Where Oh Where Has My Litttle Letter Gone!

Day three of "The Cold", the most boring story ever told. That won't stop me telling it.(**whining alert**)
Got up early to call my boss for another sick day, used the bathroom, and then went back to bed. Slept till 11:00. That extra sleep really helped, as I was feeling so weak. At least today the sensation of having a watermelon stuffed up my nose is gone.

Well wishers call and ask if they can help with offers of food and rides. Do I need to go to the doctor? No thanks. that's the last place I need to go. Besides, when you cough or sneeze these days people automatically assume you have swine flu and want to seal you in a plastic bag and ship you to the emergency. Food ? No, I have lots and there is always delivery. I would add that I'm a better cook than all of them but that would be really rude. Please go away and leave me to rot in peace.

I can be such a misanthrope when ill.

That's not such a good thing. Being independent can be a blessing, it's gotten me through many bad times, but it can also be a curse. I'm not very good at asking for help, yet I know the day will come when I will have to. Just hope I recognize that day and don't wait too long.

What is really frustrating, is how the everyday annoyances of life become magnified when I'm sick.

I've been waiting for an important letter(local mail) for two weeks now. The first attempt at sending it failed and now the second attempt, this time by registered mail, seems to be headed the same way. I can get parcels from all over the world in less than a week, but for some reason a letter from a few hundred kilometers away never gets here. I have a tracking number that I can look up on the Canada Post website, only I'm not in the mood for that B.S.

So I will fritter away the day watching movies, write a few postcards, and catch up on email.

Oh grammar police !! Please if you don't like the way I write my blog go elsewhere.
I like my blog to read the way I speak. Yeah lots of contractions, excessive use of the words : "but" "so" "just" "because" and lousy punctuation.

One day if you're nice, I'll let you read my short stories.
For a fee !!

So Pretty So Deadly

Yuck ! Ack !Bleck ! That is how I feel. Have a look at these pretty crystal sculptures of various germs, viruses, and bacteria.

Who would think they could cause so much misery .

Chicken Soup

Nothing much happening It's cold and raining outside and I'm inside with a cold. Yeah a plain old ordinary boring cold. Haven't had one in years. I'd forgotten how miserable it is to have one. Not sick enough to stop any activities, but sick enough to feel lousy while doing them. Serves me right for not wearing a jacket and forgetting my umbrella, resulting in me being cold and wet on Saturday. Yeah I know germs cause colds however, when your body temperature is lower and you're tired, it's a gateway for all sorts of nasty things to take hold.

Had another meeting last Friday were we once again reinvented the wheel. Good thing I'm a strong person. A weaker soul would have packed it in ages ago. Reading between the lines of their "we are here to help you but........." "MS is blah blah blah". Were the idea came from that my tele work was temporary to get me through the summer, I have no clue. At least the medical officer has released my file to my own doctor. Can't wait to see what's in there( or can I ?).

Well that's it for me. Time to blow my nose and have some soup. I made nice chicken vegetable from scratch. Yes I did too! Perhaps a premonition on Saturday that I would need it ?

Baby Shaped Pears

Not much happening around here. I did speak to the Green Party candidate yesterday. The federal election may happen in October now and they really need volunteers. Looks like I'm a recruit. It will be a good opportunity for me to get back into volunteering and maybe do some good at the same time. You should avoid my blog if you don't want to read me nattering on about it over the next few weeks.

I have to prepare for my meeting today which has me a little nervous. An awful feeling to totally lose trust in others, but that's the way I feel. I know that if they thought they could get away with it, they would love to chuck me out the door. Well sorry, I'm not ready to leave yet.

Just when you think the news can't get any more bizarre Robert Mugabe makes a speech at the U.N. talking about democracy !!?? Why do they even allow this man a voice ?

Here's a news story about a farmer in China who grows pears that look like babies. To me they look like baby Buddhas. I'm not providing the video link because I'm fed up with this latest way to shove advertising in my face. Regardless, I think this guy is clever and good for him figuring out a way to make more money from pears.

More News To Cause Flu Worries

The morning news had this story about flu shots.
No very encouraging, especially with flu season just around the corner. These scientists do nothing with all their studies except cause worry. There is so much confusion out there. Is a flu shot good or no? I don't think anybody knows for certain, just like they don't know if MS drugs work.

