Can You Hear Me Now?

You want to know how God works? I love stuff like this.

I’ve recently been meaning to shoot off an email to a client, asking him again (I had asked in October) for the few last things I need to finish up his year end, get his GST return to him, and invoice him for the work. I am down to about my last $50 (not including January’s rent, I have that!) and my bills for December haven’t been paid yet. It was getting down to a real crunch so I needed to get my thoughts organized for this email and hope this client would be willing to pay me even if everything wasn’t 100% finished.

Yesterday, he called me, asking if he could come by and drop off the things I needed. Mind reader! When he showed up, he also had a present for me from him and his wife “for your patience” - a cranberry Body Shop gift set and a $30 gift card for Chapters (which I went online and used that night!) He also requested that I invoice him so he could bring me a cheque ASAP. Cool, no? Now I can pay all my bills and I’ll have a couple more books to add to my reading list. And smell like cranberry.

I love the way life works out. Every time I’m down to my last few bucks, something like that happens. I always have faith that it will, and it always does.

I was chatting recently with my friend who had a baby girl in August (in her car, on the side of the road!) I’ve never known her to be very religious, because she’s never bonked me over the head with a bible, which is a dead giveaway. But I knew she and her family were planning to move to Haiti to help build schools, organized by her church. Then she got pregnant again and plans changed. Anyway, when she wrote: “Yes, baby was born on the side of the road, it was kind of scary yet strangely peaceful at the same time. I knew the Lord was with us and I was not afraid once I gave the situation over to Him. She is a marvelous little person.” I was creeped out for a second. Why? Because she said “I gave the situation over to Him”? I believe in God, so I don’t know why I get uncomfortable when people reference Him like that. I guess I’m afraid the next thing that follows is the bonk on the head with a bible.

Do you know the story about Oprah and when she was told she got the part in The Color Purple? It’s explained in this article. She “gave it up to Him” and look at HER life. Not too shabby. As they say, “let go and let God”. That should be the affirmation I repeat to myself 100 times/day, because I tend to forget. Once in awhile I remind myself “it’s all happening perfectly”, and then the next minute I’m all “WTF… WHY!?!” I try to remember to stand firm in my belief of the Grand Design and one day I’ll know exactly what that is. Heh

I received some awesome news yesterday. Rob Szabo will be back here on April 13 at the Ironwood. Yippeeee!!!

Yesterday I bought some plastic containers to help with the office and bathroom organizing. I worked on the bathroom a bit yesterday, thinking I’d get it all done, but you know what? That’s a bigger job than I thought it would be. I can’t stand for that long! And I don’t know how I’m going to get into the depths of my cabinets since I can’t get myself up from off the floor. Hm. I may need to seek assistance with that project.

I almost cried as I tossed the Estee Lauder toner into the “stuff to get rid of” pile… $29.50 for that, and I used it once… what a freakin’ waste. But I can’t hang on to stuff I know I’ll never use. I have 600 different kinds of lotions and body butters of various scents. I’m not as kind as Robyn, who gives away stuff like that to her readers and pays for the packaging and postage to send it to you. If you want mine, get your arse over here before it all gets tossed!

I also finally heard from the Living Well with a Chronic Condition place, and they sent me a bunch of paperwork. I visit (yet ANOTHER) physiotherapist on January 9, and then my hopeful regular specialized exercise class thingy I'’ve been trying to get into for what seems like forever will finally be underway.

Today someone sent me a video of Saddam’s hanging. “It’s from a cell phone, so it’s a little grainy”. Well, I’m not going to watch it ANYWAY, so I don’t care how grainy it is. I can’t believe people are sending that around. I mean, I believe it I guess, some people are pretty sick, but why they would think I would want to watch it is beyond me. Yeah, the man was slime, but so are a lot of people, and I’m not going to get any great high or sense of justice out of watching them, or anyone, die. It’s all a part of that Grand Design thingy, whether it makes sense to us now or not.

