Monday, February 22, 2016
Microblog Mondays: Gratitude
Our dear Mel over at Stirrup Queens has begun a blog phenomenon... as she frequently does.
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
Last Monday, I was blissfully unaware. Going about my business. I had a busy day at work, followed by a meal with two girlfriends, and then the girls and I went to a coffee night (aka support group) for those who have had weight loss surgery. I was finishing up some major projects at work in preparation for a Sunday morning flight to Punta Cana. It would be our first trip to the Dominican Republic. We were going to an all-inclusive, courtesy of my loving Mom and Dad. There, we would meet up with them, and my sister and her family too. Eight of us for one glorious week in the sun, sand, and enjoying the relaxation of a vacation together. After the -40 windchill temps we'd had, and the snowstorm we were about to have (that arrived the following day!), well, by the end of February, many Canadians start seeking sunshine elsewhere, even if only for a week.
Like I said though, I was blissfully unaware...
While I was at the coffee night, I pulled out my phone. I'd forgotten to take it of silent mode, and I saw that my mom, my sister, and my husband were frantically trying to reach me. Uh oh. That doesn't bode well. I texted my husband, who immediately replied, "Your sister is trying to get in touch with you. Your Mom called and left a message too."
I texted my sister. Her response? "Call me. Now." Oh crap.
When I did, she told me the news; my mom had a heart attack overnight on Sunday and was in the hospital. Oh no...
What followed was a week of wondering, fear, tense moments, anxiety, stress, and a whole lot more, for all of us. Obviously the trip to Punta Cana was off. So we are now in the process of filing claims (we all had cancellation insurance) and all that. Next up, arranging who was flying home. My sis offered to go first; she hadn't seen Mom in awhile. She managed to get there three days later, on the day a cardiac catheter test was done, and stents inserted to deal with blockages.
Petite and I fly down in two days. We will stay for at least 10 days, after which Hubby replaces me and stays for a week with Petite, and when they come back, one of my aunts (mom's youngest sister) will go for a couple of weeks.
I was afraid, for the first real time in my life, of losing my mom. I know the inevitable will happen. That is the way it will go. I will get a phone call from home and I will have to be on a flight ASAP, desperately trying to function through blurry-eyed tears. My mom is my best friend. I hate being so far away from Mom and Dad. But I cannot find good work at home and thus, I stay where I am. It's a helluva position to be in. I just don't like it.
But there's not a damn thing I can do.
Mom is back home. My sis is still there. I see them in two days. I am looking forward to that. And honestly, I am thanking my lucky stars that this didn't happen while we were in the Dominican. THAT would not have been fun for anyone.
Today, I am grateful. A holiday can be taken later. For now, I cherish my mom and I am glad that I can continue to do so. Oh so grateful for so very much...
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
Last Monday, I was blissfully unaware. Going about my business. I had a busy day at work, followed by a meal with two girlfriends, and then the girls and I went to a coffee night (aka support group) for those who have had weight loss surgery. I was finishing up some major projects at work in preparation for a Sunday morning flight to Punta Cana. It would be our first trip to the Dominican Republic. We were going to an all-inclusive, courtesy of my loving Mom and Dad. There, we would meet up with them, and my sister and her family too. Eight of us for one glorious week in the sun, sand, and enjoying the relaxation of a vacation together. After the -40 windchill temps we'd had, and the snowstorm we were about to have (that arrived the following day!), well, by the end of February, many Canadians start seeking sunshine elsewhere, even if only for a week.
Like I said though, I was blissfully unaware...
While I was at the coffee night, I pulled out my phone. I'd forgotten to take it of silent mode, and I saw that my mom, my sister, and my husband were frantically trying to reach me. Uh oh. That doesn't bode well. I texted my husband, who immediately replied, "Your sister is trying to get in touch with you. Your Mom called and left a message too."
I texted my sister. Her response? "Call me. Now." Oh crap.
When I did, she told me the news; my mom had a heart attack overnight on Sunday and was in the hospital. Oh no...
What followed was a week of wondering, fear, tense moments, anxiety, stress, and a whole lot more, for all of us. Obviously the trip to Punta Cana was off. So we are now in the process of filing claims (we all had cancellation insurance) and all that. Next up, arranging who was flying home. My sis offered to go first; she hadn't seen Mom in awhile. She managed to get there three days later, on the day a cardiac catheter test was done, and stents inserted to deal with blockages.
Petite and I fly down in two days. We will stay for at least 10 days, after which Hubby replaces me and stays for a week with Petite, and when they come back, one of my aunts (mom's youngest sister) will go for a couple of weeks.
I was afraid, for the first real time in my life, of losing my mom. I know the inevitable will happen. That is the way it will go. I will get a phone call from home and I will have to be on a flight ASAP, desperately trying to function through blurry-eyed tears. My mom is my best friend. I hate being so far away from Mom and Dad. But I cannot find good work at home and thus, I stay where I am. It's a helluva position to be in. I just don't like it.
But there's not a damn thing I can do.
Mom is back home. My sis is still there. I see them in two days. I am looking forward to that. And honestly, I am thanking my lucky stars that this didn't happen while we were in the Dominican. THAT would not have been fun for anyone.
Today, I am grateful. A holiday can be taken later. For now, I cherish my mom and I am glad that I can continue to do so. Oh so grateful for so very much...
Monday, February 01, 2016
Microblog Mondays: Alone, or Lonely?
Our dear Mel over at Stirrup Queens has begun a blog phenomenon... as she frequently does.
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
As children, my sister and I grew up on a street with oodles of children. She was very social; she loved being WITH people, doing things WITH the kids. Heaven forbid she had to spend time alone. That was something my sister didn't enjoy at all. Me on the other hand, I loved being alone. Reading. Writing. I remember playing Barbies all by myself and loving it. I enjoyed time with my friends too of course, but I didn't depend on them to entertain me. Then again, I had my sister pretty much attached at my hip.
Those same kids on the street, they were in my Girl Guides troop. We did lots of activities together. And some of the kids from my church were in Girl Guides with us too. As were kids in the school choir. A circle of us. All around each other. We either knew each other personally, or knew someone THROUGH someone else or through a different activity/group.
When it comes to Petite, I am sad for her. Very sad.
The plan, the great plan we envisaged, was to have two children (at least). If for no other reason, so she could have a sibling close to her age. Hubby and I are older and when we are gone, who will she have? Seriously... who? She'll be very much alone.
Yes, she has her older sister (who is now 21) and her older brother (who turns 20 today by the way). They love her. But she is only 6. She's far removed in age from them. When she is only 20, they will be 33 and 35. Huge differences.
Petite has made a couple of good friends in school. Not many though. She tells us that many of the kids tease her.
