And the crime spree goes on...

I tell you, Hoping is fantastic to steal from. And so here I go again...

1. Who was your first prom date? We don't have promshere, we have grads. I went to the German bastard's and a week later he came to mine. His was pretty good, mine was a disaster.

2. Who was your first roommate? That would have been my ex husband. We moved in together 2 weeks after my 19th birthday. Disaster.

3. What alcoholic beverage did you drink when you got drunk the first time? I was 17 and went to a ladies night thing. We went to about 6 different bars and I drank different things at all of them. Vodka, tequila, rum...you name it I drank it. I was soooooo pissed I blacked out. I do, however, remember offering the limo driver a blowjob. Humiliating.

4. What was your first job? A cashier at Zellers.

5. What was your first car? Still bloody waiting.

6. When did you go to your first funeral? A few days before my 9th birthday. My granda's.

7. How old were you when you first moved away from your hometown? I consider that to be Birmingham, so 3.

8. Who was your first grade teacher? Mrs. Windsor.

9. Where did you go on your first ride on an airplane? 6 months. We came to Canada on holiday. If I had a scanner I would post the pic of my mum in a miniskirt and my Aunt Marie in a black tanktop, red short shorts, black tights and red wedges. Judging by the teenagers at the mall this summer it is a look that is back in fashion 32 years later.

10. When you snuck out of your house for the first time, who was it with? It was at my friend Janine's house. We were 12. There was another girl called Rosemarie. We took a very little bit of Janine's dad's liquor (verylittle because it was very gross), imagined we were drunk, and went to see if we could get into an empty house near my place. We couldn't.

11. Who was your first Best Friend and are you still friends? His name was David, we were best friends from 3 to 5, when he moved away. No idea where he is now.

12. Where was your first sleepover? My cousin Jane's. Janine's for non family.

13. Who is the first person you call when you have a problem? My mummy, of course.

14. Whose wedding were you in the first time you were a bridesmaid or groomsmen? My Aunt Barbara's when I was 11. It was in Norwich. They're divorced today of course.

15. What is the first thing you do in the morning? Feed Sophie.

16. What was the first concert you ever went to? Hehe. The Nylons. They were fantastic actually. Stop laughing.

17. First tattoo or piercing? First and only tattoo at the grand old age of 27. Ears at 8.

18. First celebrity crush? Sean Astin. And his wee brother Mackenzie. I named my cat after him. My first cat was named after Sid Vicious, but it seems a bit morbid to say your first crush was on a dead man.

19. Age of first real kiss with tongue? 13, on a canal boat in England with my cousin's friend Robert. He was an older man at 16 lol.

20. First crush? There were plenty in elementary school, but the first serious one was for 2 years in junior high. His name was Colin.

21. First REAL love? Probably the German bastard. We were together for 3 years. I must have loved him to put up with his shit. Either that, or I was scared to death of him.

Stealing once again

This time it's on Saoirse's behalf. I saw this ages ago on Tonya's blog in regards to her daughter Randie and although Saoirse wasn't tagged, we're doing this anyway. Because to be quite honest with you, there is not a coherent thought in my head these days.

3 Nicknames:
Sorshie-Porshie
sweet pea
lovey

3 People That Make Me Laugh:
Daddy
Taylor
Liam

3 Things I Love:
the park
my new sister
chocolate

3 Things I Hate:
being told no (we entered the terrible two's about 7 months ahead of schedule)
not getting my own way
waking up alone

3 Things I Don't Understand:
the word "no"
why I have to hang out with my mum all day (boring, apparently)
why my mummy and daddy would like me to sleep in my own bed

3 Things On My Floor:
stuffed animals
all the clothes Mummy has yet to put away
a lot of rubbermaid containers waiting to be moved

3 Things I'm Doing Right Now:
sleeping (it's almost 10 pm.)
snoring
moving around

3 Things I Can Do:
put on my own shoes, except for the hiking boots...and always on the right feet
swing myself on a swing
talk non stop

3 Things I Cannot Do (yet):
give up my dummy
sleep on my own (can't...won't...it's all the same)
sing the alphabet

3 Ways to Describe My Personality:
Smart
Loving
Determined

3 Absolute Favorite Foods:
spaghetti
fries (just for the ketchup)
peanut butter on toast

3 Foods I do NOT like:
The maternal figure is drwaing a blank.

3 Beverages I Drink Regularly:
milk
raspberry juice
water...because coke has been banned in the house, due to my love for it.

3 Shows I Watch:
Sesame Street
Clifford the Big Red Dog
Barney

First Grade Torture

Tonight we were discussing peanuts and how schools are esentially peanut free. Taylor isn't allowed to take a peanut butter sandwich to school and I wondered how my brother would have survived elementary school, since I am quite sure that is all he ever took for lunch for 6 years.

