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New Year’s

What is everyone doing for New Year’s??

Presents

I was feeling behind in terms of Christmas. I realized this week that I didn’t have anything for my sister and I would have to have it in the mail this week so it would get to her in time for Christmas. I was looking on the net to find something but couldn’t find anything personal. Then today I just walked over to the mall with a mission and came home with everything I needed. I found the perfect box in the basement which everything fit into and voila! I’m done. I even mailed it today. Am I good or what?? That pretty much ends my Christmas shopping except for a few minor things. My papers are also done so now I can breathe a little easier. I have exams in a week but I don’t stress too much over them… I can let the celebrations begin!!

The Border

My friend *name with held to protect the identity of those involved* and I went to Watertown, NY today for some good food and shopping. We had an interesting time crossing the border each way. On the way there when they asked where we were going she answered “To Watertown to go shopping”…. then she turned to me and asked if that was right…. luckily they didn’t see that… oops. Then on the way back he asked if we had any firearms, weapons, etc. and she giggled and said no. One really shouldn’t giggle when they ask you that question. We were passed through with no problem both ways and didn’t have to pay duty… so that’s all that really matters. We had lunch at The Cracker Barrell. YUMMM… I really just go there for the shopping which we did lots of. Lots of neat stuff in there. Our main purpose was to go grocery shopping and get some good ole’ American snacks that they don’t have here. They didn’t have everything we were looking for but did find some new stuff to try. I also did my usual Bath and Body Works trip and bought my soap supply that should last until I go again at March Break. We had a great time and sang Christmas tunes all the way there and back!

Where Am I?

I can’t believe how little time I’ve spent on the internet lately - the last time I posted on Sillyspot was a long time ago. Sigh. So busy with various work tasks. It’s nice to be developing a life, though (if that’s what one calls a life - working). Or maybe it’s more that I have nothing to say - a literary slump. Which reminds me, I’ve got a bunch of books to read - all alone (Jenn’s gone to the USA for shopping), curried beef cooking away in the crock pot (making my eyes water - I think I put a little too much curry in), a quiet house, sun is out now melting the snow - I can’t think of anything better than curling up with a book and some hot chocolate (shucks, I’m all out of Baileys).

Cab #17

My cab has been out of service all week, which means I was riding in #15 (nicer car) but without Larry. My driver has been Kenny all week… he makes a lot of inappropriate remarks, is very nice but is always joking about getting my phone number. Needless to say, I was ecstatic today when I saw #17 was parked outside!! What a nice way to end the week. Poor Larry has been out of work all week since his car was in the shop. Anyway, I’m glad to know things will be back to normal next week. Woohooo!!

I got an ‘A’

I don’t want to toot my own horn… but I got an ‘A’ on a big paper worth 45% of my mark. I was very worried since it wasn’t a normal paper. I had to watch a movie and then use the course (gerontology) theories and apply them to the movie… but had to make a case study, etc… Anyway, I did great!! Also, the prof had my mark back in two days!! I’m loving her. I am still waiting for marks from my summer course… it’s only been four months. Anyway, just wanted to share my joy!

Rudolph

Are you getting the idea that I like Rudolph?? Well, I went into Toys R Us because I heard they had a lot of collectible. And well, they do!! I already have one small set of figurines but they have a large set which looks awesome. I also have the stuffed Abominable Snow Monster so I don’t need him… I need to watch the movie soon to get some Christmas spirit. I am way behind this year. It is less than a month until Christmas and I don’t have my cards done, my shopping done… or even the tree decorated. What’s wrong with me? I guess life is starting to happen and have an effect on me. I haven’t even been to the mall yet???? Yikes. I’m scaring myself.

New Niece

Congratulations to Dan and Teresa on the birth of their new little one, Emma. Born this morning at 9:56.

Finally Home!

It only took me six hours to get from Brampton to Kingston… I thought I was making great time until I saw the brake lights just past Trenton. It took me about 2 hours to go 4 km. I thought the odometer was broken! Turns out the 401 was closed… I was quite bored for those extra three hours… luckily I was in Doug’s car and he had a plethora of cd’s to listen to.

As for my presentation, all I can say is it is over! I didn’t do a great job but articulation didn’t seem important and my prof seemed impressed because I hadn’t really kept her updated as to what I had been up to. One girl got the third degree and I seemed to handle the questions okay. There was one huge debate though… people felt strongly that I shouldn’t post salaries from other school boards. I am doing a website for educational assistants and many EA’s want to know what other people are making. Most felt this was wrong to post this. Oh well.

