Bubble Bursting

After waiting for a few weeks for some help from the neurologist, we finally got in today. The visit lasted about 5 minutes, as he pointed out the nerve that's affected from a book- Nerve T12, and then proceeded to tell us that he's seen this many times before, and we can expect it to last a year, and there's nothing he can do.

He was one of those matter of factly doctors, like sorry about your luck, but you're in for a year of pain and misery, nice to meet you and goodbye.

OMG! We both left the office in a state of shock, neither wanting to cry for the other's benefit. This can't go on for a year, as she can't take the constant pain. I'm not sure what to do, but there's got to be something or someone that can help--maybe a naturopath.

After that, I thought a luncheon outing to the Casino might cheer her up, so we went directly there, had a decent lunch and lost a bit of money. More importantly, she got out of the house for about 3 hours.

I came home, and decided it was a great day to get out and cut the grass. After which I brought out my new camera. I should have brought the manual out too, as I couldn't find the digital macro mode, nor how to adjust the aperature settings. Found the former after re-reading the manual, but I haven't figured out how to do the latter.





Veranda Beach in Fall

Early Birthday Gifts

Got my Sunday morning Are you coming to class today and did you want to go out for kwaffee later? phone call. Little did I know there was more to this call than usual.

Being that the time had changed, and I had an extra hour to spare, I got to the gym early and was able to manage 27 minutes on the elliptical, which I hadn't done in over 2 months. Additional motivation was brought on by a step on the scale this morning, which showed I gained about 3 pounds...guess the bread, cakes and sugar is finally catching up, so I better start Mooving My AAss.

Went in to class to get ready, and Jewels came over to show Barb and me her latest creations. Out comes this delightful little turquoise silk bag, from which emerged the most beautiful silver earrings with pearls, swarovski crystals and hearts. The gorgeous matching necklace, also made of crystals, pearls, has a silver heart clasp. It was so beautiful--simple and elegant. As we sat there oohing and ahhing, Jewels whispered to me that it was my birthday present--a week early since she thought I needed a little pick me up, and that she'd been sad that I've been so sad.

I was so touched and am so touched, as I know how much thought and love went into this beautiful set, and the timing of it. Little Ms. Hawkeye actually missed that I had a few tears in my eyes at the start of the class. (And yes I am a little more visibily emotional than usual.)

Later in the afternoon, we went to Fairview Mall to go to Future Shop and Chapters, with a few stops along the way....finally got my digital camera, which is now charging, and I can't wait to play with it.

Snacks for the mall trip included: french fries, lattes, and pumpkin muffin/cake. Since all carried the recommendation of my fitness instructor, I'm sure they were all low cal and healthy. It was fun to get out!

Thank you so much for the beautiful birthday gift==I just LOVE my pearls and crystals and silver hearts-- and it's even more special since it was designed just for me.

Julie you are a real jewel of a friend!

Love,
Me

Aspiration of Becoming a Bag Lady

In my humble opinion, one can never have enough purses, or shoes or coats or jewellery. In that vein, got an invite to a Purse & Jewellery party, and attended this afternoon. House parties can sometimes be a duty or payback attend, but this one was genuinely one that I looked forward to going to. Firstly, since you can never have enough purses, secondly, because it was break from my everyday of Nurse Betty duties, work, and my other two allowable excursions of late--the gym and grocery shopping.

I invited another friend who also needed to get out, and gave her the heads up on how to shop for a purse at these parties. If you see something you like, grab it off the table, as what you see is what you get, and you can't place orders. Well we did pretty good, as we were walking around with about 3 or 4 bags in hand each, to ensure someone else didn't get our bags until we had firmly decided we didn't want them. I came away with a lovely Gucci style large Brown bag, with silver details. Jewels came away with 2 bags that she really LOVES, one large and one small.

I was thinking afterwards, what a great idea...to buy these knock off bags wholesale, and sell at these home parties, perhaps combined with other products, such as jewellery, shoes, hats, etc.

A good time was had by all, I think anyways...good snacks, good coffee, which I had way too much of, and a few laughs. It was so good to get out!

