I posted this post last year when the HST was first announced.  I was ticked off at the time.  I am livid now.  I saw, and still see, the HST as an attack on working families, singles parents, the underpaid, overworked and continually stressed members of society.  Increasing the cost of goods in a time when costs are too high and people are not making enough is not going to have positive consequences. 

And yes I have seen the articles from the ‘experts’ that state that having one unified tax will attract business to Ontario, that a unified tax would create a better economic climate.  I understand that from an economist’s point of view this is a great way to ‘save’ the economy. 

But I find their logic flawed.  In a climate where children are going to school hungry, where people have to chose between heat and rent, and where there are some many people exist under the poverty line even though they are employed, I cannot see how increasing costs is a good thing.  I cannot see how telling people that paying more for the necessities of life, when they are already stretched thin will make their life better.  Personally I see more hardship for people that are already suffering.  I see families, individuals, students, children, the elderly, the immigrants, the disabled, the invisibles of our society suffering.  I see more people being hungry, I see more people being cold, I see more people asking for help simply because the government has chosen to implement this tax that will make it harder for them to help themselves. 

And yes, I have seen the articles that say that approximately only 17% of goods and services will be hit with the HST but my question is how long will that last?  Income tax was supposed to be temporary and it never went away.  Who is to say that the HST will not grow in coming years to include all the things that are exempt now.  And no, I do not believe the promises of politicians that this will not happen simply because if an ‘expert’ tells them otherwise their minds are subject to change.  Also, it should be noted that not everything that was exempt before is exempt now.  The big items are exempt but the smaller goods and sliding in under the radar.  Diapers are exempt from the HST but wipes, Vaseline, baby powder, and diaper rash creams are not.  Car seats are exempt but strollers and carriers are not.  Jarred baby food and formula are exempt but breast pumps, breast pads, nipple cream, bottles, nipples, and sterilizers are not.  These things are all necessities that are going to increase in cost making caring for a child even more expensive than it is now.  Parents will be forced to shorten parental leaves so that they can return to their full incomes, consequentially putting an even greater strain on the already straining childcare system. 

It is a cycle and the only people that I can see benefiting are the financially secure and in these times of economic uncertainty they are far and few between.

When I still a manager I was working on a deal to have a major client give me a huge part of their business.  It was going to result in over a million dollars in revenue.  It was nothing sinister involving irvingia or anything.  It was more like we would take over a responsibility for an area that we don’t look after now.

Needless to say, it was a huge deal for my company especially since we are laying off people like crazy.  But when I was pulled out of the manager role and demoted I gave all the deal information to my new / old boss.  He signed the deal today.  He got all the credit even though I did the work and there is nothing that I can do about it.

Corporate politics really sucks. 

I’m sick.

I have a fever, the chills, aches, pains and a headache that just won’t quit.  According to my midwife, I don’t have the flu or H1N1 or anything, I have a spring cold.  If I stay hydrated, and have some ginger tea for my stomach I should be just fine.  And I believe her.  The only thing that is really bothering me is my inability to sleep.

When my non – pregnant self got like this I would take two Nyquil or some other sleep aid and knock out for twelve hours straight.  But now I can’t.  In addition to having to get up every two hours to go to the bathroom I can’t take anything to help me sleep.  I think that is going to make getting over this cold a whole lot harder.

In an attempt to get some exercise into my daily routine I have signed up for an aqua fit class.  I am a water baby so the idea of me spending time in the water makes me very happy.  The idea of me having to get a maternity swimsuit doesn’t make me happy.  In fact it terrifies me.  I have body image issues.  I have had them since I was a chubby child, they continued into my chubby teenage years, hung around during my slim twenties and are still there into my not quite slim and not quite chubby adulthood.  I have spent many days of my life devoted to trying to lose weight.  I have bought diet pills that actually work, pills guaranteed to make you lose weight in 2 days, 5 days, 10 days and 2 weeks.  I have DVD and VHS tapes on Tae Bo, Strippercize, Sweating to the Oldies, Pilates, and Power Yoga.  Body issues and I are destined to be life long partners.  Because of this swimsuit shopping never goes over well. 

