Thanks to the popularity of horse racin, gambling and floating advertisements, I have a day off work tomorrow!! Yes, that's right folks, it's the Gold Cup & Saucer parade tomorrw morning - rain or shine. Such an important event here on PEI that we get it off instead of August 6th, which the rest of the provinces get off as a civic holiday. Anyways, I'm ditching the parade in favor of working out and sleeping in. Then it's off to Halifax. Woohoo - a roadtrip and my first time off PEI since I came back from Oz in Jun!! I'm excited to say the least, although I'm not sure that's coming across because I'm bloody tired right now.
I jus spent the evening enjoying dinner and dessert with Keri, Sherilyn and Dawn in honour of Dawn's farewell event - although I managed to abstain from ordering either dinner or dessert and stuck with Diet Pepsi. Having somehow managed to maintain my weight over the past week of birthday gluttony taken to a new level, I am not in a position to test the kindness of the weigh-in gods. Anyways it was a lovely evening, but it's always sad to say goodbye to a person that you really enjoy the company of and Dawn was definitely in that category.
Backtracking a little bit - spent the weekend milking my birthday for all I could. On Friday I 'may' have skipped out of work a little early in order to join the family on Argyle Shore where Mark & Rita had rented a cottage for the week. It was a gorgeous day - perfect for taking pictures with my new DIGITAL CAMERA!!! I am eternally grateful for Jim's addicition to technology:) Anyways, the evening was enjoyed in the compnay of family. On Saturday I treated myself to - get this - a step class down at my old gym. Yes, I am masochistic. Anyways, rest of the day was spent cleaning the house so that I could play hostess to my potluck birthday party in a sparkling venue. A grand night was had by all who were enteretained by my willingness to tell tales that I would not normally relate were I not completely induced by red wine and a game of Truth or Dare, which also found me eating from a plate of nibs that were on the floor sans hands. Oh dear.
Anyways, it was great to see some friends I'd not seen in a while, including Christine and Andrew - who wins a prize for being the friend who travelled the farthest JUST for my birthday party and not at all to help his mom pack and move to Vancouver...Right, so he may win the prize of hosting me when I fly up to Toronto this fall!!
Sunday I was very very tired and not at all hungover. Adam and I went to Cora's for breakfast/future heart attacks. It was alright, but seriosly breakfast is overrated as a meal. Dinner and dessert is where it's at. Speaking of dinners - Mom made teh most fantabulous one for me on Sunday night- salmon steaks, burgeres, new potatoes, garden salad and the MOST DELICIOUS Raspberry Pie EVER!!! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!
Monday night I hung out with Andrew again and ate another piece of pie. Seroulsy life doesn't get much better than that - good company and good food.
Tuesday I made dinner for my dad and he gave me birthday presents. I am now the proud owner of a pair of stylish rubber boots amongst other things...
I now retired to bed, knowing that the weekend holds many exciting adventures since it will be enjoyed in the metropolis of Halifax where Costco and Freak Lunchbox are not just dreams, they are realities. Oh,and my sister is fabulous!!! So is Rowan Thunder!!
'Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.' Robert Frost
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
The Unusual Suspects
I was going to write a venting blog. I haven't done that in a long time. Mostly because I've been very content with life, especially in the last year. Well, the past two weeks have been wearing on me... I wish I could say I don't know why, that it must be something innocuous like the heat or my horomonmes or my impending birthday, but it's not. It's Men. Details aside, I've basically realised that I'm very very close to letting history repeat itself - the lovely old cycle that each of us creates and carries out over and over again. Unless we recognise it in time and make a conscious decision to avoid repetitive, self-destructive ways. And that is where I am right now. I'm walking the line.
Therapy amounted to me making Chocolate Chip COokies (not eating them) and dancing to as many crazy tunes as possible. And being alone.
I'm reading Harry Potter - that's great therapy as well.
