So I have been in the big and wonderfully city of Barrie since friday. I had a doctors appointment with my family physcian. Normally I don't leave his office feeling like I want to punch him out but this time...All I wanted to do was a 123 KNOCK OUT!!!!
So after my appointment I hung around and caught up with some family...it was a surprise to see my great Aunt Grace... she was here and her husband was in Toronto...and they were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Go figure??!!
I went to my grandparents church and there will be more about that later...enough stories from that experience for a post on its own.
Today I made my appointments for blood tests and ultrasounds.
I feel like a push pin cushion. They took 5 yes count them 5 thingys of blood. And that was after having my stomach poked and proded... All I have to say is these tests hopefully will give me the reasons why to the problems... keep your fingers crossed.
NOTE
Pernell...hope your back is better... sorry I couldn't help.
Rich and Jaci... thanks for lending me the car.
Mom and family...thanks for feeding me...
Dr.Dan... Thanks for NOTHING!!!
Monday, November 20, 2006
Friday, November 10, 2006
Lest We Forget
I find it fascinating what the brain can remember. I mean I can vividly remember things that happened years and years ago. The amount of information that we obtain is huge... and yet more often then not I forget birthdays, anniversarys and other special events. Odd.
The reason why I find this particularily interesting is because every Novemeber 11 I find myself reciting In Flanders Field. I haven't had to look at this poem in years and yet I know every word from elementry school when we had to memorize it.
I am not sure if I have really always known the imporance of war but I have found my self more connected to it within the last few years.
My friend Bradley has been training for the last few years within the marines...he continues to scare the crap out of me with threats of going over seas. That combined with reading more literature about things I have a new heightened sense of needing to be more aware.
I can only imagine what it must be like for the people who have been involved in war... I can't nor do I want to even try to imagine the amount of people that wars have effected over the course of history... whether it be soilders, marines etc... their families, friends and other loved ones... I hope that freedom and peace is something that I never take advantage of...
In Flanders Fields by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
between the crosses row on row,
that mark our place; and in the sky
the larks, still bravely singing, fly
scare heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
lovd and were loved,and now we lie
in Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
to you with failing hands we throw
the torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
we shall not sleep, though poppies grow
in Flanders Fields.
The reason why I find this particularily interesting is because every Novemeber 11 I find myself reciting In Flanders Field. I haven't had to look at this poem in years and yet I know every word from elementry school when we had to memorize it.
I am not sure if I have really always known the imporance of war but I have found my self more connected to it within the last few years.
My friend Bradley has been training for the last few years within the marines...he continues to scare the crap out of me with threats of going over seas. That combined with reading more literature about things I have a new heightened sense of needing to be more aware.
I can only imagine what it must be like for the people who have been involved in war... I can't nor do I want to even try to imagine the amount of people that wars have effected over the course of history... whether it be soilders, marines etc... their families, friends and other loved ones... I hope that freedom and peace is something that I never take advantage of...
In Flanders Fields by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
between the crosses row on row,
that mark our place; and in the sky
the larks, still bravely singing, fly
scare heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
lovd and were loved,and now we lie
in Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
to you with failing hands we throw
the torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
we shall not sleep, though poppies grow
in Flanders Fields.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Always Amazes
It always amazes me how easily I can get lost in my own head.
It is often during this time of year... that I go through a self examination of life and this year is no exception.
I feel as if I have made some really stupid moves over this past year. I also feel like I have been really blessed to have family and freinds around me for support.
One of those supports being my mother.
My mother is amazing. She is one of the strongest people I know and has taught me so much. I know that I often forget to thank her for the things that she has done for me, I also know that it isn't very often that I mention her in my everyday conversations.
I think that the reason that happens is because I forget. I know I love her,respect her and admire her... and I forget sometimes that I still need to make that known to her.
It has only been within the last year that I have started to realize how much she has sacrificed and given up for me. At my age she was a single mom of 2 doing it on her own and to be perfectly honest I can't fathom what that would have been like. I can only say with much gratitude that I have been extremely lucky to have her in my life.
I miss home sometimes... miss having the crazy grandparents, uncles and family around the sense of just being me, everyone knowing all there is to know... but I also know that as much as I miss it... I am not done here yet. I still feel called to be here.
I think that's something that I have been struggling with. Mostly because although I feel really connected to the PEOPLE around me... I haven't really felt connected to anything else...
Anyway... thats jsut a few random thoughts and thanks that were way overdue....
It is often during this time of year... that I go through a self examination of life and this year is no exception.
I feel as if I have made some really stupid moves over this past year. I also feel like I have been really blessed to have family and freinds around me for support.
