Christmas Week

One of my gifts this year included a ticket to go and see The Toronto Maple Leafs play. I'm not a huge fan, in fact, prior to meeting Greg, I don't think I'd even ever watched 5 minutes of the game. After 4 years of watching on TV, I still don't know the rules, but I know Greg loves the sport and I enjoy watching him get really mad or really happy depending on how the game is being played. It's a lot more fun going in person to see the game as the crowd is absolutely crazy. The only problem I had was that I didn't really know what was going on because there was no commentator, and even Greg wasn't saying as much as he does when he's talking to the TV. I managed to follow the puck around the ice for the most part, but as there was no instant replay, or PVR, I had no idea why the crowd was booing or clapping until WAY after the fact.

Christmas Eve was quietly spent at home with our brothers. No one got drunk, everyone behaved. And, I had a special gift to open in extra special wrapping paper. See the paper? Greg managed to save a piece of the living room wall paper that we tore down. It seems that there was a half a role that he found in the garage. I had to laugh, I thought I'd seen that last of that hideous pattern! Inside the package was a new digital camera, and I am so pleased with it. I can't wait to start taking more pics!

On Boxing Day (Dec 26) Greg and I hosted a Housewarming Party. The first guest came at 2pm, and the last guest left at 12:20 am. It was a very long day and I think about 40 people showed up including some of the new neighbours. It was a lot of work, but very fun, and all in all, I think it was a success. I got to play barkeeper, but I'm not sure how good of an idea that was. Seems I've got a rather heavy hand mixing drinks. I had a rather heavy head the next day.

I think my favourite part of the holidays, was when they were over and we could finally veg in front of the couch. Pez sent me this movie, and I think it is my new favourite Chick Flick. I LOVED it! Even Greg thought it was good.

Hope your holidays were as enjoyable as mine.

WCB #81

Mr. Mao and the Dutchess would like to wish all of our BlogFriends a very Merry Christmas! We hope that the Holidays bring you warmth and joy.

We'll put on our happy faces again once we're out of this crazy gear!

Head on over to Tiggy the Tiny Tiger's place for more WCB, and also to welcome Tiggy and Sarah J to Toronto.

The Week in Review

Sometimes, I just have to wonder where the time goes. It's been a week since I last posted but for some reason, the days just kind of blended in to one another and I lost track. I have kept busy, and am very happy that this year I am organized, and completely ready for Christmas. The tree has been decorated for a while.

In fact, I am holding my breath because the tree is quite dry and I'm hoping that a) the needles will stick to the tree for another week, and b) the tree doesn't become kindling. I'd hate to have a forest fire in my living room. But I am happy with the tree, and have acquired a few new ornaments this year, namely red birds, and glass pine cones.

Shopping this year was not at all stressful, well, not until last Saturday anyway. We celebrated Christmas on Sunday with my mom and brother as my mom is going on a cruise over the holidays. At first I was a little miffed that she will be away, but in truth, it will make for much less running around to please everyone. And, Sunday was a complete success. In the past, for some reason, family dinners have turned sour as family dinners sometimes do. This year, there was not a single glitch, even though Greg's brother was an unexpected dinner guest. My mom seemed genuinely glad for him to be there. And, as an added surprise, Salena showed up with little Liam, who is growing like a weed. He is only 6 weeks old, but has nearly doubled his weight already! He is so adorable with his chubby cheeks!

