Finding Comfort In Celery

I positioned present number seven (Tic Tacs, as set of six cases in a Christmas pack, and a red and white case) so Justin can see it on the couch when he walks in the door.

It's always nice to have more Christmas cards in the mail than there is bills to be paid! We got cards from Amber and Mike, Randy and Ginny, Grandma Bea, and Thom, Gloria, Kas and Evan.

One of the shuttle drivers at work loves soup, and his wife won't make any for him. When we had deep fried turkey last year some time, I had made him some soup and he thanked me so much, and said how good it was. While at the Christmas party, he brought up the soup I had made him. I was immediately trying to figure out when I could next have some bones to make soup with again for him. Since we had the chicken the next night, it couldn't have been more perfect timing. Because Justin hasn't wanted anything to do with chicken since he has gotten over his sickness (he thinks cutting up that chicken is what did him in), I decided to make it while he was gone this weekend.

Celery. The smell of it - that crisp, watery, green grass scent has so many memories attatched to it. It reminds me mostly of Christmas, that smell coming from the kitchen as my mum is making stuffing for the turkey; saute that celery, with some onion and my mouth is watery for mashed potatoes and gravy. Makes me want family in a warm house, the sound of laughter at the making of more inside jokes, and Britney Spears on the television as us "kids" wait for supper to be cooked. I cannot wait for our families annual New Years celebration, it will fullfil the need for that comfort feeling that celery brings to my mind.

The biggest pot we have never seems to be large enough for a pot of soup, so when my parents were meeting me for lunch yesterday, I asked them to bring their "soup pot." Maybe an idea for a Chrstmas present for next year!

This is the most flavourful soup that I've ever made. It's amazing, and has such a rich depth of flavours to it. I'm now am in love with those Knorr Homestyle Stock gel packs. And they really are worth it for a little extra money.

Yes, I live in Canada - where else can you put your pot of soup outside on the deck to cool down. The funny thing is, that it must have been really hot because after a couple hours of it sitting outside, it didn't need any microwaving when I sampled another bowl!

The Lunch Date Tradition

Since I packed up present eight for Justin in his duffle bag, he opened it this morning in his hotel room in High River. This is the first time that he's had a room to himself, and I can tell it is making him more relaxed. I talked to him twice on the phone tonight, instead of the one usual time. It's nicer that he has privacy, and doesn't have to worry about keeping anyone up by talking on the phone. He's back home tomorrow, and I'm really excited about having him back home. I have a task for him that we need to get done that I can't wait for.

Remember our wedding vows? More specifically the vows that I said? Mine included me learning to fill the windsheild washer fluid tank on the Blazer, something that I know I can do (I am afterall a Journeyman Parts Technician!), but have never had the desire or urge to do; why do a "man" job when I can just bat my eyelashes and have someone else do it for me? My left rear tire on the Blazer has a slow leak in it (going to get it fixed soon), and with the cold weather I've been really worried about it again. I made the trip to work this morning to get the air pressure checked. I decided it would be smart to fill the washer fluid tank while the car was in the shop, so I did that. Then I remembered that my coolant hose has a leak in it too (again, I'll get this fixed soon), so I checked the reservoir. It was done a long ways, so I ordered some DexCool and had it delivered. I admit, I didn't fill that tank, and got one of the guys to do it for me! I can't let on I know too much, after all!

While I was driving home, I wondered what my parents were up to. It seems we've made quite the tradition lately of going for lunch while Justin's working. When I called they were already on the other side of town, back at home. Apparently my dad had thought early this morning about us all going out for lucn and was surprised it had taken me that long to call them to get together. We went to Original Joe's which is really close to our house. Everything that I've ever eaten there is amazing, and it they didn't let me down today either. Trying to counteract my two suppers, I just had soup and a ceasar salad (this is the third ceasar salad that I've eaten in as many days - I've really been craving them lately).

After lunch my parents dropped off their big soup pot, and I quickly got ready to go skating. Now, I have gone secretively once, two weeks ago (one week after my first which caused me the foot pain), which went off without any problems because I took it easy and took precautions; I wore thin socks and put bandages on my feet where the top of the boot rubs them raw. I didn't take it quite as easy this time, and got in a good workout. I'm pretty sore now actually (not my feet though).

Wanting to keep up my healthier eating and exercise, on the way home from the rink I stopped to get a chicken pita for supper; my only supper of the night!

