From a previous post by Jen
"Something you once did, if I remember correctly, and don't know if you still do, so I thought I'd ask.
There was the "pay it forward" craze a few years back. People would do nice deeds in the hopes of making the world a better place, etc. I'm not a "big gesture" person, but figured I was doing my part by doing the little things constantly. You know, letting people go first, holding a door, that sort of thing. (The rare times I don't, I feel sooooo guilty for not.)
So, I hold the door going into Starbucks one morning a little while ago for a woman coming from the bank. She's in line before me, but I'm not in a rush. She buys my beverage for me, and then says that it was her day to do something nice for someone, and because I was nice and held the door open for her, it was me. Now all I had to do was do something nice for someone else.
Am I confused about this methodology because it didn't make sense, or am I just a confuzzled person?
Just thought you might be the one to ask. It's been bugging me for months now. :) "
I do believe in pay it forward, and I'm a door opener for sure. In fact, I've been known to hold it open too long. I was also confused by the situation you noted - I would say that you had paid it forward because you initiated the good deed. I don't think that good deeds have to mean you must pay for something or use cash to do something good.
This whole pay it forward thing makes me think of Stephen Covey and the 8th habit. The whole idea of the book is to live your best life and encourage others to do the same. He suggests that each day you think about these four things - (my edited version)
1) Live like you had a heart attack (this one I'm not sure about - I think we should live like we want our children to live... something like that might be better)
2) Believe that your profession will end in two years - prepare for it - which I think means he wants you to work better - not work like you want to screw over everyone you work with.. as much as some of us might like to....
3) (my favorite and hardest one to practice) assume that everything you say about someone else is being over heard by them - speak accordingly
4) Believe that you meet with your creator every four months - live accordingly - this one is hard for me because I'm not overly into God and holy stuff. I'm reading one of the dali lama's books right now - but everytime I read it - well I get worked up about something - he is all about kindness should be given to everyone - even your foes and I start thinking about my foes and then I have to put the book down.... so I'm working on it.
(Hi Gary & Yoshie - in case you are reading here... thanks for the chat tonight)
Do others pay it forward? Are you kind without question?
On another note I'm also reading Allison Dubois - the medium - anyone else read this? What do you think.... and now I will share this - this happened before I started reading this book - I was sitting with Michael - getting him dressed for the day - he was saying hi, hi, hi and then he looked over my shoulder - he smiled and (for the first time that I saw) put his hand to his mouth and proceeded to blow a kiss. He was definitely NOT looking at me or blowing it to me and when I asked him to blow me a kiss he looked at me like I was chopped liver. I immediately thought Andy was behind me but when I checked we were alone. Now I know this is going to sound stupid but I used to blow kisses to my grandma from the car all the time. Our routine when I was a kid was to say goodbye a million times and then 'see you later alligator, in a while crocodile' and then blow kisses from the car... now it could all just be coincidence and just off that he decided to blow his first kiss to the wall/door frame but when it happened it made me think of her and made me kind of hope that what I'm reading now might be true. Her book also creeps me out because... well who is watching you during those intimate moments - or those not so pleasant moments in life... do they watch then? is this all crap and we all just go into the ground and that is all there... I can't believe it - I need there to be more.... alright - I've ranted - I'm off to bed - thank you jen and sorry for my delayed response.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Sunday, March 11, 2007
home
So we broke the return trip home up - took the Kelowna, Vernon, Falkland, Westwold, Monte Lake, Monte Creek way to Kamloops and spent a night. That is a terrible road! It is about 60km less than the Merritt to Kelowna way but it took the same amount of time! WHAT THE HELL! So I'm not going that way again. I was actually a little disappointed with all the cities - Vernon has some beautiful murals, but that was about it. Kelowna is like Langley stretch about 10km and Kamloops... well we were quite unimpressed. It seemed to have the most visible homeless and is super unorganized - it was like the planners couldn't decide whether the valley or the mountain top was better so they decided to build everywhere.
I know, I know - Quesnel is stretched out all over the place, but there is just something different here... (I know - it's the air.. ha ha ha ha)
So we found Andy a basement suite fully furnished all inclusive - other than food and internet. He will have an amazing view of Okanagan Lake and after just two days in Kelowna we sounded like locals - 'yep, we are in the village - oh yeah Rutland - not great - it's like surrey' There were Quesnel people there and Prince George people - it was like we didn't really leave... which was odd... we saw a guy I've seen working at costco in prince george since I went there for university.
Kids - well Kyle is nearly himself again and Michael is definitely better. Michael slept the whole way home today which was great. I stopped in Cache Creek to gas up and get some slurpage - and then we carried on and got home in time for dinner. My grandma gave us a gift certificate to Savalas for Christmas and we used that tonight - and it was actually good. Why actually? Well I just didn't know what to expect - the management changed a while ago and - you never know - and well before the management change it wasn't great. So we did some grocery shopping tonight and now we are all adjusting to the time change - again - WHAT THE HELL! Can't us Canadians do anything on our own - are we really going to save energy - that's it I'm going to leave all my lights on while I sleep tonight just to protest... ok I won't - I want to save the planet too... damn Al Gore :)
I know, I know - Quesnel is stretched out all over the place, but there is just something different here... (I know - it's the air.. ha ha ha ha)
So we found Andy a basement suite fully furnished all inclusive - other than food and internet. He will have an amazing view of Okanagan Lake and after just two days in Kelowna we sounded like locals - 'yep, we are in the village - oh yeah Rutland - not great - it's like surrey' There were Quesnel people there and Prince George people - it was like we didn't really leave... which was odd... we saw a guy I've seen working at costco in prince george since I went there for university.
