( one of many)It's TIME! Tis The Season! Everywhere you look glitter, sparkle! Buy! Buy! Buy!
Oh my Gosh I am the first one to get caught up in it!!  Why, I will avoid the mall until - Feb if possible.  I can't do it! It turns me into The Grinch and I will tell you why...

           PLEASE DO NOT GO FURTHER IN DEBT BY USING YOUR
​                   CREDIT CARDS!!!! The stress later - might kill you!

If you go 'way back' in this blog you will read about my credit card experience..
well not all of it. I'm finally ready to share the outcome.
When I was at the beginning of this 'brain thing' journey, it started with me being very sick.
I could hardly get out of bed, Dr.s  had no clue and all the tests and neurologist were starting.  I had like many of you a credit card.  When I worked, I paid the card. I even paid for coverage if you get sick*.  It was fine, bills came in and I made payment. 
When I became ill, and fast - this household lost one income. Fast.
We started to lose control of our finances and I could no longer make payments for my credit card. Which was getting insane with interest payments. 
                    Shit happens.  That is how easy it can happen to you too, btw.  

I couldn't make payments, they started to call. I blogged about it, early on.
I freaked out because I received a phone call and was told:
"You can't make payments? I'll come to your house and make you F*cking pay!"
I got off the phone and was visibly shaking, I did not know what to do, who to contact and never had a call like that before. Nasty & mean,  this guy kept taking it to a new level.

To make a real long story shorter.. I contacted company that 'represented' MC that I acquired at the time (who had nothing to do with master card) lol ... everyone else gave me the run around - PLEASE remember I was very sick - they want  you to give up.
Anyhow - Thank God (literally) as I am sure it is with Gods direction - I got attention.
I was called by MC head office in Canada right away.
A week went by-  they said 'they listened to the calls' I had been getting, assured me the employee had been fired and the gentleman I was speaking with told me in his own words "he was a piece of work and was sorry for what I had been put through" & was then
told about a *'hardship program'.  I could pay only $50 a month for a year with no interest. Tired, sick, frightend by the calls I had been getting, hounded, yelled at, taunted, threatened, called many times a day and never listened or wouldn't pass me over to a supervisor.. I was exhausted.  I agreed.
My health issues progressed, a year flew by & the calls start again and just as bad, again:
I was told 'I was making up the hardship program' or 'they had never heard of it!' RUN around, constant calls and MORE abuse. Where do they get these people!? How can they say they are not aware of them verbally & mentally trying to abuse people they phone?

I had had it!!! It's one thing if we shirk our obligations but no one deserves this over a lousy credit card.  Deathly sick and  they were in fact, making me sicker! I cried on the phone to some of those people, begged to be able to just talk to someone - to try to resolve it.
They have no problems giving credit cards to EVERYONE but they then  MAKE everyone FEEL like a criminal  if they can not pay & NOT EVERYONE is a f*cking criminal!
If thats the case and they think we are criminals then why give us the cards in
the first place - because they don't care.  

Frustrated I finally contacted 'who I did' the first time - ONLY this time - I had had enough. I told them straight out in a letter & e mail:
'BRING to me fucking court, you're never getting another fucking cent  for the abuse & stress you have added to my illness'.
IT was FUCKING abuse, plain and simple.  No amount of  '$' is worth it.
Clearly someone finally listened, my phone rang the next day.

I was told that day, I would NEVER hear from  the credit card company again,
"I'd be wiped off the face of the earth, as far as they were concerned"

I never got another  phone call.
I never got another bill.
I never made another payment.

That was about 3 years ago now.  
I will NEVER own another credit card  again.
We do not own any now and will keep it that way.
I told Norm if he gets one - he can get a new wife too...  ;)  No credit cards.

Even to be removed from your husbands/wifes card - YOU can't!
YOU need his/her permission -(divorce nightmare) and must give it to the bank. 
You can go and buy one - if you need to make a purchase online for a set limit.
I use paypal for everything I purchase online or I don't buy it.

NO ONE NEEDs a credit card anymore.
It's all stuff.
Please don't put yourself in the hands of people who will torment you, they don't care if you are sick or not, and it only adds to illness. OVER stuff. 

​There IS a program called the Hardship program < click to read more.
There is a great documentary - GIVE it to your kid this christmas:
Maxed OUT   ** Please give yourself the gift of education and watch it as well.

Credit card companies when they behave like this are no better than glorified loan sharks,
 I know first hand - I was terrified to answer my phone at a time - when I as waiting to hear from Dr.s and get tests results. A time when I was sick and they just made me sicker. Fact.

