Happy Thanksgiving!

In honor of Thanksgiving,  I will be taking a short break returning on Monday, November 30.

Hope you all have a Wonderful Holiday!

Pssst:  What I really want to say is, "Take notes", can't wait to read your blogs after the family has finally gone back home!

Wordless Wednesday

Again my version of Wordless Wednesday and just like last time, there will be words!!

From this:

To this:

No longer an excuse for any reporter or camera crew to show up at my door unannounced looking for an interview!  If you missed that post, you can check it out Here.

Happy Wednesday!

Bedtime and Baby Games

Getting our 3 1/2 year old to bed was a nightmare until my husband and I stumbled upon a game that we now play only at bedtime that has her running up the stairs and jumping into bed while laughing hysterically.

It all started one evening as I was carrying her off to bed. For a change, her father decided that he was going to be the one to take her up but when he came towards us, I pretended that I wanted to keep her all to myself.  With me running away while carrying her and him hot on our heels grabbing for her, we raced up the stairs while she squealed and giggled all the way.

Once upstairs, she scrambled to get under the covers and away from her father.  A few minutes later, he said his "good nights" and left while I stayed behind to tell her a story and settle her down. After about half an hour, she was fast asleep and I was able to slip out of her room.

At the time, I remember thinking that this was the easiest bedtime I could remember.  We would definitely be trying this again.

Right on cue the next evening, as I scooped her up to take her to bed my husband jumped from his chair and came toward us. Just like before, she started to giggle and couldn't wait for the chase. Up the stairs we ran together where she jumped right into her bed and snuggled up under the blankets.

Six months later and she still loves this bedtime game so much, she is the one who wants to play it most nights. Okay, so I'm behind on potty training but at least I have bedtime figured out.

And yes, I know that our days of getting away with this are numbered but in the meantime, I can't help but wonder what the neighbors are thinking when they see us running by the windows every night yelling "My baby!"

Where The Hell Is My Camera!

There is nothing like tying up the garbage, puttering outside in your pajamas on the way to the garbage bin at the curb and then witnessing a ONCE IN A LIFETIME EVENT!!!

No camera, no nothing, just this stunned momma with her hair pulled back in a ponytail, looking like Hell, jaw hanging open while a jogger all dressed in silvery white sprints down the street towards her house carrying the OLYMPIC TORCH!!

For f@#$ sake!  It wasn't even 8:15 in the morning! Yes, I know the Olympics are being held in Western Canada and this torch is making its way across the county, Yes, I knew the torch was in town but any reasonable person would have expected that torch to be taking the main street out of town, not via our out-of-the-way road along the harbor and not at this hour in the morning! Of all the times to be caught in my pj's and especially without a camera!

I didn't really care that I looked like a train wreck, that's kinda the look I go for these days but there was no way I was going to be able to run into the house, grab my camera, get the thing fired up and take a photo before that torch was out of sight. Maybe if buddy had been walking but these guys are moving!

Okay, I admit it. I let out a shriek, threw the trash bag into the air, went flying into the house at full speed while nearly ripping the back door off its hinges, grabbed my camera and whipped back the curtains to at least try to get a shot out the window. I Managed to snap two pictures before that torch was past my neighbor's house and out of sight.  Don't you just love that automatic focus! Look at how the outside screen on my window is was what my camera  thought I wanted photographed instead of the torch going past!

If you look closely though, you will see just the smallest blurry hint of yellow glowing near the center of the first photo at the end of my neighbor's driveway. He was almost in front of my neighbors front porch in the second photo, just the slightest glow past the big tree. I bet these are the two worst photos ever taken of that torch!

Thought you guys would get a laugh out of my poor, pathetic attempt.  Sorry guys, I guess if I spent less time on the computer and more time keeping up with the local news, I'd have been at the ready when that little gem of a torch went sailing by! Who knows, I might have even gotten dressed and combed my hair!

Let's Get The Party Started!

Another great couple of weeks blogging and oh I love it when awards come my way.  There is nothing better in bloggyland than receiving recognition from fellow bloggers.  Puts a big smile on my face every time I get that thumbs up.

Just like the last award show I hosted, the same rules apply here.

All of tonight's recipients will receive their awards with NO STRINGS attached.  Do with them what you like, flaunt them on your blog, pass them on, tell us about yourself, whatever you want.  Now that I'm in menopause, I get to make my own rules and after all it's my show!

