Last weekend I had one of the best mini vacations I had in a long time.
Friday night I picked up my favorite wee people and after a brief stop at the grocery store where my wee man tried to broker a deal for a new toy, we headed home to have dinner, watch a movie and eat a pile of junk food before bed. The plan was to get up early and head to the ferry for the 1 1/2 hour ride to Victoria. That plan sort of backfired a bit. No way on earth I was going to get three kids up, fed, dressed and ready to leave by 8am for a 9am ferry. We made it to the 11am instead.
It was my little brother's birthday and before we could leave, the kids had to sing to him and give him his gift when we got into the car. They gave him 4 boxes of chocolates. The reason behind this purchase was pretty simple - as per wee Lexie "We should buy 4 boxes so that Uncle Kris can share a box with each of us." Made sense to me. She even signed the card for everyone. We made it to the ferry with 8 minutes to spare.
The kids had cleaned out my piggy bank of all my nickles and dimes. They each ended up with $2.10 each which was burning a hole in their wee pockets. There is nothing to buy one the ferry for $2.10. Even a bottle of water costs $2.50.
We made it to my aunt and uncle's home to get ready for the party for my uncle's milestone birthday. They have a lovely home with a special play area for kids in the basement. As we made our way down the stairs, Xavier stopped and turned to me and said "Nanna, your side of the family is really rich (it's all in a 10 year old's perspective), daddy's side of the family, well, we're just tall". His dad is 6'8" with the family average around 6'4". My side, the average height is somewhere around 5'8". I said "I am not rich" and he replied, "well, you must be cause you sure do spoil us lots." Little does he know, I live so close to the edge that one good sneeze and over I go. The plan is to buy the children's love in order to ensure they will take care of me in my dotage. They, along with my friday night 7-11 financial planning (stoopid lottery doesn't make it easy for me to pick the right tickets to make that a reality) are my real retirement plan.
The party was great. I visited with family members I do not get to see very often. The house was full. As I looked around the room at how our family had grown, I realized we appear to reproduce at a rather alarming rate. Holy cow, the number of kids, grandkids, great grandkids, neices and nephews and cousins had grown so that we really need to wear nametags at family gatherings. If we didn't all look somewhat alike due to a very strong gene pool, there would be no way to attach a child to a parent. One of my favorite parts of the evening was when my cousin's new girlfriend thought the kids were mine. "You look too young to have grandchildren". I sure hope he keeps her. I liked her - a lot.
The plan had been to crash with a relative. However, when I made the rounds, I realized that there really wouldn't be enough room. Xavier happened to overhear me say that I thought we would stay in a hotel. He loves hotels and asked if we could stay in one where we could order room service. The kid has high standards. We left the party at just before midnight and found a cheapish motel to crash at just after midnight. After exploring the room and marveling at the fact that there was a hairdryer attached to the wall, we all crawled into bed where I heard snoring before I even pulled the blankets up.
We awoke by 9am and headed off to pick up my brother and head to the ferry again for the ride home. The kids headed to the onboard store in order to once again try to spend their money. This time the girls were successful. They came back to our seats, each carrying a large candy. The pricetag read $3.59. How did you afford that? It seems that they were too cute for words and a lady in the store decided to make up the difference for them. Those girls have a gift. I might just send them into the Tiffany's store and see if they can work their magic again. I really would like something in one of those little blue boxes.
After dropping the kids off back home, I crawled through the front door of my house and made my way to the couch where I promptly fell asleep for a good hour.
This past week at work was spent on playing catch-up and interviewing potential candidates. I read a bunch of resumes that left me somewhat stunned and amazed. One person thought very highly of herself and attached a cover page which read, in part "I would really like to work in your industry. I learn quickly and easily and like to be around high finance. I can offer you 4 days per week for a salary between the $80 to $100,000 range." I would like that job myself. Another fella said that he would leave his job at Future Shop to learn the financial industry. He would be happy to swap technical teaching for financial teaching. Oh Boy.
