Friends

A simple friend, when visiting, acts like a guest.
A real friend opens your refrigerator and helps himself (and doesn't feel even the least bit weird shutting your goodie drawer with her foot!)

A simple friend has never seen you cry.
A real friend has shoulders soggy from your tears.

A simple friend doesn't know your parents' first names.
A real friend has their phone numbers in his address book.

A simple friend brings a bottle of wine to your party.
A real friend comes early to help you cook and stays late to help you clean.

A simple friend hates it when you call after they've gone to bed.
A real friend asks you why you took so long to call.

A simple friend seeks to talk with you about your problems.
A real friend seeks to help you with your problems.

A simple friend wonders about your romantic history.
A real friend could blackmail you with it.

A simple friend thinks the friendship is over when you have an argument.
A real friend calls you after you had a fight.

A simple friend expects you to always be there for them.
A real friend expects to always be there for you!

Addictions

I don't know when it happened but it did. I always liked salad as a snack, with meals, just cuz and now cheese and rice I want it all the freakin' time just so I can shake that bottle of Renee's Asian Sesame dressing. This dressing is so tasty that I mentioned to MyLuc just pour it into a shot glass. I mean c'mon now....I've like french, ranch even with the occasional vinagrette but now I can't get enough of the Asian Sesame. I'll eat my salad last so I can savor the veggies and swipe through the dressing on my plate. I'll even run my finger along my plate to get that last drop...sad really.

Tonight is family dinner at an East Indian restaurant in Vancouver. Family being MyLuc, his 'rents, sis and fiancee and perhaps his bro. Now Matthew shows up occasionally at family dinners at restaurants but not often. I think it might have something to his sleeping during the day when he isn't in school so he can be up at night on his computer playing games or perfecting his poker skills. *shrug* Something like that. Also invited but not yet confirmed is MyLuc's uncle J. Now uncle J and MyLuc work together at the wonderful company of Xantrex. uncle J I guess is one of the workers and the first aid guy. If you stood MyLuc, uncle J and MyLuc's dad together you'd guess wrong which one is his dad. Just cuz. MyLuc takes in height from his mom's dad, Grandad Mel and his features from his dad's side, example uncle J. Weird really.

It's the first day of the long weekend and I want to play. Play cards, play bunnies, play gamecube or xbox...just play. No tv, no movies (although last night we did watch Nanny McPhee (which I quite enjoyed which MyLuc was bored) and this morning a Korean revenge flick Lady Vengeance (interesting but not enough for me to watch again). So far...no playing, no games, no laughter just wake up, eat breakfast, veg, eat lunch...tadahh...here I am.

MyLuc went out this morning and purchased a 4gig (I don't know if that's correct but it's got more memory than my 1 one) and now is situated at his computer downloading music, surfing Itunes and well...at his computer.

*sigh*

My week was okay. I've had some rough patches since being back with my boss Tom and the girls. It's like when I was away everyone clicked and now I have to get back 'in'. It sucks really. We had a staff meeting and they were talking about what had happened while I was away...to each other...whenever I tried to speak up I'd be spoken over. There are only 4 staff, three secretaries/assistants and reception/whatever that word is. That's it. 4 of us and 2 were the talkers, I was trying the other really....trying not to fall asleep in her chair. Did we get anything accomplished...nope...nada...zip. It sucked.

Other than my getting into a size 18 jeans (from a size 26 sept 05) and trying not to wear them each and every day, nothing much has happened. I will keep trying tho' to update as much as I can be it early at work, during work, or at home. I'm thinking the first two would work the best.

*HUGE HUGS*

Read at Shasta McNasty

"Every single relationship you have is a reflection of how you feel inside you. You are a magnet attracting to you all things, via the signal you are emitting through your thoughts and feelings. Every relationship you have and every interaction with every person, is a reflection of your own thoughts and feelings in that very moment."

Kinda gives me shivers and makes me glad for the uniqueness that is me.

