Thursday, March 31, 2005

bookcrossing.com

Go and check out this website right now!
www.bookcrossing.com

I came across it by accident one day while surfing the net. Basically you read a book, register it on the website, then put a number in the book, and leave it somewhere for someone else to find. They go to the website and key in the number and let you know that they found it. Then they can read it and leave it for someone else to read. Some of the books have traveled all over the world. Very cool.

I released 4 books yesterday. I left one on the subway train, one on a streetcar, one in the changeroom at my physiotherapist, and the last one I left at the sleep disorders clinic where I had an appointment. Ironically the title of the book I left at the clinic was, "Sleeping Beauty."

I know that one was already picked up, as someone has already logged into the website. The one on the streetcar was picked up as soon as I left my seat. I think the others will be picked up pretty quickly.

Anyway I thought it was a great way to pass on books, and to track where they go.

Go look at the website now!

Monday, March 28, 2005

Spring Cleaning

Well it's about time I got back to work! Having had all this time off, it's almost like I've had a holiday, other than the fact I have been sick! But I am looking forward to getting back to work. Only 3 more months then I am off for 2 months for the summer!!

I decided that I needed to clean my apartment because I probably have all those germs lying in wait until I get healthy again. So I called my friend Beatriz who agreed to come and help me. Before that though, I needed to declutter my place. Yes, I am a pack rat, and decluttering hurts me so bad! I started with my bathroom cupboard under the sink, as it was one of my 101 things to do. I had so much stuff, and put it up on freecycle. I had many responses, but the one from the women's shelter was the one I chose. I called them up and told them to come in 2 days and I would have loads of stuff for them. Now I had a deadline! I am happy to announce that I got rid of almost 30 bags of stuff. But I don't think you can tell by looking at my place, it still looks the same!

If you don't know about freecycle, check it out. There is probably one in your city. You add anything that you want to get rid of, and people will answer and pick it up. Of course you get nothing in return, except knowing that you have given someone something that you once loved. www.freecycle.org is the website, check it out.

Beatriz came over to help me clean on Friday, and we did a great job. We tore up my wall to wall carpet, and washed the floors, and dusted everything. In the midst of it all, my son came home to visit for the day, so he got to help us out too! He was not happy that I tore up the carpet, and I began to agree that it was probably a mistake. But because I had cut in the middle of it, I couldn't put it back! So now I have waxed the parquet floors, and will go and buy an area rug when I get my tax refund! It sure is rewarding though, to get that cleaning behind me. I HATE cleaning.

This has been Easter weekend, and although my son came home for a day, I haven't done anything special. I dropped by my friend Carla's yesterday and took her some flowers. I smelled someone cooking dinner on my floor yesterday, and that was when I realised I missed my family. These holidays are all based on celebrating with family, and with all mine in England I do sometimes feel quite alone.

So as stated in the begining of this post, I am looking forward to getting back to work tomorrow.

Saturday, March 19, 2005

It pays to complain.

I was extremely shocked recently, when I went to a dentist to get an estimate for dental implants. I explained that I was there because I had already been to another dentist and was given an estimate, and it was about a 1/4 of my annual income. I was hoping to find a lower estimate. After lots of discussion the dentist told me that he wasn't able to give me an estimate as he would send me out to different places for different parts of the procedure. I was told they would call these places and send me the estimates later.

When I went to pay for the consultation, I almost fainted when I heard how much they wanted. $181.00 for less than 1/2 an hours work!

After 2 1/2 weeks I still had not received the estimates so I called to complain. They arrived a few days later and were astronomical!

I sat down and wrote the dentist a lengthy letter explaining my disgust at the fact he didn't listen to me when I said I didn't have a lot of money. I told him that I wasn't prepared when told the consultation fee, and told him that I felt as though I had been taken advantage of.

