Let The Crazy...COMMENCE!

I was chatting with my mom on the phone this morning. Oh..My..Gods.......... I had to then call my friend Marla to talk me down. Thank you, Marla. Without you I may have ended up running through the neighborhood in my PJ's jibbering like and idiot.
My parents' house is amazingly cluttered. Stuff abounds. USELESS stuff as well as less useless stuff. Entry to their home results in my having to control claustrophobia and hyperventilation. They are seniors I should add and Dad used to battle the clutter but now he adds to it.
Awhile back, they had a mouse. The first mouse they ever had (amazingly!!). They found out about said mouse because my grandmother's dining room table (massive I might add) is loaded down with things that would be better of in a pantry cupboard...bags and packages of candy and cookies and chips( my brother's step grand-daughter calls the dining room "The Candy Room") and , of course, STUFF.... and they heard rustling in the table area and found gnawed things on the table etc. Trap was set, mousie was caught. Did they change their cluttered and poor food storage ways? NO.
Chatting this morning I hear a new tale: Dad had a container og chocolate covered almonds and after refilling his candy dish, replaced the lid. Then the next day, lid is off and remaining almonds GONE. The verdict? They think they may have a squirrel holed up in the house somewhere. *blink blink*
My greatest fear?? That I will become these people......

jibberjibberjibber runrunrunjibberjibberjibberrunrunrunjibberjibberjibber

Interesting

Katharine Hepburn You scored 21% grit, 14% wit, 57% flair, and 19% class!

You are the fabulously quirky and independent woman of character. You go your own way, follow your own drummer, take your own lead. You stand head and shoulders next to your partner, but you are perfectly willing and able to stand alone. Others might be more classically beautiful or conventionally woman-like, but you possess a more fundamental common sense and off-kilter charm, making interesting men fall at your feet. You can pick them up or leave them there as you see fit. You share the screen with the likes of Spencer Tracy and Cary Grant, thinking men who like strong women. Find out what kind of classic leading man you'd make by taking the Classic Leading Man Test.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: http://www.okcupid.com/"> alt="free online dating" src="http://is1.okcupid.com/graphics/0.gif" border=0> You scored higher than 99% on grit http://www.okcupid.com/"> alt="free online dating" src="http://is1.okcupid.com/graphics/0.gif" border=0> You scored higher than 99% on wit http://www.okcupid.com/"> alt="free online dating" src="http://is1.okcupid.com/graphics/0.gif" border=0> You scored higher than 99% on flair http://www.okcupid.com/"> alt="free online dating" src="http://is1.okcupid.com/graphics/0.gif" border=0> You scored higher than 99% on class

Link: gidgetgoes on The Classic Dames Test written by OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Hat Experiment

I'm getting all knitty wid it and am now attempting a toque with ear flaps by modifying and combining hat patterns. Why can't I just do it the way a pattern says??? Cuz they do stuff I don't want to do like sew it up the back or decreasing. I am lazy. Plus I have no attention span to speak of so doing any fancy patterny stuff like stripes or ribbing is really hard for me to get right.
So, I followed a pattern in Canadian Living for how to make the ear flaps (triangles on a stick!) and how to cast the hat on and add the earflaps. After that I have it on circular needles so I work it in the round (straight knitting..easy) and when its long eough to set on the head right I will cinch the top shut rather than the whole shaping, decreasing thing. We shall see. After a few false starts and ripping outs, I now have taken a photo of it thus far..a blob of knitting on circulars with longer bits on the sides (ear flaps). The first time I had it on the needles it was all backwards and I would have had to purl the whole thing. Now its right (so far) and I will post all "The Making" photos when its all done. I am working it in Bernat DenimStyle yarn. Its so soft and pleasant to work with. I give it a thumbs up.
Laundry is mostly caught up and I have class tonight so this afternoon is about homework. I really need to work on my verbs.

Some days (rant)

You just can't seem to do anything right. Today started well...except for the whole having to wake up thing, but besides that, it was an ok morning.
I read, I did laundry, cleaned the bathroom sink again, showered, dressed, laundry, bleached a bit of the family room, changed clothes before I left the house thanks to bleach marks, went to Veterinarian..and thats when I stopped having a good day.
I wished to purchase wormer and flea treatments for the cats. I did so on a semi regular basis back home and since Monkey is new and all thought I should do everyone. 'Nope" said vet desk lady. "You need to have the animal examined first."
This sounded like insanity to me since I had not required this step back home. "Its The Law" she said and I said fine and left. Steaming I was. I felt like this was just one more pain in my ass that my new province had in store for me and quite frankly, my frustrations beaker is pretty much on overflow most of the time now adays.
This evening I chose to bitch about this to my niece who is a veterinarian and lo and behold, its not just a Quebec thing after all. Ooops. Who knew(besides veterinarians)?? I had no idea whatsoever. She pointed out that it was the LAW and that the vet clinics that had sold me Revolution and other pet stuffs were doing so ILLEGALLY and if I had been a better pet slave and taken my pets into the vet regularly instead of just for spayings and neuterings I might know this and Georgie would have been diagnosed sooner with Feline Leukemia rather than when he was dying of possible poison ingestion and ended up being euthanised anyway(thanks for dragging that bit of scab off that wound yet again), and pretty much got her panties in a twist about how I don't want to drag three cats to the vet for this stuff when I'd never had to before. Bad bad pet slave! BAD! Newspaper to the snout for me.
We ticked each other off, but I did send an apology since my ticking her off was entirely unintentional. What I took as a discussion she took as a belittling of her expertise and knowledge.
What had begun as a nice peaceful day to myself officially went down the shitter at that point. And I ask myself " Why do I care so much? Why?' Why is it so upsetting to me that someone is less than pleased with me? Whats the big deal? Why do I slink along (internally) like a dog thats been kicked too many times and cringe (emotionally/mentally)at someone's displeasure? Heaven fucking forbid that I should accidentally annoy someone or offend them or step on their toes, or make a mistake or shop too often, or laugh too loud or just plain ass be ME. I don't mean to but it just happens. Somehow things get twisted or misinterpreted.
Why do I give a tinker's damn about something so trivial and small in the scope of the universe and the suffering that goes on in it? I have no goddamn clue. And I wish I didn't care. I'm tired of it. I'm tired of guilt boiling in my stomach for stupid shit that I did as a kid that should have known better, maybe did know better, and did anyways. I'm tired of it rearing its head in the dead of night or being flung in my face to cut me down to size.
In December I will be 39. I do not dread it. I welcome it. I think this will be the year I start to stop giving a shit. Sounds like a plan. Then maybe my middle-ish years will be a bit lighter in feel than the earlier bits. I could use a lightening of the guilt burdens and all those other ones that I lug around too. Time for life's airline to misplace some baggage...for good.

I..Hate..Yahoo

At least once a week I get bounce notification. I end up not getting messages or having my messages not delivered. It is seriously pissing me off. Why do they do that????!
Ya hear me Yahoo???! Yer pissin' me off! Quit it! I'll sic Naomi Campbell on your ass.
I mean business.
Also, burnt my feet tonight by taking a hot broiler out of the oven. The grease and liquid in the bottom portion slopped out on the oven door, floor , and my feet.
Ouch. Much screeching and cursing ensued.
Tried to shop today. it sucked. Looked at MP3 players at Future Shop (for Richard) and got confused and headachey. Also looked for Battlestar Gallactica season 2 and 2.5. None in stock. Pokemon Sapphire(for Cameron's birthday), none in stock. Did get the new Evanesence and Stargate SG1 Season One. Priced PSP...almost passed out. Yay me.
Went to Walmart even though it annoyed me. Got a $10 bra I like and they had black microfiber tights in my size..got 2 pair. Looked at PSP..almost passed out. No Pokemon Sapphire. No Pokemon card collections in a can like last year. No Yugi-Oh either.
Went to EB Games...was told Pokemon Sapphire is discontinued. Great. Somene else can tell Cameron because he has been asking for it for a year and we couldn't find it then either. FUCK.
I think I'll start hiding out in my closet with a tub of ice cream.

Photos!

I am plumb wore out from being so cute!!!!! Sleepy time.........
Brush brush brush...brush brush brush.....
Love me! Adore me! I am a cutie patootie!
THUMBS!!!!!! Fuzzy little Monkey kitten thumbs.


Don't you want to touch my Monkey? How adorable is he anyways??! Irresistable , green eyed thumbyness.

