Grubs!

(Cathy) Grubs. With the ban on pesticides, (with which I have no issues with) Hubby and I have noticed that most lawns this past summer took a beating. The lawns were eaten up and patchy with shallow roots. The lawn was very easy to pick up in pieces. Grubs! The grub population has soared with the ban on pesticides. As with any time there is a change to the ecosystem, good or bad, there is a consequence. As the saying goes, "time heals". If we just left well enough alone the ecosystem would balance itself out. Of course there are good years and bad, especially with the changing weather patterns. So, back to the grubs, what to do?
Nematodes:

Web definitions:

(nematode) unsegmented worms with elongated rounded body pointed at both ends; mostly free-living but some are parasitic. wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

 In very plain speak, the nematodes attack the grubs, feed on them and use them thereby reducing their numbers. The idea is to spread them on your lawn in cool weather, so in the early spring or fall. They need to be kept well watered and with luck there should be a reduction in your grub population.

Off to the garden centre Hubby went and spent about thirty dollars for a pack of "live" nematodes. The package comes with a wet sponge that has been infused with one million nematodes. Nematodes are microscopic. The directions call for us to soak the sponge in a bucket of water to release the nematodes. That very "clear" water is then applied with a pump sprayer onto the lawn. I tried using a magnifying glass to see if any nematodes (according to package directions) were left behind in the sponge. I couldn't see a thing! 
Hubby and I were laughing that this entire affair was like the emperor's new clothes!

Hubby applied the nematodes to our lawn a few weeks ago and he says he has already noticed a decline in the number of grubs per square foot of lawn. Let's hope the lawn does better next year.

Now, what do we do with an infestation of nematodes?

Happy Thanksgiving!

(Cathy) 


Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

We all have a lot to be thankful for. Blessings on one and all!

Keeping in Touch - A New Normal

(Cathy) It's been a long time since we group blogged. I know we use our blog to keep in touch and the nice thing about this past summer is we kept in touch, in person! It was great to get together a few more times than normal this past summer. There has been a lot of change, both good and bad this past year. I hope in the next few weeks to catch you all up. I have news regarding my arm, Hubby's heart, the Older One off to University and the Younger One, so far, still with the Girlfriend. Our dog is great! Barks a lot, though!

I went to my family doctor this week who agreed with the specialist regarding my diagnosis of RSD. He has me off of work until March/2013! I just have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that it is very possible that I might not ever be able to go back to work. I am too young for this and I intend to do whatever I can to get back. My cousin Chris's wife Sally posted on my facebook page that now is a time for me to find a "new normal". I have decided that that is now my mantra. Whenever I start to feel sorry for myself, or useless, I remember what Sally told me. It's amazing that sometimes it's something as simple as Sally's comment to me that gives me the strength to get up off of the couch and get stuff done. 

This week I have purchased a Presto Card for use on the transit system. I have also purchased a pull buggy so I can walk to the grocery store or mall to shop. My legs still work so I will use them and hopefully lose some weight in the process!

Small steps, big gain!

Cymbalta Withdrawal - Cold Turkey!

(Cathy) DON'T DO IT! 

Last week was a blur for me. It started with my appointment with the specialist who confirmed that I did have Reflex Sympathetic Syndrome. I was really not prepared to be told that I was still unable to go to work and I now have to take a "Fit to Drive" test to see if I can keep my driver's license. I was happy that my specialist told me that I could stop taking the Cymbalta cold turkey. If the pain came back in a rush I could start it again. As it did not help the pain I had no desire to keep taking it. 

Early the next morning my dad took Hubby and I to the hospital as Hubby had an appointment for a procedure. (that's a post for another day) We arrived at the hospital by six o'clock in the morning. By the time Hubby was discharged at about two o'clock in the afternoon I was starting to feel a little off centre and not sure if I was hungry or nauseous. We came home and I looked after Hubby all the while feeling like I needed someone to take care of me! Needless to say we went to bed early. I felt like I did not sleep a wink. I always dream, but these "dreams" where nothing like I have ever experienced. Strange and bizarre and surreal and made me feel sick. When I woke in the morning I thought... I cannot explain how I felt. Everything hurt, I was starved but felt like I was going to throw up. My eyes hurt to keep them open and also to keep them shut so I squinted. The worst was my head! I felt like there was someone inside stomping around and constantly ringing jingling bells. My brain felt like it was melting and oozing through my ears! I could not stay upright. I felt like hell but I had to look after Hubby. I just thought I was sick with the flu or something.

Hubby wondered if I was experiencing withdrawal symptoms. We googled: Cymbalta withdrawal, cold turkey, and a plethora of information came up:

http://www.cymbaltawithdrawal.com/topic/3498-went-cold-turkey/

 Yes, I was experiencing withdrawal. One person wrote that every time they moved their head it felt like it was zapped with electricity! We could not get a hold of our doctor so we called our pharmacist who was quite surprised that at my dose of 60mg/day I was told to stop cold turkey. Cymbalta plays with your neurotransmitters so it was no wonder my head felt the way it did. Needless to say, I started taking it again and I have an appointment with my doctor to work out a schedule of withdrawal. 

Never did I ever feel like I did and I hope that this post and all of the information available on the Internet will help other people avoid going through what I went through.

Cathy

Fall Harvest of Garden Herbs using a Microwave Oven

(Cathy) I love to cook. As a result I have amassed a large collection of spices and herbs. Many of the fresh herbs that I use come straight from my garden. Nothing beats their flavour in cooking! The main issue for me at the end of the growing season is what to do with all of the fresh herbs still thriving. Over the years my mom and I have tried both drying and freezing our bounty of herbs. We have not liked the result. The frozen herbs do retain their colour and flavour somewhat but they are soggy and are only good for soups or stews. As for drying we have tried both hanging the herbs in bunches and placing them in a single layer on old window screens. The window screen method did work out the best for us but takes up a lot of space and time.

In my garden I grow: parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme; (anyone singing yet?), added to that is dill, mint, chives, cilantro and tarragon, oregano, bay laurel, basil and lemon thyme. Most of them are grown direct in the garden. The bay laurel, some basil and some rosemary are grown in pots which I can bring indoors for the winter. Over the years I have read many books and articles on the subject of drying and preserving herbs and one method has always piqued my interest: the use of the microwave oven for drying herbs. This year I turned to the trusty Internet to see what methods people prefer. There was an abundance of enthusiasm for the use of the microwave oven! I found one blog post that I really liked: http://simpledailyrecipes.com/5921/how-to-dry-fresh-herbs-in-a-microwave/

In her blog, Simple Daily Recipes, by Jill McKeever, she outlines step by step with photos the entire process start to finish. So, after reading Jill's post I went outside and started with my chives. Great success! I moved on to sage and I was off on a roll! The entire process takes little time and the result is so bright and fresh! 

I am so pleased with the result and look forward to enjoying my herb bounty all year long!

Cathy

It's Official, I Have Been Diagnosed.

(Cathy) After many months of frustration my doctor's have finally confirmed my diagnosis as "Complex Regional Pain Syndrome" (CRPS), formally known as "Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy" (RSD). I had understood that my doctors were leaning toward CPRS and I tended to agree after reading up on it on the Internet. I will provide a link to a very good clinical explanation of CRPS  below. 

Definition: CRPS, or complex regional pain syndrome is a condition that occurs when there is prolonged pain in the area of a previously injured arm or leg. The condition was previously known as RSD, or reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

The pain is often associated with tissue swelling, increased sensitivity to touch, and hair/nail growth changes.

