Resistance is Futile - Maybe

Your Choice

2006-05-15T14:15:00.000-04:00

I graduated last week from Tyndale Seminary with a
M.T.S. in Youth & Family Ministries.
What exactly does M.T.S. stand for, you ask?
How about:
Master of Theological Shysterism or
Master of Theological Shenanigans or
Master of Theological Sacrilege or
Master of Theological Sap or
Master of Theological Self-Delusion or
Master of Theological Superciliousness or
just plain old Master of Theological Studies?
You choose.

Fiction Update

2006-05-11T09:41:00.000-04:00

Arvin Sloane is evil again
One Sydney, two Sydney’s, back to one Sydney
Vaughn is ALIVE and his true Sydney radar is working
Jack Bristow owns a Ford Hybrid
Nadia is revived long enough to be killed
Renee Rienne was killed off far too quickly and why the overly invasive autopsy when only her throat was slashed?
Balthazar Getty who plays Agent Tom Grace, has a far more interesting real name than anything his character has done on the show so far
Only three episodes left!

Old Friends

2006-04-27T14:38:00.000-04:00

Spent some time with friends from the past this week.

On the weekend I read Brian McLaren's book:
The Last Word and the Word after That:
A Tale of Faith, Doubt, and a New Kind of Christianity.
I feel so comforted when I read his stuff and it was fun
spending time with Neo and Dan again.

I also watched Alias last night and a wonderful character from
the early days reappeared - Will Tippin. Once more it was
a comfort to see him interact with Sydney again.

Alias Returned

2006-04-20T09:05:00.000-04:00

Watched Alias last night (good thing we still get ABC). I am glad it was a two-hour episode because I would have been severely disappointed with the first hour only. The best line for the night went to Eric Weiss - "I'll have to cancel my Pilates again". After five seasons of watching this show I have to ask - Are all spies psychopaths?

Changes For All

2006-04-19T10:06:00.000-04:00

Louise has leased a minature horse! Her name is Mindy and Louise will have sole responsibility for her grooming. When the miniature horses go to fairs and/or parades, no one but Lousie will be able to show/walk/drive Mindy. This priviledge costs $50 per month and the family has agreed to give up cable to fund this adventure. This means we only get four channels - CTV, ABC, CBC and CHCH. Not bad, but almost everything we watched was on cable channels. Louise will bravely miss the Family, Teletoon & TLC channels. I will miss TVO, HGTV, LIFE network and Newsworld. Steve will miss CNN and A&E. Watch us for withdrawal symptoms!

Good & Bad

2006-04-12T13:39:00.000-04:00

Watched two DVD's with Louise lately:

1) The Chronicles of Narnia - Goooooood
2) Yours, Mine & Ours - Badddddddddd!!!!!!!!!

Also watched the first episode of Project Catwalk, the British version of Project Runway.
Those Brits are so much more cheeky than Americans!

Chloe Won!

2006-04-05T13:07:00.000-04:00

Chloe Dao won Project Runway, Season 2.

New Viewing Pleasure

2006-04-03T13:06:00.000-04:00

Well it does seem that when one door closes, Alias cancellation, another door opens - Project Runway. I LOVE this show!!!

Sacred Space Thought for the Week

2006-03-27T07:11:00.000-05:00

I love Sacred Space!

"You tell me to carry my cross, Lord. You are not telling me to go out looking for the cross, in practices or penances. Rather I find it under my nose. Every encounter that costs me, that rubs off my ego, is part of your plan for me. I start with my own body and heart. The aches and limitations of my limbs, my awkwardness and shyness, are part of my cross. I often wish I was different, but this is me, and I will learn to love me as you do. When I can’t think of anything to say in company, or when I think of the wrong things, I’m carrying my cross.What consoles me is that you like my company. You can put up with my silences. You accept the grumpy mutterings that at times are the closest I come to conversation. I don’t always feel good about myself. There are moments when, like Groucho Marx, I would not want to belong to any club that was ready to accept me as a member. You not merely accept me, but make me feel I belong, a first-born child in whom you delight."

Recent Reading Reviews

2006-03-21T18:54:00.000-05:00

Most Interesting to Least Interesting:

1) Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich
Determined to find out how anyone could make ends meet on $7 an hour, the author left behind her middle class life as a journalist except for $1000 in start-up funds, a car and her laptop computer to try to support herself as a low-skilled worker for a month at a time. She worked as a waitress in Key West, Fla., as a cleaning woman and a nursing home aide in Portland, Maine and in a Wal-Mart in Minneapolis, Minn. (5 out of 5 STARS)

2) The Rise of the Creative Class - and How It’s Transforming Work, Leisure, Community and Everyday Life by Richard Florida.
The author, a research academic whose field is regional economic development, explains the rise of a new social class that he labels the creative class. Members include scientists, engineers, architects, educators, writers, artists and entertainers. He defines this class as those whose economic job is to create new ideas, new technology and new creative content. This Creative Class celebrates diversity and embraces it and gay communities are the metaphorical canaries in the coal mine because a thriving gay community is an indication of how welcoming a city is to diversity (whether sexual, racial or national). This book has similar ideas to the article in the Hamilton alternative paper “The View”.
(4-1/2 out of 5 STARS)

3) Blink, The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell
Blink is a book about how we think without thinking and about choices that seem to be made in an instant. The book reveals that great decision makers aren’t those who process the most information or spend the most time deliberating, but those who have perfected the art of “thin-slicing” – that is filtering the very few factors that matter from an overwhelming number of variables. Malcolm Gladwell is also the author of “The Tipping Point” and was a presenter at the Mosaic Conference that Pernell was MC of last November. (4-1/2 out of 5 STARS)

4) Struck By Lightning – The Curious World of Probabilities by Jeffrey Rosenthal.
The author has an entertaining way of explaining probability and statistics. But it’s still math.
(3 out of 5 STARS)

5) Hunting Humans – The Rise of the Modern Multiple Murderer by Elliot Leyton.
This book was originally published in 1986 and entirely revised for its second edition in 2005. I thought this book would be interesting in that it began discussing the motivations and background of serial killers. I got a third of the way through and had to stop because there was just too much detail describing the crimes. (1 out of 5 STARS)

6) Wives and Mothers, School Mistresses and Scullery Maids – Working Women in Upper Canada, 1790 to 1840 by Elizabeth Jane Errington. This book is interesting, but it has too much detail for me. I actually think it was written as a resource text for a university course. (2-1/2 out of 5 STARS)

Alias Fans Rejoice!

2006-03-14T20:48:00.000-05:00

ABC confirmed that Alias is returning on April 19th on Wednesdays at 8:00 pm. There are eight episodes remaining — reduced from 13.
Here's how they're being scheduled:

April 19, 8-10 pm: (Two-hour episode) Syd's baby is born and Vaughn's fate is revealed. Michael Vartan, Lena Olin & Greg Grunberg return.
April 26, 8-9 pm: (The 100th episode) Bradley Cooper returns.
May 3, 8-9 pm: Currently in production. Devlin returns.
May 10, 8-9 pm: TBD
May 17, 8-9 pm: TBD
May 24, 8-10 pm: Two-hour finale

Update in No Particular Order

2006-03-13T19:08:00.000-05:00

Watched “Walk the Line” about Johnny Cash & June Carter. Excellent movie! Louise watched it with me and really enjoyed it. I was talking about how their lives turned out once the movie ended and Louise was surprised that it was a true story. I guess a 12 year-old has not had much of a chance of hearing about Johnny Cash.

The family watched part one of “The Tommy Douglas Story” last night on CBC. Very interesting. Again, Louise was surprised that it was a true story. Looking forward to the conclusion tonight.

Steve and I went to Slainte’s on Saturday night to celebrate Dave’s 25^th birthday. I had two drinks (Irish Coffee and a Whiskey Sour) and an appetizer. It is so much fun to be let out once in a while!

I will be working four days now: Monday to Thursday. I need more time to complete my job duties and the extra money will help supplement my holidays when I take them. Also I feel like I have more energy to work the extra day now that spring is just about here.

Louise is spending her March Break days at a Miniature Horse Farm Camp. It is just outside of Beamsville and she will be learning all aspects of taking care of miniature horses. We visited the farm to apply for the camp and the horses are so adorable. They are no bigger than a large dog and some are much smaller. The farm also has dogs, cats, rabbits, two donkeys, a Llama along with the 24 miniature horses.

Watched a program on TVO about the Placebo Effect of medicine on patients. It’s amazing what the mind can do with the power of suggestion. I wonder if it would work with fake weight-reducing pills?

Two Canada Geese landed on our next door neighbour’s roof this morning. I’ve never seen that before?

Bad, Bad Dream

2006-03-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

Last night I woke up from a dream/nightmare and I was so furious at Steve that I could hardly contain myself. In the dream, Steve sold everything we own (including house and vehicles), quit his job and bought a mobile “Roter-Rooter” franchise and announced to me “Welcome to our new life!” It may sound ridiculous now in the light of day, but when I first woke up last night I was so angry that I wanted to smack Steve. When I told him about the dream this morning he said, “Well, there is a lot of sh-- to clean up in the world” inferring that maybe we should look into it. What a guy.

The Nobs?

2006-03-01T06:40:00.000-05:00

I heard a bit of music trivia yesterday that was totally news to me. Apparently in February 1970 in Copenhagen, Led Zeppelin were forced to perform as "The Nobs" because of a legal threat by the heirs of the count Von Zeppelin, the inventor of dirigible. Just think - it could have been "Stairway to Heaven" by the Nobs?!!

I Hate This Weather!

2006-02-28T07:35:00.000-05:00

I am so sick and tired of the COLD!!! I have not gotten used to the freezing temperatures in February after that amazingly mild January we had. I feel like I always need to have a comforter around. Also dry skin is plaguing me. Oh for spring...

Blast from the Past

2006-02-26T09:34:00.000-05:00

I experienced two sensory situations this week that took me back.

