Yesterday morning I was in bed and just after 7am, I started experiencing sharp stabbing pains in my lower right abdomen. I was pretty sure my appendix was rupturing with the pains being like contractions, coming on every 3 to 5 minutes. As it turns out, it was probably gas or something, as I managed to go back to sleep and woke up fine. Yet after yesterday, I'm pretty sure I'm not ready for it to explode or any of my other body parts for that matter.
Here's why: I'm logistically not ready for an emergency "what if" situation. The first reason being is I hadn't plugged my car in the night before, so what if it didn't start? Then I'd have to call a cab to get the hospital. But wait, I don't have any cash on me. Do they have interac nowadays? I know other cities do, but this is Regina after all. I'd probably have to walk over to the 7-11 and take out cash and call a cab from there. Or maybe I could take the bus. No, that would be just silly. I could walk, it's not that far. But it's 20 below, screw that.
Then it occurred to me that I hadn't shaved my legs in awhile. So I'd have to get up and shower and shave my legs so that I could go to the hospital. I know that sounds silly and vain, but as women, we think about these things!
Oh, and where's my health card. Darn it, I got my renewal sticker that I was supposed to put on in December and I don't remember where I put it!
What about my cell, is it good to go? Oh look, down to one bar on the battery. Great. That's my only phone.
The moral of the story is: get your life together people! God forbid I was going into labour! The kid would be born in the shower while I was shaving my legs...my luck ;)
Tia
Friday, January 13, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
A Dumb Phone
The other night while watching TV for a cell phone brand, they referred to them as "super phones". This seems to have gone away from the trend of "smart phones" which I find interesting. Perhaps the term smart phones is so overused that if you're branding a new product, lumping it into the smart phones category does nothing for it. I get that.
At the end of the day, I still own my "dumb phone". I was backstage at the Craven Country Jamboree a couple of years ago talking to John from the Higgins and made reference to my "dumb phone". He thought that was the funniest thing in the world and had never heard it before.
What is a dumb phone? It's just that! It's not a super phone, nor is it a smart phone. It's a simple phone that calls and receives calls, has a qwerty keyboard for texting, is mobile browser friendly, has a somewhat grainy camera, and also had additional bonuses like a calculator, notepad and a clock that I can set to different time zones. There are none of the bells and whistles of apps, Siri, BBM, HD cameras and videos or face calling. Just a plain ol' phone. My beloved dumb phone that has never let me down and serves its purpose for what I need a phone to do.
Many people scoff at my simpleton ways and say "why don't you get with the times?". I will some day, just not today. I remember at one point thinking I'd like to get a Blackberry, but EVERYONE at that time had Blackberry and did I want to be just like them? No. So I thought I'd hold out till SaskTel was equipped for the evolution of iPhone. They've reached that point and now EVERYONE has an iPhone, and I'm not sure I want to be like them now either.
I'll ride it out with my dumb phone until I find something else that I like. There's a funny catch to this story though. Remember me blogging not that long ago about how my sister and I always had the same things when we were kids? Well back in the fall she asked me if I could go pick up a cell she'd bought from a guy on Used Regina. When I got there to pick it up, you better believe it, turns out my sister unknowingly had bought the exact same dumb phone I had! Apparently we're sisters to the core.
Tia
At the end of the day, I still own my "dumb phone". I was backstage at the Craven Country Jamboree a couple of years ago talking to John from the Higgins and made reference to my "dumb phone". He thought that was the funniest thing in the world and had never heard it before.
What is a dumb phone? It's just that! It's not a super phone, nor is it a smart phone. It's a simple phone that calls and receives calls, has a qwerty keyboard for texting, is mobile browser friendly, has a somewhat grainy camera, and also had additional bonuses like a calculator, notepad and a clock that I can set to different time zones. There are none of the bells and whistles of apps, Siri, BBM, HD cameras and videos or face calling. Just a plain ol' phone. My beloved dumb phone that has never let me down and serves its purpose for what I need a phone to do.
Many people scoff at my simpleton ways and say "why don't you get with the times?". I will some day, just not today. I remember at one point thinking I'd like to get a Blackberry, but EVERYONE at that time had Blackberry and did I want to be just like them? No. So I thought I'd hold out till SaskTel was equipped for the evolution of iPhone. They've reached that point and now EVERYONE has an iPhone, and I'm not sure I want to be like them now either.
