HAD TO BE THERE

I could have posted this last night, but was too busy laughing to myself to even compose anything. I know this story was definitely the 'you had to be there' kind, but nonetheless, I will recount last night's celebrity encounter, and I am sure after reading this you will think to yourself ... I guess I had to be there.

Air, Clapper, Baby, and I met for dinner last at the Lonestar in Ottawa... it has been a long time since the four of us had been together so there was no trouble making conversation. Somewhere throughout the conversation I got the nickname Delma, because Air can not spell the world dilemma, thus making me thing that she wrote an email last week about a woman named Delma who was chopping fire wood in the middle of Hwy 7 - like I said... HAD TO BE THERE.

As Air proceeded to leave the table to go to the bathroom, I saw this scruffy looking character walk by, and then clued in that that it was one the of the guys (hippies) who won the last Amazing Race. As I annouced this at the table, Baby had this dumb look on her face like 'what the hell are you talking about' - then Clapper is so taken by the fact that the scruffy looking character has on bright orange pants with a dark red top, that she can't focus on his face.

As I try to make Baby recall the last Amazing Race where the two hippies won the million dollars, she is still confused saying 'which Amazing Race, the one with the couples?' -- Clapper and I bursted out laughing... 'they all had couples B-A-B-Y'. No sooner does Baby take a time out to process the information, does the second hippy walk by, halt at our table, and takes a seat.

Baby is thinking to herself: who the hell is this guy, he is butt ugly, and looks awful.

Clapper, quicker on the uptake, starts chatting away with the dude.
Air, back from the washroom, is a little taken by his appearance, but nonetheless, engages in conversation.
Baby.... well Baby is still in a daze at this point.

The hippy, introduces himself as Tyler, and gets our names... Erica, Sara, April, and Erin. But on the second recall, he goes with Erica, Sara, Violet, and Stephaine. Baby is back in the game during this point, she thinks the guy is alright, but still hasn't clued into exactly who he is.

As Tyler, leaves the table, Baby starts with the quesitons, and the conversation goes like this:

BABY: So...like who was that?
ME: O.M.G -- Baby... it was the dude from Amazing Race, the hippies that won the last Amazing Race.

Air: Really... they won it? I don't remember them winning it, WOW... that's cool that they WON.
Clapper: Yeah.. Sar, if you hadn't said that before he came to the table, I would have still been wondering about their attire.

Baby: (3 minutes later). So they won the last Amazing Race?
Everyone: YEAH
Baby: So they won 1 million dollars?
Everyone: (in hysterics) Y-E-S.
Baby: Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeell.... SHIT. If I have known that, I would have been way more excited when he was at the table.

When Baby came out with the 'Weeeeeeeeeeeell... SHIT' line, I spit my drink out on myself (literally). The look on her face when she was processing all the information was priceless.

I know.... you had to be there.

The night went on with more 'had to be there' moments. Baby forgot the name of the first hippy (Tyler) and kept calling him Bruce. The second hippy came by our table too, and Baby and Air introduced themselves as Violet and Stephaine to him. His name was BJ, I said AJ, and then DJ. Then of course we laughed over the fact that his name was BJ (use your imagination people). And finally, somewhere in the converation everyone wonder if Jeff Probst (from Survivor) was with there with them -- I am dying laughing right now while typing this... but of course YOU HAD TO BE THERE.

Today, I am off from French. Our whole class is off, because the teacher started her vacation today... so its good times for everyone involved. I am spending the day preparing everything P and I will need to take for the 1st Annual 130-0 Camp Fest Weekend. It's going to be a long day of preparations, but well worth it in the end. Monday's post will definitely may be full of more had to be there' moments, but of course I will try to take some pics to do the stories justice.

NOTE: Faithful reader Lucy Rolland turns 39 today..... so here is wishing her a healthy and happy day, month, and year ahead!! Santé/Cheers!

A trip down memory lane!

Today during my lunch hour, I decided to head over the University (of Ottawa) to hit up the campus bookstore. For a few months now I have been desperately wanting some new Ottawa U gear... there is nothing like a good Ottawa U sweatshirt to curl up in, during those ultra lazy days.

So... with this notion, I jumped on the bus and proceeded to get off at the Campus stop. When the driver let me off, I headed down the stairs, through the tunnel and up the steps to the Vanier building. I stopped for a moment and took it all in (like as if I had been out of school for 20 years). There I stood with this smirk on face for about 30 seconds before I realized what I was doing. I stood there frozen as if I had walked into a time machine. As lame as it sounds, I almost had a tear!

When people say to you 'enjoy your years at university, they are the best years of your life' - they were DAMN RIGHT!

I never thought that I missed University so much, until I stood on the campus today and thought about the 4 years I spent there. As I looked around, I had stupid little memories of things that happened to me or my roommates at every corner of that school - oh the good ol' days. Of course there were the bad ol' days as well, but the goods one definitely outnumbered the bad.

As I entered the University Center, it was if I had never left.... the door to the Foot Patrol office was starring me in the face, with some loser working the desk, as per usual. I swear they only ever allowed geeks to work there. Then of course there was the 2 CIBC bank machines in the other corner. I remember the day I first went to see the campus before I had decided to go there... my mother noted that there was CIBC bank machines on site, and once I accepted my admission's offer, she immdiately made me open an account with CIBC!

When I finally reached the bookstore, I was surprised to see that they actually had security panels at the doorway, so you couldn't steal anything (anymore). I proceeded to buy a few UofO items and then headed across campus back to French class.

