Appreciating the Seasons

I am not a fan of winter. Cold doesn't excite me. On the flip side extreme heat doesn't interest me either. I guess that's why I live where I do. It's really quite mild here compared to some climates. Over the past week we've been experiencing very clear, "cold" weather. I put cold in quotations because it's just been hovering around zero. Not truly cold but colder than I'd like it to be. I'm working to find the beauty in the season though. The best part about this time of year is the sun is rising and setting right while I am going to or coming home from work. It means I'm treated to beautiful sun rises and sun sets and I really notice the gradual lengthening of the days.

So far this week the sky has been lit up in the morning but the sun hasn't quite peeked over the mountains. This morning there was a cloud cover (they're predicting snow for the weekend) so the whole sky was painted a gorgeous pink colour.

In the evenings I drive in to the setting sun. When I leave work it's resting on the horizon and by the time I get home it has generally dipped below leaving a soft glow. I've trired to get a few pictures but it's hard to capture the crisp coldness contrasted with the rays of the sun. It's beautiful in any case and it reminds me to appreciate each day no matter what the season.

Why do people have to die?

It's one thing to say good bye to someone because they're moving to another province or even halfway around the world. When you say good bye in that context you know you'll probably see them again. When you have to say good bye to someone because they've died, it's so much harder. It doesn't matter if you're 59, 28 or unborn. It's still hard.

This week it seems like everytime I turn around there is news of another death. The big one that made national headlines today is Heath Ledger. He's only a few years older than me. It's shocking to have someone my age die so suddenly.

Saturday I got news that my friend's aunt, a woman I have known for many, many years, passed away suddenly. She was a sweet lady who attended our church for the past few years and was always friendly and chatty. At 59 years old I believe it was a heart attack that took her.

I also got news yesterday that one of my friends miscarried. It's a situation where the pregnancy was very unexpected but they warmed up to the idea very quickly and both embraced it. We were all super excited for them and now, hurting for them.

So, 59, 28 or not born, you leave people sad and asking why. My heart goes out to everyone affected.

~Heidi

NR Update

Everyone keeps asking "are you going to keep your job at the store?" Meaning post-Christmas. I keep saying "well, they gave me a key so yeah, I guess so" LOL And they did. I was told right off the bat that if I worked out and if I was interested, I could be trained as a "key holder" which means I can open and close by myself. I started my training around Christmas and worked my first solo shifts during the first week of January.

The second weekend in January was SSWA so I requested it off. Because it's super quiet after Christmas and I had asked for time off, I ended up only getting three hours during that second week (which was perfectly fine with me). It was fun to tell people "Well, they've given me keys but no hours. I guess I'm still working there" LOL Now I'm back to my more regular 12 hours average. Next week will be a few more because my boss is away.

The funny thing was, in that ten day span that I had off, I actually started missing the store! By the time last Thursday rolled around I was looking forward to going back. It was good too. I had to check my notes for closing because I haven't totally mastered the process of closing but I did everything correctly. Everything except one. My till was over by $15.00. I re-counted it a bunch of times but I couldn't figure out what was up. I ended up just leaving it. Friday I came in and as I was cashing out I realized that I had read one of the rolls of coins wrong. It was a $10 roll of 25 cent coins. Not a $25 roll of 10 cent coins. Duh! I called my boss and told her "good news! I'm an idiot! The till balanced out because Thursday I was over by $15 and Friday I was $15 short. That $15 difference being the imaginary coinage.

Anyway, other than that I'm still enjoying it. The extra cash is nice and making progress on paying debt is a wonderful thing. Slightly addicting to tell the truth. So yeah, for now at least, I'm keeping that job :)

~Heidi

Top 10 Moments of 2007

One year. One year is NOT a long time. I’m trying to do a review and it seems like all of this happened yesterday! I’ll try though. Top Ten Moments of 2007 in chronological order

1. I could have a separate "Top Ten Concert Moments of 2007" but none of them would out rank this one. Dierks with Doc Walker and Eric Church in Vancouver on January 8, 2007. It's hard to believe that it's almost been over a year since that night!


2. Canucks hockey game (Hey, actually attending them is a rare treat for me so it's a big deal)


3. Hemlock 2007


4. My entire Texas trip. Thank you to everyone who made it so special.


5. The countless trips that Meredith and I took in to Vancouver. LOTS of memories there.


6. Spending the day in Seattle with Meredith and Diane


7. The first SSWA Retreat in Monroe, WA (and ALL the SSWA get togethers we've had. The next one is in two weeks and I am ready for it!)


8. The Fraser River Tour was a definite highlight.


9. Volunteering at Agri-Fair. Super, super busy time but something I've wanted to get back to for years. I throughly enjoyed it.


10. Our weekend at Harrison


11. Thanksgiving 2007

Other "non-event" highlights

1. Joining Facebook


2. Starting my second job and making headway on my debt

The negatives of the year? Mostly just good-byes. Saying good-bye to Meredith and to Seth and Robert.

Nicknames

I was asked today, "Do you have a nickname prone name". Initially I wanted to say "no" but as I read this I realize that yeah, people do give me nicknames.

Heidi-ho: The only person who could get away with this without making me mad was my grade 8 math/leadership teacher. Once in awhile at dance the caller will use this term but I just can't bring myself to say it.

Heid's: Very, VERY few people are allowed to use this. I introduced Meredith to a guy friend and when he called me "Heid's" I swear she lost her eyebrows because they went up so high. Very funny.

Triple H: My brother's friend. It was something to do with chemistry. Hydrogen, Helium and Heidi. I forget the specifics.

Dee-dee & Deedle: My mom used these when I was little.

Diesel: The name I picked for myself for camp

Agent/The Agent: My online friends

Ms. Mxxxxx: My boss. Usually when she wants something.

I also get called Heather and Katie a lot. Heather because people aren't paying attention. Katie because that's our receptionists name and both of us answer the phones.

SSWA IV

This weekend I attended the Fourth Annual ScrapShare Washington Day Crop. Four years already! This year's event was at a church in Kent, WA. I crossed the border almost right after work on Friday evening and stopped at Bellis Fair. I stayed the night at Darrcie's, where I have standing reservations for SSWA events. Deb stayed over too. She takes a different border crossing than I do and left much earlier in the day so I just met her at Darrcie's.

Saturday morning Deb and I carpooled down to Kent (Darrcie had to do some kid/dog shuffling on the way down). We stopped at Starbucks and Haagen's on the way and arrived at the church around 9:30.

The SSWA girls are a fantastic bunch. Our first get together was at Darrcie's and we had 11 people there. This time we had 22 including eight of that original group! It was great to see so many familiar faces and meet some new people that I had previously only known online.

I shared a table with Dars and even though she kept me in stitches, I still got a lot accomplished! After my scare last September I was wary of bringing very much with me. I chose a 7x7 project and came back with it mostly finished.

Friday night Deb presented me with the most wonderful heartfelt gift that I have received in a long time. "Altered" letters are really popular on SS right now. She had mentioned that she's been working on some but I didn't expect one and I certainly didn't expect one as detailed as the one she created for me. It's perfect! "Family is everything" is the main quote. She knows how close I am to my family so that fits just right. There are little buttons and tags that say things like "travel", "road trip", "journey", "adventure", maple leaves, a CM charm, and a stack of laminated pictures of: sushi, Starbucks, Scrapshare, the Kenny concert poster with Dierks on it and a retro office shot.
The whole thing is perfect because it's so "me". It's exactly all the things that I talk to her about all the time and what represents me. Receiving gifts is wonderful but receiving one that is so perfect for ME is incredible. I had this proudly displayed on my table and made anyone who came close stop and look at it :D

Okay, back to my update. Saturday a few of us did a quick scrapbook store/Starbucks run and then we scrapped until almost 10pm...or at least I did. I was on a roll so I was the last one to clean up. Deb caught a ride back with Darrcie and I followed not TOO far behind. I did do some late night sightseeing in Renton though. Ooops.

Sunday morning we woke up, got ready and headed down to the casino for their wonderful buffet brunch. I enjoyed it even more than the last time we were there.

From there I briefly hit the outlets and then headed home.

It was another wonderful weekend and I hope we continue this traditions for years to come!

Oh and a quick shout out to Charlyn who was our gracious host this weekend (it was her church) and to her husband who apparently reads my blog!!! Hello!

A day in the life

Monday was a good day. No specific reason, it was just a normal, regular day that made me feel like my life is going well. I've written it up and who knows, maybe I'll scrapbook it some time.