Woo hoo, I’ve already completed three (almost four) things on my 101 in 1001 list. And it was only the first day! I’ve got 3 DVDs on their way to me - Lake House, Boys Don’t Cry, and Big Fish. Like I said, I need to catch up on my movie watching! I hope this company will be better than that other one I used. The DVDs ship from Winnipeg, so hopefully that will be fast.

I also responded to all the email sitting in my inbox, and am going to get into the habit of answering it within a few days instead of letting it sit there. Email has become yet another thing we have to do… and I’m blaming it for all the unread books I own! I organized my bookshelf last night. I’ve got a LOT of reading to do. That’s what I’ll be doing the one night a week I shut off the phones and computer. After I meditate while wearing my mud mask, of course.

This week I want to cross a couple more things off my list, like going through my bathroom and make up stuff, and putting all my photos into boxes. I also emailed a place I would like to volunteer with; they are closed over the holidays so I can’t talk to anyone just yet, but I have a pretty good idea about what I want to do.

I received a nice surprise in my e-mail the other day. Rebecca Jenkins sent me two songs she just finished recording for her new jazz album. I’m surprised she saved my email address after all this time! I don’t know if I ever told you the story, (oh yes, I did, first paragraph of this entry back in July ‘05). Anyway, yeah, she saved my email address and sent me some new songs. I think that is so cool. I emailed her back and suggested she set up a MySpace music account to help promote the release, and she thinks that is a great idea. She’s so nice! I’m such a fan.

Yesterday I went back over to the mall and picked up my sunflower wall calendar and a desk daytimer. I also picked up a couple photo boxes so I can put away all my cat pictures! There shouldn’t be many more prints, now that I have the digital. It’s going to be a week or so before I can use it, though. The camera place won’t be doing any training sessions until the new year because they are so busy right now. I called AH and left a message that if he really wants to give me a gift, it can be the “gift of your time”. He could come by and show me how to do everything and hook up whatever needs to be hooked up to my computer, he’s good at that stuff. He’s on holidays this week so maybe he’ll have time, but then again, holidays for him means “paint the house, work on the car, catch up on visiting with my 100 million cousins, nieces and nephews…”

I do have a New Year’s resolution. No more lattes. Not always and forever, but no more of this almost-every-day stuff. I have the Second Cup gift card my brother gave me, which will get me lattes for the next few days. Then I’ll slow it down considerably. Because, seriously? My intake of caffeine is far too high, and I eventually want to stop needing prescription meds to help me sleep. Perhaps there is a connection there, hmmm? Also, a lot of my financial goals could be met easier if I wasn’t spending all that money on fancy coffees. I’ll stick to my morning cup or two, and then work on increasing my water intake throughout the day. If I want to sit back and relax in the afternoon with a hot cup of something, I’ll make herbal tea. Sigh… maybe Second Cup or Starbucks will let me buy some of their cups, sleeves and plastic lids with the little hole so I can pretend.

I seriously get a high every time I see someone carrying something that looks like that.

Note to Tawnya: I don’t “do” recipes… I don’t really cook. Most of the recipes I collected when I was following the MS Diet years ago are gluten free/dairy free/soy free and came from the MS Diet’s website at www.ms-diet.org. I didn’t actually try many of them! They aren’t necessarily sugar free, as the MS Diet is just “reduce sugar”. Most of what I eat now is pre-packaged (like rice cakes, oatmeal, soups, cereals) or super easy to prepare from a mix I bought at a health food store (like the cornbread). The apple crisp my mom made was, I believe, just sliced apples sprinkled with cinnamon, and the topping was a mix of rice flour, oats, and maple syrup crumbled on top. You won’t find a recipe link on my page until I become a “person that cooks”, which isn’t even on my 101 in 1001 list (just that I try 10 recipes, most off which I will scour the internet to find), so it won’t be happening anytime soon

My brother is coming by later. Don’t let me forget, I need him to do the following:

• Hammer a small nail into the wall for my sunflower calendar, because the push pin I use to hang it is always falling out;
• Put together my corner coat rack for my bedroom;
• Help me get bottled water, cat litter and cat food from Wal-Mart;
• Write out my rent cheque;
• Put my little Christmas tree back in storage.

