Got some freebies in the mail on Wednesday......

I have had a run of bad luck with some products recently and have had to call up companies a couple of times to ask about their products.

At the top of the photo is a flyer telling me that next time I use my credit card I will get 10,000 bonus points which I think is worth $10.  Mind you in the small print it could be next April before I get the points.    Regardless that's a bonus.

I then got a coupon for a free bottle of Dove "Style Care" Frizz Proof Cream/Serum.  Which I will say is more useful in the Summer with the humidity than this time of year.

I bought Blue Water's Simply Bake Haddock.  When I cooked it it shrank by more than half.  Dh wondered what he had done wrong when I plopped this tiny bit of fish on his plate.  Even I looked in the bag to see if it had broken in two and the rest was in the bag!!!  Anyhoo, turns out the company has had shrinkage problems and have changed the cut of haddock it uses and were more than happy to send me a free product coupon, which I thought was awfully nice of them.

However will say General Mills gets the gold star for customer service.  I have recently discovered Old El Paso's Extra Mild Taco Kit  It is not at all spicy so I am a big fan of it.  The first time I bought it when I come to open the taco package most of the taco's were smashed to pieces.  So I called them to get a suggestion as to what to do with it.  The lady told me to smash the rest up, heat them in the oven for a few minutes then pour the ground beef mixture on top along with the rest of the toppings.  It was okay, but not as good as the original way of serving them.  She also sent me a free product coupon, along with a $1 and two 50 cent coupons off of any General Mills product.  So I was more than happy.

Went out and got another box from the same store as before and you know what's coming next.......the tacos were broken, not as much as last time.  So I call them again to see if this is from the same batch.  She didn't know but insisted on sending me the same coupons as before.

Do you call to complain when you are not satisfied with a product?

I posted a couple of book reviews here yesterday, really lovely books.

Wow things have changed a lot.

On Tuesday I went with "R" to the hospital for her ultrasound appointment.  Her dh couldn't make it, so I offered to go with her.  The things those machine's can show you is marvelous.  When I had my kids the husbands weren't  even allowed in for the ultrasound.  They couldn't show as much as they do now.  I had to say I was very fascinated with it all.

"R's" baby is now 3lb 3oz and is in the breach position.  She is 31 weeks, so she is on schedule weight wise for the little one and there is plenty of time for the baby to turn.  Other than that both are as healthy as horses!!  I will say I couldn't make head nor tail of what the technician was looking at, but the baby was all curled up in the fetal position and could see the baby when she pointed it out to me.  I was going to stay behind so I could find out what sex the baby is, but "R" wouldn't let me as she doesn't want to know what sex the baby is!!!  Must say I am really looking forward to seeing the little one in January.

On a sadder note though, I would love to ask for your prayers regarding another family.  A friend of dd has just had triplets that weren't due until the end of February next year.  There are two girls and a boy.  Unfortunately one of the girls died right away.  The other girl and boy, are only around 1lb and 1lb 8oz in weight.  They will be in hospital until next February at least.  The parents as well as the babies will need all the the prayers that we can give them.

What a glorious day Monday was..........

I spent most of it outside doing odds and ends and taking advantage of the lovely weather.  We have two huge Willow trees and they are messy trees, so I spent a lot of the day cleaning up the fallen branches and leaves from them.  I even pulled weeds out of a couple of the flower beds.  I plan on doing more weeding today as well.  For those of you who don't live in the snow belt in Canada, the orange fence is a snow fence. It's to help stop the snow drifting onto the driveway.  We have another 50 feet on the opposite side of the driveway and we need to put up another 50 feet at the beginning of the driveway when we can find posts on sale.

I took this photo at around 4pm on Monday afternoon.  Thought it was neat to see the moon in the sky while it was daylight.  I was looking south, south east when I took this.

I took this at 4pm as well, but was looking in the south, west direction.  Isn't it surprising how different the sky looks?

Told dd not to waste her money buying these..........

but when I saw them half price I figured I would try them out.  They are Presidents Choice fully washed and trimmed veggies.  They are normally $4.99 for a 907 gram (just under 2 lbs) bag.  I picked up a bag of mixed veggies.

