Can You Hear Me Now?

We all know how important it is to love yourself. I know I posted a great entry about that last year. Have I done anything about it? Not really. I went to those Psych-K sessions back in January, but like everything else I start up, I never continued with doing the exercises at home so the positive effects didn’t last. I need to get back into it. I need to get back to meditating and visualizing. I need to get back into affirmations. I should, I know, I should, I know, I should, I KNOW!!! ARGH!! There isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not hard on myself or criticizing myself or shoulding all over myself. It really has to stop, but I don’t know how to make it stop.

On Sunday I had a client over. She is a funky fashion designer, a former TV journalist, a total sweetheart, works in public relations for a famous athletic team, and is drop dead gorgeous to boot. She is as fit and healthy as can be, visits the gym daily, and is probably a size 0 or 2. She is 47 and looks 32 and has a radiant smile that would light up any room. While filling out her tax info, I asked if she was divorced or single (because I know she’s not married now, but at 47 she certainly could have been). She said “single”. As we were chatting later, I asked her if she had a boyfriend or anything, and commented that a knock out like her must have men banging down the door. She disagreed. We talked a bit about our single-ness situations and the patterns we seem to have with men, and it turns out we are very alike that way. That was a shock to me. I realized being thin and gorgeous doesn’t necessarily make it easier to love yourself and believe you are worthy of love. We talked about how you attract to yourself what you believe you deserve, and if your self talk is negative, so will be the men you attract. I can’t believe I have THIS in common with a woman I would have figured could get any man she wanted!

It really comes from within. All too often we look outside of ourselves for that validation. If he wants me, then I am okay. If he tells me I am beautiful, then I am. If he wants to have sex with me, then I am desirable. So what happens when “he” isn’t there? He can’t fix what is broken inside of us. He is just a band-aid. Those women we call whores and sluts, that sleep around with different men all the time, are no different than I am. We have the same pain, we just look for the band-aids in different places, whether it be men, food, alcohol, drugs, shopping… Somewhere along the way we started to believe we weren’t worthy. How do we un-do it? How do we heal our own insides, so that what “he” thinks doesn’t matter, because we will know it ourselves? Then we will attract someone that is worthy of all we have to offer, because we will truly believe we have ALL THAT to offer.

So that’s what is on my mind today.

I’ve had another fairly busy week. Shawna left on Monday evening, and probably won’t be back again for awhile. I like having her around, I’m going to miss her frequent visits.

Tuesday morning I woke up super early and got started on work right away. By 9:00 a.m. I was finished everything I had to get done that day, so I spent the rest of the morning checking out online data backup services, because my biggest fear is that my computer crashes and I’ll lose all my client’s data. I burn stuff onto a CD once in awhile, but it’s a hassle to do that every day, so this will work much better. So far so good, and it’s only $5/month.

I also talked on the phone with a couple people, went to the mall, got my latte, the usual. I made plans with Jason for him to come by the following afternoon and go over his band’s year end stuff, GST and taxes. I emailed him a reminder that no client is allowed upon my premises (I am soon going to change that to “no person, period” haha) without bringing me an XL French Vanilla/Half Coffee from Tim Horton’s (much cheaper and easier to get than demanding my soy latte from Second Cup. I’m trying to be thoughtful, here).

On Wednesday, Jason called in the morning. Him and Sheldon had stayed in town the night before partying with a couple of the Trailer Park Boys and ended up with a flat tire. They were over at the Walmart near my place getting the van fixed, so, would I mind if they came now? I mentioned the coffee rule again and since they were on foot, Tim Horton’s wasn’t close enough but they would be passing right by the Second Cup in the mall. Jason arrived with my jumbo soy latte in hand and is now my best friend.

We went over accounting and tax stuff and talked and laughed and hugged and kissed. For all the time and stress their piles of receipts caused me the past few weeks, it’s all worth it in the end because I love those guys soooooooo much!! I’m on the guest list for their show tonight and they said they’ll have a cheque for me. Woot!

