Big Lumps and Chicken Nuggets

Hello Followers, forgive me for I have sinned....It has been 8 months since my last post because I am too lazy, have had a lot of shit to deal with and well, Facebook allows me to write tidbits each day and I haven't found the time nor energy to put something creative on paper!  There is my apology, but I really do hope to return to my beloved blog.

This past week at work a few of us were chatting about a few of my earlier blogs - you know, the ones when I was entering the scary world of parenthood and Code Brown and Poop were the topics of the day, followed by my obsession with Spanx and new adventures.  We found ourselves laughing to the point of tears coming down our cheeks as we recounted some of my experiences and when we tried to read them, well, it just lead to more laughter - a lovely break from the work day and a few funny memories for sure.  I highly recommend all my new mom friends (or those expecting) to take a peak, I certainly didn't hold anything back!

Greta is now a month in to her 3rd year and what a ride we are on.  I certainly can say she was an excellent 2 year old, I waited each day for the "terrible two's to hit", but they really didn't.  No embarrassing breakdowns at a public event or grocery store, no dreadful behavior issues at home or the sitter, she really was quite remarkable..but then 3 hit...and she has shown us that she was just storing up her little attitude and defiance.  While I am told quite often what I am experiencing is nothing, it has been quite the surprise for me.  She has a few little quirks, but an opinion comes along with these quirks.  She is in a dress phase, all outfits worn are dresses or long enough shirts that I can pull off as dresses, she is very particular on her hair style - pony tail, braid, pretty bow, etc, she has a few favorite shoes and all the others are pushed to the side, while I am loving the dress phase and my girly-girl, it is getting pricey trying to keep up (only because I have a shopping habit and want to ensure she doesn't have to repeat an outfit in the same 2 week cycle)... of course, the fact that she wants to wear a dress every day is not an issue, the fact that she refuses to wear particular ones when we are already running late to get to work is.  Despite picking out outfits the night before, she has had a few mornings where nothing would do, 5 outfits later, I was exhausted and she was in tears!  Then comes the mornings when she wants pancakes, then stares at them, refuses to eat and then says she wants a bagel or toast. 

She is quite comical and her quote jar is filling up with lots of comments she makes each day.  One that inspired todays Blog Title is the issue of "Big Lumps".  Greta has become obsessed with boobs!  While I am not particularly "small" in the chest area, I am a far way from Dolly Parton and my little gal is wishfully hoping for "big lumps like Mommy".  While it is somewhat funny to hear this at home, imagine my horror when it happened in public.

While at the Superstore (grocery store for those away), we were walking down the baking food aisle to get a few ingredients I needed to make jam.  She leaned out to hug me in this crowded aisle and instead of wrapping her arms around my waist, she grabbed my chest.  I looked both ways in horror thinking of my lord, who in this busy aisle just saw my almost 3 year old grab my chest, I gently (with a tad bit of force) put her arms together as I told her not to do that, I did say Please, but she was not fond of my stern voice.  She then said (to the delight of many around us), "Mommy, I have small lumps, I wish I had big lumps like you".  Let me die, right here by the sugar!  I am sure I turned beat red, my reaction started to upset her, but as I looked around, there was no denying that everyone in the aisle just heard my child wish for "big lumps like Mommy".  The sweet lady beside me looked sympathetic and tried her best to hold in laughter, but did not succeed, I think she actually spit when she started to laugh, however it was the middle aged man next to me who was having the most uncomfortable experience, I swear he was trying to look at my eyes, but it didn't work, he was definitely checking out my chest!  Alas, I quickly left the aisle and sadly, forgot the only ingredient I really needed - the damn sugar for my jam.  SIGH.  Of course, when I ask where she heard such a thing as big lumps, she blames her father, he denies it!

So, I cannot deny, the child is full of comic relief.  She has been having a tough time with my illness and the amount of Dr appts and hospital visits I have, it is hard to shelter a little one when much of my life revolves around the medical community.  She made the trek to Halifax with us and my Mother when I went to meet with the liver transplant team in Halifax.  We try to make the best of the time and try our best to make any appts she is aware of more fun, but there are times that Mommy is just not feeling well and can't always be around.  Sadly, I think our poor little girl started to worry alot, worried I would be going away and not coming back, or worried that I was too sick and wouldn't get better, I have been extremely cautious lately to not talk about medicines or Drs, etc.  This said, she did attend my specialist appt with me today and my Dr was so sweet to her, they are always asking about her so I was happy I could take her with me, she knew he was trying to get Mommy better and he actually focussed on her the entire visit, she thought it was a great place, which I am happy about.

Now of course, the above is just one thing I may not have approached in the best manner, this parenting thing really doesn't come with an instruction book, and it is rather exhausting at times.  I have done many, many things I really didn't think I would, not because I thought I could be Super Mom and follow some perfect parent rule book, but I thought at least I would be somewhere in the middle of the pack of Mom's, you know, feed them, keep them alive, make sure they look presentable in public...but alas being a Super Mom is tough (hell, who am I kidding, I really never tried to be a Super Mom, I think they are freaks - if you are a Super Mom, take a break, your kid and my kid will be in the same school, learn from the same teachers and who knows mine may go to the head of the class and not revolt when they are older, yours may!!!)

Anyway, here are my confessions of the failed Super Mom persona:

• I am no Super Mom
• The TV is on all the time - while she does stop here and there to watch it, she isn't in front of it all the time, but she could be
• My 3 year old plays on the iPad every night before bed, sometimes a virtual book, other times a game and many nights about 15 minutes of a Disney movie before she falls asleep
• She drinks juice  - almost every day
• While she is a great eater and loves broccoli and eats a fruit plate each day, she equally loves Chicken Nugget Happy Meals, Cheese Whiz Sandwiches, Bologna, cheese and crackers, KD and a lot of other crappy food that we give in to
• She is spoiled - completely, utterly, spoiled...and sadly, it is not because she has ever asked for a thing - rather, I am the culprit and love to buy things I think she will like - I have a problem.  If I think she is sad, I go to the closet where I store gifts and give her one...it is a problem!  
• I don't care that she is spoiled because she is thoughtful and thankful and polite and sweet, and I may not be around to see her grow up so I am going to spoil her all I want !
• The child has more clothes than I do - and that is saying a lot. 
• I have to admit that I have informed her that Santa has been on vacation on PEI and is watching - it has helped on a few occasions!  
• I love Elf on the Shelf and I may become one of those freaks who do all the crazy things! I think it is a great concept - time consuming for sure, but I think I will get great enjoyment out of him this year
• I do think she is one of the cutest kids out there !
• Having a kid of my own didn't make me love other kids, some are cute, but within reason, Reason being cute with there own mama's, I'm not ready for drop your kids off for a day/night...granted, if someone wants mine, wow, I would love it, but I can't do the same!  Total one sided favour!
• I am ending this blog to ruin my brain cells to watch the Finale of the Bachelorette!  Not even going to spell check as it is coming on in one minute and I need to get a drink and some ketchup chips!
• Toodles!  Hope I will be back soon!

