Bye-bye Belly Jewel

I don't have a navel piercing any more. After 8 years, I finally decided to part with it. It has been a week and I am feeling good about this decision.

The Grand Canyon

I finally made it to the Grand Canyon, and WOW, it was breathtaking! I took so many pictures and I could have taken so many more, but it was extremey windy. I mean it was don't get too close to the edge or the wind will blow you to your death windy.

I will certainly have to go back, do some hiking, and spend more than a few hours there. And of course, take Eelke with me. :)

The temperature at the South Rim was 53F (about 12C) when we arrived around 2pm, and it had dropped to 45F (about 7C) when we left at 5pm. It was partically cloudy with winds steady at probably 20 km/h and gusting probaby around 45km/h.

No Hangover For Boxing Day

We had Christmas dinner with Deb & Joe and Marie & Darrell, just like we did last year, but without me getting sloshed and not remembering getting home. haha! Seeing them again was just like getting together with the family for the holidays, which would seem like a normal thing, except that we've only spent 12 hours together in the past year; last Christmas was the first time we ever met. We all agreed that it was like a Christmas tradition to have us all together.

Since I'm not going to be waking up with a hangover, maybe we will actually be able to make a trip to the Grand Canyon! That is the plan for tomorrow. (Last year I couldn't get out of bed until 5:00 in the afternoon.)

Tomorrow's Grand Canyon forcast: Monday: Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of sprinkles in the afternoon. South winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon. Highs around 48 on the north rim to around 63 along the colorado river.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Angeline & Miranda in Arizona!

We woke up, opened our gifts, had breakfast and then went swimming! This is a great way to spend the holidays. The weather here is wonderful, with a high of 26C forcasted for today.

Went to the zoo and all I saw was...

We went to the zoo tonight and here is a list of the animals I saw.
- Three snakes, a toad, and a green Iguana.
- A flock of Flamingos.
- Three zebras.
- A fake talking giraffe.
- About 4 dozen ducks in a pond.

That's what we get for going to the zoo after dark. haha! Actually, it was Zoolights at the Phoenix Zoo, where you go to see the zoo decorated in lights, and you don't go to see the animals. Honestly, I probably would have enjoyed it a lot more during the day. I mean, when you can smell large-animal dung, it's often a lot more pleasant if you can see who was making the stink.

The 2.5 Santa Experience

My biggest mistake of the year was probably NOT taking Miranda to see Santa when we were at home.

This morning we headed out to the Arrowhead Towne Center in Glendale, AZ to get Miranda's annual photo with Santa Claus. The line up was HUGE! It took 2.5 hours to get through the line, and $13.00, one photo, and 2.5 minutes later it was all over.

Was it worth it? Oh probably not. I was fanatically about not missing a year of Santa photos, but really, if the holiday season passed and I didn't have a picture of Santa and Miranda, I would still be alive.

I am proud of myself for not getting suckered into their photo sales. For $25.00 I could have bought the Santa's Special: 1-5X7", 2-3 1/2X5", 4-wallets! I resisted the temptation to buy lots to make the wait really worth my while. Instead, I simply purchsed the 1-5x7" to add to my collection. This Santa visit was just for me! Well, amd maybe a bit for Miranda: she told Santa she wants a Furby (and she insists that he will be bringing one for her on Christmas), and she got a stupid little reindeer squishy toy. Merry Christmas!

In Phoenix for Christmas

We made it to Phoenix!

How, I don't know. First the flight for Chrismtas Eve was cancelled last month, and then we were on the flight for Christmas day, then got moved to the flight for the 22nd, only to get to the airport to be told they can fly us to Las Vegas as scheduled, but then the flight from Vegas to Phoenix was cancelled, but they could put us on another flight that would get us to Phoenix about the same time as the cancelled flight.

It was a first class flight from Edmonton to Vegas, and boy was that ever sweet! Miranda was enthralled by the slot machines in the Vegas airport. She asked me if she could play, to which I replied NO; then she asked if she could watch and I would play, to which I also replied NO. I foresee Miranda taking a trip back to Vegas when she's at least 21, so she can have a go at the slots without Mummy telling her NO.

FYI, a croissant at Sunterra's at home: $1.25CND; a croissant at the Vegas airport: $2.63UD! I would need to hit the slots and hope to win big to support my croissant habit.

This Girl's Best Friends

Diamonds are a girl's best friend, but I also have another best friend: Croissants!

