Can You Hear Me Now?

I’ve bought a few more things from eBay, but not clothes. (I think I have enough). I decided to buy a few health-related items to help me with those goals. The first thing I ordered, after seeing Suzanne Somers on a repeat of Ellen recently, was a Thighmaster. Why not? It’s one of the best selling pieces of exercise equipment ever! And it’s something I can do to strengthen muscles in my legs and arms while lying in bed or sitting back in my recliner watching TV. It is also too small to sit in the corner of my bedroom and act as a clothes rack, so that is a plus.

Then I purchased a Tai Chi DVD for Seniors. My understanding is that the seniors level is one people with MS can do if they can stand at all. I’d love to get into yoga and pilates one day, but even the beginners DVDs are way too hard for me. So I’ll try this and my Gentle Fitness DVD and COMMIT to this DAILY.

Then I bought Season Two of The Office. I won it for about half the price it is on Amazon! Yay! Laughter is, after all, the best medicine. And one of my favourite episodes of all time, The Injury, is in season two.

And finally, the big one… an ion cleanse machine. Ever since that one and only ion cleanse session I went to, I have wanted one. The machine that woman had is about $3,000 US. I’m not really sure what the difference is between these expensive models and the one I bought; I figure the expensive ones can handle more sessions/day for a business, whereas mine will be personal? Other than that, I’m not so sure. I bought mine for about $450 CDN with shipping (thanks, Visa) and this is what I’m getting. It sounds good to me, and the seller feedback is great, so, I’m happy. If I had gone back to that woman for a 10 session package, it would have paid for this one. And I never went back because she is so far away from me, and I knew I was going to end up with my own machine soon anyway, it’s on my “vision board”. I can’t wait to get it! (And the seller is kind enough to mark it as a “gift” so I won’t have to pay customs!)

So… I’m going to use my Thighmaster to strengthen some muscles; Tai Chi and gentle movements to increase my balance, strength and “chi”; laughter for fun and all the goodness that brings; ion cleanses to detoxify and give me energy, and whatever the “chi” belt does that comes with it; and still go to the odd Quantum Release session. That’s my “plan”. As usual, it’s the regular exercise I have a problem sticking with, but I must, I must, I must!!!

Hopefully regular ion cleanses will get me off my sleeping and anti-depressant meds eventually!! I’ve been trying to cut back on Paxil again on my own, but it just doesn’t work. I’m at 40mg/day, so I was doing 40-20-40-20 for a few days, and then last night I struggled like mad to get my bra off and then once I finally did, I threw the FUCKING BRA across the room, fell onto my bed and bawled like a baby. Yeah. I think I need to stay at 40mg for the time being. Although, you know, every couple weeks I think I should be allowed a 5 minute pity party to cry and get it out, and then just get on with it. I mean, sometimes it just sucks, you know? It can be very frustrating when you can’t do a simple task, so I shouldn’t think it isn’t normal behaviour to react like that once in awhile. Yeah. Okay, glad I got that sorted.

Lots to ramble on about today! For starters, the wonderful Maggie tagged me as one of her favourite Female Bloggers who Rock. Awww, thanks Maggs! Now I have to list five Female Bloggers who Rock. These women have amazing blogs/journals that I click on daily, hoping for updates.

Robyn - I’ve been reading Robyn for so many years, I feel like I know her. She inspired me to get Pita and Pepper and take buttloads of photos of them! She’s a crazy cat lady who lives in Alabama and has a zillion cats, plus fosters baby kittens, volunteers at the pet store, helps out the no-kill cat shelter, etc. etc. She recently moved to this awesome house in the country and now they have chickens, too. Robyn does more before 9:00 am than I do all day.

Shauna, a.k.a. Dietgirl - I started out reading Dietgirl several years ago, and eventually found her other blog as well. Now she is famous (many magazines/papers have written about her because of her huge weight loss) so she can no longer keep the two identities separate! Shauna has transplanted herself from Australia to Scotland, found herself an adorable husband, lost oodles of weight, and is an inspiration to everyone. She’s funny as hell and I can’t wait for her book!

Kate Harding - A recent find and fast favourite. She talks mainly about feminism and Fat Acceptance. She really knows her stuff. She is smart, funny and awesome.

Jane - Damn, this woman is a riot to read. She’s a working mom and wife, living in Kansas. That may not sound like much excitement, but you’d be surprised. Her writing is spectacular and she has a huge following for good reason!

East Side Girl - Also a fairly recent find. Sometimes her posts are only a sentence long, but they say all that needs to be said. She has a way with words like no other, and is what a blogger is supposed to be!