A day in the life of Heidi

6:45 – 7:05 Wake up, with the assistance of the radio and alarm on cell phone
7:05 – 7:45 Shower, brush teeth, do hair, get dressed, pack lunch while listening to the radio
7:45 – 8:00 Drive to work
8:00 – 8:30 First in line for phones. Answer emails, get ready for day.
8:30 – 11:30 Receptionist is in, buckle down and start accomplishing things.
Today’s to-do list
• Review minutes
• Set up a conference call
• Make travel arrangements
• Set priority list with my boss
Take short breaks to make/get coffee, chat with co-workers etc.
11:30 – 12:15 Lunch. Frozen leftovers, pudding and carrot sticks. Eaten while driving to library to return borrowed cd’s and pick up requested books
12:15 – 2:00 Continue working
2:00 – 4:30 Receptionist is gone, I’m first on the phones again. Multi-task to end of day
4:30 – 4:45 Drive home, pick up mail
4:45 – 6:30 Unpack lunch kit, make dinner (chicken kiev, mashed potatoes, carrots and turnips today), enough for two so I have some for lunch tomorrow. Check personal emails, check SS/HSS/GS/Facebook.
6:30 – 7:00 Get dressed for dance ensuring I have my name tag, shoes and six dollars. Drive to dance.
7:00 – 9:45 Square Dancing. Mainstream for first hour and a bit, Plus and Rounds for the rest. Finish with coffee and snacks dowstairs.
9:45-10:15 Drive home
10:15-11:00 Check emails again, watch CSI: Miami, talk to Meredith
11:00 bed time!

Hey look, it's me!

I just checked out the pictures of the Basics for Babies Breakfast on the JRfm website and sure enough, I'm in one of them!



The caption says it's Chris but it's actually Dave. That hat belongs to the two girls beside me. I waited for them to finish before getting my autograph. Still cool though :)

~Heidi

Random Memory #4: 50 Cent Swim

One of the big news items on the radio today and in the paper is that my city is giving free rec centre passes to grade five students. Something about grade five being when kids start making decisions for themselves and needing extra incentive to stay in shape. I could have used this.

The summer before grade five we moved to a house that was a two minute walk from the new (at the time) recreation centre which had a huge wave pool in it...among other things. I *LIVED* at that pool. Every Friday from 3-4:30pm was a 50 cent swim. And every Friday, I and my two brothers were there.( Aaron was only 9 months when we started going) My Uncle Tim lived with us during that time and when he was around, we often stayed right through until 10pm. Yes 10. As long as you were there before 4:30 and had an adult present, you could stay for as long as you wanted...or until they closed at 10pm. It used to drive my dad nuts that we'd be there for so long but Mom would just bring a book and read (she rarely got in the water with us).

There was a tube waterslide that went OUTSIDE (so cool when you're ten LOL), two diving boards, 4 feet and 10. I got pretty good at jumping off them. I never learned how to dive properly but I could jump and "swim" back to the ladder. There were also "lilypads". Big floating things anchored by a chain. The cool kids got to be on those and there were often shoving matches for dominance. We weren't the only ones that were there weekly and over the year and a half that we lived there we got to know some of the other people quite well.

I was at the rec centre a few years ago when I was volunteering for the Seniors Games I was back in that rec centre. I took a few minutes to look in on the pool. It's still the same but looking a bit tired. Same wooden parrots on the ceiling, same large water squirting lizard. Lots of memories.

~Heidi

New Phone Plan

I changed my cell phone plan finally. I've had a super basic plan for over a year now. Because my cell phone is my primary line (I don't have a land line) I finally broke down and upgraded my service. I now have free incoming calls (so call me!) This works from anywhere. If you call me, I don't get charged airtime.

I also added the much advertised "My5" plan. That means that I can pick five numbers in Canada, cell or land line that I have unlimited calling to. That was WAY harder than I expected. I spent probably 10 minutes reviewing my bill with the chick at the call centre trying to determine who I actually CALL. I generally email people and, I admit, because I HAD limited minutes I DIDN'T call people as much as I should have. Now I can relax if a call lasts that much longer.

Yesterday I put this new plan to the test. I called Seth and talked for 20 minutes. Then Mom called and we chatted for almost an hour! While I was talking I got most of my tree dismantled. I still have fake branches strewn all over the living room because they need to be tamed and squished before being put away but at least I've started the process. I admit that I'm kind of sad. I liked having my little tree in the corner. It was so cheery :) Oh well. Christmas will be here in 11 months :D

I miss my boss

I never thought I'd say that. She's on vacation for a week and I want her back. There are a ton of things going on and I am having to follow up and call the shots on them and it's stressful. Normally I like it when she goes away because it's generally quite and I get a lot done. Not this time, so far anyways. :(

Vancouver with Meredith

I never blogged this. I'm not sure why. Probably because there were a lot of pictures and they take awhile to upload.

As you know, my best friend Meredith lived in Australia for two years. She came back to Canada on December 25, 2006 but has really felt that Australia is where she should be. She secured a position with Mercy Ministries Australia, the organization that she has wanted to work with for years. One that she did work with when she was in Australia and the one that the schooling she took prepared her for.

Our last full day together was Monday, October 8 (Thanksgiving Day) We spent it pretty much like how we spent her first day back (December 26, 2006) Doing our favourite thing, walking around Vancouver. We started in Stanley Park where we had lunch at Prospect Point. Then we walked through Gastown. Mere was super sensitive to all things "Canadian" like mounties and moose. So we got lots of pictures for her to remember her home country by. :)


We really didn't have any destination or goal. It was a beautiful sunny day so we wandered and ended up covering a lot of ground. One cool place we came across was Blood Alley just off Carrall Street. I found out later that according to stories, Blood Alley was the location for a number of butcher shops. At the end of each day they would be rinsed out resulting in the inevitable blood in the street. As if that was not enough they used to hold public executions in blood alley square.

There were some people hanging out back there so we didn't stay long but it looked really neat. There are some interesting restaurants down there that I'd love to go back and try out.

From there we made our way through Vancouver's "International Village" where I got to visit Daiso for the first time. (Daiso is a super cool Asian dollar store that has only been in Canada for a few years). Past the Vancouver Library and back to Robson Street.
Mere got a hot dog there and I got an ice cream cone and we wandered through the stores there. It was a really relaxed day. I already miss being able to do it whenever.

I am so blessed

There, after a week of not blogging I think that's a pretty darn good place to start. Everyone is looking back over the past year. I'm just looking back over the past week plus and I get a warm fuzzy feeling inside. (I wish it would spread to my outside. It's COLD out today LOL).

In my last post I re-capped Boxing Day but I didn't mention that I stopped at the post office. Actually, I have to go back before that. This is my mail box on Christmas Eve. It sucked to have to work all day but when I got home and opened my box to find it literally STUFFED full, that warm fuzzy feeling started. I had a bunch of Christmas cards including one from the Dierks Bentley Fan Club, a post office parcel notification AND a package from Melissa!!! (maddiesmommy123) for those of you on SS. Last year I had the priveledge of being her secret santa. This year she answered my plea to help me decorate my rather bare Christmas tree with a gorgeous penguin ornament!

On Boxing Day I picked up package that I got the notification for on Christmas Eve. It was a box FULL of goodies from Martha. Four adorable ornaments. Another penguin (by the way, for those of you who aren't my online friends, penguins are the mascot for one of the internet boards I visit. Flamingo's are the mascot for the other.) As well as boots to commemorate my 2007 trip to Texas (at least that's how I'm seeing them ;)) and a small Precious Memories plate. I don't even think she knows that I actually have a whole tree with mini PM ornaments on it. In the box was also a set of tea towels and a cool "Martha" paper album that I have assembled but need to pick a project for.

After Christmas the parties continued. I think I'm going to dub 2007 the year of the parties. We may have cancelled Christmas day but man have I been busy!

