs better now.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Brrr!
I know I'm a big woos and that's just because I drive now. It's only about -7 outside and I am freezing! Last year I would have been enjoying the brisk weather.
moar funny pictures
Yesterday I took the TTC and it took forever to get to work. I mean, in a land where forever takes two hours. It would probably have been the same had I driven though, but I got to read, so it was good.
Knitting News
Lots of news on the knitting front. I put a scarf in the United Way auction at work and a girl who wanted it a lot bought it, so that was good. I also offered my knitting services and a guy bought those. I am now making matching hats for him and his daughter who is one. I love small projects.
Also, I have finally gotten to the neck of the front of Arthur's sweater. I so want to finish before Christmas so he can wear it soon, but I'm afraid it won't happen. However, the plan is to finish the sweater before the boy turns four. I started this project before he was born!
Also making a scarf out of cute yarn called Pooch for Charlotte's daughter who likes things black and goth-like. The yarn is black and pouffy, so it should go over well. I also got her a pair of dragon earrings.
Christmas Shopping
... is half done. Haaa haaahhh! Still need to get everything for my dad and something for my mom and for my little Stitch lover too. Oh, and for Simon, Emma's son... OK, am getting depressed now. Sigh. But December will soon be upon us and I can start decorating and stuff. Wooohhhoo hoooo woooohoooo hoooo woohoooo all the way!!!!
I know I'm a big woos and that's just because I drive now. It's only about -7 outside and I am freezing! Last year I would have been enjoying the brisk weather.
moar funny pictures
Yesterday I took the TTC and it took forever to get to work. I mean, in a land where forever takes two hours. It would probably have been the same had I driven though, but I got to read, so it was good.
Knitting News
Lots of news on the knitting front. I put a scarf in the United Way auction at work and a girl who wanted it a lot bought it, so that was good. I also offered my knitting services and a guy bought those. I am now making matching hats for him and his daughter who is one. I love small projects.
Also, I have finally gotten to the neck of the front of Arthur's sweater. I so want to finish before Christmas so he can wear it soon, but I'm afraid it won't happen. However, the plan is to finish the sweater before the boy turns four. I started this project before he was born!
Also making a scarf out of cute yarn called Pooch for Charlotte's daughter who likes things black and goth-like. The yarn is black and pouffy, so it should go over well. I also got her a pair of dragon earrings.
Christmas Shopping
... is half done. Haaa haaahhh! Still need to get everything for my dad and something for my mom and for my little Stitch lover too. Oh, and for Simon, Emma's son... OK, am getting depressed now. Sigh. But December will soon be upon us and I can start decorating and stuff. Wooohhhoo hoooo woooohoooo hoooo woohoooo all the way!!!!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
In the land of the sick
Still sick and now the munchkin is sick too. We took him to Just for Kids to see a doc because this morning he woke up coughing and crying after every cough. He pointed to his throat. Poor baby, on his birthday too! Yes, pilgrims, three years ago today pengirl was in labour. Well, actually, by this time (2:00 p.m.) I was already on the maternity ward. Alex was down in the NICU because his blood sugar level was too low. So I went down two floors to hold him and feed him, while gingerly holding on to my c-section scar. Yes, a fun time was had by all. I gave the nurses the slip one time (unintentionally) and they were phoning all over the hospital looking for me. I was with my baby, of course. They brought him back to me the next day.
Well, we got drugs for the boy and instructions to not administer them unless he getse worse. Now he's napping, drugged up on Tylenol because he's beginning to get a fever after all this. When he gets up, I'm sure we'll be watching Lilo and Stitch again, while eating birthday cookies. I have to confess that even though I have now seen Lilo and Stitch about a hundred times, sitting with Alex, snuggling him on the couch, I could watch it a hundred times more.
"This is my family. I found it all on my own."
