Quick post today just to update my blog at least into the month of July!

Not much going on- I have vacation as of 6pm Friday (weee!!) just for eleven days. I started painting again and have 2 oil paintings on the wall drying. Every night I stare at them, retouch this or that, and sit and stare again! Got some plans for some pencil and conte drawings also which I'm looking fwd to working on on my holidays.

Outside of that this full moon passed with less trauma than I expected lol! Actually it's been a great week- work going well, life going well... ish, and working on things around the house.

Number one- keeping the house nice and clean. Number two- got some plumbing issues fixed which although small make SUCH a difference. My tub spout has a shower diverter on it and for MONTHS we were dealing with the shower diverter not working. Your feet got showered more than the rest of you and the shower head had no water pressure (since most of the water gushed out to tub spout). I bought a replacement spout thinking it would be an easy fix? Um, no. The last person who put the spout on TWISTED the spout so the little SCREW that undoes it off the pipe was who knows where... I didn't want to bust it off, so I had a plumber do it. Now? WONDERFUL. Nice, quiet, soft shower with good pressure and no water gushing out loudly at your feet. Amazing what small things can do for you.

I'll post photos of my art projects once they're complete. Adios, amigos! Off to the races I go!

Kind of fitting that my next post is (ahem) sobering. Literally. (And for the record I had 2 very tasty caesars which met my needs for that flavor. Nice to have tasted it though. I think more than anything I like the salted rim as opposed to the drink itself!)

Got a sobering email today. One that I didn't expect to receive. A friend of mine is sick and in care. I just never expected that to happen when we're in our thirties. Twenty years from now I may have seen that coming but not now.

I've been reflecting on this for some time - just how many of our grad class got sick with various illnesses and whether we are statistically over-average. Are we? I can think of probably 6 people (from our grade class of what, <100> people?) who I know either in their late teens or twenties were diagnosed with things like arthritis or MS or cancer. MS affects one in 700 people. Rheumatoid arthritis 1-2% of the population and juvenile arthritis one in one THOUSAND. Maybe I just find it unfair how undiscerning diseases like this are. Maybe in the city we lived in /out of the several other highschools there were this is normal. Maybe other local grad classes could relate to the same stats. I dunno. Not that these things stop you from living more or less normally. Things like arthritis and MS slow you down, rearrange your priorities, change how you LIVE but for the most part I think can be "managed" ...??

What a weird week though eh? All this news (or focus in the news) of Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon and Michael Jackson. Didn't see that one coming. One of the reporters on TV last night covering Michael's death was asking people why they were shocked. He said he as frail and looked unwell, but hey- first off he's a celebrity which means he can afford the best health care. And secondly he has always been thin and pale. Everyone I talk to was shocked.

Just as a point though, it doesn't matter celebrity or not your health will determine your quality of life regardless of who you are. We're all human. We're all experiencing this thing called Life.

Don't take your health for granted!!!

All hail caesar!

(Mott's is on sale at work; I couldn't resist...)

Mmmm, pickled asparagus and caesar rim.

Can't go wrong, seriously.

So today I have a joke for you. Actually some puns. ENJOY!

What do you call a country where everyone drives a red car? A red carnation.

Energizer Bunny arrested - charged with battery.

A pessimist's blood type is always b-negative.

A Freudian slip is when you say one thing but mean your mother.

A hangover is the wrath of grapes.

Corduroy pillows are making headlines.

Every morning is the dawn of a new error.

Sea captains don't like crew cuts.

Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?

A successful diet is the triumph of mind over platter.

A gossip is someone with a great sense of rumor.

Reading while sunbathing makes you well, red.

A man's home is his castle, in a manor of speaking.

Dijon vu - the same mustard as before.

When two egotists meet, it's an I for an I.

A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two-tired.

What's the definition of a will? (Come on, it's a dead giveaway!)

A backwards poet writes inverse.

In democracy your vote counts. In feudalism, your count votes.

