#273 Molasses DistribuShawn

So in the never-ending bullshit that is Management at my work, today, the General Manager that has not been our General Manager since July, and is now for some reason unknown to reason or common sense, came to my desk asking for copies of invoices, proof of deliveries and other documents and reports.    

My initial response was :I've sent you two emails in as many weeks concerning access to our online lock-box, but I've not received any reply. I'm afraid I've got other pressing requests. Send me an email with what you require and I'll get back to you.

Well, what would you believe? About 10 minutes later I received a response from my last email to her, and then I received her request for documents.  Well I'm not a complete dick, so I replied to her email a mere 6 hours later with all of the documents she requested.

I may not win personality of the year, but I'm dome with being a doormat and THAT deserves a pat on the back.

#272 Post Vacation Bliss DepleShawn

Yea, I'm done.  The Post Vacation Bliss is gone. 

I started the morning commute off by standing on the Metro platform at Lionel-Groulx for 20 minutes before I could get into a train, arrived at Cote-Vertu to another huge line for the bus, because of the influx of other metro riders that were delayed, then got to work to receive a message that two of my clients received the wrong Generators (radioactive goods mistakes are NEVER fun), and to top it all off, someone took my goddamned Santa Claus mug...WITH MY NAME ON IT! (Sure I have a back-up Santa Claus mug, but that’s hardly the point)

And don't even get me started about Typhoid Mary.

*sigh*

I need another Vacation

#271 Crafting ExploShawn

Today was a very crafty day for me.

Like yesterday I started off easy. Lounged about. Had some Toast and earl Grey Tea for breakfast, then tidied up.  Did a couple loads of laundry.  Walked the kids. Changed the bed.  And then I turned my attention to some crafting.

First I sorted through my supplies. Cleaned some new glass jars. And soaked and then re-dried some seaweed I collected from the beach on PEI. Then I sorted all our Sea Glass.  Large, Medium and small, plus two extra jars, one with the best pieces, and another of all the crockery. Once all that was done then I got to work on today's tasks..

From a project I did back earlier in the summer of the Elements (Earth, Air, Fire and Water) I added a fifth vial with a piece of cut mirror to represent Spirit.

Yesterday I bought a Baseball display box at Michael's to use for the huge Moon Snail I found this summer. It's basically as big as Santiago's head. and I'm glad I bought the larger of the two boxes, because it *just* fit in the one I got.  Today I put a teeny tiny shell I also collected under a miniature cloche. 

Then I made two matching pendant/amulets with the smallest vials I've ever seen. I filled them with Water I collected from the Beach on PEI.  This way, until we are back, we won''t ever be far from the Ocean. I'm a Pisces and Marcel is a Cancer, both Water Signs. So our connection to the sea is very strong.  This way no matter where we are, where we go, we will be close to the sea.  I hope he likes it.

And then I didn't one more conceptual piece.  In seven mini vials I put together a Deconstructed Beach.

Vial 1: Sand

Vial 2: Sea Water

Vial 3: Sea Shells

Vial 4:Sea Glass

Vial 5: Drift Wood

Vial 6: Sea Weed

Vial 7: Seagull Feathers

Everything was collected from our beach on PEI.  I'm not sure where I'll put it, but I kinda love it.

All of that and I still had time to go to the grocery store, and prep for tonight's Tuna, Lemon and Arugula Spaghetti. 

A full, but joyful and relaxing day. All ready looking forward to next weekend when we finally decorate for Hallowe'en. :-)

#270 Re-DomesticaShawn

Marcel started a new course today. Which meant I was alone today.  It was weird ya know. I mean Saturdays and Sundays are OUR days. Alas this weekend he has class from 9 - 6.

To tell you the truth I really didn't know what to do with myself today. LOL

I was up when he left at 7:15.  I could have gone back to bed, well I DID go back to bed, but I didn't go back to sleep.   The dogs knew something different was happening.  They kept climbing up on my chest and shoving their faces in mine. After about 30 seconds of that I totally lost it. Laughing until I couldn't breathe. And they just continued. It was weird, and silly and I missed Marcel not seeing it.

I got up, schlepped about the house for a bit. Put on Galaxy "Remember the 80's) on the TV and kinda just putzed about for a while.  Then I had breakfast, showered, collected the returnables (bottles and tins) took them to the Grocery store. Then I hopped on the Metro and headed to the end of the Green Line to scope out the Michael's Craft Store in Verdun. I picked up a few things and then headed back home.  But first I went and picked up some groceries for tonight's supper. 

Got home, took the kids out for a walk, then unpacked the groceries. Prepped the Sweet Potato and Date and Blue Cheese casserole. Baked some Pumpkin and Chocolate Chip Cookies, and prepped the Honey Balsamic Chicken.

