Can You Hear Me Now?

One year ago today…

• I had no idea I was going to fall, break my *good* wrist, end up in the hospital for 2 months, need my gallbladder taken out the day I was discharged, spend another couple weeks in recovery, and basically end up with my health a lot worse for wear after all that, blahblahblah;
• I was 10 pounds lighter;
• I had not yet met Rob Szabo, who is not only a ridiculously talented musician/singer/songwriter, he has also become an amazing friend;
• I wasn’t sure how my friendship with AH would continue, since he was getting back together with his wife, and I was a little worried we may not keep talking;

And finally, my life changed forever with the arrival of these two:

I was planning to do this whole tribute to the kitties, but my blog has been down ALL DAY and it’s now 11:30 pm and I’m too tired. I just had to get this in under the wire, before midnight, so I wasn’t a day late or anything.

Anyway, for more pics of the kitties on their first day here, check out this entry, and every one that follows has pictures (and now video) so you can see how much they have grown. Crap. Why do they have to grow?? (They’re still sooooooo cute and totally awesome, though).

More tomorrow. G’nite!

Wondering what to do with your tax refund?? Help Shawna raise money for Breast Cancer research! She’s got more great reasons she is doing this in her blog.

I would like you all to know that I have completed 26.73% of the items on my 101 in 1001 list. Not bad, considering I have almost 2-1/2 years left! So far I’m most proud that my Sears card is paid off completely and I’ve been saving the $1/day. This afternoon I’m going for an eye exam which will eventually lead up to completing #7. I’m also pretty sure I have completed #27, but I have to wait until my bed gets all made up with the new duvet cover and everything and make sure. That should be sometime this weekend, when my mom and Bob are here to help.

Yesterday I finally got everything worked out with my Shaklee account, so I cancelled my order of eco-friendly cleaning stuff from the organic delivery place and ordered a kit from Shaklee instead. WAY cheaper, and a lot more stuff! I just won’t be getting the toilet paper now, but since I needed TP, I went to Wal-Mart to buy some… 24 rolls for $4.97 as opposed to 12 rolls for $16.97 of the recycled materials variety. I’m not so sure I’ll be switching to recycled toilet paper! I’ll just pat myself on the back for the changes in cleaning stuff and call it a day.

I also bought more energy saving light bulbs, so they will be everywhere now. Plus I’m doing a bunch of other little power-related things, so I look forward to seeing the changes in my electric bill next month

This morning my Home Care is starting. They, like everyone else, are short staffed and can only get me someone for an hour one day/week instead of the 3 days I’m supposed to. Eventually they should be able to get me the 3X/week plus the two hours once/month for laundry help. Anyway, one hour a week is more than I had before, and at least I’ll get my toenails trimmed and my legs shaved! I still have knicks all over my legs from my last attempt.

Now that I’ve started Home Care again, I need to have yet another occupational therapist come over for yet another assessment of me. She’s coming tomorrow morning. I’m going to try to get a couple poles and bars out of her that the guy I saw in August didn’t think I needed. I need something beside my bed should I ever fall in my bedroom again, and my mom suggested a pole by my patio doors which is a great idea. It’s a big step up and down from my floor to out those doors, so something to hang on to and steady me is needed. The cat tree just won’t do.

I can only imagine the comments from my neighbours about the stripper pole, front and center in that window!

On Monday morning the Social Worker was here to finalize the paperwork to hopefully get my rent subsidized. Keep your fingers crossed for me! A few extra hundred a month would certainly help me accomplish #18, 19 and 20 on my list a lot sooner.

So, I guess this is another week of trying to get my personal poop in a group, as well as finishing TAXES. I’m only typing this now because Home Care is coming at 10:30 and I don’t want to be in the middle of something work-related when she arrives. Then I need to work for a few hours before my eye exam, after which I won’t be able to do a damn thing because my pupils will be dilated.

It looks like I won’t get everything done by April 30. I mean, all taxes will be filed and first quarter GSTs paid (except one client who hasn’t sent his first quarter stuff yet) but I have other bookkeeping that isn’t as urgent sitting here. I was hoping to have it ALL done by April 30, but, that may not happen with all my other appointments and personal stuff going on. Such is my life! It will all get done, it always does.

