23.3.09

Cola Dog visits the Crowe's





We sure had a nice time taking care of Cola the Schnoodle!

Lola was very excited to have a new dog to play with for 2 weeks.
She was a great furry bundle of fun and taught Lola that it was okay to snuggle up with Dave.
Lola taught her how to walk on a leash and to race after squirrels.

We were sad to see her leave today, but she seemed very happy to see her mommy!

Lola stood by the door and watched her friend leave. It was pretty cute but sad at the same time for Lola. She is quite puzzled as to where that friendly furball went!?

Maui our Siamese cat is quite happy to have my lap back to sleep on.

We sure hope to see Cola in the future!

17.1.09

MiniPops



So I was thinking about Kailey and the potential for her to join up with Jalen, Kennedy and her little brother Charlie to become the latest pop sensation in Alberta.
Who needs crappy nickelback when you've got a lineup of my good looking relatives?



I saw her photos posted today on facebook and it looked like a very happy birthday. And it looks like you all had fun at the big bad Leduc pool! I loved watching Kelsie try to synchro swim there. Time goes by so fast doesn't it.



Actually, I don't think I have seen Kailey since her 2nd or 3rd birthday.
I also havent seen my cousin Dawn in about 6 or more years either.
Its difficult to see everyone when you live in Ottawa.
We both wish more of you would come visit or keep in touch a lot better.
Phone Calls are our favorite.
We only seem to get to Alberta once a year now. Its difficult to see everyone.
But we sure had a great time with all of you on our last visit.

We cant wait for Grandma and Grandpa to come visit in March. It will be chilly here, but we think it will be a great trip for all of us.

16.1.09

Kennedy the little fortune cookie



What a little angel. All dressed up in a pretty little ladies lunch dress.



It sure is fantastic to see almost everyone out for this annual event!

15.1.09

Clearance bin vs Clear thinking




A lot of hoopla has been generated around receiving a few scraps of fabric called panties wrapped in pretty tissue paper and supplied with pretty hangtags via post.

I was impressed for all about a day with the concept and then got to thinking longer and deeper about the full idea at hand and am more disappointed in the consumer than anything.

Koodos to the garment industry once again for pulling 'lace' over peoples' eyes.


I've worked in the garment industry for many years as a merchandiser and have seen ideas come and go. And I have witnessed all sorts of abuse to coworkers, models and factory workers. The garment industry is tough as nails. It is dirty. Cheap. And full of disgusting people trying to take your money at every cost possible.
I could go on forever about what I have experienced, but people still think its cool to leave comments stating that I am 'out to lunch' for some reason. However, I feel it is intentional to gain more exposure to themselves if anything.

This new 2009 concept of blogging for additional income also astounds me.

Since when did being a twenty-something automatically make you a product whore?

It is what it is girls? think about it.

Its all about trying to act hip so that you can grab free products and more attention to your blog. Or is it to get misc online awards? This is a virtual sellout by any definition.

What normal person would pose in their underwear and post it out there to the world; if not to seek more followers?

My p.blog does not advertise assorted companies on its sidebar for a reason.
Does yours?

I have lived all over Canada and have worked with many people overseas.
As well as the latest fad...anyone remember cargo pants? I used to design them at Buffalo alongside my friend David (Bitton).

But underwear by mail, by any means is a great idea. Dont get me wrong.

I am just not impressed with www.pantybypost.com sending clearance items that are $5.99 and charging $28 for them.

This to me is unacceptable.

They could be sending new items right from the shipping warehouse that has just arrived. If they are in fact working with 'a family run company' (which company isn't?) they could simply share their advertisments and promote the latest collections this way.

"unwrapping something special from my mailbox would be far more gratifying"
Sure, if it were brand new stock!
I think: What a scam!

If your special someone wants to spend his or her hard earned dollars (recession anyone?) why not go straight to the source of new collections?

www.agentprovocateur.com

or here:
http://www.laperlausa.com/USA/servlet/com.dsdata.taxi.tecx.SetIDWebObject?ID=9427&IDType=prd&ColorValueID=0002

or here:

http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/onlineProductDisplay.vs?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=9H-229128&page=1&cgname=OSPTYANGZZZ&rfnbr=1939


Do you think Tiffany & CO. would send old clearance items via post?
Think about it.

Oh, but they too send pretty tissue paper and use amazing stationary.



"After years of factory investigation in China , while critical and unfortunate, it is safe to state that none of these factory workers can afford a piece of the garment that they produced and exported to the U.S. The wages that they receive can barely lead them to a sustainable living style."

"As the number of apparel wears branded with “Made in China ” increases dramatically in developed nations such as the United States , the workload of Chinese workers behind the scene producing the products rises significantly as well due to the increasing demand. Conversely, these workers' work conditions did not improve as they are continuously required to produce more for the market, instead, conditions has worsen and become more critical as day progresses due to many factors mainly attributed to corporations' endless pursuit of low production cost."

Source:
www.chinalaborwatch.org/200711204textile.htm

14.1.09

highly addictive



Not sure what you're listening to these days, Happy 2009, and happy year of the OX.

But I found out last night that Ben Folds is playing in Toronto Feb 17.
But sadly, he's playing at Kool Haus (down in Queens Quay).
Which is a horrible venue.

To me, it resembles a large metal shed.
Or miniature airplane hanger.

Which for music is not the place you want to spend your money.

I once saw Australia's one and only Ben Lee play there alongside Ben folds.
Once they were finished Rufus wainwright headlined the show.
Sound quality was a big let down.
And most people left.

And we had to stand the whole way through on hard concrete.
-talk about getting old hahah.
Even Matt Good plays smaller venues now where you can sit down and watch him instead. He said himself that he was tired of people moshing to his music so he tours alone with only a guitar. At times I wish Ben folds would find smaller venues and do the same. Who is he kidding? I think he is milking the college kid circuit far too long. And his fan base is much larger and cant go smaller.

So we wont be going to see him.
Which sucks as we really love his music and he only plays in Canada every 5 years it seems.

All in all, I'm not on for coffee in February with one of my BC friends that now calls Toronto home.

I was looking forward to Yorkdale mall and Bloor street.

I miss living there.

Ottawa has a little bit of life to it. We try to get out as often as possible. But notice that all of us 30 somethings seem to stay inside and play boardgames or have Wii parties vs hitting the downtown market area. That area is filled with university people and no one above 32. What is a couple to do here in Ottawa? suggestions? Power center shopping, eating at Boston Pizza, hitting starbucks?
I seem almost 100% content mixing my own martinis now.
All this fine china and crystal from our wedding loot must be used accordingly.

Wanna come over to our house in the 'burbs instead?

The time we have spent with our close friends and Dave's parents is invaluable to some storefront eye-candy...or expensive haute cuisine. Mmmmmm fine dining IS missed!

This break is nice. But we will move back one day.

I am a merchandiser and the lack of visual and mental stimulus is killing me slowly.
And Dave is a lawyer and misses going to court and working on Bay Street.
Yet Ottawa is allowing us to breath and learn all about work life balance.

Its highly addictive.

Yet with all the life time, what is there to do in the 'burbs if you cant walk anywhere? Our dog Lola is extra happy here vs living downtown without a backyard. We couldnt take that away from her now could we.

I know, Monopoly anyone?