Also Known As: RDS

http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/abbreviationsandterms/g/CRPS.htm

At the moment the hardest part for me is the realization that there is no known cure. Also, before I can ever drive again I have to take a capability test so as not to void out our car insurance. I am off work indefinitely. THIS WHOLE THING SUCKS! There, I said what I am feeling. I know and totally appreciate that my situation could be a lot worse. I just have to get used to a new way of living. Adaptation is a human speciality. I am just not ready to adapt yet. I am tired and upset and angry and in pain. My specialist took me off my pain medication "cold turkey" because of the drastic side effects on my personality. 

Here is a really good link: http://www.rsdfoundation.org/en/en_clinical_practice_guidelines.html

Thanks for listening.

Cathy

My Mother the Queen of Guilt

I am not much of a phone person.  My family would laugh at this comment as I do sleep with my Blackberry. Let me explain a little bit more.  I am not a phone call person.  I don't call friends or family to just have a good chat.  If I do call it is for a reason and I like to get to the point.  Now this doesn't mean I don't think of my loved ones but I like most people don't have a lot of time to sit a chat on the phone.  I am a huge fan of Text,  I can type up a sentence or two in seconds and I feel it is a great way to keep in touch with the people in your life.  A quick text here and there.  My sister who lives on the other side of the country can attest to my texting skills as we text each other two three times a week.  My oldest daughter and I have some of our best conversations through text.  So with all that being said I texted my Mom a couple of weeks ago asking her to start to think what she would like for Christmas this year.  I understand it is only August but I like to be organized and as most women I am busy and have limited shopping time.  Also just like my phone calling I don't go browsing, when I shop I have a list and like to get the job done as quick and effortlessly as possible. 

A week later I received this email from my Mom.

Good afternoon and welcome home.

I got your text the other day in regards to Christmas and yes you are shopping early. Right away I new what I wanted. However I thought I should think about it for a day or two just to make sure that it is what I wanted. And yes it is.

Here is my list:

• 1. to spent one weekend every second month with you at your house.
• 2. for you to come to the city one day every second month to spend the day with me.
• 3. for you to call me once a week and chat for at least 10 minuets

I heard through the grape vine that you can find these items in your heart and that they are going for an incredible low price of just 18 days a year and 520 minutes.

If you can get me these thing then there is no need for any other gifts for Christmas.

Love from your eccentric old mother who will be collecting her old age pension by the time Christmas rolls around.

So I ask what the heck am I supposed to do with this!  As usual I sent a text to my sister and she replied "LMFO".  I texted back how do you handle this guilt emails and how often does she call Mom.  She  took a few minutes to reply and when she finally did she apologized as she had just got off the phone with our Mother.  Obviously my sister was not going to be of any help. 

I thought about it for a few days and then like the loving daughter I am I replied.

Hmmm,  gift cards it is.  :)

Sent from my BlackBerry® powered by Virgin Mobile.

Carolin

Keeping in Touch

(Sunshine)  Hello everyone.  How are you all doing?  (Carolin) Just hunky dory Sunshine, how you doing?

The sun is shining and the birds are chirping.  It is hot, hot, hot.  I am getting a tan right now as I am blogging and my computer is by the window.  This is officially week 2 of summer vacation and the kids being off school.   It was very hot last week, thankfully it has cooled down a bit this week.  The little one is in swimming lessons this week and last.  Her lesson is 45 minutes long so while she swims I go for a brisk walk around the lake by the rec centre.  I can do three laps of the lake in 30 minutes.  It is much easier to walk this week then last that is for sure.  Today after my walk we came home I made breakfast for us and then we went in the yard and weeded the vegetable garden.  Holy Weeds Batman!  The cool part is once the weeds were removed I found two large yellow zucchinis ready to be eaten.  I think I will cook them up tomorrow as we are just having burgers tonight.  Tomatoes are coming along and the corn is getting very tall. The peppers are starting to form but the plants are still small.  I was pleased to see there are some peas actually growing as both the peas and beans are small due to the rabbits constantly eating them. 

I was at the farmers market this past Saturday, I haven't been in a long time and Wow has it grown.  The farmers I used to buy from are still there but there is a lot more stuff.  Lots of ready made food, artisans, crafters, meat farmers, cheese makers etc.  I was pleasantly surprised and will try to go more often. 
Is anyone watching the bachelorette?  I am hooked as usual and can't wait to see who she picks and if it will finally work out.  Sorry Sunshine I don't watch this show but I have been getting Anthony Bourdain's, "No Reservations", from the library and enjoying them.

We are going  away next week for 10 days or so to Boston and surrounding area.  I booked the hotel last night on line.  Boston is very expensive to visit so I was fortunate to find a hotel outside of Boston for $100.00 a night.  We are planing to do all the sights in Boston, visit Salem, and perhaps go to Cape Cod.  I am looking forward to the trip as I have wanted to visit Boston for a long time now. Also, I always enjoy driving vacations were we can stop whenever we want and take detours and have adventures.  The Teenager who isn't a teenager anymore will not be going with us as she has to work.  So if any benchers are in the neighbourhood you are welcome to keep an eye on my home.  Especially on the weekend!!!!


(Cathy) Hi all, I am late to post this week and I think we missed last week. Thanks Ladies for all of the news. I really enjoyed reading it all. Sunshine, will you keep us updated on "the Bachelorette"? I always enjoyed your updates from the past. Carolin, have a great time in Boston! Hubby  has also always wanted to go. One day we will get there I hope. Your garden sounds great! Mine needs work. As for the farmer's market, I did read in the newspaper that it was expanding this year, maybe I will get there.


Have a wonderful day everyone!!!!

Keeping in Touch

(Cathy) Hi everyone. So, here's what is new with me. I went to the Physiatrist last Tuesday morning. She spent about an hour and a half with me. Everyone says that that is really good. She did her exam and after seeing all of the results of my previous tests she wants to do a bone scan and MRI my brain! Yep, MRI my brain! What next? Will this ever end? She changed my medication, which I was only on for two weeks, and now has me on something that I cannot remember at the moment. Chris the pharmacist sees me every two weeks! The Physiatrist gave me enough repeats of this new drug to last me eight months! What does that mean? Does anyone else out there suffer from a chronic nerve injury? How are you dealing with it? Can you work?

(Sunshine) Cathy, this thing is sounding stranger and stranger. You must be getting so frustrated.

About last weeks post, I thought it made sense. Would you like me to explain it all over again? LOL!

NO THANK YOU.(Carolin) I wasn't really paying attention the first 50 times so please don't explain anymore.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!!!!!!



How is everyone celebrating? Happy Birthday to Mr. Sunshine! This is the first time in forever that I have not been home for Mr. Sunshine's Birthday. I was working and it was such a strange feeling not to be there but he had a good day with Little Miss Sunshine. We are all off on the Monday even Miss Teen Sunshine so we will be celebrating then. However, you know Mr. Sunshine, he likes to absolutely nothing and see no one but me and the kids on his Birthday. He is back on his health kick, so he is eating next to nothing and he went for a run this morning. He and the girls took grandma and grandpa out for lunch and came buy to see me for my break at work before Miss Teen Sunshine went to work. Its always fun to see them part way through my shift as they come by often.

I as well worked Canada Day, but I have catered Canada day events for a few years. I get myself all worked up before I cater things. Can't sleep, making a zillion list, double, triple checking. But in the end all went well, the Beef Kabobs were amazing, and I was told by one musician that my roast potatoes were 'BOMB!'