One of those supports being my mother.
My mother is amazing. She is one of the strongest people I know and has taught me so much. I know that I often forget to thank her for the things that she has done for me, I also know that it isn't very often that I mention her in my everyday conversations.
I think that the reason that happens is because I forget. I know I love her,respect her and admire her... and I forget sometimes that I still need to make that known to her.
It has only been within the last year that I have started to realize how much she has sacrificed and given up for me. At my age she was a single mom of 2 doing it on her own and to be perfectly honest I can't fathom what that would have been like. I can only say with much gratitude that I have been extremely lucky to have her in my life.
I miss home sometimes... miss having the crazy grandparents, uncles and family around the sense of just being me, everyone knowing all there is to know... but I also know that as much as I miss it... I am not done here yet. I still feel called to be here.
I think that's something that I have been struggling with. Mostly because although I feel really connected to the PEOPLE around me... I haven't really felt connected to anything else...
Anyway... thats jsut a few random thoughts and thanks that were way overdue....
Friday, October 27, 2006
The Big D The Finale
Ok so on Sunday morning we all got up at different times and then started to get ready to load up Burnsy's car. And by load up I really mean LOAD UP. Burnsy did in fact have a few things that had been sent to his parents that he was bringing back. It was around this time that Burnsy disclosed the fact that after Jen and I had gone to bed he went to a coffee shop to check his e-mail. To which I believe is absolutely crazy.
We got all loaded up,cooler and all and headed first to Starbucks. Then Burnsy took us to Detroit. Most of our trip we were in Troy which is a suburb and not what I was excpecting. So when Burnsy took us to Detroit and Greektown it was really neat. We were able to see stadiums and arena's and lots of art. There was the floating arm and the Green Giant to name a few.
I found the Green Giant very interesting. To see a pic go here I think thats it for my Detroit stories...there are more details but its been like over 2 weeks and there are other stories to tell. As it is most of this post has been sitting as a draft and I thought I should put it up. I had a lot of fun going. It was great to hang out with the former palace queen and my new found mexican friend.
We got all loaded up,cooler and all and headed first to Starbucks. Then Burnsy took us to Detroit. Most of our trip we were in Troy which is a suburb and not what I was excpecting. So when Burnsy took us to Detroit and Greektown it was really neat. We were able to see stadiums and arena's and lots of art. There was the floating arm and the Green Giant to name a few.
I found the Green Giant very interesting. To see a pic go here I think thats it for my Detroit stories...there are more details but its been like over 2 weeks and there are other stories to tell. As it is most of this post has been sitting as a draft and I thought I should put it up. I had a lot of fun going. It was great to hang out with the former palace queen and my new found mexican friend.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
The Big D Part Two
So next in the story line is going out for dinner on Saturday night with Burnsy's parents, his cousins and their children.
We went to an authentic chinese restaurant. As we walk in, Burnsy's parents first then us following, we notice that Burnsy's parents know everyone in the restaurant. Burnsy then turns around and says to me... "Do you notice anything?"
So I look around and then Burnsy points out that the restaurant was basically divided into two parts the first part being closest to the door and then a special back room...the back room was basically like reserved seating. We get ushered through to the back room passing mostly white people. Thats right folks Jen and I were the only two white people in the reserved seating area when we got there. We all sit down at this big circular table waiting for Burnsy's cousins... they bring us tea (it was really yummy) and Burnsy asked for water for the three of us.(Jen, Burnsy and I) The waitress returns with the waters and cutlery for Jen and I. The funny part is that NO ONE asked them to bring us cutlery and they only brought it for the two of us.I couldn't beleive it. Burnsy found this especially funny.
From then on we ate...OH MY GOODNESS did we ever eat. The food was sooo good. There was this big lazy susan type thing in the middle of the table that the food was placed on and you just turned it to get the food you wanted. It was a lot of fun hanging out with the Chen family... Burnsy's cousins are moving and it was really neat to hear them talk about moving.
It was a unique experience for me especially because I am usually a pretty basic food eater. But I tried almost everything and loved most of what I tried. The end of the evening was with ginger ice cream and fortune cookies... which also proved funny. As the cookies are put on the table Burnsy turns to me and says "We never get those" so apparently having the "white chicks" at the table was profitable (if only in cookies) after all.
There are parts of the rest of saturday that need to be mentioned as well...Jen scaring the crap out of Chloe(Burnsy's cousins youngest daughter), Burnsy trying to figure out certain words in spanish, Burnsy's mom falling asleep in the car on the way home doing the head bob,sorting out the soap, watching music video's on Burnsy's Laptop,staying up and talking with Jen and Burnsy and sleeping in a very very comfy bed.