Kids - well Kyle is nearly himself again and Michael is definitely better. Michael slept the whole way home today which was great. I stopped in Cache Creek to gas up and get some slurpage - and then we carried on and got home in time for dinner. My grandma gave us a gift certificate to Savalas for Christmas and we used that tonight - and it was actually good. Why actually? Well I just didn't know what to expect - the management changed a while ago and - you never know - and well before the management change it wasn't great. So we did some grocery shopping tonight and now we are all adjusting to the time change - again - WHAT THE HELL! Can't us Canadians do anything on our own - are we really going to save energy - that's it I'm going to leave all my lights on while I sleep tonight just to protest... ok I won't - I want to save the planet too... damn Al Gore :)
Thursday, March 08, 2007
sick kids
Michael was sick on Sunday and then has carried whatever flu it is around all week. Kyle was fine.. was... on Wednesday morning he woke up at 5:30 and said he was hot and not feeling good. He was still feeling up to watching a cartoon though so I told him I was going to go and lay in my bed, but he could come and get me if he felt sick. Sure enough I put my head on my pillow and I heard him get up. Then I witnessed him make a run to the garbage can to throw up - I told him to come to the bathroom and there I found out I have an iron stomach as he threw up everywhere.
After he was cleaned up and sitting down I assessed the damage - now remember I just did my carpets. He started throwing up in the living room and then continued to throw up to the garbage - about 20 feet between two places - he then turned back for the bathroom and throw up all over the toilet. It was like Ruggles all over again... ok it wasn't that bad...definitely missing 1997 (ok it was far worse than ruggles - but not as bad as that night in res when carmen thought it might be time to take me to the hospital for alcohol poisoning - lord) anyhow... I did the trademark April toilet paper stuff up my nose and got cleaning. I used so much bleach on the toilet that my rag changed colors. He continued this throw up routine all day. Not all over my house - after he understood the toilet was the place to go he completely got it - this is the first time he's had the flu.. I feel terrible for him - I slept on the floor beside him last night - the stuff they don't tell you about being a mom. Of course I wouldn't have it any other way :) You know you love someone when.
Right now he has been throw up free for 14 hours... I'm hoping it lasts. He is only doing fluids at this point... and did I mention we need to drive to Kelowna today.
Oh and here is a question - why are there soo many different ways to get to Kelowna - and why does no one seem to know how long it takes - I've been told that it will take us between 5 and 8 hours.... hello - I'm thinking of going through faukland, vernon and into kelowna. I haven't been in 15 years... no.. longer - but I never drove then and probably slept some of the way. I know I've driven to Kamloops in abou 4 1/2 hours. So I think I will stop at the visitor centre there and see what they suggest for routes.
I need to finish packing - I'll let you know how the drive goes and I will hopefully have some pictures.
After he was cleaned up and sitting down I assessed the damage - now remember I just did my carpets. He started throwing up in the living room and then continued to throw up to the garbage - about 20 feet between two places - he then turned back for the bathroom and throw up all over the toilet. It was like Ruggles all over again... ok it wasn't that bad...definitely missing 1997 (ok it was far worse than ruggles - but not as bad as that night in res when carmen thought it might be time to take me to the hospital for alcohol poisoning - lord) anyhow... I did the trademark April toilet paper stuff up my nose and got cleaning. I used so much bleach on the toilet that my rag changed colors. He continued this throw up routine all day. Not all over my house - after he understood the toilet was the place to go he completely got it - this is the first time he's had the flu.. I feel terrible for him - I slept on the floor beside him last night - the stuff they don't tell you about being a mom. Of course I wouldn't have it any other way :) You know you love someone when.
Right now he has been throw up free for 14 hours... I'm hoping it lasts. He is only doing fluids at this point... and did I mention we need to drive to Kelowna today.
Oh and here is a question - why are there soo many different ways to get to Kelowna - and why does no one seem to know how long it takes - I've been told that it will take us between 5 and 8 hours.... hello - I'm thinking of going through faukland, vernon and into kelowna. I haven't been in 15 years... no.. longer - but I never drove then and probably slept some of the way. I know I've driven to Kamloops in abou 4 1/2 hours. So I think I will stop at the visitor centre there and see what they suggest for routes.
I need to finish packing - I'll let you know how the drive goes and I will hopefully have some pictures.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
FOUR
Taken from me sista's site
Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. A & W Line Cook
2. Project Manager
3. Advisor
4. Office pee-on
Four Movies I like:
1. Last Holiday
2. Muppet Treasure Island (yes, they made a treasure island movie...)
3. White Chicks
4. Love actually
Four places that I've lived:
1. Houston
2. Prince Rupert
3. Quesnel
4. Prince George
Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Hell's Kitchen
2. The Amazing Race
3. Global News... (I'm boring - I've accepted it)
4. Ace of Cakes
Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Victoria
2. Penticton
3. Queen Charlotte Island
4. Bermuda
Four of my favorite foods:
1. Strawberries
2. Dried apricots
3. Macaroni and cheese from Granville's
4. Andy's moms beefy noodly goodness... not sure of name - just in case that wasn't obvious enough
Four places I would rather be right now:
