Today has been a wonderful turned awesome day.
 It started with SNOW that beautiful kind of snow! I could tell by the shapes of the branches before I was even out of bed and in the dark! Then a visit with a good friend that left me feeling happier and empowered... good company and conversation can do that.  Our visits are always too short - will work on that for a goal.

I've been busy.  I got up, got dressed and ended up in my art room.
Paint brush in my hand before my eyes even completely open ;-)
I love it when that happens!  Storm came up later and commented  "you have a hillybilly coffee cup.."  I did not realize  until later when taking photos what he was referring too - my paint water can to clean my brushes does look like coffee ;-)  LOL Smart ass kid.  I have to keep busy I have much on my mind, including my friend who pokes at me all day to get my attention... by the end of the day - for me that's 6:54 (looks at clock on computer)  so I have to get it in early! 
Of course doing what I love the day flew!  I also did a drawing for a sweet young lady a princess if I ever saw one; her name is Meera - she leaves me speechless... 
you can read about her here:  http://edisonphotography.com/2013/02/meera-update/
She reminds me to live and do what I love.  

My son was home all day and he always has me laughing, one thing or another - I realized the days for the hotel were wrong so we had to rebook - and it was not easy (of course) so we just cancelled and got into the place we stayed the first time, we had such fun - also nice and close. So it was a good mistake ;-)  Other than that I painted. I am trying to learn to listen to my head instead of fight it all the time.  I admit I am having a bit of difficulties with tasks like writing - when I have an attack I have to stop. Painting I can ride it out.. the same is with drawing, I guess because they come from me easily - not something I have to think about. So  I paint,  and draw... today was a day the house work can wait.  Now it's off to relax for a bit, and bed. Tomorrow another day to get it right!!! 
By the grace of God.
 xox <><

I read about Bulling all the time and it is very sad, many cases lead to kids attempting suicide. Too many are successful.
There is constant talk - How to take the bully out of schools. I don't think that is where one should start I think they should take it out of homes. 
AS in TURN OFF  the television.
Storm said - he is not a bully and he watched TV and played the games, but if fact we did not watch a lot of television - when we did it was usually as a family and would discuss much - the same is true today ;-) 
In just 10 years I cannot believe the 'quality'- OR rather LACK of it on television.  
It is easy to understand how children are bullies when we witness it daily on television, and in  MOST cases the bullies they are watching are NOT other children - it is other adults.

http://www.wktv.com/news/local/New-study-shows-bad-behavior-linked-to-kids-watching-too-much-TV-192380841.html   <the amount on this topic is overwhelming online.  Also another sign to start paying attention.
http://news.softpedia.com/news/TVs-in-Children-s-Bedrooms-Linked-to-Bad-Behavior-and-Alienation-108173.shtml

How can we expect them to be nice and treat others with respect when we have such examples like Tots in tiara's, the Desperate housewives - nasty name calling and making fun of people. If it is o.k. to watch - why not act it out? It seems to get results on television. 
They see brats, bullies and bitches 24/7. 
How do you expect them to behave differently?

T.V. shows making girls mean:
http://theclicker.today.com/_news/2011/10/05/8166200-are-tv-shows-making-girls-mean?lite

"Because they are not directly participating in any of these hijinks, most viewers feel that watching reality TV is a harmless recreation, an escape from their own lives. Yet some psychologists are discussing whether reality shows are as harmless as most people believe. After all, whose reality are we viewing? And is it healthy to constantly observe people who are unafraid of any recourse or repercussions?"  Read more:
http://brainworldmagazine.com/the-reality-of-reality-tv-can-viewing-bad-behavior-on-the-small-screen-affect-the-way-we-treat-each-other/

TURN it off. 
Give your kid a book!! 
When you do watch T.V.  talk to your children! 
xox<><

I was mentioning to a friend recently how glad I am a ‘Head Shop’ for lack of a better word has opened in my town! YIPPIE! It is terrific!  I no longer have to drive to 30 mins or more for supplies - or even further Toronto! The shop is really nice, well stocked and the couple that owns it are equally friendly and always pleasant. It is NOT a XXX, sex shop, they don’t have porn (well there is that glass penis bong). Go check it out you might find it really interesting!

They have water pipes and smoking supplies, hats, incense - stuff - MUCH like a cigar shop in many towns. Only - Cannabis won’t hurt you like a cigar does. 
- Never mind that - hopefully you are AWARE of that fact by now. 

