Monday, December 22, 2008

Stuff



  • I wanted a picture for this post. I typed STUFF in the place where I sometimes get pictures. Quite and eclectic range of shots were displayed. This is one of them...
  • We survived the shortest day of the year! From here on in, the days get longer and longer. I am glad that that is the case. The nights seem much longer these days.
  • I don't know what I was thinking...I went to the mall today!! Again - I don't know what I was thinking. I didn't even really need anything. I just went for something to do. Actually I was forgetting that Christmas was just around the corner and off I went. I was quickly reminded when I got to the parking lot. Amazingly enough, I found a spot quickly and went in. I didn't stay too long as I was getting frustrated with all the people.
  • Speaking of Christmas, I can't believe that it is only 3 sleeps away! How did that happen so quickly? It just really came out of nowhere.
  • If you invite me to your house, please turn the tv off. I am there to visit you and not watch tv. If you want to watch tv, then don't invite me over. I can watch whatever I want at my own house AND I don't have to talk to you OVER the sound of the television thankyouverymuch.
  • My computer is acting up again. I don't know what is wrong with it. Mark is getting frustrated as I keep getting on his computer.
  • I don't think I will post again before Christmas (I know, I know - your jaws are all dropping at that one!! LOL!) so I want to wish everyone a great Christmas!!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Christmas Tree



Christmas is coming up so quickly! I am KINDA prepared. I have MOST of my shopping done but I haven't even started the wrapping yet.

Christmas day is a busy one for us - we have FIVE stops. It is a busy day, but a good day spent with family.

On Boxing day however, we stay home, in our pj's all day. We don't answer the door, we don't answer the phone we just stay in and eat the left overs that we have gathered from the 5 stops from the day before. It is BLISS!!

Saturday, December 06, 2008

TWO YEARS!!!!!!!!!



Yes people - that is TWO YEARS that we have been waiting in line to get our baby from China. I know there are people who have been waiting longer then we have - however, I am SURE that we will wait longer then them (does that make sense?).

It has been THREE YEARS since we started on this journey.

However - trying to keep on the positive - we have met so many FANTASTIC people and have become part of a wonderful community. Some of the people that we have met on this journey will be life long friends and for that part of the wait I am thankful.

Today also marks the TWO YEAR mark for Dolores and Shawn. In keeping with the positive, if we were not where we were, we wouldn't be traveling to China with them.

Happy 24 months to us and them...sigh...

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Lost and Found

In our home, we have a set of cordless phones. It is one of those sets with three handsets. We have one handset and base on each level. It is also one of those sets that doesn't have a "HANDSET LOCATER" button...

One day the phone rang (well it rings most days) and I couldn't find the phone. I RAN upstairs to get the phone upstairs. I started talking on the phone and brought it downstairs with me. That was about 3 weeks ago.

Since then, we have not had a phone upstairs. We have been looking EVERYWHERE for the 'downstairs' phone and have not been able to find it.

Well today, I was sitting on the couch and I dropped something in the cushions of the couch and I came up with a phone!!

I am happy that we have found the phone!

Yes it is true and sad that that is all I have to write about here!!

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Pictures...

Glossy or Matte??

I am going to be ordering some pictures online and I am not sure if I should have glossy or matte...

Your thoughts?

Monday, November 24, 2008

Flashback



Today I was out shopping and - for no particular reason - stirrup pants popped into my head.

Where did this come from??

I REALLY hope that they are not coming back into fashion...

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Yesterday, dinner, snow etc...

Yesterday, Mark and I decided to order pizza for dinner. We also decided to try a different place then we usually order from.

It started snowing here.

I ordered the pizza. They gave me a 40 minute guarantee or it was free.

At 35 minutes, the phone rang. It was the pizza delivery guy. He said there was an accident and that it wasn't his fault that he couldn't get to the house. He told me where he was and since that didn't make any sense based on where the pizza place was, I questioned as to WHY he was where he was.

He then said that he has another delivery first and that he had been sitting at the accident scene for more then 10 minutes.

I questioned as to the quality of the pizza if he made another delivery, sat at an accident scene and still didn't arrive at our home for another 10 minutes (that last part was after).

He responded by YELLING at me that the pizza was in a BAG and it would still be hot. He also said that the weather was not his fault. I said I realized that, but that the company should not give a delivery guarantee in bad weather - but they did.

