Yes, yes…it was. Well except for the fact that I was completely late with Al and Krystina…for school, I mean. But I visited with my fil….he was in good spirits today and told me how he thought a couple of the old women were “squeeling” on him. He slept better and was having a fairly decent day. His meds are all in order and he’s being weighed (and his weight was good)….so I’m feeling pretty good about him at this point.

I drove my dad into Vancouver to start his driver rehab process….today cost him $350 and 3 1/2 hours of his time….basically he failed “night driving”…so be it….and had a problem with his “memory”….yes, I guess that happens with brain damage. He was utterly disappointed, as he thought he’d be coming home tonight ready to drive the freeway…nada. He has his “road test” next Thursday…which will cost him another $300 and another 2 hours…..but until then….he really shouldn’t go out and buy himself a car.

I’m feeling better today…all around….but I am a little tired….should do a little catch on in the sleep department. In other notes….life is coming around again….and little girls give the sweetest hugs and kisses known to man-kind!

I know I need to make more time for myself, I realize that….I just don’t know how. When I force myself to take time for myself….all I do is stress about what’s not being done, or what needs to be done when I finish “relaxing”….lol.

Actually I’m going to the doc’s this Friday….might even break down and ask for a little help….I haven’t been able to shake the anxiety and tight chest….but the clear and simple answer will probably be….”get your lumpy rumpy into the gym and sweat it out!”

Well just when I thought things were going to settle down for me (and I realize that there’s a huge adjustment period for him)….I get a call saying that my fil was up at 4:00 a.m., knocking on doors!!! He’s the only male on his floor and yeah….apparently he was waking the old ladies up wayyy too early! He’s freaking and he’s frustrated and….I put my foot down and said…”sorry….I can’t make it today….I’ll see him first thing tomorrow”. Sad thing is though…..I’m dreading going there as I’m sure I’ll get an earful.

Oh well….onto different things…..

My dad drove a car today for the first time since December 1, 2004. He’s going for a driver’s assessment tomorrow at the George Pearson driver’s rehab centre. It’s a 3 1/2 hour test and will cost him $350.00, but if he passes….I’m taking him to buy a new car tomorrow night!!!…and then I’ll buy myself a bottle of wine…for me!

Oh and my black and white print is finally framed and ready to come home….I’ll be picking that up tomorrow as well.

I’m boring, I’m tired, I’m bitter….hopefully things will be a little more “sunny” all around tomorrow.

My life is supposed to be easier (at least a little) with my fil at the seniors home, right? He’s supposed to be relaxed and happy, right?

Well today I had to do a little fine tuning with the nurses and his medications….and of course I had already had it in my plans to go and check up on him….I just wasn’t ready for “the attitude”.

Apparently my fil took a shower on his own today…first “no, no”. The shower curtain that my sil got is too short. The bathroom was full of water….thankfully there’s a drain in the center. Because my fil didn’t ask for help….he didn’t know how to adjust the water temperature properly….he was cold…he was hot. Secondly one of the other tenants (a lady) told him he should shave to come to lunch and dinner….he went with his shirt hanging out of his pants….he also removed his shoes while sitting in the dining room. He also removed his teeth for my visit. He was pissed off at the t.v. converter that seemed to mysteriously….screw up the t.v. I brought him hard-boiled eggs and he just bitched….. He was even more annoyed with the fact that I couldn’t stay to join him in the dining room for dinner….meanwhile I had just traveled 90 kms, had two client meetings and it was already 5:00 p.m….I still had to pick something up for dinner and feed my own family. It’s been one day and he says he feels…”left on the side”…good grief….does he want me to move in?

Actually he quite upset me today….I’m planning on not going there tomorrow….I will for sure on Wednesday but….I feel as though I’ve been a little “taken for granted”. I realize he’s just an old, lonely man but….I have to break away a bit….just for a day….Tony agrees. I can only imagine the grief I’ll face on Wednesday.

Just when I finish up with tax/GST season and think…”great, I can finally relax a little”….I bombard myself with even more stuff. But it was good this weekend….

My fil is finally being taken care of the way he should be!! We moved him into his new “home” today and he’s settling right in….it would’ve been nice though, had they not had forgotten to come get him for dinner?!!?!

Bed is in place, favorite chair is by the bright window, t.v. is set…..it’s gonna be so much better! I will still visit him tomorrow to make sure that his first day goes well and that he doesn’t run anyone over with his walker…or start screaming German tenants. I will also take him to his doctor’s appointment this week but……I don’t have to be there every day (sadly though, this is going to bring him down) and I am no longer in control of his medication (but we still have to fine tune that out)….it’ll be a week of adjusting….

Krystina performed at a TKD demonstration outside our local Costco this weekend (I won’t discuss why the eldest was only there on Saturday and then in reality…should’ve stayed home). There’s a very good chance that she will be in out local paper this week….I’ll take a photo of the article, but if you want to see her in action…you’ll have to check out my flickr….can’t seem to upload photos here today.

And with that….I’m dead beat tired and have about zero patience left today….it’ll be good to get a good nights’ sleep!

Happy Mother’s Day to all you fine mom’s and mom’s to be and mom’s to be again (and even again ;o))…sure hope it was splendid, but really…..you should be celebrated each and every day!

…I keep thinking of the scene I saw the other day.

I was driving along Lougheed Hwy…right by Essondale Hospital (or what used to be)…traffic came to a stand still…momentary frustration ensued. When I saw the two vehicles “controlling” traffic (and disaster)….I ended up smiling for the next 30 minutes…at least.

