So long, 2010

As seems to be the popular fashion today, everyone I know is writing their "goodbye" to 2010 and reflecting on the year they had. 

Never one to buckle to peer pressure (haha) I am going to follow suit. 

Only, though, because I want to.

Not because everyone else is. 

I swear. 

So, one of the Blogs I read belongs to B.A. and you can find it here

Today, she posted a great lil post about the year, broken down by month, and what happened in each month, complete with links and photos going back to her posts that she's done over the year. 

I love this idea. 

But, as I have not put nearly enough thought in to the year to break it down by months, I will merely attempt a chronological retelling of the year. 

Without cool links to my previous posts. 

So, to recap my year ...
Winter...the first half of the year started out a little rocky. I split with my longtime boyfriend whom I complained about quite a bit on this blog. He was messy, lazy and didn't work consistently. 

We went through some pretty major financial ... shit. And it sucked. And at the time, I blamed him. A lot. For everything. Whether that was right or wrong, at the time that was how I felt. 

Looking back on it, you know, it probably wasn't entirely his fault and I was a little hard on him. But at the time, that was how I felt and there was precious little he was doing to change that view of mine. 

So, we made the decision to split up. 

Actually, truth be told, I think I made the decision when I woke up on "Christmas" day to find that he had left in the  middle of the night and wasn't returning my messages, answering my calls or emails. Oh, and did I mention he took my car, to boot?
Thus, the new year began with me at my folks place, and found me in the coming months looking for an apartment of my own.

Spring...And I found one.
Coincidentally enough, in a little building my father had lived in when he first moved out here. It was furnished and paid for by his company and served as "home" before he and my mother purchased their new house.
Funny how that works ... just about 4 years to the day, I moved in to a brand-spanking new apartment. And I live there still. Though I still haven't made it my own. Yet.
That was April.

May found me on a plane to visit a very dear friend that I hadn't seen in four plus years. The rest of the summer found me on that same air-route to the same destination to see that same friend ... and as it turns out, her fiance's best friend with whom I had developed somewhat of a romantic relationship.
Those first few months on my own were tough. Really tough.
So tough, in fact, that I spent the first night in my apartment not in my apartment at all.
I was lonely and scared and sad and just. couldn't. do it.
So I packed up and spent the next few nights at my mum and dad's.
When I finally thought I had the nerve to sleep in my own place, I realized I was wrong and begged my little sister to stay the night with me. It wasn't until night 5 that I slept there alone.
But I started a lot of searching for me and doing things for me and spending money on me and made those first few months about me. A lot about me. And it felt good.
I started walking to and from work and also going for walks on the weekends and in the evenings. Long walks. Like more than an hour long walks.
I felt great.

Summer...A really good friend of mine got married in July and I spent two weeks away from work, away from home, vacationing back east, capping my trip off with her wedding.
Her fabulous, beautiful wedding that I was so honored to be invited to.
Though it was only fitting, considering 5 years before I had introduced her to this man that she would eventually marry.
Matchmaking success!!

Fall... came, and with it some decisions about my life. I was given the opportunity to plan this fabulous event. Well, really, it was just an event until I took it over. (haha) then it became fabulous.
It gained me some international recognition within my company and put me in a position where I was offered a job in Houston. Sadly, once I had made the decision that I could uproot my life and start over and that it was a good time a great opportunity, etc etc, I was told that the company had decided to go in a different direction.
This got me started thinking about a new tattoo. (Odd? sure. Left field? Definitely. But I promise, in a year, when I finally decide whether or not it's something I actually want to do, it will ALL make sense.)

Winter...got me thinking about my worth within this company and what I wanted to be doing in the next five to ten years. So what do I want to do?
Well, the opportunity for me to take on a bit of a Human Resources Role was presented. After a chat with the president of our company (where he told me that he appreciates everything I do and that he sees a greater role for me in the coming years...!!!) I decided that I needed to head back to school to gain the knowledge to succeed in this potential new role.

And here we are, on the precipice of a new year which will bring with it some new opportunities, new friends, new experiences and new heartaches. I greet it with open arms having blown my kiss to 2010.


Your closing night has come, 2010. Take a bow.
It's time to strike the set and get ready for the next show.

Elsie P

PS - what did you learn in 2010?

November, where did you go?

I was really awful about posting for November, wasn't I?

