SAD AND SCARY AND HAPPY TIMES

 Well, first the sad.   I am thinking of my sister and her family today.  They have lost two close people today and a week or two ago.  It's truly a blow to the family.  I am so sorry they are going through these losses right now.  It's hard.

Next the scary.  Last Sunday I made a full on roast dinner.  I even made Yorkshire puddings (with oat milk).  It was a delicious dinner.

Ange and I always eat in the living room.  As we started to eat she started making the oddest sounds.  I thought it was Leeloo.  Suddenly she got up and said she would be right back and disappeared into the loo.  When she came back she said her stomach was upset and she would take her dinner down stairs for later.  The next time I saw her later she was doubled over in terrible pain and she couldn't stop throwing up.  By Monday she was absolutely in agony and couldn't keep anything down.  And her blood sugar numbers were heading up even though she hadn't eaten or drunk anything that stayed down.

On Tuesday morning I was running around and packing and cleaning, getting ready to leave for Vancouver.  She came upstairs looking like death.  Her blood sugar was waaaay too high.  It was downright scary.  An ambulance had now become no choice but to call one.  And they took her away to the hospital and today is Thursday and she is still there.

They started to give her intravenous liquids and it took five bags to start making a dint on her dehydration and blood sugar numbers. She is getting better.  She has stopped throwing up and started to eat little bits.  The only thing is they are helping her with diabetes advice and tips and arranging for her to get a pump (thats a big deal, they are over six thousand dollars and she qualifies for a free one) but no word on what caused all this to happen to begin with.  They had better find that out.  We don't want this to ever happen again!!!

Now for the happy.  Yesterday Myles, April, Baka (Myles's gramma) and I drove out to Cultus Lake area to look at a very promising farm wedding venue.  It seemed so absolutely perfect.  And it was beautiful!  But....there just happened to be too many drawbacks to it.  So that was crossed off the list.  But what an awesome day it was!!!

It was so wonderful to be sitting in the backseat with Baka.  Two old ladies chatting away!  She is Croatian and is full of amazing stories.  But this time we discussed potato salad!!!  She makes the kind of salad the Germans make with vinegar!  I have always wanted to learn how to make that salad.  So bless her heart, she taught me.  Right there in the back seat of Myles's truck.  She gave me all her tips and tricks and when I get home I am going to make it!  I can't wait.  For a woman who is turning 92 she is as sharp as a tack!  Honestly we had so much fun back there!

Out on that farm she and I climbed into a UTV side by side, cammo coloured and toodled around with a very talkative crazy man.  At one point it was April on there and I took the opportunity to take a picture of them.  The place was lovely but not quite right and ended up being pretty expensive.  We stopped at an incredibly beautiful golf course Bistro on the way home and had a splendiferous lunch.  The whole day was amazing.

Now we are laying around sluggishly at April's.  Both of them are not working today so we are having a lovely quiet day.  April made a delicious breakfast and I think she and I are heading out to somewhere that involves a latte with an extra shot and a spot to do walkies with a reluctant dog.  So this will involve getting dressed.  (shovel list...fat broads are NOT comfortable in clothes...even stretchy tights) So I shall sign off.  Have a great day.  TTYL

'My grandfather had a wonderful funeral.  On the buffet table was a replica of the deceased in potato salad.'  Woody Allen.   that is what I want and a replica of me would provide enough potato salad for everyone to have seconds.

AND AWAY THEY GO

STOPPED TO CHAT WITH THE HORSES

BAKA AND APRIL BEING TAKEN DOWN THE MUDDY HILL

APRIL SENT ME A MUCH BETTER PIC THAN THIS ONE I TOOK BUT IT WON'T LOAD ONTO MY LAPTOP.  WE HAD SUCH A GOOD TIME!!!!

GLORIOUS AMAZING WEATHER

 I was sitting in my chair, as per usual at 8 in the morning.  The scene outside was amazing.  Crystalline blue sky, pristine crisp white mountain, wispy pale half moon hanging over that mountain, brilliant sunshine streaming in the window, onto the little Xmas tree.  Urrrrrccchhh!!!  That did not look right!!!  That tree is out of natural order! Not only out of place but the top third of the tree's lights are out.  This offends my Libra bent for balance and symmetry. I am no longer enjoying my little tree.

As I finished writing that paragraph, Monte came into the room.  I had mentioned to him a while ago that I needed him to lift that tree, as is,  over the top of the couch and into the corner behind it.  It is wee enough that it can stay there til next year.  His response?  "Like, right now?"  Yes I answered.  If we don't, keeping in mind we are the worst put offskis on the planet, it will still be there next year!

