Medical Lab isn’t Enforcing Their “Policy” – Why Have Rules if You Won’t Enforce Them

I like to keep my posts light and airy. Poking fun at myself. Laughing about my teenage sense of style. Eating raw cookie dough and shaving my parents' yard and so forth. But Monday, July 6th, I experienced an emotional roller coaster. Not felt since the sinus surgery of 2014 when I thought the hospital …

Advertisement

Rugby Shirts, Stir Frys, and the Top 40 – My First and Last Winnipeg Waitress Job

It was the late '90s. Leonardo DiCaprio was riding a wave to fame. Big Shiny Tunes 2 spun in boom boxes. Plaid skirts, cargo pants, and chunky heels were all the rage. In 1997, I left the semi-bright lights of River Heights, pulling a 14-month round trip: Winnipeg to Arborg to Winnipeg. While in Arborg, …

Brain Tumour Awareness and Balance – Mine was Perfect

I was a figure skater with perfect balance. However, a symptom of a brain tumour is unsteadiness. It's Brain Tumour Awareness Week. Where we attempt to erase the stigma, educate the public, and so forth. The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada wants the public to be aware of the above eight signs. But my symptoms? I …

Daylight Saving Time, You’re the Worst

Daylight Saving. When our Smartphones and computer clocks auto-change, and we leave our oven ticker until November. It's an archaic, out-dated, over-stayed-its-welcome system. What does it accomplish? Anyone? Because I'm hearing crickets. The entire idea of Daylight Saving is pointless. We may as well call it "modified, pointless" time. People don't start their jobs an …

From Eight to Sixteen – The Story of a Synchronized Skating Team

Synchro skating isn't about medals. It's about the memories. Medals are a bonus though. During the Arborg Skating Club's 1988/1989 season, our coach produced three successful synchronized (precision) skating teams. I was on the eight-member senior team, winning two silver medal. Two competitions, two silver medals. Not too shabby. We won our second silver medal …

If It’s Not Broken, Don’t Transfer Your Novel

I lost three hours of editing today. For the last five years - wow, that sounds like a long time - I've been working under a pen name on my first contemporary romance-mystery novel. After editing my novel over and over, I'm on the last edit before it's off to publishers. During those five years, I …

Arborg’s Garbage Night – Taking Out the Trash in Your Pajamas

We don't have residential BFI bins. Garbage day four? That doesn't exist in my hometown. We have weekly east and west garbage pick up, and semi-weekly for businesses on Main Street. How quaint. I just drag my garbage bags to the end of the driveway, and - like magic - it's gone by 9 a.m. …

Resolve to Make Goals, Not Resolutions

Let me guess. You promised to hit the gym. Make more time for family. Cut down on wine. Or whining, whatever works. Here's the thing. According to Business Insider, 80 per cent of resolutions fail by February. Saving money? No, you're spending like a bandit. Smoking? Oh, yeah. Like a chimney. At the end of …

“Victim of Crime,” Missing Winnipeg Man Could be in Arborg

The search for a missing Winnipeg man has expanded into Arborg, Manitoba. The Winnipeg Police are asking residents and business owners in the Arborg and surrounding areas to check for signs of Eduardo Balaquit, who is considered to be a "victim of crime." Eduardo "Eddie" Balaquit, 59 years old, disappeared on June 4, 2018. His …

Who Moved my Epic Moment – I Was Ready!

I waited for this moment. Like a giddy child, I waited for this moment for a month. I mean, didn't we all? How often does this happen? Has this ever happened before? Exactly. This was going to be awesome. Huge. Epic. Spectacular! Momentous! I need a life! In anticipation, I cleared my cache, boosted my …

Separation, Divorce, and A Late Night Message – Why, why, why

I was in an awesome mood. A little over a week ago, I went to the Skate Canada Manitoba AGM. Honestly, I was super thrilled about staying in a hotel room. By myself. Solo. As I drove into the parking lot of the hotel, I felt like Hermey from Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Independent. …

Quick, Jump – It’s a Marble in My Nose

It was 1982. In other words, twenty years ago. And I had a relationship with a white marble, which caused my deviated septum. Growing up, I had a lot of toys. Well, not an Easy-Bake-Oven or Snoopy Sno Cone Machine. However, I had the Easy Bake mixes. I used a grown up oven for my …

