My Celebrity Soulmate

I couldn't resist posting this... I found this link via Julie from Abbily Ever After, and thought it was cute.

If PC ever takes off on me, I guess I will have to pursue McDreamy! Who would of guessed my love match would be Patrick Dempsey. I am a huge Grey's Anatomy fan... so I think its fitting that my lust for McDreamy would be brought to light by this little quiz!

Take the Quiz

Who is your celebrity soul mate?

Post your answer in the comments section if you like.

Déjà 20 ans!

It's hard to believe that its been 20 years since Elizabeth Manley won a silver medal at the 1988 Calgary Olympics. Boy do I feel old!

I was 8 at the time, and I can still remember watching her performance with my Mom... and both us getting so excited that she did well enough to win a silver medal. The photo of her biting into the silver medal is one that I have always remembered. I was a figure skater at the time... and just seeing Elizabeth Manley do so well at the Olympics really inspired me - I guess we won't dwell on the fact that her inspiration only last a few years before I ditched figure skating altogether as my competitive curling career took-off (if can even say that!).

At any rate... what a great year that was for Canada's Figure Skating team, not only was Elizabeth Manley a hero in the hearts of Canadians, who can forget the Battle of the Brians that year as well - Brian Bottano vs. Brian Orser... with Canada's Brian Orser finishing second. And in Ice Dancing, a bronze medal was awarded to pair skaters Tracey Wilson and the late Rob McCall.
On the whole the 1988 Olympics didn't prove to be very successful for the country, as we only took home 5 medals in total, none of which were gold: three medals in figure skating, and the other two went to Karen Percy in Downhill Skiing.

However, in 20 years time, I would say we have really evolved as a sporting nation on the international scene... perhaps we've suffered on the figure skating front lately, but I have no doubt that we will have good competitors for that event in 2010.

Today, Elizabeth resides in Ottawa (of all places), and coaches Figure Skating to all ages in Orleans. She is still giving back to a sport that gave her so much so many years ago.

To watch her silver medal performance see the video below (it's not crystal clear but you can still see how well she preformed that night - Amazing!).


Do you remember: the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics...? The silver medal performance of Elizabeth Manley? Or any other highlights from that Olympic games?

I've been hanging around!

Well... its been a week since my last post, and while I wish I could say I won a free vacation and was whisked off to some tropical island for the past week, the truth is I have just been hanging around, doing nothing much at all.

Sad, isn't it?

The truth of the matter is that the Scotties took over my life for the last week. The Scotties, being the Canadian National Women's Curling Championships. With two draws everyday being televised, plus keeping tabs on the morning draw online, it was all very time consuming, yet entertaining.

I spent every free waking moment in front of the tv catching all of the live action on TSN and CBC, and what a great week it was. Now I know most folks don't get too aroused at a game of curling on tv, but nothing getting me energized like a nail-biting game of curling.

Manitoba prevailed this weekend, and I was extremely happy for Ottawa-native Dawn Askin - but it was fairly heart-wrenching to see Alberta lose such a close game after curling well all week long. That's how it goes though, you win some you lose some!

But - I won't bore you with curling details any longer.

The rest of the weekend was spent rather leisurely ... at home doing laundry, groceries, etc. and at my in-laws putting in some quality time there.

I am hoping that since the February curling blitz is over, I can get back to more regular blogging now (that is... until the Brier starts on Saturday!).

How was your weekend? Did you do anything exciting that you would like to share?

Ba-hum-bug!

Well...given that's its the 3rd week of February, I am pretty sure that no one should still have their CHRISMAS LIGHTS on - I don't care how much of a Christmas fanatic you may be, this is me in my ba-hum-bug spirit, telling you that the dream is done - Christmas is over, TURN OFF YOUR LIGHTS.

Seriously... I am not sure if it's just the country folk where I live, or if this is a city-slicker thing too, but I really believe that come the first week of January, Christmas lights should be switched off. Yes, I realize that the cold weather has probably prevented many of us from taking down our Christmas lights... but for the love of god, just because they are still up, doesn't mean they have to be on.