I’m getting my ass kicked, no BIG surprise, but if you can spare a few minutes…

Wondering what to do with your tax refund?? Help Shawna raise money for Breast Cancer research! She’s got more great reasons she is doing this in her blog.

Happy Earth Day!

After watching Oprah on Friday, and all the ideas for going Green and doing a little bit on our part to help the planet, I spent yesterday looking for Green stuff.

At the moment, the only “good” things I do are use those energy saving light bulbs in my main rooms and recycle water bottles and pop cans. I could easily improve in the areas of buying a decent water bottle and re-using it with filtered water from my tap, buying eco-friendly cleaning products, and using my own canvas bag when shopping rather than taking home a ton of plastic bags. I do use them for the cat litter, but I usually end up with way more plastic bags than I need around here and throw many away.

Other little things I’m going to do:

• No more helping myself to a pile of napkins at restaurants or fast food places, just ONE;
• No more taking a receipt when using the bank machine;
• Unplug things I’m not using! My toaster sits on my counter plugged in, although I rarely use it. It’s still using energy, so it’s unplugged now and so is my espresso machine when not in use!
• Buy even more Energy Saving lightbulbs and replace them everywhere I can;
• Buy recycled paper towels and toilet paper;
• Bring my own To Go mug when getting coffee/lattes at Second Cup or Starbucks.

So, my first step was to go to the Shaklee website and order their Get Clean start up kit. “Canadian Customers Click Here”. Okay. We need to sign up and become a member (which is free), and then they will email you your member ID and a password, which you can use to log in and shop. “Allow us 15 minutes to process your information before logging in”. Well… I kept trying for a good hour or so before I gave up. I decided to head to the mall to get a water bottle and look for cleaning stuff there.

I had no luck finding Green cleaning products, and I ended up with a Rubbermaid water bottle that will have to do for now until I can get to a better store for one of the good ones they showed on Oprah, or shop online or whatever.

Since I couldn’t find the cleaning products I wanted, I headed over to Bedding and somehow I ended up coming home with sheets, blankets, throw pillows, a duvet cover and shams in various shades of burnt orange for my new bedroom decor. Funny, how that happened.

When I got home, I tried to log into Shaklee again. Still no luck. I emailed them, but no answer. They’re probably so overwhelmed with member sign-ups because of Oprah, that they can’t keep up.

So I went to another website, Method Home. I started clicking through their products and choosing all kinds. I loved them!! I was aiming for “Go Naked” because there are no perfumes or dyes, as much as I wanted to try Pink Grapefruit and Lavender. I had this cart full of products and it wasn’t until I looked at the shopping cart list that I realized they were out of stock on many of the things I wanted. Damn Oprah! Heh.

I still can’t log on to Shaklee, so I decided to just place an order with the online organic grocery delivery place I use sometimes. They sell a limited selection of Green cleaning and dishwashing products, but it’s a start. They have Seventh Generation products which were featured on the show, so that’s good. I even ordered the recycled toilet paper… $16.59 for 12 rolls, which is more than double what I normally pay!!

I am soooooo ordering Method Home products when they’re back in stock, they sound great and they have a nice variety. I love using cleaning wipes, and they even have body wash! And face it, the packaging is cool, even though that’s not supposed to matter. But check out their dish soap bottles! Hee!

And if Shaklee ever responds to me and gets my account working, they may get my future business too.

And speaking of green, we are green here again, the snow from Friday melted with the sun and warmth of Saturday. Now… STAY!

More clients on the way, I must be going.

It’s snowing outside. Again. WTF?? Last week it was so nice and sunny and Spring-like, and now it’s winter. Argh!

I’m only going to mention the Virginia Tech shootings here once. I am HORRIFIED. And I wish they would stop giving his creepy face so much air time. He is dead, we don’t need to keep an eye out for him! I have heard way more about the killer and his story, than those of his victims. Who were they, and what are their stories? I’d rather hear about that and remember them. The killer is not worth my time or thoughts.

Moving on to Celeb Gossip…

Have y’all heard that voice mail message Alec Baldwin left for his daughter?? Pretty scary. At first I thought it was for Kim Basinger, but no, it’s to their young daughter. I used to like Alec Baldwin, any time I’ve seen him on a talk show or something he makes me laugh. And I love him on 30 Rock. But, now… not so much. Making threats to your 11 or 12 year old daughter (I don’t know her age, and neither does he) is so not cool. Father of the Year he is not.

