/bye
Thursday, September 23, 2010
How bad can it get?
I should not be sitting here writing on my blog. My housekeeper is coming today and my house is a mess. I really need to break a trail for her, just so she can slog her way to the cleaning supplies and vacuum cleaner. She is a very kind, patient, non-judgemental person, which makes it even worse. If she would openly say "Obscenity, what a mess" then I would not feel guilty about it being so as I could reply "that is what I obscenity pay you for". But no, she surveys the scene and asks "would you like me to wash those windows today too?" - what windows - or yeah, I guess those are windows when they are clean! Anyway - I have procrastinated - which is my favorite thing to do when it comes to housework - but I really need to see if there is some way to remove the recycling stacked up at the door so she can get in the house when she gets here. You see, for all that she is kind, patient, non-judgemental, she is doesn't have the dexterity or strength that my family has developed over the years, and just can't dodge around the mess and push it to the side to get around. You may ask, you have a housekeeper come every other week, so how bad can it get? Really Bad. I'd better get at it.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
When the stars align...
Last night Holly pointed out to me that a greater power is seeing to it that my stars are in perfect alignment for me this weekend.
I'll start at the beginning. I have strong "hermit" tendencies. I enjoy social discourse TO A POINT, but once I reach my low threshold of tolerance, people bug me. A lot. I suspect that this is a genetic predisposition. In any event, I love to be out and about and doing things - but when I am done return me to the sanctity and solitude of my home, preferably alone.
This is a big week for one with these characteristics. On Monday I had Card Making group. This is always a WONDERFUL experience and truly the most enjoyable evening. I loved it. Tuesday was my exercise class. It's only 45 minutes and I love it. Wednesday, I have aquacize. It is in Regina, and she works us hard, and I have to drive home afterwards, but I really need to do this - so I go. Thursday I have to get ready to go away for....ta da.... my Stamping Retreat in Maple Creek. I leave Friday and return Sunday. I am going with a friend and her cousin and her neighbour. Along with I don't know how many other people we will be secluded in Maple Creek's church hall stamping our little hearts out from 6:00 PM Friday until 9:00 PM Saturday.
Okay, so did you keep up with that? Something almost EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK. The chances of me being an emotionally drained homicidal wreck are
H U G E. So where are these stars aligning? My friend and her neighbour are going on to Edmonton after the retreat and I will have to drive home alone. Holly thinks that a 5 hours drive by myself will be just what I need. She is so right.
I'll start at the beginning. I have strong "hermit" tendencies. I enjoy social discourse TO A POINT, but once I reach my low threshold of tolerance, people bug me. A lot. I suspect that this is a genetic predisposition. In any event, I love to be out and about and doing things - but when I am done return me to the sanctity and solitude of my home, preferably alone.
This is a big week for one with these characteristics. On Monday I had Card Making group. This is always a WONDERFUL experience and truly the most enjoyable evening. I loved it. Tuesday was my exercise class. It's only 45 minutes and I love it. Wednesday, I have aquacize. It is in Regina, and she works us hard, and I have to drive home afterwards, but I really need to do this - so I go. Thursday I have to get ready to go away for....ta da.... my Stamping Retreat in Maple Creek. I leave Friday and return Sunday. I am going with a friend and her cousin and her neighbour. Along with I don't know how many other people we will be secluded in Maple Creek's church hall stamping our little hearts out from 6:00 PM Friday until 9:00 PM Saturday.
Okay, so did you keep up with that? Something almost EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK. The chances of me being an emotionally drained homicidal wreck are
H U G E. So where are these stars aligning? My friend and her neighbour are going on to Edmonton after the retreat and I will have to drive home alone. Holly thinks that a 5 hours drive by myself will be just what I need. She is so right.
/bye
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Trials and Tribulations
Yesterday, I went to Regina to 1)pick up some items for my art class 2)buy a birthday present 3)get my glasses fixed. Sounds simple, right? W R O N G!!
I left my house at 9:00, needed to get gas before I left town. The cardlock was down. Went to the Scenic to pay for my gas (with some of my precious and limited cash designated for Regina). Person in front of me at the cash register was an idiot and couldn't pick out a chocolate bar and a Leader Post without holding up the line for 5 minutes. (Yes both have gone up in price, yes that is a shame).