Still sick and now the munchkin is sick too. We took him to Just for Kids to see a doc because this morning he woke up coughing and crying after every cough. He pointed to his throat. Poor baby, on his birthday too! Yes, pilgrims, three years ago today pengirl was in labour. Well, actually, by this time (2:00 p.m.) I was already on the maternity ward. Alex was down in the NICU because his blood sugar level was too low. So I went down two floors to hold him and feed him, while gingerly holding on to my c-section scar. Yes, a fun time was had by all. I gave the nurses the slip one time (unintentionally) and they were phoning all over the hospital looking for me. I was with my baby, of course. They brought him back to me the next day.
Well, we got drugs for the boy and instructions to not administer them unless he getse worse. Now he's napping, drugged up on Tylenol because he's beginning to get a fever after all this. When he gets up, I'm sure we'll be watching Lilo and Stitch again, while eating birthday cookies. I have to confess that even though I have now seen Lilo and Stitch about a hundred times, sitting with Alex, snuggling him on the couch, I could watch it a hundred times more.
"This is my family. I found it all on my own."
Monday, November 12, 2007
The plague!
Soo sick! I hate being sick! I'm sure it's the flu, but it feels like the plague. My little guy is sick too and seems to find comfort in watching Lilo and Stich all day. Yesterday we saw it four times.
I think I have most of the dialogue memorized now. I let him watch because it is the only time he will sit still. If only he'd stay in bed, he'd get better much quicker, but he's still at an age where bed is not somewhere you want to be. Ah, if only someone wanted me to stay in bed all day! Such luxury and decandence!
Mind you, my parents brought over a chocolate cake on Sunday to celebrate the little birthday and I've been snacking on it ever since, so the situation is not that bad. Of course, Alex won't touch the cake, but does want chocolate cookies and Rockets candy (that's Smarties to all you American folk).
Gee, staying at home makes me want to shop online, which is very dangerous as my credit card balances creep steadily up. I love Christmas, but hate paying for it. Ah, well, am almost half done with my shopping and December is not even here yet. Hah!
Next pay day I am treating myself to a big jar of Nivea cream, which is my absolute fave. It's 15 bucks for the biggest jar in a neighbourhood pharmacy and it's the German made kind, which has a nicer smell than local one. Can't wait.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
It's time for the Pumpkin Patch!
Hallowe'en, that is. This year at work we're dressing up at characters from Clue. This is fitting because I have no 'clue' who they are. Well, I kind of do, but it sounded better that way. I am Mrs. White, played by Madeline Kahn in the movie, who was one of my fave actresses. My only exposure to Clue is the movie, actually and I don't remember it very well. I just remember that it wasn't too good.
Pictures may follow. My dress makes me look like a 300 pound elephant, so I may shy away from the camera.
I've been reading the best book: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt. It's not new or anything, but it is to me! I got it at our work book sale for 50 cents and am just loving it. My fave character is Joe Odom, who basically squats in other people's houses, plays piano and hosts an unknown number of guests there. Added to that, he writes bad cheques and is overall totally unreliable and absolutely lovable. I highly recommend.
In other news you basically don't want to know what's been going on in my circle. I feel like I'm in the eye of the storm sometimes.
Oooh, pic of baby blankie at long last!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
A whole lotta nothin'
...is what's been going on. Aside from that, I'm sick. Have a nasty cold. Took some Benylin last night hoping it would knock me out. No such luck. Their nighttime formula seems to have something that is a stimulant for me. Spent the whole night between sleep and waking, not fully in either. Got up even more tired than I went down. Bleah. Do not take Benylin. Is Evil.
Waiting for Charlotte to come back from Italy and tell me all tales of trip so I can live vicariously.
In happy news, the baby blankie turned out fab. Will include pic someday, promise. Have started a throw for us in lovely shades of blue and brown. Yes, yes, working on Arthur's sweater too after his many not-so-subtle hints.
Oh, and my shows are starting up again - House tonight, Grey's and CSI on Thursday. Thank God! The summer land of reruns is no more!
...is what's been going on. Aside from that, I'm sick. Have a nasty cold. Took some Benylin last night hoping it would knock me out. No such luck. Their nighttime formula seems to have something that is a stimulant for me. Spent the whole night between sleep and waking, not fully in either. Got up even more tired than I went down. Bleah. Do not take Benylin. Is Evil.