At the front was a mother Canada Goose and three of her fluffy, yellow goslings….the guy driving the car in front was making sure that they’d get to their destination safe and sound…the second car was making sure the first one wouldn’t get a kiss in the behind.

I wish I was able to stop…..the scene was priceless!

Well I don’t really have any…it’s been a day like any other.

Checked on the old guy, got pissed off because he didn’t get his evening pills last night.

Was mortified when I saw what he was preparing for his “dinner”…..I still don’t know how he hasn’t contracted salmonella yet?

Spent $581.00 on my car…add $20 on gas, that’ll only last me a block or two….I guess I should be grateful…thought the bill was going to be closer to a grand.

Am seriously considering a long weekend down in Oregon this July…just for the mere fact that…I need to get away from this rigamoral.

Managed a bit of work

Am taking care of some “achey” muscles….I shoudn’t have but…I did…walk 2 min, run 2 min, walk 2 min, run 2 min, walk 2 min, run 2 min, walk…the rest…I know…I’ll ask the doctor next week…until then….my butt cheeks (yeah…even the lumpy one) feels like they got a work out!

Bleh. That’s how I felt today…..ever feel like that? Love my family, love my husband but….I was just feeling “bleh”…would’ve been totally happy to be heading down the highway, alone, to a nowhere destination. Tired of responsibilities, tired of “doing for other”, just plain and simply….tired. I wasn’t “foul”, just “bleh”…not much better at this point but at least I went for a good walk tonight….alone (with the dog). Tomorrow another visit with the old guy, who does nothing but bitch and complain and seethe venom at the birds….my car goes in the shop and I’ll be out another $800. It’s hard….this “change” in my family life….even a year later, it’s still hard.

Ah well…it could be worse…it can always be worse.

And now….I think I’ll enjoy a glass of wine. Because I deserve one.

I traded it in…..

It just seemed a smarter decision to return the beautiful, beautiful, very expensive, lens….and upgrade my camera. So I went for this baby!! The kit comes with an 18-55 lens, as well as a 55-250 telephoto lens….and the pixels jump from 8 to 12.2…not that that’s a concern if you’re printing regular sized photos but…..I might be in the market to “blow some up” (as you’ll see soon!)…so that’s what I did and….I’m sooo loving my new baby, and my old baby has a very, very, good home! So you see….we all won here!

So I was just going to add a little more….because this is “my place” to do so.

My dad and I had arrived downtown at around 10:15. I thought for sure I wouldn’t find a single parking space…remember, there were 12,000 applicants for the full/half and kids marathon….parking downtown is crazy enough when it’s a “normal” day. We managed to get a “handicapped” spot (and I didn’t feel the least bit guilty for using it) as close as can be to the start/finish line…still a 15 minute walk.

I’m not sure if it was hormones (yes….tmi, I know but….it’s just simply a fact of us female beings) or what but….if I tried to speak….I started to squeak. I kept choking up and felt like I was going to burst into tears. Like I said….”major proud” of my sis….we’ve been through so much that emotions were just running really high. We managed to get to where we were going to plant ourselves and wait for her….the time on the stop clock was 2:41 (we had just missed the first female to cross the finish line). Slowly the “full” marathoners started to trickle in…mostly males….and if I didn’t force myself to think of other things….I’d start to choke up again. Even my heartbeat ran quick and I felt nervous and light-headed. I didn’t really know what to expect with my sister….a couple of earlier runners didn’t look so good at the finish line…I was a little worried. The choking up continued, my hands started to cramp (I was clutching the camera so tight….I really wanted to get a shot of her) and then I realized….I had no idea what she’d be wearing, what her “running style” would be…it was a little difficult to make out faces from our vantage point. A few more women started to run past.

I kept clutching, my heart kept racing, my throat kept choking…..we knew (from her estimate) that her time would be around the 3 1/2 mark. 3:25 and I started to panic because the woman next to me kept blocking my view…I was ready to tell her buzz off. I expected to see my sister in little shorts and a tankish like top. Then…between a couple of male runners….I saw her. She was dressed in capri style pants, long sleeved shirts and a baseball cap!!!! But I knew it was her!!! And she was smiling!!!! The camera started clicking and I was yelling (trying to shake or drop…the camera) “go Di go!” I had to hide my face from my dad! And then I went into another panic mode….I had to reach her….I had to let her know that I saw her accomplish this. And then I lost her….

My dad is understandably slower than I and so I said to him….”just keep following the fence, I’m going to race ahead”…..I didn’t find her!! We walked clear around the stadium where all the contestants went in to change, receive nutrition and massages. We entered and looked about 5,000 people milling about….how the hell was I going to find her?!?! But I did!! Well I found my bil, my nephew and my bil’s mom…..and I got to hug and congratulate them all!!!

And in the end….my sister, came in earlier than I mentioned….her time was 3:34…and came in at 454th out of about 4,000…74th in the women’s division.

And with all of this….she’s gotten me sooo itching to run…..I just don’t think it’s possible for me ;o( Regardless…..she did amazing! And I hope she does consider attempting the Boston Marathon and I hope she did have that “Angus burger” after the run!

My baby sister ran the marathon today. And I was there to see her finish.

Do realize how long a marathon is? 26 miles? 42 kms? The distance that she covered is just astonishing to me. She finds running to be her “escape”….I envy her. But at the same time I envy her….I love her and admire her!

