I've gotten addicted to a new "thing". Namely "David's tea". https://www.davidstea.com/. So many delicious flavours and lovely mugs and the like. I need to give up my expensive Starbuck's addiction; not sure if this is any "cheaper" but I am going to try. Certainly feels like I am getting in my water intake for the night shift as I run often to the bathroom.  My friends at work are happy addicts as well as some older friends from my old stomping grounds. Right now my favorite is Cardamon French Toast, which smells like Mamma's baking and tastes similarly so as well.  I look forward to a visit into the store as they have their "Valentine" teas out!

Stay Tuned...

this blog is going to see some changes! :-)

I am stopping blogging for now. Blogger and Picasa are being a pain.

30 years ago a boy jumped into a river, to prove his love to a girl. Fast forward to today and they may be apart, but they share a beautiful, strong, smart, independent and spirited young woman; the light of her mother's life. Some memories are beautiful.

• Just had a nice two week "staycation". Got a lovely pedicure (first one in over a year), took the kittens to the vet for their checkups, had lunch with "D", and then a bridal shower luncheon with some girls from work and an overnight visit with my mom at her house. And lots of lovely delicious naps!
• Still can't upload pictures. Very disappointing. Sorry!
• Work is work. My student has only a couple more sets left and then I will be on my own again. Time to spread my wings and fly, soar!
• Off for Easter week-end and looking forward to a homecooked meal at Mamma's. Not sure if I will be staying the night or not.
• Exciting news in the crafting world! Stampin Up! and Becky Higgin's Project Life are joining forces. Now that is COOL!

• I am frustrated with blogger. I can't upload pictures anymore from Picasa and I have SO many cute pictures of Poppy and George! boo!
• George and Poppy had their first year vet visit yesterday and it went very well. George weighs 11.1 pounds and Poppy 7.1 pounds. Both had their claws clipped and did very well in the behaving department. Annual vaccines and we were out the door. Good job guys! 
• I am on a two week "staycation" which has a few days filled with appointments and dates. But I am enjoying no alarms for the most part! Just resting my ankle. 
• Work has been ok. My Student is finishing up her last month. In May I have done a lot of shift swaps and so will be working mostly nights, which I am looking forward to. See how that helps the ankle.
• Saw a specialist a few weeks ago and she wants me on mega vitamins. Last thing I want is to take more pills. Another thing on my list. I would agree that my diet doesn't give me the nutrients/vitamins and minerals that my body needs, so.... more pills it is. 

• My Uncle Ragnar passed away this weekend, in Norway. So sad. Hard time to be separated from family. He was such a great man.
• The kittens turned one today! I still think of as my little kittens and they certainly act that way.
• Got my exercise bike back, which I am very excited about.
• Going to be starting on a serious load of vitamins, as recommended by a specialist. I started a multivite a week ago but I need to get mega doses of Calcium, Magnesium, Vit D, B12, B complex and iron. UGH to more pills.

• For some reason I can't update my blog from work. Weird. I am still not used to the new blogger. Also having a hard time uploading my iPhone pictures, so no new kitten pics, sorry!
• It's official! I am going to Vegas on my summer holidays! I "convinced" a work friend to go with me and we are going to have the most amazing time! She hasn't really travelled, never flown and never been to Vegas. The only thing I am worried about is keeping up to her as she is a very fast walker. We are going to spend our mornings by the pool and then exploring the strip, eating and having a wonderful relaxing holiday. Staying at my #1 favorite, the Wynn. *love*
• My ankle is really bad. In a different way. Something feels wrong. The leg bones hurt, I can't tell which one, or both? But I am limping and it scares me, badly. This is acute pain, on top of chronic pain. I hate it.
• Work has been pretty stressful again, with the patient population being younger. I also have a student and that has many challenges. Still looking for a casual job to supplement my income. 
• Had lunch the other day with my previous student "H" and her fiance, and it was a lovely visist; we sat at the Olive Garden for 4.5 hours! So exciting to hear about her new job(s) and their upcoming wedding. 
• Haven't gone anymore scrapbooking since "L" was here, but I am looking forward to getting back in to it with Project Life for my Norway album. I just love the "rain" colours; blues, greens and purples. 
• George and Poppy are 11 months and are still active kittens. The other day I missed getting the door to the bedroom closed and heard a noise, found Poppy on top of the curtain rod. Yes, she scaled the drapes. Thank goodness they are not expensive drapes and that there wasn't much damage. OY! George is my cuddlemuffin/lovebug. He even slept with me one night for half the night. I felt bad for Poppy who cried and cried at the door, but I just couldn't get out of bed. I prefer that they sleep together in the living room so that they have each other to cuddle with. But it brought back memories of Raja napping with me, which I miss. 

