Ramblings...

Dum Dum Da Dum...

2009-11-03T16:18:00.003-05:00

Barenaked Ladies - Who Needs Sleep? (Bathroom Sessions)

2009-07-21T13:56:00.001-04:00

I need sleep, lol. One of my favourite BNL songs...

Brandi Carlile - Turpentine

2009-05-30T22:51:00.001-04:00

I just love this song... her whole album is fantastic.

2009-04-07T12:57:00.000-04:00

“I wish I would die.”

When the person you love more than anything else in the world utters these words, with tears streaming down his face in total despair and defeat, really meaning it, what do you do?

You try to tell him things will get better, hold him, be there for him, but what can you really do? I can’t make the healthcare system work any better. I can’t make his family stop being self-centered, inconsiderate, apathetic and completely unsupportive. I can’t make his psychiatrist step up and give him the care he needs. I can’t bring his mother back. I feel completely USELESS.

2009-03-10T10:29:00.001-04:00

Blech…

I have a brutal case of viral bronchitis going on that just won’t quit. I was finally back to work yesterday, but Thursday thru Sunday, 80% of my time was spent in bed. I can’t remember the last time I felt this sick. I just want to curl up in a hole with my germs and never come back out…

Can someone please explain to me why bimbos with blonde hair who flaunt their cleavage get away with bloody murder? I am stuck working with 2 of these women and it absolutely disgusts me how they get to live their professional lives by an entirely different set of rules. They both continually make mistakes, take advantage of time off…yet there are never any consequences to their actions. And those of us who are actually competent get stuck picking up the slack for these idiots. Beyond frustrating…

We actually got a bit more warm weather this week, even if it was rainy. The weekend is supposed to bring some warmth AND sun, so that would be a nice change from all the cold and cloudiness.

2009-02-27T13:19:00.002-05:00

It's so nice to feel some warm (relatively speaking) breezes blowing today. The weather is supposed to be subzero tomorrow, so I'm soaking it up while I can. This winter has been so cold and dreary...I will be relieved when spring finally makes an appearance and I can ditch my winter coat.

The economic downturn is even more pronounced this month...we've only sold 25 cars, new & used combined. It's scary. I don't know how our sales consultants are staying afloat, living on commission alone. The financial situation here in Canada is slowly getting as bad as it is for our neighbours in the south...

Patty Griffin - Heavenly Day

2009-02-24T11:14:00.001-05:00

This is probably one of my favourite songs ever!

Drowning...

2009-02-18T13:38:00.003-05:00

Do you ever feel like you are drowning in the turmoil of your life? That's how I feel right now.

My job...a couple of months ago, my manager approached me regarding some restructuring he was proposing to the ownership here at the dealership. His plan was to eliminate the 2nd sales manager position and elevate me to Assistant Sales Manager, working directly under him. We had numerous conversations about the challenges of the job and areas I would have to work on to excel in the position...all of which I was totally gung-ho for. I was more than up for the challenge, as my current administrative position is getting limiting in regards to learning new skills. My manager had spoken to our owner about his plan and he seemed to think I could do the job with the necessary training and guidance.

So...when the restructuring plan was put before our newly minted general manager (son-in-law to the owner), he agreed with all of my manager's suggestions in the plan...except me. He did not think I was capable of managing the sales staff and working car deals and wants to move me to an even more monotonous administrative position. I felt like a ten ton boulder had been dropped on me. I'm disappointed, disillusioned, and pretty damn angry. Why even present this opportunity to me when the general manager isn't backing me? Why get my hopes up? Is it fun to make someone feel like they've been kicked in the gut and had all the wind taken out of them? And to pass me the drivel that this move to the other admin position is a positive one, and shows how much the company values me. Bullshit. If they valued me, they would have given me a shot at the assistant manager's position...given me an opportunity to prove myself.

So now I'm trying to figure out what the hell I should do. Do I stay with the company I've been with for 8 years and do I job I have no interest in doing? Or do I take the risk of moving elsewhere? I really don't know...

My personal life is another ocean of chaos that I'm trying to stay afloat on. Uncertainty is reigning supreme there as well, and it's taking a major toll on me.

I know we are all going through such tough times right now...my biggest hope is that the friends I love weather this storm and have sunnier days ahead :)

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-23T13:34:00.000-05:00

Twilight Movie Soundtrack - Flightless Bird, American Mouth

2008-12-11T13:38:00.001-05:00

Is this year over yet?

2008-12-03T13:44:00.002-05:00

2008...it had such promise to be a great year. Now it's almost over and I swear, it has been one of the worst years I have seen for me, my friends and loved ones. Accidents, health problems, financial disasters, heartbreak, depression...it has seemed like just after one crisis has ended, a new one begins. Sigh. When will we all find the peace and happiness we deserve?

Chris has been busy moving his sister into her new apartment in T.O., then he will start moving his stuff over into my apartment. I have been busting my ass getting the apartment ready...organizing, cleaning, purging, more cleaning...I physically hurt from all the work I have been doing. Which he probably won't even notice, given his current state of mind. His depression is still really bad, and the relations between him and his father are getting worse.

The holidays are going to be a trying time...his dad pretty much just wants to do whatever his girlfriend wants, with no concern for his children. Chris' maternal grandmother is refusing to come over for Christmas, since she is so disgusted with his dad's behaviour as of late. I'm heading down to my mom's for Christmas this year, since I have spent the last 2 with his family, and Chris is hesitant to go with me. It would kill me to see him spend Christmas by himself, since his sister has to work all through the holidays, but I won't disappoint my mom by not going to see her. I normally love Christmas...this year I just want it to be over and done with.

Work is BEYOND difficult right now. Being employed by a GM dealership is hard with the financial crisis, and threat of staff shakeups here at the dealership is overwhelming. I hope the government agrees to help them out...1 in 7 jobs in Canada is linked to the automotive industry (not ot mention MINE!). Hopefully the news at the end of the week is good...

Uncertainty...

2008-10-22T09:13:00.001-04:00

I haven’t blogged in so long…life has felt like it’s in a downward spiral and I just couldn’t bring myself to write about it. I still read everyone’s blogs and check in on your lives…but for the most part I don’t even want to think about mine.

Since the firing of our general manager in September, things at work just keep getting worse. My place in the company is very unsure and my pay plan fluctuates regularly. We had $1000 go missing from a deposit a little over a week ago…since I was the one to package up the deposit and put it in the safe, I am being viewed suspiciously. My job isn’t worth $1000…nor would I be stupid enough to steal money that is so easily trackable. Sigh. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop around here…

In light of the job uncertainty, I cashed in all my RRSPs (my retirement savings) to pay off my car and my credit card debt, in the event I do lose my job. So my taxes are going to be through the roof this year on top of everything else :(

On one bright note, in December Chris will be moving in with me. I am so happy that he is finally going to be living with me, but I’m not too thrilled about the circumstances. His dad is forcing him out of the house, along with this sister, so his girlfriend can move in. Chris’ mental state is a fright right now, with his depression continually getting worse. Sometimes I just can’t understand how selfish people can be…could he not wait a few more months...geesh.

Cross your fingers for me that my job will stay stable so I can keep my soon-to-be growing household afloat…

ORIGINAL Elephant Painting

2008-10-08T21:46:00.001-04:00

It's a long video, but worth watching-it's so cool!

Leesha Harvey- Coffee and a Smile

2008-09-28T19:53:00.001-04:00

This is from my favourite album right now...

Super Mario Rescues The Princess

2008-09-14T21:13:00.001-04:00

Lol!!!

Patty Griffin Let Him Fly

2008-08-17T19:49:00.001-04:00

I want the sun to come so badly...but the forecast calls for cloudy days ahead

2008-07-11T16:16:00.004-04:00

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
It's all right, it's all right

Jeff Dunham - Achmed the Dead Terrorist

2008-03-18T15:39:00.001-04:00

I love Jeff Dunham! The "Spark of Insanity" DVD is a riot, but Achemd is my favourite...

Sesame Street - Doin' The Pigeon(full version)

2008-03-03T16:17:00.001-05:00

I so remember doing this in front of the TV when I was a kid...

American Idol - David Archuleta - Imagine - 2/27/08

2008-02-27T14:14:00.001-05:00

This kid blew my socks off...

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T16:28:00.000-05:00

Hope you all have a great day!

When the going gets tough...

2008-02-13T15:45:00.002-05:00

Hide in a hole and hibernate. But I guess that's not a realistic solution, is it?

This past month and a half have just been horrible. The cancellation of the wedding has hit me really hard, a lot harder than I am letting on to anyone around me. I shipped off my wedding dress and jewellery today that I managed to sell on Ebay..that was heartbreaking, I adored that dress. I remember posting the pictures of it on here and being so excited...I feel like all my enthusiasm and excitement has been sucked out of me like a deflated balloon.

