Musings on a Small Life

We had a doozy of a deluge yesterday, 71 mm of rain in four hours, apparently over 60mm of that in less than an hour. Which would explain the massive flooding in various parts of the city, especially downtown. Luckily, I escaped with only a bit of water in the basement. Easily wiped up with a handful of "rag" towels I keep on hand for grungy jobs. No rain today, thank goodness. Just another trip to Value Village, because I had a 30% off coupon to use by today. So even though I really wasn't in the mood to shop, I found four long-sleeved tops for work, two short-sleeved tops, a pair of drawstring exercise/lounging capris (not in the collage), and a plush blanket originally sold at Indigo (books, magazines, gifts) for far more than the $4.20 I paid. In excellent condition, I might add, didn't even look used.   Derry checked out and gave his approval to the blanket, while Nicki seemed more focused on looking cute to garner cuddles. It's a holiday weekend for mos...

So I sleep in till about 4:15AM today. Really is sleeping in for me. Get up, head for the bathroom. Nicki always comes up and follows me in, and if I'm not quick enough, starts screaming at me to hurry up. No screaming today. I head downstairs, no sign of Nicki following me, but Derry's waiting. All of a sudden, I hear the sound of thundering hooves...paws...and Nicki comes tearing downstairs and heads straight for the patio door, wanting out, now . I flip on the back light, don't see anything, figure he's caught sight of a raccoon or something else in the tree behind my fence. I feed the boys, they eat about half their food, then demand to go out back pronto . Out they go, I fix my coffee. Notice they're both still very intent, at the back the of the fence. I go to the screen and look...and hear a tiny "meow." Not a kitten meow, just a tiny meow. I start chanting, Please god, don't let it be injured or dying , even though I don't believe...

So, after waiting 20 minutes because they didn't realize I was there (after checking in with the receptionist and sitting in a prominent spot in the waiting room), I learned that the ultrasound showed a 1.5 cm cyst on the right ovary, which could disappear on its own and certainly isn't giving me discomfort. (Hey, maybe the lab reversed the images and it really is the left side--ha.) I also was told I have gall stones...but I knew that already. It's entirely possible the gall bladder is on my left, instead of right, side, which could account for some of the upper abdominal pain. I knew I had gall stones 2.5 years ago. Or is it 3.5? In any case, I couldn't make a snap decision about whether to opt for elective surgery to have the gall bladder removed. Wait time would be about a year and a half anyway, but I'll decide after the follow-up ultrasound in six weeks. I asked if, at that time, the radiologist could give a bit more info about the size of stones--whether an...

Someone on the CB used the words "recreational shopping" in a recent post, and I quite that like as an alternative to "retail therapy." And that's what I indulged in today, only of the super-bargain variety. Yay! I found a lightweight turquoise cardigan at Zellers for $6 (definitely not worth the original $25 price), then at Value Village found a pair of dressy navy capris, a pair of dressy navy walking shorts, a printed turquoise cotton top, a plain cream cotton top, long-sleeved rose and cream top, a really nice pair of brown pants for the fall, and a blue and white scarf. Also a couple of bowls for water for the boys. (I'm trying different sizes/depths to see if they have a preference.) Value Village rocks! The new purchases are washed already and I'm going to spend the afternoon out in the back space with my feet in basin of cool water again, reading a book. Which is about all I can manage in the sticky heat. It's no wonder most of us breathe a...

I got home this aft to find a message from my doctor's office, asking me to call to book a follow-up appointment. So much for the five to seven day wait time when all is normal. LOL. So I called, heart in mouth, and the young woman with whom I've been dealing told me the note from the radiologist said to book an appointment, but that it wasn't urgent. That means the scan did find something, but presumably it's not life-threatening. (Thanks, Trish, for the reassurance!) I have to say, I'm really glad I had the internal ultrasound done too, as it wasn't indicated by my doctor's office. It was the tech who suggested it, since I was there and undressed anyway.  :-) The next available appointment was for Wednesday at 11:30AM, so I took that. Too bad it wasn't Monday. If it's a "simple" cyst, presumably they'll have me wait six weeks, then send me for another ultrasound. Or perhaps suggest its removal. I'll find out when I talk with ...

