What's on your playlist?

Okay, so I'm kind of beind the times and still working with CD's but you get the idea. So, what's in my player lately? Brace yourself. It's NOT what you'd expect.

Nickleback: All the Right Reasons

Aaron was mighty confused when I asked to borrow this cd. I admit some of the lyrics are a bit out there for me (actually a lot of them) but I really, really like Photograph and Rockstar. If you haven't seen the video for Rockstar, go to YouTube and look it up. It's AWESOME. Of course the fact that lead singer Chad Kroeger is a local boy doesn't hurt either. Gotta support local talent :D

Bon Jovi: Have a Nice Day

Now that "Who Says You Can't Go Home" isn't being played every second song on country radio, I can actually stand to listen to this cd. I really like "Have a Nice Day" and I'm loving the sound of "Last Cigarette" for some reason. I can see why this is such a popular album.

I'm not sold on their new "Lost Highway" album yet but maybe a few years down the road I'll like it too.

Newsboys: Shine: The Hits
Somehow I never connected the song "Shine" with Newsboys but when I did, I decided I wanted to hear the whole cd. I love that song and while the lyrics are kind of twisted "make a vegetarian barbque hamster?" the sentiment is good and the beat rocks.

All of these cd's have been out for awhile and are outside my usual little country box but I'm just discovering them and enjoying them.

And now I don't

...have a roommate that is. In my last roommate update I wondered if I should post the crazy ups and downs of this ride. Dawn said yes so here's another one.

Amanda's not ready to move out. Fair enough. I didn't leave until three days before my twenty-fifth birthday. There's no point in rushing it. She was worried about telling me but *I* am not worried and I told her so. Who knows, she may change her mind by January. Or, the boys may get really good paying jobs and be willing to pay me storage. Or I may find another roommate. Something will work out. For now, the ride continues.

My new job is going well. I worked yesterday from 2-6 and today from 12:30-5:30. My feet are SORE but I'm getting the hang of things and even starting to remember where certain things are in the store. Today it was just my boss and I and I had really high sales that way over shot the goal she set for me. Yeah!!!

Yesterday was quiet and it's MUCH harder to work when it's quiet. Today it was busier and I learned how to do mark-downs. I got to use the little pricer gun and everything. Small things for small minds LOL It's good though. My boss is super supportive and makes sure to give me feedback on what I'm doing right or wrong. I'm looking forward to the Christmas season although I'm pretty sure all our customers will have their shopping done by Remembrance Day :P

~Heidi

just the facts, ma'am

The rules:
A. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.
B. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names

I saw this on Nesa's blog but Stacy actually tagged me (and first to I might add) so I guess I have to do it ;)

Six facts about me:

1. I only wash my hair every four or five days. I keep it up in a braid and it doesn’t require more washing then that.
2. I have an irrational fear of running out of food. I like having a very full cupboard and freezer.
3. I prefer traveling alone. Both on a plane and in a car.
4. I miss my commute.
5. I like Starbucks but I have yet to order just plain coffee there. It’s always a latte or chai or something else equally as satisfying.
6. If it weren't for commercial breaks I wouldn't get anything done. I swear they're the best invention yet.

I'm tagging the following six people:
1. Dawn
2. Miriam
3. Sherilyn
4. Nancy
5. Patti
6. Diane

I talked to Seth tonight

Robert has a job at a manufacturing plant. Seth's holding out to get in with the company he originally applied for. It may be a few weeks until they're ready to hire him though so we brainstormed on what he can do in the meantime. They sound like they're happy though which is good.

I'm enjoying having the apartment all to myself. I clean it and it STAYS that way! Any mess is all mine and I'm okay with that. Also without all the suitcases and bedding all over the living room it feels bigger.