They have already told her that she is...
oh how I shudder...
the dreaded "F" word.
Fat. They call her fat. And I cry at night for her. I truly do. I know what that feels like. I know how it is to grow up with that stigma. I worry for her. I cannot take it away. Other than encouraging her to be healthy, eat well and exercise, what else can I do? I don't know. There are no solutions.
She has no friends on our street to speak of. There are only a few children in neighbouring houses and they are all at least three years older than she is. That makes a difference at her age. And let's face it... being an only child, she definitely knows how to be bossy and direct the playtime! She has ideas and Lord forbid if you don't wanna follow along!
She attends swimming classes, but has no close friends there. She comes to church with me, but has no close friends there. She goes to Sparks (aka Girl Guides, but for young children, ages 5-6), and has only one good friend there. And she has one friend from her years at daycare... but that little girl now has many school friends too.
Petite just wants someone to play with. To spend time with. To be silly with and play stuffies and pretend, and dress up, and Barbies, and Lego, and all that sort of thing. I can only do so much. Let's face it, I'm way too OCD to have much imagination! Even kneeling to play with her while she is in the bath is giving me huge troubles... my psoriatic arthritis is acting up badly and my left knee is a bloomin' mess at the moment. (I've no idea how I'm going to run a 10K in May!) So I'm desperately seeking a way to resolve this for her.
I see that as a child, I was alone, but never lonely.
I see that Petite is very much alone, and definitely quite lonely.
I don't know how to fix it or help her.
I don't think I can.
And again, I cry at night, wondering what I can do, short of moving to a 'young family' area, to help her socialize more. The last couple of weeks, I have organized playdates on the weekends. I think I need to do more of that, and make it a regular thing. I have to do something, lest she grow up sad, alone, and lonely and perpetually wishing for more.
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
As children, my sister and I grew up on a street with oodles of children. She was very social; she loved being WITH people, doing things WITH the kids. Heaven forbid she had to spend time alone. That was something my sister didn't enjoy at all. Me on the other hand, I loved being alone. Reading. Writing. I remember playing Barbies all by myself and loving it. I enjoyed time with my friends too of course, but I didn't depend on them to entertain me. Then again, I had my sister pretty much attached at my hip.
Those same kids on the street, they were in my Girl Guides troop. We did lots of activities together. And some of the kids from my church were in Girl Guides with us too. As were kids in the school choir. A circle of us. All around each other. We either knew each other personally, or knew someone THROUGH someone else or through a different activity/group.
When it comes to Petite, I am sad for her. Very sad.
The plan, the great plan we envisaged, was to have two children (at least). If for no other reason, so she could have a sibling close to her age. Hubby and I are older and when we are gone, who will she have? Seriously... who? She'll be very much alone.
Yes, she has her older sister (who is now 21) and her older brother (who turns 20 today by the way). They love her. But she is only 6. She's far removed in age from them. When she is only 20, they will be 33 and 35. Huge differences.
Petite has made a couple of good friends in school. Not many though. She tells us that many of the kids tease her.
They have already told her that she is...
oh how I shudder...
the dreaded "F" word.
Fat. They call her fat. And I cry at night for her. I truly do. I know what that feels like. I know how it is to grow up with that stigma. I worry for her. I cannot take it away. Other than encouraging her to be healthy, eat well and exercise, what else can I do? I don't know. There are no solutions.
She has no friends on our street to speak of. There are only a few children in neighbouring houses and they are all at least three years older than she is. That makes a difference at her age. And let's face it... being an only child, she definitely knows how to be bossy and direct the playtime! She has ideas and Lord forbid if you don't wanna follow along!
She attends swimming classes, but has no close friends there. She comes to church with me, but has no close friends there. She goes to Sparks (aka Girl Guides, but for young children, ages 5-6), and has only one good friend there. And she has one friend from her years at daycare... but that little girl now has many school friends too.
Petite just wants someone to play with. To spend time with. To be silly with and play stuffies and pretend, and dress up, and Barbies, and Lego, and all that sort of thing. I can only do so much. Let's face it, I'm way too OCD to have much imagination! Even kneeling to play with her while she is in the bath is giving me huge troubles... my psoriatic arthritis is acting up badly and my left knee is a bloomin' mess at the moment. (I've no idea how I'm going to run a 10K in May!) So I'm desperately seeking a way to resolve this for her.
I see that as a child, I was alone, but never lonely.
I see that Petite is very much alone, and definitely quite lonely.
I don't know how to fix it or help her.
I don't think I can.
And again, I cry at night, wondering what I can do, short of moving to a 'young family' area, to help her socialize more. The last couple of weeks, I have organized playdates on the weekends. I think I need to do more of that, and make it a regular thing. I have to do something, lest she grow up sad, alone, and lonely and perpetually wishing for more.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Microblog Mondays: Is This What Life is REALLY Like?
Our dear Mel over at Stirrup Queens has begun a blog phenomenon... as she frequently does.
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
It's been awhile since I wrote. Life sort of takes over, I suppose. Between
I think wine is in order. Copious amounts of it! Do you think I could make a wine advent calendar for the adults in the house? I like that idea! Then again, it might not be conducive to actually getting to work on time... Ah, the perils of adulthood!
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
It's been awhile since I wrote. Life sort of takes over, I suppose. Between
- Petite's Girl Guides,
- her Gymnastics,
- physio twice a week for the bum knee that I messed up while in California this past summer,
- pool and backyard renovations (my my, but it looks GORGEOUS for next summer!),
- having had our Thanksgiving at our house (14 people in attendance!),
- celebrating my stepdaughter's 21st birthday,
- celebrating Petite's first loose tooth and visit from the Tooth Fairy,
- preparations for Christmas,
- fostering cats for the Humane Society,
- working like crazy (as always),
- general house upkeep (as much as possible!)
- and all the rest... well, I'm plum tuckered out.
I think wine is in order. Copious amounts of it! Do you think I could make a wine advent calendar for the adults in the house? I like that idea! Then again, it might not be conducive to actually getting to work on time... Ah, the perils of adulthood!
Monday, October 05, 2015
Radio Interview
This is a link to a radio interview I did on Friday morning (live and on the air!) with some lovely folks from Radio-Canada (the French equivalent of CBC) in Toronto.
Advance to the 8:15 mark or thereabouts.
And I hope you speak French!!
We're so thrilled about IVF being covered in Ontario! Ah... if only I were a couple of years younger, we'd go for #2!!
Y a pas deux matins pareils
Advance to the 8:15 mark or thereabouts.
And I hope you speak French!!
We're so thrilled about IVF being covered in Ontario! Ah... if only I were a couple of years younger, we'd go for #2!!
Y a pas deux matins pareils
Thursday, October 01, 2015
Coverage for Ontario Families! YAHOO!!!!
