TOAST!

Yum. I have decided on my birthday treat- breakfast out with husband and brother. We go to the same place all the time - eggs, meat, home potatoes, toast, coffee. So as a treat I'm going to do that. I can refuse the juice, get peameal for the bacon and hold the homefries and even use Sweet and Low in my coffee, but I have to have the toast. I always do the same thing - as soon as the food arrives I get the marmalade spread onto my toast to sink in. 9 hours to go!

Especially for LK

For those who are not familiar with Christianity or literary themes - the ease with which the devil tempted Eve was that he is the master of lies - telling them so well that they are believable - because they play on our weaknesses.


I have a secret. I used to be quite proud of this story but now sort of see it in a different light. You will understand the picture and my altered view on this event at the end.

Its especially for LK who I hope will see the humour in it.

I worked as a volunteer for a great number of hours. I absolutely loved the job - it was working with helping people finding info they needed. I was out of high school and looking for work having determined that my first career choice was not going to work out.

The head of the volunteers was a real nutcase. She was very needy and manipulated people. I didn't really understand it at the time but now I see her busy ways and continual drama was to compensate for something else missing in her life.

After over a year of solid volunteer work I noticed that volunteers would suddenly leave. People who had volunteered or a long time would suddenly quit. One afternoon I was asked to work and one of the older workers was offended that I was there - she didn't feel that she needed the help. She told me very clearly that if the boss did not call her back by the end of the week she would not come back.

Well the boss didn't call back. I felt a sense of urgency but she just kept brushing it off. She brushed the volunteer off as well. Then something happened where it was accidentally divulged to me that a lot of the volunteers were there to complete their community service hours. I suddenly realised that the long term volunteer volunteers didn't seem to last. At one point another leader in the service agency pointed out that we would not be so short of volunteers if my boss could keep them longer. She was infuriated and I commiserated with her not totally getting it.

Then one day it happened to me. I was booked to do something and she totally ignored my request for a bathroom break and made it sound that I was unreasonable when I asked why I was not relieved (literally). Another time she accused me of getting too close to my male friend who I worked with and insisted on splitting us onto different shifts. He couldn't say anything because he was not exactly there by choice.

Another volunteer left. I really liked her but I was warned that she had been a problem.

I loved working there and my fiance in one of the few times he has ever told me his opinion told me to leave. In the end she accused me of telling someone that one of the workers was there on community service. Being employed at a highly sensitive government agency I was really offended and worried by her accusation. I had to quit.

I mulled this over in my head. How could I quit and keep my integrity? She would likely say that I had to leave. She would hint that I had done something "horrible". That it was good for everyone that I had left. It just really bothered me - I couldn't stand people thinking the worse of me and her getting away with it.

I hit upon the perfect plan. I went to my next shift walked over to her and handed her my key to the office and said very slowly with great annunciation.


"Here is your f'***ing key, take it and shove it up your a**" And then I ran like heck to the car parked outside before she could call security.

This was the most brilliant plan. My boss told anyone who would listen about what I had done to her. My good friend who still worked there was banned from speaking to me! She also told him to tell me that I would never volunteer in the City of North York ever again. Which was funny because he pointed out he could hardly tell me since he wasn't allowed to speak to me! Apparently a week later she was still telling everyone who would listen what I had done. She could not believe it. Well...neither could they. I purposefully hid myself for a bit so I wouldn't run into anyone. So when my friend told me how she was telling this huge lie about me and how no one believed her I had a good laugh. So did he when I told him I had actually done it! No one thought that I was capable of being so rude and offensive. The little old ladies who volunteered could not imagine such a thing - I am just so sweet and quiet.

Apparently things didn't quiet down for months. And no one ever believed any of the stories made up about how I was a lousy volunteer because the one story she told that was absolutely true was so outrageous they thought she made it up.

That was about 21 years ago. I don't tell that story much anymore because it really shows a conniving mean spirit. I still feel really uncomfortable when my integrity comes into question - I am open and willing to take responsibility for my faults but I just can't stand being accused of something I haven't done.