Christmas - a year in review "newsletter style"

Greetings readers...

I have thought for years I should write a Christmas Newsletter, but quite frankly, I’m at my most creative and inspired when I’m pondering life, future circumstances and venting on my blog (which sadly, has only been updated twice this year) - so, that either means I don’t have an ounce of creativity left in me or no time to sit and write, as I know the year was full of things to vent and chat about!  But, since we turned down repeated requests for interviews from People Magazine and the National Enquirer, we are going to share the exclusive of our rollercoaster year with you, in the Edgett-Gallant Newsletter.

Since it is the holiday season, it does seem fitting to mention that we have not been invited to one holiday party, come to think of it, we rarely get an invite to do anything.  We are starting to wonder if people think we are contagious, it’s not like we have much of a life – we are free –  have to admit we do watch the clock and can barely stay up until 10pm, but that is a minor detail.  
I promise, this won’t be an annual family newsletter that will be full of kid tidbits and phenomenal accomplishments experienced throughout the year…no…I recognize no one really wants to read that and I actually just chuckled typing “phenomenal accomplishments” as besides miraculously keeping a fish alive for the past 3 months, I wouldn’t have much more to brag about.  Sure we have an adorable little girl, who is smart as a cookie (are cookies really smart – what a silly saying), but she is, the child is brilliant, but that is all, no more bragging…I mean, she is beautiful too and is going to have amazing hair and long eyelashes, but that is all.  Well, maybe the fact that she is obsessed with letters and can spell her name already is worth mentioning…but that is it…oh maybe one more thing, this one is really impressive she thus far has not turned on the little bully at her gymnastics class – although I’m considering giving her pointers on how to knock the little brat to the floor!
So my goal is not to bore you but rather compose a newsletter worthy of your time ... the struggle is “what to highlight”.

Highlights of 2012•    We are all alive – you may think this isn’t too hard to accomplish, but let me tell you, between Darren defrosting meat all day on the cupboard (how he hasn’t become ill from salmonella poisoning remains a mystery), and well, I am just an unhealthy creature, being alive is pretty impressive.  And while many doubted my ability to keep a child alive (I admit, I was the biggest skeptic), we have managed to do remarkably well with Greta – we have remembered to feed her each day, neither of us has forgotten her in the house and we have never left her accidentally out in public. Now, I admit, we have to do better with teeth brushing, you wouldn’t think this task would be hard to remember…but our goal for 2013 is to ensure she doesn’t have tons of cavities.
•    Greatest thing happened this year – Canadians can now take $800 across the border without having to pay duty – you may not think this is big – but it has greatly reduced what I owe at the border!
•    We didn't lose any money in the stock market – not hard since we didn’t have any money to put in to the stock market – I’ll blame my shopping habits and Greta’s wardrobe.
•    We had a lovely trip to New Hampshire planned for our anniversary – full of shopping, relaxation and the White Mountains – alas, two days before our trip Darren realized his passport was expired – he is alive – that is the highlight!!!
•    The animals both remained rather healthy – believe me, after the 2010-2011 Vet Bills this is definitely big news.  I could have paid for Greta’s first year of university with that money – granted, she is so smart, we are sure she’ll get a scholarship!!! 
•    I managed to read 3 books - the 50 Shades of Grey series.  I may have to read them again in 2013.  Impressive, not the fact that I read, but the books!
•    I survived a week in the hospital in October, after pancreatitis, crohns and liver disease struck me down - how is that for a downer line.  The good news is, I survived, the nurses who missed my veins every time they needed to give me a needle survived and my bad behavior while in the hospital did not get me kicked out. 

So, that is a few highlights to catch you up on our year.  As we embark on the holidays, we are trying to keep up with Greta’s wish list, amazing at two years old that she can tell us all the things she “needs” from the Sears Wish Book - my goal now is to not have her change her mind daily on what Santa is going to bring.  We are confident it will be a very fun and exciting Christmas for her and I hope the same for you and your loved ones.

We wish you good health and happiness this holiday season and plenty of time to do what is important to you in the coming year.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours,

Gail, Darren and Greta Claire
Scarlet & Casanova
   

Toddlers, they just keep going and going and going

Shame, shame, shame....I know it has been a very long time since I graced the Internet with a blog post. No great excuses, just laziness mixed with a lack of creativity and perhaps a touch of exhaustion. But, I'm back and tonight I have so many thoughts for a blog post that I may actually be able to, do I dare say, commit to writing more regularly again. With so much in my brain, I am afraid this may be a jumbled mess of words and thoughts, so hold on, you may be in for a bumpy reading experience!

The last three months in review:

Since I haven't written since Mid January, I will spare you the full social calendar of the past few months...ha, that is almost funny...the reason I can spare you is - there is no social calendar. My big outings are usually to the grocery store, I even dress up, fix up the make up, pretend I'm actually going somewhere exciting! But here is a few highlights of the past three months:

- My last blog post was to share the good news that I was cancer free after a very, very scary experience with Dr's and the mammogram machine, just a little scare, but one that is now behind me. I still had to meet with the surgeon, which I did two weeks ago, and all was confirmed as fine, so hopefully I won't have to face the machine again until the regular scheduled time that comes with age...which, low and behold is just 2 years away. It was quite funny however, as the surgeon asked, "despite this scare", would I consider myself otherwise healthy. I said NO. He then asked me to explain. So, I do what all people with multiple illness should do - I pulled out my full paged typed list and handed it to him. He was a bit taken aback, as I said in a smart ass way, "do you need anything further". He chuckled! I can never tell from Dr's when they see my list if they are thinking, poor you because I have so much to deal with, or poor you because I have something they know nothing about and don't know what to say to me. To add to the irony, I met the surgeon at the hospital in the outpatient clinic which is the old ER and ironically, I was brought to the exact same room I was in when I found out I was pregnant. I promise, I was much more well behaved at this appt than I was 2 years ago when I told the ER Dr he didn't know how to read a pregnancy test and he was incompetent. I felt an overwhelming need to go find the ER Dr's and apologize and tell them that I am a good mother and that my child survived, as I am sure that day the ER Dr confirmed I was pregnant he had his doubts... All this to say, it was kind of strange lying in the bed, in that room, and thinking back to the day my life changed forever and being there again, realizing that my life could have changed yet again if that mammogram wasn't positive.