First:
I got home from the library with a new book – “Because He Could” by Dick Morris who was a long-time political consultant for Bill Clinton. The book is essentially a response to Clinton’s “My Life” where Morris talks about the two sides of the former President. Well, I was excited to start reading and opened the book when I was assaulted with an unpleasant odour that I hadn’t smelt in a long time. The person who previously read this book was a SMOKER!! The funny thing was that I realized that years ago this was once an odour very prevalent when reading library books. At first the smell was overwhelming and even when Louise walked by she asked “Why does it smell like a cigar in here?” I eventually got used to the smell when reading, but I HAD to wash my hands every time I put the book down. By the way the content of the book was excellent!

Second:
I was walking the dog near to the high school in our town and suddenly heard a loud roar with accompanying white plumes of smoke. Again, I thought it has been years since I last saw this – it was someone in a truck doing a brake torque in front of the high school. Back when I was in high school rear-wheel drive muscle cars were the rage and someone was always doing a brake torque (one foot on the gas and the other on the brake) in the parking lot. (I actually even learned how to do a brake torque myself.) With the advent of front-wheel drive cars and less powerful engines, the brake torque became a thing of the past - except for that person in the obviously rear-wheeled drive, big engine truck in front of the high school.

Sport?

2006-02-20T17:00:00.000-05:00

I know it has been said before, but how do some sports become sports? I’m talking about Bobsleigh, Luge and Skeleton. What sport is involved in sliding down a controlled track? Now my idea of sport for three above mentioned Olympics events would be as follows:
1) Bobsleigh – competitor sits on a toboggan
2) Luge – competitor lays bottom side down on a crazy carpet, feet first
3) Skeleton – competitor lays tummy side down on a crazy carpet, head first
Each sliding device should then travel down the alpine (mountain) ski run just like the skiers do and see who finishes with the fastest time and alive.
We have all done sliding as kids on an open course, so let’s see the athletes actually make it interesting to watch.

Free Reading

2006-02-17T08:53:00.000-05:00

I have resurrected an old practice of reserving library books online from home. About ten years ago I would look through the book club flyers that came in magazines and then reserve them at the St. Catharines library online. Since we used to go to St. Catharines a lot, I would always have a chance to pick-up the books when called that they were ready. Things changed and we no longer went to downtown St. Catharines much, so this practice was discontinued. Fast forward ten years and our local Beamsville library is finally online for book reservations, so I have started up again. Currently I have ten books on reserve; finished reading “Dean & Me” by Jerry Lewis; will start on “The Broker” by John Grisham today and hopefully move onto “Longitudes & Attitudes – Exploring the World after September 11th” by Thomas Friedman by Sunday. The best thing about the library is that it is a 3-minute drive from home! I got called a few days ago that a book I reserved was ready for me and 5 minutes later I was there to get it. Wonderful! This sure beats the hundreds and hundreds of dollars I spent on books when in Seminary.

Update

2006-02-14T07:57:00.000-05:00

Friday: Watched “Crash” in the late afternoon. It was interesting how the story lines were woven together, although there was nothing emotionally compelling about the movie.
Took Louise to Hamilton for the Junior Youth Bowling night – she had a GREAT TIME! It was my first time traveling up the Kennilworth Access – very confusing in the dark. I went with Joelene to the Bulk Barn so she could get some items for Valentines’ Day and I walked out with:
Dark Chocolate Belgium wafers, Dark Chocolate Rosebuds, Chocolate Covered Almonds, Hot Tamales, Cherry Sours, Raspberry Tea and Organic Tea to Aid Sleep. By Saturday night all the edibles were taken care of!
Saturday: Had a wonderful lazy day! Visited my Dad in the evening and tried to find an open “Basics” after 8:00 PM. It is in Grimsby by the way – open to 10:00 PM
Sunday: Went to Fergus for my nephew and his wife’s going away party. They are moving to England. My nephew, John, went on a student work visa five years ago, stayed two years and in that time met Laura. John returned to Canada when his visa was up and a year later Laura came to Canada on the same student work visa. At the end of her one year visa they married (late May) and have been in the paperwork process to return to England ever since because they both prefer to live there. I asked Laura what would be the first thing she would do once she got off the plane and she replied: “have some chocolate”. Apparently England has better chocolate than Canada, but Canada has ice cream cakes which England does not and Laura will miss those.
Monday: Did a major kitchen/laundry room clean - this after stating that I wouldn’t do that anymore. Well, it’s done and wow was I tired! I sticking to my earlier proclamations.

The Cure for the Monthly Blues

2006-02-11T17:10:00.000-05:00

Cure: Take one part Joelene, one part Bulk Barn candy section, one part Tim Horton's coffee and a chaser of time to talk, eat and drink.

Change

2006-02-06T19:52:00.000-05:00

I used to do most things in big chunks – housework, cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, supply shopping, etc. This worked well for me in the past, but for the past few years this strategy has me totally stressed. The huge tasks I once could attack and complete now have become overwhelming and I am resentful of having to do them. Then it hit me – I don’t have to do it this way stupid!!! I can totally change the way I approach things and only take bite-sized tasks to do. This way I won’t be overwhelmed and can actually get things done instead of fretting that they are still undone.

I now go grocery shopping on Friday afternoons instead of a huge monthly shop; I have divided the household cleaning chores into 10 different tasks to be completed one each evening over two weeks; major household cleanings like fridge, stove, etc have been set up quarterly and the big things like carpets, sheers, etc are set up to be done annually; Steve & I have a weekly household budget instead of monthly; and I only cook for the evening meal that we are eating and not a week’s or two week’s worth.

Life just got less complicated and stressful.

Everything seems more manageable now.

Change is good.

Reading List Since January 1

2006-02-06T08:30:00.000-05:00

Civil War Histories:
1) The Blue and the Gray: the story of the Civil War as told by participants
2) A Woman of Valor: Clara Barton and the Civil War
3) The Civil War: an illustrated history

S is for Silence by Sue Grafton
-19th book in the series of private detective Kinsey Millhone mysteries

A Polite Revolution: Perfecting the Canadian Dream by John Ibbitson
-new ways of thinking about Canada’s immigration, free trade, social and defence policies.

Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond
-ecological collapse & following decline of past societies and why these civilizations failed to see the collapse coming

Current Reading:

The Canadians: Biographies of a Nation Omnibus Edition, by Patrick Watson
- over 60 Canadians featured

What has everyone else been reading?

Great Quote

2006-02-01T19:07:00.000-05:00

I read this great quote last night:
"It is difficult for us to acknowledge that people are not consistent, but are instead mosaics of traits formed by different sets of experiences that often do not correlate with each other."

Profound, eh?

Multiples of Four

2006-01-30T10:06:00.000-05:00

I got tagged by Steve (Husband)

Four jobs I've had:
1. Picking Fruit (first job!)
2. Lingerie Clerk
3. Milking 200 Cows
4. Setting Out Herbicide Test Plots in Alberta

Four movies I can watch over and over:
1. Terminator II
2. Road Warrior
3. Sniper
4. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

Four places I've lived:
1. Yonge & Isabella in Toronto (above a sex shop)
2. Calgary, Alberta
3. Fergus, Ontario
4. Grand Manan, New Brunswick

Four TV shows I love:
1. Star Trek OS, TNG, DSN, VOY
2. How Clean Is Your House
3. World’s Greatest Spas
4. Alias (pre-cancellation)

Four places I've vacationed:
1. Cartagena, Columbia
2. Trelawny Beach Resort, Jamaica
3. Manitoulin Island
4. Louisburg Fortress, Cape Breton

Four of my favourite dishes:
1. Lobster Rolls
2. Club Sandwich with Ham instead of Turkey
3. Scallops
4. Cannelloni

Four sites I visit daily
1. Freeway Cohort & Friend's Blogs
2. Sacred Space
3. News Web-Sites – CNN; CBC; Toronto Star; Canada.com; MSN; St. Catharines Standard
4. Weather Network

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. At the Freeway visiting with the Freeway women
2. Camping in a new camper with family and Pets
3. In My Bed Reading and/or Sleeping
4. Relaxng on the Couch watching Star Trek

Four bloggers I am tagging:
1. Natasha
2. Jen
3. Abby
4. Anyone Who Would Like to Participate

Electioned Out

2006-01-23T11:18:00.000-05:00

I am so glad that it’s Election Day because I can’t take the coverage anymore. This campaign was at least 7-10 day too long. I normally follow politics closely, but I will be so glad when tomorrow comes and a decision will finally have been made and we can get on with Canada again. I must say that I pretty much made up my mind before Christmas and I guess that’s why the time has seemed interminable. I am voting Conservative for the following reasons:
1) Stephen Harper does genuinely seem to have moved to the centre.
2) The Conservatives articulated their policies very well and I agree with many of them.
3) The Liberals have taken us for granted too long with the same old, same old approach.
3) Paul Martin wanted us to believe he was a visionary, but has only turned out to be a manager.
4) Even though I like Jack Layton, the NDP is too weighted on the side of the worker and forgets that it’s the employer that has to make enough profit to hire employees.
5) I will give the Green Party a chance next time around after I see what Harper and the Conservatives can and cannot do. I do agree that we must move to some kind of proportional representation to be credible as a democracy.

I have so much more to say, but that will bore me further. GO VOTE!!!

Weigh Weigh Down

2006-01-23T11:04:00.000-05:00

I have been documenting my attempt at weight loss over the past weeks, but today I finally have a dramatic announcement to make. I lost 60 lbs. overnight!! That’s according to my bathroom scale. There is a little behind story though. The scale has been acting up lately so I asked Steve to change the battery and voila – 60 lbs. lighter. Unfortunately I am now very underweight, so I guess it’s time for a new scale.

The Weekend

2006-01-22T17:05:00.000-05:00

Friday night Louise and I watched “Bad News Bears (1976)”. I actually went to the theater to see it when it first came out and loved it. I know that a remake is out with Billy Bob Thornton, but I thought that the original would be rated low enough that Louise could watch too. Wow, I forgot the amount of foul language, but at least no F word. Louise liked it especially because of the Tatum O’Neil’s character being close to her own age.
Next we watched “Finding Neverland” with Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. I wasn’t expecting much, but boy was I wrong! This movie was great and very moving to watch with Louise. Johnny Depp did deserve his Oscar nomination last year.

