Template Itchies

You know how some people can't stay in one place for too long or can't stay at the same job for too long? Well, I am getting that way again....about my template.

I sort of like the look and I sort of don't. Can't quite put my finger on it. The colors are nice, sort of, but I have never really felt communally attached to this particular template.

Now, the first template was okay. That was the old Blogger thingy. Then I rolled over tot he new Blogger and I think I went with the Harbor template. That lasted for awhile, but I found it restricting because of the white background.

Now I find the dark background restricting. Go figure.

Now, I know that the unlimited and forever rolling on blogrolls are bothering my knickers. They take up a lot of real estate and appear clunky, so that has go to be improved....somehow.

My Daily Bushism calendar hasn't been updated in awhile....can't keep up with the demand of the thing.....so that needs an overhaul....somehow.

I like my little countdown tickers for my various occasions. Somehow, I don't feel like touching them, so I won't.

That leaves a vast array of other things that I can tamper with. Hoo ha.

But where do I go from here? Not sure yet. I am tired just thinking about it, but maybe I'll just sleep on it, and it will all be solved in the morning.

Beware the Ides of March.....

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Wordless Wednesday #5

Organizing Frenzy

My cleaning lady comes tomorrow. EEEk! That means that today is the day that we need to go through the house and pick up all of the things that we have managed to stop-n-drop over the past two weeks, otherwise she won't be able to clean the areas that need attention....like the floor.

There have been a few piles of stuff that have magically appeared and then have claimed not to be able to have a home anywhere (which of course is absurd....every piece of stuff has a home somewhere.

Now, we were out partying last night for a friend's birthday, so today the energy level is a little low, and I had intended to go through the refrigerator freezer and the downstairs freezer, in order to purge a little. So far, I managed to only get through the fridge freezer.

Somehow, I had to muster some energy from somewhere in order to tackle the mystery piles. So I thought of a a post from my blog friend terry at Dork-o-Rama: The Random Thoughts of a Total Goofball and I remembered her lovely organizing job that she did, and I thought to myself, self, I said, you too can do this.

And so it was, two hours later and some of the piles have disappeared.

There is still one big pile remaining, and it too cannot recall which spot it belongs to, so it's going to require some effort there.

Wish me luck.
Happy Sunday!

*I think it's nappy time ...bring on the zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz*

Today is My 200th Post!

On June 20th of 2006, I wrote my first post. My First Post I didn't know where it would lead me.

On November 9, 2006, I reached my 100th post My 100th Post.

*how do I know this? I am so retentive that I keep a journal of my journal...groan*

Now, I have posted 200 entries to this blog. That's a woohoo I think.

So, what happened between the 100th and the 200th milestone? Well, Skittles, of the famed Skittles' Place, nominated me for the Bestest Blog of January 23rd of this year The Bestest Blog for January 23rd 2007

That was a real treat for me, and a shocker, but mostly it was really thoughtful and special. But then, so is she.

I joined fuelmyblog.com Fuel My Blog. I am also one of the Over 50 and Blogging bloggers

Without getting too mushy, I gained some new buds (and not the floral version, although some of these folks certainly flourish). I linked up with some new bloggers, bloggers who I enjoy reading, bloggers who have interesting websites, bloggers who have similar interests, bloggers who are totally dissimilar to me. They I may not always get to leave comments all the time, and I know that they can't either, but when I can, I do.

My blog has also become a source of communication (I hope) for my family. I know that Ma Petite Cousine in Quebec reads it, and, not just because of the blog, we keep in frequent communication. My SIL, who is also my friend, visits with regularity, and that's a pretty cool thing. She's is an interesting writer, who is also trying to kickoff a blogger book exchange at Inner Dialogues.

My WeightWatcher buddies stop by, my old and good friends, and my new friends, and that's pretty cool too.

I think a lot of things are pretty cool. Cool sums up many things for me.

Reaching this 200th post is one of those cool things.

So, I hope that you stop by and wish me well as I endeavour to continue with my journal, because after all, that is what this blog is for me...my online journal. It's still held closely to my heart but rests as an open book for others to explore.



It's About Time is about me, and my time on this earth, and time flies as they say.

