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.

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.

They are home!
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!

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...
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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.

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.

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.
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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.

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.
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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.

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!

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.

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...

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 here we have Fall 2009...the pumpkin carving contest...

And now...to go and clean my apartment.

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.

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.