More to come with Burnsy and Jen's excellent adventures...stay tunned!!
Oh for Margie...Jen was wearing a black sweater, black leather coat and black shoes with jeans and a read scarf; Burnsy was wearing a yellow t-shirt and yellow shoes with greyish pants and a camouflage jacket and most of the day I was wearing a red tank, grey shirt and black sweater with jeans and my skater shoes but I changed and put on a white tank and green striped sweater for dinner. I am not sure what all of the waitress's names are but one of the nicest ones at the chinese place was Michelle... And the only time I really remember going pee was in the Caribou Coffee on the way down and at the Chen's house.
We went to an authentic chinese restaurant. As we walk in, Burnsy's parents first then us following, we notice that Burnsy's parents know everyone in the restaurant. Burnsy then turns around and says to me... "Do you notice anything?"
So I look around and then Burnsy points out that the restaurant was basically divided into two parts the first part being closest to the door and then a special back room...the back room was basically like reserved seating. We get ushered through to the back room passing mostly white people. Thats right folks Jen and I were the only two white people in the reserved seating area when we got there. We all sit down at this big circular table waiting for Burnsy's cousins... they bring us tea (it was really yummy) and Burnsy asked for water for the three of us.(Jen, Burnsy and I) The waitress returns with the waters and cutlery for Jen and I. The funny part is that NO ONE asked them to bring us cutlery and they only brought it for the two of us.I couldn't beleive it. Burnsy found this especially funny.
From then on we ate...OH MY GOODNESS did we ever eat. The food was sooo good. There was this big lazy susan type thing in the middle of the table that the food was placed on and you just turned it to get the food you wanted. It was a lot of fun hanging out with the Chen family... Burnsy's cousins are moving and it was really neat to hear them talk about moving.
It was a unique experience for me especially because I am usually a pretty basic food eater. But I tried almost everything and loved most of what I tried. The end of the evening was with ginger ice cream and fortune cookies... which also proved funny. As the cookies are put on the table Burnsy turns to me and says "We never get those" so apparently having the "white chicks" at the table was profitable (if only in cookies) after all.
There are parts of the rest of saturday that need to be mentioned as well...Jen scaring the crap out of Chloe(Burnsy's cousins youngest daughter), Burnsy trying to figure out certain words in spanish, Burnsy's mom falling asleep in the car on the way home doing the head bob,sorting out the soap, watching music video's on Burnsy's Laptop,staying up and talking with Jen and Burnsy and sleeping in a very very comfy bed.
More to come with Burnsy and Jen's excellent adventures...stay tunned!!
Oh for Margie...Jen was wearing a black sweater, black leather coat and black shoes with jeans and a read scarf; Burnsy was wearing a yellow t-shirt and yellow shoes with greyish pants and a camouflage jacket and most of the day I was wearing a red tank, grey shirt and black sweater with jeans and my skater shoes but I changed and put on a white tank and green striped sweater for dinner. I am not sure what all of the waitress's names are but one of the nicest ones at the chinese place was Michelle... And the only time I really remember going pee was in the Caribou Coffee on the way down and at the Chen's house.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
The Big D Part One
So this past weekend I travelled with two awesome friends, Jen and Kevin to Detroit.
I had so much fun. So you will have to apease me, for I am going to tell you all the details.
The trip started on Saturday morning we all met at Jen's house for 8.
I had never been to Jen's house so I get there and I ring the bell and wait. All of a sudden this lady comes to the door (NOT Jen)and it hits me. I am an idiot. I got the street names mixed up and have woke up this poor lady...the lady was very gracious and also happened to know exactly where I was looking for so she sent me on my way and I found Jen's actual house without a problem.
Kevin got there shortly after and we started our journey. We went to Starbucks first to get the neccesary coffee. I had a really yummy bagel as well. We proceeded on our journey. I haven't laughed that hard in such a long time... we crossed the border and were officially in the US.
We continued to a coffee shop called Caribou Coffee. We then went to Kevin's parents house where we met his dad and dropped off our stuff. We all went out for lunch to this pancake house in his dad's van. The van FREAKED me out. It had automatic doors and it scared me. Lunch was really good Jen and I split an omlet and pancakes and I tried some of Kevin's cornedbeef hash.
We then went to a mall so that Jen could hunt down some PROJECT RED apparel. We cruised around for a while and went into an apple store... I think I know what I am going to ask Santa for christmas.