But swimsuit shopping with an ever expanding baby belly and boobies that have grown to the nth degree means that I am going to have even more issues with finding a swim suit that I like and feel comfortable wearing.  And yes, one part of my head is well aware that my concerns are unfounded and selfish and that I should be enjoying my pregnancy rather than focusing on my expansion.  I know that there is another life in me and that this growth represents my healthy child forming, growing, and preparing for arrival but there is a part of me that is upset by my growth.  My inability to fit comfortably into clothing or to sleep bothers me.  I know that it shouldn’t but it does. 

Which brings me back to swimsuit shopping, I don’t enjoy it.  And I know that I will be miserable through the entire process of finding a maternity swim suit but I am hoping that against the odds I find the experience enjoyable because this is my last time to experience it.

I got the idea for this post from a post that the Stiletto Mom did on the things that Oprah doesn’t do.  OK, correction I blatantly stole this idea from the Stiletto Mom.  But what can I say she is awesome, have you seen her shoe collection?  My goal is to have a shoe collection just like hers.  So I hope she doesn’t mind my “borrowing” because she got me thinking. 

Apparently Oprah has this list of things that she just doesn’t do like; Oprah doesn’t do stairs, that kind of thing.  TSM put together a list of her own on her blog and that got me thinking.  I have a list too.  

So without further ado here is my Oprah list. 

Meli doesn’t eat raw meat.  I have no issue with sushi but when it comes to rare, or medium rare meat I have to look away.  I leave the table if anyone orders blue steak. 

Meli doesn’t always share books.  I cherish my books and because of that I am very selective in who I lend them to.  I only lend them to people that I love, trust and can track down easily.  If the book requester does not fit into all three of those categories they are not getting the book. 

Meli doesn’t parallel or reverse park.  I know how to.  I did both on my driving test.  I haven’t done either since. 

Meli doesn’t do blocked / private numbers.  I refuse to answer any blocked numbers.  Caller ID was invented for a reason and I use it as much as I can. 

Meli doesn’t do milk or milk products.  With the exception of butter I have a hard time eating anything milk based.  Even my love of ice cream is limited.  I very rarely eat ice cream and when I do I can only eat it in small quantities. 

Meli doesn’t do red lipstick or blond hair.  With my complexion it just looks weird. 

I am sure that I have a boatload more of these.  But a girl can’t tell all her secrets at once, can she?  I need to save something for my tell all biography. 

I haven’t done one of these in awhile.  I am not sure if the randomness is the still there ready for the writing.  But I will give it a go.  But if you want some hard core randomness you should head over to the Un Mom’s she’s good at random in fact I think she invented it. 

 **

Picture it: 

1:30am

The sound of little feet running down the hall, passing the bathroom and scampering along

Then silence for about three minutes

Then…….

The sound of Buzz Lightyear saying:  “To Infinity & beyond!” 

Yeah, I found my child in the spare bedroom at 1:30am playing with his Buzz Lightyear.

**

Yesterday was face paint day at the daycare.  When I picked Maks up he came running up to me all painted with his friend Patrick.  They were both bunnies. 

Maks ran up and said “mommy, look I’m a bunny!  Hop, hop, hop!” 

Patrick said “Mommy*, I’m a donkey!  Hee haw, hee haw!!”  

I busted out laughing.  His impression was dead on.  That kid is going to be a great prop comedian some day!

*In the world of daycare we are all mommies and daddies.  No one really has a name.

**

My new car has a sunroof.  It scares me.  I have visions of me driving along on a really sunny day with the sunroof open all the way, sunglasses on, radio playing loudly, and all of a sudden a bird poops through my sunroof and it lands on me. 

I know that the odds of this happening are slim but I am still certain that if I open my sunroof all the way, my fate will be sealed.

**

According to HR my boobies have been violating dress code.  I don’t think that the girls are too out there but apparently somebody has been complaining about them.  I am going to try even harder to keep them under wraps but if they keep growing like they do, I will have to wear sweat shirts to work. 

Not that wearing sweatshirts to work is a bad thing.  I would gladly wear sweatshirts if I could wear sweat pants too.

**

File this one under conversations I never thought I would have.

 Stinky:  Auntie, I need a paper towel please.

Me:  OK, why?

Stinky:  Maks foot is in my ice cream.

Me:  I’ll bring the roll

**

 That’s it for me today.  Thanks for stopping by!

