Can You Hear Me Now?

I’ve had a really busy week and haven’t updated so get yourselves comfy for a long one!

Sunday was Mother’s Day. My mom and Bob came into town, and I can finally mention WHY that box from Shaklee waiting for me at the post office was so damn heavy: because I bought my mom one of the Get Clean Healthy Home kits as well. I mean, that’s what moms do, right? Clean? Hehe Anyway, I knew she would appreciate it and she did.

We wanted to go to Olive Garden and hoped it wouldn’t be too much of a wait at 2:30… but of course, we were wrong. Over an hour wait, so we went next door to Red Lobster instead. I don’t like seafood, but they have a yummy chicken and spinach alfredo pasta dish just for me. And their bottomless baskets of biscuits… yum! We won’t even discuss the desserts… let’s just say, we all left overstuffed and feeling like we were going to be sick from eating so much. Yeah. Not smart.

On Monday, between working at home, I went for my second biofeedback session. During the session, Kevin mentioned that due to how deep-seeded my emotional blocks are, biofeedback could only do so much for me. I may want to consider Quantum Release Therapy instead, as it goes much deeper. I read the pamphlet explaining quantum release, and it’s like it was written for me personally:

Quantum Physics has shown us that everything in this world is energy. When events happen in our lives - whether physical, mental, emotional or spiritual, our energy patterns are affected. These shifts can affect us in many different ways and on many different levels. Some individuals experience this in their relationships, continually attracting people of a lower vibration into their lives. Others feel a sense of overwhelm or develop destructive subconscious beliefs and behaviours. In some cases, energy shifts can lead to acute or chronic physical conditions that negatively impact their quality of life.

While other forms of energy healing focus on the Chakras, Quantum Release Therapy goes much deeper, working at the basic energenic or quantum level. Using a combination of gentle touch and non-touch techniques, this non-invasive process realigns your body’s biorhythms, raises your vibrations and brings the body back to its natural state of balance.

Kevin stopped the biofeedback a few minutes early and gave me a little 20 minute quantum release freebie to give me an idea of what it’s like. I know it may sound crazy to some of you, but I have always believed that my health problems are deeply connected to my emotional crap from as far back as I can remember. And I’ve been through a lot. I know I have hung on to it and pushed it down deeper and deeper and used food to mask my pain and all that. To me, this quantum stuff makes perfect sense and I think it’s the answer I have been looking for all these years. So I’m going for it.

On Tuesday, my friend Lisa came over and before we left for lunch, she helped me clean up some broken glass from a vase of flowers I broke the day before (oops) and I showed her the transcript my mom typed up for me from the notes she took when I saw that psychic, Pat, on May 4th. She agreed that Pat is the REAL deal (she’s the one that told me about her) and was also amazed at my reading. Then we went for lunch at My Favourite Vietnamese Restaurant, where the service rarely comes with a smile, but the food is good. It was so good to see Lisa, we don’t get together nearly enough. She even brought treats and toys for Pita and Pepper (and some pastries for me, too. She figures, since she doesn’t eat chocolate anymore and is on a real health kick, she can’t eat all these treats she goes ga-ga over, so she buys them for other people to enjoy! So when, I wonder, is she going to visit Buttercream Bake Shoppe?)

On Wednesday, I worked at Troy’s. Melanie was there again, filling in for Crystal who was moving that day. Since Troy and a few of the techs were around at lunch time, Troy decided to take us all for lunch. Hooter’s was the place to be! Ladies’ Wednesday, so Mel and I got 20% off, and it was a gorgeous day so we sat on the patio. I drank a daiquiri because it was definitely the sort of day where you want to sit on the patio and have a slushy “girl drink”… but since this is Hooter’s, it comes in a big plastic cup with no little umbrellas or fruit or anything, so it sort of takes away from the whole mood I was looking for. It’s like… drinking your latte out of a beer mug. It just doesn’t feel right.

When I got home, my friend Anna-Marie from Toronto called. I haven’t talked to her in ages! I only had her work email address, so I’m glad she finally called because it turns out she was laid off several months ago. She’s pretty happy about it… she was there for many years and was feeling a lot of stress. She’s recently divorced and dealing with all that too, so now she has some time off to get her life sorted and maybe travel a bit (possibly to visit me this summer!) before looking for another job.

Then I went to the mall to go purse shopping. I realized I haven’t worn my pink Crocs yet, because my bag is orange, and I just can’t do that. Melanie has this great bag that is reversable… one side is pink and white, the other denim. I thought I would look for something like that, but I couldn’t find anything. I did, however, find the Perfect Neutral Purse at Bentley’s for only $19.97:

Velcro closures! No more fighting with snaps and zippers to close side pockets! And one side pocket is perfect for my cell phone, the other for keys, and the front for pens, lip stuff, etc. so no more losing those items to the deepest depths of my purse! Perfection!