As my dad and I stood for 45 minutes watching runner after runner (okay…really not that many…in her defense)….she was only 59 minutes behind the first female to cross the finish line…I kept experiencing moments of emotional assault. I’d choke up, barely able to contain my tears and sobs. I was glad for her, I was sad for her, I was just so damn proud of her. I watched and watched, camera ready, fingers cramping on the “power” button. I had no idea what she’d be wearing, I had no idea what her “form” was like….and yet….as soon as I saw her….I knew it was my baby sister. And the camera….focused on her….and the shots of her…..were the only ones that worked out today.

My sister, first time marathoner…ran the 2008 Vancouver Marathon…and qualified for the Boston Marathon. Hello?!?!?….could I be any prouder? Not to mention the fact that she crossed the line with a smile on her face!! I was ecstatic!

Now if she’ll just okay me to post a print…you’ll see.

I told her at the end….she deserves to go out and have a burger!!! Heck….have two…she can afford to!

Okay…and now I’ll speak of my bil….because I know he’s reading!! ;o) He accomplished his first 1/2 marathon!! And yeah…”S”…I’m proud of you too! You’ve been a good and supportive husband and you’ve done an awesome job too!!! I can only dream of running the distances that you two have….funny thing too….my dad says to me as we leave….

“I never thought of “D” as being the running or marathon type…you, yes….her no….and look at what she’s done”.

Yeah well….I’ve got a scooter all lined up for me….can I attempt a marathon in one of those?

More on this amazing (first time for me too) marathon later….hopefully when I can post a photo!

Until then….I’m sooo proud of my bil and my sis….job well done!!

….forgive me for the blurriness….it’s the hands….well, it could be the glass (or two) of wine that I’ve had to “mellow out”…and yes, those are my pj’s, and my socks, and my dining room table that’s been damaged from the years that I used it as a “desk”. So put that all aside and…..look at that thing sticking out of my camera!!!! I’m sleeping with that baby tonight!!!

Today was a day not so different from any other. Filled with doctor’s appointments, phone calls, deadlines and making sure that everyone was fed and comfortable. This just seems the norm for a wife and mother of three, correct?! Well in my case it’s a little more….exaggerated.

Sometimes I get down on what’s dished out on my plate, but it’s never because I wouldn’t want to be doing what I do….just simply that I get “tired” every once in a while….and I think, correct me if I’m wrong…rightly so. But I carry on….because things need to be done and that’s just the way life is. It’s like my doctor explained to me….I’m living in the “sandwich years”. See the first layer of bread was my younger years, those where I was free and didn’t really have responsibilities and “assignments”. The last layer of bread will be those years where so called “retirement” will bore me to tears….um, okay. So right now…I’m in the “filling”…chaos…meat, mayo, butter, tomatoes, lettuce and cheese….it’s all a big mumbo jumbo! One day though….these will be eaten up and digested and I’ll be left with that single piece of bread….and if you really think about it…it’s kinda sad.

So anyways…..today was jam packed!

Our next meeting at the nursing home, got us a room and a day to move in!! May 11th…Mother’s Day…which is just fine because….except being with my kids…I won’t be celebrating it. My fil is thrilled to pieces and has already started a “count down”. I’ve booked a mover and my sil be taking care of the telephone connection set-up.

Don’t get me wrong here….it’s not that I want to be rid of the “responsibilities”….this is not the case. The fact of the matter, as I’ve been saying for so long is….my fil just isn’t “safe” in his own home any more and well….that just adds needless, added stress. He’s going to be so much happier (and safer), we’re all going to be so much happier and….we’ll actually be able “visit” now, as opposed to all the stuff we’re doing now. Which is not to say that I won’t still be taking him to all of his Dr. appointment….cuz I’ll still be doing that but…..the medication will be taken care of and I’ll actually be able to have full days of work again. Plus he’s the only guy on his floor….I figure he’ll be re-married in no time!! Then he can stop proposing to me!

Yeah so….that was the biggest thing.

We also say an eye surgeon today…..my fil has cataracts….and those will be taken care of in the next 6 months…yay! The doctor was an ass though.

And finally……………

I finally came home at 5:50 p.m. and Tony greeted me at the door with a hug. All of a sudden he’s going on about how thankful he is for all that I do and how appreciative he is (the nice tax refund helped, of course)…so much so that he presented me with a brand new “Canon 70 - 300 IMAGE STABILIZER zoom lens” (I have extremely shaky hands….no, apparently it’s not quite “Parkinsons”….just damaged nerves)….can I just tell you how excited I am?!?!!? I have a 70 - 300 “Sigma” lens but….I have not been able to get a decent shot with it yet…

So yeah…..I’m loved, I’m appreciated…and I’m sooo thankful!

……..Cheddar X that is!

1. Your ultimate car: Well it depends….again, as with music…it really depends on my mood at the time. It could either be a brand new Corvette (yum!) or it could be a 1966 Pontiac Canso…trust me…check one out!

2. Your ultimate house: Nothing too monstrous…unless I can afford a cleaner! But a nice 3,000 sq foot house with a big kitchen (it has to be a big kitchen, cuz that’s where I spend most of my time….well except for working.) marble counter-tops and an island….it has to have an island. And of course an office for myself…one that I don’t have to share with my dad…..seriously…nothing to grand. Love the “tudor style”. It’d be great if the kids had a “rec room”…and Tony had a “work shop”. Okay…so maybe we’re looking at 4,000 sq feet…..or even 5,000…but no more!!! I hate cleaning toilets!

3. Your ultimate career: Definitely the boss of an accounting firm! Loving numbers as much as I do….I’d still like to have a handle on the idea, but…..would love to be able to take off and drive around in my favorite car on those sunny days!

