Tuesday, December 29, 2009

I Learned a Few Things Today

Every day business owner's face potential clients who try to de-value their work.  These potential clients, while often well-meaning, haggle for a deal, and ask for products or services for free, or at a reduced rate, that most business owner's used as method's for becoming successful.   

As a Wedding Planner I run into this issue all the time, as do Photographers, Florists, Videographers, DJ's and Caterers.  These potential clients are understandably trying to save some money while planning an event in their lives that does often cost, at least here in San Diego, upwards of $25,000 on average.  I believe that many of us do our best to satisfy our customer's and try, to some extent, to compromise our prices, cut corner's and bend over backwards all in the name of pleasing these clients.  But I have to wonder... what service are we doing ourselves by allowing people to de-value our work?  I'm guessing very little.  I think this video says it all! 

Just to keep a light spin on it all, though, I heard something that made me laugh today:
"If your clients aren't complaining about your prices, you aren't charging enough".

Monday, December 28, 2009

My New Years Resolution

This year I'm making one simple resolution: put all planned events, no matter how small, into my BlackBerry calendar so that I'm more productive each day.  I've started early.  I've made a a recurring appointment to plan the weeks menu each Sunday evening and to purchase ingredients for said menu each Monday afternoon.  I have made weekly appointments to write a blog for my Wedding Planning company, Weddings Made Splendid (three times a week - a fairly lofty goal).  I've even made appointments to go running every Monday, Wednesday and Friday so that I stop booking coffee dates during my exercise plans.  So far, I'm finding success, except for running this morning - instead I went to the Chiropractor so that it doesn't hurt when I do run.

Anyway, nothing funny, or amazing, or sad in this blog.  Just had to share my New Years Resolution achievements... before I even reach the New Year.  Wish me luck on continuing on the right track...

Monday, December 14, 2009

You May Live in Canada...

Most American's I meet these days ask me "Are you Canadian"?  Apparently even after 3 years here my accent isn't quite gone (though I'm told my husband's is stronger than mine and he's been here 8 years!).  So, I thought it would be fun to post these "You may live in Canada" shorts.  They made me laugh.  Enjoy!

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through May...
You may live in Canada.

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there...
You may live in Canada.

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time...
You may live in Canada.

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number...
You may live in Canada.

If 'Vacation' means going anywhere south of Detroit for the weekend...
You may live in Canada.

If you measure distance in hours...
You may live in Canada.

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once...
You may live in Canada.

If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day and back again...
You may live in Canada.

If you can drive 90 km/hr (that's 56 mph) through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching...
You may live in Canada.

If you install security lights on your house and garage but leave both unlocked...
You may live in Canada.

If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them...
You may live in Canada.

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit...
You may live in Canada.

If the speed limit on the highway is 80 km (50 mph) -- you're going 95 (60 mph) and everybody is passing you...
You may live in Canada.

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow...
You may live in Canada.

If you know all 4 seasons as: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Road Construction...
You may live in Canada.

If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car...
You may live in Canada.

If you find -2C (29F) degrees 'a little chilly'...
You may live in Canada.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Robyn and Kevin's Visit

It's been a busy  month here in the Schmaltz house.  For a week in mid-November my girlfriend Heidi, her husband Brett, and their one year old son, Adam, came for a visit.  Their visit went by very quickly and unfortunately no one took any pictures...

However, just four short days later my girlfriend Robyn and her husband Kevin came to visit us for a week over the Thanksgiving Holiday.  However, I wasn't quite done my wedding season.  As soon as the two of them landed in San Diego, Kevin for the first time, I whisked them off to a brief lunch followed by a wedding rehearsal. 

On Thanksgiving morning I ran the Father Joe's annual Thanksgiving 5K run/walk to raise money for meals for San Diego's hungry.  I raised around $250 and got some exercise... so important on one of the biggest "foodie" days of the year.  Alan cooked a wonderful dinner and we were good American's - we ate ourselves silly!

On Friday Robyn and I worked a wonderful wedding at Balboa Park while the boys went golfing and the dog went to the Spa.  We avoided the malls as if they had the plague... no sense in taking part in the madness that is Black Friday.  However, we weren't able to hold out long.  Saturday we partook in the amazing post-Thanksgiving sales up at the outlet mall in Carlsbad.  Thank you, Michael Kors, for such beautiful bags.  I hope you enjoy your holidays.

On Sunday we found ourselves paragliding... well... some of us.  I'll pause here and let you take in the pictures from our adventures. 



So, the wind was not very strong on Sunday.  Alan, Robyn and I did manage to get up in the air for a paragliding trip over the cliffs of Torrey Pines golf course and Black's Beach, the NUDE beach here in San Diego.  From the air I didn't see any of my non-clad Californian's.  However, through a funny twist of fate, the winds died before I was even half way through my ride - my pilot and I had to land on the beach.  It is there that I witnessed my first nude jogger.  Yes... jogging... naked... I know, you're dsiappointed... I have no pictures of this!