I promise, I have a good excuse reason.

I was busy planning a large event for work.

Intrigued?

Thought so.

It was our annual User-Client Conference.

This year, held in San Antonio. Home of the Alamo.

And the River Walk.

Which smelled a lot better than I thought it would.
I nailed it, in every sense of the word.
So  much so that my boss now wants me to plan all our staff events.
Saaweeeeet!!

The view from my hotel room, the Palacio Del Rio - Hilton

That's the Tower of the America's and the four spikes

sticking up to the left are the tips of the AlamoDome

Here's a quick preview of where we had our Welcome Reception

And of course, because I left here on a Tuesday and wasn't
flying back til the following Saturday morning.....

I needed all of these

 Eight pairs.

And I wore every.single.one.

Stay tuned for a photo tour of our trip to San-An.

Elsie P

PS - Have you ever been?? You should go...

That tastes good!

On Tuesday I went out for dinner with a friend.

We had a great time.
Some laughs, some good chats, some fantastic food!

I stumbled upon this restaurant, Taste somewhere in my internet travels. On Tuesdays they serve a tasting menu; 3 courses for $30 or pair each course with wine for $50.

It.Was.Awesome.

Totally exceeded my expectations -- and we went without the wine.

Here's what it looked like:

The first course was a roasted red pepper hummus with house made

basil infused pita chips. The hummus was a little sweeter than

usual. Thus the chef had sprinkled some black sea salt

to combat the sweetness of the red pepper.

The menu was a blind tasting menu.

That means they didn't tells us anything about what we're going to eat.

They asked if we had allergies or aversions to anything.

We both said no, though in hindsight, T said that he hoped he wouldn't eat his words.

So I guess we found one aversion. *wink*

The second course (which yes, I do realize is out of focus...

 and also partially missing) was a venison something-or-other

(help me out here!)

that reminded me of prosciutto, with a lil baby arugula salad

with house made blueberry vinaigrette, which was quite strong -- in a good way.

(I ate a piece of the venison before slamming my fork to the table in disgust of myself for having forgotten after only one course that I needed to take a photo. And that was withOUT any wine!!)

 

The third course.

Ahhhhh the third course... it.was.delicious.

After this course, T remarked that because of his underwhelmed-ness towards so many of the ingredients in this dish, he never would have ordered it if he'd seen it on the menu. But he loved it. LOVED it.

What was it?

It was a Black Truffle and Wild Mushroom Risotto topped with deep-fried Oysters and Lamb bacon.

In order to cut the richness of the risotto, there was some type of lemon infused oil that matched so perfectly the overall texture and taste.

Doesn't that look divine!?

No meal is complete without that little something sweet.

Whoops, didn't mean for that to rhyme but it dii-iid.

So, this was a trio of teeny-tiny creme brulee.

YUM! Those are 1-inch ramekins, BTW.

The three flavors (from right to left) are

Butterscotch - a classic and beautifully done.

Winter Spice - this was like pumpkin pie, eggnog and a sugar cookie all converging on my tastebuds for a few blissful moments of sheer and utter awesome. That one was delish.

And thirdly - wait for it - Maple Bacon.

Yup, Maple BACON creme brulee.

I had a lovely Americano and it really complimentd this last lil guy nicely.

But this was my favorite part.

These little guys were spongy lovely vanilla cupcakes

with a beautiful cream-cheese-bailey's icing.

They came with our william.

Their purpose?

"To ensure you leave with the right taste in your mouth."

Brilliant.

Elsie P

PS - Where have you been recently?

Santa Shuffle

This year I decided I wanted to help out a charity.

Namely, the Sally Ann.
Or the Salvation Army, if we want to get all technical.

This worked out well, 'cause I was also doing this thing called the C25K.

(More on that, though, in another post.)

Knowing that all the guys in my office are also very health conscious folks (They work out EVERYDAY at lunchtime in the gym facility our office building is equipped with) I asked them if they'd like to join my endeavour. I sent an email to our entire Candian team (yep, all 12 of them!) to see who might want to join in.