A short time ago I got a phone call from the travel agent I used to book the fall trip to Halifax, telling me West Jet is discontinuing its direct flights from Ottawa to Halifax. The only comparable flight they could offer me would be Ottawa - Toronto - Halifax, which is absurd. I live in-between Ottawa and Toronto, no way am I flying east, only to fly west, and then fly east again. Ridiculous. So we've had to scratch that and start over with Air Canada. Fortunately, West Jet will give a full refund, though the agent said they don't typically do that but would in this case. Huh? If they're discontinuing a flight a passenger has booked on, they damned well ought to be issuing full refunds. I was upset, thinking that this is a sign from the Universe that something definitely is terribly wrong with me, health-wise, and I wouldn't be able to go. I'm nothing if not dramatic and easily thrown off-kilter.  But it turns out that Air Canada does still fly direct from Otta...

So I was up around 3:40 or so, as usual. Fed the boys and Toby as usual. Left food for Niko too, though Toby tends to eat everything in site. Then later, just before leaving for work, I opened the door to water the plants and there was Niko on my step, happily chomping away on a mole or mouse (no feathers). Right by the welcome mat. Eeeww! I closed the door in a hurry and left him to his yummy meal. When I opened the door a few minutes later, he was right there, almost smiling, having left the entrails. Accck, gross, gross, gross! I had to go out and clean up the mess, pour water on the step to wash off the blood. Gag. I'm really glad Niko's such a mighty hunter, especially considering he's minus his front claws, but I really wish he'd eat his prey on his own doorstep. And now I know why he seldom shows much interest in the canned food I put out. He prefers the real thing! No pic of anything gross, just this sunflower I saw on the way home yesterday. I couldn...

First, thanks so much for the comments of support...I'm much calmer today. Felt really uncomfortable yesterday and was panicking quite a bit, till I realized the exam probably was responsible for most of the discomfort, something my cousin reminded me of via email later in the day, when she read my post. (And if ever there was a resilient, courageous woman, it's my cousin, who has successfully battled breast cancer, including two mastectomies, and who still is dealing with health issues that entail more surgery this summer, as well as further surgery related to reconstruction down the road. She is an amazing woman, a true hero, IMO.) Anyway, I'll shelve my panic until (or if) the situation requires it, and just wait to be called for the ultrasound. Now, I'm proud to state that I managed to assemble the Ikea bureau I bought in Ottawa the other week, all by myself. It's certainly not the first piece of Ikea furniture I've assembled myself, but I recall that Dad...

The doctor couldn't detect anything via pelvic exam yesterday, so is sending me for an ultrasound. I'm scaring myself silly reading about ovarian cancer/cysts. Benign cysts are one thing...cancer is in another ballpark altogether. I'd like to say that the lower left abdominal and pelvic discomfort is merely a strain, and I hope it is, but it just doesn't feel right, you know? Anyway, I have to wait to hear from the ultrasound clinic (at one of the hospitals) for an appointment. In the meantime, life carries on! Universal Blessings and Light to All Beings.

Yes, I've made it to another Friday, in spite of anxiety issues, mood disorders and general foolishness.  :-) I must admit it's quite comforting to know I'm not the only one who doesn't want to leave her fur "kids," as this is something my family really doesn't get. I get to leave work early today, but it's for a doctor's appointment. Just something that's been bothering me for a little while now--a bit of web research indicates it could be caused by numerous reasons from the innocuous to the dire. "A bit" of web research can be a dangerous thing. LOL. I'll hope for the innocuous, as I feel fine otherwise, but expect they'll send me off for a test or two. Any and all positive vibes would be welcome! Anyone have something exciting and fun for the weekend? Errands for me, the norm. Maybe a run to Value Village tomorrow AM, now that I have my super savers card. The cats need a bit more food, I have to mail out the Christmas-in...

Wow, there really is such a thing, not to be confused with other anxiety disorders like agoraphobia. I've been wondering if there is something that would fit with my fear of leaving the fur kids. http://anxietypanichealth.com/reference/separation-anxiety-disorder-adult/ Interesting how this is a relatively new mental illness, perhaps created for the purpose of selling more drugs. (That's my cynical viewpoint.) On the other hand, while I don't think I qualify for an extreme case, it seems to fit quite well with how I feel about leaving the fur kids to travel, even for a day. With no offense or upset intended to my mom, I'm dreading going away in the fall to visit, dreading both the air travel and leaving the boys. I do get anxious to get home to them at the end of a work day, do get anxious to be back home with them after a handful of hours on the weekend spent doing errands. Naturally, this co-occurs with other mood disorders/mental illness (copied from the same site...

