Do-Gooders

There are do-gooders in our world. They still exist. Do-gooders are not usually boisterous or loud. Do-gooders tend to work quietly.

Just like today.

We went to do a bit of shopping, mostly for food, but also for a few small post-Christmas items. We arrived at the cash and were waiting to pay, when the lady behind us asked if we wanted to use this gift card that she had in her hand. It was worth $20. She said she had shopped as much as she wanted to and offered the card.

Do-gooders....be watchful...they show up when you least expect it.

p.s. - I hit 10,000!!! (thank you all for visiting).

Fermenting Blog

This has been a busy Christmas season, and I seem to have neglected my poor blog. However, during my absence, my blog seems to have fermented, and in the process, appears to be approaching 10,000 hits! This is very cool, seeing as I have only been a blogger for about a year and a half.

Every now and then I peruse the Traffic feed, and sometimes I find some interesting fellow bloggers creating some equally interesting things. Take for example Finding life Hard. One day, I noticed this particular link, and decided to check it out. The blog has a link to a YouTube video called 'Harvey - my life as a dog' (although I am not a dog person - really!).

The video will melt your heart (really - I am NOT a dog person!!)

Enjoy!
Signed KittyLady

Transported Back in Time

Today, I visited a fellow blogger's site, where this Christmas is the first without a parent. Having been in that situation, I left a comment about how my Dad loved Christmas as well.

While this was sad for me, as this season surely can be, at that particular point in time I was transported back to my childhood home.

My Dad loved Christmas. He loved decorating the house, both inside and outside. There were paper bells (you know the ones....they're just like wedding bells, except that they were red or green and they unfolded and clipped together to form a bell) hanging from the doorways. Garland strung from the curtain rods. Inflatable Santas and accompanying scenery (thanks to my dolls who had to wait in line for their special). There were decorations that played music. Even the budgie's cage was wrapped in Christmas paper, complete with a bow.

Now, just last week, I was again transported back to my childhood. I have these really old ornaments that my parents had bought when they were first married. They are made out of a papier mache type of material, and are quite fragile. There are 2o Santa soldier (at least that's what they look like), a Santa in his sleigh, 2 small Santa boots and 2 large Santa boots. Once again, when I pull these ornaments out each year, I remember. It's funny how things like that can bring you back in time in a flash of a moment.

I guess my memories keep my warm too.

Warm in Heart, Worn on Feet

Today was my vacation day, and I spent it working on a local charity event called Christmas Cheer. Toys and food are donated from the public and corporate sponsors, and volunteers (comme moi) come and help to pack the food and toys for designated families in need.

This was my second year helping with this, and though my feet are a little worn, my heart is very warm. This day always leaves me both in awe and extremely touched by the generosity of the public. I was manning the canned tuna and salmon area.

1500 boxes of food were packed and distributed. Awesome.

If you get A-Channel News, you'll catch a glimpse of me with tuna and salmon in hand. I am wearing a red and white scarf.

Merry Christmas...it is surely coming......

Holiday Thoughts

It's been crazy busy around here. Work has been crazy busy. Social life has been crazy busy. Add in the regular holiday prep crazy busy.

This is really the first opportunity that I have had to blog. Or any real interest. Just too crazy busy.

Anyway, through all of the crazy busy, I have managed to take some time to reflect. It always happens at some point during the season. When I pull out the Christmas decorations from years past, listen to the Christmas carols. It's a feeling of almost sadness.

But then, I manage to turn the sadness around, and that sadness turns to warmth. That warmth happens when I give.

For me, this is the season for giving, not receiving. There are so many people who have nothing. They may have lost everything in a fire. They may have had nothing to begin with. For me, it's a way to show thanks.

Yesterday I gave. And I will continue to give.

And I will be warm inside.

Fire Last Night in Town

There was a. See here huge fire in downtown Barrie last night. We were in that area earlier last night, about a block away from where this happened.

One of the buildings that was lost was the old wellington Hotel, est. circa 1880's.

This season is such an oxymoron type of season, full of joy for some people, but also full of sadness for others. This is a bad time of year for this to happen. There is never a good time for a fire, however, but many people are now without a home and lost everything. Knowing this town, people will chip in and help in whatever way that they can.

Luckily nobody was hurt or killed.

Friday's Feast - One Hundred and Seventy

Welcome to Feast One Hundred & Seventy
for
Friday, November 30th, 2007

Pull up a chair and dig in!
Friday's Feast is a meme of five questions
cooked up by the chef each and every week.
Enjoy!

Appetizer
What is your favorite carnival/amusement park ride?

Always the roller coasters...all of them!

