High Five!
Source: Billions and Billions
Well Happy Wednesday to you my darling blog clickers! The sunshine is coming out, they are not calling for snow and I just accepted a part time (and probationary) position at a florist nice and close to home. I will be doing some design and other retail goodness and I am so excited. I met the team on Monday and they were all so welcoming and fun. Yes, that’s right your favourite blogger got herself a gig. Somewhat gainfully employed once again and lots of other good stuff on the burner.
And now to ramble gratitude…
Thank you Jennifer and Fran for this new opportunity…right up my alley. Part-time, creative and great team members.
Thank you sunshine for gracing us with your presence.
Thank you snow for calling in sick today and until December 2012. (Assumption. And a hopeful assumption at that.)
Thank you Internet for all your refreshing tutorials about floral design. I did my high school co-op at a florist and I was trying to jog my memory and the good people at Ehow were integral in my self inflicted refresher course.
I was a little grumpy upon awakening this morning but life served me up a dish of lovely today! Thanks Life!
Bovine Serum?
Sit around kids, I have an interesting tale to tell.
Once I started using MyFitnessPal I realized my various diet related deficiencies. Protein being the one that often came up, barely able to reach half of my intended goal for the day. I was getting little messages about tips to up my protein levels. So because of this I went to Sprawlmart and picked up some protein powder. After all, it’s not often I suddenly crave two cups of brown rice or a whole large can of chickpeas. A nice mango somethingorother flavoured powder that could be easily stirred in to some water as a supplement fit the bill.
I’m not about to go down the negativity path and list the brand of the powder I purchased. For what its worth it was delicious, mixed up with water well and served it’s purpose. However, one day, as I was mixing up my latest shake I started to go through the ingredients listed on the packaging. After five or six unpronounceable and lengthy ingredients I start to get worried…then I read…Bovine Serum.
What?
I know what a Bovine is but what possibly could be the serum of such animal? Stomach turn. Oh ingredient listing sometimes you are so terrifying to those as blindingly trusting as myself.
Investigate Internet work, lots of Googling, lots of Wiki-ing. Several tense minutes later, bottom line: it’s cow plasma. Dried and processed, powdered, and mixed in with flavourings and powdered soy proteins. Ew, really, truly, ew. Oh. My. God. EW! WTF?!? I was beyond disturbed. I usually am a label reader but for something I thought so simple, especially when the name itself dictates an ingredient – soy, who would question?
Now I do eat bovines on occasion admittedly but something was just not sitting well with this serum and chemically processed things.
So to replace the offending powder I head over to Today’s Health Solutions in Uxbridge, my most favourite of health food store in the entire world. The help there is awesome and as soon as I dramatically go over my tale of Bovine Serum related woe, she steers me to Progressive Harmonized Vegan protein powder. We go through the ingredients and not a single one turns my stomach, in fact they are all pronounceable! Like they are from real things in this world!!!
How lovely!
I read further; free of artificial ingredients? Check! 100% vegetable proteins? Check! Immune support and supports healthy digestion? Check! Not a single mention of Bovines? Check!
So I left the store armed with my new Perfect Shaker and my protein powder and high hopes. Which were not disappointed.
That metal ball, as well as the protein powder of your choice and water/milk/juice all go in to the shaker. After a little shakeup you’ve got yourself a shake on the run. Coyote tried it out with his protein powder and I badly need to get him a shaker too. It’s so conveinent to just keep in your car with some powder and whenever a boost is needed add water, shake and voila. Oh look lunch! And BPA free for my hippies out there.
The protein powder serves it’s purpose well, however, I prefer this stuff whizzed up in the Magic Bullet with water and some fruit added as it can be a little grainy on it’s own. I chose Vanilla to facilitate adding other flavours, the Vanilla is subtle and doesn’t taste artificial at all (probably cause it isn’t). Next time I am going with the Berry flavour. You can’t lose for 25 grams of protein per 35 gram scoop which is also low in carbs, high in fibre AND soy and gluten free.
Trail Walkin’ Dawg
Evan and I went for a hike a couple of weeks ago with Har. I am purposely partaking in activities I could not complete while gainfully employed. I refuse to waste this unexpected vacation lounging but instead taking advantage of a beautiful day with a beautiful dog on beautiful trails.
Uxbridge is some sort of trail capital…of course I’ve never been. I was slightly concerned Harley would bolt and/or hurt himself in some way but he was quite well behaved. As well behaved as a huge spazzy dog could possibly be anyway.
He can be relaxed…like this morning…
Lazy late morning bed cuddles.
Of course the ancient leash I took with me ended up being chewed (sad eyes, guilty look on face) when I left his canine highness in the car for ten minutes alone while I was getting cracked at the chiro. So, not letting such things defeat my dreamy day, a quick stop in to Pet Valu was required. I bought the Kurgo Quantum Leash, totally reasonably priced and a nice manly red and blue for Harley. I LOVE IT.
