Thursday 13 December 2012

Seagate... What an impression.

So a while ago I purchased a Seagate 1.5 tb desktop external hard drive. It was a great price and it seemed really solid.

Last night before going to sleep I noticed a beeping noise coming from the hard drive. After some searching on the internet, it became clear that it was an issue that cropped up a lot with Seagate hd's.

Fearing that my drive was going to die and I would lose all my data, I called the company. I got accidentally disconnected from one tech rep bit when I called back I managed to touch base with a guy who quickly got me from verifying my account to working on the issue.

I was immediately offered a replacement drive and given the shipping options. I wasn't really happy with having to pay shipping to send it back or to pay them for what should be a warranty replacement. After I asked politely, the fees were waived and the order was set up.

It was almost effortless and compared to most other experiences I have had with other companies. I was actually very impressed with the whole experience. For as much as I was really unhappy that my drive was screwed up, I cannot say enough about how Seagate made me a seriously happy customer.

Definitely worth it for what I paid.

Saturday 8 December 2012

Back to work

So I have now been back to work for 2 weeks and it literally makes me want to find a window and jump.

I have decided I hate my job more than anything else in my life. It's boring, monotonous and filled with idiots. Literally. I have to fix people's printers because they are too useless to understand how google works. It's a printer.... Either its broken or its not.

Oh, your printer is spewing toner everywhere and has spontaneously combusted? Ever think of turning the stupid thing off? No? Okay then, just keep trying to print and then instead of telling me what the issue is, call and give a vague description of it... Like "my printer is not working" or "it won't print" How about you actually tell me what's going on, so I don't have to play 20 million questions to get the answer.

Oh and the best part is going from my leave to work 10 hour shifts... That is seriously messed up and unnecessary. Not to mention its actually an 11 hour shift... So calculating travel time, I get to spend more time at or travelling to work then I get to spend at home most days... Sounds perfect for someone who has anxiety and stress issues... >.<

Not to mention my benefits company, Sunlife, is the worst benefits company I have ever encountered. They had no one to answer the phone when I called on more than one occasion. If you leave a voicemail, you can count on it never being listened to or your call returned. And then even if you were previously approved for benefits for the same issue, you will still be forced to go through the approval process again. You have to submit a 1 page, 2 sided document that it apparently it took the representative 5 business days to read and process... If you have that many issues with English, you might want to take some lessons or something.

And I am so sick of being asked if I am happy to be back... I know its polite but seriously... Am I happy to be back at the job that stressed me out to a point where I mentally snapped and my body began to believe all food and contact with the outdoors was evil? Yes..  that's why I have a similar crazy grin and eye twitch to a hobo that is about to kill, cannibalize and rape you... In that order.

At least the kittens are getting bigger. They are like 6 weeks now and 2 of them have hopefully found their new families. Bonnie and Clyde are the first to go... Now I just need a home for Gizmo if I can give him up... You really do get attached to the little buggers...

Oh and Christmas, I am almost ready for it... I have most of my gifts done. Now I only have my 2 nephew's gifts and my friends Barb and Cory to buy for. I am finding the boys really hard to buy for... I don't know what little boys like these days... I'm almost set on getting them nerf guns and some extra darts... I will have to make sure to tell them not to shoot there sister or the new baby when she comes along.

Well... Back to my sleepy weekend. I really need to find some more mushrooms so I can get rid of these headaches for a while... They are killing me!

Wednesday 31 October 2012

Week Three

So I'm now onto week 3 of my leave from work. I've been feeling a lot better, still have some anxiety about the outdoors and I am having trouble sleeping.

All in all though, I feel destressed. Money was an issue for a bit but I've managed to clear that issue up. The migraines are almost gone, and my hair has stopped falling out mostly. This is much improved from my previous state.

My next check up will determine if I am to return to work or not. I have to check back in with my doctor and he may want to try the anti depressants again. The problem with that is I tend to be non-compliant with them and they stop and start.

Today I'm feeling a touch sickie... However, it could be much much worse. I have a little headache and my tummy is a bit off.

Oh! And I have an old friend coming to visit. Her name is Caroline... We have known each other since grade 5 and she has always been so nice to me. I'm really happy we are going to see each other. And my Barbie is coming to visit me as well. I think that those two will mesh quite well. They are both so sweet natured and make wonderful friends. Barb wants to go to the bar tonight, I may be up for it but I'm not sure, I'm not really a drinker and with this headache....

