sunday meme

photographer unknown

Meme stolen from Irishcoda

1. What were you doing 10 years ago? I was managing a clothing store and Dale was still alive, Jamie was eleven. We spent a lot of time trying to avoid and/or deal with Dale's alcoholism, so the two of us ate supper at various restaurants while he slept it off.

2. Five snacks that you enjoy in a perfect, non weight-gaining world: Dill Pickle chips, Reece's Peanut Butter Cups, Oh Henry Bars, Triple Layer Chocolate Cake, fruit & yogurt

3. Five things you would do if you were a billionaire: Sell the house and buy an acreage, buy another Xterra, set up a retirement fund for Bill and I, trust funds for the kids and help the family.

4. Three of your habits: avoidance of unpleasant tasks, blogging, leaving half finished drinks around the house.

5. Five jobs that you've have had: waitress, bartender, renumerator, store manager, financial advisor.

6. Five places that you've lived: Sechelt BC, Elnora AB, Edmonton AB, Youbou BC, Red Earth Creek AB

7. Five things that you did yesterday: made coffee, hand washed some clothes, made the bed, bought meat for supper, took Em to the bookstore.

8. Five people you would want to get to know more about: None that come to mind.

9. Abortion: for or against it? I support a woman's right to choose.

10. Do you think the world would fail with a female Prime Minister? nope.

11. Do you believe in the death penalty? Yes

12. Do you wish marijuana would be legalized already? Perhaps a better word would be "decriminalized."

13. Are you for or against premarital sex? When the time is right it's fine.

14. Do you think same sex marriage should be legalized? I believe in equal rights and responsibilities for everyone.

15. Do you think it's wrong that so many Hispanics are illegally moving to the USA? I don't really have an opinion unless you're talking about Canada.

16. Should the alcohol age be lowered to eighteen? It IS 18 here, and I'm fine with that.

17. Should the war in Iraq be called off? I really feel for everyone involved, but it's not my place to say.

18. Assisted suicide is illegal: do you agree? Not sure if it's illegal here, but unless you've actually watched someone die a terrible death, you'd better not tell me I have no options to help.

19. Do you believe in spanking your children? I spanked Jamie twice when she was two and I was relieved that it worked and I didn't have to do it anymore.

20. Do you worry that others will judge you from reading some of your answers? They might, but I am not worried.

tuesday in june

Kate with brother Steven, 1967

I've been tagged a few times recently, this one is from Lou.

1) What is your current obsession?

Six Feet Under. Jamie and I just finished the Season Finale last night, but I can't get the characters out of my mind.

2) What are you wearing today?

Right at this moment? A towel and a pair of blue slippers. The laminate floor is freezing today! In a bit, I'll have on a black pencil skirt and a paisely tank top and heels.

3) What's for dinner?

Some kind of chicken.

4) What would you eat for your last meal?

Filet Mignon, garlic mashed potatoes, caesar salad and four-layer chocolate cake.

5) What's the last thing you bought?

A brown tank top with embroidery along the bottom.

6) What are you listening to right now?

I'm listening to Lola, rooting around the living room and finding a place to lay down.

7) What do you think of the person who tagged you?

She's awesome! I'm so glad she enjoys blogging. She's very kind hearted!

8) If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?

Greece.

9) If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?

To the place in Greece.

10) Which language do you want to learn?

Greek, of course.

11) What's your favourite quote (for now)?


"All you need is love."
-John Lennon

12) What is your favourite colour?

Shades of Blue

13) What is your favourite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe?

Too many! I love jackets and pencil skirts and tank tops with empire waists and high heeled shoes and flip flops and bermuda shorts.

14) What is your dream job?

To stay at home with my family.

15) What's your favourite magazine?

Right now, it's a magazine geared toward women over forty, called More.

16) If you had £100 now, what would you spend it on?

$178.99 Cdn. Anything?! A new leather bag.

17) What are you going to do after this?

Get dressed, register Em for summer camp, work for a few hours.

18) What are your favourite films?

Reign Over Me, The Shawshank Redemption, Dirty Dancing, Fight Club, The Color Purple, Transformers

19) What's your favourite fruit?

Strawberries, green seedless grapes

20) What inspires you?

People who are tenacious, kind hearted and giving.

21) Your favourite books?

This Perfect Day, by Ira Levin, and The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold.

22) Do you collect anything?

Nothing right now. Do shoes count?

23) What are you currently reading?

Nothing right now. I finished a novel before starting the Six Feet Under marathon.

24) Go to your book shelf and take down the first book with a red spine you see, turn to page 26 and type out the first line:

No red spines - except for Em's books (a Series of Unfortunate Events)

25) By what criteria do you judge a person?

I've been known to judge a person based on how they're dressed. I used to feel guilty about it, except that I have noticed that how a person presents themselves is usually a true picture of who they're trying to be. I'm not talking about people who can't afford it, but rather those that say they don't care what other people think.

