Working On Kenny's Road

Work, work, work...

As usual I have created my own sweet hell!

Besides my Monday-Friday job I have the shop on weekends now and wow...is this a job that's going to cause me to rethink my life because it's just as disorganized as mine is.

There is so...much...stuff. I totally understand why they need the help because there is so...much...stuff...

So much it was tough to know where to begin with it all so I started simply with the inventory. Everything labelled with Parts #'s and Prices and I still didn't get it all. On top of the inventory there is the general overhaul that has to happen to make it more functional, not so much on the bay side but the office and sales side. I might have to document this transition but you know me, as much as I'll want to it might not happen lol. Again I have so much on my plate right now that I don't know how I'll do it all still trying to build up my own Brand and take care of so many things.

You'd figure that things would calm down but on no...that is not the case. Still though I do function better amid chaos so we'll see what happens. I had said to Lo that I'll have no days off anymore with the second job ans she said...

"If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life."

After the weekend I found she was right. It didn't feel like I was working and I can't see being there feeling like that, especially when stuff like this is going on.

That's my bike undergoing some work. She ran like crap last year so the guys have decided to give her a serious look.

It turns out that since I have a Buell engine in my Sportster I need 4 spark plugs to run her.

When the plugs got changed last year one didn't go in right but now the head needs to be re-threaded. ( Still partial gibberish to me but I'm getting it ) I can see the $$. They seem pretty eager to get me riding though this year and have runs planned that they want me to be a part of including the ones I want to do myself.

I kind of touched on that a little bit in a Blog Post I've been working on and will explain there more but it's called Kenny's Road. It will be an annual run for us and we hope to build it into something bigger one day. I've gotten good feedback from people I've talked to already and even gotten offers of support for it to happen.

A run for those we've lost to Drug Overdoses especially those that are Fentanyl related as we've lost another satellite kid just last week to it. We're hoping to raise money for Addiction Centers.

There will be more to come on that one later as it won't be until August and the date isn't set yet but it gives me hope and a sense that Kenny's death will mean something good instead of breaking my heart endlessly.

Ok enough of the heavy.

Have a great week!

See Ya
S

Day By Day, Minute By Minute.

It's been a tough go so far at trying to regain some form of the normal I used to have. Trying to throw myself back into the things that used to make me a happy and social person. The things that made me well...me.

I'm doing okay with being positive though so far and beating back the thoughts of not being good enough, trying to laugh more like I used to. Last night was a bit of a setback at home though as emotions ran high and low but in my typical fashion I talked them down and in the end laughter ruled the night as I helped chase back the shadows for the family...at least I hope I did. It looked like I did at least temporarily.

There's so much that needs to be done, so much work to do but I refuse to pressure myself into making it happen. Like everyone I have long and short term goals. A few I can't do based on it not being the right time for it for instance I have until May to get my Motorcycle license and last year was a bust for that because of bike trouble but I'm just going to do what I should have done in the first place and take the Course so that being said I can't do that until March or April because that's when it's available.

The BSA build well that's what it is and according to my timeline I still have 2 1/2 years to complete that and for the most part the engine rebuild is what will take the time and money.

Money...living here is not cheap but yet still cheap for where I am and making that work is a struggle most months, not just because of rent but the gas and hydro prices are insane. I feel like I'm complaining but I'm just listing facts as I know them and even though I know that my own drive and will are the only things that will get these things done, as much as I tell myself that I can do them there is always a sense of failure looming in the background.

Which brings me to the book I finished writing over 6 months ago and getting it published. There is another fear there that I'll need to overcome about not being good enough. How do you handle the fears though? Some people say just to buck up and do it and sure that's possible but it's not like they are ready to be attempted ( well the book, yes ) so the anticipation is the killer here. I have managed to get some editing in and there's another thing I'm going to push myself to do regardless of the outcome on the publishing front.

Exciting yes and at the same time terrifying even though I've got the second book bouncing around in my head. One thing at a time right?

Losing my train of thought at work because even though I love where I work it's still not the job I want to do but it pays the bills and I should strive to be the best at it that I can ( part of my 2018 goals ) but creatively...there is nothing creative about it.

So in between it's me just trying to survive day by day and minute by minute and trying to win the lottery or find a supplement income the days are long and trying. I'm pretty sure the crazy weather doesn't help and I'm not seasonally depressed but I do miss the bright days. The rainy and dark days don't bother me, the cold though yes. That's why it's my least favourite season. Funny though...I remember Snowboarding and loving the Winter way back when we actually had snow to look forward to.

So I pour myself onto this page to try and help me sort it all out and be proud of my accomplishments in my life.

I used to have a rigid posting timeline and this time around after...what...7 years of this? That is over. If I have something to say or show then I'm here. The other Blogs are gone, an ambitious trial but I'm a simple woman and will be taking it one day at a time while still trying to take you all with me!

Ironic that it's a Monday and I'm posting? Old habits die hard I guess...

I'd love to put something prophetic and deep in here but I simply can't think of anything to say except live your life don't fear it.

Ok guys I'm off to try and do just that.

Have a great week!

See Ya
S.

Aug Update!

Hello Lovelies!!

It's been awhile as the Summer rolls on in full swing.

We had a few life changing moments that prevented thinking clearly enough for me to be here but they have settled now.

At the beginning of the year Choo found his son that had been given up for adoption 25 years ago and they had been in constant contact since. 2 weeks ago that son came to BC and moved in with us from Ontario. Quite the change but he fits right in and despite my ongoing anxiety about hoping we don't disappointment he's just adorable and pretty much a carbon copy of his dad. The girls have adjusted rather quickly and that's awesome especially since they are all adults. The extra weird part is seeing how much he's like his sisters for not having grown up with them and he's already got a job thanks to the spectacular people in our life.

The acceptance from the family and friends of him has warmed my heart and hopefully his!

The same day that he came in I received a call that one of my brothers passed away. Mine is a large family and even though there are many of my brothers I have yet to meet he was one of the few that I had met, so as exciting as it was to have the new addition another was lost that day.

The year anniversary of losing California also passed it the last month as well as losing Boscoe ( our tiny talkative cat ) somehow possibly Coyotes or another animal since he never strayed far from home we can only think he was taken by something.

Still having a carb issue on the Sportster to the point where I'm going to rebuild it myself because the one that was put on is worse than my original one and my mechanic is just too backed up to do it. I might as well learn since I would prefer to learn to do the maintenance myself and not only ride my own but take care of my own. I haven't ridden since I don't even remember when and I'm getting a bit stir crazy while I sit and stare longingly at her.

That being said I have been making slow progress on the BSA by learning and cleaning the Amal Carb on that one.

Before...

Thanks to this little baby I got all of the sediment out of the float bowl...which was caked.

I can take apart and put that one back together in my sleep now. She's a 5 year project that I'm 2 years into and besides stripping her down not much has happened there but this long weekend I'll be cutting out the old wiring harness and getting the frame ready to be stripped and painted. I finally found a place in Canada that I can get parts from at decent prices and I need alot of parts! So heading into the mid-summer I plan to get right up close and personal and make sure everything is ready and in motion for when I get the motor rebuilt.

