Sunday, September 14, 2008

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Affairs & Cheating

8 Ways To Affair Proof Your Marriage!

1.
Nurture Safe Friendships: This is the most important affair-preventer in my life.
No marriage can give you everything.
No marriage can give you everything. A husband is going to have interests that his wife will never care about like fishing, hunting, or golfing. So he's less likely to stray if he can find some good guy buddies with whom to fish, hunt, and golf.

2.
Recognize the Drug: Depressives and addicts are especially prone to affairs because of the head rush that comes with infatuation. The spikes in dopamine and norepinephrine we experience upon connecting with someone new fools us into thinking that the sexy man or attractive woman at the bar holds the key to our nirvana and the end to our problems. This is the same as, say, the high from cocaine. Recognizing that that rush is not real, meaningful, or lasting, can help a married person to "just say no."

3.
Keep Dating: I'm serious here. Visiting with your spouse with some regularity--just the two of you and no one else--will bring some very definite rewards to a marriage. By dating, you will learn how to talk to each other again.
In her book, "Mating in Captivity," Esther Perel urges a client to imagine her spouse as if she has just met him, to put him into that mysterious category again. This is really hard when you got a little one screaming, "Wipe me!" from the bathroom. However, when you can pull it off, I find her theory very effective.

4.
Find a Creative Outlet: People get lured into emotional and physical affairs because the infatuation provides an exciting, stimulating place where they are energized.
So to stay affair-proof, you have to find other sources of stimulation and excitement. For me, my blog is that outlet. I can't wait to log on each day to see what all of my dear readers have to say. When I get overwhelmed by the domestic chaos of our lives, Beyond Blue provides me that outlet where I can create something new, where I can run away, however temporarily, from the stress.

5.
Hang Out with Happy Couples: If you're hanging with a bunch of guys (or girls) that see nothing wrong with sleeping around, you are much more likely to do it yourself. The good news is that the opposite is also true. If you have a set of friends committed to their marriages, you will be less likely to cheat on your spouse.

6.
Learn How to Fight: Wait before saying something really ugly, and make sure you weren't tired or hungry, or in a stressful situation. I'm not saying that you can't confront your spouse if you're tired, hungry, or stressed, because then we'd live in a silent world. But, it's a good idea to recognize situations that tend to accelerate arguments.

7.
Be Nice and Listen: "Duh," you're saying to yourself. But think about it. This is the hardest part about marriage. Listening. Keeping your mouth closed when the other person is talking.
In my conversations with men and women who have had affairs, the number one reason for pursuing the affair was this: "She listened to me. I mattered to him."

8.
Remember These Tools: Never forget that you have a toolbox of resources to draw on when you feel tempted by an extramarital affair. Here are some tools offered to me by those healing from affairs, insights to keep in mind when you feel that familiar head rush and are tempted to abandon logic for a thrill:
Don't go there: Don't put yourself in a threatening situation. Skip the conference in Hawaii with the colleague who flirts with you. If you absolutely have to go, avoid all opportunities to be alone with him.

You've got mail: When you don't know if your email crosses the line into appropriate language, send it to yourself first. Read it again, and ask yourself: would I feel comfortable showing this to my husband?
Dress with intentions: One woman told me that she saved her lingerie for her husband, and wore the ratty old underwear to the high-school reunion where she'd see a flame from the past.

Talk about your spouse: A guy friend told me that whenever he is alone with a woman he finds attractive and things are getting uncomfortable, he'll start talking about his wife--what her hobbies are, and how much he loves her. It immediately kills the mood.



How To Tell If A Guy Is Cheating!


1. He's superprotective of his gadgets. "The main way that trysts are found out is through the discovery of incriminating e-mails, IM chats, cell phone texts or bills," says Belisa Vranich, PsyD, a clinical psychologist in New York City. So if he's being unfaithful, he may guard his gadgets or act really defensive when you innocently touch his phone or computer. It should be a giant red flag if he readily gave you passwords in the past, and now he's more evasive.

2. He steps up the grooming. This is so obvious, but it's a sign many women miss: "If your man starts grooming more without you requesting it, that could be an indication that he's getting intimate with someone else," says Vranich. You can actually thank modern mass media for this tipoff. Guys today are used to viewing manscaped dudes onscreen, so if he has another chick to impress with his appearance, he may emulate those ultra-trimmed guys. Another clue: He's spending more time at the gym.

3. He smells different. "When he comes home, if he doesn't smell the same as he did in the morning, and it isn't the scent of soap in the gym or at your home, it may be because he's showered at her place," offers Vranich. So pay attention, because in this case, that old saying "the nose knows" might very well be true.

4. Nothing fazes him anymore. "If he was short-tempered before, a combination of added intimacy and attention could be making him way more relaxed, even downright giddy," Vranich says. Adds Mira Kirshenbaum, author of "When Good People Have Affairs: Inside the Hearts and Minds of People in Two Relationships": "
If your guy is suddenly going around all happy and whistling, then you need to find out why.
If your guy is suddenly going around all happy and whistling, then you need to find out why."

5. He becomes suspicious of you. "If he's normally a mellow type, all of a sudden he may want to know where you are all the time and with whom," says Vranich. "It's the result of him realizing that if he's cheating and it's not that hard, you might also be getting away with it." Also, beware of extremely detailed responses to even your most innocent "How was work today?" queries. He may be preparing epic answers because he's terrified of getting caught.

One caveat: If your romantic life hasn't fallen off, that's no guarantee that he's faithful. "It's a serious mistake to think that affairs are necessarily physical. He may just be unhappy in other parts of the relationship," says Kirshenbaum. In fact, an illicit relationship could even stoke his lust for you.

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Top 15 signs you might be pregnant

1. Swollen and tender breasts
Soreness or tingling in breasts is one of pregnancy's most common symptoms. Early in pregnancy breasts will fill out and change shape as they prepare to produce milk. Breasts may become very tender and sensitive for a few months as a result. But, Teresa Pitman, doula and lactation expert, notes: "that not all women experience these changes, especially if they have been on birth control pills."

2. Darkening areolas
For many women, hormones can cause the areolas, the circles around nipples, to widen and darken during pregnancy. This occurs as the body prepares itself for breastfeeding.

3. Spotting
About five to 10 days after conception, some women notice light spotting when the embryo implants in the uterus. So if you've had a light period this month, you might still be carrying a little bundle of joy.

4. Urinary frequency or constipation
When you're pregnant, your uterus presses directly on the bladder leading to more frequent urination. The added pressure and intestinal changes may also cause constipation. Of course, the more a baby grows, the more the uterus presses against the bladder and other organs.

5. Fatigue
Many women feel very tired early in pregnancy (it takes lots of energy to create a baby!). In fact, fatigue is often one of the first signs of pregnancy. If you are pregnant, chances are you'll start to feel less tired around week 12, when the placenta is fully formed.

6. Nausea
Nausea is one of the most common side effects of pregnancy. It's caused by an increase in hormone levels (about 80 percent of women experience "morning sickness" during the first 3 months of pregnancy). For many, this nausea is not necessarily confined just to the morning - some feel it all day long. Click here for all the facts on morning sickness.

7. Smell Sensitivity
No, the smells on the bus are not in your head: Many women have a heightened sense of smell during pregnancy. This symptom is one of the most common early signs that you could be pregnant. "Some researchers have speculated that it might be to protect women from eating ' spoiled' or tainted foods, thus protecting the baby from any harmful toxins," says Pitman.

8. Elevated basal temperature. If you've been tracking your basal temperature, a positive sign of pregnancy is an increase of about one degree that lasts for more than two weeks after the "dip" in temperature that indicates ovulation.

9. Missing period
The most obvious indicator of pregnancy is a missed period, but a missed period doesn't always mean a baby is on the way. Stress, diet or an irregular schedule can also be the culprits, so it's best to get tested before making the big announcement.

10. Unusual hunger or cravings
Pregnant bodies are working hard to grow that baby, and need about 300 extra calories a day. Some women find themselves craving food they would never normally dream of eating, while others simply feel hungry all day long.

11. Headaches
The frequency of migraine headaches can increase with pregnancy. Many women who get hormonal migraine headaches find they get more of them during especially early in pregnancy, explains Pitman. However, some people have the opposite experience and actually get a little reprieve from migraines while expecting.

12. Mood swings
Many women experience emotional mood swings throughout pregnancy. It's natural to go through a variety of emotions as hormones are adjusting and the body is changing.

13. Feeling faint or dizzy
Shifting hormones, combined with the heart beating faster to pump more blood through the body can cause blood pressure to gradually decrease early in pregnancy. As a result many women experience periods of dizziness or feeling lightheaded.

14. Metallic taste in your mouth
Some women complain of an odd "metallic" taste in their mouths during pregnancy. While there is no scientific explanation for this symptom, for some it can last throughout their entire pregnancy.

15. Vivid dreams
Dreams during pregnancy often intensify. So if your dreamin' has become more dramatic this could be a symptom you're expecting. (Thank your surging hormones for this one!)