I also judge a person based on how they treat others.

I try not to say these things, except maybe to Bill, because I'm trying not to become a gossip.

note: I haven't played by the rules, nor have I tagged anyone. Play along if you like! Happy Tuesday.

38 Things

Thanksgiving, 2004

About me.

1. In grade six, I got 100% on every single spelling test but was upset when the teacher didn't notice at all.

2. I went boy-crazy when I was thirteen years old.

3. My parents bought my best friend and I a case of Strawberry Angel sparkling wine when we were fifteen and let us get drunk at a family bonfire.

4. The house where we lived as children was a log home with a wood burning stove.

5. We had a black Lab named Candy who was trained to retrieve ducks.

6. In the log house, I remember laying on the green carpet with my head resting on Candy, watching Lawrence Welk on a B&W console TV.

7. In HS, my favourite jeans were Fancy Ass jeans.

8. Throughout my life I have had four Signifigant Others. Pat, from 1980-1985 John, from 1986-1990, Dale, from 1990-2002 and Bill, from 2004 to present. As you can see, I prefer being coupled. Bill is the love of my life.

9. My nails grow fast and stay long.

10. I've had the same hairstyle since I was little.

11. I love Pepsi.

12. I quit smoking May 4, 2007.

13. I have a long scar on my abdomen from when I had my gallbladder removed when Jamie was two weeks old.

14. I love gold, and I love diamonds. I have never truly liked silver or white gold.

15. I subscribed to my first fashion magazine at the age of 12.

16. My first pair of high heeled shoes was a pair of Candies stiletto slides in 1979.

17. I was never athletic, but always dated athletes.

18. I believe that I am highly intuitive.

19. I wear a size 9 shoe, unless it's a high heeled boot - then I wear a 10.

20. I have scars on my ankles from rock climbing as a kid.

21. I have arthritus starting in my left index finger.

22. I have a mole on my neck. A British soldier once said that a beauty mark was put there because otherwise, I was entirely too perfect.

23. It worked.

24. I must shave my legs every single day, or the itching drives me mad.

25. I wear contact lenses but want Lasik surgery.

26. I hate that my mouth is small and I don't smile naturally.

27. I haven't worn pantyhose since 1991.

28. My heritage is 100% aboriginal (Haida) but my parents are white.

29. Apparently, I was stolen from my birth mother and placed in foster care by the BC government. The movement has since been dubbed "The 60's Scoop"

30. My first job (other than babysitting) was working at a lake resort, in the concession.

31. I could drive when I was 12.

32. I lost my virginity when I was 14.

33. I'm worried about pain management when I'm old

34. Of the lovers I have had, four have committed suicide.

35. I'm tenacious, and usually reach my goals

36. The most money I have ever won in the lottery was $40

37. The song that Dale sends to me most is "Sweet Child of Mine" by Guns'n Roses

38. I'm looking forward to spending the next 30 years with Bill.

I was tagged by Kim. Play along if you have time.

K is for Kate

Something similar going around Facebook! Jamie did one for herself the other day, and left the one for Kate in my documents because she thought it was so accurate.

Go to Urban Dictionary and search your first name. Post at least one of the search results.

Here's mine:

Kate

An easygoing, relaxed person who is the best friend anyone could ask for. Kates are often very random but are the most loyal people in the world. If ever something bothers you, Kate is the one to go to, as she will always have good advice and can make any situation less awkward by saying something totally random and usually sex-related. Her mind can be slightly sick but you love her for it.
Kates are genuinely lovely people who will always remain friends for life.

tagged! by suntiger

Here's a close-up of my bedside table. The first thing you see is my ginger citrus body butter, which I use every day after my shower. Behind it are some books (one about Vietnam, another from Martha Stewart on decorating, and my current read, lullabies for little criminals, by Heather O'Neill) my reading glasses are perched on top in a black case. Beside the books is the hand puppet I got from the kids in my Christmas stocking, my lamp, and a little black leather case that holds my jewelry and a few pens. Not showing - remotes for the satellite receiver and the cheap little DVD player.

What's on your nightstand? I tag greeneyes67, barnesm, and a new reader, Rebecca Anne. Have a nice afternoon.

bedrooms

Here's a picture of my bedroom, taken about five minutes ago. When I first bought the house, I remember thinking how strange it was that the master bedroom was at the front, with the windows opening up to the street. You definitely get less privacy that way! I like to open the curtains for natural light, but people driving or walking by can see me ironing or walking around.

It's also the first time in a decade that I've had to set up my ironing board in my bedroom. Em's room used to be my shoe room, but it was more of a dressing room. I had shelves to hold all my shoes and a closet held all my bags, and the ironing board and full length mirror were there to help me get dressed in the morning. I miss that! There's no way I can get dressed with the curtains open, so I do it in the semi-darkness and open them once I'm done.