I went and meet with the psychologist who preformed the ADD testing on the little one. After two hours of blah, blah, blah the results are she has a new label ADHD. It seems from April to June there is no longer ADD all have variations of ADHD. So the little one has ADHD with out the H part. Now I am working on trying to get an appointment with the little one's cardiologist so we can discuss what meds are best for her with all her other issues. I was very upset and angry at first but i am slowly coming to terms with it. Now we need to learn about the different medications that are available and what we feel is best for her if any.

I cant seem to change the colour here to green :(
We are having a problem with are cat and maybe someone out there can give us some help (getting rid of him is not an option by the others in the family)

We now have two litter boxes for him and he still will pee on the spare bedroom bed and pillows. I have thrown them all out last week and will have to go buy a new mattress and pillows. Also we have some big pillow in the living room for extra seating and he has started to pee on them. I have washed them all power washed the pillow inside (thankfully the cover comes off). The pillows in the living room is a more recent thing. I have had it so I told the family he is now an outside cat and can only come in at night so he doesn't get hurt by raccoons and such. Does anyone know why he would do this and how to stop it. He is not aggressive and puts up with a lot from the little one. He is affectionate and the girls have him trained to lick there cheek when they say "give me kisses" . He just a year old and has been fixed. What do I do?

Summer is really finally here. What a heat wave. Gotta love that sunshine. It is a hot one out there.

Enjoy the long weekend everyone!

Keeping in Touch

(Cathy) Hi all! How is everyone? This past week's weather has been amazing! I love it! (I did finally turn on the air conditioning for the men in this family who cannot sleep with the high heat and humidity) My garden is doing so well. Hey Carolin, the famous irises from me to you to me finally flowered this year. Guess what colour..... you got it.....yellow! The name of this particular iris is, " Iris Florentina". Aren't your Iris's always a different colour ever year?  I purchased it at Richter's in Goodwood, ON. Richter's is a garden nursery that specializes in herbs of all kinds. Click on the link above to see their web site. I love this place! I haven't been in a while because they always have a booth at the garden shows I attend. It's a nice drive.  (carolin) Have you ordered anything from them online?  I am interested in the Stevia seed packs. I think I have met the owner years ago while working for a photographer.  Caroline, you have had so many interesting jobs.  You are one of those people who never stops doing new and interesting things.  I didn't even know that you could buy a stevia plant.

 So, back to the iris. I purchased it as I was into making my own potpourri with flowers and seeds from my own garden. The root of the Iris Florentina is called, "orris root". Orris root when dried and ground up is used as a "fixative" for scents. In other words, it helps the scent last longer. So, mom and I would dry our flowers and seeds and then mix them with a few drops of whatever "essential oils" we chose. After, we would lightly dust our mixture with the dried orris root powder. It was a fun way to use our garden. We used to have old window screens supported on chairs in the basement. This was our drying factory. It took up a lot of space but it was a fun time. I haven't made pot pourri in a long time. I still have some essential oils and ground up orris root powder. Hmmmm....  Hmmm is right, you lost me on Orris Root, I don't know what you are rambling about. (Sunshine)  I am so lost, I thought that I was reading someone else's blog.


O.K., I think I have taken up a lot of space. Ladies, what have you been up to? It has been my first week of summer vacation.  I did alot of errands, and running around.  The little one finished school on Friday (22).  Grade six is behind us :)  . 

I went to the movies last night and saw Snow White and the Huntsman.  It was not bad as a story line.  I am not much of a fan of Kristen Stewart (her character style is the same as in Twilight).  It got a little long or maybe it felt that way cause I had to pee but was so cold I was afraid to move.  Why do movie theaters have the air conditioning so low.  I had a sweater on but my nose was frozed.  We saw the movie Brave on the weekend.  It was ok.  The story line started our really good but we all kind of lost interest in the middle and then the ending was better.  It reminded me of the Brother Bear Movie. 

I have been planning a Canada Day menu for 30 people on and off today.  The client wants the same as last year but different! 

This is the last week of school for :Little Miss Sunshine, and Miss Teen Sunshine starts work full time this week.  I am working all weekend.  I think that it is going to be a very different summer this year.  We will have to see how it all works our.  It is now four weeks until the knew deck goes in.  This coming week is a busy one.  Lot of running around and work.  I actually think that this week I may be logging in more hour then Mr Sunshine.




Enjoy your week everyone!

Keeping in Touch

(Cathy) Hi all! Hope everyone is enjoying the great weather! So, what is going on with me? Well, this Friday the boys are attending their Music Banquet. This is the only dinner and dance that their high school has and you can only attend if you are involved with music at school. The boys have attended every year and always have a good time. (Carolin) they dont have Prom? Only at the grade 12 graduation is there a prom. This school does not do school dances like the ones we grew up with. It's a shame really. I remember those dances where a lot of fun! I remember having bands at my high school at dances.  Teenage Head, Goddo, etc.  I don't think TWINATA had dances at her high school either, but I do remember a annual big football game at Ching park that she went to. You're right, I remember we always had Max Webster at our school dances and also FreeFall!  We had a lot of dances in high school and great music.  They were so much fun and also a little nerve racking considering who would ask you to dance.  It's hard when you really don't want to dance with a certain person and you keep hoping that the one you want to dance with will ask you.


This weekend is also my birthday and Father's Day. Happy Father's Day to all!  Happy Birthday Cathy do you have anything special planned for your bd?  Happy Birthday to Cathy!!!!!!


We always go on a family picnic this weekend. This year we are going to the Elora Gorge: http://www.grandriver.ca/index/document.cfm?Sec=27&Sub1=124&sub2=0. It is a beautiful area and if the weather is good, one can go tubing down the river! Elora is also a beautiful village with great shops to browse through. It promises to be a great day!  We have been to Elora many times in the past but not in recent years.  I have some great pictures there of me and Mr Sunshine when we were dating and then of the four of us when the kids were little.  What a beautiful spot to go and have a picnic.  I didn't know about the tubing thing.  Do you girls remember our tubing adventure not too far from home about 11 years ago?  I am not sure where we were but it was a fun day. We were in Norval and who can forget the Tubing adventure when the taxi brought my mother back from who knows where. I remember that day. We didn't tube and I think Hubby was in a bad mood and we met for the picnic or did we just all go out for dinner?


Gardening update: Now that everything has been planted the main gardening chore is weeding, watering the containers, deadheading and pruning the overgrowth. I have a tub pond which I love and this year I bought a beta fish for it. I also bought a snail but it seems to have died. Not sure why but I will investigate. So far the beta fish is doing well. I spent close to an hour this morning weeding the vegetable garden and am half way done.  Man there is a lot of weeds!  We find snails around the property often so if you need another one I will keep a look out for them.  Mr Sunshine did a lot of weeding in the front garden when I was working on Friday night.  I don't know how he got them all out, they were taller then me.  I tried to wrestle with the weeds on Thursday but was unsuccessful.  It was great to have it cleaned up and that also meant that Grandma would not have to be picking weeds on her way into the house on Saturday for our Father's Day get together.

I am officially on summer holidays!!!!,  I have this one week on my own before the little one is also off school.  I have pretty much everyday booked with one thing or another.  Congratulations on your vacation.  I am very jealous.  Are we included in your plans for this week? (by the way, Cathy wanted me to ask you that question). Let's see; I can fit you in on Friday.  Today was to be Wonderland but the little one was not well on Sunday (fever, sore throat and ear). I took her to the Dr on Monday but thankfully no ear infection.  Tuesday I am off to Whitby (if you want to come for the drive you're welcome).  Wednesday is Strawberry picking and hoping to go to school and make jam.  Thursday is Dentist. 


