Saturday, December 31, 2011

Year round up and other tid-bits

Well 2011 was certainly an interesting year.

I had the big falling out with my mother's family in January. I decided I didn't want to waste energy on that battle and that I would never have contact with them, ever again and that suits me just fine.

I learned what I was worth and that is priceless.

We went to Maine in the big snow storm of February 2011. You can see pictures here 

I found a job in February. It had been rocky at times and I realized that when you're a temp you're not worth a lot. You're considered half a person. How crazy is that?

In the midst of all I actually made a friend and we share a lot of values that are not necesseraly those of the company we work for.

I didn't enjoy summer the way I normally did, maybe it was because I was not used to work yet. You do remember that I stayed 3 years at home, don't you?

The thrifting scene was let's say not so great. Dan will say that it's because I have all the Pyrex in the world, but we know it's not true! Once in a while I'll find a piece I was missing and shout with glee!


I still smile when I see this cutie!

We went back to the U.S in September and we got to discover Rye beach. I hope to go again in 2012, but that is another ball park :)



In October to celebrate our 21st anniversary we treated ourselves to a dinner at Joe Beef (one of the best restaurants in Montreal) We still talk about the food; which means this was totally worth it!


in November well my contract was nearing its expiration date....but my contract was renewed for 6 months, which was definitely better than nothing but still.....

We made purchases which are totally at the opposites ends of the technology spectrum, really!

A IPhone. It is loads of fun and now that we both have a telephone we will (I hope) avoid some commuting snaffus.
We did get a greeeeaaaaattt deal, on of the perks of working for the phone company!
Now here's the other end of the spectrum....

 A 1969 yelow Contempra phone for the living/dining room....These babies are scarce and pricey! I've seen some at 80$ plus shipping on Ebay....This baby was waiting for me and I won it for less than 30$ shipping included.
It needs a good cleaning but I should be getting around this tomorrow or Monday.

On December 16th I got a huge surprise! I got offered a permanent full time position with benefits! Merry Xmas to me! I still don't know what possessed my boss but I'm glad she changed her mind. I did work extra hard and upped my numbers and I decided not to be stressed anymore. I'm guessing it helped.

One thing that struck me in 2011 (this is really on the small scale of things) is that some retailers are making loads of money and laughing at us at the same time. I have 2 luxury stores near my office and I go from time to time just to window shop. You can tell that their regular customer base is rich people or wannabees, i'm neither.
Before Xmas I saw an 8oz jar of pickled veggies for 65$. That's sixty five dollars! I could get 1 pair of pants, 2 pairs of socks, 1 t-shirt and a sweater for that price!

After Boxing day I saw an airplane cushion for 125$ instead of 250$, a really cute wool cap I wanted to buy until I saw the price tag....125$ instead of 250$

and last but not least....

These kids mittens are about 3 inches long and were 49$ instead of 65$.

to top it all off the sales clerks are snooty! This is a crazy world!

I don't think I would shop there if I suddenly became rich! I would probably give my 2 weeks notice, thrift until I drop, volunteer at a pet shelter maybe even start a shelter and go spend the summer in Maine with the cats!
On that note have a nice New Year's Eve, don't party too hard and I'll be there sometime tomorrow with my New Year wishes.

   

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Xmas was a blast!

 First of all I want to thank everyone who left a comment on the last post. I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday! Hugs to everyone!

I had so much fun at Xmas! And you know the best parts? I had no disasters and I remember every minute of it.

I'm no saint; I've had christmases where I didn't remember a whole lot.....But not this year and we laughed a lot!

I spotted this cute blowmold outside one of my favorite vintage (yet very expensive) shops in Montreal... Kitsh-N-Swell 

I have been spoiled to the gills! I got slippers, pijamas, an Hello Kitty Iphone case, dvds, cook books, Photoshop ( I can't wait to try it!)
Did I mention I got a boat load of licorice?



  Oh so cute!

And even  a big ceramic jar to store it in!


Some No Reservations dvds


And I now live in a WIFI! It has been an incredible Xmas.

Yesterday we went to see the Nutcracker ballet at the Place des Arts. My dad has been designing the costumes for this show since I can remember, It's always good to see my dad's work. I'm so proud!
I've seen it maybe 40 times and its always so magical.

I just know the best is yet to come!

Be well, be safe, sleep tight and crack that window open! :)  

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Wreath? Check! Snow ? Check!

Well this is it folks! The pinacle of the season, Xmas! I'm short on sleep, but my spirit is soaring!

I redid the wreath


And I'm happy to report, it is still tackylicious!

I've heard that a lot of Quebecers have been praying for a white Xmas and our prayers have been answered!


The blownolds looks so much better with a bit of snow!

The penguins are a bit crooked...but who cares!



This is the little guy I found in a church basement for a dollar.

All the cookies are baked, the presents wrapped, the kitties asleep....

Oops lack of focus....the tree is finished

Let the feast begin!

May you all have a beautiful Christmas with all your loved ones!

I gotta go the roast is ready and I have a cosmo waiting for me! 