As I was walking out the other side of campus (the side I like to refer to as my old homebase) I saw Thompson residence, the residence I lived in during my first year there. If walls could talk... I bet that place would have some stories to tell. It was a crazy first year... as I look at my life now and the lives at my close friends from University, all I can do is laugh - we had some pretty decent days in that hole of building -- who knew you could share a 6x6 box with another person for a whole year and not commit suicide -- honestly... I don't think I could it again, but at the time it was paradise.

So many things have changed, yet some many things are still the same -- mostly the fact that stories I remember from Thompson are about people (friends) who are still a huge part of my life -- and I guess that is the silver lining of it all.

As I exited my side of campus, I saw the hot dog vendor that sold me one too many dogs in my days there. It was the same man, with the same menu, and surprising the same prices. Some things have changed, but so much of it is still the campus I remembered, and loved!

I know this is kind of a sappy post today, but I really was taken for a ride on the little roller coaster we like to call EMOTIONAL. Don't get me wrong, life is pretty fantastic these days, but its a lot of fun to reminise about years gone by --- I guess that why we call them memories!

An encounter with Dumbo, aujourd'hui.

NOTE: Before I get started with today's rant, I would like to give a shout out to my best friend Kristy Barbie Shagnasty Shaughnessy, who turns 26 today! Although we are miles apart, I am sending you tons of birthday wishes today! Hope you are having a great day, and I can't wait to see you this weekend!

Now... the show must go on!

Today I had my annual visit to the family doctor. While I generally enjoy my doctor, her medical receptionist is a dumb dumb twit (and I say that in the nicest way possible).

This lady, who calls herself a receptionist, but I like to refer to as Dumbo, is consistely bad with computers, bad with telephones, bad with technology in general. When I called a month ago to make the appointment I explained to her that my name had changed, yida yida yida, and she took 20 minutes over the phone to input the correct information. When I showed up to the office today, I slap down my health card as requested and Dumbo vigorously (slow as turtle to me, but racing like a jack rabbit to her) searches the computer appointment software for my information.

And this is when we have the following conversation:

Dumbo: Are you sure you have an appointment today?
Me: Yes at 1:30.

Dumbo: I don't see you on the schedule... what doctor are you seeing?
Me: That's funny, I see myself on the schedule (as I firmly plant my index finger on her screen).

Dumbo: That's can't be... unless you changed your name? But I usually call to confirm and I didn't call a Sara Coleman.
Me: Yes I did change my name, and you called me yesterday and confirmed the appointment.

Dumbo: Oh... well when you change your name you need to call us and report the new information.
Me: Oh... like when I called last month to book this appointment and you changed everything in computer while I was on the phone with you for 20 minutes?

Dumbo: Oh did I... ? This darn computer has been giving me a lot of trouble, it must have not saved your new information.

As Dumbo had this astonished look on her face, I thought to myself:
That's funny, when I was here 15 months ago, seems to me the computer was giving you trouble then -- take a computer course, or quit your job lady!

Honestly... she has zero to zip social skills, she's brutal when it comes to technology, and top it all off when it came time for her to call me into the exam room, she says 'Cara Coleman' - you can have a seat in Room 3.

CARA COLEMAN - you're kidding me.

What a day at the doctor's office!! After my exam, the doctor asked Dumbo to make a copy of my immunization record from 1980, to which Dumbo innocently says: Oh... Sara Bellerose, is she coming in later today to pick this up?

Oh my god... that was the last straw (actually Cara Coleman was the last straw, but this just double underlined and highlighted the last straw)! If it wasn't for the doctor, which I really do like, I would be on first ambulance out of there. Dumbo is frustrating to say the least... however after my encounter with her, I did realize that there is definitely more frustrating things in this world then the French language... so I guess that was today's lesson... as they say, when you lose the fight, don't lose the lesson!

Wedding by Day, Camping by Night

This weekend, P and I travelled to Manitoulin Island to attend a wedding of a friend of mine. My dear friend Terri and her new husband David, exchanged vows Saturday afternoon, during a beautiful ceremony in her parents front yard. The weather could not have been better for this lovely couple.

In a tear-jerking ceremony, Terri and David exchanged vows that they wrote themselves - by far the most sentimental and romantic ceremony I have attended in my history of wedding crashing!

Terri looked beautiful... as did the entire wedding party. The evening was most enjoyable as well... David's parent wrote a song for their son and his new bride and had it recorded and put onto a CD by a local musican, I have never seen anything like that done before in my life! It was a moment of laughter and tears for everyone there... a sweet sweet song to a well known tune, a song just for them!

As well, an extra treat for the audience was the couple's first dance, in which Terri and David impressed their crowd by some swanky ball room dancing moves that they have been practising for a while - perhaps they may be future contestants on Dancing with the Stars... somehow I doubt David will be up for that, but Terri definitely has some potential the famous dipping pose she managed to pull off at the end of the song!

P and I had a great time... the wedding was definitely worth the drive!

As well, P and I got spend some time with my parents as we roughed it their luxurious 5th wheel trailer. I swear there is more room in their trailer then there was in our old apartment. The length of beds leave something to be desired in P's mind... he is just too long for the trailer beds! We roasted a few marshmellows, ate some Cowboy Steaks, and just got a chance to catch up with my soon-to-be officially retired father and his lovely maid, I mean wife (a.k.a MOM)!