Saturday afternoon the three of us went to the RV Show in Toronto. We have begun the quest to look for a tent-trailer again and thought that the show would be interesting. It was fun to walk through different kinds of RV’s, especially the huge bus-like ones that go for over $350,000. Steve thinks that we should look into getting a hard-sided trailer that has pop-out wings on the ends instead of a pop-up trailer. Fine by me! The advantage of the hard-sided is that there is virtually no set-up and it comes equipped with a bathroom & shower. I’m sold!
Later that evening I watched “Enemy of the State” with Will Smith on TV. Not Bad. It was interesting to see an unknown Jack Black as a minor character.

Spent a lazy day today and took the dog for a walk on the mud-fest of a Bruce Trail. I had to wash her and my boots down before we could attempt to come in the house. Tonight will be the first go at a Junior Youth group meeting. Natasha and Melissa have developed a Junior Youth group of ages 10 and up where they will have their own meeting time once a month downstairs during the service. Some of the youth will also help out once a month with the Zone and/or the Nursery and otherwise they will stay up in the service with everyone else. So far Louise has said it’s not boring to be in the Freeway service. Good News!!

Down Again

2006-01-17T07:24:00.000-05:00

Down 6lbs., 14 to go.

Feeling much better today.
Spent much of yesterday in bed with a dose of gravol and pepto-abismal (as Steve calls it).

Sacred Space Mirrors Last Night Thoughts

2006-01-16T08:03:00.000-05:00

This morning's Sacred Space devotions mirrors what was said in the service last night:

Mark 2: 18-22
Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. "No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins."

Some thoughts on today's scripture:
People noticed the contrast between two sorts of religion: the Pharisees' preoccupation with laws and regulations, and Jesus' love of celebrations and feasts. In his parables the kingdom of heaven is often a banquet, a wedding, a party: a place of untrammelled joy, not of tight rules. It is so easy for us to reduce the interior life, and the freedom and flame of the Gospels, to a set of pieties and regulations. Jesus would measure our religiousness not in laws but in love. His images here are of freshness: new clothes, new wine. Things are different now that he is among us. A new era has begun.

Sick

2006-01-16T07:55:00.000-05:00

I am SICK.
Touch of the flu, I think.
Barely made it through the service last night. Left as soon as it was done.
Good thing Louise & Steve were still there to hear the surprising news.
Was going to go to work this afternoon to catch up on stuff, but that's unlikely now.
Glad I have an interesting book. Hope I lose some pounds through this.

Down

2006-01-12T07:17:00.000-05:00

Down 4 lbs!!!
Only 16 to go.

Resolutions

2006-01-04T07:23:00.000-05:00

So far, so good.
I am certainly ready for this change after the Christmas binge!
1. Overall body stretches every morning before breakfast
2. Lower back stretches before bed
3. Sitting and/or computer desk stretches mid-morning
& mid-afternoon at work
4. Lower caloric intake
5. Eat smaller portions at mealtimes
6. Eat only when hungry
7. Stop eating when satisfied
8. Walk the dog daily no matter the weather
9. Drink more green tea

The Best Shaver Ever!

2006-01-02T20:48:00.000-05:00

My new 22nd century shaver (Schick Intuition) is the best!!!

This Post Has Seven Days

2006-01-01T15:12:00.000-05:00

Dec. 25th: Had a very nice Christmas dinner with my Dad at his retirement home dining hall.
Dec. 26th: Traveled to Fergus for Christmas with my brother, sister-in-law and his adult married children. It was a really nice visit and the roads were clear. I forgot the cheesecake dessert at home so we stopped at a Zehrs that was open and Steve got an eggnog cake that everyone raved about.
Dec. 27th: The family went to see Cheaper by the Dozen, Part 2 because Louise loved the first one. Louise liked it, but in my opinion it is not even worth the cost of a rental.
Dec. 28th: Louise had her slumber party with three other girls. She worked very hard to get the downstairs apartment set up like a spa with a facial area and a manicure/pedicure area. For the most part everything went well and Steve and I didn’t lose any sleep.
Dec. 29th: Steve helped a friend move, Louise crashed on the couch and at 4:00 PM, I went to the café as a fill-in Barista with Jen. Dave and Sara came to visit Jen and while Sara was TV surfing, she stopped at Star Trek because she knew I would like it. How thoughtful!!!
Dec. 30th: Both Steve and I went to work for the day. It was fairly quite and I was able to get caught up on things. Steve left for the café after work and I stopped off at the grocery store for pumpernickel bread and dip before heading home.
Dec. 31st: Steve and I had a nice walk along the Bruce Trail where I take Brenna the dog almost daily. Steve took his new camera and got some really nice shots. Later that night we went to friends to celebrate New Years’ and ate a ton of great food, which made it even harder to stay awake until midnight.
Jan. 1st: Stayed in bed until 11:00 AM (after I got up at 7:00 AM to let the dog out and feed the fish). I surfed the net and found some fairly reasonable New Years’ resolutions dealing with fitness and healthy eating that I want to incorporate in daily life. I went for a Bruce Trail walk with the dog and decided that I better post being the first day of the year. I won’t be going to the Freeway tonight because Louise starts back to school tomorrow and since she didn’t get enough sleep last night, she needs a quiet night tonight. Both Steve and I have the day off tomorrow – what should we do?

Merry Christmas!

2005-12-25T08:37:00.000-05:00

The Christmas Eve service at the Freeway was wonderful!
It was very inspirational and creative – as per usual for the Freeway.

We came home and opened presents as both Steve and myself have
grown-up with the Christmas Eve tradition and have kept it.

We started with the stockings –
Louise: six power bands, two teen magazines and an activity book
Kathy: eyeliner, eye-shadow, mascara, hair highlights kit, a 22nd century shaver & an origami pink heart and candy cane heart
Steve: a posh new-fangled camera, an orange, an origami pink heart and candy cane heart

Next we moved onto the presents under the tree –
Louise: mega make-up and nail polish kit, six fancy knitting needles and yarn to knit with, a hair crimper
Kathy: wireless headphones for TV, a German-Shepherd calendar
Steve: an orange (remember he got that posh new-fangled camera in the stocking)

Next we moved onto some edible treats –
Louise: Pringles & pop, while being totally engrossed in her teen mags
Kathy: Ham & Roast beef sandwich on fresh bread, followed by cherry sours, while TV surfing
Steve: Popcorn, Twisslers and pop, while surfing the net
(Steve set aside a set amount of money for each of us to buy edible treats for the holidays. I will provide further updates about varied array of indulgences as they are consumed.)

Today, (Christmas Day), we will have lunch/dinner at my Dad’s retirement facility
Tomorrow, (Boxing Day), we will travel to Fergus for the family Christmas dinner with my brother, sister-in-law and his adult children and their respective spouses.
(That means that I didn’t have to cook a Christmas dinner this year – YAHOO!!!)
Tuesday Dec. 27th, we rest
Wednesday Dec. 28th, Louise has a slumber party with 5 girls (will we survive?)

Five Little Known Facts About Me

2005-12-14T21:02:00.000-05:00

I was tagged by Natasha:

1. I can recite “Casey at the Bat” by memory
2. I weighed 128 lbs on my wedding day
3. I could only speak German when I began Kindergarten
4. I have been to Vulcan
5. I am an idiot-savant

I tag Ezri Dax, Jake Sisko, Rom, Kira Nerys & Weyoun

Update in No Particular Order

2005-12-11T09:42:00.000-05:00

-reading the first of a three volume set of the Civil War by Shelby Foote written in narrative form. I should be done in mid-2006.
-Steve got a new camera. It is his new love for the winter while his other love (the kayak) is in dry dock.
-went to the Mandarin last Saturday for lunch with my father, brother, sister-in-law and Steve & Louise. It was Scrumdilicious!
-enjoying work! I was so engrossed on Thursday that I forgot to pee until noon.
-Natasha turned 22. She was sung Happy Birthday over the intercom at work for all to hear – a tradition for all employees.
-it is very hard to purchase inexpensive, but stylist steel-toed shoes.
-laughed really hard at the comment on Dave’s Blog from “Jeffrey Dahmer” whose email address is melikepeoplefood@hotmail.com.
-spent time with Carolynn on Wednesday night. She was amazing to watch – a great combination of professionalism plus sincere Christian love, respect and care. What a role model!
-was totally disappointed with Alias on Wednesday night!!! Rachel is a slut! Sidney would never have had a sexual rendezvous with someone she just met. What is with Arvin Sloan’s hair? Would the old Sark get duped by his employer and end up being handcuffed to a bomb? After seeing this episode, I totally agree with the cancellation!!!
-watched the 1960 movie Elmer Gantry last night. Holds up even in 2005. Synopsis: It is the controversial telling of Sinclair Lewis' novel regarding the charismatically engaging, but scandalous Midwestern salesman turned preacher in the 1920s. Elmer Gantry, salesman, teams up with Sister Sharon Falconer, evangelist, to sell religion to America in the 1920's. They make enough money to build a temple, and Sister Sharon falls for Elmer. Elmer, is tested by temptation and almost capitulates, but is than wrongly accused by the jilted temptress. But Sharon stands by her man and truth prevails, until both are seduced by fame and blind faith over common sense and fate deals them a crushing blow.

Time Flies

2005-12-01T07:45:00.000-05:00

Where did November go???!!!! At least I got the tree up before December this year.

It's Official

2005-11-25T07:58:00.000-05:00

ABC cancels stylish spy series 'Alias'
Alias is headed for a blockbuster finish, ABC officials said this week after announcing that the stylish spy series will end its run in May.
"Alias is not going to wind down as it comes to an end, it's going to rev up, and we're going to make it the event it deserves to be," Stephen McPherson, president of ABC Entertainment, said in a statement.
The hit drama, which stars Jennifer Garner as a young, butt-kicking, globe-trotting spy, has helped ABC draw a younger audience for the past five seasons. The Emmy-winning show also co-stars acting veterans Victor Garber and Ron Rifkin.
Alias was created by writer and producer J.J. Abrams, who was previously known for creating the college coming-of-age series Felicity and writing films like Armageddon and Regarding Henry. He has since gone on to other high profile projects, including creating current ABC hit Lost and directing the newest instalment of the Mission Impossible film franchise.
Initially, Alias was as popular for its fast-paced and complicated storylines as for Garner's glamorous costume changes and each week's seemingly impossible missions in global hotspots. Prominent guest stars have included director Quentin Tarantino, actress Isabella Rossellini and Ricky Gervais from British comedy The Office.
However, recent seasons of the hip spy drama have struggled to attract audiences.
The show experienced a major change earlier this year when Garner announced she was expecting her first child with fellow actor and husband, Ben Affleck. Producers decided to write her pregnancy into the plot so over the course of the season, Garner's character has become more of a mentor for a new spy.