I have something weird happening with my eye,s so I can't type very much
Hope it's only temporary because it really is a pain in the ass.

Another Meeting

A friend sent me this cartoon. Normally I avoid Dilbert . It's way too much like the office where I work. I thought since I have yet another meeting to review my tele work on Friday, that this cartoon was appropriate. You would be amazed at how many people who claim they love being in the office, hate that anyone is permitted to work at home.
Can people ever mind their own business? What I mean is they don't want to get involved when it's time to be outspoken for a good purpose, but they sure love to gossip and complain about things that in no way affect their own life. Why do they so enjoy screwing up something for another person? It doesn't improve their lot.

I tried a cooling tip today. I placed a frozen bottle of water in front of my fan at work. It gives an extra cooling boost, lasts for hours, and can be refrozen. I really appreciated it too, after walking to work with this the muggy weather.

Major melt down.

Want to give a plug to a volunteer group Katimavik. If you know a young Canadian who is under the age of 21 and is looking for an adventure and doing some good at the same time, tell them to check it out.

Oh Yeah Now It's Hot and Humid !!

The sun is in Libra, my sign, which means it's Fall. So why did the weather have to turn so hot and humid?

Yesterday I had to go to court as an observer. I decided to do a few errands first, the bank, dollar store, etc. Big mistake!! I was overheated, bathed in sweat,dizzy, disoriented. Had to sit down in the mall and pull myself together. Thank God for air conditioning !! After a few sips of water and a pat down with some tissues, I continued on to the court house.
It was raining out, a light drizzle that turned the atmosphere into a steam bath. I was stressed out because they had made a big deal about us arriving on time for the afternoon session and I hadn't planned on my mall rest stop. By the time I got to the court I looked like I had been caught in the rain, I was so drenched in sweat. At least I and had a few minutes to spare. Went in the bathroom to pull myself together. I hate public bathrooms. They're always a mess and there's never any place to put your stuff without it getting wet or yuck!!, having to put it on the floor.
Turns out it wasn't such a big deal about arriving on time. Half the people showed up late. Not that I minded, since I hate being late for things.

Sat in the court feeling sick. I wanted to take my clothes off, lie down, have a cool drink . Couldn't do any of those things . That's when the MS thing really sucks because I can't just grin and bear it. I knew I would pay the price later and I did.

Walking home afterwards, I was so tired, dizzy, and in pain. Fed up. Had some dinner. Once again thank God, that there was food ready that just had to be heated up. After, I crashed out on the sofa, like a total dead weight. My head spinning and doing that weird thing were it feels like there are mini explosions or I'm passing out briefly. So tired and I was already exhausted from that wedding shower on Sunday.

It's not at all fun when I think that my options are to stay home and never do anything. Yeah I would feel less tired, but then my life would suck even more.

Looking at the weather report I see that I have an entire week of this to look forward to. Goody !!

Money Butteflies and Fail Cake

What do you think of my money butterflies ?

I had to go to a wedding shower and it was one were you give money instead of a gift. I found that kind of boring, so I made money butterflies. I stuck them in a flower arrangement, with plants from my garden (jungle !!). Not my idea. When I went to the Peach Festival, a woman was selling flower bouquets of money roses and butterflies. I went home, practiced a little, and decided to stick with butterflies as they are pretty easy to make. The bodies are made from cheapie paper butterflies I bought at the dollar store. I tore the wings off and replaced them with money ones. I fastened them to wooden barbecue skewers with craft wire. I already had the container and the only additional cost was for some floral foam because I wanted to use live plants. Not counting the money, it cost me about $5.00 to make instead of the $30-$50 retail.
Oh yeah, that's not my kitchen in the picture.

Just to show you I'm not a Martha Stewart. Here is my Fail cake. I dropped it on the floor. Fortunately it was in a box when I did that, so it was still edible.

End MS Anniversary

OK I'm a couple of days late, but it's still worth reading about the one year anniversary of End MS.

Vitamin D

Have you had a vitamin D test ? Do you tale a supplement?
When you choose healthy food do you use that to justify eating a less healthy choice ?