There you go LK - a story that I'm only telling because you need some entertainment!

I'm a Wimp

I generally remain clinical in the face of others' emotions. Which can be a good thing if you are trying to listen and be supportive without getting emotionally involved. Of course, some people think this is a bad thing - that to be good at relationships you need feel the others' pain.

In spite of this, I do have a rather bizarre emotional side in that I react very sympathetically to commercials. Not the obviously sappy ones where I think "get it together, man" but just certain ones. I can barely stand the Excel commercial with the doughnut, onion and coffee cup. The poor doughnut - he tries to keep up and his roly poly body is a disadvantage. And look that the way the coffee cup's feet wiggle in the back seat of the taxi. C'mon watch it and tell me your throat does get all choked up:

Excel Commercial

The best place to chill.

I had a great time this week going to a local bar and hanging out. Regulars go to have a drink, shoot some pool and generally see what's up. Its like Facebook but in person - there are people you might have ties with and others that you only know by sight. In general converations ebb and flow based on the topic and who is there (and who isn't). Best of all the music isn't blaring, the bathrooms are clean and the bartender is on his A game - showing interest as your glass empties but not hovering.

Unfortunately I can't afford the empty calories to hang about all day. But it is Wi Fi capable and I do need a place to work out some of my sermons which take so long to get "just right". And its close to the subway. However, it is the personal haunt of someone close to me and so he has squatter's rights. Why can't there be more places like this?

Cat Scan

I realise in talking to a friend that I am a horrible person. Well by using her as a guideline.

See, if my cat gets sick, I have a mental number in my head as to how much I will spend before I choose to let the cat "go". I'm thinking 500 bucks. After that the cat is on her own. She balked at paying 3000 because she didn't have the money. I think if she had it she would have done it - and that was with no guarantee that cat would survive.

Now this is really shocking to a lot of people. But I can't see spending anymore then that on a cat that is already old and when they can rarely guarantee that the cat will survive the treatment. Once they require investigative medicine you have hit the 500 mark.

Vets don't like this much either. They want to cure the cat not kill it. If you don't own an animal you may not realise how far vet medicine has gone - there are not cat scans, x rays, teeth cleaning, IV's, and exploratory surgery. An overnight stay costs quite a bit too. I'm not sure that we have gone the route of life support - yet. I can just imagine the court battles over Boots and his right to die/live.

I worked with a lady that had to take her cat in once every 6 months for kidney dialysis. I thought she was joking. I can't imagine the cost and I wonder how the cat felt?

We had one cat that we put on an IV - it was awful - he was so upset having his foot bandaged up with a splint and of course you can't explain it to the cat.

Now before you send me angry responses, realise that all of the cats that I have owned in Toronto came from the shelter or from someone who didn't want them - and they have all been adults that are difficult to get someone to adopt. So I did save one of their lives!

Short Cottage Visit

On Monday C and I went to the cottage. We planned to be away for 3 nights, four days. It was a welcome break at the cottage that we have not been able to use much because each summer I have been busy with church work or an internship.

After C checked the cottage very carefully for snakes I ventured in and got settled. I felt very confident about the whole thing.

Then C found a snake at the sliding door in the kitchen. As I watched is slither away quite quickly down the hall I realised that this snake was maybe a bit smaller than the last one - but way too big!

Feeling like an idiot, we packed our bags and headed home. I just couldn't imagine spending 3 nights pondering what was slinking around at night.

C went up today to fix the underbelly of the trailer with the belly wrap and special tape that arrived from the States on Tuesday. He also mowed the lawn, move all of the logs from around the fire pit. He also did a good search around the cottage. However, he did not see any snakes.

So...now that the underbelly is fixed and the cottage is sealed we should be able to go up and enjoy it. I am a bit relieved that we may not have any time for a few weeks because I'm still a bit freaked. I may look into treatment which unfortunately usually requires handling a snake at some point. I know they won't force me to do it until I am ready but the idea freaks me out a bit.

Snakes Alive - Part 1

Egads!

