Oh yeah, it's true love

It's been rather interesting around here this past week.... You know, with what today was...

The 14th of February.

I have this huuuuuge!! issue with Valentine's Day.

I never used to.

Back in my younger days it was always something to look forward to. A special day to spend with the one you love. Maybe have a nice dinner, either out at some fine diner or at home, made together, side by side. The enjoyment of the perfect bottle of grape. It didn't matter that is was fifteen bucks more than you'd usually spend, you knew the night was full of promise and would be nothing short of fabulous.

And then you hit, oh, let's see.... older. And I'm not saying that older isn't better... it's just that older is different. More work. More expensive.

It was Thursday when #1 met me outside as I was getting home from work.. (14 minutes after I was finished by the way.... sorry, I'm still getting a kick outta my new travel time) and asked if he could borrow some money. Now, I really wanted to ask why... or what for. But I found out a while ago that if there's something you don't want to ask either of my offspring is 'why' and 'what for'. Because you never know just what they'll say. And believe me, there is no way you could ever prepare yourself for it either!!

I asked him "How much?" He said "Forty bucks".

I couldn't resist. I mean I tried. But I couldn't. "Why?"

"Sunday if Valentine's Day and I want to take 'insert name of female friend here' out for supper. And I've only got $40."

"Wow. Where were you planning on taking her? I mean really, $80 is a lot of money and I highly doubt you'll be able to spend it on dinner where we live."

"Are you for serious?? I wasn't gonna spend it all on supper. Frick... I was gonna fill the sleds and see if she wanted to go sledding. If she did, great. We'll probably just pick up some munchies at the gas station.... you know, with the change."

Well then. I see. Well.... I think I nodded my head in an affirmative type fashion as I tried not to laugh out loud as I walked out of the room. Ahh son.... good luck there sweetie!

And then yesterday came "Mom? Are you going to the city today?".

"Ha ha ha...no. I am NOT going to the city today. I haven't gone to the city in over 2 weeks... ha ha ha"

"Nooooo.... I mean town? Don't you need to get groceries or something? Are you going shopping anywhere?"

"Oh...okay... yes, I'll be going to get groceries."

"Can you pick me up some chocolates for 'insert name of female friend here'? (okay I think I have to abbreviate that, just not sure to what), and maybe one of them stuffed things? You know, not too big...just something small?"

See?.... More work! More expensive!

Ciao!

Bring it on!

That, while not the best picture in the world, welcomes the world!!

Vancouver 2010!

Ciao!

Weekend Fun

We did a little snowmobiling this weekend.

Which, to be quite honest with you, was a well needed break after my week last week. The week was intense. It was in depth. It was a real awakening. It was hard. You know, this chick who thinks she knows it all, can do it all and is it all... Yeah, it made me think "What the hell are you doing? What the hell were you thinking??? What made you think that you could possibly take a one hundred and eighty degree turn and pick a whole new career? At your age????"

Questions to which I still haven't figured out the answers by the way... but hey, we're early into the game, I'm certain I'll figure it out...if not nail it!! snicker snicker...

So.... I decided the only solution I had was to escape.. Not that I could possibly escape it all... but I could manage to get away from it all.

At least for a bit.

Nothing like a good night sleep (really, what other choice did I have, being as mentally exhausted as I was, except to do just that...sleep), a picnic lunch, a bottle (maybe two... I'll never tell) of grape and a ride out to the bush to help rid the brain for all that weighed upon it.

On a snowmobile...yeah, I know...

It turned out that it was awesome. Just what the doctor ordered. Loud noise. Lousy smells. Muscle wrenching agony (okay, I'm getting old...whatever).

But covered with the smell of fresh air.

It was fabulous.

Until.... Oh c'mon on now... you knew it was coming.

Yep. Stuck. On the side of the hill. Buried so deep that there was no way in hell that you could get un-stuck... by either SG or me.

So what do you?

You text your kid. You ask him to get in the car and come and get you. To come and get you un-stuck.

And you head off to meet the kid. And the car.

Just what I needed. And just what I wanted! It was awesome!!

Ciao!

Membership required?

I'm now a member of a union.

I've never been a member of a union before. And I'm not sure how I feel about this.

I'm fairly certain that being a member of a union might be a good thing. But I wouldn't know. Like I said, I've never been a member of a union before.

Anyway, I have a union meeting this month. Something about ratifying the contract? I know, I know. What the f.. does that mean?

Are you thinking that I better get up to speed on just what is going on?

Because I certainly am!

Anyway, here's some pictures from the morning walk. It's quite pretty out there as the sun rises.

Those are my two little brats...err I mean girls.

Ciao!

Wait, wait...what are you doing?

You're suppose to turn the other way to go work!!!

Oh yeah!! It's all left now....

So, four days in. I can't say much because for sure I'd get my ass turfed out the door... But I will give you a few of the highlights so far this week.