I've had the opportunity to meet up with some friends this week which has made saying good bye a lot easier. Sunday I hung out with Jenna and Will briefly, Monday Jackie came over and today Tracy and I went out for lunch. I love having friends :)

Seven Deadly Sins Survey

I borrowed this from tosin

Wrath
Who did you last get angry with? Myself. See the sloth section. Oh, and the cop who gave me a ticket.
What is your weapon of choice? Sarcasm
Would you hit a member of the opposite sex? I can see myself slapping someone but I would feel SICK immediately afterwards
How about the same sex? If provoked. I have three brothers. I can get physical fast although I haven't in a long time.
Who was the last person who got really angry at you? The guy I cut off.
What is your pet peeve? Only one? People who can't park between the lines
Do you keep grudges, or can you let them go easily? I do but I'm getting better at letting go and realizing that it really doesn't matter.

Sloth
What is one thing you're suppose to do daily that you haven't? Dishes
What is the latest you've ever woken up? 11:30...on Christmas. I nap a lot too though.
Name a person you've been meaning to contact, but haven't? Melissa, Steve
What is the last lame excuse that you made? I don't feeeeeeel like it
Have you ever watched an infomercial all the way through? No. I hate infomercials. Interesting that this is the second time they've come up in as many days though.
How many times did you hit the snooze button on your alarm clock this morning? My alarm went off at 6:35. My cell phone alarm went off at 7:05, and again at 7:15. Something has to change!

Gluttony
What is your overpriced yuppie beverage of choice? Grande, no-water, no-foam, extra-hot, soy tazo chai
Are you a meat eater? Oh yeah! And I always say I'm glad I'm not Jewish because I love pork :D Although I never buy it. I always have it at Mom's.
What is the greatest amount of alcohol you've had in one sitting/outing/event? Can anyone say "Phil-a-del-phia?!?!" I can remember every drink I had that night though.
Are you comfortable with your drinking and eating habits? Drinking yes because it's rare. Eating no because I'm addicted.
Do you enjoy candy and sweets? Sweets as in baking? Definitely. More than food.
Which do you prefer: sweets, salty foods or spicy foods? Salty please :)
Have you ever looked at a small house pet or child and thought, "lunch!"? That is disgusting.

Greed
How many credit cards do you own? Just one that I owe too much on hence the second job.
If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it? Buy a house for me, a house for my parents, a car, travel and invest the $50 that is left over.
Would you rather be rich or famous? Rich. Definitely rich. Fame is fleeting.
Would you accept a boring job if it meant that you would make megabucks? Pshewwwwww probably not. Well, maybe. It depends on what kind of boring it is.

Pride
What's one thing that you have done that you're most proud of? Travelled around Texas alone
What is one thing that you have done that your parents are most proud of? Held a secure job for a number of years
What thing would you like to accomplish late in your life? To be financially comfortable enough to be able to volunteer only and not work
Do you get annoyed by coming in second place? Yep, second place is the first loser
Have you ever entered a contest of skill, knowing you were of much higher skill than all the other competitors? Probably. A specific instance doesn't come to mind though.
Have you ever cheated to get a better score? Grade 7 French anyone?
What did you do today that you're proud of? Got my @$$ out of bed

Lust
How many people have you seen naked (not counting movies, family, strippers, locker rooms)? Like full frontal? Very, very, very few.
How many people have seen you naked (not counting physicians, doctors, family, locker rooms, or when you were a young child)? Live? Even less.
Have you ever caught yourself staring at the chest/crotch of a person of your chosen sex during a normal conversation? Women with low cut shirts are a pet peeve of mine. I just think it's skanky and if *I* can't look away then what chance does a guy have???
What is your favorite body part of a person of your gender choice? Eyes, specifically eye CONTACT. That's another pet peeve. People who can't maintain eye contact. Drives me nuts.
Have you ever had sexual encounters (including kissing/making out) with multiple persons?at the same time? Mmmmm no.
Have you ever been propositioned by a prostitute? No, thank goodness

Envy
What item of your friends would you most want to have for your own? A laptop
Who would you want to go on "Trading Spaces" with? My mom. She needs it, bad.
If you could be anyone who existed in the world, who would you be? Ah "Who Would You Be" Long term or short term? Dang that's HARD! I don't really know. I'll have to think about that and get back to you.
Have you ever been cheated on? Nope. That's one of the benefits of not having a long term relationship!
Have you ever wished you had a physical feature different from your own? Not so much. I am what and who I am.
What inborn trait do you see in others that you wish you had for yourself? What's the opposite of procrastination?

