Is it acceptable etiquette in this day and age to return missed calls from unknown numbers asking if someone called them from that number?

In my not very humble opinion, I consider it rude and class-less. I am always appalled at the Retirement Home when I answer the phone to hear “Did you just call me?” I always tell them that if someone wants to get a hold of them they will call back thankyouverymuch and hang up on them. I mean, I’m always kind and nice and all that jazz, but what I really want to do is tell that person to get over and bleepity-bleep themselves. 

If you feel the absolute NEED to find out who just called you, try doing it with a little bit of class: “Hello, this is ______ ________ at (555) 555-5555, I recently missed a call from this number and was wondering if someone needed to get a hold of me.”

Perhaps it won’t make the person on the other end of the conversation wanting to shout expletives at you.  Trust me, if someone wants to get a hold of you, they will.

/end rant.

(But on the other hand, maybe this is actually acceptable behaviour and I am just old and crotchety. Thoughts?)

Guess you don’t need to guess who we are cheering for today!

Hup Holland Hup!

So now that I let that all out (insert big sigh here) I will talk about something I have learned since becoming a full-time transit user.

There are two types of people that take public transit: The kind you wouldn’t mind getting stuck sitting beside, and the kind you avoid sitting beside.

Today, friends, I am going to teach you the very basic and easy ways to become the former and avoid the latter.

1.) First and foremost, SHOWER. And when you shower, use soap. This one is very basic, yet unfortunately people seem to be confused about it.

2.) Wear clean clothes. If you are taking public transit the chances of being in very close proximity to another person are extremely high. If your shirt smells and you think no one will notice, they will. I promise.

3.) Deodorant is your friend. Probably your best friend (even though you may not know). Perfume, on the other hand, is NOT your friend. Don’t choke those around you with your cloud of stench.

4.) iPods are excellent companions on public transit. But not everyone around you favours the same genre of music as you, so turn down to volume to a reasonable level.

5.)Don’t talk to the person next to you. People take public transit to get places, not to make friends.

6.) Don’t talk loudly on your phone. A short, quiet phone call I can understand. But please, if you are going to yell and swear and rant or laugh and exclaim, take it outside. You are disturbing those around you.

7.) Don’t give yourself a manicure on the train. While being productive on the bus/train can be helpful, I don’t want your dirty nail filings flying all over my lap.

8.) If a senior citizen, handicapped person, or somebody with a child comes on the train, offer them your seat. Don’t think about it, don’t count on somebody else doing it, just do it. It’s the courteous thing to do.

9.) Don’t stare at other people on the bus/train. I don’t care if you think that girl is hotter than Heidi Klum or perhaps she has a giant wart on her forehead – staring is rude and that person does notice.

This is by all means not an exhaustive list, so what would you add? What irks you about your public transit neighbours?

*This has been a public service announcement from Leah.

And so without further ado:

Our eating area/kitchen

Another look at the kitchen

Family room

Otherside of the Familyroom

A bad photo of the Living room, connected to the Family Room

Diningroom being used as an office

Hailey’s room

Our ensuite bathroom

The back of the house, complete with laundry on the line

Hailey being the boss of unpacking

So far we have one room finished and that is Hailey’s room! Next up is to take photos of it and get it posted.
Also I hope it is obvious but these were taken before any of our furniture was moved in…