Thursday, September 27, 2007

Thirty-Six Days...

Today seems to be a better day than yesterday. Kinda got off on the wrong foot when I went downstairs to wash my "delicates" and saw the disaster area that is my basement - then the I-don't-know-how-long-they-were-sitting-there clothes in the washer that needed to be washed again. However, I made arrangements for a friend to come for coffee after work to defuse my Pre-Deployment Jitters, then another friend challenged me to a game of Scrabble on Facebook, and then I made plans with another friend (whose boyfriend is going to be sailing with Al) to come and look over the deployment info that I have, because she doesn't have any, and she is going to stay for supper.

My original plan for this morning was to go to the MFRC and work on my Deployment Binders, but that doesn't look like it is going to happen, so... I am cleaning the kitchen and making tuna melts for myself. *It must be a better day if I am feeding myself at lunch time...*

Anyway, I just wanted to let y'all know that the mood of yesterday has lifted - if nothing else, at least momentarily. Must run, it is probably my turn in Scrabble - and I am getting the pants beat off me!

And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Thirty-Seven Days - And Counting

There are things that occur in one's life which makes one wish to hide away from the world, in the hopes that everything untoward will disappear. There are stressors which makes one question one's own contribution to the world - the world in general, and one's own immediate world. There are actions (and reactions) in one's life, from time to time, which makes one question one's own validity. There are, sometimes, people in one's life who cause one to feel less of who one is and more of who others perceive one to be. And then, there is ONE, ONESELF - who gets so caught up in all the above that One doubts One's presence in the life One has created.

Then the question arises, "How does One get Oneself out this black hole? - BEFORE the things of life and the stressors compound!" When One finds Oneself in a black hole, of sorts, knowing full well that what is coming, ever so quickly, is going to be worse than where One is right now, One needs to come up with a Game Plan.

A Game Plan - sounds easy. It's not. It requires One to look the White Elephant in the face and recognize that One's irrationalities are caused by said Elephant. Every little thing boils down to One's reactions (known and unknown) are a result of that which is staring One in the face, with which One will not (cannot?) lock gazes.

If this "Elephant" affected only said Person, One may have a better chance of locking gazes and attacking "Elephant", and beating it down. However, when One has other, even more fragile, people relying on One to, somehow, Duct Tape THEIR lives together so that the bottom of THEIR world does not fall out - the facing of that Elephant becomes even more terrifying!

So, it is no longer ONE, but MANY. How can ONE hold together MANY in the face of this terrifying BEAST when ONE cannot even hold ONESELF together? There has to be a way - and it has to be soon!

One has to get all One's proverbial ducks in a row, so that One can sit the Many down and - calmly and rationally - explain this Elephant, and how this Elephant is going to affect the lives of the Many. One has to present to the Many the aforementioned Game Plan. The Game Plan which is yet to be created. The Game Plan which One cannot create until One is retrieved from the Black Hole (called Despair).

Concurrently with all this, One has the daunting task of Life As Normal. One must do One's daily tasks. One must ensure that the Many (collectively, and individually) get to where ever it is that require the Many's presence. One must (learn to!) put on One's MASK. The MASK that tells the world that One is OK. The MASK that tells the Many that the bottom is NOT falling out.

And then there is the Other~One. This is the person One needs to wear the MASK for the most. If the Other~One thinks that One cannot hold the Many together, then the Other~One becomes distressed, and the Other~One cannot perform the Other~One's job properly. Which, in turn, could not only cause the bottom to fall out, but cause entire thing to completely BLOW APART. One MUST make the Other~One believe that One has everything under control. That One has the Many in a state where they Many are co-operative and respectful. Once again, when One is seemingly unable to propel Oneself out of that Black Hole (called Despair).

Then One becomes possessive of the Other~One, and does not wish to share the Other~One with the Multitudes. And the Multitudes - most specifically, the Dominator of the Multitudes - are very intrusive. There is nothing One can say to or about the Dominator of the Multitudes to the Other~One without causing strife in the Many's world. SO... The One is left to feel put aside, put upon, INSIGNIFICANT - when all One wants to do is to hold the Many together for as long as is possible.