Soup
How do you react in uncomfortable social situations?

*blush*

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy discussing deep, philosophical topics?

I enjoy those discussions, but only when the other person hasn't been drinking alcohol. Always best to be on the same wavelength so to speak.

Main Course
Did you get a flu shot this year? If not, do you plan to?

I did not, and I may...we'll see.

Dessert
Approximately how many hours per week do you spend watching television?

No matter what number I admit to, it will probably be wrong, so I have to take a guess between 10 and 20.

Chasing Cars Revisited

In Chasing Cars and Chasing Cars (The Sequel) I talked about my love of cars and how many cars this household has had over the years.

How many cars you might ask? Lots....countless...and come December 15th, we will have yet another new vehicle in the driveway.

Now, it's not like there was a list of vehicles to choose from. That would have been too easy. My Sweetie examined all of the possibilities, and then came up with a short list which were considered to be the best in certain areas.

The hunt began there. This was not an untiring hunt.

There are countless vehicles out there these days. There are cars. There are trucks. There are SUVs. There are CUVs. You can assume that we saw them all, and in some cases, we saw some more than once...or twice.

Some have the best safety features. Some have the most add-ons. Some are the most fuel efficient. I guess that's what makes it most confusing and difficult to decide.

How is a person supposed to get the best bang for the buck? Good question.

We looked at many aspects....comfort, fuel efficiency, environmentally friendly, size, sun-roof, heated leather seats (not kidding).

In the end we made a choice that we feel is a smart choice. If you checkout my sidebar, you'll see my countdown to the arrival of the new babe.

Reality TV Recap

Late again...blame it on whatever. Just busy.

*post may contain spoiler info, in case you haven't seen any of last week's shows.

America's next Top Model

Lisa went home last week. I liked her, and thought that she had a good chance, obviously someone else is better. The show is now down to the final 5. My faves? Chantal and Saleisha. Heather's condition is now causing her problems I think.

Survivor: China
Nobody went home last week, because it was the traditional recap episode (see how much they starved on Day 21?). There is still unfinished business left from 2 weeks ago, where someone else probably needs to go home. We'll find out soon enough. Meanwhile, I am still backing James .



The Amazing Race
Another bickering couple goes home. They probably bickered before they got on the show, but that is neither here nor there. While the show is exciting in that one gets to see some pretty amazing scenery, the relationships in this particular group are a bit tense. I think the longer they have to run around the continents, the more fragile the relationships will be.

Dancing with the Stars
An exciting dance-off last night. While I am rooting for Marie, I really think that Mel and Max will take it. Again, it is dependent on the audience vote, so one can never be too sure.

Beauty and the Geek

Down to the final 2 couples, since Will and Jenn went home. They never really got along, so their departure was fitting.

Two-Time Caption Winner

Yay! I won again! Thank you for voting!

Skittles Place features a caption game every week, and I really enjoy taking part in that. She posts a picture of something, and then asks readers to create a caption. After the suggestions are in, people vote on the caption they like best, and a 'special' prize is awarded.

While it is always nice to win, sometimes it is even nicer to pass the prize on to others. With that, I am depositing a little giftie to jennifer because she mentioned that she really wanted some love dice.

When Commercials are Scarier Than TV Programs

Last night, Grey's Anatomy was on TV. Brilliant show. I adore this program, and last night was exceptional. I won't go into any details for the benefit of those who have not yet seen last night's episode, however, it was a cliffhanger (and disturbing to the nerves).

Somewhat equally disturbing to the nerves is a set of Workperson's Comp ads. These are downright frightful. I know what you're going to say. They're supposed to frighten you. But these are, in my opinion, over the top.

There is one ad in particular, which depicts a lady working in a restaurant who slips on a greasy floor, and is badly injured after being burned.

I was left shaking when I first saw this ad, and it still upsets me whenever I see it.

What's the purpose of having an ad if you can't bear to watch it?

I guess I have to use Mau control and switch to another station.

Thanksgiving in the U.S.A.

One of my US friends sent me this, so I am passing on to all of my US readers. Have a great holiday!

'TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING,
BUT I JUST COULDN'T SLEEP,
I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS,
I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP.

THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED -
THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE,
BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION
WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT.

TOSSING AND TURNING
IN DELIGHTFUL ANTICIPATION,
MY THOUGHTS OF A SNACK
BECAME INFATUATION.

SO I RACED TO THE KITCHEN,
FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR,
AND GAZED AT A FRIDGE
FULL OF GOODIES GALORE.