Hey guys,
I know a lot of you having been hitting the gym at lunch almost every day and I thought what better way to celebrate your success on the third floor than to participate in a fun, 5K race for a great cause??
The race takes place on December 4th 2010 at 10am.
There is a fundraising component to this as well, in order to support the Salvation Army and their effort to feed some families.
It costs about $50 to feed a couple and $100.00 to feed a family. It’s not a requirement for the race at all; feel free to solicit donations from family/friends at your own discretion.
Please let me know if you are interested and I will get us registered! It should be a ton of fun – a little chilly perhaps – but a ton of fun!

Then, the President of our company sent me a follow up e-mail offering not only to pay for the entrance fee of $150 but also to match dollar for dollar everything we raised.

As a team, we put up a pretty impressive $1060.00 which in turn was doubled. It was more than I expected from the company but it was certainly a welcome addition to the event.

I was speechless, needless to say, and overwhelmed by the generosity that so defines the company I work for.

Here's a few shots of us before the race:

And after:

It was a mild -12 degrees C that morning.

Not too bad, actually, for running!

I finished in a time of 42:40 which beat my time of 45:00 that I was aiming for!

Next one I am aiming to shave about 11 minutes off that time and going for a 32:00min run.

Elsie P

PS - Which do you prefer, running indoors or out?

Extra-curriculars

Disclaimer - I am an uber procrastinator and though I started working on this post in SEPTEMBER I am just getting around to finishing it now. So bear in mind that this was started on the 20th of Sept.

It's that time in Canada.

That time where we see peoples names emblazoned on billboards, buildings, roadsigns and lawns.

It's Municipal Election time.

The official Nominations are closed; if you applied to be in, you're in.

How does this tie in to me, though?

Glad you asked.

I am working on a Mayoral campaign right now in a small-ish city of 40,000.
The current mayor has been in office too long and my candidate is looking pretty promising.

How does one campaign, you ask?
Well, it's simple.
You just do what needs to be done!
What needs to be done is you need to let the voters know who you are, why you're running and moreover why you would be the best choice for them.

This is achieved - in our case - through a series of literature drops and doorknocking sessions.
Doorknocking is my forte.
I love it.
With a passion.
You get to knock of doors and talk to the people
You get to tell them about your candidate
You get to show them how they think just like your candidate
and then you get to ask them for their vote.
It's exhilirating and lovely and educational!

Update: The election is long over - almost 2 months to the day - and we lost.
By a lot.
But if you want to hear the story of election day, let me know and I will write it.

Oh, hi there!

Hello Internet!

How are you?

I am well, thank you!

It's Christmas on Saturday??

Really?? You don't say ....

Yes, folks, it is that time of year once again.

Christmas, followed closely by the close of the year.

And here I am, stuck at work, with basically nothing to do.

So of course, I will blog.

I have so. many. things to catch you up on! And pictures of (almost) all of it!

I've been trying very, very hard to remember to take photos of blog-worthy things.

I think I have succeeded, but you can confirm that for me.

Let's start by chatting briefly about Christmas.

Here is what it looks like in my office right now.

The engineers got together at the beginning of the month, I made cookies, someone brought eggnog and they call decorated our company Christmas tree.

THAT's right.

It's not a holiday tree.

It's not a seasonal tree.

And it's certainly not a non-denominational-seasonally-appropriate-politically-correct-religiously-neutral tree.

And under the tree are our donations for the food bank

Pretty decent haul for an office of only 12 people.

A few weeks ago, I celebrated (what has become an annual tradition) Fake Christmas with my family.

I have a sister that went and got herself hitched and subsequently moved away.

Every year, she comes back either before or after Real Christmas and we have our usual Christmas celebration.

What does that entail?

Well, going to see a movie on Fake Christmas Eve, eating delicious finger type foods with an essential being spinach dip and fondue. Then, in the AM, we have breakfast - usually scrambly eggs and croissants - and then open gifts, play with gifts, making a wonderful feast - this year was roast beast - eat said wonderful feast and pass out in front of a movie.

Super fun.

I got tons of fun stuff from my sis and her hubby and I am very thankful!!

So, now it's time for real Christmas ... and we shall repeat the aforementioned process. But with Turkey.

Elsie P

PS - What's your Christmas Tradition??

Thankful Thursday

Oh.

Hi.

I didn't see you there.

How ya been? I know, I know, I haven't been around.

I'm sorry.

I'm back, though...

And no, I didn't forget about you.

I have been busy and I have so so so many things to write about.

And so many blogs that are in draft status right now.

I promise, I will finalize and post.

I promise.