However, there are days when One want to disappear. Days when One want to forget that all this is happening, and just drive and drive...

And so we have now come full circle. Back to where we started, with One wishing to hide away from the world.

All this causes One to ask - Where does One's help come from? King David asked that too, many many years ago.
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?


But King David had an answer. Could One take his answer for Oneself?

My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth


Perhaps King David's faith was stronger than One's... Perhaps One needs more than that? Perhaps...

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—

he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches
over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you—

the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm
you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm—

he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming
and going
both now and forevermore.


Psalm 121





And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

YIPPIE!

I got my truck back today - YAY! She looks as good as new. And the damage - $4272.52 - thank God for Insurance!

Started physio Monday. She says that there is a lot of damage in my neck and I need to wear a "soft collar" all the time - and it is a royal pain in the you know what! And she says that there is significant nerve damage in my spine. Wonderful. We started acupuncture yesterday. I had today off, and go again tomorrow - for more acupuncture I suspect.

That's it for today. Short and sweet. Night all...

And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It

Friday, August 31, 2007

Something I Learned Tonight

One must listen to one's body. When you are in pain, and when you are tired, and when your head feels like it is in a haze, it is best to go to bed as one tends to be very short-tempered and one tends to frustrate very easily.

And so, I am going to medicate myself, have a shower and go to bed, and hopefully not be in such a cranky mood when I get out!

And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Update

I went to see my doctor today...FINALLY. He was not overly impressed with the ER. He said that there was an abnormality in my neck and so I need to wear a soft cervical collar for at least 10 days (or until physio tells me otherwise, once I get IN TO physio). He also wants to get an X-Ray of my knee as I can't straighten it all the way without searing pain! He gave me a prescription for Flexeril - a muscle relaxant.

The collision center said that the damage to my truck is about $4270! They are waiting for the OK from the insurance company to order the parts to fix it. In the meantime we have a rental van. I hate it. The driver's seat, at the spot I need it to drive, doesn't lock properly into place and it jerks and hurts my neck and back.

I was very blessed to have my friend Shelley come and clean my house for me for the party tomorrow night. Then we had fun singing some old hymns as I played the piano, then some old country and westerns as I played the guitar. The house looks great. Just bathrooms left for me clean tomorrow, and get the decorations.

The Corn Boil is NOT going to be cancelled due to the rain, we are just going to move it inside. I hope it turns out to be fun and I hope that people come!

And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Let's Recap...

  • Saturday night I fell in the shower and hurt the muscles in the back of my leg.
  • About 2 weeks before that I fell between the boat and the wharf and got a MAJOR bruise on my arm.
  • About 2 weeks before that I get knocked out of a canoe and bruise up my leg - THEN get my foot smashed between 2 rocks.
  • About 2 weeks AGO, I found out I have osteoarthritis in my back with vertebral disintegration.


Well, as if that wasn't enough, last night I got rear ended by a DUMP TRUCK! TWICE! It never even tried to stop. It hit so hard that it bounced and hit again. Al, our friend Steve, and I spent all evening at the ER (mostly on backboards), and getting X-Rayed from head to toe! Luckily there was nothing broken, but we all are very sort and tender. Doc said I have pulled muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves... Not to mention good old fashioned whiplash. There is about $4000.00 damage to my NEW truck. And I am going to bed now...


An accident waiting to happen? I have been called that since I can remember.















Nice, eh?

And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It

Monday, August 27, 2007

It Is Sunny!

What a beautiful day. Love the weather! So why am I sitting inside on my computer? I really don't know. I came in to check for email from Al and kinda got "busy".

Karen is here. She arrived yesterday from BC, and is heading home to Newfoundland tomorrow morning. Short visit... Too short. She is outside reading under my lilac tree (it is too big to be called a "lilac bush"!)