Went to the cottage from Monday to Wednesday. Lots of work to do there - the first being the cutting of the grass. It takes about 4 hours to do the whole thing, maybe longer. My better half always starts a section for me so that I can walk in the short grass while I move the long grass. I have a phobia of snakes and it is impossible for me to negotiate long grass!

Well, I got most of the back done but as the front got started I saw a little snake dart under the cottage. Hubby clipped his tail - which grossed me out because somewhere there is a littl snakey tail lying about.

We followed the snake into the back woods, I tried to take an interest hoping that I can get over this fear by sheer willpower. No such luck - after trying to mow the front yard I had to give in to my fear!

So we went inside and played on our ancient Nintendo. While I was playing, C was getting ready to do some work on the water pipe. He comes out of the bedroom and puts on one rubber glove. Thinking he has seen a mouse, I ask him. Nope, he says "there is one in here". A snake is in our cottage!!

I will spare you the hysterical details which basically has me in tears and unable to function. First was the chant "I need to get out of here". Once I was out the chant was "Get IT out". The culprit was about a foot and a half - C agrees with this (I think it was closer to 2 feet but I tend to exagerate in these circumstances).

Different options are explored, along with the mantra "I want to go home". Since it is only Tuesday early afternoon there is a long day and night ahead. I finally find a spot on the deck where I can see everything and keep my feet up. C spends the next four hours working on the water pipe that needs to be replaced.

After four hours I worked up enough courage to consider staying the night. Because I knew that if I went home I would never step foot on the property again. I don't know how I did it because even now I am freaked out. I don't even like typing the S word!

Stress Dreams

I get these dreams where the same motif appears when I'm stressed out. Stupid things like trying to drive the car sitting in the wrong place - like the back seat. Spending the whole dream looking for a clean bathroom. Getting on an elevator that shoots past the right floor.

Lately they are slightly different:

- helping some new refugees try to buy clothes - they don't know their size, are stymied by the cost and each get talked into a store credit card in order to get a discount. After the second one, I get the store manager who tells off the sales clerk for giving credit to someone who is going to drown with the interest in a few months. It is also Christmas Eve (a common theme in my stress dreams) and I am trying to finish up these transactions before the stores close.

- a bizarre dream of trying to figure out which "people" are really computers. Shooting them works at first, but then we realise that they have gotten smarter and have started booby trapping themselves to blow up if shot. For some reason I don't actually shoot anyone - but I travel with this person who does the shooting. The stress of not being the shooter is so much about me being a control freak

- lost at York University. My mom and brother come to see a lecture of a favourite professor. My brother goes upstairs to get gum but doesn't come back. I go to look for him and get lost - I know which building I'm supposed to be in but can't figure out how to get there. All the students I stop and ask are night students who have never been in the building I am looking for. I am in a total panic as hours have passed by, we are all separated and I have not taken my cell phone.

And today an afternoon nap has left me with this one (my sermon put me to sleep!). I drive to the church scheduled to preach. The church doesn't look quite the same but I see people I recognize. They give me a white robe to wear. I'm not happy about that - white looks ridiculous to preach in! I try to get the thing on but the arm holes are sewn shut. I curse the pageant director for sewing the sleeves shut in an effort to make angel costumes at Christmas (which makes total sense if you think about them as wings). Meanwhile, I realise I'm running a bit late, there are very few spots at the front to sit and I'm wedged in. I'm surprised to see we have gone the route of drama and sit through a bizarre African inspired offering. I realise at this point that my sermon is sitting on the passenger seat of the car. I try to decide which is worse, whinging it without my notes or leaving the packed church in the middle of service to retrieve my script.

- I also had a funeral home dream - the funeral home that my relatives pick is absolutley crammed with history but also the most chaotic combination of function and display. Old stained glass windows, sitting areas for tea, different rooms where people wait to go to the main chapel for the service. It is run by some old Scottish lady who is actually the cleaner for the church next door. The place is a nightmare and I can't remember why but I walk out of the funeral for some family reason refusing to attend.

