A letter I wrote today

August 23, 2008

The Honourable Tony Clement, P.C., M.P.
Health Canada
Brooke Claxton Building, Tunney's Pasture
Postal Locator: 0906C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9

Dear Mr. Clement,

As a woman currently trying to start a family, I have done a lot of research on what foods I should and shouldn’t eat. In the course of my research I have discovered some information which may be of interest to you. I refer you to the following webpage:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/food-aliment/listeria-eng.php#ro.

The site details the Health Canada recommendations on the avoidance of listeriosis. Pregnant women (along with their unborn and newborn children), the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are identified as being especially at risk. A quick scroll down the page reveals a table of suggestions from your ministry in which high risk individuals are advised to avoid eating non-dried deli meats. Towards the bottom of the page we are reminded that “Health Canada also briefs the medical community, public health officials, the food industry and the public on matters related to listeriosis.”

Why are hospitals and nursing homes allowed to knowingly feed their vulnerable patients foods which may cause them harm? Should the Canadian patient have to question the diet provided for them by medical professionals?

In my opinion this recent outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes is a tragic symptom of a flawed government approach to hospital food safety. The sick and the elderly should not be subject to sub-standard diets and poor nutrition. High risk individuals should have specialized meals to avoid ALL risks of foodborne illness. This should be law and not merely suggestion.

Sincerely,

Heather Livingstone

It's a Miracle!

Apparently there ARE deals to be had at Winners. I've been on the lookout for a dress to wear to my cousin's forthcoming wedding next week. I set myself a budget of the 20 dollar bill in my wallet. So that's including tax. Things weren't going so well.

I reluctantly went to Winners last night to check out their clearance racks. There was a lot of oooogly stuff there. In retrospect, I really should have brought a camera.

Dress 1: Lemon yellow, sort of 60's inspired. Definite potential on the hanger. Unfortunately the shoulders were cut for an NFL linebacker.

Dress 2: Black bodice, pretty black and white patterned skirt, looked great on the hanger. Turned out the size medium had a 23 inch waist and room for EEE boobage.

Dress 3: Hot pink, kind of mod. Lacked a zipper or any kind of opening. Couldn't figure out how the heck to put it on.

Dress 4: See the pic. SCORE! It was THIRTEEN DOLLARS! I got a fiver and some change back!

So thank you Winners. Now I just need me some shoes.

And stay tuned. I plan on uploading the inexplicable voicemail message very soon.

A fresh start

So I haven't blogged in a bajillion years and then suddenly I had the urge today. Yeah, I forgot my password to my old account. So I made this pretty new one! Go me! Apparently bits and bobs is popular so this blog is bobs and bits. I am sooooo anti-establishment.

The source of my urge: I found my first white hair. It was like snow white. And super coarse. And old looking. And then I thought to myself - holy crap! All this time is flying by in my totally exciting life and I am not documenting it! I might die tomorrow without ever being able to tell everybody about the time I made fajitas and then sat on my ass all night! HORRORS. And then there was that time that I thought I might go to the track and then stop at Ave Maria's for some healthy eats on my way home but it rained so I changed my mind. How could the world live without that hair-raising (or greying...) tale of adventure?

I was sort of hoping I would never find out that I had grey/white hair. That was the whole point of dyeing it. Damn me and my uber-organic baby-making ways. I'm totally going to guilt trip my kid for life. "You know, mommy would have never got old if it wasn't for you!"

Things That Suck
1. People who complain about charity-related stuff:
We were in line at the D to the Quizzo (Dairy Queen for the unawesome) on their special charity blizzard day. They make donations to the Children's Hospital for every blizzard sold. Sure it would be easier to just give the hospital the money. And yes, the excessive consumption of blizzards might well land one in a hospital. But heck, at least they're doing something. Anyways, the poor blizzard people are running around like crazies and fighting for use of the machines and this twat in the line pronounces loudly "This is RIDICULOUS". You're right. Maybe next time they should raise money for a different charity. How about the Society for People Who Have to Wait Five Minutes for Icy Treats? I sure hope all the little cancer kids are saying a prayer for you.

2. People that cut in line and look you in the eye and totally pretend not to notice that you caught them cutting in the line
This one really needs no further explanation.

3. That guy who called me at work the other day after 5. We close at 5.
Idiot: Hi, I need to talk to someone about benefits.
LadyHeather: I'm sorry, M's gone home for the day. She'll be back tomorrow at 8. Would you like her voicemail?
Idiot: Oh, you don't do the benefits?
LadyHeather: No.
Idiot: Well have you ever come across a situation where an employee gets a letter telling him he needs to have his employment confirmed or else he'll be taken off his benefits?
LadyHeather: Ummm...no. I don't have any experience with things benefits-related.
Idiot: Oh.

What is so difficult about this? I DON'T DO BENEFITS. I DON'T DO ACCOUNTS PAYABLE. I DON'T DO INSURANCE. Stop asking. And if you must ask, please accept the answer.

4. People that play country music really loudly
We spent the weekend at Carp Lake this weekend. It's a most wonderful park and campground north of here and well off the beaten path. It's all peaceful like and not too crowded (unlike Fat Camp aka Whiskers Point - there were all these little kids running around with bigger boobs than I have). We got a gorgeous spot with a lake view and next to the stairs down to the dock. And then the jamboree starts up next door. Too bad I'm not drinking right now. Drunk Heather totally would have gone over there and let them know that country music sucks. Clearly they missed the memo.


Strange fact of the day:
It is entirely possible to put too much chocolate on a s'more. Totally messes with the chocolate:marshmallow ratio. I'll have to be more careful next time.

Toodles.