Friday, December 31, 2004

Happy New Year!

Just another note before the end of the year.

Mr. Cleanandtidy has a secret. A deep dark secret which he kept to himself... or rather, unadmittedly did not want his family to find. But I will say... this family is wise beyond their capabilities... intune to the happenings and workings of this little homestead...a read between the line sort of deal. Mr. Cleanandtidy can not have a secret that he keeps to himself, about himself. No he can't. We will find him, and his ways... like we did just yesterday.

WE are all sharp as tacs in this house, without question.

I reached into the bathrom middle drawer yesterday to get yet another band-aid. My hand lives in this drawer everyday to get, another band-aid. For some reason yesterday I prevailed upon myself to move what appeared to be my husbands deodorant stick out of the band-aid box. (You know the thousand box of band-aids for the plastering kind of people that we seem to be). I took a glimpse at his deodorant stick and said to "The Pipster", (who was in need of a band-aid at this time), "Mr. Cleanandtidy has an empty deodorant stick in here, he must not realize that we actually have a garbage can in this house". And that's when it hit me... hit me hard actually. I continued to dig, and I continued to find empty deodorant sticks. We counted eight. We also counted five large and empty toothpaste boxes, found one dead toothbrush, a wrapper for shaving equipment, an empty canister of shaving foam, too many to count razor head thingys, and 2 empty boxes of stomach remedies. Clearly this man needs help. Mr. Cleanandtidy will be going into rehab at the beginning of the year... he has disposal issues that need to be disposed of.

I'll be on the lookout now for any kind of relapse. I better spend some time at the pencil sharpener.

Thursday, December 30, 2004

Somethings to do before the end of the year.

  1. I'll try and remember to tell "The King" that I love him... time is running out for this year afterall, he really should win some kind of award.
  2. Hug my girl at least 64 1/2 more times. She is very huggable... her and all of her stuffed cats.
  3. Tell my boy that he is the most amazing, kindest, smartest most musical boy on this side of the river. What river that is, I never specify... I can't make his head swell to too much.
  4. Be thankful, be thankful, be thankful. For too many things to begin to describe.
  5. Call my sister... it is important to call her before the end of the year. Only because I have called her the 364 days, I wouldn't want to end on a bad note.
  6. Clean out a drawer... it's tradition.. out with the old, and in with the new. I can hide more things that way.
  7. Hook up my new scanner.... and reconnect my old mouse... because the current mouse is not mouse worthy, and although the current printer is very printer worthy it is unscannable, and I will not enter the NEW YEAR without scanning abilities. I will have the potential to turn into Superman with his scanning ways if I am not careful....
  8. Tell my oldest evilest of dogs that she will live, at least 33 more times. She tends to have issues about being patient, and waiting, and being put in a cage to get out of my way so I can load the washing machine with masses of laundry, and not having to deal with one too many dogs getting in the way.
  9. Remind my oldest dog that she is still going to live.. because she will still be hissing about it even after I do it the first 33 times. Then tell the little sillier dog that she will live to, because she likes to be included in all conversations.
  10. Hug my family, call my parents, pet my dogs, remember friends that I haven't had a chance to connect with in a while, and rejoice in the fact that our lives are very very good... even without a new kitchen. And the clock ticks on...

Before the gushes...

I should have made myself clearer without being clear... a postly moment ago. Many posts ago I commented that "The King" only goes shopping once a year... The reason for the roses at this time of year is for the birthday that I share with the big guy himself, the reason for the season, Jesus Christ. AND, which I remind myself of this daily when I call out his name with a certain amount of force. I so love sharing a birthday with this guy....

Some helpful hints to acquiring bonus points

The regular chant that whirls through my mind and permeates onto my exisitance is the constant: "I am a good and kind wife". "Oh really", I counter myself with a challenge.

"The King" I will call him... (it's just easier that way)... brought me home a dozen red roses on Christmas Eve. As he always does, and has done for years, except when I worked on Christmas, then he had his friend deliver them to me on Christmas Day. Except this past week because he no longer sees his friend Adam anymore (time and distance factors)... so hence the Christmas Eve effect. Anyways... a good and kind wife as I am immediately arranges all the prettiness into more prettiness, but in a vase.. and then I promptly take them outside and put them on the back step. That is what a good and kind wife does. Now, I am able to stare at my beautiful red roses living in their pool of water, heads held high, buds are still firm but slightly opened. This is the way to enjoy a boquet of flowers... from the inside looking out. It's a good thing that Mr. Cleanandtidy brought home some window cleaner from work... now I can clear away the fingerprints and the dog fur smudges to get a clear glimpse of what is really out there.

ON other wifely goodness: I bought him a very nice Christmas card, as he does the same for me... we are the ones "to keep those trees growing for our benefits only" kind of people. I very nicely put it in my favourite hiding spot... where all the bills go until I have to enventually look at them... but when I went to fill in his card with something nice to say... all I saw was "Congratulations on your new son"..... so now I am confused... I remember buying a Christmas Card for him... I don't remember it looking like a Congrats card... but then again... I could have picked that up.. without noticing.. and then put the other one down... and because I do things in certain ways... like deliver cards to the checkout upside down and tucked into the envelope... that way the clerk doesn't need fumble with the card for scan-ability. So now I don not know what card I bought for "The King", that was my downfall. At this moment in time... The King is cardless. He seems to be functioning quite well despite this.