I know, I put him to work. But I buy him dinner after, doesn’t that count for something?

Christmas continued at my mom’s house with my Stepdad. It was very peaceful! No cats running amuck and tearing up the hall. We decided to open all our gifts on Christmas Eve, because it’s so nice to do it by the light of the tree and candles. And the fireplace DVD I gave my mom and Bob that turns your TV into a fireplace… I need to get one of those now, it is seriously relaxing.

So after we ate chili and cornbread, we got a glass of wine and opened presents. Of course, I had already received my BIG present of the digital camera, but I still had lots to open. My stocking filled with my favourite shower gels and lotions and magazines, the Spin Spa I had been begging for, a cordless kettle, a coat rack (for the corner of my bedroom because I’m not so good at hanging up clothes) and a couple pairs of casual pants and tops. I gave my mom a couple sweaters and Nora Ephron’s book she had been wanting, and my Stepdad got pants and tops from me. My mom and Bob gave each other some really nice things. My mom got a snuggly that I am now DYING for myself!!

Must.Have.Avon.Snuggly.

Anyway, we all went to bed fairly early because we are party animals.

Christmas morning we slept in and then Bob made us a big breakfast, with the fluffiest omelet known to mankind, wheat free pancakes and bacon. He even brewed me up some French Vanilla flavoured coffee. I spent a good portion of the day snuggled up in my mom’s La-Z-Boy by the TV fireplace, reading. None of us are in the greatest of health, so going for a walk or a drive just isn’t something we could do. We had a nice supper, and mom made this delicious apple crisp without any wheat or sugar for dessert. I mostly stuck to my food regimen… I did have a couple raisin cookies and some candy-coated nuts, which I paid for in dizzy spells and tiredness.

So that was Christmas, in a nutshell! I know, my family is so exciting. Hope you all had a good one!

Today I made up a big list of 101 things I want to do within 1001 days. I made it a permanent page in this blog so I can keep track and read it every day. They say if you write down your goals and read it often, you have a better chance of achieving them. Anyway, I grouped them into categories, but other than that they are in no particular order. You can read it RIGHT HERE (or the link is at the bottom of my categories in the side bar).

I was flipping channels earlier, and stopped for a moment on an interview with Ralph Klein. For those of you that aren’t from around here, he was the Premier of Alberta forever (Mayor of Calgary before that, forever) and retired last week or something. Anyway, the interviewer asked him about his thoughts on same sex marriage, and he responded that he does not believe in it. That the Institution of Marriage should be between a man and a woman. That “The Institution of Marriage is sacred, and should only be between a man and a woman” and I almost spit out my latte. SACRED?? Don’t go telling me that same sex marriage shouldn’t be allowed because marriage is sacred. You can have two people of the same sex, who have been in a committed relationship for 20 years, and you don’t think they should be married, but you will allow a drunken couple to get married on a whim one weekend while in Vegas, and then get divorced when they come home? (I’m looking at you, Britney). You allow young people who don’t know any better to marry and start pumping out babies, just to get divorced 2 years later and leave the kids at home while they go out and party (I’m looking at you, Britney), yet the boring same sex couple who stay at home to raise their adopted babies and take their roles as partners and parents seriously, aren’t allowed to? You allow people to marry and divorce 6, 7, 8 or more times? You will allow a man to marry a woman and turn her into his property, controlling her, not allowing her freedom to visit her friends or family or go to work, yet you won’t let that same sex couple who respect, value and cherish each other completely to marry? Enough straight people have already made a mockery of marriage and that “sacred” union with all their affairs and dumb decisions (I’m looking at you, most celebrities, and that woman-I-know-and-don’t-like who has been dating a married man for years) so why can’t gay people? It’s ridiculous.

At this point Gay Marriage is legal in this country, but it seems to be a never ending issue. Many politicians still want that law retracted, and I just don’t get it. No one should be telling anyone who they can or can’t love and be with. (Unless that person is already with someone else, then HANDS OFF!) Just my two cents.