*** If you think you can lie - good luck- look at what I had to prove & what they put me through.  Things happen out of our control.  
*That 'extra protection coverage '- miss one payment and it's out the window.
Just thinking of what I went through makes me still feel ill.  
I have the number of the guy from the credit card company  in my wallet, still! LOL
He was not happy to see my name come across his desk a second time. 

ALSO * I learned! I started to RECORD their calls. Tell them that!!!
DO NOT let them abuse you!  * I do think you have to warn them & I seriously do mean record the calls if they are making threats.
 >>>  If you are lying - well, you are part of the problem. <<<
THE real problem is the credit card companies and the fact that they just keep handing them out as they get richer just off of everyones interest - in stuff. Literally.

Is STUFF worth the rest of your life? A christmas gift the kids MIGHT really play with for a year? You will  pay years for.  Your kids do not want you stressed.

AM I a buzz kill? GOOD!!!
I'd rather be a buzzkill that contribute to your mental meltdown in January when you can't afford hydro, never mind credit card bills. xox
​
 Tip 2 tomorrow!!  

Fave Fatih
xox <>< 

We have a new dog in the house and Daisy is NOT impressed..
I'm not sure If I am either lol  
Guess who goes up today!?  The Grinch!

Halloween is over. A family meeting was had, a very serious one.  
The fake front to the Halloween house is gone, never to be put up again... & with that comes compromise. ;)  

As you are aware we have quite the Christmas Display! Go figure!
Norm asked 'If'  I'd assist with & draw the Grinch! Sure!
But, why can't he do this in August, think to ask then, not when I have a week deadline & have had surgery in between -
Did you paint it yet?? < He asked me Friday, when he came home from work.  
He is lucky I did not  toss 'it' in the fireplace at that comment. 
As I type - he is on the roof, a special platform had to be put on the roof  because that is where he is going. Stealing our Christmas Lights! 
The next few days UP goes the rest.

The dog is done,  I'm waiting of the Grinch to add all the details.. still in the garage, green paint drying. 

My son is fishing today, Brrrrrrrrrrrr  and I'm working on a few cartoons called:
 
"Randal Ralph, The Reality Elf"  
The first comes with a TRUE, personal blog and life lesson that almost helped end my life sooner than later brought on by STRESS and ABUSE brought on by phone calls...  of which I am sure a few of you might be getting yourself.

Have Faith
<>< xox

Fear mongering. 
I feel frustrated by people who sit and believe everything they hear/see on  television.  It is easier to follow for sure, and with all the distraction T.V. offers, I'm amazed anyone, gets anything done.  
Somedays I don't know where to begin with drawing, as you are aware I ask for direction.
With refugees wanting a safe place to lay their heads & that of their children,  I've read such things like 'Were letting Terrorists into our country...'
Please, how ridicioulious is that? First of all there are already sad, very mentally ill people everywhere, possible of terrorism everywhere. Already in our backyards.
But to start to plot the seed of terrorists being responsible for your your imminent death!
Don't waste another nights sleep.
Take some time read some FACTS.  I did and was shocked.. well not at most,
I believe many do drink themselves to death - and the possibility of being shot by the police...  well.
The statistic were American. ,  which  is no big secret right now, it is what it is.  I don't know the accuracy but they seemed to explain it pretty well check for yourself - PLEASE!
Why not educate yourself and find out - what are the odds?  
Learn so you can rest easy - at least from the terrorists.  

Thinking others are terrorists simply because of where there are from is pretty sketchy...  on the one judging.  It's just another form of racism and it is unfair. 

I'm feeling better, although I was very sore yesterday.  
Today was a new day!
Up at 5 - (I let Norm sleep in) drawing at 6 me, Poppy, Peep & PIN. ;) 

New Holiday Season inspired  toons soon.. 
​Have Faith
<><  xox
​

 And a better day to stay OFF of FB.
I'm tired today,  sore and grumpy...but I'm still drawing.
Even grumpy I can draw- I've finally learned how to USE it correctly, IMO... lol 
Yesterday ,I had a lump removed from the back of my neck, under the approximate incision from my last surgery, it steadily grew and became sore, also - when my twitch was/is pulling  and I turned my head, I kept getting the feeling of it 'being caught' and it would hurt, I don't know from what pushing on what. Anyhow I visited a Dr. and explained and asked, the next day I was booked for surgery, the lump removed.