I'm going to try and document as much as I can between Instagram and You Tube because even though I want to prove to the men in my life that I can do this...I want to prove it to myself more.

Emotionally though July was a rough month, I have an outlet now and here's hoping Aug holds more promise!

Alright guys have a great week!

See Ya
S

Occupying My Time

Well Hello!

   I didn't even realize that I missed some time here but that only means that I've been occupied so now I'm here with everything and yet nothing to say at the same time. The week has been spent trying to figure out how to get my existing projects done. I have a bookshelf in my living room that needs some serious love and attention. I don't even know what's in there anymore except to say...a lot. Closets, storage items.

   I'm trying to stay on top of grasping some organization skills. My scattered head though has created writers block when I'm at the last 15,000 words so I'm trying not to think about it too much hoping that it flows back in. Really though it's probably because of work seeing that it's RRSP season and there is always a lull from me at this time of year.

   Saturday night we went for dinner with T and the Peanut. after dropping Lo off her spare keys as she locked hers in her car...yet again...

   Today is his 4th birthday and I can't even believe that the time has gone by so fast. I have to say though that White Spot...where you used to be "the place to be" things have gone downhill since then. The only good point was the waiter ( poor guy). We got there and they had our reservation wrong even though it was confirmed that same day, I ordered a Teriyaki Chicken Rice bowl that showed up with no chicken in it. Someone else ordered ribs and mashed potatoes and got uncooked fat and lumps but the waiter tried and it wasn't his fault.

   So in a couple of days the little man goes for surgery. He has what they consider a birthmark on his shoulder but instead of it going away as he's grown it's gotten bigger. A pale white fleshy lump the size of a golf ball now with veins that seem like they are trying to take over his tiny shoulder. He can never play sports with it because as his father says...

 "If it gets hit and bursts, it will be a scene from The Shining."

Great...

   So he's going to get it removed. It's day surgery so he'll leave the Children's Hospital the same day and as much as we worry about him afterwards his mother's worry turned so...dark I sat there and just shook my head and told her to think positive thoughts but that's T for you. Her brain always shifts sideways on my girl but only good thoughts remained for the little man.

   So while I stress out about that...and my cluttered home and mind...and work...and my writers block good grief at least it's not overwhelming stress to me it's the normal everyday kind. If I could I would just go for a ride and wash it all away, but alas it's Winter so I think that I will just try to clear out the things I need to do and go from there.

Have a great week!

See Ya
S

Comfort, Coziness and Craziness!

Well hello October!

    I must say that October is probably my favourite month of the year even though I can see my breath now and there's is frost in the morning before the sun comes out and melts it away but the colours and the need to be cozy makes it worth it. What sucks is the second season of blackouts we'll probably have.

    We just had Thanksgiving on Monday and this year it was a small affair but the first of many seasonal events. Yes it gets dark earlier and the official time change doesn't happen until November like it really matters because it will get dark naturally anyway but I'll gladly take the extra hour of sleep. Even then though my body wakes up after a certain amount of sleep so I guess I'll be up earlier? Whatever, it doesn't matter Fall is here and comfort foods, prime-time viewing, and the Fall purge. Unfortunately the riding season is over for me as I whisper promises of time together next season to my bike.

Yes I know and I don't care.

    Seeing as Choo has been riding her for the past month because his bike needs to be fixed I felt the need to reassure her that it was temporary. Little alarm bells went off when he told me how much he likes riding her though but I figured that at least she was getting run though before she gets put away this weekend. Over the Fall and Winter months I get to decide and budget for the things I need for my other girl and she's a project alright and I have time to get her right.

    Enough of that! Halloween is coming and my excitement grows with every passing day so the decorations will be crafted and put up around the house to pull the magic of it together which will be posted on my Instagram @stephwell or Tumblr at the link above in the pages.

Ok I'm gone, lots to do!

See ya!
S

The Show Never Ends!

Hello Lovelies,

    How was your weekend? Here we had a long weekend because of BC Day and that's why my post is on a Tuesday this week.

    Sitting here and thinking about the past few days, coffee in hand  while I wait for the rain to start I'm trying to filter through everything that's happened. A lot between young life drama's, older life drama's and getting off the couch and out of the house, writing and of course me learning to ride.

Not necessarily in that order.

    The young drama...oh how simple it is...but you know not for them while they're in it. I think back to when I was 21 or so and the things going on with my group of friends was very similar to what's happening for the girls and yet all on completely different levels. As logical as they can be sometimes the wrong choices are made, sometimes the right ones even though they seem wrong but none of them treat things like it's the end of the world in that dramatic fashion most girls have. Sometimes I'll listen to the 3 of them talking. They'll be on the deck or downstairs having their sisterly chats and I'll just stay back and listen to them make each other laugh as they talk about things going on for them and then they will get into more serious discussions that they won't all agree on but they listen to each other's points.

     I've been playing with a post in mind to give you more insight into the crazy zoo that is my life. Hopefully to give you a better picture of the diverse personalities in that world and how every one of them can bring a smile to my face even when they're being ridiculous. They are my heart, my soul and my life and the others around me are my universe, always in motion and yet keeping me steady, keeping me whole. And...sometimes slightly crazy and frazzled.

    And then there's you guys, you're there all the time and you deal well with my ramblings no matter how crazy or random they are, you support me when bad things happen even though I never see you, you remind me that I'm never alone. Not that that's possible because to be alone I would have to lock myself in the bathroom and really that doesn't work either because I'm Mom. In truth when I am alone I have no idea what to do with myself and wonder where everyone else is.

Ok well... that was not where I was headed...

    In other weekend news I did more riding this weekend that ever and it was as I would say a complete and utter gong show and in my defense I was utterly unprepared so some of the things that happened and there's so much that happened that I don't even think I can spit it all out here so let's go to the bullet points.

•  Even though I know how to not stall my bike it seemed to be all I did. I can pull away from the curb with no problem but get me to cross traffic or turn into it and my brain apparently forgot everything. Choo was super patient with me while I cursed and swore at myself.
•  My girl was seriously hard to turn on Sat. It turned out I only had half the tire pressure I should have had in the front tire and the back was low as well. Once that was fixed she was easier to maneuver.
• Know a guy, owns a bike shop,  apparently my pegs weren't set properly so he fixed them. You wouldn't have thought that something so small would make such a difference but then my footing was different and that was something I had to familiarize myself with too on top of wearing proper riding boots for the first time.
• Leaned my bike over because of an asshole trying to rush me out of the way but yay me that I held her enough to gently put her down and afterwards I was told by every single person there to not let the pressures of other people on the road get to me.
• Another friend there took me out to show me how to shift gears and again I stalled continuously, again angry with myself and all he said over and over was that I had all the time in the world. Now when your trying not to slow down traffic it doesn't feel like all the time in the world that's for sure.
• At one point I forgot I even had feet because I was moving and they... were not on the pegs. I have no idea what happened there...at all. That was a first. 
• We're not going to talk about what I realized shifting gears.

