WOW! What can I say about a birthday that was 99% perfect. (Yes, the only missing ingredient was Tara & her family!)
Starting with a morning coffee with my best friend, Penny, I got to do my day's work in 2.5 hours and be done for the day.
I then went for a lunch with my staff from the office, who paid for my steak at Mr. Mike's (my favourite restaurant). I received an amazing card and flowers in an autumn display!
From lunch I went to Penny's house and joined her and my friend, Judy, in an afternoon of laughter and scrapbooking. I finished my Mexico album for Tara and just have to finish putting it into sheet protectors and the binder. Whoo hoo. Judy had a great card and a package of shiny metallic scrapbooking paper and amazing stickers about family. Penny gave me a metal frog about a foot tall to put in my yard and a beautiful white coral candle holder with candle for my desk. She also gave me a great card. I managed to catch a 30 minute nap while she went out to run an errand and then off to my house we went.
My house was full of my beautiful family all dressed up and looking like a million $$$. Another best friend, Christy, was there to help celebrate with the family, and she brought an amazing bottle of wine - Jackson Triggs White Merlot (a definite rebuy!!!)
My grandchildren were all dressed up looking like the princesses and princes that they are. Jeff and Sam were in coordinating mauve/purple outfits. Dianne and Shane looked awesome in their dressup clothes. (Nothing looks better than a man in a suit or shirt & tie.)
I had another awesome bouquet of soft pink/coral roses that made me almost cry they were so beautiful. Dianne had gathered a bouquet of amazing fall branches including volunteer sunflowers from the bird seed (LOL) and rose hips, and red leaves. It was humongous.
Sam, Jeff and girls have ordered a custom made camera case for me. I got to choose my own fabric colors and should be here in 3 weeks or so. (Gotta love Etsy!) Tom has ordered a new digital SLR camera for me . . . ooooh I can't wait for it to come! Gabe had bought a Silver Star (like Webkinz) hedge hog for me. His name is Hubert!
And DINNER! 3 types of amazing baked salmon, crab legs big enough to carry a small child away, and shrimp with 3 types of rice with asparagus. Hot melted butter at each plate for the crab legs. . . corn on the cob to fill in the gaps . . .ooooh, I could have kept eating all night. And then the finale! Carrot cake and cream cheese icing! OMG! I must have gained 10 pounds at one meal! Laughter, jokes, and great friends and family! It just can't get any better!
Watch for photos to come!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
BAD DAY
So today was a BAD BAD BAD day!
Sunday night we had a terrible meal out at our favourite restaurant in Quesnel - The River Rock. It was a Sunday night and they got slammed with a table of 18 and then the rest of the dining room AND pub side filled up and they only had one cook and one service person on staff. By the time they got help in, well . . . an hour and a half to get our meal - and our meal was all wrong and bad.
Bottom line - Dianne and I both got to have wheat for supper. Yesterday, I was down and tired, with a sore throat and headache. Today was hell! Severe headache and DEPRESSION to the point that I just wanted to kill myself AND - it made sense to do so. After the first 3 hours, the rest of my symptoms kicked in (vision, dizziness, ears plugged, etc) and I realized that it was all the allergy! Scared me tho'!
How do kids survive when an allergy can make you certain that you are nothing but a handicap to all those around you. Until I got the clarity that it was the allergy, I was convinced that I would never work again.
Scarey! But feeling better tonight - just the hot/cold flashes, sore throat, head ache and plugged ears to deal with. This one was a really scarey and bad one!
Gluten and GLAIDIN ARE MY ENEMIES!
Sunday night we had a terrible meal out at our favourite restaurant in Quesnel - The River Rock. It was a Sunday night and they got slammed with a table of 18 and then the rest of the dining room AND pub side filled up and they only had one cook and one service person on staff. By the time they got help in, well . . . an hour and a half to get our meal - and our meal was all wrong and bad.
Bottom line - Dianne and I both got to have wheat for supper. Yesterday, I was down and tired, with a sore throat and headache. Today was hell! Severe headache and DEPRESSION to the point that I just wanted to kill myself AND - it made sense to do so. After the first 3 hours, the rest of my symptoms kicked in (vision, dizziness, ears plugged, etc) and I realized that it was all the allergy! Scared me tho'!
How do kids survive when an allergy can make you certain that you are nothing but a handicap to all those around you. Until I got the clarity that it was the allergy, I was convinced that I would never work again.
Scarey! But feeling better tonight - just the hot/cold flashes, sore throat, head ache and plugged ears to deal with. This one was a really scarey and bad one!
Gluten and GLAIDIN ARE MY ENEMIES!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
My Quiet Place
I am sitting at my new desk in front of my bedroom window feeling "at peace" with my world this morning. My window is open slightly (had to close it last night because the smoke was so thick I was actually coughing from it) and the lightest breath of air is coming in to refresh my cobwebbed mind. I am looking out on my yard where all our summer "things" are in place waiting for us to come out and play. My window sill has my new bedside water glass and jug in pink crystal with my candles and latest fav CD. The coffee is perking in the breakfast nook and, yes, Tom is snoring behind me. I have a collage of my grandkids in front of me on the desk (soon to be hung on the wall immediately under the window in front of where I sit.) My journals and journaling books are on the desk beside me - beckoning me to take the time to let my brain overflow onto their beautiful pages. There is a package of Victoria Creams Miniatures chocolates from Mary's Gifts (now being called Joyful Expressions) waiting to be opened and sampled. My Angel of Courage from the Willow Tree collection is sitting by my coffee coaster encouraging me to dive into my day.
Can you feel my space? Can you feel my heart overflowing? Can you sense the "rightness" of where I am right now?
I can and it feels glorious!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Peanut (Butter)
What a fun time I have had at Tara and Dales home in Calgary. During the work day, Daphne and I are home alone with Peanut. For a 10 month old puppy, she is amazingly well behaved.
Peanut is becoming very protective of her home and family. Yesterday during the paving of the street out front, a single worker walked down our side of the street. He was in his work coveralls, wearing the usual safety vest and hard hat and workboots. Peanut was inside the house and suddenly every hair on her back was straight up and she was at the back door screen barking her STAY AWAY! She stopped when we went to the door and checked, but she was not in a playful mood for sure.
Peanut's tricks include the usual sit, lay down, roll over, but the funniest is her "play attack" mode with Dale. She loves to go all wild dog and playfully dive and growl etc. Never does she actually made contact with her teeth on any part of your body. She loves to herd your feet and ankles, which was particularly funny when Dolly was here and she tried to herd Dolly. (Imagine trying to get under Dolly's belly to nip at HER ankles!) LOL
Peanut inspires me to get to work on Stetson. We have alot of work to do on him, but he is intelligent and loving - great assets to learning.
More Peanut pics to follow.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Life Path Challenge
WHAT DOES MY “LIFE PATH” LOOK LIKE? WHERE HAVE I COME FROM AND WHERE AM I GOING?
That one is going to take some serious thinking, especially my origins and youth. Lots of crazy activities and thoughts to consider, so I am going to skip to recent years ie. the last five or so.
I am trying to picture a line in a graph with the axis labeled fun vs responsibility. Now why would I see those as diametrically opposites? Surely sometimes the things I felt were my responsibilities were fun to do! Wow this is not working for me . . .
Maybe my axis should be fun vs work? But that only reflects how I am feeling lately. I feel that my “job” at EBS is all work and no fun. I don’t even enjoy my office or my clients. I am finished with “serving” the public. It exhausts me and I don’t like doing it. There, I just stamped my foot like a 4 year old!
If anyone can help me get a better start on this life path stuff . . . please dive in. I seem to be stuck in negative land. Feel free to throw out a comment or 2 to get me started.
ACTUALLY - THIS IS FOR A FAR TOO SERIOUS TOPIC!!!! OFF TO BETTER AND HAPPIER ENDEAVOURS - LIKE WRITING ABOUT MY FABULOUS FAMILY!
That one is going to take some serious thinking, especially my origins and youth. Lots of crazy activities and thoughts to consider, so I am going to skip to recent years ie. the last five or so.
I am trying to picture a line in a graph with the axis labeled fun vs responsibility. Now why would I see those as diametrically opposites? Surely sometimes the things I felt were my responsibilities were fun to do! Wow this is not working for me . . .
Maybe my axis should be fun vs work? But that only reflects how I am feeling lately. I feel that my “job” at EBS is all work and no fun. I don’t even enjoy my office or my clients. I am finished with “serving” the public. It exhausts me and I don’t like doing it. There, I just stamped my foot like a 4 year old!
If anyone can help me get a better start on this life path stuff . . . please dive in. I seem to be stuck in negative land. Feel free to throw out a comment or 2 to get me started.
ACTUALLY - THIS IS FOR A FAR TOO SERIOUS TOPIC!!!! OFF TO BETTER AND HAPPIER ENDEAVOURS - LIKE WRITING ABOUT MY FABULOUS FAMILY!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
A Visitor in the Night
So, I am sleeping in the basement guest room at Tara's, alone now that Tom is back in Quesnel till Friday. Or at least, I was alone until just after midnight Tuesday morning.
