My vice or I should say 'device' these days is a wheelchair and a pair of crutches. Friday July 27th was a gorgeous day to have off so, off I went. I trolled the neighborhood as I frequently do, stopping here and there for a beer, some local downtown gossip and fellowship. I had just picked up my new orthopedic insoles and was feeling invincible. My feet felt good and looked good seeing as I could wear my fancy new sandals too. Well, new shoes and a few pints don't mix well. On my way home around 10pm, I miscalculated a step and both of my feet went underneath me. Thankfully, my husband Jason and I were arm in arm, so he basically caught me before I hit the ground. What did hit the ground though was my ankles. The left foot is sprained, bruised and very tender but my right foot has a hair line fracture in the tibia, a chip in the ankle bone and extensive soft tissue damage. So, where this leave me? Not so invincible. I'm being held hostage in an AirCast which looks like a moon walking boot and is very hot and uncomfortable. I've been instructed to wear this device 24/7 unless showering. At least I can shower! The crutches come in handy around the house and the wheelchair is for getting out to troll....I mean, for some fresh air. The one thing I enjoyed doing the most (wandering the neighborhood) has turned into the only thing I can't do. Sigh. Poor me. Not at all! This was a wake-up call to slow down. I believe everything happens for a reason and I've learned my lesson. Don't wear new shoes if you're planning to hit the spirits! Enough said.

For the past 9 weeks, I've been working in a totally different work environment than I'm used to. No more corporation bull-shit! No more screaming kids! No more power-hungry executives!

I was hired as the Church Secretary for St.Matthew-on-the-Plains Anglican Church here in Burlington. Now you'd think it's an laid back easy peasy job. Far from it. I'm using all of my skills and learning new ones every day. There are daily, weekly, monthly and yearly deadline that MUST be met. I support many of the smaller ministries within the church, help with fundraising events, track donations and much much more.

Mainly, I create bulletins, newsletters, flyers & posters using MS Publisher. I'm able to be creative and express myself openly and I love it! I still have a lot to learn but it's very gratifying working for God. The Clergy are great ladies and appreciate my hard work. I know that because they TELL me. What a concept! To actually tell someone their doing a great job. Boosts the confidence a notch or two.

I'll be finished my 3 month probation period end of November. Hopefully, I'll get a bit of a raise and work full-time. But, if not, I don't care. I enjoy the people, the work, the environment. If we were rich, I'd probably do it for free!!

Yesterday, I wrote about the bad luck I've been having with employment opportunities. I thought I finally had it settled then Monday happened! I strutted my perky self into the office this morning and was immediately asked to have a seat. My personal affects were packed up and an envelope with my name on it was on top. My boss began her verbal diarreha. "I'm sorry, but we've decide this isn't working out. I know you've only been here 3 weeks but we have a certain time line in which someone should be fully trained and proficient on the new software." THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO USE IT PROFICIENTLY!!! Give me a break. I was blindsided and ended up in shock. I'm sure all the blood left my face because I could feel it go straight to my heart and guts. I don't remember driving home. Thank my guardian angel for getting me home safely.

So, here I am back on the dole. Sure I'd love another summer off but that can't happen. I have certain financial responsibilities and without any income....well, you get the picture. Plus, I get bored real fast.

Someone's trying to tell me something. This is all happening for a reason. I just need to figure out what that reason is. My luck, or is it fate, has to change. In the meantime, I'll stay my perky self and look for answers in the stars.

Okay, okay, I've returned from my exhile. I know I've been out of touch for a while, and I apologize. My life has lead me in some interesting directions in the past 8 - 10 months.

Last I wrote, I was unemployed enjoying the beautiful summer of 2005. Having just been "sacked" from the wicked new Mapleview manager, I decided to sit, sip and reflect about what I really wanted to do with the remained of my time on this earth. Well, I sat. And, I sipped. I sipped alot. With all the wonderful outdoor patio's conveniently at my disposal, I sipped an extra 15lbs. worth of beer on my tummy. Only God knows how much cash I blew. Being given a hefty severence package, I had no worries about finances.

In September '05, I gave Nannying another try. This time it was different. It was family. I was with my cousins two kids (ages 3 & 5) three days a week. It was fun but was only part time, temporary until September '06.

