OTHER THAN THE VERY FIRST FULL DAY HOME...I HAVE KEPT UP WITH MY RESOS

Well I am sitting in my new 'spot in the house' my bed.  The tv in the living room isn't working and the pvr in my bedroom isn't working.  Monte spent an hour on the phone with effing pathetic Telus  whilst I was away.  They were working when he hung up with them.  I really really, to the power of infinity, HATE HATE HATE optic tv.  It totally sucks.  I want a cable I screw into the wall. (super huge shovel list) 

It is ten pm and I am sipping sleepy time tea with lemon honey and ginger (from a massive jar of it from Costco).  Six carbs. Gotta count them.  My blood sugar very quickly hit the low fives as soon as I started eating right.  Gotta try to keep it there.  I did get an extra week of pills from the awesomest pharmacist in the whole world but I still have to go to a doctor and go to the lab.  Grrrrr.......

I have kept up with my resolution to spend at least two hours every day on something or other.  I drag my red rolly chair around with me from task to task.  Today Ange brought up a load of cat littler boxes, due to the weight of cat litter the boxes are super strong and not too huge.

We attacked my big massive pantry cupboard.  It should be a linen cupboard.  We filled six or eight boxes with 2024-2025 due date dry goods.  Brownie mixes, a whole cardboard box of Betty Crocker scalloped potatoes and instant mashed potatoes.  About eight cake mixes.  All kinds of bags of beans and soup mix beans.  Oatmeal, cornmeal, cassava flour (what the hell was I thinking?) all kinds of puddings, wafer crumbs for pie crusts...some of it was dated 2022.  I used to cook a lot for my once a month dinner parties for twelve, then covid hit.  Anyway Monte shall take it all to the Sally Ann.

I also made curried chicken and a massive salad for dinner.  It was so good!  I found two...not one, but two massive club house unopened spice containers of curry powder.  So I used that.  It was really good.  The curry flavour reminded me of Mom's curry.

I talked to the girls today.  Long convos with each.  We are getting ready for the women's retreat, coming up Feb. 7.  This year it is in Chilliwack.

April went shopping prexmas at super store.  If you buy more than 250 bucks or something like that, they give you a box of groceries or something for free.  She came home with a giant frozen turkey!  It barely fit into their tiny fridge freezer.  She had the brilliant idea to take it to the retreat, I will bring my turkey roaster and a crock pot full of stuffing and cranberry jelly and soft fresh white bread (or sourdough) and cook the thing the first night and debone it for sammiches.  mmmmmmm. There will be about 18 ladies there!  We are all looking so forward to this retreat.  We haven't had one since covid and it is time.

Well I shall sign off here...I need to research food banks in this town before I get too tired.  My sleepy time tea is probably mostly psychological but I choose to believe the valerian root in it will actually make me sleepy.  So goodnight folks..TFL & TTYL

ALL THE CAT LITTER BOXES FULL OF FOOD

ATTACHED AT THE HIP

MONTE SNUCK A PIC OF US SLEEPING

HOMEWARD BOUND

 I was just texting Graeme that it is time to go home.  I am missing the people and the animals in my house!  I don't even care if it's a crap show.  I feel it is time to be home.

I need my prescription renewed.  I get sick stomach from worry every single time it is renewal time. (shovel list).  I don't understand why it is so complicated.  Well actually I guess I do.

You have to get an A1c, wait a day, then battle your way to a working available doctor.  Our clinic keeps shutting for periods of time.  My awesome new pharmacist will give me pills but one week at a time.  Doesn't cut it.  I guess I will head over to him tomorrow and ask for an extra week to give me time to get into a doctor.  I feel like just tossing them all and take my chances with high blood sugar and high blood pressure.  If it's my time to go then I go.  My bucket list is complete at this point.

I had a wonderful relaxing time at Cookie's and Brian's.  It is so clean (everything is NOT covered with dog hair) and organized and peaceful.  I loved it.  It was like being in a respite.  Cookie is the most thoughtful amazing hostess. We talked ourselves silly, ate great food and we went shopping and out for lunch.  And Brian not only told great stories but he did something else that had Cook and I laughing so hard I couldn't quit!  I can't tell you what he did though.  teehee

So now I am sitting on Ape's comfy couch typing up a storm.  My ferry is at 1.  Next post will be from home!!!!  TFL and TTYL

I DIDN'T GET EVEN ONE PIC OF BRIAN OR COOKIE EXCEPT THIS ONE.  THIS WAS BRIAN DRAWN BY MAXEN, COOKIE'S GRANDSON, WHEN HE WAS YOUNGER.  SO HERE IS THE ONLY PIC I GOT!!!