Maks turns three in a little over a month.  His party this year is going to be considerably smaller than his first two birthday parties.  I decided to limit the ages of the kids that could attend this year.  In the past I invited pretty much every child that was party age to Maks’ birthdays.  Given that I have more than 10 aunts and uncles who all have children, ages ranging from infant to teenager, and who all could attend the party, the past parties were huge.  We’re talking close to 60 people here.  This year I don’t have the time or patience for my family.  I am limiting the party to kids that are around Maks’ age and low and behold none of my family members qualify.  I see this as a good thing.  So Maks will be surrounded by a bevy of lovely ladies this year, as all his friends his age are female, and possibly my cousins, if they chose to come.  They are older and may opt out.  But if they do come the total kid count would be 7.  And 7 is such a nice, manageable number. 

This year the theme for his birthday was going to be superheroes; Batman, Superman, Spiderman, Wonder Woman and Super Girl.  My plan was to head over to value village and pick up some face paint and costumes.  At the party the kids could dress up as super heroes and I would paint their faces.  They would gorge themselves on pizza and hot dogs, run around the back yard and towards the end of the evening have cake and ice cream.  Oh and I cannot forget the piñata.  For every occasion we have a piñata and this year is no different.  After cake and ice cream, Millhouse will stand on a chair holding up a piñata so the children can take swings at him in attempt to free the candy from its hiding place.  And yes I know that we could find a better way to string up the piñata but it is fun to watch Millhouse try at jump out of the way as children swing sticks at him. 

But about two weeks ago that plan changed.  Maks discovered Toy Story and he has been loving and living Buzz and Woody.  Toy Story is all he talks about.  So we are now having a Toy Story party.  I am still going to head over to value village and see if I can pick up some costumes for the kids only this time I will be looking for Woody, Buzz, Jessie and any other characters they might have.  The only thing that changes is that there isn’t going to be any face painting, which given my lack of any sort of artistic ability, may be a good thing.

*How Maks says to Infinity and beyond.

Today Beanz gets another year closer to 30.  And she really does not want me to write this post. 

She has this deep seated hatred towards her birthday that started years ago.  Something awful happened and unfortunately for Beanz her birthday marks the anniversary of an event that someone very young should never have to experience.  She doesn’t like celebrating it and she doesn’t even like acknowledging that it exists.  She knows that she is getting older and that is good enough for her. 

But Beanz has a Stinky who is a birthday lover.  She wants to have parties, no matter the occasion a party is needed especially on her mommy’s birthday.  So much to Beanz’s chagrin we will have cake, ice cream, balloons and singing.  There will be presents, hugs, kisses, and laughter.  

So even though something truly tragic happened on this day many years ago but something truly wonderful happened today as well many more years ago. 

Happy Birthday Beanz with many more to come. 

Because no matter how much you annoy me, and trust me you annoy me to no end, I am glad that we didn’t throw that coconut away.

Yes, I am huge. 

Yes, I look way bigger than 4 and a half months. 

Yes, I am taking it easy on the chips. 

Yes, I know that my belly is really, really big. 

Yes, I know that regular clothes don’t fit me. 

Would you quit reminding me?!?! 

I don’t know why people think it is OK to tell a pregnant woman how huge she looks.  In the past week and a half I have had so many people tell me about how big I am.  And not just people I know, random strangers have come up to me in awe of my hugeness to comment.  But my most favourite comment is “so and so is due before you and she is nowhere as big as you”.  Gee, thanks I really needed to know that. 

What do you suggest I do about my resemblance to an elephant?  Would you like me to stop eating or get bariatric surgery because I am not this big because I want to be.  It is because I have a growing child in my womb.  My midwife isn’t worried so I don’t understand why these random people are so taken aback by me.  I wouldn’t come up to a non – pregnant woman and call them fat so it would be appreciated if the comments about my size would stop.

I gave back my company car today.  I gave back my blackberry and my laptop on Wednesday.  I am now officially back to working an eight to five desk job.  There will be no more working from home, late night conference calls, no more explaining to clients why they should click here and no more traveling to see clients.  I work when I am work and I leave it all when I go home. 

It feels weird. 

A nice weird but still weird. 

I haven’t had this freedom in six months.  I have forgotten what it was like to have free time.  I can spend time with my family again.  I can cook meals again.  I can go to the park and for walks again.  I can even start using my treadmill again. 

It feels nice.