I FELT MYSELF SWELLING
SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND,
'TILL ALL OF A SUDDEN
I ROSE OFF THE GROUND.

I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING,
FLOATED INTO THE SKY,
WITH A MOUTHFUL OF STUFFING
AND A HANDFUL OF PIE.

BUT I MANAGED TO YELL
AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES,
HAPPY EATING TO ALL,
PASS THE CRANBERRIES PLEASE.

MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY,
MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP,
MAY YOUR POTATOES AND GRAVY
HAVE NARY A LUMP.

MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS,
MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE,
MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER
STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS.

(Note: BJ is celebrating today, along with his fellow U.S. feline friends.

He just luvs turkey.)

Political Correctness Gone Crazy

The other day, there was an editorial in the local paper about Santa's use of HO-HO-HO in the Santa Claus parade. Because rappers use the word ho in many songs, and that has a negative meaning, now HO-HO-HO is being viewed negatively.

The recommendation is to use HA-HA-HA instead.

Can you just picture it? Santa screaming HA-HA-HA like a maniac? Possibly scaring the reindeer right off the float?

I can't help but think of some other Christmassy words that could be eliminated from seasonal tunes:

don we now our gay apparel (from Deck the Halls)
Frosty the snowman, is a fairy tale they say (from Frosty the Snowman)
to save us all from Satan's power (from God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)

This is crazy (or maybe I am not supposed to use that word).

oh-oh-oh

Reality TV Recap

Okay, I missed doing this last Saturday because I was immersed in setting up this new template. So let's pretend that it's Saturday and have Reality TV Recap.

*post may contain spoiler info, in case you haven't seen any of last week's shows.

The Bachelor

The Bachelor came to a close last night, and the audience was treated to a dose of (ahem) reality when the Bachelor DID NOT PICK one of the 2 remaining ladies!!! In some ways, it does not surprise me, and I wondered why he chose the selected final two.

So DeAnna (pronounced DayAhna)
and Jenni (pronounced Jenni).
were both sent home sobbing in stretch limousines. This particular round of the The Bachelor didn't do much for me. While he was attractive, and rich, he was also a bit of a dud. So tonight is the ever famous 'after the final rose' show, where both ladies have their final slugfest at poor Brad. Let's hope the next round is better.

America's next Top Model

Ambreal went home last week. I liked her, but didn't like the attitude. Too much too handle. The show is now down to the final 6 (I made a booboo last week when I said last week was the final 6...I stand corrected...by myself).

I still like Heather. She is cracking with the pressure, but she is still my fave so far. Go Heather!

Survivor: China
mmmm Frosti (makes me think of that Wendy's® drink) went home after the tribe had spoken. Too bad. Frosti was a cool dude.

The tribe is still gunning for double immunity holder James, Gravedigger James, who I continue to root for. It's going to be very difficult for the tribe to get rid of hime, and he stands a very good shot at winning the million dollars.


The Amazing Race
The Amazing Race 12 is as exciting as ever. Throw 12 teams with assorted (or is that sordid) personalities, in a race around 5 continents, and it makes for one heckuva great show. The married lesbian ministers went home as did the 2 sisters. It's kind of hard to get sentimental about any of the teams at this point, since they were hardly around much.

Dancing with the Stars
In the past, this show never really grabbed me. I would start to watch it, but then would get increasingly bored. Not so this time. I have been following each week, and am quite enjoying the dancing. My least fave right now is Jennie Garth, but Yay Marie! Yay MelB! Yay Helio!

Beauty and the Geek

This show is just entertaining in a sordid kind of way. There are three couples remaining. The couple displayed in this post is Will and Jenn, the underdog couple. They haven't gotten along since the start of the show (which is surprising since the couples are urged to try and get along), but they keep winning somehow. They possess (or are possessed) some sort of teamwork that gets them through. Perhaps they will end up winning????

Dear Readers

As you can see, I am still reorienting myself in my new surroundings. You by now have noticed that all of my links disappeared. So, if you're still visiting, please leave your link so that I can add you back into my blogroll.

Thx!

Time for a Change````

It's about time...for a change. My blog is going to get some major changes, which may or may not come to fruition.

We'll see, and maybe you will too....or not.

Ciao

It's been a blast....

addendum:
All of my links are gone into netherland, and never to return. Gradually I will rebuild from scratch, but that is all part of general housekeeping.

Friday's Feast - One Hundred and Sixty-Nine

Welcome to Feast One Hundred & Sixty-Nine
for
Friday, November 16th, 2007

Pull up a chair and dig in!
Friday's Feast is a meme of five questions
cooked up by the chef each and every week.
Enjoy!