It's about time. Really! It IS about time. Time to start a blog. Time to do housework, or homework, or just plain work. Time to......whatever. It's about time.

Just Another Ear Worm

Yesterday, My Sweetie started singing 'Just Enough For The City'....the Stevie Wonder song (Hi Skittles!). Now that song is drilling a hole through my brain. Over and over, the tune is filtering its way throughout my head. Even as I sit peacefully sipping my tea, I hear it. Annoying little ear worm.

It's funny how some ear worms occur....and some mind worms (new term). Sometimes it might be a song that floats in out-of-the-blue. Maybe it was triggered by some event. But, when an ear worm strikes, then look out! It will probably stay around longer than you hope. Burrowing its way deep into your consciousness. Hence, 'Just Enough for the City'.....rolling around over and over again in my brain.

Sometimes, I get 'computer-coding-after-effect' worm . It's sort of like an ear worm, but a little different. Like last night, for example. I was working on some HTML for a website. I had been working on making the site have a fresher look, and had spent a few hours. When I got to bed, and I started to shut my eyes, I had HTML code racing across my eyelids. I'd open my eyes for a bit, but as soon as I'd close them, I'd see HTML again.

Then there's always the 'where-is-my-fillintheblank' worm. This usually strikes just about the time that your head hits the pillow and you start to drift off to sleep. You start to think about something that you've misplaced for example. Like my iPod. You can't recall the last time that you've seen the item, and now you get to thinking about it's present location. Did someone steal it? Did I leave it somewhere? Is it in the garbage? After you've extinguished the million and one possibilities, you get up and decide to start searching for the thing. Gosh knows, that you won't be satisfied until you've found it.

Anyway, all of these little niggly wigglies should take note, and quit messing with my head. It interrupts with the few human beings who try to mess with my head.

Fat Tuesday

Today is Fat Tuesday, aka Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, or, as it was best known in my family, Pancake Day. This is the day before Ash Wednesday, the day which signals the beginning of Lent, a time for all good sinners to give up something for 40 days.....which is then Easter!!

All You Ever Wanted to Know About Mardi Gras But Were Afraid to Ask

So, today, you are supposed to pig out like the end of the world was coming. Then, for the next 40 days, you deprive yourself of something that you truly enjoy.....booze, smokes, chocolate (no! not chocolate!), swearing, whatever.

If you think about it, it's not so bad. Let's say that you were trying to give up smoking. Lent would be a pretty good excuse to try to do that.

If you were trying to lose a few pounds, maybe you give up your regular dinner-time dessert. Lent would be a pretty good time to try to do that.

I try to do this every year, although I don't have a lot of vices, so it gets interesting trying to find something to give up. One year it was chocolate. Thought I was going to die. So the following year I decided to clarify the type of chocolate that I was giving up (white vs dark vs milk)....these little justifications make a difference ya know!

So, what am I giving up this year? I don't drink. I don't smoke. I love chocolate, so I won't be giving that up for sure.

Any ideas????

Friday's Feast - One Hundred and Thirty-One

Friday, February 16, 2007
Feast One Hundred & Thirty-One

Appetizer
What sound, other than the normal ringing, would you like your telephone to make?

Meoooooow

Soup
Describe your usual disposition in meteorological terms (partly cloudy, sunny, stormy, etc.).

I try to be sunny, and maybe a partial eclipse shadows that radiance, but mostly sunny. Sometimes a few showers, but nothing unusual.

Salad
What specific subject do you feel you know better than any other subjects?

hmmmmm, my keen interst is in Diana,Princess of Wales, so that would be my top choice. But my knowledge also extends to fitness and nutrition, needle crafts. Boring huh?

Main Course
Imagine you were given the ability to remember everything you read for one entire day. Which books/magazines/newspapers would you choose to read?

Anything that would attract and keep my inteest. Tough sometimes.

Dessert
If a popular candy maker contacted you to create their next confection, what would it be like and what would you name it?

Dark chocolate, caramel, peanut butter, chewy speciale.