1. Longest drive: Twenty nine minutes. This was due to the fact that one of the boys sucked back 3 litres of milk while home alone and I needed to stop and get another jug. We all know it's not spring break yet but for some reason they give students time off to study for exams...and then a few more days to write them. And after that? Another couple called "semester break"...

2. Three stops signs. Yes, you read correctly. Three!!!

3. No red light cameras. Not a one!!!! That's pretty sweet. Not that it was ever an issue for me because I'm rather cognizant of the fact that there are lights to manage the intersections and that they are there to be obeyed. Unlike some people I know.

4. Speaking of red light cameras... I have to proceed, from my home to my office, through three light controlled intersections. Yes. That's correct. Three!!! I'm thinking that three should become my new favourite number!

5. Reduced car insurance. Yep.... I'm no longer considered a commuter, so the insurance goes down... You wanted to see what a goof I was when I walked into the insurance agency requesting they change it. Actually no. You wouldn't want to. I wouldn't want you to... I was quite silly but had the ladies in stitches as I bragged about after twenty years of commuting, well, I just wasn't any more

The only drawback I've seen in the last four days of working so close to home is that I can't seem to stay awake past nine... It's like the body clock hasn't adjusted itself yet and well, it's just time to go to bed. Despite the gaining of an extra hour in the evening.... I'm not able to enjoy it. I seriously hope that this really, really tiny issue gets itself resolved soon.

Particularly before the golf season starts.

I'm almost certian that I'll be able to get in 9 holes, have a couple of drinks, and still be home before the sun sets!

Ciao!

Okay... so you're looking for an update

Judging from what the counter is telling me... people want to know!!!

You'll be pleased to know that I did not have an emotional breakdown.

I dealt with it pretty good as a matter of fact. The last day at work thing....

I think a lot of it had to do with the four months I spent waiting and thinking and getting over it while going through the emotional shit that would've no doubt paralyzed me had I had to do it only two weeks. I mean four months... that's a long time to mourn the loss of something that you're voluntarily losing.

It went well.

I only cried seven times... I am very very proud!!

I did decide that I needed to chronicle my last commute with pictures. And of course, I am sooo willing to share. Because to be quite honest with you, I am somewhat focused on the next phase of my life. You know, what to wear, how should I do my hair, full make up or the usual scaled back natural look... you know, the important things.

So here's Friday morning, the last commute.

The highway. Yes, plenty to see here... NOT. Snow covered and dark.

The side mirror being 100% annoying as the vehicle comes up to pass me. Don't get me wrong, I don't drive slow, it's just that some idiots drive faster than me.

Oh! It's you again.... this truck as ticked me off like you have no idea!! At least three mornings outta five it gets up on my back end, with the lights blinding me in the mirror... sheesh, I'm quite pleased that I won't have to deal with it anymore!

Ah yes... the old red light cameras. I think I drove past like four of them on my journey to the office. Won't miss those any more either.

Personally, I don't care for this underpass. Don't really care for any underpass to be quite honest. Particularly if there's a train going over it and I have to spend time under it.... Nope, me not likey.

This is the heart of the city. I've always liked heading in and seeing the famous intersection of Portage and Main. I think I will miss this view.

And I'm pretty sure I'm going to miss watching what this snow mound will develop into. We get some pretty good snow sculptures for our Festival du Voyageur... may need to take a trip in to check this one out...

Final destination right around the corner. There's my gym, which I shall miss dearly. And my Tim's. Which, you know, I never really frequented. It's only been there about a month. Awesome Onion Soup and they make a really good Cafe Mocha... real chocolate drizzle, not sprinkes!

And that!, my friends, is where I used to work. Second window from the right was my view.

I'll miss it. But tomorrow brings news hopes and new dreams!

Ciao!

You've Been Activated!

The strangest thing happened yesterday.

Due to the blizzrd that wasn't.... well, unless you live in the rural area such as I do whereby it was just a tad insane... I worked from home.

I called the office and let them know this and that they could reach me via phone or email. I would be logged in doing some of the stuff that needed to be done prior to my departure on Friday.

As I suspected, I got a lot accomplished without the interruptions that inevitably happen everyday. I was pleased. But, as I also knew would happen, the phone did ring. A lot.

Seventeen times as a matter of fact.

And thirteen of those times there was no one on the line when I picked it up.

Dead Air. The call display was showing that it was the same number every time. One of the office lines. And it kept up into the dinner hour and well into the night.

Which presented quite the dilemna come bedtime as I use my phone as a backup for my alarm clock. And considering the weather situation and the possibility of a power failure, well, the back up was required.

The phone log indicates that the last call came in at 11:17 pm. Almost seven hours after the office had closed.

SG tells me that it's the company's way of telling me that I shouldn't leave.

Me thinks he just paid too much attention to the movie we watched on the weekend.

But still, it was really weird.

Three days to go... it oughta be a rollercoaster in just about every aspect!

Ciao!