Not only can this leash be used as a three feet training leash but also as a six foot leash, which is great for trails because with other dogs and people on the trails I wanted the option of keeping Har closer to me just in case the other party wasn’t a fan of having 130 pounds of drooling idiot leaping towards them. AND the leash can be used as a tether, two dog leash (will come in handy when Coyote and I adopt several dogs), courier style (around your body like a messenger bag) and belt style. How cool is that?!? And it has a 12 month guarantee! WIN!
I reco the trails. They are well kept and winding, it was good exercise for everyone involved. I should have eaten something or at the very least brought a Clif bar but instead we just walked and chatted and Harley peed on…everything. Twice.
Feline Depression Hurts Everywhere
I am going to rampage blog post today because I am a little behind in my interwebs sharing.
Snow happened just a little today and yesterday but that’s just fine because it came with rain and I really needed a car wash anyway. That and it was kinda lovely to see everyone out with their pretty umbrellas walking along the streets. Little old biddies have great umbrella taste but poor umbrella maneuvering. That was my big observation of the day.
Not. Pleased. Two very sad kitties who are used to a good five or so hour a day tour outside to hunt, otherwise maim and eventually murder little woodland creatures. To which they then consume half of and as a gift/ritual sacrifice, leave the offending uneaten half mouse/rat butt on the front stoop. Thank you for the kibbles…please accept this field mouse ass in thanks.
Presents! Disgusting presents!
Even after all these happenings, the rogue supermouse who lives in the pantry, and is the size of Jabba the Hut, happily eats through box after box of cereal untouched. Occasionally one of the meowies will set up surveillance on the little guy but mostly otherwise that vermin struts around untethered, like he owns the place.
BIG MEOWIE SIGHS.
Sunny Thursday-Ness
After painting my nails, spouting gratitude via blog posts and applying make-up I headed to my appointment on Thursday. It went well and I should hear back this week regarding more info about the opportunity. I love that’s it’s a total opposite of what I have willingly subjected myself to for years previous.
I so done with cubicle. Cubicle no more.
And on our small victory scale (literally) today…I am down one pound! Look at me not grazing all day and filling voids aka eating mine own emotions. Toxicity sometimes knows no bounds. face is also doing better, I think I may have to have a Burt’s Bees break and try something else for a bit. I read somewhere hormones can morph and change every couple of years and I am wondering if this is the case. A trip to Lush is in order, wouldn’t be the first time such establishment has saved my skins.
So I celebration of my face becoming somewhat less of a public embarassment I took several stupid pictures of myself. Like the above, a little Blythe-esque no?
Again, it’s a portrait of me…Iphoneington helped a bunch with this.
Got to check out Romni Goodwood again too. Amazing! They currently have tons of wonderful and unique mud textiles in from Africa as well as weaved baskets that will make you outwardly swoon. Marilyn is awesome!
I could get used to this life…charmmy.
Coyote Plays the Legion
I’ve never seen the legion in Stouffville so packed!
Last night was the Spring Fling, third annual actually. Many of the usual Legion suspects but it was also nice to see the other band groupies (wives/kids/girlfriends), the in-laws and friends. Not only was there a smoke machine but also a new backdrop and some pretty hardcore lighting…look at your gentlemen all professional. Kristy and Evan came by too, nice to see them and Kristy is also not drinking so yay for sober companions.
I think Evan said it best when he commented about how fun it was to watch young drunk people. We’ve all been there no? Drunk, self confidence through the roof, in public. Good. Times. Dinner and a show!
This couple was line dancing to tons of songs, so sweet.
My mom was kind enough to both provide a peptalk and iron my neon yellow top. I love this top but rarely wear it, time for it to be moved to heavy rotation.
I just didn’t feel like going out, total anti-social moments there, hence the pep talk. I always feel 150% better once I get out of the house but can easily stroll in to hermitville without a second thought. I’m going to write a post about my issues with something tomorrow to get it off my lovely (albeit expensive) chest.
Happy to report Coyote was on his best behavior, so my mini-intervention worked and I didn’t have to abandon him. I have learned I don’t have to stay at these functions until the bitter end. That being when the fights and severe drunkenness kicks in. So I left at about 12:30 and crawled in to bed with this handsome fellow.
I set up a page for the band, S-Town Ride just in case you too wanted to be a groupie.
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Big Things *Jazz Hands*
Of course as soon as I get my shit together enough to plant all my seeds ahead of time and now am stunned by the plethora of towering bean and pea shoots ahead of schedule the weather is too cold to plant outside. Jiffy pot, I thank your inventor.
Chili was a big help!
I can haz halp. (Oh, Lolcat. Facepalm of adorableness.)
All this PLUS PLUS PLUS.
