Things I have been up to....

...what I have been up to since I am now on holidays and enjoying the good life.....Or at least the lazy life!

-Went to the Gwen Stefani concert last week. This was my second "big" arena concert this fall. Pretty exciting. And Row 9 floor seats aren't too shabby either. And if you ask me how the concert was I will respond simply: Gwen Stefani is friggin hot.


-Went quading last weekend with Rob, Kenny, Les, Laurie (with Dan) and had a blast. We blew it out hardcore on Friday night (just the guys and I), woke up the next morning had breakfast, fought over the correct term for cooking an egg in toast( we say hole in egg)and the nerds say "egg in a nest". The girls came over and then we went on our way. Found some cool trails that I had never been down before. The girls had to be back for 3:30 so we had a quick lunch on the trail, Dan lit Kenny on fire, Laurie stalled Rob's rented quad, and we bolted home to get them there on time. Once they left we warmed up for a bit and then took off again (just the 4 of us)We had to be wary of the hunters out in full force. We hit some major trails, got pretty stuck along the powerlines, Kenny killed his quad and almost himself in this huge hole and then at 8 we headed home. Half frozen, bruised up and hungry we went to Richer for dinner at my new favorite restaurant "The Timberline" and then barely made it home and dragged our asses to bed.
What a weekend!!!

-And now I am on holidays (if you can call them that, when I am staying at home and cleaning the house and baking!!!)
Oh well a little rest is just what I needed!

ps. Hunters who leave dead deer carcasses on the trails are assholes!!!

Let it snow, let it mothertrucking snow

Holy crap. It's November 16th and I've had my first "snow day" of the year. I have a long way to go, this is not looking good.
Yesterday, (with Dan away) I woke up early, packed my shovel and my snowpants, put on my boots and headed out into the bloody artic. I had a slight bit of difficulty pulling out of the driveway, sloshing and skidding, but pulled out of it and then just about ended up in the ditch. Again, I recover. I meander down our road, going slow, fishtailing all down the road. Highway 501 was worse. Ruts 2 ft deep, and sheer ice beneath. I made it to the second driveway and decided a days pay was not worth my life. I turn around with my heart racing, palms sweaty heading home and return to my yard sliding sideways down my driveway almost hitting the garage.
I get out, cursing the snow, the wind and everything in between, and walk into my house exasperated and pour myself a drink. It's going to be a long winter.

it's so mundane, it sure don't stimulate my brain

I apologize profusely for the lack of posts recently. I haven’t been feeling very inspired lately. Much of the same, everything is so routine…. It’s hard to write when the same thing happens everyday. However, I will try harder.

And hopefully Santa will bring me my Nikon digi-cam for Christmas to light a match under my butt!

I ain't no high class broad....

I hate working in the city.
I hate commuting to the city.



I want to move to Winnipegosis.

I am sad.

I have seen you in your sweaters, in the late night sun at Winnipeg

Embers crackling
in random piles
while
leaves pull balancing acts
on the chilled wind
of November
Jack'o'lanters abandonned
to sink and collapse
into the cold ground
far away from fresh cut
cords of wood
to keep us warm through winter.
The fog lays like blankets
layered
on the road
surrounding the deer
feeding in fields
That harvest moon
glows more brightly
than Autumn's before.

Halloween Quote

"They shouldn't actually call it Halloween, it's more like slut-o-ween
a few eyeliner whiskers and headband for a skirt and no underwear is not a costume"

Actual Quote

"I don't do much, but I do lots!"

Dan Joss
October 25th, 2005

Pieces

After reading Heather's blog all these month's, I continue to admire her for her ability to write without being hindered by worries of consequences. I don't think I am so lucky. Part of me wishes that I could be more open about past relationships and life events. To open "the can of worms" and try and erase some of the bad feelings and get rid of that pain at the bottom of my stomach when his/their name is mentioned, or hen I am reminded of something that once happened to me. Maybe it would help to ease the jealousy and/or make me a better person. Yet, would it cause problems between myself and Dan?
As truly brutally honest as he has been, I have never opened myself up to him about my life before him, yet there are some things that I have never opened up to anyone. Is that ok? Does he need to know, do I need to go there? With him or with anyone? Some things are maybe better left in the past, but I can't help but wonder if he should know sometimes because these are events that have shaped the person that I am. I know that Dan pretends that he isn't very smart, because that is how he gets people to do things for him. I know that his mother's death was the most pivotal and earth shattering event of his life, and that is why nothing trivial affects him like it does me. I know and understand all his insecurities. I get him. I get him completely, but sometimes I am scared that he doesn't get me completely because there are pieces of my past that are missing to him.

