Today my work re-launched the company blog. We have tried this once before but it was basically a failed attempt as we had someone doing it just sort of off the cuff. Our head writer has now taken a blog-writing seminar and is taking another stab at it.
http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/blog.html
The first post went up today and we will spend the next week or so making changes and taking suggestions. I have suggested they "pretty" it up a little so we'll see how that goes.
The idea behind the blog is to attract the public to discuss legal issues that our advertising attorneys may be interested in. Talk about defective products, personal experiences with pharmeceuticals, or payment situations with their employers. (You'd have to know our website to know what the hell I'm talking about!) We offer up the latest legal news for the North American public....and hopefully this blog will draw more people in and keep them coming back.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Another sunny day in the country....
After a fun night out for Charmaine's birthday last night, we took advantage of the lazy Sunday and slept in this morning. Again we woke to beautiful sunshine! We took the time to enjoy our morning coffee but quickly got to work so we wouldn't miss out on the weather.
Darling Boyfriend set to work cleaning my car. I know, lucky girl I am!! It hasn't shined like that in a couple of years! That car used to be my baby and I looked after it so well, but alas time passes and it's become just a car and admittedly I procrastinate heavily on keeping it clean. I can't wait to drive it tomorrow! (Incidentally, this is another accomplished task off my "to do" list...even if I didn't do it!)
I had indoor chores to do today (the dog hair doesn't vacuum itself off the couch), but made sure to head out to get groceries while the sun was still high in the sky. What a lovely drive into the store!
I didn't want to miss out completely on today's weather, so made sure to walk the doggie after supper. Had to work off those turkey-cheddar burgers anyway!! That recipe alone makes that Rachael Ray cookbook worth it's $15. :)
Darling Boyfriend set to work cleaning my car. I know, lucky girl I am!! It hasn't shined like that in a couple of years! That car used to be my baby and I looked after it so well, but alas time passes and it's become just a car and admittedly I procrastinate heavily on keeping it clean. I can't wait to drive it tomorrow! (Incidentally, this is another accomplished task off my "to do" list...even if I didn't do it!)
I had indoor chores to do today (the dog hair doesn't vacuum itself off the couch), but made sure to head out to get groceries while the sun was still high in the sky. What a lovely drive into the store!
I didn't want to miss out completely on today's weather, so made sure to walk the doggie after supper. Had to work off those turkey-cheddar burgers anyway!! That recipe alone makes that Rachael Ray cookbook worth it's $15. :)
This little critter and his family live somewhere over the cliff in our backyard. I've seen them skitter through the yard frequently but never in the middle of a sunny afternoon. He caught my eye out the kitchen window while doing dishes and just sort of hung out while I stepped out the back door and snapped his photo.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Finally, the sun returns!
And on a Saturday no less!
What a surprise it was to get up this morning to find the sun streaming in the windows! We quickly found the motivation to enjoy our morning coffees and get straight outside. DBF can finally vacuum and de-doggy his car and much to the excitement of the doggy I could finally take him for a walk!
DBF is in his element outside doing boy things with his car. Mojo and I had a fantastic walk in the sun....so enjoyable in fact that we walked a km farther than usual. Finally the activity I've been missing all week! The grass in the field has turned a brilliant green and Mojo looks so cute running through the little white and purple daisies. To top it off, we even encountered a couple of butterflies hanging around the field.
Happy Spring! I'm off to enjoy more of this while it lasts!
What a surprise it was to get up this morning to find the sun streaming in the windows! We quickly found the motivation to enjoy our morning coffees and get straight outside. DBF can finally vacuum and de-doggy his car and much to the excitement of the doggy I could finally take him for a walk!
DBF is in his element outside doing boy things with his car. Mojo and I had a fantastic walk in the sun....so enjoyable in fact that we walked a km farther than usual. Finally the activity I've been missing all week! The grass in the field has turned a brilliant green and Mojo looks so cute running through the little white and purple daisies. To top it off, we even encountered a couple of butterflies hanging around the field.
Happy Spring! I'm off to enjoy more of this while it lasts!
Friday, April 27, 2007
I am now a Foxy Flamingo!!
So now that I've reached my weight loss goal (well, reached then bounced up a couple of pounds....maintenance of this feat will be the bain of my existence) I thought I should find some sort of challenge as motivation. So I headed on over to the Fitness Challenge Boards of the WW Community and sure enough I found the BLC "Biggest Loser Challenge". http://www.blc4.blogspot.com/
I have chosen to become a Foxy Flamingo because I like pink and flamingos just seem cooler than bears.
