Sunday night in December

It's been so long, six months long.  I mean well, I really do - but then it's six months later and I'm amazed that it's 6 months later!  What happens?

It's been a very long 5-6 months.  Job has changed, living arrangements have changed, body has changed, back yard has changed, number of animals living here has changed!  New puppy!! 

Where to start?  What's going on?  I'm sitting here watching my 17 year old son sweep the floor - yes - lots has changed.

But enough of that.

It's December, it's close to Christmas again. 

Okay, the television is on and there's a show on about 30 year old virgins!  Seriously...oh my.  A 35 year old man has just confessed TO HIS MOTHER that he is a virgin.  Holy moly.

It's a slow night.  I'm not even sure what to write so I'll not bore you any longer with nothing.

Saturday in the Park

I think it was the 4th of July.

I did it - I have made a MAJOR change in my life.  I quit my job and secured a new one doing something I love.  OMG, finally.  I'm 44 years old and I'm going to look forward to getting up in the morning and heading to work!  

What's so significant about the 4th of July?  Well, that's when I will have completed my 6 weeks of training and I will be managing a salon (of 23 stylists).  I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself.  No more hard hats and steel-toe boots for this girly girl.  From now on it's manis, pedis, Redken hair care and all things beautiful!  Bring it on I say.

This past winter and spring has seen so many changes in our lives.  Not all good ones either.  My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in February.  Luckily it was early and quite small.  She underwent a mastectomy in late February and has been doing marvelously ever since. No chemo, just an anti-cancer drug for a year.  Phew.

My husband has been transferred away for work.  He leaves our home on the 18th of July for another province, not within driving distance.  Yes, it's going to be a trying summer, fall, winter, spring, summer, fall, winter, spring, summer.  Two years.  

My parents have made the decision to sell their summer home.  My happy place, my place of pure contentment.  It's hard, but I know it's for the best.  Thankfully it is staying in the family and is being taken over by a cousin.  

You see, a year of many, many changes.  But we will persevere and get through it all.  And luckily, we will have fabulous hair and nails while doing so.

Quiz Night in Bedford

We tried something different last night.  Myself, hubby and two of our neighbours went to a local pub for their Quiz Night.  Actually, it's the first quiz night of 2011.  The quiz master was set to start at 7:30pm.  We were informed we should arrive at least half an hour early to grab a table.  We arrived an hour early and had to wait half an hour for a table! WOW.  

The pub is Finbar's at Sunnyside Mall in Bedford  http://www.finbars.ca/index.php?page=103&sub=110.  They have been undergoing kitchen renovations for the past 10 days or so and their propane still isn't in place.  Needless to say, they have a limited menu but it was standing room only last evening and everyone there seemed to be eating!  That's how popular this place has become.  It's a Wednesday night, it's January and this place is packed.  Kudos to the owners.

We had stumbled into Finbar's in early December while there was a quiz night going on and vowed to return for one.  So here we are.  The waitress who met us at the door was great, she said we'd have to wait about half an hour for a table, and she was right.  We hung out at the bar while we waited and even managed to snag 4 stools.  We were led to our table after about 1/2 a brew.  

So, onto Quiz Night.  It works like this.  They give each team a sheet to put your team name on and whether you will be playing for the season (of 6 weeks).  The rules are simple, no electronic devices, 6 members (or less) to a team (to be eligible for prizes) and to have fun!  The sheet is made up of two columns of 20 blank spaces each for a total of 40 answers.  There are two rounds.  The quiz master starts his questions with the aid of a microphone.  He was a great speaker and we never had a problem hearing what he was asking.  The questions ranged from science, history, geography, sports and entertainment.  Everyone was given ample time to write their answers down.  Half way through each round there was a speed round - whoever got the answer right first (by putting up their hand) got to pick a silly prize.  After each round your sheets are collected, your answers checked and scored and then returned to you.

Quiz night started at 7:30pm and it was done by 9:30pm.  I believe the winner of the evening gets a $25 Finbars gift certificate (with a total of 21/40 we didn't stick around...) and the overall winner of the league (after 6 weeks) gets a $100 gc.  Not too shabby.

