Can You Hear Me Now?

Pay It Forward update:

Pictures of the things I have ordered and am waiting to arrive are on Flickr, right here. Not included in the photos yet are the things I already have here, such as lots of Dove soap, shampoo and hair products, and a bunch of stuff my friend Lisa brought over yesterday. Very soon my home is going to be filled with stuff for the shelter. Please, please, please, if you haven’t yet, send a few dollars my way to help fund this project!! There’s a PayPal button at the end of this entry, or you can send an email money transfer to donna@innereyes.com

As I mentioned, my friend Lisa came over yesterday. She is so amazing and wonderful. I don’t see her often, but when I do, it more than makes up for it. She pulled her car up and first unloaded a box and a bag of goodies for the Women’s Shelter. Then she parked her car and walked in with even more stuff… my Christmas present (we exchanged them now, but won’t open them until Christmas… last year we didn’t get around to doing that until March, so we figured since we had each other’s gifts, we better do it now!), a stocking full of toys for the cats (and treats and wet food) PLUS three foam containers… “I didn’t think we’d have time to go for lunch, so I thought I’d bring lunch to you!” She stopped at My Favourite Vietnamese Restaurant and picked me up an order of my #50 chicken satay!!! (Plus food for herself). On top of that, a container with CAKE. ‘Cause, you know, I hate the Cake.

How awesome is she??? LOVE!! (Seriously, thoughtful people who remember those little things, like what your favourite dish from a restaurant is, or that you love your pink Crocs and sunflowers, are the sort of people everyone should have in their life). She played with the kitties and even found one of their favourite toys waaay under the sofa. Now I will be kept awake all night listening to the little fluffy bird chirp every time their claws touch it. Thanks, Lisa

Lisa helped me get out of my apartment safely on my scooter, keeping Pita inside. She runs out EVERY chance she gets now (it’s gotten really bad) so I have taken to locking her in my bedroom every time I run over to the mall. I’m not gone very long, so it’s okay. I just can’t keep her away from the door when I’m on my scooter. It’s a little easier when I’m on foot. Today I knew I was going to be gone for a couple of hours, so I didn’t want to lock her in a room. So I’m glad Lisa was there to help. When she opened the door, there was a box from Amazon there… My Flight of the Conchords DVDs!! YAAAA! I knew what I’d be doing all weekend.

And what was I doing at the mall for a couple of hours, you ask? Since I’m NOT shopping anymore until I receive more donations? Well, I was getting my hair done. And what, exactly, does a turning-40-in-less-than-six-months-woman do to her hair, just for fun, these days?

She puts in pink highlights.

What the hell, right? You only live once. I’ve always wanted to… then I saw Avril Lavigne on TV the other night, and it reminded me. (Even my mom said “oh, GOOD! I was thinking about that when Avril Lavigne was on Dancing With The Stars! That the pink streak would be so cute on you…”) So, I did it. Except I did more than just one pink streak (I think that look suits longer. straighter hair). My intention was to have a few thin, light streaks throughout (a la Rachel McAdams), but my hairdresser sort of did what she wanted, and they ended up thicker and darker than I intended. But I don’t care! I think it’s fun.

Ahhh, the lighting in my bathroom… it actually looks like more streaks, and darker, in person. So maybe after a couple weeks of shampoo it will look like this!

Friday night I ventured out with my new hair, and was hit on by more men in that one night than I ever have been before, so perhaps the hair is a good thing…? Or maybe it was the fact that it was a divey, smokey bar and most of the men there were older and drunk? Whatever.

My friend Jon (that I met at Pam’s party the week before, so really he’s Pam’s friend, but I’ve decided to steal some of her friends for myself) is in a band that was playing at this bar on Friday. It was their first gig together, so they can’t be expected to play the A-circuit bars quite yet. I didn’t think there were any bars left in this city where you are allowed to smoke, but I guess the Official Public Smoking Ban doesn’t go into effect until January 1, 2008, and until then some bars can pay the government a certain amount to be able to keep smoking. Or something like that. Anyway, I was surprised when I walked in and could barely see through the smoke… it was GROSS. Everyone there was smoking… because it’s probably one of the few places left they can!