And it reminded me of this thing that happened in Grade One and I was sure you would all want to hear about it. But first I have to say that this happened in 1980 and it saddens me to realize that half of the people I know of that read this blog weren't even born yet. Telling stories from your childhood makes you realize how freaking old you are. Me= old before her time.

We had a healty eating month (or perhaps it was a week or two...it was 26 years ago, people, do not expect me to remember the small details) and each day we tried a different healthy food. Fruit, vegetables, whatever. I do seem to recall ants on a log, of which I ate the cheese whiz (healthy? somehow I doubt it) and the raisins but managed to avoid the majority of the celery, a food I hate to this day. And then there was the day we had to eat peanut butter cookies.

You see why I had to point out that it was 1980? A few years later and peanut butter was a banned substance, now considered a possible killer. Where were all the nut allergies when I was six to save me from the nastiness that was peanut butter cookie day?

We got our cookies after morning recess. Being the smart cookie that I was, I put mine in my desk. These were 1970s desks, if you recall the sort, with an open hole where your books and whatnot went. Unlike today's fancy desks, with a pull out drawer. All was fine until just before lunch when Paul freaking White, the little red headed bugger, walked along looking into peoples' desks. "Mrs. Windsor! Emma didn't eat her cookie!" See now, if I had been a very smart cookie I would have shoved that cookie to the back of my desk instead of leaving it at the front. Not so bright. "Isn't it a good thing that I looked into desks, Mrs. Windsor?" Paul says. Oh, that boy was a brown noser to the highest degree. Mrs. Windsor tells me to eat the cookie. "I can't," I say, "I don't like peanut butter." She tells me I have to, I cry. I'm not joking, I really hate peanut butter. If Tommy, as my brother was known by then, wants to annoy me he chases me with a piece of bread with peanut butter on it (or pigs feet, but that'a a whole other story.)

Mrs. Windsor moves my desk behind hers. Her desk is in a sort of alcove, I can see nothing, not the board, not a single other desk. There I sit for the rest of the day, right through lunch recess and afternoon recess, until I finish the cookie. Which I eventually did. It took me 3 1/2 hours and there was a lot of tears and a lot of gagging. But I did it. And I immediately went home and told my mother how mean Mrs. Windsor was and what a bastard Paul White was. I am quite sure I did not use the word bastard. Bastard was a no-no word in our house, and one I did not know until I was older, but definitely knew by the time I was 11. As you may recall, I called the dog a bastard and later that day it ran away...

I can not recall what my parents reaction to this was. I assume there was one, they were usually fairly pro-active in cases like this. After all, in the third grade my dad called the school and got mad at my teacher for marking a spelling test 15/16 because I spelt grey the English way instead of the Canadian way. (I no longer know which one is the English spelling, gray or grey.) I should hope they did something. I was certainly never forced to eat any other food again.

I am still anti peanut butter today. Taylor and Saoirse love it, Liam hates it. I think I made Taylor one sandwich in her life, usually her dad would do it and once she was 3 and could use a knife she made them herself. I have been forced to spread peanut butter on toast for Saoirse when William isn't home but this summer I have been able to get Taylor to do it. So much for motherly love, I won't even give Saoirse a kiss until the peanut butter had been washed away by a drink.

You see what happens when you're having too much fun

Today Saoirse went up to Liam and said "hand,hand" and took both his hands in hers and started running in circles, apparently a hint to Liam to spin her around. Which he did in my not so huge livingroom. This was then repeated by Taylor. Back and forth it went. It made her dizzy, so much so that she called Liam 'Mia' instead of the usual 'Lia'.



The end result was that her nappy came loose mid swing and fell out of her shorts, which left her none too pleased. However, it caused Taylor, Liam and I much amusement.

And the thievery continues...

...but now I'm stealing off of two people at a time. Both Hoping and emmakirst did this one.