Now I'm just waiting for Marcel to get home, get him a drink, hear about his fost day of classes and then cook supper.

Yup. I'm a regular Haus-frau today.  It was relaxing and fun. Would have been more fun with Marcel.

#269 Work Week CompleShawn

I've impressed myself. Three weeks in and I still maintain a shred of Post-Vacation Bliss. 

It's a very thin shred, but it's holding and it's keeping my from cursing out loud in the office. And if you think that's no small feat, then I encourage you to spend a week next to Typhoid Mary and Tweedle Dumbest (aka the Boss)

#268 New Personal Office RegulaShawn

New rule at the office:

 If I think you are an idiot,  I will now ignore you unless you can show me you have even the slightest modicum of a clue about what your request entails, or what my actual job description is (and here's a hint, being there to do your work is not a part of it)or apologize in advance for needing my assistance.

Chances are I'll be ignoring a few people on a daily basis. Oh well, more time for me to do MY job.

#267 Hallowe'en PreparaShawn

Okay, Christmas is only 92 days away... but there's an important event before that... in 37...

HALLOWE'EN!

And to that end, we've started preparations for this years decorations. Last month Marcel got me a Skull with a crow on top, and this wek I've picked up a faux crow skeleton, some centipedes and some glow in the dark spiders. Oh, and a small glass skull bottle.

All are for inside the house, we're on the 3rd floor and there's no way to see anything we'd put in the windows.  And for the record, we are right downtown so we get no trick-or-treaters either.  And it's very unlikely we'll have anyone over to see them. 

We just like decorating the place for the holidays! 

#266 Game Show ObliteraShawn

Lately we've been watching Jeopardy in the evening.  Most nights I give the competitors a run for them money. Tonight was not one of those nights.

As Marcel said, "I just shouldn't bother".

I think I got 3 answers right tonight. Ouch!

I blame solar flares interfering with my cerebral synapses. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

#265 Countdown PresentaShawn

Milestones People, Milestones. It's all about the Milestones.

I a fan of the Countdown and today is a pretty big day for me.

Only 3 months until Winter.

Only 94 days until Christmas.

Only 100 more posts to go.

And while I'm at it, 4 days to the weekend.

#264 DomesticaShawn

I'll admit that the majority of coking is done by Marcel, but once in a while I like to take control in the kitchen. Today is such a day.

Earlier today I made Naan Bread from scratch. It's not going to make it to an Indian restaurant, but it's not bad for a first attempt. It was made in preparation for tonight's main event:

Butter Chicken with Perfumed Rice (and a side of Carrot and Peanut salad).

It's simmering on the stove as I type and it smells DELISH!  If it tastes half as nice, then we are in for a treat.

Now with this menu out of the way I need to start thinking of next Sat and Sun.  Marcel starts a class next weekend and I will be the Haus-frau on duty...  I'm looking forward to it, but want to get creative too...

#263 Rant of FrustraShawn

My On-Call (work) cell phone battery is close to empty. And that's because it's been ringing off the hook (so to speak). I'm not charging it. And furthermore, I don't really give a flying fig if someone tries to reach me and they can't! Deal with your problem and solve it yourself! And that goes double for Typhoid Mary who all of the sudden doesn't' know how to log in o our servers via VPN Something she's been doing for over 10 years). Not my problem. You can't log in remotely, then get in your car and head to the office. 

On Monday, if the Boss so much as says 'peep' about it I'll hand it back to him and tell him HE can be on call 7 days a week, plus monitor all the flights on Saturday and Sunday, because it's not in my job description and it's really getting to the point where it's not worth the bother of the hours that I bank.

Quite frankly, I am done.

Here endth the rant.

#262 ExhaustShawn

Today was a double edges sword, pressed firmly at my neck.

Sure I was ecstatic that Typhoid Mary called in sick today. 

But the thing is she didn't even complete all her work from yesterday. So, not only was I dealing with my own work, plus all the A/R work (Which I have every Friday anyway), I was also cleaning up and completing her work from Thursday, plus all her work for today, and prepping all her weekend shipments.

Then on top of that she called at least 5 times to tell me other things that needed my attention because she hadn't done them as well.

She's not in on Monday (which I've known for 2 weeks) but of course none of the prep work for that was completed either because she would have completed that today as well.

Thanks for nothing old lady!

I'm on my 2nd double Gin n Tonic...  I think it's gonna be an early night...

#261 Office StupefacaShawn

You know what stupid people don't like? 

I'll tell you... they don't like to be shown that they are indeed dumber than a box of hair.

The boss, since day one is always complaining about how much of our processes are on paper...  He's very anti-paper. Until today that is.