Tuesday

Rainy rainy Tuesday. Yuck.
Made it to Maxi to get dish washing powder and whilst there grabbed som laundry liquid too. I'm not out but don't have lots and DO have quite a bit of laundry to be done. Will it get done? Aaaahhh..that is an interesting question....
Cameron has been dealing with some bully problems at school. A little dickhead named Samuel, formerly a good pal, has been annoying Cameron, calling him names, and even physically hurting him. Cameron is almost double this childs size so its not because Cammie is smaller and a good target. But he is a kid who has been taught that hitting is not nice. He gets so confused about this because we have also been trying to teach him that its ok to defend himself.
I personally think he should take Samuel out back and pound the snot outta him. When he kicked Cam after school last Thursday I did call his mom but she wasn't yet home from work. Since I had class I told Richard to try again later because it had to be dealt with. Of course he forgot because we had company and there was wine. Friday was a much better day for Cammie as was yesterday but today Samuel has been antagonising Cameron again. Guaranteed that if Cameron retaliates he'll be the one in trouble because its the Law of Being The Victim...and happened before in an unrelated incident.
Benoit seems to be handling his new dosage of Concerta well. No zombie child, no weird behavior, no side effcts noticeable EXCEPT that today he got 3 (THREE) billets Bravo for excellent examens. Woo hoo!!! He says he feels like he is learning more and he says he feels like he is paying more attention in class. We'd had some issues this fall with him being distracted and forgetful and thought perhaps it was time to change his dosage after almost 2 yrs. HIs doctor agreed. The idea was to give it a try and if there were any problems detected we'd switch him right back. The Best Concerta related side effects of all? His self esteem. No longer last in everything and quite so prone to tantrums due to overwhelming frustration. No longer the bane of his tearchers's existance for the amount of extra "help" he requires. No longer the distraction and disturbance of the class room requiring many parent teacher meeting and notes. In short, he has a happier and more fulfilling school and life experience. For the last almost two years.
Hmmmm... what else...
Richard and I have been discussing an idea that is at once ridiculous and at the same time tempting. NO..not another child. I hesitate to bring it up because it might make us look stupid having gone this route before and not been financially successful at it.(are you NUTs?? my mother, sisters, brothers, would say) The subject has come up between us a couple of times and then been dismissed quickly as memories of disaster come to the rescue. This time the idea keeps tickling but I am partially hoping it goes away...FEAR. It is scary to consider but at the same time exhilerating. Possibilities beckon but so does upheaval and change and we all know how good I am with that! If any more discussion comes up I will note it here and clarify what it is if it looks like we might lose our minds and go for it.
Since I am skipping class tonight I may just treat myself to a wee nappy-poo on the sofa after a trip to Dollarama for Tennis balls. Camerons bed is horribly loud and we have figured its the ladder scraping on the floor. Did I mention this before?? I went to Dollarama this AM but it was still closed. After lunch hour, its tennis balls and a nap. yes!

Monday

Today was good. Then it wasn't so much. And even though what made it not so good wasn't serious or terrible, it was enough to ruin my day. Now I am home with Monkey purring at me and trying to type and the day is getting..better.
I think Iwill be missing tomorrow nights class because I really don't want to bother getting a baby-sitter since Richard's away.
Pizza preparation calls....

This Pretty Much Sums Up My Life........

Company!!!

When Richard and I had our shop in Nova Scotia, we had the wonderful good fortune to hire Sam as a part time clerk. She was a treasure and we adored her. Her time with us was far to short for our liking because of her intended journey to Thailand and a life of adventure!

Sam is BACK in Canada and brought with her the most lovely man, Alex. We had the great great great joy to host then for two nights here at our home as they make their way across Canada. I snapped a quick pic to remember them by until we meet again. We had a great time drinking too much wine Thursday night, and comparing headaches Friday. This picture is Friday evening after they wandered the streets of Montreal and before we had supper. Poor Sammy was sooo tired!

We miss them already!!!

Wednesday

It is most definitely November. Its chilly and damp most days but occassionally you get Sun's warmth and that releases an almost Spring like aroma from the Earth. An aroma of transition. An aroma of change. The smell of digging in, burrowing down, getting ready to rest.
Next on the agenda of celebrations and holidays is Yule. I have always been a fan of Christmas and not just because of the presents. If anything its was all about the anticipation for me. The magic of brotherly love, peace on Earth, goodwill toward men and all that. The whole Spirit of giving and togetherness. Then Christmas morning comes with its chaos and madness of ripping paper and afterwards I would think "Thats it? Thats all there is to this BIG DAY??" and I'd feel let down. Not necessarily out of disappointment at not getting what I'd wanted or not receiving as big a haul as say my friend across the street who always got a big haul. It was more about how all that anticipation and good feelings came to a screeching halt and then it was Christmas dinner and then it was clean up etc and back to school time. I wanted the feeling of Christmas to last..forever.
This love of the holidays continued well into my twenties. I loved carols and decorations and the first snow and getting together with my family and friends.
Now I am in my 30's...will be 39 come December 8th actually, and now I just don't feel it. At least not like I did before I had kid's. I used to knock myself out with home made gifts for my family. Chocolates and cookies in nice tins or bags. Jams or jellies or soup mixes or chutney's in pretty jars. Labors of love for my family. I still want to make Christmas but I'm too tired nowadays and I worry about Christmas more. Will the boys be happy with their gifts? Will this be the last year for Santa?? How will we afford gifts and a tree? Should we move to an artificial tree? Should Richard and I forgo gifts to one another in favor of a "house" gift or charitable donation? (no..I am too greedy for that I think). Will this be the last year the boys are quoted as saying "This is the best Christmas ever!"?
One year Richard said "no stockings for us this year" and to be fair, money was tight. I agreed but got him stocking stuffers anyway. Ya just gotta!!
It was my first Christmas ever without a stocking to open and I was surprisingly devastated. I had to go to my room later to cry when noone could hear or see me. I felt very foolish and yes, very childish, but Christmas has always touched my inner child and this was Inner Child's first year with no stocking, the child like part of Christmas morning. Its has not happened again.
Its getting to be decorating time. I would love to have a magazine perfect spread like my sister in law manages every single year. Martha Stewart could take lessons from Marilyn. The tree is always exquisite, my brother's lights outdoors are blinding and a testament to his joie de vivre, and all the holiday trinkets and vignettes in their home make you feel both jealous and inspired. Alas, I am not so handy with the decorating.
To help myself get into the mood to prepare for the holiday I now call Yule but my family still calls Christmas, I bought Dorothy Morrison's book Yule. You would find it in the New Age or Witchcraft section of your local Chapters and I must say so far I am really enjoying it. Where do our holiday traditions come from and what do other societies celebrate at this time of the year? Some of the answers are well known but she also has some insights that are less common. Its nifty and I am getting into the Spirit little by little. The holiday CDs help too. I highly recommend Bare Naked For The Holidays by Bare Naked Ladies and the Santa Claus 2 soundtrack as a couple of more modern collections.
Today our magazine with catalogue came from World Vision. A World Vision catalogue? you may ask to which I reply Yes! If I may be so bold as to encourage you to try and make the world a more comfortable place for a less fortunate family somewhere, I do so now. We have been sponsors to a little girl in Haiti for some time now. I only wish we could do more. By making extra donations or selecting a "gift" from the catalogue we can. We all can! www.worldvision.ca has detail on how you could gift an impoverished family with a goat kid, or fruit trees, or chickens... Help a village by stocking their medical clinic! Help some children by providing clothing... Check it out. Wake the Inner Child that believes in Santa. BE Santa for someone this year. You will never be sorry.
Blessed Be.

Still Tuesday

And who'da thunk it, I'm a knob. I accidentally posted that entryless header much earlier today but then got distracted (ooh cookies) and forgot to go back and fix it. duh.
Ok...more reasons I'm a knob: Got so wrapped up in the Ashley Judd segment of The View today, and almost forgot to get the kids at school for lunch. Bad parenting. No more View for me.
Went to French class (also known as the French Method Of Psychological Torture 101 at Concordia's Continuing Ed) and discovered I am still not fluent. C'mon!!!!! Its been, like, 8 classes already and I actually attended some of them..what do I have to do to learn this stupid overly conjugated so called language. ARGH..what? study...? You're kidding right?
I can no longer blame my abyssimal (ok..I've tried this word 3 times..this ones staying even if its wrong) GPA from 1992 on work and liquor. Turns out, I'm lazy. WHO KNEW? (Mom, put your hand down!)
Now that I have photo capability (finally capable of putting digi photos on my computer) I will be A) taking more photos and B) posting said photos C) as soon as I remember to buy batteries for the camera. Oh..and this part isn't a part of why I'm a knob..
Or is it?
No more Diet Coke for me after 5 pm!! I'm wired!