Funny Freeway

2005-11-21T15:50:00.000-05:00

I heard on the CBC today that a group of people in Charlottetown get together every day for lunch and then blog about they said. They are hoping for a television deal because they think they are so funny. If they think they can get a TV deal, the hilarity of the Freeway gang should be able to net at least one motion picture deal. It would star Pernell Goodyear as Mr. Tomfoolery himself and a plethora of Freeway sidekicks that would prove no get-together is immune from mirth-making.

Fallen, but Happy

2005-11-21T15:25:00.000-05:00

This Saturday I fell off the Goodies licorice bandwagon. I was grocery shopping with Steve and saw a BIG BAG for $1 off and impulsively put them in the shopping cart. I waited a few hours and then dove in. I didn’t come up for air until ¾’s of the bag was done. I took a breather for two hours and finished the bag. Was I happier – yes, I am tired of licorice for a while – yes. It’s a good thing that I feel off the wagon with the Goodies because today I was in Canadian Tire and saw a HUGE BOX of licorice Allsorts. If I hadn’t eaten the Goodies I would certainly have gone for the Allsorts and I know that from exhaustive personal research that Allsorts cause much more harm when consumed in mass quantities. But who eats candy in diminutive doses anyway – what’s the point?!

Alias Timeslot Move

2005-11-18T19:39:00.000-05:00

For all you Alias fans that might have missed the news - Alias is moving timeslots. We have been watching it on Thursday nights this season, but on December 7th it moves back to Wednesday nights at 10:00 PM after "LOST".
Alias will not be on next week - Thursday, November 24th (because of the American Thanksgiving) where you can watch "Finding Nemo" instead.

Happenings as of Late

2005-11-07T11:21:00.000-05:00

-Louise got braces
-Louise went horseback riding with Jen & Ashley on Saturday
-Louise & I caught up on our Reba tapes on the weekend
-Louise & I watched Bewitched (we both liked it)
-Louise watched Bratz the Movie and Herbie Rides Again (huge hits)
-I watched Batman Begins (enjoyed it) and Star Wars III (boring!!!)
-Through a series of misadventures, I missed Alias last week twice (Thurs & Sun)
-Finished picking all the red apples from our tree, now have about 3 bushels left of the yellow
-I am generally afraid of heights, but get me on an orchard ladder (I grew up on a fruit farm), I basically end up near the top rungs on tiptoes swinging in the breeze and not worried a bit.
-Steve and Jen K can to my rescue emotionally on Saturday.
-Met Andre on Sunday and told him he looks like Lawrence from “Changing Rooms” (it is a compliment) – great British hair!
-My consumption of Halloween candy has reached epic proportions, someone save me.
-Today I get a flu shot with Steve
-Saw deer again on the Bruce Trail with the dog
-I love chatting with Abby – such an encourager! I am sooo glad she is at the Freeway!

Time in a Bottle

2005-10-31T10:00:00.000-05:00

If I could save time in a bottle, (credit to Jim Croce for lyrics), it would have been yesterday.
An extra hour of sleep, a beautiful sunny warm autumn day, a walk along the Bruce Trail, Louise was done her homework, had a nice visit from my Dad, time to relax and chat and best of all was that after such a terrific day, we had the Freeway to look forward to in the evening and it didn't disappoint.

Fall Back Law

2005-10-31T09:55:00.000-05:00

I propose that we lobby to institute a new law - The Fall Back Law.
This would mean turning our clocks back one hour every Sunday morning.

Wouldn't it be great to have an extra hour every Sunday!!!

Who's with me?

I've Lost That Blogging Feeling

2005-10-30T08:40:00.000-05:00

I have!
Even though I mentally compose a daily post, I never get around to actually doing it.

Life has been very full and the biggest news is that I have regained the hours at work that I lost by taking over some accounts receivable duties.

Fall has been wonderful and I look forward each day to take the dog for a walk on the Bruce Trail just a 5 minute drive from our house.

The best thing about today is that we forgot to set the clocks back last night so I was a thrilled to realize that we had an extra hour free!

Excellent Devotional Site

2005-10-16T14:47:00.000-04:00

"Sacred Space" is a daily on-line prayer website created by Irish Jesuits. Spend ten minutes praying while sitting at your computer with the help of on-screen guidance and scripture chosen specially every day.
I love this daily gift.

Alias Predictions

2005-10-16T14:01:00.000-04:00

I am sure that no one except Jen and Krista give a rip about my Alias predictions, but it’s my Blog and I’ll predict about things people don’t care about if I want to.

Anyway,

I think that Vaughn will rise again. I was musing a lot about why Jack and Sydney didn’t show more emotion when Vaughn was wheeled out with the sheet over his head and during the funeral. (You know it’s just so much more fun to muse about fictional things than real life!) This past episode Sydney actually spoke about Vaughn using the present tense – ah ha! Something is fishy. I think Vaughn is in some induced death mimicking coma and will be revived when the baby is born. Since it is rumoured that this is Jennifer Garner’s last season, what would make the fans happier than have the little family reunite and then head off into safe domestic bliss? This would leave it open to have the new cast members to get involved in other romantic intrigues.

Your thoughts Alias fans….

Archive Trivia

2005-10-06T17:21:00.000-04:00

I got tagged by Pernell Goodyear.

Instructions:
1. Go into your archive.
2. Find your 23rd post.
3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions.
5. Tag five other people to do the same.

Here's my 23rd posts fifth sentence:
"I turned the corner and realized it was BUFFY the benevolent cat who has never hunted anything!"

Next to be tagged: Jen K, Natasha T, Carolynn B, St. Paul the Apostle, Brian McLaren

Alias Update

2005-10-02T15:11:00.000-04:00

Vaughn is dead! I heard rumours that he was leaving the show sometime in the season, but to be killed off in the first show of the season - well, it's just not right. Also if I was the writer I would have at least had Sydney and Jack have an emotional hug at the end of that traumatic scene; again, it's just not right.

September

2005-10-02T15:07:00.000-04:00

I can’t believe September is over already?! The weather was gorgeous and it felt like the summer we never had. The absolute best thing for me about September 2005 is that SCHOOL’S OUT FOREVER!!!!! I actually thank God every day that I am no longer in school. I don’t have to drive to Toronto and sit through lectures; I don’t have to read and comprehend academic texts; I don’t have research and write papers and I don’t have to always feel like there is some I need to work on for school instead of just doing nothin’. I love it!!!!! I have hit the peak of my formal academic studies and if another degree is required it’s up to Steve or Louise in this family because - I’M DONE, HALLEUJAH!!

Louise Thoughts

2005-09-20T12:28:00.000-04:00

This morning when I was driving Louise to school and out of the blue volunteered that she loves goes to church now! I asked how come and she answered that "She likes the Freeway because it's not the boringway like our last church." I agree!!!

Reading List

2005-09-20T09:49:00.000-04:00

I read the Bourne trilogy many years ago, so when I saw Nick reading the Bourne Identity I decided to reread the set. I finished the first one on the Labour Day weekend and finished the Bourne Supremacy this past weekend. The books are very, very different from the recent films with Matt Damon. I have borrowed the Bourne Ultimatum from the library, but I think I need a break from fictional blood, guts and action and will read Romeo Delaire's "Shake Hands with the Devil". Maybe fact is not from different from fiction after all.

Henri Nouwen

2005-09-12T14:04:00.000-04:00

I read Henri Nouwen's "The Genesee Diary" this weekend and was really challenged by his words. The book is about Nouwen's experience living in a Trappist Monastery in Upstate New York for 7 months in 1975. On face value this may sound BORING, but Nouwen chronicles his feelings and experiences in taking time to get closer to God. Some of his insights are so raw and revealing that I couldn't imagine even writing down on paper that kind of inner revelation in fear that someone may read it and yet he did and it made me catch my breathe in how accurate he was in capturing human frailties.
Since late last week when I was informed of my cut in hours at work, I have felt many things, but most of all anger for being treated like a pawn in a someone's game that I had no control over. Later I felt fear that we had debt that needed to be paid and this turn in circumstance was not going to help. Then I felt anxious because I may leave the job for who knows what and all the uncertainty that goes with that. Finally when reading Nouwen's book I calmed down, as all of Nouwen's books have an amazing ability to do, and finally exhaled enough to know that God was there. He would be my rock and guide and I just needed to listen as Nouwen had done in the monastery experience. It's still hard to believe that after being a follower of Christ for over 27 years that I can still get turned into knots about things.

It's About Fashion Mom!

2005-09-12T13:56:00.000-04:00

On the weekend Louise and I bought a pair of indoor gym shoes for her for school. While in the shoe department I spotted some insoles and suggested to Louise that we buy them to put in her black dress shoes because they were a little big. So this morning when she was getting her backpack ready I mentioned the insoles and she looked at me and said, "It was your idea not mine to buy the insoles." To which I replied, "I thought that you said your black shoes were a bit large and the insoles would help?" To which Louise replied, "People are going to see the insoles when I put the shoes on. It's about fashion Mom!" I stand corrected.

New Information

2005-09-08T10:56:00.000-04:00

I was just notified today that due to a re-organization in the Sales Department that my employment will be reduced to three 1/2 days. I need to find a new job. Please pray for me that something will become available that will suit our family situation.