By thursday I was exhausted. I started to lose focus by noon. Since I am currently working alone in my office I have to lock the door everytime I step out to the ladies room or to get the mail. I headed to the mailroom after a brief stop in the little girls room and reached into my pocket for the key. It wasn't there. Oh Oh. I raced back up the stairs to the ladies room. That seemed like the only place I could have left them. They were not there. Oh crap. I was in a panic. I couldn't get back in my office or the parkade or anything. What to do? I began going office to office to see if someone else on my floor picked up my keys. By the 4th office, I found my keys. However, the office manager would not give them back to me without my ID. I tried to explain that my purse, with ID was in my office and I could not show her until I got into the office. She did not understand that logic. Instead, she would call the building manager to verify who I was land what I looked like. This should be fun. Having never met the building manager, how could he describe me? I then tried to explain that I could verify everything in the office and give her my buisness card to back up my ID if she came into my office with me. She was still hesitating when from another office behind her a woman I had met in the mail room many times came out to say she had seen me a number of times. Finally, the manager said she would come into the office with me to verify what I said before giving me back the keys. When she was finally convinced, she took it upon herself to give me a lecture on keeping my keys safe and sound and being more responsible. If she wasn't still holding them in her hand, I think I would have let my mouth run loose but I couldn't take the chance that she wouldn't give them back. I must be growing more mature. I took it, keeping my mouth shut and even thanked her for her help. I must admit though, it was hard. I think I pulled a muscle.
Friday found me at Toys R Us completing the birthday gift for my oldest granddaughter who was turning 7 on Sunday. I had something else in mind when Rae said she really wanted a specific doll with fish hands and a monster face. Do you know how hard it was to find something like that? I asked a bunch of people who had small children and it was finally explained to me. Holy crap. Who comes up with this stuff? I really need to become a toy designer. I have some really stupid ideas that kids would love.
Well, I am getting very excited about my trip. Only 40 more sleeps and I am outta here. I have been doing some research on Hawaii. So far, I have planned on zip lining on Kuai, the memorial in Honolulu and a pineapple plantation on Molakai. I might even sign up for a surfing lesson. I just need to buy more medical insurance before I go.
Stay tuned - my cousin took some pictures of me and after she photo shops them, I will be good to go back online. I will even write a bio that makes sense this time and hopefully keeps the drug dealers and spies at bay
Ciao
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Friday, March 1, 2013
Depression - They Name is Arts & Crafts
I am depressed. I simply cannot believe that every attempt I make at trying something new is such a failure. It may finally be sinking in - I have no talent for anything in the arts. This includes dancing, cooking, singing, painting, sewing, Yoga (you don't want to know) and I now include crocheting.
I bought a "How to Crochet for Dummies" book, two hooks and a whack of really pretty purple wool. I worked on making a blanket - that seemed like an easy way to start. Well, turns out, I may not follow directions like I should. The blanket turned out to be 3 1/2 feet wide BUT 17 feet long. For some reason, I had trouble turning a corner.
I put the blanket away in my storage locker while I contemplated what to do with it. Well, two weekends ago, in an attempt to shame me in taking down my Christmas tree, my friend and her boyfriend came over and helped me organize my storage locker so I could get my christmas boxes out. The blanket was taking up room and I figured with summer coming in just 4 short months and it being so cold out right now, I would put it in the alley so our local homeless folks could pick it up to stay warm.
It is still there. No one wants it and now it is soaked. Jeez. My feelings are hurt.
After the month I have had - no staff, RRSP season and the rain, I have decided I would just love to chuck it all and open up a Pub. I even have a name - Welcome to "Happy McChuckle Nuts". I LOVE that name. I think it is the best name ever and I would certainly be a patron of any place with a name like that. I think it invokes great images of happy men. Ahh, but to dream.
On another note, those close to me are aware (and they secretly laugh behind my back) that I am quite afraid of birds. When ya'll stop laughing, read on.
I was on a conference call yesterday and as I was listening to others drone on, I was looking out my office window. It is a rather large picture window that faces due north- right on to the freeway where there is massive construction taking place. Anyway, imagine my surprise (and that of the people on the call) when I let out a rather loud scream. I watched as a giant bald eagle (biggest I have ever seen that close) came barrelling at my window. He looked like he was going to crash right into it when he banked sharply to the right. I watched in awe, as two sea gulls chased this eagle all over the place for at least 5 minutes. Even the contruction workers stopped what they were doing to look up and watch.