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Chocolate Covered Bacon?

Yep, you heard me right, Chocolate covered bacon!
I think Eww!
But my hunt to find it and try it....
Below is the article from yahoo.ca


Here are three little words that might give the staunchest snacker pause: Chocolate-covered bacon.

It sounds so wrong. But it tastes just right, says Joseph Marini III, a fourth-generation candy maker who is selling the bacon bonbons at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk seaside amusement park.

"It's not just for breakfast anymore," he says with a grin.

And this isn't just a wacky West Coast thing.

This year, Famous Dave's at the Minnesota State Fair is rolling out Pig Lickers - dark chocolate-covered bacon pieces sprinkled with sea salt.

"It's just like the most bizarre combination," says fair spokeswoman Brienna Schuette. "I actually really liked it. It was a good combination of sweet and salty."

The urge to create new flavour profiles is a natural for a field driven by creativity, says Karen Page, co-author with Andrew Dornenburg of the forthcoming "The Flavour Bible," a sort of field guide to flavour pairings.

Chefs have two basic agents of change: using a different cooking method or mixing up flavours. So a classic such as tomatoes and basil might get turned into tomato sorbet with a basil sauce. Or you might find unorthodox couplings, such as salads of watermelon and feta or cotton candy with foie gras.

"There's a whole trend toward chefs pushing the boundaries," says Page. "Chefs are trying to be more playful and incorporate new kinds of whimsy."

It's hard to tell exactly where the dream of candy-coated breakfast meats started, but for Marini, the inspiration was a trip with some ski buddies a while back.

"One guy came up with, 'Who doesn't love bacon? Who doesn't love chocolate? Let's marry them together."'

So Marini gave it a shot and after some trial and error - crispness is key, he says, noting that chewy bacon plus chocolate is undelicious - he came up with a product.

"It was kind of a joke to begin with," he says. "We brought it down to the boardwalk and put it in a case just to see if people would react, and they reacted."

Take boardwalk visitor Nathan Lopez, who on a recent foggy morning had a quizzical look on his face as he began eating a sample at Marini's at the Beach. But he finished with a smile.

"Interesting combination" was the verdict. "I didn't think it would be very good, but once I tried it, it was good."

Of course, chocolate-coated bacon is just the latest incarnation of the wackier-the-better fair food philosophy.

Fair food has been shaking up the snack scene for some time, says Ron Whiting, of Whiting's Foods, whose family has been selling food at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk for decades.

"Years ago, I think food tended to be more traditional and less fun," he says. Then came the corn dog and the era of quick and on-a-stick. "We all talk about the next corn dog," he says.

Fry, fry again is a persistent theme. Current popular snacks include deep-fried Twinkies and Oreos.

Page, who admits to eating "more than my fair share of fried dough," notes that gourmet chefs have taken to putting food - just about any food - on a stick, coming up with some posh Popsicles. Meanwhile, there's the foie gras-cotton candy matchup, not a stretch flavour-wise since foie gras usually is paired with something sweet, but certainly visually arresting.

"It's the melding of both these worlds, the high end and the low end," said Page.

Never underestimate the appeal of battered-is-better.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

ISSUE 13 ~ City Of Heroes!!

Mission Architect:
First the City of Heroes Character Creator set a new standard for player creation and customization. Now, Issue 13 takes another giant step, allowing players to design their own missions and story arcs to share with the entire City of Heroes community. Using an intuitive interface similar to the game’s detailed Character Creator, players can create missions from the ground up. Players will determine details ranging from environments, mission objectives, and enemies, to written fiction and character dialogue; giving their stories nearly infinite depth and personalization.

Among other rewards, authors and architects who create the most extraordinary content will garner acclaim and reputation. Community feedback will be paramount and some missions will elevate in status unlocking new rewards and benefits for their creators.

Day Jobs (Offline Character Progression)
Scholar? Caregiver? City Official? Now when players log out of City of Heroes / Villains they’re just getting started! A character’s day job is determined by the actual in-game location from which he or she logs out. If players log out from a University their day job is considered to be a Scholar. If they log out from City Hall they're a City Official. The benefits are thematically appropriate to the location. For example, a City Official earns extra Influence, a Scholar is granted Salvage, a Caregiver is granted Health Regeneration Buffs, etc.

Once characters have accumulated the required amount of time for each Day Job, they are rewarded with the appropriate Day Job Badge and Title, increasing their “earnings” for that job. Multiple Badges can be combined to unlock Accolades and the ability to accumulate additional new rewards. Almost every location within Paragon City and the Rogue Isles has an associated Day Job, resulting in a wide selection of jobs and rewards!

New Powersets
Shields – Heft a Shield for Heroic of Villainous Ends! This new powerset brings a classic power to City of Heroes: Shields! Now, you can arm Tankers, Scrappers, Brutes and Stalkers with a powerful shield to protect themselves and their allies.
Pain Domination – Villains can now bend the power of pain to serve their own ends! Those playing a Corruptor or Mastermind have access to this new powerset. The antithesis of the Hero healing powerset “Empathy,” Pain Domination brings parity between Heroes and Villains with a distinctively evil flair.
New Cimerora Missions
New Hero and Villain story arcs expand upon the history and lore, and delve into the players and politics of Cimerora.

The Merit Rewards System
A new game system that allows players to earn tokens by completing Trials, Task Forces, Strike Forces, Raids, etc. The most challenging and time consuming tasks grant the most reward tokens, which can be redeemed throughout Hero and Villain zones for recipes, enhancements, salvage, costume pieces, badges, inspirations and other game items.

Other features
New Invention Origin Sets, new Costume Sets, a Patron Power Respec, Zone Refinements, and more!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Updates & Things (short ver)

Well Let's see, It's been over a month and ALOT has happend...

First off, Work screwed me over, the last day I was to do manager was suppose to be my last... they ended up have me do it on the Sunday after I wasn't suppose to, but I am making sure they pay me for it, cause when I checked my pay stub.. they didn't and they are gonna!

/end rant

Lets see, Vacation was a blast I had so much fun going to see my grandma & the rest of the family. Good times. To bad it was so short

Um.. when I got back I pulled a no call no show at work, I just didn't wanna deal with there shit anymore...

Now I am just kick back with some R&R while I work on my cookbook, taking a break, okay well not totally a break, gotta get some more remodeling and cleaning done. Neut is comin to visit in Sept! I am soooooo excited!

Friday, July 11, 2008

Vacation =)

We just got back from Canada late last night.
It was a great trip, even the 12-14hr drive there and back!
We seen Grandma, Uncle Gary, Auntie Donna, and my Dad.
We also popped by to see my Grandpa at his grave, it was sad.
We also did other things like, I took hubby to some restaurants that are not in the states like Jose's Noodle Factory, Swiss Chalet and of course Pizza Pizza.
Can you say YUM!
We also went on Go-Carts!
We had a really great time, to bad the time couldn't of been longer, ah well, there is always next year =D
I miss Grandma & my family already though =*(
Well time to decide what to do with the rest of my day : )

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Diablo III ??

ZOMG!
I used to play the shit outta I & II !
Wonder if its gonna be free like the others you just pay for the game...
One can hope : P

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Updates, Life, Everything!

Wow, where to begin...
Things been going great!
Besides the fact of work being down right stupid.
They are telling me I look like I am worn out and not doing my job that I spend to much time with the customers and don't get my paperwork done right.
Pfft, whatever.
At this point I don't care, the stuff they want me to do they have not trained me on, I think they are just making excuses too since I always make my sales plans and they don't.
There loss, I'll go back to a part time sales associate and do what I do best, SELL!
10hrs or less a week, and when they see plan is not being made, to bad!
I'm fine with 10hrs or less a week.
When I get back from Canada I am going full force on my cookbook, cause I know quite a few that want a copy.

/end rant

Anyways other then that life's been good, finally things are calming down a bit, got the bathroom redone, piping fixed in the house, next project is the roof which because of hail damage we are able to get some help with that.

Hubby and I been eating healthy for awhile now, I dropped 8-10 pant sizes in the last 2 months just by eating 3 healthy meals a day, cutting my portions in half and eating snacks. Now today we started a exercise routine. Gah, damn that was painful on the walk up to Smoothie King, we almost didn't make it cause there was a flash of lightning and thunder but after a bit it just turned into sprinkles of rain so we went with it, quite refreshing actually. About half way there my legs where burning it been about a year since I last exercised. But I pushed myself along.

We finally made it to Smoothie King grabbed 2 small smoothies, sat for 10 Min's then headed back. The way back was no problem, thing with Missouri is all the hills but damn it felt good. Now that I got my eating under control and going with the walking. I can see this weight melt off, and with Stressing less in a few weeks even better, I bet as soon as things calm down a bit more, weight falls off, could be pregnant in no time, fingers crossed.

Hopefully!
Here is to hoping!

: )

Other then that not much been going on really, still playing City Of Heroes, Issue 12 hit this month, it's way to cool.

