The Challenge

Julia and I have decided to have a 'change challenge'. That's right, who can find the most change. The challenge goes until Canada Day. I don't believe any of the change I have found so far counts. So, keep watch on how I'm doing. I already have a large change jar at home, I'm hoping this will help it grow.

On the challenge front, I am also in another challenge. This one is with Christi. We are doing a weight challenge. The challenge runs for 15 weeks and we are "attempting" to stick to the weight watcher's point system along with an excercise challenge. For every day that we do 20 mins of excercise and stick to our weight watchers points for the day we can receive up to 2 challenge points. At the end of each week the person with the fewest challenge points puts $10 into a kitty. At the end of the 15 weeks we are hitting the spa.

So far, I am not doing so well. I am definitely trying to watch what I eat, but I had forgotten how easy it is to go over those points. It also didn't help that my hockey game and skating class were cancelled this past week. Luckily, the cafeteria here has a veggie soup everyday. I'm attempting to really limit my lunch intake with a nice hearty bowl of soup (and sometimes a side of veggies). I find that it is harder here at the casino, though. At ESI I had Annie's support to keep me on track. I guess I will just have to find some inner strength :)

Stupid Car

Remember my post on how many problems I had with my mini when I first bought it? Well, they haven't stopped. It turns out the battery that they put into my car is leaking battery acid. The gauges went all crazy last night. So, I took it into th mini dealership for them to check it out. $150 for them to look to see what is wrong (this after I have spent over $1200 on them checking out my car in the last 2 months). I am not impressed.

So, I called the dealership where I bought the car, they are checking to make sure the battery is still under warranty. They will then replace it (mini wants to charge me $480 + taxes for the diagnostic and the battery replacement).

Heidi, you need to find out how to service a mini! I would definitely prefer to give this money to you.

The Pink Carpet is No More

Ding Dong the carpet is gone!

I can't believe how much happier I feel with the carpet out of my house (maybe that is what caused my depression). My dad did an amazing job on the floors.

My condo is still a mess as I had no time to clean up this weekend. So, pictures will have to wait.

On Friday night I headed to Karen's after work for a night of Friday the 13th. I picked up some Indian takeout for us and some beer. Her baby, Spencer, is so cute. He has the biggest smile and boy does he love his bathtime. Once Spencer was down for the night, Karen and I dug into the food and put on the first installment of Friday the 13th. Karen got the DVD collection for Xmas. I couldn't believe the picture quality. I don't ever remember the movie looking that good. I think I may have to go out and get the collection for myself. We watched part 1 and part 2. The second part is way scarier than the first. Next time we will check out parts 3 (3D) and 4 (the first one I ever saw). Can't wait.

Saturday night I headed over to Christi's for a girls night. Tara, Christi and I played an 80s trivia game. I absolutely loved it (even when I was losing for the first half of the game). Movies, TV and music from the 80s, how can you go wrong (there were also events and sports questions - we didn't like those). Then we relaxed in the hot tub. All in all a good evening.

Nunavut, Here I Come

Yesterday, I met up with Liz and Michelle at the Outdoor Adventure show. We checked out some companies that have adventure tours, as well as some booths for the different provinces. There weren't a lot of companies with stuff to buy. But, I did locate a sleeping bag for the Nunavut trip. Since I am so short I was able to buy a kids sleeping bag. It will keep me all nice and toasty up near the artic (apparently we will get to step into the artic circle on the trip - how cool is that?).

We also hit MEC to check out what they have. I bought a new sleeping mat. It used to be all about the thermarest, but now it is all about the Big Agnes. It folds up so small! I'm very excited, but boy is my bank account unhappy with me after yesterday.

It was great to get to hang out with Michelle and Liz again. It had been way too long. It sounds like I will be hitting Blue Mountain this summer to do some mountain biking. I am a little scared (okay, more than little) to ride a bike down the same slopes I would normally snowboard down.

Oscar Fashion

I was supposed to play hockey last night at 10:15 (right in the middle of the Oscars). Being the dedicated player that I am, I headed out in the snow (we got hit with quite a bit of snow last night and this morning). Here's a surprise, only four of us showed up (and the four that almost always show up). So, we had to forfeit our playoff game.

But, it did mean I was able to head home to finish watching the Oscars. This year I haven't seen any of the movies, but it seemed that everyone won that was expected to win (at least in the main categories).

