Tricky Tricksters

So, as I said before, I love Shoppers Drug Mart. I also previously mentioned how I accumulated a whole bunch of Optimum points. I decided yesterday was the day. I was finally going to redeem my points and I was quite excited. I spent the whole day fantasizing about all the fun things I could get for free with my points. I pondered if I should splurge and get things I wouldn't normally get since it would be free or if I should be a responsible grown up and get things I need.

Like my blog title states, I am my mother's daughter and my mother is a fan of buying in bulk. (Growing up, my friends referred to her pantry as the storm closet - because if there were a natural disaster we could survive for months on the things she has stocked in there.) I have found the same excitement in buying things in mass quantities so I decided to be an adult and buy the things I need.

When I got to the store I looked at their point redemption system. Based on having 65,000 I determined I would have around $100.00 at LEAST in free stuff. Here's how I came to that decision:

Logical right? Apparently not.

I happily stocked up on shampoo, conditioner, facewash, toothpaste, face cream...all that fun stuff. I had found some fantastic deals, so I decided I would use only half my points and get to do this twice!! When the cashier rang through all my items my total came to $55.85. She said I had to use the highest level of points that was closest to that amount and then I would owe the difference. Okay, sure. So - I ended up paying her $6.42.

When I got in my car I looked at my receipt and it said I had redeemed 40,000 points. But my total purchase value was $49.43. What am I missing here?

I went back inside to ask questions. Of course the only person working is a 16 year old girl with the communication skills of Mike Tyson. So - I still have no idea how this program works. All I know is I did not save $75.00 with my 40,000 points.

I did get free stuff and I have a lot of items in bulk though, so that's cool. But Shoppers? You are some tricky tricksters.

Favourite of the Day: Yesterday hockey season started!! I am so looking forward to another year of coaching and I was happy to be back at the rink and see all the girls. Can't wait for the draft to be over and have the team picked!!

A Day at the Fair

 I learned a few things this past weekend: 

• I spent too many years of my life missing out on Rodeos.  Cowboys, Horses & Bulls - So fun!  I need to do this more often. 
• Corn Dogs were always this American thing to me that I never understood.  But it seemed only fitting to try one at a County Fair and it was SO good! 
• You shouldn't go to the fair and miss out on Snow Cones.  I chose Blue Raspberry. 
• Even if a kid has a bracelet to go on any ride they want, all day long - Darienne is perfectly content to ride the Merry-Go-Round over and over.  And over and over.  
• A day at the fair wouldn't be complete if you didn't see someone step off a ride and puke all over the pavement.  
• Avery, the fearless speed seeker, did not want to ride the Ferris Wheel with me because it was too slow.  But she did and I loved it!
  

I had a great weekend away with Amy, Avery and Darienne.  I hope we can go back next year!

For anyone afraid of heights, here is what you

would experience on a Ferris Wheel. 

Just in time for Labour Day...

Witnessing the birth of a baby is most often a luxury held by the father. For that reason I feel so lucky to have been there for the birth of my niece, Darienne.

I forget the details leading up to it. I don't remember getting a phone call saying it was time to go. I don't remember where I was or what I was doing that day - which for me is strange. I ALWAYS remember those details. For all the other kids births I know exactly what I was doing and where I was when they were born. Perhaps the experience I had this time renders the other details unimportant in my mind. What I do remember is standing to the left of Amy, her husband on the right. We held her legs as she pushed. (And pushed and pushed). In the beginning I was excited but very nervous. I didn't know what to do, where to stand, where to look, what to say.... Until I heard the doctor say she could see the head.

The second I saw the head that kid had my heart. Suddenly it was real - and it was amazing. I was so proud of my sister for how hard she worked to bring that beautiful baby into the world. (and she was a nine pound baby...so she really did work hard). My mom was overwhelmed with emotion. She stood beside me, crying, as any mother watching her baby have a baby would. When the baby finally came out we were all VERY anxious to find out if it was a girl or a boy. My brother-in-law and I peered our heads over in unison looking for the answer. But the way the umbilical cord was laying, we weren't able to tell. Finally the doctor grabbed the baby like a football, held her up and declared "It's a girl!" We all cheered and cried with happiness like a scene right out of a movie. Then we laughed, knowing the tally of girls was now at four.
That was seven years ago today. Part of me feels like it was a million years ago, yet it also feels like yesterday. Crawling, walking, talking, laughing, reading, running, scoring goals, cracking jokes & even smearing chapstick on her butt. 7 years. I just can't believe it. That baby has become a beautiful little girl.

Birth truly is a miracle and I'm so thankful my sister let me experience it and share in that moment with her and her husband.

Thank you Amy. As always, you rock.



Some kids sing Barney, some kids sing camp songs. This kid? She sings old school country. Check her out: "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes" by George Jones


Happy Birthday Darienne

Big is not Better

The other day I watched the episode of Sex and the City where Charlotte marries Trey.

I love this episode. I hate this episode. I've been thinking about it ever since.