- a hospital dream where I still work at the hospital sort of. I get interviewed by a new safety consultant who asks me questions about fire safety. The interview takes place in an open area and the lab techs behind me are whispering and not being very kind. I finally turn my chair sideways but they continue. I insist we move the interview somewhere else. In the new room we are in the interviewer starts clutching his chest. I ask him if he is having a heart attack and then ask if he wants me to call a Code Blue. I pick up the phone but for the life of me I can't remember the number for a Code Blue. I end up going out into the hallway screaming at nurses and techs that I have a Code. They laugh, the few that look like they are concerned at first then start to laugh. I freak out running down to ER to try to find a nurse. I then figure out that the whole thing was BS and it was actually a test to see whether employees felt comfortable in empowerment and confrontation. I promise to sue the b&&&#d for the mental anguish he has put me through - I spend the rest of the dream trying to figure out if it was really a test or if the guy actually died.

I am hoping that after I preach these dreams will go away, I don't normally have so many for so long - these have just been over the past week and they leave me feeling very unsettled - and tired!

I'm only 42!!!!

I am so excited - I just gained a year of youth. I just figured out that I am only turning 42 this year. I don't know when it happened but at some point I started thinking I already was 42. I never used to care about this stuff until I turned 39. How does someone forget how old they are? - I guess when they get old they forget ;)

Friday's Feast

For those of you how are faithful to the Friday's Feast site you know that the chef is on vacation so yes, this is an entry from earlier in May that I never used.

Appetizer

When someone smiles at you, do you smile back?


It depends. Sometimes I'm walking along and someone smiles and I notice too late. I love smiling back at children, especially the young ones because they just expect you to.


Soup

Describe the flooring in your home. Do you have carpet, hardwood, vinyl, a mix?


The floor is hardwood. The parts you can see. We only have a rug under the dining room table. The living room needs to be redone, we did it when we moved it and I think we maybe should have done a few more coats of treatment. I don't really want to do it again - sanding the wood down requires a completely empty room and takes a few days if you want to let the layers dry properly.

Salad

Write a sentence with only 5 words, but all of the words have to start with the first letter of your first name.

The great thing about Friday's Feast unlike baby showers, lingerie parties and other uncomfortable settings is that I don't have to do things I don't want to.

Main Course

Do you know anyone whose life has been touched by adoption?


My husband and his siblings were all adopted - from different parents. My dad was adopted. My good friend in high school gave up her baby for adoption.


Dessert

Name 2 blue things.


The first thing that springs into my mind are blue Smarties. I have a friend who believes that there should not be any processed blue food in the world and the blue smarties cause her problems. I tend to concur - the blue is a bit too bright.

Another blue thing - hmm, I guess the next answer that comes to my mind is the sky.

Mothers

I don't have kids so maybe I am being too critical. But the mothers in my life are driving me crazy.

First, my mother-in-law. She refuses to spend money. Rather than buy shoes that she likes, she takes hand me downs from people in her building - usually at least one size too big. She walks with a walker, is not very steady on her feet and has diabetes (which deadens the nerves in the feet) so I have told her that she must stop wearing shoes that are too big for her - its too dangerous as she is not sure footed enough. So she called to say that she went out and bought new sandals and had her feet measured. I was not so thrilled with the sandals but was relieved to know that she at least got the right size. Oh but wait, did I mention they cost 300 dollars?! Somewhere between taking all of the day old bread from the bakery and forcing friends and neighbours to take some home and buying 300 dollar shoes is where I would be most comfortable.

Then my mother. I pick her up at the airport and she is marvelling at how fast her suitcase came off the plane. Got home to hear a message that the bag is not hers, she picked up someone elses. Unfortunately we went to dinner first so we didn't get the message until an hour and a half later. She hadn't expected anyone else to have the same bag as hers since hers has a blue hawaiian print. Um, we didn't exactly spend a lot of money on it so its not like the company only made 100 for sale.

I didn't mind the mistake except that she kept feeling sorry for me having to drive back to the airport. I don't mind driving to the airport - I'm right at the 401 and Bayview so its a 20 minute drive. I did mind that I didn't hear her feel sorry for the poor people who got off the plane and couldn't find their luggage. Apparently the bag she took wasn't even off of her flight. Like I said, things happen but I think she could have felt badly for the people who landed in Toronto and didn't have their stuff.

