chemgurl's Xanga

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:39:13 GMT

Wow, Xanga, eh? I may have to poke around a little and see if it's worth coming back. :)

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:01:22 GMT

Still kicking. Back on the Island. That is all. =)

Mama, I'm Coming Home...

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 09:11:30 GMT

(for a long time after we came out here that song made me want to cry every time I heard it... for the past month or so it's been kind of a personal anthem... not that any of the song means anything other than the "mama, I'm coming home bit", lol. I'm sure my Mama wouldn't appreciate it. she's totally not down with Ozzy.)

Heading to the airport in two and a half hours. I'm feeling ill. I think it's butterflies, excitement, dreading the long flight - all that good stuff. We've picked up snacks and magazines, packed the suitcases, taken care of the pile of dishes in the sink, printed boarding passes, and went to the truck stop about three hours ago for a big greasy meal. I think that may have something to do with the flip-flopping of my stomach. =) I'm *so* excited about going home, but a little apprehensive too. Worried I won't fit into that bridesmaid dress. lol. Worried about cleaning all of our stuff out of the place at home so we can rent it. Plus, we've been looking forward to this trip for so long - when it's finally over and we come home it will be... Well, we won't be able to look forward to it anymore. It will be next summer before we go again, and that's another long old wait. People tell us we'll be itching to get back out here after the first week of being home, but somehow I doubt that. =) No laptop plugins on the plane. =P Oh well, it will be good for some distraction for a while anyway. Seatback tv will be a huge bonus. I wonder who's sitting beside me? J gets the window seat, as it's the first time he's flown. So, I'm in the middle next to a stranger. It's a direct flight from here to the Island, so chances are we'll know at least someone on the plane. Well... I should go have a shower and double check my list.

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Sat, 22 Jul 2006 04:54:03 GMT

Leduc, Alberta is referred to (fondly, I assume) by some of its residents as LA. That's freakin great. Songs like "LA Woman" and "Drinking in LA" are that much cooler now.

Friday, July 21, 2006

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 10:09:18 GMT

I find it hard to believe that the phrase "the lively bones" doesn't exist on any of the millions of web pages Google searches.

Home in a week for a much anticipated vacation.

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Sun, 16 Apr 2006 16:04:00 GMT

Alberta is pretty sweet. We're still adjusting, and it's still tough sometimes. The thing is - we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. We're still catching up from the move, and from the whole trip to BC to find the shop was on strike. It's slowly getting better though. Last check I finally bought us a stereo, so we no longer have to make do with the old clock radio. It got moved from the bedroom to the top of the fridge when the snooze button crapped out. What good is an alarm clock with no snooze button? So, the stereo's not a bad little unit. It's a Sony and I got it for half price ($70) at Walmart. We're still watching a 13" tv that was in Shamus' room at home. That's getting a little annoying, but we'll get something bigger when our income tax refunds come in. I filed mine online yesterday. Took me less than an hour and saved all the hassle of waiting around at H & R Block or wherever. I should have my rebate within a couple of weeks, but I won't hold my breath. I was able to put money on my credit cards from this check. So, it's coming. Instead of slowly getting further in the hole like we were at home we're slowly getting out of it. We're going to try to rent out our place at home and still keep making mortgage payments, so we'll be able to pay off the mortgage twice as fast. After that - I don't know. We'd love to move home, but it's hard to think about going back to that whole job situation. Especially after being out here where things are booming.

The bass in Ozzy's Bark at the Moon is great. Got to figure out how to play that.

I'm still thinking I'd like to have an accordion.

J's cousin and brother were here for about a week. They headed to Calgary a week ago today and his cousin flew home yesterday. His brother might be coming back up here to stay with us for a while. Kind of looking forward to it - someone to play chess, Scrabble, and Trivial Pursuit with. Plus, we'll be able to jam a bit. J and I brought a guitar and a bass and his brother sings. Should be fun. Our friend, Matt, from back home landed here a week ago tomorrow. He's working at the same shop as us and will be living with us for a while. Probably until August, when his wife and kids are planning on moving out here. It's really nice to have a familiar face at work. I mean, everyone there is nice enough, but you know, still nice to have a familiar face from back home.

It's snowing here this morning. Big, fat, fluffy flakes. We had some beautiful weather this week though. Spring is definitely here.

I've gottta buy me a cowboy hat. Time for a haircut and change of colour too. And I'm thinking a lip piercing is in my near future. I was thinking of getting it done yesterday, but our plans changed and we didn't go to Edmonton as we'd planned. I think we're heading up there today, but that could change. Not sure what's going to be open today, but I'm sure we'll find something to do.