Waiting for Charlotte to come back from Italy and tell me all tales of trip so I can live vicariously.
In happy news, the baby blankie turned out fab. Will include pic someday, promise. Have started a throw for us in lovely shades of blue and brown. Yes, yes, working on Arthur's sweater too after his many not-so-subtle hints.
Oh, and my shows are starting up again - House tonight, Grey's and CSI on Thursday. Thank God! The summer land of reruns is no more!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Reise Fiber
This means the anxiety of travel, meaning the little shivers you feel before a trip. As I am not about to travel, I don't have reise fiber per se, but I always thought it should mean the anxiety to travel. This I have in abundance, mostly precipitated by the fact that Char is off to Italy. Ahh, la bella Italia! My mom is off to Poland soon. Ahh, la bella... well, you know. Not that Toronto is not nice, it is and now in the fall, all the trees will soon look golden and red and the sky is so blue... just like on the Cote d'Azur. Sigh.
In other news, the Mr. is going under the knife soon, or should I say under the drill. He's having nose surgery to correct a structure there which is not formed correctly and is causing pain, infections and all kinds of unpleasant things like that. Oh, yes, snoring too. Unpleasant for me. He's quite excited that he'll be able to breathe better. I have to take a week off to take care of the munchkin while he recouperates.
In knitting news... I am actually crocheting right now. Making a baby blankie for Heidi, niece in law, who is pregnant and due in February. Will post pic when it is finished - probably tonight. Woohooo. I love making baby things, they are small and easy to finish.
This means the anxiety of travel, meaning the little shivers you feel before a trip. As I am not about to travel, I don't have reise fiber per se, but I always thought it should mean the anxiety to travel. This I have in abundance, mostly precipitated by the fact that Char is off to Italy. Ahh, la bella Italia! My mom is off to Poland soon. Ahh, la bella... well, you know. Not that Toronto is not nice, it is and now in the fall, all the trees will soon look golden and red and the sky is so blue... just like on the Cote d'Azur. Sigh.
In other news, the Mr. is going under the knife soon, or should I say under the drill. He's having nose surgery to correct a structure there which is not formed correctly and is causing pain, infections and all kinds of unpleasant things like that. Oh, yes, snoring too. Unpleasant for me. He's quite excited that he'll be able to breathe better. I have to take a week off to take care of the munchkin while he recouperates.
In knitting news... I am actually crocheting right now. Making a baby blankie for Heidi, niece in law, who is pregnant and due in February. Will post pic when it is finished - probably tonight. Woohooo. I love making baby things, they are small and easy to finish.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Travels
A couple of weeks ago, my friend Char and I went to Port Perry for a little trip. What a cute little town! It's totally girly though, so all of you of the male persuasion, I suggest letting your womenfolk go with their friends, sisters, second cousins, you get the idea.
This place abounds in cute little shops mixed with really expensive art galleries. We had lunch at a tea-room sort of place. It was small, quaint. I had pierogi. The waitress came back to make sure I liked them after I had expressed scepticism at how good they could possibly be. "I am Polish, you know," I said. She swore people came from far and wide to have these pierogi, maybe not from Poland itself, but that could be attributed to the fact that Port Perry is not as widely known in Poland as it should be. Anyway, the pierogi were OK. The raspberry chocolate tart we had for dessert was divine.
We went down to the water and there was a plane that had just landed. It was idyllic.
On the way back we stopped at the Ocala winery. Bought some nice wine. These people won the silver medal for fruit wines in all of Canada. Rightly so, the ice apple wine was yummy, albeit a little too sweet for me.
Last week on Friday we had our summer outing from work. My manager likes to do one in the winter and one in the summer. We went to Unionville. We had a looooong lunch. As a matter of fact, the restaurant closed while we were there, this is how long this lunch was. Then walked around the little shops a bit, but not too long because I did not want to get stuck in traffic. This is another cute little town (on the way to Port Perry, btw) and has an abundance of crafty/artsy stuff. I realize that I need to go back to both these places.
