Attitude of Graitude V2#26 - Egg Nog

My favourite part of the holiday season is egg nog. It starts showing up around Canadian Thanksgiving (mid October) and I usually have a carton in my fridge from then on. When I was shopping with Mom and Aunty Candace there were two young guys in the dairy isle. One of them grabbed a carton and said "EGG NOG! I haven't had this stuff since...LAST year!" LOL


I use egg nog in my coffee in this morning and drink it cold in the evening. It's especially good with a bit of 7up or Ginger Ale in it.


I am thankful for egg nog and holiday cheer.

Attitude of Graitude V2#25 - Help Desks

Never underestimate the power of a great help desk. I have a few that I call frequently, to the point that I know some of the staff. The thing is the people are fantastic, they're knowledgeable about they're product and they're always willing to answer any question you have. Most of the time they'll offer additional valuable information as well. I love my help desk people and today, that's what I'm thankful for.

Attitude of Graitude V2#24 - Footwear

I was debating calling this post "shoes" or "boots" but I realized I wanted to talk about both so "footwear" is more generic and appropriate.

I love shoes. I have lots of shoes. Too many if you ask my dad and brothers. Shoes are great because they always fit (even when you gain weight) and they really can make an outfit.

I have two boxes full of shoes. (Seth liked to point out that he had two pairs) I also have two pairs of boots (black and brown). When I saw the boots pictured here at the store, I fell in love. I debated getting them and tried to talk myself out of it but in the end, the fact that I need new boots (my black ones are easily five years old if not more) and I need them for New York and Ontario, won out. I picked them up on Wednesday and I absolutely love them. The buckles are a little different for me but they're fun. I can wait to wear them in New York.

The benefit of waiting is that I got a new pair of black flats for 40% off too. I've needed a new pair desperately and these ones are really comfy. I love new shoes!

A New Collection

At my last job, I was collecting old copies of bylaws. This morning I compiled a complete collection of Audited Financial Statments at my current office. It was a lot easier because this organization is only 11 years old (as opposed to 94 at the old one) but it still took awhile.

Yes, this is what I get paid to do and yes, it makes me happy :)

Attitude of Gratitude V2#23 - Giving Blood

The fact that I CAN give blood (even though it didn't work tonight). The fact that I can answer "yes" to the "are you feeling well today question" and "no" to all the rest like "have you been under a doctors care" or had all manner of health issues. I'm healthy and able to help others (up to three per donation!) and for that I am thankful...and the cookies are a nice bonus :D

Attitude of Gratitude V2#22 - Flannel Sheets

I haven't kept up with these blog entries but I'm committed to doing all thirty of them, even if takes until Christmas :P

Today I am thankful for flannel sheets. My parents always had flannel sheets but for some reason I always stuck to cotton. Earlier this year my mom got me some flannel sheets and I *love* them. They're so warm and cozy. My bed is pretty wonderful as it is but these sheets just make it awesome.

Please excuse me, I'm going to sleep now :D

Attitude of Gratitude V2#21 - Christmas Shopping

I like Christmas shopping. Yes it's stressful and commercialized but I like having to think of others and determine what they would really like. I went Saturday with my brother Robert and his girl friend Robbie. (yes they have the same name, yes Robbie is her full name, yes my Uncle calls Robert "Robby" all the time, yes it's funny LOL) We just stayed in town and between us we only purchased three gifts but I think I have a pretty good idea of what I'm getting Robert now.

The mall was busy but it wasn't crazy. Granted it is only November so it shouldn't be yet but the hype is building. And I enjoy it. It's more fun to participate than be a grouch and get stressed out about it.

I saw a sign that says "Tis the season to be jolly...so what's you're problem". It sums it up perfectly!

Word of the Day #38: propinquity

We haven't had one of these in a long time.

propinquity
[proh-ping-kwi-tee]

–noun 1. nearness in place; proximity.
2. nearness of relation; kinship.
3. affinity of nature; similarity.
4. nearness in time.

I got this in an email today.