What an experience that was... I lay on my front and the Dr. put in a local anesthetic - BUT he was teaching a new Dr. so every step was discussed. I found myself being caught between thinking 'that sounds interesting' to 'shut the fuck up!' Hahahaha!  
BUT more  on the side of that is interesting. I could hear the noises and feel him putting pressure and talking about the actual lump, how it was in place not normal for a cyst, and he was glad (me too!) it was not deep as he was between the nerves.  When he was finished he sat me up, told her to look at my face  & asked me to tell her about my TN.   I did.  
It seems most Dr.s I meet now are very interested about my condition. You can see just by looking at my face.  I want to share - help, educate so that when they meet someone they will understand - take the time to diagnose correctly. I ALSO told them of Cannabis. I do every opportunity,  for me and I mentioned how it helps Storm.  
I am sore but I had/have no pain killers.  Nor did I ask for any, I have one.
Storm had a joint ready, I medicated and have been fine - other than expected - a bit of pain is expected.  A different pain - and really - nothing, compared to what I normally deal with anyway.
No reason to be popping addictive pain pills.
​Thank God, I have cannabis , again.
This a.m. I have been at it, more than usual - and now I'm staying off of FB, because I know I'm grumpy..  and I have drawing to do.
A Christmas drawing that I feel is a very important message.  
Not a pleasant message but one true for most. 

Once I start, put on my new CD my friend Harold made ;), pull over Peep so he can serenade to me as well. He likes this song 'Do you?'  me too.. lol   I have my tea, my girls & my paint and pencils! It's going to be a great day.  
All my stuff is over until March the 4th.
Then I learn of results, the MRI's discuss the lump in my brain, TN and hemi-facial spasm. Until then I'm putting it out of mind! I will be putting up my tree this weekend and look forward to Christmas with those I love.
Making custom ornaments, hee hee hee...

What will you create today?
Have Faith 
xox <><

A toon I did recently, true. no time to color ;)
A 'classic look' we shall call it! lol

My son had me laughing so hard today I almost  peed myself and forgot  where I was going, Storm dropped me off, he had a few errands to run.
I had just given him the wrong address - lol - and he had to pay $3.00, just to go in and out of the parking lot, I'm giggling.) and he suggested I jump out in the middle of the intersection with a smirk on his face, the same cheeky face I have witnessed from time to time the past 23 years.  I knew he was joking & laughed more about our 'U' turn.  
I went into my appointment -wrong office, wrong name, still giggling.. it took us a while, the receptionist and I to figure it out... lol
Now, I can't quite remember 'why' I'm giggling in the first place but I walk in the correct office, explain what I had just done - Put a 'T' where 'C' should be and immediately the young man in the chair (waiting to go in, looking worried - his mom looked even more worried) started to laugh out loud!  His mom said to me: 'He did the same thing!'  ;)  
"Good!" I said "then I am not the only Dufus here."
;) We all laughed.
& that is why I must have been meant to be there.

I love my son.
As soon as I was back in the truck he had me giggling again. 

I will say Storm made a remark about FB that me me feel like like Charlie Brown and Go "ARRRGGggggggghhhh!!!"  in my mind.
I don't see anything with Georgia Toons, and no time with my alias and now I want to see less.  I came home and started to clean up my  alias and will keep it strictly to those who I need to  do some business with,  others I've met who continue to inspire - very close  (real life) close family and closer friends... for many it WAS nothing personal - only it's not fair to say yes, to some and not others.
I get distracted by all your posts and can't comment on them all.  lol 
Others, the less I see the better.  ;)  I tried to send everyone a warning but  some I felt will never notice and just deleted. 
Life is about choices and limits and doing what you love.
FB is not what I love doing. ;)

I wanto to focus on positive & having fun, drawing, dreaming & laughing with my son.

Taking a break for a day or two.. to spend some time with peep & my pencils! 

Have FAITH
XOX <>< 

I designed and asked Norm to build Peeps cage 'stand'  in exchange for me assisting with
The Grinch.  Peeps cage is almost complete, I don't want to rush it.  
He is actually already on it!
High up from all including Daisy's nose. Which, I had to wipe off the 'vision clear ' sides. lol  
Peep stands on the bottom to eat his daily greens and treat  and I can see him perfectly with 'no bars'. I'm enjoying it - I believe PEEP is too!  He looks at me, as curious as I am about him.  We have noticed he likes to sing when the vacuum is on, loud enough we still manage to hear him. So, the door is just a detail now, one I have enjoyed painting and look forward to getting up tomorrow dark & early and start again.  
The Grinch is also cut out in the garage, Norm has to paint on primer, some color - I add details and up he goes.  With a little more than that, you will just have to come back and see for yourself. 
I'm beat, lol - I'm glad the weekend is over.
​I enjoy being an early bird but have trouble then staying up,
I'll show more photos soon..
Have Faith 
<>< xox