It was a great evening out, hubby and I had one draft, a club soda and a ginger ale.  With a tip it cost us $10! Where else can you socialize, learn something, possibly win something and hang with friends for $10?

It was a great evening and we cannot wait to return next week.  Must brush up on my European capitals before then though.  Who know the capital of Bulgaria was Sofia?  Not this chicky.  But I should.

What I think

Someone made a suggestion to me last week.  They commented on my Facebook page that I should be doing something like Annie's Recommendations or something.  You know, like Oprah's Favorites...'cept not quite as popular obviously.  Apparently some people have done some of the things I have recommended so it seems I have an opinion that is valued!  Who knew? 

So, after giving it some thought, here I am.  I'll set the A Fair Maiden, or Affair Maiden blog on a different course.  Not just about me but about what I like to do, where I do it a and whether or not I think you would enjoy it too.

This all started with attending Grafton Street Dinner Theatre in Halifax last week for their presentation of Does Your Mother Know.  It is a story about a Cape Breton family reunion with its typical interesting characters, family secrets and greedy relatives - all set to the music of Abba!  Yes, girls, Abba.  

I have to admit, I was skeptical as I had the pleasure of seeing Mama Mia on Broadway only two months before (which I also highly recommend) but as soon as they picked up their instruments and started to play and sing the lyrics we all know so well, I was instantly transported back to my bedroom with my record player and my Abba albums, signing to my hearts content.  I was a Dancing Queen in Waterloo, feeling like a Super Trooper.  I do love Abba, I do I do I do I do I do.

This crew were outstanding!  They can really sing, really well.  And play?  I am still amazed at how much the music sounded like Abba.  The piano/keyboard player was second to none.  Admittedly, myself and my gf made him laugh a few times and he seemed to lose his place but regained quickly and on with the show!  That's the beauty of dinner theatre, it's casual, no rules and a great night out for all!  The price of the ticket is worth hearing the old guy sing Honey Honey.  I have seriously never laughed so hard in my life.

So give it a go.  For less than $50 a person you get a couple of hours of great local entertainment, some decent fare to keep your belly happy (2 appetizers, 6 entrees and 2 desserts to choose from, including vegetarian options) and you are supporting the local economy.  Obviously if you choose to consume oh wee bit of the spirits, that will cost you extra but it's hardly going to break the bank.  I think we paid $15.50 for two beer and a glass of ginger ale.

http://www.graftonstdinnertheatre.com/

Does Your Mother Know has been held over until the 30th of January, I recommend it for anyone.  A couple who would like an evening out, some girl friends, a work party, birthday party...anyone. 

Their next production begins on the 4th of February, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", featuring the music of Sir Elton and Billy Joel.  I suspect we'll be taking this one in as well.  

So there you have it, the first of many entries about my life, out and about in HRM and places beyond!

Wasting Time

It seems that's all I do lately.  I'm supposed to be working, I'm Twittering, I'm blogging, I'm surfing, I'm daydreaming.  What's with me?  I make my living in sales, I'm supposed to be selling!  

Do you suppose we sit around and wait for someone to yell at us to get off our keister and make a living, stop wasting company time and money.  I dunno.  

Lately I have been terrible for wasting time.  It seems I'm waiting for something but I'm just not sure what it is exactly.  Is it the time of the year?  No, I've been feeling this way forever.

Is anyone else out there completely bored with what they do?  How do we make a change without disrupting the balance of all things financial?  There's a lot more to think about here than just being bored with my job.  

Do I really want to start over again with a new career, a new company, new co-workers?  No.  But change is good.  Is it perhaps our generation?  What ever happened to working at the same job for 35 years.  Oh my god, I'm pretty sure I would not be able to keep my sanity if I had to do the same thing forever.

Seems all I ever think about lately is a new job.  I tell myself every evening that tomorrow will be different.  It isn't.

How do we find our passion when we have to keep paying the mortgage, the car payment, the power bill, the cell bill, the list goes on and on.  What am I missing?