If you read our last post you read my "arm update". Nothing new this week, same old story. 


Have a great week everyone!

Keeping In Touch

(Sunshine)  Good morning everyone.  For once I actually beat Cathy to the punch.  What wonderful weather we are having.  I am really going to miss having the summer off.  Carolin, you must be excited to be off soon.  Are you actually taking all summer off or do you have some other plans?

Cathy, how is the arm doing? Hey there, I am so sorry that I am late blogging this week. (Today is Thursday,   a day before we are to set up the next post!) 


As for my arm, the results of the MRI are in and they did not show anything major wrong! So off to my doctor again and both my doctor and physiotherapist now think it could be a case of RSD - Reflex sympathetic Dystrophy. This happens as a result of an injury. I read up on it and did not like what I read. I see the Physiayrist in two weeks and will see what she says. My doctor has started my on another drug to try and help with the pain. It's called, Lyrica:  http://www.lyrica.com/Default.aspx . It makes me really tired. Normally I wake up at about seven am or so. Now, with the Lyrica, I am sleeping in until almost eleven am! I feel like I have been hit by a train! Not good! 

Well it has been a long week.  I must say that working without a set schedule is a little difficult.  Some days I don't even know what day it is and weekends are busy and not just for leisure anymore.  That said, I still enjoy my job I just find it a lot harder to socialize and plan.  The group of people that I work with are fantastic and the job is still challenging so it keeps me interested and definitely on my toes. Welcome to my world of shift work! It's now me asking you when you work instead of you! I am glad you are liking your job. I still need to come and visit you there. 


Sunshine, it was great coming over to your home last Sunday! We all had a great time and it was good to see  Carolin and family. Thanks again!

Have a great weekend everyone.  Enjoy the beautiful weather!!!!

Keeping in Touch

(Cathy) Hi ladies! I have just finished another "pizza Friday". I wonder if they will ever, EVER, get tired of it! I know I am tired of making pizza each and every Friday from scratch! (although, the boy's friends think I make awesome pizza! Yes, I'm bragging, lol!) So, I hear you all.... stop complaining and be grateful that I do not have to think about what to make for dinner on a Friday night. I think that Friday pizza is the only meal that I reproduce on a monthly basis. Hubby and the kids always laugh that they never get bored of eating the same thing night after night, week after week, as I, for some strange reason, will not repeat meals. I always find a way to tweak them to make them different. I did try meal planning and it does work. It's just that when I got to the end of the ten weeks and would then start back at week one, I couldn't do it. It was just too soon to make those meals again! Hubby and the kids ask for "make agains" and I try, however, always with a twist. So, Hubby and the boys have stopped asking for "make agains" as they realize it will not happen any time soon. Is this a common problem, Benchers? How do all of you handle meal time? I do love to cook and have an extensive spice drawer and pantry which gives me the ability to cook meals from all over the world. The Younger One will come home and ask not, "what's for dinner", but rather, "what culture are we eating from tonight?". Thankfully, Hubby and the boys have an extensive palate and enjoy food from all over the world. Actually, the Younger One is a pretty good cook, too. The Older One can cook, however, he prefers to bake. He will probably be popular when he attends University this coming fall. He makes really good muffins.  (Carolin)  You're killing me!  Never repeat a dinner.  Are you kidding me!  It is a stellar night if I make a peanut butter sandwich to have with leftover soup. (funny!) (Sunshine) I only have about 20 good recipes that I repeat over and over again.  Once in a while and try something new but I must be doing something wrong as rarely does anyone like something new and different.  I commend you
Cathy for being able to cook so many different things so often.  I must say that even my tried and true recipes don't even turn out great every time.


To change the subject, It's raining! Finally! The weather people predict that we will have a very raining month of June. I am hoping to get some weeding done now that we have had rain. (later in the day)  The weeding is done and was very easy thanks to the rain.  We have rabbits in our yard and though they are cute they are also a pain in the butt!  I had about 25 yellow and green beans that had sprouted and were about 4 inches high and the next day when I go out to have a look at the garden all that is left is stems.  The rabbits have eaten all the leaves.  I have planted some more seeds and will look for the landscape cover we have used in the past to protect the beans till they get bigger. Can someone please come and weed my garden.  They are over taking any plants that are out there.

Arm update: MRI is set for tomorrow, (Saturday). I hope I am able to keep still long enough. I am not claustrophobic so I hope I will cope with being, "sucked into the tube". I will let you know the results when I get them.  I know a few people who have had MRI's and they said that it is actually not too bad but I think that I would be nervous too.

I am sure all will go well.  The husband is working Sat night, and the little one is at a sleepover.  I don't know what the TWINATA is doing but I am pretty sure she is going somewhere.  So I guess that leaves me home tonight.  I started watching Big C and like it so far.  Perhaps I will watch a few more episodes.  Does any one watch Mad Men?  I hear allot on the radio about it, I did try to watch the first episode last night but Netflix was acting weird and I could not watch the whole thing.  Caroline, I hope that you enjoyed your time off.  Isn't it weird when you are so use to having people around you to be by yourself?

Sunshine popped in for a quick visit on her way to a training class for her work. It was great to see you! You are looking really good! Cathy, it was so good to see you too.  The visits these days seem to be a lot shorter but i really do enjoy them.


Maybe, we ladies can get together next week?????  Yes please, I would really love that. 


Have a good week everyone!

Keeping in Touch

(Cathy) G'Day everyone! (memories of Bob and Doug McKenzie). I hope everyone is having a good week! It was great to pop in and see the Ladies last weekend. Miss Teen Sunshine had a birthday last weekend and Hubby and I interrupted the festivities when we popped in. It was really good to see all of her family. It made me remember the times when we all lived on the same street and would see each other and each other's family often. (Carolin) you forgot the 'EH', its G'Day Eh! (oops!) (Sunshine)  It was great seeing you and your hubbie Cathy.

How is the gardening coming along. I have been slow, but steady. I get Hubby and the boys to do my grunt work! It's fun directing them and hearing them groan and say, "why can't you move this or that yourself.......pause..... oh, yeah, you can't." Now it's the gardening tasks are just weeding and watering. I have three rain barrels that I use to water all of my plants in and out and because of the lack of rain they are all almost empty! This rarely happens. I am even thinking about purchasing another rain barrel and connecting it to one I already have. I think we are going to have a dry summer.   Wow, three rain barrels, I have one and don't think I have ever emptied it.  If your boys need more work send them over.  My front is done (just got to stay on top of the weeds) but the back is a mess!  My garden is a big disaster, both front and back.  There is no time and the little time that there is, there is no energy.


Have you heard about all of the forest fires up north? They are really bad and out of control. I have not heard how they were started. I hope it was Mother Nature and I also hope no one gets hurt bringing them under control.  Miss Teen Sunshine was informing about them the other day, apparentelly they are a direct result of not enough rain.


Well, this week the Older One sent in his acceptance for University. We have paid the deposit for residence and sent in the application for funding. (funding ?)He won't be too far away, however, it will be strange and new for all of us. But, that's a few months away yet so I still have time to live in denial that he's leaving the nest. (although, I'm sure he will be home on weekends for food and clean clothes!!!)  I think that I would be having a really hard time with the whole residence thing. 