    I scared Choo to death a couple of times but hey...I survived and so did he. With the help of everyone I had been around that day I thought back to all of my mistakes, especially about the ones I shouldn't have been making. Everyone is super supportive and telling me not to worry about those things and that I'll get them in time, that I just need more seat time.

    Well great and I get that but it doesn't stop me from dissecting every second of it.  I didn't feel well when I first went out, getting frustrated with myself made things even worse and feeling pressure where there wasn't any all contributed to my loss of focus in trying to learn new things while holding on to the ones I had practiced so much but couldn't make work, so the next day I asked Lo if she would go out for a little putt-putt with me. Just a circle, only right turns because I needed the room to shift, to turn and to get over my apparently uncomfortable view of traffic so I chose an area that had two roads with frequent traffic and 2 cross streets where traffic would be at a minimum. We both went about riding in a different frame of mind. She was not open to it when she learned 9 years ago where it's all I want to do right now so I'm confident in riding with her that regardless of the difference in our mindsets that she knew where I was at and how I was feeling.

    After the first time around I saw simple mistakes I was making. The next time around I would correct them and then notice others like why 2 of the roads I was turning onto for some reason I would turn wide, so wide I would be in the other lane. Thank fully those were on the roads with no traffic and yet in the main roads I would still turn wide but end up riding the yellow line. After a couple of hours of repeating the patterns in my head I could see that "Look where you want to go" was in full play there. The main roads had the lines and although I was looking at them so that I didn't veer into the other lane I should have been looking further forward in my own lane.

    On the other 2 streets I was looking at the far side of the road because there are no lines on those ones so my turns were wider. At least that's what I think it is...I hope that's what it is because I'm definitely much harder on myself that those guys are. Then came soreness in muscles that are not used to it but whatever...they'll toughen up.

   On writing...I maintain that this is my baby, that I write for the personal satisfaction. I saw somewhere that an author decided he was a better reader than a writer so he gave it up. I have a story that I'm telling and who know how long it will go on? In my mind it's a series and it's Continuous ( see what I did there? ) I'll keep writing it and I'm glad I've found a few that stick with me each week.

I have now rambled enough! You should go back to you regularly scheduled programming and get on with your day!

Have a great week!

See Ya
S

   

I Don't Have Enough Words...

Well...this is going to be a hard one to write...

I don't even know where to start really...so I guess it's the beginning.

On Friday I worked half a day. So excited to get home early, the weather was sunny and it was an early beginning to my weekend.

Before I got home Choo had sent me a pic of my riding boots I ordered because with the looming postal strike/lock out about tho happen I was hoping I'd get them by the deadline and then it turned out that they were shipped by UPS and it wouldn't have mattered. I joked with him about him opening my package and stealing my fun.

Here's one of the hard parts...

Sese asked me to go to Starbucks with her so she could get her Very Berry Hibiscus whatever it is. Actually she didn't even ask I just went with her. As I'm walking down the street with her chatting away I saw a man walking towards us and I could feel that he was bad news. It rolled off of him in waves but he looked sketchy and I just wanted to get to Starbucks. As he walked by I heard him say "Fucking Nigger" now at first I didn't think I heard him right because although I'm no stranger to it it happens so little ( like once every 5 or so years ) that I wasn't quite sure I heard him right. I was pondering the thought when Sese's little face cut into my view...eyes wide and all she said was "Whoa!" She's 23 years old and I was embarrassed that my mere presence caused that for her. He doesn't know that I grew up in a white neighbourhood or that I don't even have black friends!

It confirmed what I heard and she was angry. I was fine, I said he was just ignorant and doesn't know me from a hole in the wall. I...was fine until I got into the coffee house and looked at her, angry and upset...for me. I didn't even realize until the words were out of my mouth how much it disturbed me, not because it was towards me but because she had witnessed it. First hand at her mother. I'm not a crier, anyone that knows me know s that but as I spoke tears welled in my eyes seeing her face and I said. "That's what you get from me. The part that's hated by assholes." She said "No, I've never experienced that." All I wanted after that was to go home. I didn't want to run into him again and have something worse happen so we walked the back way home.

I felt bad her...my kids having to see it. Normally I could let it go but I kept seeing her face. When I got home I told Choo what happened and he asked me if I knew what the guy looked like and of course I did. Without a word he was gone. I went downstairs to asked Bean if Allan was home forgetting that I was home early because I wanted him to make sure that Choo didn't do anything stupid and hopefully calm him down before he found the guy.

Well...that didn't go well either...Bean and T along with a couple others took off like rockets there was no stopping them and as they walked down the street going after their father I looked at Sese and said "Hey look, there goes my squad." Nervous jokes but she laughed. After everything that has been happening in the US this seems so very small. I didn't expect the uproar. My family took to FB posting their outrage and sadness and I posted nothing because he was an asshole and I was conflicted. I felt like having my genes, having a part of me failed them.
My kids are grown and this unfortunately is our world and I do rarely see it and when I do it's by people who have to scream at me while they're driving away. Bean told me that she has had racial slurs slung at her from black kids in school thinking she's wasn't black enough because my girls are half/half.

It was a stark reminder of a difference that I don't feel that I have.
Anyway long story short they found him, a bank got closed down because of a hot headed nephew and he was too scared to face them. So...how did I deal with that???

A bottle of Bourbon and I had a very close relationship for the rest of the night.

On to the second part of my awful emotional roller coaster.

My dog in my last post that was not eating. I decided that it was time to go to the vet. She would eat one day and not others, run some days and not so much the next ect. Lo said she would drive us so I grabbed California's leash and she lost her little mind she got so excited. Practically dragged me down the stairs and jumped into the car and off we went. She had lost alot of weight and I was surprised at the energy she had. Not as much as she usually did but much more than she had shown for a while. We got to the vet and she sniffed everything she could, choking herself pulling in all directions. We got into the room and I told the vet all about her inconsistent symptoms, the changes in her food because we were feeding her anything she wanted to eat just so that she would. the vet said she had lost muscle mass not just weight so we went over possible issues thanked me for all of the information and she sent Cali for Xrays and blood work.

The work took about 15 mins and Lo and I waited for the results in the waiting room. they brought Cali out to me and she curled up beside me. We watched animals come in and out, some making us laugh. At one point they even lit an Angel candle to signal that a dos was being put to sleep in another room. When they called us back into the room we could here the family next door sobbing and saying goodbye to their pet and I thought 'please don't let that be us'. when she came back in the vet said that there were 2 things we could do for her and the first option was euthanasia...and my heart stopped, I stopped breathing. The second option was an invasive treatment that would cause her more discomfort that she said flatly was not going to help and if she went to the emergency hospital she wouldn't come home. They didn't know what caused it and had no treatment for it. she showed us the x-rays and looked down at Cali shaking her head as Cal stood there tail sweeping from side to side.