I woke up to a very dark bedroom. Even sleeping with my door open, there is minimal light available downstairs. I thought I heard a paper rustle on the floor, so I listened really hard for about a minute and there was nothing. About 10 minutes later I hear it again. This time it had moved across the end of the room where my suitcases are, and was in the corner rustling some paper there. Rodents! OMG, Tara has mice! OMG NOW WHAT DO I DO?
With my heart pounding, I wait for another noise and sure enough it is moving up the side of the room! I swing across the bed and head for the light - thinking about how I will have to put my foot down on the carpet and who knows what else may be down there? OK - BE BRAVE! I step down and lean way over and hit the light. At the same time I move into the doorway so I can make a run for it if they charge!
Charge? Nope! A dark black rodent is sitting up staring at me from the side of the room. He is sitting on my heating pad that is resting on our empty packaway, and he has the nerve to be looking really friendly! Now I know that Daphne's hamster is upstairs in its cage and couldn't possibly be down in my room - right? Ok, I have to go get Tara or Dale. I have to - what else will I do all night? Sit on my bed with the lights on and sing CumBuyYah?
Now Tara had been up 4 times the previous night with a sick and demanding dog. She had to work and was exhausted when she went to bed. I really didn't want to be the next nightime problem, but what else was I going to do? So I shut the bedroom door and head upstairs to the hallway and call out quietly (so as not to wake Daphne) for either Tara or Dale. When Tara lifts her head I tell her that there is a mouse like creature in my bedroom. (Now, even I heard the hysterical laughter in my high voice when I told her the 2nd and 3rd time.) She finally woke Dale and told him he had to go downstairs and "deal" with the "mouse".
I am still a bit hysterical, but I follow my great hunter down the stairs and into my bedroom. As Dale opens the door, the hairy monster is right inside, not 10" from the doorway. Dale bends down and placing the empty plastic raspberry container he grabbed on the way down the stairs, he calls out quietly "Come on Chowder. Come get in." It was Daphne's hampster!
Still giggling in a high pitched tone, I follow Dale up the stairs to the, now, empty hamster cage and watch Chowder hop back into his bed.
We know how the hamster got out of the cage - his bed cover was not snapped down tight after Daphne cleaned the cage out Monday morning. But, since a picture is worth a 1000 words, I am posting a pic of the metal 'baker's shelf' where the cage is place on the top of the 6 foot stand. We all wish we could have filmed how that little hamster made it down the shelving unit, out of the dining room, through the kitchen past the sleeping dog in her kennel, down the stairs (we think he used the "rails" along the steps), past the open family room door and the furnace room with laundry and bathroom, down the hallway to the open bedroom door where I was peacefully asleep in my bed!
Now this is a small hamster! You would think an adventure like this would be exhausting! Not so for our adverturous soul. He continued to run in his wheel and toys for at least another half hour before I finally could settle down and sleep. Did Chowder sleep then? We really don't know. But what I do know is that there is a heavy heavy box on top of the cover on Chowder's bed tonight. I SLEEP ALONE.
I woke up to a very dark bedroom. Even sleeping with my door open, there is minimal light available downstairs. I thought I heard a paper rustle on the floor, so I listened really hard for about a minute and there was nothing. About 10 minutes later I hear it again. This time it had moved across the end of the room where my suitcases are, and was in the corner rustling some paper there. Rodents! OMG, Tara has mice! OMG NOW WHAT DO I DO?
With my heart pounding, I wait for another noise and sure enough it is moving up the side of the room! I swing across the bed and head for the light - thinking about how I will have to put my foot down on the carpet and who knows what else may be down there? OK - BE BRAVE! I step down and lean way over and hit the light. At the same time I move into the doorway so I can make a run for it if they charge!
Charge? Nope! A dark black rodent is sitting up staring at me from the side of the room. He is sitting on my heating pad that is resting on our empty packaway, and he has the nerve to be looking really friendly! Now I know that Daphne's hamster is upstairs in its cage and couldn't possibly be down in my room - right? Ok, I have to go get Tara or Dale. I have to - what else will I do all night? Sit on my bed with the lights on and sing CumBuyYah?
Now Tara had been up 4 times the previous night with a sick and demanding dog. She had to work and was exhausted when she went to bed. I really didn't want to be the next nightime problem, but what else was I going to do? So I shut the bedroom door and head upstairs to the hallway and call out quietly (so as not to wake Daphne) for either Tara or Dale. When Tara lifts her head I tell her that there is a mouse like creature in my bedroom. (Now, even I heard the hysterical laughter in my high voice when I told her the 2nd and 3rd time.) She finally woke Dale and told him he had to go downstairs and "deal" with the "mouse".
I am still a bit hysterical, but I follow my great hunter down the stairs and into my bedroom. As Dale opens the door, the hairy monster is right inside, not 10" from the doorway. Dale bends down and placing the empty plastic raspberry container he grabbed on the way down the stairs, he calls out quietly "Come on Chowder. Come get in." It was Daphne's hampster!
Still giggling in a high pitched tone, I follow Dale up the stairs to the, now, empty hamster cage and watch Chowder hop back into his bed.
We know how the hamster got out of the cage - his bed cover was not snapped down tight after Daphne cleaned the cage out Monday morning. But, since a picture is worth a 1000 words, I am posting a pic of the metal 'baker's shelf' where the cage is place on the top of the 6 foot stand. We all wish we could have filmed how that little hamster made it down the shelving unit, out of the dining room, through the kitchen past the sleeping dog in her kennel, down the stairs (we think he used the "rails" along the steps), past the open family room door and the furnace room with laundry and bathroom, down the hallway to the open bedroom door where I was peacefully asleep in my bed!
Now this is a small hamster! You would think an adventure like this would be exhausting! Not so for our adverturous soul. He continued to run in his wheel and toys for at least another half hour before I finally could settle down and sleep. Did Chowder sleep then? We really don't know. But what I do know is that there is a heavy heavy box on top of the cover on Chowder's bed tonight. I SLEEP ALONE.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Walker or Watcher
In reading my new book by Christina Baldwin (Life's Companion, Journal Writing as a Spiritual Practice), I was stunned to read that one needs to be aware of when one is the walker and when one is the watcher. I think everyone has caught themselves "watching" themselves deal with a certain issue or person and felt remorse, guilt, joy or something that was completely removed from the issue. The book says: "... the walker: the active self." "Words and phrases such as "responsible,' 'team player,' 'decisive,' 'concrete,' and 'action-oriented' all describe the active self."
The writer then suggested "Imagine a mirror running parallel to the path you're walking on. The mirror path reflects feelings, thoughts, attitudes and beliefs about what is happening. This is the watcher, the reflective self."
I don't remember how many times I have felt like a "watcher" of my life and actions. I tend to shun the watcher with the excuse that I am too busy or that the feelings and thoughts are just unnecessary in getting things done. I believe that if you do that long enough, you become removed from your own motivations, emotions and faith.
I think it is time for me to get back in touch with my watcher. I hope that this journal will help me do just that.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Living Consciously
We learn to live consciously through becoming aware of inner and outer events as they are happening. Building a conscious self means becoming increasingly aware of inner events, bodily events and inner-personal needs. A conscious self is equal to experience in full awareness all the distinctly different components of the self including feeling, needs, drives, and values. A conscious self lives consciously. (by Gershen Kaufman/Lev Raphael, THE DYNAMICS OF POWER)
Found this quote in “Life’s Companion, Journal Writing as a Spiritual Practice” by Christina Baldwin.
I found it mentally challenging. For much of my life I chose to NOT live consciously. I went on auto-pilot, like many working moms around me. In order to get all the THINGS done in a day that had to be done, I just did everything. No time to think beyond “what has to get done first”. Kids had needs that as a parent I was responsible to meet. Work was demanding and if I wanted that money I had to perform. Housework didn’t go away, and eventually I had to do the laundry and the dishes, clean the bathroom and dust. Consciously - I don’t think so! Avoiding knowing what my personal needs were was a requirement of the job. If I thought about it too much I would probably divorce my husband, quit my job and ditch my kids. LOL
Ever hear of the “empty nest” syndrome? Well, I am still waiting for it to hit. Or maybe THAT is what living consciously means? Empty nest would mean more time on my hands to think about ME. Maybe that is what I am going through right now when I am looking at what I WANT to do instead of owning EBS. Maybe finding scrapbooking as a hobby to do with friends and family was my way of consciously looking at my creativity and deciding I needed this now. Maybe my journaling is my spiritual side looking to find its way back to the peace and quiet of faith. HMMMM...
We learn to live consciously through becoming aware of inner and outer events as they are happening. – That would explain why I don’t understand why I hate my work so much – I am more aware of the outer events and how I feel inside about them. I don’t understand things but I am more aware. Another AH...HA moment!
Ok, my head hurts now. I am going to post this and see what the day brings. Maybe I’ll be even more conscious. LOL
Found this quote in “Life’s Companion, Journal Writing as a Spiritual Practice” by Christina Baldwin.I found it mentally challenging. For much of my life I chose to NOT live consciously. I went on auto-pilot, like many working moms around me. In order to get all the THINGS done in a day that had to be done, I just did everything. No time to think beyond “what has to get done first”. Kids had needs that as a parent I was responsible to meet. Work was demanding and if I wanted that money I had to perform. Housework didn’t go away, and eventually I had to do the laundry and the dishes, clean the bathroom and dust. Consciously - I don’t think so! Avoiding knowing what my personal needs were was a requirement of the job. If I thought about it too much I would probably divorce my husband, quit my job and ditch my kids. LOL
Ever hear of the “empty nest” syndrome? Well, I am still waiting for it to hit. Or maybe THAT is what living consciously means? Empty nest would mean more time on my hands to think about ME. Maybe that is what I am going through right now when I am looking at what I WANT to do instead of owning EBS. Maybe finding scrapbooking as a hobby to do with friends and family was my way of consciously looking at my creativity and deciding I needed this now. Maybe my journaling is my spiritual side looking to find its way back to the peace and quiet of faith. HMMMM...