It FINALLY happened.
The Government of Ontario stepped up and did an incredible thing today.
As of December 1, 2015, they will cover one IVF cycle as outlined in the news release that was put out today. The coverage has been ramping up all week and today, Ontario patients finally found out the details of the proposed program.
Improving Access to Fertility Treatments for Ontario Families
There are other questions that are being asked, of course, and in due time, they too shall be answered. Such as whether ICSI is covered. What about PGD? What about egg donors? Or TESA? It's a lot to look at, but honestly, today the Ontario government has given Ontarians HOPE. So much hope that it's overwhelming.
When the news broke on social media earlier today, I was completely overwhelmed. The tears ran down my face.
For years, I have blogged, advocated, talked, walked, liaised, done everything I possibly could to encourage Ontario, Canada even, to raise this health care issue and to recognize it and provide medical coverage for it. And today, I have seen that dream come true.
While it's too late for me (women must be under the age of 43 at time of treatment, and I'm an 'elderly' 45 now), it's not too late for many women coming behind me.
I'm glad to see Ontario doing the right thing. I witnessed today with hope, joy and a sense of relief. We're not quite done yet, as the finessing of the program is yet to come, but it's so uplifting to know we're on the right track.
The Government of Ontario stepped up and did an incredible thing today.
As of December 1, 2015, they will cover one IVF cycle as outlined in the news release that was put out today. The coverage has been ramping up all week and today, Ontario patients finally found out the details of the proposed program.
Improving Access to Fertility Treatments for Ontario Families
There are other questions that are being asked, of course, and in due time, they too shall be answered. Such as whether ICSI is covered. What about PGD? What about egg donors? Or TESA? It's a lot to look at, but honestly, today the Ontario government has given Ontarians HOPE. So much hope that it's overwhelming.
When the news broke on social media earlier today, I was completely overwhelmed. The tears ran down my face.
For years, I have blogged, advocated, talked, walked, liaised, done everything I possibly could to encourage Ontario, Canada even, to raise this health care issue and to recognize it and provide medical coverage for it. And today, I have seen that dream come true.
While it's too late for me (women must be under the age of 43 at time of treatment, and I'm an 'elderly' 45 now), it's not too late for many women coming behind me.
I'm glad to see Ontario doing the right thing. I witnessed today with hope, joy and a sense of relief. We're not quite done yet, as the finessing of the program is yet to come, but it's so uplifting to know we're on the right track.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
On the Verge of History
There is news. GOOD news.
I am so excited about the coming days, it's beyond incredible how terribly thrilled I am.
The Ontario government is on the verge of an announcement. I can feel it. It's in the air.
The papers are awash with fertility stories and murmurings of "delays" in the upcoming announcement abound today. It's palpable. It truly is.
And on the fertility groups and forums I am part of, there is tension, excitement, eagerness, hope, prayer, and above all, cheer.
We are on the cusp of a momentous decision and I pray with every fibre of my being that the right decisions are made by those in power so that many of the people of this great province can move forward with their plans to build a family.
Stay tuned...
GREAT things are coming. And very, very soon...
I am so excited about the coming days, it's beyond incredible how terribly thrilled I am.
The Ontario government is on the verge of an announcement. I can feel it. It's in the air.
The papers are awash with fertility stories and murmurings of "delays" in the upcoming announcement abound today. It's palpable. It truly is.
And on the fertility groups and forums I am part of, there is tension, excitement, eagerness, hope, prayer, and above all, cheer.
We are on the cusp of a momentous decision and I pray with every fibre of my being that the right decisions are made by those in power so that many of the people of this great province can move forward with their plans to build a family.
Stay tuned...
GREAT things are coming. And very, very soon...
Monday, July 06, 2015
Microblog Mondays: My Furbaby is Not Long for This World...
Our dear Mel over at Stirrup Queens has begun a blog phenomenon... as she frequently does.
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
I do not know what to write.
My heart aches.
In January 2014 I wrote about the heartbreaking loss we'd suffered. My then 18-year old cat, Shadow, passed away in my arms the day we returned from a family vacation.
Now, a year and a half later, Shadow's brother, 19-year old Smudge (he would be 20 on August 25), is in pain and he is showing me signs that he is ready to go play with Shadow and the catnip mice in the sky.
I cannot put him through any more pain. I hate to see him struggle to jump or walk, and his legs tremble as he tries valiantly to go to the washroom. Poor baby boy. It's not fair.
I've had my boys longer than I've known Hubby. It was my boys who showed Petite how to treat animals... kindly, gentle, with the utmost of care and respect. And it is because I love him so much that today I made the dreaded phone call to have a vet come later this week for an in-home euthanasia. It will tear me up inside. But I need to do this. For him. I cannot prolong his pain and suffering for my own benefit. Nope. Not fair.
Big Boy 'Mudgers, I love you. I always will. Mommy will see you again and rub that white spot on your belly, nuzzling you softly. I promise.
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
I do not know what to write.
My heart aches.
In January 2014 I wrote about the heartbreaking loss we'd suffered. My then 18-year old cat, Shadow, passed away in my arms the day we returned from a family vacation.
Now, a year and a half later, Shadow's brother, 19-year old Smudge (he would be 20 on August 25), is in pain and he is showing me signs that he is ready to go play with Shadow and the catnip mice in the sky.
I cannot put him through any more pain. I hate to see him struggle to jump or walk, and his legs tremble as he tries valiantly to go to the washroom. Poor baby boy. It's not fair.
I've had my boys longer than I've known Hubby. It was my boys who showed Petite how to treat animals... kindly, gentle, with the utmost of care and respect. And it is because I love him so much that today I made the dreaded phone call to have a vet come later this week for an in-home euthanasia. It will tear me up inside. But I need to do this. For him. I cannot prolong his pain and suffering for my own benefit. Nope. Not fair.
Big Boy 'Mudgers, I love you. I always will. Mommy will see you again and rub that white spot on your belly, nuzzling you softly. I promise.
 |
| October 2008; enjoying the sunshine |
 |
| August 2009: Rub my white spot Mommy! |
 |
| August 2014; between Mommy's legs for the night! |
 |
| October 2014; loving the catmint! |
 |
| January 2015; snuggling in bed with Petite for the FIRST time! |
Monday, June 29, 2015
Microblog Mondays: Be Careful What You Wish For
Our dear Mel over at Stirrup Queens has begun a blog phenomenon... as she frequently does.
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
For many years now, I've sought to change jobs. For a plethora of reasons that I will not go into here. Suffice it to say, I really needed a change. Badly.
It's taken a couple of years for this particular competition (yes, government works very slowly to ensure that all the T's are crossed and all the I's are dotted). But I've finally transitioned into a new position that suits my skills quite well and keeps me on my toes. Lord knows, I love that aspect of things and it thrills me.
