Irritating

I don't know why, or who, but someone is irritating me in a big way. I've started noticing when I come out to my car in the morning that someone has written on it. Most often I can't read exactly what it says (the person in question has poor writing), but there have been a few 'messages' that I can see properly. Everything from F-bombs on the roof of my car, to something with the word 'suck' on my hood. I had 'F*** Yah' (apparently there was confusion over how to spell "yeah") on the driver's side rear window, and and a reference to male genitalia on my front driver's side window. Most often it's just written in the frost that builds up on my car, but the past two words/phrases were written in road dust. It doesn't really bother me, except that I have to do a walk-around of my car each morning to make sure I don't drive off with something really offensive scrawled on the side.
I'm really not sure what bothers me more; that they're writing on my car every morning, or that they're not writing anything of value and are spelling things wrong. Please, go ahead and scrawl on my car, but make it something interesting! "Balls" just doesn't cut it.

Elves!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Happy Birthday!

Sunday was the first birthday of my sweet little buddy, Alex! I can't believe how big he's gotten over the past year! Brad and I went to Rob and Bev's on Sunday to wish the little toddler (and boy does he toddle around!) a happy birthday. Usually a really active kid, Alex snuggled right down when I picked him up. I guess he just felt cuddly for a change, but I was delighted to take advantage of the moment. Afterwards it was play time! He was eager to show off his new toys and show us how much fun they were.

Nice knowin ya...

It wasn't the way I hoped things would end, but since I'm not willing to lead La Resistance against the alien overlords, I'll just have to bow out gracefully when the war of the worlds begins. Since this is probably only making sense to people who live in Saskatchewan or Alberta, I'll explain a wee bit.
Last night around 6:30 or so a meteor was spotted by just about everyone who was outside or by a window in Saskatchewan and Alberta. The best part is how many people are completely convinced it crashed in their backyard, or just over that hill, or in the next town, or behind the mall. (At this point it's believed it may have actually just skipped along the atmosphere, but if it did land it might be around Lethbridge)

Regarldess, this seems an awful lot like It Came from the Desert. Clearly, it's all over.
I have no regrets.

How far we've come

It's been four years...

2004
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2005
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2006
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2007
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2008
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...and we're still smiling, that's gotta mean something good, right? Haha!

Spam, spam, spam, spam! Spam, spam, spam, spam!

I do believe I have been spammed. Or something.

I checked my email this afternoon to find three new comments. One just said "visit our blog"...but the whole thing was Spanish, which leads me to believe it was spam. Two other comments were legit (I think), so I posted them. I was curious to find out how they found me, so I opened up trusty old SiteMeter to find the origins and locations of my visitors. Apparently I had 230 visitors today. From all over the world. Since I'm fairly certain I don't have any friends in Espoo Southern Finland, Zaragoza Aragon, or Radevormwald Nordrhein-Westfalen, I'm guessing I got spammed.

...Though there is always the distinct possibility that everyone I know has suddenly scattered around the globe and decided that I am, in fact, the most interesting person they've ever encountered and they just can't wait to read about my escapades. Hey, it could happen!

Made in China? You don't say!

The station is holding a contest called Dollies for Dolly in which listeners donate dolls and toys for the chance to win tickets to Dolly Parton.

Darwin picked up a doll set to donate. Sure it's a Barbie knock-off, but let's take a closer look...

Why, for just 15 dollars you too could own your own Dignity Girl!!! from the ever reputable company Fajaiboa. That's right, it's the "Beautiful Set"...not to be confused with the many other sets available....

...such as the High Sofa set which is described as "more funny to play it with different modes". Or the "Collecter Happy" which is "Design for The Children with funny function"...????

And remember, Dignity Girl wants to be played with. It says so! "Please always stand by me. I am happy today because you are with me and still world is beautiful and worthy".
Not to mention the warning about not letting kids play "rnder 3" with it, and making sure that parents "remove any staplers" before letting their children play.
Ohhh dear...seems that something was perhaps lost in translation.

Breaking from Routine

I've always heard that animals are creatures of habit. It's very very true. Animals love their routine. It goes beyond that though, they don't just like having things a set way, they get distressed when that routine is changed.

Brad has gone to Saskatoon for a two day conference. He left yesterday afternoon and won't be back until Wednesday after work. That means it's just me, Ollie, Nibs (chinchilla), and Peet (budgie).

Oliver is a smart little pooch. He knows what time Brad usually comes home from work and damned if he didn't want to be outside to greet him at 5 oclock yesterday. The problem was, Brad didn't come home. Ollie was out of sorts for the rest of the night. He sat on my lap, or curled up next to me at all times and kept giving me a look that was brimming with blame as if to say "You made him go, didn't you?" I tried my best to calm him and convince him it was nothing out of the ordinary and that things would be just fine with just me around. He wasn't buying. As bedtime crept closer, the poor little guy kept looking to the door. When we went out for his evening constitutional, he kept looking to the driveway, totally confused as to why the Escape was parked there but Brad wasn't around.