How hard is it to just unplug the Christmas lights and go back to your regular porch light system that you use during the non-Christmas season? For PC and I, it was simply a matter of flicking on/off a different switch.

On the first night when I drive by a place with their Christmas lights still on, I think to myself, perhaps they flicked the wrong switch by ACCIDENT or their kids were fooling around, etc., but then on the second, third, and fourth trips by the same place, I don't give them the benefit of the doubt anymore... I instead put them on my permanent list of 'stupid homeowners'.

Now... I am willing to let those of you off the hook who have clear mini lights on the outside of your place, all year around. I do know a few places that actually look nice with the clear lights on their decks or railings, but the folks that get to me are the ones that have the green, blue, red, and yellow lights still up... (some of them flashing in a sporadic annoying pattern) - these are the people that need to explain themselves - why are your Christmas lights still on?

Blow-up lawn ornaments are whole other post.... if you still have those on your front lawn, I can at least be thankful that we have enough snow this year to bury the damn things! But in years where we get less snow, those things shouldn't be up either - Christmas is over people, get with the times!

Harsh as it may be, this is really my point of view! I actually want to write a letter to my township to let them know that the Christmas decorations that are hanging from the street lights on the main drag also need to be shut off, if not taken down. I mean, we actually have a township road crew that gets paid to do this kind of stuff, so why not utilize them?

I hope all of you don't still have your Christmas lights on... but if by chance you do, and you aren't totally upset at me, please do share your reasons for still having your lights on... I am intrigued to know what's behind your daily decision to keep turning them on, night after night?

Tid-Bits Thursday #4

Welcome to the fourth installement of Tid-Bits Thursday. This one will probably be a little short given that I am super tired, and just want to watch some Oprah and go to bed.

First and foremost....

1. Happy Valentine's Everyone. I tend to find this holiday very over-rated, but the nonetheless, I can't complain on a day that my husband prepares in advance. Most couples are spending a romantic night together, probably out for a nice dinner, etc. - but me, I am at home in front my computer all. by. myself. Yes, PC has hockey tonight, in Peterborough of all places... I am pretty sure he has had to ref on Valentine's Day for oooooooooh the last 6 years (the game assignor must assume if I haven't left him by now, I must be okay with it). Anyways... not to worry, I am perfectly okay with it... or maybe its that I am use to it, but PC did make last night Valentine's day, we made dinner, watched a funny movie, ate cookies and milk for a treat, and he got me a nice card, and gift certificate to WINNERS (yee-haw). He always seems to do well on this little day... perhaps because he knows when he accepts a hockey game on this day, he has to work extra hard! Oh well... he has avoided disaster for yet another year!

2. SNOW... SNOW... SNOW... GO AWAY. We got 10 cms on Tuesday night, and now it's snowing again... for the love of god, make it stop.

3. I am changing teams at work, in officially two weeks... still working in the same spot, but will be joining a new team, to take on some different communication's challenges within the Agency. I am super excited, and can't wait to start.

4. I can hardly believe it's mid-February already... a month ago PC and I were in sunny Dominican living the high life, it's hard to believe it was that long ago... my tan is definitely wearing off, but the memories of the ocean crashing into the beach are still thoughts that cross my mind every. single. day.

5. I have been lagging on making my lunch since ooooh, I returned from Dominican. I need to get back into a routine for grocery buying, eating at home in the evenings, and preparing my lunch the night before. I hate when things get out whack like this, because it takes no motivation at all to stay off track, but so much effort to get myself back on the wagon. I am hoping this weekend I can do a good grocery shop, plan out some decent meals for the week, and then slot in making my lunch around that -we'll see. Anyone have any good menu items they want to suggest for lunches?

6. Tomorrow, I am going for lunch with Chez Roz, an old friend from University, we haven't chatted or visited in a while, so since we are working in closer proximity than in the past we are meeting for lunch tomorrow at Mexi Cala Rosa's. I love eating out on Fridays, it something to look forward to, and puts a rather nice ending on the work week.

That's it, that's all for this installement of Tid-Bits Thursday. Hope everyone enjoyed their V-Day... what did you do? anything exciting? Please, let me live vicariously through you... share the details!