The cats are doing well, Slayer has been a big snuggle bug as always, Salem has become our dancing rolly kitty, Scyko has become a attention whore, Bubbles wont be quiet, Skeet has become very lovable, and Olivia is still just crazy.

Well suns coming out, time for it to probably get really hot out.
I feel like changing my picture and background on my blog, think I am going to do that now : )

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Canadian Girls - Is Me!

Pause my playlist before you play!




Saturday, May 31, 2008

When Awesome, Isn't Good Enough

Explain to me this....

Last September I get promoted to manager at my work, I get a weeks training on how to open and close the store, a quick walk though of payroll and ordering bags and supplies, because the lady that usually does it talks a mile a min and don't slow down even when you ask her too to explain then the store manager says Ill come in and show you but never does.

A month goes by and before you know it ... it's Christmas... my focus, selling and giving the customers the best deal possible and making sure you have what they need. Easy right? HAHAH! YEAH RIGHT! So I try my best, all I can do right?

So from September 2007 to Nov 1st, I are the top selling manager in the store, Nov it's another manager, December back to me, the last 12 days before Christmas there was a contest who can make plan for those days and who does gets a $25 gift card to Starbucks, bath and body works, Victoria secerts or the limited. I won 6 outta 12 days. Great job right? Damn right it was! I had over 150 bucks to spend of not my money :D

Jan hits my Grandfather passes away they get mad because I left, screw them. I am gone for 2 weeks outta the month and I still am the top manager, go figure :P Feb rolls around, myself again. March one other manager, April and may, your looking at her again, me. Great job right?

So here comes June tomorrow, my boss pulls me aside Thurs this last week and says, " Are you burned out ur performance isn't up to speed ? " how is my performance NOT up to speed when you guys been making plan for the last month or so because i been busting my ass!? LOL .... well she says you just don't have the oomph, OK one shes not there when i have my so called Oomph, but I guess the ordering and ya last floorset was a oops cause we couldn't find the white tops for the window display and left it for them cause we where not gonna call her house at 11 at night.

Okay my mistake, then she gets on me about my availability. she knew when I got promoted and she was fine with it that i had my permit and was practicing to drive, I didn't work Tues or wed cause those are the days I need to get things done when hubby's off... she had no prob with it and now because I req time off from 22-28 cause my friends are coming in from Utah "maybe" and the week I'm going back home to Canada to visit my grandmother who's still grieving over my grandfather, its a BIG problem for her.

But sure she can take her week off and so can the other manager, pfft yeah right.

so yeah everything I do isn't good enough, its not my fault that she didn't give me all the proper training she should of, so I have a thing for her, give me the proper training if you want to help me succeed at being a manager or I will step down but I need my hours each week and my pay or they can kiss there sales into the ground. Cause I wont stay at a place to sell my ass off so THEY can get all the credit and win there prizes.

Okay I'm ending rant mode, sry, comment if you like, thanks for reading :)

On a good note, I could get back into my art and working on the stuff i wanna get done around the house and maybe some more coh time and spending the time with hubby, getting into my walks every morning and doing what i need to do to feel better about myself too :)

All I Want Right Now Is....

All I am really wanting right now in life is....

A family - kids etc yadda yadda....
Go back to Canada with hubby to visit my Grandma...
To lose weight, well keep doing so
I love my job but minus the bullshit and stress, I know all jobs have it but damn this one is BS....
I need to get a physical
I need to go to the dentist
Need a good night sleep
Back pain to go away
Find some good health insurance
Find some good life insurance
Be home more so I can finish more stuff around the house remodeling and cleaning wise
Have my privacy back

The list continues.....

But I need to finish cleaning and head to bed, work tomorrow and I have been tired all dang day, I am pulling to stay awake this late and I finally got the living room and dishes and sweeping done .... so......... sleeeeeeeeepy.......... *thud*

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Updates & Things

Not much going on really, working, cleaning, eating, spending time with hubby....

Issue 12 Live on City Of Heroes....

Bathroom is finally done being remodeled...

Not a hella lot, just waiting on Vacation.

Neut and Toonies its a maybe if they are coming, Going to see my Grandma in July, Neut will prolly come in Aug if she can't make June.

Tis about it :)

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Priceless!




*Note: plz pause my playlist before hitting play*

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Fired Over A Fucking Timbit? WTF!?

Well I know I have not wrote a blog in awhile I been pretty busy but I still get a chance to check news on yahoo, today I stumbled across a poor single mom that got fired for giving a timbit to a baby, wtf is that shit?

Tim Hortons is the company, I worked for them for 4 dang years when I lived back home in Canada. I can't believe I stayed with that dumb company for that long, back then timbits where 12 cents and they where telling us not to give them to babies, you know what FUCK THEM! They make millions everyday and they can't afford about 10 timbits in each store each day? I mean, when I worked there the customers would ask, can i have a timbit for my baby or can I have one for my dog. I mean WTF People! It's a dang timbit! (for those of you timbit is aka a donut hole)

But anyways seriously, that's bull! One lady I worked with we used to chip in our tips and sit a box of timbits aside that we paid for because Tim's is so fucking greedy! They don't even pay there workers enough!

Anyways I think I am done ranting for now, here is the article:


By The Canadian Press

ADVERTISEMENT


LONDON, Ont. - After being fired for giving away a Timbit to a baby and hastily reinstated when the doughy dilemma hit the media, single mom Nicole Lilliman said Thursday she'll collect her much-needed Tim Hortons pay cheque until she can find work elsewhere.


While still anxious to work in a customer service job, the 27-year-old mother of four young children said she fears her career with the iconic Canadian purveyor of coffee and doughnuts has been irreparably harmed - despite a chance to work at a new outlet.


"I will have to leave, I will look for another job," Lilliman said. "I will leave just because nobody's going to like me. It's going to be awkward (going back to work), but I need a cheque in two weeks. I need it, I have to have it."


Lilliman, who said she had aspired to become a supervisor, was fired by what Tim Hortons head office called an overzealous manager after giving away the deep-fried confection - retail value 16 cents - to the infant on Tuesday.


The three-year employee, who makes $9.05 an hour and pays $750 a month in rent, was called into a backroom the next day and made to sign termination papers that read "terminated for giving baby product without paying," she said.


"So I signed it because it's true - I did it."


As she left the store in tears, a stranger handed her $40, saying someone had once done him the same favour when he was fired from a job, Lilliman said.


"I left crying, everybody's staring at me. I was so embarrassed," she said. "Then I went home and called the newspaper."


Tim Hortons spokeswoman Rachel Douglas said Thursday the store apparently had a policy against giving away food, but added it wasn't a ground for dismissal and that Lilliman is receiving an apology from head office.


For now, Lilliman will return to work at another Tim Hortons store close to where she was previously employed.


"She has chosen to go to a different location, just down the street, which is owned by the same franchisee in case she was uncomfortable returning to her current store," Douglas said.


No decision has been made regarding taking action against the manger who fired Lilliman, Douglas added.


"It was an unfortunate incident where a manager acted a bit overzealous. The actions of that manager were not appropriate, nor were they grounds for dismissal."


Lilliman, who said she had a strained relationship with her manager before the incident, said she doesn't want to see her former boss fired but is glad to see Tim Hortons making apologies.


"I want them to feel like that. I'm sorry, you just fired a mother of four over a Timbit," she said.


"Everything would have been fine and dandy. I wouldn't have called anyone. Nothing would have happened if they had just been like, 'Nicole, you gave out a Timbit. It's not allowed. Please don't do it again."'


Despite government subsidies, including daycare, Lilliman pays $120 a month in transportation costs to get her children - aged three, five, six and 10 - to their care providers.

The $750 a month she pays in rent doesn't cover utilities.

"I pay to flush my toilet," she said. "I need this job."

Lilliman said if she ever has the urge to give away a Timbit again, she'll pay the 16 cents out of her own purse.

As for the need for a nationwide policy on Timbit freebies, Douglas said that has yet to be determined, noting that store owners currently set their own policies and run "their businesses as they choose."

-By Gregory Bonnell in Toronto.

Sunday, April 06, 2008

Comicon Recap: Day 2

Well woke up early AM once again, had a PB & J sandwich with hubby and talked about what we where gonna look at, we decided to check out a buncha comics, head back to see Brinke Stevens and get her movie Witchouse with another autograph, as well as Tom Kane's. (Voice of Yoda and many others) We talked to a lot of artists that where there too. It was another day of fun and great time.

We decided on Chinese for lunch but we couldn't even get into the parking lot so we came home and had leftovers and such. We will go out on Tuesday for his birthday ^_^

I had a blast this weekend!

Saturday, April 05, 2008

Comicon Recap: Day 1

Well day one, let's see...
My Friend La De Da came into town and I got to meet him for the first time, hes awesome ^_^
We sat around for a bit and chatted since he was a little bit early, I had made some chocolate, pecan and toffee cookies... what a breakfast :p

After that we headed out, it was pretty quiet when we got there, not line at the door we just walked in paid and got our hand stamped.

