26: Maybe too Relaxed?

Date Girl and her sister took the Personality Type quiz and both had 52. I tried it and had 26, maybe a bit too laid back.

You seem to be far from having a Type A personality. Your attitude to life is more of the "smell the roses" kind. You know how and when to relax. The hostile, aggressive and competitive part of you surfaces rarely. You are easy to be around, and people tend to feel relaxed and comfortable in your presence. It's a very healthy attitude towards life. Just make sure you don't miss important opportunities because of being too cool and relaxed. Picking up a challenge and competing a little bit for your place in the sun can add some spice to your life.

My Dad was a type A most of the time. He drove us all to be really happy when he was not home. Once he walked in the door a cloud would settle over the house. I never want that to be my life so I have always made an effort not to be a type A asshole. Possibly I have gone too far the other way. But, I see my sister who is a type A in business and pushes her kids to excel quite a bit, all with good intentions. Maybe after so many years I have grown into being how I am but I can't see myself having that drive to push anything so hard. It isn't lack of ambition just lack of wanting to give up so much to get so little results. I think it is true that you can get more with honey than vinegar. I do push people but not in that same type A, demanding way. I'm subtle and nice and I do tend to get people to do what I think they should. Kind of interesting really.

Try it for yourself.

Garden Ring

Lots of pretty things on the Swarovski site but this one was especially pretty and I thought the idea was clever. Wouldn't be a ring you could wear everyday - it would get caught on things and be in danger of being damaged - but quite eye catching.

Doodle Week: Valentine

Belated Valentines

In the Spirit of Valentines, just a week or so late....

Your Valentine's Day Personality is Friendly

You think of Valentine's Day as the perfect chance to show people you care. It's not exclusively a romantic holiday for you. You like to celebrate with your friends too. Valentine's Day makes you nostalgic for cute cards and cheap candies. You love the idea of a Valentine's Day where everyone feels included.

What's Your Valentine's Day Personality?

Your Love Element Is Metal

In love, you inspire and respect your partner. For you, love is all about fusing together for one incredible life experience. You attract others with wit and a bit of flash. Your flirting style is defined by making others want and value you. Greatness and optimism are the cornerstones of your love life. You may let go too easily, but you never get weighed down by your past. You connect best with: Earth Avoid: Fire You and another Metal element: will control and smother each other

What Element Is Your Love?

You'll Have 1 True Love

You don't just believe in love at first site - you've experienced it. You develop crushes pretty easily, but keeping your interest is another matter! You are very prone to love - hate relationships. Number of Times You'll Have Your Heart Broken: 1 You are most compatible with people born on the 1st, 10th, 19th, and 28th of the month.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean For Your Love Life?

Hearts for Doodle Week

Doodle Week: Hearts

Doodle Week: Ladybugs

Doodle Week

Ladybug font: LMS Ladybug

Tulips, Daisies and Roses for Doodle Week

Doodle Week: Flowers for February

Funny Valentine is Faulty

The date tonight was a no show. I had a pretty strong feeling he was going to not show up or cancel (preferred option as I didn't really NEED to freeze waiting for the bus to and from). But, I showed up cause I had said I would.

I did think he might come. We had been talking about a mutual interest in the paranormal, local history and the old buildings. But, I was there early and waited until quarter after when I had to leave to catch the bus home. (Didn't really want to spend a half hour waiting for the next one).

On the plus side, I did finish the book I was reading and the coffee I got at the Second Cup was pretty good. Not as good as the caramelo flavour or the latte would have been. I decided to try something else.

Update: It is 3:30 AM and I am at my sister's house, just finishing the last of my laundry. It has gotten way behind with Sears not getting the new machine working for so long. I am happy to feel clean, warm clothes again, especially when they are my own and not the laundry I have done for my sister's family here. Anyway, I did hear from my Friday evening date. He was just late. Actually, must have missed me by the barest minute. I left at quarter after. Poked around, taking a few photos of the lights on main street. Then headed up to catch the bus. He got there about 18 minutes after. My coffee cup was still on the table even. So we will try again.

Funny how the same thing happened last week with a different guy. In that case he started talking about sex, sex, sex and sex and when I didn't have the right answers for him he just forgot I existed. I am sure that is why I decided I was stood up again tonight rather than waiting until tomorrow to be sure. I did check email just before I left Barrie to come out here tonight though. That was about 8:30. So I wasn't too quick to jump to conclusions. Quick enough maybe, on messy, snowy night. But, I didn't blow a gasket at least.