I have a roommate!

Part of me wonders if I should continue to share the ups and downs of my roommate search with my blog readers because it seems to change daily. It is real life though and I have to tell SOMEONE! So, the latest developemnt. Sunday at church I overheard my friend Amanda commenting to her mom that it seems like all she's doing any more is driving. She lives with her parents in the town where I used to work but works, goes to church and has lots of friends in the town where I live. In passing I told her "Well, if you're looking to move West, I'm looking for a roommate".

Last night she called me "Are you really looking for a roommate?"
"Yes, providing I can figure out a way to get rid of Seth's stuff"

Anyways, she came by and had a look at the place. She's crunching numbers and getting used to the idea right now but it looks like she may be ready to move in on January 1st. That gives her Christmas at home, a few months to get used to the idea of moving out for the first time and it gives the boys time to get settled in Alberta and figure out what they want to do with their stuff.

So that's the latest development. I'll keep you posted! Oh, and Amanda is one of the ones I went to Texas with. She's the one on the left in this picture.

~Heidi

First Day Drama

I was distracted on Saturday evening do I didn’t take the time to type out the drama from my first day at the store. First off, I want to say, I am thankful that my customers are so patient!

I processed maybe two normal sales before the fun started.

I had a customer come in with three BAGS worth of stuff to return. Apparently our fitting rooms aren’t good enough for her. She just bought two or three sizes of each thing and took them all home. There were four different receipts worth of stuff. Thankfully she was really patient and had obviously done this before because she made a point of helping me out and making sure that I did it in order. It took for EVER though.

Next was a lady who came in with a pair of pants and a sweater to return. I guess she had bought them and a few days later she got an email from the store offering her 20% off her purchases. She hadn’t even taken the clothing out of the bag so she brought them back and wanted to return them and re-purchase them using her 20% off coupon and adding another sweater. I returned them and credited her credit card. Then I rang the purchase through but I forgot the 20%. So I returned it all and then when I went to put it through again, my debit machine froze. Uggh.

Needless to say cashing out that evening was interesting because of all the returns. The good news is that even though I felt like I was in a fog the whole time because I wasn’t totally comfortable with what I was doing, everything balanced out, I didn’t lose my cool and the customers went away happy…even if they spent more time with us then they originally had planned.

My next shift is scheduled for next Saturday. I’ll report in then.

~Heidi

Too Many Good-byes

Wow. What a day. I was at Meredith's this morning by 8 am to drive to the airport with her and her parents. We had a few stops on the way and nasty Saturday traffic to fight which made it interesting. She got off okay and from what I saw, Singapore Airlines is living up to their reputation. I just hope her flight goes as well as the checking in portion did. She's almost halfway there if my calculations are correct. She should arrive some time tomorrow, which is actually Monday morning.

Then I came home and did my first shift at the store. Busy Saturday's are a great way to train. I learned how to process sales AND returns (repetion really is the best way to learn) and I discovered that while I enjoy being in the store, being on my feet for an extended period of time like that is going to take getting used to. My supervisor said I did well though and I am looking forward to another shift...which right now is scheduled for next Saturday.

After work I came home. Seth and Robert were both here doing some last minute packing. It turns out, and this doesn't surprise me, that Robert's going with Seth. The boys are only 17 months apart in age and being apart for this last year has been hard on them because they are so close. Robert could probably find work down here but he'd still be separated from Seth and who knows what kind of position he'd find.