Appetizer
What was your first “real” job?

Um, I assume that first 'real' job means full time as opposed to student jobs or part time (are they considered phony jobs??? I certainly didn't think so at the time), so my first real job was with a major retailer, working in the catalogue office for the headquarters division. It was a great job and opened so many doors for me, places that I never thought I'd go.

Soup
Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?

My closet has a bounty of crafts. I can go through my oodles of yarn, or my stitching, and make things. My scrapbooking is all in the basement....another spot where creativity blossoms.

Salad
Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when…

I speak in public. I turn red like a tomato!

Main Course
What values did your parents instill in you?

Be yourself. Tell the truth. Be polite. Be respectful. Don't speak unnecessarily.

Dessert
Name 3 fads from your teenage years. (I am going to name more than 3...just because)

1. Hula hoops


2. Roller skates (the kind that strapped onto your shoe)


3. Elephant pants


4. Hot pants


5. Go-go-boots


6. Mini skirts


7. and with that I have now totally dated myself...

BJ's Update: My Owners are Sick!

Hi! It's me, BJ, the cat!

There's something to be said for draping myself across the heat vent. This cures all (tell that to my folks, because they are both under the weather with a bug of some sort). My Dad is really sick, coughing and hacking and spewing stuff into the sink. My Mom has a sniffle and is complaining that her head is stuffled (or something like that).

I think they should both just flake out on the floor, and flop down on top of a heat vent. They'll feel much better.

I always do.

Meoooow to my fellow felines!

Wait versus Weight?

The other day, I was at the store to purchase a welcome home balloon for My Sweetie (another tradition).

The following conversation took place:

ME: I'd like to buy a Welcome Home balloon.
SALES PERSON: Okay, no problem. That will be xx dollars.
ME: Okay.
SALES PERSON: Do you wanna weight? It's 2 dollars extra.
ME: Yes, I'd like to wait.
(I'm a little surprised that there is a cost to wait for the balloon).

ME: There's a cost for that?
SALES PERSON: Yeah, well, the weight is extra.
(I am still confused, but I wanted to wait for the balloon to be ready).

In the meantime, I find a little Gund reindeer to which the balloon can be attached. I bring it to the balloon person, who attaches it.

SALES PERSON: So instead of the weight, you're buying the animal?
ME: Yes.
(by now, my doh moment arrives, and I realize what was happening).

Happy Monday!

Remember

My favourite Aunt Helen had met a handsome Air Force man, Albert.

They married, and not very long after, he went overseas to fight in World War II.

He never came back. If he had, he would have been my uncle.

He is buried somewhere in France.

Peace.

Reality TV Recap - Part 1

Last week was most excellent, imho. So much has happened, and because of that it appears that we are approaching the end of some of my favourites.

Here's last week's recap:
*post may contain spoiler info, in case you haven't seen any of last week's shows.

The Bachelor

Well, we are down to the final two (ahem) ladies. Gosh, they look alike, well sort of, except that one is skinny and the other is a bit plump. Maybe that's why he's so confused. Brad has decided that it's either Deanna
or Jenny.
Quite frankly, I don't give a hoot. Neither of these was my pick at any point, so it's all his making now, and I hope he's happy....heh.

Beauty and the Geek

This show is down to the final four couples. Last week, there was no tie-breaking challenge in order to send people home. Instead, 2 of the winning couples had to outright decide which couple was going to go home. And did they pick the couple who did not get along, and really wished they could go home? No. They got to stay and torture each other for another week (that is if they don't kill each other first).

John
and Natalie
were sent home. The show was partially successful in that John now resembled a shadow of his former geeky self. I guess it's a lesson to us all...get along with everybody, no matter how much they kiss-up (or don't).

America's next Top Model

The show is now down to the final 6. Sarah
went home last week, amid a sea of tears. She was supposed to be the Plus Size girl. One problem. She started to lose her Plus Size figure. Yes ladies and gentlemen, she lost some weight AND she actually started to look good. However, the judges were hoping that she would have kept her wee bit of flab on so she could have been an example for the Plus people out there. I still like Heather. She is my underdog.

Survivor: China
What did I warn you about Jean-Robert
eh? That poker faced pro poker player lucked out and was sent home. Yes, lucked out means that luck was not on your side. Now the tribe appears to be gunning for double immunity holder James, Gravedigger James (somebody has to do it!) who I am currently rooting for.




The Amazing Race
The Amazing Race 12 began, and Ari and Staella were the first couple eliminated. Not a great loss. They were both a little whiny, and they were already grating on the nerves, in one short hour. The footage of Ireland was most excellent though.