I have never seen anything like it before. These two gulls chased this poor eagle around as he bobbed and weaved in and out of trees and buildings. I had no idea that sea gulls were so aggressive. This is behaviour I fully expect from crows - they are mean and vindictive and have been known to dive-bomb me for no reason. I have always thought of gulls as being a peaceful bird. Except of course if you happen to be eating french fries outside on the ferry - THEN they are downright rude.
It was quite the spectacle.
As a reward for surviving the month (and finally taking down my tree), I am picking up my favorite wee people this evening. I will be taking them to Victoria tomorrow to celebrate my Uncle's birthday. They will play with their cousins, behave perfectly, sleep when asked, have perfect manners and generally make me look good. I know this to be fact since they are my grandchildren and they are perfect. (I may have already visited Happy McChuckle Nuts today).
I will keep ya'll posted.
Cheers!
I bought a "How to Crochet for Dummies" book, two hooks and a whack of really pretty purple wool. I worked on making a blanket - that seemed like an easy way to start. Well, turns out, I may not follow directions like I should. The blanket turned out to be 3 1/2 feet wide BUT 17 feet long. For some reason, I had trouble turning a corner.
I put the blanket away in my storage locker while I contemplated what to do with it. Well, two weekends ago, in an attempt to shame me in taking down my Christmas tree, my friend and her boyfriend came over and helped me organize my storage locker so I could get my christmas boxes out. The blanket was taking up room and I figured with summer coming in just 4 short months and it being so cold out right now, I would put it in the alley so our local homeless folks could pick it up to stay warm.
It is still there. No one wants it and now it is soaked. Jeez. My feelings are hurt.
After the month I have had - no staff, RRSP season and the rain, I have decided I would just love to chuck it all and open up a Pub. I even have a name - Welcome to "Happy McChuckle Nuts". I LOVE that name. I think it is the best name ever and I would certainly be a patron of any place with a name like that. I think it invokes great images of happy men. Ahh, but to dream.
On another note, those close to me are aware (and they secretly laugh behind my back) that I am quite afraid of birds. When ya'll stop laughing, read on.
I was on a conference call yesterday and as I was listening to others drone on, I was looking out my office window. It is a rather large picture window that faces due north- right on to the freeway where there is massive construction taking place. Anyway, imagine my surprise (and that of the people on the call) when I let out a rather loud scream. I watched as a giant bald eagle (biggest I have ever seen that close) came barrelling at my window. He looked like he was going to crash right into it when he banked sharply to the right. I watched in awe, as two sea gulls chased this eagle all over the place for at least 5 minutes. Even the contruction workers stopped what they were doing to look up and watch.
I have never seen anything like it before. These two gulls chased this poor eagle around as he bobbed and weaved in and out of trees and buildings. I had no idea that sea gulls were so aggressive. This is behaviour I fully expect from crows - they are mean and vindictive and have been known to dive-bomb me for no reason. I have always thought of gulls as being a peaceful bird. Except of course if you happen to be eating french fries outside on the ferry - THEN they are downright rude.
It was quite the spectacle.
As a reward for surviving the month (and finally taking down my tree), I am picking up my favorite wee people this evening. I will be taking them to Victoria tomorrow to celebrate my Uncle's birthday. They will play with their cousins, behave perfectly, sleep when asked, have perfect manners and generally make me look good. I know this to be fact since they are my grandchildren and they are perfect. (I may have already visited Happy McChuckle Nuts today).
I will keep ya'll posted.
Cheers!
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Still Unmotivated - but now I have a reason
As you read in a previous posting, I have been having trouble getting motivated this year. I have been exhausted and by the time the weekend hits, it's all I can do to move from my bed to the couch without hurting myself. That was January. Tis now the middle of February and the problem stille exists. However, I now have a real excuse. It is hell month.
I hate the banks. Because of them we have this so-called "RRSP Season". This is the time of the year when they start advertising their best rates on deposit instruments and warn everyone how they will be living out of cardboard boxes and eating cat food in their old age if they do not deposit to their retirement funds. Of course the rest of us then have to play along if we want to earn a living. I am short-staffed and wading in a sea of paper. So much of it has crossed my desk lately that I have seriously considered the benefits of a lighter and some gasoline with the thought of starting fresh - new office, new paper, new season. However, I don't think I will do well in jail so I guess arson is out.
The stupid long days make me even more exhausted by the weekend. My Christmas tree is still up.