- At the beginning of the month I said goodbye to another year as I continue my climb to 40...

- I also managed to spend a small little fortune in my favorite place, the great USA and specifically Maine and New Hampshire. I must say, this was not a planned trip, I actually told many it was an impossible trip as I owe lots if taxes (thanks to the maternity leave top up from last year), but, within a matter of 20 minutes, someone twisted my rubber arm and a trip was booked. Thanks Lisa! The great news, I had a few nights of amazing sleep, had others wait on me, did what I do best - shop and find bargains, and was able to buy lots of fun things for my favorite holiday - Easter!

- What a great holiday (and when I say holiday, I'm meaning more the Easter Bunny and candy, compared to the religious holiday). I have always loved Easter, maybe because my birthday was always around the holiday, but I really do love spring, I love the flowers, the baby animals and birds, the colors, especially the day when you finally notice the first buds on the trees and I really do like Easter decorations. So, what does someone do who loves Easter...they shop like it's Christmas. I may have gone a tad overboard, I never had to buy for a kid at Easter and there were so many nice and fun things to buy and with my eye for a bargain and a great USA deal, I just kept buying and buying and buying. Greta I think really enjoyed my efforts and at the end of the day, that is the fun part, she loved searching for eggs that the Easter Bunny left, and every morning leading up to Easter she would look at the Easter Tree (yes, I had an Easter Tree) and all the bunnies that were on display in the house and said, "there are the eggs and there are the bunnies" as she pointed / and or patted the items. Sadly, now that they are back in storage, she asks daily "where did they go", but soon enough, another holiday will be upon us to decorate for. Mom and Haley joined us for Easter, and she had a great time playing with her big cousin and thankfully cooperated so well during a photo session.

- And, finally, to top off this update on the past 3 months, can't go without saying something about work. The 2012 Budget, which was read while I was in the USA had a few eye openers, my personal favorite, was the increase to $800 that Canadians can bring back after shopping in the USA, just wish it had started April 1st and not June 1st. Unfortunately however the budget brought about confirmation that the public service will become smaller. While I don't think I have ever once blogged about where I work, I am a public servant, and worked hard to become one. When I worked for the provincial government, my goal was to move to the Federal System, it took attempts at applying online, and never even getting screened in, then numerous exams, and then interviews but my goal became a reality and once in to the system, I often joked that I was going to be a full time job applicant until I found the job that suited me best...and that also became reality. I dare say I studied more for internal job competitions than I did in 6 years of post secondary education. I have been fortunate to represent young public servants both on the provincial stage and the national stage and have always taken great offense to the public perception that government workers and lazy, under-skilled and under-worked, I will have to dedicate a blog just to this topic, but for now, I can say I appreciate those who support public servants and the difficult months and years ahead. While I was not directly affected and for now my position is safe, I know that is not the case for many of my peers who I have had the opportunity to work with, both on committees, or who I met at conferences or within my own Department, it is definitely a sad time ahead.

Okay, that is the last 3 months in review...now, lets see about Miss Greta and life as we now know it. Greta doesn't shut up...the child talks non stop, in the car, at a store. The only time she is quiet is when others come to the house, granted, once she gets over the shyness, look out. Her day is filled with, what's that, where did they go, who is that, where, what, when, why....this world of discovery is so interesting, yet so very, very exhausting. I was trying to visit a friend 2 weeks ago, and I couldn't get a word in, "Mommy, where did the kitty go", over and over and over. We play teacher / student quite a bit, she is a smart little gal and I am shocked at how many things she knows. I thank Barney (yes the purple dinosaur) and Sesame Street for a great deal of her learning, but she loves queue cards and picture books and is a quick study. While her "animal sounds" have been perfected for quite some time, her latest responses include music. We seem to look at animal pics quite often and lately, instead of saying an animal sound, she'll break out in to the song...looking at a mouse - she sings Hickory Dickory Dock, the mouse went up the clock (okay, not that clear, but I know what she is singing), Ducks - instead of quack, quack, is, Do what the Duckies do, and my all time favorite...if you ask her what a monkey says, she starts up with a Wiggles Song, Ya, ya, ya, Monkey Man. She is quite amusing and a great entertainer.

Which brings me, finally, to a few thoughts. Seeing an old friend this evening, we were talking about change, and friends and life, and how things and people change over time. She is soon going to start planning for a wedding, and believe me, I was in no position to give advice on weddings, as many know I skipped out on that phase of life and planning and eloped, but I did so to avoid the expectations and opinions of how a wedding should be, who should be invited, who shouldn't be invited, who to please, who would feel left out, etc, etc, etc...my only advice was, think of who you really want to be there, then think - do you think those people truly will be around in 2 years time, 5 years time, etc. That is hard to imagine, as lord knows, I never could have envisioned this past 2 years of my life, and that social calendar being so very, very empty from adult activities and now replaced with spending time with a toddler...so here is my take on the THEN AND NOW:

Then: I really loved Jello shots and would have them stuck to the floor after a party (even the walls).

Now: I have bought animal molds to make Jello shapes for Greta and pray she doesn't throw them on the floor.

Then: 12:30, awesome, the late night shows are about to start, wonder who is on Leno?

Now: OMG! It is 9:00, I don't think I can stay up much longer. I'll PVR the shows and watch them in my spare time (aka, I'll delete them when the PVR is filled to the max without watching them)

Then: Weekends were full of fun, friends, dorm parties and drinks, followed by sleeping in until noon.

Now: Saturday means I sleep in, hopefully until 9:30, no parties, no drinks, just exhaustion.

Then: I enjoyed daytime TV soaps - Days of Our Lives was a must - mindless TV with love triangles, affairs and rivals.

Now: I enjoy daytime TV dramas like Wonder Pets, what a great trio, "What's going to work, Team Work". " Wonder Pets, Wonder Pets, We are on our way, to help a baby animal and save the day".... Song and drama - and suspense, it's perfect.

Then: A spontaneous trip to the mall involved getting dressed, looking presentable and grab the purse.