4. Your ultimate toy: This is a family blog right? Okay..never mind…definitely a EOS-1Ds Mark III, with all the fixins!

5. Your ultimate trip: I’m not a traveller…I’m happy just going to my favorite spot on “the island”…Tofino is fantastic!

6. Your ultimate dinner or meal: I had some fantastic baked oysters with cheese and spinach!! Love seafood at “the Boathouse”. A good steak and glass of wine is yum! And….well….I love food!!! This one’s too hard to answer!

7. Your ultimate relaxation: A spa treatment at the “Ancient Cedar Spa”…of course located in Tofino…overlooking the crashing waves of the ocean. Horseback riding is good too! As is a good motorcycle ride on an open freeway! Speed and sun…go hand in hand!

So the van went into the shop yesterday…just for her 5,000 km oil change. I asked them to check my brakes, only because apparently….I’m hard on my brakes….whatever. Tony has told me that I tail-gate…I do not! I may “pump” my brakes for the tail-gaters on my rear but…me? tail-gate? never!

Anyways….I knew I had a “minor” oil leak but…well apparently it’s turned into a “major” oil leak now. I was advised that “should I want to keep the car, I should have this issue addressed”. So….anyone have a spare grand sitting in their pocket? Feeling generous? So $72 and a very “cool” (not really) Dodge, coffee thermos later…the hubs and I are asking each other…”so should we sell the van and get a new one?”. I looked at him with an obvious…”um no way”! Teddy’s turning 16 next year. He’ll be the first of the kids to get his driver’s license…hmmmm, let him drive and thrash a brand new vehicle or….let him drive the old one to the ground? Because remember…..he has “plans” for this van!!

Plus…..the memories of what I did to my dad’s car are still only too fresh in my mind.

Oh by the way….the bill to repair the oil leaks??? We’re being conservative when we say $700!! I have an adapter leak and a valve gasket leak….do I have any idea what that means?…not really…well that’s not true….I spent enough time under the hood of a car in my teen years….I definitely can say I know what a valve gasket looks like…and where to find it.

Okay…enough of that….I still need to come up with the cash.

Oh wait….there was a message left on my phone…I have a new client….”yay me”….*sigh*

No, I’m not going to write a post about my “first time”…..

This one’s about my love for a little girl so happy, full of life and just a plain joy to be around….even when you don’t want to be around…anyone.

She decided tonight that because her reading and writing skills have taken off…she would write an essay on “spring” for her most favorite teacher. And so it began…..a two hour session of listing anything and everything that was related to “spring”. Her last realization came about this way….

Tony was tucking her in bed and she says to him, in wide-eyed excitement….”daddy, I found one more thing for spring!!!” “You did?” asked Tony. “Uh huh!!” she responds. “Well what is it?” “Oh daddy…it’s sheep!” she exclaims (and I do mean “exclaims”!! The excitement in her voice was unbearable). Tony says, “sheep?!?!” Krystina ends with “yes daddy!!! sheep are hatched in spring!!” It was all he could do from bursting out….

It may not be so amusing “second hand” but….if you could hear her voice…..oh, to be a child again….

But I do wonder where she gets her information from? Sheep? Hatching? Hmmm….

….one more day…and I’m done….I may end up passed out in a corner…but I will be done….in another 24 hours….this madness will be over. And then it’ll be onto another…..but such is my life.

Sadly though…it wasn’t my son giving the so called “ass kicking”, he was the one “getting it”!

As a mother and parent, it has become more and more difficult to watch my eldest son compete in Tae Kwon Do. The last time he actually competed was over a year ago…a lot can change in a year…especially when they reach a certain “division”…one where “head kicks” are allowed. Yesterday I found myself extremely nervous for him and rightly so.

The 18 year old girl (whose mother was off to the side-lines and saying everything that I was thinking) who was competing against a Vernon girl, had just gotten a kick to the jaw….she took two unsteady steps and then passed out…four feet from Teddy. She came around pretty quick but it certainly didn’t help Teddy’s, already unsteady nerves. Thankfully that was the only injury of the tournament.

Tony and Aleks had made the trek to see Teddy fight (Krystina was already there with me…working since the early hours)…I told Tony, I wasn’t sure how long I’d last…watching. He pressured me to stay.

Well…here’s the first “head kick”…

He got a couple more….one to the neck that “stopped” him for a moment or so. I had left at this point…couldn’t watch anymore. In all fairness to Teddy….this kid was extremely “agressive” (which is what you want) and Teddy was just thrown off guard….in his defense (but then I’m biased). Still….I’m his mom….we though for a moment that the $6,000.00 worth of dental work had gone down the drain…no…I just wanted to make sure he didn’t have a broken jaw.

The kid clobbered Teddy…and yeah, I’m not too proud to admit that my boy got his butt kicked. But anyone who goes into a ring and fights…whether it’s TKD, UF…whatever….I hold some respect for.

Just be gentle on my boy…k?

Oh and apparently….this “whooping” hasn’t deterred him one bit….he says he’s planning on going to the next tournament and giving it another shot….I’ll be hiding in the washroom!

I think I should start this up…..you all know how much I love music….I should start posting a favorite music vid each and every Friday…yeah that’s what I should do….

…..I should also hit the sack….but I live the night life!

….when I should be in bed (because I have to get up so early)…..I’m sitting here checking out tunes on YouTube…with a glass of wine….it is, in case you forgot….my anniversary…

…..he made up for it by surprising me, coming back at noon (actually his timing was awesome as Tony pulled up, just as I got out of my van after coming back from the old farts home) and handing me a dozen g.o.r.g.e.o.u.s. long stemmed roses with an invite to go out for lunch. And I was starving so Earl’s was just the ticket!!