In other news, the guy I'm seeing has managed to snap up a job. I'm so proud of him ^.^

Also I've managed to get tonnes of my Christmas shopping done. I'm really happy that its getting figured out now as opposed to later. I have a hookah for Marra, a vaporizer for another friend, mum is getting baking stuff and a small digital picture frame for her desk, my sister is getting pinch guards for her doors. The list goes on and on.... So far I haven't spent a tonne on it, but I still want to get a few more things. I am re-doing an old wooden sled for my aunt and Josie... She will love it!

However, I'm going to go sleep off this headache before I have to get up and tidy.

Cheers

Saturday 20 October 2012

The Giving Tree...

Lately I have been feeling more and more like my life is just crumbling. My best friend tried to jump out a fucking window and I have developed enough anxiety that going outside is becoming exceptionally difficult.

I feel like the people in my life are just taking and taking, and no one is giving back (with the exception of my family). I feel like every time I do something for someone, I am giving away a part of who I am. Eventually I will end up like the giving tree.... Nothing more than a stump.

If I say no to a request I am yelled at for it. Literally I said "no" when asked for a cigarette today because they are all I have left for a week. Instead of the person understanding, I got told not to ever ask them for anything.

That person being my best friend. The person who I loaned money too without blinking an eye and said pay me back whenever she can. The person who I pulled her back in from the window she tried to jump from and then spent several hours in the hospital with. The person who I don't ask for anything from with the exception of her half the bills, and for a while I didn't even get that.

I feel like I can never do enough for the people around me to keep them happy. I just want to lay down and never talk to anyone again.

I wish someone would consider me... Do I not have feelings? Do I not do good things for people? I try my best. Honestly. I want to be a good person and I want people to feel like I am good to them but how much of yourself do you give away before it's too much.

I don't want millions of dollars or a perfect life. But appreciation and thanks would be nice on occasion.

My hair has begun falling out again. I'm thinking its from the stress. The doctor doesn't want me back on my anti-depressants just yet. I'm noncompliant with my medication and that makes it risky for me to take them.

*sigh*

When will life be okay for a while? This is just too fucked up.

Thursday 4 October 2012

Cogeco... Almost as bad as Rogers.

Seriously, this is a terrible company. I have always been told they have the worst customer service but I thought I would give them a shot.

Boy was I wrong to do that!

They have some of the most unintelligent, disrespectful customer service agents I have ever spoken with. I cannot stress enough that they are one of the worst companies I have ever spoken with in my life.

You can't even directly speak with a supervisor. That ought to tell you something about how many people are pissed off with them. I'm glad I won't be locked into a contract with these idiots.

They managed to cancel the installation without informing me, screw up putting in bank numbers and tell me repeatedly that I should just call back.

This is all before I have even had the service set up! At least Rogers had the decency to get me up and running before screwing up this badly.

In short. I would give Cogeco a 2/10 and the only reason I'm willing to go that high is because of one agent named Rose who was exceptionally helpful.

Fuck Cogeco.

Wednesday 3 October 2012

Douchebag landlords strike again!

Once again, my landlords have out douched themselves. This time they are trying to prevent me from having internet installed by refusing to allow cogeco to make a hole to install the cable they need. I am pissed. I have an appointment to have it installed tomorrow, and I will be keeping it. Cogeco may need permission to put a hole in the wall, but I certainly fucking don't. I will be asking where the hole needs to be and either taking a drill, a hammer or my boot to that spot. Way I figure it is that if he wants to be an assholr about a small hole in the wall, two can play that game.

I even offered to patch it when I moved out, which is more then they can say they did since they barely cleaned anything before we took possession of the unit. But apparently that was not good enough. Remind me to not clean anything for a month before I leave and to stuff raw fish under the floor boards

They are the most unprofessional, inappropriate morons I have ever had to deal with in my entire life. I will be so glad to move out of this shit hole.

Tuesday 2 October 2012

Interwebz!

I will be getting interwebs soon! Thursday to be exact. I finally got pissed off at not having any so I called and ordered it. It will cost me about $55 a month for 40gb and a wireless router.