She had an infection in her liver that made it swell to the point that it cut off her stomach and intestines. She said even if we brought her in at the beginning of her symptoms there would have been nothing they could do except put her down sooner. She said that considering the size of her liver that Cali should not have lived as long as she did, she shouldn't have been so bright with her tail wagging and interest in everything. She was confused and perplexed at how my dog walked in on her own 2 feet. We could take her home and bring her back in 2 days to be put to sleep or do it right away because the vet didn't even think with all the damage that she would have 2 days left. I couldn't take her home, I couldn't let her suffer one more day so I called the family together so they could say goodbye.

It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. There is so much more but I can't even tell you the rest because right now...at this moment... I can't see the screen though my tears.

The vet said she hung on for us...she hung on for me.

I have no more words...

Deep Conversations Start In The Strangest Places.

Hello Lovelies!

I'm back from Vacation and already wishing I was still at home in bed.

Have you ever back to work and forgotten your passwords? Well that has happened.
Usually I would wait for a better moment to write this but I'm at a standstill right now so here we are!

Sooo...how was your week?

Mine was productive and yet counter productive at the same time. Out of the many things I wanted to do. I managed about 3 and that was ok with me. Sleeping in was not possible but that was alright and I got to enjoy my quiet mornings. There is so much to say and I really don't even know where to start??

Besides binge watching Letterkenny, practicing my art techniques, trying to help my sick dog, attempt yard work ( attempt being the operative word ), a Canada Day BBQ, waking up to porn and going for a tiny but actual ride away from my house it was a pretty mellow time!

You're stuck on waking up to porn aren't you...

...of course you are you sick freaks.

Should I start from the beginning?

Letterkenny - WATCH IT...don't ask questions just do it.

Art techniques - painting objects to look old for steampunk projects.

Sick Dog - my dogs symptoms are consistent in their randomness. One day she'll eat, then next she won't eat the same thing she ate the day before unless it's grass. she is refusing dog food but still mooches for human food, She'll throw up every 3 or 4 days usually grass, she won't want to get up one day but will be running and excited the next and is loosing weight. A vet trip is going to be needed.

Yard work - well I cut things back, mowed things down and dug things up. Not in that order and only enough to make things look neat...er. Our green waste bin weighs about 1000 lbs and it will take at least 3 or 4 of us to move it because of the constant food waste in a 7 person household so I'm thinking a compost bin will be a much better bet. At least we can use that to fertilize the yard and use the green waste bin for the yard waste.

Canada Day - Good old fashion family and fun.

Waking up to porn - You know how you fall asleep with your TV on? Well usually I'm asleep before 2am and in deep sleep by then. Not this time I went to bed late watching a movie on TMN and drifted off and you know how sounds filter into your sleep and dreams causing 'am I awake or dreaming questions'? In my sleep it sounded like COPS of a sort was on. They were using a bait car to catch car thieves, pretty simple right? Then I heard a phrase that would NOT be used on COPS...ever, and therefore I opened my eyes and looked at the TV. I did not expect what I saw.
Now the content itself didn't phase me but the position this woman was in most certainly did, oh she was the cop by the way and the perpetrator was not respecting her authority...wait maybe he was either way after my 'what the hell is that' moment and I figured out what it was I changed the channel and went back to sleep.
Now the next morning I was telling Lo about this and Bean had come upstairs in mid story. I even said that I couldn't continue because she was there but she's almost 21 and was curious plus we have a really open family.
You really know your children are grown when they except their mother trying to demonstrate the position she saw in a few seconds of  XXX movie because she rolled with it and even wondered herself how porn stars can possibly twist themselves into pretzels and still look like they're enjoying themselves, seriously it was like a game of Twister gone horribly, horribly wrong. Anyway we laughed and laughed and went about our day. Until later when T found out about it then a whole new conversation started about what young girls see in men and how their emotional state contributes to how men see them and and what they really think about the way they are approached and treated by the opposite sex. There was guy involved in the conversation as well so it wasn't one sided.  Among many other things I'm glad my girls feel comfortable talking to me and I have to say that I was enlightened about what girls their age really think about sex and adulthood from different perspectives.

Apparently Porn starts conversations. who would have thought.

My tiny ride. - Canada Day I woke up...stupid early, had a coffee shoved in my face and was told to down it and get dressed we were going to a parking lot for me to simply turn in a circle and lean. I've been learning in stages and for the most part whenever anyone talked about taking me to a lot it was always that someone else would have to ride my bike over to the lot. Not this time I was riding it myself and truly the lot was only 3 blocks down the street in a straight line, how could this go wrong! I suck back my coffee, grab my stuff, Choo goes out to warm up the bikes, I get my helmet on and...it starts raining. Now me riding pretty much scares him on a good day so going out in the rain, even a little was not happening for him. He was leaving for the Canyon Run to Lillooet BC the next day and wanted to get this in before he left. He was more upset that I was so he went off to grumble about typical BC weather while I puttered around the house. A couple of hours later he came out, checked the sky and we were back in business.
This is how little I know about rider etiquette. He was in front of me before we left, sitting off to the side, so I sat patiently waiting. It wasn't until Lo said he was waiting for me to lead that I clicked in. I thought I should follow him but no sure put me on the spot so he can see how terrible I am and correct me. We Got to the lot where he made me ride in circles and around the building. I gave him about 100 mini heart attacks but I was good and apparently I have great balance. I didn't put my feet down even turning slowly which I thought I would and most importantly I didn't drop her.
So it was my first official ride albeit short I had to cross traffic, ride with another person and was not on the road in front of my house. baby steps but steps none the less!

Ok I'm done for now but there is so much more.

Glad to be back to the routine. Have a great week!

See Ya
S

Insane In The Vacation Brain

Hello Lovelies!!!

Please bare with me as I have this work week to go and then I'm on Vacation! My first true vacation of the year and it's been a long 6-7 months and my brain has already left and is dreaming of the days to come making it really hard to concentrate on anything longer than 30 seconds.

So what will I be doing for my vacation? It's a Staycation so I'm not going anywhere. I have things to do at home  taming my yard would be a good start and with Canada Day coming that week there's a BBQ to plan, things to paint because I'll be all crafty and my Motorcycle Skills Test that week as well it will be practice, practice, practice for me! So really it's a working vacation only I'm working on having fun!

 I found videos on You Tube of the ICBC MST and of all of the ones I watched there was only one with a female rider, her test was damn near perfect and she passed the 15 min test in 5. She just knew what she was doing and I can only hope to be a fraction of what she was on hers. 

And you know what...as simple as it looks, to me it's the most intimidating thing I've seen yet and have to make myself do. Self doubt is riding high right now despite the encouraging words of the people around me. As much as my brain is telling me that I'm doing ok, that I'm passing the steps  in a functional manner, there's that tiny piece that is still asking me what I'm doing and telling me that it'll never happen because I'm too scared, that I'll never get to the point where I can accomplish what it is I want to do but I can handle that. I can handle the fear, I can handle the self doubt as long as I'm the one doing it then I won't be discouraged because I want this too much to listen to that voice belittling me in my head.