So, Saturday was a bit of a nightmare battling the mall but in the long run, I'm happy that I ventured out and got the last of my shopping done. I woke up early that morning, threw on my track pants and a long-sleeved T, my boots, my winter parka, and headed to the mall. Now, first of all, let me tell you that we have been having unseasonally warm temperatures up here in Canada. Let me also tell you that I did not check the forecast. So there I am at the mall, dressed for a blizzard and ready for subzero temperatures, pushing my way through throngs of slow-moving people (wearing belly-tops and flip-flops.) I was sweating, my feet were boiling, I was thirsty, and I was miserable. I also definitely was not looking like super-model material, so I did hesitate before venturing into Sephora. And, I really didn't know what I was doing in there because I truly was not about to spend $40 on a lipstick for Two-Four. But, when the salesgirl gave me one of those looks, you know the one (or maybe you don't) where she v-e-r-y slowly and purposefully looks me up and down and can't hide her horror at my appearance, and I'm mortified that she noticed, but then she very sweetly(sarcastically) offered to give me a FREE makeover (like I couldn't refuse) I nearly ripped her frickin' head off! And marched right out of the store...and ran into someone I knew from work. Shit! I should have gone for the makeover. It was FREE. So, I made my way home and then yelled at Greg because I was feeling bad about myself. For the billionth time I complained to him about my weight, how nothing fit, how I looked awful. He then very tactfully reminded me how no woman really looks great in those free T-shirts that come with a case of beer and maybe I should stop wearing them. Which, of course, didn't make me feel any better. So, I got offended. But then he tried to cover his tracks by telling me he didn't mind me wearing his "skinny T's" and that clothing size was really just a matter of perspective. Uh-huh, I feel better.

So where was I? Oh ya. I'm all ready for Christmas. I have even been quite crafty, and made my very first wreath for the front door.

And, Martha gave me an idea too. This year I threaded tiny glass beads onto wire ornament hooks to snazz them up a bit. I really liked the result, the only downside was that it took a lot longer than I had anticipated. The Santa ornament is hanging from one of my little creations.

For dinner on Sunday, I also made the third cake I've ever baked in my life. Kristi, from Interrupted Wanderlust sent me a Pumpkin Pound Cake with Cinnamon Glaze last month and so I thought I would replicate it. It turned out very nice, and everyone seemed to like it. I know it wasn't very Christmassy, but I really wanted to try the recipe. Thanks Kristi!

And, lastly, while I've been busy decorating, wreath-making, ornament-hanger-making, baking, and shopping while looking like a sweat-hog, Pez was dealing with the Storm of the New Millenium in Seattle. Her power was out for 55 hours! Thankfully, she and her family survived the experience, and The Grinch turned the Christmas Lights back on.

If, for any reason, you are looking for some really, excruciatingly awful Christmas music to play over the holidays, you must Check This Out.

C'est tout.

Old Habits Die Hard

There is something to be said about having a good eye for other people's garbage, and being able to turn that garbage into a brand new treasure. This past weekend, we got up early and headed to Home Depot to pick up some stuff for the DIY projects we had planned. On our way home, neighbours down the street had some furniture placed on their boulevard, presummably for the garbage. Greg stopped and said that he thought some of the tables looked like teak. (We happen to have a lot of teak furniture that we are very fond of.) I jumped out of the car, took one look, and piled them on the hood of the car without another word. I did kind of hope that nobody would see me as it was broad daylight! Although very scuffed up, stained and plastered with a few stickers, I thought I could fix them up with steel wool and teak oil.

So far, I've managed to refurbish one very nicely, and it only took two hours worth of a little elbow grease. Here is the result: looks like new, doesn't it?

When I get the other one done, we will finally have matching nightstands. I'm quite proud of myself!

Inside Out/Outside In

I took a picture last night of the outside looking in through the Bay window because I thought our Christmas lights looked so pretty, and I like how you can see the Christmas tree all lit up from the outside.

Seconds later, nature upstaged the Christmas bulbs and put on an even more spectacular Light Show. This was the view from inside, looking out through the window.

Weekend Cat Blogging #79

Mr. Mao is back for more Weekend Cat Blogging!
I'm working on figuring out how to download pcitures, and I think it might be easier than I think. I'm so smart (never mind that it's only taken me two weeks!)
Here is a pic of Mr. Mao's first snow experience. I snapped the picture really fast as he was goose-stepping his way across the deck and shaking each paw with every step. It was quite funny, but I'm not sure how much he liked it as he came running inside pretty fast.

For more Weekend Kitty pics head on over to Belly-Timber's

It's beginning to FEEL...