I should have known...I really should have known. This was the first happy, exciting thing to happen in our lives for years...I'm talking years overshadowed by sadness and disappointment and heartbreak...so I should have known it was too good to be true. I kept trusting that things would get better, that my positivity could push us forward, that working together towards having a happy life would make it easier. I feel so foolish, so incredibly foolish. I am a pessimist at heart, but I was so optimistic about this one thing. I always say expect the worst so you won't be disappointed...I failed to heed my own advice on this one.

But we learn from our mistakes. We build walls, we become more guarded, less trusting. It's such a shame, but necessary to emotionally keep ourselves together...

Anyone Else But You - Michael Cera and Ellen Page

2008-02-13T15:11:00.001-05:00

Feist - 1234

2008-02-13T12:43:00.001-05:00

Dreams lost...

2008-01-29T18:45:00.001-05:00

Sadness reigns in my world right now. The hope is that the sun will shine in the days ahead. The fear is that the darkness has only just begun...

2008-01-23T09:19:00.000-05:00

2008-01-17T10:27:00.001-05:00

I love myself today
Not like yesterday
I'm cool, I'm calm
I'm gonna be okay!
Uh huh

Bif Naked, "I Love Myself Today"

I wish I could feel that way. I despise myself with such a burning hatred right now that it threatens to consume me completely.

I'm disrespectful.
I'm selfish.
I'm insensitive.
I'm uncommunicative.
I'm thoughtless.
I'm self-centred.
I'm unloving.
I'm abnormal.

I feel like some kind of a monster...

Can I be fixed? Who knows...

2007-12-21T10:42:00.000-05:00

Putting my thoughts into words over the past while has been damn near impossible, and obviously so has blogging.

There's been lots of drama, more drama than I can handle, and it's left me so emotionally weary I can't even talk about it anymore. But hopefully the holidays will provide some peace and relaxing and a break from the chaos.

I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and here's to 2008 being a much better year for us all :)

Robert Bateman

2007-10-23T14:15:00.000-04:00

Chris and I are going to an exhibit tomorrow at the McMichael Gallery in Kleinburg. The exhibit is the artwork of Robert Bateman, who is my favourite artist. Above are some of his paintings, which of course, are the sole property of Robert Bateman and are just shown for example only.

We women are complex creatures...

2007-10-18T10:34:00.001-04:00

Following suit...

2007-10-05T15:13:00.001-04:00

From Denise and Kris' blogs...(I copied and pasted, so it is going to take me forever to put all the u's in favourite, lol)

favourite colors: any shade of purple

favourite color to wear: black, followed by green and blue

favourite dead singer in the last 30 years: John Lennon or Freddie Mercury

favourite male singer: Jason Mraz or Elton John

favourite singer that turns me on: I cannot think of a single singer that I find attractive...

other favourite male singer: Meatloaf

favourite Canadian band: Barenaked Ladies

favourite political Canadian band: Our Lady Peace

favourite Broadway song: "Memories" from Cats

favourite female singer: Natalie Maines

favourite female singer who is most controversial: Alanis Morrisette, if you can really call her that...

My second favourite female singer: Chantal Kreviazuk

favourite dead female singer: Cass Elliott

favourite folk female singer: Don't have one

favourite female rocker: Joan Jett

favourite folk group: The Mamas and the Papas

favourite rock group: Def Leppard

favourite album: "Home" by the Dixie Chicks

favourite song to make fun of: "My Humps" by Black Eyed Peas....ugh!!!

favourite vehicle: A new Camry or Accord

favourite instrumental song: "Music Box Dancer" by Frank Mills

favourite classical composer: Can't say I have a favourite

favourite new age artist: Enya, since she's the only one I know ;P

favourite day of the week: Saturday

favourite holiday: Christmas

favourite outdoor activity: Hiking

favourite toy: Digital camera

favourite food: shrimp, followed by steak

favourite fruit: cherries

favourite veggie: Mushrooms...wait, that's a fungus...snow peas

favourite author: Hard to pin down one...Raymond Feist, George RR Martin, Diana Gabaldon, Melanie Rawn, Peter David

favourite book: "Imzadi" by Peter David

favourite genre of book: sci-fi and fantasy

favourite poem: Not a fan of poetry

favourite female poet: see above

favourite horror book: "It" by Stephen King

favourite horror animal: Don't have one

favourite movie of all time: "Star Wars" original trilogy

favourite sci-fi movies: All the Star Trek movies, Serenity

other favourite movies: "Little Miss Sunshine", "V for Vendetta", "Batman Begins", "X-Men" trilogy, "Grease", "GI Jane"

favourite form of exercise: walking, using my gazelle

favourite tv shows: Smallville, Buffy: TVS, Angel, Roswell, CSI: Las Vegas, Firefly, American Idol

favourite sense: Smell, then touch

favourite way to pass the time: Read

favourite comedian: Robin Williams

favourite vacation place so far: Going to the cottage

favourite time of year: Autumn

second favourite time of year: Spring

favourite shoe: Sandals

favourite material to wrap myself in: Polar fleece

favourite phrase: "Argh." or "What the (insert expletive) ?!?"

2007-10-02T16:30:00.000-04:00

I apologize...it's been forever since I've posted. I just have not had it in me...to say that I have been blue would be an understatement, but perhaps it's the best way to decribe how I feel.. Very blue.

My mom is in town visiting me for a while, as she is going to watch the birds when Chris and I go away for Thanksgiving this weekend. We are supposed to go up to his family's cottage for Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, but so far the weather looks kinda crappy, so Chris may decide not to go. Then I don't know what the heck I will do with my 5 days off. Maybe sleep....

It's nice having Mom visit, though. With her being a couple of hours away now, I don't see her nearly as much as I used to. And now that her meds are working so well, she's totally back to being herself, so it's great to spend time with her (such a difference from when she was living with me and so unbalanced). We are going out for dinner with Elizabeth tonight-they haven't seen each other in a couple of years, so that will be nice.

I hope everything is good in your world!

Hee...

2007-10-02T09:30:00.000-04:00

My bouquets...

2007-09-06T20:50:00.000-04:00

Mine

Elizabeth's

2007-08-31T09:00:00.000-04:00

It's hard to believe it has been 10 years since the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Growing up, Diana was my idol. I would always beg my mom to buy a magazine with Diana on the cover. She was so beautiful and poised, with a flair for fashion that amazed me. Her dedication to her many charities was commendable, not only for giving her time but also for reaching out these people, touching them and comforting them.

I was watching "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" when the news alert interrupted that Diana had been in an accident. I immediately switched to CNN and was riveted to the TV. When the headline on the screen changed from "Princess Diana injured" to "Princess Diana has died", I was devastated. I never knew this woman but her death was just so tragic to me. I got up at 4:00 am to watch her funeral and cried for a life taken too soon and for her boys who would miss her so.

I hope she found the peace in death that she was not allowed in her public life.

2007-08-28T21:08:00.000-04:00

I have to agree with Denise...it's only Tuesday, but already it's been a crappy week.

I woke up Monday morning and could barely move with the horrible lower back pain. I am shuffling around like a 90 year old woman. Sleep was elusive last night and at one point I had dozed off after taking a few Advil. I woke up choking on stomach acid that had worked it's way up and it burnt the hell out of the back of my throat. No more sleep for Leah.

I am sitting here waiting for the Tylenol 3's that a kind co-worker gave to me to kick in so I can hopefully get some shut-eye tonight. They have given me heartburn, so I chomped on some disgusting Gaviscon to get rid of that. Ugh...I just want sleep!

My weekend was kind of sucky. I was supposed to have coffee with an old friend from grade school that I met up with on Facebook. Unfortunately, she didn't show up and I was left drinking my strawberry lemonade smoothie alone. Turns out she had reversed the last two numbers of my cell phone #, so she was unable to let me know she couldn't make it. It's too bad, because I really could have stood to see a friendly face, as I have been unable to shake these blues that I have right now.

One fun thing (at least for a geek like me) is that my five seasons of Smallville have arrived on DVD, so I have been watching them in all this alone time I seem to have right now. Really fun show to watch (and Tom Welling is certainly easy on the eyes...). I'm just into Season 2 now.

I have a super long weekend coming up. It's Labour Day, so I'm off Saturday, Sunday and Monday plus I took off Tuesday and Wednesday as well. I have no plans as of yet, other than trying to get some R&R. It will just be so nice to be away from work...I'm about ready to run wild with my machete again ;)

Hope all is well in your world!

2007-08-20T14:07:00.000-04:00

Okay, so apparently this video below won't allow imbeds. If you copy the title from the video and then go to youtube.com, you can view it there. Sigh.

Calopsita - Bate o Pé - Cockatiel

2007-08-19T20:47:00.001-04:00

Oh my god...this is so cute.

2007-08-14T22:50:00.000-04:00

Hello, I'm Eeyore. What would you like to know?

Me: Will my co-workers ever stop driving me bonkers?

Eeyore: Wouldn't count on it, but that's just me.

Go ahead, ask me a question.

Me: Are you the most intelligent creature I'm going to have a conversation with today?