Family Ramblings

2005-09-07T17:08:00.000-04:00

Mon, Aug 29th: Worked all day on my paper and watched the two-hour Prison Break premiere.
Tue, Aug 30th: Worked all day and watched House and Rock Star: INXS. Finished my last seminary paper of all time at 11:50 PM
Wed, Aug 31st: Emailed paper to the Prof in the morning and stayed in bed most of the day celebrating by sleeping. Steve & Louise helped all day at the Freeway. We all enjoyed the Freeway Art & Music Conglomeration.
Thu, Sep 1st: Worked until noon and had an end of seminary celebration lunch at Tucker’s Marketplace and then purchased a new sewing machine for Louise on Ottawa Street. Louise spent the next few days mastering each stitch and making Barbie clothes.
Fri, Sep 2nd: The family had a picnic along the Niagara Parkway just outside Chippawa and it was very relaxing. I started to read The Bourne Identity.
Sat, Sep 3rd: Steve was at the marathon Freeway training day and Louise and I spent a lazy day sewing, computering and reading respectively.
Sun, Sep 4th: Steve recoated the asphalt driveway, I read and Louise did miscellaneous Louise things. I finished reading The Bourne Identity. We all went to the Freeway and enjoyed the alternative worship.
Mon, Sep 5th: Invited my Dad for a BBQ lunch and later Steve and I went for a long walk near the Bruce trail with the dog. In the evening we all prepared Louise for the next day – she actually started to look forward to school by the time she went to bed. Watched Prison Break again and Steve thought it was too raw!
Tue, Sep 6th: Took Louise to school and stayed for opening exercises. Went to work and in the evening watched House and Dog.
Wed, Sep 7th: Attended a WSIB Safety Group Meeting for my company in Burlington-Oakville area and had a great catered lunch. Skipped dinner (Shepherd’s Pie) – maybe later. I am now keeping a vigilant eye on Louise as she completes her homework. Nick is here talking camping gear with Steve and Al is to stop by later with the canoes for the trip. The dog has thrown up twice and will not eat her dinner – totally unusual.

AREN’T WE CALVERLEY’S JUST A CONSTANT BLUR OF ACTIVITY?

It Is Finished!!!!!!

2005-08-30T23:52:00.000-04:00

Gone Away

2005-08-26T11:48:00.000-04:00

Louise and I are off up north to Jen K's cottage. I know we packed TOO MUCH! We always do. I have brought along strawberry coolers so Margie can relllllaaaxxxx! See you later.

Oops, I Did It Again!

2005-08-24T18:03:00.000-04:00

Yes, another foot injury and on the same foot no less. I was hurriedly trying to get from the patio to the kitchen last evening and missed the step. I basically plowed my toes hard into the concrete steps and boy did it hurt!!! I think I may have broken a toe to go along with the stress fracture. I guess one can keep the other company.

Let’s All Go to the EX!

2005-08-23T11:37:00.000-04:00

Louise and I went to the CNE yesterday. It was a perfect day weather-wise in that it was cool and overcast and since it was Monday, the crowds were lighter than usual. This is Louise's third trip, but the first one that she will remember. The things of note were candy-floss, sno-cones, candy necklaces, 6 for $5 homemade suckers, fries & gravy, Swiss waffle with ice cream & strawberries and 5 for $3 chocolate bars. The only building we visited twice was the Food Building. Louise enjoyed herself because she got to see so many horses, but DIDN’T like all the walking. My foot held out pretty good considering all the walking.
Most memorable events: 1) We were in the Arts & Crafts building and we passed a theatre group that had some costumes on display. One that caught Louise’s eye was an 18th century dress from the Marriage of Figaro opera. It was long and flowing and was very period specific, but Louise took one look at it and said “That’s so me!” I found that comment so cute and amusing. 2) We were in the Farm, Food and Fun building where the livestock displays were housed. We went passed a pen of many sheep and I saw a very conspicuous male sheep standing with its’ back end to me. I wasn’t even that close and I noticed (I don’t know how you could help but notice), that he was NOT emasculated. But that is not what was most memorable for me. It was the fact that the gonads in question were covered in the same amount of fuzzy sheep fur as the rest the animal. I wonder if that part gets shaved too?

More Riveting Commentary

2005-08-21T14:45:00.000-04:00

On Saturday I bought the skunk smell remover from the pet store and used it on the dog and in the house. Things are somewhat better. I think we just need a cooler, non-humid day to air out the house.
On Friday Louise got the 3 movies for 3 days for $3 special and rented Agent Cody Banks, Agent Cody Banks II and Cheaper by the Dozen – all of which she has seen many times before. She ended up watching all three on Friday (I watched half of each one), so we got three more on Saturday. This time we both chose – Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (original), The Love Bug (original) and In a New York Minute (Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen). We watched Willy Wonka on Saturday night and The Love Bug on Sunday morning. We both preferred the new Willy Wonka with Johnny Depp more and I’m sure Louise will prefer the newer Love Bug with Lindsay Lohan when it comes out on video.
Louise and I also went to see baby Chloe for a few minutes on Saturday night. She is so adorable and so tiny which makes her even more adorable. I love small babies.
I tried getting an orthopedic shoe from the hospital, but they didn’t have one in my size? At least I didn’t have to pay for parking because the nurse gave me a parking token saying that I wasn’t treated. Yeah! That saved me four bucks.
Tonight is the Freeway at 6:00 PM and who knows when Steve is getting back from up north? Tomorrow I plan to take Louise to the CNE and hopefully my foot will hold up for the day.

An Interesting Week

2005-08-19T22:55:00.000-04:00

On Monday I took Louise to the doctor to get a minor foot ailment looked at. Louise got dabbed with liquid nitrogen 8 times and had a band-aid put on her foot, which made her extremely uneasy (she has a phobia regarding band-aids). While there I asked the doctor about my left foot that has been slightly painful for the past few weeks. He checked the foot by pressing on the area in question and IT HURT! He told me that he would send me for an X-Ray just to rule out a stress fracture. The more he talked, the more squeamish I felt. I started to sweat buckets and I could feel the blood draining from my face. I finally said that I wasn’t well and the doctor took my blood pressure and checked my pulse. All normal. I asked if I could just sit for a while and I recovered enough in a few minutes to walk out on my own accord.
This squeamishness was not an isolated incident. It has happened before and I never know what the trigger will be other than it has to do with someone talking about a medical procedure. Most days I could hear about open-heart surgery and be fine, but another day I could hear about getting an X-Ray and it will send me into fainting land. Weird eh? At least I was well enough to attend Carolynn’s Baby Shower!

On Tuesday I opened my email at 6:30 AM and saw that Carolynn had her baby – Chloe Grace. I guess Chloe knew she could now be born since she would have great new stuff to wear! I went to work for the day and then went for my foot X-Ray. Squeamish-wise I was fine, but I had to pay $4 for parking at the Grimsby Hospital. I know they are in a building fund campaign, but $ 4 is ridiculous. Later that evening I went for a walk with Steve. Could it be the power of suggestion, but I think my foot hurts more now than before I saw the doctor.

On Wednesday I went to work… attended a Health & Safety meeting… did up the minutes… created new H&S forms… generally was pretty productive. When I got home, Steve and I ate dinner on the patio for the first time since mid-June. Too bad we had to wait a month and a half for it to be cool enough to do so. Then Steve went into whirling dervish mode getting ready for solo-Algonquin trip from Thursday to late Sunday. I watched “So You Think You Can Dance” and “The Closer” with Kyra Sedgewick, both for the first time and both were good.

On Thursday I woke up at 6:00 AM and sure enough Steve was gone, but he said he was leaving at 4:00 AM. I went to work and basically got numb bum from doing database work most of the day. I stopped at Sobey’s on the way home to get some subs for me and Louise and had to wait forever to get through the checkout. Sobey’s has great selection and many yummy prepared foods, but the rate determining step there is the consistent slowness of the checkouts. After dinner I took Louise to the Dollar Store (her favourite shopping experience) and she of course bought some crafts things. We then drove to Confederation Park with the dog to check out the camping sites. I walked the dog along the beach area while Louise (who hates walking) stayed in the van to work on her crafts. I really enjoyed the waterfront trail and so did the dog, but did my foot ever hurt.

Today I got a call from the doctor at 8:00 AM and I have a stress facture in my foot. I need to go to the hospital to purchase an orthopedic shoe and use it for the next few weeks. If my foot is still not better, I may need a foot cast. Great!? Louise and I are planning to go to the CNE on Monday. Later we got some DVD rentals and I let the dog out at 9:00 PM for her last pee. She ran to the corner of the house and I then saw her lower her head and turn away and then I smelled why – she had been sprayed by a skunk!!!! I didn’t let her into the house and quickly looked up on the Net the anti-skunk spray solution – one litre 3% hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda and one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. I mixed the concoction and went to work. I had to be very careful as the dog was sprayed mostly on her face. I used a washcloth and worked it in thoroughly. It seemed to help, but I could still smell it. I did further investigative work on the Net and found another formula – one cup vinegar in 4 litres of water. Again I went to work and thankfully the dog was co-operative. I guess the key is to get to the sprayed area before it dries. Hopefully I did enough. We will smell tomorrow.

On Saturday I hope to put the final push on my paper as I actually have been working on it during the week.

The Weekend

2005-08-15T09:44:00.000-04:00

Friday: Watched "Coach Carter" and "Guess Who" (had a cooler)
Saturday: Cleaned house the entire day to prepare for Sunday (had two coolers)
Sunday: Family Get-Together - Father, Brother, Niece & Husband, Nephew & Son, Nephew & Wife - to remember passing of my Mother last year on August 26th.
Monday: Errands with Louise and Carolynn's Baby Shower.
The rest of the week: Intense concentration and numbing pain to complete paper.

Mommy

2005-08-10T11:28:00.000-04:00

Today is a day that I wish I could have my mommy cuddle me and tell me that she will look after everything and that all I need to do is rest and not to worry.

Happenings in No Specific Order

2005-08-06T09:20:00.000-04:00

During the last three weeks I have:
Seen Charlie & the Chocolate Factory with Louise
Watched the Ice Princess DVD with Louise
Went to Fergus so Louise could get the first installment of her Spa Birthday package
While in Fergus, has a wonderful visit with my seminary friend Jessica
Visited Krista & the girls with Louise
Drove to Valens daily when the Freeway group camped, but did not sleep there.
Been eating a lot of cold cut sandwiches – so much less hassle than cooking.
Doing a lot of database entry at work and have been plagued with numb bum because of a lousy chair.
Went to a two-day Health & Safety training seminar for work in Burlington with four other co-workers. It was informative; gastronomically pleasing (had lunch at Jack Astor’s and Tucker’s Marketplace) and fun (with the people from work.) I also saw Marshall Bucek because he works in that same building.
Been watching a lot of Star Trek, Next Generation lately. Very soothing.
Took Louise shopping one day and worked out a deal that I would purchase a craft box for her if she would clean the main bathroom top to bottom according to my standards. She did it!
Took Brenna (the dog) on the Bruce Trail near our house. She loves being off leash and I enjoyed the physical exercise of the Trail plus the mental stimulation of listening to CBC while hiking.
Researching which is the best day to visit the CNE with Louise.
Helped at the Freeway one night sweeping until I could sweep no more.
Will be attending a house-warming gathering with Louise for my married niece and her new house in Toronto today.
Can’t wait to see the Freeway set-up for Sunday.
Notice that working on my 50% paper has been nowhere on the list. This MUST become a priority!