I suppose it'll only be another year before Jamie moves out, opening up the downstairs bedroom/bathroom for Em, and I can have my shoe room back. I'd love to see your room! Play along and post a pic.


It's very sunny today, making it a great day for a drive out to the farm. We'll go when Bill gets back from washing the truck, and dropping off another invoice from some eavestroughing work that he did in 2007. He's determined to make some of these people pay, even though it's been delinquent for a year. I hope they do, it would really help us.

Have a nice Sunday, and don't forget to take a pic of your bedroom :)

my dearest kathy

photo by Jesse Millan

If you could take all the wisdom that you've picked up along the way, and write a note of advice to your teenaged self, what would it say?

I've seen this little exercise over and over in different magazines and on talk shows, and will usually think on it for a few minutes before something else distracts me. I was thinking about it this morning, in that woozy state between sleep and awake, so I decided to write one down.

Try it out! Leave a comment or write a letter in your own space. It's kind of interesting.



My Dearest Kathy,

I wish I could remember what was going on inside our head at the age of sixteen, but to be honest (and please don't be offended) it's probably English papers, waitressing, and Pat, our HS boyfriend. I remember how obsessed we were with him. You know, there is more to life than playing housewife at that age, but since I've decided I don't regret and wouldn't change much of our life at all, I'll leave him out of it. However, I do have a word of advice for you, before you up and move out of Mom's house.

Stop acting like no one knows anything about you, and realize that when people try to give you advice, it's not about your ego, it's about accepting that sometimes people know more than you just from living.

Stop looking for the "perfect" man, because he doesn't exist.

I know that we're subjected to a lot of 80's music, but seriously - that Sheena Easton song? Forget about it. You'll both be on the morning train if you want to drive a decent vehicle.

You can't trust everyone. People will take advantage of you over and over, and especially because you are female you'll have to watch out for yourself. There are predators out there just waiting for you to let your guard down.

Stop making excuses for your men. And while we're at it, stop judging them soley by their abilities in bed and start looking a little deeper at their other qualities.

Above all else, keep your head up and realize that no matter what anyone says about you, you are a strong capable person, and shouldn't be afraid to take risks. That'll really help us as we get older.


Love, Kate

needs more cowbell

swiped from the lube faerie

25 Random Things

1. My birth name was Kathleen Lorene Wells, but my adoptive mom renamed me Katherine Frances
2. My heritage is 100% Haida from Northern British Colombia
3. My older brother is also adopted, but my younger sister is a natural child
4. In grade six, I got 100% on every spelling test that year, but the teacher didn't acknowledge it and I was mad about it.
5. My favourite shift of all time was when I was working in a pizza place alongside a night club in Edmonton - 8pm to 5 am. We'd get the bar crowd at 1 am and go for breakfast at 6am.
6. My love for shoes began in middle school with a collection of high topped sneakers
7. By the age of eighteen I'd developed a thing for knee high, high heeled boots.
8. My dad had money but after my mom left him he refused to pay child support and we grew up poor
9. I have a scar on my ankle that I got climbing cliffs when I was little
10. I envy people when they remodel their houses because I have such big plans for this place (all on hold until my business takes off)
11. I am usually attracted to men of Scottish/Irish descent
12. I make an effort to be kind, but rude and dismissive clerks or cashiers will make my snotty tone come out.
13. I was a waitress and bartender for fifteen years
14. I was a retail manager for nine years
15. I have been a life insurance salesperson for nineteen months and it's the hardest job I've ever had.
16. My 44th birthday is at the end of this month and it's freaking me out
17. I have Obsessive Compulsive Personality disorder, which is characterized by my need to count things and follow a similar routine each day
18. In my youth I was a Bar Star, hitting the clubs four nights a week and dancing and drinking til three or four am.
19. I have always been afraid to have a son because my friends all said they were harder to look after as toddlers.
20. My favourite red wine is a shiraz.
21. I'm afraid to cut my long hair because I have always had it.
22. I'm constantly attracted to people with addiction issues but wish I weren't.
23. I used to feel guilty that I love Bill with more passion and surety than I had with Dale
24. I wear skirts almost every day because I feel sexier and more ladylike than I do in pants
25. I'm afraid that my sex life will suffer as I get older.

my refridgerator

First of all, it's very clean because Bill went through it yesterday, throwing out all the leftovers we weren't going to use and wiping it all down. I love it when men clean - it's very sexy!

Here's what's left:

apples and oranges - it doesn't matter to anyone else, but for Em - if it is not taken out of the plastic bag and placed in a bowl or my fruit container, it doesn't get eaten. I'm not sure if it's laziness or some kind of value placement, but she won't eat it.

eggs - we go through a lot of eggs! My favourite breakfast at the moment is a toasted egg sandwhich. Here's the recipe:

two slices multi-grain bread

one or two eggs, basted medium

one slice medium or sharp cheddar cheese

mayo and salt & pepper to taste