'Tell me no lies' is complete. 
'Don't try to guess what YOU think it represents..  you might be wrong.   lol 
It was fun, I needed it - got me through the 'TRUMP hump'.. I hope.
Sorted out some stuff in my mind and now it is DONE. over. time to move on.
back to focusing on work, cannabis cartons, painting and having some pleasurable moments in between - moving forward. 
Thats' how 'I' do it. No wonder I asked for 2 more canvas for the weekend.
How do YOU do it? Everyone must have a hobby.  ;) 

I was conversing with a friend who reminded me 'this is not a dress rehearsal..." a cliche coming from most - not in this case, I shall respect and  indeed heed the advice.
Paint!!! Because that is what I am here to do.  I know.
I have NEW ideas and want to get into more serious painting, 'Nude even!  
;)      Seriously!
Dream (paint my new slogan) hee hee & get back to this cute little 'lady bud'!

Enjoy "Tell me no lies.."   if you do, I will know and  I have no time for bull.  ;D

I read a quote yesterday by Georgia O'keefe that has resonated with my soul btw..           
“I do not wish to try to live among many people – they tire me more than anything...”  Georgia O'Keefe

*for any that are reading I am closing my 'alias' Fb. If I want news I will go to the source- trying to figure out FB bullshit is too time consuming. I will continue the Georgia Toons page.  In recent days - the level of hatred, negative remarks and so forth also has convinced me- I don't need to read others 'anger' others with nothing 'better' to do.  I have better control of what I am viewing on IG. believe it or not - this DRAMA in the USA right now IS what the political powers want.  More of the poor will be thrown in jail. ;(  
Anyone who wants to read 'me' can still message me via- 'Georgia Toons'... or here.
 
​***ABOUT the  'kids & medicine' cartoon, its really 'hit a nerve researching this terrible, EVIL fucking PILL PUSHING, greedy  Arrrrrrggghh!!!!!  Must calm down, breath, think of being in caves...   looking at art.   Back to my 'happy place' so I may focus.  

​Thank you God.
Time to medicate & paint my 'Miss CannaBud!!!

Have Faith
<><
xox

Yesterday we celebrated ThanksGiving! 
Sitting here today I realize what a Thankful dinner it was, nothing fancy, Mom cooked a ham and scalloped potatoes! & made Storm venison stew! Mom kicked me out of the kitchen - "I don't like anyone around when I'm cooking!" - I get it! I don't like anyone around when I'm painting.  The occasional distraction is nice, but usually - No.  
As it happened we had an unexpected guest!
A friend of Storms who we all know - at first I was like- Do we have enough? lol Then I remembered my friend Roberts quote.. "more than a mouthful is more than enough to share."  something like that.. lol    So, we made a place at the table! 

​Here's the thing... his family just last week lost everything to a devastating fire in Keswick.
Tom is the owner of the original postcard with the dogs.. 'Grass a day' - It did not get lost in
the fire it was in his Barrie apt.  Holy cow.. I don't even know what to say, his family has already been through so much, anyhow- I'm thrilled we had an unexpected guest! We all were.  It made thanks Giving all the more thankful. 

I actually baked a carrot cake - stuffed with cream cheese! It was relaxing, fun & stress free.
Today I painted a little Give away for facebook, The image you see above. I will draw for the original tomorrow.
Why? because I'm thankful I get to paint!
I can mail it to someone to make them happy. 
I can share my gift.  Make a stranger smile.

Amen

Happy Thanks Giving Canada! 

Where would you go?  With changes come possibilities..  I know.
I've been researching properties in Canada. I love the water.  
Living where I am now it's not an option. Prices have gone up in Keswick since the 404 completion, now a shorter drive to the city has made properties prices raise beyond my budget... my long time pal Christine has already informed me of this - so then GO!  
I told Josh- "You're an American- You don't have to stay in Texas! (Sad still the state of Cannabis there, Imo.. people suffering needlessly) GO!! I said! Get on a bus and go.    
He went and is doing amazing in Seattle! Such a talented guy my pal Joshua.  < read about him here!  I will say, our time hanging out has made us life long friends. Another pal Peter - he hated it here in Toronto and always talked about the England.. I said GO!!! WTF are you doing?? lol - He went! he got a job before he even arrived- Frig, I am proud of him. He has friends, shipped his very cool bike over and  when I last saw- On a normal F*&^ Fb page- he was having a wonderful time and happy travelling all over!
 