I love this episode because of Aidan and the "Love Knot". When he makes the bench for Charlotte and points out the knot in the wood may be seen to some as an imperfection, but in the eyes of the others makes it that much more beautiful. You love people despite their imperfections. In fact, you love people because of them.

I hate this episode because Carrie cheats on Aidan with Big. She comes clean to Aidan and breaks his heart. It's awful and sadly, realistic. Sometimes the right choice can be in front of you, offering you a lifetime of happiness. But lurking in the background is the choice you know is the bad choice. The wrong decision, but also the one that steers your heart. While your head knows what you should do, human nature leads you to follow your heart. What you should do is not always what you want to do. Life doesn't always make sense.

At the end of the episode Carrie is left on the sidewalk alone as Aidan walks away. Both of them shattered. She returns to her friends saying something along the lines that she wants someone to love her for who she truly is, despite the bad choices she makes. Then she realizes, she already has that - times three...in Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte.

I think everyone needs that in their life. I hope everyone has that in their life. Someone to love you, no matter what. Friends that stand by you, but most of all don't judge you. It may be a friend that is honest and tells you what you don't want to hear, but ultimately loves you just the same.

Friendship like that is a blessing. Thinking of that episode made me think of the Miranda's, Charlotte's and Samantha's I have of my own. I know I have people in my life that won't judge me that I can completely 100% confide in. Finding that fit is not something to take for granted. It is like a diamond - hard to find and something to treasure.

I am a lucky girl.

Also, I love Aidan. I hate Big.


Favourite of the Day: Tonight I am having dinner with one of my Miranda/Charlotte/Samantha friends and I'm happy about that.

Siskel, Ebert and Sara

Today I am outlining what I consider to be the top ten movies that will always stick with me. To clarify, it does not necessarily mean I think they were the best. But instead, they are movies that had an effect on me. They were powerful. For some, they made me stop and say "whoa" while for others, I just think they are great movies.

Here we go:

(1) Silence of the Lambs – I listed this first because it’s predictable. Just an all-around good movie. Good storyline - great actors. No need to summarize anything here.

(2) Shawshank Redemption – This appears on every top movie list for a reason – it was awesome. Again, great writers, great actors. Even though this movie has a dark side (suicide, murder, prison, deceit) it is more so about friendship, hopes, dreams and determination. And who didn't fall in love with Brooks when they watched this? Sweet old men get me every time.

(3) Deliver Us From Evil - If you are into documentaries, this one blew my mind. It tells the true story of a pedophile Priest and the corruption within the Catholic church. While the church was aware of what he was doing to young children, for over 30 years they went to great lengths to cover it up. It is horrific and eye opening. The film will leave you with a heavy heart while shaking your head in disbelief. It's with pure disgust that I remind myself this is a true story.

(4) Life is Beautiful - (An italian film with subtitles) I love this movie SO SO much. The storyline begins in the Holocaust during WWII. To compensate for their hard life in the concentration camp, a father makes his young son believe they are participating in a game and the first prize is a ride on a tank. It summarizes so many of my own feelings towards life regarding perspective, optimism, hope and imagination. Roberto Benigni was OUTSTANDING in this movie and his Oscar acceptance speech made me completely fall in love with him.

(5) American Beauty - This movie makes you think, which I like. Also, Kevin Spacey is awesome. What I love about the story is summarized at the end when he says "...there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst...and then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain."

(6) Kids - This movie is messed up and disturbing. It bothered me for days after seeing it. It follows young teenagers growing up in poverty in New York City. The scenes convey drugs, sex, violence, alcohol and disease (HIV)...and never lets you forget that it is KIDS living the lifestyle. It briefly took me out of my naive little bubble, where I had no idea that people, let alone KIDS, actually live like this. I will gladly stay in that bubble of mine but sometimes you need to be exposed to harsh reality to appreciate your own life. This movie is so disturbing that when I worked I Blockbuster, they didn't even carry it. The one plus? Chloe Sevigny is in it and I think she's awesome.

(7) American History X - Edward Norton doesn't seem like the most fun guy in the world - but you can't argue he's not talented. He's in a lot of good movies and he was nominated for 7 awards for this film . Someone summarized this movie like this; "United by hate, divided by truth. See reality in your eyes when hate makes you blind". Another dark film filled with racism and hate. What is wrong with me? Well, whatever - it was good.

(8) The Notebook - I wouldn't be a girl if I didn't have a true love story in my top ten. This movie is touching and just plain sweet; I loved every minute of it. I also really love flashback movies that come together at the end like this one does. There are days in my life I am cynical about love but then I watch movies like this and all hope is restored. It made me laugh and cry and my heart swelled with delight.

(9) Little Miss Sunshine - When this quirky family takes a road trip across the country to attend a beauty pageant, they take you along for a ride. It made me smile and the ending just cracked me up. Plus, Steve Carell? Awesome. Abigail Breslin? Awesome.

(10) Requiem For A Dream - a twisted movie about people with drug addiction spiraling out of control. Why do I like this movie? No idea. But I do.