A BOX OF HARMONY DONUTS.  THAT WON'T MEAN ANYTHING TO SOME...EVERYTHING TO OTHERS!!! I TOOKA BOX TO COOK'S

BESTEST SNACK EVER...BOURSIN AND CRACKERS

GRAEME AND LEELOO

RESOLUTIONS

 Usually when people talk about their New Year's resolutions, I am like 'ho hum'.  I react very much the same way I do when people start talking about horses or their pets.  (me included, I bore myself silly talking about Floppy).  But I am sitting on the couch in April and Myles's place and I had a brain wave involving a resolution I just might make this year.

And no, it isn't about diet, or blood sugar, or exercise.  That is the usual go to resolution so you can see why I find it ho hum boring.  No, I came to the realization, probably ten years ago, that I am waaaaaay too attached to my big old comfy chair.  I spend many many hours in that ratty duct taped thing in a day.  I often sit there and think about all the things that NEED doing in that stupid little crap box and then guilt and shame set in.  So I get out of the chair, walk to my bedroom, leave my bedroom, go to the kitchen and eat something illicit then walk back to my chair, sink into its welcoming warmth and comfort and think, 'tomorrow'.  There is a lot of Scarlett O'Hara in me.

The only way I am going to be able to stop the guilt and shame is to get off my bubble butt and get to it.  And I know myself well.  It has to be measured in time allotments.  And here is my 2025 resolution:

I shall spend two hours a day working on my room or the closets or the laundry room or the storage sheds or the deck...and I won't stop my two hours per day until that project is done.  I will drag my red rolly chair around with me.  Due to certain bone issues I need to have a chair handy to sit for two minutes out of every ten to straighten out my hip and tailbone.  I am very lucky that it only takes two minutes.  So I work til I can't then sit til I can.

And I am going to make Ange my police person.  Poor Ange.  I am going to ask her to nag me and check my progress on the current project.  Then if I skip a day, no matter the excuse, give me hell and nag the heck out of me.  I need a moderator.

On another note last night April and I went to a Winners.  I have not been shopping in a brick and mortar in a very long time.  Grocery stores don't count but I haven't really even been in them for the last year.  Delivery is the anti shoppers best friend.  And I actually really enjoyed the shopping trip!  I did buy a few things but had to keep my very limited budget in mind.

After shopping we went to an awesome ramen place on Lonsdale.  I love ramen and pho etc...and the ramen last nite was truly awesome.  Then...get this, we went to a Mexican cantina and drank margaritas!  We shared a flight of them, lime, guava (my fave), mango and strawberry.  What a fun time we had.  April is a lot of fun and easy to go out with.  I super enjoyed our evening.

And now it is almost 10:30 in the morning.  Graeme will be here at 11 and I am sitting on the couch in my very ugly pjs.  Gotta go get dressed!  (not that he hasn't seen me in ugly pjs before...in fact probably 80% of the time I spend with him) 

Have a great day and TFL and TTYL

MARGARITAVILLE!!!  JUST SAYING HERE....WHEN I LOOK AT  PICS OF ME, I JUST DON'T LOOK LIKE I DO IN MY MIND'S EYE.  SOOO DIFFERENT.  (SHOVEL LIST)

COMPLIMENTARY TACO CHIPS AND SALSAS

 

I'M FULL

AS USUAL PICS IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES,  (SHOVEL FREAKING LIST). APRIL'S AWESOME OSSO BUCO

HER BEAUTIFUL TABLE SETTING.  SHE EVEN PUT TWINKLE LIGHTS ON THE TABLE!!!

CUTTIN' UP THEM THERE APPLES

SHE MADE THE MOST DELICIOUS CRANBERRY PROSECO 

 DRINK.  THOSE ARE DOLLAR STORE GLASSES!!!!

ONE DAY WE PAINTED LITTLE HOUSES.  THIS ONE WAS MINE

HAHAHA!!!  CAN YOU TELL WHICH ONE THE ARTIST IN THE HOUSE PAINTED!?

 Egads!!!  I have forgotten completely what it is like to be hungry!!!!  Both my daughters are amazing cooks.  And I do mean amazing!!!