On Saturday, my Mom and I headed to Amish country. We had a nice scenic drive… went to Anna Mae’s for lunch. Picked up a pie for Doug… and did some shopping at the farmer’s market. A really nice day.

Now I’m home and exhausted. I think I would have been okay if I had been home three hours earlier!

Presentations

I am off to Ryerson to do a presentation… Yuck. At first I was going to do a powerpoint presentation but then the prof. discouraged me as this is more just an information gathering/ brainstorm/ get feedback thing. We can do our fancy stuff in April when our project is complete. So now I am just doing a boring talking one. Then I hear from another student that at least two people are doing a powerpoint presentation. From the sounds of it, the prof was not happy about it. So hopefully that means more marks for me. Luckily, my mark isn’t dependent on my presentation alone… my participation for the day is included as well. Phew. Wish me luck!

Rudolph

My friend just called to tell me there is a large sign outside of Toys R Us advertising Rudolph collectibles. I LOVE RUDOLPH!! I won’t have time to go in the next couple of days but hopefully I can get there this weekend!! Yippee!!

Presentation

I have to do a presentation for school on Friday. I have not done a presentation in years… at least not by myself. Seems like everything is always group presentations and group work. I’m a little nervous… probably because it’s not very clear what we are presenting. We are talking about our work in progress… it’s a two semester course so we are just discussing the troubles and obstacles we have had. It sounded like a major presentation and now it sounds like it will be laid back… hard to prepare for something that is so unclear.

Hot Chocolate

I looked up the calories of a Starbuck’s hot chocolate and let’s just say it’s not good…. Tastes great though. Well, today I really wanted one but decided to try to make my own peppermint hot chocolate. Well, I have this hot chocolate mix that is only 25 calories a cup. So I made that… dropped in a mini peppermint patty, and added some ultra low fat cool whip! Very yumm… and very low in calories and fat. Also a lot cheaper than Starbuck’s. I might have trouble making the peppermint brownie. It has this great icing layer on the top…. it’s so creamy.

Starbuck’s

I found out that Starbuck’s has a peppermint hot chocolate. The mocha was good but since I’m not a coffee drinker, I would prefer it without the coffee taste. Anyway, I was telling my friend about it last night so she served hot chocolate with a candy cane. Yummm… I think I will be drinking my hot chocolate that way from now on.

Harry Potter

I thought the newest Harry Potter movie was coming out this Christmas but it appears that it will not be out until June. I did find a picture of the new Dumbledore though. I think they did a pretty good job finding a replacement.

Hubby

My hubby is so nice. This morning I needed to put gas in the car but I just didn’t want to. So Doug offered to take my car to work! How nice.

Finally It’s Happened

I finally, 14 months later and in spite of many many struggles with access, and hosting, I got the go ahead to follow my initial idea - external hosting, and a new domain for the public website for work. I’m still waiting for the paperwork to finalize, but LACGH.com will be my next project. At the same time, it’s given me ideas and inspiration for Hope Community Church, also to be redone. I’m very relieved and quite excited.

Salary

Isn’t it great when people who make three times the amount you do complain about how much they make??

Chef Doug

Doug has been busy in the kitchen today. He first made a roast with a ginger marinade for supper and then made a caramel pumpkin pie which was awesome!! Let’s see… today I made chocolate milk - from scratch. As well as cooked up some pumpkin seeds.

Walnut Caramel Pumpkin Pie

I harvested our pumpkin today - now I’ve got a huge container full of pureed pumpkin. So I made a pumpkin pie, but not just any pumpkin pie - walnut caramel pumpkin pie. It was supposed to be pecan, but walnuts do just fine. It probably needed more flour, but otherwise tasted hmmm. That’s to top off my massive steak roast for supper. Tomorrow I may make pumpkin soup. Jenn is so lucky to have me.
In cutting up the pumpkin, I hacked up my fingers pretty bad - not on the sharp side of the blade of the knife, but somehow, on the dull side. I get these paper cut looking things that I can’t even feel when it happens. It doesn’t hurt, but it looks nasty, and then it starts bleeding. I just about make Jenn sick. Then she gets me bandaids, nurses me back to health, and praises my cooking - I’m so lucky to have her.