We met Walter Koenig and Brinke Stevens and got there autograph's on a pic they had at there tables, we also met quite a few others, bought some stuff, but tomorrow when we go back we are going to buy some comics!

We also went to lunch at McDonald's (have not been there for awhile!)

Overall pretty fun!!
I had a blast!

Stay tuned for day 2 tomorrow!

Saturday, March 29, 2008

OMG GUESS WHO IT IS JOEL!?

PAUSE MY MUSIC PLAYLIST THEN HIT PLAY HERE!

Look close at the lady in the vid :)










SHANE!! FROM THE L WORD! ^_^

Friday, March 28, 2008

ISSUE 12 ~ City Of Heroes ~ *NEW* Powersets

ZOMG YES~!

Blaster

New Primary - Psychic Blast

New Secondary - Mental Manipulation


Corruptor

New Primary - Electrical Blast

New Secondary - Storm Summoning

Controller

New Primary - Plant Control

New Secondary - Thermal Radiation

Dominator

New Primary - Earth Control

New Secondary - Electricity Manipulation

Defender:

New Primary - Cold Domination

New Secondary - Ice Blast

Mastermind:

New Secondary - Storm Summoning

Brute:

New Primary - Battle Axe

New Primary - War Mace

New Secondary - Super Reflexes

Stalker:

New Primary - Electric Melee

New Secondary - Electric Armor


Tank:

New Primary - Dark Armor

New Secondary - Dark Melee

Scrapper:

New Primary - Fiery Melee

New Secondary - Fiery Aura

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Ramblings Of A Tired Women

Okay, I know it may seem silly after I just had 2 days off but....
I am tired, I know stayin up late is one reason I am tired, I don't care though it was worth it, spendin time with hubby is always worth it :)
Though work sucks, I am almost ready to give in my notice now to say, " You know what, screw you I am steppin down"
This week wasn't bad though... off Sun/Tues/Wed/Fri but after that I work from Saturday to Saturday no day off... I am just hoping it's one week but dang >_<
Figures hubby works over time this week and next week I have hours out the ass that means all the stuff we needed to get done has to wait another freaken week...
I am just wanting to say forget it and go back to part time 3-10 or so hrs a week, and get things together at home, I miss being at home :(
There is so many things that need to be done around here
I am trying to hang on to this position though until September before I say screw it, but things keep changing everyday and it blows.
Anyways I better get dressed for work ....
I am tryin to hang in there I really am!
Somedays I just wanna curl up under my blankets and not come out, stress of work and hubbys dad always getting on me about stuff around the house remodeling etc .... its making me nuts... or when you getting ur licence! something I needed to do this week so I could use it towards my passport I now can't CAUSE I GOTTA WORK ALL FREAKEN WEEK!

I am really starting to hate this manager shit, they need to hire the 4th manager soon or im gonna quit then they will be stuck with 2! I hate hearing oh soon!

yeah right, the other 2 managers don't have much to with the parts of the store they deal with, brand is huge! thats why they have 2 ppl on it, in the last few months it's been just me.... HIRE A NEW MANAGER ! >:/

OK I'm done rambling.. I am half asleep and half pissed off...
I better go get rdy for work now....

Noire

PS.. on a plus side, I'm losing weight and today I tried smoothie king for the first time, not bad, spending time with hubby is awesome, I been in CoH maybe 2x in the last week.. life outside of work is awesome, I keep asking myself if it's June yet, cause that's when Neut and Toonies are coming, that means closer to seeing grandma! and comicon is next weekend! blah screw it, ill write more plus' later .... if not ill be late, lol. :)

Friday, March 21, 2008

March 21 -- Ostara -- Spring or The Vernal Equinox

Also known as: Lady Day or Alban Eiler (Druidic)


As Spring reaches its midpoint, night and day stand in perfect balance, with light on the increase. The young Sun God now celebrates a hierogamy (sacred marriage) with the young Maiden Goddess, who conceives. In nine months, she will again become the Great Mother. It is a time of great fertility, new growth, and newborn animals.

The next full moon (a time of increased births) is called the Ostara and is sacred to Eostre the Saxon Lunar Goddess of fertility (from whence we get the word estrogen, whose two symbols were the egg and the rabbit.

The Christian religion adopted these emblems for Easter which is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox. The theme of the conception of the Goddess was adapted as the Feast of the Annunciation, occurring on the alternative fixed calendar date of March 25 Old Lady Day, the earlier date of the equinox. Lady Day may also refer to other goddesses (such as Venus and Aphrodite), many of whom have festivals celebrated at this time.

Traditional Foods:
Leafy green vegetables, Dairy foods, Nuts such as Pumpkin, Sunflower and Pine. Flower Dishes and Sprouts.

Herbs and Flowers:
Daffodil, Jonquils, Woodruff, Violet, Gorse, Olive, Peony, Iris, Narcissus and all spring flowers.

Incense:
Jasmine, Rose, Strawberry, Floral of any type.

Sacred Gemstone:
Jasper

Special Activities:
Planting seeds or starting a Magickal Herb Garden. Taking a long walk in nature with no intent other than reflecting on the Magick of nature and our Great Mother and her bounty.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

RIP Rylie Nantau

I found out yesterday that my Cousin's daughter Rylie passed away, she was only 22 months old :(
Rylie battled Migrating Partial Epilepsy of Infancy, a rare seizure disorder that left her with many challenges....

So sad, my family has gone though alot of passings in the past few months, makes me really sad ... First it was my grandfather just after christmas and now Rylie, my uncle Vern I know as well as many other passings...

I know yesterday I shut out the world and I even missed my managers meeting and I know my boss is mad but at this point I don't give a damn honestly, I am just gonna go into work tomarrow, do what needs to be done and leave, Friday I am off .. Saturday I close go in do what needs to be done, leave.... Sunday we are closed cause of Easter, then Monday night we have easter dinner with hubbys mom.

I think I am just gonna go play City Of Heroes, level some characters.

I am just sad, I wanna cry, I think I met/seen Rylie a few times due to me not having a bond with my parents and siblings back when she was born, but I knew much about her. I am glad I have the bond now I have with my family, I miss grandpa alot and I miss grandma too, I can't wait until this summer when we go visit her. Anyways I am outtie for now....

Monday, March 17, 2008

*yawn*

Finally 2 freakin days off
Tired of workin this BS ...
Anyways, I think I can get some quality time in with hubby this Mon/Tues and part of Wed...
Wait.. Think there is D&D tonite, frap :(
*sigh*
I have not got any sleeps yet cause I am still waiting to discuss this wedding stuff for Misty
While waiting I am updating my page and my City Game Tracker...
FUN =P
Anyways.. wait wait wait..
I am so tired I bet Ill be in bed by 2am....
Bathroom is coming along great though ^_^
Can't wait until I can take a freaken bath!
<333333333

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Second Life.... Edited....

(and yes honey re-read this)

Over the years I heard many things about this MMO thing...
People that are married going on here to get there kicks meeting someone they really like opening up to them leaving there current marrage thinking they found someone better then who they are with.
All couples fear that, I know I do...
A friend of mine said to me today also...

be very careful! There is a lot of stuff goes on there that is NOT healthy to a marriage, relationship, etc. Most the females are men and they aren't just doing it to have a nice ass to look at while playing if you get my drift. I've never seen as much drama as I did there either. And there seems to be an attitude that cybering with anyone and everyone anywhere is good and it doesn't matter if people are married in RL or not. just be very careful is all...it's a sneaky, slimy place and unfortunately the wrestling is one of the areas that gets that way. (she played for over 2 years in SL)

I've known to hear that people who have left ppl they where with to be with someone they met on this thing, I am really starting to hate that. I been sitting here wondering if I should tell hubby some rules and guidelines he must follow like... no RP cept in the wrestling room and when I am there, reading chatlogs... not spending our days off on SL 24hrs a day when we can be doing more enjoyable things together like MOVIES or GOING SOMEWHERE DOING STUFF TOGETHER, something we don't do much of, I think also with his dad getting to me about the stuff that needs to be done around here there is more important stuff, like even cleaning the house, some days I am ready to quit my job or step down from management because doing everything myself is getting to be to much. Even though I was sick this week I hated hated hated seeing him in SL without me and having fun, I wanted to cry... I wanted to be hanging out with him!

I can't RP with others .. it's just not in me.. I know I am married, now light rp like hi lets hang out and shop fine but heavy RP like most wanna do like being dominated or something stupid like that or sexual or anything I can't my concence wont let me, I am not like that, after what happend years ago with a friend of mine and RP, he kept pressuing me to rp like that, i told him no I am married turned out he had a thing for me.. I stopped talking to him.. reason I don't go near myspace anymore or talk to certain people anymore, after what happend last year and almost losing my husband over something as stupid as what happend in CoH... reason i don't talk to these ppl anymore and if i do hardly ever talk to them, I am not doing that again. I love my husband to much and I wont, don't, will not, and all that stuff lose him to some other hussy or some dude pretending to be a chick or anything, I am not going anywhere, I learned my lesson the hard way last year and I still regret it to this day. :(


Anyways I need to finish my lunch, do a few things... go to work even though Im still sick.. this soup isnt agreeing with me, but I am forcing myself to eat it, i just hope it don't come back up. *sigh* :(

I want to go back to 10-20hrs a week without all this stress at work, I want to be at home more taking care of the house and hubby and being with him more. Some days i just wanna curl up and cry cause I am so tired and i miss being at home and most of all being with hubby and taking care of him and hanging out together :(

Finally A Day Off!