They left to pick up their van, and Jason mentioned he was going to buy a VCR. Shortly after they left I hopped on my scooter because I needed a couple things from Walmart too, as I usually do, and headed on over. I passed by Electronics to see if they were still around looking at VCRs, and they were just finishing up buying one. Sheldon saw me and said “Hey! You’re stalking us! That is SO COOL!” I went with them to the Tire department and got off of my scooter for a moment to look at some funky keys (oh, so THIS is where you get keys made, and they have all those cool designs!) The second I got off my scooter, Sheldon hopped on and drove off. The next 15 minutes Jason and Sheldon took turns riding around Walmart on my scooter like 10 year old boys, and those of you that read this and know them, can imagine what that was like. (For those of you that don’t, check out their Photos Section and get an idea of their personalities). (OH MY GOD I JUST LOOKED AND I’M IN THERE NOW!!! And Jason on my scooter!! Ahahahahaha!)

That night I filed both their tax returns (unlike some other people I’ve been working with, they are good boys who file every year!) and they are DONE!! Jason is coming by next week to pick up their stuff and take me for lunch.

After I finished their taxes I joined a couple friends for Wing night. We always order the same amount out of habit, but are realizing we eat less and less every week. This time we left over half behind. So, we decided next time we’re ordering a lot less wings and adding a veggie platter to the mix. Every little bit helps!

On Thursday and Friday I did the work for a couple clients who dropped stuff off on Tuesday night. I’m all caught up on work, for now!! I’m waiting on a couple people to bring me stuff, and then April is quarterly GST returns time again, but by my birthday (May 1) I will be able to breath easy.

Unless I turn out to be allergic to my kitten. Yes, you heard me, kitten!!!! I am getting one. I have been tossing it around in my mind for quite awhile now, but the main reason I haven’t had one (and had to give away a cat I had about 6 years ago) is because of the difficulty I had taking care of it, especially with respect to changing cat litter. Pregnant women are told to stay away from changing the cat litter box because of the parasites and stuff, it certainly isn’t a healthy thing, plus the whole getting down on my knees to scoop and all that is hard for me.

However, once I heard there are now cat litter boxes that literally empty themselves, the idea started to grow on me again. My mom told me I should talk to my chiropractor (Al) about it (because he is also a naturopath/ homeopath, all round health guy) and get his opinion. So I did that yesterday.

He was pretty solid with his “no” because more parasites and toxins is the last thing my body needs in the state its in. My mom went in to see him after me, and she said “so, you don’t think Donna should get a kitten?” and he told her the same thing. My mom, in my defense, pointed out that the cat would be an indoor cat and not bringing in germs and things from outside. She also pointed out all the emotional health benefits to having a pet, and doesn’t that count for something? So, he started to warm up to the idea… the more he thought about it, the more he agreed that yes, the benefits could definitely outweigh the negative aspects. I live alone, my health isn’t the greatest, I get depressed and lonely sometimes, and having a kitty would be great comfort during those times. And when I’m talking to myself, at least I could say I was talking to my cat. I’ve read studies that people with disabilities do better with pets. Okay, I haven’t actually read them, but I heard that somewhere.

So after my mom’s treatment they both called me into his office. Al told me I am allowed to get a kitten under these conditions:

• Al and my mom pick him out;
• Al gets to name him;
• He stays indoors;
• He is a short haired cat;
• I don’t kiss him on the mouth or let him lick my mouth;
• I get the fanciest high tech cat litter equipment available;
• I don’t let him eat off my plate.

We discussed the fact that when I take my scooter out, the door is wide open for awhile and the cat could easily run out. Mom said I’d have to close him in my office or something until I’m safely outside, then come back in and let him out. Al said I needed to teach the cat to open and close the doors for me. His going outside, and carrying things back in with him would not be good for me (unless he’s carrying in groceries). I asked Al when exactly he would be available to go kitten shopping, and he finally agreed my mom could speak for him. It’s not like we’d actually get him out for that. Plus, I’m going to pick the kitty that picks ME. It’s all about the vibe. I told him I wanted to name him (I want a him) after food. He now wants me to get two and name them Jala and Peño, but I sincerely doubt it. If I got two, they would be Hummus and Pita!