Seems now on the one page credit / re-bill requests that we fill out, he now wants a photocopy of the original invoice and the pricing contract, which is repetitive because we have to write all this information on the damn form in the first place.  

So now, the original one page credit/re-bill request form is now anywhere from a minimum 3 pages, up to 50+ pages. (Because you see Our system does not allow yo to select a single page of an invoice...

When it was pointed out that this was a phenomenal waste of paper he said, that this will be better for the Finance Department and the Auditors.  

When Typhoid Mary replied that for the past 46 years that she's been at this job, the form was more than enough and there were never any issues with Finance or the Auditors, and that this is clearly that he (and the newish CFO) have no confidence or trust in their employees.

He was not able to reply to that which only goes to show he's both an idiot AND a dick.

#260 Bliss DepleShawn

I swear I am committed to making it through this week with some semblance of my Vacation Bliss, but the stupid, it is trying me.

To be honest, it's been a challenge (yesterday and today). I'm pleased as punch that Typhoid Mary will be retiring next Spring.  It is the one bit of news that may help me make it through to 5 PM on Friday.

The only thing stupider than 90% of our Management and their decisions are the few new employees they have hired, and the ones they've laid off in lieu of those that remain.  As the number of employees decreases in our office, the stupid factor increases.

It burns.

#259 Drama InfectShawn

Did I speak too soon?

The drama was on free-pour in the office today. People stepping on other people’s feet, or otherwise walking completely over them.

I heard on more than one occasion “I don’t care what you think…” and “There’s a procedure for that. If you don’t know what it is, ASK!” and “It’s not my job, I don’t care if it gets done.”

Two people casually commented that they might just take their retirement early (One made me happy, the other made me sad).

Has Mercury gone retro-grade again, already?!

Honestly… these people are narcing on my post-vacation high.

#258 Bliss Depth PercepShawn

I’m pleased to report that the feel good buzz still lingers from Vacation.

Granted,  the glow is beginning to fade. But I intend to hang on to this like the Violinist on the Titanic.

I can see the Iceberg filled waters, but I’m still dry…

#257 Collection DocumentaShawn

I spent an hour yesterday photographing all our beach-coming treasures from Summer Vacation.

It was kinda fun, sorting through things. arranging things, in sand (we brought back from the beach), on wood, on the counter.  Thinking of different ways to dimply them.

All of the sea-glass, driftwood, shells, feathers, etc. Now I'm spending time editing and posting to Instagram. 

Here are the first two:

Shades of Green.

Shades of Brown.

#256 Quick QuestShawn

Question: What do you do when you sleep for 12 hours (Friday night into Saturday morning)?

Answer:  Lounge around in bed for 2.5 hours. Naturally.

But can you blame me? I mean it was wet and cool out. AND, it was Saturday morning.  What else did you expect? Really?!

#255 Self-CongratulaShawns

I did it!

I made it through the first week after Vacation.

Not the biggest victory of all time however I can still feel the positive effects of our recent vacation. 

In years past, the residual ‘feel good’ vibe was all but sucked out of my system by idiots and stupidity in the office by the second or third day. But based on how I’m feeling at the moment… I’ve got a feeling that I should be able to at least get through another week without wishing the Plague on anyone… (fingers crossed)

#254 Hometime AppreciaShawn

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE vacation… and I LOVE being at the cottage on PEI, but we are creatures of habit and there are some of our creature comforts here at home that I’m happy to be back with on a daily basis:

• Air Conditioning
• Dish Washer
• 45” flat screen TV
• PVR (NO MORE COMMERCIALS!)
• The Bed

Honestly, if we had these at the cottage, I would have had a very difficult time returning to Montréal (job or no job)

#253 Delicious NutriShawn

So we've only been back from Vacation for 2 days, but we decided it was time to have Lobster Rolls.

I gotta say it's the closest thing to being on the island that we have... and we'll take it for now... 

...and just keep on with our Meditation.

#252 Office DeleShawns

In never fails. When I am away from the office for a week or more, you can be sure there will be capital "D" Drama.

Once I arrive, I booted my computer and then grabbed a coffee, then walked back into the Dept and said, "Okay, what's new, who's gone, what's the damage?"

The girls just laughed...

... and then they started:

-There were two lay-offs in our Distribution Center.

-There was another Resignation (after the one announced just a few days before I left for vacation). 

-There is a "leave of absence" that was initially going to be 2 weeks, then a month and now 'indefinite'. And this for a person that was only showing up to work  3-4 days a week and when she WAS in the office, did no describable work. She from the Finance Dept, one of the old dumb-ass General Manager's hires.

-Our fearless leader (aka the Dumbass Boss) will now be working split shifts, temporarily, as he helps out at the Distribution Center to make up for his two layoffs...not that we think this is necessarily a bad thing. :-) 

A rather fruitful Return to Work Drama re-cap, don't you think?

