30 Random Things About Me

1. I love doing jigsaw puzzles.
2. I hate raisins baked in anything.
3. I love making lists and checking them twice.
4. I love reading.
5. I can tolerate having cold feet in the spring and fall but not in winter.
6. I like running more than I ever thought possible.
7. Sometimes I miss the prairies.
8. I love Star Wars.
9. I like my job but not the drama.
10. I am proud of my kids.
11. I seldom give myself enough credit for anything.
12. However, I am immensely proud of my 5K race accomplishment back in October.
13. I am looking forward to my 5K race on New Year's Day.
14. I think I might try the 10K next October.
15. I think David Tennant was the best Dr. Who, but I've only seen three doctors.
16. A London Fog always hits the spot.
17. This year has been one of self-discovery for me.
18. I procrastinate a lot.
19. I am comfortable with silence.
20. I am behind on my scrapbooking.
21. I really, really like our new pastor.
22. I have been to three different professional sports games in my life: Canadian Football, Major League Baseball, and National Hockey League.
23. Those are my three favourite sports.
24. I am probably smarter than I think I am but not as smart as I wish I was.
25. I enjoy my days off most, when I don't have a million things to do.
26. I am going to do an experimental test on a cookie recipe today.
27. I hate slush on the streets and sidewalks.
28. I love Christmas music, except for It's A Marshmallow World in the Winter.
29. I can't wait to get our Christmas tree.
30. I have successfully blogged every day in November!

Keep It Going?

Tomorrow is the last day of November! Can you believe it?! Why does time have to pass so quickly? I may be in the beginning stages of feeling that Christmas spirit, but I am still far from ready for it to be December already.


Barring major and last minute complications tomorrow, I will once again successfully finish the NaBloPoMo challenge for November! For the second year in a row! See, I can accomplish things when I set my mind to do them! It just isn't always easy to have that type of mindset about everything. Perhaps there could be a way to challenge or motivate myself to achieve those mundane tasks with the same determination that I can apply to NaBloPoMo in November, although I am not sure what those ways might be. Rewards might work or might not. There is no reward for completing this blog challenge, and yet I found a way to continue on.


And you know, NaBloPoMo has challenges every month, although November is the biggest, most important one of them all. My daily posting discipline seems to slack off once December rolls around. I can get into a habit or routine of doing something on a daily basis, but my progress can be derailed so easily. In June, I took part in a challenge to do 100 crunches a day for the entire month. I did it! I wanted to continue doing it, and I did...until I was sick for three days in the middle of July. I haven't done a single crunch since then, but I would like to get back into the habit of doing them every day. Obviously though, my desire hasn't outweighed my procrastination.


So maybe I do need to set little challenges for myself, even if there is no shiny medal waiting for me at the end.

One Day Grindstone

It's back to the grind tomorrow, but at least it will be my Friday. I wonder how the work day will go. The past few Monday shifts have been frustrating and chaotic. Actually most of my work days of late have been frustrating and chaotic! Mondays are just extra special, because I have a sucky shift, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. No break. A completely wasted day. Then add on all the workplace drama and conflicts...those four hours feel like sixteen!


I have been trying to maintain a positive attitude at work, despite the chaos, the frustration, the drama, the issues. It's not easy though. I might start off the day humming under my breath and thinking positively, but all that negativity is like a running stream wearing away the soft soil of the banks. Incompetency drives me nuts, and I am surrounded by it. In fairness, my co-workers are not useless or incapable employees. Some of them just are not as adept at handling the mental and physical rigors of the job, and some don't understand the concept of teamwork and cooperation. Some can't distinguish between workplace appropriate behaviour and private or bedroom behaviour. Unfortunately, some of them fall into all of those categories.


Ah well! Like always, I will survive the day, whatever may come.

Insanity

What a long day! Just another crazy Saturday at work, and I am so glad that it is now over. As if Saturdays weren't busy enough, our donut oven broke down early this morning. I worked 8 hours on the busiest, craziest station, and I worked liked a dog. My attitude started to slip after about 6 hours, although it wasn't too negative. I just get a little frustrated with chaos, especially when others make decisions without thinking beyond the immediate moment, but I survived. On a positive note, I was thoroughly complimented by my manager, which was greatly appreciated, even though I tend to down play my own efforts when others praise me. I did work hard, and I did do most of the work, so it was good to have that acknowledged!