Then, out of the blue an opportunity fell into my lap. I was sitting on my favorite barstool when my favorite bartender invited me to meet two ladies from Wisconsin, who were in town opening the first Canadian warehouse for Curt Manufacturing. They were looking for someone to do shipping and receiving. Preferrably a female with brains, and attention to detail and who didn't mind hard work. The male worker they had hired through a temp agency was screwing things up royally. Curt Mfg. makes trailer hitches. Five classes of trailer hitches. Big, heavy, solid steel trailer hitches. Am I coming through clearly? It was hard work. Possibly, the hardest job I've ever done, but I loved it! It was great exercise. I dropped my 'pint pounding' weight in no time. I slept great at night knowing I worked hard and had some fun doing it. Then came the excruciating pain in my right elbow. I kept on lifting hitches all the time popping Advil and thinking nothing of it. A few days in to the pain I realized this wasn't normal. I saw my doctor and I had Tennis Elbow. This is where you tear the tendons away from the bone. Suddenly, I find myself out of work for 3 weeks or until the elbow is better and the doctor says I can return to lifting.

What's a girl to do? Back to the pint pounding.
In the meantime, I met my brother Randy who was non-existant in my life two years ago. He was given up for adoption at birth and spent significant time (20 years) searching for my mother. He now lives in Texas with his wife Ruth. It was a wonderful experience for both of us.

During my 3 weeks off, I got a call for an interview with a landscaping company. I guess I "wowed" them because I've been reporting to work everyday for the past 4 weeks. It's an Administrative Assistant position with NO heavy lifting. Unfortunately, it's alot of sitting but it keeps me busy. The people I work for are a husband and wife team. They are a very nice couple and thankfully, have been patient with my learning curve. We're all working with new software designed specifically for the Landscaping industry. There's alot of bells and whistles that go along with it but I'm catching on. I'm pretty happy there, for now. It's a seasonal position with December, January, and February off. I can't say it's my dream job but it'll pay the bills. (Christmas in Hawaii sounds good, too.)

What I'd really like to do is use my creative skill to earn a living. I love to draw, paint, take photographs, and write poetry. Advertising would be my place. But without any real work experience it's hard to get a foot in the door. Who knows? I'm still young and my dream is still alive. Until then, I'll trudge on. I have a great life with my husband Jason. I have nothing to complain about so I won't. Many others have less. I am truly blessed.

By the way, today is our 5th Wedding Anniversary! Oh dear. More pint pounding!

Well, here I am, 6 weeks unemployed. I was let go of my previous position at Mapleview Shopping Centre on June 1st, 2005. I'd been with the company Ivanhoe Cambridge Inc. for almost 4 years. It came almost as a relief. The position as Customer Service Manager was quite boring.
I experienced a lot of "down time" and got cranky with nothing to do. It was definitely not the busiest shopping centre in the area. Most people work during the day so I catered to new mom's and the elderly. I met some wonderful people and developed some new friendships over the years. I'm the type of person who needs a challenge in my daily routine. I need to be kept busy and know that I'm being productive.
The company itself was one of the best I've worked for and for that, I have regrets. But it was evident that I was going to get sacked if I wasn't happy in the position.
So, here I am. The timing couldn't've been better. It's been a great hot summer. I've been trying to get back in shape and drop some of my nasty habits I've aquired over the long winter. Trying to fill the days, waiting for the next interview can be depressing.
What I need is more unemployed friends to help me pass the time. Yeah, right! Eventually something will come along and I'll be back on track. I talk to people who are so envious of where I am right now. They wish they had the summer off. But I bet they really don't. Having a routine and feeling like you've contributed to the world on a daily basis has it's upside. Oh, then there's the pay cheque!

It's been a couple of long months since I've written anything new, though a lot has happened. I'm always on Jason to write more in his blog seeing as I enjoy reading his musings so much. I've been back to work since mid February and enjoying it much more than I used to. I had my annual performance review and the results put things into perspective for me. Our new manager has empowered me to be a better supervisor and showed me exactly where my weakness' are and where I need to improve. I'm focusing daily on these issues and feel renewed in the meantime.

The wintery weather is behind us finally. This turn always makes me feel positive knowing I'll be able to get outside and get on my bike again. I'm walking to work as much as possible and have started my seedlings for my so called garden. This year I'm trying my hand at leeks, tomatoes, for the first time, and of course the usual basil and parsley, which are easy to grow.

Jason and I are finally back on track financially. He started working for VMWare in October of 2004 with a good salary and local office here in Burlington. I didn't realise how much I worried about finances until I didn't have to worry anymore. Jason is a different person too. He's much more relaxed and we have fun together again.
I knew everything would eventually work out just fine. I always try to stay positive in my thinking. It helps.

My 42nd birthday is just around the corner. How time flies! I can't help but thinking my life is half over, if I'm lucky that is. Where did it all go? I want to do so much more in my life. I don't feel my age. That's a good thing people tell me. Still no gray hair, all my teeth, no hearing devices, only missing one organ. My eyes are going though. It's got to start somewhere, I guess. Gravity has definitely taken it's toll on my body. I've conceded to knowing I will never be the same size as I was in high school. But I try to eat right and get enough exercise and that's what's important.