I’m not going to get the kitten right away (and I do want a kitten… I’ve had cats that belonged to other people before, and I don’t want that again. I want a kitten I raise from Day One, or 6 weeks or whenever they’re allowed to leave their mom’s, so he can take after me and I am responsible if he ends up crazy). I want to have everything in place before I bring him in. Last night after we went for dinner we looked in a pet supply store and my mom bought me the fancy litter box as an early birthday present. Over the next couple weeks I’ll be picking up dishes, food, litter, toys, beds, etc. and making room for it all in my apartment. (Which, by the way, doesn’t “allow” pets, but there are a million cats in here, not to mention the DOG upstairs, so I’m taking my chances).

It’s the first day of Spring! Not that you can tell by our weather and the snow showers predicted all week, but that’s Calgary for ya. I just like that Spring is here and the weather will catch up sooner or later.

It’s been over a week since I updated. Here’s what I’ve been up to:

• Sunday and Monday I sorted and posted receipts into Simply Accounting (taking many breaks, I’m sure, for lattes and such);
• Tuesday I worked at a client’s and went to Hooter’s for lunch again with Mel, and drank lots of Tim Horton’s coffee;
• Wednesday I saw my neurologist at the MS Clinic for the first time in about 6 years. He confirmed I am no longer Relapsing-Remitting and have moved to Secondary Progressive (which I knew anyway, I have not had a “remission” period in years, just gradual progression). Sucks to hear it Officially, though. He said there’s “nothing new” happening in the MS world and that the progressive forms still puzzle everyone. The drugs, he said, are “over hyped, over pushed and over prescribed” which I was surprised, and impressed, to hear him say because I totally agree and they’re not supposed to say stuff like that! He’s referring me to an out-patient MS physio and occupational therapy clinic that will take 6 months to get into (YAY health care!) as well as a psychiatrist who specializes in MS and depression. I’m not having the best time at the moment, but I’m not sure I want to see a psychiatrist who will just prescribe more drugs. I think I will ask my regular doctor for a referral to a therapist instead.
• That night I met up with friends for Wing Night. My friend Shawna arrived from Winnipeg that afternoon so she met us too. She looks fabulous.
• Thursday I worked at home and got enough done that I didn’t feel guilty taking off to meet Shawna at the mall later in the afternoon. We went into Reitman’s, where Shawna proceeded to try on EVERY pair of pants and black top they had in the store (okay, kidding). While waiting for her and giving her my opinions on the many things she tried on, I grabbed a skirt and top for myself that I figured would fit and were a great price. Shawna was still trying things on after I was done paying for mine. She finally came out of the dressing room back in her own clothes and walked out… buying… nothing.
• We went to Swiss Chalet for dinner. Mmmmm perogies!
• Friday I worked at the pub and then Michelle and Shawna met me down there around 5:00 because everyone needs to be in a pub on St. Patrick’s Day. We had dinner and drinks and then moved to Shawna’s hotel room where we yakked for hours about junior high and boys and crushes and crazy times when we were young and knew everything.
• Saturday morning my mom and Bob picked me up and we took our usual jaunt to the chiropractor. He bought us ice cream cones from the Dairy Queen next door. My chiropractor. Then we stopped at a health food store so my mom could pick up an ear candling kit she wants to try. Then we went for brunch at this great restaurant in Marda Loop. Then we stopped at a Lebanese deli in Forest Lawn so I could buy some hummus and falafels. The owner gave me two free pieces of baklava and it was the BEST baklava I’ve ever tasted. The hummus and falafels were awesome too, but I still think Aida’s is the best. Then we came back to my place and my mom helped me with a few things around here. Then I settled in to watch Just Like Heaven and In Her Shoes.
• Shawna called me later and came by with Tim Horton’s coffee and DQ Blizzards (DQ twice in one day! This IS Just Like Heaven!) She left around 9:00 or so and I watched the rest of my movie then went to bed.
• Sunday (yesterday) I was ti-ired. I’m surprised I eventually managed to shower and dress at some point and scooter over to the mall, because that’s just what I do when I feel like I need to get out for 5 minutes. I spent most of the day puttering on the computer or trying to watch TV, but eventually just crawled into bed at 8:45 because I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer.

