It was a dark and stormy day

Had worst snowstorm in at least 3 years. Really heavy snow which bent over trees and in many cases snapped branches in two. Tom, my boss, decided to not have us come in partly because it would have been pretty rough getting everyone home. The house across the street lost most of a tree at least 4 big branches came down and fell into the road, the City came sawed up the logs threw them into their yard and took off, apparently they just clear them off the street its up to you to dispose of the wood. I take my hat off to the utility workers though. I was without power for at least 2 hours, boy did that feel creepy - my house is all electric with no fireplace so could not even make myself a hot drink so Alex and I fell asleep on my recliner and he kept me warm. All together now - aaaah. Snow is melting already so should be a lovely commute tomorrow. I am going to try to attach some pictures I took to my blog, I hope.

Hectic Day

Boss is back in town so everyone hit the ground running. Good to be busy though. Fiona got the apartment in Vancouver so she and Em will be moving in next week on her birthday - how cool is that. Been too tired to take Alex for a walk tonight and the evenings are drawing in really quickly so I am not really comfortable going walking in the dark. He doesnt care everyone he meets is a friend....

Am reading a book by Barbara Sher called Wishcraft. Written for people mostly women who want to have a life after 40 or in my case 50. For the last couple of years I have been trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up. What is my passion. Am working my way through the book rather more slowly than I thought I would. Spent a lot of time weeping not so much for lost opportunities which are many but how I was taught to think about myself as a person and woman and only now am I coming to realise that was other people's ideas and beliefs that were imprinted on me not my own and how I can still have a rich full life and discover my "passion" whatever that may be.

Alex is curled up on the chair next to me fast asleep. It is quite lovely when I am in the house he is never far away and likes to sleep with some part of himself touching me. Very comforting. Although still cant get him to watch the dvd Dogs for Dummies, will have to do it myself I can see.

"Arty" Weekend

I had the pleasure of having my wonderful son, Emrys, down to stay with me this weekend and it turned out to be quite hectic. Friday night we went to a friend of mine's art opening, she does collages and they were quite, quite beautiful, some amazing ones done with an Asian theme. Then the next night I dragged him along to play Bunco. What a hoot!!! He really enjoyed himself although he got a tad concerned when he accidently took his pen with him to the next table - things got a little nasty (all in good fun of course) and I tied with another lady and won $6. Gambling will be the death of me!!! Oh nearly forgot before we headed out to Bunco Em and I took a trip up to the top of Palmer Park. I have not been there in years. He took a couple of photos which he posted to his blog. I love the one looking through a fence to see the clouds. Anyhoo, back to Sunday. I took him with me to an art showing. Its sort of along the lines of a Tupperware party but with original art. Some of it was very lovely and then again some of it was ick!! I am definitely not a fan of cowboy pictures and/or elk or deer. Doesnt do much for me but thats what makes the world go round, right, everyone has different tastes. I fell in love with a small oil painting in the style of Van Gogh of a pitcher with iris in it. So of course I ordered it. I am going to have a party so possibly I can get a discount on another picture. Even Em was struck by some of the art, especially some of the water colors. No pictures of Elvis or Jesus on black velvet which I personally think is a good thing.

I am always struck when I am around my children about how much I showed them about "life" not necessarily by my words but by my actions and it was definitely not a good thing all the time. I am deeply saddened by some of the things I "taught" them such as doing anything to maintain a relationship even it is is dreadful, abusive and just plain wrong - anything is better than staying alone. How not to manage money! How to live in fear of what might happen and paralizing oneself with thoughts of awful things that might happen most of which never did materialize but the amount of time I wasted worrying..... enough said. However, I am so proud of Fi and Em and even though I was not always the best role model around how much they took what life dealt them and ran with it. My daughter is amazing in her courage, sense of adventure and just plain "hutspah" - think thats the word- in her quest to discover where she wants to live and what she want to learn. My son is amazing in that he is dealing with a situation in his life which he is not shying away from and is actively seeking help in seeing what his part is and what to learn from it. Both of them are extremely creative with excellent senses of humor. I am blessed on a daily basis to have them be part of my life.

Yeah!!! New Blog

Really Hot Sunday

It is 94 degrees here and it sucks. I do really well in heat not above 80, however a wonderful friend, Jodie, turned up at my house last night with a window air conditioner. Now all I have to do is set it up. Had a surprise visit from a good friend, Meagan, who popped into town unexpectedly, really good to see her. Am off to a barbeque this afternoon which will be extremely hot but with good friends to its not all bad.

More computer stuff

Really fascinated by computer, forgotten how all consuming it can be. Enjoying access to all sorts of stuff though, love it.

American Britain

American Britain

Its Monday and I am talking with an Indian gentleman trying get sound on my computer apparently I need a sound bar which should have been shipped to me but somehow never made it. I tried watching a movie but its not the same. Been on the phone now nearly an hour and I am starving.

New computer

I just purchased a new computer and my son helped me install the stuff, wait what am I talking about he did the installing I watched. Have not had a home computer for nearly 3 years - feel that I am back in the 21st century now although had forgotten how much of my time it can take up - been on-line now for nearly 3 hours. My next purchase will be a phone with a camera so I can post pictures. Boy, this is scarey, as I can barely work my cell phone this should be interesting.

Carrie says--I think it's really interesting that both you & Emrys chose a picture with a road leading off "into the sunset" as your main photo. It's a really great metaphor for where your lives are at right now; you're both moving & traveling & enjoying the great adventure that is the journey. Just an observation. :) Sending you a big hug!

Emrys' graduation pictures