Nicole came over shortly after I arrived home, and we went to work on the invitations. She had come over once before, and we cut up piles and piles of paper. Since the bridal parties clothing is now officially picked out, she had stopped to get some gold vellum and some light aqua cardstock. She had a different idea for the invites, with these new colours. I got to work making the changes for our template, and we decided we liked this new version so much more; it seemed like something was missing previously. Since she had moved a lot of stuff out of her salon, and was feeling the same as me with my lack of energy after my skating workout. It seemed like we worked SO hard, but somehow only managed to get 18 invites 90% completed (we need to attach the journalling block before they can be completed). She wants them in the mail by January fifteenth, so we better kick it into high gear!

Will Shoveling Twice Counteract My Two Suppers?

This morning I was on the ball. I rushed to get my two presents ready: I put one in his lunch box, and the other in the junk drawer waiting for him to leave the room for a minute to tuck it into his duffle bag (I figured he'd find it at best tomorrow morning, and at the worst tonight at the hotel room). Justin got to the counter, opened up his wallet, picked up his phone, then looked at me with a puzzled expression. He asked where it was. Where what is? He wondered where today's gift was hiding. I told him to continue on his routine, and forget about it. Then he grabbed for his lunchbox, opening it as he pulled it out of the closet. I honestly didn't see him open the present it happened so fast; I suddenly heard "I like these" - ferrero rochers. When he went to start Hewie, I got number eight out of the drawer and made a mad dash for Justin's bag. I tucked it inside, and sat back down in the nick of time. "What about tomorrow's present" he asked, then looked at his bag and said "you put it in there, didn't you?" Seriously, am I loosing my sneakiness, or is he just catching on to my ways?

Since Justin is out of town working this weekend, I decided to start making my December daily album. I was inspired yesterday by Liz's, and decided I needed more supplies; I was off for the scrapbooking store right after work. I bought more of the Dear Lizzy collection, and some other items that I felt would work okay with it.

When I got home, I shoveled the sidewalk. On the one side, our neighbours are simply the best; they always shovel in front of our house for us! It was just light fluffy snow, and a broom would have worked better than the shovel.

Justin being out of town means one thing: sushi! It seems I always eat it Friday night when he's away. Most of the time I order WAY too much from O-Sho's, and end up eating it all, then feeling completely stuffed. My new option is one platter from Superstore, and not only is this route friendlier to my waistline, it's nicer on my wallet too!

While I was at Scrapbookers, Chelsey called and asked if we wanted to get together. We've been planning to do this for a week now: last Friday I was busy and she had hurt her neck while twisting on the ice to avoid falling down. Just because Justin's out of town doesn't mean the rest of us can't get together - we decided to go to Boston Pizza. (Josh was there and is in this picture, but got cut off with the poladroid.)

Chelsey gave us her and Josh's handmade Christmas card.

Lincoln ordered cactus chips, and told us all to dig in. Okay, these things don't look spicy, but they are crazy spicy. And not in a way that the spicy chicken bits are (those things make you crave their heat!). I had just a couple, and knew I couldn't handle anymore than that.

Our drinks lined up in a pretty row - mine, Chelsey's and Amanda's. The martini's were the special, mine was a margarita martini (I love tequilla and will be in heaven in Mexico). I only had one and I'm very happy for that.

Okay, so when your friends all order something to eat (originally it was just going out for drinks, but then it turned into only me having eaten), and you love food, you decide you will also order something to eat. I was going to have dessert, then thought better of it (I really haven't been craving sweets lately at all) and ordered potato skins - with sour cream. I hadn't actually looked at the menu, heard Amanda thinking about getting them, so I go them too. As I was eating them, I looked at her and asked if she knew they came with chicken - she had read the menu and did know. Not too sure if I'd order them again there: too different from regular skins; they come with BBQ sauce on them and are drizzled with ceaser dressing and sour cream has to be requested!

After our meal, we just sat around and BS'd. It was nice to have spent my Friday night with friends! Our pour waitress must have wondered what was up since we sat there for about an hour talking after supper was done. After dreadfully getting gas (it is my biggest pet peeve, and on more than one occasion I have convinced the guys at work to pump it for me!), I took Mayor Magrath home. In front of Gas King on the North side, there was a firetruck and ambulance in front of the appartment building. After the light turned green, and I got to the other side of the gas station, I saw about five cop cars all with their lights on. At first I thought it was some kind of big accident (the roads are pretty slippery with the new snow), then I realized it was a checkstop.

