December 31 marks the end of the official holidays. Apart from figuring out what the heck I should ask Santa for Christmas, I pretty much loved the holidays. Most of my cards were sent on time, I mean except for the overseas one that is still on my satchel. That's not so good. Oh well, such is life.
As I have mentioned a million times, I loved being a part of the Christmas concert, in spite of what it did to me physically. Just exhaustion which is a normal part of who I am. I went to 3 Christmas parties which were fantastic. I decorated. Without any pressure ! I sort of want to leave my house decorated for a while but think that maybe tomorrow I should take it apart. Nah. I guess I should in the next week though, if not it will not be done until after Easter.
I was pretty stressed about Christmas itself because Turbo was here. I knew how I wanted things to work and I knew that there could be tension because he does not always want to do what I want to do. Shocking isn't it ? I know that he was missing his family and the big family get togethers that he loves. My family doesn't do big family get-togethers because we are too young and too old. And too spread out. My cousins are married and have their own families but me and my siblings are too young for that. (I know I just turned 29 and I'm not too young but please just let me say I'm too young, please ?) As well it was our first Christmas without my sister. Some will find this morbid. SHE IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVES IN ONTARIO. SHE HAD TO WORK. Sometimes my blog isn't clear. Sometimes my friends call me on my vagueness to make sure things are okay. I just didn't want this to be one of those times. I was very concerned that my parents would be sad and while I'm sure they were, they weren't sad all the time.
Since then, there has been much relaxing. For my birthday I relaxed and shopped a bit. More home decorating purchases such as a curtain rod and a new down-duvet. On my birthday I received a cheque for a years worth of prescriptions so that felt like money for nothing ! I had an awesome supper at my parents that my mom made especially for me. It was so good ! Drew was able to come and that was really nice. I got some nice lamps and a gift certificate to a spa.
The day after my birthday we had a party. I knew that pre-party we had to be cleaning machines which was a major factor in not having the party on my birthday. I didn't want to clean on my birthday ! Especially not alone because Turbo was at work and especially not like a maniac ! So we cleaned like maniacs on Saturday. I cleaned stupid things like the shower curtain and the bathroom ceiling. They needed to be done. However, there were more importanting things. I'm not good at prioritizing during a crunch. Chelle and her new man that has a name that would make one think that he could be from an exoctic place, but is really just from a small town, came to visit from Saskatoon. This was great, because I like when she visits. As well, I really like her new exotic boyfriend. Hey Chelle, do let me know if you find this insulting. I'm not trying to be insulting and I hope you don't take it that way. It was also great because Chelle made sure that I ate. When she arrived, I was just about to have a shower. Once again, poor planning on my part because she had called and said they would arrive soon. But I was soooo dirty ! She let me have a shower. I was all for her and her nbf going for lunch on their own and us continuing with the cleaning but she was all about us coming. Or at least me coming. In return, she made supper. That's right. Such a good friend that she drove from Saskatoon to make me supper. Love !
I was really worried that people wouldn't come. I'm always worried about that for parties. Not nearly everybody that I invited came. But that is expected for this time of the year. Remember when I wrote about Mike B and his stupid birthday ? He didn't come. But I don't care because I don't know him. My mix of friends is often ecclectic with people not really knowing one another but everybody seemed to get along. What I mean is that I had enough wine that I would have only noticed if people were fighting violently. Those that came, came from a distance. Chelle from Saskatoon, Fearless from France and another friend from Toronto. We'll have to have another party at the end of January when Turbo's friend from Montreal stops by.
Even though I didn't mention to alot of people that it was sort of a little bit for my birthday, I was mega spoiled. My friends must think that I'm smart or at least that I can read. Fearless went all out ! That night alone I received 4 books, all of them smart books. For the season I received 7 books and I already had 2 on the go. Whoa. I think I had better do some serious reading next week.
Yesterday I was recuperating with a smile. I was way too tired but I made it. We went shopping. I gave the worst directions ever to the nbf. Poor guy. I was all 'oops, you needed to turn right'. I exhanged a sweater. I received plenty of those as well - 5 ! Yippee !
In the evening I met with old friend from Youth Parliament. I loved youth parliament in my youth. It changed me. But 6 or 7 years later, I saw how much I had changed. They still laugh and joke about politics and procedure and I haven't really thought about those things since. I was never ever that knowledgeable, but I realized how far I have drifted. It was nice to see them and that some things don't change.
Tonight, I am obviously not at a swinging party. I just had a party so there is really no need.