Hwy 10 out of town is blocked off. Need to take the detour around. Person in farm truck in front of me is an idiot and is going less that 20km/hr because he does not have his foot on the gas and has plenty of time. I pass on the straight stretch, as do the 30 people behind me. I stop and look both ways, which is stupid as Hwy 10 is blocked off and nobody can go past me. 30 people behind me blow horns and give obscene gestures. I am off, finally, at 9:40 to get to my 10:30 appointment in downtown Regina.
I hit Broad and Vic at 10:30 exactly - so now if I can just find some place to park. I twist and turn though a maze of 2 way streets that are blocked off for construction, and 1 way streets that are now 2-way and past city parking lots that you have to enter from the other side of the block, keeping to my stern rule of right turns only! (It often takes hours, but I can get to anywhere I want to in the city without having to make a left turn.) Anyway, reduced to obscenities and tears I finally find a parking lot that has an opening on the street that I am on, and I really don't know where I am anymore but park there anyway. I pay $3.00 for 1 and a half hours of parking. It is 10:50. I boot it through puddles and back alleys to Avord Towers and head for the 17th floor in the SLOWEST ELEVATOR ON EARTH. I expect to be seriously chastised for being 25 minutes late for my half hour appointment, and am prepared to be humble and apologetic. And to find an optomitrist on the East end of the city.
However, all is hustle and bustle in the office, smiles and welcomes, no mention of seriously late for appointment. I think, wow, that was sure some day. Glad the worse part is over now. Fool!! I hand my glasses over to the young woman who made my appointment and realize things are not going to go as smoothly as hoped when she says "oh oh. Just a minute. I have to check on this". My half hour appointment is now a full day appointment. She assures me the glasses will be ready by 4:00. Okay, so I do have my perscription sunglasses so I can still get around and do the rest of my stuff, and just get back here at 4:00. Its all do-able. /:) I return to the van, having used up about 15 of the 90 minutes I paid for. Obscenity.
I head back out to the east end. I am hungry and I need to get stuff. Yes, yes indeed I know it is a foolish waste of time and resources to go all the way back out to the east end instead of trekking around downtown Regina for food and the stuff I need to get. But, I know that I will be able to find a place to park out there, and that far out weighs any global warming concerns I may have. I pull into the Costco parking lot and have the same secure safe sense of that of a sailor pulling into home port after sailing through a hurricane. There is a space. There is a cart. There are smiling consumers and Costco employees all around me. I am home. I have a hot dog and a drink for $1.99. All is well. I do notice some of my Costco family looking at me strangely, and I do wish that they would turn on more lights, when I realize that I am wearing my sunglasses. Once removed, it is much brighter and people no longer stare, but I have to climb up onto the piles of items to get close enough read the special price tags. Obscenity. I replace my sunglasses and decide to get my stuff done and out of there. I find my birthday present. I find some food items I need. I head to the till and then, obscenity, I realize that my frozen waffles and shepherds pie and really good priced pork chops will have to sit in the van all afternoon. Too late now. I pay and I get out of there.
I head to Michaels. Michaels the superior. Michaels the "even though I work here I am far too superior to you and far too busy to help you find squat". I love the stuff Michaels sells. It is a Love/Hate relationship. Today, primarily hate as most of the items on my extensive painting class list seem to be sold out. Many of the items for the rubber stamping weekend getaway are not available. I ask one clerk for one item and she shakes her head sadly and says she always buys hers when she is in Alberta. I smile and think "obscenity you". I pay for what I have found and just because I am having such a great day I make conversation with the checkout person, and ask if she knows where I might find Art supplies? She gives me the name of a store on Winnipeg St. Wow. That is so helpful. Thank you.