Rascal Flatts Concert

Wow... if I wait any longer to make a post, it will be time for Tid-Bits Thursday again!

Let me give you the update on the Rascal Flatts concert. First of all we had really amazing seats - section A, row 4, seats 5 and 6. No matter what the show was like, we knew we were going to have a great view of everything, and we did (we being my friend Erica/Clapper and I).

The opening act was Kellie Pickler, a former American Idol contestant. She plays the dumb blonde part to a tee... but she really was geniune, and cute, and her music is actually pretty decent. I liked her a lot - she a real southern gal, and she was very personal with the crowd which was great.

She sang some good tunes, including a song about her relationship with her mother, and she also did a good version of Dolly's Parton's 'Working 9 to 5' - gotta love the classics (as she said).

Rascal Flatts opened their portion of the show with a bang ... Me and My Gang, and then followed it up with some good choices, Fast Cars and Freedom, I Melt... they definitely were crowd pleasers.


The middle of show kind of lack something... I thought they could have made better song choices for the Canadian audience, but nonetheless they did entertain for an hour and half, singing some of my favourites including My Wish, Bless the Broken Road, Stand, Winner at a Losing Game.


They closed the show with Life is a Highway, and everyone - I mean everyone was movin and a groovin to close out the night. The light show, stage, and fireworks, really made it a great package of entertainment. Although I didn't fill as fulfill as when I saw Keith Urban, I did have a good time, and the seats we had made it worth every penny!

Have any of you seen Kellie Pickler or Rascal Flatts in concert, what did you think?

Tid-Bits Thursday (on Friday)!

Had good intentions of getting this up yesterday, but good side-tracked and didn't get to finish it until today!

But nonetheless, here is the third installment of Tid-Bits Thursday (on Friday this week)!

1. Check out DaniGirl over at Postcards from the Mothership - she is doing some LIVE labour blogging! Her water broke yesterday, she then proceeded to go out and shovel the driveway, etc - it's really entertaining - I think she is going to deliver today, so keep checking back to her place for pics of the 'Player to be named later' as she calls him!

2. We finally got our La-z-boy chair yesterday. As you may recall, the new chair was suppose to be delivered last Friday, but due to a host of mix-ups last week, the chair never came (after PC was confined to the house last Friday, all. day. long. - can you say NOT HAPPY). We fought with La-z-boy a bit, and after some backing and forthing, they did lower the price of the chair, and we got it yesterday. After work yesterday, PC was deep into an audit, so I took full advantage of the new arrival and managed to fall asleep in it while watching General Hospital. Although I wasn't totally for the La-z-boy, I actually don't think I will be doing any complaining about it. We might even have to get another one - his and hers!

3. I have a thing for drivers who don't turn their lights on in the daytime during a snow storm, fog, rain, or anything in the air that decreases visibility. I mean honest to god, how hard is it to turn on your lights when visibility is low? To me it's common sense, but I guess to others they figure they have nine lives and are invincible. The thing that really gets me is white cars - if you drive a white car in a snow storm, you sure as hell better have your lights on or the next thing your likely to see is the bright lights from the gates of heaven! C'mon people get with the program.

4. PC and I have given up booze for lent. Yes, even delinquent Catholics still follow the rules when it comes to lent. I don't think I will have a problem, but knowing PC, he sometimes forgets he has made this committment when I am not there to remind him! I guess we will see how it goes... only 38 days to go!

5. Still off the coffee.... whoooo - hoooo!

6. Last night I celebrated my birthday with my in-laws... it was a bit belated because we were down South, then my brother-in-law and sister-in-law were down South last week, so we've been hard press to find a good night for everyone, but last night was the night - and it was great!Mom C made her famous donairs, and we followed that up with Ice Cream cake, some fruit, and then gift opening. I got some really nice things for the house - so will definitely be putting them to use soon! Thanks for everything Coleman family.

7. Tonight, is the Rascal Flatts concert and I am soooooooooooo pumped. I love love LOVE Rascal Flatts - they have a new CD out, Still Feels Good, and I love so many of the songs on it. I think between these songs, and their old stuff, this concert won't disappoint. I hope to take some pics and video tonight, so stay tuned for the concert review to follow this weekend. Yee-haw!