I am so tired now. Just need to flip the last load into the dryer. I really hope the dryer from Sears works and that is not the next thing I need to deal with. I want a break. One day without problems I didn't cause. Really, doesn't is seem fair that you should only have to deal with the stuff you have messed up yourself? Isn't that enough?

Nightie night.

Witchetty: Illustrations by Bee Joynes

Isn't she cute. Another big eyed girl illustrator. Blog: Witchetty and Etsy Shop.

hell is Just Another Four Letter Word

The concept of hell and the idea that women could be unclean when they have their period, have sex, or get pregnant and give birth were all reasons why I stopped following/ believing in the standard Christian type religions.

I don't think I even need to go into detail about the women part. I am a woman. Being so and having the body of a woman and all it's cycles does not make me unclean. I don't bite the heads off penis's or chickens. I'm not into that sort of kinky stuff. Other kinky stuff... but not that.

As for hell. How can anyone have faith in a religion which tells you to worship or face going to hell? No real power would say that. Unless it never really had any power and the only way to enforce and keep it's power was to debase itself and threaten the very followers who give it their faith, their hope and their life. Doesn't that seem wrong? Why would you worship something that threatens to take it's ball and go home like a kid having a tantrum? Shouldn't a supreme power be confident, mature and more independent than that?

Anyway the hell thing just proved to me that what people call god is not very godly. It seems to me a real power/ god would not bother with us all that much. Which is the case if you look around. We are left to our own to fight our own battles, to protect our own environment and to keep each other.

Only someone who needs praise demands worship. I don't see a real god being that needy. Rather they would have better things to do.

It's like giving someone a gift. If you really give from your heart you give cause it pleases you, not because you need to be thanked. I don't give a present and then stand around expecting anyone to hang around telling me how sweet I am, how great the gift is. I already know those things.

Gorgeous but Abandoned

Originally uploaded by phrenzee

I hope to make this my first Spring rural exploration road trip. Hard to see something with all that work on mouldings and such just left to fall to ruin. I really want to spend time and see it all, to the last detail of that detailed work.

From what I heard someone does own the property (of course) and they may be unsettled by explorers. I will see if I can talk to someone and get permission. I've always had good luck doing that, so far. Would be a real shame if I didn't get to see this one. I'm still sorry I missed getting to see inside of the gorgeous artsy looking house with the weathervane.

12 Things from Bev on Facebook

From Bev on Facebook: 12 Things (You Shouldn't Really Tell People About Yourself).

1. What is your most obsessive thought?

So hard to pick just one. Seriously. I guess it would be the feeling of being oppressed and trapped by people and circumstances. I've often thought my life would be so much simpler if I could have a lobotomy and then just go along and do what everyone wants me to do without feeling I want to do anything my own way or have something of myself ever again.

2. Where is your favorite place in the world, and why?

Right where I am at this moment. Anything else is either a memory or hasn't happened yet. I like to think of places I have been sometimes, wonderful things I have seen but my favourite place in the world is always right here and right now. From this moment in space and time everything is ahead of me and here I am right in the middle of the past and the future, in this moment, living it.

3. What's the one thing your parents don't understand about you?

I'm not as stupid as they think I am and yet I'm actually stupider in a way.

4. If you could relive a single day or moment, what would it be?

None, nothing. I don't want to go back for anything. Though I would like eternal life so I don't have to stop and leave the ride.

5. Under what circumstances have you been closest to death?

Three different times in my life when I came really close to suicide and madness. Once as a teenager, another time during my divorce and another time when things were very desperate and I was very trapped and alone.

6. What is the worst betrayal you have ever experienced?

I don't know. I just don't hang on to those things. There are people I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole but I don't remember why, just that they've burned every bridge and won't be getting any leeway from me.

7. What is the most meaningful "I love you" someone has said to you, or that you have said to someone else?

I don't say it and when I do it is hard to push the words out. I can tell my nephew I love him cause I've been saying it since he was a little boy. I couldn't tell my Dad I love you before he died and I'm not sure if I really even regret that. Either way it's done. I don't think I really believe it any more when someone says it to me. The words just don't seem to mean anything to people and they mean too much to me. But, in family it is there and has been tested enough over time that the words don't really need to be spoken. I know we love each other even if we hate each other for a short while.

8. What was the single most terrifying moment of your life?

Going through a divorce, very alone and being trapped by circumstances. Having a day when I realized how thin and flimsy it was to go from sane to madness and knowing I was there but for the leap. It was terrifying to know I could lose myself, the only thing I really ever had to count on.

9. If you have experienced a moment of sudden faith or loss of faith, what prompted it?

Having your best friend, husband and the man who said he loves you turn around and start mentally abusing you is a pretty nasty moment of having your faith crushed.