So Mr. Tall picked it up, I untangled the cord and kept it clear of the hibiscus and plop! down it went, all neat and tidy into the corner behind the couch.  Although a little later I peeked behind the couch and the damned thing is still lit up.  I shall have to find the cord and plug in and disconnect it.  A whole lot easier said than done I tell ya.  But it is moved.  Now to get that colossal trunk unwontedly in front of the couch emptied and moved out to the tin barn.

Well things are changing here when I get back.  I have to put together about twenty grand between now and June.  Income tax, property tax, car insurance, house insurance.  I'm not sure twenty will even cover it.

So I sat down and went over my spending and finances.  I can't really cut the spending much.  The only place I spend money is on food and household goods.  I do have money from Bill.  But I only use that on the kids, buying houses, going to school, getting married!!!, sending emergency money to a couple of them now and then, piano lessons for grand children etc...I don't use it for my household or food, or cars etc....

After going through my finances etc...I made the decision that the two other people in this house are going to have to fend for themselves as far as food goes. And of course they are so willing and ready to.  Bless them.   I have said though that I will still cook dinners for them on week ends.  That is for me.  I love to cook and can't totally give it up.  Also I am about to get stricter with my diabetes diet.  So I think I will be saving quite a bit that way.  Into the tax/insurance it goes!!!

Also I am canning Telus Optics.  I am paying out about 200 a month for tv alone.  I bought a Roku, I will subscribe to two more streams and that will save me about 170 per month.  Straight into the tax/insurance account!

Another thing I am going to do is get rid of everything in the storage unit in Kamloops.  I have told the kids to meet me there in the spring and they can take what they want and I will keep a few things and cancel the unit.  That will save 120 per month.  Into the account!

And even though it isn't much, I am going to put my cpp and oap into that account too.  Taking it down to the bare bones!  Actually to tell you the truth it feels good and familiar.  This stringent way of living is a lot more familiar to me than any other way.  I will miss going out for dinner now and then.  But every time we do it's at least a hundred bucks.  I am willing to still go out now and then but I won't be picking up the tab for everyone anymore.  Just myself.  Gonna save like a demon!!!  I know one thing...it will be good for my type 2!!!!!

Well I am off to North Van again next Tuesday.  On Wed. we go out to the potential wedding venue and check it out.  I have all my fingers crossed that it will work out.  I don't think April would survive it not being 'the' one.  I am really looking forward to it.  It is all the way out by Cultus Lake so it will be a long and wonderful drive.

After a couple of days at April's I am going to go and spend a couple of nights at Cookie's!!!!  I am so excited!!!  I haven't seen her in forever.  I didn't consider how cut off I would be here in Port.  I love it here for sure but there are a few drawbacks.  One is being so cut off.  The other is the lack of any food ingredients that aren't just your run of the mill stuff. 

I have found a tv judge who is worse than Judge Judy. (shovel list) I mean I hate Judge Judy so much I actually wrote a poem about her (a really bad poem I might add, I am no poet).  Now I have found a new one to watch occasionally and I am going to stop.  He is a grandstanding idiot, greg Mathis.  I am going to write a poem about him.  I will put my Judy poem below (which as usual you certainly do NOT have to read it) and when I write one about greg I shall post it.  Maybe I will make it a Haiku!

Something I did just do and loved, I watched my awesome niece, the one I live vicariously through, Jo, do her Masters dissertation.  It was absolutely fascinating.  My sister must be incredibly proud of her!  It is truly amazing how much our medical staff does to promote safety, healthy and better systems in the hospital.  It's a lot of hard work and studying and memorizing and care etc.....

Well that's enough for this post.  Take care everyone and say hi to your neighbours!!!  TTYL

JUDGE JUDY

there is one person on this earth

nasty miserable who has no worth

she mocks and belittles and throws out wrath

to any and all who wander onto her path

no matter your reason or path you’ve chosen

she stares at you like she has become frozen

then suddenly she moves and starts to shout

and spews such hatred  that leaves no doubt

you have become her hapless victim

her beady eyes and loud mouth rip in

shredding your last bit of self dignity

with her ever present outrageous acidity

I calmly lean forward and pick up the remote

push the button, lean back and gloat

I turn off that bitch who shouts so rudely

How I hate that cow call judge judy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COOKIE!!!!!

