Journey & Adventure

I had heard on the radio this morning that Archie is finally going to “propose” in the upcoming issue of the Archie’s comic, which just happens to be the 600 th issue. According to the radio story, this “proposal” leaves Betty in tears and Jughead stunned. Do you think it could actually be Veronica? Could she possibly be Archie’s true love? One would hope not. I personally suspect it could be Midge; however if Jughead is “stunned”, could this comic book is turning a corner and the object of Archie’s affection is actually Jughead? Didn’t Sesame Street do something similar with Bert & Ernie? I haven’t read an Archie comic book in years, but I just might to see how the plot unfolds…

I have this feeling all of the time...

My Wish: I don't really have an exciting wish for this week, but a lot of little ones, which is the grand scheme of things are probably significant. I wish I was 20 lbs lighter (at least); I wish I actually liked to exercise (it would make dropping those 20 lbs a lot easier); I wish I enjoyed the taste of cooked vegetables. I don't know if it's the actual taste or the consistency when they are cooked, but either way - they make me gag; I wish I disliked the taste of cold beer(s), BBQ ribs and potato salad; I wish I had a "real" personal trainer to motivate me (not just my husband telling me that I need to run faster on the treadmill in order to see a difference). Yeah - I know he's a treat; I wish I had chubbier friends and co-workers. At least I wouldn't feel so bad about my situation if those around me had the same problem; I wish I had a little more self-control/self-discipline, but this is a tough one for me - particularly since I want to enjoy li...

Today's blog inspiration comes from a post Renée had a couple of weeks ago. Although the first questions has been altered slightly, you will still be able to get a clear enough (albeit disturbing) picture of who I am. What is your best friend's name? Dixie Where is the weirdest place you have a mole? I don't have any moles, but I have a ton of freckles - enough to make up a fabulous tan. Who was the hottest teacher you ever had? Hmm - my Grade 11 theatre arts teacher. Have you ever made out in a movie theatre? No, not in a movie theatre, but plenty of times at the Drive-In. What body part do you wash first? My stomach, arms and then the rest of me. Do you hover over the toilet in public bathrooms? Yes always - there simply isn't any other choice. What's the strangest talent you have? I can do a great impression of Smurfette (minus the blue skin)...(you know, the girl smurf in the cartoon from the 80's). Do you have an innie or an outie? Inn...

Yes, it’s true – I’ve crossed over and am happy to say that I am deeply in love with my MacBook. Having been a PC user for as long as PCs have been around (yes, that long), I have finally made the switch and it’s better than I had imagined. Although we have only been together for 48 hours, I know that there will be no other. It’s true love - the stuff dreams are made of…

If you aren't already familiar with Kiva, let me try and explain or better yet, this this website if you get a chance. Kiva is a non-profit organization that facilitates loans to individuals/small businesses in various developing countries. For $25, you can micro finance a small business of your choice. Although $25 doesn't seem like a great amount of money - it is, especially in areas where money and resources are scarce. For a less than a dinner for two, you can make a world of difference towards the betterment of someone's life. I currently sponsor two individuals. My first loan was to Amina Zahanatia - she operates a poultry business in Tanzania and her loan has been 90% repaid. My second loan was to Queen Okhuahesohan - she runs a small food supply store in Nigeria and her loan has been 25% repaid. The typical life-cycle of a loan is usually 6-12 months and during that time, you will receive updates as to your repayment status. You can either choose to re-loan wha...

Follow the path of your life with patience and never surrender your dreams. Constantly work towards your goals. Believe in good and always be truthful. Take time to enjoy life's pleasures. Keep your mind open to new experiences. Think before acting, but don't forget the joys of spontaneity. Make wise decisions. Look out for yourself, but remember that you share this universe with others. Look for the good in people as everybody has their own song to sing. Live each moment to the fullest, for a moment too soon becomes a memory. Look for opportunities, not guarantees. Hope for the best. Give people a chance to love you, for that is how you learn to love. Be kind to yourself, but always be considerate of others. Look forward to tomorrow, for it holds the key to your dreams.

