Phew...

2012 is nearly over, and we made it!  I watched the movie 2012 yesterday - I'm thankful the year didn't end as the movie depicted.  I'm also thankful I didn't see the movie until the year was almost over!

Some random thoughts about the year:

First the weather - January was mild, with only a few days of cold (which I missed while I was on my trip) and oh my, how I wish this winter was shaping up that way.  Winter hit our area in early November, and it's been cold and snowy ever since.  Only three and a half more months to go! :(

Spring was wet and summer was late arriving.  We had several big storms this summer but none that created major issues.  My favorite storm occurred the night we saw the bubble clouds

It was a good year for my containers.  Though, note to self...less is more!  My goal is to reduce the number of containers to no more than 20 next spring.  Can I do it?

Fall was lovely but didn't last nearly long enough.  (See my comments on winter).  I did get the yard cleaned up this year before the snow fell.  

On the work front, it's been more than a stressful year.  I don't see that changing anytime soon as we're all expecting 2013 to bring even more changes.  Starting next week I have two employees coming to my team whose division has been shut down.  I won't be surprised if they exhibit some resentment over the next few weeks.  

My son C is still NOT working...and I've basically given up.  As long as he has money in the bank, pays his rent, and helps out there is no point in my voicing my concerns.  At 25 he knows way more than I do.   My daughter, on the other hand, continues to enjoy her work.  Her issues, which I won't go into here, are more personal, and again, I've learned to save my breath.  At 31, she also knows way more than I do. ;-)

As always, travelling has been a great stress reliever.  My trip to Saint Lucia and my Caribbean cruise last January, though not planned to be a solo trip, turned out to be a great opportunity to refresh, recharge, and proved to me that travelling alone is something I can do again. 

In May, I truly enjoyed the short cruise to Alaska.  I'll definitely consider a longer cruise through the glaciers at another time. (When I'm over being sick and tired of winter!)

I've  learned this year, that I've become less accepting of change.  I used to relish change, looking forward to new challenges and learning experiences.  I don't know if it is simply a trait that comes along with age, or if I'm just becoming a curmudgeon.  Perhaps a little bit of both. :-)  Even something as simple as making the change to e-books was enough to send me into a rant.  Silly me...I now have managed to load 7 books on my new Kobo.   Just imagine how much less space that will take in my luggage.

The other thing I've learned this year, is how beneficial blogging has been to relieving my stress.  I can say pretty much anything I want, and so far no one has taken me to task for being out of line (or perhaps out of touch). I've met some wonderful people (that would be you!) and learned so much from the writing of others.  I've learned I'm not the only "crazy cat lady", nor I am the only one whose children occasionally cause me frustration, and I'm not the only one going through massive changes in the workplace.  I always knew I wasn't the only one...but reading that others are living through the same things is both comforting and uplifting.  Thank you to each and everyone of you for being here for me this year.

Despite some of the challenges to come, I know I'm looking forward to 2013.  I wish all my readers a very Happy New Year, and hope that 2013 brings good health, good friends, and much prosperity your way!

Time for a nap!

Twas early on Boxing Day morning, and all through my house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a windup toy mouse.
My son was still sleeping, while my daughter and I
Were wandering the stores, visions of deals in our eyes.

'Nuf of that - I'm too tired to think of what rhymes with Kobo.  We were up and out of the house by 6 this morning.  Walmart, Michael's, Staples, The Brick, Canadian Tire, Shoppers, and Ricki's are all a little better off today after our visits!

Walmart was a bit of a bust compared to previous years, though had I been in the market for another TV, they had a 50" LED RCA model for under $600.  We did get a few groceries, some toiletries, and a few DVD's.