The challenge basically gives motivation to be accountable, track daily menu, exercise daily, tone the body, and stay healthy. Each person earns weekly points which are then combined with the rest of the team. If someone starts to flail then it can bring the whole team down. Since I hate to disappoint others, this should be a good challenge for me. Even if I don't feel like helping myself, I'll want to get it done to help the others.
Wish me luck. Go team Flamingo!! Think Pink!!!
Weekly Video Clip - Free Hugs
I can't watch this clip enough. Because of this video from Australia, every country in the world seems to have hopped on the "free hug" campaign. What a cool thing in a world where everything newsworthy is usually so negative! I love how the video starts out black and white, but gains color as the hugging catches on....Thursday, April 26, 2007
False Advertising - Hot Link
Courtesy of Hungry-Girl.com I found this site that compares pics of fast food as they appear in ads vs. how they look when you actually buy them. False advertising at it's finest! Worth a little looksee just for wee bit of entertainment value.
This is supposed to be Wendy's Taco Salad. Appetizing.
Well, I did it. I joined Facebook. I'm not sure why other than Mikey telling me that "all the cool kids are doing it". Apparently if all the cool kids jumped off a bridge so would I.
Funny how I found that so many people I know are on there but yet I had no idea! If I didn't know any better, I'd think no one wanted me to know.
Anyway, here I am: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=545200099
Funny how I found that so many people I know are on there but yet I had no idea! If I didn't know any better, I'd think no one wanted me to know.
Anyway, here I am: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=545200099
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Glorious Gossip!
MSN Entertainment is on a roll today! The gossip mill is working overtime and it's frickin hilarious. I don't spend a lot of time paying attention to most of the Hollywood goings on, but I do like the occasional tidbit of cheesy superstar relationship gossip.
Today they managed a fantasticly awesome article about how Britney wants to work with Sanjaya from American Idol. Good friggin Lord! Just what she needs at this point in her career....a weird kid insta-star that can't sing to save his life!! Crazy Britney!
The other article that caught my attention isn't so much gossip and just good old entertaining tabloid filler. Top Ten Sidekicks: Dramarama Salutes the Biggest & Best Hollywood Sidekicks. Jay Manuel. Need I say more?
Take a step back, grab a coffee and spend a few minutes reading some of this garbage. Talk about taking yourself out of the now and de-stressing while you read. You certainly don't need to think while you read this, so you can put your brain on auto-pilot and take that much deserved break (and suck up some completely useless celebrity trivia while you are at it!).
Today they managed a fantasticly awesome article about how Britney wants to work with Sanjaya from American Idol. Good friggin Lord! Just what she needs at this point in her career....a weird kid insta-star that can't sing to save his life!! Crazy Britney!
The other article that caught my attention isn't so much gossip and just good old entertaining tabloid filler. Top Ten Sidekicks: Dramarama Salutes the Biggest & Best Hollywood Sidekicks. Jay Manuel. Need I say more?
Take a step back, grab a coffee and spend a few minutes reading some of this garbage. Talk about taking yourself out of the now and de-stressing while you read. You certainly don't need to think while you read this, so you can put your brain on auto-pilot and take that much deserved break (and suck up some completely useless celebrity trivia while you are at it!).
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Go Nucks Go!
BRING ON ROUND TWOAll Alain Vigneault asked for from his team was hard work.
He got it Monday night.
The Vancouver Canucks took game seven 4-1 and came out on top of a first-round playoff series that had more momentum shifts than the Grouse Mountain gondola in a winter storm.
The way they did it was as smile inducing as the final tally. A moribund power play scored twice, the Twins attacked with fangs, and the Canucks played with elephant-sized heart.
The Stars got an early goal from Joel Lundqvist in the first, but the way the Canucks were playing, there was no doubt they'd come back to take the lead. "I think it was just a matter of time after the first period that we would take over and win the game," said Markus Naslund. Henrik Sedin scored a goal in an unlikely situation: the power play. After game six, the Canucks must have had the whole CSI team look into the situation, because the power play mystery was solved for game seven. After failing to score 26 times in a row with the extra man, it was almost strange to see one end up in the back of the net. But when Daniel sent one to his brother who was all alone in the slot, Hank made no mistake.
In the third period, Linden proved the power play tally wasn't a fluke as he tipped home a Mattias Ohlund shot while Jeff Halpern was in the box. That gave the Canucks a 2-1 lead and would prove to be the game-winner. Linden played a monumental game that looked like he got a hold of the DeLorean from Back to the Future to travel back to his younger days. "It might have been his best game of the whole year," said Brendan Morrison.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Recipe - Smoothie #2
While the PB was tasty for a treat, I wasn't overly full with the extra protein so I'm going back to the standard fruit version....
1/2 banana
1/4 cup frozen mixed berries
1/2 cup ff vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup skim milk
(WW = 3 points)
I had a massive, hearty breakfast this morning so will have a light dinner after kickboxing. I hope this holds me over all night!