I took the afternoon off yesterday, after my dental, so headed home early. The driver was a fairly new one, not someone I see often, though we have chatted, as passengers and drivers often do, over the Christmas holidays when he was filling in on my usual run. I suppose he's a nice enough looking man, around my age, though I'm not attracted to him, don't even know his name or current marital status. Nor do I want to know. I do know he was divorced several years ago, that he has two daughters (and fur kids), that one of his daughters went with the mom, the other stayed with him. I also know that the mother passed away a year ago this past spring--cancer--and that the girls have had a tough time since, understandably. I do know that he got choked up telling me something one of his daughter's said shortly after the mom died, scared that he (her dad) would leave them too. The idea of what he represents--a male who has known deep loss and suffering, who actually isn't ...

Another week, same old, no grand adventures other than a quick run up to Ottawa yesterday to Ikea. Thanks, Mike! (BTW, the lamp shade doesn't fit..shit, shit, shit. LOL. Too pretty to take back, guess I'll put a lamp base that does fit on my shopping list.) I took a half-day's vacation on Friday, went home and crashed for a couple of hours after lunch. So tired. I'm taking the other half-day today, as I have a dental appointment at noon and don't want to come back to the office, will run a couple of errands and go home after that. Had hi-lites and a hair cut on Saturday, always a boost, especially the colour. Other than the hair and the Ikea run, it's business as usual, just the day-to-day trivial things that make up our lives.  I'm definitely not in the mood to blog these days, could just be the lovely summer weather (who wants to spend more time at the computer than necessary for work?), could be other things. We'll see. I'll just wish everyon...

Really.  Nothing "bad," just busy and feeling like a long week, in spite of the numerous work projects. Even so, I'm debating taking Monday off. I'd like to take tomorrow and Monday off, but taking into account that I need 5 vacation days for the Halifax trip, I have only a handful of days left for the year. In lieu of yet another year without a raise (this is the second year with no raise...we now are caught between the new staff union and the administration...great), I'd like more vacation time, please. Paid, of course. Another week, even two, would be lovely. A girl can dream, can't she? Here's hoping your week is superb, is going smoothly! To end, a few snapshots taken yesterday, with the little pocket-sized Canon Elph my dad was generous enough to spring for while here. It's nice not to carry my larger, much heavier Fuji HS10 to and from work, though I admit I love my Fuji.  :-)

It's stinkin' hot out, into the 30s Celcius (low 90s F) with the humidex. Whew. The boys are outside in shady spots and I've got fans going in the house, blowing the hot air around. The good thing about the heat is that it does, of course, decrease my appetite...though it increases my desire for cold, alcoholic beverages. Ha. I had a nice day today, got together with a friend for coffee this AM (Starbucks, of course, and yes, I had an espresso brownie along with the iced coffee). Then we walked down to the waterfront park to check out the wares being sold at Fanfayr , an annual outdoor juried arts and crafts show. Photos were not permitted, as I discovered, so I haven't any to share. There were some paintings and a lot of unique jewelry I coveted, really gorgeous stuff. Then I went to M.'s condo, so I could check out the renos he and his dad have done. It all looked terrific, especially as I had seen his place only shortly after he moved in back in February, an...

I can remember when Canada Day actually was a real holiday for everyone except those employed in essential services. Well, if you live in Halifax, NS, as Mom does, it was a holiday for all. Mom assumed the stores would be open and headed out to do errands, only to find everything closed for the day. So it must be certain provinces wherein most stores open on "Sunday" hours. Here, most stores were open, though not PetSmart, surprisingly. However Value Village certainly was. Yay! I had signed up for their super-saver card and so had a coupon for 25% off. I found a much-need jacket with a rain hood for a grand total of $7.50: A couple of three-quarter length sleeve tops for spring/fall (no pic of those), plain white dishes for cat food (no pics of those either, but they were 29 cents each less the 25%), a cute bead necklace: Kitschy cat salt and pepper shakers that still were in their original box: A little vase: And a cute little pottery jar with a lid: I really needed the ja...