Although the drive back seemed somewhat long, we broke the trip up with a quick tour of North Bay from the soon-to-be Chief of North Bay City Police, Mr. Darcy Wall, and a stop at the Laurentien Dairy in Deep River to cap off a great weekend with an ice cream cone!

Since I absolutely love weddings and wedding photos I have attached a few from the day and evening... so enjoy. This wedding marks the mid-way point on this summer's wedding tour.... final stop, Maxville... July 8th!

Dashing Bridesmaids

Giving away the bride

The vows

It's Official

Cut the Cake!

Fancy Dancing!

Fun Portraits!

Small Town Girls! 

Birthday, Wedding, Road Trip

Last night we celebrated the birthday of my MOTHER-IN-LAW. I like to put that word in caps because that is how people usually say it. Lucky for me, birthdays at the IN-LAWS are always a good time: a good meal, some good laughs, and of course a good glass of wine (or two or three or four)! We stayed in Max-Vegas until around 11 pm celebrating the fesitivies of the woman I like to call Mom C!

The night was filled with a variety of gifts for the guest of honour all of which I throughally enjoyed, and would love to have any or all of the items she received in my own possession!

Since Mom C didn't have to suffer through the birth pains for any of her daughter-in-laws, I would say she lucked out with myself and my sister-in-law Angela (TOOT TOOT - boy do her boys know how to choose their women), but of course that is just my well-researched opinion!!

Ange and I each share many of the same tastes, and its always enjoyable when families like the same things, however, it does make gift giving a challenge as sometimes you purchase a gift and just want to keep it all to yourself, but then your conscience kicks in, and of course the love of family comes to mind, and you somewhat force yourself to wrap the gift and pass it on to a loved one!

Oh the dilemina of gift giving when it comes to the Coleman family.... since we all generally enjoy the same things, you search tirelessly because you want to find just the right gift for each member, but 9 times out 10 (atleast in my case) you love the gift so much that its hard to decide who needs the gift more, you or the birthday girl/boy!

Luckily, Mom C's birthday gift was one I could part with... she enjoyed all of her gifts and since it was her birthday, that was what I was going for!!! So... with that accomplishment under my daughter-in-law belt, I am ready to take off on a road tour for another wedding that is happening on Saturday.

P and I are meeting my parents (his IN-LAWS - duh duh dun) on Manitoulin Island as we are attending a wedding of a friend of mine... I am pretty excited as I love weddings, and of course it will be nice to see my parents too. The road trip should be fun as well... P will stop for a milkshake in Deep River, and we will listen to Johnny Cash and the Dixie Chicks all the way there - I can't wait!!!

Although it was said in person last night, blog would like to note a special Happy Birthday to Mom C. (I know a really nice person, who's birthday is TODAY-O ... T, O, D, A, Y... T, O, D,A,Y, ... T, O, D, A ... haha ... just kidding!)

That's all for now... Manitoulin Island doesn't have cell phone reception let alone internet, so I bid farewell until Monday folks!!

Take your cheatin' spouse to the drycleaners!

Not that I have EVER thought about cheating on my spouse, but perhaps I might be pushing for him to cheat on me with the latest decision from our friends at the Supreme Court of Canada. Check out the article in today's Ottawa Sun entitled: Divorce can cost cheaters.

It appears that after 20 years of marriage a husband left his wife for another woman. Now the ex-wife is receiving $2,250 PER MONTH as ruled by the Supreme Court because (and I quote) 'the emotional devastation wrought by a cheatin' heart can be factored into a wronged spouse's ability to earn a livelihood, and thus her need for ongoing spousal support'.

Geeee, just think what you could do with $2,250 per month? It hardly seems necessary to need to work... but if you did continue to work you could enjoy quite the luxurious lifestyle with that chunk of pocket change!

What adds more fuel to the fire in this story is that a lower court described the ex-wife as 'bitter to the point of obsession'. It sounds as though the cheatin' husband has probably had his share of misery since the divorce, and on top of it he is now paying his ex $27 000 a year... HONESTLY.

I feel for people who have been cheated on, but in all seriousness this woman has really pushed the limits by claiming that this breakup has hindered her ability to live. In my opinion she really hit the jackpot. I know that breakups can be hard and often the feelings of betrayal last for years, but if you're still not over a cheatin husband after 8 years it shouldn't be cheater's problem! This lady needs some mental help.

Ahhhhh... since I am happily married I need not analyse this story anymore, but for anyone out there who is having thoughts of adultery... you should ask yourself: DO I have 27 grand to light on fire today?

Sleep tight... nighty night!

The afternoon of crazy street encounters

It seems that hot weather has brought all the crazy in the capital city. When I first moved to the big city of Ottawa from small town Thessalon, I can remember feeling a little uneasy about the street bums, but the longer I've been here, the more I have become accustom to the lunatics that walk the street in broad daylight.

Today... however as I was walking to pick up the car after school, I was forced to walk through a narrow semi-enclosed tunnel (due to the massive amounts of building construction going on these days). While in the tunnel I hear this: 'hey you smokin hot bitch, wanna give me some money?'

Here's what ran through my head:
Ahhhhhhhh... let me think on that one for a minute, after all he did call me smokin hot, but followed it up with the word bitch. Geeee... I just spent my last dime on Timbit, SORRY, but I just can't accomodate your request today, however you have yourself a really nice afternoon SIR.

Honestly... I breezed by the guy without saying a word, but gave a friendly half-ass smirk so he was aware I heard him. Thinking that was the end of my crazy encounter, I headed straight to lights, and as I cross the intersection at Bank and Slater, some crazy lady comes out of nowhere and says 'I'm going blind... I need your sunglasses, your too pretty, you don't need them...pleeeeeeeeease my eyes.'

