Monday, October 31, 2005
Happy Halloween in the Office
The girls (Jen, Christa, and I) all decided to dress up in 1950's Grease/Happy Days style poodle skirts.
How to make a poodle skirt:
Search the internet for a photo of a 50s girl as your guide
Visit a second hand store and find a poofy dress/skirt or use an old grad/bridesmaid dress
Make necessary alterations to the skirt (ie. hemline, waistline, etc.)
Sew in a crinoline for added poofiness
Use felt to make a poodle and sew to the bottom of the dress
Optional: sew ribbon as a leash for your poodle
Use matching material to make a hair ribbon and necktie
To complete the outfit you will need:
Matching sweater, cardigan, or tshirt with optional "initial" sewn on.
Shoes (babydolls or white runners)
White "bobby" socks
Tie hair into a high ponytail with ribbon or if you have short hair, use ribbon as a headband.
Optional: Cats eye glasses
Voila...you're on your way to the sock hop....let's do the twist!
Pumpkin Carving
Friday, October 28, 2005
Christa has moved
I LOVE everything...it's so nice. Let me describe:
The house is a 2 bedroom bungalow townhouse. When you first walk in there is a small foyer area and to the right there is the guest bedroom, which has a marvelous front window. So pretty. The ceramic tile throughout the house is light brown. This is Jamie's favourite and I love it too. Just down the hallway past the coat closet and to the left there is a little "nook" area which they have taken full advantage of and fits their fish tank perfectly. They have a really great fish tank, so colourful with caves and plants and bright yellow cichlids and such, one of which was injured during the move. Poor little thing, hope he recovers.
Then to the left again is the laundry (love the fact that this is on the main floor rather than the basement...so convenient!) and then the bathroom. I adore the countertop in this bathroom and the shower tiles, the 6ft soaker tub, and everything...the bathroom continues with a "cheater" door into their master bedroom, a nice size room with a walk-in closet and a big window. Coming back out of the bedroom and into the hallway and you're in the kitchen on the right. The kitchen has light coloured cupboards and another great countertop, black and brown marble look, which matches black appliances perfectly. The kitchen is open concept with a "penisula" that overlooks the great room, a room combining both the dining and living area. I love the carpet too. And the best are the door and windows in the back of the house, shedding awesome natural light into the living area.
And let's turn back and go down the front hallway again to the basement door which leads to a huge space to be refinished in future. Their basement easily has enough space for an extra bathroom, third bedroom, bar area, and a tv room/den for the boys to watch hockey games on the big screen.
I know it's hard to picture with that description but I just had to express how much I love this new home.
Congrats to you, Christa and Kristen, on this new step in your lives together. All the best...it's all so exciting, 2nd in line to the excitement of my own new house, only 4 weeks away!
Thursday, October 27, 2005
10 Random Things
1. When I was a kid, I had two hamsters named Charlotte and Templeton. Names came from characters in the book "Charlotte's Web" which I adore.
2. One of my nerdiest qualities (among others): I collect stamps and have since about 1985. I think they're great miniature pieces of artwork.
3. I first "met" Jamie in highschool when we were 15. I tried to talk to him cause I thought he was cute and he totally dissed me :(
4. My first car was a 1990 Hyundai Excel, a white one.
5. I have a diploma in Early Childhood Education.
6. Love "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
7. I have never pierced my ears in the "normal" way, only have one at the top of my right ear.
8. My nan used to bite my cheeks when I was a young kid. I used to hate going to her house because of it until one day she actually made me cry. She never did it again after. I have yet to figure out why she did it to begin with. I know my chubby cheeks were probably very cute and tempting but COME ON!
9. I have a completely irrational fear of looking into a mirror at night.
10. The first boy I really kissed was Terry, I was 13. I still have the stuffed blue bunny he gave me as a gift for Easter. I slept with it for years after our two week relationship "broke up". lol :)
Friday, October 21, 2005
My Toy Story
I still have quite a few of my stuffed toys. Unable to give them up, I dragged many of them all the way from Newfoundland to Ontario. They have moved so many times that I'd stopped unpacking them.
Since we are moving, I've been packing boxes a little bit here and there. And in the top of my closet I discovered a box - full of stuffed animals. Most of them bears, some collectables. There was a dog - a gift from an ex that I decided I should part with. There was another bear, I couldn't figure out where it had come from. No sentimental ties and therefore I decided to put it in the giveaway box as well.