What I can't handle is doubt from anyone else, now don't get me wrong it's not that I care if anyone else doubts my ability to do things and not just this but in many other things. It's the little put downs or talking down to me that would typically make me angry wanting to push back and yet they stick in my head, needling at me, making me want to try harder to prove myself but for the wrong reasons. 

Of course I want to prove it to my family and they have been the best as I take this journey from putting the bike in my face, encouraging me to get my license, putting up with my endless questions,  shedding tears when you first saw me ride but I'm still my worst critic. So starting with this I've chosen not to let assholes get to me even if I'm the asshole. The ones that tell me "I'm just a girl." or tell me things just to placate me are not needed, you can either help me accomplish my goal or leave me alone. 

I don't need to be built up to be torn down I just need you in my corner.

As usual though putting it out here always helps me focus ( even temporarily ) and put things into order ( a random order but still...) avoiding the chaos (briefly) so that everything moves smoothly ( hopefully not into a ditch or a tree ) as I go along. Once I get past my skills test the insanity will stop...for a while anyway because you know we've got to keep the gong show alive.

Ok enough of that, I guess I should get my brain back in the game not that there is ANY hope of that getting better as the week goes on!

Have a great week guys!

See Ya

S

Forever A Gong Show...

It's Monday yet again and where does the week go?

I didn't post last week as my brain has been scattered a bit lately. My posts will be few for the next few weeks as I'm on my own at work until Mid-June and as much as I try to write them on Sunday nights or pre-plan my posts, if you know me at all you know that just doesn't work. With thundershowers on Sat making the day blah feeling I spent most of the time binge watching Daredevil and I was content with that.

Sat was also T's 21st birthday party with many colourful people. One kid kept calling me Mama Duke all night...I have no idea why and a couple others who were brothers and the more they consumed the more huggy they got. To the point where I couldn't even walk through the room without being hugged and not just by them. What I noticed that was different from when I was that age ( mind you at that age I'd been a mom for 2 years already ) was how lovable the boys got and how...um...not the girls became as the night went on but I guess at the same time there was only 1 girl causing a problem and she was sent home, without a piece of her hair later on.

She was wearing a hair piece but we won't talk about why it was missing.

I would stroll through the house and check on things and then go upstairs and hang out with Sese who was playing Overwatch for oh I don't know maybe 8 hours!!!! Her new obsession besides her League of Legends, Bloodborne and World of Warcraft game play. That's my gamer girl.

One of the fun parts was Bean's boyfriend getting caught in a dance off that we got clued into when we heard the room chanting "Go Allan!" sweetest thing ever. I was laughing too hard to get my phone out and film it but the smile on his face was priceless as he was throwing out his moves. I'll never forget that or T's little brother ( who's taller than me ) rapping as his voice carried through the house and it floored me that there was even a freshly 19 yr old girl there that called home pretty much every hour to let someone know she was ok. She didn't text them... she actually called. Wonders never cease.

By the time Lo got home from work just after 12 the bulk of people were gone but there was enough entertainment to keep her going until about 2 am when I sent everyone somewhere else and without question they all said thank you and left.

All in all it looked like they had fun, even a few of them came back the next morning hungover and still drunk but with smiles on their faces and they were all very respectful and entertaining. Except hair piece girl.

The night was still a gong show but they were happy!

So with this week about to be the complete opposite of last week with it's estimated nice sunny days I'm hoping to have more to share with you and be able to do just that between writing and trying to maintain my weekly posts there as well and as my readership goes up there it gets a little scarier as I delve deeper into the story.

We know though that if things weren't in chaos for me I'd be bored!

Have a great week guys!

See Ya
S

I Did It! I Did It! I Did It!

Well It's Friday and I couldn't resist!

This week was big for me because after all of the book learning and stress and pressure, on a completely peer pressured leap that I said I wouldn't take thanks to Choo and Lo actually earned me my Motorcycle Learners License!

I know! I was just as surprised but the one thing I can say is that regardless of reading the material from ICBC or doing the online practice tests there were questions on there that were not in anything I read. That freaked me out and I had to take 2 tests because I couldn't get my M license without my D license which I let expire many many....many moons ago. Every lady I handed it to ( because there were 3 ) looked at it and said "Wow I haven't seen one of these in a really long time!"

Really...I get it ok let's move on now.

So the drivers test was easy and considering that I've had that one so long and done it so many times I felt like I had better pass it, especially since in 1 week...7 days not only did one of my best friends get his, Choo got his and both my girls got theirs so ya no pressure people! T is the only one in our house now that doesn't have a license of some kind and now she's raring to go.

The only drawback was that they took the only picture ID I had so I couldn't go transfer my bike over and insure it. Now I have to wait for snail mail to deliver it and it could take up to 30 days but I know it won't. Still though I hate waiting, until then I'll keep asking my riding friends questions and trying to get used to her weight and wrap my head around the fact that I'm doing something that I never thought I would.

Never...thought...I would.

The long and short of it is that I did it and I'm proud of myself and my family for their support and efforts of their own to make each of their dreams manifest. I know it's still a long road but another step has been taken and I had to share that with you!

Have a fabulous weekend!

See you Monday
S

Totally Worth It...

Hello Lovelies!

Well I missed last weeks post as you know...or don't but it was a long week at work being on my own for the past 2 and as usual trying to get everything I NEED to do done but only seeming to complete the things I WANT to do. What I wanted to do was apparently study for my learners tests and sit in the sun.

Not a bad thing! There were 3 of us that had to get our Learners licenses for riding and two of them have gone and done it. Spur of the moment, out the door and gone one after the other, it must be because they're guys. Me being me though has this little voice in my head telling me not to go just because they did and not to go just because everyone else wants me to ride.

"Take your time..." it says, "Be confident with your own knowledge..." it whispers and so I listen.

I have decided not to tell anyone when I'm going so I don't feel that pressure that I'm apparently putting on myself but I'd much rather come home and say "Hey! Look what I got!" if it happens that way. Everyone has been so supportive, others even dare I say "pushy" about me riding because they want me to do it just as much as I want to. Part of me wonders why they even care but I'm constantly reminded of how big a thing this is. I told Lo that by not telling anyone when I'm going to take my tests then I won't feel like I let anyone down. She told me that the only way I would let anyone down is if I gave up and quit if I failed.

 OK... you made sense, it was like a mental slap but I'm still not saying when.

So I figured I would start out my Saturday seeing my niece turn 17...geez 17! Then drag out my bike that's been all cozy and dry in the Bike shed over the tail end of Winter, semi custom built by 4 guys with A LOT of patience and give her a wash while learning my controls and where things sit on the bike. I thought that was proactive and even found things on mine that Choo told me I didn't have. Ya take that smart guy! Lo pulled out her Sportser to see the sun too and the next thing I knew it was 4 hours from wash to polish and I realized that I will be a tad obsessive with detailing I can see that coming. Now that I have the Sportster I'm a bit eager to build the BSA because most of all I want to learn what goes into building a bike and be able to take care of mine without having to call the men in my life for aid or not being able to maintain my own toys. Plus how cool would it be to build the British bike? Very cool for me, she was my first, even in pieces and nothing needs to be done to the Sportster.

