Home Alone!

I am three days behind. Well, only  two really, if I get one done today. Which I think I will. Hopefully. We'll see how it goes.
I don't even remember what happened three days ago because yesterday was a "clusterfluckery" <---- note how I didn't curse...of yuckyness.
After a morning nap I woke up to find that I was alone in the house. It was strange because I am never alone in the house without being told that I am going to be alone in the house, but I was alone. Except for the pets. Do they count? Anyway, I sent Philip a text message to say that I was alone in the house and where might he be. I knew I wasn't going to get an answer when his iPhone "binged" to let him know he had a message but he wasn't here. Philip's iPhone and I were alone in the house.
Shortly after he came home from running to the grocery store for staples. He got milk, bread, cat food and dog food (weird that we ran out of both at the same time). When he got home he was upset. Apparently the brakes on the car were making a horrendous grinding noise and were on their way out of commission. I don't know if you understand where we live, but you cannot be driving around with your brakes grinding or squealing. You CANNOT. We live on a hill, in a city of hills beside cities of mountains. To take a walk in the neighourhood you are eventually going to have to walk up a hill and down a hill. Not necessarily in that order but at least once. You have no choice. The brakes had to be fixed and they had to be fixed immediately. That or chance dying. Not a good choice to make.
So, thankfully (first thankful of the post) Mojo knows a good mechanic so I called him and got all the details. Mojo doesn't go to his mechanic anymore though because the mechanic, Gary, is so good he talked Moje into buying a car that needs next to no maintenance. I called Gary and thankfully (TWO) he was able to fit us in. We drove there with grinding and scary brakes but made it safe and sound (thankfullly X3).
Gary said it would be awhile before he could get the car up on the joists and directed us to a little greasy spoon around the corner. "Boss" (as everyone called the host/owner/ of the greasy spoon) is a happy and funny guy and started to turn our day around. He charges $3 for a full breakfast including 2 eggs, 2 bacon, 2 slices of toast, and hashbrowns. Yum Yum. Two bucks for coffee in HUGE cups. For $11(that's with tax) Philip and I both had breakfast and coffee. I was thankful (four) that it was so inexpensive because we had no idea how much the repair bill was going to be. We had been quoted anything between $150 and $750 dollars. Does this car not know what time of year it is?
Did I mention that as we were leaving the house I sneezed? Then I sneezed a few times more on the way to the mechanics.
Anyhow, we ate our breakfast, got a coffee refill and spent a good hour and a half in the greasy spoon enjoying the banter of Boss and his customers. <insert sneeze here>
While we were in the cafe Gary called to tell me that THE BILL WAS ONLY GOING TO BE $250 (thankful 5). Oh, what a relief! <insert sneeze here...and add a stuffed nose>
The repair was going to take another hour so we meandered towards the DOLLAR PLUS store where NOTHING was a dollar. It was all $1.29 or more. I found a really cool and authentically Indian Kali statue that I'd like but as the repair bill was going to tap the credit card the $5 statue must wait, but "I'll be back."
<insert sneeze, stuffed and runny nose, and achy feeling>
When we finally got back to the repair shop the car was almost ready and we only had to wait about 10 minutes (6th thankful). I was so happy because by this time I was beginning to feel quite dreadful.
The bill was exactly what was left on the credit card budget this month and the car was fixed! Yay.
The car was ready in time for me to get my sick butt home and get some medicine and head to bed.
Breakfast was great and we will go back there.
Yesterday gave me enough to write about today.
I am thankful and grateful and have the flu.

Here is a picture of a car sort of like ours.

Actually, except for the fact that this isn't our car this car is exactly like our car. Same model, same colour, same everything. One more thing I am thankful for? In the 6 years we have had this car (despite many thinking this model is a lemon) yesterday's blip was only the second time something has gone wrong with it and it was actually normal wear and tear. The first time it stopped working entirely while we were driving on a highway over a bridge. Minor. I love this car. His name is Larry.
Oh look! I wrote a blog today!

Whooooooooooo Nelly!

I missed a day again. You'll forgive me. I have.