ABOUT THE FEAST
While our questions may sometimes be related to food, the main idea here is to feed your mind by asking thought-provoking, mind-stimulating questions. Each Friday when you visit this meme, you will find 5 enticing courses for your mind to gobble up:
Appetizer
- a quick, tasty morsel to get you started
Soup
- smooth and warm to soothe your mind
Salad
- a nutritious blend of "veggies"
Main Course
- a hearty portion that is sure to satisfy
Dessert
- light concoction for your sweet tooth

Thursday Thirteen - My Eighth One

Thirteen Things about Masgblog

Since it's a snowy and blowy day here in Barrie, my Thursday Thirteen is about 13 Winter Activities:

1. Go snowboarding


2. Go skating


3. Go skiing


4. Go sledding


5. Go snowmobiling


6. Go snowshoeing


7. Make a snowman


8. Make snowballs


9. Go ice fishing


10. Go ice sculptures


11. Go ice sailing


12. Forget about going or doing any of the above. Stay home and read about them.


13. Do absolutely none of these, and enjoy watching from the warmth of your home!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday #4

Chilly Willy wishes everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day!

You're What? (or the man versus woman perspective)

They say that men and women view things from different perspectives. Women may look at a man's eyes, while men might look at, well, other parts. This certainly came into play recently.

We were at a party, where we knew, pretty much, everyone there. One couple in particular was there, and we had heard through other people about their new boat purchase...brand new...and BIG. This is very big news, for them and everyone who knows them. We like this couple very much, and so we were really excited for them, and eager to discuss the new boat.

MY Sweetie had gone off in one direction to socialize, and I had gone to the she-half of the intended couple. We saw each other, hugged hello, and began talking about the news....of course the new boat. We were discussing how big a change it will be, how nice, what kind, blah blah. Another friend joined up with us to say hello, and greeted the she-half as follows......

'So, hows' Mom doing?' (as she glances to the she-half's tummy).

Confusion set in. What does this have to do with the new boat? Who's Mom? What's she talking about?

After glancing down at the she-half's tummy, I noticed the bulge.

I had no idea. I didn't know what to do. I was stunned. I was so consumed with the boat talk, that I didn't even notice that she was about 4 months pregnant!

Now, I ask you, how does someone NOT notice that someone is 4 months pregnant? I can't fathom how I didn't pick up on that one, especially since later, when speaking with My Sweetie, he said that he immediately noticed her motherly state. But then, he said that he saw her from a distance, and knew from viewing the profile.

This spawned another discussion, about how a man will look at a woman from top to bottom (not THAT bottom!), and form an impression. Women will do something similar, though probably not a full top to bottom glance (heh, we probably stop at THAT bottom!). But, I think that people, in general, don't want to appear rude in giving someone the full look. We do this, but in a you-don't-see-me-doing-this manner.

For me, I think that I was just at the wrong vantage point, but whatever the case, throughout the evening, whenever I would bump into the she-half, I found myself hugging her and saying 'I can't believe it!'.

One thing I did learn, that, the next time this happens, I'll check out the scene from top to bottom......just in case.

Guest Post Saturday

A happy snowy and bum freezing Saturday to everybody. It's snowing here (again) as I speak, and it's lovely! Just what we wanted!

Now, speaking of bum freezing, and because I have become a bit of a slacker when it comes to weekend blogging, I decided to host a Guest Post. This is a cute little story, and, because it didn't happen to me, I thought that it would have more impact coming from that person.

With that said, I give you the Guest Post Saturday.

IT'S MY POTTY AND I'LL FREEZE (IT OFF) IF I WANT TO...

As guest blogger, I have the dubious distinction of having biomatter as subject matter. Oh well, I'll try and make the best of it regardless.

The story begins as your intrepid guest blogger, in a fit of goodwill and sensible business acumen, offers to help with the programming of an electronic system at a municipal water treatment and pumping facility for a local city. The facility is newly rebuilt but not yet complete, and lacks, as it turns out, certain amenities.

I reach the place at the appointed time but with another matter firmly in mind, so to speak. Namely, I have a desperate urge to use their bathroom. This is an occupational hazard for those of us otherwise blessed with sales type jobs. When you gotta "go", you gotta get somewhere other than your mobile office. I found myself in precisely this circumstance that day.