So, now what? GO!! But where. Halliburton, I've been there my entire life off and on and love it. It's a friendly community with an intimacy you don't get in a big city, I even enjoy and still listen to canoe - the radio station. I never have problems meeting and speaking to new people, it is truly a gift I got from my mom. I've never had a problem making friends, when I want them.  As I get older I'm enjoying a small circle of great friends, wider circle of  good friends.  Still, I can't afford anything on the water...
Then I ventured a little further Turo!! Nova Scotia?  
Then I spied this "Inn"  - it is on my list of places to visit & stay. * these sites find me, btw.
Check this place out: www.fogoislandinn.ca/b/video  I love when WE help each other.
I wonder if I should move a little further.  
I Know what I want.   Peace & WiFi  lol 

I place to look at water, walk my dogs, have some chickens, have friends over for relaxing potluck meals. hee hee  I want to paint. I want to paint about aboriginal plights in this country, the struggles women are having around the world, poverty, child abuse.. an I want to paint  gouache birds & kertmit the frog.  
I'm working on a cartoon now calling it "I'm ashamed", I am...  but I can focus on doing better now that I am educating myself & draw! I want to draw!  

Slip in some travel, Spain, Scotland to see the Cannabus that features Georgia Toons!
Visit with Robert and the ZENkitty crew!  Visit Ivan and his talented wife!
She has already promised to teach me a clay class!  
​The USA is looking mighty appealing at the moment as well. 
Go. 

Where would you Go?

Which, I no longer do.

I have so much to do you don't  even know.  Tired as fuck.
​hee hee hee

Have Faith
<><
xox

Mortgage insurance.. do you have it? 
We did and I want to educate you with our own experience regarding it.
*longish blog- sorry - I tried to shortened it .
​
When I started to get ill and could no longer work- even walk (pre brain surgery) I could no longer teach kids,  paint murals, anything and now along with being very ill  we started to feel the stress of  only a one income home,  I was getting sicker because of it. 
My Dr. asked ‘Do you have  mortgage insurance?’ I came home and asked Norm- YES! 
We actually did! & It was to our understanding - If  one spouse gets sick and can no longer help, the bank would pay off the mortgage!  So we ASSumed.

I filled out the papers, had Dr.s letters, from several including a couple of neurologists all stating I could no longer work-  We read the fine print and dropped the forms off at the bank. They came back DECLINED.
Although we have been married 22 years (at the time of applying) because I did not have a “Normal 9- 5 job that I went to every day-  I was not seen as a  $$$ contributor to the family home. In their opinion.
I was a stay at home mom and therefor I did not work.  wow. I was floored…  & I was still very sick and getting sicker. Everyone said - they knew that would happen, the bank never helps people. Forget about it.

I did - what else could I do.. 
I had the surgery, as you are aware - it did not work  BUT it did relieve some pressure and was a bit better for a while- it’s since progressed again ;( - anyhow—- I still could not work - i remembering crying thinking ‘even Walmart won’t hire me..” and we were getting into financial difficulties- as most people do when there is only suddenly one income.  Really bad, worried about losing our home bad.

It was a snowstorm, I was alone and crying- feeling completely helpless, defeated and very sick   I remember it so well -  I don't care WTF anyone thinks about this: 
 I heard it in my head, so warm and reassuring,  God said.. 
Get up! 
Get DRESSED
Go to the bank and MAKE them  listen.

I got up, got dressed, grabbed all my paperwork (now more from the failed surgery)
and walked over to the bank! It was difficult- I met a friend on the way and she gave me hug… 
I walked into the bank, found the manager and said something along these lines:

“That is it!  My husband and I are both very hard working people and we paid mortgage insurance our entire marriage and I fucking contributed  so much to this marriage it would not have  survived!  Here is my paper work- I am applying again!
 Decline me again - fine - the next time you see me it will be with a lawyer and the press & I want a response by the end of the fucking week!”

I put the papers down and left.

Listen, I do swear, and when my head is pounding it comes out even more… it is mostly frustration coming out..  I remember  she looked at me (I was friends with this woman in a way,  I was there the day the bank opened) she said “O.k. Georgia- I’ll send them in”
How dare anyone say a stay at home mom does not earn anything! We are raising the next generation! Hopefully with love- i had to stay at home also to look after Storm properly!  I did contribute over the years -  I made money and I would buy the groceries, help with bills, etc! 
Our entire marriage -  talk about inequality bullshit still! I was angry and with every right-  it was more of less saying I had no value all these years and I DID - I DO.