But wow, steep learning curve! It's a blast so far; I'm about two months in right now. And so far, so good. I'm truly loving it.
But the pace is insane! I arrive in the morning with nothing in my calendar and blammo! It fills up in the blink of an eye with a multitude of meetings and updates and conference calls and planning sessions, and, and, and... you get the drift.
Like I said, be careful what you wish for! But if you're ready for a challenge... wish away!
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
For many years now, I've sought to change jobs. For a plethora of reasons that I will not go into here. Suffice it to say, I really needed a change. Badly.
It's taken a couple of years for this particular competition (yes, government works very slowly to ensure that all the T's are crossed and all the I's are dotted). But I've finally transitioned into a new position that suits my skills quite well and keeps me on my toes. Lord knows, I love that aspect of things and it thrills me.
But wow, steep learning curve! It's a blast so far; I'm about two months in right now. And so far, so good. I'm truly loving it.
But the pace is insane! I arrive in the morning with nothing in my calendar and blammo! It fills up in the blink of an eye with a multitude of meetings and updates and conference calls and planning sessions, and, and, and... you get the drift.
Like I said, be careful what you wish for! But if you're ready for a challenge... wish away!
Monday, June 15, 2015
Microblog Mondays: An Excellent Reminder for Us All
Our dear Mel over at Stirrup Queens has begun a blog phenomenon... as she frequently does.
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
I wrote this on Facebook the other day. So many of my friends thought it was a wonderful, sweet anecdote and it needs to be shared. So here you go:
Today was a really warm, sunny day and we had planned to hit a park and a splash pad before running some errands. I put on the ONE pair of shorts that I own and I asked Hubby if he thought I could wear them out and about in public. (Side note: I never wear shorts out in public, only around the house or garden on my own property. I am so terribly self-conscious about my body, even post-surgery after losing 140 lbs. It's horrid.)
Petite overheard Hubby and me talking, and she peeked in the bedroom. Her words moved me.
"Mommy, it doesn't matter about the outside. It's the inside that counts."
One smart girl, right there.
I teared up a little, and hugged her tightly, telling her, "You know, you're absolutely right. Thank you sweetheart. I needed to hear that right now. It DOESN'T matter what anyone thinks, really... does it?"
And yes... I wore the shorts. :)
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
I wrote this on Facebook the other day. So many of my friends thought it was a wonderful, sweet anecdote and it needs to be shared. So here you go:
Today was a really warm, sunny day and we had planned to hit a park and a splash pad before running some errands. I put on the ONE pair of shorts that I own and I asked Hubby if he thought I could wear them out and about in public. (Side note: I never wear shorts out in public, only around the house or garden on my own property. I am so terribly self-conscious about my body, even post-surgery after losing 140 lbs. It's horrid.)
Petite overheard Hubby and me talking, and she peeked in the bedroom. Her words moved me.
"Mommy, it doesn't matter about the outside. It's the inside that counts."
One smart girl, right there.
I teared up a little, and hugged her tightly, telling her, "You know, you're absolutely right. Thank you sweetheart. I needed to hear that right now. It DOESN'T matter what anyone thinks, really... does it?"
And yes... I wore the shorts. :)
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Bedtime Looms...
I managed to get in a bike ride today. It was the first time on a bike for me in at least seven or eight years. Probably closer to ten though... truth be known.
Wow. 10 years. And yet I managed to hop on and ride for 7 km in 32 minutes. That felt great! Mind you it would have felt better if it were a tad warmer. And if the rain hadn't cut my ride short. I had hoped to ride for 45 mins but the cold numbed my fingers and pouring rain was on the horizon so I booked it back to the house. I just pulled in the driveway when the first drops fell.
I took care of Petite tonight as Hubby was out helping one of my coworkers with his computer. Petite had Sparks and then I got her nighttime routine done before calling my mom, editing a newsletter, figuring out lunch for tomorrow and writing out a menu for the week. Is it bedtime yet?
Come on Friday!!!
Monday, April 20, 2015
Microblog Mondays: Running... for a Reason
Our dear Mel over at Stirrup Queens has begun a blog phenomenon... as she frequently does.
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
I took my running outside yesterday.
Ouch. Did you know that running on pavement is VERY different from running on a treadmill? I knew it, but wow, I'm really feeling it this morning. I used muscles yesterday that I haven't used in ages. They are screaming at me today. It'll be worth it though.
I stood up in church yesterday and told them of my run. I screwed up my courage and went for it.
"Hi, my name is Gil. I sing in the choir and now and then I bring my daughter Petite with me, who seems to enjoy dancing at the front for your pleasure." (The congregation laughed, as Petite just can't help but move and shake when we start singing!)
I continued...
"Last year I set out to lose some weight. I've been pretty successful at it thus far. At that time, I had set myself a personal goal; I wanted to run a 5K — not WALK it as I've done before — but run a 5K before my 45th birthday. Well, I've registered for that run coming up at the end of May, a week before my birthday. I'm gonna do it. I WILL get through it. Originally, I thought I would just run it for myself, to see how well I could do. But on February 4, all of that changed."
I took a deep breath.
"On February 4, a dear friend of mine took his own life. His widow, his friends, his family, we are all still dealing with this. Then, three weeks ago, a colleague of mine did the same thing." I heard the audible intake of breath and the scattered sympathetic moan. And I took another breath.
"So, my friend's widow and I, and another friend of ours, we are running this 5K in my friend's honour, and to raise funds for the Royal Ottawa Hospital's Foundation for Mental Health. The name of our team is The Hamsters are Free! in a nod to Rob's stellar sense of humour," laughter rang out, "... and if you, your family or your friends have ever been affected by mental health issues, we would be happy to have your sponsorship to raise funds for this wonderful cause. Mental health is something that is still taboo to talk about but so many people around us are affected. More than we can possibly fathom. Today, I have with me some slips that have the information that will help you donate to the Foundation through a secure online form, or please feel free to speak with me to make other arrangements. Thank you for your time."
So, dear reader, if you would like to support me in this cause, here's the link for you.
The Hamsters are Free! - Scotiabank Charity Challenge
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
I took my running outside yesterday.
Ouch. Did you know that running on pavement is VERY different from running on a treadmill? I knew it, but wow, I'm really feeling it this morning. I used muscles yesterday that I haven't used in ages. They are screaming at me today. It'll be worth it though.
I stood up in church yesterday and told them of my run. I screwed up my courage and went for it.
"Hi, my name is Gil. I sing in the choir and now and then I bring my daughter Petite with me, who seems to enjoy dancing at the front for your pleasure." (The congregation laughed, as Petite just can't help but move and shake when we start singing!)
I continued...