But today is Thursday.

And I am supposed to be thankful today .

So, what am I thankful for today?

Well, my job.

And the people I work for.
And with.

They really are some of the highest calibre folks I've ever had the privilige of calling colleagues. Or co-workers. Or teammates.

And our COO is second to none.

Well, mayyyybe to the CEO ;)

ANYWAY, I digress.

Here are the top five things I am thankful for about my job:

5. The Paycheque.

It's not outrageous and huge, but it does come every month. And has done so for the last 2+ years. I know that a job shouldn't be all about the money, but let's be honest, it helps. And it makes a difference.

4. The recognition.

Everynow and then it's nice to hear, "You're doing a great job," Yesterday, I heard not only that but also that I have a greater potential that has been noticed by upper management and that they'd like to work with me to get me to achieve my potential within the company.

3. The Opportunity

This one you'll be scratching your head over once I finish my other posts. But, I've learned that when one door closes (Or one opportunity vanishes in to thin air like clouds burst up by psychic warriors) another opens in an unexpected, more lucrative way.

2. The office space.

I love our office. Our building has had some issues, but our office is gorgeous. It's vey high tech looking. It makes me excited to come to work everyday.

1. The people.

We have an incredible culture here. And the people are what make it so. I wouldn't trade them for the world. WELL, maaaybe the world.

Elsie P

PS - What are your top three/five/tens for YOUR job?

Thankful Thursday

It seems only fitting that I post both of these at the same time.

I had done up a TT for last week, when I was in San Antonio*

(Wait, what?)
But instead of scheduling it to automatically post, I just left it as a draft.

Whoops.

So, here keep reading for today's Thankful Thursday post and check back through the archives for the post that should of been posted last week.

Today, I am thankful for the temperature being above -18 degrees C.

That's right folks, it has been a week of highs that couldn't seem to break through the negative double digits. It's been cold, to say the least.

But today, the last glorious Thankful Thursday of November, we have reached -1. And that's not even going to be the high. Nosirree! We're going to come above the freezing mark.

Yay!

I am also thankful today for my warm, wool coat, my olympic mittens and my mommy-made scarf.

All have done their job to keep  me warm this morning! (and every morning since the snow began to fall)

Elsie P

PS - For all of my American Friends, Happy Thanksgiving!!

Baking

Have I lamented on here about my inability to make my brownie recipe work?

I have this WICKED brownie recipe that I've been making for the last 10 years and my mother's been making it for at least three times as long.

It.is.divine.

But it doesn't seem to work here in the Prairies.

Maybe it's the weather?

Maybe it's the altitude?

Maybe it's the ingredients?

I don't know.

What I do know, is that I have finally

FINALLY

found a recipe that works.

And guess where it came from?

My head. 

Ha! 

So, I will test it once more tomorrow and if it stands up, I'll post it here.

Elsie P

PS - How do you like your brownies? I want mine like thick, fudgy cake. Yum.

I love you, man!

A few months ago, 

I was getting ready to take a two week trip

eastward to visit some friends, some family and grace a wedding with my presence. In preparation for this trip, I wanted to make sure that I emptied all the garbage in my apartment. Since it was summer, any garbage related stinkiness would be further amplified by heat. There is nothing worse than coming home to a super stinky household! 

So, as I checked off the last item on my "To-Do" list,

I was feeling good.

I had an hour 'til I had to leave for the airport.

I took my garbage down to the dumpster in the parkade,

tossed it in and made my way back in to the building.

I needed to go pick up a few things that I wanted to have for the flight.

As I heard the door shut behind me, my mind two steps ahead of my feet,

I had a sinking feeling.

Where were my car keys?

I checked my pockets, tore apart my purse, and more frantically asked,

Where are my car keys!?

I went back out to the dumpster to see if I'd dropped them out there.

As I replayed the events of my disposing of the garbage, I realized what had happened.

I had my car keys hanging off my finger.

On the same hand that was carrying my garbage.

I had tossed said garbage in to the dumpster all at once.

(I normally put one thing in at a time while holding up the lid)

And as my stomach did back flips, I realized I was going to have to get in to the dumpster.

I was already dressed in my cute flying outfit, complete with heels, and was not able to get up on to the dumpster to look inside.

On the surface, I couldnt see anything.

I checked my phone.

Cab was 45 minutes away.

