In light of Canada day being today I thought I’d write about some of Canada’s light hearted  quirks that we tend to call our own.  For those of you who read my ”Thrills gum on the bottom of my shoe” blog post may remember that I was going to continue my Canadian’isms.’

These are my favourites that top my list, feel free to add your own or what you’d have as the top of your own personal list.

1. Loonie and toonie

2.  Canadian Tire Money

3. Poutine

4. Maple syrup

5.  Toques

6. Skill testing questions with contests

7. Mounties

8. Thills gum

9.  Nanaimo bars

10.  Socks with sandals

While I’m not completely serious with my number 10 I can’t help but notice the abundance of of Canadians who wear socks with sandals. I’m not sure if  its a Canadianism or more of a worldwide’ism.  Do you wear socks with sandals? Are you for or against the wearing of socks with sandals? A fence sitter on the issue?

I almost went out with the girls on the weekend wearing socks with sandals.  I had to pull a u turn and head back home to change into my flats. Somehow while being distracted I slipped on my sandals. (Namely two kids fightings and a weiner dog acting like a jumping bean!)

Eh, of course is a given and didn’t make it on my list because it’s just there 🙂

I paid .96 for this stuff – 96 CENTS!

SuperStore:
– 3 Mr. Clean Erasers @ .99 each = $2.97 – 3/$1.00 coupons = +.03 (saved = $3.00) $1.00 coupons here

Wal-Mart:
– 2 Toblerone @ .98 each = $1.96 – 2/$1.00 coupons = +.04 (saved = $2.00) $1.00 coupons here
– 2 Pillsbury Ready To Bake Cookies @ $3.49 each = $6.98 – 2/FREE coupons = FREE! (saved = $6.98) Emailed company and asked for coupons
– 5 Cottonelle Wipes @ .97 each = $4.85 – 5/$1.00 coupons = +.15 (saved = $5.00) found coupons in Wal-mart, zellers and shoppers
– 1 Febreeze To Go @ $1.87 – $2.00 coupon = .13 (saved = $2.00) coupon given to me by a friend

Future Shop:
– 20 4×6 Photos @ FREE = FREE! (saved = approx. $5.00) sign up for 20 free prints

Shoppers Drug Mart:
– 1 Satin Care Shave Gel @ clearance .99 – .75 coupon = .24 (saved including coupon = approx. $3.75) .75 coupon here
– 1 Gillette Fusion Razor @ $9.69 – $10.00 coupon (rung in as FREE coupon) = FREE! (saved including coupon = $13.99) $10.00 coupon here
– 1 Gillette Fusion Shave Gel @ clearance .99 – $1.00 coupon (rung in as FREE coupon) = FREE! (saved including coupon $5.49) $1.00 coupon here

Tax @ $1.07

Total Saved = $47.21

HAPPY SHOPPING!

CBC.ca is reporting the results of a recent Ipsos-Reid survey that attempts to summarize what Canada means to Canadians.  Those involved in the survey were asked five open-ended questions — what is Canada’s defining person, event, place, symbol and accomplishment?  The results might surprise you;

• Person – Pierre Trudeau
• Event – Canada Day
• Place – Niagara Falls
• Symbol – Maple Leaf
• Accomplishment – Canadarm

While I agree that they are all things that are definitively Canadian, they’re not necessarily the definitive things in their categories.  If you hop on over to the original article you can see the top ten for each category.  My picks would have gone a little differently;

• Person – Pierre Trudeau (but in my heart I want it to be Tommy Douglas)
• Event – 1982 Charter of Rights and Freedoms (there was a whole hubbub about it at the time — big deal stuff)
• Place – Parliament Hill
• Symbol – the flag
• Accomplishment – Universal Health Care

What would you have picked?

Tomorrow is Canada Day, and I figured what better way to gear up for our national celebration of Canadian culture than with a bit of local pride?

It’s an easy little game, and it’s fun too! Plus it has the added bonus of giving everyone some ideas for tourist destinations they might never have thought of. Just list off some of the amazing things that you can reach within a 20 minute drive from your front door. I’ll go first;

Within a 20 minute drive from my front door, there’s…

• one of the seven wonders of the world
• two casino’s
• an amusement park
• wine country
• a canal where “the ships climb the mountain”
• a historic carousel
• a beach that Rush wrote a song about
• “The Screaming Tunnel”
• the first capital city of Upper Canada

So where do I live? St. Catharines, Ontario of course! We’re right next to Niagara Falls (hence the casinos, amusements and wonder) and Niagara-On-The-Lake (our former capital) — all within a quick 20 minute jaunt.