My Wish: I wish I could afford this pair of D&G sunglasses. I love sunglasses – all shapes, sizes, designs, colors and price ranges. I’m drawn to sunglasses like some women are to shoes, handbags or jewelry. Although I don’t have a large collection (currently only 15 pairs), I rarely pass up an opportunity to stop at any sunglass rack and try a few pairs on. I even check out the Dollar Store’s selection since you never know what you might find and to be honest – cheaper is better because then you can buy more. It’s still nice to dream of owning a pair like this…

I’m sure many of you know what it feels like to work in a cubicle. How is it possible that the lack of personal space can manage to suck the life out of someone on daily basis? Why is it that people believe that a cubicle has the same noise retention qualities as offices? Last time I checked, cubicles didn’t have a door. Get a clue people – those around you can hear everything you say and can really appreciate how stupidly irritaing you sound. It drives me crazy… As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I read contracts for a living and to top things off - because of the boring work, I can be easily distracted and background noise is totally counterproductive for me. Until today, my area of cubicle village has remained relatively quiet. That is until my new neighbor moved in. She hasn’t shut up since she got here this morning. Hopefully the abundance of her flirty blabbering is caused by it being her first day in a new environment and it is not a sign of things ...

As Spring is in full swing and summer is just around a corner or two, flowers are blooming and I’m fondly reminded of my childhood…seems like just yesterday… As a youth restlessness hounded me, as did the need to seek out adventure. Who am I kidding? Restlessness still hounds me, as does my need for adventure, but as I’ve grown older, I typically stop for a moment, albeit a brief moment to contemplate the consequences of my actions. As a youth however, the “consequence of my actions filter” malfunctioned frequently. I don’t start out looking for adventure; however deep down inside, I have the internal desire to find it or perhaps I’m unconsciously willing it to find me. Most would think my saving grace was that I lived in a rural area and the lack of population curbed by ability to find trouble – not the case. If I couldn’t find it within spitting distance, I would simply hitch a ride to town, saddle up my ride or gas up my motorcycle. On the rare occasion, I w...

This weekend has been a busy one. Not only is it a long weekend in Canada (Victoria Day), but it is "unofficially" the weekend we Canadians begin our gardening season. The snow has finally melted, the ground has warmed up and the risk of nighttime frost has passed (hopefully). For the past few weeks, my husband and I have been creating a backyard oasis - new deck, new flower gardens, etc. The backyard project is the main reason my front flower gardens are in such shambles. This weekend finally marks the end of the hard work - the deck is completed, perennials have been planted and mulch has been spread. The only thing left to do is to plant a few annuals - most likely geraniums and of course my favorites, gerber daisies. This gerber daisy was photographed by my husband last year - in my very own backyard after a summer rain.

As I slog away reviewing another wretched contract, my mind begins to wander to a better place. First, I start to think about lunch and how it can’t come soon enough and then I’ve moved on to weekend events and then I think “ooh, I should probably see what my horoscope has to say” and then once I’m on the entertainment page, I’m obligated to check the daily comics and then current events – it’s quite a vicious cycle. Needless to say, I’m easily distracted when I’m bored, which has happened a lot lately. Not that the legal department is an overly entertaining place on the best of days, but today I seriously feel like a poke in the eye with a stick would be more entertainment than what I’m currently experiencing. My happy place is one of magic and mystery and just the thought of it brings me peace and a certain sense of calm. No, it’s not Dairy Queen. Let me rephrase that – at least it’s not DQ today. I haven’t had an opportunity to visit this place for a few months...

I have Fidgeting Gidget to thank for this award. This is my first award, so I’m pretty excited about it. Rules: 1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. 2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award. Since 15 is a lot of people to tag, here are my top 5: My lovelies are: Renée – take a look and be sure to vote on her new proposed blog template. Stepford Dreams – she’s an inspiration to all and besides she makes me laugh. Señorita Andalucíana – I love her new blog format. Life in the Second Half – Wow, I just realized I’m almost in my “second half”. Mental P Mama – Anyone with the name Mental P Mama deserves an award. Have a LOVELY day!

My Wish: I wish a garden fairy would magically appear and weed my flower gardens in the front of my house. I swear my neighbors are going to nominate me for “World’s Worst Gardener”. To a passerby traveling at 60 mph, my gardens appear lush and full. It’s not until you step out of the car and glance around, that you realize what first appeared to be lush and full are actually overrun, festering weed -beds. The weeds are so bad they are actually overtaking my shrubs (at least the ones the bunnies haven’t eaten). I’m saddened and ashamed every day I come home to this visual distraction. Ughh. I realize it’s still early in the season, but if I don’t get them taken care of soon, I’m going to start hearing about it from my mother-in-law! Seriously - considering we receive messages on our answering machine informing us that our grass needs cutting, complaints about the flower gardens have to be next… Currently it looks something like this... I need it to look more like...