"Neil says hi by the way
I don't believe you are leaving cause
Me and charles manson like the same ice cream
I think it's that girl
And I think there are pieces of me you have never seen
Maybe she's just pieces of me you've never seen well"

Poor Bambi....

"Last night I dreamt
That I hit a deer with my car
Blood from his heart
Spilled out onto my dress and was warm
He begged me to follow
But legions of sorrow defied me"


now my car is in the MPI Insurance Compound, broken and busted.

Poor Car.

Poor me.


whaaaaaa.

All in a days work

Ahhh thanksgiving.
A weekend full of turkeys, pumpkin pies and pure over indulgence.
Mine was relatively tame, with my new found sobriety, a husband eager to work on the house (halleluia!!!) and visiting my parents on Sunday. Saturday was very busy for us in a ambitious way; we woke up early and headed off to Anola for breakfast with Willie and Angie at the hotel. From there we continued on to the city in search of home improvement items like plastic storm window covers, a new shower faucet to replace the vise grips currently operating mine, and a toilet repair kit. My my, I remember the good old days when I couldn't care less about home depot and certainly didn't get my heart a fluttering over bathroom faucets. Usually a night out with a hot guy, or a big bottle of Canadian club tickled my fancy, not anymore. I have never been so enthralled with catalogs as I have been since we bought our house. I spend countless hours, memorizing the newest Ikea catalog and marking pages in the Sears wishbook. Somebody help me!!!
Anyways, we went and got the Home Depot, Habitat, and such taken care of, we braved Superstore and then headed to Value Village on a search for large canning jars. I walked out with at least $40 of goodies. One other thing that I have noticed of late, is my new found enjoyment of Halloween and the prospect of "costuming" up. This coming from the girl who retired from trick or treating at age 9. I have always disliked Halloween but it seems I am finally getting over it.
I'm not even sure where we are going but we are going to dress up. I'll keep you posted on my decision and maybe post a pic or two on here of the Joss's all Halloweened' up....
After Value Village ( where we encountered a very intoxicated man being led through the store in handcuffs by another man who wasn't a cop ?!?!?!)We headed home and were due at a social for our friends Dave & Sharon in Transcona, however after a full day of running around, and rushing home to repair a toilet, clean the house, we passed out early.
Movies of note from the weekend were "Lords of Dogtown" and "Amityville Horror" I loved the first one and Dan almost peed himself because of the latter.

Boys are such wimps.

How have you been?

I will make myself scarce
I will make myself scarcely me
but I'll be outside your window at night
pull up your shades
leave on your light
I don't want to come in between
I just want to know
how have you been

Tearing Toronto a new asshole...

ok, so i have been MIA for a few weeks. this is a good thing people! this means i am not sitting at home bored waiting for dan to get home.

to recap the last few weeks

went back to the fert. doc. he said i need to lose more weight before our next steps..put me on two prescriptions and i go back in december....i totally chickened out and didn't say any of the things i said i was going to i just showed up there and i felt like my tongue was cemented to the floor. the little 90 lb doctor wins again.

went to toronto.....blew it out like only a blowout would. stayed in the hot westin harbour castle, went to richtree for lunch, checked out the hockey hall of fame went and had floor seats to the U2 concert at the acc....checked out the guvernment, ran into the ottawa senators (more specifically dany heatley)in the hotel lobby, slept in a heavenly bed, on heavenly sheets with heavenly pillows, had lunch at sightlines, enjoyed my first mlb baseball game, went back to pearson and flew home. sounds short and it was but there was a whole lot more that happened which was work related (which i am not prepared to write about for fear of the dooce

what's going on now you ask?
well other than trying to diet, only to be struck down by the evil buger king last night....(damn you evil jr. whopper!!!) i am trying to be crafty and therefore spend an unnecessary amount of money at michael's last night. which reminds me if anyone sees any large quart sealers with lids either in their basements, garage sales or at their grandma's please save them for me... i'm also on the look out for large decorative mirrors with a large frame. circle mirrors would be perfect. i'm going to give martha a run for her money!!

ps. listen to red right ankle from the decemberists i guess you could call that my song of the day or week or year.

later kids.