Owning Your Birthday When You’re Alone

In about eight hours, something different will happen. Not completely different, just different. For the first time in 20 years, I'll be alone on my birthday. I have a ritual where I wake up and yell, "It's my birfday! It's myyyy birfday!" and then I break into song. Thank goodness the neighbours have moved out. …

Remembering Oma’s on Roblin Blvd – Simply the Best

We had to go there. A friend called today. Our conversation was fine until she brought up a painful word. Bakery. Gasp. For ten minutes, we spoke about bakeries. Lovely, sweet bakeries. Filled with gluten. Lots and lots of gluten. Don't offer me a macaroon. Please, I don't want rice flour bread. I want a …

Must Like Unreasonable Heat, Sweating, and Carving Pumpkins

"Dear Tammy, if you're reading this in five years, and you're still at this job ... " That was my diary entry from 2006. At the time, I was less than enchanted with my job. Answering phones for eight hours while sweltering beneath a McDonald's French Fry Grate. I didn't mind answering phones, but that …

Next Time You Pass a Car Wash and You Hear a Beep – It’s Probably Me

To my horror, last night I ran out of coffee. So, I rose with the sun. I accomplished some writing stuff, and then - au natural - I slapped on a houndstooth hat and skipped to Coop. Okay, I drove. Which is the main part of the story. At the till, I chatted with the …

Daylight Saving Time – Why, Why, Why

Yes, again. Daylight Saving Time. When they steal an hour of our sleep. But do we know who "they" are? These magical "theys" who come around twice a year, proclaiming springing forward and falling back is the right thing to do? Changing clocks? Stealing our precious pillow time? Messing with peoples' regular routines? I say we …

We’re Quaint, Not Different – Arborg’s Vibe

A #throwbackthursday repost in honour of Arborg’s distinction as Travel Manitoba’s “5 cute and quaint towns in Manitoba that will inspire your next road trip.”

29 then 40

At first, you don’t notice.

Those quaint little things people do in small towns. They make us unique. Dare I say, cute. Maybe that’s too far. No, I think cute is accurate.
Small towns are underrated. And we’re often stereotyped. Some are true, others aren’t. Actually most aren’t.

Arborg is cool. Maybe it’s our vibe. Or our constant stream of socials and gatherings.

Whether you were raised here, stayed or just visited – you’ve noticed there’s something you can’t put your finger on about us. We’re different without being weird. We’re cool without being cocky. And we’re kind without being fake.

I love Winnipeg. With its history, and the Exchange District. Its downtown, and its Charleswood. But when I returned from Edmonton, I gravitated back home. And home was Arborg.

And some things never change:

1. Our postal code. It’s “R ‘Oh’ C, ‘Oh’ A ‘Oh’ ” because saying “R-zero-C, zero-A-zero is just…

View original post 298 more words

My Separation – It’s an Emotional Roller Coaster

Interesting. It seems people aren't interested in my brownie recipe or my humorous toilet paper horror stories. My keywords indicate they're drawn to "separation" and "divorce." Okay. I'm an open book and fairly transparent. As with anyone, I have my secrets. Sorry to disappoint, but I won't be airing my stuff here. It's a blog. Not …

Searching for a Bride, Years After Her Wedding

I love old photos. Especially when there's a story behind them. But it's sad when you have the photo, and you know there's a story - but you have no clue what it is. When I started college in September 2009, I found myself in the heart of Winnipeg's Exchange District. The downtown Red River …

Just Divorce Yourself – Conquering a Secret Fear

I conquered my fear of the dark! Sort of. A pin on Pinterest stated darkness is merely the absence of light. Sort of how plain rice cakes are the absence of taste. It's logical or illogical. Science over whatever isn't science. Whew, glad I can put that behind me. When I was a broadcaster with …

Brownies with Gluten – I Can’t Eat Them, But You Can

I miss brownies. I mean real brownies. Not the ones that are modified to suit a gluten free diet. Thanks to my DNA - I inherited Celiac disease. I don't eat brownies often, because I can't find a good recipe - and chocolate makes my face breakout. Thanks, rosacea. Geez, I can't catch a break. …

Rebooting the 29 then 40 Journey

Technically, this year it's 29 then 42. Another challenge. To write 42 posts in 42 days. How will these posts differ from when I turned 40? To start, I've made a Facebook page for my 29then40 blog. It's, like, totally free to join! When I turned 40, my posts were reflections. Such as Dear teenage …

