fav HNT for '05

This is part 1 of 'gum sharing' (original post Oct. 27th) and I chose it cause it's the Sassiest of them all, and got the funniest comments. And cause I miss the gum sharee. So much.

Here's to making more HNT memories in 2006!

52 Pick Up

So I was sitting on the couch of the place I’m currently house sitting last night, attempting to come up with a description of my current mood/state of mind. The maybe-not-so-wise one’s words … “depressed again?” still echoing in my ears. Well, no, actually. There does tend to be a dip on the chart that affects me most evenings, but I’d rather call it contemplation. My brain becomes so full over the course of the day; it needs some space and time to sort the contents out, piece by piece. A kind of decompression, if you will.

I came up with a vision- me as a deck of cards, scattered all over the hardwood floor, and suddenly invisible hands are sweeping me up to sort and shuffle. Once I’m in a semblance of order, things begin to flow. Worries shrink into manageable pieces and ideas blossom. Although I have never been a cat person, I have thoroughly enjoyed acquainting myself with my current charge, and the sight of him sprawled out in front of the fireplace relaxes me. I’m sure there are dozens upon dozens of TV stations to peruse, but I can’t be bothered trying to figure out the multitudes of buttons on the three remotes. I’d rather stay lost in my reorganization of thoughts. And so it was.

Goodbye 2005

I got this idea from someone’s blog (can’t remember who). Take the first sentence of each month’s post, and there you have it: your Year In Review.

January: My Kat made reappearance in my life today.
February (Horoscope): Generally speaking, this will be a great year for you.
March: One of those moments that is so defining that you want to capture every single detail of it happening.
April: It's my "I don't live in the basement anymore" party!!
May: Welcome to the World, David Andrew!
June: Don't watch a movie like 'Sweet November' when you're feeling down already
July: Happy happy holiday weekend to both sides of the border!
August(Personality test): You are nurturing, kind, and lucky.
September (Title: ‘tied cause the ref sucked’): My msn name as of late.
October: “Hope springs eternal in the human breast;”
November: The smell of the sweet grass I burned last night still lingered this morning.
December: Always got somethin' in my mouth.

All in all, it was an incredible year for learning and growing. Tragically, it was disturbingly overshadowed by the person in my very first sentence. Perhaps that was to be the greatest lesson to be gained for me this year. The true meaning of a friendship and the consequences when it is lost.

Generally speaking (excluding the mess that was created out of that disintegrated union), it WAS a great year. But I am more than happy to let it go and drift off into memory, to start again with a fresh perspective, energy and gusto in 2006. Ooh, I really like that word: enjoyment, delight, pleasure, enthusiasm, passion and zest. 2006 = GUSTO!

The enlightenment of March & April was infused into me with the above ground living. Regrettably, I have ended the year once again a mole.

We had a beautiful addition to the clan in May, my nephew David (and the worries about his health are now thankfully in the past, as you can see by his smiling face in the second photo of the past post).

The realities of incompatibility and heartbreak surfacing in June (that I’m not entirely sure I’m done with, half a year later).

Work, work and more work, despite the holidays that others may celebrate. It’s effective therapy, to a certain extent, being too busy to think about the heart’s injuries.

End of summer bringing about introspectiveness. Concentrating more on myself and my needs, the ‘good’ kind of selfishness and the insight that, you know what? I’m not much good to others if I’m not taking care of myself. Through reflection, playing team sports, thinking positive thoughts, practicing yoga and moving on, I am achieving this goal. Leaving pain behind, keeping the good memories and learning from mistakes.

And as for this month’s recap-in-one-sentence? What can I say, I truly am naughty and nice. Deal with it!

what Christmas means to me

Donner & Blitzen are my buds

You Are Cupid

A total romantic, you're always crushing on a new reindeer. Why You're Naughty: You've caused so much drama, all the reindeers aren't speaking to each other. Why You're Nice: You have a knack for playing matchmaker. You even hooked Rudolph up!

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

Sista Love HNT

This is me and my 'little' sis on Halloween (hence the spider rings). And this is how much I love her.

Tension, schmension

I feel like I finally got my groove on for this week on the way to work this morning. Only a mere 24 hours off, I’m gonna blame it on the 14 hour day I put in on Saturday at the Ranch. Sounds like some rough & tumble outdoor work, but it was really a party for some very nice folks where I rotated being bartender and warding off the doggies in the garage-come-clearing-station, all in a pair of slippers lent to me by the host. What can I say, I’m a pro.

The chiropractor (who had to pay me a home visit so I could get out of bed last week) says my body and my mind are out of whack. That I have been storing my tension from the past 6 years in my neck & shoulders and that it’s finally crying out for help. An injury on the tip of my big toe from the screw sticking out of the laundry room floor and a ball to the face in Sunday’s game sure haven’t helped, either. “I need a vacation!” my tension shrieks. 34 more days, I calmly answer. Because calm is the only way to respond to my screaming tension, I have learned. Until then, bubble baths are the answer.

Thanks Cari

“One who blesses others is abundantly blessed”

Proverbs 11:25 The Message

My name

HNT Sassy Break

Taking breaks is very important. They recharge your batteries, help you gain perspective, allow you to stretch your legs, and inspire you to keep going.

This was one of the best breaks I have ever taken. Beer in hand, icy cold stream flowing by, and a gorgeous summer day to enjoy it all.

What's that you're saying, it's December? Don't interrupt my daydream!

Wisdom of the Day

- If you're going to complain, you'd better have two solutions

World Peace is Declared

I'm over at (ex~sniff~) neibourladys house for a visit. It's Monday (Oh! Was it ever a Monday) evening, and we're enjoying a catch up session filled with tangents. How I heart the tangents.
She brought to my attention this gathering that is taking place on New Years Day, a Peace Dance put on by this group. I think I'll check it out. At the top of their pamflet there's a pair of footprints and the words:

"Let our first steps into the New Year be peaceful..."