Tuesday...

Sunday

It was not a lovely day but a nice day nonetheless. Little productivity beyond some laundry and R fixing the bumper on the Echo that HE damaged last night. Other than that it was lazing about all the live long day. Oh and playing with Monkey of course.
Aaaaah the Saga of Poor Monkey. I have never had a kitten that didn't get the concept of a litter box on a regular basis, and I have had a lot of kittens in my 38ish years. As a result of his inexperience we have been keeping him in Kitten Jail also known as the bathroom. He has a basket and an antique wool crib blankie (that came from Scotland in 1950 according to my mom...is 56 yrs antique??) for his snoozing pleasure and use them he does! He has a doorknob mouse toy, water, food, litter box, a catnip sock and a catnip crinkly toy. He meows ALOT when we cuddle him. In complaint? Or seeking comfort? Sharing his thoughts on the'verse as he knows it? Also frantically meows when wanting food..because he kinda forgets where it is. Right now he is nestled in on my shoulder watching my fingers type, purring softly. How can we not love him even with his toilet problems???!
Friday night had R and I shopping andgoing to see a movie sans enfants. Long overdue outing. We hit Toys R Us for some xmas stuff. What a horrid store. Ladders everywhere, crying toddlers, lack of cool action figures. Seriously!!!! What is the big whoop?? Never again. We hunted at a few other stores in the Carrefour Laval for Gameboy games and DVDs. Cameron wants Pokemon Sapphire for his birthday.
The movie we saw was The Prestige. Oh my. Soooo good. Nary an explosion nor alien nor animated animal in sight and such a good story! I LOVED it. Richard said it wasn't bad. This from the man who loves Underworld. It boggles the mind. If you enjoy a good tale with twists, this is for you. I give it 4 stars out of 5 for a grown up drama that takes place in the late 18800's early 1900's. I'd totally see it again.
Saturday...hmmm..whatd we do..More nuthin'. I went looking for xmas gifts for Richard but Damn! that Bionic Wrench gizmo is pricey!! The version that was on sale last week was nowhere to be seen. Only pack of 2 sizes and the big one were there, at $59 and $39. Oy. I will get him the new Evanesence later and some Star gate dvds. Thought that wrench would be cool though.
Tomorrow is Monday and my shift at the MPRC desk. I will make it this week. Also Value Village has their 50% sale tomorrow and I printed off addresses to find a couple of them. Hahahahahaha. Yes...value shopping ON SALE. Bargain hunting will ensue.

Photo loading attempt # 6 jillion and 3

The new guy. So far his name is Monkey because of his enormous thumbs giving him the appearance of monkey feet. Plus he is very very very busy and curious like a monkey. "C'mere you little monkey." is whats said most to him. Thats and " You **&#$% on the floor AGAIN!!??" "Use the #$%^ litter box, pleeeeeease!"







Yugi and Jason, best friends! Or ARE THEY???




Blossom The Amazing Hula Dog! Speak to her and she wags... I mean, HULAS like a crazed hula doll.

Improvements

I am no longer in the bottom depths of the dumps. maybe it was that flu that just knocked me so far down but since Tuesday I have a better energy level, and improved outlook on the 'verse. Thanks to all my pals that cared enough to offer encouragement. You all rock the rockin'est rock there is to rock. And thats saying something.
I have a couple of Halloween photos to post and also we brought home a new addition to our family yesterday. Blogger has been very irritating with my photos..GRRR. I will try yet again today.
Thanks bunch to Aurora and Suldog for their comforting comments about our Freckles. This place is so wierd without her. Its less snuggly thats for sure. Maybe the new kitten will be a cuddler. So far so good..except for the kitten poo everywhere and his current stint in the brig (downstairs bathroom) with the litter box. May he figure it out quickly!! Thank you to Scrappy The Bear my amazing veterinarian niece for the advice. Aurora, you would totally become BFFs with her because she is a phenomenal animal person, scrapbooker, stamper, phototaking type person. Very crafty that way. Her new blog is She Said, She Said and its listed over on the side. Great photos. I am so not gifted in that way.
So, things are better though kitten poopy and photos WILL be forthcoming because you cannot miss Blossom The Amazing Hula Dog. You just can't.

Happy Halloween

Tis a day of monsters, mayhem, and mad sugar rushes. Enjoy!

I Miss You (one month missing)

Freckles was 10 years old in August.

Another day

Funny how they keep happening. The kids have only been home 10 minutes and they are already at it. Its always either one doing something to the other (real or imagined) or they are NOT eating what I have prepared for the meal.
This is not unusual. This is life with kids for many people. I am just bloody sick of it and there is no way out except waiting. There are wonderful things about life with children but its hard for me to see them these days when every shriek, whine, "Mommy!" makes me cringe.
Life is taking on a boring sameness. I hardly even go out anymore. Richard even suggested a movie Saturday night and I could not be bothered to make the effort. I sleep, I eat, I wait for the day to be over so I can escape it again in sleep.
I did get ready to go in for my volunteer shift today. I made it out to the bank machine for parking money only to discover that an extra mortgage payment came out and we were over drawn (we don't have an overdraft, btw). So..no money for parking...no money for gas. I came back home, waited for the store to open so I could phone in. Then I changed my clothes and crawled back into bed. I'd even put on make up. See? Why bother.
Later this afternoon, I took the dog for a walk just to get out. Fresh air and sunshine is good for you! It was a gorgeous day, thats for sure. The sun was shining and it wasn't terribly cold. Blossom thoroughly enjoyed the stroll. It was good to see her padding along with her ears all pricked up, taking an interest in the sights and smells of Autumn. At least someone was.
I take Ben to see a doctor at the CLSC on Friday. Maybe I will ask her about upping my meds or changing them. Something is just not right and its getting harder and harder to deal with it.

Saturday night

It was a week of illness. And it doesn't seem to be ending. I literally spent the entire afternoon in bed. Sleeping. Like a frikkin' rock. I was stuffy headed and sore eyed for the morning and finally gave it up around 12:30. Yesterday I slept the morning away on the sofa and then the afternoon as well. Last night I was in bed before midnight and had no trouble sleeping at all. Tonight? We shall see. I do feel better than I did this morning though.
Acne too. I am plagued with the acne. It could be worse I know but its like my skin is NEVER clear.
All this need for sleep is a bit worrisome. My energy level is zip and was before I got sick as you know from reading here. I love sleep but this is getting silly.
Losses of the week: Jess lost Moushie, and my nephew and his lovely wife discovered that their expected baby wasn't. There is nothing in the sac! I found out last night before I mailed a funny little gift Thank Gods. I have spoken a bit to my sister and she's pretty sad at losing a grandbaby. I feel for Vick. To be expecting a longed for baby, going through all the symptoms etc and then finding out there is nothing there. Which is worse? Miscarriage or no carriage?? I don't know since I never had this kind of thing happen.
Now the kids are fighting. Over nothing. Yay.

Bloggers beware

Apparently, someone absconded with pictures of sweetney.com's daughter that were on flickr and doctored them in an abusive way. This has caused a great deal of anguish on the part of the childs mother of course and is a warning to all that even innocent pictures can be fodder for a freak.
Sad sad sad sad.

Thursday Night

I'm home from class. Nothing on TV. Richard is watching "Deal or No Deal" a game show for the mentally retarded (in my opinion). Its truly the MOST annoying and stupid show EVER. He and the kids enjoy it very much.
Feel my pain.....feel it.

Sweat, chill sweat, chill

Sweat! Is it the virus trying to escape or WHAT!? I break out into a sweat and have to remove my sweater. Then I get chilly and have to put my sweater back on. Grrrrrrrrr. Right now I am drenched because I got all crazy and vacuumed the foot of dust from under the beds upstairs. Holy dustbunnies, Batman! I grabbed a towel and am trying to stop sweating and watch the first 20 minutes of the View. Feel kinda wobbly too. How weird is that?
I may need another shower before this day is done. This will go great with the 3 hot hot hot baths I had yesterday trying to chase away bouts of chills. Who's a prune? I'm a prune!
I don't know why but I totally want to wash down my bedroom and maybe rearrange it. It could use it no doubt! Base boards etc hold onto the dust even with vaccuuming. It would make it smell nice too. I stripped my bed yesterday and Ben's today. I will get to Cameron's before the day is out. Yup, nothing like:
Clean sheets and a sooooooolid alibi. Yup.

