My cats are so weird.
I really wanted to end the noe there but figured that was cruel. Hudson likes to 'cover' the empty food dish. The two little munchkins get a small (very small) amount of moist food a day and without fail everytime after the dish is empty she covers it up. She will pull some sort of imarinary cover over it. She paws the floor on all sides of the dish as if putting a layer of soil over it. I have googled this behaviour because I had never seen it before and apparently it is normal cat behaviour--for some. Some will do it when it is something
they don't like to eat but the covering up the empty dish is a bit odd. Ah well. I still love her.
They sleep--a lot. I know cats like to sleep but I guess being at home during the day the past few days has shown me just how much. They are active for an hourish and then they nap for a few hours then paly for a few minutes and then nap again. I guess ripping and tearing around the house can really wear a girl down.
They are vocal rarely....and generally only when food is involved. When they know the food is coming the meow constantly until it is set in front of them and there is never a thank you meow. LOL.They purr a lot though which is great and must mean that they are happy and content. I would like them to learn how to knead...but maybe not until they have better control of their claws.
********
Work. So I am off all week from my day job but am headed to the movies every night from tonight on until just before I return to work. It's ok...not spoiling any plans and gives me some post-Christmas money which really, don't most of us want that? So...tonight...for those of you on PEI you know the weather was a bit stormish. Power flickers and small outages all day, lots of wind, lots of snow and lots of people still out on the road. Yep, we had a ton of folks show up for a movie. I don't get it. The last thing I want to do on a storm night is head out for a show. Must be just me. So fine, you want to go out and see a show--dress for it. I saw people walking in the door wearing sneakers, no hats, no mittens, no scarves and for a lot of people no winter coats--jogging tops and hoodies. OM Goodness...people, snow means winter weather conditions and what would you do if you got stuck in the snow? Sigh.
Having a couple gal pals for brunch tomorrow. Looking forward to catching up with them....just hope the menu works out and the weather holds.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!--finally. LOL.
Small storm(?) hitting the region. Lots of big fluffy snow flakes down and already on the ground. They are saying storm...I'm a bit excited. I could use a good storm. Not that I have anywhere to go and that this will change my day in any way...but storm...fun! It's like a free day. Mom--stay home. Call in to work and tell them you can't make it in.
Small storm(?) hitting the region. Lots of big fluffy snow flakes down and already on the ground. They are saying storm...I'm a bit excited. I could use a good storm. Not that I have anywhere to go and that this will change my day in any way...but storm...fun! It's like a free day. Mom--stay home. Call in to work and tell them you can't make it in.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Good will towards all....
My first Christmas on the Island in 5 years--boy do I miss snow. It is snowing at the moment and there is actually a storm advisory on but I have been desperately missing the snow. Nothing says Christmas to me like snow. In fact I have found my spirit lacking a bit. The tree is up and it has been making me grumpier by the day. It is dead. Yes, I know, cut trees are dead...but it is bowing under the weight of ornaments that have no real weight and dropping needles when you merely look at it. The tree will be coming down soon--very soon. The cats have done a remarkably good job of not playing with the ornaments on it and I think next year it will not be an issue to put it up with all the ornaments on it.
On December 24 I headed out to battle the stores. I didn't need a present I was in search of a Christmas tree and I found one. It is one of the most realistic fake trees I have ever seen. I am tempted to put it up this year but will wait until next Christmas. The thought of undecorating twice this year is a bit too much. The smell of pine tree only seems to last for the one day so I think that aspect of real trees will not be missed and if I need a hit of pine I can head to a tree lot or into the woods.
A wonderful meal at my parents today--mmm, turkey. I am going to head out on Monday to purchase my own turkey. I want the leftovers. I fondly remember last years turkey and all the wonderful meals I made in the months following. There was more than one batch of terrific turkey soup and I think more soup is in order. The ability to just open the freezer door and grab a nice bowl of homemade soup is a good thing.
I didn't take many pictures today--4 in total. I know...how strange for me. My camera battery is on low and I can't find the charger. I actually spent a fair bit of time last night looking for a new on online. I can't believe I may need to get a new one. Sigh. It is very light and I fear it may have been tossed out--at the bottom of a bag and just not noticed. The one photo of the 4 I took that sorta turned out is of the kittens. I constructed a play house for them the other day.
Christmas 2010
Here once again are a few images from Christmas past...
2006
My first Christmas on the Island in 5 years--boy do I miss snow. It is snowing at the moment and there is actually a storm advisory on but I have been desperately missing the snow. Nothing says Christmas to me like snow. In fact I have found my spirit lacking a bit. The tree is up and it has been making me grumpier by the day. It is dead. Yes, I know, cut trees are dead...but it is bowing under the weight of ornaments that have no real weight and dropping needles when you merely look at it. The tree will be coming down soon--very soon. The cats have done a remarkably good job of not playing with the ornaments on it and I think next year it will not be an issue to put it up with all the ornaments on it.
On December 24 I headed out to battle the stores. I didn't need a present I was in search of a Christmas tree and I found one. It is one of the most realistic fake trees I have ever seen. I am tempted to put it up this year but will wait until next Christmas. The thought of undecorating twice this year is a bit too much. The smell of pine tree only seems to last for the one day so I think that aspect of real trees will not be missed and if I need a hit of pine I can head to a tree lot or into the woods.
A wonderful meal at my parents today--mmm, turkey. I am going to head out on Monday to purchase my own turkey. I want the leftovers. I fondly remember last years turkey and all the wonderful meals I made in the months following. There was more than one batch of terrific turkey soup and I think more soup is in order. The ability to just open the freezer door and grab a nice bowl of homemade soup is a good thing.
I didn't take many pictures today--4 in total. I know...how strange for me. My camera battery is on low and I can't find the charger. I actually spent a fair bit of time last night looking for a new on online. I can't believe I may need to get a new one. Sigh. It is very light and I fear it may have been tossed out--at the bottom of a bag and just not noticed. The one photo of the 4 I took that sorta turned out is of the kittens. I constructed a play house for them the other day.
Christmas 2010
Here once again are a few images from Christmas past...
2006
2007
2008
2009
2005
Sunday, December 19, 2010
It looks like a great day is forming outside my windows. The sun is making a long slow rise over the horizon, the sky changing from dark ink to pale blue, streaks of yellow, orange and pink connecting it.
The kittens are playing with each other. I love how they can play fight with each other. The decision to get two was well made. They do indeed keep one another company---when I'm away and home. They are only getting one small present each from Santa. They are nice and they are naughty but I think they get enough treats and toys from me that they don't need anymore.
The tree is up and decorated and is withstanding the kittens. I limited the number of ornaments on the bottom third that would have been within easy reach of little paws. I also limited the number of decorations in the house...keeping it simple. This time next year they will have settled down some and it should be ok to fully deck the halls.
If I get a chance after work today I am picking up a few fish for the tank. It has been up and running for a few weeks now (without fish) and the cats have gotten adjusted to the noise it makes and no longer wish to view it. I know the movement of the fish will attract their attention but it is up well above their line of sight so it should be relatively safe--I hope.
Last night I was at my grandmothers for a visit and I wrapped most of my presents. Multi-tasking at its best. In the afternoon I was at Christmas Blaze with Auntie F and friends. It was a great show. Very high energy. I even managed to get my library card yesterday and picked up an audio book. It will be great to start listening to books again as I make the drive from Charlottetown to Victoria and back. That's one hour of book time each day. I can't believe it has taken me this long to get downtown to get my library card--such a simple thing that will bring me hours of entertainment and enjoyment.
Speaking of entertainment I am getting rid of my cable. I have been trying out Netflix on the internet and I think it will be just the thing. It won't give me the local morning news--but the internet and radio will, plus we get the paper at work. I will try to go cable free until April and if things aren't working out by the time I get back from India then I will hook it up again.
Off to work shortly at the theatre--hopefully everyone shows up for their shift today. I am on box office again but last time got called over to help at concession due to a lack of staff. It is too nice a day to be watching movies so my recommendation would be people go outside and go for a walk--enjoy the green grass a little longer.
The kittens are playing with each other. I love how they can play fight with each other. The decision to get two was well made. They do indeed keep one another company---when I'm away and home. They are only getting one small present each from Santa. They are nice and they are naughty but I think they get enough treats and toys from me that they don't need anymore.
The tree is up and decorated and is withstanding the kittens. I limited the number of ornaments on the bottom third that would have been within easy reach of little paws. I also limited the number of decorations in the house...keeping it simple. This time next year they will have settled down some and it should be ok to fully deck the halls.
If I get a chance after work today I am picking up a few fish for the tank. It has been up and running for a few weeks now (without fish) and the cats have gotten adjusted to the noise it makes and no longer wish to view it. I know the movement of the fish will attract their attention but it is up well above their line of sight so it should be relatively safe--I hope.