"Last year I set out to lose some weight. I've been pretty successful at it thus far. At that time, I had set myself a personal goal; I wanted to run a 5K — not WALK it as I've done before — but run a 5K before my 45th birthday. Well, I've registered for that run coming up at the end of May, a week before my birthday. I'm gonna do it. I WILL get through it. Originally, I thought I would just run it for myself, to see how well I could do. But on February 4, all of that changed."
I took a deep breath.
"On February 4, a dear friend of mine took his own life. His widow, his friends, his family, we are all still dealing with this. Then, three weeks ago, a colleague of mine did the same thing." I heard the audible intake of breath and the scattered sympathetic moan. And I took another breath.
"So, my friend's widow and I, and another friend of ours, we are running this 5K in my friend's honour, and to raise funds for the Royal Ottawa Hospital's Foundation for Mental Health. The name of our team is The Hamsters are Free! in a nod to Rob's stellar sense of humour," laughter rang out, "... and if you, your family or your friends have ever been affected by mental health issues, we would be happy to have your sponsorship to raise funds for this wonderful cause. Mental health is something that is still taboo to talk about but so many people around us are affected. More than we can possibly fathom. Today, I have with me some slips that have the information that will help you donate to the Foundation through a secure online form, or please feel free to speak with me to make other arrangements. Thank you for your time."
So, dear reader, if you would like to support me in this cause, here's the link for you.
The Hamsters are Free! - Scotiabank Charity Challenge
Friday, April 17, 2015
Reflections on life and changes
My time is in increasingly high demand these days.
Busy at work. Preparing to transition from one position to another. Obtaining top secret clearance for that new job. Social Committee events and translation of its posters, e-mails, and communications. Baking for the committee and the church. Walking for the church... daily on my own and as part of the group. Updating the church blog. Teaching others how to do the same to help me out. Training for the 5K race at the end of May. Taking Petite to Sparks. Selling Girl Guide cookies. Taking Petite to swimming class. Making sure I get to choir and practise as needed for our hymns. Seeing friends. Making sure our geriatric cat is well taken care of. Planning our vacay in July. Figuring out child care for Petite for the summer. Shopping for clothes that is sorely needed (down to 168 lbs!). Shopping for groceries. Making sure family back at home has necessary gifts and cards for various events. Helping Petite with homework (we have to build a puppet from recycled materials for the end of the month and in May it's her turn to bring the play-doh... gotta make that next weekend). Handling finances. Shopping for and celebrating Hubby's birthday last week. And more.
Life is a bit insane right now. I still cannot wrap my head around the weight loss and how I actually look in the mirror and in my clothes. A girlfriend and I did go shopping last week. I indulged. Shoes. (Oh these florals make me feel positively sinful!)
Frillies. Skirts. Pants. Blouses. Shirts and a gorgeous coral suit. I am stunned to find myself in size 10. THAT is nothing short of incredible. (This suit jacket is a bit big and needs tailoring but no smaller size was available.)
However the same old feelings are still there. Am I good enough? Am I "normal enough" now? I do not consider myself pretty (OMG hell no) but am I good enough, for once? The doc said I should take stock. Check in now and then with myself to see how I'm feeling. And she said I should poll others who know me to see what they would say about me. How would they describe me? What traits or characteristics would they attribute to me? (If you wish to chime on that in I would be grateful.)
So here I am. Taking stock of a very busy life. I feel like I'm too busy to stop to even do that.
Tuesday, April 07, 2015
Microblog Mondays: Grief and more grief. When does it end?
Our dear Mel over at Stirrup Queens has begun a blog phenomenon... as she frequently does.
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
Okay, okay, a day late and a dollar short. Sheesh. Shoot me.
We've been tied up with a number of things. Easter. An impromptu and definitely flying visit to The Big Apple with Petite to meet a gaming friend from Singapore. Visiting with friends from Toronto. Taking in a Sugar Bush meal (albeit somewhat restricted on my part). And the general rounds of sickness in the house. Ugh.
And deaths.
Again.
Note that I said "deaths" as in plural. Oh my.
Last week two people in my circles passed away.
I sing in a church choir. One of our choir member's wife was diagnosed months ago with an aggressive cancer. Treatments didn't keep it at bay and last week, the choir was told that she was rapidly declining... but that when the time came, they both wished the choir to sing at her funeral. She passed away on Monday, March 30. She was a lovely lady and very active in our church family. The service was held on Monday, April 6 and because Easter Monday is a holiday for me, I was able to attend and sing with the choir. It was a beautiful service and she would have really loved it. Rest in peace, Anne.
On Wednesday, April 1, I got a phone call from a former co-worker (a different location within our organization). I used to work with the group from 2010–13. She told me that one of the employees had committed suicide overnight onTuesday, March 31. I was in shock. This fellow was young (early 50s perhaps). Bright. Intelligent. Caring. A broad smile and a gentle nature, despite a physique that made him look like the roughest, toughest bouncer you could come across. He would sit in my office and chat about his cat (how he loved animals!) and his eyes would sparkle. He was a giving, sweet man, and I cannot fathom that he took his own life. The whole family in the branch he worked with is grieving; he was part of a small, skilled, elite team of counter intelligence and his presence will definitely be missed. We are all grieving. Today, April 7, I attend his funeral and I know many tears will be shed at this senseless loss. My heart goes out to his family and all his colleagues and friends. May he find the peace in death that he so sought in life. We love you Morgan. Good-bye dear friend.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Microblog Mondays: Looking for... Activities!
Our dear Mel over at Stirrup Queens has begun a blog phenomenon... as she frequently does.
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
The calendar "says" that spring has arrived. Frankly, I've yet to see it. This morning we have a frostbite advisory. Soooo tired of the snowbanks and shivering my ass off. ENOUGH already! We've had the coldest winter on record in over 100 years and it just so happens to be the first winter after my VSG so I'm the coldest I personally have ever been as well. It's awful!
However, I am trying to look on the bright side. Spring WILL eventually come. Right?! RIGHT!?!!!??!!! *threatens, shaking a fist*
In the meantime, I'm looking for activities to do this spring and summer with my girl. While she and I were reading a story book last night, (Lego Friends) I read that "Olivia's parents make time to do things with her," such as going to movies, taking walks, going for bike rides, and helping her do her homework. Petite lamented, "See?! Her mommy and daddy make time to do things with her but you never do that for me!" She pouted, sulking a moment. (Being an only child, she frequently wants us to 'play' with her.) I reread the passage, noting the activities that Olivia's parents do with her. We already help with her homework. We already take her to movies. We can't yet go for many walks or bike rides (she can't keep up with us on bikes at the moment anyway; I'm debating buying a tow-style bar to attach her bike to mine... anyone have anything to report on those?) but that may come when spring finally does.