And one of the broccoli.

So I took the carrots and as there were only 12 oz added a couple more carrots I had in the fridge to make a batch of carrot soup for my lunch for at least three or four days.

The broccoli from the mixed veggie bag, I steamed and made a broccoli and cheese quiche, so that will last us two meals.

With the cauliflower and some of the broccoli from the broccoli bag I steamed it and will make some cheese sauce for a cauliflower and broccoli cheese sauce casserole.  With take the two crusts from the loaf of bread and make bread crumbs for a topping on the casserole with garlic bread.

The rest of the broccoli I blanched and I put into two freezer bags to use at a later date.  I wish I had picked up some more bags as I think at half price they were good value.

What's funny is that I was talking to our son and mentioned to him that we were having broccoli and cheese quiche and Greek salad for supper and would he like to stop by for his supper.  He declined as he couldn't imagine not eating meat as part of his supper.  He's a meat eater through and through.  I think its from all the years he spent working part time in the meat department of a grocery store.  He started when he was 14 and only left when he left university and started work full time.  He knows more about meat than I do, he knows how to prepare it and what are the best cuts.  Me I don't mind meat, but it doesn't bother me if I don't eat it every day.

Are you a meat eater or do you prefer your veggies?

Don't mess with a woman who has PMS!

On Saturday I was in Brampton all morning with dh.  Did call in to see "R" and she really does look pregnant now, so that's good news!!

Later in the afternoon I had to go grocery shopping and as I had a few shops to visit, dh wisely said I should go on my own.  However dh had NOT so wisely said earlier in the week I had "AN ATTITUDE," so it must be coming up to that time of the month.  Personally I am sweetness and light every day of the month........but will say the comment regarding my attitude went down like a ton of bricks.

Anyhow back to my grocery shopping trip.  Went to Shopper's to take advantage of the 20 x the points event.  I politely said excuse me to a woman, so I could get some milk.  She said NO, and luckily for her, then said she was only joking and got out of the way............

Went to Zehrs and a huge guy was at the cash out with an equally huge load of groceries.  Luckily for him, there was another customer in between us, as I was VERY, VERY irritated with him.  He stood there the whole time with his hands in his jogging pants bottom's, which by the way made his physique look even bigger........again I digress........while a guy and the cashier packed all his groceries for him????

What the hell, take your hands out of your pockets and bloody well help.................

I then went to Sobey's and all I wanted there was four things.  A woman in front of me was buying a couple of planters for the outside of her house.  She comes to pay for them after much discussion {{{SIGH}}}, opens up her wallet and fishes around for a credit card and believe me there were plenty to choose from!!  Only to pick up a credit card that still has the sticker on it from when you get it in the mail.  Of course it doesn't work, so I say: "Have you called in to have it authorized?  As maybe that's why it's not working."

She says: "I don't remember, so that's why I am trying it."

What the hell (again).  Now she went on to pay for her things, I think with her debit card, as the bloody credit card wouldn't work.

By the time I got home and put away the groceries I was in no mood to cook supper.  So I persuaded dh to take me to Swiss Chalet for supper.  The good thing about this time of the year at Swiss Chalet is their festive special meal, which included Lindt chocolates!!!  As that is all a woman with PMS needs is chocolate.

As soon as I finished typing up this post, I settled in to eat all 5 of the Lindt chocolates, and no I didn't share!!!

Movember, a funny and book reviews

Our son is participating in Movember again this year.  For once he doesn't look creepy as he has grown a beard as well and it suits him.  I was quite surprised as I am not a huge fan on facial hair on either men or women!!!

If anyone wants to boost up their charitable donations in Canada and would like to sponsor him please let me know and I'll email his link.

Rose posted this on her blog, so I borrowed it from her:

This has to be one of the funniest things in a long time. I think this guy should have been promoted, not fired. This is a true story from the WordPerfect Helpline, which was transcribed from a recording monitoring the customer care department..............

Needless to say the Help Desk employee was fired; however, he/she is currently suing the WordPerfect organization for 'Termination without Cause.'

