My task for today is: Don't watch TV - all day!
Talked about it with hubby last night, that I was starting this, this morning. It would be easier if he'd do it also. We do watch a lot of tv, but it will be less now because all the good shows have had their season's finale or even worst their series' finale (like for "Will & Grace", "Charmed", "Alias"). Last night I didn't think it would be hard, come on, not watch tv for a day? Easy!
I came down to the kitchen and while I was preparing food my first instinct was to turn on the tv - not today! It's strange but I realised that I did that even without thinking about it. Hummm, habit... interesting. So I put in my lastest Pink CD and carried on... Let's see how the day goes.
It is now 11:10pm and I haven't watch tv all day! At times I felt like something was missing, but it wasn't as bas or as easy I thought it would be... The worst moment was after dinner when a friend left, and hubby started to do the dishes, I "normally" crash infront of the tv, but not tonight... I came to the office and read some blogs and did some work... felt a little lost but I managed.
Interesting first day.
"There is great need for a sarcasm font."
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Let's try this
When I first started blogging I came across this blog from a girl in the UK who was starting a blog as well and a diet of some sort.... I read her blog entries regularly and her diet thing was interesting as well. So I looked into it and ordered the book (actually I coudn't find it so hubby did and ordered it for me!): "The No Diet Diet - Do Something Different".
I've been reading it and basically what the professors are saying that we are creatures of habits and our weight is directly links to our habits, not just what we eat. The theory is interesting and makes sense to me. The program is split in 5 parts. The firts 4 are to break the habits (the how we do things, how we behave and the way we think). The last part embeds habits-breaking into our daily life. All this without focusing on food.
I totally think that we are set in our habits, we build them over the years are some are harder to break than others. We have what they call "habitweb", so if we change our habitweb and break old habits we will feel better and lose weight in the process.
What do I have to lose, besides a few pounds?! I'll use my blog to keep track of my tasks (because we have daily tasks, simple things). And let's see what happens!
I've been reading it and basically what the professors are saying that we are creatures of habits and our weight is directly links to our habits, not just what we eat. The theory is interesting and makes sense to me. The program is split in 5 parts. The firts 4 are to break the habits (the how we do things, how we behave and the way we think). The last part embeds habits-breaking into our daily life. All this without focusing on food.
I totally think that we are set in our habits, we build them over the years are some are harder to break than others. We have what they call "habitweb", so if we change our habitweb and break old habits we will feel better and lose weight in the process.
What do I have to lose, besides a few pounds?! I'll use my blog to keep track of my tasks (because we have daily tasks, simple things). And let's see what happens!
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Why can't we just say that!?
Why is it that in today's world we CAN NOT say what we mean? Why is it, that we feel this need to play "protector" of everybody? Nobody is honest anymore. Nobody keeps their word. Noboby tells the truth. Why?
Like I did write in my profile, at times I am too honest. I call it like I see it. Yes I know, there are some things you shouldn't say, but honestly I don't get that. If you want my opinion, and ask for it, be prepared to get an answer. It will most likely not be what you wanted to hear, but it will be honest. People who have been "exposed" to me, know better than to ask me for an opinion. And I'll be the first to admit that at times, I'll give it without being asked. ...my bad!
My mother was the first person truly exposed to my brutal honesty. How many times did she buy a new piece of clothes and would ask if I liked it. And then she would get upset because I didn't share her taste. I told her many times, not to ask. I would vary my answer, to "spare" her feelings, but even then she knew that it wasn't "my taste" and that I "really" didn't like it.
Why is it cute and charming in a kid to speak the truth and it's perceived as being spiteful in an adult? Because the kid doesn't know better? Better than what, to lie not to "upset" the other?
As an adult we should do our best not to lie, but we lost that along the way... It's in a ditch somewhere with respect, dignity, pride, common sense, etc. But instead of not trying to lie, we cultivate this need to "protect" other people's feeling, not to hurt anybody, to be "politically-correct" all the time. It's ridiculous!
I hate it when I say something and someone tells me: "But really you didn't say that?" Yes I did!
For example: The other day I needed technical support for a software we use, so I called their support dept. The communication was really bad, poor quality headset or I don't know, AND the man who answered had this really, really thick accent.
So I first told him that the quality of the communication wasn't that good. Then he started asking me questions. I couldn't make out half of what he was saying (and I've been exposed to quite an array of accents in the past), so I would asked him to repeat. Even then it wasn't much better. At one point I lost it (already have a VERY short fuse, I was frustrated with the bug in their software, the line was bad and now I culdn't make out what the hell he was saying), to which he said "Ma'am no need to be so..." "So, what?" I asked. He didn't answer and before he even tried I told him: "Listen I'm sorry if I'm abrupt, but if I'm calling you should know that the chances are that I'm frustrated because something isn't working right. Plus, I told you that the communication is really bad and to top it off you have this really thick accent that I can't understand, so sorry if I'm soooo...." He didn't say anything after that. Put me on hold, when he came back the line sounded better (clearer) and he tried to help me figure my problem out (something along the way worked), so I thanked him and hung up.
When I was telling a friend about this call, she was all surprised that I actually told the "poor man" that he had a thick accent! But he did!!! I have one when I speak English, and I don't get bend out of shape about it, I'm French-Canadian, it's only normal that I should have an accent! I don't get upset when someone (like hubby often does) corrects me. I know that there are words that I have a hard time pronouncing... that's ok. (Anyway, that's part of my "charms"!)
We have become such hypocrite, it's unreal. Just yesterday while IM with a friend in Zurich who read this post (about MIL) he was wondering if I should have said what I've said. Why? I didn't lie. And that's how I felt at the time. Try to amend things? Let's get real here, if after 13 years it hasn't been ok it won't be anytime soon. Plus she doesn't have the internet and even if she did, I was honest so I have NOTHING to hide ot to feel bad about. And why should I pretend that everything is rosy when in fact it isn't? I don't care much for apparences...
People are responsible of how they feel. I hate it when I hear people say: "So and so makes me feel so ..." YOU feel that way, he can not make you feel anything unless you choose to. Unless the other person has the intent to hurt you (verbally or otherwise) than YOU chose to feel that way. It took me a while to realise that one, abd to comprehend it as well... Does that mean that I might have to be responsible??? No? It can't be? Not the R word?! Responsible for what I do, say, think, now that's a scary thought isn't it?
Like I did write in my profile, at times I am too honest. I call it like I see it. Yes I know, there are some things you shouldn't say, but honestly I don't get that. If you want my opinion, and ask for it, be prepared to get an answer. It will most likely not be what you wanted to hear, but it will be honest. People who have been "exposed" to me, know better than to ask me for an opinion. And I'll be the first to admit that at times, I'll give it without being asked. ...my bad!
My mother was the first person truly exposed to my brutal honesty. How many times did she buy a new piece of clothes and would ask if I liked it. And then she would get upset because I didn't share her taste. I told her many times, not to ask. I would vary my answer, to "spare" her feelings, but even then she knew that it wasn't "my taste" and that I "really" didn't like it.
Why is it cute and charming in a kid to speak the truth and it's perceived as being spiteful in an adult? Because the kid doesn't know better? Better than what, to lie not to "upset" the other?
As an adult we should do our best not to lie, but we lost that along the way... It's in a ditch somewhere with respect, dignity, pride, common sense, etc. But instead of not trying to lie, we cultivate this need to "protect" other people's feeling, not to hurt anybody, to be "politically-correct" all the time. It's ridiculous!
I hate it when I say something and someone tells me: "But really you didn't say that?" Yes I did!
For example: The other day I needed technical support for a software we use, so I called their support dept. The communication was really bad, poor quality headset or I don't know, AND the man who answered had this really, really thick accent.
So I first told him that the quality of the communication wasn't that good. Then he started asking me questions. I couldn't make out half of what he was saying (and I've been exposed to quite an array of accents in the past), so I would asked him to repeat. Even then it wasn't much better. At one point I lost it (already have a VERY short fuse, I was frustrated with the bug in their software, the line was bad and now I culdn't make out what the hell he was saying), to which he said "Ma'am no need to be so..." "So, what?" I asked. He didn't answer and before he even tried I told him: "Listen I'm sorry if I'm abrupt, but if I'm calling you should know that the chances are that I'm frustrated because something isn't working right. Plus, I told you that the communication is really bad and to top it off you have this really thick accent that I can't understand, so sorry if I'm soooo...." He didn't say anything after that. Put me on hold, when he came back the line sounded better (clearer) and he tried to help me figure my problem out (something along the way worked), so I thanked him and hung up.
When I was telling a friend about this call, she was all surprised that I actually told the "poor man" that he had a thick accent! But he did!!! I have one when I speak English, and I don't get bend out of shape about it, I'm French-Canadian, it's only normal that I should have an accent! I don't get upset when someone (like hubby often does) corrects me. I know that there are words that I have a hard time pronouncing... that's ok. (Anyway, that's part of my "charms"!)
We have become such hypocrite, it's unreal. Just yesterday while IM with a friend in Zurich who read this post (about MIL) he was wondering if I should have said what I've said. Why? I didn't lie. And that's how I felt at the time. Try to amend things? Let's get real here, if after 13 years it hasn't been ok it won't be anytime soon. Plus she doesn't have the internet and even if she did, I was honest so I have NOTHING to hide ot to feel bad about. And why should I pretend that everything is rosy when in fact it isn't? I don't care much for apparences...
People are responsible of how they feel. I hate it when I hear people say: "So and so makes me feel so ..." YOU feel that way, he can not make you feel anything unless you choose to. Unless the other person has the intent to hurt you (verbally or otherwise) than YOU chose to feel that way. It took me a while to realise that one, abd to comprehend it as well... Does that mean that I might have to be responsible??? No? It can't be? Not the R word?! Responsible for what I do, say, think, now that's a scary thought isn't it?
Monday, May 29, 2006
Today's Brainwork
Lately I've been debating a lot, about different things, in my head... ok so it's not really a debate, since I'm alone in there (or at least I think so!), so I've been pondering... 
About what you may ask, on this fine day?
Why do I have so many guests? I guess that through the years we've accumulated them by doing different sports. In doing martial arts for over 20 years, I got to meet A LOT of people from different places (one of the things I enjoyed most about karate!)... and I'm quite loyal (must have been a dog in a previous life, 'cause my nose is extra sharp and I'm faithful like a dog) I DO make the effort to keep in touch, with people I care for (of course!). Hubby also is the type whose had buddies for a long while. Of course our lives have changed, most of our friends have kids now, so that does change the visit frequences, not many "spur of the moment" thing, they need fair notice... thus the 6 months "reserve a date" e-mail - that should give everyone enough time to find a sitter and to plan a trip to Montreal.
I'm hoping that some "far away" friends will come... that would make my 40th even more special.
The main reason why I wanted a party was because:
When I think of how my parents lived their lives, working 7 days/week, 12 hours+/day, for what? Were they happier in the end? They were debt free, yes. They had no mortgage, yes. They were out of the "rat race" (like hubby keeps saying), yes. All that didn't keep my dad to end his life. We have no kids, nor are we planning any, so in a way, who cares if when we die we have debts... Less for the surviving spouse? Ah, it's ok, I wouldn't want him to spend it all with a new woman! In the meantime we will have enjoyed life, and taken advantage of what it has to offer. That is worth living for!
I hate "should have's" (or in French "J'aurais donc du"), if you want to do something, do it! Don't wait until it's too late and then say, I should have done this when... I will only turn 40 once, and who knows how old I'll get, so let's do this and let's party like it's 1999... ooops! Meant 2006!
About what you may ask, on this fine day?
- A few minutes ago it was about going inside or staying on our deck. Got to love the wireless connection and the lovely weather, but the sun was affecting the visibility of my screen. Decided to stay out for now.
- Earlier, about who to invite to my birthday party... It's weird how I don't debate about friends, but when it comes to family I do. I have a very BIG family (on my father's side): 65 first cousins! I know them all, but don't see them all that often. We (both hubby and I) wanted a BIG party for my 40th, but this is getting ridiculous. If I invite this cousin, then I should invite his brother... but they are like 12 (without spouses) in that family alone, and I don't "socialise" with all... what to do?
- There's another group of 12 that I'm really not sure of! And whenever I ask hubby, he has no opinion!!!
- What can I do to elongate my patience/fuse? It's ridiculously short these days!
- About the party again, should we serve food (meal) or snacks only? We want to dance, thus the party. This is starting to feel like a freakin' wedding reception! NOT the goal!
- Should I really take in my mom's pooch? She's really not doing well these days, must be feeling the move or something. In doing so will I be messing up my cat's peaceful living?
- What to have for dinner? That one comes back almost daily! Arg!!!
Why do I have so many guests? I guess that through the years we've accumulated them by doing different sports. In doing martial arts for over 20 years, I got to meet A LOT of people from different places (one of the things I enjoyed most about karate!)... and I'm quite loyal (must have been a dog in a previous life, 'cause my nose is extra sharp and I'm faithful like a dog) I DO make the effort to keep in touch, with people I care for (of course!). Hubby also is the type whose had buddies for a long while. Of course our lives have changed, most of our friends have kids now, so that does change the visit frequences, not many "spur of the moment" thing, they need fair notice... thus the 6 months "reserve a date" e-mail - that should give everyone enough time to find a sitter and to plan a trip to Montreal.
I'm hoping that some "far away" friends will come... that would make my 40th even more special.
The main reason why I wanted a party was because:
- we both wanted to dance and it's been a long time since we've been to a really good party
- didn't want to wait until a funeral or a wedding to see relatives and friends
- wanted to do this while we can (physically and monetary)
When I think of how my parents lived their lives, working 7 days/week, 12 hours+/day, for what? Were they happier in the end? They were debt free, yes. They had no mortgage, yes. They were out of the "rat race" (like hubby keeps saying), yes. All that didn't keep my dad to end his life. We have no kids, nor are we planning any, so in a way, who cares if when we die we have debts... Less for the surviving spouse? Ah, it's ok, I wouldn't want him to spend it all with a new woman! In the meantime we will have enjoyed life, and taken advantage of what it has to offer. That is worth living for!
I hate "should have's" (or in French "J'aurais donc du"), if you want to do something, do it! Don't wait until it's too late and then say, I should have done this when... I will only turn 40 once, and who knows how old I'll get, so let's do this and let's party like it's 1999... ooops! Meant 2006!