Okay... so again, I paused, but then continued walking past the lady giving everyone around me the 'WHY ME' look. As I got to the car I replayed her request in my head thinking this:
You do need your eyes checked lady if you think I'm too pretty, and while the sunglasses I am currently sporting only cost me $6, I kinda like them, and well... seeing as you are practically blind anyways, these sunglasses won't exactly solve your problem.... so I think I'll keep them, but thanks for offering to take them off my hands for me.

Everytime I have an encounter with a homeless/street person I always have to analyze my actions, or in these cases, non-actions. This was the case today during my drive home. I asked myself about a dozen times 'Am I acting to good for the less fortunate...?' Yes, it appears so, BUT, I don't think I am too good, I just don't believe in giving money to a guy that looks like he's hammered at 4 pm in the afternoon. And, as for the sunglasses, well... I take the approach that they are mine, I earned the right to buy them, and I feel entitled to my earnings. Now, if I really thought this was going to save the lady's eyesight, I would have given her the sunglasses, but she looked more like she was high, then suffering from some cronic eye disease.

As usual, this whole incident has left me guilt stricken... in the past I have been known to donate a few bucks to local homeless man who I used to see on my way to work every morning. On the cold winter mornings he would be outside the Rideau Centre, POLITELY asking for some 'spare change', and although I was reluctant to give at his first request, the more times he looked me in the eye the more times I recognized him, and finally did offer up some change on a regular basis. It felt good to help out a man that proved to me his situation was real. I doubt I would have received the same gratification today if I had gave some money to the not so smokin hot crazy man.

I dunno... I can analyze and reanalyze each encounter... but the fact of the matter is that these crazy people (or not so crazy people) tend to get to me even thought I like to pretend they don't. Does anyone else have these street encounters that you analyze?? Do you have a heart of stone when it comes to street people, or do you tend help them out? C'mon you big city slickers, how do you deal with your street people encounters?

Triple Cupping has consequences at the local Tim Horton's

Today, while standing in line at MY local Tim Horton's I received a little education when comes to the double cupping policy for Tim Horton's - who knew such a policy existed!

As I entered the Tim's line, I overheard a customer order this:
'ex-large triple triple, triple cup' - I did think the triple cup order was odd, but the conversation that occured between the server and the customer after the order was taken was even more odd.

When the customer requested a triple cup, the employee asked 'will a double cup do?' To which the customer said, 'I still find it too hot with just a double'. The employee then took the conversation to the next authoritative level by explaining to the customer that the chain had a policy on double cupping.

Apparently, double cupping is not to be permitted when the order is for any sized coffee, hot chocolate or cappuchino, but a double cup is permitted on any sized orders for tea. According to Mr. Employee of the Month, triple cupping is strictly out of the question.

The customer, appearing a little upset stated that he has always received a double cup with his order, to which the employee stated in a calm and relaxing manner 'Yes sir, I realize this, but although the double cupping policy is not actively enforced by our chain, triple cupping is.'

WOW -- how do like them apples? Apparently if the customer wants a triple cup its 15 cents extra for the third cup ex-large cup.

The customer was too upset, he aggressively said, 'fine... then gimme me the damn double cup', and stormed out of the place.

I was completely astonished, all this took place while I was in line for my coffee. While I am usually a frequent requestor of the double cup, today I sucked up the D.C. request and just took the steaming hot single cup like a solider going to combat.

Upon arrival to school, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I immediately GOOGLE'd Tim Horton's Double Cup Policy, but did not find anything from the actual Tim Horton's company. However, I did come across this not so recent article on why Tim Horton's won't go to the paper sleeve in order to eliminate double cupping, and more importantly, environmental waste. Apparently, according to the article, Tim Horton's does not have a double cupping policy (contrary to this morning's incident) but, their theory on the paper sleeve (that would reduce waste and be 40% cheaper for the company) is that they are too TRENDY and go against their marketing goals for their target audience.

Again, I was astonished to read this. Now, I am by no means dissing MY coffee chain, but to find that Tim's believes the paper sleeve to be too TRENDY is a bit absurded. A paper sleeve does not define trendy coffee for me... while I realize Tim's is marketable to all Canadians, even the homeless or less fortunate audience, I find it hard to believe that the paper sleeve would hinder their sales. People drink their coffee because its good, not because it requires a double cup (or sometimes a triple one).

C'mon Timmies... do away with your Double/Triple Cupping issues, introduce the sleeve, and keep the environmentalists happy! Either way, I will still probably be a loyal customer, but if the day comes when you try to enforce the double cupping policy on me, I might have to rethink my choice of coffee chains (and that's a big MIGHT)!

Linda & Ray vs. Joan & Mike

WARNING: Major curling discussion ahead... to my faithful readers who don't curl... I will have something a little better for you tomorrow! For the curlers.... read on!!

Last week (yes I know... late breaking news!) ... the CCA and TSN made their big annoucement that TSN would be the sole provider of Canada's curling coverage well into the next decade (2014). Hooo-ray...hooo-rah!

This deal seems like a good move for Canadian curling.... and as a curler, I like the fact that TSN isn't afraid to put curling coverage ahead of 'other' winter sports - and of course this excites me.