Now: A spontaneous trip to the mall now involves a two hour prep, get ready, get Greta ready, pack snacks, drinks, Barney, the Doll, books to keep her entertained, diaper bag for the car - just in case, head to the truck only to realize I forgot my own purse... the malls really should get online and deliver to my door...

Then: Friends called to chat and asked about life, work, love. Would chat for hours.

Now: On a rare occasion may get an email and not sure why we all have phones as no one uses them anymore. And of course, if someone ever did think about calling, better be before 8:30, as I will likely not answer after this time due to being in bed.


Then: Enjoyed a good movie.

Now: Good video is one of 20 Barney video's that make Greta happy.


Then: Facial every month.

Now: Needed the uplift and old age facial because my skin was old and dull.


Then: Looked forward to having a night at home on a weekend as the social calendar was so full it was rare to just sit and relax.

Now: Social calendar - ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha...oh yes, and Babysitters cost a lot, can't afford much of a social calendar even if there were options.

So, that is life, then and now. And I must say, the now is pretty Super-dee-duper!

Toodles.

Rite of Passage....to Squishville

Well, I have contemplated writing this blog post, then decided against it, but then I thought...maybe I should, it will be my public service announcement of 2012, maybe it will somehow help many to follow in my footsteps, maybe it will let others have a better understanding of something I never hear anyone talk about. So, here is my journey - to the Mammogram machine, aka Squishville!!! Warning - this will cause you to wince in pain, cringe a little, and maybe even gasp - so men - stop reading, you won't be able to handle it!

Now, despite having an 18 month old (wow, can you believe, 18 months - actually, in 5 more days it will be 19 months), I can't really say her arrival was painful. I had a planned c-section...no pain, no discomfort, operating room, and 16 minutes later had a baby - so maybe I won't be able to say I "experienced child birth", I think, despite having a not so pleasant recovery, it was a walk in the park....of course, I truly believe I have the most amazing pain tolerance of anyone I know. Kidney stone and liver biopsy - now they hurt... But I really can handle pain. But, let me take you back a few weeks and we'll get this story started....

After getting "freaked out", almost obsessive and having experienced quite unbearable pain (which see above - I usually can handle), I broke down and called the Dr. Of course, by the time I made the call to the Dr I had of course diagnosed myself.... Dr Google is never wrong, so I truly was convinced my fear of cancer had finally caught up with me. I was a mess - every spare moment was spent on a medical site. Thankfully, with my other medical issues, mixed with meds that have dreadful side effects, I was able to get in to my Dr within 24 hours of my call. And then things moved quick. I heard the word mammogram, will happen fast, will make a referral to a specialist...and ummm, I think that was all I heard. Despite being Dr Google, I don't know if I actually thought I would get booked for a mammogram and definitely not quickly...I thought woman were waiting months. Anyway, next business day, I receive the call, the following day I'm on my way to the hospital and off to this rite of passage that I guess woman must take - but I am still a little ways from that magic age (okay, so the age is creeping up quick, but still, I'm not 40 yet).

And here is where the Squishville story really begins - my guide to the mammogram for all the newbies out there who have yet to experience this great little adventure.

After navigating through the new hospital lobby - which was extremely long I must say, I follow the pink tape in the radiology department towards the mammo waiting room. The sweetest volunteer is there to greet me, along with two other ladies all dressed in their gowns waiting for their punishment, whoops, I mean test. The ladies are looking, dare I say judging, sure they appear to be double my age, I think they are checking me out, thankfully the volunteer calls me and sends me to the changing room. Now, this changing room is small, if I were any bigger I would have to walk in side ways, lean up against the wall to be able to shut the door...but I get in to the small broom closet they say is a changing room and am given the instructions to put the gown on, open in the front please!!! I ask for a housecoat...there are none! I am them asked to return to the waiting room. As I sit down on the couch (it really is a cozy little room), another lady comes in, and now I'm the one judging. She is dressed in a fur coat, the brightest red lipstick I have ever seen and talking a mile a minute, and all I keep thinking is - you are wearing a dress...for a mammogram... you can leave your "pants" on and this lady is wearing a dress, which means her chest is going to be exposed and she has no pants on - anyway, it took my mind off what was coming next...they are just needing your "upper parts" to be on display, but I can't get over, someone who no doubt has had regular mammograms (again, judging by age) came to a booked mammogram in a dress...obviously she doesn't have body image issues like I. I like to be covered!

Anyway, after a few questions, I am taken to the room...and there it is - the Squishville machine, the star attraction. I must say, the captain of this machine was a sweet nurse, she was kind, matter of fact and made the entire uncomfortable experience seem so routine and like it was nothing that it did bring some calm over me...but...let me give you a little play by play.

This sweet nurse is too cheerful, she is bubbly and explaining what will be happening to me and my dignity. I remember quite well checking my dignity at the door when I had Greta, but this was a different feeling...definitely a check the dignity at the door, but then I think - this woman moves peoples breasts around all day, 8 hours a day, pushing, squeezing, pinching and squishing breasts...Anyway, what happens next is not at all what I'm expecting. I never expected anything so positively funny in all my life!

I have to stand on a line on the floor, put one of the "girls/puppies, B cups", whatever you want to call them, on a glass plate (or maybe, it was plastic), then lean into it, while the sweet little nurse starts pushing, positioning you, moving your shoulders, tell you to move this way,then back, then up, there are foot pedals on the floor that she moves the Squishville machine with and sweetly again, tells me she needs me to get in to the machine as much as possible. Believe me, I was in the machine, I was starting to think they wanted pics of my liver not my chest. Then as I am standing pretty much on one foot and being told to breathe normally the other plate starts moving down, and down, and down...a let out a little gasp, followed by - are you kidding me! She then informs me there is a bar I can hold...a bar, at this point the only bar I'm thinking about is at a local pub with a fruity vodka filled drink. Of course, I'm trying to maintain an ounce of dignity and don't want to hold the bar because that means I won't be able to hold the tiny thread of fabric on the open gown I am wearing, my gown is slipping off my shoulder, and the machine is getting tighter...Breathe she says...then the picture is taken and I'm let go from the death grip... Phew - Okay, I say, that wasn't as bad as I thought, she said that is great, only 3 more pics to go!