1. 1998
2. Fall of 1997
3. At Paula's house - sitting on the deck enjoying some nice tea or alcohol...
4. A beach with the family
Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. A & W Line Cook
2. Project Manager
3. Advisor
4. Office pee-on
Four Movies I like:
1. Last Holiday
2. Muppet Treasure Island (yes, they made a treasure island movie...)
3. White Chicks
4. Love actually
Four places that I've lived:
1. Houston
2. Prince Rupert
3. Quesnel
4. Prince George
Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Hell's Kitchen
2. The Amazing Race
3. Global News... (I'm boring - I've accepted it)
4. Ace of Cakes
Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Victoria
2. Penticton
3. Queen Charlotte Island
4. Bermuda
Four of my favorite foods:
1. Strawberries
2. Dried apricots
3. Macaroni and cheese from Granville's
4. Andy's moms beefy noodly goodness... not sure of name - just in case that wasn't obvious enough
Four places I would rather be right now:
1. 1998
2. Fall of 1997
3. At Paula's house - sitting on the deck enjoying some nice tea or alcohol...
4. A beach with the family
Sunday, March 04, 2007
spunky cats
Alright - I will warn you now that this post is a little repulsive and deals with animal sex...
A few posts ago I noted that we were having cat pee issues and bought a carpet cleaner to solve the problem and be prepared for future incidents. It was a good investment, my living room carpets are proof of that.
Last night at 3am I was sleeping. I kept hearing a cat and I thought it was mine because they were sitting in the room. I told them to buzz off, but then the crying got louder. I tried with all my strength to just lay in bed and ignore it, but I finally caved and went to see what the heck was going on.
Well a lot was going. It was get busy time outside my window. Two cats were screaming their love for the world to here and they chose my window to be the spot where they would make the most of their noise.
My windows are still plastic-ed in to keep out the cold, but Michael's window wasn't. So I went in his room and started making hissing noises - LOUDLY! very very loudly! My hiss wasn't loud enough as they continued on their merry humping way. So I pulled out a big hiss and that apparently freed their hips and they pranced off, fully puffed and continuing to share the sounds of their love with the neighbourhood. It was at this second that I could smell their love and realized that these damned cats love session was the smell that we'd thought was cat pee in our bedroom. FREAKIN' FABULOUS!
So here is what I'm looking for now - how do we keep cats away from our house - short of killing them. Any suggestions? I'm open to all ideas.
I hope everyone has a great afternoon. I'm off to make some chili.
A few posts ago I noted that we were having cat pee issues and bought a carpet cleaner to solve the problem and be prepared for future incidents. It was a good investment, my living room carpets are proof of that.
Last night at 3am I was sleeping. I kept hearing a cat and I thought it was mine because they were sitting in the room. I told them to buzz off, but then the crying got louder. I tried with all my strength to just lay in bed and ignore it, but I finally caved and went to see what the heck was going on.
Well a lot was going. It was get busy time outside my window. Two cats were screaming their love for the world to here and they chose my window to be the spot where they would make the most of their noise.
My windows are still plastic-ed in to keep out the cold, but Michael's window wasn't. So I went in his room and started making hissing noises - LOUDLY! very very loudly! My hiss wasn't loud enough as they continued on their merry humping way. So I pulled out a big hiss and that apparently freed their hips and they pranced off, fully puffed and continuing to share the sounds of their love with the neighbourhood. It was at this second that I could smell their love and realized that these damned cats love session was the smell that we'd thought was cat pee in our bedroom. FREAKIN' FABULOUS!
So here is what I'm looking for now - how do we keep cats away from our house - short of killing them. Any suggestions? I'm open to all ideas.
I hope everyone has a great afternoon. I'm off to make some chili.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
away
So the boys are in Kitimat visiting family and friends and I'm home... cleaning. I couldn't get the time off work, as I'm trying to save days for going to Kelowna throughout the summer (Andy is going there is a few short weeks...) and thought it would be best to stay now and take time next weekend.
What does this mean? Well I have the house to myself and I'm cleaning. I steam cleaned the living room over two nights because the furniture had to stay in the room, and I've cleaned nearly everything in kitchen. I still need to do the fridge and couple of dishes, but other than that it is looking... F-I-N-E! The boys bedrooms are nearly clean and our room is clean. The basement still needs some assistance but I've got tonight and all day tomorrow. I spent the morning cleaning and then headed out to help a friend with some moving of boxes. At the time I was all "this is no problem - it's a great cardio work out!" and now I'm like... holy crow my arms are sore and my legs are wobbly... I also recycled today - HOORAY! (Yes, I have officially joined the totally lame club.)
On the 'me' front, I had a pedicure this afternoon with a deaf staff member. It was kind of odd... the other thing was she was new to the whole practice. My heels were brutal - one has cracked REALLY BAD - and I went in to cancel, but the girl at the front said "you'll be fine, I would get it done because of the crack" - sure - so the new girl didn't really know she could press harder and really get that dead stuff off so the other girl had to help... outside of that she did a great job - (Paula - better than vancouver with you and Wendy... WAY BETTER!) she doesn't speak and I know a little sign... so I apologized for my terrible heels - I guess when I go for that I expect to have a chat with a stranger about all my shit and I didn't get that... it was a double bench so I was sitting with - as it turned out - a past summer student, so it wasn't bad, as I could talk with her and her esthetician...(is that right...???) I felt like the third wheel though. So I sat there and just enjoyed the minty air and enya :)
I've been to the library twice in two days and got all the books I never get to even look at when I take the boys - that has probably been the best part of the weekend. I went over my lunch break yesterday and browsed - and then today I went to pick up a couple more. Anyone know how to quilt? I'm left handed and retarded (for a lack of a better word) and really get lost in patterns and instructions - I will admit my faults. I'm looking for where to go for quilting help and how to get started. The library had nothing for beginners and I'm starting to think that quilting is an exclusive club and I haven't been invited yet. (Like I need more to do... I've just always wanted to learn and I have scrap fabric from pants and other projects.) Please don't put my comments -april just google quilting for beginners - I want something specific that has worked for someone else... :)
Well I'm going to go and read. I hope you are having an equally enjoyable weekend!
