I recently blogged about Mason's first day at daycare and I also blogged about my first day at work but I haven't really told all.  It is day #3 at work and I.am.exhausted.  I don't think there is a better word for it.  I have a new found respect for working Mothers (and even more  for working single moms with limited support).  I didn't really \ how I was going to feel about returning to work.  There were the pros:

1. Adult conversation
2. Regular meals
3. Brain activity
4. BIGGER paychecks

And the cons

1. Being away from Masey
2. Paying for daycare
3. Waking up 2hrs earlier
4. Commuting
5. The day going by so fast and having limited time in the evenings
6. The rush of the mornings and evenings
7. Paying for parking $200/mo

Oh I'm sure I could keep adding to the list but let's not make me more upset than I already am.  It's a weird feeling to be off for a year and then return to the same job.  I'm not new and I know most of the work yet I feel out of place.  My first day I discovered that they had a get together with the Mom's of the company with their babies.  I guess they forgot to call me.  My feelings are pretty hurt.  My department is full of new staff and my sidekick left the company last year.   There are two new people in my little department and my replacement is staying on.  I really feel like a 3rd wheel because it's too soon to integrate me and I'm not sure they need 3 people in the dept.  My boss has suggested cross training me in another department but I don't have any interest in doing that type of work.  

I'm trying to stay focused and positive and just see how things go, hopefully things will change.  Aside from my specific job, the commute is draining.  It used to be 1/2 hr but picking Mason up from daycare takes another 15 mins so almost two hours sitting in a car per day.  Then parking it in a garage that costs almost $200, it really doesn't seem worth it.  The good thing that I try not to take for granted is that I work for a great solid company that offers great pay and good benefits..which are hard to find these days.  I just am torn, I'd love to stay home with Mason and I'm not sure even if that's best for him.  He's doing so well in daycare and learning a lot.  More than I could teach him. 

I also have a minor cold right now (hopped on dayquil) and I also have pms.  Not a fun week :(

As stated on Wikipedia:

Yorkshire pudding is a dish that originated in Yorkshire, England, and has attained wide popularity. It is made from batter and most often served with roast beef, chicken, or any meal in which there is gravy.

My favorite memories is Mama or my Mom making this special food with dinner.  It's not a pudding and it's not a muffin.  Hot out of the oven with melted butter, mmmmmm!  So I thought I'd try making it myself but I have to admit, I'm not making it from scratch..yet.  I bought a prepackaged yorkshire mix from Clubhouse!  A lady in the grocery line up asked me how the mix was.  I told her I didn't know as I hadn't made it yet!

To be honest, I really think that the mix isn't going to turn out.  Making YP from scratch is extremely difficult as sometimes it doesn't rise or it turns out tough.   The package has pretty simple directions.  Add 1/2 tsp of veg oil to  a  muffin tin (6) and warm in the oven for 3 minutes.  Then add mixture, 1 egg and 1/3 c water.  16 minutes later you'll have 6 lovely puddings.  Or will you?

So here was my attempt...

The verdict?

DELICIOUS!  Not much more to say than that, I ate all three (my portion) at once.  Hehe.  The rest are for Clayton, I hope he likes them.  Actually, no I don't cause then I get the rest lol.

Maybe I will try making them from scratch next but why bother, the mix was like $2.00 and it's so much easier!!

My first experience with Clearly Contacts was last year when I was unhappy with purchasing my contact lenses through the optical places in the mall.  I had seen the Clearly Contacts Mini Coopers all around town and thought for my next purchase, I would buy from them.

So the time came, I visited their website and saved a bundle! I was happy, I told all my friends and joined their fan page on Facebook.  (ooooh!)

I became more happy when I received an email stating they were have a *free* glasses promotion across Canada.  500 pairs of glasses (frames and lenses!).  All you had to do was register and you were provided with a date for your city on when you could buy the glasses on their website.  I received my reminder email, February 23 was the date! I cleared my calendar because I figured I'd be waiting all day for this email with the promo code.  Last night I read that the code would come between 8-9am.  Okay, get up early! 