And Mother's Day - for some reason we have to celebrate it on Sunday. Has to be Sunday. I have pleaded for the idea that the restaurants are much quieter on Monday but that just won't do. Thankfully my mother-in-law does not have the same feelings about it!

Friday's Feast March 14

Appetizer

On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as highest), how much do you like your own handwriting?

No more than a 4 - I can't write very neatly unless I really take time and I can't write in a straight line without ruled paper.

Soup

Do you prefer baths or showers?

Showers are the best - except when staying overnight at a hotel - then baths are the best because I usually have time and they have those neat little bottles o' stuff.

Salad

What was the last bad movie you watched?


Bad as in porn or bad as in lousy? I guess I shouldn't need to ask - I know there was one on TV a few weeks ago that was so awful but I can't remember what it was - I just remember Cliff and I commenting that it was sooo bad.

Main Course

Name something you are addicted to and describe how it affects your life.


I guess in a way I am still addicted to cigarettes. I dream about having a smoke and the only reason I eat dessert in a restaurant is because it replaces my after dinner smoke. I have been cigarette free for 20 years and the smell makes me sick but there is still something about it. I can almost feel the way that I can flick the dead ash off and the ....oh forget it, I just can't talk about this anymore..., I need a smoke ;)
Dessert

Which instrument is your favorite to listen to?


Drums are great, but not on their own. I guess piano for a lack of an imaginative answer. Worst has to be bagpipes. When I lived in NS there was a guy down the street that practiced outside. It got tiring real quick.

Its All Vanity

Okay, I think I may have had a major breakthrough. I have been aware of my critical nature for some time but never felt I could get a handle on it. But I think I am at a point where I can commit to at least not express it. I realise that my need to tell people my pet peeves is a form of vanity - as if no one else in the room could possibly be as smart as me to see the same thing I see. I guess others don't care or don't feel the need to speak up. Really, is there a need to point out the obvious? And if it isn't obvious its just mean spirited because there are much nicer ways of saying "that's stupid". Yeah, I know, I have some way to go.

Now I am not going to be able to do this overnight but I think I can make many attempts at it. And it will always be a guilty pleasure I am afraid because I so much like the irony of some of the things that happen in life - like not praying during the planning for the WDoP event. I mean, that's sad but funny too.

I am studying a passage in Ephesians and it talks about not being silly and to not use empty words. I am going to be struggling with this because I haven't been able to find enough research yet on what "silly" means. Is all humour out of bounds? Surely laughing is a God created response, and must be good.



If I can get a handle on my critical nature it will make me a nicer person. Its a pretty tall order but I'll see what I can do.

One of my passions.

This is a sample of this amazing photographer's work that I came across on the Internet (http://www.pbase.com/rcalmes/profile). Ballet is one of my things - I never wanted to perform on stage but the precision of the dance is fascinating to me. I'm not artistic enough to appreciate the art side of it - the music and such, but the nuance of each move, even how you hold your fingertips in position has always made me want to dance. I loved classes but its not the kind of thing you can do as a hobby - to get to point work requires a lot of class time which we just couldn't afford and I couldn't obtain because we moved around so much. Watching performances used to enthrall me but now it is reminds me more of how much I would rather do it then watch it!

Friday's Feast -

Appetizer

Who was the last person you hugged?

My last intentional hug - that is go and do it was for a fellow classmate who preached for the first time to the class. She was really nervous and did very well - you couldn't even tell she was nervous - she seemed very much in control. I'm not a hugger normally but this seemed appropriate - that's a very "Vicki" comment isn't it? Analysing when a hug is appropriate!

Soup

Share a beauty or grooming trick or tip with us.

If you put lip gloss over your lipstick apply it only in the "pouty" section of your lips - it makes them fuller.

Salad

What does the color yellow make you think of?

Sunshine and pee. I don't know why. Daffodils too I suppose but that makes me think of cancer. I guess yellow just isn't my thing.