Is it Friday Already?

Another Friday is upon us. Is it me, or are the weeks just flying by? I thought time only flew by when you were having fun. It feels like it flies by regardless of where on life's fun-o-meter I am.

And still, I relish the thought of staying home and doing nothing tonight. It seems like such a treat, to hopefully, be able to sit, watch mindless nonsense on TV, have tea and cookies or whatever I can find in the cupboards.

Speaking of which, I'll have to go out and buy Halloween candy soon. I always get a few boxes of things, twice as much as I need, so I have leftovers. Of course, the least favourites are given out first, with the favourites, usually mini-bags of Fuzzy Peaches; Swedish Berries; Cherry Blasters; Sour Keys, left for me, with chocolates given out first. The chocolates are pre-sorted, with all the mini Coffee Crisps and some Aero's set aside for me. How anal is this? At least the special kids get special treats--a large size of their favourite chocolate bar, which I don't eat.

Here's to a quiet weekend.

GRRRRRRRR

This stupid fucker at work, has the nerve to say to me today that I'm his age--56. Or if I'm not his age, I've done a pretty bad job at taking care of myself. You ugly, stupid idiot, did you get dropped on your head as a child, or have your good judgement filter surgically removed?

After that he comes in to my office, because someone told him that perhaps that wasn't an appropriate thing to say, and he tells me he's sorry, but that he meant it as a complement, because "I know so much" . You ugly, stupid, fucking idiot...how can that be a complement? and I may look old to you, but I'm definitely not stupid, and I'm not about to let you off the hook that easily!

Being upper management, I couldn't really tell him what I thought of him, so I gave him the speel about: You cross the line often, and you're going to say the wrong thing to the wrong person, and get yourself in some serious trouble, and you better start thinking about what spouts out of your mouth before you say it. Stupid fuck, just doesn't get and responds, maybe I just gotta stop talking to you women.

This is the same guy, with the don't touch my caulk story. I'd heard stories this week from the big boss, that other staff members had complained about him leering at one of the temps, but he said they'd set him up and encouraged him. Being that the other staff members would really do that, stupid fuck was believed, and big boss tells me the story and makes it like the stupid fuck is the poor innocent victim.

Another girl came up to me afterwards, and said he was bugging her with stories about his Viagra prescription, and way too much information about why he needs it.

Big boss got an earful from me, about this jerk, and that perhaps a policy on appropriate office behaviour is in order.

Ashley Sightings

Today is National Be Kind to Ashley Day, and we shall remember it as such, since today is also somebody's boyfriend's birthday.

Ashleys have been spotted a few times today. Not Ashley crossed over into the Ashley zone, and wore her gym pants inside out for about 45 minutes in the S Factor class, before someone noticed, and ceremoniously announced to the ENTIRE class what I had done...my poor fragile battered ego. How shall I ever recover from this embarassment...do I dare ever show my face in class again

Then went to Canadian Tire to pick up a few things, one of which Tide Cold Liquid, they were sold out of ($4.74 vs regular $6.99). I asked Ashley 1 at the check out, if I could have a rain check. Big problem became what was the code, with Ashley 1 asking Ashley 2 how to get the code. They went to three computers, to try to find it, called the manager on the pager, to see if he remembered it off by heart, and this went on for about 5 minutes. As poor Ashley 1 became flustered, and waited/hoped for me to give up, as she looked at Ashley 2, I said I'll just go get the sticker off the shelf... I got a Duh why didn't I think of that look! Because you are Ashley.

I am Not Ashley, having recovered from a momentary cross over about 20 minutes before. Am I becoming Ashley?????

WTF?

Life sucks. When it rains it pours, etc...

As if suffering through pain for six weeks isn't enough, life decides to add insult to injury, and have my mother lose her wedding ring yesterday, which she's worn every day of her life for 49 years.

WTF???????????????????????????

Football Pool

For the second time in five weeks, I've won the football pool at work:

$150.00 in Week 1,
$140.00 in Week 5 (today).