I did like the opening bit where the nominees were all in front of the camera. I also liked the sound effects choir, very cool. But, as normal it went on way too long. Now, I understand why they don't do the main awards at the beginning of the show, but if they did, then these would be the people that didn't have to keep their speeches short. And really, why don't they just say the show is 4 hours instead of 3, has it ever been under 4?

On to my favourite part of Oscar night: the fashions. I watched most of the live on the red carpet with the E network (I did turn on the Canadian one for about 2 seconds and Mulroney was so annoying I had to turn it back).

My top 5 best dressed (oh, how to limit it to 5):
Reese Witherspoon (she was definitely my fav)
Helen Mirren (to look this good at any age!)
Jodie Foster (love her hair)
Emily Blunt (loved the blue)
Melissa Etheridge (she looks amazing)

(Cate Blanchett looked amazing as well - what a stunning dress, as did JLo and Kate Winslet)

My 5 worst dressed:
First off, are the reporters on the red carpet paid money by certain designers? Because someone may look completely horrible, but they say the person looks great. I don't understand.
Gwyenth Paltrow (red lipstick with a burgundy dress, yuck)
Nicole Kidman (okay, I didn't mind the bow and the red dress was quite lovely, but she sounded stoned, or stupid)
Cameron Diaz (I am not a big fan of Cameron's but I have seen her looking much better. I do like the brown hair, but I don't think that skin tight dress did anything for because it looked like she couldn't walk properly)
Anne Hathaway (has she ever shown up looking good on the red carpet? I think she is a beautiful girl, but she has really bad taste in fashion)
Kirsten Dunst (once again an actress I am not a fan of. I did like the top of her dress, but then the bottom was horrible. You could see her legs through the bottom and it just made the bottom half of her look bad, and really bad hair, way too messy for the Oscars)
Beyonce (hair and makeup were gorgeous, but the dress would have been better without that thing around her neck)

Great Book

I just finished reading an amazing book. Lisa leant me 'Sweetness in the Belly' by Cynthia Gibb. I highly recommend this book. It really reminded me of 'The Kite Runner'. I'm not sure if that is because it was written about a part of the world that I don't know, and a part that went through a huge shift in power during the story. Either way, they were both excellently written. I could hardly put it down. The story is set in Ethiopia and London, England.

I just received word that my contract is being extended another 3 months. So, 3 more months of driving to and from Niagara Falls. Which is good. I'm excited about the project. It just really needs to get off the ground (waiting for a consulting company that is coming in before I have a project start date). Right now, I'm writing documentation and recommendations. Very exciting stuff. But, now that I have an office it isn't so bad. I didn't realize just how loud it had been in the room I had been working in.

My dad is (hopefully) coming tonight to finish up the flooring. It looks awesome, but I am really tired of not having a closet (I had ripped out all the carpet last week since I thought he was coming on the weekend). I should have ripped out the carpet in the back bedroom yesterday, but I just couldn't find the energy. I can't wait for everyone to see it when it is done. I will definitely be having a party to celebrate the death of the pink carpet.

Office

Today I moved into my very first office. I have a door. It is all very exciting. I hope this means that my contract is getting extended.

It means that I no longer have to get the tech guys to open the door to the room I work in. I have a key to my office and can actual access this room. Woo hoo!

Boarding, Finally

Christi and I hit the slopes on Saturday for the first time this winter, finally. Christi and I have never gone skiing / snowboarding together before (she seemed to pregnant every winter, or some such thing :).

I was so out of shape, I only lasted a couple of hours. I forgot my knee brace and that was not a good thing. But, it was great to get out there. We went to Mount St. Louis and the conditions were amazing. It was an absolutely gorgeous day: sun, powder and not too cold.

I definitely want to get out there again soon. Anyone who wants to go, just let me know. I'm up for night boarding after work, or during the day on Saturdays.

St. Valentine's Day Blizzard

Check out Wikipedia, they are calling this week's storm 'The St. Valentine's Day Blizzard':

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_2007_North_America_winter_storm

I didn't realize it was that crazy. I was curled up in my bed sick all day.

Books

I finally finished a book. I don't know what's going on with me, I haven't been reading a lot at all.

I finished reading Guy Gavriel Kay's new book, Ysabel. Not his best, but an excellent book none the less. I just started reading 'Sweetness in the Belly'. Lisa leant it to me and it is reminding me of The Kite Runner. I am really enjoying it. I think it reminds me of the kite runner because it is giving me background on a part of the world I don't really know anything about.