I was tickled when Erin from The Mother Load honored me with the 2009 Friendly Blogger Award.  If you haven't visited Erin's blog yet, go and check it out! Erin is the mother of twin girls and I guarantee you, there is never a dull moment at her place!

I would like to pass this lovely award on to Kalynn of Kacklin' with KaLynn.  Check out her blog the minute you get the chance,  always something interesting and KaLynn is full of surprises!

I get a real kick out of Zenmom and was tickled to receive the From Me To You Award from her.  Who doesn't appreciate a pretty bouquet of flowers and I can tell you, I never get them from hubby!  If you aren't already following Zenmom, here is her link,  Zen and the Art of Motherhood.  She is funny and clever and worth the visit!

I can't think of anyone I would rather give a bouquet of flowers to than my sister Bev at Theological Musings.  If you love New Age and exploring your Spiritual side, Bev has a very thought provoking blog. Always on my list to check out the minute I see a new post.  Sure hope this bouquet makes up for at least a little of the trauma you have endured for being my sister!

Bev has a fantastic sense of humor and I hope I can convince her to let loose some of it by doing a few guest posts for me!  I'll let you know if I can talk her into it, might take a bottle of wine or two but well worth it if I can get her to play along!

Tara at The Life of a Newly Wife thought I deserved to be recognized with the Kreative Blogger Award, I love the pretty roses on this one, thanks Tara and I hope everyone will take a few minutes to visit Tara and see what she's been up to!

This lovely award will be passed on to Anita of Beyond the Diapers and Spills.  I love her thoughtful posts and she gives the best comments.  Make sure to check her out and don't be shy about pressing that follow button while you are there or while visiting any of the gals mentioned today!

It was so cool to receive the Lemonade Award three times!  F 8 Has It,  Noelle of Elastic Waistbands and Comfortable Shoes and Lisaloo at One Step at a Time all honored me with this award and I hope if you are not already following these gals that you'll jump over and check out their blogs!

This lovely little gem will be passed on to Respectfully Yours of  Here Is What I Think.  I'm proud to say that she is a fellow Canadian and so hilarious.  Definitely someone who has learned to make lemonade from lemons!  Witty, charming, clever and oh so funny.  Please check her out, I promise you will be laughing out loud!

Another cool award I received is the Kacklin' with KaLynn and if you haven't discovered KaLynn, go check her out.  Want to Kackle?  Don't let those leggings and broom scare you off, go on over! By the way KaLynn, I'm loving the boots!

And lastly, Maureen of Island Roar honored me with the Best Blog Award! BTW, if you haven't been over to Maureen's place, be sure to click on the link and check out what's shaking!

Who wouldn't blush when receiving this little beauty!  Love the recognition and like I said before, nothing better than getting that thumbs up from my blogging buddies!

Lee, I know you have this a gazillion times but you really do have the best blog!  Love reading your posts and I check for them the minute I get that morning cup of java poured!  How else could I manage to get near the top of your comment page on a regular basis?  I want you to accept this award and just do whatever you want with it. After all, you are the Queen and here is one more jewel for your crown!  BTW, if any of you don't know Lee, check out her blog Hormones Headaches and Hot Flashes and be sure to click that follow button.  I promise you will thank me!!!

And that wraps up another terrific award show.

Turn down the lights, pour yourselves a drink, crank up the tunes and let's dance!

WTF Friday

I've decided that I need to come up with a theme that gives me a place to bitch on a regular basis so without further ado, let me introduce you to:

WTF Friday

Might be one long bitch session or rant, could be a break down of several annoyances that have accumulated all week or an injustice or rip off.  Like the idea?  Then join in and let the bitching begin!

So here is my first official post for WTF Friday!

Bursting That Orange Juice Bubble

With all the talk of H1N1 and the cold season approaching, parents are flocking to the grocery stores stocking up on Vitamin C packed cartons of 100% Pure Orange juice.  But before you dig out your wallet and fork over your hard-earned money, do yourself and your budget a favor and read on.

Have you ever wondered how "fresh" orange juice can be available during all 12 months of the year when the popular Florida Valencia oranges are only in their prime during the months of March until June?