Right now I'm finding it hard to be losing my best friend and two brothers all in one day but at the same time I'm happy and excited for all three of them. I'm also overtired which is making me emotional :)

Oh, and the roommate thing? Because Seth really didn't prepare himself before leaving he'll pay for rent for November for sure because his stuff is all here. In December we'll see. It will all depend on the housing situation that the boys find. It could well be that I'll bring all Robert's stuff here (it's currently in Mom & Dad's garage) and store it and they'll pay rent as a storage fee. Or, I may try and find a new roommate. Or, move. I don't know. I'm not too worried about it right now but I will have to make some decisions in the next while. I'll keep you posted.

Meanwhile, please keep me in your thoughts as I go through all these changes. Thanks :)

~Heidi

Analyzing my speed dial

My speed dial will only be like this for this week but I'm pretty proud of it so I want to post it.

2 - Home
3 - Dad (three letters)
4 - Seth (four letters)
5 - Jenna (five letters)
6 - Robert (six letters)
7 - 107.1 (Radio Station)
8 - Meredith (eight letters)
9 - 93.7 (Radio Station)

Isn't that cool? How it all works out?

Of course after this week Seth and Meredith will both be taken off speed dial because I won't be calling them as much but for now it all fits!

~Heidi

Next up, the coffee pot!

Actually I've mastered the coffee pot now too. One of my coworkers our organization for a new job. Before she left, I had her teach me how to use the dishwasher. It's a portable one so you have to hook it up to the sink and stuff. I never had a dishwasher while growing up and I still don't so learning how to run one properly was a new skill for me. When we finished I told her "next up, the coffee pot!"

This morning I mastered the coffee pot. We have a couple of die hard coffee drinkers here. I was kind of nervous jumping in on their territory but I start a half hour before they do and I didn't want to wait this morning. So, I made coffee and when they got here, they said "Two thumbs up"! Yeah me!!!

Update: Things To Do Before I Die

In April 2006 I drafted my original list of 96 (and counting) Things To Do Before I Die This came up in conversation again, so I'm giving a status report. These are the things I have accomplished or have sort of accomplished.

2. Live on my own in my own place - so far I've always had a room mate
3. Eat at Sonic - Shoot. You know I've been to Sonic twice but I've only ever gotten a drink. I suppose it mostly qualifies.

7. Go to Texas - DONE!!!

15. Get room service and have breakfast in bed at a nice hotel - I had room service for dinner at the Fairmont. Very nice. I haven't had breakfast in bed yet though.

16. Play blackjack at a casino - I've played slots now...
18. Try ten new foods - fried okra, aligator, crawfish...I need to pay more attention and track what I'm eating.

37. Tour the US Eastern seaboard - I've started this. I want to do a lot more though

41. Learn to cook - ditto. Started, want to do more

Change is constant but all at once?

Somehow it feels like once I blog something, it becomes official. I can tell people and sign papers and stuff but until I post it here, it's like it hasn't really happened. Anyways. I've tried starting this entry a few times. Here it finally is.

I have news. Big news for me.

I have a new job.

Well, I have ANOTHER job. I'm not quitting my day job. Far from it. But, I did get another job on top. Why?

"They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting to get different results."

I've been slowly going insane for the past year. I have debt. Approximately half of it is from CM, half is just from bad choices. I have been, with the help of some wonderfully supportive friends, working to get it under control but I'm still just managing it. I have finally realized that if I want to get rid of it, I need to increase my cashflow and get serious about eliminating my debt.

I've been batting around the idea of a second job for awhile. Thinking about what I might want to do and what I CAN do, without quitting my day job. I like my day job. I really do. I like what I do and I'm good at it. The thing is, I'm hitting my seven year itch (actually it's more like 8.5 but who's counting?) and I'm getting tired of sitting behind a desk. So, I started thinking about where I could work that would be totally different from what I do 9-5, Monday to Friday.

