Canada, Going For Gold!!

I felt rather foolish when the Olympics came to town, I didn't realize that although Canada has hosted twice before (one summer, one winter) we had NEVER won a gold on home soil.. well, as of now we have 4 !!!! I have been downtown twice, it was insane but fun! I don't do well in crowds, not because of any phobia, but because I am so protective of my shoulder getting jostled. It got a little overwhelming a few times, getting swept away with a crowd going in a direction AWAY from the hotdog stand,, lol,, but overall I did quite well. Skytrain is quite an adventure, you get your normal drunks and druggies, and then the mix of every nationality immaginable, with random national anthems being belted out. I really do understand when people say they are proud to be Canadian, and the unity being felt here is something I have never experienced in my lifetime, but I am also proud to be a human being, because beneath the painted faces, the flags being worn as capes, the singing and cheering, the smiles and tears of joy, we have come together as people. We gasp at the wipeouts, no matter what country, we cheer for the podium, no matter what flag is being raised, we as a world were saddened by the death of the 21 year old luger who died on a practise run. Someone said on tv they can only hope these feelings of togetherness and support can last after this month, and I think I cheered more for that statement than any gold we have won so far.

The Terminator and the Torch

So,, Arnold is coming to Vancouver, Stanley Park to be exact. I don't know why, lol, but he who has made a living with weapons and explosions and destruction will be entrusted with a torch and let loose in our beloved park. Well, ok, not exactly 'loose', but still...
I saw it pass through yesterday, no idea who was holding the torch, and the kids from school were more interested in using their flags as swords, but for my granddaughter it was a once in lifetime experience. For me, twice in a life time. I saw it wayyyyyyyy back in 1988 when it came through Cloverdale on it's way to the Calgary winter olympics, I had my daughter with me that time. Funny thing though, the first time I saw it, as it went by I had a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. Not a clue why it brought up the emotion it did. This time around I was worried it would happen again, but I really didn't feel anything, more concerned was I that my eye was going to be poked out by the overzelous flag fighters that were standing in front of me. I should be more 'into it', so every politition in our country keeps, saying, but apart from the hockey, I don't really care. If it had been the Stanley Cup celebration parade for my beloved Canucks, I would have had my face painted and been draped in a Canuck flag, screaming blue murder, (and yes, that will happen!) but as for the torch,, meh,,, not so much. I am glad there are people out there enjoying Vancouvers time to shine, but really, shouldn't we shine all the time? Kinda like when company is coming we go the extra mile for them, why not go the extra mile for the people we see/live with every day? As far as that goes, why not go the extra mile for ourselves on occasion too, just because we can, not because we have to. On that note, I am going to grab my Bic lighter, and run a lap around my living,, just because I can! Goooo meeeeeee! Now, where is that milk crate that looks like a gold medal podium,,,,,,,,,,

Independance is priceless, or $27.99 at Army and Navy

Oh ya!! I took up a great suggestion (see previous post comment) and bought a black "granny cart". I called around, found a place that carried black ones, and headed out with joy in my heart and a visa in my wallet!! This little baby is awesome! I hit a grocery store, and yes, the beer and wine store, and toodled my way home effortlessly. Well, ok, not completely effortless, it takes some getting used to. I am not used to dragging things behind me, with the exception of the odd bit of toilet paper,, ahem,, but this cute shiny 4 wheeled piece of wonder found every crack/crevise/bump/pothole that I was oblivious too! More than a few times it came to a complete stop and I kept on going! It will take a few more times out to get the hang of it, and next time I look like I am staggering with it I won't be coming out of a beer and wine store...
Anyways, off to polish it up and maybe look to chroming up those wheels!

Hello Sun!! Here I come!!

It is beeeeeeautiful out today! I grabbed my bag and headed off to the library then to a sushi place for some take-out for dinner. Then I realized I didn't have enough arms to do the rest of the stuff I needed to,, lol. Since my right arm/shoulder don't function properly, I am unable to carry a bag on that side, or wear a backpack properly. I have tried over the shoulder 'pouches', but for some odd reason most are designed for right shoulders, and if you put them on your left shoulder they hang crooked accross your back. I have had things fall out because of how they tilt. Very frustrating! Ah well, do I care right now? NOOOO, because the weather is fantastic, the birds are singing in the tree outside my window, and I have SUSHI for dinner. Now I just have to make two more trips into town and I can get everything else I need. Good thing it is only a few blocks,, hehehe..
Happy Sunshine!

the aftermath of life

Well, holidays are done, and the earthquake happened. Wow. I can't help it, I am glued to CNN and Anderson Cooper. I think life can get difficult, I think I should be in a better place in life at my age, I think others are getting by better than me with less than me, then I watch tv. What a wake up call that is! I doubt I would have the strenght so many of these people have, I doubt I would have the faith, the resiliance, the fight for life and a better future. Why does it take other peoples trials and sufferings to make me realize I really don't have it as bad as I think? It makes me feel selfish and ungratful. I am not a negative person, on most days, I am not a 'cup half empty' kind of gal, and yet it has really made me realize that I have let myself feel negative without actually acknowledging it. I do have a good life, I have water, I have electricity, and I know where my loved ones are. I can only hope the same can be said for all the people suffering now as soon as possible.

Tuzzi Time

This is Tuzzi, my black lab. She is 10 months old, and keeps me on my toes! We had a sprinkling of snow a few weeks ago, and she pretty much turned into a 4 legged snow plow, she LOVED IT!! Christmas is tomorrow, and in my world, dogs don't really care. In 'other' peoples world, they do, so there are gonna be puppy gifts under the tree. My only concern with Tuzzi and Christmas was wether she would try to eat my Canuck Christmas Balls, but she has shown no interest in the trees, decorations or wrapping paper. I will accept this as her gift to me, not that she knows or cares (remember, this is MY world after all).

A Canuck Christmas

Soooo, the trees are trimmed, well, since they are fake I should say they are fluffed.. The little one is the 'kids' tree, a bit too colourful for my taste but hey, it's Christmas right? Mine is black, white and silver decorations, and of course Canuck baubles galore!! I have yet to find just the right tree topper, so for now it is one of my Canuck hats. Some day I hope to find a Canuck angel, or something along those lines. I might just get crazy and drill a hole in a Canuck puck to stick on, but that is another year, another project for another rainy day.