 Happy birthday BFF!!!  We have gone through a lot of birthdays over the years!!!!  Fifty seven years!  Jeez!!!  I don't feel that old in my head but, my body is another story!!!  I hope you have a great time today with your family.

Big day today for Ange!!!  When she moved in a year and a half ago, her hair was right down to her bum.  Super thick and super long.  The she went in to the hairdressers and had it cut to shoulder length.  It looked fantastic.  And today she went in and got a pixie cut.  It is super short and cute as a button.  It really suits her.  She is so happy!!!!  I envy her.  What a difference from when she first moved in!

  I would love to cut mine off but being a big blister I would have what you call a pin head.  The last time I cut my hair right off Bill ran around calling me Butch.  I liked Blister better. (shovel list to both)

My stupid tailbone has gone out on me again.  It is just as bad as it was at the beginning of it all.  If it weren't such an ordeal I would go in and get a diagnosis.  But in this town we have to go to either Nanaimo or Victoria, and that is after waiting forever for the appointment.  So I shall just jump to the conclusion it is some form of arthritis and put up and shut up.  Which I shall do right now.

I have an admission here to make.  I sometimes shop online at those bad Chinese websites who rob artists of their art and for all I know have little kids working for them.  But I went there for a couple of dresses that would be appropriate wedding attire.

They arrived yesterday and I love them so much that the guilt just melted away.  I knew there was a real risk of them being cheaply made with horrible material made from plastic bottles or something.  But they are not.  They are super well made, the right size, even for big huge me and they were 29.00 bucks each with free shipping.  The biggest problem will be picking the one to wear!  I will put pics of them below.  I won't say which is my fave!  You have to guess.

Wedding plans are progressing!!!  On the 21st of this month we are going out to see the venue.  April and Myles are compiling questions to ask, and believe me there are lots of those!!!  This is so exciting!!!

  Unless Arnie and Bradley end up tying the knot, this will probably be the only wedding I will be involved in.  At least that is the way I am currently thinking of it.  It would be so exciting if Bradley and Aryn did decide to marry.  We love Bradley to pieces and would be so excited and happy to welcome him in.  In the meantime we shall heap our love onto Myles!  My girls sure know how to pick amazing partners.  I am so proud of them.

  Unlike myself at the first.  On the second round  I got the only man in the world that happily put up with me.  But the first husband was a real winner.  (sarcasm....shovel list). He was ten years my senior which would make him 82 this year.  He is the same age Bill was when Bill died.  I can't even imagine him old like that.  If I ran into him right now I think I would have a heart attack!  I have enough trouble seeing actors my age and older that I once knew from years ago.  Jeez!!  It's like looking at slowly rotting fruit, creepy as hell!  Something like him!!! hahahaha!!!!  (that wasn't nice but then neither was he)

Well it is time to take Leeloo out for a whiz!!!  All I have to do is start to hoist myself out of my chair for her to leap to her feet and go crazy.  I'm glad it's gorgeous and sunny outside.  She really hates going out into super cold or rain. 

So I am off.  Have a happy rest of day and TTYL

'You may have even an ex-wife or an ex-husband, but you can never have ex-children.'  George Foreman

DRESS NUMBER ONE

OUR MOUNTAIN TODAY

SECOND DRESS. THIS ONE LOOKS WAY WAY BETTER IN PERSON

GONE AND DID IT AGAIN. (VERY TEMPTING TO START THAT WITH OOPS I....RESISTED)

Yes I made another one.  I believe I have mentioned that I am the queen of unnecessary ridiculous avoidable messes? Ange thinks I am crazy and I can't say that I disagree.  I just don't know how this happens....sometimes.  Usually I am either not paying attention, or going too fast or I am blind.

This morning was none of those.  It was just plain stupid.  I got out my wide shallow cast iron, nice bright red, to make Swissed Steak.  It's the perfect shape and size.  I have two packages of chuck steak, two steaks in each one.

I cut up onions and peppers, grabbed a handful of peeled garlic, took the steaks out of the packaging and threw the whole works into the pan.  I then covered it with seasonings and tomato sauce, slapped the lid on, turned it on low and walked away.  A couple of hours later it was smelling kind of over done so I took off the lid and stirred it up.  I was scraping the black sh*t (shovel list) off the bottom when I noticed one of the larger steaks need to be turned.  I grabbed a fork, stabbed the edge of the steak and pulled it up to flip it and what the hell??? It was still attached to the absorbent paper pad and plastic from the packaging, sopping in tomato sauce I might add.