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Interesting poem
Following this post about my mother in law, I received this interesting poem from a friend:
Original Sin
by Robinson Jeffers
The man-brained and man-handed ground-ape, physically
The most repulsive of all hot-blooded animals
Up to that time of the world: they had dug a pitfall
And caught a mammoth, but how could their sticks
and stones
Reach the life in that hide? They danced around the pit,
shrieking
With ape excitement, flinging sharp flints in vain, and the
stench of their bodies
Stained the white air of dawn; but presently one of them
Remembered the yellow dancer, wood-eating fire
That guards the cave-mouth: he ran and fetched him,
and others
Gathered sticks at the wood’s edge: they made a blaze
And pushed it into the pit, and they fed it high, around
the mired sides
Of their huge prey. They watched the long hairy trunk
Waver over the stifle-trumpeting pain,
And they were happy.
Meanwhile, the intense color and nobility
of sunrise,
Rose and gold and amber, flowed up the sky. Wet rocks
were shining, a little wind
Stirred the leaves of the forest and the march flag-flowers;
the soft valley between the low hills
Became as beautiful as the sky; while in its midst, hour after
hour, the happy hunters
Roasted their living meat slowly to death.
These are the people.
This is the human dawn. As for me, I would rather
Be a worm in a wild apple than a son of man.
But we are what we are, and we might remember
Not to hate any person, for all are vicious;
And not be astonished at any evil, all are deserved;
And not fear death; it is the only way to be cleansed.
Original Sin
by Robinson Jeffers
The man-brained and man-handed ground-ape, physically
The most repulsive of all hot-blooded animals
Up to that time of the world: they had dug a pitfall
And caught a mammoth, but how could their sticks
and stones
Reach the life in that hide? They danced around the pit,
shrieking
With ape excitement, flinging sharp flints in vain, and the
stench of their bodies
Stained the white air of dawn; but presently one of them
Remembered the yellow dancer, wood-eating fire
That guards the cave-mouth: he ran and fetched him,
and others
Gathered sticks at the wood’s edge: they made a blaze
And pushed it into the pit, and they fed it high, around
the mired sides
Of their huge prey. They watched the long hairy trunk
Waver over the stifle-trumpeting pain,
And they were happy.
Meanwhile, the intense color and nobility
of sunrise,
Rose and gold and amber, flowed up the sky. Wet rocks
were shining, a little wind
Stirred the leaves of the forest and the march flag-flowers;
the soft valley between the low hills
Became as beautiful as the sky; while in its midst, hour after
hour, the happy hunters
Roasted their living meat slowly to death.
These are the people.
This is the human dawn. As for me, I would rather
Be a worm in a wild apple than a son of man.
But we are what we are, and we might remember
Not to hate any person, for all are vicious;
And not be astonished at any evil, all are deserved;
And not fear death; it is the only way to be cleansed.
Hummm.... Thanks Mike!
Friday, May 26, 2006
Votre Friday Smile!
Un petit garçon de 5 ans et sa mère sont au McDonald.
Le petit garçon regarde la caissière et dit : "Suce ma quequette, ma grosse ostie".
La caissière embarrassée regarde la mère du petit garçon.
Le petit garçon recommence : "Suce ma quequette, ma grosse ostie".
Cette fois la mère du petit garçon intervient : "Enlève ton bonbon de ta bouche quand tu parles."
Le petit garçon répète : "Six MacCroquettes, un gros Pepsi"
***************
Just imagine sitting in traffic on your way to work and hearing this.
Many Chicago folks DID hear this on the WBAM FM morning show in Chicago.
The DJs play a game where they award winners great prizes. The game is called "Mate Match".
The DJs call someone at work and ask if they are married or seriously involved with someone. If the contestant answers "yes", he or she is then asked 3 random yet
highly personal questions. The person is also asked to divulge the name of their partner (with phone number) for verification. If their partner answers those same three questions correctly, they both win the prize.
One particular game, however, several months ago made the Windy City drop to its knees with laughter and is possibly the funniest thing I've heard yet. Anyway, here's how it all went down:
DJ: Hey! This is Edgar on WBAM. Have you ever heard of Mate Match?
Contestant: (laughing) Yes, I have.
DJ: Great! Then you know we're giving away a trip to Orlando, Florida if you win. What is your name? First only please.
Contestant: Brian.
DJ: Brian, are you married or what?
Brian: Yes.
DJ: Yes? Does that mean you're married or you're what?
Brian: (laughing nervously) Yes, I am married.
DJ: Thank you. Now, what is your wife's name? First only please.
Brian: Sarah.
DJ: Is Sarah at work, Brian?
Brian: She is gonna kill me.
DJ: Stay with me here, Brian! Is she at work?
Brian: (laughing) Yes, she's at work.
DJ: Okay, first question - when was the last time you had sex?
Brian: She is gonna kill me.
DJ: Brian! Stay with me here!
Brian: About 8 o'clock this morning.
DJ: Atta boy, Brian.
Brian: (laughing sheepishly) Well...
DJ: Question #2 - How long did it last?
Brian: About 10 minutes.
DJ: Wow! You really want that trip, huh? No one would ever have said that if a trip wasn't at stake.
Brian: Yeah, that trip sure would be nice.
DJ: Okay. Final question. Where did you have sex at 8 o'clock this morning?
Brian: (laughing hard) I, ummm, I, well...
DJ: This sounds good, Brian. Where was it at?
Brian: Not that it was all that great, but her mom is staying with us for a couple of weeks...
DJ: Uh huh...
Brian: ...and the Mother-In-Law was in the shower at the time.
DJ: Atta boy, Brian.
Brian: On the kitchen table.
DJ: Not that great?? That is more adventure than the previous hundred times I've done it. Okay folks, I will put Brian on hold, get this wife's work number and call her up. You listen to this.
(3 minutes of commercials follow)
DJ: Okay audience, let's call Sarah, shall we? (touch tones... ringing...)
Clerk: Kinkos.
DJ: Hey, is Sarah around there somewhere?
Clerk: This is she.
DJ: Sarah, this is Edgar with WBAM. We are live on the air right now and I've been talking with Brian for a couple of hours now.
Sarah: (laughing) A couple of hours?
DJ: Well, a while now. He is on the line with us. Brian knows not to give any answers away or you'll lose. Sooooooo... do you know the rules of MateMatch?
Sarah: No.
DJ: Good!
Brian: (laughing)
Sarah: (laughing) Brian, what the hell are you up to?
Brian: (laughing) Just answer his questions honestly, okay? Be completely honest.
DJ: Yeah yeah yeah. Sure.. Now, I will ask you 3 questions, Sarah. If your answers match Brian's answers, then the both of you will be off to Orlando, Florida for 5 days on us. Disney World. Sea World. Tickets to the Magic's game. The whole deal. Get it Sarah?
Sarah: (laughing) Yes.
DJ: Alright. When did you last have sex, Sarah?
Sarah: Oh God, Brian....uh, this morning before Brian went to work.
DJ: What time?
Sarah: Around 8 this morning.
DJ: Very good. Next question. How long did it last?
Sarah: 12, 15 minutes maybe.
DJ: Hmmmm. That's close enough. I am sure she is trying to protect his manhood. We've got one last question, Sarah. You are one question away from a trip to Florida. Are you ready?
Sarah: (laughing) Yes.
DJ: Where did you have it?
Sarah: OH MY GOD, BRIAN!! You didn't tell them that, did you?
Brian: Just tell him, honey.
DJ: What is bothering you so much, Sarah?
Sarah: Well, it's just that my mom is vacationing with us and...
DJ: Come on Sarah... where did you have it?
Sarah: In the ass... (long pause)
DJ: Folks, we need to take a station break.
Have a great weekend and to my American friends, a long one!
Le petit garçon regarde la caissière et dit : "Suce ma quequette, ma grosse ostie".
La caissière embarrassée regarde la mère du petit garçon.
Le petit garçon recommence : "Suce ma quequette, ma grosse ostie".
Cette fois la mère du petit garçon intervient : "Enlève ton bonbon de ta bouche quand tu parles."
Le petit garçon répète : "Six MacCroquettes, un gros Pepsi"
***************
Just imagine sitting in traffic on your way to work and hearing this.
Many Chicago folks DID hear this on the WBAM FM morning show in Chicago.
The DJs play a game where they award winners great prizes. The game is called "Mate Match".
The DJs call someone at work and ask if they are married or seriously involved with someone. If the contestant answers "yes", he or she is then asked 3 random yet
highly personal questions. The person is also asked to divulge the name of their partner (with phone number) for verification. If their partner answers those same three questions correctly, they both win the prize.
One particular game, however, several months ago made the Windy City drop to its knees with laughter and is possibly the funniest thing I've heard yet. Anyway, here's how it all went down:
DJ: Hey! This is Edgar on WBAM. Have you ever heard of Mate Match?
Contestant: (laughing) Yes, I have.
DJ: Great! Then you know we're giving away a trip to Orlando, Florida if you win. What is your name? First only please.
Contestant: Brian.
DJ: Brian, are you married or what?
Brian: Yes.
DJ: Yes? Does that mean you're married or you're what?
Brian: (laughing nervously) Yes, I am married.
DJ: Thank you. Now, what is your wife's name? First only please.
Brian: Sarah.
DJ: Is Sarah at work, Brian?
Brian: She is gonna kill me.
DJ: Stay with me here, Brian! Is she at work?
Brian: (laughing) Yes, she's at work.
DJ: Okay, first question - when was the last time you had sex?
Brian: She is gonna kill me.
DJ: Brian! Stay with me here!
Brian: About 8 o'clock this morning.
DJ: Atta boy, Brian.
Brian: (laughing sheepishly) Well...
DJ: Question #2 - How long did it last?
Brian: About 10 minutes.
DJ: Wow! You really want that trip, huh? No one would ever have said that if a trip wasn't at stake.
Brian: Yeah, that trip sure would be nice.
DJ: Okay. Final question. Where did you have sex at 8 o'clock this morning?
Brian: (laughing hard) I, ummm, I, well...
DJ: This sounds good, Brian. Where was it at?
Brian: Not that it was all that great, but her mom is staying with us for a couple of weeks...
DJ: Uh huh...
Brian: ...and the Mother-In-Law was in the shower at the time.
DJ: Atta boy, Brian.
Brian: On the kitchen table.
DJ: Not that great?? That is more adventure than the previous hundred times I've done it. Okay folks, I will put Brian on hold, get this wife's work number and call her up. You listen to this.
(3 minutes of commercials follow)
DJ: Okay audience, let's call Sarah, shall we? (touch tones... ringing...)
Clerk: Kinkos.
DJ: Hey, is Sarah around there somewhere?
Clerk: This is she.
DJ: Sarah, this is Edgar with WBAM. We are live on the air right now and I've been talking with Brian for a couple of hours now.
Sarah: (laughing) A couple of hours?
DJ: Well, a while now. He is on the line with us. Brian knows not to give any answers away or you'll lose. Sooooooo... do you know the rules of MateMatch?
Sarah: No.
DJ: Good!
Brian: (laughing)
Sarah: (laughing) Brian, what the hell are you up to?
Brian: (laughing) Just answer his questions honestly, okay? Be completely honest.
DJ: Yeah yeah yeah. Sure.. Now, I will ask you 3 questions, Sarah. If your answers match Brian's answers, then the both of you will be off to Orlando, Florida for 5 days on us. Disney World. Sea World. Tickets to the Magic's game. The whole deal. Get it Sarah?
Sarah: (laughing) Yes.
DJ: Alright. When did you last have sex, Sarah?
Sarah: Oh God, Brian....uh, this morning before Brian went to work.
DJ: What time?
Sarah: Around 8 this morning.
DJ: Very good. Next question. How long did it last?
Sarah: 12, 15 minutes maybe.
DJ: Hmmmm. That's close enough. I am sure she is trying to protect his manhood. We've got one last question, Sarah. You are one question away from a trip to Florida. Are you ready?
Sarah: (laughing) Yes.
DJ: Where did you have it?
Sarah: OH MY GOD, BRIAN!! You didn't tell them that, did you?
Brian: Just tell him, honey.
DJ: What is bothering you so much, Sarah?
Sarah: Well, it's just that my mom is vacationing with us and...
DJ: Come on Sarah... where did you have it?
Sarah: In the ass... (long pause)
DJ: Folks, we need to take a station break.
Have a great weekend and to my American friends, a long one!
Thursday, May 25, 2006
"Over The Hedge"
What a day! 
Got up early (unusual!), had strange men in and out of the house all morning. When they left, there was a little bit if dust, so hubby (who took part of the day off to be here during the installation of the unit) took out the vacuum and vacuumed everything, even in the basement! Since the "vacuum serpent" (what our cat thinks it is!) was out, might as well do the cat's area (litter bits), and then the stairs carpet leading to the basement.
Then we replaced everything (that had been moved for the a/c installation) and purged some in the process. Decided to make our way to Reno (week day, mid afternoon = no crowd = happy hubby!) to get a piece of metal to which my spice rack would stick (magnetized) and some other thing to hold the ironing board and iron. Within 15 min. we had both things and on our way.
Decided, since it was a nice day, to go for an afternoon drink on a terrasse on the lake shore. Had a bite to eat, a few beers and took the long way home. On our way we stopped at the water place to get refills.
Got home, folded laundry (that had been hanged outside to dry this morning), put up the spice rack and the ironing rack then decided to see what was playing at the movies.
We barely made it for the 6:55 showing of "Over The Hedge" - we both wanted to see it, and it was well worth it! It was really funny. Hubby giggled and laughed the whole time. Hammy (the squirel) is hilarious! With or without kids (like us!) go see it, it's worth the price! On our way out, hubby said he'd like to have it on DVD...
Oh yeah, in November there's "Happy Feet" coming out and I really want to see that one! Look at the trailers, you'll see!
After the movie went to Bureau en Gros to get some cardboards for the garage sale, some stamps and a new track ball for hubby, and $100. later headed home.
What a day! Efficient, productive and relaxing - what more can I ask for!?
Got up early (unusual!), had strange men in and out of the house all morning. When they left, there was a little bit if dust, so hubby (who took part of the day off to be here during the installation of the unit) took out the vacuum and vacuumed everything, even in the basement! Since the "vacuum serpent" (what our cat thinks it is!) was out, might as well do the cat's area (litter bits), and then the stairs carpet leading to the basement.
Then we replaced everything (that had been moved for the a/c installation) and purged some in the process. Decided to make our way to Reno (week day, mid afternoon = no crowd = happy hubby!) to get a piece of metal to which my spice rack would stick (magnetized) and some other thing to hold the ironing board and iron. Within 15 min. we had both things and on our way.
Decided, since it was a nice day, to go for an afternoon drink on a terrasse on the lake shore. Had a bite to eat, a few beers and took the long way home. On our way we stopped at the water place to get refills.