Well finally another day off, but noise! lol
My father in law and a friend of his is full force on remodeling our bathroom, I can't wait until it's done, I can finally take a bath!
I couldn't take one in the past 3 years due to the tub being dirty and grimy...
clean it you probably say...
heh, I tried many times, every cleaner I could think of yet I still didn't trust it after many years of batchlors that lived here before hubby and I got married.
But now the waiting is killing me cause a bath sounds so good!
I am just excited to see what the bathroom is gonna look like too.

Stomach flu is over now too, stomach is just brused and sore for hubby and I both.
Poor baby got it after me for taking care of me he caught it.
Ah well, hes sleeping and though this noise none the less, but thats good cause he needs his rest!!
Anyways looks like a game day for me, City Of Heroes and maybe some SL too :)
Cyas!

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Gygax vs. Death

This is great! I love it!

http://xkcd.com/393/

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Ding x2 !!

Cute Canadian Hit's Level 50!

Last night, Pepsiman's alt Tonkatsu and my alt/other namesake Cute Canadian Hit the big 50! In City Of Heroes... This will make 5 for both of us, and yes Cute is standing in a pile of shit of Rikti!

This is the second time this happened for Pepsi and I, dinging at 50 pretty close together, not far behind is Annon (played by Onuris) and Lesie (played by Yoshi) If they are around today at some point we will get them there 50s!

My 50s in order:

Mistress Noire - Empathy/Radiation - Defender
Athena Storm - Rock/Storm - Controller
Sonica - Sonic/Devices - Blaster
Mistress Ivorie - Radiation/Thermal Radiation - Corrupter
Cute Canadian - Katana/Regen - Scrapper

Now cause I got Noire & her nemesis to 50 (Ivorie) I am wondering if I should get Athena's nemesis to 50 next (ele/ele brute) Isadora Storm OR Cute Canadian's nemesis (mind/fire) Corrupted Canadian... or if i should just play Lady Leather hubby's toons Bandette's nemesis... choices choices :p

Well time to log in and decide while I check out the Gurps book I have here :)

Thanks again to everyone that helped! It was alot of fun!

Team Cookie FTW!

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

16 Gary Gygax Jokes We Better Not Catch You Making!

In celebration of his life:

http://www.woot.com
16 Gary Gygax Jokes We Better Not Catch You Making
by Lydon, Norman, Toon, Rutledge, & Duff Tuesday March 4, 2008 2:35 PM

1. “Quick! Someone cast Raise Dead!”
2. “Don’t worry – he’s just playtesting the Astral Plane for the next edition.”
3. “He’s gone the way of Star Frontiers.”
4. “Analysts warn of a free-fall in Mountain Dew futures.”
5. “In the next town, you meet a stranger named Barry Bygax.”
6. “Now who will lead our young people to Satan?”
7. “With his last breath, he cursed the name of Marlon Wayans.”
8. “I wonder how they’ll divide up his XP.”
9. “Pallbearers, make a Bend Bars/Lift Gates roll.”
10. "At least he didn't live to see Disney's Greyhawk On Ice."
11. “Lorraine Williams is behind this somehow, I just know it.”
12. “The worlds of adventure gaming, fantasy fandom, and van painting will never be the same.”
13. “When I heard, I cried 2d10 tears.”
14. “Is there anything in the will about electrum?”
15. “Heart condition? Wow, I always thought it’d be owlbears that got him.”
16. “Suddenly, nobody in Heaven wants to hang out with Marilyn Monroe on Friday night.”

RIP Gary Gygax :(

Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax dies at 69
By EMILY FREDRIX, Associated Press

MILWAUKEE - Gary Gygax, who co-created the game Dungeons & Dragons and helped start the role-playing phenomenon, died Tuesday morning at his home in Lake Geneva. He was 69.

He had been suffering from health problems for several years, including an abdominal aneurysm, said his wife, Gail Gygax.

Gygax and co-creator Dave Arneson developed the fantasy role-playing game in 1974. It became one of the best-selling games ever and influenced video games, books and movies.

Gygax' wife said he always enjoyed hearing from the game's legion of devoted fans about how Dungeons & Dragons influenced their lives. Many would stop by the family's home in Lake Geneva, which is about 55 miles southwest of Milwaukee, she said.

"It really meant a lot to him to hear from people from over the years about how he helped them become a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman, what he gave them," Gail Gygax said. "He really enjoyed that."

Dungeons & Dragons players create fictional characters for themselves and describe their adventures with the help of complicated rules and unusually shaped dice.

The quintessential geek pastime, it spawned a wealth of copycat games and later inspired a whole genre of computer games that are still growing in popularity.

Gygax had been in declining health for several years but as recently as January he hosted weekly games of Dungeons & Dragons at their home, Gail Gygax said.

Funeral arrangements are pending. In addition to his wife, Gygax is survived by six children.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Tired, Tired.. of all the BullShit

Well one of the reason of bad news, tired.
I had D&D last nite things where great, cept @ 9am I was to have a conference call for work, yeah on my day off go figure!
Turns out it started @ 8am, the person that gave me the time, gave me the wrong one, so I went to bed a few hours earily for no reason... that makes me so mad, I have to go to bed earily on my night off .. on game night cause I have to take a conference call which DID take place but I was given the WRONG TIME!
That is just the start of it....
To top it off work calls me 3 times last night while I am nappin to ask if I can continue to work on my DAY OFF!
You heard me, my day off, which I am already working with a conference call... yeah riiiiiiiiight...
Because they think I know more about the project, the papers are easy to read, ive done one by myself with 3 ppl before, are they to lazy? must be!
Then to top it off ... Oh don't forget we have a managers conference call Tuesday night @ 4pm you can call the store since its ur day off and u will be at home.... >_>''
*falls outta my chair*
uh ya ok, duh what day off?
My only day off where ur not calling me 3 times after i run errends all day and "try" to enjoy a day/night off with my husband or my day off where I don't sleep and I gotta do calls and everything else I am doing and trying to be a wife!?
Riiiiiiiiiiiight!
Tonight I also have a meeting with my father in law, they redid the piping a couple weeks back all though our house, now because we have 2 big holes in our bathroom walls another project on the go.
So for me wanting to get my characters drawn by DirtWolf need to be put on hold... after I looked at my savings which are mostly gone now... because of the trip back home to Canada for grandpa's funeral, and these projects that can't wait ... its gonna have to wait :(
I don't mind that moneys is gone cause of the canada trip that was understandable but more on top of it... ick!
/end rant

Sorry folks but its just been one of those days as it has been for awhile, ive been trying to be as calm as i could be but I had to let that out lol, thanks for reading/listening and hopefully things calm down soon... It's 4:05pm cst.. I better get on this call for work *sigh*

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Blarg!

Blarg! Is Right!
Well it's Saturday, It's 5 mins before noon.
I have to be to work in a hour.... >_<
I have thought of stepping down at work, this is getting to be to much for me, only reason I took this was for the extra moneys.
Hubby ask'd me why, I wanted to get a bit ahead, save moneys.
That didn't happen cause we both are spenders ^_^;;
I am going to "try" to hang on for a bit longer, at least until we get the bathroom redone and a few other things.
But.. I just can't really, I am so tired anymore I just wanna curl up and sleep for days on end. I am bringing my job home with me, working on my days off. I am not even getting 40hours a week... Working everyday puts stress like you wouldn't believe, not just on me but hubby too cause hes gotta wake up and drive me or pick me up from work, when he should be sleeping for work.... Ive tired to study for my licence when I have time. That don't happen cause I am to tired and it hurts to think >_<
Plus I still been having my moments about Grandpa, I miss him so much :(
I talk to Grandma alot but it's just not the same as being close to her being able to give her a hug everyday.
She tells me last night that she was feeling down because she misses having Grandpa around and that she knows hes in a better place now and hes happy unlike being seperated and not in the same room as her in the nursing home.
I sit here and look at there picture on my desk of how happy they are/where.
They have always been like a mom & dad to me ever since I was born, those memories where the best ones of my childhood and ones I wont forget, I can't wait until the summer when I go back and see Grandma again.
I wish it was June, cause thats when Neut & Toonies are coming to visit me!
I wish it where July so I can go back home to visit Grandma!
I wish it where a day off with hubby so we can hang out & play D&D!
I wish I could make the same amount of moneys I am now without working as much as I do, lol.
Anyways I gotta go get rdy, 10 hours await me at the store >_<
Then I come home, and head back at 6am...
I just hope I can sleep tonight when I get home.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

HAPPY ANNIVERSAY/VALENTINES JOEL!