I'll ride it out with my dumb phone until I find something else that I like. There's a funny catch to this story though. Remember me blogging not that long ago about how my sister and I always had the same things when we were kids? Well back in the fall she asked me if I could go pick up a cell she'd bought from a guy on Used Regina. When I got there to pick it up, you better believe it, turns out my sister unknowingly had bought the exact same dumb phone I had! Apparently we're sisters to the core.
Tia
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Hoarder or Minimalist?
Someone asked me last night if I've ever watched Hoarders. I have, but I don't think I've made it through an entire show. I just can't stomach the sight of those people's houses, therefore I can't say the show is anywhere on my must-see list.
Personally I'm a minimalist. The less the better. In part because I'm in radio, which is much like being a military brat. There are many moves, and these moves often happen within a matter of weeks. Besides, who likes packing? It's for the birds I say.
People also find it strange when they come to my house that for someone who takes as many pictures as I do, I don't have any pictures on my walls or shelves. I find pictures create an allure of clutter (I'm slightly OCD'ish and hate clutter) and let's face it, if you're moving, they're something else to pack right? Plus, in this day and age of Facebook, you can see all my pictures in one place, with one click. What else do you need?
Each of us though, probably has some element of hoarder in us. As I was cleaning today, I came to the conclusion that I'm a bill hoarder. I seem to have bills from 2 years ago that for whatever reason, I feel the need to hold onto. With identity theft and security issues nowadays, throwing anything into the garbage puts a person at risk. I used to just take them to work and shred them, but that takes forever, and I don't have a job now ha! I'll likely take a big bag of stuff out to my sister's farm the next time I go and ask to borrow her burning barrel. Maybe that's a great entrepreneurial idea! Start an incinerator business that people can pay to burn their private material. No bodies though, that would be a strict rule. Some days I'm a genius.
So, what is your element of hoarding? Fess up, it's ok. I did. It's the first step to recovery remember.
Tia
Personally I'm a minimalist. The less the better. In part because I'm in radio, which is much like being a military brat. There are many moves, and these moves often happen within a matter of weeks. Besides, who likes packing? It's for the birds I say.
People also find it strange when they come to my house that for someone who takes as many pictures as I do, I don't have any pictures on my walls or shelves. I find pictures create an allure of clutter (I'm slightly OCD'ish and hate clutter) and let's face it, if you're moving, they're something else to pack right? Plus, in this day and age of Facebook, you can see all my pictures in one place, with one click. What else do you need?
Each of us though, probably has some element of hoarder in us. As I was cleaning today, I came to the conclusion that I'm a bill hoarder. I seem to have bills from 2 years ago that for whatever reason, I feel the need to hold onto. With identity theft and security issues nowadays, throwing anything into the garbage puts a person at risk. I used to just take them to work and shred them, but that takes forever, and I don't have a job now ha! I'll likely take a big bag of stuff out to my sister's farm the next time I go and ask to borrow her burning barrel. Maybe that's a great entrepreneurial idea! Start an incinerator business that people can pay to burn their private material. No bodies though, that would be a strict rule. Some days I'm a genius.
So, what is your element of hoarding? Fess up, it's ok. I did. It's the first step to recovery remember.
Tia
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Hillary Swank Nailed It
Last night I went to see New Years Eve. As expected, it's much like Valentines Day with it's tangents and twists of characters, of which most of their characters and scenes are not linked to other characters in the story.
Hillary Swank plays the big cheese responsible for the dropping of the ball in Times Square. Just as they're raising the ball to the top of the pole, it stops! The crowd ooooohs and awwwws. In the process of buying time, Ryan Seacrest makes an awkward speech, then later gives way to Swank's character who must give a statement to the press on the situation, which is also intended to buy time while they're working on fixing the technical issue they're having. Although we're already into the New Year, it was one of those movie speeches that you walk away from the theatre with, feeling inspired and touched. So I thought I'd share:
"...it's (the ball) suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne and celebrate the new year, to stop and reflect on the year that has gone by.
To remember both our triumphs and missteps, our promises made and broken. The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures or closed ourselves down for fear of getting hurt. Because that's what new year is all about -- getting another chance. A chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more. And stop worrying about what if and start embracing what would be.
So when the ball drops at midnight, and it will drop, let's remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other. And not just tonight but all year long."
Kind of makes you think doesn't it? Thanks Hillary.
Tia
Hillary Swank plays the big cheese responsible for the dropping of the ball in Times Square. Just as they're raising the ball to the top of the pole, it stops! The crowd ooooohs and awwwws. In the process of buying time, Ryan Seacrest makes an awkward speech, then later gives way to Swank's character who must give a statement to the press on the situation, which is also intended to buy time while they're working on fixing the technical issue they're having. Although we're already into the New Year, it was one of those movie speeches that you walk away from the theatre with, feeling inspired and touched. So I thought I'd share:
"...it's (the ball) suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne and celebrate the new year, to stop and reflect on the year that has gone by.