Oh how scrumptious they are! The light crunch you hear at the first bite; the inside is full of flakey, but soft, buttery layers; every little bit of heaven. I love croissants! My day is not complete unless I have my croissant for breakfast.

Muffintins

Saturday night was Girls' Night Out! We saw In Her Shoes at the cheap theatre, sneaking in our own snacks and water. The most hilarious part was when Michellini didn't hear one character's joke about Camren Diaz wearing a postage stamp on her rear and calling it a bathing suit. We repeated it to her and after everyone stopped laughing at the joke, Michelle says, "Oh!" and starts to laugh, causing me and Lorraine to roar with laughter.

After the movie we went for wine and then back to Michellini's place to watch The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, and to watch the Muffintins, aka Fluff Muffin, Muffanopolous, Mouffon, and any other variation of muffin we can come up with. Her real name is Little Miss Know It All. It's no wonder we try to shorten it!

My Green (or not so green) Thumb

If I believed in the power of prayer, I would ask for you to pray for my dying plant, but I don't believe, so I won't ask. I gave it some water and if the plant wants to live, then it will.

I like to see what my plants are capable of. The dead chocolate mint plant couldn't cut it. The hibiscus (you can only see the top of it) has been on the brink of death many, many times since its birth in the spring of 2001. If they want water, then need to wilt and beg for it, hoping I will hear their plea before it is too late.

Hit From Behind

I hate the world!

How it is that I can be driving along, obeying all the traffic rule and lights, and still manage to get in a car accident due to another driver's carelessness? It totally makes me not want to drive any more!

Here's what happened. It was Saturday, just after 12:20 in the afternoon. I had taken Miranda to tap class and on the way home we stopped at the mall for a quick trip to the Jacob store. I was out of the mall parking lot, and stopped at a red light at between Kingsway and Nait. The roads were clear of ice when suddenly there was a huge bump from behind. I yelped and Miranda started bawling. I looked in the rear-view mirror to see a big red truck on my bumper.

I was stunned and although I didn't hear a crunch, I was terrified to see what state the rear end of my car was in. I jumped out of the car, opened Miranda's door to make sure she was ok (still crying, but no blood), overall probably not the smartest thing to do in the middle of traffic, and then proceeded to the rear of the car. It was fine! No cracks, no dents!

Still shaking, I managed to grab a pen and paper and take down the guy's name and number and address and plate number. When I got home I checked closer and through the dirt on the car (I just washed it last Saturday afternoon, honestly!) I could see scrapes in the paint, and I mean right through the paint. :( I called the phone number and it was a wrong number! I quickly learned my lesson about getting insurance information at the scene of the accident, just in case.

So I went to the police station, at my father's advice. The officer assisting me was a girl I went to school with in Junior High! She ran the plate number and all the other information the guy gave me was correct, so she called the number on file. She talked to the guy's mother, and informed her that he would be advised to talk to me when I called because otherwise it would be deemed as a hit and run for giving me a wrong phone number. She gave me the phone number and I left, feeling much more hopeful that I could have my car fixed.

Today I called him and he was quiet willing to work with me to get my car fixed. He apologised and wished me a Merry Christmas. Yes, Merry f’ing Christmas when I am the one who has to take the time to drive all over town to get the estimates and work done. Not to mention that my baby is only 4.5 months old and not whole any more. :(

Life of Pi

I finished reading The Life of Pi by Yann Martel.

“I have a story that will make you believe in God.”

Well, this book did not make me believe in God, but it was a fantastic book to read. It was a wonderful adventure story, full of suspense; and it was also thought provoking in regards to human and animal behaviour. I never could have predicted that it would end as it did. Give it a read to find out for yourself!

Woof! Meow!

The Cowboy (Brent) has a new puppy! She is a Boston Terrier named Bella. He told me he wants to change her name to Hot Shooter, but (go figure!) his fiance is not keen on that idea.

Lucky is feeling festive with her new Christmas kitty sweater! Looking fashionable, and loving every minute of it, yes that is one lucky cat. Ok, so in reality, Lucky was not overly impressed with her new threads, but I imagine it just needs to be broken in and then she will hardly know when it is on.

Love the Pink

Knowing how much I love pink, would you really think that I could pass up this purchase? Of course now. So here it is, in all its shiny pink glory : my new carry-on xcase!