We learn to live consciously through becoming aware of inner and outer events as they are happening. – That would explain why I don’t understand why I hate my work so much – I am more aware of the outer events and how I feel inside about them. I don’t understand things but I am more aware. Another AH...HA moment!
Ok, my head hurts now. I am going to post this and see what the day brings. Maybe I’ll be even more conscious. LOL
Holidays
(Image is Dolly enjoying Daphne's company.)
Sitting in Calgary – feeling rather removed from my life.
I love the peace and quiet. I love having the dogs and one child as my entire stress load for the day.
The hardest decision is what to make for dinner, and the list of meals for the week is already written down and all the ingredients needed for the recipes in on hand.
Could I live like this over the long term? I don’t know. I do know that my body loves being here. I sleep well. I am eating well. I am drinking lots of water (and it is very warm here, so that is a good thing). I am losing bulk (maybe that is the water), but I don’t know if that is equal to losing weight. Different muscles hurt here than when I am at home. That could be the different table heights, activities, etc.
I miss my Quesnel family and friends. I wonder constantly what I am missing back there. I miss seeing the girls at Sam and Jeff’s. I miss my grandsons at home. I miss the back yard and Stetson. I miss my friends (particularly Penny). I miss Dianne and Shane. I miss seeing Chris.
I don’t want to stay too long, but maybe running away right now is a good thing. I feel like I am drowning at the office – hate to go there. I don’t want to be bothered with everything that is happening there. Whether it is clients, staff or just the office, I want it to go away! I haven’t even checked my email for the office since I left Quesnel over 10 days ago. Man, I hate to think of all the emails waiting . . .
So for now, I will enjoy my week, one day at a time. My goals are simple: help keep the house tidy; make dinners; scrapbook with Daphne and Tara; be quiet. I do want to journal more often – daily preferably. I have a new book about journaling for the soul . . . can’t wait to dive into that one.
I want to be well.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Friends only!
I have decided to restrict access to my blog to only those who have been invited. My friends and family - people I want to share my thoughts and life events with.
I have emailed each of you to please sign up and have access to my blog. I have struggled with my use of my blog spot and finally decided that what I originally planned was to have a site where I could post freely about the joys in my life. Since 99% of those joys are made up of my family and their lives, and I didn't want the world to have access, I stopped posting. I am missing my blog.
So here goes Phase II. My blog would never come up in any search engine before - blogspot or google. Now, even going to my blog site : qsquires.blogspot.com : you should not have access to my blog without being invited.
Please help by confirming this interpretation of blogspot's intent.
I hope to keep everyone still following my blog and helping me to solve any dilemas as they come up. I don't want to offend, anger or restrict anyone. Thanks guys!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
July Holidays
Ok, so I am on holiday. That should mean lots of time to blog, right? Then how come this is the first time I have gotten this close to my blog in 7 days. Don't look at the months since my last update, please :(
If a holiday is to relaxing . . . well, this one rocks! Sleep in, go to bed early, drink coffee for 2 hours every morning, then get dressed and decide if it is worth going out or staying in . . . If I relax any more, I will be comatose. LOL
Scrapbooking has taken a back seat to reading and playing on my computer. (Did I really put that in print -- shame on me!) I only have one 2 page spread completed and helped Daphne do a card for a girlfriend. I did resort 329 pics of T's Mexico trip, and get some additional cardstock to do layouts. Not enough to justify the 2 trips to Michaels already. I am soooooo bad.
So, back to my computer and my new "Artful Blogging" magazine. So how do I get fancy backgrounds and pics on my blogspot postings???? HMMM???
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Stetson!
Ok - so it isn't a hat!
Please help us welcome our new addition to this crazy house - Stetson! He is a 16 month old English Golden Retriever. We picked him up from a great couple in Williams Lake that couldn't keep him due to health reasons. They had only had him a few weeks. He originally came from a farm in Prince George.
Stetson is a marvelous dog that deserves kids! (no that is not a hex!) He loves to follow and join in and race and lay and just BE with G the Babe, R (the Leased)and Dman. G the Babe has found a forever friend for sure. Every time he would come in the house because he was tired or had to go to the bathroom, he would meander back to the door and whoosh - be off out to his dog again!
Stetson's bark is a deep heavy WHOOF! and we get to hear it lots. We have all this new stuff around us so he has to check out what to get upset about - the neighbors' dogs, squirrels (YEA!), black birds (must be chased away), and wildlife must stay out of the yard!
So far we have not invited him into the house, however, come fall he will definitely be in and out.
BTW - Dolly, our Mini Dachshund, is not as happy with Stetson as we are. He keeps smelling her butt and she is tired of that! She does rule him, however. He can't get to rambunctious around her or she gets really upset.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Long Weekend Plans NOT!
Ok so the gods are not in our favour!
Dman is off to a long weekend sports event with the Cadets at Terrace. Ok, so it is a little cold (down to 1 last night). He is young and will survive!
Our well pump decided to come off the water pipes last night and we have no water in the house of 6! Repair man to be here at 9am.
This was to be our Saturday to go garage saling - brrrrr! Dress warm.
This afternoon is our Creative Memories party at 2pm - only 1 other confirmed guest.
Can you see the pattern happening here???
Dman is off to a long weekend sports event with the Cadets at Terrace. Ok, so it is a little cold (down to 1 last night). He is young and will survive!
Our well pump decided to come off the water pipes last night and we have no water in the house of 6! Repair man to be here at 9am.
This was to be our Saturday to go garage saling - brrrrr! Dress warm.
This afternoon is our Creative Memories party at 2pm - only 1 other confirmed guest.
Can you see the pattern happening here???
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
I'm Healthy!!!!
Just got back from my Dr.'s office and he had nothing but great news for me. My cholesterol is WAY, WAY down from last year. My blood pressure is down. All blood and urine tests are showing only good good good. Whooo hooo!
I was one step away from serious lifestyle changes - ie. even more food avoidance and lots more exercise, far less work, more medications etc. - last year at this time. Thanks mainly to Dianne and Shane's arrival this year, my health is tons better. I am eating at home more, working so much less, doing less housework and enjoying my hobbies much more! All thanks to Dianne!!!
It is so great to have my health turning around!
I was one step away from serious lifestyle changes - ie. even more food avoidance and lots more exercise, far less work, more medications etc. - last year at this time. Thanks mainly to Dianne and Shane's arrival this year, my health is tons better. I am eating at home more, working so much less, doing less housework and enjoying my hobbies much more! All thanks to Dianne!!!
It is so great to have my health turning around!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Busy times (Part 2)
So how come when I get 2 great days in a row, I want a 3rd? Why can't I be grateful and happy and ready to settle down and do some housework? Instead, all I can think about is having more fun! Does this make me selfish? self-centered? unappreciative of those around me that made my 2 great days possible?
Friday afternoon I got to go to PG with T & D and have a great afternoon and evening shopping (first time in almost 2 months). For a shopaholic, that was heaven. Spent way too much money, but got groceries, clothing, summer stuff for outside, gifts for the boys, etc. It was great to spend the time with 2 of the people I love, doing something together that we all love to do.
Saturday I went scrapbooking with D & all my friends (except one). It was absolutely great! We laughed all day and I got 6 pages completed. It was a great day of creativity and friendship. After packing everything up and coming home (to a house with nobody in it!), D and I played Civilization IV on the computers as a team. We made our own supper (hot dogs that screamed and their heads popped off - in the microwave) that made us laugh, then more Civ IV till almost 1 am. I had to stay up for an hour to calm down since I was so wound up in the battles on my computer I couldn't sleep.
I was up at 5am to get Demetris up and ready for Cadets (going gliding in PG today). I headed back to bed at 6 and slept in till 10. Now - wouldn't you think I would be grateful to my family that is all up and moving and working . . . They are all busy cleaning out my breakfast nook and turning it into a coffee/computer station and running new water pipes for my laundry room redo. Now isn't that enough to get me going - get me out of my chair and working?
Here I sit, writing in my blog and my mind is completely submersed in working on blogging for D's Coveted Cutz blog site and playing more Civ IV. I am a bad person. I am going to H E L L. Up, I am. (Flog, flog, flog.)
Friday afternoon I got to go to PG with T & D and have a great afternoon and evening shopping (first time in almost 2 months). For a shopaholic, that was heaven. Spent way too much money, but got groceries, clothing, summer stuff for outside, gifts for the boys, etc. It was great to spend the time with 2 of the people I love, doing something together that we all love to do.
Saturday I went scrapbooking with D & all my friends (except one). It was absolutely great! We laughed all day and I got 6 pages completed. It was a great day of creativity and friendship. After packing everything up and coming home (to a house with nobody in it!), D and I played Civilization IV on the computers as a team. We made our own supper (hot dogs that screamed and their heads popped off - in the microwave) that made us laugh, then more Civ IV till almost 1 am. I had to stay up for an hour to calm down since I was so wound up in the battles on my computer I couldn't sleep.
I was up at 5am to get Demetris up and ready for Cadets (going gliding in PG today). I headed back to bed at 6 and slept in till 10. Now - wouldn't you think I would be grateful to my family that is all up and moving and working . . . They are all busy cleaning out my breakfast nook and turning it into a coffee/computer station and running new water pipes for my laundry room redo. Now isn't that enough to get me going - get me out of my chair and working?
Here I sit, writing in my blog and my mind is completely submersed in working on blogging for D's Coveted Cutz blog site and playing more Civ IV. I am a bad person. I am going to H E L L. Up, I am. (Flog, flog, flog.)
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Busy times
I guess this is my life . . . busy all the time, even when sitting still at my computer. Yes, my life is surrounded by busy. Now, I don't think that is a bad thing. In fact, that is what makes my down and out times feel ok. But, everyone else seems to think that the "busy" is what makes me stressed. Hmm, nope, I don't feel that way. I get stressed in the dark of night when my body is too tired to do anything and my mind is going way too fast to sleep. I get stressed when I am being withdrawn and "into" myself. I get stressed when I have to deal with my office for more than 4 hours. I get stressed over money issues (particularly the lack of money). I get stressed with the "I should have" statements in my head.
So, having thought this through (at least the stress part), let me "think through" the busy part. My basic, core self is somehow based in being the centre pin of my family, (hence The Matriarch). The name means to me the strength and head of a family both mentally and physically. It does not mean tyrant, master or authoritarian. It means mentor and leader - a leader that encourages each member of the family to become their own leader and master. I struggle with the image of the Italian Matriarch. I envision that person to be dominant and self serving to the detriment of any who raise their head above ground (ie. smack the gopher image). I am more the Canadian Matriarch who is in the process of training up the next generation of leaders to take over when I die. In order for succession to work, you must guide each heir to be a strong and confident leader in their own right.
There are many times when I don't agree with my family's decisions or actions. That was true when they were in preschool and will be true till I die. My role is to observe, encourage and support. To support a decision or behaviour you don't like or agree with is the most difficult to deal with. Not because of the need to support the other person, but because my inside voice says "I must be weak not to take and stand and tell them off or set them straight." But, to learn valuable life lessons, I believe you must experience them, not be told about them.
Hmmm - now, is that where a new "stress" enters my lifestyle? Whenever you have to internalize or hold back a reaction, there is a "stressor" involved, but I honestly don't believe that this is a significant one. If it was, I would have been on high blood pressure pills since my first child reached 4 and had to make her bed, dress herself, clean her own teeth etc. because I know I could do them all for her better than she could do them at 4 yrs old.
NOPE - I don't buy into that stress.
Ok - enough heavy thought for this morning. LOL. Need to get some work done.
Opinions welcome!
So, having thought this through (at least the stress part), let me "think through" the busy part. My basic, core self is somehow based in being the centre pin of my family, (hence The Matriarch). The name means to me the strength and head of a family both mentally and physically. It does not mean tyrant, master or authoritarian. It means mentor and leader - a leader that encourages each member of the family to become their own leader and master. I struggle with the image of the Italian Matriarch. I envision that person to be dominant and self serving to the detriment of any who raise their head above ground (ie. smack the gopher image). I am more the Canadian Matriarch who is in the process of training up the next generation of leaders to take over when I die. In order for succession to work, you must guide each heir to be a strong and confident leader in their own right.
There are many times when I don't agree with my family's decisions or actions. That was true when they were in preschool and will be true till I die. My role is to observe, encourage and support. To support a decision or behaviour you don't like or agree with is the most difficult to deal with. Not because of the need to support the other person, but because my inside voice says "I must be weak not to take and stand and tell them off or set them straight." But, to learn valuable life lessons, I believe you must experience them, not be told about them.
Hmmm - now, is that where a new "stress" enters my lifestyle? Whenever you have to internalize or hold back a reaction, there is a "stressor" involved, but I honestly don't believe that this is a significant one. If it was, I would have been on high blood pressure pills since my first child reached 4 and had to make her bed, dress herself, clean her own teeth etc. because I know I could do them all for her better than she could do them at 4 yrs old.
NOPE - I don't buy into that stress.
Ok - enough heavy thought for this morning. LOL. Need to get some work done.
Opinions welcome!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Scrapbooking
What a great weekend!
After the post tax time dinner at Ben's West Side Kitchen on Friday night, I got to attend the rest of the 3 day scrapbooking weekend by Wanda at the Vasa Lodge. It was amazing.
I sat with friends and scrapbooked my heart out. I went for supper with D. and shared some of the fun. By Saturday evening I had learned 5 new techniques and completed 8 pages and 2 cards. By Sunday afternoon (left at 3:30) that number was 14 pages and 2 cards and another 4 new technique demos.
I laughed and joked for 2 days. Everyone was happy and thrilled to be there. What a great feeling to be in a room with such creative mojo working! I have some of my best creations from this weekend.
Now I remember what got me so caught up in this beautiful orchestration of art, skill and creativity.
After the post tax time dinner at Ben's West Side Kitchen on Friday night, I got to attend the rest of the 3 day scrapbooking weekend by Wanda at the Vasa Lodge. It was amazing.
I sat with friends and scrapbooked my heart out. I went for supper with D. and shared some of the fun. By Saturday evening I had learned 5 new techniques and completed 8 pages and 2 cards. By Sunday afternoon (left at 3:30) that number was 14 pages and 2 cards and another 4 new technique demos.
I laughed and joked for 2 days. Everyone was happy and thrilled to be there. What a great feeling to be in a room with such creative mojo working! I have some of my best creations from this weekend.
Now I remember what got me so caught up in this beautiful orchestration of art, skill and creativity.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
New special website - covetedcutz.com
Whether your interest is scrapbooking, using a Cricut, taking photos, or just visiting with a cool writer/artist, be sure to check out this new website. It is so new that the construction phase is just started - but already I am anxious to see the product develope.
I encourage all to check out D's new www.covetedcutz.com site!
I encourage all to check out D's new www.covetedcutz.com site!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Scrapbooking and Blogging
I am soooo addicted to blogging and reading blogs(more than writing). I love following the scrapbooking blogs and responding to the many suggestions and ideas. I have also found hundreds of great scrapbooking sites through those blogs.
I recently won an Earth Day prize on a blog site from Sooke, BC. All I had to do was answer what year Canada started to celebrate Earth Day and I get a great scrapbooking gift.
I can't wait to receive my pressie.
I recently won an Earth Day prize on a blog site from Sooke, BC. All I had to do was answer what year Canada started to celebrate Earth Day and I get a great scrapbooking gift.
I can't wait to receive my pressie.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Changes
One course completed with just the final grades to post. No teaching till May 3rd - whoo hoo! I am so happy to have a break. But, May 3rd is 3 hrs, 4th is 4 hrs & 6th is 4 hrs and off I go again.
I had decided to take a one year sabbatical from EBS. If there is a job at the College full time, then I may challenge that role. If there isn't, then I will take that time to finish my PID and maybe even start my Masters. Sounds confident right? With LH being offered a job, I get to reevaluate and offer her the Office Manager position. Originally all I could think was - here we go - every time I want to make a change for me, something pulls me back into the office. But now, maybe this is the answer to that need for change. Maybe this will jump LH into the management position T was worried about and free me to move on.
Now LH just has to agree . . .
I had decided to take a one year sabbatical from EBS. If there is a job at the College full time, then I may challenge that role. If there isn't, then I will take that time to finish my PID and maybe even start my Masters. Sounds confident right? With LH being offered a job, I get to reevaluate and offer her the Office Manager position. Originally all I could think was - here we go - every time I want to make a change for me, something pulls me back into the office. But now, maybe this is the answer to that need for change. Maybe this will jump LH into the management position T was worried about and free me to move on.
Now LH just has to agree . . .
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Life and Choices
It is a quiet Sunday morning. The kids are all playing quietly, Tom is on his computer and D&S are downstairs. Kids have been fed, coffee made, all is good.
So my mind goes into superdrive. And the prevalent thought is "How do I avoid EBS this week?" Now that is just wrong. It is our busy "season" and the staff are beginning to feel "taken advantage of". Yes, I am the boss and can do what I want since they are being paid to be there, but there is the need to have mutual respect and I am definitely losing theirs. So does it matter? Hmmm . . . probably.
I refuse to play the I am sick card. Have to save that one for the days that I am actually under the weather. I can't "blame" my family since they are all making my life so much easier than it has been in ages. I guess I could use the "working at home" but then what about my appointments? That just makes it appear as if my staff don't have the authority to make appointments for me. And then there is the fact that I do have to get the work done! LY has not been dependable due to the family illness and I do need to get things done.
So how does it really look? This moving out of EBS? What will my day look like? How do I do it? The idea of getting out of the business is soooo very appealing. But I have to continue to pay my dues . . . guess that is the responsible thing to do.
Damn I hate being a grown up!
So my mind goes into superdrive. And the prevalent thought is "How do I avoid EBS this week?" Now that is just wrong. It is our busy "season" and the staff are beginning to feel "taken advantage of". Yes, I am the boss and can do what I want since they are being paid to be there, but there is the need to have mutual respect and I am definitely losing theirs. So does it matter? Hmmm . . . probably.
I refuse to play the I am sick card. Have to save that one for the days that I am actually under the weather. I can't "blame" my family since they are all making my life so much easier than it has been in ages. I guess I could use the "working at home" but then what about my appointments? That just makes it appear as if my staff don't have the authority to make appointments for me. And then there is the fact that I do have to get the work done! LY has not been dependable due to the family illness and I do need to get things done.
So how does it really look? This moving out of EBS? What will my day look like? How do I do it? The idea of getting out of the business is soooo very appealing. But I have to continue to pay my dues . . . guess that is the responsible thing to do.
Damn I hate being a grown up!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Family is . . .
After reading through my family's blogs this morning I am touched by the power of our technology today. Although I live in the same city as 3 of my children, and I get to spend time with them all the time, their blogs allow me to catch a glimpse of them as the mature parents and adults they really are. Somehow when I am with them I tend to see them as my kids . . . although I am proud of the adults they have become!
When your children become your best friends (when they are adults), you enter into a very special relationship. Unlike other friends, these ones are lifers, they will never go away or betray you. But, they also have the secrets to your soul. They know from experience just where your buttons are and how to push them. But that works both ways - I too know how to push their buttons. That is where the respect comes in. Because we respect each other and we are proud of each other, we tend to forgive the button pushing and see it as just a simple "slip of the finger", shall we say.
Most families do not get to this point in their relationships and when you see another, it is almost a bonding experience. I have identified a couple of parent/adult child relationships that share this same bond and it is beautiful to see. I automatically respect that parent and child a little more. I hope others see that same relationship when they observe me with my family.
So love your family, value your family, respect your family and be proud of your family. They are special.
When your children become your best friends (when they are adults), you enter into a very special relationship. Unlike other friends, these ones are lifers, they will never go away or betray you. But, they also have the secrets to your soul. They know from experience just where your buttons are and how to push them. But that works both ways - I too know how to push their buttons. That is where the respect comes in. Because we respect each other and we are proud of each other, we tend to forgive the button pushing and see it as just a simple "slip of the finger", shall we say.
Most families do not get to this point in their relationships and when you see another, it is almost a bonding experience. I have identified a couple of parent/adult child relationships that share this same bond and it is beautiful to see. I automatically respect that parent and child a little more. I hope others see that same relationship when they observe me with my family.
So love your family, value your family, respect your family and be proud of your family. They are special.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Birthday cake - gluten free
So the white cake with nutriwhip frosting and lemon filling was so very tasty, but there was something different about the texture. It seemed spongey and powdery. Odd for D to not have a complete success. We will have to check out what was different about this one.
It was still a successful birthday cake!!!
It was still a successful birthday cake!!!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Pub night at the Squires
What a supper experience last night. For those of us that are wheat intolerant, the idea of breaded and deep fried anything is more than tantalizing - it is a craving! Well last night we met all our cravings!
D & S created tempura battered zuchinni, mushrooms, and onion rings. We also had chicken wings & potato slices - deep fried! Wow! The deep fried cheese - not a winner. Need to work on that batter a little more.
By the time the night was done, all of us (12 of us to be exact), were fed and lazy. Yes, the house smelled of hot oil, but it was so worth it. The deep fried onion rings were my favourite - even tho' I don't usually order them. They are also the most tempting at Mr. Mike's when Tom gets his steak sandwich. I never did particularly love the onion rings there, but now that I can't have them - well, of course I want them.
The kids certainly enjoyed the evening. With 3 of them unable to eat wheat, having deep fried food was a real treat.
Kudos to D & S for the awesome flavours and textures!!!!!
D & S created tempura battered zuchinni, mushrooms, and onion rings. We also had chicken wings & potato slices - deep fried! Wow! The deep fried cheese - not a winner. Need to work on that batter a little more.
By the time the night was done, all of us (12 of us to be exact), were fed and lazy. Yes, the house smelled of hot oil, but it was so worth it. The deep fried onion rings were my favourite - even tho' I don't usually order them. They are also the most tempting at Mr. Mike's when Tom gets his steak sandwich. I never did particularly love the onion rings there, but now that I can't have them - well, of course I want them.
The kids certainly enjoyed the evening. With 3 of them unable to eat wheat, having deep fried food was a real treat.
Kudos to D & S for the awesome flavours and textures!!!!!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Life at the speed of "Sinkinson"
So when I thought about being 57 - 58, I pictured quiet evenings on the computer, watching TV, maybe some crocheting and a little card playing. Tom would still be working till 6 or 7pm, but then he would be home for a quick dinner and some TV or reading. I would be bored alot, having to look for things to do to keep busy. I wasn't looking forward to the loneliness and boredom, but the quiet was peaceful.
NOT!
My life has definitely taken a turn for the harried side of life - in a good way of course! I now have 3 grandsons (and their parents) living with us, so the quiet evenings don't start till after bedtime (9ish). The computer is there, but I am far more challenged by my scrapbooking right now. D has me attempting some pretty fantastic layouts - which I love doing. My basement is under construction - thanks to S who is doing all the labour in renovating the storage/furnace room into a marvelous laundry room / scrapbooking room par excellence. On a quiet day the washer only sees 2 or 3 loads of laundry, but it is usually closer to 5 loads. Meals are bountiful full course treats thanks to D and her marvevelous cooking skills for us wheat allergic people!
So is my life better - h_ll YES! How else could I spend time with my 3 grandsons, getting to know who they really are? Where could I find a live in maid, cook and laundress that knows my likes and dislikes so well? I am never lonely! I have new and iteresting things happening around me every day. LIFE IS GOOD!
Hmm wonder what 60 will bring?
NOT!
My life has definitely taken a turn for the harried side of life - in a good way of course! I now have 3 grandsons (and their parents) living with us, so the quiet evenings don't start till after bedtime (9ish). The computer is there, but I am far more challenged by my scrapbooking right now. D has me attempting some pretty fantastic layouts - which I love doing. My basement is under construction - thanks to S who is doing all the labour in renovating the storage/furnace room into a marvelous laundry room / scrapbooking room par excellence. On a quiet day the washer only sees 2 or 3 loads of laundry, but it is usually closer to 5 loads. Meals are bountiful full course treats thanks to D and her marvevelous cooking skills for us wheat allergic people!
So is my life better - h_ll YES! How else could I spend time with my 3 grandsons, getting to know who they really are? Where could I find a live in maid, cook and laundress that knows my likes and dislikes so well? I am never lonely! I have new and iteresting things happening around me every day. LIFE IS GOOD!
Hmm wonder what 60 will bring?
Friday, March 26, 2010
What a disappointment
Well, I had promised myself to stay on top of the postings to my own blog - at least every other day - I promised.
Hmmm - not a realistic promise!
Sometimes life is just too crazy to write about. Sometimes toooo much happens in a day and by the end of the day you just want to curl up in a ball and cry. (That isn't to say that everything that happened was sad or deserved a good cry. Rather, there is just too much day to my life right now.)
Hmmm - not a realistic promise!
Sometimes life is just too crazy to write about. Sometimes toooo much happens in a day and by the end of the day you just want to curl up in a ball and cry. (That isn't to say that everything that happened was sad or deserved a good cry. Rather, there is just too much day to my life right now.)
Saturday, March 6, 2010
What a week!
This is getting to be quite the refrain! But what else can one say, when so very much happens each and every week.
This week has seen my son come out of his drugged and pain controlled state, and rejoining the world. Finally on Wednesday afternoon he surfaced and realized that he had lost almost 2 weeks that he doesn't remember at all. I can only say "Great! Because that pain was toubh to watch and must have been intolerable to experience!"
Friday brought a discussion and reveal of the mess in the furnace room area where the washer has been leaving water all over the floor and soaking through to the crawl space. That is the good news. The bad news is that they used MDF board under the stick on tiles that never stuck. With the moisture the MDF has turned to mush and the tiles . . . well enough said. Now for the 2nd good news, the pressure tank, well-in water line, and the water softener can all be moved to the opposite end of the furnace room (near the furnace) leaving the entire opposite end for better use! (Like a scrapbooking space???) We will have to rethink the placing of the washer and dryer, but it will still open up a great space that is currently unusable.
The new washer and dryer will be termporarily set up today so we can start saving water and power. They are bright red - my dream set. I just can't wait.
S&J's house got the primer in the basement yesterday and the rug removed from the bedroom making it ready for the new hardwood floor to go down. That will be done today.
I got to walk my yard with D & S yesterday and help share my "view" of what is to come. I seriously want to keep it a rather "wild or natural" look for grandchildren and pets to enjoy, rather than a planned and formal "garden". I love the look of space and the surprise of the various sitting areas and viewpoints within the layout. I love the use of the various huge pots overflowing with flowers that I can move about the yard to create a show in any area. That is my style.
So enough brain strolling for now. Off to find the coffee!
This week has seen my son come out of his drugged and pain controlled state, and rejoining the world. Finally on Wednesday afternoon he surfaced and realized that he had lost almost 2 weeks that he doesn't remember at all. I can only say "Great! Because that pain was toubh to watch and must have been intolerable to experience!"
Friday brought a discussion and reveal of the mess in the furnace room area where the washer has been leaving water all over the floor and soaking through to the crawl space. That is the good news. The bad news is that they used MDF board under the stick on tiles that never stuck. With the moisture the MDF has turned to mush and the tiles . . . well enough said. Now for the 2nd good news, the pressure tank, well-in water line, and the water softener can all be moved to the opposite end of the furnace room (near the furnace) leaving the entire opposite end for better use! (Like a scrapbooking space???) We will have to rethink the placing of the washer and dryer, but it will still open up a great space that is currently unusable.
The new washer and dryer will be termporarily set up today so we can start saving water and power. They are bright red - my dream set. I just can't wait.
S&J's house got the primer in the basement yesterday and the rug removed from the bedroom making it ready for the new hardwood floor to go down. That will be done today.
I got to walk my yard with D & S yesterday and help share my "view" of what is to come. I seriously want to keep it a rather "wild or natural" look for grandchildren and pets to enjoy, rather than a planned and formal "garden". I love the look of space and the surprise of the various sitting areas and viewpoints within the layout. I love the use of the various huge pots overflowing with flowers that I can move about the yard to create a show in any area. That is my style.
So enough brain strolling for now. Off to find the coffee!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Thank heavens for Thursday
Yes, the day before Friday! It is so exciting!
With this being week 2 of being at home with a sick son, I am READY FOR WORK! Yes, I said it out loud for everyone to read and hear!
I have to admit to being rather bored and depressed about work lately. I have felt unappreciated, overworked, and under stimulated. Nothing in particular to complain about, but just hating to head into the office each day.
But staying at home, inactive, unable to go out for coffee . . . well I may be changing my mind about the office.
Son is feeling better (whooo hooo). I am not feeling needed at home, so I guess I could go to the office tomorrow.
Ok - now I don't feel as excited about it being Thursday - LOL
With this being week 2 of being at home with a sick son, I am READY FOR WORK! Yes, I said it out loud for everyone to read and hear!
I have to admit to being rather bored and depressed about work lately. I have felt unappreciated, overworked, and under stimulated. Nothing in particular to complain about, but just hating to head into the office each day.
But staying at home, inactive, unable to go out for coffee . . . well I may be changing my mind about the office.
Son is feeling better (whooo hooo). I am not feeling needed at home, so I guess I could go to the office tomorrow.
Ok - now I don't feel as excited about it being Thursday - LOL
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Life is just moving too fast!
I am only sitting on the sidelines as my family scurries around me, and yet, I am feeling completely overwhelmed with life right now.
My daughter and family have moved from Calgary and are staying in my house right now (add 5 to the supper table - lol). They are waiting to see if their house will be ready March 1 or later. They may stay for a couple of weeks while they paint and update some of the rooms in the new place before they fill up the rooms.
My second daughter just got back from a free week on Mexico. She is relaxed and happy to be home and has lots to catch up on. Her sister moving the week she got back meant she had to jump into life at full speed after her holiday. But this weekend she gets to have girl time since her fiance is off ice fishing. (Watch out Calgary! The city may never be the same.)
My third daughter and my son are renovating - yes their new house is getting a kitchen & bathroom upgrade and changes to the living space as well. The contractor has been there for 2 weeks and should be done by Friday. Their new appliances arrived and they are awesome. My daughter got the new stove for upstairs and is sending the old (ie. newer glass topped, black, self cleaning one) down for that kitchen. The new one is an induction stove. WOW and double WOW! They cooked on it last night and my son in law has a new mistress - the new stove!!! In their downtime, my third daughter and hubby are dividing one of the huge bedrooms upstairs into 2 sleeping rooms for their 2 oldest girls. With more drywall and some mudding it should be ready to paint next week. (That one they are doing themselves with a little help from their friends.)
My son is staying with us in the suite in our basement while we have him on painkillers and anti-inflamatories. He sneezed and collapsed on Saturday and pulled muscles in his back. After a shot of morphine at the hospital Saturday, we have him on meds every 4 hours added to his meds for the ulcerative colitis and schlerosing cholingitis and the calcium and Vitamin D for his osteoporosis. Yes, I do have a spreadsheet to track his meds!
So I don't have time to have a life - LOL! Just standing on the sidelines and watching it go by is about all I can handle right now. Oh yea - I was home sick last week with muscle spasms in my back and Saturday was my first good day. I am now home with my son this week. Go Office Staff! Go!
My daughter and family have moved from Calgary and are staying in my house right now (add 5 to the supper table - lol). They are waiting to see if their house will be ready March 1 or later. They may stay for a couple of weeks while they paint and update some of the rooms in the new place before they fill up the rooms.
My second daughter just got back from a free week on Mexico. She is relaxed and happy to be home and has lots to catch up on. Her sister moving the week she got back meant she had to jump into life at full speed after her holiday. But this weekend she gets to have girl time since her fiance is off ice fishing. (Watch out Calgary! The city may never be the same.)
My third daughter and my son are renovating - yes their new house is getting a kitchen & bathroom upgrade and changes to the living space as well. The contractor has been there for 2 weeks and should be done by Friday. Their new appliances arrived and they are awesome. My daughter got the new stove for upstairs and is sending the old (ie. newer glass topped, black, self cleaning one) down for that kitchen. The new one is an induction stove. WOW and double WOW! They cooked on it last night and my son in law has a new mistress - the new stove!!! In their downtime, my third daughter and hubby are dividing one of the huge bedrooms upstairs into 2 sleeping rooms for their 2 oldest girls. With more drywall and some mudding it should be ready to paint next week. (That one they are doing themselves with a little help from their friends.)
My son is staying with us in the suite in our basement while we have him on painkillers and anti-inflamatories. He sneezed and collapsed on Saturday and pulled muscles in his back. After a shot of morphine at the hospital Saturday, we have him on meds every 4 hours added to his meds for the ulcerative colitis and schlerosing cholingitis and the calcium and Vitamin D for his osteoporosis. Yes, I do have a spreadsheet to track his meds!
So I don't have time to have a life - LOL! Just standing on the sidelines and watching it go by is about all I can handle right now. Oh yea - I was home sick last week with muscle spasms in my back and Saturday was my first good day. I am now home with my son this week. Go Office Staff! Go!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
52 Weeks Update
So after a delay in starting my 52 week plan, I am finally on track and ahead of schedule. I purchased an address book that is about 5x5 inches so I can use each title page for that particular letter - ie. A is for a lower case and then upper case can be on the facing page.
I managed to finally beat the letter a in Chancery cursive - it proved to be more difficult than any other letter since it is more rounded than I normally write. But it is finally in the book and I feel better every time I use it in a word. The letters b, p, and d were easily mastered, as were c and o. Then I was able to rush into the i, j, and l letters that again were mastered in a day. So that a was not friendly to start with. I hope that I will now be able to get through multiple styles in my 52 weeks. The capital letters will be right after I finish the lower case of this Chancery Cursive.
I discovered a pack of journaling note papers that are beautiful and covered in roses with light lines for journaling. I have used them to title each page and then write out the particular letter I have mastered. They look rather nice. I now have to find a similar design or color for the upper case letters facing each page.
But since it is week 6 I feel rather good having completed 20 letters - whoo hoo!
I managed to finally beat the letter a in Chancery cursive - it proved to be more difficult than any other letter since it is more rounded than I normally write. But it is finally in the book and I feel better every time I use it in a word. The letters b, p, and d were easily mastered, as were c and o. Then I was able to rush into the i, j, and l letters that again were mastered in a day. So that a was not friendly to start with. I hope that I will now be able to get through multiple styles in my 52 weeks. The capital letters will be right after I finish the lower case of this Chancery Cursive.
I discovered a pack of journaling note papers that are beautiful and covered in roses with light lines for journaling. I have used them to title each page and then write out the particular letter I have mastered. They look rather nice. I now have to find a similar design or color for the upper case letters facing each page.
But since it is week 6 I feel rather good having completed 20 letters - whoo hoo!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Bad week
Since last Saturday (Feb 13), I have been suffering with severe back spasms. I managed to work on one day (Monday) and teach Tuesday and Thursday night, but that is the best I could do. My worst day was Thursday when I went to the emergency and got a prescription for pain/muscle spasms. I saw the Dr. on Wednesday and had a locum for my regular Dr. He was useless. His response to my back spasms was that I should exercise more. RIGHT! I could hardly take a breath and he sent me home to take it easy. My blood pressure went up due to the pain so they couldn't give me a shot to releave the spasms. What a waste of a week.
But on the good side, I did get a week off before My Oldest Baby, Spouse and the boys arrive on Monday or Tuesday. Then life will speed up significantly. Hubby left this morning to take a trailer down with his truck to drive back on Sunday with a load. He isn't feeling very good about the whole thing - he says he is worried about me, but I think he is just tired. Hopefully the drive will go well.
My mind is whirling with ideas for scrapbooking with My Oldest Baby. I honestly can't wait to have her here. Having someone that is so very encouraging is amazing. I hope I can keep up with everyone and not disappoint people.
Dman is such a good young man - sensitive and caring. He needs to gain some self assurance and know that he is respected. I hope I can help with that. I haven't had the opportunity to follow his growth since he was 3 or 4 years old - it is fascinating to see what a good person he has become.
The Unleashed is going to be a challenge. He is bright and fast, but emotionally he doesn't know what to do with those emotions. He tends to shut down and withdraw. I hope he can find a "safe place" with his grandma and grandpa. A place where he is loved and cared for as he is without expectations.
My Oldest Baby's Baby is young and maleable. He wants to be older, but tends to fall back on baby behaviour to get attention and power. Hmmm - calm and submissive is the goal here. I hope I can help with that.
Such expectations I have of myself. I hope I can live up to most of them.
But on the good side, I did get a week off before My Oldest Baby, Spouse and the boys arrive on Monday or Tuesday. Then life will speed up significantly. Hubby left this morning to take a trailer down with his truck to drive back on Sunday with a load. He isn't feeling very good about the whole thing - he says he is worried about me, but I think he is just tired. Hopefully the drive will go well.
My mind is whirling with ideas for scrapbooking with My Oldest Baby. I honestly can't wait to have her here. Having someone that is so very encouraging is amazing. I hope I can keep up with everyone and not disappoint people.
Dman is such a good young man - sensitive and caring. He needs to gain some self assurance and know that he is respected. I hope I can help with that. I haven't had the opportunity to follow his growth since he was 3 or 4 years old - it is fascinating to see what a good person he has become.
The Unleashed is going to be a challenge. He is bright and fast, but emotionally he doesn't know what to do with those emotions. He tends to shut down and withdraw. I hope he can find a "safe place" with his grandma and grandpa. A place where he is loved and cared for as he is without expectations.
My Oldest Baby's Baby is young and maleable. He wants to be older, but tends to fall back on baby behaviour to get attention and power. Hmmm - calm and submissive is the goal here. I hope I can help with that.
Such expectations I have of myself. I hope I can live up to most of them.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Stop the spinning . . .
So much has happened today that it is hard to put it down in words. To summarize:
Shane met with the Trades rep from the province today and was told that he should challenge both year 1 and 2 of the elctrician's exams. If those go well, and he can get a letter of reference from Bruce (his former boss), he can challenge year 3 of the Electrician's exams. That would only leave the 4th year that he would have to put in time and studies before qualifying as a Journeyman Electrician. WOW!
That is even better than we had hoped for. It is just amazing what doors are opening for him right now. The transfer of his EI is a simple matter of changing addresses and he is ok to meet with local EI counsellors that appear to be making themselves available immediately instead of the 2 week delay we were warned about. The College is offering study materials for the Electricians course and the Trade rep offered to send him the practice exams from Calgary to use to prep for the exams.
Ok so all that in one day. I feel as if my head is spinning - I can't even imagine how Shane is feeling. Add this to the fact that the boys are registered for school and Roarke has been registered to join the Chess club to challenge his "scientific" mind. Demetris attended his first Cadet's meet tonight already. They have a home to move into (small, a duplex) and all they have to do is pay for the utilities, no rent.
Dianne is busy working on 3 different websites, all for pay! She has a brochure to work on and other leads already. An old friend has offered her $100/mon to write blogs 2/week. She is also looking for website development. A monthly magazine is available that is looking for submissions - she may be able to start selling memberships on a celiac website support. and again - Wow!
My life seems so mundane and yet my heart is just fluttering with excitement. I will have my oldest daughter and her family moving home! HOME! to Quesnel!!! OMG! It is amazing to me. I have always had faith that when something is supposed to happen everything falls into place to make it so. That certainly seems to be the case here.
Wow - and Wow!
Shane met with the Trades rep from the province today and was told that he should challenge both year 1 and 2 of the elctrician's exams. If those go well, and he can get a letter of reference from Bruce (his former boss), he can challenge year 3 of the Electrician's exams. That would only leave the 4th year that he would have to put in time and studies before qualifying as a Journeyman Electrician. WOW!
That is even better than we had hoped for. It is just amazing what doors are opening for him right now. The transfer of his EI is a simple matter of changing addresses and he is ok to meet with local EI counsellors that appear to be making themselves available immediately instead of the 2 week delay we were warned about. The College is offering study materials for the Electricians course and the Trade rep offered to send him the practice exams from Calgary to use to prep for the exams.
Ok so all that in one day. I feel as if my head is spinning - I can't even imagine how Shane is feeling. Add this to the fact that the boys are registered for school and Roarke has been registered to join the Chess club to challenge his "scientific" mind. Demetris attended his first Cadet's meet tonight already. They have a home to move into (small, a duplex) and all they have to do is pay for the utilities, no rent.
Dianne is busy working on 3 different websites, all for pay! She has a brochure to work on and other leads already. An old friend has offered her $100/mon to write blogs 2/week. She is also looking for website development. A monthly magazine is available that is looking for submissions - she may be able to start selling memberships on a celiac website support. and again - Wow!
My life seems so mundane and yet my heart is just fluttering with excitement. I will have my oldest daughter and her family moving home! HOME! to Quesnel!!! OMG! It is amazing to me. I have always had faith that when something is supposed to happen everything falls into place to make it so. That certainly seems to be the case here.
Wow - and Wow!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
52 Weeks Update
So this is not so easy eh?
I thought I could catch up with week with 6 letters completed. Hmmm maybe the letter style is tougher than I thought. I love the sharp angles and the variation of thick and thin that ink can give. The font I chose is very rounded. My hands don't go that way it seems LOL!
I have pages of the letters a, o, c, p, b, d and they still don't come out the same twice in a row. ERRRRRGH!
Back to practice some more!
I thought I could catch up with week with 6 letters completed. Hmmm maybe the letter style is tougher than I thought. I love the sharp angles and the variation of thick and thin that ink can give. The font I chose is very rounded. My hands don't go that way it seems LOL!
I have pages of the letters a, o, c, p, b, d and they still don't come out the same twice in a row. ERRRRRGH!
Back to practice some more!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
My 52 Week Project
Ok, so I have now given this project more thought. I am very pumped with the idea of actually learning script writing. I am going to start a small notebook to "publish" my finished letter of the week. The idea being that I will scrapbook that letter into a 2 page spread using the letter as the theme. The notebook will be a small one - nothing too big or demanding since the scrapbook effect is not to override the letter successfully learned and mastered that week.
So now - I have researched the various scripts and have definite likes and dislikes. For my first venture into writing I have chosen Chancery lettering. I am using the training materials on the following website:
http://cmcgavren.home.sprynet.com
So far today I have been battling the letter "a" with some little success. How come it looks so easy, seems like a reasonable motion and flourish, and doesn't look the same as the template? Hmm - more practice before I can say complete.
So now - I have researched the various scripts and have definite likes and dislikes. For my first venture into writing I have chosen Chancery lettering. I am using the training materials on the following website:
http://cmcgavren.home.sprynet.com
So far today I have been battling the letter "a" with some little success. How come it looks so easy, seems like a reasonable motion and flourish, and doesn't look the same as the template? Hmm - more practice before I can say complete.
52 Weeks Project
Ok so my whole family is taking on this idea of 52 . . . something. Well it is my turn.
I have found a marvelous link to Calligraphy styles, guilds, groups etc. Since I have always wanted to learn proper script writing, and I have decent handwriting, my 52 weeks will be *drum roll please*:
52 letters of the alphabet x 2 using calligraphy styles (that will be 26 lower case and 26 upper case letters).
OOOOh more details to follow.
I am so excited to start this one.
http://www.cynscribe.com/canada.html
I have found a marvelous link to Calligraphy styles, guilds, groups etc. Since I have always wanted to learn proper script writing, and I have decent handwriting, my 52 weeks will be *drum roll please*:
52 letters of the alphabet x 2 using calligraphy styles (that will be 26 lower case and 26 upper case letters).
OOOOh more details to follow.
I am so excited to start this one.
http://www.cynscribe.com/canada.html
Friday, February 5, 2010
Yeh for Friday!
I am soo very glad it is Friday. I feel as if I have been on a rollercoaster all week. With the decision made for D & S to move here, now we have to arrange meetings to facilitate the entry for S to the electrician course at the College on February 28th. Just a few government hurdles to navigate.
The thoughts of my grandsons being here are soooo heady. Helping with homework projects, helping with hobbies and fun times - wow! And the fear - BOYS!!!! I know how to keep up with Princesses, but Princes that are 1/2 frog - not so sure.
But, off to bed to dream of frogs and snails and puppy dog tails and of my exciting day tomorrow - scrapbooking. Whooo hooo.
Nite all.
The thoughts of my grandsons being here are soooo heady. Helping with homework projects, helping with hobbies and fun times - wow! And the fear - BOYS!!!! I know how to keep up with Princesses, but Princes that are 1/2 frog - not so sure.
But, off to bed to dream of frogs and snails and puppy dog tails and of my exciting day tomorrow - scrapbooking. Whooo hooo.
Nite all.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Excitement reigns supreme
Ok, is it ok to say I am really excited to have D & S & boys moving home to Quesnel??? As bad as the unemployment is in Quesnel, the attitude about the job situation is so different here to Calgary, that it doesn't even seem possible.
Even the gloom and doom people say that the current shut downs and layoffs are just temporary and things are going to get better.
I believe that with all my heart!