So, I'm sitting there and looking at each and every one of the toys, reminiscing about "teddy McTavish", describing to Jamie about how this scruffy childhood bear was named after hockey player Craig McTavish. My dad watched hockey quite often, as often as he could. Craig McTavish always stood out to me, not because I knew anything about hockey, but because Mr. McTavish did not wear a helmet as did the other players. Jamie stood there watching me in disbelief, shook his head, and then playfully threatened to throw the toys over the balcony. Ugh...how dare he even mention doing such a thing?
I begin repacking the box, carefully placing each bear in to ensure its "comfort", meaning no stuffing into the box but rather strategically placing each one either sitting or laying down, trying not to twist arms and legs into awkward positions. And I realize that I'm talking to them. Yes, OUT LOUD talking to them:
"Ok, I think I'll put you over here and when we get to the house I'm going to put you on top of my dresser" (speaking to Teddy Mctavish)
"No, you'll probably find that uncomfortable. Let me just move your tail a little." (speaking to Puss in Boots)
And then I look over to the giveaway box and they look so sad so what else could I do but begin talking to them as well:
"Ya know, you shouldn't look so sad. I mean, you're going to a nice new home where a little boy or girl will actually play with you instead of you having to stay packed in a box all the time." How ungrateful!!
And suddenly the realization that I probably need counselling due to some unresolved issues. I quickly packed the rest of the toys in silence and taped the box shut.
Please tell me that there is at least one other person in the blogger world who has talked openly to inanimate objects in their adult life...please, just one? anyone? Maybe we could do therapy together.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Pretty that way
But I must admit, that my hair today was really me just being a lazy-ass. See, I decided to wash my hair before going to bed last night and then decided to "put it up" before laying down on my pillow to sleep. (Don't particularly like it when my hair soaks my pillow and I am awakened in the middle of the night confused about why my face feels so moist and cool). Anyways, I woke up this morning and my hair was in an even "sadder" (not a word but I'm using it!) state than normal, somewhere between straight and curly and a little in between...the straight part at the top where I had pulled my hair back in a pony tail and then at the pony tail mark it bushed out into a curly mess. It was 6:35 am and what was I to do?...gotta work at 7...time to wash it again? Nope! So out came the hair dryer and big round brush and my attempt to quickly straighten (by straight, with my hair, I actually mean only kinda wavey and not really all that straight) my hair...but only on the top layer. Any attempt to sway my head back and forth today would reveal a curly poofy underside. I remind myself that this may actually have worked for me to maintain added "body"....Poofy hair underneath preventing straight hair on top from "sticking" to the side of my head and making me look like a hippy (no offense to hippies, totally love the look, but feel I'm personally too "chunky" to really pull off the look in its entirety).
So, there ya have it...and I've attempted a self portrait (photo) will edit that in later so you can share in my "prettiness"...feel free to leave a "compliment"...ha!
Installment 3 - Jamie's "Injuries"
This time, Jamie had to get a cavity filled. He asked me if I wanted to go along...not to hold his hand as I had originally thought. ha, ha. Jamie knew I had to go to Walmart, next door to the dental office, so this was his way of bringing me without actually having to go inside to help me shop.
Anyways, that was slightly off topic...
So, I'm in the checkout line and Jamie calls, "Oh you're done already?" I ask.
Muffled voice on the other end says, "Yeah, I didn't get it done"
"What happened?"
"I'll tell you when you get in the truck." He sounds like his mouth is filled with cotton balls.
So, I go outside and load up my purchases and then ask again, "What happened?"
"The freezing wouldn't take. It's hard to talk."
At this point, the right side of his face is completely immobile. Not a crease, not a wrinkle, his lips look all funny.
"Well maybe you should go back cause it really doesn't look like you're feeling anything in your face right now".
He notes my sarcasm and says, "Myrrrrna, he had another appointment. He gave me the needle three times. The first time I didn't feel any numbness and he tried to fill my cavity anyways but it hurt too much. And the second time it still hurt."
"The third time he gave me the freezing," he admits, "I think it mighta just been in my head that I THOUGHT it was gonna hurt so it did."
I agree, "uh huh, yeah, that's possible." I giggle, completely amused at my tough-guy husband not being able to handle a filling.
"Well, he said that he's seen this happen before," trying to reassure himself, "He booked me back in for Dec 8th so he can give me laughing gas."
Still giggling...
"Is laughing gas going to make me laugh?" he asked, "I mean, is that really the name for it?"