I waited another 5 minutes and then called the company. I told them that my pizza was not here yet, this was the first time I had ordered and their delivery guy YELLED at me on the phone telling me that it wasn't his fault that the pizza was late. I also expressed that that would likely be the LAST time that I ordered from them.

The pizza was free. It was also cold and not very good. Apparently the BAG didn't work very well...

I am also VERY sure that we will NEVER order from them again...

Monday, November 10, 2008

Stuff


Here are some random thoughts on my mind...

  • I have a cold. I can't sleep when I have a cold. I haven't had a cold since last November. I don't know why I remember that, but I do.
  • Yesterday at 5:30pm - it felt like 10:30pm. I HATE to darkness that comes so early
  • I don't like the cold. I actaully think it is the wind that is the problem. It just goes right through me. When it is cold wind, it takes my breath away.
  • I am looking forward to dinner tonight - I am going to meet a new friend and reconnect with two known friends.
  • I am LOVING the new show THE MENT*ALIST - It is quite entertaining
  • I wish someone had invented a transporter.
  • I had a dream last night about my hairy legs. It looks like I am growing my winter coat.
  • Yesterday I burned a bunch of CD's with pictures on them. I made two CD's of each set to store in different places.
  • On Tuesday we went to the Leafs game! We had great tickets given to us by a friend (THANKS!). They lost the game, but it was a fun night out.
  • There are flakes of snow falling from the sky this very minute.
  • I wish C*oca-Cola was healthy for you. I drool at the thought of it.
  • I must start my Christmas shopping.
  • The rims I bought for my snow tires don't fit properly.
  • I am having pizza for lunch.

Friday, November 07, 2008

23 Months!



I GUESS it is a good thing when you forget about your LID and you have to read about it on Dolores and Shawn's blog!!

I can't believe I forgot!! It was yesterday!!

This picture of a 23 is looking like I am starting to...about ready to crack...

At the rate the CC*AA is going - we are NEVER going to get there...

Sigh

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Joe...

Do you remember JOE??. (Click the JOE link to read the original story) Joe was someone who came to our home to give us a 'quote' to get our dresser refinished. He was here for a very long time, gave us his life story and, I think, was scoping our place out.

Here you can see what JOE was looking at. This is what the dresser looked like for the BEFORE pictures.




Joe wanted to charge us $1800 to refinish this piece - $1800!!!

Needless to say, we found someone else to finish the dresser for us.

I must say - that it turned out beautifully!! Who'da thunk the beauty and the detail in the wood that was UNDER that paint!






All this beautiful restoration work was completed for LESS then $300!! A FAR cry from the $1800 that Joe was going to charge!!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

My Husband...

...the marketers dream!



We were at the mall today and we walked by Bath and Body Works. Well they are having a "lamb giveaway" and well Mark just HAD to have a lamb.



The stuffed lamb was free if you purchased $15 (not hard to do).

So in he went, picked up some items and a stuffed lamb ended up costing $27!!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Smelly


Mark and I received this candle from Rhonda and Josh on Saturday.

It was purchased from Bath and Body Works.

Let me tell you - it is AMAZING!! The smell fills up the room every night when we light it. It burns so slowly and it is pretty too!

We LOVE it!!

Thanks R&J!!

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Saturday



Saturday night party!!!

As promised, o.k. a little late, a picture of our gathering from Saturday night.

We had a great time. Having Dolores and Shawn here was FANTASTIC!!

Having Doris and Dan here to surprise everyone was GREAT!

It was great to see everyone else that was here.

There just never seems to be enough time.

Monday, October 06, 2008

22 Months done!




What do these two pictures have in common???

Well...

22 months is the gestation period of an elephant...the LONGEST gestation of any mammal.

Well except for international adoption that is...

Either way we are 22 months closer to Pumpkin and we have had 22 months to become GREAT friends with Dolores and Shawn with whom we will be traveling with to China.

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Is it wrong...

Is it wrong that I am still in my pj's at 6:30pm???

We have had a GREAT weekend and now we are winding down!!

Waiting for someone to send me pictures from last night...misplaced the camera...

I will post them when I get them.

Dolores and Shawn - you will be missed and we will be waiting for you to come back home again.

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

1 and 3


One more sleep until Dolores and Shawn arrive at our house to spend a few nights!!

Three more sleeps until the gathering where some of our adoption friends gather here for a night of socialization (and lots of food and drink)!!!