Oh, and the new job is still fantastic. Best job I've ever had.

Have I mentioned the vehicle situation lately? Besides the Kia, we now have two old pickup trucks (73 and 76, I think). One's a 3/4 ton and the other's a 1/2 ton. I've laid claim to the 1/2 ton and will get it registered and insured sometime in the near future so I can start driving it. The trucks cost about twice as much as the Kia to run, but it's nice to have a truck again.

The boys are still asleep. It was a late night last night for J - he came to bed at about 4. Not sure about Matt. I was falling asleep at midnight. =)

Friday, February 10, 2006

Fri, 10 Feb 2006 03:44:09 GMT

Lanc - keep reading for the job developments. =) The little guy and the old man are doing ok. They're both homesick (me too), but other than that they're fine. Right wing land isn't so bad if you fit in half well I guess. We're blue collar, making oil field parts, living on somewhat of a farm, and our second rig is a half ton. We've got to fit in somehow. Lol.

So, I think I've given up on the whole low carb thing. I'm fickle I guess. =) First I was going to give Atkins a shot. But then I thought to myself, "How healthy can it be to totally cut out fruit and eat all the bacon and butter I want?" So... Next was South Beach, a more moderate approach. Then I realized that South Beach is pretty much based on the glycemic index ratings of foods, so I went straight to the source. I know Atkins works for a lot of people, but I think the whole GI thing is a much more balanced approach. Whole grains, veggies, most fruits, pasta, rice (brown, long grain, wild). I'm counting calories too, but not obsessively - just to be aware and to make better choices. I found this great bread at the grocery store the other day. Silver Hills Bakery. I bought the Squirrelly type and it's *great*. Even Shamus likes it, although he does prefer the white bread. As does J (he hasn't even tried the good stuff). Kids.

I've been eating a lot better. This morning I had oatmeal with yogurt for breakfast. A turkey breast, broccoli sprouts, and spinach sandwich for lunch. Spaghetti squash with a sort of sauce made of onions, garlic, green pepper, cucumber and salsa for supper. Yesterday... Hmm, All-Bran with yogurt and cottage cheese for breakfast (all mixed together), I can't remember what lunch was (I think I skipped it), and for supper I had a bit of spaghetti/sauce and grilled a piece of sole and some spinach on the Foreman grill. I love that thing. Everything comes out so good. We love grilling some chicken or whatever for supper, and then throwing on frozen veggies when the chicken is done. It only takes a few minutes and they come out great. I'm not talking peas and corn - mixed stir-fry type veggies with cauliflower, broccoli, snow peas, peppers, etc...

The job. We start new jobs on Monday. Monday to Friday. 8-4. Can't complain about that. Got Shamus a daycare, and we stopped by today to have a look around. We didn't have any real beefs with our old job, other than the whole schedule. It will be great to have a family life again. I'm already making plans (Curious George is on the list). The new shop seems like a great place to work - time will tell. We're not hard to please anyway - we just need to have a life outside of work. One that involves each other. So we won't be in milling, we'll be in turning instead. That's fine. Looking forward to learning some new skills, even though it will be like starting all over again. Haven't touched a lathe since school.

Ack, it's almost 10 pm. I still have a bagload of stuff to do. Put laundry away. Clean sheets on bed. Wash dishes. (J is good with housework, but I hate leaving him with a mess to start his days off. It's nice to start with things half decent) Work out... I was planning on doing my exercise ball thing tonight. So, yeah. 5 am comes early, gotta get going. =) Oh perfect... My Name is Earl is on next. Yet another reason why I'll only get 6 hours of sleep... Lol. At least I can watch it while I wash dishes and it will be added motivation to work out, since I'll just be watching tv anyway.

Monday, February 06, 2006

Mon, 06 Feb 2006 17:05:04 GMT

Just a quick bit - I'll fill in the details later.

Lost two pounds this week. =) (I weigh myself at work on Sundays) That was after having tacos (yes, with the shells) for supper Saturday night and only working out *once* all week. Imagine the possibilities if I could just get off my butt a few times a week!

There's been a change with the whole work thing. Things will get better shortly. More on this later...

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Thu, 02 Feb 2006 07:07:17 GMT

Alberta's booming economy enticing skilled workers from Atlantic Canada

Last Updated Sat, 14 Jan 2006 18:03:25 EST

CBC News

When Alberta grocery stores have to go across the country to find workers you know that province's economy can be described only one way - hot.
A job fair opened in Halifax on Friday, looking for Atlantic Canadians to fill the jobs in the Alberta job market.