Eeyore: Probably so, but I'm always the last to know.

Got a question? Well, go ahead and ask it.

Me: Am I going crazy talking to an animated stuffed donkey?

Eeyore: I'll ask Pooh, try again later. I've got a question for you, if it's not too much trouble...sorry to bother you, but is my tail still on?

*actual transcripts from Leah's Q&A session with Ask Me More Eeyore.

2007-08-13T10:58:00.000-04:00

Where did the weekend go? I swear, it was Friday only a couple of minutes ago...

I had a pretty quiet weekend. Chris and I did a bit of shopping on Saturday. I picked up a new dish rack and Swiffer (very exciting purchases, I know...). It was such a gorgeous day that we spent of couple of hours out by the pool. I made chana masala and samosas for dinner and we had a quiet evening in front of the telly.

On Sunday I think I scrubbed almost every surface in my home. I cleaned for 5 hours straight and still have more to do *sigh*. Having two cockatiels and a budgie is messy business sometimes. Chris came over for dinner-stuffed chicken with rice and veggies. We got in some quality alone time and watched "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone".

Now it's back to the grindstone...ugh, I really do hate Mondays. Unless it's a holiday Monday, then it's fabulous, lol. Three more weeks until we have one of those for Labour Day...I'm on a countdown.

I hope you are having a good Monday wherever you are!

2007-08-09T10:43:00.000-04:00

When Chris called me last night, he said,"You sound really weary". I am really weary right about now. Which just proves that I am appropriately named...Leah=weary in Hebrew.

It has been a horrid week at work, with one manager making things incredibly difficult. Even though we work in a competitive business, I do not feel the need to treat fellow dealers like crap or try to rip them off or screw them over. Apparently this is way we are supposed to be...I want no part of doing dealer trades if it involves being as asshole. I have to deal with dealers that treat me like that all the time, but it doesn't mean I have to stoop to that level. Unfortunately with my main manager off this week, I am stuck under the authority of this guy. Not fun.

I was driving home last night after a dreadful day at work. I'm at a stop light and it turns green. I start out and this freaking moron flies through the red light around the corner. If I had not been paying attention I would have written off my car. Luckily I braked hard enough to avoid this bastard by inches and even more luckily the lady behind braked quick enough. I wail on my horn at the guy but he just keeps driving on his merry way. Dickhead.

So my nerves were totally frayed for the rest of the night. I get home and I have a delightful notice from Revenue Canada, letting me know that they want my income taxes paid in full, like, now. Fantastic. I'll just pull $750 out of my ass and send it to them. They got $100 and that's all they're getting for the timebeing. Throw me in jail...at least the rent and meals are free there.

Then I go to do the dishes and one of the glasses has broken in the bottom of the sink. I slice open my knuckle and blood goes everywhere. And for some bizarre reason, my knuckle bruises and swells and throbs all night. Ugh, like I needed sleep anyway. At least if they have to amputate, it's my ring finger. I would seriously handicapped in regards to communication if it was my middle finger.

So I figure at least tonight I could go out for a nice dinner with Chris and relax. No. His dad's girlfriend is coming over for dinner. "But you can come...if you want". Yeah, like that's a fabulous sounding invitation, sounds like you really planned on having me there. So hopefully tonight will be a less disastrous night alone.

Sorry, this is one major rant. But I need to rant somewhere and this is the only place I have.

I love you guys. You help keep me sane.

Happy Birthday, Neicy!

2007-07-31T08:33:00.001-04:00

What I Have Learned: by Homer Simpson

2007-07-26T17:43:00.000-04:00

When someone tells you your butt is on fire, you should take them at their word.

There is no such thing as a bad doughnut.

Kids are like monkeys, only louder.

If you want results, press the red button. The rest are useless.

There are many different religions in this world, but if you look at them carefully, you'll see that they all have one thing in common: They were invented by a giant, superintelligent slug named Dennis.

You should just name your third kid Baby. Trust me -- it'll save you a lot of hassle.

You can have many different jobs and still be lazy.

I enjoy the great taste of Duff. Yes, Duff is the only beer for me. Smooth, creamy Duff . . . zzzzzzzzzzzzz.

You can get free stuff if you mention a product in a magazine interview. Like Chips Ahoy! cookies.

You may think it's easier to de-ice your windshield with a flamethrower, but there are repercussions. Serious repercussions.

There are some things that just aren't meant to be eaten.

The intelligent man wins his battles with pointed words. I'm sorry -- I meant sticks. Pointed sticks.

There are way too many numbers. The world would be a better place if we lost half of them -- starting with 8. I've always hated 8.

If I had a dollar for every time I heard "My God! He's covered in some sort of goo," I'd be a rich man.

Be generous in the bedroom -- share your sandwich.

I've climbed the highest mountains . . . fallen down the deepest valleys . . . I've been to Japan and Africa . . . and I've even gone into space. But I'd trade it all for a piece of candy right now.

Every creature on God's earth has a right to exist. Except for that damn ruby-throated South American warbler.

I don't need a surgeon telling me how to operate on myself.

Sometimes I think there's no reason to get out of bed . . . then I feel wet, and I realize there is.

Let me just say, Winnie the Pooh getting his head caught in a honey pot? It's not funny. It can really happen.

Even though it is awesome and powerful, I don't take no guff from the ocean.

I never ate an animal I didn't like.

A fool and his money are soon parted. I would pay anyone a lot of money to explain that to me.

Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll get a hook caught on his eyelid or something.

I made a deal with myself ten years ago . . . and got ripped off.

Never leave your car keys in a reactor core.

Always trust your first instinct -- unless it tells you to use your life savings to develop a Destructo Ray.

When you borrow something from your neighbor, always do it under the cover of darkness.

If a spaceship landed and aliens took me back to their planet and made me their leader, and I got to spend the rest of my life eating doughnuts and watching alien dancing girls and ruling with a swift and merciless hand? That would be sweet.

I may not be the richest man on earth. Or the smartest. Or the handsomest.

Never throw a butcher knife in anger.

The office is no place for off-color remarks or offensive jokes. That's why I never go there.

My favorite color is chocolate.

Always feel with your heart, although it's better with your hands.

The hardest thing I've had to face as a father was burying my own child. He climbed back out, but it still hurts.

If doctors are so right, why am I still alive?

I'm not afraid to say the word racism, or the words doormat and bee stinger.

Always have plenty of clean white shirts and blue pants.

When that guy turned water into wine, he obviously wasn't thinking of us Duff drinkers.

I love natural disasters because we're allowed to get out of work.

When I'm dead, I'm going to sleep. Oh, man, am I going to sleep.

What kind of fool would leave a pie on a windowsill, anyway?

2007-07-23T08:59:00.000-04:00

I stood in line for almost an hour Friday night/Saturday morning, along with dozens of other fans and was lucky to get my book before they sold out. And I only got 3 hours sleep that night. Was it worth it? Hell, yeah. Great book...I really enjoyed it and just couldn't put it down.

The weather was beautiful this weekend-warm but not humid, thank heavens. We went mini-golfing on Saturday and had an awesome BBQ dinner-steak, caesar potato salad, grilled zucchini and mushrooms...yum!

Yesterday was quite warm, so it was an awesome day to be by the pool. Of course, I managed to burn myself again, but not too bad. We had samosas and chicken curry naan pizza for dinner, along with the leftover potato salad. We then watched half of Muchmusic's top 100 videos of the last decade. Ugh! Number one was "Stan" by Eminem, which was a cool video, but #2 was "Hit Me Baby" by Britney Spears and #3 was "Cry Me a River" by Justin Timberlake...blech!! There was nothing even remotely interesting about either of those videos. And that god-awful "Hollaback Girl" by Gwen Stefani was in the top ten. Does that song make sense to anyone???

Now it's back to the grind Monday morning. One of my managers is on vacation this week, so the other one has to work 12 hour shifts. He will be grumpier than hell by Friday. On the bright side, we are having a big BBQ and cornroast for the staff tomorrow, which will be fun.

Hope you all are having a stress-free Monday!!

TGIF!

2007-07-20T14:50:00.000-04:00

Exhausted...

2007-07-13T14:08:00.001-04:00

I wish I could just flop somewhere and pass out. I have had persistent insomnia for the past two weeks and it is really taking a toll. I really don't want to go to my doctor, because the guy is a complete a**hole and I avoid him like the plague (unless I get the plague, then I would happily share it with him...)

It's been a good movie week. I saw Transformers on Monday, which was better than I thought it would be. It was cool to see the new Camaro in action, even if we won't have them in the showrooms until 2009.

Then last night Elizabeth and I went to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It was very goo. Much more character driven and dark than the past movies. Can't wait to buy it on DVD.

Chris has headed up north until next Wednesday, so it will suck not having him around. I hate it when he goes away...it brings back really bad memories of being dumped twice previously when he went away on holidays.

I'm off to Chatham to see Mom this weekend. I really hope the weather isn't too hot as she doesn't have air conditioning. And let's hope my car behaves itself this trip.