Let's see...the turkey dinner at Arnie's was outstanding.  Everything was perfect, from the traditional (and I love traditions) green bean casserole, to the candied yams, cranberry sauce with ring dints on it from the can, and the stuffing and turkey. And the crowning glory?.... the fluffy mashed potatoes and gravy. Ohhhhh I could do it all over right now.

And now at April's...more amazing food.  She made the most beautiful New Years Eve dinner.  All day she nursed an amazing osso buco in the oven.  Then she and Myles set the most beautiful table.  I will put pics below.  It was so cozy and stunning and perfect.  I spent some time in the afternoon peeling and cutting up apples for an apple crisp.  What a fantastic dinner!

Due to having to work Aryn was not able to deal with the turkey carcass so I brought it to April's and she made a massive pot of amazing turkey soup.  It was totally delicious.

Yesterday I went with her to Safeway which is pretty much next door to her complex.  I took a stroll through the place and oh so wish we had a Safeway in Port.  I love Safeway.  It has always been my go to store.  They even had frozen buns!  Myles makes monkey bread with them!!!

I think today we are going to go to a Winners.  I haven't been in a Winners in forever.  We will see how Myles is feeling.  He is so much better now.

Tomorrow Graeme is coming up here and meeting us here at April's.  April will then take the three or four of us over to Queen's Cross Pub for lunch.  It should be fun.  It will be so good to see him again.  Then the next day I shall pack a small bag, leave my suitcase here and head over to Cookie's!  I can't wait.  We have a lot to catch up on.  I super hope she is willing to make subjit and roti!!!!!!

Well thats it for now.  I shall probably do a post at Cook's.  TFL andTTYL

RELAXING COUPLE OF DAYS

I TRY EVERY TIME TO GET THE PICS IN THE RIGHT PLACE.  THEY NEVER GO TO THE SAME PLACE TWICE.  I FREAKING GIVE UP.  I HATE BLOGSPOT.  YES MOM, HATE!!! NOT DISLIKE BUT HATE.  SO FROM NOW ON WHEREVER THE PICS LAND IS WHERE THEY STAY, OUT OF ORDER AND IN THE WRONG SPOT.  JEEZ!!!!  THIS PIC IS THE LEGGINGS TO MY XMAS OUTFIT

THE TOP OF MY OUTFIT...FIRST TIME IN MY 72 YEARS I BOUGHT A CHEAP XMAS OUTFIT!!

THE XMAS TABLE THAT BRADLEY SET

ARNIE THE XMAS ELF HANDING OUT THE GIFTS

OPENING TIME!!!  SHE GOT AWESOME PREZZIES FROM BRADLEY...A 25 POUND WEIGHTED VEST FOR RUNNING AND BINOCULARS...TO SPY IN THE NEIGHBOURS WINDOWS

STOCKINGS FIRST

ALFIE FIRST...YOU CAN SEE HIS BUCKS FIZZ THERE ON THE TABLE

Christmas morning was so peaceful and fun.  First of all Bradley made us some lovely bucks fizz (mimosas in Canada). Then we opened presents and stockings.  That is always so much thoughtful awesomeness.  Aryn then served us banger Sammies and egg bites...really tasty ones.

You know I don't remember much about the morning.  At some point Aryn and Bradley set the table, prepped the brined turkey, and generally slowly started to prepare all the yummy sides.

Originally there was going to be ten people, all my kids except Monte.  I don't get to see my grand kids very often so I was so excited about them coming to Vancouver.  April and Myles were coming.  We were all going to be at Aryn's.  And then....pneumonia hit two of the group and took out six people!!!  So four of us sat down to a massive and delicious dinner!!!  When all was said and done, the fridge had leftovers in plastic containers and a huge pot with a loaded turkey carcass.  

I asked Arnie what she was going to do with the carcass and she didn't have plans.  So I asked if I could take it to April's and we would make soup out of it.  She agreed!  And then she kindly broke it down and did some deboning and packed it and the wings into a bag for me!  So I told April to get the veg ready!!  As soon as I get over there the pot gets started!  Best part of xmas I say!

The last two days we have spent picking at the turkey, making sammiches and watching fun things on tv.  It's been a really relaxing few days.  And today Aryn is driving me over to Aprils.