Shit.

After frantically doing a surface search, I finally realized I was effed.

I called Greg, my maintenance guy.

"Hi Greg, it's Elsie from 305 calling. Are you in the building today?

Oh, you're not onsite?

Well, yes. I have a little problem.

I think I tossed my keys in the dumpster.

And they're my car keys.

And I am going on vacation today.

In an hour. "

His response was, "I'm on my way. "

I love that man.

So as I am waiting for my knight in stained blue coveralls to arrive, I call my mother nad nearly break down in to tears over my stupidity and the fact htat it's going to cost me a few hundred dollars to replace the keys and the key fob. As I am stifling sobs in to the phone, I see the BFI truck pull up to empty the dumpster.

Hyperventilating ensues.

I head out to the garage and tell the adorable BFI worker that I am reasonably certain my keys are in that dumpster.

He looked at me and said "SO??"

I started to cry.

At that moment, Greg walked up, dangling my keys from his hand.

Apparently, he knew BFI was scheduled to come

-- it was a Tuesday -- so he rushed over,

blocked the driveway, makin it impossible to dump the dumpster until he'd finished tossing it.

I don't know how he found them but I was so grateful.

And in a rush.

So I called over my shoulder that I owed him a case of beer

He said he liked Corona.

I bought him a case and left it outside his door before I caught a plane eastward.

Elsie P

PS - That's just one great Greg story....

Somedays you're the slugger ....

Somedays I really wonder what the people I work with think of me.

I often have ideas that would vastly improve my process

But not necessarily impact everyone else I work with.

So sometimes, I wonder what the people I work with

Think I do all day

and whether they actually understand

what it is I do all day.

Lemme give you the brief run down:

I work in the Oil and Gas industry, for a private company.

Our company has a software that enables other

Oil and Gas companies to manage their fleets

of Natural Gas Compressors.

It also helps them to optimize their

individual compressors.

A large part of my role is entering the data from the field

in order to allow our clients to manage and optimize

their assets.

I enter a lot of reports.

Upwards of 1000 a month.

Usually about 600 in the first 10 days of the month.

I have an intimate relationship with that area of our system.

AND yet, when I come up with ideas, requests, etc

to improve my process

making my job easier

saving time

improving productivity
maximizing my time
showcasing my abilities.
And they are ignored.
Why?
Because they don't benefit the masses.
But what they don't realize, is that I do as much work
in one are of our software
as the masses.

Elsie P

PS - Seems that this is the bad week for people and the enjoyment level of their jobs!! 

Thankful Thursday

Welcome to the third Thankful Thursday.

Today, I have a number of things to be thankful for.

But we'll focus on one or two.

These guys. I work with them.

There are a few missing

there are a few that have moved on to new roles

in new companies

but all in all, these guys are great.

I had a phone call from my sister last night

She was un-enthused about her coworkers.

While, maybe on or two of them.

And it made me realize how thankful I am to have these guys.

This is the Galaxie Diner.

It's on my walk to work.

I stopped in there for breakfast the other day with

two of the guys I work with.

Did I mention it was 7am?

And still dark?

And an hour before they'd have to be downtown for work?

And I didn't even have to buy??

This is why I am thankful for those guys.

Elsie P

PS - There's a story that goes along with that first picture.

I'll post it next week when I dig up more photos.



Director at Large

At the risk of waving my political flag, 

I have an exciting announcement to make.

Yours truly has been elected 

(as of last night)

to be the newest Director at Large

for the Constituency Association of the riding I live in.

What does that mean? 

Well, it means that I take the constituents and the party members

within our riding, 

to election ready mode. 

Right now, the election looks like it will be called later than sooner.

Which is great news for us. 

So, I will be meeting once a month with my other Executive Board members 

(goodness I love titles)

and will have more to report as this venture moves along.

Elsie P 

PS - Don't ask what party; I'm not ready to disclose yet!

C'est L'halloween!

I was never good at conjugating French verbs.

I wanted that to say it was Halloween.

Instead, (I think) it says it is Halloween?

Help me out here!!

The funny thing about Halloween is how great it is for the adults

 -- with no children --

when it falls on a Sunday.

Why you ask?

Well, mostly because you an stretch it out for a whoooooole weekend.

For example, my girlfriend Kendall celebrated her 23rd birthday on Friday.