You see, they'll want to look at your puppies/ girls, B cups, from the top, bottom and sides and all of this takes some interesting dance moves. As I am positioned again for other shots, I'm realizing the effort to hold this gown up isn't really worth it, pretty sure it fell completely off me come the 3rd photo. I am pretty sure the 4th picture actually lifted me off the ground, and the breathing normal - nah, I was wincing in pain...but the good news is, literally within minutes it is over with. Despite what I was anticipating, it really wasn't as painful as I expected, uncomfy yes, being pushed, positioned and lifted off of the floor, not a walk in the park, but worth it to find out what is going on.

Of course, then you wait for the results...which means someone like me comes home and starts to research again and start to think about my funeral, because I don't have a positive bone in my body when it comes to health matters. And I'm not thinking of any funeral, I want a NB style funeral on PEI...this line up thing is just odd, and name tags...nope, don't like that either. And I want flowers...lots of flowers...and I think I need a guest list, there are people I just don't think should be allowed to come to my funeral, so short of hiring bouncers, I think at least the guest list would control who was let in, and I was going to leave a list of who was to be kicked out. Then clothes...what would I do for Greta - was I going to have to buy a lifetime of clothes for her, prom dresses, jewelry, surely I would have to buy shoes for the next 18 years for her. And what would Darren do, would my pictures still me in the house, would Greta come look for me and just see my picture...ahhh, it was stressful.

But thankfully, my story has a good ending, in one week, I saw the Dr, was referred, bet the mammo machine and had a positive outcome. Phew. I know others are not so lucky and despite imaging for a full week what it would be like, I am sure you never could be prepared. So for now, thankfully I'll stick to my 3 diseases that cause me pain and agony, stress and anxiety, but that can somewhat be controlled...It could have always been worse.

So, that is the journey, if you are 40 and have yet to book your first visit to Squishville...make that call...it could very well save your life and you may even find it a tad funny...where else can you get a "massage", good conversation and a lift off the floor by your chest!

Toodles!

As the new year approaches

I can't even recall the last time I wrote something to the blog, it's not for the lack of activity or subject matter to write about, perhaps I could blame no time, or no energy, but the truth, I just didn't get around to it and don't really have a good excuse. Nonetheless, here I am, in bed at 10:10pm on a Friday night, the day before New Years Eve 2011. It has been a whirlwind year in many regards, I hardly remember the past year, I once again (just this evening) said goodbye to all the Xmas decor and the 4 large trees that were still on display in the house. So, the usual post Christmas blahs has set in when the house looks so bare, yet messy at the same time as I work to put things and furniture back to their proper location. Of course, in my pathetic attempt at "changing things up", I did switch a few pictures around, and may even push the envelope and move a chair to a new location, but for the most part - it looks the same.

I can't possibly give a full year recap, but here is a quick attempt:

January 2011 - On prednisone, puffy, bitter about being puffy, medical appts all the time, 7 month old who is cute as a button, yet we don't get out much - because I'm puffy. Big event however to talk about - Kitchen Reno was completed...thanks to a hospital stay and a little scare - I had a weak moment and Darren did as well and said that if I survived my December medical mishaps, that I was getting my new kitchen counters. Of course, I'm a sucker and was talked in to getting all new hardware, knobs, counter and special additions to those counters...and when I said talked in to - I really mean, they mentioned it and I said - that sounds great. This was also the month that I started to get deeper and deeper in to debt, that "talking in to scenario" was unfortunately a costly discussion!

February 2011 - My cute as a button little gal won a photo contest, to date, still one of my favorite pics. She won a $250 gift card for Toys R Us, that was gradually used to buy lots of fun goodies (and a few practical things too)

March 2011 - I honestly can't think of one thing for March, honestly - zip! Oh, it just came to me - after dreadful months of being drugged to control my liver disease, I am finally off prednisone - and tried out my first water pills (God bless water pills)

April 2011 - I'm getting old, I'm getting closer and closer to 40 and see why people have kids at a much younger age than we did - Greta is playing more, active and getting up and down from the floor is not as easy as it would have been when I was 20.

May 2011 - My last month of Mat leave, reality is sinking in that all the great plans I had for my year off - were not accomplished - You know, clean out the closets, clean out the bathroom cupboards, the junk drawer. Come to think of it (in hindsight), how did I not find time to do all that stuff - I mean, Greta did sleep, and I didn't take naps when she did, surely I could have been more organized.

June 2011 - I'm back to work at the end of May / first week of June, and it's strange, very, very strange. My work place is not as I had left it, nor are the people, the friends, the atmosphere, it seems like a foreign place, and although I'm "ready" to return to work and leave Greta (sadly, shall I admit, I didn't shed a tear nor call the sitter to check in, which I'm sure the good mothers have done), I am not really liking the return to work. Unfortunately, I can't figure out a way to get paid my full salary and stay home, while still sending Greta to the sitter - so I must work. Only takes a few days in to our new schedule for all of us to get sick - Greta had her first ER visit after getting sick non stop for half a night, the joy continued when Darren got sick and just as I was starting to chuckle at my good luck (which is rare, hence the reason it was worth the chuckle), I get the flu. The first time ever to have the stomach flu and I pray the last. It was awful. So, back to work a week, then have to take sick leave for half a week as I literally cannot get out of bed. Finally at the end of the month, Greta celebrates her first year on earth with a weekend of parties...a "little friends" party, a friends and Edgett Family party and then a Gallant family party. She was one spoiled little girl.

July 2011 - UMMM, can't think of anything for July - really, not a thing, couldn't have been too exciting!

August 2011 - Our first family vacation to New Hampshire, ahhhh, it didn't go as I had hoped, Greta does not prove to be a willing shopper, Darren had low expectations, but I was thinking she could keep up...so, a lot of driving, a lot of eating in the hotel rooms, and not so much shopping. Unfortunately, probably one of the most significant occurrences of 2011 we received a call when we were in North Conway, NH from home to inform us Mom had a heart attack and was in ICU. It was a very long drive home, but we made it to Moncton late in the evening. Thankfully, after surgery and a trip to the Saint John Heart Centre, she survived the ordeal, but an ordeal it certainly was.

September 2011 - It has been exhausting time, Mom, after getting home for a matter of days returns to the hospital via ambulance and I once again return to NB, again, good care is provided and she survives yet another ordeal. I literally leave the recovery room at the Moncton Hospital after seeing her "come to" and drive home to go to the Elton John concert - can you believe it - Elton John in Summerside, PEI. I did see him a few years ago, but it was a nice break from the hectic few weeks we all had. Darren was doing Daddy duty while I spent time in NB.