To remember both our triumphs and missteps, our promises made and broken. The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures or closed ourselves down for fear of getting hurt. Because that's what new year is all about -- getting another chance. A chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more. And stop worrying about what if and start embracing what would be.
So when the ball drops at midnight, and it will drop, let's remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other. And not just tonight but all year long."
Kind of makes you think doesn't it? Thanks Hillary.
Tia
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Random Thoughts of Nothing
I wanted to leave you with something before Christmas. I was trying to pick something to write light heartedly about with it being the holidays. Truth be told though, I'm uber-bummed out right now with the whole situation of being unemployed and being as such right at Christmas time. I wouldn't wish this emotional roller-coaster on my worst enemy.
Instead of being a Debbie Downer though, I thought I'd instead put on my Erma Bombeck hat and just spew random thoughts going through my mind right now. So here we go...
In an effort to conserve water and thus conserve money right now, I've been showering every second day instead of my much preferred every day shower. I always hear friends talk about not showering every day to let their body produce it's natural oils, etc. My hair is so greasy that if I were put in a police line-up, I'd probably get mistaken for Ted Williams right now.
Last week I had a craving for fig newton cookies. Yes, it's one of my guilty pleasures, shut up. I ate the whole package in a day. Now I have many beautiful pimples. Worse thing is, I know sugar makes me break out and I shouldn't eat it, but as women we're compelled to do these kinds of things aren't we? If the aliens come, I have some hard-to-miss beacons to guide them now I guess.
Capone has been enjoying the nice weather and wants to go outside a lot. The other day I came home to find him hiding under the front bush with a big bird in his mouth. 11 years old, well fed and he still has to hunt birds! Last night he was on the couch beside me and he farted. It smelled like raw bird. That is all.
Finally today I got my pension papers and can put closer on this gong show of a year. When I think of this past year, I think of the X-Files, playdough, and trees. You may or may not get this, but I'm laughing my ass off right now.
I'm also laughing about the fact that I've been wearing granny undies all week! I gave up on them at one point because who wants panty lines right?! But panty lines are the least of my worries right now, so bring on my Bridgette Jones persona. I'm comfortable, that's all that matters. And if perchance I get hit by a bus and wind up in the hospital, please lord, let me have a hot male nurse who finds the humour in my grannies k? PS - please also let him know that morphine makes me sick. Thank you.
On that note, I hope you and yours and the mistress or lover you may have on the side have a great holiday season. Kidding! Gosh, how come no one uses that line in a radio commercial some time, that'd be funny! But seriously, may you have many Gipp Forster moments filled with sugar canes, laughing babies, Christmas miracles and memories.
Merry Christmas my friends.
Tia
Instead of being a Debbie Downer though, I thought I'd instead put on my Erma Bombeck hat and just spew random thoughts going through my mind right now. So here we go...
In an effort to conserve water and thus conserve money right now, I've been showering every second day instead of my much preferred every day shower. I always hear friends talk about not showering every day to let their body produce it's natural oils, etc. My hair is so greasy that if I were put in a police line-up, I'd probably get mistaken for Ted Williams right now.
Last week I had a craving for fig newton cookies. Yes, it's one of my guilty pleasures, shut up. I ate the whole package in a day. Now I have many beautiful pimples. Worse thing is, I know sugar makes me break out and I shouldn't eat it, but as women we're compelled to do these kinds of things aren't we? If the aliens come, I have some hard-to-miss beacons to guide them now I guess.
Capone has been enjoying the nice weather and wants to go outside a lot. The other day I came home to find him hiding under the front bush with a big bird in his mouth. 11 years old, well fed and he still has to hunt birds! Last night he was on the couch beside me and he farted. It smelled like raw bird. That is all.
Finally today I got my pension papers and can put closer on this gong show of a year. When I think of this past year, I think of the X-Files, playdough, and trees. You may or may not get this, but I'm laughing my ass off right now.
I'm also laughing about the fact that I've been wearing granny undies all week! I gave up on them at one point because who wants panty lines right?! But panty lines are the least of my worries right now, so bring on my Bridgette Jones persona. I'm comfortable, that's all that matters. And if perchance I get hit by a bus and wind up in the hospital, please lord, let me have a hot male nurse who finds the humour in my grannies k? PS - please also let him know that morphine makes me sick. Thank you.