What does this mean? Well I have the house to myself and I'm cleaning. I steam cleaned the living room over two nights because the furniture had to stay in the room, and I've cleaned nearly everything in kitchen. I still need to do the fridge and couple of dishes, but other than that it is looking... F-I-N-E! The boys bedrooms are nearly clean and our room is clean. The basement still needs some assistance but I've got tonight and all day tomorrow. I spent the morning cleaning and then headed out to help a friend with some moving of boxes. At the time I was all "this is no problem - it's a great cardio work out!" and now I'm like... holy crow my arms are sore and my legs are wobbly... I also recycled today - HOORAY! (Yes, I have officially joined the totally lame club.)
On the 'me' front, I had a pedicure this afternoon with a deaf staff member. It was kind of odd... the other thing was she was new to the whole practice. My heels were brutal - one has cracked REALLY BAD - and I went in to cancel, but the girl at the front said "you'll be fine, I would get it done because of the crack" - sure - so the new girl didn't really know she could press harder and really get that dead stuff off so the other girl had to help... outside of that she did a great job - (Paula - better than vancouver with you and Wendy... WAY BETTER!) she doesn't speak and I know a little sign... so I apologized for my terrible heels - I guess when I go for that I expect to have a chat with a stranger about all my shit and I didn't get that... it was a double bench so I was sitting with - as it turned out - a past summer student, so it wasn't bad, as I could talk with her and her esthetician...(is that right...???) I felt like the third wheel though. So I sat there and just enjoyed the minty air and enya :)
I've been to the library twice in two days and got all the books I never get to even look at when I take the boys - that has probably been the best part of the weekend. I went over my lunch break yesterday and browsed - and then today I went to pick up a couple more. Anyone know how to quilt? I'm left handed and retarded (for a lack of a better word) and really get lost in patterns and instructions - I will admit my faults. I'm looking for where to go for quilting help and how to get started. The library had nothing for beginners and I'm starting to think that quilting is an exclusive club and I haven't been invited yet. (Like I need more to do... I've just always wanted to learn and I have scrap fabric from pants and other projects.) Please don't put my comments -april just google quilting for beginners - I want something specific that has worked for someone else... :)
Well I'm going to go and read. I hope you are having an equally enjoyable weekend!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
oscars
I must be getting better - two posts in two days... amazing :)
So I watched some of the Oscars tonight and I thought Ellen was fabulous! I miss the day when Billy Crystal came on stage to sing and dance, but Ellen was equally funny and charming. Jerry Seinfeld was also quite amusing!
The only highlight for me was that I now want to watch ABC tomorrow night for the Oprah special. Alright, actual Oscar moments - I liked the Dreamgirls songs - man can those women sing! Made me want to see the movie. I can't say I caught much else - I was busy with sick Michael. He is still trying to get over whatever it is he has. He is sleeping now and I hope he will make it through the night... but I'm not going to hold my breath.
So any favorite oscar moments? Did I miss something fabulous?
So I watched some of the Oscars tonight and I thought Ellen was fabulous! I miss the day when Billy Crystal came on stage to sing and dance, but Ellen was equally funny and charming. Jerry Seinfeld was also quite amusing!
The only highlight for me was that I now want to watch ABC tomorrow night for the Oprah special. Alright, actual Oscar moments - I liked the Dreamgirls songs - man can those women sing! Made me want to see the movie. I can't say I caught much else - I was busy with sick Michael. He is still trying to get over whatever it is he has. He is sleeping now and I hope he will make it through the night... but I'm not going to hold my breath.
So any favorite oscar moments? Did I miss something fabulous?
Saturday, February 24, 2007
the road to recovery...
so I'm a million times better (HOORAY), however, I'm super tired. I can't seem to get enough sleep right now. I nearly nodded off at work and at night I'm ready for bed before the kids. I know that I like my sleep, but this is a little excessive. Hopefully my body will get over this and I'll be able to stay up late again.
Carmen mentioned going to the card shop this weekend and I was wondering if it was the one downtown. I went there the last time I was up and was locked in the store. I walked in with some other people and they left. I had stuff in my hands and I hear the door click shut. So I say - oh are you closing? and she's all - yes and then walks to the back of the store. Now I had a cold and maybe I sounded like someone else who was in the back... but come on... so what do I do - I drop everything and unlock the door and leave.
Homefront - Michael had something and it seems to be leaving - might be teething, could be a little sore throat... Kyle still has a bit of a cough but he is on the mend and Andy - didn't get sick at all... bugger... he is leaving us for Kelowna and school in a few weeks... he starts on Apr 2 so we will probably make at least one trip down between now and then to try and find a place.
So what is there to do in Kelowna? Wineries? anything else? Anyone been and love something about it - I would love to hear more about the best of Kelowna.
Well, lame me, I'm going to retire... nightie night friends
Carmen mentioned going to the card shop this weekend and I was wondering if it was the one downtown. I went there the last time I was up and was locked in the store. I walked in with some other people and they left. I had stuff in my hands and I hear the door click shut. So I say - oh are you closing? and she's all - yes and then walks to the back of the store. Now I had a cold and maybe I sounded like someone else who was in the back... but come on... so what do I do - I drop everything and unlock the door and leave.
