fffffreezing....I tell ya....ffrreezing

Wow. Had to wait over 1/2 an hour (rough estimate, cause I believe it was longer!) for my bus to come. By this time, there are just a shwack of people waiting to get on the same bus....one stop and it's full with people standing! oh, man....then the driver announced that the bus is not going to go it's full route, it's gonna turn around at the next terminal after "expressing" it to said terminal. Uh, a lady on the bus...verbally expressed herself...over that decision!! She was a single Mom of two and needed to get home, as she was already 1/2 an hour late..now this. I felt sorry for her, but what's the driver gonna do but follow "headquarters" instructions. A lot of very upset people on the bus tonight...wait let me amend that...a lot of cold, shivering upset people on the bus ride home tonight. It sure felt good to get inside the house where it's nice and warm.

I am not sure but the snow we have in our front yard pretty much matches the amount of snow we had ALL of last Winter, ALREADY. Really. I bought a Farmer's Almanac....generally speaking maybe Saskatchewan doesn't have a lot of snow as a province but I tell ya,..my front yard sure does!

This weekend, plan to watch the MI-3 movie with Tom Cruise in it. I am NOT a fan of the Tom-cat, never have been but I did like MI-1 & MI-2....so will give this one a check out and see if it's any good. A friend of mine watched the new James Bond movie at the theatre last night, she came to work all dreamy eyed over the new James Bond. Me thinks....NAH. I wait for it on DVD, and even then....I dunno. I like to watch movies but I really need to be in as specific mood for them....I seldom get to watch a romantic comedy which would be my favorite, but the hubby doesn't care for them at all. I have brought a few home and watched them myself, that was okay..not great, but okay. ...it's better to laugh when someone else can laugh with you....I find it ODD to laugh out loud in a room when I am by myself....strange feeling that.

Well, I am thinking hot chocolate & marshmallows....and a warm blanket.....
stay warm folks.....

it's official....

Well, it's always been official. But as of yesterday it's exactly one month until Christmas day. I have done little Christmas shopping, I don't have anything to get that is .....hard to find items, so Christmas shopping is about being creative this year not unlike most years, but this year...I plan on using my creative juices and try to find a bit of a theme for a couple of presents I will buy. "How to relax" is the theme, me thinks. Watching the general public, close friends and noticing that we don't really take a lot of time to relax. I don't mean going off to Mexico, taking a cruise and such....I mean everyday moments when you need to sit back and just be. So, I am putting on my thinking cap and trying to make a one female gift and one male gift of " relax". Not sure of the things I would place into these packages, if anyone out there has some grand idea then please pass it along. It's always nice to have some tried and true ideas.

I have begun to decorate the house a little with Winter seasonal things as well as a little Christmas cheer. There is something different within the house when it's got some "added spice" to it, seems to bring out a little happier feeling along with the comfort of home. I would like to think there is something to the theory of scents giving us a feeling of comfort, more energy and such.....cause I love to use my little wax melting, aroma filling the air 'thingey' that my Mom bought me a few years ago. I love the smell of McIntosh apple, cinnamon or even Christmas Eve.....they make the house smell good. Very comforting. I used to put a apple and cinnamon in a pie plate and tuck that into the oven for a bit....but, everyone coming in the door thought they were about to eat Apple crumble or apple pie....uh, no...I was just making the house smell good. Faces fell and I felt kinda bad...so now it's the little wax wafer on a little plate above the tealight...and for the most part no one has thought there was fresh baking to be had. All good!!

My husband made a stew for dinner tonight, I will make the dumplings later on. Now really what a great thing to have on a chilly winter day, I just might put on a little Christmas music.....hmmm...not a bad idea.
later folks.....
fa..la...la...la..la..........la...la...la...la......

Friday frenzy....