Today is Monday, and I just called my doctor’s office to discuss a prescription change my neuro made, and I found out the WORST.NEWS.EVER. My doctor is retiring at the end of April. THE END OF APRIL And Sandy, his nurse, sounded horrible. Her cancer is back and she is leaving. So, that’s that. I don’t know what to do!!! My doctor is the best!! Him and Sandy have been a part of my life for almost 20 years and she is sick and he is retiring and I don’t know WTF to do. What sort of gift do I buy them? What do I say? No other doctor is taking over his practice either, so we need to find our own, and I can guarantee you there isn’t another doctor like him in this city. I lucked out big time when I found him. I need to do something special for both of them and I don’t know what, and at the same time pity myself for losing them.

Shawna is leaving today too. We are supposed to be going for lunch at Moxie’s, so I shall drown my sorrows in a bellini and a white chocolate brownie and worry about the effects of all this food I’ve been eating lately another day.

The first day of Spring is turning out to suck big time. Oh well, it’s not even 11:00 a.m., so there is still room for improvement…

I am going to end up marrying a Muslim Access cab driver. I am quite sure of this, as they seem to be the only men I meet and they ALL LOVE ME.

My mind has been spinning for the past 24 hours, so you’ll have to bear with me during this long entry. If you want. You don’t have to. But I hope you do.

Fascinating evening I had last night. I went to see Lieutenant General Romeo Dallaire speak up at the University. He is a highly decorated war hero who served in Rwanda in 1993 as a UN Force Commander (apparently Nick Nolte’s character in Hotel Rwanda was loosely based on him). He has written a best-selling book, which is also a documentary, and in 2007 is being made into a feature film - “Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda“. I bought the book when I arrived, hoping to meet him at the book signing afterwards, and it’s almost 600 friggin’ pages. Perhaps I will wait for the movie…

Anyway, I also had interesting Access drivers last night so I’ll talk about that first before I get into the Romeo stuff. The driver that took me to the university was a driver I have had a couple times before. He loveslovesloves me, especially my one dimple, and does not hesitate to tell me how beautiful, pretty, sweet etc. I am. He asked how I have been (I haven’t seen him for probably 6 months) and I said I was quite stressed these days with work. He said “pretty girls like you should never be stressed”. Heh. He asked if anyone was yet the proud keeper of my dimple, and I said no, I’m still single, and he siiiiiiighhhhed. Then he started talking about attraction and the “vibe” and what he likes in a woman, and I got a little uncomfortable (the feeling is far from mutual), so I tried to change the subject to talk about who I was going to see. Somehow religion came into it and upon learning he was Muslim (as 90% of the drivers are, it seems), I mentioned that I have a friend who is Muslim (AH) and have been learning bits and pieces about Islam and the culture, and how interesting it is (even if I don’t agree with it all and am not an organized-religion kind of person). He asked me, “has he given you a copy of the Qur’an?”. Hmmm. No, that had never even crossed my mind!