My first thought was Starbucks. I love it there. It's a great place, a great company, I have friends that work there and I'd love to join that team. The thing is they're open until 11pm most nights and then you have to clean up. Now I'm not stupid. I KNOW I need my sleep and if I worked from say, 8-4:30 and then 5-11 I would NOT be able to function the next day. I want to increase my cashflow but not at the expense of my health and sanity.

So I turned my attention to the mall. Christmas is coming so I figured they'd probably be looking for seasonal staff. That way I can get some hours and get a feel for what working two jobs is like. I logged on to their website and found a few options but in typical Heidi fashion I didn't follow up.

A few days later there was a big quarter page ad in the paper advertising a job fair at the mall. It was great. It gave me a deadline because really. If you're going to drop off a bunch of resumes, why not do it when they're expecting you and willing to look at them!

The job fair was on Thursday. Last minute I found my old resume (not the one I used for this job but one that I could tailor to retail a lot easier) and banged out a cover letter. The cover letter was kind of an after thought but I think it really made a difference. Here's my cover letter.

Thank you for taking the time to review my application. My name is Heidi and I am employed locally, full time from 8 – 4:30 Monday to Friday. I am interested in securing a part time position to supplement my income and expose me to new learning opportunities.

The retail field is new to me although I do have some sales experience through my time with Creative Memories, a direct sales organization. I have extensive experience with customer service both in person and over the phone and enjoy working with the customer to find a mutually acceptable solution. I work well in a team or alone and am a quick learner.

I look forward to meeting with you to discuss your staffing requirements further.

Not bad considering I hardly took any time on it hey?

So, Thursday, armed with about ten resumes and cover letters, I went to the mall. I had reviewed the list of stores that were hiring and I applied at about 1/3 of them. Places I would like to work and could be comfortable in. One of them had me fill out an application form. One had me fill out an availability form and said they'd be calling on Wednesday (which, you'll note is tomorrow).

Friday morning at 9am I got a call. "Can you come in for an interview tomorrow?" (Saturday at 9) Yep! Saturday I had the interview, "Can you start training tomorrow?" Yep! I had my second round of training yesterday (Monday) I'll be on the schedule for next week.

I'm working at Northern Reflections. It's a women's clothing store. They have really nice casual clothing. I am required to purchase and wear the clothing but I won't have that many shifts (at least until the Christmas season starts in earnest) so I can build up without breaking the bank.

So there. That's my big news along with my thought process for why and the story of how it happened. With all the other change that's going on (Seth moving out, Robert moving in, Meredith moving away) adding a new job on top is kind of crazy but it's working. In store retail is totally new for me but so far it hasn't been overwhelming or strange which is good.

It's kind of funny too because when I did my first practicum (at the job that I ended up staying at for 7 years) I was only supposed to be there for 50 hours and then I was going to do 50 hours either in the library or a retail location. So I've always wanted to TRY retail. Now I get that chance! And I can use it to take control of my life.

Yeah me :)

~Heidi

This is my living room right now.

Note the TWO bodies? We (Mom, Dad and I) were talking to Robert on Friday and realized that there was no point in him hanging around in Vernon since he wasn't working anymore. Dad drove up yesterday and got him so Seth and Robert have one more weekend to spend together. Of course that means that they didn't get home until 11 this morning. I don't want to know.

So it looks like Rob will stay on our couch for the week. When Seth leaves on Sunday Robert will move in to the bedroom.

And that concludes this edition of as my world turns. Stay tuned for another BIG announcement that I don't have time to blog right now.

~Heidi

Alrighty then!