I go BACK into the downtown area, well almost, just as far as Winnipeg st., and start to look for the store called Colours. I find it on the corner of Winnipeg and Eighth, but think that it must be closed. It is a dump. The faded "parking in back sign" is crooked and faded. Oh, well, I have 3 hours to kill so I will go around back. Yeah, there is a parking spot, yeah there is a door, but can this be the building of a business in operation? It certainly is. Anything that I would ever need in terms of Art Supplies is found within this falling down, deserted looking, cluttered, very likely in contrevention of every fire law, place. It is a gloriously confused mess, but a friendly smiling knowledgeable clerk greets you as you walk in the door and guides you through the mess and confusion of items to fulfill your list, offer you a discount because you are taking a class, and never mentions Alberta even one time. OMG. OMG again. I am done within minutes. I have money left "of my precious and limited cash designated for Regina".
I have 21/2 hours to kill. I go to Sears bargain centre. What a bunch of expensive crap there. Keep my money, but buy a coffee. That whole adventure killed 20 minutes. I pick up a flyer on my way out of the building, and sit in the car sipping coffee and reading a flyer about a bunch of expensive crap. Another 10 minutes has flown by. Okay. I will head back to the optomitrist. I find the same parking lot. I pay $3.00 for another hour and a half, as I am about that much early. I slog my way back to the building, get in the elevator which fairly ZOOMS to the 17th floor. And arrive at the office only to find that they are still really glad to see me. And that my glasses are ready. I return to the van, having used 10 minutes of the 90 that I paid for.
I decide that 1) I will look into opening a parking lot in Regina and that 2) I will get the van washed. I have 11/2 hours until my NEXT appointment (aquacize class) at 5:00. Bet you didn't see that coming did you!
You never realize how stupid you really are until you are forced to speak with the pimply faced punk sitting behind the glass at a gas station/car wash. "Ahhh, the best car was would be the Ultimate" he snears in a tone that would rival a clerk at Michaels. "Its $13.95" he replies when asked, and is so clearly done with me and my stupid questions it fairly drips off him. I just hand him the cash and go get a touchless car wash. One should not have to feel humilated to get a clean van, in my humble opinion.
This is the first aquacize class of the year and my instructor has become sadistic and mean over the summer as she pushes us plump aging women further and further into muscle spasm and leg cramps. But, when its over, it feels so good. This just has to be good for you. I will be back next week for more.
Now, you think, my day is coming to an end. But, no. I still have a library meeting to attend. I sprint from the pool soaking wet at 5:55 and proceed to race to my meeting, which starts in Fort QuAppelle at 7:00. I think I can make it. I am wrong. I am 10 minutes late for the meeting and have to POUND on the door to get someone to let me in. I try to slink in quietly but various other board members say "oh its Janet" and "hi Janet" in loud whispers so everyone notices me. They likely would have anyway, as my hair is soaking wet and I smell of chlorine.
The meeting is long, as it is the first one since spring. It finally winds to an end - and I have volunteered for only one job this time. I head home for peace and quiet and supper at 8:30, almost 12 hours since I left in the morning.
Has the crappiness of this day ended? You guessed it, no it has not. Jackie Evancho did NOT win America's Got Talent. As one wise man has said "the Americans never get it right".
I left my house at 9:00, needed to get gas before I left town. The cardlock was down. Went to the Scenic to pay for my gas (with some of my precious and limited cash designated for Regina). Person in front of me at the cash register was an idiot and couldn't pick out a chocolate bar and a Leader Post without holding up the line for 5 minutes. (Yes both have gone up in price, yes that is a shame).
Hwy 10 out of town is blocked off. Need to take the detour around. Person in farm truck in front of me is an idiot and is going less that 20km/hr because he does not have his foot on the gas and has plenty of time. I pass on the straight stretch, as do the 30 people behind me. I stop and look both ways, which is stupid as Hwy 10 is blocked off and nobody can go past me. 30 people behind me blow horns and give obscene gestures. I am off, finally, at 9:40 to get to my 10:30 appointment in downtown Regina.
I hit Broad and Vic at 10:30 exactly - so now if I can just find some place to park. I twist and turn though a maze of 2 way streets that are blocked off for construction, and 1 way streets that are now 2-way and past city parking lots that you have to enter from the other side of the block, keeping to my stern rule of right turns only! (It often takes hours, but I can get to anywhere I want to in the city without having to make a left turn.) Anyway, reduced to obscenities and tears I finally find a parking lot that has an opening on the street that I am on, and I really don't know where I am anymore but park there anyway. I pay $3.00 for 1 and a half hours of parking. It is 10:50. I boot it through puddles and back alleys to Avord Towers and head for the 17th floor in the SLOWEST ELEVATOR ON EARTH. I expect to be seriously chastised for being 25 minutes late for my half hour appointment, and am prepared to be humble and apologetic. And to find an optomitrist on the East end of the city.