Last night I was at my grandmothers for a visit and I wrapped most of my presents. Multi-tasking at its best. In the afternoon I was at Christmas Blaze with Auntie F and friends. It was a great show. Very high energy. I even managed to get my library card yesterday and picked up an audio book. It will be great to start listening to books again as I make the drive from Charlottetown to Victoria and back. That's one hour of book time each day. I can't believe it has taken me this long to get downtown to get my library card--such a simple thing that will bring me hours of entertainment and enjoyment.
Speaking of entertainment I am getting rid of my cable. I have been trying out Netflix on the internet and I think it will be just the thing. It won't give me the local morning news--but the internet and radio will, plus we get the paper at work. I will try to go cable free until April and if things aren't working out by the time I get back from India then I will hook it up again.
Off to work shortly at the theatre--hopefully everyone shows up for their shift today. I am on box office again but last time got called over to help at concession due to a lack of staff. It is too nice a day to be watching movies so my recommendation would be people go outside and go for a walk--enjoy the green grass a little longer.
Friday, December 17, 2010
I don't normally blog in the middle of the day--cause I'm at work, but today I am. It is almost the end of the day and I'm a bit tired and feeling the down side of the sugar buzz I was on earlier. Ah, sugar.
We had a pot luck at the V office and it was good. We had cheese and dessert. And really not much else. That isn't entirely true. There was an ugly sweater contest--I didn't have one. A work station decorating contest--I decorated my other office so didn't here and the a prize for best dessert and best main dish. The theme was Christmas. It is always easy to find festive desserts and that is what the majority of the table was--dessert. YUMMY.
With little other food around the sugar in my belly took effect and now I'm on the down side of the buzz and feeling tired and lethargic...which is really the same thing as tired. On the plus side I won the dessert competition. I made an igloo. It is chocolate mouse inside and covered with cool whip and marshmallows. Super easy to make and fun to decorate. I put one of my carved polar bears in the dish for looks. We also did a Secret Santa gift exchange and I ended up with a nice sized black and white mug. Oddly enough I've been looking at mugs lately but never actually bought one. Thanks Santa. The most popular items to go around were a couple bottles of wine and a gift card for the liquor store. It was a great event.
I am heading out tonight to the Delta. They are hosting their annual Thank You holiday party and the proceeds are for Habitat--as one of the BOD members I received an invite. I invited one of our new staff to go with me. She is her on her own, family is in BC and she is working day and night, night and day. I know she needs a break and while I almost had to pull out the big guns and tell her I was forcing her a bit of coaxing and she agreed. I said we would only go for a short time. I'm actually pretty tired this week and don't plan to stay long myself.
Work schedule for the theatre came out a couple days ago and it is looking pretty good for the holidays. I have lots of time off for the 25th and work New Years--which is exactly what I wanted. Just enough shifts over the holidays to keep me out of trouble and pay off my xmas purchases.
I best be off. Have a great weekend.
We had a pot luck at the V office and it was good. We had cheese and dessert. And really not much else. That isn't entirely true. There was an ugly sweater contest--I didn't have one. A work station decorating contest--I decorated my other office so didn't here and the a prize for best dessert and best main dish. The theme was Christmas. It is always easy to find festive desserts and that is what the majority of the table was--dessert. YUMMY.
With little other food around the sugar in my belly took effect and now I'm on the down side of the buzz and feeling tired and lethargic...which is really the same thing as tired. On the plus side I won the dessert competition. I made an igloo. It is chocolate mouse inside and covered with cool whip and marshmallows. Super easy to make and fun to decorate. I put one of my carved polar bears in the dish for looks. We also did a Secret Santa gift exchange and I ended up with a nice sized black and white mug. Oddly enough I've been looking at mugs lately but never actually bought one. Thanks Santa. The most popular items to go around were a couple bottles of wine and a gift card for the liquor store. It was a great event.
I am heading out tonight to the Delta. They are hosting their annual Thank You holiday party and the proceeds are for Habitat--as one of the BOD members I received an invite. I invited one of our new staff to go with me. She is her on her own, family is in BC and she is working day and night, night and day. I know she needs a break and while I almost had to pull out the big guns and tell her I was forcing her a bit of coaxing and she agreed. I said we would only go for a short time. I'm actually pretty tired this week and don't plan to stay long myself.
Work schedule for the theatre came out a couple days ago and it is looking pretty good for the holidays. I have lots of time off for the 25th and work New Years--which is exactly what I wanted. Just enough shifts over the holidays to keep me out of trouble and pay off my xmas purchases.
I best be off. Have a great weekend.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Is it just me or have the past ten days or so flown by? Can you believe we are less than ten days to Christmas? I can't. My tree is up but not finished, the presents are bought but not wrapped and I haven't started my letter to Santa or my Christmas baking. I haven't done Christmas baking in a long, long time and it might not happen again this year. Too bad cause I want to use my snowflake and mitten shaped cookie cutters.
I almost put out an adoption ad this morning.
"To give away to any home two kittens. Able to leap tall heights in a single bound and unroll toilet paper in mere seconds. Can meow in unison for long periods of time and are able to be underfoot every second of the day."
I love 'em....but....lol.
Last night they were doing laps around the house. Jumping from one piece of furniture to the next and not stopping for a good hour. This morning they meowed and were underfoot in the kitchen the whole time I was trying to make my breakfast and when I arrived home last night they had de-papered the toilet paper. It was a wonderful sight. Sigh. It is my punishment for not spending a lot of time with them lately. If only they understood English so I could explain the situation to them.
But when they quiet down and lay on the couch watching me I sigh and am grateful to have their company. I just hope that when I arrive home tonight some of the ornaments I so very carefully placed on the tree last night are still there.
I almost put out an adoption ad this morning.
"To give away to any home two kittens. Able to leap tall heights in a single bound and unroll toilet paper in mere seconds. Can meow in unison for long periods of time and are able to be underfoot every second of the day."
I love 'em....but....lol.
Last night they were doing laps around the house. Jumping from one piece of furniture to the next and not stopping for a good hour. This morning they meowed and were underfoot in the kitchen the whole time I was trying to make my breakfast and when I arrived home last night they had de-papered the toilet paper. It was a wonderful sight. Sigh. It is my punishment for not spending a lot of time with them lately. If only they understood English so I could explain the situation to them.
But when they quiet down and lay on the couch watching me I sigh and am grateful to have their company. I just hope that when I arrive home tonight some of the ornaments I so very carefully placed on the tree last night are still there.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Morning!
It's Friday...how great is that? The birthday was fantastic. I was late getting to one of my afternoon meetings but was told, "It's ok. You should be allowed to be late coming back from lunch on your birthday." Awwweee.
The celebrations continue into the weekend and will wrap up on Sunday night with a family supper. Now I just need to stop being a social butterfly for a night or two so I can get caught up on my laundry and dishes. Ugh...dishes.
Hi Tundra! What are you doing? What's so fascinating about the bag?
I can't remember if I posted any of these pics--taken in late November when we had a sprinkling of snow.
Where was I? I have no idea....
It's Friday...how great is that? The birthday was fantastic. I was late getting to one of my afternoon meetings but was told, "It's ok. You should be allowed to be late coming back from lunch on your birthday." Awwweee.
The celebrations continue into the weekend and will wrap up on Sunday night with a family supper. Now I just need to stop being a social butterfly for a night or two so I can get caught up on my laundry and dishes. Ugh...dishes.
 |
| Oh, I see, your sister is in it. Hi Hudson! |
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Don't forget--only 2 more shopping days until my birthday!
I'm headed out for supper tonight with friends and co-workers, lunch on Friday with a good friend and a family party on Sunday. Yeah!!
I'm watching one of the cats clean her toes. They always look so cute when they do that. Toes spread a look of fierce concentration as they focus on the job at hand. I love it.
On September 7th I woke up to find no diet pepsi in the apartment. So I took it as a sign and quit. It has been 3 months since I have had a diet cola. Have I given it up for good? Likely not. It was my drink of choice when I was having a stressful day. It is an easy thing to pick up and drink when on the go. I miss it. I haven't seen any health changes since I quit...I dunno.
The gig at the movie theatre is going well. I've been 'promoted' to box office. I still haven't finished my 6 week probation period and already a promotion. The kids at work who have worked there for a while are surprised and happy at how quickly I am catching on. LOL. The group that started the same time I did are envious and in awe that I've done box office a couple times. I think it is all very amusing. It isn't difficult work you just need to keep your head on when it gets busy and keep busy when there are no crowds. The shifts lately have been great, Saturday day and one evening a week where I am finished long before 10pm. I'm old you know...I need my sleep.