Mojo and some other friends were going to be downtown for The 99th Grey Cup festival. We thought it would be fun for me so I packed an overnight bag and headed into downtown Vancouver. I left fairly early (9am) and so a blog was not in the workings. When I got to the hotel where Mojo and C and C (I don't know if they'd want their names all over the interwebs) and their baby Astrid were staying the day began. In style. 
There's nothing like Folgers in your cup. UNLESS its Baileys in your Starbucks. OMG twice. What a way to get your day of partying started. I made a deal with myself because I know how Mojo can drink and he's got a few pounds on me...and he's a boy...and he's not on meds that you shouldn't drink with. The deal was...2 drinks...then 2 glasses of water...then 2 drinks...then two glasses of water.
This is how it went.
From the beginning.
When I got downtown, 2 drinks of baileys and coffee, two glasses of water. Then I nice lull in the day (meaning a whole 2 hours where I didn't drink) until we get to the party at the Lion's Den. I know I am forgetting something here but you'll know why shortly. 
At the Lion's Den I was good. Two beers, one glass of water, two beers. Then I danced....then I had two more beers. I was feeling fine so I didn't think the water was necessary. There was a lot of dancing. How can you NOT dance when the band is playing 80's Canadian rock and the DJ is playing club music?  It was a lot of fun...so I had two more beer. I am trying to think if that was all but I recall some more beer...oh oh oh...I had a glass of water. Then two beers. I think I might have been DRUNK. You know what I think it was? Remember I said I couldn't remember what it was that I couldn't remember. I had a Strongbow before we went to the Lion's Den. THAT WAS WHY I WAS DRUNK. The only reason. Shouldn't mix your drinks. Or miss them, like I accidently typed first. LOL. 
I might remember demurely trying to dancing like a Felion too. Oh boy.
It really was the most fun.
Now I am paying the toll for the fun.
See ya'll later.
BTW...The BC Lions won The Grey Cup. GO LIONS!! Rawr. Mew. I am tired. 


Yeah, I might have tried this move. 

The Felions practicing. Yeah, I KNOW I tried this move.

There are no pictures of me all dressed up in Lion's gear (at least that's my story and I am sticking to it). I had to tell Eskie fans that I had Stockholm Syndrome. That my captors had dressed me like this! Imagine me in this gear, minus the hair, I had Felion hair. GRRRRR.

That's a not so recent picture of Mojo and C. It may have been on Friday night, but I have a feeling it's an older picture from another Grey Cup final. I believe I was wearing Mojo's jersey (the one in this pic) last night. It went down to my knees. I had beads too! And Felion hair. And I had a Lion's hoodie until it got too hot from the dancing. And Felion hair. I was dressed to the Vancouver Fashionista Grey Cup 9's. Did I tell you that my hair was not like in this picture? It was Felion. At least part of my body is in the same shape as theirs. 
I didn't go to the game today. Three hundred and fifty smackeroosies is a bit must a month before Yule. Mind you, I was offered a ticket at two hundred and was sorely tempted. 
I would have liked to go to the game if only for one aspect...

JANN ARDEN!!!!! You will find that I love her. Nevermind, I am going to go see her tomorrow. (S)talk to her. Get her to write in the book that I am going to buy about her. Then I am going to follow her...on twitter. You thought I was going to say "home".

This one is slick...

Today I am thankful for the "kid line" of the Edmonton Oilers. Yes, young hockey players. I've been an Oilers fan for about 25 years and not since the "heyday" have I been this excited about the game. The heyday is when I started to be interested in the game. Until then I didn't know or understand it. I'd watched it with my Daddy when I was a little girl and enjoyed my time with him. But, not until I met some players did I watch avidly.
This year we got Sportsnet West on cable so that we could watch the games all the way over here in Lotusland but it didn't work. I had to order Centre Ice at 200 dollars a season (not including the playoffs-how am I going to watch the playoffs?) to be able to watch every single game that I want to, which is every one.
The "kid line" is
Jordan Eberle (21)

Taylor Hall (20)

and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (18)

Today I am thankful for these three young men for making a short escape possible...and for making me think my beloved team could quite possibly make it to the Stanley Cup Finals in the Spring.
Three stars if you noticed that I got a picture of each player in different Oilers uniforms.
These are MY three Stars.
I think it's also because they are the same ages as my 3 sons...give or take a few months.

And on the Seventh Day...