On my Fridays off I sometimes look after my grand-daughter. It's just her and I pretty much the whole day. We get along pretty good, I think. She's a wonderful and bright young lady for being all of 28 months old...just over the two year mark. I do lots of craft-ey type of stuff with her and she likes to make a bit of a mess, but that's why we do the crafts...she learns all kinds of things including how soap works after all is said and done.
Today, my first hour with Molly was anxiety ridden, you see Molly has a new addition to their loving family, a puppy. She's a cute little nugget this little mutt. But what do I remember about training puppies, never mind trying to keep track of a two year old as well....the first hour was a little frantic on my part. But, as soon as I realized that "Daisy" would do her "business" if I put her outside....well, the frenzied frantic feelings went away. Relief....for all included, I suppose. We got into a routine, no problem.
Molly and I painted, did some stuff with play dough, stamped till she couldn't "stamp" anymore, watch FROSTY the snowman....and the final craft thing of the day was making snow globes...she loved it....so easy but what a treat!! Molly loves snowglobes....so this whole craft was right up her alley. We made three, one leaked....but she took two funtastic snowglobes home...and if they break..no problem everything is non-toxic and easy to clean up! WE had a great day Molly, Daisy and I.....yep.

Tonight is quiet night on the home front. ahhhh..

surroundings, spirit and stuff.....

I have decorated my little corner of the workplace with some green boughs, some holly and a little sparkle from a garland that wraps around the boughs. I have also taken to playing Christmas music on the occasion that I think of it.
One too many comments of "Isn't it a little early??? you're playing Christmas music...."
Okay, Folks, here is the scoop.
We NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS ....right this very minute!!
There are enough reasons to grump about stuff, but putting up a little evergreen boughs isn't one of them! Playing some songs that speak of the joy and happiness that comes together with faith, family and God willing a little extra food for a holiday....cannot be a bad thing! Quiet down on the too early for Christmas stuff.....we need it all year long....it isn't about the hustle and bustle of the streets full of shoppers, it's about the Spirit of the time of year. The sharing, giving and the hope that is wrapped up in a Saviour! If my dressing up my corner with evergreen and holly, if my putting on hot chocolate so as you can sniff that wonderful aroma when you pass by, if the sound of sweet music puts you in a green suit and your fingers become elongated, you might wanna check in the mirror for the GRINCH is surely lurking about somewhere in there.
Its a time of joy, happiness and laughter, a time of friends and family and caring.......having it at the workplace, considering I spend most of my day there......is a good place to stretch out one's joy, peace and love to co-workers.
I think I am doing the right thing.....now, I just have to convince the rest of the staff!!

Today, as I looked out the window in our staff room just before I left work, I thought it seemed as though we were living in a snowglobe and someone had given us a shake. Happily, the bus was on time, I walked down a quiet street and the snow swirled about me.....it was quiet, sweet and chilly enough to redden my cheeks and nose.....it felt wonderful!!! I love this place!!

here kitty kitty.....here kitty kitty.......

I don't dislike cats.
except when........
they are up on my roof top scampering about from one endof the house to the other, chasing each other, frantically. I am used to quiet....I mean no tv, no radio, no music playing ....I like the quiet when I am sitting down to read. I am all settled in for a quiet time, between me and my book. Then the little paws started. I ran outside to see what was the matter, there up on the rooftop was a minature sleigh...oh, sorry wrong story. There were too cute little faces gazing back at me just over the peak of the house. Call me nasty, but I tried to chuck a snowball at 'em to get to move off the roof.....nothing, I was nothing but a crazed woman in her pjamas acting stupid throwing snow and these two critters. I thought I heard a "nah...nah...nah nah nah" but I could be wrong.
I gave up and went into the house, funny....but they left too. Their amusement for the evening was found and it was time to head home.
Good grief.

Grey Cup stuff that I noticed......

