#334 DecoraShawn CompleShawn

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand we're fully decorated!

6 trees and 6 tableaux.

To quote one Mr. Ed Grimley, "I'm as happy as happy can be, I must say!"

Santa, we're ready!

#333 DecoraShawn ExploShawn

It starts...

I picked up a car today, then picked up Marcel and we made our way over to the storage unit. 30 minutes later the house was filled with bags and boxes od Christmas Decorations.

After 2 hours of unpacking we got to decorating... and after 3 more hours, we have the Mantle, 3 trees and three tableaux set up.  3 more trees and 2 more tableaux to go and we'll be ready for Christmas! 

Okay, well, we have more baking to do, and gift wrapping and card signing, a bit of shopping, and  a few parcels to ship and THEN we'll be ready for Christmas.  But considering that Dec 1st is only on Monday, we are well ahead of schedule!

I Am so excited and also so tired I can hardly stand it!

#332 Christmas DecoraShawn ExpectaShawn

♪ ♫ I'm so excited.

And I just can't hide it.

Tomorrow we decorate for Christmas.

Fa La La La La, La La La La! ♫ ♪

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

#331 Christmas Gift Gift RecommendaShawn

Time is ticking away...

Stuck thinking about Christmas Gift ideas?

Well do I have the answer for you...

How about some original art photography!

I happen to know of this really great photographer that just opened a shop on Etsy.  Great photos, even greater prices...  and many would be great purchased in pairs or triples. Why give one Print when you can give more?

Hey! What are you still doing here? Go take a look!

#330 Christmas Music DeciShawn

Christmas Music...   I love it almost as much as I love sipping a big glass of EggNog while watching a Blizzard...

I've loaded up my iPhone with 844 songs. All of them Christmas-y.

To make it more exciting, for me, is that I added 3 new albums for this year:

Kelly Clarson's Wrapped in Red.

Seth MacFarlane's Holiday for Swing.

and

Christmas with Ferrante and Teicher.

The problem now... what to listen to on my commute to the office tomorrow!?!?

I can't decide!!!!

decision 

#329 Christmas Gift SuggestShawn

Look, I love Christmas, I love gift Giving and i love my family...  but sometimes that's a dangerous competition...

So if you're stuck trying to think of a gift for mother and Father... if you're thinking on getting your parents a Tablet for Christmas... use me as your litmus test...

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT'S HOLY, 

IF YOU LOVE THEM, 

IF YOU LOVE YOURSELF, 

DON'T DO IT!

GET THEM AN ETCH-A-SKETCH!

You're welcome.

#328 Just another Manic Monday FrustraShawn

Mondays as a rule suck. 

The Monday Morning Commute, sucks to an added degree.

This particular Monday Morning Commute went far and beyond the call of duty... or rather the STM did.

So a massive Thank You and Merci to the STM for reminding me that today is Monday! (Like I could forget) But you really didn't have to have TWO Slowdowns AND an Interruption of Service to do this... the alarm clock and then the rain to start the day were more than enough.

My 45 minute commute was stretched to just a little over 90 minutes...

Bell you STM... you certainly make me feel I get my money's worth.

#327 Deep HibernaShawn

The only thing better than sleeping in on a Saturday, is sleeping in again on Sunday.

I can't tell you the last time I managed that personal little victory.

On most Saturdays, even though I'm dog tired on Friday nights, I end up waking up earlier that I do on week-days and then I cannot get back to sleep. Fail. Epic Fail.

But not this weekend.  I managed to sleep in well past 9am on both days. On the scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is a craptacular weekend, and 10 is picture perfect' this weekend was a 15!

Success!

#326 Fruitcake FabricaShawn

We were a Fruit Cake Factory today!

We baked 10 Orange Almond Fruit Cakes today.

Some for family, some for friends and one for us!

Now I know what you're saying...

"No one really likes fruitcake, let alone receive one for a gift..."

Au contraire mon frère! There are fruitcakes, and then there is our Orange Almond Fruitcakes.  Personally I don't even like fruitcake and yet I LOVE this one.