We are sooooo excited!

There is much to do and to organize and prepare - but WOW is it ever going to be worth it!!

Can't wait until tomorrow!!

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Cozy


In our home, we generally have the windows open all the time. Unless the A/C or the heat is on, we LOVE the fresh air!

I am generally warm - all the time.

Last night was the first time in a LONG time that I actually used covers.

IT WAS WONDERFUL!!!

We were so cozy snuggled in the covers with the windows wide open. It was HEAVEN and the best nights sleep I have had in a long time!!

SIGH...

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Noise



I don’t like noise…never have.

Recently I have noticed that car manufacturers INSIST on making noise with the car locking systems.

There are some cars that, no matter what you do, will make the beep/squeak sound when you lock your door with the automatic locker thing.

Marks car for instance, when you pop the trunk or lock the car gives you the SQUEAK that sounds like a monkey getting castra*ted. Not that I have ever heard that, but that is what I would think it would sound like.

My car, on the other hand, will just flash the lights if any door is open and you lock the doors.

I have noticed (AND HEARD) many of our neighbours cars automatically beep/squeak when they lock them. Some of them like to lock their cars at 3:00am.

It is incredibly irritating.

I would love it if ALL car manufacturers changed their car locking system so that the lights would flash when you locked the car. That way you could SEE that it is locked and that the rest of the neighbourhood wouldn’t have to HEAR that your car is locked.

That is my vent of the day.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Sitemeter

For those of you who use Sitemeter on their blogs, will notice that they have changed their format this weekend.

I have been playing with it and I have come to the conclusion that I don't like it.

I am sure that after I use it and get used to it, I will 'appreciate' the changes and "UPGRADES" that they have done, but at this point in time - I DON'T LIKE IT!!!

Of course, all this liking and disliking requires me to actually CHECK my sitemeter - which I only do about once a month - IF I think about it!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Shoes

If you are unable to LIFT your feet when you walk - instead of dragging your shoes on the floor - perhaps it is time to get LIGHTER shoes!!

This is a pet peeve of mine - just thought I would share.

There are MANY more - but that is what came to mind today.

I know I am GRASPING to post stuff with my September resolution...LOL!!

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Happy Birthday Rhonda



Today is Rhonda's birthday - head over to her blog and wish her a good day.

Image courtesy of D&D. Thanks!!

One of these days I am really going to learn how to do that stuff instead of 'borrowing' everyone elses images...

Sunday, September 07, 2008

People



People are rude.

People are stupid.

People are oblivious.

Saturday, September 06, 2008

21 months down



WOW!! This month has just flown by and we are now been logged in for 21 months!

If only all the months could go by this quickly...

In just a few short weeks, we will be seeing our LID partners in PERSON!

The CC*AA has now matched families into February...

Our China Adoption Forecast states we should receive our referral about December 2012..

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Ears

Recently it was suggested in the comments by Nicole that I talk about my feet as a topic for a post. Now I am not opposed to that, however, it got me thinking and I thought I would talk about EARS.

Earlobes in particular...

Now Mark's earlobes 'dangle'. They are NOT attached to the side of his face.



My earlobes, on the other hand, are connected to my face.



I have no idea which is more common and which is not.

Are you lobes connected to your face or not??

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

September...

September is like the start of a new year.

It IS the start of the new school year and I am going to make it the start of a new blogger chick!!

I am going to TRY to blog 'stuff'. I am going to make a REAL effort to get this blog going again.

We will start slow...at least one post a week - opposed to the once a month post that I had been doing.

We will go from there. I even have some ideas in my head about what I am going to post about.

Stay tuned - I can't promise excitement, but I can promise posts!! LOL!!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Happy Birthday Dolores!



Happy Birthday to Dolores!!

Today is her special day for a special lady!!

We are so lucky to have you in our lives!

Can't wait to see you again soon!!!!!

Head on over to her blog and wish her a great day.

The graphics are courtesy of Doris as I pinched it from her blog...

Apparently Doris pinched it from K1...Thanks K1

I am really going to learn to do all this stuff one of these days...

Monday, August 18, 2008

Thanks!!



Thank you to everyone for all the WONDERFUL birthday wishes!!

I really am a very lucky girl!!

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

20 Months Down



Wow - I can't believe it!! This month has passed so quickly and I can't believe it has been a whole month since I have posted.