1/2 banana
1/4 cup frozen mixed berries
1/2 cup ff vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup skim milk
(WW = 3 points)
I had a massive, hearty breakfast this morning so will have a light dinner after kickboxing. I hope this holds me over all night!
Monday - Work - Blah
So, it's fab that he's home, but completely unfab that he ended up not having to work today. Unfab = unfair because I still have to sit here and work. Meh.
On the bright side he did take me for a big breaky when he found out he wasn't working (gotta love that MyChosen Cafe!) and the weather is beautiful so he got to stay outside and mow the lawn (while I looked longingly out the window at the gorgeous sunny day).
We are still adjusting to all this extra time we have and what we should do with it. Tons of stuff we want to do, but since it was so last minute that he is staying home it takes a bit of brain un-freeze to figure stuff out. Whatever we come up with is a bonus anyway so I say whatever happens, happens!!
(If anything I'll at least finally get through my "to-do" list now that I have him here to help!)
On the bright side he did take me for a big breaky when he found out he wasn't working (gotta love that MyChosen Cafe!) and the weather is beautiful so he got to stay outside and mow the lawn (while I looked longingly out the window at the gorgeous sunny day).
We are still adjusting to all this extra time we have and what we should do with it. Tons of stuff we want to do, but since it was so last minute that he is staying home it takes a bit of brain un-freeze to figure stuff out. Whatever we come up with is a bonus anyway so I say whatever happens, happens!!
(If anything I'll at least finally get through my "to-do" list now that I have him here to help!)
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Recipe Review - ChocoBrans
Actually, Maria's Modified Chocobrans.
I have heard constant rave reviews from the ladies of the GDT, so after many months of procrastinating I finally stocked up on All-Bran and got myself a box of good old Betty Crocker Brownie Mix (low-fat of course).
I'm not exactly sure what I expected from a brownie loaded with extra fiber, but dude, these things are dense! I ate one hot right out of the oven and I have to say that the jury is still out on these. I'm thinking they will find their place on my daily menu as maybe a chocolatey breakfast treat to go with my coffee as they don't strike me as a desserty type item.
I have done one up complete with yummy whipped chocolate frosting and a dollop of FF Cool Whip though so I'll give that one a whirl and see if my opinion changes. Maria also recommends wrapping them individually for easy portability so I definitely like that option. She likes em cold too, so maybe that is the key. I shall test that theory tomorrow.
If all else fails, at least I know these suckers will keep me regular with all that added fibre! :)
I have heard constant rave reviews from the ladies of the GDT, so after many months of procrastinating I finally stocked up on All-Bran and got myself a box of good old Betty Crocker Brownie Mix (low-fat of course).
I'm not exactly sure what I expected from a brownie loaded with extra fiber, but dude, these things are dense! I ate one hot right out of the oven and I have to say that the jury is still out on these. I'm thinking they will find their place on my daily menu as maybe a chocolatey breakfast treat to go with my coffee as they don't strike me as a desserty type item.
I have done one up complete with yummy whipped chocolate frosting and a dollop of FF Cool Whip though so I'll give that one a whirl and see if my opinion changes. Maria also recommends wrapping them individually for easy portability so I definitely like that option. She likes em cold too, so maybe that is the key. I shall test that theory tomorrow.
If all else fails, at least I know these suckers will keep me regular with all that added fibre! :) Update: 5 mins later.... OK, the deluxe model with the icing and whipped topping was pretty damned yummy!
Friday, April 20, 2007
Weeeeeeeeeeeee!
He's home! Not only did they "land" him but they let him off the ship 4 hours earlier than expected!!!
Unfortunately reality called and I had to continue working, but at least I have him here on dry land and I know he's just in the other room. :) He's just so darned cute napping on the couch.
Now we shall drink some beers and some wine and partake in some of the lovely little Cuban cigars he brought home (gotta love duty free) and enjoy our Friday night knowing that he won't have to race back out to sea on Monday morning.
Thanks Navy!!! I knew you'd come through for us eventually.
Unfortunately reality called and I had to continue working, but at least I have him here on dry land and I know he's just in the other room. :) He's just so darned cute napping on the couch.
Now we shall drink some beers and some wine and partake in some of the lovely little Cuban cigars he brought home (gotta love duty free) and enjoy our Friday night knowing that he won't have to race back out to sea on Monday morning.
Thanks Navy!!! I knew you'd come through for us eventually.
Weekly Video Clip - Canucks Makeover
In light of the playoff situation, I thought I'd post something Canucks oriented this week.
This guy has a wickedly understanding girlfriend. I admire his dedication! And I especially love that he has a collectable friggin cereal box!!