Now though, I am just glad to be home and "done" for the day and thankful that tomorrow is a day off.

Winter Run #2

I'm not sure why I was so afraid of running outside in the winter! I went for my second "winter" run today after work, and it was fantastic. Mind you, the temperature outside right now is 0 degrees Celsius, which is significantly nicer than the -14 Celsius that I ran in on Wednesday. Still, I quite enjoyed both runs.


I ran just over 3 kilometres today, but it felt like more and it certainly took longer than usual. The sidewalks had been plowed and were the easiest surface to run on. The one side road that I had to run on had also been plowed; however, there was still compacted but loose snow, which made for a slippery surface. I also ran a section of trail, which had a good layer of compacted snow, but the surface was uneven, which made running feel like a difficult task, kind of like running on sand.


I had to take off my gloves and toque shortly after the midway point, because I felt like I was over-heating. Even my feet felt too warm!


So far, running in winter has been a pleasant surprise. I've run in really cold weather and now mild winter weather. How much worse could it possibly get?

Weekly Lowdown

Today is my Sunday, or at least it is my final day off before two days of work. I know! My work schedule is over-taxing, but I deal with it the best I can.


Actually, the next two days of work should be okay. Friday is my day to run the show, at least in theory. I get to count the tills and deposit and do paperwork, which is really only a minor part of the day but better than nothing. My shift is short enough to pass fairly quickly, yet just long enough to let me have a coffee break. Saturday is something else entirely, and that is what makes working Saturdays so much more enjoyable. There is no drama and petty problems on Saturdays. We work hard and are typically swamped, but that makes the longer shift go very quickly.


The actual Sunday is also a day off for me, and this particular Sunday is Grey Cup Sunday! I love Canadian football, and the Grey Cup is our Super Bowl, only better! I must figure out what I will bring to the Grey Cup party being hosted by some friends. Maybe some meatballs? Two of my other ideas were shut down, when my friend said she is making those things. No problem. But what to bring? Meatballs are easy, warm, and tasty.


After Sunday comes Monday, which also happens to be my Friday! It's a weird life I live, I know, but I am not truly mentally confused. Unfortunately, Monday always feels like a Monday, even though it is my last day of work for three days. There should be a law against that, I think. I don't like my Monday shift, which is 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. No break. A wasted morning. No real time for anything else in the afternoon. I suppose I could overlook those issues easy enough, if the work environment wasn't so miserable on Mondays. The past few Mondays have seemed chaotic and toxic. Sigh.


Oh well, I go to work and do my work and seldom dwell on work when I am at home, which is the way it should be. I will make the most of this final day off for the week, or at least I will be sure to enjoy it. My productive days were Tuesday and Wednesday. Today feels like a more sluggish day, especially with this blasted headache again. I do plan on some card-making and some cookie baking. Sounds good enough for me!

First Snow, Deep Cold Run

It was -14 Celsius this morning, but I did manage to get myself out for a run. I layered up, put on a toque and gloves, and wool blend socks. My body felt the cold, but I wasn't nearly as cold as I anticipated. The act of running kept me feeling quite comfortable. The only real complaint was my face against the wind.


I changed my typical running route this morning, with the expectation that this run would be short and, hopefully, sweet. My normal route usually has me against the wind near the beginning of the run, and this alteration was no different. But I didn't think it out too well. Once I turned around to come home, the wind was against my back, and my face no longer felt like a candidate for frost-bite. I could have run much further with the wind against my back, except that I had planned this route to be very short for fear of the cold. Next time I will know that I just need to survive against the wind and plan my direction accordingly.


Aside from those cold cheeks at the beginning, I really, truly enjoyed my run this morning, cold and snow and all! I liked hearing the crunch of my shoes on the compacted snow. My pace was slow, because I was treading lightly so as not to slip and fall, but it was a comfortable pace. It was easy, and my hips didn't protest. I don't really know how else to describe it, but it was an almost amazing experience, once I could lift my face without worrying about the wind, that is.


Does that mean I am good and truly hooked on running?

Keeping Busy

It looks like a beautiful day. The sun is shining. The sky is blue. Even the snow on the ground looks shiny and nice. However, it is -13 Celsius right now, before any added chill from the wind, which could get up to 40 km/h. Yuck!


