Drivers Licence Update!

Today was the day... the day I finally put on my big girl panties, and wrote my test to get my Drivers Licence (learners). For some reason, I was super nervous about failing... And although I know the rules of the road, I still felt it was necessary to study and mentally prepare myself for my test. Good thing too, because there were some specific questions like "What is the maximum distance you can park from the curb" (50cm). There were also some common sense questions like "When you are passing a large vehicle on a 2 lane highway, how far ahead should your vehicle be before you merge back into the right lane?" Um... yeah... obviously not when your back bumper meets their front bumper... But I guess you never know what people might think - there IS a show called Canada's Worst Driver (I love that show!)

Anywho, when I arrived at the registries office, I was kinda nervous. This was my very first time taking my learners exam, and I had no idea what to expect. I was also kind of embarrassed, I'm 25 years old and I haven't even taken a friggen learners test... Sheesh! So when I got up to the counter and the guy asked me what I needed, I kinda just said "I need to take my learners exam" under my breath. He asked things like... Have I ever taken it before, I confirmed it was my first time, and gave him all my ID and info. He then told me to go over to the middle computer and just follow what it said on the screen. I walked over to the computers, but there was only 2... So I turned to him and asked which one it was just to confirm... He looked at me like I was some idiot, and said "uh, yeah... I said that one..." turned back around, and started playing on his phone...

OK - This guy obviously needs to take the pole out of his ass... but whatever. I couldn't be bothered with his attitude problem, and needed to focus on my test. So I took my time, read everything twice, and .. PASSED! I only got one question wrong! WOO HOO! So once I was finished, the computer told me to go back to the front desk. When I walked back over, the guy that was helping me was still playing on his phone, so I just waited. When he looked up all he said was "So, you passed?" and I told him I did, with a little bit of excitement. He then walked over to the other side of the desk where another woman was working, and was saying something. I just assumed he was talking to her until he whipped around and said "Um, over here PLEASE?!"

WHOA! ... whoa... sorry? I thought you were talking to that other lady, because you definitely were not even facing me, or told me to come over there with you... Anywho, I walked over and sat down for a quick eye exam, and this guys attitude just got worse and worse! He asked me if I could see some numbers along the bottom of the screen. I told him that I couldn't see anything... Then, he let out this obvious sigh of frustration, and with a condescending tone said "You have to lean with your forehead to turn the machine on" ... as if I knew that! Frick...

So once that was done, he got up and walked away, but was still talking to me. So I decided to say something. I said "I'm sorry, but I cannot hear what you are saying to me while you're walking away." Then - and this totally blew my mind - he let out another elongated sigh, and literally rolled his eyes - RIGHT AT ME - and repeated whatever it was that he was saying. This guy was such a jerk! I'm sure I gave him the most disgusted look ever, because it seemed like after that he might have realized how shitty he was being, and you could tell he was trying to be more polite. Or maybe its because the lady waiting behind me gave him a filthy look - or WHATEVER.

Point is, this guy was FUCKED! It really put a damper on my experience, and I cannot even imagine being a terrified 14 year old going in to write their exam and dealing with this guy. It's a stressful and maybe even somewhat scary experience for some! Working in customer service myself, I just could not get over how rude he was, and I think its going to be on my mind until I call and complain. I will never go back their either - in fear of having to deal with him again. I will go out of my way and drive the extra distance to go to the Spruce Grove office.

BUT - I have my learners and thats all that matters! YAY! After Mikey and I went shopping a bit, and ate at Wendy's for my celebratory dinner, I drove all the way home from Carvel - secondary highway and all! I'm so proud of myself! I also bought a new battery for my truck so I don't have to steal the one from the Impala anymore. Then, sometime next week the truck will be dropped off at a local mechanic for some repairs and a general maintenance.

I'm so happy everything is coming together! *SIGH* (of relief!)

My crazy neighbor...

Back in April, I wrote a blog about how I met one of my new neighbors, and how they threatened to shoot my dog. Now that I have lived and worked in town for a while, I have heard other things about this man to solidify my original suspicions that this man is crazy. Here is my own personal example:

After the incident with the dog, I called the Police the next day and advised them about what had happened. I told the Officer everything that happened, and it was all the truth. She said that I had 2 options at that point. That I could charge the man with uttering threats, or I could allow her to give him a call, and find out his side of the story. Because we were so new to town, I didn't want to stir things up too much, and allowed the Officer to give him a call, and find out what he has to say. When she called me back, I was a bit surprised to hear that he stated that he was terrified of dogs. I mean, if its true, then fine. But it didn't seem right to me. The officer also told me that she advised him that he cant make threats or else he could be charged, and reminded him that if he sees an animal in his yard, to call animal control.

