don't mind me.....just trying to talk Chrissy through a profile post.

Whoa....I've been on blogging hiatus. Took the week-end off and it was just like the good ol' days before I wasted my entire weekend on the computer. Decided that since like 80% of the blogging/scrapping world was in Vegas for CHA, I could afford to take time off from the computer, cause it would be a snap to catch up. So that is what I will do tonight, play catch up.

And I have nothing to feel guilty about because since I spent minimal time on the computer this past weekend, I got a ton of cleaning done. And organizing. And scraping. And I even got my hair cut and colored. Can I just say "Whoa!"....every time I look in the mirror....I'm freeking blonde!! And to top things off, Saturday night I had another birthday dinner at Jimmy's parents house......had to wait for their new kitchen counter and cupboards to be finished before we could celebrate but man was it worth it

Now I'm anxiously awaiting the end of the week.....my parents are in Ottawa this week and while they were down there, I thought I'd get them to pick me up THE HOTTEST photoshop book. April's been blowing me away with all the stuff she's been learning....and well, I'm Photoshop-clueless so any book that will teach me step-by step is the way to go.

I'll leave you with the pictures April played with.........

Flashback to 1965 or something like that...

We brought our car in to have the oil changed and the tire drum or whatever it's called changed.

Jimmy decided to go to the best place in town. Pulling into the garage, who do I see? A tiny little woman in coveralls, grey hair, mid 70's sitting down smoking. Who would believe this little woman works all alone fixing up cars for $12 cash.

Nu-uh, not me. I'm a ' have to see it to believe it' kinda girl. I made Jimmy take me with for obvious reasons.

She only takes cash or Visa. Cash gets you a cheaper price. This woman freeking rocks!!!

Jimmy asked her once the car was ready, if we could run to the bank machine to get cash....she said "sure" without hesitation. I asked her if I needed to stay behind as collateral and she snorted!! While I was hairstyling, when clients had to 'go to their car to get their wallets' my big Italian boss made them leave their watch or jacket or something behind.

Total cost = $12. Plus a $3 tip. She wouldn't take anymore than that!!!

Nothing like a Monday morning to cure a case of insomnia.
I hit my snooze button for an hour this morning. When I finally dragged myself outta bed at 8am, I was running severely late. Rushed around trying to get showered and ready for work till I remembered I would be alone in the office today and tomorrow since Dr. X is out of town. Broke out my jeans and a huge goofy grin. I love easy days.

With a heavy heart and Little Miss Batman-Loving April in mind, I agreed to watch Batman Begins last night. April, you owe me two hours of my life back. I can’t say I saw even a glimmer of Batman’s hotness. There was potential….but he was covered in his huge cape the whole time. Did you see an unrated version or something!?!? Bwa-hahaha.

Took the trip out to vote and I’m not sure cause it’s been a loooooong time, but I think I got hit on!!! Standing in line, waiting my turn, the guy in front of me turns and starts talking about hating voting cause he never knows who to vote for since they’re all **bleepity bleep bleepers!!!** Nice huh?

I said “Well, voting today entitles you to that same kinda opinion for another couple of years since you actually came out and voted. I always tell people that if they don’t vote, they’re not entitled to an opinion.” He must’ve thought I was charming or something cause he leaned over and whispered “Well, I was gonna play eenie meenie miney mo and choose one, it don’t matter to me. If you agree to a date with me, I’ll vote for whoever you tell me to.”

Ahhh, weekends are just fahhhh-bulous.

Got a whole lot of nothing done today. Barely got dressed actually. And that’s exactly the way I like to spend my Saturdays in the winter. Inside relaxing.

Since I didn’t do anything today, I have nothing to write about. Perhaps tomorrow will be more blog-worthy.

Alright, one last thing....the people have spoken and now I know……my delightful afternoon pick-me-up aka Smarties are available to my Parisian friend Alison but are not available in the US. What a shame. As soon I finally get dressed properly…..I’ll pick up a few boxes to RAK off. Stay tuned for Smartie Awareness. (Yes, you just might have to compete!!)