One grocery retailer is offering jobs that pay up to $35,000 per year, free airfare, a month's free rent and moving expenses. Philip Roach of Westfair Foods says it's not just the grocery business that's booming. "Every business in Alberta is struggling with recruiting qualified staff," he said.

Alberta pays especially well for skilled trades people, such as welders and machinists.

For student machinist Shawn McCulloch the pay rewards are just too great to turn down. He says Alberta is offering twice what he could make in the East. "So that's very good at getting me out there."

There's nothing new in Atlantic Canadians heading West looking for jobs. But labour experts say the lure is stronger than ever.

"Now it seems they're offering apartments, offsetting costs for living," said Robert Sampson of Nova Scotia Community College. For some it is great opportunity, but there is a downside for the Atlantic provinces.

Barbara Byers of the Canadian Labour Congress calls it "poaching." Atlantic Canada is losing qualified, skilled tradespeople. Byers says it's taxpayers in places like Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador that help subsidize the students' education, only to find them leaving for the West.

Right now, there are no megaprojects in the Maritimes, but some are expected soon, including the construction of liquid natural gas plants. Staffing those projects could be difficult if skilled people are lured away to Alberta.

"When you lose that level of skilled labour it's very difficult to bid knowing that you're going to be able to complete a project," said Rick Clarke of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.

Some say the solution is to train more people. Others suggest that instead of sending workers West send some of the work, like pipeline fabrication, to the East.

Bold in third last paragraph is mine. I know a lot of us transplanted east coasters would move home in a heartbeat if the wages were anywhere near what we can make out here. Get some decent wages happening at home and they'd have no trouble filling the positions. I don't know how reasonable it would be to expect anything at home to compete with Alberta wages though.

As a bit of an update - lost 6 lb the first week, nothing the second. =P The carb cravings are getting easier, motivation to work out isn't.

Still no change in the shifts at work. That's going to be resolved soon though, one way or another.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Tue, 17 Jan 2006 17:01:53 GMT

So, haven't had a lot of time to post lately. Not sure why, just been doing other stuff I guess.

Started a low carb thing over the weekend. We'll see how that goes. Less than 20 carbs per day for the first couple of weeks, then 40-60 after that. Man, it's *hard* to give up carbs. I'm so used to having bread, pasta, rice, or potatoes with every meal. Started working out at home too, alternating between pilates and budokon. The pilates is kinda slow and even a little boring, but it's relaxing anyways. and I do sleep well afterwards. Not sure if working out in the evening is the best time, but it's the only time I get a chance to do it. The budokon dvd is actually pretty fun. It's about half yoga, half martial arts. Easy enough for a beginner (me), but interesting enough that I think it will take a while before I get bored with it. Hopefully middle of next month we'll be able to pick up some exercise equipment for home. J's not keen on the low carb thing. We'll see how it goes - maybe he'll jump on board if I do well with it. If not, *shrug*, I'm not going to force it down his throat.

So... Started a multivitamin too, but got one without iron as I've been eating more meat than usual. After reading the symptoms of iron deficiency, however, I think I'll pick up some iron supplements today. Started drinking much more water than I usually do too.

We'll see how it goes. I've been asked to be in my little brother's wedding this summer, so I now have even more motivation. I wanted to get in shape before vacation at home this summer anyway.

So... Sunday I had eggs, spinach and cheese for breakfast. Tuna salad sandwich (without the bread, lol) and a salad with low-carb dressing for lunch. Chicken and veggie stirfry for supper.

Yesterday, spinach and eggs for breakfast again. Chicken caesar salad for lunch (we went out and it's the only thing I could see on the menu that wasn't loaded with carbs). Didn't eat the garlic toast that came with it though. Grilled chicken and veggies for supper last night. Oh yeah, and yesterday morning I had a small piece of fruitcake. My mom made it and sent it out in the mail - couldn't resist.

I miss not being able to have a bowl of cereal for breakfast, but I think I'll get used to it. The eggs and spinach are awesome. I could eat them for breakfast every day. Can't give up the coffee (need a couple of cups a day), but I've given up things like orange juice, and I never did drink much pop (soda for you Americans, lol) or other sugary drinks like that to begin with. I've had a dull headache the past couple of days, hopefully that will go away as my body adjusts.

So... Hopefully I'm going about this sensibly and things will go well. Time will tell. I'll not weigh myself again until this weekend. We have no scale at home yet, so I'll have to do it at work. That's good though - better than checking twice a day. =)

Ok... Off to kindergarten.