GO CANUCKS GO!!
Yaaaaaaaaieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!
It worked!! Thanks everyone for crossing your fingers and toes!! In fact, it worked so good he doesn't have to go on this sail at all!!
Quote from DBF email:
"Something interesting happened while I was on watch. With about 15 minutes to go, the CO came on the phone and told me to come to his cabin. I thought I was in shit for something. When I got there, he and the XO were there, and the CO said "I understand you have requested to be landed in Ketchican so you can spend some more time at home before your course". To which I replied "yes" obviously......so I was waiting for him to tell me no when he said "I have arranged for you to be landed at Venture to help teach a MARS III class from this Monday to the 18th of May". I'm gonna be home til I fly out for my course!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so stoked!!!!!!"
Yaaaaaaaaaieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!
Quote from DBF email:
"Something interesting happened while I was on watch. With about 15 minutes to go, the CO came on the phone and told me to come to his cabin. I thought I was in shit for something. When I got there, he and the XO were there, and the CO said "I understand you have requested to be landed in Ketchican so you can spend some more time at home before your course". To which I replied "yes" obviously......so I was waiting for him to tell me no when he said "I have arranged for you to be landed at Venture to help teach a MARS III class from this Monday to the 18th of May". I'm gonna be home til I fly out for my course!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so stoked!!!!!!"
Yaaaaaaaaaieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Cross all your fingers!!
...and all your toes!! DBF has put in an official request to be "landed" (sent home) from Ketchikan when they sail to Alaska next week. His sail is supposed to be five weeks (getting him home on May-25th), but due to him being scheduled to leave for Halifax they have indicated they might let him come home a week early (approx May-18th) so as to have time with me and to pack and such. He has now requested to be sent home more like three weeks early (May-3rd)......so far so good. His immediate supervisor has approved this ... now he just needs the approval of three more.
GOOD LUCK HONEY!!
GOOD LUCK HONEY!!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Recipe - Smoothie #2
Peanut Butter & Nana
1/2 medium banana
1 tbsp peanut butter
1/4 cup fat free vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup skim milk
(WW = 4.5 points)
Pretty tasty, but would be better with more PB. The protein might make it more sustaining than last week's berry version...we'll see.
1/2 medium banana
1 tbsp peanut butter
1/4 cup fat free vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup skim milk
(WW = 4.5 points)
Pretty tasty, but would be better with more PB. The protein might make it more sustaining than last week's berry version...we'll see.
Stupid Shaw!
I have Shaw Digital Phone because I work from home and spend a lot of time talking to clients long distance. It makes sense to have a set rate with unlimited calling. Except they have a lot of technical issues!!
In the past, it's been more weather related (windstorms, snow, trees down) so I haven't held it against them too much. I think there was once that they had a box blow up or something so I lost my phone for a whole day. These things happen I guess. Not that I EVER had this problem with Telus.
Today, my Mom had to instant message me because she kept getting a busy signal when she called me. My phone has voicemail... you should NEVER get a busy signal!! This is not good! What if a client has been trying to call me?! So I try calling out and I'm getting busy signals too. Again, not good!!! I had an important call to make to a client, so I ended up emailing him. Nice and professional!!!
Shaw has a message on their tech support line stating that they know there is a problem and they are working on it. The message actually says that you might as well hang up now because the tech reps won't have any further info at this point. Argh!!!!
I guess you get what you pay for.
In the past, it's been more weather related (windstorms, snow, trees down) so I haven't held it against them too much. I think there was once that they had a box blow up or something so I lost my phone for a whole day. These things happen I guess. Not that I EVER had this problem with Telus.
Today, my Mom had to instant message me because she kept getting a busy signal when she called me. My phone has voicemail... you should NEVER get a busy signal!! This is not good! What if a client has been trying to call me?! So I try calling out and I'm getting busy signals too. Again, not good!!! I had an important call to make to a client, so I ended up emailing him. Nice and professional!!!
Shaw has a message on their tech support line stating that they know there is a problem and they are working on it. The message actually says that you might as well hang up now because the tech reps won't have any further info at this point. Argh!!!!
I guess you get what you pay for.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Lazy Buggers
We live on military property. 14 cute little houses all in a row, wrapped around a cresent. It's barely a block. The guy in #1 is friends with the guy in #14. He drives back and forth at least 3 times a day. Get off your ass you lazy bugger!
Update: while out for my walk today I realized that this lazy fart is actually working out of his shop, which is about half way between the two houses and he still drives up to #1 when he needs to see his buddy. Talk about the height of laziness!!!
Update: while out for my walk today I realized that this lazy fart is actually working out of his shop, which is about half way between the two houses and he still drives up to #1 when he needs to see his buddy. Talk about the height of laziness!!!