I only wish I could take another 2 weeks off, just to see what would happen. 

#251 Island MeditaShawn

Every lotto ticket.

Every lost eyelash.

Every 11:11.

Every shooting star.
Every blown out candle.

... is a wish to be on PEI forever.

#250 Vacation CompleShawn

As soon as we cross the Confederation Bridge, and land on New Brunswick soil, we are no longer on Vacation.  We might not be back in Montreal, but so too, we are no longer on PEI.

As soon as we exit the Bridge, our hearts ache. Ache to return to PEI.

There's not a lot to say... we want to be on the Island permanently. Some how, sooner or later we will get back there and never leave again.

#249 Last Day of VacaShawn

Well to be technical, today was our last Full Day of Vacation.

It's always a bitter sweet time.

We got up and putzed about in the morning. Did a few chores about the property, then took the dogs for a walk.

Then we got in the car, and hit the road.  We zig-zaged across central PEI. Crapaud to Canoe Cove. New Haven to Charlottetown. Cornwall to Stanley Bridge. New London to Hunter River. Then back to Hampton.

We stopped off at a few of our regular joints... Harvey's General Store, The Michael's, Pedro's Island Eatery.

Then we made our way back to the cottage. Took the kids for another walk to the beach and back.  And now we vege and wish we weren't going home again tomorrow.

Le sigh.

#248 Friday Night SocializaShawn

Our friends Reg and will came over to the cottage tonight. But to make things a little easier, breezier, we made reservations at a restaurant over in Victoria, this quaint 1900's fishing village, just down the coast from here. 

The restaurant is call Beachcombers and it's on the end of the wharf. Not only are the views breathtaking, day or evening, but their food s spectacular.  Nothing she-she or frou-frou. It's a simple, straightforward with just a handful of options. But they do them all right and EVERYTHING is delicious!

Tonight makes our forth visit this vacation. And that speaks volumes, because while we're not food snobs, if we aren't impressed with an establishment. If we don't think the food is absolutely delicious, we simply wont be back.

We can't wait to go back!

After supper we went back to the cottage and got down and dirty with another game of Cards Against Humanity.  This time round I was the winner!  The game is just so wrong that it's right. And that suits us just fine!

Then we ended up the evening in the living-room, shooting the shit, cracking jokes and just taking it easy! 

Just a great night all round.

Now we just have to wait another 51 weeks for the next time. :-(

#247 More Collection ObsesShawn

More Beach Combing Gold!

Not only did we get more fab Sea Glass in Victoria., We found a HUGE Moon Snail Shell (as big as Santiago's head) on our beach. And then in Borden we found a great  piece of blue glass.

Today was a very successful Beach Coming Day.

Haazaa!

#246 Collection ObsesShawn

A high point for our vacation, and a great way to while away the hours, not to mention it's extremely calming and de-stressing... is beach-combing and looking for sea-glass.

It was a slow start to the hunt this summer, when we first got here. A few pieces here and there. And then with some windy days and an abundance of seaweed on the beach at low tide, we thought we would go home almost empty handed.  

But then today we made it to one of our secret spots while the tide was low. And we struck seaglass gold!   A good 25 or so pieces, along with some old crockery pieces. 

We had such a good haul that we're going back tomorrow! 

But anyone that knows anything about Beach-combing means that one day is feast, then next could very well be famine...   Fingers crossed.

#245 Insect AnnihilaShawn

Death to Mosquitoes.

No, seriously; those little buggers are on my shit-list. 

The rain is a minor distraction on vacation...

The price of gas and groceries is an unwanted obstacle...

...but the Mosquitoes this Summer are the closest thing to a wet blanket we are facing. We even went so far as to buy a bottle of insect repellent...  but I think it was mislabeled. I'm pretty sure we bough a bottle of Insect Attractant. 

One would think that bug spray would actually keep the mosquitoes away. We actually got more bug bites after we applied the spray than before.

I think tonight I'm going to sacrifice a virgin to Zephyrus, god of the west wind. It's the only thing that's made some days possible to be outside. 

#244 Vacation MigraShawn

Some lazy days you do a lot. Such a day was today.

Sure we got a late start .. waking up at 10:40am But once we got up we made a days worth of it.  

We had breakfast and then took the dogs for a walk on the beach. Then we got out on the road, did some shopping and visiting in Victoria-by-the-Sea.

Later we criss-crossed the island making stops in Crapaud, Kelly's Cross, New Glasgow, Cavendish, and North Rustico.

Visiting boutiques here and there. Taking photos and beachcombing. Sight seeing and just overall relaxing, letting the day slip away.