I seated myself at the only available table and started to get hit on. I was waiting for a couple of Pam’s friends to join me, but I knew they’d be about an hour… I wanted to get there a bit earlier, get a decent table, and eat something. I normally don’t mind sitting by myself for awhile, but I’m not normally hit on so much by drunk old men, and surrounded by smoke. Ick. Jon did sit with me for awhile, which was nice, (he’s a sweetie) and I gave him half my pizza. Got to keep those drummers fed. The first band started playing, but Tricia and Chris weren’t there yet. Two men were standing near me, looking for a place to sit, and I heard one of them say “maybe if we are really nice to this pretty lady over here, she will let us join her…” I told them I had friends coming, but they were welcome to sit until they arrived (they looked totally harmless). It was a good move, because they were really nice and fun. Even after Tricia and Chris arrived, these two guys (John and Art) stayed at our table and we all had a lot of fun. John even bought us a round of drinks. They left earlier than us, however… John kissed my hand and they were off. After (John) saying things to me like “I need someone to do my taxes… I should get your number” and “I should get your email address and send you these pictures blah blah blah…” he didn’t actually GET my number. My own fault for not having business cards on me? Still, he could have ASKED FOR A PEN. He was cute. Damn. And once that seat beside me opened up again, along came another drunk to chat me up. Sigh.

Aaaaaaanyway, the band was really good! Tight. The place was packed (read: SMOKE) and they rocked the joint. Who likes to rock the party? I like to rock the party! (Sorry, I break out in Flight of the Conchords sporadically) Around 1:00ish, while the band was still jammin’, Tricia and Chris gave me a ride home. And a couple Advil for my throbbing headache (from the smoke, not the music). I came home, peeled off my smokey clothes and threw them in the hamper. I’d have taken a shower too, if I wasn’t so tired.

Saturday was a lazy, sluggish sort of day, as a day after being out late/having a few beer usually is. I watched all the Flight of the Conchords episodes

On Sunday (today), my mom and Bob came over and did some of their usual stuff around here to help me out, and Bob installed a light above my kitchen sink. My mom also added an Oil of Olay pack to the Women’s Shelter box (and they brought me a couple empty boxes, because I will need them!) And dinner! Mom brought her roaster with chicken, carrots and potatoes and heated it up here. That’s one of my most favourite dinners on earth, and probably the easiest to make. Except for the gravy part. If it’s not in a can or “just add water” package, gravy will not be included. No problem for my mom, however. Oh, and a great salad, with a delicious dressing she just threw together with “olive oil and a few things from the fridge…” I so don’t take after her that way. I wonder where it all went wrong…

I’ve got a really busy week. TONS of work, a couple of appointments, and a couple dinners out. Jason and Sheldon owe me a dinner or two because of some work I did on the editing of their lyrics for the new CD. Which should be out SOON. I think the artwork is holding everything up at the moment! I have copies of all the songs (”it will be a lot easier for me to check the lyrics if I can actually hear the songs as I read along… maybe you should send them ALL to me…”) but it’s just not complete without the whole package in my hands!! Anyway, we’re supposed to be going for dinner this week, and Pam’s my friend Melanie and I are doing that as well. It’s her birthday tomorrow.

Have a great week, I’m not sure when I’ll have time to update. But I should start receiving all those things I ordered in the next few days!! Send me $$ so I can get more!!

Pay it Forward update:

This is what I have bought so far. A lot of it was purchased from eBay, so I don’t HAVE them yet (although I have made a few trips to the mall), but they’re all paid for and on the way! Pictures to follow soon.