Did I mention we baked TEN of the?  Yea, TEN!

If it were up to us, we'd keep them all, but no, we're givers; we give.

#325 (Egg Nog Obsession) EggnogsesShawn

Egg Nog Season is here.

Fa La La La La, La La La La.

The mind reels at just thinking of all the ways we will consume...

Straight up.

With Rum.

Ice Cream.

Pudding.

Cake.

Cookies.

Fudge.

Cheesecake.

And the coup de grâce...

COFFEE NOG!!!

$324 AddictShawn JubilaShawn

I think George Gordon, Lord Byron said it best...

"...let joy be unconfined...”

WE. 

HAVE.

EGGNOG!

#323 DistribuShawn DistractShawn

Oy-Vey!

Talk about a lost and found desk...

I was at our Distribution Center today. And the senior clerk there took me into a room with a large table full of boxes of products and returns, going back to 2011...

Some of these needed immediate attention, while others had been discussed and confirmed at length over the years. And yet, there they say.

Some products are still usable / sellable, while other *were* but are no longer because... nothing was done.

After an hour, I went back to my temp desk and caught up on my own tasks, but damn if this doesn't piss me off. Especially since my name was plastered on a lot of these things...  It's a good thing I don't throw out any email, because I was able to provide whole email threads concerning a great many of these.

I go back on Friday to continue helping to resolve issues and answer unasked questions.

Fun.

#322 Meeting DebilitaShawn

It was touch and go for awhile today.  

I thought I might not make it. 

I was passing in and out of consciousness.

4 hour long video conference meetings ought not be legal.

I mean, I'm pretty sure they contravene several Treaties and Protocols of the Geneva Conventions.

I need a drink!

#321 Monday AssassinaShawn

The best part about today was that it snowed pretty much all day.

The worst part about today was a tie:

- The fact that it's too mild and the ground is not frozen, so intestate of having 5+ cms of fluffy white-stuff, we have about 2-3cms of wet slushy goo.

- Product issues at work meant I had to stay late.

Monday, you are nobody's friend, I Kill You!

#320 Seasonal PrecipitaShawn AppreciaShawn

Brace yourselves, my excitement is increasing!

I woke up this morning to Marcel smiling at my face...

"There's snow on the ground...", he said.

And... I was W*I*D*E  A*W*A*K*E!

Still no blizzard, no tempête de neige, but we woke up to the white stuff. 

In the coming weeks as the daytime highs stay below 0'C, the ground will freeze and when snow falls, it will stay.  And then... my cup of Joy will runneth over.

... until then...

 I'll take these moments, with appreciation.

#319 Social and Culinary ExpediShawn

It's not often I've overtly social.  Don't get me wrong I have friends and I like people... well some people.  There are a lot of idiots out there, so some lever of avoidance is necessary to keep me off the evening news, and more importantly, out of jail.

Today I went on a small adventure to Chinatown, to meed some new friends... well new in the real world sense... I've know one for nearly 3 years on FB and the other for another good 2 years.   We decided it was long past due to meet in person. So, a Saturday afternoon lunch date was planned... Dim Sum in Chinatown.

I got there a little early so I could take some pictures, for my Instagram, and just to look around. It's a shame in one respect that there is so much construction going on current;y because it meant a lot of planned photos didn't happen, but on the positive side, things should look much nicer next year...

And then to lunch and friends...

We had such a wonderful time. Great food, bitchy, yet witty conversation. And probably a few too many rambunctious laughs...

We had SUCH a good time that we're already planning a repeat.  CAN. NOT. WAIT.

#318 ExaltaShawn

So it wasn't a blizzard, or even technically flurries...  it DID snow for about 5 minutes today, which instantly terrified most in my office today...  but for me... I was as excited as a school girl at a One Direction concert.

Soon... soon...

#317 Office CelebraShawn

It's rare that we get good news at the office but we've gotten double good news today.  Twelve new clients!!!  On top of seven others we gained last month and this puts us in a positive position after some losses earlier in the year.  

Now I've never been accused of being an optimist, but there has been some chatter, from upper management that this could equate to a bonus in the Spring. 