A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.

If you don't pay your exorcist, will you get repossessed?

With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.

Without geometry, life is pointless.

When you dream in color, it's a pigment of your imagination.

Sign for a networking business in Australia: The LAN down under.

He often broke into song because he couldn't find the key.

When she told me I was average, she was just being mean

This is my great great grandmother and great great grandfather. These two had 5 kids before she passed away at age 37 here in Winnipeg. Their daughter was my great grandmother.

(Does anyone ever think about the lineage they are creating when they have a child!?? Just curious if that crosses other people's minds...A hundred years from now your choice to have 3 kids, and they have three kids each, and they... so on and so forth, could result in a hundred people. Holymother!)

Anyhoo, try to follow this: I met my great grandmother's brother's family line yesterday. How neato !! It was so nice of them to invite me in and welcome me so graciously. I really, really, really appreciated it.

Seriously, I love exploring this stuff especially since it was spoken about since I was little. What the "family look" was- the genetic markers, if you will. So fascinating.

I so appreciate feeling some sort of connection to where I now live, though. It MEANS something. I suppose if we were really to investigate any family tree you could theoretically find some sort of 6 degrees in any place you live if you looked hard enough -explored the branches of various family marriages etc. With the world getting "smaller" with the internet it's good, and I'd suggest almost important, that we do know who is who.

'Kay let's take that thought a step further because I always enjoy expanding on ideas lol... I've always been somewhat horrified (excuse my honesty) with the implications of sperm banks and our genetic pool. Mostly because (a) someone could theoretically father a small herd of children (which has happened), (b) regardless of whether those offspring are fathered in different cities or suburbs they *could* quite serendipitously cross paths at ANY point in life. I know there are SOME rules in place in SOME places that are in place to deter this from happening. But I have to wag my finger at what *could* happen.

Matches and fire, people. Matches and fire !!!

Amicable Day

Did you know it's Amicable Day?
It is.
I discovered it.
It's "Day That Everyone Gets Along And Enjoys Their Day". What a great day, bags of puke and all !! How much fun was that ! lol... (Long story, email me and I'll fill you in) Seriously. Every day should be this good.
So I've been reading my own blog and why the hell isn't anyone mailing me anti depressants - seriously! I need some sorta pill to cure what ails me. Alls I do is bitch and moan, which although a relief and sometimes entertaining is a little stale...! Glad that I met someone recently though who seemed to appreciate my self depricating sense of humor and personal language. I felt vindicated [and relieved] to know that I do at times have a sense of humor! (That people GET, she quickly adds...) Nice to be heard, nice to be heard...!
Hopefully when people read this they GET that I have a sarcastic nature to my gnarliness. Of course I love dogs. I love that they eat their own vomit, and whatever else their bodies produce. I love laughing at them... I mean, I love them for that !! Yeeessss. =)
Anywhoodle I hope you all see today as Amicable Day. Seriously, I noticed so much comraderie today in all sorts of ways and places. Nice to see, nice to be part of, and nice to notice.
Mark your calendars going forward that June 18 is now Amicable Day =)

wednesday w's

Wednesday W's and Word Verifica.tion Wednesday!

Who: We
What: didn't get the puppy
Where: from the Humane Society
When: yesterday
Why: because I have some reservations... BUT, I am warming up to the idea.

I just dunno if NOW is the time to get a puppy and this particular one was sorta more than I can handle. I think if we can go when I start holidays in a few weeks THAT would be a better time. At least on vacation I'm there 24-7 to respond to it, teach it, take it for walks, as opposed to leaving him or her in a crate all day =( Aw, that wouldn't be fair.

Thank you for nice weather, Weather Gods !! Mmmm, finally warm sun on the face. If that doesn't boost your spirits I don't know what will. Outdoor activities here I come.. with or without a puppy !!!

