Can You Hear Me Now?

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