Can you believe that Christmas is just around the corner? I am no where close to having my shopping done and I haven't even figured out how I am going to wrap with two fuzzy babies in the house who will be amused and excited by the crackle of paper and sticky tape. I decorated one of my two offices yesterday. It looks good. Totally different from what I did last year. I can't find the snowflakes I had hanging from the ceiling. I guess somwhere in the two moves that happened since last December I lost them or decided at some point it wasn't going to be worth my time and effort to untangle all the strings in order to reuse them.
Here on the home front I have managed to get a set of lights up around the window will minimal input from the cats and I have decorated the large shelves without their help and acknowledgement. I will not move forward with a tree until the weekend of the 18th. I know it will be an attraction for the kittens and the less time for it to tip over and for them to break all the ornaments the better. LOL. I would love to put it up now but really with no snow on the ground I am finding it hard to get into the Christmas frame of mind.
Interesting but useless fact. I haven't been on an airplane in 6 months. This is the longest I have gone in 5 years without soaring above the ground.
I'm headed out for supper tonight with friends and co-workers, lunch on Friday with a good friend and a family party on Sunday. Yeah!!
I'm watching one of the cats clean her toes. They always look so cute when they do that. Toes spread a look of fierce concentration as they focus on the job at hand. I love it.
On September 7th I woke up to find no diet pepsi in the apartment. So I took it as a sign and quit. It has been 3 months since I have had a diet cola. Have I given it up for good? Likely not. It was my drink of choice when I was having a stressful day. It is an easy thing to pick up and drink when on the go. I miss it. I haven't seen any health changes since I quit...I dunno.
The gig at the movie theatre is going well. I've been 'promoted' to box office. I still haven't finished my 6 week probation period and already a promotion. The kids at work who have worked there for a while are surprised and happy at how quickly I am catching on. LOL. The group that started the same time I did are envious and in awe that I've done box office a couple times. I think it is all very amusing. It isn't difficult work you just need to keep your head on when it gets busy and keep busy when there are no crowds. The shifts lately have been great, Saturday day and one evening a week where I am finished long before 10pm. I'm old you know...I need my sleep.
Can you believe that Christmas is just around the corner? I am no where close to having my shopping done and I haven't even figured out how I am going to wrap with two fuzzy babies in the house who will be amused and excited by the crackle of paper and sticky tape. I decorated one of my two offices yesterday. It looks good. Totally different from what I did last year. I can't find the snowflakes I had hanging from the ceiling. I guess somwhere in the two moves that happened since last December I lost them or decided at some point it wasn't going to be worth my time and effort to untangle all the strings in order to reuse them.
Here on the home front I have managed to get a set of lights up around the window will minimal input from the cats and I have decorated the large shelves without their help and acknowledgement. I will not move forward with a tree until the weekend of the 18th. I know it will be an attraction for the kittens and the less time for it to tip over and for them to break all the ornaments the better. LOL. I would love to put it up now but really with no snow on the ground I am finding it hard to get into the Christmas frame of mind.
Interesting but useless fact. I haven't been on an airplane in 6 months. This is the longest I have gone in 5 years without soaring above the ground.
Friday, December 3, 2010
I passed!
In January of this year I decided to finally bite the bullet and get my HR designation. I decided if I was going to stay in HR that I should. I postponsed writing it in May--the whole leaving job, moving, etc was too much and I felt bad cause I hadn't studied. 5 months later I still hadn't studied and on the day before I wrote the exam I joined two good friends for dinner and a show--Hairspray! Perhaps I should have stayed home to study but... Saturday morning arrived to torrential rains and I spent two hours writing my exam. Sigh.
And I passed. I can't believe it. WHOOO HOOO!!! I had planned to write them one after another and have them done within a year but that plan will not work. The next exam is May 7 and I hope to still be on the road returning from India. October it will need to be.
I'm off to Moncton this afternoon. YEAH! Quick shopping trip with a friend.
In January of this year I decided to finally bite the bullet and get my HR designation. I decided if I was going to stay in HR that I should. I postponsed writing it in May--the whole leaving job, moving, etc was too much and I felt bad cause I hadn't studied. 5 months later I still hadn't studied and on the day before I wrote the exam I joined two good friends for dinner and a show--Hairspray! Perhaps I should have stayed home to study but... Saturday morning arrived to torrential rains and I spent two hours writing my exam. Sigh.
And I passed. I can't believe it. WHOOO HOOO!!! I had planned to write them one after another and have them done within a year but that plan will not work. The next exam is May 7 and I hope to still be on the road returning from India. October it will need to be.
I'm off to Moncton this afternoon. YEAH! Quick shopping trip with a friend.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Cookies are good. Three cookies before lunch has started not so good. One of the lovely folks I work with is married to a lovely woman who likes to bake. Almost every Monday morning there is a delicious treat waiting us in the kitchen. Today it is Christmas cookies. Yummy sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles. The kind I was going to make on the weekend but didn't get around to making. Thank you for the cookies.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Just a short update as I get myself ready to head to my bed. Holiday party Friday night was great and the visiting of friends after that great as well. Here's a couple of pics of me in the sari I wore to the party Friday night.
Compliments from friends and co-workers alike--including a few of the women from India who know how to properly wear sari.
Compliments from friends and co-workers alike--including a few of the women from India who know how to properly wear sari.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Is it just me or is everyone sleeping more lately? I won't say I used to spring out of bed at 6am, but it wasn't far from that. Now I find myself still under the covers at 7am and somedays pushing it until 7:30. I miss my morning time but cuddled under the covers I can't imagine getting out of bed any earlier, even if it does mean reading my favorite blogs and doing the crossword puzzle. Even the cats are sleeping in.
I bought this fabulous toaster oven/rotiserie/toaster/broiler thing in September. I love toaster ovens and am rarely without one. Great when you are cooking for one! The rotiserie (I have no idea how to spell that!) is fantastic and I have successfully cooked a couple of chickens. Yummy. The toaster part however leaves a lot to be desired, so much so that I finally gave up and bought a toaster. Grrr. It's ok. The toaster was the el cheapo only toasts, turn the dial kind of toaster but that isn't the point. I guess maybe the 6 function toaster oven was too much to ask for. The only regret is the lack of counter space in an already counter challenged kitchen. If I ever get to buy/build a house I am going to build 10 more feet of counter than the builder recommends--just cause.
Hump Day! For those of you watching the days and the clock this week we are half way through and the weekend is just starting to peek out from around the corner.
I bought this fabulous toaster oven/rotiserie/toaster/broiler thing in September. I love toaster ovens and am rarely without one. Great when you are cooking for one! The rotiserie (I have no idea how to spell that!) is fantastic and I have successfully cooked a couple of chickens. Yummy. The toaster part however leaves a lot to be desired, so much so that I finally gave up and bought a toaster. Grrr. It's ok. The toaster was the el cheapo only toasts, turn the dial kind of toaster but that isn't the point. I guess maybe the 6 function toaster oven was too much to ask for. The only regret is the lack of counter space in an already counter challenged kitchen. If I ever get to buy/build a house I am going to build 10 more feet of counter than the builder recommends--just cause.
Hump Day! For those of you watching the days and the clock this week we are half way through and the weekend is just starting to peek out from around the corner.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Time certainly fllies when you are busy. And having fun.
I have now officially survived 5 shifts. I learned how to make cotton candy last week. It was easy and fun and smelled so yummy. I haven't had any popcorn yet--by the time break rolls around I'm immune to the smell and don't 'crave' it.
The kids I work with are great. They have energy to burn and you might be surprised that I have no issues taking orders from 17 year olds. They have worked there longer--they are the experts. Apparently I am trainable. The kids are so great about telling me I am catching on fast and doing a great job. The work itself isn't hard. Take orders--give food. Make correct change. It is very busy this week--Harry Potter opened a few nights ago and the hoards are still arriving. They aren't as busy as expected, but there are still lots of people. One minute the line up in front of the counter is HUGE and then suddenly you look up and the lobby is empty. Time to make more popcorn and sweep up the mess.
The hardest part of the whole thing--standing for that long. The sea legs are still coming. I find my back and neck sore at the end of my shift. I'm thinking of gel soles but will wait another week and see if I just need more time to get used to it. My sneakers are pretty comfy.
*******
The girls are zipping around the house at the moment. They are adorable. This morning I was having a major sleep in and they slept in with me. It was great. They have yet to break anything of which I am very thankful. Anything and everything can be a toy you just need imagination and they have it in spades. A straw, the ring off the milk container, a paper napkin, even a shadow on the wall.
I've been so busy lately juggling the two jobs and trying to get to my m&d's to paint I haven't had a chance to blog--or take pictures. My shifts this week should allow for a bit more me time. Once I have another week or two under my belt I will be better at the juggling. It just takes sometime to get used to it all.
Night.
I have now officially survived 5 shifts. I learned how to make cotton candy last week. It was easy and fun and smelled so yummy. I haven't had any popcorn yet--by the time break rolls around I'm immune to the smell and don't 'crave' it.