1. How tall are you barefoot? 5'3". Tis terrible to be short and to admit your height two days in a row.
2. Have you ever been cheated on? Yes. The German bastard was very fond of it.
3. Do you own a gun? No, dead against it.
4. What do you think of hot dogs? I think I'll make them for lunch today.
5. What's your favorite Christmas song? oh, that's hard. Silver Bells is one. Ask me in November when the Christmas CDs go on.
6. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Tea.
7. Do you do push-ups? Not since high school gym.
8. Have you ever done ecstasy? At 18, in Amsterdam, turned out to be fake. Haha.
9. Do you like Disney World? I'm sure I would, but I have only been to Disneyland.
10. Do you like the rain? Mostly.
11. Do you own a knife? Just the kitchen variety.
12. What do you smell like? Dried breast milk. Yum.
13. Do you have A.D.D.? Never diagnosed, but it seems likely.
14. Full initials? E.J.McD.
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. I'm hot. I wish Sophie would go to sleep. I better get us all dressed.
16. Name the last 3 things you have bought today. That would require vacating my house and since no one is dressed it does not seem likely that anything will be bought today. I do have to order stamping stuff if that counts.
17. Name five drinks you regularly drink. Tea, water, coke, diet pepsi, ice tea (of the powdered variety)
18. What time did you wake up today? 8? It's all hazy.
19. Can you spell? I should hope so.
20. Current worries? Will I pay the school fees?
21. Current hate? None this morning.
22. Favorite place to be? In my bed asleep.
23. Least favorite place to be? In meetings.
24. Where do you want to go? Ireland.
25. Do you own slippers? Yes,but can only find one.
26. Where do you think you will be in 10 years? Fuck knows.
27. Do you burn or tan? Burn, then tan.
28. Yellow or blue? Yellow. Sometimes blue.
29. Would you give up your current life to be a pirate? Not even on the River Saskatchewan. (This reference will only be caught by Captain Tractor fans. Or East Coast music fans. I have no idea how many bands sing this song.)
30. Last time your cell rang? It hasn't been loaded in a month.
31. What songs do you sing in the shower? Whatever's in my head.
32. What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child? The Mona Lisa (a short lived fear at the age of 9 after going to the Louvre.)
33. How much cash do you have on you? $20 and change. Close to $40 when you add loonies and toonies.)
34. Last thing that made you laugh? Saoirse and Liam playing together.
35. Best bed sheets you had as a child? Kitten ones I got in Seattle at 7, Taylor has them now.
36. Worst injury you've ever had? Chipped elbow. Though my ankle hurt more last year so maybe that.
37. Where have you been out of US? Canada obviously, England, Ireland, Wales, Belgium, Holland, France, Tenerife...hmmm, thought there were more. That's a disappointing list.
38. Who is your loudest friend? Michelle
39. Who is your most silent friend? None are quieter than me.
40. Does someone have a crush on you? I should hope, but I don't think he's the type.
41. Do you wish on stars? I do.
42. What song did you last hear? Great Big Sea...Goin' Up.
43. What song do you want played at your funeral? Don't know, but William wants "You'll Never Walk Alone"
44. What were you doing at 12:00 last night? sleeping. Shocker.
45. First thought upon waking up this morning? Ah, for fecks sakes.

That took me 2 bloody tries to get done.

More theft in the blogosphere

Ages and ages ago emmakirst did this one and I really meant to do it, but got ditracted as I am wont to do. Tonight I saw it over at Lost Somewhere In Antrim and thought that maybe I should finally do it. I wish I had done it before, just so I could see for myself how different some of my answers might be.

I AM: Emma, tired and sore and yet oddly content, at least for tonight. Who knows what tomorrow might bring.
I WANT: my house sorted without people getting grumpy. Impossible, I think.
I WISH: that life was worry free.
I HATE: right wing politicians.
I MISS: being pregnant. (I know, WHAT THE FUCK????????? After 6 months of constant complaints you would think I was done.)
I HEAR: Sophie sighing in her sleep.
I WONDER: what would have happened if I hadn't met my ex husband when I was 18. I was supposed to go to Belfast to live for a year the following May and didn't because I chose to move in with him. Foolish perhaps, but I ended up with Taylor and Liam. Otherwise this answer would be one below.
I REGRET: nothing. There is no point, it had made me who I am today, which I openly admit is not always fantastic.
I AM NOT: organised. At all. Not one little bit. Though I pretend to try.
I DANCE: only with Saoirse.
I SING: very badly.
I CRY: almost every day. At commercials, at a wrong word. At happy moments and sad ones. I cry very easily.
I AM NOT ALWAYS: a pleasure to be around. Nor am I always miserable to be around.
I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: scrapbook pages and cards.
I WRITE: with my left hand.
I CONFUSE: Taylor, when I get mad at her for things that Liam doesn't get in trouble for doing.
I NEED: a million dollars. And a holiday.
I SHOULD: wake Sophie up to eat.
I START: things with the best of intentions.
I FINISH: those things under duress or guilt.
I TAG: anyone who wants to be tagged.

Where are all the calendars?

Back in the day, when I worked in retail hell, calendars would start appearing in June. These would usually be the place ones...Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, all the things tourists love to buy. Come the end of July planners and the other calendars would be displayed.