Friday, December 28th I attended the "Second Annual Sushi and Re-gifting Party". Note that's not a sushi re-gifting party ;) but a sushi AND re-gifting party. Last year one of my dear friends and ex-CMC sister Barbara hosted a dinner party at her home just after Christmas. It was such a success that we made her promise to do it again. I've had this party on my calendar since October. This year there were just five of us. All current or ex-CMC's from the same unit I was in. We've gotten together other times for retreats at Point Roberts and on the Sunshine Coast as well as a dinner party this summer when another of our "sisters" Jackie, was in town. This post Christmas bash is a blast. We all chipped in for sushi because we're all sick of turkey by this point and we brought along gifts that we received that we didn't particularly want to keep. The gift exchange is done in the typical "steal" way but BEFORE you open it so it's all based on the wrapping. We had fun stealing each other's bags and boxes but in the end, opening the "gifts" is what really made us laugh. I got some kind of cheesy Christmas themed serving plates. The best part? THERE WERE CRUMBS ON THEM! ROFL That made me laugh so hard. And, for any of you who were worried, I got rid of a dollar store glasses holder that I had "won" during one of our daily contests at the store. Cute I guess but not something I need or particularly want.

After dinner we also played speed Scrabble which is always a blast and mostly just caught up. I'm by far the youngest in this group but I love every single minute I get to spend with them and I truly value their friendship.

SaturDAY I didn't do much. That evening I worked at the store. 6 hours of mark downs. Yipee! Let the Semi-Annual Clearance begin LOL

Sunday was another party. This time it was my turn to host. The best part of actually hosting is it inspired me to clean up my apartment LOL I've been so busy that even though I was home every night, I really hadn't paid much attention to the place and you could tell. The get together was intened for my highschool friends. Due to previous commitments and illness we ended up with just three. Mike, Jenna and Melissa. Melissa brought her fiance Jevon along and at the last minute we also included Jevon's sister Rachel and her boyfriend Scott. So we ended up with a nice little group. It was a games night. Monopoly (which Rachel and I won), Scene-It DVD and a politically UN-correct version of "Whoonu" that Jevon had threatened to make and delivered to Melissa on Christmas day.

Phew! Is anyone else getting tired by this re-cap? Well, it serves me right. That's what I get for not blogging for so long.

Monday was New Year's Eve. The best part was I stayed in my pj's until 2pm :D Even then I only got dressed because I wanted to go to Walmart. Mike had given us girls gift cards and I took mine and bought a mirror that I've been coveting for AGES. I also "splurged" and bought a second floor lamp for my living room (it was only $14). Now I have more even light throughout.

Monday evening, as usual for me on New Year's eve, was split in to two. I started at the church where we had a finger food buffet and then headed out to my friends house where we welcomed the new year with more food and games. Mostly Charades and the like.

New Year's Day I would have been content to just stay home in my pj's all day but instead I coordinated with my parents and we went to see "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" together. I enjoyed the film for a few reasons. 1. It was fun, mindless action which was great for continuing with my "relaxation" trend. 2. I have been to a bunch of the places featured in the film now so I had a lot more context to reference. At one point two of the characters go "outside to see the ducks" in front of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. I leaned over and told my mom "I've seen those ducks! I have pictures of those ducks!" Then when they're in front of the White House I told my mom (yes I'm a talker during movies. She doesn't mind though) "We parked right there!!!" The movie takes them to Mount Vernon as well and it was so neat to see a place where I've been. Very cool and it definitely expanded the movie experience for me. Dad complained that Nicholas Cage didn't do a great job of acting but I told him "Dad, it's not his fault, it's a DISNEY movie. He didn't have great material to use".

After the movie Mom and Dad came over to my place for chili and corn bread and we had a rather morbid discussion regarding who gets my stuff when I die. Hopefully more about that in the future.

Anyways, after all that I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful friends and a family that I like spending time with. So, here's to another great year full of happy times and warm fuzzy feelings.

~Heidi

No more secrets

Remember a few weeks ago when I alluded to a friend that was "moving forward" in her relationship? Well, she's moved alright.


Congratulations Diane & Jim on your engagement!!!


She's asked me to be a bridesmaid too so it looks like I'll be making a trip to Michigan in 2009. I can't wait! Bring on the wedding planning!

Christmas 2007

Well, Santa didn't come through on any of my last minute wishes but that's okay. I still had a good Christmas.

Christmas Eve I stayed at work until the bitter end. 4:30. Brutal. I broke the day up by doing a Starbucks run at 9 in the morning and eating LOTS of chocolate during the day :) After work I went basically straight over to my parents and then we, along with my youngest brother and his girlfriend went for dinner at Old Spaghetti Factory. It was my Dad's birthday so we wanted to do something different considering we had had a family dinner on Sunday.

After dinner we drove around looking at lights. I stopped at my friends house to feed her dog and then we drove past almost every single house my family has ever lived in in this town (6 of them!) The lights weren't really that exciting but it was fun to drive around and reminisce.

When we got back to my parents we had birthday cake (the traditional angel food with chocolate icing) and then Mom, Dad and I watched a movie.

I went home and slept in my own bed and was back at my parents by about 11am Christmas Day. Mom had the turkey going and we helped with some of the side dishes. Around 2pm we loaded it all up and went over to the church. Our church just finished major renovations downstairs. My mom's cousin and her family and another couple joined us for lunch. None of us have enough space to seat that many people so the church was a great central place to meet up. Plus it has three ovens and a dishwasher! After dinner we played games. Mad Gab, Ziggity, Uno Attack and a really long game of Monopoly.

Boxing Day I slept in and then checked out some boxing day sales. I came home empty handed which was perfectly fine. I worked at the store from 2-6:30. It was busier that day then the three days before Christmas put together. Crazy! I love it that way. It makes the time fly.

So that was my Christmas. Today I was back at work and I'll be there tomorrow too. I'm taking Monday off and aside from doing a layout at the store on Saturday evening I get a full four day weekend. Of course that's already full of holiday parties too but that's my life. Eat, work, sleep, party!

To all my loyal blog readers, I hope you each had a fantastic Christmas and I wish you all the best for the new year.

~Heidi

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I know I haven't really been in the Christmas spirit this year and it is already Christmas Eve and they're already tracking you on via NORAD (I heard this morning you were in Thailand already) but I figured I'd take a moment to write you a quick letter anyways. I'm not really in a position to ask for anything because I haven't been giving anything this year but that's not what you're about is it?

So, without further ado, my Christmas list including the big uncontrollable things and the little material things.

1. To get off work early on December 24th. You must know how it is. Working many, many hours in a week, I'm reaching burn out and being able to leave the office early would be fantastic.
2. To have all my brothers home for Christmas. I know it's not going to happen but I believe you generally fly East to West. If you pick up the boys while you're in Alberta and bring them home to me in BC that would be awesome.
3. Health for everyone. Is this your department? I'm realizing more and more each day that my parents and other loved ones are getting older and I ask for good health for them.
4. No debt. I'm in control of this one and I'm working on it. A cheque to help with my journey would be much appreciated it.
5. A computer of my own (with Microsoft programs) and an iPod. Not on the list of possibilities but something I really want and would use.
6. A couple of Christmas cd's. I talked myself out of them at the beginning of the season and now I'm wishing I had them.

There's a few other things I would like too but these would suffice. Merry Christmas Santa. Fly safe.

~Heidi

"Dude I don't USE raisins!"

Tuesday we had a goodie day at work. Everyone brought an appetizer and dessert (or both). I had Monday night off so I made some butterscotch brownies and buffalo chicken dip. As I was doing dishes I realized I still had time to make more so I whipped up a loaf of banana bread and I threw in chocolate chips like I always do.

There were lots of leftovers and my co-worker was eating a piece of banana bread yesterday. He said "There's chocolate chips in this! You're supposed to use raisins". Uh, no. No thank you. Raisins are the one thing that I DON'T like. My mom used to make bran muffins and she'd make half the batch with raisins for my dad.

When we went trick-or-treating at Halloween we'd come home and go through our candy. The first thing we'd do was remove all the boxes of raisins and give them to my dad. Of course he'd still try and get chocolate and candy from us but he knew the raisins were definitely his.

So, no raisins. Especially in my banana bread!!!

But craisins? Bring them on! Not in my bread though. Just on a salad or straight.

~Heidi...not a raisin fan...

Christmas is Cancelled

After much discussion, debate, justifying and soul searching, Christmas has been cancelled for my family. Cancelled in the sense that we won't all be getting together and we won't be exchanging gifts this year. We've all started new jobs (me at the store, Dad and Seth & Robert) and no one can get enough time off to travel. To get time off I would have to quit my job at the store. Something I'm not really wanting to do. Seth & Robert aren't able, or willing to come home simply because it's too expensive.