I will keep you updated!

Wednesday 26 September 2012

Morning!

Life has been moving along nicely as of late. There is no longer a teenager living in my living room, but there is a teenager who owes me money living elsewhere.

I contacted fixed fur life about my pregnant stray cat that I am takinb care of and they are willing to take her in along with any kittens that don't find homes. Nicki will be staying with Marra and I until the kittens are weaned, then they will be taken to fixed fur life for new homes.

Other than that, my little brother has finally hit the end of his rope. He got caught with weed in his bag, avoiding a drug search by skipping out. He then refused to let then search him, and got himself suspended for a week. When my parents took away his internet and tv privileges, he had a bit of a fit and ran away. He can back long enough to mess up my computer and then after I gave him a good smack and took his laptop, he ran away again. This time he ran away in campbellford... He went to my grandparents place and was told he was not welcome back at home. Apparently he is moving to Oshawa to be with his semi-retarded friend and his friends crackhead mom. I'm giving it a few weeks before he wants to come home.

Other than that, I have my health stuff dealt with mostly. I have a few more things to take care of but otherwise, everything is good. My next big thing is going to be packing my stuff up and getting ready for the big move to Ottawa.

Monday 17 September 2012

Hopeful...

I am feeling a lot of pressure being released lately. I have gotten my diagnosis of IBS and been started on some meds that seem to help a lot. I also have gotten my ILOA form signed for work so that I am able to take some time off without fear of penalty if I have a flare up or can't make it through a work day. All in all, it is looking up right now.

My next task to accomplish is to get my application in for an apartment in Ottawa. I may be taking a 2 bdrm or possibly just a 1. It all depends on if my room mate if coming with me. It's a tough call, she is my best friend but sometimes she drives me completely insane with her crap.

I am sure it will all get figured out. I'm also pleased to report that dealing with bills has been easier. I have over paid my hydro bill and as such I owe Veridian next to nothing. My phone bill is higher than what I want but now that I have the long distance issue all sorted out it should be much better. Rent is overpaid for this month as well so next month will be much easier to take care of in comparison.

I'm also looking at getting a prescription for Mushrooms for my migraines. It is becoming more and more apparent that I need to do something about them and magic mushrooms (psilocybin - don't quote me on the spelling since I'm in no mood for spell check) is the only thing that helps. I'm not even kidding either, next time you have a killer migraine, take a gram and become a believer.

However, I'm going to find a bagel. The man just left and I'm feeling a lonely carb filled food binge coming on!

Wednesday 5 September 2012

3 days

I'm 3 days away from my 23rd birthday. I know its not a milestone or anything big but it feels big.
I think it's because this is the first year I have really been on my own with no boyfriend living with me to help on rent ect. I mean sure, Marra has been here but sometimes that's more trouble than its worth.
Honestly, I can't wait until I move to Ottawa. It may be happening sooner than originally planned as well. Something like November hopefully. It will be really nice to get out of this town.
School will be hard enough to get underway, but I definitely want to start taking courses in January. I'm thinking of applying for some online courses with my next pay cheque. Just to kind of get a leg up and hopefully make it easier to get into college.
Anyways, I'm going to wrap up the ramble. Just wanted to clear the noise out of my head!

Saturday 1 September 2012

Stressed out!

This week has been nothing but so much stress. I have decided moving to Ottawa will be a much welcomed change from my crappy call center job and my pitiful excuse for an apartment. Between bitchy room mates, Shitty Belleville buses and work pissing me off I want to burn my life to the ground and start again.

I was voluntold today by my work that I would have to come in for an extra 4 hours every weekend. Which is just ridiculous. They screwed up there staffing and thus screwed us. Now they want us to use our own time to be trained which is fucking ridiculous. I am going to be getting a note from my doctor which clearly states I can work no more than 40 hours per week.

Oh! Other big news! I finally got my inside problems diagnosed. I now am the proud own of not only PCOS and Agoraphobia but also IBS or Crohns. So excited.... Not. For the better part of a month it has felt like someone is ripping my guts out through my belly button. Also the constant need to use the washroom is causing my call center job to be a much more difficult. The stress of which makes my insides feel soooo much worse.