So why is it that the one year I do not have a daily planner, no one has any calendars on display? This is very disturbing to me. It is almost as disturbing as the Gap at the mall closing down for renovations during the summer. Who the hell works in that planning department, because believe me, I would have them fired. Who in their right mind closes a store for the busiest season in the busiest mall in the world??? A freakin' eejit appraently. I really don't know what they had going on in their heads at the Gap. Close in January when the mall is dead, not July. Stupid.

Back to the problem. I need a calendar for my bag. I have one of those tiny ones, but I like to write a lot of stuff down, small details are extremely important when you are as busy as myself. You know, being that I don't work or anything and at the moment live a life of leisure. I was on the For Better of For Worse website the other day and I saw that they had a planner available. Great excitement for me. Not only can I plan my ever so busy life but I can read comics while I am at it. Happy days.

So off I go to Chapters on Saturday. I go right to the centre aisle which is where calendars went out every summer while I worked there. No calendars. Up and down the aisles goes myself, with the giant double pram in which I am liable to run over a Chapters employee should I ever find one. I do see them, about 6, all dressed up as princes and princesses in the childrens section. They all ignore me. Odd, since I have 3 children with me. Back down the aisle and I see someone on his hands and knees putting away books. I ask him where all the calendars are. They aren't putting them out until next week, he says.

The same person who makes store renovation closing dates for the Gap must be working at Chapters. Tourists, people, tourists.

I bought the newest Sheila O'Flanagan paperback instead. It looks good. If I ever finish the book I am currently reading I will start this one.

My name is Emma and I am a blogging thief

I stole this from Sandra at Over Here. I have nothing against theft if it gives me something to write about without making me think of something to write about. You know what I mean? I have done so much stealing in the recent past that some of these questions and answers may be familiar to my dwindling regular readership.

[PAST]
1. Your first grade teacher: Mrs. Windsor. She had red hair. I think she was English, but I can't recall an accent. She took us on a field trip to her house.
2. Last word you said: Mummy. As in "Come with Mummy" to Sophie.
3. Last song you sang: "Downtown" by Petula Clark. It is currently being used in a Fido commercial. It reminds me of the summer I was 13 and went to England. I used to watch that breakfast program with Philip Scofield (or however it was spelled) and they used that song to show pictures of kids hanging about.
4. Last person you hugged: Sophie, who is currently in my arms.
5. Last thing you laughed at: Saoirse, who is generally the funniest person going.
6. Last time you said I don’t remember: I don't remember. Ummm, which would make my new answer 'just now.'
7. Last time you cried: This morning. Baby blues. My friend cancelled a trip to Costco because she would rather go garage sale-ing, and instead of asking me to go with her she said "I know you're not up to getting in and out of the van." Good God, I am sensitive these days.

[PRESENT]
8. What colour socks are you wearing: It's summer. Who wears socks in the summer?
9. What’s under your bed: Saoirse's crib mattress. A futile attempt to get her at least out of the bed, if not our room.
10. What time did you wake up today: 5 something for Sophie to eat, a brief moment at 6.30 when the alarm went off for William, and then for good at about 10 to 8.
11. Current taste: Taste for what? Clothes? Comfy. Food? Edible, preferably prepared by someone else. Music? I'm easy too please.
12. Current hair: Blonde, dull, needs a style.
13. Current annoyance: What doesn't annoy me these days?
14. Current longing: A good nights sleep.
15. Current desktop background: James Blunt. Much to William's annoyance I am sure.
16. Current worry: What doesn't worry me these days?
17. Current hate: Hate's an awfully strong word.
18. Current favorite article of clothing: Stolen scrubs from the hospital. No longer all the rage, but extremely comfortable and do not bother my incision at all.
19. Favourite physical feature of the preferred sex: Eyes and a wee bit of a tummy.
20. Last CD that you listened to: The Thrills, I think. Maybe it was the Dixie Chicks.
21. Favourite place to be: Where my family is, when they are all pleasant.
22. Least favourite place: Work. Dreading June, so I am.
23. Time you wake up in the morning: Whenever Saoirse or Sophie wakes up.
24. If you could play an instrument, what would you play: Drums, today anyway.
25. Favourite colour: I don't think I have one anymore.
26. Do you believe in an afterlife: I do. Of some sort.
27. How tall are you: 5'3"
28. Current favorite word/saying: Bugger off.
29. Favourite book: Oh there's too many. Something Irish of course.
30. Favorite season: Autumn. I love the colours.
31. One person from your past you wish you could go back to see: My Nanny. Can I change the last time I cried answer? Thinking of her makes me cry.