I went to their website, found 6 pairs of glasses that I like (in case they sold out of the first pick).  I got my prescription out and had Clayton measure my PD (distance between my pupils).  Unlike purchasing glasses through an optician, you cannot 'try them on'.  Clearly Contacts has a virtual 'try on' page where you upload a photo and place the glasses on your face to 'see' what you look like but I found their tool hard to use and all the glasses looked funny.  Everything was set to go!  I got up at 7am and waited until 9AM and at 9:01am I got the email with the promo code.  I rushed to the website.  Put in the glasses and waited....and waited....and finally the page popped up.  I put in the code but it didn't seem to be working.  I went back, tried again and again.  I figured the site was crashing.  A lot of people are participating in this promo.  I finally got frustrated and called Customer Service.  My wait was less than a minute.

I exclaimed that I picked a pair, put in the code but it was still saying I owed $113.00 (the glasses were only $98) Shipping was free but they charged $12 in handling fees.  I told her I wasn't sure what was wrong.  Then it came.

"Oh, you have a high prescription and the lenses you selected (the only one I could) was for a thin frame, you will have to PAY for that". 

So I explained, no I don't want to pay.  I'll just choose a different frame.

"No, it's not the frame.  The promotion is only for a 1.5 index frame, which is too low for you.  The frames are FREE, you can pay for the higher lense)"

Um no.  The promotion is for FREE glasses and frames, I don't want to pay extra.  I feel this is discriminatory against people with high prescriptions because CC doesn't want to pay for thinner lenses.  The website does not explain what the 1.5 index lense is for.

"I will speak to my supervisor and get back to you..."

Now I am angry.  It is likely that they will tell me that the 'fine print' says what is allowed and since I have bad eyes and that index doesn't work for me, it's too bad for me.  I am really disappointed in how they ran this promotion.  Perhaps if they explained what an index was, I could have seen from the beginning that it didn't match mine.  I would have still been mad I didn't qualify but at LEAST I would have known and deleted the email instead of getting excited about it and wasting my morning trying to order something I couldn't have. 

I put the order through while I was on the phone and it's currently 'on hold'.  I am waiting to hear back from CC on their decision to either let me have the glasses and frames for free or tell me to piss off.  I have a feeling it will be the latter adn if that's the case, I may lose out on a free pair of glasses but they are going to lose out on my continued business.

Not a great way to start my day.

To be continued...

I received an email from Clearly contacts this morning stating that I do not qualify for their promotion and they are willing to give me free frames.  That's not what I signed up for.  They offer a promotion and then discriminate against people with extremely bad eyesight. I have canceled my order, left the fan page of Facebook and will NEVER do business with them again.   I hope losing a customer for $100 was worth it to them.

Maybe now it's time to get laser eye surgery.

It has been over a year since Clayton and I took our last vacation (babymoon in Puerto Vallarta Nov 08) and it was just about time to take off again and get some rest!  Not to mention to avoid the craziness of the Olympics coming to town (Go Canada Go!)

So I searched on every frickin' travel site for two weeks eventually giving up.  Clayton wanted to go to the Mayan Riviera (to see the ruins) and I wanted to spend less/around $1000pp.  We had fixed dates from when we were to leave so that made it difficult to 'find a deal', also throw on Valentines day and the start of the Olympics and that meant:

1. most of the hotels were already booked
2. the more desirable vacations were at least $1600

So on recommendation from my Mom, I went into a Travel Centre in Burnaby to ask about their specials.  Our representative, Courtney was able to find us an awesome deal!  No, it wasn't Mexico but it was JAMAICA!  A place I didn't think we'd visit unless we had at least $4000 each to spend on a trip, which wouldn't be for...ever.   Here are the details:

• Sunset Jamaica Grande, Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
• Package by Air Canada Vacactions
• 1 week, all inclusive, hotel on the water
• air, all fees and taxes in - $1006.00!