However, all is hustle and bustle in the office, smiles and welcomes, no mention of seriously late for appointment. I think, wow, that was sure some day. Glad the worse part is over now. Fool!! I hand my glasses over to the young woman who made my appointment and realize things are not going to go as smoothly as hoped when she says "oh oh. Just a minute. I have to check on this". My half hour appointment is now a full day appointment. She assures me the glasses will be ready by 4:00. Okay, so I do have my perscription sunglasses so I can still get around and do the rest of my stuff, and just get back here at 4:00. Its all do-able. /:) I return to the van, having used up about 15 of the 90 minutes I paid for. Obscenity.
I head back out to the east end. I am hungry and I need to get stuff. Yes, yes indeed I know it is a foolish waste of time and resources to go all the way back out to the east end instead of trekking around downtown Regina for food and the stuff I need to get. But, I know that I will be able to find a place to park out there, and that far out weighs any global warming concerns I may have. I pull into the Costco parking lot and have the same secure safe sense of that of a sailor pulling into home port after sailing through a hurricane. There is a space. There is a cart. There are smiling consumers and Costco employees all around me. I am home. I have a hot dog and a drink for $1.99. All is well. I do notice some of my Costco family looking at me strangely, and I do wish that they would turn on more lights, when I realize that I am wearing my sunglasses. Once removed, it is much brighter and people no longer stare, but I have to climb up onto the piles of items to get close enough read the special price tags. Obscenity. I replace my sunglasses and decide to get my stuff done and out of there. I find my birthday present. I find some food items I need. I head to the till and then, obscenity, I realize that my frozen waffles and shepherds pie and really good priced pork chops will have to sit in the van all afternoon. Too late now. I pay and I get out of there.
I head to Michaels. Michaels the superior. Michaels the "even though I work here I am far too superior to you and far too busy to help you find squat". I love the stuff Michaels sells. It is a Love/Hate relationship. Today, primarily hate as most of the items on my extensive painting class list seem to be sold out. Many of the items for the rubber stamping weekend getaway are not available. I ask one clerk for one item and she shakes her head sadly and says she always buys hers when she is in Alberta. I smile and think "obscenity you". I pay for what I have found and just because I am having such a great day I make conversation with the checkout person, and ask if she knows where I might find Art supplies? She gives me the name of a store on Winnipeg St. Wow. That is so helpful. Thank you.
I go BACK into the downtown area, well almost, just as far as Winnipeg st., and start to look for the store called Colours. I find it on the corner of Winnipeg and Eighth, but think that it must be closed. It is a dump. The faded "parking in back sign" is crooked and faded. Oh, well, I have 3 hours to kill so I will go around back. Yeah, there is a parking spot, yeah there is a door, but can this be the building of a business in operation? It certainly is. Anything that I would ever need in terms of Art Supplies is found within this falling down, deserted looking, cluttered, very likely in contrevention of every fire law, place. It is a gloriously confused mess, but a friendly smiling knowledgeable clerk greets you as you walk in the door and guides you through the mess and confusion of items to fulfill your list, offer you a discount because you are taking a class, and never mentions Alberta even one time. OMG. OMG again. I am done within minutes. I have money left "of my precious and limited cash designated for Regina".
I have 21/2 hours to kill. I go to Sears bargain centre. What a bunch of expensive crap there. Keep my money, but buy a coffee. That whole adventure killed 20 minutes. I pick up a flyer on my way out of the building, and sit in the car sipping coffee and reading a flyer about a bunch of expensive crap. Another 10 minutes has flown by. Okay. I will head back to the optomitrist. I find the same parking lot. I pay $3.00 for another hour and a half, as I am about that much early. I slog my way back to the building, get in the elevator which fairly ZOOMS to the 17th floor. And arrive at the office only to find that they are still really glad to see me. And that my glasses are ready. I return to the van, having used 10 minutes of the 90 that I paid for.