October 2011 - Great is a pink poodle and a yellow chick for Halloween, just too many cute costumes out there to just choose one! She made it to a few houses, but I realize the holiday was more of a photo op for me - next year I'm sure she'll be more in to it!

November 2011 - I returned for my annual Remembrance Weekend trip - this time - Greta free...spent way too much - the debt continues!

December 2011 - And here we are - a full year has come and gone, it was a rather quiet month and holiday. The house of course was decorated, 5 big trees, enough decorations inside the house to open a store with, but alas, not many around to see it, I was even finding it to be overwhelming this year and started to take things down prior to Xmas. Tonight however was the night that it was all packed away...and in 11 short months - I shall do it all again! Greta had a fairly good Xmas, a little freak attack at her Santa visit, but still got the pic. I'm realizing I probably could have bought every gift at the Dollar store for all she cared about presents. With video rolling, I waited with anticipation for her to round the corner to the great room to eye all her presents Santa left, which included a desk and chair, filled with coloring books, crayons, markers, paint, a few wrapped gifts as well, right beside a new play kitchen for Nana and Grampy Edgett...as I kept the camera focused on her reaction I see her look to the cat - what is this - she is going to the cat - HI Kitty she says - then, she bypasses all the new items on display, quickly glancing at a Fur Real puppy by the new desk, then goes straight to.....her old toys! SIGH. Epic Christmas fail. HA. Funny when I think about it. She didn't touch the trees, the ornies, nor the gifts, we almost had to force her to open gifts. Lesson learned for next year - Less is more!

So, I guess that is the update and my closing for 2011. I shall see you all in 2012, and despite the fact that I don't make New Years Resolutions, I do vow to write more on my blog in 2012. May you all have a safe and enjoyable NYE, my goal this year - try to stay up until midnight, it will be touch, but surely I can do it!!!

Toodles.

Nice - What a concept

Is Nice a thing of the past? I have asked this question over and over, Greta's arrival certainly enhanced my thoughts on the "when did Nice Leave the Building" concern, but it has been brought to the surface with my health, Mom's recent health set back and just life the past few weeks. It has been consuming my thoughts as of late and since I have been so negligent with my blog posts, I shall use it to vent on this topic! I may not have picked up on all the life lessons over the years, but I believe in and definitely learned, "if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all." Let's just say, I have been extremely quiet lately. There is nothing more I would like than to freely say everything I am feeling, but alas, I shall choose to maintain my composure and well....what do you know...I'll be NICE.

I wonder to the masses out there, are nice people seen as push overs, or maybe not assertive or powerful or dare I say not smart? I absolutely don't believe this is the case, but it seems so many are trading in nice for less impressive traits, lets just throw out disrespectful, rude, arrogant...you catch my drift. What a shame. I would think it would take so much more effort to be rude and disrespectful, a smile takes one second, a Hello maybe two! It is my pet peeve (well, I have a lot of pet peeves), but high on the list, right up there with people who chomp on gum like a cow and people who take kids to weddings despite them not being invited - is people who walk by and can't say hello or crack a smile. I smile to strangers and say hi all the time.

Just last week a gentleman was walking down Fitroy, and sadly, he was looking through the garbage, his face was covered with a messy beard and his clothes had seen better days but there was something about him. I actually found myself watching thinking he was probably a brilliant man, he had that look under that scruffy beard, it was an odd feeling as for a brief moment I was looking around for hidden camera's thinking I bet this is a What Would You Do clip about to unfold. As he picked up a cigarette butt that was on the ground and put it in his pocket he looked up at me and we made eye contact. I said hi, and he reached out his hand to me, I must admit, I was taken aback and a feeling of nervousness swept over me for a second (I watch WAY too many crime shows). Usually my friendly hello gestures are simply that, a gesture and I keep walking, but with his arm reaching towards mine he said thank you and I hope you have a good day, I said thank you back and told him to have a good evening and we went our separate directions. Do you know, that was the first time all day, in a 9 hour day that someone said that to me with any degree of being genuine. Is everyone really too busy in their lives to be kind, to say hello and actually wait for a response, or maybe ask how are you doing, and actually care enough to hear the reply - good or bad? Over the past few years I have been reminded over and over that life is short, and anyone who knows me, knows I hold a grudge forever. And I think that is okay, life is too short to be surrounded by those who bring you down or who have caused hurt, many say life is to short not to forgive, but there is a time and place for that, sometimes going separate ways beats forgiveness. But is life too short to be nice to those who you see and should talk to? To show respect? To offer help or support?

Greta can be many things, but I will do everything in my power to ensure she is a Nice Person. I fear for the next generation. In my quest to come to terms with "nice leaving the building", I found a great post..38 Ways to be Nice and Improve the World Around You. It is lengthy, so if you don't have time to read them all, maybe come back and visit the blog and do your part to improve the world we live in.

The list is below, I must say, I have done or do, many things on the list now, but there are certainly some great tips and ideas I will strive to incorporate in to my world. Talking about NICE - Greta needs to improve...she has been waking up at night - BAD, BAD Baby - so not nice. Have a great week, and please, just say hi to someone and smile - it may make their day.

Toodles, and enjoy the Ways to Improve the World below:

38 Ways to Be Nice and Improve the World Around You
Thirty-eight almost effortless ways you can do a little good in the world
(Taken from “48 Ways to Be Nice and Improve the World Around You” from Real Simple)

