Can You Hear Me Now?

I KNOW!! The Maynard’s Candy commercial jingle is awesome! Who wrote it?? Who sings it?? Is there a full length version of the song available??

It’s written and performed by Major Maker (I would know Lindy’s voice anywhere!) and apparently a full length version will be made available this summer. Cadbury’s is trying to keep this a mystery and the song is generating a lot of buzz. So I want to help get the word out, because Major Maker deserves all the attention they can get!

Wondering what to do with your tax refund?? Help Shawna raise money for Breast Cancer research! She’s got more great reasons she is doing this in her blog.

Happy Earth Day!

After watching Oprah on Friday, and all the ideas for going Green and doing a little bit on our part to help the planet, I spent yesterday looking for Green stuff.

At the moment, the only “good” things I do are use those energy saving light bulbs in my main rooms and recycle water bottles and pop cans. I could easily improve in the areas of buying a decent water bottle and re-using it with filtered water from my tap, buying eco-friendly cleaning products, and using my own canvas bag when shopping rather than taking home a ton of plastic bags. I do use them for the cat litter, but I usually end up with way more plastic bags than I need around here and throw many away.

Other little things I’m going to do:

• No more helping myself to a pile of napkins at restaurants or fast food places, just ONE;
• No more taking a receipt when using the bank machine;
• Unplug things I’m not using! My toaster sits on my counter plugged in, although I rarely use it. It’s still using energy, so it’s unplugged now and so is my espresso machine when not in use!
• Buy even more Energy Saving lightbulbs and replace them everywhere I can;
• Buy recycled paper towels and toilet paper;
• Bring my own To Go mug when getting coffee/lattes at Second Cup or Starbucks.

So, my first step was to go to the Shaklee website and order their Get Clean start up kit. “Canadian Customers Click Here”. Okay. We need to sign up and become a member (which is free), and then they will email you your member ID and a password, which you can use to log in and shop. “Allow us 15 minutes to process your information before logging in”. Well… I kept trying for a good hour or so before I gave up. I decided to head to the mall to get a water bottle and look for cleaning stuff there.

I had no luck finding Green cleaning products, and I ended up with a Rubbermaid water bottle that will have to do for now until I can get to a better store for one of the good ones they showed on Oprah, or shop online or whatever.

Since I couldn’t find the cleaning products I wanted, I headed over to Bedding and somehow I ended up coming home with sheets, blankets, throw pillows, a duvet cover and shams in various shades of burnt orange for my new bedroom decor. Funny, how that happened.

When I got home, I tried to log into Shaklee again. Still no luck. I emailed them, but no answer. They’re probably so overwhelmed with member sign-ups because of Oprah, that they can’t keep up.

So I went to another website, Method Home. I started clicking through their products and choosing all kinds. I loved them!! I was aiming for “Go Naked” because there are no perfumes or dyes, as much as I wanted to try Pink Grapefruit and Lavender. I had this cart full of products and it wasn’t until I looked at the shopping cart list that I realized they were out of stock on many of the things I wanted. Damn Oprah! Heh.

I still can’t log on to Shaklee, so I decided to just place an order with the online organic grocery delivery place I use sometimes. They sell a limited selection of Green cleaning and dishwashing products, but it’s a start. They have Seventh Generation products which were featured on the show, so that’s good. I even ordered the recycled toilet paper… $16.59 for 12 rolls, which is more than double what I normally pay!!

I am soooooo ordering Method Home products when they’re back in stock, they sound great and they have a nice variety. I love using cleaning wipes, and they even have body wash! And face it, the packaging is cool, even though that’s not supposed to matter. But check out their dish soap bottles! Hee!

And if Shaklee ever responds to me and gets my account working, they may get my future business too.

And speaking of green, we are green here again, the snow from Friday melted with the sun and warmth of Saturday. Now… STAY!

More clients on the way, I must be going.

ETA: I’m running out of titles, because I realized after posting that I used this one in December ‘05. Heh

So I had two more clients drop off tax stuff today and rather than break down in tears thinking about how much work I still have to do, I decided to go shopping. Yes, Donna, spend the money before you earn it.