Attitude of Gratitude V2#20 - Sunny Days

I love the rain. I live in BC for a reason. Rain is comforting and it really doesn't bug me. I have a lot of "inside" hobbies and rain allows me to do them without feeling guilty. That said, there's something to be said about sunny days. Today was one of those, after WEEKS of rain (or at least it felt like that). I took advantage of it and made a run down to the recylcing depot. It's like getting a get out of jail free card. I sit at my desk or I'm in meetings alllllll week long so when I can go out and do something physical, and mostly just get a chance of pace, I'm thankful for it. And if it takes a sunny day to do it? Then that's just a bonus.

Attitude of Gratitude V2#19 - Encouraging Words

I had a meeting with my old boss yesterday. He has always told us that he is available on a volunteer basis to provide consulting and today we took him up on that. At the end of the hour and a half meeting between myself, my old boss and my current boss, my old boss said "there are two things I accomplished right before I left that I am really proud of. One was securing the program and the other was hiring Heidi".

Gulp.

I mean I appreaciate the sentiment. He's always been really encouraging and I owe him a lot from a career point of view. He's given me a lot of opportunities that I may not have otherwise had.

That said, I am planning on leaving in nine months and comments like that make it much harder.

But I do appreciate the words. My primary "love language" is Quality Time and Encouraging Words. Especially professionally, encouraging words mean a lot to me and it was nice to hear it from him (and have it confirmed by my current boss).

Attitude of Gratitude V2#18 - High School

High School. It seems like every time I turn around I’m confronted with it.

* I’m re-reading Twilight which is teenage, high school angst at it’s finest.
* You can’t escape Taylor Swift and thankfully, I don’t want to because I like her music but she captures the gut wrenching indecision of high school and brings it all back to the surface.
* I actually had to GO to my highschool to pick up copies of my transcripts for my university application. It wasn't the first time I've been back since graduating but it was the first time in a long time. Not much has changed although the school has a new coat of paint so it looks fresh. And my english teacher is now principal and my math teacher is vice-principal. Crazy.
* I went for massage therapy and it turns out my massuse went to the same school I did, although she graduated 15 years before me. Still, we shared a few teachers and had fun reminiscing about them.

So yeah, high school. You can't avoid it but I am so glad that I'm NOT there anymore!!!

Attitude of Gratitude V2#17 - My Job

I don`t know how long it`s been since I`ve posted about work but I am happy to report that right now, I really do love my job. Granted I`d rather be independently wealthy and not have to work at all, and I won`t be there forever (9 months go to! give or take) but right now, I really do enjoy working at my job.

We hired a new GM last month and he`s working out swimmingly. After the last guy, anyone would be an improvement but this guy is stellar. I`ve already learned a lot from him and I know I`ll learn more. He`s competent and easy to work for. He`s big into delegation, but that`s okay because he inspires his staff to WANT to do the work.

It`s wondeful to work for someone like that and because of him, I can honestly say, I love my job, and am thankful for it.

Attitude of Gratitude V2#16 - Facebook

This week kind of got away from me so I'm scrambling to catch up on these posts. I had lots of topics in mind and I'm just trying to get them all down.

I am thankful for Facebook. I am. I know there`s been tons of articles written about it, regarding the good and the bad. Lots of people have their opinions about wether it`s the best invention ever or evil incarnate. Personally, I lean towards the latter. I like it because it allows me to keep connected, on some level, with people I would never nomally talk to, but whom I care for and about (in some cases), those who fascinate me (in others) and lots who I just like to keep tabs on because I`m nosey like that :D

Facebook enables all of that and for that, I am thankful.

Attitude of Gratitude V2#15 - Polly

So, if you're paying close attention, you may have noticed my new little friend. She's purple and black and she moved in a few weeks ago. Remember my post about my new winter coat? Well the next thing on my list (and probably more important, but way harder to chose) was a laptop.