Actual dialogue of a former WordPerfect Customer Support employee.
(Now I know why they record these conversations!):

Operator: 'Ridge Hall, computer assistance; may I help you?'
Caller: 'Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect .'
Operator: 'What sort of trouble?'
Caller: 'Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away.'
Operator: 'Went away?'
Caller: 'They disappeared'
Operator: 'Hmm. So what does your screen look like now?'
Caller: 'Nothing.'
Operator: 'Nothing??'
Caller: 'It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type.'
Operator: 'Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out?'
Caller: 'How do I tell?'
Operator: 'Can you see the 'C: prompt' on the screen?'
Caller: 'What's a sea-prompt?'
Operator: 'Never mind, can you move your cursor around the screen?'
Caller: 'There isn't any cursor; I told you, it won't accept anything I type..'
Operator: 'Does your monitor have a power indicator?'
Caller: 'What's a monitor?'
Operator: 'It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV.
Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on?'
Caller: 'I don't know.'
Operator: 'Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where
the power cord goes into it. Can you see that??'
Caller: 'Yes, I think so.'
Opera tor: 'Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's
plugged into the wall..
Caller: 'Yes, it is.'
Operator: 'When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that
there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one? '
Caller: 'No.'
Operator: 'Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and
find the other cable.'
Caller: 'Okay, here it is.'
Operator: 'Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into
the back of your computer..'
Caller: 'I can't reach.'
Operator: 'OK. Well, can you see if it is?'
Caller: 'No...'
Operator: 'Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over?'
Caller: 'Well, it's not because I don't have the right angle -- it's because it's dark.'
Operator: 'Dark?'
Caller: 'Yes - the office light is off, and the only light I have is
coming in from the window.'
Operator: 'Well, turn on the office light then.'
Caller: 'I can't..'
Operator: 'No? Why not?'
Caller: 'Because there's a power failure.'
Operator: 'A power .... A power failure? Aha. Okay, we've got it
licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and
packing stuff that your computer came in?'
Caller: 'Well, yes, I keep them in the closet..'
Operator: 'Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it
up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to
the store you bought it from.'
Caller: 'Really? Is it that bad?'
Operator: 'Yes, I'm afraid it is.'
Caller: 'Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them?'
Operator: 'Tell them you're too damned stupid to own a computer!'

Tears were rolling down my eyes when I read that.

I posted three book review yesterday here.  All were books I had purchased from BookCloseOuts.  Finally a question for you.

I only like to read Christmas type/themed books in November and December.  Can you read them year round, or only on or near Christmas?

New tea pot and other things

I bought a new teapot the other day.  It's the Aspen teapot from Tea Forte.

I wanted a teapot with the option of using loose tea or tea bags.  This one comes with a removable filter.

The other day when I was in the city I had a few minutes to spare so I called into a thrift store that I have been too before.  As I was parking the car in the car park, a woman driving a newer model Jaguar pulled in beside me.  The woman got out and was very well dressed.  She followed me into the thrift store and I saw her looking through the clothes rack's.   This thrift store does not have good quality items to my mind, and found it surprising that someone who obviously had money would shop at a thrift store?  Though maybe that's why she does drive an expensive car, as she saves money by buying clothes at a thrift store?  By the way I spent a total of 57 cents for a brand new Christmas mug to add to a gift.

I managed to get all my Christmas cards written and all the international ones mailed out on Thursday.  I did have a parcel to mail which was just over $17, but the stamps itself for the cards came to $40.  Now I will have a couple of local stamps left over, but overall I used them all.

I have nearly finished the Christmas shopping.  I ordered some more things from Amazon as all my Swagbuck's Amazon gift cards came through.  I had $40 this month, and with what I ordered, I only had to put just over $4 to the total.

On Wednesday night I went to "Ladies Night," at our local Home Hardware.  I actually thought it was just a figure of speech, but they really meant it was Ladies only and turned away men.  I picked up some things, all Christmas gifts and my scratch and save card was worth 10% off, so that was better than nothing.

I can't believe it is Friday already.  I am determined I am NOT leaving the house today, as I have been out of the house every day.