I should probably blog this before too much time goes by and it’s really old news. This week has been crazy at work, followed by nights out, so I’ve had zero time to post the pictures from our date night on Grouse Mountain this past Saturday.

I took my time to get ready before heading out to the North of Vancouver. It wasn’t very cold at the bottom of the mountain, but I had my scarf and coat and gloves all ready to go. The ride up the gondola was fun. It was pretty empty and we were able to see the city until about half way up the mountain before reaching the clouds.

The glow of light pollution.

We went to Altitudes Bistro at the top, which of course was socked in with clouds. But that’s OK. The view would have been amazing had we been able to see it, but I knew we would be back eventually so I wasn’t too worried about it.

Our plan was to order a couple appies to share and then a small meal for dinner. Given that it was a Bistro, there were a couple soups, salads, wraps, and burger choices that looked good.

The friggin Grizzly Beer.

First off, I must point out that I am the kind of person who doesn’t actually READ anything, I just skim it. This means that I miss a lot of important information and end up looking like an idiot most of the time. Saturday night was a perfect example.

While looking through the cocktail menu I came across a drink that caught my eye. What caught my eye was that it said ‘Jack Daniels and Lemonade’. Now, there is this drink at Memphis Blues that is Jack Daniels mixed with Lemonade and I absolutely adore it, so instead of reading the whole drink, I just assumed it must be the same thing and immediately decided that I was going to order it. So the waiter comes and I order my Grizzly BEAR (because that’s what I read) and he gives me a look and then I guess realizes what I have said and goes to get me my drink. It comes in a big beer glass, with no straw, and nothing that would make it appear to be a girly cocktail. I take a sip, it’s good, but it tastes like beer. I mention this to Chad and he looks at me funny and says ‘that’s because it is beer’. Umm what!? I grab the menu again and FULLY read over the description, WHISTLER LAGER (ie BEER) topped with Jack Daniels, Lemonade, and Ginger Ale. Well, I wasn’t expecting that.

Dammit Danielle, why do you always do this?

It was good, filling, but good. Totally wasn’t expecting to get a beer, but rather a girly drink to match my girly date outfit but OH WELL. It’s my own fault.

To add insult to ingury, it wasn’t until I uploaded these picture to flickr that I realized the drink was called a Grizzly BEER and not a Grizzly BEAR. OMG DANIELLE!

Our first item off the menu was the Chicken Drumettes in Buffalo sauce with Blue Cheese. I can’t handle hot, but these were damn tasty.

Second off the menu was the Cajun Gaufrettes. Chad and I couldn’t figure out what the hell they were from the description on the menu, but we asked and they told and we ordered. They came with 3 different dipping sauces. So good. We basically filled up on them (and our beers) and had no room left for anything else. So much for dinner!

After the foods we headed outside to see what was going on. It was pretty much just a lot of cloud and a lot of people leaving the mountain. The ice rink was closed and we really couldn’t see anything else so we headed back inside instead of waiting in the cold for the next Gondola.

There was a wedding going on in the Timber room, Kim and Sarah. From the names I guessed Lesbians, but then Chad said that Kim could go both ways, which was news to me. They had a picture of the couple there and Sarah definitely looked like a girl, but Kim could have really gone either way. It was really weird because I couldn’t tell if it was a girl or a guy. Either way, the wedding looked cute. They had a little photography area set up and disco lights going on.

The Gondola was PACKED on the way down. Everyone was coming down off the mountain. The kids beside us were talking about this cool song they heard, ‘Sandstorm’, and how they can’t do their homework unless they are listening to it. Chad and I laughed to ourselves. Oh to be young again.

Over all it was a sucessful date. I can’t wait to go back on a clear night for drinks and appies with friends. I just love the atmosphere on Grouse Mountain!

Wow. Ok, so this week is 10 times busier then I thought it was going to be. I’m going to have to work late every night, so it’s probably a good thing Chad isn’t home and I don’t have to rush to make dinner.

Good things that happened today.

• Got a free watch from work
• Got a free wallet from work
• Might have the opportunity to buy many more pairs of Denim Leggings
• The sun came out for 15 minutes
• I get to eat Greek food for dinner
• There are only 3 more days until Chad comes home

Ok. Back to the grind.

Go look at me in cute outfits instead. Ha.

My wino of a husband flew off to Ottawa this morning, but not before accidentally dumping the contents of his nicely packed suitcase all over the floor, causing me to get up much earlier then usual to re-pack the whole thing. Nice going Chad. I think he was actually trying to be sweet and move the suitcase into the hallway so that he wouldn’t have to turn the light on in the bedroom, but his plan failed.

So with Chad in Ottawa, I will do what I always do. Pack my days and nights full of activities so that the days go by fast and he comes home sooner, because you know I can not handle sleeping alone for days on end. I need someone to protect me. Luckily he has quit Strata, so I shouldn’t get any weird calls or door knocks while he is gone. Thank GOD for that.

We talked about his work schedule during the Olympics the other night. 12 hour shifts, 2 days, 2 nights, 2 off, and repeat. This means no two days will be the same, and even on days where he will be ‘around’ he really won’t. Sleeping and eating will be all out of wack, not to mention the days he has to spend on the cruise ship. I can’t actually wrap my head around how this will all work. Am I suppose to make him a dinner and leave it there for when he comes home? Will there be any days when we can run errands? Will our time together just be him sleeping in the bedroom and me watching TV in the living room? I really don’t know what to think of it all. It’s going to be crazy. Maybe I think its going to be worse then it is, or maybe it is going to be as bad as I think.