However, I will say that even though the CBC has been dumped when it comes to curling coverage, I do feel for Mike Harris and Joan McCusker. I really wish they were moving to TSN. Linda and Ray just don't turn my crank anymore when it comes to curling coverage (I was with them faithfully for about 10 years after they aired my Ask Linda, Vic & Ray question live on tv during their Brier coverage back in the day, but lately I am not feeling them!) ... they never want to get their mouths washed out with soap when it comes to commentating ...were as, on the other hand, Mike Harris has got to be by far the most intuitive commentator there is these days. Mikey isn't afraid to say what every competitive curler is thinking. When I am sitting a home thinking 'why the hell is he calling that shot' - Mikey Boy is saying 'this is a dumb call, I have no idea why he is playing this shot'. You gotta love that in a commentator. He and Joan argue over calls, make off-side comments all the time... I love it. But since CBC is out, so are Mikey and Joan!

Vic Rauter... well, you can't exactly hate him, he's got energy, he's got charisma, and he's got the know how when it comes the TSN Network, but seriously, after 20 years of commentating is it necessary to still ask those 'everyone at home may be wondering' questions?. I hate to break it to TSN, but chances are with the 3 draws a day that they air at the Briers and the Scotties (brutal name), the audience that you have captured are well-educated curlers.... its doubtful that Bobbi-Sue from B.F.N (butt.bleep.nowhere) is just tuning in for the first time because Mr. Dressup went off the air. Give the audience some credit... and if Linda and Ray are going to stick around, tell them to get a little sassy and god forbid get upset over bad calls, and bad strategy (if I have to hear Ray say one more time 'its their first time at the major event like this in an arena setting, they may be a little nervous with crowd... blah blah blah' or 'Colleen is looking firey out there today, she's still got it' - MAKE ME YHACK).

I think the part that gets me is the Linda and Ray are out of the so-called curling loop. Mikey and Joan play in the cash spiels, they are on the circut, and they are in-tune with what's going on in today's curling world. They don't need special media passes to get into the player's lounge... because they are players themselves. They don't have to work at it, they live it. Linda and Ray have the ancient knowledge no doubt, but what good is ancient knowledge of the game if you're not in the players loop. Please TSN, consider Mikey and Joan... if you can't do it for me, do it for the love of the game!

Today's rant is brought to you by Tim Horton's... I should gotta large instead of medium!!!

Those of you who are not curling fans probably didn't get this far, but if you are still with me, thanks for suffering through that!!

Tonight... Game 7 of the Cup... and my last date of the season with my back-up husband Kelly Hrudey... Go Oilers Go!

Happy Father's Day DAD!

Today, as we all know is Father's Day. I am of course 8 hours away from Dad, and while I know he is enjoying his day with the other members of my family, I still want to wish him a Happy Father's Day... from me.

I have always been Daddy's Little Girl. I like to think that my Dad and I have a special relationship. We have never gone through any major crisis... my Dad is a fairly easy going guy, and that makes him a really easy person to talk to, and an easy person to love!

For the majority of my life, I knew it was Dad who you could win over when it came to baragining for something you wanted. Growing up, the parent who I thought would always say no was my Mother. It always seemed easier to present a good argument to my Dad and have him side with you. There weren't too many times when he would say 'Go ask your mother'... so I knew that if I was going to get away with something, I was going to accomplish it through Dad.

These days, its not about getting away with much. I am a grown adult, and Dad recognizes that, a quality that I love about him. For me, my Dad has always been the guiding light in my life (well, both of my parents were the light, but Dad was the voice behind that light). As a father he always confirmed the support that I knew existed from him and my mother. Dad never had trouble telling me that I could do anything I put my mind to or that I was capable of making it on my own. While my mother always had the look, my Dad had the words that validated her look.

On my wedding day, in his speech to P and I, my Dad said this:

'I would like to say to my daughter Sara, we have tried to show guidance, support and love, and equip you will all the tools to be successful in life, but you have reached the point in life from which your greastest journey is about to begin. You and Peter are about to embark on a journey, which can only be limited by your imagination & depths of commitment. We are very happy to call you daughter and son, and we love you very much.'

Those words were from the heart, and meant so much to me. As a father, I know it can never be easy raising daughters. My Dad always had to pretend that he enjoyed walking around a mall for three hours on family vacations, or pretending that doing all the labour on a canoe ride up the river was a good time. He never had boys to teach how to play hockey, but we did come through when it came to curling. Whatever the sport, the chore, or the hobby was, my Dad always gave it his best effort, a fatherly effort that has not gone unnoticed during the course of my life.

Dad... I cannot thank you enjoy for making my childhood memorable. You were always there when I needed you, and were never anything but supportive, loving, and fun to be with. I am proud to have you as my father... and want to tell that I can't imagine what my life would have been like without you in it .... I love you very much, and even though there is 8 hours between us, I will always feel close to you!

Happy Father's Day

1-800-Rent-A-Husband ... No thanks!

So P is out of town for the weekend... yet again (not really, but I like to make it sound that way!). Last night while having the house to myself, I decided to curl up on the couch and watch a movie.

Now, if P were home and we were choosing a movie to watch it would no doubt be something full action, with guns, violence, and the odd F-bomb. However, last night I decided to choose a sappy chick flick, one I knew P would never want to watch.

Thanks to TMN on Demand, there was a slew of movies to choose from. I came across Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. I recall hearing that it was a decent girly-girl flim, so I decided to check it out. 10 minutes into the movie I had the notion to shut it off and just go to bed, but then 35 minutes in I was laughing and experiencing some eagerness for the characters and the storyline.