My life has been incredibly boring this week. Taxes, taxes, taxes. I’m getting a lot done, but there is still so much more to do. And more coming tomorrow. And then that should be it for work drop-offs and I can just get it all done. 10 more days!

Because I am so sure I’ll be winning that house with AH on May 22 and selling it and getting my million or so dollars out of it, I’ve started looking online at where I want to buy. I am finding lots of condos around $500,000 that have a master bedroom Ensuite, a pool/fitness room in the building, and centrally located. That’s great news! I can buy my dream condo outright and then have money left over to invest, travel and pay condo fees/property taxes/etc. for the years to come. I am SET.

For the time being, though, I am still waiting on that rent subsidy. I had to cancel my meeting with the Social Worker last week, and she cancelled on me yesterday because she is sick. She’s coming over on Monday now, and we’ll be able to finalize everything and send it in. Rent subsidy would be a great birthday present, since last year my present from my building was a big fat rent increase.

Speaking of my birthday, there are so many great things happening on May 1! Because it is a Tuesday, and all new CDs are released on Tuesdays, there is a lot of great music being released on my birthday. I keep hearing “coming out May 1st” and it makes me smile. Then, I have a friend who is opening her music studio that day. Also, the waitress we had at Cora’s on Easter is leaving for her vacation to Australia. I turn 39, AH turns 38, and finally, tax season is over. It’s a good day. Except for the fact that I will be one year away from FORTY. Yikes.

I’m not sure if I should be happy about this or not, but upping my anti-depressant medication over the past week has really made a difference. I feel SO much better. I know that feeling better is a good thing, but I don’t like the fact I have to take pills to get there. I hope I can wean off of them someday. Exercise and vitamins, right Tom Cruise? Actually, that will help. It’s no secret what exercise can do for your overall health, body, mind, spirit… So when I move into my condo with the pool I’ll be able to enjoy exercise every day. There is no other kind I can do that I enjoy. (Well, there is, but I am single and my mother reads this so HUSH).

Anyway, I’ve got a client dropping by in a few minutes. I hope she has a cheque for me! Tonight I am going to a friend’s for dinner. She just got back from a trip to Egypt and is making an Egyptian dinner for her friends. Yum!!

Because he is just too awesome for words.

Last night was simply amazing. “Amazing” is an overused word (by me, anyway), but I don’t know how else to describe it!

I just need to post about it quickly to get that awful post about my awful week out of the way!

I arrived at the Ironwood around 5:00, where Rob and Mike had just arrived from Lethbridge. I gave Rob a huuuuge hug and Mike a *little* hug, because, you know, it was our first time meeting. They set up and did their soundcheck and then we ordered some food. I haven’t been to the Ironwood since the new owners renovated and everything. It’s a classier looking place now, and the menu is ama–um–incredible!

Rob gave me a CD - Jeremy Fisher’s Goodbye Blue Monday. (Please click the link and listen to that song, soooo cool and highly addictive!) “You want that, right? Isn’t your birthday coming up?” Ah!! What a SWEETHEART!!

We ate and talked and ate and talked for several hours. Michelle arrived with a large group of people from her Culture Club, and my friends Jay and Katrina came. I haven’t seen them in AGES, I’m so happy they made it! Mike hit the stage around 9:00 p.m. I have never seen him before, but have heard a few of his songs on MySpace. He played for about an hour and was great. He is such a cutie too, I must add that in.

After a short break Rob played his set. He was simply phenomonal. Just… phenomenal. As usual, he didn’t play long enough. I really have to do something about that next time. After his show the owner came over and thanked me, and I asked “for what?” and he answered “for bringing him here!” I said “I didn’t, his agent did…” but then Rob interjected and said “no, you did… you started it all in Calgary for me”. Yay, ME!! He’s been getting some decent press on this tour so he’s pretty happy with me

We hung out until the wee hours with a few people, and then once everyone was gone and the bar was closing, we headed out to flag down a cab. Mike and Rob are touring across the country in a Toyota Tercel, so with all their gear and everything there isn’t room for another person and a walker! Rob and I took the cab while Mike followed us to my place.