Speaking of scanability... I was at Costco yesterday picking up a prescription so that the raging staph infection that had gone into my lymph glands under my arm that had created a great amount of numbess and tingling in all of my right arm and hand, and was working up into my cheek would settle down... as I was waiting... I spied a scanner, copier, printer on for a reasonable price. I don't need a printer.. I have one. It makes me happy.. I can not mess with happiness.... it never works... but.... I am going to tempt the happiness gods and purchase this little hottie... I will let you know the happiness quotient in a number of weeks when I take the cartridges to be re-filled with ink....

Tuesday, December 28, 2004

Let the games begin...

It becomes a sporting event opening and closing the refridgerator after Christmas dinner is over. I find it rather humourous that an immediate diet ensues due to the inabilitiy to reach for "something" at the back of the refridgerator. It becomes far too much work loading and reloading, so therefore it should not be required.

Yesterday Mr. Christmasdinnercookingman unloaded the meat from the turkey... life with the refridgerator should be smoother sailing from this point.

The young playstation 2 master has opened and played almost every part of his games. By bedtime he usually looks like mouseboy.

The girl-play-with-everything-all-at-once-then-leave-it-on-the-carpet has once again done a fine job of doing just that. She has a belief system in place where no new item should be picked up at any time. Things should remain in a safe full viewing spot for immediate playability. She has turned into colouring queen for the moment. Yesterday she was pollypocket girl / my scene girl.

Now that it is a whole 3 days past the big day I am having those clean-up pangs... I want to start packing away the christmas stuff... all 5 big rubbermaid boxes of it....yikes.

Friday, December 24, 2004

Feeling the jitters a coming:

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

Thank you to everyone for stopping by and visit, and leave a comment or ten. Enjoy the next couple of days with family and friends, and people that you only have to see once a year, if that is your thing.

Regular scheduled programming of dribdrab via the web will reconvene after every speck of wrapping paper is in the recycle container.I will of course be going through withdrawal. I am already starting to feel the pangs of nervousness collect at my fingertips.

Cheers!

Thursday, December 23, 2004

A couple more days to go...

I am looking forward to a couple of sleeps from now. I love the excitement and the adventure. I tingle with emotion... the day is drawing near. The day that I go to the mall and buy my 2005 calendar for 1/2 price. That's it. Every year I venture out after Christmas and buy the magically reduced in price calendars. My question is this... is the New Year less important after Christmas than before? Knock, knock... hello, I know. The gift giving season is over and all that fine stuff... but this is the NEW Year.. and all things NEW are never half price. What if I were to go and buy a car... would the 2005's be slashed to half price on the lots.... perhaps I will check that out. Won't Mr. Husbandman-fix-the-vehicle-always be impressed when I forgo the half price calendar this year, and look for a better deal at a 2005 car dealership. (I think the car might even come with a calendar... and they probably would through in an extra to keep that lipstick stained face still smiling).

What if...

I have been thinking...what if I make my list.... and then I forget the crucial item to even be put on the all important list.... and then I forget the crucial item, and it's too late. I am having Turkey Trauma... a phenomenom afflicting woman who have husbands that cook the turkey on Christmas Day, which the woman has no part of. Clearly this is an issue. I keep thinking of things that I need to get before the all important Turkey-ness begins. The turkey thoughts never even enter my mind... I am having no visions of Turkey-plums dancing in my head. I am of the mindset of the gift exchange program... food doesn't get factored into this, hence once again the problem. Never have I mentioned here before... but I am truely a bad gift-giver....not that I give a gift with a sour face... it's just figuring if something that I (we) have given is adequate. Especially to those that want for nothing, nor wish for things that can never be given back. I think I am going to write a note... on both of my hands... "HAVE YOU GOT YOUR TURKEY TODAY?"
The Pipster and The Comedian Posted by Hello

An anniversary to forget.

This day will be the one year anniversary that my sister dragged me (kicking and screaming and I believe drugged) to Walmart. Yes, Walmart. Is there not somewhere I should have been that evening one year ago, on a December 23rd evening... someplace a little saner than the bedlem I found myself surrounded by? It looked as though there was a earthquake, not of the natural sort, but the human sort. Things and crap were strewn around the store from here to the fishing department. Shelves tipped, people pushing little ones in shopping carts with crap loaded on top of them. Toy shelves broken and toys all over the floor. Of course there are the people that do the overhead pages right into the microphone.... that's right... blow into the microphone first, that's a pleasant sound. Similar to recieving an electric shock for simply taking a breath. I remember my sister and I in hysterical laughter walking around this store, and every couple of moments I would ask another question... "why are we here?"... "what is the reason for this?"......"how could I have said yes to this?"......... "I think there should be some financial compensation for this road trip"........"remind me of this next year, so I can run and hide......Today she asked if I wished to go to Walmart... and today... my memory was working a little too sharp to be fooled a second time.

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

Oh my...

What beautiful decorations you don't have.......

My Debbie friends and I have taken to a little "Scrapbooking " adventure at one of the Debbie's houses. Any one of the three houses would suffice for scrapbooking... but it's this one Debbie's houses that wins.. hands down... no husbands.. whoops, no children I mean.... (wait, I must pause for a moment, go get a cup of coffee, and rejoice in the fact that it is 0900... and we are nowhere.. we are not late, we are not dressed, we are not breakfasted, we are not pretty, and we are not going anywhere at this exact moment.. .pause for this moment of happiness.....)....