By the end, I was balling... tears were everywhere. Why do I do this myself?.... these sappy chick flicks get me everytime.

Needless to say, I was exhausted from having a good tear, that I slept like a baby!!! Who needs 1-800-Rent-A-Husband, when a good chick flick will do!

Confessions of a French Student

Today capped off a pretty good week in French.

I have been on stupid dumb shitty crappy french training for 6 months now, but I have finally let go of my anger and actually engaged in some learning. Its been six looooong, but useful months. While I like to pretend its been worse than being held captive in a refugee camp, I have actually come to like my so-called training (shit... did I say that outloud).

Suprisingly, I am making some progress, and suprisingly I have realized that I can learn a second language. I am at the point now where I can actually understand some street French, and not just the dumb sounds my classmates and I make 5 days a week for 8 hours a day.

While I still have a ways to go (a long ways), I am just excited to actually be learning. I might be writing this post because I just got home from school, and this afternoon the teacher allowed us to close up shop early (2 pm) and took us to the French Book Store (La librairie du soleil) which just happens to be located in the Byward Market. It was 25 degrees today, the walk there put me in a pretty good mood. While I thought just gracing the store with my presence would be enough, I actually made my first French literature purchase while I was there, and one that I feel confident I can read.

The book is the french verison of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I am trying forget the fact that this was the same book that Miss Kirby read to my class in Grade 5, but let's face it, that's the level I am at!

Nevertheless, I am pretty satisfied with myself this week in terms of the language training. Next week we will probably be taught some new complicated concepts and I will want to walk out in front of the first bus that drives by -- BUT, for now I will bath in my own sense of self accomplishment, and enjoy the weekend ahead... perhaps even read a few pages of my new book while soaking up some rays in my little francophone neighbourhood!

Ahhh... j'aime le français!

When bad underwear happen to good people

So... I need to get this off my chest, as I have been rather distributed the last few weeks, (since the nice weather began), when I have noticed many women who just need a lesson in wearing appropriate underwear.

There are two extremes to this 'what not wear' segment.

The first is the mid 30s to 40s women who wear nice slacks (yeah... that's right I said slacks!), or skirts that are sleeky contoured to their butts, but they insist on wearing bulky full back underwear with seams. Even baggy slacks show the lines. The sad part is that these women are wearing these underwear because they are comfortable, but who wants to know exactly what type of underwear a person is sporting. They leave nothing to the imagination. It bothers me to know that Mrs. XYZ is wearing high cut full backs that make her bum look hungry - clearly a case of too much information.

The other extreme of the underwear saga is the young teenie boppers (or not so teenie), who have just discovered the thong. The thong was invented to prevent the bulky underwear lines that result from wearing bum-grabbing slacks, but these kids aren't wearing slacks... NOPE... the are wearing low cut-low rise jeans with their ass cracks hanging out, and then the thong is nicely situated over the waist line.

HELLO people...??

The crowd of ladies that insists on full backs need to take the plunge and buy a few thongs for when the slacks shows the lines OR invest in some decent no line full back underwear (YES - they do exist). Not every pair of pants or every skirt needs a thong... all it takes is a few mintues to check out your bum in the mirror and then make a decision. If your underwear line shows, either change your underwear or change your pants. It is that easy.

As for the young-ins... you can wear a thong all you want, but nobody wants to see it. They make low-rise thongs to go with the low rise jeans, so invest the extra $3 dollars and get yourself some to go with your jeans... AND while you're at it, get a belt!

Of course, I am sure at some point in my life I have been victim to the full back panties with slacks, but I learned my lesson and have since moved forward. There is no age limit on thongs... and of course full backs are warranted when the pants agrees with it, but the bottom line is, no one wants to see your underwear (lines or no lines).

Deep breath.... and siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh. Now that I've put that out there I can move on with my day!

Ready for a Camp Out

Tonight while P and I were waiting 5 hours for the potatoes to cook on the BBQ, we decided to bust into some wedding gifts we got back in September. We registered for numerous items, such as a tent, air mattress, sleeping bags, cooking stove, etc. Everything a person (or couple) would need to take a camping excursion.

We do in fact have a camping trip planned with my roommates from university (and co.) for the July 1st long weekend. I figured that we should actually open the camping gear before arriving at the camp ground. Knowing our luck the air mattress would have a hole in it, or the sleeping bag we got would have been a single, instead of a double (you get the picture).

Much to my surprise, the whole air mattress blow-up, and tent set-up was done in under 10 minutes. Can you believe that? The tent we got is HUGE, and the damn thing just pops up LITERALLY. All one has to do is unzip the bag it comes in, lay it out, and before you can say PO-PO ZOW.... it is ready for a party.

We were so estatic about the E-Z Woods Tent, that we decided to put the air mattress in the tent, lay on it, and just picture what it would be like to actually be camping! I was pretty optimistic about the whole camping adventure ahead of us, until P went to get out the tent, farted, and left me inside of it to DIE.

YUP... that's my husband!

I knew the camping thing would have its draw backs!

Showdown at the Card Store

Today during lunch hour, I wolfed down my lunch so that I could take a walk to the card store. As you all know (or let this serve as a reminder) Father's Day is approaching this weekend. I needed to get my favourite father a card for the big day, and get it in the mail pronto so that he will recieve it in time for Sunday's festitivites (which I know my Mom is diligently planning as we speak... LOL!).

At any rate... when I go to buy a card, any card, I never like to go when I am in a hurry because picking the perfect card takes time. I figure that if I am going to spend $4.00 on a piece of fancy paper, it better damn well say the right thing!