And since they had piles of purses on sale, I snatched up a pink bag for $10 that has a long enough strap to wear like a messenger bag (that’s easiest for me!) and will go with my pink Crocs and another pair of pink sandals I have.

Okay, so they’re not the EXACT same colour of pink, but close enough.

So my designer bag with the material-that-always-gets-caught-in-the-zipper-and-drives-me-crazy will be retiring for awhile and I’m back to my good ‘ol cheap purses.

On Thursday, I worked at the Pub. It was a long day because I’ve got lots to do there, so I was earlier than usual, and wouldn’t you know it, my ride home was super late. After waiting half an hour I called Access to ask about it, and it turned out they hadn’t even dispatched a vehicle for me yet, they were still looking for a driver to take the trip. Which pisses me off, because I had scheduled the trip a week before! Because my schedule isn’t predictable, and I book my rides week by week, my trips are all considered “casual” so I’m not on any “regular” runs. If I worked at the same place on the same days and same hours every week, I would be on a regular subscription run and this wouldn’t happen to me so much. Well I’m SORRY my life doesn’t fit into your BOX.

The season finale of The Office was on Thursday night and it was great! I freakin’ love that show.

(Stolen from my cousin Carrie’s Facebook page):

Dwight Schrute: “Diwali is a celebration of the coronation of the God-king Rama, after his epic battle with Ravina, the demon-king of Lanka. It symbolizes the battle between good and evil.”

Michael Scott: “All right, all right. This isn’t Lord of the Rings.”

Friday (yesterday) I went for my first full-length quantum release session. After we finished, Kevin told me I have so many layers to get rid of… I am like this little person inside a box inside a box inside a box inside a box… about 14 times over. This is nothing new to me, I know it’s all in there pretty deep! He said it’s going to take awhile to get to the root of it all, bring it to the surface and release it. We’re just stirring it up a bit right now. He had told me before that he wants his clients to commit to 6 sessions before they start, which I agreed to, because nothing happens overnight. So I hope 6 sessions is enough, but I will do more if I need to. He also told me if I experience anger or sadness this week for no apparent reason, to just let it happen and not try to figure out what’s going on. I’m still a little worried that if things start “coming to the surface” I may just subconsciously push them down again, like I always have, but he assured me that won’t happen. I’m really hoping this is my answer.

Friday night I fell into the trap and joined Crackbook Facebook. I’ve got so many friends over there and I’d been hearing it’s better than MySpace and blah blah blah, so even after saying I’d never do it because I don’t NEED another place on the internet to be addicted to, I did it. It’s been 24 hours and I’m already addicted. Damn you, Facebook, damn you.

Today I worked and worked, then went to the mall, and tonight I’m catching up on my movie watching. Tomorrow I’m off to a BBQ at my friend Christine’s, which will be a BLAST. It’s her annual “girl’s only” BBQ and if it’s anything like last year, it will be a hoot!

Okay, this entry is long enough, it’s time to watch movies and cuddle with these two.

I looooooooooove my new duvet. Love, love, love it! Of course, it’s been hot in my bedroom at night lately, so I’ve mostly been kicking it off of me, but when I grab it back it’s luscious. Pepper, however, who used to spend a lot of time curled up on top of my bed, has moved to the runner on my dresser. I guess the duvet is too poofy for her taste. It’s very strange to walk into my bedroom and find her on top of my dresser. But she still sleeps on my pillow at night, so that’s all that matters.

Today I worked at my client Troy’s. Melanie, who has been on maternity leave, is working this week to help out because TROY IS OFF IN MEXICO GETTING MARRIED (!!). I’ve really missed her! She had a baby boy in February. Crystal ended up not coming in today for family reasons, so it was just Mel and I like old times. We went out for lunch and made sure to charge it to the company because Troy never got us anything for Secretary’s Week. Or Administrative Assistant’s Week or whatever the politically correct term is. Not that either of us are secretaries, but support staff that work in the office should be treated to lunch that week! And since he missed it, we took ourselves. Heh. Everyone hopes that Mel will come back to work before her mat. leave is up… personally, I think even if she came in for a few hours/week starting in the fall when it gets really busy, it will help immensely. She can even bring in the baby! We don’t care. We just want our Mel!!