OK I'm off track or rather on track with where my mind set is these days. After the day in the sun it was off to the fair in Coquitlam to see lil man Parker while he hit the rides with his parents. Although once the we got there we were on PK duty while T and Craig got to hit up the big rides fro some fun of their own with Sese. Why is it that when you go to something like this the guys always take off, saying they were doing one thing or not saying at all when we know they were just somewhere watching girls? We know this, we know who you are. We made a point of going just before dark because we wanted to see everything lit up and as much as I wanted to go on the rides I was beat from the sun already and had no problems hanging out with PK. Except for my arms, they hurt, he's 3 and heavy after a while, can't complain though I got lots of love for it and tears when he had to go home.

The next day was like a bad hangover without the booze sickness. Sore arms from carrying a 3 year old, sore thighs from trying to get used to the weight of the bike by rocking her back and forth, sore back from waxing and polishing and a mild case of sun stroke! All in all a fabulous weekend, a very very good weekend. Totally Worth It.

Back to clouds and rain and ...work.

Have a great week!

See Ya
S

Life Happens In Between

Morning Lovelies!

Another weekend gone in a flash and being busy this weekend made it go by even faster.

Friday night was Deadpool night and it was one of the funniest movies I've seen since...I don't even know when. Ryan Reynolds was perfect for the role and everything from the opening credits to the end cut scene had the theater rolling in laughter. Except for the four guys in our row that fell asleep, including one of my own but it was well worth it. Some say it was lacking action but as far as I'm concerned it really wasn't. The action scenes that were there were spectacular so I have no complaints. It definitely deserved the R rating and anyone that has seen it will look at holidays in a whole new way.

A WHOLE NEW WAY! Especially International Woman's Day.

The entire cast and the jokes at Marvels expense as well as Hugh Jackman were perfect and understood by any loyal Marvel fan.

I loved seeing Colossus but I have to say that one character they haven't shown enough is Gambit. Growing up with the comics he was one of my fav's and we got a brief glimpse of him in Wolverine but not enough of the Cajun.

Next up Batman vs. Superman next month and movies lined up until August so far.

And Ummmm...The Walking Dead??? There are no words for the episode except for FAN-TASTIC. Again I was screaming at my TV in shock and awe and the constant need to put Glenn in danger! Stop that we can't take it!

The thought that goes into the making of that show for our entertainment and seriously making us find the hidden meanings and treasures within each episode is mind boggling but so appreciated for all of the work the creators, cast and crew that bring it to us.

Changing directions now.

T is coming home this week so we've been getting ready for her homecoming. By getting ready I mean cleaning out the crap in her room that we dumped there because we didn't actually think she was coming home after she moved out, so boxes were packed and will be heading out to storage, cobwebs dusted...who am I kidding we don't dust the cobwebs. I'll Swiffer vac the ceiling every once in a while because everyone else is creeped out by them. It is really crazy though at how many cobweb spiders we have. I sucked up 23 one day from just the upstairs dark corners and yet there are always at least 2 I leave alone in the kitchen so they can eat the fruit flies because fruit flies are the most annoying tiny creatures next to ants, and they will attack...I've seen it.

It's pretty much been Spring cleaning around the house the past few weeks or... really all of this year so far with progress being made in slow strides because life happens in between it all. With so much to do and motivation being drained at every turn. There are not enough days in the week to get it all done, at least not in the Winter. The daylight is starting to grow longer now and the rain is ever prominent yet it's all a sign of better and brighter days ahead.

Once the RRSP season is over I can begin the Freelance Friday project that I've been working on and get back to writing since my characters have been on the back burner for the past little while as I work on some of my own issues. family, trusting things in front of me and being able say how I feel, fight and retain enough of myself to look past my own flaws without having a large impact on the people around me.

Anyway that last little blurb was unexpected but I told myself a long time ago that here I can say anything and if I wrote it felt it was relevant then I would keep it. My thoughts flow through my fingers as I type, I rarely backtrack or second guess what I write.

Still though I try to keep it light!

Well it's time to start this week and the next 2 weeks are going to be a stressful mess full people who I'm sure will annoy me at work and that could either lead to tears or a bath full of bubbles and a bottle of wine that I might not come out of.

So to all of the people in my life that I love so very much...be prepared it's going to be rough.

Have a great week!

See Ya
S.

Short and Sweet That's How It Is.

Hello Lovelies!

How was your week?

Mine was good, well Saturday was kind of a blur  but I distinctly remember going our for dinner to our local PUB and feeling the floor shake from the excitement of the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals game. There were definitely more Packers fans in the PUB than Cards fans and I am not a Packers fan  but I felt for them in their defeat  as I clapped for the  Cards. I do love football even though it's been a long time since I have followed an entire season. I'll follow my teams progress but the Sunday game day ritual has been lost in the raising of my kids. That night though it felt good to be around people that were excited about the NFL Playoffs and reminded me of that part of me that's drifted away.

Sunday I went for lunch and a Matinee with one of my besties to see Daddy's Home . I hmmm and hawwwed at first because I'm not really a Will Ferrell Fan. I do watch his movies but it's less for him and more for those co-starring with him because he's one of the ones like Adam Sandler that was stuck doing the same types of movies but I love Adam Sandler either way though the movie was funnier than I thought it was going to be and I found myself laughing so hard at a few scenes that I couldn't breathe. It was good to have that time out with her for the afternoon.

My writing has been pretty solid and I'm proud of myself for that since distractions are constant. I have added a Book Tracking Tab above so that you can see which books I've read over the course of the year. I'm still finishing the list for 2015 properly because when I was tracking the books last year I didn't have them listed under the name of the book, more like the name of the series but anyway I'm still hoping that I can finish web story this year and begin the next one.

I can't even get into the deaths this month. The news is everywhere and anywhere and has saddened many hearts.

So short and sweet it is again as I head into the 3rd week of the season but I'll see you soon enough in  some capacity because some surprises are in store.

Possible a Puppy naming intervention and campaign (long story).

Happy Birthday to Blondunicorn! I have been tormenting her this morning with pics of her gift that she won't see until after midnight because she has a job that takes her normal days away. So far it's working and some of the guesses she's had have been down right scandalous.

Ok guys have a great week!

See Ya
S

It's All A Blur

Morning Lovelies!

This one will be short and sweet. Let's hope anyway!

It's funny how the weekend can sometimes be so boring but yet speed by and you're only left with a 48 hour blur.

Friday night was a cooking frenzy ( that I should have Instagramed but yes I was slacking ) I love it when someone stops by with a club pack of meat, shoves it in my face and without actually saying "cook for me" instead says "So I hear some food's being made here tonight." with pleading eyes. come on now food is being made every night.

Sat might have resulted in a couple of hospital trips because Friday night it rained and then promptly froze over so anyone coming down our front walkway well...not all of them made it to the door upright and all 3 dogs almost slid right off the deck to their impending doom. Everyone was alright though!