We (Mom and I first and then everyone else) talked about it and we decided:

1. Christmas is for the kids. We don't have any kids around. Aaron will be 17 in January and frankly, he's much more excited about buying gifts for his friends than his family
2. None of us really *need* anything and there is NOTHING worse than buying out of obligation. Plus the boys (Seth & Robert) don't even have a place of their own. Giving them more "stuff" is silly. And exchanging gift cards is just ridiculous.
3. We had a fantastic Thanksgiving. Christmas is about togetherness and since that's not possible this year, we'll just be glad that we had a really nice time at Thanksgiving and we'll try and get together sometime in the new year. Maybe for Robert's birthday (in February), maybe not till Easter. Either works.
4. Christmas 2008 will be here in 53 weeks. The countdown is on! LOL I'm taking charge and for next year we're going away. Probably to Sun Peaks or somewhere were skiing is an option, or we can just be together. The gift question is up for debate for next year but we should all be settled in to our jobs enough to make plans. Plus next year Christmas is on a Thursday so we should have Thursday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday to go away for.
5. Lastly I made myself sick last year with worrying about making Christmas the way it was "supposed" to be. It turned out really good but the self imposed stress was stupid. This year I've let go and realized that it's not really that bid a deal.

So there. Christmas, the way it "usually" is, won't be this year. I'm totally okay with that though. It's a huge load of my mind, especially since I'll be logging well over 60 hours of work this week and I'm working both Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. I'm not even worried about not getting or giving gifts. Between all my commitments I've attended 5 Christmas parties so far this year and I've got some really nice things there and that's more than sufficient. I do need to try and find something for my Dad's birthday (Christmas Eve) but one is easier than five.

Merry un-Christmas to you!

~Heidi

PS I will get together with my parents for dinner on Christmas day but I eat with them all the time so it's not that unique. We may be including my mom's cousin for the first time. I'll report if anything interesting happens :)

Tis the season to be busy!

This is copy and paste from my email to Deb this morning:

I had a good weekend. Super, super busy but hey, my name wouldn't be "Heidi" if it wasn't right? LOL Friday I went *straight* from my day job to the store. Didn't even have time to eat dinner. Not something I'd recommend but it worked. Afterwards I went over to a friends. I know, I know. I should have just gone to bed. The thing is we've been trying to hook up for months and I knew if I didn't go then I wouldn't get there till after Christmas.

Saturday it was up and back to work from 11-3. After that I went out to Langley and had coffee with Diane and Shannon. I came back in to town after coffee and I was supposed to go to bible study but I decided to skip out. Good decision. I finished writing my Christmas cards and was in bed, asleep by 9pm.

Sunday I got up and went to church. Afterwards I worked at the store from 2-6:30 and then went over to my friends for a big Christmas party. They had a full turkey dinner, a tacky gift exchange and other fun games. We had a great time. Most of the people who were there are my "Hemlock Crew" and I haven't seen them in a few months so it was nice.

Tonight I actually have a night off!!! I have to go grocery shopping though and I'm planning on doing some baking. Tomorrow I work until about 1:30 and then I'm off to a board meeting with my old job and their Christmas party. And then I work at the store Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Yipee! LOL

Basics for Babies 2007

Happy Blogversary! Two years ago tomorrow I joined the wonderful world of blogging. Through that time I've created over 600 posts, shared pictures and life. I've also gotten to know my fellow bloggers that much better.

Two years ago the first major event that I posted about was the JRfm Basics for Babies Breakfast. Today I took the morning off work to attend again. Traffic was heavy at 6:30 in the morning so I arrived just as the first act, newcomer Jessie Farrell from Vancouver was wrapping up. That was okay though because I was really there to see Doc Walker!!!

My loyal blog readers will probably recognize the name and remember that they opened for Dierks in January. They're also the first concert I ever went to. It was super exciting to be able to hear them do some acoustic songs and get a chance to chat with them briefly, get autographs and pictures.

I was especially excited to talk to Dave (first picture) because I wanted to thank him for being so accessible to his fans. He makes a point of posting on the message board on their website and responding to messages on Facebook. It's very cool.

Dave and Chris both confirmed that new music should hit the air in January. They performed the song that they will probably release as a single, a new one called "Beautiful Life". I love it already and I think it might be my theme song for 2008 :D

They also performed their first single, "Rocket Girl" and a fantastic Christmas song called "Remember December". It was awesome. Definitely worth the drive to Surrey :)

I asked Dave about a tour and he said "Commodore in April". OMFSM that would be AMAZING. I really, really hope that happens and I can't wait!!! Three songs really wasn't enough. If you haven't heard these guys yet, check them out here

~Heidi

Hello poor neglected blog :(

I appologize for not blogging lately. I was doing so well there! Then I just got busy and blogging fell down the list as a priority. Work has been nuts. It seems to take forever to get anything done lately and I'm not even procrastinating by blogging like normal LOL

I've been pulling quite a few hours at the store too and that is only increasing. I knew it would as we got closer to Christmas but looking at the schedule is kind of scary. I have started the tranining as key holder as well. That means that I'm learning the paperwork to be able to close which means (after Christmas) I could work alone in the store).

The big thing that's been taking my time lately is Christmas parties! I've been to three already and I have more coming. They've all been great. The first one was an industry luncheon for office support staff on Friday afternoon. After lunch we got to go home which was great. Sunday night all the NR staff went to a local Greek restaurant. We laughed and ate and drank and exchanged gifts and, I even got $40 in NR "bucks" to put towards clothes!!!

Tuesday was my day job staff Christmas dinner. Last year we went to a dinner theatre production. It was okay but some people weren't comfortable with joining in so it make it kind of akward. This year we just went to a nice quiet Italian restaurant. My boss picked me up because it's on the way and there's not very much parking at the restaurant. There were only about a dozen of us there and she was down at the other end of the table. I was across from our chairman and his girlfriend and beside some other co-workers. On the way home she turned to me and said "I just want to tell you that you are a very good networker. I've seen you in a few situations now and you do a great job of carrying conversation without being pushy." She used some other very flattering adjectives as well. It was really nice to hear. I thanked her and told her that I am my dad's daughter, because I get a lot of that confidence from him and I had good training at my last job. When I got home I called my mom and told her "Well done Mom and Dad, you done good" :D

So that's my life right now. Work, eat, sleep, party, repeat :) It's good.

~Heidi

Snow day!

Sunday morning I got up and puttered around before getting ready for church. Just before I hopped in the shower my dad called. Church had been cancelled due to the snow. (I still showered ;)) I spent the day doing dishes, baking, watching tv, surfing online and making cards.

I was scheduled to work at the store that evening. I had actually been scheduled from 12-4 but on Saturday I switched shifts with one of my co-workers so I could go to church. Around 3 I called the store just to see how they were doing and my boss said they were basically finished doing the layout so if I didn't want to brave the weather (it snowed steadily ALL day) I didn't have to bother coming in. I took her up on that.

I also talked to my boss from my day job. The snow was even heavier north of the river so the office was closed on Monday. She and I still had a conference call to attend though. I didn't want to run the call off my cell phone since we had a lengthy agenda. Instead I packed up Sunday night and went over to my parents house. Mom and I started a round of Scrabble and I pulled out all the old Christmas tapes. "Six White Boomers" by Uncle Tony was the first one out of the box. He recorded that in his basement and the date on the tape is 1991. You can tell it's getting old too...or we just played it a LOT. It sounded pretty good though. Next out was John Denver. Mom got that tape probably around 1996 or so. Not too long ago but I totally fell in love with it. About halfway through the tape and our game, Dad called us downstairs to the tv room because there was a John Denver movie on! I hadn't seen that one before so we watched it through. (Mom also beat me in Scrabble because she spelled "INJURED".

I spent the night at their house. I think that's the first time since I moved out 1.5 years ago. Even last Christmas I slept in my own bed. Monday morning I got up and joined the conference call (which ended up lasting for an hour and forty five minutes) and then started working on the minutes right away.

Monday afternoon I had actually booked off. I'll put that adventure in a separate post.

~Heidi

Snow White Boomers

I got a package yesterday. Of course I had to wait until after my 6 hour shift before I could go go the post office but it was there waiting. I opened it right away anticipating what it might be. I was right. Chirstmas ornaments from Veronica! An adorable clear penguin in a top hat and a kangaroo in a Santa suit.

The kangaroo is especially meaningful to me. It was actually the first one I unwrapped and my first thought was "It's my very own snow white boomer!!!" Okay, so it's not "snow white" but seeing it took me right back to my childhood. I've mentioned before that my paternal grandfather was a champion fiddle player. My uncle (my Dad's oldest sister's husband) was/is an avid accordian player. Grandpa and Uncle Tony used to get together all the time to play. They even recorded a few cassetes including a Christmas one. My favourite song off that cassette was about Joey and the Snow White Boomers that came to take him back to his mama. Here's a YouTube video with the original singer . It's the same version they used to do except HEAVY on the fiddle and accordian obviously.

