I was blessed yesterday by my friend Marie!  And what a blessing it was!
Marie makes Trifle. I met Marie through the parish many years ago. 

At functions Marie makes a Trifle.. 
I alwasy get the left overs for Norm and He loves it! 
Remember I'm not a great cook... 
Jello and I have issues, so I have never made it.

My friend Marie showed up yesterday to teach me how! 
It was awesome. I don't even need a recipe! 
I already know it and I can't wait to try another, perhaps one with oranges and chocolate! Nom nom!  We chatted, stirred, sliced, chatted.... went out for a tea in the gazebo and chatted some more. What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. I always find Marie interesting and one of the most compassionate people I know. Marie educates me every time I see her,  of course shw also cares very much about our planet. I guess you could say we are tree huggers and PROUD! lol

I have several friends like this. They inspire me to be a better person.  
I can't wait to pay it forward the next time I have company and share a dessert made with TLC  for them! 

I was blessed with a visit from a  friend - who brought all the ingredients! 
Provided  a TLC treat that my guys have been more that thrilled  with! LOL  
I admitting had it for breakfast and yes, it is almost gone. 
I am sure it will be after dinner this evening! 

Share your gift. 

I needed it. I am thankful for it. 
I had quite an experience the day before in Toronto that I had been thinking about, so it was nice to realign the mind. More on that tomorrow...

 xox  <>< 

Amen.  

<>< 
XOX

This morning, Norm and I were fighting before 8 a.m. It's the weekend and I wanted to know what he was up to.. wrong answer. Our bedroom floor has been unfinished for over 5 years now. It is uncomfortable, slivers are common and UGLY. My bedroom, my room of peace.  I WANT IT DONE! I am such a visual person, every time I look at one of these unfinished projects it makes my blood boil, and that's because there are several!  Well, I was fuming, words were exchanged, yelling and finally Norm was off to Home depot to get the wood.  To make a long story short - it's 5 and the floor is done. Tomorrow, after I get it in, clean, arrange - it's going to be beautiful!!  Anyhow, after much thought I did post it on FB this a.m.  It appears many  others are starting their weekend the same. 
But on FB, life is all 'rosie' - only smidgets of our perfect lives! NOT. 
 Too many people are depressed, suicidal, miserable because they THINK  life should be perfect. It's not. I'm not about to contribute to the 'illusion' either, not for anyone. 
22 years we have been married. WORK. It's not the first argument and won't be the last.

Of course I had a comment from a 21 year old - wise in the ways of marital relations, that I was airing 'dirty laundry'. I was truly disappointed, that was the first comment that young man has ever made to me. I know him. Storm and he spent the 1 year of their lives together almost daily. Oh well.  I'm glad my son appears to have better manners.
Then I had to laugh and shook my head..
There it is..  'Bitching', in essence, I guess, according to him.  I hope his future bride pays attention. I guess we should keep it all in, let it out other ways... perhaps kick the dog when we walk by or better yet, pick up the bottle and drown our sorrows in silence, it is what too many already do.

Only positive posting - give me a break... this is the problem, I have friends who’s marriages are disintegrating.  One was saying  all they do is fight, but everyone they hang out with has 'perfect relationships'. With divorce rates what they are, the facts are that WE don’t all have  perfect lives, far from it!  We argue, IF MORE people admitted it - we might not have such serious issues with mental illness and depression for one!  Instead of keeping it in and building up! Pretending to the rest of the world that our lives are perfect.  

STRESS IS the number one killer -  it grows until it comes out in some other form of illness like cancer.  I’m sorry my facebook page/ website is not all carefree,  sunny, playing guitar and having a drink in my hand every other photo - life is just a ball. Woot, Woot, who wants to party!! 
That is not the 'illusion' I live.  If it is yours then you are blessed, celebrate! 
I wonder if the young man will feel the same after 20 years of marriage,  after 20 more years of life. How will he deal with his 'dirty laundry'. 

 I have nothing to be ashamed of - If not for Norm and I fighting - we would NOT be together still.  That is  a ‘real’ationship’ ! For better or worse. 
 It could be a lot worse... now the floor is done, it’s already better.
I thought about that post this morning and now after today.. I am even more convinced it was the right thing to do! 

If you don’t like my page, or website stay off. Un-friend. Delete. 
Especially, if the only thing you ever has to say is negative, please do me that favor.
Simple  

Next week the stairs.
Photos of my craft table ! Before and after. It was a very productive day, 2 batches of home made cookies too! 
 xox <><   

I love Poppies. No kidding. I now have my own little Poppy! & Daisy...  I have alwasy loved them. My grandma use to grow them. So short lived if you pick them, best to appreciate on the stem in the ground where they belong.  Today of course I think of and miss my dad. 
How blessed we had men to defend our country - how sad they had too. It is one of those days for me.
War - what is it good for. 
We need more than one day. 