I decide that 1) I will look into opening a parking lot in Regina and that 2) I will get the van washed. I have 11/2 hours until my NEXT appointment (aquacize class) at 5:00. Bet you didn't see that coming did you!
You never realize how stupid you really are until you are forced to speak with the pimply faced punk sitting behind the glass at a gas station/car wash. "Ahhh, the best car was would be the Ultimate" he snears in a tone that would rival a clerk at Michaels. "Its $13.95" he replies when asked, and is so clearly done with me and my stupid questions it fairly drips off him. I just hand him the cash and go get a touchless car wash. One should not have to feel humilated to get a clean van, in my humble opinion.
This is the first aquacize class of the year and my instructor has become sadistic and mean over the summer as she pushes us plump aging women further and further into muscle spasm and leg cramps. But, when its over, it feels so good. This just has to be good for you. I will be back next week for more.
Now, you think, my day is coming to an end. But, no. I still have a library meeting to attend. I sprint from the pool soaking wet at 5:55 and proceed to race to my meeting, which starts in Fort QuAppelle at 7:00. I think I can make it. I am wrong. I am 10 minutes late for the meeting and have to POUND on the door to get someone to let me in. I try to slink in quietly but various other board members say "oh its Janet" and "hi Janet" in loud whispers so everyone notices me. They likely would have anyway, as my hair is soaking wet and I smell of chlorine.
The meeting is long, as it is the first one since spring. It finally winds to an end - and I have volunteered for only one job this time. I head home for peace and quiet and supper at 8:30, almost 12 hours since I left in the morning.
Has the crappiness of this day ended? You guessed it, no it has not. Jackie Evancho did NOT win America's Got Talent. As one wise man has said "the Americans never get it right".
/bye
Monday, September 13, 2010
Borrowed Pets
Yesterday was "Take your pet to Church" day. The service was held outside on the lawn, and it was a glorious day to be outside, on lawn chairs, with your pet.
In typical Griswald fashion, a dog was borrowed for Kenzie. Holly picked up Java about 10:00 from Jobe. Somehow, walking the dog to church came up. Kenzie was all over that bleeting that "he needed some fwesh air". Kaida, in typical Kaida fashion, could see the dog yawning and thought all should ride to church (not into exercise so much, our Kaida). Off to church they walked.
I met them with the van at the church, in plenty of time, and got us all set up in our lawn chairs with the girls, their mother and the dog. There were no other pets there, but a real variety of dogs. Some were very large, most were pretty small and one was a dog who had been blind all of his life but after some serious surgery, he could see. I don't think he was all that impressed with what there was to see, as he growled at everything that came near him. But it was really a lovely thing, to be outside worshiping, praying and singing on one of the most beautiful days we have had in a long time. The dog was well behaved. The girls were too - and off they went to Sunday school.
When it came time to bless the dogs, Holly thought, seeing as it wasn't even her dog, she would just sit this part out. Java was having none of that and trotted off to receive the blessing to which he was entitled. Holly stumbled along behind.
All in all it was a wonderful thing to do on a Sunday morning. Too bad it had to be followed by a crappy Riders loss. Guess I should have included them in my prayers.
In typical Griswald fashion, a dog was borrowed for Kenzie. Holly picked up Java about 10:00 from Jobe. Somehow, walking the dog to church came up. Kenzie was all over that bleeting that "he needed some fwesh air". Kaida, in typical Kaida fashion, could see the dog yawning and thought all should ride to church (not into exercise so much, our Kaida). Off to church they walked.
I met them with the van at the church, in plenty of time, and got us all set up in our lawn chairs with the girls, their mother and the dog. There were no other pets there, but a real variety of dogs. Some were very large, most were pretty small and one was a dog who had been blind all of his life but after some serious surgery, he could see. I don't think he was all that impressed with what there was to see, as he growled at everything that came near him. But it was really a lovely thing, to be outside worshiping, praying and singing on one of the most beautiful days we have had in a long time. The dog was well behaved. The girls were too - and off they went to Sunday school.