Oh and the Belleville transit system. Apparently it is perfectly okay for there buses to just not fucking show up. 'Cause y'know.... It's not like anyone depends on it for there job. I called to complain and was asked to leave my number and a preferred callback time, which I did. So far, no callback and I've been waiting on one since Wednesday.

All in all it was an impressively bad week. Like "I tried to quit my job and they wouldn't let me" kinda week. It can only go uphill from here though.... I hope.

Wednesday 8 August 2012

Good weekend

I actually managed to have a great weekend this passed one. I have been getting better and better about spending my time on things I really want to do.

I was sick with some sort of hellish flu for the better part of it but my mystery guy came down to visit and we spent time snuggling and he helped me by cooking and cleaning for me (what a sweetie right?). I decided that it was a good idea to head to the mall so we grabbed a bus up there and meandered around. I got some new stuff and bought him a pair of shorts that we would have to exchange due to him not reading the tag.

After hitting up green earth for candles (red velvet cupcake scented.... Soooo good) we made our way to futureshop. I got a kick ass new external desktop hard drive. It's 1.5 tb and it was only $100. Can't beat that around here. I love it and so does my less full computer. After taxes it was close to $113 but I needed it rather badly and it was the best price out there.

We walked toward our intended final destination, freshco, but stopped once at Teri's Pet Shop. A really super friendly sales clerk let me hold a bird and I got to play with a super cute pregnant cat. After a bit we moved on and finally finished out outing with grocery shopping and a can ride home.

The next day, we went back to the mall. It was drizzly but okay so we walked anyways. I wanted to get meal worms for the gliders but we went to a much closer pet store that didn't carry them and managed to snag yogurt drops and flea bath instead. After a quick trip around the mall we went home after grabbing some much needed art supplies for me.

The rest of our weekend was spent on snuggling, cooking and having a QT movie marathon. We got through Jackie Brown, Kill Bill 1 & 2 and Death Proof. I looooove them all <3

So yes, amazing weekend for me :) how was your weekend?

Monday 30 July 2012

Amazing weekend.

I just spent the most amazing weekend with my aunt and my baby cousin. We hung out and spent so much time snuggling with my beautiful baby cousin. She gets bigger every time I see her and she is always learning something new. Joe is the perfect kid, she makes me want my own.

I don't even mind changing diapers which is a task I normally despise with all my being, but for Josie, I do it without even a second thought. She is a the most darling child.

I'm really happy my parents got the second house, it's perfectly scrumptious. I want it so bad and for the price they got it for, you can't complain. My aunt and Josie should be moved in by September. Speaking of September, Josie is having the water spell being cast on her on my birthday, September the 8th. I'm oddly proud, which is weird because hokum never pleases me in any way.

We also got to eat dinner together, I managed to feed my Aunt some spare ribs and potatoes.... I just tossed together what I could find for a sauce and it turned out awesome. I can't complain in the slightest.

Really, why do I have to go to work today.... I'd rather just stay here in Warkworth and make fart noises and stupid faces at the tiny human for the next forever.

Speaking of fart noises...... guess who has learned to make them That's right, beautiful Josie....I'll post the video ASAP

Sunday 29 July 2012

Art for Sale!

 Ocean Flower for Kim Hicks
 Cherry Blossom on Metal
Wiggly Lines - Incomplete
For Baby Blaire

I  have decided to start actually selling my art, I have been painting for a long time and it's something I do just as a hobby. I love to paint and give it to people and so when someone offered me money for them, I was shocked. I never thought people would be interested in it, but they have. If you want to see more you can do so here : Paintings!

I'm not asking a lot for them, just enough to cover my costs and to give a donation to the JDRF or whatever research organization I'm asked to give to. Each painting is going to be $10, $5 of which is going to cover costs and the other $5 will go to charity. If people want to give more, I will donate it, I'm ONLY keeping the $5 for my costs.

If you are interested in purchasing one, please contact me.... you can leave me a comment or find me on on facebook here :  https://www.facebook.com/Essika
or like my facebook page here : https://www.facebook.com/JessicaMcKinnonArt

I will set up an email shortly and see about the cost of shipping, both local and international, as well as I will be looking into making prints of my pictures. So please, leave me some feedback!