Personal Water Challenge
Meh. Water. Why is it the less you drink it the less you want it? And the more you drink it the more you want it? For me, it always takes me a couple of days to get back on track if I haven't been drinking enough water. Last week I was a good girl and guzzled at least 8 glasses a day....more if I could. Over this past weekend I didn't get all of my water in and now it's like pulling teeth or something to even swallow one glass.
Time for another personal water challenge! Fun and exciting!
I have made my trusty little checklist and will force myself to get a glass in every hour....this helps get in the extra water I need to counteract my coffee intake too. My Brita will get a workout today!
Go team water!!
Time for another personal water challenge! Fun and exciting!
I have made my trusty little checklist and will force myself to get a glass in every hour....this helps get in the extra water I need to counteract my coffee intake too. My Brita will get a workout today!
Go team water!!
Hot Link!
Miss an episode of your favorite TV show? Don't subscribe to the channel that your favorite TV show is shown on? Too cheap or broke to go to the theatre and actually pay to watch a movie? Don't feel like getting off your ass and renting a DVD?
Check out this site: http://www.alluc.org/alluc/index.php
I've watched almost all episodes of Heroes here and intend to check out Dirt next.
Be patient, some of the links have been pulled, but if you persevere you will find what you are looking for. (I watched a whole episode of Heroes on a French site, but it had English subtitles.)
Have fun!
Check out this site: http://www.alluc.org/alluc/index.php
I've watched almost all episodes of Heroes here and intend to check out Dirt next.
Be patient, some of the links have been pulled, but if you persevere you will find what you are looking for. (I watched a whole episode of Heroes on a French site, but it had English subtitles.)
Have fun!
Monday, April 16, 2007
Ch-ching!
Just an update for those of you following my "Money Making Scheme"....
I returned the empties and am up $14.05 in my "found money" fund.
Oh what fun! Oh what excitement!
I returned the empties and am up $14.05 in my "found money" fund.
Oh what fun! Oh what excitement!
Goal!
Finally! I did it! Yaieeeeeeee me!
After many months of dittering around this last few pounds, I finally made my weight loss goal! I was aiming for 150lbs, and this morning the scale was finally on my side and I weighed in at a lovely 149.4lbs! Woooohoooo!!
A couple of weeks ago I decided that I'd had enough of this stupid plateau I was on and recommitted to sticking to my WW program. Sure enough just paying attention to my food and drinking my daily water helped and the last few pounds just fell right off.
I wanted to get it done by April 30th because my prize to myself is a great pedicure. So it's extra cool that I got it done early and now I can go get my pretty toes in time for sandal and flip-flop season.
I'm going for the all-out "Blissed Out Pedicure" (http://www.blissvictoria.ca/). I can't wait!!
Thanks to everyone for their support (especially DBF, Mom, and the fantastic ladies at the GDT)!!!
....now....to think of my next prize to myself for maintaining.... :)
After many months of dittering around this last few pounds, I finally made my weight loss goal! I was aiming for 150lbs, and this morning the scale was finally on my side and I weighed in at a lovely 149.4lbs! Woooohoooo!!
A couple of weeks ago I decided that I'd had enough of this stupid plateau I was on and recommitted to sticking to my WW program. Sure enough just paying attention to my food and drinking my daily water helped and the last few pounds just fell right off.
I wanted to get it done by April 30th because my prize to myself is a great pedicure. So it's extra cool that I got it done early and now I can go get my pretty toes in time for sandal and flip-flop season.
I'm going for the all-out "Blissed Out Pedicure" (http://www.blissvictoria.ca/). I can't wait!!
Thanks to everyone for their support (especially DBF, Mom, and the fantastic ladies at the GDT)!!!
....now....to think of my next prize to myself for maintaining.... :)
Saturday, April 14, 2007
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Task #3 - exterior windows - Accomplished!
Six bucks well spent! On this cool Rubbermaid hoze nozzle thingy with a bunch of settings. Man, the power wash setting was awesome! Cleaned off all the yucky window gunk including cobwebs galore and tree bits leftover from the winter windstorms. Nice!
Now for the interior window cleaning and our view will be all shiny! (What fun is an ocean view if it's all smudgy?)
Now for the interior window cleaning and our view will be all shiny! (What fun is an ocean view if it's all smudgy?)
Money Making Scheme
It all started when to my shock and surprise we actually won $10 on the 6/49. You see, our plan is to win the lottery...big...huge even. Well, it's DBF's plan...I tend to be a little more pessimistic about these things. But I still buy the tickets!
I took half of the money and reinvested in another couple of tickets (which promptly lost of course) and stuck the other $5 in a cup on the counter. This got me to thinking that I should keep putting "found" money in that cup and see how much I can come up with by the time DBF returns from Halifax in November.