I wrote about being thankful for my iPhone. I am thankful for the actual phone, not the provider. The provider is making my life a living hell. However, wifi is wonderful and my phone allows me to surf the web and keep busy without hurting my hands more.
Speaking of which, I am done, for today.
Ciao

Days 5 and 6

Yesterday was a tough day so I apologise for missing a blogging day. My goal is to blog every day for the full 30 days. I will try to make that happen, but sometimes it's not going to.
On with the show!
Rounding out MY THREE SONS...hey, that sounds like a reality show. Or something.
Taylor. He is my eldest son. The first thing that I am thankful for with this kid is that 21 years ago, and change, he helped me have the closest thing to a natural childbirth that I ever had. I had an epidural but it didn't take as my body doesn't like local anaesthetic. The only intervention I recall is that I had an episiotomy. In the big scheme of things...that's nothing. At least I can speak with some knowledge and conviction that a natural childbirth can be managed. I am so thankful that my son has grown up to be the man I thought and hoped he would be. He is thoughtful and kind. Taylor is (as far as I know) a good partner as well (Richelle-tell me differently if he isn't and I'll kick his ass). This son had something happen to him when he was 17 yrs old that could have altered his life forever, in a bad way. Taylor was hit by a truck while crossing the street on a rainy evening after escorting his female friend to the bus stop so she would be safe (that's the way my kids roll). He got a brain injury that made it impossible to finish high school. However, he didn't let that disable him when he could have. Despite the headaches and other problems that accompany the injury to this day, he has found a good job and excels at it. It's got room for upward movement. Even then, he is thinking of going to school when he and his girlfriend have that option. I am thankful for him. His hugs are amazing. You should try them. I love you Taylor.

Today, Grateful number 6.
This is almost MIND BLOWING. Today I am thankful for my husband, Philip. There are countless reasons starting with...who takes on a woman with 3 little kids while she is a University student and crazy? Who? C'mon, if you know someone let me know.
Anyway, that's the first of many things but today I had to put another tick on the wall.
I have rheumatoid arthritis and query lupus (that means I am sera-negative but the signs point to lupus). Every day and every week I have to take quite a few different medications. One of those medications is called methotrexate. It's an immune suppressant so that my body doesn't fight itself at every turn and cause extreme swelling in joints and organs and cause severe pain. When taken orally it works but taken as an injection it's supposed to work even better. As I wasn't seeing much of an improvement taking those 10 tablets every Wednesday (thus causing me to be ill every Thursday) my rheumatologist and I decided that taking a weekly injection would be a better idea. Now, I've had the injection before. I had to go into the clinic every week and even with an appointment I would sometimes have to wait up to 2 hours to get in and see the doctor to get the injection. Almost every week the receptionists would lose my medicine and tell me that I must have taken it home only to find it (luckily) before my 2 hour waiting period was up. Needless to say, it was a pain in the ass to wait for the injection and I ended up "forgetting" and not going and missing my dosage and finally gave it up. I am not the most compliant patient. I have patience but not THAT much patience.
Fast forward to today. We'd already agreed that Philip would give me the injection. For the last two nights I've been worrying and perseverating about him giving it to me. As it was going to be in my butt I worried that he would hit the sciatic nerve, that the needle would bounce of my rock hard glutes (hehehehe), that the needle would move and I'd bleed, that he'd pass out giving the needle, that I'd pass out getting the needle, that that that that ....OKAY...my worry NEVER stopped. Philip on the other hand was as cool as a cucumber. Every time I mentioned it he'd smile and reassure me that it was all good. It was like his closet career was nursing and that he had given injections every day for most of his adult life. No problem. Easy Peasy.
Soooooo, I decide that it's time to get this over and let him know that I wanted to get it done. NOW.
We both watched two more youtube instructional videos to make sure that we knew what we were doing. I took the lid off the vial of medication, wiped it with a swab (you don't have to but you can), and stuck the needle in to draw up the liquid. Did you know that's kind of tricky? It is. I did it though. I turned the syringe upright, checked for bubbles, tapped the syringe and pushed on the plunger expressing one tiny drop of medication. Ahhh sweet. My job was done. Now Philip's.
I dropped my drawers and laid down on the bed. I am assuming everything I am telling you now as I didn't actually see it. I was on my belly with my head buried in a pillow. Next I felt the cold wet as Philip swabbed the injection site with an alcohol swab in a clock-wise and spiral motion. Then nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.
"Philip?" Nothing.
"Philip, are you going to do it?" "Is the needle in?"
"Tav, it's done"
"It's done?"
"It's done"
Philip just gave me the first injection I never felt. I didn't feel the needle going in. I didn't feel the medication going in. I didn't feel anything. It was his very first time ever giving an injection.
Then he started to shake. I could see his hands vibrating. I asked him why. He said that he was shaking because it was over.
From the very first time I told him (last week) that he would have to learn to give me injections he was worried. Terrified. He was scared that the needle would bounce off my butt, that he would pass out, that the needle would move and I would bleed...and the list went on. It was over and he could let that go. Today I am so thankful that he didn't share that with me. That he kept himself together. That's what he does with my illness. Every time something comes up he just rolls with the punches. The punches to my body that my body hits me with. Thank you Philip. I love you.