Three weeks left of school!!! I am looking forward to the break.  We reached a milestone in our house this week.  The little one went away with her grade for three days and two nights without me!  This is a big deal as she has never done this and gets very upset when we suggest camp (without me).  Even sleepovers are a bit of a issue and it depends on who's house before she will go.  When she left Wednesday morning she was anxious but did say, "I want to go mom, I just want you to go with me".  Of course I could not go but I got No phone calls while she was away.  Her teacher did come speak to me when they came back.  Seems she had a melt down on the Thursday.  Crying, wanting her Mom, and she hit (!!!) another girl.  I was told it was all dealt with and things are fine but I don't know if I should get involved. (let it go, I'm sure it was an isolated  incident and will not happen again)  I know how difficult it is to have a child that won't do much of anything without you.  You must be so proud of her for managing to do those nights on her own. 

Well the husband is away this weekend and it is his birthday this coming Tuesday.  The girls and I are off to the mall to figure out what to get him as a gift. Happy Birhtday to the husband.


That's it for me!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Have a great week everyone!

Book Review:  A Mile in My Flip Flops by Melody Carlson.
http://melodycarlson.com/index.shtml

I don't know how this book ended up in my stack of to read.  I had finished the Hunger Games Trilogy and need something to read.  I wanted something light and the premise seemed fun.  A thirtyish women decided to buy a fixer upper and then flip it. 

I have never read Melody Carlson and didn't know she was a 'chiristan' writer.  I don't mine most christian books usually.  I would of enjoyed this book much more if the product placement wasn't so over the top.  I am not a big brand person, I wouldn't know a Jimmy Cho to a Payless shoe.  I do like quality but prefer quite quality over screaming brand name.  Anyway back to the book

Does the publishing industry get paid for product placement like the movie and TV industry?  This books name dropping was so over the top that I found it almost laughable.  It came to the point were I was counting how many brand names would be mentioned on a single page.  The most I counted was 8!
Sentence's like I needed to get more supplies but had maxed out my 'Lowes' credit card so I had to go to 'Homedepot'.  Good think I was wearing my 'Target' sandals and not the 'L L Bean' ones as I dropped paint on myself.   These are examples not actual sentence from the book

Would I recommend this book to others, if you want something easy and don't mind the product placement then sure.  Would I seek out a Melody Carson book to read in the future probably not. 

I am interested 'Benchers' is this style of writing (name dropping, product naming) normal in books now?  Should I expect more of this? 

I am 1/3 the way through David Cassidy's bio now. 

Carolin

Keeping in Touch

(Cathy) Yoo Hoo!!! Hey Ladies.... where are you?? This post is titled, "Keeping in Touch". I haven't heard from you Ladies all week. I hope all is well. 
Before I forget, I have a beefsteak tomato plant and a cherry tomato plant for each of you. If I can get a drive and if you are home I will try to deliver them to you both this weekend. Let me know.  I wish I knew sooner as I just bought a bunch tomato plants.  But you know me Cathy I can always take a few more.  The Husband cleaned the vegetable garden today so I hope to get some stuff planted tomorrow.  I still need to go buy a few more seed packs like peas, beans and carrots. The husband and I planted flowers at the front of the house today and also spread mulch in the front gardens.  (Sunshine)  Thanks so much for thinking of us and for dropping off the plants.  This will be the first year that I actually grow some kind of vegetable.  If it goes well, you may convert me for the future.

Arm update: no change and it sucks, (excuse my language). Today in physio my therapist did some doodad number on my neck and when I sat up I thought I was going to pass out! I had to rest still for almost twenty minutes until I felt almost normal. What does this mean? I do not even want to know. The medical community has deemed me an "interesting case". I do not wish to be an "interesting case". Feel better soon Cathy. 


Happy Victoria Day weekend everyone! What plans do you have? Tomorrow I am going shopping with my mom, sister and niece. My niece is in grade seven, however, the grade eight class at her school is small so the grade seven's have been invited to the grade eight grad to make up numbers. So, we are off to buy the "party dress". I hope we can find something that says "party" without being either too young or too old. (Carolin) Check out Sears, I have had good luck with dress' for the the TWINAT when she was younger.  The dress' are pretty, modest and under $100.00.  Have fun shopping  We celebrated Miss Teen Sunshine's Birthday on Victoria Day and I worked the rest of the weekend.

Yeah for a long weekend, only a month left of school!!!!!  I have gotten so much accomplished today but still have a list a mile long on what I still want to get done this weekend.  A few months ago I picked out of peoples garbage (yes that's me, a garbage picker) two bedroom end tables.  They don't match as they are from different homes.  I am planning to get one of them sanded down this weekend and hopefully ready to stain.  The second one needs to be sanded but will be painted.  The little one have been looking at different painting techniques that we are considering.  I will try to remember to take before and after pictures.  Of course only if I am happy with the results. Sounds like a good project. I have a plant pot that needs repainting, I had hoped to get it done this season. Hubby has been really busy with his "honey-do" list, so I have let the pot go for another year. Or I just might get a can of rust paint and spray it on. Only one hand is needed for that, right?  I love finding items in the garbage that I can breath new life into but Mr Sunshine gets very embarrassed when I drag things out of the neighbours garbage and bring them home.  Good luck with your project, if the results are good it will be very satisfying.


Ladies have you read the Hunger Games trilogy?  I finished the third book this past week.  That's probably why I have so much house work to do, as I have been ignoring everything and everyone for the past three weeks while I was  consumed by Katniss, Peeta and Gale. The Younger One has all three books and has raved about the movie. He wants me to read them, but the idea of reading about kids killing kids does not really interest me. I have been looking forward to reading them as Miss Teen Sunshine has raved about them for so long but my niece has borrowed the first book and I am waiting for it to be returned.  Caroline, did you like the book series? Yes I liked the series.  If KD hadn't raved about them I probalby wouldnt of bothered.  The first book took a couple of chapters to get into but then it was good.  I liked the second book the best, TWINAT liked the first book the best. 


Have a good week everyone! Play safe!

Keeping in Touch

(Cathy) Hi all. So what was different about this week? Well, with all of the rain and warmth the trees which I thought had taken a few steps backward came to life! It's amazing how much life can grow in a week! It feels good to be outside and smell spring and see so much in bloom! I hope that this week has you Ladies feeling ok.  Think about it, there is just one more month left of school! It was just Christmas yesterday!! The Older One is starting to believe that he "really is" going to University this coming September. Hubby and I are really starting to believe it, too! Does anyone have any answers as to why University has become so expensive? The Older One was accepted into the Engineering Coop degree program. We think this is really a good idea. This allows the student to work summers or fall/winter by adding a year to their program in their field. So many students graduate from University and are unable to get a job due to lack of experience. I hope this coop will allow the Older One to make connections and hopefully have a viable option for a job upon successful graduation. (I think I am getting ahead of the game here, lol). 




So what else is new with everyone?


Have a good week!

Keeping in Touch

(Cathy) Happy Friday everyone! I hope it was a good week. For me, it was a long week. I pushed myself too hard so paid the price. As the saying goes: one step forward, two steps back. 


Weather wise, it's nice to see warmth again. We filled the pool and have turned on the solar to start heating up the water. Let's hope for a good summer! In the garden my forget-me-nots are all in bloom. They look great now. Soon, they will go to seed then I will pull them out to make room for my perennials. I have no major plans  for my garden this year which is a good thing as I am the "one armed garden bandit". This will be a year of maintenance. I only planted lettuce and tomatoes and parsley from seed this winter. I am keeping it all manageable. (Carolin) Even with one arm you are way ahead of me.  I try not to even go in the yard and look at the massive out of control gardens.