Went to the humane society today; meant to look for a kitten. Looks like we may adopt a lab retriever cross (like this one at left, but this isn't him... same markings). Wow, he has some energy to burn...! I dunno, I'm torn between the "aw, he's so cute" and the "omg every thing I own is in peril from puppy teeth"... Seriously, I would have to puppy proof the whole house in like, a day to get ready for him. Let's do a pros and cons list and see if I can convince myself that adopting a puppy owns over adopting a kitten.... !!

PROS
It is summertime and a great time to have a puppy. We can take him for long, exhausting walks every day and play with him in the yard. He is (or will be) protection against theft and vandalism, and our tenants unfortunately just got hit a few nights ago with their car being torn apart in our driveway. (Don't get me started- no car alarm? No broken windows? No broken door lock? What ...??) They're loyal, responsive companions that are attentive to their masters. They're fun. They... they uh... Bah, that's about all I got for pros.

CONS
I love dogs, don't get me wrong. Love them. But this one is going to be a horse. It's not a small breed. And in the winter, what the hell ... I'm not going to be the one to let him outside to pee at minus eighty. And the barking, and the whining, and the ... the DOGness. The running through the house like a bull in a china shop. Chasing the cats. Chewing on anything remotely edible and other things that really aren't meant to be ingested. The dog hair, the dog breath, the... the kennel fees if we travel, not that we do. I dunno. Argh, when did this happen!?

I have apparently turned into a cat lover and a dog snob. I grew up with dogs (okay dashunds, which are half dogs.. Half sized anyways) I got cats in my adult life as pets and have since lived with only cats since my early 20s. Can I get past this though? I love love LOVE cats; they're wholly independant, stand offish, who cares what you do animals. I love that! Truth be told, I RELATE TO THAT! You can literally put a dish of food and water out, say see ya later and leave them for a weekend on their own. Cats can figure out that their food will still be there in a few hours and will remain there to consume tomorrow. They can live peaceably on their own without intervention for days. I even did 5 days once without any problem (okay someone checked in on them but they were fine) If you tried that with a dog it would eat all it's food in the first hour, puke, eat the puke, then eat your garbage and crap everywhere for the entire weekend. And then eat it's crap. And puke. And then eat it's puke. That's what dogs do. Dogs are dogs. Somebody help me see the merits of dogs again... !!! REMIND ME !!!

Aw, look at that puppy face...

So this Swine flu is going to get around to everyone they figure, so why panic (right?!) Manitoba now has 119 cases, BC has 151 cases , Quebec with 706 cases, Saskatchewan with 270 cases and Alberta 240. What's the recommended way to deal with this thing anyway? Is it better to expose yourself to it so you build an immunity, or should we get a flu shot or what?

I don't often get the flu. I never get flu shots. I more often than not take vitamins and sanitize my hands. Last winter was the first time in about 2-3 years that I've gotten SICK sick. It was a viral infection that was sweeping the workplace. Knocked me down for about a week, but nausea- puking? I only had for like, a day. The rest of it the time was consumed by REALLY really light headedness, no balance at all - falling over against the hallway wall, weak stomach, no appetite, headaches, yada yada.

I remember when I was a kid reading a book called Behind The Attic Wall. It was about a young girl, set in the early part of last century, who had lost some of her family to the Spanish Influenza of 1918. When she came down with it they had put mustard and onion packs on her chest to draw out the infection. Apparently these packs (and certain foods) have some pretty admirable remedial qualities if you are ill. Course any of you raw foodies already know this =)

Good luck to all of us with this crazy bug; nothin like Toxic problems...!!

FORECAST IMPROVES!

ALERT ! ALERT !
Sunny weekend ahead!
No, I'm SERIOUS!
For REAL!!

Mark it on the calendar!!!
=)

And to boot I will get to enjoy it because I was blessed with a 3 day weekend starting Sunday.

Ahhh, 3 day weekend. Mmmmm...!