The store is always busy and I believe it is actually bringing business into our town.  It is the nicest store around, nicer than any I have seen in Newmarket. I welcome all new business to town! I have seen a few empty stores and THAT is NOT a good sign in any town.

That conversation started another... I said 
“I look forward to the day when we have a Compassion club/dispensary...”  

WHAT??!!    The look of shock on my friends face - this was another story - 

“A place where you can buy Cannabis?”  

“YES, Of course.”   I state.

Well - that she did not totally agree with... 
 “I’ll HAVE to have the drug talk then, I’ll be forced too...” 

"Excuse me? Your kid is 11! I’d say you better have that drug talk NOW!"
 "AND why, just because of a Cannabis dispensary- OUR medicine? Geeze!!"

I wanted to say - But that clinic for the heroine addicts that you walk past daily - that was not a cause for conversation? 
The fact that kid are more prone to first experience a drug from their own parents medicine/alcohol cabinet - that is no reason to have the DRUG talk?

NO wonder kids have problems! TALK to them. 
EXPLAIN what happens when people abuse Drugs. 
EDUCATE them so they can then make informed educated choices!

When we were little it was easier for parents to keep stuff from up, but with the internet and kids being what they are today - you can not afford to wait! I did remind my friend that now children all over are using Cannabis as a medicine! For cancer, autism, pain and more! Millions of adults all over the world use it recreationally and medicinally. 

Get over it. I was angry- again, someone does not ‘get it’. They won’t until it is their child or themselves.  I took a deep breath, remembered in my heart how grateful I am for Cannabis! This amazing healing plant! 

I moved past it. 
Your ignorance is not my problem. I thought to myself. *When I say ignorant, I do mean lack of education on the topic... nothing more.

AT 11 years old, if you think your kid does not know anything about drugs with all you see on television alone -you are wrong.
If you do not educate them their friends will. Friends that might not be raised, the way you choose to raise your child.

         NOTE: I don’t say LIE to them I say EDUCATE them.

*While discussing this toon, my hubby admitted to me -when he was a kid he sniffed model glue!  Glue! It was the classic - the older boy they hung around told them it was cool and safe. ;-(   Kowabunga!  Good thing it did not damage that smart brain of his.
PLEASE, talk to your children about all drugs. Good and bad and  about drug abuse

Today - not tomorrow.
xox <><

Wake up call.
We recently watched ‘Inside Job’ on Netflix*  
You can watch here for free: http://www.theotherschoolofeconomics.org/?p=2499

What can I say about it...
The lies that were used and created so that the rich could richer is beyond disgusting.  

I use to have a sort of ‘respect’ for people that I believed were -well to do. 
As time has gone on, I realize they are NO better than anyone else, they only appear more ‘comfortable’.  
How they get where they are, walking across the backs of others, chasing the almighty dollar, building up false hopes and dreams and taking bets on people because they know they can’t possibly afford the corner they have them backed into.
Many hard working people lost everything... because of sneaky, greedy, lying 
people in power. It is heart breaking. It can’t possibly end well, this war on each other.
The rich all ended up getting bonuses - MILLION $$dollar bonuses. 
Middle class became poor.  

Things will not change until all those that are criminals are in jail behind bars. 
MONEY or NO money. RICH or poor.
Seeing how this is not the trend.. one can’t help but think - It’s gonna get ugly,
 prepare yourself for a bumpy ride.  

If you don’t watch because you don’t care and you remain un-educated on how things happened...  when it happens to you - Who will you blame?

Education is Key. My own husband could not believe some of the lies that were told to people to buy homes they could not afford, lies he has heard not to long ago from a banking establishment. 
So - it continues for those that are not aware.

Change your life - get educated there is not excuse not to with all the information available to us today. 
Unless you have more important things to watch like Honey booboo or anything with ”Snookie’ in it.  How is it possibly making your life better by watching those shows?
T.V is keeping America entertained and ignorant as it steals the front matt from under their feet!!!  As well as cable, but by then it’s too late. Welcome to tent city and no T.V. 

WAKE UP! 
TURN OFF!!
TUNE into LIFE!

*about Netflix. we never had problem until recently Rogers Cable company keeps telling us we are over our limit... this is strange since we hardly watched Netflix this month. We have been watching Sons of Anarchy on DVD.s  I spoke to 3 others who have all told me the same thing happening to them lately. 