I'm back... anyways...in reality my house wouldn't work for Scrapbooking, all 1365 feet of it... well it would... but we would have to fit (squish) around the kitchen table.. and then the Silenthusband would hide in the den... but we would have quick access to the refridgerator.. to get at the wine...but then... if one of the Debbies came over with her newly acquired Scrapbooking - Motorhome - Suitcase ... we wouldn't fit at my house (this suitcase qualifies for "better than packing for the best holiday ever")... and then, if the other Debbie, with her "Scrapbooking Store that lives in her basement" came over... she would be confused as to what to come over to my house with.. she wouldn't be able to decide...so she would just stay home and drink wine. That wouldn't work. So, in actuality... it's just better to go to the "Scrapbooking Store in the Basement Debbie's house"..... it's us, our pictures and wine. Be jealous Martha, be jealous.

So back on track then.... I had bought these wonderful little paintable tree ornaments, back in November. As I can recall, there are 30 days in November, which of course include 30 evenings. In all 30 of those evenings... I never managed to find time to paint my beautiful tree ornaments. Except for one night... one scrapbooking night... so I sacrificed the evening of scrapbooking... and brought my paints and ornaments.. and as we laughed and drank and nibbled.. and I painted 4 ornaments, that's 4 ornaments half painted... and that is the way it has remained. It's a good thing that Save-On-Foods had these cute ornaments this year.... because that is what my tree is decorated with.... I'm hoping that I will get the other ornaments painted for next year...but that might be asking too much...

Almost 15.... or 266, 567 kilometers

Our almost 15 year old White Toyota Forerunner SUV has been giving us grief this past week. I will not stand for it.
I will just say.... This is the one and only... much loved, always talked about, cared for (kind of, maybe, well almost) vehicle in the driveway. Our attentions are not diverted to a newer, cleaner, better colour, only slightly rusted wheel wells, quieter, and less gas sucking vehicle. NOOOOOO.... this vehicle gets all of our money, when it isn't being handed over to the dogs life extension fund. (I will not mention the 2003 Chevy Van that the husband uses for work everyday.... it's HIS to drive around from 0700 to 1900 everyday, with all of his millions of dollars of tools (do I have millions of dollars of craft supplies???) in tow).

This almost 15 year old SUV gets a ***whiff*** that we are planning on doing something... and it decides to act up. Without fail, like clockwork. Once again, it has managed to do it again. This weeks adventure takes us to the happy space of "the blowing up of rad hoses", or any hoses for that matter that have no business blowing up. This is where the story always has an interesting twist... the owner (well my name is on the registration.... but I will say the owner to be the person that wanted the vehicle more than I did) can fix it... he can fix it all... without even a wince or a manual in his hand, or a tow truck to be called. I don't know when this 15 year old SUV will figure this out.

On Friday afternoon... we were just about back from doing some shopping (the husbands one day contribution... inbetween his cooking, cleaning, working, and decorating)... when the biggest of booms happened. Luckily I had a "quick, can you drive me somewhere" spare card in my back pocket... (my friend from down the street)... (I rescued her from her 7 year old daughter a couple of weeks back.. and she tried to repay the favour.. so I said to her "Trust me... I will use you when I need you... just answer your phone when I call!!")... which of course happened on Friday. (Thanks Debbie for dragging out your sick child and busy child when I called... see I told you that I needed to save that free-ride/rescue from somehwere!!!) The almost 15 year old SUV was smoking and hissing and sizzling and antifreeze and water was everywhere. There was no fear in Mr. Fixit's eyes.... one car-ride in his NEW Chevy van, and a bikeride and a dig through his tool box, and he was able to replace the badness that had just happened underneath the hood. We were able to go out that evening... as planned...but now the 15 year old SUV was chugging along.. especially when we idled.

On Saturday afternoon... after a trip to TOYOTA'S parts department, the walk-in clinic, the pharmacy to pickup a prescription for a "suddenly sick Pipster-but a dose of antibiotics with lots of Tylenol to fix the aches so we can continue with our day", the Aquarium and The Stanley Park Christmas train, we stopped for gas. Hmmm... "look at the steaming engine again Sir" I said to Mr. Fixit... once again, he opened the hood of the truck, and another hose blown, or about to blow, or with a big rip in it....so we drove home, with a full tank of gas and a steaming sizzling hissy-fit happening under the hood.

Sunday morning... Mr. Fixit opens the hood, and tapes the newest of breaking hoses.. and we all pray that he can drive me to work.. without blowing....once again, idling was the worst part.. as we watched the smoke/steam rise from underneath the lines on the hood.... and leaving all of us stranded... (well kind of stranded.. I would have just continued to walk to work... they would have been stranded.. because they would have needed to go and find a hose store).... he managed to make it home, where again the truck had it's hissy fit in the driveway. Later in the day Mr. Fixit went back to the autoparts store.. and said "Give me all your hoses"... anything that looks like a hose.. I will take it". Once again he fixed the bad hose.. and picked me up from work. The 15 year old SUV was unhissable. It doesn't know that there are hoses that are connected that are not quite the right size, but will work for interim.. it doesn't know that...

I am thinking... I want to be my friend... she's a Chicken Farmer's wife.. and she drives a 2004 Volvo. I'm doomed.

Odd and Ends

All sorts of ideas have been fluttering through the brain... but I haven't been creating any waves. Of course the Christmas Wishlist has gone unnoticed. There will be no new kitchens underneath my roof, let alone the Christmas Tree. I think for a good joke.. I am going to buy a Barbie Kitchen set... and wrap it up and give it to Mr. Husbandman. And on that note... my memory trap has sprung open...one of the people at my group asked me today why I wanted a new kitchen, I didn't use the kitchen much and wasn't it the Husbandman that spent all of his time in it? He was right... which twigged my memory.. he did this to himself... he proposed to me in my kitchen (where I grew up)... so there he must remain... in the kitchen... doing things.