I couldn't agree more.

Word of the Day:

Debris

Sass's Holiday Mix

Hit me with music (live)
Angel - Simply Red
People Everyday - Arrested Development
Here I Am - UB40
Corner of the Earth - Jamiroquai
Gone Till November - Wyclef Jean
Whenever God Shines His Light - Van Morrison
Brian Wilson (Live) - Barenaked Ladies
Turn Your Lights Down Low - Bob Marley & Lauryn Hill
Inaudible Melodies - Jack Johnson
Wildflowers - Tom Petty
Eyes Wide Open - Hothouse Flowers
I Belong To You - Lenny Kravitz
The Conquering Lion (Live) - Lauryn Hill
Water Is Wide (Live) - Indigo Girls/Jewel/Sarah McLachlan
You've Got To Hide Your Love Away - Eddie Vedder (I am Sam soundtrack)
Thank You - Natalie Merchant
Seoladh Na nGamhna - Hothouse Flowers

Groove Salad

Commercial free, listener supported radio

Check it out

I'm groovin' on a Saturday night... making the most of an empty (well, except for my four four legged friends) house, mixin' up my 10 faves for a Christmas 'project'. I'll post them when I'm done...

Fruitful Winds

Oh! Glorious Chinook wind! Blow! It doesn’t matter that you turn the pure white now to dirty slush, and make the windshield washer light on my dash glow like Rudolph’s nose. So many things just don’t matter since I had my little chat with the Big Guy by the river during yesterday’s lunch break, and gave all my worries over to Him. Doesn’t matter that I’m going to spend the vast majority of my waking hours today working (Holiday Pahtee Season comes but once a year!). Doesn’t matter that I forgot my belt today, just as the outer effects of my cleanse are beginning to be visible. Doesn’t matter that I had to endure almost an hour in the greasy air of the lounge at the soccer center after the game, nursing my ice water (we won 5-1!).

I’ll be singing my carols (in my head for the desk job part of the day, but out loud while I’m serving), hiking up my jeans every time I stand up, depositing that juicy refund cheque that arrived yesterday ~coincidence? I think not ~ and just all around being happy to be alive. Joy to the world, y’all!

HNT Cruisin'

This was the start of the day with mike b back in October, heading out to show him around Cowtown.

Day three (but who's counting?)

It has been really difficult for me to find my voice again, after the events of the past few months. I just had a look back at what I was writing about a year ago, and found an abundance of inspirational quotes and such. I’m on day three of a 14 day cleanse right now (if I make it that far… but so far it’s going great) and they tend to have a purifying effect on my mind and thought patterns as well. Out with the old, in with the new seems to be the credo of the season. I do enjoy this reflective state, and it seems my present living situation is very conducive to it, being in the deep dark dungeon and all. Me and my heating blanket are getting quite close.

One of my ‘looking within’ activities of late has been to re-read a guest book I kept whilst living in the mountains. I had all the ‘kids’ sign it at my birthday and going away parties. It has been downright heart warming to reread these sweet words written by my charges (I was a supervisor in both positions out there). In an attempt to counter-balance some negative feedback I received last week at my current place of employment, I’d like to reprint some of the gems here:

“You are an amazing person with a great heart and your wonder shines onto everyone you meet!”

“You are a special and beautiful spirit”

“You rock”

“You are definitely one of the truest people I know. Your heart is on your sleeve, neckline, shoes and socks. Don’t ever change.”

“You’re a breath of fresh air”

“I just want to thank you for making my time here so amazing. You’re so inspiring in so many ways, you don’t even know. As soon as I met you, you immediately made me feel comfortable and happy in this wild place… Your presence, caring and energy have played a huge part. I’m so glad, thankful to have met you.”

“Your kindness is meant to teach”

Warm fuzzies, anyone?

because I need something mindless to do

What is your occupation? Sales and technical support for a creative content site
What color is your underwear? black
What are you listening to right now? Tapping on keyboard
What was the last thing you ate? 85% Lindt Chocolate (3 squares, my daily allowance)
Do you wish on stars? Yes
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Sienna
How is the weather right now? Frikin' cold
Last person you spoke to on the phone? A customer
How old are you today? 31
Favorite drink? Vodka
Favorite sport to watch? Figure skating or (men's) gymnastics
Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes
Do you wear Contact or Glasses? both
Pets? Does Uhu count?
Favorite month? May
Favorite food? Asian
What was the last movie you watched? God knows....
Favorite day of the year? Christmas
What do you do to vent anger? Kick (soccer) balls
Fall or Spring? spring
Hugs or kisses? Kisses (especially when drunk)
Cherry or Blueberry? both
Living arrangements? Banished to the basement with my 'hu
When was the last time you cried? Last week
What is on the floor of your closet? Lots of stuff, I just moved
Who is the friend you have had the longest? Kimbobimbochristophercolimbo
What did you do last night? Shoveled my ex bf's driveway, then went two stepping
Favorite smell? Cinnamon/nutmeg
What inspires you? Nature
What are you afraid of? Deep water
Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Veggie, no onions
Favorite car? British racing green Jag
Number of keys on your key ring? 7 (been house sitting)
How many years at your current job? 1 3/4
Favorite day of the week? Sunday
How many provinces have you lived in/name them? 3 (Quebec, Alberta, BC)

Orally fixated HNT

Always got somethin' in my mouth. Hee hee.

This is from our Halloween night out (after a few pints, hence the blurryness). Time to get some new pics, geez!