Kitties

As many of you know I have a very bad cat named Placenta Head. He loves to scratch the furniture. I finally had to replace my mom's couch because he had destroyed it. So, I bought a new red couch that I love. Unfortunately, because he keeps scratching the new couch it has to be covered in plastic all the time.

My brother told me to check out 'soft paws'. I found some at the store last night. They are these little plastic claw caps. I glued them on to Placenta Head's feet last night. He was not happy with me. I didn't take the plastic off the couch (just in case), but the paws appear to be staying put.

I didn't attempt to put them on Noke yet. She's a little unhappy these days with all the flooring craziness going on.

Keep your fingers crossed that these work and that I can finally take the plastic off the couch!

Flooring

The pink carpet is almost completely gone. There is a small section left in my closet and that is it. It is amazing. My dad has done an awesome job and the flooring looks great.

We worked most of the weekend and part of this week. The living room, bedroom and kitchen are done.

Last night I finally finished removing the old linoleum. That was horrible. There were large sections where it just peeled off the floor, but the parts that were glued were not at all fun. Yes, that is how I spent my valentine's day: in the dust and dirt of removing linoleum.

All that is left is the breakfast nook, the back bedroom and my bedroom closet. I know the cats will be super happy when it is all done. I will have before and after pictures once the dust settles. My laptop is covered in dust.

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day (Belated)!

Last year at this time, Brian and I were breaking up. Well, actually, we broke up. So far, this has been a much better Valentine's. I was supposed to go to a Leaf game with the guy I'm dating, but it fell through (I wasn't really all that surprised). I did get an email wishing me a happy valentine's day, which was way better than the 'you're not a very nice person' email of last year.

I hope everyone had the Valentine's day they were hoping for.

Oh The Satisfaction

Last night my father and I began the process of ripping out the pink carpet. I spent hours cutting up pieces of that horrendous stuff. I can not wait for it all to be gone. It is so foul!

Mel vs. The Floor

Working at the Fallsview Casino, I find that I must dress up for work. This means heels. Now, I do not have an aversion to heels, I love the new shoes I have purchased since starting this job.

The problem is that the floor at the Casino does not play nicely with heels. As my friend Annie put it, 'how goes the war with the floor'. Well, I was doing okay lately. About a month or so ago, things were not going well. I had one day where I slid and fell twice (in the same pair of heels). It was quite embarrassing as my purse (and contents) went flying all over the hallway (and yes there were people passing by at the time). Luckily, this is all happening in the basement and no where near the casino floor. Since that day I have been pretty careful about how I walk on certain parts of the floor.

Today, though, the floor appears to have launched a new attack and I believe I may lose. I have a new pair of heels on today. They just have a kitten heel, very tiny, but they seem to be causing me way more problems than more 1 1/2 inch heels. I have slid at least 5 times already this morning. At one point I was carrying a glass of cranberry juice (Tim, it reminded me of that time at the bar when my heels went out from under me and I didn't spill a drop of the beer and the bouncer was super impressed), but I managed to stay upright.

I don't know who will be the overall victor in this war, but it is not looking good for me.

Movie Choices

I made some bad movie choices this weekend.

Lisa came over for dinner and a movie on Friday night. Since Lisa watches way more movies than I do, I was quite happy to go with her thoughts on what to watch. She was in a mood for a cheesy romance. That sounded good to me, but unfortunately, there really weren't a lot of choices (at least of things she hadn't seen). So, we chose 'The Last Kiss' with Zach Braff. it was so horrible. Not one redeemable quality in any of the men in this movie. They were all such jerks. I don't understand why any of the women in this movie would want to be with these guys. So, why was this a bad choice (other than the movie was crappy)? Because the guy I had been dating stopped emailing me and I really needed a movie where guys weren't jerks.

Today I watched two movies, 'The Wild One' and 'Girl, Interrupted'. The Wild One was okay. I had always wanted to watch it, see Brando as the rebel motorcycle rider. Girl, Interrupted was probably the wrong choice when I hadn't taken my medication for a couple of days. I was definitely having thoughts of being super crazy while watching that movie (hee hee). But, it was very good. Normally, I'm not a big Angelina fan, but she was quite impressive in this role. I read the book a few years ago, but never had the chance to watch the movie.

In the future, I need to think the movie choices through :)

Things I've Learned

This weekend I learned a couple of things: Do not stop taking your meds and do not order anything deep fried from a place that has chicken wings on the menu (if you are a vegetarian).