10. If you could take back one thing you have done, what would it be?

I'd take back eating all these Valentines chocolates I bought on sale today.

11. What is your greatest talent or accomplishment?

Art whether its photos, crochet embrodiery, sewing, ASCII art, drawing, writing or anything else I have tried, I am who I am because creating makes me feel I'm more than just who I am. I feel I have accomplished something, talent or no.

12. What is the most joyful moment you have experienced?

Thinking I was really in love and loved in return. I saw the whole world in brighter colours and everything looked so much better for awhile. I finally understood what romance and love were about.

How to Build a Snake Hibernaculum

I've been watching one of those animal shows today and they were talking about snakes. At one point they showed a hibernaculum of garter snakes leaving in the Spring. Made me think about how we could encourage garter snakes or at least help them to survive by having something like that in our garden. I'd also like to build a bat house to encourage more of them too. We used to get a lot when we lived in Alliston. They eat a ton of bugs and only come out for about an hour just as the sun is going down. All the rumours about them being dangerous are a bit overdone. They may have rabies true but that is the extent of the danger.

Meanwhile, back to the garter snakes. I found information about building a snake hibernaculum on the Toronto Zoo website. I don't know if my Mom would be interested. Not that she is afraid of snakes at all but her garden space is mostly spoken for with all the plants she already has and those she is more than likely to find to add during the garden season.

Would you build a winter home for snakes? In Ontario we don't have to worry much about poisonous snakes or any other kind of poisonous creature really. Rabies are a bigger worry.

How to Build a Hibernaculum
1. Select a well-drained site protected from cold winds, with good sun exposure (south-facing).  Ensure that surface and ground water flows away from the site (i.e. build on upland areas).  If not, drainage pipes below the frost line may be required to prevent flooding. 
2. Your snake hibernaculum can be sized to fit the available space, but it must be deeper than the frost line (at least 2 meters deep).  Snakes prefer an overwintering site that is close to the water table, but not flooded.  Moist air ensures that snakes do not dehydrate over the dry winter months. 
3. Place rubble in the bottom to create chambers for the snakes.  Chambers created at different depths allow the snakes to move vertically and horizontally to select a preferred temperature/humidity microhabitat.
4. Concrete blocks or PVC drain pipes (with holes cut into the sides along the length of the pipe) can be used for entrances and passages to allow the snakes multi-level access.  Snakes use these passage ways to move to the bottom of the pit and into the underground chambers.  It is necessary to hand place the concrete blocks to ensure that a space or tunnel extends down into the bottom of the pit at each of the corners.  Continue to fill the pit with larger rocks, old concrete blocks and slabs, maintaining as many openings and chambers as possible. 
5. Cap with an insulating layer of smaller rock rubble.  Be sure to leave the entrances open and keep the top clear of shrubs that may grow as the site matures.
6. Protect emerging snakes from predators by having cover objects such as logs, rock piles, brush and uncut grass nearby. 
7. In the spring (mid April to late May), monitor your site to determine if wildlife are using the hibernaculum. Don’t get discouraged, it may take several years before snakes “discover” your hibernaculum.

Wild About Gardening has more information about building hibernaculums for toads and how to keep frogs in your pond as well.

Pinkytoast Big Eyed Girls with Ink

I came across these drawings of big eyed tattooed girls on Tanya's Facebook profile. I thought there was just one until I went for a look this afternoon. I found a few sites where Pinkytoast has posted her drawings and an Etsy shop where you can shop for more of them.

Pinkytoast's blog. As well as an older blog on LiveJournal.

Pinkytoast on Flickr.

The Odes of Our Lives

Day three of babysitting, but no, only day two actually. It just seems like day three. I am so tired my eyes start to close as soon as I get comfortable sitting anywhere. Sleeping on that couch is the worst part of babysitting. I am so glad to get back to my own bed each time.

Glad to help out my sister and the kids but it's turning into a job almost. Maybe next weekend will be slow for them. (Or slowish).

I have to get Sears to bring a new washing machine. I'm getting the hot potato treatment with this one for sure. First it's the plumbing, it isn't hooked up right. But it is. Then it's in need of a part being replaced. That took 4 appointments (2 which they broke) and one month without a washing machine. Then it's the electrical outlet, it's reversed polarized. So I bring in someone to look at that, not someone from Sears. But, it's not that. The outlet is fine, likely it's the machine that is wired wrong. So that is about where I am with it. Likely it will be another month before I can get a new machine exchanged out and get it all installed yet again. I severely doubt I will ever deal with Sears again at this point. Not even for a paperclip.