Wonder Drug....

Last night I bypassed the Sudafed and grabbed good ol' Allegra D which is what I take during hayfever season. An hour or so later I was breathing freely. Mwhahahahahaha. But I couldn't sleep very well. Every little noise seems to wake me up because I don't have Sir Snoresalot in bed next to me drowning out the nighttime noises of Cameron flopping around in his noisy ass bunk bed, and traffic outside our home. That and having the flu makes me have to pee alot apparently. Who knew?
Yesterday I recieved a Mary Kay catalogue from my niece for Richard to order things for my birthday and Christmas. Lovely stuff that Mary Kay. Once you use it its hard to go back to other products. I want the Timewise cleanser for sure! Easy peasy lemon squeezy! I hate having to take numerous steps in my skin care (Thats any steps over the number two). Timewise cleans, exfoliates, and tones all in one product. Then slap on some moisturiser and you are good to go. Unless you are fussier than I and want to add on eye cream, lip stuff, and sunscreen. Not me. I will forget to use them (as time has proven). I am interested also in the weekly Microdermabrasion stuff too. Anything to help this face. My crinkles are becomeing crevasses and I have a full set of luggage under my eyes. Don't get me started on the adult acne!!!!!! ARGH! Lip lines now! Can you believe it?? When the hell did they show up??? And the forehead..or as I like to call it, my washboard. Because of the deep lines..get it? Ok..not my best stuff.
Am I panicking because birthday #39 is looming in a month or so? Ummmm..... no I don't think so. Frankly, I'm amazed I'm still here! Every so often I start out on a skin care regimen and if it lasts any length of time, its a wonder. Good old forgetful me. But I know Mary Kay products are worth the money. The old face is getting to reflect my tiredness, so I'll start treating it a bit better.
39......last step before 40. Will I freak out next year? I don't know. The only time I ever freaked about my age was when I got the math wrong and thought I missed a year.

Just sick enough.......

.........to feel like a big sack of rancid poo. Eyes hurt, body aches, headaches, chills, some congestion in the head, and scratchy throat and chest. Nothing major, just enough feel crappy and sad. A restless night was had and Ben woke me for real at about 6:30. I got up, got the fire going again (everything is so damp!) and got Cammie some breakfast since Ben had done his. Then I snuck upstairs for a hot soak in the tub until 7:30ish to get warm.
Cameron and I started battling the snot monster with a vengeance yesterday. I got him some Dimetapp, extra strength, zinc/vitamin C lozenges, and nasal spray (saline). Mwahahahahahaha. Take that clogged nose. We spray his nose, wait a few seconds and then he blows for all he's worth. Yes! He can finally blow his nose. He has never been able to coordinate everything before and get the nose blown. Then we repeat the saline spray and blow again. His comments? "Wow! My node id empty!" and "Oooh..my ear popped!" The kid is a walking Snot Head! He says he's feeling a bit better now that he can blow. Less pressure in that noggin.
And then there was me this morning. Light hurt my eyes even when they were closed so I went back to my bed, blinds drawn and snoozed for another hour or so after the boys were gone. I had started the coffeee and popped Sudafed and Advil. I woke still headachey so I took more Advil and drank coffee. Headache mostly gone. Perhaps a caffeine withdrawal more than sinuses. I didn't have any yesterday really (one cup of chai doesn't count in my intake requirements). Coffee is soooooo my friend. I have the whole pot to myself, and if I don't crash after lunch I'm gonna fold the mondo amounts of clean laundry I have waiting, and disinfect the bathrooms. Yeah! Caffeine!
Benoit is showing signs that his Concerta dosage is not high enough. He has been on the 18 mg dosage (lowest) for almost two years and in the last month has been showing signs its just not helping much anymore. I called MCH again today and hopefully they will get back to me ( the Attention Deficit Clinic). We have an appointment with a CLSC doctor next week but I really don't hold much hope for that.
I am so tired of running into the brick wall of needing family doctor before we can see a pediatrician ... we haven't been able to find a GP that is taking new patients AND speaks english. The CLSC has been no help beyond giving me phone numbers and addresses of local clinics which have yielded zippo. This morning as I was dealing with some rude folk on the phone I was near tears. What am I going to have to do? Fly home for dr's appointments??????
My last PAP was abnormal and I needed to see a Gyno. All was deemed fine but that was two or three years ago. Abnormalcies need to be kept watch over more regularly that that but since I can't find a GP, what am I to do? I'll ask the DR next week when Ben has his appointment. Maybe they do them at the CLSC but truly, I am uncomfortable with that and fear that I will just fall through the cracks if there is a problem again, since its not our family doctor.
Frustration frustration frustration.
But my coffee is helping.

I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell....

.. and so is Cameron. He has had this sniffly minor cough thing going for about three weeks. THREE! Today he actually slept in until 10 to 8. I let him. I figured he needed it and decided I was keeping him home today to lay on the couch and/or sleep. He says his neck, legs, and eyes hurt and his nose is still stuffy. He is cheery though and ate toast and some scrambled eggs for breakfast. Just finished a cereal bar and grapes too. See? Not at deaths door by any stretch, but run down from this niggling not quite sick-ness.
As for me..my throat hurts up into my ear and I'm feeling a bit scratchy in the chest. Hot drinks and vitamins for all! I made chai for Cameron, sweetened with honey( for its throat soothing properties), now hopefully he will actually drink it. I don't hold any great hopes. I have another Inuit blend from the Northern Delights brand in my mug. Its called Labrador. I like it better than the Ground Juniper. Kinda like mint tea but richer.
Bye for now from The Home Of The Unwellingtons.

Aaaaalll Byyy Myseeeeelf...

I wanna be..aaaalll byyy myyyyself.
These kids have me near mental since 7ish this morning. Bicker bicker bicker wake me up play tv too loud. Dammmit!!!!!!! Grrrrr. I ranted at husband to go kill them and bury them in the back yard. He laughed at me. I raved and bitched and he giggled and said he loved that even in my despair, I am funny. Go me. Rah.
He is off to the wild and woolly streets of Toronto until Wednesday. He...left...me...with...THEM!! This could be problematic.
** running footsteps sound in the background behind my screams and fade into the distance as I run for the asylum**
We bought puzzles at Zellers today. Folks, nOW is the time to stock up on this years jigsaw puzzles. The selection is GOOD and the prices not insane. Ben got a 500 and a 1000 piece puzzles. Cammie got 2 100 piece puzzles. I sent them to their territories whilst I made supper, to chill and work quietly on their puzzles. Peace...blessed peace. Now they are chattering and bickering etc while Ben is working at his puzzle (500 piecer) of a tiger.
Lately i do not want to socialize much . I just want to sleep or shop. Or EAT. Is it the approach of winter and our gray weather lately? Is the cloud of depression always on the horizon, now over my head requiring more milligrams of Paxil? I just want to pull the covers over my head and be taken out when its all over. How sucky is that?
Maybe I'm just cranky. And no, it is not PMS.
I tried calling a friend but friend didn't sound very thrilled with life either and was kinda short and cranky. Maybe was a bad time to call, maybe she herself is starting to sink again.
We had a big frost last night...brrrrr. The Shoo Fly Plants gave it up. What a mess. They have been gamely blooming right up to now but the freeze was hard enough to wilt their leaves and make them really quite icky to look at. Same with the morning glories (also known as the Morning Glories That Consumed My Lamp Post!!) So the shoofly plants came out and the 'glories were yanked, torn, cursed at and finally cut away from the post and yanked out. There were maybe 20-30 pounds of vines from 3 plants!! Many many many seeds were dropped and threaten the existance of the neighborhood next year. We shall see what spring brings in the way of rampant volunteer seedlings.
I need pie.

Saw Open Season Tonight...(spoilers)

...and near wet my pants laughing!! In my opinion it was way better than Over The Hedge. The humor was deviant enough to get my youngest and I laughing, there were no "dead" spots where you get bored because the action or plot has withered away, the characters were cute, the voices were fine, and the animation was superb.
My movie meter for animated animal based flicks give this baby a 4 outta 5.
Who doesn't love Scottish accented tough talkin' squirrels, Patrick Warburton as ANY character (in this case the top buck, Ian), toilet and/or poop humor ( the bear can't S#*! in the woods), and a parody of Teddy Bear's Picnic? All in ONE film. I thought Cameron was going to pass out from laughing and even Ben enjoyed it. And to think I didn't want to go!! Boy was I off base. Its not Nemo (could anything equal Nemo??) but it beats Hoodwinked, The Wild, and Over The Hedge. I say its equal with Madagascar for me.