Whatever will I do with myself in plus 26 weather?! Probably burn lol... Actually I think my plans are to do some morning weeding in the garden before the sun gets directly overhead. I'd also like to windex the back windows (which will be in the shade).

YAY, GOOD WEATHER!!!!!!
/*skips off to find warm weather clothes...

Starting to inch towards WARM.
Just INCH, though. Tonight low is 9 degrees.
I took pictures of my plants that I'm discovering in my yard as I try to figure out who they are !! (Okay what they are, but they all have personality so I say WHO...) For instance I have what I think is a SNOWBALL tree, and possibly lily of the valley (which if it is I'm stunned to learn is tolerant to minus 40 temperatures and a zone 2 perennial...). And quite likely this lovely flowering crab apple tree dripping with purple flowers... mmm. That will make some damn good jelly if that's what that is !!!
I was just spreading my learned gardner karma (from Aleesha of course) with someone at work. You know how it goes- plant FRUIT trees and FLOWERING plants along a neighbouring fence so your relationship with that neighbour will also flourish and be fruitful. Never plant prickly plants on a neighbouring fence line again because you would not want a prickly relationship with them. It's just bad vibes, man!! Anyways we had a lovely conversation about how that makes so much sense and I'm so glad I'm able to forward her teachings.
Happy Full Moon all; here's to the energy of this Sagittarian moon. Here's to all of us seeing the big picture and believing in the greater good for everyone. Passing on some good mojo; over and out !

OFFICIAL NEWS - SUMMER HAS BEEN CANCELLED

Time to post in six words !!

Seriously people, is summer ever coming?
I know I cannot be alone.
Everyone anywhere COLD must be PISSED!
Personally I feel like freaking OUT...
No word of a lie here.
Every day I cry about it.
Well not just about the weather.
But it does bring me down.
Let's call it a big contributor.
SERIOUSLY...WHEN WILL SUMMER EVER ARRIVE?!?!?!

Isolation.
Geographically, personally, physically, socially, partly chosen and partly imposed.
And it's really hard to cope; harder than I thought it would be.
Not that this ongoing saga of horrible cold weather helps at all. If I see another frost warning like today at any point in June I'm seriously transferring back.
I give up.
I can't do this.
I can't live an indoor existence.
This is incredibly depressing.

OMG LEAVES!!

I was doing my banking this morning and I'm driving up a street, HAD to take a picture. Only 30 days ago the trees were BARREN. It was like Twig Town everywhere you went, very very very depressing. Today? Lately!? GREEN.... Green is good. Green is fantastic, actually. There may be hope yet !

That's why I love gardening so much; it's the symbolic act of GROWTH that's at the core of it. It's (ahem) ROOTED in everything that is (ahem) NATURAL to us. Growth is good. Growth is fantasic, actually. There may be hope yet !!

Moving to other green news I've been following what's happening economically with Big Companies like GM and Royal Bank which reported a horrifying $50 million loss a few days ago. GMC going under (offically yesterday) was " the third-largest in U.S. history and the largest ever in U.S. manufacturing." Wow. And worse yet- "In the wake of its widely anticipated bankruptcy filing, GMC stock - once considered a rock-solid blue chip - was being removed from the Dow Jones industrial average and delisted by the New York Stock Exchange." Oy. Yeah, always invest in those blue chip stocks... unless we're heading into a recession/ depression and all hell breaks loose. Watch out for that.

I've never so much been into stocks. To me you have to either be on it all the time yourself or have a broker you trust that constantly watches the values. I prefer bricks and mortar. I'd like to buy some gold since the Mint is right here, and there is a finite amount of it in the planet meaning it will always have value. I'd also like to get Universal Life, because it fascinates me that an investment and an insurance product can work together and are tax deferred. Who knew...

Feelin a little like this. Whatever this is. Actually I know what this is but I'd prefer not to get all psycho analytical on you. Meh. Nondescript. I think the one on the left is my favorite. I like the tilted head, I'm so listening to you pose.