I had a nice visit from Sunshine this morning. Thanks for breakfast, Sunshine! Carolin was at work and we contemplated dropping in on her but figured out she would be too busy. We miss her and hope to be able to get together really soon!


I received a letter from the MRI department from the hospital. My appointment in this coming July 15th. I hope to be better by then and not need it. I did call, per procedure, and placed myself on the "short notice" list. I'll keep you updated. Do any of you watch the television show, "House"? Hubby does and I watch and read at the same time. Whenever a patient has to get a MRI on that show, something drastic happens to them while they are in the magnet! If I have to go, I think I will just keep my eyes closed and pretend to sleep. 
(Sunshine)  Cathy, it was great seeing you.  Its amazing how months can pass by and we can just effortlessly pick up where we left off.  I want you to feel better as fast as possible so that you can get back to doing all of the things you love. 

Carolin we missed you and hope to see you soon. 
Nothing much is that new around here.  The girls are busy with school and Miss Teen Sunshine is also busy with work.  Mr Sunshine busy as usual and myself also busy with home, the girls and school.

This weekend we are seeing family on both days and I am looking forward to it as we seem to have less time for this because of everyone's crazy schedules and time restraints.    Family is a funny thing, I am glad you are looking forward to seeing yours.  The little one and I were at a baby shower this afternoon.  I have such a hard time with the snide comments from some.  I don't like going to family functions because of this.  I also probably don't help because I wont keep my mouth shut anymore and will respond back.  The TWIATA (The teenager who isn't a teenager anymore) wont go to many family functions anymore because of this,  you feel like you have to be on your guard all the time.

I just had a interesting conversation with TWIATA.  She was telling me she meet up with a friend from high school that she hasn't seen since graduation.  He was updating her on the group of friends she had in high school.  One has dropped out of university, one is in rehab, one is in university but is also heavy into drugs and is $20,000 in debt), one finally came out of the closet (wasn't a surprise), one is working full time, and two are doing nothing (no school, no working NOTHING).  Then she said she meet up (same night) with the 'Dancer' (teen sunshine will know what that means as they went to the same Arts school).  In high school they wouldn't give TWIATA the time of day.  She said last night they acted like they were long lost friends,  Again out of the four that were there, two work part time, one is in school and the other works full time.  We talked about how much things change and that high school is such a small part.  Having long term goals, staying focused on the goal, and living within your means by working, saving, and going to school were you can afford it is worth it. 


Have a good week, everyone!

Keeping in Touch

(Cathy) Hi Ladies, I have to redeem myself so I made sure I set up the blog before Sunshine, lol! How was everyone's week? Sunshine, I hope you and your family are all over your illnesses. Let's hope that this cold, snowy weather is coming to an end. Carolin, I think you did a good thing deactivating your Facebook account. Facebook takes up a lot of time doing nothing. I find myself logging on just to see what everyone is doing. I have no interest in those Facebook game status updates and I am not sure how to delete them without deleting the person from my account. I find that I will log on and then become annoyed at what I see so I log off again. What exactly am I hoping to find? That's a question I have to answer for myself. (Carolin) I don't seem to be missing FB except the games, there were a few I liked to play to pass the time with.


Arm update: the physiotherapist noticed that my left arm is bluer than my right arm. I guess this is why it always feels like it is encased in a block of ice. I guess there is something, somewhere pinching both nerve and vein?? I am hoping and praying that the MRI will show something concrete. I am not a priority so I have no idea when I will get an appointment. The hospital said that they will mail me a letter and when I receive it I can call and ask to be placed on the cancellation list. 


Garden update: Have you ladies noticed how many trees seem to be dead or dying? I really noticed it with all of the magnolias. When we had that week of thirty degree Celsius all of the magnolias and tulips were in bloom and then we had that freeze and I sincerely hope it didn't kill off the trees, permanently! This weather is very much like a Calgary spring. 
(Sunshine)  Cathy, I am so sorry that you are having so much trouble with your arm.  I hope that they figure things out and that you will be feeling good again really soon. 

Carolin, I hardly ever go on facebook because I just don't have the time or interest in it.  However, I know that you used to enjoy facebook, so one day we will have to talk about what happened to make you put your account on hiatus(is this how you spell it?).   My official line is:  "I felt my time could be better spent doing other things than being on FB."  There were many reasons, yes my time could be better spent, I was tired of the people who make mean comments, and constantly negtive status's, the people who used FB as their personal soap box.  I felt it was better politically for me to take myself off FB then to delete all the 'friends' that annoyed me.  I didn't say it was for ever and all I have to do is log in and I am back on but I wanted to take a break till May.  So far I have had one BBM and two phone calls asking why I either deleted that person or why I deactivated my account.

I would love to get together next week.  Is there anyway that we could meet Monday or Tuesday evening for a few hours somewhere.  I would love to meet on a Friday evenings but I never seem to get them off. Do you always work evenings?  The husband is on the afternoon shift for the next two weeks so that makes my evenings not optional.  What about Sunday morning for breakfast. Sunshine you know were I like to have breakfast!  Yummy spinach feta omelet. I am free, I am waiting to see what is happening with my physio. Just let me know. Spinach feta omelet, eh, sounds greek to me! I would just need a ride or you could just come here!

I just got another shower invitations :(  That is the fourth shower I am expected to attend so far this year!  I really do NOT like showers, I find them boring, and I am not interested in looking at some persons new towels, baby outfits etc.   Guess I am just a party pooper.  I have gone to one already, and said yes to one for next Saturday.  But I am going to decline (just mail a gift) the other two.  We also have two weddings this summer, both are in August and are a week apart.  And I haven't gotten the shower invite for one of the weddings yet! It's been a while since I have had a year of "showers". It makes for a very expensive year. 

 Have a good week, everyone!

Keeping in Touch

(Sunshine) Hello everyone. I have had a busy week, working and home and everything else. It's been great weather and spring is in the air. I am getting excited about the summer fast approaching. I hope that its a good, warm, long summer. (Carolin) Yes it really isn't much longer and another school year will be complete. I am looking forward to the summer and relaxing.

Well, I did it. I have been contemplating the big deactivation for over a month and this past Monday I finally did it. Yes, I deactivated my Facebook account! So it seems when you deactivate the account it actually doesn't go away, it is just suspended. I can activate it again when ever I want but I would really like to go at least two weeks without it. I will reassess the situation again in May. I was getting tired of the petty dramas and childishness of some. I would have really liked to delete some of the FB friends and family but figured it would cause more drama then was necessary. It was easier to just remove myself from the equation. At this point I have had one text asking why I am not on FB but know one else has asked me which means either they haven't noticed, care or are talking behind my back. Which in all cases I really don't care anymore.

Work is work, the TWINAT has finished her second year of university. She wrote her last exam last Friday and has a couple of weeks off before she starts her full time summer job with the city's Parks and Works department. She is fortunate as her part time Job at the book store (which she very much enjoys) had agreed to reduce her hours over the summer so she can take advantage of the full time work.


(Cathy) Carolin, I know what you mean about Facebook. Facebook is a lot of work! I can go a week without logging on and when I go back it's full of those game updates. I really do not care to read about them. I like Facebook because I can keep in touch with family and friends. I do not like "friending" people with whom I really do not want to keep in touch. I do feel bad ignoring the occasional "friend request", especially with people I have not seen or had contact with. I have yet to change to the new "timeline". Good luck!