So, I am snug as a bug in the house, keeping busy with general tidying, laundry, baking cheddar cornmeal scones, and enjoying a cup of Earl Grey tea. The last load of laundry is in the dryer. The scones are cooling on the rack and taste mighty fine. The house isn't clean, by Better Homes & Gardens standards, but it is a bit tidier than it was earlier this morning. I've done my daily Bible reading, and now I am doing my daily blog entry. It's been a productive morning!

Mundane

I don't really have much to say today.


Work was busy but fine. I left a half hour early, because of increasingly pain in my left side. It has mostly abated now, although there are still a few tinges of pain.


The desktop has a virus and is out of commission for the time being, which means that my laptop is doing double-duty today. Of course, so much homework needs to be done on a computer these days. I wonder if the printer can be hooked up to my laptop, so Sam can print off his essay.


Snow tires have been put on my van finally! I am happy. Tomorrow, the truck will get some snow tires put on, too.

Sunday

We didn't go to church today. Abby had a friend sleep-over, so it just seemed easier to stay home. As much as I would have enjoyed going to church this morning, I was glad for the extra hour of sleep. We enjoyed a nice breakfast, at a leisurely pace, and we went to see the new Harry Potter movie. It's been a nice day.


There was an email in my inbox this morning from a friend, the one who I am a little frustrated with recently. I sent an email to her a few days ago expressing my feelings and perspective. I don't think I was harsh or overly critical, but her email has a defensive tone to it. To be honest, I'm not quite sure what to think of her email or how to take it. In some ways, her comments strike me as odd, because they seem to be taking a stance or a tone against things I did not say. After a couple of readings, I think she is telling me that she is the way she is and I need to deal with that. She doesn't feel she needs to apologize for who she is, but I don't recall asking her to do that. I'm pretty sure that I did say that there is nothing wrong with who she is...or who I am. I thought I made it quite clear that I wasn't picking her apart but sharing my feelings, my perspective, with the acknowledgement that we are two different people. I didn't tell her how to live her life. I didn't tell her that she needs to change. I did ask for some understanding and a little cooperation. After all, if she wants to spend time with me when she comes to town, then she needs to work with me to make that happen, rather than putting all the expectation on my shoulders while handicapping me with short notice and her limited schedule. That shouldn't be too much to ask.


So, I don't quite know what to think or how to respond. I do still consider her a friend. That won't change because of this difference of opinion; however, I am not thrilled by the thought I am sensing, that being that I am the one who needs to change. I am so beyond being the martyr just so others don't need to bend. Been there, done that, and I've discovered how unhealthy that kind of self-sacrifice is to my sanity and health. I don't have a problem bending and letting go of my expectations when the situation calls for me to do so, but that doesn't mean that I need to be a doormat to be walked all over. And quite frankly, the problems with my in-laws is that they expect me to change who I am to suit their purposes, with no effort at all on their part to be flexible. I don't want to compare this situation with my friend to the situation with my in-laws, but I get the sense that my friend is telling me that "this" is how she is and she's not going to apologize for being who she is. I never asked her to apologize for that, but I could easily take her statement to mean that she will not bend, from which I could then assume that I must bend.


Argh!

Viruses

It looks like there is a virus on the desktop computer. Thankfully, I have a laptop! I suppose this means that I will be asked to share for the time being.


It was a long day at work but a good day, more or less. It is still cold outside and snowy. Today I am back to not liking winter. Oh well...


I have my blanket, and I have a kettle and Earl Grey tea waiting to be made.


The sore throat is finally progressing into a cough. Of course, the cough had to start last night, right about the time that I went to bed. It was present during the day, but it wasn't really an issue. That will probably change though as night draws near.

First Snow

It started snowing last night, and we woke up to a thin blanket of snow and more falling from the sky. I was not impressed, especially knowing that my winter tires are still not on the van yet. I don't feel ready for snow or winter yet. Not really.


I had to verbally push Sam to wear pants today, and I still don't know whether he did or not, because I had to leave for work before he left for school. He hates wearing pants and will wear shorts as long as he can stand the cold. He was going to put pants on, but he only has one pair of jeans and he didn't think that they would fit.


I had to put my memory through its' paces this morning to remember where Abby's running shoes were, because she's been wearing flats to school, without socks, and that just wouldn't cut it today. Eventually I remembered that her runners were in the van. Although I was a little frustrated that I still had to push her to wear a coat!


Casey stayed home sick today. Otherwise, I would likely hear all about the possible hole in his runners and his need for a new pair.