Just wanna wish my baby a happy anniversay & valentines!
He is the best thing in the world to me and I love him bunches!
I redid my background now that spring is around the corner hopfully once this cold weather goes away!!!
Not much new here just getting ready for hubbys dad and his friend to start putting in new pipes though our house this weekend.
I am off work until Monday, YAY!
D&D Monday Night!
Hmm other then that I just need sleepys!
So until next time!
Im outta here for now!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Addictive!!

PAUSE MY MUSIC PLAYLIST FIRST B4 YOU PLAY!







Monday, February 04, 2008

I AM CANADIAN!

Saturday, February 02, 2008

It's The Month Of Love!

Haha, so its the beginning of Feb already.
Nothing new and exciting going on besides work work work and getting ready for my 3 year wedding anniversay.
I have 2 of my best friends coming for a visit in June, I keep asking myself IS IT JUNE YET? LOL!
I so can't wait its gonna be alot of fun!
TOONIES & NEUT.... IS IT JUNE YET?
LOL
I wish it was cause I can so use a vacation right now.
Plus it will be time for them to come on over and then being able to go visit my Grandma too, I miss her alot :(
Well I think I have done enough puttzin around the interwebs, time to play some City Of Heroes, Speaking of City Of Heroes my Villain Mistress Ivorie, Mistress Noire's Nemesis hit the big level 5_0 last nite!
YAY!
Now who to work on next...
I dunno, time to go find out :)

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Bad Blogger, Once Again!

I know I haven't wrote since the 6Th.
I been so crazy busy, after Grandpa's funeral and the long long bus ride back home. I am now back to work and getting life in order and some house remodeling.
I got 2 of my friends - Neut & Toonies, coming to visit in JUNE!
OMG I CAN'T WAIT!
Also maybe a few others too, dunno yet.
It's gonna be awesome!!
Not much new going on really, A Floor set tomorrow nite at work, then my usual off Mon/Tues, thankfully!! Since I have D&D Monday.
I am redoing the background on here and getting it ready for Valentines.
Hubby & I's 3 year wedding anniversary is coming up on Valentines.
I just got my 10 year visa.
Not much new really.
But time to play some CoH!
Laters!!

SQUEE!

hahaha :)

Sunday, January 06, 2008

JOEL!

Hey baby, I know ur gonna read this since my blog is the page that loads up on your compy when you first load up a web page!
I hope ur behaving yourself!
You know what I mean !!
Anyways I wanted to make a blog post and tell you how much I miss you and love you!
I will be home before you know I have been gone, I am sure of it!
I know I call you like everyday and I know ur doing okay and stuff, but I know you need me back at home soon, every time I talk to you, you sound like ur gonna fall apart!
Burning your oatmeal while being distracted by me on the phone was a hint.
My poor baby :(
Don't worry b4 ya know it I will be home alright?
You just take care of you and the kitties, no worries alright.
Just never forget how much I love and miss ya!
*hugs, love, and kisses*
Your Wife Always,
Tina
xo

ps.. u can leave a comment I think if ya want :)

Sunday, December 30, 2007

RIP Grandpa ~ 4-7-1914 to 12-29-2007

I found out on Friday my grandpa had a mild heart attack and he also had pumonia and fluid on his lungs, they took a tube and tried to drain the fluid. My cuz Paul told me this on Friday night. He also said the docs said if he makes it though the first 24 - 48 hrs he will be alright, and he was opening his eyes when he left to come home.

I woke up to my father in law calling for me at 6am Saturday morning, my cuz Paul was on the phone and the first words to come from him where, "He's gone Tina, Grandpa's gone"

At first I was like Wa? In shock and just waking up not a good combo. He told me again and thats when I called out " Noooo " and started crying. My husband was on his way home from work at this point so I couldn't call him. So I sat and talked with Paul, we talked a bit about our childhood and how much fun we had with Grandpa. Memories we wont forget.

I sat around yesterday after I got off the phone with Paul, I jump'd in game for a bit on City Of Heroes. I had everyone chattin with me and did some teaming. To help me pass the time while I wait to find out the news of what's what tomarrow.

I am now gonna write a letter to my grandpa, things I have told him over the years but I wanted to write it again. I just feel like the need to get it out again.

Thanks to everyone that reads this, now I leave you with the letter.


Dear Grandpa,

I know over the years I have told you how much you mean to me. Yes you are my Grandfather but to me your more, your the father I have always wanted in life, I am proud your my grandfather but to me your also my father and for that I am even proud to call you dad. The years you raised me with grandma are ones I will never forget and the best years of my childhood. Grandma always tells me, " Your not only our grand-daughter but to us you are our daughter as well, and we will always love you. " I also remember when Little Paul and I used to play for hours in the yard and get dirty, the good old days when we caused so much trouble but you still loved us all the same.

As I will always love you Grandpa as I do Grandma too, you and grandma have always been the world to me and you still are, you both watched over me even when it was from a distance, and you still do. Even when I wasn't close by we always called one another day or night. I will always have great memories, I know we all will, ones that will never leave us. Your not gone Grandpa and your never gonna be forgotton, you are missed, but to me your still here, your the angel that stands behind me and will guide me the right direction, on where I need to go in life. As you will also be everyone else's angel too.

I will always love you Grandpa, you have been the best dad in the world, to me and to everyone, we will always love you.

Love always,
Your Grand-daughter & Daughter,

Tina
xo

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Bad Blogger, Once Again!

I know I know, Bad bad bad.
Thing is the past 2 months with work has been hell!
Yes I said it!
HELL!
H-E- Double hockey stick!
Thing is work wont slow down till prolly feb earily March at the latest.
It totally BITES!

Today was the start of the huge semi sale.
For the last few months we been dealing with Christmas
I am so ready to say, screw it all cause I been so freakin tired.
I been pullin full weeks here, sure its only anywhere from 35-40hrs a week but working 5-7 days a week to get that time is killer!

I am so tired!
Last night we where there until 1am setting up for this stupid sale!
I can't even feel my feet, i think my brain leak'd outta my head like a month ago.
My housework hasn't been touched because I been so tired.
Don't help matters when no one does shit to help.

Top things off the littlest of thing drive me crazy and piss me off to no end. I been snapping easy .. for example when my husband ask'd me a question the other day I was zoned off cause i was tired, he said, "hun you hear me?" I go " Huh? wha? " he ask'd me again and I didn't know the answer to it so I totally spazzed out and what "what the fuck ya want?" and at the time I was stressed cause work called me on my ONLY day off to tell me about some stupid floorset up that was to be done that no one knew about! >_< Ya way to fucking go stress me out when I can do NOTHING about it cause I am at home! Riiiiiiiiiiiiight!

To top things off sure hubbys dad lives here, i don't mind sometimes... but I do miss running around in just a t-shirt when I feel like it, I can't stand the mess thats left in the kitchen or in the house for that matter when NO ONE takes the oppertunity to help, or when I am going to get the snow off the car for hubby b4 he goes to work or get hubbys coffee made or make him food I WANT TO DO IT DAMN IT! pisses me off to no end! MY JOB! I try my best even when I am tired! dang I miss being at home! >:(

anyways I just needed to rant, now i think i need sleep

~NOIRE~

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Yule Lore

Yule Lore (December 21st)


Yule, (pronounced EWE-elle) is when the dark half of the year relinquishes to the light half. Starting the next morning at sunrise, the sun climbs just a little higher and stays a little longer in the sky each day. Known as Solstice Night, or the longest night of the year, much celebration was to be had as the ancestors awaited the rebirth of the Oak King, the Sun King, the Giver of Life that warmed the frozen Earth and made her to bear forth from seeds protected through the fall and winter in her womb. Bonfires were lit in the fields, and crops and trees were "wassailed" with toasts of spiced cider.

Children were escorted from house to house with gifts of clove spiked apples and oranges which were laid in baskets of evergreen boughs and wheat stalks dusted with flour. The apples and oranges represented the sun, the boughs were symbolic of immortality, the wheat stalks portrayed the harvest, and the flour was accomplishment of triumph, light, and life. Holly, mistletoe, and ivy not only decorated the outside, but also the inside of homes. It was to extend invitation to Nature Sprites to come and join the celebration. A sprig of Holly was kept near the door all year long as a constant invitation for good fortune to pay visit to the residents.

The ceremonial Yule log was the highlight of the festival. In accordance to tradition, the log must either have been harvested from the householder's land, or given as a gift... it must never have been bought. Once dragged into the house and placed in the fireplace it was decorated in seasonal greenery, doused with cider or ale, and dusted with flour before set ablaze be a piece of last years log, (held onto for just this purpose). The log would burn throughout the night, then smolder for 12 days after before being ceremonially put out. Ash is the traditional wood of the Yule log. It is the sacred world tree of the Teutons, known as Yggdrasil. An herb of the Sun, Ash brings light into the hearth at the Solstice.