I haven't heard from or about Uncle Tony in many years but I have many fond memories. His hair has always been thin and he used to tease me saying that I had lots and should share with him LOL

I'm going to have to dig that tape out next time I'm at Mom & Dad's.

Not today though. It's snowing like crazy again. Church even got cancelled because it's out on an unplowed country road. I'm enjoying my "snow day" today along with happy memories.

Thanks Veronica!!!

~Heidi

Quitting My Day Job?

A few days ago, in response to this post Veronica asked:

Looks like a new career is looming for you :) Do you like this job more than
your day job? Could you see yourself giving up your day job to become an assistant manager (or a manager)?

I wrote the following response right away but I've waited to post it until I had worked another shift. My original response:

Actually no. Well, maybe it will be different with the assistant manager gone. I can honestly say that I have had FUN for the past two days. That said, this job REALLY makes me appreciate my day job. It's not just the fact that I make half the amount of money at the store, but there's a certain sense of futility with chasing the almighty dollar. Also, and again, this could just be my ex-assistant manager, there's desparation in retail that I don't feel in the corporate world. A desparation to get hours and hit sales goals and always, always making sure you are staying on track because head office could drop by any day.

I don't think I could do retail full time. I'd either go nuts or get caught up in that rat race. Honestly, part of what is keeping me sane with that job is

1. knowing that it ISN'T what pays my rent and if I don't get as many hours next week, I won't starve.

2. knowing that I CAN quit at any time (for the reasons in #1) and that I am in control of the situation. I am working there by CHOICE. It's a really nice position to be in. One I wouldn't have if I quit my day job.

We'll see how it goes with the new staff set up. Maybe I'll change my mind. I kind of doubt it though. Oh, and I've been thinking about the offer, of becoming a key holder? I'm going to tell her that I'm willing to learn how to open and close but I'm not interested in full day shifts, especially on Sunday's. That's kind of what she's looking for. Someone who can do the 10-5:30 (9:30-6) shift. That's not me. I already work five full days a week thankyouverymuch. Four hour shifts here and there are more than enough.

It's been interesting though and I am glad that I'm trying it out...on my terms.

I had my first six hour shift today and even though we had fun, my observations from above still stand. I have been doing really well with sales lately. Today there were snow flurries so there weren't all that many people in and my sales sucked. Big time. I was at about half of what my goal was, and only after I processed two transactions AFTER I was supposed to be off.

I'm enjoying myself but I'm not ready to give up my day job just yet. I'll keep you posted.

~Heidi

PS I did tell her that I'm willing to train as a key holder but not for full Sunday's she seemed happy with that.

Mint Cookies!

Lately I've had a craving for chocolate mint cookies. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's the Girl Guide cookies I polished off? Anyways it took me three shopping trips to find mint extract (my grocery store was out but I found it at another one) and I even bought green food colouring. Actually I bought a whole box of food colouring. It's Christmas. You never know when you need food colouring.

So I had the food colouring and the extract. Next I needed a recipe. I checked all my cookbooks. Nothing. I searched online. Nothing inspiring. I mentioned it to my mom. She didn't know of any off the top of her head but she said she'd keep her eyes opened.

Re-wind a few weeks to when I had a craving for cherry chip almond muffins. Mom is a subscriber to Taste of Home's "Cooking for 2". I had flipped through one of her issues and saw this recipe. I didn't write it down and then when I wanted to make it, I couldn't find it online. Within our conversation I ended up signing up for the Taste of Home "Light Desserts" email blast. I've gotten a handful of recipes so far and none of them have been appealing. On Wednesday I was actually considering unsubscribing because it was just email clutter.

Yesterday I got the email from ToH and it was a recipe for "Chocolate Mint Whoopie Pies" I admit I'm not totally sure what a Whoopie Pie is but they looked good so, on the way home I stopped by the grocery store and picked up cocoa powder. When I got home I checked my email and Mom had forwarded me the recipe!

Long story short? Last night I finally made choclate mint cookies :) They're really good too. The second batch is bigger than the first batch because I wasn't sure how much they'd spread so I didn't flatten them very much. I have a bunch of icing left over too so I may make another batch of cookies today. Aren't they pretty though?

I hate keeping secrets

I'm no good at it. Especially when it's good news. Bad news I can keep in. I just let it sit and I can ache for someone. Good news though? I want to tell the world!

I was going to post this a few hours ago. I was talking to a friend who is, shall we say "moving forward in a relationship" and just sounds so HAPPY. On Sunday I found out that another friend is pregnant and just now, I found out about ANOTHER one!!! That's five babies for certain in the next year. SO exciting.

My life is boring on this front so I am stoked when I hear about others who have happy news :)

How cool is that?!

I just called the doctor's office because I need to renew my prescription. The receptionist informed me that I DON'T have to come in and see the doctor (yahoo!). All I have to do is call the pharmacy and they can call the doctor for a renewal. Sweet! That makes my life MUCH easier. Now to figure out when I can get down to the pharmacy...

Duh

I was commenting to my boss yesterday about how cold my bedroom is. On my bed I currently have my sheets, two comforters, a fleece blanket and another fleecy blanket. Plus I've taken to wearing socks and sweat pants to bed to keep me warm. She was making all sorts of helpful suggestions like getting an electric blanket or thicker blinds for my window that actually keep the heat in. The second suggestion was because I told her that I knew the reason I was cold is because my bed is right under the window which is really thin.

Last night I figured out a better way to stay warm. Better than extra clothes or blankets. JUST TURN THE HEAT UP! Duh! Sometimes I think my brain is frozen. I have electric heat. The heater was ON but not UP. It wasn't even in the "comfort zone". Last night I turned it up and I was toasty warm. It's rather sad that I had to actually freeze before I decided to turn the heat up. I mean there was snow on the ground. You need heat inside when it's zero outside.

Rain, rain go away

Actually, you can stay as long as you promise to not turn in to snow. Yesterday was pretty nice. It's almost like nature was appologizing for being so crappy on Monday. There was some sunlight breaking through the clouds yesterday and a pretty pink sunset (which I saw through my office window. The sun get's off before I do. It's not fair LOL) Today it's back to being grey and miserable but at least it's not snowing!!!

Anyways, I'm not actually here to talk about the weather. I have a much more insightful bit of info to share with you. It started with my Stampin' Up class that I held last night. We did a "Stamp-a-Stack". 10 cards for $15 (two each of ten designs). I placed an order too and I'm getting the SU slot punch. You have NO idea how excited I am. I've been coveting that one for years!!! :D

As a thank you for holding the class my demonstrator gave me a personalized day planner. It's really cute and EXACTLY the kind I like. A month at a glance with nice big spaces for writing in. I had actually bought one from Walmart but this one is nicer. This one starts in September 2007 and goes right through to December 2009. My current one started in August 2005 and goes through to December 2007. I've been meaning to switch over since I bought the calendar from Walmart but I hadn't gotten around to it. Last night I wrote my name in the new planner and looked at the nice clean pages and tried to decide what I should transfer over. It's bitter sweet though. I realized I'm not ready to say good by to my old planner yet. It represents over two years of my life.

• The first entry on August 1, 2005 was the last day that we saw Seth & Tamara together.
• It also has the retreat I went on in September 2005 which ended up being my last even as a Creative Memories Consultant.
• It has four Dierks Bentley concerts
• Both of my trips to Pennsylvania
• Veronica's Visit
• Over a dozen SSWA/Darrcie events
• Countless coffee and dinner dates

and so much more. It's my life! In time it will all get translated to my scrapbook albums. Even if I don't have pictures I copy the details of my daily life into calendar pages so none of it will get lost. Still, that's a lot of living that's happend in two + years.

My new day planner goes to December 2009. I wonder what I'll be looking back on by then!

Snow-more snow

Well, in true SW BC fashion, the snow is mostly melted. Good thing! I was getting nervous :)

I have to share this email. As previously mentioned Dad in in Alberta for work for two weeks. He doesn't want to run up his long distance bill on his cell phone so he's taken to emailing Mom from the library on his way home from work. He's cc'd me now too. This is yesterday's message:

Hi Hon, I have forgotten how cold this place can get, I left for work this morn, after a shower and breakfast, and just about froze my wet hair to my skull. We have a high of about -15. Whooppee!! You can have it. Everybody was teasing me about how wet B.C. is, well it is dry here, I'll grant them that, but no-one told me about being it being freeze-dried!! The wind is COLD. Oh well, 3 more sleeps and I'm outtahere. Mind you, I hear home is +3 with possible snow, maybe we should consider Arizona. Anyway, doing allright, talk to you soon...Love Ted.