Dear My Funny Valentine

My Funny Valentine lyrics

My funny Valentine

Sweet comic Valentine

You make me smile with my heart

Your looks are laughable

Unphotographable

Yet you're my fav'rite work of art

Is your figure less than Greek

Is your mouth a little weak

When you open it to speak

Are you smart?

Don't change a hair for me

Not if you care for me

Stay little Valentine

Stay!

Each day is valentine's day

Tired of Being a Nice Grrl, Yet Again

The nice grrl curse, another one, is that you can be so angry inside of yourself and keep it all trapped in there cause it's not polite to spew and besides you know no one really wants to listen to all that stuff anyway. But there it is, boiling and bubbling and just wanting to find a teeny crack somewhere to blow up like steam from a tea kettle. But I blocked all the cracks a long time ago. When you're nice you aren't allowed to be angry. Others are, just not you - the nice one, the oldest one and all that blabberwort.

I think it's what makes me barely sane at the best of times. Just holding all that rage inside and not letting it seep out. It's not easy.

I do have a minor vicious streak though. Thank whatever for black humour. It gives you the option of being evil and yet laughing about it like you're just kidding even when I know I'm not. Well, half kidding take it or leave it.

Why can't I have magical laser vision and send a beam of light out to cut down the men who tick me off? Think how simple that would be. Quick too. Not quite bloodless and yet not hugely bloody. Kind of tidy as a way of killing off the population of men. Only those who can't behave like human beings which seems to be a lot of them. Most of those who engage in online dating. So much lies and bull. So much talking through their penis. Just cut the damn thing off so we can talk like adults.

I don't think I ever will find someone to get old with. That really sucks cause I spent so many years becoming the perfect growing old with person. I read all the right magazines. I always come out on top on those relationship quizzes. So were did it all go wrong. It's so unfair. I don't think I ever really had a chance.

Men suck. In general.

Radical Man for Drawing Tips

Radical Man does great drawing tips. I'd never heard of a white out pen but that will really come in handy. Will see if they sell them at Zellers next time I am there. Otherwise I will check a specialty type store. No doubt they will exist somewhere in Barrie.

Indie Smilies

I came across a site with this domain but they were selling stuff, not smilies really. I thought it was a shame cause the domain was an interesting one, could have been a site for all hand drawn smilies.

The Neverending Renovations

Kind of evil but I really am that fed up with the endless never ending renovations. I thought they were supposed to be done this weekend but as they were leaving my brother said to the guy, "You can do that next time you're out here."

Urggghhh!

Valentine Daisy

I scanned the single daisy from a sales flyer in the newspaper this week. Pretty with the daisy and red heart in the centre. But the colours don't scan well from newsprint grade paper. Still, you get the idea.

The other flowers are from one of those sites sellng bouquets online. I had the link on Facebook and don't even remember the site now. Great flower combination. I really like how cheery they look.

The Evil Eye of Rogers Cable

Rogers is gone! I'm back to using Bell for the Internet again and it is faster, again. This is some of the Rogers stuff I pulled out from the back of the phone, computer and TV. The technician came and only took the boxes and TV remotes. Even he didn't want to mess with that snake nest of cables and wires. I did though. Now I can plug in my radio again. Missed having it when Rogers took over every last plug in my power bars (2 of them). Now I could plug in several radios if I really wanted to. Nice to have Rogers gone and not feel so caught by all their cables in my room. I took this photo cause that last box was weird. It had no source of power, all the plugs and cables were disconnected yet that last evil eye from Rogers gleamed for hours and hours. I gave up checking it when I went to bed. In the morning it was finally out.

Bye bye Rogers. Don't ever darken my door again!

The Errand Day

I took this while getting groceries and running errands this week. This is what I was carrying from one bus to the next. I had groceries in the backpack and the black bag under my purse. I try to stuff things into my purse too but already had it pretty full. Crazy how much we cart around at times. Much easier with a car of course. On the bus you can't leave anything in your trunk it's all there, all day, until I get off the last bus and walk home.

Wide View

Wide View
Originally uploaded by Pistol Dave

I'm really looking forward to the end of the snow so I can go out and find places like this one. I envy those who can drive around in winter and get snowy photos. This is a great one. I really like the way the house rests on the top of the snowy hill with the blue sky towering over it. Shows the power of the elements, or at least the weather.

Daisies from Georg Jensen

Found this daisy brooch and the rest of the set (earrings, pendant, bracelet) from Georg Jensen.

Happy New Month: February