Homefront - Michael had something and it seems to be leaving - might be teething, could be a little sore throat... Kyle still has a bit of a cough but he is on the mend and Andy - didn't get sick at all... bugger... he is leaving us for Kelowna and school in a few weeks... he starts on Apr 2 so we will probably make at least one trip down between now and then to try and find a place.
So what is there to do in Kelowna? Wineries? anything else? Anyone been and love something about it - I would love to hear more about the best of Kelowna.
Well, lame me, I'm going to retire... nightie night friends
Saturday, February 17, 2007
still sick
so I'm going to bed in twice minus two minutes but thought i would let everyone know that I'm still sick - this cold just won't give in - it was a chest cold for a couple of days and then i thought that was it but NOOOOO now it is a full ear, sinus, jaw bone cold/achy/pain.... it is terrible... I don't even know if I'll be back to work on monday... and I've already had two and half days off... TERRIBLE!
no upside tonight - i just want the ear ache to stop - it would also be nice to eat and not feel like 'ralph' :) alright i'm going to rest my head - i hope all of you are a hundred times better than me - xxooxx
no upside tonight - i just want the ear ache to stop - it would also be nice to eat and not feel like 'ralph' :) alright i'm going to rest my head - i hope all of you are a hundred times better than me - xxooxx
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
so sick
So Kyle got worse - he ended up waking up with a nose bleed... so he temp was super high... and I was getting sick... the beginning - I knew it was coming on Tuesday morning and it kept getting worse and worse - when my work day finally ended - 10pm... I was beat. Of course I couldn't get to sleep and then the moment that I did Kyle had the nose bleed - he slept with me, but at 5am Michael decided he wanted to get up and hang out.... AAHHHHH! I had to go to work this morning to get a couple things done - assigned as immediate - and it was just painful - every breathe hurts - it feels like I've gone for a really long hard run... at a point my lungs will start burning and I know it is time to stop and take a break - that is how it feels for every breathe - all day... not to mention if I get cold air in my lungs - holy crap that hurts and then the coughing fits really take off...- so why am I writing - well I tried to go to sleep and my lungs just don't want to let me... aching pain... I just hope this isn't what Kyle had because this is terrible... well I'm going to try and sleep again... what really sucks is that I have to go back into work again tomorrow to finish some stuff and then I've got my other work board meeting tomorrow night - I don't know how I'm going to survive it... hopefully it will have eased up a bit over night... night night - Paula - sorry I missed your call tonight my voice is pretty much gone and I was trying to get Michael to sleep - I hope we can hook up for our date tomorrow night. :)
Monday, February 12, 2007
olympics
what looked to be a wall of 25 or 30 ft blocked the view of the new olympic countdown clock - cameramen took their positions and vancouver bubbled with the excitement of viewing a clock for the first time.. WOW... (yes, I do sell sarcasm, $9 a bucket) the crowd was ready and down came the cloth showing a small digital clock in stone with a wood pole sticking out from it. I wonder how much that little beauty cost... I guess nothing - OMEGA probably paid for all of it... don't get me wrong it... no actually I don't like it - it's a clock and if they wanted something that really said vancouver/whistler it would have had the ocean in it moving back and forth, carved into a mountain scape... they can call them BC and Canada's olympics because we are all going to pay for them but the true beneficiaries are vancouver and whistler, but I digress.
A small group of Olympic haters jumped on stage (Bret on Bif Naked style) and tried to disrupt the excitement over... a clock... regardless of the clock a man with a mask had something he felt he needed to share with the crowd - that the rest of us should be paying for his housing... right - and then a man in blue carried him off stage.... fine... what was the bigger issue - where were the RCMP/police... this is exactly the kind of thing the committee should have expected and no one was prepared - no barricades in front of the speakers, no immediate protection for the speaker - underestimated security budget - my kids and maybe even my grandkids are going to be paying for that underestimated bill... the committee... (if I write the committee name will I get a lawsuit... wait I also wrote olympic in this blog - they may come after me for that...) should seriously evaluate the security thing and admit to the underestimated budget before the games - hearing that we've got a billion dollar bill afterwards will not sit well with anyone - that could a government ending decision... maybe that's what they want anyway... maybe the legacy the olympic planners should be leaving is a province/country without a massive debt at the close of the games... that would be a far greater legacy than the stuff currently planned
what else? well passion won - I'm staying put for now.
Michael is saying - look (-ook) and hi, he waves, claps and understands that high fives involve your hands - he just isn't sure what he is supposed to do - he likes music... he dances a little like quasi modo might have... it is quite odd - one arm bent like he's a little teapot and the rest of his body workin' it...
Kyle is sick - boo - some kind of flu/cold thing - he isn't too bad... we will see how he is feeling tomorrow - he is camping tonight (grandma and grandpa bought him a one man tent that sits up off the ground - it is pretty cool and he's been sleeping in it on and off again for a week or more...) he says that his bed makes him hot... he is getting much better at writing - he can write his name, and mom and can do letters and numbers as long as there are examples above or nearby -
Fun with Michael - he was making faces at me...
This looks like he is laughing - and he was - but this is also his new face - he still does sniffy face - but this one is starting to show up more often - I don't know where it comes from...
Here is Kyle in his tent doing one of things I wish I hadn't taught him - the tongue roll... it was funny for a while... and all the parents know how that ends...
