Friday, March 30, 2007

I hate whiplash

My neck hurts. My back hurts. And I have a nice strong headache right over my left eye. One-sided headaches always freak me out a bit. But I do get them from time to time, and they've never been serious. Just painful.

I would go to the chiropractor tomorrow if I didn't have to work. But since I have to work in the morning, I'll just take some pain medication now and go to bed. Hopefully the pain will dissipate overnight. And hopefully the pain meds will wear off so that I am not all groggy all day tomorrow.

'Night.

Monday, March 26, 2007

All the colours of the rainbow!

Yesterday, we heard an interesting sound.

Scritch. Scritch. Scritch.

We found J standing in the entranceway, several crayons in hand, making pretty lines on the wall.

Scritch. Scritch. Scritch.

We took the crayons away.

I turned around, and noted another spot where J had drawn on the wall in what appears to be ballpoint pen.

Scritch. Scritch. Scritch.

Very dark ballpoint pen. And lots of it.

Neither crayons nor ballpoint pen wash off with ease. Not even with toothpaste, my tried-and-true remedy for removing marks from walls.

Scritch. Scritch. Scritch.

I am pleased that we have to repaint anyway. Otherwise, that would be a shame.

We sat down in the living room. J played. And a few moments later, we heard:

ScritchScritchScritchScritchScritchScritch...

We ran over to the entranceway as fast as we could. But it was too late. Big blobs of beautiful crayon color were already on several new spots on the wall. I don't know where he keeps finding the crayons. But our entranceway walls are now lovely shades of green, purple, blue, and black, thanks to our budding young artist.

Thanks, J. That beige was tired.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

An open letter to the woman in the red car in the Timmy's line

Dear Kindhearted Lady:

I wish I could find you to tell you in person how much your generosity and kindness meant to us today. The fact that you chose to buy breakfast for the strangers in the car behind yours in the Tim Horton's line is an unusually thoughtful gesture. And ordinarily, this in itself would make a person's day. But you have no idea.

This morning, we were driving to a restaurant to have breakfast out. As we were safely stopped at a red light, our young son having a catnap in the back, we were suddenly struck from behind by another vehicle. The impact was intense, to say the least. We were pushed forward about 15 feet into the van in front of ours, which was the first in line at the lights. The impact that we had taken was so strong that this second impact pushed the other vehicle into the intersection where there was, thankfully, no oncoming traffic.

Our baby screamed and cried in the back. I reached for him, took him out of his carseat, and cuddled him until he felt better. But I was already very sore and stiff. H and the two other drivers exchanged information, and we all agreed to go to the police station together to report the accident.

We spent a considerable period of time at the police station. Once we were through reporting the accident, we left. We thought it best if we went to the doctor to have ourselves and little J all checked out. We were particularly concerned for our little boy, J, who is not quite 2 years old yet. We knew that he would not withstand the long wait at a walk-in clinic without having some breakfast first, and so we first went to the Tim Horton's drive-thru to pick up some breakfast for ourselves and our little boy before we went to the doctor to check on our injuries.

And that is where you came in and absolutely made our day. Thank you so much for your kindness and your generosity. You will never know how much this small gesture meant to us on this particular day. You are a wonderful person, and we appreciate you so much.

Once again, thank you so much.

**********

For those of you reading this who may be concerned, the verdict from the doctor is that I have a whiplash injury. J's carseat did its job, and he appears to be just fine thus far. We have replaced the carseat, as we all know that carseats, just like bike helmets, are only made to withstand one such impact. H is showing no negative effects as of yet, but the doctor says that soft-tissue injuries can take up to a month to rear their ugly heads.

So I am now on Codeine for pain, and may need some physio to treat the injuries. Wheeeee!

And I still absolutely adore the woman in the Timmy's line, who I don't even know and likely will never know. I think she's just the sweetest thing ever! Since we cannot repay her directly, we will repay her kindness to others.

Coolest baby ever!