A different type of Yule log, and perhaps one more suitable for modern practitioners would be the type that is used as a base to hold three candles. Find a smaller branch of oak or pine, and flatten one side so it sets upright. Drill three holes in the top side to hold red, green, and white (season), green, gold, and black (the Sun God), or white, red, and black (the Great Goddess). Continue to decorate with greenery, red and gold bows, rosebuds, cloves, and dust with flour.

Deities of Yule are all Newborn Gods, Sun Gods, Mother Goddesses, and Triple Goddesses. The best known would be the Dagda, and Brighid, the daughter of the Dagda. Brighid taught the smiths the arts of fire tending and the secrets of metal work. Brighid's flame, like the flame of the new light, pierces the darkness of the spirit and mind, while the Dagda's cauldron assures that Nature will always provide for all the children.

Symbolism of Yule:
Rebirth of the Sun, The longest night of the year, The Winter Solstice, Introspect, Planning for the Future.

Symbols of Yule:
Yule log, or small Yule log with 3 candles, evergreen boughs or wreaths, holly, mistletoe hung in doorways, gold pillar candles, baskets of clove studded fruit, a simmering pot of wassail, poinsettias, christmas cactus.

Herbs of Yule:
Bayberry, blessed thistle, evergreen, frankincense holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine, sage, yellow cedar.

Foods of Yule:
Cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, fruits, nuts, pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, ginger tea, spiced cider, wassail, or lamb's wool (ale, sugar, nutmeg, roasted apples).

Incense of Yule:
Pine, cedar, bayberry, cinnamon.

Colors of Yule:
Red, green, gold, white, silver, yellow, orange.

Stones of Yule:
Rubies, bloodstones, garnets, emeralds, diamonds.

Activities of Yule:
Caroling, wassailing the trees, burning the Yule log, decorating the Yule tree, exchanging of presents, kissing under the mistletoe, honoring Kriss Kringle the Germanic Pagan God of Yule

Spellworkings of Yule:
Peace, harmony, love, and increased happiness.

Deities of Yule:
Goddesses-Brighid, Isis, Demeter, Gaea, Diana, The Great Mother. Gods-Apollo, Ra, Odin, Lugh, The Oak King, The Horned One, The Green Man, The Divine Child, Mabon.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Ice Storms, SUCK!

I know, bad blogger AGAIN!

Work is taking most of my time and when I do get time to do anything I play City of Heroes to relax and try and avoid the stress of people complaining about my house, cleaning wise etc.
I do need some extra help cause on my days off i wanna relax dang it!
I don't wanna be cleaning and cooking and UGH, drives me nuts!

We just got hit with a ice storm, god it sucks, power went out about 9 or 9:30pm. We finally got power back about 3am I think it was.
It was freezing!
GEEZ!
I watched my hubby and our friend play car wars.
D&D was called off tonite cause of the weather.
Which was fine with me since I still had to do floor set stuff for work and my article for the city scoop, well the freaking weather put a stop to that!
But I finally took a nap, dunno for how long but eh..
I was to cold to sleep, dropped to the 50s in here.
I finally woke up and we all played Rummy.
Then the power came back and here I am :)

ANYWAYS!

Last Friday the 7Th was my birthday, I had alot of FUN!

Hubby got me Flowers:
I bought me some new shoes for work and running shoes:
Then of course since I gotta look good for work, got some cheep jewelery:
Then a lady at work got me: A kitty mouse pad
Then I got some goodies from work :)

All and all great time
That's it for now!
Don't want the power to kill out and i haven't posted this yet!

Noire

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Bad Blogger!

Well it's now Nov 27th, my fathers birthday, here is a Happy Birthday to you.

I have not posted in a bit, I know I get pretty bad for that sometimes.
This past week was thanksgiving then black friday and since I am in retail and I had to work all weekend up until Sunday evening at 8pm it was hell in a hand bag! >_<>_<

I did finish my Christmas shopping though, finally got my articles done for the scoop for City Of Heroes. Today went and got my Sassy Strawberry from work and hubby and I finally got new wedding rings and got a discount from the man that sells them since I work close by.

Nothing else is really new and exciting just crazy work due to the holidays, I hadn't jumped in City Of Heroes since last wed, but I finally did for a hour last night instead of D&D since i was so tired...

But ya, fun fun eh ?

Anyways I am gonna go finish talking to my best friend Amanda and Richard on and off and just relax.....

Later!

Friday, November 16, 2007

Updates & Things

Not much going on here
Just work work work and well the next 5 days I have off.
Updated my blog background and pic as ya can see
Not much else at the moment ..
Father in law and one of his co-workers are installing a new tap thingy in my bathroom, hubby is still sound asleep it hasn't woke him up yet.
Well he is sick too, nothing will prolly wake him up until it's time for work
I was also asked to work in the scoop for the City Of Heroes news Letter!
My first article was today!
Ill leave it here also for everyone to read.
So in closure, here is my article!
have a good one!


Wait Just a Minute!
Stop for a Moment and Give Thanks!


Being in the food industry since high school, my career has gone to beauty retail as a manager. When I moved to the United States and started working in retail, I noticed how fast we move from Halloween to Christmas with no in between, no time to enjoy Thanksgiving. I have come to remind you there is a Thanksgiving, a time to be thankful for a lot of things, and most of all, a time to be spent with family and friends.

I could sit here and write out the history of Thanksgiving, but you know as well as I do that there is no point in me doing so. I am sure everyone knows already. I am going to list the top five Thanksgiving traditions followed by some recipes instead.

Top Five Thanksgiving Traditions

Turkey and Trimmings
From the first Thanksgiving to today's turkey burgers, turkeys are an American tradition dating back for centuries. According to the Turkey Federation, 95% of Americans eat turkey at Thanksgiving. There are so many different ways to enjoy a turkey now, such as coffee rubbed turkey from Hawaii, salt encrusted turkey from New England, deep fried turkey from the South, and last but not least, oven roasted. How you choose to make your turkey is up to you.

Time Out for the Pigskin
Yes I am talking FOOTBALL, one of my favorite sports to watch now and again, and another tradition on Thanksgiving. Remember the first intercollegiate football championship held on Thanksgiving Day back in 1876? No? Well, the traditional holiday football rivalries have become so popular that a reporter once called Thanksgiving "a holiday granted by the State and the Nation to see a game of football."

Parading Around
The first American Thanksgiving Day parade was held in 1920, organized by Gimbel's Department store in Philadelphia—not Macy's as most people think. The NYC Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade tradition actually started in 1924 and has grown since then. More then 46 million people each year watch it in person or on TV.

Making a Wish
Who fights over the wishbone? I sure do! Everyone wants to make that wish!

Giving Thanks
Thanksgiving is about giving thanks for the people that are around you and everything you have or have accomplished over the past year. Some folks even do pre-meals for the homeless or help out at shelters for the holidays to help those in need. This holiday is truly a celebration of praise and thanks.

LadyK came to me, and asked me if I would be interested in helping her out with the foodie section for the Scoop. I told her that I sure would love to. I look forward to doing more of this, and as we get closer to Christmas time, I have a bunch of stuff running though my head to write, and I am sure LadyK does as well. We are going to put out heads together, so stay tuned, folks, you won’t wanna miss out!

~Mistress Noire~


Now for what everyone’s been waiting for: RECIPES!
I listed the two most common recipes people look for on Thanksgiving—turkey and pumpkin pie. Take a look, and try them out! Enjoy!


Oven Roasted Turkey

1 (12 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
1/2 cup butter, cubed
2 apples, cored and halved
1 tablespoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
2/3 (750 milliliter) bottle champagne

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Rinse turkey, and pat dry. Gently loosen turkey breast skin, and insert pieces of butter between the skin and breast. Place apples inside the turkey's cavity.

Sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Place turkey in a roasting bag, and pour champagne over the inside and outside of the bird.

Close bag, and place turkey in a roasting pan.

Bake turkey 3 to 3 1/2 hours in the preheated oven, or until the internal temperature is 180 degrees F (85 degrees C) when measured in the meatiest part of the thigh. Remove turkey from bag, and let stand for at least 20 minutes before carving.


Pumpkin Pie

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Whisk pumpkin, EAGLE BRAND®, eggs, spices and salt in medium bowl until smooth. Pour into crust. Bake 15 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted 1 inch from crust comes out clean. Cool. Garnish as desired. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Remembrance Day/Veterans Day

In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae, May 1915

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

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

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

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Inspiration for the Poem
On 2 May, 1915, in the second week of fighting during the Second Battle of Ypres Lieutenant Alexis Helmer was killed by a German artillery shell. He was a friend of the Canadian military doctor Major John McCrae. It is believed that John began the draft for his famous poem 'In Flanders Fields' that evening.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Food Poisioning Sucks!

