Well, well, well. What can I say? As a Canadian, it can officially be said that my people RULE at hockey! Olympic gold for the woman AND for the men? Wow. Of course I’d love to rub it in, but since we Canadians are polite and well mannered, I’ll just let that opportunity pass in favour of saying that yesterday’s game was great. Very close, very tense, and really exciting to watch (love you Sidney Crosby)!

But what gets me every time is when the camera pans over to the loosing team – whoever it might be, and in whatever sport – and you see their sad, disappointed faces. Of course it breaks my heart and I start to tear up right along with them. Damn my sensitive side!

But now it’s all over. Over! What will we watch on TV tonight? What will we talk about in the elevator and around the water cooler at work every day? The Olympics were a real family viewing event in our Living Room every evening and I’m going to miss it.

I am, however, going to continue to wear my red mittens.  DON’T try to stop me!

Will you be missing the Olympics tonight or are you glad it’s done with?  Do you wish you had a pair of Canadian red mittens like I do?  Have you been recently overcome with the desire to take up an obscure and dangerous winter sport?  Do you find yourself appreciating full length spandex body suits more than you did 2 weeks ago?  Do you frequently find yourself shouting “HARD” in inappropriate places or at inappropriate times?

Leave it for me in the comments.  I’ll read it later when I’m back from Speed Skating practice.  Look out 2014 – here I come!

Well, well, well . . . all you Readers might be really good at reading blogs and writing blogs, and leaving witty comments, but it appears that you all SUCK in the technical blog design department.  Most specifically, the correction of disappearing sidebars.  Not one of you could come up with a solution to my problem (this one here).  Very, very disappointing.  Apparently you only specialize in the Funny.

But in a moment of clarity, I had an idea.  I had seen the same blog design firm’s button on several of the sites I read, so I fired off an email to Bloggy Blog Designz describing my rather unpleasant sidebar situation.

And what to my wondering eyes should appear only a few hours later????

A very delightful email back from the very knowledgeable Jenna describing what she thinks the problem might be and how to fix it.

And she was bang on!  Bang on I tell you!

And since I now know that none of you are very technical, I’m going to grab this opportunity to  make myself sound much more brilliant than I really am.  Ready?

You see, it turns out the problem was the result of an open <div> tag in the html of a post I did a week ago.  Actually (more impressive techy talk coming . . . ) the open tag was embedded in the poll plugin I used.  ha ha ha!  Can you believe that?!  An silly old open tag!  Who knew!

As promised, I gave the solver of the problem her choice of prizes from my list.  And she’s going with “a shout out and link on my soon-to-be-fixed sidebar for a week”.

So that’s where you will find Bloggy Blog Designz for the next 7 days.  Over there, on the upper right of my page.  Just click her button to get to her site.  Give her a visit, check her out.  Treat yourself to a little somethin’ somethin’.

I, on the other hand, am going to sleep like a baby tonight knowing that all is right with The Only Girl again.  Thanks for nothin’ Bloggies.

Okay.  Now I’ve really done it.  I’ve broken my blog.  I don’t know how and I don’t know when, but it’s definitely broken.

When you land on www.TheOnlyGirl.com or click on “Home” across the top of my page, you will notice that my sidebar disappears from the right side of my screen and jumps down, way, way down, to the very bottom of the page.  And YET!  If you click on any of the other pages across the top (Meet Me, Email Me, etc.) or on a specific blog post, you will see that the sidebar comes back to the right side where it belongs.

But why is it hiding on my “Home” page???  Why oh WHYYYYYY?  (shakes fist to the heavens in sheer and utter frustration)

I’m reasonably technical – like maybe a 7 out of 10 – but this one has me stumped and I’ve spent far too much time trying to figure it out.  So I’m putting out a proposal to all you clever Bloggies.  Desperate times call for desperate measures.

If you can solve my problem, or at least refer me to someone you know that can, I’m willing to offer up a reward.  You can have your choice of any one of the following;

• a shout out and link on my soon-to-be-fixed sidebar for a week
• full use of our backyard ice rink for the remainder of the winter
• 5″ x 7″ colour picture of me and my Haley Ga
• a blog award to display anyway you please
• loan of my pink feather boa for the month of March
• my ticket to the Olympics Closing Ceremony

(okay, maybe I’m lying about the last one, but all the others are for real)

Okay – I’m waiting.  I’ll be checking my email all day.  Help me.  Puh-leeze.  I’m begging you.  Begging.  Can’t you hear my desperation?

Fun things first . . . time to announce the 2 winners of Monday’s Canadian Olympic Prize Packs.

• First was my sistah Monique from Surferwife!  Woo Hoo!  How much do I love that she won?!?!?!  Lots.  That’s how much.

• And second was my girl Foxy from The Fox Den!  Another awesome long time Only Girl favourite.