On the way home, I was driven by another Muslim. There was also a young developmentally disabled girl in the back seat he was driving home, and she was very restless and noisy. He told me he had been quoting from the Qur’an to her earlier and it seemed to calm her down, as he pointed to a book. I said “is that the Qur’an?” and he said yes, so I asked to look at it, but he said it is in Arabic. “Do you want to see an English one?” I said “sure, if you’ve got one” and he said “of course, I will give you one when I get you home”. I said “Give? As in GIVE? To keep?” and he said of course. I told him it was funny that I was getting one from him tonight, because I had mentioned to my driver earlier that I have a Muslim friend and he had asked if he has given me a copy of the Qur’an, and now here I am getting one. He said “oh, you have a Muslim friend? Does he pray? Because if he prays, he is an honest man and you can trust him”. I said as far as I know, he told me he attends prayer “when he has time” (which I bet isn’t very often, he’s not the most practicing of Muslims. Obviously, I have certainly been privy to some non-Muslim behaviour coming from him!) He shook his head in a “tsk, tsk” fashion and said “if he only prays when he has time, then he is only honest when he has time”. And I laughed my ass off, because, I tell you, that is probably the most perfect description of AH I have ever heard.

True to his word, when he dropped me off he gave me a copy of an English translated Qur’an and he made sure to put his name and phone number in the front of it as well. So now my reading list is really filling up, as is my list of Access drivers that like me. Not that I actually keep one, but if I did, it would be quite long. If only they all looked like AH!

Anyway, back to Romeo Dallaire. When I arrived at the theatre the line up was a mile long, up the stairs and through the student food court (so I was told… I didn’t actually go up the stairs to look). The lecture was sold out and the theatre accommodates over 1,000 people so you can imagine. And here I was expecting a couple hundred or something! Anyway, I went right to the front of the line and asked if I could sit at one of the spare chairs at the ticket-taking table by the door. No one argues with you when you have a cane and trouble walking, so I was seated right by the doors when they opened and snagged myself an awesome seat inside. Hee. Read the rest of this entry »

Sorry for the lack of updates, I seemed to be on a roll there for awhile. Well, okay, a few days anyway. I was hoping the trend would continue. But at the moment, I am up to my ears in piles of receipts with no end in sight. I have been working on this stuff for hours and hours and days and days and don’t seem to be getting anywhere. I honestly looked at it all when it was in boxes and files and thought, hey, if I buckle down I can get it done in a few days.

No.

There are so many receipts in my office that I had to start making piles on the living room floor, therefore blocking my scooter’s way out until such time I can make room for them in my office again. Therefore not being able to get out and go to the mall. Therefore not being able to get my When-I-work-from-home-my-GOD-I-need-to-get-out-in-the-afternoon Release. Therefore, you know, not being able to get my Jumbo Half Sweet Vanilla Bean with Soy Latte.

Tomorrow those piles will be moved into the dining room if I haven’t been able to clear a path any other way.

A client sent me his tax info to file his returns for 2002, 2003, and 2004. I have been using the same software program to do taxes for many years, and I went to find all my discs because I knew I’d have to reload some years of the program as this hard drive is only a couple years old. They weren’t hard to locate because I recently did a total de-cluttering/organization of my office (Wah! That’s all down the tubes at the moment…) So, there they all are… 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004 and of course I just bought 2005. Where the HELL is 2002???

Oh, oh, and whose bright idea was it for me to decide to become “the” chosen bookkeeper/tax person for musicians, because I love music so much, and figured this would be a way to sort of be involved in the business and help out my faves? Huh? Was that ME? Yeah. Brilliant. Do you know how much crap paper those guys accumulate?? Do you know that many of them have not filed their taxes for several years? Do you know how far behind some of them are? Do you know how disorganized and careless creative people can be? Do you know how much my head hurts right now?

I had a really shitty day and I’m totally stressed. I was in tears not more than two hours ago; something that should not have been that big of a deal (but still enough to royally piss anyone off, especially someone who has been putting up with this kind of shit a lot lately… I realize I am being vague, but I know who reads this and I can’t get into it!) just sent me over the edge and I ended up bawling like a big baby. I never thought I would hear myself say this, but THANK GOD for AH, he saved me tonight. He called at just the right time and got my mind on other things and made me laugh; then he picked me up to take me to the bank since my other plans fell through. On the way back we stopped at a Tim Horton’s that wasn’t a drive-thru, and as I was about to get out of the car he said “no, I’ll get it” and went in and bought me a large French vanilla/half coffee. It was just a little gesture… but it meant the world to me tonight.