Unfortunately, the winds just weren't strong enough for a fourth flight so Kevin wasn't able to get up in the air.  When he comes back in May for his birthday I think the first thing we'll do is head to the Gliderport for his flight.

Monday... I don't remember much.  Sad, isn't it?  Oh yes, we had breakfast with some friends from my BNI chapter, went for a quick blood test (me, not Robyn), did some quick shopping at Dressbarn and Marshall's and then tried again to go for a Paragliding trip.  The winds, again, weren't stable enough for flight so I sent Robyn and Kevin for an adventure down in La Jolla.  From the pictures I'm sure you can tell that they had a good time.

Tuesday we spent the day at Sea World - always my favorite place.  Next time they come we'll do an Animal Encounter but this trip Robyn found a new love: the Bat Ray's.  I've only shown you 3 of about 45 photos of her with the animals.  I will admit, I love them too.  Kevin is just a very avid photographer!

Wednesday, unfortunately, brought their departure.  However, we've heard multiple promises of their imminent return for more food, shopping and fun.  Thanks guys!  It was a great visit; can't wait to see you both again.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

My Dog and her Vocabulary

All parents believe their children are smart, whether they're an A+ kid or need Kumon to get through their schooling.  Even those of us who are parents to the four legged children of the world believe our child is the best, brightest and most beautiful of the lot!  So today I am here to show you that not only is my dog smart, she's got a sense of humor.  I like to think she got it from me but I'll let you be the judge of that.
 
We adopted Peaches in September of 2008 from the SPCA.  We have taught her "Go get your _______".  You can fill in any one of the names below and she will retrieve any of these items.  The last one is open to your interpretation but rest assured she named this one... it's a new development!  Enjoy!


"Toy"


"Pheasant"


"Ball"
(Arguably her favorite when it's not lodged under the couch juuuuuuust
out of reach of Mum and Dad's hands!)


"Kevin".

Dogs are weird.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

You had CANCER?

So after posting my new blog last month, in which I briefly catalog my first three years in San Diego, I have had a lot of response about my cancer.  So, I'll touch on it briefly to get it out of the way.  Sorry for the scare!

I moved to San Diego in September of 2006, as is noted in my profile, and started the incredibly tedious process of finding a network of new professionals: optometrist, dentist, doctor, etc.  In May of 2007 I found a doctor and went in for my annual check up.  When she was checking my glands (aka: squishing my neck to see if anything made me wince) she found a lump on the left side of my throat.  Since she was new to me as a patient she shrugged it off a bit and said "could be a roll of fat" (just what any weight-sensitive 26 year old wants to hear, right?) but recommended I have my blood tested and have an ultra-sound done on my thyroid gland.  At the time I didn't know my thyroid gland from my... well... any other glands I have.  So here's a quick picture for you to figure it out.



The blood test showed that my blood-sugar level was a little high - I could have guessed that.  At the time my diet was terrible.  However, the ultra-sound showed at 1-1/2" growth on my left thyroid gland.  There was potential that it would be benign, and just be a goiter (not a sexy alternative in the least) but rather than risk this being something worse the specialists sent me for a fine needle aspiration.  Up until this test I'd kept my cool.  This test got to me.  It started with the fact that my doctor was ominously named Dr. Gurney (I only wish I was kidding) followed by the fact that said doctor's anesthetist didn't give me enough anesthetic for the procedure and I could feel all of the needles sticking into my throat.  I hate to admit it, but I cried after this one - they got blood on my brand new shirt; that would make anyone cry, right? Right?  No?  Oh...

The results came back with inconclusive results; basically the cells were abnormal, which oftentimes means cancerous, so the decision to operate was made; better to have it out in case it is cancerous, and no harm done if it's not.  Shortly before my surgery my friend named my nodule.  In May of 2008 I had "Norbert" removed.  Oddly enough I wasn't sad at his departure!

Once the biopsy was done I went back in to the hospital for my check up and consult with the surgeon.  I had papillary cancer.  Wonders never cease: the enlarged nodule that was suspected of being cancerous was completely benign but the cells around the nodule were cancerous.  SO... time for surgery number two.

In October of 2008 I went in for my second surgery to remove the entire thyroid.  Unfortunately the surgeon mis-read the original surgical report (at least that's what I'm told) and wasn't able to entirely eradicate the gland due to a large amount of scar tissue.  Had he tried to remove it all surgically he would have run the risk of damaging my vocal chords rendering me voice-less, EEP!  So, to get rid of the entire glad I received a single dose of radiation after in February of 2009 to knock out the rest of the thyroid gland.  There was a small, local metastases in a lymph node but the doc figures it's going to be taken care of with the radiation.  I did set off the radiation detectors in the Calgary airport on my trip home in March of 2009 but since then have been fine.


Here I am just two days after my surgery - not so bad, eh?