Michael's was great, as they had their storage items on sale at 50% off.  Plus my daughter had received a coupon for an additional 25% off all regular and sale priced items.  She got a couple of storage pieces for her scrapbooking so hopefully will get the area organized by the time she goes back to work next week.  I bought more yarn, it was such a good deal at 50% off and D paid for the yarn so we could use the coupon for my items as well.  I plan to crotchet an afghan for the spare room (yes, I know I have one started about the time I began blogging..it's not finished). This one is granny squares so hopefully with one square at a time I'll get it finished by next Christm
At Staples I got the Kobo Glo to replace the Kobo that was broken.  It wasn`t on sale - Merry Christmas to me!  I did get the Norton protection software, regular $79.99 for $19.99.  Makes one wonder what the true mark up is on those products.  My daughter bought herself a label maker - apparently she thinks it will help her be more organized.  I sure hope she's right!

We went to Canadian Tire to get plastic storage bins, but they didn't have the ones I wanted in stock.  January - Walmart...I'm sure they'll be on sale then.  D picked up a wooden bookshelf for $19.99 and when we got home she told her brother he gets to put it together.

At the Brick I ordered a small television stand.  The one I have doesn't hold the cable box or Wii so I have a small end table beside the television to hold these items.  The new one holds up to a 50": television...hmmm maybe I should have bought a new one at Walmart...and has two glass doors as well as openings for the components. I have to pick it up on Saturday at their warehouse location.

We ended up at Shoppers because Ricki's didn't open until 9:30.  I found a little stuffed reindeer on sale which I've added to my stuffed critter collection.  I didn't need it but it was too cute..and too inexpensive.

Ricki's didn't have the sale they've had in the past.  I did get a pair of jeans and three t-shirts for a reasonable price.  I need the t-shirts for my vacation.  The jeans I need because.... OMG....I've actually lost 8 pounds since the beginning of November.  A little more activity and a little less filling of the face seems to be working for me though I've been afraid to step on the scale the last couple of days.

This afternoon I'm going to call CAA to come boost my car.  The cord on my car snapped in the cold, and with this morning's balmy temperature of -30C, my car is "like a rock".  I'll trade places with my daughter in the garage until I can get the car into the shop to be repaired.

For now, though, I'm tired and ready for a morning nap!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying Boxing Day as well.

Ooops!

My daughter gave me her Kobo recently after she got a new one from the manufacturer.  Apparently, they had promised her it would hold far more books than hers actually did.  After much back and forth, they gave up and gave her a new one with more capacity.  Though I'm not a real fan of the e-reader she gave it to me to try.

Don't get me wrong, I think an e-reader has it's time and place.  I will certainly appreciate the storage and the weight of it when I travel.

But unlike the computer that replaced the typewriter, I don't see the e-reader replacing the book.  There is something about the weight of a book, the smell of the ink, and turning of the pages that will never be replicated in a digital device.

I've been using the Kobo at night before I go to bed, reading a chapter of "Stranger in Paradise" by Eileen Goudge.  It's the first book I purchased after D gave me the Kobo and it cost a whopping $2.02 Cdn.  It wasn't until I started reading it on the Kobo that I realized I'd read it previously.  Another thing about an e-reader, unless there is a preview I risk buying something I've read before.

I was surprised to find the cost of most books for the e-reader are not much different than purchasing the real thing.  And I suspect I won't find any deals at garage sales as I do with regular books.

But I have come around a little and find I don't mind reading from the e-reader occasionally.  For now though I'm back to my books, because today some one - some cat perhaps - I'm not certain who knocked the Kobo off the nightstand.  It's no longer working so on Boxing Day I'll be purchasing my own.

There's another reason for keeping books around!

Hope your weekend is going well.  I'm not sure how I'll be posting over the next few days so...

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!

What would you do?

I have a bit of dilemma, or perhaps better described as a conundrum that I want some impartial advice on.

Frankly, advice from the perspective of "I don't give a crap" will probably be the best"

Here it is:

My counterpart in the office is retiring after 35 years with our organization.  I knew this man before I came to work here as he was a customer when I working the financial industry.  We've always had a passing acquaintance and in the past few years we've worked in the same program area, and for three years I've done the same job as he (is expected to).  