The boys being super cute
I'll give you one guess as to who this hair belongs to... belongs to the cancer society now...
A small group of Olympic haters jumped on stage (Bret on Bif Naked style) and tried to disrupt the excitement over... a clock... regardless of the clock a man with a mask had something he felt he needed to share with the crowd - that the rest of us should be paying for his housing... right - and then a man in blue carried him off stage.... fine... what was the bigger issue - where were the RCMP/police... this is exactly the kind of thing the committee should have expected and no one was prepared - no barricades in front of the speakers, no immediate protection for the speaker - underestimated security budget - my kids and maybe even my grandkids are going to be paying for that underestimated bill... the committee... (if I write the committee name will I get a lawsuit... wait I also wrote olympic in this blog - they may come after me for that...) should seriously evaluate the security thing and admit to the underestimated budget before the games - hearing that we've got a billion dollar bill afterwards will not sit well with anyone - that could a government ending decision... maybe that's what they want anyway... maybe the legacy the olympic planners should be leaving is a province/country without a massive debt at the close of the games... that would be a far greater legacy than the stuff currently planned
what else? well passion won - I'm staying put for now.
Michael is saying - look (-ook) and hi, he waves, claps and understands that high fives involve your hands - he just isn't sure what he is supposed to do - he likes music... he dances a little like quasi modo might have... it is quite odd - one arm bent like he's a little teapot and the rest of his body workin' it...
Kyle is sick - boo - some kind of flu/cold thing - he isn't too bad... we will see how he is feeling tomorrow - he is camping tonight (grandma and grandpa bought him a one man tent that sits up off the ground - it is pretty cool and he's been sleeping in it on and off again for a week or more...) he says that his bed makes him hot... he is getting much better at writing - he can write his name, and mom and can do letters and numbers as long as there are examples above or nearby -
Saturday, February 10, 2007
a little political
So poor Bill Bennett quit with the province during this past week over an email that had some fairly negative comments in it. A constituent riled Bill up and off the top of the volcano came, in the form of a written and permanent email. I have a temper like Mr Bennett. I admit to sending out emails that were TERRIBLE in the past. Ones that will likely haunt me some day.
The point of all this is a simple one. Bill sent a simple email - he didn't punch this guy in the head or set his house on fire or run him down with his car and yet our premier, who rides on high, was charged as a drunk driver and NOTHING happened! It was like - come on - everyone does it so I thought I would just join the crowd. I'm above the law.
I don't think our premier should have said anything about disappointment - Bill might have barked off but it wasn't illegal - we all have our opinions... people voted for Bill because he has always been like this. I'm not defending Bill's actions I think some kind of disciplinary action should have occurred. If we look at the scale of things with the premier just carrying on his merry way after the DUI charge, I think Bill might have actually been up for a promotion.
The point of all this is a simple one. Bill sent a simple email - he didn't punch this guy in the head or set his house on fire or run him down with his car and yet our premier, who rides on high, was charged as a drunk driver and NOTHING happened! It was like - come on - everyone does it so I thought I would just join the crowd. I'm above the law.
I don't think our premier should have said anything about disappointment - Bill might have barked off but it wasn't illegal - we all have our opinions... people voted for Bill because he has always been like this. I'm not defending Bill's actions I think some kind of disciplinary action should have occurred. If we look at the scale of things with the premier just carrying on his merry way after the DUI charge, I think Bill might have actually been up for a promotion.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
completion
so my bedroom is no longer stinky and we re-arranged the bed - amazing! now we have a wall that looks weird, but maybe we will put in some shelves or something... the last bit of the room I finished tonight - didn't take as long but it had some dirt - holy! I can't believe how much dirt and gunk it picked up... glad that I did it now - that is for sure!
So on the wishy-washy job front - the partner of the company asked to fly me to vancouver for a meeting - i declined because with the kids it just won't work - plus I don't think it is fair to my current position... they are flying in to see me next week - well - they might be - I'm not completely sure about the career move - I'm all for more money but my current job is rewarding - I love talking with people and getting them excited about Quesnel - I know I probably sound like a lame-o but I'm passionate about - regardless of the politics and general shit... my new position wouldn't have that... so what to do... what is the best decision...
weigh in on my life - please - even just to help me mush it through my strainer of a brain...
So what do you do - do what you are passionate about regardless of politics and money or do you leave, start fresh, take more money, potentially burn bridges (???? not sure), learn to be passionate about something else... if that is possible.
I'm committing to do the real estate stuff though - I want that - I want to sell businesses and houses - so I'm looking into it - I've done some research before but it was more for housing and the business side interests me... well I'm off to look - any commercial real estate agents visiting - do you love your job - how did you get started - would you recommend this career path.
Ok my cat just through a container of fake flowers on the floor - she saw a cat outside and scared the crap out of me - i jumped up and slipped on my track pants.. (yes, I'm wearing track pants... and yes they have zippers) then I see her puffed up and panting at the window - I thought someone was breaking in... nope just the fat cat from next door makin' an appearance - Jasmine hissed and well like a bull blew out her nose to tell the other cat to buzz off... then she kept puffing up like the chinese guy in big trouble in little china - her release works better than his though. :) She is better now - the cat is movin' on.... night night all -
So on the wishy-washy job front - the partner of the company asked to fly me to vancouver for a meeting - i declined because with the kids it just won't work - plus I don't think it is fair to my current position... they are flying in to see me next week - well - they might be - I'm not completely sure about the career move - I'm all for more money but my current job is rewarding - I love talking with people and getting them excited about Quesnel - I know I probably sound like a lame-o but I'm passionate about - regardless of the politics and general shit... my new position wouldn't have that... so what to do... what is the best decision...
weigh in on my life - please - even just to help me mush it through my strainer of a brain...