Once inside, Rob re-acquainted himself with Pita and Pepper while Mike met them for the first time. He loves cats, and they loved him. Which is a good thing, because I can never guarantee that visitors will not be trampled by them in the middle of the night. I was in bed by 2:30 and left those two in the living room fiddling with their laptops to fight over decide who got the couch and who got the floor.

I woke up around 8:30 (internal alarm clock… the guys set their alarm for 9:00, and I wanted to get the bathroom before them!) and got dressed. Then the guys showered and stuff, we drank our favourite hot drinks (me a latte, them hot water and fresh lemon. What is with all these healthy musicians?) They packed up before we headed over to the Smitty’s in the mall for breakfast. Not my first choice, but since we didn’t have a vehicle that could take us all, they could walk while I rode my scooter.

They couldn’t help but comment on the prices. They were surprised that eating out in Calgary is so much more expensive than… well… anywhere. Usually (unclassy located in the mall of ‘da hood) breakfast joints have a cheap special, right? Not this place. 8 bucks for your basic bacon and eggs. Anyway, we had a decent breakfast and good conversation.

Mike Alviano and Rob Szabo at breakfast, the morning after a smokin’ hot show

Then it was back to my place for final packing up, big hugs, and long goodbyes. They needed to be in Edmonton before 3:00. Mike gave me his latest CD, Vagabond Songs. What a SWEETHEART!! By the way, I didn’t pay for anything last night or this morning, those guys took good care of me. *Hugs*

So now, I am on my own again after several days of being surrounded by people. Tonight I’m staying in with a movie and going to bed early. Hope you’re having a nice weekend! Rock on and all that.

Here’s a little Rob Szabo to take us out. (I know it looks funny because the video is out of sync with the sound when uploaded to You Tube!)

Okay, so, I haven’t had the best few days. I’m going to call it “stress-induced HELL” and consider myself over it.

I know “The Secret” says you’re not supposed to talk about the bad stuff, or you bring more of it. Like when someone asks how you are, you don’t say “oh, my back is aching, I have this cough that won’t go away, the kids are driving me nuts, the car broke down…” You’re supposed to say “FINE AND GETTING BETTER EVERY DAY!! ” (Not a direct quote from The Secret). But I have a blog and I talk about my life online, good and bad, because that is my choice. I choose to write about this now, and then move on.

It started on Tuesday, which was just a bad day. Period. I was stiff and sore and couldn’t move very well. I wasn’t able to do anything, so I sat here most of the day and cried. Just bawled like a baby because I have so much to do, I can’t do it, I feel sorry for myself, I weight 600 million pounds, this sucks, blah, blah, blah. The more I cried, the more I cried. You know how it is. I simply exhausted myself out on Tuesday with the tears, and after talking to my mom she decided she would take Thursday and Friday off of work. Her and Bob would come out Wednesday night to stay with me for a couple of days, help me out and stuff.

Tuesday night I went to bed at about 9:30. I woke up at 3:00 a.m. to pee. I had a very hard time getting out of bed and walking to the bathroom. I was very stiff and wobbly. I sat on the toilet and felt this wave of nausea ride over me. Luckily, it went away after a few minutes. I went back into my bedroom and opened the window before going back to bed. The cool air helped.

Then at 6:00 I woke up again, and was so stiff and achy I decided to get up and take a couple Tylenol. As I stood, I could tell there was something really wrong. My legs were not straightening and I felt very dizzy and disoriented. I made it into the kitchen and took the Tylenol. I noticed my cats needed food, so I went to get their dish. I don’t even know how to describe what was going on with me… the dizziness and my legs and my hands were clenched up too, which made grasping my walker difficult, and I felt like I was going to faint or something. I wasn’t able to put the cat food dish back (they’d find it on the counter, anyway). I knew I had to get back to my bed immediately.

I didn’t quite make it. I collapsed in my bedroom and just lay on the floor (and yes, I had my walker!) Thank God the windows were open, I was soooo hot. I just lay there and let the cool air drift over me while I composed myself, and then began the attempts to get up. I think I tried various different ways to get up from the floor for the next hour, but I kept falling back down. So I decided to just call it a day and get help. I crawled on my knees into my office and pulled the phone onto the floor to call an ambulance. Then I called the 24 hour answering service of my building operators so they could make sure someone opened the doors for them.