Myles apparently is still really sick.  He was super hungry last night though and that is a good sign.  April has made reservations for us at Mikanos on jan 2...a fantastic greek restaurant in North Van.  I guess they make the best lamb in the world!  I wonder if I could sneak in a jar of vicious green mint jelly.  Think they would get mad?  Lamb is just a vehicle for mint jelly, no matter how gooey and Lucious the lamb is!!!

I won't catch the pneumonia Myles may still have.

 I got vaxxed for it.  Monte gave me the shingles and pneumonia vaccination last year or the year before for xmas.  I ain't an anti vaxxer of any vaccine going!  LOL!!!  I will take whatever you are offering!  Shoot me up!

It's pitch black in here.  It is still pretty early.  I woke up at four this morning and read the news of the day.  Wish I hadn't.  I was thinking we should divide the world into three parts.  Two exactly the same size, one for men and one for women.  And then have a narrow band running in between.  That is for men and women to get together for canoodling but can only stay there for six hours then go back to their own side.  World peace would reign over all.  So on that note I bid you all a happy new year and I will post again from Cookie's house!!!  TFL and TTYL

 

GOOD TIMES DIFFICULT TIMES

 I am having a blast.  After a super scary ride over on the ferry yesterday, Aryn and Bradley and Alfie (more about him later) picked me up from April and Myles's.  I didn't get a chance to see April and Myles much.  Poor Myles is still so sick.  He has been sick for two weeks.  It isn't covid but...it's time to see a doctor.  I think he will see one after xmas if it hasn't dissipated.

  I dropped off a container of cookies for him and her.  I think poor April needs it more than him.  I wish I lived closer so I could cook for them.

Their place is being renovated due to a dishwasher leak.  So the kitchen, hallway and laundry room floors are being retiled.  OMG!!!  That girl has moved everything they own in those three areas to a tiny bedroom and living room.  Then she packed up Myles plus all his stuff, the dog and all her stuff and herself and all her stuff and moved them to a local hotel room for four days.  Through this all poor Myles was dead and dying.   And she worked full shifts through all that.

 And get this...they got to go home at one point then due to unexpected tile delivery delay had to do it all over again.  Move everything out of those three areas and repack and move them back to a hotel.  Thank goodness insurance covers some of it.  And anything that can go wrong, has gone wrong. 

 Key gets stolen so new keys had to be made, finding food for the hotel and nothing is nearby, tiles delayed and then they were all different sizes so the job took two extra days, things like that.  She is sitting in her place right now which is absolutely in an upside down state, no room to move, no where to cook, waiting for the grouting to be done.  She is exhausted and just wants to skip xmas entirely.  I sure wish I lived closer so I could help.

Right now I am sitting on Aryn's couch listening to Bradleybe do his four hour stint dejaying.   Very very fun and interesting.

So Alfie.  He is a 27 year old young man originally from Blackpool England.  He manages a hostel in Whistler.  Bradley and Aryn met him when they were working in Whistler and have adopted him.  He is a long way from home so he is here quite often.  And of course he is here for xmas.  And he is the nicest guy!!!  Obviously well raised and he has the loveliest sense of humour and loveliest accent!!!  I am glad he has joined us.

Christmas dinner preparations are  already underway. They brine their turkey overnight.  That is something I don't do.  I cook mine in a turkey roaster and it always comes out as juicy as a brined one.  I have never had a tough or dry turkey out of that thing.  And I get my turkeys cheap at Walmart.  It might be missing a wing but that just reminds me of Dave's   Vinyl Cafe turkey story. I will eat an abused turkey!

Well I need to go get dressed.  We are heading next door to a Mexican place for their out of this world amazing nachos for breakfast!  I will take a picture and put it here before I post.

Well all you awesome people, have a lovely Christmas...remember it IS a  choice!!!!  As I told April then had to run to avoid the potted plant zinging through the air!  (just kidding). Merry Christmas and may you open the most wonderful present you ever got.  Presents are wasted on kids, bring on the adult version I say!!!!  (again..just kidding.). TFL and TTYL

ALFIE...OR SHOULD I SAY ELFIE!

BRADLEYBE IN HIS DEJAY OUTFIT TODAY..WEARING MY DAD'S OLD SANTA SUIT

YOU CAN JUST SEE HIM BACK THERE DOING HIS THING

WE TAUGHT FLOPPY TO OPEN HIS OWN PRESENTS

SKOR BITS ADDED TO MY SHORTBREAD COOKIES.  I USED MY HAMBURGER SEPARATOR DIPPED IN COCOA FOR THE DESIGN ON TOP.  I WISH YOU COULD SEE THAT HORSE ON MY PLATTER.  IT HAS THE GOOFIEST PENIS YOU EVER SAW!!