I don’t think any of these ladies read me (Robyn does, but probably just for the cat videos haha) so I don’t expect them to know I tagged them. I just wanted to mention them because they are all amazing and you should all be reading them regularly.

I mentioned awhile back that I ordered myself a Twister Sweeper. Can I just say, if you’ve ever wondered if the items you see advertised on TV work as well in real life, you can be assured that this one works BETTER. It is the absolute most amazing thing ever invented. It’s light as a feather, picks up anything and everything, works on carpet and floors, great for picking up spatters of cat litter without needing to pull out the vacuum, gets that broken glass right away, no dust pan needed, easy to empty… and if you’re prone to dropping your bottles of pills on the floor and watching them spatter all over your 70’s yellow camoflauge linoleum which hides everything you drop (and really, who isnt?), you’ll be glad to know you can run the Twister Sweeper across the floor once, remove the bottom and then pick out your pills in about 20 short seconds. My mom loves hers too, my brother uses mine and wants one, and my mom’s co-worker decided to get one after my mom brought hers in to work because vacuums are so darn heavy. Honestly, if you have so much as considered getting one, if you hate dragging out the heavy vacuum all the time, if you have pets, (great for cat hair too), if you hate trying to sweep into a dustpan… just GET ONE.

Shoes. Shoes and boots. And sheets and towels. Next on my list of things to sort through and donate what I can. Clear up some closet space and get real about the shoes I actually DO wear (Crocs and a few select others) and the ones I don’t or can’t (anything with a heel or laces). Also, bedroom closet. It’s overstuffed again. It happens so quickly!! If I would just stay ONE SIZE for awhile, perhaps this would not happen…

Reasons why yesterday sucked:

1. I cut my leg while shaving. Usually, a little nic in the shower while shaving is no big deal and all you need to do is put some pressure on it for a second and it stops bleeding. These ones were cuts in several places (because me and left handed dexterity while shaving are not best friends) and WOULD NOT STOP BLEEDING. After a couple hours I finally gave in and put bandaids all over my cuts before heading out with my friend Pam.
2. At the restaurant, we sat on the patio in those cheap plastic flimsy green patio chairs. Now, when I get up from a chair, I am quite rough on it - pushing and pressing hard on the left arm because that’s just how I have to do it. This chair did not take kindly to that, and the left leg started breaking underneath me. Pam tried to save me from falling on my ass, but she is all of 100 pounds soaking wet and I’m a big girl, so two people from a nearby table ran over and helped, and eventually we got me up to being seated on my walker. I had to sit there and catch my breath for a few minutes… get over the embarrassment and give my legs a rest. They worked very hard trying to keep me from falling and are sore as hell today! Pam tried to make me feel better by insisting those chairs are pieces of crap and it had a bit of a crack in it already, and just needed that push I gave it to break down. I choose to believe her.
3. We went to Starbucks after dinner. Last time I was there I sat in a big cushy chair and had no major problem getting out of it by myself. I was about to sit in the same chair, when two people came along and sat at that exact table. So I chose the one beside it, with two different styles of cushy chairs, and the second I sat down I thought, “I’m not gonna get out”. Way too low. I drank my latte and didn’t worry about it until it came time to leave. I struggled to get up, and I just could not. Pam was going to help me, but again, tiny person! A woman at a nearby table asked “do you need some help?” and I said “yeah, actually, I do” and she came over. Her and Pam helped lift me up from my right arm while I pushed on the chair with my left. Done deal, easy enough. But still… all attention on you when half the customers are helping you get out of a freakin’ chair.
4. By the time I got home, my legs had pretty much given out on me. I settled in to watch a movie (Stranger Than Fiction - I really liked it) but when I got up to go to the bathroom, I stumbled and fell forward against the sink, basically landing on the top of my nose between my eyes, on the edge of the medicine cabinet that is just above the sink. It hurt like HELL. I bawled like a baby and sat back down with an ice pack and sniffled. Now I have a lovely, sore red bump there. And my legs hurt like hell, have I mentioned that?

Now, to put a positive spin on the evening, I have to point out that Pam was gracious and wonderful, and wasn’t the least bit embarrassed to be with me; it was great to get out with her; the weather was nice; the food at the restaurant and the latte were delicious; I didn’t fall and break anything, and I certainly could have broken my nose in the bathroom if I’d landed a little differently, yet I DID NOT; I really enjoyed my movie; my friend Shawna called from Winnipeg. So, not all bad. Plus I have cute cats.