Countdown = 18 Days

In 18 days I will turn 30. In 16 days *fingers crossed* my Mom will fly from somewhere either in the Kootenays or Alberta and join me for this occasion.

Having my Mom come down/over/up from the Kootenays has been in the works for 3 years. We speak every second Tuesday either her calling me or vice versa. It's the general how ya doin' conversation with the ending. See you (now... in November). I made the executive decision to call her every Tuesday. I am super paranoid that she isn't going to come down and that would be totally disappointing.

I know that in other entries I have mentioned how things go wrong and how I try not to act too disappointed when they do...cuz I know they will.

This birthday will hopefully be a good one. My 27th I had to put my cat down...on my day. My 28th my little bro Sprout disowned me and my 29 I had a hiatus with a good friend. I am really really hoping that this one will be a good one.

Everyone wants to know the plans and it's really quite simple. Tentatively if my Mom comes in on Thursday we're taking her for sushi. Quite the experience for my Mom and I good one I hope. Friday, I'm going to take my best friend and my mom on the West Coast Express out to Mission where MyLuc's Mom will pick us up. Friday and Saturday we'll be out with MyLuc's family. My Mom will meet them for the first time and I really hope that things go well. Sunday back home for a dinner MyLuc will cook (I hope) and then Monday she's going home.

That's the plan. *fingers crossed*

The Weekend

Saturday was my get up and go day. I was up by 8. 5 loads of laundry. Kitchen, bathroom, bedroom spick and span. Then I wanted to veg. We had our friend After Eight (although I need a new nick now...her phone deal has changed and After Seven doesn't work) and her beau Cliff came for dinner. Steak, garlic mashed potatoes, veggies and Bumbleberry pie and ice cream for dessert. I admit I didn't eat the pie or ice cream, I waited and had a fruit popsicle. Much better for me.

I had some blue moments on Sunday, I am trying to lose weight and get somewhat toned for the cruise in February and o'course for myself. I decided that I needed to shop. So away Strongarm and I went. I desperately needed jeans. I grabbed the 24s and the 22s and the 20s. I didn't have a clue what size just that the 20s I was wearing were too big and o'course low cut and sometimes the stores sizing is weird. I walked out of the store in 18s and they were a little big but I didn't want to push it too much and get the 16s...they'll come. I was/am ecstatic. Strongarm and I talked and honestly if I can get back to the size at prom 13 I'll be at a healthy size. Weight wise now I'm at 235...down from 265 last September. I admit I'm not doing as much exercise as I like but the eating healthy part...very easy. I know that if I crave something tho'...give in...otherwise the craving will overtake you and then you'll feel totally guilty. Yep, I've been there.

I'm going to be going on a mini-shopping spree come January. I need an outfit for the wedding and o'course clothes that will fit properly without suspenders and a belt. *fingers crossed* Here's hoping.

Thanks for reading and thinking of me.

*HUGE HUGS*

This Sunday I celebrated my friend Chin Chew's 26th birthday. He had it all planned out by email. Hiking, Boston Pizza and then bowling. I decided on dinner and bowling and was told that I was not to push it bowling...the first really physical thing since I hurt my back. Dinner was great. Shared and appetizer and then dinner...had two double Long Islands and then off to bowling. $14 for 3 games and shoe rental. I only made it 2 games and 2 turns into the 3rd when I decided to stop. I was starting to ache.

November 2, 2006

Holy Smokes time flies. I was working too much to blog but had a ton of blog fodder in my heard til the "next time" I was on the computer. Was on the computer but unable to use the internet. Couldn't use the computer for a few weeks and ta dah.....it's November 2, 2006.