Got home, folded laundry (that had been hanged outside to dry this morning), put up the spice rack and the ironing rack then decided to see what was playing at the movies.
We barely made it for the 6:55 showing of "Over The Hedge" - we both wanted to see it, and it was well worth it! It was really funny. Hubby giggled and laughed the whole time. Hammy (the squirel) is hilarious! With or without kids (like us!) go see it, it's worth the price! On our way out, hubby said he'd like to have it on DVD...
Oh yeah, in November there's "Happy Feet" coming out and I really want to see that one! Look at the trailers, you'll see!
After the movie went to Bureau en Gros to get some cardboards for the garage sale, some stamps and a new track ball for hubby, and $100. later headed home.
What a day! Efficient, productive and relaxing - what more can I ask for!?
What is going on (question & explanations)
It's 10:30 and none of my "regular blogs" have posted anything... what's going on? Is work getting in the way of your bloging? People need to get their priorities straighten up! Yes! I'm talking about you!
This morning we (I) had to get up early (for us! anything before 9am is f^%#ing early! Don't have kids = can sleep in! PLUS we trained our cat and he doesn't bother us until one of us is actually "out" of bed, and not just up for a pee!) because we're having an air conditionner installed (central kind). The boys were supposed to be here for 8 something they showed up at 9! There's a big hole in our wall right now... Our timing for this seems to be good since they're (the waether people, as if they really know what they're talking about!) announcing really warm temperature for next week, like in the 30s (celsius - or 86 F) so it will be good to have it running. Hubby didn't want a window unit any longer, since last year it dripped rust like water, pretty nasty and really hard to clean off the siding, so we had some quote and decided to bite the bullet! Let's hope it does what it's supposed to and that we don't have any problems with the City. We live on a corner lot and have no fence and in the City By-Laws it's written that no units should be visible from the street. "Technically" it won't be visible from our street address, at worst I'll plant some shrubbery in fromt of it!!!
On another note, and please, pretty please don't hate me for this, but in seven months it will be Christmas!!! I love Christmas time! Not for the family thing, but because I love to see everything decorated and lively - it's gorgeous! Especially with snow! Just love it!
I know, I know, we haven't had summer yet, but still! Just had to share!
Oh! Almost forgot! This morning I've booked a room for my birthday party!
Last night hubby and I went to visit 3 places in the area, and this morning I called to book one of them! The plan is taking form!!! Hubby wants a "BIG Fuckin' Party"! (like he says). The man loves to dance and with his new hip, being pain free, he's looking for occasions to move his nice butt! ...and I must say we do throw good parties!
I've been thinking about my invitations, already have some decorations (much more to get still) and started a draft list of guests... That's the hard part I find: who to invite? and this time I think I'd like to serve food (like a buffet), unlike my 30th where we only had snacks like chips and a pop-corn machine and birthday cake of course! and Jello shooters! People really enjoy those little "treats", and they make you "happy" too if you have a few.
Being the geek that he is, hubby has been talking about doing a multi-media thing with pictures of me through the ages... I think I'd like that... The weird thing about organising your own party is you don't get surprises as such, and that's something that I would love.
I love to write a text about the "celebrated" person or even a speach at weddings. We did that once for a wedding and the couple loved it. Did it at a friend's 40th and it really touched him, for a girlfriend last year who turned 55, and also for my mom's 60th, and she still talks about it (over 4 years ago!)... I love the "roast" things - like Dean Martin used to do on his show! Love that! The thing is, I can not do this without crying! I always get emotional!
We haven't had a really good party in quite some time. House parties are not as fun, people don't dance in houses (I guess we're no longer teens who could dance anywhere!), and in a house everybody ends up in the kitchen and talk. I want dancing, dancing until my feet hurt, with good music from the '70s, the '80s and some recent stuff as well... So much to do! and that's one month before Christmas!!!
Before that I have a garage sale to organise! And that's in about 3 weeks! Yikes! Started accumulating the stuff in our basement, real mess down there, especially that we had to make room for the guys today to access the electric pannel... After they are done then it's cleaning time and replace everything... Fun, fun, fun!
Man! those A/C guys are noisy! and now they're drilling our foundation, the noise!!! Feel like doing like the cat and hide under the bed! Man!
This morning we (I) had to get up early (for us! anything before 9am is f^%#ing early! Don't have kids = can sleep in! PLUS we trained our cat and he doesn't bother us until one of us is actually "out" of bed, and not just up for a pee!) because we're having an air conditionner installed (central kind). The boys were supposed to be here for 8 something they showed up at 9! There's a big hole in our wall right now... Our timing for this seems to be good since they're (the waether people, as if they really know what they're talking about!) announcing really warm temperature for next week, like in the 30s (celsius - or 86 F) so it will be good to have it running. Hubby didn't want a window unit any longer, since last year it dripped rust like water, pretty nasty and really hard to clean off the siding, so we had some quote and decided to bite the bullet! Let's hope it does what it's supposed to and that we don't have any problems with the City. We live on a corner lot and have no fence and in the City By-Laws it's written that no units should be visible from the street. "Technically" it won't be visible from our street address, at worst I'll plant some shrubbery in fromt of it!!!
On another note, and please, pretty please don't hate me for this, but in seven months it will be Christmas!!! I love Christmas time! Not for the family thing, but because I love to see everything decorated and lively - it's gorgeous! Especially with snow! Just love it!
I know, I know, we haven't had summer yet, but still! Just had to share!
Oh! Almost forgot! This morning I've booked a room for my birthday party!
Last night hubby and I went to visit 3 places in the area, and this morning I called to book one of them! The plan is taking form!!! Hubby wants a "BIG Fuckin' Party"! (like he says). The man loves to dance and with his new hip, being pain free, he's looking for occasions to move his nice butt! ...and I must say we do throw good parties!
I've been thinking about my invitations, already have some decorations (much more to get still) and started a draft list of guests... That's the hard part I find: who to invite? and this time I think I'd like to serve food (like a buffet), unlike my 30th where we only had snacks like chips and a pop-corn machine and birthday cake of course! and Jello shooters! People really enjoy those little "treats", and they make you "happy" too if you have a few.
Being the geek that he is, hubby has been talking about doing a multi-media thing with pictures of me through the ages... I think I'd like that... The weird thing about organising your own party is you don't get surprises as such, and that's something that I would love.
I love to write a text about the "celebrated" person or even a speach at weddings. We did that once for a wedding and the couple loved it. Did it at a friend's 40th and it really touched him, for a girlfriend last year who turned 55, and also for my mom's 60th, and she still talks about it (over 4 years ago!)... I love the "roast" things - like Dean Martin used to do on his show! Love that! The thing is, I can not do this without crying! I always get emotional!
We haven't had a really good party in quite some time. House parties are not as fun, people don't dance in houses (I guess we're no longer teens who could dance anywhere!), and in a house everybody ends up in the kitchen and talk. I want dancing, dancing until my feet hurt, with good music from the '70s, the '80s and some recent stuff as well... So much to do! and that's one month before Christmas!!!
Before that I have a garage sale to organise! And that's in about 3 weeks! Yikes! Started accumulating the stuff in our basement, real mess down there, especially that we had to make room for the guys today to access the electric pannel... After they are done then it's cleaning time and replace everything... Fun, fun, fun!
Man! those A/C guys are noisy! and now they're drilling our foundation, the noise!!! Feel like doing like the cat and hide under the bed! Man!
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
I'm PMSing and I want chocolate!
It's one of those days... I'm feeling good BUT I want chocolate, and I want it bad! Let's be honest here, I always want chocolate, PMS or not, so that's no biggy, but I'm also craving junk...
For the last month or so, we've been good and seriously changed our diet (following a doctor's appointment where I was told that I suffered from "alittletoo": a little too much weight, a little too high pressure, a little too high cholesterol), must say it is much easier to change what you eat this time of year, the fresh fruits and veggies are looking and tasting much better than in winter. This change started a while back, but it's the first time in many, many years that there's no cold cuts, no sausages, no cheese in our fridge. That might seem like a small thing, but hubby was brought up the "European way", so it was a daily thing for him to open the fridge and take a bite of sausage with a piece of cheese and, don't forget bread! Man, can that man eat bread! Just like that, nothing on, just plain bread.
In Montreal we are lucky enough to have really good bakery like Première Moisson. Their crusty bread is really good, and we can not really go by their counter at the local market without getting a baguette or two and sometime get one of their "bread of the month". For a while everytime hubby went by fresh bread he would buy some. It was getting to a point that when we would go to a grocery store I would tell him: "no, we don't need bread!". He would look at me with this look in his eyes, and almost always had a counter argument and we'd get the bread.
You see, in 2002, hubby got a contract where he ended up having to work in Atlanta for a while. He was there for a few weeks only, but he had this seriously traumatic experience that changed him for life. We would IM during the day and at night we would talk. Each day he was there he would tell me: "Damn! There's no good bread here!" He was bread deprived. You read correctly, deprived! ...and a few years later we still pay the price for his deprivation!
I started making bread (the old fashion way, by hand, not that crap with a machine!) a year or so ago, and because my bread is baked in a regular oven (vs a stone deck one like the good bakeries have), it doesn't have that real crusty crust (!?), but it is good (even better than my mom's, if I dare say so myself!). We are both "dippers", and there's nothing like a slice of fresh bread that you dip in some sauce or gravy... yummy! Like when we make a good Horiatiki*, and at the end you end up with all those fluids from the tomatoes, olive oil, wine vinegar, bits of feta, etc. to dip in there is purely... delicious!
All this talk about food is making me hungry. Oh! by the way, I had chocolate. I made some really tasty Chocolate Macadamia Nuts Cookies, had a few fresh out of the oven with a cold glass of milk, and I'm all satisfied!
*Horiatiki, is a simple Greek salad (no lettuce), like what we ate in Greece!
For the last month or so, we've been good and seriously changed our diet (following a doctor's appointment where I was told that I suffered from "alittletoo": a little too much weight, a little too high pressure, a little too high cholesterol), must say it is much easier to change what you eat this time of year, the fresh fruits and veggies are looking and tasting much better than in winter. This change started a while back, but it's the first time in many, many years that there's no cold cuts, no sausages, no cheese in our fridge. That might seem like a small thing, but hubby was brought up the "European way", so it was a daily thing for him to open the fridge and take a bite of sausage with a piece of cheese and, don't forget bread! Man, can that man eat bread! Just like that, nothing on, just plain bread.
In Montreal we are lucky enough to have really good bakery like Première Moisson. Their crusty bread is really good, and we can not really go by their counter at the local market without getting a baguette or two and sometime get one of their "bread of the month". For a while everytime hubby went by fresh bread he would buy some. It was getting to a point that when we would go to a grocery store I would tell him: "no, we don't need bread!". He would look at me with this look in his eyes, and almost always had a counter argument and we'd get the bread.
You see, in 2002, hubby got a contract where he ended up having to work in Atlanta for a while. He was there for a few weeks only, but he had this seriously traumatic experience that changed him for life. We would IM during the day and at night we would talk. Each day he was there he would tell me: "Damn! There's no good bread here!" He was bread deprived. You read correctly, deprived! ...and a few years later we still pay the price for his deprivation!
I started making bread (the old fashion way, by hand, not that crap with a machine!) a year or so ago, and because my bread is baked in a regular oven (vs a stone deck one like the good bakeries have), it doesn't have that real crusty crust (!?), but it is good (even better than my mom's, if I dare say so myself!). We are both "dippers", and there's nothing like a slice of fresh bread that you dip in some sauce or gravy... yummy! Like when we make a good Horiatiki*, and at the end you end up with all those fluids from the tomatoes, olive oil, wine vinegar, bits of feta, etc. to dip in there is purely... delicious!
All this talk about food is making me hungry. Oh! by the way, I had chocolate. I made some really tasty Chocolate Macadamia Nuts Cookies, had a few fresh out of the oven with a cold glass of milk, and I'm all satisfied!
*Horiatiki, is a simple Greek salad (no lettuce), like what we ate in Greece!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Don't even need to talk to her...
Can you believe that the simple thoughts of my mother-in-law makes my heart beat faster?
This is so ridiculous! Whenever I think that I'm over it/her, something happens. On Saturday my in-laws celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary... I asked my hubby if he wanted to call them, he refused: "She doesn't deserve it." While doing some errands I told him that it was too bad the situation was what it is, because 45 years of marriage should have been celebrated. He agreed and that was that.
A few moments ago, while hubby and I were Instant Messaging he told/wrote me: "hold on, mother calling". Waited a bit and then wondered if she was calling to give him crap about not "remembering" their anniversary (she hasn't done that in a while, but you knows!).
Turns out she was calling to re-schedule his birthday dinner (from February) that has been re-scheduled a few times already... and being the person that she is, she made "stupid" comments...
She loves to take little jabs at her son (Actually I should say at people in general!) and he takes them. Yes I know, I've thought him the art of kumite* for a few years, but still...
She asked him if he was going to his cousin's baby baptism, to which he naturally answered that he wasn't going to do the "church thing", but would go to the restaurant after. She had to say something about that too, of course!
Just the thought of her makes me... aarrrggh!
I keep reminding myself that she's in my life as a teacher, that I should be grateful for what I'm learning, but man! at times... How can one person be so... so... harmful?! I think it is so sad that after all these years she still continues to behave in such a toxic way. She's not only poisoining my life, but her son's, her husband's, her siblings' and even her own life. Sick!
I hate it when we visit family and the in-laws are there, and the hosts appologize to me for having invited her. She family, she's their aunt they should invite her... but it's gotten to a point that relatives are even feeling ackward about it, and that isn't right.
I don't know why I got so flustered about her phone call today, but I hate the effect she still has on me. I'm working so hard at "letting go", but my last exposures to her haven't been that pleasant, so it doesn't make it easy. I'm afraid to crack... to let it all out... to really give her a piece of my mind... but it would be like screaming in the wind; not the most effecient way to be heard...
It's not an easy situation. It's been draggin' on way too long... I want out so bad, it hurts!
* Kumite means fight in Japanese (karate)
This is so ridiculous! Whenever I think that I'm over it/her, something happens. On Saturday my in-laws celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary... I asked my hubby if he wanted to call them, he refused: "She doesn't deserve it." While doing some errands I told him that it was too bad the situation was what it is, because 45 years of marriage should have been celebrated. He agreed and that was that.
A few moments ago, while hubby and I were Instant Messaging he told/wrote me: "hold on, mother calling". Waited a bit and then wondered if she was calling to give him crap about not "remembering" their anniversary (she hasn't done that in a while, but you knows!).
