So I have to say that this week has been super busy and quite draining, and it's only Wednesday!! I am done at the school for the week though because we have a conference the next two days. I wish I could say I had a four day weekend but I don't. Time sure flies when there are so many three day weeks but there is too much to get done in these short weeks.
Weekends are so busy too. Last weekend we were out in Calgary with the whole family and that was sure fun. I love my family and I love my nieces! Those girls are so much fun and I just can't imagine loving my kids even more. I would do anything for those girls. I just wish they lived closer. This weekend we are at the Kramer/Shakotko wedding and I am so excited for their wedding. I know both bride and groom and will be sitting at the guestbook table so it will be very fun.
But after this weekend, we are staying home for a bit. It's just been too busy and too much running around/travelling. It tires a person out. But I am going to head out and try to get to bed early tonight. That's what's been happening.
Stupid Busy Week!
on Wednesday, October 21, 2009Brad: Products That Work - Special Blend
on Thursday, October 15, 2009
It's time for another post committed to helping you buy products that do what they say, products that actually work!
This time i'm featuring an entire brand - Special Blend.
I purchased a Special Blend hoodie at a board store in Swift Current in Grade 12. I went into the store wanting to buy something to help make me more cool. I had a job, and I had some money, I had everything I needed to buy one. I walked into the store feeling awkward and out of my element. I randomly picked a plain sweater, nothing fancy, but it felt warm. It was blue with red and white font. There were no fancy designs on it, no skulls, nothing, just a plain old bunny hug. I then looked at the price tag...$120. Dang. Maybe not right now is what I thought, I couldn't justify that kind of spending on a sweater. I walked out of the store and, when I got to my truck, had a change of heart and went back into the store to buy it.
What a good decision that turned out to be.
I still have this bunny hug 8 years later. It has some signs of wear, the colours have faded a bit, and the fabric is starting to separate at the edges. In my opinion it is surprisingly little wear and tear for an 8 year old bunny hug that i've used a TON. It is quite frankly the warmest hoodie i've ever owned and is my go to sweater any time it's cold outside and i'm going to the outdoor rinks, ski-dooing, etc.
There are two problems with Special Blend. Problem 1 - it is expensive. Since 2002 they have expanded their line to include some lesser made items, ones that aren't as thick and solid as mine. But, a good quality SB hoodie is still going to run a guy around $100. Problem 2 - it is extremely hard to find. I have looked for Special Blend retailers for the past 6 months and have not found a single one. They have lots of products online, but I like trying things on before I buy them and that's not an option online.
The long and short of this post is that if you ever see SB gear, and have the opportunity to purchase it, do it no matter the price! It will be one of the best clothing investments you will ever make!
bjtb
Brad: Whose Line Is It Anyway Skit
on Friday, October 9, 2009Probably the best skit ever...I wish this show were still on air. Good luck not laughing during this:
Now, for your enjoyment and mine, here is a sweet video from the Price Is Right...from the opening line to the stellar background music, this is pretty sweet...
Well it's back to the blog after a week of pure illness. I have been sick all week, since Monday morning, and am just now starting to feel better. I missed 4 days of work this week as I was simply too tired, fatigued, and dizzy to go to work. It's been a rough week in the 'ole health department.
I'm looking forward to this weekend. Some of the in-laws are down for the weekend, and we have our Holderbein gathering on Sunday, which is always an awesome time. On Monday afternoon I have to work the Broncos game running the coaches/webcam camcorder. It's a fun thing to do that pays a little bit of side money into my pocket. Erin and I have just been putting it away as a vacation fund, so hopefully we can go somewhere warm this winter!
NHL hockey is back and i'm super pumped about that. It is going to be a sweet season. There seems to have been a ton of off-season changes throughout the league. It is still weird seeing Bouwmeester in Calgary, Cammalleri in Montreal, Khabibulin in Edmonton, etc. I watched the Phoenix/Penguins game the other night and was impressed with the Coyotes style of play - tremendously boring but very effective. Anyway, I think the Canucks will be the best Canadian team and I think the Pneguins, Blackhawks, Sharks, and Bruins will all be entertaining teams to watch and may have a shot. Funny how the Sharks look good on paper every year and tank in the playoffs.