Oh and speaking of “old farts’ home”….my fil LOVED the seniors care center and is ready to move in now. The place was gorgeous….I’ll move in!! My life will finally slow down….just a touch.

It’s been a year since Teddy competed in a sparring match, during a TKD tournament. Actually it’s been longer….he backed out of the fight last year as he was too traumatized after seeing his fellow teammate rip the tendon in his ankle. Trust me…it wasn’t a pretty sight. Well apparently, he’s back. I for one am completely nervous for him…but I’m not saying a word. It’s a good thing that I’ll be spending the day in the cafeteria counting cash and serving hot dogs….although secretly I’d like to make it out to the ring (without Teddy seeing me) and snapping a few shots of him….sadly though, these photos never turn out because my hands shake too much and we just end up with a bunch of “blur”.

So the day will be an early start…with an 8:00 a.m. arrival and most likely a 6:00 p.m. departure. Teddy and another teammate are already planning a dinner after at “Pho Hoa”, so that means I won’t be home until 8:00 p.m….but whatever…I’ve always enjoyed these tournaments and time spent with Teddy. Let’s just hope he kicks butt and doesn’t break a leg…k?

Oh and if anyone wants a hot doggy….they’re going for $3.00 each….but they’re “jumbo”…more wiener for your buck….

Gas has hit an all time high here….we’re at $1.30 per litre (which converts to $4.93 a US gallon)….I need to buy a horse!!

It’s my 16th wedding anniversary today. I remembered……this morning…..lying in bed…..at 6:00 a.m.!! Truthfully I don’t think Tony remembered either….but I rolled over, gave him a peck and wished him a “Happy Anniversary”….so I at least I was one up on him!

And now….I’m off to take the old guy to the seniors home for a tour. Let’s just hope he doesn’t change his mind….

I don’t watch much t.v., I’d rather spend my time here…but there is one show that I’ve grown to love and that is “Grey’s Anatomy”. Today was the first night back and I recorded it…I know I did!! Unfortunately…somebody deleted the recording…nine minutes into it. All I got was “intestines in the hand”!!! So I guess I’ll just go to bed…which is where I should be anyways!

Waiting for a blood test requistion from the receptionist, at the doctor’s today…she says to me….(and try not to lose your eyeballs as they roll back in your head, or fall off your seat laughing or anything)….she says…

Her: “Are you his grand-daughter?”
Me: *chuckle*”…um no, his daughter-in-law. *a moment of silence and then I hit her up* Why? Do I look like I could be?”
Her: “Definitely”.
Me: “Well no, I have three kids and am staring at 42 coming around next.”
Her: “You’re not serious?!”
Me: “Oh yeah…but thanks! You just made my day!”
Her: “Well whatever your secret is…put it in a bottle and hand it over.”
Me: “Ummm….stress?”

Yeah, yeah….I’ve always been told that I didn’t look my age but….seriously…I think this woman was on something…or perhaps she was having problems with her contacts! In any case….it was nice!

After dinner tonight, the kids asked if I’d come out and shoot some hoops with them….had a blast, didn’t tear anything and to boot….kicked their little rears!!

I’m bitchy, miserable and grumpy. Suffice to say….it’s best I just go to bed.

And I’m allowed!

It’s April 19th and we woke up to snow!! It wasn’t much but still…..SNOW!?!?!?!

You guy know how much I hate it when people abuse the whole “handicapped” issue?! In fact Erik at Intellectual Poison just recently wrote a post about said topic. Anyways….my van sports one of those “handicap” signs…I use it, when I need it….and only when I need it….like when I have my fil in the car and only when the weather is bad, when my dad is in the car (otherwise the exercise is good for him). It annoys the Hell out of me when I need to use the spot and some a-wipe has parked there without the proper signage.

So you remember the idiot teacher I wrote about a little while back? The one that was on my ass and then proceeded to pass me and get herself right on the next persons rear? The one that taught my little girl (when she was around) kindergarten? Yeah, well….being on “leave of absence”, she comes to the school on a daily basis…to pick up her daughter who attends here….and parks in the handicapped zone. I figure it’s a “mental” handicap, cuz I really don’t see anything else wrong with her…unless you count her ripe rear a handicap…otherwise…it’s just her stupidity.

I’m ready to have a word with her….and she’s not gonna like it.

…nothing better, well right now anyways…than “real” freshly popped, popcorn with melted butter and a glass of wine…

We had a rough night here with the eldest. His attitude was to be frowned upon. His disrespect deserved a good swat across the head. I had a feeling that his TKD workout would make him think twice….and I was right. He climbed in the van at 9:40 tonight and the first thing he said to me……

“Hi Mom”
“Hi”
“Mom?”
“Yes Ted?”
“I’m sorry about earlier.”
“Your apology is excepted. Is there something you want in return?”
“No…I just didn’t want the weekend to be ruined.”
“Well then your apology is “extra” excepted….thank you.”

Just when I was going to hang him out to dry for a very, very long time…..he comes clean. He’s either very slick or very smart. Whatever…I’ll take what I can get at this point…at least he’s home and not out hanging around the local 7-11, doing drugs.

….by my dear friend Shari, over at “Open Up”.

What I was doing 10 years ago - 1998

10 years ago? I can barely remember what I did 10 minutes ago! 10 years ago I was nursing my second (well technically “third”) born child (I hate to bring it up like that but on the other hand…I hate to “not remember” our second little boy….). Anyways…..I was a milk machine for a beautiful little boy.