Think how boring our lives will be once the Olympics are over…

It’s not raining, which is good. But the washing machine is broken, which is bad. I have three loads waiting to go, but I have to share the washing machine on the 1st floor. This does not look good at all. Chad leaves for Ottawa on Monday and will have no clothes to wear. Really not good. We are going to be out all day tomorrow. Really really not good. Hummm. Maybe I should go to my Moms…

As much as I adore our little apartment, I can’t wait to have my OWN laundry room, and my OWN craft room, and STORAGE, that would also be nice. No place to hand wash things and hang them up to dry. Always waiting for use of the machines. It sucks.

I have to figure out what to wear and how to do my hair for tonight. It’s date night and we are going to Grouse Mountain for dinner. SO looking forward to it. Chad got a seasons pass to ride the gondola since he does the Grind so often in the Summer, and with the pass you get a bunch of bonus stuff, like 50% gondola passes for 4 friends each time you go up, which saves you a lot of money. So it will only cost us 20 bucks to go up and then whatever we spend at the restaurant. I have wanted to do this since Chad got his pass, and I’m glad the time has finally come! If the rain holds out for tonight then it will be perfect!

Well, my feet are cold, despite it being so ‘warm’ outside, so I should go put some socks on. And just because I can’t wash any clothes doesn’t mean I should slack on the other chores.

Onions and Perogies for lunch I think.

I really need to learn that getting out of bed at 8:02 am will not allow me to get to work by 8:30 while looking fashionable and put together, no matter how well I plan the night before.

Today has been me running around everywhere, answering 20 times more emails then usual and avoiding disaster at every turn.

My bangs are sticking out of my head like an explosion and my white shirt looks filthy (though none of this will be reflected in my 365 picture).

Bahh. I have no more time. Instead, why doesn’t you Wikipedia something and tell me about it? I Wikipediaed the difference between S.C. Johnson and Johnson & Johnson at lunch today. Very interesting stuff.

What would you do if your name contained both the words ‘WOOD’ and ‘JOHNSON’?

Today is Janurary 6th, which also means it is the Epiphany, which also means that Italians get to celebrate La Befana!

 Christian legend had it that Befanawas approached by the biblical magi, (as we all known as the Three Wise Men or the three kings) a few days before the birth of the Infant Jesus. They asked for directions to where the Son of Godwas, as they had seen his star in the sky, but she did not know. She provided them withshelter for a night, as she was considered the best housekeeper in the village, withthe most pleasant home. The magi invited her to join them on the journey to find the baby Jesus, but she declined, stating she was too busy with her housework. Later, La Befana had a change of heart, and tried to search out the astrologers and Jesus. That night she was not able to find them, so to this day, La Befana is searching for the little baby. She leaves all the good children toys and candy (“caramelle”) or fruit, while the bad children get coal (“carbone”), onions or garlic.^[3]

As kids La Befana use to bring us stuff, but I guess now since I’m married that doesn’t happen any more. LAME! On Sunday the Italian group we are all involved in celebrates La Befana with all the little kids of the members.

 So in celebration of La Befana, I thought I would post some pictures from our New Years Eve festivities.

Just a quiet night out in South Surrey at Steve and Ashleighs place.

Steve was the bartender for the eveing and bought 16 Red Bulls for the occasion.

Our first shot of the evening. A little Fireball. I thought it might clear out my sinus’. WRONG.

I really thought this would be the magic medicine. I mean it is produced by a Doctor!

Discussing the health benefits.

The WHITE boys in the Kitchen.

We lost Ryan for a minute. He blended into the walls so well.

Demis, Hoda, and Candice joined us later in the evening.

MEN

My drug of choice. After one shot and one cooler I felt like crap thanks to my head cold. The Ashleigh fed me some Advil Cold & Sinus and a glass of water and I was right as rain. Couldn’t drink anymore, but I felt way better.

Demis is such a classy man, considering he Pile Drives his cat into the couch.

Something weird is going on here.

Oh wait, it’s not weird, Steves just getting drunk!

The “Steve Tang Hang”.

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!! I think the count was off by a minute.

Dario trying out Steves massage chair. That thing hurts like a bitch if you have a boney back. I can attest to it.

Steve and Ashleigh setting up Wii Fit for us.

No one could beat Steves Wii Hoola Hoop Score. 301!

Chad sucked at everything. Mainly because it didn’t involve shooting, war, or death.

Over all it was a great night! Hanging out with friends in a casual atmosphere is my kind of party. It just sucked big time that I was sick and couldn’t fully enjoy myself. I was dead by 2 and pulled the shoot shortly after that.

My cold sore has slightly gone away. All thats left is redness and scabs. Gross I know. Because it is right under my nose it kind of makes me look like Hilter. Especially with my side part. I really REALLY hope it heals up for the weekend. I don’t want to go on a date with my red Hilter nose. Le sigh.

It would have made sense if I had posted this on Jan 1, but with me being sick, and slow in general, I didn’t. MY BAD!

So YES, the fashion blog is UP and RUNNING!

I was very self conscious about it at first, given the pressure I was putting on myself, but now I think I have settled in and am having fun with it!

If you want to read what it is about you can do so here.

If you want to see what I have posted you can do so here.

If you want to link me on your blog I would love you forever and ever.

This project is kind of big for me, and I think it is going to do a lot of good for me.

I am excited!

Love!