Sunday, March 18, 2007

But once it's fixed, I'm definitely takin' my new van there


Can you read that? If not, is this better?


You couldn't just say "The carwash is closed"? Or perhaps "Closed for maintenance"? Oh heck, no. That kind of thing isn't detailed enough. Carwash signage just isn't complete without providing sufficient detail surrounding the potential "fiery explosions". 'Cause that oughta really help drum up business down the road.

Get me New York! Stat!


J loves to talk on the phone. And he also loves pens and calculators. So I suppose this picture was only a matter of time.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Exam is done!!

I feel quite strongly that I passed that. I can already see areas where I messed up. And there was one question that totally threw me for a loop. I know for certain that I have lost a good five marks on the obvious stuff that I missed. But I passed, and that's all I care about!

I took every blessed second of that exam. And I didn't get to double-check anything. So I hope I did things right the first time.

So there ya go. Done Level 1. And I have next term off of school, which will be really good. Woot!

**********

In other news, poor little J is all sick again. He has a very bad chest cold, and has been coughing a lot. I forgot to call daycare today to let them know he wouldn't be there. So I feel pretty badly about that, but such is life. I'll phone them tomorrow and apologize for the oversight.

I hope J's cold is just the typical thing. But it's right down in the chest, and it makes me a bit nervous. I do not like the sound of that cough.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

On "Interesting Trades"



So ... Do they support burgers? ... Or can you trade them for the burgers? ...

Thoughts?

H singing to J

While holding J's little plastic dinosaur, sung to the tune of "Flipper":

They call him Dyno, Dyno,
King of Juras-sic.
No one you see
Is grander than he.
And we know Dyno, Dyno
Is made of plas-tic.
Ain't it fantas-tic.
Dyno he be.

Some like it cold

J's daycare has one of those big play-kitchens in it. It's in his particular room. J quite enjoys playing at the kitchen. It seems Panda finds the transition room a bit warm, and prefers to sleep in the refrigerator. When H picks J up, J usually has to get Panda from the fridge.

Pandas prefer cool temperatures, you see.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

And I won't tell them your name

J has learned to say his name. Finally. T is ecstatic. His newfound skill comes in spurts, however. Tonight, we were chatting with the neighbours:

H: Can you tell her your name?
J: Puppy!
H: Come on, J. Tell her your name.
J: Yellow Nee-naw!

(For those who are wondering, Nee-naw is J's word for his soother. He has a yellow one, and a blue one, and he calls for each by turn.)

**********

Today, J lost his Panda. He was at daycare. I went to pick him up, and it wasn't there. But the good people at daycare understood Panda's importance to J. They stayed late and just tore the whole place apart searching. Eventually, they found Panda. They called to let us know that Panda was there. T picked him up on her way home.

I am very impressed with the good people at J's daycare, that they would put themselves out like that over something so small as a child's lost teddy-bear. They really care about J and his little friends, and it makes us very happy.

**********

On the subject of daycare, J has a girlfriend at his daycare. Her name is Bridget, and she always helps J to get dressed to go home. Coat ... hat ... mittens. Then they kiss good-bye. She is a very cute little girl. T thinks she just believes J is a special little interactive doll she can play with. But I know my son, and he's quite the lady's man.

Monday, March 12, 2007

Still working on the pictures thing

Check the "New This Week" menu for a selection of photos.

Hope you enjoy. I'll try to update with pictures on a more regular basis. No promises ... but I'll try ...

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Conversations of the car

T: What is a high-speed Internet free breakfast?
H: It's a breakfast where you're not allowed to use the Internet. Obviously.
T: I see.
H: Yes. Because it's family time. No computer.
T: But you can use it if it's a low-speed connection?
H: Yes. Because then you have time to talk while waiting for your downloads.
T: Oh. Well that makes perfect sense.

(Pause)

T: I thought it was a virtual-breakfast kind of thing. Where the breakfast is free, but you can just look at it on your computer screen with your high-speed Internet connection.