(I’m happy to show you the screen shots from www.random.org if you’re really that anal)

Both girls were uber excited and I expected to be thanked with pictures of them in their gear, raising a beer to the Canadian Men’s Hockey Team when they kick some serious Olympic ass.  Although if it comes down to a Canada vs USA final we might have problem of patriotic loyalty.  Ha ha!  Who am I kidding . . . USA won’t be in the finals! (kidding. just kidding. settle down you Americans)

Anyway girls, your gear is already on it’s way.  Be sure to let me know when it arrives so I can ensure the Post Office didn’t rip me off for those crazy shipping costs know that you got it.

———————————————————————————————————————–

Okay Bloggers – time for a poll.  Why?  Because I’m nosy and want the answer to a burning question.

That question being . . . on average, how long does it take you to compose a blog post?

And I mean “on average”.  Oh sure, Wordless Wednesdays are a piece of cake.  You can slap one of those babies off in a matter of minutes.  But I’m talking here of your usual, every day, average kind of post.  Because I’m beginning to wonder about myself.  I think I spend far too long composing.  Which I don’t so much mind, because I do enjoy the “writing” part of the blogging.  And frankly – good thing!  Otherwise, what would be the point?  But I think I’m spending too much time on it.

Typically, I’ll hammer something out quickly in “draft” mode.  Then I’ll go back to it later that day and re-read it to edit, expand, fix grammar, embellish, etc.  Then once I’m satisfied, I’ll schedule it for posting.  I’m not going to tell you exactly how much time I spend until you all take the poll.  Because I’m quite sure I’ll embarrass myself.  But I have realized lately that I need to step it up a bit.  To challenge myself to get faster at the whole process.  Granted, you can’t rush perfection . . . but then again we’re not dealing with perfection here, are we?  Are we?  Hello?

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The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic games are starting soon.  This Friday actually.  And although I’m in Ontario and they are taking place on the opposite side on the country in British Columbia, it’s still in MY country nevertheless.  And I’ll tell you, we’re all full of pride and excitement.  And hope.

Hope that we win lots of medals.  Hope that we kick ass in hockey.  Hope that there’s enough snow on the ski slopes (which is proving to be a very valid concern).  Hope that something disastrous doesn’t happen.  Hope that – for God’s sake – Canada doesn’t screw it up.  Because as capable as we Canadians are, we do suffer from a certain lack of self-confidence.

But this Friday, once that Olympic cauldron is lit, there will be no looking back.  The event we’ve been planning for so long, will finally be here.

In preparation, the Olympic Torch Relay has been underway since October 30/09 when it arrived in Victoria, BC.  Since then, it has been all over the country.  Literally.  By the time the Opening Ceremonies begin;

• the relay will have spanned 106 days
• 90 per cent of Canada’s population was within a one-hour drive of experiencing the Olympic Flame
• it will have traveled over 45,000 kilometers (28,000 miles)
• 12,000 people will have had the honour of being an Olympic Torchbearer

The torch did pass directly through The Only Girl’s town back in mid-December.  Unfortunately at about 6am.  And oddly enough I was fast asleep at the time and failed to catch a glimpse.

But this Friday I will don my red Olympic mittens (which are the hottest trend in Canadian fashion right now because almost everyone is wearing them around here) sit in front of the TV, and watch as my country puts on it’s fanciest party dress and plays host to the World.

With my fingers crossed.

I hope you’ll join us.

Are you planning on watching The Games?  If so, which events are you interested in seeing?

Item #1

In spite of my complete indifference to Twitter (remember this post?) I have now signed up.  Yes, that’s right – I caved . . . but allow me to explain.  I will NOT be tweeting my day to day boring life.  No – that would be far too painful for all of us.  I have set it up to automatically tweet my blog posts because, as the awesome Surferwife explained to me, some people follow their favorite blogs in a Reader (one central place to follow all your favourite blogs at the same time without have to click all around the Internet going from site to site.  Great if you follow more than 5 sites per day), but many others follow them via Twitter.  And since I’m all about the convenience, I’m just trying to help you Twitter-ers/Twits (?) out.  You can find me at TheOnlyGirlCher.  Tweet!

Item #2

Okay people – I’m only going to say this once.

TAKE DOWN YOUR GOD DAMN OUTSIDE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS!

It’s the end of January.  Christmas is over.  Garland and red bows are no longer acceptable.  Neither are reindeer on your front lawn or having your Christmas lights on.  I don’t care what you got going on inside your house, but the outside does concern me.

The only exemption I’m giving is to those of you who have gone through much effort to install strings of lights at great heights.  Of course these are not easy to remove and may be left in place till next year as long as they are not turned on.

Okay?  Nuff said.

Item #3

Scoman did a whole spoof on the old “What shall we do with a drunken sailor” tune the other day, but to you I ask “What shall I do with a cheeky misbehaving 6 year old?”

Honestly.  I’m at the end of my rope.  I don’t know where he gets his defiance or his cheek.  His older brother has never had either.  Which is probably why it’s so frustrating to be dealing with now.  Well, that, and the fact that he has a face like an angel that just doesn’t seem to mesh with his devil personality that pops out more and more frequently.