Happy New Year ! Thanks for reading in 2007, for being great friends and encouraging me in my adventures.
I loved being 28. I know that most people think that I take my happiness about being the age of the date of my birth a little too far. Perhaps, but you need to be happy about something and for 365 days I was. Let's hope that I don't wake up in a terrible depression because it's all over !
But I will always have my memories....
* I went skiing, the weather (for skiing) was beautiful, tons of snow, fun with friends.
* First Family Day ever in Saskatchewan
* Bought a house.
* Bought furniture !
* Made interior decorating decisions. This wasn't my favourite part and I think that it will last for many years ! It is getting easier and I do like it more.
* Went a shopping and visiting in Alberta
* Went to Peru !
* Learned how to speak Spanish
* Forgot how to speak Spanish !
* Hiked to Machu Picchu. Once upon a time that was an idea that I thought was impossible.
* Got a new job and a permanent contract
* Love my new job !
* My Grandma passes away (not all good stuff)
* The Riders won the Grey Cup !
* Christmas - I know, it happens every year, but I love it.
* I successfully completed two university courses. Due to my enthusiasm and obvious age difference, I'm officially a dreaded 'adult learner'
I'm sure there were other great things, but these were the big ones that come to mind. It was not a year of absolute magic, but it was a good year.
We are having a party on Saturday to celebrate ChristmasMyBirthdayNewYearsBuyingAHouseandmikeb'sbirthday.
I mention Mike B because that was Turbo's reason for suggesting a party on Saturday. Not because my birthday is on Friday. I don't even know Mike B ! This ensued in 3 exchanges of emails and one slightly hysteric phone call. All is well, and we are celebrating everything on Saturday. I would include Chanukah, Kwanzaa and Ede (which I do not know how to spell) as well, but I don't think that I know anybody that can attend that have celebrated those events. But if it is appropriate, we will celebrate those as well.
Fearless suggested that in each room I make a poster designating what will be celebrated in that room. But I'm pretty self centered so I would be writing Christmas and FiveSeven's Birthday !!! So probably not.
Do you wanna come ? It will be great !
I decided today that I am on 24 hours detox from treats and fat. So sugar and cheese. Until midnight. I felt a little ug-ish this morning. Then I can get back on the holiday train of gluttony !
I received very nice presents for Christmas including some sweaters (5!) which is good because I need some. As well I received a new duvet cover and curtains for my room !
We went to Yorkton for the day to my Grandma's. It was nice but I was irritable from driving by the time we got home. Turbo was sad because 3000km is a long ways to be from your family but he faked good spirits (or at least seemed to be in a good mood) for my family. Which was the entire day, yay !
Today I went shopping for a spare bed with my dad. Now my dad is 26.5 years older than me. But he doesn't have any grey hair so he looks younger than 55. One sales man suggested a relationship other than father daughter. EEEEWWWWWWW !!!! I was so uncomfortable. And I can't tell anybody but you, the internet ! I'm so disgusted. And confused. Because my dad, being my dad, obviously looks older than me. I would hope significantly. I feel so creeped out by the mere suggestion. Please internet, tell me you feel creeped out too and I will feel better.
Deck the Halls with Bows of Holly
Fa la la la la la la la
Tis the Season to be Jolly
Fa la la la la la la la
Don we now our Gay Apparel
Fa la la la la la la la la
Troll the ancient Yuletid Carol
Fa la la la la la la la la
Merry Christmas ! May Peace be with your, your friends and family on this day and all throughout the year !
I'm in trouble. And I don't want to admit my stupid actions. So how can I get out of this ?
It all started with Christmas presents being sent to the wrong address. I knew that there would be more presents delivered (to me) at the wrong address. I also knew that people that live at the wrong were out of town. So I drove by in a non-chalant sort of way. Noticed a packaged delivery notice hanging on the door. So I ever so casually went and took it. I noticed it didn't have a name on it. I should have put it back. I didn't. So I called to arrange the pick-up. I wrote down the address. Then I found out the package wasn't for me ! Aahh ! I could just go and put it back. But I wrote the pick-up address on it !
So I know that on Thursday they will try again, unsuccessfully, to deliver the package. So they will leave another delivery notice. Am I safe ? Should I let those that live at the wrong address know what I did ? I really don't want to. Should I run away ? Should I just pick up the package anyway and leave it in the garage ? I know how to do that. Yep, I still want to run and hide.
