Queen’s 9th Update…

I’ve had requests to make a book out of this blog which to me is a bit strange since you can get it here for free… but… I’m thinking about it.  Maybe I can publish the “best of” with explanations of what was “really” going on in my head at the time I wrote!  Or I could just keep making posts and publish something else… who knows!  Eventually I’ll sort it all out!

I wrote a post about being asked to make donations when standing at the check out. During the holidays, each time I was asked to make a donation I put a loonie in my pocket.  I currently have seventeen dollars!  My girlfriend Karen is participating in a fundraiser on March 26th.  She’ll be exercising like a superhero for six hours straight at the “Bust a Move” event, presented by the QEII and IWK Foundations.  They’ll be raising funds to create a Breast Health Centre that will enable one-stop breast care for the hundreds of families who face breast cancer each year.  Karen works at the cancer center and helps people dealing with cancer first hand.  I’m throwing my $17 her way as I’ve no issue with donations… I just don’t like being asked at the check out!  If you’re interested, donate to Karen for “Bust a Move”… or make a donation to another charity of your choice.  Oh… while I’m on the topic… my Dad managed to raise $1,400 for prostate cancer by growing a moustache in Movember!  I’m always impressed with people who give back!  Thanks to both Karen, my Dad and the numerous folks out there who make a difference.
Post:  Register this…

I wrote a letter to Sidney Crosby but never heard back from him!  Turns out he’s down and out with a concussion which probably would make it difficult to read even though I did write a post warning him about how rough things are getting on the ice!  Anyway, I never heard from Sid but I did have a few hockey coaches stop me at the rink to tell me they appreciated what I’d written which is always interesting to me to discover who’s reading my blog… even if Sid isn’t!  On another note… my boy was suspended for a few games during his Christmas tournament for an “elbow” to another player.  He checked a kid who was smaller than him but didn’t “adjust” his size and was thrown out of the game.  The other kid was fine and playing the next shift (thank goodness) and I had a few parents ask if I was ticked off that my kid was suspended.  Here’s the thing… I can’t have it both ways.  I can’t be annoyed that refs aren’t making the proper calls and then when they do… get annoyed ’cause my kid is suspended.  Fact is… proper call… proper suspension.  No one was hurt but kids need to learn how to take and give a proper check and they aren’t going to learn a thing if they’re getting away with it on the ice… whether it’s done on purpose or not!  My son’s coaches are currently working with him on adjusting his size… he’s learning… and I’m proud of how he’s handling himself.
Post:  Letter to Sidney Crosby…

So far I’ve not been naughty!  I’ve been out a few times over the holidays and had a great night out with Crazy the other day but I don’t know… it’s not in me.  I have a feeling I’m disappointing a few people… possibly even Santa… but I’ve an entire year to make it to the naughty list!
Post: Feelin’ naughty…

Ever since I wrote the post about swiping my debit card the wrong way it’s irritating me even more!  An older check-out woman at Sobeys in Bedford actually yelled at me the other day when I swiped the card the wrong way then realizing my error… swiped it the right way.  She claimed I was going to “wipe out” the entire order and she’d have to ring my groceries in all over again!  I bit my tongue as I had my youngest with me but when we got outside my daughter told me she thought the lady at the check out was “freaky”.  Yup… freaky… that’s what I was thinking.
Post: Swipe the other way…

My online dating account expires on the 31st and while it’s provided some entertainment I’m not entirely sure it’s working for me!  I don’t think it’s my style.  I tend not to check it very often except when I’m bored and that’s probably not the way to get back into dating.  I’ve chatted with a couple of guys that seem quite lovely… but still… not my thing… or I’m still not ready.  I haven’t decided.  I don’t think I’ll continue my account but then again… I’ve got that naughty list to get on!
Post: Finding mr. wonderful…

I heard from Tony Power.  All these years of thinking of him at 11:11 and he couldn’t remember ever telling me!  I’ve been wasting my time for the last 25 years!  Then… he follows it up by reminding me that this year on November 11th it will be 11/11/11 at 11:11.  Damn.  I’m pretty sure he’s still messing with me!
Post: You’re a cow go lick yourself!  I mean… Happy New Year…

I heard from Olek… the woman who knitted the sweater for the Charging Bull on Wall Street.  She thanked me for writing the post about her.  It snowed last night and I’m betting the Winston Churchill statue at the library is cold… someone get out there and knit the man a pair of pants!
Post: Yarn bombing..

My diet is going well but for some reason my kids keep trying to entice me with various foods!  “Come on mom… how many points can a donut really be?”  I ran into a friend the other day who told me she could notice I was losing weight in my face.  That’s exactly where I was hoping to lose it.  Did you notice anywhere else?  No?  Great.  Just great.
Post: It’s a new day…

I didn’t mean to leave the “Year two” post up for so long but I’ve had a busy few days.  I had an email from a divorce forum wanting to use my post… but they weren’t so interested in paying for it so I said no.  I also had a company this week offering a “giveaway” to my readers… but well… I didn’t think it was enough of an incentive for you and in the end… just looked a little too much like free advertising.  I’m all about advertising and giveaways… but only for products and services I believe in and only if there’s a benefit to my readers.  Check out the advertisers on the side of my blog.  Oxford Learning Center worked wonders for my boy and I’ll be eternally grateful for all they’ve done to help him with his education.  Dan Lomas at Century 21 is not only a Real Estate Agent but an Insurance Agent as well… he’s all about taking a look at the big picture and putting you in a lifestyle that’s affordable for the present and the future.  Mudwraps to Manicures and Sincerely Shoes are owned by one of my dearest friends and for thirteen years Lisa Belanger has been encouraging women to look and feel their best.  Both Patti-Cakes (my friend Patricia) and KC’s Face Painting (my friend Karla) will help you throw the greatest parties on earth!  Click on all the advertisements and check them out!
Post:  Year two…

Finally… what I haven’t been telling you… my Nan was really sick.  Our family had quite a fright as one of the most amazing women in the world had a heart attack on New Year’s Eve.  My Nan is 87 and she’s one of the strongest most determined women I’ve ever known.  I just got off the phone with her and she was more interested in hearing how I was doing than telling me how she was.  She told me she says a prayer for me every day… that you just have to keep moving forward until you can’t move forward anymore…that it’s wonderful to be in a family with so much love and support… that she loves me… and she’s very proud of me.  And I feel the exact same way.

2011 has started off to be a great year… there’s a bit more peace and a lot less war but we’re only 2 weeks in… and about a thousand more pages left to write!