A few Sunday's ago I finally decided to stop debating and shopping and just buy. I was at my parents and Robert was in town. He brought his new girlfriend over to meet the family (more on that later) and after dinner I sat down at their computer and made them (Dad, Robert and his GF) help me chose the specs for a new laptop. I bought it from Dell Online and the only "non-essential" feature I got was a purple cover for it :D

It arrived on Wednesday, November 4th and it's perfect. Okay. I have a confession to make. I named it. Her. I called her Polly. I do call her Polly. I know it's probably lame and cheesy but I figure if people can name their cars (and guitars apparently) I can name my computer. Plus, it's way better to say "I'm at Starbucks with Polly" than "I'm at Starbucks with my computer". Lame maybe. Deal with it LOL

Anyways, that's another barrier to my move lifted. And it's fun to have a computer at home again! I don't have internet yet but I'm hoping to get it in the next month or so. For now, I just use live writer and then upload my blog posts. I've also downloaded some genealogy software so I'm filling that in.

Yep, I'm thankful for Polly :D

Attitude of Gratitude V2#14 - Kids

I have to admit, it's a bit odd going from a 19 and over concert setting full of alcohol and pot smoke, to a four year old's birthday party in less than 12 hours. It was fun though, and strangely, I do well in both settings (although I got more of a headache from the screaming kids than I did from the thumping bass at the concert.

The first Christmas album I pull out each year is Kenny Chesney's "All I Want for Christmas (is a real good tan)". On that album he covers the song "Thank God for Kids" and I love that song. It's so true. Kids are wonderful. I'd take kids over cats or dogs any day. Someday I'd love to have my own. For now, it's fun to just hang out with friends who do have kids, and enjoy theirs, without the responsibility.

I am thankful for kids.

No unluckiness for this losin’ lately gambler on Friday the thirteenth!

Corb Lund had a series of shows in Vancouver and in my hometown. Jenna got a four pack of tickets and the night of the concert it ended up being Jenna, her sister Katherine, their uncle Dave and myself going to the show. The tickets said that the show started at 7 but that was actually when the doors opened. We lined up at 6:30ish anyways and were first in line. That gave us the opportunity to get a table for those who wanted to sit and a place right by the stage for those (me and Jenna) who wanted to stand.

The opening act was a new comer named Ridley Bent. I've only heard his two singles “Buckles and Boots” (which he opened with) and “Heartland Heartbreak” (which he closed with). Both songs are kind of overplayed on the radio and I have to be in the mood to hear them but I actually stopped and listened to the lyrics a few weeks ago and realized, I really like this guy!
I was excited to see him live and I wasn’t disappointed. Well, I was a little, but it wasn’t his fault. The sound was really bad. I’m not sure if the base was too loud or what but even standing right there beside the stage (the picture above is taken with no zoom to show you how close I was) I still couldn’t understand all the lyrics. I suppose if I knew his music it wouldn’t have been too bad but even Corb was clearer.
Ridley had himself on acoustic guitar, a bass player, an electric guitar player, a fiddler, drummer and another guy who cycled between steel and other instruments.

There was quite a break between Ridley's set and when Corb took the stage. I waited for a bit and then went for a bathroom break. On the way back I noticed that there was only one person still in line to get Ridley's autograph (I wasn't going to bother until I saw that) so I slipped in. He signed a picture for me and then posed with me. He's very sweet and I wish him luck.

Once Corb Lund took the stage, the crowd was ready. Jenna and I saw him in February 2008 but we were quite a bit further back and I can honestly say I didn't realize how CUTE Corb is! :) Especially when he smile and the dimple comes out. And when he's playing his guitar with his tounge sticking out a little bit.

Anyways, aside from the fact that he was *very* nice to look at, I love his music and it was fantastic to hear him live. He played a LOT of songs. In no particular order, and not necessarily a complete or correct list, this is what I remembered when I wrote out a list after the concert:

Hair in my Eyes (like a highland steer)
Shine Up My Boots
Short Native Grasses (Prairies of Alberta)
No Roads Here
Buckin’ Horse Rider (dedicated to his uncle who’s in the hospital)
Truck Got Stuck (forgot the lyrics)
Hurtin’ Albertan
Big Butch Bass Bull Fiddle
All I Wanna Do is Play Cards
The Truth Comes Out
Good Copenhagen
Little Foothills Heaven
I Wanna Be in the Calvary
Horse Soldier, Horse Soldier
Lament for Lester Cousins
The Horse I Rode In On
Hard On Equipment (Tool for the job)
Family Reunion
Chinook Wind
This is My Prairie
Game in a Town Like This (Losin’ Lately Gambler)
Long Gone to Saskatchewan
End
Rye Whiskey
Time to Switch to Whiskey

Encore Alberta Says Hello
Counterfeit Blues


The picture of him with all the pink lights is just before he sang what he dubbed his "gunfighter ballad". His all time favourite cd is Marty Robbins' "Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs" so the pink lights were appropriate.