(Pause)

T: I stand corrected.

Things you never thought you'd hear yourself say

"Do you think anybody is passionate about multi-family residential construction?"

Faaaaaading

Reading my Economics. Dry, dry, dry, dry, dry.

One more exam review audio lecture to listen to. Eleven more past and practice exams to run. Not quite enough time, I don't think. Something will have to give. And I've got to take a break, 'cause I'm falling asleep here.

H and J are out with J's Grannie today. She just got back into town last night and has been quite badly missed. We have her magazine rack at our house still, and J will periodically run over and drag it into the living room while calling for Grannie. I hope they are enjoying their afternoon out. I'd love to have gone to visit with her also, but I couldn't spend an afternoon away from my books at this stage of exam prep. Soon, though. Very soon, I will be done my exam. And then, my time will be more my own once more. Well, aside from the whole tax season thing. So really, come May I'll be on better ground. I think.

I am so happy that I have next semester off of school! I really needed that break. But I'll be taking Tax over summer. It will be good to get that one over with. But it sure will eat into my summer enjoyment. :(

Okay. Busy week ahead. Back to the books now. Ick!

Saturday, March 10, 2007

How do I operate the ...

I'm going to try to post this again. I tried earlier. But it just showed up as a blank post. Stupid new Blogger!

Anyway ...

J loves playing with his "Moto", which is his word for "remote control". He doesn't much care which remote control it is. If he can have more than one, so much the better. J dearly loves his "Moto".

J: TV-uh On!
H: You want the TV on?
J: TV-uh On!
H: Okay. Turn the TV on.
J: TV-uh On! (turns the TV on)
H: Okay.
J: TV-uh On! (turns the TV off)
H: Okay.
J: Book!
H: Book? You want the instruction manual?
J: E-Yeah!

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

J and his motorcycle

Most of you probably know that we got J a little motorcycle for Christmas this year.


J has now figured out how to ride it. He prefers to go backwards as opposed to forward. He loves the siren sounds that he can make by pressing the little button on the handlebars.

It's still too cold for J to take his motorcycle outside. So he rides it around the living room instead.



Ain't he sweet?

Monday, March 05, 2007

Definition of irony

I just read a blurb from one of my old friends. Seems she found some old vials of fertility drugs this morning, while searching for eggs.

It made me giggle!

Oh no you di'int!

People, please!

My Economics textbook and lesson notes are outlining the various trends in the labour force. And it is explaining that the rising labour force is largely due to the increase in the number of women in the labour force. And it explains several reasons why more women have entered the labour force. And most of them, I can accept. Except:

"The retail and service sectors of the Canadian economy have grown, which has provided more jobs opportunities for women, especially for part-time work."

Why just for women? Can't men also work these kinds of jobs? And don't some of them want part-time work too?

Whatever.

I've got the power

Lights are on.
Heat works.
Good.

Observations for the evening:

We have a lot of candles.
You should always know where your candles are.
And your lighters.
And your flashlights.
And batteries.
We know where all of these things are.
Thankfully, they are all very conveniently located.
Candles do not give off a lot of heat.
Forced candlelight does not provide romantic ambience.
And you can't study with the lights off.
Houses without furnaces cool off rather quickly in winter.
Noses and toes get cold quickly.
Many quilts and blankets are helpful.
Use all of them to keep your children toasty warm.
Time estimates are wildly inaccurate.
Inaccurate time estimates really annoy us.
Annoyance further dampens any potential romantic ambience.
The power company is really quite useless.

And cold computers make horrible noises!

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Another school update

I am now only 5 submodules behind! If I can just swing completion of those between today and possibly tomorrow night (some of them are pretty long), I will still have just over a week to prepare for the exam.

It's not a lot of time. I've cost myself almost a full week of exam prep. But I think I can pass this, if I can buckle down and work hard.