"No problem", I say to myself, "Self, you can use the potty at the new treatment facility". I pop my head in the door and query the first hard-hatted contractor I spy. "How you doin?...Where's the toilet?" I ask. "There isn't one in here. You have to use the porta potty outside", he replies. I look across the small parking lot in the direction he indicates. There it is. A small, person-sized, green and yellow cubicle. No insulation. No heating. It's minus 13 degrees Celsius (9 degrees above, Fahrenheit) and windy as all heck.

"OK, thanks", I say to the guy. And off I go. It's not an ideal situation, but hey, when you don't have any other choices, what are you going to do? "After all", I think to myself, "how bad can it really be?".

I trudge acrosss the parking lot, open the door and enter. I suddenly have a fervent hope that no neighborhood kids are hanging around with porta-potty tipping on their minds. Saw that video on the web from Iraq where some US soldiers waited till one of their mates was so positioned so they could charge the potty and knock it over with him still inside. "Don't be paranoid", I say to myself, "Quicker I get done, faster I get out".

I lower the seat. I look deep into the holding pond inside. Hell, it looks like a lake, complete with an icy layer on top, about 18 inches down from the seat. God only knows what the hell else is just below the surface Oh well, down pants, down shorts, down butt on seat. I was getting uncomfortably cold already in parts of the body that don't appreciate cold much, and aren't used to it either. As you have probably already gathered, this wasn't for job #1. No, this was for job #2. And this call of nature wasn't taking "later" for an answer.

I didn't think things could get more uncomfortable but as soon as, uhm, the biomatter reached terminal velocity into the "pond" 18 inches below, I quickly received the opposite reaction in the form of a chemical butt wash from the "splash". This happened about five times in quick succession. I could only imagine what was in the sub-freezing liquid (not to mention anti-freeze) that was splashing me and tried to focus on "hurry the #@$% up". It was at about this moment when the wind factor came into play, however. You see the potty tank has a big vent pipe to allow the "vapors" to escape without poisoning the whole cubicle. At this moment however, it was serving as an intake pipe for the wind howling outside. So, there I sat, already cold, now also wet, with what felt like a gale force freezing wind blasting across my private parts. "Great", I think to myself, "Does it get any better than this?".

Job finally done, paperwork complete, I escape the torturous "relief" chamber. "Well", I think, "it could have been worse. At least there were no kids around to play practical jokes like potty tipping".

Next time I'll hit the nearest coffee shop BEFORE I reach the construction site.

Friday's Feast - One Hundred and Thirty

Friday, January 19, 2007
Feast One Hundred & Thirty

Appetizer
Have you been sick yet this winter? If so, what did you come down with?

No (she says knocking on wood)

Soup
What colors dominate your closet?

Black, Red, Blue

Salad
How would you describe your personal "comfort zone"?

My personal comfort zone is at my computer and at the gym.

Main Course
On which reality show would you really like to be a contestant?

Survivor (but with no eating bugs, only warm weather, pool boys, real food, healthy water, showers, all the comforts of home....AND a million dollars)

Dessert
Which holiday would you consider to be your favorite?

Saint Patrick's Day (even though it's not technically a holiday where we have time off work)

ABOUT THE FEAST
While our questions may sometimes be related to food, the main idea here is to feed your mind by asking thought-provoking, mind-stimulating questions. Each Friday when you visit this meme, you will find 5 enticing courses for your mind to gobble up:
Appetizer
- a quick, tasty morsel to get you started
Soup
- smooth and warm to soothe your mind
Salad
- a nutritious blend of "veggies"
Main Course
- a hearty portion that is sure to satisfy
Dessert
- light concoction for your sweet tooth

Thursday Thirteen - My Seventh One

Thirteen Things about Masgblog

13 Things Related to Valentines Day:

1. Quality chocolates


2. Flowers (especially roses mmm)


3. Stuffed animal (the cuter and cuddlier the better)


4. Romantic music


5. Nice dinner


6. Arrange for a Spa date


7. Don't forget a card!


8. Buy some nice lingerie (ah forget that it's minues 20 degrees outside)


9. Do SOMETHING special for your sweetie!


10. Make a surprise goodie bag (doesn't have to be expensive)


11. Bling-bling! (there's nothing quite like bling)


12. Hugs and kisses mean more than anything....sometimes


13. Say 'I Love You' to your sweetie

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday #3

6 Days to Valentine's Day

Hooey! My little Heart Ticker indicates that there are 6 days left til it's Valentine's Day. And you know what that means. The stores will be jammed with frantic people trying to buy things to impress their sweeties. Diets will go by the wayside to make room for chocolate laden boxes. Flower shops will be inundated with orders for, what else, roses! Jewellery stores will have line-ups that might exceed those of Christmas (well, maybe not, but close!).