Well I stood there in horror, the steak and offending lining swinging and dripping off the end of the fork, whilst I contemplated how to handle this.  What I haven't mentioned is that Ange was in the loo.  I knew she was coming out soon and I so so didn't want her to see this. She thinks I am crazy anyway and doesn't need the extra confirmation. So I quickly swung the offending steak towards a garbage bowl by the sink.  I figured I could peel the paper plastic thingy off the steak and place the steak back into the pan.  Makes sense. 

Well that would have made sense but I actually didn't have the fork in the steak, only in the lining.  And, of course halfway to the garbage bowl the effing steak fell off onto the floor with a massive splattering plop.  I quickly got the lining into the garbage bowl and swiftly scooped up the steak, threw it back in the pan (my floor isn't that dirty, five second rule, its going to cook for hours and kill any germs) and then took a good look down.

There was tomato sauce splattered in huge gobs all over the front of the stove, right up four cupboard doors, all over the floor...unbelievable.  I actually looked into the stupid pan to see if there was any sauce left!  And I knew that Ange would come around the corner at any moment.  So I grabbed the paper towel, and there were only two pieces left!  Jesus H!!!!  So I scooped some of it up but had to switch to the dish cloth.  Wipe, rinse, wipe, rinse, wipe, rinse.  I managed to get it all clean and then when she came out she didn't even look in the kitchen!  She headed straight downstairs!  Sigh.

Anyway I tweaked and added and tasted etc...checked the other steaks to make sure they weren't lined and all is well.  In fact it has turned out delicious!  I think it's the best swissed steak I have ever made.  Sausages, breakfast cheap sausages are super good made this way too.  Make a pan of sausages with an extra thick sauce then when its cooked pop biscuits on top and bake it til the biscuits are cooked.  Yum yum!

Well enough food talk.  Actually enough talk talk.  I am signing off for today.  TTYL

'Many people have eaten my food and gone on to lead normal lives.'  Anon

THE DRESS I THINK I WILL WEAR FOR THE WEDDING

MY WEDDING...SON KEVIN, ME, ARYN HOLDING APRIL, STEPPIE JENNIFER, ANNE

BILL DID ALL THE FLOWERS

I DIDN'T HAVE ANYONE TO DRIVE ME SO I DROVE MYSELF AND A SNOOZY APRIL TO THE CHURCH.  I STOPPED AT THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO SNEAK A SMOKE BUT HALF THE WEDDING PEOPLE DROVE BY ON THEIR WAY TO THE CHURCH, HONKING AS THEY PASSED!

I just now looked at my Uggs I am wearing.  Guess what's all over them.  F*ckadoodle!!!!!

LOST POST-HOME AGAIN HOME AGAIN JIGGITY JIG

I made a post since the last one but it isn't here!  I hate blogspot!!!  It does or doesn't do things it is supposed to or not supposed to do.  Disappearing my post is one of the not supposed to do.  (shovel list all to hell and back)!!!!!

Well a ton has happened since the last post I must say.  I shall do my best to keep it short and not go into the minutia!!

One thing I must mention is wedding bells are in the air!!!!  It's so much fun and exciting.  I think, after much internet hunting we have found a beautiful venue!  It is countryish, which was important to April and Myles.  It has all the bells and whistles one could want.  It isn't huge or lavish, and best of all it is half the price all the other ones in the lower mainland were.  I shan't say anymore about it.  If you want to know you will have to ask the kids, it's not my story to tell.  But let me just say so far it's perfect!!  And exciting!!!  Many many many texts and emails flying around!!!

Monte arrived on Sunday the 28th and we loaded up the car.  He spent the night at our home away from home, the North Van Hotel.  He came and picked Leeloo and myself up the next morning.  We headed out to Ikea in Richmond.  I stayed in the car with Leeloo and avoided the pandemonium that is Ikea.  Monte did bring me a couple of their little hotdogs!!  

Leeloo is like a people magnate!  Anyone that went by would stop and talk to her and then me.  I met a few pretty interesting people.  We then drove out to the ferry and we had an hour to wait which was perfectly okay.  Now here is the part that isn't okay.

I have been sitting here trying to remember the trip over to Victoria.  I remember driving off and getting to the Zed hotel.  But for the life of me I can't remember the drive onto the ferry.  I can't remember if Monte went upstairs or not or even if I did.  I can't remember if I got food or coffee or ANYTHING!!!!!  It's scary to not remember!!!!  Is this how it starts?  (shovel list) I have since remembered it all...after much thought.  lol!!