Main Course

If you were to make your living as a photographer, what subject would your pictures revolve around?

Now this is interesting because I was just talking about this tonight with someone. I don't like posed photos but I do like ones that catch people in their natural environment. I love ballet - a very girly thing I know but I love black and white photos of dancers en pointe. I also have always loved country churches - there are lots of them in Nova Scotia and I always wanted to learn how to paint them.

Dessert

What was the longest book you ever read?

I think Vanity Fair is pretty long. A lot of Dickens is long too. Some books have sadly been short but just seemed to take forever!

I have tiny ear holes. And another website.

I finally got my MP3 player working. Well, someone got it working for me. Its great my favourite 30 songs available at any time.

Only problem is my ear holes are too small for the ear buds out there. So how do kids do it? Maybe I have mishappen holes which just don't allow for ear buds. Anyhow I like wearing my little headphones because people assume I can't hear them. I can. So far I have not intercepted anything of note but I will be sure to post anything of interest.

In the meantime here is a site my brother got me onto: passiveaggressivenotes.com Its hilarious and I have to say I'm much more careful in what I say to people - I'm sure there are memos out there that are best left filed away in some dark filing cabinet. I used to have an employee that insisted on correcting my spelling and grammar. In red. She was a pain in the butt and she finally quit on me in the middle of shift. Turns out she was thinking she could quit and get unemployment. Smart girl hadn't kept up with the news that the legislation had changed and quitting was no longer a valid exit strategy for EI.

Friday's Feast Feb 1

Appetizer
What is your favorite kind of cereal?

Ooh, I love Corn Pops. I also love Fruit Loops but only once in awhile.

Soup
When was the last time you purchased something for your home, what was it, and in which room did it go?

Hmm. Okay, I bought sheets a few weeks ago. They are still in the hall but they will obviously go on the bed. We are saving up for a queen sized bed - the double is great in the winter but in the summer I can't stand sleeping next to the human furnace that is my husband.



Salad
What is the funniest commercial you’ve ever seen?

I don't remember. But does anyone remember the Groaning Board. It had a small buffet and then you went into a room where they showed the world's funniest commercials. We went there for my husband's 30th birthday and I still remember fighting off the cockroaches.


Main Course
Make up a name for a company by using a spice and an animal (example: Cinnamon Monkey).

Basil Bear


Dessert
Fill in the blank: I haven’t ______ since ______.

I haven't cried in the Pickle Barrel since last year. Private joke for my PB companion.

Friday's Feast - Jan 11 2008

January 11th, 2008 | Category: The Feasts, 2008

Appetizer
What is your middle name? Would you change any of your names if you could? If so, what would you like to be called?

My middle name is Catherine. First thing I would change is how it is spelled. I like "Katherine" with a "K". I would change my last name but to what? I don't mind my first name but can't stand "Vicki" - I'm not sure why. I don't mind if people who know me call me that but as a rule I don't like strangers using it. I don't like the hard k sound in it.


Soup
If you were a fashion designer, which fabrics, colors, and styles would you probably use the most?

Raw silk is a favourite of mine and the colours would be rich creams and beiges and pewter. I like fitted with an emphasized waist. Also little jackets that just skim the hips.

Salad
What is your least favorite chore, and why?

How on earth do I pick just one. Has to be cleaning the bathroom - can't do it and we agreed when we got married that I wouldn't be doing it. Yuck.

Main Course
What is something that really frightens you, and can you trace it back to an event in your life?

I'm phobic of snakes but I can't remember any particular reason. I used to be scared of spiders and snakes and then one day I was so terrified of snakes I couldn't look at them even in the museum. I used to be fascinated by the large python in the ROM and now I can't go in the room. I sometimes try to do it because its so silly but I have an anxiety attack that I can't control. It pisses me off. It also prevents picnics, walking in the long grass and many days when I can't make it to the dock at the cottage because of the long grassy path to get there. I thought about getting treatment but it seems so stupid I hate to waste the money.

Dessert
Where are you sitting right now? Name 3 things you can see at this moment.