Goings On

2005-07-18T08:56:00.000-04:00

Life the last two weeks have been anything but slow, in fact it has been more like a blur. Every day I have been driving to Tyndale to the classroom component of my last seminary course, Systematic Theology II. Driving to Toronto during rush-hour in the summer months is a little less frustrating than usual, but there always s manages to be a slowdown/accident somewhere. (Al, I really don’t know how you do it day in, day out all year?) My course of study included topics like Christology (the person of Christ), Soteriology (the work of Christ), Models of the Atonement, Pneumatology (the Holy Spirit), Soteriology of the Holy Spirit, Ecclesiology (the Church), and Eschatology (Last Things). For the most part this course was very interesting in understanding the development of the various things Christians believe. It was hard in respect that this stuff is really INTENSE and DEEP and gives no opportunity to snooze. The part of school that I enjoyed the most, as always, is meeting the various people in the seminary journey with me. This group was diverse, which makes their life stories really interesting to hear. Of course I always gravitate to the loud and opinionated group which makes break time something to look forward to. Anyway, I am finally finished the classroom work and now only have a 50% paper left to do before I can officially say – SCHOOL’S OUT FOREVER!
It’s been great to see Natasha at work each day. Unfortunately it has been so hot in the plant. What a baptism by sweat for a new job! Steve took me out for my birthday on Friday to the Mandarin and we had a very nice time. On Saturday we trekked back to Toronto to a seminary friend’s pace in East York for a kind of last get together BBQ for the seminary buddies. It was sad, but fun. Last night at the Freeway we watched “Million Dollar Baby”. I cried, but I cry very easily watching movies. It felt really cozy to sit together in an air-conditioned environment with church-mates to visit and watch a movie. It makes me long for more together times!

Last Seminary Course:

2005-07-10T18:38:00.000-04:00

This past week I completed half of the classroom requirement for my last course in Seminary – Systematic Theology II. I have one week left. This past weekend I worked on a paper and read over 200 pages from the required texts. I am feeling shut-in. On a positive note, I am somewhat enjoying learning how theology has evolved since the early church and how it is again morphing in a post-modern age. The downside is that I have no philosophical bent and it’s a struggle to do papers. I don’t know if it’s because I know that graduation is near, but I am really want the end to come and I don’t mean in an eschatological way.

2005-07-05T06:05:00.000-04:00

Happy 12th Birthday Louise!!

DVD Viewing Habits

2005-06-27T12:49:00.000-04:00

My last four DVD rentals:
1) In Good Company – Dennis Quaid, Toper Grace, Scarlett Johansson
(2-2/3 out of 5)
2) Ocean’s 12 – Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Catherine Zeta-Jones (3 out of 5)
3) Napoleon Dynamite – Jon Heder, Tina Majorino (4-1/2 out of 5)
4) National Treasure – Nicholas Cage, Diane Kruger (1-3/4 out of 5)

Bachlorette Days Ending

2005-06-27T12:48:00.000-04:00

Well it’s been nice to be alone for a while. Steve and Louise left for Kelowna last Wednesday and will be back late tonight. In the time they were away I eat what I wanted, when I wanted to and in as much or as little quantity as I wanted to. I slept when I wanted to for as long as I wanted to. I did as many household chores as I wanted to or as little as I wanted to. No one interrupted me with their wants and needs (except the pets) and no one interfered with my internet or TV watching whims. I was able to speak pet talk as long as I wanted and as loud as I wanted and no one was there to shhh me. The day’s schedule of activities was mine alone to decide and I basically ruled the domain here in Beamsville. Living as a single was nice for a few days, but now I want my family back!

Buffy, the Mourning Dove Slayer (Almost)

2005-06-22T14:02:00.000-04:00

Thank goodness that this happened about 20 minutes after Steve & Louise left for the airport. I went downstairs for my shower and when I emerged to go upstairs, I noticed feathers on the basement floor. I thought “Oh no, Mitzy (the once predatory cat) must have brought in a bird through the cat door”. I turned the corner and realized it was BUFFY the benevolent cat who has never hunted anything! Both cats are now 13 years old and spend most of their time inside. I have never seen Buffy do anything like this before and I was actually shocked to see feathers in her mouth! Mitzy on the other hand, in her youth, has dragged in many “catches of the day” including dead rabbits through the cat door. I quickly got many paper towels and gently picked up the bird, which was still very much alive, and gingerly took it outside and placed it on the grass. The paper towel had some blood on it and I think the bird may have been wounded between the neck and chest area, but it did try to fly away. Hopefully the bird can recover from Buffy the Mourning Dove Slayer’s (Almost) attack. I harshly scolded her when I went inside, but as we all know, cats only hear us saying Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah.

What's New

2005-06-20T10:30:00.000-04:00

Last Tuesday, Louise and & I bought a summer dress for the Awards Night at her school on Thursday. The dress is an A-line halter style with a pretty green & blue pattern. We also got a green fringed shawl to cover her shoulders. She looks so grown up in the outfit.

Thursday after school, Louise and I went sandal shopping for the outfit for the Awards Night later that evening. We bought some bluish sandals and when we got home we realized that they did not go well with the dress. We went back with Louise wearing the new outfit found a great pair of greenish sandals that went perfectly. The teenage sales clerk could not believe that Louise was not yet 12 years old and to Louise’s embarrassment and pride the young women announced in the store, “She’s so developed!”

The Awards Night went well and Louise received an award for diligence and perseverance because she had kept up with her homework even though she fought a lingering cold for months. Along with the reward, she received a Beaded Bobby Pin craft kit. Louise has not stopped working on that kit all weekend. She only does homework under threat of death, but when it comes to crafts, the world stops!

Friday was Louise’s last day of school and we celebrated with McDonalds. Steve and I watched Hitch later that night and I tried a new cooler – Hard Kiwi Mango Lemonade.

On Saturday morning, Steve and Marshall went early morning kayaking and Louise and I went for breakfast at the Truck Stop. Later that morning I attended a memorial mass at the Catholic Church I attended growing up. It was for a childhood friend who died in late April of “Lou Gherig’s Disease (ALS).” I didn’t even know she was ill until her mother told me she had died. Kim lived in Florida for 20 years and I had seen her in over 7 years. She leaves behind a husband and a 13 year-old daughter. How does one process that? I understand that her Catholic faith was very dear to her in her final years and I hope she reached out to the Lord and not the ritual for strength, comfort and hope.

Saturday night, Steve and I and the dog went for a long walk around Fifty Point Conservation Park. Louise stayed home, still glued to her craft. The walk was really great. The park has so many things to offer – beach, marina, fishing, camping, pavilion, picnic areas, etc. I was just great to walk with Steve and talk about all sorts of things.

On Sunday my Dad came over for Father’s Day and we prepared chicken and ribs. It really was cheating because we bought a pre-made BBQ chicken and ribs from Sobey’s. The chicken was done fine, but the ribs?!! Well Steve was right when he said we could have had the same effect if we bought a large jar of BBQ sauce and an old shoe. After lunch, Dad wanted to watch soccer, but we don’t get the soccer channel in Beamsville, so he decided on Lawrence Welk instead. I later told Steve that my Dad has no idea how huge his Father’s Day gift was this year by me having to endure Lawrence Welk for an hour.

Louise gave Steve a homemade tye-dye T-shirt which he wore with pride to the Freeway last night. Louise and I took the night off from church and watched television movies.

Today I have off and Louise is home, having finished school. On Wednesday Steve and Louise leave for six days to visit his mother in Kelowna, BC. I will miss them, but the thought of bachelorette living for a week is exciting.

Strange Car

2005-06-16T11:46:00.000-04:00

Every time I see that strange looking Dodge Magnum car-thingy, especially a black one,
I always expect to find Herman Munster behind the wheel.

Funny Sites

2005-06-15T19:37:00.000-04:00

Eric's Emotions
Rent A German, epecially picture 2 of 72

Who Needs Marineland?

2005-06-15T11:27:00.000-04:00

If you want to see a trained seal in action, don’t bother going to Marineland, just come to my house in the mornings. Louise is so skilled at her powers of manipulation that I have now become her trained mammal. And I don’t even get a slimy fish as a reward. All I can hope for is that the “Wrath of Khan” can be avoided long enough to get her to school on time and me to work just slightly late.

Tissue Products

2005-06-14T19:09:00.000-04:00

I have always liked to have vast quantities of tissue products at my disposal. You never can have too much facial tissue, toilet tissue or paper towels around the house. I MUST HAVE at LEAST ONE box of Kleenex in EVERY ROOM of the house at ALL TIMES.
I usually have Kleenex within an arm’s reach of wherever I happen to be. When I first was dating Steve and asked for a tissue he proceeded to go to the bathroom and presented me with a few squares of toilet tissue. I was appalled!!!! Once we married the tissue box situation changed dramatically. Louise has totally embraced my love for facial tissues and believes why use just one when you can use 5. My fondness for toilet tissue and paper towels is not quite on par with the facial tissue, but it’s still up there.

The City of Eternal Spring

2005-06-14T18:52:00.000-04:00

Friends of mine were missionaries to Bogota, Columbia in the 1970’s and they told me that it is high enough in the Andes Mountains that it is known as the “City of Eternal Spring.” After the weather we have had lately, wouldn’t that be nice?! I think spring is my favourite season and the thought of eternal spring seems so wonderful. But since I have already have knowledge of the other seasons, I would probably long for them soon enough.