OH! Biggest, bestest News of the Week. I finally heard back from Calgary Housing and they are going to subsidize my rent! I’m part of a new program in which my actual suite is not becoming a subsidized unit, but I as a person am subsidized. So I pay my regular rent and Calgary Housing sends me a cheque every month to help out. It basically cuts my rent in HALF, which is awesome!! I sign papers on Tuesday and it goes for a year before I’m reviewed again. So the only downside is, if my rent goes up within the next year, (which it most likely will), the amount of my cheque will not until I am reviewed again. I’m okay with that, because it will still be more than I had before.

Oh my goodness, this is long. So I’ll end it. But not before saying Michelle and I saw Emm Gryner on Thursday night, and she was wicked-awesome.

Oh yeah, and Happy Canada Day!!

I KNOW!! The Maynard’s Candy commercial jingle is awesome! Who wrote it?? Who sings it?? Is there a full length version of the song available??

It’s written and performed by Major Maker (I would know Lindy’s voice anywhere!) and apparently a full length version will be made available this summer. Cadbury’s is trying to keep this a mystery and the song is generating a lot of buzz. So I want to help get the word out, because Major Maker deserves all the attention they can get!

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.

ETA: I’m running out of titles, because I realized after posting that I used this one in December ‘05. Heh

So I had two more clients drop off tax stuff today and rather than break down in tears thinking about how much work I still have to do, I decided to go shopping. Yes, Donna, spend the money before you earn it.

First I stopped in at Cotton Ginny and checked out their sale. Take an additional 25% off the already on-sale price… hmmm. I left with a pair of black casual pants and two tops - a yellow hoodie-type and a red pullover. While at the cash register, I noticed Crocs in a very pretty shade of soft pink. “Yes, that is an exclusive colour that Crocs made for us to sell in support of Breast Cancer research”, I was told. Hmmm. Exclusive to Cotton Ginny, very pretty colour, I LOVE CROCS, and as luck would have it they will soon be carrying many cute clothes in the same shade of pink, also in support of breast cancer research. (I keep wanting to leave it at “in support of Breast Cancer” but that doesn’t sound good, does it). Anyway, I didn’t buy them. I left with just the clothes, and a flyer with pictures of the pretty pink clothes they will be getting in soon. Hmmm.

Then it was off to pick up a copy of Amy Winehouse’s CD, because she rocks, and I am addicted to her song “Rehab”. The woman could probably use a little rehab herself, if what I’ve heard about her is true. I am trying to think of something witty to say that addresses the fact that I am addicted to a song called Rehab. It’s not coming to me.

Then, I got a latte. On my way out, I had to pass by Cotton Ginny again. Ohhhhhkayyyyyyy FINE!! Yes, I bought the damn Crocs. I mean, maybe they will sell out soon, ya know? And when I get more money I will sure as hell be buying some of those cute pink clothing items and I’ll need comfy shoes to go with them.

I love Cotton Ginny ’cause their clothes are so casual, yet stylish, and that is how I usually dress. Except the “stylish” part.

Then I came home and called some people to chat, and was sure to leave Lisa a message about the pink Crocs.

Then I did a client’s tax return and she owes tons of money and I’m the one that has to TELL HER THAT and I HATE DOING THAT because everyone thinks it’s MY FAULT WHEN THEY OWE and it’s NOT!! If you don’t pay enough taxes and have no additional deductions, you’re going to owe. Fact of life.

Oh, and last night I dreamt that I met someone who won the Foothills Lottery house last year, and today one of my client’s told me she knows someone who won the house 4 years ago. You know what that means? I’m creating the energy, I’m creating the vibe, I am SO going to win.

I just got home from my Living Well exercise class followed by a long meeting with a Social Worker. I’m too beat to do any work or write anything of substance (like, you know, I usually do) so I’m just going to point out some of the highlights of the past week.