• Lots of shampoo, conditioner, deodorants, hairspray, body wash, body lotion, razors
• Tons of make-up (mostly Avon)
• 40 lip balms
• 4 pairs of slippers in various styles/colours
• Huge lots of underwear and socks (women’s, boys and girls)
• 3 pairs of pajamas
• 3 girl’s sweaters/sweatshirts
• 4 fleece blankets
• 40 children’s books - assortment of activity, hardcover and softcover

Money spent - over $400

Money raised - $130

Hm… I’ve got lots of promises of cash from people, so I sure hope they come through with it! In the meantime, if you can help, please send a few dollars using the PayPal button at the end of this entry. Thanks to those of you who have contributed so far!! There is still so much I want to buy but I’m going to have to hold off until I see donations!! Remember, this is for women and children who have escaped abusive relationships and they are in need of a lot of basic every-day things we take for granted!

This store in the mall has really cute slippers, 2 pairs for $15, that I want to get a bunch of. That’s cheaper than new ones on eBay after you include the shipping. YOU GUYS, I WANT TO SHOP SO GIVE ME YOUR MONEY!! Hee

On Saturday night I went to a karaoke bar to celebrate my friend Pam’s birthday. Here’s the deal… my intention was to show up early, have a drink, stick around for a couple of hours and go home. I wanted to see Pam and a few of her friends that I’ve met before and really like, but I’m not a karaoke fan and really didn’t want a late night.

So much for my intention. I had an absolute BLAST. No, I didn’t sing, but the people who did were either really good, or just plain fun. This one guy did Stevie Wonder’s “Superstitious” and added a rap to it, and it was SO COOL. There was an Ozzy sound-alike. Pam and her friend did a duet of Meatloaf’s “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” and it was awesome. There were tons of people there. I met so many great people and had so much fun! Particularly with Melanie, Tricia and Jon (hi, cute young guys that Pam knows a lot of). I didn’t drink a lot, because it doesn’t take much to get me wobbly, but I had a few. I didn’t get home until 1:30 am and from what I understand, that party went waaaay on into the wee hours.

Last week, my Home Care worker came on Monday as usual, and all was well. On Wednesday, I had to work and would be leaving shortly after 10:00. She is usually here shortly after 9:00, and with her help I get dressed really quickly, so that gave us lots of time. By 9:15 I figured she was going to be late, so I better get myself going. One time she was late and arrived while I was in the shower, so I figured it may be the same thing. But I finished my shower and still no Harpal (her name). I sat on my bed and started drying myself off as best I could. I was getting worried, but not worried enough to call Home Care’s office. I dressed my bottom half and just hoped she showed up in time to help me put on my bra!! At 9:50 the phone rang. “Hi, this is (name?), your caregiver”. Me - “I’m sorry? Did something happen to Harpal?” She said she didn’t know, she was just assigned to me today and would be here in half an hour. I told her I was leaving in 15 minutes. She apologized, but she wasn’t told a particular time and had to get her regulars done first. So, no home care for me on Wednesday, and no bra, either. I just didn’t have the time to struggle with it before my ride got here. I wore a t-shirt and a sweater and when I arrived at Troy’s I apologized and told him not to look at me lol It wasn’t too noticeable behind his desk anyway, and it’s not like I have to deal with PEOPLE there. Thank GOD.

On Thursday night I received another call from another home care worker, saying she would be here the next morning around 10:00. That was fine, but I was really wondering about Harpal. I hoped she was just sick and would be back, because as frustrating as it can be sometimes with her lack of English and common sense, she is a sweetie, and we do have a nice routine set up. She knows what I need done, and she likes my cats! The woman who showed up on Friday was a MEANIE. Stickler for the rules - “we don’t do that or that”; “I don’t like cats AT ALL”; “Where is your care book? That details what you can and can’t do and is the only proof that I was here”. I told her Harpal never used the care book, and I can tell her what I can and can’t do with my own mouth, and I know she was here, so no worries. She was huffy. She called the office to make sure they record that she was here, and to tattle on report that Harpal doesn’t use the care book guidelines and sometimes uses a REGULAR RAZOR (I only need help shaving one part of my leg) and OH MY GOD. She also told me she has been kicked out of many homes by angry people because she “just does my job right”. Anyway, hopefully that is the only time I will see her. Harpal was sick and would be back on Monday.