Home Care has increased my help to 3 mornings/week now. It’s great! I don’t have the same lady I had back in August who was driving me crazy, thank God. I have one woman on Monday and Wednesday and someone different on Friday. (I’m not sure who yet, as there are two women who think they both come here tomorrow morning, so hopefully the office sorts that out). It’s so nice to have that bit of help… I get dressed so much faster, the bed gets made, and then if the garbage needs to be taken out or the floors swept, it’s done. It’s also nice, as a single woman with only one working hand, to have someone to properly wash my back in the shower and rub lotion on the places I can’t reach!!

I finally have my Shaklee eco-friendly cleaning products. They arrived at the post office a couple weeks ago, and when I went to pick up the parcel, it was WAY too big and heavy for me to take on my scooter. So, I was hoping my brother would be by at some point and we could grab it with a grocery cart during one of our mall treks. He’s been doing a lot of late nights at work though, so no visits. And the post office hours don’t agree with the schedules most of my friends with cars are on. Enter AH. Today after work he met me outside the mall so we could go in and pick it up, and he carried it to his car like a MAN. That is one heavy box, I tell ya (another reason I didn’t want to ask anyone else!) I rode my scooter back home and met him at my patio doors to let him in. He was already late for dinner (ohhhh, I want a wife!) otherwise I would have asked him to take me to the bank, as I have a nice cheque to deposit. A cheque that will allow me to go for two more biofeedback treatments this month and try out Sleepees, an herbal sleep aid. If it works, I’m going off those sleeping pills I take, even though they are free for me! I’d rather take something non-pharmaceutical if I can. So far nothing “natural” has worked, but I’m willing to try, and my biofeedback guy swears by these. (I didn’t know it was for weight loss too, but since I don’t believe in any magic weight loss pill, I’m not counting on that part!)

I’m still getting caught up on work. The lovely people at Living Well with a Chronic Illness have offered me a spot in their program starting June 5, since I missed so many classes because of my work load in March and April. That is SO great of them, and I will definitely have all this extra work done by then. Hopefully these clients can then be put on a regular schedule so I’m not scrambling in the Spring months to get them done. One has a year end of August 31, so once he’s caught up (I’ve got a couple years of stuff here) his books won’t be an issue at tax season. One of my regular clients that I have been doing (his books!!) for years, his business and his wife’s, hasn’t even called me since I told him how busy I was in February (that included what was supposed to be two days/week at Living Well, as well as working at the Pub and Troy’s, and tax season coming up). Normally I would call them asking about it, but I’m so busy now it doesn’t bother me in the least if they found someone else. He wanted me to start coming to their house one day/week anyway… and there is no way I can do that. So hopefully they found someone with more time to keep them organized.

Today one of my favourite websites, Big Fat Deal, posted about Positive Songs for Girls who Rock Their Curves. I commented and led people to Lynne Jordan’s website, where if you forward her player to the second song, “It Takes a Great Big Woman”, you will rock your curves. So I’ll leave you with that.

I had a really busy week, it was great. On Wednesday, I was visited by my Home Care OT and a sales rep from the medical supply store I deal with, and he installed my stripper pole in the front window. Now I can safely step out and in from my patio doors with something to hold onto. He will be returning soon with another pole for beside my bed, and another grab bar for my shower. He also left me with information on elecronic lift chairs and how to go about getting funding for one. I swear, the recliner I have now is going to break soon, I push and pull on it SO HARD every time I struggle to get up from it. Plus, the cats have clawed it to death so I’d kind of like it replaced with something they don’t recognize so I can train them to NOT claw at it. ‘Cause I CAN train them, you know.

Show times are daily at 3:00, 5:00 and 7:00 pm and involve lots of… um… kitty action.

Pita practices her moves.

On Thursday, I worked at the Pub, although I barely got anything done. I really only had time to organize all the work I’ll be doing when I go back next week. I haven’t been there in awhile, so there was a lot of paper to sort through.

Christine made me a stir fry for lunch, most of which ended up on my white shirt, and my Tide to Go pen didn’t help much. Needless to say, I didn’t feel classy enough to be going to the salon we went to afterwards. Kevin drove Christine and I to Scentorini for our pedicures. It is one of those beautiful, tranquil spas where before your treatment you sit in this comfortable lounge with those BIG armed chairs and sofas and are served coffee or tea while you wait. Because it was my first time there, I had to fill out a bunch of forms about my health, and because filling out forms isn’t something I do anymore without a computer, Christine did the writing for me. She actually wrote “too many to list” when they asked if I’d ever had any accidents or surgeries. We just sat there and laughed as we went over everything that has happened to me over the years. What else can you do?? Christine remembers cooking meals for me and bringing them over after a surgery I had about 12 years ago, and then she did it again this past August, and she has pretty much been around for everything in between.