He's not a super active performer. Preferring to mostly just sing, play guitar and have a blast. He was fun to watch though.

I was skeptical about the venue when we first arrived. They call it the "Showbarn" and it really is just a barn. It's where the flea market happens on Sunday morning's and during Agrifair, that's where the 4H club sets up shop. This night, they had the stage on one end, a makeshift bar on the other, and that was it. It kind of reminded me of being back in Texas. Raw, live music, performed the way it should be.

Someone mentioned that Corb would be signing autographs so during the last song of the encore, I ducked out of the crowd and went and lined up. It worked out perfectly because it meant I was first in line. I got Jenna to take this picture of the two of us and on one hand he looks like he's kind of not ready for it but on the other, we captured that little, tounge half out thing that he does when he's playing so I thought it was cute :)

Bottom line, awesome concert. I highly recommend him if you're looking for true "country western" (a term I refuse to let my dad use, but applies here) or "roots" or "Americana" if you prefer.

Good music. A Great night. For that, I am thankful.

November 12 of 12

I got to work at 8:15. I took a picture of the clock because I wasn’t feeling well so I was expecting a “the time I arrived at work, the time I left work” series of shots but I surprised myself by working right till 4:30 and never got another shot of the clock. Of course this is probably why I stuck around. This is what I was supposed to be doing a work. (registering a Personal Property Security Assignment) Instead... This is what I was actually doing at work. Shhh don't tell! This was my lunch. A cheesy bun from Cobs and homemade "harvest vegetable gouda soup".


I stopped at the used bookstore on my way home and picked up a copy of "Twilight" for six bucks. I've read all four books already but I borrowed them from friends. The first time I read the first book I zipped through it in less than 48 hours...so you know I didn't absorb it. This time I switched back and forth between it and Midnight sun. And I was inspired to write a blog entry explaining my mixed feelings about this series.

This is what I was supposed to be working on that evening. I have pulled all my school stuff out of the storage room and I'm attempting to go through it an decide what to keep and what to toss (do I really need an excercise book of me learning my abc's?) It's *really* hard to decide though so it's been sitting out in mh living room for awhile. I need to finish up though becuase I'm getting tired of walking over boxes.

Oh, and a quick shot of my Christmas tree which I put up on November 11th for the third year in a row :D

My dinner. (Hey this is supposed to be "every day stuff" right?)


If you can't tell it's chicken pot pies (with a finger hole in the middle so I could tell if it was done. Totally uncivilized, I know.) Carrots and leftover acorn squash. So then I went to my favourite place in the world...the library :wub:
And read "Midnight Sun" online, blogged and caught up on Facebook.

(this is also the picture of me for anyone keeping track). And, lastly, more "every day stuff", my car, in it's spot in my apartment parkade. There. That's my 12 of 12. A few days late and not super exciting, but it was my day!

About three things I am absolutely positive

First, I don’t like vampires. I don’t like the idea of them, or reading about them or hearing about them at all (and it’s not because I’m “scared”. I just don’t like fantasy, The witches and warlocks in Harry Potter are bad enough.)

Second, Stephanie Meyer is an incredible author and I only wish I could turn my dreams into multi-million dollar franchises like she has done. (Cause I have to admit, I’ve had some pretty cool dreams).

And third, I, like half the female teenage population of the world (and a lot of the non-teenage population) am unconditionally and irrevocably in love with Edward.

There. I’ve confessed it and it’s out in the open. Admitting you have a problem is the first step right? :)

But you know what? I’m not sorry. I’m not sorry that I’m a hypocritical Twilight fan because I simultaneously do not approve of vampires and fantasy yet I LOVE these books (and yes, to everyone who said “I told you so” you were right). I’m not sorry that I have a school girl crush on a character in a book and an actor.