It just makes me giggle every time I read it!

Hee hee

In case the small print doesn't show up, it says "I'll find a picture for it later."

Snow ja vu?

I guess it's good that I keep a blog. One year and one day ago I posted this It's Snowing!

I could basically write that word for word again tonight (minus the bit about my dad). It's snowing again. What's with the end of November anyways?!?! They predicted it this morning. It was a cold grey the-street-lights-never-turned-off kind of day. It was POURING when I drove home. Now it's SNOWING. SNOW!

I shouldn't be so surprised but, contrary to what you read, we don't actually get that much snow here. Or we never used to at least. I don't expect this to stick around very long but it IS sticking right now.

Yes I've seen an LP before

My boss is nine years older than me. A bonna fide child of the eighties. It bothers her to no end that I don't recognize certain artists who she loved. And that I've never actually seen any episode of "Miami Vice". Don Johnson is was...and still is...her teen idol.

She's moving right now and while she was unpacking boxes she found a stack of records and brought them in to the office to show me.

- Platinum Blonde (her all time favourite, that was a 45)
- George Michael
- U2 - Joshua Tree
- Brian Adams - Reckless
- Paula Abdul
- Whitney Houston

and a few more. Now, contrary to popular belief, aside from Platinum Blonde, I've heard of all of those artists. I could probably even name a song by each of them (except George Michael) There are other groups that I couldn't say the same thing about though. Glass Tiger anyone?!?!

Anyways, I have seen and played LP's. We even used to have a record player. The only record I actually remember was the Golden Book "The Happy Man and His Dump Truck" Seth especially would listen to that record over and over and over.

It was cool to see the LP's though. A little slice of history ;) What was your favourite? Do you still have it?

Well, those guys did that but the other guys didn't like it...

I generally watch two football games a year. The CFL Grey Cup and the NFL Superbowl. Today was the Grey Cup. Traditionally the Grey Cup is when I start making my Christmas cards. I'm having a Stampin' Up class on Tuesday though so instead of making a mess, I cleaned mine up.

I talked to Robert during the third period...no, they're called quarters. Sorry. Anyways, I told him I missed him. He usually watches the games with me and explains everything. I told him I needed him there to explain the difference between turn overs and pop tarts :)

He and Seth had driven up to Edmonton to see Dad and watch the game at my Uncle Doug's house. They left early so Robert asked me to keep him up to date on the score. I told him "well, the guys in green scored because the other guys tried to knock him down but they didn't get to him soon enough" That made him laugh and say "I like your commentary" :)

Now I'm watching hockey. A sport I actually care about!

~Heidi

Reason #2

When I don't blog for a few days it's usually for one of two reasons.
1. Nothing has happened
2. Something has happend
It's rarely the first one because if nothing is happening I can usually find something inane to blog about [[i'll wait while my loyal readers nod in agreement]] If something has happened and I haven't blogged it's usually because I don't know how to word it or I'm waiting for a resolution of some sort. This time something happened on Wednesday and I got my resolution tonight so I'm ready to blog.

I worked at the store on Wednesday. I had read on the schedule that I was supposed to do "calls". We have a big sale coming up this weekend (30% off on everything in the store Friday and Saturday) I knew I was down for "calls" but I didn't know what that entailed or what I'd be doing. I got to work on Wednesday and our assistant manager was in. I asked her what I should do and mentioned the call thing. She didn't know what that meant, what script I should use or where the phone numbers were. We placed a quick call to our manager, no answer. Fine. I kept busy doing regular stuff. Helping customers. Straightening the store, etc.

Our manager called at about 8:30 (the mall closes at 9). When she found out I hadn't been doing the calls she was LIVID. I passed the call to my assistant manager though because I take direction from her. After the call we managed to find the phone number list but we still didn't have the script so we didn't bother.

This whole thing made me really nervous. Through no fault of my own (other than I suppose I COULD have looked harder for the info I needed) I hadn't done my job. Tonight (Friday) I was "on call" during this sale. I actually took the day off from my day job (that's another story all together). I got up at my regular time and went and got my brakes done (another story). Then I went to Mom's and had breakfast and then Christmas shopping with Jenna. I did stop in at the store to check my schedule for next week. I work tomorrow (Saturday) as scheduled and then NOTHING until next Saturday.

That was weird and made me even more nervous. "No hours? Did I screw up that bad? Is this punishment?" And on and on. The manager wasn't in so I couldn't talk to her. Around 2pm I got a call from the manager saying "yes I need you tonight" (I had been instructed to call closer to 3:30 to find out.) So tonight I went in, nervous but knowing that it really wasn't my fault that I hadn't done my job.

Within a few minutes of my shift starting I found out that the assistant manager had been let go. No comment on Wednesday whatsoever other than "we did get all the calls made".

Phew. I'm safe.

This isn't a huge surprise. I liked our assistant manager well enough but she didn't like working at the store and she had an incredibly negative attitude. The Wednesday thing wasn't want got her fired but it probably was "the straw that broke the camels back" so to speak. My boss's exact words were "we're moving forward". Works for me!

She then told me that she might be looking to train me as a closer and a key holder. We discussed this in my initial interview and it looks like it may be time. She wants me to think about it.

We also had a stellar night tonight. Again, we're not commission but our sales are tracked to encourage performance. We have some contests going on right now. I forget the details but I won BOTH of todays!!! That means I get two $10 gift certificates for product. Sweet!!! Now to decide what to buy :)

So there you go. That's what's been going on in my life. When I took this job I said I wanted to experience retail and by golly I am!!!!

~Heidi

Finally this information in my head is useful!

I love maps. Always have. I find geography fascinating. My mom has a puzzle of the USA. Each piece is shaped like a state and they all lock together (except for New England. There are a few states on each piece up there) I can put that map together pretty fast. Basic knowledge of where which states are in relation to others is good to have. Today it was very useful.

My co-worker and I had to compare two lists. Her's was organized by name, mine was organized by ZIP CODE. Not state. Not city. Zip Code. Luckily I know that zip codes start in the North East and run down the coast and then across the country. It took most of the afternoon and gave us a lot of laughs but man, my basic knowledge of geography, and state abbreviations for that matter, definitely came in handy.

Too much like my dad

I figured out what my biggest problem is. I'm way too much like my dad. That's why I don't do well with Aaron around. I worry too much.

The day we took Meredith to the airport I was updating her parents on my brothers and their big move. Her mom kept asking "Well, what does your mom think? Is she okay with them moving so far away? Doesn't she worry?" During the course of our conversation I realized that in their family, the roles are reversed. Mrs. K is the worrier. In my family, my dad is the worrier. He gets it from his mom. She was the queen of worrying. Down to the end. She didn't want to die because she was worried about her family. (I think she'd be pretty happy with how we turned out but I know she'd prefer to be her to worry about us herself)

I get that from my dad. If I stop and just breathe I can be like my mom who does worry but doesn't show it or let it affect her mood. My inclination is to get all worked up about stuff though. To the point that it can keep me from sleeping at night. Just like Dad.

The good news is that I did get some great traits from my dad too. Things that have served me well in business and in life. Not the worrying part though. That's never good.

~Heidi

How do they do it?

I was tired last night. We did another mini layout in the store which means we only switched half of it around. It was a lot of climbing ladders and lifting and hanging product though. By the time I got off around eight I was exausted.

Because Mom and Dad are both gone, Aaron is supposed to be staying with me. I talked to him after church and he said he'd either stop by the store in the afternoon (since he hangs out at the mall anyways) or call me. I got off at eight and I hadn't heard from him. HE doesn't have a cell phone so I couldn't call him. I stopped at my place just in case he was there. He wasn't. Then I drove over to Mom and Dad's. He wasn't there.

I called Grandpa's (gotta use their phone. They have cheap long distance LOL) Aaron arrived while I was on the phone with Mom. He's lucky. I would NOT have been happy if I had to chase him all over creation. Especially since I was tired.

I don't know how my parents do it. I'm half their age and he exhausts me. Remind me again why I think I want children???