I'm sitting in the spare room which is also an office. I can see tons of junk - my grades from Tyndale - an A- for both Greek and OT Theology, coupons for Quiznos subs - now I'm hungry and gift catalogues from different churches. I'm going to a wedding where they would like donations in lieu of gifts.

Friday's Feast - Nov

Appetizer
What was your first “real” job?

Okay, my first real job was answering telephones at this place where people were calling in for "make money in your own home". It was truly awful. I had a script to read at a large table with a group of people with telephones. The calls came from the States seemed like Florida and the South. The caller would be told that they could sell film from the privacy of their own home. I would walk them through how much they could make just by selling 60 rolls and such. I think there was a start up cost but I can't remember. This was before the Internet - I was 19 and it was my first job ever and I hated every minute of it. It was obvious that I was smarter than the average caller and that they had no idea just what they were gettign into. They were basically given a phone list of people in their area and they bought the film from us. I remember one call where the woman was desperate to make money to help her family. Everytime you made a sale you had to ring a bell. The guy next to me oozed charm and made many sales. Finally my supervisor called me in and fired me. She said I looked miserable and she knew that I would never quit on my own accord - she was doing me a favour. Boy was I relieved - she was right, I would never have quit that job. After that I went and counted inventory - a really odd job for someone who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I actually got promoted in that one!

Soup
Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?

I don't think I have any creativity. I do my best thinking in the cemetery because its dead quiet (hee hee).

Salad
Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when…

I think I'm talking to Cliff in the store and realise he has wandered off. I really hate that.

Main Course
What values did your parents instill in you?

The biggest value has to be to tell the truth. My mother hated when people lied and I can't stand it either. They also instilled trust - they used to leave money lying around and it never occured to me to lift any of it - my friends were always surprised to see a ten sitting on a table. Of course once my smoking habit got into full swing and smokes went up to over 2 bucks I did nick a few quarters here and there - but never bills!

Dessert
Name 3 fads from your teenage years.

1) Early teen years - hate to admit it by me and my two friends each had a satin shirt. Mine was magenta. This was the age of disco. I still remember us all planning to wear our shirts on a Friday night. We had no where to go either.

2) Short rabbit fur coats. Short lived fad and I remember desperately wanting one for Christmas - they had them at Fairweathers. I showed them to my Dad who said absolutely not. I thought it was the price, he told me I would look like a hooker in one. I didn't know it then but he was right - they did look like hooker jackets.

3) Nikes - white with a black swirl or white with a blue swirl. The occasional red swirl but where I came from you tried to avoid those unless you were a jock.

Anything for a Dollar

Okay, the Dollar Stores have gone over the top. I love looking in there and rarely get out without some kind of purchase. I feel guilty because I suspect that most everything in there is the result of low wages in some stuffy factory. And some of the stuff you can get elsewhere for far less then a dollar. Too think I used to shop in real stores!!

Bandages, makeup, denture containers are not unusual. But I saw a home pregnancy kit. Just how accurate are one of these? If you are that strapped for cash maybe you should go to the doctor and get a lab requisition. It just seems weird to buy one at the dollar store. How important is it that you know for sure?

You can learn a lot about a neighbourhood by the things sold in the stores. One Shopper's in a special area of Toronto keeps the condoms up at the front. Partly to prevent stealing but mostly so the purchasers are repeat customers and don't have a lot of time.

A Giant Tiger out in Ottawa used to keep the airplane glue at the counter. I like Giant Tiger so I'm hoping it was to ensure it was being purchased for the right reason and not for the sniffers to find it easier.

In BC we looked all over for gravol and couldn't find any. It was behind the counter because the local kids were taking it to get stoned.

If you notice that razor blades are often up at the front its because they get shoplifted alot, that and batteries. I have no idea why.

If you think I seem to know way too much about what's in stores its partly because I love looking in stores but mostly because my brother worked retail for a long time and I worked counting inventory for some time (a whole blog in itself - I've got stories!). Since becoming Christian and going on a mission trip I don't have the irresitible urge to spend like I used to but I still have the love of window shopping!