In fact, on some level I am thankful for the Twilight Saga. It’s fun to be caught up in something and to have something in common with others. No, not everyone “gets it”, but there are enough that it’s fun to share. From my second cousin who’s younger than me and right in the Twilight target age group, to my bookkeeper who’s older than me and planning a Twilight birthday party for…herself. It’s fun to swoon with these people and share our mutual love for these characters. After all, that’s what good literature is all about. Vampires or not. And for that, I am grateful.

Attitude of Gratitude V2#11 - Peace

I went to the cenotaph for the Remembrance Day ceremonies today. They moved the cenotaph in our town a few years back and I haven’t been since. It’s in the plaza between City Hall and the main library now and it’s a great place because it’s large and perfect for parades and marches by the groups that participate. Seeing the air cadets marching first brought back memories of when Aaron and Robert were in Cadets. It was always the first big event of the year for them.

The ceremony was pretty standard. O Canada, a moment of silence. A bugler playing “Taps”, the roll call of the dead and the chilling “They do not answer sir”, including one name from the Afghanistan conflict. One of the cadets recited “In Flanders Fields” and the chaplain read a poem called “The Man We Didn’t Know”.

It was a great day for the ceremony. Clear with just a hint of fall in the air, but hardly any breeze. At 11:11 a squadron of planes flew over. One had been circling so I was waiting when I heard it coming again so low, I wasn’t expecting the group of them though. Very cool.

As a result of the genealogy work I’ve been doing lately, I can’t help but think of my ancestors who paid the ultimate sacrifice. “Great Uncle” Melville, who was killed in action in Italy at the age of twenty four and Cecil and Harold who escaped with their lives but always carried the horrors of war with them.

When the rifle corps gave a three gun salute the sound reverberated through the plaza and it gave us just a tiny touch of what it must have been like for these brave souls.

The wreath laying portion of the ceremony took the longest but it’s neat to see so many groups and individuals honouring the dead.

So today, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, I am grateful for all those who fought for the freedom I enjoy each day and for the peace that,mostly, reigns, in our country.

I’m also reviewing some old school work right now and I cam across a poster I did as a project. It has peace symbols on two corners and an outline of a dove on the other two. Here are the words:

PEACE to me is…

Peace to me is no fighting with friends family or other countries,

Peace to me is sharing with good manners at all times,

Peace to me is quite dinners and a family reunion once in awhile,

Peace to me is getting along with friends and family,

Peace to me is a Dove with the twig in the mouth or the peace sign, Peace to me is a very good thing to have!

By Heidi, estimated age 8

Seth's in the Hospital

I’ve already reported how sick Mom and Aaron are. Well it turns out Seth’s got the same thing. He’s been off work for a week as well and tonight he had Brittany take him to the hospital. I’m not totally sure what caused him to go but I do know that he’s on two IV’s. One of saline and one of something else. They did a chest xray and he’s waiting to hear the results.

I took Aaron in for blood tests and an xray today during my lunch. We first went to the Imaging Clinic and BC BioMed but as soon as they realized we were there for H1N1 testing, they gave Aaron a face mask and sent us to the hospital. Stupid. Send us where more sick people are. Anyways, we did the xray first and I guess being tentatively diagnosed with the most feared bug out there is good because as far as I could tell, we skipped the queue.

Then the fun began. Mom, Dad and I have been donating blood since I was 17, and Aaron’s accompanied us to the clinics since then, so since he was seven. But, he still does NOT do needles. They managed to get half of what they needed today before he lost it. Well, lost it is strong. Basically he just got totally light headed and they had to scramble to get him into a wheel chair and over into a bed so he could relax. They did manage to get the second batch of blood but he wasn’t very happy. Of course it doesn’t help that he feels horrible and hasn’t been drinking or eating anything terribly substantial. He doesn’t have a big appetite to start with so this sickness has been horrible for him.

They got what they needed though. He has an appointment scheduled for Wednesday to see the doctor again to see how he’s doing. In the meantime, here’s a picture of him with the mask (he’s a good sport and the picture was his idea).

And, if you’re so inclined, prayers for Lorry, Aaron and, right now, Seth especially, would really be appreciated. Thanks.