I was also watching my father go through rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. By now he had lost his hair and looked 25 years older than his age. He was going to kick “Lymphoma” in the ass…and that he did! I was (and still am) amazed with the fact that throughout all of his treatments he had not missed a single day of work…”hours” yes…”days”….nada.

Other than that….it was all about making sure dad got through this bump and enjoying our newest addition.

Five things on my to-do list today tomorrow. (Only 5?!?!? Seriously….who wrote this meme? ;o) )

1) Take the kids to school (Aleks decided not to join his class on a field trip to Victoria…why?…because…in his words…”if the ferry is going to capsize, he didn’t want to be separate from his family”….so I guess he’d be happier if we all drowned together?!?!?)…Aleks will still go to school and help out in the kindergarten/grade one classes.

2) Check on my fil…weigh him and give him his meds. I rushed out on him today, so I may stay with him for a bit and….talk about the war.

3) I’d love to finish off two of my clients’ quarters…I don’t mean that like “hind quarter” or anything…I mean that like, January - March paperwork. That would be sweet!

4) Tomorrow’s Thursday, which means that Teddy has TKD. There’s no need for cooking as I already have a nice big pot of goulash ready to be warmed up.

5) Get a workout in…..and a glass of wine…but I guess that technically makes it #6 right?!…okay forget I mentioned it.

Snacks I enjoy

1) Um…wine, wine and more wine….KIDDING!!! Seriously…I do not have an issue with this luscious elixer of life!

2) Seriously….I love nacho chips with melted cheese (*smack my hand*…bad, bad, bad for the hips). I’ve just learned a new recipe for the yummiest quacamole!…with nachos. Depending on the time of day, a Snickers bar is yummy! Of course there’s my favorite, “tall, non-fat, vanilla latte” from Starbucks. Chicken wings are good for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Did I mention I love food??…and wine?

Things I would do if I were a billionaire

1) I would definitely throw some money around to some worthwhile causes and charities…that would be number one. Then I’d buy a “slightly” bigger house….it’s hard cramming 6 people and a dog in just under 2,000 sq feet….but we can’t complain. I’d also buy myself a Vette…oh yeah baby…call it mid-life, call it whatever….I’ve wanted one since I was 8! Then I’d get a motorcycle as well. Of course all of our debts would be paid off and my kids would be set up with just enough to get them through school… if they chose not to go to school…no money for youa! I’d make sure my fil was in a really good home and was getting private care…yeah, even at $4,000 per month! And then I’d deposit the rest….what else am I going to do with it? I hate flying! Oh okay…maybe I’d buy us a nice little cabin in Tofino…yeah, definitely what I’d do!

Five of my bad habits

1) drinking wine…damn, there’s that word again

2) not getting enough sleep

3) worrying too much

4) driving too fast

5) spending on too much on groceries

…..sorry…all pretty boring stuff here…the list gets a little crazier if I’ve had too much of #1, but…we won’t go there, will we? ;o)

Five places I have lived

1) Bratislava, Czechoslovakia (now the Slovak Republic)

2) Lethbridge, Alberta

3) Kitchener, Ontario

4) Surrey, B.C.

5) Burnaby, B.C.

Five jobs I’ve had

1) cashier for a “bulk foods” store

2) table cleaner for “Harvey’s Burgers”

3) credit clerk for Hong Kong Bank of Canada

4) accounting/payroll department for a prestigious financial advising firm

5) sahm and self-employed bookkeeper

What I’d like to be doing in 25 years

Well first I’d like to be “alive”! In 25 years I’ll be 66 years old…oh my gosh, I’ll be a freakin senior citizen! Let’s just hope there’s no “Depends” involved…or “Viagara” for that matter… In 25 years I’d like be living comfortably and little more relaxed. I realize that the parents will have left this earth by then, my children will have grown and hopefully matured to the point that they will have their own families. I just hope that we never incur upon them, the amount of work and heartbreak that I’ve/we’ve had to deal with…”shoot me before I get too old”…is what I say! I would like to be enjoying my garden and reaping bountiful harvests. I’d like to be walking the beaches of Tofino with my husband and our newest pooch. I’d like to be sitting back and really enjoying that glass of wine and cheese. And maybe…just maybe….you’ll see that woman who colors her hair (even though it looks unnatural), zipping down the highway in her “way to fast” Corvette!…hey…you just never know!

How the hell is that possible? Just finished a workout, felt calm…I guess, am taking my bp meds religiously, checked my bp at the local Safeway and that’s what I got!!!

Crap…first it’s the “old arteries” and now it’s this….

Well at least the insurance is all paid up.

I don’t remember a time that my sister had ever made me smile as much as she did tonight.

Remember I told you that we went out for my birthday last week? She took me to The BoatHouse restaurant and probably spent a small fortune, but can I tell you????…..yummmmmm!!!! Anyways, I sent her an e-mail thanking her again and sending her a link to another blog, this was her response….(and I don’t think she’d mind….none of you know her….but I’m sure you’d like to)

“I’m so very happy that you had a good time on Friday as I also had a
great time. We should start planning for our next restaurant
adventure…. perhaps the Pear Tree!!!!! (just so you know that I’ve wanted to go hear for years!!! and now that she’s taken up marathon running she can eat and eat and eat….which I LOVE to do!!…but don’t show it….yet!)

Thanks for the link to the blog that you talked about perhaps I’ll
check it out in the near future.