Happy Birthday Pappa!

I miss you so much. I can't believe it's been five years.

• wow, nearly a month has gone by without me blogging. guess I don't have much to say? all it seems like I do is work and sleep! well I will try to add something today. 
• I got my hair cut short and I am loving it. so easy to do. the purple doesn't really show up so that is a bit disappointing; not sure if I will have it done again or not. got tons of compliments about my hair though so that made me feel good. it will be super comfortable for the summer.
• my g/f "L" came up last week and we scrapbooked for the day. It was so enjoyable to have a visit with her and talk about our lives and scrapbooking! I started to put together my Norway album with my "rain" PL kit and I love it. love the colours, love the kit. I have figured out with the special punch I need to print out 4x6 pictures and then I should be golden. I am hoping to get my g/f "B" to come over and scrapbook one day soon too; she is going to work on her baby album for AJ. 
• work has been really something the past few weeks. usually we have one "difficult" patient, but we've been up to three, all young and it's so emotional. Hard on us too, those who care for those dying. I asked for debriefing but it never came so I did mine privately. I do need to start picking up some OT and this week I had off, I had three calls for it. but I dread going in. I also have a preceptor student and that is added work/stress. it's good to be challenged.
• yesterday was "Family day" in our province and so I had my daughter and her boyfriend over for dinner. I actually cooked!!! I made my Honey Garlic chicken, rice, chinese coleslaw and edename and then bumbleberry pie for dessert. it went well. good to see them too. the kittens enjoyed the cuddles with them too. 
• speaking of the kittens. they are so cute! I don't know if they will grow anymore; they will be 11 months on the 18th. in March I will take them for their year check up. anxious to see how much they weigh. they aren't eating as much of the canned food as they used to; not sure if they are weaning themselves off it and going on to dry or they don't like it anymore. George is still super cuddly (he really was doing the snuggling cuddles with my daughter's boyfriend last night - poor guy loves George but is allergic to cats so has to take Claritin before he comes over) Poppy is inquisitive and naughty and just doesn't care, she moves so fast and is ALWAYS on the kitchen counters and sink, which drives me NUTS. I don't know what to do about that, the water thing isn't work. I am going to start hissing at her. lol wonder what she will do. I rearranged their tree yesterday and that was entertaining to watch them be a little confused, as they used to be able to jump on to it from the couch and now it's more blocked; only Poppy can fit through. they still jam themselves into the top of the tree to sleep; looks very small but I guess its cozy for them. I just adore them so much.
• I started at the beginning of the year saving for Las Vegas and now I think I have a travelling partner! I am so excited to think about going in August. I know it will be stinking hot but I don't care. I NEED my getaway. I work so hard and feel that I deserve it. I have told myself I need three OT shifts to cover all the costs so I had better start answering the phone!