Philip with NOT the look he had on his face while giving me an injection.

Day 4 of 30 Days of Thankful

So far, so good. I've made it four days and I haven't quit yet.
Today I am thankful for two things but one is caused by the other. Because of the medication I am on my taste buds and appetite have changed drastically. First, I don't have much of an appetite and have to remind myself, and sometimes force myself, to eat. If someone else didn't remind me some days I probably wouldn't eat. I just don't get hungry any more. I'll take it though, some of the medications I am on sometimes make me gain weight and I have a bit to lose. It's not the best way, but it's a kick start. Anyway, my taste buds have also changed. Normally, I LOVE chocolate and sweets but lately chocolate is too sweet and I don't really like the taste. I also used to adore eating leafy green salads but just the thought makes my stomach turn. Fruit is also pretty much yucky lately as well. In the end I seem to like a teeny bit of protein and some carbs now and that's about it. That and Lays plain potato chips but I keep that to a minimum.
What I am really thankful for is San Pellegrino Blood Orange flavour. It is so tasty and refreshing and hydrates me. There is some real juice in it and that makes be feel good because at least then I am getting some fruit. Yes, I am laughing at that too. I would laugh if any one told me that in a serious tone. I am telling you that in a serious tone.
I am very thankful for that soda though. It makes me want to ingest something. Yay!
That brings me to the other "thing" I am grateful for. That is Jason, my second son. He's 19 and works at a grocery store. Now that he is making money he is buying some grocery items and bringing them home. The other day he brought home the san pellegrino and I fell in love....hehe
Okay, that's not the only reason that I am thankful for Jason. Jason, or Jaybird as I have called him since he was a baby is my "quiet" son. Now, I have to admit that is sort of a misnomer as his older brother (who I am also thankful for...but on another day) is also quiet. Jason is thoughtful. He's a worrier. He is funny, like his brothers, but he is also more serious than they are sometimes. Jaybird is the middle son and he has had to deal with being the middle child. When he was in elementary school Philip and I had to tell him to misbehave in school. He was too well behaved. Jason was a people pleaser and he needed to learn to please himself.
Jason is an atheist and will ask questions and he will make you think about your own spirituality. He NEVER does it in a rude or mean way. It's more that you come out of conversation thinking of things you'd never thought of. Ohhhh, I just read the part where I said Jaybird is my "quiet" son...he was also my loudest. He didn't stop screaming from the day he was born until he was 18 months old. Never. Not one day. He had a lot to say, said it, and then was quiet until he turned 18 years old. Except for the guitar. That was attached to his hip from the time he was 13 or so until he had to start working. He has less time for it now. That is another thing that I am proud of and thankful for when it comes to Jason. He works hard wherever he is working and doesn't slack off. He is also polite. I KNOW he is the man that gets up on the bus to let someone else sit. I know it. I'm also thankful that I am not a Granny yet. Thank you Jason (although you keep telling me about all the kids you have in Ireland and how happy you will be to see them again for the first time).
Jason, I can't write all the reasons I am thankful for you...just know that I am.

Jason and his baby cousin, Liam.

30 Days of Thankful Day 3

Earlier today I was explaining to Jacob, my 17 year old son, what I was doing with "30 Days of Thankful" and that I didn't know what I was going to write about today. He was sitting in the chair across from me and leaned over into my view, then leaned over some more, and then some more almost falling off of his seat. I asked him what he was doing and that I was busy trying to figure out what I was thankful for today. He started leaning over again and had his face all smooshed up and eyes buggy and basically making me laugh. He always does that when I am trying to do something. I will be washing the dishes and he'll do something silly. Sometimes, I will be trying to write a segment for The Wigglian Way and I will be really frustrated about it and Jake will say the funniest thing but then I try to tell him that I am concentrating. Other times, I will be in the most foul mood and he will use his 5 foot long legs to walk into the room funny, like a horse, or a strange marcher or something. 

So anyway, he was doing the  leaning thing and I was suddenly aware of what I was thankful for today. Today I am thankful for my witty, intelligent, silly, very handsome, and smart youngest son, Jake. 

Jake, thank you for making dinner, bringing me tea, walking the dogs, sitting with me, going shopping with me, and generally for being you. You are one of my 3 favourite sons and I LOVE YOU!!