Also due to exhaustion, I think I broke my nose. Stoopid banks. I walked into the door frame and hit it nose first. I have my father to thank for the family nose - thanks Dad. Am giving up on my glasses. Don't think I can face the repair people again for a third time in less than 3 months.
On the upside to all this exhaustion, I did something I am rather proud of. During one of my spazz attacks at the sea of paper and never ending phone calls, I decided to take a walk. I strolled right into the travel agency and booked me a cruise to Hawaii. Round trip Vancouver, Hawaii, Vancouver. I leave on the 18th of April for 18 days. After a little sticker shock, I am pretty excited.
If the excitement holds, I just might take down my tree before I leave.
Stay turned for more.
I hate the banks. Because of them we have this so-called "RRSP Season". This is the time of the year when they start advertising their best rates on deposit instruments and warn everyone how they will be living out of cardboard boxes and eating cat food in their old age if they do not deposit to their retirement funds. Of course the rest of us then have to play along if we want to earn a living. I am short-staffed and wading in a sea of paper. So much of it has crossed my desk lately that I have seriously considered the benefits of a lighter and some gasoline with the thought of starting fresh - new office, new paper, new season. However, I don't think I will do well in jail so I guess arson is out.
The stupid long days make me even more exhausted by the weekend. My Christmas tree is still up.
Also due to exhaustion, I think I broke my nose. Stoopid banks. I walked into the door frame and hit it nose first. I have my father to thank for the family nose - thanks Dad. Am giving up on my glasses. Don't think I can face the repair people again for a third time in less than 3 months.
On the upside to all this exhaustion, I did something I am rather proud of. During one of my spazz attacks at the sea of paper and never ending phone calls, I decided to take a walk. I strolled right into the travel agency and booked me a cruise to Hawaii. Round trip Vancouver, Hawaii, Vancouver. I leave on the 18th of April for 18 days. After a little sticker shock, I am pretty excited.
If the excitement holds, I just might take down my tree before I leave.
Stay turned for more.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Difinitive Answer
So, my friend Heather's boyfriend apparently couldn't understand why I was still single. Well, I have the definitive answer as to why....I stink.
I was forced to take public transit to work this week. This means 2 buses and a train to get from my home to my office. Good times.
I got on the first bus and took a seat beside a very nice looking middle aged woman. The bus started to move and so did she. She stood up in the aisle. I didn't think too much of it as I quite often will stand when my stop is coming up. She stayed on, standing, for the same length of time as I did. I still didn't think too much of it.
I then transferred to the train for the middle portion of my trip. I sat down on an empty bench. A young man sat down beside me and promptly stood up and moved to the other end of the car. Hmmm. It got my attention since he was only in my presence for about 20 seconds before deciding to move so far away. Ah well, I got the whole seat to myself for the rest of the trip.
I then transferred to my final bus. Since it is a relatively short trip, I sat on the bench right near the front door. I swear on a stack - the two people sitting on the bench beside me both leaned farther away.
WTH??????????? If I didn't have such thick skin and high opinion of myself, I might have had my feelings hurt. What was going on? I take regular showers - in fact, I had one just the night before (I prefer night showers rather than morning as I am pretty sure I will drown in the morning when I am sleepy).
I came into the office and accosted my assistant - "What the hell is wrong with me? Do I stink?" Perhaps she was not the person to ask. It is bonus time and I am pretty sure she looked me right in the face and lied to me so as not to jeopardize her raise. However, I did watch her back up away from me.
I went in search of someone who had nothing to gain, or lose, by telling me the truth. I found this person in the ladies room. I asked this person point blank as I got right up into her startled face "Do I stink to you?" "Yes, kinda" ???? How could someone be so mean and rude to a total stranger?
I asked her what the stench was like and she stated it smelled like something sour - possible milk mixed with lemon and some dead flowers.
Where on earth would I pick up a scent like that? I wracked my brain. Oh jeez.....the only thing I could think of was my brand new perfume. I had treated myself to a new scent from CoCo Chanel. Not the cheap stuff. This was my Christmas gift to me. It was the only thing I could think of as I was wearing it for the first time that day.
Crap - I had to stink all day and then hope that it wore off before I got back on transit to head home.
It seemed to be better as no one blatently moved away from me. Once home, I headed in to see my brother. "Does my new perfume really stink?" "Yes. Why do you think I close my door and turn on the fan and put a cloth over my mouth?" Great.