I’m exhausted.

Tomorrow I get to do it all over again.

I was reading someone’s blog the other day where she mentioned one of her favourite authors had died, the first author she ever saw speak and read from her own work. That made me think about the first author I ever saw read and speak from his own work, so I Googled him… and was very sad to see he died over a year ago!

R.I.P Danny Sugarman. His book Wonderland Avenue is one of my favourite books of all time. I need another copy because mine went missing many years ago. But yeah, I saw Danny speak and read from that book up at the University about 15 years ago (just before The Doors movie was released). It was a highlight of my life and I’m sorry to see that he passed away without my even knowing it.

Today was supposed to be a very long and full day for me. My mom made chiropractor appointments for all of us this morning, and then we were supposed to meet a few people for lunch. Then I was planning to attend a meeting at 4:00 for the volunteers with an upcoming conference I want to be involved in. I spoke to the woman organizing it yesterday, Anna, and she was supposed to email me all the information and press materials as well as the location of this volunteer meeting.

Last night I went to see Peter Katz again (woo HOO! So awesome!) and didn’t get home until about 1:30 a.m. I came in thinking about how I was so not looking forward to getting up early in the morning, but there was a message from my mom saying Bob was really sick so we probably wouldn’t be going. Then she called me this morning and confirmed that, so here I still sit in my flannels. Anna never emailed me any of that information, so I can’t attend this volunteer meeting, so my busy day has turned into quite the lazy one. I’m not complaining though… last night did me in, I need to rest today!

The most I’ll do today is scooter over to the mall to mail Emma her Peter Katz T-shirt and pick myself up a latte! Then I need to return my neighbour’s completed tax return to him and organize my office work (which I’m NOT going to do today. Oh, except for these two financial statements that just came over my fax machine while I was typing that). I think I’ll finish the book I’m reading and watch Dogma again before I mail it back (SO funny). And it’s just that kind of a day!

Many of you may not be aware about one of my biggest passions in life. It’s not very easy to put into one sentence, but it involves youth/teenagers, responsibility, support and independence. In other words, I get really excited when I meet a kid who comes from a shitty background, foster care, group homes etc., yet is hopeful for his/her future and takes responsibility for it. He/she has plans and ideas and is working towards shaping their future in a positive way instead of blaming their family or society for their problems and acting like they’re owed something. They make use of the programs put in place by our government to support and help them get on their feet and make a life for themselves in this big crazy world. I am 100% behind those programs being made available to these youth, but I’m 150% behind the kids that actually make use of them without abusing them.

When I meet this sort of youth, I want to be a part of their life. I want to support them in any way I can, encourage them and root for their success. I want to be someone they can turn to when they need a friend to talk to or are having a bad day.

One such person is Eric, who I have mentioned in here a few times before. He is an amazing kid. He’s almost 19 now and out of high school, living in his own apartment, working in a department store, and going to school two nights/week. He is finishing the courses he needs to get into the program he wants, and then he’ll go to the University of Lethbridge to get his final degree. He has it all planned out. In his “spare time” he also volunteers with the Youth in Care program and is an all-out activist for Youth in Care. He is AWESOME and such an amazing example of life after Foster Care.

Today I decided to sponsor a youth through the Youth Possibilities Program so he/she can attend a talk next Friday presented by the IPRA. They are trying to find sponsors to send 13 youth and 3 facilitators to see Senator Romeo Dallaire speak at the University.

When I read in my email request:

The Youth Possibilities Project of the Centre for Newcomers is a 6 month employment training program for immigrant & minority youth between the ages of 16 - 25. Most of the youth in this session are refugees that have been affected by war in countries such as Afghanistan and Sudan. It is not unfamiliar to our youth from El Salvador & Lebanon as well. As part of their training to either find gainful employment or go back to school, our youth commit to a community service project. This session our group chose to do forum theatre in conjunction with All Nations Theatre Society where they brought to light issues related to being an immigrant youth in Canada. I think it would be amazing for them to see Lt. Gen Dallaire speak. I hope you do consider this request.