Pretty soon we shall head to Staples, then I have to go get Al, and try to drive with my stupid sore leg.

Anyway, I just thought I would say it is a gorgeous day and I hope the weather lasts for the rest of the week - particularly Friday!

And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It

Sunday, August 26, 2007

I WOULD...

Post pics of yesterday at McNab's Annual Beach Party - but our camera went for a swim {in Al's pocket when he got dunked!} The good news - I AM getting a new camera this week!

Oh, and by the way - I did NOT get hurt on the boat. I did NOT get hurt on the island. I did NOT get hurt on the way back home! I did, however, slip in the shower when I got home, and I think I pulled the muscles in the back of my leg, from my butt to my foot!

And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It

Thursday, August 23, 2007

I'm Told It's Been 10 Days...

...Since I last posted. I have been busy doing nothing. The MCF girls had another get together. This one was at Sonia's. We had fun eating, laughing, playing Taboo. A couple of us even went swimming. We went to Mattie and Ashley's Housewarming Party last weekend. That was fun. I actually looked pretty good that night. See?




This is me , looking at Al. He took this.



This is Ashley and me, she took it.



And this is what Al wanted a picture of...Boys! Worse even - SAILORS!

Not much else in the way of activities, really. Just never home! I did go see Brenda on Monday. That was nice. Got to see her new house.

And tonight... Tonight I went to Lighthouse Circle. At Christmas time we lost Ryllonna (one of the co-facilitators), as she went to a new job. It was very sad for me to see her go. However, we still had Peggy - her co-facilitator. Well, tonight we found out that we are losing Peggy too. She is leaving the center to go work for Veteran's' Affairs. It is an awesome opportunity for her, and yes I am happy for her, and for her family (as she will be home more), I am very sad to see her go. As any of you who know me at all know, I do not LIKE change. And Lighthouse is never going to be the same. I just hope it survives!

We lost Ryllonna in December, we lost Pastor Peter and Ellen in April, we lost Pastor AJ and Kelly in June/July. We are getting used to having Pastor Jay and Sharon, as well as Pastor Rob and Julie. Peggy has one more Lighthouse with us and she is gone. Al is going to be deployed soon. This is a lot of change in a very short time. Man I am not even over Lois leaving yet!

So...if I am short with anyone, if I am teary for no apparent reason - these would be the reasons why. I will try to deal with all of this as best I can. I will do my very best not to take out my frustration and sadness on others. But I am going to need a lot of love and support over the next little while.

Tonight at Lighthouse, we talked about HOPE. Peggy had us each write a card, write something to do with HOPE. Then we were to put them all on the table and each person chose one to take home. Let me try to remember what I wrote (and remember, I had all of about 5 minutes to come up with something semi-brilliant!)

~HOPE~
Rainbows and sunflowers
Meadows and streams
Waves that crash on a sandy beach
Falling leaves and falling snow
Buds and blossoms that appear
when the coldness warms
Life continues - inevitably
Peace returns - always
Bringing HOPE for tomorrow.









*It was almost right, I fixed it. Now it is right.*

And with that I am going to go have a shower, see what my Devotional has to say for today, and go to sleep.

And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It

Monday, August 13, 2007

It's Time...

Al left for PEI Tuesday. He ran the island from tip to tip, about 15 KM each day, he said. He got home yesterday, tired - and cranky today!

Wednesday I had the MCF ladies over for dessert night. Here are a few pictures of that.





Jessica, Rebecca, Juanita, and Renee.






Sonia, Ann (with Babe), Camille, and Laurie.





Juanita, Shelley, and Sonia.





And Sonia's beautiful belly!

Thursday I went for French Onion Soup at Cafe Michelle with Kelly. It was nice visiting with her as we have not had much of a chance to see each other lately. Then we went to Walmart to pick up a few things. Then I spent the rest of the evening practicing my guitar.


Friday I went to Kingston to pick up JaCynda. Victoria got her hair trimmed at Aunt Mimi's salon. Then we went to visit my friend Sherry, who I have not seen in YEARS! It was so nice seeing her. Can't wait for her to come and spend a weekend!