First I stopped in at Cotton Ginny and checked out their sale. Take an additional 25% off the already on-sale price… hmmm. I left with a pair of black casual pants and two tops - a yellow hoodie-type and a red pullover. While at the cash register, I noticed Crocs in a very pretty shade of soft pink. “Yes, that is an exclusive colour that Crocs made for us to sell in support of Breast Cancer research”, I was told. Hmmm. Exclusive to Cotton Ginny, very pretty colour, I LOVE CROCS, and as luck would have it they will soon be carrying many cute clothes in the same shade of pink, also in support of breast cancer research. (I keep wanting to leave it at “in support of Breast Cancer” but that doesn’t sound good, does it). Anyway, I didn’t buy them. I left with just the clothes, and a flyer with pictures of the pretty pink clothes they will be getting in soon. Hmmm.

Then it was off to pick up a copy of Amy Winehouse’s CD, because she rocks, and I am addicted to her song “Rehab”. The woman could probably use a little rehab herself, if what I’ve heard about her is true. I am trying to think of something witty to say that addresses the fact that I am addicted to a song called Rehab. It’s not coming to me.

Then, I got a latte. On my way out, I had to pass by Cotton Ginny again. Ohhhhhkayyyyyyy FINE!! Yes, I bought the damn Crocs. I mean, maybe they will sell out soon, ya know? And when I get more money I will sure as hell be buying some of those cute pink clothing items and I’ll need comfy shoes to go with them.

I love Cotton Ginny ’cause their clothes are so casual, yet stylish, and that is how I usually dress. Except the “stylish” part.

Then I came home and called some people to chat, and was sure to leave Lisa a message about the pink Crocs.

Then I did a client’s tax return and she owes tons of money and I’m the one that has to TELL HER THAT and I HATE DOING THAT because everyone thinks it’s MY FAULT WHEN THEY OWE and it’s NOT!! If you don’t pay enough taxes and have no additional deductions, you’re going to owe. Fact of life.

Oh, and last night I dreamt that I met someone who won the Foothills Lottery house last year, and today one of my client’s told me she knows someone who won the house 4 years ago. You know what that means? I’m creating the energy, I’m creating the vibe, I am SO going to win.

I just got home from my Living Well exercise class followed by a long meeting with a Social Worker. I’m too beat to do any work or write anything of substance (like, you know, I usually do) so I’m just going to point out some of the highlights of the past week.

• My friend Michelle and I saw the Polyjesters last Saturday and it was fabulous. As always.
• My friend Kim (Joi) from Red Deer came over on Sunday and brought 2 of my favourite things… Rock Star Soap and freshly baked sourdough bread. I thanked her by making her sit through the Trailor Park Boys movie. She stayed over, we ordered Chinese food, and my cats kept her from sleeping.
• I sent this card to a client, and within 10 minutes he called me to say he’d be by later with the last of what I needed from him to finish up. (”Point taken”. He was also laughing hysterically).
• I bought my first ever jar of Nutella the other day. That’s right, my first. Although I have had dreams of blissfully drowning in a vat of it, I have never actually bought my very own jar. Now I stand in the kitchen and just smell it… it smells just like Ferraro Rocher chocolates. OMG. Very good on pita bread, and will be gone momentarily. Which is why I have never bought my own jar, and it’s probably in my best interest that I never do again.
• I met with a social worker today who is going to help me through the process of getting my rent subsidized. Ohhhhhh, I hope I get it!! There is still some paperwork to fill out and proof of income to prepare, but everything should be ready to go next week. The guy at Calgary Housing is willing to advocate for me that I stay where I am rather than move into one of their already subsidized units. I can’t get a better place for me… and I’m not moving unless until it’s into my $2 million dollar Foothills Lottery home!
• Speaking of, the lottery is sold out, so I’m thankful we got our tickets when we did. I was going to wait until my cash flow was better, after getting paid for all this work I’m doing. I’m glad I didn’t!
• I’ll be going to the first Cora’s to open in Calgary on Sunday!! (If you recall, that was my favourite breakfast place in Montreal). I can’t wait! I hope it’s as good as Montreal’s and I can get that zucchini breakfast cake French toast dish with tons of fresh fruit (and Nutella for dipping. Heh)
• I have the cutest cats on earth, they make me laugh every day.
• I’ve been so busy, and neglecting to take care of myself in every other way because my brain is too fried and I don’t have the energy to care or do anything about it.
• I need a hair cut SO BAD.
• My brain is so scattered I forgot to refill the airtime on my cell phone before it expired (I missed by one day!! Argh!) so I lost about $60 worth of air time. Argh!