I reiterated that Olivia's mommy and daddy do not necessarily "play" with her. It's not something that mommies and daddies do as well as kids do; our imaginations aren't quite what they used to be! But we do try now and then, much to Petite's delight.
So I'm looking for activities. I've been interested in Geocaching before and that sorta piques my interest again. I need to get outdoors to train for the 5K that I'll be running at the end of May. We are also going camping again this summer. But I am looking for ideas and activities that you do with your kids on a fairly regular basis that intrigue them and keep you involved. What do you do with and for your child? Gimme whatcha got!!!
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
The calendar "says" that spring has arrived. Frankly, I've yet to see it. This morning we have a frostbite advisory. Soooo tired of the snowbanks and shivering my ass off. ENOUGH already! We've had the coldest winter on record in over 100 years and it just so happens to be the first winter after my VSG so I'm the coldest I personally have ever been as well. It's awful!
However, I am trying to look on the bright side. Spring WILL eventually come. Right?! RIGHT!?!!!??!!! *threatens, shaking a fist*
In the meantime, I'm looking for activities to do this spring and summer with my girl. While she and I were reading a story book last night, (Lego Friends) I read that "Olivia's parents make time to do things with her," such as going to movies, taking walks, going for bike rides, and helping her do her homework. Petite lamented, "See?! Her mommy and daddy make time to do things with her but you never do that for me!" She pouted, sulking a moment. (Being an only child, she frequently wants us to 'play' with her.) I reread the passage, noting the activities that Olivia's parents do with her. We already help with her homework. We already take her to movies. We can't yet go for many walks or bike rides (she can't keep up with us on bikes at the moment anyway; I'm debating buying a tow-style bar to attach her bike to mine... anyone have anything to report on those?) but that may come when spring finally does.
I reiterated that Olivia's mommy and daddy do not necessarily "play" with her. It's not something that mommies and daddies do as well as kids do; our imaginations aren't quite what they used to be! But we do try now and then, much to Petite's delight.
So I'm looking for activities. I've been interested in Geocaching before and that sorta piques my interest again. I need to get outdoors to train for the 5K that I'll be running at the end of May. We are also going camping again this summer. But I am looking for ideas and activities that you do with your kids on a fairly regular basis that intrigue them and keep you involved. What do you do with and for your child? Gimme whatcha got!!!
Monday, February 16, 2015
Microblog Mondays: Hell Hath Frozen Over
Our dear Mel over at Stirrup Queens has begun a blog phenomenon... as she frequently does.
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
You know how I know that Hell has frozen over? Because the rest of this God forsaken frozen wasteland has too! Seriously.
I live in Canada's capital. Last week, and this week, we're breaking records left, right, and centre. February has been the coldest month on record. Ever. We've hit temperatures colder than the Antarctic. We're bundled to within an inch of our lives. The temperature here is colder than it was on Mars for Pete's sake! No joke!
Today is a semi-holiday here. It's Family Day. However, as a federal government employee, I'm supposed to be at work. (This holiday isn't in our contract yet so we don't have it off. Neither does my husband.) I say "supposed to be at work" because I am NOT at work today. I am sitting in my kitchen. Why, you ask? Let me tell you...
Because it's so frakkin' cold in this frozen country, where the air hurts my face and stabs at my lungs this morning (we have a raw temperature of -27 but with the wind it was -40. Remember: -40 C = -40 F.) and my car decided it wasn't going to start. Not a gig. Not a whit. Not even a little bit of juice.
I'll go one better; Hubby's car wouldn't start either! No joke. Two vehicles in our driveway, and both of them essentially said, "Nah, not so much." A friend of mine posted on Facebook that this is the universe's way of telling us to stay home and watch movies today.
Sounds like a helluva plan. S'cuse me while I go turn on my heated blanket.
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
You know how I know that Hell has frozen over? Because the rest of this God forsaken frozen wasteland has too! Seriously.
I live in Canada's capital. Last week, and this week, we're breaking records left, right, and centre. February has been the coldest month on record. Ever. We've hit temperatures colder than the Antarctic. We're bundled to within an inch of our lives. The temperature here is colder than it was on Mars for Pete's sake! No joke!
Today is a semi-holiday here. It's Family Day. However, as a federal government employee, I'm supposed to be at work. (This holiday isn't in our contract yet so we don't have it off. Neither does my husband.) I say "supposed to be at work" because I am NOT at work today. I am sitting in my kitchen. Why, you ask? Let me tell you...
Because it's so frakkin' cold in this frozen country, where the air hurts my face and stabs at my lungs this morning (we have a raw temperature of -27 but with the wind it was -40. Remember: -40 C = -40 F.) and my car decided it wasn't going to start. Not a gig. Not a whit. Not even a little bit of juice.
I'll go one better; Hubby's car wouldn't start either! No joke. Two vehicles in our driveway, and both of them essentially said, "Nah, not so much." A friend of mine posted on Facebook that this is the universe's way of telling us to stay home and watch movies today.
Sounds like a helluva plan. S'cuse me while I go turn on my heated blanket.
Monday, February 09, 2015
Microblog Mondays: Mental Health
Our dear Mel over at Stirrup Queens has begun a blog phenomenon... as she frequently does.
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
I cannot possibly fathom writing about anything else this week. For ever since last Wednesday, February 4, my world has been shaken and forever changed.
It was an ordinary day. I went to work. I went to the gym; I ran 3.4 miles on the treadmill too! I picked up Petite after school. We went home. Hubby was working late so I took care of dinner, Petite's bath and getting her bedtime routine going. Hubby came home around 9:30, just as I was rousing from a little doze with Petite as she loves a cuddle with us before bed. (I think I fell asleep before she did though!)
And as I was waking and getting up and out of Petite's room, I got a Facebook PM. It was a group PM between me, Hubby and it was coming from our dear friend, MM.
MM and her husband, RM, have been friends of ours for YEARS. RM and Hubby knew each other before Hubby and I met in 2000. They've been friends for about 18 years. And when RM met his wife-to-be, we were introduced and got along like a house afire. They're a wonderful couple. We saw them more frequently before Petite was born, but even after her arrival, we always kept in touch and we arranged to get together every few months, as schedules would permit.
RM was a teacher. Graphic Web Design at a local college. He was well-loved and respected by peers and students. He was funny, very quick witted indeed. And one of the most intelligent men I knew. I admired him. Respected him greatly. He shared good news and bad with us over the years.
But the Facebook message from his wife shook me to the core. RM passed away earlier on Wednesday afternoon at the age of 46. WHAT? How could that be?! My brain didn't compute that at all. Not possible. It's just not possible. It must be a joke.