Yesterday Harpal was here, and she was moving slow… she had been attacked by two big dogs on Wednesday morning on her way out to work! They were her neighbours dogs - he has 5 and doesn’t keep them in the yard or on leashes, and apparently 3 other people were attacked that day too. I feel bad for Harpal because it seemed like the police and animal control didn’t take her seriously until other people were also attacked. I know it’s because she is East Indian, her English is bad, and she is a woman. She’s just not a “LISTEN TO ME AND DO SOMETHING!!” kind of woman like… some of us.

Anyway, I just wanted to give a little update. I have tons of work to do, so I better get on it. Donation button for the Women’s Shelter below!! THANK YOU!

Pretty Pepper

Pretty Pepper

Pita will let Pepper have “pretty”, but she REFUSES to be outdone in the “cuteness” department

Last night, I finally saw the movie Pay It Forward. I bawled at the end… the ugly cry. Wow.

Anyway, it reminded me that I wanted to do another “Pay It Forward” type project this year. Last year’s was a huge success! Thanks to everyone who contributed! This year, I am doing something different, for a very good cause. Inspired by my friend Kim’s sister, Kate, who is also now MY friend (thanks, Facebook!) She works with women in/escaping from abusive relationships. She has started a Facebook group called Sisters in Ending Violence Against Women, which pointed me in the direction of the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter, and my decision was made. We’re going to raise money for this shelter and to help these brave women!

If you notice on their website, it says “CAWES is in urgent need of the following items”:

• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Deodorant
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Combs
• Brushes
• Women’s Pajama’s (all sizes)

Seriously? Who can’t help with that?!? They also have an urgent needs list here. I say… we can do that! You guys send the money, and I’ll do my favourite thing, the shopping! And because I REALLY like their products and their advertising campaign, I’m going to buy Dove brand deodorants/soaps/shampoos etc. None of this Dollar Store stuff. Although, I may hit them up for nail clippers and combs. And I can’t WAIT to buy pajamas. Ohhhh, I love me some pajamas!!

So, here is what I need you to do, same as last year - send me your donations via PayPal. If you are not comfortable with that, you can email me for an address to send a cheque, or an email money transfer. If you’re not comfortable with giving me the money because you haven’t been reading me long and think I’m going to spend it on lattes for myself, you can make a cash donation to the shelter yourself, right here. But I am REALLY hoping you will let me have the pleasure of shopping for these ladies and their children!!! Once I have bought all the loot, I will make arrangements for Kim or Kate to pick it up from me. They don’t know this yet, but since they live in the same city as the shelter and I do not, AND they come to Calgary fairly often (or at least Kim does), I’m sure we can arrange something

Anyway, I’m sure we have all had people do nice things for us this past year, so here is your chance to pay it forward, and eventually it will come back to you again I realize this time of year is a financial burden on many people with the holidays coming up, but I’m not asking you to give much! These woman have taken their children and run from their abusive relationships with nothing but the clothes they are wearing. They need shampoo, people! A few dollars buys a lot of shampoo! Every little bit adds up - last year your $10 here and $15 there added up to over $800 for that family’s Christmas! And the best part was, I got to do the shopping… I LOVE shopping for other people!!

So don’t go thinking you can’t make a difference with only $2 or $5. Skip buying your coffee today and add it to this pot!

Click the button below to contribute and let the Good Karma begin!! Just like last year, I will keep you updated on how much I’m collecting and what I’m buying (pictures included!) And for the record, I have no idea how to move this button up higher:

Hi. I’ve been busy. And on Facebook.