We went to the bar.

(That's another story.)

It was an odd mix of folks in costumes and folks not in costumes.

That was the 29th.

Two days before Halloween.

*    *    *    *    *

Three older British men at the bar were eyeballing the "Girl Guide"

in front of me (who in turn was nervously glancing at me for reassurance) asking if she needed some help procuring any new badges. Once that joke wore off, they turned to me,

not in costume,

and asked what I came dressed as.

I looked myself up ad down and starrd back with a look of

"Isnt it obvious?"

"Um, hot?" I responded, much to their delight.

"Well played!!" came the answer.

*    *    *    *    *

Sunday morning when I went for a walk down thru our bar district, en route to Starbucks.

It looked as though a Hallowen bomb had gone off.

There was a long, red glove here.

A cape there.

A nurse shoe across the street.

Wonder woman's on-top underwear was draped over a fence

and the piece du resistance was defintely

a condom

packed with candy

and tied off at the top.

Happy Halloween.

Elsie P

PS - when did you dress up?

You're lucky I'm your Ex.

I suppose that title could be taken a few ways.

One being, I'm so bat $#%! crazy you're glad you're rid of me.

That's not the way I mean it today though.

Or any day.

I'm not bat $#%! crazy.

Am I?

I digress.

So, little known fact

(I may not have blogged about the dissolution of my relationship)

I own a house with my Ex, MC Jammie Pants.

No, he's not a rapper

or a DJ.

It's an inside joke.

Anyway, JP and I split in April

but we still own the house we bought together.

He lives in it.

In July, we had a wicked hail storm that caused lots of damage

to lots of peoples cars.

And, apparently, to our house.

Little did I know, JP had filed a claim through our home insurance.

Thus resulted in an investigation,

an assessment,

a decision,

and a cheque being issued.

Again, UNBEKNOWNST to me.

So imagine my shock and surprise

my elation and delight

the heart rate increase I felt

when I opened a letter from my insurance company

and saw a cheque.

A big cheque.

With my name on it.

In the amount of

$6894.06

When I picked myself up off the floor, I began to leaf through the information attached.

"Dear Elsie and JP,"

Blah blah blah

"...claim from hailstorm dated..."

blah blah blah

"..has been assessed..."

blah blah blah

"...cheque enclosed..."

blah blah blah

"...notify us when work is complete."

blah.

Well darn!

I had really, really, REALLY hoped that this was going to be one of those days where the Monopoly scenario comes true...

The day that I land on the Community Chest square,

drawing a card that reads:

"Bank error in your favor! Collect $6894.06!"

Today, sadly, was not that day.

Elsie P

PS - The reason JP is lucky he has ME for an ex

is because I immediately called him and left him a message.

I also texted him to tell him I urgently needed to speak with him.

When he called back, mere minutes later, I told him about the cheque.

Because it was made out to Elsie AND JP

(as opposed to Elsie OR JP)

it had to go in to an account that bears both our names.

Luckily, we have such an account.

(courtesy of this smarty pants that occasionally thinks two steps ahead)

And I have access to that account through my bank card.

(The one I didn't lose.)

And I deposited said cheque this AM

Without just cashing it and pocketing the money.

Like some people's exes would have done.

Because that thought didn't even cross my mind.

(more than once)

Trick or Treat!

In case you were living in a hole

and didn't know

this weekend was Halloween.

And lots of funny things happened this weekend.

Let's work backwards based on what's freshest in my mind.

Last night, as I was leaving my mum and dad's place after our weekly dinner and Amazing Race evening,

the trick-or-treaters were out in full swing.

As my mum walked me to my car, a threesome of

terrifying twelve year olds left the neighbour's house

and headed across the lawn to our front door.

Right.

Through.

The Garden.

While we were standing

RIGHT THERE.

I mean, c'mon kids!

So of course, mum let's them know that she doesn't want them cutting through the garden!

Please.

As they headed to the door mum also told them that

Uhhh, we're not trick or treating this year.

And away they went on their merry way.

Until they got to the grass between our house and the next neighbour.

Where they promptly mocked my mother by saying,

"Don't walk thruuuuuuu!"

"We have to go ARRRRRROOOOOOUUUND"

To which my mother whispered in my ear

"I EFFING hate kids!"

Hilarious.

Elsie P

PS - I censored the full on F Bomb mum actually dropped....