The unfortunate part is, G checked out probably 5 years ago or more.  He still came to work pretty much every day and managed to do the least amount of work possible in that time.  No one took him to task, and the longer he was left to do as he pleased, the less he did and the more he disengaged.

His employees have been the most impacted by this, and have mostly learned to manage themselves.  When I became aware that he was no longer sending them the information they needed to keep them current on procedures and policies, I began sending it to them when I sent it to my team.  I held joint meetings when I felt something was particularly important so they didn't get left behind.

So here's my dilemma.  His retirement event is being held early in January and the entire office has been invited.  As he is part of my work group, I should probably attend.  BUT I don't want to!  I've lost all respect for this man in the last couple of years especially.  I've never directly worked for him or even gone for coffee with him.  I am actually thrilled that he's finally retiring...it should have happened years ago!

So do I do the decent thing and go for a little while or do I do the decent thing and not go (it's being held in a bar, there will be liquor involved, I might just say something I shouldn't).  The invite came with RSVP so I'm going to have to respond one or the other before the end of next week.  

What do you think?  What would you do?

The to-do list

One more thing to cross off my to-do list!  I got my Christmas letter written, printed, and my cards addressed and ready to go. 

One more thing to add to my to-do list.  I just have to remember to mail the darned things.  I was cleaning the desk the other day and found last year's letters.  I don't know if I sent cards or not...is it menopause memory or early on-set Alzheimer's?

I realized today I'm not entirely finished my Christmas shopping :-( .  A couple of weeks ago, I offered to collect from our group of supervisors for a gift for our boss.  I've collected the money...but not bought the gift yet.  Fortunately, the gift I plan to buy is available at the business across the street from the office...I just have to remember to go there tomorrow to buy it.  

I'm absolutely certain I've forgotten something else, but darned if I can remember what it is.  It is such an unsettling feeling, I feel the need to make a list and check it twice.

Let's see:

Tree and decorations 

Gifts purchased  with one small exception noted above

Gifts wrapped  mostly, just the ones for my kids to be done...it wouldn't be Christmas if I wasn't wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve, right?

Christmas baking  I'm done, done, done...well unless I decide to make one more batch of shortbread

Christmas cards and letters written, just have to be mailed

Gift exchange - with friends and family still to be arranged

Christmas dinner - roast beef this year - as requested by my kids.  To go along with the roast will be stove top stuffing...because it wouldn't be Christmas without it.  Roast is in the freezer, still have to get the veg.  Dessert will be whatever is left of the Christmas baking.

No inspiration there...I guess I'll have to wait until I wake in the night in a panic because I suddenly remember what it is that I think I've forgotten.  

Or I can choose to sit back, relax, enjoy the glow of the Christmas lights on the tree and be grateful for crossing off most of the items on my list.  Besides if this memory issue is early on-set Alzheimer's in a few months it won't matter because I won't remember that I can't remember.  Maybe?

Counting down

Christmas is only 8 days away!  While that's exciting...it's not quite as exciting as this

It's only 31 more sleeps until my winter vacation!!!

Angelversary

Dear Mom,

It's been 9 years since you left us, and I still think of you nearly every day.  I've stopped picking up the phone to call you, but I often ask myself "what would Mom say about ..."  You cannot know how often I wish I could get an answer directly from you.

I know we didn't always get along.  I'm told I'm so much like you, perhaps that explains our difficulties.  I see the same thing in my daughter.  We're both quick to respond to a situation, sometimes without thinking, and especially with each other there is often misunderstandings.

But we love each other, just I as loved you, and I believe you loved me.  I wish you had been able to say it or show it more clearly, but I understand that was remnant of your childhood and I do not blame you.  Instead I ensure I hug my kids, and say I love you to both at least once a day.  It probably makes them want to gag but it works for me.