Then we went to Amy and Archie's for a visit. She is healing well from her surgery, but she did go back to work a week too soon, I think.



After that we went to Sandy's for supper. I took some pictures there...






Anic, Sandy, and me making Alfredo Chicken Pasta for supper, with garlic cheese bread and Ceasar Salad.







Andrew and Sandy.






Victoria and Sandy.






Victoria and JaCynda.







Winston.



We got home around 11:30 and went right to bed.



Saturday I was planning to take them to the Ceilidh in Lake Charlotte, but when I found out that it was going to cost me $60, I decided not to. I prepared food for our trip the next day, then we went with John and Crystal and a bunch of others to McNab's Island for the day. When we got back, we went to "the buskers", which we never saw! I ended up being the Designated Driver, again - with the perks of a BOUNCER as well!


Here are what pictures I have of Saturday before the batteries died.



Baby Cooper's first boat ride!





The coolest baby on the block!



Sunday we went to Sand Castle Competition in Clam Harbour. Here are a few pictures taken there. {Out of order and staying that way!}





Andrew, Sebastien, and Cody proudly displaying their creation - The LEVIATHAN.






Cody working away.






Cody and Sebastien working on their LEVIATHAN.






Victoria's Sea Turtle.





The LEVIATHAN.






Again...








Victoria working away.


When we got back Al was in Mount Uniake with Scooby so we went to get him, then to baby Cooper's birthday (which was Saturday) and had ice cream cake.





Today we went back to the Valley to take JaCynda home. We stopped at Hennigar's for Ice Cream. Went to Sandy's office so JaCynda could see her again before she went home. Then we finally made it to Kingston, dropped her off to her Mama, then came back home.





Pictures of Hennigar's.


Andrew and JaCynda in front of the fountain.



JaCynda and me in front of the fountain.






The fountain with koi in it.


And, of course, no weekend would be complete with out an injury to my person!


















Aren't my bruises pretty? I fell between the boat and the dock. It was not tied up (which I did NOT know), and there was not ladder, so we were climbing from the boat to the dock. But, I - being as brilliant as I am, pushed against the dock and, thus, moved the boat. It is a good thing Cooper was behind me and grabbed me or I would have ended up squished between the boat and the dock. I am so accident prone...





And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

~~~~FUN~~~~

Our date started out on board HMCS Charlottetown for eats and drinks. I was very worried that I would not know anyone as there is only one person on Al's ship that I know, and Al said that he didn't think Kendall had signed up. As luck would have it - he did. So...

Here is Kendall's girlfriend Krista and me on the jetty waiting for the bus to take us to Murphy's.



And here is Al and me on the jetty.



We boarded the Harbour Queen I for our Harbour Cruise.

Here is Krista with the wind blowing in her hair. {She thought that was awesome, haha}



And here I am with the wind blowing through my hair. {Can you see it? No? Me either...}



Oh, and look. Me trying to be sultry...



This is one of the bridges as we were coming up on it. I love this picture.



Al carrying my purse. HEHE



This is Mike - AKA "Straight Guy". He was funny. And no, Krista was not grabbing me, it just looks like it.



Al all cool and aloof.



Kendall and Krista.

Al and me.


Krista and me - and yes that is my lipstick on her cheek. She wanted a kiss... haha


Al sure can dance - when there is free beer!



So, after the Harbour Cruise we all headed to the nearby beer tent, as it was still early. There was a Salsa band playing (they were pretty good too!), so we decided to try to Salsa dance. We sucked. My body STILL hurts!

This is the band.



Kendall, Krista, and Al.



Kendall, me, and Al.




And this is what happens when there is free beer.

Al pretending he is in jail... "I didn't mean to do it..."





Then I got to drive dunk people to McDonald's then home. It was so much fun! The night was perfect for it. The breeze was even warm! Absolutely gorgeous!

I hope you enjoyed our adventure.


And so, today, this is...
Life As I Know It