I want to share an e mail I got today from an older gentleman, he sometimes reminds me of my dad. It made my heart swell. I hope he does not mind, I don't care - lol - He IS an inspiration! He was to me. It is why I initially took the time to write.

"I want you to know that it was your request to me to write a Guest post that changed my life for the better. But for you I wouldn’t be here today. When you made that request I was having a real hard time with the blog. I was ready to pack it all in and say to hell with it. That was the first realization I had that I was actually being read and making a good impression on someone who counted. Thank you for that.

The blog and Facebook have become my life and believe it or not my depression has eased to where I actually think I’m happy. I sat in a room for ten years and looked at what was happening in the world and I wanted to scream and I had not one friend to talk to. That has changed dramatically and in the past two years I think I have finally managed to vent most of the anger I had bottled up.

I have rediscovered writing and I’m enjoying it and I intend to do a lot more on a lot of other topics that I have opinions on and as you know I have no lack of opinions: most of them negative. LOL .

All I have to do is look at the future and what lies ahead for the world and I see real rough times ahead in the next 50 years and I honestly think the world is doomed. The topics blossom: Life expectancy, old age, retirement, euthanasia, parents, do you want to have kids looking ahead at the climate changes, exploding population, diminishing resources, food shortages and escalating prices coming in the future. I wouldn’t and young people should think about what is ahead for them

I got my ass out of my chair and I started exercising and I feel a real difference in my body. I was completely out of shape with no endurance at all. I couldn’t climb the 15 stairs up to our apartment without my legs shaking and quivering almost uncontrollably at the top , I couldn’t walk a block without pain and I had to stop three times in a block. This morning I lifted 17,100 # in a one hour work out, and still had energy for a fun two hours at the local pub getting signatures for the SensibleBC Referendum.

Georgia: I honestly believe that I owe you the life I have now found and I will be eternally grateful.

When you get a letter like that!?   My day was awesome! 
Then I signed on to Fb and found another.  Talk about being blessed.  
Remember those who, if not for them you would not be here today.
For those that are here - Say THANK you! 
 xox  <><
Love Georgia 

The times are changing! Thank GOD! 
People are becoming educated, they can't help it! 
Stories, news, people you know being healed with a plant! Freed from Pain and yes many are saying Free from Cancer! 
I am not going to sit here and say "Believe it Damn it!!!"  
No, I prefer to say - get curious, I dare you.. Do a bit of research.  Then I KNOW you will be shocked and angry and then you will start to research a bit more. It is common sense.
When  DRUG companies are being sued, left and right for side effects and then this:
In one of the country’s largest health care-related settlements, pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson paid $2.2 billion to settle charges of false marketing, and paying doctors and nursing homes kickbacks for promoting drugs for unapproved uses.  
Read More:
http://www.drugwatch.com/2013/11/07/johnson-johnson-settlement-risperdal/
I can't help but sit here between twitches - some so painful  I can't thinks straight while they are going on.  No one seems to be able to tell me why or how to stop it. 
3 Neurologists and a not completely successful surgery... was it pills?  I was prescribed the above drug  "it was to give a medication I was on a boost".  
I've had people say to me "SUE!",  I am too busy living and trying to function to sue. 
THAT is another terrible side effect. How many people are just too sick and tired? 
Too many.  

We have to pick our battles and I'm pretty sure mine is evident to all who know me! 
 I battle for my son's medicine. The love of my life's - Quality of life giving medicine!
Bring it on.
I am confident with each passing day  and continued education that the times are changing! Harper - when you start arresting the sick for something Health Canada allowed for years... I will make sure as will several thousand other Canadians that the rest of the world is aware of  how you treat your your sick and suffering. <3 - They seem to be getting a pretty good idea lately as it is.
xox <3

Tomorow's Blog Radio Interview.

Picture time!  
Many of us hate having our photo taken. Imagine now you have a  "twitch' that contorts your face most of the time. Photo's? Yippie.  
I was asked for a photo for an upcoming interview & need one for another project and a book photo so I thought best to get it done right. 
Who better than someone I have known for years.  I asked Kyle Clements,  a very talented artist and photographer and the next day he showed up!!  Kyle is also down to earth and what I consider "quirky" in a great way, so I was at ease. 
I think that is part of the battle right there! As an added bonus Kyle brought his mom! 
LOL  *just in this case- as she is my best friend too, I am sure he does not show up for photo shoots with mom in tow, she did a great job of holding the light and making me laugh.   
When I got the photos I became teary, because I like them. 
I usually avoid  mirrors at all costs. I feel my face contorting a million times a day - 
I don't need to see it.    Know what I mean?
This is me. This is how I am and have been for the past 4 years now..  I wish I did not have the pain that goes with it. It is the pain and concern is what allows me to get past the rest though, see how trivial it all is.   
No touched up photos here, no fancy dress, no elaborate props...  they  all just add to the illusion.      