Hope you all have a great weekend! Neicy, I hope you have a blast in Denver!

ABC's

2007-07-12T13:35:00.000-04:00

Kris was right...this is much harder than it looks...

A is for anxious, Aries, athiest, analytical, aggressive

B is for bitchy, brooding, brown-eyed, bird-lover

C is for creative, capable, clutterbug, Canadian, chubby

D is for daughter, dreamer, dramatic

E is for eager-to-please, emotional

F is for finicky, fierce, friend, forgetful

G is for generous, grumpy, gullible

H is for homebody, hungry (hell, I'm always hungry), hot-headed

I is for introverted, imaginative, indispensible

J is for jittery, jaded

K is for knowledgeable, kindhearted

L is for loyal, listener, lover and of course, Leah

M is for moody, mushy

N if for nervous, nosy, nutty

O is for over-cautious, ornery, obedient

P is for protective, procrastinator, pessimist, polite, predictable

Q is for quiet, quick-tempered

R is for reader, righteous, real

S is for sincere, squeamish, subdued

T is for thoughtful, testy, tame

U is for uptight, unusual

V is for very...something...

W is for wary, whimsical, witty, weird

X is for X-men lover

Y is for yay I'm almost done

Z is for Zed not Zee cuz I'm Canadian!

Happy Birthday, Kris!!

2007-07-04T15:43:00.001-04:00

Some pics from RBG this weekend...

2007-07-02T00:28:00.000-04:00

There is s little bee on one of the flowers...

Ugh...

A supermodel pose, lol...

Inside the mediterranean garden...

A monstrous bird of paradise...

The fountain outside the RBG centre...

There were really pretty mosaics...

This arch actually passes underneath a major roadway...

This aloe was easily 10 feet tall. I could use it for my sunburn...

Gorgeous lily...

Cool pineapple flower...

A butterfly taking a rest...

The fountain in the middle of the rose gardens...

I adore lilies. These ones were called "Cover Girl" lilies...

"Fair Lady" lily

A pretty covered walkway...

I neglected to make a mental note, but I think these are English tea roses.

Again, bad with the mental note, but I think it is a species of clamatis.

This flower was so striking, yet being the dumbass I am, I failed to remember the name.

It was a lovely day!

2007-06-29T10:23:00.000-04:00

4 and a half more hours til...LONG WEEKEND! Yay! Happy Birthday, Canada! Canada Day falls on a Sunday this year, so we automatically get the Monday off. Woohoo! Adn the weather is supposed to gorgeous, so that makes it all the better.

So far, it has been a pretty tame month-end, which I am thankful for. I've been depressed all week, so the less stress, the better. My managers have all been grumpy and testy all week, but I've managed to avoid the brunt of it.

No big plans for the weekend, other than getting in some serious relax time and cleaning my very dirty little Honda. I plan on getting in at least a little pool time so I can stop looking like Casper the not-so-friendly ghost. Most of all I need some sleep, as insomnia has been ruling my life lately.

In honour of Canada Day, here is the recipe for our #1 original cocktail:

The Caesar

6 oz. Clamato Juice

1½ oz. Vodka

2 Dashes Tabasco Sauce

2 Dashes Worcestershire Sauce

Celery salt

Freshly Ground Pepper

1 Crisp Celery Stalk

Have a great weekend!

2007-06-25T15:06:00.000-04:00

Whew. It is another scorcher out there today. Thank heavens for air conditioning, lol. I don't do well in this type of weather...it makes me more grouchy than usual.

The weekend was fairly uneventful. I went down to a yard sale that an old friend of mine was having to raise money for some astronomical vet bills she has. Her little 2-year-old british staffordshire bull terrier, Zeus, accumulated more than $9000 in vet bills. Yikes.

Chris and I went out for Indian food at a restaurant called Rice. It was pretty good, but Bombay Grill is still my favourite for Indian. Then we went home and watched "Big Fish". Great movie.

Sunday, I cleaned most of the day and then Chris came over for dinner and we watched the Nascar race. Talk about boring, lol.

With partial resolution to some of the wedding costs, I finally am feeling like doing stuff again. I found a wedding band for Chris for a great price (no point spending a ton of dough on it since he'll never wear the damn thing anyway) and finished printing the invitations. I think I may start working on the bouquets again. Only 10 months to go, lol.

Cute...

2007-06-21T11:10:00.000-04:00

MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. Ijust finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION. "You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3.. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL. "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC. " Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC. "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT. "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY. "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS. "Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM."Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA."You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER. "This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY. "If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE. "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. "Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY. "There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION."Just wait until we get home.."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING. "You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE. "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP."Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?

20. My mother taught me HUMOR. "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT. "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS."You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS."Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM. "When you get to be my age, you'll understand. "

25. My mother taught me about JUSTICE. "One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you

2007-06-12T12:51:00.000-04:00

I am a lobster. I am slowly fading from a vivid shade of red to pink. That will teach me to sit in the sun for the first time this year with no sunscreen on (luckily my makeup and moisturiser have sunscreen in them or my face would be red as a beet).

We had a BBQ at Chris on Sunday afternoon and we were out in the backyard all afternoon. Chris' dad brought his new girlfriend over for us to meet. It wasn't nearly as awkward as Chris and his sister thought it would be and Jan is really nice. I made two pasta salads and caesar potato salad so we didn't have to eat the gross store-bought kinds, and then we just barbequed hamburgers. It was a great afternoon (aside from the killer sunburn, of course).

On Saturday I went out to my dad's, where my grandmother is housesitting while they are away on vacation. I haven't seen my grandma in 2 years, so it was really great to see her. She gave me the ring that grandpa had given to her when they got engaged and it's lovely. It needs to be resized to fit my monster hands, but it's a nice diamond solitaire in a bezel setting. My dad has had this ring since DECEMBER but didn't feel the need to give it to me. I went out to have dinner with her again last night and will go out with Chris for a BBQ tomorrow. I think she will still be there Sunday when I go over for Father's Day, so it's good to have lots of grandma time.

Hope you all are having a great week!

This should be interesting...

2007-06-08T13:01:00.000-04:00

All right, since Kris and Neicy have both managed to get through this, I should at least give it a try. Please try not to fall asleep, lol...

1. I'm near-sighted. I wear my glasses every waking hour of my day.

2. I have lived in the same area all my life (within 20 km)

3. I drive a 1995 Honda Accord. It's a love/hate relationship...I love it, it hates me.

4. I am a control freak.

5. I am an athiest. My father was raised Jehovah's Witness, my mother was Anglican...they let me make my own decisions about religion.

6. I hate onions, brussel sprouts and eggs. Other than that I will eat almost anything. Kinda like a trash compactor.

7. I have a nose ring.

8. I have an irrational fear of snakes.

9. I am not an outdoors person.

10. As a infant/toddler I would literally curl myself up in a ball if someone tried to put me down on grass or dirt so my hands and feet wouldn't get dirty. My mom still can't figure that one out.

11. I have a major fear of crowds. It's only been after a lot of self-motivation that I have been able to go shopping by myself.

12. I am very sensitive about what others say to me and get easily upset.

13. I drink alcohol about once a year, if that.

14. I was a high school dropout. I eventually received my GED when I was 22.

15. I worked as a school age childcare supervisor for 5 years.

16. My first job was a cashier at a convenience store.

17. My parents divorced when I was 14. I have not been the same person since.

18. My favourite colours are purple and green.

19. I am an extremely assertive person in my professional life and a very indecisive, nervous person in my personal life.

20. I love to read.

21. I am a speed reader.

22. I have way too much mental illness in my life (myself, my mother, my fiance).

23. I was named after a neighbour from my mother's childhood. My mom had a terrible upbringing but this neighbour showed her kindness.

24. My descent is quite the mix. My dad's side is Scottish (his dad) and English/Native Canadian (his mom). My mom's side is all English.

25. I look like my two grandmothers smooshed together.

26. My father has seven brothers. I have 16 cousins on his side alone.

27. My favourite pet was my dog Peanuts. She was a pomeranian-poodle. I still cry when I think about her. We had to have her put down when I was 16 (she was 13).

28. I love to swim (as long as no one else sees me in a swimsuit).

29. I love boating. We had a gorgeous 19' bowrider when I was in my early teens and I loved being on it. It got sold in the divorce.

30. I collect Boyds Bears.

31. I have over 500 books.

32. I love anything made out of coloured glass.

33. My first car was a Dodge Omni. What a piece of crap.

34. Okay, I am so boring...

35. I love trying new foods, especially from different ethnicities.

36. I wish I was like Kris and could wear jeans to work everyday-that would be awesome!

37. I love sandals. I only own 2 pairs of shoes and one pair of boots, but at least 20 pairs of sandals. And in my lovely climate, I can only wear then for a few months. Go figure.