These are the lyrics I found for Elliot's version of Teddy Bear's Picnic:
Once there was a magical elf who lived in a rainbow tree.
He lived downstairs from a flatulent dwarf who constantly had to pee.
One day the elf could take it no more so he went to bandg on the rude dwarf's door,
And what do you know they suddenly both were marrried!


Yes, I know. It makes no sense but once you hear the line about the dwarf you are laughing too loud to hear the rest. I hope Cammie didn't rupture his spleen from his giggles. Poor family next to us. Poor poor family......

Five and 5

My niece tagged me for this: Name 5 five related things about me and then list 5 wierd things about me.

1) Ben was supposed to born in May..the 5th month... but labor was induced early due to complications.
2) At one point I had 5 cats when a stray took up residence in the barn for a couple of weeks.
3) I am the youngest of 5 children.
4) my husband and I met 15 years ago which is 3 times five
5) I have 5 nephews

Five Wierd things about me:

1)Listening to people chew grosses me out. Sometimes I have to go eat by myself rather than sit with my family.
2) Though I try to be a relaxed person I am actually very jumpy..my husband startles me often bad enough for me to scream, which then makes him jump and yell, and then we are both pissed off because HE startled me. He needs to be louder when he walks, the fairy footed freak.
3)I love to learn but hate going to school and doing homework.
4)I have fallen down stairs because I thought I could fly/float ( i was very young)
5) I have had nightmares about my teeth falling out.

Wednesdays..rainy rainy Wednesdays....

Yuck.
My throat is scratchy. I'm either catching whatever Cameron has been toying with for 2 weeks or I accidentally inhaled too much powdery stuff from the bath soak powder I'm making. REALLY! Its bath powder, not some other white powder!!
When I shake the container some powder escapes and I may have inhaled it. So now I am having an herbal tea with hunny to soothe my throat, and jumpin's its some good. Its one of the Northern Delights Inuit inspired tisanes, Arctic Blend. I got the sampler box again because I couldn't remember which ones I liked best so the box comes with all 5. Arctic Blend is a winner.
The bath soak... to sell at the Yule Fair or give as gifts. Nathlie offered to soplit her table with me since I offered to help her man it. I said no because I don't want to compete with her stuffs (hello!? No competition..her stuffs rock hard!!) but now I'm thinking hmmmmm.... How much would I need to make, what would I charge? hmmm. Can't leave it to the last moment either. I am hoping to go to the gem show and get stuff for making wands . Maybe I could sell those as well since that was my original plan. I haven't debarked (unbarked? skinned?) the sticks yet either.
Man am I lazy!!

This is a rock.

Tuesdays

Its cloudyish and chilly and I have class tonight. The drive into the city lies in wait ahead of me like a big turd on the lawn of my day. Nuff said.
Yesterday in the city was quite nice. I didn't manage to get to the herb shop or the yarn shop. I had the Echo so my maps were not there when I needed them. Dang. I didn't have to go to Scarlet's AND Richard was going to pick up the boys from service de garde so I had absolute freedom for the afternoon!! I coulda stayed out til after bedtime if I wanted! So I browsed Librarie Astro for books and..went home. Whats up with that!!? I got hungry and tired and wanted my sofa. zzzz I didn't actually get to nap because the man came home and started cooking supper but after I picked up the kids for him I ditched every one for a hot bath and bed with books. I took a break to go online for awhile but then went back to bed. I am so dull.
Gotta do laundry and homework. Want to go back to bed just thinking about it.

Is Adam Beach delicious or WHAT???

What an amazing looking man and terrific Canadian actor!! I hope he makes it into more major films.
I first noticed him in Dance Me Outside . He played Frank Fencepost, a not too bright guy. This is based on the WP Kinsella books which I devoured a few years ago. He really brought Frank to life. When The Rez was on CBC someone else played Frank and it just was not as good so I didn't watch after the fiorst couple of episodes.
I HIGHLY recommend you read Kinsella's books recounting the fictitious mischiefs of Frank and Silas. Then see Dance Me Outside. You will laugh and you will cry.
And adore Adam Beach.

New Do

It looks better in person..really! Tres Cool...for me anyways.

Its Friday..*party music plays in background*

I love the weekend. No school to get the kids ready for. No homework to nag at them about. I can ditch the kids with their Dad. HA! Freedom of Friday I feel your power!! woohoo.
I literally slept yesterday away. It was a sucky day and I was feeling drained. Went back to bed in the morning, showered, got kids for lunch, took them back and curled up on the sofa for more zzzz's. Went to bed before 11 pm and slept well all night. Cameron woke me at 6 with a cough. I rubbed the relief remedy on his chest, throat, and under his nose. He likes the smell he says. :oD Then I got him half a spoonful of Fir Honey (from Intermiel) for his throat clearing type cough. He felt fine by 8. I have been up since. Way chilly this morning!!!!! So I made a fire in the woodstove to kick the chill from the house. Mmmmmmmm. Nothing like DRY wood for a fire. Our wood always gets damp and this mornings fire was with wood thats been in the box since last spring...LOL. Nice and dry. Burned niiiiice.
I ripped out Cameron's hat yesterday too and restarted it. Going MUCH better this time. After that its new slippers for Ben, then more hats of a different pattern.
Anyhoo..thats about it for this place. I'm rested, the sun is shining. What could be better? Maybe some shopping..................... ;>)

Wednesday

I am chilly. Its rainy and dreary out and I just want to wrap up in a blanky and sleep the day away. But I haven't.
The chimney cleaning guys were here. It costs twice as much here to get our chimney cleaned. Oy! But they did a lovely job and were very sweet. Apparently the chimney was very dirty. Maybe it will draw better this year.
I made Cold Relief Balm. Olive oil, sweet almond oil, beeswax, and essential oils of Cajeput, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary. Its for rubbing on the chest, throat, or nose when you have a cold. Shouldn't give that burny cold feeling like Vicks. I rubbed some under my nose as a test for irritation. No skin irritation and my nasal passages are clearer...LOL. Guess it works. Cammie has been suffering with a sniffly something for days. This may give some night time relief so he can sleep better.
Made a hair appointment for Saturday. I need a trim.
Mailed Jessie's birthday present scarf. Its early but I wrote on the package to leave until her birthday. Will she listen?? I'm betting yes. She will be so tickled because it matches her hat. She sent a nice card to thank us for having them visit. HELLO!?? I'm so thankful someone came to visit! I miss my family a lot, wackos that they are. An example:
Mom: Kenny called last Tuesday to wish me happy birthday.
Me (sarcastically): phhbbt..yeah... in OCTOBER! Couldn't even get the right month! (this is me proving what a good child I am as opposed to the sibs..lol)
Mom: No it wasn't! (always defending her brood)
Me: When did he call again?
Mom: Only a week late!
Me: Hello?! You're birthday was the 25th...so he called in October!!!
Mom: Wha..? Oh...thats right too...I wasn't thinking.
Me: All the time with the not thinkin'!!!
And then we laugh and laugh.... and she tells me to pound sand and that I'm as bad a tease as Ian, my brother.
I am a horrid torment to my mother. A) Because I can , and B) I think she likes it. Gives her something to gripe about.
Yup...goin' to Hell.

The new Color...

Richard took so long to snap this I started contemplating snappin' him. You can see it in the desperate look in my eyes "Take the #$%^ picture already. How long do you think I can look pleasant??!"


This is me taking my own picture with a phone. Bed head and not enough coffee. But it shows the red nice..It really is THAT red. I don't think my face is always that red though...is it??

aaaaw maaaaannnn!

So I washed Ben's slippers to felt them..... they are now very very tiny. They felted real good. Maybe will fit a 3 year old or 5 yr old now. Dang it.
Back to the needles!