On the weekend I went to the Gallant/Wedge family reunion - it was great to see all sorts of relatives I had never met and ones I'd not seen in ages. I'd forgotten how many American relatives I have - hello Boston! So, being one of the youngest there (aside from the little kids), and one of only two cousins that isn't married/engaged, I was getting questions about my 'status' left & right. At one point I was sitting with my sister and Dad, relating how I kept being asked whether I was married. In response my dad asked if I was being asked by guys or girls, insinuating that if it were men, that they were asking because thye were interested in me. I kindly reminded him that we were at a family reunion and I wasn't quite THAT desperate yet. he looked only slightly embarassed.
To be honest, i was a bit disappointed wiht teh tameness of the reunion. I guess Nan and Aunt Mill are 87 & 90 respectively, but I was hoping for a little crazy sister act. Would it have been too much to expect some of the Courtneys to jump up on the tables and start dancing. I guess I have to accept the fact that my family is not as crazy as I'd imagined and it's just my Dad who can retain that title without fail.
After the family reunion, I hopped over to Argyle Shore (since I have no car, I've been using a pogo stick to get around the countryside)to hang out with Mom, Jim & the Sampson clan - namely Uncle Mark, Aunt Rita, Sharon and her three brilliant kids. Every time I get to hang out with them I really really want to be a Mom. All was good until the crazy lightening storms put the power out permanently. thank good ness Long Creek was with power. I could still read Harry - v. important.
Sunday I can't even remember what I did, but it was nice to be in the midst of family. It turns out I have an awesome immediate and extended family.
K -I have to go put cookies away and not eat them. This wil be difficult but I willn persevere.
Therapy amounted to me making Chocolate Chip COokies (not eating them) and dancing to as many crazy tunes as possible. And being alone.
I'm reading Harry Potter - that's great therapy as well.
On the weekend I went to the Gallant/Wedge family reunion - it was great to see all sorts of relatives I had never met and ones I'd not seen in ages. I'd forgotten how many American relatives I have - hello Boston! So, being one of the youngest there (aside from the little kids), and one of only two cousins that isn't married/engaged, I was getting questions about my 'status' left & right. At one point I was sitting with my sister and Dad, relating how I kept being asked whether I was married. In response my dad asked if I was being asked by guys or girls, insinuating that if it were men, that they were asking because thye were interested in me. I kindly reminded him that we were at a family reunion and I wasn't quite THAT desperate yet. he looked only slightly embarassed.
To be honest, i was a bit disappointed wiht teh tameness of the reunion. I guess Nan and Aunt Mill are 87 & 90 respectively, but I was hoping for a little crazy sister act. Would it have been too much to expect some of the Courtneys to jump up on the tables and start dancing. I guess I have to accept the fact that my family is not as crazy as I'd imagined and it's just my Dad who can retain that title without fail.
After the family reunion, I hopped over to Argyle Shore (since I have no car, I've been using a pogo stick to get around the countryside)to hang out with Mom, Jim & the Sampson clan - namely Uncle Mark, Aunt Rita, Sharon and her three brilliant kids. Every time I get to hang out with them I really really want to be a Mom. All was good until the crazy lightening storms put the power out permanently. thank good ness Long Creek was with power. I could still read Harry - v. important.
Sunday I can't even remember what I did, but it was nice to be in the midst of family. It turns out I have an awesome immediate and extended family.
K -I have to go put cookies away and not eat them. This wil be difficult but I willn persevere.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Summer...At Last!!
Summer came late to PEI this year (I will refrain from commenting on the obvious reason for screwed up seasons and the such..), but it FINALLY arrived and in a big way. The past week has been FULL of sunshine and high temps (for East Coast Canada anyways!)