Just got off the phone with my brother………
Tell me this isn’t true……while sharing the news that Smarties are completely unknown candies in the US, my brother informed me that you also do not have Ketchup flavoured chips?!?!?!?!!? (Sorry, I can’t RAK those off…..chips wouldn’t survive the Canadian postal service.)


***edit*** I should clarify..... Ketchup chips do not rock my socks off. I do not eat them, unless I'm offered them from a cute little 4 year old....you know how they always wanna share?? They're soo cute and you can't really say 'no' cause you want to encourage them to keep sharing.

There are grown up chip flavours and kid flavours....kids favour Ketchup flavour.

And I'm gonna say something now to all you who live in the the country of the cherry cola. That is DISGUSTING!!!

when you eat your Smarties, do you eat the red ones last?

I'm scrappping tonight. And I'm really feeling it!! This layout I'm working on....it's gonna be my newest fave. Just decided to take a break for a few minutes to ask my fellow bloggers a question. And it's a real easy answer....either yes or no. Oh, and tell me where you live.

I wasn't under the impression that Smarties were Canadian candy....however, through the wonderful world of blogging, I've run into two people who've sorta boggled my brain..... One girl wrote on her blog about receiving Smarties for Christmas and likened them to M&Ms but way better in an attempt to introduce Smarties to her readers. I was like "What the heck??? Who is she talking to, doesn't everyone know Smarties?" I just chalked it up to the fact that she lived in Utah and perhaps, Smarties weren't in wide circulation.


Then, when I stated 'not eating the brown Smarties' as a quirk of mine a few post back, I got this comment:

" Brown smarties? Whoever heard of such a thing? Wait a minute.. I just realized
(as I was typing that) that you're probably not talking about the same smarties as
I am thinking of... hmmm..."


Soooooooo, my question is....... Do you know Smarties? Yes or No? And where do you live?

p.s. I included a picture of the Smarties (candy coated milk chocolate, delish!) I'm munching on as I type this......notice there are no brown Smarties. I took them all out for the picture and gave them to Jimmy. It's his job to eat the ugly Smarties.

Ugh, spent too much time online tonight. Nothing got done except one load of laundry that was washed and put in the dryer before I started chatting with Alex tonight. However, I have the teensiest better understanding of 2peas. Practice makes perfect. Thanks for your patience Alex.....

And just cause I'm late thanking everyone doesn't mean that I'm not excited, in awe, stoked, giddy and whatever else about the birthday tags I stand to receive. I'm actually shocked!! Really....I didn't expect any kind of birthday surprise from you fabulous peas. I mean, I'm not exactly a model Pea.....so why the heck would any of you take the time out of your busy schedules to make something for little 'ol me. I'm touched...as sensitive as I am, I'm shocked I didn't cry.....however, MAJOR FLUTTERS in my belly as I made my way through the gallery.

With that, I have officially posted my first layout. Take it easy on me. I did the best I could with the supplies that I allowed myself to use. Decided to create something using no-name supplies....you know, the stuff people who have no clue about scrapping buy for scrappers. The kinda gift you open and hope that your smile doesn't betray you. Well, incase my sister in law ever asks me if I've used the bazillion little Dollarama stickers and papers she bought....I'll have something to show her.

www.twopeasinabucket.com/userprofile.asp?user_id=230371

Alison tagged me, so here comes another Q&A with Raina.

Four jobs I've had:
-grocery store cashier; first job ever and also the best....seriously, who worked in a grocery store with a bazillion other kids and didn't have fun screwing around in the back room? Seriously, my brother was ALWAYS GONE.... "I swear I was outside collecting carts this whole past hour."
-hairstylist; worst job ever. what a slap in the face....I cried almost every single day when I got home from work. and for the record, I was a good stylist.
-and from hairstyling, I surprised everyone and became a boring insurance underwriter
-until I moved home to Timmins where I am currently working as a medical assistant.