We booked the trip on Feb 1st, leaving on Feb 12th - 19th.  We couldn't wait!  My Mom flew in from the Island to pick up my little man.  I cried when they left on the ferry (I wouldn't let her fly him back, the plane is too small and I was terrified of it crashing into the sea).  They left on the 10th, leaving us a full day to prepare for our trip.  Our flight was scheduled to fly out on Feb 12th at 7am.

Here is the start of my journal, which I finger pecked into my Ipod Touch!

Clayton and I got up at 4am and rushed around doing last minute packing.  Ginny, Clayton's mom picked us up at 4:30 and we headed out.  A quick stop to get another bottle of sunscreen and we were at the airport by 5am.  There was a long lineup at checking but it went fast.  We first stopped at duty free cause Clayton wanted new cologne.  I took a peek at the price of a perfume I liked (orange by Hugo Boss).  While Clayton did his purchase I wandered around and was happily surprised to see that he bought me the perfume!! Spoiled I am :)  Stopped at A&W for breakfast and the headed for screening.  There is quite a bit of Olympics adverts all over the ap.  The coolest thing?  A giant touchscreen phone!  I had to get my pic with one of the mascots.  A quick wait and we boarded.

The plane was packed!  We are all bound for Montego Bay.  No movie screens in the back of the head rests :( and no food or snacks!  I thought if the flight was over a certain time period we got food.  Thanks for nothing Air Canada.  The in flight movie is "where the wild things are" which I haven't seen but I chose to read instead.  I even slept a bit and when I woke, I declared, "Are we there yet?!". Nope!  3hrs to go. Oy vey!

Clayton got hungry and bought lunch.  A bag of apples with caramel and a veggie Samich.  $9.00.  The apples were fresh but the caramel was wayyy too sweet.  Clayton said the samich was "crappy".  Other than that, nothing too exciting.  We are the middle row, I am in the middle seat and C is on my right.

The inside cabin is quite well maintained but I was surprised to see all the bathrooms needed some paint, repair and updating.  Perhaps IKEA could help them out.  Nice colors and maybe a chandelier?  I opened one of the doors to see a stack of rather large sanitary napkins, at least Air Canada is looking after any surprise periods on the plane!

It is now around noon, I have been reading my book - Erased by Jim Krusoe.  It started off good but by page 176 (out of 160) I am lost in a sea of literacy.  The steward walks by with a cup of Mr. Noodles.  Mmmmmm.  I discover they are on the menu.  I guess I wil eat.  I choose the Quiznos chicken wrap (very tasty) and ask for the carrots.  They are sold out ( this always happens to me!) I ask for the cheese and crackers.  Sold out Grrrrr I settle on the raisin bran muffin (delicious) and try to forget the high calorie content I just consumed.

Well I finished the book and it wasn't great, now I have 1.5hrs to kill before we land and THEN an almost 2hr bus ride to our hotel.  Lots of traveling to get to paradise.

We stopped for drinks and a wee on the side of the road.  A little gift shop, upstairs bar and pretty sketchy washrooms (the doors didn't lock!) We were there about 1/2 Hr and then back on the road.  We speak to a couple from edm who paid $200 less for the same hotel :(  The ride was insanely long!  The sky grew dark by 6pm (Jamaica time) and we finally got to the resort  at 7:30pm which made me nervous cause we were starving and past experience lead us to go to bed hungry as all the food was put away.

Sooo we arrive thru the gates and wow the resort is enormous! We are told to check in as our luggage is already neatly put in rows in the lobby! We are served yummy juice until we are served.  check in is quick, they ask for my credit card and I am confused about when we get our safe lock and towel pass, I found out later I went to the wrong desk and have to wait til tomorrow.  We have our suitcases delivered to our room and we tip the dude $2usd before I read in our guide that tipping is  ot permitted (yay more money for us) I did however bring some flags and Olympic stuff to hand out.