Arm update: no change. I see the doctor again this week to arrange for a MRI. I have no idea when that will happen. Physio hurts. I am longing to garden. 


That aside, the boys turned 18 and 16 years old this past weekend. Wow! Time flies! 

How is everyone doing? Have a great week!

Keeping In Touch

(Sunshine) Hello everyone. I hope that everyone had a good week. Cathy, how is your arm doing? Carolin, how are things with you?

I feel as though we haven't seen each other in so long.

We are still getting over this long lasting flu in our home. Most of us are starting to feel better but its been a long haul. Miss Teen Sunshine has it now and she has missed two days of school and a day of work. No fun at all.

Summer is fast approaching and I can't wait to be sitting outside and enjoying the hopefully nice weather.

(Cathy) Sunshine, thanks for setting up the post. I guess I am slipping up. I am sorry to hear that you are all still feeling sick. I thought we were a bit under the weather here, however, it is just allergies. I am wondering with this up and down weather if allergies will be worse or better this year.
The arm is the same and that is worrisome. We all thought by now it would be showing signs of improvement. I think I am in for the long haul. 

See you all later.

Keeping in Touch

(Cathy) Hi all, I hope everyone enjoyed Easter! I chose to change the title of our weekly post. It is getting harder to post on Fridays as we all are busy with our lives. The whole point of "Catch Up Fridays" is so that we Ladies can keep in touch. It's been about eight years since we started the exodus out of our original neighbourhood where we all met and became good friends. It is so very easy to keep in touch with, and see people when they are present in your daily life. As time passes it gets harder and harder to pick up that phone or to get in the car and drive over to visit. It gets even harder to find an actual date where everyone is free so that we can get together and catch up. Our blog started with a purpose. It was a way to keep busy and as three of the four of us had jobs (I think it was only you working so would be 1 out of 4 had jobs),(oops, thanks for catching that). it was a way to connect with people and get back to work. It has worked! This is a good thing. We are all now working and herein lies the consequence. We are so tired after a days work and then to come home to the "house work" which in turn leaves us all too brain tired to get on the computer and blog. Vicious cycle! I look forward to catching up with "the Ladies" every week. It really helps me to stay in touch with them. I love reading about the ups and downs in our lives and it helps me to feel "connected".Ladies, thank-you for being who you are! I love you all and look forward to continuing on our lives journey together.Have a great week everyone!!!

Happy Easter All (Carolin) It has been a busy weekend but also an enjoyable weekend. We spent time with family which is nice. Traditionally Easter is not a time we spend with extended family. I don't know why but it just hasn't been. My Mom and some of her brothers and sisters will get together but we have never joined them. This year with my brother and his wife getting ready to move back to BC in a few weeks I felt the desire to be with them. So on Good Friday we decided to change our plans with Sunshine and her family for fish and chips and had dinner with some of mine. After dinner the TWINAT went out to a bar and partied with some of the more adventurous family members. She said she had a good time and enjoyed confusing the guys hitting on them when she would say she was with her second cousin (who is three years older then her) and her Aunt (also three years older) and Uncle (seven years older).

On Easter Sunday we went and watched a parade in Toronto's Beaches area. It was a parade and was OK (not big on the parade thing) but then went out for dinner with family again. So all in all it was a good weekend.

The little one seems to enjoy her Easter gift of One Direction (British boy band) CD and the TWINAT likes hers (but has not opened yet) a bottle of Rum. Yes, I am a cool mom when I want to be.
(sunshine) Happy Easter. I am sorry that Good Friday did not work out for all of us. This Easter weekend has been quiet as we were all sick with a nasty flu. Its been a week and we are still not back to par. Cathy, it was nice to hear you talk about old times and it was great and we all miss it very much. I am still planning on coming over to see you one day soon. Carolin, it sounds like you had a great time with your family. I am happy that you had a chance to spend time with them. I miss you both very much and I hope that we can get together soon. Cathy, the new post title is perfect.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Catch up Fridays

(Sunshine) Yeah, the weekend is finally here. Its been busy as usual. The weather has been hot, cold and colder. I am finally catching up with my family whom I have not seen since the wedding. I am so looking forward to seeing them this weekend. Last weekend was my niece's first birthday and for the first time ever, I actually missed it all because of work. Weekend work can really stink sometimes. This weekend we have Little Miss Sunshine's birthday and next weekend is Easter and my nephew's birthday. (Carolin)Its a busy time for birthdays. We don't celebrate birthdays with the same enthusiasm in our family. It is much more low key, usually just the four of us.

The little one has a busy few weeks coming up as she has her normal school and massive amounts of homework. We are also having her tested over the next three weeks for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). I talked to her about her willingness to take medication if she was diagnosed with ADD. We talked about what the medication would do and some of the side effects. She said she wants to try it. The last few weeks she has been begging for the pill to help her concentrate. I think she thinks it will be a miracle drug. I bought some multi-vitamins and plan to start giving her on Monday. I am curious if the placebo makes any difference to her. (Cathy) First off, Happy birthday to Little Miss Sunshine! Secondly, Carolin, my nephew also has a bit of "something" disorder. He is ten now and aware of his inability to focus. He asked for the medicine as he was starting to have issues with his confidence. My sister and brother in law put him on the lowest dose over the past Christmas Holidays. He takes one pill in the morning as the effect is about six to eight hours. They did not tell the teacher. After a few weeks they had an interview with his teacher who was amazed at the difference! My nephew can now work independently and is more focused and calm. He is so much happier now and is starting to make and keep friends! When my sister told the teacher about the medication the teacher understood and was happy for my nephew. Hubby and I have also seen a huge change in our nephew. As much as we are "anti" all of the ADD labeling and medicating, in this case it has had a positive outcome. Good Luck. 

How is everyone doing?

Cathy, what's the update on your arm? I started physio last week and I go for a neck x-ray and shoulder ultra sound this coming Wednesday. I am now on Tylenol 2 and one of those at a time does nothing for me, however, I cannot take two as they make me too wonky!!! I cannot move my arm, it's worse and I am in too much pain and grumpy!!! 

Carolin, what's new and how was your vacation? The vacation was nice and relaxing. The pictures looked great!

Is anyone into the new Hunger Games Series? My oldest says that it is her second favourite series ever. My little one has no interest but now that all of her friends are reading the books and gone to see the movies, I think that she may be reading the first book soon. I was thinking that I may even read it myself. It has been all the talk the past few weeks. I have never read the book but the kids at school (girls) say it is "Sooooo Goood". The Teenager who is not a teenager anymore (TWINATA)(perfect!!) saw the movie and loved it. She said she cried (at one point sobbing like a baby) and she never cries at movies. She said she might even read the book now that University is done (except for exams). I bought her the book for Easter and might even read it when she is done. The little one has shown no interest and I am good with that. The TWINATA did not recommend the movie for the little one not because of the effects or that it would  be too scary but because she felt it would be too emotional. She said it was tough watching children fight each other till the death. I think the concept is creepy but I have never read the book so I will hold my judgement for now.


The concept for this book reminds me a bit of a story we had to read in school called, "The Lottery". That story "creeped me out", too! I have yet to decide if I will read the series. 

Have a great weekend!!!!

Catch Up Fridays

(Cathy) What a beautiful week! I hope everyone had a chance to be outside to enjoy it. I know we are in for cooler temperatures next week, but that is OK. I hope we get some rain. The water tables need to be topped up due to lack of snow. Welcome back Carolin! I hope you all had a great time! (Sunshine) I agree Cathy, what gorgeous weather.