So when will it actually get HOT and SUMMERY, I ask you. This whole crap with dipping to three and five degrees at night and maybe if we're lucky hitting a whopping twenty degrees is getting beyond irritating. It's truthfully annoying at this point which is why I'm writing in Angry Red. Someone yesterday said to me, don't you feel ripped off? I almost screamed an Allelujah. Can I get an AMEN!? Holymother, seriously, this is teh lamest, most unsettling, traumatizing, let-down everrrrrr. First we're insulted with seven months of winter including SNOW in MAY. This is not right. Then, throughout May and into the first 2 weeks of June and are we getting any reward for a shit winter? Oh noooo. Nope, we get miserable, mediocre reports from the meteorologist. Jerk. Give me some news that 30 plus degrees and full hot sun is coming and lasting until AUGUST. That *might* appease me...maybe. Check the weekly forecast here for Winnipeg and groan with me. Look at the lows. I'm seriously moving. No lie.

I actually started looking at condos in BC on the mls just to taunt myself into the idea of going home, because honestly can I deal with this for YEARS? I don't know if I want to, and hey, I have choices- I got options here, dudes. Be great to live just minutes to Harrison, or live in Penticton, or Kelowna, or Comox, or Langford... you know what I mean. That province is home to me, doesn't matter where. And it's nice that there are MULTIPLE CITIES to choose from. I probably have camped there, visited relatives there, HAVE relatives there or know someone there in any one of them guaranteed. Or, let's get crazy I mean we could move to the States, like Missoula Montana or Antioch California. I wonder what that takes to do- I guess a work visa and stuff.

It's so humorous when people here think it's sooo costly to live in BC. I mean let's do a side by side comparison ok? Lower personal income tax in BC? Check. Lower property taxes in BC? Check. Property prices comparable? Check those links there and tell me those aren't affordable condos. Better weather? Check check. More opportunity? Check. Hmmm. Looks like a long term goal here is in place. Westward Ho in like, a few years or something.

Amazing how fast twelve days of vacation can go. How did that even happen, seriously. The first week I was off I confess I did NOTHING. And it was good =) I lounged around, watched tv, watched some more tv, diddled around online... okay, I managed to do some laundry and dishes, and I think I grocery shopped one day. Other than that, I did nada. Only in the last three days have I done any yard work.
And yard work I did.
I took out my trusty edger and edged the grass around the property which took a few good hours and several blisters to complete. Also edged the path and swept it REALLY hard to see the cracks and spots the weeds are popping up. Today I'm going to pour boiling water on the weeds to kill them... In a few weeks I'll rent a compressor and hose down the walkway as much as possible. I'm gonna fill the cracks with concrete and probably use one of those concrete sealer products to make it look all fresh and new. It's such a cheap-n-easy thing to do but it so completes the look...Well either that or I'll level it and put brick on top...
I still have to go get my hoe from Sears that I ordered. I'm going to try it out; if it doesn't work their circle hoe looks really interesting. A girl has to have a good hoe these days =P
I used my musckles and heaved forty feet of various types of boulders to create a lovely rockwall... which now needs about 3 yards of soil heaved in there. Suprisingly my spine is completely good after that. I musta lifted properly =)
Hmmm, what else. Oh yeah, we tore apart our 6 x 8 (or 8 x 10?) Rubbermaid shed. I just hated where it was stuck in the yard. For some reason the previous owner slapped it in the middle of the backyard parking spots (?) Why, I dunno. It's lovely and all, very new- probably only a year or maybe two old. But stupid, stupid place to stick it. And honestly I'm humming and hawing whether I need one (?) We have so few things to store (same with our tenants) plus we already have storage space under the back deck. I might just Kijiji it.
And I guess I cleaned some windows. That's it.
All in three days lol... I must've saved up the energy from the week before I guess !!
And now that I'm all worn out I'm heading back to work. LOL ... hence the picture =)