This is Jake, making me laugh by standing in the corner of elevator. You had to be there. 

Day 2

Today I am thankful for my friends and religious community. They just happen to mostly overlap. I am a lucky and blessed woman.


*due to the nature of this post there will be no pictures.


**Well, maybe one.


***Photo to come.


****Coming


Watch for it


I am going to "OUT" my coven


Here it comes....


Here people of the public is my coven. I am thankful for them.



We look like a happy bunch don't we?

30 Days of Thankful

I thought that the time between Canadian and American Thanksgiving would be a great time to start 30 Days of Thankful. Or, at least that's the story that I am going to stick to is.
I actually just saw my friend, Tara, start it for the second year in a row. I thought, I haven't even started it once AND I have found myself mostly in a negative mood since a fateful day awhile ago when I realised that YES I was being too postive...what?? What the hell? Anyway... I also thought (I know, I know, stop with the thinking) that this project would MAKE me blog everyday for at least 30 days. Or at least make me feel guilty if I didn't. It's a Catholic blog you see. NO, I am not Catholic...the blog is. I slay me!

The things I am thankful today are medicines. I am so happy that I have medicines that can make me feel almost human. Enough that I actually got out of bed this morning and am able to type.
'Nuff said.
First entry for 30 Days of Thankful. Done.
Thank you.

Philip, my hubby, is a writer. Have I mentioned that before? I could find out if I took a quick peek at the measly first 19 posts but alas and alack...I am not going to.

Needless to say, he is a writer. It is a tough market to get into that one. Trying to find an agent or publisher is like trying to find well? an agent or a publisher. Philip's writing history is his to tell (hopefully in a book) so I am not going to go into it however, I do have some new news to share. 

Philip and I started North Strand Publishing recently. Right now we aren't exactly sure where it will go or what it's ultimate purpose is but for the here and now it is the name we are e-publishing his novels under. 

Yes, I said...publishing his novels...as in present tense.
As of this moment The Suicide of Ned Sweeney is published for download at a number of venues. I will add the links to this post.
What's important to note, right now, because I am tired and about to head to bed...is that this is MY source of income. Working for Philip and North Strand Publishing is the only job I've got right now. So, PLEASE, spread the word. Buy a copy for you, a friend, family member, or even an enemy you think should be reading more often. Share this post and the link to Philip's blog (where all the actual information is).
I am tired and think I've done enough work for one day. My fingers have are bloody from being worked to the bone today. Fifteen minutes can be tedious you know.
Also, it snowed. I hate snow. It should stay on the mountain so that Mohammed can go to there for his snow.
www.philiprobinson.net  

Go to that link and you will find links to purchase The Suicide of Ned Sweeney on Kindle, kobo, nook, Sony and other e-readers.
I am not a big girl yet so I don't know how to imbed links. Wait, it's coming. Like walking or talking.

When I grow up

When I grow up I want to be like Dorli Rainey. She is an amazing woman who has always lived a life of courage and stands up for what she believes.
She is one of those "punk kids" that is Occupying your neighbourhood.

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/money/recession/video-police-pepper-spray-84-year-old-dorli-rainey-occupy-seattle

I know who's getting a lump of coal for Yule!

And it's no one you know.
Interestingly, a good percentage of my posts have been about this person.
Today, I was walking the dogs in the neighbourhood. It's autumn and there are a lot of leaves on the ground. So many, in fact, that while I was walking the dog I slipped and fell. Luckily, I still had the dog's leashes wrapped around my hand and they didn't get loose. There can only be ONE reason for me to be afraid that my dogs might get loose from me in my own neighbourhood. On a quiet street. These are good boys and if you tell them to stop they will stop. They won't run away from you. Ziggy might try to attack you viciously if you are a mailman but that couldn't happen, could it? It could. However, it didn't...because the leashes were wrapped around my hand even after I fell. On to the concrete. Hard.
It could have happened though. Ziggy could have attacked the mailman because he was only 4 feet away from me. Maybe six feet. I looked up, hoping that he would help me up but all he said (in a disinterested tone) was, "are you okay?"
ASSHOLE! Why couldn't you help me up? Were you afraid Ziggy was going to attack you viciously? Bastard!
I don't like you and you are getting coal for Christmas/Yule. If you were a nice mailman I might get you a Timmies card. But, you are NOT a nice mailman, or man, or person for that matter.

Coal I tells ya!