Four movies I'd watch over and over:
The whole Lord of the Rings trilogy (Does this count as 1 or 3 movies?)
Dirty Dancing

Four places I've lived:
only lived in three different cities
Timmins ON
Gatineau QC
Nepean ON

TV shows I love to watch:
Sex and the City
Related
Kenny vs. Spenny.... pretty sure it's Canadian...what a great waste of time.
Other than that, if Jimmy isn't in charge of the remote, it's on CMT cause it's background noise on the only channel that doesn't make Banner howl. Every other channel has a bazillion commercials with puppies in them.

Four websites I visit daily:
Hotmail
Google
CelebritySmack
and many many blogs.

Four places I've been on vacation:
-Midland ON
-Toronto ON with a brief stop in Niagara Falls
-Ottawa ON (before living there)
-New York City

Four foods I love:
strawberries
strawberry daquiries & shortcake
chicken fajitas
BBQ'd anything

Four places I’d rather be:
-This birthday girl with a pocket full of money wishes she were at a scrap sale
-or a bead store
-ok, or a clothes store.
-But I'm quite content relaxing at home today and waiting for Jimmy to be ready for a walk in the bush with Banner.

Four people to tag:
-Hey, if I wasn't actually the last person to get tagged (again) and you haven't done it....go nuts.

Now you're all wondering right.... how was my birthday dinner with the parents and Mikey. One word - delicious. The weather has been unseasonably warm around here so I decided on a summer BBQ supper.

Me with my Mom and Jimmy and anyone surprised? my baby brother. Dad took this picture and Nana didn't want to participate.

Oh and Mikey took this picture....funny guy and a real whiz with a camera. For real, any of you single gals need a boyfriend?

For your reading pleasure:

***CONVERSATION FROM AROUND THE DINNER TABLE***

Dad: "Wow, great dinner!!"

Mom: "Don't thank me, thank Raina for the delicious suggestion."

Raina: "Yeah well since I've always wanted my birthday in the summer, the recent warm weather gave me the great idea to choose BBQ. It almost feels like summer, sitting around the table, drinking summer drinks and eating burgers."

Dad: "Yeah, this nice weather is sooooo un-January like. Nothing like the Friday the 13th in 1978 when Raina was born."

Brother: "Yeah wasn't there a huge storm when Raina was born? Soo big that Dad ended up in a ditch on the way to the hospital? And as he was rushing to the delivery room, they brought Raina out and he took one look at her and thought "Oh my God, my daughter is retarded."

I'll never live that down. And I'll never let the doctors use forceps on my babies when I deliver.

Yo!! I'm a birthday girl!

Happy Birthday to Me
Happy Birthday to Me
Happy Birthday Miss Raina
Happy Birthday to Me.

Oh and ditto to that sensational little redhead who is sharing her birthday with me.
Happy Birthday Jamie!!!

Soooo, I'm dragging my 28 year old body around this morning, and reeeeeally don't want to go to work. But because I'm a trouper, I will.......but I'm coming home early.

Then it's off to my parent's house for dinner and, wish me luck on this..........getting everyone to agree to pictures.

Caroline and I paired up while she was home at Christmas and made this for Jamie's birthday. It was Caroline's very first attempt at a card. I merely supervised and taught her how to attach the eyelets.

Just cause you're using a Rebel doesn't mean you'll get good pictures

This year, all I want for my birthday from my family are a few nice family pics. Oh, and a free meal, but that's a given.

Will my birthday wish come true with a brother like this invited to my party???

would'ya look at that.....Jimmy makes a rare apprearance in the blog limelight.

Being at home on a Saturday night with my computer isn't the end of the world..... I actually dig it nowadays. But don't tell my parents....they think I act older than a 27 year old should. Always telling me stories that begin with "When we were your age......."

Well, there is only soo much tequilla a girl can handle. I was a good kid. I can't say I never drank an ounce of alcohol before my 19th birthday...but I never over-indulged. I saved that till I turned 19. And then, boy did I catch up to my friends in a hurry. In my first years as a legal drinker, I must've spent the amount of a downpayment on a house. And I kick myself now. Cause with every night of doing shots of tequilla with Jimmy, there was a new cute outfit to go with. What a waste. But I wasn't smart enough to realize that all those years ago. And my biggest accomplishment was staying home one Saturday night while my parents were entertaining, joining them at the table and outdrinking everyone including a 300lbs drinking machine. Me, a tiny 120lbs kid had the alcohol tolerance to outdrink someone more than double my size....and I got up and went to work the next morning while the man's son came in to work and told everyone what a monster I was cause his father was home hurting in a HUUUGE way.