Since we went through one last Friday on Scenic, I was getting ready while in the lineup. I pulled out my registration and drivers licence, and thought about what I was going to say (the last time I was the driver going through a check stop I only had my learners, and my parents and Grandma were all with me - and I was freaking out, but had people there to talk me through it); I knew I was not intoxicated from my cocktail, but knew it wasn't the best answer to say I had been drinking. "How are you tonight, have you had anything to drink tonight?" Yes, I had a drink a couple hours ago, with supper; whether or not it was the "right" thing to say - it was the truth, and when a police officer is staring you in the eye, you fell intimidated. He did look at me a little bit more than I think he normally would have and asked if where I had come from and if I had liquour in the vehicle. He checked my plate and sent me on my way. I think if I had been chewing gum, or if he had any incling that I had been drinking and I told him otherwise, (even though it was only one drink awhile ago), I think he would have made me pull over. There were many cars on the side, a tow truck hooking up to one, and taxis ready and waiting - very glad none of that was me!

When I arrived home, there was another sprinkling of the white fluffy stuff. While I was shoveling for the second time, I realized how loud the scraping of the shovel on the cement was and decided since it was quarter to eleven, and my neighbours might have to work in the morning, I had better quit. Then I came inside, and started scrapbooking, working on my December daily album with all my new goodies!

Sorry Mum, Think You Lost Your Sweater

This morning I was pretty lazy while I should have been getting Justin's Twelve Days Of Christmas gift stratigically placed. At what I believe to be the last minute, I jumped out of bed to place it someplace. When I saw his phone on the counter, I tucked it under it and waited for him to spot it. I've decided I want to see his reactions to the presents now, and stick around waiting for him to see them and open them. (I am just now wondering how presents eight and nine are going to go since Justin will be away, working out of town. Going to have to give this one some thought overnight.)

Ever since Monday, after staying up listening to Justin being sick, I haven't put much effort into myself. Yesterday was the first day I'd worn makeup (in five days), and my manager at work quizzed me as to my makeup wearabouts. It all started Saturday for my Christmas party when we were running late - I through it all into my purse, to put on while Justin drove. When we were getting ready to leave the party, I suddenly realized I forgot to put it on. Since it was in my purse and not in the bathroom, I didn't have it close at hand Monday morning, and was running out of time anyways. And I value sleep over my appearance any day, but even more so when I didn't get a good rest. Today I wore makeup and did my hair - I should get a treat! Mike this morning thought Justin must have noticed the past few days, and complained about my lack of effort; yea right - he knows better than to do that. I did feel more complete, and better today though; glad my efforts weren't in vain!

I had been talking about a sweater of my mum's to her last week. I have the exact same on in red, and have been really wanting a teal one, but since we bought them last year it's kind of impossible. When she picked me up for shopping on Saturday, she brought the sweater over for me to try on. That's right, my mum and I can share clothes now. I never, ever thought I'd ever see the day that a) she would be relatively my size and 2) thought she'd wear something I actually like, and would want to wear. (Ignore my alphas to numeros - it's a joke I have with Sheldon). Now that both of those have happened, she said we can share this sweater. Hrrrmmm... let's see here, does sharing mean that it's life will now be spent at my house, with me wearing it? I love this sweater in this colour, and really wish I had bought this one instead of the red one originally. Another teal item in my closet, sorry mum, it's camoflauged in there amoungst all my other teal items!

On The Second Day Of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me...

Yet again this monring, I was up and about when Justin was showering. I had known for awhile that I wanted to put this gift card (to Wholesale Sports) in his wallet, and luckily he had left it out the night before on the counter. I really wanted to see his reaction, so when he was getting his lunch ready, I ate my cereal. Because I knew he couldn't spend eleven dollars there without needing a lot more money (or more gift cards), so I got a card for $110. You see the eleven in there, just take off that added zero! Justin was really surprised by this gift.

On my way home, I was talking to Justin. All of a sudden he asked if I thought I had been good enough to get an early Christmas present. Why, yes I have been! Now, I sometimes manage to guess what a present is, even before seeing it. This was one of those cases. When he had first mention it, I instantly thought jewellery (I've been wanting something with a black diamond in it - that's the stone in Justin's wedding ring). But on my drive, while listening to Garth Brooks, I figured it out; it was when I was pulling into my parking spot - it's a concert DVD of GB. When I got home he was still wrapping it up, and I accidentally thought he said "yes" when I asked if I could come in the room, and saw a nice little DVD-sized box being wrapped. Yup, my suspicions have been re-inforced.