Offbeat News

2005-06-12T10:29:00.000-04:00

Man Riding Lawn Mower At 3 A.M. Gets DUI Charge
'Most Bizarre Call I've Ever Had,' Tow Truck Driver Says

DELHI TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- A man riding a lawn mower down the street at 3 a.m. has been charged with DUI, Cincinnati TV station WLWT reported.
Joseph Mundy told police he got the munchies, so he started out toward the Delhi Kroger store. He was riding down the street in the dark when an officer stopped him.

"He didn't have headlights, of course, and the officer almost hit him, and he thought it was stolen," said Delhi Township Cpl. Joe Macaluso. "But he ruled that out real quickly, and he realized the munchies got the best of him." The officer called a tow truck for the mower.
"This is the most bizarre call I've ever had," said Joe Elliott, of Schaffer's Towing. "It was something you'd see on 'COPS,' but not something you go out and do."
This was Mundy's first DUI. He could be sentenced to three days in jail.

Driving while having a stupid mother:
A mother in Chicago let her 11-year-old son drive to school while she and her daughter were passengers. Predictably, bad things happened.

Something fishy going on at Aussie customs:
Customs officials in Australia recently stopped a woman coming into their country and decided to search her because they heard odd flipping noises coming from under skirt. The woman was packing 51 live tropical fish. No one is sure why, so far.

Gay men can drive in Italy
An Italian man had his license suspended. His crime was that he was found to be gay while driving. Judges overturned the decision.

Man sues over exploding porta-potty
A man in the U.S. is suing a general contractor after he went into a porta-potty, lit up a cigarette and then discovered that there was a methane gas leak from a pipe under the potty. Kaboom!

Thief, gas, lighter a bad mix
A man in New York State was arrested for stealing gas at night. He was using a lighter as he siphoned gas from a dump truck that started a fire and the would-be thief was caught red-handed, literally.

Commando is out for military in the U.K.
No more going commando for British service men and woman when they visit the tailor. That country's Ministry of Defence has issued a memo ordering it's staff that when they go for fittings for their dress uniform, they must keep it all under wraps.

"GO" on CBC Radio, Sat. at 10:00 AM

2005-06-11T11:21:00.000-04:00

I was listening to CBC Radio One (99.1 FM) this morning and “GO” was on. It was a hilarious show that featured the regal Lister Sinclair (of “Ideas” fame) presenting the Masterpieces of Disco. It was a blast from my 70’s past:

You Should Be Dancing - Bee Gees
Boogie Woogie Dancin' Shoes - Claudja Barry
Boogie Oogie Oogie - A Taste of Honey
Kung Fu Fighting - Carl Douglas
From NY to LA - Patsy Gallant
Come To Me - France Joli
Bad Girls - Donna Summer
Get Down On It - Kool and the Gang
I'm Your Boogie Man - KC and the Sunshine Band
Rasputin - Boney M
Your Love - Lime
Tattoo Man - Denise McCann
Wow - Andre Gagnon
You Sexy Thing - Hot Chocolate
The Hustle - Van McCoy
Let Me Take You Dancing - Bryan Adams
Night on Disco Mountain - Mussorgsky (adapted by David Shire)
Disco Inferno - The Trammps
Star Wars Theme - Meco

Weekly Web News Quiz

2005-06-11T11:06:00.000-04:00

For the last six months or so I have taken the weekly CNN.com News Quiz. It asks 10 news-making questions and gives four multiple choice answers. Since I believe myself to be somewhat of a news buff, I look forward to how well I score each week. I usually do pretty well (from lowest score of 6/10 and best score of 9/10). My undoing comes when I take the MSN.com News Quiz. I have never scored better than 6/10! I guess that qualifies me as only a semi news quiz wanna-be buff.

Summer Shaving

2005-06-10T13:17:00.000-04:00

I am glad the summer weather is here, but there is a drawback. Extra shaving! In the winter you can get away with as little as possible. In the spring, Capri length pants make just a bit more work. But summer means at least an extra 5 minutes in the shower and that’s 5 minutes that you have to be awake and coherent or it’s knicks city.

Kathy Had Fun Tonight

2005-06-08T21:17:00.000-04:00

I did four fun things tonight:
1. Enjoyed a Harvey's Hamburger for dinner
2. Enjoyed a great conversation with Natasha over the dinner
3. Drove the Burlington Skyway Bridge at 140 kph with all the windows down while enjoying the great Bay breeze
4. Actually enjoyed myself swimsuit shopping with Louise - she's into womens' sizes now!

Catnip

2005-06-07T13:04:00.000-04:00

On the weekend, Louise and I bought some gifts for our pets – a new squeaker ball for Brenna the dog and some catnip for Mitzy & Buffy, the cats. Brenna just LOVES her new ball! Mitzy & Buffy are not quite as thrilled about the catnip. Mitzy bats around catnip nuggets, but will not eat them. Buffy just runs when I put one near her. The funny thing is that Brenna the dog can be anywhere in the house and when I open the package of catnip, she is right there. She seems to love the taste too?! I wonder if I am crossing some kind of taboo boundary by giving catnip to a dog. Is it akin to a man wearing women’s underwear?

Miss Universe 2005

2005-06-06T19:35:00.000-04:00

Did anyone notice that Miss Canada (Natalie Glebova) was crowned Miss Universe last week. She is Russian-born and immigrated to Canada with her parents when she was 12. The last and only other Miss Canada to become Miss Universe was Karen Baldwin in 1982. She later married a young heart-throb villain from the show “Dallas”. In the last few years I have seen her on The Shopping Channel as the co-spokesperson for “Serious Skin” care products. The other co-spokesperson is Jennifer Flavins – Sylvester Stallone’s wife. If you have any further need for useless info, please do not hesitate to contact me.

eBay

2005-06-06T13:06:00.000-04:00

After my initial foray into the world of eBay, I went to their site last night to see what kind of different goodies they had. I went to the collectibles section and sewing collectibles caught my eye. Well I found a plethora of vintage clothing patterns and couldn’t stop until I had seen all of them. You see, I used to sew a lot at one time. I am not very good mind you, but that never stopped me. I was always challenged to sew something that was at the edge of my ability and beyond. Most things turned out okay and many things I had to get someone who knew what they were doing to rescue me. The only thing I never mastered was altering a pattern to fit me perfectly – I just preferred to rip seams and re-sew until it fit. This would need to change if I ever started up again. The last time I sewed anything of consequence was a velvet coat for Louise when she was two.
I also used to wear a lot of vintage clothes 40’s, 50’s and 60’s era styles. I always wished that I could go back in time to those periods and for one day shop for the things I wanted with our current money. I would have closets full!!
So, if I could combine my love of vintage clothing with my meager ability to sew, I could have vintage clothes that fit and don’t cost hundreds. But alas for now all I can do is look at the eBay site and dream – maybe say someday.

How Was Your Week?

2005-06-06T09:24:00.000-04:00

A general recap:
Monday, May 30th: Spent day at home doing household chores. After an early supper, the family went to Fifty Point Conservation Park to see what there was to see. We did lots of walking (even the dog was tired) and Louise was really afraid of the marina water (hope she will overcome that).
Tuesday, May 31st: Workday went smooth. After school Steve took Louise to get a t-shirt for craft day at school on Friday and he bought a bug-shirt for the “trip”. In the evening Steve was preparing for his “trip” and I helped Louise with her homework.
Wednesday, June 1st: Workday went smooth. After school I took Louise to the orthodontist. Steve mowed the lawn and went to the Freeway meeting. I helped Louise with her homework.
Thursday, June 2nd: Workday went smooth. I saw Steve for about 2 minutes before he left on the “trip”. I bid on a pair of sandals on EBay for the first time. Had subs with Louise for supper. Elena the babysitter came to do Louise’s hair in French braids while I went to the Bible Thumpers social at Boston Pizza in Grimsby.
Friday, June 3rd: Spent day at home with laundry, tidying and trying to nap away some hormonal blues. Steve called from Algonquin to let me know he was doing well and had a great campsite. Louise had a craft day at school and made a beaded sleeved t-shirt. We watched “Louise TV shows” in the evening. Got my winter semester marks and got a B in Systematic Theology with Dr. Shepherd. I was proud!!!! Still don’t know my Youth Evangelism & Discipleship mark because Dave Overholt hasn’t got the marks in yet.
Saturday, June 4th: Originally had plans to visit my brother in Fergus with Louise and the dog, but that didn’t work out. Missed the Freeway Girls’ breakfast because I knew to get Louise there would mean I would have to fight a battle I didn’t want to take on. Instead we had a quiet morning and then went to see The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in St. Catharines. Very sweet movie. I cried for much of it while Louise just had moist eyes at the end. Then we visited my Dad and went to McDonald’s for dinner. I bribed Louise into walking uptown to the video store to get some “Louise-type movies”. She got the 3 for 3 deal (3 older movies for 3 days for 3 dollars) and chose The Lizzy McQuire Movie, Princess Diaries and Ella Enchanted. She has seen all of these at least five times each, but thankfully the Mary Kate and Ashley movies don’t make the cut anymore. While Louise was inside I was outside doing some gardening. Not my favourite thing, but a few things had to get done. I tied up the huge, incorrigible clematis vine and pruned back the deadwood on the climbing roses. In error I also cut back some major livewood on one of the bushes. O well, it will be short this year. I had the winning bid on EBay and the sandals are on their way.
Sunday, June 5th: Lazy morning. Steve surprised us by getting home at 12:30 PM. It was really good to see him! I listened to all his “trip” stories and then prepared the Caesar salad for the Freeway BBQ. I had a nice chat with Melissa B. at church – she has such piercing blue eyes and held Natasha hostage while listening to some rant I was on.
Monday, June 6th: So far I have taken Louise to school and tidied up. I plan to do laundry, brush the dog and harvest the rhubarb to make rhubarb/strwaberry treats for Steve’s birthday tomorrow.
So that was my week. The juicy stuff I save for one-on-one conversations.

Two Firsts

2005-05-30T12:25:00.000-04:00

This morning I “Easy-Off” cleaned the oven and stove for the first time since I went back to school three years ago. It needed it! Even though the work was messy, it beat writing a paper. For lunch I had a nutella sandwich for the first time in a long time. It’s hasn’t been in the house for years because Louise said she didn’t like it. She just changed her mind recently. I loved that sandwich! It also beats writing a paper.