"No", I tell him, "It's really called nitrous oxide and it will help you relax so the mind games won't start playing tricks on you again and the dentist can get his work done. It'll only make you laugh if something strikes you as being particularly funny. I think they use it on kids a lot."
So, he brooded for the rest of the night...complaining about not being able to eat fajitas for supper. He overheard me laughing on the phone to my mom about his little episode at the dentist. He lay on the couch, acting as though the entire right side of his body was paralyzed. He told me he couldn't help with dishes because his mouth hurt too much, an excuse I absolutely did NOT accept.
"Jamie, your mouth can't possibly hurt after all that freezing." and then I proceed to poke him in his cheek, "Does that hurt?"
"Well no", he whines, "but it FEELS funny."
I laugh again.
"Well Myrna, he stabbed me three "effin" times in the gums. That hurts ya know?!"
"Well Jamie, you don't have to tell me about dentistry!" and I proceeded to rhyme off my excessive dental history, enough to make your head whirl:
10 teeth pulled in total (5 "baby" teeth when I was 12, 4 wisdom teeth when I was about 21, and another 1 just last year)
4 root canals (possibly 5, I stopped counting)
not to mention a crazy amount of fillings and more fillings.
I'm no stranger to getting needles at the dentist - terrible teeth here (blame it on the crazy amounts of apple juice I drank as a kid).
He sulked more. He went to bed being sure to tell me that he was refusing to brush his teeth because he was still in too much pain.
"Love you. G'night" he said.
"Love you too."
I lay in bed and realize that I probably didn't help the situation. My husband, despite being a big baby, likes being reassured about being a big stud. I guess all men are like that. They grow up being told they're not allowed to cry or "act like a girl", never allowed to express how they really feel without being tormented for it. And I continue the cycle...I guess my teasing probably hurt more than the needles. I'll try to be a little more understanding next time and keep my chuckles on the inside.
Jamie, don't get any crazy ideas...your futile attempts at special treatment over such slight impairments will still be in vain.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Oh My...I think this may be very true
Your Inner Child Is Angry |
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Scooby Doo and the Mysterious Salad
A short time later, after visiting treehousetv.com on the computer for a little while, Erykah stated that she was "kinda hungry" and I asked her if she would like to have some of my salad for supper. She agreed and sat down at the table.
"Uh, what's that?" she asked, pointing
"Those are pine nuts." I replied
"Oh"
Silence...
"Auntie Myrna, what do pine nuts taste like?"
"They're good. Try 'em." I say, pouring dressing on our salads.
She picks one up.
"I dun like 'em." she decides and she smacks her lips together and kinda sticks out her tongue as if to emphasize the "blech".
"Ok," I say, "Well just eat the greens and the cheese with the dressing then."
She picks up a tidbit of cheese and eats. I have already begun digging in and notice out of the corner of my eye that she has scrunched up her nose in that "I'm not too sure about this" pose.
"Um, Auntie Myrna? I think I need more sauce."
"Okay" and I pour on a little more of the orange coloured PC mango salad dressing.
I continue to eat and try not to pay attention to Erykah as she continues sampling this new salad.
But, she has decided.
"Um, Auntie Myrna...this salad tastes kinda Mys-te-ri-ous..." breaking down every syllable to punctuate the word. She puts down her fork.
"Mysterious, eh?"
"Yeah, I think I wanna go have my dads supper. He's having meat!"
Ha! Ha! I was chuckling to myself on the inside but tried to remain non-chalant on the exterior and simply stated, "I'm almost done now and then I'll bring you upstairs."
"Ok Auntie Myrna"
I later deliver her back to her father for supper. I guess Auntie's are only good for so much...I'll have to stick with sewing Scooby socks and keep the salads for myself.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Breathe (2am) by Anna Nalick
2 AM and she calls me 'cause I'm still awake,
"Can you help me unravel my latest mistake?,
I don't love him. Winter just wasn't my season"
Yeah we walk through the doors, so accusing their eyes
Like they have any right at all to criticize,
Hypocrites. You're all here for the very same reason'
Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button, girl.
So cradle your head in your hands
And breathe... just breathe, Oh breathe, just breathe
In May he turn 21 on the base at Fort Bliss
"Just a Day", he said down to the flask in his fist,
"Ain't been sober, since maybe October of last year."
Here in town you can tell he's been down for a while,
But, my God, it's so beautiful when the boy smiles,
Wanna hold him. Maybe I'll just sing about it.
Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table.
No one can find the rewind button, boys,
So cradle your head in your hands,
And breathe... just breathe,Oh breathe, just breathe
There's a light at each end of this tunnel, You shout
'cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
And these mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again
If you only try turning around.
2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song
If I get it all down on paper, it's no longer
inside of me, Threatening the life it belongs to
And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them, however you want to
But you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button now
Sing it if you understand. and breathe, just breathe
woah breathe, just breathe,Oh breathe, just breathe,Oh breathe, just breathe.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Thankful
I was on my lunch break and he walked into the kitchen. I don't quite remember how the conversation started. Typical office small talk I suppose. Something like, "Ah, work! Life sucks and then you die".
I replied, "It's not death that bothers me, it's the process of dying."
"Ya know Myrna", he says, "it doesn't matter. There's nothing after this. We live in hell and that's it."
I was taken aback. "Nah, there's gotta be more", I said, "But I'd rather believe and find out I'm wrong, that there's nothing in the end, rather than not believe and find out that there really is an eternity."
He insists, "Well in my opinion, we live in hell and after this, then MAYBE there's heaven." He sounds doubtful.
Well I had had enough. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It wasn't his opinion of no hereafter that I was pissed about. It was his attitude about his current life.
"I can't believe I'm hearing this." My voice elevated. "You have your health, a wife, TWO daughters, and you can honestly sit here and tell me that you live in HELL! Buddy, you have no idea what you're saying." I laugh a sardonic "ha!".
He persists so I state, "You just told me this morning that your house, if put on the market, is worth almost $400,000! Are you kidding me?! and you think you live in hell?"
UNBELIEVEABLE!!
I continue to rant and rave...
"People like you should take a trip to a war-torn country. Maybe you should go to Cambodia and tell the children there that are missing limbs because of mine fields that you live in hell over here in Canada. Maybe it wouldn't hurt for you to get a taste of what hell on earth is really like."
Unappreciative bastard! People in third world countries are thankful for everything they have even when they literally have nothing.
"Myrna," he says, "ever since I got robbed, my life is hell." And he proceeds to tell me how he can't trust anybody, he works 7 days a week for nothing, only for someone to come and take it all away.
I tell him I understand that he feels "robbed" but yet I remain unwaivered. "I still can't believe you, you are talking about material THINGS and you still have so much. You work EVERY day! You are rich, there are millions of people in the world who would think they were a king if they had what you have. And besides, it's just STUFF! What if something happened to your family? Don't you value them? I'm sorry, but if this is how you define hell then you have some serious problems."
I felt like I could burst into tears at any moment while talking to him. Tears for him, for being so ungrateful. I feel sad that one day he may know what hell is really like.
For where your treasure is, there may your heart be also.
I am thankful for this truth. I am thankful that we are able to "lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven". It's so sad that we have so many material possessions, we place worth in money, but yet we really do not understand the true value of life and all its virtues. God help us!
With that sad tale, I realize how much I have to be thankful for. On this Thanksgiving Holiday, I have so much:
Health
Happiness
A wonderful husband
A loving family
Supportive friends
A good job and stable income
A roof over my head (a NEW home, to boot)
Lots of clothes to wear
..etc, etc, etc.
Let us be ever thankful! It could all be taken away in a instant. And when it's all gone then where would we be? Would we still be thankful? I can honestly say that I would struggle. God help me to understand what a thankful heart is really all about.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Operation Christmas Child
I just loved preparing shoeboxes every year with my sister and in 2003 I decided to introduce OCC at work. We have been very successful!
For those of you who've never heard of this, here's the email I sent to everyone at work yesterday:
Hi All,
Believe it or not - only 79 days til Christmas!
With that in mind comes our 3rd year of participation in "Operation Christmas Child". Last year we collected a total of 32 boxes to send to needy children around the world. Thank you!
Many of us want to help but are never sure how - if we give money, does it REALLY reach the people who need it most? Operation Christmas Child provides a tangible and practical way to give to the real victims, the children, who are so greatly affected by war, famine, extreme poverty, and disease.
You may already know the details involved....it's very simple:
1. Come see me for your brochure complete with instructions and Boy/Girl label which you will need to stick to your box when you are done. (I believe you can also print these labels from the website)
2. Find a Shoebox (or any box) - or many people last year used small plastic shoebox sized totes or photo boxes you can find at the dollar store or Walmart.