38. I love Star Wars.

39. And Star trek.

40. And comic books.

41. Yes, I am a geek.

42. I can spend a ridiculous amount of time playing the Sims 2 on my computer.

43. I love the name Rowan. If the rare chance happens that I have a little girl, that will be her name.

44. My middle name is Marie. My mom comes from a long line of women with Ada as their middle name. Thankfully she put a stop to that.

45. I am awesome at music trivia.

46. I was a very bad girl rom the ages of 14-16.

47. I used to smoke socially as a teenager but luckily never got addicted. I haven't touched one since I was 17.

48. I have a vivid imagination. Probably from so many years of playing by myself as a child.

49. I am an only child.

50. My mother was from Windsor and my dad from Kingston (one is 300 kms south-west and the other is 300 km north-east) so I don't see much of my family.

51. I hate bugs.

52. I love to sleep and nap.

53. Especially in the awesome king-sized bed I bought a couple of years ago. I could just stay in there all day.

54. I have only been on an airplane once, to go to Florida with a family friend when I was 10.

55. I love Eeyore. All my Eeyore collectables are stored at my dad's because I have no room for them all.

56. I made the mistake of collecting Beanie Babies. They , too, are at my dad's.

57. My dad lives 20 minutes away from me yet I see him twice a year. Feel the love.

58. I am addicted to Facebook.

59. I am a huge procrastinator. Why do today what you can do tomorrow?

60. I am not a neat person. I live and work in chaos.

61. I am a major worry-wart.

62. My fiance has broken up with me three times during our 9 year relationship.

63. I love bunnies. I hope to get one someday (a good mix with the birds).

64. I often wonder how I will stay sane living with 2 cockatiels for 15-25 years.

65. When I was a little girl I wanted to be a French teacher.

66. I regret losing the ability to speak French.

67. I regret not continuing my piano studies.

68. I regret a lot of my life.

69. I am a ridiculously punctual person-I despise lateness.

70. I can't believe I have made it to 70...

71. In grade school my nickname was the Walking Dictionary because I could just about anything.

72. I am not a good typist, though.

73. I lived on welfare when I was kicked out on my own at 18. I would not wish that experience on my worst enemy.

74. I went bankrupt a couple of years ago. It is my biggest shame and I have nothing to show for it.

75. My dream trip is to travel across Canada. Then go to Scotland and England.

76. I have brown hair and brown eyes...boring! Hence why I like to dye my hair.

77. I love blue eyes.

78. I want a tattoo. I have a design saved in my computer but I am too cheap to pay the money to go get it done, lol.

79. I am not a patient person.

80. I have horrible nerves and am very jumpy.

81. I love to listen much more so than talking myself.

82. I love small dogs, especially poodle mixes and Yorkies.

83. I think Paris Hilton should be shot into space.

84. I have been very fortunate to not lose anyone I was very close with.

85. I'm afraid of how I will cope when it happens.

86. I live in fear of both my mother and my fiance committing suicide.

87. I can rarely stay mad at anyone for long-life is too short.

88. There are two people in this world I will never forgive-2 of my mother's brothers, who I find out a few years ago they molested her as a child.

89. I don't like to argue or fight with my loved ones, so I tend to cave easily.

90. I love springtime and autumn, especially for hiking.

91. I have big feet.

92. I was friends with Chris for 3 years before we started dating.

93. I would love to go to college.

94. I am a soda addict (mainly diet coke but my fav is regular pepsi)

95. I love to play euchre, but never have 3 other people to play with, lol (and online just isn't the same).

96. I am not a good loser.

97. I always have jewelery to match my outfit...it's scary.

98. I hate to do dishes...good thing Chris doesn't mind doing them.

99. I am stunned that I got through this, lol.

2007-06-06T09:35:00.000-04:00

Kris, Holli, Denise...

You guys are miles away but you are the only ones right now that make me feel like I'm not alone.

Your kind words and support mean so much. Thank you!

2007-06-05T15:15:00.000-04:00

Grumpy.

Queen of Crabbiness, Princess of Prickliness, Duchess of Dourness, Countess of Crankiness, Sultana of Surliness, Grand Poobah of Peevishness...

I am very grumpy lately. I'm not outwardly being too crabby, but inside I am in a foul mood.

Where is the sunshine? Where is the good news and happy times? Where is the joy and love? Damned if I know. So, I need to figure out a way to find it myself because it sure as hell isn't searching for me. Or my friends. Or my family. Or my loved one.

And why? We are all damned good people. We deserve the happiness, peace, joy...all that good stuff.

I'm not sure why I'm ranting about this, but I just can't remember the last time I heard some good news or had something happy happen. And it's frustrating me.

2007-06-04T16:48:00.000-04:00

Yes, this is a self-portrait...

2007-06-01T10:27:00.000-04:00

Elliott Yamin-Wait For You

2007-05-31T22:15:00.001-04:00

This cd is probably my guiltiest pleasure right now.. Chris bought it for me and it's been in my car's cd changer ever since.

2007-05-31T17:53:00.000-04:00

Whew. Only one more work day to go this week. It has definitely been a week of Mondays, Kris. Month end has been brutal and I know the data analysis and reports that I have to do over the next week aren't going to be much better. But at least the month is over with.

Chris has been brutally sick with a delightful mixture of really bad allergies and a cold, so I have been avoiding him over the last couple days as I really don't want to get sick. When I was there on Tuesday for his belated birthday dinner he could barely function as he was sneezing and his nose was running so bad. Poor baby.

(As an aside, it is really hard to concentrate on writing your blog when you have a cockatiel chewing on your ear. Very distracting...)

I am off to mom's this weekend for a visit. We will roll Mother's day and her birthday (May 29th) into one. I can't afford it but I will probably take her out for dinner. I am really dreading the drive, but it has been over a month since I have seen her and she's getting antsy for a visit.

(Now try writing with another cockatiel attacking your neck and a budgie crawling all over your chest. Bloody hell)

I haven't been posting much lately and I apologize. It's just been a really hard time right now. And I feel like all I do is whine when I come on here...but I literally have no where else to vent my frustrations. And right now I feel frustrated as hell.

I have no idea how the heck we are going to pay for this wedding. It's 11 months away so my father is taking his sweet fricking time talking to me about it. I just want to know a) how many people is he going to make me have at this thing and b) is he forking over any money to help. I swear, I would sleep so much better at night if this one little thing could be cleared up.

Chris is not getting any better. His psychiatrist is a bloody moron who is nothing better than an overpaid drug dealer. No talking, no cognitive behaviour therapy, no nothing. Chris has been seeing this guy for two years and has just gotten worse. SSRI's don't seem to do a damn thing for him and this doctor just has no exercises or suggestions. And getting a new shrink is really hard due to the 4-6 month waiting period. The whole plan for the next year was based on Chris at least being able to go to school in the fall and I'm not sure if that is even going to happen if his condition doesn't improve. And then I really don't know what we will do.

And then I have been feeling really bad about myself. I have tried to reconnect with 4 friends that I had fallen out of touch with over the past few years. I have pursued it, made lots of contact but after an initial response from them-NOTHING. Am I really not worth the effort for someone to reconnect with? Am I that big of a loser? It certainly makes you wonder.

Sorry, I have rambled and complained enough for one post. I hope you all are doing well and enjoying this hot weather.

Holli, your attitude in the midst of what is going on in your life is amazing. You keep your faith no matter what and that is so admirable. Keep strong and take care of yourself.

And now I am off to wash the freaking bird poop off my shoulder. How delightful.

2007-05-28T11:38:00.001-04:00

Royal Botanical Gardens

2007-05-22T22:25:00.001-04:00

More chipmunks!! There tons of them running about, eating out of the bird feeders and people's hands.

Tadpoles...well on their way to becoming frogs!

A mini Stonehenge...

An amazing looking tree..being the dumbass I am, I forgot to look and see what type of tree it was-duh!

The Lilac Exhibit was on...I just love the smell of lilacs!

There were hundreds of lilac bushes.

So pretty!

Ugh...Chris insisted on taking my damn picture...don't I look thrilled?

Chris at the entrance to this section of the RBG.

FWR Dixon Wilderness Area

2007-05-22T22:10:00.001-04:00

The scenery here was really pretty...

There was a huge swampy lake, full of fish and turtles...

This chickadee was very tame and just sat inches from us...

Chipmunks...my favourite!

The official flower of Ontario-the trillium...

My own personal Gil Grissom...

Stop human trafficking

2007-05-16T10:24:00.000-04:00

At the bottom of my blog page, I have put a link to a website that is trying to do some good. Take a look if you have a chance.

Okay, this made me laugh...

2007-05-15T13:03:00.000-04:00

2007-05-14T13:36:00.000-04:00

You Know You Grew Up In The 80's If...

1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word "PSYCHE".

2. You watched the Pound Puppies.

3. You can sing the rap to the "Fresh Prince of Belair " ...and can do the "Carlton".

4. Girls wore biker shorts under their skirts and felt stylishly sexy.

5. You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters club and tried to start a club of your own.

6. You owned those lil' Strawberry Shortcake pals scented dolls.

7. "WOAH " comes from Joey on Blossom.