I headed to the Bay with my new perfume. After a few tears and my tale of woe, I got a refund and a new scent. No one has moved away from me since. However, the ladie from the restroom ran away when she saw me in the hallway. Think my feelings are hurt.
well, back to work. Stay tuned
I was forced to take public transit to work this week. This means 2 buses and a train to get from my home to my office. Good times.
I got on the first bus and took a seat beside a very nice looking middle aged woman. The bus started to move and so did she. She stood up in the aisle. I didn't think too much of it as I quite often will stand when my stop is coming up. She stayed on, standing, for the same length of time as I did. I still didn't think too much of it.
I then transferred to the train for the middle portion of my trip. I sat down on an empty bench. A young man sat down beside me and promptly stood up and moved to the other end of the car. Hmmm. It got my attention since he was only in my presence for about 20 seconds before deciding to move so far away. Ah well, I got the whole seat to myself for the rest of the trip.
I then transferred to my final bus. Since it is a relatively short trip, I sat on the bench right near the front door. I swear on a stack - the two people sitting on the bench beside me both leaned farther away.
WTH??????????? If I didn't have such thick skin and high opinion of myself, I might have had my feelings hurt. What was going on? I take regular showers - in fact, I had one just the night before (I prefer night showers rather than morning as I am pretty sure I will drown in the morning when I am sleepy).
I came into the office and accosted my assistant - "What the hell is wrong with me? Do I stink?" Perhaps she was not the person to ask. It is bonus time and I am pretty sure she looked me right in the face and lied to me so as not to jeopardize her raise. However, I did watch her back up away from me.
I went in search of someone who had nothing to gain, or lose, by telling me the truth. I found this person in the ladies room. I asked this person point blank as I got right up into her startled face "Do I stink to you?" "Yes, kinda" ???? How could someone be so mean and rude to a total stranger?
I asked her what the stench was like and she stated it smelled like something sour - possible milk mixed with lemon and some dead flowers.
Where on earth would I pick up a scent like that? I wracked my brain. Oh jeez.....the only thing I could think of was my brand new perfume. I had treated myself to a new scent from CoCo Chanel. Not the cheap stuff. This was my Christmas gift to me. It was the only thing I could think of as I was wearing it for the first time that day.
Crap - I had to stink all day and then hope that it wore off before I got back on transit to head home.
It seemed to be better as no one blatently moved away from me. Once home, I headed in to see my brother. "Does my new perfume really stink?" "Yes. Why do you think I close my door and turn on the fan and put a cloth over my mouth?" Great.
I headed to the Bay with my new perfume. After a few tears and my tale of woe, I got a refund and a new scent. No one has moved away from me since. However, the ladie from the restroom ran away when she saw me in the hallway. Think my feelings are hurt.
well, back to work. Stay tuned
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
How Much Fun is a Mother Allowed to Have at her Child's expense?
Turns out, quite a bit but it's still not enough!
I met the boyfriend of my youngest child this weekend. I had invited them both to lunch at White Spot in order to meet this young man and to offer him a modicum of protection in being in a public place.
The boy already had a couple of points in his favor - he is gainfully employed in a job he likes and has no visible tattoos or piercings.
He was almost painfully shy as he shook my hand and it was shaking. He admitted his nervousness. I liked it.
Suddenly, my child leaves the table for the restroom. We are alone. I start the boyfriend drill - where are you from? Where did you grow up? who are your parents? Where do they live? Do you like them? How often do you see them? Do they work? Where? Where did you meet my child? When? Do you prefer beef or fish? (just to throw him off his game a little). What is your 5 year plan? this is the question where everything went sideways.
BF: My 5 year plan includes your daughter.
ME: Huh?
BF: I would like your permission to marry her
ME: Huh?
BF: I want to marry your daughter
ME: Why?
BF: Why?
ME: That's what I asked. Why do you want to marry her?
BF: Because I love her
ME: Why?
BF: Why what?
ME: Why do you love her?
BF: Because she makes me happy and I love everything about her
ME: Do you think that is a good enough reason to get married?
BF: Yes, I love her.
ME: Can you support her? And I just don't mean financially.
BF: Yes and any family we have. I never turn down hours to work
Well, knock me over with a feather
ME: When do you want to get married? Tomorrow?