The calendar may still say that it is Autumn, but I don't buy that at all. In my opinion, winter begins on November 1st, each and every year, whether I like it or not. Ready or not. The first half of November was simply lovely weather, and I really would have liked to see more of it. All indicators point toward a colder, much snowier winter for our area, and I don't know whether to laugh or cry. When I signed up for a 5K run for New Year's Day, I was hoping for a mild and dry winter. I don't mind running in rain. I could probably even be okay with temperatures around the freezing point, maybe even a teensy bit of snow. But what will I do if the temperatures are really cold, like -10 or lower? What if we have a couple feet of snow and icy, uncleared sidewalks? I'm not so sure that I can force myself out for a run in conditions like that!


Winter is always a paradoxical event for me. I hate it. I hate the cold and the bitter, biting wind. I hate driving on messy roads, covered in ice and snow and ruts. I hate walking (and probably running, too) on sidewalks hidden beneath uneven layers of ice and snow. Most of all, I hate the slush, when all the snow and ice starts melting. And yet, if I am completely honest, there are many things about winter that I enjoy, if not actually love!


I love the beauty of freshly fallen, pristine snow on the ground and the trees. I love playing in the snow with the kids, making snowmen, snowballs, and snow angels. I love watching big, fat, lazy snowflakes fluttering to the ground. I love Christmas and my birthday. I love curling up with a blanket, a book, and a mug of tea or hot chocolate. Even though we don't have a fire place, I love the smell of a wood fire place and the warmth and crackles and pops.


I may have left for work dismayed by the snow, but by the time I was midway through my shift, I was actually able to feel some joy in the snow. Don't get me wrong! I would have preferred for the snow to hold off at least another week or two, but I might be more ready for winter than I had thought, at least emotionally.

To Praise or To Criticize

Why is it so much more difficult to praise than it is to criticize?


I have my work review today. In preparation for my review, I was given a list of questions to answer. One question asked me to list three things that I admire about each member of the management team. Oh boy! I've been thinking for a day and a half about what I could possibly admire about each person, and it has been a struggle to come up with three things for each person. It's not that I don't like these people, because I do. It's not that they are completely worthless, evil monsters, because they aren't. It is just so much easier to pick them apart and find their faults, than it is to find things worthy of praise and admiration.


At my ladies' Bible study a few weeks ago, we briefly talked about something quite similar-being thankful in prayer rather than always asking in prayer. We were asked to go around the circle and pray; however, we were not allowed to ask for anything. We were to only express thankfulness. While we were all able to do the task, we realized that it wasn't as easy as one might expect. One lady even threw in a tiny request without even realizing it until she had finished saying it.


I see this same principle at work in my kids. They have no problems finding things to complain about or to criticize each other for, but they draw blanks if asked to express something positive about their siblings.


Obviously something is wrong with our society, and I need to use this as a reminder of how powerful words can be. We can build others up or tear them down. We can whine and complain or find reason to be thankful. It is all a matter of perception and mindset. Changing might not come easily, but I believe it can be done!

Review

I finally have my review tomorrow, only a couple of months late. Last night I picked up some paperwork that I need to fill out prior to the review meeting, and I have completed most of it now. I admit that I am struggling to answer one question. I need to list three things that I admire about each member of the management team. Oh boy! It is difficult just to think of 1 thing for some, let alone three!


I really hate this whole process of self-evaluation and goal-setting at work. Why is that anyway? I find myself frequently evaluating myself and setting goals in my personal life, so why is the work process so onerous. Perhaps it is a struggle, because the questions seem so vague and artificial. Anyone can figure out what the expected answers are and reply accordingly, without truly being impacted or motivated. In my situation, there is a vagueness in my job description that leaves me feeling uncertain of my role most of the time. If I don't know my role or feel confident in it, then answering those questions becomes slightly more difficult. And then, I just hate the feeling of being a specimen examined under the harsh glare of a microscope.


I always feel a little stressed out prior to a review but not too much. Even though my role may be a little foggy, I know that I do good work and that I am highly thought of by everyone I work with. The only issues that may arise would be from other managers, who are annoyed at the way my work ethic makes them look bad. Oh well! I don't anticipate any major issues in my review. I am sure that everything will be good, with the typical comments about being more vocal and delegating more, etc.

Planning Ahead

I love lists. I make lists for just about everything, from to-do lists to Christmas shopping to family dinner preparations to books I've read. I love the act of making the list and crossing off each item as it is completed. I will also add things to the list that have already been finished, just so I can feel that extra sense of accomplishment!