I haven't had a test for vitamin D About a year ago I decided on my own to take a supplement of 1,00 units each day. I have now added a multivitamin to that.
Do I feel better? I can't answer that question because my healthy is constantly shifting .
As for food choices Yeah I have to admit that I do justify eating a rich dessert because I had a healthy low fat meal.

MS and Smoking

Browsing through a community newspaper I picked up at the art crawl last Friday
"The Voice in Diaspora" I came across an article on MS and smoking. The article cites a study published in Neurology that shows a link between cigarette smoking and MS. Briefly, that smoking increases the severity of MS symptoms and smokers are more likely to develop primary progressive MS. The good news is those who quit smoking can siginificantly reduce their symptoms.

This is something I was not aware of, although no good has ever come from smoking so
I'm not surprised. At least I can say I have never smoked tobacco, not even a puff of a cigarette. Yes,I do use weed, but I don't smoke it. I only breathe in the vapour which has no smoke. The plant matter is intact when I'm done.

What a crazy hypocritical world. Tobacco is legal even though it's implicated as the culprit in so many illnesses and marijuana is illegal(Yes it still is in Canada) and been shown time and time again to have benefits for those who are ill. You can walk into a convenience store and buy a pack of smokes that can kill you but if you want dope it's a big "medical marijuana" production.

Vacation End

Here's a photo of my favourite Fish n Chip place, Hutch's. It's on the way home from my harbour walk, so at least I can justify eating that fat ladened food .
This swan agrees !


Amazing that it took a whole week for me to relax. Tomorrow it's back to work.
At least I can stay home and don't have to face the snake pit till Wednesday. Have a new boss too. Yup! Let's see now that's, 4 team leaders, 4 managers, in one year, and I'm in the same spot. Well OK I did change desks a couple of times.

Had a good swim this afternoon My evaluation is over and I have decided to use the YMCA. It has all the amenities I'm looking for and a nicer, bigger pool than the YWCA. I found out I don't need to get a membership either. I can get what they call a 'clip card" 12 swims for $30.00. That suits my purpose as I know I will never use any of the other facilities. Aerobics just ain't my thing, nor is anything else that gets me all hot and bothered.

Speaking of hot. Now I have this weird thing happening were I'm hot and cold at the same time. My head is boiling like it's going to explode and my arms and legs are cold. It only happens once in awhile, but when it does it's very strange.

This weekend I joined the Green Party!! I'm also going to volunteer if the rumoured federal election happens this fall. Depends on whether the opposition decides on a no confidence vote this Friday. It seemed like a sure thing ,then today on the radio I heard the NDP leader Jack Layton, say he would be willing to work with the Conservatives to avoid an election. Sheesh ! I wish these guys would make up their minds!

I'm supporting the Greens more as a protest vote than anything. The mainstream parties have nothing to offer me. Also, when people talk about change they don't really mean it. What they mean is they want change as long as it doesn't inconvenience them too much. They want to save the planet, but they still want to drive a car and buy crap at Wal Mart. Meanwhile the Russians, are launching commercial shipping in the Arctic, as it will be ice free most of the year now thanks to climate change.

The Truth About Death Panels

Here's an interesting article that debunks death panels It includes information about assisted suicide and the real death panels: capital punishment around the world.

An informed opinion is best. Don't you think ?

September Art Crawl

Not much new to report from the Art Crawl tonight. except that James Street is becoming more gentrified. Can't make up my mind if that is a good thing or not. It really would be good for the downtown core to be spruced up. Far too many derelict and abandoned buildings.

I commissioned some art work !! Scott Webster, the artist I mentioned in my July Art Crawl post, is doing two black and white paintings for me. He likes to draw from photos and especially likes movie stills. I picked two scenes from La Dolce Vita . I'll post them here as soon as I get them.

After, we had really good Mexican food at Mex I Can. I tried vegetarian Tostadas for a change. Yummy sauted Cactus filling.

I had a couple of "spells" tonight, but nothing too serious. Dizzy and melting at the same time. Not at all fun.

These ladies were having a good time Salsa dancing.

YM or YW ?

Had a good swim today at the YWCA. The only problem was I found the water too warm and I got overheated. Had to quit after only 30 minutes. I love swimming in cold water. I guess growing up swimming in Lake Ontario got me use to it. That water was never warm.