So what do you do - do what you are passionate about regardless of politics and money or do you leave, start fresh, take more money, potentially burn bridges (???? not sure), learn to be passionate about something else... if that is possible.
I'm committing to do the real estate stuff though - I want that - I want to sell businesses and houses - so I'm looking into it - I've done some research before but it was more for housing and the business side interests me... well I'm off to look - any commercial real estate agents visiting - do you love your job - how did you get started - would you recommend this career path.
Ok my cat just through a container of fake flowers on the floor - she saw a cat outside and scared the crap out of me - i jumped up and slipped on my track pants.. (yes, I'm wearing track pants... and yes they have zippers) then I see her puffed up and panting at the window - I thought someone was breaking in... nope just the fat cat from next door makin' an appearance - Jasmine hissed and well like a bull blew out her nose to tell the other cat to buzz off... then she kept puffing up like the chinese guy in big trouble in little china - her release works better than his though. :) She is better now - the cat is movin' on.... night night all -
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
carpets
we bought a carpet cleaner tonight because one of our cats is having accidents - last night i couldn't sleep in our bedroom because the smell was making me heev.. it was brutal - we figure it isn't going to get better with our cats so we bought a carpet cleaner and I put it to use in our bedroom - one half of bedroom is smelly great... the other - well it will tomorrow - not enough time tonight to do both sides before the kids went to bed and it is super loud. I'm not sure that it is the cat actually having accidents or not - I've had one cat for nine years and we've never had a problem with her - she had been the dream cat - no illnesses - the other cat has had stomach problems her entire life - so I don't know who has the problem - I'm also wondering about cat spray - is that only boy cats? Anyway we are cleaning and trying to make our house fresh and clean.... I couldn't believe the cat hair the cleaner picked up - we could have given a kitten new hair...
well i'm going to watch hell's kitchen - man ramseys brutal - ok I'm off
well i'm going to watch hell's kitchen - man ramseys brutal - ok I'm off
Monday, February 05, 2007
Learn it by teaching it
So I've been reading Stephen Covey and his 8th step for months - going back over the same sections and getting frustrated... I think mostly because I understood that I need to teach what I was learning but not applying it. So after a long walk tonight while reading the book in my basement I thought I would teach here... take it or leave it - share your ideas - teach back - I just want to use this book to be a better person and right now I can see the changes that need to be made but am not instituting the changes...
The idea behind the 8th step is all about being the best human beings we can be, excelling in all aspects of our life. I'm struggling with how it will all come together at the end, but I'm trying to have a little faith.
Ok - before I go on - one of Kyle's fish died... he has had six little gold fish for months. I've got pictures of him and them together. It was a little sad but I didn't think much of it. I think he believes they are going on some kind of vacation when they head for the toilet. He says it is dead, but dead must be better than the aquarium because he sends them off with a see you later and wishes them the best... maybe that is death... anyway this morning we are getting ready for school and the rest of the fish are dead - all five of them... I wanted to cry - tonight I did - more about it just being plain shitty and about me still just being a pus about all death stuff since my grandma passed away. Anyway like the complete champ that he is he wished them well and flushed them. I shed a small tear in his room and he got pretty choked up at that but then just moved on with things. I must be overly emotional right now. Everything is upsetting me - tomorrow is also three months since my grandma died and I'm hurting over that... - ok - enough on that - back to teaching.
So the book suggests that I teach someone - anyone - chapter by chapter and take my time - work through the ideas presented in each chapter over the course of a month - complete 12 chapters and in a year be a better person. No magic pills did not come with this book.
So this first session is on finding our voices. The idea is that we are all born as genuises and so much shit weighs us down in life, on purpose or indirectly, taking our potential away. Covey suggests that the thing that makes us different from robots and the animals is that we can make choices. We choose to gossip, we choose to eat another cookie, we choose to drive fast, we choose to lead, we choose to control ourselves, we choose to take our time, we choose. Based on our choices we can change our future. We have the freedom to choose and we forget that we have that option. We are not our pasts, we are not the product of only genetics, we are not what other people tell us we are.
Covey uses a great quote in his book from psychiatrist RD Laing - "The range of what we think and do is limited by what we fail to notice. And because we fail to notice that we fail to notice, there is little we can do to change: until we notice how failing to notice shapes our thoughts and deeds." Yes, this reads like mud the first time through - try again and see if it gets clearer. It makes me think of a time when I heard that I should learn the names of people around me and take the time to know them. I choose not to notice them by not learning their name and something about them - does that make me a less caring person - am I just saving time... I think its probably making me a less caring person and saving a minute - well its only a minute.
I will stop there for tonight - maybe you have learned nothing - that's ok - share your thoughts and stories - it will help us all grow smarter and maybe some of us will become genuises again.
Night.
The idea behind the 8th step is all about being the best human beings we can be, excelling in all aspects of our life. I'm struggling with how it will all come together at the end, but I'm trying to have a little faith.