So my Christmas Vacation started off with sickness. I swear I was alternating symptoms every 5 minutes yesterday. Turbo said 'you're such a whiner', with a smile on his face, proud to have used what is a seemingly new expression correctly. I am very curious to know where he learned this. At work ? Not likely. Maybe from me !
I feel much better today and plan on being completely better tomorrow thanks to huge doses of Vitamin C and Echinacea.
I will also be finishing Christmas shopping on the 24th. I bought some stuff today, but I don't really like some of it. So I may try to improve tomorrow. As well, some of the stores that I need to go to are closed on Sundays.
So remember my laptop that I loved and never wanted to part with a few months ago ? I got over the love. I usually leave it at school. I can't say that I've had a lot of time for either lounging with the lap top or in front of the tv lately. So I was just getting Christmas cards ready a moment ago and realized that my actually paper hand-written address book is fairly obselete. Anybody's address that I need is really in my e-mail. So I was willing with my powers of the mind that Turbo get off the computer so that I could check the addresses. Then it occured to me that I was writing these cards using my laptop as a solid writing surface. Sometimes my brilliance is astounding.
Oooooohhhhhh !!! The whole idea of insurance and how much I pay for NOTHING irritates me whenever I think about it.
Car insurance = here is a few hundred dollars for likely nothing. And I will pay you lots of money if something ever does happen so that you can take my car to a junk yard and give me very little money in return.
House insurance = here is a few hundred dollars for nothing. There is nothing that would likely be stolen that would validate me paying my deductible. And I don't think that my house will burn down. Although I have written about a number of incidents with the stove so I guess this one is probably worth having.
Drug plan = should be useful. I pay way more than I will ever get back, but still, it should be useful.
Vision care = total waste of my money. I pay way more than I will ever get back.
Dental = total and complete waste. I would prefer to pay for the dentist on my own.
So I received a letter from my drug insurance company that doesn't make any sense. It just doesn't. There are three paragraphs that are completely unrelated. There is not mention of a policy number. There is no signature. No number to call. Not even the date. But basically they told me that I wasn't getting any money.
So I went on-line and called the 1800 number. I was told it was impossible that I received a letter without a date. I replied that I would happily send them a copy of the letter. I was also told that my claim had been processed 9 days ago and a cheque was sent. They wouldn't tell me how much it was for. And why isn't it here ? Mail seems to travel very quickly at Christmas. They also said that they don't have any claims for this fall. I believe I sent them, but I will send them again. So, I was told the letter was sent in error. Fine. And that money should be coming. Good. But when ? Who knows.
I don't even want to think about how much money I pay for the joy of the stupid hassels.
It was great ! The kids were adorable and super well behaved and sang properly. It was so fun to perform in a real auditorium. Kids and parents said I did a great job of leading. Kids. Seriously. Kids told me I did a good job. I'm supposed to tell them they did a good job.
I could whine about things, but it doesn't matter.
I am very tired, while still hopped up on the excitement, seeing as we performed the show all day yesterday, this morning, this afternoon and tonight. I think many teachers were grumbling about me behind my back because the other music teacher and I decided that we were having an extra dress rehearsal this morning. With 200 parents at the actual dress rehearsal I'm glad we did because I do not enjoy displaying mistakes. Besides, it's us that have to do the work in that case.
I'm so glad it all went well, I really love Christmas Concerts.
I guess maybe I have been living at a fast pace for a few weeks or months, because this weekend my body has tried really hard to put itself into a coma. There has been nothing but long nights of sleep followed by naps and I still feel like a zombie.
It's not the normal 'I feel so tired that I need to hold my eyes open with toothpicks.' It's 'I feel so tired that I'm not sure I know how to spell my own name.' I made Turbo repeat things to me in English just to be sure I was comprehending. In case that sounds odd, he normally speaks to me in French.
What would I do if I had a weekend that required responsibility ? Like what if I had a pet that needed walking ? Or elderly parents ? You can of course imagine that another responsibility might be a munchkin, but I think I cleared up any question of my desire for one of those yesterday :) I'm just wondering how 'real' grown-ups do it. Of course I'm thinking of you, Jodi and Kim because they have very busy houses and careers, but of Michelle who works harder than I do and does more extra-curr and has a second job. I can think of lots of other friends who work more or just as much or have less opportunity for sleep and just don't have blogs that I can link to.
So I am really lucky that I can crash for a weekend and do nothing. Not even make a meal or do the dishes. (You see the benefits of not cooking is that there are no dishes.) But what do you do when you can't ?