So, I mastered the art of the tequilla shot. I outdrank a monster....(lol I love BC and I'd hate for him to know I called him a monster....he really isn't....but for the lack of a better work at the moment, I'm sticking with it...it was a true David and Goliath story.) I can't tell you how many times I came home after sun came up. Hell, Jimmy & I slept on a bench downtown one night. Is that hardcore enough?

Now can I just be an old 27 year old? I'm home in a tee and yoga pants. I have slippers on. It's Satuday night and I started a movie at 7pm so that I'd be sure to be awake for the whole thing. Now.....does anyone have a problem with that?

Cause my 28th birthday is in less than a week..........and I haven't a clue what is in store for me. I might just move into a retirement home.

a little potpourri....

Genious that I am, I'm just gonna empty out my head right now....which will probably leave me empty for blogging material for a day or two. No problemo.

First, got tagged by Greta to share 5 quirks....feel like I've just been giving and giving..... anyone tired of me yet? I'll do it though...cause I'm a trouper and cannot leave someone hanging.
1. Jimmy eats my brown Smarties for me. It was one of my quirks years ago that has faded out, but because 7 years ago, at a time when my actions, hair and dance moves resembled the finally cancelled 'Dharma', I pronounced to the world that Jimmy and I would marry and live happily ever after because we both loved Ketchup and he'd save me the burden of eating brown Smarties. And even though I'm older and wiser and know that giving away my brown Smarties means less for me, I can't break our tradition.
2. The first concert I ever saw was Shania Twain...she came home and Timmins had the biggest concert ever outside in the park.
3. Lately, I'm really digging country music. And I effing cry at the real sappy sad videos. And Banner sits with me on the couch and cuddles with me to try to cheer me up.
4. My birthday this year falls on a Friday. I was born a Friday the 13th baby.....and again I'll be celebrating on a Friday the 13th. Any suggestions what I should do to celebrate?
5. It takes me approximately 4-5 hours to complete a scrapbook layout! I can't commit!! I can't glue it all down. And I'm soo self-conscious about my layouts afterwards because I put soo much work into it and I worry what people are thinking when they look at them. (Oh yeah, only a select few have seen my scrapbooks.....however, my new years resolution is to start posting on 2Peas.)

Alright, next......I hate to even record this in my blog....I'll come back someday and delete this cause I don't usually fill my blog with useless celeb gossip and info....but hit my link for Celebrity Smack if you dare and listen to a brainless single off K-Fed's album. Yeah, I said IF YOU DARE. But I decided it is a dare now.....and I want to know if any of you actually suffered through the entire song, cause I certainly didn't.

First birthday cake of the year yesterday...headed over to my parents house to celebrate my Dad's birthday. (My dad worried I might meet crazies while blogging and voiceed concerns about my posting pictures and using my real name....so I'll respect him and only post this 'faceless' pic of him from the Boxing Day Jam Session in my uncle's basement.)



I put this hat on my dad cause I thought it was appropriate enough since we were all joining in on a wicked rendition of The Gambler that was to Kenny Rogers what American Idol's (many) horrible renditions of I'll Be was to Edwin McCann. (Sorry Kenny......but did we ever have fun!!)

Hmm, Blogger's actually letting me post pictures tonight.....let's see what else I can come up with.

Did some dancing on New Years Eve..... Couldn't even begin to try to remember what my mother-in-law and I were doing.



However, I do remember trying to teach Jimmy's uncle the 'slap it' dance.



I'm really enjoying Jimmy's Ipod I bought him...and he's thoroughly enjoying taking pictures of Banner & I with my Rebel.



Ok, I'm done....and my brain is still buzzing with words.....but these pictures killed me and I must get off for now.

p.s. I'm a Pea now!!! Still really new at the whole deal, but I'll be visiting and can now leave pea praise to all my Pea Pals.