As I have mentioned in previous blogs, I love to live for travel and my husband and I typically have our larger vacations planned at least 2 years in advance. Call us crazy, but we like to be well prepared and like to make sure our employers are well prepared for our pending departures. We have been planning our trip to Borneo (scheduled for 2010) since February 2007 and on that note, my husband had informed his boss in writing at that time of this planned trip, so as to curtail any complaints by his boss that “he wasn’t given enough notice”. Last week, my husband once again reminded his boss in an e-mail of the upcoming vacation in May, 2010 (still 1 year away) and his boss responds “I can’t approve that much time off in May. There has never been an issue before with vacation approval, but all of a sudden this man decides he is going to need to change the vacation policy. WTF? Truth be told, the man is afraid he might actually need to step up and do some of the work hi...

Monday morning has once again bitched-slapped me in the face and kicked me in the knee-cap. One would think I would be prepared for this weekly assault, but I’m sad to say no. It sneaks up on me every damn time and I before I know it, the weekend has passed me by and I don’t have anything to show for it. Two days aren’t enough time for me. If I just had one more day at home – life would be swell. Saturdays are spent cleaning, doing laundry and the worst task on the planet – grocery shopping and if I’m lucky some time with friends or date night. Sundays are then spent on the outside chores – gardening and lawn cutting, unless it’s the winter months and then they are spent indoors on household projects. Of course, Sundays is also a day set aside for a big supper (pot roast or roast chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy), so needless to say, a big portion of my day is spent preparing and/or cleaning up from these suppers. Oh and I can’t forget my nap time. Naps are what ...

Before I was a Mom, I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations. Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night. Before I was a Mom, I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep. Before I was a Mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom. Before I was a Mom, I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.. I did...

This is the funniest website I have found in awhile. It’s a hilarious take on those inspirational/motivational prints – “mo tivational products and posters for pessimists, underachievers, and the chronically unsuccessful” . Here are a few of my favorites, but I would encourage you to take a look at the entire collection at Despair .

My Wish: I wish I had more time at home. As I work full time and spend an additional 2 hours on my commute each day, some additional home time would be fantastic. I can only imagine what I could accomplish (or not) with an additional 2 hours each day. *sigh* I’m often asked why I don’t just get a job closer to home and the answer is easy – money. You see, I work in the legal department of a high tech company and last I checked; there weren’t too many of those types of companies in my region of rural Ontario . The one interview I did attend close to my hometown cemented my salary suspicions – the lawyer interviewing me informed me that my salary expectations were far greater that what he was currently earning and the best he could offer me was $7.50 per hour. What? Yep, I’m still commuting and will be for awhile. I’ve always believed that you shouldn’t sacrifice your happiness for money, but I’ll be honest – I wouldn’t be happy without money. Money doe...

Today, I’m feeling much better about life than I was yesterday. Could it be that the sun is shining or could this be because I just firmed up some holiday details for November? You betcha! A special thanks to Rodney ( Blankney Journal ) – he was right, I just needed to start thinking about my next holiday. Now, if only I could plan a holiday every time I felt grumpy…

Renée’s World tagged me in her post " 8 Things ", so here goes… 8 things I look forward to 4:30 every work day Vacations (i.e. Bonaire in November) Going to the beach in the Summer Ordering Chinese Food on Friday nights The weekend Afternoon naps on the weekend Spending quality time with my husband and son Big Breakfasts on the weekend 8 things I did yesterday Went to work – yuck. Went grocery shopping – yuckier. Cleaned out my refrigerator – yuckiest. Planned my November vacation – thanks to ann@bonairecaribbean.com Watched Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother and Two and a Half Men Crocheted Played Mahjong Read the latest edition of National Geographic 8 things I wish I could do Be independently wealthy Sell all of my belongings and move to a Caribbean island Learn to play poker Travel to Australia , Africa and Italy Buy a MacBook Pro See Kiss in concert – tickets are sooo expensive Travel to New Brunswick this summer to see ...

As I am feeling particularly grumpy today and since I can’t think of anything nice to say, I’m better off saying nothing at all. Instead of bemoaning how miserable I am, I thought I would just share a few photos of my favorite place on earth.

Another Monday is upon us and I’ll try to highlight the weekend events, since I was too preoccupied on the weekend to do it then. One of my friends has just retired - an event some of us can only imagine. In honour of such an event, a celebration was called for and what better way to kick off the celebrations than a rum punch party. My husband and I hosted the event which was attended by 15 of our closest friends. I should mention that as semi-annual tropical traveler, the only thing I bring back as a souvenir from holidays anymore is typically alcohol and it’s usually rum. You name the flavour, I most likely have it – at least I did before this weekend. The choices presented were coconut, banana, orange, raspberry, lemon-lime or original and were served with a big bucket of punch (a mixture of orange juice, pineapple juice, lemonade, bananas, water and ginger-ale). Yum! The measure of a successful party (in my opinion at least) is: Friends, plenty of food, plenty of drin...

Promise Yourself... To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet. To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.