We are now 20 months into the wait. I really have NO IDEA how many more months - or YEARS there will be in this wait.

However - there is nothing to do BUT wait...

Congrats to Dolores & Shawn who are also celebrating their 20 month LID today. We can't wait to see you!!

Sunday, July 06, 2008

19 Months Down...



I am starting to feel warn out like this number in the wait for our baby from China...

Once again a SMALL batch.

Every month we wait for a speed up - every month it doesn't happen.

Now we wait until the end of the Oly*mpics for the "next" speed up - will it happen?

I want to stay positive - however it gets harder each month and our Pumpkin is further away as each month passes.

When we started this process, our agency told us we would have our baby home by July 2007.




How wrong they were...

I would also like to mention Dolores and Shawn who are with us in this LONG wait...Happy 19th!! We miss you!

Thursday, July 03, 2008

I HATE PEOPLE!

Thats it.

Thats the post.

Just felt the need to express that.

Of course - there are some that I hate more then others and at this particular moment - there are a few at the TOP of the list.

O.k. there are some that are not even on the list...not many though!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Back to a Bloglines Quandry...

I have been wondering about Blog*lines lately. I don't know why my posts don't show up on my feed.

I checked into it again today and I know I used to have 49 subscribers on my blog*lines and now I have 9...I don't know how that happened or what is going on or if I have SEVERELY pissed some people off that they all deleted me...just odd...

I know I don't post all that often, however - I do post at least a couple of times a month...

Sooooo - If you are a reader and you are wondering what happened - it looks like you have to RESUBSCRIBE to the blog in order for it to show up on your blog*lines...

Wow - this post makes me sound desperate, however I know there are people out there wondering what has happened as they then call and e-mail asking why I haven't posted when, in fact, I have but it hasn't shown up for them...

Friday, June 06, 2008

18 Months LID!


Wow - this past month has really flown by!!

I can't believe we have been waiting 18 months.

AND there might actually be some good referral news this month for a change...10 days!! Could it be true??? Hopefully we will find out on Monday.

I would also like to wish Dolores and Shawn a happy 18 month too!! They are far away and we miss them...

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Broken Bloglines

I don't know what is wrong? I subscribe to my blog though Bloglines. Oh - c'mon - you do too!!

I have posted, yet the post does not show up on Bloglines.

I try again and no - no post.

I don't know if it is me, my blog, my Bloglines account or something totally different.

Of course, the people who read my blog through Bloglines are NEVER going to read this as they think I never post because I don't go "bold" on their account...

Sigh...

We will try this again.

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Neighbours

I am trying this AGAIN - I have tried to post and it worked - but it is not showing up on Bloglines and I don't know what has changed or what I may be doing wrong or different - So here AGAIN is my post!!!

We have some new people in the neighbourhood. They moved in on Friday night. I have yet to meet them but I have seen them around.

There is a mother, father and daughter. I would guess the daughter is about 6 years old.

On Saturday morning, mom and dad were in the house (I assume) and the doors and windows were shut up tight and daughter was riding around the neighbourhood on a tricycle.

Now I am not a parent yet, however, I don't think after spending ONE night in a neighbourhood that I would let my child outside, on their own to ride around without any adult supervision. The parents don't know the neighbours, the child doesn't know anyone...I just found it disturbing.

Am I wrong???

Neighbours

We have some new people in the neighbourhood. They moved in on Friday night. I have yet to meet them but I have seen them around.

There is a mother, father and daughter. I would guess the daughter is about 6 years old.

On Saturday morning, mom and dad were in the house (I assume) and the doors and windows were shut up tight and daughter was riding around the neighbourhood on a tricycle.

Now I am not a parent yet, however, I don't think after spending ONE night in a neighbourhood that I would let my child outside, on their own to ride around without any adult supervision. The parents don't know the neighbours, the child doesn't know anyone...I just found it disturbing.

Am I wrong???

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Neighbours

We have some new people in the neighbourhood. They moved in on Friday night. I have yet to meet them but I have seen them around.

There is a mother, father and daughter. I would guess the daughter is about 6 years old.

On Saturday morning, mom and dad were in the house (I assume) and the doors and windows were shut up tight and daughter was riding around the neighbourhood on a tricycle.