Ahhh, love day trips!
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Issues, people, issues!
It hasn't actually been said right out that we are not to blog at work, but I think it is generally accepted that we probably should not. I am blatantly breaking the unspoken rule. Why, you ask? My nose is out of joint yet again. This time it's a work trip where I was hoping to bring mister. It's New Orlean's for Pete's sake (sorry, Pete, don't know why people keep calling on you)! I mean, if it was Dead Man's Ass, Arizona, I would not want to take him and would have been happy to share a room with Vanessa. Not that I have any problems sharing with V., I just think her and Gus, her other half, and mister and myself all in one room is getting a little too chummy. And he so wants to go too. It's not that it's forbidden, it's that I will now have to pay for half a room, which works out to 100 bucks a night, that is on top of his airfare (700 bucks) and food for us both.
How perfectly typical and a replay of the picnic. So am a little miffed. For 1000 bucks we can go for a week to Mexico! All inclusive! Sigh and sigh again.
Mind, this may not even be an issue as who knows if I end up going in the first place. That would be ironic.
On the plus side, I saw a bunny outside of work this morning, so the world can't be all bad. And am heading to Port Perry with Charlotte tomorrow. Yes!
It hasn't actually been said right out that we are not to blog at work, but I think it is generally accepted that we probably should not. I am blatantly breaking the unspoken rule. Why, you ask? My nose is out of joint yet again. This time it's a work trip where I was hoping to bring mister. It's New Orlean's for Pete's sake (sorry, Pete, don't know why people keep calling on you)! I mean, if it was Dead Man's Ass, Arizona, I would not want to take him and would have been happy to share a room with Vanessa. Not that I have any problems sharing with V., I just think her and Gus, her other half, and mister and myself all in one room is getting a little too chummy. And he so wants to go too. It's not that it's forbidden, it's that I will now have to pay for half a room, which works out to 100 bucks a night, that is on top of his airfare (700 bucks) and food for us both.
How perfectly typical and a replay of the picnic. So am a little miffed. For 1000 bucks we can go for a week to Mexico! All inclusive! Sigh and sigh again.
Mind, this may not even be an issue as who knows if I end up going in the first place. That would be ironic.
On the plus side, I saw a bunny outside of work this morning, so the world can't be all bad. And am heading to Port Perry with Charlotte tomorrow. Yes!
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Ghastly BBQ
We had our annual work barbecue. Now, pretty much everything was done wrong for this. There was a flurry of miscommunication at first - spouses or no, sports or relay games or team building activities. What will the kids do? It was decided that there would be no spouses invited, just kids. Hm. That precluded Alex from coming.
On the day in question it rained. Kids of various ages milled around the office crying, calling to each other, running, trying to fall into the fountain and being, well, kids. My brain stopped working after about an hour of this.
We were supposed to play soccer. It was mandatory. Or was it? Half the office stayed at the office. The other half ran around a soccer field, having a pretty good time, I think. I sat on the sidelines freezing. Had to pull poor Vanessa off the field after 45 minutes because I was her ride and I just had to get in to a dry place. There was water and cold pop for the players. Hot chocolate would have been good.
At least it's over for one more year and that's a good thing.
We had our annual work barbecue. Now, pretty much everything was done wrong for this. There was a flurry of miscommunication at first - spouses or no, sports or relay games or team building activities. What will the kids do? It was decided that there would be no spouses invited, just kids. Hm. That precluded Alex from coming.
On the day in question it rained. Kids of various ages milled around the office crying, calling to each other, running, trying to fall into the fountain and being, well, kids. My brain stopped working after about an hour of this.
We were supposed to play soccer. It was mandatory. Or was it? Half the office stayed at the office. The other half ran around a soccer field, having a pretty good time, I think. I sat on the sidelines freezing. Had to pull poor Vanessa off the field after 45 minutes because I was her ride and I just had to get in to a dry place. There was water and cold pop for the players. Hot chocolate would have been good.