Driving home today from Winnipeg was totally tiring, but the highways were great. We took Yellowhead route and it was double lane all the way home....perfect. The scenary severly sucked. No snow to brighten the landscape, no sunshine to lighten the sky....so I slept a lot, or at least rested my eyes. My husband, myself and another couple travelled together down to Wpg. to watch the Grey Cup and take in some of the venues. wow....the sights that I beheld.
First the woman at the airport who was working the Information booth had had wayyyy to much coffee....she spoke at double the rate of any normal human being possible....hard to keep up to that. We trundled through the parking lot looking for our car that we were to pick up there, the only way to find it was to keep clicking the remote....wait for the horn to honk. Did not take long but was a little strange wandering about the parking lot with luggage in hand and the remote held high.....I am sure people passing by musta thought we were more than a little nuts. Got to our hotel easily. Met with some very nice people through the lobby entrance and became kinda friendly with them over the next couple of days......but can some people slam back a lot of beer NON STOP. It seemed like these new found friends stories were always about the consumption of beer....strange.....but believe me they were not the only ones. We visited a convention centre entirely dedicated to fans of football, one called "Riderville". My first observation was that their seemed to be more Rider fans than any other, surely I must be mistaken.....wrong, I believe that 70% of the fan base in Winnipeg was Riders, at least in any venue we took part in or visited!!! There was Green and White EVERYWHERE!!! even a few "melon heads" showed up. You know the guys who carve out watermelons and put them on their heads like helmets....yeah, well, whatever!!
The section of seating that we witnessed the Grey Cup game from was filled with Rider fans, most of them wearing something green to identify themselves as Rider fans. Talk about a large family unit, if you met a person with a Rider logo/or Rider colors on.....they smiled and conversed like you were their best friend. Amazing stuff, I tell ya.
Some people dress up like superheroes....they drape their team banner on their back, they wear crazy hair/hats, paint their face, dawn on some of the wildest gear I have ever witnessed just to claim the fame of their favorite team and it would seem they proceed to drink themselves into a stupor. Not everyone was a drinking fool, but there were plenty of them.....and one just shakes their heads and wonders what they do to get their livers healthy again....if ever. Most of the fans are there for the good natured fun and frivolity in the spirit of the game....not a fight broke out, not too many nasty words spoken of another team (there are always those who open mouths and let "junk" fall out).
All in all it was quite an experience. Lots of good natured laughter, lots of meeting new people from all across the country.....and lots of strange and wonderful pictures to bring back the memory of the Grey Cup 2006.
Okay, the picture that my husband took is priceless.....
While we waited at the shuttle stop, a few VERY FULL shuttles passed us. I mean they could not squeeze another person in 'em. One of the buses back doors was very different, two very white butts stared back out.....turns out a couple of very brave and not so bright fans decided to "moon" everyone they passed by. That had to have been cold on the tush.....but then again, some people will do anything for their moment in the sun....or "moon" as those two did.
Strange goings on....oh yeah....but the laughter was heard coming and going all the way down the street.....

opinions....and other irritants

A person's words are very powerful, powerful indeed.
Like that is something new to us, huh.

I have learned this lesson a number of times, in all likelyhood will have to learn it again another time or twenty! Watch the words that come outta my mouth. I try. I'm sure I mess up, which gives me a little space for those who give me some direct hits with their verbal diarrhea. It happened today, I got. Put my back up but, hey your opinion is just that. YOURS. Somedays I would like you to keep it to yourself, but then there is that occasion that I flap my gums and realize....I, too, need to restrain myself more often. It's when people give "facts" and "I read somewhere" opinions....and they are opinions because their is someone else out there who will refute what you just announced.
It's like listening to someone rant on and on about a specific kind of vehicle that they will ONLY drive. Say it's a Ford, well the next person freaks out and oh...no...I only drive a Dodge. Good grief, last time I looked they both had service centres!! Opinions. I'll only use a Mac computer, well, what about an Acer.....there are those diehards that will argue till the cows come home.
Opinions. Life is too short to get yourself into a KNOT over someone elses opinion!! But we do,
we have our shield down, or sensitivity button is on and wham we get blind-sided by someone's words.
I think Mom was right when she said "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all" or a dear friend of mine just e-mailed me a great saying "Don't always believe what YOU think"

Opinions. Somedays are just verbal diarrhea, or simply put.....SEEMS to be true to YOU.

where did I hide?