When he was done, we went downstairs so I could unwrap it, and look at it (what a waist of the time and paper that went into wrapping it up, just seconds prior). My suspicions were then confirmed. Justin was upset that I didn't have a huge reaction to it, and kept asking if I liked it. I think when we went to watch it, all his worries were put to rest. I had a huge smile from ear to ear! I kept pausing it to say something that I had noticed (like how he talked at the concert, like he was forming his thoughts on the fly, is really how he is), or how I love that his songs aren't grouped into categories (The Dance, If Tomorrow Never Comes, The Change, Unanswered Prayers - serious songs compared to live-it-up party songs like - Friends In Low Places, Two Of A Kind Working On A Full House, Ain't Going Down (Til The Sun Comes Up), American Honky Tonk Bar Association).

Garth is my favorite artist, and will always be. I think I have all (except for all the live ones) his albums now, and most I have on both cassette tape and CD. The first two discs were really great to watch, watching him play songs that I'd never heard or seen live. The third disc is his concert from Dublin; this is the one that made the whole experience for me. Whatever Justin bought the set for, it was worth his money after I watched this. The beginning is him singing The Old Stuff, the first verse of Ireland (how appropriate) during the concert, and a special treat of him singing That 'Ol Wind with only the fiddle player and his guitar accompanying his voice. That one made me cry - I simply love that beautiful song.

Our First Christmas Present

This morning was a bit crazy! When the alarm went off, the announcer was talking about the Twelve Days of Christmas. He said that it starts today - this makes it good that Justin didn't leave the house, and didn't open gift twelve yesterday then! While he was in the shower (he's feeling a lot better today, and went to work), I got some jeans on (I slept in a hoodie) and went downstairs to disarm our house alarm. I went outside to put the surprise on the Hewie's dash. When Justin got out of the shower he immediately started questioning me: why do you have jeans on, and why is the alarm disarmed? Well, I was not prepared for his questions: when did he suddenly become so observant? I watched from the window as he got into the vehicle: I saw him stand there for a second when he opened the door and he waved the package to me before he got inside. Then he called me and asked if it was for the Twelve Days of Christmas. He said the big "12" on it was a dead give away (darn it - glad it wasn't an actual bet with my mum - I didn't think he would have caught on until about day six!).

I looked at my phone when I was eating my cereal, and there was a nice text from my mum: I'm a celebrity! Had no idea the photos were for your blog. This was the only time that I had the bright idea to go back & buy something. I knew I had to get you to make me to see. We made me get it! You're amazing & you're always right. I have a top that you didn't want me to get & never wear! I kept thinking of that shirt in the closet. Gary like the clothes. Did my sweater fit? Gary's really enjoying your wedding blog. I hear "I didn't know that." Love you. This made my day! Two favorite parts: the fact that she admitted that I'm always right, and my dad learning a bit more about me, my thoughts and feelings on the best day of my life!

Justin only ate one of his cheeseburgers last night, so I had the other one while I was at work today. I heated it up, and while I ate it I was reminded of when my mum would have a supply of frozen McDonald's burgers in the freezer for when I was sick. Specifically it was the onions that gave me this flash back; I used to hate onions and always asked for burgers without them. When they forgot this while making them, we had to scrape them off, and most of the time it happened when the burger was partially frozen; most of the ketchup went with the onions. (When I'm sick this is my comfort food - it has been as long as I can remember. We lived in a small town without a McDonald's, so whenever we were in a town with one, we'd stock up.)

We got another couple cards: from Amanda and Lincoln and from Grandpa and Yvonne.

Corey and Nicole stopped by to deliver a big box, with a wonderful teal card attatched.

Justin already got to unwrap a present this morning, so I got to open this one. It's a beautiful Grandfather clock that matches the colour of wood in our house perfectly. We love it; there was some assembly required. Now that it's set up in the corner, and looks perfect - it makes me want to add more stuff, and decorate more of our house. It's still miles away from being done, our house looks really empty still and my mum keeps saying we have an echo (I just had to ask Justin how to spell that - normally he's the one asking me how to spell words!). I know it will take some time, and this is something we hope to accomplish this next year.

I knew darn well that we were having mushroom soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for supper tonight, but I swear the house smelled like hot dogs. I kept asking Justin why he was cooking them, and when he had bought them. He thought I was off my rocker. I then saw the light was on for the oven, and my sense of smell made me think Pilsbery cresent rolls were in the oven. When I looked, I saw it was Justin's beef jerky recipe slowly cooking. It is by far the best I've tasted (sorry dad), and in fact I'm snacking on it while I write up this post; the good thing about Justin's stomach hurting him - he's not fighting me for the jerky - I only hope there's some left for work tomorrow!