I won't hold my breath, but I might go light a candle at Notre-Dame.

#316 Office NotificaShawn

Can't say I was surprised. I don't think anyone was or will be.

The still "New" Distribution Center Supervisor gave notice last night apparently. I think he's been here 2 months.  

So now we're back to one employee.... until a new Supervisor is found, as well as the still un-filled 3rd employee.

Good times. 

Le sigh.

#315 Lest We Forget.

#314 Parental FrustraShawn

*sigh*

You know when you haven’t heard from your parents since you last spoke to them 2 weeks prior that something must be amiss.  

I tried them last night (twice)  got their machine)

Called them today from the office because I couldn't wait til tonight to call again.

Ask, “What’s new?”

Get the answer from Mother, “Well other than my fall, not much...”

When I asked, “When did you fall?!!!”

I was told, “Last Saturday. Didn't I tell you?”

“Mom, we haven’t spoken in two weeks!”

“Oh, well then, yes, I fell last weekend, and have been in bed mostly since. I was sure we had told you.”

*sigh*

I am really beginning to worry about those two…

I had to make them promise that the next time one of them has an accident, it is the other’s responsibility to let me know within 24 hours.

And I have to send an email to them to follow-up and have them print it and put on the fridge.

I used to think I should have liked to have kids, but then we have two dogs that are fairly well trained, and I have two Parents that aren't… and that’s enough.

#313 Sunday: Rest and RelaxaShawn

Slept-in til 10AM

Pancakes. 

Pajamas until 2PM.

Walk the dogs.

PVRed Figure Skating and channel surfing.

In bed by 8:30pm.

Asleep by 10:30pm.

#312 Anniversary DestinaShawn

So while yesterday was our Anniversary, we decided to just make last night low key and order in from our regular Friday Night Resto.

Today we went out to Old Montreal, walked a bit, shopped a bit, took some pictures and had lunch at A resto I've not been to in a good 10 years... and it was Marcel's first visit...

Stash's Cafe. It's a Polish restaurant. Been around since the 70's, and they know their food! Traditional, hearty, peasanty dishes that were the PERFECT thing to have on a blustery 1'C day. 

Soup - I had borscht, he had a sour rye malt soup with sausage. Then we doth had the Tasters menu... some pierogis, potato pancake, a Breaded stuffed crepe with meat and mushrooms and an amazing cabbage and roasted stew. YUM YUM YUM! Washed it all down with a lovely Polish Amber Ale. Then had coffee and a sweet and tart plum crisp. 

More walking and looking about and *poof* three hours later we were back at home where we're always happiest.

A lovely afternoon and who knows what tomorrow might bring....

#311 5 years and counting.

November 7th, 2014, I had a date with a handsome man.

It was an amazing date.
Even more-so because it was a first date!

Five years later, the love continues to grow.
Day by day.
In every way. 

I'm one lucky man!

Love you, ya Frig!

#310 Canine DictaShawn

<<k'[tgggggA3LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLDClkreeeel          er                felllllllllllllllllll;fffffffffffffff

(This post brought to you by Man's Best Friend: Santiago de Montréal, Chihuahua extraordinaire, walking over my laptop)

#309 Cliche QuotaShawn

They say, "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all." 

I usually don't follow that rule, but I thought I'd see what it's like...

So, today at work...

#308 The Neverending QuestShawn(s)

Just curious…

Is there a polite way to say that? Because honestly, I don’t know how to say it without raising my voice and adding in 2 or 3 F-bombs.

I’m trying not to break the neck of a co-worker, but for the love of all that’s holy, if she asks me one more question I shall surely snap.

The only thing more frustrating to the number of questions she spews forth, ad nausium, is the fact that she never listens to your answers.

I mean… WHY BOTHER??!  Just sit at your desk, do your job and leave me the fuck alone!

Some day’s I just cannot cope. Today was one of those day…

Her pending retirement next fall will not come soon enough I fear to keep me out of jail.

OMG! JUST STOP ASKING ME QUESTIONS. 