Turns out she was calling to re-schedule his birthday dinner (from February) that has been re-scheduled a few times already... and being the person that she is, she made "stupid" comments...
She loves to take little jabs at her son (Actually I should say at people in general!) and he takes them. Yes I know, I've thought him the art of kumite* for a few years, but still...
She asked him if he was going to his cousin's baby baptism, to which he naturally answered that he wasn't going to do the "church thing", but would go to the restaurant after. She had to say something about that too, of course!
Just the thought of her makes me... aarrrggh!
I keep reminding myself that she's in my life as a teacher, that I should be grateful for what I'm learning, but man! at times... How can one person be so... so... harmful?! I think it is so sad that after all these years she still continues to behave in such a toxic way. She's not only poisoining my life, but her son's, her husband's, her siblings' and even her own life. Sick!I hate it when we visit family and the in-laws are there, and the hosts appologize to me for having invited her. She family, she's their aunt they should invite her... but it's gotten to a point that relatives are even feeling ackward about it, and that isn't right.
I don't know why I got so flustered about her phone call today, but I hate the effect she still has on me. I'm working so hard at "letting go", but my last exposures to her haven't been that pleasant, so it doesn't make it easy. I'm afraid to crack... to let it all out... to really give her a piece of my mind... but it would be like screaming in the wind; not the most effecient way to be heard...
It's not an easy situation. It's been draggin' on way too long... I want out so bad, it hurts!
* Kumite means fight in Japanese (karate)
Monday, May 22, 2006
A big move...
Once again, my emotions are stiring. I'm going between being happy and being upset... My mother sold her house and is moving to an appartment. That's fine, even if in doing so she is now cutting all remaining threads with my father, however small they might of been. That house was theirs, I never lived there, but it was my parents place. For the last seven years it has been my mom's and G's.
When they bought that house, after selling their store in Little Burgundy (in Montreal), and moved there I never quite undestood their reasoning. It was at a crapy location (on the 125 highway!), just far enough from Montreal to be annoying (1 hour drive) and they were in the middle of nowhere (in between 2 villages: Chertsey & Rawdon). The only good thing about that place, was the fact that the lot was zoned commercial, so they were able to open a little road-side snack-bar or as we call it here "une cabane à pétaque". They did that for a few years, every spring until hunting season in October. My mom loved it - she was keeping busy - ... my dad... well... he was miserable no matter where he would have been at that point.
A few minutes ago my mother called me to let me know that she had finally sold her bedroom set, so to take it off the classified adds on the net. I've been helping her to sell her stuff. She had accumulated so much throughout the years (like we all do), and even if she didn't want to, the fact that they're moving into a 4 1/2 appartment, means purging!
Last week she sold my old dresser (almost 30 years old) and today it was their bedroom set.
That bedroom set is the only set I remember for my parents' room... It's weird to think of that.
For ever I will have engraved in my mind this picture of my father's night table the day he died. He had emptied his pocket change, took off his chain with his charm (#1 Dad), as well as his wedding band, and 2 other rings, his watch and his wallet. You could see that everything had been thrown on the night table, fast... Every time I've look at that night table, even if now it is G.'s stuff on it, I still see my dad's things... Nothing really changed in that house, only one "player" and the colours on the walls. So this move will be a BIG move...
My mom is completely overwhelmed. She never really had to make decisions, my dad took care of everything (even his own death!), so the past few months have been hard on her. She had to make decisions, on our own, and boy does she have a hard time with that. At times I get so aggrevated by her indecisiveness, it's unreal! She changes her mind faster than the weather! She is letting go of a lot of her past, memories linked to dishes, and other items... and I'm doing the same thing indirectly.
That house holds a lot of memories and not necessarily good ones... It will always be, for me, the place where my dad killed himself. Even if the shed has been taken apart, that they planted a few trees, made a garden, that spot his where my dad took his life... and that I will never forget.
I'm happy for her that she is moving on, she needs it, and leaving behind that place will be good for everyone. But knowing my mother it will be a little much for her to take in. Last time I was there, helping pack a few things and in the process purging for a BIG garage sale, she said: "You're making me get rid of all my things... I won't have anything left!" When she said that I laughed, and answered "Yeah, ok Mom. That's why we are pilling boxes over there." I had to tell her that her memories were in her heart not in that bowl or cup! At one point I think she understood what I meant. At least, I hope so.
In closing house she also has to get rid of her dog. They got Cathy when they first moved there. The dog is over 13 years old... a chiuaua. She was really my father's pooch. Since his death she follows my mom everywhere! She even goes hunting with them! When my mom rented the appartment she was told that they couldn't have pets. She talked about having her "put to sleep". She's old: doesn't hear quite right, her vision isn't that good, but she still has that character of hers. When my mom told me what they were thinkning of doing I offered to take her. I couldn't let her die just because it wasn't "allowed" or convenient to have her around... Plus she was my dad's! Talked about it with hubby and in a few weeks I'll be driving to my mom's to get Cathy and bring her to her "new" home. BTW, I've been "preparing" Tobi ... I'm not sure how he'll react to having to share his space with a dog (which is about half his size!)
I've had mixed feeling about taking in Cathy, for different reasons. The last few years I've been working hard at letting go of my father, and I'm on the right path, but I was wondering if taking her in would set me back in a way. But I realised that I love that dog (for whatever conscious or subconscious reason) and didn't think it was fair to her to end her life because of a move. Also, knowing myself, I know that I will get even more attached to her and if (more like when) she dies I'll be really sad. But I'll deal with that in due time. Also, I don't want to tramautise my cat. I have an obligation to him as well. So... for the past few weeks, at night, I ask my dad to come and take her away with him if it would be better for her. (I know, it may sound weird, but I know that my old man is there to help, if I need him to...)
All these emotions, feelings, memories being moved around because of a move... pretty amazing when you think of it, no? I know it will be good for me because all the issues I might of had over the last seven years about G. (or any other man, for that matter) living there will no longer be. It will not be my parents' house, my father's chair or my dad's place at the table, it will be my mom & G.'s place! and that is something that I've wanted for a while now. It was truly hard at times to see G. where my father had been for years. I have nothing against the man, he's been extremely good for (and to) my mother, but he's just not my dad... So, for them to have their "own" place, with new furniture will be good and will take care of all remaining webs of memories that might have been left behind... even if we think that we "cleaned up"... there's always a little something left, like those dust specks that you only see in the sun light...
A little more then one month to go before the big move... should be interesting...
When they bought that house, after selling their store in Little Burgundy (in Montreal), and moved there I never quite undestood their reasoning. It was at a crapy location (on the 125 highway!), just far enough from Montreal to be annoying (1 hour drive) and they were in the middle of nowhere (in between 2 villages: Chertsey & Rawdon). The only good thing about that place, was the fact that the lot was zoned commercial, so they were able to open a little road-side snack-bar or as we call it here "une cabane à pétaque". They did that for a few years, every spring until hunting season in October. My mom loved it - she was keeping busy - ... my dad... well... he was miserable no matter where he would have been at that point.
A few minutes ago my mother called me to let me know that she had finally sold her bedroom set, so to take it off the classified adds on the net. I've been helping her to sell her stuff. She had accumulated so much throughout the years (like we all do), and even if she didn't want to, the fact that they're moving into a 4 1/2 appartment, means purging!
Last week she sold my old dresser (almost 30 years old) and today it was their bedroom set.
That bedroom set is the only set I remember for my parents' room... It's weird to think of that.
For ever I will have engraved in my mind this picture of my father's night table the day he died. He had emptied his pocket change, took off his chain with his charm (#1 Dad), as well as his wedding band, and 2 other rings, his watch and his wallet. You could see that everything had been thrown on the night table, fast... Every time I've look at that night table, even if now it is G.'s stuff on it, I still see my dad's things... Nothing really changed in that house, only one "player" and the colours on the walls. So this move will be a BIG move...
My mom is completely overwhelmed. She never really had to make decisions, my dad took care of everything (even his own death!), so the past few months have been hard on her. She had to make decisions, on our own, and boy does she have a hard time with that. At times I get so aggrevated by her indecisiveness, it's unreal! She changes her mind faster than the weather! She is letting go of a lot of her past, memories linked to dishes, and other items... and I'm doing the same thing indirectly.
That house holds a lot of memories and not necessarily good ones... It will always be, for me, the place where my dad killed himself. Even if the shed has been taken apart, that they planted a few trees, made a garden, that spot his where my dad took his life... and that I will never forget.
I'm happy for her that she is moving on, she needs it, and leaving behind that place will be good for everyone. But knowing my mother it will be a little much for her to take in. Last time I was there, helping pack a few things and in the process purging for a BIG garage sale, she said: "You're making me get rid of all my things... I won't have anything left!" When she said that I laughed, and answered "Yeah, ok Mom. That's why we are pilling boxes over there." I had to tell her that her memories were in her heart not in that bowl or cup! At one point I think she understood what I meant. At least, I hope so.
In closing house she also has to get rid of her dog. They got Cathy when they first moved there. The dog is over 13 years old... a chiuaua. She was really my father's pooch. Since his death she follows my mom everywhere! She even goes hunting with them! When my mom rented the appartment she was told that they couldn't have pets. She talked about having her "put to sleep". She's old: doesn't hear quite right, her vision isn't that good, but she still has that character of hers. When my mom told me what they were thinkning of doing I offered to take her. I couldn't let her die just because it wasn't "allowed" or convenient to have her around... Plus she was my dad's! Talked about it with hubby and in a few weeks I'll be driving to my mom's to get Cathy and bring her to her "new" home. BTW, I've been "preparing" Tobi ... I'm not sure how he'll react to having to share his space with a dog (which is about half his size!)
I've had mixed feeling about taking in Cathy, for different reasons. The last few years I've been working hard at letting go of my father, and I'm on the right path, but I was wondering if taking her in would set me back in a way. But I realised that I love that dog (for whatever conscious or subconscious reason) and didn't think it was fair to her to end her life because of a move. Also, knowing myself, I know that I will get even more attached to her and if (more like when) she dies I'll be really sad. But I'll deal with that in due time. Also, I don't want to tramautise my cat. I have an obligation to him as well. So... for the past few weeks, at night, I ask my dad to come and take her away with him if it would be better for her. (I know, it may sound weird, but I know that my old man is there to help, if I need him to...)
All these emotions, feelings, memories being moved around because of a move... pretty amazing when you think of it, no? I know it will be good for me because all the issues I might of had over the last seven years about G. (or any other man, for that matter) living there will no longer be. It will not be my parents' house, my father's chair or my dad's place at the table, it will be my mom & G.'s place! and that is something that I've wanted for a while now. It was truly hard at times to see G. where my father had been for years. I have nothing against the man, he's been extremely good for (and to) my mother, but he's just not my dad... So, for them to have their "own" place, with new furniture will be good and will take care of all remaining webs of memories that might have been left behind... even if we think that we "cleaned up"... there's always a little something left, like those dust specks that you only see in the sun light...
A little more then one month to go before the big move... should be interesting...
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Dilemma, dilemma...
What to do? What to do? I've been wondering for the last few days, maybe weeks, if I should use this blog as a journal or simply as a place where I post jokes and little stories. This thought was brought back forward following a comment I received on one of my post - my thoughts, my experience could be shared for more than jokes. I've posted a few things that were more "personal" or at least that weren't jokes as such. This blog was primarily to post my "Friday Smiles", and other jokes... nothing too serious. I thought I was contributing to the increase of traffic by sending e-mails, mostly jokes, so I decided to have people come here to fetch their jokes...
I can see that I lost a LOT of "followers" in doing that. People preferred to receive e-mails than to log on to the internet... and I can't say if people are reading my blog. I get the occasional comment (thanks Jason!) from other visitors after I've posted a comment on their blog, but do they come back to see what else I've written, I don't know!
I used to visit a blog where the girl was pissed off that nobody ever posted any comment on her blog - I now understand her. In a way it's weird, because when I would send my jokes, people didn't write back (except the occasional few), and I was ok with it... weird...
This doesn't really solve my dilemma, but still... I think I'll keep on posting. Sometimes jokes, other times more serious stuff and eventually (I hope) "visitors" will be more incline to comment. It's strange that I'll see friends who will tell me that they read my blog, etc., and they have comments but the didn't post them!!! The button is right there, bottom right, look!
If you don't have an identity on Blogger you can use the other 2 options (other or anonymous), but please click on the comment link!
3 beads will be enough...
That is what I keep hearing from my husband everytime I get a new bead...
He just has to "remind" me that I had said that "Three beads will be enough..."
So? At the time I thought that 3 was all I wanted... Aren't I allowed to change my mind? Isn't it a woman's perogative?! Ok, maybe I'm addicted, I admit it!
It all started last summer, with three beads! Went out and bought the bracelet, 2 locks and a charm; my sleeping cat. I was so happy with my bracelet and my cute kitty...
There were other beads that I liked but I didn't want more than what I had. Was I wrong? Or what?! Everytime we go into that part of town, we "have" to go in that shop... well I do. My husband goes into a bike shop a few doors down and I go directly to the Chamilia counter... can't help it! I simply look at the selection and pick out the ones I like. There are so many! Most of the time hubby will come in and say something like: "So which one did you pick this time?" I'll show him my favorites and then he'll say: "Get it! You want it, so get it while they have it" ... and I usually do...
Yesterday I got a really nice one, 3 color rings (like Cartier) PLUS I put in an order for a bracelet with a gold snap. I wanted to have a bracelet with all gold charms and one for the silver ones... I know, I know, I'm spoiled... I really enjoy my bracelet and my beads!
As of yesterday I have 16 beads (including locks and spacer) plus a pair of earings on which you can put beads - 2 more beads on there. Told you it has become an addiction! It's serious! Especially since some of those beads are NOT cheap! I keep a spreadsheet of my beads (with my "wish list", just in case someone would want to give me a present that I would be sure to love!) and I'm always surprised when I do the sum of how much we've spent so far... It goes fast! REALLY fast!
I've spent much time "reconfiguring" my bracelet... I like things to be even, or balanced so at times when adding a new bead I had to do some serious thinking of how I wanted it to look...
It's weird how I just realised that the older I get the more "girly" I'm becoming...
All this to say that originally I only wanted 3 beads... oh well!
Here's my bracelet (after I've removed all gold beads):
He just has to "remind" me that I had said that "Three beads will be enough..."
So? At the time I thought that 3 was all I wanted... Aren't I allowed to change my mind? Isn't it a woman's perogative?! Ok, maybe I'm addicted, I admit it!
It all started last summer, with three beads! Went out and bought the bracelet, 2 locks and a charm; my sleeping cat. I was so happy with my bracelet and my cute kitty...