Tuesday

We had a lovely weekend all things considered. Saturday was a bit "nenh" for me but Sunday and Monday were afternoons of gardening. aaaahhh...once again its the seasons for moving things around and planting stuffs. The heat of summer is NOT a good time for that. Now that temps are cooler, and moisture is a tad more reliable, tis the time. The suffering hydrangea standard was moved after we(Richard) dug out the spireas from the front of the porch. I don't know why but I am not a goldflame spirea fan. There were 3 crowded together to give a full lush look but I just don't like them, so out they came. Mwahahahahahaha. The hydrangea had been planted under the big tree and it was being strangled to death by the roots of said tree. This was my second growing season of watching the poor thing suffer so it took the vacated spot that had been Spireaville. This just openned up that bed so wonderfully!! Lotsa water (can you say dry as dust??) and compost plus a bit of a pruning later, it looks ok there. Hope it wasn't too late. The dead wisteria was ripped out and an offending spirea stuck there, another where the Hydrangea had been and the third in another spot under The Big Tree. My southernwood plant was moved also because it was crowding a rose and the rhododendron, as was Ben's Golden Marguerite. So now G.M is on the other side of the garden in a spot it can take over if it wants, and the southernwood moved over about a foot or so to fill in where G.M has been and give the other bushes some breathing space. Also moved daisies and astilbes. Whatever landscape company the previous owners used should really be shot. The design was great but their work was not. The garden soil they used had little if any moisture retention and many plants just seemed to be living a slow lingering death. Who plants hostas where they will be dry as a desert?? Who puts stuff under a tree with such an agressive root system??? grrr. All style, no substance.
Ugh..Anyways,, when when my hole digger (husband), soil mixer (9 yr old), and I were done, things looked good and many many many spring bulbs were planted in every front bed (except under Killer Tree). Bulbs: Dutch Master daffs, Blue something or other Tulips, Shirley tulips, Remembrance crocus, and Chiondoxa (blue ones and pink ones). Let me do the math here......ummm...ok lost myself after 76...lemme think..ok..124..I think. Ooh ooh and in digging a spot where I moved a tea rose to, I found my "June Lilies". These are a June flowering narcissus that were rescued from an old homestead's foundation located in a field in NS. No idea how old or how long they were there but the only things left of said home were the foundation and the old well. Every year these darlings came up amongst the grasses and weeds so they were relocated to some gardens where they'd be appreciated. I brought mine with me when we moved but they didn't bloom this year!! Turns out I planted them waaaaay too deep. I worry that where I have put them might be too dry in the hot months so must keep an eye on them. This still isn't all the movings we did! I think betwixt Sunday and Monday we did about 7 hours of gardening and only the bulbs were"new" plant additions.
Yesterday I was bored after all our gardening adventures and while we were at the drug store I bought a hair color. B'bye blondishness. I was just tired of it after a year plus the upkeep is expensive. This always happens! Richard was all"Why bother dying it if you are just going back to brown? Why not go red?"..and "Everytime you dye your hair it turns orange." Ok...those were orange incidents were accidents!! That was me trying to Lighten my color. This time I wanted something darker. So I got a Color Spa in a dark auburn and ooo la la. i am NOT orange but very very red. When I was all done and blown dry I called richard to view it outdoors in natural light. he couldn't stop giggling. Hello? Thats not a good reaction!! "Its just so..so..different..and adventurous!" he gasped in his own defense. And he couldn't stop looking at it from different anglgles..and touching it. So the verdict was that he likes it. Once he stopped giggling. In a nice way.
Made an awesome apple pie for dessert: take your usuall apple pie recipe, add some cream to which you have added vanilla and some liquer (in this case Amarula). Then I brushed the crust with left over cream mixture and sprinkled with sugar before baking. Oh...My..Gods.. delish. You must try it.

Saturday

What a week! Freckles still hasn't returned and I think we have to accept that she isn't coming home. However, I will light a brown candle (Scarlet's suggestion) to call her home. I posted 11 posters in the neighborhood (on mail box units) on Thursday morning so many folk should be able to read that she's gone and if anyone knows where she is, can call us. So far, no calls that we have been here to recieve.
Yesterday was the last day of Marla's visit. She arrived Tuesday afternoon after driving from Nova Scotia. Tuesday night i dragged her into Montreal while I was in class so that she could browse Chapters etc. Thursday night I did the same thing but she went to Melange (at my suggestion) and thats where I found her after 8 PM. She bought goodies for the kids and herself. Then we shopped on St Catherine's St. until we were hungry for our supper and zipped home. Friday (yesterday) was a gorgeous day so we went to Dorwin Falls for a hike. Marla, Richard (took a day off), Cameron and his buddy Mathieu (annoying kid from next door), and I had a fantastic time hiking, playing, soaking up Nature's calming vibe, sketching, getting wet crossing to the island and admiring everything including 2 beaver dams. (well, we didn't all play and sketch but you get the idea..everyone enjoyed themselves) Home for food and rest and after I picked Ben up from service de garde, Marla got ready and hit the road for NS.
Mathieu is not such a bad kid. Yes he gets on my nerves and yes he and Benoit just cannot get along for any extended period of time BUT he and Cameron get along fabulously and have a great time together. He was awesome on our outing and he and Cammie thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I'm glad Richard thought to invite him because I wouldn't have.
I started trying out Breathe Right strip this week. Our snoring is insane!!! So far I think they are helping me a lot. As soon as I put on the small/medium sized strip I can breathe through my nose much more freely. Better breathing usually means less snoring and better sleep. I have to say that I think I am sleeping better, less tossing and waking since I got the strips Wednesday. Not cheap though. 10 strips costs almost 9 dollars so if you buy them and they DON'T work you are out an not insubstantial chunk of change. But if they DO work, you may be glad to have made the purchase. I think I am. Definitely try them if you have a tendency to be congested because they pull open your nasal passages and really increase the ol' air flow. They have mentholated ones for colds too but I'd just smear some Vick's carefully under the nose rather than buy another box of stripos. OOOOH and Melange Magique has Badger Balm for Winter congestions!!!! Badger Balm comes in several formulations and sweet little tins. Its damned expensive BUT made with fairly natural ingredients rather than petroleum products and chemicals so I'd say worth the cost. Super cool.
Knitting has slowed down this week since I had company. I made a scarf to match the hat I gave my sister and it will be mailed out for her birthday later this month. I have started a hat for Cameron like the double knitted one for Ben but I have some buggered stitches in it...they won't be seen once its finnished, but still. Maybe I should rip it out and begin again.
It is Thanksgiving Weekend. I read about a gratitude journal a family updates every Thanksgiving and I wonder if maybe I should adopt the practice. Basically, each member of the family lists 5 things they are grateful or thankful for. After sharing their lists the family puts them in the journal or album. I also thought that from a Pagan perspective a Light Journal would be an awesome family project for Winter Solstices. The family members would then list those things that bring light into their lives as they focus on the return of the Sun/rebirth of the God. Different phrasing but essentially the same thing and with a Pagan bent. Decor for the book would be easily scrapbooked with suns, stars, candles, sparkly stuffs etc etc etc.
Think about it!
Also, Marla had a Solstice tree at one of her celebrations where each guest wrote what brings light into their lives on a yellow sun shaped paper and hung it on the little table top tree. This was very cool.
Samhain approaches and the days are darker, cooler, more colorful and rich. There is nothing that compares to the blue of an October sky with the colored leaves against it. Find the time to bask in October's waning light and enjoy the jewels that are Nature's gift.
Blessed Be.

Freckles is missing..........

One of our ten yr old cats is missing. The last time we saw her was saturday evening when Cameron and I took Blossom (the dog) for a walk. Freckles followed, as usual. What isn't usual is that we haven't seen her since then.
I'm fearing the worst. She is super friendly to people and even some dogs.
My stomach hurts.

Good Intentionas and The Road to Hell.........

So, I but a book about paganism aimed at parents and children and tonight we read the story about Samhain. We talk about what Samhain is and why we celebrate it and what its about and stuff. I'm all "Oh this is so great! We are connecting and learning and its so great!"
Except now I have a nine year old that can't stop thinking about his looooong dead rabbit Dexter because the girl in the story was sad about her dead frigging dog , Milly. Thanks a whole fucking lot, Milly!!
SHIT!

Finally, a talking toy that I could bond with.......

"There's no booze like free booze"...it's almost poetical isn't it?

My Sister Came

And now she is gone. WAAAAAH.
We had most of yesterday, last evening, and until 9ish this morning to catch up, hug, chat, and for her to check our our place. She is the first member of my family to visit us here in Quebec. I'm glad it was her. Oh, and her husband. Sorry Harv.
I love my Jessie because:
She's older and thus been a major part of my life since I came into this world.
She's smart.
She is generous.
She is funny.
She can be sassy.
She can be silly.
She does unto others etc.
She gives me stuff . :oD
She loves my kids like crazy.
I trust her more than I trust myself.
She has been my shoulder and kept my head above water.
She's a great hugger.
She shows her love rather than hides it.
She tells it like it is .
She's never mean. Except in a funny way.
She's MY SISTER and I am so lucky. I miss her already.

