ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaHealth Insurance - no OHIP
This is what my husband used for the few weeks between moving down, getting married, and adding him to my insurance:inbound immigrant insurance. He never had to actually use it, but they were very helpful in terms of getting him set up and answering whatever questions he had.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-10-14 14:42:00
CanadaProof of ongoing relationship
Whe we had our interview in Vancouver, they just asked to see photos, and it seemed to be pretty much pro forma. Most people have had a similar experience---showed up with binders full of plane tickets and emails and were never asked for it. That said, it is better to have too much than too little. If you have taken any trips together, boarding passes are good. The pictures you have are good, too. If you have ANY emails or cards you've sent each other, those can be used.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-10-14 14:49:00
CanadaThe pet thread!
QUOTE (Rob and Mel @ Dec 29 2008, 01:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The jacket was a gift from my uncle, and he was modeling it..... Was not impressed at all.... rofl.gif


I put a bandana on my dog yesterday so she could look extra cute for my mom when she got in. (OKay, it's also because we have so flippin many bandanas from getting the dog groomed and she almost never wears them.) She was pretty unimpressed even with that.

SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-09 16:16:00
CanadaThe pet thread!
Here is our baby, Dallas, relaxing on the sofa at home:



Here she is playing in the leaves last fall:



And here she is playing in the snow last December after our second major snow storm of the season:






SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2008-11-11 16:09:00
CanadaThe pet thread!
cray5ol.gif Sorry for your losses, Stacey and Necrotica. What cuties they both were.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2008-11-11 15:51:00
CanadaThe pet thread!
I don't have any pictures of her on line, but our dog is an 90-pound German shephard/Alaskan malamute/lab/whatever-else mix. Her name is Dallas, but we like to call her Dally-doodle, Puppy-doodle, Miss Puppy, Pup-a-luna, Pumpkin Dog, and the Pupster. She answers to all of these things, believe it or not. Unless of course she sees a squirrel, possum, skunk, or cat she wants to chase. It is awfully cute to see her and my 6-foot-1 husband curled up together napping on the sofa.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2008-08-21 10:19:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
That makes me realize I was lucky---at least the bird did NOT poop in my coffee! Actually, it had a lid, but if there was bird poop on the lid of my coffee, there was no way that coffee was going anywhere near my mouth. If a bird pooped in my lemonade, I'm not sure I'd ever stop throwing up.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-08-21 11:32:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
A bird pooped on me this morning. It was GROSS!
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-08-21 11:19:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
QUOTE (BermyCat @ Jun 28 2009, 03:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We have a new plan for the kitten. We're going to keep him isolated with limited, supervised play time with the other cats. He'll get tested bi-monthly. I'v been emailing vet schools and the consensis is that he's very unlikely to have FIV and would have to bite one of my other cats very deeply to transmit it even if he had it.

He's so sweet, we've decided to try and keep him.

More Kazzak pictures

~ Catherine


Aww, that's good news!
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-06-28 17:14:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
I hate shopping! Especially clothes shopping. (Okay, I do not mind grocery shopping and like book shopping to a point.) Saturday I had to go to the mall just to get our rings inspected at Zales for our warranty on them. No big deal---it is right next to the exit so I can usually just run in and then leave. But I had done a few previous errands and it is (thankfully) about a half hour drive home from the mall (I say thankfully because that is the closest mall to where we live---big box stores in plazas are starting to take over, but no actual malls yet). Anyhow, I needed to use the rest room. Which meant I needed to find the restroom. That meant walking through the entire mall, dodging people, listening to the loud and hideous mall music, and trying to remember my way out of the maze because it was far too hot to just leave the building and walk around the outside to find my car. I really hate malls.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-27 10:27:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
QUOTE (KristinL @ Apr 26 2009, 10:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thats a hard one - if they love the sport you don't want to take them out, right? Is there another hockey league? I can't imagine the coaches are getting away with the F-bomb directed at kids.. thats kinda grounds for firing a coach... one would hope... unsure.gif


That's what I was going to say. Unfortunately, overly competitive coaches are more common in kids' leagues than they should be, but I would think you might at least be able to find a coach who has some patience and skill in dealing with young kids who are only just learning the game, and I'm pretty sure swearing like a sailor around 10-year-olds is not a widely accepted coaching practice.


SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-26 10:35:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
Borderdriver, your boss sounds like a really ####### BF. She'd be best off leaving him for all kinds of reasons, but she is going to have to figure that out on her own (and he probably has some good qualities that make her want to stay and convinces herself they outweigh the obvious jackbuttedness, so to speak). The best you can do is to listen to her.

Ontarkie, you might try this stuff called bitter apple spray. That was recommended to me when my dog had severe separation anxiety when I first adopted her and it did not do squat, but it can be effective to prevent animals from chewing things. I don't suppose it would be all that effective if he is using his claws to get through the screen though. Here it is just too hot to bother opening the windows---it's AC all the way for us, with a little help from the ceiling fans (and yes, I am a big time weather wuss).

My big vents of the day are pretty miniscule comparatively. I have a really sore shoulder (probably slept in a funky position or something), it is stupidly hot here already, the Cardinals-Cubs game sold out, and the weenies at Versus aren't going to show us the Flames-Blackhawks game tonight! That pales in comparison, so I will STFU about it.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-25 10:34:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
QUOTE (thetreble @ Apr 21 2009, 10:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Actually, I am less willing to hand out something in your favour if you get animated with me.


Yeah, I agreee with that. If I'm pissed off enough to be unable to hide my irritation, I at least try to mitigate it by saying "I realize it is not your fault and I'm not trying to take it out on you" or something along those lines. A lot of times, crappy customer service is the result of the right hand not knowing what the left is doing and if you are nice enough--but still persistent--you can get the person you are talking to to find someone who can solve your problem. Not always though.

Sprailenes, she actually did take her home. She just stopped in to go through the mail and put a few motions on my boss's desk. She likely did that because she had taken Friday and yesterday off and her daughter got sick over the weekend. Still, I would have been happier if she'd called in and told us what needed to be done. I do NOT want to get a strep throat. It is pretty brutal to get a strep as an adult.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-21 10:30:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
Our secretary brought her child, who has a strep throat, into the office. STay the frig home if your kid is sick. I don't want your child's germs anymore than the other kids at school do.


SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-21 09:51:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
OMG what a psycho-biyatch that woman was!

Clothing sizes and such are one of my big pet peeves because it is all so stupid. Size 12 is not only NOT a "plus size," it's AVERAGE. But there are plenty of stores that only carry sizes up to 10 even so. Height wise it is even dumber. I know plenty of women anywhere from 4 foot 10 up to 6 foot 3, and yet clothing designers seem to think three lengths will fit us all. That isn't even mentioning the skew towards taller women. Average height is 5 foot 4, yet at 5 foot 1, I have a hard time finding petites that fit properly. One of my best friends is 6 feet tall and she is too tall for the "average" sizes (meant to fit women who are actually four inches or so taller than actual average) but too short for the tall sizes (at freaking 6 feet tall, FFS!!!).

But even if your sister WAS a "plus size," the woman had no right to make such a nasty snide comment. That is just outrageous and I hope she does complain!
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-18 10:39:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
QUOTE (Sprailenes @ Apr 17 2009, 12:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
No it wasn't... but like I said he was really stupid. Everyone teased eachother, but it was all redneck men, when they had you for something, they'd bring it up CONSTANTLY.


Yeah, but don't THEY poop too?
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-17 12:47:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
Wow, that is really mean! I always feel bad if someone calls for someone else in my office and the coworker is in the restroom at the time. I never know what to say. "Oh she can't come to the phone right now, can I have her call you back? I know she'll be available soon." This just seems like such a dead giveaway.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-17 12:44:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
This is pure speculation on my part, but I'm kind of thinking welding and pooping at the same time is not a stellar idea from a safety standpoint. Just saying. laughing.gif

And yes, the invasion of privacy there is pretty bad too.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-17 12:08:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
QUOTE (Emancipation @ Apr 17 2009, 11:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
rofl.gif my boss in Canada was CONSTANTLY coming out of the washroom with his blackberry in his hands jabbering on about some business deal or another.. I was HORRIFIED!!


I hope he set it down long enough to wash his hands.

SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-17 12:04:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
QUOTE (Sprailenes @ Apr 17 2009, 11:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
See yea, I know what you mean by that. Some people tweet when they're taking a cr@p.

laughing.gif

Narcissism at its finest.