I heart my mountain bike, it's been a fabulous way to get around town since I moved in to Carvell Court and ceased constant reliance on using Mom & Jim's cars to get around. I find myself constantly impressed with how quickly I can get to places. It's so easy to just hop on the bike and roll on. Prime parking and no worries about being stuck in long lines at the lights. I have only two big beefs with the whole biking thing. Firstly, given my five-year relationship with a hairstyle that is not conducive to helmet-wearing, I find myself torn between protecting my vanity and protecting the contents of my head. Secondly, when it rains or gets dark I kind of miss having a car. Right now it's not a problem, but come winter and early nightfall I may have to find some other mode of transport...
The last week has been pretty busy. On Sunday I picked strawberries then went to the movies with my dad. Monday I made the hottest THai chicken curry I've ever had.
Tuesday I baked cakes - Carrot cake with cream cheese icing and chocolate cake with chocolate icing. They were for birthday celebrations at work and seemed to be recieved very well. Dawn even suggested I try selling Carrot Cake muffins at the Farmer's Market. I reckon my weight loss would not continue if I started spending more time in the kitchen, but we shall see, maybe I'll go all entrepreneurial with my sweets at some point - enough people have told me I should!
Wednesday I went to see Hairspray. What an awesome, uplifting film!! I guess I'm a sucker for any movie with song and dance, especially one that's set in the sixties.
Thursday I joined Keri & Dawn at the Charlottetown Driving Park for some exciting Harness Racing and betting. I only got there for the last race and lost $5.00. Sadly it wasn't like the Sydney Cup races, where I was treated to all you can drink booze and all you can eat food for an entire afternoon...The more I think about it, the more it becomes obvious why I gained weight in Oz...
Friday was fabulous. After work Adam picked me up and we went to Brackley Beach, specifically Robinson's Point, where there was no one else on the beach. Just us, a bottle of spiced rum, a cooler full of ice and a bowl of fresh pineapple. After watching an amazing sunset, we headed back into town for dinner at Chez Shannon's and while we were eating, a cat wandered in through the kitchen window. A cat that did not belong to the household. I tried to pick it up but it hissed at me, then it hissed at Adam then it realised it wasn't welcome and left the same way it came in. I am embarrassed to admit that we decided to head out for some dancing and ended up at the VU. Now, to be fair, we were planning to go to the much more classy Piazza Joe's, but it was shut down. So yeah, wow, the VU is something else.....
Saturday I picked Dawn up and we headed East, taking a nice drive up to St. Peter's Bay, where we walked along the beach then did a bit of shopping. Eventually we went to Mount Stewart, where we had dinner reservations at the Trailside Cafe. Nathan Wiley was playing at the cafe, so I thought it would be a brilliant chance for Dawn to enjoy some local music. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Wow. I have to write a list of my plans for the next few weeks, I don't know how I could have forgotten how busy it gets on PEI in the summer..So excuse me, while I write my little list, which is really more for myself than for anyone's enjoyment. Unless you enjoy lists, in which case, enjoy away.
Tuesday - CHANCES (5.30 - 6.30) and Short Films at City Cinema (7.00 - free!)
Wednesday - Drinks w/Ryan et al at Fishbones maybe?
Thursday - Meet w/al for drinks/trivia at Churchill Arms (tentative)
Friday - Family Reunion Meet & Greet in S'side
Saturday - Family Reunion BBQ at Cabot Park
Sunday - Day/evening at Mark & Rita's cottage
Wednesday (Aug 8) - Shawn's Strawberry Social
Thursday (Aug 9) - Ceilidh at Poole's Corner w/Cynthia and Dawn (tentative)
Friday (aug 10) - birthday celebrations & Andrews arrives!