Hubby walked in the door, mouth agape (much as mine was) and I said, "We need to call her. Now. This has GOT to be a joke... He's suck a jokester. Someone must have gotten their hands on his account or hers or something. This isn't real..."
We called MM, who was in shock, and tears.
She had come home early as she had known RM was a little down about a medical issue. She found that he had committed suicide. She found her husband; he had hanged himself. She was alone. She was the one who had to call 911, cut him down, give him chest compressions, the whole nine yards.
No one should ever have to do that to a loved one. Ever. She has that image in her head forever. With luck it will be replaced by happy thoughts in time, but for now, she is grieving. We are in shock. We are preparing to attend his funeral later this week but there are no words to describe how we feel.
Talk to your loved ones. Talk to professionals. Open up about mental health issues. Because no one should ever feel at wits' end so as to make this choice to end it all. Too many people love you. Yes YOU. You are loved. Deeply. Please don't make this drastic choice. I beg.
RM, we can but hope you find the peace you so desperately sought. But you will be sorely missed. Life will not be the same without you. We love you.
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
I cannot possibly fathom writing about anything else this week. For ever since last Wednesday, February 4, my world has been shaken and forever changed.
It was an ordinary day. I went to work. I went to the gym; I ran 3.4 miles on the treadmill too! I picked up Petite after school. We went home. Hubby was working late so I took care of dinner, Petite's bath and getting her bedtime routine going. Hubby came home around 9:30, just as I was rousing from a little doze with Petite as she loves a cuddle with us before bed. (I think I fell asleep before she did though!)
And as I was waking and getting up and out of Petite's room, I got a Facebook PM. It was a group PM between me, Hubby and it was coming from our dear friend, MM.
MM and her husband, RM, have been friends of ours for YEARS. RM and Hubby knew each other before Hubby and I met in 2000. They've been friends for about 18 years. And when RM met his wife-to-be, we were introduced and got along like a house afire. They're a wonderful couple. We saw them more frequently before Petite was born, but even after her arrival, we always kept in touch and we arranged to get together every few months, as schedules would permit.
RM was a teacher. Graphic Web Design at a local college. He was well-loved and respected by peers and students. He was funny, very quick witted indeed. And one of the most intelligent men I knew. I admired him. Respected him greatly. He shared good news and bad with us over the years.
But the Facebook message from his wife shook me to the core. RM passed away earlier on Wednesday afternoon at the age of 46. WHAT? How could that be?! My brain didn't compute that at all. Not possible. It's just not possible. It must be a joke.
Hubby walked in the door, mouth agape (much as mine was) and I said, "We need to call her. Now. This has GOT to be a joke... He's suck a jokester. Someone must have gotten their hands on his account or hers or something. This isn't real..."
We called MM, who was in shock, and tears.
She had come home early as she had known RM was a little down about a medical issue. She found that he had committed suicide. She found her husband; he had hanged himself. She was alone. She was the one who had to call 911, cut him down, give him chest compressions, the whole nine yards.
No one should ever have to do that to a loved one. Ever. She has that image in her head forever. With luck it will be replaced by happy thoughts in time, but for now, she is grieving. We are in shock. We are preparing to attend his funeral later this week but there are no words to describe how we feel.
Talk to your loved ones. Talk to professionals. Open up about mental health issues. Because no one should ever feel at wits' end so as to make this choice to end it all. Too many people love you. Yes YOU. You are loved. Deeply. Please don't make this drastic choice. I beg.
RM, we can but hope you find the peace you so desperately sought. But you will be sorely missed. Life will not be the same without you. We love you.
Monday, February 02, 2015
Microblog Mondays: Growing Old(er)
Our dear Mel over at Stirrup Queens has begun a blog phenomenon... as she frequently does.
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
This past weekend I was tied up with a number of rather 'domestic' things. Some baking. Some cooking. Lots of laundry (as usual). Some cleaning. Moving furniture. Disassembling and reassembling a table and a queen-sized bed. Some sewing. Some blogging (for a church initiative). Even writing and distributing a newsletter.
And as I'm doing all these things, I find the arthritis in my fingers acts up now and then. Or it's harder than it used to be to move the queen-sized mattress (yes, by myself... but just pulling it over the wood floor). And you know something? I needed my reading glasses to thread the needle for my sewing projects and to pick out the individual threads in the material. READING GLASSES people?!!! I'm not even 45 yet!
I realize I'm getting older and yet, I still think of myself as the insecure 16-year old who hides in the bathroom during lunch. I don't know if I've really "grown up" or if I'm just growing old.
Hubby and I have about 15-20 years to retirement. We are planning for that already. But I always wonder about how good my health will be when I get there. I had WLS last year to try to give me a leg up so my health is better into my old age.
But you just never know.
Case in point: a colleague/girlfriend. Two weeks before her retirement, she lost her brother suddenly. One week (to the day) after that, she had a heart attack. She survived (thank God!) but now realizes that she needs to take better care of herself to enjoy her retirement and to LIVE to be here for her family. Please heavens, I can do my utmost now to ensure my good health when I retire. Because I have plans and I have no intention of letting time or other factors take those plans away from me. (I know, I know. Wanna make God laugh? Tell him your plans for the future.)
Fingers crossed for these plans to come to fruition. Growing old(er) sucks. :(
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
This past weekend I was tied up with a number of rather 'domestic' things. Some baking. Some cooking. Lots of laundry (as usual). Some cleaning. Moving furniture. Disassembling and reassembling a table and a queen-sized bed. Some sewing. Some blogging (for a church initiative). Even writing and distributing a newsletter.
And as I'm doing all these things, I find the arthritis in my fingers acts up now and then. Or it's harder than it used to be to move the queen-sized mattress (yes, by myself... but just pulling it over the wood floor). And you know something? I needed my reading glasses to thread the needle for my sewing projects and to pick out the individual threads in the material. READING GLASSES people?!!! I'm not even 45 yet!
I realize I'm getting older and yet, I still think of myself as the insecure 16-year old who hides in the bathroom during lunch. I don't know if I've really "grown up" or if I'm just growing old.
Hubby and I have about 15-20 years to retirement. We are planning for that already. But I always wonder about how good my health will be when I get there. I had WLS last year to try to give me a leg up so my health is better into my old age.
But you just never know.
Case in point: a colleague/girlfriend. Two weeks before her retirement, she lost her brother suddenly. One week (to the day) after that, she had a heart attack. She survived (thank God!) but now realizes that she needs to take better care of herself to enjoy her retirement and to LIVE to be here for her family. Please heavens, I can do my utmost now to ensure my good health when I retire. Because I have plans and I have no intention of letting time or other factors take those plans away from me. (I know, I know. Wanna make God laugh? Tell him your plans for the future.)