Anyway, we had our pedicures and it was lovely. Paraffin wax and everything. I also found out, via the girl doing my pedicure who lives near me, that there is a new Nail place in my mall I didn’t know about. It’s tucked away in an area I never go to, and last time I checked it was a hair salon that didn’t do nails. So, YAY, I now have a place next door again where I can get cheap pedicures. ‘Whew.

It was POURING rain, so we had time-called a taxi to pick us up at 4:30 (and it took forever to get through). We sat in their reception area and our cab never showed up. We kept calling, but we couldn’t get through. We ended up having to wait for Kevin to finish up at the Pub so he could pick us up. I was finally home by 6:00.

Shortly after that my mom and Bob arrived, bringing McDonald’s with them because we had all had long days and they just wanted to grab something quick on the way here. I said “get me something, too!” because I was too tired to do anything food-prep wise. Bob returned to Strathmore to face life on his own for two days while I kept my mom. You know, he really doesn’t know what to do without her. It’s kind of sweet, but it’s also kind of annoying for me when the phone rings constantly and it’s him. At one point I yelled “you’ve had her all week! Give me two days!” Heh.

We watched TV (Yay for the Office!) and then went to bed.

The next morning we did a few things around here, and my new duvet arrived, before we headed out for the afternoon. I’m not going to go into great details about what we did, because it involved seeing a psychic/medium/medical intuitive/energy healer type woman, and I know lots of people don’t believe in that stuff and I don’t want to go into it too much here. However, she was amazing, right on about so many things and so many people, and had a lot of interesting things to say about my health. Basically, she confirmed a lot of things that I already knew and believed, but it was nice to hear it from someone else who has never even met me before. Then I went for a biofeedback treatment, and I’m going to go back a couple more times. My health problems, I believe and she confirmed, are mostly caused by my emotional health and things from my past and issues with my Father. (I haven’t spoken to my father in almost 4 years). Although I have disconnected from him physically, I still have a lot of work to do to disconnect from him emotionally. So that is my goal this year, and she said this is MY YEAR. That I will be in much better health once I accomplish that, and I’m 50% there.

Oh there I go, already saying more than I wanted to! Anyway, she was the real deal. She said so many things about me and people in my life that was right on the mark (even AH, she talked about him having been estranged from his son, [and how did she even know he has a son, never mind that he was separated from him?], and that I can trust him as a friend. She said he is trying to be a better person now and needs to be forgiven for his mistakes from the past. Which is so true. And that he has “managing issues” (whether she meant time-management or control-management I don’t know, but she would be right on both accounts!)

This woman put any other psychic-type person I have ever seen to shame. But I still say, even a meeting with a not-so-good psychic is worth more than paying a therapist. You just get so much more out of one visit, they are such intuitive people. You walk out feeling very hopeful about your future and how to make it better. My mom was with me during everything (she was my note-taker, Pat doesn’t record sessions) and gets why I think that now.

I’ll be going for another biofeedback session soon. I want to give it a good three tries before I make up my mind about its benefits.

After all that, mom and I went for a bite to eat at a nearby Vietnamese restaurant and tried to get through to a cab company. It took awhile (it was pouring rain again), but we finally got one and made it home. Flaked out, watched Thank You for Smoking, and went to bed.

Saturday (a beautiful day), we went to our chiropractor and for a quick lunch, then came back here, hopped on our scooters, and headed to the mall. My mom has a mobility scooter too, and it was finally removed from the back of their van so she could use it while visiting me. It’s not possible to talk while shopping when you’re both on scooters, so it’s really more about getting from A to B without hitting people and making sure not to lose the other person. We went to Cotton Ginny (I bought a top, mom bought pants), Wal-Mart, and I showed her the wonderfulness that is Dollarama. She spent $10 and came out with loads of great stuff. All hail Dollarama!

Bob picked her up around 6:00 and they went back to Strathmore. I stayed home and tried to watch Clerks 2, but I couldn’t do it. Sorry Clerks fans, I just couldn’t make it past the first half hour. Yes, Joi, it was worse than the Trailer Park Boys movie. I was in bed by 10:00.

Today, my friend Pam came by to take me for dessert and coffee at Olive Garden. We ended up starting off with a pizza to share before going into the lattes and dessert, because it’s really hard to go to Olive Garden and not eat breadsticks (which come with everything). It was lovely. Afterwards, Pam came back here and put my new duvet into my new duvet cover, so my bedroom is FINALLY complete! We even went to the mall and bought new pillows to fill the shams that came with the duvet cover. My old shams were smaller and the thin pillows I had were fine, but the new shams are a lot bigger and needed bigger pillows! So, the bedroom re-decorating project is now complete:

I can’t wait to sleep there tonight!

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…

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!!

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.

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.