SORRY NO NACHOS YET...I AM STARVING!!!!!!

SPCA....GOOD AND BAD

 I am pretty annoyed with the spca right now.  Since when was it okay for a society that purports to save animals and broker them to the public, pass on dogs with permanent disabilities and doesn't disclose them?  Basically it would cost me five hundred bucks a month to keep Floppy comfortable.  Well that ain't happening.

The spca here had Floppy for two full months.  The previous breeding owner went in after he was surrendered voluntarily to visit him.  And it was clear within one day when we brought him home that he had problems.  I googled it and made the discovery that due to his skin issues and smell and infected ears he had a massive yeast infection.  The first loser veterinary clinic was expensive and useless.  The second one was amazing.

His issue is inherited and permanent.  The vet was pretty angry.  She said that when a dog has this genetic inherited issue you absolutely can't let them breed, which of course is exactly what the jerk was doing with him.  And the spca was well aware of the yeast...and they did NOT tell us.  I am pissed off at that blatant irresponsibility.  We are left holding the bag, thank you very much.  Fortunately this vet understands and is doing everything she can to minimize his horrible discomfort and the depletion of my pocket book.  Not happy about that but very happy with the dog.  He is probably the best most fun smart dog I have ever owned....with the exception of his health.  (shovel list)

Ewwwwww....my house is really smelling odd.  The three prominent odours are Floppy himself, his awful terrible farts and his cooking dog food.  He will NOT eat his new tofu based dog food.  It seems dogs are also resistant to vegan meals.

He likes carrots so I chopped up three big carrots and mixed it with a couple cups of his dog food and I put that in the steamer and I am steaming them both together.  When they both are soft enough I will cool it and mash it and see if he will willingly eat it.  And the smell of cooking vegan dog food really sucks.

I promise I will not talk about the dog again.  I really get bored and tired of dog talk.  The only one that is worse is horse talk. Jeez...what is there interesting to say about freaking horses? Now cat talk is okay because cats are crazy and cross the line constantly and that makes cat talk funny.  And do not even bring up pet bird stories. I get visions of fly swatters or hammers when I hear endless bird talk.

I just heard from Cookie, and I see she left a message down below, she will be home after Xmas and I can go visit!!!  I can't wait!!!  I just love those two people.  And I love the way Brian tells such funny jokes and poor Cook gets so annoyed with him.  Probably if he was my husband I would be annoyed too but when it is them it is just funny.  Don't tell her I said this!!!  Hahahaha!!!!

Have I mentioned metformin on here before?  It is a very good drug for controlling blood sugar and something else to do with diabetes but I don't remember what.  For the vast majority of people it is like a miracle drug.  It is made from lilac trees in France or something like that.

Well for another bunch of us it is evil.  When I first started it I was in Maui.  In Costco doing our just arrived shopping, my stomach started to visibly grow, and grow, and my baggy shirt got tight, and it grew some more.  I became scared and ran to find Spod.  (I feel like I have already told you guys this).  I found him and in a panicked whisper showed him my extremely tight, you could have bounced a ball off of it, stomach.  He said that that is what metformin does when you first start taking it.  I thought I was going to explode open right there in the store so I waddled out to the car.  I figured I would explode in the car....still painful but not so embarrassing.  

As the months, then years passed by I turned out to be one of those that continuously had ridiculous side effects.  Sudden explosive you know whats, (I would have to dash into the sugar cane when we were driving around, now we call it sugar cane runs). Even the wee visiting grandchildren called it that and knew what it was.  And I single handedly am keeping Gravol 100's in business...and none of that ginger crap, straight up knock you out stuff.  I have gravol in my wallet and every outdoor pocket and every nook and cranny in the house and both vehicles.  

Okay enough of that.  I need to go mash carrots and vegan dog food.  Fortunately Monte has taken the dog out.  When he gets back it is Floppy bath time.  Should be a hell of a ride...bathing a 100pound (48Kilos)  reluctant dead weight dog.  (shovel list)

Gotta go.  TFL and TTYL

did I tell you I am going to hell?  All thanks to that asshole company Telus.  I have said every swear in the world dealing with them.  My swear jar overflowith.  I have to phone them tomorrow.  I hate them.