As a bonus from work I received a gift card so how did I spend it? Making dinner for 8 people 6 of whom live there already so it wasn't much of a stretch. T was home for the night and desperately wanting food that didn't contain Beaners and Wiens as she so innocently put it but me and Lo almost died laughing and forever now Beans and Wieners will never be the same. I love having her home and in a good head space. We used to be a household that had Sunday dinners every week with friends and I miss that too. I miss them, some more than others as the people we knew have drifted away over the years but maybe it's a sign to have that weekly thing come back.

Now my posts for the next 6 weeks will probably be sporadic since work will take up alot of my brain along with attempting to de-clutter my house. You know the problem with cleaning things out to get rid of them? Letting go of the things you feel obligated to keep. First my living room looks like a bomb hit it because for everything I take out and recycle, throw out or choose to donate, the pile on my couch gets bigger. What do you keep and what should go?

I guess though that if this is the year to Go Big then I should just tank it all, right?...oh boy...we'll see how that goes.

Ok guys, have a good week. I'll try to stay in touch!

See Ya.
S

And So It Begins...

Welcome to the New Year Lovelies!

    I hope your New Years was all you wanted it to be. I ended up ringing in the new year with my little Peanut and Sese. Ok P almost made it to midnight at about 11:45 he finally fell asleep so I rang it in with Sese and her online friends who since they were in Ohio and Massachusetts they had theirs before us. I attempted to watch 3 different movies but little man was having none of that so we watched the Croods...what a bizarre movie...that he didn't watch for more than 20 mins because he was having too much fun being the tiny human wrecking ball.

    I got calls from the kids periodically throughout the night from a party they were at and I have to say you guys are ridiculous but highly funny in your need to share with me what was going on for you even when it involves things that confuse me and make no sense. Feeling the love kiddies!

    Vancouver finally put on a New Years celebration on the waterfront so I got to watch a countdown that wasn't taped 3 hrs prior to ours. Now as much as I love my West Coast  home I think the only place I would go to ring in the New Year in frigid temps would be New York just to be in Times Square as the ball dropped and the confetti was free to fly. That would be something to see.

    Now that we're in the new year...what next? We are 4 days in to 2016 and although nothing has changed it feels like everything has changed. The way I'm thinking going into few months (besides the urge to jump out the window because RRSP season is starting) is going to be more about what I need to be a functioning, well rounded happy...mostly happy person.

    By the end of the 2015 I had read 53 books and had posted various things about my shock at that achievement for me. I didn't even realize it was an achievement I was only keeping track of what I had read and then someone asked my why I don't review the books I've read.

    Simple...I am not a reviewer on that level or any level. I mean sure I have mentioned books that I've liked or not ( Wolf Gift ) but I'm not sure that is in my realm of well anything really. If I like something I really like it. I'll tweet and message the authors when I fall in love with a book or series and I know they probably don't even see it except for JR Ward and Kim Harrison who responded and made me a very happy girl. Anyway...where was I? Oh ya I don't think I'm qualified to voice my opinion in that format. Does that make sense? My goal this year though is too finish writing my own book and read those that have been suggested to me by other authors and push my own boundaries.

And they will be pushed, pushed and pushed again I'm sure. so if you have any thoughts or suggestions of a good read or 3 let me know!

    So after seeing our first snow fall here that will be all washed away tomorrow I'm full of energy and hope that this will be a great year...as long as I survive RRSP season without injury, jail time or being committed to a facility after having a breakdown.
I kid...sort of.

Some revamping will be happening as I change everything for a fresh look that will occur periodically throughout the month and I'm sure after that I'll look a little like this...

Ok guys, off I go.

Have a great week

See Ya
S

   

More Than I Expected...

Hello Lovelies,

It's a short one today but here none the less.

I hope your holidays were everything you wanted them to be and if not then I hope it's better the next time around.

The city is light today lacking bodies and traffic so it's eerily quiet. The office is cold because the building shuts off the heat during the weekends and holidays but we have a heater on to toast things up in here. Seeing as I was almost 45 mins early for work today it's nice and quiet for me to get this out in time for you to wake up or in some places you're just getting home and settling in for the evening.

Christmas was more than I expected this year, even though I was an adult ( for most of it ) I almost felt the child I used to be way...way back when. Not for the excitement of the gifts but for feeling complete in family. I saw some that I hadn't seen or heard from in many years. There was the one that practically had to be dragged out of bed and nagged until he showed up ( but that's a normal thing ), a wayward pup back home for a few days so much more that filled me with reinforcement of appreciation for the people in my life.

That and the fact that almost every gift I gave made them happy! I mean visibly happy and ripping them open with smiles, hugs and exclamations of sheer joy. Except for ass dragger who waited until I left the room to open them so I never got to even see a reaction...jerk.

Way to take away a girls sense of accomplishment.

A bonus..I wasn't hung over this year so all food consuming and cooking went off without the need to throw up and that was outstanding! It's over though all that time and energy and STRESS and it's over for one more year.

Thank goodness.

So we all know how much I love New Years even if I'm on my couch watching cheesy 80's videos or bad B rated movies but my only resolution this new year is to get my shit together and make next year better than the last one. My year wasn't bad, I did things, I changed things and I rolled with it all.

Next year...is wide open.

Have a great week guys.

Happy New Year!

See Ya

S

It's Over For Another Year.

Good Morning Lovelies!

Well I'm here a day or two late but still made it!

 I got distracted on Monday as Blondunicorn was pelting me with pics of Supernaturals most prized possession the Impala as they film behind us. My excitement was shown is extreme CAPS lock because you know if the car is there then one or both of the boys will be there. I guess they're not really boys right ?

Anyway I was distracted! I hope your Halloween was safe, fun and full of some kind of sugary goodness. I kind of miss that about my kids being all grown up except that I'm completely ok with not having to go trick or treating in the pouring rain so that I can raid my girls candy stash. I raided the stash at work though only to have for the first time in the 5 years we've lived where we are have more kids than we ever had show up. Usually there are none...wait last year I think we had a little princess. Every year I would buy candy and no one would come so I give it to my crew to eat but this year i bought none and had to give away my stash from work, go figure.

 Sadly you did not see my costume post because...there is no because I completely slacked letting other things get in the way but what's done is done.

Our Annual Halloween party went off without a hitch and the costumes were awesome.
You guys that already saw them on my Facebook...too bad look again!


These are the ones that won special prizes for their imagination and work that are being custom made for you.

Meet French KISS and the baguettes

photo courtesy of Megan Buzzard

From left to right meet Allan, Bean, Marvin ( whose real name is Armin but when he was introduced to us a few years ago we were drunk and Marvin he is now forever. ) and Handsome Dan. I love this photo so much it's the Wallpaper on my work computer!

A 24 hr work of art for this Naruto costume.

Good job Steven and it only took about 4 hrs and lots of ow's to get his hair to stand up like that and there are really so many uses for duct tape! You will be an awesome Cosplayer.