Tomorrow I'm going to the YMCA to try their pool. I'm doing this to decide which one I will get a membership at. I went to the YM a couple of years ago as a guest on my son's pass. He went their for weight training and I would go swimming. I stopped going when I was having all those hassles at work and was too exhausted to do anything in the evenings.

I just want to refresh my memory of the YM because I seem to recall that the water was cold in the pool. They also had a nice shower and change room. I was really disappointed with the one at the YW. It's kind of grubby. One strange thing is the toilets are right in the shower area !! Not in a separate room . They also only have one shower with hot water!

I would prefer to go to the YW as it is a little closer to home and has fewer "weirdos". The men's residence at the YM has quit a collection of them. At the same time I'm such a fuss pot about hygiene. The YW change rooms and shower area just didn't look that clean. And there is that warm pool water to consider.

One thing is certain. I miss swimming on a regular basis so I will have to make up my mind soon. It will be good for me to get that exercise again .

I'm still a sweaty mess. Had the air conditioning cranked up high today and all the ceiling fans going.
Even with all that, I was melting.

While I Sweat

Or should I be more lady like and say perspire? Nah, it really feels like sweat and there's nothing lady like about it. I have been this way all my life. My mother said I was the sweatiest kid ever. Now it is excessive, non stop. No wonder I feel so weak.

Here are some amazing nature photos Except for the last one, which shows how disgusting we humans are.

Wish I had the patience to do work like this. Patience is in short supply these days.

I decided to remove Ad sense from my blog, as it is stupid and pointless.

Sooooo Tired

This has been fatigue week. I feel like a pile of bones with no shape. A result I think of the rise in temperature outside and work stress.

Gossip is an evil cancer that infects even the nicest people. Amazing too how gossip, rumour, can be twisted to become fact. I put up a poster at my desk. It's an ad for a volunteer group with the words "Get A Life!" emblazoned on it in bright orange.
Do you think they will get the message? These losers, who have nothing better to do than make others miserable with their poison. I try not to let it get to me but they know how to blind side you with the most awful comments, in that wicked passive/ aggressive way.

That's partly why I'm taking a week off. I need some rest. I need to be away from a toxic environment.

At least I have hot water.

Hot Water

At this very moment a new hot water tank is being installed in my basement. I'm writing this because I am so stressed out from this guy and the entire process.
I have been stuck in the house for two days waiting for a service call.

The tank conked out on Sunday morning. Sunday afternoon I called and booked an appointment to get it fixed. I managed to get a call booked for Monday morning, only after being threatened that if the damage was my fault or had nothing to do with the actual tank, I would have to pay. I was also asked by the customer excuses rep.
(a.k.a customer service rep.) if I would be willing to take part in a survey. I said sure no problem.

Monday morning a guy shows up, says I need a new tank, says he will call the request in, and I should have a new tank the same day. He warns me it might not be till late that evening as Mondays are always "hairy". Monday comes and goes and no tank or call. Oh no wait. I did get that survey call, were the woman tried to sell me a bunch of stuff. I politely told her that unless the purchase came with a hot water tank to be installed immediately, I wasn't interested. She didn't like that response.

Today I call customer excuses again and find out that they have no record of any request for a new tank. They book another appointment and tell me the guy would be there between 12-4.The day goes by, still no tank.

The thought of another sponge bath tonight had me back on the phone. Customer excuse rep. tells me the guy is on his way. That was at 6:00 and it is now 7:30. Guy walks in and immediately starts whining. My stairs are too narrow (how did they get the old tank in I wonder)I don't have enough light in the basement.The stairs are too rickety (well maybe if you lost 200 lbs. they wouldn't be). The doorway is too narrow (see above). Why doesn't the hot water tap work in the basement? (he's got me there since I never use it). I suggest he do like the washing machine guys and take the side door off for easier access to the basement. He tells me that he isn't allowed to do that. He stumbles around in the basement making all sorts of racket, talking to himself. Yells at me to turn on the hot water upstairs.I do so and am told by him not to touch the tap till he says .

He comes back upstairs and decides to use the side door after all. He then goes out and disappears. Comes back ten minutes later with another guy. They sure are making a whole lot of racket down there. And why do they need to keep moving their truck ?
I don't want to know.

Stayed tuned for the next installment.