At least it's over for one more year and that's a good thing.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Bad, bad blogger!
Yes, I know. When I was a teenager, I wrote a diary which mainly consisted of my sighs toward a guy I thought I loved. Once I got over the guy, my diary entries were usually "Have not written in a while. Not much has happened."
Not quite true now. A little has happened. I drove into a fence at the Tim Horton's parking lot. I hit the gas instead of the brake. Luckily the car is OK, a little scratch on the bumper and my license plate has waves in it now. The air bag did not deploy, which my husband says, means that I was going less than 15 mph. "You walked into the fence," he says, "you did not DRIVE into the fence." OK, whatever, the main thing is the car is functioning.
Then Alex's stroller fell apart. The wheel broke off and there was no putting it on again. Great. We have another stroller, but it's a three wheeler that likes to tip over. Arthur put his talents to it and added two more little wheels in front and now it doesn't. Thank God he knows what to do.
And now I have the plague. I don't know what the heck has got me, but my sinuses, ears and now lungs seem infected and full of crap.
On the plus side, my lovely husband gave me a troll bracelet for our anniversary- I love! I gave him an mp3 player, which he loves. No celebratory sex ensued as I am sick. Grrrr!
Yes, I know. When I was a teenager, I wrote a diary which mainly consisted of my sighs toward a guy I thought I loved. Once I got over the guy, my diary entries were usually "Have not written in a while. Not much has happened."
Not quite true now. A little has happened. I drove into a fence at the Tim Horton's parking lot. I hit the gas instead of the brake. Luckily the car is OK, a little scratch on the bumper and my license plate has waves in it now. The air bag did not deploy, which my husband says, means that I was going less than 15 mph. "You walked into the fence," he says, "you did not DRIVE into the fence." OK, whatever, the main thing is the car is functioning.
Then Alex's stroller fell apart. The wheel broke off and there was no putting it on again. Great. We have another stroller, but it's a three wheeler that likes to tip over. Arthur put his talents to it and added two more little wheels in front and now it doesn't. Thank God he knows what to do.
And now I have the plague. I don't know what the heck has got me, but my sinuses, ears and now lungs seem infected and full of crap.
On the plus side, my lovely husband gave me a troll bracelet for our anniversary- I love! I gave him an mp3 player, which he loves. No celebratory sex ensued as I am sick. Grrrr!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
On the road again...
Yes, possums, we have a car! Happy dance, happy dance. OK, it was easier than I thought. Mind you, we're now 10K in debt, but oh, it's so good to just get in and drive! I get to drive to work and it only takes me 45 minutes as opposed to an hour and a half on public transit. Yes, I know all about saving energy and being green and all, but I get to spend an extra hour with my baby every day! If Al Gore has a problem with that, he can come talk to me.
In other news... Alex had another ear infection. We had to take him to emerg last weekend (in the car). Picture this - the weather was perfect, 25 degrees, sunny. Everyone was out by the lake. We were sitting in emergency. We got banana flavoured Amoxi and off we went. He's feeling better now, but I worry that he'll be more prone to these now. Of course, everyone is offering me sure ways of beating ear infections with no drugs. That would actually work if we knew he had an ear infection in the first place. He was just very feverish and dopey and I worried it was his lungs.
Birthday is coming up. Won't tell you what number, but I will tell you it's not 25. However, feeling pretty good about myself as cute neighbour chatted me up on the stairs. Alex and I were doing his 'rounds' (this is where he has to go up and down the stairs and visit every floor) and we were going up the stairs very slowly. Neighbour was going up too. I made room for him, but he chose to stay behind and said flirty things as we went up. Ha. Still got it.
Yes, possums, we have a car! Happy dance, happy dance. OK, it was easier than I thought. Mind you, we're now 10K in debt, but oh, it's so good to just get in and drive! I get to drive to work and it only takes me 45 minutes as opposed to an hour and a half on public transit. Yes, I know all about saving energy and being green and all, but I get to spend an extra hour with my baby every day! If Al Gore has a problem with that, he can come talk to me.
