tuesday tips

thought I would share a few of my favorites as of late:

habitat for humanity - one of my goals this year was to volunteer for this organization. as luck would have it I worked on the 100th home built here in edmonton. it was an incredible experience. I met many interesting people and learned about the history of the cause. it was a hot, exhausting and fun day. find a cause and go support it!

the lion king - amazing! it brought back so many fond memories of when we used to watch the movie over and over with dan. splendid! the music was fantastic and the actors were just brilliant!

my sister's keeper - loved the book and the movie was just as good. go see it!

this is coming up quickly and this past weekend as I saw the walkers from this I was once again reminded of the fact that each and everyone one of us either has cancer or knows of someone who does. unreal! let's help find a cure! I along with my team will be walking with "our survivor" tammy.

and finally the card I picked this a.m.:

I am not limited by any past thinking. I choose my thoughts with care. I constantly have new ways of looking at my world. I am willing to change and grow.

happy tuesday!

A vision is not just a picture of what could be; it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to become something more.”

-Rosabeth Moss Kanter

question in the back?

how many italians does it take to find this woman a walker?

you think this is a joke? now, all you italians don't go getting your pasta in a knot. this is serious! she obtained a walker from the rehab hospital which she is sporting in the above pic. after the government stimulus it came to $80.00. deal!

side note: in the pic she is waiting for the timer to go off before we rinse the color out of her hair. I have also introduced her to the finer things in life - second cup icepresso chiller. tim horton's ice capp? pffft!

now, where was I? look shiny things! oh yeah! okay so we see an ad in the flyer for one at canadian tire for a mere $124.99. steal! bring it home, set it up. too big. next!

I order from costco online another walker $129.99. still cheap. it arrives, we set it up, the girl takes it for a whirl. too big!

okay goldilocks listen up. too big, too small blah, blah, blah...

head to medical supply store a mere kilometer away from home (who knew) and find the exact same walker as seen above. red too! $373.99. at this point - bargain!

because here is the thing folks. I am paying the doctor good money to stay healthy and remain stress free and in my eyes keeping papa and mamma happy has its price and I am willing to pay it!

now pass the percocet and no one will get hurt. oh and pass mamma her pocket book. cha ching!

happy birthday to you!

happy birthday to you!

happy birthday dear laurie!

happy 40th birthday to YOU!

this one's for you baby!

When the dog bites, when the bee stings When I'm feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, And then I don't feel so bad.

-Oscar Hammerstein II-

this song...



sung at the top of my lungs.

in the car.

on the freeway.

great "therapy".

note to self...

promise me you'll always remember: you're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. -christopher robin to pooh

today is one of those days. you have a plan (kinda like yesterday) and then the plan gets changed. note to self: make no plans.

last minute cancellation and so back to the glenrose for mom's assessment. she will be re-entering the s.t.a.r.t. medicine program twice a week for eight weeks. a team will be working with her to continue her therapy and she will also have time for some socialization. wonderful news! she is scheduled to start next tuesday. great. note to self: it is okay to ask lots of questions and it does not mean you are stupid.

morning phone call that she will start TODAY. good, fine, sure, no problem. fantastic, I'm thinking! dad gets a break, mom is happy, nadia can stop worrying for the next few hours and twice a week for the next eight weeks. perfect! note to self: do not get ahead of yourself.

call from dad. a little scrambled. lots of questions. swearing. waving the white flag. WHAT? I don't understand. I am confused. scared. worried. racing around like a mad woman. note to self: STOP!

and so I do...

I stop because it is not helping. I make a list. I go for a ride. good coffee always helps me think! and then I start to cry. in the car. alone. what do I do? note to self: asking self questions and waiting for an intelligent response is not happening.

and so I check off what I can do. lawyer. cemetery. doctor. done. meals? make a list of meals and a grocery list. done. cooking extravaganza will begin.

note to self: you are brave, you are strong and dammit you are smart. you can do this. (said to self as self is pulling up big girl panties and dealing with it)