Norm woke me  a week later at 5 a.m. - “George, Something is wrong! - there is all this money in the bank account! “  
They had not declined this time.  I never heard a thing.. BUT-  they did not pay off the mortgage as one might think - they paid me for a couple of years ‘LOST wages.’ 
THANK you GOD! 
IRONICALLY - If I could go to work for a month- I could re apply and they would pay me again- IT is so fucked up - HOW could I work for a month? Still sick - at least, I could breath easier about the bills.      

It was enough to pay off ALL our credit cards,  bank loan- ( yep I know some you have them)  and pay off a chunk of the mortgage.. so it’s not what you think.  You have to be careful if you have mortgage insurance - you might never get.
& look what I had to go through for it.  They do not care. 

I am proud of myself - everyone told me don't bother, give up…  
We were literally weeks away from having to claim bankruptcy & losing our home.

The lesson I want people to understand is HOW can anyone say a house wife does not contribute to a marriage?   
That is BULLSHIT & something I would have not learned if we did not live through it.
So, if you are purchasing a new house - will you or won't you? I don't know what to advise. 
Norm goes to work every day and does his task.. I stayed home, raise Storm, educate, clean, look after the animals, cooked meals, gardened, created - the list is endless.  I think I have worked harder than my husband many days!  When I use to teach and had 10 kids at a time all day long- it was terrific! If I had the option- trust me, I wished I could work again.
Either way - with the help of God, I am not stressed anymore - we have things under control. I truly believe it was a miracle that day- that “GET UP - Get dressed and Go!” Stop feeling sorry for myself and make things happen.

Very recently, Norm made the same mistake and  pulled a  “No, it’s MY money..”  when we were having a conversation and I mentioned  ‘I wanted to purchase something..’  Our conversation quickly escalated into a heated argument and Norm has since regretted his remark as he f*cking should & I KNOW he is NOT alone.  It is too common. It’s not o.k. 

I know many men who think like this and it is terrible,  instead of celebrating, and treating each other as equals, nourishing each other  and celebrating what each other brings to the table,  a stay at home wife works just as hard if not harder than many moms I know who go and sit in an office all day.  I know there are woman who work very hard outside the home (probably getting paid less than men for the same work) 
BUT WE clearly are being punished for choosing to stay home and look after our families and there is no way way I will let anyone tell me - I am 'not contributing'. 
What Norm lacks - I make up, what I can't do - he can- IT is how it works, BOTH of us these 25 years contributing to a marriage, $  blood, sweat and too many tears.  

It won’t happen again. I am much wiser. 
Ladies & gentlemen - have this conversation with  your spouse EARLY.
Sort it out so you don't fight it out.  
READ the fine print - and IF you are right and YOU know it  - PRAY! 
& GET up! 
Get dressed!
GO!  

With God all things are possible.

I can actually start to enjoy myself a bit with our money, and am planning a vacation, very soon. 


Believe
<>< 
xox

Tomorrow back to painting and fun stuff! Wait and see! 

It's April... tax time and the thought brings me to tears.
Norm is feeling especially blue over this years taxes too. 
Not for the reasons you might imagine. Jim did our taxes. He worked for Revenue Canada. He died horribly  last April when he was thrown from his golf cart and  I find myself  feeling torn apart all over again.  My heart aches all over again it seems as it does for everyones closest to Jim. Elly & the kids btw are STILL dealing with issues surrounding the case not yet resolved... if only it was over so they might move forward.  

I see Norm put Jims name on the calendar today and it made me angry- I don't need it on the calendar to remember- but, I get it too.. Norm is having his own hard time, he too is missing Jim.
​
Yes, I'm feeling extra blue, life can do that to us.
Thank God I have some serious drawing to do to keep me busy. I  put LOVE into every brush stroke - as is expected. The 'old me' wanted to  stay in bed and cry today - what a waste of a day, of  a gift and even of memories.  Jim wouldn't want any one of us to be still crying over him - everyone who knows him knows that to be fact. He LOVED life.

Jim  loved my cartooning, he provided many ideas and inspiration.  I miss him.
This time last year- I had no idea Jim would soon be gone. If I would have had some premonition of things to come - I would have made sure to get in a few more hugs at least.

Who will be gone from your life tomorrow?
​Did you tell them you love them recently?
I don't think I actually 'said it' to Jim but I know he knew it.

Time to paint.
​
Believe 
xox <><

​I purchased new sheets on the weekend and found these two napping in my bed!
What is it about new/clean sheets?   :)

( 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 <><