Speaking of kitchens... ***dreaming of kitchens*** Mr. Husbandman has decided that he will be gutting the entire surface down to the studs, except for the ceiling... he does not wish to deal with the ceiling. What time of year, or what year this will happen is still to be determined.... but we did actually have a conversation last evening in regards to this highly interesting subject. I think he spoke more than I did... something noteworthy in itself.

So I have decided that it's not a good thing to skip a letter in the alphabet while writing Christmas cards. I missed a page, somehow, rather magically... and whoops... when I got a Christmas card from such a person.. that's when the memory twigged... oooppps... a whole bunch of people were wiped from the Christmas list mailing. Oh well... there's always next year.

I have managed to paint all of the stars, and Mr. Decoratethehouseman has put them on the mantle. I bought the stars from the craft store, last year.

I put great thought into finding the kids teachers a little present.. nothing ornamental, or sentimental, or judgemental, or memorable.... but it had to be reasonable. Reasonable equals calories....so I went with Peppermint chocolate bark. It's very good... I kept a box because my friend (Pip's teacher) said she had a weakness for chocolate... she got Purdy's... nobody has to know.

The boy has made it through half of his comic book festival. We went the library last week, and he took out 30 thick comic books (Batman/Spiderman/Justice League of America.. for those enquiring minds), I didn't think he was serious taking out that many.. and then I saw these things called hooks coming from his hands.... which were wrapped around his lovely stack of "No Knowledge and Nonscence", but he seemed quite determined to have them all... so away we went. The girl took out three books, which were immediately lost when the entered "The Kingdom of Pipsville" aka her bedroom. They will surface eventually... I am lucky I can renew them over the internet..... otherwise time is ticking...and as always.... it's costing me money!

The littlest of dogs, who is the smaller of the two German Shepherds has begun to live a normal (ish) life again. She still is quarantined into living a catdog existance. Her roaming around the backyard to chase butterflies and squirrels and birds from the backyard has ceased, and at this time of year, crows, who have nicely dug up my backyard into more or less a mud pit. **That reminds me.. I will go and buy my husband a bag of grass seed for Christmas**. Ellpee wont be running freely around the backyard for some time.... it's one of those selfish maneuvers really... let's not let her run around all willy nilly so that she kills herself kind of things. We have grown attached to her complete silliness... so we would like to see her around longer than next week.

Yahoo! I am sitting here... it's 8:07 on a Tuesday.. one child is in pyjamas watching TV, and one is still sleeping... I'm fairly awful looking at the moment... and all of which I have no intentions of doing anything about until completely after 9:00. YA! Plus, I have a pot of coffee, all to myself. I should be fairly psychotic in about an hour anyways. AND, my phone will not ring with someone asking me to take children to school, or anywhere else.

I will go refresh the java.... because I can.

Saturday, December 18, 2004

Check this list twice baby....

There is a look of concern that has spread over King Silent Husband Man. He has come to terms with the knowledge that he has to come up with a gift for his chatty-blogger wife. I will make a list for him... here... he will never find this list... he doesn't have a clue how to find me.
So, I'll make it simple... I want a kitchen. Complete with stripped wallpapered walls and woodstained wainscoating, a new floor and countertops, with cupboards doors included. Also, I would like to have the kitchen sink replumbed... and have it in the corner of the cupboard space, rather where it is situated.. I hate walking in this little house... and the first vision is the kitchen sink. While you are at it... please re-drywall the ugly wall, plus move the backdoor to the laundryroom section of this little house, that way the wall will then be straight. I would very much like a new light fixture... because I really the hate the present one. It's cheap. With the new cupboards come new kickboards and flooring.. I am looking forward to washing a floor, and seeing that washing the floor results in a floor that looks clean. Oh, and if you could install French patio doors, instead of the sliding glass doors, that would be nice... I'm tired of the sliding doors....although it may be difficult separating two evil beasts...oh, and with a new kitchen comes a new kitchen table and chairs. Yes, that is all I want for Christmas this year, and Mr. Kingkitchencreator has 6 days to create this magic.....I will keep my fingers crossed... I just can't be disappointed.


Thursday, December 16, 2004

Life without my camera.

Yikes.. I just took a look out the front window.. where is my camera? More importantly, where is the film... my camera is just the vessel, waiting for the opportunity to reproduce stolen images. Holy smokes... a brilliant orangey red cloud is misting overhead, and I can see the powder blue backdrop behind it. If I was in a movie right now.. I should be scared... I believe some form of life form would be on the verge of settling onto this earth un-announced. As the sun peaks it's head over the mountaintops the clouds brilliance dissipates into just fluffy cloudiness once again. Wouldn't it be cool in the future to reproduce images from your brain..(not in a painting, or oils, or crayons, or water colours) ..... now how would that be for technology... an image reproduced from thought alone... is this being done somewhere already?

Cameraless once again... it was the kids school concert last night.. our good friends and neighbours were relying on me for some shots... NO FILM! Sad really... I could have taken a dozen or so pictures of their kindergarten boy playing with his Rudolf hat the whole while he was supposed to be singing. This child should not be in kindergarten... he qualifies because of his age, but not for his maturity. Hissy, hissy, hissy fits in kindergarten... actually he's had them all his life... well, except when he comes to my house.. and as I refer to myself as "The Evil Auntie".. he get's away with nothing. Poor child, he has perfected all of 4 year old wiseness, except on me. I missed any photo ops last evening for any of the kids... oh, well, I still have next year.