Blaire Bear Boutique

Blaire Bear Boutique


This is a little side business that my friend Vikee created for baby girls. She exclusively sells girls items such as Headbands, Tutus, Bows, Wipe containers and Pony-Os. She can do custom orders for you as well.

I managed to pick up a gorgeous blue tutu for little Josie, my cousin, and I cannot wait to see her in it!

I will  be sure to post lots of pictures when I get it from Vikee, and it's going to be adorable. In the meantime YOU should check out her facebook group and get something you like! Gogogogogo!

Update on my Rogers Service

Well I am happy to inform you that I now have both phones up and working. I did manage to get the everything setup. However, they failed to let me know ahead of time that I would have a $190 fucking phone bill. Apparently it had several activation fees and line setup fees.

Then I attempt to make a phone call to someone and it transfers me to the credit department. I asked why I was routed there instead of being able to make my phone call. The guy on the line proceeded to tell me that I had $700 in fees on my line. I LOST. MY. MIND. Literally after 11 and a half hours on the phone with these idiots and I apparently owe them $700!? When I just recieved my phones?! What on Gods green earth would make them think I would pay that?!

Finally after a half hour of "searching" (I've worked with there exact same billing system, you can find anything in 2 clicks or 5 min of reading....) the guy said there was 2 cancellation fees on the line and a note from the agent I had spoken to the other day that I called in, asked about a family plan and then said I wanted to cancel both lines. *Eye twitch* I politely informed the idiot I was speaking with that I called in to have my 2 lines put onto a family plan.... not to cancel them. He seemed to understand this, but then put me on hold for 10 minutes and came back to say he couldn't help me. He had to transfer me to another department. Sooooo I was transfered. That ate up another 20 minutes of my day and thankfully I managed to get an individual who hadn't been electrocuted multiple times as a child who fixed the issue.

All was well....                               ...

I was looking through my bill an happened to notice my first round of credits had not been applied. Curious, I called in and asked about them. I was then told that someone had LIED to me and the first round of credits never really existed. So instead of $180 in credits I was only getting $120. I was once again livid.... How can so many people screw up so badly SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO  many times.

I cannot begin to tell you how much I wish that I didn't have a contract with Rogers. As it stands my mother, brother, father and aunt have all ditched Rogers and I believe that I will be the next in line to leave this impressively terrible company. I also fully expect to see yet another comment from yet another Rogers representative telling my they apologize and that I can contact them via various social media outlets and unless they plan on offering me something physically tangible, such as you know... a REAL credit or free phone upgrade or etc. I DON'T GIVE A FURRY RATS ASS. Stop calling me with promotional offers, stop telling me your idiot customer service rep's are "Resolution Specialists." and go jump out a window.

I would like to thank the 2 decent agents I have spoken with.... and all the other decent rep's out there. It's not an easy job, especially when your co-workers are morons.

Saturday 28 July 2012

Visit with the siblings and their tiny humans








Here are some of the pictures I got of my family when we all had our visit on Canada Day weekend. I will need to get another picture of my nephew but I managed to get a good one or two of Caroline and Carter which makes me super happy. I love that we all got a chance to see each other. It's not often that Brodi, Justin, Mandi and I are all in the same place at the same time. 

Tuesday 24 July 2012

New day

Monday was an exceptionally good day... I'm pretty sure I don't think I have ever had a Monday that dripped with satisfaction quite like this past on did... I thoroughly enjoyed work and dinner was delicious. Not to mention Marra and I have started compromising and getting along a lot better.

I am really hoping today will he equally as good. I have managed to have a decent morning without one argument with. I have all my prints from Chris Cromwell up on my bedroom door and I'm hoping to add more very shortly. Tonight I'm going back to being a smoking hot red head and I get to eat the lasagna that I was prepping this morning. I may even get adventurous and make some of my brownies.... I will have to post the recipe and some pictures up here. They are easily the best brownies I've ever had.

Oh! I'm actually getting my bonus at work for this month and possibly even my commission from my sales. I'm very pleased with myself. It has to be from spending so much time with that darling little cousin of mine. She is the sweetest little thing and totally my good luck charm.

I haven't been this happy in a while and I'm pleased to say I'm thinking it will continue. Just thought you deserved an update.

Sunday 22 July 2012

Alive.... barely.