If you have any discipline ideas that actually work for you – PUHLEEZE – and I’m begging here – share them with me.  I’m at my wits end and am considering moving out.  If we don’t get his behaviour in check now . . . his teen years will surely kill me.

Okay.  That’s all for today.  I have a special posting surprise for tomorrow that I’m uber excited about . . . no hints.  You’ll just have to wait.

Today we will continue with pictures from my recent Mexican vacation.  No, not pictures of me frolicking on the beach or Willie after doing a few Tequila poppers.  No one should have to see either of those.  No, today I will be featuring interesting things I saw on our travels.

Let’s start with the reason you should always have someone help you put sunscreen on your back.  You just can’t get it all yourself.

Or the crabbiest dessert I saw all week.

I did feel very safe at our resort.  They had a 360 degree Mexican surveillance system in place at all times.  Look closer.  There.  Up on the roof . . .

Those guys really kept an eye on things.

Apparently this pattern was really popular in the swim suit industry this year.

In fact I think these girls were surprised to see that even guys were wearing it.

And here’s my favourite sign.  I always thought “never give up” was about determination, but I’m really glad to know that it’s actually about shopping.

Okay.  That’s it for the vacation pictures.  Tomorrow we will return to regular posts.  And hopefully regular bowel movements too.

Okay -  I’m back from my vacation.  I’m tanned and I’m relaxed.  And yes, my Mexican Lover satisfied me all week the way no other can.

We had a really great time.  Especially the boys who made many friends, and never sat still.  Whatever energy was sucked out of Willie and I while we lazily sprawled on our loungers was clearly transferred to them.  Water polo, beach volleyball, hide & seek, beach soccer, tennis, swimming, mini disco . . . I was exhausted just watching them.

But the vacation is officially over and both work and school resume today.  Sucks.  And if I never hear another baby screaming on an airplane, it will be too soon.

I considered posting a detailed account of our week, complete with dozens of pictures, but really, who cares.  Instead, I took a few pictures you might actually find entertaining.  You see, when Willie and I go away, we like to give other people at our resort nicknames.  Maybe they remind us of someone back home, or a celebrity, or they have a particularly distinguishing factor.

Like for instance this young guy – who we secretly called “Bad Idea” all week.

Or this lady, who was bestowed with the name “Carrot Top” – for obvious reasons.

Then there was the Mexican Taylor Lautner.

And this guy – known as “The Hunter” because we never saw his full face the entire week.  It was always hidden behind his camera which was pointed at his children.  I’m pretty sure he didn’t see any of his vacation through his own two eyes.  In this picture, The Hunter becomes The Hunted.

Next we have this guy.  We called him “Book”.  Not sure exactly what his tattoo said.  I’m thinking it’s either something very ancient and deep, or a quote from “Twilight”.

And of course “Juan Valdez”, the coffee guy (minus his donkey in this particular shot).

Then there was this couple.  We decided to call them “The Twins”.  I can’t help but wonder how much convincing it took for him to wear that outfit.  Or maybe it was her that needed the convincing.  But I do know that someone wasn’t thinking straight or had too many Tequilas.

Okay that’s it for today (oh, and my apologies to those pictured in this post – no harm intended).  My poor overflowing Reader desperately needs some attention.  Apparently I was the only one that took a vacation last week.  The rest of you just kept posting.

Tomorrow I will be featuring a few other pictures.  Hope you’ll join me.

Which of my fellow-vacationers is your fav?

Sorry, but I’m  not posting today.

But if I were, it would be my 100th (wow – 100 already?).   But I’m not.

Seems I have a bad case of indigestion.  In fact I’ve been awake with it all night.  I think it might be from eating all that horrible Humble Pie yesterday that the USA Junior Hockey Team served up to me and my Canadian boys on Tuesday night in the World Junior Hockey Championship.

The final gold medal game went to overtime after it ended in a 5-5 tie.  But the U.S. beat us to the punch and got the winning goal.  Dang!  That would have been our 6th gold medal in a row!  Sads.

But being the good sport that I am, I will humbly offer up my congratulations to my U.S. friends.  And I will look forward to next year.  When we redeem ourselves.

Posting to resume on Friday when, hopefully, I’m finished licking my wounds.

Maybe I’ll even do something a little different for tomorrow.  Since it’ll be post #101 in 2010.  That’s three 0’s, three 1’s and one 2.  And that’s kinda weird.  Yes.  Something different.  Okay.  See you then?

I think this just might be the best Christmas card I’ve ever received (thanks Elle!), so I’m passing it on to you!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Enjoy the break.  Enjoy your family and friends.  Enjoy the food and the drink.

And be sure to take a moment during the craziness to be thankful for it all.

I’ll be posting sporadically over the next week and a half because I’m on vacation with ma boyz.  A situation that will no doubt produce some good blog fodder.

I leave you with this year’s Santa picture.  Need I say more?

mwah!