A few things on my mind...  
Our mushroom meal, Thursday my son took em to dinner with the Mycological society! They have a meal - the last was in May I believe, and it was terrific!
My son is now the director of the Forays! He really enjoyed them and was asked if he would consider helping and excepted ;) I am always proud of Storm but thrilled he is pursuing his interests & helping. 
This evening was o.k... lol   It was awesome because I had the evening with Storm & saw several I had not seen in a while, I met some new people and had had 'a meal'.
I say 'a meal' because in all honesty, the meal was o.k..  I use to run a restaurant and I can tell you, we had some talented chefs. Ken, Troy and Erin (a woman - and she was my favourite) and I know what went into having a packed house and thought that went into preparing a special menu...           the food was o.k.
My seat was jammed in a corner, no one else could get it or out I had to step over a chair ? 
It was a safety hazard to say the least.
 As soon as the meal was finished it was 'wham, bam, get the fuck out vibe'. I hardly had one  SIP of my coffee - it was taken and all the drinks were cleared off the tables. 
On top of that it hit me at 2:00a.m., abruptly.  ;(  Kowabung.. not fun. I spent between 2  & 7 in the bathroom.  Another friend told me she does not attend for the same reason - the variety of mushrooms seems to upset her stomach. I'm not sure if it was that or the oil that we dipped our bread into that tasted rancid.  I will not promote the restaurant - my mom told me it was too bad, she and my dad use to go there years ago and 'the Italian was amazing.' 

I woke this a.m., read and drew the following cartoon. I don't get it all the talks of the denying refugees...  what it does boil down to is  people. people needing help. people wanting what we already have.  Why wouldn't they want to go to the USA - the land of $ and dreams and STUFF and commercials about FOOD & stuff and the Karddashians - look how OTHERS live! IF I watched Television that is what I might think also. I don't.
I DO have some good friends in the states, ( we say that here: 'in the states...')
Good people who care about people. 
ONE love means just that.
Really, they are coming over on boats hungry, cold, abused and beat down. With the clothes on their back. IF we all donated one OUTfit - well that would be that problem solved right there. Someone made me think about his when they said what about our American Children - who ae hungry - why ask me - ASK your government.
Charity begins as home. - but that does not mean it should stop there.
Of course there will be bad people. THERE are already BAD people everywhere who could bomb what ever they want. 
What IF it was you? And the bible belt? Jesus loving humans out there - I am one of them.
Really?? How can you say you believe and turn he other cheek- in a bad way. Denial.
This, this is the true test. Not if you swear, even have an affair..  turning away people who need it and are suffering and dying.  
Norm said the Derringer of Q107 said "Americans said 'if you let in the immigrants we'll go up to Canada'... lol  How is this any different? 
Where did your parents come from?
 & their parents?  
 Just curious.

​Do you believe - then ask yourself  What would jesus do.   Simple.

Have Faith
xox
​<><

I have a bit of time before we go.. and I can't paint 'Peeps' Cage stand, as much as I want to- or even cartoon because - If I do I will get ink or paint on my outfit.
51 years has taught me this if nothing else. lol 
I realized as I was getting ready, I am dressed head to toe in  an outfit provided my son - even my necklace! Which I must add was made by my good friend Linda! Talk about having good connections - when we were out they had a necklace with my top that looks good - but 
I wanted perfect. Why not? Storm suggested Linda!  Duh.
I e mailed  as soon as I got home: Linda! I need a necklace  blah blah blah by tomorrow.
So she came over & while we caught up, she whipped up my necklace & earrings.
Exactly what I wanted and Not PLASTIC not mass produced. I'm done with crap. 
I only want  buy from my friends when it comes to stuff like this.
Support the smaller businesses.  Artists or individual store owners Like Kat's up in Sutton.
I will be going soon because I know she has "neat things". Other friends who make personal items.. ;) Some I am bartering with! I <3 it when that happens! lol

Well here is my new outfit - but you cant see my feet- lol
This was my Christmas gift, I really do not 'cloths shop' so he treated me and I felt like a queen, we even had a great lunch and now dinner. ;) . ;) I don't think I'll ever take of this purple sparkly sweater- mmmmmmmmmmmmmm I can hug myself .   lol.
So happy to be going out with my son - did I tell you he is on the board now & is the Foray Leader/Director!? 