“S” took me to see that movie I mentioned “spirit of the
marathon”……. absolutely loved it!!!!!

Hope your day out with Krystina was okay even with the horrible weather? (that was the whole Sparks thingy where I came home to a nice chilled bottle of wine…all to myself!)

Anyway, I’m so happy it’s Friday. Time to step back and enjoy the
finer things in life……. red wine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love ya
di”

Anyways….it’s her last words that brought the smile…the simple “Love ya” means more than anything else….hope she knows that.

I’m not one to judge one by their outer covers, I really try to avoid this but….when it comes to my children, I do listen a little more intently to my inner feelings.

Anyways….Krystina was invited to a birthday party the other day. See the thing is though…the invite came home that day (an hour before the party was to begin), with only an address and time written on a piece of ripped paper that had the local liquor store address stamped on it. What was I to think? Well I for one, thought Krystina was hallucinating. But she was sooo excited about going. I knew of the girl, not very well but I knew she was in the same class and Krystina had spoke of her often. I managed to locate the home phone number of the family and called.

Me: “Um hi, this is “L….”, Krystina’s mom. Apparently she was invited to “A’s” birthday party???”
Other mom: “Yes”
Me: “Well I was surprised by the invite and unfortunately we don’t have a gift.”
Other mom: “Her presence is all that is required.”
Me: “Oh, okay…..well I guess it’d be okay for her to come down.”
Other mom: “It was an impromptu sort of thing as “A” has been bugging us to have some friends over. They’ll can play in the backyard.”
Me: “Okay then…we’ll see you soon.”

So being the Krystina that I birthed….she found a couple of “Pet Shops” and a stuffed animal from her toy box and wrapped it up in Christmas paper…all on her own. She sang the “birthday song” the whole way down. As I searched for the home, my stomach started to turn and feel a little uneasy. When we were 50 feet from the home, I said to Krystina….”oh sweetie…I’m not too sure about this…”

The home was one of a fourplex, which was straight across from another fourplex, that had three of it’s suites condemned and boarded up. In fact not more than a year ago the only suite that showed any form of habitation sported a manequin’s head, propped up in front of the front window. Now that surely doesn’t indicate what type of people live across the street, right?

Well as I pulled the car up and noted the disarray and garbage surrounding “this” fourplex, I started to feel very uncomfortable. We didn’t even have to ring the doorbell and the door opened. The house, as tiny as it was….was home to 5 people…mom, dad and three children….and we’re talking “tiny” (if it was 700 square feet in total, we’re lucky)!! Anyways….dad came straight up to Krystina with her “goody bag toy” (aren’t you supposed to give those out at the end of the party?) and mom said how good it was that Krystina could come. I noted amongst the clutter that a large print of “the Last Supper” hung crooked on the wall. There was a very thick scent in the air and four children running around….sort of…they couldn’t really…over all the clutter. Mom seemed nice enough, but dad….well I’m sorry but….he creeped me out. I asked when I should pick up Krystina and the mom had said that “B” (the only other girl invited) was going to picked up at 5:00 (an hour away) (I began to wonder if she had something else to attend to, or if when her dad dropped her off…he got the same feeling as I did)…but that she could stay until 6. “A” was thrilled with Krystina being there and loved her gift.

I called Tony up and told him the situation….he said he’d pick her up at 5.

When Tony came home with Krystina, he said to me….”I can see why you felt the way you did”. And it’s not that I’m judging the family, they actually probably are very nice people. I just don’t know them and felt a little uncomfortable leaving my baby girl there….that’s not wrong, is it?

Anyways, things turned out fine and I told Krystina that we could invite “A” over for a playdate as soon as April was done….

And on that note……back to the grind.

So my parents are now technically, but unofficially “divorced”. It’ll be “official” in about 6 weeks when the court has added their stamp and my dad has received the divorce certificate, but for now….they’re unofficially divorced…and that’s just weird to me. Forty years down the tube….my parents…as screwed up as their marriage was….it’s still weird.

I was on the basketball team in high-school and quite enjoyed the sport, so I had no qualms about Tony getting a hoop for Aleks for his birthday. Tonight’s the first night that it was still “light” out at 7:30, the weather was dry and a comfortable temperature and a really good night to spend some “quality time” with “Big Al” and show him a swish or two. He was quite impressed and even made the comment…”mom….you’re still a fresh one”.

So this was day two of my fil being on this new, added medication to try and deplete his body of the extra fluid it’s hanging onto (remember he gained 5 lbs in a month). Yesterday when I weighed him, he came in at 152.5. This morning….145.5!!!! I’ll give him 2 lbs for the fact that yesterday morning he was wearing jeans and lighter pants today but….if he loses another 5 lbs overnight (which has got to be tough as all he’s been doing is going to the washroom)…we can stop the new medication already!! Only needing to use it when the weight goes back up. He demeanor has already improved!

It comforts me to know that all my efforts do have an impact on his health.

But for now….I had an incredibly terrible night’s sleep last night…tossing and turning (and no…there was no wine involved) and when I was finally drifting peacefully….the idiot dog next door started barking (outside our bedroom window) at 5:45….and went on for the next 3 hours!!

I had an appointment booked for yesterday that I had forgotten about, but did make it in the end. It was for a “Pulse Wave Analysis”…basically it’s apparently a machine that they hook you up to in hospitals??? after you’ve had a heart attack (or are about to have one). You stick your finger into one of those “pulse readers” and wait for the machine to spew out a piece of paper that tells you how old your arteries are. This is what the brochures said….