So, if you remember, one of the reasons I moved in with Seth in the first place was because Robert was moving out. Now Seth is moving out and it looks like Robert is ready to come home, which means he needs a room mate and I'm it! Robert gave notice at his job today and will tell his current room mate (who is leaving soon anyways) and he could be down here as soon as next weekend...or sooner. Hopefully not too much sooner though because Seth doesn't actually leave until next Saturday. When stuff happens it happens fast. Here's hoping Robert and I can co-exist as peacefully as Seth and I have.
~Heidi

Vancouver 2010

As you probably know, Vancouver is hosting the Olympics in 2010. I was really too young to really appreciate the '88 Olympics in Calgary (although I did know that the girl mascot was named Hidy which I thought was pretty cool). Anyways, it's been interesting watching 2010 take shape. It's something that's kind of always there in the back of my mind. The news reports on the highlights. I've been signed up as a volunteer since before we were even short listed as a host city and here and there you're starting to see more and more Olympic symbols show up.


I think the neatest thing I've seen so far would have to be this video: Celebrate the Possible I've had the opportunity to see it on full screen projection twice now. Both were at meetings highlighting the opportunities for local businesses to get involved with the games. The video really is stunning. I think my favourite part is when the cranes turn into the figure skaters. (Watch it. You'll understand). This video really makes me proud to be Canadian. Proud of my beautiful country and city. Proud of the sports, arts, heritage and culture that we foster.

I also got to hear Andrea Holmes speak. It was awesome. The enthusiasm she has is infectious. I'll be watching for her in Beijing.

Hopefully I can be a link to my readers for the 2010 games. I know it will be an experience I will never forget and I'm excited for it to come.

~Heidi

New Shoes!

Meredith went shopping on Saturday and said these shoes reminded me of her. She took a picture with her cell phone and sent it to me. I agreed that they were super cute so she bought them for me!!! They fit great and I LOVE them! What an awesome friend. Not everyone will buy you shoes!

Thanksgiving Weekend

This weekend was Canadian Thanksgiving. I have a reputation in my family for being a board game freak. Scabble, Monopoly, Risk, cards, you name it, I love it. I will play board games for HOURS. My family generally humours me and while they do enjoy playing, they're not over the top like I am.

Friday evening I was at Meredith's Grandma's for dinner. Her Aunt, Uncle and Cousin were visiting and after dinner we played a round of Settlers of Catan They had originally introduced me to it when we went to Harrison this summer. Since then I played it once with Melissa and Jevon. I mentioned that I wanted to get a copy of the game because I thought my family would enjoy it. Meredith's mom suggested that I borrow it for the weekend.

We had our traditional turkey (and ham this year because Seth wanted it) dinner on Sunday after church. Aaron's friend Nathan (sitting beside me) joined us. After dinner we relaxed, napped, did dishes and around 6pm started playing Settlers. Mom, Dad, Seth, Robert and I were in on the action. (Aaron was with Nathan). We played until 3:30 AM!!! CRAZY! The boys work night shift so for them to stay up late isn't a big deal. Seth did a Tim Horton's run around 10pm so I was good to stay up late. Dad just kept going though. It was amazing. I don't think he's ever stayed up that late. We laughed and ate and laughed some more. It was wonderful. With Seth moving and not having seen Robert since Easter, it's hard to say when we'll ever get to do this again. By around 2 it became a test to see how long Dad would keep going. We'd finish a game and they'd all say "let's play again!"


Around 1:30 they pulled out RISK and we played a round of that (Seth beat us rather effortlessly) and then we played another two rounds of Settlers. Seth won most of the games but Robert, Mom and Dad each had their turns as well. Seth wanted us to call him the "Emporer of Catan". Not likely LOL

It was a great way to spend Thanksgiving though.