Ok, so a dog who is a little messed up about a break in routine is not terribly uncommon, but a chinchilla? Nibbler was right irritated that Brad wasn't around. All evening she sat in the corner of the cage glaring at me. If you've ever had a chinchilla glare at you, you know how unnerving this can be. I fed her, and gave her fresh hay...but I committed a sin most foul. I forgot to give her a bedtime snack of a Shreddie. I paid dearly for this transgression. Throughout the night she crashed around in her cage, waking me up at 1:21, and again at 2:55 when she threw her food dish to the ground. After refilling her dish, I went back to bed and closed the bedroom door.

I like a good solid routine as much as the next guy, and I'll admit it can be a little disconcerting when that routine is changed through no fault of your own...but can we please keep the tantrums to a minimum?

Halloween Fun

This year for Halloween I retired the tried and true pirate attire and went with a different look. I bought two packages of rubber snakes, curled my hair, pinned them in, donned a toga and went as Medusa. At work the snakes as the finishing touch earned me Best Costume. That was truly a feat as there were a number of really good costumes at work.On Thursday Brad came home at lunch and announced to me that I needed to find him a Halloween costume. So I started the search and came up with and idea that we altered and expanded on. This is what we ended up with:


After around 20 kids came to the door trick or treating, Brad and I got dressed and went to Vince and Shay's for their annual Halloween Party. It was a good time, but we're so lame we had to leave around midnight to go to sleep.

A New Name.

I've decided I need a new title. Chance helped me out on the Eagle Morning Show.

Have a Listen

A Lost Art

Remember the thrill of opening your mailbox (the one physically attached to your house) and seeing a slightly yellowed, partly bent envelope looking up at you with your name on it? An envelope that didn't have a clear window on it telling you it's a bill. An envelope with actual postage, not that pre-paid postage that billing companies use. Remember what that felt like? Yeah, I don't either really. It's remarkable really. We've drifted from that time when letters were the only way to write to each other. After dropping an envelope into the mailbox you could wait two weeks at best for a response from your penpal. Does anyone do that anymore? Sure I mail packages and presents to my family and loved ones, but does anyone actually have a penpal with whom they physically write letters using pen and paper? I would, really and truly, I would...but I'm too damned impatient now.

Dial-up internet came to Smithers a while after the rest of the world had already gotten used to the phenomenon, but we jumped on the bandwagon and clung on with whiteknuckles. I think I was 12-14 when I got my first email address (because my address was jessw13 and I know that I wasn't 13 at the time). That means I've had email for roughly half of my life, and certainly for the majority of my letter-writing life. I have had penpals. I wrote to a boy named Kirk Cameron in Australia (through a school penpal program in grade 2 or 3), and I wrote to friends in Surrey after we moved. Penpals were neat...and I'm sure they still are neat, I just can't wait for replies anymore.

These days if I send an email, the time it takes for a response directly impacts my mood while reading said email.
The scale looks like this:
1-15 minutes after sending: Excited, happy, and impressed

15-60 minutes after sending: happy and curious

1 hour - 3 hours: reasonably pleased

3 hours - 12 hours: getting impatient

12 hours - 24 hours: wondering what the hold up is

24 hours - 36 hours: questioning the level of commitment from the respondent

36 hours - 48 hours: considering that something awful has happened to the other person.

48 hours + : debating cutting off all ties with this "so called friend".

Unreasonable? Maybe. Obsessive? Absolutely. Harsh? Entirely possible. But that's the way it is. Obviously there are other factors that count in the equation as well. For example, I will consider the person's access to a computer, I will consider the person's work/school schedule, family life, and response track record as well. But the point of the scale is that I like immediate replies. Instant gratification.

So what is better than an instant email? Why, and instant message! In the form of a text! Funny though, I'm not nearly as calculated in waiting for a response to a text message. I'm understanding, gracious even. Because when I send a text I understand that the person I am texting likely has their phone with them and it is interrupting their life in a very insistent manner. I understand that people can't drop what they're doing to respond to my "How r u?" The beauty of texting though is that it usually does garner instant replies, and has greatly helped me to maintain friendships with people who live far away (most of my friends for that matter).

The next step, obviously, is to get a blackberry which will be kept on my person at all times and have access to the internet and emailing capabilities immediately. Then I will be able to check email any minute of any hour as I choose...Though, this may actually have a sharpening impact on my email-response-scale...I may end up alienating friends much faster..but at least it will be with greater efficiency!