...a lot like Christmas!
GEEZUS it's Cold! Last week it was Indian Summer and this week it's subzero and with the wind chill, even colder. Ugh. I am not a winter person.
Something else: a house feels a lot colder than a condo! In the four years that I lived in the condo, I never turned on the heat. Not even on the coldest day of the year. We had a little space heater that we'd flip on for a half hour, and that would be it. I guess because the other condo-dwellers cranked their heat, we didn't have to.
But a house! Holy! I'd forgotten how cold it is to get out of bed in the morning! Even the cats don't want to get out from under the covers. Yes, they sleep under the covers with us since we've moved here. They do that at the trailer too when the weather gets chilly.
It makes for one cozy family. Thank god for furry space heaters!

It's beginning to look like a lot like Christmas...

...around here!
Last weekend we put up our outside lights in the cedars, and also decorated our Christmas tree. The Christmas Tree is in front of the bay window and looks SO pretty! I can't recall that I've ever set up the tree this early, but then again, Christmas is only three weeks away. It creeps up so quickly, doesn't it? This year I've been quite crafty and have made some wreaths that turned out very nice, if I do say so myself. I'd love to post a picture, but unfortunately my digital camera is not working well and we haven't downloaded the programme onto the new computer. (I'm hoping that Santa will bring me a new camera!) Once I get all that sorted out, I promise I will post some pictures.
The house is smelling a lot better, no more ashtray stench. A lot of cleaning, paint and febreeze plug in noticibles (in hollyberry scent) which is making the place smell even more Christmassy.
And, have I mentioned the weather? It's f-f-f-freezing outside! We even have a dusting of snow. Mr. Mao was hilarious out in his first snowfall. Having been an apartment dweller most of his life, he's never experienced the feel of snow. It was very funny! He was goose-stepping and shaking each paw with every step! I did manage to take one picture before the camera drained the brand new (rechargeable) batteries so I'll try to figure out how to post it.
Christmas shopping is very slow but productive this year. Last year I went out to Walmart on the 23rd and did pretty much all of my shopping there. I suppose I was feeling a bit Scrooge-like and couldn't get into the mood. This year, I am feeling the spirit, and have put some thought into what I am going to get.
I did opt to donate to World Vision this year. I got my mom 2 piglets, and Greg's dad, step-mom and grandmother 2 hens and a rooster. I'm not sure what they'll think of this gift, but I liked the idea.
OK, gotta run off to work!

Garbage Day

There is something that has me a little stressed out since we've moved, and that is garbage day. Every other Friday is recycling, and every other week is regular garbage. Compost waste is every week.

It seems like we have garbage problems every Friday where the guys don't like how we've presented our waste so they leave it behind. This week we have two weeks worth of compost waste because last Friday they didn't like our green garbage can we had put it in. So yesterday I went out and spent 30 Bucks on a pretty green bin with wheels.

Then, there is the issue of regular recycling. The previous owners had left us with a great big blue bin but that wasn't good for the men. They liked the small ones, which then presented us with a problem, because we then had a month's worth of recycling to deal with. (And believe me, our recycling boxes looked nothing like the nice neat tidy little one in this picture.) Every Friday since we've moved here Greg and I have had conversations about whether our garbage was picked up. Today it's pouring rain and because our recycling wasn't picked up two weeks ago, and we have so much of it because of all the boxes we've been unpacking, I improvized and used cardboard boxes as blue bins. Now I'm worried that because of the rain, the boxes have turned into cardboard soup, and the garbage guys won't take them. Which, will leave us with another two weeks worth of recycling that hasn't been taken. I can hear the trucks roaming around the neighbourhood and have run tot he window a few times thinking that they were at our house, but the boxes just keep getting wetter, and wetter, and wetter. I'm thinking that maybe they weill let ME throw the boxes into the truck, if they don't want to take them.

Am I obsessing over this? Is Greg obsessing over this? He's already called me three times to find out if the garbage is gone.

**Update**

Yaaaay! They took all of our garbage!!!