EMJAY

Congratulations

To Erik and Alana....they got engaged last weekend (finally !!) I am very excited to hear their plans. Erik has been one of my best friends since high school and Alana is so awesome...I love her and she's so perfect for Erik and makes him very happy... Congrats you guys!

also Congrats to Jasmine and Dwayne on their upcoming wedding and a little one coming in April. Jasmine is one of my oldest friends since I was in Nursery School and we walked to school together. Although I haven't had an opportunity to get to know Dwayne very well (which is silly....we live 7 miles from each other!!) I hope we'll become as good of friends as Jasmine and I have always been. Congratulations!! I can't wait to be an Auntie!!!

I'm not sick, but I'm not well

Honestly ...... Nausea is a form of torture
"No, I am NOT pregnant"
How do I know? it's called a pregnancy test, and I used one last night.

I am feeling crappy 2 days before leave for Toronto....grrrrrrrrrrr

If I wasn't so sick I would just jump on the floor, lay down and deliver the best tantrum I know how to.

He will sleep till noon but before it's dark,

He'll have every picnic basket that's in Jellystone Park

I’m a big fan and cheerleader of the animal. I’m against animal testing in all forms, I’m against hunting, I don’t eat at KFC, I purchase “Dolphin Safe” tuna and always cut my plastic six pack rings before putting them in the garbage. However, last night my views on hunting and controlling the current bear population has changed dramatically.

I was driving home through Anola and turning down Hwy 302 when suddenly I see off in the distance a small bear cub and it’s mother. It was exciting to see them and I was totally psyched I slowed down and they headed back into the bush and waited for me to pass by. I did, slowly and continued on my way cautiously. Half a mile further I see a large dark figure on the side of the road on my left. I thought it was a dog at first but as I got closer I realized it was another black bear. I thought it would move when I got closer so I reduced my speed, in case he jetted out in front of me. I was surprised when he didn’t even budge as close as I was and eventually my car was within a few feet of it. It looked right up at me, unconcerned and then as I slowly made my way past he put his head back down and continued to nibble at the long grass on the edge of the road.
My heart pounding, I continued on my way, being only 6 miles from home. This was the closest encounter of any kind with any type of wildlife (the exception being the little fawn they had at Whyte Ridge that we used to go and visit) and although I was really excited, I was upset to see these animals so unafraid of people. Thinking back to that couple in Ontario who were mauled by that bear last weekend as well as countless others who were killed or seriously hurt by these beautiful animals, I was worried for my own safety, As I pulled around the corner into town I saw 3 more in the distance.
There has to be a humane way to control these animals and keep them away from populated areas. 6 bears in a distance of 7 miles is unusual and concerning. Also moose in mall parking lots, like the one in Sobey’s parking lot this morning is concerning too.

Poor moosey’s, poor bearies. :(

Guess what day it is.............

Season 3 Baby!!
I am so excited I might pee my pants. This is the happiest day in weeks.

HOURAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY

Too little, too late

"I stood and watched my daddy die
No one could help his plight
He was trying to save our home
On the day that the river rose
Well, it came alive
I heard them say
and there was nothing we could do
as he washed away"

I'm not sure how this post will turn out. I had written most of it when the most horrific events were happening in New Orleans, and I couldn't finish it. I don't handle disasters well. I was emotionally wrecked for September 11th. It was an event that although I was not at all involved, I lived so far away and I really had no connection to it, it affected me deeply. The horrors of Hurricane Katrina has had the same effect. I try to put myself in their shoes and I can't. I try to imagine how I would survive, what I would do if I had children to care for during it and it's impossible to know what you would do yourself. I despise looters but yet I cannot guarantee you that I would not loot for clean water and food for my kids (if I had them)It makes me sick to my stomach to see them hauling off with 7 boxes of Nike shoes, cases and cases of beer, stereos....Their pictures are all on national news shows, splashed across the internet. I hope that after everyone is rescued and they start investigating how this all happened, I hope they track down these people and make them each work at least 1000 hrs of community service. Give them the choice between that or jail time.