So... today I entered the card store with my task clearly in mind, and started searching the rows and rows of cards. To my surprise there weren't that many people in the Father's Day section... however, one lady (who we will call Bad Breath Brenda or BBB) insisted on bumping into me numerous times while she was also searching for the perfect card. I was firmly planted in front of the 'From your Daughter' section when BBB threw her hip into me and reached acrossed my face to grab a card. My blood pressure immediately sky-rocketed (as this was the third time she had bumped me)... could someone be so rude as to box me out of the card section that I was clearly utilizing? The nerve.

I looked BBB squarely in the face, and said:

Oh I'm sorry maaaaaam, did you need me to move? (in the most sarcastic voice possible)

To which she replied:

Well you have been reading the same card for 5 minutes.

To which I wanted to reply:

Actually I am not reading it, I am standing here just to upset you. Is it working?

But instead said:

Oh I'm sorry, I didn't know there was time limit on card selection.

To which she said:

There isn't, but everyone would like to have a look at the cards in front of you.

I thought:

EVERYONE? Give me a break lady.... as my face turned beat red (I am sure of it).

To which I said:

Well lucky for the other two people in this row (a.k.a - EVERYONE), you aren't throwing your hip into them, instead of asking someone to move, politely.

BBB didn't reply, but did let out the stinkiest sigh possible. Luckily for me, I had the perfect card for Dad, and I was on the first bus out there.

Grrrrrrrrrr... somedays I wonder who would actually admit to being a parent to certain types of people in this world. Honestly!

At any rate, it made for a Moody Monday, but nevertheless, P and I are BBQing my favourite meal tonight, steak and tators, so hopefully that will erase the bad memories of my showdown at the card store!

Wonderful Windy Wedding

Well somebody's prayers worked because the rain did hold off all day Saturday, until about 11 pm... so the wedding was able to be held outside and was lovely. What I should have also added on Friday was that prayers for no wind would have been acceptable too!

Saturday blew in and blew out in high fashion I must say. I went to the hall to setup on Saturday morning and the wind was bustin threw the balcony at Mach 10 speed but nevertheless, the day went off (with a few hilarious hitches!).

I think the hall setup went well! Alexis was pleased with my calls, and a lot of people commented on her ideas, so they must have been presented well (toot toot!). The guests gathered about 3:45 pm, but where not going out onto the windy balcony until it was absolutely time for the bride to come down the isle. All the guests did seat themselves when told to so, and the groom and his boys nicely assembled themselves at the front. The music began, the bridesmaids and flower girl went down the aisle very nicely, and then came Alexis and her Dad. I helped them out the door, placed her dress softly blowing in the wind, and sent her down the aisle, or so I thought.

I stepped back inside the doors to let the photographer capture the moment... I stood there happily admiring my friend when a big gust of wind came up and made Alexis' veil take flight, off into the bushes about 50 meters away! The look on her face (I wish I had my camera) was priceless, by far the funniest wedding moment I have ever been apart of! Without thinking, I took off down the stairs, across the lawn, and into the bushes to rescue the veil. We managed to get it back on her head, just in time to get her down the Shaun before the music ended! A small hiccup in what was a beautiful ceremony, wind and all.

After the ceremony... I think Alexis and Shaun were both much more relaxed... the wind was nothing but a distance memory, and as the day carried on, the party was warm and wonderfully enjoyed by everyone who attended. P and I had a great time, we had by far the COOL table (althought I am sure a few will beg to differ on that statement), and of course P had no trouble making friends throughout the night!

Today, we had a quick breakfast with the bride and groom, and then I came home and slept for 4 hours on the couch, while P reffed some hockey.

I have included a few pics from the wedding and reception... for those wedding lovers (like me) who just love to look at wedding photos, no matter whose they are!! Enjoy.

The Ceremony - Glen Mar Golf Club 

Flying Veil! 

Just Married 

Making it official! 

The Bride & her sister 

The Lovely Bride 

The Cake 

All Star Curling Team 

First Dance 

Rain Rain Go AWAY

The rain is coming down... and that is fine for today. But tomorrow, my good friend Alexis is getting married OUTSIDE, and we need the rain to screw off from about 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm. After that rain all you want, but for those 4 hours, please say your GO AWAY RAIN prayers.

I am so adamant about the rain and this wedding because I am helping Miss Alexis decorate the lovely facility that she is having her wedding at. Its a great place without decoration, but she has asked me to oversee all the final touches. I hate to admit it but last night I was a little stressed out about the whole situation (more stressed than I was for my own wedding).

P decided to hit the hay at 9 pm, 2 hours before our usual bedtime and I practically threw a tantrum about needing to be in the bedroom, and getting everything organized. He didn't seem to care... he told me to leave a light on and go about my business! So I did... and he went about his, sleeping through all my 'where the hell is this' and 'OMG... I have to do this'.

All in all, I got everything ready, and I am feeling more confident about the whole task ahead of me tomorrow. Alexis has acquired a lot of lovely decorations, and ideas, so I am happy to be able to carry them out for her.

If it does rain tomorrow, the place is going to look beautiful, and in 10 years, people won't remember that it rained, they will remember how smokin' hot the place looked (at least that is my dream!).

Wish me luck... and I will be sure to post some pictures of the big event on Sunday! But for now... get down on your knees people and send out those prayers!!!

Sleepless in Embrun

After being down for the count for almost 3 days.... I am happy to report that my vital signs have returned to normal and I attended to my regular activities today!