Now, I don't know what this means to you. Maybe you make a big deal out of it, maybe not. Maybe the day just fizzes into obscurity. For My Sweetie and I, even after almost 25 years of being married, we try to do something special for that day. We might go to a nice restaurant for dinner (so far this year we haven't a clue as to what to do or where to go, nor have we made reservations anywhere). This year, I am going to make a card for My Sweetie (something which I have not started yet, though the ideas are engraving themselves in my brain). We usually do some little trinket giftie.

Above all, we always make sure that we let each other know how truly special we are to each other. Not to say that Valentine's Day is the only day that we should be doing this. No no! But in this busy world that we live in, it gives us reason to pause for a bit, and take the time to acknowledge, express, and be thankful for that special person.

So, get busy.....only 6 days left!

Things That Go Ding

We live in a world of technology. Technology that hums, blurts, bleeps, rings, tings, and dings. Sometimes we can identify the object that is producing a certain ding, but many times we can't.

Such is the topic of this post.

For the longest time, My Sweetie and I used to hear the same little song-like ring. It would happen for no apparent reason, but would be loud enough for both of us to hear. When we'd hear it, we'd both look at each other, almost like one of us had passed gas or something. This went on for sometime (the look, not the gas passing). Finally, one day, I was charging my PDA (because it forever requires charging), and the little song-like ring happened. We both looked at each other and exclaimed 'aha'!

One ding down, many more to identify.

About a month ago, actually it was on my SIL's birthday, we were asleep. Our sleep was disturbed by music. Music coming from one of my music boxes. The tiny, little innocent sound pierced the silence of the night, and we both sat bolt upright in bed. This nerved us, partly because it was unexpected, and also because I hadn't played that particular box in a very long time. My Sweetie had the explanation that the little music-box-insides (how technical eh?) react with the cold, and the music will play randomly. It sounded plausible, and so I bought into the story.

Another ding solved.

The other night, we were spending an evening relaxing. It was quiet, but of course there was the required 'ding'. It came out of nowhere, and we weren't even able to identify it.

We still don't know what THAT ding was.

I'm glad that I wrote about these little sounds that occupy space with us. If I find any more of these, I'll jot them down for future reference, but for now, let's just keep our ears peeled, shall we?

The Hallowed Groundhog

Happy Groundhog Day, everybody!

So, what's Groundhog Day anyway, you might ask? Well, each year this is a big deal in Canada and the U.S.. There are celebrity groundhogs who are proclaimed at being able to predict when Spring will arrive, or, in other words, whether or not we will have 6 more weeks of Winter.

We even have mascots for this celebrated event (though no one has ventured to make this a National holiday....yet).

The 2 most famous groundhogs are:

Ontario has Wiarton Willy.
Pennsylvania has Punxsutawny Phil.

Other known Groundhog Day mascots include (and some of these could be still living or in groundhog heaven):

Alberta has Balzac Billy.
Nova Scotia has Shubenacadie Sam.
Georgia has General Beauregard Lee.
New York has Staten Island Chuck and Dunkirk Dave.
Ohio has Buckeye Chuck.
Vermont has Peewee the Woodchuck.
Alabama has Birmingham Bill.

I'm sure there are other famous groundhogs, but that's what I could find offhand.

Oh, and My Mom was born on Groundhog Day. She would have been 85 today. Each year, we'd have 2 things to celebrate...her Birthday and Groundhog Day. Below is a picture of one of the groundhogs that Beanie Babies created for Groundhog Day. I gave this to her for her last birthday.

If you're watching, Mummy, Happy Birthday. Wish you were here. xx

Happy Groundhog Day.