There were other beads that I liked but I didn't want more than what I had. Was I wrong? Or what?! Everytime we go into that part of town, we "have" to go in that shop... well I do. My husband goes into a bike shop a few doors down and I go directly to the Chamilia counter... can't help it! I simply look at the selection and pick out the ones I like. There are so many! Most of the time hubby will come in and say something like: "So which one did you pick this time?" I'll show him my favorites and then he'll say: "Get it! You want it, so get it while they have it" ... and I usually do...
Yesterday I got a really nice one, 3 color rings (like Cartier) PLUS I put in an order for a bracelet with a gold snap. I wanted to have a bracelet with all gold charms and one for the silver ones... I know, I know, I'm spoiled... I really enjoy my bracelet and my beads!
As of yesterday I have 16 beads (including locks and spacer) plus a pair of earings on which you can put beads - 2 more beads on there. Told you it has become an addiction! It's serious! Especially since some of those beads are NOT cheap! I keep a spreadsheet of my beads (with my "wish list", just in case someone would want to give me a present that I would be sure to love!) and I'm always surprised when I do the sum of how much we've spent so far... It goes fast! REALLY fast!
I've spent much time "reconfiguring" my bracelet... I like things to be even, or balanced so at times when adding a new bead I had to do some serious thinking of how I wanted it to look...
It's weird how I just realised that the older I get the more "girly" I'm becoming...
All this to say that originally I only wanted 3 beads... oh well!
Here's my bracelet (after I've removed all gold beads):
Sunday Afternoon Quickie
The only way to pull off a Sunday afternoon quickie with their 8-year-old son in the apartment was to send him out on the balcony with a Popsicle and tell him to report on all the neighborhood activities.
He began his commentary as his parents put their plan into operation:
"There's a car being towed from the parking lot," he shouted.
A few moments passed .... "An ambulance just drove by."
A few moments later,"Looks like the Andersons have company," he called out.
"Matt's riding a new bike...."
A few moments later, "Looks like the Sanders are moving."
"Jason is on his skate board.... "
A few more moments, "The Coopers are having sex !!"
Startled, his Mother and Dad shot up in bed! Dad cautiously called out, "How do you know they are having sex ?"
"Jimmy Cooper is standing on his balcony with a Popsicle too."
He began his commentary as his parents put their plan into operation:
"There's a car being towed from the parking lot," he shouted.
A few moments passed .... "An ambulance just drove by."
A few moments later,"Looks like the Andersons have company," he called out.
"Matt's riding a new bike...."
A few moments later, "Looks like the Sanders are moving."
"Jason is on his skate board.... "
A few more moments, "The Coopers are having sex !!"
Startled, his Mother and Dad shot up in bed! Dad cautiously called out, "How do you know they are having sex ?"
"Jimmy Cooper is standing on his balcony with a Popsicle too."
Friday, May 19, 2006
Your Friday Smile!
In Quebec, the French do not pronounce the letter "H". For example Hot Dog is pronounced Ot Dog and Hudson Hardware is pronounced Udson Ardware.
One day in a French Immersion Class for 1st graders, the teacher was asking her class to describe the use of Ozonol.
Little Mary got up and explained that she had fallen while roller skating and scratched her knee. She went home and her Mother cleaned the cut and put a bandage with Ozonol on her knee and it was all better.
The teacher was so proud and then asked other children if they had any explanation of the word.
Little Pierre raised his hand and started to explain. Well Teacher, da udder nite, me an my fodder are watching da Montreehal and Tampa Ockey Game. An den my mudder start to do da vaccum. Den, my fodder, yell at
my mudder, aih, aih aih,aih; Tabarnack Louise, put dat dam ting away now or I'll stick it up your arse "Ose n, all"
Have a great "long" weekend!
One day in a French Immersion Class for 1st graders, the teacher was asking her class to describe the use of Ozonol.
Little Mary got up and explained that she had fallen while roller skating and scratched her knee. She went home and her Mother cleaned the cut and put a bandage with Ozonol on her knee and it was all better.
The teacher was so proud and then asked other children if they had any explanation of the word.
Little Pierre raised his hand and started to explain. Well Teacher, da udder nite, me an my fodder are watching da Montreehal and Tampa Ockey Game. An den my mudder start to do da vaccum. Den, my fodder, yell at
my mudder, aih, aih aih,aih; Tabarnack Louise, put dat dam ting away now or I'll stick it up your arse "Ose n, all"
Have a great "long" weekend!
Thursday, May 18, 2006
A Trip Down Memory Lane...
Got to be Over 40 to Understand (or close to it)...
Received this from a cousin (who’s older… sorry John!) and I liked it. It reminded me of my childhood and how much fun I had. It also made me realized that “today” is different. Here’s how times changed (and in green what I’m doing now, remember or still wish to do.)
Mum used to cut chicken, slice eggs and spread mayo on the same cutting board with the same knife and no bleach, but we didn't get food poisoning. (I, to this day, never bleached my cutting boards. A good wash and that’s that!)
My Mum used to defrost ground beef on the kitchen sink AND I used to eat a bite raw sometimes, too. (I still do that…(but not in summer!) otherwise it takes too long in the fridge, and there was nothing like fresh ground beef, raw with a little salt & pepper - yummy!!!)
Our school sandwiches were wrapped in wax paper, in a brown paper bag, not in icepack coolers, but I can't remember anybody getting e.coli. (I must say that I have a cute lunch box with a mini icepack that I like a lot, but I find that my sandwich taste much better when not in there. I like it warm…)
Almost all of us would have rather gone swimming in the lake instead of a pristine pool (talk about boring), no beach closures then. (And I still do, but not around here.)
The term cell phone would have conjured up a phone in a jail cell, and a pager was the school PA system. (or what a “drug pusher” had clip to his belt!)
We all played sport, and also did PE... and risked permanent injury with a pair of Dunlop runners (only worn in the gym or the sports ground) instead of having cross-training athletic shoes with air cushion soles and built-in light reflectors.. I can't recall any injuries but they must have happened, because they tell us how much safer we are now… (Never mind Dunlop, what about the no-name brand! That’s what I played with, until my husband came along… with him each sport has its shoes!)
Flunking sport was not an option.... even for stupid kids! There were not many fat kids.
Speaking of school, we all said prayers and sang the National Anthem and got free school milk for strong bones and teeth, and staying in detention after school caught all sorts of negative attention. We must have had horribly damaged psyches. (I remember the whole class going to the gym to pick up a snack (mostly veggies) and milk. Detention wasn't an option viable at my house... way too much explaining and way too big consequences! )
What an archaic health system we had then. Remember school nurses?
Ours wore a hat and everything, and she could even give you an aspirin for a headache or fever.
I thought that I was supposed to accomplish something before I was allowed to be proud of myself. I just can't recall how bored we were without computers, Play Station, Nintendo, X-box or 270 digital TV cable stations. (I spent so much time playing, discovering and reading! Went to the local library so often, sometimes 2-3/day…)
Oh yeah.. and where was the Benadryl and sterilization kit when I got that bee sting? I could have been killed! (I used to collect bees in an old Cheez-Whiz jar, after having punched holes in the lid (for them to breath!) – the thrill of catching them without getting sting!)
We played 'king of the castle' on piles of gravel left on vacant construction sites, and when we got hurt, Mum pulled out the 48-cent bottle of Mercurochrome (kids liked it better because it didn't sting like iodine did) and then we got our hair ruffled and got told to get back out there! Now it's a trip to the emergency room, followed by a 10-day dose of a $49 bottle of antibiotics, and then Mum calls the Solicitor to sue the contractor for leaving a horribly vicious pile of gravel where it was such a threat. (Every summer I would get scabs, you know, the thick kind? And summer was officially here after both knees had been redden with Mercurochrome)
We didn't misbehave at the mate's house either, because if we did, we got our bum smacked there, and then we got bum belted again when we got home. (in my case it was also on the way home!)
I recall Donny Reynolds from next door coming over and doing his tricks on the front veranda, just before he fell off. Little did his Mum know that she could have owned our house.
Instead, she picked him up and swatted him for being such a yobbo. It was a neighborhood run amuck.
To top it off, not a single person I knew had ever been told that they were from a "dysfunctional family". How could we possibly have known that we needed to get into group therapy and anger management classes? We were obviously so duped by so many societal ills, that we didn't even notice that the entire country wasn't taking Prozac!
How did we ever survive? (Never mind us, think of the up-coming generations! They’re in for a tough ride!)
LOVE TO ALL OF US WHO SHARED THIS ERA, AND TO ALL WHO DIDN'T-
SORRY FOR WHAT YOU MISSED. I WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING
Life's most simple pleasures are very often the best!
Received this from a cousin (who’s older… sorry John!) and I liked it. It reminded me of my childhood and how much fun I had. It also made me realized that “today” is different. Here’s how times changed (and in green what I’m doing now, remember or still wish to do.)
Mum used to cut chicken, slice eggs and spread mayo on the same cutting board with the same knife and no bleach, but we didn't get food poisoning. (I, to this day, never bleached my cutting boards. A good wash and that’s that!)
My Mum used to defrost ground beef on the kitchen sink AND I used to eat a bite raw sometimes, too. (I still do that…(but not in summer!) otherwise it takes too long in the fridge, and there was nothing like fresh ground beef, raw with a little salt & pepper - yummy!!!)
Our school sandwiches were wrapped in wax paper, in a brown paper bag, not in icepack coolers, but I can't remember anybody getting e.coli. (I must say that I have a cute lunch box with a mini icepack that I like a lot, but I find that my sandwich taste much better when not in there. I like it warm…)
Almost all of us would have rather gone swimming in the lake instead of a pristine pool (talk about boring), no beach closures then. (And I still do, but not around here.)
The term cell phone would have conjured up a phone in a jail cell, and a pager was the school PA system. (or what a “drug pusher” had clip to his belt!)
We all played sport, and also did PE... and risked permanent injury with a pair of Dunlop runners (only worn in the gym or the sports ground) instead of having cross-training athletic shoes with air cushion soles and built-in light reflectors.. I can't recall any injuries but they must have happened, because they tell us how much safer we are now… (Never mind Dunlop, what about the no-name brand! That’s what I played with, until my husband came along… with him each sport has its shoes!)
Flunking sport was not an option.... even for stupid kids! There were not many fat kids.
Speaking of school, we all said prayers and sang the National Anthem and got free school milk for strong bones and teeth, and staying in detention after school caught all sorts of negative attention. We must have had horribly damaged psyches. (I remember the whole class going to the gym to pick up a snack (mostly veggies) and milk. Detention wasn't an option viable at my house... way too much explaining and way too big consequences! )
What an archaic health system we had then. Remember school nurses?
Ours wore a hat and everything, and she could even give you an aspirin for a headache or fever.
I thought that I was supposed to accomplish something before I was allowed to be proud of myself. I just can't recall how bored we were without computers, Play Station, Nintendo, X-box or 270 digital TV cable stations. (I spent so much time playing, discovering and reading! Went to the local library so often, sometimes 2-3/day…)
Oh yeah.. and where was the Benadryl and sterilization kit when I got that bee sting? I could have been killed! (I used to collect bees in an old Cheez-Whiz jar, after having punched holes in the lid (for them to breath!) – the thrill of catching them without getting sting!)
We played 'king of the castle' on piles of gravel left on vacant construction sites, and when we got hurt, Mum pulled out the 48-cent bottle of Mercurochrome (kids liked it better because it didn't sting like iodine did) and then we got our hair ruffled and got told to get back out there! Now it's a trip to the emergency room, followed by a 10-day dose of a $49 bottle of antibiotics, and then Mum calls the Solicitor to sue the contractor for leaving a horribly vicious pile of gravel where it was such a threat. (Every summer I would get scabs, you know, the thick kind? And summer was officially here after both knees had been redden with Mercurochrome)
We didn't misbehave at the mate's house either, because if we did, we got our bum smacked there, and then we got bum belted again when we got home. (in my case it was also on the way home!)
I recall Donny Reynolds from next door coming over and doing his tricks on the front veranda, just before he fell off. Little did his Mum know that she could have owned our house.
Instead, she picked him up and swatted him for being such a yobbo. It was a neighborhood run amuck.
To top it off, not a single person I knew had ever been told that they were from a "dysfunctional family". How could we possibly have known that we needed to get into group therapy and anger management classes? We were obviously so duped by so many societal ills, that we didn't even notice that the entire country wasn't taking Prozac!
How did we ever survive? (Never mind us, think of the up-coming generations! They’re in for a tough ride!)
LOVE TO ALL OF US WHO SHARED THIS ERA, AND TO ALL WHO DIDN'T-
SORRY FOR WHAT YOU MISSED. I WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING
Life's most simple pleasures are very often the best!
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Slap Your Co-Worker Day is Coming!!
Tomorrow is the official Slap Your Irritating Co-workers Holiday:
Do you have a co-worker who talks nonstop about nothing, working your last nerve with tedious and boring details that you don't give a damn about? Do you have a co-worker who ALWAYS screws up stuff creating MORE work for you? Do you have a co-worker who kisses so much booty, you can look in their mouth and see what your boss had for lunch?
Do you have a co-worker who is SOOO obnoxious, when he/she enters a room, everyone else clears it? Well, on behalf of Ike Turner, I am so very very glad to officially announce tomorrow as SLAP YOUR IRRITATING CO-WORKER DAY! There are the rules you must follow:
* You can only slap one person per hour - no more.
* You can slap the same person again if they irritate you again in the same day.
* You are allowed to hold someone down as other co-workers take their turns slapping the irritant.
* No weapons are allowed...other than going upside somebody's head with a stapler or a hole-puncher.
* CURSING IS MANDATORY! After you have slapped the recipient, your "assault" must be followed with something like "cause I'm sick of your stupid-a$$ always messing up stuff!"
* If questioned by a supervisor or the police, (if the supervisor is the irritant), you are allowed to LIE, LIE, LIE! Now, study the rules, break out your list of folks that you want to slap the living day lights out of and get to slapping.....and have a GREAT DAY
Do you have a co-worker who talks nonstop about nothing, working your last nerve with tedious and boring details that you don't give a damn about? Do you have a co-worker who ALWAYS screws up stuff creating MORE work for you? Do you have a co-worker who kisses so much booty, you can look in their mouth and see what your boss had for lunch?
Do you have a co-worker who is SOOO obnoxious, when he/she enters a room, everyone else clears it? Well, on behalf of Ike Turner, I am so very very glad to officially announce tomorrow as SLAP YOUR IRRITATING CO-WORKER DAY! There are the rules you must follow:
* You can only slap one person per hour - no more.
* You can slap the same person again if they irritate you again in the same day.
* You are allowed to hold someone down as other co-workers take their turns slapping the irritant.
* No weapons are allowed...other than going upside somebody's head with a stapler or a hole-puncher.
* CURSING IS MANDATORY! After you have slapped the recipient, your "assault" must be followed with something like "cause I'm sick of your stupid-a$$ always messing up stuff!"
* If questioned by a supervisor or the police, (if the supervisor is the irritant), you are allowed to LIE, LIE, LIE! Now, study the rules, break out your list of folks that you want to slap the living day lights out of and get to slapping.....and have a GREAT DAY
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Pinch My Nipples!
Wondering about the title of this post? Let me explain. A while back I sent a joke about this woman wanting to exchange something at Wal-Mart and when the cashier refused the lady put her arms up and started to scream "Pinch my nipples, pinch my nipples!". The store manager came to see what the commotion was about the lady explained that she had bought something on sale and wanted to exchange it, to which the manager explained that they couldn't since it was purchased on sales. Again the lady threw her arms up and started to yell "Pinch my nipples, pinch my nipples!", which brought on a bigger crowd. The manager finally asked her why was she screaming to pinch her, to which the lady said "When I'm being screwed, I love to have my nipples pinched!"
Today I went for service on my car at a Honda dealership.... Need I say more?
Every single time I go for service on my car I feel like I'm about to get screwed... and I won't enjoy it! Walking in I felt like throwing my arms up and say "Pinch my nipples!"
This morning was the 48,000km service where they check a bunch of things (a "BIG service, little lady", like I was told by a stern looking man at the counter). I left my car with them, all day.
$352.40 later, the man behind the counter (a little more chatty) said I was a good driver since they didn't have to change my brakes. Approximately 70% of my brakes remained. Not bad for a 3 year old car! When he was going through the inspection check list, something "clicked" about my brakes... but since I was happy that my bill wasn't that bad I didn't say anything.
When I got home, the brakes' pourcentage was bugging me, so I looked for my previous service invoice (at the same dealership!), which was for my 32,000km inspection. (I had an oil change in between - well... not me, my car!) At the time, my front brakes were at 60% and my rear ones at 75%!
Damn I'm good! I'm such a good driver that I put metal back on my break pads!!! That's how good I am! But seriously! Who are we kidding? Granted I don't play music with my brakes - you know the type that brakes infront of you for no reason? Following them you can tell that they are listening to the same radio station you are, by the flashing of their brake lights - but to have a higher percentage? Somebody, somewhere screwed up...
It's no biggy, but it just proves that my feeling that I'm about to get screwed isn't that far off... and that maybe, next time I walk in there I WILL throw my arms up and scream:
"Pinch my nipples! Pinch my nipples!!!"
Today I went for service on my car at a Honda dealership.... Need I say more?
Every single time I go for service on my car I feel like I'm about to get screwed... and I won't enjoy it! Walking in I felt like throwing my arms up and say "Pinch my nipples!"
This morning was the 48,000km service where they check a bunch of things (a "BIG service, little lady", like I was told by a stern looking man at the counter). I left my car with them, all day.
$352.40 later, the man behind the counter (a little more chatty) said I was a good driver since they didn't have to change my brakes. Approximately 70% of my brakes remained. Not bad for a 3 year old car! When he was going through the inspection check list, something "clicked" about my brakes... but since I was happy that my bill wasn't that bad I didn't say anything.
When I got home, the brakes' pourcentage was bugging me, so I looked for my previous service invoice (at the same dealership!), which was for my 32,000km inspection. (I had an oil change in between - well... not me, my car!) At the time, my front brakes were at 60% and my rear ones at 75%!
Damn I'm good! I'm such a good driver that I put metal back on my break pads!!! That's how good I am! But seriously! Who are we kidding? Granted I don't play music with my brakes - you know the type that brakes infront of you for no reason? Following them you can tell that they are listening to the same radio station you are, by the flashing of their brake lights - but to have a higher percentage? Somebody, somewhere screwed up...
It's no biggy, but it just proves that my feeling that I'm about to get screwed isn't that far off... and that maybe, next time I walk in there I WILL throw my arms up and scream:
"Pinch my nipples! Pinch my nipples!!!"
Sunday, May 14, 2006
The first 40 men I can think of
Following last night's post I've been thinking about men, for some strange reason, and I decided to make a list of the men who "did it" for me, through the years. I was trying to do in order, but it got too confusing so, I'll write them down as they come:
I must say that my "favorites" are older gentlemen like Mr. Newman, Redford, Connery,...
and then there's the Clooney, McConaughey and Garcia...
Doing this little list I realised that an important thing for me, even if I've been saying for years that it's the butt, is the smile. The eyes follow close behind, and the rest well... In "real" life (or I should say "in person") it IS the butt. I like a nice round bottom, and for that I'm totally fulfilled at home!
Even now, names (& faces) are popping up in my head... oh well! It will be for another time!
- Elvis (in his younger days, his mouth is like an open invitation - he had charm, he knew it and used it)
- James Brolin (as Dr. Kiley in "Marcus Welby, M.D.", 1969)
- Scott Baio (as Chachi in "Happy Days", 1977-1984)
- John Travolta (in "Grease", 1978)
- Mel Gibson (in "Mad Max", 1979 - wow!, and then in "Tim" also in '79)
- Matt Dillon (in "Little Darlings", 1980 and "The Outsiders", 1983 - did it back then, don't do it anymore!)
- Patrick Swayze (in "The Outsiders", 1983 and then in "Dirty Dancing" in 1987, and what ever else he did in the 80s)
- Rob Lowe (also in "The Outsiders", 1983, in "St-Elmo's Fire", 1985, and in "About Last Night", 1986)
- Sam Elliott (in "Mask", 1985 - Oh! My Gosh that man!!!)
- Judd Nelson (in "The Breakfast Club", 1985)
- Aidan Quinn (in "Desperately Seeking Susan, 1985)
- Keanu Reeves (in "Youngblood", 1986 and liked him in "Point Break" , 1991 with Swayze)
- Johnny Depp (nothing to add! ...aw... maybe a good shampoo...?!)
- David Lee Roth (there was something about him, that made me just want to watch him!)
- Axl Rose (yeah, ok... ...can't really explain this one! so I had a thing for rockers/bad boys!)
- Rod Stewart (Yes, I think you're sexy!!!)
- Brad Pitt (in "Thelma & Louise", 1991 - those abs!)
- Andy Garcia (in "Black Rain", 1989 with Michael Douglas - he has that "latino" charisma)
- Tom Cruise (in "Taps", 1981, then in "The Outsiders", and THEN in "Risky Business", 1983 - what a boy... now? Well, he still has the look but that's about it for me...)
- Steven Perry (lead singer of Journey)
- Sidney Poitier (what a gorgeous man... still today!)
- Harrison Ford (that goofy Han Solo, but so manly at the same time...)
- Robert Redford (with Streisand in "The Way We Were", 1973 - he was simply unbelievably good looking, and his thick hair... the look of a "man")
- Paul Newman (in "Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid", 1969... even at 71 years old he still has it, not to mention his "baby blues"...)
- Mark Hamill (who didn't have a crush on Luke Skywalker?!)
- Dirk Benedict (as Lt. Starbuck in "Battlestar Galactica")
- Richard Gere (in "American Gigolo", 1980 , then in "An Officer & A Gentleman", 1982 and then again in "Pretty Woman", 1990 - just a darm good man)
- Sting (nothing to say here - had it back then and has it even more now!)
- Ed Harris (in "The Abyss", 1989 - most likely not for his look but for what emanates from him...)
- Michael Madsen (in "Thelma & Louise", 1991 - a real manly man)
- Matthew McConaughey (in "A Time To Kill", 1996 - He's just HOT!)
- Denzel Washington (he has this little something that makes me want to watch him!)
- Chuck Lorre (in "Dharma & Greg", 1997 - killer smile)
- Bruno Pelletier (yes, he's short, but still...)
- Blair Underwood (yum!)
- Ty Pennington (cute, great sense of humour and handy - what more can you ask for!?)
- Shaggy (his voice and his demeanour makes me think of "Once you go Black, you don't go back!)
- George Michael (back then and even now!)
- William Baldwin (in "Flatliners" 1990, in "Backdraft" 1991 and then in "Sliver" 1993 - hummm....)
- Al Pacino (now, that's a man!)
I must say that my "favorites" are older gentlemen like Mr. Newman, Redford, Connery,...
and then there's the Clooney, McConaughey and Garcia...
Doing this little list I realised that an important thing for me, even if I've been saying for years that it's the butt, is the smile. The eyes follow close behind, and the rest well... In "real" life (or I should say "in person") it IS the butt. I like a nice round bottom, and for that I'm totally fulfilled at home!
Even now, names (& faces) are popping up in my head... oh well! It will be for another time!
I see good looking men
It must be spring or something, but the past few days I’ve been feeling… let’s say... flirtatious. I look around me and I see darn good looking men… not just one or two, I mean a lot of them! What is going on? Are my hormones that messed up? Or am I simply experiencing "Spring Fever"?
Just now I was watching a show on Much about INXS, and the new lead singer J.D. Fortune (who’s Canadian by the way!) is quite a “hottie”. And the way he moves when he signs… hum! Granted he’s no Michael Hutchence, but still he has it (Whatever “it” may be!).
Just before that I came across a music award show (yet another one!) where Bon Jovi was being honoured – That Jon has it too! Actually, I think he’s had it for years, but he’s like fine wine, he’s aging well! I had a crush on him since the early 80s, with his long hair and his messed up looks... much prefer him now.
Yesterday I saw an interview with Jonas (another local singer) and he’s got it as well, and he knows it and plays with it. Actually I don’t think he’s that good looking but he works it well. He has that little something that makes him look like he's a nice guy, and his voice is also quite distinctive.
Tonight we watched (on tape) an episode of “Bones”
and David Boreanaz has "it" as well. I fell for his charm on “Buffy” (a few years back) and then he had his show “Angel” and now on “Bones” different look but he has that little smile that makes me melt.
And what about David Usher? (see previous post, on 05/11/06, “I got assigned the letter D”). 
Or David Duchovny? He was hot on the X-Files. I was told a few times that my hubby looked like him… I just think he’s cute! My husband that is!
There’s also Michael Bublé (yet another cute Canadian): he has this childish look about him and at the same time quite virile, and I can not skip Rock Voisine … (also a fellow Canadian). 
Talk about tall, dark and handsome… need I say more?
Some (most!) of these men are not that gorgeous, but they have that little something. Prince is a perfect example of that. I remember in 1984 when “Purple Rain” came out I thought he was the sexiest one around, and he probably was (with Bono!)
But let’s be honest here, the sexiest man was & will always be Elvis! I know, I know I’m too young to really remember him, but I do remember watching all his movies with my dad and listening to his albums. My favourites were “Spinout” and “Blue Hawaii”… who would have thought that I would actually end up getting married on a beach in Hawaii with my husband dressed like Elvis in his wedding scene? (We had a traditional Hawaiian wedding (man all dressed in white with a colourful sash) and a local singer who sang the Hawaiian Wedding Song).
I just realised that (almost) all these cuties are music related… One thing for sure, in my books these guys all have that little pinch of bad boy, a pinch of shyness, a bit of mischief in their eyes and they exude sexiness…
Maybe it’s all me, but let me tell you there are a few guys out there that I would do in a heart beat… I’m married, not buried (like John used to say), and it’s not because I’m on a diet that I can not look at a menu!
Friday, May 12, 2006
Votre Friday Smile!
Un homme se confesse au curé d'avoir fait l'amour à 5 femmes en ligne la veille.
Alors le curé lui dit: "Comme pénitence, vous allez boire le jus de 5 citrons".
Le type lui demande alors: "C'est pour nettoyer l'intérieur?"
Et le curé de lui répondre: "Non! C'est pour faire disparaître ton clisse de petit sourire qui m'agace!"
*************
Thoughts for the weekend
I signed up for an exercise class and was told to wear loose-fitting clothing. If I HAD any loose-fitting clothing, I wouldn't have signed up in the first place!
When I was young we used to go "skinny dipping," now I just "chunky dunk."
Wouldn't it be nice if whenever we messed up our life we could simply press 'Ctr Alt Delete' and start all over?
My husband says I never listen to him. At least I think that's what he said.
Just remember...if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.
If raising children was going to be easy, it never would have started with something called labor!
Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever.
But Most Of All, Remember!
A Friend Is Like A Good Bra: Hard to Find, Supportive, Comfortable, And Always Close To Your Heart!
Alors le curé lui dit: "Comme pénitence, vous allez boire le jus de 5 citrons".
Le type lui demande alors: "C'est pour nettoyer l'intérieur?"
Et le curé de lui répondre: "Non! C'est pour faire disparaître ton clisse de petit sourire qui m'agace!"
*************
Thoughts for the weekend
I signed up for an exercise class and was told to wear loose-fitting clothing. If I HAD any loose-fitting clothing, I wouldn't have signed up in the first place!
When I was young we used to go "skinny dipping," now I just "chunky dunk."
Wouldn't it be nice if whenever we messed up our life we could simply press 'Ctr Alt Delete' and start all over?
My husband says I never listen to him. At least I think that's what he said.
Just remember...if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.
If raising children was going to be easy, it never would have started with something called labor!
Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever.
But Most Of All, Remember!
A Friend Is Like A Good Bra: Hard to Find, Supportive, Comfortable, And Always Close To Your Heart!
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Ce coup-ci en français
En m'amusant à naviguer sur différents les blogs je suis tombé sur un blog qui a piqué ma curiosité (voir post "I got assigned the letter D"), j'ai participé au petit jeu et comme on a été pris dans le traffic pour plus d'une heure en allant rejoindre des amis au centre-ville, j'ai refait une liste mentale, que voici:
Voici comment ça marche: en faisant un commentaire sur cette entrée, je vous assignerai une lettre. Écrivez 10 mots débutant avec cette lettre, en incluant une explication de ce que ce mot signifie pour vous et pourquoi. Après ce sera à votre tour d'assigner des lettres aux gens qui feront des commentaires sur votre blog.
1- Diète: Ce que je refuse de faire et de suivre à la lettre. Ce mot représente tout ce que j'aime manger et auquel je n'ai pas le droit.
2- Dad: Le surnom que j'avais donné à mon père même s'il ne parlait pas un seul mot d'anglais. Un mot que je ne dis plus et qui me manque beaucoup.
3- Distance: Ce temps qui me sépare des gens que j'aime. Parfois c'est bien d'avoir une certaine distance entre nous, cela évite les "échauffements"!