The kids I work with are great. They have energy to burn and you might be surprised that I have no issues taking orders from 17 year olds. They have worked there longer--they are the experts. Apparently I am trainable. The kids are so great about telling me I am catching on fast and doing a great job. The work itself isn't hard. Take orders--give food. Make correct change. It is very busy this week--Harry Potter opened a few nights ago and the hoards are still arriving. They aren't as busy as expected, but there are still lots of people. One minute the line up in front of the counter is HUGE and then suddenly you look up and the lobby is empty. Time to make more popcorn and sweep up the mess.
The hardest part of the whole thing--standing for that long. The sea legs are still coming. I find my back and neck sore at the end of my shift. I'm thinking of gel soles but will wait another week and see if I just need more time to get used to it. My sneakers are pretty comfy.
*******
The girls are zipping around the house at the moment. They are adorable. This morning I was having a major sleep in and they slept in with me. It was great. They have yet to break anything of which I am very thankful. Anything and everything can be a toy you just need imagination and they have it in spades. A straw, the ring off the milk container, a paper napkin, even a shadow on the wall.
I've been so busy lately juggling the two jobs and trying to get to my m&d's to paint I haven't had a chance to blog--or take pictures. My shifts this week should allow for a bit more me time. Once I have another week or two under my belt I will be better at the juggling. It just takes sometime to get used to it all.
Night.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Where I spent Sunday afternoon....
No time this am for an update. Waiting for the fix it man to arrive as apparently my pipes are leaking into the apartment below. The girls are in the closet until after he leaves. They love to run and jump and play with anything that moves and I have a feeling he might not appreciate their help.
Survived my first shift Friday night. It will take a while before I get my 'legs' again. Not used to standing that long anymore. I have another shift tonight and am looking forward to it. Then I have a night off and then another shift on Wednesday--and then I'm fully trained. Debatable but we will see.
No time this am for an update. Waiting for the fix it man to arrive as apparently my pipes are leaking into the apartment below. The girls are in the closet until after he leaves. They love to run and jump and play with anything that moves and I have a feeling he might not appreciate their help.
Survived my first shift Friday night. It will take a while before I get my 'legs' again. Not used to standing that long anymore. I have another shift tonight and am looking forward to it. Then I have a night off and then another shift on Wednesday--and then I'm fully trained. Debatable but we will see.
Friday, November 12, 2010
I won!!!
This just made my day, my week, my month! I'm so excited.
I bought the telephone table at the ReStore in August. I just knew it needed to come home with me and I knew it needed a make over. I wasn't entirely sure what to do with it or where it was going until one day the light went off inside my head (it doesn't happen all that often) and I knew where it needed to go and what its purpose would be. I have it just inside the outside door and it is where I sit to put on my shoes. :-) It is also where I set my keys when I get home at the end of the day and it makes a great spare chair when hosting friends.
I entered this contest a couple of weeks ago and just saw this morning that I had won. I'm so very excited and can't seem to wipe the smile off my face.
Sigh.
Just putting in some time this morning before I head to the dreaded DMV to get my license, etc changed over to PEI. I will finally be an official PEI resident again by end of day.
The kittens continue to make me smile and I am still in the let me tell you all about my furry friends stage. LOL. I'm like a new mom. No one wants to hear all the stories but they smile and listen politely as I talk about their eating habits, how they like the soft rubber balls better than the cloth, etc. They cause my nerves to scream now and then when I find one of them on top of the counter or trying to eat an important piece of mail that I left on the table but overall we are a happy threesome.
Happy Friday everyone!
This just made my day, my week, my month! I'm so excited.
I bought the telephone table at the ReStore in August. I just knew it needed to come home with me and I knew it needed a make over. I wasn't entirely sure what to do with it or where it was going until one day the light went off inside my head (it doesn't happen all that often) and I knew where it needed to go and what its purpose would be. I have it just inside the outside door and it is where I sit to put on my shoes. :-) It is also where I set my keys when I get home at the end of the day and it makes a great spare chair when hosting friends.
I entered this contest a couple of weeks ago and just saw this morning that I had won. I'm so very excited and can't seem to wipe the smile off my face.
Sigh.
Just putting in some time this morning before I head to the dreaded DMV to get my license, etc changed over to PEI. I will finally be an official PEI resident again by end of day.
The kittens continue to make me smile and I am still in the let me tell you all about my furry friends stage. LOL. I'm like a new mom. No one wants to hear all the stories but they smile and listen politely as I talk about their eating habits, how they like the soft rubber balls better than the cloth, etc. They cause my nerves to scream now and then when I find one of them on top of the counter or trying to eat an important piece of mail that I left on the table but overall we are a happy threesome.
Happy Friday everyone!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
I am a cooking machine. A few weeks back I got on this kick about trying out new recipes and it has been working quite well. I have enjoyed some new foods and while a couple things didn't work out there have been more +'s than -'s. I surf a couple of foodie sites on a regular basis and am happy to say Pioneer Woman has been bang on with all her recipes I've tried thus far. Yesterday I saw a recipe for a salted caramel brownie. OMG, how can you go wrong with that? I don't think it is possible.
If you have never had salted caramel before you must try it. I am slow on this wagon and only tried it a few weeks ago at St*rb*cks. It was a salted caramel hot chocolate. Mmmm. So...the brownies. I love brownies. I have been a brownie addict since university. Wednesday night wing night was the night the girls made brownies and the boys went out to drink. Good times. I had a favorite brownie mix--yellow no name and they finally stopped making it a couple of years ago. Sigh. I know I should just learn to make them from scratch but you know somethings just seem like they should be made from a package--its the memories.
Anyway, this recipe calls for me to make the brownie and well that just didn't seem like something I wanted to do. So I made a flourless chocolate cake instead. It is a very moist cakey/brownie/thingy that tastes really good and is really rich. Really rich. I have made three including the one I made tonight. Which goes against my trying new recipes--but in actual fact I used two different recipes between the three of them and no two people except myself have been at each event.
Anyway. The cake. It is lovely.
I have never made caramel before. I thought it would be really tough but it was super easy. Maybe I did something wrong. The caramel is sitting in a jar on my counter cooling. The cake is sitting on top of the stove also cooling. According to the recipe that inspiried my attempt you should put the caramel on a cooled brownie. And honestly that is the only part of that recipe I followed. It was the inspiration but not what I was able to follow in the end. There was something about her recipe for the caramel I didn't like--the gelatin. I was sure that I didn't need gelatin to make caramel and since the internet has yet to let me down I did find a recipe that did not involve gelatin. Sugar, butter and cream. I only had 10% cream and it called for a heavy cream but I am hoping it turned out. I'll let you know.
I also made Shepards pies...again. I made them the other week and it was terrible. Turnip, mashed cauliflower and ground beef. UCK. I loved everything except the turnip--and there was no veggies in it other than that. Turnip is good now and then if cooked properly. My freezer is now partially stocked with lunches again. I realized on Friday that I was out of frozen dinners (not the kind you buy--the kind I make and freeze--and the kind you buy which I try not to buy) and would need to go on a cooking spree over the weekend, which I kinda did. I have the fixing for chicken pot pie but will wait until later in the week because I think I'm going to roast a chicken instead of using up the frozen breasts I have.
The kittens are napping on the couch. They have been very active tonight. The renaming has happened and I am trying desperately to teach them their names. Licorice Feet became Tundra. She gallops when she runs across the floor kind of a tarunt tarunt sound and I just thought Tundra would be a great name--and it reminds me of Nunavut. Witchy Woman became Hudson. After my friend Lindsay who sadly took her own life last year. She was a true animal lover and I want to remember her spirit always. The girls continue to bring me joy just by being themselves. Yep, I'm in love.
I had my orientation today for my new ptime job. I am by far the oldest employee--I don't care. I want a fun, relatively simple job and this is it....plus in a few weeks I get all the free movies I can handle--and I get to bring a friend. :-) I just hope I can keep up with the younger employees. No doubt their energy at end of shift will be much greater than mine. It's all good.
Have a great week.
NOTE: I forgot to mention that parchment paper burns. Quite easily. I have been lining my cake pans with parchment paper everytime I make one of these flourless cakes. Last night when I put it into the oven it burst into flames. The excess paper must have touched the top element of the oven because it isn't supposed to burst into flame and it hasn't happened before. The smoke detector didn't go off though...but when the oven temp hits 400 it does. How annoying is that.
If you have never had salted caramel before you must try it. I am slow on this wagon and only tried it a few weeks ago at St*rb*cks. It was a salted caramel hot chocolate. Mmmm. So...the brownies. I love brownies. I have been a brownie addict since university. Wednesday night wing night was the night the girls made brownies and the boys went out to drink. Good times. I had a favorite brownie mix--yellow no name and they finally stopped making it a couple of years ago. Sigh. I know I should just learn to make them from scratch but you know somethings just seem like they should be made from a package--its the memories.