Oh, and if someone could stop by and actually decorate the tree.. that would be nice... it's sitting in our livingroom, with 5 huge rubbermaid containers surrounding it... so the sparkles and twinkles wont be hard to find. If I'm not home.. don't worry about the dogs... the bite wont sting for too long.. I have antibiotic ointment in the bathroom cupboard, and bandaids in the 2nd drawer. If you reach in the fridge and give the eldest evil one (the one that will attached to your arm) an apple.. that will do the trick......mind your hand, and tell her to take it nice... (and if she doesn't and you lose a finger, there's baggies in the second drawer next the fridge, but I have no ice, you can stop at the corner store.. I know Jay the store owner carries ice) she will be happy, but if you could let her out back.. she likes to eat her apples on the grass. Now the silly pup who will be locked in the cage will want an apple. She will very politely take it from your grasp and then run around the house and play with it, she doesn't care for apples too much, but she prefers to be given one to be equal with the older one. Thanks for taking the time to decorate the tree... the kids will be most appreciative. Once I get film in the camera.. I will send you picture.

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

Putting on a brave face...

I had to face a group of Senior's on Monday. Yes, two days ago, that Monday... and I started writing a post at my regular time of 7:00 in the morning when I should be doing things like making lunches, waking children and readying myself for the day. But none of that happens on a regular basis... I find myself plugged into the keyboard as this eases myself into the events of the day. Which now of course have to be done in complete ultimate speediness, since I spend one too many moments writing whatever I have come up with at this hour of the morning. Anyways.....
I started to write a little something.. and there it sat.... I never completed it, I never filed it, a thought caught in momentary abyss of blogness. That was until this morning... when I decided once again at seven oclock to finish it off. And that I did... then that was that. Filed and gone. Into the depths of blog purgatory.... luckily I remembered the last line of the story.... so, that is where I will begin... because the story was forever changed, because that story took me three days to write, this will take me 10 minutes.. because I have things to do.. and don't want to be here any longer than I have to.....I have candy to buy for the gingerbread houses for tomorrow !

So, back to the meeting with the Seniors from the Senior Advisory Board... about 25 faces in a room. When it is my group, I can talk to them... and speak in front of them... that's alright.. I do it all the time, not a big deal. But, when I have to PRESENT information... that's when I get caught up. And, it doesn't help that I drank 3 1/2 cups of coffee before the meeting....which of course I debated drinking while I made the pot of coffee. I am not certain if I would have done better with or without... so I went with "WITH".... it seemed a safe bet at the time.. the only trick was.. "Do not hold pages of paper in your hand and expect to read them"... that doesn't work... the words get too blurry on the page, and your speaking becomes fragmented, and the thoughts become more difficult to express... none of that happened to me... I put my piece of paper on the table, and told this group that I was reading from the table... because I had drank three and a half cups of coffee. They laughed, in fact they laughed at many of my details to my group that I shared with them.... of course one was the fact that I generally share a story of life from the past week with my actual stroke group... and because we were not meeting on this day.. I shared it with them... and I hope they didn't mind.... because I have to share with someone... because I was quite combustible if I didn't get my stories out. They were quite an attentive audience. My last detail to them was the end of a letter (from one of the Stroke Members) which I did not read out loud, but a fellow from the Advisory Board requested that he wanted the letter to put into the newletter.. then I had to come clean.. I had to tell him that he could have the letter... but they had to disregard the comments at the bottom...because I didn't read them to this group. Silence. Hmmm. Anyways... "Don't worry people, it's nothing bad... it's just about me..." I said. So I have this grey box on wheels.. and everyone knows me as the "Girl with the Grey Box"... my Stroke Group member asked the advisory board to create some space for me, that way I could keep a bunch of my supplies at the Centre, rather than wheeling them back and forth everyweek... so I came clean.... "You know", I started... " I have to let you in on a little secret...this grey box with wheels holds all of the grey matter for this group that really matters.... if I keep this stuff here at this centre.. I will have no grey matter to work with at home". And that's not safe... me with no grey matter. Not safe at all.

Later....... The lady that is the Senior's Services Coordinator for the Centre told me that the Advisory Board loved me. I even made her laugh, and other people laugh who where sorts that were unlaughable even. Good... I am in for another year. Yae!!

Unable to do what I would like to do.

I have been so mesmerized by this new template.. that I just sit and watch the snow fall and contemplate, for hours. Complete lie... I have been around... just not around the computer. There you have it.... I have not fallen short for words..... in fact.... I have a little story to tell....

Sunday, December 12, 2004

My Charlie Brown Life

My only reference to a Charlie Brown life is the wonderful christmas feature "A Charlie Brown Christmas". All the same, I live it. Well, except that children do not go and collect christmas trees in the deep dark night, we all do. We wandered through the parking lot turned christmas tree explosion with warbly christmas lights and people wandering around in rainsuits. It was a handsome sight... except the signs which hosted the prices. As always, this was the fine parking lot that housed the Noble Firs.. now that is no cheap adventure. We examined all shapes and sizes, and searched for the "ultimate in nice tree for limited space and a reasonable price", until we could look no more. It was a no go. We then headed to Save-on-Foods which houses the most beautiful of trees with an amazing technique. Wrap the tree up tight with twine, and wander around the pavement... to find the best wrapped tree. That is how we picked out our tree this year; we stood it up on it's trunk, examined the carefully wrapped with twine branches, and since it looked symmetrical all wrapped up... then surely it must look good unfolded. The sad part of the whole event was the fact that Mr. Husbandtwinehatingman wouldn't let me bring the whole whack of twine home. I like to construct little fences with bamboo stakes... (which magically repel big furry backyard dogs).. and then lace up the stakes with twine... this would have been perfect for such an undertaking.... but he left it for another twine loving individual. This man just doesn't realize that I have certain needs, now I am going to have to go buy a whole big roll of this... which will only make bigger repelling fences.