I have no time for pretend. 

Love me or leave me I care not - I will survive and continue on! 
It does not matter what we look like only that we still remain. 
What a difficult lesson this has been BUT I am grateful for every bit of it! 
It broke a barrier for me- I look differently at people with disabilities and those with vanity issues.  The more beautiful as of late, are those that YOU really see - not those that disguise it all with a beautiful shell and can be very ugly on the inside. 

My son puts it better than anyone ever will. 
"Mom when I look at any photo of you I see Love."
No one else's opinion matters. 

<>< 
Thank you Kyle.. I get by with a little help from my friends ;-) xox

Poppy is so playful! She is out of that baby stage and now into playing, fetching, tug of war and  chase! Today she was running with a stuffed toy 3 times her size and tripping every other step. She has also taken to sitting in the toy basket, to guarantee first dibs, I guess.   It is a continual source of amusement for me and all who visit.   
I had a visit - I can't get over Poppy all over my best bud Cathy below! She was on her lap and showering her is kisses!  
All my girls love Cathy as you can see! Of course they do! But, sure enough as Cathy pats them - her nose gets itchy and she starts to sneeze - lol,  but they cannot resist and clearly neither can she.  Just looking at this photo I can't help but smile. I had to share. 
Cathy will kill me she's not big on photos (neither am I)  but not to share an image of love - Look at Poppy's tail! Wagging so fast it's a blur! Cathy could not even speak between kisses and giggles.

Daisy and Poppy are best friends.  I am blessed to have Cathy as my best friend for several years now.  She is 'THAT ONE' friend.  All you need.  She has seen me at my best, worst, prettiest and scariest, she actually told me today she 'Liked' my hair and I was thinking - Oh, you are such a good friend (heehee) ! She has shared tears, cried, laughed and hugged  me a lifetime of hugs. She does not judge me - not even when I answer the door at 3 in my flannel P.J.'s.   Or when I show her my next  craft creation - she's ready to sign up for a how to! She also is the one I call in an emergency - crafting or cooking... 
She inspires creativity and makes me want to be a better person. 
All we need is one friend like that,  I actually have a couple... but Cathy is my Bud.

 I love her. If she ever tries to smuggle Poppy out of here, I shall show her no mercy.
:D 
xox <><

It was Storms 21 birthday on the weekend, we didn't really do anything special -well we
went for a family walk, that is special. Everyday we are together is special.  While walking I commented we need a 'family photo', one NOT in Halloween costumes. Low and behold Storm remembered the feature on the camera and there was a tall stump called 'Stumpy'
one of the reasons we were laughing; that and the fact that we might be in poison Ivy or the 
 vines were like in 'Jumanji' around our feet. Not a simple task a family photo, we'll just have to practice. ;-) Poppy had a hard time keeping up so we would pick her up - then she would cry and wiggle with excitement to get back down with the pac! It was  perfect.
I love my family <3.
xox <><

unite |yoōˈnīt|
verb
come or bring together for a common purpose or action : [ intrans. ] he called on the party to unite | [ trans. ] they are united by their love of cars.
• come or bring together to form a unit or whole, esp. in a political context : [ intrans. ] the two Germanys officially united | [ trans. ] he aimed to unite Italy and Sicily under his imperial crown | his work unites theory and practice.
See note at join .
• [ trans. ] archaic join in marriage.
DERIVATIVES
unitive |ˈyoōnətiv; yoōˈnī-| |ˈjunədɪv| |ˈjuːnɪtɪv| adjective
ORIGIN late Middle English : from Latin unit- ‘joined together,’ from the verb unire, from unus ‘one.’

As an outsider looking in ... you can’t help but think WTF is going on?   How silly it all is and what a waste of time and money! Never mind all that,  explain to the mom who’s child is ill and cannabis is saving their life  and not being able to get the medicine that some take for granted several times daily. The little girl ‘Charloette’ in the Dr. Gupta special,  I  recall  her mom commenting on the fear of not having the medicine. How did the Hyde Family feel when they ran out of medicine for Cashy and his cancer returned... had to deal with political bull on top of it all as well - yet in a few states over it is legal for medicinal & recreational!?  How UNITED is that Mr. Obama?

How is this sane? Or fair? It’s not fair!  I know I sound like a 5 year old - but it simply is NOT fair so why the fuck complicate it??  Everyone else will do that for us.  I hope I have not upset any Americans.  It is out of love and care that I guess I even think about it.   We are moving backwards with our own political nightmare - that is what it will be...  I just can’t help think about it all and how unfair it all is. ALL based on fear and lies. 

 Imagine how the different parents in the ‘United’ states feel - one will continue to watch their child suffer - or RISK going to jail - OR worse- losing their child over a plant that is PROVING to help many children and countless adults all around the world. 