I have always believed that if someone wants to work, they will find work. It may take longer and be really depressing looking, but that person will work!! Just staying "out there" and talking to people honestly about being out of work and looking, means that the chance of something happening is so much higher.
By tomorrow we should have some complete plans made for the move. What a relief that will be for D. I can only imagine how hard it is to be living day in and day out waiting for SOMETHING to happen, and yet, hoping nothing does.
Regardless, it is really hard to keep the goofy grin off my face. One friend said, "Hilma, your face is glowing!" and she was right. to have my 3 grandsons in town where I can visit regularly, help with homework and just be part of their lives . . . well, that is heaven!
Night all.
Even the gloom and doom people say that the current shut downs and layoffs are just temporary and things are going to get better.
I believe that with all my heart!
I have always believed that if someone wants to work, they will find work. It may take longer and be really depressing looking, but that person will work!! Just staying "out there" and talking to people honestly about being out of work and looking, means that the chance of something happening is so much higher.
By tomorrow we should have some complete plans made for the move. What a relief that will be for D. I can only imagine how hard it is to be living day in and day out waiting for SOMETHING to happen, and yet, hoping nothing does.
Regardless, it is really hard to keep the goofy grin off my face. One friend said, "Hilma, your face is glowing!" and she was right. to have my 3 grandsons in town where I can visit regularly, help with homework and just be part of their lives . . . well, that is heaven!
Night all.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
High blood pressure day!
Ok so I slept in, then got the call that I had 20 minutes to be up and at a clients. Made it!
Had a super morning with my client. One of those rewarding times where your previous instructions and suggestions have been taken to heart and the client has struggled to make it all work. Make a few changes, fix a few entries, and prep the data for the client's year end to go to an accountant in Vancouver. Client is appreciative and loves my work. What could be better????
Yea - then I go to the office.
An insurance salesman that supplies extended benefits to a client that we do payrolls for, takes a strip off my hardest working, dedicated staff. He asks her if she finished her training? Could she do her job? and on and on. OOOOOOH I was so mad!!!!!
Contacted the client to let him know I was about to take on his insurance rep and got his ok. I was to tell the rep to F..O.. Hmmm maybe not quite that much oomph.
Called the rep and he said he didn't say anything that should have upset her - that she must be mistaken. He would never be rude or unfair. HUH! Told him he was WRONG and that he did not have permission to take out his attitude on my staff. Finished the call with him asking to apologize to my staff.
OOOOOh I was so churned up. Called my staff in and reviewed the situation and what elements could be misinterpreted by idiots that sell insurance. Settled all and office was happy and I was still burning.
Retail therapy helped the surface, but my blood pressure was still high 3 hours later. I hate that part of the job!!!!!
Had a super morning with my client. One of those rewarding times where your previous instructions and suggestions have been taken to heart and the client has struggled to make it all work. Make a few changes, fix a few entries, and prep the data for the client's year end to go to an accountant in Vancouver. Client is appreciative and loves my work. What could be better????
Yea - then I go to the office.
An insurance salesman that supplies extended benefits to a client that we do payrolls for, takes a strip off my hardest working, dedicated staff. He asks her if she finished her training? Could she do her job? and on and on. OOOOOOH I was so mad!!!!!
Contacted the client to let him know I was about to take on his insurance rep and got his ok. I was to tell the rep to F..O.. Hmmm maybe not quite that much oomph.
Called the rep and he said he didn't say anything that should have upset her - that she must be mistaken. He would never be rude or unfair. HUH! Told him he was WRONG and that he did not have permission to take out his attitude on my staff. Finished the call with him asking to apologize to my staff.
OOOOOh I was so churned up. Called my staff in and reviewed the situation and what elements could be misinterpreted by idiots that sell insurance. Settled all and office was happy and I was still burning.
Retail therapy helped the surface, but my blood pressure was still high 3 hours later. I hate that part of the job!!!!!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
To call 911 or not
Leaving the College tonight there was a group of young guys building a "ramp" at the top of the stairs from the parking lot to the street below. They were all lined up with skiis and snowboards to take a few jumps. The problem was that there is not enough snow at the bottom of the stairs to safely land. I called 911 only to be advised that I should be calling the detachment line not emergency. Ok - so I don't have that number in my cell phone. I will definitely get it there.
They did agree to send someone over, but since it is not posted that there is no skiing or skateboarding allowed, then the kids are not breaking any bylaws. Just being stupid isn't enough, I guess.
I ended up calling the Director of the College and she said they had done something like this before. She is going to call the janitor to go out and make sure all is well. I can't believe that the risk of a teenager doing serious damage to themselves on the College grounds is worth the good will of letting them do whatever they want there. I know the College is working on an open campus concept where the community needs to feel welcome, but is it really ok? Wow, I didn't feel good leaving the kids there making stupid plans to try to break their necks going down 8 cement stairs (each one is double wide as well) and landing on less than 1/2" of snow/slush on the cement road 6 feet down. Idiots!
The mother in me was screaming to get them to not jump, but I calmly drove away and let the authorities take that responsibility for me.
Coward? Probably.
They did agree to send someone over, but since it is not posted that there is no skiing or skateboarding allowed, then the kids are not breaking any bylaws. Just being stupid isn't enough, I guess.
I ended up calling the Director of the College and she said they had done something like this before. She is going to call the janitor to go out and make sure all is well. I can't believe that the risk of a teenager doing serious damage to themselves on the College grounds is worth the good will of letting them do whatever they want there. I know the College is working on an open campus concept where the community needs to feel welcome, but is it really ok? Wow, I didn't feel good leaving the kids there making stupid plans to try to break their necks going down 8 cement stairs (each one is double wide as well) and landing on less than 1/2" of snow/slush on the cement road 6 feet down. Idiots!
The mother in me was screaming to get them to not jump, but I calmly drove away and let the authorities take that responsibility for me.
Coward? Probably.
Fun Times
Ok so I skipped out on work today - I know, I know! It is my own business and I can do that if I want - but - and this is a big but! - only if I don't NEED to be there. I should have been there. I have an office that is messy with unfinished work, administrative jobs, lots of bookkeeping for my company and Tom's, etc. I also have a number of billings waiting to be done up and my time to get entered for more billings. With cash flow at a negative, well billings are important. Enough guilt! Move on, Hilma.
I got to spend the better part of today with SC and her girls. Holding AC for the mosts of the day just about filled my baby meter for the week. It was awesome. Watching IS play with DC at the table at snack time was priceless. As was the statement IS made about the snowman they made in the back yard made her so "proud of them" (SC & IS for building it yesterday). It is an awesome snowman, btw. Complete with back top hat, scarf and button front!
Excitement rains supreme with DP and SP. I have my fingers crossed that there is a future for them here in Quesnel! Whoo hooo! My mother cup runneth over!
Class was rewarding tonight. My students seem to feel that they are learning and getting lots out of the classes this semester. Having access to the computer software for teaching is great!
Now I just have to get some energy in the morning rather than the evenings! LOL
I got to spend the better part of today with SC and her girls. Holding AC for the mosts of the day just about filled my baby meter for the week. It was awesome. Watching IS play with DC at the table at snack time was priceless. As was the statement IS made about the snowman they made in the back yard made her so "proud of them" (SC & IS for building it yesterday). It is an awesome snowman, btw. Complete with back top hat, scarf and button front!
Excitement rains supreme with DP and SP. I have my fingers crossed that there is a future for them here in Quesnel! Whoo hooo! My mother cup runneth over!
Class was rewarding tonight. My students seem to feel that they are learning and getting lots out of the classes this semester. Having access to the computer software for teaching is great!
Now I just have to get some energy in the morning rather than the evenings! LOL
Hello Blog
Ok, so I have wanted to do this for years - post thoughts and ideas in one common place. Having purchased numerous journals (because they are so pretty and make me feel good) and never having filled a single one of them, I should have years of "blogging" ready to go.
So why haven't I journaled before?
Because to journal correctly you have to have your personal fountain pen for every item you jot down. No personal fountain pen, no writing.
Okay, even to me that sounds silly, but I love the fact that a journal is written in one color, one ink, one pen/pencil etc. It lends itself to the concept that the writer is of one common mind - not the scattered thoughts that seem to make up my minutes. I want that sense of cohesiveness. I need to "present" myself (even in my personal blog.)
So I am ready to present myself!
I am using one single font - one single design - one common place for my thoughts to take over. My family has been singing the praises of gmail & google for a long time so I am going to make the jump.
I promise myself to keep the postings short and regular - nightly would be nice. How personal or detailed - well that remains to be seen.
Wow - feel better already.
So why haven't I journaled before?
Because to journal correctly you have to have your personal fountain pen for every item you jot down. No personal fountain pen, no writing.
Okay, even to me that sounds silly, but I love the fact that a journal is written in one color, one ink, one pen/pencil etc. It lends itself to the concept that the writer is of one common mind - not the scattered thoughts that seem to make up my minutes. I want that sense of cohesiveness. I need to "present" myself (even in my personal blog.)
So I am ready to present myself!
I am using one single font - one single design - one common place for my thoughts to take over. My family has been singing the praises of gmail & google for a long time so I am going to make the jump.
I promise myself to keep the postings short and regular - nightly would be nice. How personal or detailed - well that remains to be seen.
Wow - feel better already.
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