Anyway, this recipe calls for me to make the brownie and well that just didn't seem like something I wanted to do. So I made a flourless chocolate cake instead. It is a very moist cakey/brownie/thingy that tastes really good and is really rich. Really rich. I have made three including the one I made tonight. Which goes against my trying new recipes--but in actual fact I used two different recipes between the three of them and no two people except myself have been at each event.
Anyway. The cake. It is lovely.
I have never made caramel before. I thought it would be really tough but it was super easy. Maybe I did something wrong. The caramel is sitting in a jar on my counter cooling. The cake is sitting on top of the stove also cooling. According to the recipe that inspiried my attempt you should put the caramel on a cooled brownie. And honestly that is the only part of that recipe I followed. It was the inspiration but not what I was able to follow in the end. There was something about her recipe for the caramel I didn't like--the gelatin. I was sure that I didn't need gelatin to make caramel and since the internet has yet to let me down I did find a recipe that did not involve gelatin. Sugar, butter and cream. I only had 10% cream and it called for a heavy cream but I am hoping it turned out. I'll let you know.
I also made Shepards pies...again. I made them the other week and it was terrible. Turnip, mashed cauliflower and ground beef. UCK. I loved everything except the turnip--and there was no veggies in it other than that. Turnip is good now and then if cooked properly. My freezer is now partially stocked with lunches again. I realized on Friday that I was out of frozen dinners (not the kind you buy--the kind I make and freeze--and the kind you buy which I try not to buy) and would need to go on a cooking spree over the weekend, which I kinda did. I have the fixing for chicken pot pie but will wait until later in the week because I think I'm going to roast a chicken instead of using up the frozen breasts I have.
The kittens are napping on the couch. They have been very active tonight. The renaming has happened and I am trying desperately to teach them their names. Licorice Feet became Tundra. She gallops when she runs across the floor kind of a tarunt tarunt sound and I just thought Tundra would be a great name--and it reminds me of Nunavut. Witchy Woman became Hudson. After my friend Lindsay who sadly took her own life last year. She was a true animal lover and I want to remember her spirit always. The girls continue to bring me joy just by being themselves. Yep, I'm in love.
I had my orientation today for my new ptime job. I am by far the oldest employee--I don't care. I want a fun, relatively simple job and this is it....plus in a few weeks I get all the free movies I can handle--and I get to bring a friend. :-) I just hope I can keep up with the younger employees. No doubt their energy at end of shift will be much greater than mine. It's all good.
Have a great week.
NOTE: I forgot to mention that parchment paper burns. Quite easily. I have been lining my cake pans with parchment paper everytime I make one of these flourless cakes. Last night when I put it into the oven it burst into flames. The excess paper must have touched the top element of the oven because it isn't supposed to burst into flame and it hasn't happened before. The smoke detector didn't go off though...but when the oven temp hits 400 it does. How annoying is that.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The girls and I are starting to get into a routine and life is good. They have learned that they get fresh moist food in the morning and as soon as my feet hit the floor they are meowing at me and begging me for their treat. It is kind of funny--and too cute.
Busy weeks ahead as the training for the ptime job is this weekend and I am not on the BOD for Habitat here in Charlottetown. YEAH! Totally thrilled about that. And I really can't believe I haven't started my Christmas shopping. In years past it was done by the end of September. It would now seem that the closer I get to my family the closer to Christmas I buy presents. Hmmm.
Halloween was nice. I dressed up as a fortune teller from a carnival. Interesting to note that I wore clothes out of my normal wardrobe and my own jewelery just more of it. Still...what does that say about my taste?
Looking forward to the Christmas party at the end of the month. I'm going to wear my fancy blue sari. It is the dressier of the two I own. But I should take it out and try it on to make sure it still fits. I know the bottom will but the top was custom made in Feb 2008...might need to investigate.
Off to another day at the office!
Busy weeks ahead as the training for the ptime job is this weekend and I am not on the BOD for Habitat here in Charlottetown. YEAH! Totally thrilled about that. And I really can't believe I haven't started my Christmas shopping. In years past it was done by the end of September. It would now seem that the closer I get to my family the closer to Christmas I buy presents. Hmmm.
Halloween was nice. I dressed up as a fortune teller from a carnival. Interesting to note that I wore clothes out of my normal wardrobe and my own jewelery just more of it. Still...what does that say about my taste?
Looking forward to the Christmas party at the end of the month. I'm going to wear my fancy blue sari. It is the dressier of the two I own. But I should take it out and try it on to make sure it still fits. I know the bottom will but the top was custom made in Feb 2008...might need to investigate.
Off to another day at the office!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
While attempting to bake an apple pie this morning I set off the smoke detector. When the oven temperature gets to over 400 the smoke detector (heat detector?) goes off. It went off three times before I got all the windows open and enough of a breeze blowing through to take the heat away. At this point I notice that my two furry friends had gone missing.
Instead of looking for them I sat down at the computer to write a few emails that I haven't gotten too since the kittens arrived. Witchy Woman has a fascination with the screen and loves watching the things move on the screen. She feels her best view is from on top of of the keyboard.Last night she discovered the tv and the moving objects on the tv...so then she figured sitting on the digital box was her best view.
The pie turned out pretty good. Not burnt but also perhaps not the right amount of sugar. I didn't use proper baking apples...but all in all I think it was ok.
Witchy Woman gets a little too close to the camera.
Peek a boo! Exploring every nook and cranny in the kitchen.
It is important to stay clean.
Hurry up and take my picture already...Licorice Feet is only somewhat annoyed at having her picture taken--repeatedly.
I love how the colours are divided to equally down the front of her face.
Fun crunchy toy.
Hey, there are people in there.
I enjoy the cats names but I think I am going to need to rename them. I will need short names to teach them. 3 months of not having names and now to learn a lot of new words and their names may be too much. I am tossing around a few ideas but obviously need to pick new ones soon so they will get used to them. Anyone know how long it takes a cat to learn its name?
My part-time job has been secured and I will begin working in the next week or so. Training next weekend. I will be working at the movie theatre. It isn't glamorous but it is what I was looking for. The hours work out well for me and I can work as much or little as I need. And after a month or so I get free movies for me and a friend. That's a nice perk!
Tonight I will be at my sisters handing out treats while she and R. take the kids out. Their costumes are fantastic.
Instead of looking for them I sat down at the computer to write a few emails that I haven't gotten too since the kittens arrived. Witchy Woman has a fascination with the screen and loves watching the things move on the screen. She feels her best view is from on top of of the keyboard.Last night she discovered the tv and the moving objects on the tv...so then she figured sitting on the digital box was her best view.
The pie turned out pretty good. Not burnt but also perhaps not the right amount of sugar. I didn't use proper baking apples...but all in all I think it was ok.
I enjoy the cats names but I think I am going to need to rename them. I will need short names to teach them. 3 months of not having names and now to learn a lot of new words and their names may be too much. I am tossing around a few ideas but obviously need to pick new ones soon so they will get used to them. Anyone know how long it takes a cat to learn its name?
My part-time job has been secured and I will begin working in the next week or so. Training next weekend. I will be working at the movie theatre. It isn't glamorous but it is what I was looking for. The hours work out well for me and I can work as much or little as I need. And after a month or so I get free movies for me and a friend. That's a nice perk!
Tonight I will be at my sisters handing out treats while she and R. take the kids out. Their costumes are fantastic.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
And they sleep.
I came home from work on Friday and the apartment was basically in the same shape as I had left it 8 hours earlier. I was impressed. They had brought all their toys out into the middle of the living room but otherwise no issues. YEAH!
They were up a few times during the night and early in the morning. I wouldn't have been bothered by the noise but was concerned for the people in the apartment below who had to listen to the thumping as they chased each other around the room and up and down the hall. I tried to get them to come back to bed with me but wasn't able to convince them that it was still sleep time. I finally came out to the couch and eventually they settled down with me.
We have had a fun filled day. They played and I washed dishes. Yep, good times. It is hard to use the laptop when they are awake because they can see the movement on screen and want to play with it. They are napping now and I'm able to catch up a bit online. I'll try and get some great face shots over the weekend.
I came home from work on Friday and the apartment was basically in the same shape as I had left it 8 hours earlier. I was impressed. They had brought all their toys out into the middle of the living room but otherwise no issues. YEAH!
They were up a few times during the night and early in the morning. I wouldn't have been bothered by the noise but was concerned for the people in the apartment below who had to listen to the thumping as they chased each other around the room and up and down the hall. I tried to get them to come back to bed with me but wasn't able to convince them that it was still sleep time. I finally came out to the couch and eventually they settled down with me.