When can kitties get married?

I’m at my mom’s for the night and figured I’d get in a quick update and a “Merry Christmas” to y’all.

Yesterday my mom and brother came to my place, so we could have a little Christmas with the three of us. We ordered Chinese food, following which I broke out in a red itchy, burning rash on my neck because I couldn’t keep my hands off of a little bit of one dish that has wheat in it. At least, I think that’s what did it… maybe the sugar in the sauce, too? Whatever it was, I won’t be eating that again. And I don’t think it was MSG, because none of us had sniffles afterwards (which we always get from MSG) and I’m pretty sure all the Vietnamese food I’ve had lately contains some MSG, and that hasn’t bothered me.

Anyway.

We exchanged gifts, and my mom brought me my “big” present (there’s a few little ones for me here). Guess what it was?? A digital camera…a really nice one, that is thin enough so I can use it with just my left hand.

Beautiful. Next week I need to book an appointment for my half-hour training session, which I am definitely going to need.

My brother bought me the new Pirates of the Caribbean DVD, and 40 Year Old Virgin, which my mom had never seen so we watched it. I’ve already scored with the gifts, and it’s not even Christmas yet!

I had to call AH and tell him not to buy me “Pirates” now… so he’s at a loss again. Heh. I’ll figure something out. Right now, a nice supply of Benadryl is top of my list until I stop all this itching.

Oh, speaking of AH, he has been nominated for a very prestigious award. He is one of the top three in his field, and if he wins he will attend a big gala event at the Jubilee Auditorium and receive the award from the Mayor. See, I am not the only one who thinks he is so good at his job! I’m so proud of him, and he is nervous as hell.

I got my cats licensed on Friday. I can’t believe the city is making us pay to license our cats, even if they never go outside. Just another way for the City to make a few bucks. I wasn’t going to bother doing it, because mine are indoor cats and who would ever know, but then I watched the news and they scared me into doing it with all this talk of $250,000 fines and stuff. I wouldn’t put it past the city to audit Vet office files and make sure all the pets are licensed. And after learning I can now do it online quickly and painlessly, I decided I better. So, $23.72 later, my kitties are legal.

Well, I best get back to hanging out with my mom and Bob. We’re having chili and gluten free cornbread for supper, and playing some games. No pictures to sign off with, because there aren’t any on my mom’s computer you haven’t already seen!

Have a great holiday everyone, whatever you celebrate and however you spend it.

Today I went to the mall (NO WAY!) to get my latte and say “goodbye” to Jess, who was supposed to be working her last day there. She was all by herself during what would normally be a three person shift. I commented about that, and she said “everyone but two part-timers quit. I’m working tomorrow now too, all day, but after that I’m leaving town so I can’t save him anymore!” Oh, great. Just when I was getting used to the new faces and they were getting to know what I drink. I have to train new people again! Anyway, Jess gave me my latte for free today, and I will go by again tomorrow and really say goodbye.

Later on AH came by (we still talk alllll the time) and I gave him a Christmas present, even though he doesn’t celebrate Christmas. He just benefits from all his friends that do. He said, “I want to get you something, but I don’t know what. Give me a hint, I’m terrible at buying for women”. My hint was “Pirates of the Caribbean“. Oh yeah, he drove me to work yesterday morning and his Access driver buddy was on the phone and wanted to talk to me. He asked me if I got him a Christmas present too, and I said, “are you kidding? You still owe me hommus! What’s it been, like, two years?!?” (he did promise me his homemade hommus a long time ago). He laughed and laughed, and promised that I would still get it and it would be worth the wait. We’ll see… but that has been a running joke for far too long, I really just want the damn hommus.

AH also picked me up from a client’s last week. I think it’s so funny that he gets sent to me so often. I rarely see repeat drivers because I have no regular trips. I’m really happy we have been able to stay friends after all the ups and downs. I still think he’s hot, always will because he IS, but I don’t have “those” kinds of feelings for him anymore, and I wasn’t sure if I would ever get to this point. So I’m glad I am.

And, I got him to help me re-arrange my coffee table and rug while he was here, because I can’t lift it and the rug was bunched up under it and it was driving me nuts. It’s good to have a strong man that can swing by once in a blue moon and do something like that, especially when your brother goes and gets himself a full-time job (selfish!) and can’t come over all the time anymore.

Meme, stolen from Robyn.

In 2007…

1. Will you be looking for a new job? Maybe a new client; if my energy improves I can take on more work.
2. Will you be looking for a new relationship? Not actively looking, but I would not be opposed to it happening.
3. New house? No
4. What will you do different in 07? I’ll be eating differently and taking better care or myself!
5. New Years resolution? I don’t want to make any this year.
6. What will you not be doing in 07? Oh, triathlons, having a baby, cartwheels, drinking milk.
7. Any trips planned? I’d like to go to Toronto in October, and back to Montreal too, but nothing is planned yet.
8. Wedding plans? Not my own!
9. Major thing on your calendar? I don’t even have a 2007 calendar yet!
10. What can’t you wait for? Spring.
11. What would you like to see happen different? That I turn to exercise instead of food for whatever reason. Wouldn’t THAT be cool!
12. What about yourself will you be changing? The foods I eat, and hopefully I will rely less on a couple of the meds I take.
13. What happened in 06 that you didn’t think would ever happen? (a) Me, Rob, Lindy, Emma and Lo, together in Montreal. (b) I got two kittens. (c) I actually figured out how to get in to my apartment building and handle all the doors without getting off my scooter. This is a recent development, and takes a lot of fancy leg/footwork with my left side, but I can do it!
14. Will you be nicer to the people you care about? I think I do just fine in that department. At least, I hope I do!
15. Will you dress differently this year than you did in 06? Not really, but smaller sizes would be nice.
16. Will you start or quit drinking? No.
17. Will you better your relationship with your family? Probably not, it is what it is. Although, my brother and I spent a lot more time together in ’06, so maybe ’07 will build on that.
18. Will you do charity work? Yes, in February I’m a cashier at the Direct-MS charity casino again, and who knows what else I’ll end up doing.
19. Will you go to bars? No, I’m a Pub girl, and even those I don’t go to often.
20. Will you be nice to people you don’t know? No different than I am now. I’m nice! Unless you are blocking the aisle with your grocery cart when you’re not even near it, or standing in the middle of the aisle talking on your cell phone, not aware you are in my and everyone else’s way. Or your name is Donald Trump.
21. Do you expect 07 to be a good year for you? YES. 7 is my favourite number so I am counting on it.
22. How much did you change from this time last year till now? I don’t think I have much, although I’m learning not to sweat the small stuff as much and I have a few amazing friends I didn’t even know this time last year, and they are helping to make a difference in how I feel about myself.
23. Do you plan on having a child? No.
24. Will you still be friends with the same people you are friends with now? I don’t see why not, and hopefully I’ll even be closer to some.
25. Major lifestyle changes? Probably not, but never say never! The next lottery ticket could be IT.
26. Will you be moving? NO! I better not be. Unless I win the lottery and buy something.
27. What will you make sure doesn’t happen in 07 that happened in 06? Breaking my wrist, long hospitalizations, MS getting worse…
28. What are your New Years Eve plans? I might go to the Pub with Michelle to see Heather Blush
29. Will you have someone to kiss at midnight? No… well, maybe friends at the Pub on the cheek! But if I’m at home, it will have to be Pita & Pepper.
30. One wish for 07? Good health!

2007 is going to be the best year ever because it ends in a 7. When I was younger, I used to think I would get married on 7/7/97, but when that didn’t happen, I decided it would have to be 7/7/07, and “no problem… I have 10 YEARS to find him!” Hm. Well.

Christmas means… Shopping Carts in the Living Room!