~Heidi

PS Once I found him, I brought him back to my place and everything was good. I made cookies and hot chocolate, he played on the computer, read and then we both went to bed. He got up without a fight this morning too. Mom's back tomorrow. She can have him!

That scared me

Okay, I'm all super freaky ready for Christmas and stuff but I am SO not ready for the cold weather that accompanies it. This morning the weather man said it was minus one. MINUS?!?! Nooooo. Made getting dressed easy though. Warm fuzzy sweater? Check. Nice tall fuzzy boots? Check. Cute not so fuzzy skirt? Check...hey, I've still got to look good LOL

Hey V, I just realized that my store sells fleece lined jeans for you. I'd like you to know that I use you as an example on a regular basis "When my friend from Australia was here, she wore those the whole time!" LOL Not that Canadians don't wear fleece lined jeans. It's more that those of us in the lower mainland don't usually bother.

Unless it's minus one.

~Heidi

I feel left out

As I mentioned, Mom is in Alberta this weekend for my cousins wedding. I talked to the boys yesterday and they were on their way up to Grandpa's to join the family. They didn't go to the wedding but they will get to see everyone.

As an aside they've made it a personal mission to rid the world of all excess VHS. They found a video store that was going out of business and was selling their VHS for a buck a piece. Between the two boys they walked out of there with ONE HUNDRED videos!!! Psychos. Seth has at least 50 here already. Crazy.

Anyways, so Mom is in Alberta, the boys are joining her and this morning I took Dad to the airport. Turns out he's going there for a business trip too. He called this afternoon and he had arrived safely. He was at Grandpa's with Mom, the boys and at least three of my aunts, uncles and their families.

I feel left out.

I'm here and technically responsible for Aaron but I work today from 3:30-7:30 and I have dance tomorrow night so I won't see him very much anyways...aside from the fact that he's apparently sleeping here.

I want to see family though!

Next year. That's the plan. I'm going next summer no matter what.

~Heidi

Well, that was interesting

Tonight I bailed out my boss by accompanying her to a political fundraising dinner. She didn't have anyone to go with and she was dreading going alone so I agreed to go with her. It was interesting. As a general rule I avoid politics. I know it would be good to pay more attention but I just don't care. This event was a lot of pandering and rah-rah stuff from and for an elected official that we haven't had much success working with but it was interesting to see what people get excited about. It was a decent sized crowd too. And hey, I got free dinner out of it :)

I'm trying to complete my collection

My company was started in 1915. The current Bylaws were written in 1963. Why then can I not find copies from before 2000??? That's 37 years of missing Bylaws. I realize they don't apply any more but for historical "the way we were" purposes, they're good to have.

I really want to read the ones from 1997. It's been driving me NUTS that I can't find these stupid papers. I've looked all over my office (the logical place for this kind of information to be stored) in the storage room, down in the cold scary storage bin and hassled accounting for them.

I finally broke down and emailed our lawyer. He only has Bylaws from 1993 and some undated ones. ARRGH!

I gave up on ever finding them after putting out the broadcast to all my co-workers so it could drive them nuts too.

BINGO! Accounting found the 1997 ones. Sweet! Is it sad that I was so excited to read them? They contained exactly what I was looking for too.

Now I want to complete my collection though. 1963 and up. Think ebay would have them? LOL

I feel naked!

My mom went to my cousin's wedding this weekend. I let her borrow my camera. I feel naked without it. It's not that I use it all that often but I carry it with me e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e. My purse is lighter than normal and it's just weird. I don't like this feeling!
~Heidi

Santa has got the coolest new house!

Okay, I'll admit. My Christmas cheer is a direct result from working in the mall. You can't escape it. The excitement is tangible! You know what? I'm totally okay with that :) I was in the store yesterday because we have a head office visit today and we had to make it all pretty. The elves were running around like mad outside setting up Santa's awesome new "Whoville" inspired house. On Saturday it was all in crates. Yesterday about half of it was set up and things were starting to whir and spin. Santa himself arrives on Saturday. I can't wait! I'll get pictures as soon as it's all ready to go. Who knows. I may even get a picture with Santa myself this year!
~Heidi

O Tannenbaum

Last year I had a really hard time with Christmas. I never did get "in to the Christmas spirit". In fact I was pretty much the opposite of that for the whole season. This year, for some reason, I am very excited for Christmas. Maybe it's because I'm working retail. Maybe it's because I didn't get "in to" it last year so I'm ready for it. Whatever is causing it though, I'm not arguing. Even if it is only mid November!!! I bought a tree on Sunday and set it up with lights and what ornaments I have today. BTW, ornament donations are gladly accepted. My tree is only 4 feet tall but it's still kind of bare.

I'm drinking egg nog, baking cookies, listening to all my Christmas cd's and generally just feeling good about the season.

Only 43 days left!

~Heidi

Wow, wind!!!

There is a MAJOR windstorm going on right now. In fact it's been blowing all night and woke me up a lot. Everytime the wind blows like this it reminds me of one of my favourite movies "Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day" When Piglet gets blown away and his shirt unravels. I loved that movie.

Winnie the Pooh: Happy "Winds-day", Piglet.
Piglet: [being blown away] Well... it isn't... very happy... f-for me.
Winnie the Pooh: Where are you going, Piglet?
Piglet: That's what I'm asking myself, where? W-Whoops! P-P-P-Pooh!
Winnie the Pooh: And what do you think you will answer yourself?

I'm not loving the wind so much...although it is playing nicely into my Christmas spirit. More on that later :)

~Heidi

Lest We Forget

One of the biggest honours I had in highschool was in grade twelve when I was chosen to read "Flanders Fields" at the Remembrance Day assembly. I always loved the Remembrance Day. The assemblies were always very formal and somber. I was in choir for grade 11 and 12. I forget the songs we sung but I know one year whe had an awesome arrangement of "Amazing Grace" and I think another year we may have sung "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables. We had twin girls in our school that were bagpipe players too. In grade 10 the princpal cried after their performance. Very touching.

Here's the poem. It still gives me chills to read it.

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD Doctor and Teacher (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Word of the day #27: meme

Ashley tagged me to do a "book meme". I think I've done it before but I don't even know what a "meme" is. So, I looked it up:

meme /mim/ –noun
a cultural item that is transmitted by repetition in a manner analogous to the biological transmission of genes.

So, I still can't say that I really get it but I'll do the exercise anyways.

Here is what you have to do:
You have to open the book you’re currently reading on page 161 and read the fifth sentence on the page, then think of 5 bloggers to tag with.

I am currently reading the oh so edifying "Cordina's Royal Family: Bennet & Camilla" by Nora Roberts. The fifth sentence of page 161 reads: "We can't always choose what we feel, but there are other choices."

There. Now, I tag anyone who knows what "meme" is and can properly explain it to me LOL

~Heidi

Hey, I know him!!!

One of our local tv stations likes to profile different programs and "local heros". I tend to listen to them but not watch them. Tonight they were profiling an employment service. The speaker was one of my ex-coworkers!!! That was cool. Now I know where he went when our contract ended :)

CMA 2007 Outcomes

Today, I'm glad I live in the Pacific Time Zone. I was able to start watching the live broadcast at 5pm (8pm Eastern) like everyone else. I went out at seven, came back just past nine and didn't miss a thing because the show is now being broadcast in the Pacific Time Zone. Sweet!

So, how did I do with my predictions? (and I know I was a bit loose with exactly who would win but work with me here)

Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Correct, mostly. I'm happy :)

Male Vocalist of the Year
Brad Paisley
Wrong on the "Think Will Win" but right on the "Want" Sweet!!! WTG Brad. You totally deserve it. Great speech too. Very heartfelt.

Female Vocalist of the Year
Carrie Underwood
Correct. And wasn't Dierks a wonderful presenter? Even if he couldn't say "CMA Female Vocalist of the Year" LOL I loved the bit about having a crush on Alison Kraus :)

Vocal Group of the Year
Rascal Flatts
Correct. Surprise. Boring.

Vocal Duo of the Year
Sugarland
Okay, that previous surprise was sarcastic. This one really WAS a surprise. A good one, even if I'm not a fan of Jennifer Nettles' voice. They do have good songs. Note that they were my second choice so I'm saying I got it right :D

Horizon Award
Taylor Swift
Wrong. Cool. I like Taylor. I didn't think she could pull it off though. Loved her comment "this is the best thing about my senior year" LOL

Musical Event
"Find Out Who Your Friends Are" -- Tracy Lawrence Featuring Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney
Wrong. Definitely didn't see that coming. Especially since it's Tracy's first CMA, Tim McGraw wasn't even there (I don't think), and the label fought having the collaboration version released. I'd say this song was an underdog from the get go. It's nice to see it triumph. It makes me sad that I didn't go see Tracy at Billy Bob's in April though. Oh well.