Now I am not a parent yet, however, I don't think after spending ONE night in a neighbourhood that I would let my child outside, on their own to ride around without any adult supervision. The parents don't know the neighbours, the child doesn't know anyone...I just found it disturbing.

Am I wrong???

Monday, May 26, 2008

A Look Inside...



I saw this on Jen's blog and copied it!! I thought it was WAY cool!!

This is an analysis of your blog and the words that you use a lot...I can see that it is more about people then it is about adoption at this point in time! I think I will do one every few months and see how things have changed.

If you want to get your own, go HERE

Monday, May 19, 2008

Montreal - part 2

Sunday came so quickly! The time was just flying by over the weekend. The weather report called for rain all weekend and we were so lucky to only have a bit on Sunday night. We spent the afternoon in Chinatown and old Montreal on Sunday! The weather was PERFECT!!

Here are some pictures of the day...



Happy 6th Anniversary D&D!!



Dragon's Beard Candy - YUMMY!!


\


Doesn't K1 look like a MODEL in this picture???


The boys waiting for the girls...


And NO trip to Montreal would be complete without a visit to F*airmont Bagels. You can see K1 & K2 enjoying their STILL HOT bagels.

Monday morning came so quickly and it was time to come home...sigh...until next time.

Montreal

AHHHH

What a GREAT weekend! On Friday afternoon, Mark and I hopped in the car and off we went to Montreal. We arrived 7 hours later at Doris and Dan's doorstep! It was a long journey, but worth the trip!

We had our greetings and hellos and it was time to catch up! It wasn't long before K1 & K2 arrived and Catherine. The gang was all together again!!

Our camera had been in the shop and we were so pleased that it was fixed and we received it back on Thursday before we went...we didn't take one picture - NOT ONE!!! The pictures that you will see are from D&D, the K's and Catherine (thanks for taking the pictures).

It was a late night of gabbing, catching up and of course, eating and drinking!!

Saturday morning came with more eating, gabbing and catching up!

D&D are great hosts and there is always so much food!



Saturday afternoon brought some shopping and then back home to prepare for the evening's festivities. We had some old friends joining us. Elisa, Jarrod, Thomas and Zoe along with Julie and Naomi! Hard to believe at this time last year they were waiting for their referrals and now they are complete families.



Even MORE friends joined us later in the evening and it was quite a house full!! We were able to meet some of D&D's friends that we had been hearing about and they were able to meet some of the people who's blog they 'stalk'!!


Zoe sharing her food with Naomi!

Dinner consisted of 'deep fried turkey' (among other things) prepared by the guys IN THE RAIN!! The most important thing - other then ensuring it was cooked - was to be positive that there was NO WATER TO HIT THE OIL!! There was success on all fronts. The turkey was delish!!

Saturday was a great day!! Stay tuned for pictures and an update of Sunday!!

For other 'versions' of the weekend and other photos - see this blog and this blog and this blog!!

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Smoker Chick

I know I have spoken of “smoker chick” at work before. She spends too much time away from her desk and outside smoking. It frustrates me – ESPECIALLY when she is behind in her work and the boss asks me to help her!!! But that story is for another time…

Today’s story is about ‘smoker chick’ and being away from her desk. It is not just me who notices her absence. My other co-workers do as well. It is a sticky situation – it really is none of our business – it should be the supervisor who says something…he doesn’t see these things. SIGH….

So the other day, I was FRUSTRATED – she had already been gone from her desk fro 28 minutes – I happened to glance at my watch when she left. So I was composing an e-mail to a co-worker – he and I think along the same lines.

The e-mail went like this…She has been on her smoke break for 28 minutes already.

I GUESS I had HER on my mind when I was addressing the e-mail and I SENT IT TO HER!!!!

OMG – too late now…

When she got back to her desk, she asked – “What is this”. Now I had to make a quick decision – I chose to be adult about it (ignoring the bitchy e-mail to the co-worker complaining in the first place – lol)

I replied that I didn’t mean to send that to her, however, MANY people have noticed the amount of time that she is away from her desk – not just me. I told her that she should watch herself as people are starting to talk about it.

She tried to explain – I said I didn’t want to hear it.

She replied FINE! FINE! FINE! and she hasn’t spoken to me since then.

I am o.k. with the not talking to me part!!

**update** I should clarify that I used to smoke and take smoke breaks etc, but NEVER for 35 minutes (that was the total when she finally came back) and I didn't get behind on my work because of it AND - we are not talking about me - we are talking about SmokerChick!!