I knew I wanted to help, but I also knew I needed to call someone. AH has a 22 year old nephew that lives at his house who is having trouble finding/keeping a job. I read a little more about this YPP program, and immediately called AH and asked “your nephew is unemployed, right?” and he said “yeah… always…” “Well, I found something he may qualify for” and told him about it. He said “yeah, he’s in that already, and he’s going to quit, he doesn’t like it…”

Oh man. AH needed to quickly hang up as he was about to get a client, so I am sitting here FUMING and wanting to wring a certain someone’s nephew’s little scrawny wimpy Middle Eastern neck.

Eric is working his ass off for $7.50 an hour at a department store and going to school and making something of his life. He has no family to fall back on (Dad is a child molester dickhead, mom is on welfare with two little ones and can’t take care of him). This YPP program, our government, our tax dollars, my money, pays AH’s nephew $7.50 an hour to learn how to find and keep a job and he’s not even trying?!? This kid (well, man actually) lives in AH’s house, because in his culture, family looks out for each other no matter what. When AH and his wife split up, she moved out of his house (back to her parents of course, where two other divorced sisters also reside) and his sister, brother and nephew moved in (mom was already there). You don’t charge family anything for rent. You live at home until you are married, and then go back home if the marriage doesn’t work (AH owns his own house though, so they all just moved in with him hehe).

So this nephew, at 22, is living for free off his dad and Uncle AH. I know for a fact that AH helps him out with all kinds of stuff and takes him places and gives him unlimited access to his computer which AH may just end up giving to him when he gets a new one. He will never be expected to pay rent and will be able to live with his family forever if he wants/needs to.

Okay, you know, I have tried to understand and respect AH’s culture and values. It is very different from mine, and just because I am not used to it, does not make it wrong. It is “their way” and if we are going to be friends, I need to keep my opinions to myself, have an open mind and respect these differences. But not in my own freakin’ BLOG I don’t!! That is BULLSHIT!! How is that nephew ever going to learn to be responsible and independent? What the hell reason does he need to get a job, if no matter what, family is going to take care of him?? Where does he get off abusing our Government’s money in programs designed to help him get on his feet? (Okay, that is a whole other can of worms that we won’t open here). If he was my nephew he would have one month to find a job and start paying me room and board or he would be out on his ass.

My sponsorship sure as hell better not be going to AH’s nephew.

Remember what I said awhile back about Bounce and how it keeps the mice away? Scratch that.

I think it worked for a little while, or maybe just that one mouse. But I have a little bugger in my apartment that WILL NOT go away. I have laid Bounce* all over the place, and as I sit and watch TV I will see him come out from under the sofa, dance on the sheets of Bounce in front of the sofa, run in circles on the sheets of Bounce laughing at me, and run back under the sofa.

I hear him in my pantry, but when I open the door he stops and I cannot see if he is digging into cracker boxes or anything… I don’t know where he is and nothing looks tampered with. I called my building’s maintenance and they sent someone over who apparently set up traps (I wasn’t home), but I have only seen one in the corner under my patio doors. The mouse was running around that area tonight and it didn’t stop him any.

He is keeping me awake tonight, so I got out of bed and went into the bathroom to grab my robe from the back of the door, and when I did, HE JUMPED OUT FROM INSIDE MY ROBE (making me jump and scream like a freak), and ran into the hall closet.

There must be more than one, because how could he be making noise hanging out inside my robe?

I think I will need to take matters into my own hands with this one and do what I did to catch them when I lived with mice in Toronto. Tomorrow I’ll be heading to Wal-Mart for sticky mouse traps and potato chips. It’s not going to be pretty.

*Edited a few days later to add: Come to think of it, this time I was using generic brand fabric softener sheets… when I used Bounce brand scented sheets, it seemed to work. I will give the real ones another chance should I see another one (got them both this week using traps).