We went back to the Chen's and got ready for dinner. We left and picked up Kevin's mom. Man her reaction to Kevin's hair was sooooo funny. I have a new nickname for him.....Burnsy... he will be known as this now until he fixes the burns!!!!!!
Thats it for part one. More of the full story to tell tomorrow.
I had so much fun. So you will have to apease me, for I am going to tell you all the details.
The trip started on Saturday morning we all met at Jen's house for 8.
I had never been to Jen's house so I get there and I ring the bell and wait. All of a sudden this lady comes to the door (NOT Jen)and it hits me. I am an idiot. I got the street names mixed up and have woke up this poor lady...the lady was very gracious and also happened to know exactly where I was looking for so she sent me on my way and I found Jen's actual house without a problem.
Kevin got there shortly after and we started our journey. We went to Starbucks first to get the neccesary coffee. I had a really yummy bagel as well. We proceeded on our journey. I haven't laughed that hard in such a long time... we crossed the border and were officially in the US.
We continued to a coffee shop called Caribou Coffee. We then went to Kevin's parents house where we met his dad and dropped off our stuff. We all went out for lunch to this pancake house in his dad's van. The van FREAKED me out. It had automatic doors and it scared me. Lunch was really good Jen and I split an omlet and pancakes and I tried some of Kevin's cornedbeef hash.
We then went to a mall so that Jen could hunt down some PROJECT RED apparel. We cruised around for a while and went into an apple store... I think I know what I am going to ask Santa for christmas.
We went back to the Chen's and got ready for dinner. We left and picked up Kevin's mom. Man her reaction to Kevin's hair was sooooo funny. I have a new nickname for him.....Burnsy... he will be known as this now until he fixes the burns!!!!!!
Thats it for part one. More of the full story to tell tomorrow.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Things to be Thankful for
So I don't identify with all of this... but I do identify with some of it. And I hope you can too...because I think that most of it is pretty bang on... It was sent to me via e-mail.
I AM THANKFUL: FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.
FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.
FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.
FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM EMPLOYED.
FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.
FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.
FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE
FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.
FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS
WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH..
FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.
FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM WARM.
FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS
I CAN HEAR.
FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.
FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN
CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.
FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.
I AM THANKFUL: FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.
FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.
FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.
FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM EMPLOYED.
FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.
FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.
FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE
FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.
FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS
WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH..
FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.
FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM WARM.
FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS
I CAN HEAR.
FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.
FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN
CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.
FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Smelly the Spandex Man and Margie the Fartinator
So, because Pernell is so wonderful, he took some time out of his soo busy schedule to make me a blog. So with any luck I wont mess this one up too much.
Thanks Pernell for being soo amazing.
I am not sure how many of you all read Pernell's blog, but I know that I certainly enjoy reading whats going on with him. I think that it must be really hard sometimes to be vulnerable. I know that's something that I totally struggle with. So I particularily enjoy it when he writes from the heart like his some days, other days post.
I know few things in life for certain, one thing that I do know however is that Persmelly the superhero will always have a soft spot in my heart.
You see about 9 years ago I met Pernell (I can't believe its been that long) and Margie in Barrie. I had just been through a crazy period in my life when I met them. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I would not even be here today if it wasn't for Pernell and Margie and the Youth Group. I know that if it weren't for those two people helping me work crap out in my life and showing me that there is more to life then hard times, hatred and people letting you down I would have succumbed to that evilness. Instead, they took the time out for a pesky, pimply faced adolecent girl and taught me love, kindness, compassion and trusting people. You will always be my super hero's... Smelly the Spandex Man and Margie the Fartinator.
Love you both!
Thanks Pernell for being soo amazing.
I am not sure how many of you all read Pernell's blog, but I know that I certainly enjoy reading whats going on with him. I think that it must be really hard sometimes to be vulnerable. I know that's something that I totally struggle with. So I particularily enjoy it when he writes from the heart like his some days, other days post.
I know few things in life for certain, one thing that I do know however is that Persmelly the superhero will always have a soft spot in my heart.
You see about 9 years ago I met Pernell (I can't believe its been that long) and Margie in Barrie. I had just been through a crazy period in my life when I met them. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I would not even be here today if it wasn't for Pernell and Margie and the Youth Group. I know that if it weren't for those two people helping me work crap out in my life and showing me that there is more to life then hard times, hatred and people letting you down I would have succumbed to that evilness. Instead, they took the time out for a pesky, pimply faced adolecent girl and taught me love, kindness, compassion and trusting people. You will always be my super hero's... Smelly the Spandex Man and Margie the Fartinator.
Love you both!
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