Looking at this list there is an underlying theme to many of these. I am quite surprised at how many are dark and twisted. Apparently I like dark and twisted. Great.

Happy Birthday!!

It's my blog's birthday today!! One year.

In celebration, I made this cake:

Just kidding. I totally didn't make this cake. And as if I'd make a cake for a blog. But I would blog about a blog's birthday. And I did. I am. Right now. See?

(If I don't make anyone else laugh....at least I make myself laugh...)

P.S. To whomever made this cake - kudos. It's a nice cake.

A Bear Picnic

My co-worker and friend Jacqui is getting ready to sell her house soon. So, she's doing the usual cleaning and de-cluttering involved. Since she has lived in her house for over 18 years she has a lot of things to go through. Her soon-to-be husband called her at work today to tell her he went through the cupboards and found tons of food that was too old to keep. Instead of throwing it all away, he decided to put it all in a big box and hop on the four-wheeler to drive it out to the bush....for the bears.

All day today, Jacqui and I have been cracking up imagining this bear picnic. As time passes, this is getting funnier and funnier to us. How great is it to picture a bear eating Chef Boyardee and chugging back some OJ? I can't stop laughing.

We imagine that the bears are bored of eating blueberries and chipmunks...(or whatever bears eat) and are moping around muttering "oh bother" in an Eeyore-like voice. So imagine their surprise when they find this box of treasures!! That is the mother of all lotteries.

There will be high-fives all around the forest.

In a completely serious manner, Jacqui just said to me; "You know, I had a lot of old beans in that cupboard....those poor bears are going to be gassy".

At some point today life threw me a curve ball. Because this morning I was thinking about groceries and bills and now I'm thinking about bear farts.

Heads up to anyone who lives down the line. There's a pretty rockin' bush party going on tonight.....

Thankful

There is no real point to this blog, except to say this:

I am so happy to live in a city where traffic stops for funerals and emergency vehicles. I don't know if big city folks experience this (if you live in a big city...or any city really - please reply because I'd like to know).

One of my best friend's is a paramedic in Toronto and she has told me that driving an ambulance through Toronto traffic is awful and people do not give them the right of way. Horrible.

Yesterday was a busy Saturday afternoon and as I was driving through town I saw a funeral procession. I was so pleased to see everyone pull over and wait. It is nice to have that still moment where life just stops to pay respect to someone who has passed.

I live in a good place. And I like that.

Favourite(s) of the Day: Two things: (1) Winning 2nd place in my women's finals today!! (2) After spending the last two nights sleeping in a tent, I am quite happy to be in my warm, soft bed listening to a rainstorm and ready for dreamland. Goodnight.

Bumcials

I know I am biased in thinking my nieces are the funniest kids on the planet. They make me laugh all the time.  Here is yet another example of how they put a smile on my face:

We were eating dinner at my parents one night.  Usually when this takes place, there is a constant background noise of four girls running around, giggling and screaming.  On this particular day they were being unusually quiet.  After awhile, I was curious. I knew they were playing in my old bedroom so I went to find them.  They were no longer in there but I found this note on the bed: 

Later, as we sat down for dinner I said "So, ladies, I was wondering what a bumcial is?" Ryea, the oldest, turned red as the others began to giggle.   They explained they were running their own spa.  They were offering facials, pedicures, manicures and as noted above, bumcials and bellycials.  I asked what a bumcial was. They explained it was similar to a facial, where you'd get some nice cream and cucumbers put on your bum. 

The rest of the conversation went like this:

Auntie Sara:   "Hmm, well that sounds nice" 

Ryea: "Ya, except we didn't have any of that stuff" 

Auntie Sara: "What did you have" 

Jana: "well, we found this old chapstick" 

Auntie Sara: "Lovely.  Did anyone get a bumcial?" 

Jana: "DARIENNE!!!  She has chapstick on her butt!!" 

This was followed by erupted laughter....including my own.  

God, I love those kids. 

Myself and Darienne...the lucky recipient of the bumcial 

Favourite of the Day:  I slept for 13 hours last night!! It was much needed sleep and felt good.

This was a good day...

I haven't shared a Roy story in awhile. This one is short but sweet.

Opening Scene: I am sitting on the couch watching t.v. Roy emerges from his bedroom and starts to put on his shoes. It is probably around 8pm or so. Wondering where he could be going at this hour, my curiosity is peaked.

Sara: "So, where are you headed?"

Roy: "To catch a wolverine."

Sara: "WHAT?"

Roy: "Ya, I've been reading about them in my new book from the library. I found out what forests they live in too. I think I can catch one. "

Sara: (trying to be supportive and not sarcastic): 'Um, no. Bad idea."

Roy: "Really, I think I probably can"

Sara: "No, really - bad idea. You could try, but it might kill you in the process. Plus, what would actually do with it once you caught it?"

Closing scene: Roy takes off his shoes and goes back into his bedroom.



Favourite of the Day: Dancing with Damian to the "Wiggles". Even though the Wiggles are creepy, weird men, I enjoyed doing the "Twist" with him today.