How to Be Nice to Your Friends, Family, and Those Who Need a Little Extra

1) Channel your second-grade teacher and playfully give out gold-star stickers to all the people in your life — young and old — who somehow make your day a little easier.
2) If you know someone is going out to dinner to celebrate a special occasion, call the restaurant in advance and say you’ll pick up the cost of dessert.
3) When someone is moving to a new city, supply friends and family members with stamped, preaddressed postcards. (Hand them out at the going-away party.) By the time the family pulls into the new driveway, there will be warm wishes awaiting them.
4) When you run across a newspaper or magazine article you think someone you know would find interesting, take a moment to clip it out. Attach a Post-it note that reads “Thought you’d enjoy” and drop it in the mail. This takes less time than writing a letter, but the gesture still shows the other person you’re thinking about her. Laura Noss, who owns a public-relations firm for nonprofits in San Francisco, says her father, who lives in Cleveland, does just that. “It means so much that when he’s reading something, he’ll rip it out, fold it, attach a message, put the postage on it, and send it to me,” she says. “I save almost all of them.”
5) Similarly, when a young person in your hometown does something to merit a mention in the newspaper (the high school quarterback saves the big game in overtime or your neighbor gets elected student-body president), clip out the photo and article and send it to the person’s family. Chances are, they’ll want to collect every copy they can. (One notable exception: the police blotter.)
6) Every day for a year, jot down one thing you love about your child/husband/friend (he has a crooked smile; she snorts when she laughs). At the end of the year, give the person your one-of-a-kind, 365-item list.
7) When you develop photos from a vacation or a major life event that an elderly relative missed, get an extra set of prints and send them to her.
8) en guests are leaving, escort them to their car, not just to the front door. If you’re driving someone home, wait until she’s inside the house before you pull away.
9) Hide messages for your family to find throughout the day, like “Thanks for doing a load!” in the dryer, or a silly joke in your child’s lunch box.
10) If someone you know is going through a difficult time, call to let her know that you’re thinking about her, but make sure your message doesn’t leave her with a sense of obligation: “Just wanted you to know I’m thinking about you, but don’t worry about calling me back.” When a friend was being treated for breast cancer in a hospital outside her home state, Sandy Donaldson, a community-relations coordinator in Newport News, Virginia, rented her friend a beeper and entered the names of the woman’s friends in its contact list. Whenever her friend got beeped, she could look and see who was sending kind thoughts her way. “The only rule was that she was not allowed to call anyone back,” says Donaldson, who didn’t want her friend to feel any more burdened during her illness.
11) When a neighbor is grieving, leave a basket on her front porch, filled with blank thank-you cards she can send to people who have brought flowers or made donations.
12) When stocking up on school supplies, pick up a few extras and give them to your child’s teacher to pass on to students whose families might not be able to afford them.
13) Donate two tickets to a major sporting or theatrical event to an organization like Big Brothers Big Sisters. That way, a Big Sis can take her Little Sis to something out of the ordinary that she otherwise might not be able to afford.

How to Be Nice to Your Neighbors

14) Take a dozen fresh-baked cookies to your local fire or police station. Bring the kids along to say thank you for their constant service.
15) When someone leaves a pie plate or a casserole dish at your house, return it with something tasty inside.
16) Send a note to a former teacher, telling her how much she inspired you. (If she’s no longer at the same school, the office may be able to tell you where she is now.)
17) Invite someone who has moved here from another state or country to share your holiday feast. Pinky Vincent, who came to New York City from India three years ago, still remembers how lonely she was at first. “I had no family members here or family friends,” she recalls. “But people I met invited me over for Christmas or Thanksgiving and made me a part of the family.”
How to Be Nice to People on the Job
18) If someone goes beyond her job description to help you, call or send an e-mail to her supervisor praising her. The employee will get a small career boost, and the boss will probably be thrilled to hear something other than complaints.
19) Avery Horzewski, a communications consultant in San Jose, California, likes to give chocolates or Starbucks gift cards to grocery clerks, delivery people, and others who are especially friendly or helpful.
20) Bring in a box of doughnuts for your building’s maintenance staff. Just don’t consume all the jelly-filled ones before you pull into the company parking lot.
21) When you make an in-person donation to a nonprofit organization (such as an animal shelter), also drop off something to brighten the day of the people working in the trenches.
22) Lindsey Schocke, an administrative assistant in Atlanta, knows how stressful starting a new job can be. So whenever her company hires somebody, she makes a point of extending a lunch invitation. “I can answer some questions for them,” she says, “and then they have a friendly face to say hello to until they get to know everybody.”
23) Overtip your breakfast waiter. He probably put forth just as much effort as someone on the evening shift would, but his take-home pay is probably lower.
How to Be Nice to Strangers and the World Around You
24) At a tourist spot, ask people if they would like you to take their picture in front of a beautiful view or a historic monument.
25) Subtly alert people when they have food in their teeth, an undone zipper, or toilet paper stuck to a shoe. They’ll be far less mortified than if they find out two hours later.
26) Pay for the drive-through order of the car behind you.
27) Leave your extra change in the soda machine for someone else to find. Better yet, leave enough change for a soda.
28) Athena Williams-Atwood, the president and CEO of Inspired Action, a consulting firm in San Francisco, carries rolls of quarters with her for parking. “If I see someone else’s meter running low,” she says, “I just pop a couple of quarters in. I may have saved that person $30 or $50 — all for 50 cents.”
29) Stop your car to let someone merge into traffic from a side street, or wave someone into the parking spot you were both eyeing.
30) When an elderly person is crossing the street slowly, walk alongside her at the same pace the whole way across. She’ll feel less embarrassed when the light changes if you’re in the intersection with her.
31) Trade your low ticket number at the deli counter for that of someone who seems to be in a hurry (or is shopping with children).
32) If you’re at an event or a party where you know lots of people, look around to see if anyone is there alone. If so, introduce yourself — and then introduce her to others.
33) When someone looks lost, stop and ask him if he needs directions. “I’ll never forget the people who have helped me when I was traveling,” says Real Simple staffer Melinda Page. “One man in Italy saw me looking at a map in confusion, asked if he could help, then walked five minutes out of his way to show me the place I was looking for, because it was hard to explain.”
34) Give blood.
35) Carry plastic bags when you’re hiking or camping, and pick up litter that you find along the way.
36) Instead of tossing magazines and old books into the recycling bin, drop a stack off at a local women’s shelter or your gym.
37) If you use public transportation on your commute to work, offer a fellow passenger your newspaper rather than tossing it in the trash.
38) Plan a “kindness field trip,” such as driving around town handing out cold drinks to people working outside, or sending flowers through the deposit tubes at drive-through banks.

I'm Back....

s



Tonights blog is brought to you by Ovol Drops, Baby Anbesol and a little Infant Tylenol. Don't knock it...4 teeth coming in and I can now sit and write and Greta I dare say is having a lovely sleep. Fingers crossed a full nights sleep. Much has happened since my last post, can't begin to recall everything, but a few highlights and low lights (and I assure you I'm not just talking about my hair).

Fact 1 - Greta is a growing little weed.
Fact 2 - Greta has an attitude when she wants to.
Fact 3 - Possible she has a split personality, as attitude goes from Angel to Devil ... quickly!
Fact 4 - Her wardrobe expanded a great deal in the past month - she is one stylin' gal.
Fact 5 - Possible she is a little prodigy... she isn't just a pretty face you know, I think she is smart too!
Fact 6 - Life is short!
Fact 7 - My respect for the medical facilities and some staff is lower than what even I thought possible.
Fact 8 - Toddler + High expectations for a fun holiday shopping trip = Disappointed Mommy.
Fact 9 - I really could use a drink of something other than Apple Juice and Diet Pepsi
Fact 10 - Nothing like having a baby and having a family tragedy to make you realize who matters and who doesn't.