I have been taking Melatonin as a sleep aid for the past 3 weeks to help "reset my sleep cycle." It's been great, got me to sleep fast and kept me there... However, now that I have stopped after the alloted time, I noticed I potentially dangerous side effect. I appear to need it in order to fall asleep.
I have gotten next to no sleep the past 2 nights without it and until I took it I couldn't sleep on Thursday night either.
I have been lying awake for hours, occasionally feeling sleep creep up on me but only to wake up minutes later... Which, fyi, is like agonizing torture of the cruelest and most unusual kind. I am beginning to contemplate running head first into a wall in order to knock myself unconscious.
I'm really hoping this new found dependency passes rather quickly and I can go back to my shitty (but at least still there...) sleep routine.


Friday 20 July 2012

New Painting

This was my last canvas and I decided to paint it on whim. I was feeling like I was having a watery day. It came together beautifully.












Thursday 19 July 2012

New Glass

I recently got a new piece of glass from the new headshop in town called Puff Puff Pass. It's a cute teeny tiny little pipe. *Remember I DON'T smoke often, I am just a collector who allows others to use my collection.* I have given this one to someone who will use it and definitely appreciates it. Apparently it hits like a little dream and I'm pleased with how it looks.

I'm hoping to have a name for it soon but nothing comes to mind just yet.




Wednesday 18 July 2012

Hold me down

I finally have found myself a proper app to blog from. I happened to remember I now rock an HTC Raider and its an Android phone. *squee*

Lately I've been a little bit out of my head... Kind of like happiness is just out of my reach and sanity is about as easy to hold onto as water. I have determined I'm excessively unhappy with my job and my home. Thankfully I only have a few more months to go until I fly away to Ottawa so I can start living again.

I am living in my iPod lately, just trying to keep away from the people and places that scare the shit out of me. I figure in the choice between signing into the 3rd floor and keeping my brain plugged into my music 24/7, there is an obvious choice. I feel a little like I'm lost in a life that isn't mine and its a little frightening.

Right now I'm glad for the people I have around me, particularly the tiny humans. My cousin Josie is one of the reasons I hold it all together. My aunt held it together for me when I needed her and I now have the opportunity to return that favour for that beautiful little girl who makes me go to a pile of mush when she smiles. Dancing with her until I feel like my feet are going to fall off and my back might break makes me the happiest person on the planet.

I got to see my adorable niece and 2 nephews again. They are getting so big lately and I wish I was around more often. Caroline is the tiniest little being I have ever seen. She is so dainty but totally going to be braver than her brothers. Zack and Carter both are sweet little boys but definitely not the kind to play in the mud or swim in a lake... But I adore them all the same.

Surprisingly my favourite person as of late would have to be the demon child. Yes, my kid brother. He is growing up to be a decent enough guy and he reminds me of me as a teen. A shit disturber but not a bad person. I'm proud of him, I just wish he would use his brain to get through school but like me he is naturally a slacker. It's mildly weird since Mum is our common link and I don't think slacker could be used in relation to her even a bit....

I will just be happy when I can settle down and be happy. I'm hoping this guy is going to be my forever person, however I can't know that til forever comes. If it works for the next few years when it is just us being together, I will bring my family into the mix. I think that will make it easier to determine how I feel about him and him about me. Who knows though!

Anyways, I'm headed into work but expect to see more from me more often since I now have my blogger app. Figured I'd give you a preview of my gorgeous Raider in the form of a screen shot... You know you want it!


Sunday 10 June 2012

Big Things in Belleville!

So I have come back home to Belleville and have been making many plans. Of course they include my return and eventual re-location to Ottawa, but there is a more present and pressing plan to be dealt with!

I have decided I want to become far more involved with my local charities and non-profit organizations. They are the people that make the world a much better place to live in, besides, after living off the system for enough time, you should give back.

I made the decision to give back by hosting a charity yard sale. It took me only a few minutes to figure out who I was going to support and why. My choice was evident almost from the start. I wanted to give the money I raised to an organization that spends all their time working for their cause... I immediately thought of the Humane Society. The people at Quinte Humane Society are amazingly hard working people and the fact that this is an organization that gives animals a second chance at a wonderful home, well, that hits home.