Going Blank

2005-05-27T13:01:00.000-04:00

“How was your week?” is a popular greeting at the Freeway. The problem with me is that whenever I am asked that question I go completely blank about “my week”. The only things I can clearly remember in that instance are the mundane events of everyday life like getting up, going to work, coming home and then going to bed. So usually I just say “fine” because I have no story to tell. Well yesterday was different. It was Bible-Thumper Night (Freeway bible-study night) and I was picking up Marshall Bucek to drive to Hamilton. Marshall gets in the van and asks “how’s you’re week been?” In an honest response I actually told him that I never can remember about my week when someone asks me. But since we had a 15min. drive ahead of us, I started to really think about what had happened in the last five days. When then the flood gates opened. Marshall had to listen to every little detail of the week! And of course I eventually steered the conversation over to all things Star Trek, but luckily, Marshall had a high tolerance for such things because he used to watch it.
So it is best that when you ask me “How was your week?”, make sure I don’t have a few minutes to think about it or you have to endure to listening to it all, plus Star Trek on top of that.

I Felt It!!!!

2005-05-18T14:13:00.000-04:00

It arrived and I felt it and its smoooooth!!!!!
3000 grit sandpaper that is!

Colonial House

2005-05-16T13:18:00.000-04:00

On Sunday I stumbled upon a PBS program called “Colonial House.” Essentially it is a survivor-like, eight part series that has 24, 21st century people living in 1628 conditions in Maine. This is to mimic the life of the Puritans who sailed over from England. The people had to live by 17th century English laws and were given public punishments. The group is quite diverse, of course, to provide tension and good television moments, but this is a PBS production and nicely does not have the cut-throat attitude of “Survivor.” I think I came in watching the series when it was halfway through already, so I went online to find out more about the series: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/colonialhouse. The website is as interesting as the program! Steve said he could live like that no problem. Me? – I’d last maybe one hour!

New Experiences

2005-05-11T13:09:00.000-04:00

Today I felt a piece of 1000 grit sandpaper for the first time! Next week I'll get to feel a piece of 3000 grit sandpaper!!!! Apparently it is used for CD production. How lucky am I to work for an abrasives company?!

Regarding the Gauntlet:

2005-05-07T10:31:00.000-04:00

The gauntlet actually refers to the weight-loss, exercise gauntlet. Some background info-
My weight was always fairly consistent. I was semi-athletic growing up, not a star, but with respectable ability. I played all team sports in high school and continued being active into my adult years. My wedding pictures can prove that I was still thinish at 30.
Then we moved to a small island in the Maritimes. Even though it was quite the adventure out there, I started to stress eat out of loneliness. Steve had perfected making poutine and mud cookies and took full advantage of them especially on Sunday nights.
Three years later we moved back to Ontario and I brought with me 15 extra pounds. Not a huge problem, but tolerable. I played softball that summer and twisted my ankle in late May. It took me the entire summer to heal where I could actually run again. At 35, I decided that I was throwing in the towel regarding team sports because injuries were so difficult to come back from. So a semi-sedentary life followed chasing Louise as a toddler. Then came the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. (I know it was in the last century, but stay with me here.) I watched Donovan Bailey win the 100 metres and was inspired. Also at that time I saw a birthday picture of myself and was appalled at my weight gain. Time for a drastic change! I enrolled at a women’s only fitness centre and for three months was dedicated to working out 3X’s a week. I got into better shape and lost weight. Then I got really determined and stepped up my routine to at least 5X’s per week. We bought a Pilates machine and a semi-recumbent bike and used them daily. At the same time Steve and I were bike riding up to 40 km every Saturday and the whole family was fit and active. Then Louise started school and I started work. The time slipped away for daily workouts and slowly the sedentary life returned. Again the weight crept back until I was past my Maritimes weight. I kept thinking I have to get back into a routine again, but never did. Then I decided to go school. This gave me the opportunity to expand my mind, but it also expanded my girth as sitting in front of the computer working on papers was not an aerobic exercise. The weight continued to creep up and them one day I decided to go on the Atkins diet. For the next 8 weeks I was a no-carb fiend. I lost 18 pounds. Then I stopped and began the life of food indulgence once again. I gained the back the 18 pounds and added many more. Every time I looked at myself in the mirror I thought “Who is this person?”, but didn’t do anything about it. So my 2005 New Year’s Resolution was to get back into shape. I signed up for a Pilates’ class and a women’s weight training class. The weight training class was great with a wonderful instructor, but Steve and I had scheduling conflicts so I chose to stop attending. My Pilates class was very different. I had done Pilates at home for 3 years and loved it. The Pilates machine is great to work on and gives you full-body workout while stretching your muscles at the same time. Pilates on a mat in an ice-cold room with a Gestapo-trained instructor didn’t have the same appeal to me. I never got the breathing right, felt frozen even with 3 pairs of socks and had no "good-stretched" feeling when I was done. The class didn’t last. Well here I am in May 2005, in my mid-forties and wondering “When will this procrastination end?” Friday, May 6th! That’s why I posted that I had finally thrown down the gauntlet. I set up a 6-week exercise schedule with the equipment we already own downstairs and I was enlisted the help of an accountability partner, Larissa, who will kick my butt if I do not comply. Your prayers would be appreciated.

Authentic Community

2005-05-06T15:01:00.000-04:00

Last night after the official part of the Thursday night Bible Study was over, the group was kibitzing around and Pernell asked everyone “If a movie was made about your life, who should play your part?” When it finally got to me, Dave said “This might make you mad”, but I insisted he continue with his thought. He started out by saying “a younger version of Dame…”
In that split second before he could finish the sentence, I thought for sure he was going to say Dame EDNA! At this point my mind was racing with – “Okay, how am going to handle it when he says it and everyone in the group hears? I know the Freeway is supposed to be an authentic community, but is a public Dame Edna comparison supposed to part of that? How will I react when everyone totally agrees with Dave’s pick? Is this Dave’s way of payback for the embarrassing moment from Sunday?” I was actually quite nervous in that millisecond!
Just to let everyone know, Dave finished the sentence off with Dame Judy Dench and after recovering from the fact that he didn’t actually say Dame Edna, I was flattered.

2005-05-06T13:24:00.000-04:00

I have finally thrown down the gauntlet!

Alias Review

2005-05-05T10:41:00.000-04:00

Alias was really good last night! The writers certainly had us believing the storyline about Jack and his doctor (aka Lenny from Laverne & Shirley). Jack was portrayed as a human being again and it was touching to see how much he cared for his wife and daughter. Sophia on the other hand is surprisingly EVIL!!! (The accomplice that she killed last night looked like the geeky law student from Legally Blonde.) Question: since Sonja was an undercover agent for the Argentinian government and now works for the CIA, would she really be that naive and unquestioning about Sophia and her movements? Question: what exactly is the nature of the relationship between Weiss and Sonja?
Next week's episode is apparently directed by Jennifer Gardner.

Eating My Words

2005-05-05T09:41:00.000-04:00

After posting that I never leave a vehicle with lower than 1/4 tank of gas - well, this morning I had to make an unscheduled stop to get gas because the fuel light came on. Yes, I confessed to Steve and am confessing publically that I was in error in my last post on one point.

Vive la Difference

2005-05-03T18:51:00.000-04:00

In the last 15-1/2 years of marriage, Steve and I still do some things differently:

Steve: has the vehicle dashboard lights turned low
Kathy: has the vehicle dashboard light turned high

Steve: loads the dishwasher haphazardly
Kathy: loads the dishwasher logically & efficiently, to its maximum capacity

Steve: takes only what he needs out of the dryer and leaves the rest
Kathy: takes everything out of the dryer and folds it immediately

Steve: installs toilet paper hanging over the roll
Kathy: installs toilet paper hanging under the roll

Steve: puts pots & pans away under stove in a “whatever” manner
Kathy: puts pots & pans away under stove in a certain pattern so everything fits well

Steve: leaves vehicle radio, heater, air-conditioning, etc. on when shutting off engine
Kathy: turns all vehicle accessories off before shutting off engine

Steve: waits until I am completely finished laundry before throwing in last bits of his clothes in the laundry basket
Kathy: tries to have an empty laundry basket for a least one hour

Steve: perpetually leaves vehicles on empty when Kathy gets in to use them
Kathy: never leaves a vehicle below ¼ tank of gas

Steve: prefers to have kitchen sink faucet aerator always on
Kathy: prefers to have kitchen sink faucet aerator off

Steve: always puts away long cords well wrapped and tidy
Kathy: never learned how to wind up long cords in the around the elbow and shoulder method, hence they are put away messy

Steve: calls shirts, shirts; blouses, blouses; T-shirts, T-shirts, etc.
Kathy: calls all tops, tops

Steve: blames my cats for the ills of the world
Kathy: believes all pets make the world a kinder, gentler place

Dreams

2005-04-28T15:02:00.000-04:00

Steve has spoken about getting rid of a vehicle during the last year so when I saw an article about electric bikes, it caught my eye. That night I had a vivid dream. I dreamt that I approached Steve about the electric bike and he cut me off saying that he was going to talk to me about it. Steve was so impressed with the electric bike idea that he had already researched which model to purchase. So when I woke up I thought that I must speak to Steve right away. Well, that was the 50-hour weekend that Steve spent at work putting the new server in and I didn’t get a chance to see him, let alone discuss electric bikes. Finally after about a week later I brought up the subject of the electric bike. Remembering my dream, I was anticipating a lively discussion. What I got instead was Steve giving me a look as though I was the daffiest person he knew. Not only did he not agree with my electric bike idea, he thought it was one of the wackiest things I have ever thought. I guess I need to remember dreams are not real life.

Faces

2005-04-26T15:56:00.000-04:00

As far back as I can remember I have always looked at the configuration of the backs of cars (tail lights and bumpers) to see if they looked like a face. The back of most cars today look like insect faces. Some look more intense like the Honda Civic and some are more dopey-looking like the Kia Spectra. Recently I noticed the new Nissian Quest minivan which looks like the big grin on the Koolaid Pitcher, or if you watch Star Trek: Enterprise, like Dr. Phlox’s smile.
Take a look sometime and see what you can see. It’s like looking at the clouds, but you are still able to drive at the same time.