I don’t have to imagine how those parents feel I know. I lose sleep over it. 

 I am a parent of a kid (now a fine young man)  soon he will not have the same access to the same meds.   We are expected to let strangers - or ‘health officials’ (after what they have just proven to us???) tell us how to take our medicine that we have been successfully managing for years on our own - and we will be expected to pay high prices?  No PUN intended.

I don’t need to imagine. I am one of these parents and I am also now one f these patients.    xox UNITED we stand, DIVIDED we fall ALL!!!   <>< 

I LOVE my dogs!  I call them my Girls, my entourage! LOL  Why? Millions of reasons but the obvious is the unconditional love and companionship you get from a dog.  Never has my awareness of my girls for my health been so apparent. Quite simply THEY keep me going.  They get me up, make me play - Daisy will drop a ball in my lap until the cows come home.  They are constant reminders as well, to LIVE in the moment.

Scruffy is our rebel and is getting in trouble from time to time, I can scold her (NOT HIT) and a few minutes later she is by my side as though nothing happened.  They are smart, intuitive, funny, entertaining, loving... it’s endless.  There are many days when I wake not feeling that great already, usually woke up by my twitch - this can also make one slightly grumpy..  the next thing I know Poppy realizes my eyes are open and jumps on my face ;D, Scruffy crawls over for a morning  tummy scratch and Tequila give an acknowledging growl ... soon Daisy will be up and then all go out for a morning ‘visit.’

Its a routine! Yes, it is also work.  Work I love. I would be lonely with out them, especially since the past few years I’ve practically become an a hermit.

I often go outside and just sit and watch the dogs  the next thing I am laughing out loud - everyone does - Daisy will be flinging Poppy, Poppy chasing Scruffy and  knows the short cuts because she can’t keep up with them- it is a source of endless amusement and I love it. Better than a T.V.   I’d be lost without them. Which brings me to Cannabis - LOL  You knew that was coming. I read yesterday an article staring Cannabis poison was on the rise with pets :
http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/2013/09/pet-marijuana-intoxication-rise/  
For years I have had opportunity to have the conversation & asked Vets. to provide me with 'proof' - none have to date. This article above tells of two dogs that ‘did die’, IMO it is presumptuous to say it was the cannabis alone, It could have been something else in the edible. I had, a few years ago 2 dogs die, I lost Hunny from BEEF bones that were too hard on her tummy. I almost lost Tequila and Scruffy at the time too!  Another that got into my twitch medication - a prescribed medication and only had abut 3 pills.
Our dog died in my arms, we did not make it to the vet in time... 

AND YES if you do call the poison control for your pets YOU ARE CHARGED, the site says $35. They won't even give you the info until you provide a credit card.
I KNOW.  I paid $70 AMERICAN!!  They could NOT tell me at the time a location of a emergency clinic - they gave me an address in Illinois, which would be o.k. If I did not live in CANADA, that phone call was a JOKE. (blog on it - tag dogs) THIS is also FEAR mongering to an extent. 
Please don't be fooled. YES, please take precaution with your medicine from animals and kids! It can be upsetting, even if your dogs gets cannabis, you worry, they pass out.. if you are not prepared it can be frightening, I was frightened the first time it happened to our dog, Tequila. SHE likes it most and will sneak bud if she can.

We had a dog, ‘Indy’ would run to the sound of the volcano being used. We have had several dogs ingest cannabis - they all just slept it off. Cookies, bud and medicated cocoa butter < they love it Scruffy would lick if off my hands if she could.
I have no fear of my dogs getting into Cannabis, to this day I am afraid to give them 'treats' and still have a heavy heart about my pills  now almost paranoid ;( one of life's hardest lessons for me. I never took another after I saw what only a few did.

Cannabis is a healthier option for pets as well compared to prescribed medications. 
ANYthing that comes into this house for my pets - if it says ‘not safe for children’ it does not come in the house! Even the toys I get the girls have to be newborn safe.
ALSO  pet vaccines, medicines, prescriptions - many designed for HUMANS.
All dogs -- from a Chihuahua to a Great Dane -- get the same rabies dosage.
Let me put that into perspective; a 3-pound Chihuahua gets half the dose that is given to a 1,200-pound horse! All dogs get 1 ml of vaccine, and horses get 2 mls of vaccine. What is wrong with that picture!?

 I have a friend who gives her dog anxiety pills ;(     - no comment. 
Really?  LIKE everything else  Vet medicine is a BUSINESS. THINK before you say o.k. to putting a pill in your pooch!! I started to research drug reactions for dogs and it is alarming, many have adverse reaction and can easily die, I am even more hesitant. 

I found this site informative and not too frightening: 
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/rabies-vaccination-13-ways-to-vaccinate-more-safely/

xox <><
Below my girls in action: