Two years today

Seems like yesterday. Feels like a lifetime ago.

You would have hated what I've put myself through the last two years. I think you'd be proud and hopeful for where I am now.

Even as I find my way and move forward, you are missed and still appreciated.

Acknowledging the day and feeling peacefully contemplative within.

A week of fun

My trip to Victoria with my mother for the Titanic exhibit went well. The exhibit itself was disappointing (and considering I didn't have high expectations, that's saying something) even for my mother who is into the Titanic thing, as were some other things at the museum. BUT we got along great, laughed a LOT, the day turned out beautiful.

It's created a very nice memory of my mother for me, especially considering it's become very clear she's having some pretty blatant cognitive and short term memory issues. Went back to my folks' after the long day for a lively discussion on politics, world issues, etc. I stayed the night there (no sleep) and, though it was raining, we went for a walk on the beach and out for breakfast. It was a good birthday for her, a nice Father's Day for him.

Last week my best friend and I went away to Whistler for a few days for our 30-year anniversary celebration. It was everything we could have hoped for and more. The hotel was nice with a great view. The resort town was lovely for walking and cafes and lively surroundings. We talked and talked and talked, exchanged gifts (she gave me the most thoughtful things), laughed, attempted to get drunk (didn't work).

The zip line tour was more thrilling (this is a GOOD thing) than anticipated. There were five lines in total, two of which were big drops and fast (one had been clocked at 60 mph), with a bit of hiking in between. For anyone wanting a bit of a thrill but bungee jumping or skydiving is more than you'd like, I really recommend this. The one we took ran parallel lines so my best friend and I were going down side by side. Plus the harnesses were more like paragliding harnesses than the uncomfortable rock-climbing harnesses often used. The people running it were wonderful too.

It's all also been a reality check regarding my capabilities regarding the fibromyalgia and I'm currently processing all that means, shifting goals and dreams once again. Still, soooooo much to look forward to and enjoy. Life is good and I'm very fortunate in my relationships.

And it really is no wonder

British Columbia is known

for its beauty.....

This coming weekend.... another trip to Victoria for the Rodin exhibit on Saturday, and the jazz festival and Canada celebrations on Sunday. Then next week a trip to the States for July 4th fireworks.

The Continuing Adventures of SwampHag

See those pretty flowers? They're kinda how my life's been lately. Colorful and hopeful and a breath of fresh air.

They were a gift today from my best friend. I don't think she has ever come to my home empty-handed and it's almost always flowers. And I love them all, bought, picked from her garden, cut or living (okay, I tend to kill the plants but lately I've even had more luck with that). These are her latest.

Aside from work continuing to be busy, and a busy life in general, and some issues at work I'm not happy about, my life has been pretty good lately.

My sons are doing well. My daughter-in-law is insanely busy and having problems with her blood sugars during the pregnancy (she has Diabetes 1 and it's been a roller coaster and she still isn't even halfway through), but exciting things are happening in her life too. My sons' painting business is growing leaps and bounds, my older son and DIL are going to build a house with the help of my ex, so they'll have a nice new home a few months after the baby is born (they're going to build this coming winter). My DIL will be getting her Bachelors around the time her baby is born AND has been asked to apply to be an assistant to her favorite professor starting in the fall of 2008. She will be doing what she loves (translating from ancient Greek), earning her Masters, and getting published. My younger son has been eating healthier, losing weight, pursuing a busy, sociable life, working hard.

I'm almost afraid of jinxing things by saying this.... I've been dating someone for a while and it's going well so far. I know I will be okay either way and I continue to pursue interests and travel plans. But it sure has been fun to share.

We finally are enjoying some nice weather here. That alone has been a boost.

Today is my mother's birthday, so tomorrow (a day off for me) I'm taking her to Victoria on Vancouver Island to the Royal BC Museum for its Titanic exhibition, a longtime passion of my mother's. I always enjoy the ferry ride over and Victoria in general.

Next week, my best friend and I are going to Whistler/Blackcomb for three days to celebrate 30 years together as best friends. Adventures will include a treetop zipline tour.

I return from that to work next weekend, but Saturday night new man and I will be going to one of the many free venues at the Vancouver Jazz Festival (I'm more into Blues, he's into jazz, and I'm always open to trying music that's new to me).

At the end of the month, my older son, daughter-in-law, new man and I are going again to Victoria to their art gallery for their Rodin exhibit.

It never rains but it pours but - this time - it's almost all good.

Tag! I'm it!

Denise tagged me with the 8 Things Meme because, apparently, I don't blog often enough. Just because I haven't blogged since mid-April.... sheesh! ;-)

Here are the rules:

Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

There's only one problem with that: I don't have eight people I can tag who haven't already been tagged, soooooooo..... I'll just do my thing without passing the tag along.

8 facts/habits about me:

1. My hair length is usually a bit past my shoulders and I love the look and feel of it. BUT I absolutely hate feeling my hair on the back of my neck when I'm sleeping, so I have to flip it up on to the top of my head when sleeping.




2. I love a good western. The first Lonesome Dove miniseries and Deadwood are my favorites but there are quite a few others. Don't like the usual John Wayne fare; my style is more High Noon.

3. One way or another - both online and off - I've been helping men and women heal from childhood sexual abuse for 13 years now. I'm pretty good at it.

4. I drink a mug of hot chocolate every morning and have for decades. In general, if I like something I can eat it almost every day for months or years without getting bored. I have been venturing out of my self-and-allergy-induced mediocrity over the last few years, though. It began with traveling, wanting to experience everything a place had to offer and that includes food. But it's continued here and there.

5. I can rarely work in silence. That's always been the case. In my school days, I did my best studying and essay-writing while the tv and/or stereo was blasting and that's still the case when it comes to working.

6. I like driving fast. I don't tailgate, I don't weave in and out of traffic or cut people off or push when the road is congested, but otherwise, I'm fast. In another life I would have been a race car driver.

7. I don't like mice. I didn't KNOW I didn't like mice until our home was inundated many years ago. Much to my chagrine I instantly became one of those silly women who stand on chairs or counters until the mice are dealt with. They just move too damn fast. Except for one.... he had encountered one of our traps and survived but with a shortened tail and an unsteady leg. He lived in my turned off gas fireplace and would peek out at me now and then before his nightly run to pantry and back. I named him Stanley. He and all the rest of them are long gone now, thank goodness.

8. Despite reading fast allllll day long for my job, despite a speed reading course at which I did really well, I am a slooooooooow reader when it comes to novels. I love taking my time, relishing the language as much as the story being told. It probably doesn't help that I only read in bed at night before sleep so, well, I often go to sleep a few pages in no matter how good the book may be. So it takes me forever to get through a book. Sometimes it amazes me how many books I HAVE read, considering.

Thanks for including me, Denise!