Live Well * Laugh Often * Love Much





Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The Secret of the Bitter Sweets

The Secret of the Bitter Sweets


Starring

Georgina as
Georgette Luckless
Age 42, the producer of the television talk show “Can We Talk?” Having never graduated from charm school, she enjoys meeting men in the locker room, can go weeks without deodorant and has a five pack a day chewing tobacco habit.

Gina as
Jackie Hack
Age 28, the program scriptwriter for the television talk show “Can We Talk?” She was formerly head label writer for a highly respected canned vegetable company. She enjoys all types of wind related sports, and hold the record in the National Wind Breaking Championships – 158 decibels.

Jarrett as
Carson Douglas
Age forty five, the male cohost of the television talk show “Can We Talk?” Deeply tanned from hours at the artificial suntan clinic, he prefers the artificial outdoor life to the artificial Hollywood scene. His hobbies are collecting artificial limbs, dusting artificial plants and producing samples for artificial insemination banks.

Jeremiah as
Otto Klieglite
Also known as “Blotto,” age 66, the cameraman at KRUD television studios. He has recently returned from vacationing at Lucky Harry’s Drug and Alcohol Rehab Clinic in Tahiti, where he gave up his favourite libation – Scotch ‘n’ Gin Malts – but unfortunately developed a taste for night time cold medicine.

Kent as
Alfred Halfcocked
Age 39, the director of the television talk show “Can We Talk?” His face was hideously disfigured at birth when his mother diapered the wrong end. Somewhat of a recluse, he prefers to spend his time reading the backs of cereal boxes, taping his glasses back together, and plucking his nose hairs.

Kerri as
Phyllis Donahue
Fortyish, the female cohost of the television talk show “Can We Talk?” She grew up in the theatre, and won the audition at station KRUD with her portrayal of the chain saw in Oklahoma Chain Saw Massacre-The Sequel. Her varied experience includes announcer of the “Blue Light” specials at the Poughkeepsie Discount Mart, the Poster Girl for Dog World’s “Pet of the Month” contest, and the stand in for the pygmy contortionist in Bo-Lero, Part II in 3D.

Melissa as
Tangerine Lipgloss
Age twenty two, the makeup artist at KRUD studios. She has been happily married – and widowed – twice. She was formerly bulimic but are now comfortably anorexic. She enjoys cooking, eating, and sticking her finger down her throat, and she is the author of the best selling cookbook Eat Yourself into a Stupor and Lose a Pound a Day (Avarice Press, $29.95).

Michael as
Junior Milqtoast
Age 18, a part time gopher at the KRUD studios. He is a walking billboard for acne medicine, and he spends his time between work and computer camp collating and classifying his ballpoint pen collection.


Raquel Bust, star of stage, screen and the occasional trashy miniseries, as been found dead in her dressing room just moments before she was to appear on the television talk show “Can We Talk?”  Who killer her?

This is what we set out to discover on Saturday evening. In honour of Earth Hour, I hosted a evening of mystery and murder.  As each guest arrived, they were handed their initial clue, their prop packets and their instructions.

Props

After mingling, getting into character, we sat down and introduced ourselves.  Then it was time to turn off the lights.  From 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm, we investigated the death of Raquel Bust by candle light, searching for clues.
* The clues were written on pieces of paper and hidden in the house.  Guests walked around the house looking for them discreetly.  If you were caught finding a clue, you had to share it with the person who caught you.  The clues gave you information or directed you to look at something specific in the crime scene.


After the clues have been found, we shared our alibis for the time of the murder. Luckily, the “police” released the crime scene shortly after, so we could continue our investigation.


We thoroughly searched the scene laid out before us; looking for any indication as to which one of us was the murderer.





Once the crime scene was investigated, we met to learn some interesting secrets and discover some surprising relationships. Some pointed to the killer, some distracted from the killer.


We took a short break to ponder our discoveries, and then it was time to accuse the person we thought responsible for Raquel’s death.

Baby girl even arrived to put in her thoughts about the killer.



In the end, there were 2 amazing detectives in our group; Georgette Luckless and Otto Klieglite.  They correctly dedueced who the murderer was.  I also give kudos to Otto Klieglite for best costume and his presentation of a 66 year old German Rapper.

And the murderer was……


You’ll just have to play the game to find out.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Life with Alexis: Wanna Buy a Duck

We were playing Scene It on teh XBox.  Some of the questions refer to clips from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, an absolutely hilarious film.


Alexis thought these clips were 'rolling on the floor laughing' funny, so we decided to make her watch the movie.

There are way to many particularily humourous parts to mention, but dad got stuck on the haggling scene.  Picture this: we are in our truck on the way to drop Alexis off at the bus station to go home.  So, we have a 16 year old in the back and us in the front.

Dad: Hey Alexis, Wanna buy a duck?

Alexis: What?

Dad: Wanna buy a duck?

Alexis: No


5 minutes later...

Dad: Hey Alexis, Wanna buy a duck?

Alexis: No

Dad: Come on, you wanna buy a duck?

Me: Alexis, if you don't play, he will go on allllll day about this.

Alexis: Fine.

Dad: That will be $50

Alexis: Fine

Dad: No, you have to haggle.

Alexis: But I don't want a duck.


5 minutes later...


Dad: Hey Alexis, Wanna buy a duck?

Alexis: DAad.

Dad: Wanna buy a duck?

Alexis: Fine, $10

Dad: For this beautiful duck?

Now imagine 2 hours of this.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Earth Hour



Today is Earth Hour. 
Remember to turn off your lights at 8:30 pm tonight for 1 hour.