4- Dojo: Endroit ou j'ai passé plus de vingt ans de ma vie à suer, endroit que je respecte encore beaucoup, mais qui ne me manque pas autant que je l'aurai cru.
5- Dory: Un de mes personnages préférés de Disney ("Finding Nemo"), surtout lorsqu'elle parle "Baleine" - je ne peux pas m'empêcher de rire en y pensant... surtout que je revois Barbara l'imitant dans un resto chinois à Honolulu.
6- Danser: Activité que je ne fais plus assez - j'aime encore beaucoup ça, mais je ne trouve plus les occasions comme avant... signe que je vieillis?!
7- Déodorant: Un petit truc qui aide tellement et dont on remarque l'absence tellement facilement. Un "must" pour tous et chacuns, autant hommes que femmes!
8- DVD: Une foutue d'invention que j'aime beaucoup surtout la partie "Making of" qui démystifie souvent pleins de trucs. Passe surement beaucoup trop de temps à en regarder!
9- Discipline: Cette rigueur qui aide les gens à mieux se comporter, qui a toujours été présente dans ma vie dès mon plus jeune âge et pour laquelle je suis aujourd'hui reconnaissante d'avoir reçue.
10- Drôle: État dans lequel j'aime bien être. Souvent je me sens drôle mais ce n'est même pas par choix, c'est juste comme ça. D'autres fois je fais aussi la comique, mais ça c'est une aute histoire.
Voilà, ma liste est faite!
Voici comment ça marche: en faisant un commentaire sur cette entrée, je vous assignerai une lettre. Écrivez 10 mots débutant avec cette lettre, en incluant une explication de ce que ce mot signifie pour vous et pourquoi. Après ce sera à votre tour d'assigner des lettres aux gens qui feront des commentaires sur votre blog.
1- Diète: Ce que je refuse de faire et de suivre à la lettre. Ce mot représente tout ce que j'aime manger et auquel je n'ai pas le droit.
2- Dad: Le surnom que j'avais donné à mon père même s'il ne parlait pas un seul mot d'anglais. Un mot que je ne dis plus et qui me manque beaucoup.
3- Distance: Ce temps qui me sépare des gens que j'aime. Parfois c'est bien d'avoir une certaine distance entre nous, cela évite les "échauffements"!
4- Dojo: Endroit ou j'ai passé plus de vingt ans de ma vie à suer, endroit que je respecte encore beaucoup, mais qui ne me manque pas autant que je l'aurai cru.
5- Dory: Un de mes personnages préférés de Disney ("Finding Nemo"), surtout lorsqu'elle parle "Baleine" - je ne peux pas m'empêcher de rire en y pensant... surtout que je revois Barbara l'imitant dans un resto chinois à Honolulu.
6- Danser: Activité que je ne fais plus assez - j'aime encore beaucoup ça, mais je ne trouve plus les occasions comme avant... signe que je vieillis?!
7- Déodorant: Un petit truc qui aide tellement et dont on remarque l'absence tellement facilement. Un "must" pour tous et chacuns, autant hommes que femmes!
8- DVD: Une foutue d'invention que j'aime beaucoup surtout la partie "Making of" qui démystifie souvent pleins de trucs. Passe surement beaucoup trop de temps à en regarder!
9- Discipline: Cette rigueur qui aide les gens à mieux se comporter, qui a toujours été présente dans ma vie dès mon plus jeune âge et pour laquelle je suis aujourd'hui reconnaissante d'avoir reçue.
10- Drôle: État dans lequel j'aime bien être. Souvent je me sens drôle mais ce n'est même pas par choix, c'est juste comme ça. D'autres fois je fais aussi la comique, mais ça c'est une aute histoire.
Voilà, ma liste est faite!
I got assigned the letter D
Guinness_girl on her blog (http://mymentalbuffet.blogspot.com/) has given me the letter D.
This is how it works: Comment on this entry and I will give you a letter. Write ten words beginning with that letter in your journal, including an explanation of what the word means to you and why, and then pass out letters to those who want to play along.
Here goes:
1. Different: Always been the different one, from not being allowed to wear jeans before my 18th birthday, to not wanting to be a sheep (read follower)…that’s what makes me special!
2. Dumbass : I love the sound of that word, especially when Red from “That ‘70s Show” says it. I’ve been using it on my husband (as a joke, even if at times…), and each time we crack up!
3. Dictionary: I use it quite often, not to see definition but to verify the spelling. I often get confused between the ways to write it in English versus French… That’s what happens when you constantly switch from one to the other.
4. Dirty: Something I hear often about my mind!
5. Dickhead: Too many of them around (whichever one you’re thinking of!). I particularly have a strong distaste for the Dumb kind (yet another D!), you know, the one driving like they own the roads, the one acting without any respect for others, the one breaking the law and never getting rightfully punished, the one thinking that everything is due to them – you know which one I mean, right?
6. Dildo: Something I wish I would have at times (you were warn at #4). Just Googled it and to my surprise there's a town, in Canada, Newfoundland & Labrador, called Dildo!!!
7. Death: I’ve been in this Lady’s presence way too often not to be fascinated by her, and to respect her. Death is the only certainty we have in this life.
8. Dog: My mom is closing house and moving to an apartment that won’t allow pet, so I’ll take her pooch in. Cathy (the dog) is a 13 years old chiuaua, which used to be my dad’s dog. My mom thought of putting her down, but I refused. Maybe the move will kill her, but I hope not. I like that pooch…
9. Disco: I must be getting older, ‘cause I just love the “old tunes” and got to dance when I hear them – Disco will never truly die! Who would have known that I would ever write something like that… me the rocker chick… Times change.
10. David Usher: A singer-songwriter (used to be front man in Canadian band “Moist”) that has this little “je ne sais quoi”, that gets to me. That is my type, dark, good looking and a flare of Asian… yummmmy!
...so who's going to be next? I came up with way more than 10, but I tried to take the good ones. What do you think?
This is how it works: Comment on this entry and I will give you a letter. Write ten words beginning with that letter in your journal, including an explanation of what the word means to you and why, and then pass out letters to those who want to play along.
Here goes:
1. Different: Always been the different one, from not being allowed to wear jeans before my 18th birthday, to not wanting to be a sheep (read follower)…that’s what makes me special!
2. Dumbass : I love the sound of that word, especially when Red from “That ‘70s Show” says it. I’ve been using it on my husband (as a joke, even if at times…), and each time we crack up!
3. Dictionary: I use it quite often, not to see definition but to verify the spelling. I often get confused between the ways to write it in English versus French… That’s what happens when you constantly switch from one to the other.
4. Dirty: Something I hear often about my mind!
5. Dickhead: Too many of them around (whichever one you’re thinking of!). I particularly have a strong distaste for the Dumb kind (yet another D!), you know, the one driving like they own the roads, the one acting without any respect for others, the one breaking the law and never getting rightfully punished, the one thinking that everything is due to them – you know which one I mean, right?
6. Dildo: Something I wish I would have at times (you were warn at #4). Just Googled it and to my surprise there's a town, in Canada, Newfoundland & Labrador, called Dildo!!!
7. Death: I’ve been in this Lady’s presence way too often not to be fascinated by her, and to respect her. Death is the only certainty we have in this life.
8. Dog: My mom is closing house and moving to an apartment that won’t allow pet, so I’ll take her pooch in. Cathy (the dog) is a 13 years old chiuaua, which used to be my dad’s dog. My mom thought of putting her down, but I refused. Maybe the move will kill her, but I hope not. I like that pooch…
9. Disco: I must be getting older, ‘cause I just love the “old tunes” and got to dance when I hear them – Disco will never truly die! Who would have known that I would ever write something like that… me the rocker chick… Times change.
10. David Usher: A singer-songwriter (used to be front man in Canadian band “Moist”) that has this little “je ne sais quoi”, that gets to me. That is my type, dark, good looking and a flare of Asian… yummmmy!
...so who's going to be next? I came up with way more than 10, but I tried to take the good ones. What do you think?
It's everywhere... among us...Depression
Depression... It's interesting to see how many people are battling depression out there. Just reading other peoples blog I'm actually overwhelmed to see how many of us are out there, and what worries me is the fact that many people don't do a damn thing about it. I'm not talking about being down one day, you get up and feel like crap, no, I'm talking about this feeling of general boredom or this feeling that you are filled with this sadness that just won't go away, and you don't really know what you're sad about, or even that uncontrolable anger that you feel that could burst out at any time... that IS depression!Why is it so taboo is our society? I don't get it. When my dad was at his worst, before his death, people tried to cheer him up and so often I've heard (can only imagine how often he must have also!) people saying: "But why, he's got everything. He's young, retired, healthy, a loving wife, a good daughter, money in the bank, no debts, he can travel, so why isn't he happy?" If only we had that answer he'd probably be around today, but we didn't... To think that his first suicide attempt was made when he was 14 years old, shows that there was something seriously wrong... and "in those days" people didn't talk about depression and things like that (not that we do much more today, anyway, it's still very hush-hush), so all his life he fought his demons not really aware that there was help out there and mostly that there was nothing to be ashmed of... Not an easy fight, trust me.
He was a "Strong" man, didn't need anybody's help, especially not therapy! He would manage on his own - like he always did. My father had other issues to deal with as well, but the fact that he never really seeked help didn't help him. He went for his first therapy in January 1999 and in April of the same year, he took his life. He had been on Lithium and other medications, but was never properly followed up - when asked how he was doing, all was great - how can you help someone who resists ?
Like that quote: You can bring a horse to the water, but you can't force it to drink.
When I consulted for it I was told my my doctor that depression could be "somewhat" hereditary (doctors don't really want to say that outloud yet, it's not completely proven yet) and when I sarted to think about it, just on my father's side, a few brothers battled depression (and lost!) the same way my father did... so for me to wonder "if" was only fair...
I tried to "resist" as well, went to see a psychologist, it helped with some issues, but I always felt there was something else left. Couldn't quite put my finger on it, but... After my dad's death my doctor suggested that I'd be put on Paxil, to try it for a while. I was so against the idea, even the psy wasn't too warm to the idea, but I did it. It took some adjustments, but slowly I started to see some changes (my husband noticed them more than I did!) , so a while became longer, than a little longer and then I thought that I could get off, after all I was doing better - WRONG! I tried getting off and I did, but then I realised that my demeanors was so bad that I wanted back - I was a nicer person on - even if my psy wasn't at all happy about that. That is when my doctor told me that I might have a chemical imbalance in the brain (like low seratonin level (more a symptom than cause) that can contribute to the way I feel. Did he mean that I would have to take pills "for ever"?! He said that some people do have to and that's when he gave me the best example to change my way of thinking:
If you were diagnosed with diabetes you wouldn't fight me on getting your insuline shots, would you? You'd be aware that your body didn't produce enough insuline, so you wouldn't get embarassed by it, and you'd take the required medication to fix it, right? Now, in your case your brain might not be producing enough of certain hormones that you need (like seratonin), so taking the Paxil (or others) will boost your levels and you'll feel better. Is it your fault? Not more than the person who's dealing with being a diabetic. It's a condition that needs to be followed and "medicated".It took me a LOOOONG while to digest, but I did. I wanted to feel better... You have NO idea how often friends told me that I'd been on for too long, that I could manage on my own, or how surprised people looked when I mentionned that I was taking anti-depressant. I had made a VERY concsious decision to NOT be ashamed or embarassed by the fact that I was taking meds. If people judged me, let them, I don't need their approval (I rarely do anyway! But when it comes to my mental well-being I really don't give a rat's ass what people think!).
For the last five weeks I've been off all meds! I'm happy about it, even if I do see a serious change in my behavior. I have no tolerance what's so ever! But yet, I manage to do my work and I haven't kill anybody yet - I gave crap to a few people, but no blows! - and I don't feel depressed. There's days where I feel like crap, but it doesn't last too long. I keep busy that helps! One thing I've noticed is that I cry a lot more, but not because I'm sad (like when I use to hide in our closet or in the shower and balled my eyes out), but because my emotions are "a fleur de peau" (ready to explode at any time!) , we watch TV and almost every night I cry! Happy or sad, I cry. As soon as it touches the emotional cord I leak! Oh well! My dear husband simply offers if I need a tissue, and that's that.
I've stopped the meds because the pharmacist changed my prescription from Brand name to generic - DO NOT let ANYBODY do that to you!Even if they say it's the same it is NOT!
The side effects were bad in my case - it gave me shakes, internal shakes, that you couldn't see, but man did I feel them! The weaning wasn't easy, but now (besides the occasional shakes) I'm doing much better, besides my extremely, almost non-existant fuse, I'm ok.
Unlike a boat load of people, I DO take care of myself, I DO ask for help, and I DO feel good about it. There's no shame, no embarassment, nothing but this will to do right by me! If only I could be a little more patient... that would be great... working on it...
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
My husband and I have broken up!
We were trying to save money as the mortgage payments were pretty tough to work with.
As you know my husband don't drink that much - maybe a case of beer or so on the week ends. As a cost saving, I told him we couldn't afford beer anymore and he should quit.
It was tough, ... but he agreed.
But then he caught me spending $95.00 on make-up. He asked how come he had to give up stuff and I didn't? I said I needed the make-up to look pretty for him.
He told me that was what the beer was for...
.... .... ... I don't think he's coming back.
As you know my husband don't drink that much - maybe a case of beer or so on the week ends. As a cost saving, I told him we couldn't afford beer anymore and he should quit.
It was tough, ... but he agreed.
But then he caught me spending $95.00 on make-up. He asked how come he had to give up stuff and I didn't? I said I needed the make-up to look pretty for him.
He told me that was what the beer was for...
.... .... ... I don't think he's coming back.
Thanks Kathy - good one!
Monday, May 08, 2006
A New Day, A New Week, A New Contract!
On this beautiful Monday morning, my cute husband started a new contract! I'm wondering if he's excited about this new work environment, about the fact that he'll be able to cycle there, about his new hourly rate or simply because he's back at Nortel? After having been laid off from there in 1999, which gave us the "kick in the pants" we needed to start our own companie, it's almost funny to think that he's back again as a "consultant"! I know he's happy about seeing some of his old buddies that managed to avoid the chopping block. Many of the friends we made at work, or at the dojo are no longer there. People got laid off and went on to other jobs, locations and at times we lost touch with some of them. Things changed, right?
Everywhere we go we meet people, sometimes it's work related, other times it's doing sports and at times it's during travel. There's people you meet and instantly know that you'll see them again, and just the same there's people out there that you wish you've never met!