If you read from the cartoons of brands like Tropicana and Minute Maid, you will see the words "Natural, Pure and Squeezed from Oranges" just to name a few.  If you watch their television commercials, you will see that refrigerator door open up into a grove of pristine looking orange trees where the farmer will pass through a carton of his finest, fresh orange juice. Problem is, they leave out what happens between that grove and refrigerator.

Now for a little Orange Juice Storage 101

When you compare prices at the supermarket, many of us believe that by spending that extra $2 or $3 for pasteurized juice over the frozen tube you add water to, you are getting a better product. Right?... Wrong!  The truth is that this cost difference is not in the making of the product but rather in the cost to store it. Right now, the popular storage method of pasteurized orange juice, ie that refrigerated carton, is Aseptic Storage. This process involves stripping the juice of oxygen so it doesn't oxidize while sloshing around in those huge storage vats where it can be stored for a full year. The "from concentrate" on the other hand, is a real space saver during storage.

Ever wonder how they manage to keep the flavor consistent from one carton to the next as well as all year round?

Here's where it gets really interesting. When pasteurized orange juice is stripped of that pesky oxygen before being stored, it also loses all of its flavor. So guess what the juice companies did? They hired flavor and fragrance companies just like the ones who develop those $100 perfumes, to "engineer" flavor packs to add to this sugary and tasteless "juice".  These flavor packs not only make the juice taste fresh, but also make it taste how we "expect" fresh orange juice to taste.

The reason we don't see Flavor packs listed on the label is because they fall just under that thin line of being an ingredient. Technically, they are derived from orange essence and oil, sounds "natural", doesn't it. These flavor packs, whether made for reconstituted or pasteurized orange juice do not resemble anything found in nature. As a matter of fact, the packets used in the production of most orange juice being marketed in North America usually contain high amounts of ethyl butyrate, a chemical in the fragrance of fresh squeezed orange juice. Each market, be it American, Mexican, or wherever has a different palate so each flavor pack is designed to appeal to the specific country where the juice is to be sold.

These individual formulas give each brand their trademark taste which is why it remains consistent regardless of when the oranges were at their peak of freshness. For the most part, all flavor packs share the same source of inspiration, that perfect Florida Valencia orange in spring.

So next time you are in the grocery store picking up that expensive carton of pasteurized orange juice, don't be fooled by the picture of that straw sticking out of a perfect orange on the label. Take a minute, close your eyes and then picture that straw sticking out of a bottle of Chanel No. 5.

There, now that's more like it!

Going My Way?

I was doing a little online research the other day and somehow ended up on a page with lots of lame pick-up lines. I couldn't help but laugh when reading them and thought you might get a kick out them too.

Of course, it got me thinking about my own dating days and two incidents that still make me laugh twenty some years later.

The first was back in the early 1980's, I was at my favorite club dancing to all the New Wave tunes while wearing my pointed spike heels. After four or five songs in a row, I had to give my poor aching feet a break so I went to sit down and have a drink. While I was sitting there, this guy comes up to me and asks me to dance. With my feet aching and my shoes off under the table I politely declined by saying "No Thank You." But before I could tell him my feet were aching and I would love to dance after a short break,  he said to me

"Don't thank me, thank God someone asked you to dance"

He then turned on his heel and left. Okay, not really a pick-up line but a statement that got me laughing and within a few weeks, Mike and I were good friends and dance buddies.

The second was in the late 1980's, I was at a bar walking through the crowds when I felt a hand on my butt. I turned around and this guy says to me with the biggest smile I've ever seen

"That was me, I just put my phone number in your back pocket, you've got until Friday to use it."

Who could keep a straight face after that.  It wasn't long before Marco and I became great dance buddies but I never did use that infamous number.

Just for fun, here are some of the lines I found that night while surfing the net:

I've heard sex is a killer. Want to die happy?
Excuse me, but I'm new in town, can I have directions to your place?
Can I buy you a drink or would you just prefer the five bucks?
Am I cute enough yet or do you need more to drink?
You know what would look great on you? Me!
Can I read your T-Shirt in brail?
Do you believe in the hereafter? Well, then I guess you know what I'm here after.
The body is made up of 90% water and I'm thirsty.
Baby, you must be tired because you've been running through my mind all night!
That's a nice shirt.  Can I talk you out of it?

Sure makes me glad I'm out of the bars!

What are the funniest lines you've heard or used?  Care to share? Leave a comment!