Saturday - birthday celebrations w/family
Sunday - more Andrew time or drive up West w/ Dawn
Thursday (Aug 16) - Farewell Drinks for Dawn
Friday (aug 17)- NO WORK and Parade Day
Saturday (Aug 18) - Roadtrip to Halifax w/Rana
I heart my mountain bike, it's been a fabulous way to get around town since I moved in to Carvell Court and ceased constant reliance on using Mom & Jim's cars to get around. I find myself constantly impressed with how quickly I can get to places. It's so easy to just hop on the bike and roll on. Prime parking and no worries about being stuck in long lines at the lights. I have only two big beefs with the whole biking thing. Firstly, given my five-year relationship with a hairstyle that is not conducive to helmet-wearing, I find myself torn between protecting my vanity and protecting the contents of my head. Secondly, when it rains or gets dark I kind of miss having a car. Right now it's not a problem, but come winter and early nightfall I may have to find some other mode of transport...
The last week has been pretty busy. On Sunday I picked strawberries then went to the movies with my dad. Monday I made the hottest THai chicken curry I've ever had.
Tuesday I baked cakes - Carrot cake with cream cheese icing and chocolate cake with chocolate icing. They were for birthday celebrations at work and seemed to be recieved very well. Dawn even suggested I try selling Carrot Cake muffins at the Farmer's Market. I reckon my weight loss would not continue if I started spending more time in the kitchen, but we shall see, maybe I'll go all entrepreneurial with my sweets at some point - enough people have told me I should!
Wednesday I went to see Hairspray. What an awesome, uplifting film!! I guess I'm a sucker for any movie with song and dance, especially one that's set in the sixties.
Thursday I joined Keri & Dawn at the Charlottetown Driving Park for some exciting Harness Racing and betting. I only got there for the last race and lost $5.00. Sadly it wasn't like the Sydney Cup races, where I was treated to all you can drink booze and all you can eat food for an entire afternoon...The more I think about it, the more it becomes obvious why I gained weight in Oz...
Friday was fabulous. After work Adam picked me up and we went to Brackley Beach, specifically Robinson's Point, where there was no one else on the beach. Just us, a bottle of spiced rum, a cooler full of ice and a bowl of fresh pineapple. After watching an amazing sunset, we headed back into town for dinner at Chez Shannon's and while we were eating, a cat wandered in through the kitchen window. A cat that did not belong to the household. I tried to pick it up but it hissed at me, then it hissed at Adam then it realised it wasn't welcome and left the same way it came in. I am embarrassed to admit that we decided to head out for some dancing and ended up at the VU. Now, to be fair, we were planning to go to the much more classy Piazza Joe's, but it was shut down. So yeah, wow, the VU is something else.....
Saturday I picked Dawn up and we headed East, taking a nice drive up to St. Peter's Bay, where we walked along the beach then did a bit of shopping. Eventually we went to Mount Stewart, where we had dinner reservations at the Trailside Cafe. Nathan Wiley was playing at the cafe, so I thought it would be a brilliant chance for Dawn to enjoy some local music. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Wow. I have to write a list of my plans for the next few weeks, I don't know how I could have forgotten how busy it gets on PEI in the summer..So excuse me, while I write my little list, which is really more for myself than for anyone's enjoyment. Unless you enjoy lists, in which case, enjoy away.
Tuesday - CHANCES (5.30 - 6.30) and Short Films at City Cinema (7.00 - free!)
Wednesday - Drinks w/Ryan et al at Fishbones maybe?
Thursday - Meet w/al for drinks/trivia at Churchill Arms (tentative)
Friday - Family Reunion Meet & Greet in S'side
Saturday - Family Reunion BBQ at Cabot Park
Sunday - Day/evening at Mark & Rita's cottage
Wednesday (Aug 8) - Shawn's Strawberry Social
Thursday (Aug 9) - Ceilidh at Poole's Corner w/Cynthia and Dawn (tentative)
Friday (aug 10) - birthday celebrations & Andrews arrives!
Saturday - birthday celebrations w/family
Sunday - more Andrew time or drive up West w/ Dawn
Thursday (Aug 16) - Farewell Drinks for Dawn
Friday (aug 17)- NO WORK and Parade Day
Saturday (Aug 18) - Roadtrip to Halifax w/Rana
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