wise words from my landlord

My landlord told me today that winter really brings out the worst in everything.
I totally agree with that statement.
That being said my heat and my breaker have been acting up since the temperature went down to minus 52.
(Thats including the wind chill.)
It's not super fun to have the heat stop working when it's that cold outside. This past week my indoor temperature got down to plus 15. Which may not sound cold, but it is rather chilly.
Today I got a space heater which is helping, but with the breaker situation I can only plug it into one outlet or else the breaker will go out.
What I learned about my old apartment building and my old breaker is that most of my outlets, lights, and fridge are already on the same breaker. So the space heater is just enough to tip the scale.
So needless to say, I don't really enjoy winter. Or the cold weather.
I do on the other hand enjoy the Christmas specials.

kick it out

Every time I think about blogging, it's always on the sad days.
I kind of hate that because it makes me appear super emo. Which I probably am.
But I do have good days too.
Today is not one of the good days.
It was one of those days where you literally kick things because you are so angry, upset, and sad, all at the same time.
It felt really good to kick something. I think I would like to kick things more often.

my first byline

So since I shared my terrible week, I thought I should share my first byline. For the printed word of course!
I consider this to be a major success!
Since being made to write, this was the first thing I have had to write. It wasn't as terrible as I thought it would be and I am still keeping an open mind about things.

the week from hell

Calling this past week the week from hell maybe a rather strong statement. But it was a super bad week.

It all started with the movie couples retreat! Now don't take that wrong it was a pretty good movie! I laughed quite a bit, but after I got to my car and started thinking about it I started sobbing. Hysterically crying!

The movie starts with a couple that is thinking of getting a divorce as a result of years and years trying to make a baby. And this reminded me of myself. With the recent surgery and the all the pain that I have been in, I just couldn't help but think that I may find myself in that same situation in a few years.

Then on Wednesday I went into work like I would on any normal Wednesday...but on this Wednesday we (the editorial department) had a meeting with our publisher. And we never go into meetings with the publisher. At this meeting he told us that our paper will no longer have a photographer. At present I believe I am lucky to still have my job, but I was told that I have to start writting. We have yet to hammer out the details of how this is going to work. But from that moment on I spent the rest of the day, yet again hysterically crying.

My biggest concern with this is that I was already having issues with my job. I was already thinking about leaving. And now they are going to make me do something that I don't want to do.

Then I spent my entire Thursday morning in the cold. That doesn't make anyone happy.

And then Thursday afternoon I had a doctors appointment at which I am sure I could have picked H1N1 from one of the snotty kids in the waiting room. The one kid even had a face mask on, but it was too big for his face so it kept slipping down!

Anyways the appointment was to get some test results. Recently, I have started fainting. And I am not a fainter. This is totally new for me. So we did tests to try and figure out what is causing it. Good news is there is absolutely nothing wrong with me. Or at least nothing wrong with the tests they did. Bad news is I am still fainting. So I have an appointment scheduled with a specialist, an internist, to see if they can figure something else out. So that one is at the end of November.

That was my week.

summer has not been the season for blogging

And if you think about it, it really hasn't seemed much like a season at all.
It has been so cold.
But now with the official start of fall I hope to get back to blogging.
So this summer although fairly uneventful I seemed to pack a lot into it. By passing working and all those other boring things, the highlights were having my sister and her husband back in Alberta for the summer, a trip to see some friends in Vancouver, and a family vacation to Idaho and Montana. Although I have decided that I don't think I can do another ten and half hour road trip with my family again. Next year I fly!
I also had my sister and a few other friends out to Lloydminster to visit me!
So basically that was summer. And now fall.
Starting at the beginning of the month I started teaching a photography class through the local art gallery and museum. What was supposed to be one night a week turned into two after the class filled up after a day and half. I have two more classes (one on Tuesday and one on Thursday) and then I am done. Although I have enjoyed it I am excited to have my life back!

(This is the poster for my class)

As for the rest of my fall I having another minor surgery in October, Thanksgiving weekend actually! Don't worry though I will still be able to eat turkey!
And other than that not to many plans. Just keep knitting!