Of course, when I called the ambulance I simply said “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” I mean… what else is there to say??

The Paramedics arrived and the office manager let them in. She told me not to worry, she would make sure the cats were fed and lock up. I was taken to the hospital by 8:30 a.m. and wheeled into the hallway on the gurney to wait. With everyone else. I wasn’t even sure why I was there… I didn’t really hurt myself, just a few bruises, but something weird was up with my body that morning. Maybe an MS attack, even though I don’t have the form that gives “attacks” anymore. I just decided to lay back, get comfy, and enjoy the rest while I could. I had called my mom and they would be coming into the city as soon as they could.

Around 1:00 I was given a lunch tray, a tuna sandwich and a bunch of gross stuff I didn’t touch. And a little piece of cake. Still no coffee, and believe me, I asked everyone. My mom arrived around 3:00 with a coffee in hand, bless her heart. She said “I can’t believe you’re still in the hallway!” Welcome to Calgary. I told my mom I was thinking I may as well just leave. I felt like I was holding up a spot for someone who needed it more. But the Paramedics in the hallway (there always has to be a few there to wait with patients, which is why EMT services are slower these days too) told me not to be silly, it is the system that was failing me today, not me failing the system. We decided that since I was there, I might as well talk to them about getting set up with regular Home Care again to take some of the stress and daily struggles off me, and talk about my anti-depressants. Because, if you’re on them, yet you are breaking down in tears every day and having thoughts of suicide (I never would, but I won’t lie and say I haven’t thought about how nice it would be to not have to DEAL some days!) then something is not right.

Finally at 5:30 I was taken into the actual Emergency Room. There I was seen by several doctors and nurses and gave blood and urine samples and met with the Home Care transition nurse. The final outcome was that I didn’t appear to have any kind of infection or anything going on that would have triggered the symptoms that caused the fall, so it was just the disease itself, and to get in to see my neurologist ASAP. I was told to increase my Paxil to 40mg/day (I’ve been taking 20mg, which is apparently low). And Home Care would be contacting me the next day. I was given the choice to be admitted and put through a run of IV steroids, but I said no, I was feeling a lot better and now my folks were here for a couple days, and Rob arrives Friday, and he is the best medicine of all!

Cute sidenote: My mom came to my apartment first to pick up some clothes for me, and when she opened the door Pepper came running over, meowing (which she never does). Pita was nowhere to be seen (which she always is!) Pepper led my mom to my bedroom door, which was closed. I guess the office manager thought she would be doing me a favour by closing my bedroom door to keep the cats out of there, not realizing that Pita was already in there. So she was locked in there all day! My mom opened the door, and Pita came out. Pepper started licking her face and they did some little kissies and Pepper put her arm around Pita… mom says it was the sweetest thing ever. The poop in my bed, however, was not. Poor Pita, she had no choice!!

Anyway, it was 8:30 p.m. before I got home. A lovely, 12 hour day in the hospital. We ordered Chinese food and I immediately upped my Paxil dosage (two days in, I already feel better. Dammit! I was hoping to wean off anti-depressants soon. I Guess it will be awhile).

The next day, Bob went out to run errands most of the day while my mom and I worked on my Vision Board (finally! It’s hanging in my office!) and I got a bit of work done. Basically, my parents spent two nights here and tidied up around here and took care of me. I got some much needed rest, and work just has to be moved to the side for a few days. The Home Care nurse came this morning and interviewed me. I’m going to be set up with someone coming in 3X/week, which is perfect, to help with personal care and light housekeeping. Then someone will come once/month for two hours to help with laundry. That will take some of the load (HA! Load!) off my mom, who has been taking it home every week and bringing it back the next.

It’s now Friday afternoon, and Rob Szabo is on his way here. I’m heading out to meet him and Mike Alviano soon, and I will forget about all that transpired the past few days. I’m in a much better mood, I feel stronger and refreshed, the weather is beautiful, I have a clean apartment, a completed Vison Board, a night of awesome music and two musicians sleeping over tonight which is way more fun than two parents. Hahaha (sorry mom, but, you know).