Not a bad return for an investment of $25.00.

Clueless about Football Not Ashley Score 2
Pissed off Know it All Male Football Fans Score 3

Tee Hee!

Break Time

All in all, it was a pretty bad Thanksgiving. Wasn't able to attend the usual family dinners with the usual suspects, had to stay home and continue nurse maid duties.

It was compounded by my brain being taken over by Ashley, whispering in my ear what a great idea it would be to cook the turkey breast roll in a slow cooker. BAD IDEA! Absolutely disgusting, if I do say so myself. Probably the worst thing I've ever cooked. The home made stuffing was fabulous, so ate a lot of that plus a lot of mashed potatoes with gravy...carb junkie's dream meal. Way to go Ashley. I've decided Take Two is in order, so will attempt to find and cook a bird next weekend.

Decided that a much needed break, away from work, and away from nursing duties was in order, to boost my coping skills. Oh, and by the way, I do have a tough time accepting help, but it doesn't mean the offers aren't acknowledged or appreciated.

Today, took the day of work, did much needed stuff in the morning, like laundry and vacuuming, banking, and getting some of my stress out smashing olives with a rock.

Afternoon was spent at Green Bean, having lattes and oxygen and creme brulee and some carrot ginger soup, that took a few spoonfuls to grow on you. Thanks for hanging out with me Jewels, I so needed the break and the company.

Thanksgiving

So I'll admit that I'm prone to negativity and cynicism. Even more of late, being surrounded by the on going effects of shingles, which we found out yesterday at the hospital, have affected her like the 1 in 10 people who develop on-going chronic pain, that even a shot of demerol didn't help for very long.

But in the spirit of Thanksgiving, thought I'd try to at least come up with a few things that I'm thankful for:

1. Family & Friends
2. Health
3. Food on Table; Roof over Head;
4. Clothes and Shoes in Closets.
5. Coffee
6. Candy and Dark Chocolates

In no particular order, as their ranking is subject to change at any time.

Waxing Nostalgic

Came across the words Fuzzy Wuzzy, and couldn't stop thinking about the Fuzzy Wuzzy bath soap I had as a kid.

Thinking back, it was the most disgusting thing as I remember. It was soap in the shape of circus animals, that would grow hair or fuzz or fur,or fungus or some kind, after it had been used once and left out to dry. It also had a surprise toy inside, which I don't really recall what it was, but by all accounts on the internet, was also quite weird. Mine was a pink bear. I only had one, as once it grew fur, I didn't want to use it anymore.

Current Price of Fuzzy Wuzzy: $85

Memories: Priceless

I Am Green

Took a Self Test on www.mysticgames.com and found out that I am Green, as follows:

Which Color Are You?...
You are GREEN, the color of vitality. Green is the most unpretentious of colors. You are generous and kind, and you know how to cultivate all that is good in people. Your friends value your friendship because they know you are dependable, trustworthy, and true. You measure success by accomplishments and growth rather than occupation and prestige. Greens are admirable and uncommon people.

So I am Green, and not with Envy, and not because I need to throw up, but then again that description is a little nauseating.

It's Better to Look Good Than Feel Good

Or so says the old saying, but it's so much easier to just be, methinks

Case in point: Not Ashley's goddaughter has recently decided that my hair could do with a good straightening, since it was looking like an "Afro". Guess what, she was right, and I have now been sporting a pretty smooth (for me) hair do.

It is quite a change, to the point that some people don't recognize me at first, and I must admit that I've grown to like it over the past few weeks. I've been receiving lots of positive comments, so the Afro must go, at least for a while, anyways.

But damn, the Afro is so must easier--wash and wear, air dry, finger combing. Now, I must practice, as I can only get it to about 60% straight, as opposed to hairstylist Steph's 100%. She does it to 100%, and it turns to 90% by morning (which I prefer).

Sounds like a lot of work to me, as I've never been one to fuss with hair. Too much work and all thumbs!

New Mantras: It's better to look good than feel good! or ( It Ain't Easy Looking This Good).

LOL!