In keeping with the Environmental Theme, here are a few things we are currently doing to reduce our environmental footprint and a few we are planning on doing this year. 


Share your thoughts, feelings, etc.

Current
 Recycling
Donate unused items
Using CFL Bulbs
Replaced the Windows
Washing clothes in cold
Shop with reusable bags
Turn of computer every night (well most nights)
E - Billing (Shaw, Rogers, Master Card)
Participate in Earth Hour

This Summer
Composting
Planting a garden (not sure what yet)
Use a rain barrel (if I can find one)
Draft proof the house
Buy low flow aerators and a showerhead
Change to Engery Star appliances as well replace them
Insulate the walls (as we put up new ones; we started with the nursery/den)
Insulate the main pipes coming into the house

Friday, March 26, 2010

Life with Alexis: Alice in Wonderland


During Alexis' visit, we did a Girl's Night.  So, we left daddy at home babysitting baby girl, and off to the movies we went.  She wanted to see Alice in Wonderland.  Since we both knew that her dad did not see it, that is where we headed.

It was a great night filled with girl talk.  I have not had girl talk like that in, ummmm, many years.  Of course, I will never disclose what was said.  I know how to keep secrets.  I had so much fun, and I feel closer to Alexis.  Thank you Alexis for allowing me to spend time with you.  I know I am not the greatest step parent in the world.

Anyway, the movie was very cool in 3D.  I will even admit to jumping a few times as things seem to fly at me.  If you are looking at this movie with a serious eye, there are a couple of holes in it.  However, if you ignore the holes, the movie is highly entertaining.

The acting was awesome.  I completely believed Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter (of course, I believe Johnny in every role he takes).  The imagery was stunning.  I usually find movies lacking if I have read the book first.  I think my imagination is much better that the movie makers.  Hmmm, career change perhaps.  I digress.  This movie lived up to the images I have in my head (and the voices).  It makes me want to pull out the books and read them all over again.  In fact, once I finish the 2 books I am currently read, perhaps I will.

I would recommend this movie to anyone wanting to be entertained!


Tuesday, March 23, 2010

The Shower

With Earth Hour less than a week away, I have been focussing on what we can do to reduce our impact on the plant.  One suggestion is to reduce the length of time you spend in the shower.  I thought - I can do that.

Don't get me wrong, I like to be as clean as the next person but really, I have things to do and people to see.  As I stood in my shower thinking about this, I realized that it was quiet enough for me to think.  I have this time all to myself.

In my ideal world, everyone understood mommy time meant "don't distrub, no matter what I am doing." 
Then I had a child, and my new realistic ideal world meant "don't disturb if the bathroom door is closed."
I am now reduced to "I pretend I can't hear you with the water running in the shower so there is no point trying to talk to me."

Baby girl is only 8 months old.  It's only going to get worse.  I am happy to say that hubby is smart enough not to come into the shower to tell me that baby girl has been crying for 5 minutes, she must be hungry, so I better stop what I am doing and feed her right now (this actually happened to a friend of mine).

This is my sanctuary.  I can't reduce my shower time. 


Sorry Planet.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Life with Alexis: The Walk

One morning, we were having difficulty getting baby girl down for her nap, so I suggested a walk.  It was beautiful out, and it seemed a shame to spend it inside.  So we bundled up baby, and ourselves and drove to the park.


Within 5 minutes of getting to the park, baby girl was out cold.  Just to make sure however, we decided to walk for about 20 minutes.


Along the way, we chatted.


Pretended to be walking the tight rope.


Saw the scenery.




And the local wildlife.





Finally, we decided to head back to the truck and go home.



Of course, guess who woke up.


We made a pitstop on the way home.


Unfortunately, I had an incident with an iced cap.  I recommend holding the drink tray with both hands while the vehicle is moving (and ignore the camera).  Tim Horton's saw us a second time in less than 5 minutes. 
It's going to be a long day.


At last, we make it home, and I sit and enjoy breakfast.


We did not accomplish what we set out to do. 
Baby girl was still awake, but Timmy's made it all better.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Life with Alexis

Last Wednesday, hubby's daughter, Alexis, arrived. We weren't sure she was going to be able to come visit us during spring break due to work, but she managed to get the time off. Yay!!!!!

We drove 2 hours to the Greyhound Station.  Why the station 2 hours away?  Well, it is a long boring story but basically it is a 1/2 way point between us and Alexis.

Of course, Mike wants to make sure we are there on time, so we leave at 9:30 am for a 1:45 pm pickup.  Needless to say, we arrived with plently of time to go shopping first!  After spending some retail therapy, we are off the the bus station to wait for the bus.


And then it happens, the moment arrives and so does ALEXIS.


"We had Joy, We had Fun, We had Seasons in the Sun (Terry Jacks)."

We spent many hours playing Monopoly and Scene It on the XBox, and bowling on the Wii. 


We played on the floor, we played by the door (my inner Dr. Seuss coming out).




Neeko came to visit us for a little bit.



We read a little.  I read "Blogging for Dummies", and Alexis read "Dirty Little Secret".


We went for a walk (post about that will be up soon) and we went to the movies (a review of Alice in Wonderland will also be up soon).  We took Kiera to her swimming lessons.

We went to see grandma for the night (another 2 hour drive each way).


We slept very little.


And then it was time for her to go home.  So after a week and a day, we made the 2 hours trek back to the bus station.  This time we left at 10:30 am for the 1:45 pm bus.  We stopped for lunch at Subway.




Then it was time to say goodbye.



And Alexis was gone again as quickly as she came.  We will miss her, and we await her return this summer.