As you probably already know we've gone through a lot of changes in the past nine years.  Both C & D grew up (well, physically anyway), moved from home and came back.  I've gotten a couple of promotions at work and we've moved to a bigger home.  When I look at our lives, I hope you would be proud of how far we've come since I told you I was pregnant at the age of 21 and had no intention of marrying my child's father.

It took me a long time to realize how much worry I caused you at the time.  Perhaps my confidence was misguided but I learned from you there was nothing I couldn't do if I set my mind do it.  You provided the example.  My life hasn't turned out exactly as I thought it would.....but neither did yours.  I know you dreamed of being a journalist and travelling the world; instead you stayed at home and raised four children, returning to work when we were teenagers.  No traditional job for you though, as you drove a fertilizer truck!

Now I'm the one who gets the opportunity to travel, not for work, but simply for pleasure.  I wish I could have taken you on one of our trips.  I know you would have loved our trip to Alaska, and had you been along we would have made time to visit G and his family on the island.  You'll be happy to know we still keep in touch and someday I will get out there to visit...and maybe even retire.

You won't be so pleased that sister K and I have not spoken since Dad's funeral.  I know you wanted us to stay in touch, but we so little in common, and old wounds that run deep.  I'm sorry, as I know this would disappoint you.  Perhaps a few more years will ease those feelings but for now I will leave things as they are.

R and I are closer than ever, we talk at least a couple of times a week.  His kids are closing in on the terrible teens...it's going to fun to watch him deal with them then.  (I'm thinking you thought the same when I was going through this stage with mine).

M was dealt a blow this year, when he was diagnosed with prostrate cancer in February.  Fortunately the radiation seed treatment he underwent has worked, and he is considered cancer free.  Did you have something to do with that, I wonder?

Christmas is always bittersweet, as it brings so many memories.  Not only was it Christmas with all the excitement that garners, but also your birthday.  This year you would have been 84 years old.  How I wish you were here to celebrate the day with us.

I love you, always and forever,

Eileen

Time flies

Okay, somebody tell me where the week went?  Wasn't it just Monday and wasn't I just complaining about the weather?  I don't know if it is work, or Christmas, a combination of both, or just plain laziness but I seem to be so far behind where I think I should be on the 15th of December.

I can report I am finally done my Christmas shopping.  I got the last couple of gifts yesterday after work.  I also got the opportunity to watch a shoplifter walk out of a store, alarms ringing, while the clerks at the tills asked one another...did she go through your till?  This was in broad daylight, it was obvious she had something under her coat, but was obviously unconcerned as she marched across the parking lot to a waiting vehicle.  Do you suppose she got tired of waiting in the queue?

My Christmas letters, started in late November, continue to wait for me to get back to my desk.  I have a sneaky suspicion they'll end up with last year's letters that I tossed in the recycling a few weeks ago.  Sigh..I am horrible correspondent.

The gifts lie piled in the closet waiting to be wrapped.  Under the tree, are my daughter's gifts, all beautifully wrapped and staring accusingly at me.  On the other hand there is room for Saku still to relax.(This pictures is from last year..still trying to decide what to do about the picture issue)

At work, my to-do list seems to be longer than my arm. It's mid-point of the year so there are meetings to discuss our results thus far, reports to write about our results thus far, and more meetings to discuss the reports.  Add to this the daily meetings with staff, notes to be taken and written up, the semi-annual reviews, plus committee meetings to attend next week and I'm already feeling overwhelmed.

Part of the reason for the glut of work is that I was away for the a day an a half this week at a conference.  So although I'm now slammed at work, I'm still glad I got the opportunity.  We saw and heard from some remarkable speakers (and a couple not so much).  When I got back to work on Thursday, it was a write-off as I spent my day in training and meetings before leaving to join my team for our Christmas event.  That was great, getting away mid-afternoon, having a long lunch, a couple of drinks, and many laughs.