In other news... Alex had another ear infection. We had to take him to emerg last weekend (in the car). Picture this - the weather was perfect, 25 degrees, sunny. Everyone was out by the lake. We were sitting in emergency. We got banana flavoured Amoxi and off we went. He's feeling better now, but I worry that he'll be more prone to these now. Of course, everyone is offering me sure ways of beating ear infections with no drugs. That would actually work if we knew he had an ear infection in the first place. He was just very feverish and dopey and I worried it was his lungs.
Birthday is coming up. Won't tell you what number, but I will tell you it's not 25. However, feeling pretty good about myself as cute neighbour chatted me up on the stairs. Alex and I were doing his 'rounds' (this is where he has to go up and down the stairs and visit every floor) and we were going up the stairs very slowly. Neighbour was going up too. I made room for him, but he chose to stay behind and said flirty things as we went up. Ha. Still got it.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
I've become my mother
So, it's official. How do I know, you ask. Because today I went to the hairdresser and found getting my hair washed totally annoying. This used to be such a treat for me! I loved the head and neck massage and getting my hair fussed over. Now, it's all about time. Sitting, having my hair washed for ten minutes made me want to throw things. Come ON, I thought, why is this taking so long? A sad state of affairs. I shudder to think what would happen if I went for a massage.
In other news, I went to see Charlotte in Newmarket and we went to the barn to see her horses. Let me preface this section by mentioning that I'm a total city girl. It was stinky to say the least. The horses were lovely, but they were big. Oh, boy were they big! And I'm not a small woman, mind. I was made to... I mean, I got to touch a couple of them. There were also very cute donkeys, which I petted with pleasure. One looked kind of like a walking chair. Overall had a great time though and it was nice to see Charlotte happy and in her element. Here's a pic of one of the horses.
So, it's official. How do I know, you ask. Because today I went to the hairdresser and found getting my hair washed totally annoying. This used to be such a treat for me! I loved the head and neck massage and getting my hair fussed over. Now, it's all about time. Sitting, having my hair washed for ten minutes made me want to throw things. Come ON, I thought, why is this taking so long? A sad state of affairs. I shudder to think what would happen if I went for a massage.
In other news, I went to see Charlotte in Newmarket and we went to the barn to see her horses. Let me preface this section by mentioning that I'm a total city girl. It was stinky to say the least. The horses were lovely, but they were big. Oh, boy were they big! And I'm not a small woman, mind. I was made to... I mean, I got to touch a couple of them. There were also very cute donkeys, which I petted with pleasure. One looked kind of like a walking chair. Overall had a great time though and it was nice to see Charlotte happy and in her element. Here's a pic of one of the horses.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Down memory lane
Done been tagged by glacia.
10 years ago: I was still finishing my masters degree in Hispanic Languages. That's a glorified way of saying Linguistics in Spanish. I must have been running around like mad, trying to get all my final papers in (they were due in May) and teaching my classes (TA's for 1st year Spanish) and still attending as many parties as possible.
5 years ago: Working at a software company. It was my first gig as a tech writer. I loved it. Unfortunately, the place went belly up and I ended up losing 4K in wages they never paid me. But, this was also around the time Arthur and I got engaged!!! I actually got my ring in May, but we had started to talk about getting married earlier. So, I would have been quite on a high from that.
1 year ago: About the same as now. Working on editing a huge book with a rather annoying author. Alex was very close to walking on his own. He actually started on Easter weekend last year.
Yesterday: went to a seminar about InDesign, a software we use at work. Got bored stiff after about four hours. Went shopping for a new book (The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier) and some cider for the baked salmon I was preparing for today's St. Paddy's pot luck lunch.
Today: Brekkie at work (a usual Friday occurance) and St. Paddy's pot luck lunch at noonish!!!
Tomorrow: Sleep in in the morning. Yessss! Might take Alex somewhere in the afternoon if it's not too cold.