Two weeks later his secretary called, but I told her I didn't want to speak to her, I wanted the dentist to speak to me. He called another week later and said he didn't like people to feel unfairly treated and asked me what I wanted. I told him that I thought it was important that I tell him how I felt, so that he was aware of my disappointment, and hopefully he wouldn't treat patients as such in the future. He offered to pay me half the fee back, and to try to get me in to the university's dental implant program. I said that would be fine. Even if he doesn't bother about the university, at least I will be getting $90 back, and thats an acheivement!

Some dentists are a joke! Posted by Hello

Friday, March 18, 2005

Jury Duty

Well it has been a very interesting week for me. I was asked to go to the court house to be a potential juror. I sat for almost a full week awaiting to be called. On Monday my panel was called, and I was chosen to be a trier for the first case. Basically this involves me talking to another person to decide if a potential juror looked good enough for the counsellors to consider. So within the first pick, I was sent back to the body of the court. But after 20 people had been considered, there was still 1 juror short, so my name was picked again. However I didn't get to face the accused, because they chose someone before me.
The next day I was chosen and faced the accused, but was 'challenged' by the crown, so I joined the body of the court again. And that was it. On Wednesday and Thursday they sent us home saying our services were not required for the rest of those days. The also told us that we would not be required to come back on Friday, either. I was a little disappointed, as I would have liked to sit on a jury, I think it would be very interesting. Real life drama.

So today is the beginning of March Break. No real plans, except for taking it easy and trying to get a little spring cleaning done. The school has decided to add March Break and Easter together, so I won't be going back to work till Tuesday March 29th.

I haven't been able to spend any time on my 101 things yet, (except a little knitting) but hope to get something started during the break.

Summer 2004 Posted by Hello

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Sick of being sick

Having been sick for over 2 weeks now, it has become apparent that I need to deep clean my apartment. There are most likely nasty germs living in my carpets, bedding and god know where else in my home. So as soon as I get better I will solicit the help of my friends Beatriz and Carla and give this place a really good going over.

I visited the Dr. yesterday who gave me a note allowing me a couple more days off. So I can REALLY focus on getting completely well.

However, after this weekend when I would normally be going back to work, I have to sit for selection committee for jury duty. That could take anywhere from 3 to 5 days! Then starting next Friday March Break/Easter holidays start. So there is the chance that I won't be back to work until March 29!

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

101 things in 1001 days

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.