On Friday, Augie forward me a message that his team leader sent out to annonce his departure. Reading it gave me a nice feeling that despite his "bitching" and his "analness", my husband is appreciated at work, for his work ethics and even his, at times, rough exteriors people see in him a warm person, who cares and who shows a lot of professionalism. One thing for sure, he REALLY is a Geek! He has this knowledge and at times (yeah, at times, on RARE occasions!) he surprises me, with this ability he has to store information (often times, useless!) , but every so often it is useful... And, he has this "computing mojo"... What is that you may ask, if you haven't been exposed to it yet? Often, I mean very often, I'll be in the office and I'll experience some "technical difficulties", so before asking him to help me, I try different things and if all options I know about don't work, I'll call him up. He'll ask me to show him what I've done and how, and before I know it, it works! That really piss me off! That's his mojo! He even did it on the phone! When he's around computers it works!
My husband has been at his current client for a few hours now, and already he's complaining about the operating system. Everyone who knows him, a little (doesn't have to be much, trust me!) know that he's a Pinguin Pusher, a Linux freak. He doesn't do Windows... and that is too bad, since looking out just now, our windows could use a good wash... Maybe I'll do that this afternoon? Yeah right, as if!
I hope that my geeky husband enjoys his new contract, most of all enjoys himself (I know he will once he has a "real" operating system) and whatever makes him happy at work.
Everywhere we go we meet people, sometimes it's work related, other times it's doing sports and at times it's during travel. There's people you meet and instantly know that you'll see them again, and just the same there's people out there that you wish you've never met!
On Friday, Augie forward me a message that his team leader sent out to annonce his departure. Reading it gave me a nice feeling that despite his "bitching" and his "analness", my husband is appreciated at work, for his work ethics and even his, at times, rough exteriors people see in him a warm person, who cares and who shows a lot of professionalism. One thing for sure, he REALLY is a Geek! He has this knowledge and at times (yeah, at times, on RARE occasions!) he surprises me, with this ability he has to store information (often times, useless!) , but every so often it is useful... And, he has this "computing mojo"... What is that you may ask, if you haven't been exposed to it yet? Often, I mean very often, I'll be in the office and I'll experience some "technical difficulties", so before asking him to help me, I try different things and if all options I know about don't work, I'll call him up. He'll ask me to show him what I've done and how, and before I know it, it works! That really piss me off! That's his mojo! He even did it on the phone! When he's around computers it works!
My husband has been at his current client for a few hours now, and already he's complaining about the operating system. Everyone who knows him, a little (doesn't have to be much, trust me!) know that he's a Pinguin Pusher, a Linux freak. He doesn't do Windows... and that is too bad, since looking out just now, our windows could use a good wash... Maybe I'll do that this afternoon? Yeah right, as if!
I hope that my geeky husband enjoys his new contract, most of all enjoys himself (I know he will once he has a "real" operating system) and whatever makes him happy at work.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Friday, May 05, 2006
Your Friday Smile! * Votre Sourire du vendredi!
Some retired deputy sheriffs went to a retreat in the mountains. To save money, they decided to sleep two to a room. No one wanted to room with Daryl because he snored so badly. They decided it wasn't fair to make one of them stay with him the whole time, so they voted to take turns
The first deputy slept with Daryl and comes to breakfast the next morning with his hair a mess and his eyes all bloodshot. They said, "Man, what happened to you?" He said, "Daryl snored so loudly, I just sat up and watched him all night."
The next night it was a different deputy's turn. In the morning, same thing--hair all standing up, eyes all blood-shot. They said, "Man, what happened to you? You look awful!" He said, "Man, that Daryl shakes the roof. I watched him all night."
The third night was Frank's turn. Frank was a big burly ex-football player; a man's man. The next morning he came to breakfast bright eyed and bushy tailed. Good morning." They couldn't believe it!
They said, "Man, what happened?" He said, "Well, we got ready for bed. I went and tucked Daryl into bed and kissed him good night. He sat up and watched me all night long."
*****
Un homme s'inscrit dans l'armée. On l'envoie immédiatement dans le désert. Il rencontre le commandant de la base et prend connaissance du terrain. Après une heure de visite, il réalise qu'il n'y a pas de femme sur la base. Intrigué, il demande au commandant :
« Pardon, ça fait une heure que je parcours la base de long en large et j'ai l'impression qu'il n'y a pas de femme. »
- Et alors ?
« Ben, y a des gars qui sont ici depuis deux ans, ils doivent bien être en manque? »
- Tu vois la tente là-bas ? Ben, derrière, il y a un chameau...
« UN CHAMEAU ?!?! »
- Oui, un chameau, les gars l'utilisent et ils semblent bien satisfaits...
Le gars est atterré !!! Il s'imagine derrière le chameau et en pleure presque... il se jure de ne jamais tomber aussi bas.
Après quelques semaines, il n'en peut plus. Après avoir observé ses compagnons qui, tard le soir, reviennent de la fameuse tente avec de larges sourires, il décide d'essayer.
Il arrive derrière la tente et regarde longuement l'animal :
« Putain, c'est la misère... » Il ferme les yeux, pense à une femme superbe, baisse sa braguette et d'un puissant coup de rein, il enfile le chameau.
A ce moment, pris de panique, la bête pousse d'énormes cris qui réveillent toute la garnison.
L'arme au poing, les soldats se précipitent pour voir ce qui se passe.
- Mais bordel, qu'est-ce que tu fais là ?!
« Ben quoi, comme tout le monde... sauf que le chameau, il n'a pas l'air d'aimer ça ! »
Have a great weekend! * Bonne fin de semaine!
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Have a good day!
Here's the plan, I was supposed to send the following message with the picture, but since I'm trying NOT to send joke e-mails anymore, I figured I'd made a post instead. So here goes:
Thanks Diana, this is really cute!
Send this flower to four people that you want to have a good day.
I picked you. Please consider passing this to four people you want to have a good day as well as the person who sent it to you. This is SO positive and there is nothing attached.
Let's continue to send this along. Have a bright sunny day!
(I know I picked more than four, and you can, too.)
May you always have Love to Share, Health to Spare and Friends that Care!
Thanks Diana, this is really cute!
One more...
My currently cute husband, send me this strip this morning, wondering if my meditation teacher would appreciate it. I think he would... it's cute... At least I think so (and Diane too!), so here it is:
Une p'tite vite...
Un ours, un lion et un poulet qui se rencontrent.
L'ours dit: "Je grogne et tous les habitants de la forêt tremblent".
Le lion réplique: "Je rugis et tous les habitants de la plaine ont
peur".
Le poulet réplique:"Bof... moi je tousse et toute la planète chie dans
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Notre matou, part II
I wanted a cat with attitude and I got what I asked for. Like all cats, Tobi sleeps, licks, eats, licks some more, watches the world go by from either our bedroom window or the patio door. At night, when we are having dinner, he sits on the sill of the dining room. That isn't bad as such, but he wags his tail, in the blinds, so he seriously makes a racket. He when we try to get him off, he talks back at us. Which brings me to the strange things he does.
Here are some of the "odd" things that he does:
This is a position he takes evertime we make a fire. When we start crumbling paper to lit the fire, he runs to us and sits by the fireplace waiting. He's often in our way when we try to make a fire. You can see that he's impatient, he wants something. Once the fire is lit, he will lay down infront of the fireplace, but when it gets "really" hot, he rolls over on his back and just sleeps ther, Spread Eagle truly enjoying the heat. At times his fur gets so hot, but he doesn't move... he's happy. (His purrs are often an indicator of his satisfaction level).
Looking at him in this position, gives a new meaning to "Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire..." doesn't it?! And trust me, if they were there, they'd be roasting!!
Since we got him, we always played with him, roughly (to be expected with us, right?), especially hubby. They regularly have little fighting sessions. It is as if Tobi knows that it's "play fighting". He bats hard, and I think he's a lefty! And when hubby doesn't fight anymore, Tobi will come by and bite him a little on the arm to continue the match. It's fun to see how the cat gets upset at times, hair raised up on his back, ears back, really pissy look to him. With me he doesn't really do that. We each have our games with him. And they are quite different.
When hubby picks him up like a football, and that he just looks around with this look of "OK, get it over with" on his face, or when hubby gives him a "raspberry" on the belly, he never wiggles or try to get out of it - he takes it like the pet he is!
All this to say, that for that last 11 years Tobi has been part of our life and we can see that's he is getting older... Just like hubby, he has white hair growing in new places... His moustaches are white, all white as well as his eyebrows hairs. Look at these pictures, you can tell that he's now un gros matou:
On this picture, Tobi was climbing everywhere, the back of that chair was pretty narrow, but he managed to sit there. You can also see that he still had his claws. One time, while hubby was doing the dishes at the sink Tobi climbed him. He basically clawed his way from the ground to hubby's back. While in the sweat pants it was funny, but when he got to his back on the T-shirt it got a little more "painful". He also used to jump from one person to another. Sitting where he was (on that high chair) if one of us would be near by, we would coax him over and he would basically throw himself at us.
Once he jumped from hubby's arms to a friend's, who was just standing around in the kitchen. He would take some serious leaps (of faith, at times!) but never got hurt...
This is Tobi a few days ago, in his bed. Can you tell that's he's now an old tomcat? Ok, so I took the picture pretty darn close, but I wanted you to see his white wiskers. On this shot you can't really tell that he's grown into his ears, unlike when he was a kitten. He was all ears.
Doesn't he have a gorgeous coat? It is so shinny. Augie will say "Of course, with all the freakin' liking he does!", and he's right. I think he has a nervous condition, he's sound asleep and he'll wake up to give himself a few licks.
And the hairballs... lately it's almmost daily! Last weekend we changed his food for some that has some hairball remedy in it... Let's hope it does the trick, or at least slow down how often he has them. Over the years, I've trained him to have them over the hard wood floor. I used to get up in the middle of the night, when I would hear him gag, and basically throw him on the floor or chase him down - those things are a bitch to clean off the carpet. Now when he starts gagging he goes down the stairs all by himself! The other morning he had one in front of the tv unit and Augie stepped in it... Not a happy camper, let me tell you!
Overall , we have a good kitty and we love him. As for how he feels... well... we don't really give him a choice since we don't let him outside, but I think like my father-in-law says each time he sees his "grand-cat": "Such a content cat".
You got that right Guszti...
Here are some of the "odd" things that he does:
- He's a Buddhist: every time he goes upstairs, he stops by the Buddha. This is not a seldom act - he does this every single time. When we have guests over, they commented on the little stop he does...
- He "talks" back to us: whenever we tell him not to do something and it's not what he wants, he'll meow back at us, but in a very "accusing" tone...
- He meows "quietly": when one of us is sleeping and he meows, when we tell him to be quiet, his "tone" goes lower, he kindda wispers his meow...
- He loves Tzaziki, and Jalapeno chips...
- He taunts us from the blinds...
- He does "kitty nautilus": he pulls himself along the posts of the railing...
- He is always with us. We're watching tv, he's on the back of the couch. We're in the office, he's by the door or in his bed...
- He sleeps with us, but never on the matress' sheet directly. He won't even walk on it!
- Every time he goes out on the front porch, he jumps over the border between the tiles and the hard wood floor. There's nothing there to jump over, but he does...
- As soon as the garage door is open, he goes in and rolls on the concrete floor like there's no tomorrow...
- He always have one of his eyebrow broken...
- He lets us pick him up like a football without resisting, just sits there...
This is a position he takes evertime we make a fire. When we start crumbling paper to lit the fire, he runs to us and sits by the fireplace waiting. He's often in our way when we try to make a fire. You can see that he's impatient, he wants something. Once the fire is lit, he will lay down infront of the fireplace, but when it gets "really" hot, he rolls over on his back and just sleeps ther, Spread Eagle truly enjoying the heat. At times his fur gets so hot, but he doesn't move... he's happy. (His purrs are often an indicator of his satisfaction level).Looking at him in this position, gives a new meaning to "Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire..." doesn't it?! And trust me, if they were there, they'd be roasting!!
Since we got him, we always played with him, roughly (to be expected with us, right?), especially hubby. They regularly have little fighting sessions. It is as if Tobi knows that it's "play fighting". He bats hard, and I think he's a lefty! And when hubby doesn't fight anymore, Tobi will come by and bite him a little on the arm to continue the match. It's fun to see how the cat gets upset at times, hair raised up on his back, ears back, really pissy look to him. With me he doesn't really do that. We each have our games with him. And they are quite different.
When hubby picks him up like a football, and that he just looks around with this look of "OK, get it over with" on his face, or when hubby gives him a "raspberry" on the belly, he never wiggles or try to get out of it - he takes it like the pet he is!
All this to say, that for that last 11 years Tobi has been part of our life and we can see that's he is getting older... Just like hubby, he has white hair growing in new places... His moustaches are white, all white as well as his eyebrows hairs. Look at these pictures, you can tell that he's now un gros matou:
On this picture, Tobi was climbing everywhere, the back of that chair was pretty narrow, but he managed to sit there. You can also see that he still had his claws. One time, while hubby was doing the dishes at the sink Tobi climbed him. He basically clawed his way from the ground to hubby's back. While in the sweat pants it was funny, but when he got to his back on the T-shirt it got a little more "painful". He also used to jump from one person to another. Sitting where he was (on that high chair) if one of us would be near by, we would coax him over and he would basically throw himself at us.
Once he jumped from hubby's arms to a friend's, who was just standing around in the kitchen. He would take some serious leaps (of faith, at times!) but never got hurt...
This is Tobi a few days ago, in his bed. Can you tell that's he's now an old tomcat? Ok, so I took the picture pretty darn close, but I wanted you to see his white wiskers. On this shot you can't really tell that he's grown into his ears, unlike when he was a kitten. He was all ears.Doesn't he have a gorgeous coat? It is so shinny. Augie will say "Of course, with all the freakin' liking he does!", and he's right. I think he has a nervous condition, he's sound asleep and he'll wake up to give himself a few licks.
And the hairballs... lately it's almmost daily! Last weekend we changed his food for some that has some hairball remedy in it... Let's hope it does the trick, or at least slow down how often he has them. Over the years, I've trained him to have them over the hard wood floor. I used to get up in the middle of the night, when I would hear him gag, and basically throw him on the floor or chase him down - those things are a bitch to clean off the carpet. Now when he starts gagging he goes down the stairs all by himself! The other morning he had one in front of the tv unit and Augie stepped in it... Not a happy camper, let me tell you!
Overall , we have a good kitty and we love him. As for how he feels... well... we don't really give him a choice since we don't let him outside, but I think like my father-in-law says each time he sees his "grand-cat": "Such a content cat".You got that right Guszti...
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