Tonight is my French Conversation class. I was supposed to study my verbs for tonight but was somewhat occupied with Jessie's visit. For this evenings class I am fucked. Conjugate that.

My Brain Hurts!!!!!!!!!!

Ugh. My first French Conversation (level 2) class was tonight. By the end of class I had such a headache. I need to buy books etc at the Concordia bookstore before Thursday but of course it closes at supper time and I don't live IN the city. My sister and her husband are arriving tomorrow from Nova Scotia so I can't just fuck off to the city on them.
Speaking of their visit: I thought they were arriving today and we were planning to take them out for supper. Tomorrow night Richard has a thing so he won't be home to take them out with me and the kids. Grrrrrrrr. Also: I cleaned like a whirlwind this morning to freshen up the place so they aren't totally grossed out, dang it. I'm a total "why do today what you can put off til tomorrow?" kinda chick. On the upside, I got to take a much needed nap after lunch hour. :oD
My brain is sore and I am feeling a bit out of my depth when the teacher is blathering away en Francais. I only understand a word here and there. The folk in the class are really nice though.
Ugh...my braaaaaain. And my left hand is bugging me like crazy lately. Too much knitting? Arthritis setting in? Or carpal tunnel rearing its bitchly head? I already had my Right wrist done in 2005 and really do not want to have this done again. Supreme pain in the ass but it was nice to get full use of my hand back. This time it feels different...no numbness but an achy feeling with occassional shooting pain through the hand and some arm discomfort. Sort of like my restless legs at night, but its my arm and all the time.
Must hit the hay and rest my aching frontal lobe etc. Damn the French and their tricksy verbs!!!

Good Old Fashioned Can-Do Attitude

Thats what I have. It comes from my homesteading time. If you can't buy what you need then find another way and remember, it just has to work, not look good. Well, I put this attitude to work for me yesterday.
The only size 13us or 9mm circular needles in a 16 inch length I could find were over 26 dollars. Yeah, thats right. For fucking pointy sticks with a cord betwixt them. Not gold plated or anything. Apparently the "best"brand too. Phht..yeah whatever. No frigging way!
So I toddle over to Zellers again (ick) and stare at the needles, willing them to turn into 9mm, 16 inch circulars rather than the 32 inchers that were there. Much sighing and pulling of hair. Then, inspiration struck and I bought those 6 dollar needles, came home, cut the cord to size, duct taped them back together so that the length was 16 inches. It ain't pretty but it works. And the hat is already 3/4s finished. Take that world of wrong sized needles! I scoff at your attempts to stop my knitting.

Knitting bug has bit again....

Once in awhile the knitting bug bites and I must knit and buy yarn that I may never use. I google patterns that I can do (retard proof). Through this sporadic knittiness I have actually expanded my skills so that I can now cast on, cast off, make stitches (type of increase), and knit two together (decrease). I suck at anything that makes me switch stitches from knit to purl. I just cannot do this for any extended time. I've never finished a sock or a mitten but not for want of trying, but learned to knit with 4 and 5 needles and circulars. I have knit scarves, a big shawl in fancy yarn, 2 pair of slippers. I am known for NOT completing projects. So why does the bug KEEP ON BITING ME?????
My mom was a knitter par excellence. Now she likes to knit little things like bulky socks because her arms hurt and she gets tired and finds it harder to concentrate on patterns at her age. She has the most HUGE stash of crappy polyester and acrylic yarns in the 'verse. I prefer natural fibers as much as possible but yesterday I did buy some acrylic for hats etc. I have always been surrounded by yarn and needles. Its a compulsion born from environment I think.
I love the colors and softnesses. I love love love alpaca yarns but can't afford them usually. I love the textures of fancy yarns like the boucle style wool/silk/mohair blend I made my shawl from. Living in Terrebonne, I have no good yarn shop nearby. Zellers and Walmart have their sections but the yarns are mostly ho hum. Laval has a yarn shop in the Carrefour but I went and was seriously underwhelmed. I must get to the Wool Shop in Point Claire. i cannot believe that its the only specialy knitting shop in Montreal. Jeez! Back home I had several throughout the province and some were in very small towns like Mahone Bay.
I miss yarn shops. Sources of temptation and comfort. It is the time of year now that thoughts turn to being cozy while winter winds blast. Time for preserving, cleaning, and making warmies. I have a pattern for a super easy hat, VERY warm, BUT I cannot find 16 inch circular needles in the size I need. grrrrrr.
I need a stitch and bitch group. Folk with my kind of "problem".sigh

Tuesday

Yesterday was my first day house cleaning for Scarlet. I need to get faster but it was my first time cleaning in the new place so I had to find outlets for the vac, get oriented etc. Many knick knacks and stuffs to maneuver around and make me nervous. I missed a couple of things for which I feel bad because I don't want to disappoint. I want her to feel she's getting value for her money. Next time should be better. That Tsuki was so cute and curious while I was cleaning, sniffing everything I washed and stalking the broom.
I just made it in time to get the kids at 6. The traffic was insane. They were supposed to be signed up to do homework at service de garde but wires got crossed and they didn't. Grrrrrr. So, rush home for homework while I cooked supper, helping them as I went, and then bedtime. I was achey and tired so I got a nice bubble bath but Ben couldn't sleep so he crawled into my bed to settle down and sleep. No reading to slow myself down to sleep so I tossed turned and felt "twitchy". I tried grounding and getting up for stretches etc but I ended up two hours later going downstairs to the sofa. Out like a light! grrr.
Its photo day today at school so the boys suffered face washings and hair combings. They looked so handsome when they left...Gods only know how the photos will be.
Now its laundry etc etc since nothings been done since Thursday or Friday beyond kitchen and bathrooms as necessary. It never ends eh?
A Meme from Hobbes blog, Rattling The Tiger Cage. Fill it out in the Comments.

1. Your Middle Name:
2. Age:
3. Single or Taken:
4. Favorite Movie:
5. Favorite Song:
6. Favorite Band/Artist:
7. Dirty or Clean:
8. Tattoos and/or Piercings:

HERE COMES THE FUN ... ... ...
1. Do we know each other outside of blogs?
2. Whats your philosophy on life?
3. Would you have my back in a fight?
4. Would you keep a secret from me if you thought it was in my best interest?
5. What is your favorite memory of us?
6. Would you give me a kidney?
7. Tell me one odd/interesting fact about you:
8. Would you take care of me when I'm sick?
9. Can we get together and make a cake?
10. Have you heard any rumors of me lately?
11. Do you/have you talk(ed) crap about me?
12. Do you think I'm a good person?
13. Would you drive across country with me?
14. Do you think I'm attractive?
15. If you could change anything about me, would you?
16. What do you wear to sleep?
17. Would you come over for no reason just to hang out?
18. Would you go on a date with me if i asked you?
19. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together?
20. Will you post this so I can fill it out for you?

What a fabulous day.........

We started off slow and easy and then eventually hit the road looking for an apple Upick. Whee! Out in the St Eustache area there was a lot of farm visit action happening. We got 3 bags of apples for $27 and one bag is all Royal Galas..yum. I will be drying apples in the dehydrator and making sauce and maybe freezing some. We ahd a great time. Then it was farther down the road to a honey farm. Oh man it was cool. We got hunnies, wine, beeswax, and honeycomb. Petted animals and played on the playground. What a nice place! Intermiel I think was the name. In St Benoit.
Then it was home to shower the boys and out for chinese buffet at Chateau De La Lune . YUM. I was so full!!!! Thought I'd explode but it was soooooo good. Creme caramel and chocolate pudding for dessert for me. I ate a lot of veggies and it was my main meal of the day (apples and yogurt the rest of the day) so i feel less guilty than I should/would.
This week I discovered that almost none of my pants/jeans fit. This so sucks and I will NOT buy new pants. So either I am gonna get mighty cold or I will lose some weight. In semi desperation I hit the diet aids section at Jean Coutu. One of my problems is that I am always hungry. I have heard befor ethat hoodia helps with that so I was looking for that. It is expensive but if it saves me from myself I'll try it (within reason). I got something with Hoodia in it and it seems to be helping. I just cannot force myself to follow some diet "plan" or what have you. I just want the hunger to stop so I can decrease the calorie intake. So I can have ONE of something not a dozen. So far so good. Now we have heaps of apples for snacking and making healthy muffins etc. We'll see how this goes again and I am keeping it to myself so that I feel less shame if I flop yet again. Also, Wednesday is the day I want to start at Curves again. I must. I'm just so tired all the time. Vicious cycle. Here's hoping. Eat less..sleep at NIGHT...be normal. It could happen!