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

17 Months LID



Wow!! It has been 17 months since our file was logged into China - since we were "officially" in line! It has been 29 months since we started on this path...sigh...

I came across an e-mail the other day that we sent to our family and friends when we received our Provincial approval (July '06). We said in the e-mail that we were hoping to be in China by the end of 2007 to bring our daughter home... How WRONG were we???

I always get down and frustrated at this time of the month. It seems we are getting further and further behind - well doesn't seem - ARE - getting further and further behind...

I HOPE there is light at the end of the tunnel - but I am just not in a place that I can TRULY believe that right now...

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Can it be true???



Apparently we are out of the Review Room!! We have not officially been informed by our agency, nor have they updated their website to say so, but EVERYONE out there in cyber world knows that it is true!!

OMG! I am in shock! It only too 16 3/4 months to get there!

What this means is that our file has been reviewed and scrutinized by the people in China and we have been found worthy. You can read more about it here.

Next step is the MATCHING ROOM! How exciting is that! Our file IS IN THE MATCHING ROOM!

There is still a LONG road ahead of us, but I am glad to report that we have taken another step in the right direction.

Congratulations to Dolores & Shawn who have also made it through!! PHEW!!!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Yesterday

It started out all so innocently…

We have a piece of furniture. We wanted it refinished. We made a call. A ‘guy’ came out to the house for a FREE ESTIMATE. He was to be there between 6:00 – 8:00. He drove in at 7:05pm

That is where things got...ODD. He sat in his car for about 5 minutes. Got out of his car, stood beside the car, got back in the car, got out of the car, took his ‘bag’ out of the car and FINALLY made it to our door.

He walked in and we told him that we were going in the basement and he should leave his shoes on. He said that something things get on the bottom of his shoes and he proceeded to lift up each foot so we could inspect the soles. He then took his coat off and HANDED it to Mark.

I was in the kitchen organizing dinner. We didn’t want to be eating while he was there, so when we saw him pull in, I started getting things ready – as a quote would only take about 10 or 15 minutes...right???

Well Joe – that was his name – was heading downstairs with Mark to see the chest of drawers. He first stopped in our living room and looked around. LOOKED AROUND and made COMMENTS!! What is up with that??

FINALLY he headed for the stairs and SLOWLY made his way down. Did I mention he was old? He was – VERY old – I cut him some slack…at first.

He gets to the bottom step and I am behind him. He takes one step and stops. Just stops. I am trapped. I can’t go anywhere. There is no space to go around him. He just STARES at the chest of drawers. Just stares.

I should also mention that Joe had a bad back. Mark had to carry his bag down the stairs for him...fine.

Joe FINALLY moved. Yet he still stared at the furniture. Then he started talking. He has a 21 year old daughter. She goes to Carleton University. They live in a 3 bedroom house. He lives in Oakville. He has a friend with the same last name as us – but spelled differently. He has a buddy who bought a golf course. He used to live in Elk Lake. His wife is taking the day off tomorrow. He is 77. He still has a mortgage. Wife still works too, etc, etc, etc...

By this time – I couldn’t take it anymore. I went upstairs. I could still hear him talking. Mark asked if he could quote and Joe said – don’t rush me. I have to look at this still. Yet – Joe kept talking and talking and talking…

Then he FINALLY got out his glasses – or wanted to...they were in his coat. Mark ran up to get the coat. Joe kept talking. Then the glasses were on and then the staring resumed. He guessed that the chest was older then he was. I really don’t know if it is or not, but it is old.

Then he needed a tape measure. He couldn’t find it in his bag. His wife must have taken it out to use it. She does that sometimes. We went and got one of our tape measures. Mark had to measure. Joe has a bad back – can’t bend over.

Joe was unsure – had to make a phone call.

He has now been there for 35 minutes and NOTHING – no quote, no estimate NOTHING!

Mark came upstairs while Joe was making his call. Then Joe came upstairs and headed for our UPSTAIRS – he wanted to use the washroom – His Tim Horton’s had gone right through him and he need to relieve himself.

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO – there is a washroom in the basement – use that one I said. I was starting to get creeped out by the guy – I didn’t want him staring at our bedrooms and making comments. ICK!

When he went back down, I told Mark to tell him to leave. I didn’t care about the quote, I didn’t want him in my house any more – he needed to go.