Ok - before I go on - one of Kyle's fish died... he has had six little gold fish for months. I've got pictures of him and them together. It was a little sad but I didn't think much of it. I think he believes they are going on some kind of vacation when they head for the toilet. He says it is dead, but dead must be better than the aquarium because he sends them off with a see you later and wishes them the best... maybe that is death... anyway this morning we are getting ready for school and the rest of the fish are dead - all five of them... I wanted to cry - tonight I did - more about it just being plain shitty and about me still just being a pus about all death stuff since my grandma passed away. Anyway like the complete champ that he is he wished them well and flushed them. I shed a small tear in his room and he got pretty choked up at that but then just moved on with things. I must be overly emotional right now. Everything is upsetting me - tomorrow is also three months since my grandma died and I'm hurting over that... - ok - enough on that - back to teaching.
So the book suggests that I teach someone - anyone - chapter by chapter and take my time - work through the ideas presented in each chapter over the course of a month - complete 12 chapters and in a year be a better person. No magic pills did not come with this book.
So this first session is on finding our voices. The idea is that we are all born as genuises and so much shit weighs us down in life, on purpose or indirectly, taking our potential away. Covey suggests that the thing that makes us different from robots and the animals is that we can make choices. We choose to gossip, we choose to eat another cookie, we choose to drive fast, we choose to lead, we choose to control ourselves, we choose to take our time, we choose. Based on our choices we can change our future. We have the freedom to choose and we forget that we have that option. We are not our pasts, we are not the product of only genetics, we are not what other people tell us we are.
Covey uses a great quote in his book from psychiatrist RD Laing - "The range of what we think and do is limited by what we fail to notice. And because we fail to notice that we fail to notice, there is little we can do to change: until we notice how failing to notice shapes our thoughts and deeds." Yes, this reads like mud the first time through - try again and see if it gets clearer. It makes me think of a time when I heard that I should learn the names of people around me and take the time to know them. I choose not to notice them by not learning their name and something about them - does that make me a less caring person - am I just saving time... I think its probably making me a less caring person and saving a minute - well its only a minute.
I will stop there for tonight - maybe you have learned nothing - that's ok - share your thoughts and stories - it will help us all grow smarter and maybe some of us will become genuises again.
Night.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
recipe hunt
Anyone (jen...) make lemon curd? I've been looking on line and seem to have found some good recipes but I wasn't sure - I would like to can them and save them... so preserving informaton would be excellent as well.
Thank you.
Thank you.
easin' the saturday night boredom one user at a time
well thank you mel for the m&m link - definitely worth the visit... I left with this beauty below. Follow the link (www.becomeanmm.com) and make your own cool M&M... I actually had some M&M today... mmmm - they are sooo much better than smarties...
Thursday, February 01, 2007
ER
yup - it was good - hooray!
So I was looking at the stats... and see that I've got some quesnelly visitors - welcome - and welcome to all the visitors stopping by after visiting carmen :)
30 rock was also very good tonight - and Scrubs which I don't usually watch was also entertaining... thursday nights might actually be good again.... speaking of tv - does anyone know where i can get heroes - i watched the first... well at least five episodes and then - well kids happen and bedtimes get missed and heroes takes the back seat... I would love to watch all the episodes and try and catch up - so if anyone knows where I go for that... or if I'm too late then - well I'd like to know that too...
Well I'm going to go and read my environmental book (thank you wendy for lending it) - it is a very good read - I'm surprised at how interested I am in it... I'm also re-reading the 8th habit and truly trying to learn it... my listening skills are improving but I have a long way to go. Nightie night.
So I was looking at the stats... and see that I've got some quesnelly visitors - welcome - and welcome to all the visitors stopping by after visiting carmen :)
30 rock was also very good tonight - and Scrubs which I don't usually watch was also entertaining... thursday nights might actually be good again.... speaking of tv - does anyone know where i can get heroes - i watched the first... well at least five episodes and then - well kids happen and bedtimes get missed and heroes takes the back seat... I would love to watch all the episodes and try and catch up - so if anyone knows where I go for that... or if I'm too late then - well I'd like to know that too...
Well I'm going to go and read my environmental book (thank you wendy for lending it) - it is a very good read - I'm surprised at how interested I am in it... I'm also re-reading the 8th habit and truly trying to learn it... my listening skills are improving but I have a long way to go. Nightie night.
what a day can do
today i had a job offer - well a - april you should take my job because i'm leaving and me and the owner have already talked and he wants your resume right away - oh and by the way my job starting wage is more than you make now and the cap out point is more than you will ever make in the job you are in now - oh and you wouldn't have to do a million things - you just have to manage this one thing - with some sub things - but way less than what you do now... and likely for more enjoyment - what do think...
then I get - april you know you should start turning businesses - we all need help and no one else is doing it - charge us a small percentage on a sale and make money that way - so no less than three people told me to get a new job today... i guess if i was looking for a sign - i got one...
now what....????? well i don't really know what to think now - yesterday i would have just left everything - but i know that staying home will not pay for my house and everything else we need... - ok - ER is on - lord are they gonna kill luka tonight - holy - what the heck I haven't watched it since christmas and now they are killing luka - MY FAVORITE HOT MAN ON TV.... WHAT! Ok - off to watch
then I get - april you know you should start turning businesses - we all need help and no one else is doing it - charge us a small percentage on a sale and make money that way - so no less than three people told me to get a new job today... i guess if i was looking for a sign - i got one...
now what....????? well i don't really know what to think now - yesterday i would have just left everything - but i know that staying home will not pay for my house and everything else we need... - ok - ER is on - lord are they gonna kill luka tonight - holy - what the heck I haven't watched it since christmas and now they are killing luka - MY FAVORITE HOT MAN ON TV.... WHAT! Ok - off to watch
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