Today was a lovely day. Jason and his girlfriend Angela came by at 10:30 (Sheldon was sick ) and loaded up the van with the gifts for the Family. It didn’t take long at all, and soon we were at the community centre where everything was to be dropped off. They had a large room with numbered pieces of paper on the wall, and you put your boxes under your family number. There were people with dollies to help cart everything in, so it only took a few minutes. I was surprised at the amount of families, and the amount of gifts! I thought the family we helped out got a lot of stuff… Family #102 had 22 boxes! (Some families are adopted by large corporations… I hope they are bigger families!) There were piles and piles all over the room. Also, tables full of toys and books that I guess will be split up among the families. It seemed like a well organized place, so I trust everything will get to the family in one piece. I sure wish I could be a fly on the wall while they are opening their presents!

After that, we went out for lunch. Jason said “your choice” to me, so, yeah. My Favourite Vietnamese place. I know Jason loves Pho and Angela “will eat anything” (ahhhh!!! And she has a killer body, of course) so there was no problem. We ate and talked and ate and ate.

Then they drove me home, so I could get my scooter and meet them over at the mall. They needed to do some Christmas shopping, and no one knows that mall and that Wal-Mart better than me. Plus, they had never been to a Dollarama, and I just had to introduce them to the glory that is that store. They were, of course, blown away at what you can buy for ONE DOLLAR. They loaded up on stocking stuffers and actual things they need (”I can’t believe I got all that stuff for $12.00!” - Angela). FYI, you have not lived until you see Jason and his groovy walk up the aisle to the Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me Baby”. I bought a cute stuffed floppy puppy dog for my cats to rip apart. (They’re already dragging him around by his ear, so we’re off to a good start). Then it was off to look for games and a Rubik’s Cube. I found my 2007 Sunflower calendar, but I am going to wait a week, when they should all be 50% off.

Later in the afternoon I went back and visited Cotton Ginny because I am in desperate need of pants. Everything in the store was 30% off and I love me a sale.

My buddy Blair is back in town January 20th hosting Bluebird North. I went to it a couple years ago, and it was a GREAT show. This year, we’ve got Barney Bentall, Melanie Doane, Jeremy Fisher, Jenny Whiteley, and of course Blair Packham. I bought my ticket online, I just wish it was at the Ironwood again instead of way the hell and gone down South. (NOT THAT I AM COMPLAINING). Of course, right when Michelle moves away from that part of the city! Jenny Whiteley is the only songwriter out of that list I haven’t heard. That’s what I love about shows like Bluebird North, you can always discover someone new. Last time it was Andy Stochansky and I will never forget that! I saw Jeremy Fisher at a similar Songwriter’s night in Montreal a couple years ago. I wonder if he will remember that we ate lunch at the same table the following day? Probably not. Heh.

You know what I just realized?? I haven’t been to any Christmas open houses or parties this year. (NOT THAT I AM COMPLAINING). I did have dinner with Troy’s company, but that is it! Usually our family friends Andrea and Roger have one, but they are putting it off until the new year due to unforseen circumstances. I also usually attend one at my client Ken’s house, but either he didn’t have one or just didn’t invite me. I hope he just didn’t have one! That’s the one I go to where I am the only single person. So maybe it was couples only this year. OR he didn’t have one. I need to ask him. (I just sent him an email about it). Hehe

Update: Ken did have his open house this year, it was just “scaled down considerably” so he is taking me for lunch in the new year. Fair enough!

Tomorrow I work at Troy’s, and I’ll be bringing in a few of the Christmas baskets I’ve bought for Troy and the girls, and chocolates for the guys. Then I need to worry about wrapping my gifts I’ve bought, and that is really about it. I didn’t do cards again this year, and in fact, I didn’t even do a Christmas Email yet. Maybe Thursday!

My Christmas will be small and quiet this year, as usual, since I have a small family. On Saturday my mom is staying here, and my brother will come over (who has not been here since he landed a good FULL TIME JOB, the bugger) and the three of us will have a little Christmas cheer. Then on Sunday I’ll go back to Strathmore with my mom to spend the night, and have Christmas with her and Bob. I will not be partaking in the usual Christmas treats, and since my mom is doing her best to avoid the same stuff I am, there won’t be any around. We do have snacks… nuts, rice crackers, rice chips, gluten free Cheecha Krackles, (oh… new single servings? I thought the large bag WAS a single serving! Hee) and I gave my mom a recipe for wheat free/dairy free/sugar free brownies that I hope she has a chance to make.