A Winter Tradition

It may have started out as a strange coincidence, but it's now become a conscious decision; I might even call it a tradition. Every year on the first truly cold morning of late fall/winter I will wear something completely impractical. Usually it's a skirt, or dress or something with short sleeves or no sleeves at all. Whatever outfit I put on, it inevitably attracts comments of "aren't you cold?!" or "Are you crazy? It's winter!" Regardless, I will sit there at work (occasionally with goosebumps on my arms) in an unseasonable outfit as the temperatures drop below freezing, just so I can lay one last "screw you!" to winter before it takes over completely.

Thanks Everyone! (Engagement Follow-Up)

I've been overwhelmed by the wonderful happy wishes and congratulations from everyone since Brad and I started telling people about our engagment last week.

There was a little bit of confusion between us on Sunday night though. Brad was under the impression that we weren't going to tell everyone right away, whereas I was under the impression I was going to go on the radio and announce it on Monday morning. The Breakfast Boys had me on the show to talk about it.
Listen Here to the story.

When Brad got to work several of his co-workers came to his office to congratulate him, and he even received a call from someone about a plumbing inspection and at the end of the conversation the person (who he did not know personally) congratulated him. Guess the cat was officially out of the bag. Whoops!

So thank you again, for the wonderful happy wishes. I think my favorite reactions have been Mare screaming into the phone and running around her bedroom while Jer watched bewildered, (or so I'm told), and Rri mouthing "Shut the F--- up!" when I pointed to my ring through the window to the Production room at the station.

To answer the FAQ: We haven't set a date yet. Brad's only just figured out that he actually has to marry me now. ;)

A Perfect Moment

My wonderful boyfriend of nearly four years made me the happiest girl in the world when he proposed to me on Thursday October 16th.

We were just about to head out the door for supper at the Logpile Lodge with my Mum and Dad, and Frank and Christi when I found myself standing in the spare room of my parents house with Brad. He looked very nervous and hugged me, telling me how much he loves me. He told me he was very nervous and I asked what was making him nervous. He explained that he had been trying all day to find a time to do something. I asked him what he was trying to do and he told me he had something for me, asking if I wanted to see it. It was at that point that I took the hint and started to figure out what was going on. I hugged him tight and said "yes, I think I do." He reached into his bag and pulled out a small white box and handed it to me. When I opened it and saw the beautiful princess cut diamond in a white gold setting, I started to cry. I looked up at him and asked if he was sure and he said yes, so I told him he had better put it on my finger. I hugged him and we cried and laughed. Then I looked at him and said he had better ask me the question so I could say yes. So he asked me if I would marry him and I hugged him tight again and said "absolutely!"

Vacation!

It's back to work this morning after a week away from the desk. Brad and I left Swift on Friday the 10th around 3 oclock on our way to Smithers BC. We split the trip up into two days of driving (1800kms is a bit much for one day) and after some vehicle trouble in PG we made it to Smithers at 8:30 on Saturday night.

The dogs weren't exactly the best of friends, but they learned to live with each other.

The week was filled with excellent food, lots of visiting, gallons of tea, big family suppers, nights of Wii with Frank and Christi, and lots of rest.

Leaving is always hard, but it actually felt like we had a good solid visit.

Somewhere around Jasper. Ollie has had enough of being in the back seat and tries (yet again) to coerce me into allowing him into the front.
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Ollie and his buddy, Dad

Dad, Mum, Gus, Christi, Frank, Brad, Me and Ollie wearing our ball caps care of Frank and Christi embroidered with Frank's company logo. Yes, we often spontaneously pose in matching hats.
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Frank and Christi getting ready to race cows on the Wii
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Ollie and Me, chillin in front of the window
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At the Logpile Lodge for a celebratory supper
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Brad and Me
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Frank and Christi (awwww!)
~Ollie got a hoodie! (Frank and Christi embroidered it with his name, a mustang, and "car ride?") Yes, we're now those people who dress their pets.
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By Fraser Lake, BC
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Swift Current Creek, by Mt Robson
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Driving through Jasper
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Ollie has had enough of driving, thank you very much.
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I just don't know...