I got invited to a "condo" warming party. It was held this evening. Hubby preferred to watch the hockey game...so I was okay with going alone. I believed that most of the people there were from my place of work. I was correct. What I wasn't prepared for was my "quietness" to rear it's ugly head. At first I did not feel outta place, but then some little bug musta bite me, because I withdrew into a corner and remained there for quite some time. (not literally) Strange how that works. After a few people left and only a couple ladies remained, I came out of my shell once more.
Wow. I wish I could predict this crap. It drives me nuts. Feeling as though I need to study a book about the art of conversation one moment and the next feel like I could talk most of the night through. Strange and weird behavior. Yep, that me.
I admire people who have the "art of conversation" down pat.....what a great gift. I was not standing in that gift line when the Lord was handing out that particular one....

Maybe I should try to locate a book or ten about the art of conversation.....might not be a bad idea.

who were those guys??

Pre-ordered pizza. Made some hot buttered popcorn. Whipped up some home made brownies.
Had a cheese ball and an assortment of crackers. Fresh coffee and a few other beverages alongside. Friends brought shrimp, oysters and goat cheese and assorted other treats. We were all ready. Candles were light to add some "atmosphere", a few banners were placed about the room.....someone colored their hair green (NO, not me) and wore a jersey proudly. Yep, the scene was set. Rider pride was in full swing. But, as the afternoon wore on, the pride kinda dwindled, the cheese even seemed to sink into the dish....the cheers become fewer and far between. Wow. That was a strange game indeed. Well, like all good Saskatchewan Roughrider fans...the last words spoken were "well, theres next year!!" Such optimism. Typical of a true Rider fan, always backing their team no matter what situation they are in.....go figure.

Well, I guess the Grey Cup will be a coast to coast deal this year, BC against Montreal....played on the prairies......I suppose that will make fans on both teams a little happier cause they will just meet half-way across the country in Winnipeg for the game!! See always optimistic....always in Saskatchewan....it's part of our DNA, me thinks. I sure hope those BC and Montreal fans know how cold a prairie wind can get, especially when you are sitting outside on a metal bench for a few hours!!!

Next year, Roughrider fans....next year!! just wait and see.

the tracks of my tears?

Well, after nearly two years, much discipline, a few bad days....but lots of good ones, approximately a tooth brush per month, miles of specialized dental floss and the odd Advil....I am braces free.
The retainer is completely clear, molded to my teeth and for now...seems to be a dickens to remove. I am sure as time goes on we will come to an understanding.
Another gift that I am thankful for......who knew at this late of date that I would get my "teenage" wish come true....a"straight-toothy" grin.

Mama she's crazy......

I have lived in this province all my life.
I don't get bent all outta shape when the big snow storm hits, or we get rain .....getting them both within hours of each other tends to slow one down....but, not get myself into knots over....
we have seen it before and likely will see it again, sooner rather than later. Driving means being careful and you KNOW that it will take more time to get to work/appointments and such. That all being said and so that I do acknowledge the fact that there are some "down" sides to the weather conditions we are experiencing!!

I love it.

I love the fluffy, clogged streets. I love the sparkle of the snow, I love the fresh wintery smell of the air. I love the quietness of the street as the snow buffers all noise. I love the red noses and "apple-cheeks" of people walking down the street. I love the fact that we HAVE to slow down!!
I love watching neighbors helping neighbors shovel their walks, or help them get unstuck from their driveway. I love the picturesque landscape of the snow hanging off the trees. I love having hot chocolate and a good book waiting for me when I settle in for the evening.

Yeah, there are some difficulties that come with snow, I do agree.....but the beauty of the season for me really and truly out weighs all that other by tons.

I love it.

maybe I'm crazy......or as my friend told me today at lunch....an eternal optimist. Whatever the case maybe......

I still love the snow.

Agitation

I tend to think of a washing machine when the word "agitation" comes into a sentence.
The quick movement, the swishing and swashing, the never ending swirling, the draining....yep,
that is what goes on inside my poor little head some days.....agitation...by the time my head has finished it's final cycle in a day, I am drained!
I need more time to soak up some quiet and solitude. When I get "off balance", I ..like the washing machine tend to bump around and make a whole lot of useless noise....until I manage to balance out the load I carry in my life.

Here's to finding some balance, a little less agitation....and lessening the load.