Okay, there’s your update. I’m off to eat something besides Nutella, and rest.

Hi, I’m insanely busy, and that is why I haven’t been updating. Same thing every year! I don’t want to spend my “off” time at the computer.

Tonight, however, I must update so I can show you my new house. I expect to move in sometime in June or July, not sure how long it takes for all the logistics to be worked out after they draw my (or AH’s) name on May 22.

You see, AH called me yesterday and basically TOLD me we were going to win (he’s watched The Secret). He had me look it up online, and we’re going to buy tickets and go in on it together. When we win, he said I get to live there for the 8 months before we can sell it and split the profits. He will look after paying the property taxes and legal fees and whatever needs to be paid in order for me to live there. (He can be a REALLY AWESOME PERSON sometimes, ya know???) I said, “you’re the one with the big family, shouldn’t you live there for the 8 months?” “No, it’s YOUR dream house. Then you can figure out what works for you and what you want from it, and can include that when you build your real dream home after we sell it”. It’s true, this place is FAR too big for me, I certainly don’t need all that space (and stairs). A triple garage isn’t necessary for my scooter. But with a million each after we sell it, I can build exactly what I want!

The first thing we needed to do was go and look at it, so we could really feel like it is our house and feel what it would be like in there. That makes it easier to visualize and really get the feeling down, and then I’d have lots of pictures to look at daily, too. So, tonight AH picked me up and we went down to the show home. Unfortunately, picture taking was not allowed, as I found out after I took my first one in the kitchen:

So, no more pictures, but that’s okay. I have a flyer with several photos and my memories of that AMAZING ENSUITE OFF THE MASTER BEDROOM. Holy SHIT. Seriously amazing. With a walk-in closet bigger than some places I lived in in Toronto. Hell, the shower stall is bigger than one of the rooms I rented. That rounded part of the second floor with the 5 windows? My office.

All things considered, $2 million does not buy you what it used to in this city. I’ll still take it, but I’m just sayin’. I honestly expected more. It does come fully furnished and decorated though, so that counts for a lot. The VR tour at the website is actually really good! (She realizes now, after she read the instructions and understands you can actually see more than just the front room). Go check out my Ensuite!!

There was a second house across the street, but we didn’t bother to look at it. Walking around that one house was more than enough for me, plus I already know we don’t want to settle for the second best. I want that aquatic fitness centre in my basement!!

Earlier today my friend Lisa emailed me a page from Crocs website that showed a picture we are calling my new logo:

Crocs and a sunflower! How perfect can you get?

By the way, yes, I do realize Crocs are ugly. But anyone who puts them down, has never worn a pair. Because once you do, you will wish you had a pair in every colour and style. They’re still one of only two pairs of shoes I own that allow me to go out with just my cane on some days. (I’m still pretty much attached to my walker, however, I live in hope!) That little pool in my new basement will help.

I have never had the desire to buy a Christina Aguilera CD. But, after seeing this video, I have changed my mind. I am digging this!! (Until MTV takes this one down, too…)

It’s not very often I turn to mainstream pop! Give me a break, at least it’s not Jessica Simpson.

The hotel emailed me back and told me who they buy their bedding through, and there is an online retail site, which gives a phone number if you are “looking for bedding from a specific hotel.” How cool is that? Now I just need $1,000. (And thank you Sasha, for all your help!)

I also found my Canadian designer purse at Flyball Bags. I’m getting a Sling Sac because it has a long strap, which I need to wear over my shoulder like a messenger bag. It’s hard to find nice purses with long straps, but I need that when using my cane or walker. Which is every time I’m not on my scooter. Heh.

Funny, how the things on my 101 list that involve shopping are the ones I want to do the most.

I switched “read the Bible” to “watch The Passion of the Christ” because there is no way I’m going to get around to reading the entire bible when I have so many other books to read that I own (if how long it took me to read the Qur’an is any indication). I have been avoiding that movie because it sounds so overwhelming, as does reading the bible, so it’s a fair trade-off to me.