Friday, December 10, 2004

It's the least favourite thing to do!

Christmas Cards... I am so not good at them.... I write and write and write and write.. and then wonder... did this person move... do I even still talk to them....did they divorce and make it all ugly and stuff... and don't want to hear from this crazy little family... oh well, they receive Happy Holiday Greetings and Junk... from me anyways.
It's hard though.... what do you write about? I want to write exciting things like adventures and winfalls, and broken records and amazing stunt dog tricks, and new vehicles and kitchens, or prize investments that have shot through the roof, and owning three properties, and going back to school just for the fun of it, and volunteering to fill in the time. For a joke I should this crap... and I will see how soon I will be off other people's christmas card mailing lists:
Nothing here has changed, the kids are taller and now take up more space in our little home. They drain us of all our money, and still want more. We don't have a house keeper or a nanny. I want one. This will remain on the WISHLIST until the end of time. I didn't send pictures to you this year, you just don't qualify for the them. I never see any pictures of your kids falling out of my christmas cards... and yes, some people do keep track. MC and a HNY. HA!

Wouldn't that just be a prize addendum to a Christmas Card!!!..... As usual, I just write and write and write and write.. about what I don't know.. but I just fill the cards up with stuff that might interest people for a moment or two.

I haven't started the Family Letter yet.... now that is something special. Every year my Mom and Dad would receive an amazingly well written in perfect printing a letter from a friend from long past. Every year it would detail to the finest the most monumental about the most miniscule. GOD, it was horrible... we would kill ourselves laughing at the junk that was written about these people, and their three kids. When I figure out what my kids can achieve to the most mediocre.. I will let the world know.

And the last thing I can think about about these flipping Christmas Cards... is this: Merry XMas. What the hell is that??? Down the road a bit there is a fabulous display with lights that twinkle and blinkle and fru-fru's and Santa Claus fun. Beside it all.. there's a sign posted: XMas is Here. Where these people running short on lumber or paint? How about a brick short of load? I once upon heard the rational that the X stands for the Cross that Christ was on. That's all nice and all...but then what do we call Christians????? Xtians? That sounds like a bad trip from the Pharmacy Department. And worse... how am I able to swear instead of Christ !!!!!, I say "x". That doesn't cut it for me. I need to gnash my teeth together and hiss from the soles of my feet..... "CCCHHHrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiisssssssssssssttttttttttt!!!!!!!, or: x
What about a Christening... will we call it an Xening? That would be a pleasant party invitation... please come to our sweet new cherished beautiful child's Xening. I wonder what kind of music they would play at such a gig?

I would just like to note, that it has been raining... no storming.... no monsooning here all day.. I believe I have gotten some water between my ears.. and am completely unbalanced. I will stop.

Something happened one deep dark night...

As I slept in my comfortable warm bed with the pile of clothes now folded and gone from the foot of it, something happened..... From across the continents a fury of activity was working it's way through "our" night. When I arose this morning ....this is what I saw:Someone with an enormous amount of patience, passion, knowledge, skill, and kindness repainted this blog. This blog now sparkles and snows, and resembles something of someone that looks like they know what they are doing with such templates! I have no such patience to finnesse these fine details... you have to have magic in your fingertips and a wizardly brain. I think I might possess magic in other areas... but nothing that I can reproduce here!! So, for today as it PISSES out with rain in our neck of the woods, it snows on my blog... and that's a good thing.


Thursday, December 09, 2004

Earth here I come;

  1. Today I saw someone sneaking across a crosswalk in downtown Vancouver. A most interesting sight. It all happened in the late morning.... and the person sneaked. I really wanted to open my window and say "HEY BUDDY!, I can see you...you can sneak.. but you can't hide!". But it was downtown Vancouver.... and you just don't know what you're going to come across at certain intersections. Then, once in Vancouver I drove in circles around the block. Really. I had to drop something off... but the location that I needed to drop something off is at the main entrance to a building, with a bus zone in front of it. Now these bus drivers get a little testy when "some loser" decides that they can take up space in front of it for all of 15 seconds. So each time I pulled up to drop something off (someone was actually outside waiting for "the dropoff" to happen), I had to keep going, which meant going around the block again. (Big city with one way streets). I eventually did the hand off... they got their goods, and I got rid of the burden I had been carrying around in the back of the 14 year old SUV. See they really are good for something. Then, I decided to drop off the 4 red crates from the Vanilla Diet Coke that someone had brought over..... he manages a Chevron Station (gas) just leaving Vancouver on 1st Avenue. So, since I was doing drop-off errands I brought back the red things. Interesting thing is.... I drove an hour into the city to drop off the red crates, when in actuality he lives less than 5 minutes away. That's good sensibility if I have ever heard of it.