Made by Heys, the xcase is only 5.4 lbs, making it the world's lightest carry-on; plus it meets the International Air Transport Association carry-on size regulations, measuring in at 44", because you never know when I might be taking an international trip! Until then, I am going to start packing for my Christmas trip to Arizona.

The Pampered Life

Last night my dear, sweet boyfriend did the following,

Met me at the train station
(played on the computer)
Shoveled the snow off my sidewalk
(played on the computer)
Took out the trash
(played on the computer)
Cooked me dinner
(played on the computer)
Washed the dishes
(played on the computer)
Read a bedtime story to my child
(played on the computer)
Made me tea
(played on the computer)
Cuddled with me while we watched a movie
(played on the computer)
Got excited when he learned his girlfriend has a weblog
(played on the computer)
Made love to me
(and did not play on the computer afterwards)
Whispered he love me and went to sleep

It is wonderful to be in love!

This is true love - you think this happens every day?
(Westley, in The Princess Bride)

Closure

I loved my friend;
He went away from me.
This poem ends,
as soft as it began :
I loved my friend.

After nearly 8 months after leaving (me and town), Scott made his first visit back to Edmonton. He asked to see me, and I agreed. This meeting did not go as I had imagined it would, but that's not a bad thing.

He visited with Miranda, and they practiced handwriting together. He and I talked a lot, about the past, the present, and the future. The end result : we both walked away with the closure we needed. Congratulations to Scott, for he has officially graduated to the Angeline's ex-boyfriend-but-still-a-friend Club!

Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.
(Westley, in The Princess Bride)

The Lost Tooth

Miranda came home from school on Monday with a surprise. She pulled her first loose tooth out during class! The teacher instructed her to go to the office to get a container to keep her tooth safe inside. Miranda thought the tooth fairy should leave her one thousand dollars in exchange for her tooth. Miranda almost didn't even get to put her tooth under her pillow, for she was playing with the container in the hallway and opened it up and the tooth fell out and got lost in the carpet. *super hero music* Mummy to the rescue! Of course Mummy finds it and once again saves the day. Alas, the tooth fairy could only spare a fiver. She also took the tooth shaped container and Miranda was devastated to find it gone, despite being advised that if she looses another tooth at school, the office will provide her with a new container.

Her new tooth is already coming in, so although she looks different, she doesn't have that huge gaping gap between her teeth like some children get.

Office Christmas Party

Saturday was my office Christmas party. Eelke went with me and met my frineds and colleagues, ate a lot of salmon, fetched me drinks, danced my feet off, and drove me home safely. The night was a HUGE success, and the thanks and compliments flowed all night and all day Monday. Yah for me for all the hard work with the planning of it! More pictures are here click.

Abandoned

Anthony abandoned me!

I used to see Anthony, my hair stylist, religioiusly, looking forward to my visits to his chair every 4 to 6 weeks. Then one day, he left me, and the hair styling world, to become a welder. I was crushed! I am still crushed! I have never felt so abandoned: after years of him promising to keep my hair beautiful what was I going to do?

Today I had an appointment with Lucy. Lucy used to work with Anthony, but they both moved to different salons. Lucy did a fine job with my hair, but I did not receive the extra love that Anthony used to bestow upon me. Lucy did not ask me if I wanted something to sip on; Lucy did not brush the hair off my face; Lucy does not have pictures of Miranda, like Anthony did. *sob* I miss my Anthony!

When I made the appointment to see Lucy, I even called Anthony’s old salon to make sure that he was no longer there. The girls at worked laughed at my desperate grasp at straws.

Knick-knack patty-whack

What does every 6 year-old need for her birthday? How about a collection of her very own?

First it was Precious Moments; then it was Boyd's Bears; this year is Royal Dalton. Miranda now has her very own "Vicki", and apparently another one on the way for Christmas. (All thanks go to Grandma, since the collections are her grand idea.)

From the Royal Dalton website: [Vicki] is 15cm in height and wears a two toned short sleeved pink and white gown. Her backstamp has a special mark of a maple leaf that denotes her as a "Canadian Exclusive". She too is time limited to 2005.

ps - I cannot stand knick knacks!

To blog or not to blog?

To blog or not to blog; that is the question.

I created a blog spot, and then decided not to blog, but look, I am blogging again!

So, in my first blog post, I mentioned meeting Mr. Wonderful. Mr. Wonderful, I mean Eelke, and I are together and it is amazing to have him in my life.

Every day since October 30th has been more fantastic than the last. I have never been happier in my life!