Mark went downstairs and Joe said – I should be done in about 20 minutes – WHAT??? He had been there fro 50 minutes already!!!

Mark was getting to his wits end too – AND we were both getting hungry as it was now after 8:00 and still no dinner.

Mark went down to the basement and told Joe that he had to leave. Joe seems flustered. Then SUDDENLY when he was told to leave – he was able to pop out a number for us. Being as we are a young couple he will give us a $300 discount and do the refinishing for the bargain basement price of $1800!!! We almost fell over! I could buy a whole bedroom suite for that price!!

Needless to say, the next quote, we will ask how long it takes BEFORE they arrive at our house.

Live and learn!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

The day that went from BAD to GREAT!

Last night I went to bed. Fell asleep pretty quickly. I usually do. However, it is when I wake up that I have trouble getting back to sleep. Last night was no exception. I woke up to pee. As I got back in bed and I was trying to get comfortable again, I "realized" that it was FRIDAY night and I didn't turn my alarm clock OFF. So I did - turn it off that is. This was about 2:00am.

I finally fell back to sleep. I woke up with a JOLT about 3:45am because I JUST realized that it was NOT Friday night, but instead ONLY MONDAY...sigh...You know it is going to be LONG week when...

Sadly I had to get up AGAIN and turn my alarm clock BACK ON. Getting back to sleep again after that was a chore. Eventually I did as the alarm DID wake me up promptly at 6:00...

Up I get. Get to work. Try to look alert. Try to stay awake. I was thinking - this is going to be a LONG day and not a particularity good one.

HOWEVER, then I got some news that made me jump up and down!! I am happy!!

TODAY IS A GREAT DAY!!

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Bad Week??

I must have had a bad week. When I go back and read what I have written...

In my next life/next job - I am going to be a Driving Tester. One of those people who test people to get their drivers licences.

I can tell you - there will be a LOT less stupid and oblivious drivers on the road! A LOT LESS!

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

I am pissed...

I am on the Board of Directors for our condo corporation. In fact I have just been voted on to the board again for a 3rd term. This will be my 7th year on the board. I have been PRESIDENT for 6 of those 7 years.

I enjoy being on the board. I want to know where my condo fees are going. I want to have a say on what happens here. I want to be in 'the know'...

I however am on ONE member of the board. I cannot make a solo decision. Everything needs a majority from the members of the board. There are 5 members so that means that 3 of them have to agree to pass something. On my own I cannot do anything. I am a member of this community. When I am not 'working' on the board I am just a resident - just like everyone else.

Our corporation is run by a Property Management company. We pay them to do the 'dirty work' basically. We tell them what we want and they do it. They do a GREAT job. We do not hover. We have had NO REASON to ever question them.

Because I am a member of the board, I get MUCH unwanted conversation in my direction. I have people knowing on my door asking questions, wanting clarification for things, sharing their concerns etc. They stop me as I am getting out of my car, hands full of groceries. The corner me when I am running across to my sisters house in my comfy clothes for a gab. I am generally good with this. I know that it helps them to understand what is going on. It helps them that someone is listening and it helps them that someone is going to raise their issues to the board.

However - there is a point in time when i am SICK of it!! Like today for instance....

I came home from work to find a letter in my mailbox from a member of the community. This is not unusual, but today's letter pissed me off. I was personally attacked and the person who wrote the letter stated that as a member of the Board I should be setting an example and not be an offender of this particular NON violation. Not that I disagree, however there are circumstances as to WHAT she was referring to. What she is referring to is not in our rulebook. It is not set in stone. She is NOT the judge of me. I guarantee you that she did NOT put a letter in everyone else's mailbox who were offenders of this NON rule - guarantee it!

I am pissed. Mark is pissed. She does not know what she speaks of, yet we are both boiling inside.

I have contacted the Property manager. He will attend and pick up the offensive letter from my mailbox and craft a response to lady and send it from the corporation. I am DONE dealing with her. She has NEVER had anything nice to say EVER and all she ever does is bitch - hands are clean - I am DONE with her.

I am better now - just needed to get that off my chest...PHEW!!

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DORIS!!


Happy Birthday DORIS!!!

I hope you have a fantastic day - you deserve it!!

So glad I was able to celebrate with you this weekend!!

Second note to self - still haven't learned how to do cool stuff with the pictures...