    Oh, and I broke the news to the husbandman-giftbuying genius that I live with. I am no longer looking for a digital camera at this time. He was rather heart-broken, he was looking forward to a year where he could actually say "I got my wife nothing for Christmas" and still be alive. I am not out of the market for one, I am waiting until the perfect one happens along. I have been doing my computer research based comparison shopping, as well as talking to people... so now, I am waiting once again. Mr. Giftbuyer is going to have to start inventing up some good gift giving things. I am not worried, he always does. ALWAYS. Without fail... and it goods stuff, stuff that you would want... stuff that you would buy for a friend, and then think to yourself... I should keep this for me. I am curious how he is going to construct a kitchen without my noticing....

    I am becoming more and more passionate about issues that affect me everyday; all of this influence is coming from my sister.. who insists on moving mountains with her magical way with words. By writing letters, she has managed to see changes by pursuing matters with a delicate yet firm manner, which have resulted in change. I haven't quite found my niche, but I believe that passion drives people, and if you believe in something strong enough that alone will light the fire to lead the way.

Wednesday, December 08, 2004

I have not run out of logic....

It's just been a little slow in coming. Logic that is. I have failed to find answers that have been through the test of logic, so at the moment I have remained thoughtless.

But some thoughts I will share.....
The girl has taken a sudden interest in reading... whew-who give the girl some batteries for her flashlight... and nighty-night missy.... that makes me happy. My little full of imagination pink kitty princess doll that couldn't read or spell to save her life..... likes to read. That's amazing.

The boy has been practicing up a christmas song on the piano: "Rockin 'round the Christmas Tree"... and he's taken to singing while playing. He'll be playing at a piano recital next week, and then playing at the school Christmas Play... well, he will play when people are leaving the gym.. he doesn't want to actually play in front of people... that's his actual answer.

Oh, and a totally different subject... I am really beginning to dislike the public school system.... greatly. For very minute matters, but for matters all the same. Does this make sense.... the teachers have a mandate from the Ministry of Education that they have to teach computers in our classrooms (from K to 5) at our school. Interesting point though, is that the district does not supply the school with actual computers to be taught with. None. So now, the Parent Advisory Council has been asked to fund the computer room for new (actually 2nd hand) computers..... at a cost of $10 000. The more we do as "fundraisers", the less the government hands over and it appears that the system is working.... so that's frustrating as hell... the more we do, the less they will have to. But then I am caught.... I can see the value in having a computer program in schools... I just don't think we should pay for the them. The same as "we" (P.A.C.) should not have paid for a third of the cost of the roll shutters on the windows so that the school district would not have to keep replacing all the smashed window that we had to deal with every week. Highly odd, highly odd indeed.

OH, and it's also nice to be told from one of your child's teachers that "THEY are the teacher, and THEY see what goes on", and YOUR child is not stressed writing a MATH exam, it's not that difficult. Even though that as a PARENT, I know that MY CHILD worries about doing WELL on a MATH EXAM, and this is the response that I get from "THE TEACHER". Well I say: FUCK YOU. But I can't say that in real life... only on this blog imaginary life....but that is really what I want to say. I am beginning to think about home-tutoring teachers... is there such a thing?

Well, that's it for me.... oh.. and to the lady that decided to pull out in front of me while I was going to turn left onto our street, and you decided to cross in front of me.... it's not a fucking four way stop.. please learn to read english, or notice the NON-4-WAY-STOP-SIGN, and when people get pissed and yell out the window... this isn't a four way stop.. don't smile and wave and say OH, SO SORRY. Yes, fuck you too.

I did have a nice day... the sister handed off her boys to me, on short notice as usual, so any plans I did have, had to be forgotten... and I got to see my friend Lujza in passing.... that was nice.

OH, and then Ellpee the recovering back-injured dog-if-she-jumps-she-may-die dog, jumped. Nice Ellpee, nice. We spend THOUSANDS of dollars to keep her alive, and then she jumps over a babygate, that is only serving to protect her. All of course at a time when I read a blog with a wonderful tribute to her dog that died... and crap, I had tears rolling down my face from her to Australia (HI G!!) So, I'm a little sensitive on the dog issue. But then again.. we had the other evil queen 11 years too long... and she's crazy and old... and getting deaf. And needs out every three minutes, and back in again every four. AND, she still insists on wanting to kill Ellpee, so there's the whole fear factor that we live in.

Enough said for today..... whew.... feeling better.. now where are my Vitamin B Complexes... I need to down about 2 bottles.


Careful, don't blink twice....

Big changes in store... big changes. Don't be shocked when I turn a lighter shade of pale. I am not even certain what I have set myself up for.... but I'm thinking bluish in colours... and I would like twinkling and blinkel-ling and billoughing/billowing stuff and fru-fru's and wizards and dazzling designs... and the list goes on and on... hopefully it will get into the right hands and the magic will unfold in front of me.!!! Can't wait... just can't wait....

Monday, December 06, 2004

Colourful candy with no where to go.

Today I had my group. I love this group... everyone that joins us has their own story of a long road back to tell, all of them are stroke survivors, and live with the sometimes devastating effects of their "injuries". But the very important point to observe is, this is where tales of determination, accomplishment, struggles and steep mountains are revealed, and the rewards are the people that tell them. My sole job is to coordinate such a group. Every week I come up with new ideas that will excite the senses, and perpetuate a spark in everyones core. All I do is facilitate, they do the rest. I have met amazing people with amazing stories at this group.

I had a little surprise in store.. today was the day that we were to make a gingerbread house. This would be a group effort to put together this house. Last week I hunted and hunted for the prefabbed kit with all the supplies inside. Then I hunted some more for the perfect colour coordinated candies to rest upon this lovely structure. Of course there is a purpose as to why I picked this activity... and the gingerbread house was just the avenue to achieve the goals. But the group didn't need to know that. In fact today, the group surprised me... every single person came and left... they met and drank coffee, ate muffins and lunch... and managed to escape before any activity even began. So there I was with one volunteer, one group member and myself.... and bucket load of candy and fixings for the house. All that work to find everything was for not... now I have it at home....where I already have a gingerbread house tucked away to do with the chicklets while they are off for Christmas break. Well, now I have two.