So as part of my plan to clean out the basement, I decided to start with the bottles. Let's just say that DBF's old housemates were disgusting idiots, but at least some of the crap they left can be returned for money. Of course, bottles always look like more money than they are, but I will take what I can get for my little cup-o-cash!
Next, I'll start rolling change. It's a dirty job, but somebody's gonna profit from it eventually and it might as well be me and my money making scheme. I have a whole tin full of coins and DBF has at least two mugs full under all the crap on his dresser.
After that I'll have to start getting more creative! I'm thinking yard sale, but that will require some involvement from my neighbors so we'll see where that goes. Hard to get people out here to the boonies for a yard sale!
The goal is to have enough money to do something fun when he gets back or to buy something cool that we may not otherwise bother to buy. We'll have to brainstorm on that too, but that's another blog altogether!
Any bright ideas for adding to my scheme, please post your comments!!
I took half of the money and reinvested in another couple of tickets (which promptly lost of course) and stuck the other $5 in a cup on the counter. This got me to thinking that I should keep putting "found" money in that cup and see how much I can come up with by the time DBF returns from Halifax in November.
So as part of my plan to clean out the basement, I decided to start with the bottles. Let's just say that DBF's old housemates were disgusting idiots, but at least some of the crap they left can be returned for money. Of course, bottles always look like more money than they are, but I will take what I can get for my little cup-o-cash!
Next, I'll start rolling change. It's a dirty job, but somebody's gonna profit from it eventually and it might as well be me and my money making scheme. I have a whole tin full of coins and DBF has at least two mugs full under all the crap on his dresser.
After that I'll have to start getting more creative! I'm thinking yard sale, but that will require some involvement from my neighbors so we'll see where that goes. Hard to get people out here to the boonies for a yard sale!
The goal is to have enough money to do something fun when he gets back or to buy something cool that we may not otherwise bother to buy. We'll have to brainstorm on that too, but that's another blog altogether!
Any bright ideas for adding to my scheme, please post your comments!!
Recipe - Diet Pop Cupcakes
Well, recipe is a very loose term in this case. One of the strangest dessert ideas I've learned from WW, but one of the tastiest!
1 box favorite cake mix
1 can diet pop
Mix and bake according to package directions. Wow, hard!
Tonight I went with Chocolate Cake w/ Diet Coke. In the past I've done a Devil's Food w/ Diet Coke and a Carrot Cake w/ Diet Ginger Ale. I've heard good things about Vanilla or White Cake w/ Diet Sprite or Diet Orange Crush too, so I'll have to give that a go sometime.
This can be a bit crumbly so the cupcakes work better than a whole cake. Easier to individually freeze too.
(WW = approx 2pts per cupcake depending on your cake mix and how many cupcakes you make)
1 box favorite cake mix
1 can diet pop
Mix and bake according to package directions. Wow, hard!
Tonight I went with Chocolate Cake w/ Diet Coke. In the past I've done a Devil's Food w/ Diet Coke and a Carrot Cake w/ Diet Ginger Ale. I've heard good things about Vanilla or White Cake w/ Diet Sprite or Diet Orange Crush too, so I'll have to give that a go sometime.
This can be a bit crumbly so the cupcakes work better than a whole cake. Easier to individually freeze too.
(WW = approx 2pts per cupcake depending on your cake mix and how many cupcakes you make)
Friday, April 13, 2007
Let the wine collection begin!
A couple of weeks ago a few of us attended the International Tasting at the Playhouse Wine Festival (http://www.playhousewinefest.com/page155.htm) over in Vancouver. It's huge and a bit disorganized, making it hard to visit all of the booths in the 3 hour timeframe, so DBF and I stuck to the Auzzie section. Australia was the host country this year, so they had more than enough booths to keep us busy the whole time.
We had visions of returning home with a case or two of wine, but a lot of the things we wanted were already sold out. Probably a good thing because we tend to get caught up in the moment with this kind of stuff! So we ended up only picking out 4 wines to bring home.....
2 x Katnook Estate - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2003
http://www.katnookestate.com.au/katnookestate/
2 x Blue Pyrenees Estate - Reserve Red (Cab Sauv, Shiraz, Merlot, Cab Franc) - 2000
http://www.bluepyrenees.com.au/staging/main/default.htm
1 x Heavy Metal - Shiraz - 2005
http://www.heavymetalwine.com.au/
1 x Grant Burge - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2003
http://www.grantburgewines.com.au/
The ones we bought two of are "one to show, one to go".... we'll rack one and drink one!
The ones we only bought one of will definitely rack.