8. This weekend's plans include THE CONCERT tonight, Baby Shower tomorrow afternoon, and then some time at home the rest of the weekend to clean, and maybe have a snooze or two in the La-z-boy!

What about you ... anything you would like to add to Tid-Bits Thursday (on Friday) - plans for the weekend? annoyances you've had this week? General b.s you'd like to share - please do!

Pancake Tuesday

Check out this feast!

Tonight, PC and I celebrated Shrove Tuesday... (thanks to a reminder from a good friend). When I was in University, one of my roomies (Erin Boyd) led the breakfast-making supper fesitivities for 4 solid years - it was tradition at 130-O to have pancakes the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, but with my depature into the real world, I have not enjoyed pancakes for supper since then!

In all the years PC and I have been married (speaking as if its been decades!), we have never had breakfast for supper... this was first for us, and it was sooooooooo good, something we might have to do more often, rather than just on Shrove Tuesday!

Do you sometimes cook a big breakfast for supper .... ? Did you celebrate Shrove Tuesday with some pancakes tonight?

I hate my job equals bad customer service.

I am slowly getting sick of people who work at places like Subway, Tim Horton's, or the grocery store... who act like they hate their jobs, and display it so evidently while serving you.

Today I headed to the Subway in the Merivale Mall to grab a sub after finishing up a few quick errands. The lady serving me couldn't have been any more unpleasant. I have actually had her serve me before in the same manner. The first time, you wonder if she is just having a bad day - I mean everyone is entitled to one of those once and while, but now, after having been served 3 or 4 times by this same woman, I have come to realize she hates being a 'sandwich artist' and she doesn't give two hoots about whether the meat and vegetables you ask for, actually make it on the bun you choose.

Today... was no different. This woman is probably late 40s, and she looks as though she's had a bit of a rough life - I don't know this for certain, but the way she presents herself gave me plenty of ideas to work from. I understand that working at Subway probably wasn't at the top of her career aspirations, and no doubt she's only working there to pay the bills, but I have to wonder 'how is this my fault?'

Seriously... why is it that the customers always get the brunt of the bad service when the employee absolutely hates their job? If you hate your job so much, quit, and let somebody who actually wants to be there earning a pay check have the position - the world would be a far better place without somebody slapping on green tomatoes, and squirting way too much sub sauce my chicken, let me tell you!

Subway is not the only place I have noticed unhappy people serving the public. Tim Horton's is another establishment where you can discover unpleasant customer service, for no reason, other than the sheer fact that the employee hates their job. I mean, how hard is it put a few donuts in a box, and put some milk and sugar in a cup. Often times an unhappy employee will over flow your cup with coffee or milk, and then slap a lid on it while it spills out the sides, and then continue on providing shitty service to the next guy in line. I really can't stand this behaviour... as I said earlier 'is my fault this person doesn't like their job?'

Lately, I have added the grocery store as another place to discover poor customer service due unhappy employees. I have been bringing my own bags to the grocery store for over 5 months now, and while I realize it would be easier if one could just slap your groceries into the pre-hung plastic bags at the cash - this defeats the entire purpose of a reusable grocery bag.

However, the cashiers (who in my opinion have it pretty easy), seem to throw fresh veggies, meat, bread, and laundry detergent all in one bag, and then scatter the rest of your items among the remaining bags - sometimes only putting 2 or 3 items in one bag, in order to have to use the easier pre-hung plastic bags. And to top off the entire experience , this is all being done, while the young cashiers converse to one another about their evening plans 'like, I totally want to go to Dairy Queen for a blizzard, but like, it's soooooo cold out, like, I don't know if I will.'

Give me a break people.... what ever happen to good customer service? Mediocre to bad service is becoming the norm, or perhaps my standards are just to high for the type of society we are living in these days. I'm not sure anymore, but when I do experience good customer service, I am going to be writing to the company to let them know what a nice change it was to find a person who really enjoys their job and treats a customer like they appreciate their business!

What about you... have you received any bad customer service as of late? Do tell!