To My Gigi Taraschuk – You Died of a Broken Heart

To my Gigi Taraschuk, You left us seven years and three days ago. You died around 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve. On the anniversary this year, I went to the graveyard where you and Baba are buried. I skipped doe-like, as though in a park, but I couldn't find your graves. I did successfully slip …

From Tea Bag to Coffee Factory – The Story of a Teenager’s Caffeinated Paradise

It was hot. Steamy. And smelled ... oh ... that glorious sensory tingling smell. The type that conjured up images of Smurfs and Care Bears. At five years old, I drank tea. And five-year olds have no concept of the term "clear." I preferred mine with cream. Lots of cream. And one lump or two? Oh, …

We’re Quaint, Not Different – Arborg’s Vibe

Small towns are underrated. And we're often stereotyped. Some statements are true, others aren't. Actually most aren't. My hometown of Arborg is quaint and unique. Dare I say, cute. Maybe that's too far. No, I think cute is accurate. Arborg is cool. Maybe it's our vibe. Or our constant stream of socials and gatherings. Whether you were …

Another Year – And Still We Have Daylight Saving Time

Here were go again. Heading off to bed, without knowing what time zone we'll wake-up in. Because it's Daylight Saving Time. Even though we're not saving anything. We lose an hour of sleep. Or are we gaining? I have no clue. I just know twice a year I push or spin the dial on my …

Dusting Off Memories Of A Synchro Competition – A Throwback Thursday

It seems like yesterday. But it was 27 years ago. I'll let that soak in for a moment. The 1990 Interlake Regional *Precision Competition at the Stonewall arena. I remember the weirdest parts of that afternoon. Eating pizza buns at a teammate's house. Her mom driving my teammate (her daughter), my sister, and me to the …

The Land Of Confusion – Why Can’t I Write These Posts

I don't know what's different this year. I can't seem to write for this blog. Maybe the best stories were written. Or I have stories, but I can't share them. Sure, I wrote a post last night. I confessed I think I'm fat. And now people are aware of my insecurities. A round of applause please. I …

A Different Sort Of Hindsight – Another Journey Begins

Here were go again. It's another 40 days until I turn 41 years old. Yet, I don't feel like I'll be 41. I didn't feel 40, nor did I feel 35. How is an age supposed to feel? Warm and fuzzy? Cold and bitter? No idea. Since I've written, a lot has happened. Changed. Stayed …

Snow’s on the Way – My Knees Told Me

I can predict the weather. Seriously. I don’t bother with the five-day forecast. I’ll look at it and scoff. Because my figure skating knees are tell me otherwise. Years of ice cold arenas have left me with a cool ability to be a walking barometer. I knew last Sunday that Wednesday’s heavy snow was on …

Friday Night – And I’m Still At Work

It’s Friday night. When I looked at the weather for tomorrow, I almost said to my husband, “You might not be going into work tomorrow.” I’d better add a calendar to my grownup birthday list. That’s what happens when you work from home. The days mesh into one. I don't have holidays. Well, I do, …

Making Waves in the EMU

I had my second event. I actually said, "Finally" as I entered it. I lost consciousness for the first time since 1991 - my first seizure. When I came to, my day nurse and my husband were by my side. They are putting me back on my regular dose. Tonight, I'm so weak my husband …

Welcome to Canada – Springing ahead since 1916

Here we are. Daylight Saving. Where everyone – minus Saskatchewan and other parts of Canada and the modern world – will turn their clocks ahead one hour for some archaic reason. The idea of Daylight Saving came about in 1895. And the idea was first implemented on April 30, 1916. Winnipeg, Manitoba jumped on board …

Pack Up, Class of 1994 – You’re Retiring in Arborg

It’s an idyllic thought. The other night, retirement came up when I was messaging a friend. I giggled when I went to bed. Because wouldn't it be awesome if the entire Class of 1994 returned to our small town Manitoba roots to retire? Back to the Town of Arborg? So, I propose, when we’re all …

From Small Town to Big City to Small Town – Why I Returned

It’s a question people still ask. “So, why’d you move home?” I returned to my hometown of Arborg, Manitoba in October 2014. It seems bizarre. After all, I fought for 13 years to get into Creative Communications at Red River College, then I was a broadcaster and figure skating journalist in Alberta for two years. …