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Luck of the Irish to you all!
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Freezing!
C'est un froid syberique! Or something like that. It's bloody cold out there again, pilgrims. Thank God for working at home.
The little munchkin has new rain boots (two pairs of them) and forces us to walk around the halls and up and down the stairs with him in our building. He exhausts himself. He exhausts us. He won't stop. OK, I know it's good exercise and all to go up four flights of stairs a few times in a row, but it's bloody boring.
Been watching the BBC version DVD of Pride and Prejudice. Love it! My friend Charlotte lent it to me and I'm watching it for the second time already. When I first saw it on TV, I liked it a lot less than the 1980 version with Daniel Rintoul and Elizabeth McGarvie, but now I think I like Colin Firth best. Ah, those were the days when one could run around the countryside in a bonnet and empire waist dress. There are just not enough balls to attend these days. As lady Catherine de Burgh said, it is all very vexing. I am quite put out.
C'est un froid syberique! Or something like that. It's bloody cold out there again, pilgrims. Thank God for working at home.
The little munchkin has new rain boots (two pairs of them) and forces us to walk around the halls and up and down the stairs with him in our building. He exhausts himself. He exhausts us. He won't stop. OK, I know it's good exercise and all to go up four flights of stairs a few times in a row, but it's bloody boring.
Been watching the BBC version DVD of Pride and Prejudice. Love it! My friend Charlotte lent it to me and I'm watching it for the second time already. When I first saw it on TV, I liked it a lot less than the 1980 version with Daniel Rintoul and Elizabeth McGarvie, but now I think I like Colin Firth best. Ah, those were the days when one could run around the countryside in a bonnet and empire waist dress. There are just not enough balls to attend these days. As lady Catherine de Burgh said, it is all very vexing. I am quite put out.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Kiddie Land
So, the little one is a fiend when it comes to throwing stuff. He's very accurate with the ball and unfortunately carries that over to throwing other things. He hit another kid with a book at the drop-in center today. Hello time-outs. I was hoping to not have to introduce him to those until later.
In other news, my friend Charlotte is already feeling the effects of her chemo. She's starting to lose her hair and feels weak and nauseated. She has sores in her mouth. Boy, this chemo is nasty stuff. I hope it really helps her to fight her cancer. She also says that she's gaining weight, which makes her feel depressed as well. What a stupid disease cancer is and boy I wish we had better treatments, ones that would actually make the patient feel better, not horrible.
It all makes me kinda blue.
So, the little one is a fiend when it comes to throwing stuff. He's very accurate with the ball and unfortunately carries that over to throwing other things. He hit another kid with a book at the drop-in center today. Hello time-outs. I was hoping to not have to introduce him to those until later.
In other news, my friend Charlotte is already feeling the effects of her chemo. She's starting to lose her hair and feels weak and nauseated. She has sores in her mouth. Boy, this chemo is nasty stuff. I hope it really helps her to fight her cancer. She also says that she's gaining weight, which makes her feel depressed as well. What a stupid disease cancer is and boy I wish we had better treatments, ones that would actually make the patient feel better, not horrible.
It all makes me kinda blue.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
This that and the other
Most of all, it's cold! Real January weather is upon us. This morning, with the windchill it was -21 C. Brrr! Time to take out winter boots and such. I know, I know the weather has been extremely warm up to now and it has lulled me into a false sense of security.
Must say that I am totally addicted to CSI Miami. Now, I know that Horatio Caine has the most cliche lines, but it's just the way David Caruso says them. He is so full of gravitas. I see he does not speak like that in real life. The blue eyes and red hair don't hurt either.
Also, there is something about all the gorgeous people on beaches and whatnot and Emily Procter, whipping her hair around all over every crime scene. And the cleavage and heels that must be oh, so practical in every murder investigation. Me likey.
Most of all, it's cold! Real January weather is upon us. This morning, with the windchill it was -21 C. Brrr! Time to take out winter boots and such. I know, I know the weather has been extremely warm up to now and it has lulled me into a false sense of security.