While lying in bed for 3 days straight, I was able to ponder what to blog about upon my recovery, so I suspect you will find the next few posts interesting as I have had days to think over my arguments!

This post dates back to Sunday night, when I had the worse sleep of my life. I was constantly tossing and turning, and P was in fact doing the same, leading me to believe that he was the reason I was tossing and turning.

A while ago, he took a photo of me (to which I won't reveal for the fear of humiliation on my own blog), which he thought displayed the fact that I sprawl out in bed leaving him with little room to no room to get a good night's sleep. In my opinion, the picture infact showed that while I had my arms and legs in full extension, there was still plently of room for P to have a comfortable nights sleep (hence the reason we got the largest size bed possible).

At any rate... continuing on with my story, I discovered that P's argument didn't exactly hold up in court when early Monday morning, I awoke to him sharing the same pillow and my quarter of the bed (why the hell does one need a king size bed when a single will do?).

I was a little upset, as P is no small rodent when it comes to his unconscious state. I tried to push him, physically move him, but to no avail. I had to get up, walk (march) around the bed, and drag the pillow (ever so s l o w l y) across to his side of the bed so that he would awake just long enough realize his pillow was moving, inch by inch by inch, and move the hell over!

This method did infact work, he mumbled something, willing repositioned himself, and I was happily back to bed with in minutes. I did turn on the fan on my way back to my side of bed as I had worked up quite of sweat trying to move him back to his own territory.

HOWEVER, its not likely that I got any of the mandatory R.E.M sleep (rapid eye movement, deepest type of sleep) that night, because it wasn't long until I woke up (teeth chattering) freezing because SOMEONE had the all the covers pinned under them. I yanked and pulled (thought about kicking), and pushed, but there was no moving the dead corps holding them down. I finally did give P a little love tap and VOLIA, the blankets were free... I snatched them up faster than a beaver in a wood shop, and tried to quickly resume my spot in my dream (to which I was just about to win the million on DEAL or NO DEAL).

I don't think it was five minutes, when P was up going to the bathroom, then I had to go to the bathroom, then we were both wide awake at 5 am (might as well stay up awake now, only an hour until the alarm goes off). I laid there thinking about all the times when were dating and we both use to sleep on my little futon or P's less than adequate double mattress... and we thought that life couldn't get any better because we were together.... and oh soooo in love... now even a king size bed can't accomodate our sleeping habits. Our general rule is, if you stretch your arm out and can touch the other person, you are too close.

During my little rendez-vous with the stomach flu, P setup camp in the spare room (for fear the virus would take him down), and I think we both loved every minute of it. I slept like a baby, and I know he did too. I thought sleeping in seperate beds was for couples who were 65 and older... not newlyweds in their mid twenties. Apparently, the marriage vows should have went something like this:

I promise to love you, honour you, and sleep in the same bed with you, yida yida yida

Because seriously.... you can see why couples resort to seperate beds... they want some R.E.M. and if there anything like me... its not pretty when a princess doesn't get her R.E.M!

For now, I guess P and I will continue to tolerate each other's so-called sleeping habits, but the day I turn 65, helloooooooooo to my own bed!

Sick as a dog

I apologize for the lack of posts in the last few days, but I have been on my death bed for the last 24 hours. It appears I have developed some crazy stomach virus, and it has really done a number on me.

Just wanted to let you know... hopefully I will be back tomorrow with a more intelligent post.

Playing Hooky!

If there ever was a morning that I was reminded why I love P so much... it was THIS morning.

We left the house in decent time, but didn't get 2 minutes down the road when P proclaimed 'F&?%, I forgot my sunglasses' ... no big deal, we keep driving as we both knew he could live without them. 5 minutes down the road, he sherks 'F*&$... I forgot my wallet' .... and by the look on his face, it was a big deal, so we turn the Escape around and headed back to our house so that P could get his act together and start the day properly.

Now...while this is all happening I am playing my new Dixie Chicks CD, song no. 1 (Taking the Long Way) on repeat (over and over and over) and singing to the two straws that I am carrying with me (complete with head bobbing and hand movements). I could have been pissed off about having to turn around, but the new Dixie Chicks song had me in a pretty good mood, and while P was getting pretty sick of me singing, he did seem to be in good humour about forgetting his stuff.

So we returned to the house, got his stuff and... we started out again (and the song started over again too!). I complained that I was hungry, and how I should have had breakfast, P complained that the truck needed gas, yada yada yadah.... and as we were approaching the Innes Road exit, the gas light comes on.... and we have the following conversation:

ME: 'Why don't we stop at the Esso on Innes and get some gas before we got to work?'

P: (and here comes the part where I reminded myself why I love P)
'You wanna go to Broadways for Breakfast?'

ME: HELL YA - best idea EVER!

I love breakfast... especially Broadways Breakfast. P had a few minutes to spare, and of course French is never a priority for me (especially on a Friday morning) so we zipped in for a quick BEST BREAKFAST EVER, and we were on our way within 15 minutes. Now... while I could have been dropped off at French by 9:15... and still not have missed any class.... I had P drop me off at the Rideau Center while he continued on to the office. I had intentions of checking my email at my office, but got sidetracked by a hot sale at the GAP! Finally I decided to head to class... and in a leisurely fashion, I strolled down Albert Street soaking up the mid morning sun.

I think this has been the best morning ever in a very long time. A side from reminding myself why I love P so much... I also realized, I was born to play hooky!!!