Oh, speaking of, I started an MS With Attitude group over at Facebook. If you’re on FB, please join it. Even if you don’t have MS. Maybe you know someone who does, or someone who is in your friends list knows somebody who does, and when they see you join the group, they will too, and so on, and so on!! Oh, by the way, my Fan Club is gone. It was a cute idea for fun at first, but after awhile it’s like… why, exactly? Heh. So I asked Emma to delete it. So, if you missed out on being one of my 50 FANS over there, you now have your chance at MS With Attitude. Thanks!!

Is anybody not on Facebook? I’m having coffee with three friends from high school again on Monday. I’m loving this! Today, out of the blue, after 22 years, I received a phone call from an old friend. She actually found me on Classmates, but I talked her into joining Facebook too, as she is going through that “whatever happened to…” phase we all go through, and she’ll find a ton of old friends there. She lives in Edmonton now, married 11 years, 2 kids… ahhh, her and I were Duranies and we wrote a movie screenplay starring us and the members of Duran Duran. Lisa Dalbello’s album “Whomanforsays” was our soundtrack. Yes. We RULED. Judy had pink & purple hair and got me into Toyah’s music, as well. (Oh my God! Toyah is still out there making new music! Cool!)

I’ve been for two visits now to my new psychologist at the Clinic for Mind/Body medicine. I LOVE her. After only two hours I can already tell she is much better (for me) than the psychotherapist I saw several times earlier this year and quit. I guess it’s true, what they say, you need to shop around to find the right therapist! So, I’m sticking with Jennifer for awhile, and will be going weekly. On Monday she gave me two meditations on CD and a copy of a story about self-judgment from “Kitchen Table Wisdom“. It was so awesome… she already knows me so well! I’m looking forward to where this goes.

THE FIRST SEASON OF FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS IS OUT ON DVD YOU’RE WELCOME.

So… how ’bout our dollar, huh? Being an eBay addict, I am quite loving it!!! I think I’ve finished my Christmas shopping already. It is so cool to buy something in US dollars and end up paying LESS!! Loving it. I wonder how long it will last? It better last at least until the end of the week, because I’m buying an electronic lift chair. It’s an early Christmas present from my mom and Bob, and myself. We’re all pitching in because I really need one. It’s harder and harder to get out of my recliner all the time. The lift chair I’m getting is $1,175 US including delivery… to buy it locally would cost closer to $2,000 CDN. I’m getting this one in the green. YAY!!

Hey, do you think I will ever finish the entries about my trip in September? Don’t answer that.

My friend Shawna from Winnipeg is here. She’s in town for a work conference the rest of this week, but I get to see her on Saturday. Ikea, dinner, movie, that kind of thing. Should be fun! I can’t wait to see her.

Someone asked me the other day if I take anything for my ADD. WHAT is she talking about?? Heh.

I worked at my client Gerry’s place last week. I normally do his stuff at home, but he has hired a woman who works in his home studio/office to do administrative work, so I went in to set up a Simply Accounting template for her and work with her a bit on entering data. Basically, I’ll be training myself out of a job But Gerry’s a busy man (jazz musician, and he does very well!) and needs someone who can be around, looking after the day-to-day cheque printing and stuff. He’s much too far away for me to visit regularly. I’ll have to go back a couple more times, and then I think I’ll just receive the back-up files every few months to check them over. His assistant is a smart girl, I think she’ll catch on quick! She’s also a musician, a cellist, and teaches Gerry’s kids piano. So… I guess I just have to hope she doesn’t leave for greener pastures or a major tour right after she’s trained! Gerry lives across the street from my friend/client Ken (which is how I met Gerry) so Ken took me out for dinner afterwards. AND drove me home, from waaaay up in the N.W., which saved me at least an hour with Access. They had me scheduled for a 6:00 pick-up, “estimated drop off time, 7:30″. When Ken heard that, he told me to cancel and he’d drive me home. Thank God!