When it came time to bless the dogs, Holly thought, seeing as it wasn't even her dog, she would just sit this part out. Java was having none of that and trotted off to receive the blessing to which he was entitled. Holly stumbled along behind.
All in all it was a wonderful thing to do on a Sunday morning. Too bad it had to be followed by a crappy Riders loss. Guess I should have included them in my prayers.
/bye
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Weddings.
This is the card I made for Kayli and Jaymie's wedding. Their colours were black and pink - very elegant. The wedding was in Lebret, the ceremony by the lake. It was all very nice, followed by good food and then the dance. We had a wonderful time visiting with family and friends that we hadn't seen for a long while, as well as visiting with people we should see way more often. All this fun lasted waaaaay past 10:00 (10:30) and then we had to head home - pretty lame, I know.We were invited to two weddings this summer, and they were both on the same day. We chose the one close to home incase Murray "had" to work. Have I mentioned that he totally sucks at retiring? He does.
Kenzie started kindergarten yesterday, and it was a huge deal. Can't wait to hear about it when she comes today.
Friday, September 3, 2010
OMG September!
It is already September 3! Wow. Today looks like it could be a nice day, but a nice FALL day. I really am not that concerned about the weather, but the days pass way faster than I ever remember them doing. Maybe it is because I am slower than before? I like fall, but it isn't my favourite time of year. The colours are pretty, but I like the vibrant green of spring and the white of winter better. Are those symbols of (re)birth and rest (death?). What does that say about me? Is it too early in the day for such introspection? It certainly is. But it is never too early for a rant!
I am amazed at the people who worry about the weather. People who have nothing to do in the weather but get from their house to their car, and then into the office, and then back home again. How bad can it get? They fret and worry and carry on about "We didn't get any summer" or "I hate winter" or in the middle of the workday as they sit at their desks procrastinating they will exclaim in utter dismay "It is raining AGAIN". Well sure it is, but so far your computer is working, so why don't you give that a try?
I refuse to worry about the weather, which is a direct result of loosing sleep over the weather for over 33 years. When we farmed rain, drought, frost, heat, snow, wind - all of these things could twist me into a knot of worry. We had several thermometers and were vigilant in checking them, listened to the weather as often as we could (those were the days before the weather channel). Our children knew to stand away from the TV in reverent silence when the weatherman was on the screen. When we grew strawberries those cool nights of April and May would have me tossing and turning and leaping out of bed to check on the temperature all night long. I know there was nothing I could do if it did freeze, and a sensible person would have gotten much needed sleep. But I am just not wired that way.
Now - I just don't care. Rain - go ahead. Drought - no probs. Freeze - well I will pick off my tomatoes - if I feel like it. Lots of snow - that is so pretty. No snow cover - who cares? Minus 50, plus 30 - its all good. And there is nothing you can do about it anyway. I have no vested interest in the weather and I just love it.
I am amazed at the people who worry about the weather. People who have nothing to do in the weather but get from their house to their car, and then into the office, and then back home again. How bad can it get? They fret and worry and carry on about "We didn't get any summer" or "I hate winter" or in the middle of the workday as they sit at their desks procrastinating they will exclaim in utter dismay "It is raining AGAIN". Well sure it is, but so far your computer is working, so why don't you give that a try?
I refuse to worry about the weather, which is a direct result of loosing sleep over the weather for over 33 years. When we farmed rain, drought, frost, heat, snow, wind - all of these things could twist me into a knot of worry. We had several thermometers and were vigilant in checking them, listened to the weather as often as we could (those were the days before the weather channel). Our children knew to stand away from the TV in reverent silence when the weatherman was on the screen. When we grew strawberries those cool nights of April and May would have me tossing and turning and leaping out of bed to check on the temperature all night long. I know there was nothing I could do if it did freeze, and a sensible person would have gotten much needed sleep. But I am just not wired that way.
Now - I just don't care. Rain - go ahead. Drought - no probs. Freeze - well I will pick off my tomatoes - if I feel like it. Lots of snow - that is so pretty. No snow cover - who cares? Minus 50, plus 30 - its all good. And there is nothing you can do about it anyway. I have no vested interest in the weather and I just love it.
/bye
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