Fingers crossed for these plans to come to fruition. Growing old(er) sucks. :(
Monday, January 19, 2015
Microblog Mondays: Internal Clocks
Our dear Mel over at Stirrup Queens has begun a blog phenomenon... as she frequently does.
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
Mel wrote on the phenomenon of Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome and while I don't think for a moment that I'm quite that extreme, I am most certainly a night owl. I have been for years. I've often said that whatever man (and you know it was a man! Just like it was a man who invented pantyhose... stupid things!) determined that the 'workday' would be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. should have been shot. Seriously.
I do not do well in the mornings. AT ALL. I am lethargic, in a foggy, sleep-induced haze without any capacity for rationale or functionality to any true extent. I so much prefer evenings or nights. My favourite working hours were when I worked a corner store in my late teens and early 20s; I started at 3 p.m. and finished at 11 p.m., winding down and heading to bed by 2 or 3 a.m. and waking at around 10 a.m. Fantastic! That rocked. HARD.
When I met Hubby, and started gaming, there'd be many nights I'd stay up until 2, 3 or 4 a.m. to finish something in my online game and then get up at 7 a.m. to go to work. I learned to function effectively on 5 hours of sleep. While I no longer game (as much) I still function on 5 or 5.5 hours of sleep per night during the week. I catch up a little (7 or 8 hours) on weekends but mostly, I do well with 5 hours. Though Hubby says I'm sleep-deprived and that it probably contributed to my significant weight problem as well. Heavens knows. Who can really say. But I do know that I am functional, creative, productive and alert in the evenings for the most part, when left to my own devices.
However, the conventions of the 'regular workday' and the fact that I now must adhere to a young child's schedule and needs have changed my own internal clock in recent years. Oh well. There'll be time to sleep in the future. For now, I am making the most of my time... whenever that happens to be!
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
Mel wrote on the phenomenon of Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome and while I don't think for a moment that I'm quite that extreme, I am most certainly a night owl. I have been for years. I've often said that whatever man (and you know it was a man! Just like it was a man who invented pantyhose... stupid things!) determined that the 'workday' would be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. should have been shot. Seriously.
I do not do well in the mornings. AT ALL. I am lethargic, in a foggy, sleep-induced haze without any capacity for rationale or functionality to any true extent. I so much prefer evenings or nights. My favourite working hours were when I worked a corner store in my late teens and early 20s; I started at 3 p.m. and finished at 11 p.m., winding down and heading to bed by 2 or 3 a.m. and waking at around 10 a.m. Fantastic! That rocked. HARD.
When I met Hubby, and started gaming, there'd be many nights I'd stay up until 2, 3 or 4 a.m. to finish something in my online game and then get up at 7 a.m. to go to work. I learned to function effectively on 5 hours of sleep. While I no longer game (as much) I still function on 5 or 5.5 hours of sleep per night during the week. I catch up a little (7 or 8 hours) on weekends but mostly, I do well with 5 hours. Though Hubby says I'm sleep-deprived and that it probably contributed to my significant weight problem as well. Heavens knows. Who can really say. But I do know that I am functional, creative, productive and alert in the evenings for the most part, when left to my own devices.
However, the conventions of the 'regular workday' and the fact that I now must adhere to a young child's schedule and needs have changed my own internal clock in recent years. Oh well. There'll be time to sleep in the future. For now, I am making the most of my time... whenever that happens to be!
Monday, January 05, 2015
Microblog Mondays: What am I Missing Out On?
Our dear Mel over at Stirrup Queens has begun a blog phenomenon... as she frequently does.
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
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While many in the blogosphere are discussing the books or movies they would love to crawl into (if they could, and knowing they are safe from harm, of course), I'm not particularly comfortable revealing that side of myself so I will instead discuss the fact that now that I am tied up with Petite, I rarely get a chance to see movies or read books.
Admittedly, prior to Petite, books were never my thing. I'd read them now and then, devouring them when I found one (or a series) that particularly appealed to me but that was a rare thing. My sister, on the other hand, did a great deal of reading for her degrees. Yes, I read for my degrees too, but I read Shakespeare, Chaucer, Whitman, Bronté, Zola, etc. Classics were my thing, not so much modern novels of the day. (I can still happily recite soliloquies from Shakespeare, losing myself in the imagery therein.) Likewise with movies... prior to Petite, I used to make it a point to see a movie at least once a month, sometimes more frequently if possible. But now, I am lucky if I get to one or two movies per YEAR.
And similarly, I hear so many people discuss Sons of Anarchy, Downton Abbey, Breaking Bad, Orange is the New Black, Mad Men, The Good Wife, The Walking Dead, etc. I confess: I've never, ever, EVER seen a single episode of any of them. I don't get time, and I'm lucky if by the time I fall into bed, I get to watch the local news! It's THAT bad.
My husband (being a techie and working where he does) got a superb discount on Crave TV (sorta like Netflix, a subscription based channel that offers series for your viewing pleasure... including the entire Friends run!) so he subscribed. I peeked at it last night and I would like to try my hand at watching a few of these to see what all the hullabaloo is about. I just hope I get the time...
Microblog Mondays. Writing in your own space. Something short and sweet. But it's meant to take back our bloggy space and call it our own. I am going to try to do this periodically. Life's hectic. So we'll see how long this lasts.
*********************
While many in the blogosphere are discussing the books or movies they would love to crawl into (if they could, and knowing they are safe from harm, of course), I'm not particularly comfortable revealing that side of myself so I will instead discuss the fact that now that I am tied up with Petite, I rarely get a chance to see movies or read books.
Admittedly, prior to Petite, books were never my thing. I'd read them now and then, devouring them when I found one (or a series) that particularly appealed to me but that was a rare thing. My sister, on the other hand, did a great deal of reading for her degrees. Yes, I read for my degrees too, but I read Shakespeare, Chaucer, Whitman, Bronté, Zola, etc. Classics were my thing, not so much modern novels of the day. (I can still happily recite soliloquies from Shakespeare, losing myself in the imagery therein.) Likewise with movies... prior to Petite, I used to make it a point to see a movie at least once a month, sometimes more frequently if possible. But now, I am lucky if I get to one or two movies per YEAR.
And similarly, I hear so many people discuss Sons of Anarchy, Downton Abbey, Breaking Bad, Orange is the New Black, Mad Men, The Good Wife, The Walking Dead, etc. I confess: I've never, ever, EVER seen a single episode of any of them. I don't get time, and I'm lucky if by the time I fall into bed, I get to watch the local news! It's THAT bad.
My husband (being a techie and working where he does) got a superb discount on Crave TV (sorta like Netflix, a subscription based channel that offers series for your viewing pleasure... including the entire Friends run!) so he subscribed. I peeked at it last night and I would like to try my hand at watching a few of these to see what all the hullabaloo is about. I just hope I get the time...
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