• My friend Michelle and I saw the Polyjesters last Saturday and it was fabulous. As always.
• My friend Kim (Joi) from Red Deer came over on Sunday and brought 2 of my favourite things… Rock Star Soap and freshly baked sourdough bread. I thanked her by making her sit through the Trailor Park Boys movie. She stayed over, we ordered Chinese food, and my cats kept her from sleeping.
• I sent this card to a client, and within 10 minutes he called me to say he’d be by later with the last of what I needed from him to finish up. (”Point taken”. He was also laughing hysterically).
• I bought my first ever jar of Nutella the other day. That’s right, my first. Although I have had dreams of blissfully drowning in a vat of it, I have never actually bought my very own jar. Now I stand in the kitchen and just smell it… it smells just like Ferraro Rocher chocolates. OMG. Very good on pita bread, and will be gone momentarily. Which is why I have never bought my own jar, and it’s probably in my best interest that I never do again.
• I met with a social worker today who is going to help me through the process of getting my rent subsidized. Ohhhhhh, I hope I get it!! There is still some paperwork to fill out and proof of income to prepare, but everything should be ready to go next week. The guy at Calgary Housing is willing to advocate for me that I stay where I am rather than move into one of their already subsidized units. I can’t get a better place for me… and I’m not moving unless until it’s into my $2 million dollar Foothills Lottery home!
• Speaking of, the lottery is sold out, so I’m thankful we got our tickets when we did. I was going to wait until my cash flow was better, after getting paid for all this work I’m doing. I’m glad I didn’t!
• I’ll be going to the first Cora’s to open in Calgary on Sunday!! (If you recall, that was my favourite breakfast place in Montreal). I can’t wait! I hope it’s as good as Montreal’s and I can get that zucchini breakfast cake French toast dish with tons of fresh fruit (and Nutella for dipping. Heh)
• I have the cutest cats on earth, they make me laugh every day.
• I’ve been so busy, and neglecting to take care of myself in every other way because my brain is too fried and I don’t have the energy to care or do anything about it.
• I need a hair cut SO BAD.
• My brain is so scattered I forgot to refill the airtime on my cell phone before it expired (I missed by one day!! Argh!) so I lost about $60 worth of air time. Argh!

Okay, there’s your update. I’m off to eat something besides Nutella, and rest.

Hi, I’m insanely busy, and that is why I haven’t been updating. Same thing every year! I don’t want to spend my “off” time at the computer.

Tonight, however, I must update so I can show you my new house. I expect to move in sometime in June or July, not sure how long it takes for all the logistics to be worked out after they draw my (or AH’s) name on May 22.

You see, AH called me yesterday and basically TOLD me we were going to win (he’s watched The Secret). He had me look it up online, and we’re going to buy tickets and go in on it together. When we win, he said I get to live there for the 8 months before we can sell it and split the profits. He will look after paying the property taxes and legal fees and whatever needs to be paid in order for me to live there. (He can be a REALLY AWESOME PERSON sometimes, ya know???) I said, “you’re the one with the big family, shouldn’t you live there for the 8 months?” “No, it’s YOUR dream house. Then you can figure out what works for you and what you want from it, and can include that when you build your real dream home after we sell it”. It’s true, this place is FAR too big for me, I certainly don’t need all that space (and stairs). A triple garage isn’t necessary for my scooter. But with a million each after we sell it, I can build exactly what I want!

The first thing we needed to do was go and look at it, so we could really feel like it is our house and feel what it would be like in there. That makes it easier to visualize and really get the feeling down, and then I’d have lots of pictures to look at daily, too. So, tonight AH picked me up and we went down to the show home. Unfortunately, picture taking was not allowed, as I found out after I took my first one in the kitchen:

So, no more pictures, but that’s okay. I have a flyer with several photos and my memories of that AMAZING ENSUITE OFF THE MASTER BEDROOM. Holy SHIT. Seriously amazing. With a walk-in closet bigger than some places I lived in in Toronto. Hell, the shower stall is bigger than one of the rooms I rented. That rounded part of the second floor with the 5 windows? My office.

All things considered, $2 million does not buy you what it used to in this city. I’ll still take it, but I’m just sayin’. I honestly expected more. It does come fully furnished and decorated though, so that counts for a lot. The VR tour at the website is actually really good! (She realizes now, after she read the instructions and understands you can actually see more than just the front room). Go check out my Ensuite!!

There was a second house across the street, but we didn’t bother to look at it. Walking around that one house was more than enough for me, plus I already know we don’t want to settle for the second best. I want that aquatic fitness centre in my basement!!

Earlier today my friend Lisa emailed me a page from Crocs website that showed a picture we are calling my new logo:

Crocs and a sunflower! How perfect can you get?

By the way, yes, I do realize Crocs are ugly. But anyone who puts them down, has never worn a pair. Because once you do, you will wish you had a pair in every colour and style. They’re still one of only two pairs of shoes I own that allow me to go out with just my cane on some days. (I’m still pretty much attached to my walker, however, I live in hope!) That little pool in my new basement will help.

I have never had the desire to buy a Christina Aguilera CD. But, after seeing this video, I have changed my mind. I am digging this!! (Until MTV takes this one down, too…)

It’s not very often I turn to mainstream pop! Give me a break, at least it’s not Jessica Simpson.