Song of the Year
"Give It Away" -- Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson
Wrong on the Think, right on the Want.
I still remember the first time I heard this song. I was fighting traffic on my way in to Vancouver for the writing course I took in June of 2006. I had grabbed Burger King for dinner and I tuned in to KMPS out of Seattle for "Tony Thomas' 5 o'clock Test Track". This was the song they played. I loved it from the opening bar and it made me smile for the rest of the evening. It's one strong song off a fantastic album and I'm glad it won.

Jamey Johnson's speech was hysterical too. Thanking his ex-wife was genius LOL

Single of the Year
"Before He Cheats" -- Carrie Underwood
Correct. Without looking it up, I'm pretty sure this song totally embodies what a "single" of year is supposed to be.

Album of the Year
It Just Comes Natural -- George Strait
Correct. I called it. As much as I wanted Dierks to win (and I admit, I was nervous because I think he had a chance) George really did put out an exceptional album.

Video of the Year
"Online" -- Brad Paisley
Second choice again. Close enough. This is his third win in this category. Well done. His wife (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) was a brilliant presenter too. Definitely the highlight of the evening.

So 7 out of 11. I didn't post about Musician of the Year but it's no surprise that Jerry Douglas took it again.

Final comments?
The last Eagles album was released before I was born!!! Loved their performance tonight though. Very well done.

Rascal Flatts? Painful. Especially with Jamie Foxx. Wrong on so many levels.

Reba and LeAnn? Very nice. Not sure about the first outfit LeAnn had on though. You're fit. We get it. :P

Ummm Brad, absolutely brilliant. The marching band, Kellie and Taylor were awesome.

Kenny, not too sure about the pants.

Taylor and Carrie both looked very uncomfortable on stage. Rodney was the exact opposite.

Interesting show though. It's over for another year and now we can update the titled "Three time winner and current reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, KENNY CHESNEY" LOL

A new meaning for "layout"

Monday we did a "layout" at the store. For me "layout" is a scrapbooking term. At the store, layout means changing every. single. piece. of product on the floor!!! Changing how all the wall fixtures are arranged, changing what pieces are hung where, changing the position of floor fixtures. E.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. It's a huge job and it's like a brand new store now! We had all but one staff member in and even with all the prep work we had done on the weekend, it still took over four hours. LOTS of folding, lots of hanging, and my first introduction to the steamer machine! It was fun for about .25 seconds. Seriously. When you steam one shirt three times and it's still not "right", the novelty wears off.

I also got to play with snow!!! Cool fake plastic stuff. I steamed all the clothes for the window display and my boss dressed the manequins. Then I got to do all the decorating. Placing the boxes and the teddy bear *exactly* as shown in the picture and then sprinkling snow all over everything. I happen to think it looks pretty darn good :D It had better, it's going to be like that for the next three months!!!

CMA Predictions

Last year I got eight out of eleven right. I think it's a closer race this year so it will be interesting to see the results.

Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
George Strait
Keith Urban
Who I think will win: I think Kenny, Keith and Brad are front runners. Kenny scooped it from Keith last year but Keith has been on a successful tour this year. Any of them could take it.
Who I want to win: Anyone but Rascal Flatts LOL I'd love to see Brad walk away with it.

Male Vocalist of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Josh Turner
Keith Urban
Who I think will win: Keith Urban
Who I want to win: I'd love to see Brad or Josh take it but Josh is too new and I don't know if Brad can trump Keith

Female Vocalist of the Year
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Reba McEntire
Carrie Underwood
Who I think will win: Carrie Underwood
Who I want to win: I wouldn't be heartbroken if she took it. Anyone notice that Faith Hill isn't even nominated this year?

Vocal Group of the Year
Alison Krauss & Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas
Dixie Chicks
Emerson Drive
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
Who I think will win: Rascal Flats
Who I want to win: Emerson Drive. Gotta stay loyal to the Canadian boys :)

Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland
The Wreckers
Who I think will win: Either Brooks & Dunn like normal, or Sugarland who are HOT this year
Who I want to win: Weird as they are, I'd like to see Big & Rich take it. Or The Wreckers but I don't think the later have a chance considering they've announced that they're splitting up following this tour.

Horizon Award
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
Little Big Town
Kellie Pickler
Taylor Swift
Who I think will win: Jason Aldean although Rodney Atkins could scoop it on the strength of his singles.
Who I want to win: Jason Aldean

Musical Event
"Because of You" -- Reba McEntire With Kelly Clarkson
"Find Out Who Your Friends Are" -- Tracy Lawrence Featuring Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney
"Hey Good Lookin'" -- Jimmy Buffett With George Strait and Alan Jackson
"Missing You" -- Alison Krauss and John Waite
"The Reason Why" -- Vince Gill With Guest Vocalist Alison Krauss
Who I think will win: Because of You
Who I want to win: Because of You

Song of the Year
"Anyway" -- Martina McBride, Brad Warren and Brett Warren
"Before He Cheats" -- Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins
"Give It Away" -- Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson
"Lost in This Moment" -- John Rich, Keith Anderson and Rodney Clawson
"Stupid Boy" -- Dave Berg, Deanna Bryant and Sarah Buxton
Who I think will win: These are all strong songs. I'm going to say Stupid Boy or Anyway but I'm really not sure
Who I want to win: I'd like to see Anyway or Give it Away win

Single of the Year
"Anyway" -- Martina McBride
"Before He Cheats" -- Carrie Underwood
"Lost in This Moment" -- Big & Rich
"Ticks" -- Brad Paisley
"Wrapped" -- George Strait
Who I think will win: Before He Cheats
Who I want to win: Before He Cheats. The cross over appeal of this song has been good for country music in general.

Album of the Year
5th Gear -- Brad Paisley
It Just Comes Natural -- George Strait
Long Trip Alone -- Dierks Bentley
Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing -- Keith Urban
These Days -- Vince Gill
Who I think will win: Keith or George
Who I want to win: DIERKS!

Video of the Year
"Anyway" -- Martina McBride
"Before He Cheats" -- Carrie Underwood
"Moments" -- Emerson Drive
"Online" -- Brad Paisley
"You Save Me" -- Kenny Chesney
Who I think will win: Before He Cheats...or Online
Who I want to win: You Save Me :)

When you're perpetually late...

change the clocks!

I'm a punctual person. Baring difficulties in traffic or other issues, I will always be right on time. Not early, but on time. The digital clock on the phones in our office is about three minutes fast. Fast according to my cell phone and car radio clock, the latter which is synced to the radio. Other staff here agree. So this morning, when we had to change the clock on the phone to compensate for daylight savings anyways, we also took the opportunity to fix the minutes. Now I won't be late...or if I am I can't blame it on the clock LOL

Where have I been?

I'm stealing this blog format from Menjiness.

10/29 Back at dance after basically a month. We don't dance on holidays (Thanksgiving) and if we have a Friday dance there isn't one the following Monday. Because I had to miss 10/15 due to training I haven't been at dance since 10/1! It was nice to be back.

10/30 Dinner with Mom & Dad. I've been craving Mom's lasanga for WEEKS. I brought most of the ingredients and had her walk me through the process of making it so I can try it on my own. I also took most of the leftovers to stock my freezer :D

10/31 Halloween but I got called in to work. Our mall hosts trick-or-treating. My store was out of candy by the time I got there but I still saw lots of little princesses, ninja's and spiderman's (men's?)

11/1 Board meeting in Vancouver. Pretty intense but it went well. We went out for dinner afterwards as one of our members is retiring. Late night but really nice.

11/2 Finished the board meeting. Left the hotel around 1:30. Got back to the office, unloaded and went and got my brakes checked. Dad says he can probably do a lot of the work. God bless Dad.

Took a nap and then went to a "fall party" with friends.

11/3 Worked from 10-2:30. Wednesday I had exactly $0 for sales. Today I hit my goal (whatever it was) by halfway through my shift. Yeah me! My boss was pretty impressed :)

I went grocery shopping after work and then came home for another quick nap before going to bible study.

Tomorrow we have a potluck after church to break in the new kitchen (hopefully we don't actually break it!) Then I have a mandatory, potluck, staff meeting for work. Food, food, food! Tis the season :)

~Heidi