“The DPA (Digital Pulse Analyzer) provides information on arterial wall stiffness and estimates the biological age of arteries. The pulsewave tells us how the walls of the arteries expand and relax when the heart beats and blood travels through the arteries.”

So yeah, I was suckered into having this reading and…..

I’m going to drop in a couple of years.

Actually everything came back “ok” except for my large arteries, which scored “low” indicating little or no “elasticity”. The ending result was that my arteries came in at an age of…..55 - 60 years old! Seriously….WTF??

Is this a gimmick to try and sell me some “cardio boosting” supplements??? probably. Still not a comfort to be told that I’m beating at the age of a senior!

What do you think? We all know I’m under a lot of stress but….I’m thin, I’m 41, yes I’m on bp meds, but I exercise….I’m thinking about showing this to my doctor next time I see him.

Until then, I’ll grab my walker and head to bed.

…I did make it out alive! “P” and I made it out alive! 12 hours with eighty, 6 and 7 year old screaming, wild, crazy, screaming, uncontrollable, chaotic, screaming…did I mentioned…”screaming” girls?! Oh my aching head!

There is a glass of wine in my hand….you better believe it!

As we loaded up the van at 8:30 this evening, “P” says to me…”kick back the gravel” (or something thereabouts)…..we were out of there! It was fun but….I’m glad it’s only once a year.

…the fact that I’ve had 25 years of uncomplicated contact lens wear…does that mean that now my tolerance to them can go down the toilet? I was actually begging and relieved when I finally ripped my lenses out and put on my glasses.

It’s seriously time to consider the whole laser eye thingy!!

All in all a pretty good day. It has definitely warmed up a bit since our freak hail/snow blizzard of last week!! Flowers are blooming and the trees are budding, which means….I’m a sneezin!

I’ve gotten through the first 3 days of April and thankfully…have made a little bit of progress. The bad thing though, is that I’ve lost an envelope…an envelope that held a clients’ T4 and very probably another valuable tax receipt or two. The good thing is that this client happens to be a friend…a friend who’s been around since we were 13 (remember, I’m 41…*ugh*…my stomach just turned). The bad thing is that he’s working up north and is unreachable…until the 15th. The good thing is that because we’re such good friends….he may only rip off an arm. The bad thing is….I’ve been worried sick to my stomach over this. Tony keeps telling me…considering the amount of paper that I go through, the number of clients and the lack of something like this ever happening before…it’s not so bad. Oh okay….I think that’s supposed to make me feel better?!?!? Knowing my luck I’ll probably find it May 1st (the day after taxes are due)….let’s just hope we can get copies…and get them ASAP!….with only one arm.

I spoke to the principal today regarding Krystina, things went well and there will be a meeting set up for myself, the principal and the teacher in question. I don’t want to cause problems, or send her to suicide or anything but….we’re talking about my little girl!!..and not just my girl but the entire class…these kids don’t deserve what they’ve had to put up with. The principal was extremely sympathetic and very aware of her “personable” (or lack thereof) skills. I snuck into the school earlier in the day and spied on the class…there was my girl all fresh and bubbly, pony tail bopping along…she was great! (the woman of concern was off today). Tomorrow will be another story.

My visit with my fil was pretty good today. I always hate having to rush off but…time is precious this month…very, very precious.

One of our major hospitals is putting a shut down on surgeries…seriously, gallbladder, joint replacement, hernia operations (to name a few)….all brought to a halt. It’s a major crisis here and I’m beginning to worry. I’m not thinking that I’ve got a “bad” lump but…you just don’t know until it’s out and tested. With this latest situation, your guess is as good as mine as to when I’ll have it removed. Until then….it’s still a lump in my rump and it doesn’t sit well with me.

I picked up the enlargement of my photo (below)…I ended up getting a 38″ x 20″ print…it’s gorgeous!! Cost me $60 and I’m sure the frame will be at least another $200 but….it’s “my work” and I’m totally thrilled.

I also spent $39 on eye cream tonight. Why? It probably doesn’t even work, right? Yeah, maybe but….I think I’m worth the gamble.

Speaking of eyes….allergies….are killing my eyeballs…so much pain, grit and discomfort. I’m almost wanting to wear my glasses…but not quite yet.

Tomorrow night my sister is taking me out for dinner. Can I just tell you how much I’m looking forward to it?!??! It’s my birthday present from her and my bil (but it’ll just be her and I). And you all know that I’m a lover of good food…and wine. We’re heading over to The Boathouse, with….no kids. I hope she eats! She looks great but has lost a lot of weight…I guess that’s what happens when you run 60 km a week!!! She’ll be running the Vancouver Marathon come the beginning of May…I do hope she’ll eat though!

And that’s that…I’ve yammered about this and that and nothing and something and now…I’m done.

Today as I was working away, the phone rang. It was the “school board” calling, which could mean either of the schools….both the high-school and the elementary school come up with the same number…I guess they go through a central processor or something?. Anyways…I figured if it was the high-school, Teddy’s either broken a bone in p.e. or he’s skipped another class. If it was the elementary school….Krystina got caught kissing one of her boyfriends or Aleks just helped out too much. It turned out that Krystina wasn’t “feeling well”…that she was “doubled over” in pain and anguish. So I hopped in the van and made my way to the school….I found Krystina between the “classroom helper” (Mrs. H) and her “real” teacher (Mrs. G).

A little bit of history….

Krystina LOVES her “real” teacher, everone LOVES the “real” teacher….she’s the most awesome teacher you could ask for….and we did….ask for her….in fact we (well “P”