• Not feeling the new background I put up on my blog. Wish I could remember how to do my own personal one. Suggestions?
• Hurt myself at work the other day and my back feels ripped with numbness down my legs. Like an idiot I finished my shift and got worse, went home and barely slept and napped a bit during the day. And now back at work. It's going "ok" but during a dressing change I was really hurting. The numbness down both legs scares me a bit as that is something new and my knees feel weak. I am torn about waiting to see my doctor on the 24th (earliest appt) or going to a walk in clinic and then back to RMT Monday. *sigh*. You have NO idea how sick of pain I am.
• Ordered the "RAIN" edition of Project Life last week and hope it arrives for this coming Thursday when I have my g/f "B" coming over to scrapbook. Think I've got her hooked on PL! I am SO looking forward to going downstairs to the studio and playing. I miss it so much!!! So ironic how I bought the place because of the size of the studio yet I am rarely down there as its just too big and too quiet.
• George and Poppy are good. Poppy is getting a bit naughtier and George is getting more ?timid but more cuddley. Sometimes when I go to pet him he slinks down like a dog would if it had been hit before. Which of course I have never done, never would. Love my babies. So it's weird that he's acting that way. Maybe he's done something naughty and is worried he will be in trouble? Who knows how cats think????? Poppy doesn't care about anything, she goes on her merry little way jumping all over the counters with me chasing her with a water bottle! George jumps up too but as soon as he hears my feet he's down. lol. Having lots of awesome cuddles on the couch with George, he is so affectionate at times. But try to get them to come to the bed to sleep and cuddle? No way, then it's like party time for them, the drapes are there to hang off of, me to dig at with their claws, which I don't understand. They like to dig under the blankets. Again, weird. Dig in the laundry baskets. No I haven't found any surprises. Just want them to cuddle with me in bed. I see other people's pictures with their kittens sleeping on the bed but not my two; the original scamps they are!
• Had ordered some wide calf wide fit tall winter boots but they arrived, oh so beautiful, but too narrow for my calf and feet. SO disappointed. The scarf, gloves and socks fit. Haven't tried the swimsuit on. All for 50% off!!! Have to go back with the boots on Monday.
• Have decided to cut my hair short. And I want to go purple. Not much else known. ha!

Kittens hijinx

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter! I am so proud of all that she has accomplished in this past year, overcoming a bump in the road and forging forward to a bright future!

I love you Pappa

 

5 Years

It's been five years, nearly to the exact hour, since you passed away Pappa. Some days it feels like yesterday. I am at work right now, really wishing I could be home so I could cry. I am sitting listening to a man, struggling to breathe and I am reminded of you, how at times you struggled to catch your breath. Thank goodness the combination of Morphine, Ventolin, Ativan and oxygen worked for you most of the time.  And I am so thankful that the night you died, you were at peace, comfortable with easy breathing. I just wish we had more time. Time for advice. Time for you to see me settled in my townhome. Time for you to see your grandchildren grow into adults. Time for a few more Christmas' and birthdays and everydays. We all miss you, so much. I just can't believe it's been five years already.

Merry Christmas!

My family & I had a lovely evening together last night. The dinner my Mamma made was amazing! We had a good visit with each other and everyone was spoiled with gifts. I especially loved Mamma's reaction to all her gifts; I get such enjoyment of seeing people happy with what they get. 

I got four Pandora charms, a Nurse snowman ornament & locking gas cap from my friend *J*; long story but it was a cute gift to end the story. My nephew got me a Starbucks mug and my brother got me a Starbucks card! My daughter got me a few decorative items for the house, two Pandora charms and lovely body butter/her boyfriend got me a leopard print dress form to hang necklaces on and my mom totally spoiled me. <3 p="">

Then Mamma spoiled us more with her Norsk baked goods, oranges, chocolates and nuts. 

I love my family!

Family Christmas 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latest pictures of George and Poppy

 

 

 

 

 

God Jul and Merry Christmas!

God Jul and Merry Christmas! 

Today my family celebrates Christmas, Norweigan style! It's very traditional with a pork roast dinner served at 5pm, with a little bit of singing. After we fill ourselves with the main meal, we then start with the riz kreme dessert, where a hidden blanched almond resides. Who will win it this year? Then its time to clean up and put the dishes and pots and pans away. 

Time for gifts. My favorite part is seeing my family open up their gifts. There  is usually one person in particular that I like to focus on and I am excited about it this year. I just want to spoil my family. This year was tough as money was especially tight but I still hope everyone likes their gifts.

Then Mamma brings out more food; traditional baked goods, chocolates, oranges and nuts. And we sit around and talk, maybe play a game of Husker Du.  By now I am in my flannel pjs and reviewing all the pictures I have taken over the past few hours! 

Sov godt!

family

Pappa, it's been five years since this picture was taken. The last time we all sat together as a family. I miss you so much!