Sunday, December 05, 2004

15 pounds of flyers

Flyers are handy items.... for the regular things in life. Then there's the purpose of cleaning up dog vomit, or adding warmth to a deteriorating laundry room floor which has had the promise of overhaul for quite some time, but I will not snipe over minute and delicate matters. Most importantly, flyers remind Mr. Cleanandtidy-pluscooktheSundaydinner husbandman that the Christmas season is fast approaching, and with that thought firmly planted in his head he is also very aware that he must set foot in some sort of STORE, to which he must purchase his wife of one year too many a birthday present also. Flyers are an important part of his knowledge base at this crucial time of year. Quite simply to put ideas into his brain, and quickly act upon those ideas before the selections run dry. It is to my good fortune this year that I have been studying the websites that offer info about digital cameras. He's jumped on board with this one. In fact just this very afternoon the good and kind gentlemansomedays and good cook plus cleanup after everyone so don't complain husband offered up all of the flyers to which held information about the digital cameras around town. "Make my life easy and find the one that you like the best" he says to me. That is someone that you need to keep around.... especially if you want a Sunday dinner and a clean kitchen afterwords. Then he neatly stacked all of the flyers in the laundry room. ... I will begin my plot for next year......

Someone stop the clock....

Today would be a day that I am thankful about my hair. I was able to get up, get washed, and dressed and look at my hair in the mirror and exclaim: "OH MY GOD ! I LOOK NORMAL" !!!Then go to work. Somehow I magically slept in. Big OOOPPSSS..... The sister comes and picks me up for work every weekend in her green people-mover-honda-car at 0630 rain, shine, frost or snow. I woke up at 6:29 1/2. My luck was with me today when the sister was fashionably late herself. Luckily I was able to brush the teeth, and somehow smooth my fingers through my hair in a matter of moments as well. Unfortunately the eyes looked a bit mousy.. as only instant eyes can look. Stunned and red. That's what I owned.... but then I put on my brightest of bright muted red lipstick and I was balanced once again. People didn't run in fright at all, all day long. This will never be duplicated again. There are no do-overs that will happen as fast as this once-over, ever. Someone must have stopped the clock.

Friday, December 03, 2004

Till Troubles

My sister dragged me over to "The Mall" earlier. She is a danger to people as much as I am. WE find this round champagne coloured table cover to purchase.. and she heads over and stands in line. And she waits and waits.. and I wonder off to find something more interesting to look at, rather than an empty till space to stare at. Then... up comes a saleswoman with a person in tow and an item to be purchased, which the sales lady starts ringing in. My sister puts a stop to that. Immediately she speaks up... "I take offense to this" she begins, "I have already picked my purchase, and have been waiting at this till... why do I have to wait?" Response from the sales lady: "So sorry I didn't see you standing there". OK, that was just too stupid... impossible to conceive that thought... yet she said it. I witnessed it all....a big Friday night for me.

Thursday, December 02, 2004

What!!

The whole reason why I am here is because CSI is a rerun.. come on people. Bad, very very bad.
I had a little look around the universe.. and found out some bloggers just had babies, some were in the process of double pink lining it, some were just nervous, and one or two were late. (Yikes!)
I qualify for none of the above, and quite frankly am glad not to be part of any one of these flocks.

My green clock tells me it is close to ten o'clock so I will try another show... this is the night that I have my marathon television madness take over my life... and now back to my regular scheduled programming......

A bucket of batteries upon that brow.

I have been out there... watching people. I am not Santa Claus in disguise, I am really a brow watcher. I look at the weight of peoples' brows and wonder what is their world doing to them. I look at the shape, colour, length, tints, arch, and abundance of the brows. I have found from the perpetually stunned to the not believing they are still on this planet another day types of brows. Interesting. I wonder if people with low brows are carrying a load of stress twice the weight of a bucket of 9 volt batteries. That's quite heavy. Very, very heavy.

As I stand in line-ups for the next couple of weeks I will be watching for those low brows, and wishing for a moment of peace and hi-browness in the New Year.

Wednesday, December 01, 2004

Kitchen table and chairs or......

I have once again begun investigating digital cameras. I've taken a serious approach this time. I am in the process of creating my own on-line comparison shopping network, without leaving my home or having to talk to any form of human salesperson. It's not that I don't like people... it's just that computers are way faster at finding facts... I would spend quadruple the amount of time probably locating a knowledgable salesperson. I am not sure why I am looking for a digital camera... I think it's just the instant gratification that has possessed me. Instant gratification really would be a new kitchen and chairs, hell, I'll keep it simple and just go with the new kitchen.

At present I am currently waiting for the sun to move a little lower in the sky. I have got 5 pictures left on this roll of film... and I would like to snap up some shots of something. I have been "consumed" by my coffee table book that I want to put together. One small thought on that, I just have to figure out how to make a book now. This book is just photographs "From My Backyard".. which isn't really my backyard, but of Port Coquitlam, the city that I live in. Kind of boring yes, but it's really about passion and perspective. Training our eyes and our minds to see beauty in the smallest of ways, and to learn from that.

In the meantime, I will spend time driving around Port Coquitlam pondering cameras and kitchen tables...