I feel great, makeup was a challenge - I know why I don't do it anymore. - it takes me forever! With, (thank God) many bong hits in between! lol 
You try putting on mascara with a twitch!
Oh, it was hard to pull away from Peep's cage stands front door! 
I know what I'm doing tomorrow - chores? - no! Painting!
I might when I come home tonight!  ;)  

Check out he menu below from the restaurant tonight Rossini  - no wonder Im excitedI
I'll let you know how it was tomorrow! 

xox 
Have Faith
<><    xox

I almost forgot!! My laughing Buddha Pendant! All day every day! ;)
​

Storm and I became member of the Mycological Society last year  & have enjoyed it!
Storm more so than I, as he had attended many of the forays and enjoyed meeting everyone.
Last mothers day he took me to a Mushroom meal! it was fantastic! 
Guess what - This Thursday he has invited me again!! Today, I was also treated to a day out and a new outfit for Thursday.  
Storm and I spending a day together is nothing new,  but with so much happening lately - we have had a bit of distance between us - so it was good today to just go out. It was a fun, relaxing day, and my son treated me like a queen.  He just did.  ;) 

It never ceases to amaze me the conversations we have and  - yes, I feel Storm has really turned out to be a fine young man, a good person. As his mother I can't tell you how at peace this makes me feel.  He is always making us proud - not because of what he accomplishes but of because how he is.
Tomorrow I have stuff to do in the office and planning 'Peeps  stand' - I might add is turning out exactly as I thought! I can not wait to start painting - which, I am thinking will be Friday - I know I will disappear  (into the art) for a few.  
​
I want to be well rested for our evening out! I had a wonderful time last meal. My son is on the board  and is the new Foray Director!  I knew the moment he asked  'Do you want to go to a meeting?' - it was going to bring about exciting opportunities & changes.

We are all connected as the toon above says. 
Speaking of people...
I have issues with anyone who has issues with refugees.  
If it was my son, my family - I would be trying to do the same thing! 
Wouldn't you? We all want a better life. 

People need to start thinking of people as just people.
.        

Have Faith 
xox <><

Peep appears more than content in his new home! He does not seem shy to any prying eye peeking in the clean view at the bottom of the cage. He sings  when you ask and sometimes when you don't. I am not sure what I expected - but he lets out a little variety noises that  have me  staring in disbelief that they come from this tiny body! 
Nibbling on fresh greens- like Kale and Broccoli, carrots and berries- he eagerly awaits to see what we place in his cage next.
​The family couldn't be more please with our little Peep. 
Yesterday I was not able to draw, I felt awful, tired and flu-ish - it had to be the MRI/dye/stress - I woke today feeling better and excited to design peeps new home.  
Storm teased me already how Peep appears to have gotten bigger - and when he puffs up - he looks to be the size of a tiny lemon! ;)  He was balancing on one leg so well the other day - I wondered if it had been removed by the cat overnight!
I looked & looked and finally he let it down. Whew.  lol
He is a one man show- noises like there are at least 11 different birds in his cage. That's IT!
Peep needs a stand -  there are expensive & of course NOT what we want so I have already drawn out what we hope Norm will build this weekend. All I want is height, away from cat and dogs, sturdy, wheels, a shelf (for supplies & food) and a cupboard door to look nice and clean and be my main painting surface for 'Peep and his custom traveling circus show!'  ;)
A first of many doodles.  I will show you 'Peeps Stand' when complete of course! 

​Paris
Up early on the weekend, I checked out FB only to hear & *see the attacks for the first time. 
What a terrible way to wake up. To see- what we would never see years ago  - now shared around the world in an instant. People falling from windows, running screaming.  
Then, you see  posts of anger and hatred.  
Several very F*cked up people are capable again of  setting a chain reaction of more anger and violence. ONLY a few evil people and this is what we need to remember. 
What I needed to remember.
The majority of the world does feel exactly the same - only scum is capable of such acts and that is how the much world sees them. 
Seeing how others around the world come to stand together and show sympathy, love & support  is power.   

I am glad I don't have television, as terrible as  life is - it makes it worse to repeat it over & over and over again.  I'm going to go paint & focus on thinking about all the good. I can not change what happened - I will not contribute to the vibes of hatred - only send ones of love and prayers for the families of all those involved...  & try to think of something positive to draw.   That might take a bit.

Have faith 
xox <><
​