Despite the fact there is so much to do, and not a lot of time to get it done, I've declared today pajama day!  It's nearly 3 p.m. and I'm sitting here in my pj's relaxing, watching curling on television, cuddled with Sasha, and catching up with my blogging friends.  Ahhh.....now that feels awesome!

Hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing weekend too!

We will not forget this day

My sympathies go out to all those affected by the tragedy in Connecticut.  There are no words to express my outrage, my horror, and the overwhelming feelings of sadness that someone could take the lives of so many innocent children.  We may never know the why but I know this day will remain in our collectives as long as we draw breath.

We will remember them.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.  

It's gonna be a long winter!

We're into day four thousand seven hundred and ninety fourth day of cold weather.  Today, to add insult to injury, it's snowing.   For those of you who may not have experienced this type of winter weather, it's not supposed to snow when it's cold.  But I guess Mother Nature didn't get that memo this year.

Sometimes I think we need to turn the clock back to earlier times.  My dad was born in 1910 and he used to tell us stories of staying at home for weeks on end in the winter when the cold or snow became too much.  They would go out and chop wood for the stove, gather snow for water, and feed the animals.  He told us they would tie a rope between the barn and the house to ensure they didn't get lost when there was a blizzard.  As far as I'm concerned, they showed some common sense.

Today, we get in our cars or get on a bus and drive miles away to go to work despite the weather or condition of the roadways.  Sure, the likelihood of us getting lost or freezing to death is lower than it was a hundred years ago.  But there are times, especially when the wind chill reaches -40C and lower that I truly wonder, if my ancestors didn't have the right idea.

Though, to be honest, if I could turn back time, I'd b*tch slap my grandparents for moving to this province!
Well that's enough complaining, time to go check out the real estate in warmer climates again.

Stay safe and warm where every you are.

Random thoughts on a Monday

It was cold in our office today...we think Public Works turned off down the heat over the weekend.  And then turned the heat up at 7 a.m.  Why would someone think a half hour would be sufficient to heat up a four story building when it was -20 (and lower) all weekend?

I just got home from my tanning appointment.  I finally feel warm all the way through. Just 37 more sleeps until my vacation!

Why do my neighbours park on the street?  They have a single car garage and two parking spaces on their driveway, and only two vehicles.  Worse still, they live on the curve of crescent so it always looks as though they've abandoned their vehicles on the street.

It's snowing again, light, fluffy, pretty flakes are falling.  It makes me think of Christmas.  But it also appears to have sucked the brains out of the heads of fellow drivers.  Today's drive home was 30 minutes instead of 15...and there was no more than a skiff of snow on the streets. Get snow tires folks!

Why does Saku insist on eating so much he yaks up his dinner?  I wouldn't mind if this was a rare occurrence but it happens every two to three nights.  Dumb cat!

Why don't I leave Saku's mess for my daughter to clean up?  As she keeps reminding me, he's her cat...except when it comes to feeding, cleaning up yak, or poop, or hairballs...never mind the last one is Sasha, no Saku.

Who will win "The Voice"?  I'm cheering for Terry McDermott.  Not only does he have an incredible voice, but he's sort of cute in a young kind of way, and I love the accent!

Hope you all had a wonderful, warm, and stress free Monday!

Sunday shopping hangover

It's freaking cold out there!  Current temperature is -23C (-9F) with the windchill near -30C (-22F).  And it even snowed a little bit.  I am so tire!d of winter and it isn't even officially here yet.

I plan to stay indoors today, do a little more baking, and finish the laundry I started on Friday.  I complain when my daughter does that, guess I should cut her some slack.

Yesterday I finished my Christmas shopping.  Thank goodness, because the crowds are getting too much for me.  I live within a 5-10 minute drive to the east end shopping are.  Normally that's a good thing but yesterday the traffic was so busy, it was difficult to go from one end Quance Street to the other.  Of course, if people would quit trying to make left turns off the street where there are no lights it would keep traffic moving.  ARRRGGH!