8. Two words: Hammer Pants.

9. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock ".

10. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars... and "spokey-dokes" or playing cards on your spokes for that incredible sound effect.

11. You can sing the entire theme song to "Duck Tales ". (Woo ooh!)

12. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.

13. When it was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.

14. You saw the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles " on the big screen... and still know the turtles names.

15. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.

16. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.

17. You played the game "MASH ". (Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House)

18. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.

19. L.A. Gear... need I say more.

20. You wanted to change your name to "JEM " in Kindergarten. (She's truly outrageous)

21. You remember reading "Tales of a fourth grade nothing " and all the Ramona books.

22. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF".

23. You wanted to be a Goonie.

24. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us... head-to-toe)

25. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.

26. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.

27. You took lunch boxes to school... and traded Garbage Pail Kids in the schoolyard.

28. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.

29. You still get the urge to say "NOT " after every sentence.

30. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts.

31. Barbie and the Rockers was your favorite band.

32. You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Man should hookup.

33. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.

34. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes. (and like #24, probably in neon colors, too)

35. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?"

36. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up"

37. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.

38. You ever got seriously injured on a Slip and Slide.

39. You have ever played with a Skip-It.

40. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds.

41. You've gone through this nodding your head in agreement.

42. You remember Popples.

43. "Don't worry, be happy"

44. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks over tights with high top Reeboks.

45. You wore socks scrunched down (and sometimes still do...getting yelled at by "younger hip" members of the family)

46. "Miss MARY MACK MACK MACK, all dressed in BLACK BLACK BLACK "

47. You remember boom boxes. and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.

48. You remember watching both "Gremlins" movies.

49. You know what it meant to say "Care Bear Stare!"

50. You remember watching "Rainbow Bright" and "My Little Pony Tales "

51. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.

52. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.

53. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool... and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB".

54. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By the Bell ", the ORIGINAL class.

55. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.

56. You just sang those words to yourself.

57.You remember watching Magic vs. Bird.

58. Homemade Levi shorts. (the shorter the better)

59. You remember when mullets were cool!

60. You had a mullet!

61. You still sing "We are the World"

62. You tight rolled your jeans.

63. You owned a banana clip.

64. You remember "Where's the Beef?"

65. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' about Willis?"

66. You had big hair and you knew how to use it.

67. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head,aren't you!

2007-05-14T12:30:00.000-04:00

Monday, Monday (ba da ba da da da), can't trust that day...(be lucky you can't actually hear me singing that, lol)

4 more days til 5 days off...YAY!!! I don't care if I sleep the whole freaking weekend-it's better than being here in the pit of hell where I work. So far the weather forecast looks fab, so I can't wait. I think we are going to try and see Spiderman 3 on Friday after my massage therapy, so I am looking forward to that. Other than that the weekend is wide open...

This weekend was pretty good, although I am having major lower back and shoulder pain so that put a damper on things. We went for a nice long walk on the waterfront in Oakville yesterday... the weather was perfect for me, cool but sunny. I made Chris and his sister dinner last night-fagottini pasta with zucchini, peppers and mushrooms with garlic bread. We were all so stuffed we could hardly move!

So, everyone at work is on this Facebook website. After much harrassing, I joined up to see what all the hubbub was about. Interesting site. I tracked down a friend that I had been very close with up until about 4 years ago, so that was cool. And a ton of people from school as well as some family members. So it's pretty fun...

Well, I hope it's a good Monday for you! And Holli-major congratualtions on your good news!!

2007-05-11T16:49:00.000-04:00

Telus

2007-05-10T03:58:00.003-04:00

Who doesn't love bunnies????

Telus Love Commercial

2007-05-10T03:58:00.001-04:00

I am such a sucker for animals and I love all the Telus commercials. This is the most recent one and I think it is so cute!

2007-05-07T15:58:00.000-04:00

Hunh. I sit here staring at the computer screen, with my mind completely blank. And then I realize my life has been so incredibly boring as of late, I have just about nothing to blog about.

Work has been so brutal that when I get home all I want to do is curl up and sleep. Last week was just wicked with the crazy invitational sale and my boss now owes me some serious time-off for the overtime I worked. Thank heavens there is not another one of these stupid sales until October.

The weekend flew by really fast. On Saturday we went to the mall to look at some new clothes for me, but I had no luck finding anything I liked. I had wanted to go out for dinner, but Chris' sister made a stew in the crockpot for us before she went to work so we had to have that. It was a funky Jamaican stew, with yams, green and black beans, onions and very spicy jerk seasoning. I hate yams. I strongly dislike onions. Not a good dinner for me, but the thought was nice.

On Sunday we went mini-golfing again. And once again I realized that I have not inherited my dad's golfing skills. Chris kicked my butt again, but at least only by a few strokes this time. We went to Carmel, one of our favourite restaurants, for dinner. I swear you could have rolled me out of there afterwards, I ate so flipping much. Awesome food though.

And now it's Monday again. Exciting life, eh? Hope your weekend was more exciting!

And Holli, stay off the carck!

A year from today...

2007-05-04T22:27:00.000-04:00

Hakuna Matata

2007-05-02T11:24:00.001-04:00

No worries would be so good, wouldn't it? I was grumpy today and this song always make me smile...

The calm before the storm...

2007-04-30T10:08:00.000-04:00

I figured I had best try and get a post in this morning or it will not be happening this week. Between month end and a huge one-day sale I will be working loads of overtime and will probably be an angry, grumpy girl.

Had a pretty quiet weekend. I went out to Chris' for dinner on Saturday and we spent most of the evening watching hockey. Then Chris came out yesterday and we went mini-golfing on probably the saddest, most pathetic mini-putt course I have ever seen (and he still managed to kick my ass). We went grocery shopping after that and I made chana madras and samosas for dinner. Then it was more hockey and the weekend was over :(

And now back to the lower pit of hell Monday morning. I am in super-stress mode right now, so my coworkers will probably have their heads bitten off multiple times this week. My dad and Chris are stressing me out bigtime about the wedding, my financial situation is ugly right now, I can't seem to catch up on work at home and I can't freaking sleep. Ugh. I can't wait for May 18th when I have 5 days off. Pray I don't kill someone by then ;)

Hope you all are having a good Monday and enjoyed your weekend!

Steal My Sunshine (1999)

2007-04-20T16:28:00.001-04:00

This song always reminds of the warm weather, so it is very appropriate on a day like today.

I wanna go home...

2007-04-18T19:39:00.000-04:00

Waaah. I need some cheese with this whine, lol. We are having a car care clinic tonight so I'm stuck here til around 9:00. Phooey.

CPR/First Aid training was really good, although our instructor worked us like a drill sargeant on Monday. We learned CPR on Monday and I swear, we did at least 1000 chest compressions. My poor knees are bruised and my lower back is killing me, but it was awesome to get recertified (it's been around 10 years since I've taken the course). Plus Mike and Sean (my delightful co-workers) kept wanting to use the defibrillator on me (they were so disappointed when they discovered it was just a training model that didn't actually shock people, lol). See why I need a machete at work ;)

Chris and I had a good dinner at Canyon Creek on Saturday. I had a steak and some of the most massive shrimp that I have ever seen. Damn it was good. I even had a drink ( I am such a rebel, lol). I maybe have 1 or 2 drinks a YEAR, so it was a departure for me. It was a sour raspberry martini, which I must say was very yummy.

My actual birthday was pretty tame. I went to CPR and did laundry all night. Ah well. I had tickets to go see Rent, but I was so sore and tired after the CPR I just couldn't do it. Luckily the tix were free through work and Chris'dad and sister used theirs, so it wasn't a total waste.

I have to go to mom's this weekend, so it won't be overly restful. I have to help her find an outfit to wear to my aunt and uncle's 50th anniversary party, so that should be a joy (my mom is a picky shopper). The good news is the weather is supposed to be gorgeous this weekend, getting close to 20 degrees (70 F) with that ever-elusive Mr. Sunshine actually making an appearance. Woo hoo!

Hope you all are having a great week and the weather is getting sunny wherever you are!

Long week...

2007-04-13T09:38:00.000-04:00

It has been a rather tough week, both personally and professionally. Work has been bizzarro busy and Chris is going through a very rough period mentally, so it is taking a big toll on me. Hence the lack of posts-I just don't have much energy or creativity right now.

Elizabeth took me out for my birthday dinner last night, which was really nice. We went to East Side Mario's (an italian eatery) and I had my usual Firecracker Shrimp Bowties (yum!). We went for our usual Walmart run afterwards and then went back to her place. I finally got to see her dress for the wedding in person and it is lovely. For my b-day she got me an amazingly soft terry robe (in green, my fav colour), a blue top, the first 2 Harry Potter movies on DVD (I only had them on VHS), earrings, a Calgon "Perfect Bliss" gift set, a wedding scrapbooking set, some Fuzzy Peaches candy and some funky glass coasters. Spoiled girl, I am.