#307 Internal EvacuaShawn

Not to get to detailed or personal, but I am empty on the inside. Not figuratively or existentially, but physically..  I am void of any extraneous materials other that what god gave me…

 I had some sort of intestinal attack last night / into this morning that kept me awake and in the “library’ from 3:30am or so until 6 am. At 7am I decided, as things had pretty much come to a halt, that I could head to the office. Luckily for me, I made there just in time. And within 90 minutes and 5 more “visits’ That was it, I was cramping and it was time to head home.

Ever get that sensation that you are completely empty inside, and yet you’ve no hunger, and the thought of putting anything back in, makes you nervous for what might happen shortly thereafter?

I managed to catch a couple ours rest at home in the afternoon which was more than welcome – thank you very much. And supper consisted of instant rice with a few veggies. Mm Mm Good.

Fingers crossed there is no repeat of last night.

#306 Crafting ExploShawn

T'was another busy day today. 

I got up early-ish.  had breakfast, then putzed about, un-decoration the house from Hallowe'en. No mote skulls, no more spiders, no more snakes, no more severed hands, no more eyeballs, no more bones, no more crows...  well okay fewer crows. There are ALWAYS crows...

Then a quick tidy of the kitchen and BAM!  Craft Time!

I made a new arrangement of collected feathers and put them under a cloche. Then I put my recently purchased Abalone Shell, Crow Feather and some White Sage in a glass display box. 

Then I added another shadow box onto the Kitchen Wall. This one with cookie cutters: an 'S' for Shawn, a small dog-bone for Santiago, an large dog-bone for Peanut and an 'M' for Marcel.

Then off to the Storage Unit to take the Hallowe'en decorations back. And another quick stop at the grocery store. And back home and time for a snack... nachos and salsa.

Only two more projects for the day... two more Shadow boxes to display two earlier art projects:
The Deconstructed Beach (8 vials containing: Sea Shells, Sea Weed, Sand, Ocean Water, Sea Glass, Sandstone Pebbles, Seagull Feathers and Driftwood). The 5 Elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit).

I had to build an structure to go inside the Shadow Box, to support and center the 8 mini vials, and then cover that structure in textured paper as a back drop to the half filled vials, and the see-through water vial.  It went rather well and can'y help but think I'd be able to sell such a piece for a fair amount of money. Honestly, not to toot my own horn but I am pretty impressed with the completed look. 

The other Box (The Elements) was a bit of a disappointment and I'll have to re-do the supporting structure...  I mis-measured and the vials were not help snug and bounced round a bit and I cut the paper cover wrong... UGH! I guess I was getting tired and wasn't paying close enough attention.  

Ah well, At least now when I re-do it, I'll be able to do it quicker because now I know what I'm doing! lol  

All in all, a good day..  but golly, I'm exhausted!

#305 iMechanizaShawn

With Marcel out of the condo today (for his course) I was a bit or a Tasmanian Devil today.

I got up early, did some packing of Summer coats etc then went out at 10:45 and picked up a rental car for some errands...

-Went to Ikea for a couple of items: Frames, Candles and Christmas Wrapping Paper, Slippers, a small Side Table and a bonus Orchid.

- Went to Canadian Tire to pick up a Rubbermaid Garbage Can, because the neighbourhood Squirrels have been having nightly feasts on our back balcony. 

- Went to Michael's for some more frames and Shadow Boxes.

- Dropped all of that off at the house then took the Coats and a lamp to our Storage unit.

- Picked up our Winter coats from storage.

- Filled the gas tank in the car.

- Dropped off the Winter Coats at home.

- Returned the Car.

- Picked up some groceries for supper.

- Came home, put the groceries away and Got a bite to eat.

- Hung the coats and organized the front closet.

- Built the Ikea Side Table.

- Re-framed a piece of art, and framed another.

- Did a mass hanging of 6 pieces of art in the bedroom.

- Prepped for supper.

- Then finally sat down at 6 PM

I feel like I accomplished more today than I do in a week at work... mind you then I'm usually just picking up my Bosses mistakes, so...

All in all a good day.

Now wait for Marcel to get home, hear about his day, have supper and then relax!