Now, it has been a while since this has happened, and I haven't seen him for a couple months. Just recently however, I have seen him out and about, tending to his yard work, and whatnot - but only because I walk to work, and have to walk past his house - although I do cross the street. Normally I see him with his leaf blower, blowing the dirt and gravel off of the road in front of his house... Why? Who knows! (He's crazy, remember?)

Today I work a closing shift at work so I dont leave until the afternoon for work, and during the day, I like to tie the dog up outside so he can have some fresh air, and chew on his bone. Around 10:30 this morning, the dog started barking like crazy, and normally, when someone pulls into the driveway, the dog barks like crazy... So I went to go see who was here - but no one was. I walked outside, and all I could hear was a weed eater... The crazy neighbor was whacking my weeds!

Mikey just finished cutting the lawn the other day, and here is the crazy neighbor cutting the strip of grass between the lawn and the curb... The dog is going crazy!! Then I hear the weed eater die off, and the crazy neighbor is actually barking back at my dog! (yeah, I'm so sure he's terrified, or else he wouldn't have come near my lawn knowing that we have a dog, and he definitely wouldn't be mocking or teasing it) He cant see me of course, because the front porch is secluded by the large tree out front, but I can see him. (I should have taken a picture... shoot!)

I really wanted to walk over to him and tell him to get the Eff off of my property, but with a weed eater in hand - I'de rather keep my distance. he finally walked back, but came back once again with a lawn mower, to mow out the same edge. I don't know what he is trying to accomplish, but coming from him - I don't appreciate it. I don't know if I should call the police again, and ask the officer to give him a call and let him know that he shouldn't be on my property, or what.

What would you do?

Insane in the Membrane

Someone once said: "Insanity is repeating the same action over and over expecting different results." ... ... That sounds a lot like gardening! Ha ha, I don't take this saying with any seriousness, but if it were true, I'd be a loon in no time! (Or maybe I already am..) Today I did a lot of work in the garden, and I know for a fact that next year I will be doing the exact same thing, with different results I'm sure.

Yesterday I wrote out a huge to do list for the house and garden before our housewarming at the beginning of June! When I woke up this morning, I finished replacing the doorknobs that I started yesterday, then for the next few hours I worked outside. I started by removing anything that was dead in the garden. I removed debris like pine cones, broken branches, leaves, I cut out dead flowers, plants, tree limbs, and I also pulled some weeds.

I filled my wheelbarrow about 5 times with cuttings, and I'm sure there is more that I missed or just couldn't get to. It feels like there is still so much to do! (I'v only knocked about 2.5 things off of the list) I've noticed some newer stuff emerging in the garden, and some of the smaller trees are starting to bloom! The leaves on the larger trees in the yard are starting to unfold too. Oh, and my Rhubarb is growing like crazy! I even found a second Rhubarb plant in amongst some bushes. I picked out the perfect spot for our hammock, its not in the sun, and it is secluded from our neighbor, but also has a view to the open field behind us. This means on a hot and sunny day, I can lay there in the cool shade and relax/nap after a hard days work in the garden.

You know, it's crazy what a difference something simple like raking your lawn can do for your yards appearance! I was in behind the house where I am hoping to put our fire pit, and the entire area is lined by pine trees. But you see, a handful of pine trees = millions of pine cones! This specific piece of yard doesn't have a lot of grass (another reason why I picked it for the fire pit) but it just looked so forgotten and messy. The solution? I raked up all the pine cones and broken branches, and whatever else was hiding down there. It looks a million times better!

I also had to look up the fire and burning bylaws for our area, which advised me that the fire pit needs to be 3m away from anything combustible (house, trees, etc), needs to be made out of a thick metal, and needs to have a grate. That is perfect, because I made a fire pit at the farm while we were living there out of an old barrel that was already cut in half, and we found a metal grate to place on top! We'll just grab it from the farm and Viola! Perfect sized, law abiding fire pit!

Now it's almost dinner time, and I am starving! Maybe I'll pull something out for the BBQ! ... Wait a minute... doesn't everyone try to make dinner every night, and hope for different results? I know I sure do. Maybe we're all Insane!