I headed to Waterloo this weekend to visit Paul and Marny. It had been way too long. Their girls are so super cute (I didn't get any pictures this weekend, so here they are at their uncle's wedding). We had a great visit. They have a beautiful home and are expecting a new addition to their family (congratulations). I hope that it won't be so long between visits in the future.

We went out for dinner at a pizza place in Kitchener. I hadn't had a panzerotti in so long and it sounded so good. It was quite tasty, but shortly after eating it I felt pretty sick. It was probably deep fried in the same oil as the chicken wings and I think that is why I felt sick for the rest of the evening.

I woke up this morning extremely dizzy. I hadn't taken my anti-depressants for two days (first because I forgot and then because I thought was going to throw up - see above). So, I called the pharmacy and they confirmed that not taking my effexor would cause extreme dizziness if not taken for a few days. So, I had to miss my hockey practice, a super bowl party and my hockey game. I'm still a little dizzy, but I'm hopeful that I will be back to normal tomorrow.

I am so tired of feeling like crap all the time.

Home Depot Sucks

This past week my dad and I looked at laminate flooring for my condo (as I posted earlier this week). The home depot that we went to, didn't have enough stock. So, we bought what they had. The 'manager' there was a real jerk, he wouldn't help us to contact another store to put aside the rest of what we needed. He just said the other stores had to stock and would have it for the same price. Unfortunately, they didn't give us locations, only store numbers. Did you know that the home depot website doesn't give you the store numbers, just the address? So, how helpful are a bunch of store numbers (not phone numbers).

Anyway, my dad went out over the next couple of days to track down the other eleven boxes of flooring that I needed. He toured all over south western Ontario. At one store as he was talking to the flooring associate the rest of the stock was being purchased. He asked me to stop at the home depot at Winston Churchill and the 401 on my way home. Which I did. They had 11 boxes at least, but for over double the price of what I paid at the Mavis and Brittania store. So, I talked to special services to find out why. They said it was because the Mavis / Brittania store was having a discontinuation sale (1st reason) and it was only that store. They would not be able to match it (even though, right behind her head was a sign that said 'price match guarantee'. I was so pissed off, I left and was ready to return what I had already bought.

The next day I had calmed down and I called customer care. They put me back in touch with the Winston Churchill store. This time they told me that the reason the price was different was because the Mavis store was closing and they were getting rid of their stock (2nd reason). Which would have been a valid reason if I had of bought it before they moved into their new location. She finally told me she would look into it and get back to me by the end of the day.

Then I talked to my dad and told him that they said the sale was only at the Mavis / Brittania store. He told me that was a lie since he had been to at least four other stores with the sale price. I was not impressed at all with Home Depot at this point. The woman then called me back and said they would not match the price because it was a manager's choice sale (3rd reason) and they were not having the sale. I was so mad at this point.

I called customer care back. This time they put me in touch with the mavis / brittania store. I talked to a very nice woman and she told me that the Winston Churchill store was showing on her computer as having the sale price. Yet, I had talked to them 30 mins before and they said no sale price. Luckily this woman at the mavis store took pity on me. She called around and found me a store in Brampton that had stock and had the sale price. I headed right over and bought the rest of what I needed so that my dad could pick it up.

I hope this is the end of the craziness of dealing with home depot. But, I'm not holding my breath.

We start this week on pulling up the horrible pink carpet. Woo hoo!

Humans to Blame?

This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. 'Humans are most-likely to blame for global warming.' Who did they think was to blame? The monkeys? They needed to put together a study for this? This is what research money is going to? We are such a stupid race. I don't understand why I'm always surprised by the stupidity of the human race.

Let's not put money towards correcting the problem or teaching people on how to (hopefully) reverse the damage we have caused. No, let's put money towards figuring out (what everyone should already know) is that we are to blame.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/070202/world/france_climate_change_10

Change

My friend Julia has a link on her blog to another blog about change being found. I am strangely fascinated by this blog. I keep going back to it, to see how much change they have found. It has a running total, as well as monthly stats (and you know how I love those stats).

So, now I find myself picking up the change that I find and wanting to comment on it. (We shall see how long this lasts.)

Last week at hockey practice I found 2 pennies, but I only picked up one. It was really gross outside and the one penny was stuck in the mud. Today I found two pennies on the casino concourse floor when I went to the caf to get some water. I felt weird each time bending down to pick up the pennies because there are always eyes watching you at the casino. Total so far is $0.03.

I did find a loonie as well, but I'm pretty sure it fell out of my coat, so I am not counting it.