At least if you are tweeting or texting, the recipient can't hear you squeezing one out. Unlike, say, people who talk on their cell phones while taking a #######! Funniest example of this was from a site called "overheard in New York" where apparently someone posted that he heard someone in the next stall propose to his girlfriend over the phone while taking a dump. I don't know if that's true or not.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-17 11:52:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
Doesn't twitter limit you to 140 characters? I don't think there are many interesting things to say in that brief a space even if the person twittering IS leading a fascinating and interesting life. But I've not tried it so my anti-twitter opinion is based entirely on second hand twitter accounts.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-17 11:30:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
OMG, thank you, Trailmix!! You are a lifesaver!
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-15 12:24:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
I need to file for an extension for my US taxes and I don't know what form to download. I was so sure it was the 1040 X, but that apparently is for an amended return. Grrrr.

Second tax-related rant: it is so flippin complicated and takes so much of my time, I really should be paid for preparing my own return!

Oh well. I get my hair dyed tonight and then go home to watch the Blues in the playoffs, so if the IRS does not nail me (most likely I will get a refund; I'm just not certain enough of that to blow off the deadline), all will be right in my world by this evening.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-15 12:14:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
Mention of New Kids on the Block made me think of this parody. OMG that brings back such great memories.

Bwahahahahahahahaha!!! rofl.gif
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-09 11:16:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
Heh, I lived in Boston around the time New Kids first came out. I had no idea that they were known outside of the city until I moved back to New York. They sucked too much to be anything but a lesser known local band. I was really surprised to leave the city and find out they were the big thing all over.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-09 10:59:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
I heard something about those car warranty notices being a phishing scam. Sorry I don't remember the specifics because I have the memory of a gnat.

It's snowing here!
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-06 09:52:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
I'd poop about seven bricks in that situation, Sprailenes!
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-03 17:05:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
I can relate, Kathryn. I'm somewhat in the same boat. My mom is coming for a visit, although it is in a few days rather than a few hours, and our vacuum seems to be just sweeping the dog hair without actually sucking it up. The dog kind of sheds a lot, so we'll probably vacuume it right before we head to the airport, but we do sort of need to either fix the thing or buy a new one so we know it will work. Oh yeah--and I need to move my aloe plants back outside for the summer so I can clean around behind them and stuff....but we may get a frost advisory for the three nights just before she gets here!
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-03 15:19:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
QUOTE (Sprailenes @ Apr 3 2009, 12:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I say pass-ta... or more simply: Assta because thats where it all seems to go once I eat it. sad.gif


laughing.gif

I know that feeling.

Of course, Australians would say #######-ta...which would rhyme with the US version of pasta.




SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-03 13:13:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
I never heard pasta pronounced as PASS-ta until I started dating my husband. Now of course I say it that way because that is how I always heard it growing up in the US. But I've also always just assumed that is close to the Italian pronunciation as well. I don't speak Italian, and I have to admit I am not really fluent in any language other than English, despite being able to utter at least a curse word or two in 12 different languages and being able to swear somewhat proficiently in 3, so I could be wrong on this, but I've never heard of any language other than English even having the a sound in pass. Which would make loan words from other languages (like pasta or garage) should be pronounced with the ah sound, and not the a as in Pass sound.

But there are probably plenty of loan words we anglicize, so really, it's just two different pronunciations. Kind of like you say po-TAY-to, I say po-TAH-to, that kind of thing. Whatevah.

Hubby calls a garage a garadge (like rhymes with Madge). He's originally British, so I'm not sure how having British parents affects his pronunciation. I am from Western New York State, where most people call soda "pop," but have always called it "soda," as do my parents (raised on the east cost by immigrant parents). I made a conscious choice to follow their version rather than the local version when I was a teenager. With the local accent, "pop" sounds like "pap." That's just too nasty to contemplate.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-03 13:04:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
QUOTE (autumnchik @ Apr 2 2009, 05:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wow, I just realized how lucky I have been through my adult life with my choice of friends. My friends and I have always discussed the U.S. While many of us are patriotic, we also see the flaws in the U.S. and the strengths in other systems. Yes, I love my country, but I also see how there are areas where it needs to improve (health care and social services being couple IMO).


Same here.

SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-02 17:40:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
QUOTE (Sprailenes @ Apr 2 2009, 05:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If you're going to call it offensive then tell me how it offends you, and why it offends you. Thats all I want to know.


Well exactly. If the kids write book reviews and are asked to give an opinion on the book, wouldn't she expect them to explain why they like or dislike it? D'oh!

SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-02 17:33:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
Wow, your little boy is more altruistic than most adults I know. He should be encouraged to think about big issues in his 10-year-old kind of way. And if that offends his teacher's jingoistic sensibilities, she should meet my dad. Whenever politicians finish speeches with an apparently obligatory (and seemingly not very heartfelt because it's so ubiquitous) "God bless America!" he says, "Why? Did we sneeze?" I'd get censored if I told you what he said to Dan Quayle's speech at the 1988 R convention about family and freedom and something else with an F. My dad came up with a 4th F he felt J. Danforth left out. You can probably guess.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-02 17:07:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
QUOTE (Sprailenes @ Apr 2 2009, 02:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey we were talking about brides and expensive weddings, there was a bride in here and her wedding is costing her family.... are you ready for this...

$125,000.00


ohmy.gif

I guarantee you not one of her guests is going to look back on that wedding and think it was fun. FFS!
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-02 15:26:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
QUOTE (autumnchik @ Apr 2 2009, 01:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I can't believe I missed that Sentinel was DeadPoolX ... totally over my head. I guess I just thought, wow his writing style seems so similar to DPX .... I am clueless! LOL


I missed that one too. I'm glad I am not the only one.


SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-02 15:19:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
Wow. The Blues got their butts handed to them by the Blackhawks last night. I fell asleep on the sofa so I didn't know that (although they were sucking pretty badly so it isn't a surprise). What a suckfest of a game.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-02 12:41:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
QUOTE (thetreble @ Apr 2 2009, 11:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
They still do an Easter Egg hunt at Easter and instead of candy they get money. 25 and 27 years old. It is just their family dynamic I guess. Maybe that's why her sister has been teaching full time for 5 years and still lives at home.


Maybe it's just me, but if I were going to do an Easter Egg hunt, I'd rather have candy. Okay, maybe not candy, since I'm not really much of a candy eater, but maybe some cookies or a gift certificate to a nice restaurant.

I'm so glad we only do gifts for the kids, and my teenage nieces tell us what they want.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-02 11:33:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
QUOTE (Sentinel @ Apr 2 2009, 11:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If I went purely by her maturity level, I'd say she's far from ready to get married. Hell, she sounds like she'd belong in elementary school. wacko.gif


Too true.

Teachers are paid absolute ####### wages and it takes a few years to get tenure---not sure if her 5 years were all in one district, but if not, she doesn't have tenure and therefore no job security. So living with parents rather than roommates I can understand. A friend of mine is a teacher---and because he is a music teacher (ie, first to get axed when schools cut budgets), he has yet to stay in any one job long enough to get tenure. He had to move back in with his parents for a while in his late 30s. This is his 2nd year in the same district, so we are just hoping he gets a third year and finally has some job security. It pisses me off, too, because he is really super bright and really good with the kids, just the kind of people we WANT teaching our kids. It is frustrating. Oh well, that is another rant, I s'pose.

SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-02 11:26:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
QUOTE (thetreble @ Apr 2 2009, 04:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
so, in the latest bridezilla saga, this is what all the bridemaids got from the bridezilla's sister.

Lacy asked you all to be Bridesmaids because she and Chris considered you to be important parts in their lives. When Lacy asked you to be Bridesmaids, you obligated yourselves to the above duties. If you were unable to fulfill ANY of them, even on the financial end, you should have declined. It is EXTREMELY unfair at this point to say what you cannot spend. You are putting the rest of us (and my parents) in a predicament.



OMFG!!! See, if someone asks me to be a bridesmaid, I assume that means I'm going to have to spend a few hours wearing a low cut uncomfortable dress in an unflattering color, probably made of taffeta or some equally gag-worthy fabric, paying maybe $200 to 300 for said dress, walking down the aisle ahead of the bride and trying not to look bored during the ceremony no matter how long it gets. Maybe I'd expect to pay for a bridal shower---but a reasonable shower (Lacy's shower is a bigger 'do than my wedding was!). The rest of it? I would not have expected that #######.

SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-02 10:49:00
CanadaThe Vent - Part 2
QUOTE (Udella&Wiz @ Apr 2 2009, 08:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Take it to the principal girl, although meet first with the teacher to find out why she is offended, perhaps there is something more to it. Stay calm and gather the facts.

Whip out the American idea of free speech, everyone has a right to their opinion when expressed in an approriate way which doesn't hurt anyone


That's what I think, too, Sprailenes. You are his only advocate. It is probably fairest--and most effective--to discuss your concerns with the teacher directly first, and then move up the chain if that does not help.



SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2009-04-02 10:27:00