Thursday, December 30, 2010

Happy Holidays!!

As my week is finally starting to wind down, I'm lying in bed enjoying a cozy, quiet night. Christmas is always such a busy time of year, but I'm not complaining. I love how Christmas brings people together. Time spent with family and friends is the best part.

Here's a quick glance of just a few things that made my Christmas a happy one.

(1) A Country Christmas Hoe-down.

We all know I love to dress up for Halloween, so dressing up for Christmas party is that much better. I love themed parties!! Plus, Sheri and her husband posted these 'Wanted' signs all around their house of people who were at the party. Love it.


(2) Letters to Santa.

This is the letter my niece Jana wrote Santa, her 'greatest hero'.
Don't you just want to squeeze her?


(3) Personal gifts. Part of Christmas is giving and receiving. While I appreciate all gifts, every once in awhile you get a gift that makes you feel a little extra special because you know it was just for you. I received two special gifts this year.

First, this ornament from my roommate Vicki. When she first moved in she introduced me to Entourage and got me hooked. Now, it's kind of 'our thing' and I love that she bought me this tree ornament:

Secondly, this popcorn blanket my sister handmade. We, along with our friend Lisa, LOVE going to the movies. She special ordered this material and made a blanket for each of us. We often find the theatre to be chilly, whether it is a cold winter night or over air conditioned in the summer - so she made the blankets small enough to fold up and fit in a purse. Perfect!


While all the gift giving, receiving, visiting with people and eating of delicious meals is what makes the holidays what they are - my favourite part of this season actually happened at work. Our staff pooled together and bought gifts for children at our local food shelter who are much less fortunate than many of us will probably ever know. We all have what we need and I am proud to work with a team who recognizes that and comes together to help those who don't. Seeing the huge pile of gifts stacked on top one another and later seeing pictures of the children with Santa and their presents made me happy and remember what Christmas is all about.


~As we embark on a brand new year tomorrow I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year~

May 2011 be filled with laughter, smiles and sweet moments
surrounded with the people who are important in your life.





Favourite of the Day: The girls team I help coach played in the finals of the annual Christmas Classic Hockey Tournament tonight. The game came down to playing 3 on 3 in double over time. Our team scored and we won the tournament. Our girls played their little hearts out all week and I was proud of them for winning tonight. It was awesome.




Saturday, December 18, 2010

Why I'm not friends with Oprah

A few years back, when I was an avid VHS recorder-of-shows, I found myself in the market to land on Oprah and become her best friend.

I used to watch the show "Nip/Tuck" (had a crush on Sean McNamara) and would frequently program my VCR to tape it. One day while reading the classified ads on our local website, I found an ad from a man who missed the most recent show and was desperately looking for someone who taped it. I taped it.

I really thought it was hilarious that someone actually posted a classified ad for this. I can appreciate someone who is that devoted to a television show. I decided to call him. I knew I could have been opening up my life to a whole world of crazy, but I decided to risk it. If only for the fact that I would hope someone would do the same for me.

I called the number. His wife answered. I asked for "Mike". He wasn't home. Clearly questioning why some random girl was calling her husband, she asked why I was calling. That's when my face turned red. He was a goof for posting the ad, but I was goofier for responding to it and I suddenly felt really ridiculous.

Me: "I am just responding to the ad he posted online"
Her: "Ad for what"
Me: "um.......a recording of last night's Nip/Tuck."

dead silence

Her: (mumbling to herself) "you've got to be kidding me" I could tell she was embarrassed by her husband. With hesitation she said "Okay, I'll pass on the message"

Soon after, he called me back. He was SO happy I called. As luck would have it - he lived very close to me. His children went to the school that is near my house. We made arrangements for me to leave the tape in my mailbox for him to pick up when he dropped his kids off at school. When I returned home later that day I found a new blank tape in my mail box and a lottery ticket attached.

Mike and I continued our 'friendship' throughout that t.v season. We never actually met. I don't know what he looks like. I don't know his last name. We continued to record shows for each other and exchanged tapes in our mailboxes. The odd time, he would leave a lottery ticket.

I fantasized that one of the tickets would bring me millions. Then I'd give him a million, of course. I knew my story of giving a million dollars to the man I'd never met would get me on a first class flight to Harpo Studios. Oprah would think I was pretty awesome and next thing you know, I'm playing Foosball with Stedman while she pours us more wine and laughs.

But (sigh) - back to reality. I did not win the lottery and have accepted it wasn't meant to be. Nip/Tuck ended and life went on.

I hope Mike has since gotten a PVR. I bet his wife hopes so too.



Monday, December 6, 2010

The Way I Am

I have recently become slightly obsessed with Ingrid Michaelson. She is awesome and totally cute. Her popularity grew after being featured on an Old Navy commercial and more than once on Grey's Anatomy.

I initially learned of her through the song "The Way I Am". I can't post the video because it's been blocked, but please click on this link if you're not familiar with her. However, do not click on this link you if are my friend and your name is Aaron OR if your name is not Aaron, but you hate clowns.

You can hear the song "Keep Breathing" in this scene between Meredith and Christina. I love the end when Meredith just holds her. She doesn't say a word and she knows she doesn't need too. How perfect is this song for this scene?



Thursday, December 2, 2010

Only me....

Saturday night my friend Julie and I celebrated our birthday together. See?











Because it was our birthday, a lot of people bought us 'birthday shots'. I may have had too many. No, actually, I know I did and I can say this with confidence because I didn't recall any conversation with any cab driver on the ride home. However, yesterday I came home for lunch to find a new message on my answering machine. From a cab driver. A CAB DRIVER. I wish someone were here to witness how hard I laughed about this. It is awesome on so many different levels. Here is the message:


After hearing this, I've come to the following conclusions:

1) We had a discussion about health care in our city.
2) He has a great concern about health care in our city.
3) I shared with him I do not have a family doctor.
4) I gave him my phone number. (WHAT??)
5) Four days later, he was still thinking about this discussion.
6) He thought it was okay to call me at 8:02 am (He clearly doesn't know me).

Maybe some people think it is creepy that he called me. I think it is AWESOME. The cab company should advertise that their drivers really do care about their passengers.

Sometimes my life cracks me up.



Favourite of the Day: 1) Tomorrow I will be 31 and I am okay with it. 2) My sister sends me the funniest emails ever.