We have had a fun filled day. They played and I washed dishes. Yep, good times. It is hard to use the laptop when they are awake because they can see the movement on screen and want to play with it. They are napping now and I'm able to catch up a bit online. I'll try and get some great face shots over the weekend.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Licorice Feet and Witchy Woman arrived yesterday afternoon. As I was walking to the truck with them in their carrier I had a moment of panic--I am responsible for two living creatures. But it is all good.
They had a wonderful time exploring the entire house when they first arrived. Every nook and cranny got explored. Then they played and played and played. I had to leave for just over and hour last night and was hopeful they would pass the test and leave the place standing--they did! Actually I think they both took a nap when I was out. And I wasn't sure what was going to happen at bed time but they both jumped up on the bed and curled up around me then purred me to sleep. I didn't have the heart to say no. They slept most of the night but between 1am and 2am decided they should play some more. They were nice enough to head to the living room and were not jumping on the bed or me...but I did worry for a while.
This morning I am trying to get them into a bit of a routine and let them know how my routine will work. Right now they are both laying on the couch--purring. :-) I love purring. The pictures so far don't capture their faces well or personality....I'll get some on the weekend.
Licorice Feet is the quieter one...not as cuddly with me but definitely cuddly with her sister. She purred for the first time last night in bed so I took that as a good sign. Witchy Woman will purr anytime you pet her (almost) and it is a great loud purr. She has a number of pink toes that she is showing off to me at the moment.
Happy Friday!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Here's the thing. I'm single. I have been for a long time now. And even when I wasn't single I was--long distance and all that. Being single isn't so bad, most of the time. Everynow and then I just want to scream. Today was one of those days.
The plans for the xmas party were started last week. Dinner, dancing--the usual xmas event. According to the word back today there isn't anywhere available for the party. That sucks. During the planning session it was mentioned that it would be employee and spouse. That bugs me. Spouse. It should be and GUEST. Anyway it was mentioned that day along with the SPOUSE that hey, we should do it after xmas. There are so many parties and things on the go leading up to xmas that we should do it in January. I disagree. I don't have a spouse or a +1 or a partner to go and enjoy their xmas party. I only have the one job--one party.
I know it seems small and pety and selfish to talk this way---but it just really irked me today when the email came out about no party. I guess I will invite my sisters cat Boo over and my girls and I will have a xmas party with Boo. LOL. Kidding. I will not be hosting birthday or Christmas parties for my cats.
Anyway...pity party for one! Done. Back to the fun Christmas shopping list...
*********
http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml;jsessionid=TJFANOSC3OCUUCQAAKPRPVY?itemId=prod55480015&parentId=cat342302&masterId=cat203511&index=29&cmCat=cat000000cat200648cat203511cat342302&navid=QuickToProduct
Aren't they pretty?
Big smiles from me. Of course the likelyhood of me spending a thousand dollars on a pair of sneakers is pretty low. But they are pretty nice.
I'm on a kitchen kick this year. Most of the items on my Christmas list seem to be things for my kitchen. I guess it is part of my new found desire to cook and bake. In fact I am hoping to try out a new recipe this weekend--again. I made an appetizer this weekend that I think turned out pretty good. Proscuito wrapped around a bit of blue cheese and a chunk of cantelope. I heated it in the oven until the cheese had melted. It was mmmm. The other appie I made was the same rosemary one I took to a dinner party so it wasn't new but it was only the second time I had made it. I'm on a new food kick. All things I bake must be from new recipes. No tired and true--only different and new!
Talked to the Humane Society today and the girls will be ready for me at 4:30pm on Thursday. I'm very excited. I suspect there will be a lot of pictures taken the first night. ;-)
Oh, and this gorgeous piece of luggage...
It's available from Sears.
The plans for the xmas party were started last week. Dinner, dancing--the usual xmas event. According to the word back today there isn't anywhere available for the party. That sucks. During the planning session it was mentioned that it would be employee and spouse. That bugs me. Spouse. It should be and GUEST. Anyway it was mentioned that day along with the SPOUSE that hey, we should do it after xmas. There are so many parties and things on the go leading up to xmas that we should do it in January. I disagree. I don't have a spouse or a +1 or a partner to go and enjoy their xmas party. I only have the one job--one party.
I know it seems small and pety and selfish to talk this way---but it just really irked me today when the email came out about no party. I guess I will invite my sisters cat Boo over and my girls and I will have a xmas party with Boo. LOL. Kidding. I will not be hosting birthday or Christmas parties for my cats.
Anyway...pity party for one! Done. Back to the fun Christmas shopping list...
*********
http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml;jsessionid=TJFANOSC3OCUUCQAAKPRPVY?itemId=prod55480015&parentId=cat342302&masterId=cat203511&index=29&cmCat=cat000000cat200648cat203511cat342302&navid=QuickToProduct
Aren't they pretty?
Big smiles from me. Of course the likelyhood of me spending a thousand dollars on a pair of sneakers is pretty low. But they are pretty nice.
I'm on a kitchen kick this year. Most of the items on my Christmas list seem to be things for my kitchen. I guess it is part of my new found desire to cook and bake. In fact I am hoping to try out a new recipe this weekend--again. I made an appetizer this weekend that I think turned out pretty good. Proscuito wrapped around a bit of blue cheese and a chunk of cantelope. I heated it in the oven until the cheese had melted. It was mmmm. The other appie I made was the same rosemary one I took to a dinner party so it wasn't new but it was only the second time I had made it. I'm on a new food kick. All things I bake must be from new recipes. No tired and true--only different and new!
Talked to the Humane Society today and the girls will be ready for me at 4:30pm on Thursday. I'm very excited. I suspect there will be a lot of pictures taken the first night. ;-)
Oh, and this gorgeous piece of luggage...
Kitten Love.
With the help of my sister, neice and nephew 2 little kittens were selected on Saturday at the PEI Humane Society. The two little girls will have have minor surgery this week (no kittens in their future) and will be coming home on Wednesday or Thursday this week. Yep, I'm a proud mama of two calico kittens. They are sweet and one of them purrs so loud...sigh. Pictures of course once they arrive home. I did some shopping for them on the weekend and their new home awaits their arrival down to the little mouse and dragon toys I bought for them to play with.
While I wait...Christmas ideas. The follow is not just for me...it is suggestions for some of your loved ones as well (or yourself!)
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/star-wars-cookie-cutter/?pkey=cbakeware-top-rated
I know a few people who would love to get these cookie cutters. Who said cookies were just for kids?
I've got my eye on this next one...
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/fall-icon-cakelet-pan/?pkey=ccake-pans%7Cbkwcakspt
Aren't they adorable. Little pumpkins, walnuts, acorns.
This next one is for me too...
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/breville-variable-temperature-kettle/?pkey=cteakettles
If you are really into tea you would know that there are different temps for different types of teas. Did you know that? I did. This kettle would allow you to get the right temperature everytime for the perfect cup of tea. Ah. Life is good. It's on sale for $149 if anyone is looking for a little something extra to put into my stocking this year. LOL.
With the help of my sister, neice and nephew 2 little kittens were selected on Saturday at the PEI Humane Society. The two little girls will have have minor surgery this week (no kittens in their future) and will be coming home on Wednesday or Thursday this week. Yep, I'm a proud mama of two calico kittens. They are sweet and one of them purrs so loud...sigh. Pictures of course once they arrive home. I did some shopping for them on the weekend and their new home awaits their arrival down to the little mouse and dragon toys I bought for them to play with.
While I wait...Christmas ideas. The follow is not just for me...it is suggestions for some of your loved ones as well (or yourself!)
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/star-wars-cookie-cutter/?pkey=cbakeware-top-rated
I know a few people who would love to get these cookie cutters. Who said cookies were just for kids?
I've got my eye on this next one...
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/fall-icon-cakelet-pan/?pkey=ccake-pans%7Cbkwcakspt
Aren't they adorable. Little pumpkins, walnuts, acorns.
This next one is for me too...
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/breville-variable-temperature-kettle/?pkey=cteakettles
If you are really into tea you would know that there are different temps for different types of teas. Did you know that? I did. This kettle would allow you to get the right temperature everytime for the perfect cup of tea. Ah. Life is good. It's on sale for $149 if anyone is looking for a little something extra to put into my stocking this year. LOL.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Rumors. I heard a rumor the other day that Tim Horton's is opening in Iqaluit. Apparently there is some truth to that rumor. They will have those mini kiosks in a couple of the local convience stores and the North Mart will be making/donuts.
There are mixed emotions for a lot of people about this. I commented on facebook the other day that I think it is both interesting and exciting. Part of me is dead set against the idea. The additional litter is so not needed in the North. The litter on the tundra makes me sad. Yes, there are two privately owned coffee shops in town but I certainly think there is still enough business to go around. They were great places to go in sit down and have a chat. The kiosks will be more for when you just want to grab a cup and go--no seating. I'm not sure how the pricing will fair with Tim's in the South--doesn't really matter.From a health side I don't think this is a great idea. The last thing most of the poor need in Iqauit is more sugar and fat laden foods in their diet.