Must say that I am totally addicted to CSI Miami. Now, I know that Horatio Caine has the most cliche lines, but it's just the way David Caruso says them. He is so full of gravitas. I see he does not speak like that in real life. The blue eyes and red hair don't hurt either.
Also, there is something about all the gorgeous people on beaches and whatnot and Emily Procter, whipping her hair around all over every crime scene. And the cleavage and heels that must be oh, so practical in every murder investigation. Me likey.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Ghetto Princess
I am sooo enjoying getting songs onto my mp3 player. I love it. Also it turns out I really like Fergie, Missy Elliott and Mary J. Blige. I've been dubbed a ghetto princess at work. They just make me wanna dance honey, honey, dance, dance!
My new LL Bean jacket came today. Love it. It's light blue and has a shawl collar.
I also got a new jacket for Mr. He really wanted a jean jacket with lamb fleece lining. Well, I got him one, with sherpa fleece (not the real animal kind) and he was over the moon. He immediately put it on and vowed not to take it off for the rest of the day, but was luckily persuaded to take it off long enough to eat our tuna and sundried tomato sandwiches for lunch. The jacket is a light beige colour and red stains would show.
I am sooo enjoying getting songs onto my mp3 player. I love it. Also it turns out I really like Fergie, Missy Elliott and Mary J. Blige. I've been dubbed a ghetto princess at work. They just make me wanna dance honey, honey, dance, dance!
My new LL Bean jacket came today. Love it. It's light blue and has a shawl collar.
I also got a new jacket for Mr. He really wanted a jean jacket with lamb fleece lining. Well, I got him one, with sherpa fleece (not the real animal kind) and he was over the moon. He immediately put it on and vowed not to take it off for the rest of the day, but was luckily persuaded to take it off long enough to eat our tuna and sundried tomato sandwiches for lunch. The jacket is a light beige colour and red stains would show.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Happy 2007!
We did not stay up until midnight. I was fine with it, unlike other years. We are all tired enough as it is.
New year's resolution? To eat healthier snacks. I am not attempting to diet because that is doomed from the start. Really, I could maybe keep that up for a week. I will try to exercise more, but that is not a resolution, that is what I want to do all the time. Mind you, I bought new pants on Saturday and they are a size smaller (and are loose in the waist). Ha!
It was quite an ending to 2006 - James Brown passed away and Saddam Hussein was executed. There are some figures that you just do not imagine ever leaving this world. I suppose it will be Castro and Bin Laden next. Pretty soon the US will run out of despots to overthrow or terrorists to hunt. The sad thing is that new ones will emerge. I wish all this could be making the world safer. I expect some day Alex will study all this in history class and will ask me what it was like when... When telephones were rotary and people used typewriters and lp records or even CDs for that matter. I bet when he's a teen everything will be digital. When I was a kid we had a black and white TV set. And two channels. We did not have a telephone at home. Now I have a phone in my purse. And an mp3 player! Aha, aha!
We did not stay up until midnight. I was fine with it, unlike other years. We are all tired enough as it is.
New year's resolution? To eat healthier snacks. I am not attempting to diet because that is doomed from the start. Really, I could maybe keep that up for a week. I will try to exercise more, but that is not a resolution, that is what I want to do all the time. Mind you, I bought new pants on Saturday and they are a size smaller (and are loose in the waist). Ha!
It was quite an ending to 2006 - James Brown passed away and Saddam Hussein was executed. There are some figures that you just do not imagine ever leaving this world. I suppose it will be Castro and Bin Laden next. Pretty soon the US will run out of despots to overthrow or terrorists to hunt. The sad thing is that new ones will emerge. I wish all this could be making the world safer. I expect some day Alex will study all this in history class and will ask me what it was like when... When telephones were rotary and people used typewriters and lp records or even CDs for that matter. I bet when he's a teen everything will be digital. When I was a kid we had a black and white TV set. And two channels. We did not have a telephone at home. Now I have a phone in my purse. And an mp3 player! Aha, aha!
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