Well Saturday Night I ordered Pizza Hut wing street wings.
I usually order them, I get the spicy asian or sometimes the honey BBQ, or sometimes just plain, but the other nite I was watching TV and the garlic cheese one looked yummy.
They where okay.. was not so crazy about them
I went to bed after playing some City of heroes with some friends, I then woke up around 6am.. Burped a few times and laid back down, didn't think anything of it until I ran to the bathroom and got really sick :(
Hubby came home and usually he goes into the bedroom and pokes at me and says good morning but this time he got confused and started looking for me.
I got sick so much the back of my throat started bleeding
It was gross :(

It finally stopped and I laid down and fell asleep for another few hrs, I then tried to get up and call my boss to explain the situation, I felt bad enough as it was cause I was sick and I knew we had a huge floorset, I still feel bad but I know these things happen its just well.. you know...
Anyways I couldn't even keep my eyes open for a moment to call her so hubby did for me, he said she didn't sound to happy but there is nothing you can do when ur sick.
I then dozed back off for a few more hrs, woke up and ate some crackers and got some pepto.
Fell back asleep for another 8hrs....
Yeah so overall in about a almost 60 hour period I slept think it was just over 40 hours...
Thats a very long time and you know I am still tried >_<

Today my boss calls, I know shes wanting me to come into work but my stomach is still trying to recover over this, I still feel pretty bad and I feel upset cause they where there late on Sunday but you know people do get sick, and everyone keeps telling me that, I had no control that these things do happen to don't let my boss get to me, just feel better and thats what I am trying to do but It's hard when I got my boss saying I hurt my shoulder Sunday night and we where all here pretty late... and I was here from 5am Sunday morning (okay thing is the store don't open until noon) anyways ya lay a freaken guilt trip! This is why I quit my other jobs... I HATE places that do this!

Then she says I need a doctors note...
I havn't been to the doctors since I moved to the states for a total pysical almost 3 years ago... um so yeah...
Plus I am off today, and yesterday, and tomarrow >_<
I only missed ONE day of work.... ONE!
Usually you need a doctors note after 2...

Yeah lets go to a doctor and say, " I got food poisoning and I missed work Sunday and I was feeling pretty bad Monday and part of Tuesday and I am feeling okay now, thing is today and yesterday and tomorrow are my days off work but my boss wants a doctors note "

The doctor is gonna turn around and go... " I am sorry but if you where sick why didn't you come in "

Me: " I never go to the docs unless I really really have too and this is something that can get over pretty easy without one "

Doctor " Okay, well thing is your not sick now so... and your on your days off we can't issue one, your boss is blowing smoke "

DUH!

Retards, I am so mad right now it's killing my stomach more, no clinic in there right mind wont give a doctors note unless they treat you in my case I am getting better so they are just gonna laugh at me :(

Anyways I am going to go back to trying to eat something and get better, stupid work.

Thursday, November 01, 2007

MRSA

I heard about this today at work, thought I do a bit of looking around and get information for you my friends and family for you guys to be careful and stay safe and stay healthy!

I love ya all very much and want ya all to stay alright and stuff :)

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What you should know about Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
What is Staphylococcus Aureus?

Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a very common bacteria that can be found in about 3 out of 10 healthy people. Most of the time, it lives harmlessly in the nose or in other warm, moist areas on the body. Most people don't know that they are carrying it and are usually completely healthy. In certain circumstances, SA can cause infections.

What is Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)?

Methicillin refers to a group of antibiotics that are usually used to treat SA. Some SA bacteria are no longer killed by these antibiotics and are called methicillin resistant. Over the past 30 years, more types of bacteria have become resistant to commonly used antibiotics. This makes infections caused by these germs more difficult to treat. MRSA is often referred to as a 'super bug', but that is a false name because we still have antibiotics that can be used to treat it.

All bacteria are able to learn how to resist antibiotics. As we use antibiotics more and more, the bacteria are becoming more resistant. This is an ongoing battle, and the battle will continue.

The good news is that even when the bacteria are able to resist some of the antibiotics, there is no reason to believe that they are more likely to cause infection. We live in harmony with most bacteria, and we live with them all the time. Good hand washing and other basic hygiene practices help us keep problematic bacteria in check.

Who gets MRSA?

Persons who are patients in acute care hospitals and residents of long-term care facilities, who have open wounds, catheters or tubes, and those who are very ill, are most likely to get MRSA.

How is MRSA spread?

The most common way MRSA spreads from person to person is by direct contact with a person that is carrying (or colonized) with this bacteria , usually with their hands. A much less common way of MRSA being spread is by direct contact with surfaces like railings, faucets, or handles that may have been contaminated by an 'colonized person' hands. Spreading through the air is very uncommon.

What is The Ottawa Hospital doing to stop the spread of MRSA?

When patients with MRSA are identified, the hospital tries to prevent the bacteria from spreading to other patients. Patients, who may be at risk for MRSA, are screened when they are admitted to the hospital. The patients who are found to carry the bacteria, are separated from other patients by placing them either in a single room, or in a room with another patient who already is known to have this bacteria.

Staff and family members who come in contact with them must follow strict rules such as washing their hands frequently and wearing a mask, gown and gloves in the room Meanwhile, antibiotics may be given to them to try to kill the bacteria if this is determined to be the best approach. These patients will continue to be screened regularly. Precautions will stop if the patient is found to be MSRA free for more than three weeks. However, testing for it will continue to make sure that the bacteria does not come back.

How can you prevent MRSA infections?

The best way to prevent infections of all kinds is good personal hygiene:

wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water for 10-15 seconds or use alcohol based gel;
avoid sharing personal articles such as cups, towels and toothbrushes;
clean and protect wounds promptly; and
cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
What should you do if MRSA is found in your nose or on your skin?

You should talk with your family doctor. If you feel healthy, you may not need any treatment. You do not pose a health risk to your family, co-workers, or the general public and you should continue with your normal activities. It is important for you to wash your hands regularly. Using an antibacterial hand soap or alcohol based gel may help stop you from spreading MRSA when touching surfaces with your hands.

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What is an Antibiotic Resistant Germ?

When someone has an infection, antibiotics are medicines that are used to kill the germ (bacteria) causing the infection. An antibiotic resistant germ is not killed by the usual antibiotics. If an antibiotic resistant germ causes an infection, then a stronger drug must be used.

What is MRSA?

Staphylococcus aureus is bacteria that lives on human skin and it can also live in the nose. The usual antibiotic used to treat infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus is called methicillin. Some strains of Staphylococcus aureus are not killed by methicillin and are said to be methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Can it be harmful?

Staphylococcus aureus is a normal germ which does not harm people and is needed to keep people healthy. In hospital, if any germ gets into a wound or the bloodstream it could cause an infection. When a person has an infection with MRSA it can be difficult to treat because the usual antibiotics can’t get rid of it.

How did I get MRSA?

People who are in hospitals or nursing homes get MRSA. It is spread by contact with the hands. Care givers can unknowingly transmit the germ during routine activities and procedures between patients.

Why are special precautions needed?

Special precautions are needed in order to prevent the spread of this organism to other patients in the hospital who are also ill and therefore more likely to develop an infection.

What will be different?

· you will need to stay in your room

· people who are taking care if you will wear gowns and gloves to prevent them from picking up the MRSA and from taking it to other patients

· it is very important for all staff and visitors to wash their hands when they come in and when they leave your room

· signs will be placed outside the room to remind everyone about the special precautions

· if you need to go to another part of the hospital for tests or treatments, you must wash your hands before you leave your room

· please wash your hands carefully after going to the bathroom

What about family and visitors?

You may still have visitors. They must wash their hands when they come in and when they leave. They must put on gowns and gloves too.

What will happen when I leave the Hospital?

If you go to another health care facility or of you have services from Home Care, some precautions may still be taken. This is to prevent your care givers from picking up the germ and spreading it to other patients. Good hand washing is very important to reduce the risk of spread.

What about at home?

If your family and friends do not look after other sick people, there is no need to worry.

MRSA is no more dangerous than other normal bacteria that people carry on their skin and are exposed to every day. Remind everyone to wash their hands often. You should wash your hands after you go to the bathroom, touch you nose or a wound.

Will this go away?

It might go away on its own, but you Doctor and Infection Control may order an antibiotic cream to put into your nose and on any wounds you might have. This should be used 3 times a day for 1 week. Also, you may wash your body with a special liquid soap. This will help to get rid of the MRSA faster.

After finishing using the cream and soap, cultures will be taken of your nose, rectum and any wounds for a few weeks. After there are 3 sets that do not show MRSA, you can come out of isolation. If you are still in the hospital you will be checked regularly to make sure you still do not have MRSA.

How can I help?

If you go to another Doctor or to another Hospital please tell your Doctor and Nurse or other care giver you were once on special precautions for MRSA. This will allow them to check your status to make sure that they don’t carry the organism to other patients.

What if I am admitted to the hospital again?

On any future admissions to the hospital, you may be placed in a single room and special precautions will be taken. Swabs of your nose, rectum and any wounds will be taken to make sure there is no MRSA. Even if special precautions are not being followed, we may keep you in a private room and check regularly to make sure that the MRSA does not come back.