Exciting. Sure. I can't name one person who wasn't excited to see a box of tim bits walking in the door when an office mate returned from the south. I know families who would freeze donuts and bring them out on occasion for a treat. Having access to the same treats as those friends and family in the South will be nice.
*****
Went to the Humane Society tonight on my way home from work. I saw so many cute kitties--I wanted them all. I resisted the urge to put my name on any of them and will wait for Saturday when the kids come along to help me out.
TGIF is in sight. Thank goodness. I really need a good nights sleep and a day with no work in front of me. Sleep in Saturday will be nice.Now I just need to catch up on Coronation Street before Sunday.
There are mixed emotions for a lot of people about this. I commented on facebook the other day that I think it is both interesting and exciting. Part of me is dead set against the idea. The additional litter is so not needed in the North. The litter on the tundra makes me sad. Yes, there are two privately owned coffee shops in town but I certainly think there is still enough business to go around. They were great places to go in sit down and have a chat. The kiosks will be more for when you just want to grab a cup and go--no seating. I'm not sure how the pricing will fair with Tim's in the South--doesn't really matter.From a health side I don't think this is a great idea. The last thing most of the poor need in Iqauit is more sugar and fat laden foods in their diet.
Exciting. Sure. I can't name one person who wasn't excited to see a box of tim bits walking in the door when an office mate returned from the south. I know families who would freeze donuts and bring them out on occasion for a treat. Having access to the same treats as those friends and family in the South will be nice.
*****
Went to the Humane Society tonight on my way home from work. I saw so many cute kitties--I wanted them all. I resisted the urge to put my name on any of them and will wait for Saturday when the kids come along to help me out.
TGIF is in sight. Thank goodness. I really need a good nights sleep and a day with no work in front of me. Sleep in Saturday will be nice.Now I just need to catch up on Coronation Street before Sunday.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Many years ago I thought about getting a pet. Sunday I submitted my application to the PEI Humane Society. Monday I got approved to adopt 2 kittens. My sister, neice and nephew will be joining me on Saturday to pick out my kittens. (Don't tell the kids yet...) Once the kittens have been choosen they will under go some minor surgery and by Halloween will be coming home with me. :-)
Ah.
I'm so very excited, like a kid before Christmas. The wait seems forever now that the decision has been made. This time will be put to good use as I prepare my apartment for them. I will need to kitten proof some of my belongings and buy them some supplies.
****
Isn't it funny how time works? One day you are at work and the minute you turn around it is 5pm and time to go home. The next day after a very hard long day you look at the clock and it is 10:30am.
I've managed to come down with yet another cold and today was one of those days where the clock went in reverse. Of course the tightness in my head and sniffling coming from my nose didn't help the situation--or maybe it caused it. Either way it was rough going. I wonder if the colds are just an adjustment to being back in the Maritimes. It is MUCH damper here than Nunavut or Alberta. The cold, damp weather on the weekend likely did not help me any nor did the hanging around outside without a coat on. Now, I know that not wearing a coat does not cause one to get sick. I also know though that being very tired from being out three nights in a row, little to no sleep combined with running around without a coat can bring down my defenses and enable the cold to 'catch.' Regardless of the hows and the whys I am once again sick.
Tonight I am off the listen to Douglas Coupland at the Massey Lecture at the Confed Centre. Should be an interesting talk.
Ah.
I'm so very excited, like a kid before Christmas. The wait seems forever now that the decision has been made. This time will be put to good use as I prepare my apartment for them. I will need to kitten proof some of my belongings and buy them some supplies.
****
Isn't it funny how time works? One day you are at work and the minute you turn around it is 5pm and time to go home. The next day after a very hard long day you look at the clock and it is 10:30am.
I've managed to come down with yet another cold and today was one of those days where the clock went in reverse. Of course the tightness in my head and sniffling coming from my nose didn't help the situation--or maybe it caused it. Either way it was rough going. I wonder if the colds are just an adjustment to being back in the Maritimes. It is MUCH damper here than Nunavut or Alberta. The cold, damp weather on the weekend likely did not help me any nor did the hanging around outside without a coat on. Now, I know that not wearing a coat does not cause one to get sick. I also know though that being very tired from being out three nights in a row, little to no sleep combined with running around without a coat can bring down my defenses and enable the cold to 'catch.' Regardless of the hows and the whys I am once again sick.
Tonight I am off the listen to Douglas Coupland at the Massey Lecture at the Confed Centre. Should be an interesting talk.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The party went off with nary a hitch. The cake balls however never got made. :( I baked the cake I purchased--carrot cake. Then decided once it was all made that it wasn't a great choice. It doesn't crumble the same way a vanilla or chocolate cake would. I'll try again for the next event I go to.
It is always nice to see old friends. I thankful and grateful for all my friends and look forward to seeing this same 'gang' again. I certainly hope we make a more regular schedule to our getting together. Maybe schedule is the wrong word but just more often. Everyone has busy lives and it is hard to coordinate all the schedules.
For my mom's birthday in September my sister gave her the gift of 'we will paint and paper the downstairs bathroom.' After weeks of looking at paint chips the colour was selected and my sister and I picked up the paint today. Our goal was to paint the ceiling and mud the upper part of the walls. There was a change in plans upon arrival and the weekend project has now turned into a multi weekend project. It is going to be so great when it is finished! It will just take a lot of pushing to get it finished sooner rather than later. I know my parents are already anxious for it to be finished as they have a toilet sitting in the dining room.
My kitchen is now functioning as a kitchen. The dresser that I found at the Habitat Restore and painted is sitting proudly in the kitchen. It has lots of space for storing those big bulky items that take up precious cupboard space--slow cooker, popcorn maker, etc. And there are5 drawers in it that will allow me to have a junk drawer, a drawer for my dish towels, lids for tupperware, etc. I can also put my toaster oven on top so it frees up counter space which is so precious. With this new found sense of kitchen I am hoping to do some baking again. YEAH!!
Oh, you may not like this reminder but there are only 68 more days till Christmas!
It is always nice to see old friends. I thankful and grateful for all my friends and look forward to seeing this same 'gang' again. I certainly hope we make a more regular schedule to our getting together. Maybe schedule is the wrong word but just more often. Everyone has busy lives and it is hard to coordinate all the schedules.
For my mom's birthday in September my sister gave her the gift of 'we will paint and paper the downstairs bathroom.' After weeks of looking at paint chips the colour was selected and my sister and I picked up the paint today. Our goal was to paint the ceiling and mud the upper part of the walls. There was a change in plans upon arrival and the weekend project has now turned into a multi weekend project. It is going to be so great when it is finished! It will just take a lot of pushing to get it finished sooner rather than later. I know my parents are already anxious for it to be finished as they have a toilet sitting in the dining room.
My kitchen is now functioning as a kitchen. The dresser that I found at the Habitat Restore and painted is sitting proudly in the kitchen. It has lots of space for storing those big bulky items that take up precious cupboard space--slow cooker, popcorn maker, etc. And there are5 drawers in it that will allow me to have a junk drawer, a drawer for my dish towels, lids for tupperware, etc. I can also put my toaster oven on top so it frees up counter space which is so precious. With this new found sense of kitchen I am hoping to do some baking again. YEAH!!
Oh, you may not like this reminder but there are only 68 more days till Christmas!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Busy, busy, busy.
Pool party at Dooly's last night for work, potluck this afternoon and then a mini high school reunion party at my house Saturday night. It's a non-stop fun filled packed week.
Tonight I have no plans which is a good thing cause I need to do some cooking to get ready for tomorrow night. I'm making cake balls as a dessert.
http://www.bakerella.com/category/pops-bites/cake-pops/
Mine will not be as cute as these...its a first attempt and I'm just going for completed not pretty. I was looking for a red velvet cake mix but couldn't track one down. If anyone in Charlottetown happens to see it let me know. I won't need it for this weekend but I LOVE red velvet cake and would enjoy making it--heck, I'll even share.
Alright...time to get off the couch, drag myself away from the morning news and get ready for work.
Pool party at Dooly's last night for work, potluck this afternoon and then a mini high school reunion party at my house Saturday night. It's a non-stop fun filled packed week.
Tonight I have no plans which is a good thing cause I need to do some cooking to get ready for tomorrow night. I'm making cake balls as a dessert.
http://www.bakerella.com/category/pops-bites/cake-pops/
Mine will not be as cute as these...its a first attempt and I'm just going for completed not pretty. I was looking for a red velvet cake mix but couldn't track one down. If anyone in Charlottetown happens to see it let me know. I won't need it for this weekend but I LOVE red velvet cake and would enjoy making it--heck, I'll even share.
Alright...time to get off the couch, drag myself away from the morning news and get ready for work.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving.