Tonight is my first night of no phone/computer after 5:00 p.m. I’m off to work, and when I get home I’ll do a quick check of emails and then that’s it for the night. Read, read, meditate, read. Oh, and go to the mall to see if I can learn how to use my new camera. That’s my plans.

I don’t have time to upload photos, I just wanted to post something before I left, and now I’ve got 3 minutes to get my coat and shoes on, so see ya!

Christmas continued at my mom’s house with my Stepdad. It was very peaceful! No cats running amuck and tearing up the hall. We decided to open all our gifts on Christmas Eve, because it’s so nice to do it by the light of the tree and candles. And the fireplace DVD I gave my mom and Bob that turns your TV into a fireplace… I need to get one of those now, it is seriously relaxing.

So after we ate chili and cornbread, we got a glass of wine and opened presents. Of course, I had already received my BIG present of the digital camera, but I still had lots to open. My stocking filled with my favourite shower gels and lotions and magazines, the Spin Spa I had been begging for, a cordless kettle, a coat rack (for the corner of my bedroom because I’m not so good at hanging up clothes) and a couple pairs of casual pants and tops. I gave my mom a couple sweaters and Nora Ephron’s book she had been wanting, and my Stepdad got pants and tops from me. My mom and Bob gave each other some really nice things. My mom got a snuggly that I am now DYING for myself!!

Must.Have.Avon.Snuggly.

Anyway, we all went to bed fairly early because we are party animals.

Christmas morning we slept in and then Bob made us a big breakfast, with the fluffiest omelet known to mankind, wheat free pancakes and bacon. He even brewed me up some French Vanilla flavoured coffee. I spent a good portion of the day snuggled up in my mom’s La-Z-Boy by the TV fireplace, reading. None of us are in the greatest of health, so going for a walk or a drive just isn’t something we could do. We had a nice supper, and mom made this delicious apple crisp without any wheat or sugar for dessert. I mostly stuck to my food regimen… I did have a couple raisin cookies and some candy-coated nuts, which I paid for in dizzy spells and tiredness.

So that was Christmas, in a nutshell! I know, my family is so exciting. Hope you all had a good one!

Today I made up a big list of 101 things I want to do within 1001 days. I made it a permanent page in this blog so I can keep track and read it every day. They say if you write down your goals and read it often, you have a better chance of achieving them. Anyway, I grouped them into categories, but other than that they are in no particular order. You can read it RIGHT HERE (or the link is at the bottom of my categories in the side bar).

I was flipping channels earlier, and stopped for a moment on an interview with Ralph Klein. For those of you that aren’t from around here, he was the Premier of Alberta forever (Mayor of Calgary before that, forever) and retired last week or something. Anyway, the interviewer asked him about his thoughts on same sex marriage, and he responded that he does not believe in it. That the Institution of Marriage should be between a man and a woman. That “The Institution of Marriage is sacred, and should only be between a man and a woman” and I almost spit out my latte. SACRED?? Don’t go telling me that same sex marriage shouldn’t be allowed because marriage is sacred. You can have two people of the same sex, who have been in a committed relationship for 20 years, and you don’t think they should be married, but you will allow a drunken couple to get married on a whim one weekend while in Vegas, and then get divorced when they come home? (I’m looking at you, Britney). You allow young people who don’t know any better to marry and start pumping out babies, just to get divorced 2 years later and leave the kids at home while they go out and party (I’m looking at you, Britney), yet the boring same sex couple who stay at home to raise their adopted babies and take their roles as partners and parents seriously, aren’t allowed to? You allow people to marry and divorce 6, 7, 8 or more times? You will allow a man to marry a woman and turn her into his property, controlling her, not allowing her freedom to visit her friends or family or go to work, yet you won’t let that same sex couple who respect, value and cherish each other completely to marry? Enough straight people have already made a mockery of marriage and that “sacred” union with all their affairs and dumb decisions (I’m looking at you, most celebrities, and that woman-I-know-and-don’t-like who has been dating a married man for years) so why can’t gay people? It’s ridiculous.

At this point Gay Marriage is legal in this country, but it seems to be a never ending issue. Many politicians still want that law retracted, and I just don’t get it. No one should be telling anyone who they can or can’t love and be with. (Unless that person is already with someone else, then HANDS OFF!) Just my two cents.

When can kitties get married?