[FUTURE]
32. Where do you want to go for university? Ah ha, a highschool quiz. I wanted to go to either the University of Alberta or Aston University in Birmingham. I went to neither.
33. What is your career going to be like: Crap apparently. Unless I get myself together.
34. How many kids do you want: HA! I have 4. In a brief moment of insnaity the other day I actually thought I might want to do this again.


[HAVE YOU EVER…]
35. Said “I love you” and meant it (with the opposite sex): I should hope so by 30+.
36. Gotten in a fight with your dog/cat/bird/fish: The day I called my dog a bastard he ran away. I was 11. Never saw him again.
37. Been to New York: No.
38. Been to Florida: Nope.
39. Been to the Bahamas: No again.
40. Been to Mexico: Nooo.
41. Been to China: No. Apparently I've been nowhere. Does Europe not matter anymore?
42. Been to Canada: Finally. Yes, I have and ffs I'm still here.
43. Dreamed something really crazy and then it happened the next day: I have a hard time remembering my dreams, but certainly ave experienced deja vu.

[RANDOM]
45. Do you have a crush on someone: Just the one.
46. What book are you reading now?: Liverpool Annie by Maureen Lee. Am restarting a Secret History of the IRA for the umpteenth time. Just can't get into it.
47. Worst feeling in the world: When your kids are hurt. When I'm the one that hurt them. Guilt, ya know.
48. What is the first thing you think when you wake in the morning?: Ach, for fecks sakes.
49. How many rings before you answer: It used to be within 3 because it would go to call answer but now with Shaw it can ring about 5 times. Sometimes I just can't make it that quickly.
50. Future daughter’s name: You mean there might be a fourth? I am really wishing Sophie was Aisling.
51. Future son’s name: Sophie was supposed to be Cormac because William shot down Cathal. I still like them both.
52. Do you sleep with a stuffed animal: No, there's no room. Ask Taylor though, she sleeps with about 15.
53. If you could have any job you wanted: I would read books, not as an editor or a reviewer, just a reader who got paid. Ideal, really.
54. Where do you wish you were: I wish I were on a nice holiday in Ireland with the kids and William.
55. College plans: I'm too old for that sort of thing.
56. Piercings: 9. In the ears. Mostly closed I am sure.

[THE EXTRA STUFF]
57. Do you do drugs: No.
58. Do you drink: Rarely.
59. What kind of Shampoo and Conditioner do you use: I think I am using Garnier at the moment. Whatever is reasonably priced really.
60. What are you most scared of: Spiders. The basement in the dark. Very juvenile.
61. What clothes do you sleep in: PJs. Scrubs and a tshirt. Shorts. No night dresses. No lingerie. No need to frighten the fella away.
62. Who is the last person that you called: My friend Jen.
63. Where do you want to get married: William once told me that he wouldlike to get married on the coast of Donegal. I'm holding on to that.
64. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be: I would be skinnier. I would be happy at my post-Taylor/ pre-Liam weight.
65. Who do you really hate: No one.
66. Been In Love: Yes.
67. Are you timely or always late: Fairly on time. Unlike my children in utero. Look, I'm still not over it.
68. Do you have a job: Domestic engineer? Aka paid by the Canadian government to stay at home for a year.
69. Do you like being around people: Sometimes.
70. Best feeling in the world: A "huc" and a "kiss..pft...pft" from Saoirse.
71. Are you for world peace: Not if it's Bono who brings it about. But otherwise, yes.
72. Are you a health freak: Did ya not see my pic? Ffs. No.
73. Do you have a “Type” of person you always go after: Go after? I have not "gone after" anyone since I was 15.
74. Do you want someone you don’t have?: Have to say yes. I've only got a part.
75. Are you lonely right now: A bit.
76. Ever afraid you’ll never get married: Been there, done that.
77. Do you want kids?: Seriously...is four not enough for you?

[IN THE LAST 48 HOURS, HAVE YOU…]
78. Cried: At least half a dozen times.
79. Bought Something: Gave Taylor money for a slush for her and Saoirse and Liam money for swimming. I am going to buy my "For Better or Worse" 16 month family planner tonight. This is a cause for great excitement for me.
80. Gotten Sick: No.
81. Sang: Yes, the aforementioned "Downtown."
82. Said I Love You: I've told at least 5 people.
83. Wanted To Tell Someone You Loved them: Yes, those same 5.
84. Met Someone: Yes. See post below about crazy people at my door.
85. Moved On: In my head? Yes.
86. Talked To Someone: Many people. Including myself.
87. Had A Serious Talk: No, but there's one to be had.
88. Missed Someone: Quite often.
89. Hugged Someone: At least 5 someones.
90. Yelled at Someone: Sigh. 2 someones I think. Definitely Taylor. Probably Liam too.
91. Dreamed About Someone You Can’t Be With: No.