So, in a nut shell, Greta continues to be a cute little gal, despite not having my curls, I dare say she has my fast growing hair, she will hate me for it once she starts dying her hair, no fun needed a color every 2 weeks - damn grey hair! I think she knows she is cute too, which is rather comical. The camera loves her, not so sure she loves the camera in her face all the time, although she is definitely use to it. We embarked on our first Family Holiday...to Maine and New Hampshire. I should have left my expectations at home however - along with my credit card. It probably wasn't as bad as I think, Greta was an amazing traveler - this is where I pause and bow to the inventors of the portable DVD player! Halleluhah, worth every single penny, even if it played non stop Barney and the Wiggles for 12 straight hours. It was a pleasant surprise I must say, she was so good, napped, but I think really enjoyed the drive - and a bonus, she didn't take after her parents - no car sickness sitting in the back seat! However, are you ready for this shocker - she was a pathetic shopper. I can't believe it, I know they tagged her as mine (okay, proper term, they matched our ID bracelets in the hospital), but I had to shake my head and wondered if she was mine a few times. Darren and I therefore had to take turns shopping in the evenings. I know, I know...what did I expect taking a 14 month old to the shopping Mecca, but at least I tried, which is more than I thought I could do. Overall, I think she had a fun trip, she ran through the sprinklers with her clothes on, got every toy she looked at and / or pointed to, and enough new clothes to keep her in a new outfit for the entire fall season - I so wish I was exaggerating, but I swear I am not. Her restaurant etiquette was not quite to my patience level however, although good - I have never eaten so fast in my life, so we determined it really wasn't worth it. We kept Subway in business while we were there and a few nights of take out in the hotel in lieu of some of our favorite restaurants.

As we packed up our goodies and said goodbye to the lovely White Mountains and home away from home in North Conway we were taking our time to our next stop in Maine, sadly, plans changed so very, very quickly. We received news that my Mom had a heart attack and was in the Cardiac ICU at the Moncton Hospital. Of course, this was followed by the news that she drove herself to the hospital, after having taught on the Island for a few days. Part of me was angry at the thought she drove home knowing she wasn't feeling well, but then again, much happier to hear she wasn't on the Island, she could still be in the waiting room.

So, needless to say, it was an extremely long drive home from NH, with a 14 month old in the back singing and dancing the Wiggles, we had to be mindful that she needed to eat...ummm...oh yes, we remembered! She was extremely patient, but 12 hours in the car was tough coming on the end and she fought sleep for 9 full hours...yes, 9 hours of a 12 hour trip! So, we had some extra stops along the way for food, drinks and changes. We cancelled our Bangor stay and headed to Moncton. The hospital was kind enough to let me in when I arrived. It was a rough few weeks, Mom was transferred to the Saint John Heart Centre and had two stints put in to help the 90% blockage. She was home for just a few days and had another "attack". As I was pulling in to the parkade on my way to work, I received the call and back to NB I went. Thankfully it wasn't another heart attack, although as hard to believe as it will sound - she has a gallbladder attack. Talk about unlucky. I don't know if I'm rubbing off on her, but between she and I, we are keeping the medical facilities on their toes. She is finally back home and here is hoping will slow down, look after herself and get well enough to write a letter...

So, you didn't think I would write a blog without a few opinionated comments, did you?

Let's see, the Moncton Cardiac Unit - exceptional: compassionate, knowledgeable, kind, concerned, clean! The Cardiologist was down on the floor chatting with Greta, he loved her German name - he was from Germany and informed us of how we should pronounce her name - GREEE - TA...sounded so much nicer when he said it! Unfortunately, once the ambulance "dropped" her off in Saint John, the kindness left with them. The hospital was filthy, the same moldy licorice pieces were in the elevator the entire time she was there, I cleaned her room, and despite the dirt - which you could overlook if you really had to, the compassion was no where...my mother was labelled #12 on her first day and was continuously referred to #12 for her entire stay. As we waited anxiously to hear how her surgery went, with the nurses telling us absolutely nothing, despite us pacing and asking on 3 different occasions, nothing was as bad as when I went to ask for the 4th time and the nurse looked puzzled at who my mother was, and the nurse behind her said - she is asking about #12. Lets just say - I opened my big mouth, told them what I thought of their rudeness and said they were going to give me a heart attack and I certainly didn't want to be a patient of theirs...not my finest moment...but they made me do it. It made my experiences at the QEH look like a walk in the park...just for a moment! Her return stay to the Moncton Hospital sadly was a disappointment, due to a bed shortage, she ended up on the maternity floor...yup - right there on the wall was a sign saying ring for the nurse to bring your baby..you would think since there hasn't been a nursery there for years they could update the rooms, at least there wasn't a baby in her room, instead, other ladies with serious medical issues all put there because there were no beds...and, I thought the moldy licorice was bad in Saint John - but sticky hot chocolate on a wall that was starting to grow fur in her room - not impressed! So, I really shouldn't be writing this blog, my energy should be writing the administration of the hospitals. Will they care - probably not - but I am pretty sure they wouldn't want their mother in a filthy room with rude uncaring nurses.

So, enough about that, Mom is now back home and will have a month to sit and do nothing but get better. It won't be easy for someone who is use to working 18 hour days, but I hope she realizes that life is too short to focus on work and helping others. It is her turn, she has put others first my entire life and no doubt hers, and its about time she stop and let others fend for themselves and not run to do for others.

Quite similar to when Greta entered our world, there is nothing like having a baby or having a family tragedy occur to make you realize what and who really matters. I read tonight a friend post on Facebook - People, people, people - Good thing I keep the expectation bar low! Well said, I didn't think my expectations could get any lower, but alas, it's now buried in the mud. What is wrong with people, are lives really that busy that we can't pick up the phone or send an email to see how things are. There are people out there, friends perhaps, that could use a little encouragement, or a friendly hello, or maybe an 'I'm thinking of you' post, but what a silly expectation. To those who again sent a note, placed a call, or just sent a one liner - thank you. It was appreciated and noticed...

Life could end tomorrow. Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets. ~Arthur Miller

Toodles

PS. So tired, can't even fix grammar tonight or re-read...