On that note, I hope you and yours and the mistress or lover you may have on the side have a great holiday season. Kidding! Gosh, how come no one uses that line in a radio commercial some time, that'd be funny! But seriously, may you have many Gipp Forster moments filled with sugar canes, laughing babies, Christmas miracles and memories.
Merry Christmas my friends.
Tia
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
I Get it Now
My sister and I are 3 years apart in age, and when we were little, we looked a lot alike. In fact, I've heard people say we looked like twins, just not identical. Because we looked so much alike, one of my biggest pet peeves when were were kids is that we'd always get the same gift at Christmas, just in a different colour. If I got green mitts, my sister got the same ones, only in red. If I got a brown comforter, my sister got the very same one, only in blue. If I got undies, she'd get the exact same ones, only in pink. That's pretty much how our entire childhood was.
After a week and a bit of babysitting, I understand now why that was the case. The psychology of it seems to be if one kid gets something different than the other and that "other" thing looks like more fun or can be used as a trigger, then there will be many fights, crying and pouting. But if they both have the same thing, well where's the fun and manipulation in that for a kid?!?! Then they simply behave and play with their toy or item.
It all makes perfect sense now.
Tia
After a week and a bit of babysitting, I understand now why that was the case. The psychology of it seems to be if one kid gets something different than the other and that "other" thing looks like more fun or can be used as a trigger, then there will be many fights, crying and pouting. But if they both have the same thing, well where's the fun and manipulation in that for a kid?!?! Then they simply behave and play with their toy or item.
It all makes perfect sense now.
Tia
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Adventures in Babysitting
My friend Barb was having some babysitter woes and I'm unemployed and having some financial woes. She was in a lurch for having someone take care of her kids and I had much free time on my hands, so I offered to help.
Kids and babysitting aren't my speciality but it's certainly been an eye opener. My day starts at about 7:30am and I'm with them until about 5pm. I'm on my 3rd day and without a word of a lie, I get home at night utterly exhausted. It might also be because I'm getting up at 6am as opposed to the usual "unemployed wake-up call" at 10:30am that I've been accustomed to the last 3 weeks.
I've learned a few things during my quality time with the two kiddios. For one - always give yourself a buffer of being 10 minutes early. Because chances are, those 10 minutes will be lost to doddling, pouting or playing. For two - find your own unique "the look" and use it often. It's quite effective in mediation disputes over toys. And for three - if you play the Gummi Bear song once, be prepared you'll have to play it 10 more times back to back to back!
I also experienced my first ever play group. The kids running around the gym burning off all their energy while the moms sit around these 2 ft high tables drinking coffee, gossiping, knitting, and talking about things like "So are you going to get scraped". I was not prepared to hear about someone else's insides.
Another challenge is that I have major gag reflex. If I smell something like vomit or poop, I start dry heaving and walking the line of throwing up myself. I'm practising the best counter measures I can, but it's not easy explaining to a 3 year old why you have to so aggressively cover your nose and mouth.
I can certainly say I have a whole new appreciation for anyone with babies or young children. It's tough work! I still wonder though, does a spoonful of sugar really help the medicine go down? You may or may not get that.
Tia
Kids and babysitting aren't my speciality but it's certainly been an eye opener. My day starts at about 7:30am and I'm with them until about 5pm. I'm on my 3rd day and without a word of a lie, I get home at night utterly exhausted. It might also be because I'm getting up at 6am as opposed to the usual "unemployed wake-up call" at 10:30am that I've been accustomed to the last 3 weeks.
I've learned a few things during my quality time with the two kiddios. For one - always give yourself a buffer of being 10 minutes early. Because chances are, those 10 minutes will be lost to doddling, pouting or playing. For two - find your own unique "the look" and use it often. It's quite effective in mediation disputes over toys. And for three - if you play the Gummi Bear song once, be prepared you'll have to play it 10 more times back to back to back!
I also experienced my first ever play group. The kids running around the gym burning off all their energy while the moms sit around these 2 ft high tables drinking coffee, gossiping, knitting, and talking about things like "So are you going to get scraped". I was not prepared to hear about someone else's insides.
Another challenge is that I have major gag reflex. If I smell something like vomit or poop, I start dry heaving and walking the line of throwing up myself. I'm practising the best counter measures I can, but it's not easy explaining to a 3 year old why you have to so aggressively cover your nose and mouth.
I can certainly say I have a whole new appreciation for anyone with babies or young children. It's tough work! I still wonder though, does a spoonful of sugar really help the medicine go down? You may or may not get that.
Tia
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