Who’s next?

Stumbled across this one on the fascinating English Russia blog.  They have a fascination with all things Russian, and couldn’t help but post a picture of this horse and buggy hitting the drive thru. To the best of my understanding, in certain parts of Russia this is still a pretty typical mode of transportation — so why shouldn’t they trot on through and grab a large fries and a coke?

Save $5.00 on Herbal Essences Hair Colouring
A great coupon!

Thank you Rachel1496  for posting this on the forum

If you’re one of the few gamers out there that have been holding out for a price drop before picking up Rock Band, wait no more.  Both Blockbuster and Future Shop are now offering the PS2 version of Rock Band for $99 — a pretty big drop from the previous MSRP of $169.99.

Considering both retailers are offering it for $99, I’d like to say you could safely assume that this is a permanent price drop.  However the Future Shop website indicates this is a sale price until August 13th, so who can say for sure?  Either way, if you’re a PS2 gamer nows the time to get your Rock Band on.

Thanks SunBunny for posting this awesome Canadian Tire deal on the forum 😀

June 28th ONLY

Make a purchase of $40 or more at any Canadian Tire store and receive $10 Canadian Tire “Money” reward.

Thanks Willowsprite for suggesting this awesome program!

The Salon is a pilot project from Procter & Gamble — a new online forum for beauty enthusiasts — and we’d like you to be one of the first to try it.

Created by the beauty pros behind P&G Everyday Solutions, The Salon is a place to try new beauty products and share your opinions about them.

All members of The Salon get:

• A forum for honest talk with other beauty-minded mavens
• The chance to test new P&G Beauty products
• Expert advice from those in the know
• The chance to get samples and savings from CoverGirl, Pantene, Nice’n Easy, Perfect 1O and more.

The Salon is your link to the latest products and the smartest talk on beauty. It’s a place for beauty experts and everyday mavens. Sound like you?

If you don’t think The Salon is right for you, feel free to pass this invitation along.

Click here to preregister to join The Salon Canada

Thanks Godluvs for posting this Old Navy Canada deal on the Canadian Shopping forum 😀

One Day ONLY, Saturday June 28th
Door Buster Deals
$1 Flip Flops for adults and kids** (limit 5 pairs per customer)

**Select styles only. Solid flip-flops only, excluding printed and metallic styles. Some colors are not available in all stores.

I’m assuming this is for all Old Navy’s, but for sure the one in Waterloo, ON where I received a flyer about it.

They also have a summer loving sale June 27th-July 2 where you receive up to 50% off shorts, swimwear & graphic tees

Bump

Although it says this offer is for new customers, existing customer can use it too  😉

New customers save $10 on a first purchase of $40 or more (excluding taxes) plus FREE shipping available within Canada.

Coupon code expires on October 31, 2008.

Use coupon code MAPNEWNCSAVE

Thanks MissScrooge for letting me know about this Canadian freebie

Get free boxer shorts.

Link removed since freebie has expired

Here’s another great bonus offer from Biotherm.

Retailer: Sears
Minimum amount you need to spend: $30 CAD (before taxes)
Duration: June 27 – July 5, 2008

What you get:
– Biosource cleansing gel, 20 ml
– Source Therapie Superactiv skin perfector, 15 ml
– Body Resculpt Svelt total tightening and slimming body care, 20 ml
– Lait Corporel anti-drying body milk, 20 ml
– Biotherm head band and cosmetic bag

Have you ever fantasized or wondered what it would feel like to work at Disneyland as a Disney character? Here’s a very interesting story from a person who actually got this opportunity! An ex-Jack Sparrow spills on life at the Magic Kingdom. Even if you’re not interested in Disneyland, this story is a very enjoyable read.

Thirty-seven actors showed up that day, four of us in costume. After 15 minutes they pulled me into another room where two other guys were sitting. They told us we were going to be Disneyland’s first Jack Sparrows. I played Jack like he was real, and if a woman flirted, I would flirt back. Women loved it….

Click here for Confessions of a Disneyland Jack Sparrow via Digg

And yes the picture above is the one he mentions in his story.

Thanks to the person who suggested this fabulous promo!

Save up to 40% off participating Sheraton, Westin, Le Meridien, Four Points by Sheraton Hotels in Canada.  Book by July 1.

Click here for more details on this hotels Canada promo