Val's Munchies

When someone offers you a tic tac - take it. I want to grab life by the crack and lick all the crap out of it! (thanks Barney! lol) I love spending time with my wonderful, loving family, learning more and more each day about my gracious, loving God! I guess I want to start using this blog not only for the crazy things that happen to me, but to share my journey with the Lord...Welcome to my life!

Monday, October 31, 2005

Winter...

White
Snow
Cold
I am not looking forward to winter. And on this, Halloween day, I am surprised there is no snow on the ground. Many a halloween i remember waddling around from house to house bundled up (much too tightly) in my snowsuit and costume braving the cold, just to get the yummy candy.
But today? No snow. Which i am very pleased about. But just knowing they are forecasting flurries this evening, makes me cringe. I am dreading the day I wake up, look out the window and see a layer of that fluffy white stuff on the vehicles. UGG... And to know that it is coming sooner rather than later, depresses me even more...
Not only do the crazy drivers become even CRAZIER in the snowy, winter months, but depression sets in. Yes I suffer from a mild case of SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder. And since i work in an office with no outside windows – I think i may slightly suffer from it all year round. Let alone in the full blown winter! I HATE WINTER!! And i mean it. It's cold, icy, windy...did i mention cold?
Sure when i was younger, winter was great fun! Make snow forts, go iceskating, and Christmas!! Oh Christmas...the only thing to help me get through these dreadful next couple of months! But i think i've discovered when my hate for winter started. Probably age 18...when i moved from home and had to drive for myself. No parents to drive the car in the frigid, blustery weather! Icy roads were the worst...done a couple really nice 360s in my day! And i love those stupid drivers! The ones who don't think about how icy the roads really are, so they don't brake in time to stop, but just in time to give your car a nice nudge! THANK YOU! Just thinking about winter and the roads make me cringe and stressed about the whole thing!
I haven't yet, and don't think i ever will understand how people can enjoy such a season! You have to wear layers of clothes – GIVE ME MY CAPRIS AND FLIP FLOPS! “Say it with me, Sunlight!”
My back is hurting just thinking about winter...I wish i was a bear so i could hibernate and sleep the winter away.

Thursday, October 27, 2005

COKE...not the drug just the drink



I am admitting today that I have an addiction. To Coca-Cola. I have a serious addiction, which my family and friends can attest to. I can imagine there are people out there worse off than I am, but to me and those closest to me, my situation is very serious. I don't drink coke for breakfast, well just a couple times, but those are different situations. Actually the other day I met a friend at Tim Hortons for breakie and i had a donut and a coke – i do not like coffee and refuse to drink the stuff, so coke was the only alternative. I finished off the coke at lunch time. Thinking I would be fine with my coke fix of the day behind me, and I wouldn't need anymore for the rest of the day...Well before I knew it the evening came and there I was infront of the television, craving this wonderfully, sugary, sweet delight! And i caved! Ran straight to my storage room, pulled out a can and poured it into the all important frosty mug! Oh how that coke tasted sooo good and it was just what I needed to finish the day.

Coke is something I was introduced to long, long ago. Our family's sunday night ritual was to eat pizza and drink coke. One of the only families I know that drink “real” coke on a regular basis. I think it was when I went away to college that I became so dependent on the stuff. Thursday afternoons, second year we (my friend Anna and I) had Coke and Pastry times...and it's a wonder how I gained 20 pounds in those 2 years of my life? LOL Those days helped us get through class! And my living habits I had being away from my parents for the first time gave me this opportunity to buy the stuff ALL THE TIME!

Now you must understand, Coca-cola Classic is expensive stuff – and I have to keep stock. Oh boy! When it's on sale – I stock up!!! GO CRAZY!!! There is no comparison to no name brands (I am convinced those “cola” drinks are really Pepsi) and I refuse to even drink them!

And to prove to the rest of you reading this exactly how crazy I am – Coke in a can is wayyyyyyy better than the stuff in a bottle! I will however drink it either way, but, it is better. And any type, C2, diet, and whatever that new diet kind is – do not compare. They leave that disgusting aftertaste in your mouth, and no matter what people say about them being a bit healthier – I think it's a scam. Just another brand for them to sell.

I have to have at least one can a day...and sometimes whilst my sister is in the other room studying – I sneak another can! Yes that is right! I have snuck a can!! Fooled her good! Although she did almost have me! I covered my tracks quite well...But when the craving comes, who has the self-control to stop it!? I guess that is my biggest weakness. But it's just soooo good.

And I have decided today, well after tonight that is(I know there is a bottle sitting in the fridge at home), I am really going to try to reduce my Coca-Cola intake. Honestly. I really want to stop.

It all started with a six letter word...

BONNIE. Yes, my sister, Bonnie. I am sure 20 years ago, almost 21 now, I was excited to hear that I had a little sister. Most girls wish, hope and pray that when your mom comes home from the hospital, with her, she brings you a little sister, someone you can play with, care for, and love, a little doll. So maybe for those first couple years she's a doll – great! But somewhere between, what I can only imagine was like ages 2 to present day she has become a thorn in my side. I don't hate my sister, don't get me wrong. I would be more than upset if she died. But sometimes she just isn't my favorite person (and when you live with her – it seems like most of the time!). This last week has been one of those times.

Our cousin in California is getting married next February – so we get to go to DISNEYLAND!!! Yes, we have been before, but my little sister has been to an array of Disney parks – 4 times in fact...and for a small town farming family we have been very blessed by our wonderful parents to even go twice – LET ALONE 4 TIMES!!!

Bonnie is completely OBSESSED with anything and everything Disney. Enters every possible draw she can to win a trip – and actually thinks she will win! Is on Ebay constantly wasting her money on special movies, clothing, and she's even been looking at purses with Cinderella, Tinkerbell and the Little Mermaid on them!

Now, sure I'm super pumped to get to California, to LA, to Disneyland...But I'm not going to live the next 3 and a half months of my life deciding exactly what we should do every second of the days we are there. You see my sister has taken it to this extent. The other day she asked me 'are we gonna be ride buddies?'. Yes, this is what a psycho is like! She has printed page after page of ride information from the internet. Has figured out exactly which rides have the 'Fast Passes' and how we are going to go through the entire park, step by step. She has even gone as far as saying that we must literally run down mainstreet, when we first reach the park. And now our mother has added to Bonnie's excitement when she told her last night “Maybe we could even stay at a Disney Resort Hotel” - thank you very much mother. Now i have to deal with another avenue of my sister's excitement! She has spent every spare moment of her day – when she should probably be studying for her midterms – on the Disneyland website searching for any new information, updates, anything that will give her more excitement! And you know the irony in all of this. She informed me the other day that The Haunted Mansion will be “closed for refurbishment” while we are going to be at the park. Typical! The ONE ride I wanted to go on, THE ONE RIDE!!! The only ride I cared about – is going to be closed! FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND PURE!!!

The sad thing is...Bonnie is beginning to get me all excited for the journey...And when i drive by the airport everyday as I go to work, I say to myself, “Only 3 months before we'll be at the airport!” I'm trying not to let on to her about my ever growing enthusiasm, but I fear I am losing that battle. I am really looking forward to visiting Disneyland, meeting Disney characters and even getting a hair wrap! I say - What are sisters for, but to annoy us and then...inevitably transform us into themselves!