Well, here it is two weeks after my hysterectomy. It went well. As well as it should have. I was out of the hospital in no time. As soon as you 'pass gas' the doctor lets you out. I've never had a problem passing gas. I'll probably be farting well after I'm dead for that matter.

I'm in the middle of my recuperation time. It's been nice not having to worry about work or work related issues. My stress is non-existent at this point and time. I think I could get used to this "doing nothing" as long as I had a substantial steady income to keep me shopping happily.

I'm sure Jason has noticed my easy going "new" self and is lapping it up. It sure proves that stress levels make a difference in one's attitude. I'm not harping on Jason to do this and why wasn't this wasn't done when I asked, blah, blah, blah. Poor guy. He's probably willing to make me a "kept" woman as long as I'm as easy going as I am now. I don't bother him because I know I have all the time in the world to do daily tasks, as long as there's no heavy lifting involved.

I realize now that boredom isn't such a bad thing. It gives you time to reflect and sort through life's little mysterys. And catch up on Oprah and Dr. Phil.

Working at Customer Service in a large regional shopping mall at this time of the year is a lot of fun, at times. It's busy, busy and that's how I like to work. Keep me moving and I'm happy. Boredom makes me miserable. I need to be doing something otherwise I stagnate.

Gift certificate sales are off the hook this year. Hopefully we'll break our record numbers from last year and I'll see a nice bonus in March.

I do believe that people get so stressed out around holiday time that they lose their minds. Some of the questions that we're asked are pretty stupid and the lost and found that is never claimed is ridiculous. Everything from shower curtain rods to boxes of extra large condoms. Maybe the same person lost both?

We had a woman call the mall to inquire about Santa's hours. When she wasn't quite satisified with the answer she asked if she could talk to Santa himself. Umm, no! Does he take a washroom break? A lunch break? What does he have for lunch? Another customer asked for the phone number of a store. She couldn't remember the name of it but it had purple carpet. Doh! It keeps my employees and I chuckling throughout the day. You have to laugh to stop yourself from crying half the time. I love when they call to get the phone numbers of other malls. Yeah, right! Or they rent a stroller, fill it with parcels, and the child walks till he's dead tired and screaming his head off.

Still and all, it keeps it interesting. Never a dull moment at Christmas time. Each day brings new challenges and new adventures.
I wouldn't want it any other way!

Merry Christmas & Peace to all my friends and family!

Death Notice /Ode to Ute

It is with great pleasure that I announce the upcoming death of Mi Uterus. Ms. Uterus has led a very unproductive life and has caused much grief to her owner Michelle Bassford. Ms. Uterus has been on various life support systems for many years, to no avail. She leaves behind her two very close ovarian friends, Estro and Gen.

The ceremony will take place at the skilled hands of Dr. Paul Wu, OBGYN at Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington on Tuesday, January 4th at 8:00 a.m. An extended mourning period of 3-5 weeks will follow the ceremony where Michelle Bassford will dress in bright colors unlike the traditional black. Immediately following the mourning period, a celebration will be ongoing in the form of an active sex life! No guests are invited. A constant grin will be noticeable on the face of Michelle Bassford by friends and family for many years to come.

An organ donor card has been previously signed and as an alternate sentence, an unwilling member of Female Correctional Facility will take ownership of Ute where this prisoner will endure the same wrath as Ms. Bassford has for the past 3 decades. Our prayers are with this inmate.

Jason has recently started a new job here in Burlington at a company called VMWare. High tech stuff, don't ask. Anyway, the first thing they did with him after hire is send him to California for two of training. That's rough, right? He seemed to be having a great time there though we didn't have a lot of time to chat due to time change and all. He and the gang went to San Fransisco and to Napa and Sonoma County to taste the wonderful wines. He's even importing some home for me to try. Can't wait!

It's been an interesting two weeks alone. The first week was great! I was able to live in my bed if I wanted to, eat when I wanted, drink when and what I wanted, fart, burp and snore. It was heaven. By the second week, the novelty had worn off. I was reminded of how it was to live alone. It wasn't pleasant. I started to neglect my diet, worry about things I shouldn't and basically became miserable. It makes me wonder why we show much more concern for ourselves when we're with our partners.

Jason will be home late this evening and I'm so looking forward to his wonderful company again. Not to mention my quota of hugs and kisses to fulfill. If I ever thought I wanted to be single again, I've changed my mind. This was the perfect test of time.