magic bags are not for summer

I am going to blame the lack of my blogging on the weather. Really who wants to sit inside at a computer when they can be outside. And who really wants to sit inside reading someone else's blog when they themselves could be outside. So really my lack of blogging has all been for you.
But now that I am half sunburnt I need to stay inside for a little while. I say half because I got the "car burn" so my left arm is crispy and my right is still white! Oh good! That was exactly what I was hoping for!
I am mostly here to voice a few frustrations.
At present I am hating my body. It causes me so much pain on a regular basis...but not quite enough pain to warrant a surgery yet. So every ten weeks I suffer because the medication just don't last long enough. Usually I can pull off the magic bag to make me feel better. But like I said it's been warm, so the heat isn't tolerated really well.
And it's just frustrating.
I know there are many worse things that could be wrong with me.
Anyways I am done whining. At least for now

oh what a beautiful day

I had such a lovely day today, which was an unsuspected and welcome surprise!
So it started off way to early for a weekend, I couldn't get back to sleep after 7. But I made the most of it and decided to get things done. So I did all of my morning things and then headed out for errands. First stop the mechanic buy some new tires and make an appointment to get them put on. So that will be done on Wednesday. I just didn't want to worry about my tires while I was driving to Provost and area for the wedding I am shooting Saturday.
Then booster to show off my lovely knitted blanket (see previous post) and to drop off a few pictures from last night's folk fest. The blanket was a huge success and I may have even convinced some people to join our (Amy and I) knitting circle.
Then to the gas station for obvious reasons. And I got a car wash too!
Then I went to Zellers where I didn't get what I came for but I found many other things instead.
Next I went to the local outdoor swimming pool and bought a swim pass! Then I swam laps and realized that I am really out of shape. Much to young to be this out of shape! Either way I am excited about it.
Next came a quick shower to get rid of all the chlorine and lunch, which tasted so good!
Then I did the dishes and had a beautiful nap.
All in all, a pretty good day! And it's not even over yet!

handmade by heidi

Just wanted to put up a few pictures of my first knitting project! The sad part is that words or pictures cannot tell you how soft it is! I love it!

an elaborate affair

Today I cheated on Rusty. In case you don't know, Rusty is my dog or my parents dog (as he lives with them).
And at first I felt bad about it and then it felt really good.
I recently filled out the paperwork to volunteer at the SPCA. I figured that since I have some extra time on my hands I really should be doing something for someone else and since it's nearly impossible to find an apartment in town that will let me have pets I thought this would be a good way to get a little puppy love.
So today I went for the first time to walk dogs. And I loved it! I am so glad I decided to do it.
But back to the cheating part. The first dog I walked, his name was Oscar and in appearance he was quite similar to Rusty. So I couldn't help but think I was cheating. That also made him my favourite! All I can say is I really hope my mom walked Rusty today.
Anyways then I walked a pregnant dog, but I cant remember her name. (A couple of hours later I remembered her name so I thought I would put it in. Her name was Malibu and I believe she was a Blue Heeler cross) So technically with all the baby puppies in her belly I was walking a whole bunch of dogs!
Then I walked Brooklyn and oh boy was that a treat! Trying to get her on to the leash was a challenge in and of itself. But I loved every minute of it. She was just so excited that she bowled me over at least three times just trying to lick my face! And I think I will have callused hands from pulling back on the leash.
Then I walked Echo, a very mellow dog. So it was a nice break.
And then Jenga, who is gigantic. Let me just say since I grew up with a small dog this was quite a change. When he wanted to stop and smell something, we were going to stop and give it a really good smell. There was no changing his mind until he decided he was finished.
All that being said, I loved it. And I can't wait to go back.

From L to R: Oscar, Brooklyn, & Jenga

(Photos taken from the SPCA website.)

balsamic-rosemary vinaigrette

I would like to share with you one of my favorite sauces and dressings right now. Balsamic-rosemary vinaigrette!
It's just so good, I want you to all know about it!

So you will need:
1/3 C Balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
1 Garlic Clove
1 Tbsp Fresh Rosemary Leaves (or 1/4 Tsp Dried)
2 Tbsp Water
1/2 Tsp Coarse Salt (I used Sea Salt)
1/4 Tsp Ground Pepper
1/2 C Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

In a blender, combine balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, garlic clove, fresh rosemary leaves (or dried), water, coarse salt, and ground pepper. Blend until smooth. With machine running, add olive oil in a thin stream; blend until creamy.
(To store, refrigerate, up to 2 weeks)

So I got this recipe off of Martha Stewart and she told me to put it on pork chops, which it is wonderful on!

4 Bone-In Pork Rib Chops (10 ounces each)
Coarse Salt and Ground Pepper
1/2 C Balsamic-Rosemary Vinaigrette

Place pork in a shallow dish, and season with salt and pepper. Pour vinaigrette over pork, and turn to coat. Cover, and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
Heat broiler, with rack set 4 inches from heat. Remove pork from marinade (letting excess drip off); place on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Broil, without turning, until opaque throughout, 8 to 10 minutes (if chops are browning too quickly, turn them). Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

But if that doesn't float your boat, I am sure it would wonderful on other meats, as well as salads. It's makes a great dressing!
Hope you enjoy this as much as I do!