The last couple of months really haven't been that good to me. First my Gran dies...though that was kinda expected and then o'course when it happened noone expected it. Then I get so stressed out at work that I kinda head into that "blue" area that I said I was never going into again and then o'course once I was feeling better I rolled over in bed to snuggle MyLuc and two discs in my lower back squish nerves heading down both my legs and I'm unable to work or sit for about a month. *Phew*

This is my second week back at work...thank goodness. I didn't get paid when I was off work because I had used all of my vacation and sick time earlier this year. I didn't get EI because naive me didn't know you have to submit more than I did. Appeal it...nah...I'm back at work. We didn't think I would be back before the cat scan on Nov. 22, but lo and behold here I am at work, sitting at a computer...tho' my typing speed is sucking and of course I'm making a ton of errors.

So what'd I do to heal you may ask...or if not...anyone who knows me knows that I'll tell you anyways. I went to this awesome Neurostructural Technique (NST) person named Valerie. THe only way I can explain what she did is to say she pressed nerves and rolled my muscles across my bones. She is a or was a student of the Bowen Technique which MyLuc had told me waaay back when I was hurt to try and go see a person. I didn't. I suffered and then one of his aunts called and said go see this person. I've now seen Valerie about 4 times and I feel amazing. Little to no pain in my lower back and legs. Valerie also studies a few different types of alternative therapy. MyLuc and our friend Girly Girl have gone to see her. MyLuc says she didn't do too much and my Girly Girl...I haven't talked with her.

So that's what's been going on. I'm going to try and blog more not only cuz I have a lot in my head waiting to be typed out but also because I'm on the computer more now.

*HUGE HUGS*

Thanks so much to those who emailed and texted me wondering what's going on. I like that I have made so many friends.

Question:

What is a man's Ultimate embarrassment?

Tee Hee…


Answer:

Running into a wall with an erection and breaking his nose.

Not quote a month but pretty darn close.

It's been quite a hectic few weeks.

My Gran passed away August 27, 2006. Almost 10 years to the day her husband my Papa died...July 31, 1996. The same date as her father's birthday. Her Memorial was held in Rossland at the Legion on the 31st. This was my Papa's birthday. Kinda weird and cool at the same time.

I received the telephone call at 1:51 on Friday August 25. I had been having a horrid headache all week so I was kinda grouchy and then the telephone call came from my Unc. D. He said do what you have to but get home asap. Gran is in the hospital and not expected to make it. Call the family.

Now in my family we had all been prepared for the telephone call. Prepared is one thing, actually receiving it is another. I immediately called MyLuc who had taken the day off to take his car in. He said he'd be home as soon as possible but it'd be rush hour so he didn't know when that'd be. I called Mom and left a message. I called Sprout and didn't get through. I called Robin, Sprout's bf, and he said he'd get ahold of Sprout. I called Stretch and left a message.

The rest of the hours passed in a blur of crying and telephone calls and trying to figure out how I could get home.I made it home and waited for MyLuc. I just wanted a hug. I took Sarah from the closet where she's been since Mel, Luc's Grandad passed end of May. I held her and just lay on the bed.

MyLuc came home and he held me and we tried to decide what to do. We could leave early Saturday getting there in the afternoon or I could take a bus tonight and get there early Saturday morning and he'd come down later..after he'd made arrangements for care of the critters. It was a tough decision. Have us leave early Saturday morning and be too late but he'd be with me or leave asap and have him come down after.

I chose to leave that night. I had 1/2 an hour to pack and I opened the closet and emptied it into my suitcase, my dirty clothes from the hamper as well. Got organized with my backpack giving MyLuc instructions on grabbing me fruit and stuff to eat, my books, my chargers for my cell and o'course my camera. It was done so quick. We made it with tons of time to spare and then I was alone.

I waited it seemed for hours for the bus to come. When it arrived my cousin Dyll was in the seat behind the driver, he's underage so although we are cousins we couldn't sit together. It was a very full bus and I woke some huge guy who was stretched out. And away we went. The bus ride was long, the guy wiggled alot, I cried and I hoped that my cell wouldn't ring that I was too late. The guy got kinda fresh and then got off the bus. Good thing because I would have punched him in the 'nads. He was being an ass.