Gee, I wonder why I’m not losing weight following my new food regimen?

Not that I am complaining.

Yay! Uncle Darren is coming back on Saturday!

Guess who was in Wal-Mart before 7:30 on Sunday morning? Go me! I got my mascara (I’m giving L’oreal Volume Shocking a try) and cat food and then some. Christmas shopping is done, people. I whizzed through there like nobody’s business, even stopped in McDonald’s for a coffee, and was still home before 9:00. I woke up at 6:00 a.m. on my own anyway, so I figured, what the hell. It’s not like I actually have to do my hair and make-up for Wal-Mart. Just roll out of bed and go. Worked for me!

I took a nice long nap in the afternoon, it was lovely.

Today I worked at the Pub. Christine and I did a little gift exchange. I bought her a chili pepper dip tray with 6 red chili pepper dishes, that I found at this unique gift shop by my Chiropractor (I don’t buy everything at Wal-Mart and Dollarama, you know). She loves to host parties (”we’re having an open house on Boxing Day, will you come?”) and makes fabulous dips and stuff, so I thought that was perfect. She gave me a pretty scarf, long, with a bluish/greenish design. I was wearing a white top, so I immediately put the scarf on and wore it all day. Never mind the fact that I was wearing red pants and it clashed horribly.

My Access rides were late both ways which made for a long day. Blah. When I got home, I went out to the mall so I could go to the post office and mail off a couple things, which will arrive just in time for the New Year, I’m sure. Hehe. The line-up was out the door, and I angered the people behind me by letting a couple people in ahead of me, but I know what it is like to stand in a long line when you use a cane or walker. And it’s CHRISTMAS, people. Be nice.

I managed to keep Pita away from the door both times that I left and came in today… once with my walker and once on my scooter. All day yesterday I sprayed her with water anytime she went near the door and yelled “NO!” so all it took was a stern “NO!” and a reach for the water bottle and she wimpered away. Hopefully she will learn…?

Then I spent the evening taking turns relaxing and tidying up. Such simple tasks take me forever to accomplish now. It’s quite frustrating, as you can imagine. I wanted to go see some live music tonight with Michelle, but because I am expecting friends over in the morning, I had to tidy up and take out garbage. Can you imagine? Having to give up a night out because you need to spread over the entire evening what would take a normal person 15 minutes to do?

Oh, stop. I made a promise to myself that I would go ONE WEEK without complaining about anything or feeling sorry for myself. I’m reading Susan Jeffer’s “Life is Huge” right now (even though sometimes it may feel no bigger than your last teardrop. Ha! That’s good. She should use it), and it is reminding me of that, (which I believe was also a chapter in another book of hers I own. I love her stuff, I just wish I put it into practice more often). Access ride late? Look at it as an opportunity to do some deep breathing exercises and affirmations while waiting. Have to stay home while your friend is out enjoying live music? Think of the reason you are making your home (semi) presentable… because Jason and Sheldon are coming by in the morning, and you would rather see them than (name of musician here) any day! They haven’t even been here since you got your kittens, and they’re helping you deliver all the presents for the family! Woo hoo!

So, yes. I am spending my week looking for the silver lining of every situation. I will try not to make you barf in my future entries. You’re welcome.

Nothing good to say about this. Nope, no way.

I finally bought myself my regular deodorant and feel like “me” again. Recently I have been using another kind that came in this body wash kit I picked up awhile back, but I didn’t like it very much. And somewhere in there I spent a fortune on a natural deoderant because I figured if I’m putting mostly organic foods IN my body, maybe I should go all the way. I like the toothpaste I bought, but the deoderant? In the garbage. It absolutely does not work. Does anyone know if any of those deoderants actually do work? Does it take awhile for your body to adjust to them, or what? I just really didn’t enjoy going around smelling of BO the days I wore it. So now I am back to normal and very happy about it. (I can’t believe Amazon.com even sells deodorant. Amazon.com has everything. Why can’t Amazon.ca get with it too??)