Mother and I kinda went a little dirty hippie granola gardening crazy at Richters on Sunday. Somehow we ended up booking a table at the local farmers market and splicing a good five acres currently reserved for horse grazing to organic veggie gardening. And don’t think I am giving up the Alpaca and Chicken swooning either. That’s on the move too…cause that’s how we do. I am striving for a cornucopia of delightful and adverse lovliness. Get your party dresses ready.
In other news thanks to vehicle musical chairs I was without Bella today and haven’t left the house since Sunday and to be honest with you I could pee myself out of excitement to go out tomorrow. I have an opportunity to sort out, two actually, and then off to have a sleepover at Coyote’s. It may just be relationship reviving dinner (and booty call) but I am so looking forward to it. Taking a break from the usual; get up, feed horses, clean barn, busy self by purging yet another area of the farm. (I am tying chains to heavy machinery and then to large fallen trees and pulling them romantically from their falling place and listening to Skid Row loudly and hooting and holleringa at each accomplishment. Shaking my fist to the sky proclaiming my genius every ten minutes! Local farmers drive by and laugh.)
Not to mention Daisy the dog needing medication twice daily and having to wear the cone of shame because of a licking problem and a yeast infection on her leg. The vet said it’s when moisture stays in the fur and becomes trapped (Daisy is woolly like a sheep) and then yeast forms and irritates the area. Quite gross. And having to wash it I have more than once had to smile and coo to her as I secretly gag. Poor Daisy Lu! Poor Tinka!
Spring Fling
Let’s have a fling okay? Just one night, on April 21st, Coyote will be there. Now you’re confused…
This Saturday at The Stouffville Legion Coyote and his band, S-Town Ride will be flinging all over the place. They go on stage at 8 p.m. and I even think the in-laws are shaking off the winter hibernation and coming out. You will not find a cheaper drink menu trust me on this one and tickets are only $10 at the door. If not for the company or entertainment please do yourself a favour and at least show up around midnight because that’s when the local Cougs get really rowdy. The best part about the fights is when they take out their flipper teeth and after the fight you realize their bangs (shaped like baseball mitts) are still in tact.
It’s a beautiful thing.
Important sidenote: If you happen to have any single girlfriends who like tall meek Gingers…Coyote’s brother is still up for (literal) grabs ladies. It would be nice if you could date him and then get married and then have kids because then it frees Coyote and I from having any subtle hints about procreating thrown our way. Save us from the ‘wouldn’t it be nice to have grandkids to chase after’ talk won’t you?
1000 More Calories Than Required
Hi Bloggintons! All I can say is when it rains it pours.
Since I eluded to it earlier… last Wednesday was awesome. We literally left no day-date stone unturned.
After much haggling with the dogs and cats I managed to arrive at Coyote’s by lunchtime. There is nothing truly like a nooner is there? For someone who was gainfully employed full-time it’s one of my most favourite facets of not having a schedule. And by not having a schedule I am accomplishing so much joy everyday, case in point; nooner.
And this meal…
Oh Ikea! Why are you so great!?!?
Thanks to the above and then a quick pit stop at Booster Juice I managed to go over my daily limit of calories by about 1000. Yes, that many zeros. I showed that little pink princess cake who was boss…while loudly talking on the phone to my mother while Coyote looked on. A romantic? Why yes I am thankyouverymuch.
Yesterday we had a little talk about some things, relationship things. It was moderately unpleasant but I’ve no filter and he should have known that by now. I let him have my little intervention and stew about it and we’re getting back on track. Y’know adulthood and the ilk of such things. I have high hopes and was showered with apologies. I will admit sometimes I expect Coyote to read my mind when perhaps a better plan of action would to just let him have it on the spot. Not the good kind of let him have it either. The verbal emotionally damaging and brutally honest kind.
Hair Metal, Heavy Machinery
Are you sitting down? Cause it’s summer-ish outside, downright balmy darlings and the sun just poked through the clouds. Yay!
Weekend was a bit of a wash. I am beyond babysitting a severely inebriated 34 year old Coyote. I could have sworn we had this conversation as we stood in the emotional rubble from his birthday but I still somehow have my nanny and chauffeur hybrid uniform on. I was really looking to an evening out too, I was going to get all dressed up and enjoy my boyfriend time. After a super good day together on Wednesday of last week I was excited about us again. I didn’t feel that for a while and then just like magic it was back…then gone. But instead I just went home and wedged myself between Mother and her new friend, Bob, on the couch.
High five to the awkward Saturday.
Mom took me out yesterday to cheer me up and we had an awesome day. Having lunch, talking, feeling supported and buying lots of herbs and seeds and planters and getting all hyped up about being a farmer. I’m going to get on some heavy machinery today and build raised gardens. Nothing fixes my blahs like heavy machinery and pulling shit out of the woods with chains and wearing a Keswick Dinner jacket. I might listen to hair metal too.
I have a ton of other stuff to post…tonight!