  1. Put an entire paycheck directly into my savings account. (DONE)
  2. Spend a week without using a television (DONE)
  3. Spend a week without using a computer (DONE)
  4. Go to the library 12 times a year(DONE)
  5. Have a party at my house (DONE)
  6. Go to a film festival (DONE)
  7. Wash dishes every night for a week. (DONE)
  8. Iron clothes for a month
  9. Declutter the coat closet. Only have coats and shoes in there.(DONE)
  10. Volunteer my time for a charity.(DONE)
  11. Serve jury duty. (DONE)
  12. Write a journal everyday for a week (DONE)
  13. Stay in touch with people I miss(DONE)
  14. Read unread books on my bookshelf (DONE)
  15. Publish this list on the web (DONE)
  16. Take 25 early morning walks
  17. Yoga at least once a week for a year
  18. Write 20 personal letters(DO CHRISTMAS CARDS COUNT!)
  19. Floss every day for a month
  20. Work out 2x a week for 8 weeks(DONE)
  21. Take vitamins every day for a month (DONE)
  22. Eat meals at the dining room table every day for a month(DONE)
  23. Knit or crochet 10 items for charity (2 pairs of mitts, 1 hat)
  24. Organize my photos(DONE)
  25. Complete 48 scrapbook pages in a year (DONE)
  26. Build up a 2 month emergency fund. (DONE)
  27. Put all photos on disk, making an additional disc for the featured person(DONE)
  28. Remove paperwork from previous years and file(DONE)
  29. Sort, declutter and organize craft supplies and tools (DONE)
  30. Declutter and reorganise bookshelves (DONE)
  31. Renew my passport (DONE)
  32. Drink 6 cups of plain water a day for 2 months (DONE)
  33. Minimize the storage room(DONE)
  34. Deep clean the apartment (DONE)
  35. Replace the wall to wall carpet (CARPET REMOVED, REPLACED IT WITH AN AREA RUG)
  36. Find someone to go to the ballet with (Saw the Nutcracker)
  37. Go to 3 theatre shows (DONE) Witches, Spamalot, We Will Rock You
  38. Do respite care for a family of child with autism
  39. Visit the hut at Walton (DONE)
  40. Call one person each month with whom I haven't spoken in a while (30X)
  41. Have a breast reduction performed on OHIP (DONE)
  42. Lose 20lbs over 1001 days (10lbs so far)
  43. Have garage sales (10X) (3 so far)
  44. Keep all receipts to see how my money is actually spent and record them (DONE)
  45. Go to a movie once a month for a year (DONE)
  46. Go out for dinner once a month for a year (DONE)
  47. Declutter my bed room (DONE)
  48. Declutter my living room (DONE)
  49. Declutter my sun room (DONE)
  50. Declutter my dining room (DONE)
  51. Declutter my kitchen(DONE)
  52. Declutter my storage room (DONE)
  53. Transcribe sessions with Psychics
  54. Redo family tree (DONE)
  55. Vacuum entire apartment every Sunday(DONE)
  56. Dust every Friday afternoon
  57. Clean the bathroom every Thursday afternoon
  58. Wash all floors every Saturday morning
  59. Clean out the cupboard under the sink in the bathroom(DONE)
  60. Cut down tv viewing hours to 3 per night (DONE)
  61. Call my Dad every Sunday (DONE)
  62. Contact Son twice a week (DONE)
  63. Utilize Freecycle regularly(4 times in a year so far)
  64. Go on dates once a month for a year (Perhaps 4 in 2005)
  65. Take a vacation in the sun before 1001 days are up (DONE)
  66. Give a scrapbook workshop (Hosted a crop)
  67. Go to physiotherapy (GOING 2X A WEEK)
  68. Have less knee and ankle pain(DONE)
  69. Only buy good quality shoes (3 pairs while in England)
  70. Tell my friends how important they are to me(DONE)
  71. Visit family in South Africa
  72. Visit family in New Zealand
  73. Visit family in Australia (DONE)
  74. Visit family in Ireland
  75. Visit family in England (DONE)
  76. When knees are stronger, ride bike once a week for 3 months (Ride 5 days a week)
  77. Cook a full meal from scratch at least once a week for a month (DONE)
  78. Have a professional pedicure (DONE)
  79. Have a professional facial (DONE)
  80. Have a professional massage (DONE)
  81. Buy more music (12 x) (4)
  82. Redecorate bathroom (DONE)
  83. Use the Pilates ball I bought twice a week for a month (DONE)
  84. Use the door gym I bought twice a week for a month(DISPOSED OF)
  85. Do all exercises the physiotherapist give me(DONE)
  86. Drink more herbal tea(DONE)
  87. Go to 1 baseball game each year (missed 2005)
  88. Go to a music concert with a friend (DONE) Hootie and the Blow Fish with Ildiko
  89. Draft a legal will (DONE)
  90. Get dental implants or a bridge (DONE) Bridge 2006
  91. Fly a kite
  92. Invite a family member to vacation in my home (DONE)
  93. Send thank you notes for birthday and Christmas gifts (DONE)
  94. Make homemade soup once a week each winter (DONE)
  95. Take Katrina out for dinner (DONE)
  96. Refrain from buying scrapbook supplies for 1 month (DONE)
  97. Take driving lessons
  98. Laugh so hard, I pee my pants (DONE watching 40 year old virgin)
  99. Take a cruise
  100. Take 12 pictures of Son (DONE)
  101. Clean out drinks cabinet (DONE, I gave all staff at work Quickshots)