The Zed is a very quirky funky hotel.  It is right on one of two main Victoria city streets.  And the hotel is old, and NOT soundproof.  There was a steady stream, and I mean steady, of sirens going by.  Police, ambulance and firetrucks....steadily the whole time we were there!!!  We were there for two nights and now that I have read the news, I understand the sirens.  Victoria is a massive, unmitigated shit hole.

  There are drug addicts, mentally ill, derelicts on every street with complete malcontent in their souls.  It is just unbelievable.  I feel bad for them, or I am trying to, but I utterly refuse to feel guilt.  I do feel for the genuinely mentally ill.  They aren't equipped to make good choices.  But all the rest, at some point  it was a choice and the collateral damage is incredible.  In my 71 years I have seen Mother Nature at her most destructive.  But nothing equals the immense filthy damage these people are causing.  It isn't right.  And they simply get away with it.  It is definitely harming the healthy community.

I think that what bothers me most is that with any down and out minority you aren't allowed to be pissed off with them.  Yet there are things these people do that are simply not acceptable.  I was talking with a person who works in one of the hotels the government bought and turned into homes for them.  By six months they had destroyed it.  This worker actually told me that these people are the most entitled narcissistic (I can just hear people going off right now about how they had terrible lives or pain or no self control blah blah blah) and can't help it.  Millions of people have terrible upbringings etc... and don't make such self harm destructive choices.  My empathy has been over used and has worn out.

But that aside we had a great time.  We had some pretty heavy conversations.  And on the way through Nanaimo I was starving.  We ate at a wonderful Korean restaurant we have had our eye on.  Wow the food was crazy delicious and more than that...interesting!!!

I have bought something I must mention.  I need motivation to get moving more, pain or no pain.  I remember Cookie telling me that the first thing that becomes useless on an old person are their legs!  And that is what is happening!  It's getting harder and harder to get up out of my chair and climbing stairs!  Geez!  Spare me now.  So I need to change this.  I think I will talk to the doc about safe painkillers...safe for my kidneys.  If I can pop a couple of those and then go walking, to start with, I think I would enjoy it! 

So to motivate that....I bought a smart watch, a cheapo.  It was forty bucks on Amazon.  It counts steps.  A person I know has the same one and she says it's amazing and super accurate.  So I will set short term goals, increasing to my long term one. 

 I just wish I could buy some fat lady rain gear.  I mean what the hell???  Fat ladies don't get wet?  The wetskins, the brand I really like and used to buy only go up to 3x.  Which would be fine if fat ladies don't mind half their arms getting soaked and a wide wet stripe down the front coat gap that won't close and the shoulders are so tight you can't clap your hands together, not that you would have any reason to clap in the friggin' rain. Grrrrrr!!!!  And no hat fits.  My hair is cemented in place with liquid cement spray and when it gets good and wet, little lethal chemical rivulets run down behind my rain speckled glasses right smack into my eyes.  Burning eyes behind blinding glasses are not conducive to long leisurely walks.  Thanks wetskins!  I hate the rain.

So now I am in my comfy chair.  Leeloo has settled right in happily and I am starving.  I need to eat something.  Unfortunately there isn't much in the house to eat.  Gotta go look!  Take care folks and let's hope this post gets there!!!  TTYL

'They've been together for so many years, instead of the Wedding March, the organist should have played the Hallelujah Chorus!'  Anon

DON'T I LOOK TINY AND WEE?  TRUST ME...I DEFINITELY AM NOT!!!!

ARYN SENT ME A PICTURE THAT WAS A VERSION OF EYE SPY.  THEN IT WAS MY TURN.  SO I HID A WINNIE THE POOH ON APRIL'S BUSY BUFFET TOP.  SEE IF YOU CAN FIND HIM!

MY LITTLE BUDDY FOR THE NEXT MONTH!!

TUESDAY MORNING IN THE HOTEL.  MONTE IS HOLDING HIS CPAP IN PLACE.  HE IS SO TALL HIS LEGS AND FEET ALWAYS HANG OUT OVER THE END OF BEDS.

WE HAVE TO DRIVE THROUGH LANGFORD ON THE WAY HOME SO WE DROVE BY OUR HOUSE WE HAD THERE.  THIS WAS THE LAST PLACE I LIVED WITH SPOD.  IT WAS HARD TO SEE IT.  IT'S HARD NOW LOOKING AT THIS PICTURE.  I MISS HIM.