I started out at Winners Home Sense, one of my favorite stores.  There is always something interesting and unique, though I must admit sometimes it's frustrating to have to pick through things.  From there I headed to Walmart where I got my gift for Adopt-a-family and a few groceries.  My Costco membership card had arrived in the mail, so I went there.....it was so freaking busy I should have turned around and left.  My purchases there were a crockpot to replace the one I broke the other day, and a new set of cutlery.  (In other words, gifts for me!)

By then I was tired, and ready to go home for a bit.  I booked a tanning appointment (my first of the season...it will be time for my vacation soon!) and after warming up through and through, I headed over to mall to pick up a few more groceries.  Last stop of the day was Canadian Tire.  If you live in Canada and need a new set of pots and pans, CT had Lagostina sets regularly priced at $799 for $199.  (I don't so I had to pass that bargain up).  My daughter says the manufacturer must be coming out with a new model and is paying the store to sell off the old stock.  How different can pots and pans be?

At this point, not only were my feet and back killing me, but my wallet was feeling the pain too! Time to stop shopping before I dropped.

Well, the laundry is still waiting so I guess I'd best go take care of it before I need to re-wash a load.  Happy Sunday everyone!

Friday family fun

Phew...the dishwasher is running, the table is back to the setting for four, and the cookies are all eaten.  My brother and his wife, and their two children came for dinner this evening.  My nephew K turned 12 last month and Auntie still hadn't gotten his gift to him, shame!  

I don't often entertain, so even having the four of them over for dinner is a bit of production.  I know there are people out there who can make dinner for a dozen without a hair out of place.  I'm in panic mode from 9 a.m. onward, afraid the food isn't going to taste right, or I won't make enough for everyone, or someone will find that area of the house I didn't get tidied.  Or horrors of all horrors, one of the cats will hack a hairball while we're relaxing after dinner!

Tonight I stuck to the simple; for dinner we had sausage and homemade macaroni and cheese, with salad and cut up veg.  For dessert I had a plate of cookies.  Everything tasted good, though I normally put a bit of onion in my mac and cheese but didn't because of the kids.  I'm pretty sure everyone had enough to eat, no one wandered beyond the main area of the house, and the cats stayed out of the day.  

Sami was the only one   adventurous enough to come within reach of the children.  She let them know if they invaded her space or when she had enough of their petting.  It's funny because they have three porch cats at home they pay no attention to, for the most part.

The biggest excitement tonight was when they arrived.  I haven't seen K & L for a few months (I know I'm not a very good auntie...we only live 30 minutes apart!), and they've both grown at least a couple of inches since summer time.  They love the fact that they are nearly as tall as I am, and I suspect by spring they'll both surpass my height of 5'2".  While there are two years between them L is keeping pace with her brother.  However, as my brother R is 6'3", I assume at some point K will stretch up further than she does.  I guess we have to wait and see.

It was a nice evening and a definite success.  After dinner, the kids found the bucket of Lego and the coloring books and markers I keep for the, while their parents and I enjoyed a pot of tea.  K found America's Funniest Home Videos on the television, so we moved in the living room and watched an episode together before they headed home.  

Perhaps I won't let another year go by before we do this again.  Though I think Sami, Sasha, and Saku would be just as happy if I did!

Wordy Wednesday

Since I still haven't figured out the picture thing, (this won't be a wordless Wednesday, but a wordy Wednesday.  If you don't feel like reading today...skip this post! :-)

Today is my daughter's 31st birthday.  When she woke up this morning I sang a snippet of Happy Birthday, gave her a hug, and said "So this is what 31 feels like...I'd forgotten".  I don't understand but she wasn't all that happy with me.

When she was born, I was 22 years old, single, and living in a remote community in Northern Saskatchewan.  I'd had a scare a couple of months before she was born, when into premature labour, and had been flown south to a major hospital for a few days.  They put on some medication and monitored for a few days before I was sent home.  