As for the government and administration I won't dignify them (or people that feel the need to drag people down with their comments) with my opinion on the relief effort. People far more eloquent than me have said it better and their opinions very closely match mine (check out Dooce, Blurbomat, Suburban Bliss. People that know me well know my position on this matter.

My thoughts are with those devastated by this disaster.

This will be the only post on this matter, enough has already been said.

Sing ....Sing a song.....

Sex (I'm a)- Lovage



mmmmmmmmmm baby. You have to hear it for yourself and you will know what I mean.

Jungle babies for you, jungle babies for me.

Truth is the flame we must burn

Didn't do very well on this song of the day thing now did I?

Well here's today's song of the day. No one ever said I followed the rules. Even my own rules.

Love Song- Sheila Nichols

good song about a bad breakup. It has a very ethereal beachy feel to it and would be a fantastic song to listen to on a verandah on a late candelit night. Go get it people!!!

ps. check out my flickr I put some new pictures up.

Wish you were here

"I dig my toes into the sand
the ocean looks like a thousand diamonds
strewn across a blue blanket
I lean against the wind
pretend that I am weightless
and in this moment I am happy, happy"

Awesome weekend at the beach with Diane and Austin (5) & Alicia (3). We were lucky to have Dan go out to the campsite early and set up so that once we arrived we just made dinner and chilled out. The kids were excited to sleep in the trailer, especially Ally who proclaimed that "it's dark, need go bed now" at 7 o'clock. We cooked some hot dogs and marshmallows on the campfire put the kids to bed (to which they went happily and fell asleep so quickly!) Diane, Dan and I stayed up and consumed a few wobblies and then staggered off to bed. The trailer is pretty neat. There is a little kitchenette complete with sink, propane stove and cupboards. A small table and double beds at each end. Diane had to squish in with the kids mostly because they sleep like Dan (spread out like they own the place) but we were so tired we didn't care. Saturday morning the kids woke up about 6 and Diane was nice enough to take them for a little walk around the campsite to let Dan and I catch a few more winks. This ended up being a good thing as Dan seemed to have drank more than he remembered and was a grouchy old bear until about supper time. Regardless, we woke up and Dan made a great breakfast (hole in egg, bacon, hashbrowns....mmmmm)About lunchtime we discovered that Dan's truck had a flat tire and we could actually see and hear the hole where the air was coming out. So we all walked to Diane's van packed in, and headed off in search of a garage. This proved to be more difficult than we thought. Grand Beach certainly isn't what it was. Bad weather over the years has certainly caused a downfall in business in Grand Beach, everything is either boarded up or else up for sale and run down. It sure isn't the Grand Beach I grew up with.
We finally stumbled across a small dilapidated garage but their compressor was not working so they sent us to another scary garage and they said they fixed it and they did ...sort of.....it was leaking again (although more slowly) by the time we got back from the arcade and ice cream in Grand Marais.
We also went for a long walk along the beach picking up cool stones and finding seashells. The kids were really good about walking as far we did, even when Ally's pockets were filled with rocks she and I had picked up.
We got back in the afternoon, stopped by the showers, Austin fell off the slide and got a sand face painting....( picture will be uploaded soon) he was ok and we headed off back to the campsite for a gourmet meal....Dan cooked us up some gorgeous ribeyes and some baked potatoes. Allies ate hers in a river of barbecue sauce ( that girl must have some French blood in her) and Austin ( Mr. Hollow leg) did awesome as well. The kids had a slight bit more of candy and junk food in their system so as expected bedtime didn't go as smoothly as it did on Friday, but still reasonably well. Diane, Dan and I stayed up as long as our eyelids would let us and we crawled into our beds and fell fast asleep.
Sunday morning came quickly and the kids were up at the crack of dawn but again everyone let good old Auntie Mindy sleep a little longer. We had a fantastic breakfast again with some amaretto coffee and started to pack up the trailer. The kids did really good helping Dan pack it up. It was so cute to see Ally bent over, imitating Dan underneath the trailer. It didn't take us very long to pack everything up and we were back on the road at 10:30. Taking the 302 back home sure gets us home quickly. It takes about 40 minutes exactly to leave the campground to my front door. Which is wicked since it takes me closer to an hour to get to work.
Well it sure was an awesome weekend. It was so nice to go camping again. Just seeing Dan so happy and content being outside is so perfect, and I love Diane and those kids so much. It's so refreshing to be around such genuine good people.
I can't wait to go again.