The weekend will probably be pretty quiet-Chris is taking me out to dinner at Canyon Creek Chophouse on Saturday, so that will hopefully be a fun night. Then I'm away at CPR/First Aid training on Monday and Tuesday, so that will be blessed relief from workplace hell.

Have a fab weekend, everyone!

2007-04-12T15:33:00.000-04:00

I tell you, one of these days us geeks will take over the world...

2007-04-08T21:11:00.000-04:00

Happy Easter

2007-04-06T13:09:00.000-04:00

Alanis Morissette

2007-04-03T13:37:00.001-04:00

I cannot stand the Black Eyed Peas, so this just cracked me up...

2007-04-02T09:26:00.000-04:00

Alas, Monday is here again. And to all of us dealing with month end, I say it should be legal to bring wine to work during these days. Or a machete.

I had a fairly boring weekend (one of these years I will actually have an exciting weekend, I swear...). On Saturday my boss had wrangled me into heading up two bowling teams to raise money for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. He gave me 10 days notice to raise $1000. Yeah, what am I , freaking Wonder Woman? Plus convince 9 of my coworkers to come bowl with me. Well, I wrangled up 10 bowlers, 4 of which did not show up. So the 6 of us that did show up managed to raise $500 and had a great time bowling. I told him next year he better give me at least a month's notice, because I know we could raise major money for this cause if we had the time.

Saturday night Chris and I had jambalaya for dinner and watched the movie "Crash". It was good, but I'm not sure if it lived up to all the hype. Interesting commentary on racial relations and stereotypes, though.

I was in a melancholy mood yesterday, so I pretty much stayed curled up on the couch all day. This weather is beyond depressing-it's supposed to rain the next few days then more bloody snow. Ugh.

Well, I hope you guys had a more exciting weekend than I did. Here's to a smooth Monday and week of month end crap. Take care!

To my blogger friends, who bring sunshine to some lonely days...

2007-03-29T12:41:00.000-04:00

2007-03-21T15:24:00.000-04:00

I'm convinced that I am surrounded by ding-a-lings. The receptionist told me this morning that I am the "go-to girl, the one that knows everything". Uh huh. Then why is my salary less than the receptionist, who has worked here for just under 2 months while I have slaved away here for 6 years? Go figure. I think it's machete time, ladies...

Last night Chris and I had awesome take-out from Montfort restaurant. Chris got bathenjane and falafels and I got babaganouj and chicken shawarma. Ooh, was it good. This is the third mediterranean restaurant we have tried in the area and it's my second favourite behind Carmel. I start drooling just thinking about the food...

Tonight we are off to meet with the photographer to put down a deposit and such. This the last "big" thing I need to book, so it will be a relief to have it out of the way.

Only two more days til Friday, gals. We can make it!

Well, this just made me giggle...

2007-03-19T19:26:00.000-04:00

2007-03-19T09:40:00.000-04:00

Ooh, am I dragging my sorry butt this morning. I'm battling with a week long bout of insomnia right now and it's catching up with me bigtime. And on a Monday no less...

The weekend was pretty good. I went to Mom's Saturday morning and I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to go since we got a foot of snow Friday night. But luckily I was able to get out of my parking lot and the roads were in pretty good shape. We had a good time, mainly shopping and watching the tube. We watched "Practical Magic", which I hadn't seen since it was in theatres, so that was fun. Then it was back home Sunday afternoon.

And here we are at Monday morning. I hope everyone else is having a better morning than I am currently and that you had a fabulous weekend!

The view of a very bored person...

2007-03-13T14:43:00.000-04:00

Oh my. I could fall asleep at my desk right now, it is so freaking slow in here. There is no happy medium-it's either nuts or dead. Ugh. Not going crazy is nice, but the day just draaaaags out forever. And ever...

Don't you just love my little yellow birdy on my desk? One of our night receptionists, Marlena, got it for me for Christmas a few years ago. I can be a horrifically grumpy person, so it fits me to a tee. That's also where the Eeyore fetish comes from-my personality can closely resemble his at times and my coworkers at the YMCA gave me the nickname Eeyore years ago.

Youtube seems to hate me and will not let me post videos to my blog. I have deleted and reloaded my settings and I just can't figure it out. Rat bastards.

So what is everyone listening to right now? I have odd tastes in music but my current playlist is:

One-U2 and Mary J. Blige

Unwritten-Natasha Bedingfield

I Loved You All Along-Our Lady Peace

My Happiness-Powderfinger

Don't Walk Away Eileen-Sam Roberts

Tango Shoes-Bif Naked

Mass Romantic-New Pornographers

Lose Yourself-Eminem

Forca-Nelly Furtado

Coming Home-John Legend

Jimmy Gets High-Daniel Powter

Ghosts of You-Chantal Kreviazuk

This Love-Maroon Five

Get In Line-Barenaked Ladies

Beverly Hills-Weezer

Sinking In-Lisa Marie Presley

Girlfriend-Avril Lavigne

Mississippi-Sheryl Crow

Feel Good Inc-Gorillaz

The Neighbour-The Dixie Chicks

So that is what is keeping my brain semi-awake right now. And I'm about to share some Zatarain's Jambalaya with a coworker- Hope you all are having a great day!!

End of the week...

2007-03-09T14:13:00.000-05:00

It's Friday, it's Friday...la, la, la...

Another delightful week in the life a a sales and service adminstrator at an automobile dealership. I could be saying, "Do you want fries with that?", so it could be worse. One of my bosses is off on vacation next week for March break, so that should prove to be interesting. The mouse will not be playing while the cat is away, since there are two meaner cats here ready to pounce.

Chris is still ridiculously sick, but I braved going to see him yesterday as it was the 3rd anniversary of his mom's passing and I didn't want him to be alone. I have missed him terribly all week, so it was nice just to curl up on the couch with him.

This weekend will be full of more purging and cleaning. My bedroom is almost done, so that is a relief. The big task will be boxing up all the stuff for charity-I hope I can get someone to come pick it up as it will be several trips up and down the three flights of stairs to get rid of it all. I wish I lived in a house so I could have a garage sale-there is some good stuff in there! Ah, well. At least it will go to someone who needs it.

The big geek in me wishes the months would go by a little bit quicker. It's going to be a great summer for movies and I'm so excited for them to start! Spiderman 3, Fantastic Four 2, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix...plus the release of the new Harry Potter book in July!

I finally told my dad yesterday that we had set a wedding date. That was an interesting conversation. He attempted to muster a sliver of enthusiasm but then managed to throw me completely off balance. He didn't think a few of my aunts and uncles would be happy with not being on the guest list. So he said he would have to talk it over with his wife and perhaps we could invite more people and he would pay for the dinner and bar. Oy. I don't have a problem with a couple more people, but my dad has seven brothers and their wives. I knew there was a bloody reason why I wanted to elope. Now Chris is saying it's okay if we elope. Well, no. Now I have gone and made all these plans, put down deposits, bought decorations and such, plus I'm thrilled with our dinner location and am excited about it. It's too late to turn back now. If my dad tries to make it too out of control, then I'll have to reign him in.

Here's to everyone having a great weekend and enjoying this spurt of warm weather!

Gone, but never forgotten...

2007-03-08T13:49:00.000-05:00

Happy International Women's Day!

2007-03-08T13:42:00.000-05:00

I'm A Woman

I can wash out forty-four pairs of socks
And have them hangin’ out on the line
I can starch and iron two dozen shirts
Before you can count from one to nine
I can scoop up a great big dipper
Full of lard from the drippin’s can
Throw it in the skillet, go out and do my
Shopping and be back before it melts in the pan

‘Cause I’m a woman
W O M A N
I’ll say it again

I can rub and scrub till this old house
Is shinin’ like a dime
Feed the baby, grease the car and
Powder my face at the same time.
Get all dressed up, go out and swing
Till four a.m. and then
Lay down at five, jump up at six
And start all over again.

‘Cause I’m a woman
W O M A N
I’ll say it again

If you come to me sickly,
you knowI’m gonna make you well
If you come to me hexed up,
You know I’m gonna break the spell
If you come to me hungry,
You know I’m gonna fill you full o’ grits
If it’s lovin’ you’re lackin’, I’ll kiss you
And give you the shiverin’ fits.

‘Cause I’m a woman
W O M A N
I’ll say it again

I can stretch a greenback dollar bill
From here to kingdom come
I can play the numbers, pay my bills
And still end up with some
I got a twenty dollar gold piece says
There ain’t nothin’ I can’t do
I can make a dress out of a feed bag
And I can make a man out of you

‘Cause I’m a woman
W O M A N
I’ll say it again
‘Cause I’m a woman
W O M A N
And that’s all

To the fighter in all of us...

2007-03-06T11:46:00.000-05:00

The Fighter

I fight a battle every day
Against discouragement and fear;
Some foe stands always in my way,
The path ahead is never clear!
I must forever be on guard
Against the doubts that skulk along;
I get ahead by fighting hard,
But fighting keeps my spirit strong.