And there we go. A little bit more about me. Tell me when you're tired of hearing about me, me, me. If not I am liable to open myself up to questions (a la Silly Hily, who at least has enough readers that chances are someone is going to ask and, alas, people did and she did answer.)

What? You want me to kick someone out of their house?

There has been some uproar in the Canadian media over the last month about the Lebanese-Canadians who have not lived in Canada for years being rescued from Lebanon and brought here. What happens then? Suddenly, people feel, we are responsible for people who are only "convenient" Canadians and they are saying it isn't fair. I suppose that in theory I feel that a Canadian is a Canadian no matter what, and that it is the job of our government to help them out. But what sort of help are they giving these people? Is it "Here's a list of rental properties...have at it. You're on your own now." ? Because after today that's what I'm thinking might be going on.

The two weans and I were having a lie down on the sofa. Not very comfortable but you take what you can get when you have a week old baby. My doorbell rang, totally startling me. Had my door been shut I wouldn't have bothered answering, but when I looked up there was a man staring at me.

Brief explanation of my housing complex here. I am not quite in renters hell, it's sort of different. I don't want to say what it is called as I don't want someone googling places to live and ending up at my blog and knowing what I think of my neighbours (crazy, but that's another post entirely.) Anyway, there's a few of us around. Easy enough to figure out I suppose. It start with a co- and ends with a variant of operate. Used to be very popular amongst the rich in New York. You apply to get in, go through an interview process and are suppose to actually do a wee bit of work around the place to keep rents low. Which is all fine and dandy. About 40% of our units are subsidized, meaning a Canadian government agency pays part of their rent. I'd hate to call it low income housing, it's too nice a neighbourhood for that, but I guess it is for some people. Anyhoo, I'm guessing that Social Services has our name on a housing list, because as head of the membership committee all sorts of people phone me looking for a place...cheap and NOW!

Unfortunately, cheap and now do not come up often. Really, if you could pay $120 or even $400 for a very nice 3 or 4 bedroom home with a garage, would you be in a rush to move? Not likely. And even our full rent is extremely reasonable in today's market, so turnover isn't going on every month or every other month.

The other week some woman shows up at my door saying that her house has flooded and is now being condemned and she just talked to someone in the neighbourhood who told her we could help out people in emergency situations and could I get her a place like now? Like tonight? Ummm, well no. We have no vacancy, and although units are coming up over the next few months, we have an application process and a waiting list. She went on and on. I told her to come to a group interview on either Wednesday or Sunday and to fill out an application then and there. She shows up on the Wednesday, takes an application and leaves. She does not bring it back until Monday. Interviews are done and over, my credit checks are done, I am meeting with the board on Tuesday to finalize the waiting list. If she wants a place so badly why did not stay on the Wednesday? Feckin' eejit. And then she phones me this past Wednesday and says that she understands she is on the waiting list and her situation has become more dire. Well, no, you stupid twat, you weren't interviewed. Not my fault you lived in crappy housing with a crappy landlord. And here's a question for bloggers out there with more royal knowledge than myself..do Middle Eastern royalty use HRH? Because on her application her husband is called (HRH) blah blah some hyphenated last name. Like he's an exiled Saudi prince or something. Very weird.

So back to the man who showed up at my door. I do tend to wander, don't I? The first thing he says is "I am from Lebanon, my house was bombed, we are Canadian citizens, can you help me?"
Me: I'm sorry but we have nothing available.
Him: There is nothing at the end of the month? I was just talking to *someone who said there was, and you could help. (*This is probably the same woman who sent the crazy lady with the Saudi prince husband to my house.)
Me: No, I'm sorry, we just filled that unit.
Him: Can't you call them?
Me: (thinking "what the fuck?") No, I can't. They've already paid their deposit.
Him: My children have to go to school.
Me: I understand that, but I can't take their house back from them.
Him: Do you know of any other places? With subsidy?

I am at this moment wondering what this woman has told him, she knows way more than she should, there are certain people within this complex who can't shut up (not like myself, who just tells anyone with internet access.) I tell him about a neighbourhood up the road, but say I don't know what they have available.

Him: What will they be paying, these people?
Me: They aren't on subsidy, they will pay full rent which is $725 (Told you, pretty reasonable.)
Him: And you can't help me?
Me: No, I'm very sorry.