Arm update: I can now, at times, lift my arm almost to my shoulder. However, only once, but once is better than before. Doctor update on Monday.Garden update: my daffodils and crocuses are in bloom. My tomato and parsley seedlings are looking good. I was going to go to Canada Blooms today with my mother, but she is sick with the flu or cold or allergies or sinus infection, (they all seem the same). She is starting to feel better, however, walking around for a couple of hours in a stuffy building will probably not feel great. Next year. I hope that your mom feels better really soon.

I still cannot sleep. I found a meditation podcast which is supposed to help. I am trying it and will let you know. It's a relaxation program where you take nice long easy breaths while picturing yourself sinking deeper into the bed. Then, while continuing to breath you picture the colour red. Continuing to breath and relax deeper into the bed you start to picture the colour orange and so forth down through the colour spectrum; ie: red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. I have tried it twice and can honestly say that by the time I reach violet I conk out. Power of suggestion? I don't know, but if it helps me to sleep then alright. Alcohol also works wonders. A couple of my chalice size glass' of wine and you will be a sleep in know time Carolin, only one sentence, are you jet lagged? Cathy, that sounds so weird, but right up your alley but if it works then that's great. I am waiting for the day that you tell us that you are back to your old self. Its been too long and I know that you must be frustrated.

Welcome back Carline.

Update on my old job, apparently one of the girls was fired on Thursday. Allegedly the phone rang and the manager told her to go and pick it up because it was for her. The owner was on the line and told her to pack up her stuff and leave immediately as the meanager no longer wants her there. The girl asked if she could give her side of the story and he said no, just leave now and don't come back, I feel really bad for her as she was the same girl who was transferred to this cafeteria because the manager at her last cafeteria was throwing things at her and swearing at her. I am so happy not to be working for this crazy company any more.

Have a great week everyone.

Catch Up Fridays

(Cathy) Hi all! I hope everyone is having a great March Break! Carolin has been busy! Thanks for the posting of your first mammogram. I have yet to have the pleasure. My doctor said it would happen when I turn 50, (gag!). I think it would be a moot point anyway as I have no breasts to speak of. What little I had disappeared with the five pounds I have lost since my skiing accident. Why could I not loose the weight from around my waist instead? As for my arm, I have a bit more mobility, but more pain? I see the doctor again in a week. He must be sick and tired of seeing me. I know that I am tired of the constant doctor visits but they are necessary so I will just shut up know and concentrate on healing. (Sunshine) Cathy, it must be so frustrating and your patience must be wearing thin but you are doing a great job. Carolin, thanks for the mammogram story, it is something that every woman worries about.
Carolin, how did you find your new love??? I went on the site and what a lot of information! What new things have you done from it this week?


Are you ready for your vacation? Tell your Teenager who is no longer a Teenager that she is welcome to come over for dinner any night. She is to call, no matter what time, if she needs something! We got home from our vacation early Sunday morning. It was an amazing trip to Los Cabos in Mexico. The weather was beautiful but not too hot and the scenery was gorgeous. I miss it already. We drove around and saw anything that was within two hours or so from the resort and I have to say that everyone was wonderful.


My sister and brother in law return from Mexico tomorrow. My sister is brown skinned and she sent an email that she burned herself! Ouch!!! It's been many years since she has had to respect the southern sun! Other than that they sound like they are having a great time! I had my niece and nephew stay over one night to give my folks a break. They had a good time eating junk and playing games, after all, what are aunties for???


Enjoy the week everyone! Welcome Spring!

I am SO in Love

Remember New Love, the anticipation of being together, the constant wonder of discovering something new each time you are together. The first thought when you wake up and the last as you fall asleep. Well that me and it is amazing, its all I can talk about, I go through my daily chores so looking forward to be together, it's like a drug and I am an addict. My family is making fun of me but I don't care they are just jealous. Because I am so happy i spend my time convincing others about how wonderful my new love is.

Who or what is this magical thing that has captured my heart you ask? Only because my new love will get better the more I share, I am will to let you in on my happiness.

Are you sitting down?

Ready?

My new love is Pinterest. http://http://pinterest.com/

Every time I go to the site there is something new, it is amazing. I am not an overly crafty person but this site makes me want to run to Michaels http://www.michaels.com/ and go crazy. String Easter eggs, melted crayon canvas, paper flower wreathes. I tell you it is simply amazing. Don't even get me going on the all the recipes. Peanut butter everything!!!, Then there is fashion , gardening, home design and decorating, and on and on and on. I am totally addicted and in love.

The teenager has been making fun of me as I am constantly calling her to come see this and look at that and wow this is so cool. She laughs at me and says I am OLD. "Mom it's like you just discovered the Internet"

Carolin

My First Mammogram

Well it seems I have crossed another bridge in the life of being a female. This morning I went for my first mammogram and I will admit I was very nervous. Over the years listening to women older then me tell me how much it hurts, that they squish the bejjebbies out of your boobies. I'll admit I was scared.

just a little background. I was having some discomfort on the right breast last December and it would come on and off since. Unfortunately I was not observant enough to say it was linked to my monthly periods. The doctor back in December could not feel anything unusual but felt a mammogram would be a good idea to just make sure.

Because the doctor did not find anything i was not in a huge rush so when my appointment was made for January I called and change it till today when I would be off work. I was scheduled for 8:20 am and arrived at the hospital for 8:00 am. A volunteer at the entrance walked me to the correct department and made small talk the whole way. I then was admitted within a few minutes and then asked to have a seat in the waiting room.

After about 15 minutes I was called and the technician was great, friendly, patient and kind. She even asked my if I could be pregnant (she thought i was young enough to still have babies!!! I love this lady) Yes a mammogram is uncomfortable (especially on my right side which is the side that has bothered me, but also cause I broke my collarbone as a teenager and the pressure on that was a little painful. The left side was not a big deal. After the 6 pictures in all were taken I was asked to put on my top and wait for the radiologist to have alook. About ten minutes later the technician returned and asked me to have a seat in the waiting room as they would like to also take an ultrasound of the right breast.

Yes my anxiety was raised but I tried to stay calm and tell myself it is better to be safe then sorry. Again after about ten minutes I was brought to a ultrasound room. A different technician this time but she as well was very nice and we chatted about vacations. She did the ultrasound and then left. After a few minutes she returned and said I was cleared to go home. I was told to call my doctor in a few weeks for results.

I was back home by 9:30 am. The husband and little one were not even out of bed yet! All in all it was 'no biggie' and my advice to all women who will be crossing the bridge at some point is to relax, don't pay much heed to the women who have been through it and go on about being squished flat like a pancake. Yes you will be squished and yes it is uncomfortable but I would take a mammogram over a pap smear any day!

So what is next. I did have a look at pictures of my breasts on the computer screen but really didn't know what I am looking for. I didn't see any dark masses (hope that's good) but I did see a white spot. One on each breast in approximately the same spot so hopefully that is normal. I will probably do a little Internet searching just to freak myself out. I was told to call the my doctor in a few weeks for the results. I am sure they say that to everyone but it did make feel better thinking it was no rush which meant they didn't see anything worrisome. I will do my best to put the thought of anything serious to the back of my mind and enjoy the next two weeks I am off work.

All and all benchers if you are coming to that time when mammograms will be part of your life my suggestion is to do it and not listen to much to the women who make a big deal about it. Its not the most comfortable thing in the world to do but either is going to the dentist but we know it is better for us in the long run.

Carolin