The trick will be to manage my exam prep, the onset of the busy season at work, and my family and not stress out.

I am soooo looking forward to a term off of school!

I woke up irritable

This does not bode well for a good and productive day.

J was up three times last night. Eventually, he went back to sleep. But by then, neither H nor I could sleep properly. H got up to go and play on the computer. I eventually went back to sleep, and so did H. We both slept late. I had bad dreams. I awoke really angry, because of something that happened in my own subconscious. Stupid, but I couldn't do anything about it. I left the room to study. J saw me, and flipped out.

And now, I am blogging when I ought to be studying.

But my foul mood is dissipating. H and J are both up now, and I can hear H through the wall in J's room. He is dressing J for the day, and singing "Smooth Operator" like a children's song. It makes me smile.

Okay, that's enough. I'm going to get back to my books now.

Saturday, March 03, 2007

Meh

I'm not 100% sold on this new Blogger update. I like the "labels" feature, which I think works a bit better than my old way of doing things. I can get behind that. Sure. But they really want me to udgrade my template to a new and improved one.

If I try to upgrade my template, then I lose all of my dearly loved customization. Every last part of it. And there's a lot of customization here that I really want to keep. So I'm not terribly interested in upgrading my template.

But if I don't upgrade, then I'm stuck with this feature where my "labels" show up as part of my post. And I hate the way it looks. I just can't figure out how to fix it.

My solution was going to be to upgrade to this new and improved template, but keep a copy of my old template and paste it into the new one. But this didn't work. Apparently, my old template (which works just fine) isn't coded very well, and Blogger won't accept it unless I make the coding all nice and neat. I don't know; I think the coding's just fine in the good old template. It works, and has everything (aside from those blasted "labels") exactly where I want them.

I think the solution will have to be to wait until after my exam, and possibly after tax season, and then try to "upgrade" to the new template and add all of my customization back in. In any event, until I can find some time to work out a solution to this pesky dilemma, the "labels" shall continue to show up as the end of each post and look really stupid.

I have more important things to worry about just now.

Like father, like son

Suave. Debonair. Smooth.

Years ago, when I was in my early twenties, I was in a bar, drunk as a skunk, and I decided to hit on this stewardess:

H: Hi! My name is H, and I'm really drunk! It's my birthday! Do you want to join us?
Stewardess: ... Umm ...
H: Hey! I have a suit just like that one! Only it doesn't have a skirt ...

Well, tonight J took a page from me on how to flirt with women. We were eating dinner at a Boston Pizza, and J was doing his thing and flirting with the little blonde waitress.

She came over.
J smiled at her.
She admired his smile.
J dipped a french fry in ketchup.
She admired his skill.
And then ...
J missed his mouth entirely, and stuffed his french fry up his nose.

So the difference between me and my son is that for him, this kind of thing actually works. 'Cause not only did she continue to talk to him, but she actually gave him two cookies when we were leaving.

Smooth, J. Very smooth.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Never mind me. I'm just studying right now. But I'll be just fine.

Okay. I think I understand now. So what you are telling me is that the demand curve slopes downward and to the right? Wow! You know, it didn't sink in the first 9,876,008,867 times I read it. But this time, I think I understand. Must be how you wrote it this time, in exactly the same way you've always written it before.

Thanks for pointing that out.

Again.

It's so riveting that I am involuntarily yawning. Always happens when I am being intellectually stimulated like this. Thanks a bunch.

Now, which way does the demand curve slope again? Oooohhhh, yeeeessss...

Dear ISP

Please explain yourself, as I fail to understand why my homepage prominently displays an ever-so-creepy picture of Hanibal Lector front and centre. Nobody wants to see that. Especially not first-thing in the morning or late at night. And I am quite certain there are more pleasant things you could have come up with for me to look at.

I would appreciate it if you would remove the scary and demented picture immediately, as it has been up for an exceptionally long time and is seriously creeping me out!

No love,

Hating My Homepage