We both definitely prefer New World (Australia, USA), as opposed to Old World (France, Italy, Spain), so that's where the majority of our collection will lie. But we do plan to diversify over time and hope to have quite the collection for years to come. Actually, good friends started the collection for me with a wonderful Italian Barolla that should be good to drink in about 5 years.
Cheers!
We had visions of returning home with a case or two of wine, but a lot of the things we wanted were already sold out. Probably a good thing because we tend to get caught up in the moment with this kind of stuff! So we ended up only picking out 4 wines to bring home.....
2 x Katnook Estate - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2003
http://www.katnookestate.com.au/katnookestate/
2 x Blue Pyrenees Estate - Reserve Red (Cab Sauv, Shiraz, Merlot, Cab Franc) - 2000
http://www.bluepyrenees.com.au/staging/main/default.htm
1 x Heavy Metal - Shiraz - 2005
http://www.heavymetalwine.com.au/
1 x Grant Burge - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2003
http://www.grantburgewines.com.au/
The ones we bought two of are "one to show, one to go".... we'll rack one and drink one!
The ones we only bought one of will definitely rack.
We both definitely prefer New World (Australia, USA), as opposed to Old World (France, Italy, Spain), so that's where the majority of our collection will lie. But we do plan to diversify over time and hope to have quite the collection for years to come. Actually, good friends started the collection for me with a wonderful Italian Barolla that should be good to drink in about 5 years.
Cheers!
Thursday, April 12, 2007
New Feature: Weekly Video Clip
Well, I saw the feature to add links to YouTube videos to a blog, but it's more like a link to keywords on YouTube. So I decided that I'll just post links to a "video of the week" instead.
This week's feature: OK Go! - Here it goes again!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI
Feel free to dance around your room like a fool, I know I do!
This week's feature: OK Go! - Here it goes again!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI
Feel free to dance around your room like a fool, I know I do!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Recipe - Smoothie #1
Guinnea-pigged myself as taste-tester. Pretty much the easiest smoothie recipe ever!
Mixed Berry
1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
1/2 cup fat free vanilla yogurt (Source)
1/2 cup skim milk
(WW = 2.5 points)
Pretty yummy, but not sure that it will sustain me through kickboxing class. We shall see!
Next time I think I'll go 1/4 cup berries and maybe add 1/2 a banana....
Mixed Berry
1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
1/2 cup fat free vanilla yogurt (Source)
1/2 cup skim milk
(WW = 2.5 points)
Pretty yummy, but not sure that it will sustain me through kickboxing class. We shall see!
Next time I think I'll go 1/4 cup berries and maybe add 1/2 a banana....
Bookkeeper does her own taxes! Film at 11!
OK, not a film.... but a blog! And it's a little past 11, but well whatever.
I did it! I sucked it up and used UFile and did my own taxes. And I think I even did them right (I hope). I managed to add everything up and enter it all in the right boxes and I even paid what I owed and everything! (I'm self employed, I'm supposed to owe...)
Oh will the fun and excitement never end?!
I know you are thinking "isn't she a bookkeeper?" and "shouldn't taxes be in her repertoire?" Well funny how I've never had to do them for work and my personal ones used to be dead simple. I did my own a couple of times when I had a T4 and maybe one other form to deal with. But now I have write-offs and expenses and RRSPs and bank charges and interest and blah blah blah.
But instead of paying some silly company to do it for me and paying them $150 bucks like last year (grumble, grrrr, don't get me started) I only paid $16 bucks and feel pretty good about myself.
Yaaaiiieeee me!
(Oh and the icing on the cake is that I paid much less than I'd saved up!)
I did it! I sucked it up and used UFile and did my own taxes. And I think I even did them right (I hope). I managed to add everything up and enter it all in the right boxes and I even paid what I owed and everything! (I'm self employed, I'm supposed to owe...)
Oh will the fun and excitement never end?!
I know you are thinking "isn't she a bookkeeper?" and "shouldn't taxes be in her repertoire?" Well funny how I've never had to do them for work and my personal ones used to be dead simple. I did my own a couple of times when I had a T4 and maybe one other form to deal with. But now I have write-offs and expenses and RRSPs and bank charges and interest and blah blah blah.
But instead of paying some silly company to do it for me and paying them $150 bucks like last year (grumble, grrrr, don't get me started) I only paid $16 bucks and feel pretty good about myself.
Yaaaiiieeee me!
(Oh and the icing on the cake is that I paid much less than I'd saved up!)
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Task #2 - To Do List - Accomplished!
Now I don't know how much of this qualifies as fun and exciting, but I will do my best to make it so. This is by no means a complete list, but I'm thinking that a dozen things is a damn good start!
In no particular order, these are the household things I need to get accomplished:
- Xmas lights down (haha, I know I know...oh, I guess "buy a ladder" should go on this list!)