Thankful Thursday

Two weeks in a row.

That's a good start, right?

So what am I thankful for this week?

Well, lots really! I've had a ton of stuff happen since last

Thankful Thursday

(which you're RIGHT I absolutely SHOULD blog about)

But I'd like to give a shout out to the following:

Today, I am thankful for:

This girl

who even though it was HER birthday

and I was flying in to surprise HER

decked out her apartment in all things pink

in honor of my arrival.

(She even had a cake*!)

This guy.

Who makes that girl in the last photo happy.

Most of the time.

Laughs and drinks with friends.

There is something so wonderful about being able to

laugh with a friend.

And a fantastic glass of wine doesn't hurt either! 

Ahhh. this moment.

That's a very close friend of mine, Vanessa.

aka 'Redhead'

She got married this past July to that cute guy on her right.

His name is Cory

And I introduced them.

This moment made us both cry.
She said she was fine until she saw me.

(In all fairness, I had travelled 2000 miles for the occasion

I can see how that's touching.)

I'm also thankful for the fact that someone

(whom deserves his own TT post)

had the presence of mind to whip out my lil pink Canon

and snap this shot.

This is a long lost friend now.

His name is Matt.

We used to snowboard together.

I miss him.

This moment.

Is. Hilarious.

We're all being so ... "us".

I am thankful today for all my great friends,

near and far.

Elsie P

PS - I hope to always be in your lives

in one way or another.

But not like, in an urn on your mantle.

A Goddess

I am a Goddess.

Of many things.

But today, I am a Goddess of the parallel park.

Isn't always just brilliant to find something you're good at?

Don't you just love when that something

is something you wind up doing on a regular

to semi regular basis?

I don't often have the occasion to parallel park my car

but when I do, I always rock it.

And for some reason, I am always impressed with myself.

Elsie P

PS - What are you a Goddess of??

Well, this is a new milestone for me. Blogging on my iPhone. I'll be sure to come back to this post later, when I am at a full sized computer and re-format the post!!

Anyway, on to the meat and potatoes of today's post.

I have decided to try living a gluten free lifestyle.
Happy to report I didn't kill anyone in the first week.
Today is Thaksgiving, however, and the challenge really begins here.

Here is a photo that pretty much sums up how this first week went.

Ok. Ne'er mind. iPhone doesn't have the capability to upload photos.
I'll add 'em when I get home I guess.

Thankful Thursday

As previously discussed (previously being yesterday's post)

I am stealing today's post idea from another blog.

It's called

Thankful Thursdays

and it's something I think we can all take a moment

to think about and participate in.

I encourage you to tell me what

YOU

are thankful for today.

Or any day, really.

But because the alliteration lends itself to Thursday...

that's the day to be vocal about being thankful.

I digress.

Here is what I am thankful for this FIRST Thankful Thursday:

Okay, so I don't own this.

And I didn't even uncover him on some far corner of the interweb

Someone else did.

(You know "who whoo whooooo" you are!)

But I am thankful that something as simple as this

can make me smile.

3 Sisters.

Well, my two sisters, I guess.

I am thankful that we three are sisters.

Better?

Many a time I've been down and they've made me smile

Shu.

Shu.

Shu shu.

Shu shu

And I know that there are times that I make them smile.

Down or not.

I had the opportunity to work on this campaign.

And it's now over.

For that, I am truly thankful.

Elsie P

PS - What are YOU thankful for today??

WARNING: SAPPY RANT

You have been sufficiently warned.

There is some sappy, feel-sorry-for-yourself terrain ahead.

You've been doubly warned. 

So, this song basically sums up how I feel ATM.

Here's the lyrics if you don't want to sit through 4 minutes of a 

has-been band who's hottie lead singer went down the same terrible road as Jonathon Lipnicki. 

Y'know that "OMG what HAPPENED!? You were so CUTE once!!" road. 

Sometimes, even when you're surrounded by people, you feel alone. 

And sometimes, for no real reason, you just fall apart.

By yourself. 

With no one around who understands. 

But you dry your eyes, open the door and step outside. 

(I'm paraphrasing, here, to fit my own sitch)

So what happened you ask? 

Well, I went out to door knock and garner some support for a member

of the Wild Rose Alliance party.

(He's running for a nomination for the next general election) 

And I was on my own. 