I guess this product has been available for a while now, but it's only now available in Swift Current. A friend of mine told me she saw Peanut free Peanut Butter. Hmmm...
For as long as I can remember I've been allergic to peanuts (plus other nuts, shellfish, salmon, grass, tobacco, cats, rabbits, pollen, ...the list goes on). I've dealt with horrid classmates waving peanut butter sandwiches in my face just to make me feel uncomfortable. I've dealt with the people who don't believe I'm actually allergic (who don't believe in allergies, period), the people who know I'm allergic yet still serve un-safe foods when I'm at supper, and I've learned to check labels diligently and always know the risk associated with the foods that I'm eating. (I should also mention all of the amazing people who are so aware of my allergies and so considerate to go out of their way for me. I'm so grateful!)
Through it all I've become a stronger person I think (particularly from the taunting classmates...bunch of jerks), but I've also developed a mild paranoia. The smell of peanut butter makes me nervous. I start subtly glancing around the room to find who is eating the offending food, judge how far they are from me, whether my eyes will swell up or whether I'm safe, and predict whether they will touch something that I'm about to touch. I'm nervous, and frankly, when you've had to get doped up on Benedryl at the hospital for a few hours because you've come into contact with something potentially harmful, you would be too.
I had come to terms with the fact that I will never have reece's pieces, I will never enjoy a snickers bar, and I had come to terms with the fact that I would never know what having peanut butter stuck to the roof of my mouth feels like.
Until now. Now I have an option. Obviously, I would have no idea if the product actually tastes like the real thing (that's where a fellow taste tester comes into the equation), but I have the option of potentially finding out. I just don't know. The smell of the real stuff makes me scrunch my nose and run for hiding, but that might be a trained response. And if that's a trained response (survival instinct?) then who's to say I wouldn't have an anxiety attack if I tried this faux-butter?

Hee Hee!

At the risk of being one of those people who constantly talks and blogs about their pet, I feel compelled to write this entry. I took Ollie to the groomer today before we go on our excursion to Smithers. He had so much hair before I had no idea just how little he is! He just makes me giggle now whenever I see him...skinny little dog! He's soft as a down, smells like vanilla, has a little scarf (courtesy of the groomer) and is thoroughly un-doggy. I love it! (Brad will cringe, but will secretly think he's adorable) !

Smithers, Voting, Fall, and Crafts

The countdown to leaving for Smithers is getting really small, and I'm getting really excited. We're planning to leave on Friday and at least shave off a few hours from the trip, which means we're leaving in just two more sleeps! We've got a big week planned of doing a whole lot of nothing, drinking gallons of tea (possibly gallons of wine as well?), sitting, sleeping, relaxing, chatting, and uh....that's about it. It will be fantastic!

In other news, Brad and I exercised our democratic rights on Monday and went to the polls to cast our votes in the advanced polls. I really hope that everyone heads out on Tuesday and votes. I've heard a lot of people say that they don't want to vote because they hope if the turnout is really low it will encourage the government to change the process...sadly I think this will backfire. Why would a government who gets voted in (even if it's only by 50% of eligible voters) want to change the process and risk not having the same level of power in future? I hope that more people will vote for the simple fact that they can. We are allowed to speak up and say who we want to represent us, so why wouldn't we? Maybe the "first through the gate" system is flawed, but the only way to change it is to show that we actually care...by voting. That's my two bits. I don't care who you vote for, just do it. I also find it distressing when women don't vote. Think about it, there was a time when we weren't permitted to have a say. Hundreds of women fought tooth and nail for the right to be represented, for the right to make our own choices and not be forced to follow the decisions of our husbands and fathers. Ok, I'm a little passionate about it. But encouraging people to vote is as far as my opinions will ever stretch into the public ear.

Moving on to more light hearted topics...I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I love this time of year. I love fall. Crunching through the leaves when I walk just brings a smile to my face. I love scarves, and gloves, and fall jackets. Don't get me wrong, the heat over the past couple of weeks was nice...but it was hard to enjoy when no one was acclimatized to it. It just felt...hot, and misplaced. But now fall has arrived, along with Thanksgiving and the prospect of dressing up for Halloween...well, I said it before and I'll say it again, I'm not dreading this winter like i have in previous years. I'm sort of looking forward to it. Go figure.

Fall also brings the Fall into Christmas craft fair at the Stockade, which happened last weekend. I went with Ashley and her Mum and we walked around and viewed the literally more than 100 booths. It was incredible. There were lots of amazing gifts and crafts for sale and it was really hard not to buy anything. Instead though I dropped $5 on raffle tickets for SouthWest Crisis Services, and it paid off when I got a call on Sunday night saying I'd won a set of handmade mugs! Yay!

What can I say? I lead a thrilling, thrilling life

I haven't posted in a while simply because my life has become mind-numbingly boring. Or, it would appear that way to other people. I'm enjoying the routine and (dare I say) monotony. Shortly after Brad and I brough Oliver home, he went to WalMart and brought home a shiny new Wii. After several weeks without an internet connection, and the subsequent embarassment of finally having it hooked up, we now have the ability to access all those wonderfully addicting games from systems gone-by. I'm such a sucker for those old 8, 16, and even 32 (!) bit games! Much to Oliver's distaste, I've been plugging away at Shining Force. (He seems to have as short an attention span for video games as I do for pretending I want his shredded rope-toy, but oblige him, don't I?).

So, between that and anxiously counting down the days to our Smithers trip...my life is pretty chill.

My One Wish

Can I have a day where I can say whatever I want to people without altering their perception of me?