Cranberry Festival

Mom and I have been trying to make it to the Fort Langley Cranberry Festival for years. Today, despite the misty moisty morning, we braved the weather and were able to go out and enjoy it. I didn't really take any pictures at the festival site. It was mostly booths selling all manner of items from jewelry to soap to chocolates with LOTS of cranberry themed items. We tried cranberry chutney, cranberry salsa, cranberry fudge, cranberry juice, actually we got a few bottles of cranberry juice and craisins (dried cranberries) from Ocean Spray and a bunch of other cranberry items. They crowned a "Cranberry King" and everything.
From the festival site IN Fort Langley, we went down to The Fort Winery where we tried white and red cranberry wine and a yummy raspberry dessert wine before heading down to the actual cranberry bogs to see how they are harvested. There weren't any guides but I did grill one of the nice workers and he gave me a bit of information.
The top picture shows the cranberries growing on the vines in the bogs. Those ones have actually been harvested already and the ones on the edge are just left. We never did determine if they don't harvest them or if they can't but in either case they are left there.
The second picture shows the bog once it's been filled with water and the cranberries have been loosened. They float to the top and then are raked over and sucked up a huge tube. The generator on the right moves them down the tube to the truck.
These berries are destined to become craisins. We asked what they do with the white cranberries (which are just unripened) and they said that they just dye them with the juice of the red berries!!! It was really neat to go down and see the process up close and personal. It was pretty muddy but it was worth it.

Thanksgiving Demystified

My friend Christy posted a lengthy comparison of Canadian vs. American Thanksgiving practices. I'm sure most of her comments are ment to be rhetorical but I, as a native Canadian, feel led to answer them. (read her entry first or mine won't make sense)

1. It's not too early for Thanksgiving. It's just right. Four weeks before Christmas is WAY too late. That doesn't give nearly enough time. Mid October is perfect (although I will admit that it snuck up on me this year because it is a bit early). Keep in mind too that you're further North now. Harvest happens sooner (or at least that's what I've been told)

Halloween happens after Thanksgiving. Having Thanksgiving first gives you the opportunity to decorate in a "harvest" theme (which may or many not include ghosts and goblins) and leave it up for longer with out your neighbours wondering if you've lost it.

2. Gravy. Okay, I'll freely admit that I have yet to make gravy. I still rely on my wonderful mother. Maybe I'll pay attention this year and try and figure it out though.

3. Remind me to post MY stuffing recipe. Okay, it's actually Grandmas. It uses regular ole bread crumbs which I have been collecting for months...and a fresh loaf of brown bread if necessary. Burnt butter, secret spices (<-- meaning I can't remember them right now) celery and onions. No weird fruit. No heavy spices. Just wonderful warm goodness.

Also, while my brothers and I insist on calling it STUFFING, it is rarely if ever cooked IN the bird. It's generally done in a four quart pan on the stove or in the oven. Dad calls it dressing and we ignore him until he calls it stuffing...even if he is right.

As for green bean casserole. Not a tradition for me so I can't comment. It does sound good though.

4. The day of Thanksgiving. You have to admit that in this day and age where most people are part of a "non-traditional family" having three days available for Thanksgiving dinner makes life SO much easier. This year my family is celebrating on Sunday. This leaves Monday for me to get together with a friend. In the past I have had the pleasure(?!) of taking part in THREE Thanksgiving dinners. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. A gastronomical delight :)

As for the stats. Damn-straight :D New Years Day until Easter is THE LONGEST part of the year. Having regular stats from May to December does much to improve the moral of the populace. All the power to those politicians who are pushing for a stat in February. I'm in favour of it.

5. Shopping. You have 78 days to shop! Isn't that wonderful? Christmas shopping is no longer smushed in to four short weeks or one psychotic day where Wal-mart shoppers get trampled over $20 DVD players. The extended shopping time makes everyone (including the stores) happier.

As for braving the border? Not anymore. With our dollar at par the border is getting stupider by the day...and their guards aren't any better. After all, someone may be smuggling turkey.

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to celebrate both Canadian and American Thanksgiving. It's an excuse for extra turkey. Why not?

As for the relatives, you have to agree that spreading Christmas and Thanksgiving out makes so much more sense. Two trips to see family within one month is too much. Separated by ten weeks works!