All my life I was taught by my family that animals were a privilege to have and that they were to be treated as any other family member. They should be afforded dignity and respect, and if you are going to bring an animal into your life, you should first make sure that that animal is going to be something you want forever. They are not part time and they love you unconditionally. I was always told to love them as the love me and thus I do.

However, this is not the case all the time. As evident by the broken and battered, homeless or neglected animals at Humane Societies around the world, many people view these creatures as entertainment, a right, a punching bag, a burden or even trash. The Humane Society takes in thousands of these poor innocent creatures every year, and try to find them loving FOREVER homes. Who could honestly argue that they are not deserving of the money I am going to raise?! Especially for those who have seen the QHS building, it is not in the best of shape and for what little they have they make do and still manage to care for lots of animals every year!

I am hoping to host my yard sale on Canada Day weekend and will be asking a number of different local places to contribute to our cause. Especially places like pet stores, vet offices and breeders. With any luck, I should find plenty of support in exchange for having their names placed onto a flyer showing they have contributed and possibly even having their name tossed around during the other advertising and interviews myself and my room-mate will be doing.

We are looking to have them contribute prizes, food/drinks, or even money to buy items we need for the sale. Hopefully a few of them will jump on board and give us gift certificates to their stores to use as prizes or even give us pet related prizes to hand out to the individuals that win them.

Marra and I have a whole 2 days planned out, and we have a number of things we would dearly love to see happen. Face painting for the kids for $1 was suggested and I suggested selling packages of cards for $0.50 a piece with a few winning cards in them. On idea I dearly loved was to have a kiddy pool with rubber duckies in it, and allow kids to "fish" for a rubber ducky with a toy fishing pole.... if they pull out a ducky with a certain colour on it they win a prize. It all sounds like great fun to have these games and I think it would really grab the adults attention if we were to give them some way to distract the kids while they shopped through the items.

We also wanted to offer baked good and refreshments like water, juice and pop. It would make it a lot easier for people to relax and enjoy themselves if they had something they could buy for cheap and nibble on.

So far it seems like everyone is really on board about this idea, and it appears to be coming together nicely. As long as we have enough money and donations to complete our tasks, everything should go perfect. I think our biggest challenge will be to find a place that will allow us to host. I plan on asking my work place as well as some local churches and schools. Maybe even contacting the City and asking if we could have a permit to use the park for free for a charity event.

I got in touch with a local designer about flyers this evening and I will give you a heads up on how this turns out... It's always good to have a back up plan, which in my case it to beg and plead until someone remotely artistically inclined agrees to do up a few example flyers for me to show to potential sponsors.

I will make sure to keep all of you updated as far as progress, advertising and ideas go!



Monday 4 June 2012

Last day here...

Today is my last day on vacation in Ottawa. I have done so much these past few days, the War Museum, Museum of Science and Technology, Parliament hill, and the National Gallery! I was lucky enough to get to go and see their latest temporary exhibit, Van Gogh : Close Up. It showcased his nature paintings and some of the works he used for references.... Unfortunately, at the National Gallery, you aren't allowed to take pictures of the exhibits, however I did manage to sneak a few pictures and I have tonnes of Parliament Hill.... I have decided I'm in love with this city, it's so much cleaner and prettier than Toronto has ever been. The strange part was there was NO street people.... well, one chick trying to get home, but I don't think that counts. The only thing this place needs is more street vendors, I cannot for the life of me figure out what these people eat when they are shopping, there is no street meat!

All in all it was amazing and I can't wait to move up here, there is far more to do here than in Belleville. You can even see Quebec right from Parliament Hill. Plus I can go to the museums all the time or even just go out for dinner! There are so many malls and restaurants to go to that I would never run out of new places to try!

Next time I am up here I plan on checking out my (hopefully) future campus.... Carleton University. Apparently it's a gorgeous campus, and the programs are awesome.

I'll be headed home to Belleville later today... my bus leaves by 4:30 tonight and I should be home by 8:00 tonight.... It's going to be a super boring bus ride but I will get home soon enough and I should be able to get some dinner started for when Marra gets home....


















Friday 1 June 2012

My Ruby

This is a gift I was recently given by a wonderful guy.... It's a 12ct uncut pink ruby.... it is beautiful and a beloved part of my collection. I am not sure if I will be turning this into a necklace or keeping it as is, but I do love it so!