Oh, and by the way? The soonest I can get in to see my neurologist is June 14. Welcome to Calgary!

Oh, yeah, and:

So I guess that was a big post about my health, so I better leave you with animals.

It’s Easter evening. I had a lovely day… my mom and Bob picked me up and we went to Cora’s for brunch. It was exactly like I hoped it would be! I can’t wait until they open more… there are supposed to be 10 in total when they’re done in Calgary. However, they’re still looking for franchisers. So, if you have a few extra bucks, get yourself a Cora’s franchise here. I guarantee it will be busy, lined up out the door on Sundays if you’re in a trendy area like around 17th Ave SW or Marda Loop. This place is going to give Nellie’s a run for her money. Hmmm… two female chefs with their own breakfast restaurants named after them… bitch fight! Heh.

I had the “Julia’s Delight” (zucchini breakfast cake dipped in french toast batter, served with tons of fresh fruit and Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread for dipping). Next time I go I have to try something different, as I also had that twice in Montreal. I just had to do it here. Next time, however, I will go out on a limb. I’m known for having my favourite dish at a restaurant and ordering the same thing every time I go… I need to mix it up a bit. And their menu is amazing, it won’t be hard to do!

After brunch we decided to take a bit of a drive. Since we were way down in the SE part of the city, we decided to go by my new house and take a quick peek. I had my walker and mom can’t do all those stairs either, so we just went in and looked around the main floor. I have decided that I don’t want to live there, I just want to sell it. Whatever penalties we have to pay for selling it without owning it for 8 months first shouldn’t be more than the property taxes, utilities and upkeep of that place for 8 months! It’s just too much for me. Too many stairs and way too far out in the city. And I’m not spending money putting in a stair lift and stuff for only 8 months. So, yeah, we’ll sell it and I’ll take my million whatever and get a great condo with a pool. I have yet to discuss my decision with AH, but I’m sure he will agree. I hope.*

Then we took a little drive around the next neighbourhood, McKenzie Towne. Oh! Sooo cute! I want to make friends with someone who lives there so I can hang out there sometimes. Or maybe I’ll buy my condo there… I dunno, so much to decide, it’s a little far out of the city centre for me… but… it’s so cute and it’s like it’s own little town! Sigh. So much to stress about and I haven’t even won that first house yet.

Then I was dropped off at home and mom came in and watched Little Miss Sunshine with me. What a great movie! We all need a little Olive-attitude, don’t we? I don’t want to give too much away in case you haven’t seen it. So that’s all I’m saying. Except that I loved the ice cream stuff and the conversation she had with Grandpa before bed in the hotel.

After mom and Bob left, I decided to hop on my scooter and go to Wal-Mart because it was so nice and sunny out. It was after 5:00 and the mall itself was closed, so I went the long way around and caught some rays. I bought a new broom because my mom said I HAD TO (she uses it more than me, come on) and some paper towels. Okay, and some Cadbury mini-eggs. I had the worst time at the self checkout. I use that all the time because it is way faster and I have a brain, but today I was the slowww one. You know that cute designer bag I bought awhile back? The damn zipper catches on the material all the freakin’ time and I can’t open it to get my wallet and it drives me CRAZY. Of course that happened today, and I sat there and fought with the damn thing forever, and called a sales associate to help, but she couldn’t get it either (and she has TWO working hands), so I continued fighting with the zipper and the material with my teeth and I finally got it open. Then, I dropped my debit card on the floor. I wheeled back so I could position myself to pick it up, and some lady came over to start using that register. I snapped “I’M STILL HERE” before I bit her head off. Finally I completed my transactions and got the hell out of that mad house. Geez, it’s Easter Sunday, what is everyone besides me doing in Wal-Mart??

Tonight, we have a new episode of Desperate Housewives to look forward to. By “we”, of course, I mean me and whoever else watches that show, not me and my cats. Silly.

In the morning, I have another client coming by at 9:30 a.m. to bring me work that I have no idea when I will get to. At least knowing he is coming at 9:30 I will get my ass out of bed, showered and dressed early and there will be no excuses to not get a lot of other work done. I’ve really got them lined up now!

*For new readers, I am winning that house in a draw on May 22.