3. Boy or Girl Is your gift for a boy or a girl? Choose an age (2 - 4 years, 5 - 9, or 10 -14).
4. Begin Collecting Items to fill your Shoebox. This is the fun part! Items can include:
Toys (Doll, ball, yo yo, slinky, cars, etc.)
Toiletry items (comb, toothbrush/paste, washclothes, soap bar inside a plastic bag, etc.)
School Supplies (pens, pencils, crayons, writing pads, colouring books, etc.)
Candy (individually wrapped gum, lollipops, mints, etc.)
Others (socks, tshirts, hair clips, sunglasses, hats, etc.)
Remember DO NOT include:
Liquids (these can freeze or spill)
Food items (candy mentioned above is okay but chocolate, for example, can melt)
Breakables (ceramic figurines, glass cups, mirrors)
Used Items
Harmful or "Scary" Items (war figures, toy guns, sharp objects)
5. Pack your Box. You can wrap your shoebox in Christmas paper if you wish. You may also include a photo of yourself or your family or a letter to "your" child. When you are done, stick your Boy/Girl label on top, check off the appropriate age, and secure the box with an elastic band or two.
6. Drop off - Two options:
Bring them to me on or before FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11th and I will deliver to the nearest drop-off center
OR
Drop them off yourself. Visit the website listed below for the location nearest you.
If you require further information, please come see me (or call). You can also visit the web at http://www.samaritanspurse.ca/occ/
I also have a video tape this year which you can feel free to borrow. It will touch your heart to see the excitement on the faces of children who receive these gifts.
Thank you in advance for your participation in this project. Thank you if you are already involved in similar projects at home, school, or church. We are truly blessed and what better time than Christmas to share our blessings with the world.
Sincerely,
Myrna Hynes
So, now that you know all of the details...visit the website and get involved! Your heart will barely be able to contain the love you feel when you make an effort like this to help a child in a hurting world.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Only in Newfoundland
It may seem strange but, yes, there are some snacks, foods, items, etc. that only Newfies understand and appreciate. Except for the occasional speciality store or aisle at the grocery, these things are rather hard come by:
Pineapple and Lime Pop
Caramelog Bars
Salt beef
Sunrise Bologna
Yellow crunchits
Tee Vees and Jam Jams
Savoury (the stuff grown in Mount Pearl does so taste different)
Purity Syrup
Purity Candies (barrels & kisses & peppermint nobs)
Fussels Cream
Bakeapples
Partridgeberries
Salt Cod
Brookfield ice cream
snowballs
Hard bread
Cream Crackers and Milk lunch crackers
What are your favourites? I'd love to have a "Chipper" right about now :)
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Dare ya
And somebody please tell me that Wentworth Miller isn't totally HOT!!!
Monday, October 03, 2005
News on the House
This weekend was no exception with the usual softball game to watch on Friday night (Jamie's team WON their games!). Christa was babysitting across the street so we went for a walk with baby and dogs on Saturday (a little adventure in "motherhood"). And on Saturday evening AND on Sunday we drove to Acton to check out progress on our new house. We now have windows and doors, garage and basement cement poured, plumbing and electrical and rough-in central vac are done, roof is shingled...it's all so exciting!
I was trying to teach Isabella how to say my name. I say "Auntie Myrna" and she says "Muuu-ma" and I say "Auntie Myrna" and she says "Muuu-ma" (stressing the uuuu). It was cute.
Church on Sunday and we have a new Pastor. Jamie automatically assumed he was great because they share the same first name (hmmpphh!). But, is it bad to say that I thought he was rather boring? I suppose he's probably just getting to know his new position and congregation. I'm sure things will improve as he becomes more comfortable.
Soon we'll be in Acton and attending a whole new church - a smaller church. Jamie is worried that this smaller church will mean people are like how they were "back home" where you had to be absolutely perfect or else you were condemned. I have my own concerns too but mostly I'm looking forward to being in a church where I can feel like I'm a part of a family, maybe volunteer for sunday school, bake cookies, etc. all the stuff that little ol' church ladies do...ha!
Jennifer and Chris are now contemplating buying a house in Acton. They've been contemplating for a while. I really wish they would just make the move. It would be perfect!
Only 4 more work days after this one and we'll have a extra LONG (another boring?) thanksgiving weekend. Yay!
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Another One...Try it!
Your Fashion Style is Classic |
Celebrity Style?
Your Celebrity Style Twin is Kirsten Dunst |