And I am, in a way, once I'm not pissed off about people showing up at my door during nap time. But it annoys me greatly that some people just expect to be helped out without question. We've plenty of them here, and I talk to tons of them on my phone. There are days that I want to say "Hey look I'm sorry you got knocked up and the father walked out and you couldn't be arsed to work but that's really not my fault." There are some people who just expect everything handed to them. I am not saying these two people who have come to my door recently would be like that, and as I look over this post I realize I totally went off on a tangent and didn't even talk about what the government should or could be doing for people coming over from Lebanon who may not have family to stay with. I can't even begin to imagine how they are even attempting it, considering that welfare is a provincial program, as is health care for the most part and that the majority of low income housing would be the responsibility of the municipal government. I can't see how they could all come together to make it as fair as possible in every city, in each province. How do you find them all housing and help them out with furnishings and expenses until they are able to work? It seems extremely difficult to me and we should all be very grateful that I am not the Canadian government otherwise we would be in a crazy mess.

Another reason for me to HATE Owen Hargreaves

Let me just say it again. I hate, with passion, Owen Hargreaves. I hate him because he doesn't play for Canada, which he should, as I have said a thousand and one times and I am sure you are tired of hearing it, he is NOT English and should not be playing for England.

I really don't care if he was England's best player at the World Cup. That just made me hate him more. Really, the least he could have done was play like shite. Or not at all, which would have been even better.

Something that bothers me immensely about professional athletes is their extreme cockiness, their demands, and their refusal to honour contracts. Such as ex- Oiler Chris Pronger, who refused to honour his contract in Edmonton for family reasons (apparently his wife discovered he was having an affair with a local sportscaster, rumour of course, but if true what a silly boy...we all know athletes fuck around but most of them are smart enough to do it on the road, not at home.)

Now it's Hargreaves, who has a contract with Bayern Munich until 2010, but wants to play for Man U. I hope Bayern Munich refuses to let him go. I hope they can do what the Quebec Nordiques did to Eric Lindros all those years ago...let him sit on his whingy arse for a year.

Of course, if he does go play for Man U it just makes my hatred for the team itself even greater. Which makes watching them lose fantastic fun.

Bloody Rogers Sportsnet

So the EPL season starts on Saturday. I was quite excited a few weeks ago to learn that Aston Villa would be playing Arsenal for their opening game. Not because I thought they would win, because really the chances are highly unlikely; Martin hasn't had a chance to work that Irish magic yet, but because they were playing one of three teams that Sportsnet almost always shows the games for. (That would be Arsenal, Chelsea and Man U.) So today we looked up the BBC schedule and great excitement for William as Liverpool is playing the early game. He will gladly get up at 5.30 for Liverpool (I am not such a great fan, I won't set an alarm for Aston Villa) and we said the chances of Arsenal's game being shown were very likely, after all Man U is on Sunday and Chelsea is only playing Manchester City. So it would be either the 8 am game or the 10.30.

But no. Who have they chosen to show on Saturday but Newcastle vs. fucking Wigan!!!!! The 10.30 game is no better- Bolton vs. Tottenham.

Which all makes me very unhappy.

In other things that piss me off news.... Randy Lerner is the new owner of Aston Villa. And no offense to the lovely Americans who may read this blog, but I'm not really a fan of Americans owning English football teams. (Nor am I fan of Russians owning them...I'm not picking on Americans here.) There's just somethign so wrong with it.

However, I am trying to look at this positively and I am thinking that maybe Aston Villa might play some games over in the States. And I could go. And then reality hits and I remember that not only am I poor, but I am also one of 10% of the Canadian population who does not live within 100 miles of the American border so chances are that going to a game, even were it in Seattle, is not very likely. Unless I win the lottery.

Of which the chances are very slim.

So not only am I annoyed with Rogers Sportsnet, but I also am very annoyed with American football owners who piss a girl off at the same time as briefly raising her hopes to see her favourite team play only to have them dashed again.

Note that I totally realize this post makes zero sense. But it does to me, and really isn't that all that matters?

If you don't think it's stressful being the youngest you are soooo wrong

What do you think is going through her head when she smiles like that? Her shirt says "Little Miss Perfect" and I am beginning to think it's a great big lie. First off, the day I was born she tried to poke my eyes out. My mummy and daddy thought she was being so cute when she would say "hair" and rub my head and then "nose" and she touched my nose. Why didn't they realize what was going to happen next? "EYES!!!!" and she tried to poke them out. Honestly. These parents people had better keep an eye on her.


The next day she tried to steal my bed! (Not that I really used it in the hospital, I slept with Mummy every night.)


Here we are at home. She was holding my hand. After she tried to shove a dummy in my mouth and I did not like that at all.