This experience made my boss a little nervous so when I decided to head to my parents home at the end of November to await the birth, he was more than okay with that.  Of course, having gone into premature labour, the child decided to hang out well past her best before due date.  After ten months of pregnancy I was ready to pull the kid out myself so my doctor agreed to induce me on the 5th of December.  I think she thought I was serious...

Of course once the date was set, I went into labour in the early hours of December 3.  Yep, two days and a full 48 hours before I actually gave birth.  :-(   Of course, not all of the 48 hours was what is termed "hard labour"....no I only had to suffer through that for 27 hours.  At one point, my pacifist father suggested he was going to go find a gun to put me out of my misery.  I think at the time I was almost in agreement with his suggestion!

When I finally broke down and asked for pain meds saying I can't do this anymore, the lovely witch with a b nurse informed me I should thought about that 9 months previously.  Hard to believe this was 1981, because apparently the stigma of a single mom was still an issue for this woman.

Eventually my doctor decided to leave her Christmas party (at 2 a.m.) to do something to relieve the situation.  She also brought along half the guests, as in the operating room were three other doctors, and three nurses.  I was in severe pain and beyond caring, so I suspect I woke most of the hospital as they transported me from one side of the hospital to the other.  In the operating room, I kept screaming, ``put me out, put me out`` even before they were able to move me on the operating table.  

When I finally woke up a hour later, I learned I'd had a little girl.  I also found out, she had been stuck in the birth canal and when the doctor made her incision she cut D as well.  My tiny wee baby, (7 pounds 15 ounces) had three stitches at the corner of eyebrow, but was otherwise healthy.  Then I went to sleep without even having seen her.

About 9 a.m. someone woke me (a different lovely nurse) and made me get out of bed.  I was okay with that until I moved.  OMG someone cut me in half!  No really, they did...no little four inch transverse incision for me....nosiree.  My incision was vertical and about 5 inches long...I'll leave the rest to your imagination because it's TMI. 

At this point, they brought D in to the room and I forgot everything that had happened in the past two days.  

Looking back, I have to wonder, after everything she put me through, why I took her home.  But then I was in love, with this sweet little pink baby, with blue eyes, and blonde fuzz.  It didn't matter that she peed all over me the first time I changed her, that she spit up every time she was fed even after I burped her thoroughly, and that she didn't sleep through the night until she was six (years, not months old).

You know what, today it doesn't matter either.  I love my grown-up baby girl, no matter what.

Yummy cookies

I have to share this recipe with you, it is that good!  If you like cookies that aren't too sweet, and just a little spicy this one is for you.  It's also an easy cookie because it's a slice and bake recipe, make the dough toss it in the fridge and bake when it's convenient.

Cinnamon-sugar crisps
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
sprinkles

1.  In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.  Beat in egg and vanilla.  Combine the flour, cinnamon, and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well.  Shape into a 12 inch roll, wrap in plastic wrap.  Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.

I made two six inch rolls because transferring a foot long roll seemed too difficult.  I also kept the dough in the fridge from Saturday to Monday evening before I baked the cookies.

2.  Unwrap and cut the cookies into 1/2 inch slices.  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.  Decorate with sprinkles.

3.  Bake at 350F for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.  Remove cookies to wire racks to cool.

The recipe says it will make 3 1/2 dozen but I only managed a little less than 3 cutting the cookies to a thickness of 3/8 inches which is less than they suggested.  Next time I'll cut them less thick and just reduce the cooking time a little bit.

The house smelled all cinnamon-y which makes me think of Christmas.  I think these would be good any time of the year, with different colored sprinkles (or just colored sugar).  Definitely what we call in this household a do-over!  I foresee at least a couple more batches will need to be made for sharing with family, friends, and some for us too!

Lost time

I lost a day yesterday, :-(  Oh I had plans for Sunday - I was going to finish cleaning house and putting things in their places, watch the final games of the Canada Cup of curling and bake the rest of my cookies for the bake sale.