Which sucked.

And I was driving in an unfamiliar area.

Which sucked more.

And I got lost.

A lot.

Like, a lot a lot.

Even with a map. 

And an "App for that"

And I fell apart, a little. 

Couldn't help it. 

I couldn't help but feeling a little alone at that point.

But I'll spare you the awful details of coming home, 

looking in the mirror, 

seeing the mascara running from all under my eyes 

down my cheeks

in a manner befitting of an almost-prom-queen. 

Elsie P

PS - Stay tuned for a new regular Thursday addition that I am stealing from THIS blog

The Shoemare Part 2

I should really repeat this mantra everytime my head feels explode-y:

EVERYthing happens for a reason.

Say it with me now:

Everything happens for a reason.

Everything happens for a reason.

Everything happens for a reason.

Everything happens for a reason.

Okay so now that I (maybe) have your interest, here's why:

Tuesday's shoetastrophe has resulted in a pretty incredible shoeumph.

No?

Shoectory?

Still no good?

Okay, how about

Shoewin?

Nah, um, I'm running on empty here ...

Shoeacle?

Shoetune?

Shoecess?

That's all I got.

I digress.

As it happens, as I was awaiting an answer from Aldo

the company that screwed upset me, I was perusing their site

And I added a few lil gems to my wishlist

low and behold, I logged in to check the wishlist

(and purchase a purse I decided I needed for Nov 18th)

I found that my checkout price was drastically different.

In a GOOD way.

(that means cheaper)

Which got me to thinking,

"If these prices have dropped maybe the price on my GORGEOUS gray strappy numbers have dropped as well!"

And the indeed, Ped-a, the Patron Saint of Shoes

smiled upon me.

So, joining the original gorgeous shoes (hopefully)

will be the following:

I have yellow shirts

I have previously texted in a fit of rage:

I need a pair of yellow shoes!

Plus, they look FAB FAB FAB with jeans.

I saw these in black, initially, and htought of my mum

not sure why?

Anyway, I have a lot gray pants that I don't have shoes for.

Seriously.

Elsie P

PS - Now to return the wrong shoes to the store ....

It's a Shoetastrophe!! A Shoemare!

I love shoes.

You didn't know this?

Oh yeah, I guess I haven't really transposed my love of shoes from FB to Blogger. I'll get on that.

Anyway, you know that part in PS -  I love you where Hilary Swank has thrown her shoes and remarks that she has to go pick them up 'cause they might think she's mad at them if she leaves them? (or something)
That's me.

Kinda.

(Understatement?)

ANYway, a huge travesty has occured. A shoevesty.
(are these getting old yet?)

I ordered this REALLY cute pair of shoes online. It's never a good idea to order shoes online, I've often thought. I think we maybe talked about this briefly in this post.

However, there was a store (that shall remain...nameless) that was having a clearance.

AND you can debit online. (!!)

That just makes it waaaaay too easy.

I digress.

I was hoping to have them arrive before the weekend so I could wear them both on Friday (they are GREAT for jeans) to go out for drinks with the co-workers. Also, to be able to strut from my car to my mum and dad's front door on Turkey Day. (yep, Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend)

They were delivered yesterday (!!)

Imagine my excitement when I grip the package

knowing that my heart's desire awaits me on the other side of the protective plastic shipping bag

lovingly tucked in to a shiny, little white box.

I was too excited to wait to get back upstairs, (I had them delivered to the office) so in the lobby of our building, while waiting for an elevator, I ripped open the bag and retrieved the shoe box.

Once inside the elevator, one floor from my destination, I opened the box and peeled back the tissue

sucking my breath in as I anticipated the first moment that I would lay eyes on them.

Imagine my defeat

 my disappointment

 my utter devestation 

when I opened the box

only to find .....

this ugly lil pair of snub-nosed brown pumps.

2 sizes too small .

 

I can't even keep them if I like them.

(which, in hind sight, I have KIND of fallen in love with them a little.

What? I need a new pair of brown pumps and round toes are in this season)

 

This is what I ordered:

 

Aren't they GORGEOUS??

 

Can you not see them with a nice pair of jeans?

Or dressing up a smart pair of gray pants?

I'm in love. Still.

And this is what I got:

Not terrible.

And as I said, they're growing on me.

Elsie P

PS - Stay tuned as the story develops.