Is Netflix - Rogers sneaky, dirty, loop hole to get us for all they can $$$?
 xox<><

This is a difficult blog. 
Deep Breath, and in my mind I think help me speak.
I have not been drawing as much this past week or so, several reasons...

I had a bit of a set back. Dr.s still do not know what is causing my problem. I had a couple of days that were so bad I must say; I was considering- considering surgery - again LOL
Not fun ;-(  I am also thinking of my botox Dr.   
I also had a run in with arthritis and Daisy. I have Psoriatic arthritis - it moves. For what ever reason sometimes it moves to my hands. I can just about tolerate the pain anywhere else-  when it moves to the hands it also becomes a mental stress and can be somewhat depressing to a artist to have hands so sore you don't want to draw. The weather is not helping. Arthritis is not fun. Some days it literally hurts to pull up my own undies. I have a friend with sever arthritis and has had it  for years. I never knew how bad it was for her of course, until I started to deal with it.  I do remember she was in so much pain one time when  her little guy was a baby - I had to go over - she could not even do up his diaper because of the pain.
 It has been a difficult week, I was close to calling my friend Marco  and informing him I would  not be at this years EXPO.  

I had a long conversation with my guys - they get it - they see how I am and understand I am self conscious. Storm reminded me that - "people will think what they want, but when you speak mom they will hear you, and they get past your appearance."  ❤

 I had someone say to me - you have to get over it, then the other day she was saying in conversation "I would not go out if my hair was a mess... I would feel so self conscious" - HA! And I'm to GET over it!? - It will take time.  That's just messy hair! 
Either way,  I was reminded that this is a opportunity for me to help educate and we have some fun. We booked the hotel.  If people have trouble talking to me that is their problem not mine. Perhaps I am a lesson.  We are all a lesson for someone. 

For the past 2 days,  I have been using 'Bubble hash' Storm got for me and my twitch last night was one of the best days it has been since surgery!  I hope I figure out he camera thing - It will amaze some people! I will be in full twitch - have a puff and it stops, less than a minute later. 
I am amazed! LOL - You have no idea. A twitch that goes on constantly - is exhausting alone  but physically after a long day - it just WEARS me down.  Last night -when it is usually at its worst in the P.M. - I could not believe how good it was!! I will be using nothing but for a couple of days. It would be so awesome if I could control it sometimes! 

Norm could not believe I was not stoned. LOL And Storm happy to help his mom ❤.

If not for Cannabis, I do not know where I would be-  yes, I do!  
In bed miserable and feeling sorry for myself and in pain. 
Instead today - is a new day and I am ready for it. 
I am going to my painting room and paint some creations for this years EXPO. 
Relax and enjoy this day,  I know it is a blessing that it was given to me.
I hope to get back to drawing  as of today. Thank you for your patience.. xox

One of the main claims to ban 'home grow rooms' is fire hazards according to Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq. This got me thinking. I don't really hear/read of many specific 'Grow Room fires' which is strange when according to The Union - Documentary - 1 in 10 homes is Growing (In B.C.)  Many are here as well. Wih those odds - if it was that bad, I think I would hear/read more about it.
So I decided to research and found out that the (according to Readers Digest)
Top 10 reasons for House fires in Canada are: 

Free & Easy! 
Pallets - you can get them everywhere! Behind most big businesses, hardware stores, gardening stores, factory warehouses - all waiting to be tossed in the trash. My hubby use to pick them up; as then burn great for an outdoor fire pit. 
Now I have seen the wonderful creations popping up all over and why not! REuse! 
You can be as busy or as simple as you want! 
I love seeing the pallets as head boards and it is on my list of things to do. 
I love the rustic look. I'm already planning on placing lights behind mine...
                                 Valentines day is about LOVE. Not money. 
One of the sweetest things my husband ever did was spray paint a giant red heart in the snow on the front lawn, we had no money for gifts so he got creative!  I thought it was very sweet that morning when I opened the drapes. I  remember it most. I have forgotten the 'stuff'.  So  get creative! SHOW your love!
*Thank you to my son and best friend Cathy who came over and assisted me with this craft, still recovering from surgery - I could not have put the pallets together myself. Cathy was mostly for the company!  My pallet will be displayed in the garden this spring! I will be reminded of those who love me & I will also remember what seeds I want to plant!
...Besides Cannabis ;-)
xox❤☮☯