The post about going to StFX so my eldest could visit her noble beast struck a chord with a few of you. It really was sweet to sit in the car and witness the two of them frolic and play. The first semester of university was really tough on the Tall Blond and to be totally honest… it kind of took its toll on me… I mean her… I mean me….. no….. her. She settled in just in time to pack up her things and come back home. I guess the biggest lesson is that it’s not easy jumping from the nest… even harder watching someone you love learn to fly on their own while trying to avoid the multiple things they can crash into along the way! It’s totally understandable to me why some momma’s eat their young… it’s just easier that way! The ironic part of the post was the use of the “Elizabeth Taylor and Lassie” photo. The day after posting the story, Ms. Taylor passed away. Ever since then I’ve been careful of the pictures I post just in case I’m somehow affecting the entire universe… which would make sense as the entire universe revolves around me!
Post: Lassie’s big adventure…
I wrote about losing a twin when I was pregnant with my son and was taken aback by the responses. Spiderman had a funny little week and after a hockey practice one night, curled up next to me on the couch to tell me how wonderful I was. In thinking how lucky I was… it got me to thinking about how much luckier I could have been. It’s amazing how life takes twists and turns… how we can find a place of happiness and yet still have a heart full of holes. Mine’s kind of like Swiss cheese… some holes are a little bigger than the others but for the most part it’s all intact. Holes never really heal but they change you. Me… I’m as tough as an ox… with a sentimental, melty, Swiss cheese heart.
Post: Spiderman…
It was a busy few weeks of colds and flus… all three of us were knocked off our feet and one of us faked it one week but then really got sick the next. I found myself discussing the old story of the girl who cried wolf! Then, just to make things worse… the dog managed to get a cold and a bulldog (who can’t breathe at the best of times) with a cold is about the most pathetic thing you’d ever want to see! Looks like we’re all on the mend again… remind me to get flu shots next year… and a dog with a longer nose!!
Post: The cold war…, I’d like some cheese with this wine…,
My new friends at Maritimers Living with Parkinson were pleased with the post about their Wing Eating Contest. They kindly put the link on their facebook and twitter pages AND added it to their monthly newsletter. I get emails on a regular basis from folks asking me to blog about various events… sometimes I do… sometimes I don’t. I usually post about the events I’m actually planning on attending and for this one, a few girlfriends and I went to Winston’s and enjoyed a great meal. If you haven’t been to Winston’s for awhile… head on in. The chef is making some great food, the wings are amazing and the front room is perfect for bringing the entire family!
Post: Wing-It for Parkinsons…
My youngest and I are pretty much identical people. Same fears. Same apprehensions. Same crap in our heads! I don’t write about her as much as the other two for the simple fact I think I’d be revealing far too much about myself!!! She’s squishy and cuddly and manages to crawl into my room several nights… sneaking between the sheets until I’m awoken by an arm flinging across my face in the middle of the night! She has the most amazing imagination, is incredibly creative and is in NO WAY a morning person! It’s possible I read her mind… and that’s a scary thing! I knew what was in her head when Brandon came out to cut her hair with the big ol’ Mohawk! It’s good to try new things. Together, the two of us are working on facing our demons and becoming much braver girls. It’s one foot ahead of the next… and some days it’s the giant leaps that give us the greatest confidence.
Post: Cut from the same cloth…
My understanding is the school board is forming a committee to look into online bullying and how it affects the classroom. I hope something works soon… it’s awful to see so many children damaged by bullying. I heard from a dear old friend who home schools her daughter because the darling girl “couldn’t take it anymore”. It sent shivers down my spine. Ask how your kids are doing at school, see if any ones bugging them, get in their heads and help them understand that you’d do anything to protect them. Then… protect them. From themselves, from their friends, from complete strangers. It’s tough out there… tougher than ever before.
Post: Stop bullying…
After a weekend in Newfoundland for my grandmother’s funeral, a friend saw the photos of my family gathering… the guitars, the laughter, the singing, the food and the night out downtown. The simple joy of being with loved ones who adore you no matter what… who support you fully and genuinely care about you. After looking at the photos she expressed that she was “jealous” with what she saw. My wish for everyone is that they could feel the warmth that each of us felt that weekend even though it was one of the most difficult times in our lives. My thought on family is simple… some are lucky enough to have amazing families. Others however, don’t have the same love and support and there’s nothing that can be done about it… it’s “just the way it is” no matter how much you want it to be different. The thing is… families aren’t necessarily the people we’re born into but rather the love and support of a group of people who bond like family despite their differences. I’ve a lot of family in my life… some of them are blood relation but many others are there because I choose them as family… and how lucky I am.
Posts: To my nan… She lived, she loved, she laughed…
One year writing this blog has given me great insight into the person I am… and it’s saving me a fortune in therapy! I enjoy this immensely and can’t imagine not having it in my life. This week I reached four hundred fans on the facebook site, hundreds of folks read the posts per day… and I was nominated for a Canadian Weblog Award. So really, it’s been kind of an exciting week as far as the blog goes. It’s kind of like I’m rewriting the movie “How Stella Got her Groove Back”… and it really feels like I’m finally finding my groove! And honestly… have never been happier.
Post: Happy blogiversary…
I still can’t talk about Red’s birthday. See… there’s this “Vault”. Sometimes things go in The Vault… never to be discussed again. Sometimes things go in The Vault… only to be discussed by those who were present when it was placed inside to begin with. Sometimes there’s something in The Vault that’s so juicy you really want to share it but someone called “vault” and there’s nothing you can do about it. Seems I’m throwing lots of stuff in The Vault lately and if this keeps going I’ll have nothing to blog about. Just so you know… there’s a helluva lot of funny stuff inside that locked room… but at the moment… I’m stuck writing all this sentimental stuff!!!
Post: ‘Cause that’s how I bowl…
Thanks for all of your congratulations on my heading to school. I’ve a ton of apprehensions about it… but it can only be a positive step forward right? Right?
Post: Supermom…
I’ve replenished my coffee stash. Now to get out there and start drinking some coffee! Just as soon as I figure out the difference between a speaker and a garbage can!
Posts: The queen was in her counting house… and Talkin’ trash…
And finally, I wrote about three friends who had a few broken parts and are now working at spreading awareness about organ and tissue donations. I’m happy to give all my organs if ever a tragic event were to occur… except my heart… it’s full of Swiss cheese holes and probably not good to anyone anyway. Then again, never mind… they can have my heart too. Seems mine’s healing more and more each day… and there’s definitely someone out there who could use it!
Post: Game of a lifetime…
I have thoroughly enjoyed following your blog. At times I laugh out loud and other times I let the tears fall. You have a wonderful talent. Thanks so much for sharing it with us and making this little part of the world a little better informed and a little brighter.
Keep up the good work!