Daddy took her to the mall and I had a chance to have a peaceful rest. She's a busy girl, that Saoirse. But I think I will probably like her alot. She sure does love me. So my mummy says anyway.

Love, Sophie.

Something other than the baby or the weather.

Yea for Aston Villa hiring Martin O'Neill as manager. If he could change the fortunes of Celtic can he do the same for Villa? We will see. Now if they can manage to avoid having an American owner I will be plenty pleased.

Babies and blogs

The problem with maintaining two blogs is that some people only read one or the other. This isn't an issue, but sometimes I cross over between blogs and there may be things in one that I might want you all to know.

My other blog was meant to be all about my pregnancy. My original plan was never to mention it here. Impossible really, since this is essentially a journal and the details of my oft boring life. So it got mentioned. But the majority of my pregnancy is on the other blog.

So because I can't be bothered to blog the same thing twice, if you want to know what's going on, visit that site. All I mentioned today was the future birth date of baby girl Sullivan, the child without a name. August 10. That's your free pass. Now you don't have to go today.

August 7th

It is 12.40 am on August 7. The baby is offically late.

Damn it.

You know it's time to go to bed when crazy religious couples are on T.V.

Hurry up baby. Otherwise I am going to name you Slowpoke.

Try living that one down.

These wee tickers make a liar out of you

Dear Baby with no name,

Well, I looked above and do you see what it says? "okay, okay, I'll admit it, I really liked it in my mommy, but I'm finally ready to go! Horray! I've arrived!"
Do you see what I mean when I say it's calling you a liar? Because, excuse me, Miss Sullivan, but I see not a sign of you. And also there's the minor fact that I am not your mommy, but your mummy. I am also willing to accept mammy, but absolutely not mommy. I already had to get your older sister out of it.

My suggestion now is to take it easy where you are for the next few days. We are off to Heritage Days in an hour and I would definitely hate to go into labour where the only available method of transportation is the city bus. Thoough I suppose events like this always have an ambulance or two nearby. Tomorrow your nanny is coming over and we are going to finish off your room. Now that I can manouver my belly through the garage I may even be able to find the rest of your clothes. That would be lovely, wouldn't it? Better than wearing nothing but a nappy. So if you could hold off until maybe Tuesday I would be plenty pleased.

As I said earlier you still don't have a name. Your oldest sister is all for Sophie, which was number one in the running some months ago, but the other day at dinner your daddy said it was too English. He may have been doing this just to annoy Taylor, or maybe he really thinks that. We haven't even talked names lately, but I am all over Caoimhe again so we'll have to see what he thinks come the big day. I will be looking through the Irish name books that day. Hint hint to Daddy.

Looking forward to seeing you,

Love, Mummy.

There's just no pleasing some people

I pretty much spent the entire month of July complaining about the heat, to anyone who would listen and even those who wouldn't. I reached the point where I was mumbling to myself about the heat that came with humidity and a 9 month pregnancy making me feel as though I was going to suddenly self combust.

And then last week hit and suddenly it wasn't so hot anymore. It was warm, which I am quite happy with. Give me a nice 22 anyday.

But do not give me a 22 with pouring rain. Rain is great at night, but not during the day when you are going stir crazy. Yesterday it rained all day and it wasn't even 22. It was 12!!!!!!!! A 23 degree drop is an awful lot, even over a few days.

It is looking pleasant today though. And tomorrow is supposed to be a lovely 23 and as long as the baby doesn't decide to make an on time appearance we are off to Heritage Days.

There is concern about Israel and Lebanon at this year's Heritage Days. Last year it was over two Eastern European countries if I recall correctly. One day they may have to seperate some of these warring factions by more than 50 tents.

August

It used to be that as a child that I hated the start of August, it meant only a month of summer was left before the dreaded school year began once again. We all know that school is only enjoyable until the new clothes run out, which gave me a week, maybe 2, at best. And then I did the countdown for Christmas holidays.

July flew by, a write off of a month, due to the move. We did nothing enjoyable, did not even attend Klondike Days with its new name of Capital Ex. Well, Taylor and William did, but just to go see Simple Plan. It was a hell of a month. I fell out with people, which I had sort of mentioned before. It is all very petty and silly and probably not worth getting into. Needless to say it all added to the stress of this already stressful pregnancy, which sadly has me more depressed than I have ever felt.

I am totally expecting to have post partum depression, which I have never had before, with the minor exception of the blues when Liam, who was supposed to be my last child, stopped breastfeeding at 10 months. So what is wrong now? I don't know really. Well, I do. I am just not ready to throw the very pathetic realities of my life out there to you all. One always hopes that things will get better in the next few weeks, even if they know it is almost impossible. Life's a funny wee game.