BF: Later
My child returned to the table with WELL???????? What was I to say? I just smiled and said, given he is the best of the bunch to date, I am ok with it.
I guess I am getting a second son-in-law. Wonder when that will be? Does this mean that I now have an expanded christmas list? Hope he likes things from Target.
On another note, I am un-motivated so far this year. My accomplishment to date - I have reached level 36 on my blackberry Brickbreaker game. That's it. I have no motivation for anything else. My christmas tree still stands like a beacon in my living room. I am now thinking that it actually works as a well decorated plant and looks good in the corner. The Christmas lights still hang from my balcony and I have not run the vacuum all year. I think I am turning into a sloth. On the upside....I have watched 26hours of NCIS re-runs that I saved to the PVR. Mark Harmon is still cute.
Perhaps the motivation will come to me when I run out of clean underwear (of which I have 45 pair) and the crud on the floor gets to the point where my feet stick to the carpet when I walk or the carpet becomes crunchy. I guess this is one experiment that will just have to play itself out before I know the reults - my tipping point for motivation.
Well, stay tuned for more exciting adventures - let you know if I ever have any more
I met the boyfriend of my youngest child this weekend. I had invited them both to lunch at White Spot in order to meet this young man and to offer him a modicum of protection in being in a public place.
The boy already had a couple of points in his favor - he is gainfully employed in a job he likes and has no visible tattoos or piercings.
He was almost painfully shy as he shook my hand and it was shaking. He admitted his nervousness. I liked it.
Suddenly, my child leaves the table for the restroom. We are alone. I start the boyfriend drill - where are you from? Where did you grow up? who are your parents? Where do they live? Do you like them? How often do you see them? Do they work? Where? Where did you meet my child? When? Do you prefer beef or fish? (just to throw him off his game a little). What is your 5 year plan? this is the question where everything went sideways.
BF: My 5 year plan includes your daughter.
ME: Huh?
BF: I would like your permission to marry her
ME: Huh?
BF: I want to marry your daughter
ME: Why?
BF: Why?
ME: That's what I asked. Why do you want to marry her?
BF: Because I love her
ME: Why?
BF: Why what?
ME: Why do you love her?
BF: Because she makes me happy and I love everything about her
ME: Do you think that is a good enough reason to get married?
BF: Yes, I love her.
ME: Can you support her? And I just don't mean financially.
BF: Yes and any family we have. I never turn down hours to work
Well, knock me over with a feather
ME: When do you want to get married? Tomorrow?
BF: Later
My child returned to the table with WELL???????? What was I to say? I just smiled and said, given he is the best of the bunch to date, I am ok with it.
I guess I am getting a second son-in-law. Wonder when that will be? Does this mean that I now have an expanded christmas list? Hope he likes things from Target.
On another note, I am un-motivated so far this year. My accomplishment to date - I have reached level 36 on my blackberry Brickbreaker game. That's it. I have no motivation for anything else. My christmas tree still stands like a beacon in my living room. I am now thinking that it actually works as a well decorated plant and looks good in the corner. The Christmas lights still hang from my balcony and I have not run the vacuum all year. I think I am turning into a sloth. On the upside....I have watched 26hours of NCIS re-runs that I saved to the PVR. Mark Harmon is still cute.
Perhaps the motivation will come to me when I run out of clean underwear (of which I have 45 pair) and the crud on the floor gets to the point where my feet stick to the carpet when I walk or the carpet becomes crunchy. I guess this is one experiment that will just have to play itself out before I know the reults - my tipping point for motivation.
Well, stay tuned for more exciting adventures - let you know if I ever have any more
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Might Have Spoken Too Soon
I still think 2013 will be lucky. I think I have just had a bit of a rocky start.
I found my glasses - by stepping on them. I got them repaired on friday. And then they fell out of my purse and I backed over them with my car.
I went shopping and found a beautiful rib eye steak - on sale. It has been a very long time since I enjoyed a good steak. I brought it home and was looking forward to a great meal including cauliflower with cheese sauce and a small serving of scalloped potatoes.
I decided that I would dredge my steak in flour with some steak spice and slow cook it. My mouth was watering. I made my cheese sauce and prepared my place setting at the table. I had my book all set up and was looking forward to a great meal. I even have special steak knives that I used to lovingly cut my first piece of meat off a perfectly prepared rib eye. I closed my eyes to savor the moment.