So, I think we're all caught up to speed now.  I've been playing with the levels of Levoxyl and almost have it right.  I'll likely go in for more radiation testing in February of 2010 to make sure it's all taken care of.

Thank you all for your concern.  I'm doing good, and am positive I'm past this whole "c-word" business!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

3-Day Cruise to the Bahamas

Bright and early on Thursday, October 15th, 2009, my husband Alan and I headed to the San Diego airport.  Destination: Miami, Florida.  We were headed on a three day cruise to the Bahamas, all expenses paid, courtesy of BNI.  Neither one of us had ever been on a cruise before so we were a little nervous, but mostly excited to be getting out of San Diego for a few days.

We were put up in a hotel for Thursday night during which we had some conch fritters, a local food that is also quite famous down in the Bahamas.  Conch is also used in salads though we weren't able to find any of those during our time on the Island. 

On Friday morning we had a quick breakfast of boxed cereal after heading to the gym - we slept in two hours later than intended - and then headed off to the ship to set sail.  The bus that was transporting all of the BNI members to the Port was very punctual and we arrived at the ship by 12:30pm; the boat didn't depart until 4pm so we had plenty of time to orient ourselves on the boat.  Around 4:30 we finally left the Miami bay and set sail for Nassau, Bahamas, on the island of New Providence.  We arrived in the Bahamas around 10am on Saturday morning and by 10:30 we were off the boat and exploring the Island. 

We scheduled a snorkeling tour for 12:15 that afternoon and had some time to kill before the bus showed up so we wandered the streets a bit just checking out the local attractions.  For whatever reason we didn't think to pull out the camera often though we did stop in to a few local shops such as the Bacardi store and a pharmacy for some more Gravol so I could make it through the boat ride without getting sick.

Here's some of the highlight pictures from our trip:


The boat ride was quite short due to it being a power boat rather than a catamaran as we had originally guessed it would be and in less than five minutes we were diving into the crystal clear waters which were 91F - it felt like crawling into a warm bath.  The visibility was incredible and there were fish galore.  This was my first time seeing "reef" and I couldn't believe how much life there was.  Granted, it's not like the Caribbean reefs, but it was a far cry better than what I've seen in San Diego.

We had two stops along the coral reef at various distances from the Island.  After the first stop another snorkeler on the trip suggested that one could simulate food for the fishes by rubbing his or her fingers together.  In my infinite wisdom I decided to try this technique.  I learned my lesson: Parrot Fish bite anything that looks like food, evening little Meaghan-fingers.

And despite my love of all things ocean, even little fishy bites, the last stop was the BEST!  We went snorkeling with Caribbean Reef Sharks.  My life is now complete.  I adore sharks! Don't get me wrong: I have a very healthy respect for them; seeing them in the wild like that was amazing.  I kept a close eye on them to make sure they weren't doing anything they shouldn't be (body posture, etc.) and just took in the beauty of the situation.  Here's a bit more about the Caribbean Reef Shark.

Saturday night was the "Elegant Night" on the ship; all the guests dressed up in dresses and suits and sat down to a wonderful feast of lobster and shrimp.  Amazing!!! 

Sunday was our Day at Sea.  We spent a good portion of the day either on the Serenity deck at the back of the boat (a 21-and-up area) or in the Xanadu lounge watching football.  Sadly both the Chargers and Colts were not playing that day but it was nice to sit around with some younger folk and enjoy the excitement of some great games.  We also went to the on-board stage show that night which featured a wonderful musical revue of rock, pop, country and Motown music.  The boat was rocking very hard - I'm still not sure how they managed to pull of their routine without sliding around.

Monday we debarked around 9:30 am and spend four "glorious" hours in the Miami airport where I tried Nathan's for the first time.  Not bad, though it's not nearly as good as In and Out.

That's about it for the trip.  There are plenty of details that I'm missing, to be sure, but I'm sitting here, two days after getting off a boat, and still feeling like I'm rocking.  It's a condition called Mal de deparquement Syndrome (MdDS).  Apparently the effects can last up to a year but let me tell you - if I still feel this way come the weekend you can bet I'll be seeking some medical help. 

I hope you enjoyed the recap of the trip.  We're already planning our next cruise: Caribbean, here we come!!!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Here's to starting over

In 2006 I moved to San Diego from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  When I moved here I started up a blog called "Finally SoCal" at http://finallysocal.blogspot.com/.  When I created this blog I was working at Stantec Consulting and in my "brilliance" I linked my blog to my former email address (and subsequent password). 

I was laid off from Stantec in mid-September and have sadly forgotten which email address my blog was linked to (I had three during my span of three years with Stantec) and the password associated with that email address.  So, I'm starting over.  You're welcome to go back and read about my first year in San Diego after which I went through a lot of personal life changes.  I'm not sad about losing the old passwords; it gives me a reason to start over, which is basically what I've done since moving to San Diego.  Stay tuned for more adventures in my "new" life.  I hope you enjoy the reading!