I have been thinking recently that I need to begin making a weekly to-do list for myself. Making a to-do list is nothing out of the ordinary for me, but this new idea is something slightly different. My attention to detail has been slipping, my focus distorted. There are so many things that need doing and so many things that I want to do, and I cannot juggle! I need to be organized, but my organizational skills are in need of some help.


I have a family planner that I have used religiously for many years now. I love using the planner; however, it tends to be more of a recording of what has occurred, rather than a planner for what I need to accomplish each week. At least that is how I tend to use it. Changing how I use it would not be too difficult. It would only require a change in mindset. Instead of simply writing down the chores and things I have done each day, I could begin to make notes of what I need to do each day and each week. That should be a simple fix.


Now to execute it.

Yuck Day

today was an incredibly long and busy day, and I just hope that this gets posted for the correct day! I'm not sure what time zone this works under, and I'd hate to have my whole month ruined because I am on the west coast.

What should have been a simple four hour shift turned into a 7 hour crazy shift. It wasn't crazy busy, but it was not an enjoyable work day. We were short-staffed the entire day. I didn't get my second break. I certainly worked a lot harder than either manager on duty today. And to top it all off, my throat is sore, dry, and scratchy.

Quick Run

What a beautiful day! With weather like this it is difficult to believe that it is already mid-November! I remember living in Saskatchewan and having snow and bitter cold before Halloween. Our area here isn't immune from bad weather, but it feels like we have been blessed with mostly decent weather for the past few years, at least in fall and winter. I wouldn't say that our springs have been overly nice though.


I went for a short 2.15 kilometre run a short while ago. A longer run would have been good, but I am glad that I went into it with the expectation of only doing a short one. In general, the run felt good, but there was a touch of difficulty, at least in the breathing department. It could be because I haven't run for a week. It could be because of the wind and chill in the air (doubtful). It could be because a cold might be trying to penetrate my defenses. My throat was quite dry and raspy last night. I don't know. I just know that it felt like I was gasping much more and much sooner than I usually do.

Bubble Bath

A long, super hot bubble bath is a most wonderful thing! I'm just saying.


It was a long day at work, and my back has been sore for hours. My lovely husband drew a bath for me, and it was just the way I like it. It was so nice to just soak and let some of my stress melt away. The only thing that would have made it more perfect would have been not having to go somewhere yet tonight, so that I could have put on my pyjamas. My back is still achy and I am still exhausted, but I feel renewed.

No Running Today

I had thought about going for a run after work today, but I am copping out. I think it is a wise decision, even if I really did need to get another run into the week. My back is incredibly sore, and I have a fair bit of stuff to do before I need to go to bed. There will not be time to run tomorrow, and Sunday is looking unlikely as well; however, I could fit in a run later Sunday afternoon.


I am surprised by how much I do enjoy going for a run, even though the act of getting out there to do it is sometimes too much of a chore. It was definitely easier in the summer to find time to go and run, not to mention it was warmer and light outside longer. Thankfully, we have yet to experience snow and really cold weather, so I should be taking advantage of this nice weather while I can. With my next 5K coming in less than two months, I need to get back into a regular routine of running 2-3x a week, instead of the one to two times a week I am currently running. The good news is that my endurance is not flagging, despite a reduction in my running since early October! There are still days that are not good run days, when even 2K feels like 10K, and my body hates running with every step, but I am getting better at fighting through those feelings or outrunning them.


Now that I have a running jacket and a long-sleeved warmer running top, I feel more prepared for cooler weather running. Although, I am still not keen on running in the dark.

Remembrance Day

I was pleasantly blessed by being given the day off work. Today is Remembrance Day; a stat holiday. Most of the time, I am scheduled to work on stat holidays, so I had every expectation that today would be no different. However, the scheduler did not schedule me to work, because she doesn't think it is fair that I have to work every holiday! While I would have been okay with working, I'm glad to have had the day off.


Naturally, what I anticipated would be a leisurely day of sleeping in and doing whatever turned out to be anything but. Abby's grade 7 girls' volleyball team had a tournament today. The exciting news is that they were undefeated and won the tournament. The down-side, for me, is that I spent the almost the entire day at the school gym. There was no sleeping in. There was no time to do what I wanted or might have needed to do. But, that's okay. It was good to watch my daughter play and win!