This morning my folks picked me up again for another trip to our chiropractor. Pita is being a brat these days and is back to racing out the door every time it opens. When I was leaving today I was trying to keep her inside by pushing my walker in her face, but I ended up losing my balance and falling out in the hall. Sigh. I crawled inside to my office and called my mom and Bob on their cell phone where they were out in the van, waiting for me. They both came in and Bob helped me get up while mom lectured Pita about how “maybe you weren’t such a great idea after ALL!!” Hehe I really have to figure something out with her… I can’t lock her in any room while I’m gone all day! I’ve resorted to shutting her in my bedroom when I take my scooter out to go to the mall, but an hour is okay. Any longer I can’t do. I used to be able to get out the door with my walker okay, but now she sees me get my coat on and claws her way up onto my walker and meows and wants to go with me. She literally runs out the door the second it opens. So I need to figure out a way to keep her from the door, because I can’t be falling again because of her! A fence thingy won’t work because of where the kitchen entrance is.

Anyway, after the chiropractor I did my usual run to the health food store/bakery next door to pick up Larabars and steel cut oats. I wish we had a bakery like this somewhere in the city. Hey, we have the second busiest Wal-Mart in the world, I’m sure we could support a sugar free/gluten free/wheat free/vegan bakery! I just drool looking at their stuff. I would just end up fatter and deeper in debt though in the end, so I guess it’s just as well. But, seriously? If I have any kind-hearted readers in NYC? Contact me.

Then, we went for lunch (at My Favourite Vietnamese Place) and when we got back here my Mom borrowed my scooter to do some Christmas shopping, while Bob laid down in my room for a nap. I finished gift bagging up the rest of the Family’s presents, and then Michelle came over and helped me organize and label all the boxes. Seven boxes and two Santa sacks (I put the girl’s gifts in red Santa sacks with snowmen on them and a drawstring. So cute! And only ONE DOLLAR!) I hope Jason has lots of room in his van when he helps me deliver it all on Tuesday!

The sacks are this one exactly, if you are reading this before December 18. Mine were cheaper, nanananana.

Oh! Damn. I just came from the mall and forgot to buy mascara. You know what else happened this morning? I’ve been mostly using my various Estee Lauder mascara samples (mini-tubes) that come with the few free-gift-with-purchases I have received over time. Once in awhile I may get a bit in my eye, and it always stings a little (more than other kinds I have used)… I always thought that odd, but didn’t concern myself too much. So, this morning I accidently poked my eye with the mascara brush, and I SCREAMED. I was in so much burning pain. It took forever for the burning to stop and lots of flushing with water and eye drop tears stuff. That freaked me out! I immediately took all 3 mini-tubes and the one large tube of Estee Lauder mascara I actually paid full price for and threw them all away. I have poked my eye with a mascara brush before (yeah, so? Haven’t you, Miss Coordinated?), but I have never experienced pain like that from it. I can only imagine what kind of chemicals are in their mascara, and wouldn’t be surprised to learn someday that users of it have gone blind. No more Estee Lauder for me, free gift or not. The toner made me break out, and now this. I don’t need to spend a fortune on make-up or skin care. I still use my awesomely inexpensive stuff from New Zealand, and it’s back to good ‘ol Loreal Voluminous mascara for me. That has never let me down. (I will still buy some MAC cosmetics, though. I haven’t gone completely mad).

So, on tomorrow’s agenda… sleep in. Buy mascara and cat food. On second thought, don’t sleep in. Be at Wal-Mart to buy mascara and cat food by 7:00 a.m. to avoid being crushed.

“Must… Keep… Momma… From… Leaving!”

“If I can just hold it here…”

“Hey, relax, sis. Let momma do whatever she wants, I’m doing juuuuuust fine without her.”