Wednesday, December 21, 2011

More WTF Xmas decor....

I was able to sneak a couple of pictures from the freaky carnival Xmas decor from my job's lobby....

Are you ready?


WTF? You know I don't go around saying WTF all the time, don't you? LOL

Just what were they thinking ? They look like caricatures of old people!

Just plain scary!

Sleep tight and dream of sugar plums...

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

WTF? Tuesday! Yikes!

I have'nt done WTF Tuesday for a couple of weeks now. None of the thriftshops I visit have cool disgusting stuff like Vagisil and pikcle butts.....

Actualy today's offering doesn't even come from a thrift store....It come from the lobby of my work place!

I give you....


S_C_A_R_Y!

You know how I hate all manners of clowns, mimes, jesters and the like!

I will try to take pics of the other vignettes, but it's hard with the security guard looming near....

Have a great day!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Just around the corner!

Xmas of course! Even if I,m running out of time, I'm having the best December in a llllllloooooonnnnnggg time!

I feel happy, in the moment, full of joy and light! I feel really lucky for the love and riches in my life and I give thanks every chance I get.

I managed to finish the wreath for the front door. Didn't even think of taking a picture! Silly me! It's still a vintage tacky christmassy one, but I had to pull it all apart because the cedar had gone all yellow and I had to try different dollar stores for artificial Xmas tree garland. As you might know not all dollar stores are created equal!


I got some help from Yoda. She's such a sweetie!


No Xmas tree yet. We were supposed to get a real one but we decided to use the one we have in the basement that belongs to Dan's daughter....I hope it doesn't reek too much of smoke....

Can one Febreeze an artificail Xmas tree? Well see about that!

I planted the official flower of the holidays here....That's definitely a tradition I picked up from my dad. Paperwhites! I've been grownig them every Xmas for years and at one point Dan will say (I'm not making this up) It smells like pee in here! Where's that pee smell coming from? I swear it's pee!

Every year, without fail! And I have to say every time, it's the paperwhites dear. Really? I could've sworn it was pee!

Planting paperwhites.


Planted in Pyrex (of course)

Now an update on the paperwhites.....I needed to change them to another pot because the roots were like steel rods!


So we're seeing my dad on Xmas (it's been ages) and he just informed me there will be a Xmas tree! Yipppeeee!

Until next time.....Be good, and full of Xmas joy!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Really? Are you nuts?

Time flies that is a fact ! Let's just say that the Xmas baking is not really under way but I will be rocking and rolling over the weekend! I need to make gingerbread cookies, caramel corn, bake pfeffernusse and shortbread cookies.

I still don’t know what we'll be having on Xmas, it all depends on the flyers! I do smell a ham (bone in of course ) in my future. We will go and buy the tree bright and early on Saturday....I can’t wait to get it in the house and see the cats all a sniffin’ and checkin’.
 Today’s offering is another unbelievable video! This one is courtesy of my pal Tracy from Crazy Suburban Mom. It’s tastelessly priceless!



This is like Febreeze for the body. I don’t believe I’ve made my stance on Febreeze known here....It sure has its uses, no question about it...BUT if your bathroom rug smell WASH IT! If your duvet cover smells WASH IT! If you don’t have a washing machine, do yourself a favour and go to the Laundromat and wash the damn thing! Don’t tell me all of life’s stinky dilemmas are fixed with some Febreeze and air freshener! OPEN THE WINDOW once in a while!

True story: I have a greek boyfriend in the early 80’s and his parents never opened the windows in their apartment, I would suffocate every time I visited! His mother was really a bitch and would always tell hime (in front of me) Zjimmy (the letter Z conveys the accent) why don’t you marry a nice greek girl? Well needless to say I didn’t marry him. That relationship was a real eye opener! I realized that for them married life consisted of being tied to stove, servicing the husband every night at the same time , poping out kids and keeping the windows closed. The plastic covered furniture, lampshade and pillows was a real turn off too! 
Now just how important that the A spray is made in the U.S ? Really!

Sleep tight and don't forget to crack a window open!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

If you liked the Forever Lazy....

You might like this must have for everybody!



At first I thought this was a JOKE! But it's not!

I think I need one for the train ride home , because I nap almost every day....

I'd buy the large one of course!

Well I'm off to put up more Xmas lights! Stay warm and kepp thrifting!

Yes, I'll be wearing my Forever Lazy fleece suit in the yard for all to see....NOT!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Are you kidding?

I saw this commercial for the first time a couple of weeks ago and I just couldn't believe it!

You've probably seen it tons of times but I just can't help myself, I just have to share it!





Ok it looks confortable and warm but just how tacky is it? I kept imagining people I know answering the door wearing that; cooking, cleaning and even hanging out OUTSIDE!

With my cats I would look like a pink fuzzy ball....

Would you be wearing this at a tailgate? A football game?  I can't just hear the neighbors : Who is that big pink blob? Well it's Miss V of course installing her Xmas lights, how charming!

You can even go to the bathroom with the convinient hatch!

Have a great day and stay warm!