We (Dyll and I) made it to Castlegar and into trail by 5:30 a.m. I had made arrangements for my best's hubby Chad to pick me up and also Dyll and take us to Aunties'. Auntie was there though. She hadn't got the message and had expected me later that day. Needless to say she didn't see me until I pointed to the car when I was talking with Chad and said "Well, there's my Aunt soo...".

Auntie, Dyll and I headed to 7-11 where we loaded up on coffee and snacks to take to the Hospital. That's where everyone was. We walked in and everyone was totally surprised to see me.

Gran was lying in the bed so small and wrinkled. She had gotten pneumonia and along with her advanced lung cancer and Parkinson's she was in pretty bad shape. The family rotated. 7 of her children, 10 of her grandchildren and o'course some of her greats. Although they are pretty young and probably don't remember what was going on. The whole family made it. The "Call to Arms" went out and asap we responded. My Unc. Larry who lives in Saskatchewan made it in just over 9 hours.

As the day went on we (the family) traded shifts, told stories, Gran came awake and was coherent and said "Don't cry", "Don't be sad", "I don't hurt". We talked to her and she responded as best she could. I admit I confused her once because I took off my sweatshirt and she thought I was someone else. It was hard but it was okay. I went down to Aunties and showered and changed in record time. We went and got pizza for the kids and to bring up to the Hospital. They moved us to the Family room which had a room and kitchen/couch area.

Conversations varied, TV was watched, emotions ran high. My cell was forever in my hand talking with MyLuc and updating him and talking with my best T. Errands were run. Auntie went up and lay an angel ornament on Papa' s stone saying "An angel was on its way". We talked and laughed and cried. For such a sad time it was good to see everyone.

Saturday evening everyone decided to get some sleep, go for showers and just stand by. I had set my cell to ring alarm for an hour at a time so I could spell the Uncles. They weren't leaving for anything.

Sunday morning, we were getting kicked out by the nurses so that they could bathe Gran. Mom and I decided to have a shower and change after staying at the Hospital over night. We went to Aunties for a super quick shower and change. I finsihed, we had a quick coffee and talked about how someone would be sleeping, in the shower, on the way, etc...and the telephone rang.

Back to the Hospital we went. Gran had passed when the nurses were bathing her. The theories vary on why then. My two favorites are that she wanted to go to Papa clean and that she wanted a moment when family wasn't around. A breathe all her own.

Arrangements began that night for the rest of the week.

It was a very long week. My family are alcoholics and they drink Bud *shudder* lots of Bud. We laughed, we talked, we cried, we made new memories and talked about old ones. We remembered Gran.

Lots happened that week. Wednesday, the day before her Memorial, Mom, Sprout, Stretch and I went up to visit Papa and let him know that Gran was on her way. MyLuc came down on the Wednesday afternoon and we stayed at T's. T-,man remembered Luc and wanted to show him everything. Q-girl, who had never met either of us just stared and stared at MyLuc. And then she'd grin and it was awesome. I was telephoned and asked if I could read a poem. I said I would try.

Thursday came early. MyLuc and I headed out to Tim Hortons. The coffee was horrible. My father was there. That was horrible. Back into town to pick up T. Up to the graveside where I had an attack of the funnies about how people were acting. MyLuc holding me tight because he thought I was sobbing...nope...T and I had the giggles. Back to Trail to pick up Q-girl (T needed to feed her and bring her along). Back to Rossland to the Legion. Up the stairs. The Legion Padre giving a really really long religious talk about Gran (so not Gran). Read the poem which was really long. Down stairs to do the meet and greet and I'm sorry about your Gran thingy. Too much so fast.

I decided that I needed to come home. Right then. We drove T back home. Went to Gran's so I could say goodbye, to Aunties for our gear and off we went.

We made it to Princeton, got a room at the Best Western, had a nice dinner and drinks and then MyLuc held me. Home on Friday where Matthew, MyLuc's bro had been staying at the apartment caring for the critters.

It was a long week.