As I chewed my eyes popped open in surprise. This was a surprisingly sweet piece of meat. Turns out, without my glasses, I had accidently dredged with sugar instead of flour. Steak spice and sugar do not mix. The cauliflower was fine but the potatoes burned while I was trying to figure out what went wrong with my steak. This reminded me of the other time I was not able to eat a rib eye.
I had a road trip to Whitehorse a couple of years ago and went for a business dinner to a place where I was assured I would recieve "the best steak ever eaten." I was suspicious. This was Whitehorse and the assurance came from someone who also told me the weather was mild (only -22).
I ordered my favorite steak - again assured I would love it. When it arrived 52 minutes later I sat looking at what appeared to be a rib eye totally encased in some sort of crust. I cut into it and closed my eyes to savor it. OMG!!!!!!
The first sense was that of a mouth full of very small pebbles. The second sense was a taste of coffee. I hate coffee. The third sense was I had a mouth full of dirt and garbage. This actually made sense as it was explained to me as I spit my full mouth, as delicately as possible, into a napkin, that the "secret" to the chef's "best steak ever" was in fact to roll it in used coffee grounds and to use the coffee for the Au Jus. EWWWWW. Who ruins a perfectly good steak by rolling it in kitchen garbage first? Used coffee grounds are only suitable for compost.
For the pleasure of being served garbage, I got charged $68. Perhaps they import beef to the Yukon by pack mule.
I still think that that 13 will be lucky for me. I got the bad luck out of the way in the first week. Perhaps I should buy a lottery ticket. It should all be good going forward now.
Stay tuned for lucky stories.
I found my glasses - by stepping on them. I got them repaired on friday. And then they fell out of my purse and I backed over them with my car.
I went shopping and found a beautiful rib eye steak - on sale. It has been a very long time since I enjoyed a good steak. I brought it home and was looking forward to a great meal including cauliflower with cheese sauce and a small serving of scalloped potatoes.
I decided that I would dredge my steak in flour with some steak spice and slow cook it. My mouth was watering. I made my cheese sauce and prepared my place setting at the table. I had my book all set up and was looking forward to a great meal. I even have special steak knives that I used to lovingly cut my first piece of meat off a perfectly prepared rib eye. I closed my eyes to savor the moment.
As I chewed my eyes popped open in surprise. This was a surprisingly sweet piece of meat. Turns out, without my glasses, I had accidently dredged with sugar instead of flour. Steak spice and sugar do not mix. The cauliflower was fine but the potatoes burned while I was trying to figure out what went wrong with my steak. This reminded me of the other time I was not able to eat a rib eye.
I had a road trip to Whitehorse a couple of years ago and went for a business dinner to a place where I was assured I would recieve "the best steak ever eaten." I was suspicious. This was Whitehorse and the assurance came from someone who also told me the weather was mild (only -22).
I ordered my favorite steak - again assured I would love it. When it arrived 52 minutes later I sat looking at what appeared to be a rib eye totally encased in some sort of crust. I cut into it and closed my eyes to savor it. OMG!!!!!!
The first sense was that of a mouth full of very small pebbles. The second sense was a taste of coffee. I hate coffee. The third sense was I had a mouth full of dirt and garbage. This actually made sense as it was explained to me as I spit my full mouth, as delicately as possible, into a napkin, that the "secret" to the chef's "best steak ever" was in fact to roll it in used coffee grounds and to use the coffee for the Au Jus. EWWWWW. Who ruins a perfectly good steak by rolling it in kitchen garbage first? Used coffee grounds are only suitable for compost.
For the pleasure of being served garbage, I got charged $68. Perhaps they import beef to the Yukon by pack mule.
I still think that that 13 will be lucky for me. I got the bad luck out of the way in the first week. Perhaps I should buy a lottery ticket. It should all be good going forward now.
Stay tuned for lucky stories.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Out with 2012 - here comes lucky 13
Well, its the end of the year and I am very happy. This last month has capped off a year that I am happy to see behind me.