The resort is beautiful and very modern and clean.  We head to our room on the 9th floor.  it is a plain room in need of a makeover.  The bed is super firm.  Ugh.  We did get a king sized bed I asked for.  We drop our gear and head to the buffet.  Sooooo yummy huge array of fresh food.  I was very impressed.  Besides the usual foreign peoples walking around, there were resort kitties scavenging for food!    Then after dinner we walked around the grounds which were so beautiful even in the dark.  We were warned that the beach was small and yes it is.  There are a few separate sections of it but we will have to comment morewhen we see it in the am.

It is only 7:30pm (bc time) but we are exhausted.  The ac in the hotel room is full blast cold yet it is still hot.  The Live music is loud.  The  last thing to mention about the room.  Ice bucket, tea station, iron &board, shampoo and soap dispwnsers are good.  Could do with some face towels and one extra pillow would be nice.  I am going to inquire tomorrow about a room upgrade.  We were asleep by 11 and that's about when the live show ended.  The singing was terrible, there was no need to watch it downstairs as we could hear it quite well with the doors shut and ac on.

We slept quite well despite the firm mattress and the room wasn't too hot but the ac could be colder.  The morning came and I felt we had slept the day away.  A knock on the door early, we told them to go away! Seriously, why disturb guests who JUST flew in the night before??   Turns out it was Senior, our Air Canada vacations dude...we 

slept past orientation.  I have never gone in my 5 all inclusives.  We had lunch (again yummy).  We checked out the gift store, grill ( which wasn't very impressive, especially for C who couldn't eat 99% of the food.  We inquired about renting a car which was a min. of $50USD per day with a refundable $1200USD deposit charged to the old Visa!  We might pass! We are thinking of doing a raft ride ($75USD).  We also sign up for our ala carte which has to be done two days in advance.  We book the Chinese food restaurant for Tues but am thinking of cancelling due to its mainly meat menu.  I paid $5USD for an hour of Internet (which has no expiry) the first time I used it, the connection was super slow but it got better.    There are only 4 stations.

Dinner, again was awesome (well *I* thought so) but I skipped dessert, they weren't that good.  I did have one whole alcoholic drink today (yep, just one) I ordered a British bulldog which o remembered from last time was a paralyzer but I think he used rum!! Lol We had a quiet night in.  Talked to my mom on the phone (she called the 1-800 # and asked for our room #). Hearing my baby boys voice made me cry and want to go home :(. He is doing well, teething and has now learned to point when asked where the "tic-toc" (grandfather clock) is.  This is something I was taught to do at Masons Age too.

Clayton fell asleep just before 11 and I guess I should sleep now too.  We aren't the partying type.  Besides we were left a note by Senior that we must meet him tomorrow for bus & flight confirmations as well as booking our tours!  So we get up early (yawn) to head to the orientation only to find out that we just needed to 'tell' him we were there so he could ensure us a spot on the bus going back to the airport.   We decided to not book any tours as they were just too expensive.  (The ride with the dolphin's thing...$200USD).  I didn't bring that much cash with us!

This is where my journaling ended, one can only type so much on a Touch.  So I will just write a summary of the rest of the trip and following this blog will be another post on staying at the Sunset Jamaica Grande and what you need to know!

We booked a spa couple package for Valentines Day ♥ ; 1 hour full body massage and a soak in their hydro therapy tub (which was actually just a giant jetted bathtub).  We also received a tray full of fresh fruit which was nice.  The massage was awesome and very relaxing.  The tub was a great way to end the session. 

The rest of our trip wasn't that eventful as the weather wasn't great.  I'd say there were 4 days of rain/overcast/blah.  Leaving only 3 full days of nice-ish/hot weather.  This was disappointing and made me want to retreat to the Internet cafe to spend more time online because other than napping and eating, there isn't much to do.  I finished another book - Little Bee by Chris Cleave that I highly recommend! 

We met a few nice couples (with kids) and caught a few shows.  Spent some $$ in the gift shop which had some quality items and did a lot of walking around the grounds.

All in all it was a nice vacation, I got to catch up on 1.5 years worth of sleep but I missed my little boy terribly and am glad I am home now!