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!

My Husband Is Sick

Last night Justin was up getting sick six times from the hours of midnight until about five this morning. And once last night before we went to bed. Augh, the noise woke me up every time. Then I'd hop out of bed, ask if he was okay, and if he was puking blood. I was really tired when we woke up this morning, and finally crawled out of bed at 7:30. Justin was seriously considering going to work, while he was laying there dying. I looked at him like he had an extra head; give your head a shake, you were throwing up most of the night, are still sick, and you barely got any sleep - you are staying home today!

I was still planning on keeping up with my plan, you know - the one I've been keeping secret?! I put twelve in his wallet just in case he managed enough strength to go get something from the store. (If you haven't figured it out yet - I'm doing the 12 Days of Christmas for Justin. Small, well some not-so-small gifts for each day counting down until the big day!)

When I left the house this morning, it was really slick out. It's slowly been getting warmer, and on my drive to work it was seven degrees. When I got to work and took the picture, it had warmed up a degree. That was at about 8:30am. And it wasn't windy thankfully!

I had decided in the morning, before I left the house, that I'd come home at lunch to check on Justin. I was going to stop at Sobey's to get him some gaterade, and he wanted raspberry gingerale and robaxacet. Then he called and left a message wanting raspberry jam and bread. While I was on my way to the store, I passed Booster Juice and thought I'd surprise him - it should be something his stomach will tolerate. He called while I was parking; when he asked if I was at Sobey's, I answered that I was just getting him a little something to brighten his spirits. I brought in the groceries first, then went back to get the Booster Juices from the Blazer. Justin said he figured thats what I was getting him, either that or McDonald's cheeseburger. Yeah, he's starting to catch on to my sneaky ways!

Since Justin still wasn't up for eating when I was leaving work, I went to Superstore to get some sushi for myself for supper. I passed by Shopper's Drug Mart on my way to see how long the line-up was for stamps for the Christmas cards. I've never seen so many cars in the parking lot, and decided to go to the postoffice in Sobey's and hope for a short line. When I got to Superstore, I phoned Justin, and he wanted some peptol bismol. When I got to Sobey's there wasn't very many vehicles in the lot, and I was the third person in line. While I was there Justin called me, and asked where I was at. It sounded like he wanted something to eat, and I finally got McDonald's as his answer. I asked if he wanted chicken nuggets with his two cheeseburgers, but immediately said no (he thinks this sickness all started while he was slicing the chicken up that we had last night), and he's not sure when he'll be able to eat chicken again.

While we ate supper, we watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (I watched it by myself in November already I had wanted to see it so badly). I started falling asleep on the couch, while watching the movie at about nine, and started getting up; Justin asked if I was headed to bed, and said he was on his way. Another day has passed, we're closer to Christmas, and we still have not decorated our tree. Maybe tomorrow, depending on how we feel.

Hot Chocolate in a Christmas Cup Anyone?

What a day today has been! It kind of started last night when my mum asked if I was up for being her fasion consultant - she needed to buy a few suits. It's kind of funny that she's taken up a like, well maybe not a like for shopping - maybe more of an appreciation for it now. (She lost a lot of weight, and had kept it off for over a year now). I'm there to make sure she doesn't buy anything that she doesn't like, and that she doesn't look amazing in. I feel kind of like a drill sargent when we're out shopping. I know what I have in mind for her most of the time, and immediately tell her "no" when it doesn't work the minute she puts it on. Then, of course there are the times when I'm a bit wishy-washy on an item; but generally we end up deciding not to gete the item: if you don't love it, there's no point in having it in your closet taking up space and wasting money!

These next two are my favorites, the first one especially, and the two that she purchased. It was the first one she tried on, and the jacket fit her so perfectly - I really compared all the other ones against it.

When I saw this one on the rack, I knew she'd be liking it. It reminds me of something else that she has worn. Apparently Grandma had something that was similar, but "misplaced" it during a move - I said that she must have thought it didn't look good, and decided to not let you have it anymore. I couldn't figure out exactly what I didn't like about it, but I knew it did nothing for her (we then realized the "slimming" diagonal rotation band of fabric didn't fall at the right place). I had to convince her that it wasn't right, and I noticed she tried really hard with this picture (notice the big smile) to make it look good! If I hadn't finally made her understand why it didn't work, she said she'd have come back and bought it when I wasn't with her. Hrmmmm... clearly I need to keep this in mind for our next shopping trips! I made her put it back.

We then went to a couple stores to get a few more Christmas presents bought, and we stopped at Tim Hortons and I had lunch. Seriously, the turkey wild rice soup was so yummy, and I love the Christmas cups! I used all the change I had in my wallet for my $4.21 lunch purchase, paying eleven cents in pennies. After, when we were walking around Walmart, I felt my good-luck quarter in my right shoe, and thought it would have been funny to pull it out.

Got home, and started wrapping presents in Santa's workshop. I wrapped presents one, six, seven, eight, eleven and the part of five that I have (I forgot to take a picture of them). And I need to buy a different three since the one I have works better for five!

And seriously, Lowie is really the most handsome cat in the world! He was lounging on the foot stool and I couldn't resist snapping some pics of his cuteness!

Justin decided to make some jerky out of the deer tenderloin that we had in the freezer. And with my coaxing, he made his own recipe and wrote it down in case we really like it. This is just the marinating stage.

Justin cooked a chicken, made mashed potatoes with gravy, and "filth" carrots. At the Christmas party last night, when a co-worker asked what was on the carrots they heard filth when I answered dill. Now, they will forever be re-named to me!

I then decided I wanted the tree up - tomorrow is twelve days 'til Christmas after all! And I want it set up really badly, so I hauled the decoration boxes and tree upstairs from the way basement. I set up the tree, then decided it might be a smarter idea to get the cards completed, and left the box in the family room. Justin was telling me to come downstairs and see what was happening, but I was too engrossed in what I was making to leave; he got a few (about ten - who says he doesn't love our baby) pictures of Lowie in the empty tree box.

I completed the last three cards. Then took some photos of the stack of them on my desk (notice another Timmy's cup in the background!). I got them filled out and addressed. Tomorrow I'll mail them, then be able to check that off my December goal list!