This was my first Thanksgiving family feast since 2005. Yep, 2005. I have many turkey dinners with wonderful friends in the past few years and even remember fondly Tkg dinners at a hotel in Labrador City when I worked for MUN. Full of turkey my brain isn't able to form correct sentences so here's a few pics to keep you going...
And here we have Fall 2009...the pumpkin carving contest...
This was my first Thanksgiving family feast since 2005. Yep, 2005. I have many turkey dinners with wonderful friends in the past few years and even remember fondly Tkg dinners at a hotel in Labrador City when I worked for MUN. Full of turkey my brain isn't able to form correct sentences so here's a few pics to keep you going...
My mom has been doing pumpkins for the kids the past couple of years. I hope I get one next year. :)
The next few are from Iqaluit 2006--October.
Only $1.99/kg you can find them on PEI right now for $1.99 each. Oh I remember the days of the $30 pumpkin. I didn't carve one then and I won't likely be carving one this year either. There are pros/cons to apartment dwelling. I would love to decorate for Halloween but...there isn't much point as I won't have trick or treaters. If you are living in a house and would like someone to come and decorate your outside with pumpkins and fall 'stuff' I'm your girl. LOL
There is no ice here yet on the rivers. Funny but I miss the North a lot at this moment in time.
And now...to go and clean my apartment.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Was asked to speak to a group of interns today. It was kinda fun being back in front of a group. I was a bit nervous--but I think it was the having not done a group presentation in years thing...once I started speaking I was calm and it was a fun part in my day.
Moved offices again. I think/hope this will be the last move. I am back in the 'main' building. We have 3 in Ch'town. (Note: I get to keep the one with the great water view--that's one half of the week. This latest move is here in Ch'town--across the street) I now officially have a private space with a locking door. I need to remove the old files from the last person...and a large, ugly and very dusty plastic tree. Ugh. The window is a bit big and open to EVERYONE in the hallway so I will be spraying it with a transluscent paint to afford some privacy to anyone in the space with me. Looking forward to getting my stuff hung up and making it cozy.
Trip to Moncton coming up on Saturday. I want to get away and a shopping trip in Moncton is just the cure.
In a very exciting event of today...my habitat trip has been posted....now for the applications to come rolling in....
http://habitat.ca/tripschedulec235.php?PJID=241
Pass it on. I will need 10 team members...I may already have one.
Moved offices again. I think/hope this will be the last move. I am back in the 'main' building. We have 3 in Ch'town. (Note: I get to keep the one with the great water view--that's one half of the week. This latest move is here in Ch'town--across the street) I now officially have a private space with a locking door. I need to remove the old files from the last person...and a large, ugly and very dusty plastic tree. Ugh. The window is a bit big and open to EVERYONE in the hallway so I will be spraying it with a transluscent paint to afford some privacy to anyone in the space with me. Looking forward to getting my stuff hung up and making it cozy.
Trip to Moncton coming up on Saturday. I want to get away and a shopping trip in Moncton is just the cure.
In a very exciting event of today...my habitat trip has been posted....now for the applications to come rolling in....
http://habitat.ca/tripschedulec235.php?PJID=241
Pass it on. I will need 10 team members...I may already have one.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
This first photo is a bit gross.
The lighter areas show the clean counter--the darker parts are what I thought to be the original colour of the counter top. I think it was the 2nd week I was here and I set my teapot down on the counter. It leaves iron marks and when I moved it realized I should scrub off the iron ring mark. Out came the Mr Clean magic eraser and suddenly I realized the counter was very dirty. Very Dirty. And then I went--oh gross, I've been eating off that.
I had repeatedly washed the counter top--but not scrubbed hard. I will not make that mistake ever again.
Now on to more pleasant things...
Still waiting to get two pieces of furniture into the new place--I own them I just don't have them with me--but I also need to buy a proper kitchen table. Anyway...I have 'finished' decorating the apartment.
And there you have it...done! I picked up a fish tank from my Grammie's attic last weekend when we cleaned it out. I need to re-chaulk it and then fill it with water and fish! I'm looking forward to getting that hooked up. It will go to the right of the shelving unit shown above--in the living room so I can watch them in the evening.
I know I've been quiet lately. I fell off a wagon of sorts (not drinking or drugs or anything like that) and just found my way again Saturday night. I will be renewing my efforts to find a part-time job for the next few months AND to find a new job on the Island--a permanent one. The role I am in will not be going perm until at least 2012 and I am hoping I can find something a bit more stable before then--and before my current contract runs out.
With a renewed energy I am striking out and moving forward.
The lighter areas show the clean counter--the darker parts are what I thought to be the original colour of the counter top. I think it was the 2nd week I was here and I set my teapot down on the counter. It leaves iron marks and when I moved it realized I should scrub off the iron ring mark. Out came the Mr Clean magic eraser and suddenly I realized the counter was very dirty. Very Dirty. And then I went--oh gross, I've been eating off that.
I had repeatedly washed the counter top--but not scrubbed hard. I will not make that mistake ever again.
Now on to more pleasant things...
Still waiting to get two pieces of furniture into the new place--I own them I just don't have them with me--but I also need to buy a proper kitchen table. Anyway...I have 'finished' decorating the apartment.
I know I've been quiet lately. I fell off a wagon of sorts (not drinking or drugs or anything like that) and just found my way again Saturday night. I will be renewing my efforts to find a part-time job for the next few months AND to find a new job on the Island--a permanent one. The role I am in will not be going perm until at least 2012 and I am hoping I can find something a bit more stable before then--and before my current contract runs out.
With a renewed energy I am striking out and moving forward.
Friday, September 24, 2010
I'm not sure where the days are going...but they certainly are flying by. We are now technically in fall. You can tell. The leaves are starting to turn colour and the air is crisp at night. It's a great time of year. But then again what isn't a good time of the year? In spring we enjoy the colours coming back and the new, fresh live budding from the ground. In summer we enjoy just being outside and the warm rays of the sun. Fall has a cascade of colours that appear and in winter the glimmer of ice and the outline of trees as the frost clings to them--well, can you find a season that doesn't have something to love about it?
I looked out the window a few minutes ago and the clouds were a cotton candy pink colour the sky a pale blue. How very beautiful. Sunrise is a great time of the day. I must admit...the morning when I sit in my apartment sipping tea, surfing the net, watching the news is my favorite time of the day. It's peacful and while the time is never long enough (during the week) it does seem to pass slower than many moments of my day. Ah.
I'm sure some of you here on the Island know Margaret Gallant. She does some great work and one of the things she talks about is her fashion consulting work. What an amazing woman. I had the opportunity to see her speak a couple of nights ago and was suitably impressed. She is funny and vivacious and really knows how to speak in public. The information on dressing for your body type was terrific. I am going to keep my eyes and ears open for her next presentation. If you get the opportunity to go and see her---do so.
It's Friday! My grandmother celebrated her 87th birthday yesterday and we are off to visit on Saturday cake in hand. There will also be some de-cluttering of the attic going on and it sounds like the fixing of a few things around the house. My Aunt F is over from NS--one of the fearless women who came to visit me in NU and I'm looking forward to the visit with her as well. Sunday should be a great day to relax and do some cooking for the week ahead.
Here's a few pictures from Nunavut September 2006
The vivid colours of the tundra.
Fog rolling in over the land.
Remember the new apartment I moved into...first night trying to cook a pizza only to find out (too late) that the manual for the stove was still in the oven. LOL. That was funny.
The last few ships of the year coming in and dropping off the precious, necessary goods for living in the North.
And of course the arrival of Oliver.
Good times. More good times to come.
I looked out the window a few minutes ago and the clouds were a cotton candy pink colour the sky a pale blue. How very beautiful. Sunrise is a great time of the day. I must admit...the morning when I sit in my apartment sipping tea, surfing the net, watching the news is my favorite time of the day. It's peacful and while the time is never long enough (during the week) it does seem to pass slower than many moments of my day. Ah.
I'm sure some of you here on the Island know Margaret Gallant. She does some great work and one of the things she talks about is her fashion consulting work. What an amazing woman. I had the opportunity to see her speak a couple of nights ago and was suitably impressed. She is funny and vivacious and really knows how to speak in public. The information on dressing for your body type was terrific. I am going to keep my eyes and ears open for her next presentation. If you get the opportunity to go and see her---do so.
It's Friday! My grandmother celebrated her 87th birthday yesterday and we are off to visit on Saturday cake in hand. There will also be some de-cluttering of the attic going on and it sounds like the fixing of a few things around the house. My Aunt F is over from NS--one of the fearless women who came to visit me in NU and I'm looking forward to the visit with her as well. Sunday should be a great day to relax and do some cooking for the week ahead.
Here's a few pictures from Nunavut September 2006
The vivid colours of the tundra.
Good times. More good times to come.
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