Sunday

Watched Friends With Money and An American Haunting this weekend. Haunting was good and spooky but Someone who didn't want to watch it with me but was drawn in despite playing his computer game, found it very disturbing but refused to discuss it. Hmmm. I found the so called "true events story" spooky but repetitive and the modern spin of sexual child abuse predictable. Was still enjoyable as a spooky tale though. Much like The Village was a good spook until the modern world came in.
Going through Oka today looking for an apple u pick. Thanks to the wonderful Nathalie for the inspiration. Fun and outdoorsyness will undoubtedly ensue!

Can you say Yummy?

I created this soup Thursday in my slow cooker. Don't ya just love throwing things in and walking away. No fuss, minimal muss. It was a hit both with my taste buds and my husband's and there is NONE LEFT as of lunch time yesterday (we had seconds and thirds). I hope you try it and enjoy it as much as we did. This took stuff I had in the fridge and freezer since it was near grocery day and fresh stuff was non existant in the fridge, except the celery.

Beef Vegetable Soup recipe

lean Hamburger
1 liter vegetable cocktail
1 liter water
2 packets beef Oxo
minced garlic or galic powder
chopped celery
frozen stew vegetables (one package..I think they are by Arctic Gardens)
handful or so each of: pot barley
split yellow peas
lentils (the big kind not tiny orange ones)
Thyme
Pepper
Parsley

Throw it all in the slow cooker, breaking up the hamburger. Stir well to combine ingredients.
Cook on low for the day, or on high for 4-5 hours, making sure all is cooked well.
Can you say YUM? You may want a bit of salt or pepper with this at serving time. Also, add any seasonings you feel appropriate to customise. I made up the recipe as I went so I don't have any measurements for most stuff. This filled my slow cooker and its a pretty good size. If yours is smaller then adjust amounts appropriately.

1 pair done!

I made a pair of slippers!! WooHoo me! I actually finished a project.
Even though the instructions are simple enough for a mentally handicapped individual to accomplish, I managed a couple of screw ups. So, we now know that Knitting For Retards is even beyond me! But that said, the slippers are still finished and are very wooly and cozy and very LARGE. Doh. I shrunk 'em and they fit Richard with room to spare. :oD Y'know he won't wear them so they are a wasted pair.
So now I am trying to make Cameron's. These will knit up Real Fast since they will be almost half the size of these monsters. hehe heh..Live and learn.

Thursday Morning......

So...it is now Thursday. Yesterday was a bit of a shock. Where I come from, folk don't usually get shot in large numbers. I am glad that our Sarah isn't at Dawson yet. It is her CEGEP of choice for next year although i don't know how that will go after this bit of business. Thanks to all deities that she was born a year too late for this.
I started thinking wintery thoughts yesterday. The air is cooler and the days are shorter. i have been gathering seeds from my flowers and vegetables (well...the peas so far) for next years plantings and for sharing. Mega thanks to Scarlet for the Four O'clocks seeds from the "volunteers" in the gardens at her place. Today I managed to find three "ripe' seed pods from my morning glories (but one got dropped) and each contains up to 4 seeds. Many more to come for sharing. They were amazing..I wish i could post a pic because they took over our lamp post and its surrounding garden with only 3 plants.
Oh, back to wintery thoughts..so when I was talking to my mom on the phone the talk turned to knitting and her making slippers for my big bro Kenny. I started wishing I could make some for my boyses then it struck me : INTERNET SEARCH!! I came up with a winner too! WooHoo. Its a felted slipper thats mega easy to construct. Of course I have already screwed it up because I measured incorrectly BUT it may still work. It was the beginnings of a pair for Cameron but they may be too big if they don't shrink as much as I hope. I'm still excited though and need to buy a new sewing tape measure since mine has gone AWOL and feet don't measure good with a ruler. Whoda thunk it?
http://www.geocities.com/carylldesigns/freebees.html Check it out and make yourself some foot cozies!

Holy Crap....

Major Shoot Out At Dawson College In Montreal!!!
Gunmen entered Dawson College today and shot at least 4 people. 2 gunmen are dead. Its all on the news right this second.
Holy shit.

Impending Birth ......

My nephew and his wife announced today that they are officially expectant parents of their first child, due May 13th, 2007. This will be my 4th grand niece or nephew. Yay them. Way to go. I am very happy for them.

Monday

Started up again at the MPRC today. First thing I did was dust the shelves and wash the floor. It was GRrrrOoooooSSSSSSSS. Very very grubby with spill and drip marks here and there and general grubbiness. Much better when I was done.
New cat there: Little Kitty. He doesn't like me yet.
B U T !!
I met Scarlet's amazing cat Tsuki. Oh-My-Gods...gorgeous. And funny as hell. He is a biggish litten and very very very busy. Busy busy busy. If cats could be hyper he's it. Its partly kittenishness and part his breeed (Savannah cat). Absolutely an amazing wee mansy and I am smitten. Had major cuddles with Bagheera and that was awesome. Very hairy but awesome. He is a major snugglepuss.
Discussed housecleaning job with Scarlet and I think it'll work out well. The trip home today was shorter than anticipated but i don't think I'd cut it any finer than I did incase of problems in traffic. What a slow drive in places. The 15 north and 25 north in the evenings practically come to a stand still. Short cut is necessary. Scarlet's new apartment is awesome. Very bright and friendly with a yard. The feeling was so...I dunno. The other apartment was lovely but darker and laid out differently. this has more flow. THATS IT. Maybe the energy is flowing better there and making it more comfy? Could be.

Boys had a great time at Service de Garde. Happy as clams to be back.
Ok..I am pooped since I didn't sleep well last night and was up early today. Can I stay concious through CSI Miami so that I can tape Rockstar at 10?? i dunno. Might need to rig it up now.

Funniest Strip Evaah!!

Saturday night

So today was the Melange Magique's 15th anniversary celebration and I was actually IN my car to go( I even had on make up!!!), but I stopped at the bank machine to get money for parking etc and the bank account's level sent me back home. Gotta pay for the firewood on Wednesday and I never know when a payment on something is gonna be deducted so gotta be careful. I will be in the city Monday to start up at the MPRC again and need the money for Monday's parking.
Tonight on CTV was the Saturday night comedy show..I think its called Comedy NOw...and the comedian's name was James Cunningham. I laughed hysterically. Really. I think I pee'd a little. He was so very funny.
Good news is that Bare Naked Ladies have a new album being released on Tuesday. This pleases me although I didn't buy the last album. My last album was Maroon. Or Stunt. Whichever was the latest of the two. They will be on tour (B.L.A.M tour)and hit Montreal in February and tickets go on sale this Tuesday. I will get Richard to taked out the credit card for tickets and I'd love it if we could take the kids. He says Cameron is too young and he does have a point. Ben will absolutely love it though. 9 yrs old and his first rock concert (hopefully). Sweet! I haven't been to very many actually. I never had a lot of money for over priced tickets and Halifax isn't always on a tour . I love BNLs though since 1992 and wanna go. This would be 3rd time. Fingers crossed. Gots to see the Lazadies..
Hope tomorrow is more interesting. i was super bored today. So bored I read last years Witches Calendar articles since I didn't read them while they were up on the wall. I didn't read ALL of them. Just a couple. Made me clean up my alter, put a cloth on it and burn candles and incense. Also I harvested some tomatoes again. Slugs made a mess of all my big tomatoes which has ticked me off. Much bored into fruit and split ones too. With my Principe Borghese tomatoes I have the dehydrator running again making dried tomatoes. The ones I did last week are in my fridge waiting for this batch so that I can pack them in a jar with an oil based "brine" I found in my Company's Coming preserves book.
I'm hoping I shake off this lethargy. I had to force myself to get out and pick those tomatoes. Need a kick in the ass I guess.
The comics in todays Gazette were very good. Laughed out loud twice..once to Get fuzzy..actually 3 times. Twice to Get Fuzzy and then this other strip that I've never seen before with a zebra and some sort of stupid reptiles with a wood shredder. Oh sweet Goddess I laughed. More of snickers through the nose and inhale chuckles. You know what I mean. It was morning...it was the funny papers.. kind of a 'nyuk nyuk" or "huh huh huh" laugh.
Ok...I am boring even myself so off to bed.