On my way home from the office today I passed a sign that made me smile first and then made me think. It was outside a party supply store - "The end of the world was cancelled - its time to party"
I have to say I was a tad disappointed when nothing happened on Dec 21st. Not that I wanted the world to end or anything. I haven't found a boyfriend yet and I am thinking I might like to have one before the world ends. I just wanted a little something, I would have wished for just a change - perhaps like the whole human race sprouts wings at midnight. Would have made for an interesting morning.
I am just happy December is over.
I woke up December 1st hit by a nasty, nasty cold bug that hung on all month. This was capped off by a nasty, nasty bout of flu that hit me boxing day and stayed with me until this morning. I think I lost about 25 pounds (which I am sure will find its way home by mid January).
After a lovely Christmas eve with my favorite wee ones (their parents also showed up - they were driving). It is so much fun with them. This year, they were just as excited to watch me open the chocolates and scarf they got me. I was so wrapped up in making jewellry with Rae, building a tool box out of foam with Lex and playing flying connect 4 with Xavier that I forgot to take pictures. The only down side was dinner. My attempt at a new dish each family meal was again a complete failure. I am done with Yams. Twice now it has failed. However, no one was rushed to emergency this time so perhaps not a complete failure.
Boxing day I awoke feeling not quite right but headed off to the store anyway to check out a laptop. As I was standing there listening to the salesman tell me all about the coolness of a combo laptop and touch pad when all of a sudden I knew that if I did not leave at right that moment I was going to puke on his shoes. Short story - I spent the next three days laying on the couch with a giant bowl throwing-up even sips of water and sending text messages to my oldest daughter letting her know where my Will was and what to do with the china when I died.
It was a rough month.
I am actually looking forward to lucky 13. I am not making any resolutions. No need to. Traditionally, 13 has been a very lucky number for me. On roulette, I usually hit it every once in a while. I went into labour with my youngest on the 13th. My first divorce was final on the 13th. So you see, all I need to do is wait for my luck to change. I am even willing to bet that I will have at least one good road trip where everything goes right. 2013 is gonna be a good one.
My goals for the coming year - less work, more play. Oh yeah, win at least 1mil so play comes easier.
Happy New Year to all my friends and family. It's a lucky year ahead!
Stay tuned
On my way home from the office today I passed a sign that made me smile first and then made me think. It was outside a party supply store - "The end of the world was cancelled - its time to party"
I have to say I was a tad disappointed when nothing happened on Dec 21st. Not that I wanted the world to end or anything. I haven't found a boyfriend yet and I am thinking I might like to have one before the world ends. I just wanted a little something, I would have wished for just a change - perhaps like the whole human race sprouts wings at midnight. Would have made for an interesting morning.
I am just happy December is over.
I woke up December 1st hit by a nasty, nasty cold bug that hung on all month. This was capped off by a nasty, nasty bout of flu that hit me boxing day and stayed with me until this morning. I think I lost about 25 pounds (which I am sure will find its way home by mid January).
After a lovely Christmas eve with my favorite wee ones (their parents also showed up - they were driving). It is so much fun with them. This year, they were just as excited to watch me open the chocolates and scarf they got me. I was so wrapped up in making jewellry with Rae, building a tool box out of foam with Lex and playing flying connect 4 with Xavier that I forgot to take pictures. The only down side was dinner. My attempt at a new dish each family meal was again a complete failure. I am done with Yams. Twice now it has failed. However, no one was rushed to emergency this time so perhaps not a complete failure.
Boxing day I awoke feeling not quite right but headed off to the store anyway to check out a laptop. As I was standing there listening to the salesman tell me all about the coolness of a combo laptop and touch pad when all of a sudden I knew that if I did not leave at right that moment I was going to puke on his shoes. Short story - I spent the next three days laying on the couch with a giant bowl throwing-up even sips of water and sending text messages to my oldest daughter letting her know where my Will was and what to do with the china when I died.
It was a rough month.
I am actually looking forward to lucky 13. I am not making any resolutions. No need to. Traditionally, 13 has been a very lucky number for me. On roulette, I usually hit it every once in a while. I went into labour with my youngest on the 13th. My first divorce was final on the 13th. So you see, all I need to do is wait for my luck to change. I am even willing to bet that I will have at least one good road trip where everything goes right. 2013 is gonna be a good one.
My goals for the coming year - less work, more play. Oh yeah, win at least 1mil so play comes easier.
Happy New Year to all my friends and family. It's a lucky year ahead!
Stay tuned
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