- Weedeat the yard (of course, it's due to be mowed again now too...)
- Wash exterior windows
- Clean interior windows
- Finish cleaning out garden beds
- Hang shelf in kitchen (ohhhh, another chance to break out the good old drill!)
- Hang shelves in office (ohhhhh, another chance!)
- Assemble new dressers (man, I so NEED my own drill!)
- Sort and put away CDs/DVDs/Videos/Books
- Clean up and set up computer for shipping to DBF's Mom
- Reconfigure office (this could take some serious time, but will aleviate my friggin sore arm muscles from typing at the wrong height)
- Clean up basement (this is sooooo last cuz it will take all year!)
In no particular order, these are the household things I need to get accomplished:
- Xmas lights down (haha, I know I know...oh, I guess "buy a ladder" should go on this list!)
- Weedeat the yard (of course, it's due to be mowed again now too...)
- Wash exterior windows
- Clean interior windows
- Finish cleaning out garden beds
- Hang shelf in kitchen (ohhhh, another chance to break out the good old drill!)
- Hang shelves in office (ohhhhh, another chance!)
- Assemble new dressers (man, I so NEED my own drill!)
- Sort and put away CDs/DVDs/Videos/Books
- Clean up and set up computer for shipping to DBF's Mom
- Reconfigure office (this could take some serious time, but will aleviate my friggin sore arm muscles from typing at the wrong height)
- Clean up basement (this is sooooo last cuz it will take all year!)
If I'd blinked I mighta missed him!
Well, DBF made it home safe and sound from Winterpeg last night..... for about 12 hours. I just dropped him off at work and he won't be home again for 10 sleeps. Meh. I guess this is continued practice for the fun and exciting summer I will have (enter sarcasm here) while he is away in Halifax for 6 months. Meh again.
Stupid Navy. It's a good career, but too much travelling. I mean travelling is cool and all, but not when it's back to back and I don't get to go. Not that I want to spend days sailing around the island maneuvering..... Triple meh.
Hurry home honey!
(on a positive note, I was up so early I've already had a grapefruit and 3 of my 8 daily glasses of water! always look for the silver lining.... )
Stupid Navy. It's a good career, but too much travelling. I mean travelling is cool and all, but not when it's back to back and I don't get to go. Not that I want to spend days sailing around the island maneuvering..... Triple meh.
Hurry home honey!
(on a positive note, I was up so early I've already had a grapefruit and 3 of my 8 daily glasses of water! always look for the silver lining.... )
Monday, April 9, 2007
You can make friends with power tools!
So after the fun and excitement of hanging the curtain rod and the consequent feeling of empowerment from using the drill, I moved on to bigger fish.
Yes, that's right, I assembled not one, but two bookcases yesterday. And the second one was not light!! After I did such a great job I even managed to put together the two nightstands. They look grrrrreat!
Now there are two giant dressers calling my name, but I'm thinking that since I can barely drag the boxes up and down the hall it might be a bit much to try to assemble these suckers. Damn their awkwardness!
Yes, that's right, I assembled not one, but two bookcases yesterday. And the second one was not light!! After I did such a great job I even managed to put together the two nightstands. They look grrrrreat!
Now there are two giant dressers calling my name, but I'm thinking that since I can barely drag the boxes up and down the hall it might be a bit much to try to assemble these suckers. Damn their awkwardness!
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Girl Meets Drill
Yes, that's right! Me, I used the cordless drill last night! (thanks Robi!)
OK, all I did was hang a curtain rod, but still....
OK, all I did was hang a curtain rod, but still....
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Waiting is for chumps!
And me apparently! Ikea is delivering today....between 12:00 and 2:00 so they say. But of course we live in the boonies so them arriving on time is highly unlikely. And buddy the driver wouldn't let me give specific instructions on how to get here, so our new furniture is probably driving around the countryside trying to figure out where the hell we are.
Hurry! Hurry!!
Hurry! Hurry!!
Task #1 - accomplished!
Welcome!
As I've already mentioned (over there -> on the side, if you missed it), this blog is the first task on my list of fun and entertaining things to keep this girl busy while her boy is away. He hasn't crossed the country yet, but let's call this training time since he's away this week. Call it a trial. A dry run. Test time. I think we can give this an A+ for getting it accomplished when I said I would. Pretty good for the girl who is perpetually late and procrastinates with the best of them.
Task #2 will be to make a list of the rest of the fun and entertaining things (you will continue to hear this phrase as it is the theme here) I intend to do this summer. I guess the first thing on the list will be making the list. Can that be considered fun and entertaining? Tune in next time and I'll let you know if I found it fun. Or entertaining. Or maybe both.
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