So Christy, good luck on finding the onion stuff and to you, and all my other blog readers, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

~Heidi

Sometimes you just have to go with your gut

Call it intuition. Call it a gut feeling. Call it a conscience. Whatever it is, I'm learning to really listen to mine. Well, trying to at least. I am a slow decision maker. I always have been. It takes me awhile to get used to an idea, to prepare for a big change and even to make large purchases. I'm impulsive when it comes to little stuff but on big stuff I'm painfully slow. Sometimes it's a good thing though.

I recently passed up on a really good opportunity to buy a used computer. It would have been a good deal and I don't know that I'll have the opportunity again but I sat on it for a few days, thought about it and in the end, just decided to say "no". How do I know it was the right decision? I can feel it in my gut. I feel totally okay about this. Even knowing that Seth may take his laptop when he leaves, even knowing that I may not have another opportunity to get a computer like that, I know it's right. For me. For now. Because my gut tells me so.

The problem with giving advice

is that sometimes people take it.

Awhile back I alluded to the fact that I have a "biggish" announcement to make. There has been a lot of unknowns and changes in plans so I haven't bothered posting but I want to get this on here to make it "official".

I've been telling Seth to move to Alberta for years. There are good jobs there, new people and places and my uncle Tim lives there (and Seth would probably work with him which would be good because he's a pretty solid role model). Seth has very little holding him here. Mostly just family. Yes we'll miss him but he's not happy here and I want the best for him...even if it does stink for me.

It's stinks because Seth's my room mate (or house mate as Veronica likes to say ;)) Our arrangement works great for both of us. Now I either have to find my own place or find a new room mate. It's going to be interesting.

Seth officially gave his notice at work last week and his last day is Ocotber 18th. He's faxed his resume out and now he's waiting to hear on a job. He has a few options so he just has to find one that works for him.

I'm still at a loss as to what I'm going to do. Right now it looks like Seth won't be taking all his stuff with him, at least initially. He's agreed to continue paying rent down here and leave everything with me. That gives me at least another month or two. In that time I need to decide if I want to stay where I am and find a roommate. Or look for another place. There is the option of having an exchange student since I'm on a bus route and there are lots that attend the local college.

I'm really not sure what will happen but I'll keep you updated in anycase. If anyone knows of someone looking for a place, let me know.

Seth told me on Sunday that one of his co-workers wants to move in with me...because I bake and his wife doesn't LOL Yeah...not exactly what I'm looking for!

~Heidi

Celebrate! Seattle

Saturday was the first Creative Memories Celebrate! Seattle event. Around 1200 scrapbookers and consultants gathered in the lower concourse of Qwest Field for 11 hours of scrapbooking. It was a lot of fun.

I drove down to Darrcie's on Friday night (the border was a breeze, thankfully) and Saturday morning Deb and I carpooled down to Qwest. I was fighting a cold so my nose was stuffy and I was a bit feverish but I still accomplished a lot and had fun.

Deb and I had lunch with Teresa and her friend Joanne at FX McRory's. After Celebrate, on the advice of SSers, we went for dinner at the Bonefish Grill.

Speaking of SSer's, look how many there were!!! There were more too but these are the ones we got together for a group shot.

Here are Darrcie, Tonya and I. Tonya is Darrcie's downline and a fellow country music fan.

It was neat to be part of such a large group. It really reminds you that scrapbooking is for everyone (guys too!)

Deb and I stayed at Darrcie's Saturday night too (she totally rocks for letting us invade like that). Sunday morning I left early to get back home for church. I stopped for coffee on the way and scored a Starbucks cup for $8 with a free drink! Which means my cup was essentially $4!!!

The border coming north took all of five minutes. It was great considering what I put up with last time. I think I'll stick around home for the next little while though. Even though gas is cheaper in the States it still costs. It's fun to see my friends though :)

~Heidi