Instead I woke with the worst migraine of my life.  At first I didn't think I could even get out of bed, but I managed to drag my sorry ass out to the medicine cupboard and took a couple of pain killers.   On top of the headache my stomach was giving me grief, so I decided to try some yogurt to settle it down.  BAD IDEA!

As I am heaving my guts out yakking on the porcelain telephone, my daughter called out, "Are you okay?  Can I get you anything?"  If I could have formed a rationale thought and managed to speak in that moment, I'm sure I would have said something rude.

The one thing I hate worse than a migraine is throwing up.  So getting both at the same time was a real treat, not!  A while later I was feeling hungry...really...how did that happen, but I avoided the yogurt this time and had a piece of toast instead.  My headache hadn't dissipated at all so I took another couple of painkillers and lay down on the couch.

I recall seeing the 4th end of the curling women's final and woke just in time for the final (10th) end.  At least our Saskatchewan team won, hurray!

The rest of the day was spent on the couch, dozing and trying not to move too quickly.  I managed to watch most of the men's final, and later caught the Amazing Race episode.  I had a bowl of soup at suppertime and was back in bed by 9 p.m.   I thought for certain I wouldn't sleep last night - but instead, while I woke frequently for brief periods, I slept most of the night through.

Whine, whine, whine...I don't do sick.  Can you tell?

On a happier note, I wrote an exam at work today. (that's not the happy part).  It's for a process for positions at my level, and I wrote to help the assessors determine how much time to allow the candidates to write, and to review the questions for understanding.  The happy part of this story - I finished the exam in less than hour AND I passed! I told my boss I guess this means I get to keep my job :-)

Happy Monday, everyone!

Saturday recap

It's been a busy day!  I finished up my baking...well, almost...the dough for the refrigerator cookies is chilling as I write this.  And I'm sure there will be a few more batches of shortbread to make in the next few weeks.

This morning started early, with a tie-breaker game at the Canada Cup of curling.  The young team (McEwen) from Manitoba beat a really good team from Alberta (Koe) to go on to play in the evening semi-final game.  They are on the ice right now playing the Howard team from Ontario.

In between ends, I was busy putting things away.  Sometimes I think that's the reason my house looks untidy much of the time since so many things haven't found a permanent home.  The piles of books I've been gathering went down to the shelves in the basement.  That reminds me I need to pack up some books to give to charity (or set aside for a garage sale this spring).

The kitchen got another scrubbing.  I seem to be doing that much more frequently especially with all the baking both my daughter and I have been doing.  Oh I did learn the other day, her idea of cleaning up after baking is to wipe the counters, and leave the dishes for mom.  If she weren't so sick I think I'd smack her with a dishrag!

I finished third layer for the toffee bars and made two batches of an unbaked square. It has four ingredients, margarine (or butter), peanut butter, chocolate or butterscotch chips and mini marshmallows. I think I used too many marshmallows because it isn't as candy like as I like.  These are some of my brother's favorites, and will form part of his family's Christmas present this year.

This afternoon while the women were curling (Jones - Manitoba and Nedohin - Alberta) I put together six miniature wreaths.  I had crocheted the wreaths using two colors of green wool.  I sewed them together, and used a chain crochet as a hanger, then clued a small ribbon bow and three poinsettia buttons as embellishments.  They are really cute, but you'll have to take my word for it as I still haven't figured out the storage issue.

I did try to reduce the size of photos currently in the blog, but that didn't seem to work. Perhaps I'll have to break down and buy more storage since I'm such a dolt when it comes to computers.  They are like windshield wipers...working or not working.  (It's an old joke, sorry!)

After I made dinner, I mixed together the cookie dough though I don't think I'll bother baking them until tomorrow since the curling is calling my name.  After that, I think it's off to bed early, a little reading, an d hopefully a good night's sleep.  Tomorrow is another fun packed day.. it's time to vacuum. :-)