Blondunicorn did it with flair as a gypsy.

Now that Halloween is over, Bean is gearing up for the next holiday complete with sparkly and shiny things. After Remembrance Day I'm going to try and not hate the season so much and ease into it with preparedness and relative calm...

Who am I kidding?

If that happens someone needs to make me an award.

So have a great week!

See Ya
S

Heart-wrenching and Heart Warming

Happy Monday!

Who am I kidding? I just can't get it together today but it is Monday so I'll conveniently blame that.

Warning...if you watch The Walking Dead and have not seen last night's episode there are spoilers below.

If you don't watch it...what is wrong with you!

Tough thing the Heart.

It takes so much abuse and is still the thing we have to contend with the most unless you have no conscience. Let's start with Heart-wrenching.

Well after having me scream at my TV last night while watching The Walking Dead I had to sit back down and say hmm... and then get told by Sese and Allan that read the comic books at 2 separate times that this had to happen. I don't know how many of you watch the show and have from the beginning but it is one of the most emotionally intense shows pretty much ever. I know there have been others but very few have that fully engaging aura that in a lot of cases makes you feel like you are actually there with them. I thought that when Hershel died it was tough and even Lori because it was such a sad sequence of events, Beth...ruined me too but Glenn... completely devastated me and felt so senseless at the same time! Nicholas really just finally succeeded in killing Glenn  (maybe) by snapping and turning a gun on himself just to have his dead weight body fall on Glenn and tip him over the edge and even though in my heart of hearts I am still hoping that those intestines were not Glenn's being consumed... he would not have made it out of that horde.

As The Talking Dead pointed out something I would not have noticed until I re-watched all of the seasons was when Glenn was telling Rick his plan he called him "Dumbass" which was what he called him the first time he spoke to him in Season 1 when Rick was trapped in the tank.

Full circle? I hope not but none the less it could be.

I do have to say I'm glad it wasn't comic book Glen's death because I might have broken something. Now Glen wasn't the only thing about the episode that had me on the edge of my seat. Rick running for the RV and what happened in the RV was crazy and you could see crazy on Rick's face. Is it time for his hand? Is it? We'll see after he makes it out of the horde he's surrounded by because after Glen...Rick will make it. Now with that being said we have no concrete evidence that Glenn is dead and every part of me hopes he can miraculously make it out and back t a waiting Maggie who has had her father and her sister taken from her. Hmm...both of them were taken from her by people not Walkers when you think about it.

 Can I say that I feel like Darryl is underused right now and at what point did Morgan break off from them and go back to Alexandria during the Wolves attack? Next weeks episode is 90 mins and we'll finally get to see what Morgan has been through.

I can only hope to be able to write things as powerful as some of the things I have seen in the past and  now. That is a goal I strive to someday achieve.

Heart Warming time!

Ok so besides the shock of the week this past Sat we had Parker help out for his first Pumpkin Carving session or more for him his pumpkin colouring session. After I made sure his father stripped him down out of his brand new Spiderman PJ's, Peanut took a seat at the big table in the kitchen and eyed the 5 pumpkins in front of his big brown eyes he picked his pumpkin out and while Craig started the process of carving his pumpkin for him, P choose to colour mine instead and that was ok he's 2 1/2 so his way works and also funny as he tried to eat pumpkin guts and then put them back into my pumpkin while we were trying to get them out. Bean and Allan worked meticulously on theirs and Bean's turned out to be the most vicious looking one out of all of them. He was gross and sticky and it was awesome! Blondunicron held the speed record for carving as she was in, out and done in no time at all. So fun I was pleasantly tired afterwards!

Photo courtesy of Blondunicorn 


Since mine was covered in Crayon it was carved later and placed with the rest but the gang did a good job!

 I swear I'm going to get my costume post out before Halloween!

Have a great week!

See Ya
S

Where There Is Smoke There's Fire and a Pimp Bitch.

Hello Lovelies!

Well today's post comes to you from between half closed eyes as the smoke from various forest fires is temporarily settling on the city. Sunday morning as I opened my front door I smelled smoke and could see the haze and wondered where it was from. After about an hour we had heard that on of the High Schools in Maple Ridge had caught fire and that it was probably the cause...we were wrong. We have such sever water restrictions here right now that even numbered houses can only water on Mondays between 4am and 9am and odd numbered houses can only water on Thursdays.

They said on Sunday that there were about 79 forest fires burning in BC and as of this morning the count was at 182 the closest ones to us being 2 on Burnaby Mountain and Pemberton was on fire as well with the smoke is funneling down to us. We also have smoke coming up from Washington and I truly don't think I've seen it this bad before. Our house topped out at 34 degrees...in the house and I now know what a Vampire feels like when it steps out into the sun and instantly feel the sizzle on the skin. So with that it was a long and hot weekend.

The highlight of the weekend was playing Never Have I Ever...with the girls of the house, oh and Allan the poor guy although in hindsight I think we all agree that that's a game parents should never play with their children no matter how close they are because we find out things about each other that we wish we didn't know but it was fun and we laughed and that kind of time with them is always the best. We had friends come in from Alberta and all they wanted to do was find a Lake...you're in BC now take your pick!

With the talk of rain around the corner and I can't wait! As long as it's not the, let's drizzle for 5 mins and stop for an hour and then do it again type rain. We just need even if it's overnight a nice summer downpour to soak everything and help put out the blazes. So with that said I hope that the people that have been evacuated can go back soon...if they haven't already.

This leads me to a tiny rant I have that has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the topic above.

My daughter that I spoke about previously and her interest in Social Media Marketing quit her job at the Matchmaking Office yesterday because her boss was was going to cut her hours to 2 days a week, 2 hrs per day and was yelling at her ( which she normally does ) Bitchface ( sorry for my language I will no doubt be using ) told her that basically she too nice and that a failure in parenting was at fault, that because we don't own a house that was our downfall in her raising.

Fuck...You...

 First off she knows nothing of what any of us had to go through just to raise them. It was not an easy ride and the kids took it in stride and we did the best we could at the time with what we had just like millions of other family's. After I calmed down because I wanted to leave work, go to her office and grab her by the throat for the things she said to her I realized that my girl is the bigger person. She doesn't force people into taking something they don't want and actually has compassion for people. Well stop the presses we taught her to CARE! OMG we are horrible people!

Bean can hold her own and says what's on her mind just because she doesn't belittle people all the time, she shouldn't be classified as weak. She loved her job and is devastated that she had to let it go especially after all of the work she did to build up their online image that was non existent until Bean got a hold of it. So Fuck you Pimp Bitch! I'm glad she left your toxic environment and I hope she sees you in the future successful and proud after surviving your relentless verbal torture.

Me on the other hand?... I'm not as nice as my kid, she wouldn't like me when I'm angry...no one else does.

So back to smiles! I am shifting gears and off to do the things that make me happy and smile! Oh wait I'll be working on stuff that doesn't make me smile but that's ok I'll smile despite it because I'm proud of the things my kid accomplished in a short period of time.

Have a great week!
See Ya!
S