I hear the croakings of Despair,
The dark predictions of the weak;
I find myself pursued by Care,
No matter what the end I seek;
My victories are small and few,
It matters not how hard I strive;
Each day the fight begins anew,
But fighting keeps my hopes alive.

My dreams are spoiled by circumstance,
My plans are wrecked by Fate or Luck;
Some hour, perhaps, will bring my chance,
But that great hour has never struck;
My progress has been slow and hard,
I've had to climb and crawl and swim,
Fighting for every stubborn yard,
But I have kept in fighting trim.

I have to fight my doubts away,
And be on guard against my fears;
The feeble croaking of Dismay
Has been familiar through the years;
My dearest plans keep going wrong,
Events combine to thwart my will,
But fighting keeps my spirit strong,
And I am undefeated still!

S.E. Kiser

Elizabeth's dress...

2007-03-04T13:37:00.000-05:00

This is the dress my maid of honour, Elizabeth, will be wearing. I sent her about 20 dresses that I liked and luckily she picked my favourite. This is just the colour I was hoping for-a periwinkle shade of blue. It comes with a matching beaded wrap-I think it's beautiful. And she got it for a steal. I didn't want her spending a fortune-I hate it when wedding attendants are expected to spend a ridiculous amount of money on a dress they will probably only wear once. I already have her jewelery picked out to go with it, so I'm excited to buy that. Then that will be two things checked off Bridezilla's list...

Wow, those are big dust bunnies...

2007-03-04T13:24:00.000-05:00

I thought I would have a seat and take a break from all the work I have been doing around the apartment. My shoulders and back are going to be screaming at me tomorrow but it will be worth it for all I have accomplished yesterday and today.

Chris is still horribly sick and has banned me from his presence to prevent me from catching his nasty infection. Good thinking, but I miss him. Ah,well. It has given me a lot of free time this weekend to continue with my "purging". I have been going through each room in the apartment, piling stuff by the door to go to charity. I have a ridiculous amount of stuff for one person and it's time to scale it back. The pile by the door now takes up half the freaking living room. I'll have to call St. Vincent DePaul next week to come pick it all up. Plus all my mom's stuff that she had left here when she moved has been sorted through and I will take it all down with me on the 16th when I visit her. That is also piled in the living room. If someone were to walk in here right now they would swear I was moving out, lol.

Well, I guess I will get back to work. I think around 4 o'clock I will take a break and go back to watching season 2 of Buffy. Ever since I cut back all my satellite channels to just basic I have no choice but to start watching all my DVDs. I miss TLC and HGTV though. I am so addicted to those home improvement shows. Chris is thoroughly sick of them, so he's doesn't have a problem with the lack of channels (until he wants to watch Speed Channel or TSN, then he'll be pissed, lol).

I hope you all are having a peaceful and relaxing weekend!

Woo hoo! Friday is finally here!

2007-03-02T08:34:00.000-05:00

Man, what a week. Month end was beyond hellish and to watch people get excited about how well we did and still not have a pay plan really pissed me off.

This cough is lingering but I am slowly feeling better. Now Chris is sick, so I hope I don't catch that. I really do need to start taking vitamins...

On the bright side, the temperature is above freezing today and the sun is peeping out. After the snow and ice storm yesterday, it is a relief.

No plans for the weekend at this point, other than trying to catch up on all the lost sleep this week. Here's to a safe and happy weekend for us all and less stress next week!

You might be from Ontario...

2007-03-01T08:34:00.000-05:00

Jeff Foxworthy On Ontario

If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 36 " of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by, you live in Ontario.

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through May, you live in Ontario.

If you have worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you live in Ontario.

If you have had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialled a wrong number, you live in Ontario.

YOU KNOW YOU ARE A TRUE ONTARIAN IF:

1. "Vacation" means going south past London for the weekend.
2. You measure distance in hours.
3. You know several people who have hit a deer more than once.
4. You often switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day and then back again.
5. You can drive 110 kph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard, without flinching.
6. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.
7. Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are all filled.
8. You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction.
9. Your idea of creative landscaping is a statue of a deer next to your blue spruce.
10. Down south to you means Windsor.
11. Your 1st of July picnic was moved indoors due to frost.
12. You have more miles on your snow blower than your car.
13. You find 0 degrees "a little chilly."
14. You actually understand these jokes, and you forward them to all your Ontario friends, you live in Ontario.

2007-02-25T03:18:00.000-05:00

It's 3 am on Sunday morning. I was awoken from my sleeping-pill induced sleep by this wretched cough that has been plaguing me for days. I just could not stop hacking. So I groggily got dressed and drove up to the 24 hour drug store to fetch some Nyquil. And milk and Zatarains Jambalaya mix (that stuff has been hard to find this week-I would have had better luck tracking down Jimmy Hoffa).

So I have come home a glugged down a dose and a half of Nyquil and am waiting for it to help me get some freaking sleep. I went through the exact same problem last night, but just kept tossing instead of taking anything.

We threw Chris' dad a surprise retirement party today. It was an open house between 2 and 8 and we were expecting about 50 people. I think about 30-35 actually showed and Chris' dad was really surprised. He seemed to have a really good time, which was the whole point. Chris' social anxiety had him physically feeling ill, but he made it through. Chris' sister got completely wasted, which is what I expected when I saw how much alcohol had come into the house for this party (Chris' dad rarely drinks, as his father was an alcoholic, and the alcoholism has been inherited by his daughter). It was a really long day and I had to fight not to cough to avoid spreading my germs as much as possible.

I did get to meet some wonderful longtime family friends af Chris' parents. It was the first time most of them had seen Chris and his sister in about 20 years. Chris' mom's illness and passing was kept a secret from almost everyone until after the fact, as per his mom's wishes (she was an intensely private person). With one exception, it was all good memories and happy times brought up and it was great to meet these people.

The downside was I couldn't tell any of them about the wedding, because Chris' grandmother was coming and he still hasn't bloody well told her yet (we won't go there right now). These 2 women had such an interest in what Chris was doing and how our relationship was going after all this time and then one of them commented on my lovely emerald ring...well, screw it. I told them, with the warning that they couldn't say anything aloud until after Chris grandmother had left for the evening. They were so happy for us-it was such a nice feeling after the damn apathy I'm getting from our families. I'm not how happy Chris was that I told them, but too bad. It's GOOD news, damn it. We should be sharing it with whomever we please. Gah-very sore subject right now.

Well, I'm heading off to try the whole sleep thing again. I hope you all are having a great weekend!

I need a big patch of flowers...

2007-02-20T13:07:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, but I haven't been in an overly chatty mood. Anxiety, worry and depression are having a bit of fun with me right now, but it will pass. Unfortunately it has taken a physical toll on me as well, so on top of feeling crappy on the inside, I also feel crappy on the outside. Yee haw.

Chris and I got to celebrate our Valentine's Day on Saturday. We had a nice evening and treated ourselves to some Chinese food. I made carrot cupcakes for dessert (Chris' fav). Chris got me a beautiful bouquet of purple orchids, a cute little bear who is currently keeping me company at my desk, some chocolates and a blue sweater.

Again, my apologies for not posting but right now it is just...hard. Thank you for your kind thoughts and words and I'll try and post more later.

Amanda Marshall - If I Didn't Have You

2007-02-17T23:14:00.001-05:00

Snow Day!

2007-02-14T09:48:00.000-05:00

Wow, I haven't had a snow day since I was in grade school. I got up, showered and got dressed and headed downstairs to unbury my car. To my shock, there was barely any snow on my car-I was so excited. Then I looked behind my car, where there was a 4 foot snow drift down the length of our parking lot for the building. I tried backing through it, but barely managed to get unstuck and back into my parking spot. I came back in and phoned our service manager, who told me most of the staff hadn't made it in. I said if someone wanted to come by and pick me up, I would be more than willing to come in (it's a 2 minute drive from my apartment to work). He said just to sit tight and he would get back to me. I just got off the phone with my sales manager who said they are going to close at noon and I don't have to bother trying to get in. Woo hoo! Day off!

2 downsides to today, though. I miss my massage therapy appointment, which sucks. Plus I'm snowed in by myself. Not the most thrilling of Valentine's Days. Ah, well. Maybe I can get some scrapbooking done since I bought a whole pile of new supplies on the weekend.

I hope you all are safe and warm! Be sure to eat some chocolate for me today!

Want to buy a white car? We have plenty...

2007-02-13T14:13:00.000-05:00

And the storm hasn't even started yet. This foot of snow is merely "lake effect". This is the first big shot of winter that we have had this season. We are closing the dealership early today because it is supposed to get really bad over the next few hours. I work about a mile from work-it took me 45 minutes to get in today because the traffic was moving at a crawl. The streets are in good shape as the city was prepared this. We've been spoiled so far this winter, so I can't complain.

I hope everyone else is getting unburied from all this snow and staying safe!