Anyway, that's all for now. Will try to keep the posting more updated now that i'm well enough to be back to somewhat normal health.
Go Pens Go!
bjtb
Brad: My Problem with Big City Radio
on Sunday, September 27, 2009Erin and I drove home from Saskatoon today. I purchased the new Pillar CD, a christian rock band, but wanted to utilize the radio while we were in range, then play the CD when we weren't in range the rest of the way to Swift. Erin and I put the radio on C95, Saskatoon's "#1 Hit Music Station" and drove, and drove, and drove listening to commercial after commercial after commercial. From Saskatoon to 5 minutes on the Swift Current side of Delisle (about 25 minutes outside of Saskatoon) we did not hear a single music note played with the exception of the jingles in a small variety of commercials. We must have heard the Tim Horton's smile cookie commercial 6 or 7 times in that 25 minute span. I've never heard such a consecutive streak of advertising.
That's my rant, moving on...
Saskatoon was good this weekend. Erin and I spent the better part of Saturday shopping for clothes, bedding, and vehicles. I bought two new shirts for work and we bought new sheets for our bed. We were unable to find a bed-in-a-bag set that we liked but ended up with nice new sheets.
We test drove a good chunk of vehicles on Saturday. We took a friend of mines Toyota 4 Runner for the entire day. We also drove two Nissan Muranos, a Subaru Tribeca, and a Toyota Rav 4. While we haven't decided entirely on what we're going to buy it is becoming harder and harder to ignore the ridiculous quality that Toyotas are made of. There is a fairly good chance that we will be the happy new owners of a Toyota vehicle in the not-too-distant future. Muranos were very impressive as well and are still on the top of our list. The purchase of a non-domestic vehicle would be a first for me as i've only ever driven a Ford product, I guess we'll see how it goes.
Back to work tomorrow!
bjtb
Brad: Finally, An Update!!
on Thursday, September 24, 2009
So the 'ole blog has been pretty neglected over the summer. We have lived a busy life in the summer months between trips, weddings, and a variety of other happenings it feels like the past couple of months have flown by.
I used to update our blog on my lunch break, however, since we sold Erin's car I have been walking home for lunch, quickly making a meal, then walking back. Once we purchase a new vehicle I will hopefully be more committed to updated this blog and keeping you informed.
Onto the vehicle topic...We're heading up to Saskatoon to vehicle shop and are still contemplating what to buy. One of our options is a Toyota 4 Runner (pictured) - great SUV on a truck frame, very durable, solid quality, ample space, but poor fuel economy and a high price to pay. I guess we will take a few vehicles for a rip and see what we like!
No, we still have not purchased a house despite beginning our search back in February. It seems like any houses we find that look nice on the outside are waste on the inside, and any that we like are far too high in price. A 30 year old house that still needs $30,000 in updates selling for $275,000 is ludacris; having to spend $400,000 to build new is even worse. I was anticipating prices coming down but am now not so confident.
We also are now the proud owners of a Serta king size bed. We just picked it up today and will get to try it out for our first sleep tonight - pretty exciting actually. Our old queen matress, which was 5.5 years old, had about an inch and a half sag in the middle and we were fortunate enough to receive a warranty claim on it. We decided to pay a little extra and upgrade to a king bed. Wow are they huge.
I am heavily anticipating the upcoming NHL season that starts in October. I am anxious to see how the Penguins respond to their memorable Stanley Cup championship last year. I sincerely hope that they do not follow the usual path of missing the playoffs the year after winning the cup. I am also eager to watch the Edmonton Oilers season unfold. They have a new look, behind the bench too, and it should be an interesting year for them. My prediction is too many small youngsters up front to be durable enough throughout the season. Only time will tell.
And a big shout out to Michael Scissons. Mike is probably the most loyal reader of this blog and is more than deserving of a shout out. In fact, I think in the near future i'm going to have to post an 'all about Mike' post talking about our friendship and how we've gotten to know each other...stay tuned for that!
ta ta for now.
bjtb
